50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Chicago

“My favorite restaurant in the world. Seriously. Hands down. When I go to Chicago, I am making reservations at the Purple Pig for at least two of the nights. Bone marrow and pig ears are a must. But you can’t go wrong. Did I mention it’s my favorite?“

“If I could give this restaurant six stars, I absolutely would! The food was exquisite from beginning to end. Every appetizer was delicious, and the hummus was honestly the best hummus I’ve ever had!

A very special thank you to Adnane, the manager, who made our experience even better. He was incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming. The service was truly premium, and he made sure we were taken care of throughout our entire visit.

Amazing food, outstanding service, and a wonderful experience overall. We absolutely loved it and will definitely be back. Highly recommended!“

“Amazing all around!!! The food was delicious and service was great. The pita was incredible and the hummus was truly authentic. We had the schnitzel which was super crunchy and the sauce on the side was very flavorful. The patio in the back is so nice and spacious and the word burning oven inside really sets the vibe. The drinks were also unique and delicious. You have to go!!“

“Great staff, absolutely delicious food in a warm welcoming atmosphere. can't recommend them enough.“

“Amazing food experience , nice presentation“

“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.“

“Fool and falafel and the kushari“

“Great food and very nice service. The bread was probably the best we've had at a restaurant. The only issue was a small one: my wife ordered a meal that included potatoes, but what she received was literally one French fry. Other than that, everything was excellent, and we really enjoyed our experience.“

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

“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!“

“.great experience always.“

“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.“

“Love CAVA! The build-your-own bowls are amazing, the pita dishes are delicious, and everything feels fresh and healthy. Cute spot on Milwaukee Ave, but be prepared if the line is long, because it's popular for a reason!! Would deffo come back :)“

“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.“

“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.“

“The food was absolutely delicious and our servers did a great job explaining the dishes and directing us. I’m certain that we will go back although I’m not a huge fan of fixed price menu. It’s probabaly more food that my wife and I would normally eat. By the time we got to our final course we had pretty much already reached our capacity. Although I admit I forced myself to finish the amazingly good pastrami entree. Hard to pick one thing that was most outstanding in a meal of perfect dishes.“

“Lovely atmosphere and great service. Unique dishes, vegan and vegetarian options in shareable portions that are delicious! Can’t wait to go back and try some more!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Great food. Very friendly staff“

“This is the place to go if you’re looking for a delightfully creative cocktail list and scrumptious food options. We hit this place for brunch and were not disappointed. We had the burger, sausage, jam and egg sando on a milk bun, the earl grey cinnamon (it comes warm by the way), fried potatoes and the matcha raspberry GF cake and Bloody Marys. All of it I would order again with the exception of the GF situation.
The vibe is amazing, loved the design and the service was spectacular.“

“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!“

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

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

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

“all food are very good ,the best!!“

“Greek Islands right on Halsted is an absolute Chicago classic for a huge dinner. We grabbed a table and ordered the flaming saganaki, a massive plate of moussaka, and those incredibly tender lamb chops. The waiters are always super energetic and bring the food out insanely fast. Easily the best Greek food in town.“

“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“

“I had an amazing experience at Shawarma and Grill! The service was absolutely top-notch from start to finish. As soon as I walked in, the staff greeted me with genuine smiles and made me feel welcome right away. They were attentive without being overbearing, and made sure everything was just right throughout my meal.“

“I don’t always write reviews but when I do it’s because I’m impressed or disappointed. I ordered for to go. I had the grilled platter. Rice two kind, beef I think or lamb, chicken and kafta. Everything was delicious. Chicken was the best it was soft inside and just fall apart in the mouth. Hummus was great not too strong not too salty. Fattoush salad was also great. Overall I would recommend as a place to go for a quick middle eastern bite.“

“Stopped in for lunch at Falafel & Grill between thrifting in WP, and so happy we did! Service was fast and friendly, and the food was super filling and tasted very fresh. The Chicken Shawarma Sandwich is a MUST!“

“Amazing food & service! Thank you Chicago♥️“

“Suffron Cafe is a great option for tasty Mediterranean food in Chicago. The place doesn’t have much seating inside, but they’ve added a couple of tables outside, which definitely helps when the weather allows it.

We sat outside and had the gyro plate, beef kabob plate, and dolmas (stuffed grape leaves). Both plates came with generous portions, and everything was very tasty. The meat was flavorful, and the rice, hummus and salad made for a very filling meal. The dolmas were also a nice addition to share.

Even though we ordered at the counter, the food was brought out to our table. Good food, generous portions and friendly service. Definitely a good spot if you’re looking for Mediterranean food in the area.“

“Where do I even begin? The pita? Perfect texture and taste. The cherry tomatoes? Obviously fresh, juicy, and sourced from a great farm. The romain? Plentiful and CRISP. The Dill and Taziki sauce? Also VERY fresh, has a citrus kick somewhere, and seems to be made fresh as well. Because it doesn't taste like a store bought sauce filled with preservatives. The hummus? That might actually be where the citrus is from. However, the hummus is not overly salty! You can actually taste the Chickpeas and they use good ingredients as well as olive oil for the hummus too! The chicken? Is in NO way shape or form dry and it's actually seasoned! It's juicy and normal is it overcooked. The olives? Brothers and sisters I HATE olives by themselves, rarely on certain foods. But these olives are not overpowering and stealing the flavor profile, it just adds more depth to the flavor bomb of the Greek chicken Pita! The feta? What could be bettah? Seriously though if you can see this picture you should've seen that they don't skip on the feta either. Again the flavor is ALL the way there but not overpowering. While the texture is almost creamy. Probably with assistance from the sauce but still, it's not overly dry! 10/10 Would recommend & I will be back! Now the facility was spotless, the cleanest "fast food" I've ever seen. The staff? Phenomenonal, personable, kind, attentive to details, and downright superstars that make that place run like clockwork! Wooooo wo weeeee wo!!! If you haven't been here then you've got to go!! Moderate prices, exceptional ingredients, lovely staff, and clean facilities(where the staff actually care like the NW Expressway location in OKC). I'm out, ty for listening to my Ted talk! 🫡“

“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.“

“Attended a very lovely wedding + reception there today (not a usual function they perform) and it was absolutely amazing! The decor, the atmosphere, the food & service were all top notch! Tres Bien!!!“

“I took my daughter out for her birthday with my son and his family. Suffice it to say, my family loves good food and the menu hit the spot for us. Warm bread served with a briny tapenade, seafood tower, oyster plate, caviar service, duck, steaks and delicious sides were just a few items that we ate. The drinks were good as well. We really enjoyed ourselves and the service was very good.“

“The atmosphere is bright, clean, and welcoming. The owner and staff are great and the food is delicious! I love the picture of the owner's family on the walls. Her recipes are from her mother and grandmothers, and those women must have known how to cook and pass down tradition because the food here is fantastic!“

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

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

“AMAZING, DELICIOUS, and FRESH food!“

“THE FOOD IS BEYOND DELICIOUS! 🔥“

“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.“

“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.“

“I really liked this place. It's very clean, the service was very polite. I had the chicken shawarma wrap and dolmas. The dolmas were pretty standard but good. The chicken shawarma was seasoned very well and the wrap wasn't messy! I'll be back to try their hummus and baba ghanouj.“

“Wonderful experience. Our server allowed us to order at a leisurely pace for a two hour experience. Unusual and delicious flavor combinations. We loved the Bhel hummus which we paired with the crudite on ice and lamb/beef kabobs, crisp on the outside, tender inside. Pana cotta dessert was topped with a yummy semi-frozen citrus mash. Vibrant decor. Highly recommended.“

“this is one of the best Mediterranean food I have ever ate I would definitely come back“

“amazing food!!!!!!highly recomend“

“Food was delicious! The decor was very nice. Different from what we have seen“

“Run to Zizi’s! The food is amazing! Fresh and delicious. Huge portions and everyone is so friendly. John our wonderful waiter made our experience even better. GREAT Place all around!!!!“