Ila's

What does it mean to belong?

Inspired by the owner’s mother and her journey as an immigrant from India to Chicago, ILA’s was created as a space that honors both heritage and place.

Housed within a restored late 19th-century warehouse in River North, the restaurant carries the weight of Chicago’s industrial past. Our goal was to maintain that sense of place while layering in her Indian heritage and the worldly point of view most Chicagoans share.

We began by restoring the existing architecture—exposed brick walls, timber loft ceilings, fresh plaster, and wide oak floors—peeling back the layers and adding only what was needed to reinforce the building’s original spirit.

Architecturally, the space is grounded and worn-in—honest, tactile, and down-to-earth. That meant the counterbalance needed to be softer and more residential, with a quiet sense of luxury that River North is known for.

Lighting and fixtures became a way to soften the edges. Floor-to-ceiling chocolate linen drapes introduce warmth and movement, tempering the scale of the room. Privacy screens, checkered in bronze glass and suzani textile, adds rhythm and intimacy while filtering light throughout the space.

The furniture follows the same philosophy. Large velvet barstools invite you to linger. Worn leather pub chairs are easy to handle and even easier to sit in. Tibetan fabric–wrapped loungers encourage long stays, while ikat-upholstered dining chairs subtly reference heritage through pattern and craft. Wing-back, sofa-style banquettes paired with relaxed black leather dining chairs blur the line between restaurant and living room, creating a more residential, welcoming experience.

Wrapping the vintage pub-style back bar is a classic double red neon—a nod to Chicago’s late-night culture, old dive bars, classic cars, and the city’s unapologetic edge.

Nothing here is precious. Everything is meant to be used.