We went for an afternoon celebration with party of 5. They seated us in the back room which was fabulous. The service and food were outstanding! Best "newer" place to try in Bucktown!

Highly recommended spot! I tried Tama for restaurant week and sat at the counter which overlooks the kitchen. Loved it! My favorite was the grilled cabbage caesar but everything I had was flavorful and unique. The service was excellent, too. I am looking forward to coming back and trying different dishes.

Cute interior, ambiance. Great service. Tasty food. Scallops cooked to perfection. Patatas bravas on point. Def going back to try more!!

This restaurant was very good and a nice spot for a date night or special occasion. I went here for my birthday during restaurant week and my friends and I sat at the bar. The bartenders were very nice in taking out orders and answering any of our questions. My friends were both lactose intolerant so they avoid dairy. I think my only issue is for there to be more accommodating items on the menu for dietary needs. For example, my friends couldn't eat some of the dishes or had to miss out on the best part of a dish such as the goat cheese in the roasted beet salad or the feta cheese on the cauliflower steak. The staff was able to accommodate but with the restaurant week menu, it felt a little limited for them for them. Overall, we still enjoyed our food. The sea bass and grilled short rib were the best part of our meals as both were cooked very well. We were able to cut in the protein easily as it was very soft. I was surprised at the overall menu as the two starters were great. My favorite was the beef carpaccio. The truffle mayo was delicious and it had plenty of meat as well. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and so did my friends. They were very impressed.

Bucktown's Cutest Neighborhood Gem Tama is the kind of restaurant that makes you feel like you've stumbled upon something truly special. It's cliché to say, but the staff here really are a family, and that warmth extends to their guests--after just two visits, they somehow remember you. The food? Michelin-star quality. Every dish is executed with precision, creativity, and care, making each bite unforgettable. The service is flawless, striking that perfect balance between attentive and effortless. And the vibes? Immaculate. Whether you're here for a cozy dinner or a night out with friends, Tama delivers on every level. I can't recommend this place enough. Bucktown is lucky to have it.

I was very excited to try Tama after hearing rave reviews about it from a few friends. I came here for lunch during restaurant week and tried the roasted beetroots, short rib orzo, and basque cheesecake. The beet dish was my favorite, and I loved the flavors of the goat cheese and hazelnuts within the dish. The short rib orzo was good but the portion was tiny, and it took what seemed like forever for the dish to come out. The basque cheesecake was yummy and a nice end to the meal. I would probably come back to try out more of the menu, and hopefully the portions will be a bit more satisfying.

Stumbled upon Tama while exploring options to celebrate my daughter's birthday. So glad I did. The restaurant is so cute on the outside (white cape house) and cool vibe on the inside. It's deceptively big. 2 floors and the bar is located in the back with extra seating. I made a last minute 8 pm Friday night reservation at the counter, but was seated on the 1st floor in a cozy 2 person booth which we preferred. I believe all the booths on the 1st floor were 2 people and counter seating. We enjoyed watching the open kitchen. You can see the dishes being made and what others ordered. What I appreciated about the restaurant was the small, but mighty menu. We ordered four dishes to share, but should have ordered three. Lots of food. Everything was delicious. Started with the focaccia with truffle ice cream. Yum yum yum. It was our favorite dish of the night. The focaccia was soft was tall loaf. The ice cream had a nice truffle flavor, but wasn't overpowering. Service was great! Cute and cozy spot. Located in Bucktown on Damen. Street parking was fairly easy.

We went to Tama for my birthday. It was very cozy and elegant. The waiter was very attentive and checked on us and filled our water glasses about four times during the night. We ordered the pita with 3 kinds of dip and the tuna tartare for appetizers. Both were good. Then for the main entrees, we had the short rib with orzo and the grillled seabass. We agreed that the short rib was our favorite. It was very tender and had an umami taste, which also seeped through to the orzo. The grilled seabass was expensive at market price, but it was deliciously charred just right. It was de-boned, so very easy to share and eat. I would visit again to try the other dishes.

Tama is one of Chicago's newest fusion restaurants, blending mediterranean, Asian, and South American cuisines. Such a treat if seated at the Chef's Table (even thought the bar stools are super close to each other)! Loved that Chef Giovanni was there giving reco's on top dishes! 2 of us were very satisfied with 3 savories + dessert - Fresh watermelon & ginger seasonal cocktail - Patatas bravas - Spanish crispy potatoes that you gotta toss in the sauce! - Hiriatiki cold salad of tomatoes, strawberries, & feta - Short rib orzo was melt in your mouth delicious - Namelaka - Japanese chocolate & cardamom mousse