Ema Reviews

My wife has been to Ema before and told me we needed to go together. She was consistent with her praise of the food. So, last night we went. We ordered the hummus and house-made labneh as appetizers. excellent . Eventually I ordered a chicken kebab, and my wife ordered the Faroe Islands salmon kebab. I can’t speak for the salmon other than my wife’s reaction to it . The chicken kebab was excellent. The chicken was soft, moist and fall-apart tender with GREAT flavor. This is definitely a place we’ll return to. The manager-in-training came over and introduced himself to us and said to contact him directly for reservations if we have trouble getting a time we want.

Dinner for 3 on a Friday night. First visit. Great vibe. Dueling bars. Upscale casual. Dishes were creative, artfully presented and delicious. Stracciatella, lamb hummus, hamachi and Greek yogurt were all excellent. Octopus and faro/squash were good, the latter was cold and shouldn’t have been. Everything was reasonably priced. Would happily revisit.

So the food was very healthy and enjoyable here. We had the shrimp, brussel sprouts (highly reccomend), spicy hummus with vegetables (vegetables were a bit skimpy), and a salmon kebab. I like that you can try multiple dishes and share. My one "complaint" so to speak, was that I called the day prior to make a reservation and was told the dining room was booked through the evening to 9pm. We showed up to see if there would be any bar seating, and the restaurant was empty. I felt very frustrated that I was told something completely different, and thus, reorganized my schedule to check this place out. We were there for two hours and at no point was the restaurant more than 3/4 full. Aside from that, the experience was pretty good. I did feel the server was trying to rush us a bit, even though there was clearly no one waiting to be seated, so that was also somewhat annoying.

I have been to Ema several times. The food and service is among the most consistent in Chicago. I have never had anything that was less than delicious. Several things rise above the normal fare at other restaurants. Beginning with cocktails. I had the Smoking Jacket - a sensational mix of mezcal, Campari lime and jalapeño that is now among my all-time favorite drinks. I only wish could replicate it at home. Highlights of the food include the hummus with lamb ragu and toasted almond with garlic. And then there's that bread - oh that bread! Finally dessert. So many restaurants have throwaway desserts. But if you go for no other reason than the Sticky Date Cake and The Frozen Greek Yogurt, you will have spent your time well. They each hit so many notes of flavor and texture. Each unique and a great way to end the meal.

Went to Ema for the first time with friends and was delighted. The small menu is filled with small plates. We had the charred eggplant spread, toasted almond & garlic spread, potato pancake, beets and berries, charred halloumi, brussel sprouts, and beef kabab and octopus. Yes, we're pigs. Everything was delicious. But very pricey. Loved our waiter. It's a young crowd. We're old, but we don't care.

We decided to have an early dinner for our anniversary at Ema. We arrived on time for our reservation-the hostess was a bit haughty. We were seated at our table and waited for awhile before we were greeted and offered water. The server did a great job of explaining the menu and how many dishes they recommend as well as some of her favorites. We enjoyed the Labneh and Stracciatella(their take on burrata which was fabulous) as well as the Green Falafel(these were great with the beet tzatziki but a bit bland on their own) and Crispy Potatoes which were served with a great light and delicious crema, the Beef and Lamb Kefta Kebabs were just okay. They had a great wine list as well as quite a few house cocktails. The restaurant is located in the Hyatt Place Hotel and it was a bit of a maze to locate the restrooms. Overall the food was great and the service was good. We would come back on our next stop in Chicago.

This is going to sound life an exaggeration but it’s really not: the eggplant spread and pita is incredible! We also enjoyed the branzino and lamb beef kefta, but the eggplant spread was the star of the night. I’d come back just for that!

This was one of our regular go to lunch places when we had lived in Chicago for over 20 years and recently moved. Came back for a 2 month vacation, and had to return to Ema. We have been here 3 x already and their food was as good as we remembered. We love this place for its light Mediterranean options, and very relaxing atmosphere at the bar, dining room, or outdoor patio. Don’t know why I haven’t left a review before now, but due to excellent service from Jared today, and the Halibut Ceviche I couldn’t not share how great this restaurant is. Came for brunch today and my husband ordered Kefta & Eggs. We ordered the Halibut Ceviche as our appetizer. Both were very good and memorable. I even ordered a second helping of the Halibut Ceviche as my main meal. Can’t say enough about the service we received from Jared. I was looking to order items that we had ordered 2 years ago but unfortunately was no longer on the lunch menu or were on the dinner menu. He was very patient and offered suggestions. Service was spot on. We will continue to dine here whenever we come back to Chicago.

Must visit - great find! My daughter found this gem via a blogger. We had a great time and tried several items Olives Spicy hummus Shrimp Brussel sprouts Salmon kabob Every single thing was fantastic! We also had a glass of bubbles! Must try and great service.

Ema is a very nice Israeli/Mediterranean restaurant/cafe with indoor and covered outdoor pedestrian mall seating. Service is nice. Food is fresh and quite good. Our favorites included: Avocado hummus, and Greek salad. Labneh and fried chicken sandwich on challah are also quite good. The fresh pita is delicious. Ema is very nice for lunch and for dinner.

Ema is an excellent restaurant offering a large selection of mezze. We loved the falafel and the hummus, the Greek salad and the kale salad, and the frozen Greek yogurt. Well in Chicago we dined here three times. The vibe is lively, and the staff are very friendly and helpful with menu questions.

Our group of 7 really enjoyed the flavorful food here. We started with two appetizer combo plates which were quite small tastes of each of three spreads, like their various hummus, babbaganoush and a cheese based spread. They were all so gala or full that we didn’t need a lot to feel satisfied. The pita was warm and seasoned. I shared an order of risotto which our waiter recommended. It was delicious but so rich you wouldn’t eat this alone. We also had the chicken kebobs, which were good. Our group ordered a big variety and everyone was happy with their selections.

To best enjoy Ema's take on middle eastern food is to not think of it as middle eastern food-- just tasty preparations in their own right. It's not fair to compare the menu offerings to the original middle eastern dishes that may have inspired them-- the originals always win in that comparison. But Ema's chef has pulled off a menu of successful, enjoyable and delicious dishes, where flavors complement and do not compete. The quality of the food, ingredients and preparation is comparable to that at much more expensive restaurants. Everything I tried was very good. Nice space, lively atmosphere.

Yes the humus was good, no, actually it was great as was the pita bread and would happily go back for a drink at the bar and have some. But the rest was unmemorable. Service excellent, as were the cocktails. I don't get the hype. Again, another Mediterranean small plate place.

We met here with our daughter for dinner on a Sunday night during a recent downtown Chicago stay. The food is excellent. We started with the Bhel Hummus, Charred Eggplant, and the Toasted Almond and Garlic hummus. All three were excellent but the Bhel Hummus and the Charred Eggplant are a must try. Pretty amazing! The bread they serve has a delicious savory flavor. For the next round, we ordered the Green Falafel which was decent, the grilled Halloumi and Brussels Sprouts that were totally excellent. We also ordered the Pan roasted Romanesque Cauliflower which was a little disappointing. The sauce was decent however the cauliflower was not roasted, it was al dente on steroids, almost raw. In case you haven't figured it out we're vegetarians and we've had these veggies many different ways but we truly appreciated the creativity and amazing taste of these dishes overall. We had a bottle of the greek red Xinomavro Kir-Yianni which wasn't bad. A little dry and young but decent taste. I ordered a glass of the Lebanese Bekaa Valley Cab separately as I've never tried wine from this region previously and was glad I did. It was excellent. My wife and daughter has the greek yogurt and a chocolate item for dessert while I enjoyed the Lebanese red. We did not take the 3.5% surcharge off the check, added a 25% tip and took care of Scott separately.

We've been fortunate to visit Mediterranean restaurants around the world - NY, Washington, Greece, Spain and more. Ema had some of the most unique dishes. The sugar snap peas with blueberry was unique and absolutely amazing. You might not think that they go together - but boy do they. Add in amazing dishes like Grille Haloumi and Halibut and it was a great dinner! Oh, and desert 0 the frozen greek yogurt was a treat.

Went with a group of friends -- we had our dinner "family style." Food ranged from average to very good -- place gets a bit noisy but it draws a millennial crowd so that is not surprising. Some good veggie options for those who are concerned in that regard. The service was satisfactory -- but not outstanding. Overall -- a "very good" rating.

Staying downtown and stopped here for lunch before leaving to go home. It was fantastic. Had called for reservations, there when it opened. Menu was focused, well done. Tasty hummus, we had the spicy variety and it was great. Ordered two entrees - lamb and falafel. Both delicious. Service was great, shared with us the recipe for their gluten-free crackers. I have a simple directive, “GO!”

Everything from the food, atmosphere, friendly management and staff was excellent. This is a MUST on your visit to Chicago. Their food is a nourishing and refreshing work of art. It delights all of the senses. This is what food is supposed to be.

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch of small plates. Our choices included the pumpkin hummus, which came with a yummy crispy cracker, a green falafel with a red beet sauce which was surprisingly tasty, cheese kabobs, and a roasted eggplant dip. Every dish was excellent. We were pleased to see a large number of vegetarian choices on the menu, and the server did ask about allergies before taking our order. All of the staff, from the greeter to the water bearers were pleasant and efficient.

My friend came in from Michigan to celebrate our birthdays over dinner. After reviewing many restaurants in the River North area I suggested ema, and what a delightful surprise. The atmosphere was contemporary, yet warm, and we were able to easily carry on a conversation. Our server, Danny, was excellent at helping us with our selections, and very attentive to our dining needs. The eggplant spread with flavored pita was to die for, as were the beet and lentil salads. Jordan, the manager, stopped by our table to make sure our dining experience was up to our expectations, which was an unexpected but appreciated effort. We had a fabulous meal and evening at ema. Highly recommend.

I'm not into hummus or eggplant or falafel or kebobs. But I went to chef/partner CJ Jacobson's Ema restaurant in Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood because it is advertised as a Mediterranean restaurant and I misinterpreted that to mean that my favorite dish, Branzino, would be on the menu. But Jacobson's lighter California style of cooking is on display--and that makes for a very enjoyable dining experience. Located at 74 West Illinois Street, one block east of La Salle Street, at Clark, Ema is open from 11 to 10 Sunday through Thursday and 11 to 11 on Friday and Saturday. I started with feta and olives with marcona almonds, lemon zest and Middle East spice and Tahini Caesar salad with hearts of Romaine, radish, quinoa croutons and mimolette cheese. For my entree, I chose green chili halibut with English peas, fava beans, snap peas, lemon and cipollini. With grilled asparagus and crispy potatoes. For dessert, my choice was vanilla bean panna cotta with orange blossom granita and rosemary meringue.

I was here in late afternoon and enjoyed the Happy Hour menu. Very nice atmosphere in the bar and excellent service and nice attitude from the bartender. I had different meze and a glas of wine, everything tasted very good.

Four days later and I am still thinking about those wonderful brussel sprouts! Sister trip to Chicago and first time at Ema. So happy we decided to come here. The almond hummus and butternut squash risotto were excellent. Wonderfull food and great service.

Extraordinary. Very good all salads and chicken. Extraordinary attention and very nice place. It is worth coming and having such a rich gastronomic experience

Outstanding evening sharing small plates at Ema - and we follow mostly a whole food plant based eating style. Beautiful airy space (especially when open to patio on the warm day), impeccable service and delicious food. Bridget did an excellent job with the delicate balance of giving us space and time while also being attentive - checking in unobtrusively as we were talking. The new hamachi crudo (with strawberries and rhubarb) was delectable, and the new "Bhel" hummus sounded a bit crazy when we read the description, and ended up being our favorite dish. Taking a pause and looking across the dining room we could see the team working together - even managers helping to serve - to ensure everyone had a seamless experience. Going out to eat is as much about that and the atmosphere as it is the food - and Ema delivers on all 3!

This is a nice Mediterranean restaurant serving tapa’s style plates. The deco is bright and green. There is a large outside seating area on the street. Fast service. The mushroom ‘snails’ were pretty good. They certainly give you a lot of great bread with the meal.

Went here to mark the end of our Chicago trip, enjoyed evey little part of it. Cozy ambiance, good music and food and excellent food. The concept of the somewhat smaller dishes was awesome and we got to try a lot of different new foods.

Bright, airy space that can get too loud even when not fully crowded. The food is decent, very fresh, but nothing special. Most of what we had was on the bland side: Bhel hummus (overwhelmed by large chunks of onion), octopus (served w/ tasteless mashed potatoes), corn farro (too gluey). The server was nice but very inattentive, and not knowledgeable. The "rising cost" surcharge is not appreciated.

We stopped here for lunch while on vacation and it was great. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly. We ordered a spread trio for an appetizer and the spicy hummus was the best of the three. I ended up ordering more for my entree! So great! Husband had the chicken sandwich (he liked) and Son had the salmon kababs (good) and we were too full for dessert.

Ema offers many choices and combination of mediteranean food. Many small plates. Wait staff will encourage ordering several plates and sharing. Order less than suggested and you will have plenty. High noise level. Busy place so make a reservation.

Nice enough food. Very loud. Interesting dishes to choose from. I would say it was very good, not great great.

Great restaurant for small groups. The layout and design is really nice and the lighting is perfect. I came with a group and we ordered a little bit of everything. I think each tapas plate feeds 2-3 (depending on the item) perfectly. My favorites were the octopus (cooked perfectly), brussel sprouts, salmon kabobs and the spreads (highly recommend the hummus and eggplant). Service was good. The food seemed to come out in random order, which was a little off. Otherwise, it was a really nice evening out.

Second time visiting and just as impressed! Incredible brunch spread with tons of shareable plates. Every bite was delicious!

This was fabulous food with solid service in a stylish setting. We enjoyed every dish and the wine as well. Fun for a group!

I think that Ema is cute. I loved the simplicity of the decoration and the menu reads very well. The food was good, but not great. The house-made stracciatella was great. The cheese was creamy and fresh, but the tomatoes were not as fresh and the croutons were soggy because they absorbed the vinaigrette, which basically ruined them. The lamb hummus was flavorful, but maybe a tad over seasoned. The spices were overwhelming for certain bites. We also had the beef and lamb kafta, which was OK. It wasn't good, but it also wasn't bad. It was just so/so which was disappointing. It was well seasoned, but dry and overooked. I would suggest going somewhere else if you're torn between two places.

Enjoyed Ema. We are Mediterranean food fans so a great choice. 4 of us shared a number of plates. All good.

We enjoyed the service, the food, the drinks, and the wonderful setting outside on their patio. Scott was terrific. He was attentive, friendly and professional.

We have not gotten far past the eggplant and pita because it is so delicious. Had it 3 times already.

Ema was recommended to us by Chicago locals and it lived up to the expectations. Service though we were sitting outside was great. Everything we had was delicious … what I remember: the almond spread, the mushroom kebab and the spicy date cake and oh the cappuccinos. Loved the comfortable relaxed experience.

Wonderful Friday evening! Top notch Mediterranean cuisine, great service, beautiful ambiance, great location, fair prices, happening scene. We’ll be back soon.

I just arrived back in Chicago. After check in at this Hyatt property, I went to Ema for Happy Hour. It was a great experience. Highly recommended!!👍🏻🙂

Loved every single dish here! The server was able to suggest options for the 3 of us dining, with one gluten free and one vegetarian. We LOVED the tomato/garlic hummus to start, and the brussels sprouts were amazing!

At this restaurant, it's possible to rave about everything we ate. For starters, the HUMMUS with za'atar, and vegetable crudité, and HOUSE-MADE STRACCIATELLA sent us into orbit. The GRILLED OCTOPUS, PAN-ROASTED ROMANESQUE CAULIFLOWER, and LAMB MEATBALLS followed. I pushed my limit with their CRISPY POTATOES with mizithra, rosemary, and scallion crema. We were pretty full by then but I could not stop eating those potatoes! And if you thought it couldn't get any better, along came the FROZEN GREEK YOGURT. We ordered one with olive oil and sea salt and the other with a fig compote. OMG people. I can't wait for another visit to Chicago where I will arrive starving.

We were 5 people and ordered a variety of food to share. The best pita bread I have ever had and the roasted eggplant spread was just delicious. I also ordered the celery root soup and it could have been better. It arrived tepid but the waiter took it back and heated it.....a bit. Flavor was forgettable. Atmosphere is busy and noisy with no private booths. We were there for lunch on a Tuesday and it was lively. The service was ok. Prices seemed typical for the neighborhood. i will happily go back for the pita and the eggplant.

The best Italian restaurant in town, hands down! Despite our repeated visits, this place never lets us down. The cuisine is consistently flavorful, freshly prepared, and cooked to perfection. Every visit feels unique because of the staff's friendliness and attentiveness. It's the type of establishment where you can always rely on a delicious supper. Since Italian food is the best, we wouldn't go anywhere else for it! Anticipating our next visit already.

First things first: the food! The almond and garlic spread satisfied all requirements: silky smooth, sufficient not overpowering garlic and perfectly warmed bread. A creative salad of beets and berries hit all the right marks with texture and balance. Now the plain facts: After a long day of touring Chicago, we stopped into Ema which had been recommended by a friend. The hostess was less than impressed with our "touristy" appearance and quickly dismissed us as unwilling to wait out her ridiculous wait time for a table. But, we waited and watched as other guests (also without reservations) were seated ahead of us. After our wait time had come and gone, I finally reminded the hostess that we too were waiting for a table. She huffily informed me that I could find a first come/first serve table in the bar. Our waiter seemed equally unimpressed that we had selected his table for our meal. Why did we endure this? Quite simply, all the restaurants in the area had a wait time and we were tired from hours of walking around Chicago. So tip of the day: dress smart unless you want some attitude from the staff.

Dined at this small plate mediterranean restaurant, (Mediterranean is the new Italian in Chicago). Food was generally tasty, A Greek salad was perhaps the best salad dish I have had in awhile and a side of potatoes were also tasty, Branzino and octopus were decent, Desert ( honey pie) was a mistake, Drinks were ok, Our server, Jose M, and other restaurant staff, were first rate. The interior is vast and utilitarian with lots of hard services, There is a large outdoor space with a substanitial awning for those lucky enough to get a table there.). Wish this travel adviser website had an additional category as, truthfully, while the restaurant is better than ordinary it is not quite very good,

My wife and I ate at Aba, Chef CJ Jacobson’s follow up restaurant to his first Chicago spot, Ema. We LOVED Aba, which is reviewed a few weeks ago. I wish I could say that we felt the same way about Ema. First the positives: The service was very friendly and attentive. My cocktail, The Last Don (mainly tequila and grapefruit), was very nice. The food was fine. We enjoyed the hummus with lamb ragu, the charred cauliflower and the green falafel. The rest of the food was average. The root vegetables at Aba were delicious, while the root vegetable Waldorf at Ema was just ok. Ditto the rotisserie chicken...it was tasty but didn’t blow me away. The negatives: this place is way too bright. We had a 7:30 reservation and felt like we were sitting in a dentist’s office. Also, the bathrooms are in the lobby of the Hyatt Place, and it’s super weird to cross the lobby and use the bathroom with the same people who are using the hotel gym. Overall, we were disappointed. After the positive experience at Aba, we had high expectations. The food wasn’t bad, but it was disappointing. The ambiance is simply terrible. With all the great options in Chicago, we won’t be back.

We are members of LEYE, and decided to try Ema during restaurant week. The prix fixed menu was appealing. We tried the feta spread and Brussel sprouts. Delicious! The warm pita was delicious. We then tried to skewers that were also very good. Last, but not least, the desserts were also good. I would recommend to get more spreads and appetizers and skip dessert.

A great Mediterranean fusion tapas restaurant. Very fresh high quality food in a modern decor setting. Order 2-3 items for a dinner. Can be a little loud but a fun restaurant. A nice upscale casual restaurant.

Very accommodating as we got into the city late and called the next day and they were able to ‘slip’ our party in despite looking at online reservation services and nothing was available. Everyone was spread out and with outdoor seating it was quite full and vibrant. The atmosphere was quite cool and relaxed. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves whether it was with friends, a date, or family. The hummus/pita was a great way to start the meal. Since the plates can be shared we had to try the salmon, chicken and the beef/lamb kabobs. All were quite delicious and juicy. Our sides of roasted Romanesque cauliflower was equal in ‘hummyness’ to the Falafel. We all wished we had more than the 1 1/2 hours but we’ll save our other choices for next time.

Came here with a friend who has Celiac, most everything was gluten free or could be made gluten free with a few exceptions. We ordered the toasted almond and garlic spread (probably my favorite of the whole meal), green falafel, pan-roasted Romanesque cauliflower (also a favorite), grilled halloumi kebab and grilled chicken kebab. We also tried the Wake Up Call and the Triple Cask Old Fashioned, both very good drinks. All of our food was good, the almond garlic spread and the cauliflower were definitely our favorites and should not be missed!

Terrific, creative Mediterranean cuisine! Every dish was delicious and creative. Of course olives, hummus, pita w spreads were outstanding. Seafood dishes terrific (shrimp, mussels s curry, halibut) and perfectly done ribs and lamb. Recommended!!

My wife and I came here for brunch. They have a great selection of gluten free foods and were knowledgeable about which foods contained gluten. The food is served in dishes meant to be shared so when my wife ordered something that had gluten the server let me know that it has gluten so I could avoid it. The spreads are excellent, we really liked the pea and avocado spread. The gluten free crackers with the spread were great and the rest of the food was amazing. Definitely a great place to check out if you are looking for good Mediterranean food and need gluten free options.

I've been here a couple of times. Food is always good, though a little pricey. This trip we had two spreads, the hummus, which is very good, and the charred eggplant which is also very good.for appetizers we had the Green Falafel balls (Amazing flavors), the Brussels Sprouts with the Sherry glaze (One of my favorite dishes), Feta and Olives (always a nice plate), and the Sweet Corn Risotto. We had the grilled Octopus (wonderful), and the lamb chop (Very good) for our main course. All were good except the sweet corn Risotto. For $14.95, we got about 15 kernels of spicy corn over a small plate of cold and tasteless Risotto. Staff is friendly and efficient. Parking is street, garage, or go next door to the Fairfield Inn and Suites and use their valet parking.

I really enjoyed the almond spread and the chicken kefta. Service was spot on. I’d like to return to try the avocado spread. Food was inventive and yummy.

Ema is a great small plate, Mediterranean inspired restaurant in downtown Chicago. The decor is warm and bright. The food is light and packed full of flavor and herbs. This is one of those places that is great for a light lunch or a romantic evening. We decided on lunch during one of our days off. A reservation is a good idea as around noon, the place gets pretty full due to the work crowd. The seating areas are mostly well spaced out and they have desirable seating near the window which provides natural lighting. The menu is split into small, medium and large plates that are all meant to be shared. We love this approach because you get to try multiple preparations at a fair price. Always make sure you start off with the classic hummus. Also, please ask for extra vegetable crudite. These are chilled, fresh vegetables of very high quality (watermelon radishes, carrots, etc.) The hummus also comes with house baked bread with an unreal "pizza" spice herb rub on top. The remainder of our shared plates consisted of roasted cauliflower, crispy brussel sprouts, and winter squash risotto. We want to point out that the vegetarian and vegan options at this place are superb and, in our opinion, conquer the meat options. The cauliflower is served with creamy yogurt and a drizzle of local honey. The brussels are served with crispy shallots and a bright, amazing sherry vinaigrette. The risotto is the lightest risotto you have had and highlights the vegetables and parmesan. Overall, Ema does Mediterranean food right, especially with the respect to vegetables. We highly recommend a visit or two. 4.5/5

Needless to say, this hasn't been an easy time for the restaurant industry. I have watched in horror as four of my go-to dining establishments shut their doors over the past few months, and ventured into Ema at River North in the hopes of finding a new favorite. Let's just say this Lettus Entertain You property did not disappoint. Situated in the lobby of the chic and stylish Hyatt Place hotel, natural vibes of wood and greenery foster and airy atmosphere welcoming enough to relax even the most formal diners. Everyone at Ema was there to have fun, and the hip pumping bass playlist interspersed itself with energetic conversation. Now for the food. Mediterranean cuisine focuses on fresh, simple flavors like lemon, garlic, and sesame. Ema took the art form to its highest level. I can honestly say I have never tasted better Mediterranean food in my life, nor have I had a better meal downtown. The eggplant spread comes served with warm and irresistible pita bread, toasted to perfection and sprinkled with Persian spices. The cauliflower is artistically plated with Greek yogurt and a subtle touch of honey to complement the fresh crunch of vegetable. Emma's house specialty--the brussel sprouts--are sweetly glazed, charred, and tossed with pumpkin seeds. Most everyone has eaten brussel sprouts before, but you have never tasted them like this. I quite recommend the mushroom kabob for the rich grilled portobellos and pungent, pesto-like sauce served on the side. I would love to ask chef CJ Jacobson where the syrupy, date-and-fig-like flavor on this dish came from. It was unbelievably sweet and delicious. For carnivores, the beef kabob is seasoned generously with what tasted like turmeric, parsley, and onion--just like a traditional Middle Eastern Kofta grill of meat. But save room for dessert! The honey pie (see picture attached) is handsomely presented with a dollop of home-made whipped cream, candied red grapes (which were addictive; I could have eaten a whole bowl of those alone), and a garnish of sesame seeds. The dish was every bit as sweet and satisfying as it sounds. The prices here are a bit high, but not unreasonable. A plate is about $15 on average, so best save this property in your back pocket for notable occasions. The staff here are very friendly, and service is quick. As for me, I have found my new favorite place to eat in Chicago and--God-willing--look forward to making many more special memories in this impeccable Mediterranean restaurant.

Outstanding Spicy Hummus for a starter, followed by Greek Salad, Beef Tenderloin Kebab. Fantabulous Black River Old Fashioned. So good!! Super friendly service. Definitely will return next trip to Chicago!

Loved lamb shotshuka (sp?) almond garlic hummus. Super place for brunch!! Manager comped a cocktail because of a very slight delay. I would recommend for a slightly different brunch experience.

Food very tasty with ample portions. Lovely setting and very pleasant attentive staff. For 2 people 3 dishes is plenty. Highly recommend.

We were expecting delicious Mediterranean food based on other reviews, and we got that and more! Meals are "family style" with shared dishes, and it was nice to get to taste so many items. Our favorites were hummus with lamb ragu, the raw fish dishes, and the stacciatella. But really, everything was delicious. If you need gluten free options, they have a bunch!

This restaurant is great for a dinner for two. We were seated at a table for 4 even though there were only 2 of us, so we had lots of room to spread out. For appetizers we shared Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu and an Eggplant spread. The hummus was served with warm delicious pita bread. The hummus itself was warm which was also delicious. I wasn't a fan of the eggplant spread. For mains we each ordered an entree and felt they were mediocre. I would return just for the pita bread and hummus.

Ema is one of those cool places to go. We weren’t that hungry but we needed to eat something before we called it a night. The food is delicious and drinks are pretty good.

They gave us a list without prices. Ending with 3 bottles of whine for $300, a $250 “fee” for being late. But they rushed dinner and pushed us out in an hour. So no clue why to pay a fee. After asking for the manager to discuss, appeared not to be around. Disappointing visit. Current rating on TripAdvisor heavily overrated! Total rip off!!!!!

A lovely breezy, open restaurant which immediately makes you feel welcome. Lots of delicious light food to chose from, thoroughly enjoyable for our table of 6 people - we all loved it as there was something for everyone to dip into.

Delicious spot, loved the vibe, felt like you’re on vacation with the warm lighting. The ahi tuna was one of the best tuna I’ve ever had in my life

Enjoyed a great meal with cousins from California. We each had a kabob and shared 4 appetizers. All excellent especially the potatoes and Brussels sprouts!

This was a great mediterrean restaurant where we enjoyed the Charred eggplant spread and flatbread, roasted beets & berries, the lamb & beef kefta. For dessert we tried the sticky date cake and double chocolate crisp. Everything looked and tasted fantastic! Portions were great. I would not hesitate to go back! The ambiance was really nice. The server was very accommodating.

Great Experience from service, atmosphere, and food selection. Lots to chose from and delicious. Wait staff was very helpful and large selection of wines

First time at this restaurant, but we are going back soon. The hummus was amazing - some of the best I’ve ever had. The Brussels sprouts were fantastic. My wife got the grilled chicken and I got the lamb/beef dish. Everything was excellent, including the service AND price. Very reasonable.

Ema is a wonderful spot that has authentic, tasty Mediterranean cuisine. I went with my mom and we got the spread sampler to start. Each spread was a masterpiece but my favorite was the pumpkin hummus. Then, she had the Mediterranean salad and I had lamb and beef kebabs. My kebabs were excellent and the salad looked very fresh. We had been when it first opened and it looked exactly the same- beautiful decor and a warm atmosphere. Great job Ema!

Great for seafood and vegetarian dishes, ambiance is awesome. Eric, Maddie, Mary, Kristen, Michael, Jordan and their team always provide amazing hospitality. Awesome service by: Andrew, Abeba, Janelle, Alex, Erin, Kathleen Favorite Dishes: Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, hummus, chocolate cake, King Salmon Kebab, Falafel Sandwich, smoking jacket cocktail. Almond blueberry pancakes and French toast are delicious, best I can remember having and highly recommend! Mediterranean chopped with salmon

Ema, the latest culinary creation of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant empire, offers chef C.J. Jacobson's light California style of cooking with Mediterranean small plates, dips and spreads on fresh breads. Located at 74 West Illinois Street, at Clark Street, off the lobby of the Hyatt Place Hotel, in the bustling River North neighborhood, it is open from 11:30 to 10 Monday through Thursday, from 11:30 to 11 on Friday and Saturday and from 11:30 to 9 on Sunday. Rotisserie Ema is a quick casual counter with signature dishes such as spicy hummus, house-made Stracciatella with vine-ripened tomatoes, lamb kefta kabobs, rotisserie chicken, house-made frozen Greek yogurt and prepared salads. Start with the spread sampler with three spreads on house bread. Then my wife and I proceeded with bowls of celery root soup with fennel, prime nuts and golden raisins and Ema Caesar salad with little gems, pita croutons, parmesan and Caesar dressing. For a main course, we chose Black Lime Shrimp with tomatoes, aleppo peppers, black garlic and bread crumbs and Beef Tenderloin Kabobs with Israeli salad, red onions, lemon and olive oil. For dessert, we shared a portion of frozen Greek yogurt with olive oil and sea salt and a large slice of double chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, marcona almonds, rosemary and whipped cream. LEY never disappoints.

Reached out to several places in the city looking for a fantastic anniversary dinner. Eric, the GM for Ema was quick to respond. I decided that would be our destination. Sat outside. Course one: Bread and crudites with spreads, spicy hummus, charred eggplant, avocado & sweet pea spread. ("spicy" is a bit of a reach, the red stuff in the center has a kick to it, those not desiring it can just steer clear) Course two: stracciatella and basmati & beluga lental salad. Course three: chicken kefta and Brussels sprouts. Dessert: no room. Drinks: Ordered the bartender preference. And water was plentiful. The experience: Seated immediately, Scott, our server was attentive and excellent. Bus people kept our table clean, water glasses full and with our flagrant excess of food properly boxed and bagged to take home. Scott asked about our pace, we spent the day downtown, this was our last event before catching the 8:30 train home, he gave us all the time we needed. The food quality was excellent. The bread is excellent, the crudités were delicious. Seriously, we could have been done after our first course. I could blubber over every item, trust me, make reservations, order whatever beverages you enjoy and order what we did and you will leave very pleased. It was an excellent experience. Plus the people are fantastic and the value is off the charts. I have heard others complain about portions, they are incorrect, portions are generous for a small plates restaurant. I am home now having an epic anniversary day in the city with epic leftovers in our fridge. Go do Ema's, it's original, delicious, nutritious, a dinner you will not feel guilty about.

Lovely ambiance. Wonderful array of dishes to choose from. The labneh spread is nothing short of divine. My friend and I would have licked the plate if we could. The branzino is excellent as well. A place that I would recommend and go back to for a different, delicious meal.

Chose this restaurant for a family meal upon landing in Chicago on a trip. Several in our party are vegetarian. The food was fun innovative, sharing the plates was enjoyable and no worries while traveling about too much food on the plate (all too common in the US). Pleasant ambiance, tiny bit noisy but not excessive for the space. Service was lovely.

We came here to celebrate an important graduation. The meal was delicious. The place was packed and the waitress a bit busy. However, we got everything we asked for. They have dedicated gluten free menus and are absolutely serious about respecting food allergies. This is very impressive. Three separate people came to discuss what we were allergic to and our plates came with special sticks to indicate that they were allergen free. Amazing. We were all starving and ordered pretty much everything on the menu. 99 percent was really delicious and healthy. We were less a fan of the falafel (not as great as Israeli falafel we usually eat) and the kefte chicken (not my favorite spicing). We gobbled everything else and were extremely happy. The cocktails and mocktails are very good. The pricing is reasonable. I would love to visit this place again and highly recommend it to all.

The wait staff is hip, the menu is innovative and the wine list features some regions that I was not familiar (Isreali). I particularly enjoyed the roasted eggplant puree (think humas without the heaviness of beans) with some nicely grilled pitas. The lamb and beef kabobs were very tasty. The only question was with the rice. It was partially crunchy, which I think was the top layer in the pot getting a bit dried out in the warmer. That said, the flavor was great. I will be back.

Went here on a recommendation from our hotel so we expected so much more. Firstly I cannot fault the service, it was friendly and very attentive. The food is meant to share, which is something that we do quite often. The food was tasty but nothing special.The servings were quite small for the price charged, while we had just enough, it would not be for a lot of people. Also very noisy

We stopped in for a late lunch not knowing much about the restaurant. The server explained the menu and her favorite choices which was helpful. We shared three spreads, all of which were flavorful and interesting, a Greek salad which was good, and a chicken kabob, which was delicious. The prices are reasonable for the high quality food there. Highly recommended.

I walked into Ema which was fully booked and after a ten minute wait, earned a seat at the bar. The bartender and drinks were great, and the food was very very good. I think that it is safe to say that I would have enjoyed every single item on the menu.

I have never had worst service !!! The staff is very dismissive and the server spilled water on me and the table while serving my guests and did not even recognize or apologize. I will not be EVER coming back

Had an excellent dinner at Ema’s. The hummus was amazing as well as the halloumi cheese and rotisserie chicken. Nice atmosphere, good food, good wine, and great service equals a good evening.

Went here for a business dinner while in Chicago. Creative and fun menu. Service was good and food was great. My favorite was the yogurt ice cream dessert.

Their cocktails are delicious. The food is amazing (specially the lamb). But the prices are not for the faint of heart.

We tried the Chicago Restraunt week menu today, and we enjoyed the inventiveness of the menu. The lamb, chicken kabob, Brussels sprouts, and hummus were above average - albeit portions on the smaller side. The “grapefruit cream Burle” was surprisingly good and refreshing. Inventive. The only downside was that for a Saturday brunch, they only had 5 servers for the entire Restraunt and thus service was a bit stop and start. Water was not filled as promptly. Dishes were delivered a bit hap hazard. But all the servers were very friendly and courteous. It’s just that for the prices they charge, I have higher expectations on Service. Atmosphere is like an upscale dorm cafeteria. Lots of chatter noise from surrounding tables and music on top of that. A bit too much. Interior colors are nice - yellows and light brown interiors with two attractive small bar areas. Maitre’d was not too impressive. Not a warm and friendly greeting. She was professional but a bit cold. Not a great way to start the meal. Our server was very upbeat and friendly.

Another Covid delivery option added to our list. Hooray! Big wins were the generous portion of Greek salad and the excellent pita bread which was not your store-bought variety. The chicken and beef skewers were less generous but good quality meats which I didn't have to cook which really elevates them! Rice is rice. There was a legion of flavorful and appropriate dips-loved the purple one whatever it is-beets? The delivery packaging was heavy on useful instructions re refrigeration and reheating to temperature. Much appreciated. I like to see attention to detail. Crispy potatoes were exactly that and added a nice crunch to the textures. Greek salad full of fresh, quality veggies. Nice tomatoes. The many dips were appreciated as they made the flavor of the proteins and the excellent falafels pop. A very satisfactory lunch! Delivery was contact free-delivered to the door of our apartment.

Food was delicious! Servers were helpful. Very busy restaurant but wait times were minimal. Server willing to answer questions and explain menu item.

We came here on a Sunday night at 5:45. We sat outside, which was beautiful and not too crowded. We loved all of our appetizers, included crispy potatoes, brussels sprouts, green falafel, and hummus. We had the Greek salad. If you’re gluten free, a side of gluten-free crackers comes with the hummus and they were delicious. The starter portion sizes decent for 4 to split. We had the grilled branzino, halloumi and lamb kebabs. The fish was amazing. The kebabs are one kebab with rice. We appreciated the gluten-free menu and the designated gluten-free fryer? If the food was not so good I would have given three stars. The service we had was terrible. We had asked for water, there were things floating in one water glass, when the food arrived, we had no utensils. We had to wait and track someone down to get utensils. Two people were not at the table when we ordered drinks and our server came back to the table didn’t ask her if they wanted something to drink just dropped of water and walked away. The people we were with said they have had great service in the past, not tonight.

The Spicy Hummus is to die for! I will be having cravings for sure until I come back. The restuarant was excellent. All the staff members were kind and attentive. We enjoyed stopping here before our Holiday Party for work. I almost didn't want to leave because of how great the atmosphere was and the food! If anyone asks me where I've had the best hummus - Ema takes the cake! Thank you for a wonderful time and experience.

I had a bad experience at this restaurant but would be willing to try it again. I arrived a half hour for an 8:45 pm reservation and was told they could not seat me earlier. Instead of waiting for a table I chose to eat at the bar (I was alone). I didn't recognize any of the white wines on the menu so the bartender let me sample several - one from Greece and another from Italy. They were almost identical in flavor but the Greek wine has a slightly smoother finish. Both were good values at $13 per glass. I ordered the Gazpacho soup plus the grilled cauliflower and the roasted octopus. The woman next to my was eating the cauliflower dish and said it was tasty (and it looked tasty). My soup arrived and was ok, not great. It was a bit too thin for my taste and the portion was really small but as an appetizer it was acceptable. I looked forward to the other two dishes I had ordered. They never arrived. After waiting almost one hour I gave and cancelled the rest of my order and left. I left a 10 percent tip, which was probably not justified. I may give EMA another try because the food did look good and the prices were moderate. But if I return I will make clear to my server that I will not wait more than 30 minutes for my main course to arrive.

Ema is a physically lovely restaurant, and the staff is attentive and pleasant but the food misses the mark. Perhaps it’s because I’ve eaten in the Middle East and at many Mediterranean restaurants, but I felt that the cold and hot mezze dishes that our group of 4 ordered were not authentic enough. For example, the labneh might have been excellent, but it was impossible to tell as it was smothered with honey and almonds. The house made stracciatelli was very good as was the feta served with olives. While the pan roasted cauliflower was well prepared and close to what you would get at a Middle Eastern restaurant, the honey didn’t add anything to the dish. The pita with za’atar served with the mezze options was really tasty.

This place is cute. The food is also good. Not that much to share. The lamb-chops were a disappointment for the money. The bartender is great at her job though.

We were staying in Chicago for 5 nights as my husband was running the Chicago marathon. We booked Ema and loved everything about it - the atmosphere was great (buzzing and cosy) and the food & service was brilliant. The menu was interesting and delicious. Loved the raw fish section too - the halibut ceviche & hamachi crudo were both amazing. Good prices too. I would highly recommend Ema if you are looking for a really nice experience in Chicago. One thing to note is that the restaurant is nothing to do with the Hyatt Hotel - the restaurant company merely pays to rent the space - it just so happens it is located in the Hyatt Place hotel building.

Ema was excellent! And we are picky... Travis, our server was terrific - engaged, prompt, attentive. Small plates delicious- and the fish was marvelous Superb flavors in all dishes. Highly recommend

Went before a concert at the United Center as it was close to our hotel and took reservations. The drinks were great--had a blue Hawaiian gin and tonic. The naan was amazing and delicious with the hummus. We also had an olive plate that was delicious. For our meal we shared brussels sprouts and potatoes--both were amazing. Most of us order chicken kabobs which were tasty. They brought us extra naan by request. Waitstaff was attentive and all the food came hot and fast.

Yum yum and yum. Ema means ‘mother’ in Hebrew and the food here is simply outstanding. Everything we ordered wowed us entirely. The only issue is that we ate too much bc it was just too good. To top things off, the wine selection is A+. Great service and experience overall. I usually recommend specific dishes however we ordered a lot and everything was superb. Well done. Now open one of these in LA please!

So delicious. Come hungry because the flavors will consume you. It is a family style meal. The portions are perfectly curated. We ordered the brussel sprouts, potatoes, labneh and keftah. We could not have picked a better combination to introduce us to this lovely restaurant. I want to come back. This was our pre cello concert meal 😍

Mediterranean oriented food (with a California twist) served tapas style - we loved every dish we ordered. Even the most simple sounding dishes were bursting with flavor. Service was excellent, wine was delicious.

Amazing experience: the food and service were impeccable. The place was packed the entire time we were there. We stuffed ourselves and loved every bite. I'm not a frozen yogurt fan, but I would eat their frozen yogurt dessert off the floor it's that good!

We walked in and sat at the bar which was perfect. We ordered the greek salad, hummus with pulled lamb, and lamb kebabs. Outstanding! The atmosphere is beautiful.

Excellent place , very upmarket with great drinks,food and service. They have a nice outdoor area too. It’s basically attached to the lobby of Hyatt Hotel

The restaurant is well decorated. Seat outside really great on nice weather. And the food is just delicious. Tips: the place is trendy, book in advance.

My daughter and her husband came back from Chicago with all good things to say about Ema. We gave it a try and reached the opposite opinion. The eggplant spread was decent. The Greek Salad (not great) and the Salmon Kebab and potatoes were ok, but nothing special in our opinion. We had thought that the waitress would have brought the Greek Salad prior to the salmon and potatoes, but she did not. We shared one glass of Gilgal Sauvignon Blanc and the bill was $78.04 plus tip. The patio was pleasant. The service was ok.

The service was great. The food was delicious. We ordered two "courses." A total of eight plates for the four of us - lots of variety and plenty to go around. The brussel sprouts were a real highlight!

We were in a hurry, but we really wanted try taste this restaurant before we left Chicago. We sat at the bar and the food came out consistently and in a timely manner to everyone around us. We had the eggplant as a starter and shared a Greek salad and salmon kebabs, which were really tasty and a good lunch portion. I loved all of it. A guy sitting next to me told me that he’s come here for takeout and in the back they have a really cool prepared lunch line with soft serve Greek frozen yogurt available for dessert. I decided to go there myself for the Greek yogurt afterwards and it was five dollars less expensive if you buy it and it to go cup and take it with you. It’s was delicious!! I’ll definitely plan to go again next time I’m in town. The only hiccup on service was that since we were sharing two entrées, they gave us these tiny bowls to use, and I had asked for a regular size plate, so that it was more comfortable to eat and they brought it 20 minutes into the meal.

We tried four or five of the small plates — plus soup — plus several entrees — and dessert too — and we loved everything! The hummus & the labneh were delicious. In truth, everything was (I just wish they — and other Mediterranean restaurants — would serve pitted olives). For dessert (we tried two). My favorite was the honey pie!

I had made a reservation for this restaurant but sadly did it for the wrong week. The host desk were very kind and were able to fit us in after about a 30 minute wait which we really appreciated. The highlight of our meal (to me) was the broiled octopus. My friend wanted no part of it; that really worked out for me because I got to eat all of this tender dish. It truly was the best that I have ever eaten. The rest of the food was delicious too. The beet tzakki sauce with the green falafel was tasty and different. I was sorry that we agreed to share the straticella salad because it was so yummy

Worst service I have ever received in all of my travels. Recently my mom, son and I visited this restaurant we were seated quickly. Ordered drinks which were delivered within a reasonable time. However as we sat talking time went by our waitress did not come back to get our food order. The male waiter kept passing us to assist his tables not once asking if we were ok. After a while we stopped him and asked for him to get our server. At this point I just wanted to leave but considering the time we asked for our order to go. She said sure and walked away. I had to call her back, you have to get our order first. Okay she takes our order then returns in two minutes with the check (fastest interaction) brings the food upon looking at it I realize that were wasn’t any rice with my element I asked her about it and she said it doesn’t come with rice but she did put in a side. I dis mention to her how long we were waiting before she came back to her. Not even an apology or anything considering my seven year old fell asleep while waiting for this horrible service. Oh sorry her excuse was that she thought we were just ordering drinks. If that were the case we were never asked if we wanted to order.

This restaurant is meant for sharing and we did. The three of us enjoyed the almond spread, eggplant, greek salad, falafel, Romanesco, lamb and beef kofta, salmon kebob, and the honey froyo for desert. This was accompanied with a nice bottle of Croation Vuina wine. All the entrees, salads and the desert were prepared to perfection in a very pleasant atmosphere. Our server Dana M was outstanding!

Excellent Mediterranean spot with small plates. Friendly & helpful server. Everything we tried was good or excellent. Airy ambiance & decor.

Ema is a small plates Mediterranean restaurant. I chose lamb ragu and hummus and fried halloumi cheese. The ragu with hummus was an interesting combination, and I have always enjoyed halloumi cheese. This version was very spicy. I added a refreshing mojito with vanilla and frozen greek yogurt with sea salt; two more combinations I'd never had before. Two small plates, a cocktail and a cup of frogurt totaled $67, however, which seemed like a lot, especially as the restaurant and food presentation was not that fancy.

Terrific food! Hummus was delish. I wasn’t thrilled with lamb. But liked the asparagus risotto and all other dishes.

I love being able to write an enthusiastic 5 star review of a place…because it means I’ve had a 5 star dining experience. That was definitely the case at Ema in Chicago where the attention to detail in flavor, and presentation, along with the many options for vegetarian and gluten free diners left us almost wanting to move to Chicago to eat her all the time. I started with the Black River Old Fashioned cocktail which had a little bit of extra spice to it than what you normally get with an Old Fashioned. It’s made with Buffalo Trace bourbon which was once gifted to me by a Kentucky native as something special…I really enjoyed it. It was served with one of those large square ice cubes. I’ve gotten to the point where if you don’t serve your Old Fashioneds with a single large square ice cube it doesn’t feel like a legitimate Old Fashioned. My wife and I both had a serving of the English Pea Soup which was served with a “shmear” of ricotta in the bowl before they put the soup in. It’s a small portion, so not suitable for sharing but it was absolutely delicious with flavors unfolding with every taste. It started with the very present pea into a kind of a lemony flavor. We would get this over and over. It was super good. We also shared the avocado and sweet pea spread which was beautiful, delicious, light and plentiful. They served it to us with both house made gluten-free crackers which had rosemary in them, which were wonderful, as well as house-made pita bread which also was perfect. The crispy potatoes was the heaviest of the dishes but it was still pretty good, with lots of flavor and the sour cream side it came with was perfect. There were a lot of dips to choose from and the lunch menu allowed for a dip sampler which wasn’t available at dinner and we certainly would have given it a try it if it was. We left salivating and full. We’d come back in a heartbeat.

The food was really tasty, but the portions were teeny. My favorite was the Ora King Salmon. That was so delicious, but expensive and TINY. The kefta kebabs were good, but there was way too much rice. There should be less rice and perhaps a small bit of vegetables or hummus or something else instead. The falafels were very good. The House-Made Stracciatella was also very good but was basically like deconstructed caprese with croutons instead of Italian bread. The hummus was fairly standard but had delicious pita bread to go with it. Service was lacking, however. They never came to check on us at all. If we needed anything, we had to flag someone down. Don't forget you can ask them to take off the 3% surcharge they automatically put on your bill. Food: 5 stars Value: 2 stars Service: 2 stars

We had a great meal here for a reasonable price. Portions were large -- so we ended up with a nice lunch the next day (with leftovers). Atmosphere was very lively.

Wow, LOVE this place! We were visiting Chicago for a concert and stayed only one night. Not knowing where to eat, we checked out the reviews of a few restaurants near our hotel.... Ema being on of those. Ema sounded interesting and potentially really good. The food is outstanding! We shared halibut ceviche, which comes with the most deliciously thin crackers I've ever had, green falafel with an amazing beet tzatziki, grilled chicked skewers and the BEST dessert ever! Get the date cake. Trust us --- you won't be sorry! Delish! Our server was great, too. We highly recommend!

Nice ambiance, good service, decent noise level, excellent food and drinks. Came here with a client and we shared small plates, craft cocktails and a very nice dry white wine (Tajinaste). We loved the Fog over Rio and The Last Don. All the small plates were delicious: eggplant, falafel, brussels, octopus and shrimp. Not cheap at $130 before tax but reasonable for a nice meal. I’d go back. Also very convenient to the agencies and hotels.

Poor service. Hasty and inconsiderate. The food arrived before the drinks had arrived at the table…. The second course arrived before the first and no in tandem with the accompanying second course The quality of the food did not help either and the price was too high for what in turned out to be more of an appetizer than a main course

A colleague suggested this restaurant. As a Californian, I thought I was going to be disappointed but was not. The food is solid and you appreciate the difference between ho hum and mediterranean food that pays attention to detail.

I recently went to Ēma for dinner, and it did not disappoint! Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and really did a great job explaining the dishes. I let him know that I was vegan and he was super accommodating (he even ran to the table when he saw me picking up the bread because it’s made with milk). Everything that we ate was outstanding. My boyfriend had the octopus, whipped ricotta, and short rib. I ordered the hummus (amazing), falafel, and berry and beet salad. It sounds like a lot of food, and it was! It is known as a small plate restaurant, but they are very generous with their portion sizes (something we will take into consideration the next time we go). I absolutely loved ēma and can’t wait to go back.

Nice Mediterranean restaurant with contemporary setting. If you aren’t able to get reservations, take note that bar seating and outdoor seating is all first come first serve, so you can still have a possibility of walking in and getting dinner. The highlight of the meal for us was the spicy hummus. It’s not just that the hummus itself is so good, but the delicious toppings on the hummus. We did not know that we could request extra pita bread, but you can, so no need to bury all the pita under piles of hummus to be able to use it all up. The beets and berries was just that—no salad, but marinated beets and berries. The little black crunchy things are lentils, and slightly spicy. The grilled octopus was our next favorite, and the Brussels sprouts and lamb and beef kefta were good, but less special in my book. The portion sizes are a little modest, so you probably will want to order one entree per person, plus a couple of appetizers or small plates. Don’t miss the hummus, for sure.

What a great place. Nice space that allows for conversation. Plates are small so definitely for sharing. This allows for many dishes.

We had a group business dinner in Ema. A pleasant night was turned into a bit of nightmare due to the service level. The group really liked the foods which is the only reason this is not a 1 star rating. The pace of service was rushed. There was no one asking whether we were happy with the foods and the service. The wine list had no price on it and eventually turned out to be terribly over-priced. A table surcharge was added to the final bill without notifying any of us beforehand. The manager was also rather disinterested in listening to our opinions but only stating there were rules and policies. It was quite disappointing since Ema has all the elements to be a great restaurant.

4 of use went to dinner at Ema. We had an excellent meal. Everything we sampled was excellent. The menu is divide into multiple sections: Spreads, Cold Mezze, Greens and Ancient Grains.Hot Mezze, Seafood, Kebabs and Meats & Poultry. Everything we tried was shareable, so we chose things from every category. All of us thought everything tasted fresh, with interesting and subtle seasoning and tasty. The menu is definitely set up for sharing which gives you a chance to sample the variety available

The place is nice, clean, the food is very delicious, the prices are affordable and they are friendly. Highly recommended hummos with pineapple and pomegranate.

What a pleasant surprise. It’s already very high on Yelp list of top places to dine and is well deserve place to be. The first impression is like bright, a lot of daylight and warm feeling when you step in. There are two bar areas with great selection of liquors. We had a lunch and didn’t have any alcohol, but will consider to come back in more casual time. Avocado and sweet pea under spreads on the menu is delicious surprise. We both love it. Specially arrangement with melon reddish. Both entries under kebabs on the menu, lamb and beef kefta and king salmon were delicious.

Ema is a small plates restaurant off the lobby of the Hyatt Place on Illinois -- it's easy to miss walking by, so know it's in the Hyatt. Ema is Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. They serve Mediterranean focused food in a lively environment -- I suggest casual as it does still feel a bit like you're in a hotel lobby. The service, Mike F, was friendly and efficient -- we were never looking for him. We did several small plates and a bottle of wine. Whipped Feta, light and not overpowering but yummy. Spicy Hummus was not especially spicy but none the less a very good smooth and creamy hummus preparation. Basmati salad was more grains than salad, it was good but would try something else on a future visit. We paired all with a lively Sauvignon Blanc from Israel -- Giligal was the vineyard -- we enjoyed it. Markup was more than 3x retail, which I find a bit heavy -- it definitely wasn't a $56 bottle of wine, bottle of wine, but good for around $15-18 which it retails for. We finished with an americano and hot tea, the tea was nicely served loose leave in a plunger pot. Overall recommend for grabbing a light quick bite with friends if you happen to be in the area.

It was not a good start as my knife came dirty from the kitchen. Other than that (forgotten and forbidden now), food was really tasty. I had a fresh sald and a juicy salmon. I needed fresh food and Ema played the trick. I can recommend it.

Location / Atmosphere 4/5 Located on W Illinois at, a hub for great restaurants Ema is one of the best Mediterranean choices in Chicago. The restaurant is connected to a hotel (Hyatt I believe) but accessible from the street as well. It definitely has a hipster vibe, bright lighting and decor. Very clean and presentable. Food 4/5 We got the choose 3 dip platter, octopus and a salad. All were amazing! My favourite was the pumpkin hummus. We also got the honey pie which I think the waiter overhyped 3.5/5 imo Service 4/5 Servers are very high strung and hipster lol. They are very nice and helpful but tend to exagerate how good dishes are lol. Value 4/5 Fair price for great food. Not cheap but hipster places never are. I would go back and I'd recommend it. There's also a take out section we didn't use but allows you to fill a container from a hot plate area (think whole foods hot bar). I'd like to do that next time in order to try more dishes .

The Greek salad was excellent, truly memorable! It was perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavor, it was a perfect combo alongside a kebab with rice.

It was a super fun evening with girl friends... lots of vegetarian option, cocktails were spectacular specially smoked one! Loved their garlic hummus

First time here. Loved it! Green falafel with beet tzatziki - wonderful and flavorful. Lamb and beef kefta - rich and tasty. The dining room is smallish but just right - very friendly oriented and intimate. I arrived about 5:30ish and by 6:00 the dining room was almost full. A great place for a casual dinner. The staff is very friendly which enhances the food experience. So many dishes to try, I’ll be back.

My wife is celiac and I am not. This was a great place for us to go. They have a separate dedicated GF menu and it really was not much different from their regular menu. I loved everything that we ordered. It is a popular place so I suggest you make a reservation early, a few days if possible, to receive a time that is not too late. Food, service, and drinks were all great and we will definitely be visiting again.

Really enjoyed my afternoon. Great food good service. 2 small things that could be worked on: 1. Believe it or not, after all the great appetizers, the caesars salad was a let down - the zhoug sauce flavors did not really jive well. 2. The Brussel sprouts flavor was great but they were a bit on the oily side. Would I go back - heck YES!

We enjoyed a lovely meal with friends. Food was delicious, especially the vegetarian appetizers, and service was very attentive and friendly.

Delicious. delicious, delicious! Amazing, attentive service, lovely cocktails and a varied menu designed for sharing. We wandered in - thankfully a bit early for the dinner rush - and had no idea we were in for such a treat! Everything from the hummus (we had the classic, but there are several innovative options to choose from) to the chicken kefta was excellent (we also had the feta & olive plate and the crispy potatoes), but the absolute best, hands down, was the grilled sea bass! It was handled delicately with just a hint of red chili pepper, served framed by a simple arugula salad and with a hot, charred lemon which our server helpfully reminded us to use to dress the fish and salad. Our server and her team perfectly paced our dining experience and the manager took the time to not only check in, but knew we had walked in without a reservation and asked what had moved us to visit. It was a perfect way to start an evening out and we will look forward to going back.

Staff was super friendly, service was attentive - high marks for that. Menu offering and food was just ok. Can't say we loved anything or would order anything again as a must have. Bread was very good, as was stracciatella. Rest was mediocre. Crab appetizer was below average, and disappointing. Kefta, lamb, chicken meh. Nice outdoor tables, with heat lamps.

This restaurant was recommended and part of our father daughter trip for our first night dinner. The food is absolutely amazing . Emma our server was fantastic!! The good is served in small plates to share so 2-3 pp is a great idea and plenty of good I would highly recommend this place

The food is good--no question. However, the portions are incredibly modest for the price, and the place and its diners fall victim to the "small plates" sham, where we are encouraged to order numerous dishes per person to make a meal. The waiter, initially nice, seemed overall rather indifferent. This is particularly disappointing, as Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, while not often inexpensive, usually offer good value for the money. Unfortunately, that is not the case here.

Best Mediterranean food. Servers and staff as well as attentive managers were truly awesome. Creative and fun menu. Attentive to gluten and food allergy patrons. Well done. Touché.

I heard about this restaurant through my girlfriend, and the food was pretty good, but but the service seems to be inconsistent. I have dined out to many places and this has to easily one of the most subpar service I have ever received at a restaurant in this price category. The first time I went, the host was not happy and seemed bothered that we showed up. We were seated and and waiter, waitress, and server all seemed upset, didn’t smile, wasn’t welcoming, and didn’t seem to want to be there. When I am spend an average of $50 per person, I expect a smile, some type of small talk, and some enthusiasm, especially when I typically tip a minimum of 20%, and at least 10%if service and food is just horrific, which this was by no means that bad. I went back a couple of times and the service was better, and there was one waitress who attended my party the last visit, and she was fun, personable, attentive, and gave me confidence that the entire staff wasn’t that bad. So out of four visits, two were good and two were subpar. The food was definitely good. I have ate the short ribs each time and can’t get enough; although I think the serving was a little small, but tasted amazing. The appetizers were a good portion size and tasted pretty good. I do think that the food is slightly overpriced for what it is. Not much, just slightly.

Mediterranean dream spot. Such a mix of flavors in imaginative dishes. Nice wine list and excellent service.

We booked on line after seeing website. It was very busy which is a good sign. Staff were great in getting us to our table. We were told that each person normally orders 2-3 dishes each, being British we ordered 1 each with a side between us. The portion size was ample, we have the chicken kebabs, steak kanas and a chicken roast. They were all lovely. We had 2 desserts which was a chocolate cake, my sons face was a picture when he took his first bite, he was in chocolate heaven. My wife had a date cake which she devoured, it looked rather rich but she loved it. Highly recommend, not the cheapest

Sat at the North bar on a cold winter evening. Service was cordial and pleasant. Restaurant has a nice vibe but not overly loud. The Brussel Sprouts were great; nice and warm with great flavors. The Falafel were real tasty, good size bout hard as a rock. Had to be careful they did not land on my clothes. The Octopus was perfectly cooked, piece was a tad on the skinny side but tasty. Full bar with an average selection by of wines by the glass. Recommend and not hesitate in returning.

Good food and atmosphere. It is very busy so plan ahead and make reservation. I love salmon kabobs. Healthy choices.

I took a client here for dinner and we were very impressed. The plates are all meant to be shared, so we ordered about 6. The food was excellent, it was a wide variety of Mediterranean to European. We enjoyed our dinner here. Service was attentive, pleasant, and knowledgeable of the menu. The labnah was awesome!

Loved eating here-the environment, the service, and the food were excellent. The portion sizes are purposely smaller than what you would get at other restaurants so order many different plates and share with those you are dining with. Our server was excellent and explained everything on the menu and made some great suggestions as this was our first time dining at Ema. Definitely recommend when dining in River North.

If you like small plates and sharing, this is the place for you. The food was excellent, you get a great deal of variety, extremely tasteful food and a great wine selection. I was in from out of town with someone who is local from Chicago and this is her "to go" place. Great food all around!

We were a ‘walk in’ and my daughter and I got seated right away. The olive & feta appetizer was our favorite. The falafel was too over cooked & dry, unfortunately.

Stopped here because it was close to hotel. We were able to get a table without reservations during the off season. Table server was super nice, she was attentive and kept our glasses filled, atmosphere was light and airy. The food was excellent. Food was fresh and light but very filling.

We set up a group dinner for 12 here this month and it was AMAZING!! Staff accommodated a couple special diets (GF,Soy,Dairy) with ease and the food was so delicious along with drinks. The service was over the top wonderful and it was a delightful evening from start to finish - Book it and ENJOY !!!!!!

Excellent food. Great ambiance. Loved the spicy hummus, olive tray, risotto, and Brussel sprouts. We arrived right before kitchen close and the staff was very accommodating. Would go again!

Fantastic!!! Everything was delicious Brussels sprouts, the short ribs were fantasticccc!!!! and the kebabS too Small portions though! The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the service is good My only complaint is that their lemonade was not tasting good. Overall a great and unique experience

The food here is great. I have yet to have anything that I did not enjoy. Highlights include the charred eggplant dip, the asparagus risotto, the short ribs, and the salmon kebab. Portions are decent size for a tapas style place, but it does get pricey quickly if you're not careful since you need to order several items per person. The mezcal drink is amazing. The old fashioned just so-so. I would have given 5 stars but our server was just not very attentive. Too often when we needed her help she was chatting with other employees at the bar - presumably she was waiting to get customer drinks but it did get frustrating. It did seem like every other server was hustling a lot more. It's a shame as the service otherwise was nice. Strangely good place attached to a Hyatt Place.

I went for lunch. My server and hostess were super friendly and helpful. I had the hummus sampler for an app, which allows for 3 choices. I did spicy, almond and garlic and eggplant. The spicy hummus was my favorite. It doesn’t pack too much heat, but the flavor was perfect. I had the green falafel sandwich. It was a large sandwich and packed with falafel. My only complaint is a lot of the flavor was at the bottom of the sandwich so there were bites that tasted a little bland. I would def go back, but I would try something else.

Best greek food...you must try the “mushroom and garlic hummus”! Service is also great! Just excellent

The food was ok but the service was very poor. We were left with menus for over 20 minutes and our server disappeared. I tried to flag down another server, several people saw that I needed help but no one responded, I finally spoke to one that passed by our table to get our server. Our server did not apologize, just took our order and we never saw him again until after our meal. Water was not refilled so I gave my boyfriend half of mine. No one asked how our food was. The beef and lamb Kefta was raw in the center and too raw for my taste. For the price Ema was charging, I find the service unacceptable and given the options we have in downtown Chicago, I won’t be returning.

Enjoyable meal. We ate the regular menu during restaurant week, when there was also a special menu. As a result of it being restaurant week, they had added tables and were very crowded. That led to a couple of minor service glitches, and an undesirable table in an odd place right near the host stand, but overall service was friendly and helpful. Really appealing menu of Mediterranean food, ranging from bites to full dishes, easy to share. Labnah topped with squash and pomegranate was superb. So was the frozen yogurt with olive oil and sea salt at the end of the meal. Cucumbers with spices and a halloumi skewer in a pepper sauce were great, too. Brussels sprouts were fine, though not memorable...they were a little soggy and the flavor profile was overwrought. A dish of raw salmon also disappointed, partially due to plating (in a bowl that was awkward) and due to bland flavors (which surprised me, as salmon is usually delicious). Overall, though, a solid meal. I would return.

Four of us for lunch we tried several dishes and all amazing, I say pick several dishes and pass around. You can’t go wrong! The tables favorite dish was the lentil salad- a MUST!

the choice for vegetarians is regular nothing special the taste and food quality is good but nothing new nice location ambiance, good place for a catch up with friends

Very good food and service. The overall environment very pleasant. Food: hummus (not very good) I had many hummus much better and more authentic; Octopus: very good Falafel: excellent - must Kafta: excellent Olives and feta: excellent Chicken (kids menu): served with rice excellent Eggplant: good Overall very good food. For desert we ordered frozen yogurt and was delicious

This Lettuce Entertain You restaurant is an elevated but accessible restaurant. Excellent, interesting Mediterranean-inspired food. Vegetarian and GF options. Professional servers knew or checked food ingredients. Allergy-aware. The mocktail was disappointing--very small and just sour--no interesting or complex flavor. I would have rated higher if not for the check-out experience. There is a 3% surcharge--perhaps this was on the menu in tiny font, but I did not see it. I also did not see a way to opt out. The only way to pay was with a QR code that takes you to the very annoying Sunday app. The app is designed to push you to overtip. Not only are the suggested tips calculated on post-tax cost (a pet peeve), but the three suggested options are 20%, 22%, 25%. There is a heart icon on the 25% with the word "favorite." Whose favorite? Maybe Lettuce Entertain You, but definitely not the customer. The whole thing was so annoying that I was tempted to leave no tip at all, but I did not want to penalize the pleasant, efficient server. Fortunately, I'd already calculated the appropriate pre-tax tip and left that. I don't know who at Lettuce Entertain You thought this app was a good idea. I guess it saves the servers time that they can use to serve customers. It does ensure that the payment card never leaves the customers' control. Hand-held payment systems, commonly used in Canada and Europe and catching on in the US, do the same. I was so put off by this particular app and the shameless attempt at tip inflation that I actively avoided other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, which both took effort and was a shame given that the food and service were otherwise quite good.