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My rating is 3.5 Huge space inside and on patio. Dogs are allowed on pario with menu. On opentable only option is dining then call them to make sure if u want patio. Service was not great. My server did not have much knowledge about menu. Second drink never shown up so had to cancel. Main came right I m eating appetizer. And the sauce that we have requested came way after main. So its hard to eat things warm with the seasoning I prefer. At the and I was not sure if I had dinner or lunch menu, she was so confusing. Veg food review out of 5. Hummus plate - 3.5 - good additions on it but I had better hummus and pita. Cacio pepe dumplings - 4 - good taste unique take Potato side - 4 Up in smoke cocktail - 5 Peach mocktail - 5
Came here for an early dinner with two of my girlfriends, and we had a great time! We arrived a bit early for our reservation and got lucky enough to snag bar seats for happy hour (you can't participate in happy hour when sat at a table!). We got a two martinis and four oysters for only around $40 with tip, not bad for such a great view! When we were sat we asked if we could sit outside, and even though there were tons of tables, they almost didn't sit us out there. So glad they did though, the view is the reason you come to Naia! To eat, we ordered a bunch of things to share including the spicy tuna crispy rice, truffle honey labneh, saganaki, crab falafel, turkish dumplings and the side of crispy potatoes. We loved all the dishes! One of our favorites hands down was the truffle honey labneh, however it comes with only one pita for all that dip (not even two?) and the pita came served to us in a bag. Didn't love the bag since it's not ideal for sharing- do you take it out and lay it on the outside of the package that has been touched with bare hands? We ended up just ripping the bag open, which didn't really match with the ambiance of the other dishes. However this dip was INCREDIBLE. We also loved the turkish dumplings- super unique and delectable dish. Really rich and great flavors, a must order. To drink we had dirty martinis and a cosmo, for all our drinks we added the $4 'side car' which in my opinion is very much worth it. It's almost an additional half drink for that four dollars. We also LOVED our waitress Jasmine- she made our experience so much better. What an enjoyable human! We decided if we come back we will be requesting her service again. Overall, I'm not sure where all the negative reviews came from. Our expectations were low, and they were blown away. Not as expensive as you would imagine for such a high ticket location. Can't wait to go back.
I have been trying hard to get a reservation at NAIA at a reasonable hour. My out of town friends found a way, you could just get one of the one standing tables and order food there. Pretty cool hack, right? We did just that and got some bakeries hummus. The views were amazing and the ambience and the vibes are u unparalleled. I would like to be back for a proper lunch or dinner reservation, but overall, really liked naia. On a crisp summer evening, it did feel like I was in the Mediterranean.
There is nothing else to say... Great food, great ambiance, great service... these guys have knocked it out of the park. Whether it is a weeknight gathering or a weekend celebration, this is the place you want to be. If I could give 10 stars, I would.
Came here with a friend during a random weekday with a reservation. The restaurant was beautiful inside! We were able to get an outdoor seat by the river and it was amazing! The food was good and service was excellent. Highly recommend to try the bazaar board and saganki. Really enjoyed the Santorini limone pasta. I really loved there was more than one option for vegetarian and options to make other dishes vegetarian or vegan. We can't wait to come back!
Naia delivered an exceptional dining experience. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was attentive and welcoming, and every detail felt thoughtfully executed. The food was beautifully presented and packed with flavor, with an extensive Mediterranean menu that offered plenty of options for different dietary needs. I especially appreciated how accommodating they were with allergies, making it easy to enjoy the meal with confidence. Overall, a fantastic restaurant that exceeded expectations. I'd highly recommend Naia to anyone looking for a special meal in Chicago.
This was my first time at Naia, and we had a great experience! We had a reservation, and luckily my friend, who is a Gold member on OpenTable, had set a priority notification and we finally managed to get a table. We got a booth right by the river, and OMG, the views were stunning! We went for brunch, and the beautiful weather made it even better. Our server was great and the service throughout was really good. For drinks, we ordered Nomia, Dirty Martini, Smoke on Water, and Strawberry Spritz. I absolutely loved the Smoke on Water! For food, we tried the chicken kefta, Lebanese salad, spreads, and Santorini Lemoni. The labneh was definitely our favorite spread, and the pita was sooo good! The salad was equally good. I couldn't imagine pasta with lemon, but my friend tried the Santorini Lemoni and loved it. Overall, a really nice brunch spot with good food, great service, and amazing river views. Definitely worth visiting, especially when the weather is nice!
I had my reservations about coming to Naia based on the fact so many Tiktok folks were gushing over it, but Latrice A suggested we meet there to try their Happy Hour. I am just going to say that the one thing that made me happy was Seeing Latrice A. Overall experience was not one to make me come back for a second visit. Let me start out with the pros: aesthetically , the space is beautiful, inside and out. The booths on the river as well as the view from the bar is gorgeous. The pita bread was very good, nice and soft, but at a cost of $4 when you ask for an extra piece. The Spicy Feta was absolutely great and that red color was on point. The Crispy Potato Fritters were lovely with that french onion dip and sumac. Latrice A ordered both dishes and they were so good, I decided to get myself an order as well as an order of Saganaki. After the food, the rest was downhill for me. Service was not good at all. It took a while to get the bartender's attention to get a drink (Jessica and another gentleman). As we are on the clock for Happy Hour, I expected quicker service so patrons get get their money's worth but the service was not there. The removal of empty glasses and plates was not done until I asked for them to be removed. There was a busser behind the bar who was extremely helpful, so I tipped him well as he cleared out our space at the bar for us. There was a couple sitting next to me who were also talking about how slow the service was as well. They were there before I arrived, so not sure how long they had been sitting there. I placed an order for an additional Spicy Feta with extra pita, Crispy Potato Fritters and Saganaki. The Spicy Feta never showed up but an order of pita bread showed up as well as the potatoes and Saganaki. I discovered after the fact that I was charged $4 for the pita bread and was charged for a regular order of Saganaki at $17 instead of the Happy Hour price at $9. Latrice A ordered the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice for $5 and that was so small! I was going to order it but once I saw hers, I passed. I noticed that on the regular menu, this dish goes for $11 because you are getting two bites. Looking at the piece on the plate, definitely not good value for money. The only reason I could come back here would be for riverside seat, drinks and that Spicy Feta and Crispy Potatoes, but I am sure that would be enough to get me seat on the river.
This was a double treat for me. First of all, I had no idea this place even existed, so I'm glad a friend recommended it. But they didn't just recommend the restaurant. They suggested we take a trip along the lake and river and arrive at the restaurant by boat rather than simply walking through the front door. I have to say, if you ever have the opportunity to pull up to a restaurant waterside and be served delicious food while sitting on a boat, please do yourself a favor and do it. It feels luxurious. It feels pampered. And somehow, it feels just a little bit forbidden. Now, on to the food. It was DELICIOUS! I decided to splurge and ordered the steak, and it was excellent. We also had the crispy rice, which had just the right flavor and texture to start the meal. Honestly, I don't have anything bad to say about the food or the experience. Even the servers were patient and wonderful while serving us on the boat, which only added to the feeling that we were doing something a little special. All I can say is, if you get the chance, take a nice trip down the Chicago River, enjoy the city from the water, and make this restaurant part of the experience. It's definitely a Chicago moment worth having.
Not sure if the rating should be 3 or 4 stars. No question, 4 stars for the food! Absolutely delicious. From the hummus to the burger to the meat skewers. I'd also give 4 stars for location. Right on the river. The 3 stars, possibly 2 go to service and cocktail menu. Our reservation was for 12:30, we were seated at 1:00. They were nice enough to suggest we spend more money and have a drink at the bar. They should have bought our drinks. They did give us a free hummus platter. Would you believe they didn't have the ingredients to make me a Bloody Mary. I'll leave it at that. My second drink I ordered before my meal. The rum and coke arrived after my burger. Pull it together NAIA.
Vibes Vibes Vibes Had dinner here last week. We arrived earlier than our reservation to enjoy the bar scene first. Decided to stay at the bar. Had a margarita and shared a bottle of wine. Munched on the delicious bazaar board that consisted of SPICY FETA , CHARRED EGGPLANT, BEET TZATZIKI and TRUFFLE HONEY LABNEH spreads, pita, crudité, pickled vegetables. SO DARN GOOD!! We were so full that we didn't try other dishes. Definitely coming back.
WOW!!!!!! I hosted a business dinner here and was thoroughly impressed!!! The atmosphere is incredible, it feels like Ibiza or Greece and is very fancy! Gorgeous inner decor and beautiful table settings! YAZ was our waitress and she was phenomenal!! So attentive and so quick with the drinks we downed! We ordered quite a lot and I would get everything again, except the pasta ( it was good just not necessary)! I attached a photo of everything we got and this is the way to do it! Some MUST orders below: Honey labneh Charred eggplant dip Lamb chops YELLOWTAIL CRUDO ( this was the dish of the night) Wagyu beef crispy rice Strawberry dessert They even brought out sparklers with our dessert which was the perfect end to a beautiful gorgeous delicious night! I am dying to come back to NAIA to repeat the above items and get some more delicious food! We went out afterwards and I left my leftovers at the bar and am still in mourning as I write this! SOOO GOOD! Sooo worth the hype!
It's all Greek to me!! Fabulous fun new spot on riverfront in Chicago. We came for lunch. Definitely wish we could have gotten a table on riverfront, but the inside is lovely and very vibey. We loved the spicy feta and hummus. Also tried the chicken shawarma which was solid for lunch. We were celebrating a birthday, and staff was so kind to celebrate with dessert with us. Cocktails were also so yummy! Highly recommend!
NAIA revisited - After my not-so-great experience during a girls' lunch, the Naia team reached out and invited me back to give them another chance, with this visit on them. I really appreciated them taking the time to address my previous experience, and I'm happy to say that this time around was SO much better! The biggest difference was the service. Our server, Kevin was knowledgeable, attentive, and readily available whenever we needed assistance, which was unfortunately what was lacking during my last visit. It really made a difference in the overall dining experience. As for the food, everything was great! I went with some of the same dishes I really enjoyed during my first visit, and they were still a hit. CONSISTENT This time around, we also brought our toddler along, and it was great to see kid-friendly options available. The coloring pages were such a thoughtful touch to keep the little one entertained while we enjoyed our meal. As a parent, those little details are much appreciated. This visit definitely restored my confidence in Naia, and I'm glad I gave them another chance. read more
15 days ago
great spot for friends, dates or family (early) Dinner time is sexy vibes and drinks. Hummus at the table is super fun every time. They always make the chicken schnitzel in kids tenders form at lunch Plan ahead with your Resos read more
Beautiful views on Monday afternoon along the river . Walking down the stairs to the restaurant the excitement to eat with a view is my favorite . Thankfully they were able to accommodate by the window shaded area for a view . Sitting on a time I appreciated . Dylan our waiter who took his time and understood the menu well able to answer all questions and recommend some great choices . Apricot limoncello spritz refreshing exactly what I need a perfect cool sunny fall day on the river Mythos lager beer tasted like a Heineken which was all Great. Crispy rice tuna was freshly delicious I wanted more but there's so much on the menu I wanted to try . I can't help but dream about the truffle honey spread that just smooth sweet savory goodness and the beet tzatziki was also fresh and full herbaceous taste the beet color is was beautiful . Also tried the crispy potato fritters with caviar just felt like the right choice . Saganaki is always a must , cheese on fire melt goodness why wouldn't you order it . For the mains had to get the lamb chops that were cooked to perfection and wagyu beef on a skewer yummy salt goodness great cut . Definitely had meat overload . Baklava soft serve unfortunately was not available which was sad last time we went to a Mediterranean restaurant for some reason it was also not available. We did end up with DARK CHOCOLATE PRALINE soft serve which is fine but I can't help but think about getting the other one but I guess that's just another reason to come back . Dylan did give a special dessert for our anniversary was so kind . But now I ll have to always think about getting the baklava soft serve . Maybe it is the reason to go back . Perfect for dinner view , perfect for date day and night and perfect for groups . read more
My rating is 3.5 Huge space inside and on patio. Dogs are allowed on pario with menu. On opentable only option is dining then call them to make sure if u want patio. Service was not great. My server did not have much knowledge about menu. Second drink never shown up so had to cancel. Main came right I m eating appetizer. And the sauce that we have requested came way after main. So its hard to eat things warm with the seasoning I prefer. At the and I was not sure if I had dinner or lunch menu, she was so confusing. Veg food review out of 5. Hummus plate - 3.5 - good additions on it but I had better hummus and pita. Cacio pepe dumplings - 4 - good taste unique take Potato side - 4 Up in smoke cocktail - 5 Peach mocktail - 5 read more
Came here for an early dinner with two of my girlfriends, and we had a great time! We arrived a bit early for our reservation and got lucky enough to snag bar seats for happy hour (you can't participate in happy hour when sat at a table!). We got a two martinis and four oysters for only around $40 with tip, not bad for such a great view! When we were sat we asked if we could sit outside, and even though there were tons of tables, they almost didn't sit us out there. So glad they did though, the view is the reason you come to Naia! To eat, we ordered a bunch of things to share including the spicy tuna crispy rice, truffle honey labneh, saganaki, crab falafel, turkish dumplings and the side of crispy potatoes. We loved all the dishes! One of our favorites hands down was the truffle honey labneh, however it comes with only one pita for all that dip (not even two?) and the pita came served to us in a bag. Didn't love the bag since it's not ideal for sharing- do you take it out and lay it on the outside of the package that has been touched with bare hands? We ended up just ripping the bag open, which didn't really match with the ambiance of the other dishes. However this dip was INCREDIBLE. We also loved the turkish dumplings- super unique and delectable dish. Really rich and great flavors, a must order. To drink we had dirty martinis and a cosmo, for all our drinks we added the $4 'side car' which in my opinion is very much worth it. It's almost an additional half drink for that four dollars. We also LOVED our waitress Jasmine- she made our experience so much better. What an enjoyable human! We decided if we come back we will be requesting her service again. Overall, I'm not sure where all the negative reviews came from. Our expectations were low, and they were blown away. Not as expensive as you would imagine for such a high ticket location. Can't wait to go back. read more
I have been trying hard to get a reservation at NAIA at a reasonable hour. My out of town friends found a way, you could just get one of the one standing tables and order food there. Pretty cool hack, right? We did just that and got some bakeries hummus. The views were amazing and the ambience and the vibes are u unparalleled. I would like to be back for a proper lunch or dinner reservation, but overall, really liked naia. On a crisp summer evening, it did feel like I was in the Mediterranean. read more
There is nothing else to say... Great food, great ambiance, great service... these guys have knocked it out of the park. Whether it is a weeknight gathering or a weekend celebration, this is the place you want to be. If I could give 10 stars, I would. read more
1 month ago
Came here with a friend during a random weekday with a reservation. The restaurant was beautiful inside! We were able to get an outdoor seat by the river and it was amazing! The food was good and service was excellent. Highly recommend to try the bazaar board and saganki. Really enjoyed the Santorini limone pasta. I really loved there was more than one option for vegetarian and options to make other dishes vegetarian or vegan. We can't wait to come back! read more
Naia delivered an exceptional dining experience. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was attentive and welcoming, and every detail felt thoughtfully executed. The food was beautifully presented and packed with flavor, with an extensive Mediterranean menu that offered plenty of options for different dietary needs. I especially appreciated how accommodating they were with allergies, making it easy to enjoy the meal with confidence. Overall, a fantastic restaurant that exceeded expectations. I'd highly recommend Naia to anyone looking for a special meal in Chicago. read more
2 months ago
This was my first time at Naia, and we had a great experience! We had a reservation, and luckily my friend, who is a Gold member on OpenTable, had set a priority notification and we finally managed to get a table. We got a booth right by the river, and OMG, the views were stunning! We went for brunch, and the beautiful weather made it even better. Our server was great and the service throughout was really good. For drinks, we ordered Nomia, Dirty Martini, Smoke on Water, and Strawberry Spritz. I absolutely loved the Smoke on Water! For food, we tried the chicken kefta, Lebanese salad, spreads, and Santorini Lemoni. The labneh was definitely our favorite spread, and the pita was sooo good! The salad was equally good. I couldn't imagine pasta with lemon, but my friend tried the Santorini Lemoni and loved it. Overall, a really nice brunch spot with good food, great service, and amazing river views. Definitely worth visiting, especially when the weather is nice! read more
I had my reservations about coming to Naia based on the fact so many Tiktok folks were gushing over it, but Latrice A suggested we meet there to try their Happy Hour. I am just going to say that the one thing that made me happy was Seeing Latrice A. Overall experience was not one to make me come back for a second visit. Let me start out with the pros: aesthetically , the space is beautiful, inside and out. The booths on the river as well as the view from the bar is gorgeous. The pita bread was very good, nice and soft, but at a cost of $4 when you ask for an extra piece. The Spicy Feta was absolutely great and that red color was on point. The Crispy Potato Fritters were lovely with that french onion dip and sumac. Latrice A ordered both dishes and they were so good, I decided to get myself an order as well as an order of Saganaki. After the food, the rest was downhill for me. Service was not good at all. It took a while to get the bartender's attention to get a drink (Jessica and another gentleman). As we are on the clock for Happy Hour, I expected quicker service so patrons get get their money's worth but the service was not there. The removal of empty glasses and plates was not done until I asked for them to be removed. There was a busser behind the bar who was extremely helpful, so I tipped him well as he cleared out our space at the bar for us. There was a couple sitting next to me who were also talking about how slow the service was as well. They were there before I arrived, so not sure how long they had been sitting there. I placed an order for an additional Spicy Feta with extra pita, Crispy Potato Fritters and Saganaki. The Spicy Feta never showed up but an order of pita bread showed up as well as the potatoes and Saganaki. I discovered after the fact that I was charged $4 for the pita bread and was charged for a regular order of Saganaki at $17 instead of the Happy Hour price at $9. Latrice A ordered the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice for $5 and that was so small! I was going to order it but once I saw hers, I passed. I noticed that on the regular menu, this dish goes for $11 because you are getting two bites. Looking at the piece on the plate, definitely not good value for money. The only reason I could come back here would be for riverside seat, drinks and that Spicy Feta and Crispy Potatoes, but I am sure that would be enough to get me seat on the river. read more
This was a double treat for me. First of all, I had no idea this place even existed, so I'm glad a friend recommended it. But they didn't just recommend the restaurant. They suggested we take a trip along the lake and river and arrive at the restaurant by boat rather than simply walking through the front door. I have to say, if you ever have the opportunity to pull up to a restaurant waterside and be served delicious food while sitting on a boat, please do yourself a favor and do it. It feels luxurious. It feels pampered. And somehow, it feels just a little bit forbidden. Now, on to the food. It was DELICIOUS! I decided to splurge and ordered the steak, and it was excellent. We also had the crispy rice, which had just the right flavor and texture to start the meal. Honestly, I don't have anything bad to say about the food or the experience. Even the servers were patient and wonderful while serving us on the boat, which only added to the feeling that we were doing something a little special. All I can say is, if you get the chance, take a nice trip down the Chicago River, enjoy the city from the water, and make this restaurant part of the experience. It's definitely a Chicago moment worth having. read more
Not sure if the rating should be 3 or 4 stars. No question, 4 stars for the food! Absolutely delicious. From the hummus to the burger to the meat skewers. I'd also give 4 stars for location. Right on the river. The 3 stars, possibly 2 go to service and cocktail menu. Our reservation was for 12:30, we were seated at 1:00. They were nice enough to suggest we spend more money and have a drink at the bar. They should have bought our drinks. They did give us a free hummus platter. Would you believe they didn't have the ingredients to make me a Bloody Mary. I'll leave it at that. My second drink I ordered before my meal. The rum and coke arrived after my burger. Pull it together NAIA. read more
Vibes Vibes Vibes Had dinner here last week. We arrived earlier than our reservation to enjoy the bar scene first. Decided to stay at the bar. Had a margarita and shared a bottle of wine. Munched on the delicious bazaar board that consisted of SPICY FETA , CHARRED EGGPLANT, BEET TZATZIKI and TRUFFLE HONEY LABNEH spreads, pita, crudité, pickled vegetables. SO DARN GOOD!! We were so full that we didn't try other dishes. Definitely coming back. read more
WOW!!!!!! I hosted a business dinner here and was thoroughly impressed!!! The atmosphere is incredible, it feels like Ibiza or Greece and is very fancy! Gorgeous inner decor and beautiful table settings! YAZ was our waitress and she was phenomenal!! So attentive and so quick with the drinks we downed! We ordered quite a lot and I would get everything again, except the pasta ( it was good just not necessary)! I attached a photo of everything we got and this is the way to do it! Some MUST orders below: Honey labneh Charred eggplant dip Lamb chops YELLOWTAIL CRUDO ( this was the dish of the night) Wagyu beef crispy rice Strawberry dessert They even brought out sparklers with our dessert which was the perfect end to a beautiful gorgeous delicious night! I am dying to come back to NAIA to repeat the above items and get some more delicious food! We went out afterwards and I left my leftovers at the bar and am still in mourning as I write this! SOOO GOOD! Sooo worth the hype! read more
It's all Greek to me!! Fabulous fun new spot on riverfront in Chicago. We came for lunch. Definitely wish we could have gotten a table on riverfront, but the inside is lovely and very vibey. We loved the spicy feta and hummus. Also tried the chicken shawarma which was solid for lunch. We were celebrating a birthday, and staff was so kind to celebrate with dessert with us. Cocktails were also so yummy! Highly recommend! read more
2 months ago
Finally made it to Naia over the weekend! Very beautiful place with great views. The host wasn't very friendly but our server was great! Now for the food, I tried the hummus, the roasted half chicken and the spicy crab linguine. The spicy crab linguine was so good! They have a nice cocktail list, and I tried the strawberry spritz. It was refreshing! Overall, a good spot on the riverwalk! read more
17 days ago
Absolutely loved our experience at Naia! From the moment we arrived, everything was wonderful. Our waitress, Jessika, was so lovely and provided excellent service throughout the evening. She deserves a raise! The drinks were delicious--especially the Smokey on the Water, which I highly recommend if you enjoy mezcal. It was perfectly balanced and such a fun cocktail. We also ordered the tuna carpaccio, which was absolutely delicious, and the oysters were phenomenal. I personally preferred the East Coast oysters, while my boyfriend was a fan of the West Coast ones--so clearly, there's something for everyone! Beyond the food and drinks, the service, ambiance, and views were all fantastic. It's the kind of place where you can really settle in, enjoy the atmosphere, and have a great evening. Definitely a restaurant I'd come back to. Loved it! Highly recommend Naia. read more
26 days ago
Loved the vibe. Waiter was fantastic. Friendly and outgoing. Good was delicious. It is designed to be shareable. Loved the tuna rice bites. Hummus and the chicken schnitzel is what they are known for for. Definitely try it! read more
3 months ago
Came with low expectations... located along the Chicago River, I thought possibly for overpriced food for mediocre food. However, it was a lot better than I expected. We were 5 minutes late to our reservation so I was running to get to the venue between the stairs and the entrance. We were welcomed with an Aperol Spritz bar and asked if we wanted to order one, but I was in a rush to walk in to the restaurant to walk in before losing my reservation (can you feel my stress?). Looking back, perhaps I should've ordered a drink and walk in casually-- but there's always a next time for that, right? It's one of the hardest reservation in Chicago since its opening. I expected it to be a full house, but there were many empty tables; venue is rather large and it's a far walk from one end to the other end. I went on a Saturday afternoon and it was airy with the wind flow, the weather was perfect, and it was not too noisy inside. Many were having drinks in the bar area or dining in the patio. The vibes are exactly what you'd expect. The drinks we ordered were Espresso Martini, Nomia, Gold Fashioned, and Apricot Limoncello Spritz. Charred octopus was ok. We really enjoyed Crab Yiouvetsi- the orso and curry flavor was really tasty. We ordered a 2nd one. We ordered a spread and ordered extra pita (yum)! Natalie was super friendly, attentive, and helpful with our ordering. Would I go back? Absolutely!! read more
This was a wonderful birthday dinner. The ambiance places you right into Greece. The food was delicious. Each dish was well seasoned and fresh! This is a place where you truly enjoy original food. The Bazaar Board, Skewers and Banana Date Cake is a must! Service from Mary was delightful. She had such high energy! Naia is perfect for any occasion. They also have private rooms for events. You can't beat the stunning views on the river read more
3 months ago
Naia was absolutely amazing--some of the best food I've had recently! Every course was delicious, flavorful, juicy, and beautifully prepared. We genuinely enjoyed everything from start to finish, including the cocktails, which were just as impressive. The service was excellent, the space was gorgeous, and sitting right along the river made the experience even better. We walked in for happy hour and got lucky enough to snag a riverside table! The atmosphere is sexy and perfect for date night, but my friend and I also had an amazing girls' night out. This place is a must-visit. We will absolutely be back--by any means necessary! Get there! read more
3 months ago
There are many reasons why NAIA is the hottest Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago right now and reservations are hard to get! Their location on the Chicago Riverfront with the spectacular Architectural buildings surrounding both sides of the river, popular tour boats floating by, brave kayakers rowing past, smaller boats racing thru and not hitting anyone, large Fire boats sailing by, and various lovely birds flying over all of it to add to the splendor for all of the guests. Not only the location, but also their food and service is great! It's an amazing place to eat at. We tried for several weeks before our trip to get reservations but couldn't get them. So, we decided to be walk-ins. Luck was with us and we got a highly valued booth closest to the river. We were thrilled! Our server was Rosselin, who was so nice, very attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. We started with refreshing cocktails, the Strawberry Spritz for me, and a Pinot Grigio for my daughter. We both ordered the delicious Crispy Potatoes with labneh, pickled onions and oregano. For our main dish, we chose Chicken Thigh on a Skewer with ladolemonu. It was great! Our dessert was the Baklava Soft Serve, also very good. Rosselin checked on us quite a few times to make sure all was well. She made us feel special and we appreciated her style of service. Just a short note for those who cannot use stairs, there is an elevator that can take you down stairs to the hostess desk. It is by the valet service outside. We enjoyed our visit at NAIA and definitely will go back on our next trip! read more
Location! Location! Location! Love a restaurant on the Chicago River. Sitting outside allows you to experience some of the most breathtaking views the city has to offer. Once seated, happy to receive water right away as the stroll from Michigan Ave. had me a bit parched. I was not offered nor did I receive anything else for thirteen minutes. I had to grab the attention of the hostess as she walked past me. She did apologize and said someone would be right over. Another six minutes passed. My water was refilled. A very enthusiastic Richie appeared at my table and apologized for my server not being here. He asked if I needed a minute. As long as it took to get a reservation, I had already looked at the menu. As long as it took to get someone to my table, I better know exactly what to order. I did start with a cocktail; apricot lemoncello spritz. Very summery, very refreshing. I ordered the sliced wagyu. The chicken schnitzel is topped and sliced table side, it was delicious. The potatoes were amazing and banana date cake was decadent. I understand when restaurants first open there are kinks that need to be ironed out. Waiting as long as I did without any service is unacceptable. Of course, I'll return sometime in the future, I am interested in the table side hummus experience. read more
3 months ago
This was our second attempt at coming to NAIA. On our first attempt, we were called as we were on our way and told that there was an issue in the kitchen and they were shutting it down. We had to reschedule our reservation and were finally able to try it a couple of weeks later. This place gets really busy at the bar. However, there were multiple empty tables when we walked in even tho there weren't any available reservations. Seems like maybe they are trying to hype it up artificially. Started off with tuna crispy rice... or so we ordered. They brought out the spicy crab crispy rice. We pointed out immediately that it was not what we ordered. It took the waitress a while to come back and said that she "misheard us." No big deal as they were similar price and we had no allergies. We tried it and honestly it was not great. Would not order the crab. We also got the Yellowtail Crudo. It was okay. It was a little lacking in flavor. Just didn't hit the mark. For the last appetizer, we got the Tableside Hummus. I have had better hummus to be honest. The hummus base was just not what we expected for this restaurant. A little disappointed in that but the toppings and experience definitely saved it. Would order again with different expectations than what we came in with. For drinks, I ordered the Smoke on the Water If you like mezcal, you will like this! It is not actually spicy tho so if you order it thinking it will be, you'll be a little disappointed. But the flavor was good and I would order it again. We ordered the Swordfish and Greek rice to share as an entree. This was delicious. Minus one point because l think the fish could have used more seasoning. The rice was really good. Would recommend and order again. For dessert, we got the banana date cake. DELICIOUS. Better than the Trivoli Tavern date cake imo. It nothing else, would come back just for this. AMUST TRY. Overall, I would come back because of the feel of the place and the entree and dessert. The decor made it feel like a little escape imo. Drinks were good. Appetizers were disappointing. Service was mediocre. read more
Caleb's service was amazing! He kept an eye on us as we were scoping out seats and helped get us seated as quickly as folks were up. He was so warm and attentive throughout our experience and assisting staff were equally wonderful and warm! We started with the Yellowtail Crudo and wagyu crispy rice. They were incredible! The wagyu was perfect and decadent. The dipping sauce was flavorful and accented this bite deliciously. The crudo was unique! Loved the crispies and sauce it was served in. I added a dash of lime juice for extra zest. The Tahini Caesar was so fresh and crispy! I LOVED the lettuce and dressing! I would have preferred bigger, juice tomatos and feta added, but otherwise this was simply perfection. We also enjoyed sharing a lamb skewer with side of Greek rice. Both were great. The lamb was a bit too well-done for my taste but still good. Finally, we ended with the Tuna Carpaccio. This was probably the least 'wow' of the set. Overall it was a bit bland and didn't stand out despite very unique accents to the dish. Nevertheless, the overall experience was fantastic! Just a headsup, they don't accept cash so be sure to take a back-up option. Beautiful views of the riverfront and boats passing while you dine here. read more
We came here randomly for date night after walking down the river walk. They were booked for table service but we sat at the bar for cocktails. The bartender Caleb was so kind and noticed we were standing and gave us the heads up that the couple sitting in front of us was about to leave. We were able to snag seats rather quickly with his courtesy alert. He didn't have to do that but this place felt so much better with his kindness. Great selection of whiskey including Macallan. We were only popping in for just a drink but since the bartender was so nice we stayed for a quick appetizer, too. We have a booking for tomorrow so we didn't want to order too much and decided on just one drink and an appetizer. I had a gold fashioned which was perfection! It had the perfect hint of medjool date demerara and cardamom undertones. I don't even like regular old fashioned anymore after this one! We also had the Saganaki appetizer where they lit the fire the traditional way right at the bar and then cut the cheese up for us which was nice. It was delicious! Our bartender made sure we were comfortable even though the bar is first come first serve. Will see how the experience goes when I return for a full meal but great experience at the bar so far! read more
food: it was alright, another fancy mediterranean spot in Chicago and to be honest nothing really stood out to me, best part was probably the chicken schnitzel but i think the main appeal is if you really want to eat by the river. was nice for a birthday dinner but would not come here on my own accord. again nothing bad but for the price i'd expect something in the food to stand out and wow me service: the staff was nice and when we mentioned expedited service because of my nephews being fussy they seemed to speed things up which is nice ambiance: really nice vibes, again right by the river so i think that's what you're mainly paying for but unfortunately i care more about yummy food read more
Beautiful location on the water in downtown Chicago. So glad we snagged a reservation for a large group a couple of weeks prior. The wait of walk-ins was long. Restaurant is nicely appointed. You'll have multiple servers tending to you to pour water, clear plates, take orders and bring food. We did the skewers for all with the sauces, which gives you all the skewered: chicken, wagyu steak, lamb, swordfish, and oyster mushroom. Delicious! We added the Greek rice and chicken schnitzel. Everyone enjoyed their cocktails.: Nomia, Lumia and Argolis cocktails. Can't go wrong with a Cadillac margarita. I can understand why NAIA is so popular. read more
1 month ago
1 month ago
It was very important to me to go to naia when visiting Chicago! As a certified bougie girl I love a lux brunch! I won't lie it is somewhat hard to get a reservation but luckily I got a brunch reservation on a Saturday.. hallelujah!!! Obviously it was important to slay and to eat! The lettuce wraps were tasty and light I love crispy rice so you can never go wrong with that. The ambiance is giving Mexican coastal which never does wrong in my eyes. read more
Definitely recommend making a reservation, but you can walk in. It is a very large venue, open concept, clean with great views even if you are inside. We didn't have a reservation and it was a bit crowded just to put your name on the waitlist, but staff was very friendly. I think this was the first week for lunch and our wonderful waitress, Mel was able to give us wonderful explanations of the menu with great recommendations. We started with the yellowtail crudo and spicy tuna crispy rice. Both were amazing. Tuna has a bit of a kick and the yellowtail was perfection, I could have eaten 2. Then we had truffle honey tabneh and eggplant spread with pita both were great. Truffle honey tabneh was a balance of sweetness to the cheese spread with pine nuts as a great addition. The eggplant had a great smoky favor. For a main we ordered the crispy hot honey chicken sandwich with spicy fries. Definitely had a kick. The chicken was nice and crispy not overpowered by the hot honey. The sandwich had a spicy aioli and slaw that brought added flavor and texture to the sandwich. We also had the oyster mushroom skewer which was really good. Nice flavor, a little greasy, but not overly greasy and didn't take away from the flavor. read more
Delicious food, great service, and such a fun overall experience! Management was incredibly helpful rebooking our reservation after we ran into some issues at the bar a few weeks ago because of the bees. When we came back for dinner, the second we walked in it felt like we were on vacation. The atmosphere is beautiful and the staff was excellent. We absolutely adored the tableside hummus experience. Pro tip: bring some cash to tip him. Trust me, he'll make the experience even more fun! The food was excellent (see pictures!) and everything was perfect for sharing, so definitely come hungry. We already can't wait to come back and try more! read more
1 month ago
Came for lunch and sat on the BEAUTIFUL patio overlooking the river. The service was excellent and the ambiance is absolutely unmatched. We are vegetarian and the lunch menu had many options (more than the dinner on first glance) but they hadn't added many desserts yet so we will be back to try those. The dips were delicious and the Turkish pasta was nothing like I've had before. Really excited to make this a staple. read more
4 months ago
Beautiful riverside restaurant! The vibe is unlike any other restaurant in Chicago. They have two big bars if you just want to stop by for drinks. Walk-ins are welcome, however I wouldn't suggest that on the weekends. They may not be able to accommodate you on a weekend without a reservation. Some of the dishes like the carpaccio were delicious while some were a miss like the crispy crab rice. The cocktails were pretty good. This is a great spot for the summers! read more
1 month ago
Our first attempt was a walk-in just to check the place out. The bar was small and packed, so we tried to get a table, but the kitchen was temporarily closed. Our second attempt was with a reservation for lunch. We were seated toward the back, but still had a small view of the river. We ordered the spicy tableside hummus and asked for lots of garlic. It wasn't spicy or garlicky, but it was still good. We also ordered the chicken and lamb skewers, and both were tasty. We were hoping they would have Turkish coffee and dessert, but the only dessert option was ice cream. Our server Jack was attentive. Overall, we had a good experience. read more
If you Googled "Instagram worthy restaurants in Chicago" this would be at the top of the list. I came here with a group of 6 for a buddy's birthday. Instead of sitting outside, we opted for indoors and the space is beautiful. The location, ambiance, everything they're doing here was done right. After we were seated promptly, we went straight to work on the drinks. I had three different cocktails, and each one seemed to get better. I forget the name of the strawberry one, but all I can say is it was excellent; very refreshing. Then I went with the Oaxacan old fashioned, and that was stellar. To finish up, I went with an espresso martini and it didn't miss. Now let's talk food: due to the group size, I tried ~8 dishes. The steak, octopus, and brazino all stood out. That said, everything I tried was pretty good; there was nothing that I didn't like. For dessert I had a strawberry dish that was good (very light) but the star is that sticky date cake... My goodness that was legit. I definitely recommend this spot. read more
1 month ago
I was lucky enough to be invited to a birthday party at Naia and honestly I was a little skeptical about how the food was going to be. Usually these really fancy places look amazing but the food does not always match up. But wow, Naia completely surprised me. I can honestly say this is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the city. Everything we had was so flavorful and really well done. My favorites were the chicken kebab, the tableside hummus of course, the wagyu beef kebabs, and the branzino. The drinks were also really good. The Apricot Spritz was definitely my favorite. The ambiance is great for either lunch or dinner and being right by the river makes it even better. The service was also really good, quick, attentive, and everyone was very helpful. If you see a reservation available, just book it. You will not be disappointed. I will definitely be back. The only items I wouldn't recommend are the sagininaki ( too salty for me) and the crab noodles. read more
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More info about NAIA
300 N La Salle Dr
Chicago, IL 60654
River North, Near North Side
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(312) 219-5790
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https://www.naiarestaurant.com
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