Ila's Chicago

I had a nice visit to Ila’s Chicago. I ordered the little gem salad and the burger. The salad was really good and super fresh 🥗 The burger and fries had good quality meat and great buns, but the bun became saggy and greasy from the oil and I could barely hold it. The whole dish was also a bit too salty for my taste 🍔 For cocktails, I tried the Bolivian Refresher and really enjoyed it. Light, flavorful, and easy to sip 🍸 Overall, a decent experience.

Came here for a dinner out with my friend since she noticed it was a newly opened place! The ambience and atmosphere of this place is so pretty! (It gives calm and chill version of classy) Our waiter made sure to check on us throughout the night (our water was always filled) and we were even greeted by the owner’s mother to let her know if we would change anything (such a sweet lady) We tried the lumpia eggrolls, burger, and papperdelle… all were 10/10! (The only thing we would change is the sauce that comes with the egg rolls — it was a bit sweet. A savory/salty sauce would’ve gone better) For drinks, we had “The Quinn” and “Night At Garibaldi”… both were delicious! We also got convinced to try dessert by our waiter (he was amazing btw!)… we tried the Japanese cheesecake. This was good; however, it was more pound cake than cheesecake. We will definitely be back and will suggest this place to more people! This is a lovely addition to River North!

Wow we needed this type of establishment on Hubbard st. It’s sleek and sexy. Ila’s has global inspired dishes! Cocktails like the ube sour are amazing. Corn agnolottti and other Housemade pastas and those scallops. Get their birria Pieogi and empanadas please. Service is the best I’ve seen! @chicagopescetarian

Here’s a concise, punchy version perfect for Yelp or Google Reviews: --- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ila’s is a Chicago gem! The cozy, family-inspired atmosphere and festive holiday touches made us feel right at home. Derek W. was fantastic—knowledgeable, energetic, and attentive. We loved the creative virgin drinks (The Quinn & Ube Sour) and every dish impressed: the flavorful Empanada Duo, scratch-made Sweet Corn Agnolotti, elevated Grilled Cheese & Smoked Tomato Soup, and perfectly cooked Pan-Roasted Halibut. Exceptional service, delicious food, and warm vibes—highly recommend!

This place has the best service I’ve ever received! Everyone is so unbelievably kind - great conversationalists and so many people (from the owner to the manager to our wait staff) would strike up conversation and check in on us. On top of that, the food was PERFECT. Excellent proportions and great price! The atmosphere of the restaurant is so unique and welcoming. I will be recommending this restaurant to all of my friends and family!

We stopped by Ila’s after dinner because we were immediately drawn in by the beautiful décor. The atmosphere inside is stunning—everything looks brand new and thoughtfully designed, which makes sense since the staff told us the restaurant just opened two weeks ago. Even though we were already full from dinner, we decided to try a couple of drinks, and they were excellent—well-balanced, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The service was also fantastic; the staff was warm, attentive, and welcoming. Unfortunately, we couldn’t try the food this time, but based on the menu and overall experience, we’re definitely planning to come back soon to enjoy a full meal. A wonderful new spot that I’m excited to return to!

Any of you who travel for business know the drill. Land, get to the hotel, and find something to eat...anything to eat. On this trip to Chicago, I stumbled upon what felt like a little gem: Ila's. Sitting at the bar, I had a beautiful martini (made perfectly by my charming bartender Vincent) along with a sampling of Happy Hour and regular menu items. All were delicious and my only regret was not having a dinner partner to eat the rest. The surprise was the spicy rice served with the Paneer Kebab. It was perhaps the star of the night (seconded by the Lamb Pierogi), and the owner's mother Ila's recipe. My mouth just watered as I typed that last sentence. Sadly, I left Chicago the next day, so my delicious bites at Ila's are but a memory. However, if you're in the area, go! You'll be glad you did.

Don't sleep on Ila's brunch! I've been dying to come here for dinner, but every time I've been available it's been booked solid. I came in for brunch on a Saturday morning and was blown away by the food. The churro donuts were perfectly crispy yet chewy; the guajillo chocolate sauce had the right amount of spice. The French toast was easily one of the best French toast dishes I've ever had - the apple butter and slaw elevates it well. The chilaquiles were cooked so well, too. I want to come back and try the duck hash along with the birria pierogis (dinner only). Portions are excellent, especially knowing the absurd prices of River North. I'm definitely coming back when I'm in town.