Ema
Mediterranean restaurant · Near North Side ·
Mediterranean small plates & kebabs with regional wines in airy surroundings
Mediterranean small plates & kebabs with regional wines in airy surroundings
"Ema is a Mediterranean small plates restaurant, and all the dishes are designed for sharing. You can keep lunch simple with basics like hummus and kefta, or order some of the more interesting dishes like the farro "risotto" with sweet corn. Whatever you do, make sure you order extra housemade pita—it’s excellent. Also good to know? There are plenty of round tables that can easily seat mid-sized groups, and they have a nice sidewalk patio for day drinking, too." - adrian kane, john ringor, nick allen, veda kilaru
"Pastries are taken very seriously at James Beard Award-nominated bakery Ema, where the flaky creations are made fresh each morning. It’s no wonder that the conchas, which have earned a reputation as some of the softest in the city, often sell out fast. Get there early to snag a seat and savor popular dishes like the French toast featuring brioche soaked in a Hoja Santa custard and dolloped with whipped cream and berries. For a savory option, consider the huaraches — tender masa cakes topped with black beans, grilled chicken, salsa paloma, cabbage, and sour cream, and don’t forget to take something from the pastry case home. The masa cornbread and blue corn conchas won’t disappoint." - Brianna Griff
"Nominated as Best New Restaurant at the 2025 James Beard Awards." - Courtney E. Smith
"Ema is a Mediterranean small plates restaurant, and all the dishes are designed for sharing. You can keep it simple with basics like hummus and kefta, or order some of the more interesting dishes like the parmesan farro "risotto" with mushroom ragu. Whatever you do, make sure you order extra housemade pita—it’s excellent. Also good to know? There are plenty of round tables that can easily seat mid-sized groups, and they have a nice sidewalk patio, too." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru
"Ema makes the most beautiful Mexican pastries and breakfast in town, remixing familiar dishes and flavors like horchata and blue corn into cream-stuffed donuts shaped like miniature curling stones or the topping on fluffy conchas. The bakery and cafe started as a stall at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market and quickly started selling out almost as early as the stand opened. Now a full-fledged cafe in The Heights, there are even more incredible pastries, horchata-spiked coffee drinks, and brunch options. Go here for breakfast or brunch and watch everyone around you trade bites of achiote pork-stuffed pambazos with forceful insistence. No wonder the counter line constantly spills out the front door." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
