Middle Eastern Restaurants near Des Plaines, IL

“Truly excellent. I totally see why this place is so highly rated - it deserves more reviews even!I went here with my sister on a random Sunday for some Mediterranean food. We passed it by a million times but never knew it existed in this small strip mall! The person working the front is one awesome guy. I’m not sure if he’s the owner (he gives me owner vibes) but he was so personable, attentive, hospitable, and welcoming. Such a gracious host!The food was phenomenal, period. The hummus was so creamy and seasoned nicely, the chicken was flavorful and juicy, the lentil soup was delicious, the salad was refreshing, and the falafel was crispy on the inside and so soft on the inside. Everything was very fresh and flavorful. We took what we couldn’t finish home but rest assured we devoured everything lol.There’s convenient parking right outside and even though it’s a relatively small place, there’s tables inside for you to dine in if you’d like.I’ll totally be back here again! 5/5!“

“Place has an amazing smell of home cooking, clean and inviting atmosphere. Food was delicious, full of aromatic spices, beautifully arrange on the plates.Cup of Chai was a perfect final accent.Special thanks to talented chef ?Can't wait to visit this restaurant again!“

“No pics of the food because i gobbled it down as soon as i got it. Amazing!! The rice was out of this world delicious! I haven't enjoyed a rice dish this much in a long time. So freaking good. The chicken and lula kebab were also pretty delicious. The flavors were on point, and the meat was incredibly juicy!! Definitely going back.Get the lunch special. It's worth it.“

“Outstanding Dining Experience at Wild Pita RestaurantMy recent visit to Wild Pita Restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. The food was superb, offering a delightful array of Mediterranean flavors that left me thoroughly impressed. The service was equally commendable, with the staff providing attentive and friendly assistance throughout the meal. From the welcoming atmosphere to the knowledgeable staff, Wild Pita Restaurant truly exceeded my expectations, making it a must-visit dining destination for anyone seeking a memorable culinary experience.“

“Pita Inn is consistent in quality and service. The business lunch special is great! I call my order in 10-15 min before arriving during lunchtime rush and it’s almost always ready when I walk in to pick up. There is plenty of parking in the back, no need to jam up Milwaukee Ave trying to find an open spot in front of the building. Perhaps management could place a sign showing that.“

“After passing by for a number of years, we recently stopped in for lunch and were impressed. The food, atmosphere and most importantly, the friendly helpful staff made this a new favorite stop. The Shish Kebab and the mixed SHAWERMA platter were excellent!“

“Middle Eastern Kosher. We had a pleasant light lunch with pita sandwiches off the grill. Don't miss the Yemenite soup. They have a kids menu that was just fine for our three year old.Dietary restrictions: Kosher-meat-CRC certificationParking: Located in a strip mall with shared parking“

“I’ve never felt so welcomed, at a restaurant, in my entire life! Everything about this place is 100/10. If I could give them more stars, I totally would!! Highly recommend everyone to check them out! My very first time at an Iraqi restaurant & it beat my expectations by millions!! Beyond happy with my experience here, can’t wait to return. Mashallah“

“Shish Kabob and Grill is definitely a go to place of mine for great food. The server always greets customers with a smile and he even remembers my usual - the Beef Kabob. It's a welcoming restaurant for everyone who comes in, has a good selection of food, and you pay for what you get every time.Parking: The parking lot has a lot of space due to the area it is in. There's always parking right in front of the building so it's a short walk.Kid-friendliness: The server is friendly with all customers including younger ones. Always checking in to make sure pita bread is filled and water glasses are full. Helps clean up messes that are made as well.“

“We were told by people that this IS the place to go for Middle Eastern food, so we had to give it a try.We were greeted as we walked in and I have to say, the folks here are the friendliest we've had. Now to the food...I had the Kufta Kebob and my wife had the Chicken Shawarma. The server brings out a Salad, a plate of Baba Ghanoug and a plate of Hummus. All three dishes were outstanding.The main courses arrives and I feel that it was the best I had ever tasted. The Chicken Shawarma was also delicious and the rice with the dishes were moist and flavorful. We will be returning to EZ Shawarma very soon to try out the rest of the menu!“

“Jerusalem Cafe is like a cheat code for affordable, nutritious food in Oak Park. It's just about the cheapest place to get tasty salmon in downtown OP, and all the food is reliably delicious. I've lived here long enough to remember the restaurants that used to occupy this space, and I'm glad Jerusalem Cafe has stuck around.“

“Best Mediterranean Food in the area! Clean seating area, and most of the staff are helpful if you're not familiar with the menu. The food is fresh and largely made to order. I have dietary restrictions and they are respectful. Food is well seasoned but you can ask for more heat. Simple and delicious“

“From the moment I stepped into North Avenue Falafel for the second stop on my Ramadining adventures, I knew I was in for something special. Opting for the combination special was a decision I’ll never regret. This platter is a culinary journey that brings the best of the Middle East to your table - featuring beef kabab, chicken kabab, kofta kabab, alongside a chicken shawarma sandwich that’s nothing short of a masterpiece. The chicken shawarma was exceptionally moist and flavorful, wrapped in a cloud of pita bread that carried every bite to new heights.But it doesn’t stop there. The accompaniments - rice, baba ghanoush, hummus, fatoush salad, alongside generous servings of garlic sauce - each added layers of flavor that complemented the main dishes beautifully. It was a symphony of flavors and textures that danced harmoniously on the palate.North Avenue Falafel has truly outdone itself, creating a space where food transcends mere eating; it’s an experience, a celebration of culinary excellence. The warmth and authenticity of this place are unparalleled, making every bite feel like a slice of home, no matter where you’re from.For anyone embarking on their own Ramadining adventure or simply in search of exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine, North Avenue Falafel is a must-visit. Their chicken shawarma alone is worth the trip, but it’s the whole package - the food, the ambiance, the hospitality - that will keep you coming back for more.“

“Overall decent, it’s a mall food court so of course not the best atmosphere. The bowls were great as well as the chicken shawarma, although it becomes somewhat of an overload 3/4ths of the way through. Service was great with no issues. Overall amazing “

“Amazing work, great staff and the best at the business for size of meal. ?Cannot recommend this place enough. Try their food and you will not regret it.Chicken ? kabab, Kabab and shish twaok are amazing and are shown in the picture. The only best place in Chicago.Skoki is lucky to have this place best middle eastern cuisine.??Wheelchair accessibility: Available“

“"Shawarma Inn 2 is all about great food at great prices. Right from the start, you're treated to a fresh salad and soup, leading up to the main dish. It's a spot where you're sure to leave satisfied and happy, all without spending too much. For anyone wanting to fill up without emptying their wallet, Shawarma Inn 2 is the place to check out. It's where every meal is a hit, guaranteed to keep you coming back."“

“1st time here and was absolutely delicious ?Their homade hummus was delicious ? as was their chicken kabobsBy the amount of traffic that was coming in and out, must be a popular place.Great service too, very kind & friendly workers.Will definitely be coming back!!You get what you pay for, lots left over to take with you.“

“I’ve lived less than a mile from this place for a decade and never tried it; tonight was the night. It’s a unique establishment - hookah lounge, banquet hall, bar. Walking in was a little confusing for first timers but we were quickly welcomed and seated at the bar. Drink pours were impressively heavy. Our food came out fast and was great. The cheese burek appetizer deserves special mention with its garlic and hot sauces! Our waiter/bartender was in full hustle mode on a busy Friday night but still found time to take good care of us and have a few short chats. Overall I’d highly recommend eating here. It’s a bit “different,” but who likes the same old thing over and over? I’ll be back.Dietary restrictions: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here.Parking: Parking in front and behind the building, one lot has a small curb to traverse. Not an issue for most vehicles.“

“I have been going here for years. The food is always delicious. The portions and service is great. I appreciate that unlike other restaurants that try to give you the minimal amount of sauce, Sultan keeps squeeze bottle available for their two sauces. Sultan remains as one of my go-to restaurants.“

“Great family, great food, always fresh, kind customer service and it is a clean facility. I love that it is so local to me. I am so very excited about the large location they have opened across the street. I'm happy for the family and happy for my tummy. I hope to spend many years in and out of that bakery/deli making excellent memories with my friend and family. Keep up the hard but amazing work. I stand with your company. Thank you for your service to our area.“

“Staff is very friendly and attentive! I have only had positive experiences when I come here, and highly recommend this place to anyone who understands authentic Balkan food, and to anyone in general who wants to come and try it out! Broad range of choices on the menu, and the food tastes fantastic! Also they have a Dj every friday and saturday !“

“Naf Naf Grill was introduced to us through a Yelp Elite Experience a year ago, since then, it has become our go-to restaurant when we want/need a quick, delicious, and healthy takeout meal. We have gotten takeouts from it countless times now, and it never disappoints! At the Yelp experience, I got to try a Chicken Shawarma Hummus Bowl, with chopped salad (tomato, cucumber, cilantro), purple cabbage, and sumac onions as toppings. Then I picked tahini and garlic sauce on the side. Since the falafel was deep-fried, I only got one to try. However, it was crispy but not greasy, and tasted delicious. Their falafel is made of healthy chickpeas. It was so good that now I always order falafel as the protein! I also always enjoy a fluffy pita bread that comes with the hummus bowl, and order a bowl of warm and tasty lentil soup to make the meal complete! Ordering online is easy. 0rders are always ready at the time promised, and there have never been any mistakes. The staff are friendly, the place is bright and clean, the food is healthy and tasty. We will keep coming back!“

“First things first.,. WATCH YOUR STEP on the way in. It's posted, but if I could say nothing else, I would just say that.But I can totally say more. Service wasn't great at first. But it got better really quickly. This was my first experience with Indian food and it was really good to me. The dessert was meh but that's probably more my fault for not knowing what I was pointing at and not getting something to my preference because of it. I'm not holding the restaurant responsible for my ignorance.It was expensive. But of all the places I've been lately, it had good value for what we ordered.“

“Really good food. However, I got the pick two bowl today and was a little disappointed at the portions of the meat. 15 bucks should get a bit more than a small spoonful of schwarma and one strip of kefta. Otherwise delicious. I’ve had the wraps in the past which are also really good.“