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

4053 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

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 121 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

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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 4,053 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

4,053 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined today
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 1 day ago
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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
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 2 days ago
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 3 days ago
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 4 days ago
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 5 days ago
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
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
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 7 days ago
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 7 days ago
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 7 days ago
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
9 reviews
5.0
9 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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VV
VastiVE
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect service, great food Great ambience Fast answer in the phone
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AE
AnnaE
New York Area
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The ambiance was awesome! Our waitress was awesome (I don’t remember her name sadly) and super nice. The food was great and we loved everything we got. The appetizer dip sampler was a hit as well as the Mediterranean chopped salad.
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EH
ElizabethH
Alabama
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The delightful staff and delicious food is beautifully presented . A lovely restaurant!
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S
Susan
Chicago
184 reviews
vip
5.0
184 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful, interesting thoughtful menu Delicious food excellent service lovely, outside seating
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WC
WindyCityLo
Chicago
192 reviews
vip
5.0
192 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A perfect Chicago evening - dining al fresco, even if "in the street" - made for a fabulous b'day celebration for a friend and 2 others - all from out of town. I was delighted to introduce them to Ema and such magnificent food. We enjoyed a round of drinks while studying the menu and let the b'day girl make all the food choices. She chose well and our fabulous server, Jose, confirmed it, too. While street noise was over-the-top on a couple of occasions (outside anyone's control), we had easy conversation while enjoying food and more drinks. Jose then offered the b'day girl her choice of desserts - again, she chose wisely - a date cake and a honey pie ... YUM! our food? we LOVED a charred eggplant spread and a labnah - both came with an abundance of warm pita triangles. we had a greek salad, chicken kefta, crispy potatoes, a corn/farro side and - wow - all were terrific and easily served four of us. of the "2-3 items per person" suggestion, we ordered UNDER that and were full and satisfied, evening leaving a bit to return to the kitchen. overall - a terrific time! we'll be back. OPAA!!
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SD
SabraD
Detroit
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience3
The food here is excellent when they have it. Unfortunately they were out of a number of items that we wanted to order. Even their frozen yoghurt machine wasn't working so no greek yoghurt for dessert. The waiter came back to our table about 10 times because he either had messages from the kitchen or he forgot what we ordered. All in all it was a fairly good experience but frankly I like Aba better.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall2food5service1ambience4
The food and ambiance at Emma was great! Everything tasted delicious. Unfortunately, the service was poor. I dined with a party of 5 and our server and the bussers were not attentive. There were long waits between seeing our server, which compounded the issue that our order was missing items. By the time a member of our party received their missing entree, everyone else had finished theirs. Our table was not cleared of excess or used dishes/glasses until the end of our meal, leaving the table very crowded at a restaurant in which it is suggested that each individual order 2-3 plates, because it is a small plate format. Overall, the service was disappointing and I would not choose to return or recommend to others.
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KM
KimM
London
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredible atmosphere, service and such interesting delicious food!
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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 4053 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

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 121 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

50 Chicago Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

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 4,053 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