If you only know of the Kurdish people or culture through the news, it's time to remedy that-- head over to Avaspi for drinks and snacks at the generous Happy Hour or for a full dinner. The beautiful bar is set back in the glowingly dining room that has a painting of the Kurdish area in Turkey from where the owner comes from. Remixes of contemporary tunes gives a kind of clubby feeling inside, and the large sidewalk patio (on the side street) to enjoy the season is a completely different vibe. It's not just another variant on Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/ Persian cuisine, though you'll find familiar salads, spreads and cuts of meat. The presentations and flavors are different. The friendly (and easy on the eyes) staff will guide you through the menu. Very nice wine list as well as creative takes on standard cocktails (some mocktails too) complement the meal. Come in a group so you can sample many things; I assure you it'll all be good. Loved the calamari and the meze plate on this last visit. Grilled haloumi and shrimp were great previously. Easy to get to so get going! read more

Avaspi - Meze plate with garlic bread, BEFORE being mixed for us and made in to tartines. - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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An absolutely standout meal, each dish better than the next. The stuffed dates, however, were about as spectacular as anything I've had. A perfect place to go with a group to try as many different things as possible. And don't sleep on their happy hour, which makes the experience even better! read more

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Our first time eating at Avaspi, I doubt we'll return. The food was pretty good, the cocktails (especially the avaspi lemonade) and wine selection, were tasty. The service - inept. After 20 mins and us asking food runners 3 times to get us a waiter we finally got assistance. We ordered the meze platter to start and very clearly stated, no nuts. The waiter said "we only use walnuts", we responded, no nuts. The food arrived and 2 of the 4 dishes had nuts on them, when I pointed it out to the waiter, he said "they're only on the top"! It was as if he was trying to be funny? Or sarcastic? Anyway, decent food, poor service. read more

Went back to Avaspi and ordered some of the same dishes as before and some different. The new ones were the baba ganoush and the dates. The dates were absolutely amazing. Very savory and tons of flavor. The baba ganoush was nice and fresh but smoky, which can be a bit intense. Still one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. read more

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Seriously delicious, I can't even explain! Every meat was cooked to juicy perfection and packed with flavor. But the sides were incredible too! I've never been so blown away by something as simple as broccoli and carrots. I highly recommend for any occasion really but a birthday, anniversary or date night would be ideal. It's very classy and spacious inside, and the service is impeccable. read more

Avaspi - Avaspi mixed plate for two - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Outstanding! Good food, nicely presented. Attentive, knowledgeable waiter. Pleasant surroundings. You have to try the Kurdish coffee (made from pistachios and nothing like Turkish coffee). read more

I came here with friends after a show at the Atheneum. Absolutely fine service and flavorful food with unique flavor combinations across many plates. Not too loud and a nice setting for enjoying a long meal and conversation in a warm Sunday afternoon. Some of the best Mediterranean food I have experienced. read more

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Delicious Turkish breakfast! Would definitely return. Amazing menemen with soujouk, tbh amazing fries, amazing honey with the lil butter YUM. Waiters were very nice and also lots of space for a weekend brunch read more

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Dinner with my husband, daughter and her boyfriend. We ordered several items and favorites were the Avaspi mixed plate for four, which included Chicken kabab, beef delight, lamb delight, lamb chops, side salad, haydari, ezme, fries and rice. We had several appetizers, Mixed Meze which included a combination of ezme, humus, baba ganoush, haydari and muhammara, and Beets meze were favs!! Service was terrific. Charming and knowledgeable male server and the decor and atmosphere were warm, engaging and inviting. read more

Avaspi - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went to Avaspi last Sunday for brunch with my boyfriend and his sister, and we absolutely loved this place! The interior was beautiful, and the service was excellent. Our server, Ozgur, was amazing -- super friendly, accommodating, and checked in on us often. We got the Babaganoush, Stuffed Dates, Sarma, Stuffed Mushrooms, Goat Cheese Tomato Dip, Kurdish Coffee, Watermelon Juice, Coconut Cake, and Baklava. The Goat Cheese Tomato Dip and Coconut Cake were our favorites -- both so flavorful and well-balanced. Can't wait to come back and try more of their tapas! read more

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This place is good. Legit good food. Went for the first time the other night and was very happy w service, food, atmosphere etc. Will be back for sure. read more

Avaspi - Beef delight? - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Met up with friends in Chicago and came here for dinner. I was expecting to order entrees but we all decided to just share tapas. Everything we had was amazing, from the Babagaboush to the shrimp with wild mushrooms in a tomato sauce, to the goat cheese. This is a great place to go for a date night with dimly lit room that makes the dining experience more intimate. We also shared baklava and a pastry with cheese and ice cream. read more

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Avaspi is sooooo yummy! The service is amazing, everyone is so friendly. The brunch was so much food, we highly recommend the breakfast for two to try a huge spread of different Kurdish cuisine! The restaurant is decorated very nicely and has a ton of space and a bar! read more

Avaspi - Breakfast for two - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came with our friends and food, service and ambiance were all great. Had the stuffed mushrooms, halloumi, and meat platter for two. Everything was amazing. Our server was great and our friends were so happy with the food. read more

Decor is beautiful and staff were EXTREMELY attentive. I was apologetic because I ordered the sangria without fully reading the description and missed that it was mixed with whiskey. I ended up having to send it back because it was so strong, but I am not a whiskey drinker. If you like whiskey, this was probably delicious and so I wished I liked whiskey. Everything else was OK. Everything was beautifully pleaded. I did feel like it all lap a little bit of flavor and depth. The lamb could use more seasoning for sure. The whole meal was fine. The grape leaves were good. I would be curious to visit for happy hour to try the food at a cheaper price point but it's all still reasonably priced. It's worth a visit. read more

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Food was outstanding!! Appetizers and entrees were shareable and plenty Staff was very friendly and efficient read more

The kitchen slaps. Meats were perfection. Dessert was crazy good. Everything else was quality as well. The staff are friendly and the decor works (goos vibe)...but the kitchen is what makes it happen. read more

Food selection and flavors were amazing. Staff was very attentive and friendly. Lastly, the ambiance was calming and authentic.

THIS PLACE IS SO GREAT!!! What a gem. Avaspi is absolutely beautiful inside: swanky, stylish, velvet chairs, etc. I love the ambiance. Service was fabulous at every touchpoint, but special shout-out to our sever, Emin, who was amazing: so kind and courteous and helpful throughout the entire experience. Let's move onto the food and drink! Our table started with a round of cocktails, and everyone loved what they ordered. I got an old-school cosmopolitan: exceptional! We shared a bunch of dishes for dinner, including babaganoush, stuffed dates, grilled halloumi meze, mushroom tava, and the chicken kebab. Everything was OUTSTANDING! We enjoyed wine with dinner and split a dessert, the katmer, which was wonderful (and not too sweet). The value considering what we had was exceptional. This is a truly outstanding restaurant and I cannot wait to return! read more

Avaspi - Avaspi bar - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My husband brought me here last night to celebrate my birthday. We ordered the halloumi cheese, the BBQ platter for two, and kunafa. The halloumi and kunafa were definitely the highlights for me! The halloumi cheese was absolutely heavenly, and the kunafa had just the right balance of sweetness and texture. However, I was disappointed with the BBQ meat. It was undercooked, and the server didn't ask how we'd like it prepared. The flavor was also lacking, there was no seasoning or salt, which made it feel quite plain. On a positive note, the environment was lovely! The space was clean, beautifully decorated, and the Christmas decorations added a festive touch to the experience read more

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Solid, authentic Turkish food. They have kat mer, a dessert I haven't seen on a menu since I had it in Kayseri in Turkey. Everything was good; I thought the beets over hayderi, the combo platter and the desserts were especially delicious. read more

Solid option after a Cubs game. Would get the kabob and try different small plates. Beers Meze - 3.5/5. Nice sourness from the haydari, beets fine. Stuffed dates - 3.5/5. Perfect dates. Filling for lost and the bell pepper sauce felt disjointed. Chicken Kabab - 4/5. Super flavorful chicken. Solid side salad. Didn't eat much of the rice or bread but hit the spot. read more

Really enjoyed this restaurant! It was my first time trying stuffed grape leaves and halloumi and I loved them both. The portions are a bit on the smaller side, so probably get +1 dish than the number of people at the table. The drinks were all really tasty as well- my favorite was the avaspi lemonade it was perfect for summer read more

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Avaspi on Belmont is, quite simply, a standout. From the moment we walked in, it struck that rare balance between upscale ambiance and warm, unpretentious hospitality. You feel welcomed, not watched--something a lot of "high end" places never quite master. The food? Absolutely incredible. We started with the stuffed eggplant, and I'll say it plainly: it was out of this world. Rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Then came the calamari meze, and this dish deserves its own shoutout. I don't like calamari--at all--but somehow I couldn't stop eating this. There was an umami depth I couldn't quite name, but it hooked me. I've never been more pleasantly surprised by a plate. Next was the halloumi salad. It's rare that a salad makes it into the highlight reel of a meal, but this one did. Fresh, vibrant, and anchored by perfectly grilled halloumi, it held its own against the heavier dishes. The star of the show, though, was the Avaspi Mixed Plate for two. It came out sizzling and aromatic, and every bite of meat was shockingly juicy and packed with flavor. We kept exchanging looks like, How is this even real? Service was top-tier--attentive without hovering, gracious without being stiff. Portions were generous, pricing felt more than fair, and we left already talking about when we'd be back. If you're in Chicago and want a meal that hits every mark--food, service, atmosphere--Avaspi is your spot. read more

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Firat, Avaspi manager, helped us plan a surprise birthday party for a friend, which included 10 guests July 8, 2026. The table was beautifully set with red cloth napkins and small lanterns adding to the ambiance of the place. He welcomed adding our own decorations- paper placemats and a balloon bouquet. The area was set apart from the main dining area which made the experience more intimate. The food was served family style on platters, attractively presented and absolutely delicious! The individual printed menus at each setting described the wine choices, the first course Meze, the Main course choices , and 2 Desserts. Each course was tastier than the next! We chose: 1st course 2 platters of Mixed Meze, homemade bread, 2 Mushroom Tava, and 2 Calamari. 2nd course: 3 platters of "Mixed Plate for two" had Chicken kebab, Beef delight, Lamb Delight, Lamb Chops, Haydara, Ezme, Fries, and Rice. 2 Orange Salmon platters and Green Olive Salad. 3rd course: Baklava and Coconut Cake. The portions were more than enough for the 10 guests In order to try almost every food choice. Our server, Maine, timed each course very well. He also cleared European-style waiting until everyone was done eating. A pleasurable change as we weren't rushed! The water glasses and wine glasses were consistently filled. Though we had dined at Avaspi for both Happy Hour and Dinner, all 8 guests expressed how enjoyable the cuisine, wine selection, service and ambiance was throughout the evending. We all plan to return! read more

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Really good food! A bit pricey but because service & food was great I gave them 5 stars. Mixed meze appetizer $25.95. Everything was yummy especially the babaganoush. They gave me some gluten free bread (toast) as well as the regular bread. The grilled halloumi meze had great flavor. The calamari meze was very tender & had a bit of a kick to it. The stuffed mushrooms in the tomato sauce were very good as well. read more

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Five of us had dinner on a Sunday evening. The service was very professional and the food was pretty good however, I don't think the pricing is warranted. We ordered the sautéed calamari, the five meze appetizer and the goat cheese with tomato sauce as starters and then the lamb chops and beef avaspi as entrees to share. Everyone had two drinks and the bill totaled $353 - it felt like a $250 to $275 value at most. The five meze app was seriously priced at $24.95. It was five very small bowls - barely a quarter to a third of a cup of each dip and a plate of bread. One of the dips was hummus - it was standard, no special flavor, the second was ezme - a sort of Anatolian pico de gallo - fresh and flavorful, the third was baba ganoush -= a very tasty version, good smoky flavor, the fourth was haydari - a thick yogurt with mint garlic etc reminiscent of tazaziki, and the fifth was muhammara - a smooth red pepper spiced dip. The baba ganoush and muhammara were the best of all five. The bread was interesting looking but really a big pillowy ball with an egg wash and topped with white and black sesame seeds however it had no real flavor of it's own and was basically a carrier for the dips. Had the bread been interesting the combo meze dips might have been worth the price. The goat cheese with tomato sauce was disappointing as the tomato sauce lacked flavor and spice. It was fairly watery and although the goat cheese was light and fluffy - the grilled sticks of the same bread were not interesting enough to carry this into the very good category. The calamari appetizer was drenched in olive oil and spices so it has plenty of flavor however the multiple sauces and olives seriously overpowered the calamari - which were tender. This was when the plain bread was useful to dip in the sauces! The Beef Avaspi with rice was flavorful and tender and almost as good as the grilled lamb chops which were very well seasoned. All in all the meal was decent however the prices are too high for me. read more

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Wonderful atmosphere, great music, excellent service from the super nice guys there, and food was incredible! Also tried the Kurdish coffee and it was great. Look forward to many more times at Avaspi! read more

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Avaspi is such a delicious Turkish inspired restaurant. They have many delicious cold and hot plates which can be eaten as appetizers before the meal. Two main dishes that are so delicious are the Branzino and salmon fish. The servers are so nice and attentive and will make your meal worth the wait. They have delicious hot bread that is served with all the appetizers. Definitely a "must" go to place!!! read more

I chose Avaspi because is located right across from the play that we were attending. I called for reservations since we were driving from the west burbs and explained we had limited time for a meal because of the play (and my friends taking their sweet time lol). Great choice! I scored. A burst of flavors in a great atmosphere, unique decor, and black walls with red accents looked great. Service was also great, they attended to us quickly knowing our time limitations. The food was fantastic. The perfect fusion of East and West in this Anatolian tapas concept with rich flavors. We tried multiple things: - tomato and goat cheese dish that was fantastic - Meat sampler for 2: tender lamb chops, chicken and beef - Hummus and Babaganoush - Grilled Halloumi Meze (I love Halloumi so I was happy to see it on the menu) I had an Old Fashioned, it was okay, but it would benefit from being served with one big ice cube instead of traditional little pieces. They have a respectable wine and cocktail selection as well as several beers. We all enjoyed the flood and our time at Avaspi. Sadly we did not have time for a sweet treat as we had to dash to the theater. I will definitely return! read more

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What a gem. We were overblown with how great this place was. The food, service, price, absolutely fantastic. Could have been the highlight of my summer. The brunch was so worth it. Please don't sleep on this place. It's my new happy place in Chicago. read more

Avaspi - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had a birthday party last night. The service was excellent - friendly and professional. The food and wine were wonderful. Courses were beautifully presented and tasted as good as they looked. We had a wonderful time. Many thanks for your great hospitality. read more

This is a lovely place for date night or sharing tapas with friends. We loved the Mediterranean Meze which is a mixture of chopped olives, veg, nuts and dressing served over garlic bread. One order is enough for 4 as an appetizer and plenty for 2-3 persons. We enjoyed our with an organic Argentine Malbec. Service was excellent. read more

Food was delicious, fresh and high quality. The beef was tender and well seasoned and so was the chicken! Our server was an amazing guy; we had a wonderful discussion about Anatolia and had been to some of the same cities. He even took the time to look at some photos of cities we'd been and recommended dishes like the ones we described. Really special place. read more

Amazing. Every dish was delicious. We orderedthe following: ezme , muharamma, sarma, octopus, grilled halloumi, and chicken kebabs. We ordered everything but the kebab during happy hour. The servers were really nice. I'm looking forward to my next visit. read more

Avaspi - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I haven't written a review here in a long time, but I HAD TO after eating here today with four friends. It's Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and we were treated so well! The food is amazing Anatolian fare. We each had two glasses of wine and split the mixed meze appetizer, which came with a few dips I'd never tried before--all well-balanced and flavorful. We each ordered an entrée, and I had the lamb. I'm always a little nervous about ordering lamb because I worry it'll be too fatty, but this cut was one of the best I've ever had--tender, perfectly cooked, and served with fluffy, spiced rice and a light mixed salad. The seating is very comfortable, and the interior is beautifully designed and spacious, making it a lovely place to enjoy a long meal with friends. We finished by sharing the konofeh for dessert, and it was incredible--crispy, gooey, lightly sweet, and so good we immediately wished we had ordered two. I can't end this review without mentioning how incredible the staff is! Super attentive, with unobtrusive service the moment our glasses were empty, and they instinctively knew when to give us space when we were deep in conversation or enjoying our food. It was a little too chilly to sit outside even though it's Memorial Day weekend, but the outdoor patio looks nicely appointed and shaded. I'll definitely be coming back to try some dining al fresco next time! read more

We had the most fabulous time here -- delicious food, great happy hour selection, and wonderful service. Ozgur was our waiter and he was so kind. I'd HIGHLY recommend the dates & stuffed mushrooms, though everything is delicious read more

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We don't get into Chicago often, luckily today we had errands to run near Avaspi and based on the great reviews we made the wise choice to stop by for happy hour. The HH menu is awesome, everything on it sounded wonderful but we could only order a few since we're not very big eaters. Here's the breakdown: Old Fashioned & Anatolian Heat Cocktails- both delicious Grilled Halloumi- WOW! First time having halloumi, it was cooked perfectly and paired with crispy crostini & a tasty olive mix Calamari Meze- Unique way of preparing the squid, no breading at all. It was a lot for 2 people to eat (we took some home). Under the calamari was the same olive mix as with the halloumi, which could have been a mistake if it hadn't been SO delicious. Neither of us our big fans of olives, but we both absolutely loved these chopped up beauties (there's still a little bit left, might have to fight for who gets it). Mushroom Tava- Quite possibly our favorite tastes of the night, the mushrooms & onions were cooked perfectly and the haydari yogurt dip was awesome as well. Large portion, took some home and are looking forward to trying them cold. Stuffed Dates- loved the dates and liked the muhammara red pepper mix, but didn't really think they went together. Chocolate Carrot Cake- beautifully presented, very tasty. I would have preferred plain carrot cake, but my husband loved the added chocolate. Everything was fantastic and our waiter, Mahmet was phenomenal as was all the service. The ambience was great, we really liked their choice of music and decor. We thought the prices & portion sizes were good, and love that we have leftovers so we can tantalize our tastebuds a second time. We definitely plan to come back to sample other dishes (and order these again), will have to either bring friends or bigger appetites. 6/25/25- Eating our leftovers tonight, planned to reheat with some noodles to go with them but after trying the calamari & mushrooms cold, we decided to forgo the cooking. All of them were very tasty... yum, again! read more

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This is a great restaurant! Food was excellent, great ambience, and best of all, the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming! Both the beef and chicken kabob were delicious and tender. And the dates stuffed with feta & walnuts were a great combination! read more

Drinks and food were yummy and the service was excellent. The mixed plate for 2 was so good - more than enough for two! So much space inside for date night or large groups. read more

Avaspi - Mixed Plate for 2 - Salad Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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