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Ema has a great atmosphere and a lot of really good bites. I have celiac disease and appreciated that most of the menu is gluten free (they have a dedicated GF fryer and knowledgeable staff). The lamb and beef kefta was tasty but very dry. The tune and watermelon salad and hummus were awesome. We were disappointed with the level of service. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time and waited even longer to be greeted by a waitress. Our wine took a while to come out and we had to request our check twice.
I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene, with an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)
Stopped by for dinner and luckily seated right away. I was happy they were still taking orders at 930pm. Technically they close at 10pm but looked like more people came in and they were placing orders. I ordered the spicy whipped feta. This was excellent! Good for sharing but filling for 1 person. Comes with rosemary pita. Yum! The bill was a little confusing as I was charged an extra $1. I asked my server why the menu showed $1 cheaper for my food. He agreed that it was wrong. Eventually a manager came out to apologize and removed $1. He mentioned prices had gone up but menu wasn't updated. I thought for all the hassle they might have comp'd something. Instead I got an apology and updated check. Decor was nice and overall ambiance. Great for groups or date night. Attached to the Hyatt hotel.
You can't go wrong with $1 froyo. The line does get kind of long (it moves fast), and they do cut off the line as it gets closer to 3:30ish. The froyo itself with no toppings is $1 then any additional topping is $2. They only have strawberry rhubarb and pistachio syrups as toppings though. The line moves fast and the inside is really cute to look at as you wait. If you time it just right, it's perfect as a Friday afternoon sweet treat!
We had a very long wait on Tuesday evening as a walk in for two. Waited almost two hours despite the Open Resy waitlist indicating we were on a waitlist with only two other parties. Not sure what happened there but after a few reminders to the hostess that we were still, in fact waiting -- we were finally seated. Luckily we had some drinks at the bar in the meantime. Food came out fairly quick. The best thing we had there was the lamb raft hummus and crispy mushrooms so highly recommend those. Chicken kefta was underwhelming for a standard Mediterranean dish but based off other reviewers pictures, the other kebab dishes did not look that interesting. Food 3/5 Service 3/5 Drinks 4/5 Prices 4/5 Ambience 5/5
I used to really like Ema, but unfortunately the portion sizes have gotten smaller and we've had a few misses with the food. Generally speaking, the top of the menu is better than the bottom. But the most recent time we've been, the tuna-watermelon dish from the raw menu didn't taste as fresh fish should. Lamb hummus, while good, was about half the size. The crispy potatoes were so crispy it was hard to bite into them. The whipped feta was fresh and lovely, but the price seems high for a dip with no protein. The pita is seasoned and yummy still. Bummer that this spot has gone downhill, especially as competition picks up in River North.
This Mediterranean restaurant has a cute, inviting interior with a nice atmosphere, and the service was very good. The food was presented beautifully and everything looked fresh and clean, but unfortunately, the flavors didn't quite match the presentation. The lamb and beef meatballs were too dry for my taste. The shrimp was okay, but the tomatoes served with it were overly roasted and had some blackened, charred areas that I didn't particularly enjoy. The salad was also fairly mediocre and didn't stand out. Overall, I really liked the ambiance and appreciated the attentive service, but I think the food could use some improvement in both flavor and preparation. A pleasant place visually, but the meal itself was just average for me.
We had a fantastic experience at Emma after exploring downtown Chicago. We made reservations inside but decided to sit outside because of the weather. Heads up - you're basically sitting in the road on some of these patio tables. We had amazing service walking through and explaining the menu. The food came out at a good pace and we genuinely enjoyed each bit. With so much great food in Chicago it's hard to commit to coming back to any one place but Ema deserves a spot on the list. Best bites - hamachi and roast avocado
I celebrate my birthday with my family at Ema every year, and at this point it's become one of my favorite traditions. Ema is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago. From the food and ambiance to the consistently outstanding service, everything is truly top-tier. This visit was just as exceptional as every one before it. We shared the Sweet Corn Hummus, Spicy Whipped Feta, Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Potatoes, Grilled Chicken, and the Lamb & Beef Kefta. Every single dish was outstanding. I wish I had taken more photos, but we were too busy enjoying the food as it arrived at the table! For drinks, my sister loved the Strawberry Rose Paloma, and I enjoyed a glass of Kir-Yianni Sparkling Rosé, which paired beautifully with the meal. The warm, seasoned pita deserves its own recognition. It's soft, pillowy, and absolutely addictive. Honestly, it's hard not to fill up on the pita and spreads before the rest of the meal even arrives. Our server struck the perfect balance between friendly and attentive, without ever feeling intrusive. We usually make room for dessert, but we were completely stuffed this time. In the past, though, I've loved both the Warm Sticky Date Cake and the Frozen Greek Yogurt, and I'd recommend either without hesitation. I was secretly hoping for a tiny scoop of frozen yogurt as a birthday surprise, but my server didn't mention it and I didn't remind him of the celebration (and honestly, we were way too full anyway ). As a huge Top Chef fan, it's always special dining at Chef CJ Jacobson's restaurant. I had the opportunity to meet him during my very first visit to Ema, and he was incredibly gracious. His creativity and attention to flavor are evident in every dish. Ema continues to set the standard for what a great dining experience should be. It's the restaurant I recommend most often when people ask me where to eat in Chicago, and it remains my go-to place for special celebrations. I can't wait to come back again soon! #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad PS: the hotel next door no longer provides parking validation.
This is for Ema Rotisserie - $1 froyo right in the city is so hard to beat! Came during a quick lunch break to grab a sweet treat and was directed to the side of the Ema restaurant to wait in line for Ema Rotisserie. Even though there was good 10+ people in front of me, the line went by quick and staff was very efficient. The classic froyo + olive oil + sea salt is $1, or you can get a strawberry rhubarb sauce or pistachio sauce for an additional $1. The froyo was good, not as creamy or tart as I'd prefer but still delicious. The strawberry rhubarb was also great, not too sweet or tart and balanced the froyo really well. I definitely want to return to try the other flavors too!
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.
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.
Some friends and I were in town for a birthday and decided we wanted to do the riverboat architecture tour. Our friend group is split between two groups. The 1st that plans ahead and gets to places early. And the 2nd that is there for a good time but always gets everywhere late. Those of us that wanted to come early and not worry decided that we wanted to go to a restaurant close by to wait for our tour time and that's how we found Ema. As soon as we walk inside we see how beautiful and modern the interior looks. They had a lot of seating available and we got a nice table by the window with a view We wanted to eat light before the tour so we shared a bunch of small plates. We ordered the mushroom escargot, lemon Caesar, crispy potatoes, a couple orders of hummus and some chicken kebabs. That mushroom escargot was one of my favorite things I ate during the entire Chicago trip. The mushrooms were creamy and rich. It tasted umami, bright from the lemon, slightly spicy from the Calabrian breadcrumbs, and paired perfectly with some warm pita bread on the side. The hummus was smooth and well seasoned. The lemon caesar was fresh and fairly standard. The crispy potatoes were perfectly textured and were soft and pillowy on the inside. As long as they sat on the table they never lost their crisp. The chicken kebabs were tenderly, juicy and garlicky. We were all putting together our perfect bite combinations with the pita bread. Everything we ordered I would actually order again. Though may want to try a different salad next time since the Caesar was pretty simple. Regardless, still no real complaints with the food Our server was charismatic and funny. He had a great attitude and entertained us throughout the meal. Everything came out promptly as well so we made it out and could take our time walking to the riverboats. Lucky for our friends the tour said they'd be docked for a few minutes after our scheduled start time to set everything up. As 3 minutes after our start time we see group 2 sprinting up from a couple blocks away Overall Ema was consistent, flavorful and reliable. Not a bad price point either for what you get. I'd definitely recommend and come back
Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the flavorful Mediterranean dishes, stylish ambiance, attentive service, and quality drinks.
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Ema is a great place to go with people to enjoy many different dishes. Their pita and hummus is some of the best I've tried at a trendy spot. The restaurant itself is lovely with plenty of seating. Their drinks are just okay I thought. Food, overall, is really good! If I had to nitpick, I would say that the crispy potatoes need a little more flavor and the cauliflower tasted like brussel sprouts except the charred pieces were so good! I will definitely go again for the hummus and pita but as far as the other dishes go, not much to offer to vegetarians. We had people at the table who tried the lamb and they really enjoyed the cook and flavor on it. Service was also good! We had a birthday at the table so they gave the dessert on the house :) it was delish! read more
The ambiance is awesome when we first entered the restaurant. Very cute if you're looking for a nice dinner. We ordered hummus, falafel, and lamb and beef kefta. I can say this is one of the best Mediterranean food I have ever tried! We got the hummus and pita bread, and the pita breads were really fresh and hot. It was also very well-seasoned. I highly recommend getting hummus for appetizer because it immediately hooked my palate! The falafel was also spot on with the freshly made flavors and the seasoning. It was not too dry but packed with flavors of freshness. Lastly, the lamb and beef kefta was definitely stronger, so it doesn't suit my taste as much. But I was still satisfied with the portion it came with. read more
10 months ago
My first time at Ema was beyond incredible! We went here for lunch and were very impressed. First of all, the ambience is incredible, it is so pretty on the inside. I was also very impressed with the service. They asked if we had any allergies, my friend I went with had a few allergies and they proceeded to be super detailed with what she could and couldn't eat. Food overall was incredibly flavorful. For an appetizer we got the almond spread it came with soft pita chips. 10/10 We shared the salmon rice bowl and brussel sprouts which were definitely my favorite. So much flavor in both!! And then we got two kebabs - the chicken and the lamb. I'd say these were 8/10, very good but compared to the other things I felt it wasn't as inspired. read more
4 months ago
5 months ago
2 years ago
We did a walk-in around 3pm on a weekday and were seated without a wait. The restaurant is beautiful - bright, warm, and airy. The staff were all friendly. We really appreciated our server, who gave us great recommendations on what to order based on our preferences. Now for food, they have a decent menu with 4-5 items in each category (spreads, vegetables, raw, cold mezze, hot mezze, seafood, and kebabs). They recommend ordering 2-3 dishes per person and sharing. We ordered 4 dishes for two, and had leftovers to take home. Based on our server's recommendations we ordered the spread sampler, lamb and beef kefta, farro risotto, and chicken sandwich. * spread sampler: we ordered spicy hummus, labneh, and toasted almond & garlic. This was 10 out of 10 - some of the best hummus I've had. The favorite of the three was the toasted almond and garlic, which had great flavor and texture. I also appreciated that it was served with lots of different veggies and house bread. * fried chicken sandwich: the chicken was perfectly fried with beet tzatziki, arugula, pickles and challah. 9 out of 10. The beet tzatziki was soooo good!! * farro risotto: this was my least favorite dish. I'm not sure if it was the asparagus or the flavors, I didn't enjoy it. 4 out of 10 * lamb and beef kefta: this was also a 10 out of 10. The meat was tender, juicy, and flavorful. I really liked the basmati rice that was served with it. Overall, the food was amazing and I'll definitely be back! read more
Wish I lived closer cuz I'd be eating those green falafels every week. Soooooo good. Cool interior. Nice staff. Delicious oh, so delishous! I get nervous when a restaurant tells us it's sharing plate style. That usually means small. Yes, the mini plates were small but the salmon kabob, other meat kabobs were plenty of food for 1 person. We got the pomegranate humas, the tuna carpaccio, and the green falafels as a pre game. All were slap your hand save some for me too. Those falafels, not sure if it was Cardamom or what was in there but every single one of us wanted more they were so good! The salmon kabob, so moist and plenty of rice. I felt full after. A little more $ than the norm but worth it. GO! read more
2 years ago
1. Hummus with lamb ragú with the freshest zaatar pita 2. Brussel sprouts with pepitas and pumpkin seeds 3. Toasted almond and garlic spread?? So unique have never had something like this before 4. Risotto with asparagus and parmesan 5. Straciatella w crispy bread dipping pieces and grape tomatoes 6. Chicken meatballs w rice and tzatziki (unfortunately we were so full by the time this arrived that we didn't give it a fair try, but essentially liked the other 5 better ) Waiter was attentive with our cocktails and ordering! read more
1 year ago
7 months ago
5 months ago
This is such a great spot from the food and service to the ambiance. We had a reservation which was great as it was hard to get seated otherwise, the restaurant was definitely crowded. Ambiance: Such a beautiful restaurant. The furniture adds such a nice vibe to the place. Their dishware was also very nice and clearly a well thought-out restaurant. Service: We had such a great server. There were so many good things on the menu and it was really hard to pick what we wanted to get. She was very helpful in helping us narrow things down. She also warned us that the amount of food we're ordering might be too much. She let us place the order and then checked in with us later on in the meal. She was 100% correct and we were so glad we were able to cancel our last dish. Food: The food exceeded expectations. Everything we got was so delicious and the flat bread came out nice and warm. There are so many vegetarian options we were a group of three and still weren't able to try all the options on the menu. All the items were well seasoned and has very complimentary sauces/dips to go with it. Drinks: The cocktails here were SO good! I was planning on getting a glass of wine but their cocktail selection looked so good we ended up getting those instead. They were delicious, balanced, and the perfect flavor. It's a place I'd definitely come to again if I'm in Chicago. read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
2 years ago
The food at Ema's is beyond awesome. Every dish we ordered was full of flavours and quite delicious. My favourite was the Pan-Roasted Romanesque Cauliflower and the "Bhel" Hummus was quite a unique combination. The ambiance is very pretty and aesthetically pleasing. A perfect bohemian themed restaurant. The service was quite quick and efficient. We had a lovely time here! read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
We had a nice experience. The roasted eggplant dip really stood out. It's amazing. We loved the coolness of it, and the flavor and texture were perfect. Good bread too. I don't recommend the classic hummus. At that price point, I expected something better. I've had much better hummus for $5 from a Mediterranean deli--and here it's a whopping $14. Brussel sprouts were okay. They were nice and sweet but again overpriced, also oily, underseasoned, and lacking acidity. Halloumi kebab and rice were good. I really enjoyed them. Thought the sauces could use more punch and seasoning. The rice was good but also too oily. Frozen greek yogurt with olive oil and sea salt was delicious. All in all, I do recommend, but I think it's overpriced relative to the food we received. Service was attentive but kind of unprofessional too. The experience overall does not match up to the around $100.00 price. Maybe I'm being harsh, because I would come back just for the eggplant dip, kebab, and yogurt. They were really good. read more
1 year ago
I really enjoyed 2 different new yogurts one for afternoon snack and other frozen yogurt for dessert. The service was incredible as everyone was super friendly. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Another incredible meal from Ema! I was so excited to be back in the city and at this restaurant. We made reservations, which I would recommend on a Friday night, but some people were able to get in without them. We started off with the Garlic Almond dip which was once again incredible. Their pita is better than any other pita I've ever had. For side dishes, we got the crispy potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Both are so incredible, especially the Brussels sprouts. By the time we got to main dishes, I was barely hungry, but still enjoyed the lamb & beef Kafta. Make sure to save room for dessert because their honey pie is incredible. Overall an incredible atmosphere, very friendly workers, and amazing food. Will be back here plenty when living in the city this summer. read more
My husband and I have now been here twice and both times we had a great time! This past visit, we tried the tuna carpaccio which was delicious. We also tried the spicy hummus which my husband really enjoyed. I preferred the regular one. The pita bread it comes with is very good, fresh, and flavorful. The Brussel sprouts are delicious and flavored well. The cocktails are expensive but good! Overall great restaurant! The food is flavorful and tasty and the service was kind when we had our baby with us. It's also a fairly loud restaurant so our baby wasn't out of place. Would definitely come here again! read more
1 year ago
The food was absolutely amazing. 10 out of 10! The esthetics of the restaurant was the icing on the cake which brought cultural appeal with classy elegance. read more
2 years ago
Ema has definitely become a new go-to spot for sharing small plates! I visited with a couple of friends for drinks and a few dishes to share. We arrived slightly after our reservation time, but the staff was very accommodating. They saved our table and kindly let us know that we'd need to finish by a certain time, which was completely understandable. The interior is stunning. The vibes were relaxed that blended Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with dimmed lighting set the mood. Once we were seated, our server immediately attended to us and was ready to offer recommendations when we asked, as this was our first time. We ended up ordering the hummus with lamb ragu and pita bread, lamb and beef kefta, and delicata squash farrotto which were all recommended by our server. For drinks, we ordered the passion fruit G&T. Our server's recommendations were spot on! Everything was absolutely delicious and we were literally scraping the plates by the end of the meal. I'll definitely be back with more friends for drinks and small plates to share in the future! read more
3 months ago
Overall the food is great and delicious. I have tried other Mediterranean restaurant in the city, but this is the best one I had so far. The 2 spreads: The mushroom hummus was awesome, not salty at all. The mushroom and radish add a nice crunch to the spread. And the charred eggplant was definitely the best of the night. This is definitely a must ordered dish. The pomegranate adds a bit sweetness to the spread, and it's amazing and unique. The pita bread is great and well-paired with the spread. Salmon Kebabs: The lemon match well with the salmon, adds a bit juiciness and souring taste to salmon. The vegetables in between salmon chunks adds a touch of crunch to the dish. Brussels Sprouts: Must order vegetable dish. The vinaigrette adds a touch sour taste to the dish. And the pumpkin seeds adds a crunch. Crispy Potatoes: My friend ordered this dish and she said it was great. Unfortunately, I didn't have any because I am lactose intolerant. The smell was great and the portion is large enough to share. The service was great and our server was super friendly and happy to talk to. He was super careful about my food allergies and mindful with that. The environment was cozy and comfortable. read more
Amazing brunch experience at Ema with my family. Lively Saturday vibe but not drowning in noise. Sun light dining area that was both airy and full, with soft warm woods and a green ceiling. Very easy on the eyes. Food was excellent. Hummus, eggplant, and falafel were all delicious, crispy, and flavorful. The pomegranates with eggplant gave it a textural twist and sweet balance. Main courses were salad, shashuka, lamb-beef kebab and salmon kebab. All were well prepared, moist, and tasty. Interesting and delicious honey cake. My family is picky and they loved this. The double chocolate was also fantastic, rich, without being overwhelmed with sweetness. So good! Service was on point, definitely a winner for us. read more
3 years ago
This restaurant went above and beyond my expectations! Been staying at the Hyatt hotel the past couple years and I always see this place so busy all the time. I finally got to try it after waiting a couple hours. (don't worry it is worth the wait) We started off with the Charred Eggplant spread which was so yummy and I loved the sweetness of the pomegranate on top with it. We also got the chilled cucumbers which were so refreshing and crunchy! The Cauliflower was probably my favorite dish of all! I loved the roasted cauliflower with tzatziki sauce on the side; wished we ordered another one. For our entree, we ordered the the Chicken Keft and Salmon. The chicken was good but nothing mind blowing. The salmon was really yummy and I love the sauce that it was drenched in. So glad we were able to try this place and will definitely try this place everytime I visit Chicago. It is quite amazing! read more
Came here for Sunday brunch! Their brunch menu is interesting - not a ton of brunch specific things and a bit confusing on the portion sizes with the rest of their menu. Our server recommended 2-3 dishes per person from the whole menu which was totally not accurate at all. The brunch dishes were definitely substantial for individual meals, and some honestly would be hard to split with a group (like a chicken sandwich). We split a few spreads, which are always my favorite part. The best part of the meal was the eggplant dip! The pomegranate on it was incredible. I also really loved the mushroom hummus. The pita here is the same as at Aba (sister restaurant) and I am obsessed with the seasoning! It's very flavorful and not your plain, standard bread. We each got our own mains and split the Brussel sprouts and potatoes from the mezze categories. The potatoes were good but nothing super special. I loved the Brussel sprouts! Flavorful but not too heavy, and the pumpkin seeds were a nice touch. I got the halloumi as my main. It was fine. The sauce kind of overpowered the cheese flavor, and the kebab was about half halloumi half vegetables, so it wasn't super substantial. I think I would have rather gotten one of the meat kebabs. Out of the brunch options, the shakshukas seemed to look the most unique and popular; the option options seemed to be pretty standard. The service wasn't super great; we had to wait a while for the check and had a tough time getting recommendations or additional water. I'd like to think they do a better dinner service. Having been to Aba which has a similar menu, I definitely prefer the ambiance and the options at Aba to Ema, but Ema is for sure easier to get into. Overall good food, just nothing super impressive about the experience. read more
1 year ago
Great customer service, the atmosphere is so green and cute, the food variety is delicious and different . Love that it's mostly shareable. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Love the food here and at Ema Rotisserie. Definitely try the frozen yogurt with the pistachio topping! read more
Went to Ema for a work lunch today and had a good experience overall. I've gone there a few times over the past year and something that is consistent is the freshness of the food every time we go. Our server was super friendly and checked in the perfect amount of times and got us our check quickly after we requested it. For appetizers we ordered the Hummus and Charred Eggplant spreads as well as the tuna carpaccio. The Charred eggplant is amazing, super flavorful and textured. The hummus was just OK. They need to do a spicy hummus to make it less basic. The tuna carpaccio was also quite good and fresh. For my main I had the grilled chicken kebab which is my go to here. Super tender and flavorful chicken with a good accompaniment of rice and green sauce. The restaurant itself is nice and clean but feels a bit sterile. It's not something I've noticed while at lunch, but at dinner it feels like the inside of a corporate dining room. Their sister restaurant Aba has a more compelling atmosphere, but very similar food. read more
2 years ago
If you're looking for the perfect date night, friends get together, or family reunion, look no further because Ema will check off all the boxes! From delicious drinks, unbelievable food, impeccable service, and incredible vibes, you are set to have the most amazing experience ever! The interior decor is GORGEOUS! The greenery, the lighting, the music, the color palette - it's all so intimate and beautiful. The service is exemplary! From the moment you check in to the moment you leave, you are taken care of 1000%. We got 2 of their cocktails - do not disturb and the slow cheetah. Both were so crisp and refreshing! For food, they're known for their shareable portions so we tried a few different things. To start, we got the hummus with lamb ragu with their famous pita. This was a 10/10. The hummus was creamy and so flavorful! The pita was INSANE! It was so herby and soft and fresh and we could keep eating it! Next up, we got the green falafal which came with a garlic yogurt sauce and a beet salad. This was such a surprise! The falafal was so so delicious and authentic but the beet salad that it came up was so unique but ended up being the most perfect side for the falafel! Lastly, the main courses! We got the chicken kebabs and the salmon kebabs, both of which came with basmati rice and a side sauce. Both meats were so tender, so smoky, so flavorful, and so filling! The rice was cooked to perfection! It was the perfect meal! This was the perfect experience, and I cannot wait to go again, take my friends and my family, and try more items from their menu! It's rare to find a spot with exceptional food, drinks, atmosphere, and service and Ema checks off all the boxes! 1000/1000 recommend! read more
More info about Ema
74 W Illinois St
Chicago, IL 60654
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 527-5586
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https://www.emarestaurants.com
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Ask the Community - Ema
What is the noise level at Ema at dinner?
I've been on a Saturday night and it was loud and very lively. Def not an intimate spot if you are looking for that kind of vibe.
Does Ema add (sneak) a service charge to bills, like Wildfire? I'm not a fan of this (greedy) practice and will pass on this restaurant when they open in Glenview, if this is the case.
Hi Andy, Lettuce Entertain You restaurants have added the surcharge as a way to offset rising costs associated with the restaurant industry (food, beverage, labor, benefits, supplies). This is done in lieu of increased menu prices. When dining with…
Hi! Are walk-ins allowed?
Yes, though it is a popular place so reservations are recommended to avoid a potential wait for a table.
Are there any vegan options on the menu?
Hi Sam, we have a variety of vegan options including our Hummus, Brussels Sprouts, Toasted Almond & Garlic Spread, crudité and more. Your server will also be able to advise on dishes that can be modified to become vegan. We look forward to welcoming…
Is there a dress code?
Hi Rae! There is no set dress code. We invite to you wear whatever makes you most comfortable.
Do you allow outside wine and if so, what is your corkage fee?
Hi Kim! You are welcome to bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine, with a $35 corkage fee per bottle.
Is your patio heated?
Hi Jenna! There are heaters on the patio, however please note that the patio seating isn't enclosed. We advise dressing according to the weather. Thank you!
Is this place toddler friendly?
Hi Chaitali! Yes, guests of all ages are welcome at Ema and we are happy to accommodate with high chairs. Looking forward to having you in soon!
Is there a happy hour menu?
Hi Carolyn! Thank you for reaching out. At this time, Ema does not have a Happy Hour menu available. We look forward to having you join us soon!
Is your meat halal?
Hi Kausar - our meat is not halal. Feel free to email us at emacs@leye.com with any other questions or if we can share more details on our ingredients.
Is there parking nearby?
Hi Laela! Valet parking is available for $17 for 3 hours with validation and increases to $38 after 3 hours.
Can you accommodate (or substitute) vegetarian options?
We are always happy to help accommodate any dietary restrictions or requests that you may have! Feel free to let our team know in advance, or let your server know. Looking forward to having you in!
Can you make reservations?
Hi Chaitali, Thank you for reaching out, we absolutely can assist you with that. Please give our…
Do you carry any brand of retsina?
Hi Bob! At this time we do not carry any Retsina. Feel free to check back on our website to view our full wine list at www.emachicago.com. Thanks!
Does Ema have Happy Hour?
Hi Avita! Yes, we do! From 3-6PM enjoy $5 Mezze Plates, select Craft Beer and Wine.
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77 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
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