Ila's has easily become one of my favorite restaurants I've eaten at this year. Every dish takes something wonderfully familiar and elevates it with a unique twist that makes the flavors stand out in such a memorable way. Nothing feels over-the-top -- just incredibly thoughtful, creative, and delicious. Our waiter, James, was incredible. He was so attentive, warm, and genuinely excited about the menu, which made the experience even better. And the owner personally walked around checking in with guests and asking what they could improve on -- a level of care you rarely see. Between the amazing food and the exceptional service, Ila's is a true 10/10. I can't wait to go back. read more

Clean, pleasant ambiance. Music at just the right level. Food was all clearly homemade and very fresh ingredients. Even a simple dish like pasta with a red sauce tasted distinctive with homemade perfectly cooked pasta. Cocktails were also delicious and unique. It's very new which explains the limited reviews and availability of tables. Definitely give it a try, especially if you are local as I would expect it's a place you would like to come back to. The wait staff was excellent and who I presume to be the owner came by and was very welcoming, but not overly so. read more

Ila's is that spot. The lamb birria pierogis are ridiculous...in the best way. Perfectly crisp outside, tender and rich inside, with so much umami it's almost unfair to other restaurants. You'll take one bite, pause, and just stare at your plate for a second like... how? And the fries. My god, the fries. Thin, golden, crispy little miracles that are somehow still soft in the middle. Honestly, they deserve their own fan club. The whole place just gets it. Cool without trying, warm service, food that feels creative without being weird. Chicago has no shortage of great meals, but Ila's hits that rare combo of comfort, surprise, and "let's come back tomorrow." read more

Ila's - Lamb birria pierogis - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food , atmosphere and customer service was great. They did not advise that 5 people is considered a large group. So we were surprised about the additional cost. Although, we had not issue with a tip but give the patron a courtesy . A drink. Appetizer and entree averaged about 75.00. I would eat there again. read more

Took the family there and grabbed a window table because the patio doors were open. Awesome ambience at this place! The tables, booths, and furniture were gorgeous and cozy. Had a massive cutting board full of fries. I think it was a Daily Special. Was great. We had our service dog with us and our server showed up with a bowl of water for him. The GM Dawn was very nice and knowledgeable. Great place! read more

Ila's is a lovely, hospitable restaurant with delicious food. it was a great experience and I will return.

An elegantly designed new restaurant in the heart of River North. The ambiance is warm and inviting, the staff from Entry to Exit are friendly and attentive. The uniquely curated menu offer a variety of items making it a perfect place for everyone. The drink menu complements the food items, ample but not supernumerary. I was served the Empanadas, Birria Pierogi's and Tuna Crudo. The food was exceptional to say the least. I ended my dinner with Cheesecake and Green Tea Panna Cotta which was delacate and delicious. Must try. read more

Ila's - Green Tea Panna Cotta - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We went to Ila's Chicago for New Year's Day dinner and absolutely loved it. The space is super cozy and inviting, and the staff was incredibly warm and welcoming from start to finish. The cocktails were excellent, and the food really stood out. The birria lamb pierogis were a standout and were so flavorful and creative. We also loved the short rib, the burrata appetizer (incredible and very unique), and the sweet corn agnolotti, which was all perfectly done. Everything felt thoughtful, from the menu to the atmosphere. We can't wait to come back! read more

dinner at ila's was a great experience from start to finish. the cozy, welcoming space feels thoughtful and personal. the burrata with roasted figs and pine nut brittle was creamy and delicious and the house made focaccia stood out. pastas are excellent. sweet corn agnolotti with cornbread foam and chili crunch is balanced and flavorful and the pappardelle with oxtail ragù is rich and comforting. loved the ube sour too. polished yet relaxed dining in river north. read more

Ila's - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came in planning to have a couple of snacks, drinks, and watch a playoff game. Instead, we stayed through another playoff game and rolled straight into dinner--and honestly, that tells you everything you need to know. The drinks are outstanding. The Quinn is a must-order--balanced, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. From the brunch menu, the egg rolls and empanadas were absolute standouts--crispy, flavorful, and impossible not to keep ordering. By dinner, we were fully invested. The short rib chilaquiles were rich and comforting with deep flavor, and the pierogies were done perfectly. Every dish felt thoughtful and well executed. What really elevates Ila's, though, is the people. The waitstaff was warm, attentive, and genuinely cared that we were having a great experience. We even met the owner's mother, Ila herself, who the restaurant is named after--which made the night feel special and personal in the best way. Great food, great drinks, wonderful people, and a welcoming, cozy ambiance that makes you want to stay longer than planned. We came for a game and left with a new favorite spot. Highly recommend. read more

Super cute place in River North! The interior is beautiful and the food was really good too! We're vegetarian so they offered to make the empanada appetizer with a corn filling to make it vegetarian. The sweet corn pasta is a must try. we go the paneer kebabs too. The rice was very good. The paneer wasn't my favorite would like it to have more sauce read more

Our server Dani was amazing & the manager came by to check on everything which we appreciated! Great food and great vibes!! Loved the short rib. read more

Our server Dani was fantastic and very attentive! The short rib was also fantastic, a must get.

Excellent from start to finish! The drinks were creative and delish, the food was fresh and flavorful, and service was friendly and attentive. We loved the low-key, comfortable vibe, especially in this particular part of town. It was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night, and I'm hoping that was because it was Easter weekend. This is a place that deserves to succeed. Highly recommend. read more

I absolutely loved Ila's Chicago!! The space feels so cozy and welcoming. I ended up chatting with the owner and he was amazing, so kind and genuinely passionate, which made the experience even better. Everything we tried was unreal. The ube sour was so good, the sweet corn agnolotti completely blew me away, and honestly... the burger was probably the best burger I've ever had in my life. No exaggeration. Such a special spot with incredible food and even better people. Can't wait to go back! read more

Great service in the new restaurant. We went for lunch. Everyone was really friendly. I enjoyed the ash and Orchard Mezcal drink.

Tried the spaghetti alla chitters and asked for extra spice Fresh made pasta and the Parmesan cheese with basil was divine

"Great place! Came for brunch! The food was delicious--the Phoenician salad was super fresh and flavorful, and my brother's Benedict was amazing. Best smashed potatoes ever! My sister's Midnight in Mumbai cocktail was super fancy and delicious. The whole experience was wonderful. Our server, Jose, was friendly and fun, and the manager even stopped by to chat, which was a nice touch. Hands down a great place to go--you're missing out if you haven't tried it!" read more

We were looking for a new place to try and came across Ila's, and we're really glad we did. Right from the start, the service was exceptional, and a shout out to our server, Daniela. The dishes are perfect to share tapas-style, with enough that everyone gets a few bites. We started with the scallops and empanadas. The cook on the scallops was perfect, and the shishito seasoning made them one of the more unique scallop dishes we've tried. The flavor combinations for the empanadas were amazing as were the sauce/dip pairings. Next we had the burrito pierogi, and while the lamb filling was very good, the depth of the birria sauce wasn't quite there. But, for whatever the birria might have come up short on, we were lucky enough to get one of the last "Italian" beef sandwiches (note - there's a limited supply, so make sure you go early to get one!) and it was awesome. The right balance of spice with the giardinera, dipping sauce, and short rib meat makes for great bites. We finished the night with the strawberry shortcake, and the biscuit-style dough vs. traditional cake was the perfect ending for the meal. All the strawberry and basil while cream flavor was balanced without the overpowering sweetness that sometimes ruins a dessert. And we would be remiss to not bring up the specialty cocktails. I'm not sure exactly what black magic was involved with the ube sour, but somehow it came out tasting exactly like a honey graham cracker. We're definitely going back! read more

Do not hesitate to patronize this place! It was absolutely amazing!!! I would give them 10 stars if I could. The food, the drinks, the service, and the ambiance was top tier! The owner was there and introduced himself personally and was so humble and polite. This was the absolute BEST service I received while visiting Chicago this past weekend. The food was fresh and tasty. The drinks were strong. This restaurant was clean and all of the staff was nice. They treated us like family. I would recommend Ila's a thousand times over!!! read more

Ila's - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing drinks and food! Love the Ube cocktail! Great ambience too. The sweet corn entree was delish and I'm not a big fan of corn. read more

Ila's - Ube cocktail - Comfort Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A great surprise find and impulse visit for drinks and dessert. The Quinn cocktail was delicious! Very prompt and attentive service by friendly staff. Had the strawberry shortcake for dessert - the basil whipped cream was surprisingly delicious! The atmosphere was very modern, clean, and well lit. read more

A truly great new place! The food is incredible, chic ambiance, unique drinks, and a fantastic overall experience. Do yourself a favor and check it out! read more

Ambience was fantastic - conversation could be had easily. Service was also attentive and excellent. Ordered the bread plate, which was delicious as was the Phoenician salad. The corn agnolotti was delicious. read more

The food was beyond better than expected. The Oxtail Ragu pasta, the lamb egg rolls, and the spaghetti were exceptional! Atmosphere was cozy comfortable. The owner welcomed everyone in and walked around to check on everyone. A must for a date-night,going out with friends, or with family. Bar is comfortable and all the staff were friendly. read more

I came with my work colleagues for a small holiday gathering. We absolutely LOVED everything! We tried a number of items, with standouts being the octopus, empanadas and the sweet corn agnolotti. The staff were well versed in the menu and made great suggestions. The atmosphere is cozy and warm and makes you want to stick around for a while! They just launched brunch, which I can't wait to try! read more

Random stroll down Hubbard street and stopped in here, what a treat. Food and atmosphere is inviting and worth it! Owner and staff are so gracious and helpful. Put it on your list ! read more

What a wonderful find! This newly opened restaurant is beautiful inside. Very welcoming staff and atmosphere. We came for lunch and the menu has so many wonderful options, it was difficult to settle on one. The food and service were perfect! The drinks were amazing, too!! We will definitely come back for dinner next time, and bring a few friends. It's the kind of place where you want to stay awhile! read more

Our first time at Ila's and it was an amazing experience! The food is incredible, the staff very friendly and nice atmosphere. Will definitely go back the next time we are in Chicago! read more

The ambience was just perfect! So welcoming and homey. The drink hit THAT spot. I will be coming back.

Great new addition to River North's restaurant scene. Very unique menu with a great variety of dishes and cuisines. Great drinks as well!

Beautiful ambiance, food and drink and people. Cozy classy atmosphere, approachable and delicious.

My husband and I came for lunch and we were so pleased with everything. The seating was very comfortable, the music was not overwhelming, so you could have a conversation. The wait staff was very attentive. The best part was the food. The Phoenician salad was excellent, we loved the warmed grapes and toasted chickpeas on the salad. We had the Smash burger and Chicken Katsu - both were excellent. The best part were the French Fries, which melt in your mouth. We will be back! read more

Beautiful decor and excellent menu! I would love to come back to Chicago just to visit the restaurant again! Interesting international cuisine will not disappoint you! don't forget to try their chicken empnadas! read more