New Mediterranean Restaurant Coming to Chicago Riverwalk

NAIA, a 12,000-square-foot pan-Mediterranean restaurant, is set to open this spring along the Chicago Riverwalk.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A new large-scale Mediterranean restaurant called NAIA is planned to open along the Chicago Riverwalk this spring. The 12,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue will feature about 150 feet of river frontage, with seating for roughly 250 guests indoors and another 150 outside. The restaurant's culinary program will be led by internationally known chef Athinagoras Kostakos, known for Mediterranean cuisine and for winning Top Chef Greece.

Why it matters

The addition of NAIA to the Chicago Riverwalk continues the development and revitalization of this popular public space, providing a new dining destination for locals and tourists alike. The restaurant's focus on diverse Mediterranean cuisines also aligns with the growing consumer demand for global flavors.

The details

NAIA will stretch nearly a full river-level city block between LaSalle and Wells streets, and will feature a raw seafood bar, cocktail bar, and event space capable of hosting gatherings from 30 to 500 people. The menu will draw from multiple Mediterranean regions, including Southern France, Spain, Italy, and Greece, along with Levantine cuisines from Israel, Lebanon and Turkey, offering seafood dishes, grilled meats, mezze plates, salads, house-made pastas and flatbreads.

  • NAIA is expected to open later this spring on the Chicago Riverwalk.

The players

NAIA

A new 12,000-square-foot pan-Mediterranean restaurant planned for the Chicago Riverwalk.

Athinagoras Kostakos

An internationally known chef who will lead the culinary program at NAIA, known for Mediterranean cuisine and for winning Top Chef Greece.

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What they’re saying

“I've worked in restaurants across the Mediterranean, learning the unique flavors of each region. NAIA brings those influences together in one place celebrating the diversity and energy of the Mediterranean on the Chicago River.”

— Athinagoras Kostakos, Chef (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

NAIA is expected to open later this spring on the Chicago Riverwalk, operating daily with breakfast, brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner service.

The takeaway

The addition of NAIA to the Chicago Riverwalk will provide a new dining destination that celebrates the diverse flavors of the Mediterranean, further enhancing the appeal of this popular public space.