Akiro Hand Roll Bar

“Went for a little girl's night. We had a great time. Food is fresh and I love how hefty the cutlery feels. The hand rolls were good but the sushi is underrated, particularly delectable. The sushi rice is perfect. Edamame is a definite yes & the miso soup was very good. Cocktails were beautiful and well crafted. Service was friendly and the atmosphere gave off a very laid back and relaxed vibe, loved it. Would come back. Get the duck confit hand roll and the salmon truffle nigiri for sure, best bites of the night.”

“Finally able to snag a reservation at Akiro! What I like most about this place is their attention to making the main ingredient in their nigiri or handrolls the star of the show. The quality of their scallops and toro wasn't masked by unique sauces or add-ons it was just high quality ingredients doing it's thing on my pallette. I appreciated it immensely! There are a few omakase places that I can compare to this place in terms of their quality, but the big difference is I can order more from their A la carte menu and not break the bank and feel more than satisfied. The chefs and service were great! If they weren't so busy, I do wish there were more descriptive with their dishes as it is served and a bit more attentive--but the servers were absolutely slammed and for good reason. I highly recommend all their scallop and toro nigiri and handrolls, absolutely delicious. I would recommend the toro caviar nigiri for first timers, but would skip on it for more toro or scallop handrolls. The Peruvian spices on the short rib and octupus handrolls were new and unique--definitely should try it out. I highly recommend this place and has become one of my staples in Chicago!”

“The best addition to River North shall I say ever? I've been to Alkiro three times now, and I'm already trying to find time to come back. It's the best hand roll spot I've ever been to. At this point, I've tried every single hand roll on the menu, and I still can't choose a favorite because they're all so good. Notable mentions go to the Toro Hand Roll, Fish & Chips, and the Ebi Furai. And the Caviar Toro is absolutely mind-blowing! The best part of all isn't even the food it's the experience and atmosphere. Michael is the reason we keep coming back every time. Whether he's giving recommendations or just chatting with us, he's the best! My only critique would be the $50 reservation deposit on OpenTable. While I understand the reasoning behind it, it does feel a bit steep compared to most restaurants. That said, the food, service, and overall experience have made it worth it every time.”

“Our visit was an interesting and enjoyable experience. When we arrived, we felt that the warm Japanese spirit of hospitality that is often present at traditional Japanese sushi bars was somewhat missing. However, the atmosphere was pleasant and inviting, and the service was good and professional. The food was delicious and offered flavors that were different from what you typically find elsewhere, which made the experience unique and memorable. I was not disappointed with the food at all, and it was refreshing to try something with its own distinct character. If there is one area that could be improved, it would be the desserts. They were good, but I think they could be a bit more creative and exciting. Overall, it was a worthwhile dining experience with excellent food, a nice atmosphere, and unique flavors that set it apart from other places.”

“I had one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life at Akiro, and I genuinely mean that. Chicago’s only Nikkei handroll bar brings Japanese technique and Peruvian flavour together in a way that feels completely seamless , and every single course delivered on that promise. We started with the hamachi ceviche — aji amarillo, wasabi, tiger’s milk, glazed sweet potato; it was vibrant, refreshing, and set the tone perfectly. The shrimp tempura was a burst of flavour I couldn’t stop eating, and the sashimi was pristine, melt-in-your-mouth fresh. The nigiri course was where things got truly special; the unagi with candied ginger, dark chocolate and salt was genuinely one of the most unique and exquisite bites I’ve ever had. The handrolls were next level. Each one is rolled and crafted right in front of you at the bar by the chef, with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients; you can taste the care in every bite. And to finish, the tres leches with matcha was pure magic; light, creamy and the best matcha dessert I’ve ever tried. The space is modern, warm and a little electric , but what truly elevated the experience was the staff and chef; genuinely warm, attentive, and passionate about what they’re doing. A luxurious, top-tier experience from start to finish. Already planning my return.”