50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Chicago

“Came upon this restaurant from a recommendation by the show store clerk at Alamo two blocks away. Amazing food. What a gem. The falafel was so so good and the danish pastry filled with meat and cheese was out of this world delicious. We had something Falafal Lala or something like that. Sorry I am probably butchering the name. Really loved the taste .there were small potatoes in a garlick sauce that was a new tangy taste that I loved“

“Menu is versatile and delivers whether you’re going for a quick lunch or a nice dinner. Pork is the specialty and I vouch. I don’t order tenderloins at restaurants typically but this is probably the best I’ve had — perfectly cooked and a great dish overall. Not among the top echelon of Michelin restaurants ive been to, but not far behind.“

“.great experience always.“

“Great view music and drinks“

“I have gone to Andros Taverna for many years now where I am never disappointed and always impressed with the service, the quality of food and ingredients, the atmosphere and the passion in general. Chef Doug Psaltis is a true expert and artist performing at the highest levels. The gyros are the best, best gyros in Chicago by far, the seafood world class, the homemade bread and pita are incredible. The foods and meats are cooked over wood fire, wood fire grilled. We had our daughters baptism catered from here which was excellent assortment of Greek food - this is a Greek restaurant you will go to for many years to come.“

“Amazing food experience , nice presentation“

“Hands down one of the best restaurants in Chicago. It’s rare to find a restaurant where every dish is so flavorful and on point but Elia does it so gracefully! Amazing atmosphere and great service - Ebrar made our dinner experience so enjoyable. Can’t wait to go back!“

“The food is delicious. Probably the best quick service style Mediterranean I’ve ever had.
The service is quite lacking here tho. If you do an online order for pickup, expect for something to go wrong. I’ve had multiple orders be late by 20+ minutes, or I get my order home and it’s completely wrong. I recommend just waiting in the line to order in person.“

“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.“

“A treat for all of the senses! My introduction to The Gundis was a Sunday breakfast. What a beautiful feast was laid before me, my husband and a local friend who we were visiting. We ordered the Kurdish breakfast for two plus an order of baklawa crêpes. An array of colorful, tantalizingly-scented dishes soon filled our table. Superb savory and sweet flavors awaited our taste buds. All of us were amazed by the diverse deliciousness. The atmosphere and service were also excellent. It was truly pleasurable to indulge in a breakfast feast like no other. My only complaint is that I live too far to return often. Kudos to this Kurdish delight.“

“Such a good meal for lunch today! Portion sizes were great, our waitress was wonderful, & the food was soooo yummy!! 😋 We will definitely be back!“

“I celebrated my 20th birthday dinner on Wednesday, July 23rd, and it was absolutely perfect! From the food to the service, everything was spot on. Our server, Adnan, went above and beyond to make the night memorable. He was attentive, kind, and made sure we felt special the entire evening. Couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate this milestone! Totally recommend!!!“

“El ambiente súper romántico de noche con una linda vista, festeje mi cumpleaños aquí y todos muy atentos, la comida y bebidas muy bien“

“On the evening of July 5 my wife and I tried Avaspi on Belmont Avenue in Lakeview for the first time. It will not be the last! I love lamb and am quite particular as to how is it prepared. The “lamb delight” menu item was the best lamb I have ever had in a restaurant: tender, succulent, and prepared to perfection. The side salad accompanying it was not your ordinary side salad! My wife and I both enjoyed the Mixed Meze appetizer plate. Each of the five items was quite good but the muhammara was to die for. We ended our meal with tea, baklava and kubralice. The décor and ambience were refreshing and relaxing, and the service was outstanding. The pricing was very reasonable. Please give it a try. We do not think you will be disappointed.“

“Celebrated our anniversary dinner here and sat at the bar facing the kitchen..SUCH a good experience. Truly the best hummus & pita I have ever had. People will go crazy over that hummus claim but the food was objectively incredible at each step.

Service was fun, kind, and attentive and the watching the Kitchen was a lot of fun. Servers went out of their way to mark up the menu to indicate what foods were safe for my pregnant wife and brought us a complimentary NA bubbly to celebrate. That is the kind of experience you expect and appreciate at a restaurant of Galit's caliber and a prime reason why I have no problem with the included 20% gratuitiy and 4% fee that goes towards staff healthcare. That's how you build and maintain a team that operates at that level...“

“A must try spot! Great food, coffee and atmosphere! Definitely recommend!“

“This place is a must visit. My wife and I have been here twice and they don’t miss! Love the Chicago spin they put on a lot of their dishes. Each dish is well balanced and so flavorful and their cocktails are tasty too! Every team member we have interacted with is always knowledgeable and welcoming. There is no doubt this place will continue to get more popular and is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Can’t wait to go back“

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

“Tucked away in the back of a jewelers’ mini-market, the food is always delicious here. Take advantage of their daily specials, including Moroccan Couscous on Fridays!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Such a gem! They have the best chicken kabob we've had so far in Chicago. The quantity is very good for the price. We wanted it again the next week so we did a big carry out. The restaurant can get busy in the evening that impacts the service, but just raise your hand and someone will come to you. I would greatly appreciate chicken kefta and falafel on your menu. It would also be good to have more Turkish drinks. Keep it up, I will be back again!!“

“I’ve been here a few times but today was the best experience yet.

Free valet is great, seated without a wait at 5:30 on a Saturday night was unexpected!

Food came out quickly. And was fantastic. The octopus and calamari were super tender and flavorful. The bread is really fresh.

Great stop on your way into the city.“

“Amazing food! Very clean and staff was amazing! Don’t forget to try the desserts 😋“

“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.“

“Always delicious! Always accommodating…over the past five years I’ve experienced feeding from 3-30, and never disappointed! The service is always great! They take huge pride in their food and work. We just had a party for 30, and I should have just put out a banner so people would stop asking me where the food was from 💖. All were very impressed!“

“Great food and Kosta and Donnie were both wonderful ❤️“

“D 4 Cafe on Western is a cozy, no-frills spot that serves up some of the most authentic Bosnian food in Chicago. I stopped by for lunch and ordered the cevapi with lepinja and a side of ajvar. The cevapi were perfectly grilled, juicy, and flavorful, nestled in soft, fresh lepinja bread. The ajvar added a nice kick, complementing the dish beautifully. The service was warm and welcoming, making the experience even better. If you're craving authentic Balkan cuisine, this spot is a must-visit.“

“I haven't been here in a while, and I decided to stop by today, to order a cheese pie. The owner was very friendly, explained all the ingredients that they put in their pies, and I didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes, which is awesome.
The location also has parking which is a plus, especially in Chicago.
I'll definitely be back and I'll recommend this place to my friends and family.“

“The food was absolutely delicious. Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor, and you can tell they really care about what they’re serving.I’ve been to Istanbul and I know how friendly and warm people are there, so I wasn’t surprised! I will definitely visit again when in the city! Thank you for the great experience!“

“Amazing food and incredible service. I couldn’t believe how flavorful and delicious the food was. I’ve eaten in a lot of different, and way more expensive, restaurants in Chicago. The food at Le Sud, not only rivals, but surpasses many of Chicago’s “finest.” This restaurant is a gem not to be missed.“

“My daughter who is living in Asia tracked down this place for me (well, actually she wanted to eat there vicariously)and it was a great find. She asked me how I would rate the food (1-10) and when I said 10, she was impressed since I am not a foodie. Food just doesn't do it for me well.. until this meal. It started with me picking up the meal. The family who own this gem are so generous, so welcoming that I stayed talking to them longer than my dogs, who were waiting outside, would have liked. When I arrived home, the lentil soup was stilling piping hot and wow, so delicious. I am not a lentil soup, or even soup, person but I am definitely returning for more. The sauteed spinach with bulgar was well-yeah, I would definitely eat bulgar all the time if it tasted like this. As it turns out, there was so much food that I have a second meal. Thank you for this great meal and the welcoming. I, and people I know, will be there.“

“The food was amazing and the service on the roof was great. I got the impression it was the owner who was running things upstairs. However, multiple groups walked in at 7:45 /8:00 and were greeted in the downstairs by an equally annoyed expression from the employees. I guess they close at 9and I'm assuming they were annoyed people showed up before closing (even though it was an hour before and I had a reservation.) when I checked online, they still offered reservations until 8:45. Everything else was amazing, but it was really off putting. Enough so that I would think twice about going back.“

“Fool and falafel and the kushari“

“So happy this place opened up in the neighborhood.

A friend of mine told me they sold Halawet el Jibn and I ran in after work as fast I could get myself to the place. They sell by the pound, so for 8pcs its about $6 or so. Comes with syrup and a sprinkle of pistachio. I am so happy to have gotten some and a piece of Kanafeh for my father.

Next time, I'm getting a whole pound... and some groceries too.“

“A must try spot! Great food, coffee and atmosphere! Definitely recommend!“

“The food was absolutely so delicious. I ordered a steak shawarma plate and it tasted very fresh and warm. Everyone who works here is so kind and the cashier was a young girl who read me the whole menu and helped me choose what to get. She was so nice and I loved everything about this cute cafe.“

“very delicious food, friendly stuff, amazing atmoshere. recomended 100%“

“This place is truly a hidden gem. Absolutely delicious food, great portion sizes and incredibly affordable. Owners and workers are super kind and hospitable. Can’t recommend enough.“

“So excited to have a new food spot near home. Absolutely Loved it!! Try this spot if you are looking for a fresh, clean, healthy and delicious meal. I ordered the chicken kabob bowl and the meat was flavorful, juicy, and chargrilled goodness. Also ordered the hummus. The portion was large enough for two to share. The staff was really nice and patient as I navigated the menu. They walked my food over to my table. Ten out of ten stars. I'd come back again and again and again.“

“Don’t be fooled by the uninviting fluorescent ambience. This food is very fresh tasting and filling. I got the chicken Shawarma mixed plate which came with very well seasoned meat, a salad, hummus, fresh, pita and rice. while I originally thought that I should get more hummus the portion actually ended up being perfectly sized as I was full by the end. For the price this was very tasty and healthy feeling.“

“My experience with machines, pizza and Guerrero and Elston a superb job.
It's the. It's the best.
Restaurant I was ever introduced.
Take me to all the restaurants that I have a wethey got a goodhospitality very good. Very superb job“

“I was just there with my husband we had dinner and our experience was great the food was fresh moist and tasty top Noch 👌we will definitely come back“

“absolutely delicious! the falafel was perfectly crispy on the outside and moist in the middle“

“A very well, clean, great customer service atmosphere with very reasonable prices and the food is very tasty. You will not be disappointed. Keep up the great works Crave Khebob team, thanks for your undying efforts. My favorite spot to eat at when I'm in Chicago about three times a week.“

“Service and food all outstanding. I will be going back.“

“This place was amazing. We were in town for the St Patrick’s day parade, and stopped here for drinks and apps. What an amazing experience from the bartender Pedro to the host Nick to the chef who sent desserts to our table. Friendly, clean, and very good! I highly recommend you stop in here.“

“THE FOOD IS BEYOND DELICIOUS! 🔥“