Fun, intimate, and delicious. Chef Park is a master of sushi.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Robinet
Mako is a premier omakase experience. Course after course was prepared with skill and care. The sake and wine pairing meshed perfectly with the nigiri and hand rolls that kept on coming. If anyone is looking for a great night out, mako has to be the recommendation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexander Smith
Simply the best sushi experience I've ever had the pleasure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tower Solutions
God compared to other omakase restaurants
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danielle Alvarado
The best part about this experience is the ambience. It's small, intimate. The staff and service were great. I enjoyed the food.... I ate some of the best food I've ever eaten here.
We spent $700.
It fall apart at the restrooms. My husband and I travel extensively. So, I'm comparing this to similar experiences. There is one restroom, with a dirty floor and no hooks. The toilet didn't work properly. Chipped paint. If you need to touch up makeup, the faucet is in tbr way. I know that sounds crazy, but it's coming from the ceiling. Also, lifesavers. Lifesavers???
Is there no consideration to female guests? Where are we to put our purses if we need to take them to the restroom? I had to stand in line, and wait for the restroom.
This restroom is just lacking. And I'm sorry, waiting in line to use the restroom at a $700 meal? Please pay attention to the details. It was a fun experience. I've just been to places with better experiences. But I won't be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joon Park
I want to be clear that this review is based on the quality of the food, service, and overall return on investment because this place isn’t cheap. I say this confidently as someone who knows how to evaluate sushi and sashimi. I’ve dined at numerous world-class Japanese restaurants around the world, including in Japan, multiple times ever since I was a little kid. I have a high standard but I am reasonable.
The service here is great. You won’t have any trouble getting the attention and care you deserve. However, the atmosphere felt a bit off. They have three different chefs preparing the omakase, which is unusual. Typically, you visit a renowned omakase to have your meal crafted and served by a single head chef. Here, it feels more like a team trained by the head chefs is stepping in. It takes away from the sense of exclusivity and connection you usually get in a traditional omakase experience. Depending on who you get, you will or won't have close interactions with your chef.
Now, the food. It’s good. The presentation is good, too. But, I honestly found it difficult to fully evaluate each piece of nigiri because the cuts were so small and thin. You don’t get enough of the ingredient to fully enjoy or even judge the quality. For the price, they could—and should—serve slightly thicker cuts so guests can appreciate the flavors and textures properly. This tends to be a trend at omakase restaurants, especially at Michelin-starred ones. I'm not sure why and how they end up getting the star.
Was it a good experience? Yes. Will I return? No. With the price you’re paying (especially when drinks are involved—a $25 bottle of sake was marked up to $125), I didn’t feel the experience justified the cost.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Julie Zhu
I was hoping to make up for a missed omakase experience during my trip to Japan, where I also didn’t get to see the sakura in bloom (loved the Sakura tea). I was really looking forward to something special—unique flavor combinations, depth of taste, and a presentation that would surprise and delight the palate.
While the atmosphere was refined and the service attentive, the flavors themselves didn’t quite meet the mark. I was expecting more complexity—more creativity that would make each bite memorable. Instead, many of the dishes felt safe, lacking the boldness or innovation I had hoped for. For an omakase, where every course is meant to build a story through taste, the experience fell a little flat.
Overall, it was a pleasant, but it didn’t deliver the level of culinary artistry I was hoping for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jake Mecham
An incredible dining experience. My spouse and I had wonderful experience here for our anniversary. The service was cordial and professional, and the food was exquisite, with so many new flavors we have never had before. Though I was disappointed that I did not get to try monkfish liver as shown on the website, I was blown away by the sea urchin and chum salmon. We'll be excited to return again.
V
I expected a tiny bit more in terms of the tasting journey and service, especially due to the price.
The quality of the fish here is indeed satisfactory. I am content with the dinner, but I would think twice to return.
As an aside, the entrance door is very heavy. I thought I was mistaken about the location of the restaurant because I thought the door wouldn’t budge. Waitstaff are a bit awkward and too quiet.
Very fun and unique dinner experience for our short time in Chicago. Each dish was exquisite! The staff was phenomenal and made my birthday extra special with a signed menu at the end! A thoughtful and beautiful way to end a great night
maxwell williams
Just not Michelin level. Not a great omakase. Can’t think of a single fish I was wowed by. Solid waiter, gave me a good sake rec, but that’s about the only redeeming part. My girlfriend said she got cut off my an employee when walking into the single restroom. Not a great touch. I regret going, should have known when it was the only omakase reservation I could find.
Ngan Nguyen
I was taken here for a very nice surprised dinner. The place was a little hard to find because there was no big sign or advertisement. But once we got inside, the food, the service and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing. Our chef was so knowledgeable and very skilled. He explained every course beforehand and we were very impressed.
Gregory Klein
Hidden gem nestled in the west loop. About 15 seats at the counter and a few small tables. We sat at the counter. Every bite was delicious and unique. Pricy but worth it for a special occasion.
Saloni Patel
We had a great birthday dinner here! Food and service were exceptional and left feeling full. The pacing is perfect for each course and it was overall a lovely experience.
Fun, intimate, and delicious. Chef Park is a master of sushi.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mako is a premier omakase experience. Course after course was prepared with skill and care. The sake and wine pairing meshed perfectly with the nigiri and hand rolls that kept on coming. If anyone is looking for a great night out, mako has to be the recommendation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simply the best sushi experience I've ever had the pleasure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
God compared to other omakase restaurants
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best part about this experience is the ambience. It's small, intimate. The staff and service were great. I enjoyed the food.... I ate some of the best food I've ever eaten here.
We spent $700.
It fall apart at the restrooms. My husband and I travel extensively. So, I'm comparing this to similar experiences. There is one restroom, with a dirty floor and no hooks. The toilet didn't work properly. Chipped paint. If you need to touch up makeup, the faucet is in tbr way. I know that sounds crazy, but it's coming from the ceiling. Also, lifesavers. Lifesavers???
Is there no consideration to female guests? Where are we to put our purses if we need to take them to the restroom? I had to stand in line, and wait for the restroom.
This restroom is just lacking. And I'm sorry, waiting in line to use the restroom at a $700 meal? Please pay attention to the details. It was a fun experience. I've just been to places with better experiences. But I won't be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
I want to be clear that this review is based on the quality of the food, service, and overall return on investment because this place isn’t cheap. I say this confidently as someone who knows how to evaluate sushi and sashimi. I’ve dined at numerous world-class Japanese restaurants around the world, including in Japan, multiple times ever since I was a little kid. I have a high standard but I am reasonable.
The service here is great. You won’t have any trouble getting the attention and care you deserve. However, the atmosphere felt a bit off. They have three different chefs preparing the omakase, which is unusual. Typically, you visit a renowned omakase to have your meal crafted and served by a single head chef. Here, it feels more like a team trained by the head chefs is stepping in. It takes away from the sense of exclusivity and connection you usually get in a traditional omakase experience. Depending on who you get, you will or won't have close interactions with your chef.
Now, the food. It’s good. The presentation is good, too. But, I honestly found it difficult to fully evaluate each piece of nigiri because the cuts were so small and thin. You don’t get enough of the ingredient to fully enjoy or even judge the quality. For the price, they could—and should—serve slightly thicker cuts so guests can appreciate the flavors and textures properly. This tends to be a trend at omakase restaurants, especially at Michelin-starred ones. I'm not sure why and how they end up getting the star.
Was it a good experience? Yes. Will I return? No. With the price you’re paying (especially when drinks are involved—a $25 bottle of sake was marked up to $125), I didn’t feel the experience justified the cost.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
I was hoping to make up for a missed omakase experience during my trip to Japan, where I also didn’t get to see the sakura in bloom (loved the Sakura tea). I was really looking forward to something special—unique flavor combinations, depth of taste, and a presentation that would surprise and delight the palate.
While the atmosphere was refined and the service attentive, the flavors themselves didn’t quite meet the mark. I was expecting more complexity—more creativity that would make each bite memorable. Instead, many of the dishes felt safe, lacking the boldness or innovation I had hoped for. For an omakase, where every course is meant to build a story through taste, the experience fell a little flat.
Overall, it was a pleasant, but it didn’t deliver the level of culinary artistry I was hoping for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
An incredible dining experience. My spouse and I had wonderful experience here for our anniversary. The service was cordial and professional, and the food was exquisite, with so many new flavors we have never had before. Though I was disappointed that I did not get to try monkfish liver as shown on the website, I was blown away by the sea urchin and chum salmon. We'll be excited to return again.
I expected a tiny bit more in terms of the tasting journey and service, especially due to the price.
The quality of the fish here is indeed satisfactory. I am content with the dinner, but I would think twice to return.
As an aside, the entrance door is very heavy. I thought I was mistaken about the location of the restaurant because I thought the door wouldn’t budge. Waitstaff are a bit awkward and too quiet.
Great experience! Highly recommend.
Restaurantji Recommends
Very fun and unique dinner experience for our short time in Chicago. Each dish was exquisite! The staff was phenomenal and made my birthday extra special with a signed menu at the end! A thoughtful and beautiful way to end a great night
Just not Michelin level. Not a great omakase. Can’t think of a single fish I was wowed by. Solid waiter, gave me a good sake rec, but that’s about the only redeeming part. My girlfriend said she got cut off my an employee when walking into the single restroom. Not a great touch. I regret going, should have known when it was the only omakase reservation I could find.
I was taken here for a very nice surprised dinner. The place was a little hard to find because there was no big sign or advertisement. But once we got inside, the food, the service and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing. Our chef was so knowledgeable and very skilled. He explained every course beforehand and we were very impressed.
Hidden gem nestled in the west loop. About 15 seats at the counter and a few small tables. We sat at the counter. Every bite was delicious and unique. Pricy but worth it for a special occasion.
We had a great birthday dinner here! Food and service were exceptional and left feeling full. The pacing is perfect for each course and it was overall a lovely experience.
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