Ema

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Ema

Mediterranean & California-inspired restaurant featuring small plates & light style cooking in Chicago's River North and Glenview neighborgoods
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Ema is a Mediterranean restaurant showcasing Chef CJ Jacobson’s lighter California style of cooking. At the core of the menu are spreads, dips and mezze, Mediterranean small plates. Signature dishes include Spicy Hummus, House-Made Stracciatella with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, and Lamb Kefta Kebabs. Ema shares its kitchen with Rotisserie Ema, a quick casual counter. Menu specialties include chef prepared salads, rotiserrie chicken and house-made frozen Greek yogurt.

01/06/2026

Cheers to at ! ✨🌈 Pop by for a refreshing summer sip for a good cause at these locations:

🍹 - From June 1st – 30th, $1 from every Prickly Pear Mule sold goes to Brave Space Alliance, a black and trans-founded LGBTQ+ center rooted in the south side of Chicago.
🍹 - From June 1st – 30th, $1 from every zero-proof Palmer’s Paradise sold goes to the Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook’s Pride Youth Program, which supports LGBTQ+ youth ages 4-24 and their families across Chicago’s northern suburbs.

26/05/2026

Spring menu refresh? One of everything, please! ✨ Order carryout after a long weekend to try the new Roasted Walnut Hummus - mandarin orange, chive & kumquat chutney, Spicy Whipped Feta w/ smoky morita chili & pistachio muhammara & pomegranate + more 🍊🌿 |

15/05/2026

🍦ONE WEEK🍦until your Frozen Greek Yogurt-fueled summer plans start at ! Swipe for all the super sweet fro-yo details at your go-to location 👆

✨ Rotisserie Ema: $1 Fro-Yo Fridays* resume Friday, May 22nd at 11AM!

✨ - snag a Fro-Yo w/ olive oil & sea salt to-go from the carryout window for $1* through Memorial Day Weekend! Fro-Yo To-Go resumes Tuesday, May 26th.

✨ - make a Fro-Yo stop while shopping or split for dessert at !

*Tax applicable, one per person while supplies last.

13/05/2026

A favorite from the gluten-free mezze selections: Crispy Wild Mushrooms w/ black lime, green chili crema, spiced honey & chive 🍯🍋‍🟩 Order as part of your to-go dinner spread from alongside Green Falafel, Spicy Whipped Feta w/ gluten-free crackers & more!

08/05/2026

How your spring shower, party, rehearsal dinner or special occasion could look in The Vanessa Room at ✨🌿

Host in the private dining space seating up to 52 guests with custom table configurations, menus, access to A/V capabilities & all of your favorite Mediterranean-inspired drinks, mezze & dessert, of course! Inquire to learn more & work with the onsite team🥂 |

06/05/2026

: take your summer party planning to the next level with NEW Mediterranean-inspired from , now available for carryout & delivery! ✨ Curate your custom mezze spread ft. hummus, spreads, salads, kebabs + more for meetings, events & offsite occasions - order online directly via link in bio 🥗|

28/04/2026

Coffee, tea & something sweet - the ideal way to end a visit at ✨ Share the Honey Cake with burnt honey whipped cream or Honey Pie with sesame, made in-house alongside the Triple Chocolate Torte, Vegan Coconut Crémeux & more 🍯

23/04/2026

Something to cheers to: is now offered on the patio at ! 🍸 Enjoy select mezze, craft beer, sommelier selected wine pours + more every Monday - Thursday between 4PM-6PM ✨ |

18/04/2026

All your favorites at your doorstep? Yes please✨ Carryout & delivery is NOW AVAILABLE for lunch & dinner - view the Mediterranean-inspired menu + order via link in bio! (Wine not included, but always completes a spread 😉) |

16/04/2026

Make Tequila Yuzu Espresso Martini daydreams a reality by booking weekend brunch at ✨ Share Jerusalem Bagel w/ Smoked Salmon Spread, Chocolate Babka French Toast, Soft Scrambled Eggs & more, plus exclusive spritzes and hand-crafted cocktails 🍳 Available Saturday & Sunday starting at 10AM! |

13/04/2026

Upgrade your lunch this week with a grilled Faroe Islands Salmon Kebab ft. juicy sweet pepper, red onion, zhoug + lemon dill basmati rice, plus mezze favorites like Sweet Corn Hummus or House-Made Labneh ✨ Reserve or order via link in bio! |

07/04/2026

Summertime group dining needs 🤝 patio ✨ You can now book your large party dinner, birthday, bachelorette, shower or any special occasion under the southern heritage oak tree draped in lanterns & surrounded by lush greenery - view the menu & inquire to learn more about parties for groups over 12 guests! 🌿 |

03/04/2026

An instant favorite to add to the mezze spread: the Spicy Whipped Feta w/ smoky morita chili & pistachio muhammara & pomegranate 🌶️🌱 Scoop, dip or spread onto our warm house bread for dine-in or carryout enjoyment!✨ |

31/03/2026

Escape spring showers inside with Happy Hour at the & locations ✨ Cheer up with sommelier-selected wine pours, craft beer, mezze exclusives & more under the greenery every Monday – Thursday from 4PM – 6PM downtown or Monday – Friday from 3PM – 5PM in the ! 🌿🍹 |

25/03/2026

Deciding where to spend Easter? Perhaps we can inspire you with crisp sips, specials & mezze meant for sharing with the whole family…

✨ : enjoy the Spring Frittata w/ Lump Crab
✨ North & : cheers w/ a glass of Landron Melon B. “Amphibolite”, Muscadet Sèvre-et-maine, France, 2022 poured table side from magnum!
✨ Plus, enjoy NEW brunch specials at Glenview 🍳

Reserve now via link in bio! |

15/03/2026

Get ready - weekend begins March 21st! 🍳✨ Make plans to enjoy Lamb Shakshuka, Chocolate Babka French Toast, Kefta & Eggs, Soft Scramble, Jerusalem Bagel w/ Smoked Salmon Spread + more starting at 10AM every Saturday & Sunday - don’t forget a cappuccino or spritz to top it all off! Reserve now ==> bit.ly/emaglenviewbrunch

13/03/2026

A must-have to add to your weekend mezze spread: the White Cheddar Labneh with honeycrisp apple, lemon zest, almond granola & cinnamon phyllo 🍋✨ Reserve now via link in bio! |

05/03/2026

Passover orders are now open for & ! ✨ Opt for dine-in specials such as Matzoh Ball Soup, Roasted Half Chicken or Coconut & Honey Tart between April 1 - April 2, or celebrate at home with the Passover Dinner For Two To-Go ft. Toasted Almond & Garlic Spread w/ matzoh crackers, Crispy Potatoes, Beef Brisket & more. Add on bottles of sommelier selected wine, or secure catering-size portions of the specials from 🍷 Learn more via link in bio! |

25/02/2026

Sip and savor acclaimed wines from Massaya Winery as part of a one night only event at on March 18th 🍷

Enjoy selections from the vineyards located in the notable & picturesque Mount Lebanon & Beqaa Valley regions, paired perfectly with an exclusive four-course menu of Mediterranean-inspired mezze. Starting with an Arak cocktail toast, cheers your way through the experience as Massaya’s Sami Ghosn educates on the tasting notes, terroir and heritage of Lebanon’s historic vineyards ✨🌿 Purchase tickets via link in bio! |

23/02/2026

Planning this week’s lunches? We’ve got you ✨ Opt for the Chicken Caesar Wrap w/ Calabrian chili crunch & house laffa at all locations, or head to for the weekday exclusive Lunch Kebab Special with all your favorite Mediterranean flavors in one spread for $18.95, plus tax 🥙 |

16/02/2026

Refresh your weeknight dinner plans with must-try mezze favorites ft. the Grilled Oishii Shrimp Kebab w/ roasted tomato, souvlaki, lemon, zhoug & basmati rice - best paired with a crisp glass of rosé, of course ✨ |

11/02/2026

The sun is out & we’re getting Tan Lines at ☀️🍹 Sip the frozen cocktail ft. tromba blanco, tanteo chipotle, fruitful blood orange, maraschino & lime alongside mezze favorites, or try a Don Higo for rum, fig & rosemary notes! 🌿 |

05/02/2026

Savor mezze specials meant to share this 🫶 Opt for House-Made Truffled Stracciatella & Grilled Maine Lobster at , Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes & Red Beet Hummus at + sweet favorites like the Triple Chocolate Torte at all ✨ Best enjoyed with a glass (or bottle) of wine, or better yet - Tequila Yuzu Espresso Martini! 🥂 |

28/01/2026

It’s official: our THIRD location opens this Saturday, January 31 at Austin’s ✨Joining our sibling restaurant , down South, will offer Mediterranean-inspired lunch exclusives & dinner mezze favorites from Chef CJ Jacobson, globally-sourced wines + unique cocktails surrounded by potted trees & lush greenery 🌿

Reservations are now live ==> https://emarestaurants.com/austin

18/01/2026

is BACK starting Friday, January 23rd - Sunday, February 8th! ✨ Make plans to join & for prix fixe lunch, dinner + weekend brunch (River North only) menus with favorites including Sweet Corn Hummus, Charred Eggplant Spread, California Chopped Salad & Chicken Kefta Kebab. View the menus & reserve via link in bio! |

Address

74 W Illinois Street

60654

Opening Hours

Monday	11:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	11:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	11:00 - 22:00
Thursday	11:00 - 22:00
Friday	11:00 - 23:00
Saturday	11:00 - 23:00
Sunday	11:00 - 21:00

Website

http://www.emarestaurants.com/

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