Great spot for drinks outdoors!! Came the other day with friends when the weather (finally) broke 70. Absolutely wonderful vibes, we were able to snag a table big enough for our group outdoors which was amazing. It's located on a quiet street, so this is the perfect spot to bring friends or for a date to chat and catch up. We ended up splitting the pita and hummus app and getting a couple drinks. I got the Spicy Baba and I thought it was really refreshing and perfect for early summer. My boyfriend got one of the smoked drinks off the menu, which he really enjoyed. The place was super busy by the time we left, so I'd recommend getting there earlier in the day if you want to grab a spot outside with a group. For how crazy the restaurant was, there were a good number of servers and we didn't have to wait too long between ordering rounds to have someone take care of us. All around, great experience at Avli and I will definitely be back!! read more

Avli Taverna - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Avli Taverna brings a bright, Mediterranean energy to Lincoln Park that immediately stands out. The space feels like a modern Greek island taverna--clean, airy, and full of natural light, with white and blue accents that make it feel transportive without being overdone. It has a lively but polished atmosphere that works well for both date nights and group dinners. From a vegetarian perspective, there are solid options, especially across appetizers and spreads. The mezze-style plates are where Avli really shines--dishes that are easy to share and layered with flavor. Items like melitzanosalata (eggplant dip), grilled vegetables, salads, and traditional Greek sides feel thoughtfully prepared rather than like afterthoughts. The portions are generous, and the food leans toward clean, fresh Mediterranean flavors--olive oil, herbs, citrus, and balanced seasoning. While not every dish is groundbreaking, the overall execution is consistent and satisfying. Service during our visit was attentive and efficient, even with a fairly full dining room. The restaurant has a celebratory feel to it--great for birthdays, brunches, or group gatherings where you want energy without chaos. Overall, Avli Taverna is a strong choice in Lincoln Park for approachable Greek cuisine in a beautiful setting. It's especially enjoyable if you're dining with a group and want to share multiple plates in a lively, Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere. read more

This place has been on my list for a while now and I'm so glad I finally got to go! I ordered the gyro plate which was a ton of food (exactly what I wanted). I got tzatziki and spicy aioli on the side which was a yummy add. The breakfast sandwich my friend got looked amazing. The hummus was good, but nothing I'd rave about. However I really want to try their other spreads next time. I also enjoyed my drink a lot! I forgot what it was called but it had the "favorites" symbol next to it lol read more

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Very good neighborhood location in Lincoln Park. The Avgalemono soup is great. I also really liked the flavors of the gyros.

Avli has really solid food, especially for vegetarians! I've been to their downtown location, and the Lincoln Park location is just as cute. They have a really nice big outdoor patio. We shared wine, a sampler of their dips, and the flaming cheese. I really enjoyed their hummus! The only thing I will say is that we came for happy hour, which online it says is from 3-6. We sat on the patio because it was nice out, but our server informed us that happy hour is inside at the bar only. That is fine - except no where on their happy hour menu do they say this! And we were not the only people who did not know this. We heard the table next to us also asking for a happy hour menu. If you're going to do happy hour at the bar only, that needs to be very clear! I felt tricked! And at that point we did not want to move inside. I would still come back because their food is great but now I know that if I want happy hour, you have to snag a bar seat. read more

Avli Taverna - happy hour menu - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Make it a memorable girls night out to Avli Greek Taverna! Love how you can do family style serving. Great reco's from the waiter on top dishes & amount of food. Def recommend: Toast with signature cocktails & mocktails with Greek inspiration Dip trio with hummus, feta spread, red pepper hummus and fresh pita Flaming saganaki is a must-do table side Phyllo wrapped shrimp are a great sharable Moussaka was a deliciously hearty portion read more

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Byron was THE BEST Waiter i've had in the city for food allergies. No less did he triple check, but he did it while being so kind and made our experience amazing! The lamb chops were divine and tasted even better knowing I was taken care of and would be safe. read more

Avli Taverna - Lamb Chops - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Avli never disappoints. This was my first time at the Lincoln Park (DePaul) location, usually I visit the one in River North. I found this location to be very quaint and intimate. A lot of the seating was outdoors, but I liked dining inside. As always, I am a huge fan of the greek salad (without peppers). I look forward to coming back because I'd rather not go downtown if I don't have to! Yay. read more

Great lunch spot and a beautiful patio! Would highly recommend if looking for a light, fresh, comforting meal. read more

Avli Taverna - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute little Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park. The service was attentive and went the extra mile. The food was good, but it felt like something I could have made at home. The charred broccoli tasted similar to boiled broccoli with a light seasoning. Next time I would try something different. read more

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Who knew they had such a big patio! And great wine and cocktails! For the Pikila we did the hummus, tzatziki, and tirokafteri. The tirokafteri was super tasty and not spicy and the hummus was pretty good too, thicker than most. The tzatziki was a little thin and chunky but still not bad. The Greek salad was a good Greek salad. The kataifi shrimp were small but really tasty. And finally, the gyro plate, a classic. Nothing crazy, simple, but delicious. The feta fries are a nice touch. read more

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Came here on a lovely Sunday afternoon and chose to sit outside under the shade. Our waiter was amazing! Got the persephone's punch which was super refreshing. We got the pikilia to try out the different spreads. Fav was definitely the tirokafteri. Hummus was a bit watery and taramasalata was a bit fishy. Also got the flaming saganaki which was breaded cheese lit on fire. Fun table side dish but probably would not get again. We shared the amanites pasta which was perfect. Al dente pasta just in olive oil and pepper, with really good mushrooms. We were both stuffed by the end. Will be back to try the rest of their dishes! read more

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*chef's kiss* I love this place. I love that it's walking distance away. I came here with my dad for dinner. Neither of us had been here before. We did not have reservations, which I would probably try to make for a future visit. We opted to sit outside because it was SO LOUD inside - I couldn't even hear my own thoughts. It was gorgeous outside. I love the ambiance. We ordered as soon as we sat down and the food arrived almost immediately. From the food to the drinks, everything was incredible. We ordered a few appetizers, followed by the greek salad with lamb. And for dessert we split the baklava. Honestly, it was way too much food, but we ate everything because it was just that good. The family of 6 next to us had ordered one of everything to share, and I think that was so smart. Next time I think we'll bring the rest of the family and try that so that we can try the whole menu. The service was spot on. We never had empty plates or empty glasses. I felt that we were really taken care of. I can't wait to visit again! read more

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first time at Avli - patio and indoor seating. our server was lovely. Also great for sharing plates if you are with a few people. It is overall a lighter Greek fare meaning the classics are there, but lightened up from all the heaviness traditional Greek food tends to have. I found this location to be very quaint and intimate. the stand outs for me were the artichokes and perfectly fried zucchini chips. I look forward to coming back! read more

Great food, nice ambience, friendly service. A great neighborhood spot with tasty cocktails! I'm sure I would come here loads if I lived in the area. The cocktails all have creative names, but most are pretty classic cocktails. I had the Cretan Bull, which is essentially a blood orange margarita. It was good! The menu is again fairly classic Greek dishes, served in pub food sort of portions. We got a bunch of different dishes and shared them. The saganaki and shrimp souvlaki were excellent, and I remember one of the dips being very good but unfortunately can't remember which one. Guess I'll have to be back to refresh my memory! read more

Awesome experience. Second time here. Great happy hour (at the bar only). Bartender was super nice and attentive. Ambiance perfect for a summer evening - drinks and food were great. Perfect Greek appetizers - enjoyed all the sauces and dips for the pitas. Highly recommend. read more

Very cute decor, large covered outside patio. Quite loud inside. Very friendly staff, my Shrimp dish was excellent. Highly recommend and will go back! read more

Avli Taverna - Shrimp Yiouvetsi. (But they came whole) - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

They have a good deal for a 3 course lunch menu offering. I really enjoyed the green goddess salad! Services was great, and the outdoor seating was absolutely lovely. read more

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Really yummy food, everything was fresh and came out hot. Saganaki was to die for- I've never had figs but I liked them. Pro tip: if you get chicken on skewers, take the chicken off while it's hot, as it cools it becomes hard to deskewer to take home for leftovers haha. read more

Was able to grab a day of reservation for the outdoor patio. Service was very speedy and our waitress was more than accommodating. Drink option was unique, I opted in for the Dark & Kinky (mezcal based drink with pineapple, honey, sriracha). Cocktail prices were a bit steep ($15-21) Hummus came with either a side of pita, GF pita (+1), or veggies. We ordered with the GF pita and got an additional side of veggies. Was a little disappointed when the "veggies" were only cut up cucumber. Most entrees came with a side; roasted potato's could have had a little more seasoning. I loved the Greek fries! The fresh crumbled feta and very salty! Ambiance is hard to match! We sat outdoors despite the overcast weather. Lots of seating and very calm environment which was nice. Nothing like a nuzzled in restaurant in LP! Excited to go back and also explore the additional locations! read more

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Avli is a chic, neighborhood spot in Lincoln Park. We initially stopped in for a drink at the bar but ended up staying for dinner. Overall, there was nothing inherently wrong with Avli, I just wouldn't recommend it for a few reasons. The staff were nice but seemed like they didn't want us lingering at the bar for long. The bartender was not super interactive which is totally fine, but the place didn't seem too busy for a Friday evening. The drinks we ordered were okay. Their version of an espresso martini was heavy on the cream and a little too sweet for me. However, as I look back at the menu, it is described as a "Frappe Martini," so that may be a miss on my part. We also ordered the hummus plate which was mediocre for a Greek restaurant. When we moved to the patio for dinner, we all agreed it had nice charm, with pink flowering trees dividing the tables from the sidewalk. Our waiter was excellent, very friendly and took his time reviewing the menu with us. However, the food was a bit lackluster. I only took a good picture of my meal (Berkshire Pork); the other dishes did not look great on camera. My plate came with a pile of pretty flavorless shredded meat, a small serving of underwhelming coleslaw, and simple fries with a bland aioli-like dip. My one friend enjoyed her Half Chicken dish, but my other disliked his Seafood Orzo. I would be willing to give Avli another chance, but would hesitate to recommend it with so many other great spots in LP. read more

Avli Taverna - Berkshire Pork Platter - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've heard that reservations are recommended but they weren't busy at all when we went around 3pm on a Saturday, so you might be fine just walking in. The service was the best I've had in a long time. The food came out promptly & fresh. I got the chicken gyros which comes with 2, and I got fries on the side. While the food was good, it felt very simplistic & had just the basics in terms of flavors and toppings. However, I'd still return because the food was still good and the drinks, vibes, and service were exceptional. read more

Avli Taverna - Chicken Gyros Greek Fries - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our waiter Rene was amazing!! He was so attentive and kind. He really made our experience the best! The food was great as well! We got the hummus, saganaki, lamb gyro, and spanakopita- all delish Cretan bull was the drink of choice and really paired well with the 80 degree weather and hurricane winds! read more

Such a cute neighborhood patio spot!! Service was really great, too! Highlights of our meal were the Tirokafteri and lamb gyros. The Tirokafteri was very unique and perfectly spiced and dry. The lamb was also absolutely amazing. I will always always order it when I return! Cocktails didn't blow us away, but will probably try the greek wines next time! read more

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I came here for dinner on a Sunday evening with my little brother! There was plenty of cute outdoor and indoor seating. We ate outside and ordered the steak and salmon dishes. Our appetizer was the tzatziki with pita. The spread came with cucumbers too! Everything was seasoned well and tasted unique. It was a perfect summer dinner! read more

Avli Taverna - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Avli is a cute Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park. My girlfriend loves Greek food so she has been wanting to try it. It was definitely worth stopping by. The saganaki is always a good option to start. Then, I grabbed some chicken souvlaki for the main course. Everything was delicious and hopefully I will be back again some time soon. read more

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Ambiance is lovely. Interior design on point. Nice big patio. Food is mediocre fancified food at its worst. We were starving but not a place for anyone serious about food. Oversalted overcooked pasta. Branzino was nicely cooked but it's not the full fish. It's filleted and extremely forgettable. read more

We had a dinner for three to celebrate my friend's birthday 2 days ago. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable regarding menu items. The ambiance was very calming when we walked in. It was clean and perfectly lit, I didn't feel chilly during this Chicago winter sitting by the door. I enjoyed my espresso martini, and my friends enjoyed their beverages as well The food was impeccable. From the fresh ingredients to the flavors to the presentation, no wonder why they got Michelin stars. Very well deserved. read more

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small portions and nothing amazing... my review of the river north location is quite different. i'm not sure if the menus are the same? went for a girls' night and all the shared dishes did not wow me at all. my cocktail was way too sweet - even after asking the server if it was too sweet (i wouldn't happily ordered something/anything) and he assured me it wasn't and would ask the bartender to omit an ingredient to be sure. cute location but so many other great mediterranean/greek spots to hit up. read more

my dad was in town visiting, and i brought him here for his birthday. not only was he brought a birthday dessert, but our server gave him a card signed by the entire restaurant staff. it made our night! thank you avli read more

Avli Taverna - hummus, tzatziki & eggplant spreads - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

From a Greek person I'm familiar and have frequented the two other locations !!! numerous times . This is painful for me to say everything was a little off ! I know we are in 60614 away from Greece but this is yuppy food and not Greek. They need some quality measures from the chef in Winnetka I haven't had a bad souvlaki stick this bad. Dry and burned. And I love my stuff well done ! Orzo tomato sauce was more from cypress ;;;;they use this type of sweetness ! Gyro was more like a taco Half the food we brought home for the dogs and they loved it ! The outdoor area is nice especially if u have pet. But my babies stayed home. Ambience was a 4 to 5. But the most important is the taste or food. Which this place was hopefully having a bad night. read more

Avli Taverna - French fries Greek kind of Greek but off - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pre-meal: Reservations suggested. Room: We ate outside in the spare but nice sidewalk outdoor space. The inside looks clean and modernish. Picture-taking: Outside is no problem when sun is out (duh). Inside there is plenty of natural light. Beverages: Nice cocktails, mocktails and mostly Greek wines. My "Trellis" cocktail - their take on a Greek-style Manhattan/Sazerac - was properly boozy and well balanced. Menu: Pretty standard Greek fare. Food: Generally well-prepared. Saganaki (flaming cheese) was came with fig compote (nice touch) but was not flamed tableside (why not?). Apart from the lack of a show, it was quite tasty. Lamb chops were smallish and a slightly overcooked but were still very good. The lamb moussaka and roasted chicken were very good too. Chicken souvlaki came without pita - hmm. Don't get the broccoli - it's silly for $8. The baklava is really good. Service: Good. Price: Moderate. Value: Good. Summary: Very good Greek food in upscale surroundings. read more

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I wanted to check this place out for a long time. Tonight, I decided to splurge and order delivery. Frankly, I wish I had not. Do you: Want a place that doesn't season their beef (grizzly too) souvlaki and serves it near raw? Check. Want a place that couldn't season their Greek potatoes correctly (if even season them at all?) Check. Want a place that doesn't staple the delivery bag shut? Check. Want a place that puts out almost plain yogurt tasting Tzatziki? Check. Want a place that doesn't give you utensils or napkins for your delivery order? Check. Want to overpay for crappy food? Check. I only give this place a star because their feta and olives are on point. They need to fire their cooks and their kitchen staff. Disgusting, disappointing, and shameful. This happened during the prime dinner hour too. Wow. read more

Avli Taverna - Ick. - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was very clean tasting and delicious. Mediterranean is not my favorite cuisine but I was very satisfied. There's a lot of seating inside and the decor is very nice as well. I sat at the bar and the service was very accommodating. The food also came out really fast. read more

Avli Taverna - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overpriced, and tiny portions. Three of us had the roast chicken. My portion was literally half the size of my two dining companions. When I complained to the server, he said "that's what you get from the chef" and refused to do anything about it. The old fashion cocktail was weak. The most incredible thing was that at the table next to us, one of the diners dropped a glass on the concrete sidewalk, and the staff just left the shards of broken glass on the sidewalk during their entire meal! Even after that party left, the server only cleaned up about half the shards of glass and left the remainder on the sidewalk. We had the feta appetizer which was inedibly salty. Bottom line: Overpriced Greek diner food, bad service. Save your money. The only GOOD thing was sitting outside on an nice evening. read more

My favorite Greek spot in Chicago. I love the fresh ingredients, preparation of dishes and presentation. This is a great location on a quiet street in Lincoln park and has a lovely outside seating area as well as inside. There are heaters too for chilly nights. This place is very accommodating to families and has great customer service from the hostess to the wait staff. Everything feels clean and of good quality. The portions are perfect - not too big or too small. Both the melitzanosalata & moussaka are light and filling at the same time. read more

Avli Taverna - Melitzanosalata - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This cute corner spot with Greek-inspired food has a lovely outdoor patio adorned with flowers. The hummus platter was a perfect start to my friend and mine luncheon. Greek salad featured a large wedge of fresh feta cheese on top and all the veggies were fresh and juicy. Server was attentive, but not overbearing. read more

We had a great time eating here for brunch. The service was lovely, food came out so quickly and was plated well. Small restaurant, but not too crowded. They do have a lovely outdoor seating area on the sidewalk, but it was raining. read more

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Nice little Mediterranean spot in Chicago! The place was packed and guests flowed out into the patio space on the gorgeous summer evening we visited. We didn't have a reservation, but the manager moved some people around at the bar to accommodate us. This was so appreciated!! We sat at the bar and were served by a fantastic and engaging bartender, who's Greek accent made the dining experience that much more authentic! We started with the taziki grilled artichokes. My friend, who's gluten free, was able to snag some GF pita bread to enjoy with it. Great to know they have options for my gluten free friends out there. The taziki was good, but the artichokes were OUTSTANDING. It was easily our favorite thing we ate. So full of flavor and a great texture. For our main course, we shared the chicken souvlaki-- marinated chicken breast skewers, roasted tomatoes and onions. This was served with French fries. I really enjoyed it! We also got the Diana salad, which was just a tad lackluster. I would probably pass on this one next time. Overall though, I truly enjoyed the experience and many of the items we tried. I would love to come back and dine on the patio for brunch! read more

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Nice greek restaurant in Lincoln Park. Tons of free street parking but we took a Lyft. Had a reservation and were promptly seated. Ordered the Greek salad to start, which was more than enough for two people. Easily 3 and probably closer to 4 servings. The one annoying thing is the Kalamata olives were not pitted. We also had the soutzoukakia (lamb meatballs) which were okay, mainly because they were dry. They came out extremely fast, within minutes after ordering, which leads me to think they may be precooked and then frozen and reheated, which would explain the dryness. Finished off with the lavraki (sea bass) and basmati rice, which was good but they could have done a better job at the filet job because I had to pick through bones as I was eating it. read more

Avli Taverna - Soutzoukakia - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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