This Chicago bar was just named the #1 bar in the world
Of course, this comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever sipped a cocktail there. Kumiko is one of Chicago's most beloved (and best) dining experiences, seamlessly blending the precision of Japanese cocktail culture with Midwestern hospitality. Nestled in the West Loop, the intimate, minimalist bar is led by the incomparable Julia Momosé, who opened Kumiko in 2018 alongside local restaurateurs Cara and Noah Sandoval.
Kumiko offers an omakase-style tasting menu for both cocktails and food, and each course arrives with intention, storytelling and flavors that linger. It has been recognized as special from the start, earning a Michelin star in 2019 for original chef Mariya Russell, making her the first Black woman to be awarded a Michelin star.
In addition to World's Best Bar, Kumiko also won Best Restaurant Bar. Also honored at the Spirited Awards were Sip and Guzzle in New York City (Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar), Trick Dog in San Francisco (Best U.S. Cocktail Bar) and Phoenix's Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Best U.S. Hotel Bar). Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London earned Best International Hotel Bar, and Panda & Sons, in Edinburgh, Scotland, took World's Best Cocktail Menu.
In Time Out Chicago's review of Kumiko, critic Maggie Hennessy wrote it 'raises the bar on fine dining and delivers a superb lineup of sake- and shochu-centric sips and delicate bites imbued with Japanese flavors.'
On top of dominating the world with its cocktails, Kumiko also just landed at No. 10 on the 50 Best Bars of North America list, the first Chicago bar to make the list since 2018. In addition to those two accolades, Momosé previously won a James Beard Award for the cookbook .
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