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Elia
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Elia
8.2
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Elia is a modern Mediterranean restaurant on Division where mezze, mixed grills, and seafood arrive in a candlelit room accented with deep reds and live-fire aromas. It’s used for birthday dinners and date nights when diners want an all-evening experience built around shared plates and a broader wine list.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-you-can-eat mezze and grill spread, Lamb chops, Baklava dessert
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Modern, music-forward Mediterranean room built for lingering celebrations.
Who should go: Small groups planning birthdays or longer celebratory dinners.
When to visit: Weekend evenings when the dining room feels fully energized.
What to order: Mezze spread, mixed grill platter, house baklava for sharing.
Insider tip: Come hungry on all-you-can-eat nights and pace the mezze.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Division and nearby side streets; can be competitive on weekends. Limited paid garages within a short walk.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy for nights out.
Noise level: Lively — conversation is possible, but it can feel energetic during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Expect 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though dinner fills faster than lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — mezze and salads offer several solid options.
Vegan options: Limited — some dishes can be made vegan, but menus skew toward dairy and grilled meats.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free dishes — ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the candlelit dining room, cocktails, and shareable plates create an easy, conversational vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays, but weekends book quickly — arrive early or plan for a wait if you walk in.
Is it kid-friendly? It’s more of an adult-leaning, evening restaurant — older kids and teens are fine, but it’s not designed for small children.
Best For
Better for: Celebrations, date nights, and groups who want a full-evening Mediterranean experience with atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, very casual dining, or a menu centered on strictly traditional Greek or Middle Eastern classics.
Elia
8.0
Elia is a modern Mediterranean restaurant and bar in Wicker Park drawing heavily from Greek and Turkish flavors, with mezze, kebabs, and seafood in a stylish dining room and sidewalk patio. Since opening in 2023, it has become a go-to for shareable dinners, brunches, and all-you-can-eat meze nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled octopus, Truffle cheese saganaki, Mix Grill Platter for Two
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Modern Mediterranean cooking with strong Greek influence served in a polished, party-ready space with specials like unlimited meze nights.
Who should go: Groups and couples who want lively Mediterranean with cocktails.
When to visit: Weekend evenings or brunch when the room and patio are buzzing.
What to order: Truffle cheese saganaki, grilled octopus, Mix Grill Platter for Two.
Insider tip: Look for the all-you-can-eat or prix-fixe nights to sample more of the menu at a set price.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking nearby; metered spots can be competitive on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many diners lean stylish.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible but expect energy during peak times.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation depending on time and weather.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait or short waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several mezze, salads, and mains can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a handful of mezze and salads may work with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many grilled meats and salads are naturally gluten-free; ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the stylish room, shareable plates, and cocktails make it a strong pick for a fun, slightly upscale first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or earlier seatings, but weekends and brunch typically book up — walk-ins may face a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Kids are welcome, but the vibe skews adult and social — better for older kids or family dinners earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Shareable Mediterranean dinners with cocktails in a lively, modern setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic meal or strictly traditional Greek cooking without modern twists.
Elia
8.3
Elia is a modern Mediterranean restaurant and bar in Wicker Park that leans heavily on Turkish skewers, seafood, and mezze in a dramatic, design-forward room. Brunch, chef’s feasts, and all-you-can-eat grill nights make it a flexible choice for date nights and group celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adana Kebab, Lamb Chop, Sea Bass for Two
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Design-heavy Mediterranean room with Turkish-leaning menu, feasts, and brunch.
Who should go: Couples and groups chasing stylish Mediterranean dinners and celebrations.
When to visit: Weekend evenings or brunch when the room and patio buzz.
What to order: Adana Kebab, Lamb Chop, Sea Bass for Two.
Insider tip: Consider the unlimited grill or chef’s tasting nights for value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; spots can be competitive on weekends, especially after 6pm
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean stylish
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible, but expect energy during peak hours
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though lunch service may be lighter depending on the day
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several mezze, salads, and mains can be made vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of plant-based dishes are available
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options, but confirm with staff for modifications
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the design-forward space and Mediterranean small-plates format make it easy to share, talk, and stretch the night out.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays or early evenings, but weekend peak times typically require a reservation to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? It can work for older kids and families, but the vibe leans more toward adults, date nights, and group celebrations.
Best For
Better for: Stylish group dinners, celebratory nights out, and Mediterranean feasts with a lounge-like atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet, minimalist meal or strictly traditional Middle Eastern cooking without any modern restaurant flair.
Elia
8.1
Elia is a Mediterranean restaurant in West Town where happy hour often revolves around Greek wines, mezze, and a sidewalk-facing bar. It’s more polished than the average special–drinks spot, drawing dates and small groups who want saganaki, grilled seafood, and a proper cocktail list.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled octopus, Truffle cheese saganaki, Mixed grill platter for two
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Mediterranean happy hour with polished mezze, wines, and cocktails on Division.
Who should go: Dates or small groups wanting slightly upscale drinks and snacks.
When to visit: Early evening midweek for easier bar seats and quieter energy.
What to order: Grilled octopus, truffle saganaki, shared mixed grill and wine.
Insider tip: Start at the bar for happy hour, then slide into a table for dinner.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in West Town; metered and side-street spots fill up during dinner hours
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy
Noise level: Moderate — conversation-friendly at the bar early, livelier later in the night
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak times
Weekday lunch: Lunch is not typically a rush — usually no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — several mezze and mains can be made vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited — a couple mezze options and salads may work with modifications
Gluten-free options: Good options — many grilled seafood and protein dishes are naturally gluten-free
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — polished Mediterranean plates, wine, and cozy lighting create an elevated but relaxed vibe that works well for conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes early in the evening or midweek. During peak weekend times, expect a wait unless you book ahead — bar seats are usually your best bet.
Is it kid-friendly? It’s technically fine for well-behaved kids, but the space and menu lean adult-oriented — better for date nights and small groups than family dining.
Best For
Better for: Wine-forward happy hour with polished mezze, grilled seafood, and a more refined Mediterranean feel than typical bar-driven spots.
Skip if: You’re looking for loud party-style happy hour deals or large-format casual dining — this leans more upscale and relaxed.