Hyde Park's Mahari Garners Acclaim
Mahari, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Hyde Park, is drawing praise from critics and tastemakers in its first year. The restaurant's success is being driven by its story-driven concept, bold flavors, and artful presentation, highlighting a growing demand for authentic, upscale global dining.
The recent recognition of Mahari as "Best Neighborhood Restaurant" at the January 25, 2026 Jean Banchet Awards—often considered Chicago's culinary Oscars—cements its position as a noteworthy destination in the city's dining landscape. The award is a significant achievement for a restaurant in its first year, signaling a departure from Hyde Park's reputation for fast-casual student fare. At the helm is the mother-son duo of Shawn and Rahim Muhammad, with Chef Rahim leading the kitchen. A third-generation chef, he is a graduate of Chicago's Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and honed his skills as an apprentice to Chef Art Smith at the acclaimed Table 52. This fine-dining background is evident in the execution of a menu that explores the connections between Creole, Caribbean, and African cuisines. The restaurant's concept, "from the roots, through the routes," is a direct reflection of Chef Muhammad's personal history, which includes roots in Louisiana and the Dominican Republic. This philosophy manifests in dishes like savory salmon calas, a nod to New Orleans street food, and a sophisticated lamb burger with Haitian pikliz, served with yuca fries. The name "Mahari" itself is Swahili for "gift," a name the owners chose to reflect their vision of giving back to the Hyde Park community. The beverage program, curated by Director of Beverage Operations Lisa Brown, is as intentional as the food. With a career spanning over 20 years, including time managing the beverage program at The Promontory, Brown's menu features rare African gins and vodkas and cocktails incorporating ingredients like Ethiopian honey wine. Adding a layer of influence to the establishment, former NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson serves as the Director of Community and Culture. This partnership underscores the restaurant's focus on creating a culturally significant space that has already hosted notable figures like activist Jacqueline Jackson. Inside, the space is adorned with handcrafted art and plants, with curtains made by Shawn Muhammad herself, creating an environment that is both curated and personal. The restaurant also hosts a weekly "Passport" series on Saturdays, featuring the food, music, and drinks of a specific country like Haiti, the Dominican Republic, or Gambia, offering a consistently new experience for regular patrons. Looking ahead, the founders have expressed ambitions to expand the Mahari concept to other states, aiming to replicate the blend of elevated cuisine and community atmosphere that has driven its initial success in Chicago.
