Chicago Magazine – 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago
What: A Japanese newbie from Celeste Group.
Why: It’s a spot to see and be seen.
Best New Restaurants in Chicago – Eater
Infatuation – The Hit List
Hiro is a glitzy spot where you can drink sweet and strong sesame ginger martinis, and debate the merits of Mandy Moore’s “Candy” in between bites of okonomiyaki. This West Town izakaya is from the team behind the similarly over-the-top Beatnik, and as with its sister restaurant, the shared plates are perfect for a small group fueling a night out. Like that okonomiyaki that’s heavy with juicy pieces of octopus, and the citrusy green tea noodles with smoky cauliflower. But order your own two-piece ribeye skewers with sweet yakiniku sauce, because nobody will want to share.
Modern Luxury – Hottest New Restaurants
Celeste Hospitality Group’s latest venture brings the vibrant spirit of Tokyo’s izakaya culture to West Town with bold flavors and a lively atmosphere. Under the guidance of head chef Luis Carlos Hernández, the menu features live-fire robata, inventive handrolls and small plates that balance tradition with playful global influences—think tamarind-dressed brussels sprouts, smoky toro handrolls and richly grilled ribeye. The cocktail program matches that creativity, showcasing smoky mezcal blends, sesame-infused martinis and a curated selection of premium sake and whisky. The space itself captures Tokyo’s dynamic energy with a neon-lit front bar and a cozy, textured dining room tucked beneath soaring glass ceilings.
Eater – New Openings
Hiro Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant in West Town that’s taken over the old Porto space. The menu has small bites like green tea soba noodles, okonomiyaki, and salmon crispy rice, a couple of sandwiches, and some robata skewers like chicken yakitori or ribeye kushiyaki. The bar menu has a variety of cocktails along with a wide selection of sake.
The Infatuation – New Openings
Hiro Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant in West Town that’s taken over the old Porto space. The menu has small bites like green tea soba noodles, okonomiyaki, and salmon crispy rice, a couple of sandwiches, and some robata skewers like chicken yakitori or ribeye kushiyaki. The bar menu has a variety of cocktails along with a wide selection of sake.
Japanese Restaurant Hiro Izakaya Planned for West Town
Signature Japanese dishes will soon be served at the planned Japanese restaurant Hiro Izakaya coming to Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Hiro is one of the five restaurants that Chicago-based hospitality group Celeste Group currently owns, along with Beatnik On The River, Celeste, Vela and GoodFunk. The locations are spread around the Chicago area, primarily in the West Loop and River North areas.
Hiro Izakaya Bringing Live-Fire Japanese Cooking to Chicago This Spring
The new modern Japanese restaurant is the latest dining concept from the Celeste Group, the former owners of Michelin-starred Porto which closed in 2023.
A new contemporary Japanese restaurant is preparing to shake up the Chicago culinary landscape this spring!
Hiro Izakaya Will Bring Japanese Bar Food And Cocktails To West Town This Spring
WEST TOWN — A Japanese izakaya serving robata-grilled dishes, sushi, craft cocktails and an extensive sake list is opening this spring at the corner of Ashland and Chicago avenues in West Town. Hiro Izakaya is taking over the former home of Porto, 1600 W. Chicago Ave., a Michelin-starred restaurant that closed last year.
A Michelin-Starred Space Will Rise Once More in West Town With Japanese Fare
Diners who enjoyed a meal at Porto understand what it felt like leaving the Spanish and Portuguese seafood restaurant with your clothes lightly dusted from the delicious smoke of grilled dry-aged fish. The open kitchen outfitted with custom grills in the back of the restaurant would often emanate the aroma of fish flown in from Spain and Portugal. It earned a Michelin star in 2021.
