Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval

My boyfriend & I had an 8:30pm reservation for the Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu. Due to street closures around Lower Wacker Drive, we arrived at 9pm. We called ahead, and the restaurant confirmed that our late arrival was completely fine. Unfortunately, the timing of service throughout the evening was extremely disappointing! It was almost 10pm before we received our first course. We remained patient, understanding that Valentine’s Day is perhaps a busy evening. However, by 11:30pm, we still had not received our main course. The steak presentation did not occur until 11:39pm…nearly three hours after our reservation time and over two and a half hours after we arrived. For a pre-set holiday menu, we expected smoother pacing and a more organized dining experience. While management did acknowledge the delay and apologize, the overall execution did not align with the price point. Additionally, the steak itself was unfortunately overly salty, which made it difficult to enjoy after such a long wait. Valentine’s Day is meant to feel special and elevated. While we appreciated the effort put into the presentation, the extended delays and food quality ultimately overshadowed the experience. We truly hope this was an isolated issue(which by reading other reviews it was not), as the restaurant appears to have many positive reviews. However, our experience did not reflect that standard.

No words can truly explain how extraordinary Toro is. From the ambiance and timing to the staff and of course the incredible food and cocktails, everything was absolutely perfect. Each dish and cocktail was meticulously prepared. The presentation alone was a visual delight, and the flavors took it to an entirely different level. My eyes enjoyed the food just as much as my taste buds did. I especially want to highlight the staff. They were incredibly friendly and attentive, and they even took the time to chat with me, which meant a lot since I was traveling by myself. That personal touch made the experience even more special. Angelyne and Shawntee at the front desk gave me the warmest and most welcoming greeting. The waiters, Dylan and Santi, also did a fantastic job, professional, attentive, and kind. And of course, kudos to the chef and the entire team as well. Even though I did not get to speak with them, their excellence was evident in every bite. Everything was absolutely worth the time and money. I highly recommend making a reservation before you go. This is a must visit restaurant if you are in Chicago.

Thank you so much to the entire team at Toro for making our first Chicago dining experience truly unforgettable. My friend and I both work in restaurants, and while we spend so much time creating memorable moments for others, we sometimes forget to create them for ourselves. Last night, we genuinely felt celebrated and taken care of. We arrived about 20 minutes early for our reservation, and the hostesses were incredibly kind and accommodating, graciously allowing us to switch from a table to the bar. From there, the experience was exceptional. Abraham and Marc behind the bar were absolute standouts. I typically order a passion fruit martini and am often told elsewhere that it’s not possible, but Abraham simply said, “We can make it happen—just let me know when you’re ready.” That, to me, is true hospitality. Marc then made one of the smoothest, most delicious martinis I’ve had, which paired beautifully with our meal. The food was a 10/10. The ribeye was seared to perfection with gorgeous, crisp grill marks—something I’ll be thinking about for weeks. And the shrimp appetizer? Never take it off the menu. To top it all off, a special shoutout to the incredible fire dancer (who Abraham introduced us to). She was stunning, talented, and so friendly—an unforgettable part of the evening. We also truly appreciated the management team for offering thoughtful recommendations on our way out to add to our itinerary. I hope this review gets shared during pre-shift and back to management because you have some serious heavy hitters on your team—people who know how to make guests feel full, seen, and genuinely cared for. Thank you for embodying hospitality at its finest.

10/10 — Toro is truly unforgettable. This was hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every bite was exceptional. We were so blown away that we asked the chef to come out just so we could thank him in person. Our server, Dylan, was outstanding and guided us with perfect recommendations. The passion pisco sour was life-changing—the best drink I’ve ever had (get it with the salt and sugar rim). For appetizers, the guacamole and ceviche were flawless. The branzino (fish of the day) and mac and cheese for our entrées were nothing short of spectacular. And the cheesecake? Absolute perfection. We both walked away saying this was the best meal we’ve had in years. Run—don’t walk—to Toro. Highly recommend. 💥🍸🍽️

French toast, pancakes, waffle all of these tasted good. Ordered black coffee & hot chocolate for kids. The taste does justice to the food they serve. I liked how simply decorated/less syrups or cream at the top of the meals. The staff were very nice. Waited around 25 minutes to be seated, took around another 10mins to serve food after order. Interior is nicely done in African theme. Highly recommend.

We went to Toro Chicago on a Friday night and it felt like dinner and a night out in one. Live DJ? Yes. Fire show performance? Also yes. The vibe was fun, lively, and just the right amount of dramatic. We ordered the churrasco meat platter and were genuinely impressed by how generous it was — easily enough to share for four people (and we did not leave hungry). Everything was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The swordfish dip was another standout — fresh, smooth, and dangerously easy to keep going back for. Great energy, great portions, and a Friday night done right. We’ll definitely be back.

I tried the Lomo Saltado and it was absolutely amazing. Our server mentioned that it’s one of Peru’s signature dishes, and now I understand why. The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced. The portion size was just right. satisfying without being too heavy. The restaurant itself looked gorgeous, tucked inside the Fairmont hotel, and the overall atmosphere felt classy yet comfortable. They serve Coke products too, which was a nice touch. I’d happily come back for another meal.

This place was really nice. The staff was super friendly and the over all ambience was a vibe. Though my mom didn't care for her order, the restaurant manager came out immediately to greet her and make it right. Our waiter was cool as a fan. Im definitely coming back! The margarita flights for happy hour 10/10.

The service, food and drinks were very good! The decor was unique and warm. I will be going back as there are other items on the menu I want to try.

We had the pleasure of dining at Toro during Chicago Restaurant Week 2025, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was electric--sophisticated yet inviting, with a vibrant energy that perfectly complemented the modern Latin-inspired decor. The dim lighting, stylish seating, and lively buzz made it the ideal spot for a special night out. The prix fixe menu was a fantastic way to sample some of Toro's standout dishes. The **Ceviche Amarillo** was a highlight--bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor. For the main course, we tried the **Grilled Tiger Prawns**, which were cooked to perfection and packed with smoky, savory goodness. While they were delicious, I did feel the portion size was a bit small for the price, and they might work better as an add-on to another entrée. But the real showstopper? The **homemade churros**. Oh. My. Goodness. These were hands down the best churros I've ever had in my life--crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, and served with a decadent dipping sauce that took them to another level. They completely outshined the other desserts (which were also great, but the churros are a must-order!). Overall, Toro is a fantastic addition to Chicago's dining scene. The food is innovative and flavorful, the service is attentive, and the atmosphere is absolutely on point. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a memorable meal, Toro delivers. We'll definitely be back!

If only I knew then what I know now, I would've kept this one on my list of maybes in Chicago. Walking into Toro, I was stunned by the retro, low light atmosphere of the restaurant. Everything about the interior had me feeling optimistic and excited for the food. The moment I sat down and looked at the menu, my morale started to waver. The menu had me confused on what to expect from all of the dishes. Initially our group wanted the meat platter dish but that was out. Then i wanted to try the sirloin strip, and that was out. Ultimately, I chose the ribeye. Personally, this dish is underwhelming. The pictures definitely blow up the steak more than it deserves. The amount of fat on this steak had me irritated and the three little potatoes thrown on the side along with two Shishito peppers annoyed me to death. The dish wasn't interesting, and the flavors got old over time. Other members of my group had the branzino, the Lomo Saltado* **, and the short rib skillet thing - no one uttered a single word about their main entree being good. We did all chime in and clap for the Mac and cheese though :). Our groups rating of this places is 6/10, mine is 4/10. Save the money and try Artango in Lincoln Square! Also, service was ok.

We came here to celebrate my wife's birthday. The plan wasn't very busy when we arrive but still a decent amount of folks dining. The dining room was narrow and long, but still very spacious. Service was great. Staff was very friendly and the food came out very quickly. We started off with a couple of drinks and their Sweet Corn Empanadas. The empanadas were served with aji Amarillo, avocado purée, Manchego and chimichurri on the side. These were good. My wife really enjoyed them, but I would personally want to try something else next time. Drinks were really tasty. My wife really enjoyed hers and mine was tasty as well. We shared a side and each ordered our own entree. She ordered their Cusco chicken. I would have probably ordered this if she didn't. And I ordered their Short Rib Chaufa with no regrets. This dish was amazing. You get this Peruvian fried rice with pickled shimeji, fried garlic, truffle yakiniku topped with very tender beef short rib and sesame. The rice was so delicious. You get a lot of Asian flavors in this dish but I haven't enjoyed a dish like this in a very long time. I'm sad to see that I don't currently see it on the website menu though. Hope they haven't gotten rid of this forever. It's definitely a must try though. Our side unfortunately was very memorable though. We ordered Potato three ways, which came with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, and crispy potatoes with a red wine demi glaze. I think we were supposed to mixed it all up and eat it that way but overall wasn't a big fan of this side. Will still definitely be returning though.

This is the single best fine dining restaurant experience and meal that I've ever experienced in my entire adult life. Buckle in, because this review will be long. I met my sisters at Toro, a low lit romantic atmosphere that would be great for a date, but also a perfect spot for a sister reunion. I started with a pisco sour cocktail that was phenomenal. The mezcal was not too smokey and all the flavors balanced in perfect harmony. It was so good it called for a second as our night progressed. One sister was late so we decided to try the tuna ponzu guacamole as our appetizer while we waited for her. It was well plated, delicious, seasoned perfectly and accompanied by a combination of corn chips & beautiful plantain chips that curled in the most sexy and elegant way. My sister ordered the beet salad which came as an interesting arrangement, reminding me of a deconstructed salad. I appreciated all the flavors complementing each other as well as the varied beets used. Truly a masterpiece. Once our long lost sister arrived we ordered our mains. Everybody loved their choices but I will only speak about what I had the scallop and pork belly entreé. This is the best marriage of pork belly and scallops I've ever enjoyed, blew Sanchez's signature tapa out of the water. The sauce, the sweet corn, everything married together for the most succulent and delectable bite. I tried to slow myself down to fully enjoy and experience this meal, but noticed with each bite the hungrier I felt. This was the most satiated and fulfilled I've ever felt with a fine dining restaurant meal. I was truly in awe. For dessert, we splurged and did the flaming coffee alcoholic dessert drink complete with table side service for $25. It's always fun to see fire theatrics and it tasted oh so boozy and nice. We ended with, La Bomba, the restaurant's signature dessert meant to invoke the feeling of celebration like a piñata or confetti. I posted a video of the fun, but basically we count down and the server drops a hollow chocolate sphere filled with icecream, sorbet, mousse, fruit, and meringue that breaks and scatters everywhere in a colorful display. They finish it with several yummy sauces and bon appetite. Service was attentive and the waiter was trained well to explain the concept of the restaurant (which is well conceived) as well as give appropriate recommendations. We never felt neglected. It honestly was a perfect night of great food and company. So happy we chose Toro! Certainly worth the investment for such a unique and delicious experience.

We had a conference in the hotel, and decided to dine at Toro for our team dinner. The atmosphere is just perfect. Dim, but not too dim lighting, beautiful tables and furniture, plus a comfy lounge/bar area. We tried pre-dinner drinks at the bar, and all the bartenders were so friendly and knowledgeable. Daniel was especially fun. Ruben was our server for dinner, and he was amazing. Very knowledgeable on the menu and cocktails, and he made great recommendations. We had empanadas and smoked guacamole for starters, and really enjoyed both. The guacamole came with tortilla and plantain chips for a nice surprise. Entrees were enjoyed by all, we had filets, strip, prawns and a lobster roll. For sides to share we ordered macaroni, asparagus, carrots, and the fries. The macaroni was not a favorite, but we enjoyed the rest immensely. No room for dessert, but it looked amazing. I'll be back if I'm in the area again.

Ambiance - cute, dim, intimate spot, great for dates & small groups Service - exceptional, our server was very knowledgeable about the menu, they timed our apps and main course perfectly Food - the grilled octopus was my absolute favorite! The sauce that paired with it was 10/10. The scallop was a bit salty but cooked to perfection.

If you haven't tried their breakfast yet, you're missing out. In addition to their exceptional dinner menu their breakfast did not disappoint. I enjoyed an iced coffee and the chilaquiles... a recommendation by my server. It was so flavorful and authentic I thought I stepped back in to Southern California. If you haven't been to the palace it's a beautiful property. I was able to sit by the window and enjoy some people watching with my breakfast

Food has great flavor and everything is perfectly cooked. Portions are small though. We had to DoorDash a second dinner to our hotel room later because the entrees at Toro were not quite filling enough for us. We expected the desserts to be shareable at least for 2 people, but the cheesecake was a tiny sliver of a slice. I would say expect to order multiple courses here to feel full and satiated. Decor and ambience are very nice and trendy. This is likely a singular incident but the service was very poor when we went. After being seated for 10min and the server never coming over, we went to go ask the hostess to call the server for us. The hostess ended up placing our orders for us. Later, the server showed up and asked if he could get us anything else. It was very odd, but like I said, probably just a singular incident (I hope).

The ambiance is so romantic! The service was superb! Our waiter was so attentive and had no issues recommending drinks and appetizers. Everything I tried was so fresh and packed with flavor. Definitely need to go back again to try other items on the menu but this place did not disappoint!

This was our first time and I was so excited to try it out. Based on the images we'd seen on social media we were ready to eat everything. We started with the smoked swordfish dip and sweet corn empanadas. While the dip was delicious, I was lesser impressed with the empanadas, which was disappointing since I was really looking forward to those. The dip was served with tortilla chips and two plantain chips, and it would've been lovely to have more than two plantain chips. We were told the empanadas were cheesy and they were a lot less cheesy than described. The crust was quite thick, but good. We also ordered a couple drinks, the guava non alcoholic one which was amazing! Great flavor. The passion pisco was also so refreshing and nice! The drinks did come a bit late- we were nearly finished with our first course. We also ordered the rack of lamb and catch of the day which happened to be branzino. The rack of lamb was nice, served with a couple potato's and some peppers. The branzino was nicely butterflied served with an avocado and some slaw. The fish was okay, nicely seasoned but the temperature of the fish was nearly cold. We also did the potato's 3 ways which was a bowl of mashed potatoes with a few baby potatoes topped with fried potato straws. Nothing. Special to them and I'd recommend getting a different side. Staff was friendly, and gave a story with each thing. Overall, fun experience, with decent food .

Toro Chicago is undeniably a beautiful and lively space, with vibrant decor and a buzzing ambiance that reflects its Latin roots. The restaurant promises bold South American flavors and inventive culinary techniques from Chef Richard Sandoval, which initially got me excited. While the service was friendly and the creative cocktails were a highlight, the food didn't quite meet expectations. Some of the dishes lacked the depth of flavor I was hoping for, given the description and price point. The tapas, while beautifully plated, felt underwhelming. Overall, Toro has potential--it's great for a night out with friends and offers a unique vibe. However, I think there's room for improvement with the flavors to match the creativity of the concept. A 3.5/5 from me for now, but I'd be open to giving it another try down the line!

Food was wonderful and we loved the atmosphere. Service was good, from our very knowledgeable and friendly server, Ruben, to the others who delivered our food and kept our table clear. Great experience; would highly recommend and would return. Special treat of dancing entertainment

We went for the Valentine's Day special. The food was mostly absolutely delicious. We were not a fan of one course but the rest was perfect. The sushi was full of flavor as was the lamb and chowder. Our server was incredible. Very knowledgeable and very nice. However the one complaint I will have is we did wait hours for one part of a small course which was tiny wagyu tenderloins due to short staffing. But the course was only four small circle pieces of meat which confused us as to why we waited literal hours for it. Due to the cost we didn't want to leave them but didn't expect the course to be small and I personally was not a fan of the flavor so would have rather left the course. But aside from that it was a fantastic dinner. The place was gorgeous as well and very romantic

I went here on Valentine's Day and was extremely impressed by the service, presentation of dishes/drinks, and the vibe/ambiance! We started off with the smoked guacamole which was extremely fresh which came with plantain chips (delicious)! We also got the grilled octopus which came with a creamy sauce. The Mac and cheese was okay a little on the dryer end. For main dishes, we shared the custco chicken and the ribeye steak (medium rare or else you're not eating it right). The chicken was paired super well with the mashed potatoes and grilled veggies, and the ribeye was extremely flavorful and complimented well with the roasted potatoes. My boyfriend had the flaming coffee which came with a SUPER unique presentation where they bring a cart and make it in front of you! I got the passion fruit hibiscus which had a delicious foam and hearts on top. It was super sweet and perfect for Valentine's Day. Overall this is a super high end and classy restaurant, I definitely recommend coming here for a date night, anniversary, girls night, or any other event where you want to dress up and get some fun cocktails! Would definitely love coming here again :)

At first glance I was apprehensive until the staff pleasantly surprised me ! Daniel Carlos Abraham Godwin Music is on point with live Female Dj on point

Toro was interesting. The Ambiance doesn't disappoint at all. The food was pretty good. Smoked guacamole was delicious. The catch of the day was the branzino- incredible!! The short rib was nice and tender. Very flavor. The chicken dish was great too however, it came out cold. Had to send it back to be remade. The drinks were on point. The reason I'm giving them a 3, customer service was a zero. Upon arrival, the host- VERY NASTY. VERY RUDE. To the point we almost left because we couldn't believe how nice nasty and condescending her tone was. Our friends who arrived before us, also said she was rude to them as well. The server, Hallie was phenomenal. The place was not packed but the service was extremely slow. Kitchen took a while for us to get our food- even the starters. Overall- nice place but they need to work on customer service.

Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval is in Chicago's River North neighborhood. It is a lively and modern restaurant that offers a mix of Latin and Japanese flavors. The open kitchen lets guests see the chefs at work. The restaurant has many seating options, including tables, cozy booths, and two bars. This makes it a great place for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings. The menu features many exciting dishes. My favorite was the Tuna Tostada, which includes fresh tuna, avocado, and tangy citrus. I also enjoyed the Tuna Ponzu Guacamole and the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna. Don't miss the Amarillo ceviche for something different. Toro is well-known for its specialty cocktails, especially the Passion Pisco Sour--I'm looking forward to having another one! However, I think they could improve their customer service, as we are all paying customers. For parking, you have options like valet service, street parking, and nearby garages. Overall, Toro is worth a visit, and I wish them success. I will definitely come back!

Dinner and service was great. Beautiful space with unique and creative decor. We ordered appetizers and the tomahawk steak. Delicious!

Food was tasty, but service was beyond terrible. I worked in the restaurant industry and this is not 4.5 stars, there needs to be lots of improvement on staff and service. what's crazy is that the place was not even full. The waiter had no idea we booked a valentines dinner and offered us a regular menu, not even that he never came back to ask if we wanted another round of drinks. I had no water for 45 minutes because who knows what he was doing. We waited almost 3 hours for food and we arrived 2 minutes before reservation and the portions were ridiculously small, for them to take 30 minutes for every plate. They brought us desert without having our entree. Usually restaurant's in downtown are on point for tourist, but im a Chicagoan and this place failed and will not recommend. If you are hungry and want phenomenal service go to chama gaúcha or fogo de chão They won't keep you waiting

The Latin inspired decor was well paired with the cultural flavors and menu. The service was prompt, friendly, informative, and comparable to fine dining. My server, Burak, was lively and very considerate about inquiring on my palette and flavor interests then provided on point recommendations and pairings. For a cocktail, I had the Passion Pisco Sour. It was sweet from the Passion fruit, lychee, and apricot while maintaining a palpable, but tame sour/tart balance. For an entree, I had the Salmon Achiote Ponzu. The salmon was beautifully cooked and topped with a delicious bacon morita jam. I recommend having the server use all of the sauce. It brought a japanese and Latin fusion to the dish with the sour, salty, and umami flavors along with the braised bok choy. The cauliflower puree mixed with the kimchi sauce and the sauce changed throughout the meal; from a light salty umami to a starch thickened almost sweet finish at the end. Dessert was a raspberry sorbet to complete the tart trio. I highly recommend Toro. This is a new restaurant that is only in its pre-launch phase and wasn't even had their grand opening, but I can tell they will be a raging success.

I do not recommend this restaurant. I was extremely excited to try this restaurant for the very first time for my husband and daughter's birthday. I wanted them to have an exclusive and different experience because we're foodies and we go to different types of high-end restaurants we initially ordered cocktails, which took 20 minutes to arrive to our table on a Wednesday when there was only a handful of people in the restaurant. We ordered several appetizers and the main course we ordered was the tomahawk steak before our main meal. We ordered another cocktail round which took another 20 minutes to arrive to our table. The service was horrendous. The food was mediocre and the only thing that was up to the standard that I expected from this restaurant was the tomahawk steak. I asked to speak to the manager because of the mediocre service. He seemed new to his role and also seemed very insecure so there wasn't much done and it looked like he really didn't have much power to do much of anything. He apologize and comped us a round of drinks overall, it was a horrible experience and I would not advise you to go here for your special occasion. With only having two drinks and a handful of appetizers plus the tomahawk steak our tab ended up being a bit over $500. I don't mind spending that amount of money for an amazing experience which we did not get. Also the ambience in the place didn't quite hit the mark. It was also very basic.

The food was cooked perfectly and arrived promptly! The vibe was very chic and the wait staff were very responsive. I highly recommend the seafood tapas for sure!

We just got drinks at the lovely bar after the Lodge cheese fondue (fabulous!). Our bartender Abraham was incredibly nice and made me a mezcal cocktail recipe that I found online (Mezcal in Maui). It was fantastic!! He did a great job! Will be back for dinner soon and to see Abraham.

Everything on the menu looked interesting from the food to the drinks. Everything we had was delicious and beautifully presented. The restaurant is visually fascinating and the staff were friendly and attentive. We will definitely be returning to try more dishes! Very enjoyable in all respects.

Toro was a fantastic presentation with high level of service, with Peruvian classics.

Fantastic food and great vibe. Our server recommended great items that we will absolutely have again including the Smoked Swordfish Dip, Angry Tuna Tempura Roll and the Short Rib Tacos. Great flavors and spice. Our server was so friendly and helpful. Will definitely go back!

This restaurant is located inside the Fairmont Hotel. The location was convenient. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous beautiful decor that creates a pleasant ambiance. Our waitress Christina was very sweet and attentive. The drinks and food were delicious. Fast service can't wait to go back!!!!

We had two small plates, the sweetcorn empanadas and the octopus. The octopus was cooked perfectly, tender with a touch of char. The empanadas were crisp and delicious with a very good, freshly made salsa verde. We ate at the bar, service was quick, can't fault it.