Holy smokes, Vela, where have you been all my life? Had a business dinner here and was simply blown away! This place is a brilliant, seamless vibe that engages all of your senses to create a comprehensive dining experience... few have done it as incredibly as Vela has. As soon as you walk in, you feel it... dark, luscious, romantic, rich. The food was absolutely incredible. The quinoa avocado salad was maybe the best salad I've ever had... I could not stop eating it! I would come back for this dish alone. We had the grilled chicken and the waygu steak, both cooked to perfection with excellent flavors. Loved the salsas and mole sauce that came with them. I liked the cucumber margarita and all of the other drinks were also great. I would skip dessert next time. Nothing to write home about there. But all in all- great vibes, great food, great service. read more

I really wanted to love this place, but it just really just depends what you come for. It's surprisingly beautiful inside, sultry and elegant, darkly lit, music with good energetic beats. Definitely upscale for a part of the city that's very low-key but service and overpriced food is a drawback. In fairness I only came midweek during happy hour to scope out the place as an option for an upcoming celebratory event and left underwhelmed. Here's my honest take: I walked in and stood at the door where the sign "wait to be seated" was posted, but NOBODY came or bothered to acknowledge me. So I walked up to the bar which was half empty and sat down. Maybe take the sign down if there isn't a host? Took a bit for the bartender to acknowledge me sitting there, but eventually a happy hour and regular menu was placed in front of me. I had to ask for water service, which I thought was odd. I asked what she recommended and she said she was vegan so she hasn't tried everything but that many people seem to like the tacos. Okay, I ordered 2 of them as a starting point $7/ea. Tacos took about 15min to come out and were smaller than the palm of my hand. Flavor was decent but not very filling, 4 bites and they were gone. I went back to the menu, the tuna tostada looked interesting. When I got it though it was another very small item and I took one bite and spit it out. I'll give them props on presentation but it had a funky bitter taste and I could not eat it. Instead of trying another item, I decided to take the check. It includes service fees. In all, I'd probably come back for a nightcap to enjoy the elegant interior after dinner but I don't see wanting to come back for the food. read more

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While the ambiance was very cute and the booths were super nice, the service was super lack luster. There were about 10 tables throughout the 5 hours we were there (happy hour and dinner) everything took way longer than needed. Walking in the host stand was empty and continued to be empty for most of the night - we even saw people walk out bc they were left standing there with nobody greeting them or sitting them. Again, it was not a busy night. My party of two came in for our rez at 5:30 and waited for about 7 minutes to be greeted and brought to our table. Then our waiter took about 10 minutes to come to our table and forgot to bring us happy hour menus and water. Then when we were ready to order, our drinks came about 10 minutes late and still no water. We had to ask for water and refills for our water about 5 times that night. Again, not busy. We ordered the guac - it was fine but was riddled with micro greens which....is not the vibe lol. They give you 4 totopos which were fine but not nearly enough to share. The drinks all were pretty sweet which would be ok for one but will give you a headache if you have another. Overall it was lacking in more than one area where the venue was the only thing that was nice. read more

Great atmosphere - beautiful moody interior and the drinks were solid. The food was less exciting. I ordered the steak dish to split with my friend; we ordered it medium rare but when it came out, it was definitely overcooked at medium well. The other people at my table were even less pleased with their dishes, saying things were too dry or overcooked and very disappointing. I would still come back for drinks but we were disappointed with the food for sure. read more

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Vela is right around the corner from where I live so it's my go to place for a nightcap. The vibe is so fun at nighttime, there's always a great DJ and the restaurant itself is beautiful. The bar chairs are very comfy too. I came here for dinner once and the food was ok..I wouldn't come back for dinner but will definitely continue to come for a fun drink! read more

It's a lovely restauraunt. It's so beautiful inside, perfect for a date or night out with a couple close friends. The food is unique and is on a rotating seasonal menu. I've enjoyed everything I've had there! The service is also great, we had a couple people check on us throughout the evening. read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Grilled Chicken plate - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came for a weekday happy hour and it was such a vibe! The aesthetic was so chic and the food and drinks were amazing! We got a salsa de la casa to share (tostadas with salsas and guac dips). I also tried the tuna tostada, empanada, taco quesabirria (short rib) and taco gobernador (shrimp taco)! The tacos were worth trying--especially the shrimp taco, that was the star! I really liked my pulparindo drink as well--i love the taste of tamarind! Servers were very attentive and friendly. Helpful for recommendations as well! Would definitely come back! read more

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Went here for dinner on Valentine's Day! I was impressed as soon as I walked in the door. The place has a cozy romantic vibe. We were seated after a 5 min wait, and service throughout our dinner was quick and excellent. We got the Sol y Sombra and Terra Madi Malbec for drinks, loved both. We ordered the Empanadas, the Avocado quinoa salad and taco for dinner. They were all extremely flavorful. The Valentine's Day dessert (tres leches) was a miss though, it did not taste good and the lady fingers they used instead of cake were still hard. read more

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Nice venue on a quiet River North street. I was able to park in nearby garage. Our table was ready upon arrival. Quinn served us for the evening and was a delight. We were at this establishment to celebrate a Y.E.S. birthday girl Tosha. On this occasion we grabbed drinks and some appetizers. We did the Three dip and chips options (Entre-Mezze) and Taco Gobernado (shrimps and Oaxaca cheese). Both selections were good. We also tried the empanadas and those were tasty. Overall a nice experience. The restaurant is decorated modern. The bathrooms were clean. Our booth provided for a sexy view of the whole establishment. I would come back. They do have a happy hour. We didn't eat as much as planned. read more

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Ask for Ethan! Ambiance is beautiful, small but incredibly intimate. They've been open for 8 months roughly. Directly across the street from Hampton Social...River North. We came for Vday obviously with reservation and a 1.5 seat time. Couples were sort of in and out but the place was not too packed because of its size. Intimate enough to be comfortable. Seervice was busy and management was present. The Pollo was simply chicken, but well prepared and the sauces and sides were the star. Pescado, I'd recommend again and again and again. I devoured the succulent white fish to the pint of embarrassment...*sigh. I am not worthy The Gauc was fresh but nothing to ride home about and the Churros were mid, tasted like they were cooked in old grease. We also tried the A4 Waygu dumplings. I would pass on these items and maybe say that the stars of this place are the main dishes. Apparently the Barbacoa is the top rated for 2024...when I DO return, this will be my selection. Cheers to ambiance, great service and great food! read more

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Went here with some friends for brunch. They got the restaurant week which looked great. I was able to try my friend's Gordita which was very tasty and had great flavors. I ordered the tamale dessert, special for Valentine's Day. The taste was quite good but I could not get over the inedible pieces on it. The waiter let me know it was peanuts but it was the texture of a popcorn kernel and could have broken a tooth. I would love to come back to try the dinner menu. read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Sweet tamale - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a great spot. Moody, dark, sexy ambiance. Service was spectacular. Everything we ate was delicious. The avocado quinoa salad was great. Could be a meal or shared as a side. The shrimp tacos were out of this world. Stacked with shrimp. Flavors were excellent. The chips and dips were a nice starter. Tuna tostadas were really good too. It comes with two and perfect to share. Cocktails are also really good. The cucumber margarita was so smooth and fresh. I'll be visiting again soon. Probably cozying up at the bar during winter, and enjoying a cocktail. read more

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We really enjoyed our meal at Vela. The ambience is lovely, and the service was good. We got their mushroom medley (which the server said was an authentic dish from Mexico City) as an appetizer and it was one of the tastiest dish I've ever had. Amazing deep flavors with a bit of a kick. The ossobucco barbaccoa was also recommended by the server. It came with a delicious hummus on the side and the accompaniments were quite tasty. My wife really enjoyed it but I didn't much care for the meat itself--I found it to be quite gamey tasting. The pistachio penna cotta dessert was quite nice. It's a large dish and we didn't finish it, but very tasty. So one spectacular dish, one dish that I didn't care for and an excellent dessert. Oh and the cocktail was very good as well. read more

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Fire. Fire. Fire. The quinoa avocado salad is earth shattering. No joke. The vibe is dark and sexy we took a seat at the bar, Demitri took care of us and he was a vibe. We tried the quesabirria tacos and they were superb. Better than any other ones I've had. They were loaded with meat and manageable on tortilla size. We ordered the skirt steak medium and it came out more medium rare than I'd like--but regardless we tore it up. Literally left every place clean. All the sauces that the food comes out with are superb. We highly recommend this spot for date night and then some. We'll certainly be back and try more things off of the menu. read more

It's a new hidden gem in River North! I visited for happy hour and enjoyed the experience. It's very nicely decorated inside and the service was nice and friendly. I was in a mood for snacking rather than large entrees and the happy hour menu was perfect. I enjoyed the empanada, sweet potato fries, taco gobernador and taco al pastor. They were all delicious. They look small but since the flavors are so rich, it's hard to eat too much. For drinks, I had pulparindo cocktail which tasted good. But as someone who doesn't like tequila and mezcal I felt like the drinks options were limited. Overall I had a good time and will be returning. read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Taco gobernador - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was good. This was the slowest service that I have had in a long time. Servers were nice but took 45 minutes plus for fish tacos. I think they forgot his order????? The poor guy was the last at the table to have his dinner. Nothing came out at the same time!!! Ridiculous! And the desserts took forever. Part of party left to catch their trains home . Won't be going back . read more

I liked this place. Came here with a friend and tried several of their small plates and a couple of drinks. The service was excellent, and price wise it wasn't too hard on the wallet. Admittedly I wasn't wow'd by the food; I tried the wagyu empanadas (good), the tuna tostada (just ok) and the hamachi (pretty good.) Now for the drinks -i tried the maiz (which wasn't my speed; I was expecting more whiskey flavor) and the coco de Oro (a step up from the other drink.) My friend had the La Rivera and I did enjoy that, but what stole the show was a mezcal called Raicilla. If you're a fan of the idea of a smoked tequila... Get that! I gave this place 4 stars because even tho the food didn't blow me away...everything else did. The ambiance, service and prices were solid. I would come back for sure for a date night or a place to pregame before heading elsewhere (i.e. Bassment) read more

My friends and I visited Vela for dinner and drinks on a Friday night and it was sucha great experience! We had a prior reservation which made the check-in process very easy and quick! Once seated, the server went over the menu and explained which dishes could be made vegetarian as we had a majority on the table with dietary restrictions. The menu does not have a lot of vegetarian options but whatever is available was absolutely delicious! We ordered a Mezze guac platter to share for the table along with Grilled Vegetables, quinoa avocado salad and Tlocoyo. The food like I said before tasted so good. The platter is served with 3 dips - guac, salsa and Sikil pak which had a hummus like consistency. I am in love with salads lately and quinoa avocado salad easily has to be one of the best I tried in last few weeks. It was so refreshing and healthy too! Tlocoya was a mushroom based dish with refined beans in it. Again, something that really surprised us because of its mushy and crispy texture at the same time. For drinks my friends ordered Pulparindo and Vespar lindo. I was obsessed with Pulparindo because of the tamarind touch it had. I did not order any drinks for myself but a friend keeps raving about their Espresso Martini, I'll surely be back for it! The ambiance was pretty litt, even had a DJ playing house and afro beats. The place got pretty crowded after 10 and there were a lot of people by the bar just chilling and enjoying cocktails. I am definitely coming back and I recommend this place 10/10. read more

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We came here for a happy hour and their menu was great. From guacamole, sikil pak, tostadas to the handcrafted cocktails, everything is delectable. The ambiance and decor were intricate, giving a vibe of hospitality and Mexican culture. I heard the place is clubby at late night too. read more

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We swung by vela for a casual Friday night dinner. We had a prior reservation. The ambience is very chic with mood lighting and upscale decor. The main highlight was the music, they played afro house throughout the night and we also complimented the DJ. Our server was very friendly and sweet and had great suggestions. The service was fast too, although it did take some time for one dish to come out. We ordered the entre maze and it was so good. It came with some earthy and crunchy tacos and three dips. One of the dips was a Mexican version of a hummus and it was my favorite of the night. We ordered some grilled veggies, quinoa avocado salad, vela hamburger and tlacoyo. The tlacoyo was the highlight of the night. It was a version of stuffed mushroom but tasted very Michelin star like. I am not a fan of mushrooms and still ended up liking this dish a lot. The quinoa avocado salad and the grilled veggies were good too. My only complain is the limited vegetarian options, but otherwise this place is a definite hidden gem. read more

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Drinks were great! Waitress was very nice, however, service was slow. Tacos were so-so. Tuna tostadas were good. We got the castacan en mole, unfortunately, the dish was extremely dry that we had to send it back. Open to trying it again with the hopes that it was just an off night. P.S. Bring a sweater, the restaurant runs cold read more

The salmon tostada was delicious, light, and fresh. You can tell the drinks were made with the highest quality fresh ingredients. 5 star experience start to finish. Also, the ambiance is amazing, one of the most beautiful bars and Lounges I've even been to. The servers were attentive and were very accommodating to my dietary restrictions. Thank you Vela! read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Melted candle sticks - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been to Vela multiple times now, and it's hands down the first place I recommend to anyone visiting Chicago--or to locals who just don't know where to go for dinner. If you're someone who appreciates bold flavors and Mexican cuisine done right, you really can't go wrong here. I first came on a date not long after they opened, and every dish we ordered was phenomenal. A couple of standouts: the taco gobernador and the empanada--both are absolute must-tries. I also loved the pork belly, which was rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. For dessert, we had the pistachio tres leches and it was nothing short of divine. As for drinks, I'm an old fashioned guy--literally--so I went with the Maíz, and it's honestly one of the best cocktails I've ever had. My partner ordered their espresso martini, and she said the same: one of the best she's ever tasted. Vela has officially earned its spot as my favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Marco service was excellent! He was very friendly and attentive. Will come back again

My friends and I decided to have dinner here on Saturday evening we ordered a few dishes (some were better than others) and cocktails! After dinner we stayed by the bar and listened to the Dj, the music was good! Service was attentive. The decor at Vela Bar y Cochina really sets the mood. The space feels modern yet cozy, with warm lighting and stylish details throughout. I especially loved the candles with all the wax collecting down the sides -- it gives the place a slightly romantic, lived-in vibe that feels intentional and unique. Between that and the overall design, it's the kind of space that makes you want to linger. read more

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Had dinner at Vela this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how great the food was. To start off, my girlfriends and I got the Pulparindo which was a delicious tequila based cocktail. We shared the Guacamole and Quinoa Avocado Salad. The salad was so refreshing and delicious, and I loved the sweetness and crunchiness of the jicama. We also shared the Taco Al Pastor and Taco Gobernador, both of which were super delicious. We ended the meal with a pistachio tres leches cake which was out of this world. I'm definitely coming back for happy hour next time! read more

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TLDR: My friends and I had a great experience at Vela! Our server, Marco, went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. The NYE package was a great deal and I'd go again. Full review: We went to celebrate our friend's birthday and NYE. The NYE food package was reasonably priced at $75pp + tax/tip, ended up being around $100. It included 3 courses, 1 dessert & 2 drinks. We bought a bottle of champagne because they were discounted that night. They also passed out some champagne on the house right before the countdown. Overall, worth it in my opinion. The restaurant was packed so the staff looked overwhelmed, understandably so, but they held it down. Different staff would come over to bring us our food and drinks, which I think caused some mix-ups with our orders, but they always rectified it. Our server, Marco, kept a positive attitude throughout it all and checked in on us consistently. Hopefully next year management can create an improved system based on last night, so the staff doesn't end up too overwhelmed. Two of our friends couldn't make it due to an emergency and packages are non-refundable, so we asked for their food to go & it wasn't an issue. The DJ was amazing! Vibes & music were great. Would recommend. read more

Wonderful experience at Vela, had very good service, and the food was excellent. My sister in law from Mexico singed off on its authenticity. The red salsa was excellent and the all the food was done to perfection. Will absolutely go again. Appreciated the entire menu was labeled with common allergens making ordering easy. Would have liked the restaurant to be slightly brighter, or just the lighting over the table I had to be better, seemed the rest of the place was better lit though.. read more

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Run to VELA!!! Walking in the vibe is everything. Dark and sexy, with loungey music filling the space. Elevated booths in the bar area, soft lighting in the dining room make a the perfect place for dinner with friends or a romantic date. We ordered several things to share. Everything was delicious with fun surprises. My favorites were the avocado and quinoa salad and the dos leches dessert. The GM was so welcoming. Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive. He describes various tequila options like a he was discussing the nuances of fine wine. Make sure to check out the restroom!... read more

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I placed a late night to go order, and the interior of the restaurant was beautiful but very small. The menu isn't that extensive either, but I got the tacos Al pastor upon recommendation and the empanadas. The food was cold pretty quickly and missing the guacamole I had also ordered. The tacos Al pastor were okay with not much meat in them, but the empanadas were tasty. Definitely on the pricier side for the portions too. read more

Fun place with DJ on Friday night. Had the guac - good but chips could be better, shrimp tacos - very good, meatballs - solid, octopus - good but mostly pumpkin seed hummus little octopus, quinoa avocado salad - solid but ours didn't have any avocado, pork belly entree - good pork belly but very little mole and would be nice to have something other than the meat to put in the tortillas provided, dos leches pistachio - good but maybe a tad too salty. Overall would recommend for good vibes and solid upscale food read more

The ambience is sexy and moody and the food / cocktails are just as good. Perfect excuse to get dressed up and go out. Started with the pulparindo drink (so smooth / not too sweet), followed by the ceviche, empanadas and the shrimp taco Gabernador -- these tacos will melt in your mouth. Literally. There were a lot of authentic ingredients and items across the menu. Service was top tier as well. Book your resy now and thank me later. read more

Ugh. Wanted to love this place so badly when I walked in and saw how cool it was. Our server was so nice and the drinks were good but a few things fell flat. 1. For such an upscale and expensive place they lack a few things in service. One being that between messy courses they don't bring you a clean new plate. They also fully forgot one of our dishes and comped a measly $4 off the bill for it. 2. The empanadas were delicious but the Cesar salad was not it. It had no flavor and the "lettuce" was the butts of the lettuce. Hard and bitter. 3. When we hit the 90 minute mark (even though one of our dishes came extremely late) the managers were on us like hawks, not even trying to be subtle. I'm sorry but if I'm spending over $100 a person then I don't want to be rushed through my meal. If you can't accommodate that many people to eat at a time then limit your reservations. Overall I won't be returning. read more

I was so pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem. I love the sultry ambiance, plethora candles and dim lighting. The music was a total vibe. Service was excellent. Our server Christian gave great recommendations. The food was delicious and the cocktails were even better!! I highly recommend Coco de Oro and Pulparindo cocktails. For food the taco gobernador, salmon tostada, hamachi ceviche, quinoa avocado salad, and pescado entero were all absolutely delicious. We had the churros and their take on tres leches for dessert. Both very memorable. And Chef Jorge came out to recommend the Carrajillo de Olla cocktail with the churros -- it was truly the cherry on top. I'm so glad they're now in the neighborhoo read more

We were really excited to dine at this restaurant given the cuisine and atmosphere. However, simply put the best part of the meal was the champagne we ordered. Food: Tuna tostada-the tuna was chewy and the quality was question. It had the potential to be very tasty and was one of the worst tuna tostadas we've ever had. Hamachi Ceviche-lacked flavor Empanadas- reminded me of something you would get from a fast food restaurant not a five star meal. Pulpa- portion versus price is very disappointing here as well. With any new restaurant opening, I know there are struggles, but with the amazing Mexican cuisine in the city, this restaurant will have to improve greatly in the next few months read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Tuna Tostada - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The inside is stunning and beautiful and has the perfect ambiance. The music corner with the vinyls and dj booth is awesome! The food was insanely delicious and fresh and had us ordering more! 10/10 will be back!!! read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The whole experience at Vela was great. The service was friendly and fast, there was one large gap of time between our entrees being brought out that wasn't necessary but otherwise good. The food was amazing, you MUST try the Quinoa Avocado Salad. Hands down best thing we had. Would go back for just the salad alone! read more

Vela Bar Y Cocina - Barbacoa Ossobuco - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My husband and I stopped here for a drink on our bar hopping adventure. We both loved the decor and the dark moody ambiance of the restaurant. The staff was so attentive and kind. They gave us complimentary churros & champagne to celebrate us newly weds. The chocolate came steaming hot and the churros were so delicious We also got the guacamole and chips. The guacamole had great flavor and the chips weren't really chips and just fried whole tortillas. Both were very good tho! If you are looking for a trendy, upscale Mexican restaurant this place is it! read more

My my my! Welcome to the neighborhood. This restaurant is absolutely amazing for it to be brand new. The drinks were amazing, service was great, and the ambiance is untouchable. read more

I had the best time at Vela! Everyone treated us with kindness and love. The service, food, drinks, and atmosphere were ABOVE AND BEYOND! If you want a fun night on the town- this is the spot! Thank you for an incredible night! Special shout out to Jessica- the GM, Alex made the flow incredible and our server was the BEST of the BEST! A night and experience to remember read more