avec River North

Wonderful experience. I was having a bad day until I had a delicious dinner at Avec. The lamb kefta calzone is heightened comfort food and the nutterbutter ice cream was icing on the cake. Kyle was a delightful server. Thank you to June for the great patio table. The whole team was on top of my experience. I look forward to going back.

Update September 9, 2025: Best falafel in the USA! Black cod tagine was incredibly delicious. My wife ordered the cabbage entree and it was so complex! We were cautioned that it was a huge portion but we got the full order and had a nice takeaway for lunch the next day. We arrived for brunch on Sunday and were astounded by the amazing food and impeccable service. We had the carbonara pizza, which was incredible. The guanciale was the perfect match to the parm and egg yolk. We also had the sausage cocotte that was so delicious! The wine list is bursting with funky naturals and we loved the Austrian orange wine. We loved our brunch so much that we came back the next day for supper and were more blown away than ever. We’re amazed by the Crudo with a preparation of mango that I’ve never had before . My world was rocked with the lamb calzone with yogurt sauce, and salted pickles, which were divine together. We had the biodynamic Sangiovese and it was perfect. We were hedonists and ordered the beef cheek pasta and campanelle. After a bite, we were so full from the rest that we took those home and had them for breakfast and lunch the next day. This really is our new favorite place . UPDATE: 9/2/2025 Incredible consistency! Fantastic food and the genius “Half-Price Bottle” Tuesday elevates the experience to the stratosphere. The wine is already fairly priced, but now we can enjoy undiscovered exquisite wines with abandon. Thank you for caring so much!!

This place is as good as it gets! The food is all super interesting and thoughtful and the wine and cocktail list are awesome. The best place for a date, celebratory dinner or anything else. Just loved it!

Fantastic food! 3 of us grabbed a few plates to share, pizza was on the spicier side so be aware. Short beef rib and hummus were just to die for and I will dream about it until next time. Dessert was simple yet a perfect combination of flavors. Service could be just a bit better but it was unexpectedly busy for a Monday so it’s understandable. Manager checked in so you can see they care. As I work in the neighborhood I will definitely be back!

Our favorite meal (brunch) in Chicago this weekend. Atmosphere is lovely, especially at Christmas, food is creative and out of this world good ( bread board—do not miss!), breakfast sausage, roasted sweet potato and spinach cocotte…..divine!!!!). Service outstanding (Courtney❤️). Cannot wait to come back to Chicago to eat here.

Really enjoyed our meal at Avec. Food was delicious and the service was attentive. Good menu to share items. In some sections the tables seemed a little close together.

Brunch was fantastic. The shakshuka is seasoned perfectly, as well as the papas bravas. Highly recommend the French toast. It was one of the best ones we’ve had, not too sweet with the natural fruit balancing it out flawlessly.

Avec serves Mediterranean and Levantine-inspired cuisine, and I greatly enjoyed their food. The lamb burger was perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, while the sumac-glazed pork belly was equally delicious.

We love this place! Food is always fantastic, we came for brunch since the only have the lamb burger at this time of the week, also the patatas bravas are amazing! Better the others Spain restaurants, Michael was very friendly. thanks

I have a new favorite dish at avec now. It's the black cod tagine. Finger lickin good! The location is much more modern and roomy than the other one. Service here is great. Your water glass is full and they will pick up dishes you are done with as soon as you want. The only challenge was that the staff couldn't confirm if the lamb kofta was halal.

avec River North delivered an absolutely phenomenal dining experience that easily earns it five stars. From the moment we walked in, the vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff set the stage for a memorable evening. The cocktails were a true highlight, standing out as some of the best I've had in Chicago. The "I Want to Be Sedated" was a masterful blend of intriguing flavors, perfectly balanced and dangerously drinkable, while the "Lust for Life" was equally unique and refreshing. Each cocktail felt thoughtfully crafted and truly elevated the meal. The food at avec was largely outstanding, with one dish in particular stealing the show. While everything we ordered was delicious, the deluxe focaccia was a transcendent experience – easily one of the best dishes I've had in a very long time. Its texture, flavor, and overall execution were simply divine. Although the calamari was unfortunately chewy and not cooked to our liking, our server handled the situation with remarkable professionalism and grace, swiftly rectifying the issue and ensuring our satisfaction. This level of service, coupled with the incredible food and innovative cocktails, solidified our five-star rating. Despite a minor stumble with one dish, the overall experience at avec River North was exceptional, leaving us eager to return and explore more of their menu. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking a top-tier culinary adventure in Chicago.

Very nice and stylish venue. Lots of menu items for brunch. We got the lamb burger, shakshuka and side of patatas bravas. Everything was delicious. Our drinks were slow to arrive but staff promptly checked in on them.

My wife and I recently had dinner at Avec’s River North location, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. This has always been our favorite spot to recap and unwind, but this time we decided to try their dinner—and we’re so glad we did. Given how popular this location is, we walked in without a reservation and were seated at the bar. It actually turned out to be perfect—the energy at the bar added to the overall experience, and we still received top-notch service. We started with the hummus topped with short rib, which was the perfect small plate to share—rich, flavorful, and satisfying. For our main course, the roasted black cod tagine completely exceeded our expectations. Perfectly cooked, well-balanced, and unforgettable. Our server Ian, who was working the bar, was phenomenal. Incredibly personable and knowledgeable, he helped guide us through the menu and made thoughtful recommendations, especially considering my wife’s dairy allergy. His attentiveness made a great night even better. The atmosphere at Avec is warm, stylish, and lively—reminding us a lot of Bavel in Los Angeles. It’s the kind of place that delivers on food, vibe, and service all at once. If you’re in downtown Chicago and looking for an elevated yet approachable dining experience, Avec River North is a must. Ask for Ian at the bar—you’ll be in great hands.

Legitimately one of the best meals I've had, and my wife and I love exploring restaurants. We normally prefer holes-in-the-wall, but this was a perfect special occasion dinner spot. I recommend coming here with at least 4 people; the dishes are family-style and the portions are very generous. The two of us ordered 1 large plate, 2 small plates, and a dessert, and were stuffed to the point of taking a box home. The food was superb, and very well crafted. The chorizo-stuffed dates with bacon were an excellent blend of spices and sweet, and very large. The hummus with short rib was my favorite, likely the best short rib I've had. A pomegranate-molasses glaze makes them quite sweet and an excellent complement to the savory hummus and spongy pita. The black cod tagine was cooked perfectly, with a sauce that was spicier and very tangy, and came with a huge stellar lavash bread. Finally, we had a special-menu dessert of huckleberry and honey ice cream with meringue shards that tasted wonderful and was a fantastic cool postscript to the meal. Our server was also fantastic, and had excellent command of the menu with great recommendations. The price was incredibly reasonable for the quality of the meal, coming to ~$120 pre-tip. We will almost certainly be back to try other items on the menu that also looked amazing. I highly recommend eating at avec.

This restaurant offers a wide array of contemporary Mediterranean dishes. The menu was legitimately a struggle to pick from since everything sounded so good! The highlight dish for me was the short rib hummus: two things I never would’ve thought to combine ended up working so well together. The effort put into the beautiful interior is reflected in the gorgeous presentation of the dishes. It’s also worth mentioning how unbelievably soft their pita bread is! This is definitely a spot you’ll have to visit more than once, thanks Avec River North!

Thoroughly pleased by our meal at avec River North. Our server was fun and helpful, and the food was impressive and featured exciting combos and flavors. We cleaned the plate of the short rib hummus, enjoyed the calamari and specialty crudo, and finished out with a rich pasta.

Food is GREAT, we ordered calamari, trout, prawn and octopus pasta. All 3 starters tastes great. But the octopus pasta’s mussel has too much sand in it, and pasta itself is undercooked. Space is open and pretty, not crowded at all.

Had a delicious meal last night. Had never been and wanted to try it, so restaurant week was a good excuse. Standouts- the Kale salad and cornish hen with hummus and olives, served with a delicious pita! Our server was lovely too! Will definitely be back.

Great food and friendly service at this location! We had lunch here and tried the lentil and veggie soups along with the chicken schwarma and short rib sandwiches. All freshly prepared, balanced flavors with a teeny Mediterranean kick which make for a hearty meal for a solid price. We also ordered the bacon wrapped dates, which are a standout favorite from previous visits, and they remain one of the best versions of that dish you can order. The space is cozy, open, and tastefully designed and decorated.

We could not decide between the wood-fired calamari or the short rib hummus, so we decided to order both. I'm so glad we did because they were both excellent. And honestly, I could have ordered that again and been extremely happy with my meal. We opted for the lamb neck pappardelle and the spinach and guanciale pizza for dinner. Again, blown away by the quality and flavor pairings of the meals. We finished with the burnt honey chocolate pie and spiced apple crostata. Both of which i highly recommend. If I could give Avec 10 stars I would. Bravo.

All of our lunch items — soups, sandwiches, sides and desserts — were delicious and beautifully plated. Our server, Alice, took very good care of us and offered terrific recommendations when asked. The design is exquisite, and the acoustics make it easy to carry on a conversation notwithstanding a crowd. A first-rate lunch experience in all respects.

Wow just great experience from tail to snout. Great service and deliciousnesses in every course. Every dish was super tasty with surprising notes and great presentation. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Amazing! The service is tapas style so we shared bites of a few different dishes. I never had crudo before. The way it was prepared melted in my mouth and the toasted pine nuts on top was a nice end to the bite. The bacon chorizo dates were good but a little too rich/spicy for me. Then we shared the ravioli. The crispy artichoke was crispy! I like it when crispy means crispy! :) the ravioli was so perfect. I cut one in half and marveled at the beautiful layered spinach. This is an outstanding Mediterranean restaurant, one of our top in Chicago.

We had another wonderful experience dining here again last night! The place has a good comfortable atmosphere, with interesting items on the menu that changes seasonally. Loved the new roasted chicken dish! The wood oven pizzas, and house made pitas with a variety of hummus and dips is amazing as well. They have a very interested and kind staff from Bret and his expertise of wine pairing, to Annie and Joide making you feel right at home. I'd recommend you try this place...as we are looking forward to their outside patio when the whether gets better;)

We hosted our office holiday party here in January -- a full buyout. The entire event was awesome! The space is beautiful. They left up their holiday decor for us so the vibe was perfect. Food and drinks always amazing! Service is absolutely top notch. Danielle (set up) and Juan (host) were super-responsive and professional. Highly recommend for any occasion!

So amazing, just loud. Really, truly amazing: the endive and apple salad might be the best I've ever had; one of the diners said she was in love with the sweet potatoes; and another wanted to sleep on a pita. The combinations of flavors, the range of flavors, the freshness, the goodness of it all. Cannot recommend highly enough. Later int he evening, it quieted down--maybe aim for an early or a late seating?

We checked out Avec on a friend’s recommendation, and overall, it was a good experience. The food was decent and everything we had was tasty, especially the appetizers. There were a lot of flavors going on, and it was definitely a satisfying meal. One thing that caught us off guard, though, was that some of the appetizers didn’t come with pita, even though it felt like it should’ve. We asked for it on the side, but it came with an extra charge. Not a huge deal, but it was a little odd considering the menu didn’t mention that, or perhaps we missed it. The service was on point, though. Even with the place packed on a Saturday night, they were quick, friendly, and made sure everything was running smoothly. All in all, it’s a solid spot for a night out, especially if you’re into Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago however, I would not say that the food lives up to the hype and price. We ordered the hummus, the chorizo wrapped dates, a spinach pizza, and the campanelle. We also had 2 drinks. The bill was $160 with tip. The hummus was extremely smooth and had a great flavor, it was the best hummus one could possibly make. But it was also $26, should have been more like $15. The chorizo dates tasted like a spicy meatball. While they were good, I didn’t find it phenomenal. The contrast of the chorizo and the date was just OK. The pasta was a balance of fresh and sweet and soft and crunchy. The basil pesto and the mint provided an excellent backdrop against the smoky, salty guanchale. The breadcrumbs added a nice textural component with the pasta. However, it was almost too salty and in bites the guanchale could overpower everything. I personally loved it. The pizza was just alright. I’ve had much better pizzas for a lot less. I would not order this. Overall, it was an excellent restaurant. They do a good job with contrast and balance. The food is very good. The service is phenomenal, everyone was so attentive and kind. However, I prioritize value and for me, while there were some standouts, I would not come back. There was nothing wrong, I just know there are better places for less.

I think this restaurant is a bit overhyped. I really enjoyed my drink and humus appetizer. The hummus was super smooth and I don’t think it could get much better besides serving it with another pita. I was disappointed in the pesto pasta as they add mint to it and to me it threw off the entire flavor of the dish. I believe it’s meant to balance the saltiness of the meat but I personally didn’t enjoy it. The pizza was good, however it took a long time after we finished the other dishes for it to come out. Overall the food is good, but I think it’s overpriced for what you get.

Got the short rib hummus, trout, peach salad, and butternut squash pasta. All were so amazing. Celebrated a birthday which was fun too free gelato. Good service.

Risky to take the original Avec into a more traditional setup — but the truffle focaccia is still delish, mejool dates still spicy, bread crispy, food tasty, atmosphere hip.

Food to me is either too sour or too salty. Maybe it’s a me problems, but the short rib with hummus I really cannot finish it. The pasta is unexpectedly sour, so is the salad. The cod brandade tastes like tuna salad in sandwiches. The waiter is very friendly and helpful, reminding us the proper portion for two people to eat. The atmosphere is okay, a bit noisy but tolerable.

Friendly service and solid food. Everything came out well-prepared and the staff was attentive. Would come back.

This is a fun brunch atmosphere, good spacing and ambiance. Easy to talk to people. We didn’t get any of the drinks but this was still a pricey meal. We got the deluxe focaccia with smoked salmon (not worth $34 for 2 people, you should share it for 3), the pork belly, the lamb burger, and the French toast. If I were to come back again I would rather get the hummus over the focaccia. The pork belly had a nice glaze and wonderful smell but it looked better than it tasted. I thought the lamb burger was a nice, complete package and a good value. The meat was spiced well and the brioche bun held together well. The French toast looked unique and well presented. Also, it took us over 25 min for our first dish to come out, which was a little surprising as the restaurant wasn’t very busy.

I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Avec. This was my first visit to thr River North location. We were seated within about 10min of checking in for our reservation. There was a bit of ruckus with a drunken patron when we first arrived so it caused a delay. Other than that, the meal service was smooth. What we had: - Hummus - Half Cabbage - Calamari - Falafel

Great brunch spot!! They have endless mimosas and the apps are great. Hummus was big. Dates stuffed with chorizo was my standout. Would not get the carbonara pizza again, it was just a pile of parm on a pizza.

We were excited about heading here. The space is very loud and the bartender was our waiter and was way too busy to be attentive. At the price and reputation of the place, you expect attentive service and good guidance. We were guided to order way too much food. The hummus was delicious. The chorizo stuffed dates were very spicy. The lamb burger had good flavor and the pickles on it were good, just nothing special.

The food here was absolutely amazing! Really impressed by the quality and variety. I can’t recommend this place enough for that!We sat outside just cause inside seemed a bit loud and the weather was nice. Staff was very friendly but unfortunately not super reliable as we asked 4 times for a missing item (1 extra pita) and finally received it towards the end of the meal and then was charged twice for it. The whole situation was handled well but a bit of a bummer for something so simple. But I’m sure (and I hope) that stuff like this doesn’t happen often and we happened to be the exception. Otherwise I highly recommend this place, it was truly spectacular. I recommend going for the prawns as they were our highlight!

Ample seating, great service, and delicious plates. Most dishes were excellent, warranting a repeat order (endive & apple salad, short rib hummus); a couple missed the mark (lamb neck papardelle, and the calamari, which was spicier than expected but otherwise excellently prepared). Haven't tried other menu items, but plan to. Definitely a great place to celebrate or have a date.

My daughter recommended Avec for our Chicago trip, so my husband and I came in with high expectations. The décor is modern, simple, and inviting. Our server Erin was friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the sweet potatoes and the hummus with short ribs—both were flavorful and well-prepared. Unfortunately, the focaccia was disappointing, but Erin kindly replaced it with the Margherita pizza, which turned out to be a bit too greasy. The branzino, served with garlic, spinach, and chili, was tender but lacked flavor—we’ve definitely had better.