45 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near River Forest

“phenomenal food! Great accommodations, and the christmas display is everything they say!“

“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!“

“I live across the street and go here often; I have never had a bad experience. From the wine shop , to the grab and go coffee & pastries, Nettare never disappoints. But, the star of the show is dinner. It is a rotating menu, and all of them have been delicious.
You need to go here!“

“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.“

“Myself and a few friends went to Saltwater Coastal Grill for a girls night and it was great! The ambiance was perfect. It is decorated very nicely and has a relaxing vibe. The food was excellent! I highly recommend any of the sushi rolls and the baked oysters. The mocktails were also delicious. I will definitely be back!“

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

“Very nice restaurant and delicious food For the first time there i am very thankful to our server Dilnaz and specially the girl Sky who explained and recommended what should I try and make sure everything was OK Thank you Thank you“

“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“

“Delightful food choices that are always tasty“

“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.“

“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.“

“I was scrolling Grubhub then decided I deserved better than fast food that’s going to be delivered cold. So went to Google and saw this place which I pass almost everyday without thought. I wish I caught my waiters name but he was a pleasure and very attentive. The fried octopus was unique and flavorful. Short rib wasn’t as tender as advertised but still quite delicious. I got a sample of the lobster bisque which honestly tasted like tomato soup to me. The bread pudding was excellent. I appreciate the balance and gelato on top. I got the mezcal cocktail which was also great. Also ordered tequila on the rocks. I was given a complimentary shot of the pistachio martini which was delicious. Overall ambience was lovely. You can have a great date night right in the burbs. Who knew? Overall, can’t wait to visit again to try different apps and their pasta. All of that was around $140 including 20% tip.“

“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.“

“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“

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

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

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

“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!!“

“THE FOOD IS BEYOND DELICIOUS! 🔥“

“all food are very good ,the best!!“

“The best food & Staff very yummy 😋“

“Best Mediterranean fast food I have ever had! Very good quality meat, always tender and marinated to perfection! My kid’s favorite restaurant and always a hit for our family party’s!“

“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.“

“I just placed a catering order for an event with Theo and he was amazing! I had a lot of questions and dietary restriction requirements and he was extremely patient and thorough with me. He provided various solutions for our event and I appreciated the time he spent elaborating all my options and making sure all my needs were met. Would highly recommend for your next corporate event or large gathering! :) Thank you again Theo for treating me like an old friend!“

“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!“

“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“

“Amazing food & service! Thank you Chicago♥️“

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

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Food was fresh and delicious. 😋“

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

“The best food & Staff very yummy 😋“

“Excellent food and ambiance, The brick chicken is my favorite. Our friends who have lived throughout the country said the pork chop is the best they ever had“

“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“

“perfect service, excellent food. Great time 👍“