Michelin Guide · Progressive Indian · West Loop
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Randolph Row is Chicago's restaurant runway, and Roop is the Indian restaurant that holds its own among the city's buzziest dining rooms. It started life as ROOH, which in 2019 became the first Indian restaurant in the Midwest to be included in the Michelin Guide. Today it's Roop, meaning beauty, and the name fits.
The people
Roop belongs to Soirée Hospitality Group, founded by Manish Mallick, which also runs Bar Goa, Yasemi and Monarch & Lion. Executive chef Rohit Thaledi leads the kitchen, cooking a modern Indian menu that borrows from every corner of the country.
The room
Roop is stylish and grown-up, with the kind of polish that suits a date night or a client dinner. It's open every night, with earlier hours on weekends.
What to eat
Start with the Kerala-spiced cauliflower and the chili cheese kulcha, a stuffed flatbread loaded with cheese and green chili heat. It's a local favorite, and for good reason.
For mains, the lamb shank nihari is slow-braised until it falls from the bone, in a deep, rich gravy that Old Delhi would approve of. The whole sea bass, steamed in banana leaf, is a showpiece for the table, and the biryanis come in chicken and jackfruit versions, so vegetarians get a real centerpiece too.
The deal
Roop's unlimited dining menu is one of the best values on Randolph Row. For a set price, you can order across the menu as much as you like, which makes it ideal for groups and big appetites. Desserts and drinks are extra. The eight-course tasting menu has been on a short break, so check before you go if that's what you're after.
The bar
Cocktails are a highlight. The Malabar Old Fashioned is made with coconut-washed bourbon, coffee and maple, and the Road to Kerala brings mezcal into the mix. Pink City and Queen of Spice round out a list that takes Indian flavors seriously.
Before you go
Roop is at 736 West Randolph Street. Reservations are recommended on weekends, and the kitchen's last call comes before closing, so don't plan a very late dinner.
Why it matters
Roop helped prove that modern Indian food belongs on Chicago's most competitive restaurant strip. Years later, it's still one of the most reliable and stylish Indian dinners in the city.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Kerala cauliflower; chili cheese kulcha; lamb shank nihari; whole sea bass in banana leaf; chicken or jackfruit biryani; a Malabar Old Fashioned or Road to Kerala cocktail
Pricing: Upscale. The set-price unlimited dining menu is the best value.
Best for: Date nights, client dinners, celebrations, pre-show dinners and anyone who wants a stylish night on Randolph Row
How it compares: The West Loop's most polished Indian restaurant; more classic than Kama a few doors down; less ambitious than Indienne, but easier to book
See where Roop 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.