Avli Taverna - Lincoln Park: A Delightful Greek Taverna Experience

Great authentic food. Amazing drinks too. Came back for a second visit and it was just as good if not better.

Delicious cuisine, yummy cocktails and great place to sit outdoors for dinner. We ordered a few plates to share. Recommend the Greek salad, Meatballs, Calamari, Shrimp in Filo, Gyro Plate and Chicken Souvlaki. Would have ordered the lamb shank but one of our friends wasn’t a fan, so I’ll order next time as it looked absolutely delicious when served the next table over from us. For cocktails try the Watermelon margarita. So good! Also, the have happy hour before 5:30pm. Great stop for dinner and reasonably priced.

I had an exceptional dining experience tonight, and the true highlight was Nicole, hands down the best server at the bar. She was incredibly attentive, professional, and warm throughout the entire evening. Nicole anticipated everything I needed without ever being intrusive — a level of service that genuinely exceeded expectations. The food was delicious, the atmosphere inviting, and Nicole’s hospitality elevated the whole experience to a new level. Avli is lucky to have someone of her caliber on their team. I highly recommend sitting at the bar and asking for Nicole if you want flawless, thoughtful service. Will definitely return!

Enthusiastically endorsed by my Greek girlfriend, Avli had a reputation to live up to. Hungry for happy hour, we found ourselves at the chic Mediterranean bar enjoying the friendly staff, seasonal drink menu, and neighborhood-famous appetizers. The star of the show - soutzoukakia - a hand shaped riff on the merely mediocre Italian meatball we’ve all grown used to. Surprisingly spiced and severely under portioned, the beef soutzoukakia held its own, thanks in part to the bold pepper sauce and generous topping of graviera cheese. To wash it down we went for the “teach me to dance”. This citrusy vodka cocktail was infused with Greek mountain tea and garnished with thyme. It tasted like Squirt soda in the best way possible. But a trip to Avli wouldn’t be complete without the Pita trio featuring hummus, tzatziki, and my new obsession - tirokafteri. This feta-meets-chili dip is worth doubling up on, and had us ordering another batch of pita just to prolong the enjoyment. Arrive with an appetite and an uber home because happy hour at Avli can quickly turn into a full-blown feast that lingers well past sunset. Thanks to Davonte for the stellar service. @wilba on Beli

The chairs at the bar need upgrading, but Igor behind the bar for dinner was tremendous. Restaurant Week menu was perfect, his wine selection spot-on, and the food was fresh, hot, tasty as hell and served with perfect timing between courses. I highly recommend.

This is an amazingly fire Greek spot that’s tucked into a quiet Lincoln park location. The service and vibes were professional but still relaxed and not uptight. All the dishes we had were excellent and every dish I saw people around me ordering looked amazing. Definitely check this spot out.

Avli Taverna brings a bright, Mediterranean energy to Lincoln Park that immediately stands out. The space feels like a modern Greek island taverna—clean, airy, and full of natural light, with white and blue accents that make it feel transportive without being overdone. It has a lively but polished atmosphere that works well for both date nights and group dinners. From a vegetarian perspective, there are solid options, especially across appetizers and spreads. The mezze-style plates are where Avli really shines—dishes that are easy to share and layered with flavor. Items like melitzanosalata (eggplant dip), grilled vegetables, salads, and traditional Greek sides feel thoughtfully prepared rather than like afterthoughts. The portions are generous, and the food leans toward clean, fresh Mediterranean flavors—olive oil, herbs, citrus, and balanced seasoning. While not every dish is groundbreaking, the overall execution is consistent and satisfying. Service during our visit was attentive and efficient, even with a fairly full dining room. The restaurant has a celebratory feel to it—great for birthdays, brunches, or group gatherings where you want energy without chaos. Overall, Avli Taverna is a strong choice in Lincoln Park for approachable Greek cuisine in a beautiful setting. It’s especially enjoyable if you’re dining with a group and want to share multiple plates in a lively, Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere.

I love this restaurant — I hate the “nickel and dime” The food here consistently great; The staff is attentive; The atmosphere is intimate Adding 3.75% to the bill in a city that already has the highest sales tax in the country makes people go out less.” When people choose a restaurant —- they look at the menu prices in advance. They want to tip the wait-staff 20% (or better) When an owner adds a cost like this to the bill “to support operating costs” — it demeans 3 people: 1. The owner 2. The patron 3. The employee of the owner. “Hidden Fees” are disrespectful to everyone involved. Imagine a scenario: - If you are taking a business customer to dinner, I want them to know I am buying them an $60 steak. (Not a $54 steak with an 3.75% administrative charge). Food for thought.