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Kasama
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Kasama
9.0
Kasama is a Michelin-starred bakery and modern Filipino restaurant from chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, pairing daytime pastries and counter service with a reservation-only tasting menu at night. Locals line up for carefully made breakfast plates and pastries, then treat the evening menu as a special-occasion splurge that has reshaped how Filipino food is perceived in Chicago.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom adobo, Longanisa breakfast sandwich, House croissants
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Two-Michelin-starred Filipino bakery-café and tasting menu under chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon.
Who should go: Diners seeking destination-level Filipino pastries and tasting menus.
When to visit: Early weekday mornings for pastries or reserved evening tastings.
What to order: Mushroom adobo, longanisa breakfast sandwich, a selection of pastries.
Insider tip: Lines for the bakery move fastest right at opening, while dinner requires planning reservations far in advance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the neighborhood; can be tight during peak brunch and dinner hours. Plan extra time.
Dress code: Smart casual works well — diners range from casual daytime attire to dressier evening outfits.
Noise level: Moderate — daytime can feel lively, evenings are quieter and conversational.
Weekend wait: Evening tasting menu is reservation-only and books far in advance.
Weekday lunch: Lines can still form for pastries and breakfast, but waits are typically shorter than weekends.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — there are thoughtful vegetarian dishes and pastry options, though not the majority of the menu.
Vegan options: Limited — some items may work, but most dishes and pastries include dairy or egg.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options exist, but pastries and many dishes contain gluten and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the tasting menu makes for a memorable, intimate evening, while the bakery is a more casual (but still impressive) daytime option.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Daytime bakery service is first-come, first-served with a line. The dinner tasting menu requires advance reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Daytime visits can work for families if kids are comfortable with lines and counter service. The evening tasting menu is best suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Elevated Filipino flavors, world-class pastries, and a dinner experience that feels truly special-occasion.
Skip if: You want a quick, guaranteed-seat meal at peak times or prefer large, traditional entrée-style dining over tasting menus and pastries.
Kasama
9.0
Kasama’s daytime bakery-café layers Filipino-inflected breakfast plates with some of Chicago’s most talked-about pastries. Lines form early for longanisa breakfast sandwiches, coconut-leaning sweets, and careful coffee in a small, design-forward space that doubles as a Michelin-starred destination at night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filipino Breakfast with Longanisa and Tocino, Breakfast Sandwich with Longanisa and Hash Brown, Matcha Pandan Éclair or Seasonal Pastries
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Daytime Filipino bakery-café that evolved into a Michelin-starred destination.
Who should go: Dinors chasing boundary-pushing Filipino breakfast and pastries.
When to visit: Arrive early morning; lines build quickly and stay steady.
What to order: Filipino breakfast plate, longanisa sandwich, at least one pastry.
Insider tip: Plan your pastry picks in line; rejoining the queue is tough.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the surrounding neighborhood; can be limited during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — diners often lean slightly polished.
Noise level: Moderate — conversational but can feel lively during rush periods.
Weekend wait: N/A — daytime café; weekends can see long morning/early afternoon waits.
Weekday lunch: Expect a line during peak lunch hours; earlier arrivals see shorter waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection of vegetarian pastries and some savory options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few options depending on daily pastry selections.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free items may appear, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — if your date enjoys busy, buzzy cafés with exceptional food. It’s more relaxed than formal, but still feels special.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — daytime service is counter-order with seating first-come, first-served. Expect to wait during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families visit often, but the space is compact and lines can be long, so it’s best for older kids who can handle a wait.
Best For
Better for: World-class pastries and Filipino-influenced breakfast dishes in a refined, design-forward café setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, no-wait breakfast, large-group seating, or a fully traditional American diner experience.
Kasama
8.9
Kasama is a two-Michelin-star Filipino restaurant that operates as a bakery-cafe by day and tasting-menu destination by night. Locals line up for longanisa breakfast plates and ornate pastries before the room turns into a tightly booked, modern Filipino tasting experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa breakfast sandwich, Truffle croissant, Ube & huckleberry Basque cake
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.4
What makes it special: Two-Michelin-star Filipino cooking sharing space with a powerhouse bakery-cafe.
Who should go: Dinors chasing destination-level Filipino food and pastries.
When to visit: Early weekday mornings for pastries or booked evenings for tasting.
What to order: Longanisa breakfast sandwich, truffle croissant, Ube & huckleberry Basque cake.
Insider tip: Preorder pastries online for pickup to skip the longest daytime lines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking; metered spots on Chicago Ave and nearby residential streets. Allow extra time during brunch rush.
Dress code: Smart casual. Daytime bakery crowd is relaxed; evenings lean polished but not formal.
Noise level: Moderate during the day with steady foot traffic; quieter, more intimate at night for the tasting menu.
Weekend wait: Tasting menu is reservation-only and books far in advance; walk-ins are highly unlikely.
Weekday lunch: Expect a line during peak pastry and brunch hours; waits can range from 15–45 minutes depending on timing.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some daytime and tasting menu dishes accommodate vegetarians, but choices are limited.
Vegan options: Very limited vegan options; best to inquire ahead for evening service.
Gluten-free options: Select items can be made gluten-free, though the bakery environment is not gluten-free certified.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially the tasting menu, which feels refined and intimate. The daytime cafe works for a more casual, food-centric date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Daytime bakery service is first-come, first-served, but be prepared to wait. Dinner requires reservations that typically fill weeks in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Daytime service is family-friendly, though seating is limited. The evening tasting menu is better suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Destination-level Filipino cooking with a rare blend of fine-dining polish and daytime pastry excellence.
Skip if: You want a spontaneous dinner reservation, large-group seating, or expansive vegan options.
Kasama
9.0
Kasama’s 13-course Filipino tasting menu turns the celebrated daytime bakery-cafe into a tightly scripted, two-Michelin-star dinner experience. Courses weave longanisa, adobo, and delicate pastries into a polished progression that still feels personal and rooted in Filipino comfort food. Reservations are tough, but the combination of technique and identity makes it a true destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa breakfast sandwich (daytime gateway to the tasting ethos), Truffle-layered savory courses from the evening tasting menu, Ube & huckleberry Basque cake–style plated dessert
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.4
What makes it special: Two-Michelin-star Filipino tasting that grows out of a beloved bakery-cafe.
Who should go: Dinors chasing destination-level Filipino tasting menus.
When to visit: Book evenings months ahead; weekdays slightly easier.
What to order: Full tasting menu, longanisa-driven course, signature plated dessert.
Insider tip: Lock in the tasting and plan a separate daytime visit for pastries and coffee.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; expect limited availability in the evening and allow extra time
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; jackets and elevated outfits fit the room
Noise level: Moderate — you can comfortably hold a conversation
Weekend wait: Reservations are required; book months ahead
Weekday lunch: Daytime cafe may have a line, but the tasting menu is reservation-only
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with advance notice — the kitchen can accommodate
Vegan options: Very limited — not all courses can be adapted
Gluten-free options: Often accommodated with prior communication
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s intimate, polished, and memorable, especially for someone who appreciates culinary storytelling.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No — the tasting menu is strictly reservation-only and books far in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — the multi-course format and quiet setting suit adults or older teens.
Best For
Better for: Deeply personal fine dining rooted in Filipino flavors with both precision and warmth.
Skip if: You prefer casual, spontaneous dining or aren’t interested in long-format tasting menus.
Kasama
8.9
Kasama is a Filipino bakery-café by day and a reservation-only tasting menu at night, where chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon channel fine-dining training into deeply personal plates. Guests come for longanisa breakfasts and intricate pastries, then return for a multi-course dinner that reframes Filipino flavors at Michelin-star level.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom adobo, Longanisa breakfast sandwich, Truffle croissant
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: A two-Michelin-star Filipino café-tasting hybrid where pastries and a boundary-pushing dinner menu share the same intimate space.
Who should go: Filipino food fans and tasting-menu seekers.
When to visit: Early mornings or booked evenings for tasting.
What to order: Mushroom adobo, longanisa sandwich, truffle croissant.
Insider tip: Preorder pastries online and reserve the dinner tasting well in advance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Ukrainian Village is available but can be limited during peak times; allow extra time or consider rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual works well; brunch is relaxed, but dinner skews dressier without being formal.
Noise level: Moderate — daytime café service can be lively; dinner is calmer and conversation-friendly.
Weekend wait: Reservations are required for the tasting menu and book out far in advance.
Weekday lunch: Often a short line during peak pastry hours; earlier visits see the quickest service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some vegetarian options are available; availability varies between daytime and tasting menus.
Vegan options: Very limited; most items incorporate dairy, eggs, or meat.
Gluten-free options: Select items may work for gluten-sensitive diners, but the bakery environment is not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the tasting menu makes for a special-occasion date, while daytime café service works for a more casual but still memorable meetup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? For daytime café service, yes — but expect lines at popular times. The dinner tasting requires advance reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Daytime visits can work for families with older kids who enjoy pastries and sit-down meals. The tasting menu dinner is best suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Modern Filipino cooking that bridges casual daytime café culture with Michelin-level tasting experiences in one space.
Skip if: You want a spontaneous fine-dining dinner reservation or need extensive vegan and gluten-free options.
Kasama
8.7
Kasama functions as a serious business-lunch play thanks to its daytime bakery-café format, where Filipino plates and meticulous pastries come out with clockwork efficiency. Lines can be long, but the payoff is an impressive, Michelin-recognized meal that still feels casual enough for a midday meeting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa breakfast sandwich, Mushroom adobo, Truffle croissant
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 9.4
What makes it special: Daytime Filipino plates and pastries at a two-Michelin-star restaurant.
Who should go: Clients or partners you want to truly impress.
When to visit: Early weekday lunch before lines peak and pastries sell out.
What to order: Longanisa breakfast sandwich, mushroom adobo, truffle croissant.
Insider tip: Book dinner another night, but scout the space and pastries over a weekday business lunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the surrounding neighborhood; expect limited availability during peak daytime hours.
Dress code: Smart casual is common, but anything neat and put-together works.
Noise level: Moderate – generally conversational, but it can feel lively during rush periods.
Weekend wait: Dinner operates on reservations for the tasting menu only.
Weekday lunch: Expect a line; waits of 20–45 minutes are common during peak business-lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options are available, including pastries and savory plates.
Vegan options: Limited – some items can be adapted, but choices are narrower.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free pastries and plates may be available, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re both food-focused and don’t mind a casual, counter-service setup with potential lines. It feels relaxed but still impressive.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for daytime café service — it’s first-come, first-served. Just be prepared to wait during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for daytime visits — families do come, and the vibe is casual. However, space can be tight and lines long, so it’s best for kids comfortable with waiting.
Best For
Better for: Impressing clients or colleagues with destination-level food in a casual, daytime setting that doesn’t require a formal reservation.
Skip if: You want a quiet, private lunch meeting or strongly prefer table service without waiting in line.