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Vajra, Chicago, IL

Vajra

4.6
4.6
22 Reviews
$30 and under
Indian
Top Tags:
The tastefully adapted Nepalese and Indian cuisine in a contemporary rustic setting:
Vajra is a modern yet simple rendering of age old classic cuisine from the sub-continent; heralded for their rich cultural heritage and penultimate piquancy. First concept by Rice Paper & Company ( RPAC), Vajra aims to stay true to the roots; at the same time, introducing modern iterations of fabled dishes and simplicity of spices masterfully created by Chef Min Thapa combined with expertly crafted cocktails by Jean Banchet nominated head bartender Juanjo Pulgarin.
While understanding that the concept of the perfect marriage of the flavors and aromas can only be afforded by the usage of fresh and local produce, Vajra encourages and effectuates the purveyors that are reputable and honest to their respective trades.
Moreover, Vajra celebrates life with good food and the best people.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Indian, Nepalese, Contemporary Indian

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–7:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (312) 929-4990

  • Website

    http://www.vajrachicago.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Min Thapa

  • Catering

    Introducing VAJRA CATERING, providing scrumptious dishes for any private occasion; be it your office meeting, an evening soiree at home or any party at any venue. While tailored and product-driven menu is an emphasis, catering to every host’s individual taste and need to create a perfect occasion is what we are here to help you with. We are available seven days a week for any catering, be it lunch or dinner at any venue.

  • Private party facilities

    The classic and traditionally authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine is presented in a tasteful way, harboring the essences of freshest and choicest ingredients and best spices available. Please contact us if you need more information about our private events catering. Email us at info@vajrachicago.com

  • Location

    1329 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

  • Neighborhood

    West Town

  • Cross street

    Chicago and Throop

  • Parking details

    Street Parking Along Chicago Avenue

  • Public transit

    CTA Blue Line Chicago StopCTA Bus Ada or Elizabeth Stops

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 22 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6
4.6 based on all time ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

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  1. LisaMaria

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2020

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Cool ambiance, good food and accommodating for larger groups; I gave a 4 based on pricing.

  2. ChicagoAvenueDiner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Vajra is an excellent restaurant. Amid COVID-19 concerns, each party was seated far from anyone else. Everything was handled professionally and hygienically. Servings are large and we took enough to have another meal. I highly recommend!

  3. JaniceH

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding new Indian restaurant. Reminded of the great places in London. Service is top notch and Bupil is truly interested in how customers feel about the quality. Can hardly wait to go back. Must trys are Salmon, Goat Steak, and Saag Pander. We took home an order of Saag. Have fun!!!

  4. Badtaste

    New York Area

    62 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2020

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Have been hearing about this place for a while and was curious to try, but was disappointed to discover that many of the well-reviewed dishes, like the tandoori duck and the goat momo, are no longer on the menu. What remains is adequate but hardly special. Goat stew and okra side were decent, but Goan seafood curry offered dry, overcooked fish and the opening somosa chaat was bland. Indeed, nothing was especially spicy, including the dishes we’d requested as spicy. Points deducted for the piece of ceramic found in the chaat, the long wait to order, and the nearly unintelligible server. This place may have been special upon opening, but it seems to have dumbed down its offerings to broaden its appeal, which means it’s just another neighborhood Indian place now, but with higher prices and less adequate execution. Skip.

  5. ajax

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2020

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. I found a hair in my chick pea curry, and pointed it out. The server took it away and they said they would take it off the bill. It seems that this is a bit more serious than just taking off an unliked dish off the bill. Typically there is an apology and offer of something to make up for the issue. There was none. For this reason, I will not recommend this restaurant to others.

  6. JCool

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    My friends and I went here for brunch this past Sunday. One of my friends is Nepali so we wanted to see if we were getting an authentic experience. While not on the menu, we special requested MoMo since I had never tried them. The kitchen put them in for us and in about 15 they were out. So delicious and my Nepali friend said the sauce was spot on. We also shared the goat skewers, chicken dum biryani, and some garlic naan with tea. While the bulk of the menu focused moreso on Indian cuisine at least for brunch, the service and ambiance was great 👍🏼

  7. OPfoodie

    Chicago

    46 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on February 29, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We cannot write enough positive remarks about the wonderful dining experience we had recently at Vajra...from the warm welcome at arrival to the innovative mixology, the considerate service and excellent dish preparation, we were hooked...cannot wait to return for more super delicious Nepalese/Indian fare!

  8. GabrielC

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Tender lamb dishes.

  9. AnnM

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    overall3food2service2ambience3
    I went to Vajra shortly after it opened in April 2019 and thought the food was fantastic. It was so fresh, and I reveled in the taste. This trip ten months later did not yield the same results. The food was meh and not as tasty. I asked that tikka masala be made with tofu as I had the last time I was there. The server snipped we don't cook with tofu. The sag paneer wasn't spicy enough and neither was the dahl makhani. The tandoori chicken was dry. Overall, all three of us were unhappy. We wanted that freshness you often don't find in Indian cooking in Chicago. Vajra is off my list.

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2020

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    Really great food and drinks.... seemed as though they were short staffed that night.. but the food made up for it...

  11. AllieN

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was delicious and the service was outstanding!

  12. Dominic

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2020

    overall3food4service1ambience3
    The food is excellent even though the portions are very small for what you pay. The service I received was completely awful and it ruined my experience at Vajra. I sat without a food menu for 10 minutes after having to request one twice. No refills on water. The waiter brought us the check when done and no dessert was offered even though I was billed for a dessert.

  13. LeeA

    London

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    The food on the whole was very good and well presented. The only disappointing aspect of the meal was that my starter turned up with my main meal. My guest was reluctant to start eating and waited as long as possible, which would have resulted in a stone cold starter. I would go back to Vajra, but as I was visiting from the UK it will not be anytime soon.

  14. MonikaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 9, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the restaurant, definitely want to come back and bring friends and family too

  15. NancyV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 8, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    If you are looking for authentic India flavors, this restaurant really does it well. Its better than most Indian restaurants in the downtown area. But don't expect healthy or any fusionish items, like I said authentic Indian cuisine.

  16. EmmaC

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious!

  17. FatenD

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing and had some unique twists. I would recommend the Lobster Curry and the Goat! And the mixologist was accommodating and did a wonderful job!

  18. NancyF

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 2, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food service and drinks were all fabulous! Would absolutely recommend.

  19. TamaraF

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Cocktails and food were amazing!

  20. DeepakK

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Amazing menu Very talented chef, nice mix of Indian and unusual Nepalese dishes High quality meats outsourced from local farms Would go back for tasting rest of the dishes

  21. FabricioK

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 26, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    One of the best cocktails in the city! We came back because of it and it was amazing again. The servers were phenomenal and the food is spectacular! Try the cheese naan, it’s awesome!

  22. RuthM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 26, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went to Vajra to celebrate my daughter's 21st birthday. The food was excellent, as was the service. Taylor was knowledgable and attentive, and helped make my daughter's evening extra special

FAQs

Vajra offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 929-4990.

Vajra is rated 4.6 stars by 22 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Chicago and Throop

  • Neighborhood

    West Town

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–7:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Indian, Nepalese, Contemporary Indian

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Street Parking Along Chicago Avenue

  • Public transit

    CTA Blue Line Chicago StopCTA Bus Ada or Elizabeth Stops

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Min Thapa

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.vajrachicago.com/

  • Phone number

    (312) 929-4990

  • Catering

    Introducing VAJRA CATERING, providing scrumptious dishes for any private occasion; be it your office meeting, an evening soiree at home or any party at any venue. While tailored and product-driven menu is an emphasis, catering to every host’s individual taste and need to create a perfect occasion is what we are here to help you with. We are available seven days a week for any catering, be it lunch or dinner at any venue.

  • Private party facilities

    The classic and traditionally authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine is presented in a tasteful way, harboring the essences of freshest and choicest ingredients and best spices available. Please contact us if you need more information about our private events catering. Email us at info@vajrachicago.com

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