28 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Blue Island

“Best Gyro's in town! Generous portions and A great Staff! 5⭐️ Always friendly, welcoming and smiling!! Casual atmosphere and nicely decorated for every holiday! smiling!“

“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.“

“Omg!!! This place is too amazing to not try. The food is so fresh and super tasty. This location is my favorite one!! The way Amina and the rest of the staff recognize us it’s just so heartwarming, they make us feel like family. We are so happy when we’re here and leave even happier with a full belly. Thank you Amina and staff for an amazing experience as always! You guys are amazing! We travel an hour to eat here so that tells you how delicious the food is but the service makes it even better. We love you Baba Saj Oak Lawn“

“Amazing smoked beef brisket sandwich with fresh cut fries. Everything was was made fresh and served piping hot. The BBQ sauce is delicious... sweet, smoky and a tad spicy. The portions are large and well worth the money. If in the area again, I would definitely go back.“

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

“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“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Perfect taste and super service 😍“

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

“الاكل ممتاز والمحل نظيف والاستقبال ممتاز ربنا يوسع عليكم“

“I like the atmosphere, the staff are nice. I had the tuna bowl and it was delicious and enormous and very fresh.

Update after second visit: the Cesar salad is likely the best I have ever had in my life. How do I make my homemade caesar dressing taste like that? Also, the staff are truly so great.“

“الاكل ممتاز والمحل نظيف والاستقبال ممتاز ربنا يوسع عليكم“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As someone who has spent more than 30 years exploring, reviewing, and appreciating food across 35 countries, I do not make compliments lightly. Hello Shawarma is genuinely among the finest shawarma establishments I have encountered anywhere in the world.

What immediately stands out is the quality of the meat. The shawarma is expertly marinated, perfectly seasoned, and cooked with remarkable precision, achieving that ideal balance between tenderness and caramelized crispness that defines truly exceptional shawarma. Every bite is rich, flavorful, and unmistakably authentic.

My strongest recommendation is the Crispy Shawarma with a touch of Shatta. The contrast between the crispy edges of the meat and the subtle heat of the Shatta creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile that keeps you coming back for another bite. It's bold without being overwhelming and showcases a deep understanding of how texture and spice should complement each other.

Beyond the shawarma itself, the freshness of the ingredients is evident. The bread, vegetables, sauces, and accompaniments are all carefully selected and prepared. Nothing feels mass-produced or rushed. The garlic sauce is especially noteworthy—creamy, balanced, and crafted to enhance rather than overpower the shawarma.

The restaurant maintains high standards of cleanliness, service, and consistency, which are qualities often overlooked but essential to a truly great dining experience. The staff are welcoming, attentive, and clearly take pride in what they serve.

Having enjoyed street food, fine dining, and regional specialties across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia, I can confidently say that Hello Shawarma ranks among the best shawarma experiences I have had. It is a rare example of a restaurant that combines authenticity, quality ingredients, technical skill, and genuine hospitality in every meal.

If you appreciate outstanding Middle Eastern cuisine, do yourself a favor: order the Crispy Shawarma with a touch of Shatta. You will not regret it.“

“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!!!! 🖤🤍❤️💚“

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

“Kefi has some of the most delicious Greek food in the Chicago suburbs! The lamb chops, souvlaki, and gyros are phenomenal and so are the moussaka, pastitsio, and spanakopita. When it comes to appetizers, you can’t go wrong with the flaming saganaki cheese, the grilled octopus the fried calamari, the loukaniko sausage, or the taramasalata. Don’t forget dessert! Try the baklava, galaktabouriko, and the chocolate cake! They have amazing drinks too! The employees there are very kind and friendly and the chefs really know how to cook! Eat at Kefi! You won’t be disappointed!“

“absolute wonderful place. the food is excellent and waitstaff are fantastic.“

“Food is amazing, environment is so relaxing and friendly. Literally the food I have ever had.“

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

“Excellent premium quality food“

“Yay can’t miss lamb mandi“

“This has to be some of the absolute best Middle Eastern food I’ve ever had. Inside of the restaurant is decorated beautifully, and the 2 young gentlemen who took care of me were wonderful, and very curious about my feedback. I ordered the mixed grill, with baba ghanoush as my appetizer. Everything was top notch, and I would go back in a heartbeat!“

“Great food delicious 🤤 sabroso“

“Food was amazing will return next trip to chicago“