Nia Reviews

I came with my wife for a dinner. the food was very delicious especially the stake. Very nice atmosphere.

We had the 8 course tapas meal and enjoyed every course. The service was just right. Enjoyed people watching on this summer night. Great prosecco by the glass.

We hosted our office Holiday Party at Nia about a week ago, and I am so happy that we chose this restaurant!! Walking in, I was immediately greated by the staff member who would be taking care of our party, Amina. She was very cheerful and helpful right from the beginning, leading us through the cozy (and quite beautiful!) main dining area to our party space located downstairs. The party room was exactly what I was hoping for! We had a small party, only about 15 people. I was worried that the room would be too large for such a small party, but it was really perfect. It was clear that it could also accomodate many more people, but they very creatively created an intimate setting with tables and lighting that was really pleasing to the eye and was ideal for our small gathering. The room is equipped with its own bar and there are bathrooms located directly outside, so no one had to leave the party space to get drinks or walk a mile to the bathroom as is the case with some places. Such a great space! When my boss walked in the room with he looked around and the first thing he said was "Wow! This looks awesome!" Amina was incrediblely professional, kind, helpful, and efficient. I had a lot of questions and concerns before the party started because I wanted to make sure that our party went well, and she never became impatient and made sure that I and the rest of our party were at ease and having a great time. She was very knowledgable about the food as well, and explained what everything was and all of the ingredients which was really helpful especially because we had some vegetarians and employees with food allergies. Nia herself popped in a few times and could not have been more gracious and accomodating. This restaurant treats you like an honored guest in their home. This is rare!! Lastly, the food here is SO GOOD! We took several boxes of our leftover tapas back to the office after the party because it was too good to leave! We chose an eight course tapas menu, and we had plenty of food for the whole party to eat as much as they wanted, and as aforementioned, we still had food to take home and enjoy later! When choosing the menu, we had so many options that it was difficult to choose! Some of our choices included a mixed green salad with dates, goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette, and spiced almonds, hummus with pita, wild mushroom risotto, ceviche, strip steak with fries. Everything was prepared so deliciously, everyone couldn't stop talking about how great the food was, even the next day at the office! If you're looking for a beautiful space with a fun, warm ambiance, excellent service, and interesting and delicious menu options, this place really is it. I also forgot to mention that her prices are very fair and you can have a party here that isn't wildly expensive. It's really great quality food, service and ambiance and is worth every penny. I can't believe we didn't know about it before, and my boss has already asked that I book this place again for our next office event! I was the designated party planner, but I had never done it before and was nervous, and Nia took the reigns and showed us the greatest time!

If you like Tapas, Nia is a wonderful place to give a try. The food and sangria was delicious. We sat outside, although if eating outside is your thing, I would recommend going early, as there were only about 3 tables in the front of restaurant. If you do happen to get one, you will enjoy the people watching as much as the food. The loaction is in the heart of the Randolph Restaurant Block, so being that it was summer, there was a never ending flow of people. As far as the food, we ordered off the cheese menu, and followed it up with three tapas plates. For two of us, this was plently of food, although the menu made us long for more. We will be back again, I can assure you. They have a wide range of options, from seafood, to meats, to vegetarian tapas selections, and the price was in line with what I expect form downtown dining.

Our group was in town for a medical convention. I had selected menu from the group menu options which were extensive and at various price levels per person. We were a large group of 25 persons and had reserved the very nice, large private dinner area and bar downstairs. The food and service were outstanding. All the dishes were very well prepared.

I decided to venture around and stumbled into this place, one time when I had a craving for seafood. I told my friend I will know when I see it. Well not only did it satisfy my craving and gave me plenty of choices to eat. It was also a very homie and laid back atmosphere, I felt very comfortable and wanted to stay there for all three meals. With that said when it came to trying to decide where my partner and I would have our reception it was a no brainer. From the moment I asked Nia I wanted to have my reception here, she made it as smooth as possible. She kept great communication and was flexible when I had to change the date. Everything was ready and set up when we got there. Actually my friends where there before me and they got a friendly and genuine welcoming from the owner Nia and the Staff. I had chosen a variety of plates to make everyone happy, Nia went out of her way to even accommodate my friends that had a seafood and peanut allergy. All my friends were saying how delicious the food was. Made me so proud to have found this place that really does take me to the Mediterranean. From the Shrimp and grilled octopus to the eggplant involtini and the spinach rolls. Talk about the Steak and wild mushrooms you can’t go wrong. Definitely my favorite place to go to for special occasions or anytime !! See you soon : )

A comfortably intimate setting in the West Loop. Delicious but unpretentious Mediterranean cuisine served with a smile by the owner after whom the restaurant is named. I enjoyed the grilled baby octopus and an eggplant dish. A thoroughly enjoyable dining experience.

I went to Nia's with a large group of people. We had a wide a wide array of tapas including three different desserts. My favorite was the baked cheese! Everything was delicious. The service was extraordinary considering how large our group was. I has an elegant but comfortable ambience. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will go again soon.

A really nice mix of tapas. Enjoyed bacon-wrapped dates, roasted asparagus, and a well-made Greek salad. Quiet enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive but not overbearing

The scallops were perfectly cooked. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend the bread pudding for dessert.

My wife and I decided to eat at nia's and to say it was amazing is an understatement. From the first bite to the last it was by far the best meal I have ever had in my life. We shared the eight course dinner and the salad with the goat cheese was wonderful. That goat cheese is so creamy and it melts in your mouth. we next had the artisan meats and artisan cheese, again they were out of this world. the ceviche was incredible as well as the wild mushrooms. We finished with the lamb chops and the tiramisu. I was stunned in my life never have I ever had a more incredible experience and meal thank you. We dined at the restaurant on Tuesday, 26 May 2015 at 5:30pm and their were only two other people in the resturant

Loved this place. We did the tasting menu with a nice bottle of Albariño. Food was excellent and service was pretty good. We sat at the high top near the window and that added some good people watching as well. We will definitely go back

We stopped by for dinner before a recent concert. We enjoy tapas-style menus and Nia's provides a variety of tastings from many countries. We shared six plates between two people and were full. We also enjoyed a few Greek red wines which clearly deserve purchasing for my dinner table. Our server was Nia and she is as engaging as her food is delicious!

I regret giving Nia a 3 star review - it was very nice and the tapas a for the most part very good. The staff was excellent and very attentive. I really enjoyed the majority of the dishes, but I do have to say the one I was looking most forward to, the pork dish, just wasn't very flavorful. That is NOT to say the other dishes we had were not from very good to delicious. I really enjoyed the experience, but perhaps tapas in general is not for me.

When we came into the place it was empty. I asked if they were closed. In hindsight i wish they were. The waitress was very cold and would not look directly at us when she spoke. She took our order, dropped it off and only returned to offer dessert. We ordered a beet salad..which was very small def not enough to share. Lamb chops.. Very fatty and not the lollipop chops i anticipated for $15 plus two small potatoes. The shrimp plate had 4 small shrimp. I realize tapas are small plates but this place is overpriced. I see in the reviews many people enjoyed the fixed price menu. We were not offered that. We left very disappointed and basically unfed. The server seemed to be in no mood and our visit left us feeling the same way. I really don't understand all these rave reviews and it is backed up by an empty restaurant on a friday when every other place in the area was packed. Doesn't that speak volumes? U would not recommend eating here.

Came here with a family member for dinner. This is a small space so reservation probably recommended. We shared about 7 dishes, spinach rolls, bacon dates, saganaki, fries, pork medallions and peppers, mushrooms, mousse and crème brulee dessert. Everything came out in good time, the food was good and had flavour, and the sizes were good. Server was friendly. The only thing was that the pork medallions, was expecting something else - it came out as meat from a skewer/grill. Other than that it was ok. The place was full so I guess they are doing something right.

The West Loop neighborhood of Chicago is known for its vibrant food scene, with dozens of restaurants serving up a wide range of cuisines. From American classics to exotic international fare, there is no shortage of options for foodies looking to explore the best of what this area has to offer. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best food in West Loop Chicago and introduce you to one of our favorite restaurants, Nia's. Top Restaurants in West Loop First up on our list of the top restaurants in West Loop is The Publican, an award-winning eatery that serves up classic American fare with a focus on seafood and charcuterie. Another popular spot is Girl & the Goat, which offers a mix of Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes with a creative twist. If you're in the mood for Italian food, be sure to check out Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, which serves up delicious handmade pasta dishes using fresh ingredients. And for those who want to sample the flavors of the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands Restaurant is a must-visit destination. Best Dishes in West Loop One of the most popular dishes in West Loop is the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, which is available at several restaurants in the area. Other notable dishes include the Wagyu beef burger at Au Cheval, the honey-fried chicken at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, and the roasted bone marrow at The Publican. Food Tours in West Loop For those who want to experience the best of West Loop's food scene, taking a food tour is a great option. Several companies offer food tours of the area, including Chicago Food Planet and Chicago Pizza Tours. These tours allow visitors to sample a variety of dishes from different restaurants and learn about the history and culture of the area. Nia's Restaurant One restaurant that should be at the top of every foodie's list when visiting West Loop is Nia's. This Mediterranean-inspired eatery offers a wide range of dishes that showcase the flavors of Spain, Greece, Italy, and France. Some of the standout dishes at Nia's include the grilled octopus with chorizo, the lamb chops with mint pesto, and the sea scallops with saffron risotto. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list, with selections from around the world that pair perfectly with the food. Conclusion Whether you're a local or a tourist, West Loop Chicago is a food lover's paradise. From classic American dishes to international cuisine, there is something for everyone in this vibrant neighborhood. And if you're looking for a restaurant that truly embodies the flavors and spirit of the Mediterranean, be sure to check out Nia's. With its delicious food, warm ambiance, and friendly service, Nia's is a true gem in the heart of West Loop.

Travelling solo on business in Chicago and happened upon this place as my recommended restaurant (Girl and the Goat) was rammed. Thought I could get by with Tapas so ventured in. Not really a full Tapas menu in the Spanish sense. Limited menu and food was OK and not special. Albariño was good and cold so that compensated a little. Would have preferred the servings to be spread out a bit as my table was full and the tastes were not as complementary - maybe bad planning on my part and I should have been more specific. Not a disaster.

Went to Randolph street late on a Saturday. Expected to find one of my regular restaurants open. As it turns out none were, too early and the couple of nice one's had long lines. We found Nia's open with few customers and a very interesting menu. We had arugula salad, saganaki, bacon wrapped dates, wild mushrooms, roasted red pepper gnocchi, calamari, beef brochette and tiramisu. Fabulous meal, everything was mouth watering, except the calamari (which was merely adequate). Best was the bacon wrapped dates. Walker took care of us and mixed a good "living in sin" martini for my wife. I had an Estrella beer. Highly recommend.

Beautiful romantic … chef’s 8 course dinner was delicious and visually appealing… will definitely go back .. thanks 😊👍

Awesome, food and appetizers great, bartender and owner awsome, will return over and over. Great place for family and friends.

My wife and I went out for a couples night alone. We went to Nia's and from the second we walked in we were politely greeted by the bartender my wife and I decided to eat at the bar. It was a pleasure getaway from most of the overcrowded hipster bars on Randolph Street. It really is a hidden gem! The food was unbelievable we talked to the bartender who helped us to select six different Mediterranean tapas! My wife and I really enjoyed the smaller tapas size plates. We started with the Nia's salad. and were surprised by all the hidden gems it contained. Mixed greens, goat cheese, dates, avocado, piquillo peppers, almonds,limoncello vinaigrette, pita Every bite was delicious! Next out was the scallops and baby octopus dishes. Both were amazing. My favorite two dishes were the butternut squash gnocchi and the lamb chops! Nia the owner came by an bought us a great glass of wine. We really felt like part of the family. We will be regulars hear from now on! This was a great place for us to get away and enjoy each other. I could see this as being a great place to bring clients or visitors from out of town looking for that special hidden gem!

I planned a bachelorette party at NIA and was blown away by how helpful and accommodating they were. I am from out of town and was so impressed with how quickly NIA responded via email, and how easy she made the planning process. The food was delicious and plentiful. We did a prefixed menu in their many dining room and it was so great! I would definitely recommend NIA to anyone who want to plan a big party event!

From the owner we learned that the Randalph street area became popular overnight. Nia may not be the most popular place yet but guess what? The food is so good that the place ought be packed day and night. On the other hand: please wait a few days with crowding the place so I have a better chance to return to Nia's before I have to leave lovely Chicago.

There are so many trendy restaurants in this area you would be remiss to miss this one. We had the 8 course fixed menu. The portions were perfect for two. Great taste and service by "Lady Gaga" and her wonderful accent. Don't be afraid of the lack of crowds. Looking forward to going back.

Nice restaurant with mediteranian influence. Original wine list with organic wines. Staff extremely friendly. We were visitors from Europe and felt at home.

After viewing the menu on line, matched with our love of Mediterranean food, we made a reservation at Nia. We arrived early and there were few patrons, only one other table inside and only a couple outside. It was obvious why. The actual menu was very sparse,...and it seemed like a different restaurant than the one we viewed on line. Can you imagine a Mediterranean restaurant without hummus or pita bread?? The wine was so-so and pricey. I ordered the cheese board. It was fine, but none of the cheeses were the ones listed on the menu and one was simply gorgonzola. I also had the lamb meatballs which were ok,...though only warm. For lack of anything else to her taste, my wife had the Amish chicken,...again warm, not tasty and tough,...she described it as "awful." Amish chicken in a Mediterranean restaurant??? I also had the strawberry/spinach salad which was about what I could get at Applebee's. For $125+ we had a lousy dining experience. Don't go there if you know and appreciate Mediterranean food.

Ok, nothing bad here at all. First, the service was excellent. Everybody cared about the fact that what we were eating was to our liking. Second, the food itself was very, very good, well prepared and pretty economic for downtown Chicago. The $33, eight course prix fixe meal is a bargain with ample portions. Their humus has an excellent flavor with just the right tinge of pepper. Artisan meats and cheeses were good as well with three varieties of each. Wild mushrooms were really great (a bit spicey but for me perfect). The ceviche is among the best that we've had anywhere (Spain and Florida included). Pork medallions were done just right with a really nice take on the potatoes (feta). Desert was heavenly. The bread pudding and sauce was great but when combined with the vanilla gelato it made you think that the next visit would be composed of 8 desert courses. Great place to take friends as well as those business dinners. Almost forgot, the sangria ($26/big carafe) was also tasty and not too sweet. So, total cost for meal was $100 without tip (also, they take off 5% if you pay in cash - helps the waiter's economy as well)

We came with 6 people so we were directed to the tasting menu, six choices including dessert. We had an orzo salad (okay) crab cakes (pretty good) lamb chops (not bad) and some other things. All the sauces were just oil and some color, they tasted like plain vegetable oil. For dessert we had chocolate mousse, it had no creme in it and was very dry. The place was empty on a Saturday night and I doubt it will last long. Good riddance.

Looking for a restaurant that has great food, service and atmosphere? Well, Nia is it. The food is tapas style with Mediterranean flair and simply delicious. You won't walk away hungry as the portions are generous and if you can't choose between dishes, let your server guide you! Such a wonderful experience as the owner Nia and staff truly make you feel like family. Nia chose an excellent bottle of wine for us to compliment the delicious food. We will soon be back! Tips! - Make a reservation as this place can get busy. Excellent place to impress a date and highly recommended! Sit back, relax and enjoy Nia...we certainly did! Don't miss these unbelievable dishes...trust me: Beef Brochette, Burrata, Saganaki, Seasonal Gnocchi

Wow. wow. wow. wow. Our party of 20 ranged from infant to mid 50's. Everyone loved the selection, quality, service, atmosphere and ambiance. So good I returned 2 weeks later to bring our parents in their 80's since they couldn't join us on our first visit.

That is a tiny restaurant that is made for Mediterranean food lovers. The menu is a tapas-style menu. You can choose small tasty dishes that evoke Southern Europe meals. Meals are genuine and always unexpected. The squids are just perfect. The service is very good and the music is not too loud. Ideal if you want to find a kids-friendly restaurant. I will definitely go there again.

This was our second visit to Nia, the first being many years ago. What a change to the area! But the restaurant was just as good as we remembered. Sunday evening is definitely the night to go, 1/2 price Sangria and some bottles of wine. Also, 6 course Prix Fixe menu for $25 is a great deal!

Sangria was yummy as was the food. The service was also excellent.

I looked online and saw that Nia had great reviews and the menu looked appetizing. Described as Mediterranean, which I like. Three of us went for dinner after seeing a wonderful production of Madame Butterfly at the Lyric, and we were all very happy! Great selection of items, we stated with the Nia salad, mixed greens, dates, almonds, herbed goat cheese, thinly sliced marinated red and yellow peppers and a light dressing, then spanakopita, the flaky crust filled with spinach and feta, the seared scallops, with white bean puree and minced sundried tomato, perfectly cooked and combination of flavors, the lamb meatballs, tender and delicious, eggplant with ricotta and a light tomato sauce, and for dessert sauteed banana with caramel sauce, pecans and vanilla icecream. Everything was flavorful, not salty, delicious. Or server Brooke was also wonderful and the hostess and other server were very pleasant. This is a great small restaurant. Looking forward to eating here again!!

We did the price fixe dinner. 8 courses with several different choices per course. Food was very good. Service was great. The place is small but it was very nice and quiet. It would be nice for a romantic dinner. Service was really good.

NIA is my go to Favorite. Very cozy and quiet. The food is great and service is very friendly. The tapas are delicious.The 8 course menu is incredibly affordable and you will not leave hungry. They recently hosted my retirement dinner for 40. It was fantastic. Everyone enjoyed to food, wine and atmosphere. Get on their email list to hear about monthly tasting specials.

Delicious small plates and varied choices. Attended a winemaker's dinner there and had a great time. Service was good and the food was excellent. The lamb chop course was well seasoned and a highlight. The scallop with risotto was absolutely delicious!

The food is not cheap here but the sign is. It is weird why they have a sign that matches the cash for gold shop next door. The food is pretty good but I think its overpriced. The sangria is good but i like meze much more overall. The tapas and service is better at meze is better and its close by.

Nice laid back ambiance, good food and solid wine list.

We stopped in early on a Sunday evening and were warmly welcomed. The wait staff was attentive. They gave us a list of options to choose from and decided to do the eight course dinner. It was a bit pricey but you got a ton of different style foods with big enough portions to fill you up. We enjoyed our evening and would definitely head back again.

Really terrific food, AMAZING SERVICE (ask for Marty), and those personal touches that takes things from good, to great. I'm visiting from out of town, and have been here twice this week. I've always been treated like a prince, and the food is always worth it. If you've never had pan-seared gnocchi, go. Now. Both of the brochettes are delicious, and the three-mushroom risotto defies description. When's the last time you got whole, identifiable chunks of the mushrooms anywhere? I could go on and on, but sufficed to say - this is my number one stop if I'm in Chicago!

We booked Nia for our second night during Restaurant Week. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. There is a decent selection of wines. We ordered the arugula salad, chickpea hummus and cheese platter for our first three dishes. Each was fantastic! The honey that accompanied the cheese platter was local, and probably the best I've ever tasted. We then had the crispy potatoes, gnocchi (pumpkin stuffed with sage brown butter sauce), jumbo garlic shrimp and strip steak. Again everything had amazing flavors. I'd highly recommend any of these dishes. Dessert was the Madagascar vanilla creme brûlée. Delicious! If you like Mediterranean food and flavors, Nia is a great place to eat!

Another outstanding evening at Nia's! Our office had a very important meeting and we arranged for the dinner portion of the event to be held in Nia's private room. It was the perfect location for this type of event - quiet, accommodating our needs for a special seating arrangement and the best food ever! My director was a little leery due to it being small plates. She was worried that her guests would be confused and go away hungry. Far from it! The feedback I received from the meeting attendees was nothing but positive and said how they couldn't wait to go back! Thank you Nia for making our meeting such a success!

Our organization had our annual holiday party in Nia's "party room" which is located downstairs from the restaurant. It's a really large space and accommodated around 100 guests for a cocktail reception, no problem. We set up about 8 tables so people could sit throughout the event and it worked perfectly. Some guests stood at the bar, others mingled around the room, others sat at a table and ate the delicious food. Nia, the owner, was incredibly accommodating, letting me select whatever tapas we liked from the menu. Everything was truly delicious. We decided to offer wine & beer (no hard liquor) to save on cost and everyone was more than pleased with the selections. It also included sangria which was delicious. If you are looking for a place in the West Loop that is not crazy expensive and has more of a personal feel & touch, look no further!

We came to Nia for Mother's day. The food was excellent the choices were plentiful. I need to come again to sample more choices. I hope to go again

I've been going to Nia Restaurant for a couple years now. I've never had a bad experience with the food, staff or patrons. It's nice having a restaurant on Randolph that is independently owned and operated. The Chef/Owner, Nia, is always there and so knowledgeable about not only her cuisine, but a multitude of culinary disciplines. I've learned over the years that her staff doesn't change, almost all that are working there, have been with the place since it's start 9 years ago. I have come to truly appreciate the tapas style menu. It lends itself well to those with a robust appetite. Probably the best bang-for-your-buck is Nia's Prix Fixe menu. Far to often, to many restaurants have minimalist menus and large entrees. The Prix Fixe menu allows for eight courses and a plethora of options. I have found I often spend less and get more. Recently, I learned of Nia's private dining room. I had originally planned for Nia to cater a business event. As confirmations quickly rose on my end for attendees, I believe Nia sensed our concern for space, serving areas, and all those things an office quite isn't prepared for in feeding 45 people. Nia graciously offered her room and more than accommodated our needs. Every thing went off with out a hitch. Nia's attention to details, calmness under pressure and pleasant attitude did not go unnoticed. Bravo and Thank You!!!! I would emphatically recommend Nia Restaurant to anyone looking for a bite to eat on her patio, to romantic dining and wine inside, or for business parties and catering!!! My personal favorite, if you're still reading: Lamb and Feta meatballs with a glass of "The Prisoner" a red Napa valley blend. Absolutely magnificent together!!

Nia is the PERFECT place for hosting a private event. The crabcakes were the most popular followed by the bread pudding! I was tasked with planning a retirement function for a full Professor who had given 30 years of service to the University. I traversed all of Greektown and a number of restaurants on Randolph St. before deciding to "take a look at" Nia. I scheduled a preview of the private space and was WOW'd at how beautiful it is. It is located away from the main dining area so that your event can be truly private. It has surround sound for ambiance and a bar for your attendees. Nia, the owner, even stayed for our entire event and helped with the bar and the passed food. The food was delicious and plentiful. I had a very strict budget but Nia was very accommodating and helped me plan menu that met my budget and and everyone's very distinct palates (vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and the folks who will just eat! Everyone loved it and we had to coerce people to leave an entire hour after the end of our reserved time. Please think of Nia for you private planning: parties, showers, family dinners, etc. This is the PERFECT place!

Excellent restaurant- did the tasting menu highly recommended go hungry lot of great food - kudos to the chef can’t wait to go back!

We couldn't get into the crowded noisy Girl and the goat next door, so we went here. The food was excellent and we were very pleasantly surprised. The decor is not very trendy, but the food makes up for it. Our bill was very reasonable. TRY IT!

Decided to try Nia during restaurant week, since we'd never been. Very disappointing. Every hot dish that we ordered arrived to the table cold and the wine pour was very small. We ordered the crab cakes, since they were a chef's recommendation, and they too were delivered cold, they tasted terrible and were extremely fishy. There were four very small ones in the order, so we split one to try, and since they were so bad, we left the remaining three. Our waiter didn't even notice that we hadn't eaten them and didn't ask how we were enjoying the meal. I would've thought that as a server if you see that someone didn't eat something that was ordered, you would at least be curious to know why and if there was something wrong. Nia is a very small place with a very small bar, so our waiter doubled as a server and the bartender, which slowed down the service. Also, as a server, please be cognizant of the amount of cologne that you are wearing. The smell was so strong, that it lingered at our table, which didn't help the cold, mediocre food that we were trying eat. Will not return to this restaurant and do not recommend.

Outstanding service. Wait staff readily available to help with questions or any needs. We got the tasting menu for 2 with Groupon, so it was a great deal. The tasting menu might have been just a bit too expensive otherwise. This is the main reason I gave 4 stars rather than 5. . Everything was delicious and the quantities quite large for 2 people. We had leftovers for lunch the following day! The salad and all the other dishes were nicely prepared, although the brazing was a bit overcooked. We had a lovely experience.

The food was good, but not memorable. The size of the tapas was larger than I have had at other restaurants. Service was average. Not my favorite spot or type o food

We had a large party and were in the quieter private event space downstairs. We shared the area with one other group, which was perfect. The food was ok and could have used more seasoning, but the service and ambience was excellent.

We were headed to The Girl and The Goat, which ended up with an hour and a half wait. Nia is next door. There were few people there, but we were hungry. It's a tapas restaurant, but very pricey. The salads were good, the hummus was okay, the 4 asparagus for $10 was ridiculous. The service was nice but I really hate paying the prices for such little food.

Eating at Nia's is a delight. The food comes in tapas portions, but are nicely presented and after two or three you are satisfied. From the outside you won't recogn, but the atmosphere is very friendly, the food is excellent as well as the service.

We went for restaurant week last night and it was awful. Our waiter was terrible, rude and aggressive to staff and other patrons. Our first of the eight courses took 45 minutes to come out, then after nearly two hours we had to ask for the remaining 3 we hadn’t received. The food was fine, but the service was awful; two other tables near us left in frustration after not even receiving all of their food. I would never go back.

No it's not quite Tapas In Barcelona, however, the food was great and the service excellent, the wine list is adequate and not over bearing. We ate here before going to a Stevie Wonder concert at the United Center so this was a good location because it's kind of the way from Downtown. I would go again!

Best patatas bravas! Awesome seviche. Good selection of wine. I had a great conversation with Nia from the local markets to international travel. Definitely going back!

Our party of 14 thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Nia. We had an early reservation at 6:30pm, so the indoor tables were not full just yet. We appreciated the opportunity to converse with each other in a quieter atmosphere. The restaurant has a lot of ambience, and the service was excellent. Nia serves tapas, so we ordered several small plates, ranging from salmon and mahi mahi to lamb & feta meatballs to risotto. My mahi mahi came with asparagus. Another friend ordered an asparagus plate, which had additional seasonings on it. We found a good wine list, too. We do not live in Chicago so enjoy trying a new place whenever we visit. We would gladly return to this restaurant next time we're in Chicago!

Loved the bacon wrapped dates. Gnocchi was unique and tasty. The service was attentive. Overall a great place for a group of 12 to enjoy an 8 course family style meal. Finished with a Carmel bread pudding!

Nia's is a smaller space on Randolph, next to Girl and the Goat. It's just as good as The Girl, only easier to get into, more reasonably priced, and quieter. We had a lovely temperanillo wine for about $40. The ceviche was just terrific - nicely spicy without burning your mouth. The seafood was perfect, the avocado and cucumber not mushy. The spinach cigars (spinach wrapped in pastry, in rolls) were very nice - not heavy at all. The lamb meatballs were fabulous - I generally don't eat lamb, but these were worth it. They were tender and flavorful, with a nice pomodoro sauce and melted cheese. We also tried the mushroom risotto - also very good. Not mushy (ugh), and nice mushroom flavor. We did not try dessert, but plan to next time we go. Nice sized plates for sharing. Not too much, not too little. A couple of plates would be a perfect lunch. The service was a little bit slow, but there was a birthday party there that took up more than half of the restaurant. There was only one chef in back as far as I could tell. But I think they did well given the size of the party, and all of the other tables were filled as well. It really wasn't a big deal at all - we had our wine and were able to pace ourselves nicely. A cute little bar, as well. The space isn't highly decorated - but that was ok as well. The music was at a reasonable level - no annoying techno throbbing through my brain after a long day. Even with the big party the noise level was not obnoxious at all. We also met Nia - a very nice lady. Highly recommend checking this place out.

We came in for a a Saturday night dinner after attending an art exhibtion. We were immediately greeted by a kind gentleman who would be our server. After perusing the menus for several minutes we decided to order from the Nia tapas tasting menu, which was eight courses.l, served family style. Every courses was delicious, and each new course arrived just as we were finishing tje previous one. The portions were the perfect size for us to share, ans rhe service was wonderful, prompt, and friendly. A friend suggested that we try Nia, and we need to heartily thank her for the recommendation.

Do not go to this restaurant if you have children with you. For a table of 4 adults and 2 children, they add an 18% tip automatically. They said that 4 adults and 2 children, under the age of 9, is a "large party." The owner, "Nia", said she did not care if the children were below 9 years old, it was a large party. The server would like have made more money than the 18% had that tip not been added, but in Chicago to add 18% for 4 adults and 2 children is unheard of. Go somewhere else.

We started with a pitcher of very good sangria. My husband and I shared 4 tapas: fried calamari, bacon rapped dates, pork medallions and patatas bravas. All were excellent. Bread pudding with ice cream and caramel drizzle was delicious for dessert.. Only about a dozen tables and small bar area and a very dark atmosphere. It took 20 minutes for the hostess/waitress to take our order. Portions of tapas are small. I know tapas are supposed to be small plates, but I have lived and traveled in Spain extensively and these were small for the price.They have an 8 course tapas dinner for $33 per person which many bigger groups were trying. That would be a fun alternative if in a bigger group.

The food and selection of tapas is fun. The ambiance is a bit loud to talk with friends, but overall the experience was very good.

We tried the tasting menu and wee not disappointed. The mixed green salad followed by hummus which was garnished with roasted garlic cloves. This was followed with the brandy flambé sheeps milk cheese. This was so delicious like a grilled cheese without the bread. We followed this with baked goat cheese in tom/basil sauce. Very tasty. We then had diver scallops with a white bean purée. If your from Massachusetts you will appreciate the scallops. They were done perfectly and crispy on each side. The lamb and feta meatballs were joined with the spinach cigars. These were in filo. This meal was so delicious. For dessert there is bread pudding with gelato and caramel sauce. This meal was really delicious and spaced nicely. The ambiance was really nice for a cozy dinner. Wine selection was quite good but expensive... Welcome to Chicago. The service was outstanding. The bathrooms were very clean. There wasn't too much noise either which was pleasant. We will definitely return.

We ate dinner with a neighborhood regular and most everything was good . Beef tenderloin kabobs were tasty, better than the chicken variety. Gnocchi stuffed with spinach were delicious. Crab cakes were a disappointment. Outside seating was filled but the inside was cozy. Service was attentive . I'd go back.

We arrived at NIA almost by accident. We were lookiing for a place on the Randloph restaurant strip. We entered NIA because it was less crowded than some of its neighbors. What a pleasant surprise. From the warm welcome to the delicious food in a low key setting, we could hardly have done better. There was a nice selection of small plates at a reasonable price. Our grilled octopus was nicely seasoned and perfectly cooked. The home made sausage was also delicious. I am not a salad eater, but even the salad, full of goodies such as figs, was delicious. We had not head of it before and it felt to us like a real fin.d.

Great food and service! We had our rehearsal dinner here and did not have any complaints. Everything was excellent! All of our guests commented how tasty the food was... Especially the truffle mushrooms and the goat cheese! Would highly recommend Nia.

We were supposed have dinner in one of the restaurants nearby on a Saturday night with my husband, but our first choice ended up being so crowded we went to Nia's instead. What a pleasant surprise, so happy we did! We chose the prix fixe menu of 8 tapas for $33/person, accompanied with a 3-wine flight for $15/person. We enjoyed the food (especially nia's salad, meatballs and do try the bread pudding it's so good!) very much. Nice atmosphere, hospitable service, delicious food and overall good value for money. Would definitely recommend it!

We had hummus, cheese, cold cuts, spinach gnocchi, steak, salmon, and baklava. Everything tasty. For 33 a piece the price was fine. Service was mediocre. We sat outside and that was fun. If you decide to ignore the hostess, you would have a great dinner experience!

Many options in the menu of outstanding quality and excellent taste. Good list of wine, although pricey. The service was good and opened to make changes in our orders.

Our first visit and we were pleased with the variety of tasty and well prepared small plates. We plan to come back on our next visit to Chicao

We were in the mood for tapas and gave Nia a try. We must have sampled half of the menu and nothing disappointed. Our server, Gaga was a one woman show and provided excellent service. Portions were far more generous than you expect with tapas - If I had to pick a favorite it would be a toss up between the civichi and the lamb chops. Looking forward to returning on my next visit to the windy city!

I recently planned an association dinner at Nia's and got great feedback from the group. They had this to say, "People loved Nia Med. Nia, herself, is lovely. The service was fantastic. The food excellent quality. Courses came out fast and at a perfect pace." Thanks Nia!

In the West Loop surrounded by all the hip joints is Nia Mediterranean Tapas. We've been there a few times, the latest for New Years Eve. The food @ Nia's is above average, the wine selection is good. The company @ Nia's is better, especially if Nia and her friends are there. If you go in the evening get a seat @ the bar and get in to a conversation. It doesn't matter the topic. Just start & the next thing you know you'll be laughing, crying, ..... having fun while enjoying your tapas, wine and company.

We read reviews about this place here at Trip Advisor so we thought we'd give it a try. We were staying in the north loop area and this was a short jaunt (I think 4 blocks) from the metro station. The area between the station and the restaurants appeared to be a bit sketchy so we were glad we were there early. We arrived on a Saturday before 6 and planned to do the Dinner Prix Frixe menu @ $28 per person. Although their menu lists the price at $28pp before 6, when we took a good look at the bill later after we returned to our hotel, we noticed were charged $33 per person. I am not certain if this was because it was a Saturday? Just FYI, for those who haven't been there, it is ONE tapas per course (not per person). We had: Chickpea Hummus while we perused the menu. I have had hummus at many restaurants and never understand why the proportions of hummus to pita or vegetables are nearly always off. Needless to say, we had to request another order of pita just to be able to eat most of the hummus. Yes we were charged for it but I believe it was only $1. The hummus was ok, I was expecting a bit more extra flavor due to the red pepper coulis but the little dab of horseradish cream was good. Nia Salad - the salad was way overdressed - to the point of having some of the lettuce wilted and the dates were almost imperceptible. The spiced almonds were a nice touch though. Bacon Wrapped Dates - I would definitely recommend these. Artisan Cheeses - one of the three cheeses had little bits of hard 'who-knows-what' in it. We brought it to the attention of the waitress and she said 'that is probably part of the cheese'. I don't know about you but I have had a lot of different cheeses and haven't experienced that before. We didn't finish any of the cheeses, as it ruined the plate for us. Then the Gnocchi arrived - it was doughy, and didn't have a lot of flavor - given the brown butter and hazlenuts, it did make a decent dish. After that, the Prime Strip Steak (tapas #7) and Wild Mushrooms arrived (tapas #4), which was fine because they went well together. The steak was not seasoned, a bit stringy and chewy and the fries were fries. Coming from the midwest where we are spoiled by our local beef, I was disappointed to say the least. The wild mushrooms were decent, but there was no discernable taste of truffle, rather they were actually very spicy. Covering the steak with them made the steak a better dish though. Then the crab cakes arrived - they were good, even though the aioli really looked like yellow mustard, and the apple relish went well with them. Finally, dessert arrived and the bread pudding was great - served warm with ice cream and caramel sauce. Drinks: My wife had the Sangria which she liked and I had a Celebrity Meltdown cocktail which was ok, even though the orange was a bit overpowering. Recommendations: Don't order an appetizer before hand, as there is plenty of food without it. All in all it was a decent meal. The outdoor seating is nice and allows you to enjoy the weather.

I live across the street for 11 years and have watched tens of restaurants move in and out and the hood get trendier and trendier. This place is right next to Girl and the Goat and that is where most people head. I have eaten here about 5 times and have never had a bad anything. The food is really good but it is not trendy, so people don't really know as much about it. I am surprised it staya in business, but the foos is really goos and there seems to ALWAYS be a table in a neighborhood where people are okay waiting 30-90 minutes.

Went there for restaurant week and was very impressed. I'm actually disappointed I haven't gone there sooner especially since I live down the block from there. The small plates were nice portions and the ceviche and hummus were stand-outs for the 8 course meal. You can taste how fresh everything was. I was very happy with the sangria as well. The hostess and waitstaff were very friendly and helpful when it came to the suggestions. This is a great date spot or place to go with a group of friends!

After church today my wife and I and another couple went to lunch in the west loop. It was the first visit to Nia for any of us. We agreed to a six course prix fixe menu where we all must agree on each course. That process was great fun and was conducted with some debate and a lot of laughter. The greatest enjoyment came when each course arrived and was absolutely delicious. we all heartily recommend the restaurant and the prix fixe menu approach. Great fun and grat food!

Nia is one of the best restaurant I've visited in a long time. The food, and the services were excellent. I feel very confident to refer anyone to try it. I just can't stop going there, it is that good.

I went to Nia because of the good reviews and because it was close to the hotel I was staying, and chose the lamb meatballs with feta cheese and the wild mushrooms in truffle sauce. The meatballs are great, but the mushrooms were simply unbelievable! I never had mushrooms that tasted so good! Definitely recommended!

I've been here before on a date with my BF, and the atmosphere was lovely and the food great. We decided to come back with a larger group of friends - 8 in total - and I was surprised that we were forced to use the $33/pp prix fix menu because of the size of our group. This was disappointing because two of our friends were coming from an event where they'd already eaten a bit and were hoping to order only dessert and we were told everyone could either order the prix fixe menu and pay $33 or order nothing at all. We also had to all choose the same selections for each of the 8 courses, which was a struggle with 8 differing opinions. All in all it worked out, the food was good, and everyone had a good evening, I was just put off by the strictness with the menu. It put a damper on the mood at the beginning and it would have been nice to have more flexibility. Keep that in mind if coming here - I'd recommend Nia for dates or smaller group setting, but with a large group the forced menu was more of a struggle than a relief.

Very quiet on a Sunday night, which is nice. Our waitress/hostess convinced us to try the multi course meal, which we decided to try. You have a least two options for each course to choose from. It was fun trying and tasting the different dishes. And in the long run the cost was more affordable. Everything was fresh and tasty.

Five of us gathered for dinner at Nia's in the West Loop of Chicago. None of us had been there before. The staff was very courteous and attentive. We opted for the 'prix-fixe' and let the vegetarian in the party chose most of the items. We did get the fish and we didn't regret it. The food was great and we topped it all off with the bread pudding, my personal weakness. Suffice it to say that we ate everything and plan to come back, again and again and again.

As the name implies, this is a Tapas restaurant. It is easy to forget when ordering. Our party of three ordered a variety of items, most of which were vegetarian. Everything was very good. We had reservations and the wait was less than 10 minutes.

We loved out tapas experience at Nia. Everything we tried was delicious. The place is cute and the service is good.

We went as a group of five, adults and adult children. The decision was made to order tapas and share them, so each of us chose an item and ordered. We had a nice bottle of red wine and shortly the tapas started populating the table top. We had spinach rolls, eggplant rolls, mushrooms with truffle oil, mushrooms with risotto, deep fried cubes of potatoes with a spicy red sauce and grated cheese, gnocchi, and saganaki, all served with a few slices of bread, no butter offered. It did not seem like it would be enough for all of us, but we were soon full and trying to pass off what little was left between us.

We stumbled upon Nia and we are so glad we did. From the food to the service, it was amazing.

This place has a lot of negative feedback on service if you want to check another review site and I will add to that. I made a reservation over the phone and spoke to the manager (KC, AC or whatever her name is). Her tone was unfriendly and curt but i didnt care for that. I made a very early reservation for 6 pm because I had a friend driving FROM ALL THE WAY TO THE BURBS. The next day I got a text message confirming my reservation for 730. Whoa, what? I called them immediately and I spoke with the infamous manager again. I told her I made the reservation 3 days ago and she gave me the most condescending tone. NO YOU MADE IT YESTERDAY AND I TOOK IT! Ok so I made a mistake on when I made it but you made a stupid mistake overbooking and then just taking the liberty to change it. At some point, she admitted she did not have the books in front of her when she made the reservation. She told me to just come in and WAIT or just come in at 730. This woman is very abrasive and has no customer service skills. I would ask the owner to rethink about who they want to represent their brand. There are some places that I get food with no expectations on service. If Nia wants to be that then go drop your prices and change your business model. If you want to be a restaurant of a certain category which most of the restaurants along Randolph St have then get your service level up to par and hire people who understand and know what quality customer service is. If I want that kind of service then I would go to Ed Debevicks or some dump establishment. I will not recommend this place nor will I be trying it out

Nia is a hidden gem!! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! Well, it's not really hidden but it doesn't seem super popular. I went here with two friends and everything about the meal was amazing. We had the 8-course prix-fixe for $33 pp. This price was really reasonable and worked out to be less than what would have paid for the courses separately. In addition, every dish we wanted on the a la carte menu was also on the prix-fixe menu. The service was fantastic - attentive and well-paced. Every single dish (8!) was excellent, including the bread pudding dessert. I will definitely be back multiple times. Dishes: Nia salad Spinach rolls (YUM!) Grilled calamari Lamb & feta meatballs Bacon wrapped dates Saganaki Gnocchi

I have nothing but kudos for this restaurant. There were 6 of us plus a little baby. We were made quite comfortable from the very beginning. They have wonderful space downstairs for larger groups. The food: Amazing. An 8 course family style menu. The only thing I could not eat were the meatballs (food restrictions), but everyone loved them. The scallops were the best I have ever had. The hummus, delicious. The tiramisu unforgettable. The service: Wonderful. The ladies were great.

old world style done in a loving manner, old fashioned in the t you feel like you're in a relative's house. Lot's to choose from

My date picked this place since it was close to our hotel. It was surprisingly empty for a Saturday as there was only one other couple in the restaurant. We went around 5:45 pm. We ordered 3 tapas which were the meatballs, gnocchi and a meat/cheese plate. The food was great and I recommend the lamb and feta meatballs as they were the best. The restaurant is small so if it would have been packed, I believe it would have been loud and not romantic so I am glad we went at that time. Will definitely go back again.

I picked this restaurant because they had an early dinner discount - 8 courses for $28. The food was INCREDIBLE! I would have paid at least double- it was that good. From the first bite to the last everything was perfect. The service was incredible. We are seriously considering eating here every night that we are in Chicago.

Come with an appetite! Really awesome place to take a large group. The atmosphere is very low key and relaxing. Each plate was delicious and flavorful. I would definitely recommend the hummus and the bacon wrapped dates and the bread pudding. It's in a fun location nearby many other trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Would totally return!

On the spur of the moment, my wife and I got tickets for the opera on a Friday night. Sprinting out of work in the burbs, we headed down toward Randolph St. to find somewhere that looked tasty and didn't have an hour wait for a table. We were very pleasantly surprised by Nia. At 6:15, we got a table right away. The wine and beer lists were reasonable and well-apportioned. We had a well-rounded assortment of plates. The pumpkin gnocchi was delicious as well as the pork tenderloin with eggplant caponata. The service was outstanding-present without being imposing, helpful without being overbearing.

So we decided to try this restaurant based on reviews I read on trip advisor and Yelp. I would rate the staff a 4.5 but the food was more a 3.5. We got the eight course shared menu...favorites were the hummus which definitely tasted homemade and the gnocchi which was amazing aside from way too much sage. The caramel sauce on the bread pudding was also outstanding but I thought the bread pudding was a little too dense. I didn't care for the Sangria but given I make my own, this was okay. Other dishes were good...just not anything I'd come back for given all the alternatives within a couple blocks. The space is cute and well decorated though.

The menu gives a good choices of the different countries of the Mediterranean. They offer an a la carte and tapas which are both reasonably priced. A good selection of wine is also available.

My wife and I enjoyed the 10 course prefix meal. Our server helped us with the choices as we had not dined there before. After 5 plates we easily could have moved on to desert. Sadly we were not smart enough to stop at five. We cannot wait to return and try the regular small plate menu.

Went there on a Saturday evening for dinner. Would recommend the 8 course menu which has to be served for the whole table. Great because there are choices for each of the 8 courses. Small room compared to other restaurant in the same area which makes is less noisy than others , which is great.

Had six people and splurged for the multi-course group family style dinner. The hummus was not up to par, hard to imagine at a place like this. Only dish that was better than acceptable was a cauliflower in a light cheese sauce, but came after the dinner was over because the waiter forgot during the meal - (at least he reduced the bill to reflect that). Pita was good though. Skip it for sure.

"Tapas" is in quotes because a number of dishes could be deemed entrees and, given the difficulty of splitting some of them up, ordering as if this weren't a shared plates restaurant might make sense (I continue to suspect that the shared plates concept is just an excuse for not wanting to have to stage the food to arrive at the right times). Somewhat pricey wine list, decent service. Excellent ceviche.

We had a good time,and good service..👍the best dish garlic shrimp. I love it....and the ceviche lovely. ...

My family and I went to this small restaurant for lunch. Located at a convenient street corner on Randolph, Nia makes no claims on ambiance or fancy decor. It is a comfortable place to have a relaxed meal with family or friends. We ordered 13 different items on the menu, none of which disappointed. We were seated close to the kitchen and I don't mean that as a negative. We enjoyed listening to them prepare our food and then tasting the results of their work. While I truly found each dish tasty, I was partial to the lamb meatballs. We all agreed that their gnocchi is among the best we've had - and we've had a lot. The place is not inexpensive but certainly not out of line for dining in Chicago and you do get value in return. The service is good, friendly and efficient. I would expect that getting seated for dinner could be a challenge given the small area of the restaurant but for lunch, we did not have any problems. I would definitely recommend the place.

The food here is very good. Traditional flavors, mostly Greek/mediterranean. Sold wine list. I enjoyed all of the dishes we ordered. They offer a tapas package - 8 tapas to be shared between 2 for $33 per person, $28 if dining before 6 pm.

Nia is next door to Girl and the Goat and much easier to find a table. Very good value. Nice wine selection. Efficient service, not rushed and very friendly. God choice if you want a small meal or a larger one. Easy to mix and match the plates between vegetarian, seafood or meat.

We visited this restaurant during Chicago's restaurant week for lunch on a Saturday. The food was delicious, reasonable compared to buying it a la carte on a normal day and the service was excellent and fast, without feeling rushed. Six course tapas with dessert was $22/person and we left full.

Not a nice pace. The food is not tasty and the portions are "micro". Too expensive for what you get. The service is good.

A nice spot in the Fulton Market district. Had the chef’s menu. Very tasty offerings. Service was great! The Nia salad is the BEST! Give this place a try.

Reservations for 8pm on a Sat night in August for two people. The owner was working at the bar and greeted us. We were seated inside, was relatively quiet and empty inside - they did have several tables seated on the outside patio, which was full. Our server came over quickly to take our drink orders. Manhattan good, Skinny Dipper (gin cocktail), not so much. Ordered the meat/cheese board as an app. If you look at pictures previously posted on Yelp, it looked nothing like that. Did have three large slices of manchego, but the dried beef was three measly tiny pieces. Board included honey, which did not go well with the tasting profile on the board. Unimpressed by the 5 plain raw almonds. It was just underwhelming. We wanted to order octopus, they were out of it. No problem. We went with the croquettes and the Nia salad. Regarding the croquettes, again, if you look at the pictures previously posted on Yelp, these no longer look the same. Two giant fried balls of mostly potato. We cut them in half and they were ice cold on the inside... *cringe*, we politely told the server. His response was along the lines of "Not again...". He took them back and asked us to choose something else. We decided on the meatballs. Meanwhile, ate the salad, it was good! The avocado felt somewhat out of place, but overall delicious. Meatballs arrived. A few small balls in a light smear of sauce and some crostini. Meatballs were dry and very under-seasoned. The sauce was actually very good, just wish there had been more of it. Again, if you look at the Yelp photos from the past, the meatballs look nothing like they did in the past. We received our check for 96 dollars (the croquettes still on the check), and asked to speak to the manager. She was working the bar a few feet from us and doing other various things. She came to speak to us about 15 min later. Was immediately defensive and impersonal. I explained the issue with the croquettes to which she responded "Yes, they must have not deep fried them long enough". No apology. I brought up the meatballs and how they were not living up to their price tag to which she responded "Taste is subjective". She also mentioned how busy they were, gesturing to the outside patio. I told her this was not a $75 dollar dining experience, let alone a $100 dollar dining experience and that something would need to be done about it. She never once apologized for our experience, was simply cold, unapologetic and did not want to speak to us. She said she would fix our bill and walked away and never returned, sent her staff to bring us the amended check, which we did appreciate considering we were paying for such poor quality dining. She marked down the bill to about $45 total. I have friends in the Chicago industry, one of whom had actually reached out to this owner earlier in the day, as she knew I had made a reservation, offering to buy us our first round of drinks, or for the meal, and the owner had responded telling them that would be impossible. We found this out after the fact, and our friend was apologetic, saying that perhaps she should have warned us, now that she has taken a look at the reviews. She had only heard good things in the past and had originally recommended Nia to us. Overall, this was super disappointing. We are not naïve to Chicago, having dined in the West Loop before. We were in town for a date night, and decided to forego better known restaurants of bigger names to support a small business. I understand that the Covid-19 pandemic made things difficult for the dining and entertainment industry. But the unapologetic lack of quality and service by the manager was pretty appalling, At 10pm, after we had left the restaurant, I received an email saying that the restaurant cancelled our reservation. I can only assume the possible reason for this is so we can't leave a review for them on Open Table...? To our server, I hope you are able to find a better job, we wish you the best. Antonia, kindness and compassion goes a long way. The fact that you were dismissive and took forever to approach our table and then didn't really have any sort of apology was just shocking as a business owner. We were not rude to you, just honest. I'm sorry I insulted your meatballs, and maybe yes, taste IS subjective, but I think overall you need to do a massive overhaul if you want your restaurant to survive...Best wishes.

We stopped here for dinner after arriving in Chicago for work. I had the beet salad and some garlic shrimp. Both were very tasty. My dinner companion felt the portions were too small, but it is tapas, and I think he was looking for a regular size portion. I thought it was just right.

We took some time off to explore our city and restaurants. We ate out twice per day for four straight days ….hard work. Below we review and compare the three most significant restaurants we went to October 17-20, 2015. Nia Mediterranean Tapas (October 17 and October 19) We attempted to “drop in” on The Girl and The Goat to see if we could wait or grab some places at the bar. 2 hour wait. Bar was at least 2 persons deep everywhere. Yikes! Better luck next time. I used my handy TripAdvisor app on my phone and found the nearest restaurant ranked in the top 10% in Chicago, hoping it would be walking distance. Viola! It was Nia Mediterranean Tapas, ranked 519 out of 8600+, right next door. We walked in and there was no wait. We ordered craft cocktails and they were delicious. We opted for the tasting menu. There were many outstanding items. Best on our list are the gnocchi with hazelnuts and sage brown butter and the lamb and feta meatballs…...amazing! The food at Nia was so good and the service so friendly that two days later, after attempting to “drop in” on The Girl and the Goat again, we went to Nia a second time. Worth it. Go to Nia and have an experience. The Purple Pig (October 20) We put a lot of value into the TripAdvisor ranking system because, especially in big cities, a restaurant doesn’t get a high ranking by accident. So, The Purple Pig being ranked 23 out of 8,600+ restaurants in Chicago, means something. This place doesn’t take reservations so we executed a plan. We showed up on a Tuesday morning, outside of the tourist season, and waited at their front gates until they opened at 11:30 am. We were fifth in line. We, of course, took a seat at the bar. Let me digress about why sit at the bar: No waiting on drinks….”hey bartender.” Watch the efficiency of the bartender and interplay with wait staff….you can learn a lot about a restaurant by sitting close to this mix. You never have to wait for waiter or waitress to come by for water, food, beverage refills or add-on because good bartenders notice this instantly and you are sitting right in front of them. When it is time to get the bill….no waiting…”hey bartender.” We chose the right place to sit. The bar staff was excellent. The Purple Pig is the first restaurant we have ever been to that makes a Sangria in front of you from scratch (and doesn’t have it premade). Benefit of this is that you can be sure, at The Purple Pig, that your Sangria is 95% red wine and not mostly made of sprite or simple syrup. We started with an appetizer cannelloni filled with ricotta and pistachios. Very good. We then went on to the Cornbread with Feta cheese and honey…..hallelujah (do you hear the angels singing….I did)! We then shared the best meat item I have ever had at any restaurant…….EVER…...drum roll……..the Turkey Leg with lentils, nappa cabbage and agrodolce…...stupendous!!!!!!!!!!! A few weeks ago I wrote a review about Zahav in Philadelphia being the best culinary experience we have ever had. Zahav nearly ruined us because every dining experience for the next few weeks tasted bland (we eat out three times per week). We got so desperate that we started eating at our local Indian restaurant and just ordering the spiciest thing on the menu to give our taste buds some joy….some feeling. Even eating out twice a day for four days straight during these few days in Chicago, we compared everything to Zahav. The Purple Pig was not a better culinary experience than Zahav….but close. The turkey leg at The Purple Pig is the best meat dish I have experienced anywhere…...Thanksgiving is ruined. Thank you Jimmy Bannos, Jr. Thank you Purple Pig crew (tears in my eyes). Mexique (October 20) Mexique is ranked #8 of all 8600+ places to eat in Chicago. Based on my criteria, this place deserved to be checked out. Before I get into specifics I must say that Mexique was set up for failure by us due to: We didn’t read much about it prior to going and thought it was Mexican cuisine. Thinking it was Mexican cuisine set us up to think that there may be a craft margarita somewhere in the mix (again ranked #8 so it should have the best in the city….right?) We went to The Purple Pig earlier in the day (for lunch) and had one of our favorite experiences ever. It is very hard to top, or even equal, “best ever.” On to Mexique. We arrived via Uber and were taken aback by how far off the beaten track Mexique is. We had an 8pm reservation but had discussed not taking a table but instead going to the bar (because there is nearly always better service at the bar). The first thing we noticed is that the bar only had wine. We took a table instead. We then found out no cocktails (only wine or beer)….but no problem because their specialty is Sangria…..and Sangria is my personal favorite.. The sangria was good, probably not as good as my made-from-scratch sangria earlier in the day. But good. Definitely 90th percentile. Next up, the menu had no traditional Mexican dishes. We had our hearts set on chips and Salsa! We readjusted. Again, no problem. French cuisine with Mexican inspired flavors. We had the Duck and the Lamp Chops….both excellent. We ended with Chocolate Lava cake dessert….not great. All in all, our experience at Mexique was not what we expected but very good. It deserves a high rating I just don’t know that it should be the 99th percentile of all Chicago restaurants. We have had many equal and some better. I will admit that our experience was jaded by The Purple Pig, done on the same day. But we also enjoyed Nia Mediterranean Tapas more than Mexique. Summary: Go to The Purple Pig. My new Chicagoland favorite. We still haven’t gotten into The Girl and The Goat yet (and many other highly regarded places), so that could change. Nia was Great!! Mexique was good.

I went here last for my 20th anniversary with my husband, and it really couldn't have been better. I've been a couple times now and it always gets better. I don't usually write online reviews, but decided this place was worth starting the habit. The tapas are a great value, with some real knockouts on the menu. My favorite was the cold shrimp and avocado salad, the pumpkin gnocchi, and spinach-wrapped balls of phyllo dough. We had the bread pudding for dessert and it was the best I've had in the city! The service has been spot on every time I've gone. Awesome cocktail and wine list, and peaceful relaxing ambiance...what more can I say? I would highly recommend this place to anyone on a romantic outing or otherwise and I will definitely be back soon! Thank you Nia!

It was a dark and chilly Friday night in Chicago as we left our business meeting just north of the Magnificent Mile. We were told to head down Randolph Street to around the 800 block for an array of restaurants and food fares. Absolutely true! Our great find (amid lots of noisy, crowded places) was a small, reasonably priced place with wonderful food, a lovely ambiance, a great wait staff, and where you could actually hear your friends and acquaintances talk (there is a lot to be said for that). There were six of us, and we chose the prix fixe 8-course tapas. Something for everyone (and we could actually agree on our 8 courses: two gorgeous fresh salads, bacon-wrapped dates, chicken croquettes, creviche (seafood),potatoes (with tomato glaze), lamb meatballs, and crème brulee. What a feast! There are dozens more choices; these were just our eight. It is small and intimate, and the food could not be better.

Last night was the first time that I had visited Nia since 2019. In the past, I always liked the small plates there. They had a great variety and outside of tapas restaurants it was a pretty novel concept. They however have changed the menu and now it is a more typical appetizer and main course menu. That’s all ok with me as long as the food is good. But it wasn’t. There were 6 people at the table and so we ordered a lot of different dishes and shared them. The best was the potatas bravas. The outside was crispy and the inside soft. It had a good sauce too. The rest was anywhere from ok to bad. The steak and lamb chop dishes had little taste and were way overdone. The branzino was bland. The salads were ok. I always really liked Nia in the past. Too many other much better options for me to go back.

Nia offers a 6 course prix fixe menu for lunch, which my colleague and I tried today. The Nia salad is fabulous: delicious dates, avocados, and nuts with mixed greens. A nice start to a multifaceted lunch. The eggplant was fine but I might try the potatoes with aioli for my second course next time. The gnocchi was transcendent with butter sauce and hazelnuts as was the ceviche (with mixed seafood). I might have actually grunted with satisfaction at this point. The lamb and feta meatballs came out hot and just right. They foreground a nice tomato basil flavor front and center. The service was timely, attentive, and friendly. My colleague and I enjoyed taking with our server about various world travels we've all conducted. She is from Ireland. We finished the meal with the bread pudding. Also delicious. At the end of this (family style) meal, I'm pleasantly full and ready for my afternoon. Thank you, Nia!

We stumbled upon Nia Mediterranean on a recent visit to Chicago. What a treat! Beautiful décor and an intimate dining room, coupled with a very friendly and inviting staff started our visit off great. We had the Prix Fixe Dinner Special, that until 6:00 is only $28 per person, and we received 8 delicious courses of hot and cold tapas. A foodie-heaven of scrumptious flavors, there were lots of dishes to choose from, including vegetarian options! The wine list was impressive, and the craft cocktails were imaginative and refreshing. We, of course, had to try “The Best Sangria in Chicago” and were not disappointed. I think it’s definitely the best sangria I have ever had, in my life!! Lots of delicious food, nice relaxed atmosphere, no-pretentiousness here! We will definitely be back!

We were looking for something delicious, affordable, and family friendly (we have a lot of kids in our family) in the West Loop for our rehearsal dinner, and Nia fit the bill perfectly. Nia responded to our inquiry almost immediately and was thoroughly communicative during our planning process. We loved the private space in the basement - it comfortably held our 45-person party. We showed up almost 20 minutes early because our rehearsal at our nearby venue ended early, and they were very accommodating. The food itself was absolutely delicious and it was great that we could pick from SO many different options to create our 8-course tasting menu. Everyone raved about the food afterwards. Thanks Nia!

Menu includes a variety of Mediterranean inspired dishes. Plenty of vegetarian, fish and meat options. Specialized in small plates, but their portions are not small. Our party of 11 ordered the Prix Fixe and every dish was perfectly prepared.

Had the 5-course prix fixe lunchNia salad: fantastic - Dates, avocados, wonderfully creamy and mild goat cheese. Eggplant Involtini (with ricotta): earthy, tasty - good texture. Ceviche good and fresh but I thought it could have had a bit more flavor (in the preparation of the seafood) - but hey, it's Chicago. Lamb and feta meatballs - not only great tasting, but BIG and liberally heaped with melted cheese. Chloe was a great server - attentive and friendly, and allowed me to substitute an item, no problem. Thinking of heading back here with my wife for the $33/person 8-course prix fixe dinner. This one's a keeper.

There were seven of us so we got a long table and shared many things. Someone announced a shellfish allergy so at the other end of the table we got the great seafood. The staff was attentive and prompt in removing dishes. The gnocchi was outstanding. The meat sauces were differently seasoned for the different dishes with just a hint of good Spanish spices. The sangria was a tad bland, but the wine we bought and shared was outstanding. Definately heading back.

Went here for restaurant week, such a great menu for only 45$! A whole whopping 8 course meal… YUM! Tops off to the chef 💕💕💕

Food was delicious, from the appetizer to the main meal and of course dessert. Also, customer service was very polite and professional 😋👌

A pre- theatre dinner was made most enjoyable by good, reasonably priced wine, a good pre-fixe menu, and a well paced meal.

Honestly, the food was hit or miss. The eggplant involtini and the patatas bravas were good. We ordered a bunch of different seafood dishes and all of them were just okay. From the meat dishes, some weren't bad. However, the grilled strip steak was like shoe leather.

It's a small restaurant that doesn't seem too busy most days but if you are looking for a nice meal with friends in downtown/West Loop area, this is a great place! For an 8 course tapas style meal, it'll cost you about $35/person but it's a fun environment with good flavors. Loved the lamb meatball! Would highly recommend that. The bacon wrapped dates were also amazing! I didn't love the gnocchi but others in my party thought it was amazing. The bread pudding is delicious too and a great way to end the meal. I came as part of a party of 12 and it was a blast. They portion things according to the number of people in your party. It's underestimated because it's not well known but it's a restaurant to not overlook!

The food is awesome. My friend and I split the 8 course meal, and it was plenty for the both of us with leftovers.

Came with a large group. Great service. Generous family style portions. Bacon wrapped dates, gnocchi, salmon, and bread pudding were great!

Some of the nicest staff I have ever met. We had a party with 2 toddlers who behaved like typical toddlers and the staff and waiters/waitresses could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The hostess even went as far as creating a kids water cup out of a soup bowl and putting a smiley face on it. That type of attention to detail and service is some of the best I have ever seen. Hats off to Nia and their staff. Oh, and the food was phenomenal as well :)

It was fun sitting at the bar, chatting with the bartender. She made very good drink recommendations as well as food. We shared only two items, but what we had was good (ceviche, beef brochette).

My wife and I threw ourselves a joint 65th birthday party at Nia's. The downstairs party room was perfect, and Nia's tasting menu provided a variety of tastes and textures for enough (but not too much) food. The wine and beer (we chose not to have an open bar) were nicely priced and great complements to the meal. We had a three-man band that set up and entertained while we ate and mingled. The food was incredible, Nia's staff was friendly and helpful and on top of their games, and Nia was there to oversee the event. She was fully accessible before the party and patient in going over all details with us. Food, space, attentiveness, selection, friendliness, efficiency, warmth. All present in great quantity. When we celebrate our combined 75th, we likely will go back.

Maybe it was the dishes we ordered but this small plate restaurant served dull, unimaginative food. Not fresh tasting at all. The service was OK but I go to restaurants to dine well and this place just doesn't cut it. Will not be back.

Even though we were late for our reservation, the hostess was very pleasant and seated the four of us at a table. Luckily they weren't very busy. We made an initial order of the meats and cheese platter (somewhat expensive at $25), the beet salad, saganaki, the eggplant involtini and the spinach cigars followed by the chicken croquettes, the goat cheese (more sauce than cheese) and the lamb and feta meatballs. All the dishes were enjoyable and pretty tasty. The large portion of bread pudding, although a little sweet, was the best dessert we had - the baklava was served as "cigars" with too much pastry and not enough filling. The creme brulee/chocolate mousse combo was so-so. The service was very good with empty dishes cleared away quickly.

The Chef’s Tasting was a unique experience. The staff was amazing! The view was beautiful. Overall a wonderful way to spend your birthday.