Ēma Glenview

Ēma’s is a gorgeous restaurant with great food, service, and atmosphere. They brought us the wrong potato dish, and when we brought it up they just said enjoy. And brought the correct dish a moment later. We were there for my girlfriend’s birthday and she wasn’t feeling dessert so they just took the hummus off the bill. Which was far more generous than I would have expected. I will say that this is not an inexpensive experience. And for $18 hummus I would like more pita. (However we didn’t have to pay for it cause of the birthday so… amazing deal!) The picture below is of the tuna watermelon dish, which was very unique and tasty! I will definitely be back!

What a wonderful experience! My sisters and I tried this place after seeing multiple videos of this restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised by the flavor of the food. We had multiple courses from the classic hummus, to the steak shawarma. Can’t say enough about the kale Cesar salad! I am quite picky with Cesar dressing, and this one was just perfect! Our server Morgan was phenomenal, and kept the plates coming at a good pace. Talked to us about the menu, and provided recommendations. Overall a wonderful dinner, and will be back for more.

This may be passable if you're craving mezze and don't drive into the city. Ambience and design of the place is impressive but otherwise it's all quite average and I left without any sort of desire to ever return. Out service was very poor for this type of place, we waited 10 minutes before we even saw our server after sitting down, and then he disappeared continuously throughout the night and we didn't even see him at the dining hall for stretches of time. The good itself isn't mind-blowing, it's all just okay and again average. Ordered a variety of dishes, the potatoes weren't fresh just reheated and deep fried, tasted stale. Falafel were quite dry with not enough sauce to complement. Labneh was good but with an overly sweet fruit topping, hummus was average, pita was too salty. For an entree had the mushroom kebab, kebab was actually good but the basmati rice was completely overcooked - or just microwaved. I will say the main reason I picked the place was I wanted a halloumi dish, and the hot honey halloumi was tasty. Overall this is not worth a visit I'd say, with the inattentive service and middle of the road food. I was also charged $4 for my birthday yogurt ice cream so be aware if you are coming to celebrate, it's not about the price but the service. And considering everything Ema was a miss.

I can't say enough about how good the service is here at this location. I wish I would have asked the server his name we said at the bar and my wife has medical issues with salt so it's fairly difficult to order at most restaurants. The chef made an accommodation for her and we're so attentive and on it it was just exceptional! The food is amazing I usually eat at the one in Chicago proper but this location is beautiful and the decor is just stunning. Exceptional in every way!!!!!!

Ashley was so wonderful and inviting. She made my wife’s birthday very memorable and special. We took her recommendations and everything was amazing! Incredible atmosphere and food. 10 out of 10. We will be back

This is a very nicely and beautifully decorated restaurant. I have tried ema in Chicago and Glenview location has exceeded my expectations. Our server was very knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. He was able to recommend us a little bit of everything to share for the table. I requested for less sweetness in my mocktail and our server was able to accommodate a small request right away. The food didn’t disappoint either. We got a few spreads and appetizers to share, and one entree for each person. The Moroccan Onion dip, and sweet corn hummus were so delicious. They refill pita bread if you need more. Highly recommend making reservations as it can get crowded quickly. Lovely place for brunch date.

I absolutely adore Ema. My friend suggested it when we were having a girl's day and it was incredible, the food, service and atmosphere. Our server was great, he suggested we share plates and recommended different dishes. It's the little things too like the serving platters that added to the experience. Highly recommend and will be back soon!

Loved this cute restaurant! Atmosphere is extremely cute as the entire place is decorated with plants and feels very inviting. Went with a group of 4 and got roughly 2 items per person (shared of course) which was a good amount. Sweet corn hummus and braised beef short rib were excellent, as well as the pistachio frozen yogurt. Highly recommend and would absolutely come again to try some new dishes!

Ema was amazing at every level. The exterior plants and straight lines gave us a sense of what was to come we had reservations and were seated promptly by the friendly host. The interior is a marvel. Greenery everywhere, amid all neutral colors, making it shine. So many lovely textures of plants and also different lamp shades. Even the seats were different. We had a two top with the most comfortable seats I've had in a restaurant. Soft yet firm enough to sit up to eat. Even complete with a tree at the center of the room under an atrium beaming light within. Our server was excellent throughout - checked on us and was knowledgeable about the menu and friendly. We started with the rhubarb stinger cocktail. Not much taste of rhubarb but it was a lovely drink and not sweet, just as we prefer. We ordered the plain hummus which was remarkably creamy with such a lovely flavor and the za'atar pita bread pieces were addictive. They refilled our basket of pita even without us asking. We also had the best Brussels sprouts I've ever had. I like Brussels sprouts but these took the vegetable into a whole new category. Crispy on the outside but soft and gushing with sugary flavor on the inside, they were delectable. The salmon kabobs were so moist and the flavor of good quality salmon shone without anything hindering it. We tried the plain frozen yogurt with salt and olive oil and loved how refreshing it was. I didn't need the salt but it did add extra interest. I would have skipped the oil but my husband enjoyed it because it wasn't too much and added a nice flavor. Absolutely worth the splurge.

I must say, this place is amazing!!! We went here to celebrate a birthday with the fam. I really love tapas style restaurants so I was very excited to eat here, especially since Mediterranean cuisine is a fav of mine. Reservations were made from their web site. We listed specific allergies for one person attending through the online reservation. As we arrived, we were seated immediately and the place was pretty busy. We were greeted by our server and she was great as she was aware of the allergens and wanted to know who had them. She said she would work closely with the staff on any of the dishes and whether they can substitute or remove ingredients. The manager came to our table and reassured us that he would be looking at the ingredients as well before it goes out. As I sat at the table, the decorations and dining area was very nice. Had enough balance between light and dark. We sat at a table that had a tree next to it. It was really cool. We ordered a ton of mini plates, it was hard to choose from but landed on a few dishes: Spicy Hummus with Pita, Truffled Salmon, Spinach and Feta Spread, Falafels, Hot Honey Halloumi, Crispy Potatoes, Broccoli Florets, Sweet Potato Latke, Brisket Kabobs, Chicken and Rice, Steak Frites and for desserts: Honey Cake, Chocolate Torte, Frozen Greek Yogurt and Vanilla Pannacotta. The Spicy Hummus was delicious and had a nice but not too much spice to it. The pita was soft, fluffy and tasty. The spinach feta spread was creamy. I found my self asking for more pita so I can continue switching between the hummus and spinach spread. The falafels were crisp on the outside and was soft on the inside. The Hot Honey Halloumi was had The nice balance of sweetness and spice, I really loved the crispy potatoes, however some pieces were too hard, my favorite was the broccoli florets, it melted in your mouth - it was so good. The sweet potato Latke was tasty and had right amount of crisp to it. I was informed that the brisket kabob was good but not his favorite, the chicken was devoured so I think that speaks for itself. The steak frites had a nice sear on it and was cooked to the right temp, It was cashed a repeat dish for the future. The truffled salmon did but have over bearing truffle. All the desserts were tasty but my fav was the Honey cake. Overall, it was a great birthday celebration. We had good food, good service and awesome conversations and laughs. We def will be back again.

Truly a 5-star experience! I ate at Ema while on a business trip and now wish there were one closer to me. The ambiance is wonderful and the food is high quality! This would be great for a date night! It essentially feels like a 6 or 7 course meal. You start with a hummus or a spread (we did the Smoky Avocado Hummus which was amazing), then move onto a salad (we did the Stracciatella - no complaints), then have a vegetable (we tried the Brussels Sprouts which were amazing), then you move to the hot mezze appetizer like dish (ours was the to die for Mushroom "Escargot" with garlic, parmesan, and calabrian chili breadcrumbs - highly recommend) and the final portion of the meal comes from the kebab section (and we did the Chicken Kefta, and again, highly recommend). We finished the evening with an amazing Panna Cotta for dessert. There's just so much to try. Three of us did this family style (so just 1 of each of these dishes for all three of us). It's a great way to try a lot of things. I'd definitely go again! So yum!

I loved Ema. It's a very beautiful restaurant when you walk in, and the menu looks amazing. We came later in the evening, so we came for only wine and dessert. We ordered the 10 layered honey cake, which we really enjoyed. It was a very rich dessert, though, so it's a good idea to share it with the table. But looking at their dinner menu, I'm coming back to try more of their offerings. It looks too good not to.

We went yesterday night to celebrate a birthday and it was a wonderful experience. The restaurant had a great aesthetic for those who like to take pictures. It was pretty busy and noisy for a 6:30 dinner on a Wednesday night though. We got a few items between 6 people: Mushroom escargot: 9/10 it was delicious I would get it again. Steak frites: 8/10 pretty good and the fries stayed crisp! Avocado hummus: 8/10 very creamy and paired well with warm pita Hot honey halloumi: 9/10 pleasantly surprised but it was a good inbetween from the hummus to the entrees (meatier items) Salmon kabob: 7/10 pretty standard, the sauce was good. We did not care for rice much. Spicy Kefta Kabob: 5/10 I personally think it was way too salty and needed something to cut the salt. Water melon and tuna: 5/10 it was okay but nothing to write home about. We had many other items but here's a review on some of them. The servers did bring us two extra items on accident which they let us keep but it was an awkward encounter when we got the brussel sprout salad (photo not taken). I would recommend trying this spot if you are in the Glenview area and have not gone yet and enjoy eating Mediterranean food.

So I went here for the second time and this time I got the falafel sandwich from their lunch menu and I will say you got two sandwiches for the price and it's a pretty good portion but the green falafel was very dry. Not much flavor. It just wasn't good. The service was amazing. It's gorgeous inside all of that is good but the food just wasn't it which is such a disappointment. I've had the dips and the sticky cake before and those are good but the falafel , which is the main vegetarian option just wasn't it which is really unfortunate.

I found Ema on Yelp and was eager to try it out.  Our anniversary and Father's Day coincided on the same day this year providing an excellent chance to give Ema a try, and it passed with flying colors! Since it was Father's Day, the restaurant was very busy.  We were pleased that we were immediately seated upon arrival.  We were led to a semi-private area of the restaurant along the side windows to have a four-people rectangular table for the three of us.  The tables in this area were spaced nicely apart, providing a sense of privacy while still being connected to the vibrant atmosphere.  There was a high school graduation party of around 7 people at the end of the room when we arrived.  After they left, the space was quickly reset for a larger college graduation party.  So, the mood was festive and joyful.  We actually liked where we sat, as it provided some privacy from the bustling main dining area, separated by a sliding glass window adjacent to our table, that we opted to leave open, and were connected to the rest of the venue as well. The decor at Ema is effortlessly chic and trendy.  Every spot looks like some photos right out of a modern California interior design magazine.  There are abundant creative lamps, chandeliers, and lanterns made with wicker, ropes and strings, creating an interesting ceiling throughout.  The vibe is modern, sophisticated and relaxing. Our main server, Christopher, despite being very busy, was very cheerful, friendly, attentive, and professional throughout the evening.  He paced the service perfectly and answered all our questions knowledgeably.  Christopher added to the positive experience that we had there. Now on to the food!  My husband and daughter ordered glasses of Fableist Chardonnay, while I opted for a lemonade, as none of the non-alcoholic options caught my eye.  We had Hummus, Octopus Carpaccio, Green Falafel to share.  Everything was flavorful, but the Octopus Carpaccio stood out, it featured tender, thin slices of octopus "gelled" into a delicate sheet, and every ingredient on the plate tasted good.  The piping hot pita bread was so good that my daughter said that she could eat it all night long with the Hummus, and I agreed too! Although all dishes are small and meant to be shared at Ema, each of us still ordered an entrée. I ordered Crispy Lamb Ribs from the Father's Day special menu.  The lamb ribs were cooked to perfection and were fall-off-the-bone tender!  The tasty ribs had some crispy exterior, which was enhanced by crunchy delicious chickpeas on top. They were so good that I insisted my husband to try one of the four ribs, and he happily complied.  He also enjoyed his Green Chili Halibut, and my daughter loved her Ora King Salmon as well. Even though we were full, we couldn't resist sharing the Triple Chocolate Torte for dessert. It featured creamy layers of white and milk chocolate mousse over a dense dark chocolate cake base, rich, decadent, and the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Our two-hour dinner flew by, it was the perfect mix of relaxation and celebration. We are delighted to see such a well-rounded Mediterranean restaurant thriving in our neighboring town. We will definitely be back soon to explore more of the menu!

My husband and I went for a late brunch on a Saturday and got right in when we made a reservation. The place was very aesthetically pleasing, and it reminded us of the sister restaurant Aba in the city. Our server was able to tell us how many plates to order between two of us and it was just enough food. The food that we did order was very good and I love the family style concept because you get to try a bunch of things and you don't have to commit to one . The drinks were good, but I think they're a little inconsistent when it came to different bartenders making the same drink . I know this place was really cute and the food was really good and I will definitely come back to try all the other things they have on the menu .

I met my friends at Ema one early evening and it was like we were at some coastal California or Mediterranean getaway far from suburban Glenview. The ambience is chill and relaxed and the foliage and bright and beach decor -- it felt like an episode of The White Lotus. We had a fun experience sampling the small plates. We tried: mushroom escargot, Moroccan onion dip, chicken Kefta, Brussels sprouts, hot honey halloumi. Our favorites were the Brussels sprouts and the halloumi. My friend, who originally thought the restaurant palate was not in her wheelhouse, ended up guarding the halloumi plate (from the staff who were trying to be helpful by bussing the plate) because she was enjoying the sauce so much. We enjoyed all of the dishes and the guidelines were 2-3 plates per person but we had plenty to share. My passionfruit G&T was a little more tart than I preferred and my friend didn't love her Do Not Disturb with cucumber and mint. I think if we'd have switched drinks we would have been pleased. Great service, nice staff. I'll be back to this charming and chill getaway tucked into this suburban slice if Glenview.

Came here with my girl friends and we all loved the food and vibe at this restaurant. The interior design gives a calm boho modern vibe with plenty of natural sunlight. The waiter was so kind and sweet toward us; making sure everything was delicious and perfect. The food was absolutely a hit especially the panna cotta. Definitely order the panna cotta when you come here, you will not regret it. Definitely coming back. Make sure to make a reservation couple days ahead.

This place is gorgeous! So beautifully decorated with a lot of seating and brightness to it. Our server was friendly and attentive during our dining. The food was great. I went with two friends and we ended up getting way more food than needed but truly wanted to try so many things. Upset I didn't take more pictures as they're nicely plated but we were ready to dig in. I absolutely loved the Moroccan onion dip spread with pita - divine. We also got the smoky avocado hummus - yum! Blistered green beans were okay - I'm not a huge mushroom fan but my friends really liked it. Hot honey halloumi was fantastic. We got the chicken kefta which was good but I preferred the spicy brisket kefta, lots of flavor! Also tried the olive oil Greek yogurt which sounds weird but works so well - it almost tasted like a lemon yogurt and was delicious. Will definitely be back to try out some other items.

I love the food at both Ema and Aba. Love their restaurants so much!! I've been to the downtown Ema location but this was my first time at the Glenview location! First, its beautiful inside and I loved the ceiling window with all the natural light. The crowd favorites were the Moroccan dip and sweet corn hummus for starters! The flavor profile was incredible. I chose the halibut as my entree cause I usually dont eat that at home. The halibut comes on a bed of mushrooms and broth. Very delicious!! I would recommend this place to everyone!

I was really impressed by the decor, so elegant and beautiful, it was giving west coast vibes. Definitely make reservations if you plan on dining here as it was pretty packed during dinner time. Drinks: I had the Do Not Disturb and the Passion Fruit G&T. Both were light, refreshing, and not overly sweet. One thing to note though is that this location doesn't offer happy hour, but the Chicago one does. Food: -Classic hummus: smooth and flavorful with crunchy chickpeas on top. Pita bread was soo fluffy, warm, and seasoned well. P.s. you can ask for more pita, it's free! -Green falafel: crispy outside, soft inside, however ours was slightly burnt. What saved the dish was the sauce on the bottom, so yummy! -Spicy brisket kefta: meat was cooked perfectly and lots of flavor on the plate. FYI we requested the bbq on the side. Our server was nice, but he disappeared after collecting our orders and we didn't see him again until we were ready for the check. Not a big deal because there was lots of staff walking around. Overall a luxurious experience and I loved coming here for girls night. I would love to try Ema again but the Chicago location for their happy hour.

Stopped in for lunch and fell in love! The wait staff was amazing, the food was quick and delicious, though they were tapas size they were still big, and the inside of this place was so pretty!! I will definitely be going back with friends. The bathrooms were very luxurious as well, and overall the restaurant was clean!

YOU HAVE TO COME! food is INSANELY good, ambiance is perfection, service is so attentive. 10/10! the g&t was really refreshing, brussels sprouts were roasted perfectly, king salmon with the curry was a nice touch, and cauliflower kababs which were insanely delicious!

Went on a Sunday night to celebrate my wife's birthday. Lucky we had reservations because the wait was 90 minutes. As soon as you walk in you feel the California vibe in this upscale Mediterranean restaurant. The interior decor is absolutely beautiful. We were seated immediately and greeted by our server Nathan. He was very informative and helpful since my wife is Gluten free. The nice thing is just about everything is gluten free. They have an extensive wine list and a few specialty craft cocktails but a few of them are pricey. Limited beer selection but they do have some creative Mocktails. We started with the Hummus with Lamb Ragu. It comes with a basket of warm homemade pitas and they brought out homemade chickpea crackers for my wife. It was amazing. Since this is mainly a small plate dining experience,we tried the Sweet Potato Latkes,Chicken Kefta and Spicey Brisket Kefta. Each plate came with a flavorful dipping sauce along with red cabbage,grilled sweet onions and lemon dill rice. Everything was amazing but we did bring food home as the portions were large . For dessert they brought my wife a complimentary Birthday Frozen Yogurt which was a nice sweet ending to a fabulous dinner. Plenty of parking but you do need a reservation if you don't want to wait. We will definitely be back!

My friend was visiting me from Seattle and I wanted to take him to a nice restaurant. I thought of Ema in Glenview which is closer to me and easy to access. I been to downtown location so I had an idea about the menu. This place is nicely located - very spacious and great interior decor. We ordered few drinks and couple of dips. Everything was delicious and our service to table was also excellent. I have already told my friends to visit this soon.

Great experience, they were running 30min Behind on reservations, the mgr was really nice and comped two appetizers spreads. We did the restaurant week menu and the food was delicious. They have what they call a free or open flow kitchen so food came out as soon as it was done, which was fine although it did take awhile to get through appetizers as they came out one at a time, so we got our main course roughly and an hr and 15 minutes into our dinner service. Other than that - everything was delicious and the restaurant is beautiful inside. Wonderful light and airy decor, modern with plants all around. Would definitely recommend and go back. Friendly staff. They were just super busy! Favorites: Labneh spread Chicken kabob Brussels salad Date cake!

Gorgeous setting and most dishes were delicious like chicken kefta, Braised beef short rib. I'd try a different carpaccio next time as the octopus one was pretty citric. Most veggie dishes were good. Try the honey cake. Very nice staff

I was a big fan in the city so was excited when they opened in glenview. It turns out the rest of the North Shore was psyched too because months after opening it's still a tough reservation to secure. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and has a California Mediterranean vibe. The service is good and the different courses come out fast, but spaced appropriately. As for the food. 5 stars: - toasted almond & garlic spread (the pita it comes with is equally delicious) - octopus carpaccio - honey cake (ginormous, but loved the 2 bites I had...and my kids enjoyed the leftovers) 4 stars: - Brussels sprouts and honey crisp apple salad - hot honey halloumi - spicy brisket kefta 3 stars: - spicy hummus spread My husband liked his old fashioned. I got a vodka lime with no syrup, which was just ok, but I've only had a few bartenders get it right. Clearly I need a new drink! Added bonus was getting lettuce entertain you points and redeeming a bday credit. We will be back - the next time we can get a reservation!

Firstly, The Ambiance is amazing .!! With all the light tones with asthetic vibes and amazing vibes. The Service and the staff are so friendly where they were given suggestion regarding the food and drinks which are quite famous and Now here comes the big one THEeeeeee Food It's just amazing we have ordered almost 4-5 varieties like shrimp,salmon ,chicken rice and everything tastes yum yum and the drinks are too good and a beautiful day to remember

Ema will be added to my go to list when I'm craving for Mediterranean food! Restaurant was easy to find and there is plenty of parking in their parking lot. Ambiance is amazing at the restaurant! Trendy and upscale feel with a hint of modern vibe. Perfect for client lunch/ dinner, and date night! They also have a private dining room area in the back if you want to host a big party. Our party ordered mimosas to start. We each picked 2 dishes to share and that was more than enough for the 3 of us. Hummas with lamb ragu, Moroccan onion dip, Broccoli Florets, Crispy Potatoes , Chicken Kefta Kebabs and Faroe Islands Salmon Kebab were all very delicious! The Hummas with lamb was very tender. Onion dip is a bit on the heavy and sweet side. Broccoli was very crispy and flavorful. Crispy potatoes are exactly what it sounds like. Just, crispy potatoes. Between the two kebabs, the salmon was my favorite. Very tender and perfectly seared. Paired very well with basmati rice! They do add a 3% surcharge to the bill. You can have that surcharge taken off prior to paying.

Love that Ema has opened a second location in Northshore! Driving up to the restaurant, I had my hesitancies on how this location could compete with downtown but walking inside, you are immediately transported. The design is impeccable having a light and bright palette, accent lighting and trees, and mixture of patterns & textures. The central atrium skylight added great natural light to the space that was needed. The group I came with decided to share a variety of dishes as the waiter recommended. We ordered the Moroccan Onion Dip, Tahini Caesar, Brown Butter Dates, Green Falafel, and Chicken Kefta Kabob. My personal favorites were the Moroccan Onion Dip that came across more sweet than expected paired with the seasoned pita as well as the Green Falafel which paired great with the Beet Tzatziki. We finished with the Triple Chocolate Torte which was perfect to split. I also ordered the Do Not Disturb cocktails. It was described as "boozy spa water" which was spot on to taste. I left feeling full, happy I got to try so many dishes, and feeling like it was a great value for quality of food.

Ema is a new Mediterranean establishment in Glenview (at the Glen) that one of my girlfriends recommended we try! I would definitely make a reservation! The inside transforms you out of the Northshore suburbs and makes you feel like you're in downtown Chicago or another beautiful city. It has an upscale feel so it's perfect for a date night or mom's night out in our case! The service was wonderful. I ordered a frozen drink and it appeared in less than three minutes like magic. One of the waitresses accidentally broke some glass and we were immediately checked on. The team worked well together and everyone was really kind. The food was yummy! We ordered a bunch of plates to share which I recommend. It's elevated Mediterranean so think fancy hummus and kabobs and rice or traditional dishes with a fun twist like sweet potato pancakes! All in all the food was fantastic. Notes: Plenty of lot parking. They have the best soap in the bathrooms! Make sure to check out the beautiful lighting and decor!

Love love love this place. I have never had anything that I do not like at ēma. I have been to the Chicago location in Fulton Market and today visited the Glenview location (Chicago suburbs). Every little detail is amazing. The ambiance and decor is first class. The space is so bright and upscale. The waiters and staff are al ll very friendly and attentive. Every bite of food is worth the price. I decided to bring my parents here for lunch as we all love Mediterranean food, but they have never tried it like this. Ēma is amazing even for vegetarians as they have SOOO many options. To start off we ordered some drinks. I tried the Mockingbird cocktail and it was very refreshing. It's not sweet which I liked. You can definitely taste the bitters so if you're not a fan of bitters, I recommend different drink. For appetizers we order the Mushroom "Escargot", Hot Honey Halloumi cheese, and Japanese Eggplant. The escargot comes in a very hefty steel bakeware that makes it just the right amount of crispy and they added the best spices on top. I need to get me one of these steel bakeware as it seems to cook mushrooms perfectly. The halloumi hit the spot with the hot honey spices. What I love is they are not cheap and sparse with the spices and the sauces. I hate when restaurants drizzle just a small amount of sauce and you e d up eating flavorless parts. This had you experiencing all the flavors in EVERY bite. The eggplant makes anyone who hates eggplant rethink it. They are thinly sliced and slightly crispy with fresh ingredients and garnished on top like pomegranate, chives, and tahini. We devoured every last bite of the apps. They also have seasoned, warm and fluffy pita bread that has a bunch of spices on it that makes it perfect and was so filling. It took a bit longer to get the meals out after that so we were glad they refilled the bread and he also kept asking if we wanted more. I loved that since usually you have to ask them to refill. For our meals, my parents got the Green Falafel sandwich with a side of fries, my brother got the Romanesco Cauliflower Kebab, and I got the Spicy Brisket Kefta Kebab. The falafel sandwiches come with 2 half sandwiches so you can definitely share depending o how hungry you are. I like that they put tomatoes and cabbage inside and it wasn't just plain. It had a ton of flavor. The fries are also seasoned and cooked crispy and not oily. Ny brother said this was the best cauliflower he has had. The charred flavors with the labneh and Aleppo peppers and honey were the perfect combination of flavors. My kefta kebab was absolutely perfect. Juicy, tender brisket and the perfect mix of sauces and tzatziki. It had some purple cabbage and charred onions with mini lettuce boats to make mini wraps. It was so fresh and light. After the meal, we didn't feel overly full and bloated. Everything seems freshly picked out and well thought it. Kudos to the chef for making such a great menu and playing with so many flavors. Everyone was pleased with the meal and we will definitely be back. I want to come back for dinner as the desserts are also amazing. We didn't get any for lunch but I have tried them at the Chicago location. This restaurant is also part of the Lettuce Eats rewards. We saw they had a large party celebrating something special and I am definitely interested in coming here for a big celebration. I hope they expand and bring them to more locations! (As a Cincinnatian now, I hope they expand there!)

Having checked out the Chicago location anout a year ago, we decided to make a last minute reservation for lunch today at the Glenview location and surprisingly they had a lot of availability during the holidays. Juwaan was our server today and was so friendly and informative about the restaurants second location! The ambience and feel throughout the place was amazing. They've been open for about 3 months now and we can't wait to come back to check it out during the spring/summer. It looks like they'll be opening up the windows in the back room during the summer which will give it such a great vibe. We started off with the hummus w/ Lamb ragu, which was so flavorful and tender! For the entree we tried the grilled chicken kebob platter (not pictured), the grilled chicken was so juicy and perfectly seasoned. I was so hungry after hitting the gym, that I didn't realize I hadn't snapped a picture until my very last bite They have a pretty good sized dessert menu- it was so hard to decide which one to get but our Juwaan recommended the Triple Chocolate torte which was to die for!!! It was soft and not too sweet. I will be trying the frozen yogurt next time as I saw multiple people ordering that as well. Over a 4.5/5!

Ema is a cute place that totally targets women. Nothing wrong with that at all. When we were there it was a bunch of ladies' night out groups, a few families and several couples. It is a trendy and upscale (see expensive) small plates Mediterranean restaurant. The music is a bit loud and is hard to hear for conversation at the table. Our server was pleasant enough, but seemed like she was interested in larger parties ordering more drinks than us (me a diet soda and my wife had water). She seemed to not visit our table all that often and we had to flag down other servers for help or refills. The way the menu is set up, you should get your plates staggered between dishes. And I think our server didn't see a big tip from us (don't worry, she didn't and I always tip well) so she put in all our dishes and they came out all at the same time even though we were told that they wouldn't come out that way. It looked like we were at a Golden Coral with a million plates on our table. A little embarrassing and there was no room for all the plates so we had to condense the food onto larger plates to make room for everything. My wife and I know we're not the best when ordering small sharable plates as our palates don't match the best. She's more fish and vegetarian, and I'm more red meat (which she doesn't even eat), so sharing was a bit harder for us. Additionally, there isn't a ton of items for me to choose from due to my palate. She was in heaven and wants to go back with her girlfriends (see above). I love Mediterranean food, but Ema was clearly not the place for me. The food was tasty, but pricey for the portions and location (suburbs, not downtown Chicago), so the juice really didn't match the squeeze for me. I understand being trendy and upscale, but let your food be the bar, not the price. I won't be back, but maybe my wife will. Probably not.

Absolutely F@&King amazing. I was captivated first by the ambiance. I felt like I was in LA but I was in COLD A$$ Glenview, IL. and I'm originally from Chicago. April 8 and only in 40's . Anyway, food was AWESOME (tapas style). Staff was attentive and politely professional! Vibe was happening, boujee but yet not to boujee... com'on it glenview... gotta be boujee alil. Over all check this place out you may like it .... I did!!

Ambiance is beautiful I love the aesthetics but the food is sub par at best. Dry chicken, potatoes were huge with no taste to them, shrimp was overcooked. Would definitely not be dining here again. I'd come here for a drink and hummus at most.

When the chef partner CJ makes a special hot sauce and hand delivers it, table-side; when they bring complimentary dessert to celebrate our 28th anniversary; when the food is so good, you want to lick the bowl, you know it's more than just a meal--it's a place that cares. Thoughtful, personal, and absolutely delicious.

First time to Ema, part of the Lettuce Entertain You group. The place is truly gorgeous inside and it was hopping for a Sunday afternoon. We were told the food was served tapas style so should order a few dishes to share. My friend and I started with the charred eggplant spread, which was absolutely scrupulous, hot mezze green falafel, tasty but a little dry and brussels sprouts side dish, also tasty. We ended up being full at that point so never did get an entrée to share. The portions are small and are shareable, but the prices are at more of an entrée level. We still enjoyed the food and atmosphere, but just go in knowing it's a bit pricey.

Food was delicious and the service was impeccable. Thank you for accommodating our large party. We had family from out of town dine with us and they were so grateful for the great service, we know it can be daunting to cater to a big group but Ema rose to the occasion. We will keep you in mind on our next occasion. This location is the vibe.

Ema River North or Ema Glenview? As a surburanite I am 10000% going to Ema Glenview from now on. Parking is waaaay easier since this location has a designated parking lot and you don't have to pay for it. Design wise this location is a replica (if not, pretty darn similar) to the location at River North. It is bright, beautiful and calming. There are booths, standard tables and a bar area. As soon as you walk in there is a cute waiting area that can also be used as a photo op spot as well. I was here for a weekend brunch and enjoyed my time here. My friend and I were 1 of the first people to arrive since they had just opened for service. Within 30 mins the place was jam packed. Service stayed consistent for the most part. Towards the end it did start to slow down, however, I expected this considering how busy it was. For drinks I tried the passion fruit G&T and it was delicious and presented well. I really like when cocktails have garnishes as it brings in the full experience for me. My friend got the Mockingbird mocktail and that was also super cute! We also had still water which I thought tasted weird. IDK what it was but it was NOT good. For food we shared a total of 5 plates. My favorites were the Moroccan onion dip, chicken kefta kebab and the triple chocolate torte. The 1 plate I'd pass on is the sweet potato latkes. We were told this is 1 of their best sellers but I thought it was just 'fine.' Keep in mind Ema is on the pricey side and they are smaller plates. This is a spot where you definitely feel that you are also paying for the atmosphere and service. In my opinion though, it's worth it.

Israeli food with a California flair was just the right combo for this restaurant. The natural lighting and plants make for a pleasant environment, and our waiter was very kind and offered his recommendations from the large menu. The food was fantastic. My personal favorites were the hot halloumi, the charred eggplant spread, the truffled salmon, and the sticky date cake. That cake may be the best dessert I've have in months - will definitely be coming back here for it. Overall, very happy to have tried Ema and to see it open in the north suburbs.

This was the perfect restaurant to celebrate my birthday with my thoughtful husband because almost every item on the menu is gluten free. It is wonderful to go out to eat without having to compromise or worry. The interior decor is so unique for the Chicago burbs and gives off a beautiful relaxed California vibe. Nathan our server was great at answering all our questions. We especially enjoyed sharing the hummus with lamb ragu and I had a basket of house made chickpea flour based chips to scoop up all the goodness and my husband had a warm basket of fresh pita. I also recommend the Spicy Beef Kefta (not spicy) which came with lovely charred onions. Also be sure to try the Sweet Potato Latkes, so good. We took home most of the Chicken Kefta because we definitely over ordered and sadly it came out last and barely warm which was our only disappointment. A complimentary Greek frozen yogurt birthday dessert with my Cortado coffee finished off a very special evening. I would revisit happily.

We loved having lunch here! The decor is stunning, the staff was so nice and the food was delicious! We especially loved the corn hummus and potatoes. Our daughter is 2 and was obsessed with the pita bread, but they also have a kids menu. I will definitely be back, I understand why it's so popular.

Big space inside and great seating area to wait. Table is little tight to each other. Service was really slow. I ordered the drink after wait have been told it is out. New drink came faster than previous wait. I had dine with downtown Ema so familiar with concept. Tapa style but food were not paired great. Non alcoholic mocking bird - 4/5 - great drink but pricey for the size. Spicy hummus - 4/5 - warm pita but lack spice Falafel- 4/5 - good taste Brussel sprout - 4/5 crispy little sweet for my taste Potato - 2/5 - big peieces with lack of seasoning. Large plate Hallomi - 3/5 - little sweet for my taste I have been charged for the drink twice and got corrected after I pointed out.

Ive been to Ema in the city so I was super excited to find out it was here in the suburbs. This location is very open and bright. Our waiter was great had amazing recommendations but was a little slow. Im unsure if it was the waiter or the kitchen though, our meal was 2 and half hours. We started with the hummus with lamb ragu and hamachi. Then ordered the chicken kofta and shrimp kabobs. We asked which chicken dish was better and our waiter suggested the kofta and we were so glad we asked they were so good! Then we ended with the triple chocolate torte. I would highly recommend the hamachi, the chicken kofta, and shrimp!

Where do I start? Let's talk about the restaurant. The dining room is beautiful. They went all out on the decor and is has a wonderful ambiance. We sat at the bar do to the hour and a half wait at 7pm on a Tuesday and it was gorgeous. Our bartender/Server Mikey was great. He knew the menu well and was very attentive. Five Stars for Mikey. The food was average and the price was through the roof. We started with a hummus which came with fresh pita from the kitchen. By far my favorite dish we ordered. Next we had the Hamachi with Melon. I don't know who thought this was a good idea. Melon, hamachi, mint, onion and jalapeño. The presentation looked cool but the dish didn't really go. Then we had the crispy potatoes. These were ok, but i probably wouldn't order them again. Finally we split the king salmon. It was $35 for a 4 Oz cut. It was pan seared I think and lost all the flavor of the fish. It was also really dry. Total bill out the door was a little over $200. Cool ambience, great service, but they need to step up their food game at these costs.

This place ia described as mediterranean with a mix of california in it. It's a small plates to share, but there's also entrees that you can order. Service was great.Everyone was very attentive. They do make suggestions, if you don't know what you want. Parking isn't an issue as soon as you walk into place. It has a very classy feel to it. The decor is amazing. I have been to this place during brunch as well as dinner. So I actually have been to this place twice. Um, I kinda like the dinner menu better the brunch menu, but there are some similarities to it. I do recommend the sweet corn Hummus. The moroccan onion dip and the chicken kefta, and the salmon kefta. The pita bread that comes with the hummus is so good that we keep on asking for them, even though the hummus was gone. Also, they have a chocolate dessert. It's like a chocolate tart cake that you wouldn't wanna miss.It is so good. Anyway, if you haven't checked this place out, it's a must try.It is a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. Happy eating!

Love love both Ema and Aba located in the city so I was excited to check out Ema here in the suburbs. Everything from the decor/ambience, the service and the food was amazing and may I say might even be better than the one downtown. The restaurant was packed and the food kept coming and everything was just delicious. Great to see a gem that's downtown expand to the burbs and surpass my expectation.

We had visited for a birthday meal we and really enjoyed ourselves. It was super busy for lunchtime on a weekday, I was surprised about that! We were several minutes early and had to wait until closer to our reservation time, just something to keep in mind when planning your meal. Our server was very friendly and upbeat. He explained the small plate concept and ordering 2-4 items per person. In reality, for lunch we shared an app, a sandwich and a dessert and it was plenty. We are not huge lunch eaters, we left full!! All the food was plated nicely and looked great. The latkes, while good, sort of fell apart. The dominant flavor was sweet potato despite the other things listed in the description. The sauce was amazing probably better than the latkes themselves. The sandwich had ample meat and tasted good. The pita was very fresh and it had hummus on it which was nice touch, very filling. The fries were alright, had zaatar seasoning, but just tasted like regular fries to me. Came with tzatziki sauce and a ketchup that tasted very strongly of cumin. Desserts. They were kind enough to offer a complimentary birthday dessert. We also ordered honey cake. Ok this has never happened... but I truly loved the birthday dessert more then the dessert I paid for lol. The yogurt was very smooth, had a wonderful Greek yogurt flavor. And the strawberry sauce was fresh and really complimented the yogurt well. The honey cake was still tasty, but heavy, and gave honey graham cracker vibes, but in a good way. All in all, the atmosphere is beautiful and the food was good. There's just so many Mediterranean places in the area it's difficult to really fairly compare when you consider the price point. This is great if you are looking to have a nice and special meal experience!!!

The service is fabulous (I expect nothing less from Lettuce Entertain You). Ambience and decor, gorgeous. The food is sadly beyond underwhelming, obviously precooked and overpriced. You can get much better Mediterranean food at Pita Inn and for a fraction of the price. It's unnerving to have kabobs show up at your table minutes after ordering them and BEFORE your cocktails. Plus they were rubbery, apparently sitting under the warming lamps, waiting for orders to come in. Hummus for $14-18 is insane. Interestingly, we had the exact same disappointing experience at Ema in Chicago. I noticed the Glenview location was initially crazy busy but it seems to have died down. If I had to guess, people are realizing it's not worth the over the top prices for mediocre, inauthentic Mediterranean food when the real deal is close, reasonable and much better. Super disappointing, felt like a total rip off.

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while so finally gave it a try for restaurant week! Beautiful relaxing decor, everything my husband and I had was delicious, he really enjoyed his cucumber/jalapeño cocktail. Charred eggplant was my favorite, smoky and delicious! The location ran out of the date cake I wanted to get so we were offered the panna cotta instead, I was pleasantly surprised as it's not something I would normally go for but it was very refreshing. Plenty of parking outside!

This Mediterranean/California mezze style (similar to tapas) restaurant offers a variety of amazing dishes in a bright and airy atmosphere. Portions are decent and the sandwich and kebabs are light entree sized.

I absolutely love Ema. It's such a pretty spot and a welcome addition to Glenview. The atmosphere here is lovely and I love the spreads and pita! I especially enjoyed the shrimp, as well, but everything was incredible! The staff are very kind and accommodating. I highly recommend this restaurant!

5-star service in a really bright and vibrant restaurant!! The roasted broccoli with the crunchy rice and tahini drizzle was delicious. Shared the mixed salad and had a falafel sandwich with tzatziki and z'tar fries. Great!! Should have ordered a bourbon. There's always next time.

The positives: Ema is a Mediterranean small-plates restaurant that's perfect for taking photos for social media, going on a date, or having a fun night out. The facility is inviting and spacious, with lighting and greenery that create a warm atmosphere. Their classic hummus and braised short ribs were absolutely magnificent! The negatives: The broccoli florets were not worth $15. They lacked flavor and tasted burnt. The spicy kabobs were either overly salty or completely flavorless. The service was disappointing. Our waiter was not attentive--he didn't ask if we wanted more drinks or food and rarely checked in on us. One dish took over 40 minutes to arrive. While we received our hummus and short ribs fairly quickly, the kabob came out 40 minutes later. We tried to look for our waiter after waiting 30 minutes, but he was nowhere to be found. He also didn't offer us the dessert menu after our meal, despite my husband noting in the reservation that this was a birthday dinner. It would have made sense to celebrate with dessert. Lastly, the parking lot was an ice rink--completely unsalted. I nearly fell both entering and exiting the restaurant. The negatives soured my experience. I was so excited to try the Glenview location because I loved the Chicago one. I'm giving 2 stars solely for the hummus, short ribs, and decor.

came for restaurant week! loved the space and is decorated similarly to their other location, very aesthetic! the restaurant week meal didnt save much value, but it was still a fun option! really enjoyed the cook on the salmon kebab as it wasn't dry and the zhoug sauce pairing. the red onion was pretty raw unfortunately to those who don't like onion. the spicy brisket kefta was super well seasoned and we loved the freshness from the greens it came with! the truffled salmon crudo while tasty, was a small portion for how much u paid for if a la carte. we also got to have additional pita which was nice! both desserts were super good as they weren't overly sweet! specially loved the honey cake in its depth of honey flavor and lightness, a real showstopper when the slice came out. the sticky date cake was fun in textures and flavor as well! really enjoyed the whole experience and prefer it over the river north location!