Where the Locals Eat Rating
Best Central/South American
Top 100 Restaurant, Chicago
"Carnivale, one of Chicago's most lively restaurants, features the cuisine of Brazil, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Colombia, with a menu created by Mark Mendez, who spent time in the kitchens of Spaiggia, Gioco, Harvest on Huron and Patria in NYC."
– Chicago Tribune
"The giant, 400-seat room has an infectious celebratory feel to it. Designer-owner Jerry Kleiner painted bold, Mardi Gras colors on the walls in thick stripes, placed an 80-foot-high, 2,500 bottle wine rack overhead and hung framed photographs of Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell in early-'90s couture in almost every room. It's enough to make you want to slip on a cone-shaped bra and sing 'Express Yourself' on the balcony."
– TimeOut Chicago magazine
"In truth, the place is a lot of fun."
– Pat Bruno, Chicago Sun-Times
How others rate Carnivale
Chicago Tribune
*** (Excellent)
Zagat 2008
22 Food Rating (Very Good to Excellent)