Best Casual Restaurants in Winnetka

Loved my experience here! I had an incredible experience at Ema from start to finish. The moment I walked in, I was seated right away, which set the tone for a smooth and enjoyable evening. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a lively yet comfortable vibe that made it the perfect spot for a meal. The food was absolutely phenomenal—every dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The Mediterranean-inspired menu offers a great variety of small plates, and each one was a hit. The hummus was silky smooth, the kebabs were perfectly cooked. Pairing everything with a glass of wine made for an even more memorable experience. Service was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. Our server made excellent recommendations and ensured we had everything we needed without feeling rushed. Overall, Ema exceeded all expectations. Whether you’re looking for a casual dinner or a special night out, this place delivers. I can’t wait to return!

Really good ambience, high quality fish and surprisingly reasonably priced

The oysters on the half shell were big and fresh - best I’ve had in years.

We were one of a handful of diners since it was a Tuesday night and cold out. Asked to be seated in a booth which turned out to be below the speaker. We asked to lower the music since we heard it more than our ability to hear one another. Not sure they were allowed to change it but again no one was there so who would be upset. They offered to move us to a table near the window but that did not sound appealing based on the weather. Then the real kicker was that 3 of us wanted to order the tuna poke bowl because we all liked the ingredients but my two friends don’t eat tuna so wanted a swap. One wanted chicken and the other shrimp. You are not allowed to substitute so their $24.95 dinner became $7.95 (chicken) and $14.95 (shrimp) additional for dinner. Chicken definitely costs less than tuna and shrimp is probably a wash. Highway robbery and will make us think twice about dining there or what we choose to eat. And then we were asked to use the QR code to pay for dinner. Nice feature to split between the 6 of us but there was a charge for the use of it along with a surcharge already added to the bill. Are you sure you want to welcome people when our dinner cost each of us about $10-15 additional over what it should have been. Sorely disappointed.

I've been to 501 before and have never been disappointed. The food was terrific. The waitstaff is great. We were seated at a table that was off to the side so it was quiet and my friends and I could catch up with ease. Highly recommend 501!