Avli - River North

“If you’re looking for exceptional Greek cuisine in Chicago, Avli River North is always at the top of my list. Every visit is consistently outstanding. Their happy hour is a wonderful way to explore the menu, especially the incredible house spreads, the flavorful phyllo-wrapped shrimp, and the Burrata Peach & Tomato Salad, which is simply unforgettable. The hospitality is just as memorable as the food. The team is genuinely warm, welcoming, and attentive, making you feel as though you’ve been transported to a charming corner of Greece. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, meeting friends, or simply craving an extraordinary meal, I recommend Avli River North without hesitation. It’s one of Chicago’s finest dining experiences.”

“Came here for lunch on our second to last day of restaurant week. So glad we did, good Greek where we live is hard to come by but we both love it so much. This place does amazing. My wife is pregant so we both got the eslyian rose mocktails and they were SO good and looked so appealing. With a starter of saganaki which was I incredible with the bread they brought out as well. My wife got the chicken souvlaki and I got the monastiraki gyros with chicken. Both were so flavorful and absolutely the epitome of excellent Greek food! Couldn’t have been happier with how good the food was and the service was so friendly and nice. Awesome little place would absolutely come back!”

“I will be first person to admit that I’m the type of guy who needs to escape into a mid-week happy hour when work gets stressful. Not only is Avli my favorite neighborhood happy hour spot, but also a traditional Greek establishment that feels like home to me. Personally, I have only come in for the happy hour specials, but the experience does not disappoint and has kept me coming back. As an Eastern European food connoisseur new to the Chicago area, I have carefully constructed a rating system that reflects my personal thoughts, feelings, and experience. Food 9/10: The regular menu has many offering that look incredible, but I typically just order from their happy hour menu, which offers amazing, small dishes for a great price. Below is a typical experience: Spreads (Trio: Hummus, Tzatziki, Tirokafteri): The spread come with seemingly unlimited pita triangles which are soft and perfect for dipping. If you get the trio, they let you enjoy three out of their five spreads. Their hummus offers a rich and garlicky complex with sudden hints of citrus. I wouldn’t say this is a typical hummus…. It’s taken to a more professional level. Their tzatziki sauce is sharp, tangy, and refreshing with a prominent cucumber complex. Everything about the tzatziki sauce is phenomenal. The tirokafteri spread is the most unique to me. Its rich and sharp notes come together in harmony through the bell pepper and the feta cheese. Greek Graviera Fries: Some of the best things in life are thin, long, and crispy… including these fries. These fries have a shape and texture that I crave but are also taken to the next level with their Greek seasoning and creamy, mayo based dipping sauce. These are perfect to snack on. Kataifi Shrimp: If you are getting 4 of these, it is cheaper to order them from their main menu (professional tip offered by our wonderful waiter). Between my fiancé and I, this is our favorite thing on the menu. The shrimp is tender and cooked to perfection, but what really makes these little devils delicious is the shredded filo on top of each shrimp. Each bite is crunchy, yet tender. When paired with the spicy mayo dipping sauce, you might be ordering a second plate. Drinks 8/10 All the happy hour cocktails are delicious and refreshing. The cocktails all are Greek inspired and extremely good for the price. I am a beer drinker, and they only offer one lager on the happy hour menu (but hey its only 5 dollars). It would be nice to see them add one stronger beer on their happy hour menu, but for the price its really difficult to complain. Atmosphere 10/10: The restaurant has a white and vibrant theme that makes you feel like you are in Greece. When the weather allows for it, they have outdoor, sidewalk seating that always looks extremely full and vibrant. The establishment looks incredible, especially for what a deal their happy hour is. Likelihood of Return 10/10: For the price, this is the best value happy hour we have found in the area. The service is great and so are the food and drinks. We are so happy to have this spot in our neighborhood. Thank you all, George Clydesdale”

“The food here was fantastic! The trio spread dip came with a nice portion of pita bread. My favorite was the cod roe dip - very unique tasting. Moussaka and short rib orzo were also good portions and tasty. Finished it all off with a rice pudding. The service was fast and friendly! Only negative thing to say was the tables were way too close together in the center of the room. My party of 2 was practically a party of 4 with hearing everything conversation going on next to me.”

“Healthy brunch option not overtly expensive. The vegan bowl was better than the salmon bowl. The egg and tomato dish was ok. The bowls were def better and the spinach appetizer was very good. The ambiance is very nice and livly. Solid spot for brunch with friends”