ZipPicks Awards
Best Dim Sum in River North
Master Critic Review
TAO Asian Bistro Chicago
8.3
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
TAO’s River North outpost pairs a dramatic, temple-inspired dining room with a dim sum section and an Endless Sunday Brunch built around dumplings, bao, and sushi. It functions as a destination pre-club dinner or celebratory brunch where scene and small plates share equal billing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dim Sum Sampler, Chicken Gyoza, Crispy Bao Buns
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: High-impact Pan-Asian dining with a full dim sum lineup in a clubby, double-height space.
Who should go: Party-minded groups wanting dim sum with nightclub energy.
When to visit: Endless Sunday Brunch or peak evening seatings for maximum scene.
What to order: Dim Sum Sampler, Chicken Gyoza, Crispy Bao Buns.
Insider tip: Book Endless Sunday Brunch and treat the dim sum table as your main focus before moving on to sushi and dessert.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet offered most evenings and weekends; nearby paid garages are common, and street parking is limited in River North after 6pm
Dress code: Dressy-casual to chic nightlife — jeans are fine if styled, but most guests lean fashionable and elevated
Noise level: Loud and high-energy — conversation is possible but raised voices are common during peak hours
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait when daytime/brunch service is offered; evenings are busier
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several dim sum, sushi, and small plates can be made or ordered vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable dishes and sides, but menu leans more pescatarian and meat-focused
Gluten-free options: Some items can be prepared gluten-free on request; note that cross-contact is possible in a shared kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a bold, scene-driven night — the dramatic room and music create energy, but it’s better for playful, social dates than quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are occasionally seated at the bar or later in the evening, but prime times and brunch fill quickly, so reservations are strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Older kids and teens may enjoy the spectacle at earlier seatings, but late evenings skew adult-oriented with nightclub-style volume and ambiance.
Best For
Better for: High-impact atmosphere, celebration dinners, and brunch-with-a-scene where dim sum and small plates support a nightlife-leaning experience
Skip if: You want a quiet dim sum meal, traditional cart service, or a low-key dinner focused purely on food rather than ambiance and spectacle