4. Restaurants

Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge

332 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL, 60611
  • (312) 527-2888
  • Store is closed

Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge Menu

  • Soup
  • Salad
  • Rice & Noodle
  • Plate
  • Specialty Rolls

Healthy Meal suggestions for Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge

  • Soup
  • Salad
  • Rice & Noodle
  • Plate
  • Specialty Rolls

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Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Mable G.

    The atmosphere of this restaurant is nice but the food is only okay. My husband and I ordered sushi and "sushi chefs" used the wrong rice because all the rolls fell apart when it was picked up by the chop sticks. My daughter had scallion pancake and dumplings. Although good, it definitely was not made in house. These were pre-packaged items that they just heated up and charged 3 times more for it than if you were to get it yourself at the Chinese grocery stores. The only good thing was the beef fried rice. If you're wanting good sushi, keep walking pass Niu.

    (2)

  • Ed B.

    Great menu, large portions. The Sushi was well done find fresh. The three main dishes we ordered while large in portions all lacked depth of flavor in broths! After living in South East Asia for three years it is frustrating to pay big money for thin bases to noodle dishes. Great cocktail list.

    (3)

  • Ashley M.

    After a long day of dodging tourists and blowing the majority of our paychecks on the Mag mile, my friend and I decided to spend whatever was left on sushi. It was the best investment we could have made. The overall ambiance was just as welcoming as the wait staff. Mercedes was attentive and patient while we poured over the menu. After some thought, we decided on the "Rock n' Roll" and "Diablo" rolls. Leading up to the sushi, we began with an appetizer of calamari and raw sweet shrimp nigiri. While ordering the shrimp, you have the option to get it with the fried shrimp head. Yes, you read that right. Fried. Shrimp. Head. Antennas, eyeballs and all. Needless to say, it was delicious. The texture and flavor were spot on. I would definitely order it again and make the recommendation to any of my adventurous foodie friends. Finally, it was the time we've both been patiently waiting for. The rolls were here. With chopsticks in hand, we eagerly spent the next 10 minutes swapping piece after piece until we were both full. To elaborate, no soy sauce was needed to fully enjoy our meal. All the ingredients were proportioned to the extent it complimented all of the flavors. At any rate, I'll definitely be back and mention this gem to any of my visiting friends who dare venture east of Michigan Avenue.

    (5)

  • Mickey H.

    Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch before a show at the River East AMC next door. The place was dead, which was nice since we had our choice of tables outside. Only grabbed two rolls and the spicy tuna chips appetizer. Really enjoyed our appetizer, packed a ton of quality tuna flavor with a nice spicy kick at the end. As for rolls, we had the Sexy Mexican per all the recommendations on Yelp, really enjoyed it! My favorite was the Mellow Yellow. Pretty sweet so a bit of wasabi added a nice touch, but I liked the sweet crunch topped with mango. Overall, its definitely one of the better sushi places I've come to in Chicago. The service was a bit slow but I'll be back before my next movie!

    (4)

  • Yekta A.

    So we went here the first night we arrived in Chicago. The ambiance is pretty trendy, we were kind of under-dressed with flip flops and shorts! The food is good, the shishito peppers not so good, the sexy mexican roll was pretty good. there's outside seating with great people watching views but the wait was long and we didn't have time to wait.

    (3)

  • Wendy C.

    I felt a bit silly ordering a dish called "Sexy Mexican" but it was well worth that nanosecond of embarrassment. Shrimp, crab, cream cheese, avocado, and a tiny bit of Sriracha sauce...divine. Beautifully made and presented. Tasted fantastic. It's a 10 PC roll, which was plenty for a main course. A huge side of ginger and wasabi, if you like that. The service could use some work-it looked like there was one waitress and three useless water guys, but the manager noticed and jumped in to help. I never got beyond the, first 'I'm ready to order' look around. From then on, my waitress somehow managed to take care of me and at least six other tables, without a glitch. Kudos to her!

    (5)

  • Maggie Robert D.

    Great prices. Good food. Recommend trying the beef tataki and bloody Mary. Atmosphere was great after a long day in conference.

    (4)

  • Ann L.

    When hungry strikes....you just want some Asian food and this happens to be the closest Asian place without breaking the wallet... Bad choice.. The service was nonexistent! The hostess was friendly... The waitress was slow & couldn't multiple task and get dishes to tables!! (There were about 6 dishes made and she couldn't get the rolls to the tables) sigh, and food was just okay. I bet if I had some homemade sushi, it would taste 5x better! Anyways, the fish was not fresh. I can't say about anything else... Because all we had were rolls.. They weren't wrapped tight and the cut was so uneven. So, lesson here is... Don't bother with sushi at Chicago!! Unless it's $$$ signs with 4 stars!

    (1)

  • Beth C.

    Why should you go to Niu? The Sexy Mexican. Done. I can't go here without ordering this tasty, tasty roll. Sticking with the Japanese tradition, it's loaded with jalapenos, avocado, and topped with siracha ;) Just as the American palate demands. The other rolls are yummy too. I've tried several. On the last visit my friend and I picked the Rock n Roll. It was interesting. It was coated and fried. So it came out warm. Even after reading the description, putting a warm sushi roll in my mouth was initially a strange experience. A little bit doughy feeling for my taste but my friend loved it. The Hot & Sour soup comes out in this adorable crock with a candle underneath to keep it warm. It was a spicy but good. So food good.Great cocktails. As others said, it is kind of pricey. But, you are in Streeterville. I'll deduct a star for that but, if you were expecting a bargain, you're hanging out in the wrong neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Belle L.

    Plenty of effort to provide value for $$. Comparative pricing. Only decent sushi place in the area. Avoid overpriced appetizers. Stay with shareable main dishes. Hamachi Carpaccio ($12) -- $3 per slice. Pretty good. Fried onion is a nice touch. Tempura Udon ($14) -- excellent value. Serves 2. 3 shrimp tempuras. Plenty of veggie variety. Mango Tempura was a nice surprise. Black Sesame Creme Brûlée with Raspberry Sorbet -- serves 2. Sweet. Very American. Addictive. I appreciate the fresh fruit top layer. Main Menu -- the standardize pan Asian selections. Thai, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Seasonal Menu -- adventurous and truly fused dishes. Venue -- dark, presentable, clean. Outdated sushi bar. Service -- quick, informative and attentive. They brown bag for you. Yay!

    (4)

  • Carol K.

    Niu deserves an updated review from this sushi loving girl as they continue to consistently deliver on tasty sushi rolls, and expertly crafted drinks all served in a contemporary environment which I love! When "girls night" calls for sushi and movie, this is our "go to" spot as the food is good and they can always get us in and out in time for the show. My favorite rolls right now are the Wasabi lobster (delicious) and the Aloha Albacore. And I love their cute little tea cups (makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland as they are REALLY small) that the hot tea is served in. Another perk for this gal who hates to pay full price for parking? They validate. Pay $12 (cash only) at hostess stand on your way out and you can eat, go to the show and park for about a third of what it normally costs! A great deal, for sure!

    (4)

  • Alexandra F.

    This is my favorite place to come when I go to the movies. The staff is friendly and very professional, they have awesome cocktails and very good wine. The food is amazing. Sushi is fresh and the presentation exquisite. One of my favorite here is the Ocean Salad. That dressing and all the flavors are just delicious. I would really recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Hector R.

    Love this place and keep coming back for more. Today was for my birthday dinner came here on a date. Every time I come I try something new this time was the lychee martini! You have to try it and you'll love it. The ambience is very calming and enjoyable. I had a reservation and was very easy to show up and my table was ready. One of my favorites is the pink lady but this time I tried the sexy Mexican it had some spice but was not too much specially that I'm not that much into spicy

    (5)

  • Taylor M.

    I was a bit disappointed in the place. I had an i service at the nearby Embassy Suite Downtown/Lakefront and only had a thirty minute lunch. I saw on the Yelp app that I could order online and it would be ready when I got there. I got to the restaurant a couple minutes before my scheduled pick up time. No one was there. The hostess stand was literally empty. So I walked up to the sushi bar and told them I had ordered carry out. Shortly after I had my food and I was on my way. I ordered a spicy tuna roll which was a large portion with quite a bit of tuna! It was an eight piece roll for only six dollars. I enjoyed the roll. My disappointment came with the Thai Noodle Beef. It was tasteless. I added the left over soy sauce and wasabi from my sushi and it still didn't have much flavor. It was disappointing, especially for the price I paid.

    (3)

  • Vaibhav V.

    If you ever need a quick roll of sushi, this is your place. We came to Niu with twenty minutes to spare before our movie. They seated us immediately (no wait), and we ordered immediately. Our sushi roll came within ten minutes. We ate, paid, and left all in time. But whereas it was convenient and accessible, there was nothing too special with our sushi. We ordered the Dragon -- shrimp tempura combined with crab, avocado, cream cheese, and eel. It wasn't bursting with any magnificent flavor expected from most Dragons, and I left thinking "A-OK."

    (3)

  • regionramble R.

    Stopped in the other night for a quick bite to eat. Had Sashimi and one of their appetizer specials. The Sashimi was done well, and the portion sizes were decent. Good quality fish, though the prices seemed a touch high. Also, if somebody can reinvent the standard accompaniments, they'd have a gold mine on their hands. I'm so tired of shredded carrots, et. al. The appetizer was a scallop wrapped in prosciutto. It was tasty, but the prosciutto needed a couple more minutes of cook time. Service was good, but dining outside can be interesting as a mix of teenagers and tourists heading to Navy Pier can be a bit annoying as they walk about a foot away from you at some tables.

    (3)

  • Sarah K.

    Mom's a picky eater, but she devoured the Seafood Udon. Wonderful seafood broth and the shrimp were very flavorful. The red snapper tasted a tad metallic, but the shrimp, scallops, and vegetables made up for it. I'm typically not a big fan of udon noodes (I order it for the broth), but the noodles here were very fresh with a nice chew to them. Also ordered the Sushi Supreme, which comes with a Classic Maki roll. We opted for the Spider roll. The sushi and rolls were very fresh. Only downside, a little too much rice with the sushi. Had a fresh pot of green tea, which my mom also loved. I'll be back for the Udon definitely - perfect for a rainy day. Did I mention the great service?

    (4)

  • Dhruv P.

    I can't believe how long this restaurant has stayed around in such a high rent area. Their food is not worth the price. Even at half off, you'll feel as you had been had. As a vegetarian, I was impressed how many items that I can have. I ordered few items off the Wok section and asked for it spicy. It came out pretty bland. I added some spicy sauce, it didn't help. Its missing the je ne said quoi of any dish. Their sweet potato tempura is pretty good. If you need a parking spot, I highly recommend getting your ticket validated here. Its for the place in underground lot next to the theater. The validation at Niu is not only cheaper than the theater, but its for three times as long. The ambiance felt ok. I think this place is great for groups. But otherwise, think of this as a place near a convention hall. Hotel generic / conservative decor.

    (2)

  • Miliani D.

    This is my neighborhood sushi place, so I eat here quite a bit, either delivery or dine in. The place is gorgeous! I want to steal the wallpaper off the back wall, so bad - beautiful! My favorites are: SEABASS APPETIZER KING CRAB LEG APPETIZER SALMON SASHIMI SALMON SUSHI SEXY MEXICAN ROLL (One of the best things that I've ever put in my mouth)! BANGKOK STYLE STIR FRY W/SHRIMP (Has a nice little kick to it) My least favorite is the Pepper Salmon Sashimi. Honestly, the dine in service can be hit or miss, but the last 2 times I went, it was great!

    (4)

  • Anuj S.

    Ordered delivery from Niu for lunch today. I like that the delivery fee was relatively low. also the initial estimate was 1.5 hours, then I got a text saying it'd be 1 hour, and then the food actually arrived in like 45 minutes. That was good, because I was famished. The food itself was... OK. The veggie gyoza were fine. It's like six pieces and it comes with a brown dipping sauce (I assume garlic). Delivery is always difficult to judge, because the dumplings were cold as I was eating them, even though I ordered them pan fried. Then I had the avocado sushi and shitake mushroom sushi. The thing with the sushi was that the rolls wanted to fall apart quite easily. I think either the seaweed wrap was flawed or they just didn't do a good job rolling 'em. Tasted fine - I liked the avocado ones.

    (3)

  • Melinda T.

    I went here yesterday for dinner around 8pm, and it was overall a solid place. It's big so we didn't have to wait, which was great because we were hungry! The sushi was fresh - I got the chirashi in order to have a bit of everything. My friend got a hot dish, and the portion was generous. We also order drinks. My friend got the Osaka Mule was good, and I usually don't like moscow mules - I know I'm probably in a small group that doesn't! I got the Summer in Shanghai, and I really liked it. It was fruity but wasn't too sweet. The downside though is that the service, though adequate, was really slow. The server took awhile to get to us, and the food took some time to come out. I'd be interested to try out the rolls that they have...but maybe take out? Note though - they have gluten-free soy sauce!

    (3)

  • Jessika M.

    I love trying new sushi creations, and the great thing about Niu is that their creations are amazing. The Sexy Mexican has a spicy kick and the smoked salmon roll was equally good. Sadly, the standard rolls (we had a crunchy roll and a rainbow roll) were just average. The lychee vodka cocktaill was yummy though!

    (3)

  • Franklin M.

    We went here solely because it's so near to us even though the Yelp reviews didn't give us any confidence for trying this place. After trying a number of rolls, it's very clear that the fish isn't very fresh. In fact, the wine we tried tasted off too. With so many great sushi places in the city, this is one you want to avoid. Unfortunately for tourists, this is the closest sushi place to Navy Pier, so I'm sure this is the only reason why this place remains open. We also tried a few cocktails here on a separate night and those weren't good either. Skip this place and go to Friends Sushi or Juno in Lincoln Park instead!

    (2)

  • Melissa F.

    DELIVERY REVIEW-- Maybe this place is different when dining in. I hope so! I ordered delivery from here recently and was so disappointed by how much I spent and how crappy most of it was. Now, I know that sushi is often a delicacy and pricier than a burger or something similar, but this sushi was just bad. One roll I ordered was topped with white tuna and I could not stomach the tuna, even eating it with everything else in the roll. It tasted that "off." And there was a cloying and way too intense tasting orange sauce (???) on top of this roll. I hate orange flavored things, and it would have been cool to know it was going to make a less-than-subtle appearance. And the spicy tuna didn't taste quite as rancid, though still messed up - not the best metrics to be using, though. Another roll was just OK, and I'm guessing the fact that it was entirely comprised of cooked shrimp contributed. Still, shouldn't a sushi restaurant be good at serving RAW fish that doesn't taste like complete shit? Isn't that a major part of any sushi restaurant?

    (2)

  • Mani T.

    The varieties of rolls offered here is a def plus however might make it a bit difficult to decide which ones to try. Of the 3 we ordered The Sexy Mexican was by far my favorite.

    (4)

  • Olivia K.

    I actually really enjoyed this place. The food, ambiance and service were all great. That's saying a lot coming from someone who's a very picky sushi person. Usually fusion places aren't my favorite but this place definitely took me by surprise.

    (4)

  • Jennifer O.

    I stopped in simply because it was near our hotel. Service was excellent. Fish was fresh. For appetizer, I had the miso soup which was pretty standard. Good tasty broth. The bartender recommended a nice cold sake which I enjoyed. I also tried a jasmine inspired martini drink. Very pretty and tasty. For dinner, I had chirashi, 5 types of fish on a bed of rice. Their pepper salmon was a-m-a-z-i-n-g, so full of flavor. If I wasn't so full, I would have ordered a few more plates of just the pepper salmon. Overall, a great experience. Thank you.

    (4)

  • Hillary M.

    This place never disappoints. I live very close by and it's a wonderful spot to join friends for a group sushi dinner. They also have an amazing sake selection, and good service! I've tried so many different rolls here, it's hard to have a favorite, and it ultimately depends on your preferences of course. Try the specialty rolls - they use tons of different ingredients and it's always tasty! I have also had the shisito pepper appetizer - a good choice as well! I highly recommend trying this place out.

    (4)

  • Nicole L.

    More lounge than good sushi place. My chirashi was mediocre the fish selection was not the best and the rice was soggy. Same for the sushi rolls the server forgot one roll though she put in the order right away. The rice was soggy too. Good thing the price was reasonable average $7 for a 10 sushi roll.

    (2)

  • Loren S.

    While visiting from out of town we decided we wanted some sushi. This place looked nice and had decent reviews so we decided to try it. We were seated quickly and received water with cucumber. My wife liked it but I don't care for cucumber so I asked for sans cucumber which was quickly delivered. We ordered some edamame, served cold. I prefer the hot. We also ordered the Sexy Mexican Roll, the Crunchy roll and the classic spicy tuna. They were all good but not excellent. My favorite was the Crunchy roll. The Sexy Mexican was spicy due to the Sriracha. It was still good. We also had saki, warm, which was tasty. Overall we had a good experience and would eat it again but with so many options in the city I probably would try something else.

    (4)

  • Allison D.

    Erin was our server and was wonderful! My colleagues got the same drink which was a little too strong for their liking and she took care of it. We had the lobster coconut soup which was DELISH-- the lobster chunks were huge. The sushi was tasty, each of us got different rolls and all tasted great. I got the mango cheesecake and didn't taste much mango but nonetheless enjoyed it. After dinner we pulled the manager aside to praise Erin's service. She was personable and friendly and gave wonderful recommendations! I would definitely return next time I'm in Chicago!

    (5)

  • Norm J.

    I've been to Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge a number of times (lunch/dinner with friends, lunch with a colleague and a first date) and I have to say I've always enjoyed my dining experience. While there are better sushi places up north, for downtown this is hands down the best (in my opinion). They rolls I've had there have always been fresh and plentiful, the drinks have been strong and tasty, the service has always been very good. The fact that you can do take out is a huge plus. *Great first date spot* Must tries *Drinks: Niu-Chata, Osaka Mule *Hot Appetizer: Golden Seafood Crepes *Rolls: Rock and Roll, Sexy Mexican, Dragon, Great Wall

    (4)

  • Leila R.

    Love the salmon skin salad and Shishito peppers! Very yummy place, lovely staff and speedy service and delivery!

    (4)

  • Erin K.

    My fiance and I had a great experience at Niu Japanese. I love sushi, but he's not much of a fan, so it was a great solution for both of us as they have a vast sushi menu + some great wok and noodle/rice options for non sushi lovers. It was a great solution to our different tastes. We also had cocktails, which were both really flavorful and balanced. My only complaint was that the sushi was good, but not spectacular. I think I might just need to try a different roll on the menu. Will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Pradeep N.

    My favorite rolls are the Rock & Roll, Sexy Mexican and Fire cracker rolls.

    (5)

  • Shamita C.

    We live right next door so go here often. I've only ever gone for lunch and they have amazing lunch deals The Sexy Mexican and Rainbow rolls are amazing and the Pink Lady and Mellow Yellow are just ok. Again - go during lunch if you can to get almost 50% off many of their rolls. The lunch service is a little slow, but we've never had to wait for a table. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Larissa N.

    First off water is delicious... They're fermented with Cucumbers, so refreshing. Appetizers were delicious. Calamari was "Ok" Tom yum was fantastic. Steak teriyaki is amazing the steak is so tender. And crouching tiger was so full of flavor. The Thai noodle was nothing special, very bland.

    (3)

  • crystal y.

    I came here because it was close to where I was staying. Overall, I'm giving a lower review because I've had better food. We ordered a roll, some potsticker, miso and sake on a Friday night. While the service was friendly and the food for the most part came in a timely manner, our roll came a quite a bit later and the rice was a bit loose for my liking (i.e. when you try to pick it up with chopsticks, it starts to fall apart). I think it's probably an okay place to go to hang out and have a couple of drinks. The food just didn't impress.

    (2)

  • Landon W.

    We happened upon this place while visiting and doing the whole tourist thing. We were at Navy Pier but the options there were less than interesting (Bubba Gump, Margaritaville, all of the other typical touristy chains) so we ventured out into the city for something a little different. A short walk later and we arrived at Niu! We walked in a bit after 12 and there was a decent crowd but it wasn't packed. We were immediately greeted/seated. I noticed a really cool atmosphere going on, modern with a Japanese twist. There were chopsticks rather than silverware at the seats which I thought was a nice touch as well. There were some nice looking lunch specials, all for around $12. My wife got the chicken with red curry and I went with the sushi set. Included with both our meals were salads as well as bowls of miso soup. My sushi plate came with 4 pieces, although it was sashimi and not what I normally consider to be sushi. Either way, it was really good. Each piece was a different fish. Very tasty and well prepared! Service was really pleasant, polite, and attentive. The waitress helped make it a very good lunch experience. Highly recommend this place if you're in that area and want to avoid the epicenter of tourism at Navy Pier.

    (4)

  • Nida K.

    Missing star: COST. Wow... there are better spots than this at more affordable prices. However, with downtown rents and crowds, I guess that makes sense. Everything else was great. The appetizers were yummy, the meals were great. Everything was yummy here. The Lichey drink was SO F'ing GREAT! I loved it. I even took the food home and ate it the next day - it was still really good.

    (4)

  • Ana L.

    I loooove niu sushi!! The firecracker its perfect!! Lovee it! And also the caramel dessert its really good! Service its ok, the place looks nice and there is always nice people around.

    (4)

  • Shan D.

    I've been here a few times, and I find the execution inconsistent. That especially goes for the sushi. Stick with the standard maki rolls if you really must order sushi. For the specialty rolls, the Mellow Yellow maki is decent but it is on the sweeter side, FYI. I usually stick with the entrees. You can't go wrong with the curry dishes. And thankfully, they serve brown rice. The noodles in their dishes have a weird texture, but everything else in that dish is usually spot on. Come here on Mondays for half priced cocktails. Their play on the Old Fashioned is pretty good and strong!

    (3)

  • Katie L.

    Found a big black ant in my lunch box meal delivered. Eek................... Will never go back to this place again. So disgusting!

    (1)

  • Scott C.

    I've been frequenting Niu at least once a week for several years and the sushi is superb. My orders are usually take-out and the staff working the front are always very friendly and courteous when taking my order and during pick-up. My order is always correct and ready by the stated time. Literally always. I can't say enough good things about these guys.

    (5)

  • Mihaela M.

    I love sushi but not at Niu. We started with miso and it was first time ever for me not to like miso. The tofu was sour and the soup very salty. Just one person(4 at table) ate it all because she said:"so salty that I can't tell if is good or bad, I like salt" First part of service really not nice at all. She needed a day off. The server did not pay attention to our order and I knew she would messed up. We specifically ordered appetizers and said "after those" we would like some rolls and LAST teriyaki beaf. Ya!! Sure!!! We got everything in the same time and when we asked why she gave us an attitude, she dropped utensils on the table and made an angry face and said that the sushi bar is backed up and beef came out already so here it was everything. She could have told us when she brought it and any explanation would have worked for us.... But don't just put everything on the table and expect us to eat rolls with beaf. We asked to talk to the manager, he was nice but all he did he gave us another server. Good!!! Nice server, funny guy and on top of things. This would not matter if the food was excellent but I can't say that. Sorry but food can be better. Edamame came cold and unsalted like was a leftover food, rolls were small and not great tasting, barely any rice and filling in them, ginger very little for 4 orders of sushi, that miso looked good in those cups but the taste really bad!!!!! I wish I have taken a tofu pice to be tested. Teriyaki beaf was a small portion, very little vegetables and served with rice like in a Chinese restaurant:(( Food presentation really not visible for all dishes but the soup. Who cares if tasted bad????!!!!!!! They kept pouring water in our glasses like crazy.... Wasting!!! I come from CA and 6 glasses of water for 4 people is too much... I tried to drink one all so they took it away empty but they refilled so quickly and they never took 2 glasses away.... Big table but when they brought all that water glasses, wine and all order at once was frustrating and uncomfortable to eat or share between us. When you eat sushi you share!!!!!! Table wet all times because those overflowing glasses and too many... Upsetting coming from a huge drought. Felt better at desert when they cleaned a little and we shared a bite of ice cream. I thought we would get the desert for free to make it up to us but NO!!! LA Prime gave us desert on the house because another server took our one plate to another table and we had to wait a little longer... Did not notice if not told but they knew it and made us feel special. Sorry Niu but I won't come back there. Huge noisy room, an ok atmosphere. I like to enjoy food not eat rushed. I don't always eat at 5 stars but sometimes a nice cozy place has it all.... Not just a name.

    (1)

  • Jeff M.

    Ordered Chirashi and 9-piece sushi plate. The food was good, except that it caused us serious stomachache and diarrhea afterwards - we are still suffering from this as I am writing. We called the restaurant, but no one seemed to care. I would not recommend going there.

    (1)

  • Danielle D.

    Great sushi! We went here and Friends Sushi while on a trip to Chicago. This place definitely won between the two. We ordered 4 rolls and an appetizer all were great.

    (4)

  • Crys V.

    The service was OK I wouldn't come here if you are a sushi snob the working area looked dirty the guys behind the counter had like sweaty hair it was 9:35 when we came in they close at 10:30.... Our waiter was a little odd just seemed a little all over the place maybe a bad day long day I'm not sure..... He was explaining something on the menu and then said "soo...yeah" the sushi came out which was exciting as we were starving the pictures on yelp looked amazing and delish I went to this sushi place bc of all the reviews turns out I should have went to the other place I had in mind ..... There 10 smaller rolls I got a (t g i s ) roll I thought the apple and jalapeño would be a great fun mix but nothing special like I thought :( I won't come here again.... But then again I am spoiled with the cold water fresh fish in the PNW

    (2)

  • Lise S.

    First I have to admit, this is my neighborhood sushi "go-to place", so I've dined here several times. I love the atmosphere and friendly staff. I have tried multiple dishes and I've never been disappointed. It is also a great location for "dinner and a movie" since the AMC 21 theater is next door! Give it a try, I think you will enjoy it.

    (4)

  • Aly L.

    Warning: the hot and sour seafood soup is extremely spicy, like fire-ball spicy. Had to send it back, I simply could not handle it. The Diabolo and Salmon Delight rolls were very good, and so was the seafood salad. The raspberry Mojito was beyond average, did not taste like raspberry or mint for that matter. And, finally, the green tea cream brûlée was not a good choice, just flavorless.

    (3)

  • Ronald P.

    Grabbed lunch this AM before a movie. My girl had the lobster fried rice and I had a seafood spicy noodle, both of which were on the specials menu. Service was good, specials were tasty, location is awesome and the vibe is nice. This place isn't a destination for me but it's awfully convenient and works well for movie/lunch dates!

    (3)

  • Yu W.

    I like the bass, which is really fresh. The calamari is good too. The place is beautiful and you should try their saki flow, which including 3~4 different shots. It is pricing due to the location. I also called for take out for the next day for +$50.

    (4)

  • Gabriel R.

    Used to live around the corner, so this place became like my second house. Love the food, but service could be better. I would say they improved since they have a new manager. I completely recommend the firecracker roll, and the beef japanese fried rice. I would recommend going for dinner, rather than lunch. Also, it's very easy to find a table at any time, even if you don't have a reservation, they have a nice bar with awesome drinks.

    (3)

  • Diana D.

    This is a good spot to have a dinner before the movies. They work fast and overall it's a good looking spot. Sushi isn't bad and prices are reasonable. I recommend!

    (3)

  • Alzetta H.

    Have only ever had the sushi here. It is pretty good. The best I've had here is the Diablo. The Sexy Mexican is pretty good as well. The mojitos are always a good choice and many flavors to choose from, which was new to me. Love the ambience particularly if you are lucky enough to get tucked away in a corner it a wall seat. Love the lunch specials. Maki rolls from $4-$7. Can't beat that. Never impressed with the service. Servers appear indifferent and are never very welcoming but never blatantly rude. Just blah...hence the 3 stars. Otherwise I would give 4.

    (3)

  • Jill H.

    Overall decent sushi joint. I got a hot appetizer (golden seafood crepes) and the dragon roll, and they were both tasty. They had no problem with a group of 7 on a Saturday night. I'm sure there are better places in downtown Chicago, but for the price, we were pleasantly surprised with the quality and service. Beware, they do not split checks.

    (4)

  • Monica B.

    Niu is my go-to spot for consistently great sushi. My favorites include the Sexy Mexican, Rock'n Roll and Energy rolls. Their cocktails are great if you dine-in, but I tend to get delivery most of the time. Get your sushi fix at Niu!

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    Awesome sushi and spring rolls. I received excellent customer service and my food came out very quickly , I'll definitely be coming back!

    (5)

  • Ben T.

    A half star above my typical experience with this echelon of Japanese sushi. Came in for lunch and ordered their sushi lunch. What sets this place apart was quality and portion. For the price I was very pleased with our experience. Seaweed salad and shrimp nigiri were a couple of my favorites. Our server seemed to have forgotten about us a few times but this may have been a fluke so no hard feelings here. Thanks!

    (3)

  • Claire Y.

    Went there on a Friday night with my bf and enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. We had the coconut lobster soup it was pretty good. The tatyki beef wasn't so good. Seafood jumbo noodles was ok. The rolls are good. Try the lychee martini and the coconut Mojito :) good place to go if you are going to a movie at the AMC theater five steps away.

    (3)

  • Jonathan D.

    Truly mediocre sushi. Perhaps I've been spoiled by eating sushi on the coasts recently, but the fish served was simply bland. A disappointing meal, despite the price.

    (3)

  • Zoe E.

    The Best atmosphere for sushi dates! Great music. Very nice modern interior and Of course amazing sushi in town!! Our favorite place hands down. Our favorite rolls are: Dragon roll, Sexy Mexican, Pacific from their chefs special and Please Please Please try their Green Tea and Mango Mochi, you will thank me later lol :) I love their Rasberry Virgin Mojito because it's super refreshing and tastes great! Great place for dates! Highly recommend! And NO I'm not being paid to rave about this place lol

    (5)

  • Emily Z.

    Great service, great modern decor and great food. We made reservations for a Friday night and the interior was busy but never completely full so you could probably do with out. Patio is first come first serve and a tight squeeze so be prepared, but dining alfresco is always nice! We split an app and 3 Specialty rolls between 3 ladies and it was perfect. Rolls were cut slightly uneven and often times a little difficult to eat in one bite which definitely detracts from the experience. - Veggie Spring rolls $8 - Nothing special, and for 8 pieces the size of your thumb not really worth it. - Diablo $14 - Beautifully presented and my overall favorite, though the most difficult to eat as some pieces were large and fell apart slightly. - White Angel roll $15 - Heavy in seafood as its stuffed with large pieces of fresh tuna and topped with a thick slice of Hawaiian Escolar. - Pink Lady roll $14 - A favorite of everyone but me! Great drink menu as well, raspberry mojito was a little light on raspberry and mint but definitely had a kick! Other than the fact the our server was wearing workout spandex as pants, a huge pet peeve of mine especially at a classy restaurant, the experience was spot on!

    (4)

  • Shradha A.

    Their food isn't as good as it used to be - especially their green curry and apps.

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    Best lunch special in the Streeterville area! $13.50 gets you a miso soup, garlic dressed salad, 4 pieces of sushi, and an entree of your choice. I chose the Teriyaki Steak, which was succulent and delicious. It wasn't overly sweet, like teriyaki tends to be. The steak came with rice, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. The only issue is that it is hard to eat with chopsticks, but they probably forgot to place down forks since most people come for the sushi. Next time I come back, I will definitely try a few of their signature rolls.

    (5)

  • Maryellen W.

    I have dreams of Niu's wild mushroom hot & sour soup. It is absolutely to die for. I love this place! The vibe is awesome, the waitstaff is very friendly and knowledgeable, and the food is excellent. Another plus: they have one of the coolest paintings on the back wall. It's worth going here just to eat mushroom soup and look at the painting.. but I'd also recommend giving the sushi a try ;)

    (5)

  • Paul B.

    I have sampled many different Sushi restaurants around the country and even enjoy Omakase at "Shiro's" in Seattle who studied under the famed Jiro. Niu is fresh and delicious. You might pay normal to moderately expensive prices for Nigiri but order lightly if you go for Nigiri, you will be surprised at the size and value for your dollar. I highly recommend the Salmon, Salmon Toro, and Pepper Salmon Nigiri as well as any other Nigiri. They are always fresh and amazing. The rolls and seasonal dishes are also very well made. Their Japanese fusion aspect adds some great dishes but really, we eat the sushi when we go there. I consider this among the top 3 sushi restaurants in the city for freshness, quality and value.

    (5)

  • Seth W.

    I love sitting at the sushi bar here. The chefs help me pick the rolls and pieces I may want. I highly recommend the pepper salmon sashimi dinner.

    (5)

  • Jen K.

    Niu is very close to my work. It's in River North and has a really great feel to it. It's chic and the hostess is always nice. There lunch special is a giant sushi roll for $5-$7. If you get a soup or salad before the roll, you will leave very full. The sexy mexican is my favorite roll. It has a nice spice to it. But I usually get very annoyed with the service. I tend to not get my water refilled ever and once the order is taken the waiter will not come back until it's with the food, which is annoying if you have any questions or want to change the order. Also, the rolls take awhile to come out, so I tend to go over my hour lunchtime, which I don't like to do. Overall, I am happy with the food and location, not so much with the staff.. I'll go back at some point though.

    (3)

  • Matt B.

    We came with a group of 8 and had a very pleasant dining experience until we got to paying the bill. Since we were on a business trip I asked that we have our check split. We were told that that could not be done and that we could split the whole check when we paid. It took me 30 minutes to split the check with 5 credit cards and three paying cash. The waitress was not a help with figuring it out at all. After it was all said and done I spoke to the manager and he said that she could have just done separate tables for each of us which she never offered. Good food but poor service in the end.

    (2)

  • Sean H.

    Really nice ambience and music, but I am a fan of the loungey-house sort of stuff I guess. Above-average maki, definitely good, not amazing though. Average prices for maki, I think. We had a japanese seaweed salad (it was good/fine), then two rolls. Everything was good. It's a safe place to go if you're in the area and if it's convenient.

    (4)

  • lori c.

    I pass this restaurant often and always wanted to try it so I took my boyfriend as we both love sushi. we ordered the sushi nigiri/classic maki platter and although it wasn't the best sushi I've had in chicago, it was still good. some of chefs choice nigiri included a piece of pepper salmon (interesting), red snapper, ebi, mackerel. the size of the fish were larger than most sushi places. but the rice was a little mushy. ambiance is nice, clean, intimate, and comfy. service was good (back waiters are on it). love that they offer cucumber water!!

    (4)

  • Alan R.

    Great place. Upbeat with great food and excellent service. Crouching Tiger appetizer was fantastic and soundtrack keeps the energy up. Service Staff was very attentive and they all seem happy to be here. Clientele pretty low key and, at least while I was there, no one was being obnoxious.

    (5)

  • greg m.

    I visited this restaurant last summer and just realized I did not post my draft review. Better late than never...Being from Southern California I guess I am spoiled by good Japanese restaurants. Maybe this is good for Chicago but the Diablo roll I had was subpar to a similar roll back home. My wife had the Chirashi and it was also subpar to what we get back home.

    (2)

  • Lavon K.

    We grabbed a quick bite here before going to the movie theatre that's right next door. We went on a Thursday night about 6:15 p.m. It wasn't full at all which was perfect because we were in a bit of a rush. We really enjoyed our food. We ordered the pink lady and chicken dumplings (fried). Highly enjoyable. Our waiter was very nice. I would definitely go back to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Daniel G.

    I'm back again at the "Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge" right below the AMC East Theatre on Illinois St. (East of Columbus). With a ticket stub after the movie you can get a free appetizer.. I love this place, its elegance, its fusion food. I got hooked on the weekday special: the killer Green by Ginger salad with a to die for ginger dressing, the tangy miso broth and an appetizer that I'm crazy over, the soft shell crab. For sushi lovers this place is a paradise; classic maki, a set, specialty rolls, nigiri sashimi by the piece, a wok service, rice & noodle, Korean Kalbi (these are some sections of the menu). I can't wait to try the other Asian fusion goodies. The service is superb.

    (4)

  • Tara L.

    I love the food and atmosphere. I would definitely come here again. The service was excellent.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    Great Sushi. Fun space. A little dark, but very cool. Only thing keeping it away from 5 stars is lack of coffee to go with the deserts. Wait staff was fun and helpful. Will be back. Hope they have coffee.

    (4)

  • Loren G.

    Pricey. Decent atmosphere but the food and drinks come up a little short. Entrees lean more in the expensive side as well. Beware if you come with a large group because they do not split checks.

    (3)

  • Timothy D.

    I've eaten here the 2 times that I've been in Chicago in the past 6 months. Sushi is good and think the prices are reasonable (compared to NYC). Block away from the Shreaton Tower.

    (4)

  • Nick P.

    I don't normally find myself in too many Japanese fusion restaurants, but I can say that I had a good experience at this one. Most reviews on here we're telling me to order from the sushi part of the menu over the wok side. I did so because I'm a sheep and I follow the masses. I was not disappointed (thanks masses!). I had the rainbow roll and a ginger salad. The salad was fairly big and had a nice amount of ginger dressing covering it so it wasn't soaking wet or too dry. My rainbow roll was also quite large, it was ten pieces and filled me up. The fish on it was fresh and the roll was crunchy. Good stuff. My girlfriend order off the wok menu and I tried some of it. We both agreed it it was very good. Go with the sushi side! We also tried the edamame and the spring rolls appetizers, both very good. The service was also really good. They were on point with water refills. My main issue was the music, it was super Loud and not very sonically pleasing. It was hard to hear the person next to you. Other than that, I enjoyed not very much!

    (4)

  • Amanda W.

    Aside from the heat being out in the building, the miso soup and sushi was fantastic. Must get the spicy tuna and mellow yellow! Rainbow roll was fresh and each piece was mouth size perfect!! Definately recommend this place as a must try!

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    First off, I'm a sushi snob. I've eaten sushi in too many places across the Western Hemisphere to count. Secondly I don't write reviews. So this in itself should tell you something. Best sushi in Chicago hands down. Incredibly fresh. Artistic presentations. HUGE nigiri and sashimi cuts. Prices are comparable with most places but the portions are much bigger. This place was great. I am a total hamachi snob an this place delivered. I couldn't stop ordering more. Atmosphere was solid. Warm, dim, suitable. Service was fast and appropriate. Added to my list for when I return to Chi-Town

    (5)

  • NIA C.

    My kids, 6 & 9, loved the California Rolls & the Japanese Fried Rice w/chicken. The Kalbi Ribs were too fatty, I wouldn't order that or the Bangkok Stir Fry w/chicken again. The chicken had a weird taste & the meal itself didn't have much flavor. Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls were good. We'll visit again & try something different.

    (3)

  • Tracey H.

    Pros: - half-priced maki rolls for lunch during the week - raspberry mojitos (virgin and regular) are fabulous - spider maki rolls :) Cons: - parking costs a fortune in the attached lot and no street parking in front

    (4)

  • Norah S.

    Decent ambience, but honestly the food are not so impressive. Convenient place to meet up with friend in the streeterville neighborhood

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. The lounge is beautiful, brought a few friends in town & they loved the spacious dining. The food was great and the service was even better!

    (5)

  • Jill B.

    This is a standup sushi place. Great for carry out. Always ready when you arrive. Also, the atmosphere is good for dine in. The Mexican specialty maki is great and the sashimi never disappoints. Prices are a tad high for what you get, but they're the only sushi spot within this neighborhood so it's worth it!

    (4)

  • Peter M.

    Ate there tonight. Food was good, service the worst I've experienced in Chicago. I ordered stir fry rather than sushi and no kidding, it arrived 1 hour later. Can't recommend this place unless they hire competent servers.

    (1)

  • Anne K.

    My sister and I went there after watching movie at amc. This place is amazing. The service is incredibly fast. Also, our dish came out so nice. my sister had orange chicken and tempura. I had lunch special crunch roll and salmon teriyaki. we enjoyed every single dishes. They are so great. I would recommend any one to try before or after the movie.

    (5)

  • Jim J.

    A friend recommended and met us at Niu on a Tuesday night for an early dinner. Everything was amazing and the service was too. The waiter was very helpful with appetizer and drink suggestions too. We particularly liked the Uni Shooters and the Sea Bass appetizers. I highly recommend the Rock 'n Roll and T.G.I.S. Specialty rolls.

    (5)

  • Sophie W.

    I came with 2 friends on a Friday night but the wait wasn't long. The atmosphere is dark but enjoyable (though I'm not sure if suitable for large groups). We ordered three rolls (Diablo, Mellow Yellow, and Sexy Mexican) and the tempura udon. I enjoyed everything, though I'd probably pick the sushi, which was fresh, flavorful, and creative, over the udon.

    (4)

  • Nataliya A.

    An absolutely amazing experience! I was hesitant to come here because I saw so many negative reviews about service and such... but boooy was I pleased with everything! We came in about 20 minutes before our reservation, we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table... everyone was EXTREMELY nice and helpful, I don't know why other ppl said that the staff is rude.. Everyone was veeeery professional and respectful. We started off with miso soup and chicken gyoza. Miso was not salty, which is perfect, and the seaweed and tofu was huge! Sooo good... The gyoza was very soft, flavorful, and perfect balance of sensations. Yum! After skimming over 38 yelp reviews, I made a decision for the table (4 people) of what we would order beforehand: White Angel, Rock & Roll, Dragon Roll, eel pieces 6, tuna pieces 4, salmon pieces 4. **Side Note = Specialty rolls have 10 pieces, so they are gigantic, watch out how much you order*** The Rock & Roll was by FAR my favorite roll of all time! It was soooo flavorful and so mushy. The outside was perfectly crunchy and the inside was soooo yummy! You MUST try it!!! The Dragon Roll was also very delicious. The eel on top were huge! The roll was just a tad warm like I like it. The White Angel was the least favorite for me because it had wasabi, and I wasnt aware of that. It was very spicy... I can't eat spicy food, so this did not hit the spot. I am sure if you like spicy you will enjoy it, but if your stomach is as sensitive to the spices as mine, stay away from it. The eel sushi was amazing! The eel spices were gigantic! I had to take 2 bites out of each! The salmon was extremely fresh and extremely flavorful, YUM.... the pieces were also giant. The tuna was very fresh, but as always its not my favorite.. but that's just because I usually am not a tuna lover... the tuna was veeeery fresh. I ordered a Lychee Martini, and it was amazing! Mmmmm. It was sweet and rich, and no too liquor-y. The rest of the table got mojitos and all enjoyed them. The whole bill was about 165 for 4 people, VERY reasonable for the location, amount of food + drinks and quality! The ambience is so romantic, trendy, and comfy! The huge leather chairs add to the experience. You feel so....rich sitting in them! The decor is very trendy and downtown-y. You can validate parking from the next-door garage for $12 = great deal. You MUST MUST MUST come and try NIU... You must! ** My deep research of this restaurant also showed that these are the best rolls that the restaurant makes: Mellow Yellow, Pink Lady, White Andel, Rock & Roll, Garden Roll, Sexy Mexican, Transformer, Strawberry Field***

    (5)

  • Molly C.

    So happy I have this gem in my neighborhood! The sushi is always great here. Their specialty rolls are creative. I love the fact that they give you cucumber water when dining in. My one complaint is that when they make their nigiri their rice is a little gummy and they use so much it's hard to taste the fish. Their generous when it comes to the fish portion of the nigiri but the rice takes over.

    (3)

  • Patrycja G.

    Best sushi in Chicago !!!! We went to Niu for our anniversary, the ambiance is amazing, very romantic, great cocktails and the food was outstanding !!!

    (5)

  • Kathleen C.

    This spot was ok, though nothing special. I thought it was pricey, service was a bit off and the food was only ok. The rolls came in multiple plates instead of a few on one (so the table was totally packed) and I didn't see the 'regular' rolls I liked...mostly specialty ones that didn't seem all that fabulous. It's ok and fine sushi in the area, but if you venture a few blocks out, you can find some gems that would far exceed this spot.

    (3)

  • Dennis M.

    My first review...the atmosphere is relaxed and Zen like on the early afternoon, a quiet elegance you might say. The staff are friendly and accommodating. The food is very good wIth proportions large enough to satisfy, reasonably priced.Crouching tiger was very good.

    (4)

  • Sheehan A.

    Went with a group of friends, our waiter was awesome and recommended some good ish. We had the Alaskan crab sushi, spicy chicken, lemongrass and spicy beef woks aided by some martini wines. Great food and presentation style Decor was a modern forest. Good for a date or a night out with friends

    (4)

  • Nataliya G.

    I had dinner at this restaurant with my friend last week. We both liked food. Service was fast. Our waitress was very nice and helpful with appetizer recommendation. But I have to say the best things at the restaurant were our Mojitos. We ordered one raspberry and one coconut Mojitos. Those were the best I've ever tried! I am for sure coming back for those Mojitos.

    (5)

  • Darren G.

    I only can recommend 1 thing as I skipped the sushi this trip but plan to go back. The special appetizer was a prosciutto wrapped scallop. Drenched in one of the best peanut sauces I've had. Highly recommend. My coworker got the Mellow Yellow roll and liked it. The Purple Haze warm saki was good to. Was saki mixed with some grand marnier.

    (4)

  • Paul K.

    Decor and service were nice, 4 stars for that. For the food- the appetizer were pretty terrible- had edamame (cold and didn't taste overly fresh), and chicken dumplings (blandest I've ever had) -2 stars. However, the sushi (got an assortment and a few pieces of Nigiri) was the polar opposite, fresh and tasty- 4/5 stars. Overall, a good experience, just can't recommend the apps.

    (4)

  • Charlotte W.

    Okay so I was in Chicago for the weekend and where the heck does one eat?!?!? With so many restaurants, per cuisine, per block, the choices are endless. So, I asked the hotel concierge for a Japanese recommendation, but I'm not sure where was the miscommunication. I specifically requested a Japanese, but non-fusion restaurant (no "Hurricane Spider" Roll or those *insert-any-city-name Roll.* I wanted something traditional and old school. Well of course that meant Niu. Not. This restaurant is designed ultra-modern, with a great and hip bar space, and a busy patio. The menu had Tom Yum Soup and Korean-Style barbeque?!?! - in a "Japanese" restaurant. I hate when they throw in other Asian food dishes...but that's just me. But, we were determined to make the best of it, so my mom ordered the Cod. She asked the waitress if the Cod could be turned into a main dish. Another "lost in translation" moment because my mom still got the appetizer portion. Thin, lack-lustre slices of fish. Thank goodness she ordered an extra bowl of rice. I had the Tempura Udon which one can never go wrong with. My dad ordered a plate of Sashimi (Tuna and Tako). We also ordered a plate of Dragon Rolls to share which was as authentic as they come - yup, because they put cream cheese in the roll. Another fusion ingredient that I don't require in my rolls. Obviously, my rating is low because this restaurant was the complete opposite of what I wanted. What I wanted is not what Niu is marketing itself as anyways. For those that want a place with a "loung-y-modern" vibe, this place has it. It's definitely one of those ambiance, over food places.

    (2)

  • Meredith B.

    I came here for dinner solely on the basis that it was near Navy Pier (and we had theatre tickets at 730). My boyfriend and I walked in around 5, maybe a little after, and the place was totally dead. We ate outside on the patio with a few other folks, but the crowd picked up as the night went on. Still doesn't really feel like a hot spot. Seemed understaffed, with servers doing double duty as host and a general feeling of rushing around. And our server did that thing where you say you need ONE MINUTE to order than they come back in like, ten minutes. Nobody likes that. I got a glass of shiraz for $8 (i got two glasses, let's be real here) which was very nice, and my boyfriend got a big bottle of Kirin Ichiban. We got the edamame which was undercooked and didn't have enough salt....I mean, really? It's not that hard. Followed it up with miso soup which was a more generous portion than you normally get at Asian restaurants. We got the salmon delight and the spicy tuna roll. Both were pretty good though nothing stellar, the salmon delight has a lovely hint of lemon and a fresh taste. Spicy tuna roll was just as you'd expect. We enjoyed our meal but the service is slow, they can't cook edamame decently (??) and the sushi was fine but nothing to write home about. Lots more places to get better food than here! Might be well-suited to take-out if you live in the neighborhood. But I don't, so probably won't return.

    (3)

  • Aaron T.

    Simply a must go! We went on New Year's Eve. We made our reservations and had no problem coming right in having a seat. Once seated we never had a problem getting service. We were either being waited on or having our water refilled or having plates cleared. The ambience of the restaurant definitely lends itself to a quiet romantic evening, which is what we were searching for. The rock 'n roll sushi is simply a must order. I'll just sum this up. Great service, nice atmosphere, great prices, lots of food, and excellent location.

    (5)

  • Ibby S.

    Don't bother coming here if you've ever had and appreciated real sushi. If you're a yuppie who can't tell the difference between tuna and escolar and just wants a fancy place to take a date, then this is the place for you. Seriously, though, this place is the definition of overpriced, bad sushi. The plain rolls are what you'd expect from a place like this - just bland, frozen seafood. While not remarkably terrible, they're not exactly good value at $7 a pop. I've honestly had better sushi at the hospital food court a few blocks away. I've only ordered the special rolls once, because they are absurdly overpriced. I didn't have to spit into my napkin, but they're definitely not worth the $15 or so they charge per roll. The rest of the food is mediocre at best and repulsive at worst. Most notably, we ordered beef tataki (thinking that a place like this would, at the very least, serve decently clean and fresh beef). We specifically clarified when ordering that this would be rare, seared beef, which the waiter confirmed. What we ended up getting can only be described as pot roast dressed with corn salad. The beef was literally well done - tough and more than a little overcooked. Forget beef tataki - I wouldn't even tolerate this for a steak from TGIF. And what the hell is corn doing on top of beef tataki?? Point is, if you know anything about what Japanese food should resemble, you'll be sorely disappointed at this place.

    (1)

  • Irina M.

    Both friend and myself had bad food poisoning after having dinner in this place. Stay away!

    (1)

  • Deena H.

    Average sushi. The decor is pretty cool and they have funky drinks. The service is good too. The location is prime because the movie theater is next door and can be your before or after event. All in all, it was a 3 star experience with 4 star decor.

    (3)

  • Pete P.

    The food here is good, as is the atmosphere in the restaurant, but the Niu delivery driver is an ASSHOLE! He refuses to bring food up to an apartment, and instead rudely tells the resident come down to the street to get it. He acted all huffy and indignant when I refused to tip him for shoddy service.

    (3)

  • Michael B.

    Was going to AMC and went in for a bite. Figured it was going to be touristy and maybe it was but it didn't feel uber touristy it and thought it was good. We sat at the sushi bar and the food was fresh, service good, beer cold, "sushi masters" talented. Our roll was tasty and short ribs done very well. Prices were reasonable and in line. Nicely decorated. Good place to have nearby for movie night.

    (3)

  • Alli Z.

    Relatively cheap sushi place in downtown Chicago, I was on a business trip and went there almost every night!

    (4)

  • Adriane P.

    It's become a Christmas day tradition to go to an Asian restaurant for dinner. We were in the area to see a movie and our first two choices weren't open. Open and next door to the theater sealed our fate. The decor, while pretty, was generic. It could have just as easily been a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, Wine bar. We had been walking a few hours and had time to kill before Django Unchained. We ordered: I got 4 Amstel bottles. He got 3 Japanese beers. He got the miso soup which he found typical and light and a large portion. He got the Kung Pao Chicken with brown rice. It was not good. It lacked seasoning and the sauce was salty and starchy. It came with peanuts and I don't know if that's typical, but it did not complement the already salty dish. I got the Green Curry with Chicken and brown rice. It was bland but better than his but only slightly. The shining stars were the eggplant pieces and chicken. There was three tiny slices of basil. But a ton of what looked like cucumber? Candidly, the food did not impress us. He barely put a dent in his and had to have a snack in the movie. For the price point we felt it was disappointing. From reading reviews it seems the strong suit is the sushi. We had sushi as a snack 2 hours before and were cold, so went with the warm dishes. The service was average. Perfunctory with some missteps. However, they were working on a holiday and nice. Interesting that so many say it's clubby due to the music and decor. They played jazz instrumentals. The atmosphere was very attractive but generic, like a part time model. It's ok if you are in the area and in a pinch.

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    I used to order takeout dinner here a lot when I worked nights at the Tribune Tower. It's a little expensive for takeout, but the quality was good, it was tasty and they never messed up my order. I never ate there, but it seems like a cool place to meet friends for sushi and a drink.

    (4)

  • Jade F.

    I've been here ever since it has opened and really like this place. I've had my birthdays and valentine's day here before, that's how much I enjoy it. Niu has the best fried rice I've ever had a restaurant. I refuse to get fried rice when i'm at restaurants because it is something I can make myself at home. But at Niu, I always get their Japanese Fried Rice because it is simply delicious! :) Their Honey Sesame dish is also very tasty. I haven't had much luck with their desserts here so I don't get them... But their food is good.

    (5)

  • Timothy W.

    Very nice. I stumbled across this place on a business trip a year or so ago. A short walk from the Navy Pier. I was recently passing through Chicago with my teen daughter (my co-conspirator of all things sushi). She loved it! Chic interior appealed to her finely-tuned fashion sense. The food was fantastic. She loved her Dragon roll and even had room for desert and a summertime tea - gracefully served on a bamboo platter and clear glass teapot. I started with the Tom Yum soup - warm and spicy. The perfect thing after a cool evening on the Navy Pier. I had a wonderful sushi platter. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Colleen C.

    As a frequent visitor in Streeterville, this is my go to place. The music can be loud and trance-y at times, but the atmosphere is chic and clean. Their half price sushi lunch special keeps your bill pretty low, and even without the half price special the pricing is decent. Their fried vegetarian spring rolls are delicious, just the right balance of sweet and savory. Their sushi is always fresh. As a vegetarian my favorites are the zen roll, the green goddess roll (seasonal), and the General Tso's Tofu. The tofu is cooked to the perfect consistency and the sauce is savory with vegetables cooked to perfection. The cocktails are great too! One time a my friend asked for "something chocolatey with coffee" and the bartender improvised for us! It's a great neighborhood spot with hip trendy waitstaff. I'm looking forward to the next time I can get some of that sushi and tofu!

    (5)

  • Brad W.

    I have passed by this place on my way home for weeks and have been wanting to try it out. I. Was. Impressed. Service was the best I have experienced in a Chicago restaurant in several years. Food was outstanding and our waitress Jade made some great recommendations. All this, plus their coconut mojito, will have me coming back for more. Bravo.

    (5)

  • Heather L.

    Great sushi! Very fresh and the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. Super excited that I came across this place during one of my visits.

    (4)

  • Maria M.

    Atmosphere: Modern decorations and music, lots of seating, but a bit too "clubby." I think this spot is better for dinner than lunch--if the lights are down low and it was more crowded, I would have given it a higher rating. Food: Beautiful presentation and tons of selection! The rolls were so tasty and fresh. I got the spicy tuna (yummy), one with yellowtail & mango (5 stars!!), and one with alaskan crab, salmon and tuna (5 stars!!). Also got green tea which was fresh brewed and came in a single-serving teapot & teacup. Also the wasabi and soy sauce are house made and awesome. Service: Pretty quick but not rushed like some sushi places. Our waiter and busboy were attentive but not in our hair. Overall, I would definitely recommend this spot!

    (4)

  • Ben B.

    I don't like sushi, so take that into consideration. I ordered sesame chicken and it was unpleasant. It tasted overcooked or over-breaded. More tough exterior than tender interior. The sauce tasted somewhat bitter. If I want bad Japanese food like this, I'll cook boot leather and motor oil in a hubcap over a campfire.

    (2)

  • Gino W.

    At the recommendation of two friends, I joined them for dinner at Niu to see if the sushi was as good as they had said it was. Talk about absolutely delicious. Pomegranate martini. Garden roll. Zen roll. Spider roll. And the mango cheesecake was top. This will be one restaurant that will get lots of business from me. I don't know how is managed to miss this gem before now.

    (5)

  • Alisha M.

    I wanted to get sushi with a friend from out of town staying at the Sheraton and the reviews on yelp helped me pick this place. We were all very happy that we chose to come here! We made a reservation on a Friday night (it was pretty busy so I'm glad that we did). We were seated within a couple minutes of arriving. The cucumber water they serve is delicious! We ordered sushi rolls from the classic and the signature collections and both were delightfully wonderful! I also ordered the pink lady and the mellow yellow per fellow yelp suggestions and I want to say thank you! Absolutely delicious. The portions were rather large and the sushi fresh and delicious! Lots of flavors in the mellow yellow roll. I would definitely recommend this place to a friend and will be going back the next time I'm in the area! The wait staff was very kind and quick to serve!

    (5)

  • Haim S.

    Didn't like it at all expensive and not good , The sushi wasn't fresh at all , I will never come here again

    (1)

  • Scott M.

    So I was in the mood for Miso Soup... I ended up ordering the soup, hot and sour soup, nigiri, something called Crouching a Tiger and Pad Thai. Miso Soup - Really good - hard to mess up... Hot and Sour Soup - Very good - could do without the thick cornstarch feel. The various mushrooms were a plus. Salmon nigiri - Very good - made with brown rice...simple and god Crouching Tiger - Wow. Let me say that again. Wow. Pad Thai - stick with your favorite Thai places. It was good, but not like my favorite Thai spots. Good job Niu.

    (5)

  • Edwin C.

    This may have been an off night, so take that for what it's worth... I was visiting Chicago and was looking for something to eat after a long day of walking around Navy Pier. I discovered Niu through Yelp and made my way over there. I was with another person and we got seated pretty quickly. And then 15 minutes passed and no one came by to take our order (on the plus side the busser was diligent about keeping our water filled). After the 3rd refill of water, I finally I asked the busser if we could get someone to take our order. A waiter finally came by and apologized profusely for the wait, as he saw we were both on the verge of walking out. Ok, so the wait staff is friendly, but the wait was ridiculous for a restaurant that wasn't even full or busy that night. The seaweed salad was tasty, but everything else we ordered was just OK. The ceviche was too rich with the sauce on it. And we ordered a couple of simple rolls, but they were kind of falling apart upon arrival and on top of that no wasabi came on the plate with the rolls. I would think that's pretty standard, but I dunno.

    (2)

  • Sofia J.

    Creative, delicious, and surprisingly large rolls at decent prices. Coconut mojito was amazing...it had actual coconut shavings in it! Never had a roll with apple in it before, but it actually gave a refreshing (and not too sweet) balance to the rest of the ingredients (I think it was from the specials menu, not the regular menu).

    (4)

  • Teresa Z.

    The drinks are absolutely the best in Chi town all the appetizers are great. We went in on a Sunday evening after the movie a little crowded but service was good will definitely he back

    (5)

  • Eszter H.

    I'd rate this more of a 4, but I'm giving it a 5 to balance out Charlotte W.'s recent review since her complaints are not about the restaurant yet she gave it a low score anyway, which is unhelpful for assessing the restaurant's quality. I was meeting up with a friend staying at the nearby Sheraton. We like Japanese food and we were looking for something nearby so this seemed like the perfect spot. Indeed, it was a great place to visit in this area. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was nice. The space is big and certainly on a Tuesday evening it was neither crowded nor too loud. The food was good. It wasn't an extra special experience per se, but the soup (Miso), the appetizer (Edamame) and the specialty sushi rolls (I had the Rainbow replacing the eel, my friend had a couple of others) were all delicious. The specialty rolls are quite big. If you have a soup and an appetizer, it's plenty to order just one. I am glad to have found this place in this area and am sure to be back when in need of a spot in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Talaya J.

    I was so glad I walked around a bit before heading back North to home. I stumbled across Niu. It's a little dark but it has a lot of character and the menu drew me in. I wasn't really hungry but I wanted a little something to eat before ending the night. There was no wait for a table. I love that. I sat at the sushi bar. Everything on the menu sounded delicious. I ordered a Dragon Maki and a Lady Jasmine Martini. Both were perfect! I look forward to going back. So many other items i want to try. It's a great place for a couple or a group of friends. AMC theatre is very close by and a stroll to Navy Pier. I wish it was closer to my home.

    (5)

  • Bella M.

    I love this place... I had the rock and roll it's very delicious. The salmon is very fresh... Yummy !!! I'll come back for sure.

    (4)

  • Shawnc K.

    This place was so beautiful inside and the staff was very friendly and helpful. We tried the diablo rolls because the waiter recommended them. They were delicious. We had an amazing evening. Will definately go back.

    (5)

  • Anne C.

    Food, ambiance, and waitstaff are all great.

    (5)

  • Dominic P.

    While visiting Chicago I stopped in. Service was good. But generally speaking the food was just OK. Nothing spectacular

    (2)

  • Aine Z.

    So I live literally one block away from this place, and would probably eat here every other week, if not every week. The sushi is very interesting (the combos I mean) and they give you a lot, so you're not paying $15 for 6 pieces. It's not THE BEST, but it's still very good and the seafood is always decent. Their Japanese fried rice is addictive and so is their Korean Kalbi. Remember that this is a fusion place, so if you're looking for something authentic, this isn't the place to go. I've have everything on the menu at some point, and I can't really think of anything that I wouldn't be a happy to eat again.

    (4)

  • Selena L.

    Came with a friend and shared the Toasted Norway Salmon Salad and the Garlic Chicken rice dish. Both were DELISH - especially the salmon salad. Great service even though we went with about 45 minutes left until closing.

    (4)

  • Christine S.

    My review is for takeout...so I wasn't able to enjoy the restaurant itself or what I'm sure is amazing service and a gorgeous place. Honey Sesame chicken. Whoa. That's amazing! I didn't actually realize that I actually like honey this much. You've opened my eyes, Niu. Spicy Kung Pao Beef. It's got the right amount of kick but I feel like it could be spicier. However, it was delicious and I would order it again (with extra spice added).

    (4)

  • Stephanie G.

    They make a good sushi roll here! I came here for drinks and dinner after work, and the food was delicious. Myself and two friends split edamame and four rolls. It was more than enough for dinner! The atmosphere of this place is pretty swanky - nice place! Perfect setting for catching up with friends!

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    Good place for Sushi though not totally impressed. If you are looking for a safe Japanese place, this would be the place to go to because whatever you order, they won't fail your expectation LOL

    (4)

  • Jillian M.

    Best sushi in Chicago hands down! My boyfriend and I always come here before we go to a movie at AMC next door.

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    Specialty rolls come with 10 pieces, which was a delight. Try the TGIS roll - has green apple AND jalapeno. Nice play on sweet and spicy. Definitely a good spot, but a tad on the pricier side.

    (4)

  • Dina I.

    FABULOUS!!! Sushi is by far my #1 choice when it comes to food! Everything is fresh and it just melts into your mouth! I have never ordered something here that I didn't love. The service is great, people are friendly and always attentive and the ambiance is very relaxing and intimate. Must go to place!!!

    (5)

  • Tricia D.

    The past two times date night has been at the AMC down the street, we grabbed a bite at Fox & Obel. We walked by Niu last time and agreed we should give it a try for the next movie night. ... Got that checked off the list! It's extremely dark inside. It's like eating in a trendy batcave. I made that sound cooler than it actually was. Service was friendly and a-ok, but the seasonal specialty "uni roll" I ordered was lackluster. The asparagus chunks inside the roll completely did not belong, and for $18, I could have bought myself like 3 milkshakes... or half a dozen Sprinkles cupcakes.... or... Anyway, the creamy lobster coconuty milk tomato soup was good, and bf devoured the shrimp chicken lettuce wraps in 4.9 seconds, so I assume it was okay too.

    (2)

  • Beth B.

    Sushi was fantastic! Coconut lobster soup was just okay. I would not get it again. Everyone in my party loved all of their food and drinks. Service was good. Overall, good experience and I'd definitely go back.

    (4)

  • S.C. B.

    Was there last night. Had a cup of hot tea while my friends had cocktails. The glass tea cup literally shattered in my hand, sending glass everywhere, scratching my hand and dumping hot tea all over my clothes. After a brief pause, the staff cleaned the tea off the floor but didn't seem to care at all about me. Then we were charged for the tea. Tacky, tacky, tacky. Never going back... for tea, drinks or dinner.

    (1)

  • Zoe Z.

    Romantic place nd very convenient for people watching movies in AMC. One only thing there a little noisy is waiters always come here nd ask have u finished...

    (4)

  • Fadi B.

    Sushi was good. Padthai was...and I don't say this lightly... The worst I've ever had. Overloaded with cinnamon. I really hope I was just unlucky but it was bad. The Bangkok stir fry was just one bowl of ginger it seemed like. Sorry I really hate to be negative here but this is for Asian food noobies. Service was excellent though and atmosphere was cool.

    (2)

  • Jim V.

    Made reservations using Yelp for the first time....worked great-seated right away! Wait staff was very attentive and knowledgable. I started off with the seaweed salad which was cold and tasty - the way it should be. If you've never tried it, give it a shot. Ordered a 22oz Rouge - Mori Moto - it went perfect with my 5 signature rolls...we went with our waiters suggestions - he didn't steer us wrong. One though, the T.G.I.S. Was Spicy but tolerable. Over all great experience. I would go back and recommend this place to friends. By the way, I felt really good after my second Rouge! No Pain....

    (5)

  • Anya C.

    Food is mediocre. Fancy presentation.

    (3)

  • Donna L.

    This is the best sushi spot downtown! The ingredients are always fresh and delicious. The drinks are delicious- aloe martini, lychee martini... and the crazy list goes on- must try all! They have a great variety of sushi and non-sushi items as well. The atmosphere is romantic but also casual at the same time. Sushi bar is fun. Desserts complete the whole date!

    (5)

  • shanu v.

    Average food, nice ambiance, below average service. Went to this place with a coworker for dinner. Veggie spring roll appetizers were just rolled up iceberg lettuce with no flavor or seasoning. Kung Pao chicken main course was probably 60% peanuts, and chicken was lacking flavor. The service was weird, at times I wouldnt see our waitress for a while, and other times the bus boy would be on top of us, seeming to try to get us to leave, even though there were all of 4 tables in the restaurant with people. The place itself was quite nice looking, and had a great ambiance, the food and service just left something to be desired. I likely wouldn't return.

    (2)

  • Sarah V.

    Four ladies out on the town, dressed well, shopping bags in hand, and ready for cocktails. Not a scene from Sex & the City, just three of my gal pals and me getting ready to see S&tC2! Since Niu is conveniently located next door to the AMC River East 21 movie theatre, and the food and restaurant itself is super chic, this was a no brainer for us! This restaurant totally got us in the mood for our Sex & the City evening. Very swank, very modern, and a little pricey. Our cocktails: Bonsa-ito, tequila heaven; Lychee martini-not too sweet, just right; 2 Aloe martinis- super refreshing; Extra dirty martini- classic; 2 French martinis- strong! and not too sweet; Sake-tini- vodka and sake, bravo!; Karatamba saki- uh-mazing... What? I did say we were seeing Sex & the City didn't I? The food: Strawberry Field: Table favorite. Strawberry, escolar, mango sauce, tempura crunch, king crab, deliciousness. White Angel: Spicy tuna, avocado, caviar, cream cheese, escolar. Fell apart really easily. Not my favorite, but still tasty. Diablo: My favorite. Cucumber, shrimp tempura, radish, gobo, scallop, shredded crab and eel sauce. Swooooooon. $15-$20/per roll might sound pricey, but with 10 pieces per roll and those superb ingredients, you're getting your money's worth. Thanks to our movie tickets, we also received a free shrimp spring roll. Crispy on the outside, tender shrimp and cream cheese goodness on the inside. Score! We left Niu totally in a S&tC state of mind and pulled a Samantha, by buying cans of sparkling wine to bring into the theatre to continue our buzz of course. The Charlotte in all of us cringed, the Miranda in all of us weighed the pros and cons of keeping our buzzes alive, and the Carrie in all of us just went with the flow and sipped from our cans like champs.

    (4)

  • Zhicao F.

    Very good but pricy Japanese food. Sushi fish is the freshest in Chicago area. good for before or after the AMC show right next door with friends.

    (4)

  • Jing Z.

    Generally the same with other Japanese restaurant. No much special but still very good. It has good environment and the waiter is nice.

    (3)

  • Carolina M.

    They are lucky I give them two stars, and it's mostly because their sushi is good. But beware service is horrendous!!!!!! We had a very rude waitress that made the experience awful!!!

    (2)

  • Jeff Z.

    Stay away from lunch menu. Miso with distinct soapy dishwater taste. Pad Thai with unpleasant vinegar taste.

    (1)

  • Vanessa K.

    This place is good for dinner, even with a larger group--they have nice booths and the decor is classy. Prices aren't too bad, either. A few dishes I've tried: -seaweed salad--good portion -spicy tuna chips--the perfect appetizer; fresh fish and good flavors -red curry (I ordered it with chicken)--HUGE portions! Good flavor, worth the price (because you get multiple meals out of it). Perfectly spicy for me. I've also gotten rolls, but none of them that I can recall at the moment. They are good/decent quality in general. The drinks are also good and worth a try.

    (4)

  • Shanna M.

    This was my second visit here and the Sushi was excellent. I would say it was some of the best I have ever had. Based on the food alone I would give this restaurant 5 stars but I cannot. All of the tables have large chairs that cause you to be pinned to your table if the the restaurant is full. I also ordered 2 cocktails, both of which were overly sweet and incredibly watered and the lighting was so dark I had to pull out my phone to use as a flashlight in order to see the menu.

    (3)

  • Karen M.

    The food was absolutely delicious. The sexy Mexican and the pink lady are must haves. The wait staff is very informative and made some wonderful suggestions. We will definitely go back soon!

    (5)

  • Joel G.

    This place is an oddity. It's so hit or miss that I question myself why I go. I can put it in the top sushi places in the city or I can say do not go. There roles when they are "ON" are really darn good. Mellow Yellow, Pink Lady, Sexy Mexican..... when they are making good sushi I would compare them to any other places best.. Sushi Wabi, Tank, Meigi, Marai, Bob San, etc. 5 stars BUUUUUUTTTT.... When they are off they are so off that I give them one star.... Rolls end up dry and old tasting and the service as stated by many others can go fron solid to darn terrible. So in short... I suggest give it a try.... if you are planning on going to a movie then hit this place. My real suggestion for a movie night is go here for Sushi, then shoot down to Fox and Orbel to buy some of their chocalate covered rasberries and other fruit delights, then catch a flick. You will either be pleasantly suprised or you will send me hate mail.... hopefully you hit it on a great night and have some great sushi.

    (3)

  • Jeff Z.

    OMG. Great sushi, Huge sushi rolls, I swear they seemed twice as long as "normal". I will be back, normally my first stop when I visit Chicago is Lou Malnati's for pizza, but I might be tempted to visit Niu's first on my next trip.

    (4)

  • Steve D.

    The food is good. Serves are very attentive. Next to AMC theater, I always bring my date over after movie. Nice decoration by this restaurant, pretty fancy and neat. I Love their rolls, and rice sushi, very fresh and tender. But of course, price is pay off.

    (4)

  • J W.

    Go for lunch, get the Sexy Mexican, Mellow Yellow, and the Rock n Roll (we get it w/out octopus)- they're each $7!!!! Tell me where else you can go and get amazing sushi for that cheap!!! I've never been for dinner, but the lunch crowd has grown since I initially started going a few years ago. I think it would be fun to go there for a light dinner and cocktails before heading to AMC or Lucky Strike.

    (4)

  • Tom H.

    Service was top notch! We came in for a light dinner. Calamari is some of the best I have had. House ginger salad was great too. Sushi---well..... Very average. We had the rainbow roll another roll with uni and fatty salmon. Usually the taste of fatty salmon pops. This was bland. Perhaps other rolls are better.

    (3)

  • Mark R.

    I walked into this place because it was so close to Sheraton Hotel, literally right across the street on Illinois St. What they are good at is the large japanese cut sushi and sahimi... their roles are pretty standard and overloaded with rice... their sushi and sashimi is awesome.. i would compare it to other higher brand restaurants.. DO NOT TRY THEIR california ROLL!! It is generic crappy roll and not fresh at all... I like the setup of the bar and the restaurant area but the sushi bar is pretty lame.... For the price, it is good but I am not a big fan... but would give it a try another time if there were no other options. :) Oh I almost forgot.... order their green tea... it's cute... :)

    (3)

  • J L.

    Their fried rice is very delicious - many Asian restaurants have very salty or oily fried rice but Niu definitely gets it right! Yakisoba (stir fried noodles) is also very good. For appetizers, I would recommend sea bass or soft shell crab, though I like the sea bass better.

    (4)

  • Jeanne D.

    worst Sushi I have ever had. morning after - worst stomach ache I've ever had. Stay away

    (1)

  • Emily C.

    This place is a pretty good option if you are in the neighborhood. We stopped here for a drink when we arrived at our movie (next door is the AMC River East) too early and the line for bowling was too long. The waitress seemed a little annoyed we weren't ordering much, but we didn't really have time. As others have said, we would go again if going to the AMC, but we probably wouldn't seek it out. 45/365

    (3)

  • Kyle H.

    A dear old friend was back in Chicago for a visit and she wanted to visit Kamehachi. Unfortunately, K's was closed for renovations, so the Yelp Monocle revealed, Niu! My Yelp Brethren has raved about Niu, so it was with pleasure that we visited. Love the sleek dark wood decor, nice mix of booths and tables. The Untas dance music kind of reminded me of my hair salon, but we had lots to talk about, so, easily ignored. The drink menu is varied, with martinis, mojitos, specialty drinks, and two N/A drinks that even looked good. It was a Lychee night, so I got a Lychee Blue, which packed a punch! Same with the raspberry mojito. There's a nice mix of Thai curries and rice and noodle dishes for the sushi/maki phobic. That used to be me! The Zen Maki and Spicy Yellowtail Maki rolls looked promising, but I decided to go with the Mellow Yellow. The Mellow Yellow maki specialty rolls (10) with Norwegian salmon, mango, red pepper slivers was excellent! I also tasted the Sexy Mexican and while a good change up, wasn't as good as the Mellow Yellow. So much more to try, I can't wait to get back to Niu. The Lychee Sorbet with a fruit plate was a nice dessert, and for not much money. With 1/2 price Maki rolls during lunch, I just wish Niu was closer to work!

    (4)

  • Christina D.

    Very tasty and interesting sushi- you definitely get what you pay for. Special sushi plates have 10 pieces and normal sushi has 8 pieces.. The cocktails are perfect and the stay open pretty late.

    (4)

  • Tsveta V.

    Their sushi rolls are fantastic-both the presentation and the taste! My favourite is the raw salmon with cucumber, and the philadelphia rolls. The fish is always very fresh, and the prices are reasonable.

    (5)

  • Sergio A.

    Everytime we visit the Crunchy rolls are on Point and you can't forget about the shrimp fried rice...it's delish!!! Great ambience with a knowledgeable waitstaff. One our favorite spots to hit up...especially in the summer!The wife and I have been coming here for years and the food never gets old.

    (5)

  • Monica D.

    Their foods are always good. I tried most of their spacial maki and they never dissapointed me. Entrees are also good. Their spicy kungpao(?) is not spicy at all though. The thing is their service. It was my third or fourth time dining at Niu and I and my friends were always dissatisfied with their service. It's not that the waiters were rude or something like that. But they're too busy to check my table up often, even when we needed something.

    (3)

  • Trevor H.

    This place is great for a pre or post movie dinner by the AMC theater. That was the only thing drawing me to Niu, but they seem to get decent business from the surrounding area. Our waitress was attentive and gave us plenty of time to peruse the menu. However, once we were full on sushi but just wanted a last drink before our show, the waitress never came back until we flagged her down for the check. The sushi was delicious. We had the dragon roll and i believe a firecracker roll or something like that. They were both well prepared and presented and had wonderful flavors, but nothing out of the ordinary. I would recommend this place if you are going to a show at AMC or staying in a hotel near by.

    (3)

  • Ashley W.

    It is expensive but boy do I love this place! The ambiance is cool; a warm and dark blue traced by neon white streaks of light. Comfy seating, a sleek layout, and beautiful lighting. My favorite little add on is the cucumber water. It is delicious. The sushi rolls are trendy with stylish names. Yin & Yang is one of my favorites. The Ocean Salad is fantastic. There is something on the menu for those who do not eat sushi as well, though I have not tried those items. There is a rather exquisite drink menu as well, which offers some great cocktail and martini selections. I highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Imelda M.

    Sushi absolutely best in the city. Service excellent. Robert, manager..............top shelf.

    (5)

  • Eleanor T.

    Finally get a chance to stopped by, i love the decor more, actually sushi was not bad tho,but just the rice was so sticky,not wat i expected. But overall not bad.

    (3)

  • Gabe K.

    I came in for lunch and ordered the rainbow and mello yellow rolls. Nice atmosphere but average sushi. The rolls were all rice and filler with very little fish.

    (3)

  • Caroline A.

    I should have known better. Niu is like the little brother of Sushi Samba, with a little bit of an Enclave vibe. When my friend suggested it for dinner recently, I did not realize it was the fusion place next to the AMC theater!!! There are many families dining here with very young children, often there for a pre-movie dinner, which is somewhat strange as there are many sake heavy cocktails floating around. Maybe I'm just picky about sushi restaurants, but there a few things that really turn me off here. 1. Dance club music atmosphere. Please save fist pumping music for the nightclubs. 2. Saketinis. Confirms that Niu is a nightclub with food. And children. 3. Too much fusion. It is too much when I start seeing strawberries, kiwis and cream cheese on everything. 4. Bright pink pickled ginger.... yes. The dyed stuff out of jars! We had some sashimi and their signature strawberry roll. The tuna was not very fresh, and their super what fatty tuna was kind of dry. Salmon was fine though! Normally, going out for sushi makes me immensely happy. However, I was not feeling it at Niu. Should have stuck with Sushi Wabi.

    (3)

  • Kumar v.

    We 2 went in and waited for 10 mins in a non busy day. No Body showed up for serving food. Went to the receptionist & expressed thanks for the good service.

    (1)

  • Sarah N.

    So far, Niu is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago. Here's why: The sushi is fantastic, but also important: The PRICE is great for the quality (compared to prices/quality at nearby restaurants OYSY and Roka Akor). Niu has extensive food and bar menus, a nice restaurant atmosphere, and really unique specialty rolls (like Transformer, which has tempura banana with eel, and Strawberry Fields, which as the name suggests includes strawberry). Also, whether you have tepid taste buds or are a seasoned sushi-pro, be sure to try their California roll. Made with Alaskan shredded crab, it is the most amazing California roll you will ever eat, and it holds its own next to the more intricate maki sushi and quality sashimi. The service at Niu is good but nothing to write home about. I really don't have any complaints but it's not phenomenal compared to, say, Roka Akor. However, I can almost always get seated right away at Niu without a reservation and I don't think I've ever requested a reservation that they weren't able to make. Again, for the prices at Niu, you're getting a really yummy meal and a delicious cocktail should you choose to order one, all in a sleek contemporary environment that is perfect for your 1st, 2nd, or hundredth date.

    (5)

  • Vivian L.

    The one star is for the environment. The food is horrible. All the fish are not fresh at all. I had bad smell on my mouth for the whole night after I eat those sashimi. Really a terrible restaurant. Waste of money.

    (1)

  • Melly C.

    This place as delicious but quite pricy. I am glad I looked at the menu online and made my decision before I arrived. Many of my friends who came, looked at the menu in the restaurant and with their hunger--they ordered tons of food to the dismay of their wallets. It's annoying that they do not split checks (there were about 15-20 of us, all paying in cash) and the food took forever to come. Not because of the number of people we had, they simply took a long time to get our order despite being ready for some time. There were no complimentary appetizers despite our large party, at least some edamame would be nice we spent about $600 or more there and were starving when our food arrived. Overall the sushi was superb and they give you plenty of rolls. I ordered the spider maki which was great, I tried to the Sexy Mexican which was divine even though I do not like avocado. I also like the Transformer and the Dragon rolls. I ordered a ginger salad with my rolls, it was a decent-sized salad for 5 bucks and the veggies were very fresh. I liked the atmosphere and the waiter was nice though overwhelmed. We tipped him well for his troubles because some of my friends kept switching seats! I spent about $20 and left very satisfied with ordering just one roll and a salad. You just need to share your rolls with friends and it's a win-win! Wish this place was BYOB, there is a liquor store across the street!

    (3)

  • Kate M.

    Niu might be my favorite sushi place in Chicago. It's a very pretty space, the food is delicious, and the service is good. The only other thing I could ask for is for a location easier to get to. The maki rolls are huge, but in a good way. There are about 10 pieces per roll, but the rolls aren't too big in diameter. I hate sushi rolls that are so big you can't fit a piece into your mouth. The yellow submarine roll is delicious, and the aloha albacore is my next favorite. They have a good size drink menu, including a few non-alcoholic options. Multiple tasty hot tea options too. The same size maki rolls are half price for lunch during the week. If you have the opportunity, it's a good deal to take advantage of. It's a really pretty space too. Would be a good location for a party or small event. It's nice and open.

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    This place has great sushi and general tso chicken is what we had. Can't wait to go back again. Been there twice now and was fantastic both times. I would eat there everyday if I could. Great location right next to the movie theater too. I was sad when I ran out of chicken. Really good portion size for the price and I love the food.

    (5)

  • Mikestina R.

    This dimly lit sushi joint offers plenty of options for any type of sushi fan looking to get their fix. If you want an intimate setting for a romantic evening out in this lively area of town, Niu is your spot! Mikestina Recommends: Sexy Mexican

    (4)

  • Christina P.

    I now know Niu! I've walked past Niu multiple times and just never ventured in - consistently brushing this sushi joint off as far too chainy for my taste. However, after feasting on their menu, I can say, I am a fan! Their rolls are all incredibly fresh and fairly inventive. Its not BYO (which is always my sushi dining preference) but the cocktail/wine/beer list has something for everyone. For a casual and good spot in Streeterville, I'd recommend Niu!

    (3)

  • Natalie N.

    If you're looking for sushi in Chicago this is not the place to go- there are about 100 places much more worthwhile. That said, the atmosphere is nice, really modern and inviting. Drinks: I've had many lychee martinis and I ordered one here- not good- I could have just stuck with water. Sushi- the fish was fresh but the rolls just weren't authentic and there was too much rice. I would rather eat sushi from whole foods or even trader joes. The edamame was ice cold:(! Service- good, server was pleasant. Overall- you do not need to try this place. Instead you should go to Friends Sushi, Ai, Mirai, Toro, Coast...the list goes on. Sorry Niu, I wanted to enjoy you but you just didn't cut it.

    (2)

  • Krupa U.

    My friend and I went here for dinner on a friday night. Even though the place was busy, we were able to get seating fairly quickly. The edamame was cold and not salted enough. The waiter was very brief and walked away too fast, could hardly find him when we needed him. All in all an Ok place.

    (3)

  • Lawrence L.

    Cool vibe. Friendly waiter. Reasonably fresh fish. Not really Japanese enough for my taste. No fresh wasabi. Mediocre tea. Trying to hard to be trendy but forgetting the point of putting the sushi first. Not a bad fusion place but I wouldn't bother coming back.

    (3)

  • David R.

    Very good Tom Yum soup, one of the best green teas we've had and the sushi was good. Definitely will go back. The only issue is the size of the tables. We ordered sushi and there was almost no room with the amount of plates that it came out on. I would recommend this restaurant to friends.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Love, love, love.... OMG, yes its downtown prices, however....this freaking sushi is AMAZING!!! Not to mention the amazing scene in the restaurant. Love the decor and the staff was so NICE! Seriously....everything NUMBER ONE!!!! As far as sushi goes....I didnt try anything else because I had a huge hankering for raw fish and this place fix me like no other....I will be back!!!

    (5)

  • Julia S.

    Lunch special is half price on all rolls. Best value in this part of town. All was fresh and delicious.

    (4)

  • Mikey J.

    Decent sushi joint. AS a few other yelpers have mentioned, its more of a cocktail joint in the evening. However, lunches here are great and reasonably priced too. I usually get the bento box special, which fills me up with moderately good sushi for about $15. I live right across the street so I come by the place more than I'd typically do for a restaurant of this medium caliber.

    (3)

  • Ran C.

    Not many people as I though, Sushi are delicate and the fried rice is the best.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    In town for business, a group of us walked by this place during lunch and it looked good, so we opted to check it out for dinner. Tuesday nights are 1/2 off wine (under $32) and 1/2 off warm saki bombs which I discovered on Yelp. Thank goodness because our server wasn't too much in the promo mood as we kinda had to pull it out of him while confirming the specials. I guess suggestive selling is passe, huh? We got the vegetable tempura for appetizer, it excellent and superb, some of the best tempura I've had in a while. We also shared the Firecracker, Spider, and Mellow Yellow rolls while someone got the chicken stiry fry. We ordered Pinot Noir and a Leechy Martini, the $11 glass of Pinot excellent, a great value @ half price. The Leechy Martini was awesome, they don't use syrup, it's the real McCoy. The Sushi: the rolls are longer here but smaller in diameter, so if you're a modest eater then 2 rolls should do you well. The Firecracker was the best (IMO), the Mellow Yellow was tasty but a bit on the wet side (ginger juices) which caused the rice to fall apart as you were using your chopsticks. The Spider Roll was good, but not the best, and our friend liked her stir fry plate. So here's a recap: The Good: - 1/2 off wine and hot sake on Tue nights - awesome vegetable tempura - Leechy Martini = awesome, uses real fruit, not syrup - The Firecracker Roll - Chicken Stir Fry - Cucmber in my water - - it was a refreshing touch The Meh - waiter not proactive in communicating specials - rolls may be long but small in diameter - Spider Roll The Fugly - A wet Mellow Yellow Roll that falls apart. Tasted good, but it's wet....is it supposed to fall apart on you? Dunno. Overall: 3.75 stars, rounds up to 4. This town is crawling with sushi, and there's really nothing exceptional here that's going to keep coming back (i.e. the "WOW" factor) as opposed to having the opportunity to try something else. So in other words: if ya don't blow me away, I will crippity creep elsewhere to satisfy my sushiosity and taste buds. Ya get ma drift?

    (4)

  • Astral R.

    Great food and the portion sizes for the maki / rolls are pretty large. What i like most are the numerous lunch options and they are priced very well.

    (4)

  • Molly L.

    I came here with a group of friends before a movie last night, and will definitely return in the future. The food was very good and reasonably priced for the area. The specialty rolls are gigantic, so don't order too much. My favorite was the Mellow Yellow. I also had the Pink Lady, the White Angel, and a spicy tuna roll. I didn't love the Pink Lady because the salmon was cooked, not raw. The White Angel and spicy tuna were quite good, though. I also enjoyed the decor and service at Niu. Our waitress was very accommodating. We requested our bill as soon she brought our food out because we needed to get to our movie, and she was speedy with processing everything. Next time I see a movie at AMC and need to grab some dinner beforehand, I will definitely come to Niu.

    (4)

  • Vina O.

    I love this place! Sake sangria and lychee mimosa cocktails are soooooo good. Rolls are HUGE (10 pieces instead of the usual 6 or 8)! Fish is fresh and delicious and soo flavorful. I highly recommend!

    (5)

  • shoaib a.

    I'd actually give Niu 2.5 stars but I don't wanna round up as that would mean A-okay and it's more towards "Meh, I've had better." We came here for dinner on Friday night. As I understand, Niu is a relatively new restaurant. The decor is quite nice and the overall ambiance is well presented. We were looking forward to enjoying a wonderful sushi experience. There was no wait for two and once we were seated, our waiter was there to tend to us quickly. We ordered the Tom Yum soup and vegetable dumplings for the appetizer and a few rolls of sushi for dinner. The soup was very tasty and by far the best item we had. The dumplings were good too but not great. Unfortunately, we came here for the sushi and it's now time to address that. Although I love the fact that from a price standpoint, the sushi is quite reasonable, the quality leaves a lot to be desired. I didn't think the rolls were flavorful and we felt that the wesabi was very soft and completely lacking flavor. Perhaps it was the rolls we ordered - I don't remember their names (something Mexican, Dragon Roll, and another one I can't recall). Maybe the restaurant is still getting its kinks out. I hope so, as this restaurant is convenient to where my sister lives and the restaurant is lots of potential to being a fun place to grab a bite.

    (2)

  • Jessica P.

    me: "Fusion Lounge? So Japanese and what other region? Meditteranean? Thai? American...? waiter: "Um, I'm not sure. I think "fusion" is used broadly here. It's basically Japanese." Annnnndddd you call yourself fusion! But you still get 5 stars because your food and drinks were amazing. My fat self and friend came here for dinner on a reccomdation not feeling hungry and I was licking my plate clean by the end of the meal. Sigh, no doggy bag to enjoy later. Strongly reccomend the table's choices: Red Curry with scallops and Red Snapper Fillet. Because we were having a good day, it was Martini Mondays and thoroughly enjoyed their Tokyo Rose (Favoriteeee) and Ginger Martini. Dinner fused alcohol? I'll take it!

    (5)

  • Anna J.

    I had two Spicy Maki rolls - one with tuna, one with yellowtail- and a specialty roll of some kind. The ambiance and location were great but the food was just ok. I had heard great things and must admit I was a little disappointed, especially once I saw how much I paid. All in all, I would still recommend checking them out, especially if you are looking for a place to take out of town friends who want to eat downtown. I wouldn't expect to be wowed though!

    (3)

  • Happiness L.

    What a great find! My friend said we should meet here for dinner and so glad we did. It was the freshest and best maki roll I ever had. I am not really an expert, yet after asking my very knowledgeable server about some of the items on the menu I chose one of their specials that even included apple. I also chose the brown over the white rice. I can't express enough how awesome it tasted. Fresh! Fresh! Fresh! We also ordered their chocolate cake dessert...one of the best tastes of something sweet in a long while. So good! Save room for it. **Please offer coffee as an option for your guests.** BYOC...Bring your own coffee...they don't have any here. Hopefully things will change. Great atmosphere, comfy chairs in the back dining space, lounge in the front, and regular tables to view the sushi guys at work. The staff was well trained and made us feel special.

    (4)

  • M O.

    I met up a friend for dinner here. The food was great and at first service was fine. it's been a while since i've seen this friend, so we took our time eating and catching up. Toward the end of our meal, we probably had 3 people come to our table a total of 7 or 8 times to ask if we were done. The place was more than half empty, so i'm not really sure why they were in a rush to get us out. Plus, they weren't closing soon.

    (4)

  • Jameelah R.

    Customer service was really bad. Our table had a new waitress by the name of Bridget and she was very rude to us from the time we placed our order and at check out. One of my co-workers decided to privately confront Bridget about her service and I heard Bridget's rude response 3 tables away. My co-worker went to the manager to complain and he looked completely spaced out like he didn't have a clue how to properly handle the situation. Over 60 people from our corporate office come here to eat on lunch and really don't deserve rude customer sercive. If you do not want to come to work, please don't take your actions out on the public. The food is very great but based on bad customer service, they just lost quite of few people from our working establishment.

    (1)

  • Mandi P.

    Niu is a great little place for lunch or dinner while spending time at the movie theater next door. Niu is located right next door to AMC River East 21. We typically visit Niu before a weekend movie. We have found the service to be efficient and fast. On the few occasions that it hasn't been, we have simply informed the waiter and waitress and the issue was resolved immediately. We have come in with only 30-45 minutes to order, eat, and pay before our movie starts and have made it to the movie in time every time!!! The food is consistently good. They serve sushi and a few entrees. The sushi is not great, but is good. The entrees are good and, in my opinion, are a generous portion. One thing that is wonderful is the honey sesame chicken. I typically only order this now that I have discovered it. The ambience is just okay. Nothing really too special about it. With that said and since the food is not outstandingly spectacular...if Niu was not located so conveniently next door to the movie theater I most likely would not venture in here. However, it is in a great location for my needs and I would definitely suggest Niu to anyone hungry who is visiting the movie theater. One odd plus that I do give this place is the bathroom. It is not the cleanest...looks like it only gets cleaned once a day and the mess that is made throughout the day is not properly attended to. However...they pump the music in the bathrooms 3-4 times as loud as they do throughout the restaurant. I LOVE this idea as it has to muffle some of the not so pleasant bathroom sounds!!! One negative and the reason I am giving Niu 3 stars instead of 4...the pricing. It is not ridiculously expensive, but it is a little pricey for what it is. For example, we (me and my husband) ate lunch here yesterday and had 1 beer each, I had a diet coke, my husband had a sparkling water, we shared a gyoza appetizer, and we both got the honey sesame chicken...our bill was $72.00. A wee bit pricey for lunch and for the type of place this is.

    (3)

  • Andrea R.

    We ended up here out of convenience because we were seeing Up in the Air (so good- see it!) at the theater next door. This isn't the type of restaurant where you would usually be in and out within 30 minutes, but with the help of our speedy waiter we managed it. I started with a vegetable gyoza appetizer and followed it with a Sexy Mexican roll. The gyoza was your typical dumpling, but the roll was excellent...and quite large! Hubby was more adventurous and ordered the chirashi: assorted sashimi over rice. The sashimi was all very fresh and looked so good that I kept stealing pieces off his plate. He was nice enough to share... They had some interesting looking martinis on the menu as well, but I opted out of those this time or George Clooney wouldn't be the only one Up in the Air.

    (4)

  • Kamilah S.

    Great Sushi. My esthetician, Magdalena, actually recommended this place and its one of her favorite sushi places and I can see why. My girlfriends and I came here on a Saturday evening for a birthday celebration and had an awesome time. One of my friend's, who is a sushi virgin had her very first sushi roll and she loved it. We ordered salads, shrimp tempura sushi roll, Sexy Mexican and the Spicy tuna roll. My lychee martini was phenomenal. Nattery, our server gave us plenty of time to read the menu, order drinks, order salads, she did not rush us and whenever I needed her, without looking around, BOOM, she was there asking "What can I get you?" "How is everything?", but not in an annoying kind of way. My dessert was not the best, I had the lychee and champagne mousse on a sponge cake, the mousse was excellent, but that sponge cake was TERRIBLE, I should have gotten my go to dessert, crème brulee or chocolate cake. My friends cheesecake and salted caramel crunch cake were fantastic. I would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Catherine W.

    Had takeout. 4 rolls and a yakisoba was $77. Seemed kind of expensive for the quality. Yakisoba did not have much flavor. Would not make a special trip to go here, but it is a convenient spot in Streeterville by the movie theater.

    (2)

  • Jesse L.

    If you're staying at the Sheridan on Water St. and don't want to go far for good sushi, this is your place. It's right next to the AMC theater (which you can see from most of the outside windows at the Sheridan). See that big glowing AMC? Yeah. Right there. Unfortunately, you'll also see all those people from the lobby and the elevator. I don't think there was one native Chicagoan there on our visit to this place (literally because it was packed with people I saw at the hotel). Other tourists notwithstanding, the atmosphere was pretty good and the sushi was solid. My favorite was the "Rock and Roll" maki roll. (they deep fry the whole roll, giving it a light crispness). As far as the actual fish goes, some of Sake and Toro was melt in your mouth good, and a few pieces were a little bit tough by sushi standards. But hey, it's the Midwest... I was just happy to have decent sushi. (and the pieces that were good were REALLY good) An important note, one maki roll would have been plenty for me. My wife and I ordered three and had way too much food (especially after each having an appetizer.) They're ten pieces each and substantial.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    I eat here often because I work a block away. Their lunch specials are very reasonable and their food is fresh. I have eaten at many sushi places and this is definitely one of my favorites. I have also dined here at night and their atmosphere and ambiance is inviting. Excellent sushi and drinks before going to the AMC movie theater next door.

    (5)

  • Chuck E.

    Food and service were excellent. The only complaint was sashimi was too thick - like 3 normal slices and a bit difficult to eat. Sushi rolls were spot on and some of the best I've had.

    (5)

  • Frank S.

    Decent, but pricey. Typically you get two pieces of nigiri for the price. These single pieces are definitely sizable, but for items like the tiny sweet shrimp at $6 for one, you can certainly rack up the bill. I ate a moderate amount of food and spent $84 before tip. Had two Asahi and a small saki (total of $18 in bev). One roll , 9 single pieces of nigiri and a plain miso soup took the rest. The miso was acceptable at best. As for the nigiri: The quality of the fish was great. Delicious, fresh and well-prepared. Some really nice examples of sushi here. The salmon belly and especially the ono (escalar) where incredible. The roll I got was a daily special, "Yuzu Hama." My impression was that it seemed like they try to over-do it with the rolls. Rather than create some great recipes, they seem to just throw as many ingredients as they can fit and hope for the best. In the case of my roll, it was topped with an onion-skin thin slice of jalapeño and a dollop of mango jelly. The jalapeño was too thin to taste and the jelly was SOOO sweet it overwhelmed any other flavor. I ended up attempting to scrape it off, just so that it didn't seem like I was eating spoonfuls of mango jelly and rice. If I go back, I'll definitely stick to nigiri and sashimi.

    (3)

  • Lisa G.

    I was traveling to Chicago for work and stopped by Niu Sushi at the recommendation of a friend that lives in the city. First, the only reason I gave the restaurant 2 stars was because the service was fast, friendly and pretty great. The sushi rolls I ordered were horrible. I ordered a Spider Roll and a Spicy Tuna Roll. They were cut into 10 generous pieces for each roll but the Spider Roll was soaked in a sweet eel sauce and I'm used to the soft shell crab in the Spider Roll being hot - the crab was ice cold. The Spicy Tuna Roll was soggy and each piece fell apart as I tried to pick it up with my chopsticks. I will never go to this restaurant again.

    (2)

  • Kammie G.

    The front of the restaurant is really cool, the decor is fancy and funky at the same time, I really liked it. However, the back was more boring and plain, it kind of felt like I was sitting in a lobby. Except for that big wall poster of a forest, that one was cool. The food was good but nothing to write home about. They messed up my order, I wanted two different sushi rolls with brown rice and they only gave me one with brown rice. The prices for the food and drinks are too much for the quality offered, in my opinion. This was the place where I tried green tea ice cream for the first time for my friends' birthday and I have to say, never again. The strangest tasting "dessert" ever! So weird.

    (3)

  • Amy K.

    The food at Niu is good, but it's really the service that bumps it up to 4 stars. Our server was very attentive, and our water glasses were filled multiple times without asking. And by the way, I really liked that the water had a slice of cucumber in it. Very refreshing. To me Niu seems more like a place to have cocktails and inventive rolls, rather than raw fish. Since it was a cold night, we started with miso soup, which was perfectly seasoned. Next we shared the crab sunomono salad, which I would definitely order again. It was loaded with tons of fresh crab, the light dressing complimented it perfectly. Then we had the seafood crepes from the specials. It was unique and tasty. At the same time we were brought the calamari. I liked that it wasn't greasy and had some chilies mixed in for a nice kick. Finally we had a couple of rolls, the Ying and Yang roll of the specials and the Diablo roll. Both were okay, but had a sweeter taste than I was expecting. Overall, Niu is an attractive restaurant (check out the restroom!) with a wide menu and gracious staff. I don't think it's the best sushi restaurant, but we did enjoy our dinner here.

    (4)

  • Joel M.

    Consistently good service, price, and food- especially for the location. Their specialty rolls are great, and filling, so you don't have to order much or spend much to be full (I usually get one roll & a miso or an appetizer).

    (4)

  • Olga C.

    i went to this place first time with my Boyfriend just to grab a roll before the movie. The place was crowded since it was a weekend, but for me it's a good sign, bad place is never crowded. The service is great, friendly and polite. I don't remember what rolls we got but they were huge and amazing!!!!!!!!! After a while me and my girl friend went out for a girls chat and decided to go there as well. We grabbed and appetizer it was some kind of crepes, and a couple of rolls as well. Everything delicious along with white wine. I love this place they look high class, reasonable price and delicious. This is a go to spot!!!!!! ;)

    (5)

  • Melissa F.

    Nice cocktails, but the food was mediocre

    (3)

  • Orlando R.

    I went into this retaurant on a Thursday night at around 6:30 pm. It was not too crowded and I did not need a reservation. I am sure it being a weekday had alot to do with that aspect of my experience. The decor resembled a nightclub on the inside - dark, trendy and modern. Personally, I did not mind but my female companion joked that she needed a flashlight to look at the menu. The menu was comparable to most other sushi places. Nothing stood out or seemed out of place. Sushi is sushi - as long as its fresh you should be good to go. Some of these other reviews reek of trying too hard. Relax, people. The service was fine. And my glass was always filled before I could finish my water. I ordered the Vegetarian Spring Roll as an appetizer. Fresh, crisp and good. I then ordered the Spicy Tuna as my meal. Fresh, tasty and good. The restaurant is located downtown so the prices will be marked up (for those of you who are pinching your pennies). Additionally, the parking is terrible and you will pay inflated rates (for those of you who are not Chicago natives). I would go back.

    (3)

  • Craig U.

    The sushi is fine, not great, not bad... Fine. However the nicely decorated and dimly lit restaurant has excellent service. They were extremely attentive without being overbearing or making you feel rushed. It's a fine choice if you're catching a movie but not worth ever going out of your way or planning around.

    (3)

  • Shoaib M.

    Decent, service was good, location is nice to catch a movie, but overall food was average and didn't love the rolls.

    (3)

  • Amanda F.

    I go on Mondays for the 1/2 off drink special. The london fog is amazing. The rock & roll is my favorite and everything I have always tastes so fresh!

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    Honestly, I think this place defines pretty decent sushi. Expensive? A bit. Good? Absolutely. I think of it like this: do you want to be in a hip, trendy sushi bar before you go blow some money on an imax movie? Are you a guido? Do you know who my father is? (I still smell great). If any of this strikes true, or you get the joke, Niu sushi might be good for you.

    (4)

  • Tiago P.

    This place was just "ok". Nothing great to scream to the world about. I ordered 2 sushi rolls and the udon noodles. The sushi came on two separate plates and the "other" order was with someone who was half way across the table (we had a big group). So instead of enjoying my sushi piece by piece, I had to throw all of mine on top of my udon noodles. I know... real classy. Udon noodles were quite bland. Throw some salt on that B or some soy! Also, the soy sauce for my sushi seems like it was watered down? It's these small things that can make or break a restaurant. This place does the small things wrong. On that same note, who the hell charges $1 for Sriracha. That's just dumb. Nothing here makes me feel inclined to return. Other places to try out. Maybe if I come back with others, I'll have a better experience.

    (2)

  • Sarah J.

    A co-worker who lives in the neighborhood suggested Niu to me and we were definitely not disappointed. Very delicious food, both the sushi rolls and the Japanese stir fry my husband and I had. The service was noticeably good - everyone was very accommodating and seemed to be genuinely happy to serve us. We went for dinner before a movie and it was just perfect - we highly recommend it!

    (5)

  • Meghan S.

    Yummy sushi and great environment. I tried three of the speciality rolls and they were all pretty good. I especially like a special salmon role with lemon slices on top. They were also having a special on martinis for $5 each which was a great value. I definitely recommend this place its great for sushi and some nice conversation with friends.

    (5)

  • Niti B.

    From the minute you walk into this place it feels trendy yet casual. The patrons are from near and far...as being close to Navy Pier it seems to be a tourist stop. But the AMC theater next door makes it a great date night. The food is great. Offering traditional sushi and various special maki rolls that are truly special. The drink menu is elaborate and delicious. Haven't made room for dessert in the two visits that I have been there but that's only because the food was so good I couldn't resist leaving no room! The service is average at times. The wait can get a bit long on a busy friday night. Staff is a mix. The host seemed to be very attentive and the waiter from our first visit was great. Our second visit left us doubting the staffs knowledge of the chef's talent. When asked what is the chef's special her answer for us was "what he likes to make". All in all the food beat out the service making us come back for more. A side note for good budget finds...the lunch menu is m-f and half off the regualar price for special maki rolls and the $13 lunch special is an entree, miso soup, salad and california roll!! can't beat that! Also when we go to AMC for our movie there was a commercial in the theater for a dinner special at Niu with the purchase of a movie ticket...wish we had known about that before we ate! Not sure what the special is but I'm sure it is good! Overall...I am a fan!

    (4)

  • Steve C.

    Absolutely loved the sushi here, best roll is the Sexy Mexican. No wait on a weeknight, nice atmosphere and very friendly service.

    (4)

  • Lacey H.

    Sushi selection is great, reasonably priced. Lychee Martini's are a must-try!

    (4)

  • Dotty K.

    Food was average. Service was extremely slow. Our server (Adam) ruined our dining experience. He was not welcoming, was cold and had a very arrogant attitude. We were given chopsticks and the fact that we asked for forks seemed totally crazy to him. His response to our request for forks made it sound that we had lost our minds. And, we got our forks when we were half done with our meal. Needless to say, he got a very poor tip. Hope he realizes why that was. We are not going back there again.

    (1)

  • AJ M.

    Great spot for date or dinner with friends. This place has real dim lights and is kinda dark but nice. Being next to the movie theater is great. Food is good had the white angel, Diablo , Pink Lady but my fave was rock n roll, gotta love that tempura.Fried was was solid, Red curry had less curry and more vegetables which in your opinion can be good or bad. We also had sake bombs which were fun. Would deff come back before a night out or movie!

    (4)

  • Calvin N.

    I recommend this place for their sushi lunch specials during the work week. A lot of the rolls were half price (they don't skim on the portions). Fresh fish all around. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Mary T.

    $4 Vodka Raspberry Lemonades can be very dangerous! Niu is sandwiched between AMC River East and Walgreens; a perfect location to stop for a drink (or 3) and a bite after you've purchased your movie candy on the cheap. On Mondays they have a $4 cocktail special, I forget exactly what is included, but I can say with confidence the raspberry lemonades are. This was no ordinary spiked raspberry lemonade, this was made with fresh raspberries and lemons muddled in the bottom. I think they should probably strain the drink a touch before serving it - I kept getting fruity bits clogging my straw. The place was deserted when I was there, I know it was Monday but we were actually having a warm, beautiful day! They have a cute little patio so you can sip away your cares while people watching. While there I ordered some sushi, which was good. Not the best I've ever had, but good and reasonably priced. I love that they used full pieces of fish in my spicy salmon and spicy yellowtail maki. I only had 2 complaints: (1) The yellowtail maki was loosely rolled, it ended up coming apart in my soy sauce. Fortunately, the klutz in me avoided wearing the roll, since I was heading to the movies that would've been gross and possibly stinky. (2) The chopsticks are too thick. Niu uses plastic chopsticks, but the ends you eat with are too darn thick. When I finished my sushi there was a bunch of rice in the soy sauce I didn't have a prayer of picking up. I wouldn't make a special trip here to eat, but if someone's in the mood for a $4 adult raspberry lemonade I'm game.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    Sure this review should be about sushi but wouldn't that just be predictable? While the five letter word, sushi, was good (I actually had maki but that's a four letter word and who wants to discuss those in polite company?), it was another five letter word that impressed me more at Niu - fruit. More specifically their Raspberry Lemonade cocktail. They take the extra little step of using real raspberries and real lemons (and Stoli Razberi as the vodka). And this makes it really good. Possibly the best vodka lemonade I've ever had. For its usual $8 it would be worth it, but on Mondays they have half off all martinis and cocktails so it was only $4. And those little (though significantly alcohol laden) beauties are perfect for sitting on their patio with. Illinois Street isn't the most scenic thoroughfare in Chicago but it makes for good people watching as tourists leave Navy Pier. They also do one more amazing thing with fruit - or well vegatable, but same food group - they mix just the right amount of cucumber into the water to give it a refreshing tinge. With it's perfection in all thing leafy, I just had to try their six vegetable maki - the Zen. It left a bit to be desired with its unusual combination of five flavors (including gobo and daikon, which I'm sure not sure what they are) but the avocado was flawless and only $5 a roll. Considering how swanky the inside was, it was actually a good deal. Though this was a flaw of the place. On the day I went it was relatively warm and humid. The inside of the restaurant was a sauna (or maybe more appropriately the inside of a fishbowl). So heat was certainly a four letter word but the five letter word of the day - fruit - definitely overcame this slight shortcoming.

    (4)

  • Michael R.

    Horrific service. Robert the manager was shockingly rude after keeping us waiting 20 mins past our promised seat time. We informed the host we were in a hurry when we put our name in. He literally said after I complained about not being able to put our order in before we were sat," if you keep up your complaints we will not serve you" I was stunned! So of course we left. Do yourself a favor Robert and go find another job you are not cut out for customer service. Stay away from this place. Over entitled attitudes

    (1)

  • Lauren B.

    Stopped in for drinks with colleagues and a friend to toast the final night of our biggest annual conference. Le sigh. I had already toasted to some other stuff so I wasn't particularly aware of the ambiance but the service was very friendly and our waitress seemed to enjoy our lubricated jubilance. I sipped several sidecar like cocktails that had a delicious cinnamon sugar rim thing happening. I am a lover of dark liquor and Niu's cocktail menu did not dissapoint. I nibbled off of other's plates and everything was delicious and the servings were large enough to share. Should I ever find myself back in Chicago I would definitely consider Niu again!

    (4)

  • Andy T.

    Great place! At first, this place looks really small. Once you enter you realize there is enough space for you and your entire party. The ambience, overall decoration and music might give you a feeling of snobbishness. However, the instantly friendly staff takes you right in. BTW, love the modern lounge background music. So, I ordered the Sexy Mexican and the Pink Lady rolls. The serving portions are very generous both in size and pieces. They know how to make the correct sushi rice. Soft yet loose not gooey nor mushy like many other places I've been to. Sexy Mexican is good. However, the Pink Lady is great! I definitely recommend both. If I wasn't that stuffed I would have probably ordered an additional roll from their well suited menu. I will come back next time I'm in town and bring more people with me. Yes, the place could get packed but don't be afraid of sitting at the bar. The service is still very very good. Loved the cucumber infused water! Hope you enjoy too!

    (5)

  • Pamela P.

    Lunch. Amazing deals. Great, fresh sushi. Waiters, might need a little happy pill now and then. Went here today with my cousin for lunch. For $4, you get a ginormous California roll that will hit the spot. There's other specialty rolls such as the Sexy Mexican ($7) which is basically crab mixed with spicy mayo, topped with avocado and dollops of chili paste. It was to die for. The prices are so very reasonable for lunch and they've got a lot of great options at low prices. Never been here for dinner but I surmise that having been here for lunch I don't think I'd like to pay any more for these foods than their lunchtime price-tag. Will definitely be back. Yum-O!

    (4)

  • Hina Q.

    First time at Niu, saw it a couple times when we went the the AMC and looked like a nice restaurant. Service: no complaints, very nice and friendly. The most important thing is it was one of the restaurants in Chicago that are open past 10pm on a Friday night. Food: Appetizers were amazing, we had the shrimp gyoza and the crab crepes...both very delicious! Did not try the sushi at this place. I ordered the pad thai instead, and it was "ok", definitely not the best and probably wont order it again if we go here a gain. I dont drink alcohol, and they had mock-tails which was nice to see for a change, i tried the coconut mohito, while my husband had a Vir-millian Daiquiri which were both really good. Ambiance: loved the ambiance, one of the reasons why we thought of trying it out. Dim modern atmosphere. Overall: Will probably go back sometime, definitely for the appetizers and will try the sushi next time. Definitely worth a try if you havent been, especially on a late night.

    (4)

  • Mars F.

    It was my first visit here, and I was blown away. The food and staff were very good. I really loved the sushi...especially the sexy Mexican...can't wait to get more o that! The decor and ambience was very nice also, can't wait to bring visitors to my city here.

    (5)

  • Ian T.

    Fast! Good portion size, great value for sushi downtown. This is a great place to crash into for a fast, quality lunch. This is not the most amazing sushi you are going to eat in Chicago,but for the speed, convenience, and price its gets 4 stars. Give it a shot!

    (4)

  • Lorna S.

    Conveniently located near everything, Niu is a great option for sushi in this area of the city. Right next to the movie theater and around the corner from the gym...a great place to stop before or after a movie, shopping or browsing the shops of Michigan Avenue. The modern decor is fun and the music is upbeat. I had dirty martinis when I was here, and they were tasty. They also offer a variety of flavors of martinis, mojitos and other drinks. The menu is a fusion of Japanese, Thai, and Chinese influences. These styles, blended with the energy of the city make this a great place to try. The fish is fresh, and the types of rolls they offer are unique, and large. I will definitely go back to try different types of rolls and drinks.

    (4)

  • Jeremy A.

    Walked in expecting a very good sushi experience. Ambiance and decor had me fooled. The food ranged from mediocre to lousy. Sweet potato tempura sushi tasted more like soggy sweet potatoes. Gyoza, Goma-ae and Paper Spring Rolls appetizers didn't want me coming back for more. Water seemed to be refilled after every sip I took - rather annoying. I left disappointed and with a much lighter wallet.

    (2)

  • Ke M.

    Nicely decorated inside and a lot larger than I think it looks from the street. They usually comp an appetizer if you can show them your movie tickets for the same night from Loews/Navy Pier IMAX. The sushi was delicious and our server was great. He was very knowledgeable and gave us solid recommendations. Also tried the dessert and it was tasty as well.

    (4)

  • K M.

    This is the BEST sushi in the city! And-- The Red Snapper entree is amazing! Try the Green Thai Curry!--- I've been coming here since they opened and have been hooked! Never have had a bad meal at Niu. The lunch specials are a great deal too.

    (5)

  • Cecilia T.

    This is a really trendy lounge with tasteful decor and an open atmosphere. The waitstaff is really nice and the service is quick. I love the set up - right when you walk in is a great bar/lounge area -there's even a room with flatscreens for a semi private party with a lounge atmosphere. Then the space opens into the dining area with great decor. My favorite dish by far is the Chicken Fried Rice - this is excellent!! There's something special about it - we think there's a special spice or pepper they put into it that makes it light yet flavorful. Definitely a must order. The "Wok" section of the menu has good portions - between my husband and I, we took leftovers home on a 2 dish meal. He had ordered the Thai Rice Noodle which was just ordinary. But again, the Fried Rice is yummy! We also ordered a couple of rolls - the Zen roll sounded more interesting on the menu than it actually was - nothing special unless you're a total veggie lover. (Cucumber, avocado, carrots, sprouts, daicon, radish). The Spicy Tuna was decent, not standout. Lastly I love how they serve water with cucumber.

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    River East's claim of fame is definitely not its restaurants. That said, the neighborhood needs a few more for the tourists, movie goers and residents alike. I went to Niu for dinner last night and walked away happy. Apps were good: soft shell crab spring rolls and seaweed salad were larger and better than average. Hamachi was fresh and the fish slices were large. Unagi and amaebi was good quality too. We also ordered a couple of rolls: spicy scallop and mellow yellow. Spicy scallop roll was excellent, spicy! and not mayo laden, you can actually taste the scallops. Mellow yellow was a tad too sweet with the mango, but it was a creative roll. I would like to try more rolls at their lunch special at half off! In summary, was that a great Japanese meal? No, it was pretty good, and a great alternative to Lucky Strike or Fox and Obel when you want to do a date and a movie!

    (3)

  • Karen T.

    Take Sushi Samba. Subtract the loud atmosphere and "hot" jungle decor (keep dark lighting). Make the portions larger and dial down the price tag. Welcome to Niu! But Niu's better because it's a.) right next to the AMC / closer to my condo (classic case of location, location, location) b.) is a little less annoyingly trendy. c.) quieter for dinners where you'd actually like to hear what your companion(s) are saying - this assumes, of course, that you'd actually like to hear your companion. There are a million sushi restaurants in Chicago, and a few even in this locale that far outdo either of these establishments. I'm going to let you in on a little secret...try Naniwa, not Niu - the fish and service are better. And if you're on a tight time schedule for dinner and a movie, go somewhere else - your server's skills are a crapshoot. But if you don't want to, don't fret. Their service isn't top-notch, but their drinks / food can be tasty. The sake selection is great, the Lychee Blue is kickass and I like their White Angel Roll. They don't overload on the non-fish ingredients in their rolls, and like I said, their portions are decent. Plus, their fusion thing actually works. In summary: worth trying, not worth making a special trip.

    (3)

  • Alina P.

    My girlfriend and I met our friends here before a movie last night. We've eaten before and I was just as happy to eat here again. The atmosphere is cool and the decor is funky. Our only complaint would be that it was probably too dark. My gf and I started with calamari which wasn't on par with others we've had in the city. While the batter was flaky and light, it was too dry and the portion size was not very big. It was more like 1/2 calamari 1/2 flakes. The rolls on the other hand were HUGE and really good. We shared the White Angel and Rock & Roll. The fish they used was really fresh. We were legitimately stuffed at the end of the meal.

    (4)

  • Luciana B.

    I decided to try this place out after passing it by it for a good 3 years. I have to say that I really like their rolls, especially their fresh temaki (hand rolls). Although I'm not a fan of super Americanized varieties with mayo, cream cheese, etc., they still have a lot of classic styles that delight me. The price isn't bad either. One thing that REALLY annoys me though... is this waiter that keeps refilling our water cups every time it dips below the rim. It just really interrupts the mood and they need to tell him to stop doing that. Isn't there a rule to only refill cups when it's less than halfway empty?

    (4)

  • Aubrey D.

    I've been coming to Niu Sushi once or twice a week every week for the past 4 months, as it is a convenient spot for lunch. The sushi is amazing but the service continuously causes me to question if I should take my business elsewhere. Unfortunately I will no longer continue to dine here due to lack of sincerity. My co worker and I were in the middle of our rolls when the wait staff spilled an entire glass of water and dish of soy sauce onto her lap. Im not sure if I even heard one apology. We stood there for a good minute before anyone came with napkins or a mop. She had to clean off her own seat, and we were in no way compensated for this huge inconvenience He could have at least made a dollar tip and kept 2 very loyal customers, but instead received $0.00 tip and we will never return. Thanks but no thanks.

    (4)

  • Marjorie F.

    Joy joy joy!!! Another sushi place to add to my list of faves. :) My first experience here was in the company of a friend who happens to live around the corner and who is a frequent visitor. Between his recommendations as well as our friendly server, I managed to narrow down the selections to the Great Wall (a special) roll, Rainbow roll, and the Sexy Mexican roll. The Great Wall was ok, but the other two were FABULOUS! The fish was so fresh it melted in my mouth. As far as frosty bevvies go, I started with a Kirin Light, but then lusted after the Lychee Martini my friend was drinking. When I finished my beer, I ordered this sweet treat. Needless to say, it knocked me on my butt! I guess I just don't have the alcohol tolerance I used to have... Oh where did those glory days go? The decor was very Asian mod, relaxing, and unpretentious. It was the perfect place to wind down after a long week and catch up on life with a good friend.

    (4)

  • Nikolai T.

    I've had better sushi. But the combinations of fish and flavors made it interesting and unique. The sushi rice was not correct. That's what really make a yummy sushi is the rice then the fish. I thought it was cool to see all the noodles and wok items. But DO NOT order the pad Thai. Awful. The noodle itself was cooked well and texture was excellent. The sauce and taste was not good at all. Maybe it's that fusion thing going on? Service was excellent. Go after 830 and there is no wait. Wine, beer and alcohol selection is very good. Try the green tea at the end of your meal. Delicious and again unusual. They incorporated rice tea and green tea. Nice mixture. Overall chic atmosphere and also a good place to chill for drinks. Sushi is alright. There's probably a better place to go to.

    (2)

  • John H.

    No valet parking so this is a local place as far as I am concerned. The location is nice, but everything is overpriced and boring. I love that they serve virgin drinks that actually taste good and look good. The service at the bar was excellent, but at the table it was hit and miss. When they tacked on a big tip I was not happy (yes it was a large party), but they missed some of our order and our one server just could not handle it all. So why the huge tip? I am sick of getting bad service and mediocre and being forced to pay for it through the nose. Ain't going back.

    (1)

  • Osmond S.

    This place is right next to may apartment so I'm here all the time. My wife and I are fans of Niu. I can't say great things about the sake - it's good but nothing over the top. The sushi, however, is pretty damn good. Our favorites are Spicy Tuna Maki ($6) and the Firecracker ($13). The sushi is always fresh and always top notch. I also think the service is pretty good. Like I said, I come here very often and have never had bad service. 4 stars for sure!

    (4)

  • Emily M.

    The drinks here were amazing! I highly recommend the Lychee mimosa. The atmosphere was trendy, and the service was excellent. I will definitely being going back!

    (4)

  • Bridget M.

    My aversion to sushi has only recently subsided so after working within eye sight of this place for nearly 3 years, I finally tried it out for lunch. Dimly lit, it has a "sexy vibe" which would make it fun for a date. The cucumber infused water was a nice touch and I was pleased to find out they had great lunch specials-half off maki and specialty rolls M-F. So far my two favorite rolls are the Mellow Yellow and Sexy Mexican, aka the "Sexican". If you can handle a little spice definitely try this one! I have also visited on a Tuesday night to take advantage of their half off wine. Tuesday's special also includes half off hot saki but I prefer cold sake so I stuck with my wine. I intend to go on a Monday one of these days since they do have specials on some of their cocktails. All in all, definitely check it out for lunch since the deal is very hard to beat!

    (4)

  • brion d.

    Bad, bad experience. Pulled into Niu at about 7:50 hoping to grab a bite before a movie. We live in the area and generally like Niu's food and service. In any event, we put our order in at 7:55 and told the waiter the movie started at 8:40. At couple minutes before 8:30 we were still waiting for our last entree--a sushi roll (we had finished our first). We didn't have time to eat it, and tried to cancel it. While the waiter nodded his head yes to my cancellation, he simultaneously put the bill on the table. The roll was on the bill. My girlfriend had already left to buy movie tickets when the roll was placed on the table, a minute or two after 8:30. What followed next was frustrating. The manager, Robert, came over. I explained everything to him. He explained that he thought the restaurant was doing pretty good because it was a Saturday and that I was unrealistic in thinking an entree should come out in less than 35 minutes. I said I wished the waiter explained how silly I was being before I put in my order, when I told him we had an 8:40 movie. This is a raw, no-cooking necessary, sushi roll, mind you. We kept it simple and easy on purpose. After being informed about how unrealistic I was for thinking the restaurant could cook its food on time, I paid for everything, including the roll that we couldn't eat, and walked out. Nothing like insult after injury. My girlfriend reminded me that I should go back in and get the roll since we were forced to pay for it. When I did, the manager said they gave it to another table. They re-served the food! Not clean. Forgetting about the appropriateness of this, I asked if I could NOW get my money back. Still he said no. I could come back after the movie and get a new roll. At this point I gave up on trying to argue. I was pretty sure the manager could care less. In any event, came back after the movie and got the roll. It took less than four minutes to prepare.

    (2)

  • ohan a.

    I went there for lunch while working out of our Chicago offices. Great sushi i must say. I absolutely love the 'Sexy Mexican" roll. Service however is very slow for lunch services. This is Chicago man and people need to eat and get back to work!!!

    (3)

  • Rhonda G.

    This place looks really cool! Very modern and simple in design and decor. So much potential with this place but it appears that it may be hit or miss. Most of the hits probably being with the food and drink and the misses being some of the staff. Like Kelly mentioned, I really don't like feeling rushed especially when their are only a few other tables of diners in the whole place. NEWSFLASH, two girlfriends dining on a Friday on what may or may not be payday and ordering food, martinis and mojitos is a potential jackpot so relax! As for the rolls, Love the bagel and the crunchy...hama was absolutely disgusting and needs to be snatched from the menu. Peach Martini was excellent!!! Would I go back? possibly if I was in the area and a craving hit but I wouldn't go out of my way since better service and lower prices are to be found else where.

    (3)

  • Sid A.

    Not a bad place for sushi! The ambiance is nice and we got a nice comfy bench for seating. We started with the seared albacore salad (not bad), then my girlfriend and I shared the tofu Yakisoba. We also ordered a couple specialty rolls: the Sexy Mexican and the White Angel. Both were delicious, especially the latter which had a citrus topping. Overall, not a bad place to check out if you're in the River street area!

    (4)

  • Jessica Y.

    While this isn't my favorite sushi restaurant, certain factors keep it on my list of recommened restaurants: location, service and ambience! The food is decent, albeit a bit pricey for the portions and location, but no complaints! Location: It's right next to AMC Rivereast 21, so it's a very convenient location and there is validated parking in the garage next door if you dine in the restaurant! Service: I've been there multiple times and have always had great service! The servers provide good recommendations and are readily available should you need something! Ambience: The lights are dim in the evening and while it can get busy, it isn't too loud or packed. It's a great place for a date or birthday dinner! Food: I've tried most of the sushi and I have no complaints! Portions could be bigger, but the food is good. Besides sushi, I would also recommend trying one of the "wok" dishes. Recommended!

    (4)

  • Dennis S.

    Best Asian food delivery alternative in the area. After a number of visits to Niu, we tried their delivery. Awesome! First, and shocking: After placing the order at 7:15pm, they said it would be 45 minutes. It arrived in 20! No one delivers in half the promised time! Tom yum soup (one order is enough for two people), shrimp spring rolls, crunchy shrimp/crab/cucumber maki roll, and stir fry beef & asparagus with mushrooms and bell peppers. Sounds pretty standard, eh? The tom yum soup was spicy, but not over the top. The shrimp rolls were delicate and tasty. The maki roll was crunchy without being fried or crusty, well balanced. The surprise was the beef and asparagus. Excellent beef, like you NEVER get in delivered Chinese food. Fresh tasty mushrooms. Nice crispy asparagus. This cost a bit more than Chinese delivery, but it made such a great meal, with fresh high-quality ingredients. Their delivery on cold Chicago nights will become a standard for us.

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Niu is quite good at a moderate price. I'm in Chicago often for business reasons and will often make a stop at Niu. The sushi is fresh, reasonably creative, and is served with quality wasabi. Rolls tend to come in 6-10 pieces and when dining in, a seasonal special menu will be available. Delivery is quick and comes with a $2.50 charge. Chirashi, Uni shooters, Tempura Udon, Seafood Udon, Red Snapper Fillet over stir fried string beans, Diablo roll, and Rock 'n Roll are my usuals. Service is quick, water (with a slice of cucumber for freshness) is refilled often, and I've never felt rushed. The owner has ordered some cool utensils which are very enjoyable as well. Decor is decent but a little dark. On the downside, when you ask them to add spiciness to things, it's generally in the form of red pepper flakes. Upon request, you might be able to get some Sriracha or an equivalent but this isn't standard. Fresh. Nice quality and quantity for the price. Cool utensils. Good stuff. Cheers.

    (4)

  • Sonali B.

    I went here with a group of people including randoms I didn't know, but Niu is the kind of place where you can get to know someone easily. I sipped on Lycee Martinis (yum) and carried on conversations of all sorts while perusing through their menu which had option after option. I skipped the sushi (seeing as I don't eat fish) and my plate (Pad Thai) arrived piping hot with more than enough food to share. A few of us split up our dishes and after a few more bites of food and a few more cocktails, this stylish restaurant had completely taken us over. I'd go there for an intimate date or dinner with friends. Dress up and enjoy yourself and indulge...don't be shy about ordering some of their more inventive rolls (my friends happily ate roll after roll). My dish was tasty enough for me to return, and when I next visit Chicago, I will stop by again.

    (4)

  • Brandon B.

    Dark, sleek, suave atmosphere that required an instant change from sunglasses to nerd specs and straw hat to cotton cap. Suspiciously convenient to the AMC movie theaters, and my friends that were going to see a brainless movie after got a discount on their edamame. Food and service were not top notch: as other friends have commented it is on the slower side, which is fine for a leisurely night with friends, but when they come back to take your second drink order after everyone else has finished eating they are just losing sales. The honey sesame chicken was good, a massive size american obesity portion, and for someone that eats all their food usually and was starving I still took half home. Not too expensive but a little overpriced. Fun for the location, I don't think I will come on a summer weekend again however.

    (3)

  • Odranre B.

    good sushi - good portion - good price...tables are too close together though

    (4)

  • Ilona K.

    The sexy decor, the exceptional service, the exciting food and drink selection make this spot one of my favorites in the city! Located next door to AMC River East, NIU is the perfect pre or post movie dining experience. You can grab a drink at the bar alone, bring a date for a special occasion or gather a group of friends to enjoy night on the town. The extensive menu offers selections that will impress the most picky of sushi fanatics as well as the sushi-phobes who would rather stick to stir-frys and soups. To get the night started I suggest the raspberry mojito that will excite the senses and make you yearn for more.

    (5)

  • Greg M.

    Stumbled upon this place strolling back from Navy Pier to my hotel. Pleasant atmosphere, friendly but somewhat inattentive staff. The food interest and quality varied from dish to dish with some being very good and others just ok. All of the ingredient were super fresh. The music tried way too hard to be hip and was really rather annoying.

    (3)

  • Jackie M.

    There was a great selection, and the food tasted amazing. The only thing I did not like was that we went for dinner and the place was packed. This meant that service was slow and the place was very noisy. There is not much room between tables, so it was very distracting. This place would be great for lunch or a larger group. But I wouldn't recommend it for people looking for a quiet romantic evening out.

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    We have been ordering take out here for a little while and last night decided to venture in. Unique ambiance, dark and sexy, good for a date or a girls night out. There is a large seating area and on a Tuesday night, I was surprised how crowded it was. Tuesday is half off wine, which makes for a great deal. We enjoyed a couple of great rolls and the ceviche trio (I believe this was a special which was fresh and fantastic! There was one roll, the Pepper Salmon, that was so peppery and pungent I had to remind myself I was eating a maki rool, it was soo good! Nice decor and super spacious, I think its a great place to bring out of town guests or to go with a group of friends.

    (4)

  • Kristen S.

    I visited Niu after a movie with girlfriends. I didnt order sushi but I did order cocktails and two small apps. One of the girls I was out with did ordered the sushi and she wasnt that impressed but said it was good. The service was excellent especially seeing how busy they were on a Saturday night. I ordered the Edamame and Beef Tataki. The presentation of the food was great, the drinks were strong and the atmosphere is very chic. I would defintiely go back again after movie. Its a nice date night or girls night out.

    (4)

  • Greg B.

    This review is for a take-out order. I had three sushi rolls delivered to me in my hotel down the street. Unfortunately, the lunch special - which is a great deal at $13 for a sushi roll, miso soup, salad, and your choice of entree - was not valid for deliveries, so I ended up spending $25 on lunch, a bit disappointing. The sushi was good, but not great. Rice was fresh and soft, and the salmon was good; the spicy tuna was not that good, though. I hear it's even better in person.

    (3)

  • Joanne L.

    Here's the low down on my FIRST experience at Niu..GREAT lunch spot. Upscale, trendy decor. Specialty rolls for a cheap price. Lunch specials include soup and salad. Half off rolls-awesome! Great portions and presentation. My top 2 favorite rolls: Sexy Mexican (if you like spicy) Mello yello-thin slices of mango on top was a nice touch Other good choices: Crunchy Ebi Tempura Rainbow row Chicken Fried Rice-excellent Seafood Udon-the broth was light, almost bland but i give props to the fresh scallops, pieces of white fish, and favorful plump shitake mushrooms. noodles were average. Desserts: Japanese green tea creme brûlée-creamy, nice to try a different flavored creme brulee. Lychee sorbet-so-so Molten chocolate cake with scoop of Ginger icecream on top-I've had better. could use more ooze in the middle. the ginger icecream was unique, but not sure it goes well with chocolate. Each dessert plate came with fresh cut fruit-the fresh lychee was the best. This place is trendy, good for groups, not kid friendly. Loved the cucumber water-fresh tasting! would come here again for lunch. Side note, my lunch companion mentioned the owner is chinese. We were celebrating my birthday, and the waiter brought out the chocolate cake with a candle on a beautifully decorated plate for the occasion. Good place to celebrate!

    (4)

  • Seann E.

    When I first dined at Niu, I wasn't even sure what "Japanese Fusion" was exactly. I am a food guru, so I did know that Fusion is combining cooking techniques to achieve something "different." Well I love sushi, and because of that my Chicago friends recommended I eat here. Walking into Niu felt like walking into a high class night club--it's dark with contemporary furnishings, and there are colorful lights everywhere. Thankfully, the music is not so loud it's blaring but barely noticeable over the people talking. There was a short wait. We didn't mind because Niu has a small lounge for its waiting area where a waiter will tend to you whenever you need drinks or an appetizer. After the wait, we were seated in a comfortable booth and received prompt service. As whenever I am at a Japanese establishment, I ordered a 22 oz. Japanese beer, Kirin Ichiban in this case. The menu is unlike any other Sushi/Japanese menu I have seen, one of the first restaurants I have been to without a paper and pencil menu anywhere. At first glance, the appetizers seemed familiar with slight "Fusion" variations to them, but things start to get interesting when you get down to the specialty rolls. With names like "Transformer," "Mellow Yellow," "Pink Lady," and "Strawberry Fields," I was instantly intrigued. Many of these specialty rolls are made with fruit--yes, fruit. Personally, I had never mixed the two, or had even considered it. But the fruit mixture is one of many style of Fusion cooking at Niu. I ordered Miso soup, some Nigiri and a few specialty rolls. The Miso soup came quick, and it was excellent. Miso can easily be too salty, mixed poorly or even cold. And if you're a hug fan of sushi like me, you would appreciate the Nigiri: the selection is vast with many types of fish that are generally served on the east and west coast. Surprisingly, I was able to eat some high quality fatty tuna (an expensive piece of Nigiri at $9), and it was fantastic; however, I'm not positive it was Bluefin tuna. Although, at its cost, it could've been. Next up came the "Transformer" and "Strawberry Fields" specialty rolls. I'll never forget my first few bites of these things. The taste--the flavor explosion inside your mouth--is just unlike anything else. I could never imagine that I would enjoy these rolls so much. It's almost as if they are stretching the name by calling it "sushi." In fact, some of these rolls are comprised of more than half fruit, so is it sushi then? I'm not going to get into a debate on what defines sushi, but whatever this is, it's fantastic. The "Transformer" roll is tempura banana (through the middle where shrimp is usually found) with cooked eel, topped with fresh salmon and a spicy mayo sauce. The banana mixed with the eel and fresh salmon tastes fantastic; it's sweet, but not too sweet. Also, the slightly spicy sauce nicely equalizes the flavor. The "Strawberry Fields" roll is escolar fish and tempura crunch, topped with spicy King Crab, mango sauce, and fresh strawberries, which are a shock at first because it was all I could initially taste. This roll is light and very refreshing. The mango sauce isn't overpowering but lightly applied--just enough to sweeten the roll against the spicy crab. Personally, I love food that is sweet, spicy, and full of flavor all at the same time. I could type pages on the many rolls I have eaten at Niu over four visits. Honestly, I haven't had a roll there that I have disliked. Nearly all of the specialty rolls are unlike any sushi I have seen before, and if you dine here you must try at least two. Some of you may be scared or feel uneasy about the fusion with fruit, but it's a must try. And if you don't like it, they do have plenty of traditional rolls and fantastic Nigiri. Not into sushi, but love Japanese food? Well they have that too, although I have yet to try one of their many Wok Style dishes. After leaving Niu, I felt the need to tell every sushi fanatic I knew about the great things Niu does with their sushi.

    (4)

  • Crystal O.

    My friends and I stayed a night at the Hilton Garden Inn after celebrating a friend's birthday at Social Twenty Five, a club that opens its door till 4am. The next day some of us were craving for hot soup or noodle soup type meals (hint: hangover remedy, maybe? hehe) and I found this restaurant that was not a far drive from our hotel. The place looked pretty new, with modern retro decorations. There were 7 of us and so we ordered a table full of different appetizers and entrees. I ordered the Seafood Udon. Typically, I don't have a big appetite for meals that are covered with too much vegetables, or meals that I refer to as "too green" or "too healthy". When I'm starving, I crave for something more solid, like meats or seafoods:) But, I like to say that the meal was a satisfying one, I did like the taste of the seafood broth. Be sure to try their agedashi tofu and the sushi rolls. The sushi rolls are slightly bigger than the ones at other sushi restaurants, so its considerably cheap.

    (4)

  • Jimmy G.

    All I can say is wow! Every time I eat here I think it gets better. The staff is ever attentive and friendly and actually fun! When I go to a new restaurant I usually choose a couple of basics to test it's return worthiness. A chef that masters the basics often excels in other more adventuresome cuisine. This turned out to be the case with Niu. Every thing on the menu has been mastered and when I think it can't possibly get better, well it does! Kudos to the whole team

    (5)

  • Melissa N.

    This is a very trendy Japanese fusion restaurant located right next to the AMC movie theatre. The menu is very comprehensive and offers every type of sushi imaginable, plus some other noodle entrees. The sushi gets mad props for both taste and presentation. Also, the cocktails are fantastic and are also very, VERY strong. I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Ingrid P.

    10/5/2012. Best sushi and martini's on a Friday night !!!!!

    (5)

  • Desirae K.

    Good for sushi amateurs. Not for the sushi aficionado. Warning about this review: Generally, I'm not a roll person and prefer to eat Sashimi or Chirashi. If I do eat rolls I expect big pieces of fish. If you are new to sushi, I think this would be a good place to try. In addition to sushi they also have plenty of cooked meals so you can sample sushi and fill up on something else if it's not your style. Overall, the fish pieces in/on the rolls are teeny-weeny-tiny. Their roll selection is too crab and tempura heavy for my liking. Food: (-) Edamame - served cold. not much salt and was clearly stored too closely to the sushi in the refrigerator as it had a fishy taste to it. The following rolls are decent: (+) Rainbow (+) Mellow Yellow (+) White Angel While I'm not in love, I would visit again to sit at the bar have a cocktail and a roll before a movie.

    (3)

  • Tatawan P.

    Went back to the place like 3 weeks ago to give lunch services another try. Like I said, great roll specials for weekday lunch if they get around to bringing you the food within your lunch hour time crunch. This time they did just that so I am glad they improved! Yeay! I am a fan again.

    (4)

  • Barry M.

    Loved it. The Mellow Yellow roll was very lite and very refreshing very different from anything we've had before. This was a family dinner with our 16 yr old son and 12 yr old daughter and they both really enjoyed the food and are both sushi veterans.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    I'm always skeptical in trying sushi places in Chicago because well, it's the midwest and it's not exactly near an ocean so most of the fish that is served has to be flown in from one of the coasts. Yes, the lake has fish but as we all know, the lake is very dirty. Niu was like most sushi places in Chicago, overhyped in ambiance but did not deliver much in food quality. 1 hour after my meal there, my meal came out the other end. May return just because of the location, but will be sure not to order anything raw there.

    (2)

  • Ting C.

    Just spent $70 on a carry out order. They messed up my order by giving me 2 fried rice which made me not order a roll I was planning on getting (since the bill was getting so high) so long story short I spent $70 on food and I will still not be satisfied. I complained to the guy and told him he screwed up when he took my order but he just stood there speechless. What customer service! If you want Japanese food served by Chinese people and you don't care about customer service then this is the place for you. Be forewarned, anything with the word FUSION in their restaurant name, you know you are not getting authentic anything whether it's Japanese, Thai, Chinese, etc.

    (1)

  • Lawrence L.

    Sodas are $2 a glass (no unlimited refills). Besides that, the prices were on par to most sushi restaurants (speaking from a Californian perspective). The a la carte sushi menu was a lot more affordable, with a lot of $2 and $3 options. The overall environment reminds me of a lounge. It's a great place to take a date when you aren't that attractive ... or your date isn't ... but not too conducive to enjoying the variety of colors that typically accompany sushi. I got the chirashi, which was fairly decent. The fish do not taste frozen, which is a plus. The chirashi comes with only one shrimp and is not loaded up with too much rice. The pad thai wasn't as good. It was a little bland, had no spice, and was a little on the more sour side. In the pad thai is loaded with tofu, vegetables and your meat of choice. The chicken was okay. Nothing spectacular here, folks. Overall, it was an okay place. I wouldn't mind coming here for more sushi, and the wait staff and host were friendly, but I don't know if I would trust their non-Japanese dishes.

    (3)

  • Katie D.

    Great place for big groups. Great food, great service. One of the good sushi place in town so far. Highly recommend Niu.

    (4)

  • Zhiyou D.

    I tried sushi roll and noodles. They are good, but the portions are kinda small. And it is a little expensive. Nice place for dating, lol.....but, damn it, I went here with a guy for this first time.

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    I come here more for the atmosphere than anything else. Not worth the price, although it's definitely better during lunch. Food is not that great, although their sushi is better than their non-sushi/sashimi dishes (that isn't to say their sushi is fantastic, but it's adequate). Still, sometimes you just need a trendy-ish place to take someone. Fair warning-- the cocktails tend to be a bit strong.

    (3)

  • Brett F.

    What exactly is a Japanese Fusion Lounge one might wonder?? Well, from my first impression, it is the formulaic method of combining sushi basics, flirty martinis, trendy clientele and unconventional, fruit infused makis with sleek and trendy modern decor. Take one part each ingredient and you have yourself a handful, at minimum, of the latest in Chicago's sushi offerings. From stage left, cue Niu.... I came here for a quick lunch with one of the top authorities in all things foodie and dining out (no name dropping folks, anonymity is key as he'll tell you) and I figured this was bound to be a brutal decimation...but all in all, I give my kudos to the Niu chefs, they stood up to our scrutiny well. We requested a chef's choice sashimi platter, and his best foot forward was impressive indeed. Super white tuna, salmon, snapper, yellowtail, tuna and pepper-marinated salmon were all delicious and adorned with a complimenting sauce or garnish that kept me away from the soy sodium rush and just let the flavor of the fish shine (...on you crazy diamond). At our servers recommendation we also dug into two of the Niu signature maki; Mellow Yellow and Diablo. The Mellow Yellow gets the Brett seal of approval - get on this boat as it's one you don't want to miss... with fresh salmon, avocado, chili sticks and mango it was delectable and left me wanting more. The Diablo, however, was mediocre at best; although they claim the mushy topping to be crab and scallop, there was really no discernible flavor at all. The pieces were cut way too large to eat with any good form and we left a majority of this $14.00 maki mess behind. Sayonara!! I do plan on returning to Niu as it's a tasty sushi option close to my office and the movie theater. Besides, a Mellow Yellow roll beats the AMC hot dog combo meal any day of the week!! I've also bookmarked their 'Honeymoon Shooter' on my "things to try" list; with fresh oyster, sea urchin, salmon roe and caviar topped with gold flakes, I'd be doing our little community a great disservice not to report back on its merits soon.

    (3)

  • Christine T.

    Lunch special is GREEEAAAT. Why only three stars? The service could really have been more prompt, as we dined during our lunch break, which is only one hour. We waited about 10 minutes for our server to give us our menus (expeditor did give us water prior to this) and then waited again to put in our order. The maki, as other reviewers have mentioned are sizable and tasty (keep in mind this is a fusion place, so sushi purists need not apply). It's also a cute place, with indoor or outdoor options. Our table was cleared, but no server again. We just walked to the front and paid there.

    (3)

  • Doe L.

    This is my second time here. The first was pretty unmemorable except the price.. this time was worse though... our waitress told us that she's new and only been there for a week. as a former waitress myself, i understand that it's hard to adjust to a new place. so we got a total of 8 rolls for the 4 of us.. (total fatties, i know). they looked beautiful! but as soon as i picked up my first piece, it crumbled and fell apart. i was tempted to ask for a spoon to scoop up my sushi... NOT a good sign. i thought it was because that particular roll was saucy so i went for the next roll. the bottom fell apart and all the insides fell out. sad... overall, the rolls were very disappointing. rather bland and not very distinguishable. we got white angel, salmon delight, rock n roll, and some special whose name i can't remember... i dont remember which one was which (cept the fried rock n roll) because they were all so blah... NOT a good sign. we proceeded to order dessert. My friend ordered mochi (comes with two flavors in one order). He ordered mango and green tea. The waitress brought out red bean ice cream. hmm... NOT a good sign... we told her that we ordered mochi. she apologized and took it back. She then brought out an order of green tea mochi (2 of them) and an order of red bean mochi (2 of them)...... we then told her that we only ordered one order... (we didn't mention that it was suppose to be mango and not red bean... you know.. since she was pretty confused already) so she said she'd take care of it. the bill came out and something didn't make sense. long story short, always double check your bill! it was $20+ more than it should have been. innocent mistake on her part but yea.. despite the mistakes... the rolls were the most disappointing... sad. i don't think i'm going back again. *NOTE: it is because of the FOOD, PRICE and overall experience that I will not be returning here. not bc our poor waitress made some innocent mistakes. I apologize to the waitress in this situation. If the food was good, i would return but it just wasn't.

    (1)

  • C M.

    As a regular patron for lunch, I must say that I have only had their lunch special. Sushi is very tasty and big portions. They have a good variety to choose from on the "daily lunch specials." Staff is friendly. Place is very posh like place if you want to take a lunch date. The Spanish bartender really makes his drinks great! I would recommend this place for there lunch menu.

    (3)

  • Esther Y.

    I can only write about the lunch special, which I think is an AMAHHHZZINNG deal. The 1/2 priced rolls are kind of amazing. The rolls are HUGE. Not in the bad way (pls see my Tampopo review where we had rolls that were as thick as burritos) but in the good way where there were about 8-12 pieces per roll. I've pretty much tried all the rolls on the menu, and loved every single one. Lunch is an awesome time to go, it's quieter, and the service is great. Trust me, it's a perfect work lunch (or perfect for when you are ditching work) spot.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    This place was not crowded at all on a Friday night. I liked that. Their sushi was in large portions an tasteful. For the money, you will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Kathy S.

    I don't think I'll seek this place out in on my own but since it is right next to one of the theaters I frequent quite often, I'll definitely be back. Don't get me wrong, the sushi isn't bad but with so many Japanese restaurants to choose from, this just won't be on the top of my list. If I get the chance, I would like to try their lunch menu too as it looks quite interesting. I really enjoyed the trendy look of this place though and I'm looking forward to eating outside some other time. On to the food! Mellow Yellow: This was my favorite! Sometimes, rolls from restaurant start tasting the same but this one had a very unique taste to it. Diablo: Second favorite...yum! Usually anything with shrimp tempura and eel sauce is a homerun for me. Rock and Roll: Pretty good but not as good as the first two. I wish the tempura was crispier though...it seemed kind of soggy. Salmon Delight: This was very mediocre. Nothing really stood out to me. Strawberry Fields: Interesting maki and the incorporation of strawberries was cool. Black Sesame Creme Brulee: Loved the interesting combo here...would definitely get again! Just a word of advice, some of the drinks can be very strong. If you like strong drinks, it'll be your cup of tea. Out of our group, the pear, caramel apple pie and lychee martinis were too much for us. However, I tried one of my friend's raspberry mojito and that was quite yummy. I can't wait to get that next time. If you are, or have Asian friends, you may know of something called Asian glow that some Asians can get where their face gets red and flushed looking. I had full blown Asian glow and all my friends couldn't stop commenting it...and since I go partying with these girls, the fact that they were surprised shows how strong the drinks were!

    (3)

  • Arian M.

    Niu is one of my favorite sushi restaurants. I am always amazed by how fresh the sushi is. We probably dine there once a week. The servers and busboys are very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is trendy and chic but never too loud. They have daily lunch specials when the sushi is half off. Though it's half off, the portions are the same throughout the day. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Emma M.

    This is a great place to come for lunch during the week because they have half off maki and specialty rolls! I'm talking $5, $6, and $7 rolls and they are HUGE. We ordered 3 rolls for the table and it was plenty of food for the 3 of us. However, the sushi ingredients were not the best and my roll was quite bland even though it had jalapeno in it. I think it just needed a little crunch inside... little tempura bits or something. It was a little soggy to my taste. Maybe that's my fault for not ordering the right roll, but the other rolls I tasted were average too. The service was good and they were really good about refilling our waters, which is very important to me. I'll definitely go back when I need a sushi roll fix at work and for cheap.

    (3)

  • Jim S.

    The 1/2 price rolls are great for lunch, but make sure you go with plenty of time. We went for lunch and sat down about 12:10, ordered at 12:15, got our soup/salad at 12:20. Then at 12:45, after other tables who sat after us had gotten their rolls, I asked where our 2 rolls were. At 12:50 they were finally served. 40 minutes for 2 rolls is way too long for lunch, especially when the house is only 40% full. The rolls are exceptionally good, but don't except to be able to do it on a lunch hour. When I asked the hostess if should would offer us anything for the long wait she scoffed and said "It was only a half hour." I'll be back for the food, but not for the food or the attitude.

    (2)

  • Caroline M.

    I kinda liked Niu more than I thought I would. It's a very large restaurant, and not really decorated, except for the bar area and behind the sushi counter. Personally I would care less about what's on the walls, I'm just interested in the food (and alcohol). I dined here about 4 months ago so I'm foggy on which maki and nigri we tried. I do remember that we enjoyed the freshness of the ingredients. I also remember that I had a pear martini and it was very Sex and the City. I liked it. I felt like Carrie, except for the gnarled rats nest hair. Service was efficient and speedy. I'll come back if I'm in the area, but I don't think I'd make it a destination dining trip.

    (4)

  • Julie A.

    YUK! Slimy chicken in the pad Thai! Why do I order chicken? I like tofu so much better in pad Thai. Anyway, got the lunch deal today - 4 California rolls, Pad Thai (optional), Miso, salad. It's a ton of food for $13. I will definitely come back, but skip the chicken! Everything else was great, though!

    (3)

  • Thetalkingdeck ..

    Phenomenal ambience. Had my bday dinner here. Exemplary service. Great food. Think we may have eaten too much. The price was very reasonable, because we were ten deep and ordered a lot, but yet still only average $40 after ordering way too many dishes. The server was attentive which is important with a large crowd....

    (4)

  • Sally L.

    Just got take out and will not be ordering from here again. Their sushi had NO taste. My boyfriend and I got 4 different roles and there was only 1 that had a slight inkling of flavor. We got the Firecracker, Bagel, Sweet Potato Tempura and Dragon rolls. They had so much rice in it that it was pretty much the only thing you could taste. We paid $45 and wouldn't even finish it. Very disappointing.

    (2)

  • Andrew L.

    This place definitely pulls off the lounge vibe -- and let me just say that the hot and sour soup here is the best I've had, full stop. The candle in the soup bowl was a nice touch, along with the metallic menu covers; this is the kind of place that puts cucumber slices in the water and serves their drinks in quite interesting glassware. Top it off with great sushi and Niu makes for a solid Japanese cuisine destination.

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    I'm so surprised by how many good reviews this place received--and by Yelpers who I consider spot-on accurate. So perhaps I went on the wrong day or just ordered the wrong thing...but I really hated this place. I gave it 2 stars because the sashimi was actually okay, though the goma-ae was gross. Annoyances--Why do they need to put cucumber in my water? Why did they give me the tiniest tea cup ever for my green tea? And why did they need to put my 6 pieces of sashimi on an 18 inch long plate? Let me talk about that ridiculous plate a little more. First, it made me look like I'd ordered enough food for 12 people when in reality there was barely any food actually on it. That was annoying. But it was also very awkward in terms of eating. The table was small so it was hard to turn this giant serving dish around. And the slippery-a$$ chopsticks exacerbated this problem. Rage--I say--I was feeling a little rage at this poiint. Then let's get to the finer points of Japanese dining. An instant minus one point when I don't get the nice hot towel. This separates the real Japanese restaurants from the "fake" ones. That could have been excusable had everything else been okay. They provided no chop stick rest either and no plate for my goma-ae and my sashimi. Plus I had to wait for the soy sauce and the soy dish--they don't keep those on the table. My guess is that in trying to make everything look very streamlined and clean, they weren't thinking too much about functionality. The tiny tea cup, the shiny black chopsticks, the giant serving dish, keeping the table free of necessities like smaller dishes, soy sauce, chopstick rests probably makes things LOOK nicer...but I don't give a rats a$$ about that if it makes my dining experience annoying. Oh and I was good and riled by the end of my ($45!) lunch. That plus the waiter was pretty clueless. She didn't clearly articulate what they were out of and I had to repeat my order three times to her. Again, any one of these things alone would be tolerable but all of them seemed to work together to form a symphony of irritation, if you will. I don't think I'd come back.

    (2)

  • Mary T.

    The food is great. They have great cocktails - specifically their mojitos. Yum! If you are going there for drinks, definitely go on a Monday night because they are half off (their cocktails are usually $8). Otherwise, it can be quuuiite pricey...especially when you add in food... I had their spring rolls, a couple different specialty rolls, and fried rice. All was very good. Some of the staff were a bit...shady. Or maybe I'm just paranoid. Anyways, it's a cool place, with an excruciatingly modern feel. Like, they just can't get much more modern. So much fusion. So much. It's not a place I'm going to super go out of my way to go to again, but if I do, it will be on a Monday night so I can have a roll and a few good mojitos.

    (3)

  • Erik S.

    Overall, I was compleyely unimpressed with Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge. I ordered the Sushi Supreme (8 pc of chef's choice nigiri & a roll) and was dissapointed in the quality. The nigiri was made with overly large beds of rice and topped with pre-sliced fish (odd considering that places in the suburbs even slice the fish at the time of order...) The spider roll was just bad. The roll was made with primarily shredded crab and lacked any real flavor. Where was the crunchy fried crab?! Based on my experience, I don't beleive I'd go out of my way to visit this establishment for sushi in the future. Perhaps there cooked items are better...

    (2)

  • Darcy S.

    My husband and I discovered this great place right around the corner from our apartment. After reading all the great reviews on Yelp, we decided to try it. We went on a Tues evening about 7 pm, was not too crowded but filled up by 8 pm. I am not a sushi lover, so I ordered the Ginger Salad, the Honey Sesame Chicken, and Beef Fried Rice. My husband ordered the Supreme Sushi and the Una (eel) maki roll. Everything was excellent, I couldnt even eat half of my Honey Sesame Chicken, but it was excellent! The fried rice was good, brought home to have for lunch the next day. My husband could not stop raving about the sushi! It was huge! Not a one bite piece for sure. He said it was the best sushi he ever had! Its quite pricey, about $75. before tip for the 2 of us. Oh, and I also got the pot of green tea in the cutest little teapot with a tiny cup! Very good! Allison Rosati from channel 5 news was eating there with some people.

    (5)

  • J S.

    Not bad. but not the place I would go again. We were there for lunch and it did not wow me. We ordered a lunch combo plate and it was more like a bad chinese food. Honestly, I would rather have panda express orange chicken.... I really wanted to like this place since it's so close to where I live. We also ordered some rolls and their roll was better than the lunch combo plate. One thing that turned me off was that the rice they used to make the roll was way too mushy and sticky. FYI, I am an asian and I know how to cook rice and how it supposed to look like. The flavor was good though. They have some creative rolls that I've never heard. Overall, it was ok. but I won't go back. I think this place is more for drinks and small bites.

    (2)

  • J T.

    Went for lunch - has a lunch menu but also the regular menu. Food: Sushi lunch box with an order of a piece of uni. The lunch box comes with miso soup and salad w/ginger dressing. The ginger dressing tasted fresh (opposed to coming out of a bottle) and the fish also was fresh, including the uni. Also tasted the Thai's Vegetable Delight - if you like the taste of Thai dishes with basil in it, this would be a good dish to order. The only thing missing is the spicy-ness but overall it was still a tasty dish. Service: Our waiter was attentive and friendly. Drinks and foods came out in a timely fashion and dishes were cleared the same. The busboy also was attentive - our water glasses were never more than half empty.

    (4)

  • Karena Q.

    We tried this place for dinner since it was just around the corner from our hotel. There weren't a ton of exciting rolls to choose from, so we stuck with nigiri and a couple special rolls. It was strangely dark...like too dark for a place that serves food. I guess it's lounge lighting? Weird. Did they not want me to see how my rolls looked? Anyway, this was post-Chicago Marathon so I wasn't about to hold back on the number of rolls. Per usual, BF and I split a few rolls and a couple pieces of nigiri. Normally this fills us up. Plates arrived and we must have looked like we hadn't seen food in weeks. There wasn't enough room on our table! I really wish they had noted how many pieces came in each roll (though, it looks like the menu online states it...if it was on the printed menu, it definitely wasn't big enough...or maybe it was too dark??). I was expecting the normal 6 pieces for a regular roll, 8 for a special. NOPE.Try 8 and 10. JEEBUS. Not bad considering it was a last minute find near our hotel. I might go back again...this time with a book light.

    (3)

  • Thomson M.

    Every time I go to Chicago, this place is a must go for me... I love the service, location, decor and the food!!! I always get the same thing... the Sexy Mexican, a Yellow Mellow, and a Lychee Martini... The sexy Mexican is simple dish that has shrimp, spicy crab, jalapeno and avocado... Just writing about it makes my mouth water, and want to hop on a plane for some sushi... They mellow yellow, is similar, but has salmon, tempura, avocado with a mango ginger sauce. It is a great offset to the sexy Mexican... The have a decent dinner selection... Its not authentic by any means, but its good food and large portions. To me its reasonably priced food. FYI, I recommend staying away from the Udon soups... its very salty and under noodled... Also, they have green tea mochi, but I've had better... Trader Joe's is right down the street...

    (4)

  • Pree N.

    Mondays happy hour! 1/2 price drinks, sat at the bar and the bartender really puts in a lot of effort to make an amazing drink. YUM.

    (4)

  • Patrick B.

    Very fast service and very convenient if you want a bite to eat before or after a movie at the AMC theaters next door. Only thing is their Edamame is generally served cold, but you can ask them to heat it up. Recommended items: -Genki's Kani -Mellow Yellow -Sexy Mexican (but it is a little spicy, if that is a concern for you)

    (5)

  • Katharine S.

    Unimpressed. And maybe it's because I got takeout and it's better served as a dine-in establishment. Note: they don't let you order off the lunch menu for takeout. You can only order off the dinner menu. I thought that was a little ridiculous. I opened my lunch and couldn't believe how sloppy it looked. The wasabi wasn't in a condiment container- just plopped in the middle of the takeout box. I'm not a fan of wasabi so I had to spend 10 minutes scraping it off every piece of sushi. It's so strong I could still taste it- not happy. The two nigiri pieces I ordered weren't great quality. The fish was too tough. I got the bagel roll and that was fairly good. Perhaps it's a better experience for those who dine in, but I would never order takeout from them again!

    (1)

  • Kelly Z.

    I finally found the perfect opportunity to come here. The International Film Festival this year was showing movies at the AMC movie theaters next door. So, I got together with a couple of friends to check it out at lunch before the movie. The weather was unusually nice. So got to sit outside. I didn't anticipate they have outdoor seating so I'm very pleased with that. From where we sat, there was a great view of the magnificent architecture on the Michigan Ave. The food was good but I had better sushi elsewhere. The supreme sushi we ordered came with 9 pieces of chef's choice of Nigiri and a maki roll. We chose the Crunchy maki. I prefer the maki rolls better. This isn't because their Nigiris are bad. They are rather fresh. I just found out I probably just don't like them for lack of delicacy. Anyhow, I went inside to check out what it looks like. It's spacious and airy but in the meantime quite intimate. I'd say it's good place to bring date but be sure to order the right menu items. If it is a dinner, it might be good to dress up a little.

    (3)

  • Lu H.

    Ehh, I think this place is ok for downtown sushi. The food wasn't anything spectacular but the portions were quite generous when we went. One plus is that its next to the movie theater - it's a good spot to go before/afterwards. Last time I went I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a lunch menu though.

    (3)

  • Jim V.

    Food here is decent - nothing really to differentiate this place over any other sushi restaurant. I had the $13 lunch special, which was a decent value but very mediocre.

    (3)

  • Katrina S.

    I would have preferred 2 1/2 stars but I'll give them 3 because what they lack in some areas - they make up for in others. The atmosphere has a modern, trendy, club/lounge feel. The music is also very clubby and not too soft - not too loud, at least when I've been there. It's a convenient spot to grab some sushi if you are catching a movie at the AMC Theater in the same building. I think most of their specialty rolls consist mainly of a shredded crab mixture that seems it could come from a can - so they all tend to taste the same, which is average. There isn't much texture in most of these rolls so it's not much of an adventure and sometimes they fall apart. I do like the Sexy Mexican because it's a little spicy. The spicy tuna is just not spicy and the tuna is very finely chopped, almost minced - mushy. Not my preference. Also, considering the quality and ingredients - I think the prices are a little high even for the neighborhood. We shared a couple of rolls, the sexy mexican and spicy tuna as well as tofu pad thai & kung pao chicken. The tofu pad thai is good and the portion is huge - I don't think we made it through half! I like to order peanut sauce on the side for dipping the tofu. The waiter didn't seem to know what I was talking about but produced a congealed oily peanut substance. It didn't work as a dip - due to the unappetizing texture - but when mixed w/ the noodles it was pretty tasty. The kung pao chicken is nothing to write home about and not spicy enough for my tastes. I typically stick to sushi in sushi restaurants but since I have been here several times and was underwhelmed with the sushi I tried something different. The cocktails are decent and they have a nice selection. I always go with the Saketini - sake, vodka, cucumer essence. Service is hit or miss. Bottom line is this place is conveniently located, I like the atmosphere - although some of my friends complain it's too dark. It's good enough in a pinch. I only went this time because my companion wanted to go. Outside of the winter months I would walk up to Oysy or Kamehachi.

    (3)

  • Gerard G.

    I love sushi, a lot and I was impressed with this place... was concerned it might be one of those new places thats all flash and no flava' well they brought it... been back several times service was great... plus it was nice to have some light but filling food befor going into the AMC theater with is a plus can't go wrong with HOLY...sush roll

    (4)

  • jenicakes l.

    Went for lunch today with a couple friends. We all shared several lunch special sushi rolls. Some of the rolls were up half off, so it was a great deal. Rolls we enjoyed: Mellow Yellow, Aloha Albacore, Pink Lady, & Rainbow Roll. Rolls to skip the next time we're there: Spider Roll & Unagi Roll. We enjoyed sitting outside; however, seating is on a busy street so it was quite loud from passing cars/buses and pedestrians. I've also been here once for Monday happy hour. The martinis are yummy and have a great price tag of $5! Will definitely be back again.

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    This place typically ends up as our place to eat either before or after a movie at the adjacent AMC 21 theatres. It has a hip vibe with dark lighting and dark interior furniture - it looks cool. What they have done a really nice job with is noise dampening, the place can be crowded but you can still carry on a conversation at your table in a normal voice without needing to shout over the crowd noise. The food here is good. I've had better sushi at other places in town and Niu does a pretty good good job. My biggest complaint is the rice as it tends to fall off of the rolls or fall apart as part of nigiri. Not sure what the issue is, but it's typically the case each time I've eaten here. This past time we also had the short ribs and shrimp fried rice which everyone liked. Also, their spicy tuna roll is one of the hottest I've had in the city - which is a good thing for those of us that like spicy food. They were well prepared dishes. The biggest thumbs up for the meal were the desserts - we had the lychee sorbet and green tea ice cream. Both desserts were excellent! Good flavor and consistency in each and a nice cap to our meal. The meal was good, good service, good food - just not outstanding sushi...

    (3)

  • Annie W.

    You know, there's something about fusion places that just don't do justice to Asian food. Anyway. Came here on a Wed night for a birthday gathering. It was pretty empty--I'd say less than half full. I'm guessing that you pay for the ambiance because the food was way overpriced. Although the huge black and white photo of trees glazing the back wall was spooky in that Blair Witch Project sense. The rest of the decor was typical modern Most of us got rolls that may seem like a lot of food at first but I think it's the way they arrange it on very long plates. The rainbow wasn't bad, just a bit stingy on the fish. Salmon Delight tasted fresh although wet because they apparently drenched it with lemon. Overall the food tasted pretty good but for the amount that I paid, I should be feeling pretty satisfied. Instead, my roommate and I went home and scarfed down a bunch of ramen ;-)

    (3)

  • joseph s.

    Everything and I mean everything was perfect. A great final touch to a great city. Kate, our tender was as sweat as the martini's she made for us.

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    After ordering takeout numerous times, I feel like it's time to update my review, written when Niu was new. I'm generally more of a nigiri/sashimi kind of guy, but my gf often enjoys rolls, so I've gotten to appreciate this more lately. Decor hasn't changed. Service...dining here before a movie the other day, is still a tad slow, especially when considering they can have my to-go order ready in a blazing 15 minutes/delivery in 25 minutes. Regarding the food, I still think their nigiri is on the pricy side. Rolls, though, are priced on par with most of Chicago, but generally with more pieces. Having eaten a lot of rolls lately, I think some of Niu's miss (but who doesn't), but others are top notch. For starters, their spicy tuna/hamachi are definitely underappreciated and some of the best I've ever had. I have no idea what twist they add, but at $6, these are a steal here. The Crunchy is another good, cheaper option. As for their signature rolls, the Diablo really tops them all and comes with a healthy 12 pieces. The Sexy Mexican is also great. Still working through the menu to figure out my optimal order, but others such as the Pepper Salmon and Mellow Yellow were definitely a step below. It's not that they were bad, but compared to the Diablo, they just didn't exude as much flavor. And in the case of the Mellow Yellow, the mango sounds like a good idea, but just turns out weird. In any event, I'm still a fan, especially since they have rapid delivery in the 'hood and have periodic coupon mailings. Don't forget 1/2 off cocktail Monday nights!

    (4)

  • M B.

    I have gone to Niu many times over the past two year as I live very close to it and to sum up my experience each time in one word is, "Eh." Food/Drink: The rolls/sushi are inconsistent from average to great, however more times than not they are GREAT. I have had their yellowtail sashimi every time and it ranges from being fresh and buttery, like it should, to slightly fishy. Their entrees (teriyaki chicken, yakisoba, pad thai, thai rice noodle, ect) have never impressed, the rolls / sushi is the way to go. And the blue lychee cocktail is different and tasty as well as their coconut mojitos! Ambiance: The interior is really neat and the bathrooms are always clean. Very romantic / trendy, however this is on week day nights or early weekend nights before it gets too crowded. If you're looking for an intimate experience or a fun date night Friday/Saturday, it will be super crowded, loud and club-like so not the place to go. If you're going out with a group of friends, it's definitely fun and they will accommodate. The lounge is sometimes a better alternative on a busy weekend night for more intimacy. Service: Service is precisely the reason I cannot give this review 4+ stars (though the food is great most times). Like I said, I come here frequently and nearly every time something has happened, ranging from putting in my name to wait for a table while I wait at the bar and TWICE they forget about me (after reminding the host we were still waiting), to being seated and never given menus, forgetting drink orders or bringing out wrong orders or never bringing an order out at all. And not once did they accommodate me or apologize for any of these mishaps. Unfortunately this is the closest good sushi place within walking distance which is why I keep going back. In short, if you want pretty good sushi in a neat atmosphere then definitely come, but be aware of the sub-par service.

    (3)

  • Michelle G.

    The sushi here is incredible and the drinks are great too! They have a wonderful lunch special where all the regular rolls are half off. I believe this deal is only Mon-Fri. They also have a cute little outside patio Love this place!!

    (5)

  • Scott G.

    It gets 3stars because of the Transformer it was freaky and amazing in mouth all at the same time. But, our waiter was awful and no refills on soda.

    (3)

  • Dee Y.

    Excellent service. The sexy Mexican is awesome.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    So the sushi is ok. Nothing monumental, but it works. Went in for a quick bite before a movie and a drink. What I appreciated most was the service. She knew we were trying to make a movie and I could tell was doing her best that we did so. She even gave us a time warning! The maki was rolled a little to sloppily and could have been tighter. The pieces shouldn't fall apart when you try to pick them up. Ambiance was pleasant. I would recommend Niu only if you had a movie to catch. Otherwise, you could find way better sushi. It was the service that I walked away remembering and appreciating.

    (3)

  • Colleen D.

    I met a colleague for lunch. Their lunch options were pretty good. Soup, salad, California roll (four pieces) plus an entree option for $13.50. So much food I could not finish it. Entrees included pad thai, green and red curry, kung pao, thai noodles. Sort of a mixed Asian bag but something for everyone.

    (3)

  • Nick B.

    Lounge? Check. Sushi? Check. Tofu? Check. I've been coming to Niu for awhile now and have been in multiple times. It's sort of the unofficial go to for after-work drinks and eats. I'm a huge fan of lounges that plays music I have on my iPod. Niu always has a flawless soundtrack and a wonderful, slick atmosphere. I'm a big sucker for the chic style. All that said and I haven't even gotten to the food! I've gotten their veggie rolls and tempura rolls a number of times. Always fantastic. However, my new obsession are their tofu entrees. Spectacular! I went with the Kung Pao Tofu that came with brown rice (that's a star automatically!), snow peas, bok choy, and loaded with red peppers. The tofu is just fantastic! The drinks are on point, too. I went with my usual dry vodka martini and can't complain. I think I'm going to crown this place as my go to, non-chain, Asian fushion restaurant. The free dessert last night also help. Can't complain.

    (5)

  • Sami J.

    Every time I go to Chicago I request that we go here for sushi. Their escolar tuna basically melts in your mouth and I haven't had single roll I didn't like. They have several specialty cocktails that please any variety of tastes. I love the ginger martini! The waiters are knowledgeable and helpful and the decor is modern and comfortable. Easily a dress up or down place. I've seen a variety of people at any given time.

    (4)

  • Char Y.

    We have only ordered rolls and nigiri for take out, but they were always huge, fresh, and delicious!

    (4)

  • Jean N.

    I absolutely love this place. It has such a sexy and intimate feel. The lighting is Dim, candles are lit, a bit of neo soul/chill music playing softly. VERY VERY SEXY. The food is amazing, So for all the sushi lovers out there this place is for you! (I love the California rolls) The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because of the service. Its very mediocre. Although the staff is very nice and they come fill your glass up with water every 5 minutes, I think our server could have been a little more consistent with service instead of running his damn mouth at the bar...ehhh...I'm still a fan. I love this place

    (4)

  • ZZ K.

    Niu and I go way back to when they first opened. We are neighbors and I came here the second day they were open, and despite the fact that the food was tasty, they were really unorganized. Needless to say, they have cleaned up their act and stepped up their game across the board. Good job Niu...I'm proud of you. The specialty maki rolls average about $15 per roll, so with drinks expect to pay at least $75 for 2 people. Also, know that if it is busy...it will take a while. So if you are going before a movie, leave yourself plenty of time! Being HUGE sushi lovers (and neighbors) we have tried almost every specialty maki roll on their menu! Don't worry though, if you don't like sushi, the menu has plenty of options for non-sushi eaters...or haters, as I call them. :) Also, check out their specials, since they often have some unique options that are delish! We love the Dragon, Mellow Yellow, Rock n' Roll, Sexy Mexican, Energy, Spicy Tuna, all just so yummy. Their Sesame Crispy Calamari appetizer is great. I also believe they have the BEST ginger out there!!! The service here is very good and the staff is always polite. The place has a nice hip vibe and is a great option to have in this location! Fantastic for eating there or pick-up!

    (4)

  • Sky S.

    Great atmosphere, and great waiting staff.

    (4)

  • Shuangzi H.

    Definitely get the sushi. Other things here does not appear interesting to me. The thai rice noodle is fake and does not taste like thai. The drink menu is good and I would like to try all the non-alcohol ones. If you want sushi, come here but now for other food.

    (4)

  • Lena D.

    This place could be an decent place if their service wasn't so poor. I have it a second, third, foruth and fifth time and their one consistency is the caddy wait staff and host. The food isn't cheap and the overall attitude is that they ate doing you the favor. There are no decent places in that area so they will likely do well with the movie crowd but I wouldn't travel to eat at Niu.

    (2)

  • Kelly S.

    My friend and I met here for a late lunch/ early dinner on a Friday afternoon around 3:30. We had two hours to kill before we were due to be at River East Arts Center to volunteer at an event. Only 2 Stars here because of the shotty service and the food. +.5 Star for her Peach Martini, +.5 Star for my Mojito, and +1 Star for the decor. I was the first to arrive. I walked in to a completely empty and silent restaurant. I confirmed with the host that they were open and then sat in the lounge and waited for my friend to arrive. We were immediately seated when she got there. Mind you... we were the ONLY table in the entire place. Out waitress came over immediately as we were seated to take our drink order. I was still taking off my coat! Yes, we need a few minutes. We ordered 2 fabulous drinks a few minutes later. We then selected 5 rolls and ordered those. I noticed that while my friend was giving our order, the waitress was looking around the restaurant like she was totally distracted or bored. We ordered 5 rolls: - cucumber... your basic cucumber roll, nothing special or extravagant - avocado... see above - Bagel... like a Philly + avocado. this one was pretty good - Crunchy... typical crunchy roll, safe bet - Hama... yellow tail with chive, DISGUSTING. the yellow tail was like minced meat and tasted like canned tuna. We each had 1 piece and couldn't even eat the rest of it. The bus boys were very quick with plate clearing and water refills. Cucumber water! My favorite. Okay... so meal over, plates cleared, we still had some time to kill and were contemplating one more drink. Waitress comes back asks 'Can I get you anything right now?' I reply 'No, I think we're OK for now.' FOR NOW!!! POOF! She drops the check on the table 2 minutes later. I was SERIOUSLY annoyed by this. We weren't ready to leave, were maybe wanting another beverage, and all of the sudden were made to feel like we were being scooted out... even though we were one of maybe four tables in the place. Fine... we're outta here. On to greener pastures. It doesn't end there. Waitress takes our payment (part CC and part cash). She returns the bill envelope with NO CHANGE for the cash. Assuming that the $15 change was her tip. DOH. Oh honey, you are digging deeper and deeper. We flag her down and ask for the change. She seemed a bit annoyed and embarrassed at the same time. I decide to use the restroom before we left. I walk in, do my business, and proceed out to the sinks to wash my hands... where there is a waitress using the restroom as her own personal powder room. She was obviously getting ready for her shift. Make up bag and all its contents sprawled out all over the counter, standing in the way of the sinks. She was snotty when I asked to squeeze in and wash my hands. No apologies. She just continued to apply her eye shadow. That was the last straw. +Side. I really like the decor here. Dark wood, loungey electronic music, very cool black and white tree wall paper on the back wall. Management needs to do some house cleaning with the staff.

    (2)

  • Diana C.

    Half-price rolls at lunch and cucumber water. 2 stars. Based on the sushi I had at lunch (Sexy Mexican and the Aloha Albacore), I won't be coming back here for dinner at full price. Niu is inexpensive for lunch and conveniently located. If you have more time and money AND you like fusioney sushi rolls, go to Friends Sushi.

    (2)

  • Brady H.

    Amazing. The reviews on Yelp are truly accurate. We have a place more or less across the street from Niu so finally found some time to eat lunch there. We were not expecting fast service, but service in one sense was surprisingly fast. We walked in and were greeted and sat. A few minutes later a waiter appears and takes our order. We both had a lunch special. My wife ordered the green curry and I ordered the Japanese beef fried rice. Our soups promptly appeared. They cleaned our table and we waited for the salads. A few minutes later, my entree arrives. The table next to us had just had their salads removed but yet somehow I got my entree before they did. While I'm not sure what made the Japanese fried rice "Japanese," but it was really delicious. It took quite a long time for my wife's entree to come - though it came before the food was delivered to the table next to us. The salad also eventually came after we about finished our entrees. I felt pretty bad for the table next to us on how long they waited for their entrees, but they did get their salads prior to their entrees.

    (3)

  • Andrew T.

    Went here for a friend's birthday and it had an interesting ending... Ask me for pictures.. Anyways, the staff was quite gracious, considering it all... The dragon roll was very good and quite big, about 10 pieces. We had sake and asahi and unfortunately, the place was empty, but probably b/c it as a sunday night and freeeeezing outside. EDIT: Ordered the Energy and white angel rolls.. Very good, but 14 bucks for about 10 pieces of regular-sized sushi.. Par for downtown.

    (3)

  • Tony H.

    We tried this place for the $13 lunch special, which includes miso soup, salad, entree, and four pieces. It was actually really good. Salad was fresh, soup was good--I had the Kung Pao chicken. Service was on-time and waiter was nice and personable. And it really was $13. Would go back again for lunch.

    (3)

  • Meagan L.

    I feel like when this place opened it was way overpriced which is why I never ate there before. Either my memory is bad or they lowered their prices. Ate there last night before catching a movie next door at River East. The wine was half price, calamari appetizer was amazing and my favorite roll was i think called the great wall, something with seared scallop and unagi sauce, excellent. Their cocktails are reasonably priced as well for downtown, only $8 and martinis only $10.

    (4)

  • Selin D.

    Went here for my friends birthday. Average service, good sushi. Worth a try but not sure if I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Jimmy M.

    This review is gonna make me look like a girl, but I really don't care. The food here is pretty good...keep in mind it's fusion. The reason for my 5 star review is they have awesome raspberry mojitos! I know, that's such a girl drink, but I don't care. I'll drink you under the table with Jamison or Icehouse or whatever, ok? Let me enjoy my emasculating fruity drinks in peace.

    (5)

  • Jessica Y.

    We were headed to a night at the movies, and decided to try Niu since it's so darn close to the River East AMC theater (right next door). When we walked in, we loved the trendy loungish decor, and the fact that there was a sitting area to the left and some high tables near the bar for people not wanting to sit in the office dining room area. I also was pleasantly surprised that the clientele was dressed casually - I don't like to put on my "club gear" to go to the movies!! (Yeah, you're right, I don't actually own anything that's appropriate attire for the club, but you get my point. Anyway, we ordered Edamame - can't screw it up, but just to warn you it's served cold, not warm. I got the Thai Noodles, which were pretty darn good and enough for two servings. A friend got the honey chicken (which was a lot like the Crispy Honey Chicken at PF Chang's for comparison - but had a lot more broccoli). Lastly, someone else sampled the sushi - the energy roll and the spicy tuna. Didn't try the spicy tuna, but the energy roll was really great and different. It has cream cheese and tempura, so it was crunchy but almost sweet - very good!! For drinks, I tried the Green Tea Mojito, which wasn't all that different than a traditional mojito - fine with me since I love them! I definitely will go back on my next trip to the movies since the food was good, the service was decent, and the prices were reasonable. Another plus, they take reservations.

    (4)

  • Sixto M.

    This place is great. My only complaint (and reason it didn't get 4 or 5 stars) is the food service. Let's start from the beginning: When I arrived my friend (Karen T.) and boyfriend (Edward W.) were already there. They ordered drinks and an appetizer, so when I got there we ordered our entrees. Ever since Niu opened, I've always wanted to go, and we finally did the dinner and a movie that is so easy with AMC next door. Niu's atmosphere is perfect for a night out on the town, but calm enough for a quiet dinner for two or three (unlike other similar places like Sushi Samba, where the noise is so loud you can hardly hear what people at your table are saying). I ordered the japanese shrimp fried rice, Karen got the coconut lobster soup, and Eddie got the white angel roll. I didn't know what to expect, but I paid 16 dollars for my fried rice, and it was more than worth it. The rice was delicious, and the shrimp used in it were large and tasty. Karen didn't like her soup, but that's because it was a little coconut-heavy, so I shared my rice with her (and eddie) because there was plenty to go around. Eddie's roll was SUPER delicious. Usually, I'm not one to enjoy a roll with sour cream because most places make the sour cream a little too intense, but this roll was just right. Again, my only complaint is that the food came out at different times. Karen's soup came out almost immediately, followed by my dish a few minutes later. And 30 MINUTES AFTER we ordered, Eddie's roll FINALLY came out. However, our waitress was very apologetic, and kept coming to check on us, and give us updates on our orders. We even missed our original movie time and had to wait for the next showing because our food was taking so long. But we just relaxed and tried to make the most of our dining experience. I'll definitely be back because apparently you get some sort of discount when you provide a movie ticket. Seems a little backward (dinner and movie, not movie and dinner), but I digress.

    (3)

  • nikki s.

    As most people did, a friend and I decided to do Niu before a movie at River East AMC. We had a 7:00 reservation on Saturday night, and to my surprise, we were seated promptly. From first glance, you'd think this was a place for all the beautiful people full of pretense, however, once you do the walk-through to your table, you see that the crowd is just common folks like me out to eat before their movie. The most notable items of the decor: that gorgeus, swanky purple chandelier in the lounge area and the back wall mural of the woods. I would've expected to hear some type of house or loungey tunes blaring but I can't even recall hearing any music. It isn't a totally bad thing for the sake of conversation. I had nibbles of my friend's shrimp spring rolls and sesame crispy calamari while nursing my virgin raspberry mojito (so tasty, who needs the alcohol?). The cucumber water is quite refreshing as well. I'm not a big fan of calamari, but this was perfectly cooked and I much preferred their way of preparing it sliced in strips instead of those wierd rings. The sushi descriptions in the menu were very innovative and looked phenomenal on our neighbor's table. The maki rolls looked like they went on forever! I opted to do the lobster coconut soup and the traditional kung pao dish. The soup had big chunks of lobster (surprise, surprise!) and great flavor but wasn't overdone. I wasn't expecting the chicken in the kung pao to be stir fried. Had my mouth all watery for deep fried chicken and tangy sauce! It was still to my liking, nonetheless. The evening never did seem to get packed, which is delightful--and almost unheard of, on a saturday night downtown. The only minor issue for me was that every single item came out pipin'-like-burn-your-mouth hot. That was odd, but it won't keep me from going back for a strictly sushi night.

    (4)

  • Keith M.

    Good food. What I ordered is comparable to what I get in Los Angeles. I had the sweet potato sushi and a crunchy one (can't remember). Not bad. Not bad at all.

    (3)

  • Shang S.

    Good sushi in the middle of the U.S. can be a bit hard to find, so I'm usually skeptical. However, we came here late on a Friday night for some special rolls and they did not disappoint. The service was a little longer than expected, but the rolls were flavorful and the portions were generous

    (4)

  • Kit G.

    Went again last night. I forgot how much I love this place! I had the delicious Honey Sesame Chicken. My friends ordered sushi. The rolls there are HUGE. For 3 people they ordered 6 rolls, which was probably 1 roll too much.

    (4)

  • Ayelet B.

    If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. This is one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had in my entire life. My recommendation is to skip this place, especially if you come with a group. There is no other way to say it but the management is simply rude and only cares about taking your money. Customers don't seem to exist in their eyes apart from being dollar signs. There was no value for the amount of money we ended spending here because of how awful they were dealing with food allergies. They embarrassed us for having allergies and double billed us for it too. Do not eat here if you can avoid it.

    (1)

  • Jasmine P.

    Pros: (not many, but here they are) -spa-like atmosphere -great decor -they put cucumber in the water that they serve, which adds some essence to the water -lunch specials during the week Cons: -you could taste the oil that the appetizers were fried in. This ruined the taste of the appetizers -- you couldn't even taste the calamari or the oyster. (We ordered Sesame Crispy Calamari and Fried Oyster.) -The sushi rolls did not taste fresh at all. -We ordered soft shell crab and the actual crab only made up 10% of the roll. There was actual crab and imitation crab in the roll. Niu Sushi has a great location for those looking to grab dinner or drinks and movie. The busboy provided great service refilling our waters whenever we needed it. But I would probably not return here. If forced to come her for whatever reason, I wouldn't waste money on the food. My taste buds were thoroughly disappointed.

    (2)

  • david m.

    Great Sushi and Menu choices - cannot go wrong with anything here! Value for what you pay for! Outstanding Service - I continue to come here and bring friends and out of towners for a truly great experience. Decor is Chicago Modern, they have discounted parking, and I look forward to each and every visit. You will not go wrong here and will love it!

    (5)

  • Sam L.

    I had the dragon roll and had them put eel sauce on it and it was delicious...could have used a little bit more sauce, but overall it was good! Dessert on the other hand was OK. We ordered the hot chocolate cake and got a hot brownie for $8 and some ginger ice cream, which was not that great. I asked for whip cream, but they did not have it. It is probably best if you go elsewhere for dessert.

    (4)

  • Max M.

    Chicago has some great restaurants. Niu isn't one of them. I was in Chi-Town visiting some friends. We decided to grab dinner at Niu. The staff is friendly. The decor and space is ideal for group dinners. Service is respectable; they kept our water glasses full all night. Unfortunately, dinner involves eating which just happens to be Niu's Achilles Heel. The menu is mostly sushi and sashimi. There are wok specials and noodles as well. The quality of the sushi and sashimi is very inconsistent. My amaebi were very fresh while my hamachi was mediocre. I could tell that the raw fish is not kept fresh. Most of the fish is discolored and texture isn't firm. You don't get that clean refreshing sensation when you bite into the pieces. The rolls are def a wiser choice here because you get more bang for the buck. The Pink Lady and The Rainbow rolls were faves of the table which made for some cheap laughs each time a male ordered each. Still, some rolls are poorly presented because the pieces are unevenly sliced. One roll looked like a sushi rendition of a new Frank Gehry project. The prices average $4-9 per piece depending on what you select. That's pricey. I recommend you avoid sushi and sashimi at Niu. Go for cocktails before catching a flick.

    (2)

  • Andrea H.

    I like this place. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and the menu offers options outside of the average, run of the mill sushi that most other Japanese restaurants offer. I have been there twice and both times, the sushi has been fresh, cocktails refreshing and the service has been good. Definitely a great stop on the way to the movies, or after escaping a bad party at Navy Pier.

    (4)

  • Courtney C.

    Niu is some of the best sushi I have ever had! My sister and I are real maki connoisseurs, so we were excited to try somewhere new and I have to say that this was some great Maki. The roles are huge and definitely a good value for downtown dining. The host, server and all the employees are genuinely nice and friendly, which is great! (I consider it a success when a server at a downtown restaurant doesn't act like you are inconveniencing them by dining at their restaurant, so this was so refreshing!). The atmosphere is great, and its a good option to take family or a date or to go out with friends. I can't speak to the alcoholic beverages, I didn't get one while there, but I will definitely try one next time. Overall I would recommend!

    (5)

  • Barney O.

    My wife and I ate at the restaurant on a Friday evening, the interior looks great but I was really disappointed with the food. Ordered vegetable spring rolls ( the best item of the night)) and vegetable Gyoza (these were greasy and lacked flavor. Entrees were pad thai (gross) and yakisoba noodles (average). Cocktails average. The only item above average -the prices. Never again. If you are going to the cinema eat popcorn instead!!!!

    (1)

  • Christmas D.

    Seriously, why would any restauranteur take down a space that HAS to have extremely high rent, spend the $$$ to build it out and outfit it all trendy-moderne, just to go half-assed on the food? This stuff is about as bland as the space they serve it in. I'd expect this quality in a storefront joint on Clark St., but not in a trendy downtown space. The service was great though. Not that our server had anything better to do - the place was pretty much empty. And put some toilet paper in the bathroom stalls, would ya? Jeez...

    (2)

  • Olivia W.

    Excellent food!!

    (5)

  • Kelsey K.

    We went there when we were going to a movie at the AMC theater and the food was actually really good. I don't tend to like restaurants in touristy areas, but this one was pretty good. It's not the best in the city, but it's FAR from the worst. I'd go back and get the Mellow Yellow, Spider, Crunchy, and Sexy Mexican rolls again but I'd stay away from the Strawberry Fields. I thought it was going to be awesome like the Ichigo from Meiji, but it wasn't. For some reason it had a ketchupy flavor to me and that was yucky. Their miso also needed more seaweed in my opinion, but the place was pretty awesome overall. ...oh yeah and the coconut mojito was awesome, but really sweet so you can't drink them throughout the meal or you'll get a sugar overload!

    (4)

  • Kayla S.

    We have been here twice and loved both times. The location is good, the space is nice (lounge-ish), and even though music is playing it somehow remains quietly still. The best sushi roll is the Mellow Yellow. I could eat two of those. The French martini sneaks up on you - and fast. The margarita mousse cake is the best cake I have had at a restaurant here - ever. Sometimes you get into a cake mood at a place only to find out it's been sitting in a fridge and was ordered from a bakery on the other side of town. Well this wasn't one of those cakes. I dream of that cake.

    (5)

  • Jade B.

    We went here as a group before seeing Alice In Wonderland next door at the AMC because it was close by. Made a reservation for a party of 10, they held it for us, no problem. I found out later that they actually offer deals if you bring in your ticket stub to a movie at the AMC or something like that- I don't know exact details, but it's good to know? Anyways, the drinks were strong, the sushi and edamame were both delicious, and the service was pretty decent, they were really patient with us waiting for our party to get there and figuring out what to order, etc. My husband I both got some sort of mango mouse cake for dessert... meh... it was okay, but... not really mind blowing for how much it cost, but it was presented really beautifully. Everything, in fact, was presented really beautifully... which is always a plus, I think. The place seemed very trendy... not necessarily bad... but things were more to the expensive side, I guess. Also, we had a lot of problems with splitting the check... but that is pretty typical for eating out in large groups in the city. I would definitely go back (especially if seeing a movie) ;) Yum.

    (4)

  • Kate S.

    The service is always great which is why I keep coming back. The pan-friend gyoza are delicious and fresh rolls too. Love the hot lychee tea. Great lunch/dinner place if you're going to a movie at the AMC; Niu is very conveniently located.

    (3)

  • Tanya N.

    Love the decor/atmosphere. I went to a post-work dinner on a Friday with a friend of mine; there was no wait. I'm not a mojito fan, but their coconut mojito is to die for! The martinis are very strong too. The appetizers are better than the entrees, in my opinion, but I can't remember exactly what we had- some seafood pancake thing. For entrees, I had the pink lady roll which was good, and my friend had the honey sesame chicken which was also pretty good. Not outstanding, but it peaked my interest and made me want to try more. Good-sized portions. Mizu in Old Town is still my fave sushi place, but I will definitely be going back to Niu when I'm in the Loop.

    (4)

  • Christina D.

    Like most people, I was just out of the movie theatre when Niu sparked my interest. The dark lighting and mod decor kind of threw me off- I didn't want to spend $100 on my meal. I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the menu and saw that the food is not only reasonably priced but the menu quite extensive. My friend and I shared the plate of fried rice and both ordered our own Pink Lady Roll. The pink lady is amazing!!!!! I fell in love with it. So tasty. The fried rice was excellent as well. Will come again!

    (4)

  • Kimberly T.

    Had dinner here on NYE...great atmosphere, great service, and the rolls were fantastic!! Rolls were huge and simply delicious. And the Lychee mimosa was festive and refreshing. Definitely top 3 sushi places in city!!!!

    (4)

  • Ellen S.

    The rolls here are delicious. DEE-licious. Oh my God, my mouth is watering just thinking about my dinner there last night and I'm not even one of those crazy-for-sushi types. I think sushi calls for a certain kind of mood, and last night was a sushi mood. So my roommate and I had a late dinner at Niu. The kitchen is open until 11:30 PM, and we got there around 9:30 PM. It's right next to AMC River East. There were a good number of people eating there, but not crowded, so we felt like our server was nice enough. BEWARE: the rolls are HUGE. Like 12 pieces. Am I the only one who expects rolls to be 6 pcs? Anyway, at first we didn't think we could finish, but between the 2 of us we got 3 rolls which was the perfect amount. We ate: - Pink Lady: DELICIOUS. I don't remember what was in it, but that it had like a dollop of rooster sauce atop each piece which was the perfect touch. - Diablo: UBER DELICIOUS. Involved some kind of tempura. It was nice and crispy and oh my god, it was perfect go eat it now. - Great Wall (seasonal): This was good, but I preferred the first two rolls. It had asparagus in it, and I think you have to be in an asparagus mood to enjoy asparagus too, and last night was not a huge asparagus night for me. Drinks: - Plum wine: nice and sweet, but not sickeningly sweet like some other plum wines I've had - Lychee martini: tasty, but I've had better lychee martinis before. This is their most popular drink - Tokyo Rose: also tasty, reminded me of one of those creamy fruit jelly things you get at Asian supermarkets. You know the ones that come in little tubs that you suck the jelly out of? And they were like a choking hazard but nobody cared? Dinner (3 rolls + 2 plum wines) totaled $70 before tip. Martinis are $10/ea. The ambiance was great too. Dimly lit, nice decor, and the music was great haha I think they played Justin Timberlake. Nothing to compliment my fancy sushi with some truly classy music.

    (5)

  • N. A.

    This is one of my favorite Sushi spots. The ambiance and environment is great but not over the top - therefore its perfect for a quick casual afterwork dinner but is just as great to start off a fun-filled Friday night with the girls. It doesn't have the pomp like certain "hot" spots like Japonais or Sunda but that is exactly why I like it - you can actually have a conversation without feeling like you're being drowned by the music/noise. I have enjoyed every meal I've had here. The sushi is fresh and the flavors are perfectly paired. I'm a bit adventurous and like to try different rolls but you can't go wrong with my standby the "Sexy Mexican". I've been a loyal patron since they've open their doors, and think that Niu has gotten better over time. The only thing I could suggest is more new specialties on the menu (b/c I'm eating here too much!) or more drink specials.

    (4)

  • Jeanie P.

    3.5 stars Niu sushi has a yummy creative menu and I liked the specialty roll that I had there! It was pretty good.. :D also nice is the outdoor seating they have. Another thing that really stood about this place was this huge beautiful cucumber slice they had in our water! It really adds this subtle fresh flavor. I would definitely like to come back here to try their drinks. They had a huge menu of creative mixed drinks. Also the added bonus of being right next door to AMC River east :)

    (3)

  • Jin Joo L.

    I went on a Monday night... it was busy. Had a nice cozy patio and the interior was very nice! Everything you'd expect in downtown. It was right next to the AMC and Lucky Strike and down the street from Navy Pier. Great location! I ordered: Agedashi Tofu appetizer, Sea Bass appetizer, and sushi. Had all my favorites!!! (Saba nigiri, yellotail sashimi, and ikura nigiri). Some rolls we had were all salmon-based. For sushi lovers, I think the sushi was very fresh and very good. The bar and sushi bar and dining was very contemporary and candlelit, great for a date. For rolls we ordered the Salmon roll, Mellow Yellow, and Salmon Delite. I loved the Mellow Yellow, the ingredients are unique, can't remember exactly. But it had a crunch to it. The Salmon Delite was very good too. I wouldn't recommend soy sauce because it already has its own sauce for flavor. Can't wait to try it again. I also had a glass of their Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Great wines and drink list.

    (4)

  • Amanda Z.

    Food: 4 stars Service and atmosphere: 2 stars Try the Transformer roll - eel, salmon, tempura banana - one of the most creative and delicious rolls i've ever had (and i'm NOT a sushi lover, much less eel!). The White Angel roll was really good as well, but not as great as the Transformer. Service was too slow although the waiter was very nice. Glad to see authentic looking Japanese men behind the sushi bar. Great selection of specialty rolls, in my neighborhood...will definitely go here again, but maybe for take-out. Not a fan of the "loungey" atmosphere with their techno music - come on, you're located next to the AMC Grand theater...is your restaurant really THAT cool???

    (3)

  • Tarra B.

    NIU - Chicago, IL -- NIU sushi is a great place to go out for dinner before or after you see a movie at the AMC River East movie theater! I like NIU sushi because it's classy, trendy and yet casual. You would feel comfortable going in dressed up or down. I've dined here about five times and have always received fresh sushi and prompt service. I recommend trying the "Sexy Mexican," "White Angel," and "Diablo" rolls. The traditional sushi rolls are delicous and for some reason I feel like 4 rolls is plenty for two women to share. You will probably leave with pieces on your platter. If you're feeling adventurous try a Saki flight to wash it all down. If you prefer cosmos or mixed cocktails, try the rasberry mojito or the pomegrante martini for fun. Great presentation and definitely not fishy and to top it all off, I've never had a bad experience here. So next time you're in that area, check out NIU sushi! It's tasty and convenient when you're out for dinner and a movie.

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    Went here with a friend and was very surprised by the food. The rolls were just great and they were huge. Two is just great for two people. Eat 'em up! The staff was nice and we sat near the chefs and they even made us something that wasn't even on the menu for free. That said I'm coming back for sure because of the great people, the full belly and the fact that I only dropped $20.

    (4)

  • Alex K.

    My Girlfriend and I went here for a special night out in celebration of a birthday. I have to say that I am impressed at the quality of the sushi and the moderately reasonable price for the proportions. I recomend trying the Pink Lady, it was especially yummy. Although, I don't think it is considered traditional sushi. We ordered a bottle of saki and wine, and we each had our own sushi entree with 2 extra add on side maki. The bill was right at one hundred dollars at the time of this review. Overall, it is a fairly priced and yummy sushi restaurant located right next to my favorite downtown movie theater.

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    Niu is right next to the AMC River East, so if you're looking for some quick food before or after your flick this is a good spot. It's not outstanding though. The decor is pretty cool. Very modern with a fun, woodsy wallpaper on the main back wall. Our server was outstanding. Very quick, informative, and pleasant. We ordered two cocktails, I had the saketini which was ok and my fiancee had the peachtini which was better. We ordered the White Angel, Rainbow, and Mellow Yellow rolls. The Mellow Yellow was the best. It has an awesome melon flavor that pairs perfectly with the salmon. The Rainbow was nice as it had a crunchy part for texture, but the overall taste was bland. The White Angel was the worst as it had no flavor. I'll recommend Niu if you're looking for a quick bite by the movie theater or Navy Pier, but there's better sushi in the city.

    (3)

  • Debbie E.

    Went to Niu for dinner right before we went to the late taping of the Jerry Springer Show (NBC studios are around the corner). Good thing, since Niu was the classiest place, person, or thing that we saw for the remainder of the evening. The interior is trendy, a little dark but not over intimate. There are tables and some lounge areas. As soon as we sat at our table (seated right away - it was early so we didn't have reservations) we got poured glasses of ice water with cucumber. The waiter asked if we wanted something to drink and that martinis and cocktails were half price. Hello!! We each had specialty mojitos - Coconut Mojito and Green Tea Mojito. Both were delicious but we agreed that the coconut maybe edged out the green tea. After a round of endamame (sp?) we had some rolls. Spicy Tuna, a Diablo, and a Pink Lady. Spicy Tuna was good but typical. The Sexy Mexican was great, had some breading around the rice. The Pink Lady was wrapped in pink seaweed and tasted a little warm; very delicious. The bathrooms are clean, the decor subdued, the prices reasonable. Everything the Jerry Springer show was not: clean, subdued, or reasonable.

    (4)

  • John M.

    We were able to get a table right away without a reservation on a Friday night which was unexpected and nice. They brought waters to the table and they were garnished with cucumber which was a nice change of pace from the countless restaurants that use lemons. There was a huge variety of Sushi rolls and we decided on the California, spider, and the sexy Mexican rolls. They were all very delicious and reasonable priced for dinner downtown. One of the people in our party did have a gripe that her soda was not refilled once during the whole meal. Everyone else seemed to be very satisfied with the meal. I would definitely go back to Niu Sushi again.

    (4)

  • Greg and Tracy Q.

    OK, so every time Greg and I go to a movie at the AMC I find myself trying to steal a glimpse of the menu as we walk by outside. He's always in such a rush because we're last minute movie goers and by the time we find parking it's a race to get inside. Last week however, we finally made it to a movie early with a few friends. I wasn't in the mood for greasy bar food at Lucky Strike so we finally ate at Niu. We were lucky enough to snag the last table outside for one of the few warm evenings of the season. Everybody ordered mojitos, raspberry, coconut and Zen, which is a green tea mojito. They were all tasty but for my second round I had to go with my favorite, the coconut. We ordered a few appetizers, the beef tataki which was good but nothing special, the lobster soup which was lacking in lobster meat and the strawberry fields roll. Rarely do I find myself able to eat a sushi roll with no soy sauce but, wow, the strawberry fields had such a delicate flavor it needed no help. Just before receiving our entrees, we had two other friends join us and our table of four could not accommodate six people. The staff was pleasant and helpful and found us a large table just indoors immediately. The boys ordered sesame chicken and mango chicken, which were both nice dishes. I, however, would stick to ordering sushi here. V and I had ordered the Hawaiian roll (I think) and we loved it so much we had to get another. The fish is fresh and delicate and paired nicely with the other ingredients. No desert, we had to save room for popcorn! -Tracy

    (4)

  • Andy O.

    I would probably give a 3 1/2 stars if able to, but I can't go 4. The sushi is definitely more on the fusion side of things, and could be confused with an everything but the bathroom sink mentality. All of the rolls were tasty and enjoyable for the most part, but they all had a little too much going on for my preference. Nice atmosphere, and definitely not a bad place by any means.

    (3)

  • Steve H.

    Great atmosphere and great food. It's located next to the AMC theatre in River North so I can see where people might get the wrong impression. I had doubts myself but I was truly surprised. The food was inexpensive and delicious. I had the spicy tuna roll and a yellow tail roll which was boss. The wait staff were attentive, although a little whispery. I work at a large hotel downtown and will definitely recommend this to my clientel.

    (4)

  • K. T.

    After spending a few hours in a museum in the area, we wanted to find a new sushi place to have lunch. We found Niu on Yelp since it was open earlier than most sushi bars. The service was a bit on the slow side, which was a bit weird since we were the only customers, but their water with a slice of cucumber, their amazing coconut soup and perfect Dragon roll made up for the waiter's snail pace. Great outdoor seating area, too!

    (3)

  • Kena H.

    Although a bit pricey for sushi, this is a very trendy place is really good. My fave is the Rock and Roll. This place is great for GNO or first date. I ecspecially love the open access to the sushi bar itself.

    (4)

  • Frank F.

    Great friendly and attentive service from our server Bret. King crab Sunomono was a highlight. My Niu Sushi set was fresh and tasty and my wife's Yakisoba was very good.

    (5)

  • Josh G.

    I was forewarned by some other Yelpers not to go to Niu but weather and timing were working against me. So for the sake of getting to our opening night movie on time, Niu was the best way to go. When we first walked in I was a little unsure of how dinner was going to play out. Maybe I'm over reacting but I swear the Hostess gave me a totally condescending look. Was it because I was wearing jeans and plain shirt? Not dressy enough? Was it because I had been walking around in the humidity and probably looked a little "wilted". Hey, I'm delicate! Who knows. Thankfully, it didn't last though. Her disapproving face was only a blip on the radar and was quickly replaced with a smile and polite chat as we made our way to the table. The atmosphere was cool; modern and comfortable. There were only two of us for dinner but the tables were very spacious and could easily accommodate larger groups without feeling cramped. If I hadn't been dining with my sister the ambiance could have been very romantic. It wasn't loud, the lighting was on the darker side, and again we weren't packed in next to the other tables. Water arrived at the table promptly after sitting down. There was a cucumber in my water. I love that. Our gorgeous server (Drew, call me) quickly went over the specials, asked if we had questions, and took our order. The appetizer (Beef Tataki) was disappointing. It was basically thin slices of beef with a fancy ketchup on it and entirely too much onion. Entrees however were delicious. I'm not a fan of sushi (I know, I know, I'm weird) so I had the Thai Rice Noodle dish and my sister had the Honey Sesame. Both were tasty, presentation was nice, and the vegetables were nicely cooked. I'm weird about vegetables and get annoyed when they are soggy which was not the case here. So yeah, I wasn't blown away but I also wasn't disappointed. Niu ended up being an enjoyable "port in the storm" so to speak. If you're in the area and short on ideas, check it out.

    (3)

  • Rachel W.

    So, I love a day at the movies. Especially if the movie is about vampires, comic book superheros, or something else that screams "I live in my mom's basement". Next door to my fave movie theater is Niu. I was skeptical, as it never really looked that busy when I was there....but the food isn't bad. And it's reasonably priced. And our service has always been awesome. So, imagine my delight when I was able to leave work early the other day and not only catch a matinee of Wanted, but also eat GOBS of food for under $20! Their lunch specials are CRAZY, with 10-piece maki rolls costing as little as $4! The pot stickers were great, too, and while the miso soup lacked a little flavor, all in all it was a really delightful, Roman orgie-esque display of gratuitous over eating. Of course, it wasn't so gratuitous that it prevented me from having popcorn, candy, and soda pop in the theater, too, but that's okay.

    (4)

  • Bridget L.

    Okay, I returned for another lunch adventure and this time had a much better experience in terms of service. The sushi was, yet again, fresh and buttery and delicious.

    (3)

  • Crystal L.

    Yesterday after watching the special advance screening of August starring Josh Hartnett, we stopped by Niu which is located right next to the AMC River East 21 theater. I'm been here before and had a pleasant experience with the rolls, drinks, and creme brulee. This time we ordered the Strawberry Fields and Aloha Albacore maki. The Strawberry Fields tastes much like a dessert with its mix of strawberries and mangoes. You actually don't even need to dip it in soy sauce. Although I think I liked the Aloha better since I'm more of a traditional sushi eater and love the wasabi rush. The rolls are extremely long here. I would say they are about double the length of rolls at other sushi restaurants. Last time we sat inside so this time we asked for a table outside. It was really nice to just sit and chill outside, hear the fireworks going off at Navy Pier, and enjoy the city skyline. It's definitely a convenient place to grab a bite to eat after a late movie but I wouldn't choose to go out of my way to eat sushi at Niu. If you do watch a movie at AMC River East and bring your ticket stub, you can get a free appetizer which is pretty sweet.

    (3)

  • Scott N.

    Decent sushi, but over priced for sure

    (3)

  • Sarah F.

    My boyfriend and I are gaga over this place's Maki rolls. We discovered the place because it's right next to the Big AMC Movies on Illinois, and we needed a bite before the show! Who knew, that we would like it so much that it would become our staple place for a pre-movie snack/dinner. We even had our Christmas-day dinner there before a movie! I love the funky/lounge-y front area (near the windows) - we usually sit there. I adore the Pink Lady roll, and always get it - there's simply nothing else like it. The Gyoza are great too! A good cocktail list rounds out a nice menu. We swear by the sushi rolls at this place. If you haven't tried it - DO!

    (5)

  • Brandi W.

    I stumbled upon this place looking for an outdoor scene to people watch. A friend of mine and I were just sitting outside 2 years ago watching people walking to and from Navy Pier and to the movie theater (River East AMC). I have to say, this place has some of the most unique dishes I have ever seen a sushi guru make. The Yin & Yang special was to die for, the sashimi is most excellent, and you cannot go wrong with the Sexy Mexican! Whenever i go there, I try to take some of my friends so we can try a little of everything that you can find either on their daily specials or the regular menu. They do have a Thai soup that is delicious as well as the Spicy Clam soup which taste like a kicked up clam chowder. If you are on a date try this place out. They are reasonably priced and in a great location to either go to the movies, head to Navy Pier or maybe hit some of the local bars in the area. Have an awesome time!!!

    (5)

  • Nicole V.

    I had heard good things about Niu from friends, so when my date suggested we check it out after a movie...I was all for it. I've walked past Niu a million times, but for some reason the timing was never right, so I was interested to see what it was all about. We started off with the purple haze saki (my date's suggestion) and it was very good! I loved the mix of sake and chambord...delicious. Our roll choices were the Pink Lady and the Strawberry Field, both were very good. I especially enjoyed the incorporation of fresh strawberries into the latter roll. Overall, I felt this was a great fit for a lite and refreshing bite before or after a movie. The atmosphere is modern but comfortable and can easily facilitate a group or a more intimate party. If you are up for trying some interesting fusion sushi, definitely add Niu to your wish list.

    (4)

  • Vy T.

    Horrible sushi.....the fried rice was so greasy. I will never order anything from this place again.

    (1)

  • Justin N.

    Go here for LUNCH! Amazing deal on Sushi for lunch. The cost is VERY Reasonable. My brother and I went to lunch for an afternoon and got 5 rolls for under $30. Secondly, the rolls are worth it. They feed armies. My brother and I are big sushi eaters, and big guys, this filled both of us. Your typical sushi bar/japanese restaurant will have 6-8 pieces for their rolls. NIU kicks their butt by including 10-12 pieces in their rolls. We had their Unugi, Rainbow, Softshell crab, and a few others. The only reason I am giving four stars is because after lunch, their dinner menu is on the pricey end. Truly trying to live up to downtown sushi prices which is understandable.

    (4)

  • Ivanka B.

    So I have been here many times without writing a review and just lunched there again so figured I should put something down. The martinis are good and there are many varieties - didn't have any yesterday but pick one whose flavours interest you and you won't be disappointed. Started with the Sea Bass warm appetizer - this could be an entree! The glaze is wonderful and so are the paired mushrooms. I have also tried the white tuna carpaccio which wasn't so great and the coconut broth with lobster/langostine meat - the soup was interesting and a very large portion that 3 of us split. Didn't taste like coconut at all and had a very pleasant aroma and big chunks of langostine meat - too filling to eat by yourself if you're gonna have sushi too! DIablo roll is fantastic! The baked scallop on top is its crowning glory . . . Pink lady is also a good choice - different kind of roll and the tempura salmon inside is perfectly tender and definitely not greasy. Definitely not your classic Japanese fare but when you're in the mood for Asian fusion after/before a movie - definitely the place to go!

    (4)

  • Mandy P.

    Niu took my sushi virginity and its kind of sad for me since I compare every sushi I eat now to them. It doesn't get much better for me than the Sexy Mexican or Mellow Yellow. Yummmm. Oh and the cocktails aren't so bad either! Half priced on Monday!

    (4)

  • Sabrina M.

    I'm always leery of trying sushi joints recommended by non-sushi eaters. You know the types who hold their noses and close their eyes and scarf down a piece of California Roll and all of a sudden they "love" sushi? But my friend J, who was celebrating a landmark birthday, hit the mark with her recommendation of Niu. She stumbled upon this place waiting for a movie to start at River East next door and now she's hooked. And, now, I am too. My nigiri combo was almost like a sashimi combo -- the pieces are so big and luscious you literally have to take two bites. And let's face it, for the price (you're paying for location, folks) the pieces should be that big. The sushi combo I had was 9 pieces and one roll for $28. Not the most expensive ever, but certainly not cheap either. In addition to big pieces, the fish is, of course, incredibly fresh. My spicy tuna roll was outrageously spicy and tender, and I like it that way! The only odd note was that my white fish had a fin in it. Sorry, in my nearly two decades of eating sushi, fins in the fish are a no-no. It means somebody's slacking behind the bar. I did tell the server and he sort of shrugged it off and said "it happens sometimes." It shouldn't. Other than that, I loved everything about Niu. My Sake-tini was strong and delicious, the fish was good, and we even saved room for dessert -- the black sesame creme brulee is a winner. (Even the servers will tell you to skip the Green Tea creme brulee and opt for black sesame). Even the music was great -- old school House and Disco the night we were there. We were dancing at the table like we were at a House party! Would I make a trip out of my own neighborhood to go to Niu on a regular basis? Probably not, but then I live in walking distance of South Coast Sushi in the South Loop. Can't do much better than that. But would I head to Niu whenever I'm at the movies or in the River East area? Absolutely.

    (4)

  • Hope G.

    Following the lead of the many reviewers who recommended the Mellow Yellow roll, I decided to go ahead and be unoriginal and order it. I'd say I'm a 5 out of 10 on a scale of adventurous sushi eaters, so for me this roll was perfect! The flavors were full, fresh and amazing. My usual favorite roll involves some sort of spicy tuna, which can get kind of boring. This is anything but boring and borders on "frushi" since it is topped with thinly sliced mango. The texture from the tempura bits is my favorite. I'd get this roll everytime! This review is based solely on my delivery experience. I ordered from the restaurant and it made it in record time. In addition to the mellow yellow roll, we tried the Spicy Mexican because I love spicy rolls. This was delicious and fresh too! Although, the crab taste is not always my favorite, I liked the smoothness of the avacado and heat from the rooster sauce. So good. Finally, we had a coupon for a free spicy tuna maki. Mmm, as good as any spicy tuna roll I've had. And we rounded out our meal with an order of the thai rice noodles with chicken. The flat wide noodles were almost too soft, but the chicken, sauce and broccoli were extremely flavorful and satisfying. I can't wait to visit this place in person next time, looks like their menu has lots of other fun options to sample!

    (4)

  • David W.

    Sushi and bowling? I never thought I'd pair those two together. However, it was Jeff Brown's birthday and the invite read dinner at Niu followed by bowling upstairs at Lucky Strike. I guess sushi and anything goes! I'd like to start off by saying that the menu at Niu was confusing. First off, their dinner menu's first five pages consist of only drinks. After 30 years of eating, I just realized that I prefer my drink menu and a dinner menu to be separate. Audrey and I consider ourselves well versed in Japanese cuisine and ordering Japanese food. However, neither of us knew what the dishes were under their "Liquid" section, especially when there was also a "Soup" section. The same rang true with the "Slice" section when right next to it was their "Sashimi/Nigiri" section. I'd think it would have benefited the table if one of our servers would have explained the layout of the menu. It would also have been helpful if more than one of us received the specials menu. We had almost all ordered before we discovered the elusive specials menu. Audrey and I order the White Angel Roll, the Strawberry Fields Roll, and an order of Honey Sesame Chicken. Both rolls had at least 8 pieces, but weren't necessarily large when it came to girth. Length is great, but come on you need some girth! The White Angel consisted of spicy tuna, cream cheese, avocado, topped w/ escolar, caviar and lemon zest. It had all of the makings of an amazing roll, but for some reason just ended up being good. Staying in the escolar (super white) family, the Strawberry Fields roll was very similar but also had sliced strawberries on top and diced strawberries on the inside. Once again good, but not great. Finally, we split the Honey Sesame Chicken, which was smothered in a goopy gloppy sauce. I actually liked the flavors, but holy shit was that a lot of sauce! The interior is large, clean, and screams Asian fusion. Our pleather/leather seats were super duper comfortable. Our service was good, but didn't knock it out of the park. However, it must be very difficult to work a table of 14. Especially this table of 14. I give the staff a lot of credit for putting up with us. I didn't really care for Niu, but it showed promise and I'd be willing to give it another try. 2 Rolls 1 Sesame Chicken -------------------------------- $60

    (2)

  • Mark P.

    I've eaten here twice, once on New Year's Eve 2007 and once last week, and had a great meal both times. The fish was fresh and tasted great, well-prepared, and very pleasantly served. The service is great. Tried the green tea creme brulee and was very pleased. Only downsides are aural. It's a little noisy, and they play noisy music. A big plus to this place should be the location for conventioneers and tourists staying in hotels by the river or in the loop. It's an easy walk from the Palmer House, for instance.

    (4)

  • Kasey B.

    Thumbs down for the sub-par udon and tea. The sushi was not bad, but not impressive and we had a pair of raw oyster appetizers that were pretty decent. The service was good and our server knew the menu well and answered all of our questions about the raw menu. Ambiance is a 4/5 because it was a little too dark (more night club than dinner, let's hold hands and use this candle from our table to find the restroom).

    (3)

  • Karen D.

    Always enjoy this place. Last night was cold, so I went for the tempura udon. Wow what great value! Full tempura serving & the hugest bowl of soup (with the yummiest, chewiest udon noodles!) ever! $14, how can you go wrong? Service was a bit off, but I've never experienced that before, so I just let it go. Everybody gets a pass now & then.

    (4)

  • Ann J.

    I went with a friend that is from Hawaii. So, you know she knows her sushi! Anyway, it was half off bottles of wine that night. We had an appetizer, sashimi, and rolls. It was all very fresh, well presented, and tasty to say the least. Also, there were a bunch of Japanese business men sitting in the back eating. I think Niu should automatically get four stars just for that! lol. Anyway, it's right next to the AMC movie theater and a great alternative to the restaurants located in that area.

    (5)

  • Andrew Y.

    This is the best sushi I've had in the city. The wait staff is incredibly attentive, and I challenge you to try to get your water down to less than half full without them refilling. The sushi selections are adventurous and never seem to disappoint too much. But the standout dishes are the fusion rolls, so if you just want fresh sushi or sashimi I think there are a number of comparable places, but if you are looking for a trendy, imaginative take on your typical sushi dining experience I would definitely recommend it.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    good sushi is easy to find in this city. unfortunately this place does not have it. went in a group of 5 people, all of us having different dishes/rolls and cocktails. the voting was unanimous: superb drinks, but food was meh. and then (after only waiting about 20 minutes after finishing eating) the bill came. what we consumed was not worth half the price that was charged. bottom line: total tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Matthew E.

    Its very trendy thats for sure, and im not sure if you say it like "new" or "n.i.u." and I guess I really dont care in the end. We sat in the club like section of the restaurant. where we dined on oddly placed cubes that didnt really go for comfort so much as weird angles while trying to eat. No matter what the ambiance is though it all comes down to the food, which was excellent. I had the White Lady which was delicious. It was a little lemony but the flavors in it were spot on and completed unexpected. After that I had a simple bagel maki roll which combined avocado and cream cheese basically my 2 favorite things so i was in taste heaven. Overall I will go back to this place and try a new roll definitely worth the experience and the price.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    My experience with friends, getting people together, would make me want to give this restaurant 3 stars. But, if I were to consider going here simply because I was craving Japanese food, this is not the place to go to. It's a presentation restaurant. Prices are nearly highway robbery for what you get. You think you're getting a roll that spans a foot long? Maybe so but the actual amount of fish on that deceiving roll is perhaps the equivalent of 2 generous cuts of sashimi. Everything else is basically filler. 1.5 stars. Blah.

    (2)

  • Tara M.

    I had a 7:15 reservation at Niu last night pre-Dark Knight. My expectations were mediocre, and more or less came to fruition. Now don't get me wrong, for a restaurant next door to a tourist haven, Niu was impressive. The space was cool and the prices were not astronomical. I sat at the bar while I waited for my friend. Their special was 1/2 price cocktails and martinis, so I had a raspberry mojito. The drink was decent (and only $4) but was hardly muddled. So the mint and raspberry flavors were very faint. When my friend arrived we decided to just stay at the bar rather than sit at a table, as we only had about 45 minutes before the movie. My friend ordered a margarita martini, which smelled awfully strong of tequila. Good on any other occasion, but probably not before having to sit through a 2 1/2 hour movie. She finished about half of it. To eat, we ordered a dragon roll, a mellow yellow roll, and a spicy tuna roll. Kudos on the size--even though I knew what to expect, I was still blown away by the amount of food that lay before us. The dragon roll was good, the spicy tuna was a tiny bit overstuffed with fish, and the mellow yellow was decent. The mangoes definitely should have been more ripe. The main reason I am giving Niu three stars is because of the service. The bartender took forever to make our drinks, asked us a lot of silly questions and was generally slow. Judging from her knowledge of the drink and food menu, it may have been her first day. She was nice enough, but nice don't pay the bills (or fill my stomach). Total bill for two raspberry mojitos, one margarita martini and three rolls was $50. Manageable. I don't know what their specials are any other night of the week (I have been unable to find them online anywhere) but if they had a 1/2 price roll night I might go back for that.

    (3)

  • Karyn W.

    During the BlogHer conference last week, I attended a lunch here with some of my fellow ladies and I am now a fan of this place. Although we sat inside, I enjoy the fact that they have outdoor seating. We ordered tons of sushi rolls, as there was a big group of us. Another reviewer mentioned the amount of pieces per roll and I have to agree with him! No 5-7 pieces of sushi here! My favorite rolls were the Crunchy and the Sexy Mexican. The cucumber water was also a highlight b/c it always takes fresher than "regular" water...IDK what it is about it! Our server was personable although seemed a little timid around our group of 10-12 women. He would come by while we were talking and just walk away. Dude, say something! We'll gladly pause our chatter to order! All in all, I had a great time, and I definitely look forward to returning!

    (4)

  • Kim C.

    I've walked by Niu numerous times since I go to the AMC often, and have been curious about it for a while. The place is actually pretty spacious on the inside and I liked the sleek decor, but I thought it was a little dark--I could barely make out the color of my food. I ordered a raspberry lemonade cocktail, which felt extremely light. My friend and I shared a dragon roll, which was delicious. I also had the chirashi while my friend had the tempura udon. The sashimi was definitely fresh and there was a good variety, but the tempura udon was bland. We topped off our meal with the green tea creme brulee, which was interesting but didn't blow me away. The fact that I ended up paying $60 did, though. Fun the first time but not worth the money. There's better Japanese food and Asian fusion restaurants elsewhere, for sure.

    (2)

  • Ana Z.

    This is my go-to place for multiple reasons. One, it's 5 min away from my place and I take a lot of my guests there for a quick lunch. Two, it's 1 min away from the AMC theater - perfect dinner and a movie combo. Finally, I LOVE sushi. This place never disappoints. I've been there when it was busy, not so busy and plain dead and the service was always terrific. I had a variety of their rolls and sashimi deluxe. They were always fresh and come in a decent size. Now, I always order sushi in sushi places but my friend once ordered their lettuce wraps. They were amazing. I wish I had the recipe! Drinks are tasty. I love their special touches with cucumber water and their green tea - it comes in such a cute little kettle with tiny little cups. As to ambiance, it's nice but not super duper romantic if you are thinking of a movie and a dinner combo for that special first date. Second dates are fine!

    (4)

  • Tonya R.

    The best thing about about this restaurant was the service. Despite the extensive menu, the food was disappointing. Our sushi was clearly not fresh, the tuna tasted like it had been sitting out was warm and tasted extremely fishy (yes it's fish) but good, fresh sushi should never taste that way Other dishes ordered, a green curry and fried rice, were disappointing as well. Neither had much flavor and this is not somewhere I would go again.

    (2)

  • Rachel L.

    Definitely a great new place. They are more of a sushi place than for general Asian food. We got two sushi rolls and one chicken entree. The entree, honey chicken, was the weakest item on the table (too sweet, too sticky). The sushi (pink lady and bagel) were awesome. The staff was very nice.

    (5)

  • Deep D.

    Great sushi and surprising inexpensive. The waiter staff is very friendly. Definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Brian J.

    Nothing special, just run of the mill sushi...superb location very convenient for that sushi munchie before/after the movie...

    (3)

  • Kristen X.

    My friend and I decided to eat here since it was walking distance, we didn't order any sushi, was feeling more like warm noodle soup n some fried chicken vegetable it was very good. Will definitely come back for the sushi n will comment again, can't give it a 4 or 5 yet until I try it sushi :)

    (3)

  • Dan K.

    Great service. Very, very inventive and tasty food. One roll per person was plenty. Cocktails weren't bad either.

    (5)

  • Natalia C.

    I had the greatest seaweed salad at this place. It's called the Ocean salad. I think I could eat this everyday. Also, the ceviche rolls appetizers were amazing. This was definitely the best food I had during my visit to Chicago

    (5)

  • Susie C.

    Really nice atmosphere for a sushi restaurant. It's pretty dark and warm in there as they dim the lights to set quite a trendy atmosphere. It is pretty casual since there are people coming in for dinner after watching a movie. The service was decent - no complaints as we got seated and was served shortly. The sushi is comparable to most sushi restaurants. Before I went to try out NIU, I read the reviews from here and most people liked how the sushi rolls are so long! Well, the reason why the sushi rolls are so much longer than other sushi restaurants is because they cut the pieces in half. Most of the sushi plates come in a count of 10 pieces, but it's really 5 pieces sliced in half so it gives you 10. It is much easier to eat in one bite though where you won't have parts of the sushi falling apart as you chomp on it. The sushi did taste good but didn't make it any special than other sushi restaurants! My favorite was the Sexy Mexican and least favorite was the Mellow Yellow (it was a bit too sweet for my taste). I also ordered the virgin raspberry moijito and it tastes like cherry 7-up.... it wasn't how I expected it to be, so unless you like cherry 7-up dont order it! haha. Try it out if you're around town. It doesn't hurt.

    (3)

  • Mary N.

    Sushi was really fresh and good. It's really expensive but the pieces are cut really big. Oh the raspberry lychee tea was really good too!

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Amazing sushi! Niu is great for after a movie...the sushi is fantastic and the menu is extensive for your non-sushi-eating-friends. The atmosphere is cool and there is a lounge area to sit and drink on plush couches with flat-screen TV's overhead. I would recommend Niu to anyone who likes fresh sushi.

    (5)

  • Brad P.

    We got two rolls here, the peppered salmon and a yellowtail roll. The peppered salmon was great, but the yellowtail was awful. Good service, but it was loud, and a little too dark (reading the menu wasn't very easy).

    (3)

  • Jasbir S.

    LUNCH They have a $13 prix-fixe special which is a great deal. You get Miso soup and an entree. I would avoid the Red Curry. The Japanese Food (namely sushi/sashimi) is a lot better than the Thai food here. Still, it's a great value for such a classy place. DINNER Expensive, but great sushi. The selection is great, the waiters know what they are talking about, and the sashimi is really solid. If they have the ultra-light tuna, try it. LOUNGE Good drinks, chill atmosphere, good crowd. Very unpretentious but classy at the same time. OVERALL A well designed place which has really gotten busy and has good service and pretty good food. It's a bit pricey but you can't always have it all.

    (4)

  • Gabriela R.

    Try the strawberry roll and the Transformer! love the environment , great pretty chill and good to go with friends and enjoy the evening :)

    (4)

  • Andrew Y.

    Absolutely terrible. A $18 roll that had old salmon with thick silver skin on, fell apart and actually smelled bad. Avoid at all costs.

    (1)

  • Candyce P.

    A friend recommended this place for lunch yesterday since we were all in the mood for sushi. We got there around noon and snagged a seat on the patio to enjoy some sunshine. Our server was ok. He seemed kind of careless, but ok fine. We were 4 ladies, who had lots to talk about, so maybe he didn't want to chat too much or interrupt. We got coconut mojitos that were good, but pretty watered down. Hey, we weren't on lunch from work, so spike it up please. They do have an excellent lunch menu though, that includes quite a few maki rolls. We ordered 3 of them - Dragon, Pink Lady, and Mellow Yellow, as well as the Sesame Chicken. EVERYTHING was delicious. The sushi was fresh, perfectly seasoned. The Pink Lady was the table favorite, then Mellow Yellow and Dragon. The Sesame Chicken... I know that seems very generic and kind of boring, but that dish here was outstanding. Super crispy, in a sticky sauce. Really good. We got a second round of watery drinks and finished up a lovely lunch on the patio. I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Megan N.

    There are far better sushi places for the same price (or much less). Go here if you're in the area (like after a movie at AMC). You won't be hugely disappointed but there is nothing to rave about either. Atmosphere is nothing special, trendy and dark, and the bartender REFUSED to make me a gin martini.....wtf :( :( :(

    (2)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Good sushi - average service - high price.

    (3)

  • Marie R.

    I've eaten my fair share of sushi in just about every town I've lived in or visited. This place is wonderful for so many reasons. -The sushi is delicious and creative -The drinks are yummy, and strong -It's in an unexpected location so it's always pleasantly full, never dead or overly packed. Tourists and moviegoers don't generally think to do sushi, but for those of us who live around the corner it's the perfect neighborhood sushi restaurant. -It's unpretentious. Design is beautiful and modern, without being over the top. I find the forest wallpaper mural on the back wall so peaceful. -The staff is friendly and accommodating. We've never waited more than 5 minutes for a table. And we knew that we were becoming regulars after a few visits but were pleasantly surprised when our waiter remembered us and we hadn't been there in a good month. Highly recommended - Diablo, Sexy Mexican, and Pink Lady rolls

    (5)

  • Christopher G.

    I eat sushi all over Chicago and Niu is my favorite regular sushi place. They have great Nigiri (size and quality). The rolls are creative without being over the top. My favorites are the Diablo, Sexy mexican, and Rock N Roll. The appetizers are good and the Kani Fried Rice is tasty. They have hot sake in big carafe's which is nice. I usually sit in the bar area with GF and friends and they have TV's with sports on. It is a great place and probably top 3-4 in Chicago for Nigiri sushi and top 3 for rolls (which is saying something since Chicago is such a great sushi town)

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    I definitely had no complaints about the food. The sushi was fresh and the rolls were decently sized. But, the service was unbelievable. Our waiter had some sort of god complex. Probably the WORST waiter I've ever had. He was slow, ignored us for half the time, and had nothing to say when we asked for recommendations. But even with such a rude waiter, I enjoyed the sushi very much so. And it was well decorated.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth M.

    drinks are awsome!!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Dane K.

    VERY good food. Unfortunately that's about the only good thing to say about this place. The bar speed, kitchen speed, service, and management are far beyond bad. A bullet point list of low points at Niu: -A bottle of Saki we ordered took our waiter about an hour to retrieve from the kitchen. Then he brought the wrong bottle when it did come. -We ordered drinks and 30 minutes later still didn't have them. Then when they came, one person's drink wasn't there. The waiter said it was "coming right up" .. The drink? A scotch on the rocks, probably the quickest drink to make. 20 minutes later it came, he had obviously forgot. Tip: Pre-order all drinks 30 minutes prior to you actually wanting them. All rounds took this long. Tip to waiter: write it down. -There was one bartender working, yet 5 or 6 people at the sushi bar making sushi (plus another kitchen that had chefs making the cooked entrees)? What kind of ratio is that? Tip to Niu: people stay happy when they aren't waiting on drinks, even if your food takes forever. You also make more money. -We kept ordering the same drinks, and somewhere mid-meal the glasses got noticeably smaller. Cheapskates. Tip to Niu: if your bar takes 30+ minutes to get drinks out, making them smaller is not going to make anyone happier nor will it speed up the bar. -5 at our table ordered sushi, one person ordered sashimi, another a regular entree. The sushi came first, though the waiter had forgot to put in one of our rolls so that came another 30 minutes later. The sashimi came long after we had finished eating our sushi. -The birthday boy's entree *never* came, the whole night. We repeatedly asked the waiter where it was only to hear "it's coming right up" ... It never came. Waiter knew this person's meal was not there and apparently didn't go to the kitchen to do anything about it. He repeatedly lied to us. Did he even check? There's no excuse in the world for this. This is a kitchen problem, a waiter problem, and a management problem. -To add insult to the missing entree, I saw one of the chefs taking pictures of some of the plates he was giving to waiters. Taking pictures of your food on a Friday night??? Clearly misplaced priorities in that kitchen. -At the very end of the meal--after the entree had been canceled--our waiter brought us Champagne glasses and said the manager had sent out something for us. 5 or 10 minutes later out came a $15 bottle of Brut California sparkling... The waiter said "this should sweeten up your night" (as if the sparkling wine were sweet? he obviously had no clue what he was serving) and proceeded to pour us all glasses. He over-poured every glass and it poured out the sides and spilled all over. Furthermore, who has dry Brut sparkling wine at the *end* of the meal??? Nobody, unless they're getting trashed. -When our check came (the fastest thing he did all night), the entree which never came had not been removed and nothing had been comped. He claimed the entree was a mistake, but we still shouldn't have had to even look at it on the receipt after the disgusting experience we had. And they really should have done something for us given our terrible dining experience. A free bottle of fake Champagne at the wrong time in the meal doesn't really qualify as doing anything in my book. -The space was nice. We were at a table in the very back (next to the fake forest) that was spotlighted with very bright lights. The lights were so distractingly bright, I felt like I was in a tanning bed. Plus you couldn't look up whatsoever without being blinded. Bugs were attracted to the bright lights, and there were bugs (fruit flies mostly) flying everywhere as we ate (one landed in a drink). The food: -We had a crispy calamari appetizer that was made from fried calamari that was then stir fried in peppers. Very good. -I'm told that the oyster on garlic toast was merely an oyster on a piece of needless toast. -Rolls were good in general. The "sexy Mexican" was purported to be popular, I found it to be just OK. It tasted like the sauce on a Big Mac to me, and it was all cheese/sauce and no meat. Though really pretty to look at. -Raspberry mojitoes were delicious. The meal was well over $60/person. It's a terrible shame that our experience was so bad, because the food and drinks were pretty good. But clearly the waiter was incompetent. Clearly the management has no idea what's going on in their restaurant. Clearly they need more bartenders and/or chefs. I'm always willing to give places a second chance, but I'd have to think hard before giving Niu another try (or have a really compelling reason to do so, though I'm 100% certain the manager has read this review and hasn't bothered to make it right). Of the 100's (if not 1000s) of dining experiences I've had in Chicago, Niu probably rank this in the top 2 or 3 *worst* dining experiences.

    (1)

  • Katie C.

    I walked by this place with friends while waiting to see a movie at the River East theater next door. I saw that it was a very loungy spot but with flat screen T.V.'s playing football. I thought this was an interesting concept. Sports meets sushi. So, we decided to venture in. Because of my night at Roscoe's (see review) the night before, I wasn't really interested in drinks so my friends and I settled on green tea and a few maki rolls. The atmosphere of this place was pretty cool. Kinda reminded me of Vegas with its extravagance. Celling drops, contrast of good colors. Dark hues of gray, beige, and maroon, with a tree theme. Tree black and white wall paper on one accent wall really made the room pop. When our food came it wasn't bad...just uninspired. I felt like I could have got their rolls at any dime a dozen sushi spot. All the flavors were presented but nothing wowed me. Well....I guess three thing did stick out -The wasabi was very soft. This made for a great soy-wassibi marriage. -The green teas was excellent. When brewed they add brown rice to give it a nutty quality. -Our server/ bartender. I got a strong feeling he was hitting on me but not obnoxiously. He was polite, funny, understanding, attentive, and extremely easy on the eyes. I will be back to this place. Its a great stop before or after the movies!

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    Mmmmmm, lovely sushi, gluten-free rice, and inventive rolls and drinks! I had a delicious lychee mimosa that was fresh and summery. The pepper salmon was SO GOOD, and the strawberry rolls were fantastic. They had a lot of really fun choices, and the normal standards as well. The ambience is great, and a super-welcome change from other Streeterville restaurants such as, say, D4 around the corner, eegghh. My only complaint is that their edamame was served cold and tasteless. But bring me another mimosa and some more fishy, and I'm good to go :)

    (5)

  • Tina W.

    I LOVE this place!!! Best sushi I have ever had. I love how inventive and different it is. I went here a few months ago and can't wait to go back. I loved some of the special rolls that had mango and other sweet things in them. I will update again soon when the next time we are back home in Chicago, and I know we will visit. Its so good my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I loved the decor and atmosphere, but the techno like music isn't for everyone. At first it bugged me, but then it faded to the background. Their martinis are also really good!

    (5)

  • Diana S.

    I come here way too often to write an extensive review on this place. I know this seems illogical but it makes sense. So I'm going to go with a bullet point method: Pros: -Close to AMC-River East (good spot before movies) -BEST lychee martini in the city (the lychee fruit that comes in the martini is GIANT) -Very clean and contemporary interior in a large space -Nice bathroom (for some reason or another, it reminds me of a spa - might have to do with the stones?) -Cucumber&Seaweed Salad is HUGE -Calamari is AMAZING. If any of you are familiar with "Salt & Pepper" Seafood dishes at Chinese restaurants, it has the same flavor. It is seriously delish. Sometimes I just order this to go. -Jin is the nicest waiter. Seriously the nicest. -Green Tea Brulee - yummmmmmm :) -Half-priced Martinis/Cocktails on Mondays... 'nuff said. Cons: -Parking is expensive (I live extremely close to Niu so this is not so much a problem for me as it is in walkable distance but I could see this being a major factor for those people who do not live nearby) -I wish I was saying this to be funny or witty but I'm not... almost every roll has crab in it. I'd say that I'd be underestimating by saying 75% of the specialty maki rolls include shredded crab. If you don't like crab, this may be frustrating for you when trying to get a variety of maki rolls to share. -Once I ordered a spider roll to-go and I received a FAKE spider roll. What I mean is that they put little bits of shredded crab in the main body of the roll and only put the fried soft shell crab in the two end pieces rather than throughout the roll. This really upset me when I got home - I felt cheated. I stay loyal to this place, introduce it to my friends and family, try to spend as much time and money on it - for what? So it can cheat on me and give me a FAKE spider roll??? Super sadness. It hurt my heart. I'd actually be weary of taking anything to-go from this place. Oh and aside from the spider roll, the portions are distinctly smaller when taken to-go than served at the table; the prices are the same. No bueno. I literally go here so much that it's embarrassing now. I once let a date take me here (first date - he chose, so I couldn't exactly protest) - and it was embarrassing to have various staff members greet me by name. On top of that, they sent us a dessert on-the-house - which was extremely appreciated but also slightly embarrassing in a "wow-how-often-does-she-really-come-here-and-why-­didn't-she-mention-she-has-at-least-tried-this-­place-before-when-i-asked" kind of way. having said that bit, I can attest to their customer service. They have great customer service - especially if you accidentally become a regular there. (What can I say? I live 2 feet from it, I like sushi, and I'm super lazy... uh, "perfect comb" is what I can say!)

    (4)

  • Erin C.

    This is probably one of my favorite sushi places, if only for the lunch special - the rolls are very reasonably priced. I've been here a few times, and have always had a great experience. The fusion sushi is different and interesting; I recommend the Pink Lady, Sexy Mexican, and Dragon rolls. They also have some very good appetizers, specifically the Shishito Peppers, which my fiance tried and were really very good. They also have some more traditional choices if the fusion seem a bit too adventurous. The service isn't the fastest in the world, but the food is good enough to make up for it.

    (4)

  • leyla a.

    I had dinner at Niu on New Year's Day and I had a very nice experience. And, because I spend most of my free time at the movies and I ONLY go to the River East AMC (I like the theater style seating and I don't have a car or I'd go to the 'burbs to see movies) I am happy that there is finally a good place to eat besides de la costa close to the movie theater. We started with the Lobster bisque and some edamame, the soup was great and well, edamame is edamame. I had a Tsing Tao beer and my anonymous date had a glass of wine. We ordered a bunch of rolls and I thought "wow, these are kinda pricey" but when our rolls arrived, I realized they were monster sized rolls. Huge. We could have easily had 2 less rolls than we did. I was also happy that they were willing to make me a spicy scallop hand roll with Ciracha (sp?) as opposed to spicy mayo - I always like it when restaurants will accommodate my (many) special requests. I believe the white angel roll was the killer roll for me. Mexican roll - not so much, tasted like tacos a little bit. Last words...clean, nice looking restaurant. OK wine list. Good staff. Nice music and ambiance. Good food but it can be more expensive than expected. And, Jasbir (below) and I need to hang out, it seems we like the same places :)

    (4)

  • Nick H.

    So I stopped in there today for sushi and was pretty disappointed. The food itself was pretty good and an excellent value and the interior was nice, but the customer service was flat out awful. For example, I sat at the bar where I waited for 10 minutes for the bartender to acknowledge me, and waited over 40 minutes to get my sushi in a restaurant that was less than a half full. When I asked what the hold up was, the manager told me that "well, restaurants get busy!" like I've never eaten out at a restaurant before. Well, that was a load off of my mind. What's strange is that the manager told people sitting at the bar that the bartender was "busy" and that they'd be better off sitting at a table, which rightly pissed off a few patrons who left. I couldn't find a single person who worked there who seemed to care about the basic tenants of customer service (even saying "sorry" when your basic roll takes very long to get). Bottom line is that if you like restaurants that have decent food and crap service, this is the one for you. Avoid at all costs.

    (1)

  • Patrice R.

    If you want the best sushi in Chicago. My favorite place is Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge, 332 E Illinois St, niusushi.com...The selection is awesome...Try to go for lunch (otherwise you'll spend about $10-12 per roll)...At lunch you can get the same rolls for $7-9 ....And the Feung Shui is fantastic...Great Date Spot...The best roll is a Sexy Mexican or a Mellow Yellow

    (5)

  • Andrea H.

    Food was good, but service was terrible. It took an hour and a half to have lunch. The waitress pretty much admitted that she forgot our order and then she messed up our bill. Overall, it was a bad experience.

    (2)

  • Sophie F.

    I love this place! I was at NIU Sushi last night and had the most delicious seaweed salad - the proportion was huge! I also had the special - Bangkok stir fry with tofu (lemon grass, pea pods, mushrooms, peppers, ginger) and the lychee sorbet, all delicious! They also have a large alcohol variety including many kinds of sake!! They are very accommodating with vegans and vegetarians - I had the udon with veggie tempura and they knew to make sure the broth was vegan for me. And I must mention that the raspberry mojitos there ARE THE BEST mojitos I've ever had!! The decor is also very chic with dim lighting and candles and the music was great! Overall, this place is 5/5 stars!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    Great ambience and high energy. I am a frequent visitor since it is conveniently located on the ground floor of the River East AMC Movie theatre. About the food. Their portions of the food is big so you can share a few dishes with friends. They offer a variety of asian dishes, but sushi is their specialty. Their flavoring of the food is very good. Service... i visit at least one a month at different times of the day and the service that I received is excellent and on some occasions fair (when they are busy). i take away 1 star since the sashimi is not top quality, but the price is moderate so I guess you get what you pay for. They do give you big pieces of fish for sashimi lovers.

    (4)

  • Oscar the Death Cat B.

    I was glad to see a place like Niu open up near the River East Cinemas, if only to have another nearby pre-movie dining option besides the bland touristy PJ Clarkes. The rolls were very good (I'd rate them much higher than Kamehachi) but the service was slightly shaky (but not nearly as bad as some reviews have suggested). The sake drinkers that I dined with rated the sake selections as good to very good. I'll likely visit Niu again, and might even raise my rating to 4 stars if service/speed improve a bit on my next visit.

    (3)

  • J P.

    The ambience and decor in here are amazing, and this place was packed when I went saturday night. The sushi was not as good as I would have liked, but I'm a very picky sushi eater. The girl at the front gave us some misinformation, telling us that our parking at the AMC garage would be validated for free...which it wasn't..it was still 12 bucks (although it was discounted). They also didn't have our reservation (this girl must have been new or something because this is 2 for 2 now)..but they still seated us right away (even though it was pretty packed). Finally, The Kung Pao chicken that my boyfriend got was AMAZING!

    (4)

  • Diana S.

    This place has a great laid back but swanky atmosphere. It's loungy but not pretentious. The location is perfect for before or after a movie. The prices are reasonable for it's location. 2 soups, 2 appetizers, 2 specialty rolls, and 2 hot green teas came out to be $65 include tax and tip. The seaweed salad was overly drenched with dressing. I'll have to come back to try drinks and other items.

    (3)

  • Kristina C.

    I was visiting a friend who was staying at the Sheraton last night and we decided sushi was just what we needed for dining. Armed with a few recommendations from my fellow yelp-ers, I went to the Concierge for final approval. She told me any of them were great, but there was this place right across the way that she recommended. Throwing caution and an hours worth of research to the wind - we trotted over to Niu. Loved the she-she decor and had great service. Our server Drew (who I suggested should spell his name Driu while he worked at Niu), was so much fun and great at recommending a few things. They had half price saketinis last night. Any sake aperitif is worth a try - the Mango Saketini was the best. The Green Tea Saketini was a bit boring for me. Prices aren't bad for the area - their specialty rolls run $12-16, but you get 10 pieces. Loved the rock and roll, thought the Sexy Mexican could have had a bit more kick - I liked it though. Their high end sashimi was a bit pricey, but quite tasty. This wont ever be my favorite sushi place - but all in all, certainly a must try!

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    Niu is one of those sushi places that will leave you excited to bring others to try their rolls. It's one of two sushi restaurants that my husband and I literally love going with large groups of people, for two reasons: first, to introduce others to favorite rolls and second, because a sushi restaurant is always more fun when you can be sure everyone will leave very happy. Their Sexy Mexican roll has been a crowd fave each time we've been.

    (4)

  • amanda A.

    so i'm handing two stars because the service was great. our cucumber laced (yum) water was always full. we ordered one of the seasonal special apps and it was very tasty also. but then there were the rolls. *sigh* so bad. so very very bad. honestly, short of grocery store sushi these were the worst rolls i have ever had. very very skimpy on the fish. we could barely pull any fish flavor out of the rolls we ordered. i watched our first two rolls be made and set on top of the sushi bar (above the lights) for a good five minutes. when they other two were made and all four brought over the bottom of the two that had sat were bordering on hot (yuk!). my boyfriend has a huge appetite and is a big sushi lover. we paid our check leaving a good quarter to a third of the sushi on the table. i thought i would fill the rest of my stomach with popcorn at the movies next store rather than eat more of this. i would also comment on how over priced it was but given that it is a mag mile place that is kind of a given.

    (2)

  • anya r.

    the sushi is the absolute best here! been frequenting for years and have tried many other sushi restaurants and none compare to the freshness and originality of Niu. the major, and i mean major, down side of this restaurant is the terrible to very spotty wait service. it's truly an abomination (as others have commented as well)! such a shame b/c the food across the board is excellent. so, we continue to return for the superlative sushi but cringe when our server arrives at our table.... their saketini is great too!

    (4)

  • MaryAnne M.

    I recently had an unemployment lunch at Niu. What's an unemployment lunch you ask? Well, it is nearly the exact same lunch that is commonly referred to as a "liquid lunch". Main difference being you are acting, pretending you are A) one of those ladies that lunch B) On a business lunch. Drinking three martinis. I had won a GC to Niu and decided to put it to good use once I was laid off. My fellow recently laid off friend and I planned a trip down town under the pretext of job hunting. (Which we actually did, job hunt that is) Drinks first: I started with a Lychee martini. Fantastic. I had several Friend had a glass of wine. They have pretty decent $13.00 lunch special. (Which was perfect as I was more interested in the "liquid lunch" part of the dining.) Highlights: *Sexy Mexican - shrimp, spicy Alaskan shredded crab, jalapeño, topped w/ avocado *Mellow Yellow - fresh Norwegian salmon, tempura crunch, avocado, spicy mayo, topped w/ mango and ginger sauce. Presentation was beautiful. Out door seating. Great sushi, great drinks, great server.

    (5)

  • Chad K.

    It is probably not fair to judge a restaurant within days of its opening, but we happened to visit this newest addition to Streeterville twice in the last two weeks and I couldn't help but say something about "Niu." Niu is a Japanese and arguably Asian fusion restaurant located adjacent to the AMC River East 21 Theatres in the space vacated by "Max & Benny's." For those who frequented the deli of yore, Niu started with rather decent surroundings (which never really fit the deli/diner stereotype) and tweaked them a bit. Gone are the walk-up deli and behind-the-glass kitchen area; now those spaces are occupied by a-place-to-be-seen-from-the-street lounge and a sushi bar. The front of the restaurant, lounge, and bar areas visually work but the rest of the place seems a bit sterile, especially in the back, but I suspect that will change over time. People don't always go to restaurants for the surroundings -- they go to eat. In our first two encounters, we opted to go for the maki and were not disappointed. We tried the "Salmon Delight" of salmon, scallops, crab, lemon, and avocado; "Diablo" roll of shrimp tempura, scallops, crab, and eel sauce; and the "Sexy Mexican" that blends shrimp, spicy crab meat, avocado and jalapeno into a single tasty roll. Quite honestly, the maki was wonderful and being not the usual fare, a treat to order and taste. From a service standpoint, Niu is still getting its sea legs, so right now I'd have to say service is shaky and knocks my rating down a bit. The staff is friendly, but they're still figuring out how to run the place and not everyone is fully up-to-speed on the whole Japanese concept. In time, service should get better. Will we go to Niu again? Sure. Niu reminds me of the other neighborhood Japanese restaurant, Kamehachi, and if all of the pieces come together, Kamehachi may have a real competitor in Niu. Until then, we'll just have to eat and see.

    (3)

  • Nate J.

    Niu is my favorite sushi restaurant. Great atmosphere and the food is excellent. The Rock 'n Roll is best sushi roll I have ever had, bar none. My wife and I get it every time we go.

    (5)

  • Claire F.

    Crunchy roll was really good and well priced. Good service. I didn't like my honey sesame chicken.

    (3)

  • Milika W.

    The food was good and the service was great. It was not busy and reasonably priced

    (4)

  • Yule L.

    Pleasant atmosphere, courteous service, and so far (it is quite new) it is nearly not as packed as other restaurants nearby. Their Tuna Picante rolls are to die for -- subtle, thinly sliced pieces of raw tuna/ green apple/ spices goodness. Pepper Salmon rolls are also interesting, and other sushi choices that are more usual were up to par. The miso soup was rich and thick, very flavorful. The raspberry mohito is excellent: flavorful and fresh. What makes this place not quite perfect are the tiny details. A lychee martini had small chunks of ice floating in it. This drink as well as the wine, and even the miso soup shared the same problem: the glass/ cup were only filled halfway. But these little details don't diminish the positive experience very much. We live in the neighborhood and Niu is likely to become our favorite spot.

    (4)

  • Stephanie O.

    I absolutely love this place! The best sushi place in Chicago next to Japonais but not as pricey. We always get the Mellow Yellow roll and the Ying Yang Maki. I have been to every sushi place known to mankind in the city and this one is by far the best. Super fresh, super fantastic. We moved from River North to Lakeview and will make the trek as it's definitely worth it.

    (5)

  • Patti B.

    Niu is great place for a date with pretty tasty food and surprisingly good service (apparently an anomaly?) despite the rather poor choice of name (at least in Chinese, my first thought was "cow?"). Like others, we stopped here just before catching a movie at AMC. We were seated at a table right next to the kitchen entrance, which I usually try to avoid, but I'm glad we did since it sounds like everyone else experienced poor service, and we certainly didn't - probably because we were so visible to the waiters! The service was actually very good. We barely waited for our drinks (the lychee martini was yummy!) and the entrees came quickly too. For our appetizer, we picked the soft shell crab spring rolls, which tasted great but were a little difficult to pick up. Our entrees were quite good, too - we had a rainbow roll and honey sesame chicken with broccoli. In case you're ambivalent about the broccoli, Niu is fusion so I don't think it's fair to expect pure Japanese fare, and the broccoli actually balanced out the strong sauce. We finished off the meal with a black sesame creme brulee. It was a little thicker than conventional creme brulee and had just a hint of black sesame...yummy. Note to others: we were offered hot green tea, but only with dessert. I rather liked our choice of drinks though. All in all, servings were generous and the plating was lovely. One last thing - some lounges play really irritating music with heavy drumbeats, but Niu doesn't. We were definitely able to hear each other and enjoyed the whole night.

    (4)

  • Theresa C.

    I'm not much of a sushi lover but I did try a few different things. I really liked the spicy appetizer that our waiter suggested if only I could remember the name of it... Sake was drank. Sat outside on a nice night and it was a lovely evening.

    (4)

  • Jennifer R.

    Love it and miss it here! I used to live right around the corner and would frequent it a lot. Their Mellow Yellow roll is by far my favorite!

    (4)

  • Suz C.

    I went here for lunch recently with a co-worker, and I was thrilled to find it because it's only 2 blocks from where I work. Someone needs to tell NIU management that they need better signage, because I've walked by there millions of times and never seen saw it. It's between Walgreen's and the River East 21 theatre. Only a small maroon sign above the door indicates its presence. It used to be a deli. It has a cool, hip lounge to the left as you walk in, a bar to the right, and a fairly spacious restaurant eating area. It's got that modern New York vibe inside. Given the decor, you'd think business casual is appropriate, but I did see people wearing shorts/jeans in there, too. They have a great lunch deal called the "lunch set" for $13. Like Oysy, it's kind of a like a Bento Box, only that you don't get the little elementary school tray. The portions are bigger than Oysy, but Niu gives less dishes. For $13, I got a huge serving of Pad Thai (you can get sushi, curry, teriyaki and other dishes), miso soup, a mixed greens with a ginger dressing, a quad of california roll pieces. (Oysy gives you tempura, too, and a little tofu cake, I believe). I wasn't keen on the pad thai. I know it's a fusion restaurant, but little pieces of iceburg lettuce on top was completely unnecessary and made the pad thai look cheap, and the sauce had a little too much something in it....I think vinegar. We tried the spicy tuna roll - it was very tasty - you get 8 pieces. We also ordered the White Angel roll. I thought this was very good -- the lemon zest on top of the yellowtail was a really good mix. I don't like cream cheese in sushi (cheese has no business being in sushi items), however, but it was a tasty roll. The fish tasted fresh - very important. I will definitely come back to try the other menu items. Since it was a work lunch, we didn't order drinks, but I noticed they had a lovely martini and drink menu -- caramel apple pie martinis! Sign me up! Pomegranate martinis! Mmm. I definitely plan to be back for drinks. I was surprised that there was hardly anybody there when we ate there, but I attribute that to lack of good advertising and a sign that is too darn small to notice! Still, I would bet that the restaurant benefits from the theater crowd.

    (4)

  • Kathy O.

    Came here for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. The lunch menu featured nearly 1/2 price specials on maki and nigri, large portions, and it was very good. I liked the minimalist decor; great service-the waiter advised us on the size of the rolls. Altogether a fun and relaxing experience.

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    I would give this place 5 stars if the service was a little more attentive. Don't get me wrong, they were nice and everything, just took a little while to get to us. The food was great, so if you're looking for a great fusion roll (i suggest the mellow yellow), check this place out. They know how to do sushi right. I also suggest the makers n' peach. Great date spot since it's right next to the cinema.

    (4)

  • Ann M.

    I'm a sushi fan gotta have the fresh fish and this place was awesome. The lighting was Romanticc =) and the water had a cucumber in it yum. I had the spider and the crunch or something like that it was tempura with fish and it was really good. Its a bit pricey but nothing to crazy.

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    Always great service! Great environment! Decently priced! Good stop for Foodies cheers!

    (5)

  • Kate P.

    As I've said before, I'm very picky with sushi. Sometimes I don't think my friends understand that, but that's just fine. I actually enjoy trying new things. But in this case, I just wasn't impressed. Niu, I will say, has a few things going for them. They're very conveniently located next to the AMC on Illinois, which makes dinner and a movie a one stop night. The decor is fresh, but once they dim the lights, it really takes a few minutes to get used to. It's a little dark, but dark can be sexy. The service was pretty good, but I could not understand our server to save my life. I felt like we needed a translator. I was a little disappointed that the food didn't come out together, because I'm the type of person who waits until my companion has their food... It's the polite thing to do and I know it isn't any fun to watch someone else eat, especially when you're ravenous. The miso soup was pretty good, but it's hard to mess that up. I also had the Rock & Roll Maki, which was probably the best thing I had that evening. But I was unimpressed with the Spicy octopus and cucumber. The house spice that they use in the roll was over powering to the texture and flavor of the octopus and the coolness of the cucumber. In theory, this roll had it going on, but with the over-spiced house sauce, it just fizzled. I felt like I was eating a chewy pepper covered in mayo. The drinks are priced for the area and they have a decent Japanese beer selection. I hear the drinks are strong, but I was in the mood for beer. The drinks menu looked like it had potential. All and all, Niu just didn't live up to all the hype my friends had built up.

    (2)

  • Jazz V.

    I really enjoyed the decor and the ambiance of Niu, but the food leaves a lot to be desired. I was in a group and someone did most of the ordering, but I found each roll to be as indistinguishable as the next. I left without asking the name of a particular roll because, frankly, I couldn't care less as I would not likely be returning. We also dried a few noodle dishes which, again, were less than mediocre in taste. I did enjoy the tilted bowls they were served in, though. Our waiter was also polite and non-fussy, but attentive. And I also really liking their bathroom for some reason as well.

    (2)

  • Tina W.

    I LOVE this place!!! Best sushi I have ever had. I love how inventive and different it is. I went here a few months ago and can't wait to go back. I loved some of the special rolls that had mango and other sweet things in them. I will update again soon when the next time we are back home in Chicago, and I know we will visit. Its so good my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I loved the decor and atmosphere, but the techno like music isn't for everyone. At first it bugged me, but then it faded to the background. Their martinis are also really good!

    (5)

  • Jen W.

    This is a decent pan-asian place. It's really the only one in the area. They also have a large range of sushi. It is located right next to the River East movie theater. I highly recommend the honey sesame chicken.

    (4)

  • Brad F.

    This place is pretty good. They had this pink roll which was pretty awesome. I would definitely go back there again. The outdoor seating was key.

    (4)

  • DEENA J.

    I have always loved the food at Niu - great Japanese Fried rice, red curry and the rolls are awesome. Try their appetizers (seafood crepes, Genki's Kani) and you will keep coming back. Their in restaurant service is great but they need a lot of work on their carryout and especially their delivery. I am a very regular customer at Niu but over the last few encounters I am starting to rethink my ordering strategy (almost once to twice a week). I love their green tea zen mojito and it has been my standing order. I ordered 4 times in the last 3 days - twice through Grubhub and twice through the restaurant directly. The 2 times I ordered through grubhub I clearly had instructions for plasticware but never got them or even napkins for that matter. I called Niu about it and they said to call them directly as their packing division didn't read instructions - apparently the customer is the one who should change not the restaurant. Then I call them twice directly. The first time I had clearly asked for plasticware and then for the 2nd order (on separate days) I asked for 5 chopsticks. Result - first order - no plasticware or napkins (because I didn't ask for them specifically), and 2nd order - 2 chopsticks and no napkins again. Each order was worth was worth at least $60 and it didn't matter - the service was appalling. The 2nd time was the last straw - I asked them to come back with chopsticks as we were at a school with no way to get any plastic ware. It might not seem like a lot to people reading this review but it reflects on how much Niu cares about its customers that aren't there in their restaurant. I am a regular customer and if they had bothered to trace back the number of orders I have placed they might have taken more care about it. It has been an extremely disappointing experience with Niu and I might have to find another restaurant that takes care of it customers irrespective of whether they are in the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Alyssa H.

    We wandered into Niu when our movie at River East was sold out. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside - I can't say much about the interior, but my impression was that the music might be a little much. Otherwise very modern. The service was exceptional, but since it was about 4:30 on a Sunday I wasn't surprised - it didn't look like our waiter had any other customers. Food came quickly, nicely plated (beautiful long, white ceramic boat-like things), and mostly it was delicious. The menu is divided into either Fusion or Traditional offerings. The fusion has stuff like sushi with mexican flavors. The traditional has your miso soup and your hama maki. Skip the edamame - it wasn't salted and kind of mushy. Definitely try the gyoza - we had 'em pan-fried and they were wonderful. Not too much breading and the filling wasn't too dense. I had the Diablo roll which comes with shredded king crab on top. Superb. I also tried my friend's tuna sashimi which was perfect. I can't imagine not finding something to like on the menu (it's almost all reasonably priced), and the people-watching from our spot outside was awesome. I'm not sure I'd make a special trip to Niu, but overall I was impressed. In a city overrun with mediocre sushi restaurants, this one can definitely compete with places like Sushi Wabi, especially if you don't want to break the bank.

    (4)

  • S K.

    I've been to Niu twice now while working in Chicago. It was conveniently down the street from my hotel so that always helps. I've been to Oysy and Kamehachi as well, and I prefer Niu over them both. Both times I went, it was a Monday...there was a reason for it: $4 and $5 specials. Their list is large and I'm sure you can find something you like in it. The rolls are relatively expensive, but they give you a lot of pieces so it is great for sharing. The Mexican roll is probably my favorite but everything except the White Angel tasted pretty good. The White Angel tasted rather lemon-zesty, but hey, if you're into that, go for it. The atmosphere is very nice and the service was pretty good.

    (4)

  • J J.

    In short - Niu is our new best favorite place for sushi! It is a Japanese fusion lounge/restaurant that offers the freshest sushi in town in a modern setting and walking distance everything else happening. We live in the neighborhood and, the moment we saw that a sushi place is coming to the block, we were waiting for it to open with great anticipation. The wait is finally over and it was worthwhile! Not only that Niu is next door but it is also the best sushi place in town that we have been to (and we have been to a few already)! We first went there on 8/3, just a couple of days before the grand opening, on the way to see a movie at the AMC, and we never made it to the movie! The place has three sections - a lounge area with 2 plasma TVs and a fascinating light fixture, a bar area with a couple of tall tables and a restaurant section. The decor is a modern, minimalistic mix of stone, bamboo and leather furniture well balanced with occasional accents. On one side the menu offers the classics from the Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines, executed to perfection, while on the other, it takes the culinary art of those regions to new horizons with some innovative and bold specialties. Since this was our "sushi night out", we focused just on that - a Sexy Mexican, Pepper Salmon, spicy tuna and una rolls accompanied by a flight of sake for me and a Sake-tini for my fianc. First, we could not believe how fresh everything was - by far the freshest we have ever had. Even the ginger was a new experience of its own - we loved its thicker, juicy and slightly crunchy slices. The specialty rolls (priced between 12 and 15) were very generous 10 pieces each, with the favorite yet to be decided. The flight of sake (13) is a novelty that I had not seen elsewhere and a great option to try three different types of premium sake at a reasonable price. I hope that Niu will rotate the selection so that we will get to try different kinds next time. The service was quick and attentive, we met the owners, who were very nice and stopped by a couple of times to chat and invite us to the grand opening on Sunday. Today we were there for the grand opening and enjoyed several more facets of the menu. We had some appetizers such as the Shishito peppers (10), Sesame Crispy Calmari (10) and a Moriawase set (25 - sushi, sashimi and a roll). Any attempt to describe how well it all tasted would do it no justice, one really has to experience it, and then come back for more!

    (5)

  • Meggan R.

    The lunch specials here are great and perfect for a workday lunch with co-workers or clients. They serve huge portions and it's fun to share with friends. For two females three rolls to split is plenty of food.The lunch bill will only be about $10-12 a person including tip and tax. My favorites are the Mellow Yellow Maki and Pink Lady Maki.

    (4)

  • Jenna P.

    This is my go-to place when I'm headed for a night at the movies. The prices are kind of high, and some of the food isn't great... but if you order well, you will be in for a nice evening before or after your movie time. LOVE: all of the specialty rolls, the Mellow Yellow and Rock and Roll in particular. Delicious! They are somewhat expensive, but you get a lot of quality food for the price. LIKE: the yakisoba, which is pretty much perfect. The appetizers are really good, and save you money. The cocktails, although expensive, are delicious and unique. DISLIKE: the miso soup is gross. Also, avoid any fried dishes (such as the honey sesame)... they come out really chewy, rather than light and crispy. So order carefully, and pay attention to the prices, because it can add up quick. But if you follow those rules, this is definitely an enjoyable meal in a nice, chic (but not obnoxiously so) atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Morgan H.

    This is my go-to for sushi downtown! The non-traditional rolls are amazing (favorites include the Sexy Mexican, Great Wall and Dragon), and the sashimi pieces are quite generous. Great appetizer selection (try the calamari, the shoshito peppers, seafood crepes, and the seaweed salad), great drinks (1/2 price martinis on Mondays!) and relaxed yet chic ambiance. I've also hired them to cater an event before, with fantastic raves from the client. Can't recommend Niu highly enough!

    (5)

  • Ay D.

    Pleasant surprise - reasonably-priced sushi and good drinks in the midst of touristy Streeterville. Great place to hit prior to hitting a movie at AMC River East or post-happy hour. Half off cocktails on Mondays! The green tea mojito is awesome, but I usually keep it traditional with tea or the huge bottle of Kirin Ichiban (only $8!). The seafood udon noodle soup is perfect - light broth, plentiful whitefish, scallops, bok choy, shrimp, and scallions. The single pieces of nigiri are so huge you want to cut them in half, which is an minimal feat because everything is so succulent and rips apart easily. The rolls are great, too.

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    HALLELUJIAH! I found an awesome sushi place. I went to Niu with 5 co-workers on a Tuesday night for dinner. The interior design is modern and contemporary with clean lines. Dimly lit with candles and interesting electronic beats playing in the background. The sushi is OUTSTANDING. The standout rolls are the Diablo, Pink Lady, Spicy Tuna, Crouching Tiger, and the Sexy Mexican. The portions are generous, too. All the rolls were extremely fresh and just downright delicious. They also have a creative cocktail list. Service was very efficient. I cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    Niu Sushi is a good sushi place if you plan on heading over to River East to see a movie or if you are headed to Navy Pier (Chicago's Tourist Heaven). They have some really good specialty rolls like the Fire, Godzilla, and the Rock and Roll, but overall this place is average compared to the great choices you have for sushi in Chicago. I would definitely go back if I was in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way to head there for dinner. If you do sit down for dinner at Niu expect to deal with the crazy crowds that surround this area and the expensive parking if you can't find a place on the street.

    (3)

  • Rebecca G.

    I was in town for a conference and was looking for a fun, trendy atmosphere for dinner after a rough travel day. Since I travel a lot for my job, I have no problem eating at restaurants alone. In fact, I rather enjoy it as it's nice to have some personal time and treat myself. On the recommendation of the concierge at the Sheraton, I went to Niu on a Saturday night at 6:30. Even though they weren't busy, they would not allow me to sit at an actual table...only the bar. This is the first time I've ever been refused a seat in a restaurant because I was dining alone. I should have just left, but considering it was cold out and I didn't want to venture far from the hotel, I sat at the bar and ate my dinner like a total outcast. Mind you, there were tables for two that were empty the entire time I was there. The food wasn't bad, but I would never return after being treated like a second-class citizen.

    (1)

  • Gillian R.

    Well I had never heard of Niu (not to be confused with NIU) until my friends and I stumbled upon it last night. Our original reservations at a snooty restaurant down the street got screwed up so we decided to give Niu a shot. I have to say, the staff was beyond accommodating. They were more than happy to do a little shuffling to find a table for 6 single gals on Valentine's Day! We grabbed a spot at the bar while they did some rearranging. The adorable bartender serves up a mean White Cosmo by the way... This was my first foray into Asian Fusion. I mean, I've had sushi before but never in a fancy joint like this. We each got a roll and shared. I highly recommend the Pink Lady and the Mellow Yellow. Delish. I honestly can not praise the staff enough after the first restaurant's staff was ruder than a CTA bus driver. (Not naming any names. De La Costa!) The atmosphere was great for date, or a party of six as we happened to be one of the only groups larger than two on this hallmark holiday. The couple next to us was snuggled up together on the same side of the table and even made suggestions as to what to order. I would certainly return because not only was the food terrific, but I couldn't believe how affordable it was. The only drawback is that it's a bit of a hike from the train when you're wearing heels in Chicago in February. Otherwise, I have no complaints about the restaurant itself.

    (5)

  • Lu C.

    Not good, not bad. The atmosphere is what I really like about this place. It's small, trendy, dimly lit, and nicely decorated. The food is a bit pricey for what it is though. We ordered the spicy tuna roll, a stir fry dish, and tempura udon noodles- the stir fry was the best out of these. I'd go here for drinks possibly, or for a date, but there are better sushi places around here!

    (3)

  • Alia K.

    Not a bad place to grab a bite if you're in the area or catching a movie especially if you're with a date since the decor is really trendy but the sushi isn't anything all that great. Not bad, just not good either.

    (2)

  • Jeannie B.

    I love coming here for special occasions. The atmosphere is excellent && the place is pretty adorable. I wasnt super impressed with the service any of the times Ive been there though. Inattentive, pretty unfriendly. I felt like I was bothering the server when I ordered...stuff like that. The food was great && i loved all the extra touches added to the meals though, so I'll be back many more times I'm sure.

    (4)

  • K.j. M.

    This was my first time at NIU and my wife and are skeptical about trying new sushi joints, but this place was way more than we were expecting. The atmosphere was cool, but not trying too hard to be cool. The music was just loud enough to be noticed, but not intruding. The drink list was very extensive, but the best part was that they had specialty non-alcoholic drinks. My wife is pregnant, so this was an unexpected treat. Now to the food. The maki rolls were very generous in size and the sashimi was outstanding. Most places would have taken one piece of NIU sashimi and cut in half and served it as two pieces! THe plates and presentation were clean and impressive. The food was excellent and the price for what you got on the plate was top notch. To get top quality sushi in River East for this price is unheard of. I would recommend NIU to anyone looking for good sushi at good prices, in a high end atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Scott S.

    If you want to go out specifically for sushi or Japanese food, you do not want to go to Niu. However, if you want something good to eat after going to the movies, then this place is a good choice. The stir fries and curries aren't bad. The sushi isn't bad. The sake selection is not bad. The decor is nice. The price is fair. The service is passable. The only thing this place is extremely good at is it's mediocrity. I would go here again after seeing a movie during which I did not fill up on popcorn.

    (2)

  • Gabe L.

    Surprisingly good. With the huge turnover in this location I was concerned when I saw all the money that was put in to this beautiful gut rehab. I have to say I've been here about 4 times and am impressed every time. The Mello Yellow is one of the best rolls I've ever eaten. You have to order it. I also really recommend the Asparagus entree- both beef and chicken go well with it. We also enjoy the green tea ice cream It's refreshing and a good way to end the meal.

    (4)

  • xiaochen l.

    I have to say that sushi here is good. However, food here is not as good as the environment. The fish appetizer is excellent, and I have to order it every time. In terms of sushi rolls, I think rock n roll may be the best one. What's more, I have to say that the japanese fried rice is not bad.

    (3)

  • Pravin M.

    The location is good. The food is OK to good, the service is good. I can go here and be happy- but there is much better sushi in Chicago.

    (3)

  • Arielle S.

    I tried this restaurant before heading next door to the movie theater. I was with a party of 4, no reservations, and we were able to get seated at 8:30, no problem. The place was full and large and reminded me of a sushi restaurant back home in Florida. The sushi was good/ fresh- on par with the other moderately priced sushi establishments I have dined at but what stood out were the drinks and large menu! My friends and I had some of the best mojitos and martinis, and we ended up running up a large tab. $8-12 "girly drinks" however I think on Mondays they are only $5! I have been back over and over again and recommend it if you are in Streeterville and want sushi/ Japanese and don't want to pay Kamieachi prices.

    (4)

  • Lo M.

    I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this place. I went over the holiday break with some friends and planned to have a bite on the way to a movie since it is in the River East 21 building. It ended up being such a good experience that we skipped the movie and stayed longer for more drinks. What's interesting, is that many of the items tasted very similar to Rise, my favorite sushi place in Chicago so much so that I thought it was the same owner. I checked on the way out and he is not. The calamari tasted identical (Rise's and now this place is the best non-traditional calamari in the city). The tuna tartar was actually better than Rise's but the crackers were exactly the same. Their specialty rolls were all delicious and we ordered several of the same in the second round. The rolls were not quite as fresh tasting as Rise but they were pretty close. I would recommend this place even if you are not on the way to a movie. The atmosphere is good and I would say it was one of the best sushi experiences in the city. I am putting it in my top 5.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    My wife and I had a dinner and a movie night last Saturday and since we love sushi and the movie we wanted to see was only playing at the AMC River East, we decided to try Niu. First, the decor is awesome and you notice it was soon as you walk in. Sadly, my wife got to enjoy it more than I since we were seated in the back and I faced the back wall which is covered in a photo of very large trees. To start, we ordered mojitos, my wife ordered the lobster coconut soup and I had the spicy calamari. She liked the soup and I was blown away by the calamari. The spices and jalapeno peppers made the dish really pop. For dinner, we split three of the signature rolls. It was weird though when we ordered because the waiter told us that the White Angel roll we ordered was better without the cream cheese as it is on the menu. I went with what he said (he should know right?) and ordered it without cream cheese. Honestly though, after eating it we both thought it would have been better as it was on the menu. My favorite roll was the Tranformer. I love to be adventureous with my sushi and when I saw banana and eel together, I had to try it. I loved it and the banana adds a nice, sweet flavor to the fish without overpowering it. We ended the meal with a mint dessert drink for my wife and the black sesame creme brulee for myself. We did enjoy our meal at Niu and will be back when in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Amanda T.

    My amiga and I stumbled across this jewel after watching a movie at the AMC next door. Definitely, exceeded all my expectations (Sushi Samba still has my heart though). Great atmosphere. It's trendy and fresh. The portions are generous. I was almost full with just the miso soup alone. As for the sushi, very innovative. I was skeptical about a few of the rolls, like Strawberry fields, but all of it was amazing and very unique. The drinks were decent (lychee martini = delish!). The staff was friendly, quick, and upbeat. So kudos to them.

    (4)

  • Michelle E.

    If you don't like the taste of fish, come to Niu. I couldn't understand why people liked this place so much! After eating here, I think I have figured it out. If you want to eat sushi, but don't want to be reminded of the fact that you are eating raw fish, this is the place for you. I do feel a bit guilty about the 1 star rating, since I didn't try nearly as many things as I usually would have. Mr Man and I just wanted a little snack before seeing a movie, and neither one of us was that hungry. The cocktail menu is quite lengthy, and alot of the cocktails sound pretty tasty. But the boyf and I decided to just split a Sapporo instead. To start, Mr Man and I ordered the Spicy Tuna Chips. It is spicy tuna tartare and mango in some sauce with wonton chips. The wonton chips were nice and delicate. The spicy tuna was just ok. Not that spicy, and I thought it was way too saucy. Typically, Mr Man and I will order a sashimi plate, a couple rolls and maybe a few pieces of nigiri as well. But since we just wanted a light meal, we just ordered 2 of their rolls. We ordered the Aloha Albacore and the Pepper Salmon. And they tasted exactly the same. I'm realizing now that they actually had exactly the same filling and sauce on them, the only difference was the fish on top of each roll. They were both filled with Alaskan shredded crab and spicy tuna, and they both had the ponzu sauce and wasabi cream. The sauce really overpowered the taste of the fish, so they tasted the same. The flavors of the fish were completely masked. The only trace of fish I could taste was some of the bonito flake on the aloha albacore. Ok, the words "wet" and "juicy" should NEVER be used to describe sushi. But that is exactly what this sushi was. Uhh...EWW. The ponzu and wasabi cream formed a broth/soup in the bottom of the sushi plate, and it soaked the rice. Don't get me wrong, I love ponzu sauce and wasabi cream, when used in moderation. But soaking the sushi in it just covers up any of the other flavors and makes the whole thing soggy. My other complaint is that they use Alaskan shredded crab in ALOT of the rolls. I guess props for using real crab as opposed to the imitation stuff, but does a Spider roll really need shredded crab when it's already made of soft-shell crab?!?! I might give Niu another chance, since the space itself is so appealing. It's cool, modern, clean-lined. It has a very high-end feel. The cocktails really DO sound interesting. I might go again and try the sashimi, to see how they do on the basics. But I fear that all the fancy sauces might be to distract you from low-quality fish? The only other positive thing I have to say is that the rolls really are quite large. Like other reviewers have said, the rolls have length, but they might be lacking a bit in girth. :) The only problem is, if you are eating sushi that isn't that good, having alot of it doesn't help matters much.

    (1)

  • Kaley C.

    LOVE THIS SUSHI! I go here on my lunch break all the time. Lunch time is the best there because a majority of their rolls are half off ($7). I highly suggest the Mellow Yellow roll so good!! Great atmosphere and is good for dinner too. Right next to the AMC movie theater so a perfect spot for dinner and a movie :)

    (5)

  • Jenny Y.

    Fresh sashimi and king crab legs is my favorite dish.

    (4)

  • Ashley C.

    I went to this restaurant yesterday and still taste the sushi in my mouth, that's how fantastic it was. We missed the lunch special, which is far less expensive than the dinner menu, and that is from 11am-3pm. We started off with the Ying-Yang Maki and the Crouching Tiger. The Ying Yang was spicy, and came with a liquor in the center of the bowl, a liquor that was brought to us aflame. That's right, it was on fire. The maki was placed delicately around the edge of the bowl, and while it wasn't my favorite, it was memorable. After that, we ordered the Mellow Yellow and Rock & Roll. They were so wonderful, I cannot even begin to describe the social outing going on inside my mouth. Then, the Diablo Roll appeared. It was not a spicy roll, as the name implies, but not as memorable as the first. It left me wanting more, even though my belly said enough. Despite the great dessert menu, I could not even try it for all the fullness. I cannot wait to return, to try the drinks, dessert and other fusion rolls. The service was so-so, considering that we came when no one was there, but the menu was so innovative, I'd definitely return. Lunchtime especially, so I can sneak a trip to Fox and Obel!

    (5)

  • J. L.

    For Chicago sushi, this is pretty good. It is a bit pricey, but the rolls are a good size and they taste good. Service is friendly and good. I always order Strawberry Fields (a special that isn't on the menu anymore, but they will still make it) and Pepper Salmon. Also ok - Salmon Delight, Diablo, Energy, Crunchy. Aloha Albacore is ok, but sometimes it's 'wet' when we get it delivered. There is a $2.50 delivery charge.

    (4)

  • John N.

    Yes, it's a cool hip joint. Service was good for me, but the place was only 1/4 filled at lunch. They have a neat menu divided between traditional and fusion choices. There's quite a variety of other dishes if sushi isn't your thing. They have a $13 lunch combo deal that's pretty decent. I had an asian salad, miso, 4 pieces of sushi and 1 california roll for $13. Not bad for downtown! The California roll was only 4 pieces, but the crab meat was real and very tasty. In general all of the food tasted really fresh. Lots of fancy drinks too, but it was too early for me. Since they are so new, I'll have to try them again and see if I need to adjust my rating, but for now they are one of the best.

    (4)

  • Catherine C.

    I'm Asian and originally from the West Coast, so my idea of fresh fish is the way my family used to buy it: you point at the one you want in the tank, the fishmonger nets it and kills it in front of you. As a result of my bias, I've always been a little wary of sushi in the Midwest. Then I went to Niu. Niu has probably the best sushi I've ever eaten, period. The fish is incredibly fresh, and their flavor combinations are really unique and tasty. I was so impressed that I brought my family here when they came to visit me, and even my father, who doesn't really eat fish, loved it. Downsides: It can take a long time for your order to come to the table; my friends and I once ordered 8 rolls and it took about 30-45 minutes before we could actually eat. It's not cheap, although their lunch specials are reasonably priced for a student budget. Ultimately, I'll definitely be back, and continue to recommend this place to my friends.

    (4)

  • ness y.

    if i could grade NIU on food alone, it would get 2 out of 5 stars. it was not terrible or not fresh, but it was by no means particularly good. one of these stars is granted for *originality*, although the fusion of sushi and pickle jalapenos also caused me to remove stars. the second food star was for presentation. the food looked pretty, enough. on the other hand, if i rated this place without any consideration of the food, this place gets 4 out of 5 stars. service is very friendly and attentive. ambiance is nice, albeit a bit dark. location is VERY convenient for movies, although food took a long time to prepare and we almost missed our show (sorry, i reverted to food... but it is a restaurant). in sum, if you're hungry before a movie - don't go here... you're better off trying somewhere faster and tastier. if you're thirsty before a show, have some sake here and enjoy the convenience of this location.

    (3)

  • Catherine B.

    I thought the sushi here was great! The maki rolls are really long - probably 10 pieces each, and the combinations they have are delicious! I came for lunch during the work week, and it wasn't too busy, but I've heard that changes day to day. It's decorated like a chill, somewhat swanky lounge. Check it out if you're in the area - it's a great option for some fantastic sushi.

    (4)

  • James A.

    Update: Food is still great, but service can be hit or miss. I've been to Niu three times already. The food is so fresh and delicious it almost brings a tear to my eye. Last time I was there one patron literally started shouting with joy when he tasted one of the signature sushi rolls. I'm not joking. So far I've ordered to Pad Thai, Red Curry, and the Thai Noodle. All were fantastic. The food here is atypical, and the chef takes a modern and fresh approach to his asian fusion dishes. Signature rolls are as exciting to look at as they are to taste. The sushi chef, Jackson, is an affable fellow and takes personal time to greet the neighborhood regulars. They also seem to do a nice late night lounge business. The atmosphere is sleek and modern. I'd recommend this place for all couples doing the dinner and movie thing at the nearby AMC. It's definitely a step up from Lucky Strike and PJ Clarke's in terms of quality and atmosphere, but its not really more expensive. Definitely give Niu a try. They only opened a few weeks ago without much fanfare. I''ve been told that they want to work out the kinks in the service before they get too popular. Service definitely could improve, but it's understandable given the recent opening, new staff, new menu etc. Food overcomes all other problems in this case. Support local mom and pops and try out Niu.

    (4)

  • Catherine R.

    I had an awesome after movie experience at Niu. The service was attentive, although it was a Wednesday night and not busy at all. We ate some yummy stuff...salmon sashimi, ebi nigiri, crunchy, rainbow roll, and salmon delight. All were oishii and my friend was surprised that they were so long. The hot sake was nice too. Oh, I also enjoyed the sleek decor and the miso soup.

    (3)

  • Bryan C.

    I was very impressed with this restaurant. The decor was great and the service was excellent. They have a very unique drink menu which wasn't overpriced. The fried oysters appetizer was great. The rolls we had were some of the best I've ever had. I would definitely recommend Niu to anyone who is looking for a great meal without breaking the bank

    (5)

  • Valerie N.

    Great sushi, I recommend the Angel roll. Heavenly. Have been to Niu dozens of times over the past several years, and never a bad experience. Ditto for all of the guests I've brought with me. Delish stir fry and drinks, too. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Lauren B.

    Came here after a movie and was immediately charmed by the sleek, calm ambience. Service was very friendly, and the sushi was extremely fresh and well-made. The hot entrees were a bit pricey for the portion size, but admittedly very tasty. Show your movie ticket stub and get a free entree (the steamed chicken gyoza - yummy).

    (4)

  • Gfiddy F.

    I assumed this would be run-of-the-mill sushi, given its location, next to the movie theatre and all. However, the quality of sushi is high. In particular, the fatty tuna, or toro, if you will, is as good as anywhere - say your Mirai or Japonais. And it may be the best in town, in fact. Perfectly fatty meltiness, just ideal. If this particular fish is your thing, you probably know its few and far between, and even then, hit or miss. Here, it is that superior taste you want. Rolls are very large and also good, and the drinks, from cucumber water to mojito, are fine. Nice atmosphere as well. The fish itself is what has earned this place its five - and no doubt this is what those who appreciate sushi ultimately value.

    (5)

  • Gretchen H.

    This place is awesome. I admit...I was a bit skeptical as it is in the same building as the AMC, but I was so wrong. The fish is always super fresh and their serving sizes are on the larger side of a cut. The prices are very reasonable for what you get. The mellow yellow and the uni roll (I'm forgetting what its called...but its on the seasonal menu right now) are really great. If you aren't into sushi, their hot food is also really great. I am a huge sushi lover, and this is for sure one of the best places I've tried in the city. One more tip if you're up for it...sit at the sushi bar and just let Leo (the head sushi chef) serve you whatever he wants...you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    I have picked up lunch at Niu a few times and it's definitely the best sushi restaurant in the area (in my humble opinion). I always seem to have a taste for sushi at work and have tried a few area spots, which all led to disappointment. Niu has a bunch of really creative and absolutely delicious maki rolls. My favorite is the Mellow Yellow roll is making my mouth water, just thinking about it! I imagine this would be a great spot to dine at before going to a movie at the AMC next door. They have a little outdoor area as well that's really nice when the weather's decent. Overall, I'm very impressed and encourage you to try Niu soon!

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    After a day full of riding the El, battling their way through The Taste, and sitting on cardboard boxes during the Counting Crows concert in Grant Park, four sweaty and (slightly tipsy) 20-somethings walk into Niu. I half expected to be kicked out since we were definitely not dressed for the place but after explaining to our server (a nice young gal) why we looked so disgusting, we were still treated with the same respect and service of every other guest there. Our peasent dresses and flip flops were really no match for the trendy intereior and stone-walled bathrooms. However, the food was absolutely delicious and they have a plethora of options for maki rolls. I had the Sexy Mexican (not overly spicy) and split the Crunchy with a friend. Normally it takes two full rolls to fill me up but the portions at Niu are HUGE. They come on these long plates, beautifully served. The best part about my meal was the Green Tea martini - a perfect blend of Asia and Cuba. I hate when mojitos aren't made with enough mint but I can safely say that this place hit it right on the head. The only reason I won't Niu any higher is that I thought it was sort of pricey. Not the I'm surprised though - any downtown sushi "lounge" is bound to come with a hefty price tag. I paid about $36 for a roll and a half of sushi, a cocktail, 1/4 of an order of edamame, and tip.

    (3)

  • Eric L.

    3.5 stars for me. Location is convienent, esp if you are going to watch a movie. Rolls are unique, but unfor. not that great tasting. fried rice and seaweed salad are very good.

    (3)

  • H. C.

    Cool, trendy decor does not make up for the fact that the food is mediocre at best. I've only eaten here once and sampled multiple sushi rolls (I was with a group), ginger salad, and green tea creme brulee. Based on the above entrees, I would never go back nor would I recommend this establishment to any one.

    (2)

  • Irene J.

    the decor and ambiance is superb and sophisticated. it's a great space but a bit on the dark side. i enjoyed my mojito [good for a japanese fusion lounge] pre-dinner, soaking in the environment. [overall, good drinks.] i ordered the aloha albacore--it was not the greatest. the bonita flakes were so overpowering, i could hardly taste the ponzu sauce, which is a very flavorful sauce. the bonita flakes also overpowered the fish--all i could taste was the rice and bonita flakes. the maki, however, was well rolled with skill. i do not recommend this particular maki. the oysters were fresh and delectable. our server needs a bit more polishing. i understand we were a big group, but when he dropped my food, he failed to mention that it had been my food and that it was being remade. i received my maki when almost everyone had finished their dinners. it was not a problem--i understand mistakes happen. however, a good server is a good communicator. hopefully, if and when i next visit, it'll be a more smooth dining experience.

    (3)

  • Katie d.

    My boyfriend and I went there the other day to get some dinner before seeing a movie at the AMC right next door. The sushi is awesome. We had the calamari, spicy clam soup, rock 'n roll, transformer roll, and the sexy mexican roll. Everything was amazing. the Rock n Roll was by far our favorite and everyone should definately try it. However, our service was miserable. The waiter kept forgetting things and would walk right by out table with empty hands saying things like "oops I TOTALLY forgot." For instance, he brought our our sushi and brought out our soy sauce 5-10 minutes after. He never offered us drink refills - which is fine but at least take the empty glass off the table. I could go on but you get the picture. We'll probably keep going because the sushi is amazing and it's really convenient. Hopefully the waiter was just hungover or something. Also...THEY DELIVER! Ask for a menu on your way out...

    (3)

  • Osh J.

    This place is great for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, the service. The servers and staff at this restaurant really know how to be helpful and attentive without being in your face obnoxious/trying to be funny/overly helpful (you know what i mean, "is everything okay? is everything okay?" Yeah, dude, we're still fine.... First, we were trying to catch a movie that started at 7:10 (Niu is in the same building as the AMC Movie Theater on Illinois), and when I called at 5:30 and asked if we came in at 6, would we be able to be outta there by 7, and they basically did whatever they could to make it happen. As for the staff, the server swooped in and picked up the chopsticks I had dropped within 5 seconds of it happening, and another server swooped in and picked my boyfriend's hat which had fallen off his knee. Sounds like we just travel around the city dropping shit, but I assure you this was an isolated string of clumsiness. We ordered the Pepper Salmon roll, the Sexy Mexican, and a spicy tuna roll. These rolls were,...gorgeous. They really pay attention to detail here, and they were the nicest looking rolls i've ever seen. Sexy mexi was fantastic, but the pepper salmon wasn't our fave. Good quality salmon, I think that the pepper was too much or something, just had a strange flavor. Not their fault, just wasn't our taste. They did forget the spicy sauce in the spicy tuna, which was just...tuna, but after mentioning it we got some sauce on the side. Here's the thing, the quality of everything was A1, but 2 of the rolls just weren't what we should have ordered. I definitely want to go back here before a movie, and I think I'll try their dragon roll and for sure the sexy mexi again!

    (5)

  • Brenda S.

    We eat there after a movie but the best is their delivery. I cannot believe how quickly the food comes and it is always so awesome. Love the sexy mexican roll and also the fact they will substitute brown rice in all their meals. The delivery guy is always so sweet to our little yorkie that greets him as her long lost friend. Definitely a keeper!

    (5)

  • Linda N.

    the sushi was good. definitely a bit on the pricey side but nothing ridiculous. service was great. =)

    (4)

  • Neil I.

    We went to dinner and a movie, movie first. We had walked by Niu many times and figured it was a tourist spot next to the movie theater. We walked in and made a reservation for 8pm before our 6pm movie just in case it got busy and it did. The atmosphere was nice, martini's were good, and the food was far better than we thought it would be. We had the sea bass appetizer, my wife had the asparagus chicken stiry fy and I had the tuna picante. Food was excellent.

    (4)

  • Nikki B.

    very nice spacious place.. great food and drinks..

    (5)

  • E S.

    I recommend Niu b/c it's very reasonably priced, has a nice atmosphere, and has great cocktails! I have been here 3 times, and the only negative thing I would say is that 2 out of the 3 servers I've had were not really great servers. They were nice enough, but they were either clumsy or forgetful and just not very personable. Other than that I'll continue to go back for the food and the prices!

    (4)

  • bhavna p.

    DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE!! we went there for dinner and there were about 3 other tables taken. the staff was slow, the food was ok at first but then we found a hair on our plate! to top it off - I had to tell them to take it off the bill because we were not going to eat it! they did not care, did not say much and will not get our service back! we were hoping to discover a new place that looked cool with good food, but little did we know they have not trained their staff yet!! we were walking out and we told the couple looking at the menu not to go in..and they didn't. by the way - we didn't eat our entree and we left 1.5 hours later! I can go on, but I won't....just don't waste your time. looks can really be deceiving.

    (1)

  • Geo L.

    The previous mixed reviews made me a little wary. I dined with a large group on the weekend. Everyone had an awesome and loved it. And the reason is because everyone's expectations were realistic. This is a sushi place in downtown Chicago. You will pay a premium for location. This place also had a great trendy lounge atmosphere and you will also pay a premium for going to a nicer place such as this compared to a hole in the wall facility. The food is asian fusion so don't expect truly authentic asian food if that's what you want. If you understand all this you will go in and enjoy portions which are generous for a japanese place and food which is quite tasty. The sushi was fresh and the service was more than adequate. We spent about $40 per person including drinks but completely over-ordered. If you go, try the sea bass and the fried rice in addition to the sushi.

    (5)

  • Becky A.

    This is a new place and part of the appeal is that it's walkable from my apartment. The sushi is decent, the entrees also are good, and the prices reasonable. It's a good place to head for a quick sushi fix, but they still need to work on the service part.

    (3)

  • Chrissy S.

    So after checking other yelpers' reviews of Niu before trying it out, I was a bit wary ... most reviewers reported great sushi but poor service. I went anyhow, and I'm here to tell you that based on my visit, they have more than worked out their service kinks. We had a great waitress - friendly and also knowledgeable - and service was super prompt and attentive. And as for the food -- I commented during dinner that I felt the sushi was comparable to Coast and South Coast, my favorite sushi spots in the city. And it's more reasonable price-wise, too. My boyfriend and I had a glass of wine each, a specialty maki, a regular maki, two pieces of nigiri, and two desserts - final bill was $80 .... not too bad for great sushi and a cool atmosphere. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Arlene S.

    mmmm.... the white angel roll. so yummy.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge

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