Apolonia

Such a great experience for Chicago fine dining. The food was utterly amazing. Light, refreshing, not at all overwhelming. Our server, Issac, was very friendly & knowledgeable. That atmosphere was perfect for us.

WOW! What an incredible restaurant. On a girls night out, we each got the tasting menu simply because everything looked outstanding, along with the wine pairing. My friend who doesn’t eat red meat, they were happily able to swap some of the dishes with alternatives like mushrooms in the sausage pasta. The entire minimalist vibe and open kitchen concept was unique with my favorite part being the carpet under the tables to minimize the volume of the spacious restaurant. Each dish felt perfectly thought out and was extremely delicious! Im still dreaming about the pistachio ice cream!!! Perfect for a date night, girls night or special occasion! I wish they had a small table or purse hooks to place your purse or jacket during dinner, especially when it gets colder in the year.

It was my first time at Apolonia and would definitely be back! From entering the door to leaving the door, the service was phenomenal. The hostess that seated us, JC? Was very friendly and top notch, she was enthusiastic talking about the dessert recommendations when asked - that is very important when those serving you can speak highly of their food! Wes, outlet waiter was also very nice and professional he was attentive and check on us to make sure everything was good. Food was great to match the service. The black Truffle Puff bread was great and the pistachio dessert was my favorite. The ambiance was simple and clean, I usually don't like very dark restaurants so this was a breath of fresh air, like very light. Not a lot of decora but the minimalistic clean ambiance was perfect for date nights too, not loud and you can still have good conversations without needing to yell like other places.

Apolonia is a super elegant restaurant with beautiful food! I was staying close by and walked past the restaurant a few times. I am so glad that I finally got the chance to have a quiet lunch there on a sunny afternoon. The food was beautifully presented and the flavours were fresh and elegant. The branzino was beautifully cooked with nice crispy skin and the I’m still thinking about the oyster and regretting not having a few more while I was there.

Wonderful experience. We had every shareable on the menu along with a few of their main entrees. Everything was very tasty. Come nd check them out. I was not able to get pictures of every dish but here are a few.

This place is great! Food taste fantastic with a balanced combination of flavors. Appetizers are welcoming, Savory dishes are desirable, and deserts was delicious. I’m not a professional eater by any means, but I do appreciate good food. And for this instance, the food was paired with superb service! the waitress was very x3 good, talked nicely, tended us well. Everyone was pleased. Must visit

Sat at the bar I was starving had not eaten all day boarded quite a few appetizers and pasta then the pistachio dessert

i couldn’t believe what an amazing tasting experience this was. hands down the best pasta in the city — their signature dish with the hand rolled pasta and the sausage sauce was incredible. i wanted to lick the bowl. they also have a famous appetizer that was like puffed fry bread topped with truffles and we did enjoy it, but it was too much to order with the tasting menu and we thought it was a little salty. the fish served with olives and — i believe fennel — was just sensational. our favorite was the pistachio dessert. and the wine pairings were perfect.

Absolutely fantastic. I’ve come here two days in a row for lunch, and the service and food were both exceptional. Ambience was a high point as well, with a beautiful interior and tasteful selection of music.

Really good food, great staff and a nice setting. We enjoyed seeing the activity in the kitchen. One of us tried the tasting menu with wine pairing (delicious!) and we also ordered the puff bread, octopus, Brussels sprouts and the gnocchi. My favorite was the puff bread. It reminded me of Langoși (Hungarian/Romanian street food) but more elevated.

We came here for our anniversary. Highly recommend taste menu for dinner. My husband and I loved Everything single item on it. Also recommend the those mocktails, very refreshing and tasty. One recommendation I would provide is that I do notice the food delivery slowed down a lot after 6:30pm, and only two chefs in the kitchen, so maybe hiring more people in the kitchen will help a lot.

This is a review for both brunch and dinner. Amazing food!! I love the flavor combinations and enjoyed almost all of their dishes. I love the truffle puffed bread and the cauliflower. For brunch, the warm calamari salad is amazing. Only slight negative is the service is a little slow.

I have heard multiple times that this place was good, but never realized where it was, or how reasonable the menu is priced compared to the quality and ambiance you get. Major bonus points for partnering with InKind and having a reasonable corkage fee. It means I can have an affordable burger with wine from home, and make an excellent night of it, or I can splurge on the fantastic drinks, amazing apps, and fenominal dessert during a nice date night. This place has nailed the balance of west loop flare with south loop value. The staff were very personable and friendly, which more than makes up for the common and forgivable hiccups that can happen. The ambiance is nice and fresh for the area, and Oliver's around the corner compliments the design esthetic. Tldr I love finding more places like this since moving to south loop and am looking forward to coming back. I also appreciate the willingness to accommodate allergies with notice.

This place is excellent. Go for the lamb, the muscles, the pasta with pork neck sausage. The octopus up front is also great! 💪

My new favorite restaurant in the city. Came here with my bestie for dinner tonight. What a treat! We were both smiling and nodding our heads the whole night. Every dish was exploding with flavor and no two dishes were alike. The Black Truffle Puff Bread is as good as everyone says it is. I wish I could eat it everyday. 5 dishes were more than enough for the 2 of us so sadly we had to turn down dessert. Definitely coming back to try everything else on the menu and saving room for dessert.

I was visiting Chicago for work and we dined at Apolonia. Apolonia is a contemporary restaurant spotlighting international cuisine & a robust wine list in an aesthetically beautiful, airy space. The cocktails were cocktailing, the wines were wining, the food was fooding and the atmosphere was atmosphering! We enjoyed everything. The service was great as well. Honorable mention goes to the “Shellfish Tagliolini!” It was deliciously delightful! So flavorful! If you’re ever in the area go check it out y’all!

We stopped in on a Thursday and seemed like a slow night for this side of Chicago. We were greeted by friendly and pleasant staff. When I requested more information about a wine, I was offered a taste prior to a full pour and my friend wanted to try it after my comments. The staff happily allowed us to sample the wines of our interest. We opted to share three small dishes, Roasted Beet Salad, Yellowtail Crudo (not pictured), and the Black Truffle Puff Bread. This was the perfect amount of food for us. The flavors were fresh and fun. After finishing were shown the dessert menu, and for the first time in my week in Chicago there were multiple desserts that appealed to my tastes. So we ordered a dessert to share and I took a video of the table service. Definitely nice place to eat and a short walk from the Marriott.

Fantastic place for brunch. Menu has something to match most desires. Service was stellar, and the food was fresh and flavorful. The truffle bread is a must! Also, the coffee, although a usually looked over part of the meal, was fantastic. Some of the best restaurant coffee I’ve ever had. Loved this place, and can’t wait to come again.

Absolutely charming and delicious!! My vegetarian beloved bride and my carnivorous self loved it. The service was on point and the food perfectly seasoned, perfectly presented, and absolutely delicious. 11/10 going back. Typically I would call out standout dishes but everything was amazing.

This is a lovely restaurant! Overall food was good and the service was great. - Yellowtail crudo: Not particularly memorable. Flavor is okay and the cherry didn’t really enhance nor conflict with the yellowtail flavor - Roasted Mussel Toast: Mussel was great on top of the toast, heavy on the tomato-paste flavor but with the bread was chewy and crunchy altogether - Fiorentini al Sugo: Pasta is very chewy and the meat chunks taste like Italian sausage. Also quite heavy dish - Mediterranean Branzino: Fish is very tender and has a crispy layer of skin, very well charred and overall just balanced. - The Pistachio: There’s the gooey cake layer combined with the pistachio ice cream and crunches of pistachio nuts, my main thing would be that it’s too sweet - Black Truffle Puff Bread: Definitely one of my favorite. Fragrant truffle sauce with Parmesan cheese on top of a crispy airy puff bread - Harissa Spiced Lamb Skewer: Lamb is tender and delicious. The tzatziki sauce has bits of dill and got the perfect balance of acidity and refreshing taste - Octopus de Bourgogne: Amazing flavor, the butter sauce with chunks of octopus that tops the bread is such a perfect combo - Yogurt Marinated Chicken: Love the char flavor and crisp of the chicken and acidic taste of quinoa, but the chicken itself was a little dry

Apolonia is such an amazing dining and culinary experience. I cannot recommend a restaurant more. The atmosphere is open, European, and very inviting. The staff are so friendly, personable, and attentive. We were fortunate enough to eat at their brunch, lunch, and dinner services. The food here is impeccably seasoned and paired with interesting and amazing combinations. The pasta dishes are to die for, a favorite being the Fiorentini Al Sugo and the Shellfish Arrabbiata Bucatini. If you have not had the opportunity to try the Black Truffle Puff Bread, run, don’t walk—it is truly a heavenly experience. The plates are so well portioned and perfect for sharing. We had an amazing time with well timed dishes and the general atmosphere. The drink menu is so wonderfully complimentary and the house cocktails and mocktails are delicious. This is truly a must do dining experience.

Delicious. We went during their brunch menu. Loved it. We can't wait to go back for their dinner menu. We ordered the s'mores croissant (delicious), the Black Truffle Puff Bread (amazing!!), the Ancient Grains Bowl (really good), and the Warm Seafood Salad (this was very fresh. We got the dressing on the side and we're happy we did. It's pretty sour). The service was great too. All in all, it was a very nice experience. Definitely a strong recommend.

What a gem! Apolonia pulls off something rare: a space that feels both strikingly contemporary and deeply comfortable. The monochrome interior design is the first thing that hits you clean lines, a rich play of shadows and light, and a modern, almost gallery-like calm. It avoids the gimmicky minimalism you sometimes see and instead delivers a cohesive look that feels intentional and memorable. The food more than matches the setting. Every dish arrives beautifully presented, but the flavors are what make the meal stand out bold, balanced, and clearly crafted with care. Ingredients taste fresh, seasoning is confident without being heavy, and the kitchen shows off creativity without drifting into pretension. It’s the kind of place where you finish one plate already curious about the next. Service is polished, pacing is spot-on, and the overall experience feels thoughtfully run. Apolonia is the real deal: exceptional food in a stunning space, worth a visit for anyone who cares about both design and dining❤️‍🔥

Sophia was the most amazing server. Her vibes were incredible and made our dinner so much more fun. The food was also amazing - the tiramisu was to die for. 10/10 experience and would love to come back.

First time at Apolonia for brunch and we loved it. Sofia was the best, super friendly, checked in just the right amount, and made us feel really taken care of. Everyone on the staff was so nice, and they were especially sweet with our 2-year-old, which made the whole meal easier and more enjoyable. Can’t wait to come back!

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the food overall, but the service was truly outstanding. I’ve never been to a restaurant that offered my son a coloring sheet — I thought that was such a thoughtful touch. I didn’t enjoy the calamari pasta, but both the server and manager were quick to respond and kindly returned it without any hassle. My mom liked the truffle bread, though it wasn’t for me. However, the chicken with harissa was an absolute hit, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. My mocktail was very tasty; I actually think it would’ve been even better as a cocktail with gin, but it was still great as is. Big shoutout to the manager and our server for making the experience memorable. The atmosphere was cozy and warm , a lovely spot to start the evening.

Overall solid experience. We were sorted quickly and waters were refilled quite often. Our server was great, super friendly guy. We ordered cappuccino, but they were only filled halfway which was odd and looked more like a macchiato and he was quick to fix it. We ordered the pastry flight. It would be nice if it came on a tier like the tables next to us, but I guess they ran out of plates. The pastries were solid, flakey. The smores croissant was a sugar rush but delicious.

Tried here for the first time and the space is so nice and classy. It was open concept with a modern feel and an open kitchen so it kind of looked like an LA mansion haha! One funny thing I noticed was that every plate had a little chip in it. At first I thought it was part of the aesthetic but I asked the waiter and he said nope just a coincidence. The waiter was super friendly but I do wish he checked in more often. It was hard to flag him down when we wanted to order more or grab another drink and it wasn’t even that busy. We were there during dinner and there were maybe 7-10 people total in the restaurant. The food was great!! Highly recommend the fluffy bread, octopus appetizer (so buttery and yummy), any of their pastas, and the pistachio dessert!! I would definitely come back to try the chefs tasting menu!

Wonderful service and tasty Mediterranean flavors. Our server was very attentive, providing recommendations when asked and checking in frequently to ensure we were enjoying our meal. Standout dishes were the puff bread and harissa chicken, which was delightfully juicy and punch-y. The other dishes were a bit too salty for my taste, but still full of flavor. The pistachio dessert was also quite tasty. All in all, great dining experience and would come back again!

Espresso martini was divine! We did the hummus app as well and they even gave us extra pita. It’s a heavier hummus but worth every bite. Had the steak and was cooked to a perfect medium rare on a bed of sauce. Service was good and the restaurant was cute!

Ordered a warm calamari salad. The sauce is a little strong. The calamari is cooked just right. Wish there is a little more green. Overall still good. I went again at dinner and their fish is also very tasty. I loved the olive taste balancing the grilled branzino. And the grilled celery stalk brings sweetness to the whole dish.

Not bad, we were the first customer for dinner. Overall a nice place for new American food but I would avoid the branzino. Little portions and overly salted. Also my mussel toast had hard bits from the mussel that may not be good for elderly people. Cauliflower caponata was tasty. Desserts are good, like their version of tiramasu.

Atmosphere feels like a food court of sorts, however the food was great! The staff was pleasant and knowledgeable. My brother and I dinned here last night, we got everything to share, and couple of glasses of wine each All in all good food, experience and service

My friend and I stopped by Apolonia while walking in the area. First of all, the space is beautiful—spacious with a stylish, modern vibe. One odd design choice, though there’s a grayish carpet stapled under the tables and chairs, which didn’t quite make sense to me and felt a bit dirty. As for the food, the brunch menu was a bit underwhelming. The dishes we had tasted good, but the portions were small and the variety felt limited considering the size and vibe of the restaurant. That said, I’ve read great things about their dinner service, so I’m planning to return and give it another try before I give my final review.

Dinner portions are small so get apps. Meals are slow to arrive and desserts just as slow. Servers were more concerned with getting the nearby large table inebriated with wine than the 2 solo diners adjacent (myself included). Sausage pasta is good though a little spicy fyi. The dairy part doesn't seem to add much to the dish. Pistachio dessert is good but very tiny & it looked like a small bite was taken out of my cookie! Strange! I was in too much of a hurry to return desserts that took 20+ mins to arrive. Cheesecake baklava is misleading as there are NO nuts. Baklava is known for pistachios! It was good but light on the phylo & honey and the cheesecake filling was nearly lukewarm, which was unfortunate & took away from the dish. They resisted serving it for takeaway only to serve it on a plate and then eventually give me a to-go box. Annoying. No bag or plastic cutlery either despite asking. The pasta I'd give 3.5, pistachio 4, baklava 3. I'd return to try some apps and the halibut and hopefully it'll be worth the trip. Especially since they don't deliver!

What a gem tucked away in the south loop area. I would’ve never know this place to be here but I’m happy I found it! The ambiance of the place is so sleek and modern, incredibly minimal but warm. The place was not crowded at all when we got there on a Monday evening for dinner. The food took over an hour to come out, which was okay because I was lost in conversation over dinner but an hour nonetheless. The pasta was good, not the best I’ve ever had, but the flavors were strong and ingredients were fresh. The truffle bread was delicious and a great appetizer to start the meal off. Overall this is a beautiful restaurant but if I come back I’d want to try more of the menu to get an accurate assessment of how I feel about this place. But definitely worth a try!

Came in for lunch on a holiday, and they seemed very understaffed. I won't complain much about that and the interactions we did have with staff were good. Food was not as good as I'd expected. The broiled oysters lacked flavor despite the chili butter, and the crab tagliolini (was previously a scallop dish) tended towards sour rather than highlighting the crab flavor. Salad was ok but sizes of components were too disparate. Bread was good, but how can you go wrong with fresh bread and truffle and oil? Overall the flavors were not there and I didn't eat anything that I would reorder among the five dishes I had. The only dish I didn't think needed reworking is the half roast chicken. I may return to try their signature pasta but not anytime soon.

I have been to this place 3 times but after each time I was more disappointed. After my last visit a few weeks ago, i think I will stop recommending this place to friends. This time I went, they have definitely have a smaller menu. It could be good or bad that they change up their menu from time to time, but it is disappointing that a dish that you really like is no longer on it. Every time I dine in this place, the pasta dishes were always too salty (ordered different pasta each time). The black truffle puff bread and cauliflower caponata are good, but other food were not very memorable. I am especially disappointed on the service this time. It takes a while for food to come out even though they does not seems busy. The server was slow, not very welcoming, and did not pay attention when we needed help. If this were my first impression to this place, I would not have given it a second chance.

Had really high hopes for this place, but was extremely let down. I don’t know I have ever had worse service. It took over an hour to get our appetizers and drinks. The Brussels sprout dish was so salty, we couldn’t eat it. Truffle risotto was so overwhelming with the umami flavor. Big let down. The lobster pasta was really good and the shrimp appetizer was also pretty good. Aesthetics and low key which we are good with, but the service needs to be fixed. I don’t know people will want to return have to wait over an hour from sitting down to receive anything.

Truthfully, I don’t know where to begin - our experience at Apolonia last night was extremely lackluster. Coming in to a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that is featured in multiple food magazines, expectations were high. We were excited to enjoy a Restaurant Week dinner that turned out to be a nightmarish affair. It started with our server confessing that the restaurant allowed two last minute mega-parties one of 8 and one of 10 people, that called 20 minutes before open. The restaurant only had two servers working that night, so both staff and kitchen were already overwhelmed the minute the place started service. We did not imagine how severely this would impact operations that night. Instead of writing a lengthy review, I will summarize all issues in bullet points below: * There was no GM, Host or Assistant GM to manage the dining room; just two servers. The floor lacked leadership and supervision. * It took our sever 30 minutes to come and take our order, which we placed in its entirety right away * It took another 30 minutes to receive our cocktails and wine * My water glass had been empty for at least 45 minutes without being refilled * Our appetizers were brought shortly after, but it took another 35-40 minutes for the entrees to start coming out * We were a party of four, and they brought out two entrees followed by another 15-minute wait for the other two entrees. * My trout was severely undercooked, it was raw in the center. I returned the plate and told the server not to recook it because we didn’t want to be trapped there for another hour waiting for one dish. The server said she would comp the fish. Plot twist: she didn’t * My friend’s risotto was way too salty that it was basically inedible * By the time pastas started coming out, we had been there for over 3.5 hours which is laughable. We asked them to box up our pastas to take home * It took the server about 20 minutes to process our card payment * We were not the only people who were shocked by this abysmal service. We saw other parties continuously looking around the dining room, trying to find their server, and they were seemingly annoyed. We saw two women just get dressed and come to the kitchen to get their payments processed because they could not wait any longer * Bullshit 5% employee healthcare charge - please pay it yourself as an employer; it’s not a customer’s responsibility We are shocked that a place with such reputation is not properly staffed and not ready to receive so many diners. They know their capacity and should be prepared for it every single night. It seemed like they assumed it would be a slow night and only brought in two servers. The dining space is large, by the way. Never coming back.