Large sake selection with a helpful bartender to guide you through the options. The bartender’s recommendation was spot on for us.
The menu Japanese tapas with some larger plates. We started with yellowtail sushi (no rolls) that was very fresh and well prepared. That was followed by tempura shrimp and avocado, properly done and very tasty. We finished with the duck breast, two pieces of rare duck breast with a special sauce. The server was very helpful in explaining all of the dishes and understood that we were not in a rush. The service was very good. No room for dessert sorry to say. Thanks to everyone at the restaurant for a delightful time.

Most of the food was very, very good. Highlights were the Sake and Hamachi sashimi (very fresh, generous cuts) pork belly (cooked to perfection), tenderloin (portions were a little small but meat was very tender and sweet/savory taste was good). Tonkatsu, ramen, chicken, and Kara-Age were fine. Wasn't really a fan of the Okonomiyaki or the rice sliders as the consistency for both were a little too gooey for me.

Our server was very personable and dishes came out in a fairly timely manner. Drinks on the other hand, took way too long.

The space itself was clean, and cozy but at the same time seating was comfortable and there was ample space for each diner and the various dishes. Feels like a place one can have a long, comfortable meal with close friends, sampling a variety of foods and drinks. Can easily go back.

Underwhelming and over priced..

Service was pretty slow especially when the restaurant was still more than half empty. There was two occasions where the food was overly scorched. And the flavors are good but too heavy on the salt on half the dishes. Also, we were seated right outside the kitchen and the kitchen curtain hit my friend’s head every time someone came out of there.

I grew up in Tokyo and am kinda snooty about Japanese food. Within Chicago city limits, I don't know if it gets any better than Mita!

The food was exceptional! It was very busy due to the Check Please coverage, but our server was amazing (so sorry I forgot your name!!) Will definitely be back.

Small portions, high price.

Very poor service. We never got our ramen since it took almost two hours. Food was fine, but over priced. It took 15 minutes just for the hostess to acknowledge us and get seated.

Food is always great as we’ve been here a few times. We had the Tonkotsu Ramen, vegetable tempura, pork and beef skewers, beef and shrimp rice sliders, and pork gyoza. It was busy and unfortunately the service was slow and we had to flag our server down for additional food, beverages and our check as needed.

This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago, bar none. The food is unusual and divine - I've never had anything even average. The staff is extremely friendly, and the entire restaurant exudes a comfortable ambiance with quiet, hip music and atmosphere. It's hard to make the hour drive that I have to from where I live, but worth it every time.

This has become our New Years Eve tradition. Love the relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the food is delicious! Those mushrooms! Excellent way to end the year. ❤️

Great variety of food! Surprising but good flavors. Wait staff is very knowledgeable and accommodating of allergies and diets.

Ramen was room temp and $17. Waited 15 minutes for service.
Skewers were bland

I was in town from Vegas and had heard of Izakaya Mita for years. I was fortunate enough to make it in this time to Chicago.
It was well worth the wait and didn't disappoint.
In fact, from the moment I entered I knew my friend and I were in for a treat.
Service was friendly, knowledgeable and courteous. The cuisine was top-notch, fast and plentiful in portion.
The owner even came by to thank us and share his love for his establishment.
Guests are definitely made to feel at home.
Can't wait to visit again!

We went on a Friday evening which was like a ghost town in that restaurant. Our waiter was dissappointing as he was mumbling to us most of the time and we could hear him. Choices we selected was not available and he had to come by to tell us while he's not even sure. Food was below average especially the Ramen which we have better one ~11.00. Theirs is $17 per bowl. Hence overall it is not as what we expected from value, service and ambience.

Staff talked about their weekend adventures near the bar. Server was elementary at best and I’m incredibly easy to please. We didn’t get two items we ordered. Not sure why someone would chose to spend more money here than other places near that are cheaper and better.

This is one of our go-to date night places - we absolutely love it. Especially recommend the cocktails and vegan ramen!

We love this place. The food is amazing and we got a bottle of sake half price.. may be just a Monday deal. Lovely dining experience.

We fell in love with this restaurant! It’s officially on the permanent list for Chicago eats. Everything we had was delicious. The staff was knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Even able to go into detail on how certain sakes are made and which regions ingredients and dishes are from. Our favorite was the yellowtail tuna collar. Crispy skin and buttery flesh it was transcendent. The house made chicken meatballs and ramen were also delicious.

Food is very good and creative, but I just cannot justify the super small portions and super high prices. Really, it is absurd. $17.50 for a shot glass of sake? $8 for 4 shishito peppers? I would not go back for this reason.

The food was delicious. Everything about our first experience was perfect. Our server was great and knowledgeable about what she was serving. Will definitely come back again.

Terrific Japanese comfort food striking a good balance between tradition and innovation. Excellent selection of sake, spirits, cocktails, and Japanese beer, too. Not a sushi place! If that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere (though they do have some sashimi selections)

Overall great , would go back!!

We really reviewed our meal at Izakaya Mita this past weekend- the food was great but the service was a little lacking. We'd certainly return again but would get a different member of the serving staff ;).

Amazing food, amazing staff and a great atmosphere with a unique menu.

New favorite Japanese restaurant.


I've eaten Japanese food in NYC, LA, Hong Kong and Hawaii. This may be my favorite so far. The variety and quality of dishes is amazing and everything was executed perfectly. The chef himself did the serving and during the sake flights, he gave us an extensive presentation on the different types of sake and brewing history. Great experience all around.

Woof. Where to start? We ordered and received drinks, but then our waiter didn’t come back to our table for 40 minutes. We had to flag down the hostess to ask her to send our waiter back over. We finally placed our order, but then waited another hour for food to come out. The table next to us finished, another group was seated and then received their food all before we received anything. When our food started coming out, the entrees arrived before our appetizers. Then not all of our food came out, and we had to ask for those items (probably 2 and a half hours after sitting down now). We eventually asked for our check and the waiter forgot about us again, so we had to ask again. It was busy when we first sat down, but by the end we were one of probably 5 tables, and they still couldn’t get their act together. At no point did they apologize for the delay or explain anything to us about our food other than to say there was a “mix up” in the kitchen. Food was good though.

The service was terrible, only two of 5 dishes were deliver after 2 hours at the restaurant.

Food is delicious and offers a wide variety of pretty authentic Japanese options. I highly recommend this restaurant!

Great food, and atmosphere. There is no rush to eat and you really feel welcome inside by the wonderful staff.

Various small plates primarily. Waiter, Stephen, spoke knowlegeably & helped w/ choices.

The okonomiyaki and tacoyaki are authentic and excellent. This is my favorite Japanese restaurant.

Loved the food and the service.

Great as always. We seem to be some of the few customers who come for more for the food than the alcohol (though we do usually get a couple of flights of sake and this time wrote down all of the names so we can remember which ones we liked) and staff was happy to recommend some of the new things on the menu since the last time we visited (chicken meatball skewers, Tokyo abura ramen) and as well as getting some of our favorites (Kinoko Itame, Hamachi Kama) -- staff confirmed that we hit all of the highlights and seemed to enjoy how much we enjoyed the food.

Izakaya Mita reminds me of favorite places we've visited in Japan. The food is always fresh, delicious, and served by well-trained staff or one of the owners. An absolute favorite in Chicago, and a place we are always excited to share with friends! Order the kinoko itame!

What a great neighborhood spot! We were waited on by one of the owners, who in addition to having a great (very dry) sense of humor really knew his way around the menu—especially the sake selection. We plan on going back frequently.

Izakaya Mita, I love you, but I stayed away for 4 months after learning you'd chosen to open during the polar vortex. I want more responsible choices for your staff in the future. <3

Family-run restaurant where they come around every so often and talk about the inspiration behind their food with pride you usually only dream of seeing. The food is remarkable and diverse, the cocktails are perfectly balanced - the Tokyo Abura Ramen is one of my all-time favorite dishes. Potentially the best Japanese restaurant in Chicago.

This is a more traditional style Izakaya with small portions, like tapas. The food was outstanding, it wasn’t too loud or busy, and the service was great. It’s easy to rack up a large bill here.

Nothing more to say.