Lilac Tiger, the vibrant new Wicker Park bar replacing Wazwan, serves up a creative fusion of South and Southeast Asian fare alongside playful cocktails in a cozy, energetic setting.
"Headed by chef Zubair Mohajir — whose work at the former Wazwan took Chicago by storm — Lilac Tiger is a bar with a small menu inspired by Indian classics, and including casual bar bites cooked with fine dining precision. There’s a burger, duck fried rice, chicken nuggets, and more — all halal. Here, there’s for everyone. The space also features a restaurant in the back with a more upscale menu called the Coach House." - Nylah Iqbal Muhammad
"When: Tues-Sun 4:30-6pm The Deal: $10 Cocktails and Bites This Wicker Park spot is always a good time, whether you’re hanging out in the small dimly lit space or on their sidewalk patio. And though Lilac Tiger has the loud music and lively energy of a dive bar, their drinks and excellent South Asian food are significantly better than your typical neighborhood bastion of Malört. It’s great for a casual dinner, but if you want to kick off date night earlier or swing by for a post-work hang, their $10 Happy Hour has tasty snacks and drinks like their spicy tandoori honey chicken nuggets and refreshing chai daiquiri." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru
"Wazwan was one of the best South Asian restaurants in the city—until it closed. Luckily, that “closing” was a technicality. They’ve stayed in the same space and simply rebranded as Lilac Tiger. The dark narrow interior has the charm of a busy dive, but instead of lukewarm Schlitz and stale pretzels, tables are full of great cocktails (like the lilac colada with ube and sesame) and South Asian food. Some Wazwan classics like the nihari momos are still on the menu, but dishes like duck fried rice or crispy tandoori honey chicken nuggets are new favorites. Just get there on the earlier side—they don’t take reservations and only have a few tables." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor
"Lilac Tiger is a cocktail bar with bar food from Wazwan chef Zubair Mohajir. It’s a melange of South Indian Muslim food and hits like duck fried rice, spice chicken nuggets (named for the chef’s son), and a burger that brings together many South Asian traditions blended into one patty." - Eater Staff, Ashok Selvam
"This small, dark casual spot in Wicker Park is incredible. Its menu focuses on street food, and the Indian dishes are some of our favorites in Chicago. The mushroom korma is rich and savory (and also vegan, a fact we didn't realize until our server told us after we finished), and the chettinad masala has the perfect amount of heat and tender pieces of chicken. Plus, they also have some great cocktails—their refreshing chai daquiri is perfect for washing down some tandoori honey chicken nuggets." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor
