The portion size were good and the food itself was ok. Mediocre at best. The service was acceptable. The workers were nice. The ambiance and the decor is maybe the only redeeming factor. It has some nice touches, but again nothing crazy. read more

The food is incredible here. The Lamb Ragu specifically is a must try! The vibes are very fun as well. A great place to have drinks or a meal with friends. Very great visuals for pics of you want. The service was mid. That was the only drawback. I would go back for the food but it was if we were a bother to the server. We made a reservation and were seated at the bar area. Our server forgot our wine. It was just the worst service I had of any of the places visited while I was in town. read more

Ema - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had a reservation at 1PM Sunday and were seated outside. I have always walked past Ema, so it was a delight to be able to try it for the first time. Our server was kind and great at showing recommendations. They suggested that each person has 2-3 plates since the menu was full of small-plate style food. And honestly, I think we could have gone away with 1-2 plates per person since we were very full by the time we finished eating The interior is absolutely gorgeous. Part of me wishes that we got the chance to sit down inside, but maybe that will be the excuse to come visit another time. The Blueberry Clafoutis was my favorite dish. The blueberries were sweet, and it was like eating a blueberry crepe/pancake. The sweetness level was not overpowering, which was what made this dish so enjoyable. The "Bhel" Hummus and Spicy Whipped Feta were both very tasty. I loved the fruitiness of the "Bhel" Hummus and loved how the Spicy Whipped Feta had its pomegranate bits. Each were so unique, and it was an adventure with each bite. Excellent service and food overall. It was a pleasant new experience. read more

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Great service and lovely atmosphere Many gluten free choices available Kids friendly read more

Ema - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lunch on the patio was the perfect way to enjoy lunch. The freshness and varying combination of flavors blew us away. I'm not typically a hummus fan but the Bhel Hummus won me over. I need to have all my hummus going forward with this much explosion of amazing flavors. Mushroom escargots were also flavorful and broccoli nicely salty and sweet. Chicken fetas were also tender and delicious. Dishes here are definitely a feast for the eyes and tastebuds. read more

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The ambiance and aesthetic here is really cool. The staff here is great; they explained the menu and top favorites. Most of the food was enjoyable but the spicy chicken thigh was a joke. This is supposed to be an entree / bigger dish that is not meant to be shared like the other dishes. It came with one singular chicken thigh with some sauce and that's it. No rice or pita or anything. This item was $25-$27. Everything else was reasonably priced but this item was ridiculous and I would rather go to their sister restaurant, Aba then come back here. read more

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We got the hot honey halloumi, a chicken shish, chopped salad, and potatoes. Everything was delicious and well cooked. We did wish the potatoes came with more sauce. The salad was interesting with the grapes in it too. Overall a great meal. read more

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Went Ema with my Wife, Daughter and her roommate. We were hungry and ordered too much food. We started with Bhel Hummus, Lanbeh, and chicken kefta. All yummy. We also had cocktails: strawberry rhubarb Negroni and do not disturbs. Refreshing and excellent. We then had Big eye tuna & watermelon, hamachi, Greek salad, Stracchiatella, Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, grilled octopus, lastly lamb and beef kefta. The food was outstanding. Service was excellent and the ambiance gave off a Mediterranean feel. Loved it here! read more

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Excellent choice for a really good simple yet classic Mediterranean meal. The hummus and St breads can stand alone as a meal paired with a fresh and delightful cocktail, but don't stop there because the salads and perfectly seasoned salads and grilled kebabs are memorable. Service is five star and the aesthetic of the restaurant is cool chic. Great vibe. read more

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I'll keep the 4 star rating- the actual service is great but they are always running behind with reservations. The mushroom "escargot" was really good. The hot honey halloumi was honestly not good. The spiced whipped feta was good as always. Triple chocolate torte was like insanely good. read more

Ema - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Restaurant Week Lunch menu was better than expected! Good portion and most food was very tasty. Falafel was sublime. Probably the only moist falafel I have ever had lol Eggplant spread was also good. The pita bread that goes with the spread was soft, but had a bit too much spice. Lamb and beef kebab was also fantastic! Meat was very juicy. But the chicken was very dry compared to the kebab. I'll definitely go back and try their regular menu. read more

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The food was delicious. My chicken kebab was exactly what I needed, very filling. The kale salad with falafel was what you'd imagine. The beet appetizer was unbelievable - admittedly inspired me to buy beets to make at home. And the pita bread is warm and fluffy. My one complaint is: the kitchen may have been backed up because our simple meals took a while to come out (maybe 30 minutes, even though the restaurant didn't seem to be at full capacity). Would probably find myself here if I lived in the city! read more

Ema - Chilled beets - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is always a solid dinner place! Every time I've gone the food has been great, atmosphere is a vibe, and service is attentive as well. It's family style so very fun to go with a group as well. It can be hard to get a rezzy at times but other times I've been able to walk in easily with just one other person. read more

We went to Ema for dinner and had a really nice experience. The restaurant is super comfortable with really nice decor and ambiance. Our server was super friendly and made us feel very welcome. The place was pretty packed, which wasn't a problem, but it did make it a little hard to hear each other at times. We started with the spicy hummus (not actually spicy), and it was just delicious. The pita bread was great, and the hummus itself had perfect seasoning with really nice toppings. I ordered the lamb and beef kefta. It was a pretty good and filling dish overall, but the meat was a little on the dry side, which gave it a slightly weird texture, but still enjoyable We also had the sweet potato latkes, which I think were a seasonal special, but delicious and really interesting. I loved the unique flavor the sweet potato brought to the dish. The mushroom escargot was another standout. They did a great job imitating actual escargot using mushrooms and keeping it vegetarian-friendly. This dish alone is worth coming to try. Overall, really solid food, great service, and a cozy atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd recommend and would love to come back to. read more

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Very beautiful restaurant, but slightly cramped for space. Upon arriving, me and my guest confirmed our reservation, which we thankfully had given the restaurant was packed full with several parties waiting. To eat, we had the original hummus as an appetizer, which had an incredible pita bread accompaniment. Then, me and my friend split the lamb kebabs and octopus mains, which were each fairly small plates, but it was fine since we weren't overly hungry. I thought the lamb meatballs were okay, the octopus was pretty good. Nothing blew my socks off, but it was all solid. read more

Ema - Interior lighting - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ema in Chicago offers a wonderful Mediterranean dining experience with a lively, stylish atmosphere that feels perfect for both a night out or a casual get-together. The drinks were a major highlight, they were creative, well-balanced, and clearly made with care, making them a great way to start the meal. The lamb ragu hummus absolutely stood out, with an amazing depth of flavor that was rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying. It's easily a must-order dish. The braised short rib sandwich was also excellent, with tender, flavorful meat and a great balance of textures that made every bite enjoyable. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. While it can get busy and some items are a bit on the pricier side, the quality of the food, drinks, and overall experience make it well worth it. I'd happily return and recommend it to others. read more

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Ambiance - modern, spacious, simple and cozy interior Service - our server was nice and polite, it was just super hard to get his attention for the check Food - octopus was cooked to perfection, grilled chicken kebob was slightly on the drier side read more

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My first time here was April 2022. Yes the hummus, Charred Eggplant, Brussel Sprouts, lamb, beef and Warm Sticky Date Cake was delicious, but what is most memorable was the signature Old Fashion made with figs. That cocktail set the bar. Whenever I travel, wherever I eat, I snidely judge, and reminisce about Ēma. Waiting for a Miami outlet. read more

I was very impressed with the staff. I had a reservation but called to say I'd be arriving much later than expected--they were kind enough to still seat us as long as we finished by a certain time, which I appreciated. The ambiance was cozy and perfect for a date night or girls' night out. While it shares a lobby with a hotel, you hardly notice unless you're near that side. The falafel was probably the best I've ever had - flavorful and perfectly done. The complimentary naan was soft and warm, pairing well with the hummus and almond garlic spread. I'd definitely come back to order the same dishes and try a new hummus next time. read more

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Amazing place for this type of food and while we were there during the week in the early afternoon, there was no wait. Service was amazing and knowledgeable on what to try. For the dishes see below: Hummus spread Sampler: 5 of 5 and worth every penny. We had the spicy hummus, which was my absolute favorite, labneh, and the toasted almond and garlic hummus. This was the first time I have had lebnah and it won't be my last. However, each was super fresh and the ingredients mixed together to make you want to order it again. Lamb and beef Kefta 5 of 5: Not much to say but succulent and delicious with that great flavor of lamb shining. Fried chicken sandwich with beet Tzatziki 5 of 5: Perfection of the fancy chicken sandwich. Can't recommend it enough. The beet Tzatziki mixed so well with the juicy fried chicken, pickles and challah bread. Farro Rissoto 2 of 5: Not a great flavor here. Very subtle and compared to everything else was a let down. The Rissoto was cooked nicely, but that's about it. I'd recommend those other dishes. Regardless of the one bad score, the others definitely make up for it. Just give this place a try and look no further. read more

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This is a solid restaurant for a date night or work event. I've been a few times over the years and went again last night. I recommend the almond/garlic spread as a starter and the prime rib polenta for the main. The drinks were good as well. I also enjoyed yelps's menu vision to decide what to get read more

Ema - Cocktails - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My wife and I ate here during our June 2026 visit to Chicago. We have come here many times on previous trips and unfortunately, this time was not as good as on previous trips. We started with the Hummus with lamb ragu. This was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The charred eggplant did not live up to expectations. The Greek Village Salad was different from what it used to be. There were no greens and we could not taste any flavor in the dressing. The crispy potatoes were dry and seemed overdone. Also lacking in flavor. The service was impersonal and seemed more geared to efficiency rather than our enjoyment. read more

The drinks were great but the service was subpar. We were told 20 minute wait for patio seating and waited 45 minutes at the bar. We were then told it would be at least another 20 minutes. Not cool - would have just ordered food at the bar had we been given a realistic wait time. read more

Ema - Do Not Disturb & Slow Cheetah - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If there's one thing you come to Ema for... let it be the hummus with lamb ragu!! We were looking for a spot close to our hotel that was open for an early lunch and landed on Ema since the restaurant's ambiance seemed super nice. We were seated promptly after opening and landed on two things to share: + Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu ($18.95) (5/5): The hummus was super rich and savory!! I loved how tender the ragu was and how well it paired with the bread. I would've ordered a second one if I wasn't so full lol. + Chicken Kefta ($19.95) (3.5/5): The portion was a good size! I think I just wasn't too big of a fan because the chicken was a bit dry. This dish just felt like it was missing something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what. Our server was super nice, but our food took quite some time to come out. Maybe it was because we were there when they opened? Either way, it was a great experience and I'd return!! read more

Ema - Chicken Kefta - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had a reservation for two and were sat immediately. Server was great, attentive but not bothersome. We ordered the spicy whipped feta, crispy potato's and chicken ketfa. All were pretty good but the chicken and rice were a bit oily. I got the do not disturb cocktail which was really yummy and my friend got the Paloma which was just okay. Overall good experience would come back read more

We ate outside and had a lovely meal. We had a reservation but waited for over 30 minutes. The manager was very nice and comped out appetizers which was very nice. The tuna with melon was incredible. The melon was perfect and the taste was incredibly paired with the tuna. The lebnah was great as were the Brussel sprouts. The Spanish octopus was amazing. Everything we touched, we were excited for! A return trip will happen! read more

Ema - Tuna and Melon. - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was one of our regular go to lunch places when we had lived in Chicago for over 20 years and recently moved. Came back for a 2 month vacation, and had to return to Ema. We have been here 3 x already and their food was as good as we remembered. We love this place for its light Mediterranean options, and very relaxing atmosphere at the bar, dining room, or outdoor patio. Don't know why I haven't left a review before now, but due to excellent service from Jared today, and the Halibut Ceviche I couldn't not share how great this restaurant is. Came for brunch today and my husband ordered Kefta & Eggs. We ordered the Halibut Ceviche as our appetizer. Both were very good and memorable. I even ordered a second helping of the Halibut Ceviche as my main meal. Can't say enough about the service we received from Jared. I was looking to order items that we had ordered 2 years ago but unfortunately was no longer on the lunch menu or were on the dinner menu. He was very patient and offered suggestions. Service was spot on. We will continue to dine here whenever we come back to Chicago. read more

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Food was great, wouldn't recommend spiced chicken thighs because portion was super tiny. Not worth it as an entree for restaurant week. But loved everything else. Dessert is a must. Place was very cute and would be great for like a cute girls night/yap sesh night. Wait for food was also reasonable and servers were nice. read more

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Food was stellar! A group and I tried this for restaurant week and loved it. The menu includes a drink and the "do not disturb" was great! Will absolutely come back for the normal menu. read more

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Everything was SO GOOD. The service was quick and my waiter checked up on my table often. The inside is very pretty and cute. Good for a date or a girls dinner. I will definitely be back. read more

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Went here for restaurant week and loved it. The place had kind of a date vibe. Everything on the menu was good. We will be back. The part I liked best was how well marked it was for gluten free items read more

I'm shook that this place is rated this high. I do not think the food was that good. I think the service was nice. But the food was very disappointing. Came on a Thursday night around 5pm. We were a party of two. We ordered the following: Green falafel Halibut Lamb ragu hummus The falafel was a little dry but came with pickled raddish which was a great compliment. Halibut was meh. Thought it lacked flavor. And wasn't flakey. The hummus which the wait staff explained was a fan favorite was good. But 20 dollars good? Ehhhh ... The ambiance was pretty. Overhead lights were nice. It was nicely spaced out. We sat inside by the bar but it wasn't terribly noisy or busy / distracting with the staff going back and forth. There's an outdoor patio as well. I had the Lebanese red wine and that was delicious. Adding it to the list of bottles I must have at home. Overall a little disappointed with my experience. Reviews gave me high hopes. Instead ended up down the street for pizza to make up for the night. read more

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Stopped by for happy hour on Friday and they were almost completely booked! Very glad to have gotten the last high top so that was could enjoy the happy hour snacks. The brussel sprouts, almond and garlic spread with pita, and crispy potatoes were delicious. And sizable portions for the price. Great vibe and attentive, hard working servers and bartenders. Thanks for a nice evening! read more

Solid place for brunch in river north! Definitely even better when the windows/ patio are open. We tried the sweet corn hummus brussel sprouts - wish they were a bit crispier crispy potatoes - very crisp and i love the crema mushroom escargot - unique dish comes with 6 individual stuffed mushrooms. my favorite dish of the meal read more

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So disappointed. I came about 5 years ago and loved my meal, especially the sticky date cake, which lingered in my memory as my favorite all time dessert. This year I was so excited to bring my family and Ema was the only restaurant in Chicago I couldn't wait for them to try. I booked it as our final meal in Chicago and lay awake at 4am being so disappointed in my choice. Our server's greeting was monotone and emotionless, which I realize now, would be foreshadowing the meal to come. Ordered the following 1) Smoky eggplant- arrived appearing as an unappetizing curdled purple grey mush. This was the worst tasting baba ghanouj I have ever eaten. It was acidic and had the texture of cottage cheese. The only redeeming thing about this appetizer was the warm naan. 2) house made stratciatella with side of green falafels- The stratciatella was bland and stringy. I would not order this dish expecting the creamy interior of typical burrata. However, if you like string cheese mixed with heavy cream- you may enjoy this dish. The tomatoes and basil were good. 3) chicken kefta- kefta was bland, rice even blander . 4) short rib with polenta- bland and the meat and polenta had the same texture, which seems impossible but somehow the plating was over complicated by the addition of mushy dates and grapes. 5) buttered noodles- my 8 year old ordered this. It was decent with a good amount of Parmesan and cooked perfectly al dente. By the end of the meal, I was so shocked by how terrible the food was I didn't even want to order the sticky date cake that was my main purpose for returning to this restaurant. Ema, what happened to you?! read more

Ema won their last star from me! Stumbled on my old review of them, lamenting their slow service. Glad to say service was efficient and friendly today! (G)o or no go - Go! Outstanding Mediterranean food and pretty reasonable prices (W)ow - wowed by the house made labneh with strawberry and the hummus with lamb ragu (A)mbiance - fast service, delightful patio, calming interior decor full of natural colors: wood panels and lots of greenery (M)enu - Best item was the hummus with lamb ragu. So savory and surprisingly filling. The house made labneh with strawberry, peanuts, and hints of mint was also a delightful mixture of sweet and refreshing. Runner up was the juicy braised short rib sandwich and grilled oishii shrimp kebab slathered with fresh green sauce. Can you tell I'm a huge fan of protein heavy meals? But Ema wins me over with their carbs too. There's something about Ema's rice (which comes with every skewer), it hits every time. It's probably the generous amounts of olive oil they anoint it with. Honorable mentions go to brussel sprouts and crispy potatoes, two sides that add depth to every meal. The charred eggplant hummus was also my cup of tea although some found it sour. Also pictured are the hot honey halloumi (a little chewy for my taste and could have upped the hot in hot honey), salmon kebab, and chicken kebab. read more

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The food was so good I had to come back the following week. The menu and ambience are similar to Aba (its sister restaurant). Highlight of the meal was the salmon kabob, so tasty and cooked perfectly. The crispy Brussels sprouts were another favorite that I reordered at my second visit. The only dish I wouldn't recommend was the "crispy" potatoes - underseasoned, dry, and not crispy. A bit surprising since fried potatoes are rarely a miss. For desert, there's plenty of options and the 3 we tried were all hits! The sticky date cake was my personal favorite and my friends really loved the chocolate torte. Service was quick. We ordered a lot and were told things would be coursed/spaced out but everything came out back-to-back pretty fast. We didn't mind though since we were hungry and shared everything. My overall experiences here have been positive and I plan to come back soon. read more

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The DO NOT DISTURB cocktail was the star of the show, with my entire party ordering the beverage. We were able to get seated right away, and the decor inside really is fun and relaxing. It was a little difficult ordering Gluten Free - not for lack of options but for lack of menu descriptors. Luckily my server was very knowledgeable and was able to redirect a couple different times to ensure I avoided dishes with hidden gluten. The Brussel Sprouts were amazing (with no fried shallots) and were a great side for us all to share. I also ended up ordering just regular scrambled eggs and added them to the crispy potato's which was fantastic. read more

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So I kept reading about how it was a must to try the hummus with lamb ragu...I can now say with absolute certainty that if you are in Chicago and you haven't eaten the hummus with lamb ragu yet...SHAME ON YOU. It was by far the best hummus I've ever eaten(and I've eaten A LOT). I would literally go back just for that hummus and the bread that was served with it... OMG, I could eat ten baskets full it was so flavorful. We had the kebabs and the cauliflower which was also well prepared and full of flavor. Sorry I didn't have time to take pictures as we were prepared to dig in as soon as the plates hit the table. Our waiter was very helpful and attentive. He answered all our questions and made sure we were satisfied with our decisions. We decided to sit outside which is quite cozy and comfortable. They also have a huge indoor dining room. Overall it was a wonderful experience. My only dissatisfaction is that I won't have an opportunity to get more of that hummus before I leave as we're here only this week for a visit before returning to Florida tomorrow. But if I'm ever back in the Windy City, Ema is definitely on the to-do-list. Until then I have to hope they intend on opening an Orlando location. read more

Yesterday was a very chaotic meal. We had gotten there early for a 8oclock reservation. Not only were we not able to sit early but also we were seated 15 minutes late. Then we had picked up our dishes and it appeared that the waitress had forgotten about us when we put in auditions. It was a good 2025 minutes before she came back and said that they ran out of a particular dish that we were interested in therefore she was going to complement us one of the other ceviche raw fish dishes that we were interested in. Also, when the food arrived, one of the managers or supervisors offered us a free dessert. So overall, it was a very long dinner. It was very busy, but we appreciated the gesture that they try to make up for service recovery. read more

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