49 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Evanston

“Habibi In is as good as it looks! The servings were so generous and everything was delicious. The falafel was my favorite dish and the best I’ve had in the Chicagoland area. The staff was so friendly and welcoming.“

“excelente, todo el menú delicioso 😋 las bebidas. muy buen servicio“

“I use to eat at the Reza's downtown many years ago, it was my favorite restaurant in the city before it closed down. I didn't think they had a location that was open (the one in uptown closed down too) and when it popped up as a nearby option when I was recently in Evanston, I had to go. Unfortunately, they were closed for a private party but they still had the to-go option available so I ordered the combo #2, filet and lamb with dill rice. Even to-go, it was everything I remember from before. I definitely will be back more often and have added this place to my list of restaurants to take people who want to eat various ethnic foods.“

“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“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“Awesome service, line behind me, but Malachi handled it very well. I can tell he serves with a passion. Explained the ingredients after letting him know I was avoiding the sugar.

The food is celestially delicious 😋. I ordered the garlicky chicken shawarma bowl. He kindly offered me another salad in place of the rice which was, kao, broccoli, and feta cheese mixed with jalapeño.

Definitely sticking to this place.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“I love having JK in the neighborhood. Always fresh and delicious and the staff is so kind and welcoming. Would love to see them operating here as long as they desire to run the restaurant.
Having Jarasa Kabob in JP has been a great boost to our food options in the neighborhood. One year now, Alhamdulillah!
Inside is nice and clean and there's plenty of space if you're dining in. It's a no-brainer for a killer takeout option.“

“Absolutely delicious food perfect customer service Decent prices very clean place“

“This charming little restaurant is small and cozy, offering an inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The menu features a delightful range of dishes, each more delicious than the last. From the moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly prepared ingredients fills the air, tempting your taste buds. It’s truly a hidden gem that deserves a visit. Whether you're in the mood for comfort food or something a bit more eclectic, you'll definitely want to stop by and enjoy a meal here.“

“This place goes above and beyond your expectations. They have a lot of different food and service is lightning fast. I didn't wait even 5 minutes and all I ordered was ready. Their crew is huge and I believe almost all of them are Arab speaking people. It is self service and you should clean up after yourself. Their prices were on cheaper end and portions are big. The place itself was really clean and the special item on their menu was type of bread they make it to your choosing. I love dolma but theirs felt like it was from can. We asked for hot sauce for some reason hot sauce was more salty than spicy.
Overall I loved the food and majority of them were very delicious.“

“This place is EXTRAORDINARY. Food is phenomenal, everything on the menu is delicious. Tàma team is wonderful and welcoming. In my opinion, the best seat in the house is the counter. You get the experience of watching the chefs make your lunch/dinner which is an experience in itself.“

“Love this place! Food is so good, well packaged, and quick delivery.“

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

“The best food and good service give them 5 stars ⭐️“

“Excellent service, clean restaurant ,delicious food the best in Glenview , I always order the shawarma chicken made to perfection, thanks for the good service.“

“The food was incredible! Best ive had in a while. We got the mixed plater, it comes with rice grilled chicken and kabob. The chicken was very Juicy and the flavors were spot on. Also got some appetizers, the baba ganoush was so flavorful and very delicious. The service was outstanding! Highly recommend 10/10“

“We loved our pistachio cold brew lattes-the best and best price! Especially Jose who was an amazing server! We will come back!!“

“all food are very good ,the best!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Absolutely one of the best middle eastern restaurants in Chicago. The mezas dish, exceptional. The lamb stew on egg plant, among. The specialty drinks, creative. The desserts, light custard, delicious. The service, friendly, helpful, interesting, delightful. Value, worthwhile. Go out to Turqoise for the meal and experience.“

“عاشت ايدكم على هذا الكباب ، طعم عراقي اصلي“

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

“I stopped in here recently and was really impressed. I had the chicken curry platter, which came with yellow rice, hummus, a falafel, and a salad with tahini sauce. Everything tasted super fresh and crisp, with great attention to flavor. The colors and presentation were vibrant, and it honestly felt like one of the better meals I’ve had in a long time.

The restaurant itself is small—kind of cramped—but it’s clean, well-painted, and actually works nicely for a casual lunch or dinner. They seem to be known for their shawarma, but if it’s anything like the curry platter, you can’t go wrong. I really hope more people give this place a shot—it deserves some love.“

“The food was to die for, large portions, delicious flavors. We will be returning!! This has been such a good way to start my Chicago experience. The customer service was also off the chain. Couldn't get enough of the guys here, so sweet and gave us their new smoothies to try!“

“I just picked up falafel and baba ghanouj and it has to be the best falafel I’ve ever had. I was coming back from Skokie and I wanted to go to Pita Inn on Dempster and it was too busy but I did not miss anything - this is better!“

“Amazing food & service! Thank you Chicago♥️“

“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.“

“My first time eating lunch at Ema was outstanding. I was meeting a colleague and wasn’t sure what to expect because we had a lot of work to cover. The entire staff was very helpful, courteous and knowledgeable about the menu. We received wonderful service and had a very healthy lunch. The food was great and all our salads were fresh and delicious.“

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

“Miraj Restaurant is absolutely excellent! The food is flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared — every dish tastes authentic and made with care. The portions are generous, and the menu has a great variety of options, so there’s something for everyone.

The staff is warm, attentive, and always makes you feel welcome. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, perfect for both casual meals and special occasions. Overall, Miraj delivers top-quality food and service every time — a definite five-star experience!“

“This restaurant is good and offers the most delicious and tasty food and fresh juices. I recommend it.“

“Food was fresh and delicious. 😋“

“We have a nice dinner the food was so good, and for sure we will back 💖💖“

“Highland Park's BACKYARD GRILL is a delicious counter order eatery. The servings are large and the quantity is deliciously excellent.

The cashier knows the menu and is familiar with the Ingredients. The short order, visible kitchen creates the meal quickly. Both vegan and conventional entrees are offered. Beef, chicken, and vegan options are available. The three in our party ordered gyros with pita, roasted chicken, and homus platter. They were delicious.
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STUFF: Parking is difficult. I ended up using the city lot, a block away. This eatery has two levels connected with a ramp. Everything is ADA compliant.“

“Lovely place, looks like Santorini. Food was delicious. Chef Ruben was very nice, came out and talked to us. Very nice evening.“

“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!“

“Andie’s is amazing. I appreciate the staffs and managers kindness to me even though I have autism and their food is amazing and really good. Owner Gil is nice. The restaurant is in good condition. Great shawarma dinner. Must come back. 10/10.“

“Traveled all the way to Chicago to try this place! I have not eaten there but have ordered to-go many times! I am French and it is rare to find a place that makes and sells Merguez. The last time I have had some was in Morocco about 6-7 years ago and in the US, it has been decades. Zebda's Merguez slap. Very nostalgic and delicious.

PS: yes they are that red! But they are very good!

Photos:
1 - indoor menu as of July 2025
2 - Merguez Sandwich“

“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 döner at Cappadocia Mediterranean Grill tastes just like in Turkey! The meat is delicious, the portions are generous, and it comes with warm lavash on the side, giving a true taste of home. Having such authentic döner in Chicago is a real treat.“

“perfect service, excellent food. Great time 👍“