Rooted in heritage.
Built on heart.
A living tribute to resilience, warmth, and hospitality, named for the woman who started it all.
The Woman Who Started It All
It begins with my mother, who came to America from India in 1971. With determination and compassion, she worked tirelessly to give her children a meaningful life, welcoming anyone lucky enough to sit at her table.
That same spirit lives in every corner of Ila’s. From the kitchen to the dining room, our team of small business owners, designers, and service professionals built this space with grit, generosity, and purpose. We believe that life’s challenges are easier to face, and its joys more meaningful, when shared over food, drink, and genuine connection.
In the heart of Chicago’s River North, Ila’s brings together bold global flavors and comforting familiarity. Every dish is crafted with care, every cocktail thoughtfully mixed, and every detail, from the lighting to the playlists, curated to make you feel at home.
Whether you’re gathering with friends, celebrating a milestone, or enjoying a simple night out, Ila’s is a place where you’ll always be welcomed with heart.
The memories that shaped a table for everyone
The Hands Behind Ila’s
The same spirit, in every corner.
Ila’s is a place where life’s challenges feel lighter and its joys feel fuller, shared over food, drink, and genuine connection.
Built by hand
From the kitchen to the dining room, a team of small business owners, designers, and service professionals built this space with grit, generosity, and purpose.
A global table
In the heart of River North, Ila's brings together bold global flavors and comforting familiarity, every dish crafted with care, every cocktail thoughtfully mixed.
No rush, just connection
From the lighting to the playlists, every detail is curated to make you feel at home. Linger over the conversation. Here, everyone is welcomed with heart.
Our Team
The people at the table.
Kirtan Gandhi
Owner
Kirtan Gandhi is the owner behind Ila’s Chicago, a warmly inviting restaurant and bar in River North that opened in 2025. Named in honor of his mother Íla, who immigrated from India to Chicago in 1971 and embodied generous hospitality through her home-cooked meals, the concept reflects her spirit of welcome, resilience, and bringing people together over food.
A seasoned restaurateur, Gandhi also owns Porter Cullens, an Irish pub in Evergreen Park, and has crafted Ila’s as a neighborhood gathering spot blending global flavors with comforting American classics in a relaxed yet refined setting, prioritizing connection over pretension. His hands-on approach and commitment to heartfelt hospitality define the experience for guests.
Make Yourself at Home
Pull up a chair.
There’s always room at our table.
Explore the menu Íla inspired, or reserve a table in River North.