24 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Blue Island

“best spot in BI, been going since a kid!“

“I never had kabobs presented on skewers like at Reef Kabob; such fun! Excellent hummas and tabular salad. The most gracious staff!“

“My husband and I were very impressed with the food. It's made fresh and is delicious. The fries tasted great and were not greasy. My husband had a huge delicious hamburger that he couldn't finish in one sitting. I had the steak shawarma which I enjoyed very much. We sat outside because the weather was perfect for it. The people working there were friendly and polite. We were definitely impressed.“

“Honestly these are the best shawarma in the neighborhood I love them anyone I take here always has nothing but good things to say about the food, the atmosphere is very inviting and the staff is very nice. I recommended the food to everyone that visits Chicago. I love it.“

“We had a good experience while celebrating a friend's birthday. The staff adeptly managed our large group with grace and humor. The courses were well timed, the perfect temperature, aromatic and flavorful. Our only minor complaint was the 1 hour wait to be seated, and they don't take reservations. Perhaps they can offer tea to those who are waiting? As they grow, a separate prayer space would be a welcome addition.“

“My friend got a platter and shawarma sandwiches It was delicious 10/10 I recommend“

“The shawarma is my favorite thing on the menu 👍“

“saw it as driving to get my car wash & decided to check it out / went thru drive thru got the bowl chicken and steak it was delicious“

“الاكل ممتاز والمحل نظيف والاستقبال ممتاز ربنا يوسع عليكم“

“Appreciated the variety of menu options, was greeted immediately and was even given a sample. Portions were large, had plenty to take home for leftovers. The staff was very attentive and the food was fresh. No complaints, will definitely return.“

“Perfect taste and super service 😍“

“The greatest Shawrma I’ve ever had and amazing humos and falafel 🥙 and very friendly environment!“

“I love alasala the food is wonderful and super clean. It feels like im eating in jordan with the fresh ingredients and amazing seasonings. I absolutely love bringing people here just from how beautiful the restaurant is and the service is always wonderful. The place is always clean and super friendly to me and my guests. Could not recommend this place more.“

“Hello Shawarma is literally the best shawarma I've had yet, and I've tried a ton of places. The shawarma here is incredible, the wraps are flavorful and the bread is always fresh!
You can tell everything is made with high quality ingredients. The portions are very generous and the flavors are authentic.
If you’re looking for amazing shawarma this is the spot. This is my go-to place for the best wraps, pita, and baguettes.“

“I visited Cedars with my husband today and we cannot properly convey how much we loved it! The staff was patient, kind, knowledgeable, and the one detail that struck me the most was their treatment of everyone-open and caring. The food was epic; perfectly balanced seasoning, bright flavors, richness without heaviness, lovely fusion dishes and the absolute BEST crispy falafel I have had in my life. I felt so comfortable and at ease while I was there, which is a feeling I don’t usually have in restaurants. The ethos, celebration of community and cherished family recipes make this a one-of-a-kind dining experience, counting the days until I can go back! Thank you Cedars!!!! 🖤🤍❤️💚“

“More of the older more mature professional crowd probably from the U of C. So relatively quiet and can usually find a walk in dining-for now. I have mostly gone for happy hour and they currently have an excellent one on Wednesdays. Outdoor seating available as well during warmer months...A very nice classy alternative to Messler and Virtue as far as classy upscale options in Hyde Park area.“

“My partner and I enjoyed a delightful weekday evening dinner, and the experience was extraordinary from the moment we sat down. The flavors and aromas were so inviting, they hit us even before the main dish arrived. We started with Mazza, which featured the creamiest hummus and a smoky, perfectly roasted eggplant baba ghannooj. The falafels were the highlight—simply the best I've ever had, like the perfect cherry on top of a sundae. As for the Mansaf, it was nothing short of exceptional. The rich yogurt sauce, tender lamb, crunchy almonds, and flawlessly cooked rice made for a dish that was out of this world. It was so good, I couldn't resist having the leftovers for breakfast the next day. The service was top-notch, and even though we live over two hours away, we’ll definitely be coming back.“

“Lots of heathy choices. Salmon, riced cauliflower, beets, kale, Greek olives to name a few😋“

“Yay can’t miss lamb mandi“

“Food is delicious and the staff is wonderful. Highly recommend ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Excellent food! Best Shawarma in the south suburbs.“

“This is the best middle eastern restaurant I’ve ever had. The food is amazing, the proportions are huge (unlike most Arab restaurants I’ve tried in the Midwest). And the atmosphere with the traditional clothing stands out and makes Al-Bawadi one-of-a-kind. Got the mixed grill and Lemon mint drink 1000000/10.“

“So I’ve been at this place a lot of times and it’s great! The food is great but the wings are a bit too salty and yea it’s great. Sometimes the workers ignore you but it’s not that deep. I love that there is some comedy to watch. But the place is real crowded on the weekend so e sure to come early. There isn’t that much outlets as well for me to charge my phone.“

“Food was amazing will return next trip to chicago“