Galata Mediterranean Grill

Great spot in Chicago. The food had amazing flavors, the space was beautiful, and the overall…read moreexperience felt special without being too formal. A place I'd gladly visit again.

Ambiance was great, food was quite good, and service was good. I recommend for the ambiance…read moreespecially, since the decor is so nice!

Interior

Muhammara

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Frozen Greek yogurt

Ema

4.3(2k reviews)

3.8 mi•Near North Side

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)

Ema has a great atmosphere and a lot of really good bites. I have celiac disease and appreciated…read morethat most of the menu is gluten free (they have a dedicated GF fryer and knowledgeable staff). The lamb and beef kefta was tasty but very dry. The tune and watermelon salad and hummus were awesome. We were disappointed with the level of service. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time and waited even longer to be greeted by a waitress. Our wine took a while to come out and we had to request our check twice.

2.6 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Ema tables and bar

Tuna & Watermelon* june 2026.

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Inside

Rumi Middle Eastern Grill

4.5(404 reviews)

I got delivery from here, interesting take on middle eastern food. I go the falafel wrap, with…read morehummus, it did not come with many veggies on it, the falafel itself was quite dry and the hummus was not very flavorful. My partner got a falafel plate. He liked the meal. He also got a salad, which he reports was good. I also got some French fries with tahini and extra garlic sauce. Overall average.

Let's start with the good stuff - tasty bowls that offer a large serving size. The rice was also…read morereally good. It came with hummus (more on that later) and sauces. The not so good - the hummus to me was tasteless and you don't get to customize your bowl. I prefer spicy and there were not jalapeños offered. The red chili sauce I used entirely and it offered so- so spice. I would certainly eat here again, but I would probably be more vocal about what I want extra of for my salad!

Wicker Park Platter

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The Purple Pig

4.3(9.1k reviews)

3.9 mi•Near North Side

Good food, eclectic environment but too small to be comfortable. A lot of patrons jammed in to a…read morerelatively small dining area. Usually long lines and some wait time.

I've been to the Purple Pig a few times I. The past. It is still amazing, I sitar the bar next to…read morethe pass...that way I can watch the Chef expedite. Tonight I had the halibut and broccoli, both incredibly prepared. Flavors were perfect and popped with subtle yet distinctive profiles. The service was excellent and caring all of the staff were engaging and efficient. If ever in Chicago you NEED to stop in for a bite

The kitchen

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Roti

3.9(453 reviews)

4.3 mi•The Loop

pros: -fast and friendly service…read more-such a yummy meal!! i ordered the harissa chicken bowl -clean tabled and restaurant cons: -none

Good quick service and options for food. Very filling meal. Spacious and great for dining in…read more Ambiance is good.

Salad and rice bowl to-go with all the toppings

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Bowl with rice, chicken, onions, tomatoes and cabbage

Kabobi Grill

4.5(1.3k reviews)

3.4 mi•Albany Park

Love this place for lunch! The lunch specials are great and the portions are huge!…read more This is a pretty good deal. You order at the counter and then sit down. Please know that if you pay with card you pay extra fee, which I didn't know. This is a pretty big portion so I did have leftovers. For one of our lunches we upgraded to the dill rice which wasn't as different from regular rice as I wanted. But when you add sumac it's perfect! This place is bright and airy.

Delicious, flavorful food!…read more Got the family platter for 3 and it was great and a lot of food. (It was more than enough for a table of 4)

2.7 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Dine in area

Kabobi Homemade Mango Saffron Icecream

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Chicken fesenjan

Falafel & Grill

4.3(670 reviews)

Good "bang for buck" would be an understatement when describing this place. The quality of the food…read moreat Falafel & Grill is absolutely OUTSTANDING, and comes at a beyond reasonable price. As typical for a counter serve, this facility is no thrills but it's kept very clean and the service is straightforward and great. We've gone back here a few times and have never had an issues with wait time, which is impressive as it can get pretty busy with orders. We've tried both the Chicken Kabob Plate and the Kifta Kabob Plate and both were fantastic. They truly make the meat here the PERFECT tenderness - probably the softest and juiciest chicken I've had in the city!!! The hummus and falafel that the Plate meals come with are also delicious. 10000% recommend for a casual Mediterranean meal or takeout

Falafel and Grill has become a neighborhood favorite for my little family. The falafel is soft and…read morefluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Large selection of vegetarian and gluten free options on the menu. Prices are good and the food comes out quickly every time. Though it's a casual place, it's clean and pleasant inside, with a decent amount of seating. The falafel platter is where I'd start, but return to get a gyro sandwich.

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Kofta Kabob Plate Baba Ghanoush

Al Bawadi Grill

4.1(1.2k reviews)

16.3 mi

This restaurant was recommended to me recently and I finally had the chance to visit. The staff…read morewere super friendly and helpful in guiding me while placing my carry out order. The decor transports you, very intentionally decorated. I had the chicken shish tawook dinner, the eggplant, falafel, wings, and hummus. This was legitimately some of the best middle eastern food I've ever had. The wings were extremely flavorful, the chicken shish tawook was juicy and beautifully seasoned, and the eggplant was delightfully tangy. I was really looking forward to coming here again.

The whole concept and aesthetic of this restaurant completely wowed me!! It feels so well thought…read moreout. The service was amazing too, super professional, friendly, always on top of everything without being overwhelming. And the hummus was especially good, and creamy, which I loved!! The food overall was great. Such a cool experience from start to finish.

4.1 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

Kenafah

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Lotus cake

Avec - Chicago

4.3(2.7k reviews)

I went to Avec based on a friend's recommendation. It was easy to snag a reservation for 6 people…read moreon a Friday night! Service is wonderful! They are very kind, attentive, and had great recommendations! The stand-outs here are the CARBS. The hot pita, the cheese- stuffed focaccia, just order lots of breads and appetizers and dip it in all the sauces!! The hummus here, although not pictured, is AMAZING!

The missus got a reservation for 1045am for two on the Sunday of Labour Day weekend 2026 for our…read morefirst trip to Chicago. We opted to sit outside on the patio (other side of the sidewalk) because it was an option. We ordered the shakshuka, heirloom tomatoes and the famous Medjool dates - all three to share. Overall, nothing stood out - the dates are indeed good but the portion sizes are somewhat small and whole we were full when we finished, it definitely was pricier than I expected it to be, given the size and quality of the food. Nothing wrong with this place - but I probably wouldn't go back. Nothing special here.

Restaurant view from bar

Whole roasted branzino

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Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh

Avaspi

4.8(113 reviews)

0.5 mi•Lakeview

If you only know of the Kurdish people or culture through the news, it's time to remedy that-- head…read moreover 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!

An absolutely standout meal, each dish better than the next. The stuffed dates, however, were about…read moreas 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!

Avaspi bar

Bread

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Cool bar

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Aylin G.

0

1

1 month ago

We had such a great experience here! The lahmacun, beef shish and döner were absolutely delicious, and the meze platter was excellent As Turkish guests, we really appreciated the authentic flavors. Definitely a place we would recommend and happily come back to. If you're looking for delicious Turkish food in Chicago, give this place a try! read more

Matt H.

0

1

5 months ago

Amazing food and service. Friendly staff amazing environment. Authentic Turkish food!

Galata Mediterranean Grill - mediterranean - Updated September 2026

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If you only know of the Kurdish people or culture through the news, it's time to remedy that-- head…read moreover 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!

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Service was top-notch as was the food. Three of us got the dinner for two and the waiter through in…read morean extra soup so that we'd all have a complete meal. Everything was excellent, and I wondered why it was so empty!

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