LYRA

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

The Story Behind LYRA

DineAmic Hospitality partners David Rekhson and Luke Stoioff didn't open a Greek restaurant on a whim. More than a decade of travel through the islands of Greece gave them a genuine appreciation for the Greek ethos of wellness — the ease of eating well, living close to the land, and sharing a table with strangers. That philosophy, captured in the Greek word philoxenia (friend of strangers), is the foundation LÝRA is built on.

The space at 905 W. Fulton Market reflects that origin: earth tones, rustic textures drawn from rural Greek landscapes, and an indoor-meets-outdoor flow that sits comfortably inside one of Chicago's most dynamic dining corridors.

The Chef

LÝRA's kitchen is led by Athinagoras Kostakos, a Greek chef with an international reputation and a command of the custom wood and charcoal hearth that defines the restaurant's cooking style. His approach is direct: simple preparations, bold flavors, and ingredients given room to speak. The result is Greek cuisine that feels both rooted and alive.

What's on the Plate

The menu moves through the rhythms of a proper Greek meal. Dips — tzatziki, spicy feta, charred eggplant, tarama with black caviar — arrive with warm pita and lavash crisp. Mezze includes saganaki with kefalograviera cheese and lemon, charred octopus with cipollini onion and kalamata olive relish, and spanakopitakia in crispy phyllo. The horiatiki salad is built from vine-ripened tomatoes, barrel-aged feta, and fresh oregano.

Souvlaki — grilled meat on skewer, as the menu defines it — anchors the main courses: wagyu beef, grilled lamb with avocado tzatziki, Faroe Island salmon with pomegranate molasses. Larger plates include a whole Mediterranean branzino served tableside with saffron ladolemono, charcoal grilled lamb chops, and a deconstructed pastitsio with short rib ragù, béchamel, and fresh black truffle.

The wine program earned LÝRA a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024 — a recognition that reflects the care given to a list that spans Greek varietals like Assyrtiko and Moscofilero alongside selections from Italy, California, and beyond.

The Ritual

On Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10:30 pm, LÝRA shifts register entirely. The Weekend Ritual brings in a live DJ, musicians, sparklers, and dancing — what the restaurant describes as "Midnight in Mykonos" in the heart of Fulton Market. It's a distinct experience from the refined dinner service, and one that sets this Greek restaurant apart from anything else in Chicago.