LÝRA
Restaurant · West Town ·
Mediterranean-inspired fare in an earthy, indoor-outdoor space
Mediterranean-inspired fare in an earthy, indoor-outdoor space
"This Greek Restaurant in the West Loop is the size of a football stadium, crowded, plays loud music, and has dishes that pop up regularly on TikTok. 10pm reservations are coveted because at midnight, they pass out white napkins for everyone to twirl around, servers come out singing and waving sparklers, and the entire restaurant turns into a club. While some of Lyra’s menu can be hit or miss, the flaky spanakopita and tender lamb ribs are delicious enough to help you forgive the restaurant’s flaws, especially if you love pyrotechnics and being surrounded by an absurd amount of wicker lampshades." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"Those looking for a laidback Greek Island vibe — in the middle of the West Loop, no less — should head to Lyra where basket-like light fixtures and a coal-burning hearth in the dining room add to that feeling. Peruse the “golden hour” food menu while sipping on $10 glasses of wine or cocktails. Start with $1.50 oysters and a variety of dips (think spicy feta, tzatziki, and more) with pita. There’s also spanakopitakia ($6) and wagyu meatballs ($9) on the menu available 5-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12-4 p.m. Sunday." - Lisa Shames
"What To Expect: This West Loop Greek spot is known for TikTok-ready tableside preparations. If you love watching servers twirl napkins, be here at 11pm on the weekends for a ritual that also involves singing and waving sparklers to clubby Greek music. What’s Up With the Food: A selection of spreads are just fine, and the spanakopita is nice and flaky. Gyros prepared tableside are tasty enough, even if the dish is really just lamb shoulder that a server listlessly shreds with a fork. Verdict: The food is hit-or-miss, but that’s not why you’re here. Come to Lyra if you love being surrounded by an absurd amount of wicker lampshades and some ouzo-fueled shout-talking." - veda kilaru, adrian kane
"Are you having dinner with someone who will absolutely brag about how much he just spent on a bottle of wine? Then make a reservation at Lyra, a loud-as-hell Greek restaurant in the West Loop where that conversation can take place without you cringing and looking for the nearest exit. And at 11pm on Friday and Saturday, they play clubby Greek music while servers dance on tables with sparklers and everyone waves napkins around and around, which is objectively fun." - adrian kane
"This Greek spot is a party restaurant, so if you’re here celebrating a 29th birthday on someone else's budget with a group of shout-talkers unbothered by expensive and average food, it’s fun. Lyra is loud, crowded, has a gigantic bar area, an even larger dining room, and hit-or-miss Greek food. There is a selection of spreads that are just fine, and an overly-acidic tuna tartare that’s wet like a ceviche. But there is also flaky spanakopita and gyros (“carved tableside”) that are tasty enough that you forgive it for being a plate of lamb shoulder that’s half-heartedly shredded with a fork by a server who’s in a rush to get away from your table. It’s all pretty expensive though, so you should only come here if you’re in the mood to be somewhere buzzy while surrounded by an absurd amount of wicker lampshades." - adrian kane