Roka Akor Reviews

4.5

20 of 8,892 Restaurants in Chicago


Reviews

Best Japanese Restaurant in Chicago Downtown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

By thithungatran |

The food is fantastic and super delicious. The service is great and efficient. I’d highly recommended and would love to come back. Thank you everyone for the service❤️🙏🏻

Jantar

By Tais E. |

We went by indication of a Chicago driver and we loved it. We ordered the maki rolls, highlight for the Dynamite Sacallop Roll, too delicious!!! Our attendant was very friendly and the request came quickly! The restaurant is big, but very busy, I suggest you make a reservation!

Beautiful

By Emer M |

Found this restaurant by chance as it was near our hotel. Honestly one of the best meals I've had in my life. Absolutely gorgeous & was so good we came back on our last night in chicago as a treat. The food was divine, over our two visits we sampled as much as we could. The servers were lovely & helpful without being obtrusive. Would recommend without question, it is expensive but worth every penny. Now I need to plan my next trip from Ireland to chicago! 😊

Asian Dining at its Finest

By Phoenix DAWG |

Where do I start? We were celebrating my spouses birthday. The food is EXCELLENT! The lamb was cooked to perfection. The fish flakey and flavorful. The Brussel sprouts to die for. This is definitely an excellent restaurant for a special occasion. Will be back.

Amazing food and brilliant experience

By Cat B |

My boyfriend and I ate here on a Friday evening and it was a fantastic experience. We took the tasting menu, which was modified to be gluten free and it was absolutely delicious. Particular highlights were the sashimi (huge portion) along with the steak. Cannot recommend highly enough

Outstanding

By John E |

SO GOOD! I love sushi and this was some of the best I've ever had. Also, the brussel sprouts and corn sides were awesome as well. We will be back!

The Sum of All Things

By Wilkins K |

Restaurants come and go. Chicago has a dizzying array of culinary delights and it's hard to decide where to go - what to eat. Roka is that diamond in the rough. With it's attentive and friendly staff ready to help navigate the menu items, and neo-modern-japonaise airy interior decor, our lunch experience was a smash hit in total. Beautifully presented and incredibly delicious, everything exceeded expectations. Heaven must be like this - it must be like this.

More than just a happy hour place. Great places for dinner, drinks and dessert.

By GreeneChicago |

This is currently one of my top happy hour finds for our summer in Chicago. It is also the most expensive, due to the variety and quality of their wine selection and dinner options. Actually to be fair, if you stick to the happy hour food and drink selection, other guests could walk away with reasonable prices for very good food, drink, and service. The outdoor patio as well as the bar area was very inviting and comfortable. The happy hour menu is actually quite extensive with most of the food at $10 or less. They have varied alcohol on the happy hour menu, sake, shots, beer, wine, and cocktails. Unlike some other happy hour places we have visited this summer, the portion on the happy hour menu is not smaller than what they offer on the regular menu. So the prices on the happy hour menu are real deals and my rating reflected that I appreciated that. We ordered a Hamachi Serrano roll, assorted sashimi taco, prime beef skewer, Robata grilled pork belly, Saki Steamed mussels, escolar tataki and wagyu & kimchi dumpling. All were very good. My favorite of the night was the Robata grilled pork belly, which was excellent. My husband loved both the pork belly and the assorted sashimi taco. The escolar tataki was our least favorite since the fish didn't have the Lucious mouth feel as others I have eaten in other restaurants. Although we already ordered ALOT of appetizers, we loved the Robata grilled pork belly appetizer so much we wanted to try the Robata grilled prime filet. It was slightly charred on the outside and the inside was melt in your mouth soft filet. It was so tasty that I even forgot to take a picture. 🤣. This was my husband’s favorite of the night. The grilled prime filet went very well with my second glass of red wine. Jordon Cabernet is one of my favorite red wines but cost $29 per glass. This is the reason that our bill was high compared to other restaurants. I could have kept our happy hour bill more reasonable if I had ordered any of the drink selections on happy hour menu. Even with all the appetizers and dinner, we had to try dessert here. The server suggested to try the Ube pot de crème, since it’s using an ingredient that is not used a lot in other restaurants. The dessert had the purple coloring of the fruit, and was very creamy. Great choice to end a very good night. The server was very attentive and provided great recommendations. He did not rush us throughout our meal even though we have been there for quite awhile enjoying the food, and the ambiance of the outdoor patio.

#1 Japanese Steakhouse for a reason

By Travellover |

Roka Akor didn’t let me down, came here while visiting Chicago (I made a reservation a month before). Food is delicious and the service is very nice. The place itself is very fancy and very beautiful. My table was facing out in the street, beautiful view. If you go to Chicago is a MUST.

large party dinner

By dresf |

We had a party of 10 and had a great time. Ate family style with different sushi varieties coming and going. Service was great, food was superb.

Super great choice!!!

By Jeniffer Barbi |

Awesome!! Delicious food, great service! The restaurant is super cool, the thing that bothered me was the “smell”, we arrived at home with our jackets and hair were smelling the food (thats why i am not giving 5 stars)... a little bit expensive but overall everything was good, we will back for sure!

Really good

By MM0130 |

Overall, this restaurant is really good. The food was good, the service was good and the atmosphere was nice. I would recommend and would go back again in the future.

Japanese food at it's best!

By Jeanne |

We had dinner at this restaurant in Chicago recently, based on a recommendation of our hotel's concierge. It was such a great choice. From the moment we arrived to when we left, the service was wonderful. Our server, Jennifer, gave us great suggestions, starting with the seared scallops as an appetizer and including the item I ordered as an entrée, the Wild Mushroom Hot Pot. We had the edamame as something to snack on while we were deciding what else to have. One friend had the Glazed Pork Ribs, and my other friend had a nightly special of Chilean Seabass, which she said was outstanding. The pork ribs also were very tasty and I loved the hot pot, although it was a very large serving, and easily shared with my friends. One other item that was shared was the tempura seasonal vegetables, which were crisp and not heavily breaded. Although the restaurant was noisy, it made for interesting people-watching. Definitely worth having a meal there!

Stop looking and book!!

By Kayla Voigt |

In a word: Incredible. We had 5 of us and chose to order a la carte. Every single dish was amazing and so well prepared. Service was fantastic. Literally nothing bad to say, all around great experience! What a gem.

Fantastic food and service!

By GitteDK130 |

Fantastic food - a mix of various sashimi (chef’s choice), lobster dumplings, nice prawn and Chirashi roll and the best was the Mishima sirloin with bone marrow. The service was great. Overall, can highly recommend this Chicago restaurant. Thank you!!

Truly exceptional.

By Michael Lane |

This place was truly exceptional. Despite being crazy busy, staff were exceptionally welcoming and helpful. And great food!

Nice Steak and Sushi

By Bandit2118 |

I loved the ambiance with a happy energetic vibe. It was great. Start off with wonderful apps, sushi and drinks. The sashimi and sushi was on point with the “Toro” pieces being worth the up charge melting in our mouths. Very few pieces I did not just devour. The fish and steak for entrees were great with the fish, specifically the black Cod and Chilean Sea Bass winning the day. The King Crab was tender and good yet we would choose the fish over it and the steak was good. You can get a better steak yet not a lot. Very good food and very good service. I loved the vibe of the place most of all, simply fun with lots of happiness with good food and drink. Enjoy Roka Akor!

Birthday Delight

By jmemrich |

My friend and I were in Chicago to celebrate our 75th birthdays and stayed at the Hampton Inn on Illinois at Dearborn. We walked to Roka Akor for dinner. We asked for a quiet table and were seated away from others. We enjoyed Tempura, and other items. Our server heard about our birthdays and brought us a lovely dessert with candles burning. It was a lovely evening.

MUST VISIT WHILE IN TOWN

By EGMD |

The second we walked in the restaurant the staff was nice, and approachable. We were seated at our table and were immediatly helped by our lovely waiter. The food comes out in courses, but also when it's ready meaning very little wait time for each meal! We ate 9 different dishes (of course many were appetizers and small in portions). Each dish was better than the next! 100% one of the best restaurants in Chicago and in general!

Wow!!!

By Bacchus49 |

Beautiful space. Open kitchen. Some of the most unique and delicious sushi I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to go back !

Better than Nobu ... superb taste

By Michael H |

Its fusion but still maintains the nuance taste of Japanese fare, doesn't overwhelm. Quality ingredient and great taste makes venue good money for value. The steak, sushi, cod, etc. are all decent; their truffle mushroom risotto is must try as well.

Fantastic!!!!

By Celeste Gram |

We went to this restraint with high expectations and they were very much met!!!! The service was impeccable, food came out relatively quickly, and we ordered a plethora of dishes that all turned out to have an extravagant blend of flavor and texture, resulting in an all-around incredible dining experience. Out of all the dishes we got, two stuck out. The wagu beef dumplings and the mushroom rice pot with fresh shaved truffle! 10/10 would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an incredible dining experience!

Consistently good

By Thomas M |

We had a great dinner. The staff were attentive, but not obtrusive. The food was presented at the table as it was prepared.

Exceptional food and flawless service

By Dento M |

The superb service wonderfully complemented the very amazing cuisine. Each dish was exquisitely presented and bursting with real Italian flavor. From the beginning to the end, the eating experience was genuinely delightful due to the cozy and welcoming ambiance. I would gladly suggest this place to anyone searching for a genuine, atmospheric Italian supper, and I have no problems at all. A fantastic evening overall!

Not a good meal for me

By Ale L |

The place is huge and well decorated but that's it, this is a chain and service is very impersonal, like 5 different people bringing your food and drinks, the sashimi chef selection is NOT MADE TO ORDER, And the fish looks dry and opaque, not like that Fresh look you see when you get sushi at a real sushi place, the presentation is good but that's all. I ordered the grilled tako (octopus ) and again the presentation is great but it was chewy :/ so don't get that. I recommend the scallops and the beef dumplings. We won't be back, if you want real sushi go somewhere else.

Omikase Reimagined!

By Boris E |

There are no words to describe the decadent omikase experience at Roka Akor in Chicago. From beginning to end, you will know that this is no ordinary place and you will not regret spending over $300 or more for dinner. To celebrate a special occasion, I would highly recommend this restaurant. Each bite feels like heaven, and would recommend that you just go with the flow. Trust the chef, be adventurous, and I can guarantee you that you won't regret it. Please make sure that you make reservations in advance. Even though we had reservations for 07:00 pm, we had to wait 45 minutes to get a private table/booth. At the end of the night, the wait was all worth it. If you want to truly enjoy authentic, modern Japanese food, this place is for you. Highly recommend it!

Best sushi place ever!

By Anastasia K |

At Roka Ankor I had the best sushi in my life so far! Sashimi and rolls were delicious. The waitress was just perfect! Everything was such harmonious: atmosphere, taste, music, ambiance. It's not the cheapest place, but it definitely worth it!

Cool place, hot food

By Kubadat K |

Very hip place that stays super busy and loud. Food was good and service was good. If you're looking for a quiet place for dinner, this is not the place to go. Very high energy

Amazing food, great drink selection, fantastic service

By DepartingDuo |

6 of us shared small plates. Each person chose 1-2 menu items and every single thing came out perfect and delicious. The food was really amazing. Everyone loved every dish. They have an extensive wine selection. Cocktails were great. Everyone wants to return.

Hard to Fault

By david e |

Perfect sushi. Freshest wasabi. Beautifully cooked high quality steak over coals. Good service and an excellent wine list. Slightly unusual seating at low round tables in kind of sofa chairs but once the food arrived it didn’t matter. Was a flawless experience and would go back for sure.

A+ service and food.

By Maximilian S |

I am disappointed that i did not leave a review after I had lunch there a year ago. For what’s it’s with, this was a true dining experience. So much so that we chatted and ate. No one took pictures. No one was on social media. It was a very happy moment for my family. The eldest of 13 grandkids to graduate college (12 more to go argh) I booked a reservation for 12 as my family was in town for my niece’s graduation. We were given a private room and Aaron was our server. He was fantastic. My family is low drama so luckily he had an easy time with us and we didn’t give him the runaround. He took care of of us as would be expected. A+ to him. The quality of the food and the freshness was outstanding. We ordered sushi and sashimi as well as the waygu beef fillet and pork belly and ate family style. We just kept passing plates around. My family is not Asian. We are Latin The wine list is as not too pretentious as you’ll find in some other establishments. Thank you again for such a great dining experience and I’m sorry I didn’t write this review sooner.

Best food, atmosphere, service, and manager

By Jennifer C |

This place was amazing. We spent a few hundred dollars for the two of us, but we bought a lot of food and drinks. We just wanted to try everything! Better than the Japanese we just ate in San Francisco. Will definitely go there again!

Dinner

By Martin H. J |

Reception at the beginning: pleasent, Seating, pleasent, service, food and quality, wine list, could not or barely be better!! Leaving the restaurant, disaster; no help with the coats, blunt with the help of getting a taxi, receptionists too concerned with themselves and their overweight bodies! A total let down after having spent over 400.00$ for food and beverage: employees that have no clue of what is happening inside the restaurant and what it takes to attract customers: wrong persons for the job!

Sushi in the city

By Gopursuit |

This was our second time eating here and it was once again excellent! Loved everything about this place - upscale sushi with other options as well. Our waiter was outstanding and made sure we had everything we needed! Don’t skip dessert it’s so good!

It's delicious.

By 하은 강 |

The food was really delicious and the service was great! We ordered edamame, waugu beef butter, shrimp fried, dinermate caribbean roll, baked salmon roll, skirt steak, and warm chocolate cake.

Excellent service and delicious meal

By Sara L |

I was concerned it would be too trendy and too loud when we walked in, but ended up having an incredible evening. The service was fantastic and every course (we splurged on the omakase) was delicious. The quality of the sashimi and the preparations of both the steak and octopus were exceptional. No doubt, this was an VERY expensive meal, but I thought that the quality and attention to detail made it worth it. It was a great evening to kick off a special birthday.

Tried this gem during restaurant

By Liz S |

Tried this gem during restaurant week in Feb 2020. We did the som series with the tasting menu. Definitely worth it. The sirloin was amazing.

Absolutely Incredible

By Tripadvisbear 🧸🎒 |

I wish I could give them 10 stars! Incredible restaurant Incredible staff Incredible vibe Incredible food Incredible everything! If you are visiting Chicago make sure you visit this amazing restaurant!!!!! They also have Valet service for $16 which is very convenient

Change the receptionist girl. She's ruining your reputation!

By Artem |

The worst place in the city of Chicago. The administrator is just awful, I waited for my order for a very long time! I was fed another 5 minutes, another 5 minutes! I waited about 30 minutes. No one even apologized. Just rudeness in return. Like if you don't like it, don't come back. Yes, I will not come again and I advise everyone to do the same!

Loved this restaurant and food!

By Alsa96 |

We are quite new sushi eaters but eating at this restaurant proved to us how delicious sushi is. We had a tasting menu which gave a great selection of different sushi plus other dishes. The quality was outstanding - we loved it. Service was also first class. Strongly recommend a visit.

Celebrating

By Darrell T C |

I recently visited Roka’s Scottsdale location and really enjoyed it So when our recent graduate daughter landed her new job, I chose Roka’s Chicago location for our celebratory feast It is was better than Scottsdale From the sushi to the crab legs and scallops were super We shared steak, lamb chops and lobster and everything was superb A must try side dish is the corn and Japanese mushroom pot Special note: Roka Akor is on a busy corner in downtown Chicago, be patient with the valet parking, they are worth the $15

Recommended by a colleague and we were not disappointed!

By jeremyf894 |

Several colleagues went here at the recommendation of another colleague. While the drink prices were higher than other restaurants we had been to during the week, the rest of the meal certainly made up for it. The sashimi appetizer was excellent...very fresh and the chef's selections were things I likely wouldn't have selected myself and they were outstanding. The filet I had was amazing. Prepared just so and very tasty. Also, I can highly recommend the Brussels sprouts side. We split several desserts amongst the table. They were small-ish but all quite good. We had several excellent meals while in Chicago. This, however, was the winner hands down.

Exciting, Adventurous Asina/Japanese Fusion

By djuvet1958 |

First time diner at this fine Asian Fusion style restaurant and was blown away by the quality of the food, the uniqueness of the menu, and the superior service of the staff. Our table tried two sushi rolls, both were excellent, the unagi/tuna was especially fine. We shared the Black Cod, the Korean Grilled Lamb, grilled corn and grilled asparagus. All were absolutely exceptional. The vibe is hip and trendy without going over the top. I recommend this restaurant very highly.

A Great Place for a Special Occasion

By EspritD |

We came here to celebrate our daughter’s college graduation. We mentioned this to the manager when he came by to say hello and shortly after we had a round of champagne and a complimentary appetizer. Appreciated both. The service was outstanding and the food was excellent. The sushi, sea bass and steak were delicious. The wine list is extensive and expensive. We had a bottle of red for $50 or $60 and it was fine. We had a wonderful dinner and it was the perfect way to celebrate. We had a few noisy tables around us but once they left, the atmosphere was nice. Not an inexpensive meal but really nice for a special occasion.

Delicious Food

By Marie N |

Pros: Great for business dinners Delicious food Delicious drinks (recommend Roka Fashioned) Awesome wait staff Awesome busing staff Friendly staff all around Great ambiance Great selection Cons: Price. It was $359 for 3 of us, but we did order several cocktails. Very pricey but we still felt it was worth it

Simply Exquisite

By Amphis |

Went there with our team to enjoy a good get together and were definitely satisfied. I have to say that the waiters were very smart in making suggestions to my manager (who's paying right?) and we were served a great sequence of exquisite dishes. A must in Chicago

Omakase

By ek1974 |

We ordered $145 per person Omakase. The quality of food is great, but I felt it was small potion of amount. They served the food in one dish and made us share the food even though they charged $145 each person. Quite expensive.

Wonderful Dining Experience

By Basil R |

My wife and I truly enjoy and value fine dining. Our experience at Roka Akor was superb. Admittedly, we do not know much about the world of Japanese cuisine and sushi, but we were very happy to learn. We chose the Decadent tasting menu. Our server, Guy, was VERY caring, took a lot of time to explain the various courses, and was even able to modify something that my wife knew she wouldn't like. The manager, Benjamin, was very helpful with wine selection throughout the courses for us. Their patience and willingness to educate us contributed greatly to the value of our experience. We WILL be back next time we are visiting Chicago.

Hot Pot for the win. One of my favorite fine dinning restaurants in Chicago

By Robert L |

The Hot Pot is a must with the black truffle. One of the best rice meals I have ever had. This dish alone is enough to get me to come here again. The sake selection is great and very enlightening into a drink that I enjoy but still do not think I appreciate the quality. Would suggest this place for special occasions or if you feel like spending some money on a great dinner.

Great experience

By Eduardo O |

Great food , fantastic service starting from the host stand to the main room . The waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and provide us great recommendations . Very nice ambiance in a very busy place.

Old Fashioned

By K L |

We just popped in for a drink before dinner at Frontera across the street. I ordered an old fashioned and it was fantastic, and I’m picky. I asked the bartender why it tasted different and he said they used a brown sugar simple syrup and 2 types of bitters. He was busy but took the time to explain why their drink was different. On another note the restaurant smells wonderful. In addition to sushi the have an open wood fired spit where they grill meat. The next time in Chicago I’m eating at Roma Amorim.

Excellent sushi in Chicago

By Toret8 |

I love this place. Their sushi is one of the best in town and the service is also excellent. Their drinks are also very good. The atmosphere is quite relaxed and sophisticated. Ideal for a romantic dinner of a business event also.

Exceeded Expectations!

By PapillonHB |

October 2019 we hosted a large group in their private room which was cozy and warm. The presentation of the food was shockingly beautiful, truly artistic, but more than that, it was SO delicious! Each and every element on the platters were unique flavors standing on their own to "wow" you. Our guests were most impressed and the service from "Iryna" and "Anthony" was outstanding! Kudos to Roka Akor's management, staff and chefs...they went all out and everyone was thrilled with this dinner!! Highly recommend!

Delicious!

By FestBT |

The food was fresh and very tasty. The service was excellent. It is very noisy, so go early if you don’t like crowds and noise. We went at 6:30; would do 5:30 next time.

The Best !

By Gary C |

We have ate at many high end Restaurants in Chicago and I got to Say Roka is one of the Best. The Atmosphere is Electric, the Food is very Edgy, Creative and Delicious ! The servers are some of the friendliest and most attentive servers in the Chicago Area. You must try Roka !

Great Dinner

By Steve S |

Great dinner last night!!! We were looking for a nice date night place and found a gem!! Ambience and staff were outstanding. Look forward to visit again soon.

Sushi nicely done

By SereneTravels55 |

Best sushi I've had all year, great atmosphere. Perfect flavor and texture, on par with the best places I've eaten at in NYC and LA. They nailed it.

Innovative menu and excellent service.

By Butch B |

We had an excellent meal. Last minute reservations but fortunately it was a December Tuesday evening. Not sure what to expect, was it sushi, was it waygu, Hard to tell in advance but we found they had a very good menu and great service. We started with the shrimp and lobster dumplings, and after great recommendations from our server, enjoyed the Korean lamb cutlets and black cod. Both were very good and the waiter recommended good wine pairings. We also ordered the Japanese mushroom hot pot, which stole the show. Good meal, good vibe, and great service. Everything you would hope for.

Amazing

By EPF15 |

Had dinner here with a colleague here last night. Service was outstanding and the food was delicious. A very diverse menu and everything we tried was outstanding. I highly recommend this place as you will leave extremely satisfied. We had sushi, edamame, pork belly, sake, beers and it was all outstanding.

Excellent quality

By Sognatrice12 |

Very nice and well looked after restaurant located in River North. The sashimi was exceptional, very high quality fish. The Miso soup with mushrooms is good as are the rolls. If you are in Chicago don't miss it!

Best steak I've had

By calvino |

I've had a lot of steak. This was the best. Excellent cut and cut excellently. We also loved the sushi and the shrimp. And everything else. It's also nice it's open late ... we had 10:15 reservations. People in Chicago go to bed early. (I have no idea why TripAdvisor is asking me a whole lotta stuff about "accessibility". Do they know something I don't?)

Good but not great

By Neta_Avivi |

The sushi at Roka Akor’s was good but not the best or the freshest I had. The place is very busy, crowded and loud. It is a very big place and the service feels hurried and impersonal. For these prices I prefer a better Japanese restaurant.

Do NOT valet park here.

By Tome12018 |

The food and in-restaurant service was decent, but do NOT valet park here. I received a $70 ticket from the city of Chicago because of where the valet parked my car on July 16, 2025. When I contacted the restaurant about the ticket, I was put on hold for a very long time. Eventually, I was told they would call me back. They never did. The ticket was just the last straw in an awful valet parking experience. It took forever both to drop off and pick up my car. This was because they only had one valet (which probably also explains why he chose to park my car illegally.) Despite that, I actually gave the valet a large tip because I felt bad for him. Clearly, not my best decision. Despite having a reasonably nice time at dinner, I will not be re-visiting Roka Akor - at any location. Management's response to this incident has soured me on the whole restaurant. Having said that, the restaurant is worth a try if you aren't driving there.

One of the best in Chicago

By jeffandjody |

Amazing food. We never go to Chicago without dining here and least once. Also never had a dish that we didn’t love. Great atmosphere as well

Tempura heaven

By 711silke |

We found it and have not been disappointed. The Tempura with vegetables is huge. But excellent. We also had the lamb and the chicken teriyaki. The highlight are for sure the crispy Brussel sprouts. The waitress was really nice and very careful. Unfortunately we had to much food and could not try out the desert.

consistent high quality restaurant

By Patrick R |

Once again, we appreciate the food at Rok Akor. Lobster/shrimp dumpling was very good. Chilean sea bass perfectly cooked. Steak was just as we liked it. As usual, the Japanese sticky pot rice has the same taste and flavor Excellent cocktail but the ambiance is very noisy

Amazing

By Kevin B |

Top notch service, and menu suggestions. It was a 110 degree heat index night when we were there, so it was EXTREMELY warm in the restaurant with the center of the restaurant containing the grill and food prep area, but really cannot say enough about the Sushi and the appetizers our waitress suggested. Will be back here for sure!

Delicious, pretty and fun!

By Patricia L |

Roka Akor has a restaurant with open and modern ambiance. We ordered dumplings, sushi, a steak and grilled fish. Everything was prepared beautifully. Very colorful. Our wait staff was attentive. Very relaxed dinner. Our cocktails were unique and great. I had a special one with mango flavoring. We would definitely return.

An amazing dining experience

By johnlyl2015 |

We came here for our twins’ 21st birthday. First time being here, we went for the tasting menu so we could try a few more items. It was a great choice as the menu provided a wide range of dishes that all packed with strong yet not overwhelming flavours. We all loved the grill cod fish, the Shishito pepper and the corn, to name a few. The flavours for the cooked items were bold and explicit, but right on the money. The sushi and sashimi were fresh and complement well with their fine soya sauce and fresh wasabi. Overall, the food quality was high and matched our expectation. The food portion was very generous and one should go with an empty stomach to finish it all. The service was great and we had a cheerful and friendly waitress who was attentive the whole evening despite having to manage a few big parties. The ambiance was casual but smart (not sure if that’s they meant by casual elegance for their dress code). We had a great time and felt the price was reasonable considering the quality and quantity of the food they served. Highly recommended for special occasions, and worked well with group of friends or family.

Great Food, but be Careful You Don't Double Order

By UncleGreg |

Walked in for lunch and obvi did not need a reservation (unlike some of their neighbors, where empty tables do not equal available tables-- more on that in my next review). Had the cod bento box and it did not disappoint. My only complaint is that the bento box apparently comes with some sort of sushi that was basically identical to the sushi I ordered as an appetizer. Would have been super duper helpful if the waiter had at least given me a heads up that I basically ordered the same food twice. Nevertheless, it was really yummy, and I guess there are worse things in life than eating a double portion of good sushi. In other news, my boss ordered the Wagyu bento box and was perfectly happy to partake in the double sushi. He didn't think we would eat the white rice that came along; he was wrong. MMMMMmmmmmm rice!

Roca Akor - Best Japanese in Chicago

By Elencassia |

Best Japanese in Chicago! Modern atmosphere, good music and excellent food! I was attended by Gary who helped me choose the best menu and the best wine harmonization !!!! Wonderful dinner. Don't stop going. Elen @sp4you

Great food!

By Josien_Dennis |

Wow! What a great food at this restaurant. Maybe not cheap, but we think it is worth it considering overall prices in Chicago city centre. The restaurant has a very modern interior. We tried 2 different sushi rolls, dumplings and a tofu dish. We were pleasantly surprised by all of them. Go there and try it!

Amazing food in a noisy place

By Creudelsud |

Pros and cons! Food was great, more than I expected from such a big place where attention to cooking didn’t seem the priority but the ambience and design. But not at all. Brave recipees, great execution, variety of tastes and good service, also attentive. Thumb up for a place that I would repeat but it’s also very very noisy. Nothing is perfect!

Overpriced dinner / average food

By franktexas1961 |

We dined here yesterday . We all left very disappointed. The atmosphere was noisy but not bad. We had a good variety of items but the sashimi and the sushi rolls were not anything to get excited about. They were average at best. The restaurant is very overpriced. The experience wasn't horrible but not great. There are better places to eat.

Great Dining in Chicago

By Craig M |

My wife and I were only in town for 1 night and we searched for something different from all of the big steak houses the city has to offer. We found it in Roka Akor and had a great birthday dinner. Excellent service which I always measure based not only on our waiter but on how all the other staff comes together to bring out courses when they are ready or to fill your glass or take away finished serving dishes. Service was excellent, the menu had great variety, a decent wine list and a very knowledgeable waiter who assisted in the selection of a good Oregon Pinot Noir. Perfect for a business dinner, a special occassion or just to have a great take on Japanese cuisine. Hats off to Chef and the entire team.

Great, fresh food!

By DrWorldWide |

The sushi is fresh and of excellent quality. The plating is very decorative. The atmosphere is lounge and chill. We had a great time.

Wouw what excellent Omakase

By Anja H |

Wouw what excellent Omakase We had an overall great dinner with you from the sashimis to the extraordinary rich and copious desserts :-)

#21 in Chicago is too low

By trio556 |

It’s starts with the quality of this restaurant. One of 2 locations in Chicago (48 in entire US) certified to serve Kobe Wagyu. Good Sake menu . At least 4 different tunas and 3 different salmons. Top service (nice touch - the water glasses were kept full always). Excellent dumplings to boot. Don’t miss the one of a kind sweet potato crème brûlée.

Sooooo good !!

By Destination7582 |

Very good food and cocktails in an amazing place with an impeccable service !! I will come back for sure .

Great alternative to the traditional Chicago steakhouse

By NBKFamilyOfFour |

We were looking for a steakhouse for our first venture out during COVID, and found an open reservation with the newly increased indoor dining capacity in Chicago. We'd heard good things about Roka Akor, and wanted to try someplace new to us. Glad we did. We started with escolar tataki and beef tataki, both of which were very good, but we'd highlight the escolar. If you're a little sushi-cautious, it's very mild, and a great introduction. Our entrees were the prime ribeye and the king crab legs. Both were excellent, although the crab, cooked over an open flame, had a very smokey flavor that made them notable. We ordered a side of Brussels sprouts, which was so good it's hard to believe they're vegetables, and corn, which had nice flavor but seemed a bit overcooked. All the above, plus four cocktails and a dessert, tax and tip, came to $305. The service was excellent as well. We'll be sure to return. Beware: There was a 20% tip added to our bill. My only complaint of the evening was that the server didn't highlight that.

High price, small bites.. still Hungry!

By Robert E |

We dined here with a few couples. We all left hungry and disappointed. There was no one in the group that would return. The atmosphere was noisy but not bad. We had a nice large table in the back. We had a good variety of items. We did enjoy the Wagyu Beef Dumplings. The sushi rolls were not anything to get excited about. They were average at best. The over experience wasn't horrible, just not great. With all the restaurants within three miles of Roka, there are better places to eat.

Great Japanese

By MTorre |

This Japanese inspired restaurant has great ingredients. The sushi quality is really good, specially the toro. Other specialties are really good as pork belly, tempura or even the miso soup.

Modern sushi/steak offers something for all palates.

By Greg M |

This is a real popular place. We had the tasting menu (standard and not the premium), and it comprised sushi/steak courses. We were able to tailor the meal (no pork or seafood) and were treated to a varied series of plates, each different, fresh and expertly prepared. The amount of food was challenging, but we were able to do justice to everything. The service was exemplary. Highly recommended.

The best stake restaurant

By Bernard T |

The best stake restaurant in town the most wonderful staff. Ask for Guy or David those two are amazing the whole staff is. I’ve had business meetings and my customers love the place as well. Get your chop sticks ready for a wonderful night or early lunch of cool music not to loud and fantastic drinks.

Ugh. Fees. Don't go here.

By calvino |

The steak was good. The appetizer was over-priced but decent. The dessert, on the other hand, claimed to be some meringue mochi but was really a $14 pair of store-bought ladyfingers and a split Twinkie. But this is one of those disgusting outfits that charges a "processing fee". That's to recompense them for credit card use. At these prices no one is not using a credit card, so this is just the same as a hotel's mandatory "resort fee". Look: Just be honest, and add it to your menu prices, don't slime it in on the bill later. This fee rubbish has got to be stamped out. So vote with your feet and don't go to places - like this! - that charge them.

Great sushi and sashimi

By Pjverlinden |

We had a wonderful dinner. Just off the plane coming from Europe, we were not very hungry and wanted just a great light meal. The service is excellent and the food is very good. Fresh fish for sashimi and nigiri sushi. Excellent real wasabi scrapped in front of you on a shark skin, the way it should be done but so rare these days. We loved everything. The restaurant can be very busy and noisy.

Great sushi. Great atmosphere

By Greg D |

Wanted Sushi and definitely picked the right spot. You name it we had it. Toro, Ahi, sea bass, oysters, and even wagyu beef. The fresh water eel and ahi roll was amazing. The service was impeccable. Guy was our server and was very helpful and knowledgeable. Drinks were decent.

Loved it all - yum!

By heather j |

Phenomenal menu/chefs. Bravo! Three of us ordered a number of items including brussel sprouts, wagyu beef, chicken dumplings, sushi, and everything was truly top-notch. Wonderful meal. I definitely respect Chicago as a foodie-city. I would love to return to this restaurant.

Never said yum about raw fish before

By Alysia |

I like to try the sushi somewhere in every city I go to. And I eat it almost once a week in my hometown. So I'm a huge sushi fan despite the thought of raw anything yucks me out a little. I just enjoy the combination of flavors and textures in a sushi roll, but I ordered the unagi roll here and picked off some of the raw tuna? (or something? whatever was on the top) and wow, it was delicious just by itself. You can imagine it was incredible with the rest of the roll. Also the beef dumplings app was delicious! I could've had another plate. I went during lunch time and there was like, no one else there, so I got in right away. It's very nice inside and everyone seems to know what they're doing and everything. It was a bit pricey, but the final total was honestly about what I'd pay in my small hometown, so it was not bad and pretty worth it. I hope to go back sometime!

Umm, WOW!

By DianaB |

My husband and I came here for our anniversary. Holy crap were we treated well. We sat down and were immediately given glasses of champagne. The server was great and went over the menu with us. We picked small plates and sushi rolls to share and everything we ordered was beyond amazing. Even just a basic California roll was the best I have ever had. They also gave us a special dessert which was very unique and so good. Everyone we interacted with treated us like royalty. Being younger and not flaunting money, we are rarely treated so well. The only thing that sucks is that we love to try new restaurants when we are in Chicago. But we are going to have to come here over and over. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. I highly, highly recommend!

Always a sure bet!

By Edward A |

Roka consistently delivers an exceptional dining experience that never fails to impress. This time, I indulged in the Seabass, and it was nothing short of phenomenal—perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. The service was spectacular, with attentive staff who made me feel valued throughout my meal. I also adore the captivating aroma of wood-burning charcoal that wafts through the restaurant, adding a unique and inviting atmosphere. Overall, Roca continues to be a standout choice, and I can’t wait to return!

Nice combo of food

By EinDC65 |

Husband and I had a late dinner which we dont usually do. Even with having beef, We didnt feel like it was too much at a late hour. Nice variety of choices. Good ambiance and good location. Definitely recommend.

Great atmosphere

By 482JamesS482 |

Great atmosphere, food presentation, cocktails. The food itself is good though not special. It's loud and a bit over priced. We had fun - I'd go back, but plan to try other places first.

Food at its art form

By beyazyurek |

Great dinner experience with food presented in its art form, taking into consideration every detail. Once you start tasting, it overrides the visual impression. We started with suchi, chcken skewers and beef dumplings that were already special. Black cod was an experience on its own. Looking forward to come back for different tastes.

Interesting Dining Experience

By 77K_D59 |

The food was beyond good! The dining experience was interesting as they brought enough to share with the table. The presentation of the food was so special with spectacular garnishes and out of the ordinary serving dishes (banana leaves, wooden planks, artistic bowls).

An amazing Decadent Tasting menù!!

By MarcoSga |

I chose the Decadent tasting menù and it was just amazing, had a Wine/sake pairing with it, the portions were generous, the quality of the food and the beverage is amazing. The service was really good, the people were really friendly and helpful. 100% worth the money you gonna spend!!

Superb!!!

By foodie lab |

What a great dinner at roka akor , the ambiance and service were amazing. Food was excellent the only disappointment were the dessert , need a lot of improvement on the service side the Casey was superb he knows all the menu and his passion helps the restaurant to sell everything !!

We had a great time and great food

By Joaquin |

It is a great restaurant. Maybe a bit too noisy. The service is great and the ambience too. The dumplings were our favourite

Fresh sushi

By ellen b. |

Took my son for his birthday- the staff was very nice. Sushi was very fresh- not that different than other places but it was solid, fresh and artfully presented. Had a Wagu Beef dumpling that was outstanding. Nice size pour on wine. Pretty dining room and fun to sit at the bar and watch the chefs.

Twice a week

By Martiiinnn |

Wow, we went for dinner twice in one week: both times we were completely satisfied by the exciting menu, the service and variety of food. Enough said, anytime again!

Nice place

By Carlos C |

Good restaurant, good service, quite expensive but good food. Sushi is very good and another good options in the menu. Nice place to visit with friends or partner.

Good but not as good as in London

By winenfud |

Went there for a quick and early dinner. The food we had was good without doubt but a notch below the ones I regularly visit in London. The packing of the Sushi was not as tight. The service was however better than in London with a very attentive staff.

Steak and sushi

By Finnset |

Excellent restaurant if you cant decide between steaks or sushi We had the Japanese Kobe steak. Expensive but melt in your mouth. Our waitress was super helpful and friendly. A little loud but everything we ordered was just perfect Miso cod. And skirt steak. Perfect

Modern Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi

By The_Lankan |

We celebrated an anniversary at Roka in January. It’s a really nice modern Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant. We went on a Saturday evening and luckily we made a reservation well in advance because the place was packed. Our servers name was Pauley, he was great and answered all our questions and had good recommendations. We had my wife and I as well as two teenage daughters and we enjoyed a lot of Sushi as well as the Ribeye, and Yuzo Miso Black Cod. One dish that we decided to try but had no idea it would be so good was the Mushroom Rice hot pot, I could have just had a few of those and a drink and would have been happy. The Blood orange margaritas were ok but I wouldn’t order them again. Looking forward to dropping in and trying some different dishes next time. We had a lot of food and a few drinks and the bill came to $180 without the tip, it’s not cheap but the food was great. See the receipt picture for all the food we had and the prices.

Absolutely worthwhile.

By Sodza |

Amazing dinner. Fantastic food, excellent service. Not inexpensive,but a good value. Strongly recommend! Great choice for date night, or for special occasions.

Great modern and traditional sushi

By NatalieSP |

Went here for a family birthday celebration and everyone loved the food. Ambiance was nice and refined. The food was a nice combination of traditional sushi and modern spins. The fish was very fresh.

Great Service, Better Food

By grandyosecreations |

I will start by saying I am pescatarian. I ordered the shrimp and lobster dumplings and the Chilean seabass as my entree. I ate every bit of this food. I had to ask for a fork to make sure I could get all the food in my mouth. I ordered a cocktail with molasses in it...it was interesting to the palate. Not sure I would order it again but was not terrible just different. Friend ordered 2 blood orange margaritas really enjoyed this drink. It had a chili salt on the rim which was a good twist. I would definitely return. There was outdoor seating but we opted to sit inside. The service was great and the atmosphere and decor were good too.

Never disappointed!

By Bob G. |

Arrived early so we could sit in the very spacious, comfortable bar area and enjoy a couple drinks, the bartender was very friendly and attentive. We were seated promptly at our reservation time and sat at a booth along glass wall (wine cellar) where you can glimpse at all the different bottles and a nice view of the sushi bar. The inside of Roka Akor is very spacious and decorated nicely, very warm and inviting. Our server, Christos, came by promptly and we got re-fills on our drinks. While we looked at the extensive menu, Christos offered us suggestions and gave us time to ponder what we wanted....this wasn’t our first time at Roka Akor and we always want to try something different. Since we were unsure on what to order, Christos suggested the Omakase Signature which is a, I believe, 6 course meal that the chef creates. Very glad we went with his recommendation as we ate everything from sushi to tender pieces of raw and cooked fish, to tender steak with bone marrow and a rice/mushroom dish along with Black Cod which was to die for! The dessert was outstanding, a chocolate lava type cake with assorted ice creams and fresh fruit. This Omakase Signature was the way to go as you can try all sorts of the chefs creations, VERY VERY GOOD! Can’t say enough good things about Christos, always had a smile, very attentive without being overwhelming, he really made our dining experience enjoyable. We spent about 2 hours at Roka Akor and never felt rushed. The manager came by and thanked us for coming back, very nice. When visiting Chicago, it’s worth a stop, you won’t be disappointed.

Fancy trendy

By Annelou_vs |

Delicious food. Very loud, especially the chef in the open kitchen. Trendy spot. Not cheap. Located in a very Nice area. Outside dining possibilities

Seriously delicious

By Courtney S |

Friends came to visit from out of town and we went here last night. Food and ambience were excellent. Although the sushi was good, I particularly liked the pork belly and the kimchi dumplings. Will definitely come back.

Overall very good experience

By ems0924 |

We were here in June and booked based on trip advisor reviews.The restaurant was incredibly busy, giving it a nice ambience, so I'm glad we booked. Despite this the service was really quick and the chap explained the menu to us and we didn't spend hrs trying to catch his eye for the bill at the end. The only downside was that the mixed plate of sushi I had was a bit lacking in flavour but everything else was delicious. Would definitely go again.

Excellent but loud

By H J |

We had the Signature dish which composed of classics and premium dishes. It was alot of food but so good and we were so full after. Waiter was excellent. The atmosphere was good but the place was very loud.

Everything top notch

By Garry A |

We are a party of 4 and everyone had something different, so we sampled quite a bit, all of which was exceptional. Service was great as well.

Waiting-room atmosphere

By FatBanker |

The food at Roka Akor was generally good, if slightly expensive (think $9 for three slices of sashimi), but the atmosphere really spoiled our experience. When we arrived we caught a glimpse of an open fire in a kitchen open to the restaurant, but for some reason were then seated in the far corner of a bar area that felt more like a motel lobby. Extensive but expensive drinks menu, and average service. Wouldn’t recommend.

Outstanding Food, Top Notch Service

By Dan W |

Came here on a Friday even business supper with 2 other associates. We were seated and served quickly at a great table. We never had to ask for anything. The best thing about the service, though was our server. She clearly knew her stuff, and clearly knew what was good. She was so good we just told her to start bringing us food on her recommendation. What followed was an extraordinary 6 course flight of sushi, sashimi, and Kobe beef. It was hands down the best sushi I have ever had. It was hands down the best sake I've ever had, and absolutely some of the most best dessert selections I have ever had. Overall, one of my favorite meals I have ever eaten and I will recommend this place to everyone for an unforgettable experience.

Amazing!

By AnniK_K |

We chose to go with the Chef's signature menu and we were very impressed with everything we were served. The quality of the ingredients was fantastic and the sauces/seasoning was as well. We got way more food than we needed, that would probably be our only complaint (would expect smaller portions with a tasting menu). The beef tartar was fabulous, so were all the different sashimis and makis we got to try. They had a side dish with sweet corn with a spicy marinade which was fantastic and the steak was also really, really good. The drinks were great as well and the service was impeccable.

Totally buzzing experience

By Pete_Chipp |

From the second you walk through the door you notice you've entered someplace special - this place is humming with action and it's 'effortlessly' on top of its game. The kitchen is right there in front of you, and you won't ever have seen so many wait staff. The food and service are terrific. Dine finely. I am sure they would find you a quiet table if that's what you wanted, and there are private dining rooms too, but otherwise you'll enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and busy professionality of this place - its humming!. Having walked in here by complete chance, the treat was even more special. Gets all my stars!

Special Occasion, Perfect for Sharing

By TrackMomof3 |

It was an excellent dining experience. The service was impressive. It is a Japanese Steakhouse so everything was intended to be served sort of family style. They brought many plates of sushi and other small plates to share. I am not a sushi eater but had noticed a steak on the menu so thought I would be fine. I was a bit disappointed that the $50 filet was literally a 6 oz piece of meat cut up in bite sized pieces served with nothing else. I was hoping for a more traditional dinner serving with a side or vegetable and a steak that I would cut and enjoy myself. Clearly, I was not familiar with their shared plate intentions. The steak was perfectly prepared and everything was delicious. My husband has quail eggs which he can't find often. We all shared molten chocolate cake which was delicious. If you are looking for a place to go and share meals, this is a great choice. The room is loud so it is hard to have a conversation with someone not right next to you. It was a pricey meal so be prepared for that. Very enjoyable especially if it is a special occasion.

Simply Fantastic

By Mark O |

One of the best dining experiences that I have ever had. Both the food and drinks were amazing. I’ll be back.

Nice friendly place

By Mark |

I was happy with the food service and drinks. The menu is good and the portions were great. Thanks for a nice night

Amazing sushi (and other!) restaurant!

By Douglas P |

We made reservations far in advance and probably needed them even for a Wednesday night. It got packed halfway through dinner. The wine list is awesome for bottles as well as ‘by the glass’. The waiter informed us of the “three courses” which ended with the entree. The second course is sushi and the first is a true appetizer. We DID try the octopus which was very good. I probably wouldn’t try it again but it was good. The Wagyu filet was amazing though! By the way, there are no forks. It is all with chopsticks so be aware. How do you eat the filet, you ask? They cut it up in bite-size portions but serve it like it hasn’t been cut. When it first arrived, I looked for a fork but then noticed the cuts. Very nice touch! The ambience is good also. Guy was our server and also great! I would highly recommend even if you do NOT eat sushi. But the BEST item: grilled pork belly for first course!!!

Good food priced high

By LThomas1301 |

Dined for first time on Christmas Eve. Busy but not too bad. Service was attentive. Food was good. Dumplings and octopus were standouts. Sushi good. Steaks were ok. For the price paid, expected better. Son inquired if he got all 10oz of strip. : ) It comes deboned and sliced. Crab legs were good. Cocktails were very good. Ambiance is nice at a booth. Enjoyed time with family. Good meal but for price expected better. Nice to try a new restaurant. Worth a first visit not sure about second.

Fantastic business dinner

By Matt C |

Fantastic business dinner with a group. Extremely attentive staff with many solid suggestions that we followed. We all left well fed and would certainly come back.

Great place for a special occasion dinner

By Leah G |

Had an absolutely incredible experience here. The atmosphere is cool without being pretentious, and the open kitchen gives it a vibrant feel. My partner and I almost chose the omamkse experience, but chose to order from the menu instead. Everything was amazing, but our favorite was the grilled octopus small plate.

Amazing

By SJL1605 |

Having eaten at Momotaro the night before it was going to be hard to beat that, but I have to say that if I was to choose between the two, this place would probably just edge it. Its also got a great vibe, but is a little more peaceful than Momotaro, but more importantly, the food was just out of this world. Another thing that we particularly liked was that the wait staff were a little older than the typical restaurant. Having more experienced servers, as they surely were, can make a big difference as they clearly knew the menu inside out, which was very helpful to first time visitors. We enjoyed our meal immensely and we will definitely be back.

Great taste

By Agrantmale |

Stopped by for some sushi and it was great. I loved the atmosphere and the food was great. I ordered nigiri and by mistake they brought sashimi. They took it back and brought both and said it’s on the house. Great experience all the way thru.

Outstanding expereince all round

By Prof Brian L |

Faultless experience from start to finish Waiters all attenetive and dealt with my allergies We had the Omikaze which was outstanding in every respect Seabas and mushroom dishes esepcailly good In fact everything was perfect Even deserts were right up there As good as Nobu inmho

A Fantastic Word of Mouth Recommendation!

By Passport797310 |

I had an unforgettable experience at Roka Akor during Lolla Weekend in Chicago. While we were waiting for our friends we sat at the bar and ordered a drink. Pat gave us a unique experience with our drinks. The care and effort he put in to making our drinks was very much appreciated. The quality of the ingredients used to make our drinks definitely elevated the flavor to another level. The whole bar staff was attentive, engaging and service focused. Once we were seated, I relied on my husband and a friend to order our food. I particularly enjoyed the Robata Grilled Scallops, the Seared Salmon Maki and the Grilled Prime Skirt Steak. Overall, my taste buds were elevated to another level and appreciated most of the dishes we had. After having received the exceeded expectation kind of service at the bar, I was highly disappointed with our waiter and the service provided in the dining room. The incredible drink I had at the bar was not the incredible drink that I expected to get when ordered a second. I politely sent it back and told the waiter to ask Pat to make me a new one and it still wasn't the same. Even with that disappointment, I do plan on going back and have dinner at the bar.

Delicious Food -Exceptional Service

By Ed S |

We've been coming here for several years and have always enjoyed the food and service. Tonight however, was made exta special as our server Alea provided exceptional recommendations and thoughtful service. We hope to see Alea again soon!

Adventurous place to eat in Chicago

By Kelsey J |

Nick was an amazing server (thank you Nick!!) Our food was phenomenal. Everything is served family style so it’s all meant to be shared. It was a great way to experience different dishes. The waygu filet with the marrow was phenomenal. If you want to walk away full make sure you bring extra money ;) Additionally, don’t skip the dessert. The cheesecake was amazing. The chocolate cake is really good too! If you like adventure and new things, you need to try this place while you’re in Chicago

Fun date place but food was not impressive

By horsecourse |

Great festive ambiance with kitchen in center. Food was prepared well and looked good on plate but taste was mediocre and very expensive. Over seasoned dishes throughout meal. Sauces overwhelmed. Sushi rice was soggy. Interesting Asian fusion dishes that could have been amazing if they lightened sauces and used a little less and use less salt. Presentation was good and dessert was good even though some of fruit was not ripe. We ordered omakase signature so got a good variety of dishes to showcase restaurant. Unless someone else buying - this is Asian fusion- do not expect traditional Japanese cooking. Someone needs to tweak the dishes to make it better. Miso sauce on corn was too Much. Mushroom risotto was too salty but had interesting mix of mushrooms. Serrano chili sushi wasabi sauce over powered sushi when fish was fresh and good.

Very good

By Nancy B |

Miso white mushroom soup. Black cod. Prawn & chirashi. Chocolat cake. White wine $82 before tax & tips. Its worth it. It was very good. Service was great. Thanks to Joseph!

Print 2018 fair.

By Luis Miguel Arbelaez J. |

Nice restaurant with a very fresh fish on a delicious recipes. Great waitress and the deserts are really good. Good price for the quality of the food they offer.

Fantastic dining experience!

By Gene6591 |

Following recommendations from Trip Advisor we went to Roka Akor for sushi and we were not disappointed. The food, the service and the ambiance all combined to provide the best dining experience we have had in Chicago in a long time. Their signature rolls and dumplings were out of this world and our waitress and Matt, the manager, truly provided exceptional service. Highly recommend!

Delicious & interesting option in the Windy City!

By FrequentFlier777251 |

My friend and I were in town for a night and visited Roka Akor. Since there were only two of us, we only tried a handful of the dishes that appealed to us. Still, everything was quite good and a few things were exceptional! To start, the wagyu beef and kimchi dumplings were our favorite. They were incredibly flavorful and the dipping sauce was perfect! We also enjoyed the diver sea scallops and the American wagyu sirloin with bone marrow and truffle aioli. The beef dish had the perfect combination of flavors! Although the grilled octopus itself was tasty, the lemon in the dish was overpowering. We probably wouldn't order that again. If I went back, I would make sure I was famished and order one of the 5-course tasting menus. The couple next to us chose that option and everything looked amazing and plentiful! I would be remiss if I didn't mention how wonderful the service was. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, and our server was quite attentive. The food came out in a timely fashion despite the restaurant being full on Saturday night. I would not hesitate to eat here again!

So this is what really good sushi tastes like!

By Wind4surf |

Three business friends went here for dinner. We went early to beat the crowd that later filled the place with bustle and noise. We had the recommended sake and since we prefer the warm kind, they chose one that was excellent warm. Not microwaved, but warmed some other way and they let us taste it to check the flavor and the temperature! We wanted it warmer and they accommodated us gracefully. “That’s why we have you taste it,” they said. Really great professional service from at least 4 servers. We had the tasting menu (standard, not deluxe) and it was incredibly good. Sashimi of 5 types of flavor and firmness, some chewy and some melt-in-your-mouth. Oysters were divine, and I am not a usual fan. Brussels sprouts, steak, fish, potstickers, Japanese risotto, and more were expertly prepared and served and we enjoyed the heck out of all of it. Then desserts! Ice creams, sorbets, fruit, chocolate cake, some kind of vanilla foam thing, and a tarot pudding, I think. All were delicious, but I cannot stop thinking about the sweet potato ice cream. Even the espresso was top notch. This is the longest review I have ever written! You will not be disappointed.

GOOD MODERN JAPANESE

By Rodrigo Coyado |

GREAT JAPANESE, IT'S NOT LIKE THE THOSE FROM BRAZIL (TRADITIONAL), IT'S MORE MODERN, AND A LITTLE EXPENSIVE, BUT VERY GOOD

Incredible flavors, textures, and overall culinary experience

By Nimai Hari |

We came here for a Christmas dinner before catching a show in the loop. After walking by this restaurant for over ten years, we decided it was time to give this place a chance and we were not disappointed. We tried a variety of dishes including, their lamb, beef, and variety of fishes and they were all amazing. The waiter did a great job in spacing out the timing of the food as well as recommendation on dishes. We came right when the restaurant opened so had no issues with getting a table, food, or services. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a high end Asian culinary experience.

Not cheap, but yummy!

By seashorekoa |

We enjoyed a wonderful degustation menu (the "decadent" option) and were completelly yummed from the amuse bouche to desserts. Good service (possibly a bit over the top). Not cheap, but worth the occasion (birthday celebration). The only irk was the high noise level which was not particularly conducive to conversation.

Dinner

By 12mindy34 |

Loved the restaurant a little expensive Our waitress was Very well versed on the menu The lamb was the best thjng on the menu we also hAd the wagu sirloin 6 oz excellent but only needed 4 oz very rich Would defiantly go back

Ending our trip to Chicago...

By Anabela A |

Our meal was absolutely excellent, we opted for the decadent degustation menu and included one of the japanese wagyu options available The sake list is neverending, so one has plenty of choice The wine list is also very good, including two brands of portuguese red wine, one of which was immediately chosen to pair with our meal Staff is efficient and willing, we enjoyed their explanations about the menu Superb It´s a place for fine dining, albeit the extreme noise the clients produce, which is incomprehensible and out of context, but probably induced by the sound level of ambient music that is being aired

Exquisite Japanese restaurant

By James H |

My wife and I had an amazing meal tonight at one of the top Japanese restaurants in Chicago. This is much more than a sushi place (although the sushi is amazing) the food is a wonderful delight for your tongue. While not cheap it is well worth it. The service is professional, crisp and utterly enjoyable. This is place is right up there with Nobu and Morimoto.

Great experience and food done right

By Fred M |

We were looking forward to dining at Roka having read some of the reviews. Happily, it actually exceeded our expectations. Our group was large enough that we were able to order a good sampling of what was offered. No dish fell short. Service was spot on - not over done nor neglectful. Highly recommend the Toro tartar and the Pork Ribs - both delicious. Looking forward to coming back.

Fantastic Food and Service!

By SalDrew |

This was my second time here, and it did not disappoint. The restaurant offers great food and excellent service. The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable, I would say suitable for both families with kids and couples. The food starting with appetizers to dessert was uniquely prepared and nicely presented. We had both Steaks and Sushi, and who would've thought they would succeed at both?! We were indeed pleasantly surprised! The skirt steak was tender and perfectly prepared with delicate flavors, not overwhelming, nor does it require added sauces or flavors. The sashimi was fresh and artistically presented. They accommodated our dietary restriction of gluten free, and our waiter was attentive and careful to check every dish to ensure no mixups. Final words: I recommend making a reservation and mention any dietary restrictions beforehand.

More than sushi

By gondekp |

Went for a work lunch while in town for a conference. Only order one sushi role which was great but there is a lot more that they offer. Favorites were the hamachi crudo and the wagyu dumplings. The roll was the yellow tail with avocado and Serrano pepper. The calamari was good not great. The wood fired scallops were good but probably one dish too many for 2 people. Went during the week for lunch and the place was wide open. Service was polite and on top of things the whole meal. Great attention to detail.

Pleasant

By BigFootMidlands |

We had a lovely evening. You must try the Brussel sprouts! Started with calamari which was NOT stodgy and was hot...yummy. Had the giant crab as entree. Very good. Hubby had the lamb chops which were tasty and tender. Good portion sizes.

High-$ and still hungry!

By Mike47424 |

Let me start by stating that the food was tasty and the service, efficient. The servings, however, were TINY even though our waiter said they were meant to be shared! The Jumbo Prawn entree was just that...one large prawn cut into 8 small bites. The skirt steak was, at most, 3 ounces. We also ordered 2 kinds of sushi, tempura vegetables, miso soup and pork belly as appetizers. All of this, and we left hungry. Did I mention our bill was $144?! As a midwestern farm boy, I can feed a family of 4 for a week on $144! Sorry, Roka...you are, errr...full of yourself!

Amazing

By MFChilders |

We just enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Roos Akor. Run, don’t walk- everything was delicious - we tried two different lunch Bento Box options - both were superb. But I can’t stop thinking about the dumplings - they were extraordinary. For the quality, ambiance, and service this is an absolute must!

a good Japanese restaurant

By Antonio P |

The food is really good. However, it is not worth the price. We didn't try their steaks though (their special). Staff was really great.

Excellent Experience

By Wanderlust |

Excellent food and service. We were greeted by the friendly Hospitality Manager, Elizabeth, who went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable. The food was excellent. In fact, we ordered Black Cod which took longer than expected and the General Manager, Billy Pyroulis, took it upon himself to deliver it and explain the delay. The attention to detail and excellent service is greatly appreciate. We will certainly dine at Roka Akor during our next visit to Chicago.

Amazing place

By Dunia P |

Absolutely amazing ! The experience, the place ! And all the stuff make my dinner incredible ! My server was Julian . Such a great treatment for us! I highly recommend this restaurant! Exc quality and experience

Fancy Japanese restaurant

By Budi Soetjipto |

I had lunch at this fancy Japanese restaurant and ordered a sushi set that consisted of flame grilled salmon, hamachi sashimi and tuna with green chili aioli, plus mizuna salad, crispy butterfish maki and wagyu dumplings. Lots of items, but each item is in small portion (see pictures). Nice ambiance (see picture) and good service, but rather pricey. I let you decide on this.

Contemporary & buzzy / best Wagyu steak

By Billie2013 |

One of the best steak dinners ever - Wagyu filet, perfectly grilled on their signature robota grill. We ate it with chopsticks and it melted in our mouths. Sushi, black truffle rice, charred Brussel sprouts were all delicious too. Top notch service.

As good as it gets.

By OrlanDave |

We booked a reservation here Friday evening based upon the TripAdvisor reviews. We were looking for sushi. What we got so greatly exceeded our expectations that we are still a little stunned. We saw they had an Omakase menu and decided to give it a try, requesting an additional fish course instead of the beef. It was, quite simply, one of the best meals we have had. It is not cheap, but it is worth every penny. If you are in the mood to splurge a little, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Trendy worth it and delicious

By Elbamaritza V |

I really enjoyed the meal Fresh flavors with personality The combination of texture and colors exalted the senses I will go again

Do Not Miss - Roka Akor!

By slittenca |

The most amazing food and experience in Chicago. From a native to River North, William Flores, Alea, chefs and servers are truly the best! Get a seat at the counter!! Simply Devine!

Great lunch!

By TravelGodsworld |

The Korean lamb chops were delicious! And that sauce I could put it on everything! Atmosphere was great too, overall great meal.

Loved the Omakase Decadent - amazing experience with customers

By ALinCA5512 |

The 5 course Omakase Decadent was 3 or more foods for each course. It was so much food and great flavor each meal. If you like TRUFFLE the decadent has several truffle options. The brussel sprouts were amazing and I hate brussel sprouts. Food came fast and the table speed fit our speed. I would bring friends, family, and business associates back in a heartbeat

Sit at the Sushi Counter!

By Tankat |

I had a wonderful 5 course tasting menu at Roka Ankur last week. The staff was so friendly and extremely helpful. As soon as I finished one dish, the plate was whisked away and the next one brought out. Aside from the food and the service, it was an incredible experience to sit at the sushi counter and watch the chefs prepare the food. While the entire meal was memorable, the roasted Brussels Sprouts took the prize...I could have ate those on their own as a meal.

Good food in a very noisy and loud setting

By OnAir537648 |

We were expecting an upscale experience at this highly quoted venue, but unfortunately we found ourselves in a very noisy room full of loud people and background music. It was barely possible to talk to each other. After we complained, we were offered an outdoor table where we could enjoy the good food, in line with our expectations. Too bad for the indoor ambience. Clearly the main room is not capable of absorbing the noise coming from the number of people it can accommodate. It would be a great experience to have the opportunity of eating that food in a more pleasant atmosphere.

Great experience, great food, weak winelist

By Sailingbill63 |

For Father's Day I took my family to Roka Akor for dinner. We are experienced travelers and have been in Japan several times. The interior is tastefully done. The open room plan allows plenty of light but it can get loud when the restaurant is full. There is an open kitchen as well. The food was really good, steak my son ordered was very good and perfectly cooked. The Octopus was ok as it was a bit overcooked and it could have been more flavorful. value for money I felt was good. However, I was surprised how weak the wine list was. I am a lover of St. Émilion and Bordeaux wine but there was a very limited selection with one newer moderately priced and very high end expensively priced wine. I am a regular at RPM Italian and RPM Steak where they really know their wine. Roka can really improve here. I would recommend this for a business dinner and special night out.

Fun atmosphere and great food!

By Shayla N |

Lovely restaurant with great food and excellent service. I had the Waygu beef dumplings and the spicy hamachi roll, both were amazing. My server (Eric) was very attentive and was able to offer great recommendations.

Amazing food!!!!!!

By Sylvia J |

I would like to give 10 star if possible. The food is sooooooo amazing!!! Fresh, delicious, and tasty! I went there 3 times during my 10 day travel to Chicago last Christmas holiday. The first time, we tried the omakase which is 14 courses of chef's choice including appetizer and desert. Please kindly checked the picture cause no word could describe that perfect fatty tuna sashimi. That Japanese chef is very professional. Will definitely come back in the future.

Do yourself a favor and get the tasting menu.

By squarebottoms |

We went with a large group and about half of us ordered the tasting menu while to rest ordered other main dishes. All of it was very good, but the tasting menu was all so delightfully delicious.

Wow

By John S |

Visited during our 25th wedding anniversary stay and we were treated very well. Booked in advance and was greeted with champagne and a booth table at the top of the restaurant. Food was amazing and the service was attentive, making it a fantastic occasion for use.