Chef Michael Carlson showcases inventive New American fixed-price menus in a simple, homey space. Based on 235 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price $$$$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ Delivery
Address:
1466 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (773) 252-1466
Website: http://schwarestaurant.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Saturday | 5:30–9 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: exploretock.com
Reviews
Lindsay Eckert
What a fun night! If you’re looking for Michelin quality and innovation without to pretension, this is it. Loved being able to byob from my own collection and doing shots with the kitchen. The food was incredible and inventive. Mind blowing flavor combinations. Took off a star for the amount of food. Was put off that some of the 12 courses were combined. For instance a drink and bite meant to be consumed together counted as two courses and this left me wanting when the final course came. A fantastic experience though.
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Areum Han
Visited Schwa for a special occasion all the way from Hotlanta. Absolutely loved innovative cuisine without pretentiousness from the CDC. His juxtaposition of “East meets West” ingredients with various cooking techniques truly shines as you taste each dish. Each dish was absolutely delicious, thought provoking and wish I had time to ask ideas behind each and every dish I tasted tonight. Portion was just enough in my opinion, but I did feel like i could have one more bite on every single dish because they were that delicious. Yes, it is a bit noisy and space is limited, but I personally thought it sets Schwa apart from traditional Michellin star recipients because they ARE different. Byob was awesome asI was able to bring my own collection. I’ve already recommended Schwa to a colleague of mine visiting Chicago in Sept, and will visit next time I’m in Chicago. It’s hip, fun, and intimate with pretty much “open kitchen”. If you want to know what that means, please visit Schwa. You won’t be disappointed.
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Nikita Doroff
While the cuisine offered does not quite meet the elevated standards of Michelin-rated establishments, the portion sizes and number of portions are also notably modest. The ambiance is dimly lit, and the interior decor is outdated. Additionally, the arrangement of tables feels quite cramped. It is plausible that the restaurant’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) policy might be a contributing factor that attracts clientele.
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Robert Park
This was an amazing meal by a a few very talented and creative chefs. The concepts and the flavors they put together are mind blowing. And while you look at such small plates you can see their passion and enthusiasm in every dish. There is a reason they are a Michigan star restaurant and while reservations were a challenge the experience is worth every penny. You do not leave hungry
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Michael Damato
Schwa had been on my to go list for a while and it did not disappoint. Each course was well presented and tasted fantastic.
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Leah K
My roommates and I had the pleasure of treating ourselves to Schwa and it blew our minds! I had read a lot of things about Schwa beforehand about how the restaurant had a very untraditional vibe and id seen complaints that the music was too loud, the chefs were drinking and/or smoking, etc… Makes me feel bad for those people for not appreciating how unique Schwa really is. That being said, when I walked in, I almost thought I’d been punk’d. The restaurant is one of the smallest I’ve ever seen filled with 4 spray-painted graffiti art walls and oddly nostalgic informal black dining chairs and tables. The whole restaurant can seat probably 20 in max capacity. The chefs also dress relatively informally and handle most of the serving themselves, which is unique and cool to see! I loved that the chefs came out each time and described the dishes. It definitely added to the experience.
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Storm D’Angelo
Enlightening dinning experience!
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John Doerrer
All in all a very good experience.
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SCG
All food snobs should dine once at Schwa, because notions of fine dining get turned upside down the moment you approach this highly acclaimed, Michelin-starred restaurant. It is a spectacular experience—jarring at times—from beginning to end.
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Kat A
The presentation is great and that’s about it. The food looked far better than it tasted, not a single course was memorable. The ambiance is non existent and the music is so loud I couldn’t hear the waiter or the person across the table from me.
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