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    Cedar Palace

    4.8 (549 reviews)
    ModerateLebanese, Falafel
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Cedar Palace Takeout or Delivery

    Cedar Palace Photos

    CEDAR PALACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cedar Palace

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    Sandeep D.

    Finally found an authentic Lebanese restaurant in Chicago that serves with love. The spot is cozy and the simplicity adds to the beauty. The restaurant was also very aware of vegan option needs, and recommended all the tasty vegan items. To summarize - the hummus and falafel reminded me of my childhood in the heart of Middle East. Thank you!

    Ben J.

    The chicken shawarma sandwich was excellent. The chicken was seasoned perfectly and the sandwich wasn't dry at all. The combo plate was good, but the rice lacked flavor and the baba ganoush was VERY smoky to the point that I couldn't eat it. But the dolmades and hummus were amazing. Our server was very attentive and friendly. It's a somewhat small place, but very homey.

    Fresh pita
    Kevin K.

    The food is very flavorful. I really enjoyed the Smokey flavor of the baba ghanoush. My wife really enjoyed the chicken shawarma sandwich. The restaurant is very clean but only has a few tables. The staff is super friendly and attentive.

    Chicken Kafta Dinner
    Anthony D.

    Ordered through Uber Eats and was very happy with the order. We tried: - Chicken Kafta Dinner - Chicken Shawarma Dinner - Hummus The portions are huge and one dinner could most likely feed two. We both had leftovers. For sides we tried the lentil soup and salad. The salad was refreshing and the lentil soup was warming. Overall definitely recommend it.

    Vegetarian lunch combo
    Justine K.

    The service was fast, especially for a full restaurant. The waiter was very attentive, and constantly check on us. It doesn't give a fancy vibe, feels authentic. The chicken shawarma sandwich was delicious. Very flavorful. Had pickles, fries, and a sauce inside that added to the flavor. The sautee was also amazing and flavorful. Having the vegetarian lunch combo was nice to have a variety of everything. And everything didn't disappoint. The baba ghannoush had a great Smokey flavor.

    Hummus Beef Shawarma
    Jack L.

    First time here, the hummus and the hummus beef shawarma were great! It's located right by all the shops, but wasn't too busy and was easy to get a table during a busy time. The shawarma was my favorite, highly recommend!

    Dubai chocolates
    Julisa W.

    We were in town and unfortunately (and regretfully) in about a half an hour before closing. Next time we will eat in and not at the worst time to be in a restaurant! We got the dinner combination with the beef shawarma, shish tawook, and Kafta chicken. We opted for rice and bulgar, both were good, but it was the end of day. The chicken we got was a little charred, we had to get it to go obviously. I forgot to take a pic of our plate. The shawarma was very tasty! There was a lot of good flavor but it just felt like end of day food. This is family owned, we got to hear the story of them surviving through Covid and there's a lot of love that goes into this spot. The daughter who was working up front gave us Dubai chocolates and they were show stoppers. Walking in weirdly felt like we were in a home but elevated, elegant and middle eastern. Loved the lamp and the table so much I had to take pics. I'm positive everything would've been so delicious if we had gone at another time of day. We will be back for an updated review!

    Kate M.

    The reviews don't lie --- Cedar Palace is SO GOOD. A friend and fellow Yelp Elite (shout out Joneice!!) recommended it and me and my husband went the next day. The space is really cute and home-y, which is great because it's a family business! We started with the hummus and fattoush salad. Both were delicious. The salad was refreshing and tangy with lots of fresh veggies, lettuce and toasted pita that gave it a nice crunch. For my meal I went with the shish tawook lunch plate -- insanely good!! The chicken is so juicy and flavorful and is served with creamy garlic sauce for dipping. Truly the perfect lunch! We ended with a piece of baklava to share which was just as delicious as everything else. Cannot wait to come back to explore more of the menu and support this awesome family and business!

    Vegetable Vegetarian Combo Dinner
    Annette D.

    I discovered this eatery after tasting some of the delicacies at the local Farmer's Market. The Beef Shawarma, hummus, lentil soup and salad were all delicious and tasted homemade as if I were seated at a friend's dinner table. In addition to indoor dining, there's a cute outdoor patio in the back. The attentive service, overall, is one of the reasons for my high rating. One of the owners, Sylvanna, also made a point to visit every table, which just enhanced our experience. The STANDOUT of the evening was the French Waffles with Dubai Chocolate. OMG. So incredibly decadent and delicious.

    Veggies
    Michelle M.

    My husband and I booked an adventure in the city that takes us around little restaurants in Lincoln Park to "collect" food and end with a picnic in Oz Park and just... so much fun! We got hummus here with pita bread and the freshest veggies. So very yummy. We'll be back to try the rest of their menu.

    Demolished this Chicken Kafta Sandwich before I thought to snap a pic
    Garrett M.

    This spot came recommended by a fellow Yelp Elite who really knows her stuff--- I couldn't believe how good it was. Very unassuming entryway and decor was understated and comfortable. The staff was absolutely next-level. Talk about a super on-point crew and friendly as can be. The food was some of the best I could ever hope to have for lunch. Meat was perfectly cooked and presentation was stunning. Words don't do it justice- just put this spot on your short list. Their Yelp rating should speak for itself.

    Andre A.

    Cedar Place is a little piece of heaven. Family owned, and great service. Their soup is delicious, their pitas are delicious. Everything about their menu screams five star. Love, the decor, and all in all comfortable place. Do yourself a favor and try this restaurant out if you're in that area. You won't be disappointed.

    Outside Sign
    Joneice B.

    Gem in plain sight in the Lincoln Park. This restaurant had been on my list for a while. I love Mediterranean food. This hit all my taste buds and more. We arrived on a Thursday evening and was able to sit on the outdoor patio. We were assisted by Anthony who was very welcoming and friendly. For food we ordered the Dinner combo that came with 3 meats. Additionally the combination came with rice and salad. We also got a lentil soup because my husband loves lentils. The lentil did not disappoint. Also the cabbage salad had such unique flavors to include a hint of mint. We adored our food and all the accompaniments. The garlic sauce is out of this world. In addition to our entree, we got potato boorak with special sauce. 10/10 would recommend this appetizer. We honestly enjoyed all the food and the service. When I tell you that the owner makes your feel at home, we are family now. Loved hearing about the origins of the restaurant and how the recipes come from 55years of loving family history of cooking. Will be back. The food was flavorful. The dessert held up good until we got home. Next time I am gonna put on some vanilla bean ice cream with that. The restaurant is BYOB with a reasonable corking fee. Check this place out for breakfast, lunch or dinner as you won't be disappointed. In fact will probably become one of your favorites.

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    Good delicious food. I enjoyed the food and the service was nice. The prices are justifiable, would recommend. Convenient location.

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    1 month ago

    That was the best chicken shish kebab sandwich I've ever had! And the homemade hummus was a treat!

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    4 months ago

    Wow incredible authentic food. Very flavorful. Juicy meat. Good relatively healthy meal. People that work there are gems. Highly recommend!

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    2 months ago

    Anthony S was the best! He was super accommodating and we had the best service. He even made us a to go dessert. Cedar has my heart!

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    8 months ago

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    4 months ago

    The food was Fantastic, the staff is super friendly, and the aesthetics of the place is amazing. 10/10 would go again.

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    2 months ago

    I would not recommend the chicken kafta dinner. The chicken was dry and rice was not flavorful / seasoned well

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    Page 1 of 14

    Cedar Palace Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cedar Palace

    Is this place BYOB? If so, how much is the corkage fee?

    Yes they are. I believe it’s $15/bottle or $10 if you have two or more. It’s on their online menu. Worth it though. The food is 🔥

    Is the meat halal?

    I believe it is

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes

    View All 5 Questions

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    4.9(140 reviews)
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    This Lebanese restuarant has been on my list for quite a while. Finally gave it a try and it did…read morenot disappoint! For food I tried the Adis Bil Hamod and Masdgouf. The first one was (non-pureed) lentil soup with swiss chard, onnions, potatoes and cilantro. The ingredients made the soup rich in flavor. Meanwhile, the stewed potato slightly thickened the soup to richen the texture. I wish there could be more swiss chard, though. The Masdgouf was a hit: unlike traditional Iraq Masdgouf, they pan seared the cod (well, cod is quite tender so searing is actually a better idea), then topped it with a mixture of finely diced veg, peppers and tamarind paste. Served with Lebanese rice, grilled bell peppers and grilled Roma tomatoes. Compared to the Lebenese rice I had in Atlanta, the rice in this one was longer and drier, while the vermicelli in it was softer and more moist. Overall it tasted savory, sweet, sour, with a hint of spiciness. They did a good job in balancing these flavors. I also got some pita -- not those thin, balloon pita but tasted fresh and good, and not salty at all. Serice was friendly and quick. After the meal the chef asked me about my dining experience and I praised highly of the two dishes. She told me that while Masdgouf was not originally from Lebanon, she tried to add some Lebenese element to it, e.g., the tamarind paste. I really appreciate her effort to do something unique and delicious! The only thing I (seriously) hope they could do better was about handling the smoke from the kitchen. At first I was seated near the kitchen and the smoke made my lung uncomfortable; needless to say how it would affect the restaurant staff. If they could get a better range hood it would do good to both the staff and customers' health! I will try more dishes the next time I visit Chicago.

    Suda is one of my favorite Mediterranean Restaurants in Chicago. Even though it is pricey, I…read morerecommend it as I enjoy some of the dishes a lot. First-Their free bread is served hot and fresh, and the sauces they come with are so flavorful! I will always get seconds because they're just that good. -Their Baba Ghanoush was one of the best Baba Ghanoush I have ever had (I don't say this lightly). It was very smokey and savory. The pomegranate on top perfectly complements it. -Arnibit (Cauliflower): People like this one a lot, but I personally think it's just the presentation that is appetizing. It tasted like a regular cauliflower, and I wished the sauce complemented and infiltrated the cauliflower more. It felt like I was eating two separate things. -Mixed Grill: the chicken and the beef were juicy and well made. The kefta was the star. It was soft and so well seasoned, and every time I order it I wish we could have more. My only comment would be that we wish the portions are bigger, considering the price was pretty expensive. This could only fill one person in my opinion. Nevertheless I love it. They also have very specific and unique dishes that you don't normally see at bigger restaurants. We have tried some before and they were not bad (but again just wished the portions were bigger) Overall we recommend this place. Baba Ghanoush and the Kefta are musts!

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    Suda’s Lebanese Cuisine
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    Libanais Sweets And Restaurant - Desserts are to die for

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    Assorted Baklava (1 Lbs)

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    Taste of Lebanon - Lamb Kabob Wrap

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    Chicken Shawarma Wrap and Fries with Garlic Sauce

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    Ema - Salmon bab.

    Ema

    4.3(2k reviews)
    2.0 miNear North Side
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    I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

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    Ema tables and bar

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