Carnivale Chicago

Carnivale is a fun, high-energy spot with a lively South American vibe—music and Brazilian dance performances make it feel more like a celebration than a quiet dinner. We did the Komal chef tasting menu ($149/person). A few dishes stood out, especially the charcoal-grilled prawns, the yuca con mojo (almost like grilled fries), and the vaca frita beef which was surprisingly tender. However it’s not amazing enough for me to think it’s worth the price. Service was attentive, and the chef was genuinely accommodating—he listened to feedback and adjusted to our preferences. However, it’s a bit too stressful for people who just want to enjoy food without too much talking.

Carnival is not just dinner.... it’s a full-on experience!! Walking in feels like stepping into another world. The lights, the music, the energy — everything is vibrant, bold, and alive. This is the kind of place where the night instantly feels exciting before you even sit down. The food is just as fun as the atmosphere. Colorful, creative, and packed with flavor, every dish feels like part of the show. Even on a lighter visit, everything we tried was memorable and beautifully done. And the drinks? Unreal. Playful, dramatic, and absolutely part of the experience (cotton candy cocktails included). What really sets Carnival apart is the vibe — it’s loud in the best way, social, celebratory, and perfect for date night, group dinners, or any night you want to feel like you’re out out. It’s

Host (short female) greeted us with no energy or smile...then we were sat cramped between tables with 20 other tables open in the dining room Server was nice & polite, but service was slow...noticed him serving 4-5 tables. Food flavors were ok, not great as I expected No manager interaction or visit at the table...spent $300 and didn't feel worth it

We visited Carnivale on a weekday and arrived at 4:50 p.m. for our 5:00 reservation. Despite being early, we were told we couldn’t be seated and were asked to wait at the bar. A group that arrived after us was seated right away, and we ended up waiting until 5:15 before being shown to our table. Our server felt pushy from the start. Within minutes of sitting down, he asked if we were ready to order drinks. We requested a little more time, and when he returned he rushed through a long, rapid rundown of the menu. Although, he may have wanted to be helpful, it seemed as though he was running out of patience. We eventually ordered appetizers—the pupusas and yucca fries—which were both great. For our entrée, the server recommended the seafood paella, mentioning (unprompted) that it was large

I wish I had more food photos to share. Great first time dining at this place. Very inviting, festive looking inside which I find exciting. The beef empanada, shrimp ceviche and, guacamole were delicious! My husband and I shared Lechon Al Pastor and Carne Asada and we could only say that both are incredibly good.