Chefs Zubair Mohajir and Rishi Kumar of Bucktown’s acclaimed restaurant Mirra just landed the cover of Food & Wine’s 2026 Best New Chefs issue.
Located at 1954 W Armitage Ave, just steps from the CTA Blue Line and the Bloomingdale Trail, the Indian-Mexican fusion spot has officially cemented itself as a national dining destination.
The duo earned this prestigious honor by pioneering “Spice Road Cuisine,” a menu blending historical trade routes with bold, modern flavors.
They join legendary culinary alumni like Thomas Keller and Chicago’s own Stephanie Izard, bringing elite national recognition directly to the 60647 ZIP code.
More Than Just Great Food
This massive national nod adds to Mirra’s already stellar trophy case, which includes a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand and a 2026 James Beard Award semi-finalist spot.
But Food & Wine didn’t just evaluate the menu—they looked at leadership.
Chef Mohajir has gained significant local praise for building a progressive, non-traditional kitchen environment behind the scenes.
To combat standard industry burnout, the team prioritizes sustainable scheduling, mental health support, and livable wages to retain elite culinary talent.
The Instagram Message That Started It All
The partnership behind Mirra began in the most modern way possible: an Instagram direct message.
Chef Kumar noticed Chef Mohajir’s culinary work online, leading to a quick coffee meetup in Chicago and a fast friendship.
When they ran their first collaborative pop-up event, tickets sold out in exactly 60 seconds, generating a massive 500-person waiting list.
Kumar had actually just relocated to Miami for a corporate culinary gig.
When Mohajir called him out of the blue to pitch a permanent Mexican-Indian concept, Kumar packed his bags, left the corporate world, and moved straight back to Chicago.
Elite Resumes Meet Bucktown Charm
These chefs bring serious fine-dining pedigrees to their neighborhood storefront.
Chef Kumar served as the R&D Culinary Director for Rick Bayless’s iconic Frontera Grill and Bar Sótano.
Chef Mohajir left a finance career in 2008 to cook, eventually working at local heavyweights like Jean-Georges’ Pump Room and completing a critical apprenticeship at Gaggan in Bangkok.
They are joined by a third powerhouse partner, David Mor.
Named Chicago Magazine’s Hospitality Innovator, Mor runs Mirra’s hyper-creative bar program, crafting culinary-driven cocktails designed to stand up to heavy spices.
What to Order: Spice Road Cuisine
Food & Wine celebrated the duo for their “joyfully collaborative cross-cultural menu.”
Mohajir calls it “Spice Road Cuisine,” mapping the historical intersection where Indian, Muslim, European, and Mediterranean trade routes crossed over centuries.
Here is what you need to order for dinner:
- Chaas Aguachile ($22): Raw yellowtail paired with pickled nopales, lime, and a tableside pour of spiced Indian buttermilk.
- Tacos Arabe ($18): Spiced tender leg of lamb served with Middle Eastern-style jocoque cream, chipotle, and crispy cheese inside a flour tortilla.
- Lamb Barbacoa Dum Biryani: A massive showstopper blending a Mexican chile barbacoa marinade with a classic Indian tomato-masala biryani base, baked fresh under a flaky roti crust.
- Rasmalai Tres Leches Cake: Save room for this deeply symbolic dessert. It is heavily decorated with bright marigold flowers, a sacred floral symbol central to both Mexican culture (Día de los Muertos) and Indian culture (weddings and festivals).
Whether you are stopping in for a quick bite or a full tasting experience, the dinner menu sets a high bar for the neighborhood.
The Weekend Brunch Draw
Mirra’s Saturday and Sunday brunch (10:30 AM to 2:00 PM) is quickly becoming one of the toughest weekend tables to snag in Bucktown.
- Dal Enfrijoladas ($22): Cheesy-spiced potato tortillas topped with poblano rajas and white dal.
- Huevos Rancheros Lababdar ($20): Two soft eggs swimming in a vibrant tomato-tinga masala, topped with avocado and salsa macha.
- Lamb Breakfast Kati Roll ($22): A hearty wrap packed with lamb keema scramble, fried potatoes, morita crema, and guacamole.
Expanding Beyond Armitage Avenue
The Mirra team is not slowing down, recently expanding their footprint all the way to The Loop (State and Washington).
The duo opened Mariela, a coastal-inspired 100-seat restaurant inside the Staypineapple Chicago hotel (the historic Reliance Building), bridging the flavors of Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Chef Mohajir is also preparing to launch an intimate solo concept called Muhājir.
Named after the Arabic word for “immigrant,” this highly tailored tasting menu will focus on identity, displacement, and cultural storytelling.
Hey Chicago Takeaway Tips
- The Ultimate Move: The restaurant features a cozy, moody vibe with exposed brick walls. For the best experience, book the seven-course tasting menu at the chef’s counter to watch the duo hand-stretch fenugreek roti and crack open steaming biryani crusts right in front of you.
- Taste Mirra at Home: Can’t snag a hard-to-get reservation? The chefs partnered with the local platform Here Here Market to bottle their pantry staples. Chicagoans can buy Chef Rishi’s savory salsa macha and Chef Zubair’s handcrafted tangy achars online.
- Transit is Best: Street parking on Armitage can be a nightmare on weekends. Take the CTA Blue Line to the Western stop; Mirra is just a five-minute walk east.
- Budget Reality: For a Michelin-recognized, Food & Wine-awarded restaurant, the price point is incredibly accessible. Two people can easily share an aguachile, a taco order, and a biryani for under $100 total before drinks.
