Really cool spot to get Costa Rican food and introduce yourself to a different culture. The staff are super helpful with helping you figure out what you want or what you might like. I really enjoyed my food but wished the actual plate was big enough for me to move my food around - felt like I kept dropping food on the table and couldn’t mix certain things together properly. The el puerto was super refreshing as well. The plantains were really sweet and the shrimp was super juicy. A spot you should definitely check out if you have the time.
Have you ever had Costa Rican food?
If the answer is yes, then you went to Irazu because they are the only Costa Rican restaurant in illinois.
If not, you better run there, and bring your appetite because the portions are huge and the
food is delicious.
We loved the fun atmosphere and the staff is so welcoming that they make you feel like family.
They have been in the same location since 1990 and still feature the original recipes from the founder's early days.
Bring your appetite and a friend, you will need them, portions are enormous!
The dinner plates are loaded with food. It's a chaotic cornicopia of flavors on each plate that are really delicious!
Here's what we enjoyed here:
Mango Maravilla (Mango Margarita)
Tico Tropicana (Irazu's signature cocktail that is amazing!)
Mixed ceviche was great!
The Fried Pork Chifrijo was out of this world delicious!
Casado with Skirt Steak, there's a real good reason it's the National Dish of Costa Rica. Que Rico!
Surf & Turf, an amazing combination!
Dessert Flight: all 3 Guayaba Key Lime Pie, Vanilla Flan, Caribbean Rum Cake, all 3 are marvelous!
Come to Irazu in Chicago and experience Pura Vida! (Pure Life
This was my first time trying Costa Rican food, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The entire experience was memorable, and I will definitely be coming back.
The food was delicious, with great portions, rich flavor, and solid value. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared, making each dish enjoyable from start to finish.
What really stood out was the service. The staff was attentive, organized, and welcoming, making the whole experience smooth and comfortable. Overall, a wonderful place that delivers on both food and hospitality.
I would definitely order the Horchata shake again. I ordered the NachiTicos with shrimp and steak. For $6 for each add-on, I did feel like the portion sizes for the meat add-on was quite small, especially taking into account the base cost of this dish. Other than the portion size, I don't have any other significant complaints. I would not order the NachiTicos again, but I may come back for the shakes.
Our first time, went to celebrate my birthday and it was amazing. Food was great and fresh. Tino our waiter was awesome. Manager and the whole team too great care of us and made sure I had a great time. Would high recommend. Everyone loved it
Absolutely amazing!
The empanadas were the best I’ve ever had — so good that I had to order some to take home. The Chicago Chipotle sandwich was also incredible, packed with flavor and perfectly made. Everything tasted fresh and authentic.
Huge shout-out to Tino for the outstanding service — he is the BEST! Friendly, welcoming, and made the whole experience even better. I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend! 🌟
Coming from a Costa Rican, this is a little slice of home. Such an authentic, delicious restaurant! Loved their classics like Chifrijo, Casado, Tortilla Aliñada, & patacones. The service was excellent & I’m so happy to see Costa Rican food on the map. Love my ticos!!! Pura vida!!!
We hosted my mom’s 80th birthday at Ñeca Costa Rican Restaurant, and it was such a beautiful experience from start to finish. My mom had a wonderful time, and our whole family left full, happy, and still talking about how well everything went.
The food is delicious—honestly the kind of meal you keep thinking about after you leave. The drinks are top-notch too, and they really added to the celebration vibe. But more than anything, the service and staff were amazing. They truly took care of us and made the night feel easy and special. It genuinely felt like being at home.
If you’re considering hosting a private party or any type of event, it’s absolutely worth it. They know how to make you feel welcomed, celebrated, and taken care of.
Huge shoutout to Robert, who was our main server/host—he really hooked us up and made sure everything ran smoothly. And shoutout to the kitchen staff for putting out a great amount of food, plus everyone who supported Robert throughout the night. The teamwork was real, and it showed.
Highly recommend—we’ll definitely be back.