Cariño
$$$$ • Latin American, Tacos, Fine Dining Book a table: 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM MoreAbout Cariño
Customers' Favorites
Truffle Quesadilla
Beef Belly Taco
Wagyu Taco
Ravioli
Sorbet
Cariño Reviews
119 ratings
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My husband and I kicked off our honeymoon by going to Carino. Carino has been on our radar for awhile and it was our first Michelin star experience. We loved it. The food was incredible and so was everything Norman did for us. We can't wait to come back.
A Standout Chicago Dining Experience
Carino Chicago is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why dining out can be such a memorable experience. There’s a level of thoughtfulness behind everything here—from the food and technique to the pacing, presentation, and hospitality.
The menu feels creative without being precious, with dishes that balance bold flavors, texture, and restraint. What stood out most was the attention to detail: ingredients are allowed...read full review
Carino Chicago is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why dining out can be such a memorable experience. There’s a level of thoughtfulness behind everything here—from the food and technique to the pacing, presentation, and hospitality.
The menu feels creative without being precious, with dishes that balance bold flavors, texture, and restraint. What stood out most was the attention to detail: ingredients are allowed...read full review
They did not disappoint!! Great food! Great atmosphere! The chef was pleasant and engaging. We went for Taco Omakase experience and man was it exciting!! Well worth it!! The tasting menu is next for me....
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 6PM - 12AM |
| Thursday | 6PM - 12AM |
| Friday | 6PM - 12AM |
| Saturday | 6PM - 12AM |
| Sunday | 6PM - 12AM |
Located in Uptown a few L stops past Wrigley Field, Carino is an unassuming little jewel box underneath the L tracks. The restaurant serves a Latin American tasting menu with much complexity and originality. The dining room hot spot is the 7‑seat chef’s counter facing the kitchen and also there are about 6 tables. The counter tasting menu has one extra course vs. the table tasting menu and the chef’s counter has one seating each night. Afterwards the counter offers a taco omakase experience 4 nights a week.
The menu is full of dishes that sound familiar—chips and salsa, chicharron michelada, aguachile, ravioli, taco, tostada, quesadilla—but each dish has many ingredients, often unique, and many steps in preparation. Favourite plates were ravioli with huitlacoche, chicken liver taco, lamb tartare tostada and lamb with beets. The restaurant also offers wine pairings, a spirit‑free pairing and a cocktail menu. The drinks are as complex as the food.
The atmosphere and service are top notch. The executive chef/owner is hands‑on, whirling about with purpose and still purposefully conversing with counter guests. The choreography of the entire staff is impressive and the overall experience is a wonderful discovery, a hidden gem that Michelin recognizes for purpose, plan and vision.