Vela

Q: Does Vela offer gift cards?

Vela does offer gift cards which you can purchase here .

Visa Dining Collection

4.6

205 Reviews

$31 to $50

Mexican

352 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Make a reservation

2 people

May 1, 2025

May 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 24 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Great for creative cocktails
Romantic
Good for special occasions

Vela Bar y Cocina, located in the heart of River North, Chicago, brings the vibrant flavors of Mexico City to life. Our menu showcases authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist, from flavorful tacos to traditional dishes crafted by Chef Jorge Angulo. Sip on expertly curated cocktails featuring a vast selection of tequila and mezcal, including rare pours. Vela offers the perfect venue for private dining and events, with intimate spaces like our Private Dining Room and the stylish Zona Rosa. Whether you're enjoying a casual night out or hosting a private event, Vela delivers a warm and cosmopolitan experience infused with Mexican spirit. Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, and culture in one of Chicago's most energetic neighborhoods.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Mexican, Contemporary Mexican, Latin / Spanish
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 888-3465
Website
https://www.velabarcocina.com/
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
Welcome to Vela! Where the cultural richness and vibrancy of Mexico City meet a sophisticated, modern ambiance. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Vela offers a range of stunning spaces tailored to make your event truly unforgettable.
Private party contact
Kassandra: (312) 888-3465

Location
352 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

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Experiences

Vela Agave Sessions: Maestro Dobel
$65.00 per person
Prepaid
May 13, 2025 only
6:00 PM
Explore the rich world of agave through a guided tasting of distinct expressions, each shaped by terroir and the transformative effects of barrel aging. Learn how soil, climate, and time in the cask influence flavor and complexity while diving into the spirit’s history and production. Paired with curated bites from VELA’s Mexico City-inspired kitchen, this tasting is a journey through craft and tradition.
Happy Hour at Vela
Multiple dates available
Join us for Happy Hour at Vela Tue-Fri, 3pm-6pm.

Private dining

Cucumber Margarita$12.00
Código Blanco Tequila. Cucumber Water. Chamomile Honey. Chareau. Lime. Orange Flower Water.
Pulparindo$10.00
Gran Centenario Blanco Tequila. Watermelon. Tamarind. Tajin.
Jade$18.00
400 Conejos Mezcal. Jasmine. Plum. Citrus.
Subele a tu Atole$19.00
Abasolo Whiskey. Champurrado. Nixta. Piloncillo.
Manzanita$19.00
400 Conejos Mezcal. Apple Cider. Cardamom. Cinnamon. Citrus. Egg White.
Nada Palmer$20.00
Gran Centenario Tequila. Prickly Pear. Tamarind. Citrus.
Mimosa$13.00
Prickly Pear. Guava. Orange OR Grapefruit. Prosecco.
Mimosa Kit$50.00
Bottle of Prosecco. Pick two juices: Prickly Pear, Orange, and Grapefruit.
Michelada$16.00
Pacifico. Soy Sauce. Worcestershire. Valentina. Clamato Juice. Tajin. Shrimp.
Carajillo de Olla$17.00
Licor 43. Cafe De Olla. Espresso. Orange Brulee.
Bloody Maria$18.00
Código Blanco Tequila. Tomatillo. Serrano. Poblano. Olive Oil. Salt. Cilantro. Cucumber. Worcestershire. Garlic. Maggi Seasoning. Shrimp. Queso Fresco.

Cerveza

Casa Humilde Maizal$12.00
Lager, Chicago
Pacifico$8.00
Pilsner, Mexico
Casa Humilde Media Naranja$12.00
Pale Ale, Chicago
Corona NA$8.00
Lager, Mexico

Cocina

Oats con Leche$11.00
Burnt Apple. Tamarind. Candied Pecans.
Gordita$14.00
Chicharrón Prensado or Rajas Con Queso. Yellow Corn Gordita. Refried Beans. Avocado Salsa Verde. Cabbage Curtido.
Chilaquiles$15.00
Poblano Salsa Verde. Queso Fresco. Refried Beans. Fried Egg.
French Toast$16.00
Bruleed Toast. Charred Poblano. Crème Anglaise. Macerated Peaches.
Vela Hamburguesa$20.00
Mushroom Medley. Salsa Negra. Dos Quesos. Avocado. Lime Mayo. Pickled Onions.
Platillo Arabe$22.00
Morita Glazed Pork Belly. Sumac Onions. Herb Salad. Avocado Spread. Fried Eggs. Tortillas.
Pancakes$15.00
Heirloom Corn. Macerated Berries. Apricot Raisin Jam. Whipped Butter.
Burrito$17.00
Barbacoa Shortrib. Black Bean Pico. Eggs. Poblano Jocoque.

Acompañamientos

Egg$3.50
Add an egg to any dish, cooked to order.
Chorizo Rojo Link$5.00
House-Made Chorizo Rojo.
Avocado$5.00
1/2 Hass Avocado.
Bacon$8.00
Applewood Smoked Bacon.
Sweet Potato Fries$12.00
Poblano Jocoque. Dried Chili Rub.

Café

Espresso$3.00
Tea$4.00
Americano$5.00
Capuccino$5.00
Latte$5.00

Jugo

Orange$6.00
Grapefruit$6.00

What 205 people are saying

Vela reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Vela offers an inviting ambiance with "amazing staff" and a lively atmosphere. Diners praise the "unique dishes" and "fantastic cocktails," with highlights including the pastor tacos and empanadas. The restaurant is noted for its "beautiful design," making it a "perfect spot for a date night" or group gatherings.

205 Reviews

P
Patricia VIP
Chicago7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing menu with delicious choices. Loved our meal!!! Service was impeccable as well.
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S
Shivani VIP
Chicago12 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Gorgeous restaurant with delicious food and superior service but the restaurant was so loud it was hard to enjoy it all
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H
Hilda
Chicago1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing experience! Food & drinks were so good! Can’t wait to go back!
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D
Daria
Chicago2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Christian was the best server and Kaylah was an amazing host. The food was so beautiful! Definitely recommending and will be back.
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F
Francisco
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and drinks. Service was great too. Consistency is key, this is our third visit and it continues to be great.
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m
maritza
San Francisco3 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The ambiance of the restaurant was delightful, with dim lighting that created an intimate dining experience. However, the food did not quite match the atmosphere. We started with the Hamachi ceviche and grilled octopus. Unfortunately, the ceviche was underseasoned, and the octopus was a bit tough. As a fan of grilled octopus, I found this preparation to be my least favorite. For our main course, we shared the pescado entero, which was quite flavorful. Our server had mentioned it was deboned, but I found that every bite still contained bones, which was a bit disappointing. We tried two cocktails: the Coco de Oro and the Pulparido. The Coco de Oro was just okay; I overlooked that it contained mezcal, which I’m not particularly fond of, and I felt the coconut flavor was barely noticeable. On the other hand, the Pulparido was definitely our favorite—fruity with a hint of spice, it was absolutely delicious. Overall, while the atmosphere was inviting, the food and drinks left something to be desired.
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C
Cindy VIP
Chicago152 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything about Vela was fantastic, the food, the service and the ambiance. We all enjoyed our meals and will return,.
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T
TANYA
Memphis/West TN8 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I love this place! It's such a beautiful restaurant with the perfect blend of lighting and ambiance. The food is incredible and distinctly different from most Mexican food. I've been 4 times and will go again!
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T
Tommie
St. Louis5 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Drinks were amazing and food was very good. Service felt rushed but overall we enjoyed it very much.
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A
Ajani VIP
Minneapolis1 review
3.0
Dined on March 29, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The cost for their meals didn’t match their portions or quality. Ambiance and setting was great though
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FAQs

Vela is rated 4.6 stars by 205 OpenTable diners.

Vela does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.