Sunda
River North, Chicago
Restaurant in Chicago, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$50–100per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Sunda is a practical River North pick for an easy-to-book celebration, group dinner, or date night with more energy than formality. Dinner is the stronger choice for atmosphere, while weekend lunch works better for lower-pressure plans. Cross-shop Brindille if the occasion calls for a more formal $$$$ French meal.
About Sunda
Sunda is a Chicago option with daily evening hours and weekend midday hours. The planning basics are direct: hours run Monday through Sunday, with later closing on Friday and Saturday, and an additional Saturday and Sunday window from 11 AM to 2 PM. The dress code is smart casual.
Use Sunda when the timing works for an evening plan or a weekend midday plan. For menu, price, booking, seating, and service-style details, check the venue's official channels before making plans.
Dinner is the broader option; weekend midday hours are limited to Saturday and Sunday
The main decision is timing. Evening hours run daily: Monday through Thursday from 4 PM to 10 PM, Friday from 4 PM to 11 PM, Saturday from 4 PM to 11 PM, and Sunday from 4 PM to 10 PM. A midday window is listed only on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Judge fit by schedule and occasion rather than by a quoted spend. If you are comparing plans, Brindille is another Chicago option to consider alongside Sunda.
Use the planning basics before you plan
Start with the hours and smart-casual dress code. For wider city planning, use Our full Chicago restaurants guide, plus nightlife and stay options in Our full Chicago bars guide and Our full Chicago hotels guide.
Bottom line: consider Sunda for a Chicago dinner any day of the week, or for the Saturday or Sunday midday hours. Check the venue's official channels for current menu and other visit details before making plans.
Planning details
- Location
- 110 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- sundanewasian.com
- Phone
- +13126440500
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Sunda presents a large-scale, pan-Asian dining room that favors drama over exclusivity. The interior reads as a single connected environment: high ceilings, low ambient lighting, warm woods and textured surfaces create a composed, elegant atmosphere that still feels social. The bar near the entrance introduces a livelier note while the deeper dining room maintains a more controlled, sophisticated mood. The overall effect is polished and warm rather than austere: a place that balances energy and refinement so groups and couples alike can dine without the space feeling either frantic or overly intimate.
Best For
Located on River North’s busy dining corridor, Sunda is best for evening plans that benefit from both a lively bar and a substantial dining room. It suits group dinners and celebratory nights with enough scale to host bigger parties while avoiding the chaos that can accompany noisy large rooms. The venue’s split energy, buzzy entry bar and more composed tables inside, makes it a reliable option for after-work drinks flowing into a full dinner service, or for date nights and special evenings when you want a stylish but not stuffy setting.
Ordering Tips
Sunda’s menu is built for sharing and sampling across Japanese, Filipino and Southeast Asian flavors. To get a rounded sense of the kitchen, start at the bar to take in the scene before moving to a table for a multi-dish meal. Lean into the signatures: Yellowtail Jalapeño, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice and Steamed Buns showcase the sharper, lighter bites, while Lemongrass Beef Lollipops deliver a meatier option to balance the spread. Order several plates to pass and let the table mix textures and flavors rather than committing to single entrées.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and high-key atmosphere in a bustling River North setting with lively energy suitable for groups and celebrations.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Small plates
- Drinks Focus
- Sake, Cocktails
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
Signature Dishes
- Yellowtail Jalapeño
- Lemongrass Beef Lollipops
- Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
- Steamed Buns
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 110 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
Planning details
Location
Restaurant context
How Sunda compares in Chicago
Against Brindille, Sunda is the easier and more casual celebration choice. Brindille is the better fit when the brief is formal French dining and a higher-spend occasion; Sunda is more useful when the group wants River North convenience, a livelier room, and less booking friction.
Ema, Tanta, and Beatrix are the more natural cross-shops when the decision is about a flexible meal rather than a luxury night. Pick Beatrix for a more casual all-day feel, Tanta when the group wants a more specific Peruvian direction, and Ema when the meal should feel lighter and easier to share.
Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba is the better alternative for a relaxed group that wants a festive table without a River North address. Sunda wins when location and dinner-hour flexibility matter more; Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba is the smarter call when the group wants a lower-key neighborhood feel.
Explore Chicago
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Sunda guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Sunda
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunda | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
| Brindille | Chicago | French | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5882025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #4872024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
| Ema | Chicago | , | , | Michelin Guide Texas 20262025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
| Tanta | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
| Beatrix | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
| Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba | Chicago | , | , | No published awards |
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How Sunda Chicago compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunda good for a special occasion?
Sunda can work for a Chicago special occasion if its hours and smart-casual dress code fit your plans. Evening hours are listed daily, with an additional midday window on Saturday and Sunday. For another Chicago option, consider Brindille.
What are alternatives to Sunda in Chicago?
Other Chicago options to compare with Sunda include Brindille, Ema, Tanta, Beatrix, and Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba. Compare the practical details for each venue before deciding where to go.
Is an evening or weekend midday visit better at Sunda?
Evening hours are the more widely available option because they run daily. A midday window is listed only on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM. Choose based on the timing that fits your plans.
