Hunting for the best and freshest ingredients or growing your vegetables yourself is instinctive for Greeks. Gardens and your connection to the land is a part of your soul because the land is life. Even in the big, hot, dry city of Athens, streets are lined with 'Nerantzi' bitter orange and lime trees and you will see apartment buildings draped with hanging gardens from porches and verandas.
In Chicago, many Greek families will be able to tell you which grocer has the best ingredients. Also, it is not uncommon that families grow their own vegetables and practice 'seed saving' from year to year. At Taxim Restaurant, we continue this inherent tradition by sourcing the best and freshest ingredients so you can enjoy the full potential of traditional and regional dishes.
In Chicago, many Greek families will be able to tell you which grocer has the best ingredients. Also, it is not uncommon that families grow their own vegetables and practice 'seed saving' from year to year. At Taxim Restaurant, we continue this inherent tradition by sourcing the best and freshest ingredients so you can enjoy the full potential of traditional and regional dishes.
Services
For reservations for parties of 6 or more we require that a credit card number is provided for confirmation, and that a minimum of 24 hours notice before said reservation is given for any cancellations. If cancellation is made less than 24 hours before the confirmed reservation time, a charge of $20 per person will be charged to the card on file.
Chicago's limited and stunning summer needs to be enjoyed outdoors. What better way to do it but to dine on a rooftop enjoying Greek wines, spirits, and history-inspired drinks. The chef.has brought a distilled liquor to patrons called raki, a drink introduction that coincides with the launch of a serene rooftop patio at Taxim.
Reviews (27)
Tara Lynn O.
Jan 23, 2022
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Prime location if you're going out in wicker park area and need a spot for dinner. The food was decent - it was pretty pricy though. We sat in the upstairs which was technically outdoors but they had a few heaters to warm it up. The staff was good about moving the heaters around if you weren't warm. The train is right next to the restaurant so it may get loud as you are dining. It was also shaking throughout the dinner - but didn't seem related to the train. We split a bunch of small plates and full menu items with a group of 7. Flat bread was surprisingly one of my favs. Diff spreads
Logan H.
Jan 18, 2022
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The whole family didn't go out for a long time because I was busy with work and my office was far from our home. Often I go home when my children are asleep. I requested my boss to leave me for at least three days so that I can rest and take care of my wife and child because they miss me so much. Luckily they approve. So I planned to bring my family here since my friends say the food here is delicious. We sit at the outside table to enjoy the view outside and feel the fresh air. Some waiters assisted us in a nice way so they have good customer service. About their food, my kids and wife enjoy
Peter Y.
Jan 10, 2022
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A typical experience at the hip Taxim consist of the following: Come here with a group of friends, order a bunch of small/large plates, sip on some Greek wine, share everything family style, and leave feeling satisfied!
While certain dishes at Taxim can be had for much cheaper elsewhere, the quality here is undoubtable.
I highly recommend the grilled octopus and lamb chops! Everything else was decent, but not nearly as memorable.
While certain dishes at Taxim can be had for much cheaper elsewhere, the quality here is undoubtable.
I highly recommend the grilled octopus and lamb chops! Everything else was decent, but not nearly as memorable.
Katie Griffith
Jan 02, 2022
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Doubling down on my bad review from about a year ago. This place used to be great but has really gone downhill in the past couple of years. Had bad service about a year ago but was convinced to give it another shot. This last time was even worse. We ordered our food and the server was careful to ensure we had everything ordered at once because the kitchen was going to close - great. The food started coming out and when we got to the first main dishes, mine was missing, so we asked about it and were told by the server that she'd double check, but not to worry because everything just comes out as
Nastaran Shojaee
Jan 01, 2022
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Tianji Z.
Dec 18, 2021
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Steph J.
Dec 15, 2021
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Kendra M.
Dec 15, 2021
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Taxim was on my list for a very long time. The vibes totally lived up to what I imagined - the rooftop is beautiful, and super romantic. The sharing style makes it great for an intimate date or large group. The food was great, but not really great enough for the price. I guess that's a casualty of Wicker Park...you can get amazing Greek food for half the price in Greektown.
We ate the tzatziki, fried cauliflower, a seasonal salad, and half chicken. Everything was great - the chicken was really juicy and lemony, and served with some delicious fingerling potatoes, and the sauce for the fried
We ate the tzatziki, fried cauliflower, a seasonal salad, and half chicken. Everything was great - the chicken was really juicy and lemony, and served with some delicious fingerling potatoes, and the sauce for the fried
Eleni D.
Nov 13, 2021
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Me and my husband have been coming here for years! It is our favorite Greek restaurant in Chicago. The staff is always attentive, the food is always a hit, and the ambiance always sets the perfect romantic mood!
The large wine selection is paired perfectly with the plates. I am happy that the owner has done such a good job maintaining the Taxim image.
Will definitely be returning.
(also the host Proko always by the door greets us with a warm smile everytime)
The large wine selection is paired perfectly with the plates. I am happy that the owner has done such a good job maintaining the Taxim image.
Will definitely be returning.
(also the host Proko always by the door greets us with a warm smile everytime)
Audrey L.
Nov 10, 2021
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The food was tasty, the service was great, but I felt like a lot of the dishes are overpriced for what you get. We sat on the rooftop which is very cute and had a nice ambiance.
We got several dishes to share between two people and we ended up with the right amount of food (perhaps a little too much). Our server was great by giving us a run down of the menu and highlighting some popular dishes. We got hummus, flatbread with mushroom and egg, grape leaf wrapped shrimp, and duck gyros. I REALLY liked the hummus - it was super smooth and had a drizzle of garlic olive oil which added good flavor.
We got several dishes to share between two people and we ended up with the right amount of food (perhaps a little too much). Our server was great by giving us a run down of the menu and highlighting some popular dishes. We got hummus, flatbread with mushroom and egg, grape leaf wrapped shrimp, and duck gyros. I REALLY liked the hummus - it was super smooth and had a drizzle of garlic olive oil which added good flavor.
Nick R.
Nov 08, 2021
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Taxim... more like, tax 'em...
Cannot say I've had gyros pushing $30 before, but the food here was tasty and authentic, if even a little adventurous. Ask the waitstaff for a run down of the menu- some well known favorites you'll recognize nestled in a expansive menu titled in the native tongue. Before asking our waitress about her favorites, it was pretty much all Greek to me lol. Note the final bill comes with an auto 22% gratuity tacked on so prepare for some initial sticker shock, though the staff and service were excellent indeed. Would recommend 3-4 smaller plates and one
Cannot say I've had gyros pushing $30 before, but the food here was tasty and authentic, if even a little adventurous. Ask the waitstaff for a run down of the menu- some well known favorites you'll recognize nestled in a expansive menu titled in the native tongue. Before asking our waitress about her favorites, it was pretty much all Greek to me lol. Note the final bill comes with an auto 22% gratuity tacked on so prepare for some initial sticker shock, though the staff and service were excellent indeed. Would recommend 3-4 smaller plates and one
Jessica M.
Nov 07, 2021
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My boyfriend and I have been exploring the menu together.
One thing I've noticed from multiple visits is that they are NOT consistent. One night the lamb chops are amazing best I've ever had, the next visit they're "just good."
But even at "just good" they're still great! Which is why I still gave this place 4 stars.
But let me tell you. This sea bass was the best I've ever had. I'm looking forward to having it again to see if the flavors remain the same.
The shrimp wrapped In grape leaves were amazing as well.
We were not a fan of the
One thing I've noticed from multiple visits is that they are NOT consistent. One night the lamb chops are amazing best I've ever had, the next visit they're "just good."
But even at "just good" they're still great! Which is why I still gave this place 4 stars.
But let me tell you. This sea bass was the best I've ever had. I'm looking forward to having it again to see if the flavors remain the same.
The shrimp wrapped In grape leaves were amazing as well.
We were not a fan of the
Luis Polanco Rodriguez
Oct 31, 2021
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Valerie Watchempino
Oct 31, 2021
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This restaurant was f-ing DELICIOUS to every bite. Whoever writes poor reviews on the food is insane or maybe the cooks were different a few years ago, IDK. Also, our server and everyone else were extremely nice. Food came out quickly, great service, and the ambiance was nice! I’d eat here every week if I could. Can’t beat delicious Greek food 😋
Bill H.
Oct 13, 2021
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I started with the Greek Lemon chicken soup. It was creamy and full of chicken with a nice essence of lemon. Main coarse was a braised lamb shank with a orzo pasta full of feta. The meat was falloff the bone tender and nicely spiced.
Their upstairs covered patio was great to eat on. It was poring rain and not a drop of rain hit the patio.
The server was very helpful in steering me to a very tasty Greek-white wine and providing excellent table side service.
I will return to Taxim.
Their upstairs covered patio was great to eat on. It was poring rain and not a drop of rain hit the patio.
The server was very helpful in steering me to a very tasty Greek-white wine and providing excellent table side service.
I will return to Taxim.
Emily H.
Sep 19, 2021
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What a hidden gem! The restaurant front is rather unassuming, but when you enter, you can tell there's so much more. We were brought upstairs to the rooftop for our dinner, and it was such a surprise.
Their patio is decked with lights and plants so that it almost feels like you're eating at the rooftop of someone's apartment. It felt very cozy and tables were rather close to each other, which did make me feel a bit uncomfortable, but we were seated at a table towards the side and away from the main seating. Our server was very visibly busy but still did a wonderful job helping
Their patio is decked with lights and plants so that it almost feels like you're eating at the rooftop of someone's apartment. It felt very cozy and tables were rather close to each other, which did make me feel a bit uncomfortable, but we were seated at a table towards the side and away from the main seating. Our server was very visibly busy but still did a wonderful job helping
C.
Sep 02, 2021
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Bruce S. Jose
Aug 23, 2021
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Overpriced and slow. We got one salad, one small savory pastry, half a chicken with about 12 small potatoes, a side of orzo (grain), and a soft drink. It was $82, before tip. The salad and pastry were good, but the chicken and potatoes was pretty bland. No refills on drinks. When we arrived, the host was talking on the phone and didn't look at us for a long time. There was no one in there. We almost left, then he sent us upstairs. The server was nice. I liked the rooftop, but my boyfriend thought it was too loud.
Hilda Espinal
Aug 14, 2021
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Food is ok but too pricey. Rooftop is nothing special and you will be forced to pay 22% gratuity regardless of satisfaction level. It will be on your bill. Also you better hurry up and eat you “family style” food in less than 90 minutes or be prepared to be reminded constantly that it’s time to leave! Yup! There is always a first. Sea bream, super salty
Sara Gradwohl Saranger
Aug 12, 2021
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Marissa P.
Jul 27, 2021
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Really great service, sat on the rooftop it was a Thursday night so it was pretty packed and loud and a bit outside of my usual price range.
The food was great but would probably prefer to sit inside next time.
Loved the duck gyro but would have preferred a healthy alternative to fries.
Service was great but hard to hear with noise level.
Bathroom is downstairs FYI.
Overall good experience.
The food was great but would probably prefer to sit inside next time.
Loved the duck gyro but would have preferred a healthy alternative to fries.
Service was great but hard to hear with noise level.
Bathroom is downstairs FYI.
Overall good experience.
Julie C.
Jun 24, 2021
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There's a lot to like about Taxim. We went for a dinner on their rooftop deck had an enjoyable meal that would have warranted four stars, but the end of our evening dropped them down to three.
As others have noted, Taxim offers a much different array of Greek dishes than are found in most Greek restaurants I've encountered in the US. This made for a fun and delicious experience, with highlights that included the lamb & rice-stuffed cabbage leaves, fried cauliflower, and prassopita for small plates to share. The braised lamb shank was the highlight of the mains we ordered, with the
As others have noted, Taxim offers a much different array of Greek dishes than are found in most Greek restaurants I've encountered in the US. This made for a fun and delicious experience, with highlights that included the lamb & rice-stuffed cabbage leaves, fried cauliflower, and prassopita for small plates to share. The braised lamb shank was the highlight of the mains we ordered, with the
Kevin T.
Jun 01, 2021
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It had been over 6 years since I last ate at Taxim. I remember the food and menu options being quite underwhelming at the time and I had no intentions of coming back.
However, I booked Taxim this past week as a last minute option and am sure glad I was able to give this place another try! Much has changed over these 6 years and everything we had ordered was delicious and flavorful. Some of the highlights for our group were the duck gyros, fried mussels, and the ground lamb shoulder kebap.
In addition to the food, the rooftop experience was quite nice as well. We were seated right at the far end
However, I booked Taxim this past week as a last minute option and am sure glad I was able to give this place another try! Much has changed over these 6 years and everything we had ordered was delicious and flavorful. Some of the highlights for our group were the duck gyros, fried mussels, and the ground lamb shoulder kebap.
In addition to the food, the rooftop experience was quite nice as well. We were seated right at the far end
Leela S.
May 23, 2021
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Rami Sneineh
Apr 20, 2021
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Madison S.
Apr 20, 2021
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Similar to everyone else's reviews : the service was a bit chaotic and somewhat dismissive initially (the waitress became a bit friendlier as the evening went on). The meal was about 3 hours total (our main dish took about 45 minutes to come out after placing the order). But if you're open to sitting and hanging out and drinking it's fine. The rooftop is enclosed (partially) but has a ton of heaters right now , so it wasn't too cold up there in 40 degrees.
However the amazing food outweighed the waiting . Literally every single item we ordered on the menu blew us away. From
However the amazing food outweighed the waiting . Literally every single item we ordered on the menu blew us away. From
Lisa P.
Feb 23, 2021
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What a hidden gem in Wicker Park. Amazing Greek food at affordable prices. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is very cozy and welcoming.
They offer a wide variety of cocktails and wine and the staff was very willing to answer and suggest wines based on the food and preferences.
Every single dish I've had was unique and delicious. I can't wait to go back and enjoy their amazing rooftop.
They offer a wide variety of cocktails and wine and the staff was very willing to answer and suggest wines based on the food and preferences.
Every single dish I've had was unique and delicious. I can't wait to go back and enjoy their amazing rooftop.
