Sushi Samba Rio

(312) 595-2300

504 N Wells St (Illinois Street)
Chicago, IL 60610 41.891 -87.6342

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

www.sushisamba.com/

Hours:

Mon-Tue 11:30am-11pm

Wed-Fri 11:30am-1am

Sat 11:30am-2am

Sun 12pm-11pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 11.30.11

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Group Dining, Bar Scene

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Japanese, Latin American, Brazilian, Sushi

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails

Smoking Permitted:

Lounge

What People Are Saying About Sushi Samba Rio

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Chic young Chicagoans flock to this energetic, clubby restaurant, whose blend of pulsing salsa rhythms and Asian influence is already a hit in New York and Miami. The cavernous room is divided into several areas, each with its own over-the-top personality: from a sleek, circular front sushi bar to the "mod pit"--a sunken red-leather alcove with plum shag carpeting and glittery hanging beads. Service is generally smart, fast and friendly. – – The Food – Japanese-Brazilian fusion food could easily be a mess of mismatched flavors and textures, but the…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Specialty cocktails include mojitos, caipirinhas and creative martinis; sake and wine lists are extensive and not terribly overpriced, with several bottles in the $30-$40 range.
Where to Sit:
Sit at a perimeter table for prime people-watching. Communal tables are cramped, with back-less stools that make for a sore back. At night, head to the rooftop lounge for a cocktail.
Save Money:
Daily 11:45am-3:30pm, get bento box specials with sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, miso soup and seasonal field greens for $15-$20.
Look Good:
Sneak up to the mezzanine lounge for a bird's-eye view of the action.
Parking:
Valet parking is offered in front of the building. There are also two parking lots a block away at Hubbard and Wells.
ambiance
98.61000061035156% positive
  1. The restaurant is beautiful and romantic but, the sushi is the worst that I ever have in the city.
  2. My server was both attentive and knowledgeable, there was live music, the restaurant had a fun atmosphere, and the food was unique (in a good way).
  3. SushiSamba has great sushi and a really fun atmosphere.
  4. Upbeat atmosphere + great food + extraoridinary design = A+
  5. Fun music, great atmosphere, hot guys, cool design, amazing food, delicious & fun cocktails.
  6. If you are looking for a cool place to go for ambiance and a few drinks by all means go have fun, if you are looking for a decent meal I would go to burger king before I would ever go here again.
  7. Great sushi, fun atmosphere
  8. First of all, the ambience is very cool, which was one of the things that had intrigued me when I saw the pictures on the website.
  9. You like the so-called ambience, check out Sushi Wabi.
  10. The rooftop provide the perfect location for pre dinner drinks.
  11. They, too, have a cool ambience with beautiful people, but their food is even better.
  12. The sushi is amazing and I love the atmosphere.
  13. We both enjoyed the views and the atmosphere.
  14. It seems like a great place to go with a group of friends or for a fun date.
  15. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was one of a kind.
  16. As I said the ambiance was very cool would be a fun place to come on a weekend for some drinks and maybe a few appetizers, but that?
  17. The atmosphere is AMAZING, great place to have a drink either at the bar upstairs or down.
  18. The decor and ambience was very nice.
  19. The decor was awesome, btw, but apparently the owner belongs to the breed where looks are everything.
  20. Restaurants should aim to have great food, atmosphere and service.
  21. The food is less than acceptable, the ambience is kinda cool (if you like knowing that there is one just like it NYC and Miami), and the crowd is annoyingly trying to hard.
  22. The atmosphere is great.
  23. The atmosphere is fantastic!
  24. It truly lives up to its siblings in NY, has the same vibe, the decor is beautiful, service great and sushi as great as ever!
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The chocolate banana dessert was a perfect way to end a perfect evening.
  2. We also shared the "coco duo" for dessert, which was very yummy, though admittedly probably not the best chocolate dessert I've ever had at a nice restaurant (I have high standards when it comes to chocolate!)
drinks
97.6200008392334% positive
  1. The upstairs lounge is funky and serves great drinks.
  2. The rooftop provide the perfect location for pre dinner drinks.
  3. The drinks were good.
  4. It's a great place to go for drinks and/or dinner as well.
  5. beautiful bar.
  6. The bar upstairs is perfect for a cool summer night!
  7. love the lounge on the 3rd floor for late night drinks and sushi.
  8. The hostess was great, the bar tender was great, so they made up for her shortcomings.
  9. It has great sushi, beautiful people with a great bar scene, music is off the hook.
  10. The atmosphere is AMAZING, great place to have a drink either at the bar upstairs or down.
  11. Server was attentive and nice but I think she was compensating for the restaurant's shortfalls, such as A) AWFUL SEATS, THE ABSOLUTE WORST, with an unaccommodating host who was a greasy looking dude, looked like he would jump into a stall with Swifty from
  12. If you are looking for a cool place to go for ambiance and a few drinks by all means go have fun, if you are looking for a decent meal I would go to burger king before I would ever go here again.
  13. She had a delicious mixed drink which was quite pricey at $9, but it was strong, and made with top-shelf rum (10 Cane).
  14. Our waitress was no where in sight most of the evening and we had to flag her down to order more drinks.
  15. Try the cucumber martini it's a great summer drink!
  16. As I said the ambiance was very cool would be a fun place to come on a weekend for some drinks and maybe a few appetizers, but that?
  17. The bar upstairs is well-well stocked with interesting and unique spirits.
  18. Best bet is get a table or go to a server if you want your drink to taste like what you ordered.
  19. They have a non alcoholic specialty drinks (forgot the name of it) that was really good too.
  20. Lots of space and bar areas and beautiful people.
  21. Fun music, great atmosphere, hot guys, cool design, amazing food, delicious & fun cocktails.
food quality
76.32999897003174% positive
  1. The sushi tasted good but the meal portions were tiny and hence we ordered again.
  2. We are polite people, but please, don't charge like a top-notch place when you so obviously LICK RICE OVALS - $4.00 for Japanese rice as a "side
  3. Decent food but EXTREMELY OVER-PRICED.
  4. This is a true place for people who don't like real sushi.
  5. The sushi is amazing and I love the atmosphere.
  6. If you are looking for a cool place to go for ambiance and a few drinks by all means go have fun, if you are looking for a decent meal I would go to burger king before I would ever go here again.
  7. Server was attentive and nice but I think she was compensating for the restaurant's shortfalls, such as A) AWFUL SEATS, THE ABSOLUTE WORST, with an unaccommodating host who was a greasy looking dude, looked like he would jump into a stall with Swifty from
  8. the tuna and yellowtail ceviche were tasty and fresh.
  9. The food was almost inedible--poorly prepared and not fresh at all.
  10. thoroughly enjoyed myself, and will be going back when I save up the money (because please believe this good food is in NO WAY cheap.
  11. SushiSamba has great sushi and a really fun atmosphere.
  12. The food is less than acceptable, the ambience is kinda cool (if you like knowing that there is one just like it NYC and Miami), and the crowd is annoyingly trying to hard.
  13. They, too, have a cool ambience with beautiful people, but their food is even better.
  14. love the lounge on the 3rd floor for late night drinks and sushi.
  15. Thankfully, the food did not disappoint.
  16. Average, overpriced food, neglect and attitude from servers who's lack of attention to their customers' needs is just plain rude - do youself a favor and keep your distance.
  17. Their spicy tuna roll was one of the best Ive had (they use whole tuna pieces with the spicy sauce on top instead of chopped up tuna pieces mixed with the sauce).
  18. Our waiter was very nice tried to help as best he could in recommendations, but overall the food was just bad.
  19. The French toast is the best I've ever had.
  20. can't believe this place can actually ask people to pay the ridiculous prices for sushi!
  21. You want good sushi and none of the faux style, try Sushi Kooshi in Lake Forest.
  22. one would think for $16 a roll it could be fresh.
  23. If you are looking for good sushi, go elsewhere
  24. This might not be the best sushi in the world, and the fusion dishes won't please gourmet purists, but it was enjoyable at the least.
  25. The sushi was really bad-- it smelled and tasted murky.
  26. Like 90 percent of the countless new sushi spots in the Windy, Sushi Samba offers less-than-fresh fish and terrible, loud music.
  27. When you see the restaurant you think that the sushi manu is good and the sushi will taste better.
  28. We also shared the "coco duo" for dessert, which was very yummy, though admittedly probably not the best chocolate dessert I've ever had at a nice restaurant (I have high standards when it comes to chocolate!)
  29. Awful, awful Serivce, Terrible food
  30. My husband enjoyed the fresh fruit mojito.
  31. We started off with the cornmeal-encrusted calamari, which was excellent-- a nice twist on the usual fried calamari appetizer-- the cornmeal added an interesting flavor, and it was doused in a slightly spicy sauce that was also very good.
  32. It's pricey, but it's worth the super-fresh sushi and delicious South American food.
  33. figured when I went on the opening day of this event that even if the food wasn't great, it would SO be worth it.
  34. It has great sushi, beautiful people with a great bar scene, music is off the hook.
  35. The food was decent, but having been spoiled with all the good sushi places on the West coast, I found that the sushi was just so-so.
  36. went to sushi Samba in chicago on Saturday and it was the best and freshest fish that I ever had.
  37. Upbeat atmosphere + great food + extraoridinary design = A+
  38. It truly lives up to its siblings in NY, has the same vibe, the decor is beautiful, service great and sushi as great as ever!
  39. My server was both attentive and knowledgeable, there was live music, the restaurant had a fun atmosphere, and the food was unique (in a good way).
  40. Great food, the salted edamame appetizer is delicious.
  41. If you really love sushi and are a fan of marai, bob san, or sushi wabi then do yourself a favor and stick with those.
  42. Great restaraunt- The best sushi
  43. If paying exhorbitant prices for bad food, terrible service, and hanging out with the "trendy" crowd (aka the herd) is your scene, then by all means go.
  44. loved the coconut rice,the chicken teryaki and of course the sushi.
  45. When you get the sushi is too big and the flavor is not the best.
  46. Great sushi, fun atmosphere
  47. was pleasantly surprised that the food was fantastic.
  48. All in all best meal of my windy city visit.
  49. Unfortunately, the food was just as bad as the service.
  50. Fresh sushi, awesome music and wonderful service.
  51. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was one of a kind.
  52. The sushi was very good, definitely overpriced but nice to try something a little different sometimes.
  53. Great, inventive food and prompt service (improved over my last visit); however, sitting in front of one of the many subwoofers almost ruined an otherwise good meal.
  54. very pricey bad food
  55. The food was excellent.
  56. The food here is awesome!
  57. Like your sushi with poor service and lots of attitude?
  58. ...salmon with cheese was fantastic!
  59. great sushi, if you can forget where you are!
  60. She had a delicious mixed drink which was quite pricey at $9, but it was strong, and made with top-shelf rum (10 Cane).
  61. Fun music, great atmosphere, hot guys, cool design, amazing food, delicious & fun cocktails.
  62. The restaurant is beautiful and romantic but, the sushi is the worst that I ever have in the city.
  63. If you're looking for overpriced so-so sushi and want to be robbed like a tourist, this is the place for you.
  64. Restaurants should aim to have great food, atmosphere and service.
  65. The food was good and our server was good.
  66. It was the first time I've everl liked crab.
  67. It wasnt the best sushi in Chicago, but it was still above average.
  68. The place is very trendy and busy but the food is terrible.
  69. If you are looking for a trendy scene with good food, try Japonais.
overall
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. Definitely not the best value, but this place is worth going to for the experience.
  2. It seems like a great place to go with a group of friends or for a fun date.
  3. great place to bring somebody you want to impress.
  4. Server was attentive and nice but I think she was compensating for the restaurant's shortfalls, such as A) AWFUL SEATS, THE ABSOLUTE WORST, with an unaccommodating host who was a greasy looking dude, looked like he would jump into a stall with Swifty from
  5. It's a great place to go for drinks and/or dinner as well.
  6. Shushi Samba Rio is a great place to take your girlfriend!
  7. We also shared the "coco duo" for dessert, which was very yummy, though admittedly probably not the best chocolate dessert I've ever had at a nice restaurant (I have high standards when it comes to chocolate!)
  8. The atmosphere is AMAZING, great place to have a drink either at the bar upstairs or down.
  9. guess it's a great place to bring someone on a date, because it's all glitzy and stuff.
service
59.780001640319824% positive
  1. The food was good and our server was good.
  2. Our service was decent- but the way they pushed eating every course just so you can rack up a $200 tab.
  3. Our waiter was attentive in the beginning, but when he has 2 other tables to serve, we have to try very hard to get his attention.
  4. one big issue is the service.
  5. My server was both attentive and knowledgeable, there was live music, the restaurant had a fun atmosphere, and the food was unique (in a good way).
  6. had a very nice server, who was very attentive.
  7. Trendy, but bad service
  8. It has great sushi, beautiful people with a great bar scene, music is off the hook.
  9. Server was attentive and nice but I think she was compensating for the restaurant's shortfalls, such as A) AWFUL SEATS, THE ABSOLUTE WORST, with an unaccommodating host who was a greasy looking dude, looked like he would jump into a stall with Swifty from
  10. We had terrible service where many people left hungry, were yelled at by wait staff, and were not even afforded the decency of dressed tables or even tables that weren't broken.
  11. expect staff, as in most decent places, to check up atleast once or twice to see how things are going(actually should be a few times).
  12. Best bet is get a table or go to a server if you want your drink to taste like what you ordered.
  13. it looks inviting but horrible service.
  14. went there with a group of friends and the waiter was really nice!
  15. Great, inventive food and prompt service (improved over my last visit); however, sitting in front of one of the many subwoofers almost ruined an otherwise good meal.
  16. If paying exhorbitant prices for bad food, terrible service, and hanging out with the "trendy" crowd (aka the herd) is your scene, then by all means go.
  17. Our waitress was no where in sight most of the evening and we had to flag her down to order more drinks.
  18. They, too, have a cool ambience with beautiful people, but their food is even better.
  19. The service was remarkably bad.
  20. Possibly the worst service I have ever received
  21. The service was slow, surly and uniformed.
  22. The hostess was great, the bar tender was great, so they made up for her shortcomings.
  23. The toro was wonderful and the staff was very welcoming.
  24. The waiters are very attentive and friendly also.
  25. We are polite people, but please, don't charge like a top-notch place when you so obviously LICK RICE OVALS - $4.00 for Japanese rice as a "side
  26. Everyone we dealt with from the hostess to the wait staff to the management was horrible.
  27. Unfortunately, the food was just as bad as the service.
  28. Lots of space and bar areas and beautiful people.
  29. Funky spot, great people watching.
  30. can't believe this place can actually ask people to pay the ridiculous prices for sushi!
  31. Average, overpriced food, neglect and attitude from servers who's lack of attention to their customers' needs is just plain rude - do youself a favor and keep your distance.
  32. Restaurants should aim to have great food, atmosphere and service.
  33. The service was excellent and attentive, and the host /doorperson was very informative.
  34. The bartender was so nice!
  35. The staff is friendly, but inattentive.
  36. Fresh sushi, awesome music and wonderful service.
  37. Al in all a good party marred by poor service.
  38. This is a true place for people who don't like real sushi.
  39. The service was terrible.
  40. Impeccable service.
  41. Like your sushi with poor service and lots of attitude?
  42. The service was quite possibly the worst I've ever experienced!
  43. In this case, because the service was so horrible, this is a place I would definitely steer clear of.
  44. The waiter was pushy and spoke very fast.
  45. Our waiter was very nice tried to help as best he could in recommendations, but overall the food was just bad.
  46. It truly lives up to its siblings in NY, has the same vibe, the decor is beautiful, service great and sushi as great as ever!
value
41.66999816894531% positive
  1. The sushi tasted good but the meal portions were tiny and hence we ordered again.
  2. If paying exhorbitant prices for bad food, terrible service, and hanging out with the "trendy" crowd (aka the herd) is your scene, then by all means go.
  3. She had a delicious mixed drink which was quite pricey at $9, but it was strong, and made with top-shelf rum (10 Cane).
  4. Definitely not the best value, but this place is worth going to for the experience.
  5. can't believe this place can actually ask people to pay the ridiculous prices for sushi!
  6. very pricey bad food
  7. It's pricey, but it's worth the super-fresh sushi and delicious South American food.
  8. figured when I went on the opening day of this event that even if the food wasn't great, it would SO be worth it.
  9. The sushi was very good, definitely overpriced but nice to try something a little different sometimes.
  10. It's a huge room, but you still feel intimate with your party.
  11. Way overpriced.
  12. Average, overpriced food, neglect and attitude from servers who's lack of attention to their customers' needs is just plain rude - do youself a favor and keep your distance.
  13. The portions are good (not too much not too little).
  14. Though I HATE the scene, and many items are overpriced, Sushi Samba does have some of the freshest pieces in the city.
  15. your paying high price for something that doesn't fill you up and something that doesnt taste as good.
  16. If you're looking for overpriced so-so sushi and want to be robbed like a tourist, this is the place for you.
  17. It is overpriced crap.
  18. thoroughly enjoyed myself, and will be going back when I save up the money (because please believe this good food is in NO WAY cheap.
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. The service was slow, surly and uniformed.
3 Star Rating: Average

12/01/10

HORRIBLE SERVICE

by CSMobileUser2 at Citysearch

Wow all I can say is that I've been there 3 times & all 3 times had horrible service. Reserved a private table for a birthday party twice & both times were a problem. Tried seating us at the downstairs area where is was jam packed knowing we had rsvp for the private table upstairs. Then we had rsvp for 9:30pm, took an hour after to get our table, not only that but they supposely close at 2am but trying to get us out of there at like 1am because we were the only ones left there. I can go on & on. Also, mixed up our meals. And don't ask them for seperate checks either, no way will they make it convenient for a customer! For such an expensive place, you would expect better service. The place is beautiful, great food, but again horrible service!!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/20/09

Yummy

by J99 at Citysearch

We go here at least once a month...The sushi is amazing and I love the atmosphere. Weekends are insane, but the vibe is great.

  • Pros: Great food
  • Cons: So so service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/16/09

Will go every time I'm in town

by dms34 at Citysearch

The food here is awesome! I had spicy tuna rolls, and they were the best I've ever had. My sister had california rolls, and those were good too. My brother had cooked crab rolls, and I liked them. It was the first time I've everl liked crab.

I was very impressed with our waitress. She was quick and smart. I let her know I didn't want sugar in my mojito, so she went through the trouble of mixing Sweet N Low into it for me. Most places let me do that myself.

The atmosphere is great...very trendy. It feels like a club and makes you want to stay there all night. The bathrooms are even nice and trendy.

It was a tiny bit expensive, but it is Chicago...so what do you expect? It is not overly expensive.

  • Pros: Great Food
  • Cons: Price
3 Star Rating: Average

04/10/09

Nice place but...

by fredsamford at Citysearch

In a competitive asian-fusion market, Sushi-samba seems like a good idea that isnt really hitting its full stride. The service was excellent and attentive, and the host /doorperson was very informative. But when paying premium prices, service is expected. What isnt expected is the average food. We had 3 different special rolls which were very good, but the brazilian apps were overly salty and average. The place closes early on Sundays and we made the mistake of doing a late dinner here and were rushed through our meal which, to me, is inexcusable. They should not seat you if they arent going to allow you to order certain foods at certain times. Again, premium prices and you have to be held to a very high standard.

  • Pros: Beautiful
  • Cons: nothing special, high prices
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/19/09

Amazing Deal for Brunch!!!

by dilworla at Citysearch

Sushisamba Rio recently started a deal called Sunday Fundays. They have a Sunday brunch offering which includes one entree and 3 drinks (your choice of a mimosa, bloody mary, or caipirinha) for only $16! I figured when I went on the opening day of this event that even if the food wasn't great, it would SO be worth it. I was pleasantly surprised that the food was fantastic. I have been back 7 times since! I really hope they keep this around...

  • Pros: 3 free drinks!!!

The Details on Sushi Samba Rio

Place Categories:

  • terrible service
  • great place
  • good american food
  • terrible overpriced food
  • great sushi
  • great fun atmosphere
  • attentive nice server
  • really bad real sushi
  • very nice waiter
  • beautiful people
  • delicious more drinks
  • overrated restaurant
  • quite good kobe roll
  • very nice decor
  • too big flavor
  • decent meal
  • overpriced attitude
  • fresh yellowtail ceviche
  • good party
  • great appetizer
  • great music
  • unique spirits
  • freshest fish
  • very nice socalled ambience
  • very yummy chocolate dessert
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