Little Bucharest Bistro in Chicago

I absolutely love this place even though its my first time going here to get take out in this pandemic time! The stuffed cabbage and schnitzel was delicious and the Romanian holy water is worth trying!

First time picking up from this legendary place (50 years in business!!and I wish we knew about this place sooner. Great variety and quality of home style European food. I can only imagine the experience of amazing hospitality when dining in! Send this business off on a great note and order from them. They have great specials! and go meet the owner to wish them well! They had a great run!

So very sad that this Chicago gem is closing! Food is authentic and delicious with generous portions. Reminds me of my moms Romanian home cooking. The eggplant salad, stuffed cabbage, tocanita, sausage stuffed chicken with polenta, cake and strudel were all delicious! Everything was delicious and I highly recommend! Little Bucharest will be missed! Much love to the wonderful owner and staff 😘

Like this place. Went in to pick up to go dinners and our free cabbage roll.Met the owner Branko & Just as important got to meet Violetta his daughter and sometime celebrity / former traffic lady on WGN Radios the Roe Conn show.Good Company, Very hospitable & the food was good...!

I had this place on my "want to go" list for a long time before I moved away from Chicago, so I was very excited to visit it on my latest trip back. The menu and decor are old-school eastern European, down to the stained glass of Vlad the Impaler, and prices are reasonable for a nice night out (apps ~$10ish, entrees $20-27, a nice 3-course deal for $33). Its an overused descriptor, but if this isnt a "hidden gem" for Chicago gourmands, I dont what else could be. Definitely a stellar spot for a romantic date or a special occasion.The food met all expectations, and was clearly prepared with equal parts skill and love. The stuffed cabbages and meatball soup were highlights for us, and we also enjoyed the vegetable goulash and fried cheese. The complimentary bread also tasted house-made, and was best saved for sopping up leftover sauces and oils to savor every bit of each dish.What really set this place apart was the theatrics and atmosphere though (see the included video). The owner is an active part of running the restaurant and made sure we were entertained and well taken care of. There was a violinist playing songs upon request, and overall service was attentive and on-point with what I expect from fine-dining establishments in Chicago.

We had so much fun at Little Budapest. The food was great, the ambiance was amazing. The owner went to every table with little surprises and fun. Extra plus was the live dinner music. Great, fun experience!

Great food, exceptional service! We had a birthday party here and the appetizer sausages were very tasty. I ordered the braised short rib which was soft and savory. Also got the birthday crepe for my friend! Will try their other dishes next time!

My wife is Romanian and Ive had many of Romanias fine dishes. This place does it better than anywhere Ive been and reminds me of my wifes family recipes. Highly recommended to all Chicagoans and tourist.

Wonderful experience and hospitality, the food was fantastic. Definitely a must visit for those passing through Chicago.

Don’t ignore this review because I have an American last name.I totally only read the reviews from people who I could tell were Romanian based on their last names (Craciun, Popescu, anything ending in “san,” you know the drill).My time at Little Bucharest Bistro was an absolute pleasure. Authentic Romanian food and incredible staff.I arrived on a Friday afternoon and was greeted with warm smiles and pleasant music. The restaurant was clean, tidy, and decorated tastefully with traditional Romanian flair. I was having such a terrible day so I asked for tuica and it was on the table almost immediately. I grabbed some sarmale and vinete (cabbage rolls and eggplant spreadand they tasted just like my mom’s own recipes - and she’s a great cook, I promise. I could tell everything was fresh and made with caring hands. The owner came over and we bantered back and forth for quite a while. We laughed and shared many jokes and stories and I felt like I was home. I would have stayed all evening had I not needed to catch a flight that night. Everyone here truly turned my mood around in the span of a half hour and made my day absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back!

Great place for Romanian cuisine. The owner greets all the customers and talks with them at the tables. The wait staff answers all questions with patience. (There was a table of millenials who had never had eastern European food near us; they had lots of qustions The food was fantastic, especially the chicken paprkash and the short rib goulash. We will definitely be back. The restaurant is not closing as previously reported. Go there!

Great authentic old European restaurant and a very friendly host! The sausage stuffed chicken thigh and its gorgonzola polenta deserves its award winning title! A surprise may expect you at the end of dinner! Will go again to try the lamb roast!

Absolutely delicious food and amazing people. Very authentic food ( my husband is Romanian )! We went there 30 minutes before closing and they treated us like kings. We said we’d take out the food so as not to give them extra work, but they said “absolutely not”, and gave us the best service. Once we left they even gave us a shot of their traditional Palinka for free! We’ll be coming back very often :)!

Beautiful little bistro with authentic Romanian fare. We enjoy our experience every time and this is going to be a regular stop for our time in Chicago. Noroc!

Amazing food and friendly staff. Went there for their Sunday pig and lamb roast and it was amazing. The owner really makes you feel like family. Highly recommend visiting.

Spare ribs gulash is something that everyone need to try here, 5 hours slowcooked meat just melts in your mouth with delicious other ingredients. Owner is very hospitable giving you high quality Pálinka . Dont miss it!

Delicious authentic Romanian food. My wife is Romanian and it tastes like the homemade meals she makes and that we are treated to during our visits to Romania. The owner is wonderful, interacting and having fun with his guest in typical Romanian fashion.

As always, the food was absolutely delicious and Mr. Branko, the owner, was beyond hospitable and welcoming!! Felt like home and had a great dinner!

I love this restaurant and the team there, my place to go in Chicago! Little Bucharest food truly tastes "like home", and each time I was there, everything was fresh, delicious and very much enjoyed by my non-Romanian friends. Try it out, you will love Branko and his team! And dont forget to try the Holy Water :)

Terrific place for a delicious meal. The decor is outstanding. The service was magnificent and our server provided helpful recommendations. In addition she also gave some general education about Romanian cuisine. Will definitely be returning.

We had a wonderful time at the restaurant tonight! They let us set a reservation before a private party, we each had something different, enjoyed a shared dessert, and be sure to ask the owner for a taste of the Holy Water! We would highly recommend this Bistro! Thank you so much for a happy memory to end our first day at the IHHS show!

Wonderful time seeing a concert venue here! Wonderful service. Very polite staff and owner made a point to come greet all the concert attendees.

A great place to have dinner! Our waitress was very patient with us while we dawdled on our wine order. The owner was funny and attentive, making sure we were well fed and spirited. We had the eggplant spread, beet salad, stuffed cabbage, and pork shoulder goulash - all were delicious and generously portioned! The in-house violinist was kind and talented- and took requests! We would definitely recommend Little Bucharest for any friend or family gathering.

Owner and Ivanka, our server, were attentive and made us feel right at home. The food was delicious! Expect to stay, take your time and enjoy your meal!We ordered fire roasted pork (their specialty on Sundays), beet salad, stuffed cabbage, tripe soup and crepes for dessert. The pork was moist and served with corn, potatoes and green beans, which were also tasty! The beet salad was served with greens, drizzled with sweet dressing and candied walnuts. The stuffed cabbage had more meat than rice, which I prefer (some places put more rice than meat). The soup was well balanced (broth was creamy and meat was tender).This is a hidden gem in the city that offers a taste of Europe!

I ate very well-made mamaliga, sarmale, and clatite here. The waitress was kind and helpful. The colorful owner was quick to bless our birthday boy and his friends with the owners "holy water".

I felt like I was walking into my grandparents house for this first date. It was comfortable and cozy, there were people speaking different Slavic languages, amazing vegetarian fair, and a violinist taking requests! The owner even let me set Saganaki on fire.

Food was real good and the staff was very friendly I will definitely be back again

I heard of Little Bucharest years ago and it was my girlfriend, who lives three blocks away, that suggested it randomly on a Sunday. Or, maybe not-so-randomly, as the “LAMB AND PIG ROAST ON SUNDAY” banner had been catching our eye.Upon entering, we were greeted at the patio by a rotisserie suckling pig sizzling on coals.Ambience – this is no frills. Very much a restaurant in any-town Europe. The charming, rustic patio is tucked on a side street off Elston, Close enough to smell charcoal and roasting pig. It’s also quiet. So nice and quiet as opposed to so many patios that have blaring music and crowds.Giant plates heaped with roasted pig or lamb are available on Sunday accompanied by bread and vegetables, in addition to the rest of the regular menu. Aiming for a little of everything, we ordered cabbage salad, pickled green tomatoes, saganaki (yes – flaming cheese), roasted lamb, and short rib goulash. The food, in a word, delicious. It’s rustic country food, done so beautifully without pretense.Surprisingly, I’d call this a destination spot. Not because of the ambience or the frills, but because in my 30 years in the city, I don’t know of a place that really nails mountain rustic food in a way little Bucharest does. It’s perfect. It’s delicious. It’s worth checking out.

We had such a great time this evening. The service was truly excellent. Our server took time to explain the dishes to us. The food was simply fantastic, beautifully presented, fresh ingredients and they hit the heights for taste. Great atmosphere. It was a pleasure to dine there and we will return soon!

Who knew we liked Romanian food! This place is so good!!!

Food was delicious. Was surprised to discover that I like stuffed cabbage, which was very tasty. Service was good. Clearly family owned with the owner coming around to check on you and pour shots in your mouth. Definitely a spot worth checking out.

Wonderful experience. Took a large party there for dinner and the service was perfectly attentive, the food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was one of genuine warmth and charming hospitality.The ciorba and sarmale is authentic and delicious; add in Romanian singing and dancing , and it is hard to imagine this perfect little corner of old Europe is in Chicago.Heartily recommended!

Very cozy place with excellent food and a service that reminds the unusual Eastern European customs and its incomparable sense of hospitality. I went there with a friend of mine, who is Bulgarian, and he confirmed the high quality of the food and its regional diversity. We both very much enjoyed the time spent there.

My favorite Romanian end European restaurant, I love coming here food is always amazing, great atmosphere and amazing staff. Everyone that I bring to this place they always want to come back after we leave I highly recommend it for anyone that loves great food. I will definitely keep coming back. A+++++

My family and I , we loved the place! We were celebrating my birthday and our experience was great! The food was delicious and atmosphere there was cozy and friendly . Traditional Romanian food, we liked the lamb the most. We definitely will be back. Thank you Mr. Branco!

I highly recommend it to everyone! The staff is always careful and the owner very friendly and serios.I just had my birthday party there with 45 guests and every single one was 100% satisfied . Perfect food , perfect location ,excellent service! Good job!

This was by far one of the best treatments Ive experienced! My friends and I stopped here after the Cubs game to try out the food, and we were impressed by its quality. I highly recommend this restaurant for its authenticity and hospitality. Also, the manager/owner was extremely fun and friendly!I

Great Neighborhood Restaurant.Went there with my wife and a friend on a Sunday night. I was greeted by a server as well as the owner, and we chose a table outside on their cozy patio. They have big picnic tables, so we had plenty of room for all the food we ordered (and we ordered a lot!). They have speakers outside, so we listened to Romanian folk music at a perfect volume all through the dinner. We had beet carpaccio, saganaki for starters, and goulash, stuffed chicken thighs and the pig roast platter ( they roast a pig and a lamb every Sunday apparently). All of the food was outstanding, but the pig was the star of the show- succulent and juicy, with a perfectly crispy skin- if you are there on a Sunday, its a MUST!Incredibly, the quality of food was far surpassed by the level of hospitality we received. Our server was nice, knowledgeable, great with suggestions and prompt. And Branko (the manager/ownertruly made this an unforgettable experience by adding his personal touch - lighting the saganaki with us, introducing us to some awesome Romanian Brandy and generally treating us like family, even though weve never met before.This place is a true gem in the neighborhood, and people who are running it are amazing. Great for a romantic dinner or for a family outing. DO NOT sleep on Dobos cake! Thanks and we will be back!

Little Bucharest is amazing. I love going there for a meal and drinks and always end up entertained. The owner is awesome and super friendly, as well as the rest of the staff. They always go above and beyond to make sure you leave full and happy. The house wine and bread are amazing. I definitely recommend it for friendly, fun environment.

Superb dining experience! The saganaki was the best we ever had, the skirt steak was delicious, and the service was welcoming and friendly. We highly recommend this spot for the food and atmosphere. We will definitely be back again; come on Sundays for all-day pig and lamb roasts!

Had a wonderful experience here with my Romanian husband and his mother. Food was delicious and there were vegan options as well! Best part was the fun and entertainment with staff! So welcoming and enjoyable. We will definitely be back again and again :)

Not bad for a little place, it has cool ambiance . Food is good. Not very large crowds, so you get to chat with the owner if interested. The waitress is not very friendly but shes efficient!

Variety of foods, European and ethnic Romanian especially. Great wine list from different areas of Romania! The owner Branco treats you like family with his famous romanian hospitality!

Came here one night with my girlfriend, and I have to say, the food does not disappoint. Worth every penny. The cooking tastes just like home, and the staff is incredibly friendly. Definitely recommend this place to anyone that wants to get a taste of what Romanian cuisine has to offer ;)

I can honestly say Little Bucharest Bistro is truely the best place to go. The food and services feels right at home. I personally recommend anybody to stop by for the best meals in the region. I guarantee you will love the experience what the Bistro has to offer no question asked.

This restaurant is wonderful! Excellent food, great ambiance and authentic. It feels like home. The service and staff were excellent as well. We had the veggie goulash, borscht, and eggplant spread. Everything was superb. Cant wait to go back.

Truly enjoyed the food here. My husband is Romanian so I have had some of the traditional meals home-cooked. Their food rivals if not tops what Ive had from my mother-in-laws own kitchen. The owner treats you like family. He accommodated my 10 month old who is quite high-energy and walking all around the restaurant. Customer service cant be beat. And they roast a pig and a lamb on Sundays. Definitely visit.

Excellent food and upscale atmosphere! Our friends invited us to this Eastern European restaurant and we assumed it would be a classically older restaurant with aging decor and heavy comfort food-it turned out to be clean and decorated with a modern twist of stained glass icons, nice tables. I highly recommend the short rib goulash and the cabbage rolls, comfort food but not heavy like many Eastern European restaurants. The service was great and the owner was hands-on, very charming. We will definitely be back!

We Love this place! Our food, drink and service were excellent. Just loved everything about it, they have outdoor seating which is just perfect for a Chicago evening with family and friends. The owner was so amazingly welcoming and made us feel comfortable, it almost felt as we were his family. He even blessed each of us with a shot of European LiquorThis place is awesome, impeccable service, one of those hidden gems of Chicago.Food, Service, Atmosphere

Loved this place! Our food and service was excellent. We went on a Sunday night that wasnt too crowded, so thats probably why the wait staff was so attentive. But everyone was nice and the food was great. I had the stuffed cabbage and thought it was excellent. We had a big group and took advantage of the free limo pick-up/drop-off service, which was great and set the tone for an excellent evening. Music was authentic. Id go back here in a second.