avec Restaurant
Eric Yeeger · 482 Google reviewsavec Restaurant — West Loop mediterranean that sets the standard. The room fills up fast and stays lively. The drinks match the food in quality. "The calamari was another highlight—perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful" — Eldarbek “Eldar” Kamchybekov [$$$, patio]
What 2,457 diners keep saying
What 2,457 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“For our last meal in Chicago, we decided to go with Middle Eastern food. The restaurant is beautiful, with warm wood everywhere that makes the whole space feel cozy and inviting. Menu at the end. Average spend was around $35 per person. 👉 Chickpea Hummus with Soft Egg ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ($26) So, so good. The hummus was incredibly smooth and creamy without being overly thick or heavy. It had such a clean, pure chickpea flavor. The chili oil on top was fragrant rather than spicy, and the soft pita was perfect for scooping everything up. Even eating the hummus by itself wasn’t too salty. Two pitas and one order of hummus felt like the perfect appetizer to share among three people. 👉 Grilled Shrimp ($20) I don’t eat shrimp, so I can’t really comment on the taste, but they looked impressively large. The shrimp came over a creamy corn porridge-like base with a buttery texture, topped with a fragrant, mild chili oil that wasn’t spicy at all. 👉 Shakshuka ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ($22) Such a pure tomato flavor. Oddly enough, it reminded me of the tomato sauce from the steak restaurants I went to as a kid. Tomatoes and runny eggs are one of those combinations that are almost impossible to get wrong, and dipping the sourdough into the sauce made it even better. Simple, comforting, and very satisfying. 👉 Orange Rhubarb Frozen Yogurt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ($6) It really does taste like frozen yogurt. I wasn’t getting many orange or rhubarb notes—it was mostly just a straightforward frozen yogurt flavor. Thankfully, it wasn’t overly sweet, which I really appreciated. Simple, refreshing, and a nice way to end the meal.”
“Must try when in Chicago kind of place. It was featured on "The Bear" - the food and service were excellent. Make sure to get a reservation. We had the asparagus tartan, chorizo-stuffed dates, tahini hummus, coal roasted cauliflower - they were all delectable. Service was wonderful and the place was buzzing!”
“A wonderful experience being able to dine here, as we had some big things to celebrate. It almost goes without saying that the food here is absolutely delicious, but I was suprised to experience just how special the staff makes the guests feel, the place was packed but we still felt like we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. The plates are quite big, which I usually really enjoy because this way you can really dig into the flavor and EAT, but I was kind of bummed that I couldn’t try more different things as we were already entirely full after three dishes (two small and one large). I guess the only solution is booking another transatlantic flight and coming back here someday?”
“Avec is a long, narrow room with communal cedar-wood tables, exposed beams, and a warmth that comes from both the wood-burning oven doing most of the cooking and the general density of people who are clearly happy to be there. It's been on West Randolph since 2003 and remains one of the best reasons to eat on Restaurant Row. The format is Mediterranean-leaning small plates and the philosophy is straightforward: very good ingredients, handled well, shared generously. The chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates are the dish that built this restaurant's reputation and they've been on the menu for twenty-plus years because nobody has figured out a reason to take them off. Fat dates stuffed with spicy-sweet chorizo, wrapped in bacon and crisped in the wood oven, served on a warm piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. They're salty and sweet and a little smoky all at once and the sauce underneath ties everything together with an acidity that makes the whole thing feel lighter than it has any right to. Order more than you think you need. We also had the potato and salted cod brandade, a creamy, garlicky spread served warm with crostini that could easily become the thing you return for on its own. The short rib hummus, braised short rib piled over good hummus, is the other dish that keeps showing up at every table. Between these three things and a couple of glasses from the strong wine list, a full and genuinely satisfying dinner assembles itself without any effort at all. Tuesday nights are half-price bottles, which is worth knowing. Service is fast and knowledgeable and doesn't waste time. The communal tables mean you're occasionally seated close to strangers, which some people love and others don't. Either way it's part of what gives the room its particular energy.”
“A classic in its own category. This place is perfect. Food, dining experience, service expertise and ambiance. Good back in 2008 and good in 2026. Dinner or a pop in for just dessert, it provides.”
“I have been to Avec several times and it never fails to amaze me! Most recently, we enjoyed their restaurant week menu. They went above and beyond to accommodate two separate dietary restrictions (cashew/pistachio allergy and vegetarian). Everything we ate was amazing! The service was excellent as well. Highly recommend to anyone.”
“On another occasion I wanted to check out this restaurant and I finally had the chance. We saw their menu during Restaurant Week and managed to get a brunch reservation. Everything was amazing. The polenta was out of this world.”
“17 years later I visit this spot for the very first time and I get it! The food is amazing! Loved their classic focaccia and prawns. Wine list is fantastic! It’s high energy and packed. They are participating in CRW and I can’t wait. Oh get their endive salad too”
“Amazing - chorizo stuffed dates as everyone mentioned lived up to the hype and first time trying cumin gin!”
“Was able to taste a ton of the great food here with my group - this place slaps. There were no misses on the dinner part. All 8 or so dishes we had were at worst great and at best spectacular. All very bold and punchy flavors if Mediterranean fare. My favorites were some of their specials - the bacon wrapped dates and the pork shoulder. Chicken shawarma was also an insanely good value option. We also loved the steak even though it was small. I love loved their hummus, but would actually go for the normal hummus over the short rib option - it’s less than half the price and better value. The only miss of dinner was the burnt honey chocolate pie dessert. I thought this was actively bad and definitely a bummer to end on when the rest of the food was so good! Cocktails in here were excellent as well. More focused on Mediterranean flavors of course - with some options having cumin and similar spices added. Fairly priced, but not a deal or overly expensive. Vibe in here is great - there are 2 floors. 1st floor is much better vibes, but second floor is okay too. Absolutely come here if you have the time and have the money to spend! My group of 5 paid about $80 a person with one drink each and that included tip. 4.5/5.”
“Avec delivers a Mediterranean-focused dining experience that feels both lively and intimate, thanks to a menu built around small and large tapas-style plates meant for sharing. It’s the kind of spot where eating family style isn’t just possible—it’s encouraged, and it makes the meal that much more fun. The space is warm and cozy with a minimalist design, and part of its charm comes from how seamlessly the kitchen blends into the dining area. Open to the dining area that as a mix of bench and countertop seating, it all contributes to the restaurant's dynamic, energetic feel. Large windows help the room feel more open than it really is, adding to its understated appeal. Service was top-notch—informal, friendly, and perfectly aligned with the restaurant’s relaxed, communal vibe. For anyone visiting Chicago, Avec is a must. It’s thoughtful, welcoming, and delivers a memorable meal built around simple dishes executed beautifully.”
“Avec was such a great experience. The food was honestly top tier. Every dish we tried was packed with flavor, and the menu had so many things I wanted to order. The dessert was the real showstopper and genuinely left me speechless. Our waiter was incredible and made the whole night even better. He was attentive, friendly and really made us feel taken care of. The atmosphere was warm and lively, and the drinks were just as good as the food. Overall, an amazing spot. I’d go back in a heartbeat.”
Sounds like your kind of place?
Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.
One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.
More Mediterranean in West Loop & Fulton Market
See the ranking →
In the same lane · Mediterranean, upscale
If it's packed, walk to…
More good rooms in West Loop, minutes away.