Middle Eastern Restaurants in Chicago, IL

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

“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!!“

“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.“

“Lunch here was honestly so good I’m already planning my next trip. It’s totally no frills just a simple counter serve spot and I love that about it. Got the chicken shawarma wrap plus a side of lentil soup and everything hit exactly right. The wrap was packed full meat was juicy and had such good seasoning and the garlic sauce was chef’s fr. Soup was super comforting squeeze a little lemon in and it’s perfect. The people working there were so sweet and moved quick even when it got busy. Portions are huge and prices are crazy fair for how fresh everything tastes.“

“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.“

“I recently checked out this relatively new River North restaurant. It’s located in the old Bernie’s Lunch and Supper location. Bernie’s was one of favorite spots to grab an elevated burger and fries so this place has some big shoes to fill (I lived around the corner for many years). Thankfully Sifr has done a good job at just that. I went with wife to check out not only the restaurant, but to check out the mini martini collaboration between Kastrae Vodka and Petrossian caviar. The service was good as the hostess sat my wife and right away at the bar. Yes, this a busy River North spot and you might have to be a bit flexible at to where you sit to get seated quickly. The interior of the restaurant is a cool vibe. It features neutral colors and a cool bar. After we were seated at the bar we let the bar tender know we wanted to try the mini martinis. While it was busy night, he got to work right away. It was super cool that he made the drinks right in front of us. I enjoy watching the process. The martinis featured a Petrossian caviar stuffed olive. The martini went down smooth and the briny Petrossian caviar stuffed olive was the perfect complement. My wife and also order a kabob to go along with our drinks. We both enjoyed it; it was delicious. Make no mistake this place is expensive, but remember this is in River North and it’s worth the money.“

“I had visited this place years ago, and coming back after all this time was such a wonderful experience! We enjoyed every minute of the show, the delicious food, and the outstanding service. Our server, Alina, was absolutely amazing and made the evening even more special! I would wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone looking for a fantastic night out. An experience worth coming back for!“

“Do not buy the baklava unless you want to eat an unhealthy amount in one day, like me.

It is the best I’ve had — not too sweet and so crisp and buttery. My waistline is thankful I don’t live closer.“

“Fool and falafel and the kushari“

“Highly recommend! Good food that 3 generations of Desi immigrants approve of, from those born in colonial India, to post partition Pakistanis, to American-Born little ones. Suits all palates.

All food was good but saag paneer in particular was the bomb. So was nihari (authentic!). Elachi chai was great , too. Very clean, down to the bathroom. Kind service.“

“My first experience at this restaurant was enjoyable due to the staff explaining what items came with which plate, recommending dishes/drinks and understanding my food preferences. I ordered a Lamb Koubideh and Persian Iced Tea with sugar packets, both were flavorful and full filling.“

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

“Amazing place and great food. We came here at 2 in the night and it did not disappoint. The chicken shawarma is amazing, we got complimentary lentil soup!

The service is amazing - Sadi is an amazing host, she made the experience even better for me and my wife!

Will give this place a 5/5.“

“The ambience is elegant and comfortable. The food is delicious. The service was excellent. One of the best restaurants I ever been. Highly, highly recommended.“

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

“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!“

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

“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.“

“It’s amazing how amazing hole in the wall places are in Chicago!! The zurbian chicken was a deliciously flavored rice with melt in your mouth chicken! The lamb chops were out of this world! Absolutely mind blowingly delicious and huge portions. We are soooo happy we found this place and can’t wait to come back. And thanks to Asif for his perfect suggestions and superb frriendly service. If this was a bigger more fancy place - there would be a line outside this place - its that good!!“

“Very friendly and the food delicious !“

“THE FOOD IS BEYOND DELICIOUS! 🔥“

“I’m obsessed with the falafel wrap - the falafel is always fresh and flavorful, the veggies and sauce are perfect complements in taste and texture, and the soft wrap has just the right amount of crunch from spending a little time on the grill 🫶 and everything else I’ve tried has been just as great! The bowls are also fantastic and customizable with lots of delicious grain, veggie, and sauce options available.“

“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.“

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

“Great food. Very friendly staff“

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

“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.“

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

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

“Best falafel and lentil soup in Chicago! Since 2009, I have been dining at Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Logan Square locations over the years. The fresh and filling falafel sandwich with sweet and satisfying baklava is a meal my body enjoys. Yum! Thank you! The best part about the Logan Square location is the luxurious and mindfully designed patio and terrace. Where Sultan's and Masada partner in the warmer months to host weekly outdoor dance parties! Excellent!“

“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).“

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Amazing food & service! Thank you Chicago♥️“

“One of the Best Restaurants in the USA — Absolutely Outstanding!
I have a passion for exploring restaurants around the world, discovering different cuisines, and experiencing authentic food. And I can confidently say that Alyemen Alsaeed is, in my opinion, the best restaurant in the United States when it comes to the quality and taste of the food they prepare!
Their lamb mandi is simply exceptional — incredibly tender, juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Every bite reflects the skill and passion of someone who truly understands authentic cuisine.
And their Milk Cake? Absolutely unbelievable! So soft, delicate, and delicious that it literally melts in your mouth. It's a dessert you will never forget!
I also want to give the owners one piece of advice: If you want to remain the best and continue growing, never let your chef go! Whoever is behind this incredible food is a true talent. Keep your service at the same excellent level, maintain your quality, and never lose what makes this restaurant so special.
Thank you for such an amazing dining experience. You have earned my respect, and I will definitely be coming back!
Highly recommended! A well-deserved 10/10! ❤“

“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.“

“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!!“

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

“Came here with a friend for a quick bite. Got the combo plate. Was fresh, fast and delicious. We were stuffed and super satisfied. Prices seemed a little high until we seen the portion size. Was well worth it 🔥🔥🔥“

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

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

“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.“

“Stopped by Hot N' Spicy Chicago on Devon Ave for a late-night bite and was impressed. Grabbed the Chicken Chutney Roll—tender chicken wrapped in a soft paratha with a tangy chutney kick. Also tried the Masala Fries, which were crispy and packed with flavor. The staff was friendly, and the place had a cozy vibe. If you're in the area and craving a flavorful halal meal, this spot is worth checking out. Definitely coming back to try more of their menu.“

“I came here on a Wednesday with a friend and was honestly surprised by how much fun I had! Apparently Wednesdays are more of a house music night, and the vibe was great. The crowd was a cool mix of ages, which made the atmosphere feel welcoming and fun.
The venue itself is BEAUTIFUL. There are multiple levels, including a rooftop, and the rooftop was definitely my favorite part. The greenery, patio furniture, and overall aesthetic make it such a cute spot to hang out and take in the atmosphere. The bottom floor has the main dance area, and the energy there was really fun.
Also, the bathroom deserves a shoutout 😂 The all-mirror design is so trippy and unique—it’s one of those little details that makes the place stand out.
I had a great time and would definitely come back with more friends. The only thing I’d hope for next time is a DJ who mixes in a little more variety, but music is subjective and that really depends on the night.
Overall, a really cool spot with a great atmosphere!“

“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.“

“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!“