Ema

74 W Illinois St, Chicago
(312) 527-5586

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Pan-Roasted Romanesque Cauliflower
Baked Egg & Lamb Shakshuka
House-Made Stracciatella
Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Grilled Spanish Octopus
Hummus with Lamb Ragu
Hummus w Lamb Ragu
Side Green Falafel
Sticky Date Cake

Menu

Spreads
Hummus
za'atar, vegetable crudité
Spicy Hummus
piquillo, lemon, basil
Charred Eggplant
aleppo, mint, olive oil
Toasted Almond & Garlic
castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs
House-Made Labneh
peach, aleppo, honey, basil
Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu
braised lamb, spicy harissa

Cold Mezze
Chilled Cucumbers
sesame & nigella crunch, garlic, barberry, calamansi vinaigrette
Feta & Olives
marcona almonds, lemon zest, middle east spices
House-made Stracciatella
mighty vine tomatoes, croutons, sherry shallot vinaigrette, basil

Hot Mezze
Pan-roasted Romanesque Cauliflower
house yogurt, local honey
Crispy Potatoes
mizithra cheese, rosemary, scallion crema
Green Falafel
beet tzatziki, garlic tahini, dhania spice
Sweet Corn Farro
black lime, mizithra, aleppo

Salad & Sandwiches
Greek Salad
romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, red peppers, dijon vinaigrette
Side Grilled Chicken
Side Green Falafel
Side Faroe Islands Salmon
Roasted Beets & Berries
avocado, crispy lentil, serrano-basil vinaigrette

Kebabs
Grilled Halloumi Kebab
greek cheese, red onion, date, red zhoug
Chicken Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Grilled Chicken Kebab
yogurt marinade, sweet peppers, zhoug
Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Faroe Island Salmon Kebab
sweet peppers, red onions, lemon, olive oil, zhoug

Dessert
Sticky Date Cake
medjool dates, sumac, whiskey caramel, whipped cream
Honey Pie
marinated peaches, whipped cream, sesame

Sides
Tzatziki
Garlic Tahini
Lemon Dill Basmati Rice
Harissa
Zhoug
Beet Tzatziki
Scallion Crema
Red Zhoug
Gluten Free Crackers
housemade rosemary gluten free crackers
House Bread
two pieces per order
Utensils

Spreads
Hummus
za'atar, vegetable crudité
Spicy Hummus
piquillo, lemon, basil
Toasted Almond & Garlic
castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs
House-Made Labneh
peach, aleppo, honey, basil
Charred Eggplant
aleppo, mint, olive oil
Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu
braised lamb, spicy harissa

Cold Mezze + Salad
House-made Stracciatella
mighty vine tomatoes, croutons, sherry shallot vinaigrette, basil
Chilled Cucumbers
sesame & nigella crunch, garlic, barberry, calamansi vinaigrette
Feta & Olives
marcona almonds, lemon zest, middle east spices
Greek Salad
romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, red peppers, dijon vinaigrette
Side Green Falafel
Side Grilled Chicken
Side Faroe Islands Salmon
Roasted Beets & Berries
avocado, crispy lentil, serrano-basil vinaigrette

Hot Mezze
Crispy Potatoes
mizithra cheese, rosemary, scallion crema
Green Falafel
beet tzatziki, garlic tahini, dhania spice
Pan-roasted Romanesque Cauliflower
house yogurt, local honey
Spicy Tomato Campanelle
feta, aleppo, harissa lemon yogurt
Spicy Toothpick Lamb
cumin, chilies, house yogurt
Sweet Corn Farro
black lime, mizithra, aleppo

Seafood
Grilled Octopus
morita chili, potato puree, garlic, mint

Kebabs
Grilled Halloumi Kebab
greek cheese, red onion, date, red zhoug
Chicken Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Grilled Chicken Kebab
yogurt marinade, sweet peppers, zhoug
Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Faroe Island Salmon Kebab
sweet peppers, red onions, lemon, olive oil, zhoug

Sides
Tzatziki
Zhoug
Garlic Tahini
Lemon Dill Basmati Rice
Beet Tzatziki
Harissa
Scallion Crema
Gluten Free Crackers
housemade rosemary gluten free crackers
Red Zhoug
House Bread
two pieces per order
Utensils

Dessert
Sticky Date Cake
medjool dates, sumac, whiskey caramel, whipped cream
Honey Pie
marinated peaches, whipped cream, sesame

Brunch
Greek Yogurt & House-Made Granola
House-made granola & yogurt, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate molasses
Avocado Toast
pomegranate, preserved lemon, mint

Spreads
Hummus
za'atar, vegetable crudité
Spicy Hummus
piquillo, lemon, basil
Charred Eggplant
aleppo, mint, olive oil
Toasted Almond & Garlic
castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs
House-Made Labneh
peach, aleppo, honey, basil
Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu
braised lamb, spicy harissa

Cold Mezze
Greek Salad
romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, red peppers, dijon vinaigrette
House-made Stracciatella
mighty vine tomatoes, croutons, sherry shallot vinaigrette, basil
Feta & Olives
marcona almonds, lemon zest, middle east spices
Chilled Cucumbers
sesame & nigella crunch, garlic, barberry, calamansi vinaigrette
Roasted Beets & Berries
avocado, crispy lentil, serrano-basil vinaigrette
Side Grilled Chicken
Side Faroe Islands Salmon
Side Green Falafel

Hot Mezze
Crispy Potatoes
mizithra cheese, rosemary, scallion crema
Green Falafel
beet tzatziki, garlic tahini, dhania spice

Kebabs
Grilled Halloumi Kebab
greek cheese, red onion, date, red zhoug
Chicken Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Grilled Chicken Kebab
yogurt marinade, sweet peppers, zhoug
Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Faroe Island Salmon Kebab
sweet peppers, red onions, lemon, olive oil, zhoug

Dessert
Honey Pie
marinated peaches, sesame, whipped cream
Sticky Date Cake
medjool dates, sumac, whiskey caramel, whipped cream

Sides
Lemon Dill Basmati Rice
Tzatziki
Beet Tzatziki
Garlic Tahini
Gluten Free Crackers
housemade rosemary gluten free crackers
Zhoug
Red Zhoug
Scallion Crema
Harissa
House Bread
two pieces per order
Utensils

Spreads
Hummus
za'atar, vegetable crudité
Charred Eggplant
aleppo, mint, olive oil
Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu
braised lamb, spicy harissa
Toasted Almond & Garlic
castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs
House-Made Labneh
peach, aleppo, honey, basil
Spicy Hummus
piquillo, lemon, basil

Cold Mezze + Salad
Greek Salad
romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, red peppers, dijon vinaigrette
House-made Stracciatella
mighty vine tomatoes, croutons, sherry shallot vinaigrette, basil
Feta & Olives
marcona almonds, lemon zest, middle east spices
Side Green Falafel
Side Grilled Chicken
Side Faroe Islands Salmon
Roasted Beets & Berries
avocado, crispy lentil, serrano-basil vinaigrette

Hot Mezze
Crispy Potatoes
mizithra cheese, rosemary, scallion crema
Green Falafel
beet tzatziki, garlic tahini, dhania spice
Spicy Toothpick Lamb
cumin, chilies, house yogurt
Pan-roasted Romanesque Cauliflower
house yogurt, local honey
Spicy Tomato Campanelle
feta, aleppo, harissa lemon yogurt
Sweet Corn Farro
black lime, mizithra, aleppo

Seafood
Grilled Octopus
morita chili, potato puree, garlic, mint

Kebabs
Grilled Chicken Kebab
yogurt marinade, sweet peppers, zhoug
Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Chicken Kefta Kebab
lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Faroe Island Salmon Kebab
sweet peppers, red onions, lemon, olive oil, zhoug
Grilled Halloumi Kebab
greek cheese, red onion, date, red zhoug

Dessert
Sticky Date Cake
medjool dates, sumac, whiskey caramel, whipped cream
Honey Pie
marinated peaches, whipped cream, sesame

Sides
Tzatziki
Lemon Dill Basmati Rice
Garlic Tahini
Gluten Free Crackers
housemade rosemary gluten free crackers
Harissa
Zhoug
Scallion Crema
Red Zhoug
Beet Tzatziki
House Bread
two pieces per order
Utensils

Photos

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Photo credit: google
Photo credit: google
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Photo credit: foursquare
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Recent Reviews

Restaurant and ambiance was nice. The spreads were pricey but good. The problem is the entrees. They are just not prepared well. Small overcooked shrimps for the kebob dish and overall, price does not match quality of food. I'd skip it unless you go there for drinks and appetizers only. Ambar blows this place away, hands down.
November 2025
In a city of steaks and Italian fare this spot was refreshing and flavorful. The service was phenomenal and the food was fresh and flavorful. The ambiance was superb despite how packed it was. Highly recommend.
November 2025
Wait staff were helpful in menu choices and made time to discuss to converse during peak hours. Draw back, final tab includes 3.50% up charge creating confusion over the actual allocation. Rising cost of menu items should be added to each menu items instead of a flat 3.5% feel. This is misleading and no benefit for the wait staff. Challenge the fee and provide as an additional tip or simple retain the savings.
November 2025

More Reviews

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Ema

74 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 527-5586