Hellas Pastry Shop

I came here for one thing and one thing only: the flaming saganaki…read more IT WAS SO GOOD. The lemon really makes it top notch. I think the waiters were confused as to why I was only ordering one item, but I had too many food places to try. The free bread and olive oil were lovely. They use some high quality olive oil and you can tell. Service was FAST. They don't mess around. It was clean and cute inside. I'd love to return for a full meal.

During a work trip to Chicago, I decided to check out Greektown, and after reading the online…read morereviews and getting recommendations from my hotel, I was told Greek Islands was one of the best spots for authentic Greek food. The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I had been transported to a small Greek taverna. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and our server was incredibly friendly and welcoming. One of the highlights for me was being able to order and converse in Greek, it made the experience feel that much more authentic and special. Of course, I couldn't decide on just one dish, so I had to order a little bit of everything. Why not? The saganaki was absolutely delicious and is definitely a must-try. The avgolemono was decent and comforting, though it wasn't quite as memorable for me. The pastitsio was a bit of a mix. The flavor was delicious and packed with that classic Greek comfort-food goodness, but unfortunately, the béchamel was overcooked and had become too firm. Overall, between the friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere, and flavorful food, I had a very good experience at Greek Islands. There are still plenty of classic dishes I'd like to try, so I wouldn't hesitate to come back the next time I'm in Chicago.

6.7 mi•Greektown, West Loop, Near West Side

Grilled Octopus

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Street view of the restaurant facade.

Athena Greek Restaurant

3.5(1.1k reviews)

I think some of the food here is very good and some is more of an acquired taste. I would…read moredefinitely recommend the roast chicken; for $28, you get potatoes, rice, and half a chicken that is delicious. We also got the souvlaki and dip trio; the spicy feta was the star, the eggplant was okay, and the potato/fish roe was not for me personally. The souvlaki is meant to be lit on fire when it comes out but ours was a weak sizzle at best... the cheese was very sharp and alcoholic as a result. Final thoughts: would stop in here if I was in a pinch, get the chicken, skip the apps.

This place was decent and accommodated my husband's gluten allergy…read more I got the moussaka which was pretty good. We got the hummus and eggplant spreads to start and those were a little disappointing. The fried calamari was good.

Ocean/wave artwork

Lamb ribs shops

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Inside of Greek Stuffed Chicken ($26) - chicken breast filled with spinach and feta. Big portion.

Ema

4.3(2k reviews)

6.3 mi•Near North Side

I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

Came for a late lunch. Split a meal: *Whipped spicy feta -…read moreVery tasty. The pita was warm with lots of za'atar. Enough to share with 2-3 people *Braised short rib sandwich - In a pita stuffed with cabbage. The beef was extremely tender. Unfortunately there was several large pieces of cabbage core vs shredded. The fries were crispy and seasoned with za'atar. The au jus provided, tasted it had a bit of red wine vinegar. That was a winner! Would order both items again. The decor is beautiful. Sat at the bar and the bartender wasn't in the best mood. Minus one star for the combination of the large pieces of cabbage core and sat at the bar for about 15 minutes - no one was there to serve us.

6.1 mi•Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

Ema tables and bar

Double chocolate.

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Inside

Aba

4.5(2k reviews)

•$$$

Amazing ambiance. Great service. Great food. We sat inside and will definitely be back on a nice…read moreday to sit outside.

This restaurant space is beautifully done inside and you can also sit out on their balcony patio,…read morewhich is such a nice option as well. They have the decor down to the details. We got the smoky garlic hummus, whipped feta, brussel sprouts, and lemon meringue bar for dessert, and honestly everything was amazing. The harissa honey on the brussel sprouts was so good, and the lemon meringue bar with the citrus crema and graham cracker crust was the perfect sweet item to round out the meal. They bring complementary pita with your hummus and dips and the bread with za'atar itself was delicious. They recommend 2-3 share plates per person, but we ordered 3 plus dessert for two people and still had leftovers. So I'd say it definitely depends on how hungry you are! We went for lunch/brunch and were pretty much the first people there, so service was super fast. Our server was lovely and incredibly attentive with topping off water and clearing plates. Definitely would come back to try some of their larger plate options.

Interior

Muhammara

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Frozen Greek yogurt

The Purple Pig

4.3(9k reviews)

6.5 mi•Near North Side

•$$$

Good food, eclectic environment but too small to be comfortable. A lot of patrons jammed in to a…read morerelatively small dining area. Usually long lines and some wait time.

This was such a life changing experience from a flavor perspective! We were in town for the…read moreweekend and stopped by because we'd heard amazing things about what The Purple Pig does with pork and we were not disappointed! We started off with the bone marrow; it was incredibly flavorful, paired nicely with a nut jam and some greens and bread. We also got the Agnolotti pasta, and this was our favorite bite of the evening by far. The beef short rib, paired with more marrow and the butter sauce were absolutely incredible and we will be thinking about them for a long time to come. We ended with the pork tenderloin and it was a lovely ending dish. The pork was cooked to perfection and paired with sautéed oyster mushrooms and corn. Service was exceptional and quick! We will come back with a bigger group the next time we are in the city!

The kitchen

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Andros Taverna

4.2(451 reviews)

2.9 mi•Logan Square

Family dinner at Andros Taverna made for a lovely Sunday evening! The family style apps were so…read morefresh, giving everyone a little taste of it all. We also split gyros and spanakopita - not as easy to share, but delicious. The porch seating was so nice for a summer night, and the inside is decorated with tons of greenery, making it feel bright and outdoorsy. We loved the triangular shaped table, which made it easy to pass plates around and see everyone in our party.

3.5 stars would be most accurate. The food was delicious and some of the staff were nice. But there…read morewas something disappoinitng. Let's start with the food. I ordered Prawns Saganaki and side of pita bread. Asked for no oil nor salt for the pita. While it was shown on the lunch menu on their website, the Prawns Saganaki was actually not on the lunch menu. Luckily, the kitchen has prepared it (for dinner) so I was able to try it. In total 4 pc of big shrimp, served with tomato sauce, crumbled feta and cherry tomatoes. The feta was so finely crumbled that it could easily "melt" in the sauce. The cherry tomatoes added more juiciness to it. Overall great, and definitely paired well with the pita. What made me disappointed, if not annoyed, was the check-in. I waited for nearly 6 min until someone finally noticed me. The staff said she would come "just a minute". At that time a woman (white) went into the restaurant and sat at the bar. Then she started to greet her, and discussed the menu with her, and even took the order! Looked like she completely forgot my presence. Possibly some discrimination/racism idk. i would have left if the restaurant did not charge a no-show fee for reservation. Luckily they took off the pita from my bill after I complained about the waiting time (I did not say about discrimination because I am not sure about it).

4.0 mi•Lincoln Park, DePaul

End of the night. Adorable atmosphere.

Loukamades

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Octopus Skordalia + Side Pita

Athenian Room

3.9(978 reviews)

food: the gyro and everything else was good and tasted authentic. portion size is also good…read more service: nice staff and food came fast. cash only establishment ambiance: sat outside and the weather was perfect

From the moment you walk in, it's clear that Athenian Room holds a beloved place in the Lincoln…read morePark community! It's a mom-and-pops shop through and through- you'll see homely decor, a simple but well done menu, and people from all walks of life coming together over delicious food. The staff was warm and attentive throughout the meal and brought out delicious complimentary french bread. It's pretty cool that although the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, staff from the adjacent bar came around every so often and took orders. For appetizers, we started with the feta and olive appetizers. They were good, but I'd probably order something a little more unique next time. I opted for the chicken kalamata dinner for the main event, which came with more french bread and a salad. The salad came out first, and it was pretty simple with minimal dressing. I wished there had been more variety in produce and something besides iceberg lettuce for greens. I'd recommend getting some feta on the side to add some flavor. The chicken, however, was absolutely outstanding. It was super tender, seasoned beautifully with za'atar, and brined in vinegar (I think). The za'atar seasoned french fries underneath were extra crispy and perfectly soaked up the extra sauce from the chicken. For the price, this place is a steal- you really can't beat the quantity and quality of food that you get. Overall, a great experience- I definitely recommend making a stop if you're in the area!

6.1 mi•Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

Seating

Skirt steak ft knife and fork

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Dining room

LÝRA

4.1(619 reviews)

An amazing team meal at Lyra, wouldn't change a thing…read more The servers managed a large party with two food allergies and lots of food preferences with ease and attentiveness. Cocktails to start were delicious - we also started with the Breads and Spreads platter, that had most of their dips (all were amazing) with crudite, pita and lavash. Other starters included the charred octopus, crispy calamari and crispy zucchini and eggplant. The octopus was so good we ordered another one! For mains, we shared the chicken souvlaki, branzino, deconstructed pastitsio and lamb. All the flavors and dishes were beautiful and delicious. It's been two days since our dinner and I still have people raving about that meal. The table side Branzino was awesome and fun to introduce to a few that had never had it before. Will definitely be back, what a gem!

Only grabbed drinks here on a Friday night!…read more Music was great - fun to dance to although I will say, I think I was one of the few busting a move! Sparkler presentation was very pretty & cute moment!

Crispy calamari

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Slow Roasted Lamb Gyros - IG @thebaoeats

Greek Prime Kitchen & Bar

4.3(142 reviews)

9.8 mi•Bridgeport

Everytime I have eaten here I've really enjoyed their food. My favorites include: Greek salad with…read morechicken breast, filet mignon pita, and filet mignon platter. But the STAR dish for me and one of the best I've ever tried: Chicken Riganati. So so good!! Highly recommend!

We had a wonderful dinner. We tried the skordalia with fried zucchini & the Hercules (mixed of…read moreskewers & gyro meat) platter. Service was friendly, welcoming & not intrusive.

Greek skillet with added onions. Being treated to world class service by Andres.

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The lighting Is a little funky but this is their deliciously moist chocolate cake. I believe it's a triple chocolate cake.

Avli on The Park

4.0(336 reviews)

7.0 mi•The Loop

•$$$

These plates were shared by our party of five. Our waiter was great and helped us with suggestions…read moreon certain dishes and also the quantity we might need for a party our size. He was spot on with everything. We sat on the rooftop, which is beautiful. In addition to table seating, there is also a very nice bar. The food was not only phenomenal, but there were so many gluten-free options! Our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful in this regard as well. The zucchini chips were so good. I actually had to ask him a second time to make sure they were truly gluten-free! This desserts look delicious, but we did not have room to even consider that. I would say the prices are a little bit high, but definitely worth it for a special occasion. My friend looked up their happy hour prices, and we are planning a visit for happy hour in the near future. In addition to the regular menu items, they also have a selection of fish depending on what is market fresh each day. The restaurant was pretty busy for a Monday. Fortunately, we had reservations and I would highly recommend doing that.

What a gorgeous, elegant restaurant! I attended a work lunch here, so we ate family style. And OH…read moreBOY did we eat. First, we started off with some Strawberry Spritz drinks with Prosecco. We were fully refreshed, as these were absolutely delicious. The food. Appetizers first, a selection of mezze and saganaki! I could have made a meal out of this course, everything was fantastic and fresh. Hummus, baba ganoush, turnips, olives, fresh pita bread with a couple of other yogurt-based spreads. Entrees. Chicken kabobs, salmon and roasted vegetables. Again, everything freshly made, flavorful and JUICY DELICIOUS. The salmon, especially was really tasty. Had an opportunity to take leftovers home, sure - don't mind if I do. The salmon made an EXCELLENT salmon salad the next day - it was still flavorful and fresh! We ended the day laughing and dishing on the rooftop terrace. Another Strawberry Spritz? Yes, please!! I will be back - the food is top notch. Staff is incredible, friendly and attentive. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful - a gem!

The bar

Salmon

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Avli on The Park Rooftop

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15 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Karen W.

15 years ago

Right across the street from HarvesTime there is a fantastic little pastry shop called Hellas. Inside, there is nothing fancy about it. Very simple and clean, with an array of sweets to choose from. It took me a while to think of what to bring back to the office because everything looked so divine. The woman behind the counter was very friendly and made suggestions to me. She also brought my attention to the new items they had which included a honey cinnamon pastry. It might be good to add that this pastry shop is also somewhat of a cafe as it offers coffee and bagels, perfect to grab on the way in to work! read more

Aubrey P.

15 years ago

What an amazing little place! I came here wanting to try out some new desserts and had never had Greek pastries before, so I figured they have to be as good or better than Greek food, right? Totally right! I tried the spinach pie and was completely blown away - so delicious - and then I had some of the honey cookies. I'll definitely be back for more and can't wait to introduce some of my friends to Hellas! Fantastic find! read more

Rebecca H.

Elite 10

15 years ago

Forget the cutesy pink and white and baby blue cupcake shops, if you want real sweets made with authentic passed-down recipes go to Hellas. They have the best koulourakia I have tasted in my entire life. The typical Greek pastries with honey, sugar, and almonds are all done to perfection. Stop in for a quick snack and take a box home for the family. Every week. read more

Tony B.

3 years ago

Authentic with an enthusiastic and friendly owner. He's been making these delicious treats (I bought a few each of four or five items) with his wife for 42 years in a sixty-year-old location. I was bringing them back to Peoria to celebrate my friend's 76th year in business. Great bakery. read more

Guy M.

15 years ago

Hellas Pastry Shop have sells the sweetest and tastiest treats in town! They had a unique cake texture. The prices are so affordable. I always buy a plenty of cookies for my kids. They love it so much and always ask for more. Staff is super friendly and helpful. I love this place! read more

Steve P.

14 years ago

in a word, wow. went there today with the mom-in-law, and was completely impressed with the lady behind the counter; sweet and makes the BEST everything. first time there and will return. thanks for taking care of us so well. read more

Seine R.

7 months ago

Thank you for waiting for me to get there! I was 20 minutes late from when you close, due to rush hour traffic...and you waited for me! So sweet...and his sweets are delicious! Not to mention your spinach pie! read more

Greg S.

17 years ago

These people will make you happier because they make food that is incredible. order some today and eat it all before you leave. Then order some more to take home. Keep up the great work, Hellas! read more

Sarah M.

16 years ago

This is a great place! They have the best spinach and cheese pies, baklava, and amazing Greek style cookies. Also, the staff is super friendly and helpful. I love this place! read more

Holly F.

7 years ago

INCREDIBLE chocolate eclairs! Everything else is also amazing, but the chocolate eclairs are the best I've ever had. read more

Lydia S.

5 years ago

The owner was so nice I recommend!! Prices were a big high but it's always nice to support local

Daniel H.

Elite 14

179

14 years ago

This place still has it down. Judgment of previous review AFFIRMED. read more

AMPM C.

14 years ago

Great prices, delicious cookies and the friendliest service ever.

Randall B.

15 years ago

Get the spanakopita; it's perfect. Reminds me of Greece.

Carter B.

11 years ago

extremely good spinach pies.

Hellas Pastry Shop - bakeries - Updated September 2026

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Overall: The best Dubai Chocolate I've tried so far! Satisfied with the prices, taste, and many…read moretreat options. - Would I return?: Yes, I will be returning. My Food ---------- * Ordered- "Dubai Chocolate with pistachio sauce on top" and box of "Turkish Delights" * Flavor & Taste- I've tried Dubai Chocolates from various places. This one has the best flavor, texture, size, and price. The largest out of them all. Please note that you can not pick this one up for a bite- you must use a fork since it has a softer texture and is not a chocolate bar. In terms of the Turkish Delights, the box only offered 2 flavors- rose and nutty. The texture was nice, on the chewy side. I was not a huge fan of the rose flavor. * Order again?- I will be coming back for the Dubai Chocolate. * Portion Size vs. Price- $10 for the Dubai Chocolate is the best price for portion by far! The portion is almost as large as my hand. I've seen some that are 1/3 of that size and cost the same. The Turkish Delights were $3.49 for x16 pieces. The Place -------------- * Atmosphere- The bakery is connected to the Dukan International Food Market grocery store, which you must enter through first. * Service- It seems to be family owned. Workers were friendly and helpful. I was offered a free sample of fruit while at the register to pay. * Crowd Levels- Thursday at 6pm was empty. * Cleanliness- Clean grocery store and bakery. * Location- On a busy street during rush hour. * Parking- You can double park on the street, or there is a small parking lot next to the store for the other vendors.

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perfect bakery with perfect bread, we went to the counter three times in ten minutes. Plus the lady…read moreworking there is so sweet, warm noon during a cold Chicago winter and I'm glad I decided to stop by when we're in the area. $0.95 Happiness can you believe in this economy

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Went back last night. Had to get more lady finger baklava. Found out I had tried the cashew…read moreversion and saw a pistachio version. Also, very addictive. Also tried a walnut baklava. Met the other owner who was the brother of Omar. Very kind owners. Said they bake every day. Display case was full of baklava. This is definitely going to be a permanent go-to for me. Owner said their baklava is not overly sweet and I think that's what makes it taste so good.

All the baked goods I got were delicious! The person working was very kind. I can't wait to go back…read moreagain.

Zorba's Pastry Shop

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Mr Christos is always there and does the best to accommodate any occasion if he can. Best…read moreSpanakopitakia (Spinach little Pies) and Tyropitakia ( Cheese little pies) , as soon as you start serving them they will be gone! He makes tsourekia for Christmas and Easter which they are the best from any other bakery! Desert side Amygdalota cookies are the BOMB!!!! ( Almond cookies) always so fresh they melt in your mouth. Thank you Zorbas for giving me a good experience every time!!!! You are the best!

I had been looking forward to trying this place out in the neighborhood but I was sadly…read moredisappointed. They did not have many pastries available when I went Friday morning but I did pick up a couple cream filled phyllo dough pastries. My husband went to take a big bite when I got back into the car and it was FROZEN! He almost threw up. I did take mine home and reheated it in the toaster oven but it had a freezer burn taste to it. I might try them again for their baklava but I hope it isn't frozen! I'm so surprised because there are many good reviews! Maybe mine was just a fluke?

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Delicious donuts and sweet rolls. The staff couldn't have been nicer. They sent me home with a…read morechallah and a bagel to nosh on in the car. #iraeats #iraeats1

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