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    Kouklas

    3.7 (88 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Kouklas Photos

    KOUKLAS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Kouklas

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    Rafi A.

    I love the energy in this place. It's bustling, fun, and lively. The gigantes salad and brick chicken were delicious. The Village Salad wasn't my favorite. Too much cheese and oil, not enough veggies and needed lemon juice (which they brought). Dina, our waitress, and Audrey, the manager, are complete dolls. They greeted us with genuine smiles, were extremely attentive, and genuinely wanted us to have a great experience. All the staff are very nice and competent. We'll be back again soon.

    Aesha E.

    This place has been a pretty highly anticipated around here. It certainly didn't disappoint; the food was great. Even on a Tuesday night the place was filling up fast. I was here with my book club so there was a wide variety of items ordered. I chose the chicken souvlaki and it was delicious! Tangy and accompanied by some delicious potatoes. One of the others bought an appetizer or two for the table; I especially liked the tirokafteri, a spicy feta dish. With the thick, olive-oil soaked grilled bread it was so good. But then I'd eat the bread alone too. I tried the skordalia as well, a garlic and mashed potato dip. Mashed potato dip?! Thank you! This had plenty of my favorite spice, dill, too. It was garnished with crispy chicken skin on the top. Drinks were great; I chose the Sparkling Persephone and it was striking as well as lip-smacking good. I don't usually spend that much on a drink but I don't regret doing so this time. The restaurant is really tight. Tables are pretty close and when our group was leaving, we had to wait for another large party to pass and leave single file. They also have complimentary valet parking, and it is not optional, so if you don't like valet or only have your key on your phone you may want to pick another place.

    Moussaka
    Annette D.

    Worth the wait for a reservation! The food is exceptional, service impeccable and ambiance vibrant and energetic. Sharing plates was fun and portions were generous. We enjoyed the showmanship that came along with the flaming saganaki. The pork belly, souvlaki chicken skewers and moussaka were standouts as were the desserts.

    Looking toward the side wall display of artifacts. The tables weren't as close together as some reviews made me expect.
    Ann M.

    We have been wanting to try Kouklas since before it opened. I went to make a Saturday reservation a couple weeks ago, and nothing was available until after 8:15 PM, same with the next Saturday, so we reserved two weeks in advance and went this past Saturday. It was worth the wait! I had read in some other reviews here that there was often a backup with the valet parking and at the door to be seated at 5 PM, so I specifically made the reservation for 5:15 PM to try to miss the crowd. That worked perfectly. By the time we pulled in we were only the second car in the valet line, and we walked in and were seated immediately. We were originally going to be seated to the far right from the entrance, beyond the bar. But when I looked that way and saw there was already a large group table set up in that smaller area, and I didn't want the two of us to be stuck dealing with that situation on our first visit there, I asked if we could instead be seated to the left, in the main dining room. There were still several tables still open there, so no problem. I'm really glad I asked! We had already checked out the menu and knew that much of it is tapas style, served as it's prepared, and we love that format, so this was perfect for us. We ordered cocktails - the Nyx's Mix (a Manhattan, made with Four Roses Single Barrel) and Aegean Mist (with Milagro Blanco tequila and Cointreau) - and two starter options - the Skordalia spread and the Flaming Saganaki (which is a bit hidden on the menu, in the middle of The Greek Kitchen section, but I eventually found it there). The cocktails and starters were all excellent. The Skordalia, a cold mashed potato base seasoned with dill and topped with crispy chicken skin pieces, was especially delicious. The bread that was served with both starters was also fresh and flavorful, with a crisp, sesame-laden crust and a lightly toasted yet soft interior, just how I like it. For our entrées I ordered the Beef Tenderloin Souvlaki (it comes with two skewers), and my husband had the Pastitsio. I really wanted to try two different souvlaki skewers, because they also have Pork Tenderloin and Chicken Breast. I asked our server Panos (who did a superb job) if it was possible to mix and match, and although he said that question has been asked often, it wasn't (yet) an option. Hopefully it will be by the time we go back again! I always order my steak medium rare, and I had read in an earlier review that any souvlaki cooked more than this wouldn't be satisfactory, so I made sure that's what I ordered, and it was very good. Each skewer was lightly charred, with four large pieces of meat on it. I ended up eating one skewer, giving my husband a piece from the other, and bringing the other three pieces home to enjoy later. The souvlaki came sitting in a bed of Tzatziki, which was perfectly seasoned, with fried smashed potatoes. I wasn't crazy about the potatoes, but I'm not a big potato eater anyway, so I tasted a little of one piece, gave my husband one, and left the rest uneaten. I think next time I order souvlaki I will have them hold the potatoes. My husband's Pastitsio came in a sliced brick from a loaf, similar to a large piece of meatloaf. He said it was good, but not great. I think next time he'll probably try something else. He did enjoy my beef tenderloin chunk that I shared with him. I noticed that there were no salt and pepper shakers on the table, but every dish we ordered came with a sauce, with the exception of the saganaki (which we were grateful to see was flamed tableside, as it always should be, but which some restaurants have stopped doing). The sauces were all the seasoning we needed for each of our dishes. Each was well crafted and flavorful. I was especially excited to see that they had Loukomades on the menu for dessert. These have long been a favorite of ours from the Greek festival we used to attend annually in Indianapolis, where they were made fresh while we waited, and served hot. I was curious to see how they would be at a restaurant, and they did not disappoint! They also were hot, fresh, and with a large enough portion for us to share. The only thing missing was the extra squirt of honey on the inside that we sometimes got when they were deep-fried in front of us, but they were honey-soaked and very tasty. The price of everything, including the two starters, the two entrées, two drinks each, and the shared dessert, came to about $185 after tax and before tip. So it's probably not somewhere we'll eat every weekend, but we'll definitely be back periodically, because everything was absolutely delicious, the ambience was bustling and friendly, the valet parking and car retrieval were easy and efficient, and it was a fun, upbeat place to be. Well done, Kouklas, and thank you!

    Rick R.

    Can't believe this fantastic restaurant is in Niles! The place was jam packed Friday night but staff were all super friendly and none had an attitude. Now that's great training! We sat at the bar while we waited for our 8:15 res and we were seated 8:20, that's excellent. The bartenders were efficient, actually made eye contact with you and said they'd be right with you, and we're all super friendly once again. We got seated in the left side of the restaurant (there are two dining areas with the long bar in the middle) We got Nieve or was it Eve as our server (sorry forgot) but she was really really good! The food was imo some of the best food I've had outside of Greece! YOU NEED TO GO!

    amazing and perfectly grilled lamb chops
    Steve L.

    I cannot say enough good things about my recent visit to Koukla's in Niles. This wasn't just a dinner; it was a total dining experience from start to finish. The Service From the moment we sat down, the hospitality was unmatched. A huge shoutout to Yohan and T, who were absolutely phenomenal. They were super friendly, incredibly attentive without being hovering, and truly made us feel like family. Their warmth set the tone for the entire evening. The menu here is spectacular, but a few things really stole the show. For starters, you must try the house marinated anchovies--they were fresh and flavorful. The taramosalata spread was creamy and perfectly seasoned, and the grilled oysters were absolutely first class. As for the mains, the lamb chops had mind-blowing flavor (perfectly char-grilled), and the Lamb Hilopites pasta were rich, warm, and delicious. The absolute best end to the meal, however, was the incredible hospitality shown by the culinary team. We were offered a chance to visit the kitchen to say thank you, which was a special treat. It was an honor to meet Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr., Chef Kevin Stack (AKA Chef Bigbird), and the grill master, Chef Eric Camargo. Seeing the passion these guys have for their craft explains why the food tastes so good. If you are in Niles and want incredible Greek food with a team that treats you like their own, run to Koukla's! We will definitely be back.

    Lamb chops
    Stephanie K.

    I couldn't wait to try Kouklas! I made a reservation Open Table, and was called to confirm my reservation by the restaurant. We had a great waiter that let us know that everything comes out one at a time and spaced out, they are also to be shared and are more than enough for two people. Only drawback it was a little loud, but it was at the dinner rush time, so it was to be expected. We shared everything, and couldn't have been happier with our experience and the food! Everything was delicious!! It was authentic and was seasoned perfectly! We honestly can't wait to go back and try other items! Highly recommend!

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    The food is amazing and the service was even better! So excited to have another great restaurant in the area.

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    Ask the Community - Kouklas

    Do they have byob?

    My recollection is no. They have a full bar and cocktails/wine are prominent features. Also, typically these "Award Winning" type establishments do not offer BYOB. I would call them to confirm.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Plateia Mediterranean Kitchen Bar - Branzino

    Plateia Mediterranean Kitchen Bar

    (1.1k reviews)

    $$

    Excellent everything ordered tasted fresh and great Lamb…read moreshank was a lot of food The Greek potatoes are excellent Taramosalta has a nice tangy flavor The octopus is a decent portion and cooked to perfection Chicken dish was very very solid Always happy to return The oil and bread is a nice touch that every place doesn't provide anymore

    This was our first time here for a family wedding shower, and it will absolutely be our last. The…read morestaff is consistently rude, from the servers to the hostess. A few "highlights" of our visit: Dishonesty: A server lied and said there was no kids' menu (which is clearly listed on their website) just to avoid a meal substitution. When I asked about ordering chicken tenders, the server told me they didn't have a kid's menu and were only making an "exception" for my daughter. I later found the full kids menu on their website. Instead of simply explaining an age policy, he chose to be dishonest and was visibly annoyed that I even asked. Being Ignored: It took 20 minutes and multiple people flagging down a server just to get one bottle of Coke. I asked the female waitress 3 times for the Coke and she repeatedly looked at me and ignored me. It took 20 minutes and 3 family members calling out to the server to get her attention. Disrespect: The hostess literally put her hand in my face when I politely asked for a to-go bag. I politely asked the hostess for a to-go bag, she actually put her hand in my face and told me to "hold on." When she finally returned, she mean mugs me and handed me the bag without a word even after I gave her an underserved thank you. If this were my party, I'd be demanding a refund. This place makes other local diners look like five-star establishments. Unbelievable and completely disappointing. Will never be returning.

    Charcoal Flame Grill - American Gyro

    Charcoal Flame Grill

    (317 reviews)

    $

    While stopping through the area for another errand, we decided to make a stop at Charcoal Flame…read moreGrill for lunch. It's a standalone building with it's own parking lot. We didn't notice until our way out but they also have a drive-thru, and signs that say they offer delivery/are on DoorDash, so with multiple options, Charcoal Flame is convenient. This building looks like it possibly used to be an old 90s/00s KFC or Pizza Hut or something, but it's cozy and clean and we love an easy access parking lot. The menus are expansive and you order at the counter when you walk in. There are plenty of tables for dining in, and a few were taken while we were there. There was a steady stream of phone orders coming in for pick up, and the restaurant was busy overall. We were helped right away and the staff at the counter were so friendly. I ordered a Maxwell street sausage as a meal ($5 additional for a drink and fries) and my partner ordered the American Gyro sandwich and also as a meal. We grabbed a table and our drinks from the fountain machine and only waited a few minutes for the number on our receipt to be called with our order. The food here is so fresh and delicious. This is one of the best Maxwell street sausages I've had around, the bread was perfect and soft inside and crispy on the outside with the sausage split and grilled and perfectly sweet caramelized onions. The fries looked like they came in frozen/pre-cut but were fried up perfect and a generous portion. The Gyro came stacked with meat, it wasn't dry, and had great flavor. Because the food was so delicious I decided to grab a piece of baklava to go, which I was assured was homemade and delicious - and they were right. So sweet, fresh, textured, rich, luxurious. Don't skip the baklava when you stop by! This is definitely a spot that will be added to our regular rotation of lunch/dinner spots around town. Thank you so much Charcoal Flame Grill for a wonderful experience with super friendly staff! Can't wait to see you soon and try more menu items!

    Was excited to try out this place that I kept passing by in the past, not knowing what kind of…read morecuisine they served. I assumed that with their name, that they might serve barbecues? Than I read something on instagram that they serve the best gyros, I just had to swing by. I ordered their Gyros Dinner Plate and their Pork Chops Dnner Plate. I also got their Kefte Dinner Plate for my son Alex. Alex said his kefte plate was good. I, on the other hand, found my touted Gyros plate, kinda "meh". The meat was kinda bland, although those humongous greek potato wedges were awesome! I bought the pork chops for din-din with my wife later that night. Unfortunately, the chops were tough and chewy! I know it's tough to cook pork chops, but, they're a restaurant. You'd think they'd know how to cook pork chops the right way. So, in conclusion, it was a big letdown for me on this new find. I'd have to say that their servings are quite abundant, but It terribly lacks in taste and texture, and I don't think quantity equals quality here.

    Kouklas - greek - Updated May 2026

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