BOOK Your TABLE
Experience Vela
Where Tradition Meets Modernity
Welcome to Vela, where the vibrant energy and rich cultural tapestry of Mexico City come alive in the heart of Chicago. At Vela, every visit promises a journey through Mexico’s diverse flavors and contemporary spirit. Our name, meaning candle in Spanish, reflects the warm, inviting atmosphere where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly.
Reserve Your Experience
Step into a world where the past and present converge, and the culinary delights of Mexico City are presented with a modern twist. Our talented culinary team are ready to take you on a culinary adventure, featuring hand-pressed tortillas, a unique mole madre, and innovative dishes like langostinos a la plancha and Iberico pork collar pibil.
Our thoughtfully curated beverage program includes a wide selection of agave spirits, emerging and well-known Mexican brands, and a global wine list, ensuring the perfect pairing for every meal.
OUR MENUS
Bar
Cocina
Licores
Happy Hour
Bar
Menu section not found: cocteles
Menu section not found: vino-glass
Menu section not found: vino-bottle
Menu section not found: vino-espumoso
Beerبيرة
Pacifico
8Lager, Mexico – 12oz (4.4%)
Corona NA
8Lager, Mexico – 12oz (<.5%)
Rotating Feature
MP
Menu section not found: agave-experiencias
Cocina
Menu section not found: entradas
Menu section not found: jardin
Menu section not found: tacos
Menu section not found: mar
Large Platesأطباق كبيرة
Arayas ✧
21Lamb, Dry Aged Beef, Caramelized Onions, Quesillo, Pita
D, G
Pipian Sumac Chicken
35Pipian Half Chicken, Sumac Glaze, Braided Onions, Roasted Tomatoes
D, G
Whole Fish
56Whole Branzino, Zhug Zarrandado Harissa Salsa, Fresh Salad, Kalamata Olives
G, F
Castacan en Mole
30Pork Belly, Mole Casero, Goose Berries, Chicharrón
Lamb Barbacoa
68Slow Cooked Barbacoa Lamb Shoulder, Nopal & Chickpea Salad, Braised Onions, Yuzu Kosho Salsa Verde
G, D
Grilled Eggplant
18Eggplant, Muhammara, Marita Sauce, Poblano Labneh, Salsa Macha Verde
D, SM, TN
Menu section not found: postres
Licores
Tequila
Distilled from blue agave, crafted mainly in the Tequila region near Guadalajara, Mexico. It offers a range of flavors, from herbal and earthy in Blanco (unaged) to smooth and oaky in Reposado (aged at least 2 months), and complex in Añejo (aged at least 1 year).
| Â | 1oz | 2oz |
|---|---|---|
| Herradura Blanco | 12 | 24 |
| Almave Zero Proof Blanco | 12 | 24 |
| Nosotros Blanco | 12 | 24 |
| Pasote Blanco | 12 | 24 |
| Fuenteseca Cosecha | 13 | 26 |
| Arette Suave Blanco | 13 | 26 |
| Cayeya Blanco | 13 | 26 |
| Centenario Plata | 13 | 26 |
| Código Plata | 14 | 28 |
| Don Fulano Blanco | 14 | 28 |
| G4 Blanco | 14 | 28 |
| Patron Silver | 14 | 28 |
| El Tesoro Blanco | 14 | 28 |
| Mijenta Blanco | 14 | 28 |
| Fortaleza Blanco | 16 | 32 |
| Cazcanes No. 7 Blanco | 16 | 32 |
| 7 Leguas Blanco | 16 | 32 |
| Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Platino | 19 | 38 |
| CÃerto Blanco | 19 | 38 |
| Artenom 1579 Blanco | 26 | 52 |
| Clase Azul Blanco | 34 | 68 |
| Â | ||
| Herradura Reposado | 13 | 26 |
| Nosotros Reposado | 14 | 28 |
| Arette Reposado | 15 | 30 |
| Código Reposado | 15 | 30 |
| Don Fulano Reposado | 15 | 30 |
| Pasote Reposado | 15 | 30 |
| 7 Leguas Reposado | 15 | 30 |
| G4 Reposado | 18 | 36 |
| Fortaleza Reposado | 18 | 36 |
| El Tesoro Reposado | 18 | 36 |
| Mijenta Reposado | 18 | 36 |
| Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Reposado | 22 | 44 |
| Cazcanes No. 7 Reposado | 24 | 48 |
| Cayeya Reposado | 24 | 48 |
| CÃerto Reposado | 24 | 48 |
| Patron El Alto Reposado | 26 | 52 |
| Artenom 1414 Reposado | 26 | 52 |
| Clase Azul Reposado | 39 | 78 |
| Â | ||
| Herradura Añejo | 16 | 32 |
| Pasote Añejo | 16 | 32 |
| Mijenta Añejo | 20 | 40 |
| Don Fulano Añejo | 21 | 42 |
| Nosotros Añejo | 23 | 46 |
| Fortaleza Añejo | 24 | 48 |
| Komos Añejo Rosa | 27 | 54 |
| CÃerto Añejo | 35 | 70 |
| Fuenteseca 7yr | 39 | 78 |
| Clase Azul Añejo | 91 | 182 |
| Â | ||
| Herradura Ultra Añejo | 16 | 32 |
| Herradura Añejo Legend | 31 | 62 |
| Don Julio 70 Cristalino | 18 | 36 |
| Komos Cristalino | 31 | 62 |
| Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo | 32 | 64 |
| Código Extra Añejo | 49 | 98 |
| Artenom 1146 Extra Añejo | 53 | 106 |
| Código Rare Hare | 148 | 296 |
| Clase Azul Ultra Añejo | 218 | 436 |
Mezcal
Distilled from various agave plants, traditionally produced in different regions of Mexico. It offers diverse flavors, from smoky and earthy notes to complex herbal and fruity profiles, reflecting its artisanal production methods and regional variations.
Espadin
Balanced and smoky with notes of agave, citrus, and pepper. Finishes smooth and slightly sweet, with earthy undertones.
| Bozal Ensamble | 12 | 24 |
| 400 Conejos Joven | 12 | 24 |
| 400 Conejos Añejo | 13 | 26 |
| Gracias a Dios Espadin | 13 | 26 |
| Vago Elote | 13 | 26 |
| Del Maguey Crema Espadin | 14 | 28 |
| Creyente Espadin Joven | 15 | 30 |
| Pierde Almas Espadin | 15 | 30 |
| Bozal Sacrificio Pechuga | 19 | 38 |
| Bozal Reserva Cempasúchil | 26 | 52 |
| 5 Sentidos Pechuga de Poblano | 30 | 60 |
| Creyente Azul Cristalino | 33 | 66 |
Tobala
Sweet and smooth with citrus, vanilla, and tropical fruits. Finishes long, clean, and slightly smoky, with lingering sweetness and herbal undertones.
| Pierde Almas Puritita Verde | 13 | 26 |
| 400 Conejos Tobala | 14 | 28 |
| Creyente Tobala | 22 | 44 |
Cuishe
Earthy and vegetal with herbal notes. Finishes dry and minerally, with a touch of smokiness and subtle spice.
| Vago Cuishe | 23 | 46 |
| Creyente Cuishe | 24 | 48 |
Salmiana
An intense and complex flavor profile with pronounced herbal and vegetal notes, balanced by subtle sweetness and a lingering earthy finish.
| Amarás Americana | 62 | 124 |
| Clase Azul San Luis Potosà | 62 | 124 |
Papálome
A unique blend of floral and herbal notes, with a touch of citrus, earthiness, and a smoky, slightly sweet finish.
| Clase Azul Guerrero | 62 | 124 |
Cenizo
A balanced profile with earthy, herbal, and fruity notes, complemented by a hint of smokiness and a smooth, slightly sweet finish.
| Amarás Cupreata | 17 | 34 |
| Clase Azul Durango | 62 | 124 |
Raicilla
Made from various agave species, Raicilla offers a distinctive and diverse flavor profile, ranging from fruity and floral to earthy and smoky.
| La Venenosa Raicilla | 20 | 40 |
Sotol
Made from the Dasylirion plant, also known as Desert Spoon, Sotol is primarily produced in Chihuahua, Durango, and Coahuila. It offers a unique flavor profile, ranging from earthy and herbal to slightly smoky, reflecting the rugged, arid landscapes of its origin.
| Nocheluna Sotol | 12 | 24 |
Licores
A curated selection of liqueurs and spirits highlighting Mexican flavors and global classics, perfect for sipping or mixing.
Vodka
| Tito’s | 12 |
| Grey Goose | 13 |
Whiskey
| Rittenhouse Rye | 12 |
| Abasolo | 12 |
| Evan Williams Bonded | 12 |
| Michter’s Small Batch | 16 |
| Angel’s Envy Bourbon | 17 |
| Angel’s Envy Rye | 21 |
Scotch
| Johnnie Walker Black | 12 |
| Macallan 12 Year | 18 |
Gin
| Condesa Clásica | 12 |
| Condesa Prickly Pear | 12 |
| Bombay Sapphire | 13 |
| Gin de Las Californias | 13 |
Rum
| Paranubes Aguardiente | 12 |
| Bacardi Superior | 12 |
| Bacardi 8 | 12 |
| Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum | 19 |
Happy Hour

Bar
Cantarito
9Gran Centenario Plata Tequila, Fresh Orange, Lime, Grapefruit Soda
Wine
9Red, White Or Bubbles
Margarita
12Gran Centenario Plata Tequila, Cointreau, Lime, Agave
Pitcher 50
Pacifico
6Lager | Mexico
G
Michelada
10Pacifico, Soy Sauce, Worcestershire, Valentina, Clamato Juice, Tajin
S
GruposShots: Gran Centenario Plata Tequila or 400 Conejos Mezcal
Pacifico Cerveza + Shot
12G
Paloma + Shot
12Basil-infused Gran Centanario Plata Tequila, Grapefruit, Citrus, Salt, Squirt
Cocina
Tuna Tostada ✧
8Ahi Tuna, Salsa Negra, Avocado, Macha Aioli
D
Empanada
6Atropellado, Quesillo, Poblano Labneh
G
Taco Quesabirria
8Short Rib Birria, Consomé, Queso Chihuahua
D
Taco Gobernador
9Black Tiger Shrimp, Quesillo, Rajas
D
Dairy D | Gluten G | Sesame SM | Tree Nut TN | Egg E | Shellfish SF | Fish F | Peanut P | Soy S
✧These items are served raw, undercooked, cooked to order or contain raw or under cooked ingredients. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soybean, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish and Shellfish.

