NADU, meaning ‘homeland’ is a modern Indian restaurant and craft cocktail bar opening in Chicago, offering a thoughtful glimpse into India’s diverse culinary traditions. Inspired by India’s regional homelands, NADU combines authentic ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and cultural flavors with contemporary innovation. Led by Michelin Star Chef Sujan Sarkar and Head Chef Sanchit Sahu, the menu highlights a vibrant range of unique dishes, from coastal boldness to nuanced northern spices, all elevated with local produce and sustainable practices. NADU redefines new Indian dining culture for both special occasions and everyday affairs.
Dari’s Passport & Plate
Nadu has a really nice ambiance with modern Indian decor. We ordered from the à la carte menu and overall the experience was decent. The food did take a while to come out, but the portions were good. The dal makhni wasn’t hot when it arrived, though the flavor itself was actually really good. The paneer was pretty bland and lacked flavor. On the other hand, the dahi bhalla was amazing, making it my favorite part of the meal. For drinks, the spice in the “til” and “aam” drinks overpowered the alcohol. Ending with the fennel was a nice touch. Service was ok, nothing special but fine. Overall, nice spot with some standout items, but a few misses on flavor and timing.
… moreMayur Dhaniwala
Nadu is a standout Indian restaurant in Lincoln Park, Chicago, especially if you enjoy regional Indian cuisine with bold flavors and plenty of vegetarian-friendly options.
We went as a group of four and ordered almost the entire vegetarian menu—twelve food items along with four mocktails—which made it easy to experience the range of what the kitchen offers. The menu draws inspiration from different Indian states, and the flavors are confident and unapologetic throughout.
Our favorite dishes were the Paneer Ghotala, Mushroom Galawat, and Benne Dosa, all of which really stood out for their balance, depth of flavor, and execution. While not every dish was equally memorable, the overall experience was strong and thoughtfully put together.
The decor is beautiful and Indian-inspired, giving the space a modern yet rooted feel, and the Lincoln Park location makes it a great option for a relaxed dinner out. Service was smooth, efficient, and well-paced.
Overall, Nadu is a solid 4.5-star experience and a great choice in Chicago if you’re looking to explore regional Indian food with excellent vegetarian options—especially when dining with a group and wanting to try a variety of dishes.
… moreKalpesh Patel
This was overall an amazing experience. Everything from atmosphere to quality of food to service. In terms of fine dining Indian food. I feel this restaurant competes with other highly rated restaurants. The dishes are very flavorful. The portion sizes are spot on and the cocktails are fantastic. I had the classic butter chicken dish and it was one of the best. The entire group decided to do the tasting menu, which overall is a good experience for the price point. There’s also an option to order à la cart.
… moreNando Zavala
Nadu is a must visit. Went for a birthday dinner and they did not disappoint. Sasha was an awesome server and was very attentive. The Mezcal and Gin/Marigold drinks were are faves. The Dosa and Paneer were standouts as was the Chicken Kebab and Pachakari Isthew as those were delicious too! The atmosphere was very nice and the chandeliers and artwork mixed in with the festive holiday decorations made it feel cozy and funky. Top notch!
… moreVarinder Singh
We loved Nadu. Delicious food. Cozy ambiance. Decent service. Food tasted legit and they offer an elevated experience. The mocktails were delicious and unique. The cocktails were just okay. Mostly things like old fashions and margaritas with new names. But it was so amazing to try Indian food from across the country all in one dinner.
… moreZhi Dou
We came here to try some less common Indian dishes, and this place delivered those with a variety of spices and tastes, including the desserts. The cocktail menu also seems to offer a unique Indian flavor, but the actual drinks lacked flavor and alcohol, tasting diluted. Also, despite the name ‘sharing plates,’ the portion sizes don’t reflect that. The regular ones are more like appetizers, and the larger ones are just normal entree sizes. It wouldn’t have been any different if the dishes had been called appetizers and entrees, and people would have ordered them to share. Other than that, the service was great, and the restaurant is nicely decorated.
… moreMaggie Delaney
Really enjoyed this lovely meal! We tried a couple of the delicious, well balanced cocktails (the mezcal and passion fruit ones) they also have a good non alcoholic selection. We opted for the tasting menu to be able to share as many plates as possible and very much enjoyed everything. They started us off with a light, sweet and savory starter, and moved into heavier flavors as the courses went on! If you are a fan of Indian flavors you’ll love the food.
… moreSudip Pal
Excellent experience. The restaurant deserves the 5 stars! One of those upscale dining places where you’ll actually leave with your stomach full. Portions are filling, taste is mind-blowing. They have limited menu, very niche Indian food, except a few usual items like butter chicken. Ordered their tasting menu. The cost is reasonable but can come across as a sticker shock for some, but it’s totally worth it! Hopefully they can continue to maintain their quality.
… moreNancy S
Food dishes are very good and flavorful. Service can be slow because how busy how are. We loved all the restaurants week menus. Drinks and cocktails were delicious and interesting
… moreSnehal (thefoodblogie)
Fantastic experience! The food was good, quick service, friendly staff and again, loved all the dishes! Got the Benne masala dosa : 9/10 : Dosa could be lil bigger , Paneer Ghotala : 9/10 : less quantity, Murgh Kebab : 9/10 could come with bread, taste wise 10/10. The ambiance was nice too and reservations are necessary! Try on a work day instead of weekend, easy to get a reservation!Will be visiting again!
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