We went on New Year's Eve and sat at the bar, which we typically do. Realizing they just opened, I have to say we were dissatisfied. My Brussel spout kebab included extremely small pieces. Spreads come with bread, which was good but I love pita. My husband's chicken kabab was fine. We felt their main course options were limited. The lightning needed to be turned down. It was very bright in the bar area, which doesn't result in good atmosphere. Don't sit near the door or you'll have to keep your coat on. Sorry but true. read more

All i can say is this is one classy place. From the food to the staff. 5 stars. I would highly recommend.

Food was very good but timing of delivery could be better. Also, as others stated, please turn the music down. People like to hear each other while conversing at dinner. read more

We eagerly awaited the opening of Koukla's, as it's in walking distance for us. Our party of 4 went on a Tuesday night to celebrate a special birthday. The white interior is nice, with clean lines and a long bar upon entering. The tables, as we were soon to find, were very crowded in such a small space. While a few of our dishes were good (nice touch of the crispy chicken skin bits on the Skordalia) and the whipped Feta for appetizers, there wasn't nearly enough bread on the platters for 4 people. The staff kept trying to clear away the half-eaten appetizers while we waited for more bread to arrive. We each ordered an entree. There was a 15 minute wait between the first two entrees hitting the table. Another 15 minutes went by until the third came out, followed shortly by the fourth one. The first guest finished her meal before the last person was even served. When questioned why all 4 entrees didn't come out together, staff explained that the restaurant embraces communal sharing of the dishes. That didn't explain the gap in time and our server's disappearance from view. The portion sizes of the entrees we had (gulf shrimp, chicken souvlaki, thin sliced pork chops) were quite small relative to cost (our favorite Greek restaurants in the area: Plateia and Psistaria have plentiful portions) and would not have been enough to "share". The only entree large enough was the brick chicken. Between the inflated cost, ridiculous wait time, and skimpy portions, we won't be back. read more

Was waiting for this restaurant to open all summer...didn't open until late December. I was very disappointed. The food was over seasoned and very salty. Everything is small plates which they encourage family style, a very small family. I could not eat my mussels due to the fact I could only taste fennel. The server noticed I could not eat it and deducted from the bill. The host got my reservation mixed up and I needed to wait for a table. Granted, the restaurant has only been open a week...maybe will try it again next year. Hopefully they work out ALL the problems. Wish them well! read more

We had a delicious dinner at Koukla's on a Saturday night. They were completely booked for reservations so my husband and I sat at the bar, which was pretty open when we arrived just before 6pm but quickly filled up. We had the spicy whipped feta and crispy chicken skin spreads, grilled oysters, and the pork belly. Everything was outstanding! The meal was perfectly paced and we never felt rushed, even though the restaurant was packed wall to wall. Atmosphere was lively and upbeat. We will definitely be back! read more

so so -price versus portion size is not what I expected for a restaurant at Howard and Milwaukee, maybe downtown people will accept that. what you did get was good. No pita , tomatos , zuccini for a Greek Eatary? read more

Really enjoyed it! Especially loved the brick chicken (we swapped our Greek potatoes for fries!), the pita bread and the prawns. Cocktails were also great. Can't wait to go back! read more

I had looked forward to dining here. Overall mediocre. Menu was limited for a Greek Restaurant. No greek soup, gyros, moussaka etc. Tried the lamb chops and they were extremely fatty. My food came out 10 mins before my partner. The other dish was chicken kabobs and they were fatty and slimy. Service was good. Not on par with Greek town or Mykonos. read more

First time here and will not return. Food is average n over seasoned. Saganaki horrible. Service n ambiance were fine.

Online reservations allows reservations up to 4 people. So I called and left two polite and seperate detailed messages to get a group reservation for 10 for my friend's birthday for 1/28. No response. Called again, the girl took my information and said "someone" would get back to me. I asked when - she said "probably today". That was 3 days ago..... read more

After being seated we waited 20 minutes and not one server or waiter acknowledged us. No water, no nothing, so we left. Besides that, the place is extremely loud, with bright lights, and the seating is overcrowded. IMO, the service gets an F, the ambiance and comfort gets an F. Have no idea on the food quality but based on the other issues, probably not worth it. read more

We have been eager to visit Kouklas, and the experience was wonderful. Beyond the beautifully decorated atmosphere, our server, Dina, provided exceptional service. She navigated the menu with confidence and her lively personality added so much to our evening. The pacing was perfect, and the chilled octopus was absolutely amazing. Thanks to Dina, we are already planning our return. Bravo! read more

Friends treated us to a great night out at Koukla's in the near-northern suburbs of Chicago. It was the restaurant's second night open (only!) and New Year's Eve to boot. Still, we easily found the place and even parking, despite a very full lot. The ambience was bright and buzzing with guests, both at the bar and at their tables. Tables were somewhat close together, but it was not an issue. Even with NYE celebrants, the noise level was fine for hearing our waiter and talking among our table mates. We had very good service from Christo ("Hristo") who was charming and made good suggestions when asked. The drinks he recommended were spot on (e.g., a dry white wine for me, bubbly dry rose' for my friend, heartier drinks for the husbands). As a Greek-American in my 50's whose family has been in the food industry for decades, I've enjoyed tons of excellent, homemade Greek food. I found the dishes that we ordered @ Koukla's to be very good: the lamb chops were flavorful and juicy, the taramosalata smooth, the bread addictive, and even the saganaki excellent (crisp on the outside, with a perfect level of salt and lemon!) We had a late reservation so unfortunately, a few of the popular items that we ordered were sold out (e.g., calamari, loukoumathes, and a feta-phyllo-honey dish that sounds divine!) We'll definitely treat others to Koukla's to try those dishes that we did not get to sample. I have no doubt that we'll enjoy another great night out, and be happy to support a new local business that can succeed for years to come! Thank you, Jimmy Bannos etal! PS One suggestion that can be implemented easily with little cost to ownership: please add a working telephone number to your website because I had to search far and wide for one, and still could not get through to ask, before we arrived, the simple question "what is the suggested dress code?" Happy New Year!! read more

My review is based on a Tuesday at 5 PM... Entered restaurant when doors first opened. Us and one other reservation there. Entered the empty restaurant and the music was thumping and BLARING! Fast paced music, not dining music at all. We were seated and waitress came to our table to greet us. We had a difficult time hearing her over the loud music. Soon after, the restaurant started to fill in. It actually reached full capacity while we were there. I had looked at OpenTable earlier that day and saw that there were no reservations available until 7:30 PM that day, so I knew there would be a full house when we dined. We were a party of 2 and sat at a right angle to each other. We still had to lean in and talk loudly to each other. Once others filled in the restaurant, patrons were all shouting to each other over the loud music. To the point that even the loud music was getting drowned out with all the shouting. Although food was good, it was a terrible dining experience. I rarely get headaches, but did leave with one from Kouklas. Once outside, the silence was amazing! I live in the area and watched as the restaurant was being remodeled from a prior restaurant that occupied that building. I was so anxious for it to open. Now, sadly, I will not return. Other things to note is that prices are not cheap and their parking lot is valet only! There is no parking on Milwaukee Avenue either. read more

The food was ok, the service was not good - but to be fair it was clear the waitress had not been properly trained so that's on management - and the tables are so close together the wait staff often had trouble moving between tables. We ordered a couple of spreads, we needed a few extra pieces of bread to finish the spread, they charged us for the few extra pieces of bread! Really, we were not filling up on bread, we need to put the spread on something. This is not the food or service one expects from a restaurant where Jimmy Bannos is in charge. As an aside the way they bring the food out is fine for adults having a leisurely dinner - not a place to bring kids. read more

A very disappointing experience at Kouklas. The food was OK (although the saganaki was a bit chewy; the pasta dish we ordered was flavorful, but the pasta was mushy) but the noise level in the restaurant was so high that our group of five could not have any conversation. Seating is also quite cramped, depending on where you are located. We were celebrating a big birthday for my cousin. I had mentioned this when making the reservation and again when we arrived at the hostess desk. NOTHING was done to recognize her birthday even though I gave a couple of hints to our server as well. This was not an evening out that any of us really enjoyed and we all agreed we would not go back. Also, if you need to use the facilities while you visit, plan well in advance. The night we visited they were expecting over 200 guests (according to the valet), and they only have 4 toilets in the whole place. We saw folks waiting in line with legs crossed! read more

the food here is worth the hype. everything was delicious, staff knowledgeable and kind, portion size is good to share. feel like it's a city restaurant in the suburbs. must try! read more

I really wanted to like this place. Have been watching it since Amici left but...... went there last night with 6 of my friends and it was not good. First off we know they open at 5:00 and believe you me they do not open the doors to the restaurant. There were about 10 of us in the vestibule but packed like sardines given the frigid temperatures we had to stand in there. Question why didn't the valet people tell us to wait in our car. It would have been much more enjoyable. We were seated in the back corner and felt rushed the entire time. And don't get me started on how the food comes out crazy. On their own timeline. The food was not great. The best dish we had was the stuffed squid. Also it is expensive just like previous reviewers have stated. This restaurant is not in downtown Chicago nor does it offer gourmet food. My friends and I really wanted to love it seeing as we live in the neighborhood but unfortunately we will not be back. Prediction in 1 year we will drive by and the parking lot will be practically empty. read more