Elia Chicago

We went to Elia, a Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant in Wicker Park, for their all-you-can-eat special, which seemed like a good deal. The quality and presentation of the food were excellent, and everything was delicious. I tried a few dishes I hadn’t had before — a little different from other Mediterranean restaurants, but still very tasty. The appetizers and main dishes, including the kebabs and meats, were flavorful and well-prepared. The Baklava was included, which was nice, though I’m not sure if it was fresh, it tasted somewhat stale and old. However, the service didn’t feel like a true all-you-can-eat experience. When we arrived, the waiter brought out all the food at once and didn’t check back to see if we wanted drinks or more food. A staff member came by offering wine, which felt pushy, but otherwise no one checked on us. Even though the restaurant wasn’t crowded, it felt like we were left alone most of the time, which isn’t the way I’d expect customers to be treated. Overall, the food was excellent, and the all-you-can-eat special is a good value, but the service and lack of attention make me unsure if I would return specifically for this deal.

went w/ some coworkers on a Tuesday for their lunch special - one of 3 skewer entrees + the chefs selection mezze for the table + dessert (baklava) for $25. we got the 3 different entrees to try all of the meats. All the meats had solid flavor, and were juicy - notably the beef and chicken. the lamb was just slightly chewy, but still good flavor. the sides were simple, fresh, and complimented the meat well. the chefs selection dips were also pretty solid, especially the tzatziki and spicy pepper dips. the seedy bread that came with it was warm and delicious. the service was very kind despite a bit of a language barrier - the restaurant was slow at the time, and the waiter brought us an extra dill feta dip because we were sitting near a window that had a repair crew working on it. they also gave us complimentary coffee with our warm, sweet baklava. would def come back to try more! ambiance was also sooo delightful!! see my pics

The weekday lunch special is priced at $25 for one mezze, one main, and dessert, despite being advertised online as two mezzes, one main, and dessert. A small but noticeable letdown especially since the selection was already from a smaller menu. The food itself was solid. The hummus was a bit too salty and gritty but the babaganoush was much more enjoyable: pleasantly chunky, nicely smoky, and refreshing. The real standout, however, was the complimentary babari bread. Served warm in a basket, it boasted a crisp, sesame-studded exterior and a soft, chewy interior that was hard to stop reaching for. The chicken shish was juicy, tender, and flavorful though a few pieces were charred to the point of bitterness. We also ordered the Palace kebab, which turned out to be similar to a Turkish pottery (testi) kebab, featuring ground beef topped with lavash. The portion was generous and my friend enjoyed it though it was a bit too greasy for my taste. All things considered, it was a good meal once we got past the initial disappointment. That said, someone should probably update the OpenTable listing to accurately reflect what’s actually included in the lunch special.

My friends and I were very impressed with this place. The food, drinks, and ambiance are unique and very welcoming. I loved the food so much that I came back the same week because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Very well-flavored, clean eating. Lamb, salmon, chicken, sea bass, and appetizers are delicious. We’ll be back!

Everything at Elia in Chicago was absolutely amazing. The food was so delicious and everything I tried was incredible. The vibe, the waitstaff, and even the songs playing were all perfect. The restaurant is super clean and elegantly designed. Honestly, the prices are much lower than I expected considering the quality of the experience. They truly deserve more. A huge shoutout to Mustafa, my waiter for the night. He was kind, positive, and attentive. He was also genuinely thoughtful and engaging. He made sure I had everything I needed, shared great recommendations, and brought a warm, welcoming energy to the table. It is clear that he is a real asset to the restaurant and contributes significantly to making the experience unforgettable. I will definitely be coming back here whenever I get a chance to visit Chicago.

Came here with a friend and had the weeknight dinner special. We came in for an early dinner, but the place quickly filled up even for a Thursday. The cocktails were pretty good ( I had something with gin and cucumber I think). There was a lot of food to eat for just two people. The dips, breads, the baked cheesy boat, sweet grilled cheese(better when it’s hot) and then followed with the board of grilled meats. The chicken was a hit but generally all pretty good. The service was attentive. Everything went fine. We sat outside on the patio. Would look forward to returning again.

Came here at 5 on a Friday, they asked us if we had reservations, we did not and there were three of us. Didn’t seem to matter as there was no one inside or outside. We sat in one of the outdoor couches. Prior to arrival I looked in here and saw they had a kids menu. I asked when we arrived and they shared they did not. So as a reminder they do NOT have a kids menu anymore. We got the Pastami Hummus which is more of a jerky style pastrami within a plain hummus. It was quite good. It was served with a thick bread. Then we got the grill meal for 2. It came with three meat skewers charred in a good way. It was steak, lamb, and chicken, then it had 1 pepper, 1 tomato, and pickled the grilled red onion, and a traditional chickpea rice. I felt it should have had more vegetable options or more than 1 tomato and 1 pepper. It was good. Simple but good. They didn’t serve it with a sauce so it was a little dry. Definitely recommend getting a sauce if you order this from a different part of the menu. My kid got fries, and a lemonade. They do not have a N.A. drink menu with juices or anything really. It was surprising. The service was slow, I asked the waiter for the check he nodded, left came back and asked if we wanted a box or dessert. My partner then asked for the check and the waiter obliged. It felt weird.

Elia is truly a gem! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the staff are attentive and kind, and the food is absolutely outstanding. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The pacing of the meal was perfect, and dessert was the highlight to end the evening. A wonderful spot for a date night, special occasion, or just a great meal out. Highly recommend and can’t wait to come back!

Really love the vibes here. I came for the $25pp Unlimited brunch, stayed for the great service and chill atmosphere. Food was out quickly, and they consistently brought out refills. I'll definitely be returning with more friends

Celebrated my best friend's 30th the only way we know how... with a full feast at Elia in the private dining room and it was perfection from start to finish We kicked off the night with the dreamiest spreads: creamy hummus, spicy whipped feta, roasted red pepper dip, warm pita straight from the oven -- literally the kind of table that makes everyone go silent for a second bite. Then came the mains... a massive board loaded with grilled chicken, lamb, rice, pickled onions, herbs, and all the flavors that make Mediterranean food feel like a hug. And of course, I ended the night with flaky, buttery baklava because that's the only correct way to finish a celebration The vibes, the food, the wine, the laughs! Everything was 10/10. The private room made it feel so intimate and special, and celebrating my best friend turning 30 surrounded by amazing food was honestly unforgettable. Here's to good friends, great food, and nights that need to be repeated.

We had a party of 7 when we enjoyed an early dinner here recently. My sister ordered several appetizers for the table including the Muhammara, Truffle Cheese Saganaki, Grilled Baby Carrots, Tzatziki, Kefalograviera Pide with Black Truffle, & Hummus. They also served bread for the table. I thought the appetizers were very tasty as did several others in the party. However, I really could not taste much truffle in the Truffle Cheese Saganaki. Since I ended up eating a lot for apps, I ordered the Greek Salad for dinner. It was ok but different than what I am used to for a Greek salad. This one did not have any lettuce. My husband ordered the Salmon which I tasted and thought was wonderful. One couple at the table ordered the Mix Grill Platter for Two. It was a lot of food which they enjoyed. We did run low on water around the table by mid meal. No one came around to check on drinks and they never noticed. I had to flag our waiter down. The ambience was lovely and part of what you are paying for.

I made a lunch reservation for the advertised Monday-Friday lunch special of $25.00. A few days before I asked what were the specials offered? A male who answered the phone told me, "The special is not available on Friday". I told him the web site says it is. Then inquired on what the two choices are on Monday -Friday? He told me, "There is only one and that advertisement is old". Needless to say, I did not lunch at this restaurant. Who knows what the food and service would be like?

We decided to check out Elia after seeing an ad on Instagram, and we LOVED IT. The place is so beautiful with a lot of red tones, so elegant spot. The food was fantastic! We tried their all-inclusive menu, and it's not a buffet, it's actually unlimited plates. They started us off with a bunch of different starters, and then we got to pick our main dishes and desserts. My husband and I have tried Mediterranean food in a lot of places, and this place is right up there at the top of our list now. The staff was incredibly welcoming, the food was amazing, and the prices were really reasonable.

A wonderful birthday experience! With amazing cocktails to delicious food, this place is a must try! Located in the heart of west town this place has great cocktails, appetizers, main dishes and desserts. The staff was sure to make our experience unforgettable! They were attentive and kind. The atmosphere was warm the whole night and a perfect spot to celebrate my birthday. I hope to return soon!

Came here with a friend and had the weeknight dinner special. We came in for an early dinner, but the place quickly filled up even for a Thursday. The cocktails were pretty good ( I had something with gin and cucumber I think). There was a lot of food to eat for just two people. The dips, breads, the baked cheesy boat, sweet grilled cheese(better when it's hot) and then followed with the board of grilled meats. The chicken was a hit but generally all pretty good. The service was attentive. Everything went fine. We sat outside on the patio. Would look forward to returning again.

Came here at 5 on a Friday, they asked us if we had reservations, we did not and there were three of us. Didn't seem to matter as there was no one inside or outside. We sat in one of the outdoor couches. Prior to arrival I looked in here and saw they had a kids menu. I asked when we arrived and they shared they did not. So as a reminder they do NOT have a kids menu anymore. We got the Pastami Hummus which is more of a jerky style pastrami within a plain hummus. It was quite good. It was served with a thick bread. Then we got the grill meal for 2. It came with three meat skewers charred in a good way. It was steak, lamb, and chicken, then it had 1 pepper, 1 tomato, and pickled the grilled red onion, and a traditional chickpea rice. I felt it should have had more vegetable options or more than 1 tomato and 1 pepper. It was good. Simple but good. They didn't serve it with a sauce so it was a little dry. Definitely recommend getting a sauce if you order this from a different part of the menu. My kid got fries, and a lemonade. They do not have a N.A. drink menu with juices or anything really. It was surprising. The service was slow, I asked the waiter for the check he nodded, left came back and asked if we wanted a box or dessert. My partner then asked for the check and the waiter obliged. It felt weird.

We stopped in on Thursday night for the $35 all you can eat special. Flavors wowed us! To start, you get 6 mezes. We really enjoyed all of them: the hummus was one of the best I've had; the Muhammara has roasted red pepper, bread crumbs, walnuts; tzatziki; htipiti was delish with roasted spicy red peppers and creamy feta cheese. The grilled chicken and adana were grilled to perfection and seasoned perfectly. And, you must try the truffle cheese saganaki. It's delightful. We sat outside and you can't sit outside and not have a cocktail. I tried the Smoky Saint, it was pretty good with mezcal and passionfruit. Overall, a nice restaurant with delish food.

This amazing turkish restaurant located in wicker park is absolutely incredible!!! Went there on a Thursday with some friends I haven't seen for a while, one of them suggested to eat at this place because they have a great all you can eat only on Thursday's, also there is no menu for you during the AYCE, they start bringing everything out to you. All dippings were amazing, they have a cheese with honey truffle that we repeated like 4 times, and also ordered extra pita bread just to keep dipping on those. The meat platter, the chicken is absolutely my favorite, made with chicken thigths and overly juicy, the lamb I was drooling at it too, but the Chicken is the winner and you can't miss on this one. We sat on the patio and our waiter was incredible and keep checking on us if we needed something else or bringing more food, he kept it on point. I will undoubtedly come back again and bring more people when they visit chicago

Interior: wow! Great spot to impress a date. Went there on a Sunday at 1300 & it was empty. Why? Everyone was out on the patio. They have paid attention too details here. Unique stamped (with the restaurant name) plates etc. Service: prompt and attentive. Good: great! Had the Hatpti and the chicken shish. Both were excellent and filling! Would easily return !!

Weekend brunch is amazing! Such a variety of dips with lots of fresh flavors. Service was amazing, offering different types of wine to try at the end of our meal. All you can eat for $25 pp, totally worth it! We will be back!

My husband and I visited Elia on Thursday, 11/13. What a wonderful experience! Our waiter was Mustafa Y - very kind and answered questions we had about the menu. We each did the $35 chef's testing (all you can eat). Everything was beyond delicious! The Htipiti, Pide (cheese with peppers), and the Chicken Kebabs were our favorites. We both commented multiple times that this was the best meal we had in a long time. Will be back and with a bigger appetite to try more dishes. I wish I had taken pics of the food, but dug right in and forgot all about pics. Highly recommend!

We decided to try the Thursday all you can eat mezze and kebabs and oh my gosh it was amazing! The ambiance and decor in this place was beautiful. Elegant and tasteful and comfortable. Our server was quick to explain the AYCE offer and food started coming out fast. There was so much! The kebabs were especially tasty so don't fill up on all the bread. We enjoyed all the spreads and were pleasantly surprised to see they brought us dessert also. Drinks were well priced and they kept our water glasses full. The value cannot be beat and this would be such a fun place to come as a group. They have AYCE on Thursday and brunch for an even better price. We will be back!

Sat outside on a lovely evening here. The vibe is chill, the inside looked very nice too. Started w some drinks... one mocktail on the menu. I always feel like this is a missed opportunity as non-alcohol drinkers would order from a decent selection. Started with the hummus... it was fine. Came with regular bread which I found not appealing at all. No pita bread? Ok. Had the chicken shish for dinner which was tasty, the rice was tasteless and needed some salt or something for me personally. Others got the steak and salmon options and they were also... fine. I'm not sure I'd come back as there are a lot of restaurants in this area. If I could give 3.5 I would, but 4 would be a stretch.

I have been twice in a week. My friend invited me for my bday last Thursday. All day all you can eat $35. Love it! Worth every penny. I would recommend you to not eat a lot of the appetizers which are breads and dips because for the second round of food you'll be stuff. I won't make that mistake next it was my only meal for the day and until dinner next day. The chicken and the lamb ufffff Service was great, Ebrar was funny and nice to us! Then I went today (Sunday) for $25 all you can eat brunch to see difference and because I was amazed by my experience on Thursday. The pics you'll see are from brunch but they are almost the same for lunch just with a few more dips. Hummus is probably the best I have had in my life. Everything is delicious, everything... BUT the lack of protein was disappointing I'm a trainer and actually came straight from the gym very excited having in mind the lamb and chicken.. not for brunch! My diet is high in protein and I barely got any for brunch. However, Mustafa our server was great and the music was nice, good environment but I wouldn't go again for brunch.

I think this may have been just an off night for the restaurant. It is a beautiful space and the food was good. The service seemed to be lacking. The gentleman who attended to us, seemed quite annoyed that we wanted to start off with a glass of wine and look over the menu instead of placing our entire meal with him at that very moment. While we were dining, we noticed that the restaurant had a very thick smoke coming from the kitchen that came through the dining room. It was to the point that our eyes were tearing up and they were opening up the side panels of the doors. Eventually, the smoke subsided, and we were able to enjoy the rest of our meal.

I came here with some friends after seeing their menu and I loved everything here. I honestly would come back here just for any meals. I loved the 6 spreads that came as appetizers which consisted of 3 cold/3 hot, cheese bread, the actual meat platter in which I loved everything and couldn't complain at all, then lastly the dessert! My friend loves their baklava, but it was too sweet for me so she ate my share of it. All the meats were super tender and cooked perfectly to our liking at least. The service was super quick and the people were nice to let us sit around for basically 3hrs without really asking us to leave even though the manager/owner kept coming over to check up on us every 20mins HAHA! I loved the outside seating area they had because we came right at the end of summer so the breeze was super nice as the sun was setting. Overall, super solid places for a super reasonable price. I cannot wait to be back!

First of all, i had never heard of this spot and now im about to be here every other weekend. When i tell you the food was hitttttinnnngggg! Baby, I enjoyed every bite. The music was hit after hit, had me dancing in my seat. The chicken kebab was juicyyyy and so flavorful. Service was alright, but our waiter was nice. Will definitely be back!

Delicious octopus and lamb with really good Turkish flavors. Great cocktails and service. Would definitely go back.

Amazing Turkish Food in the city! I celebrated my birthday brunch here with a party of 12 people. One of the restaurants which host large parties and doesn't even ask for credit card on hold to reserve the table prior to booking. This was our second time having a large group dined at Elia. Both visits were absolutely fantastic! My server went extra mile to create the warm, welcoming experience. Her energy was amazing. Special mention to her for being attentive and very friendly. The food is delicious. We got bunch of apps and mains and shared them throughout our table, including hummus, muhammara, tzatziki, atom, htipti, mushroom sautéed, pastrami pide, chicken shish kebab, egea veganista. The menu was perfect, offering a great balance of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. I also got Vera Demure cocktail. It was absolutely refreshing. The herbaceous notes added the perfect flavor! I had a wonderful brunch here and I highly recommend this place!

We went to Elia for brunch and ordered from their Mezze menu as well as the entrées. From the Mezze menu, we had Hummus, Muhammara, Tzatziki, Atom, Babaganush, Cretan Feta Dip, and Htipiti. From the hot Mezze menu, we tried the Mushroom Sauté. For entrées, we ordered the Truffle Eggplant Kebab and Chicken Shish. The standout dishes for me were the Htipiti, Mushroom Sauté, and Truffle Eggplant Kebab. The quality of the food was excellent. The server was very helpful and friendly, but due to a shortage of service staff, the pace of the service was slower overall. Despite this, the food and ambiance were quite enjoyable.

Absolutely phenomenal restaurant! We enjoyed everything from start to finish. The service was so attentive and the food was outstanding. We did the chef tasting buffet and it was off the charts good. Mustafa took exceptional care of us and we look forward to coming back again!

We stumbled upon this restaurant on a nice day and wete seated outdoor. The renegade craft happened to be happening so there were so many proplr and different vendors. Even so thr restaurant wasnt super crowded. We got service right away and food on the table within 15 mins. The food was delicious and fresh! I especially enjoyed the kabobs and the bread.

Fun and beautiful place. The hostess was wonderful and great energy. Our servers, not so much. This is a first for me to review the food and nominate the table bread as the best dish! It was delicious. Sea bass was very delicious too. We started with a red pepper spread that had wonderful flavors. The rest was just so/so. The $65 meat sampler seemed like a fair price but the three meats were just a fair taste. And the lahmacun was lifeless. Flimsy and not great quality for a simple flatbread that is so simple to make. I get woodfired lahmacun in a tiny shop in LA for $2.25 and it is 10X better than Elia. So, overall, I would suggest the place as it is fun, beautiful and some great dishes. But some dishes need a bit of work.

Amazing dinner place with super delicious Turkish cuisine! Portions are on a bigger side, especially meats. We tried assorted meats for 2 and shared with 4. Baba ganoush and lahmachun were very tasty, the menu is 2 pages was easier to navigate and share. Late evening they also have dj playing and turning into very hip place. The service was a bit slow as the restaurant was full but food was coming out of the kitchen quickly.

I went here for a lunch date and I'm so glad I did. The food was so delicious, fresh, and flavorful. We tried a little bit of everything from their menu and left very full and satisfied. They recently added some new drinks to their menu and they're pretty good too! The service/servers were quick, informative, welcoming, and very friendly. I can't wait to stop in for dinner or a nice patio lunch, it was chilly out when we went. Oh, and the ambiance was so classy and elegant.

Overall solid restaurant. Food is very flavorful and the presentation is great. Service is pretty average, friendly but a little slow. Ambiance is nice, feels almost a little empty in the inside, but overall sophisticated.

Here's the appetizer: Kefalograviera Pide with black truffle. It's like some really tasty cheese stuffed bread with black truffles. It was awesome! Nice light bread with this wonderful cheese and the truffles. I really could eat it all day. For our mains, I got chicken shish, Donna got steak shish. Mine was very nice, tender thighs- smokey and spiced just right. Donna's beef was moist, tender chunks of beef with a very good spice. Both came with a tasty rice with corn, tzatziki sauce under the meat ( very subdued, not in your face like a gyro shop), pickled onions and green pepper/ tomato from the skewer. Bonus! Due to a wine snafu, we got some free baklava. Yeah, they know how to make baklava. We walked away very happy! Our server was Natalie, she was wonderful! Friendly, helpful and attentive.

Absolutely delicious--easily one of the best Mediterranean spots I've tried in Chicago, if not the best. The meats were perfectly juicy and packed with flavor, and every type of bread was incredible. The staff were so kind and welcoming, and there's plenty of seating, which made the whole experience feel even more relaxed. I already can't wait to come back!

First time here . We had a party of 5 . We all decided to go with the all you can eat for $35. A few minutes later, several people came out with platters of food . The apps were great , the meats, the flatbread, the cheese , all were absolutely delicious. You knew you weren't eating food out of a can that's for sure ! Azru was our waitress and she was great , she was friendly and shared her story with us . We will definitely all go back and bring more friends :) . The only negative thing I could say is I went to the bathroom and one of them employees didn't wash their hands after they were done . I hoped she washed them when she went back in the kitchen .

Food was SO fresh. The flavors were out of this world. The portion sizes were also really impressive for the prices. Honestly some of the best chicken I've had in the city. Service was also really attentive and very knowledgeable!

First of all, we had reservations on a Sunday evening. The place was more or less empty but the service was a little slow. We had nothing but time so we didn't mind, but we do wish we were checked on more often. Our waters weren't refilled and we weren't given the opportunity to order a second round of wine once our entrees came. The food was great! We started with the hummus and the octopus. The octopus was well flavored and cooked perfectly. Not slimy or rubbery like it can be at other places. The hummus was nothing special, but the fresh bread was amazing. Next time I'd try the Tatsziki. For entrees we both got the lamb chops and they were exquisite! They seemed well marinated and flavorful. Cooked to perfection. I'd also say overall, the value for money was very good here. The ambiance was great and the quality of food was high. Prices were very reasonable.

Elia has a lot going right. The atmosphere is pleasant to sit in. I love the high ceilings and fun light fixtures. The service was attentive and came with a smile. The food was good, but not great. The Shepards salad was very fresh, I highly recommend it (though they should probably soak the onions). The hummus and bread were delicious, but there wasn't enough hummus. The lentil soup was tasty, but too watery. The mixed meat platter--a combination of three meats--was so so. It came out lukewarm. The lamb was tasty, the beef skewers got the job done, but the chicken was fatty. Overall, a good experience, but there's definitely room for improvement.

My husband and I came here for his birthday. We came for a 5pm reservation which being so early, meant that the restaurant was pretty empty, maybe 6 tables were taken. No one acknowledged his birthday which was a bummer, but no biggie. Now on to the service and food. Our waitress was great, had awesome energy and made good recommendations. We ordered drinks and those took about 15 minutes to come although as I mentioned, the restaurant was pretty empty. The drinks were delicious, I had one with ginger, it was yummy without it being overpowering. My husband had one with cucumber and gin that was incredibly refreshing. For food, we ordered the hummus appetizer, I had the salmon shish and my husband had the beef one, and we shared a side of rice. This was plenty of food for the 2 of us without any leftovers. The salmon was out of this world, it was perfectly seasoned and cooked, it literally melted in my mouth. The beef was delicious and perfectly cooked/seasoned. The rice was almost buttery and came with chick peas which I've never seen. We ordered another round of drinks, a Turkish delight and their take on an old fashioned. Both were good but the Turkish delight portion was pretty small. After dinner we both had the Turkish espresso which was strong and delicious. I would recommend this place for the food and the great service from staff but the restaurant needs to work on the bar service and get those drinks out quicker. I can't imagine how long it would have taken if the restaurant was full. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and lighting is great. Music was a tad loud for me to be able to have a conversation sometimes.

First timer! Elia was a gorgeous place to dine at for dinner. The atmosphere was very cozy and comforting. Very classy rather date night self date, girl's night or family night Elia is fit for the occasion. A very nice place. Seating was spacious with rounded tables and private dining area. Seating seemed very private which I enjoyed the most. We ordered the mixed grilled platter for two with grilled vegetables with a side of rice with chickpeas. Everything was favorably perfect. Even the presentation tasted as good as it looked. The platter was so tender and tasty. More than enough to enjoy and share. Menu was very short and simple. Placed our order came within 15-20mins. No wait time is always good. Natalie was our waitress. She was very sweet and attentive. Very professional. We would definitely go back to Elia and most definitely on the list for date nights! Check em out!

My husband surprised me with what was supposed to be a fun romantic evening at a great Mediterranean restaurant he'd heard about on Instagram. The ambiance and food did not disappoint, and soon we were enjoying ourselves. Our servers were pleasant and had a good sense of humor. As the courses progressed, my husband noticed a man (who appeared to be the manager) dressed in all black, with a connected mustache, a red something pinned to his shirt, and a long ponytail, who greeted all of the guests except us. The restaurant hadn't gotten busy yet, and though I thought it was odd that someone would greet everyone except us, I optimistically assumed that he would make his way over. As dinner progressed, the restaurant became crowded, and I watched my husband's face turn from happiness to disappointment as he saw the employee (presumably the manager?) repeatedly walk past our table to visit, greet, shake hands, and pour wine and water for every other patron except us. I began to feel increasingly uncomfortable When I noticed that the only difference between the other patrons and ourselves was that we are African Americans, and the other guests were Caucasian in appearance. It pained me to see the surprise, frustration, and disappointment on my husband's face as this realization weighed in on us. So much so that I asked him if he would take me home. We hadn't finished our meal. After our server gave us the check, we quickly hurried out of Elia's, feeling hurt, disappointed, and upset. I was shocked to experience service at such a beautiful establishment where treating all patrons with courtesy and welcome wasn't something that would be done automatically.

I came with a friend before a show in the area. It was odd seeing a cool-looking place and PATIO on a sunny evening so empty while its neighbor was busting at the seams, but after eating here, I see why. The food was fine at best, inedible at worst. The hummus was solid, but my beet salad was awful. I am Midwestern at heart and cannot send food back for the life of me (but online reviews are a different story...). My extremely kind waiter had to get it out of me that my lightly dressed salad was drenched with dressing and could not be eaten. To their credit, the restaurant offered a solution. I'd give it another go, but I'd have to be convinced.

I paid $70 for lunch for two. The chicken kabob was burned outside and pink inside. Flavorless. Even if I were to return it and ask the cook to fix it, the chicken pieces were way too big to cook in a grill. That's a problem of whoever designed this menu item and not just the way it was cooked. The appetizer I ordered came with these carrot pieces that reminded me of what of what I give my dog for snacks. Having been to Turkey before and really enjoying the food there, the whole meal was very disappointing. Now I understand why the restaurant was empty. Not coming back here.

The food is flavorful and plentiful. Cocktails are imaginative and tasty. Service is attentive and friendly. All set in a beautiful environment. Highly recommend!!!

Okay y'all, we went on Thursday for all you can eat, and let me tell you this: This is a real authentic Turkish food. We started with ordering the Istanbul Jin Martini (omg). Then the appetizer they call it mezza, and the mixed grilled meat which includes Adana lamb kebab, chicken, beef, grill tomatoes and pepper, white rice and lavash bread. Everything house made, and tasted super delicious and fresh. I love the unique plates and bowls shapes. The Turkish songs and music they were playing was definitely adding an amazing atmosphere. The friendly staff were absolutely incredible and super sweet. Oh, and shout out to the manager his name is Sedar, was absolutely amazing. He introduced himself to us and took good care of us. I am definitely going back for more kebab

I brought my mom here for an early Mother's Day dinner and I feel terrible that this is the place I picked. Will not be coming back and giving this place another try. The ambiance here is beautiful. They have a big bar, nice outdoor area, and large windows that fully open in the summertime. All of the furniture is new and the style of the decor is very current. The reason why our experience was so bad is because the service was the worst I've ever experienced in Chicago. No one came to our table for the first 15 minutes and then out of the blue our server came up to us and just said "what do you want to order?". No hello, no filling out glasses with water, nothing. We ordered a few appetizers and then did not see our server for another hour. Our food was brought over my food runners and we ever were brought bread even though every table around us was. Our sever was in the restaurant playing on his phone, disappearing into the back, and doing everything expect checking on our tables. The manager was also in lala land-- FaceTimeing his family, sipping coffee, and scrolling through instagram. The food that we managed to try was delicious but the service was so bad we decided against ordered main courses because we just wanted to leave. We sat for 20-30 mins waiting for our bill and had to pay via QR code because no one came back to take our card. For any restaurant this service was absolutely terrible, but especially for a higher end place. Avoid coming here!

The food was really food. The hummus was not harsh and the bread paired great together. The steak and chicken were also very tasty and soft. I went when it wasn't busy, the service was fast and music was not loud. The cheese was yummy too, it has truffle cheese and hot honey! Would come back

My Assistant chose this place for a lunch meeting. When I arrived, I was greeted by the friendly and Natalie, who was also our server. She was very attentive and made the best recommendations when he came to the food. The restaurant was pretty emptied, so I felt like I had the place to myself, but nevertheless, I'm sure that this place in the evening is packed. Loved the way they prepare their salmon dish. Stop in, you won't be disappointed.

My friends I and enjoyed the $50/person fixed menu on a Friday night. The quality and quantity was amazing for the price. I would highly recommend Elia to more people and would visit again.

$60 Mix Grill Platter for two is perfect for date night! This place is such a vibe. The drinks, the food, the seating (I need that couch in my house frfr), the people, all of it was so great! I had a wonderful time, the food was delicious. Thank you so much, Elia!

Came for brunch on a snowy Saturday morning. Found this place on social media. It was empty which is disappointing for them but I think this place has hope to pick-up soon. Our service was fantastic. For drinks we tried the Passion Lover's Cocktail (Vodka, St. Germain based drink) Additionally, I tried the Prosecco which was very crisp. For appetizers we opted for Muhumarra and Zucchini fritter. I would pass on the Muhumarra, it was very dry and not how I have experienced it before. The Zucchini fritters were fresh with a nice sour cream based sauce. For brunch we were all over the map. I got the handmade lobster ravioli. Delicious and so filling. Towards the end, I was getting some saltiness but maybe just too much Parmigiano that I added. My Y.E.S. girlfriends grabbed the BLT with turkey pastrami and Corn Risotto with Chicken. Both ladies were satisfied with their dishes. Overall ambiance and decoration for this spot was very posh. The bathrooms are nicely decorated and they even have a separate social room. I would come back here. Social room would be great for engagement party or small gathering. Food was fresh, good quality and reasonably priced for Wicker. I am not sure where else you can get a $10 glass of Prosecco on Division. Will be back!!!

This place has an awesome welcoming, elegant vibe. The service is amazing and the food is even better. I ordered the spicy Turkish red pepper dip with feta cheese. It was so good. The kebabs are also seasoned really well. My husband had the lamb and I had the salmon. We really enjoyed them. I definitely would recommend this restaurant.

Visited for a friend's birthday dinner as someone who usually doesn't love Mediterranean food. I had an incredible evening! The food was great but the service was above and beyond. We did the pre fixed menu and our waiter Cetim was fabulous. He made the evening so fun, continued to check on us and brought over Baklava and candles for the birthday girl. Would 10/10 recommend!