Ayayay - Chicago

Q: When is the best time to go to Ayayay - Chicago?

Ayayay - Chicago is especially nice for lunch (guests note it can be quiet if you arrive right at opening around 11:30) and for early evening/pre-theater dinners, the spot is repeatedly recommended as perfect before shows, and the restaurant itself highlights casual lunches and after-work cocktails.

Q: Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

Yes, families dine here: reviewers mention dining with babies and children and say their whole family enjoyed the meal, so you can expect a welcoming, casual spot for kids.

Q: What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Guests commonly describe portions as generous and satisfying; reviewers note good portion sizes and one mentions the nachos were large enough to share.

Q: Is this a good pick for date night?

Yes, Ayayay has been enjoyed as a special evening spot, with guests recounting a successful Valentine's Day visit and others describing lovely, attentive dinner experiences.

Q: What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

Ayayay feels bright, modern, and lively, a cozy, casual dining room with upbeat music and warm, attentive service; note some guests find it quite loud on busy nights.

Q: What is the dress code for Ayayay - Chicago?

Business casual is the guide at Ayayay, think neat, work-friendly attire that suits after-work cocktails, casual lunches, or a night out in the Loop.

4.5 (63)

$30 and under

Latin American

60 E Lake St, Chicago, IL 60601-5987

Make a reservation

Ayayay - Chicago

4.5

$30 and under

Latin American

River North (Chicago)

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 6, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Healthy
Charming

Ayayay brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican street food, elevated with Peruvian influences and modern techniques, to Chicago’s Loop. Led by Michelin-recognized Chef José Luis Chávez and Chef Adolfo Gosalvez, our menu features tacos, tortas, burritos, and bowls with house-made tortillas and bold, fresh salsas. Signature dishes include the Tenderloin Carne Asada Tacos, Porkbelly Chicharrón Torta, and Churros filled with cajeta and vanilla ice cream. Enjoy house margaritas by the glass or pitcher, with seasonal flavors available. Located steps from Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk, Ayayay is perfect for casual lunches, after-work cocktails, or weekend cravings in a lively, modern space.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American, Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon 11:30 am–9:00 pm Tue–Thu 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–8:00 pm
Phone number
(773) 354-3649
Website
https://ayayaymex.com/
Dress code
Business Casual
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
60 E Lake St, Chicago, IL 60601-5987
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Parking details
None
Additional
Delivery, Happy Hour, Late Night, Takeout

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

lively.leila
@matilda.chicago opens to the public tomorrow! I got a taste of so many delicious dishes that they offer... Each one is such a unique blend of flavors, and presented so well that I don't know whether my eyes or taste buds enjoyed it more 😄 Here are my recommendations: 👩‍🍳 The most delicious dish: Scallop & Lychee Aguachile! Exotic and so flavorful! 👀 The most beautiful presentation: Conchas Marisqueras 🐟 For seafood lovers: Ceviche Carretillero 🌮 Variations for everyone: Guisos I got a little sneak peek of the soon-to-be-opened speakeasy @drink.clandestino as well - intimate, elegant, buenas vibras! Make sure to put your phone away when you enter because you won't need it there! 😉 PS: If you've been to @kayaorestaurant and @ayayaymex, you know what to expect, as Matilda's is owned by the same people - high quality, excellent service and delicious dishes! If you're a Foodie in Chicago, you don't want to miss this! #matildaschicago #chicagorestaurants #chicagohiddengem #chicagonewrestaurant #chicagofoodies #chicagofoods
sophinchicago
Cute New Mexican eatery has opened up in the Loop! Open every day for lunch and dinner serving up delicious tacos and inexpensive margs! . . . #sophinchicago #chicago #chicagogram #chi #chicagobar #chicagofood #chicagofoodauthority #chicagoeats #chicagofoodie #chicagolife #choosechicago #eaterchicago #chicagostyle #downtownchicago #chicagorestaurant #foodie #chicagobucketlist #explorechicago #chitown #chicagofoodscene #312chicago

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Ayayay - Chicago.

4.5

(63)

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Chicago / Illinois
Latin American
Chicago
Latin American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Ayayay in Chicago is praised for its "excellent service" and "amazing" food, with standout features like flavorful carne asada tacos and perfectly balanced guacamole. While the menu is small, the fried truffle plantains and Oreo cheesecake are highlights. The upbeat atmosphere and refreshing cocktails contribute to a delightful dining experience.

63 Reviews

S
Steve Gold
Chicago107 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very good chicharon torta...friendly attentive service...great music
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded 3 days ago
Thank you so much! We’re glad you enjoyed the chicharrón torta, friendly service, and music. We hope to welcome you back soon!
Is this helpful?
L
Laura
Unspecified1 review
3.0
Dined on October 28, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I had a burrito, there was too much sauce so it fell apart and had to be eaten with a knife and fork. You'll have better luck getting a bowl. Also, it's not a really mexican food. There's a random assortment of fusion type things - various south american and japanese.
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded 3 days ago
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry the burrito did not meet your expectations. Our menu brings together Mexican flavors with Peruvian influences, offering a different take on traditional dishes. We appreciate your comments and will share them with our team.
Is this helpful?
S
Shelia
Chicago1 review
5.0
Dined on October 21, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had a great time! We were a party of 11 and had to split between 2 tables, but the service was awesome, food was tasty, and drinks were good! I’d definitely go back!
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on October 27, 2026
Thank you so much! We’re glad your group had a great time and enjoyed the food, drinks, and service. We truly appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to welcome you back!
Is this helpful?
J
Jennifer
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on October 10, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Busy night, food was great, service was great. We were in town to see Seinfeld show. In at 6:00 pm service was prompt we had plenty of time to walk to Chicago Theater.
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on October 13, 2026
Thank you so much, we appreciate it!
Is this helpful?
L
Lorenzo
Chicago38 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 10, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We loved the food and the service. We had a wonderful experience!
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on October 13, 2026
Thank you so much!
Is this helpful?
S
Shari
Chicago12 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 7, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The menu is not very large, but I knew that when I made my reservation. I ordered the steak burrito. It was flavorless and red on the inside. I returned it and ordered the chicken burrito, which was great! The service was good. Although I really enjoyed the chicken burrito, for the price, I thought that it could have been a bit larger.
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on October 15, 2026
Thank you so much for your feedback, we appreciate it.
Is this helpful?
R
Robert Gold
Wisconsin16 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 5, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
My friend and i were disappointed by our dinner at Ayayay. We were the last diners of the evening 8:15 on a Sunday night in Chicago. Our waiter was very upbeat and really nice guy. However our food tasted like end of shift for kitchen who checked out early. Out of guacamole we went for chips and queso. Wow chips probably made at lunch and stale. The queso was very bland. My friends fish tacos were also very boring while my torta was very good and the only reason we gave a 3 otherwise it would have been a 2 for the food. This is probably more a lunch place than dinner.
Is this helpful?
K
Kirsten Vitrikas
Sacramento7 reviews
4.0
Dined on September 26, 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I’ll start with the good. Service was great. They were attentive without being too present. The margaritas were tasty as was the plantain appetizer. However the tacos were really disappointing. I got the ‘portobello’ which was clearly your basic white/ brown mushroom and really lacked flavor of any sort. My sister ordered the carne asada and was similarly Disappointed.
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on October 1, 2026
Thank you so much for your feedback on the food and service.
Is this helpful?
S
Susan Gold
Chicago20 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 26, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
not much to look at on the outside, but inside a very simple, but fresh dining room. Service was excellent, the Margaritas very good and the food excellent.
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on September 1, 2026
Thank you so much <3
Is this helpful?
A
Ashley Gold
Chicago1 review
5.0
Dined on August 26, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely amazing great food and excellent service I wills definitely be going back
Ayayay - ChicagoResponded on September 1, 2026
Thank you so much for the great feedback!
Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American, Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon 11:30 am–9:00 pm Tue–Thu 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–8:00 pm
Phone number
(773) 354-3649
Website
https://ayayaymex.com/
Dress code
Business Casual
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
60 E Lake St, Chicago, IL 60601-5987
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Parking details
None
Additional
Delivery, Happy Hour, Late Night, Takeout

Featured in

February 11, 2025
Ayayay, a Mexican restaurant with Peruvian accents, to open in the Loop
The Loop restaurant combines Mexican food with Peruvian influences, serving tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, salads, and bowls. Its tortillas and teleras are made in-house, and the menu includes a torta inspired by Peruvian lomo saltado.
Published in Eater Chicago

FAQs

Ayayay - Chicago is especially nice for lunch (guests note it can be quiet if you arrive right at opening around 11:30) and for early evening/pre-theater dinners, the spot is repeatedly recommended as perfect before shows, and the restaurant itself highlights casual lunches and after-work cocktails.

Yes, families dine here: reviewers mention dining with babies and children and say their whole family enjoyed the meal, so you can expect a welcoming, casual spot for kids.

Guests commonly describe portions as generous and satisfying; reviewers note good portion sizes and one mentions the nachos were large enough to share.

Yes, Ayayay has been enjoyed as a special evening spot, with guests recounting a successful Valentine's Day visit and others describing lovely, attentive dinner experiences.

Ayayay feels bright, modern, and lively, a cozy, casual dining room with upbeat music and warm, attentive service; note some guests find it quite loud on busy nights.

Business casual is the guide at Ayayay, think neat, work-friendly attire that suits after-work cocktails, casual lunches, or a night out in the Loop.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

Ayayay - Chicago

4.5

$30 and under

Latin American

River North (Chicago)

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 6, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Ayayay - Chicago

Make a reservation

Ayayay - Chicago

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Loved For

Review summary

Dining areas

Additional information

Ayayay, a Mexican restaurant with Peruvian accents, to open in the Loop

FAQs

When is the best time to go to Ayayay - Chicago?

Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Is this a good pick for date night?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

What is the dress code for Ayayay - Chicago?

Make a reservation

Ayayay - Chicago

Make a reservation