50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Lyons

“This place *never* lets us down. The food is delicious, fresh and just so tasty. Their hummus is the BEST- they add some delicious garnishes on it. Best hummus I’ve ever had. Just too good and reliable. My kids love it too which is great.“

“Lovely spot with attentive service. The lamb over the eggplant puree is sublime. Loved the zucchini fritters. Would have preferred if the fish was whole rather than a filet and if they were going to leave the skin on, to prepare it crispy and served skin side up so I'd doesn't sit in the sauce where it will get soggy. But everything was delicious and all the servers and bussera were great!“

“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!“

“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 never had kabobs presented on skewers like at Reef Kabob; such fun! Excellent hummas and tabular salad. The most gracious 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.“

“Omg!!! This place is too amazing to not try. The food is so fresh and super tasty. This location is my favorite one!! The way Amina and the rest of the staff recognize us it’s just so heartwarming, they make us feel like family. We are so happy when we’re here and leave even happier with a full belly. Thank you Amina and staff for an amazing experience as always! You guys are amazing! We travel an hour to eat here so that tells you how delicious the food is but the service makes it even better. We love you Baba Saj Oak Lawn“

“My husband and I were very impressed with the food. It's made fresh and is delicious. The fries tasted great and were not greasy. My husband had a huge delicious hamburger that he couldn't finish in one sitting. I had the steak shawarma which I enjoyed very much. We sat outside because the weather was perfect for it. The people working there were friendly and polite. We were definitely impressed.“

“Wedding soup is spot on! had the lamb chops absolutely delicious! We Highly recommend you!!! Derek and Anna“

“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 husband and I had an amazing dinner experience at Autre Monde! Exceptional service, excellent food, and delicious desert! Cannot wait to come back!“

“La Parra is an authentic restaurant. Each time I go, I try something different, because I know they won't disappoint me. Everything tastes great and the staff are extremely attentive.“

“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“

“Amazing smoked beef brisket sandwich with fresh cut fries. Everything was was made fresh and served piping hot. The BBQ sauce is delicious... sweet, smoky and a tad spicy. The portions are large and well worth the money. If in the area again, I would definitely go back.“

“Last Saturday May 23 was my son’s katb Kitaab at Mecca Center Banquet Hall. We had an incredible evening! The catering service was fantastic!!! My guests enjoyed the food so much! The service was excellent and the whole staff were very professional and absolutely welcoming. A great evening and very delicious food!! Overall excellent service in all aspects!“

“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! 🫡“

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

“My husband and I dined at this restaurant last month for the first time and loved it so I suggested it for a cousin’s dinner last night. Divino is a family restaurant. Chef Gabriel’s food is creative and delicious. His brother-in-law Jose, I believe, is the one behind the great cocktail list and making housemade aperitifs.
The four of us shared two appetizers. The tuna tartare - chopped tuna on top of creamy avocado surrounded by crispy capers and quail yolk. It was served with homemade potato and vegetable chips. We also shared the goat cheese - creamy melted goat cheese sitting in a pool of tasty marinara. This was served with grilled baguette pieces. This appetizer could use more of the baguette as we ran out of bread and still had goat cheese left to enjoy.
For dinner, my sister had the gnocchi with braised beef, short rib, spinach and mushrooms. I know this dish was delicious because this is what my husband ordered the first time we dined here. My two cousins had the chicken limone and said it was very good. (I have my eye on this for next time ). I opted for the branzino which was moist and served in a delicious lemon caper sauce. I would like to see a traditional pasta with marinara sauce on the menu. I think that would be a great addition for clientele who are into the traditional instead of the creative and unique.
There was no room for dessert, but shots of limoncello came to the table. So sweet of Divino. Let me tell you the limoncello was amazing. Luckily, I was able to buy a bottle of this housemade limoncello. Since the four of us were raving about the limoncello, right before we walked out the door Divino gave us a tasting of the housemade pistachio cream. Omg! So smooth, creamy and divine. We enjoyed our conversations with the chef and his brother-in-law, the other owner. Great guys who care about their customers and restaurant.“

“My friend got a platter and shawarma sandwiches It was delicious 10/10 I recommend“

“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!!!“

“Food was very tasteful. Service a bit slow.“

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

“First time having dinner here and it was so good. Fast service and nice atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back!“

“saw it as driving to get my car wash & decided to check it out / went thru drive thru got the bowl chicken and steak it was delicious“

“THE FOOD IS BEYOND DELICIOUS! 🔥“

“Delightful food choices that are always tasty“

“The shawarma is my favorite thing on the menu 👍“

“My partner and I enjoyed a delightful weekday evening dinner, and the experience was extraordinary from the moment we sat down. The flavors and aromas were so inviting, they hit us even before the main dish arrived. We started with Mazza, which featured the creamiest hummus and a smoky, perfectly roasted eggplant baba ghannooj. The falafels were the highlight—simply the best I've ever had, like the perfect cherry on top of a sundae. As for the Mansaf, it was nothing short of exceptional. The rich yogurt sauce, tender lamb, crunchy almonds, and flawlessly cooked rice made for a dish that was out of this world. It was so good, I couldn't resist having the leftovers for breakfast the next day. The service was top-notch, and even though we live over two hours away, we’ll definitely be coming back.“

“Great place to grab lunch. Their pizza is perfect 😋 and wings were delicious. My daughter wanted something on the sweeter side so she had their delicious Nutella panini. I couldn't resist to ask for a bite 😅. I will definitely be back often. Highly recommended.“

“Perfect taste and super service 😍“

“Petra Falafel is my favorite Middle Eastern restaurant in the area. Their chicken shawarma platter is a masterpiece, and the garlic, jalapeno, and habanero sauces are very tasty, be sure to order extras! Their portions are generous, often leaving me with leftovers for at least another full meal. The staff is always friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. We always order for pick up, but they do have a dining area and I believe they are also BYOB. Next time you are craving falafel, baba ghanoush or shawarma give Petra Falafel a try - you will not be disappointed!“

“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.“

“Excellent food for dine in and creative, well presented catering service options. Karim worked with me to create a menu that our guests loved.“

“I love alasala the food is wonderful and super clean. It feels like im eating in jordan with the fresh ingredients and amazing seasonings. I absolutely love bringing people here just from how beautiful the restaurant is and the service is always wonderful. The place is always clean and super friendly to me and my guests. Could not recommend this place more.“

“I tried this restaurant on whim for a gyros. The quality of food and service is top notch. The gyros and stuffed grapes leaves were excellent!! Both were very tasty and the waffle fries were a nice touch crispy yet soft inside and the bag is filled. Over all great experience!! AAA+“

“What an amazing experience! The food was absolutely delicious, and every dish exceeded our expectations. Aimee, our server, was fantastic, attentive, friendly, and truly made the evening special. The combination of outstanding service and incredible food makes this place a must-visit. My favorite fish was the gnocchi and the prime rib. I highly recommend it and will definitely be back. We absolutely love this place!“

“Got our order for pick up! Food is delicious and great size for the price. We didn’t stay to eat but the vibes were very chill, and the brown couch is honestly great. They do not do online orders though, so make sure to call ahead if you want to do a quick pick up“

“Service was slow, need to have ppl stationed at different sections e.g. someone on veggies and someone on meats. Wait times was long due to lack of organizination. Other than that food was great. A little pricy though once you add certain stuff that you would think would be free. But still good.“

“Kefi has some of the most delicious Greek food in the Chicago suburbs! The lamb chops, souvlaki, and gyros are phenomenal and so are the moussaka, pastitsio, and spanakopita. When it comes to appetizers, you can’t go wrong with the flaming saganaki cheese, the grilled octopus the fried calamari, the loukaniko sausage, or the taramasalata. Don’t forget dessert! Try the baklava, galaktabouriko, and the chocolate cake! They have amazing drinks too! The employees there are very kind and friendly and the chefs really know how to cook! Eat at Kefi! You won’t be disappointed!“

“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 flavors and service. Friendly owner always has a kind word to say. Love this place so much. 🧆🥙“

“A nice place and the food is delicious they have and the staff there are nice people fresh food every day and clean something indescribable Thank you guys“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As someone who has spent more than 30 years exploring, reviewing, and appreciating food across 35 countries, I do not make compliments lightly. Hello Shawarma is genuinely among the finest shawarma establishments I have encountered anywhere in the world.

What immediately stands out is the quality of the meat. The shawarma is expertly marinated, perfectly seasoned, and cooked with remarkable precision, achieving that ideal balance between tenderness and caramelized crispness that defines truly exceptional shawarma. Every bite is rich, flavorful, and unmistakably authentic.

My strongest recommendation is the Crispy Shawarma with a touch of Shatta. The contrast between the crispy edges of the meat and the subtle heat of the Shatta creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile that keeps you coming back for another bite. It's bold without being overwhelming and showcases a deep understanding of how texture and spice should complement each other.

Beyond the shawarma itself, the freshness of the ingredients is evident. The bread, vegetables, sauces, and accompaniments are all carefully selected and prepared. Nothing feels mass-produced or rushed. The garlic sauce is especially noteworthy—creamy, balanced, and crafted to enhance rather than overpower the shawarma.

The restaurant maintains high standards of cleanliness, service, and consistency, which are qualities often overlooked but essential to a truly great dining experience. The staff are welcoming, attentive, and clearly take pride in what they serve.

Having enjoyed street food, fine dining, and regional specialties across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia, I can confidently say that Hello Shawarma ranks among the best shawarma experiences I have had. It is a rare example of a restaurant that combines authenticity, quality ingredients, technical skill, and genuine hospitality in every meal.

If you appreciate outstanding Middle Eastern cuisine, do yourself a favor: order the Crispy Shawarma with a touch of Shatta. You will not regret it.“

“Highly recommend Cafe Istanbul! Authentic Halal Turkish cuisine, elegant atmosphere, and consistently excellent food. The lahmacun and mixed grill platter are must-tries, and the baklava with Turkish tea is the perfect way to finish the meal.

A special thank you to Aras and Ilayda for their phenomenal hospitality, kindness, and attentive service—they truly went above and beyond!

I’ve visited numerous times and have always had a top-notch experience. A perfect spot for a date night or anyone visiting Chicago who wants an authentic Turkish dining experience!“

“Great selection of American & Mediterranean. Falafel plate & Kefta kabobs were fantastic & prepared fresh. Unexpected array of dessert options, as well. Win!“

“الاكل ممتاز والمحل نظيف والاستقبال ممتاز ربنا يوسع عليكم“

“First day in Chicago and after a long roadtrip we wanted to eat something familiar and as Greeks..Taxim was the first restaurant that popped near our renting area. The food was DELICIOUS.. authentic tastes, we got the Prassopita, haloumi , souvlakia and Kokoretsi pair with some greek FIX beers. The atmosphere on the terrace was beautiful, the smell of roasting meets made everything feel like you are in a cute restaurant somewhere in a village in Greece. Our server was very kind and knowledgeable. All the stuff was very polite and welcoming!“