31 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Chicago

“Ignore the weird racist comments – the food here is pretty good! Margarita was lovely, fries were great, schnitzel was juicy and tender. Falafel was nice and green, although a little underspiced. Staff was great and friendly. I will be back!“

“A little loud but the good was amazing. Definitely go with the specials. I felt like they were stronger with appetizers than meals. Had a great special carpaccio with seeds and spices. Super flavorful. My favorite cover marrow was here and all it took was adding some greens and capers. Why don't other places do that?“

“Excellent meal. The freshest ingredients from start to finish. Highly recommend Andros!“

“.great experience always.“

“Excellent food, superb wait staff, excellent atmosphere! We had an absolutely fabulous dining experience!!“

“I had made reservations far in advance as I was going to Chicago on vacation. I was so excited to be back in Chi as I had previously lived there for a couple of years. The host that took my info was so kind and excited to see us. The wait staff was incredible. The food was some of the best food I've ever had in my life. We went for dinner. Highly recommend. Such a great memory.“

“One of the best places in town. The fixed course menu is flexible and the wine pairings were a delight (and presented well by staff). We sat at the counter in full view of the kitchen (the cooks seemed unflappable). As soon as we left, we already started talking about when we might come back. It was my wife’s birthday so they sent us home with cookies and put a candle on dessert. A lot of little nice touches.“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Medi Kitchen & Cocktail in Chicago, and it was truly a gastronomic adventure that exceeded all expectations. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience. To start, I ordered the Potato Borak as an appetizer, and it was a revelation in flavor. The crispy pastry wrapped around creamy mashed potatoes and herbs created an exquisite contrast in textures, and the accompanying dipping sauce added a delightful tangy kick. It was an ideal prelude to the culinary journey that awaited. The Fattoush Salad was a refreshing and colorful medley of fresh vegetables, toasted pita bread, and a zesty dressing that awakened the palate. The balance of flavors and textures in this dish was impeccable, making it a perfect palate cleanser before the main course. Speaking of the main course, the Beef Kabob and Shish Tawook were nothing short of spectacular. The Beef Kabob was tender and succulent, with a delightful smoky char that added depth to the taste. The Shish Tawook, featuring marinated chicken skewers, was incredibly flavorful and cooked to perfection. Both dishes were served with fragrant saffron rice and a medley of grilled vegetables that complemented the proteins superbly. The crowning jewel of the meal, however, was the Fairouz drink. Each sip was a symphony of textures and flavors, a sweet crescendo to an already exceptional meal. What sets Medi Kitchen & Cocktail apart is not just the outstanding cuisine but also the impeccable service. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, offering recommendations and ensuring that every need was met. In conclusion, my dining experience at Medi was nothing short of extraordinary. The culinary artistry, attention to detail, and warm ambiance combined to create a memorable evening. I can confidently give this restaurant a resounding 5/5 rating, and I eagerly anticipate my next visit to savor more of their delectable offerings. If you're in Chicago and looking for a taste of Mediterranean cuisine at its finest, Medi Kitchen & Cocktail is an absolute must-visit.“

“they have good food and their plats are vary big and good staff“

“Great food, friendly staff and amazing atmosphere!“

“GREAT food. Really love the portions, choices, and variety. Easier to understand than some of the other bowl restaurants (looking at you Sweet Green across the street). But wooooow, prepare yourself for one of the longest waits of your life. Go during off-hours or order for pickup. It looks like pickup is the reason the restaurant line is long as they appear to be prioritized.UPDATE: Pickup is worse. The food sits on a cart behind the counter with no one really assigned to give them to customers. We ordered at 7:30 (earliest pickup was 8:45!). After waiting until 9, we started looking through the bags (super awkward). Ours was the first one. Just sitting there.“

“Caffe Oliva is a delightful find tucked away along Ohio Beach Street in Chicago, Illinois.The stunning lakeside location provides a picturesque backdrop for a wonderful dining experience.The menu offers a diverse selection of delicious dishes, from fresh seafood to mouthwatering pastas, all expertly prepared and bursting with flavor.The service is top-notch, with attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant visit.Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner by the water or a relaxing brunch with friends, Caffe Oliva is the perfect choice.Don't miss the opportunity to savor great food in a charming atmosphere while enjoying the beautiful views of Lake Michigan.Highly recommend!“

“Bought two chicken wraps and one gyro wrap to go after spending the day in the city. Was expecting shawarma type wrap, but it was more burrito style. It was great and huge portions, filled with delicious and fresh vegetables and marinated tender meat. Would love to go back and try more traditional Turkish dishes and be able to sit down and enjoy the ambiance. Highly recommend, service was great as well due to kind & friendly staff!“

“Excellent food! I had the veggie platter and everything was very tasty.“

“My favorite Greek spot in all of Chicagoland. Maybe entire America. Food is always on point. Great owners. Friendly staff. Amazing seafood, appetizers, and soups! Everything is great! ?Parking: ValetKid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“This place was super cute. We came on a Wednesday without reservation and got seated right away. Happy surprise, Wednesday was smash burger night! The hospitality was great all around and they had a really fun drink menu! If you like old fashions, try their old fashioned pancake. They did run out of a few things on the menu so we’ll have to go back to try those items. There was a bit of a wait time between courses but the food was really good!“

“My friends and I ate in the informal side of the restaurant and the food was very good, reasonably priced and plentiful. The service was polite and accommodating. I'll be patronizing this fine establishment in the years to come and suggest others follow suit when interested in Persian cuisine.“

“Came across Mr Kabab on a foodie critic,, this surpassed my expectations! The atmosphere was clean, accommodating & price friendly! The Owner Sam, takes pride in his food and business. I enjoyed his friendliness and stance on his food methodology. The Gyro sandwich was the best I've had in the Chicagoland area. The Gyro was lean & tender not greasy. This sandwich wasn't heavy almost wanting you to have seconds!The owner takes pride in his business & quality in food. If he's reading this, thank you for an amazing experience!“

“Cira is phenomenal. From the atmosphere, service, and food, everything exceeded my expectations. I had so much fun talking with my servers, eating delicious food with unique flavors, and relaxing with friends in comfortable seating. The staff went above and beyond in their service and care. Cira provided me with the best dining experience I’ve had. I HIGHLY recommend Cira.“

“This place has the best cheap Mediterranean food I've had in Chicago. This is a hidden gem. Quality- the falafel is crunchy and fresh. The chicken is juicy and seasoned well. This place Blows naf naf away. Quantity- excellent for 10 bucks. I'd be here every week for lunch if I worked closer. Atmosphere- nice seating area in the back of a jewelry store. Service - very fast“

“The place, their service and food is amazing! You have to try their fried eggplant with mozzarella and tomato salad! We ordered manty (beef dumplings), lagman (noodles with beef and soup), pilav (beef with rice) and salmon with roasted potatoes. I really can't pick one favorite because everything was really really good. We didn't try their grill but I'm sure any of the items here would be amazing. Highly recommend this place for anyone who loves central Asian cuisine or would try to explore that cuisine, you won't be disappointed!“

“The food was amazing and the atmosphere briliand. I felt that I was for vacations in a picturesque Greek island, almost felt the fresh air of it. Great experience. Can't wait to go back“

“We thought the atmosphere was cozy, service was very nice, and food was really good/tasty. We shared the Arugula Beet Salad and Grilled Octopus apps, then had the Grilled Salmon (really tasty!) and Chicken Verdura (tasted as expected) entrées. Also, the cheesecake they served we both agreed was better tasting than any we’d had before.“

“I can’t express the joy I feel when I have life changing food!! I was brought to this restaurant and everything I ate and drank was divine, and most of it was very healthy! Refreshing, flavorful, unforgettable. We tried some new dishes that aren’t on the menu yet, met the owner of a fabulous tequila company, and enjoyed every moment. Please friends, do me and yourself a favor and come to Chicago to eat here.“

“Went during restaurant week. Had the meatballs, superb. I’m not usually a fan but these were so good. I also had the lamb chops, I give those a 3.5/5, they had a lot of fat on them but taste good, cooked well.“

“Food wasn't bad, but there wasn't anything I would get again. Though there are items I would definitely want to try and wouldn't mind going back to do so.Our entrees took a while to get, but without saying a word our server brought over complimentary potato curry egg rolls? They were so good. And to provide that as an apology for the delay was a showcase of excellent service.The fire dancer was very friendly too and paused at every table so we all got a good IG worthy shot.The chef was multi tasking on the floor too, in clearing/bussing tables and speaking with guests.Atmosphere was definitely date night or gno worthy.“

“This place is great! Their decor is wonderful - the lower level has really nice Greek fixtures and the upstairs heated patio is great on cooler days. The food has always been exceptional - flavorful, good portions, and timely. The service has been consistently great as well.Pictured:Prassopita (Leeks, fresh dill, lemon and goat feta)Yiaourti Meli Kai (Greek yogurt with walnuts, honey, and candied oranges)“

“Stop what you're doing and come get brunch here. Seriously. This was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Filling. Savory. And reminiscent of my travels throughout Eurasia and the Middle East. Step into this old school establishment and be greeted by the friendly staff and beautiful bar adorned with colorful bottles. Walk towards the back wall lined with bottles of wine to your table where the experience begins. The brunch is the main event. Get the Turkish tea, I like mine with a little sugar. Then dive face first into the enormous spread of good eats coming your way. Eggs, menemen (tomato eggs), house baked breads, veggies, kofta, varied cheeses and spreads...ugh I can't get enough. I left with a full belly and heart as we sat for an hour digesting, sipping tea, and having great conversation. Seriously do yourself a favor and visit this place before it becomes too popular of a spot. 5/5“

“The food tasted so good we felt like gourmets there. It really was one of the best we tried so far. The staff are really friendly too which is one of the most important things in a restaurant. They surely made our evening quite better, thank you.“

“Some of the best tacos I've had in the city! Amazing service as well!!“

“Jackson was my server. He was amazing. Charmed the whole table, an absolute delight. Very knowledgeable on both menu and drinks. Made suggestions and was very helpful in every way. Food was delicious. Drinks were incredible. Will be going back for sure.“