NADU Regional Indian

Who Should Book NADU Regional Indian

NADU is the right call for food-focused diners who want to eat across the breadth of India's regional cuisines in a single sitting, without the formality of a tasting menu. It works particularly well for groups of two to four who are happy to share plates and order generously, and for anyone who already appreciates what Chef Sujan Sarkar does at Alinea-tier Chicago dining but wants something more informal and approachable in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood. If you are planning a weeknight dinner with a curious eating companion, or a casual but considered weekend meal, NADU earns the booking.

The Venue

NADU sits at 2518 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago's Lincoln Park, and the room signals warmth from the moment you walk in. The space is designed for sharing — plates arrive at the table for everyone to reach, and the energy that comes with that format keeps the mood loose and social. The visual through-line is regional Indian craft: the kind of considered aesthetic that tells you this is not a generic curry house, but a restaurant making a specific argument about Indian cooking's geographic diversity. Chef Sujan Sarkar, who earned his Michelin Star reputation through the Chicago fine-dining circuit, brings that same technical precision to NADU's more relaxed format.

What to Order and When to Visit

The menu at NADU spans coastal south India through to the bolder flavours of the north, and the kitchen leans into seasonal vegetables as a genuine structural element — not an afterthought. The vegetable moilee, a light coconut curry built around a rotation of seasonal produce, changes character depending on when you visit: in cooler months the root vegetables carry it differently than summer's lighter offerings. Pair it with ghee bhat or naan to get the full effect of the broth. On the non-vegetarian side, the meen gassi (walleye in a coconut and tamarind curry with dried chilies, turmeric, and curry leaves) is the dish that most rewards a second visit, because the spice balance shifts subtly with the season's dried chili supply. Close with the apricot delight , it is the kind of dessert that resets the palate cleanly rather than overwhelming it. The full-service bar is worth your attention before or during the meal, particularly if you want something that pairs with spice-forward cooking.

For explorers who track chef trajectories: NADU is Sarkar's more accessible restaurant, but accessible does not mean less considered. Think of it the way you might think about a chef's second project in other cities , the way Le Bernardin or Lazy Bear have spawned more casual offshoots that still carry serious culinary intent. NADU is in that mode.

Booking and Logistics

Booking difficulty is low relative to Chicago's harder-to-crack tables. NADU landed on Resy's Leading of the Hit List for 2025, which means visibility is growing , book one to two weeks out for weekend evenings to be safe, but mid-week reservations are generally available with shorter notice. The full-service bar accepts walk-ins, which makes this one of the more flexible options on Lincoln Ave for spontaneous visits. Reservations are handled via Resy. No price range data is currently confirmed in Pearl's database, so budget accordingly for a contemporary Indian sharing-format restaurant from a Michelin-starred chef , comparable venues in Chicago at this tier typically run $60–$100 per head with drinks, though you should confirm current pricing directly.

NADU is reachable from the Lincoln Park area and well-connected by Chicago's public transit grid. For a full picture of what else is worth your time in the city, see our full Chicago restaurants guide, our full Chicago bars guide, and our full Chicago hotels guide. If you are building a broader trip, our Chicago experiences guide and wineries guide round out the picture.

The Verdict

NADU is a strong yes for anyone who wants serious Indian cooking without committing to a prix-fixe format. The seasonal vegetable-forward dishes give repeat visitors a reason to come back across the year, and the sharing format makes it one of Chicago's more enjoyable group dining options at this level. It earned its place on Resy's 2025 Hit List for good reason: the combination of a Michelin Star pedigree, a genuinely regional menu, and a room that does not take itself too seriously is a set of attributes Chicago's Indian dining options have not always delivered together. Book it.

Explore More

Curious about other destination-level restaurants worth benchmarking against NADU's ambition? See Smyth, Oriole, and Next Restaurant in Chicago, or look further afield at Atomix in New York City, Providence in Los Angeles, Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg, The French Laundry in Napa, Emeril's in New Orleans, and Alain Ducasse – Louis XV in Monte Carlo for global context on what serious chef-driven restaurants look like at their ceiling.