Our family ate dinner here in April and were very impressed with the quality of the food and the service. We had the empanadas to start and then the short ribs, a burger, halibut, and lamb birria pierogies. Everything was delicious, beautifully spiced and elegantly presented. Honestly, the ambiance was a bit loud for us, but our server was extremely helpful and moved us away from a table with one incredibly boisterous fellow. They did so discreetly and quickly and our experience was much improved as a result. The restaurant itself is lovely, with beautiful decor and lighting. read more

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Very cute interior, great service, lively atmosphere, definitely hit the mark on elevated casual. We were able to get dinner reservations on the day of. For parking you definitely should use Spothero or ParkWhiz, as it's in a very busy/lively part of River North. We loved meeting the owner who was chatting with and checking on guests in the dining room. The menu was really creative and sounded amazing, totally up my alley, so was super excited to try Ila's out for the first time. Unfortunately, and it pains me to say this, but the food itself was a miss for me, and the prices felt steep for the portions. We ordered the empanada duo, grilled scallops, birria lamb pierogis, and sweet corn agnolotti, then the Japanese cheesecake and drip coffee. The positives were that everything tasted fresh, and the flavors of the dishes were good ~ especially the empanadas, scallops, and agnolotti. The main issue was the texture of some of the foods. Other than the empanada (which had a great texture and flavor), the agnolotti and pierogi dough were not right ~ thick, rubbery, and dry, which was exacerbated by not having enough consommé for the pierogis. And the coffee - it honestly tasted like Folgers (though I'll give them the benefit of the doubt) - which took me aback as it was a $7 drip coffee. I'm not discounting Ila's and I truly wish them success. But I think there's some work to be done in terms of execution. read more

Ila's - Scallops - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We weren't planning on stopping in here but it looked cute from the outside! We went after happy hour on a Friday and sat at the bar. Our bartender Miguel was awesome! Super friendly and nice, we chat with him for a while. Our drinks were delicious! We also had some shots, shoutout Miguel, that tasted like a margarita. Very cute inside, would come back! read more

Ila's - Ube cocktail - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm bringing everyone back here. I am still not entirely sure what I would categorize this cuisine as (Indian-Japanese-Filipino-Italian fusion??) but wow everything I had was incredible. The bread plate was phenomenal with really new and rich flavors, bread baked to perfection. I can't rave about the ube based cocktails enough. We had the corn pasta and carrot pesto, both so unique and full of flavor. And even the salad had fresh flavors that complemented the meal so well. The service was attentive and the ambiance is very homey. I will absolutely be coming back! read more

Ila's - Bread plate - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best redemption I've experienced by far! The empanadas are soooo good. Will be getting them every time I go. The flatbread is good as well, nothing out of the ordinary. I wish it was just a little bigger tho but that's not a real problem. The drinks and cheesecake were excellent as always. The fry board was a special that they had and all the variations were phenomenal Service was wonderful, no complaints at all. The restaurant ambiance was much better than last time with the snowflake lights removed. It gave a much more intimate, dinner time feel this time. Can't wait to go back there! I would love to try some other dishes on the menu. read more

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Was walking back to my hotel and looking for somewhere to grab a cocktail solo when I saw this place and thought their sign was cute, so I went in. I sat at the bar, had a cocktail and one of the bites off of the happy hour menu. Both were delicious! Everyone is so nice and attentive but not overly so. Will absolutely be back here the next time I'm in Chicago! read more

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Walked in at 5PM and was shocked it wasn't more busy inside! It's a lovely atmosphere, very intimate and cozy. I got an ube sour that was delicious. My table also got the fried paneer appetizer to share which was divine. Salty, but with dimension. For my main I got the sweet corn agnolotti and wow, mind blowing. The sauce on top had moments of tanginess and the sweet creamy corn inside was so, so good. Each piece was thick and generous and it went so well with the sauce overtop. I really need to come back and either get this again or order more stuff off the menu. I hope this place becomes more popular! read more

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The service was phenomenal and the food was great too. I met up with a friend Friday night and we grabbed a seat at the bar. The bartender was extremely friendly and recommended the Birria Pierogies. The filling was good, but the sauce didn't penetrate the shell well so it left it a bit dry. For the main course I got the burger which hit. read more

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Randomly stumbled upon this restaurant while strolling down the street. We were actually in search for another bar but we decided to come in since Ila's looked so clean, new and the bar area felt very welcoming. We were too full from dinner to order their food so we just ordered 2 cocktails. I'm not sure what my husband ordered but I got the Quinn. Presentation is great and it also tasted delicious too. Will try to come back and try their food if we have time! read more

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To say I was beyond impressed by this place is an understatement! I'm shocked how easily we were able to get a last minute table for 6, but I have a feeling that won't be the case for long. Every dish was perfectly cooked and flavor combinations were delightful! The octopus was cooked to perfection and was so tender. The halibut just melted in our mouth. Portions were appropriately sized and not too big. Other highlights included the Ube sour, not too sweet and such a beautiful presentation. Table spacing was wonderful and conversation was easy since it wasn't too loud and we weren't too close to other tables. They have bathrooms upstairs and downstairs. They even had the Bears game on at the bar which was a plus for a few folks on our group. Highly recommend this place, really great value, top notch service and fantastic food! read more

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My friends I came her for dinner the night before Thanksgiving, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Wild to think this place to be El Hefe where we used to dance on top of the booths, and now it's beautifully elegant inside lol. The food was pretty delicious! We had the little gem salad, grilled cheese, spaghetti and a side of fries. Everything was delicious. The only thing I would have to say is the salad dressing was a little too citrusy for my liking, but that's just me! I highly recommend checking them out! read more

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My friends and I stopped in here prior to our dinner reservations across the street. We almost wanted to stay for dinner because of the atmosphere and service. We sat at the bar, the bar tender was amazing! Great atmosphere conversations, but also understood when we wanted to be left alone. The manager turned on the alabama football game for me within seconds of me requesting. We all had at least 2 espresso martinis... HEAVEN. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Ila's - Espresso martinis - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in for drinks with friends on a Friday night and it was not too busy. We had to wait a few minutes for seats at the bar and it was worth the wait. Bartender was very helpful. Gave honest opinions about all the cocktails based on my pallet. I tried the Obi sour and it was incredible. I don't like sweet drinks, but it had notes of blueberry and it was so good. It did not feel overly sweet. It truly felt like a Finely crafted cocktail. I would not be able to drink two of those in a row but I would definitely stop back in for. Ambience is very cute. I think it was the old El jefe, which was also astounding that they transformed that place into such a beautiful establishment. Cheers to that in itself! read more

Ila's - Ubi Sour - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ila's is a unique gem and much needed addition to river north, it's not an obnoxious late night bar nor is it an an outdated uppity place. It's very welcoming, comfortable like actually comfortable to sit while being a really aesthetic and tasteful place. Drinks and service are amazing, the signature cocktails are great and they're able to customize anything to your liking. Had a few dishes and all stood out and great, sweet corn agnoletti, crispy chicken sandwich were both top notch. Hard to find a place that nails both while being a great place to hang out. Came here with wife and group of friends, but could see this being an amazing date spot too. Being greeted by the owner himself tops it all off, not common in river North - definitely coming back and highly recommend checking it out read more

I think Ila's has a lot of potential. As for the highlights, I did love the space and decor. Everything felt cozy and warm, including the waitstaff and owner who greeted us personally. I tried the Ube Sour without alcohol which had an interesting flavor profile. Not my favorite, but it was very pretty. For the food, we shared the Grilled Scallops and Bread Plate. Neither blew me away but I did enjoy the squash hummus that the bread plate came with. As for the main entrees, three of us got the Sweet Corn Agnolotti and one of us got the Ila's burger. Though the agnolotti was spoken highly of, I personally just did not enjoy the chili and garlic crunch component. I tasted a bite of my friend's burger, and it was just okay for me as the meat felt a bit overcooked and under-seasoned. I think with a few tweaks, Ila's could be amazing! Would love to come back and try out some of the other dishes. read more

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We just tried Ila's for the first time and truly loved our experience. The staff were well trained and took excellent care of us from start to finish. Someone I believe was the owner checked in on us throughout the meal (never overbearing) and genuinely made sure we were enjoying everything. He even walked us through one of the dishes and the proper way to eat it, which somehow made it taste even better. The food we enjoyed (not a crumb left behind between the two of us ): Lumpia egg rolls - the meat was incredibly tender and flavorful, the pickled cabbage was delightful, and the sauce tied everything together perfectly. Birria pierogi - such a unique dish, packed with flavor. Sweet corn agnolotti - GET THIS. GET THIS. GET THIS. Truly one of the best dishes I've ever had. Sweet corn, a savory and delicate cornbread foam, and chili crisp for balance. I will absolutely be dreaming about this one (can you tell it was my favorite?). Pistachio cake - incredible and the perfect way to end the meal. The interior is thoughtfully decorated with an eclectic, cozy vibe that makes you want to linger. And yes--important detail--the bathrooms were very clean (that matters) Everything about this place was wonderful. We'll definitely be back. read more

Our server Dani was amazing & the manager came by to check on everything which we appreciated! Great food and great vibes!! Loved the short rib. read more

Our server Dani was fantastic and very attentive! The short rib was also fantastic, a must get.

There are a lot of cheesy overpriced restaurants and places in River North. You have to be careful when eating out in this neighborhood or you might get a huge bill and mediocre food at a restaurant that cares more about Instagram than service or food quality. Ila's is not one of those places. I visited here only a few weeks after they open, and they were already at the top of their game. The restaurant has interesting story as it is named after the mother of the owner. First, the food was excellent. I would describe the menu as eclectic. Its dishes were from all around the world and everything I tried was delicious. I tried the ube sour as my cocktail, lamb Merguez flatbread, pappardelle, chicken kastu sandwich and the Japanese cheesecake with an ube reduction and strawberry shortcake. My favorite were the pappardelle and the chicken kastu sandwich. Second, service was very good. Despite being open for only a few weeks my waiter was on point and service was efficient. Third, I enjoyed the atmosphere. The restaurant had a modern industrial vibe that I liked with exposed brick. This is a must visit new restaurant. read more

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JUST GO! You have to come try it out at least once. The owner is a ball of love and will tell you all about the items on the menu and his love for food and his mom. The restaurant is named after her. Rumor is she can be seen doing shots with patrons one or two nights a week. My friend said he had the best martini there. We ordered a few different items and overall loved our food and experience. Not sure if this was because they're fairly new, but the service was very laid back. The owner wanted guests to enjoy and try items. Maybe it has changed now and it's a bit more regimented (which I prefer). I will definitely go back when in Chicago next. read more

We stopped by Ila's after dinner because we were immediately drawn in by the beautiful décor. The atmosphere inside is stunning--everything looks brand new and thoughtfully designed, which makes sense since the staff told us the restaurant just opened two weeks ago. Even though we were already full from dinner, we decided to try a couple of drinks, and they were excellent--well-balanced, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The service was also fantastic; the staff was warm, attentive, and welcoming. Unfortunately, we couldn't try the food this time, but based on the menu and overall experience, we're definitely planning to come back soon to enjoy a full meal. A wonderful new spot that I'm excited to return to! read more

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The best burger I've had in a long time! The two smash burgers were so flavorful with the perfect thin cut pickles, cheddar cheese and the oxtail marmalade. So flavorful!! If you sit at the bar let Jose make you a drink. He is incredibly friendly and will definitely take good care of you! Comfortable decor...Great spot! read more

Ila's - Burger - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wonderful food and over the top service. Great atmosphere and cocktails too! The Night in Mumbai is one of the best bourbon drinks I've ever had! read more

Ila's - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Took the family there and grabbed a window table because the patio doors were open. Awesome ambience at this place! The tables, booths, and furniture were gorgeous and cozy. Had a massive cutting board full of fries. I think it was a Daily Special. Was great. We had our service dog with us and our server showed up with a bowl of water for him. The GM Dawn was very nice and knowledgeable. Great place! read more

Brand new beautiful fusion restaurant that does not make you feel like you're in river north! This restaurant is spacious yet makes you feel like you're at home, service is wonderful, and the food is inventive and delicious. Every bite is a surprising flavor bomb- the food you wish you were getting but is very hard to find amongst overpriced mediocrity in the neighborhood. This place captures a mix of cultures, spices, textures. All pastas made in house, everything we tried we loved. Will be back to try the rest of the menu! Definitely run, don't walk here. Bring friend's. Try everything! read more

One of the best beef sandwiches I have had in a long time. Atmosphere is classy without being over the top. The owner was a class act and we received excellent service. read more

Run, don't walk to their new brunch service! I hate that my friends and I were so hungry that we didn't take pics! Every plate was cleaned and every drink was enjoyed! First, we started off with an aerol spritz, ube sour and some coffee before we were gifted a bottle of bubbly because we had a party of 5 and we all ordered entrees! The Moroccan Benny was gat caught most of our attention, while one enjoyed the Burrata Avocado Toast and I couldn't get enough of the Duck Duck Hash! Everyone devoured their meals but I can tell you the star of my dish was the pleasantly delicious confit duck dates. I didn't know my hash needed it and I fear I'll never want to eat a hash without it again! We wrapped up our meal with the Churro Donuts! These airy, melt in your mouth, perfectly sweet treats were the best end to a delightful meal. Bonus stars for the excellent service Danny and Alex gave us too! read more

I was excited to try this place because it seems new and trendy, so I met 3 friends for weeknight dinner. The service was exceptional, and the ambience was super inviting. However, the menu was quite disappointing. I was expecting more Indian fusion dishes but unfortunately there were not a lot. The paneer kebab had flavorful sauce and rice on the side, but I don't even think the paneer was cooked. The burrata was delicious however not enough for 4 people as there was 1 slice of bread. We all got the corn pasta which was pretty good, but a super tiny portion and was cold. I don't think I would return. read more

New place is a great vibe. Love the small menu. Cocktail menu was solid and the shareables are delicious! read more

Ila's - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ila's is an amazing new edition to the River North neighborhood. Ila's truly feels like being at home. Their staff is welcoming, accommodating, and gives a new meaning to comfort food! With a stunning interior that allows you to feel like you're out on the town but without losing its comfort. Ila's take contemplate takes on international fare and I was absolutely not disappointed. I also think they have a rotating menu so there is certain to be something for everyone especially month to month. I also enjoyed their cocktail experience and am so excited to revisit for an happy hour. Looking forward to see where Ila's goes! read more

Wow - I stumbled on a gem. My wife and I were heading to Andy's Jazz club and wanted a nice place to sit and eat where the ambiance is great and we can actually talk to each other. Love the bar and music and the vibe. read more

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Excellent from start to finish! The drinks were creative and delish, the food was fresh and flavorful, and service was friendly and attentive. We loved the low-key, comfortable vibe, especially in this particular part of town. It was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night, and I'm hoping that was because it was Easter weekend. This is a place that deserves to succeed. Highly recommend. read more

Clean, pleasant ambiance. Music at just the right level. Food was all clearly homemade and very fresh ingredients. Even a simple dish like pasta with a red sauce tasted distinctive with homemade perfectly cooked pasta. Cocktails were also delicious and unique. It's very new which explains the limited reviews and availability of tables. Definitely give it a try, especially if you are local as I would expect it's a place you would like to come back to. The wait staff was excellent and who I presume to be the owner came by and was very welcoming, but not overly so. read more

Ila's is that spot. The lamb birria pierogis are ridiculous...in the best way. Perfectly crisp outside, tender and rich inside, with so much umami it's almost unfair to other restaurants. You'll take one bite, pause, and just stare at your plate for a second like... how? And the fries. My god, the fries. Thin, golden, crispy little miracles that are somehow still soft in the middle. Honestly, they deserve their own fan club. The whole place just gets it. Cool without trying, warm service, food that feels creative without being weird. Chicago has no shortage of great meals, but Ila's hits that rare combo of comfort, surprise, and "let's come back tomorrow." read more

Ila's - Lamb birria pierogis - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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"Great place! Came for brunch! The food was delicious--the Phoenician salad was super fresh and flavorful, and my brother's Benedict was amazing. Best smashed potatoes ever! My sister's Midnight in Mumbai cocktail was super fancy and delicious. The whole experience was wonderful. Our server, Jose, was friendly and fun, and the manager even stopped by to chat, which was a nice touch. Hands down a great place to go--you're missing out if you haven't tried it!" read more

dinner at ila's was a great experience from start to finish. the cozy, welcoming space feels thoughtful and personal. the burrata with roasted figs and pine nut brittle was creamy and delicious and the house made focaccia stood out. pastas are excellent. sweet corn agnolotti with cornbread foam and chili crunch is balanced and flavorful and the pappardelle with oxtail ragù is rich and comforting. loved the ube sour too. polished yet relaxed dining in river north. read more

Ila's - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came in planning to have a couple of snacks, drinks, and watch a playoff game. Instead, we stayed through another playoff game and rolled straight into dinner--and honestly, that tells you everything you need to know. The drinks are outstanding. The Quinn is a must-order--balanced, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. From the brunch menu, the egg rolls and empanadas were absolute standouts--crispy, flavorful, and impossible not to keep ordering. By dinner, we were fully invested. The short rib chilaquiles were rich and comforting with deep flavor, and the pierogies were done perfectly. Every dish felt thoughtful and well executed. What really elevates Ila's, though, is the people. The waitstaff was warm, attentive, and genuinely cared that we were having a great experience. We even met the owner's mother, Ila herself, who the restaurant is named after--which made the night feel special and personal in the best way. Great food, great drinks, wonderful people, and a welcoming, cozy ambiance that makes you want to stay longer than planned. We came for a game and left with a new favorite spot. Highly recommend. read more

We went to Ila's Chicago for New Year's Day dinner and absolutely loved it. The space is super cozy and inviting, and the staff was incredibly warm and welcoming from start to finish. The cocktails were excellent, and the food really stood out. The birria lamb pierogis were a standout and were so flavorful and creative. We also loved the short rib, the burrata appetizer (incredible and very unique), and the sweet corn agnolotti, which was all perfectly done. Everything felt thoughtful, from the menu to the atmosphere. We can't wait to come back! read more

An elegantly designed new restaurant in the heart of River North. The ambiance is warm and inviting, the staff from Entry to Exit are friendly and attentive. The uniquely curated menu offer a variety of items making it a perfect place for everyone. The drink menu complements the food items, ample but not supernumerary. I was served the Empanadas, Birria Pierogi's and Tuna Crudo. The food was exceptional to say the least. I ended my dinner with Cheesecake and Green Tea Panna Cotta which was delacate and delicious. Must try. read more

Ila's - Green Tea Panna Cotta - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Super cute place in River North! The interior is beautiful and the food was really good too! We're vegetarian so they offered to make the empanada appetizer with a corn filling to make it vegetarian. The sweet corn pasta is a must try. we go the paneer kebabs too. The rice was very good. The paneer wasn't my favorite would like it to have more sauce read more