Indienne

Located in Chicago’s River North, Indienne is an intimate fine dining restaurant from chef Sujan Sarkar that redefines Indian cuisine in America. Awarded one Michelin star, the restaurant offers a progressive tasting menu experience in a sophisticated, warmly lit space—balancing innovation with accessibility. The cuisine centers on authentic Indian flavors elevated through French techniques, and reflects what Sarkar describes as a commitment to presenting “fresh ideas that all tie back to India in some way.”

Indienne embodies Sarkar’s vision of elevating Indian cuisine to the highest levels of fine dining. Since opening in 2022, the restaurant has earned numerous accolades: a Michelin star, recognition from Esquire and Bon Appétit as one of America’s best new restaurants, and Chicago’s Best New Restaurant title from the Jean Banchet Awards. Yet it remains grounded in Sarkar’s core philosophy of accessibility and authenticity.

“It’s not only about fine food,” Sarkar says. “It’s the entire experience—the service, the details, how you present the dish, the cutlery, the wine list, the cocktails, everything—even the simple things.”
What sets Indienne apart is its approach: a constant state of evolution in pursuit of elevating Indian cuisine. “My food is very progressive,” Sarkar notes. “I won’t be doing the same today with my food one year from now.”

This creative ethos balances innovation with thoughtful attention to diners’ need for familiarity. While a dish may evolve in appearance or ingredients, Sarkar says, it remains culinarily recognizable. “People want familiar tastes,” he explains.

Multiple tasting menu options—vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and non-vegetarian—reflect Sarkar’s commitment to inclusivity. “I love cooking vegetables because it’s very challenging,” he says. “It has to be as good as anything else.” That same philosophy extends to the beverage program, where wine director Tia Polite organizes selections around art movements instead of traditional categories, creating what Sarkar calls “one of the most dynamic small wine lists in the country.”

Through Indienne, Sarkar has positioned Indian cuisine among Chicago’s culinary elite, creating a restaurant where, as he puts it, “If I am full every night, I am good.”