South Asian Cocktail Bar and Kitchen · Wicker Park
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Lilac Tiger looks like a Wicker Park cocktail bar, and it is one. But the kitchen is run by one of the most talked-about chefs in Chicago, and the food is the kind that makes you order a second round just to keep eating.
The chef
Zubair Mohajir is a James Beard nominee who competed on Top Chef: Destination Canada, the show's 22nd season. He's also the co-chef behind Mirra, the Bib Gourmand Indian-Mexican restaurant in Bucktown. At Lilac Tiger, he cooks South Asian flavors through a global bar-food lens, borrowing from Korean, Chinese and American comfort food along the way. For years, the courtyard behind the bar housed The Coach House, his intimate tasting-menu room, but that space now hosts rotating guest chefs, so Lilac Tiger is where to find his cooking on Division Street.
The vibe
Lilac Tiger is a bar first, built for lingering over a second round. It's open Thursday through Sunday, and happy hour early in the evening makes it a smart after-work stop.
What to eat
Start with the tandoori hot chicken. It's the dish Mohajir cooked on Top Chef: crisp, fiery chicken served with a scallion corn hoecake and spicy honey, and it's even better than it sounds. There's also a sandwich version for anyone who wants it portable.
Vada pav sliders, crispy spiced potato croquettes in soft buns, are a clever nod to Mumbai's favorite street snack, and the whipped paneer dip is the kind of thing you keep scooping long after you're full. Tiger fries and gobi Manchurian round out the snacks. For something bigger, tikka masala tteokbokki puts chewy Korean rice cakes in a rich tikka sauce, and the black pepper crab noodles are a seafood standout. The coconut milk cake is a sweet, light finish.
The bar
The cocktails are as inventive as the food. The Rawrtini is a playful, mango-tinged martini, and the Chai Manhattan and Coffee Negroni bring warm spice to the classics. Nondrinkers get real options too, including a banana lassi and a Not a Negroni.
Before you go
Lilac Tiger is at 1742 West Division Street in Wicker Park. Weekends get busy, so arrive early or plan for a wait.
Why it matters
Lilac Tiger shows how much fun South Asian cooking can be when it isn't trying to be traditional. It's the bar every neighborhood wishes it had, with food good enough to justify the trip across town.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Tandoori hot chicken; vada pav sliders; whipped paneer dip; tiger fries; gobi Manchurian; tikka masala tteokbokki; black pepper crab noodles; coconut milk cake; a Rawrtini or Chai Manhattan
Pricing: Mid-range. Small plates add up, but happy hour softens the blow.
Best for: Date nights, cocktail lovers, groups of friends and anyone who likes their Indian food loud and playful
How it compares: Chicago's most fun South Asian bar; looser than sister restaurant Mirra; better cocktails than almost anywhere on this list
See where Lilac Tiger ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Chicago: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.