avec

The story

Avec Chicago | Mediterranean & Seasonal Dining in West Loop & River North

Avec

For two decades, the original Avec on West Randolph Street has been a fixture of Chicago’s dining scene. Conceived as a wine bar by One Off Hospitality, it has grown into a trio of distinct locations, each offering its own take on the same welcoming spirit.

The cooking is described as "midwestern takes on Mediterranean classics," with a wine list that draws inspiration from the sun-drenched regions of Southern Europe. The menu is built for sharing, with inventive small and large plates. Standouts like the chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce, or the whole roasted branzino, demonstrate a kitchen that balances bold, earthy flavors with bright, precise technique. The hearth-baked pita, served with hummus or short rib, is a constant across menus.

Avec’s warm hospitality and focus on seasonal, Mediterranean cuisine have earned it a spot on the Michelin Recommended list. The original West Loop location remains the cornerstone, but the River North outpost brings the same soul-warming food to a new neighborhood. For a different atmosphere, Bar Avec sits on the 8th floor of 640 N. LaSalle Drive, inspired by the casual seaside diners of coastal Spain and Portugal, serving cocktails and food with sweeping views of the Chicago skyline.

Whether for a full dinner of rotisserie chicken shawarma or a quick lunch prix-fixe, Avec continues to be a place where the food and the wine list feel both thoughtful and effortless.