My new favorite South Loop spot! Apolonia is such a stunner, from its minimalist and clean, airy open space to their beautiful, creative cocktails, and of course...fantastic food. I love that the restaurant is also named after Chef Stephen Gillanders' grandmother...how endearing is that?! We went twice during our Chicago visit bc it was that impressive. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with smiles and warm welcomes all around. For brunch, we tried the hanger steak with eggs, which was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also had the deviled eggs, soft scramble, and of course, the famous black truffle puff bread. Holy f-ck!ng sh+t, that ball of fried dough is one of the best things I have ever tasted in my life. HANDS DOWN. Do *not* pass that up. They have a v. cool beverage program with innovative cocktails, vermouth on tap (what!?), and the bartenders happily offered to make us some custom non-alcoholic drinks that were gorgeous AND tasty. For dinner, we came with a large party and ordered all the truffle puff bread (duh), and worked our way through almost the entire menu. Some of our absolute favorites were: + Mussel toast- INSANE. My husband's favorite bite of the entire trip. A must. + Oysters- so fresh, you can never go wrong + Toothpick Lamb- SO bomb! Loved this dish so much. Meat was seasoned beautifully and went perfectly with the cool, creamy tzatziki. Amazing. + Fiorentini al Sugo pasta- well, wow. I thought it was just going to be a standard pasta dish with red sauce and I was soooo wrong. I could've eaten the entire bowl myself. So complex, but comforting. Perfectly cooked pasta, unctuous pieces of pork and robust flavors that just really surprised me. And I couldnt stop eating it. + Boursin ravioli- another favorite pasta. I've always been a sucker for cheese-filled ravioli and this one was elevated, so flavorful and delicious. Light, and so velvety. Perfectly cooked pasta, perfectly seasoned, and texturally pleasing. + Pork confit- the best crispy skin shatter! So savory, fatty (in the best way possible), and luxurious. Another winner. + Pistachio dessert- FTW. This is pistachio on pistachio on pistachio goodness...it's nuts ;) It's a bowl of housemade gelato ice cream with candied pistachios on pistachio cake. I mean, their pastry chef Tatum (same as S.K.Y.) is the queen of desserts so I'm not surprised how great this was. + Peach melba was a beauty, so light, but full of flavor and fun to eat Apolonia does it all. They offer weekend brunch, weekday lunch, and dinner. I may just move in. And the space is perfect for a date, girl's night, business meeting, a simple meal, family gathering, special event (they have private dining room space) or even just for a quick drink and/or dessert. Or truffle puff bread. You know, whatevs. Our servers on both occasions were so sweet and warm, attentive, and wonderful throughout. Considering all the craziness of opening a restaurant during a pandemic (and these unprecedented industry staffing and sourcing challenges), Apolonia is doing an amazingly graceful job. I hope Chicago recognizes their phenomenal efforts and passion and supports small businesses named after sweet little old ladies like Apolonia forever! read more

I recently dined at Apolonia for a business meal, we were in town for a conference and it was walking distance from the Hyatt. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, with minor hiccups. The ambiance was elegant and inviting, a little loud, but still acceptable for conversation. We started with the Black Truffle Puff Bread, as suggested by our server. It was an unexpected surprise and we all loved it. I'll add that our server got busy at times, but she handled everything with grace and we felt attended to. The main courses were equally impressive, showcasing the chef's talent. There was a minor hiccup with one meal that arrived late, and one drink took a bit longer too. The staff handled the situation well and in no time we'd devoured our entrees and later we enjoyed a shared dessert. I had the Calamari Calamarata and both of my colleagues enjoyed the Fiorentini al Sugo, with one of them being a vegetarian version. For dessert, we shared the small, yet satisfying The Pistachio, I easily could have enjoyed it on my own, but I it was nice not to leave overly full, instead I was the right kind of full. As for drinks, one colleague had the Sidekick Cabernet while the rest of us had the spirit-free Honeybee. The Honeybee was such a delight! I love that more restaurants are finding unique ways to bring nonalcoholic drinks into their menus. Now, if I can just find the recipe, all will be right in the world! Despite the small delays, the food and drinks were exceptional, making it a great choice for business meetings and perfect location if you find ourself at the convention center. I left satisfied and eager to return. Highly recommended! read more

We had an exceptional experience from start to finish. The spacious minimalist ambiance is perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The open kitchen is a nice touch, adding an element of excitement to the dining experience. I also love the giant windows that they have, makes it even more spacious. Our server was very attentive and our food came out relatively quickly. The truffle puff bread is a must-try. It's airy with a strong truffle flavor that's absolutely delightful. Another standout is the shellfish tagliolini, which has become my favorite pasta dish. The generous amount of crab in the oily yet flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the noodles is divine. Despite its richness, the dish does not feel heavy at all because of the subtle acidity. To start, I recommend the yellowtail crudo. The fresh yellowtail paired with cherry is a surprisingly perfect combination, making for a light and refreshing appetizer. The mussel toast is another highlight; it's loaded with fresh mussels and drizzled with a delicious broth that soaks into the toast, making it absolutely mouth-watering. We also tried the dry aged fish for two, which was sea bream that day. The fish was flaky, with crispy skin that wasn't burnt, and it was served with a generous portion of vegetables underneath. The Atlantic cod was another winner, perfectly cooked and flaky, accompanied by a delicious risotto. Lastly, the drinks here are both delicious and strong. I would recommend Apolonia for a cute date night. read more

I really don't know what they hype is.. Where to start?... Service was terrible, drinks were not balanced or good, then the food... well $130 later the only dish that wasnt bad was the puff bread. The restaurant claims its "Mediterranean coastal fare"... Now if I had been told that it was an American interpretation of Thai food, the food would have made sense. The food was not right at all. I don't know if the chef is familiar with Mediterranean food or flavors for that matter. This meal was so bad. - Old fashined was flavored with chocolate [bartender's recommendation] little cloudy maybe from the chocolate, overall conclusion.. fail. - Oyster mignonette was ridiculously acidic to the point where 1 you couldnt taste the kumamoto. - Burrata cheese was basic, no char to the frisee and had a weird citrus fish sauce on the frisee' - Puff bread was pretty darn good. (good enough to make up for the bad drinks and service at this point) - Hanger steak and vegetables were super bland, cooked well though. The Red pepper mayo sauce did NOTHING to the dish. - Flatbread.. texture of bread was good, mushroom mix on top was too salty. (The puff bread is way better and balanced) This is whats wrong with Chicago's food scene. You spend enough money on advertisment and any terrible restaurant can be "the best new restaurant opening". This place is all hype. Please come and check it out. You will see what i'm talking about. read more

I visited this restaurant twice and sampled their pasta, steak, and octopus dishes. The kitchen delivers creative, modern cuisine at a reasonable price point, which is refreshing in today's dining landscape. The Good: The menu is genuinely unique, offering inventive dishes that show culinary ambition. Portion sizes are modest, but the pricing reflects this appropriately--you're paying for quality preparation rather than quantity. Service was attentive and professional during both visits. Areas for Improvement: The biggest concern is the dishware quality. I noticed several plates and cutlery that appeared dirty or spotted, which is unacceptable for any dining establishment. This suggests issues with their washing systems or quality control that need immediate attention. I was also puzzled by the 5% employee health care and benefits surcharge on the bill. While I support fair wages and benefits for restaurant staff, this line-item charge felt unusual and lacked clear explanation. It would be helpful if they either incorporated this into menu prices or provided transparent communication about what this fee covers and why it's necessary. Overall: This restaurant has real potential with its creative menu and fair pricing. However, they need to tighten up basic operational standards--clean dishware and transparent billing practices--before they can be considered a strong dining destination. read more

This place was an unexpected gem! From the moment we walked in, I was taken by the warm ambiance and thoughtfully curated colors. But let's talk about the food--absolutely phenomenal. The artichoke hummus was a standout. I've never had hummus made with artichokes before, and it completely blew me away--smooth, rich, and bursting with flavor. Paired with the pillowy, fluffy bread, it was an unforgettable start. And the truffle bread? Pure heaven. We also shared the garlic shrimp, which were cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. But the star of the night was the crab pasta entrée. The pasta was cooked al dente--a rarity--and the sauce was both delicate and deeply flavorful, letting the freshness of the crab shine through. The service was attentive and genuinely welcoming throughout. Truly a 10,000/10 experience. I can't wait to return! read more

Apolonia offers a dining experience that's both delicious and refined. It's no surprise that the restaurant has received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, which highlights restaurants that offer a good value for what you pay. We had the Maradina pasta, which was fresh and vibrant, and the truffle puff bread, a true standout. Their creative non-alcoholic cocktails were a perfect addition to the meal. The warm pea salad with focaccia was , and the artichoke hummus with root vegetables had a perfect blend of textures. The double-patty burger was perfectly cooked. The service was top-notch, with staff who were very accommodating to dietary restrictions. The interior is modern and calming, making it a great place to unwind. read more

First time here and we got a lot to share. The mussels had good flavor but I could tell they weren't high quality. The oysters again were just ok. Got the black truffle bread and was underwhelmed by the flavor. The verde pasta was very underwhelming, hardly any flavor. The amatriciana was very delicious and the eggplant was an interesting take on an Italian classic. The shellfish pasta was also just alright. We got the steak to share. The hollandaise had no flavor but the steak was delicious and cooked perfectly. In my opinion this place is a skip and I am surprised to see Apolonia the Michelin's guide. Everything looks beautiful, but the flavor and taste is just not there. Service was fine, not super attentive read more

We had a phenomenal experience at Apolonia! The food was off the charts while the service and aesthetic were wonderful. We started off by enjoying both the Roasted Mussel Toast and the Black Truffle Puff Bread - delicious! My wife had the Branzino while I had Angus Flat Iron Steak - both of our plates were left clean - they were wonderful. They also have a great cocktail menu and we were pleasantly surprised to see a nice selection of non-alcoholic drinks as my wife was pregnant. We can't wait to come back and are excited to try Chef Stephen's other restaurants! read more

I visited this Mediterranean restaurant for Friday lunch and really enjoyed the relaxed experience. The restaurant was clean, spacious, and not too busy. Our server was informative, friendly, and especially helpful with my cashew allergy. My favorite dishes were the endive and avocado salad and the octopus in garlic-parsley butter. The harissa chicken was also good, while the blue crab bucatini left a little to be desired. Overall, it was a pleasant lunch with great service and a comfortable atmosphere. read more

Just had the most AMAZING dining experience at Apolonia Chicago! I accidentally spilled my wine (oops ), but the staff went above and beyond to take care of me - top-notch service! The dishes were truly out of this world - a perfect blend of Mediterranean flavors. The dry-aged fish was PERFECTION - definitely the best fish I've ever tasted (and I'm a huge fish lover!) Can we talk about the pea salad and mussel toast? Obsessed! If you're looking for a culinary adventure, Apolonia Chicago is a MUST-TRY! read more

Wonderful service and tasty Mediterranean flavors. Our server was very attentive, providing recommendations when asked and checking in frequently to ensure we were enjoying our meal. Standout dishes were the puff bread and harissa chicken, which was delightfully juicy and punch-y. The other dishes were a bit too salty for my taste, but still full of flavor. The pistachio dessert was also quite tasty. All in all, great dining experience and would come back again! read more

I wanted to like this place because the food was good. The flavors were good. Unfortunately a couple hours after we ate there we started feeling sick. We ended up throwing up everything. We don't know what poisoned us. But maybe maybe it was the mussel toast. We tried contacting them to let them know and see if they would do something about it but it looks like they don't care. read more

I recently visited Apolonia and was extremely disappointed with the service. My friends and I waited almost an hour for our order to be taken, and to make matters worse, we witnessed other customers, being served faster than us. We suspect it may have been our appearance. My friends and I will never be going back to Apolonia, and I recommend you do the same. read more

Just had an incredible dinner at Apolonia -- truly a neighborhood gem! The Black Truffle Puff Bread and Fiorintini Pasta were beyond delicious, and the service was top-notch. My waitress was amazing. Ambiance was just right. It was not loud at all making it easy to hear and enjoy the music. Can't wait to go back! read more

I'm sure the food is perfectly fine, but I'd steer away from this place lest you want the head chef Joe Spretnjak to be wildly inappropriate towards your spouse. It's a shame that such trash people are employed by the establishment. read more

Free please very good atmosphere 100% recommended me and my wife came in had the best experience well one of the best experience not so over exaggerate however like I said, I will highly recommend this place one more can I say? read more

By far my favorite restaurant in THE WORLD. Everything is out of this world delicious. Can't recommend this spot enough.

Great food and good service. A nice place to eat if you want to try something different.