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Garuda

★ 4.7 · 153 reviews Chicago Opened June 2026

Chicago's second Indonesian kitchen, after years of having none

For a long time Chicago had no Indonesian restaurant at all. Garuda opened that gap in June 2026, in the former Gusto's space on Argyle Street, a year after Rendang Republic became the first.

The menu leans street food: nasi goreng, mie goreng, rendang, satay, bakso, soto ayam, ayam penyet, plus a lineup of sambals to dial the heat up or down. Argyle is already Chicago's Vietnamese and Southeast Asian strip, so the address makes sense.

What guests say

Reviews by Google
  • Bill 977 reviews · Local Guide 18 July 2026

    A real gem in Argyle and one of the few places serving authentic Indonesian cuisine in Chicago. The nasi rames rice plates are incredibly comforting with plenty of options for proteins, sides, and sambal. We especially loved the rendang and bebek Madura, while the cassava, jackfruit, anchovies, and shrimp with petai were all standout sides with unique flavors and textures. The sambal tied everything together with a satisfying kick. A wonderful no-frills spot for flavorful Indonesian food, and I’d highly recommend for anyone looking for a delicious, well-priced meal packed with bold flavors.

  • CJ 224 reviews · Local Guide 11 July 2026

    My friend and I both ordered the build-your-own nasi plates along with the chicken satay appetizer. The satay was flavorful, but it tasted more like it had been boiled than grilled, so it lacked the smoky char I was expecting. The sides and sambals that came with the nasi plates were uniformly excellent and easily the highlight of the meal. We also tried the salted squid, which was tasty, but the portion was surprisingly small—just one small piece—which felt a bit underwhelming for a main dish. The duck and chicken portions were more generous and well seasoned, but unfortunately both were on the dry side.

  • Vick Yonata 19 reviews · Local Guide 3 July 2026

    Garuda is an absolute gem! Every dish we ordered was incredibly tasty and full of authentic Indonesian flavors. It's probably the only restaurant in Chicago serving this wide variety of traditional Indonesian dishes, and you can really tell that everything is prepared with care and authenticity. The food was delicious from start to finish, and we're already looking forward to coming back to try even more items on the menu. On top of the amazing food, the servers were exceptionally kind, polite, and attentive, making the entire dining experience even better. If you're looking for authentic Indonesian cuisine, Garuda is definitely worth a visit. We will be back very soon. And don't forget to try their Es Campur—it's the perfect way to end your meal!

  • Deasy Pasaribu 94 reviews · Local Guide 7 June 2026

    We had a pleasant dining experience at Garuda Restaurant. We ordered rendang, soto, bakso, mie ayam, sate betutu and shaved ice. Most of the dishes were very flavorful and would easily earn 5 stars on their own. Some menu items are quite affordable, with portions that match the price. The rendang was enjoyable, although our friend from Padang rated it 4 stars and felt there is still room for improvement in terms of flavor. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the restroom was relatively clean. We waited about 30 minutes for a table, which was understandable given the strong customer interest following the restaurant's recent opening. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience dining at a restaurant that serves authentic Indonesian flavors. Will definitely come back!

  • Amanda K 1 review 5 June 2026

    Finally getting some real authentic Indonesian food in Chicago! I was so ecstatic to try it, and honestly the drive and the wait were worth it. Our group had some members who were vegetarian, and they were delighted to see that there was a variety of menu items that they could order. We ordered all family-style and tried each other’s plates. All of them were SO delicious, and I am very excited to try this place again for their Es Campur. This place truly gave me a taste of home. The sambal selection, the spices, and even the aroma of the restaurant were already signs of a home away from home. Karen was truly delightful, and she took care of us so kindly even when the restaurant was packed. I was also surprised how inexpensive the dishes were! They were very affordable and allowed our table to pick multiple food items to try. We arrived at around 7pm, put our names in, and were seated after a 40min wait. Expect a wait, so be sure to put your name down as soon as you can! This place is too good to miss. Top 3 Dishes: 1. Indonesian Style Kwe Tiau (Savory Gravy) 2. Nasi Goreng 3. Nasi Rames OR Soto Betawi (all very good options, and these are very hard contenders) Thank you Garuda for bringing in authentic Indonesian food to Chicago. Now I can come back whenever I miss my mom’s cooking and enjoy real Indonesian dishes 🥺🖤

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