Ema Ema is a Mediterranean and California-inspired restaurant located in River North, Chicago. Led by Chef CJ Jacobson, the restaurant offers a variety of small plates and mezze that showcase their lighter style of cooking. Signature dishes such as the Spicy Hummus, House-Made Stracciatella with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, and Lamb Kefta Kebabs are sure to satisfy any cravings. Additionally, Ema shares its kitchen with Rotisserie Ema which offers chef-prepared salads, rotisserie chicken and their famous house-made frozen Greek yogurt. Whether guests are looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Ema is an excellent choice to experience fresh Mediterranean cuisine.
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Recent social media posts

A season must-have no matter what time you dine: the Pumpkin Hummus with brown butter tahina, pepitas & crispy sage, ser...
23/10/2026

A season must-have no matter what time you dine: the Pumpkin Hummus with brown butter tahina, pepitas & crispy sage, served with our warm house bread ✨

Weekend brunch is so close you can taste it ✨ Join Ēma   for exclusive dishes such as Jerusalem Bagel w/ Smoked Salmon ...
23/10/2026

Weekend brunch is so close you can taste it ✨ Join Ēma for exclusive dishes such as Jerusalem Bagel w/ Smoked Salmon Spread, Lamb Shakshuka & Chocolate Babka French Toast every Saturday & Sunday 🍳

Starting off the week with   sounds like a perfect Monday to us ✨ Soak up patio weather with w**e pours, Mediterranean-i...
19/10/2026

Starting off the week with sounds like a perfect Monday to us ✨ Soak up patio weather with w**e pours, Mediterranean-inspired mezze + house-made cocktails - need we say more? View Happy Hour menus via link in bio! 🍷

Thanksgiving with a Mediterranean-inspired twist? Count us in ✨ Orders are now open for the Thanksgiving Dinner For Two ...
13/10/2026

Thanksgiving with a Mediterranean-inspired twist? Count us in ✨ Orders are now open for the Thanksgiving Dinner For Two To-Go including Pumpkin Hummus, Spicy Whipped Feta, C***r & Sumac Brined Roasted Turkey Breast, Parmesan & Squash Farrotto + more.

PLUS, we’re bringing BEATRIX back to the North Shore with whole pies & cakes available from Ēma ! 🥧

Learn more & order via link in bio!

A moment for the Michigan Pears & Beets w/ walnut, pear butter, tarragon & icew**e vinaigrette at  - this one makes for ...
09/10/2026

A moment for the Michigan Pears & Beets w/ walnut, pear butter, tarragon & icew**e vinaigrette at - this one makes for a perfect bite alongside Pumpkin Hummus & warm house bread, or all on its own ✨

26.2 miles calls for 1 sweet reward🍦… $1 FroYo when you show us your 2026 medal on Sunday, 10/11!   Not running the mara...
09/10/2026

26.2 miles calls for 1 sweet reward🍦… $1 FroYo when you show us your 2026 medal on Sunday, 10/11!

Not running the marathon? You still deserve a Sunday treat! Enjoy Olive Oil & Sea Salt or Strawberry Sumac FroYo To-Go for $5.95, plus tax at Rotisserie Ema (74 W. Illinois St.) from 11:00AM - 4:00PM on Sunday. ✨

Visit the link in our bio for more info!

Sip for a good cause this October at  🩷 Special for the month, $1 from each Greek Paloma sold will support  Chicago’s In...
06/10/2026

Sip for a good cause this October at 🩷 Special for the month, $1 from each Greek Paloma sold will support Chicago’s In Good Taste ( & ) or the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas ( ).

Here's to weekend plans spent on the patio at    ✨ Already in holiday party planning mode? Learn more about hosting al f...
02/10/2026

Here's to weekend plans spent on the patio at ✨ Already in holiday party planning mode? Learn more about hosting al fresco with private access to the patio bar! 🌿

Cheers to   all day long (and into the evening) with a Yuzu Espresso Martini featuring  espresso at ! ✨ Try with the Tri...
29/09/2026

Cheers to all day long (and into the evening) with a Yuzu Espresso Martini featuring espresso at ! ✨ Try with the Triple Chocolate Torte for dessert decadence...

Take lunch & learns + client meetings to the next level with Individual Lunch Boxes from Ēma ✨ Attendees can enjoy thei...
21/09/2026

Take lunch & learns + client meetings to the next level with Individual Lunch Boxes from Ēma ✨ Attendees can enjoy their own mini mezze spread, or opt for Mediterranean-inspired catering for the whole office with delivery options available! 🥗

Learn more about our Fall Catering Promotions & order online directly via link in bio.

A fresh week = new opportunities to make lunch plans at Ēma 🥗 Try a little bit of everything with the Lunch Kebab Speci...
14/09/2026

A fresh week = new opportunities to make lunch plans at Ēma 🥗 Try a little bit of everything with the Lunch Kebab Special in , or savor favorites like the Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Bowl, Sweet Potato Latkes & a zero-proof Hugo Spritz to make that lunch hour feel just a little more special ✨

Soak up the end of summer by playing Scratch Off when you pop into Ēma for a Lychee Margarita, ice-cold Village Martini...
12/09/2026

Soak up the end of summer by playing Scratch Off when you pop into Ēma for a Lychee Margarita, ice-cold Village Martini ft. your choice of vodka or gin or an ‘Ema Spritz’ - the perfect way to try rotating, seasonal sips alongside Mediterranean bites - and win up to 5X points through September 30th! 🍸

Download the app and start playing via link in bio ✨

Set your special occasion in a Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere for memories (& photos!) to last a lifetime ✨ Our dedic...
09/09/2026

Set your special occasion in a Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere for memories (& photos!) to last a lifetime ✨ Our dedicated team is here to make your next group dining event, holiday party or life moment nothing short of transportive 🥂🌿 PC: Kelsey Combe

Inquire 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

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What people say

Mediterranean restaurants are known for their fresh and healthy ingredients, bold flavors, and unique culinary traditions. Ema, located in Chicago, is a perfect example of a Mediterranean restaurant that showcases all these qualities and more.

At Ema, Chef CJ Jacobson's lighter California style of cooking shines through in every dish. The menu features an array of spreads, dips, and mezze - small plates that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. The Spicy Hummus is a must-try dish that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight. Another signature dish is the House-Made Stracciatella with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes - a refreshing and flavorful salad that perfectly captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

One cannot talk about Ema without mentioning the Lamb Kefta Kebabs - juicy and succulent meat skewers that are grilled to perfection. These kebabs are a true testament to the quality of ingredients used at Ema.

In addition to its main dining area, Ema also shares its kitchen with Rotisserie Ema - a quick casual counter where you can enjoy chef-prepared salads, rotisserie chicken, and house-made frozen Greek yogurt.

Overall, Ema is a fantastic Mediterranean restaurant that offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for light bites or hearty meals, this restaurant has got you covered. So if you're in Chicago and craving some delicious Mediterranean food, be sure to check out Ema!