Middle Eastern Restaurants in Chicago, IL

“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“

“We dined on Easter for brunch- it was delicious and lovely with excellent service - our server Dylan was so sweet and took great care of us! We really enjoyed all of our dishes but the shakshuka, mezze platter, oysters and the chicken & waffles were stand outs! Good coffee and nice cocktails too! We’ll be back for sure!“

“Was absolutely blown away with how much I enjoyed my meal here. The thing I couldn't get over was how kind and understanding the wait staff was. At no point did I feel rushed or forgotten about. The rooftop was a great vibe, the food was delicious. 2 plates for each person was the right amount, we left satisfied and happy. Will definitely return! I loved the cocktail #2, the chicken shawarma hummus, potatoes, and all the grilled meats.“

“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.“

“The soup du jour is amazing. Our table had the chicken and beef kabobs that came with rice and veggies; oh so good! I didn't even have to ask for salt. The entertainment is fun and involves the audience. I def want to return to try more food and enjoy this atmosphere again on my next visit to Chicago!“

“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...“

“It's wild that food this good can be this cheap. Dollar-for-dollar it is one of the best places to eat in the city. Also a great spot to grab hummus or babaganoush - the babaganoush is legit extraordinary - to go and eat at home. Cash only, not a lot of seating.“

“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.“

“Thank you for being so accommodating to our group tonight… we appreciate you moving us outside and back in with the rain. The food hit the spot and we will definitely be back to try more of what you have to offer! Welcome to the neighborhood!“

“The food is amazing: tasty and healthy. I love it. Thank you for also baking the Masala biscuit for our dinner.“

“Went to this spot recently for lunch and we’re super pleased with our decision. We got the beef (which has beef and lamb) and chicken shawarma wraps, lentil soup and salad. Everything was excellent, and the wraps were thin and crispy. Absolutely comforting meal, and spent $50ish for 3 people.“

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

“New to the neighborhood, I was excited to try this place, and MAN OH MAN. It was so good. Classic comfort with a delicious twist. We got the Tahini Ranch Fried Chicken Sandwich, the Kefta Burger, and the Stuffed Falafel; not a dud in the bunch. The toppings and condiments that some on the burger and sandwich made basic diner food such a delight without feeling over the top. The real stand out was the stuffed falafel. I never thought of having a filling in a falafel, and the sweetness of the caramelized onions was such a delicious complexity to a classic Middle Eastern dish. Now I want to eat through the whole menu to find my favorites.“

“The Nile of Hyde Park is my local comfort food. Even though I grew up in the Midwest of the United States whenever I’m in need of comfort food these days, I’m ordering Lebanese food from here. There are too many things to name as favorites from this menu, but I’m very partial to; the lentil soup, the hummus with chopped beef, the Jerusalem salad, and the combination 14 for the meat eaters. Amazingly well done food for as long as I can remember (and I’ve been in Hyde Park since 1989).“

“My wife and I went back to Maman Zari last night for our 2nd visit and had a wonderful time.

Miriam is very friendly and diligently followed up about our dietary restrictions. Josh was enthusiastic and attentive through both food and wine service.

The food was excellent! Kudos to the back of house team, who strike a satisfying balance between authenticity and creativity (not to mention, delicious and well-portioned). The tasting menu was great and I'll encourage friends to try it, and we'll visit for a non-occasion to try the a la carte menu too.“

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

“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.“

“I would like to praise the staff of this store tonight. My scooter was parked inside, with my bag on top of it, and I was eating. Someone took my bag while I wasn't paying attention. This male employee ran out very quickly and retrieved the bag. Thank you very much.“

“Excellent Mandi we had, we ordered family plate half and half, OH my god, the quantity and the quality of the food was so great, we were 5 people and still not be able to finish it, had make it to go, the meat was falling of the bones and melted in the mouth, great work guys, Keep it up!, when back in Chicago, will visit you again, you have a repeat customers for sure“

“Beautiful people. Family feeling. The food tastes like love. Absolutely amazing. Definitely will be back.“

“Went for the dinner on the recommendation of my daughter friend . We ordered Turkish kaboob, grilled shrimp , biryani ,Mint lemonade and some other dishes but taste was bland and try . I being from Louisiana was especially disappointed for grilled shrimp . Atmosphere and decor is attractive.“

“Went for the first time tonight and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Better than I’ve had from kabobi grill and noon o kebab which is saying a lot! The hummus was very creamy and flavorful and the chicken was perfectly spiced and very juicy! Kebabs can often be dry and this is not the case here! Very god portions for a reasonable price! Check this place out!“

“I ordered for first time the All in platter which gives u a little bit of everything.. n I tried the stuffed grape leaves and the chocolate cake.. 😋 the cake is more than enough reason for me to order from them again . the Rumi sauce is also very good.. not too spicy.. has a little kick..“

“Fantastic authentic Israeli food. The falafel were amazing and the pita and hummus is some of the best I’ve tasted outside Israel. This place deserves 10 stars. Will definitely go back again.“

“Great Mediterranean food!! The chicken shawarma wrap was delicious. They also have a cute patio in the wicker park location“

“I absolutely love this place. The food is always fresh. The team is always recommending great dishes to try. You also get a ton of food for a great price which is hard to find nowadays! I definitely recommend this place to everyone you will not be disappointed.

Vegetarian options: They have vegetarian options, including falafel!

Parking: There is a parking lot there with ample amount of parking

Kid-friendliness: This place is very kid friendly a lot of good seating and baby seats available.“

“Fool and falafel and the kushari“

“Great place. For house made items in the grocery section: their hummus is quite good. They get much of their bread from another bakery on Kedzie. Only complaint there is the Lebanese style bread cannot be split easily because the bread is packed into half while it is still warm. For this reason, but the thinner style bread (some call it mountain bread) which this store receives in smaller quantities, so I recommend going in the morning. Good selection of dried lentils, beans, etc. In the restaurant section, the food is delicious. Wonderful atmosphere too, with a wide range of Chicagoans bustling in and out: families, bus drivers, couples, etc. That said, I do generally recommend Taste of Lebanon across Foster Ave for shawarma.“

“Excellent food and service. It wasn't a fancy table setup, but it was cozy for our family and the art on the wall helped us enjoy the atmosphere.

Got an appetizer combo and meat combo with lentil soup and a Turkish coffee. It reminded us of our favorite Mediterranean restaurant In Cleveland.“

“It's fantastic old school Chicago, and the food is so good, you just want to live there...“

“Delicious food - great ambiance - great Melvin Taylor!!“

“It's fantastic old school Chicago, and the food is so good, you just want to live there...“

“They had excellent service, the food was great, and the falafel came right off of the fryer. They were very kind, and the employees were very understanding when I asked for change. Overall, the restaurant was really good, and it was the best food I’ve had for a while.“

“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.“

“This was my first time having a gyro, my son’s as well. It was absolutely PHENOMENAL! The guy who made our food was so kind. I asked him to make mine the way he likes his because I had no idea what to order! Awesome vibe dining in! I’ll probably never be back in Chicago but I’m so glad I stopped here on our first night of vacation!“

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

“This place is great! The service is excellent- the servers are always so pleasant. The food is fresh and tasty! The portions are huge! The bowl feeds 2 people and they always give you a pita! I frequent this place at least 3 times a month!“

“Nothing to take you girlfriend to on a date, it's super stark abs drab in atmosphere, but where it lacks in looks, it delivers in some delicious ass shawarma, ages you get a ton of food for the money. The last who works at night, she's a doll, crazy nice and so helpful and kind as well. You never leave here feeling like you've missed out on something, they do what they do well.“

“You can eat light and healthy here. But three of our 4 people found Tinfoil in their food. I had tabouli, hummus, cucumber salad, pickles, rice and double order of spicey chicken and a pita for only $11.99. They didn’t charge extra for the Tinfoil!!“

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

“Very friendly and the food delicious !“

“We ordered the Egyptian sandwich snd the shakshuka wrap. The wrap was an omelet wrapped in a tortilla, not a lot of flavor. But the sandwich was really good, very flavorful, just needed a little bit more of salt for my taste. I don’t have pictures because we ate it so fast. The coffe was ok. The place has a lot of potential snd I hope they continue to get better.“

“The Kid's Bowl is the perfect size for a light lunch. Add a side of Mediterranean Pickles and I'm in heaven.“

“Good food I love this restaurant“

“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.“

“Decided to try this place since our usual place was closed. So glad we did! Excellent food, HUGE portions and good service. Love that the kabobs come with peppers and onions and not just the meat. It was a great surprise to find the chicken shawarma under the kabobs! (I just ordered two combination plates without really reading the menu.) Definitely trying more in the future.“

“Food was outstanding as was the service! We definitely recommend it!“

“Absolutely delicious, as always! We miss being closer to Hala In. #supportlocal“

“This was my first time visiting Masada and they did not disappoint!! I went on Afro Beats night which they do every Friday and Saturday. The energy and vibe is top tier!! I like that it’s not too big but there is just enough space to dance and have a good time. The DJ was jamming the entire night and the drinks were really good. I could actually taste the alcohol and not just juice lol. I recommend this place to anyone looking to just have a good time and get lost in the music.“