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Welcome to Avli River North

Discover the essence of Greece at Avli River North in Chicago. Offering authentic Greek cuisine with a modern twist, Avli is a charming spot known for its fresh and flavorful dishes. From Twisted Gyros Pita Wraps to signature bowls like the Salmon Bowl and Shrimp Skewer Bowl, each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail. The cozy ambiance, attentive service, and delicious cocktails make dining at Avli a delightful experience. Whether you're a fan of traditional Greek flavors or looking to try something new, Avli River North is a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a memorable culinary journey.

LOCATIONS
  • Avli River North
    702 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60654
    702 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60654 Hotline: (312) 643-5656

Welcome to Avli River North, a vibrant haven for Greek cuisine nestled in the heart of Chicago at 702 N Wells St. This restaurant not only offers a warm atmosphere but also encapsulates the essence of Greek hospitality, bringing you a culinary journey through authentic flavors and innovative presentations.

Specializing in small plates and tapas, Avli invites guests to indulge in a diverse menu that showcases the rich tapestry of Greek gastronomy. The savory offerings include delightful options such as the Avli Signature Bowls, where dishes like the Shrimp Skewer Bowl and Chicken Bowl present a harmonious blend of fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked proteins, and an explosion of Mediterranean flavors. The roasted potatoes, glazed with honey and coated in garlic and dijon mustard, are a personal favorite—a must-try side that complements any meal.

What truly sets Avli River North apart is the unmatched quality and authenticity of its ingredients. Customers rave about the hummus, with its creamy texture and balanced flavors, served with warm, toasty pita bread. This is a dish that has garnered frequent praise from devoted patrons, establishing itself as a staple that every visitor should savor. The Greek fries, sprinkled with feta, oregano, and parsley, offer a delightful crunch that elevates the dining experience further.

The ambiance is another highlight at Avli, described by guests as airy and inviting, reminiscent of a sun-soaked Greek isle. The cozy setting invites diners to linger over their meals while enjoying refreshing cocktails, like the popular cucumber martini, which perfectly complements the menu’s offerings.

Despite the delightful dishes, it's worth noting that some meals can vary in portion sizes, and while the quality remains high, diners have occasionally remarked on the saltiness of specific items. However, the attentive service and knowledgeable staff strive to ensure that each dish meets your expectations, ready to accommodate any adjustments.

Avli River North is not just a restaurant; it's a journey that promises to transport you straight to Greece, one dish at a time. Whether you're sharing plates with friends or celebrating a special occasion, the combination of exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a cozy atmosphere makes Avli a destination worth visiting. So, why not immerse yourself in the flavors of Greece at Avli River North? You’re bound to leave with a content palate and fond memories.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Avli River North
Cammi P.
Cammi P.

Authentic, fresh, flavorful and incredibly delicious Greek food. The staff could not have been more accommodating and the food was absolutely amazing. An aperol spritz was also an delicious drink to have with this meal.

Lauren H.
Lauren H.

I actually really like this cute spot. It really captures the vibe of being in Greece very airy and bright. The service is amazing and attentive. The good is fresh and cooked to order. I had the octopus and a cucumber martini, my friend had a Greek salad. I loved the cucumber martini with a swirl of fresh cucumber, very refreshing and delicious. The octopus was delicious I just really wish it contained more octopus and less tomatoes and onions. The dishes are pricey so I expected the portions would be a bit larger. Other than that everything was great and I would happily return!

Delino S.
Delino S.

My cousin suggested this place and it did not disappoint. There was no wait at all and the service was quick + welcoming. We ordered the lamb chop and man, it was everything and more, the mashed potatoes were just as good as the lamb and thats telling! We also tried the dessert with their in house ice cream and that was also delicious (and my fav flavor is chocolate btw). I had to ask for the ingredients bc this ice cream truly had its own flavor - check it out! When I'm back in Chicago I'm definitely stopping by again. Oh! And beautiful cozy atmosphere.

Marian X.
Marian X.

I am a frequent customer (delivery) of Avli, love their food and selection. My orders are almost always the same, so I can see and tastes the changes for my orders. Hummus: their hummus is absolutely amazing, it is not salty at all and goes great with the pita bread. They did not warm the pita bread for my first few orders, so I was kind of disappointed because TRUST ME, you don't want to try a cold hard pita bread (no spreads can save the taste and texture of cold pita bread). Recently, I noticed they started warming the pita bread up for delivery, I'm really glad and hope they will continue to do so. It makes a big difference! Spreads: I tried 3 of their spreads( hummus, eggplant, and fish roe), my favorite is still the hummus one. Sweet potatoes salad: this is definitely one of my favorite salad. The roasted sweet potatoes and dried figs add a great combination of sweetness to the salad. I love pairing this with the hummus spread too. However, sometimes the roasted sweet potatoes can be overly oily. Grilled Salmon: the portion of the salmon is getting smaller and smaller. The tastes is still the same. Mushroom gyros: my favorite gyros so far! The veggies (arugula and onions) adds a great crunch to the gyros. And the tomatoes match perfectly with everything else. The hummus spread makes this wrap tastier. HOWEVER! It can be VERY SALTY sometimes. All depends on luck I guess. Overall, Avli is a great place to hit for Mediterranean food. However, since I only had delivery I can't say much about the service or vibe. I do notice the taste and food quality vary drastically. There was also one time that they forgot to include my grilled salmon, but they offered me a gift card. Yet, this gift card can only be used in store.......So, I really hope that Avli can improve their management and food quality even if it's for their online orders. I think all customers deserve the same quality and treatment. And I hope I will have the opportunity to dine-in to have a better experience/feel of the restaurant.

Andrew D.
Andrew D.

I finally had the opportunity to try Avli last night. It was Monday night and walking up you could see that there wasn't an empty table or bar seat to be found. Upon entry I was immediately greeted by two Greek Hostesses. While awaiting my guest I was also able to meet The GM Stefano who gave me a brief rundown on their brand. We had an assortment of drinks, enjoyed all four of their homemade spreads, the Pork Gyro and The Braised Lamb Shank. All were delish! The patio, which is West of Wells is nice and fairly tranquil given its location away from heavy traffic. The Greek Hospitality was omnipresent. I know I'll be back again soon.

Isabel R.
Isabel R.

Food is amazing! Modern Greek with very fresh ingredients that you can taste. I have gone to 2-4 different avli and their food quality is consistently good each time! A bit pricey but adequate for being river north. Great place to reunite with friends, great service as well. Loved the ambience as well.

Julie D.
Julie D.

We stumbled across this spot as we were craving some greek food and were delightfully surprised on our amazing experience here! Staff was warm and accommodating as we had requested to dine inside after noticing how packed and loud the outside patio was. Our server was excellent in providing recommendations, engaging in conversations, and checking on us throughout. Complimentary bread with their pungent evoo (extra virgin olive oil) & kalamata olives was a delightful start before the rest of our order- -Greek Muled Wine ($13): warmed, star anise & cinnamon spiced wine -Spread Sampler ($18): chose hummus, melitzanosalata (charred eggplant, herbs, garlic, roasted red pepper), and tirokafteri (spicy feta & roasted red pepper base, greek yogurt, chili). option of pita bread or veggies -Chicken Riganati ($27): tender half roasted chicken seasoned with lemon, mustard, garlic & oregano served with flavorful roasted potatoes  -Beef Yiouvetsi ($28): braised beef in hearty, well-seasoned tomato sauce with orzo and sun dried tomato & mizithra cheese -Baklava Ice Cream ($10): vanilla ice cream topped with spiced nuts, honey, crumbled baklava, and caramelized phyllo  Our favorites were the unique, tasty spread sampler and rich beef yiouvetsi entree! Would recommend this intimate, lovely spot with stellar service and delicious greek- inspired foods!

Angel A.
Angel A.

Starting with the ambiance, the space is very nice. Very welcoming and has fun house music playing. Very fitting for the concept of the restaurant. We went during restaurant week and so we got the tasting menu. Appetizers of prawns and meatballs. Both were exceptional. The prawns had a crispy filo coating and was served with a delicious sauce. I had the lamb shoulder for the main course and it was phenomenal. It's slow cooked (and done very well) so it fell apart very easily. Seated on top of a bed of mashed potatoes made for a great meal. One thing I really appreciate is the portion size. I've heard for restaurant week, portions are cut down or only cheaper dishes served. That was definitely not the case here. Dessert was their orange cake which I might need to go back for another piece. Drinks: old fashion and another smoked cocktail which I can't remember the name of. Delicious dining experience. Pro tip though: make sure your date didn't have a pet lamb before you order it for dinner.....