Psistaria Greek Taverna

The restaurant has the cutest ambiance. The host was extremely nice, asked how my day was going, and even gave me a compliment. Our server, Victor, was very timely and greeted us right away. They serve bread with olive oil on it (yay for bread!); however, there were sesame seeds on the crust, which kind of ruined it for me. I ordered the horiatiki (village) salad, which only came with two olives and two tiny pieces of feta. Can we really classify it as a horiatiki salad with such a minimal amount of these essential ingredients? Even so, it was well-flavored, and the vegetables were fresh. The feta tasted so authentic--it was perfect! I also ordered a Greek white wine, Boutari Kretikos, which Victor suggested as one of the most popular choices. It was dry yet flavorful, just as he described. For my main dish, I ordered the whole lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass) broiled with oil, lemon, and garlic. It came with a surprise: Victor lit the dish on fire and shouted, "OPA!" From presentation to palate, it was AMAZING! The dish was accompanied by a soup, and I chose the avgolemono (egg, lemon, and rice) soup. It was served lukewarm, but I added lemon wedges (insider tip!) which really enhanced the flavor. For dessert, I ordered what seemed like a Greek take on a fritter. It was topped with a delicious, creamy vanilla bean sauce. The perfect balance of rich and sweet!

Service was excellent, even though the restaurant was very crowded and noisy. Had reservation and we were seated within a few moments of our arrival. Good menu,lots of choices. Prices were about the usual for a Greek restaurant. Soup came with our meal, that was very good. Greek salad was very ordinary, not much thought went into presentation or ingredients. We shared the salad but were charged $7.00 per person. Main courses were served promptly and hot. Would return for another visit but might try earlier to avoid the crowd and noise.

Ordered for carryout through their website. Arrived on time. Was ignored while the host answered a phone call as I opened my mouth to say hello. Waited 30 mins past the pickup time while other customers were in and out with their orders. No offer to make anything right. They seem to not care about customers who aren't regulars. Food was fine but almost everything under seasoned, very small portions of lamb (which was missing the potatoes it was supposed to come with) and octopus, and very overpriced. The best things were the dips, spanakopita, and spinach rice. It was very busy in the restaurant and many people seemed to be regulars, but that won't be us. What a disappointment. As an aside, the valet parking is a disaster as well.

In 2022 we ended up having a wedding rehearsal here and it was a huge hit amongst Greek and non Greek individuals. We have since moved from the area, but have come here at least once a year to enjoy truly Greek cuisine. Over this last weekend, the day before Easter, we came here and ended up feasting. The mini kabobs on their appetizer menu were more like traditional souvlaki you'd find in Greece but on smaller skewers. (Note if you order the kabob meal the meat is much larger and more American). We both agreed the appetizer is the way to go to enjoy a local but authentic souvlaki. It was incredibly busy, but we really enjoyed our food and the many leftovers. The ambiance was a little loud, but it didn't feel crowded despite it being packed. The only thing I would recommend is the frappe being served in a class cup. Bravo

My new favorite Greek restaurant in the Chicagoland area. The food here reminds me exactly of the food I had in Greece. I've been here once before in 2016, but the service wasn't as great. It's under new management and wow! I can tell everything is so much better than the last time I was here. You get so much bang for your buck. Huge portions and every entree comes with 2 sides. Make sure to get the Ekmek for dessert Will be back again soon! Thank you Psistaria

Just go... The food is very good. The service and everyone you meet is nice (even the people parking the cars). Did I mention the food is incredible and you get soup with your entree? Just go...

Wow! We'd driven by this place so many times and always noticed it was packed. Tonight I was craving moussaka as it had been far too long since I'd had it and this was one of the only places close by that served it. Now I understand why the popularity! For a crowded place, the service was exceptional and what you'd expect from a much pricier restaurant. The saganiki was beyond delicious and a generous amount of it! Accompanied that with an outstanding chop salad. Then perfect avgolemono as part of the moussaka dinner, and of course the perfectly spiced dish itself. Wish we had room for dessert but will definitely be back. Tip: go on a weekday and use the valet. So worth it!

Great food and atmosphere! I came here on a Saturday night, and it was very busy. All of the food I ordered was flavorful and delicious. The portions are also very large and easy to share. The service was also excellent as well. I definitely will come back to try more of the dishes.

Psistaria... Yum! Yum Yum! I usually start off with the pork kabobs(lots of lemons) & some nice warm, toasted bread with a variety of traditional Greek spreads! I highly recommend the Branzino which comes to the table whole then ever so carefully deboned by our kind server. The service is great here! Always... my eyes are too big for my stomach & they split our sides or make smaller plates for us because it's a feast! Everything I've ever ordered in the bustling, family owned restaurant has been fantastic! It's a cute restaurant which has redone the bar over the years I've been coming here! One thing I will STRONGLY SUGGEST is get the Ekmek! It is the best, most authentic Ekmek dessert I've ever had & I've been all over Greece! Forget Greektown for the moment & try this gem right off 94 & Touhy East. You won't regret it! Chef's kiss! Highly Recommend!

Dirty Greek! Yes please. If you like olive martinis you'll enjoy this drink. Came here for a surprise birthday party. Mine! I enjoyed the entire experience. Good food. Excellent service. Strong drinks. Check them out if you haven't already.

If you're going to make a trip to a Greek restaurant, you need to realize the seriousness of ordering Saganaki as a starter. A glorious golden brown block of cheese that's brought out on a small sizzle plate, then doused with ouzo and set on fire until the inside becomes all hot and melted. But you also have the Spanakopita as a promising starter: crispy, flaky phyllo dough that encases a rich, hot, and hooey spinach and feta cheese filling. Although the Saganaki is probably the most popular appetizer to order at any Greek restaurant, you can never fake an incredible Spanakopita - it could very well be the best dish on the table. You could even dip it in tzatziki, a huge bowl of that wonderfully chunky, creamy, and garlicky yogurt sauce, with clumps of cucumber and dll to add a tang and bright flavor. Grilled food is the specialty a Psistaria, especially the meat and fish, so I couldn't help but order the Whole Lavraki with a side of Briami. Cutting into the fish, the skin was crispy and flaked, easily pulling away from the creamy and buttery meat. If you're going to order the Lavraki, I highly recommend ordering the Briami with it to supplement your meal with a lot of extra flavor. You know the drill - after your main meal, the waiters will come back and ask about dessert. It takes a lot of strength and willpower to say "no" to Baklava, Tiramisu, or Galaktoboureko. But since I've been thinking about these sweet treats ever since, I'll need to come back soon to finally get it out of my head.

Great food always. We do carry out since it's usually crowded. We have so many favorite dishes, I couldn't choose the best. And if you decide to eat there they have the flaming sagsnaki like the old Diana's Opaa!

The food is always amazing! Servers are nice as is all of the staff. I have been here many times. It gets crazy busy so be prepared if you are trying for peak hours. The only thing that I can find is a minus is they no longer do combo plates. But the food is fantastic!!

Incredible food, service, and ambiance. Everything tasted so good- lima beans, eggplant, chicken kabob, white fish, the bread and tzatziki. The service was fast, friendly, and professional. Water refills were quick. Loved this place.

Came here on a Saturday night with the family on MLK weekend- The Place was packed! There is valet parking FYI We waited for a while to be seated, honestly it was a little claustrophobic in the beginning with so many people in the open seating area with the round tables so close together, but honestly once you settle down and when you are with the right company it was very family friendly vibe. We got a couple appetizers the calamari was delicious and the beans! I ordered the avgolemono soup with the chicken riganati (smallest portion) everything was labeled with GF which was helpful. For the Riganati's sides I ordered potatoes because I heard they're really good but they ran out! That shows how busy they were, but the waiter told me he would get me veggies but surprised me with a little bit of those delicious potatoes. That made my night! Overall, even with it being extremely busy and the waiting and improv side dishes for my riganati, everything was delicious and I would definitely be back (maybe for lunch, hopefully less busy) Best Greek food I've tried so far!

Probably the best restaurant I have ever been to. Incredible food, great service and just beautiful ambiance; highly recommend. You will not regret coming here!

Soups and salad were delicious. Restaurant interior was immaculate, as was the clientele. Updated design inside, more than you would think from the outside. There's a valet even on a Friday at lunch. Service was efficient and professional.

Best Greek food in area. Went for brother's birthday. Had calamari and saganaki for starters and both were delicious. Main course we had lamb, pork chops, beef stew- all were perfectly cooked. All ingredients were high quality. They did cake for my brothers birthday and it was a delicious spice cake with nuts. The only hiccup was the valet parking seemed overwhelmed and busy as we left, with us waiting over 15 minutes with three rowdy kids. The parking could be more organized. But I won't take away a star because the food was that good. I'd go back any day.

Really good vibe and reasonably priced. Had tasty lamb and a gyro platter. High quality. Loved it.

Had a early dinner at Psistaria, it was absolutely delicious. We sat in the bar area where Niko was the server and bartender. Niko was extremely attentive to all in his area and managed to make each individual customer feel like they were his only priority. We loved this about Niko. Aside from the service being outstanding our meal was delicious down to every bite. Thankfully we couldn't finish it all so delicious leftovers is in our future.

Absolutely amazing experience! I went here for my birthday. While the exterior is unassuming, the interior and food were absolutely amazing! You receive large portions for the price. Service from all staff is hands down the best. Free valet parking AND the place was packed by 7:00 pm on a random Tuesday. This alone speaks volumes to their food quality and service. Restaurant and bathrooms, spotless! Time from ordering to receiving appetizers...perfect. Informative and kind staff...excellent. Not a single complaint. If you want solid, tasty Greek food with excellent flavor and portions...this place is it

Headed up here for lunch during a recent visit, and OPA it was a good time! I am kicking myself for not reviewing this immediately though, because I don't remember all the details. ;) We started with the saganaki, which was delicious as always (and they give you plenty of bread). The soup was lemony and so great. I got one of the lamb options (I can't believe I can't remember which one) and it was cooked perfectly. Pastitsio was also great - I love this pasta so much and their version was legit. Portions are very generous and we should've shared an entree or two. Service was a bit scattered, but overall, great food!

Psistaria was such a surprise! Went for lunch and they were packed-waited in line for valet parking. Sane for dinner another week. Valet is complimentary, btw. I've driven by this place many times and I thought it was a worn out spot. I was seriously wrong! It is vibrant. Food is delicious! Great menu. There were a few items that could've been a little more seasoned or more garlic but overall it was fabulous. A great spot to know about in an area you wouldn't be expecting great Greek food.

Called ahead for a reservation for 6 at 6. I show up and they say it's a 45-minute wait, then asks if my party is all present. Why ask that question if I have to wait anyway? What's worse is they have a valet system, so I couldn't just leave. Just a huge waste of time.

An authentic Greek restaurant. Nice atmosphere and great food. The bread was so good I knew I would be taking food home. Had the chickpea soup and Greek sausage. Delish.

Service and food is great. Always a good experience there. Friendly owners and always a bustling atmosphere.

First time here on a Saturday evening and the place was hopping, the entire dining room was full and the service was good. The tables are spaced out in the airy dining room, so it didn't feel crammed, and there's a separate bar area too. It's all valet parking (free) but tip well. We opted for the create your own Greek traditional favorites, and probably had one of the best spanakopitas I've had outside of Greece. The pastitsio, moussaka,and riganati chicken was great too. Next time we want to try the grilled fish plates. Portions are huge, pretty much every table had leftovers to take home. Priced well, seems like the place is overlooked but it's their loss, this is a great place and we'll be back soon, it's all the best of Greektown with easier parking.

The wait was super long but we didn't have reservations on a Saturday evening, so, not the restaurant's fault. The lamb dish one of my sons and my wife ordered were delicious, the moussaka was fine and the gyros was ok as well. Service was slow at the beggining (we sat and waited about 3-4 minutes until my wife asked a guy for the menu) but then the waiter and bussers were incredibly attentive and prompt to serve us throughout the rest of the time we were there. I'd definitely go back to try more of their menu but I'll make sure to make a reservation.

This place is fire. It's always overly busy and parking is an absolute joke. Just park behind in the residential neighborhoods. Very inconvenient. Food is good though. Good Greek wines and seafood. Can't complain.very good Greek food for the area

Good Greek food! This place was BUSTLING. I called to make a reservation for a group of 8 on a Wednesday night. It was so busy in the restaurant, I thought it was a Saturday night. FYI, they take reservations M-F up to 5:30, then it's first come first serve after. Reservations not allowed on the weekends. However, they turn the tables quickly so hang tight and grab a drink at the bar. Parking situation is terrible. Frustrating put nicely. They have valet or a small parking lot. We ended up parking across the street and crossed the street which was a little offsetting. Allow extra time for parking! We ordered Grilled Calamari and Saganaki as appetizers - both were excellent. I ended up having a combination plate which started off with Lemon Rice Soup, and included Moussaka lamb meatballs. I wasn't crazy about the rice dish on the side, it was mediocre. I would choose a different side next time. My boyfriend had chicken kabobs which were excellent and would recommend. They also have a wide option of other food like pasta and fish which also looked good coming out of the kitchen. Other than the parking situation, I would consider coming back.

I consider Psistaria to be the finest Greek restaurant in the Chicago area and beyond. It's my go to place for Greek cuisine. I always get a gyros platter. The vegetables are excellent and the lemon soup is perfect. The flaming saganaki will make you say: OPAH! The atmosphere takes you to Athens! It has parking and the prices are reasonable. I've tried Dolmades and moussaka. Gets my highest rating.

Best Greek restaurant in Chicago! Everything is notches above everywhere else. The Saganaki is crispy at the edges and buried in butter and lemon juice. The filet beerlf kabob is perfectly done to order and sumptuous with grilled onion and tomatoes. The egg lemon soup is creamy any tart, and the Greek potatoes . . . No words!

Food, service and atmosphere are all superior! The owners and staff are cordial and friendly. The best Greek Restaurant in Chicagoland! Order the saganaki to start - delicious! Order the paidakia for 6 of the best thin cut marinated lamb chops you will ever eat! Their lamb shank with red sauce is amazing. I always get it with peas in the same red sauce. All their fish dishes are out of this world! The pastichio is also phenomenal, if you want a pasta dish. Their alcoholic beverages are generous pours. Their Greek desserts are second to none! My favorites are galaktoboureko (custard with filo dough) and baklava. There is nothing bad on the menu! DO NOT MISS THIS EXPERIENCE! There is no longer outdoor dining since Covid ended. That outdoor dining area was returned to parking. Free valet parking is offered. First come first served. No reservations are taken. Get there early for the shortest wait time.

One of the reasons Chicago has great food. Authentic Greek is a must. This restaurant is a staple for a reason. Cute little spot with free valet parking, great service, and amazing food. Go with friends and get all the small plates & share. Go with family & get your own entrees. Just go & enjoy the flavors.

Tried something new. The lamb combo. Tons of food lamb chops, lamb loin chops and rib tips. There was nearly no meat on the rib tips. The two chops were outstanding.

We went to Psistaria on my birthday 12/17/21. The two previous times the food was outstanding. This time not so much. I really looked forward to eating there but was very disappointed by the food we received. The restaurant as always was packed & the servers did an outstanding job in spite of them covering many tables & people, unfortunately the food was really lacking today. The last time we were here was on my birthday 2 years ago. I ordered the fresh Mediterranean sea bass that's flown in from Greece. The fish is cooked w/olive oil, lemon & garlic. The last time the fish was excellent. This time I was so disappointed by the fish as the flesh had the texture of a wad of soggy toilet paper. My wife ordered broiled chicken (which takes about 30mins). This was outstanding. The chicken skin was perfectly browned & crispy. Even the chicken was seasoned so well. Many times the white meat tends to be dry w/not much seasoning. This chicken was delicious cooked so the meat was moist, tender & seasoned perfectly. We both ordered the vegetables as our side dish. This proved to be a mistake as they were so grossly over cooked & soggy. Nothing worse then soggy over cooked vegetables. The service & chicken were both outstanding but unfortunately the fish & vegetables left a lot to be desired.

Wow! One of my favorite Greek restaurants in the Chicagoland area. This place is always PACKED! Unfortunately, I don't believe they take reservations. Needless to say the ambiance was lively and loud. Bar seating is limited and jammed with patrons either getting a drink waiting for a table or dining at the bar. Despite having visiting numerous times over the years, I've never written a review till now. Every time was as great as the last. Food is delicious--and you know the food is good beforehand when you see a lot of Greek diners! I usually get the combo as I usually have a taste for a number of items. The combo can be pick 2 or 3 depending on how hungry you are. The combo comes with a cup of soup and a vegetable side The oregano baked chicken was good, but perhaps a little on the dryer side (I got white meat). The moussaka was hearty--total comfort food. And the arakas was perfect. We ended our meal with the usual galactoboureko--yum! I've also had their kebobs, gyro and pastitsio. Everything is so good and you cannot go wrong. Tip: there is only valet parking. So be sure to enter the lot going east on Touhy.

Amazing dinner. We got everything! The soup was absolutely exquisite! I dream about that soup!

West Touhy is an odd road with small strip malls and hulking 1960s buildings. Nestled on this odd road is Psistaria. I have passes this place about 100 times and wondered about it. We just went there for a Sunday dinner which seems to do quite a business. They offer valet parking which I highly recommend. The interior is only large neutral room with many tables. They do not take reservations but the wait was not long. As usual the Greek menu is large and they have a cocktail and wine menu. We ordered the saganaki, and tirokafteri spread which was good. The service is fast and attentive. The dinner portions are generous such as Moussaka, kbobs and Greek chicken. The noise levels are high but you can have a table conversation. Overall it reminded me of large dinner joints when I was growing up. Solid everything but nothing extraordinary. That is ok.

One of my friends had some of their appetizers catered for a party and I decided to try them lunch. We came for a late lunch so it wasn't crowded and we were able to spread out/ sit away from other guests. The service was excellent and attentive. I really appreciated that the we never felt rushed. They let us finish each course before taking our order and the food came out rather quickly. My favorite things we tried were the calamari, grilled octopus, lemon soup and the five cheese puffs. The menu is quite large and it was really her to pick just one entree. I appreciated that the entrees came with a soup and side! The lemon rice soup was probably my favorite. It so rich and creamy. It was so yummy that I got a bowl of it to go. Can't wait to go back and try them again. The menu is HUGE so there is a lot to try.

Have to say always driven by and seen how busy they are..... Wow luckily they seat you pretty fast table for 3 was 20min wait... wasn't bad.... And wow food was so good!!! Once we ordered appetizer came quick and freshly cooked.... And our entrees were so good aswell.... We definitely coming back here

The food here is good, if you get a chance to try it... This is the 2nd time where we have stopped in to eat on the weekends and didn't get a table even though we waited. Both times we ended up going to Stefani's Prime a few minutes away and got a table there within 15 mins, even though they are equally as busy. The hostesses @ Psistaria are super unorganized, this time we waited for 55 mins when we were told the wait was 35-45. Then I was told we were next on the list but they called 2 other parties before us. We even saw 3 groups of 2 that were seated before us (we were a table of 3) that came in and put their name on the list after us. Last time this happened (in the same fashion) I asked do you take reservations, the girl said no but while we were waiting this time, people came in saying they had a reservation?? I get you're busy but your system doesn't work. They obviously accommodate who they want, when they want which isn't very customer friendly. If you want to try this place you're better off going during non peak times, or for lunch. Before Covid they were just as busy but this never happened, you would wait and get a table in the timeframe you were told, something has changed & not for the better.

Oh Glorious Saganaki! Great service, family owned restaurant filled with customers when we went. Flaming Plates of Saganaki were being delivered all around. It is a noisy atmosphere so if you are looking for a quiet experience this is not for you. Wonderful Greek Food. Everything was flavorful and well presented. For dessert we shared some tasty Baklava and Coffee. A great way to end the great meal. We will return when we get a chance.

I would actually give this 4.5 stars. It's a very lively restaurant with beautiful ambiance. It looks remolded, or at least updated. The menu is vast and there are many delicious traditional Greek selections, grilled meats, fish, sides, and salad selections. The appetizer selection is also quite large. We ordered the saganaki and dolmadas as appetizers. The saganaki is lit next to your table and wonderful. You get four dolmas with the appetizer order and it's the best Greek dolmas I've had in Chicago. With your entre, you have a choice of one of the soups and a side (a side does not come with the pastas). I ordered the whole red snapper (which was market price) and my side of rice. I also had the Avgolemeno soup (Cream of Chicken Rice). After my apps and soup, I was almost full! They will filet the fish for you tableside, if you would like. The flavors of the fish were phenomenal and was a pretty large fish (the server told me 22 ounces). The service was great and they were attentive, even though it was very busy. My only wish is that they took reservations after 6:15 pm so that we don't have to wait.

This place is a hidden gem in the suburbs of Chicago. Their menu has soo much to choose from and EVERYTHING is so, sooo good! The fish, whole lavaroki (sea bass) is the best quality and freshness that I've had in Chicago. Also all of the home style Greek dishes are delicious. I recommend the unassuming dishes like beets & skordalia (a spicy potato mash) and the tiropitakia (specialty Greek cheese blend wrapped and baked in phyllo). This second one is similar to spanikopita but no spinach. I suggest taking an order home with you because you will be dreaming about these little pockets of delicious mess for days. Also, the service at this place is on another level!!!! Amazingly attentive and professional, I can't say enough about their wait staff as well as the valet team outside except for outstanding . This is the type of place that doesn't look like much from the outside but once you go in, it is like coming home doe Sunday dinner

Order 1-2 hours ahead because it will be very busy on weekends! Don't be surprised if you call and they don't pick up because they are that busy, but they are friendly. I ordered to go the Lavraki (Bronzino/European Bass) with comes with three slices of lemon, two sides which include a soup + vegetables/starch, and sesame bread. I requested my fish deboned, but WARNING, EVEN IF YOU OPT FOR DEBONED, EAT CAREFULLY BECAUSE SMALL BONES WILL STILL BE IN THERE. That includes the fish soup as well. The bones are small and you can easily pick them out, but they can scratch your throat, so eat carefully, slowly chew and savor your food, and don't hurt yourself! For the sides, I opted for the Psourosoupa (fish soup with tomato based broth, and a variety of vegetables) available on Friday and Sundays only as well as Bamies (okra cooked in tomato and oil). I must say it was very delicious! Overall the meal cost $31.38, which isn't terrible for fish, it can feed two, or if you have an appetite it will definitely fill you up!

Had lunch today at Psistaria in Lincolnwood. I have been going here for many years and this restaurant serves consistently great food. The servers are always attentive and always make sure the customer is happy. The menu selection has lots of great choices and the prices are reasonable given the quality of the meal. This is a very well run restaurant.

I visited Psistaria for the second time recently. It had been a few years, and the interior had been updated since my last visit. It's now bright, modern, cheerful, a bit elegant, and very welcoming. We met a couple friends who had also been there previously, and ordered a couple of our favorite appetizers to share with the group -- Saganaki (always gotta have that!) and Melizanosalata. I'm not usually an eggplant lover, but our friend recommended the Melizanosalata, it had the consistency of an artichoke dip, and it was delicious. This time I tried one of the combos, with Gyros meat and Spanakopitakia. It was about as perfect as a Greek meal can get -- a delicious combination of two of my favorites. It was a huge portion, so I took over half home and made two more meals out of it. The Spanakopitakia were especially delicious -- the first bite burst with flavor in my mouth and I raved to the others about it. For dessert I had the Tiramisu, which was delicious -- light and moist. My husband also raved about the Baklava. This is as close to Greek Town as you can get in Chicago ... no ... better than Greek Town. It was a truly fabulous meal with great service and ambience. We live close, so plan to be back often now!

Went with my parents and everything was so good. I had the sea bass and my dad had the Greek ribs (it was the special that day/Friday) and we shared. Sooo good! The calamari appetizer was great, too. Our sides were perfect - crispy, full fries, Greek potatoes, and Greek rice. They also serve warm, perfectly toasted bread. And our waiter was very attentive and direct from Greece! I had no idea until I asked him where he was from - he had perfect English.