Introducing Noema: Lincoln Park's New Greek Gastrobar from Chef Konstantinos Kvasilava

Noema, a new Greek gastrobar from Chef Konstantinos Kvasilava, alongside owner and hospitality veteran Stelios Mitris, debuted under-the-radar last month, unveiling a dining experience rooted in Greek soul food, technique and Mediterranean hospitality.

Located in the heart of Lincoln Park at 1443 W. Fullerton Avenue, Noema merges a Mediterranean atmosphere with Greek dishes, curated craft cocktails and a social energy designed to transport guests straight to the shores of the Aegean.

At the culinary helm is Chef Konstantinos Kvasilava, formerly of Kyma in New York City. A chef, food artist and self-described “world flavor chaser,” Kvasilava has cultivated a global audience drawn to his signature style of cooking that focuses on sauces, emulsions, deeply flavored purées and recipes that bridge comfort food with fine-dining technique.

Raised between Cyprus and Greece, Kvasilava’s Mediterranean roots are woven throughout Noema’s menu, from herbaceous pestos and citrus to olive oils and seasonal ingredients. Over the years, he has cooked and collaborated across Europe, gathering techniques and flavor philosophies that now shape his culinary perspective and the Noema menu.

Online, Kvasilava has built a following through educational cooking content that highlights both artistry and precision. From silky hollandaise and strawberry ganache to tsoureki bread and Neapolitan pizza, his approachable storytelling and obsessive attention to texture and detail have resonated with food lovers around the world.

“Noema is deeply personal to me because it reflects the way I grew up eating and gathering,” said Kvasilava. “Greek cuisine is soulful, vibrant and meant to be shared. We wanted to create a menu that honors traditional Mediterranean flavors while elevating them through technique, balance and presentation. Every sauce, every spread, every plate is designed to feel comforting, exciting and full of life.”

The menu celebrates the foundation of Greek cuisine showcasing fresh flavors that honor the essence of Mediterranean cooking while introducing culinary touches throughout, including the use of charcoal-roasted fish, vegetables, and meats. Guests can expect a lineup of mezze, grilled seafood and meats, housemade spreads, fresh herbs, premium olive oils and dishes designed for communal dining. The menu is punctuated by surprises, including freshly baked bread served with a housemade butter candle. 

Additional menu highlights include:

• Citrus-Cured Lavraki (Mediterranean Sea Bass) with Lime, Lemon, Chili, Ginger, Cilantro, Fish Skin Crisps, and Lemon Oil
• Aegean Ember Octapodi with Celeriac Puree, Crisp Potato, and Butter Sauce
• Slow-Cooked Crispy Pork Belly Souvlaki, charcoal finished with Lemon, Oregano, and Smoked Paprika
• Noema Pastitsio with Braised Beef Cheeks, deconstructed Pastitsio Paccheri, and Halloumi Monte
• Portokalopita with Orange Syrup, Orange Zest, Cointreau, Phyllo, and Chocolate Chantilly

Noema’s beverage program further rounds out the experience with a lineup of curated craft cocktails inspired by Mediterranean ingredients, fresh citrus, herbs and coastal European flavors. 

The restaurant’s design was crafted to evoke a modern Mediterranean escape in the middle of Chicago. The approximately 3,000 -square-foot restaurant features a 100-seat dining room, a 10-seat bar and a sprawling 2,400-square-foot patio with room for 80 guests. Outdoors, guests are surrounded by olive trees, warm ambient lighting and flowing burlap linen drapings that create a coastal atmosphere ideal for long summer evenings.

Inside, the space balances contemporary finishes with Mediterranean warmth, creating an environment equally suited for celebratory dinners, cocktails with friends or leisurely shared meals.

Noema is owned by Stelios Mitris, a seasoned hospitality operator behind several Chicagoland restaurant concepts. Mitris and Kvasilava first met while working together on a consulting project and immediately connected over a shared vision for hospitality, quality and creating memorable guest experiences.

“We knew very quickly that we wanted to build something together,” said Mitris. “Lincoln Park felt like the perfect neighborhood because it has such an incredible dining culture and energy. At Noema, hospitality is everything to us. We want guests to walk in and instantly feel transported, welcomed and cared for, whether they’re stopping in for cocktails and small plates or settling in for a long dinner with friends and family.”

Noema plans to continue evolving throughout the summer with the upcoming launch of happy hour offerings, lunch service, and a rotating weekly tasting menu dinner experience.

Noema’s hours of operation are Monday from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Tuesday (Closed), Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For more information or reservations, visit noemagastrobar.com or follow along on Instagram at noema_greek_gastrobar.