Yum yum yum yum--this place is a palace of flavor! Authentic cuisine in a warm atmosphere with fantastically friendly folk; Anthony said the entire menu is based on his mom's recipes--so it makes a lot of sense why everything has that only heart-warming flavors that only a home-cooked meal can have. Everything tastes exceptional from the dolmas to the Arabian coffees read more

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Cedar Palace was absolutely hands down some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had! Do NOT pass this up if you have the chance to dine here! The place is so cute and cozy, and the chandeliers are so beautiful! It does seem to fill up pretty quickly as there isn't ample seating, so check them out a little early if you plan to dine in. The staff were awesome. The way they move through the restaurant, take orders, and how they interact with guests just shows how much pride they have in this place. We decided to get the combo, and it really was enough for two! The hummus was delicious, the salads were so perfectly seasoned, and the meat was absolutely perfect. Definitely check this place out! read more

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TL; DR: Cute indoor seating, gracious chef, and amazing food Great prices and portions for the food you'll get. The pita and hummus are delish and the combo platter can absolutely be shared between 2 people. It is also a great place to BYOB. Food comes out hot and delicious. Can't wait to go back during the summer and check out their patio read more

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! read more

Cedar Palace - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Cedar Palace - Hummus Beef Shawarma - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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! read more

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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! read more

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Ok, the name is a good pun, but the food is old school Lebanese fair with just the right amount of spice. Great service - quick and pleasant, very nice place - could use more ethnic decoration, but if you are after good food, give the Cedar what the Cedar deserves- your visit. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Cedar Palace - Veggies - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

Cedar Palace - Demolished this Chicken Kafta Sandwich before I thought to snap a pic - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

Cedar Palace - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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. read more

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A surprisingly good Mediterranean spot deep in Lincoln Park. This small place boasts a lot of delicious entrees in a small restaurant atmosphere. The service is excellent, and you are truly supporting a local mom and pop shop by going here. My only real criticism with this place is that price-wise it is steep, but understandable considering the location. read more

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This place was so cozy and welcoming!! My favorite part was the meat boorak with a super yummy sauce. Shish tawook is my absolutely favorite and it was really yummy here as well. They have a patio out back that looks super cute so I will definitely be back in the summer to check that out! read more

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Authentic delicious generous amount of food. Owner ensures your satisfaction by rounding to each table. Perfect location with outdoor patio creating a welcoming friendly atmosphere. read more

This was really just an alright experience. We came here for lunch so there wasn't too many people here. Let's start with the positives. The server was really nice and was welcoming. The entire place is really quaint and comfortable. Our food came out pretty quick and the falafel was pretty good. However, the chicken rice plate was pretty bland. The chicken was dry and the garlic sauce was really salty. The portion size was pretty generous but for the price, you can get something better. read more

Got a takeout order and it was solid but not spectacular aside from hummus. Lentil soup - 3/5. Good but over salted Hummus - 5/5. Delicious! Falafel plate - 3/5. Decent falafel, way too much rice read more

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

This place isn't fancy but every bite was delicious. The hummus is garlicky and fresh. The falafel is crispy and creamy. If you're in Lincoln park and need something satisfying and comforting without a reservation, this is your place. read more

Cedar Palace - Cal - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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

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

Simply the best! Love this location, the ownership team is friendly and professional and their positivity is reflected in the quality of the food! read more

I was thrilled to try Cedar Palace for the first time. The service was fantastic, and the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming. We ordered the chicken shawarma dinner, lentil soup, and rice pudding. The lentil soup was particularly delicious and so comforting. he chicken was perfectly marinated, tender, and packed with flavor. It was loaded with juicy chicken and a creamy garlic sauce that added the perfect touch. The kabob sandwiches here are simply marvelous and are definitely worth trying out. Overall, it was a delicious and satisfying meal. The co-owner/cook here is very friendly and asked us about our preferences for our food. She greets all of her customers in person. We'll definitely be back to explore more of their menu. A big shoutout to the waiters for their exceptional service! read more

Came on a weekend morning and was quickly seated. We both ordered shakshukas and mint tea, which arrived fairly quickly. The mint tea was very warm and relaxing, much needed after walking through the cold streets of the Chicago winter. Shakshuka was yummy, though I wish the pita bread was a little thicker and fluffier (not sure if that's just a regional difference in how different places make pita). Server was really kind and attentive, and let my friend and I sit and chat for a bit as we finished our tea after our meal, which I greatly appreciated. read more

Cedar Palace - shakshuka - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We got the dinner combination to share between two people, and we still had leftovers! The service was quick, the portion size was generous and the shawarma was delicious. We will definitely be returning! read more

Cedar Palace - Dinner combination: chicken shawarma, beef shawarma and shish tawook - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

They are making strange food, calling it Lebanese..... have nothing like Lebanese food, not even close. My son wanted Sujuk they brought him very spiced hound beefffffff. I called the lady/owner and I told her WE ARE LEBANESE and this is not SUJUK. She said she was out. I reply: don't say it is Lebanese then. We all left and we only paid her for what we drank. read more

What an amazing experience I don't know where to start. The service was impeccable. The hospitality was amazing. The food was out of this world. Every positive review here is an understatement to the experience. I experience today. It is really food cooked with love and passion if you really want authentic Arabic Food at its finest, don't look any further. We had appetizers entrée dessert. We want to try everything on the menu that's how much We loved it. read more

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Thought it was awful. Pretty expensive for what you get and the meat isn't much. Didn't go dine so can't speak for that part but otherwise this is a no go for me. Expected more value from a place in the city. read more

Food was a hit. Large proportions. Everything tasted good. Service did their job. Ambiance was nothing to write home about but it had a very cute local authentic feeling to it. read more

Cedar Palace - Arabic Style Chicken - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice little spot with delicious food. The food and service are really lovely and the space is a bit small, but cute and down to earth. The lentil soup, hummus, and shish tawook are my go-tos. The shish tawook chicken is cooked well and juicy on the inside. The rice snd bulgur wheat are both fantastic. The baba ganoush has a really great smokiness and flavor I highly recommend. The dolma are also delicious and the best I've had anywhere personally. read more

Cedar Palace - Shish Tawook Dinner Plate - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Family owned restaurant with limited seating inside, they open up their beautiful patio once it gets warmer. We were lucky to find a table and ordered chicken shawarma, chicken kebab and lamb off the dinner menu. I asked for the fattoush salad and it was the. Best refreshing salad I have ever eaten. I had to ask if they sell the dressing and the owner Silvana was gracious enough to bring us sample to take home along with 3 stuffed grape leaves (Dolma) . Utterly sweet and hospitable, made us feel at home with the warmth. I will certainly go back to try more Lebanese food. read more

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Cedar place is a nice "family like" atmosphere that caters well to Mediterranean food lovers. It's a small place but that's one of the things that makes it cool. The food is delicious complimented with lovely service. It's hit or miss for getting seated right away and the place is usually busy. It's a great Lincoln park hideaway with a full Mediterranean menu that's sure to please the most discerning. Thumbs up to this establishment, we've been back twice! read more

Had a great experience here and wanted to call out the service in particular. I ran into a bit of trouble with my order, and the team handled it quickly and professionally and no hassle at all. They even went above and beyond and gave me a gift card, which was completely unexpected but really appreciated. read more

Had an amazing experience at Cedar Palace! There were 6 of us total, and we all agreed the food was incredible, the service was attentive and amazing, and the vibes were cozy and clean. HUGE portions! And Silvana is just the sweetest. She made us several desserts to try on the house when she learned it was our first time at the restaurant. We felt very well taken care of and will absolutely be back. read more

Cedar Palace - Dubai Chocolate Waffle - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place was absolutely fantastic! We love Mediterranean and we're in the city for a Salt Shed show. I was a bit suspicious of all of the positive reviews but feeling optimistic. It was absolutely as fabulous as we hoped. The food was incredible, the service was great, and as we left, the owner thanked us with a big, bright smile. As I walk towards the door I looked up again to see her still smiling and waving. So sweet and so wonderful. I'm not overstating it when I say I felt like part of their family for a moment. read more