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Ema

4.3 (2k reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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EMA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Ema

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Reviews With Photos

Lamb & Beef Kefta*
Amelia S.

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.

Crispy Potatoes - super super crispy and shareable
Rahul S.

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)

Neha G.

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.

Froyo
Cylia B.

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!

Crispy Wild Mushrooms, chicken kefta, crispy potatoes
Melody D.

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

Charisma H.

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.

Jeannie Y.

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.

Courtney R.

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

Erika W.

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.

Kristine N.

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!

McKayla S.

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.

"Bhel" Hummus
Amanda K.

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.

Mushroom "Escargot" and Hummus
Alan G.

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

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the flavorful Mediterranean dishes, stylish ambiance, attentive service, and quality drinks.

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Ema Reviews in Other Languages

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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OMG sexy, gorgeous delicious fun. ENCHANTING is how I would describe this place. This gorgeous…read morerestaurant is a total standout. it is take your breath away beautiful! You should sit on the gorgeous patio if you can. Have your birthday party here if you can and eat everything off the menu if you can! We had it all! The server said the portions "were small", ummmmm... they are not. You can share the delish skewers between two or even three people. The small plates are not that small. I thought the portions were very, very generous and we came home stuffed! TOO MUCH FOOD! We were so inspired by the menu that we ordered way too much! I love the new app in which you used to pay with, especially for a large group. Fancy! This is one of the most romantic restaurants I have been to. It's perfect for a fun group of people or a really romantic date night. We had so much fun. We didn't want to leave to go to our next destination. GO!

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Ema - mediterranean - Updated November 2026

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