Vela

Q: Does Vela offer gift cards?

Vela does offer gift cards which you can purchase here .

4.6

103 Reviews

$31 to $50

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 15 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for creative cocktails
Good for special occasions
Romantic

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.

Private dining

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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, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am
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, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access

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Experiences

Happy Hour at Vela
Nov 19, 2024 - Dec 19, 2024
Join us for Happy Hour at Vela Mon-Fri, 4pm-6pm.
Clase Azul Pre-Fixe Dinner Experience
$220.00 per person
Prepaid
Nov 19, 2024 - Nov 30, 2024
Enjoy a Clase Azul dinner pairing for up to 12 guests! For any questions or special requests, please reach out to managers@velabarcocina.com.
PDR Pre-Fixe Experience
$95.00 per person
Prepaid
Nov 19, 2024 - Dec 19, 2024
Enjoy a 3 course pre fixe menu with the option of cocktail pairing with 6-12 of your friends and family! Full payment is required at booking. $95 per person + taxes and gratuity. MENU: All course are served family style. Quantities are adjusted by party size. WELCOME BITE & DRINK: Guacamole with choice of Margarita de la Casa or Partes Iguales. Sub La Condesa or Roma for Non-Alcoholic drinks. STARTERS: Empanada, Hamachi Ceviche, Al Pastor taco MAINS: Barbacoa Ossobuco, Pollo a la Leña, Pescado Entero DESSERT: Oaxacan Churros, Dos Leches, paired with a small glass of Prosecco PLEASE NOTE: Parties of 6-12 can only be booked for the PDR Pre-Fixe Menu. For any questions or special requests, please reach out to managers@velabarcocina.com

Guacamole$15.00
Avocado. Herbs. Papalo Oil.
Taco Al Pastor$18.00
3pcs | Pork. Avocado Salsa. Caramelized Pineapple. Cilantro. Onion.
Taco Gobernador$22.00
3pcs | Black Tiger Shrimp. Oaxaca Cheese. Rajas.
Empanadas $19.00
3pcs | Wagyu Carne Seca. Poblano Jacoque.
Tlacoyo$22.00
Mushroom Medley. Oaxaca Cheese. Refried Beans. Salsa Verde.
Pulpo A La Parilla$23.00
Octopus. Mojo de Ajo. Chicharron. Sikil Pak.

Crudos

Tuna Tostada$20.00
2pcs | Ahi Tuna. Salsa Negra. Avocado. Macha Aioli.
Shrimp Crudo$19.00
Aguachile Negro. Red Onion. Cucumber. Serrano. Avocado.
Salmon Tostada$19.00
2pcs | Salmon. Avocado. Cucumber. Salsa Negra. Ponzu. Pickled Onions.
Hamachi Ceviche$19.00
Yellowtail. Tomato. Red Onion. Avocado. Cucumber. Serrano. Leche De Tigre.

Del Jardin

Quinoa Avocado Salad$18.00
Corn. Heirloom Beans. Tomato. Avocado. Jicama. Kale. Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.
Hearts of Palm Ceviche$16.00
Coconut. Strawberry. Cucumber. Red Onion. Fresno. Hibiscus Aguachiles.
Ensalada de Cesar$16.00
Little Gem. Grilled Radicchio. Toasted Cotija Cheese. Serrano.
Grilled Vegetables$16.00
Coriander Butter. Ancho Puffed Rice. Mole Verde.

Principales

Langostinos Nayarit $28.00
2pcs | Head On King Prawns. Macha Verde.
Pollo A La Leña$34.00
Chicken. Fresno Lime Adobo. Herb Salad. Tomatillo Xni-Pec. Charred Habanero Salsa.
Pescado Entero$58.00
Whole Dorade. Adobo Verde. Jicama. Pickled Onion. Mandarin.
Castacan en Mole$30.00
Pork Belly. Mole Casero. Goose Berries. Chicharron.
Barbacoa Ossobuco$49.00
Short Rib. Fresno Tahini. Pearl Onions. Pickled Carrots.
Aged Wagyu Tabla De Carnes$89.00
Picanha. Hanger. Bavette. Nopal Salad. Pearl Onions. Salsa Tatemada. Peanut Arbol. Habanero Miso. Refried Beans.

What 103 people are saying

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

4.5Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Vela offers an exquisite dining experience with "amazing food and service." The menu features standout dishes like wagyu empanadas and short ribs, complemented by exceptional cocktails. The ambiance is vibrant and inviting, perfect for intimate dinners or group outings. A must-visit for those seeking authentic Mexican flavors with a modern twist.

103 Reviews

D
Dimitra
Philadelphia
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic place! Food ambiance service ! Will definitely be a regular !
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K
Kelly
Minneapolis
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
It’s okay, best thing about it was the service other than that if you’re looking for outstanding food this is not the place.
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C
Caroline
Chicago
47 reviews
vip
5.0
47 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely DELICIOUS! Everything we got was better than the last. Our server was so great too and made awesome suggestions. Beautiful ambiance as well. Highly recommend!
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S
Sebastian
Chicago
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A bit too loud , food was good but a hair was found in our churros, also very dark to see.
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M
Maritza
Venezuela
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Ambiance was great as well as service. However, I don’t personally believe the food was the best. We had the al pastor and gobernador tacos; felt like they needed “that extra kick.” Saw many great reviews about the empanadas; they were mid! Drinks were decent. Our favorite was the tamarind one. Dessert! The churros looked great, but again, not impressed. Overall, just an okay place. Would we be back? Probably just for the drinks and awesome service!
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D
Daniel
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was absolutely outstanding, every dish I’d get again
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H
Heather
Chicago
11 reviews
vip
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was mediocre, I wish there were more taco options.
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R
Roxana
Chicago
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
The music was a amazing, but I feel our server wasn’t paying attention to us as much , too for ever order of drink . I know it’s Friday bussy night but make the table wait more than 10 ministers !
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Y
Yolanda
Milwaukee
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I saw that they were listed as having pescatarian, vegan and vegetarian options so I wanted to check it out. The drink choices available was a small list, but mighty. The drinks were fabulous. La Reforma and Coco de oro were so tasty. The food choices available, so much of it had dairy. The one appetizer that didn’t have dairy/vegan was the guacamole and salsa trip. The guacamole and chips were a disappointment. The chips tasted stale and guacamole was bland. The empanadas all had cheese in them. That is what my husband was looking forward to having until we learned it had cheese in all of the choices. I’ve seen a lot of the reviews talk about how chewy the tuna and salmon tostadas are. However, the tuna was not chewy and it tasted fantastic. The choices for dessert were good, but again no non-dairy option. The dos leches was very tasty. For what you got it felt very overpriced. Overall, if you don’t have any allergies, this place is awesome for groups and for drinks and appetizers.
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E
Eugene
Chicago
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I'll be back! Everything was great & our server was exceptional explaining the menu.
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FAQs

Vela is rated 4.6 stars by 103 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.