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Frozen Greek Yogurt
Honey Pie
Sticky Date Cake
LEMON POPPYSEED CAKE
About
Ema Chicago
Welcome to Ema Chicago, a vibrant Mediterranean gem tucked away at 74 W Illinois St in the heart of Chicago. This culinary destination invites you to experience a refreshing twist on Mediterranean dining, wrapping you in an atmosphere of natural light and lush greenery.
Ema’s menu shines with an array of thoughtfully crafted small plates, perfect for sharing and designed to delight both vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Reviews from patrons consistently highlight the standout dishes, such as the labneh with spices, the hot honey halloumi layered with crispy goodness, and the deceptively simple yet exquisite falafel sandwich paired seamlessly with tzatziki.
Among the favorites, the lamb kefta has emerged as a must-try, bursting with flavors that encapsulate the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Diners have been enamored by the tender meat and fluffy rice accompanying this standout dish. Complementing the savory selections, the crispy potatoes and Brussels sprouts have also captured hearts with their well-executed preparations.
Ema doesn't just stop at savory; the dessert offerings are equally enticing. Options like the Double Chocolate Crisp and the Sticky Date Cake promise a sweet ending to your meal, with flavors designed to tantalize your taste buds. Priced wisely, these desserts encourage you to indulge in a little sweetness at the end of your visit, ensuring your experience is memorable.
The ambiance of Ema adds to the allure. Natural lighting floods the space, creating a warm and welcoming environment ideal for a casual lunch or a lively dinner with friends. Despite the bustling vibe, diners often remark about the attentive service that enhances every visit.
In summary, Ema Chicago impresses with its modern take on Mediterranean flavors and inviting atmosphere. Whether you're sharing plates with friends or enjoying a romantic evening, each visit offers a fresh culinary adventure that keeps patrons coming back for more. Don't miss the opportunity to savor the delightful dishes and memorable experiences that Ema Chicago has to offer!
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“ Had a great lunch with colleagues while visiting Chicago. We split a bunch of appetizers - the labneh, hamachi, and hot honey halloumi in particular were fantastic. My falafel sandwich was delicious - so flavorful, and the addition of the tzatziki was perfection. Great dining experience! ”
“ Very lovely experience with Ema and the tapas style Mediterranean dining offerings. Thoroughly enjoyed two types of hummus, the brussel sprouts and two meat selections. Highly recommend 2 or 3 orders per person, but everything was shared across our table. Would enjoy visiting again in the future. ”
“ Ema was one of our Want to Go restaurants after being recommended it and we finally got the chance to go! First the restaurant vibe is wonderful. Big windows giving lots of natural lighting plus all the greenery providing a fresh feel. Our waitress was wonderful. She explained the menu being small plates and even gave recommendations! She kept our waters filled as well. Really made us feel at home. Food overall was delicious! We got three plates: crispy potatoes, lamb shakshuka and lamb and beef kefta. All of them were so good but if I had to pick one, the kefta was the best. Super juicy and flavorful and the rice was fluffy! I highly recommend that the most. We plan on coming back because there are many other dishes we want to try! ”
“ We loved this place! Refreshing , clean, modern vibe. The hummus was the best we have ever had and we can’t wait to try the o the variations! We also had the Brussels and they were excellent & a very large portion! Chicken kabob was cooked well. Everything we saw come out of the kitchen looked great. Nice staff, a little loud inside & tables are all pretty close to each other but aside from that it’s a great place to dine. ”
“ Every. Plate. Was. Delicious. Great for vegetarians and meat eaters. Great wine selection. Great ambience. And don’t leave without at least trying one desert. Will be back. Very soon. ”
“ Loved the ambiance at ema! The decor, service and food are top notch. We had the chicken breast kabob and the shrimp kabob and shared a Greek salad for the table. Everything was cooked to perfection! I highly recommend a visit if you have not been! ”
“ I absolutely love this place. The food is exceptional and delicious to say the least. I love Mediterranean food and this is the place to get it! The service is amazing and Jocelyn is outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about dining here so you’ll just have to see for yourself. ”
“ Very good place for Mediterranean food in the city. They are the sister restaurant of Aba. We strongly recommend the Moroccan onion dip, spicy hummus and english pea forroto. We usually get the warm sticky date cake but this time we tried something new the vanilla bean panna cotta! The panna cotta is amazing and full of lemon zest flavor. The texture tastes more soft and ice cream than the traditional panna cotta Our go to cocktails here is Do Not Disturb ”