Sayat Nova

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!

Strong delivery option. Excellent appetizers, solid main…read more Hummus all 4.5/5 Smoky garlic: standard hummus, fun twist with garlic and chili Muhammra: original, spike kick. Charred eggplant: good oil level Green falafel: wife loved, super crispy Crispy potatoes: wife would order again Grilled cauliflower kebab: 3.5/5. Lovely date. super charred. Like the red onion and wished for more. Chicken kefta kebab: 3.5/5. Wild chicken. Per the website: ground chicken, eggs, grated zucchini, green onion, cilantro, mint, and spices. Really fun with tzatziki and rice. Sticky date cake: 4/5. Nice cake texture. combination with whiskey caramel and whipped cream worked great.

Interior

Short rib

See all

Muhammara

Ema

4.3(2k reviews)

0.4 mi•Near North Side

Ema is special…read more It's Mediterranean with a California twist. Everything is very flavorful and each bite is memorable The pumpkin hummus was really good. It tasted almost like a pumpkin pie filling The bhel hummus was great too. With a ton of toppings. It has a citrusy flavor which was really pleasant The baba ghanoush was also incredible. Super smoky and flavorful. The pita that comes with the dips are also incredible. They've got zatar sprinkled on top The Greek salad was great. Tomatoes feta and olives with cucumber The halloumi kebab was really good. I was so full at this point I couldn't eat much but it comes with a really spicy sauce that is outstanding and also perfectly cooked basmati rice

I first tried Ema back in 2022 when I visited Chicago for the first time to attend the Northcoast…read morefestival. For some reason, I overlooked reviewing it then, but I never forgot it, so I was ecstatic when I found out my company's annual offsite team dinner would be hosted at Ema. Our group of 35 was pretty large, so we were split up amongst several tables, but it was nice getting to chat in smaller groups. Our drink orders were taken not long after we were seated, and the food and bevvies started to arrive in short order. I got to try way more during my business trip than I did 4 years ago, but regardless, I noted the quality of food that was served remained consistent over the years. Highlights for me included the salmon, Greek village spread, pita bread, chocolate torte, and honey cake. The salmon was so mild and tender, the Greek village spread taster local and refreshing, and the pita bread was seasoned to perfection and hands down the best I've ever had. The desserts were a surprisingly delicious end to the meal. I didn't think I could stomach more food, but somehow I rallied. I don't even like chocolate that well, but the chocolate torte really hit the spot, and the honey cake was a new-to-me decadent dessert. It reminded me of the flavor of honey grahams but in cake form. I've never had anything quite like it and am really glad I got to try it. Coming back to Ema after 4 years was better than I expected. I love Mediterranean food, and after 5 total trips to Chicago, I must say Ema is so far my favorite restaurant here. I'm not easy to please, but Ema serves up some of the best this city has to offer.

3.0 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Ema tables and bar

Tuna & Watermelon* june 2026.

See all

Inside

Rumi Middle Eastern Grill

4.5(405 reviews)

This place is beyond welcoming and such a refreshing spot to eat at. The food is delicious,…read morefilling, and so affordable. It's your typical kind of ambiance for a place like this--clean but not at all sterile. A welcome quiet spot in the chaos of Wicker. Aside from the delicious, comforting food, the service is incredible. It is rare to find spots like these nowadays and I sincerely hope the CAVA heads (don't get me wrong, I love CAVA!) try this out, too. We were accidentally charged for two orders of dolma when we ordered one, but I didn't realize. The person who took the order--wearing a propellor hat, by the way (hello whimsy!)--walked over to our table to let us know and asked if we'd like a refund and apologized. This already took me by surprise, so while I was fine without it, I said "sure." Next thing I know, they walk over with still two orders of dolma and the refund. I looked for a tip jar to put it back but couldn't find one. It was such an act of kindness and generosity. The kind of small interaction that reminds you of what being human is all about. Any time I'm in Wicker, I will try and stop at this place. Reminds me so much of Bulgaria and the "" I'd always beg for as a kid. 10/10 -- please support this independent restaurant!

I got delivery from here, interesting take on middle eastern food. I go the falafel wrap, with…read morehummus, it did not come with many veggies on it, the falafel itself was quite dry and the hummus was not very flavorful. My partner got a falafel plate. He liked the meal. He also got a salad, which he reports was good. I also got some French fries with tahini and extra garlic sauce. Overall average.

Wicker Park Platter

See all

The Purple Pig

4.3(9.1k reviews)

0.1 mi•Near North Side

Had a great experience at The Purple Pig while visiting Chicago! The food was delicious, everything…read morecame out fresh, and you can tell they put a lot of thought into their dishes. The staff was friendly and attentive without making us feel rushed, which I really appreciated. Loved the atmosphere too, busy and lively but still a nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal. Definitely one of the better dining experiences I've had in Chicago. Would absolutely come back next time I'm in town!

Stopped into The Purple Pig for a few cocktails and was blown away. The Caribbean Crush, a…read morerum-based drink, was bright, refreshing, and dangerously easy to sip. The Galician Garden, a gin and cucumber cocktail, was crisp and balanced, with the cucumber keeping things light without losing the gin. The space is a big part of the charm too. The Spanish tiles on the walls give the whole restaurant a warm, Mediterranean feel that makes you want to linger over another round. Great drinks, great atmosphere. I'll definitely be back to try the food.

The kitchen

Chicago style hot dog

See all

Squid Ink Chitarra

Roti

3.9(454 reviews)

0.7 mi•The Loop

This review / experience is solely dependent on placing an order for delivery... keep that in mind…read more First I have to start off with the portions seemed SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than if you are eating there. Especially the sides, like fries and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. I usually love Roasted Brussels Sprouts but these arrived (obviously) cold and seemed like they shrunk on the way to my home. Unfortunately, if I put them in my air fryer... they would have shriveled up with how small they got (ha). Same thing with the fried, just overall cold & needed reheating. Overall this is to say, i ABSOLUTELY love Roti and it's one of my favorite fast food places and i highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Unfortunately (x2), i will never order via delivery again haha it still tasted healthy & good though. The only reason for 4 stars is because of the delivery experience vs definitely 5 stars in person restaurant. Thank you Roti, looking forward to seeing you soon! Personal Review (for delivery 5.4/10)

pros: -fast and friendly service…read more-such a yummy meal!! i ordered the harissa chicken bowl -clean tabled and restaurant cons: -none

Salad and rice bowl to-go with all the toppings

See all

Bowl with rice, chicken, onions, tomatoes and cabbage

Kabobi Grill

Love this place for lunch! The lunch specials are great and the portions are huge!…read more This is a pretty good deal. You order at the counter and then sit down. Please know that if you pay with card you pay extra fee, which I didn't know. This is a pretty big portion so I did have leftovers. For one of our lunches we upgraded to the dill rice which wasn't as different from regular rice as I wanted. But when you add sumac it's perfect! This place is bright and airy.

I needed this meal so bad. So delicious and great hospitality. This place is located on a busy…read morestreet but I was able to find street parking no problem during rush hour. When you walk in, you are brought to the dining room to your table but are instructed to order at the counter. The space is big with tons of tables. Vegetarian sampler: We got this to share. Comes with hummus, tahini sauce, falafel x2, persian salad, baba ghanoush, and dolma. Something nice to sample for the table. Everything tasted great. The falafel could've been more crispy. The platter also comes with a basket of pita bread! Combo mix grill #1: For my entree I got the mixed grill and chose both beef and lamb koubideh as my proteins. I really couldn't tell which meat was which since the meat is ground but both were super delicious otherwise. Great flavor. Got the half & half rice (basmati/dill) which is a great choice and I highly recommend. The platter also comes with red onion, a whole roasted tomato, and some butter. If you've been here before, you already know the portion sizes here are massive!!! So great for sharing!

2.6 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Assorted Kabob Platter

See all

Jujeh Kabob with Dill Rice

Falafel & Grill

4.3(673 reviews)

I ordered the Combination Meat Plate - beef kabob, kifta kabob, chicken kabob, chicken shawarma…read more This combo plate was delicious and enough for two people. Meats and rice were well seasoned. Beef kabob and shawarma were notably tender and chicken kabob was white meat and juicy. No issues with service. No frills interior. I will definitely come back next time I'm seeing a show at the Den Theatre.

Good "bang for buck" would be an understatement when describing this place. The quality of the food…read moreat Falafel & Grill is absolutely OUTSTANDING, and comes at a beyond reasonable price. As typical for a counter serve, this facility is no thrills but it's kept very clean and the service is straightforward and great. We've gone back here a few times and have never had an issues with wait time, which is impressive as it can get pretty busy with orders. We've tried both the Chicken Kabob Plate and the Kifta Kabob Plate and both were fantastic. They truly make the meat here the PERFECT tenderness - probably the softest and juiciest chicken I've had in the city!!! The hummus and falafel that the Plate meals come with are also delicious. 10000% recommend for a casual Mediterranean meal or takeout

See all

Kofta Kabob Plate Baba Ghanoush

Al Bawadi Grill

4.1(1.2k reviews)

14.3 mi

Start with the friendly and helpful service, oooh the food! Nun bread with some sauce very tasty!…read moreThen We had chicken and beef Shawarma , it was delicious, amazing is understatement!!! Then we ordered lamb skewers plater that came with nice spiced medium chicken! Served with rice or a choice of French fries! Best food I have eaten lately! The freshly blended juice is bomb , I had mixed fruits and hubby had Mint lemonade ! It was 17mins from the airport but it's totally worth it! If I lived in Chicago this would be my to go weekend refresh Nice Music by the way

This restaurant was recommended to me recently and I finally had the chance to visit. The staff…read morewere super friendly and helpful in guiding me while placing my carry out order. The decor transports you, very intentionally decorated. I had the chicken shish tawook dinner, the eggplant, falafel, wings, and hummus. This was legitimately some of the best middle eastern food I've ever had. The wings were extremely flavorful, the chicken shish tawook was juicy and beautifully seasoned, and the eggplant was delightfully tangy. I was really looking forward to coming here again.

1.2 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

Kenafah

See all

Lotus cake

Avec - Chicago

4.3(2.7k reviews)

amazing food from avec! i went in knowing nothing and left satisfied :) short rib hummus was my…read morefavorite of the night! lots of flavor in the short rib and the hummus is so smooth! the meat was also soft and tender, easy to pull apart! all the items we ordered were yummy too! the chorizo medjool dates were interesting and great! something different. service was very good. they refilled our waters many times and were attentive and polite! the inside is kinda swanky. dimly lit and a sort of communal seating. very vibey! would come back

Avec is such a cozy and cute spot right along Randolph! We stopped in around dinner time on a…read moreFriday evening and they were able to get us in! We shared some wine carafes and they suggested splitting a few lighter bites and a main. We had the Endive and apple salad which had a light, refreshing flavor, and the chorizo- stuffed medjool dates to start. Both were flavorful and delicious! We also split the Shawarma spiced chicken which was fantastic and filling, the pitas here are to die for. All of the staff were friendly and helpful in suggesting dishes and portions, and we felt perfectly full and brought some home for later too! Definitely a cozy date-night spot to add to your list!

Restaurant view from bar

Whole roasted branzino

See all

Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh

Avaspi

4.8(115 reviews)

3.8 mi•Lakeview

If you only know of the Kurdish people or culture through the news, it's time to remedy that-- head…read moreover to Avaspi for drinks and snacks at the generous Happy Hour or for a full dinner. The beautiful bar is set back in the glowingly dining room that has a painting of the Kurdish area in Turkey from where the owner comes from. Remixes of contemporary tunes gives a kind of clubby feeling inside, and the large sidewalk patio (on the side street) to enjoy the season is a completely different vibe. It's not just another variant on Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/ Persian cuisine, though you'll find familiar salads, spreads and cuts of meat. The presentations and flavors are different. The friendly (and easy on the eyes) staff will guide you through the menu. Very nice wine list as well as creative takes on standard cocktails (some mocktails too) complement the meal. Come in a group so you can sample many things; I assure you it'll all be good. Loved the calamari and the meze plate on this last visit. Grilled haloumi and shrimp were great previously. Easy to get to so get going!

An absolutely standout meal, each dish better than the next. The stuffed dates, however, were about…read moreas spectacular as anything I've had. A perfect place to go with a group to try as many different things as possible. And don't sleep on their happy hour, which makes the experience even better!

See more unrecommended reviews

Avaspi bar

Bread

See all

Cool bar

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

31 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Guy D.

16 years ago

Where do I start? Where would you start talking about your favorite restaurant? Everything from the sexy interior to their wine selection. From the meats and exotic dishes to sound tracks. I love it all! My favorite dish is their fish and the Armenian combo. I'm a restaurant junkie but the food here can't be found anywhere else. Recently they added a nice touch with the outdoor seating. I went with my wife the other day, had a whole bottle of wine outside. Great times!!! My first ever dinner here was over 4 years ago and this is one of the those places where the taste and the quality is super consistent yet prices stayed reasonable. I also went to couple of their parties where DJBurak played awesome music but my real reason for return is always the food. Give them a shot people you will be surprised with this gem. read more

S G.

14 years ago

Sayat Nova is a real gem. It is a family-run restaurant that has been downtown for forty years, a rarity in a downtown Chicago. Armenian food is similar to Lebanese food, which more Chicagoans seem to know. Sayat Nova has Armenian versions of hummus, baba ghannouj, grape leaves, kabobs, couscous, etc.... The food is delicious, healthy, and very affordable. Some of my favorite dishes are the Armenian Combo, the Vegetarian Combo, and the Chicken Couscous. The combos are great ways to try lots of dishes. The restaurant is cozy. I love the little booths with candles. It is very comfortable. (When I introduced my parents to my boyfriend, this is where I chose. I feel like that says a lot!) I really enjoyed a red wine from Lebanon but there is a full bar, if you prefer cocktails. read more

Tia D.

9 years ago

Amazing food & a great way to mix it up. They have such different food than what we're used to eating every day. I'm sure every other review will say this & I will too. Lamb, Lamb, Lamb = you can't go wrong with ordering anything lamb. There's so much flavor to each dish. Their service was extremely prompt as well and even though our party arrived in installments, they ensured everyone's food came out in a timely manner. Everything comes with a soup or salad & to speak towards their soup - it was delicious! Remember to leave room for dessert because everything from their paklava, to chocolate cake to gnaffi was amazing. Their dessert menu is reason enough to plan a visit. Highly recommend. read more

Arbi G.

11 years ago

if you call that Armenian food it means the only thing you know about Armenians is what you see from Kim K. red lentil soup or over boiled imitation, Armenians don't use onion or bell pepper on a grill. They grill tomatoes and pblano peppers ,at some point there might have been Armenians running the place, but all i saw was water down Arabic influence. if you ever visit vegas go to a place called Kabob house on flamingo drive then you'll know what that food should lookalike, or if you ever visit glendale California check out Raffi restaurant. Don't fall for Arab imitating Armenians. overall experience was a crap just like anything else in the great city of overpriced chicago read more

Chris C.

2 years ago

I just had to share with you how consistently fantastic the food and service is at this particular spot. Whenever I make my way to Chicago throughout the year, this is the place I never miss visiting. The owner's hands-on approach and dedication to working alongside the staff really sets this place apart. It's heartwarming to see familiar faces each time I stop by, showing how well the owner takes care of his team. While everything on the menu is excellent, my absolute favorites are the hummus and kabobs. Trust me, you can't go wrong with anything here, but those two are my top picks for sure. read more

Kristen D.

223

418

21 years ago

This place doesn't look like too much from the outside, but it has a great atmosphere inside. The staff is very helpful. I came here with a group of about 15 people on a Saturday night, and we had called about 10 minutes before we showed up to change our reservation from 10 to 15. When we got there, they sat us immediately, and it wasn't a problem at all (and the restaurant was pretty busy). Everyone was very happy with their meals. This place also has some really romantic booths...a great date place. Give it a try if you're in the area and like Mediterranean food. read more

Naomi R.

8 years ago

I walk by this place often and decided to drop in for a drink and to listen to the music. The place is a dark cave, super crowded with a 65 and older crowd and the music is excessively loud for the size of the venue. The food takes FOREVER and is so so at best, kind of burnt and unseasoned. The worst part of my experience was this CREEPY uncle-fester looking dude that claimed to be the owner trying to flirt with me- I got out fast! There is no reason to go back to this place and I would avoid it at all costs unless you want to get roofied by an old guy. Pass/ big mistake read more

Vikki K.

15 years ago

I hadn't been to Sayat Nova in years and I have to say I was pretty impressed. I loved the ambiance and the food was very good. It was traditional , fresh and the service was great. I was thinking of even planning an event there. Its in Downtown and close to Michigan Ave so even for a couple drinks after work this place is my new meeting point. I know they have been around for years, but you can tell that they have given the whole restaurant a boost in marketing. When my girlfriends and I went the other night, it was packed ! read more

Arpine A.

2 years ago

We had an amazing time at this restaurant! The ambiance was absolutely perfect--stylish, cozy, and welcoming. The food was outstanding, with every dish cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made the entire experience even better. Everything came together beautifully, and I couldn't have asked for a better dining experience. We were a group of 24 people and everyone loved the place. read more

Kelli M.

100

21 years ago

I go to Sayat Nova a lot because I live in the area. Walking in, it's definitely not a nice place. BUT the food is so good. I always get the combo kabob dinner with chicken, steak, and lamb kabobs. Try the house salad - it's red cabbage with this fantastic dressing. Order a glass of wine - they pour at least 2 glasses. And it's a very very cheap dinner! read more

Remy Ryu A.

Elite 26

1 month ago

What a wonderful find! The restaurant has a charming, beautifully decorated interior that immediately makes the whole experience feel warm and authentic. The service was attentive and friendly throughout our meal, and the food was decent and full of flavor. Definitely a great spot for a relaxed and memorable dining experience! read more

James A.

578

12 years ago

I went to this restaurant on a date. I highly recommend eating here if you like Mediterranean food. The place was very immaculate and the food was amazing. The staff was very tentative and helpful. I really enjoyed the chicken and vegetarian platter. I highly recommend eating here if you want a quiet dinner with great food. read more

James C.

14 years ago

Seriously... the food will be remarkable! This beverages are usually very good nevertheless I'm huge upon good assistance. Staff members is quite good. Great and also made sure all of us had been performing very good. The best place is quite comfy and also affectionate. read more

Chris A.

213

413

21 years ago

This is a nice little place for mediterranean cuisine. The food is good, but not great, and there's nothing really special about it. The booths are great though, and change the entire ambience when you are sitting in them. The hookahs are cool. read more

Yan H.

6 years ago

Coming from California and finding Armenian fine dining...feels just like home. They play Armenian music softly in the background. Makes you wish you were back in Armenia. SHNORAKALOOTYOUN! Wish we could have met the owner as well. read more

Kim R.

7 years ago

Both my husband and I love mediterranean and middle eastern food so we were super excited to go to this place. The food was really fresh and delicious but there was a super long wait. We loved it and will come back again! read more

Tigran S.

16 years ago

There is nothing Armenian. Really !!!! Who put the name Sayat Nova on such a restaurant?????((((( Nothing Armenian --- even music and decorations are not Armenian. It is really sham. read more

Alex K.

11 years ago

The restaurant is definitely right place to go. Live jazz ones a week and food is delicious! Ohh, I almost forgot, Armenian coffee is great, should try! read more

Amartya G.

13 years ago

You have to try their fish dishes... I would not have usually, but for their manager's recommendation.... Just delicious!!!

Gennadiy G.

8 years ago

This restaurant makes good kebab and has excellent wine. I like this place and recomend other people to go there

Sayat Nova - mediterranean - Updated October 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Coffee near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Restaurants near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Desserts near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Lunch near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Things to Do near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Parking near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Cocktail Bars near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Shopping near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Gyro near Sayat Nova

BEST of Chicago, Illinois Thrift Stores near Sayat Nova

Reviews from Sayat Nova

Chicken Kebab Reviews

Best of Chicago

Things to do in Chicago

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Sayat Nova also viewed

Taza Cafe

4.5

(699 reviews)

•$

We ordered two entrées for a party of 18 at our office. All of the food was amazing and hot and…read moredelivered by a great delivery person.. we were provided with the complementary dessert as a thank you. I really like this company. It's a great restaurant.

Stopped in for a quick lunch! Cute little shop with the nicest of employees!!! I got the gyro plate…read moreand I feel like it's such a good bang for your buck! $14 and you get sides, meet, rice and delicious pita!! Will definitely be a go to for me for work lunches! Their hot sauce isn't too hot either

Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina

4.0

(16 reviews)

I want to start by saying how much I enjoy the food and the atmosphere of your restaurant. Billal…read moreis truly a great addition to your team his professionalism and customer service is incredible. Unfortunately, the last couple of times especially tonight I was forced to listen to screaming and anger by your kitchen staff. It really screws up the energy and desire to go to your place. I am not impressed by that kind of behavior and disrespect to other team members. Someone really needs to address this because if it continues good food or not, I will go elsewhere. That kitchen staff really need to control that kind of despicable behavior. No one deserves to be spoken to that way, and I as a paying customer I do not need the floor show. Shame on them!!!!

Santiago greeted us as we entered... He convinced us this was the place to eat. He was right…read moreSantiago is so nice and accomodating. He really makes the experience The food was served quickly. I had the veggie sandwich and a chicken pita. Both were amazing. This may have been an accidental dinner..but what a wonderful accident. I would Definately eat here again.

Avli on The Park

4.0

(338 reviews)

These plates were shared by our party of five. Our waiter was great and helped us with suggestions…read moreon certain dishes and also the quantity we might need for a party our size. He was spot on with everything. We sat on the rooftop, which is beautiful. In addition to table seating, there is also a very nice bar. The food was not only phenomenal, but there were so many gluten-free options! Our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful in this regard as well. The zucchini chips were so good. I actually had to ask him a second time to make sure they were truly gluten-free! This desserts look delicious, but we did not have room to even consider that. I would say the prices are a little bit high, but definitely worth it for a special occasion. My friend looked up their happy hour prices, and we are planning a visit for happy hour in the near future. In addition to the regular menu items, they also have a selection of fish depending on what is market fresh each day. The restaurant was pretty busy for a Monday. Fortunately, we had reservations and I would highly recommend doing that.

I came in to escape the rain after a long walk along the lake. Lunch options & prices are…read morephenomenal, & service was very fast & friendly. It's pretty sterile inside.. lots of affluent looking folks & extremely clean. The chicken gyro was underseasoned & tasted as if the oil was not fresh. The only appetizing thing about it was the tzatziki. Without that i would not have been able to muscle it down. It's bla at best. Maybe dinner service is tastier.

Kostali by Naha

4.1

(47 reviews)

The food, DJ, drinks, our server Kayla and Patrick the bartender were fantastic!…read more The place is beautiful, we had excellent service and an amazing time! I highly recommend hosting a tea party here. It was so much fun getting glammed up and the music was on point. We indicated a food allergen on our reservation and the Director reached out to us a few days before the party and the guest of honor had her own nut-free tea tower. I can't wait to go back!

::This review is specifically for Tipsy Tea::…read more I wanted to do something different and memorable for my birthday this year so I was excited to see that Chicago does Tipsy Teas - exactly what it sounds like. And even better - the top rated experience in the city happens in my birthday hotel. Done deal! I booked for a party of 4 - I really wanted to bring my sister-in-laws sister but resys for 5 were "sold out." Imagine my surprise when I got there and there were plenty of tables that could have accommodated our whole party. I should have called directly - charge it to the game I guess. We went on a pretty tame day - the Sunday before Memorial Day. Chicago is pretty dead that weekend which was surprising but tipsy tea was lit. The good: There was a live DJ - who played the Kaytranada mix of Teedra Moses lmao Our waitress Kayla - what a gem! Kept the cocktails and the teapots flowing. Seating - chairs were armless and with arms. We love accessible seating on our bday weekend! The tea tower was great but heavy on the sweets. We actually thought the savory bites were the standouts and we LOVE sweets. So this is saying something. It would be great if customers could personalize the tea tower selections. The event is pricey - for 4 of us it was $400+ tax. But a cute experience that will stay with you.

Russian Tea Time

4.1

(946 reviews)

How did I not know this place existed?! Russian Tea Time was absolutely incredible. The quaint…read moreatmosphere, lively and welcoming staff, and outstanding food made for such a memorable experience. The lamb shank was honestly one of the best I've ever had. The beef stew was incredible, and the peach and horseradish vodka flight was a fantastic addition to the meal. Everything was full of flavor and clearly prepared with care. What a hidden gem right in the heart of Chicago! I can't believe I've been missing out on this place for so long. We will absolutely be back!

As someone born in the former Soviet Union I wanted to check out Russian Tea Time for the nostalgia…read morefactor. We came for lunch, the decor is cute Soviet and it has a very formal feel throughout. They had several menus including the lunch/dinner menu and a tea time menu. The first thing that jumped out at us is how expensive everything is. We ended up ordering the meat sampler platter for 2, which was a lot of food! First they bring out the appetizers which includes 5 different spreads/salads, 2 dumplings with meat (pelmeni), and 2 dumplings with potatoes (vareniki). I really enjoyed the beet salad and the Korean carrots. The vareniki were flavorful and the dough was a perfect texture. Additionally, they brought out 3 entrees: a stuffed cabbage roll (galubets), a beef/mushroom stroganoff dish, and a chicken kebab plate with rice and buckwheat. The stroganoff was my favorite; rich, creamy, and well seasoned. The kebab and accompaniments were also well seasoned and tasty. For me, the galubets was not good; the sauce was too thin and the meat inside was grainy and too sweet. Very fun Soviet experience with great service, but not sure I would go back considering the prices. They also add a service fee (which is not considered the tip).

Mela

4.8

(18 reviews)

Very good service and selection - in fact, way too many items like pizza and tacos…read more We went for the Indian cuisine. Goat curry, chili paneer, chicken tika masala, a bunch of different naan, and it was excellent. Order at the counter, then they bring it to the table. Excellent service, super friendly and helpful staff!!!

Good spot, well located and decent vibes. Clean friendly people and they are very much willing to…read morehelp. Portion and quality was decent for the most part but the butter chicken was a bit bland for my taste. Overall - worth a visit if you're in the area. Decent lunch specials as well

Pinched on the River

4.4

(547 reviews)

I always enjoy visiting Chicago. While conferencing downtown, I marveled at the beautiful…read morebuildings, splendid summer weather, INCREDIBLY FIT runners everywhere, and of course, the marvelous food. Near Magnificent Mile, Pinched on the River was a delightful lunch, dinner, and hangout joint by the lake during my stay. I enjoyed their salmon and salads, cheerful white wines, and just the general sense that yeah... Chicago does look good on you! Hvala ti to the staff for hosting me throughout the week of July 7th! I greatly enjoyed the restaurant and hope to visit again soon!

Service was great Food was phenomenal. A bit pricy tho…read moreAmbiance was nice. You can sit on the patio by the water or you can go inside. Inside has a warm feel. I would go back though because all the food I had was really good!

Mazala Pizza River North

4.3

(381 reviews)