Ema
$$ • Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
Delicious! No gluten reaction during or after. The food, service, atmosphere, and whole experience were fabulous. We had kebabs — chicken keffa and halloumi — Brussels sprouts, falafel and hummus, and all were perfect. I’ll go again and enthusiastically recommend Ema to friends.
Arguably one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The chicken kefta is my absolute favorite, I could eat this everyday if I could. They have a gluten free menu and the staff has always been very knowledgeable. They also have gluten free crackers to eat with the dips/spreads. I’ve eaten here many times and never had an issue.
Delicious! Waitress immediately said we didn’t need to worry about cross contamination and all of our dishes came out with an allergy flag. We had the Greek salad, hummus (they will serve with GF crackers), falafel, crispy potatoes, and chicken skewers with basmati rice. Everything was so good!
Photos
More Reviews
I love this spot. Everything is delicious and the staff is super knowledgeable. They recently did away with a separate gf menu as nearly the whole menu is GF other than the farro and pita bread. Mention the GF allergy to waiter and they will take care of the rest. Do not pass up the falafel or the spicy toothpick lamb! Needed a reservation even for a weekday, so keep that in mind.
This is another lettuce entertain you restaurant and I’ve had excellent experiences with them (Aba, Wildfire, Beatrix, etc.). They take all allergies seriously and have a variety of options.
Piling on at this point, but for good reason! Just about everything on the menu can be made to accommodate celiacs. So much so that they recently go rid of the GF specific menu because there was way too much overlap.
Been here a few times and we love it. The crispy potatos are our personal favorite. Separate GF fryer! Please check them out!
Not only great food but they flag your food for an allergy and are very knowledgeable. Almost everything on the menu can be made GF. We opted for the crispy potatoes (so good), beef and lamb kabob and have also had the grilled chicken kabob. Very sensitive to CC and not reaction.
Very tasty, and very careful about allergies. Lots of gluten free options.
Enjoyed Ema last month while in Chicago on vacation. Waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable in guiding and accommodating me. Food was delicious. We sat outside on a warm September night and the ambience overall was great.
Super tasty and accommodating. Nice gf menu with good options. Fast service when we said we were short on time.
Enjoyed eating here. There were plenty of gluten-free options. The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. The food was very good - not as exciting as I had hoped but still very good.
Ate dinner here a few nights ago! Very good food, super filling, and felt super safe. Wait staff asked about allergies and the hummus came with gluten free crackers (good but veryyyyy crunchy✨). Food marked with allergy flags and audibly stated when food arrived! I got the lamb/steak kabob with rice. No glutenized symptoms at all!
Ema was Amazing! They took many precautions to ensure my meal was the very best and that everything I ordered was safe for me to eat. The manager came out walked me through the menu and took my order. The brussel sprouts were so good I can't stop thinking about them!
Great GF options & delicious food! GF items came out flagged.
very informative and delicious! no symptoms after eating here
To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed. Very fancy vibe, the waiter brought me a gf menu. The octopus was worth the trip. We also had the potatoes (came out cold) the cucumbers and the chicken kefta. Everything was fine, just not the amazing experience we were expecting. They were busy without being full and we didn’t have a reservation, and almost didn’t seat us, even though we were there at 4:30. (The restaurant was half empty- maybe they cater to online?). Staff, especially the front of house, was overwhelmed.
Absolutely incredible dining experience. The food and cocktails were safe & phenomenal. The server and manager did an excellent job of reassuring that I received a dedicated gluten and dairy free meal. I wish I was local so I could come here all the time!!
Gluten free menu with so many options. Knowledgeable staff. Only had a Greek salad but it was good
Best food I’ve had in years, very educated staff, no reactions.
was great!! nice hummus and has gluten free crackers, server seemed very knowledgeable
i’m a regular here and i wish i could buy their gf crackers in bulk they’re sooooo good. huge menu something for everyone! only thing they can’t really do is sandwiches
Fabulous! Excellent GF menu options and GF drinks. All food comes out labeled ‘allergy’. Everyone loved the food and ate GF with me. Did not get sick!
The staff was knowledgeable about celiac disease and my dishes came out with a gluten-free allergy marker. It was a great atmosphere and a nice night out in the city. The food was delicious - highly recommend!! It is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant so make sure to make your reservation far in advance. GF cocktails are also on the GF menu which was appreciated!
This place is amazing. They didn't bat an eye when I said I have celiac.They have a separate menu, which is almost identical to the regular menu. Everything I ordered came out with an allergy marker pick in the dish, even the naturally gluten-free items. The beets and berries salad was incredible! The roasted eggplant was better than any baba ganoush I have ever eaten. The gluten-free crackers are delicious and plentiful! The lamb and beef koftas were just perfect.
Amazing place to eat GF with a great SoCal vibe. The food was absolutely delicious and there was a separate GF menu that had almost all the same choices as the regular menu. We loved the tuna carpaccio, the berries and beet salad, the dip sampler and the beef and lambs koftas. Our server was very knowledge about Celiac and I would highly recommend this place. Wish we could go back again… There was so much more food to try and everything we had was so delicious.
Love going to the rotisserie for a great weekday lunch
I got the chicken kefta to go - very tasty and would definitely recommend.
My husband and I went there today for lunch before seeing a show We both or ordered gluten free so we could share. We got the chicken kefta kabobs and the lamb and beef kabobs. It came with tzatziki sauce and basmati rice. They both came out with allergy sticks. Our server told us they cook the kabobs in oven instead of the grill so it's safe and cross contact is minimal. Ordered some drinks too and had an amazing time. Definitely reccomend
I asked for a gluten-free menu and the server said almost everything on the menu already was, and asked if I had an allergy. She said she could let me know what could be modified to be gluten-free if it wasn’t already and alerted the kitchen. My food was fantastic, the service was excellent, and our order came out with an allergy flag, which I always appreciate!
One of my favorite Chicago staples! They have a separate GF menu and knowledgeable staff. Everything is delicious, but especially the potatoes (in a separate fryer), kebabs, Brussel sprouts, and the GF chips instead of bread! Food also comes out with an allergy marker stick.
You walk in and see it’s in the lobby of a hotel, immediately you are not expecting delicious food. But let me tell you, our expectations were incorrect. This restaurant is amazing, the chef does spectacular things with traditional dishes to make them new and refreshing.
Lamb/beef kofta with tzatziki was delicious. We make this at home from a recipe given to us by a Palestinian friend and this was equal to it (but without the work). Had the beet salad, Brussels, and cocktails. All were just right. Waiter was very helpful in guiding us to order right number of dishes for our party. Atmosphere was great too.
Had wine and shared plates at this fab trendy lively spot conveniently located in downtown Chicago. Separate GF menu with very knowledgeable staff. Great wine menu. Wonderful homemade gf crackers.
Delicious meal and felt very safe & reassured throughout. The servers and kitchen know Celiac and take special precautions (like all of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants). When my family members ordered a dessert I couldn’t eat, they brought me a special gluten free and dairy free dessert for free. I am a sensitive Celiac and extremely careful. I already can’t wait to come back!
I have been fortunate to eat here twice now and it continues to deliver delicious meals as well as celiac-safe meals (have not had any reactions). They had a gluten free menu and the servers have been well-versed in understanding and handling gluten free requirements. The gluten free crackers served with the dips are so good I always doubt they are gluten free. The charred eggplant is one of my all-time favorites. Highly recommend to always make a reservation when dining here. I consider this a “go-to” restaurant while visiting Chicago.
Lots of gluten free options and staff is really helpful! Online, they do have a GF menu and even offer GF pita. I haven’t had any issues here and have gone numerous times.
I loved Ems (and its sister restaurant Aba). Staff were very attentive and knowledgable about the gluten free menu and modifications that could be made. When I was there they had a dedicated gluten free fryer - try the crispy potatoes!
Literally one of the best restaurants I have been to. The waiter was super knowledgeable and every time my food came out they let me know it was safe for my gluten “allergy”. Dishes also came out with an allergy tag which always makes me feel better. I’m super sensitive to any cross contact and did not get sick. They take celiac disease seriously. And oh my the food was so good! Can’t wait to go back.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I have celiac and get very sick from cross contamination and I’ve never gotten sick here. Almost the whole menu can be made gluten free and the staff are knowledgeable and super aware. Food is delicious and ambience is great.
The staff were all very knowledgeable about which menu items were gluten free (which was a lot of them) and how to modify those that were not. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious!!!
This was one of the best gluten free dining experiences I’ve had. The server was knowledgeable and went above and beyond to confirm everything I ordered was gf. He even checked to make sure the new truffle oil was gf (it wasn’t, the menu hadn’t been updated yet) and offered me other suggestions that were safe. The food was delicious, and I didn’t have any reaction afterwards.
They took celiac very seriously! Even with dairy free and soy free restrictions, they were super accommodating!!
Is as advertised. Delicious, simple food served by somewhat aloof hipsters who nevertheless know their gluten. Good stuff. Worth your while. Get the halloumi skewer and don’t look back
OMG the food here made me so happy. They have separate gluten free menu, gluten free crackers with their dips and so many yummy choices. Even the house wine was great. I can’t recommend it enough.
Be sure to get a reservation on a Sunday. Place was very busy. Got a gluten free menu and when I ordered they have a special allergy notebook to denote the order. Greek salad and the lamb and beef kebab was amazing. I ate it so fast.
Food and services was wonderful. The server was knowledgeable and understanding as well as reassuring throughout the meal. I can’t wait to go back.
Great Mediterranean restaurant for celiacs! I’ve eaten here multiple times and have never gotten sick. Very knowledgable wait staff as well. They also offer a separate gluten free menu, and the have gluten free crackers for their spreads. Never disappoints!
The food is phenomenal and many options available. Staff was familiar with celiac. Definitely recommend
More Info
Nearby Restaurants
Similar Places in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Falafel in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Kebabs in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Cocktails in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Dessert in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Salad in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Acai Bowls in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Cakes in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Steak in Chicago
- Gluten-Free Gelato in Chicago
