Ema

Name: Ema
Address: 74 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL, United States, 60654
Telephone: (312) 527-5586
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

4061 Reviews

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Top Tags:

A Mediterranean & California-inspired restaurant featuring small plates & Chef CJ Jacobson's lighter style cooking in Chicago's River North.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 146 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Californian
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 527-5586
Website
http://www.emachicago.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
CJ Jacobson
Catering
Enjoy Ema Catering for your next event at home, in the office, or for your next celebration! Contact emaparties@leye.com for more information.
Private party facilities
The open and inviting dining room features reclaimed wood, rustic white brick and an indoor ivy terrace with operable windows. The dining room accommodates groups up to 150 guests and may be custom configured for your next family-style dinner, business lunch or cocktail reception event.

Location
74 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Cross street
Clark & Illinois
Parking details
Valet parking is located just east of Ema on Illinois Street at the Hyatt Place/Fairfield Inn valet. It costs $21 for 3 hours with validation, and increases to $45 after 3 hours.
Public transit
Red Line Stop at Grand / Blue Line Stop at Clark
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Gift card

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Popular dishes

Frozen Greek Yogurt
- Olive Oil, Sea Salt$7.95
- lemon honey, candied lavender$10.95
Honey Pie$9.95
marinated peaches, whipped cream, toasted sesame
Sticky Date Cake$9.95
medjool dates, sumac, whiskey caramel, whipped cream
Double Chocolate CRISP$10.95
dark chocolate crisp, milk chocolate mousse, sesame, tahini caramel, whipped cream, sea salt
Milk & Cookies$10.95
frozen greek yogurt, whiskey caramel, chocolate chip halva cookies, black sesame

Surcharge

As a way to offset rising costs associated with the restaurant (food, beverage, labor, benefits, supplies), we have added a 3% surcharge to all checks. We do this in lieu of increased menu prices. You may request to have this taken off your check, should you choose.

What 4,061 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.4Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Chicago / Illinois
Mediterranean
Chicago
Mediterranean

4,061 Reviews

LS
LizS
Chicago
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall4food4service3ambience5
Very cute place, love all of the outdoor seating as well. Unfortunately service was very slow, my guess is they were short staffed. You could definitely tell our waiter was rushed with a very short attention span. Like he had too much on his mind to do elsewhere in the restaurant. It was good overall, but not the usual LEYE experience.
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P
Peter
Chicago
54 reviews
vip
5.0
54 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
First time at Rma. Both food and service are great!
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P
Penny
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
This was the most delicious restaurant meal that I’ve ever had! I know this is a strong statement, but I can’t think of another better. I enjoyed the slower pace of getting one shared plate at a time. We ended up dated, but not stuffed.
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RQ
RyannQ
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and service. Would absolutely go back.
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LD
LynnieD
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
A fresh, lovely atmosphere serving gorgeous, delicious food! Highly recommend the tuna carpaccio and hummus with lamb ragu!
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DL
DomL
Montreal
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
So fortunate to have found this restaurant while on a short trip in Chicago. I will be back for sure! The food is amazing; the decoration and service was just as well. Make your reservation in advance!
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NM
NoelM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was very tasty and the mix of flavours complimented well with the ambience. Menu selection is good if dining with other people. Lots of choices. Service was excellent. The location of the place is really very strategic close to Magnificent mile, the river, etc... Can't wait to come back and try the brussels sprouts again. Can't wrong with this place if dining with others, or if going there with a date.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great food and atmosphere! Would recommend starting with the hummus and lamb dish for the table and the cauliflower. Chicken kebob was incredible. Best espresso martini I have ever had
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Fort Lauderdale
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food , and even better service! We were certainly impressed with Ema, and we look forward to our next visit. Our server, Zane, was fantastic - so professional, well spoken, and conscientious. Thank you Zane, for a lovely afternoon!!
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A
Asha
Chicago
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
We were at Ema for brunch on a lovely Saturday morning. The service was fine and the company was great, however the food was unfortunately so so. Our table had some good dishes like the shakshuka and the chicken sandwich, but also other dishes that weren't like the halva toast (small, bread was stale and hard to chew on). There are not a lot of options to pick from which is disappointing, especially if you don't want meat for brunch.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall2food1service5ambience3
For the price of the food and drink it was way below expectations. Ordered one of their premium old fashioned which was worse than jack and coke. For the food, presentation was there and it was just that. All the items had no flavor and best item was rice they served.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our experience at Ema was fantastic. The food is up there with the best Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago (Aba, Avec, etc.). The service was fantastic; our server was attentive and helpful. The ambiance was also great. Not too dark, not too loud. Would recommend 10/10
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CS
CharlesS
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience. Delicious food and very good staff. Highly recommend.
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C
Cecilie
Chicago
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall3food1service2ambience4
I’ve been to Ema once before about six weeks ago to celebrate a birthday and had a great experience here. The experience was so memorable that I wanted to return to celebrate another special occasion. Half of what we ordered was the same as the previous visit but this time me and my parents all had upset stomach and digestive issues. I suspect the falafel was the issue because it was too hard on the outside and too wet on the inside, but it could have been anything we ordered. Our waiter during this visit was both friendly and frantic. For the price of this meal, I’d prefer if the experience was a slower pace.
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t
tini
Chicago
45 reviews
vip
5.0
45 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Enter of skewered Cheese and brussel sprouts was lukewarm but the corrected it immediately. The Hummus with Lamb Ragout and the Eggplant apps were amazing. They comp'd our dessert which was also delish, the chocolate dessert. Definitely a "go back" again.
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A
Actuary2468
Chicago
52 reviews
vip
5.0
52 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server was outstanding. The food was fresh tasting and the flavors were excellent.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Nice ambiance. Buzzy crowd. Most of the food was delicious—especially Brussels sprouts, eggplant, greek yogurt w honey. Would not recommend toothpick lamb—looked a little like the tongue of a leather shoe and had a similar texture (i imagine). Turns out to be fairly expensive once you add up all the mezze plates. All in all a nice evening.
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IR
IlirR
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
Food was decent overall, but falafel was too dry (overcooked), and grilled haloumi was almost tasteless (nothing like the real haloumi from Cyprus), and it came with a tomato sauce on it, it should be on the side (at least). Overpriced for the size of the dishes. Server was extremely nice.
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S
Shelly
Chicago
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
My first and WON'T be my last visit. Delicious!!!! Everything was served beautifully and tasted delicious. Really enjoyed ourselves.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing waiter, amazing food, amazing atmosphere.
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BB
BobbyB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Couldn’t highly recommend this place enough. The food was fantastic. The drinks were great. We left in a food coma, it was so good. We went for our anniversary and they gave us a free dessert.
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k
kidsndogs
Washington DC
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
You MUST have the hummus topped with lamb ragu - it was incredible! Every dish we had was excellent, but we ordered too much. I suggest starting with less than you think you will need and then add plates as you go. Our service was excellent - attentive without being overbearing. Highly recommend!
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JS
JoshS
St. Louis
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ema was great! Highly recommend the lamb hummus, it was amazing.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great spot, good prices, good experience, will be going back
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience4
It was fine but Aba was better. The food just never lived up to what we expected
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JE
JEREIDY
Atlanta Metro
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was my first time at Ema but it will definitely not be the last. Everything was PERFECT - the ambience, the food, the service, all fantastic. I also suffer from celiac disease and need special precautions in my food preparation in order to not get sick. Every single person who came to our table new about the gluten issue and confirmed that my food was safe. I cannot even express how much that means to someone who has to be scared and each every time I go out for a meal. THANK YOU for all you do for folks with food allergies.
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DN
DavidN
Chicago
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved how are server was so knowledgeable about the menu and that provided many good suggestions for dinner.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Good food - went for lunch on a weekday. Could’ve gotten a better table, but besides that, good experience overall.
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P
Petunia
Chicago
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Met an old friend who was in from out of town for dinner. We sat outside. Our waitress was very accommodating. She also didn't make us feel rushed through your our entire meal. The food was delicious!
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DB
DianeB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Drinks, food, and service was great. I will definitely go back again.
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DV
DetroitVisitor
Detroit
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
The food was excellent. The Labneh was awesome. Our waiter (Eric G.) was very attentive and great with the recommendations. Will definitely go back.
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LM
LauraM
Minneapolis
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved everything about our experience! Delicious!! ☺️
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta Metro
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our waiter was incredibly helpful and attentive The portion sizes were great for sharing. I highly recommend the hummus with lamb. Everything was delicious.
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d
dessertmavin
New York Area
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Great seafood and dips with delicious pita sprinkled with zatar seasoning. Wonderful service, very attentive.
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JT
JenniferT
Chicago
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall2food2service1ambience2
Dishes ranged from pretty good to subpar. Tuna carpaccio left with silver skin so couldn't even cut it. Service was both absent and absent-minded. Hopefully just an off night for what used to be a standard go-to in the city.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
The chicken kebab was moist and nicely seasoned. The ahi tuna was also delicious! I highly recommend it! ! The cauliflower was tough and hard to cut. I had expected a burst of flavor but It was pretty bland, as was the eggplant dip. Our server was attentive and helpful, but I was disappointed to be seated by the kitchen when there were other tables open near the windows or in the main dining room. Who gets those tables I wonder? I had chosen this restaurant for a special dinner with friends because of the ambiance (which is amazing in the main room-) and we didn’t get to enjoy that, except for when we walked in. I wondered why we were seated in the back nook with no ambiance.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Milwaukee
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were so pleased with the whole experience, but especially the food and drink. We are snobs about old fashioneds and theirs is delicious. The tuna carpaccio was fantastic. It was a perfect anniversary dinner!
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AD
AudreyD
Western NC
101 reviews
vip
4.0
101 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
It may not be very creative, but we ordered the Hummus with Lamb Ragu, the Cauliflower, and the Stacciatella. They are the top seller for a reason. All three exceeded our expectations. We also ordered the Beef and Lamb kabobs and the crispy potatoes. Both of which were delicious.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great atmosphere and food! Perfect for a date. Would def visit again!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved everything about Ema! The food was so delicious.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Ema using the Order Online button. Ema also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 527-5586.

Ema is rated 4.6 stars by 4061 OpenTable diners.

Ema does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 146 times today

Order delivery or takeout

74 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654

Additional information

Cross street
Clark & Illinois
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Californian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Valet parking is located just east of Ema on Illinois Street at the Hyatt Place/Fairfield Inn valet. It costs $21 for 3 hours with validation, and increases to $45 after 3 hours.
Public transit
Red Line Stop at Grand / Blue Line Stop at Clark
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
CJ Jacobson
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.emachicago.com/
Phone number
(312) 527-5586
Catering
Enjoy Ema Catering for your next event at home, in the office, or for your next celebration! Contact emaparties@leye.com for more information.
Private party facilities
The open and inviting dining room features reclaimed wood, rustic white brick and an indoor ivy terrace with operable windows. The dining room accommodates groups up to 150 guests and may be custom configured for your next family-style dinner, business lunch or cocktail reception event.

Featured in

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Ema

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

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The Diner Reviews Are In: 100 Best Restaurants in America

Gift card

Popular dishes

Brussels Sprouts

Charred Eggplant

Grilled Branzino

Menu

Dessert

Frozen Greek Yogurt

Honey Pie$9.95

Sticky Date Cake$9.95

Double Chocolate CRISP$10.95

Milk & Cookies$10.95

Surcharge

What 4,061 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Screening

FAQs

Does Ema offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Ema restaurant rated?

Does Ema offer gift cards?

Is Ema currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

50 Chicago Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

The Diner Reviews Are In: 100 Best Restaurants in America

Gift card