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  • Sai Cafe

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Sai Cafe
Sai Cafe

Sai Cafe Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.saicafe.com
  • Email: saicafe.chicago@gmail.com
  • Phone: (773) 472-8080
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 4:30 PM - 11:00 PM, Friday - Saturday: 4:30 PM - 12:00 PM, Sunday: 3:30 PM - 10:00 PM.
  • Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Executive Chef: James Bee
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout
  • Catering: Our full menu is available for carry-out, delivery and private catering events. To place an order for a special occasion, please call the restaurant for further details.
  • Private Party Facilities: Private dining is offered for parties up to 30 people. Our knowledgeable staff will gladly assist you in planning your special occasion or business dinner.
  • Private Party Contact: James Bee (773) 472-8080

Getting there

  • Cross Street: W Armitage Ave.
  • Public Transit: Brown line Armitage station.
  • Parking: Valet
A word from Sai Cafe
Sai Cafe is a hidden gem located in the heart of Lincoln Park, Chicago. We specialize in Japanese Seafood and Sushi prepared to your specifications. For twenty-four years, Chef and Owner James Bee has been serving the freshest and highest quality seafood to our patrons. Additionally, our friendly… staff has been expertly trained to provide exceptional service and answer any questions that might arise. We welcome all walk-in, take-out and delivery orders and recommend reservations for weekend evenings. Our menu is critically acclaimed by numerous media organizations and has acquired several awards. Thank you for your interest in Sai Cafe and we look forward to serving you soon!Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerJapanese
Diner Reviews
  • "Have been to Sai Cafe a number of times and it has some of the best sushi in the country. Always excellent."
    Dined on 4/12/2014
  • "Sai cafe may not have the most creative sushi menu, but the quality of the fish, and the generosity of the cut, are the best in Chicago. Service is always very good to excellent."
    Dined on 3/13/2014
  • "This little neighborhood gem is worth seeking out for some of the freshest sushi this side of Tokyo. Beautiful presentation."
    Dined on 2/10/2014
  • "Great food and service. Had not been there in 15years and truly enjoyed the Sushi!"
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "We tried Sai Cafe because we were hungry for sushi and this looked like a great possibility. We were sorely mistaken. The sushi was simply average. My chicken teriyaki was served tome stone cold and the chicken was simply thin slices and not flavorful. But the service was horrendous - the servers didn't appear to have any table assigned to them so 5 - 6 flitted around the table constantly. They kept asking if we were done with our food - which we were not - and moved the food around as though it were on a game board. We will NOT be back."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "I was a bit disappointed to be sat near the sushi bar. It was fine but I was looking for a more cozy feel that the larger room provides. The sushi was super fresh, as usual and the service was very attentive."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "We had a reservation at 7:30pm although we still had to wait 10 min it was fine. It was on a Saturday night and they were super busy. The food was EXCELLENT the toro tartar was amazing and if you like they mix it together for you. The halloween maki and volcani maki were amazing as always. My husband hates fish but loved the volcano maki which was amazing,"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "White tuna crunch roll was awesome!! Also the volcano roll! Best miso soup I've tasted. Service is great"
    Dined on 1/20/2014
  • "After reading so many glowing reviews my wife and I decided to try this place out for her birthday. The fish was decent and generous portions but in every maki it is ground up, something the wife and I don't care for.. Nigiri was good but four out of the nine selections I made they were out of on a Saturday night. We did enjoy the dynamite and toro tartare appetizers they were delicious! Ended our meal with the green tea creme brulee (sp?) Which was very tasty. All in all, the prices are a bit steep for the average experience you receive here."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "First time we sat at a table, but the sushi bar looked like fun, so we tried it the second time. Completely different dining experiences, but both great. The server recommended the scallops appetizer- they were fantastic. Their sushi is very fresh and the chef made several recommendations to those at the bar. It was nice to be able to ask the chefs what they were making. If we lived downtown, I'd be here every couple of weeks."
    Dined on 12/28/2013
  • "Been eating here my entire life. A classic neighborhood gem and honestly one of the better sushi spots in town. Extremely fresh fish. Highlights include their ahi poke, black cod, rolls, and nigiri (special shot out to the eel)."
    Dined on 12/24/2013
  • "It's no wonder the Sai Cafe has been around for 28 years this place is truly something special. I travel for work and spend about half of my time away from my home in Minneapolis. I have eaten sushi in most of the states and many other countries, including Japan. In my opinion Sai Cafe is easily one of the best sushi restaurants period. Itis definitely a landmark in Chicago, and an easy decision when I am in the mood for sushi. For those who love real sushi this is the place to be. The unagi is truly fantastic, I don't know what they do different but it really shows. Also the pan fried scallops are amazing. The sushi, well, you just have to stop in and see it for yourself. Their formula for success still works, a must try for any occasion!"
    Dined on 11/29/2013
  • "Consistently great sushi. Have been there a number of times and have always found it great."
    Dined on 11/10/2013
  • "I am fine with kids in restaurants but this night was particularly over run with small children. They were not sitting at their tables and one family even had a scooter for their kid in the dining area. I know it is not the restaurant's fault but it definitely took away from the dining experience with friends. It was actually kind of annoying. Other than that the food was good and fairly priced."
    Dined on 11/9/2013
  • "Before sushi became the sensational trend that it is today, there was Sai Cafe. Althought I have yet to try Katsu in West Rogers Park, Sai Cafe to me, is the best overall sushi/Japenese dining experience in the city."
    Dined on 9/11/2013
  • "Sai Cafe has fresh, delicious sushi every time we visit! It's always a pleasure to have dinner at Sai."
    Dined on 10/15/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Chicago / Illinois Winners
  • Japanese
  • Chicago Winners
  • Japanese
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