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Address and Contact Information
Address: 4662 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (312) 722-6838
Website: http://carinochicago.com/
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Reservations: exploretock.com
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CARINO CHICAGO
“Indulge in exquisite Latin-inspired flavors at Carino Chicago. Experience a tantalizing tasting menu crafted with passion and precision.”
Menu — CARINO CHICAGO
4662 N. Broadway. Chicago, IL 60640. United States. Subscribe. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email Address. Sign Up. Thank you!
Cariño – Chicago – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
In a cozy corner of Uptown where the train rumbles overhead, Chef Norman Fenton mines his history and his travels to celebrate Mexican cuisine.
Reviews
Marcos Pimentel
Interesting proposition, with refined techniques using mostly Mexican ingredients. In the set menu you will go through an array of different flavours, finding different textures and stunning beautiful presentation. The wine list is based on Latin American wines, and they have a Argentinian jewel called Chacras 55, which is for me one of the best pinots I ever tasted, the family favourite. Also they have a late night Taco Omakase at the counter that looks great.
On the negative side, again, for me the music was a bit loud. Only Mexican music
… moreOn the negative side, again, for me the music was a bit loud. Only Mexican music
Christina
What an excellent tasting menu! I honestly still need time to process how good some of the bites were. The menu is elevated Mexican food that never loses sight of its roots. Even with theatrical touches, the bold flavors were still loud and clear. Sitting at the chef’s counter gave us front-row seats to the magic in action, which it made the experience so much more special.
Service was well-balanced: warm, knowledgeable, and attentive without being overbearing. Restaurants at this caliber can often feel stuffy but the vibes here were refreshingly laid back and playful. Just from brief interactions and the way he moved in the kitchen, I could tell chef Norman is passionate about what he does. I left full, happy, and reminded of how powerful food can be when it’s made with heart.
… moreService was well-balanced: warm, knowledgeable, and attentive without being overbearing. Restaurants at this caliber can often feel stuffy but the vibes here were refreshingly laid back and playful. Just from brief interactions and the way he moved in the kitchen, I could tell chef Norman is passionate about what he does. I left full, happy, and reminded of how powerful food can be when it’s made with heart.
Daniel
While the area didn’t seem that safe, this is a hidden gem. I loved the way different dishes were presented, and even though some dishes weren’t to my liking, the atmosphere and service was top notch.
I’d definitely be open to trying other restaurants owned by this chef as well.
… moreI’d definitely be open to trying other restaurants owned by this chef as well.
Brian
Can’t recommend Cariño enough! Michelin quality Mexican-inspired fine dining in an intimate setting. Perfect balance of fresh, herbal, spicy, savory, umami, sweet, and salty. It was complex, with an indescribable amount of detail going into each little component in all of the 14 courses. (Also got to try Huitlacoche for the first time, a mushroom-like corn fungus prized in Mexican cooking for its earthy, truffle-like flavor. An absolute delight!!) The cocktails and mocktails were mind-knowingly good.
Absolutely excellent service. I recommend the chefs table. The chef is very friendly, and the staff is impressive to watch.
They did a great job at accommodating dietary restrictions: no alcohol, no gluten, no dairy.
If you’re into a stuffy atmosphere, this isn’t the place. This place is laid back. No stringent dress code, which is awesome.
Simply indescribable food! Some of the best I’ve ever had in years of trying various fine dining establishments. Still thinking about how amazing it was even days later. Definitely worth the price.
… moreAbsolutely excellent service. I recommend the chefs table. The chef is very friendly, and the staff is impressive to watch.
They did a great job at accommodating dietary restrictions: no alcohol, no gluten, no dairy.
If you’re into a stuffy atmosphere, this isn’t the place. This place is laid back. No stringent dress code, which is awesome.
Simply indescribable food! Some of the best I’ve ever had in years of trying various fine dining establishments. Still thinking about how amazing it was even days later. Definitely worth the price.
Tony Tognocchi
Carino in Chicago is a truly exceptional dining destination that sets a new standard for inventive and elevated cuisine. I can confidently say that the tasting menu was one of the best I’ve experienced in years. The restaurant successfully showcases the refined and complex flavors of Mexican and Latin cuisine, elevating it to its rightful place among the world’s finest.
Every course of the tasting menu was a testament to the kitchen’s creativity and skill. The dishes were not only delicious but also wonderfully inventive. While every plate was a highlight, the Salmon Aguachile and the Huitlacoche Ravioli were particularly memorable, each bursting with flavor and showcasing a masterful use of ingredients.
The service was an absolute dream—perfectly attentive without ever feeling overbearing, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the experience. I had the pleasure of sitting at the kitchen counter, which offered a front-row seat to the culinary theater. Watching the precision and care that went into each dish was a spectacle in itself.
A significant part of what makes Carino so special is the personal touch from Chef Fenton. He was genuinely engaging with everyone at the counter, asking about their lives and backgrounds with a sincerity that spoke to his Midwestern roots. This warm, personal connection made the entire evening feel less like a formal meal and more like a shared passion for food.
In a culinary landscape where Mexican and Latin flavors are often underappreciated, Carino stands out as a beacon of innovation and quality. For anyone seeking a truly memorable and delicious dining experience, I cannot recommend Carino highly enough.
… moreEvery course of the tasting menu was a testament to the kitchen’s creativity and skill. The dishes were not only delicious but also wonderfully inventive. While every plate was a highlight, the Salmon Aguachile and the Huitlacoche Ravioli were particularly memorable, each bursting with flavor and showcasing a masterful use of ingredients.
The service was an absolute dream—perfectly attentive without ever feeling overbearing, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the experience. I had the pleasure of sitting at the kitchen counter, which offered a front-row seat to the culinary theater. Watching the precision and care that went into each dish was a spectacle in itself.
A significant part of what makes Carino so special is the personal touch from Chef Fenton. He was genuinely engaging with everyone at the counter, asking about their lives and backgrounds with a sincerity that spoke to his Midwestern roots. This warm, personal connection made the entire evening feel less like a formal meal and more like a shared passion for food.
In a culinary landscape where Mexican and Latin flavors are often underappreciated, Carino stands out as a beacon of innovation and quality. For anyone seeking a truly memorable and delicious dining experience, I cannot recommend Carino highly enough.
Grace Park
My partner and I came for the taco omakase and had a lovely time! The service was impeccable and they were able to accommodate my partner’s no cilantro request (I know I know – he unfortunately has the cilantro soap gene). Needless to say, the food was also incredible! I was very impressed by how well the citrus flavors complemented and highlighted the seafood, and the tacos themselves were perfectly hearty. I was very full by the end (couldn’t finish the last couple of bites on my own) and my partner was pretty satisfied as well. Overall highly recommend!
… moreNitin Malla
When I first parked near Carino, my immediate thought was: “Great, my car’s gonna get stolen tonight.” It’s definitely not the kind of neighborhood where you expect to find a Michelin-starred restaurant. But then Carino appears—elegant, glowing, and completely out of place in the best way possible.
Inside, the space is intimate—just three tables and a chef’s counter with seven seats. I was fortunate to sit at the counter, and from the very first course, it was clear that this would be a memorable experience. One of the highlights was being able to watch the team assemble each dish right in front of us. It’s one thing to know, abstractly, that a Michelin-level kitchen puts incredible time and care into each plate—but seeing it up close, watching them work their magic with tweezers and laser focus, added a whole new level of appreciation. It’s an experience I’ve rarely seen outside of high-end Asian cuisine.
The level of focus and refinement that Chef Norman Fenton and his team bring to each dish is remarkable. The plating, the balance, the pacing—everything reflects a deep command of technique. It’s rare to find that level of precision delivered in such an unpretentious, almost understated way.
The flavors are unapologetically bold. This is not a menu designed to play it safe or cater to a bland Midwest palate. Chef Fenton embraces contrast and intensity, crafting a tasting menu that is confident, original, and deeply personal—an expression of a chef who knows exactly what he wants to say and has the skill to say it without compromise.
Equally refreshing is the tone of the experience. Despite the technical finesse of the food, the atmosphere remains light and conversational. Chef Fenton is approachable, quick-witted, and refreshingly down-to-earth. He brings a warmth to the experience that makes the evening feel less like a performance and more like an invitation into something personal. It’s a rare balance: world-class execution with zero pretense.
This is the kind of place you book two months in advance, and then spend the next two months looking forward to it. Carino isn’t just special for Chicago—it’s special, period. Chef Fenton is doing something here that feels rare: serious food that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
… moreInside, the space is intimate—just three tables and a chef’s counter with seven seats. I was fortunate to sit at the counter, and from the very first course, it was clear that this would be a memorable experience. One of the highlights was being able to watch the team assemble each dish right in front of us. It’s one thing to know, abstractly, that a Michelin-level kitchen puts incredible time and care into each plate—but seeing it up close, watching them work their magic with tweezers and laser focus, added a whole new level of appreciation. It’s an experience I’ve rarely seen outside of high-end Asian cuisine.
The level of focus and refinement that Chef Norman Fenton and his team bring to each dish is remarkable. The plating, the balance, the pacing—everything reflects a deep command of technique. It’s rare to find that level of precision delivered in such an unpretentious, almost understated way.
The flavors are unapologetically bold. This is not a menu designed to play it safe or cater to a bland Midwest palate. Chef Fenton embraces contrast and intensity, crafting a tasting menu that is confident, original, and deeply personal—an expression of a chef who knows exactly what he wants to say and has the skill to say it without compromise.
Equally refreshing is the tone of the experience. Despite the technical finesse of the food, the atmosphere remains light and conversational. Chef Fenton is approachable, quick-witted, and refreshingly down-to-earth. He brings a warmth to the experience that makes the evening feel less like a performance and more like an invitation into something personal. It’s a rare balance: world-class execution with zero pretense.
This is the kind of place you book two months in advance, and then spend the next two months looking forward to it. Carino isn’t just special for Chicago—it’s special, period. Chef Fenton is doing something here that feels rare: serious food that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Stew Ford
This restaurant is hands down one of the best that I have been to, not only in Chicago but just in general. We opted to go for the tasting menu after not being able to get a spot for the taco omakase, and let me tell you, couldn’t have been more worth it. It was absolutely spectacular.
The staff was amazing and attentive the whole night, when we had made our way through the cocktail menu we had asked if they had anything weird or interesting and they served us multiple beverages that they had that met those requirements.
The entire tasting menu was excellent, the huge stand out (which is hard to do since everything was so tasty) was the corn 7 ways. Plated well, and tasted even better.
There are not many restaurants that I come back to, but I will certainly be coming back to Carino. It was exceptional.
… moreThe staff was amazing and attentive the whole night, when we had made our way through the cocktail menu we had asked if they had anything weird or interesting and they served us multiple beverages that they had that met those requirements.
The entire tasting menu was excellent, the huge stand out (which is hard to do since everything was so tasty) was the corn 7 ways. Plated well, and tasted even better.
There are not many restaurants that I come back to, but I will certainly be coming back to Carino. It was exceptional.
Grace Tyson
Our group of 6 came in for the 10pm taco omakase, and it was AMAZING. Truly one of the best food experiences we’ve had. Sitting at the counter was a joy, because we got to chat with the chefs and watch them making every plate. Loved the combo of fantastic service but casual/fun energy. Every dish was excellent and truly innovative and exciting, plus beautifully presented. HIGHLY recommend, and we cannot wait to return! Thank you chef!
… moreConnor MacWilliams
I had my birthday here and I can’t tell you how good of a time we had. My group did the late night taco menu and it was one of my favorite dining experiences in Chicago.
The staff was personable and engaged with us while making stunning food. Not a stuffy vibe to be felt.
10/10 recommend
… moreThe staff was personable and engaged with us while making stunning food. Not a stuffy vibe to be felt.
10/10 recommend