Beautiful restaurant inside and very lively with lots of people inside. The specialty drinks are top teir. You have to get the crispy potatoes they are so good. And I really enjoyed the lamb kafta.

Had a recommendation to try this place - amazingly delicious. My pics aren't the best, the lighting was tough but a beautiful ambiance. Went on a limb and didn't have reservations, but there were just enough seats in the very back bar, so if you go, make sure you take a look back there it's a full service bar. The drinks all around or done to perfection, although you can't tell from my pictures of food was extremely tasty. Highly recommend if your travels takes you to Chicago.

Ema is a great place to go with people to enjoy many different dishes. Their pita and hummus is some of the best I've tried at a trendy spot. The restaurant itself is lovely with plenty of seating. Their drinks are just okay I thought. Food, overall, is really good! If I had to nitpick, I would say that the crispy potatoes need a little more flavor and the cauliflower tasted like brussel sprouts except the charred pieces were so good! I will definitely go again for the hummus and pita but as far as the other dishes go, not much to offer to vegetarians. We had people at the table who tried the lamb and they really enjoyed the cook and flavor on it. Service was also good! We had a birthday at the table so they gave the dessert on the house :) it was delish!

We visited Ema for lunch on a Saturday afternoon around 3 PM. The restaurant was not very busy, allowing us to be seated promptly at a lovely table in the middle of the restaurant. The ambiance was truly delightful, creating a perfect setting for our meal. We started with the spicy hummus, which was exceptionally tasty, though the pita bread served alongside didn't seem as fresh as expected. My boyfriend tried the 'Sport Mode,' a refreshing Aperol and grapefruit soda drink, which he thoroughly enjoyed. One of the main reasons we keep returning to Ema is for their outstanding main courses. The grilled chicken is simply to die for. It is served with fresh cilantro rice generously drizzled with olive oil, grilled chicken and sweet peppers kebabs marinated in yogurt, and the standout zhoug sauce that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Ema is a place I take all my friends to when they visit Chicago, and it never disappoints. Despite the slight disappointment with the pita bread, the rest of our meal was fantastic, and we look forward to our next visit.

We made a last-minute decision to eat here on a Monday night and I am so glad we did! Ema is a mediterranean restaurant with some fusion foods/flavors that are well executed! There were three of us that went and we don't generally eat very large portion sizes - we ordered 2 starters (spreads) and 3 hot plates which ended up being the perfect amount of food for us. This was a little less than their recommendations (2-3 dishes/person). From the spreads, we ordered the Bhel Hummus and Charred Eggplant. The charred eggplant has a flavor reminiscent of Baba Ganoush and other eggplant dishes that you may have tried. The Bhel Hummus however, was a great unique blend of flavors between Hummus (the base) and the toppings of Bhel (an Indian dish with puffed rice, coriander, tamarind, etc). I think this was the best dish we had here! From the hot plates, we ordered the Green Falafel, Farro Risotto with Asparagus and Spicy Tomato Campanelle. The Falafel were fantastic - they had a great crispy exterior with a soft inside and were served with a well spiced tahini and beet blend. The Spicy Tomato Campanelle was also good. The Farro Risotto was not our favorite - but we did still finish it so really cannot complain too much! As far as service, the staff and our waiter were very kind, provided recommendations, etc. However, our waiter did seem to be stretched a little thin between many tables and did not seem to be as attentive as I may have hoped. I truly think this is more a reflection of the night we were there over the quality of service and am hopeful others have different experiences. Finally, the ambience is lovely - the seating is cozy and comfortable and there is outdoor seating available as well! Overall, great restaurant and we will be back!

DELICIOUS MEDITERRANEAN IN CHICAGO Last week, I had the most amazing meal at Ema - a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant! I'm alllll about shared plates (since I can never decide what I want while I'm out), so I absolutely loved their concept! We sat outside on their patio, but the inside decor was STUNNING! I will definitely be back to sit under their vined ceiling someday Here's the breakdown of what we ordered (and our favs! ) Slow Cheetah - $15 Strawberry Rhubarb Negroni - $17 Toasted Almond & Garlic Spread w/ Homemade Pitas - $14.95 Crispy Potatoes - $12.95 (honestly was a little let down by these - they were wayyyy overhyped) Green Falafel - $13.95 Grilled Halloumi Kebab - $17.95 Frozen Greek Yogurt w/ Olive Oil + Sea Salt This was suchhhh an enjoyable meal and the perfect option for anyone who always wants a bite of everything on the menu - we would have ordered even more if we had more people with us! Our server was super amazing and so helpful throughout the meal - but the hosts were not very friendly and left me feeling disappointed in the experience before we even sat down.

Ema's ambience embodies a luminous and airy aesthetic, imbued with a touch of Californian nonchalance. This bright and breezy atmosphere sets the stage for a delightful exploration of the Mediterranean. My initial foray was the "spicy toothpick lamb" ($19). This dish featured tender morsels of lamb redolent with cumin, artfully presented alongside a house yogurt. The lamb itself was commendably supple, boasting a subtle yet piquant kick that awakened the palate. Next, I ventured towards the house-made labneh ($15). This creation showcased spring peas in their verdant glory, complemented by diminutive thumbelina carrots and a bed of lentils. The labneh, a delightful yogurt cheese, served as the foundation for this symphony of textures and flavors. A lemon vinaigrette added a touch of refreshing acidity, further elevating the dish. The accompanying fresh-baked pita bread deserves its own accolades - it was demonstrably some of the most delectable bread I have ever encountered, boasting a perfect balance of texture and flavor. My final course was the grilled chicken ($20). Succulent segments of chicken, marinated in a yogurt concoction, emerged from the grill imbued with a smoky essence. A vibrant condiment of sweet peppers and zhoug, a Yemeni hot sauce, provided a delightful counterpoint. The basmati rice, infused with a pronounced lemon essence, served as an excellent textural and flavorful accompaniment. Overall, Ema offers a vibrant and flavorful exploration of Mediterranean cuisine presented in a stylish and contemporary setting. The quality of the ingredients and the culinary finesse are undeniable. While some may find the portion sizes a touch wanting given the price, the overall experience remains highly commendable.

Wish I lived closer cuz I'd be eating those green falafels every week. Soooooo good. Cool interior. Nice staff. Delicious oh, so delishous! I get nervous when a restaurant tells us it's sharing plate style. That usually means small. Yes, the mini plates were small but the salmon kabob, other meat kabobs were plenty of food for 1 person. We got the pomegranate humas, the tuna carpaccio, and the green falafels as a pre game. All were slap your hand save some for me too. Those falafels, not sure if it was Cardamom or what was in there but every single one of us wanted more they were so good! The salmon kabob, so moist and plenty of rice. I felt full after. A little more $ than the norm but worth it. GO!