Oasis Cafe was a random find. It's inside a jewelry store, which threw me off at first, but it ended up being a great stop. Super hidden, easy to miss if you're not looking for it. The staff was super friendly and got everything moving quick. I ordered the chicken shawarma plate with hummus. Came out fast, fresh, and smelled amazing right away. First bite and it all came together. The chicken was tender and packed with flavor, those warm spices, garlic, a little citrus in there too. The hummus was smooth and it added that creamy balance to everything. Every forkful had something going on. It's the kind of meal where you keep going without thinking about it. Simple setup, big flavor. Didn't expect to find a spot like this in a jewelry store, but yeah... really glad we did. read more

Oasis Cafe - Chicken Shawarma Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious and very well-priced. This is the kind of find that makes one love being in a city with some history. In this famous part of town, in the shadow of the elevated train, in the back of a long, thin family-run jewelry store is... a delicious Mediterranean takeaway! There's actually more seating than you'd expect, but the hours are limited. I did take-away. Service was fast and casual. Food was excellent. If I worked nearby I'd be here every week if not more often. Pro-tip for travelers, there's shawarma or kebab shops in every major city, and they're usually some of the more affordable, flavorful food you'll find, and usually family run or small business. As a bonus, in many places they're open late or available as street food. Pricing is a bargain in this pricey part of the city. Highly recommended. read more

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Still maintain the quality after all these years... stopped by for a quick bite with the kiddos and the chicken shawarma remains a family favorite. I had the lentil soup for a change , was tasty but the whole time I was worried about the styrofoam bowl and Plastic spoon . Wish we had more eco friendly options read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Oasis Cafe is located at the rear of Wabash Jewelers - this little hidden eatery serves up Mediterranean specalties, such as various soups, apps, entrees, sandwiches, and vegetarian options. I ordered: +a Falafel Sandwich - pita filled with falafel, cucumbers, and tahina sauce; opted out of the lettuce and tomatoes; the sandwich was just okay; the pita bread was soft and fluffy, but it was just too much bread with the little filling +an 'app' of the Baba Ghanouj - came with a side of pita bread; this was smokey, chunky, and pretty delicious - great app or a vegetarian eats option Staff could have been more friendlier. There's a handful of seating available. Accessible via the CTA. +baba ghanouj +good pita bread +inside Wabash Jewelers read more

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Delicious, no nonsense Mediterranean food. My go-to is the combo plate for a choice of meat, falafel, rice, veggies, and pita. I would also recommend asking for garlic sauce (costs a bit extra). Such a filling meal that is ready almost immediately after ordering-- service is very quick. There are two floors of seating and a restroom. It can feel a bit cramped and loud on the first floor, so go to the second for some more space. The neon sign/lights make the first floor aesthetics nice though. This place is located within a jewelry shop in the Loop. Highly recommend! read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall a decent sharma but it is lacking something and I cannot put my finger on it. I will say this place has fast friendly service. Arguably a hidden gem restaurant. literally hidden behind gems at the back of a jewelry store! read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

LOVE LOVE LOVE Oasis Cafe!!! A couple of co-workers were working in the area and found the cafe from a Google search. The best part is you walk through a jewelry store to get to the cafe in the back of the store...and yes an actual jewelry store! The prices are very affordable and you receive a lot of food especially for lunch servings; I had enough leftovers for dinner. Everyone behind the counter was very nice and answered our questions about the menu. Highly recommend! read more

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Ever since I heard about this place, I've been wanting to try it and I'm so glad I did. I got the Kushari with chicken. It's brown lentil rice with salad and pita. I really liked it. I wish the cinnamon flavor in the rice wasn't so overpowering but that's a me problem and nothing else. The chicken was delicious. Good service. Can't wait to come back and try their spinach pie and falafel. read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you blink you'll miss it! Oasis cafe is tucked away in a small corner of jewelers row and it's jam packed with affordable and yummy lunch options. I got the falafel sandwich and it was crunchy, fresh and delicious. Service is fast and friendly and there's ample seating. read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So for many years I heard about this 'secret restaurant' in Jeweler's row. Today, I finally went to try it out. It really isn't so secret anymore, they clearly label the restaurant on the outside of the store and there's a sidewalk sign. The restaurant itself is in the back of the Jewelry store. It's a simple walk up and order at the register. They have a ton of options ($11-$15) and all relatively inexpensive for the area, so great find for lunch. The dining area itself isn't fancy at all. The food is 'fast', we barely sat down and our food was ready to go. The portions were large. We ordered a couscous dish with chicken, also the falafel with hummus. I never am a fan of falafel, however this one was really good! The couscous dish was very flavorful as well, was pleasantly surprised! Definitely a 'gem' (ba dum bum) read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A Mediterranean restaurant in inside of a jewelry store?! Who could've thunk it. After a salad was not enough to satiate my appetite, I decided to finally give Oasis cafe a shot. The result was a very pleasant surprise all around. The food quality was great, and the service was polite and blazing fast. I ordered the Wabash combo, which came with Shirazi Salad, Foul (fava bean stew/porridge), hummus, falafel, and a Pastilla (resembles a burrito - filo dough stuffed with chicken, carrot, green peppers, and onions). Everything was homemade, fresh, and flavorful, and the falafel even had a little heat. The Pastilla had a generous amount of tender chicken, and enough veggies and spice to balance it out. Let me be honest: the food at Oasis isn't mind-blowing. However, for a grab and go deal, it hits the nail on the head. Also helping it is that it is healthy, filling, and a great value at ~$10. I have nothing against fried chicken sandwiches or $16 salads as both have a place. Yet, Oasis find that ideal middle ground! Very well done - I look forward to coming back, trying more food, and getting some garlic sauce too! read more

Oasis Cafe - Wabash Special - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sometimes you're not in the mood to drop 200 for lunch near Michigan Ave and this is when Oasis Cafe comes to the rescue! We ordered chicken shawarma and chicken couscous. We got served fast and both lunch entrees were flavorful and fresh. Our total came out to 23 without drinks. The cafe is located at the back of a jewelry store. There is plenty of seating. There was a strong odor coming by the bathrooms so avoid sitting there. Plumbing issues happens in a lot of downtown restaurants so I dont think the cafe can do anything about that. Beware of the hot sauce, it's super spicy, mix it with tahini sauce. read more

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Great value at this spot inside a jewelry store! It's not super hidden: there's a big neon sign in front so it's easy to find. Lots of specials, so take a look at the board inside. I shared a combo plate with the kefta and it was quite good! The hummus was creamy and the kefta was meaty and nicely grilled. The falafel were fine to me, nothing special but not bad. I would've liked the cucumber tomato salad on the side to be fresher but it was fine. And all for $14 (including tax)! Plenty of seating and not too busy during lunchtime on the weekend. A great meal after ice skating at the Maggie Daley skating ribbon! read more

Oasis Cafe - Mixed combo with kofta - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had known about this place over the years from some videos I saw, but always forgot about it. I remembered again while walking with a friend from breakfast and talked about this place not knowing where it was and turn to my left saw it towards the back of the jewelry store under neon lights. There is a sign outside that also says Oasis Café. As soon as I walked in and made it to the back restaurant area around 11am on a Tuesday, I was greeted and asked how my day was. There's an older looking menu that has the specials and all their offerings. I was told the Moroccan chicken was the special for the day. I ended up ordering a kefta (3 beef and lamb) combo plate that came rice, pita, with vegetables (grilled zucchini and onion), hummus (I added falafel (which came with 3) and the cucumber tomato salad (I forget what it is called but every Mediterranean spot has it). Although it's not the best Mediterranean food I've ever had it was very good, I did especially liked the hummus and the hot sauce that came with it. The value here is great and I can see myself coming in more often. By the time I had left the place people had been in and out grabbing to-go orders and sitting down to eat-in at the decent amount of tables that they had. This place is a must try, it's quick with friendly service, nothing fancy just really decent food. You'll pay about 20 bucks everywhere around here for anything to eat. Might as well make it this kind of place. read more

Good food and the location at the back of a jewelry store is cool. I ordered the vegetarian platter and there's plenty of seating. read more

Oasis Cafe - Veggie Combo Special - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

huge portions for the price and good value!! located behind a jewelry store, this place is a not so hidden hidden gem. service is quick - falafel was crispy, and schwarma was decently tender. great for a quick bite! read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in for a lunch since I've been seeing videos about this place and I was not disappointed! The value for the mount of food was great. Service was fine. Order at the counter and find a seat yourself - very casual and I could see it being more of a pick-up than fine in. I'll be back again to try more dishes. We ordered the shawarma plate and the Moroccan special - both were good and great portion size. read more

Oasis Cafe - Shawarma Plate with Hummos Special - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best fast middle eastern food in the loop, prices are reasonable as well. I tried the Halal Guys down the street and pretty much got nothing but iceberg lettuce in my falafel or shawarma sandwiches, but here they fill it up with the good stuff. Recommended. read more

My new favorite affordable lunch in the loop - not only is oasis such a cool "Chicago" spot tucked away in the back of a jewelry store, the food is GOOD and CHEAP! The falafel sandwich came out to $8.53 and was a filling and satisfying lunch. After ordering, it was prepared quickly (in about 30 seconds) and I was on my way. The falafel was crunchy and flavorful and the hummus was super fresh. They are generous with the ingredients and the portion sizes, and the food tastes super authentic. The space has plenty of tables to sit, but it definitely fills up during the lunch hour! I can't wait to go back and try more from their menu! read more

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My go to for lunch but really, really upset that they removed the grilled eggplant sandwich from the menu -- it was such a nice veg option and my favorite thing to order there. The babaganoush sandwich is not a good substitution, PLEASE BRING BACK THE EGGPLANT sandwich read more

Saw this thanks to yelp. Very odd to walk through a jewelry store, but food was tasty and reasonably priced for the area.

If you truly want to experience a hidden gem food spot of Chicago, look no further! Oasis Cafe is located in Jewlers Row in the Loop, and is in the back of a diamond/ jewelry store. It a bit hard to find because there's no blatant signage out front, but apple/ google maps will guide you. Now it's only open during lunch time, but you can order ahead online or order in store. There are also a few tables/ chairs set up inside where you can eat your food after ordering. Now the food: wow, for the price you get a decently large portion. There are daily specials along with staple menu items like beef/ chicken kebabs, shawarma, grape leaves, falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, etc. Everything looked fresh & the service was so friendly! i got the mixed combo platter which came with your choice of meat, rice, falafel, hummus, and salad: delicious. read more

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Yes Oasis Cafe - in the back of a jewelry emporium on Wabash - still lives! I've not been here in ages, but yesterday I came here with a couple of friends for lunch. Oasis is tucked away in the back of this place, and the ambiance of the dining area is a bit hole-in-the-wall. You step up and order your food, and it is quickly served on a cafeteria tray if you are dining in. Oasis has daily specials, and on this particular Thursday we unanimously ordered the Wabash Mixed Combo. This is a solid plate of food, featuring the Moroccan chicken pastilla, a burrito-like bundle of fillo dough wrapped around chicken and veggies. I have eaten pastilla in other places and it is usually more crispy and sweeter, but this pastilla is still good. However, the star of the combo for me was actually the three pieces of falafel - they are dynamite. Hummus, foul beans, lettuce and pita round out this platter. For some reason during our meal there were some blinking lights, buzzing noises and alarms going off sporadically during our meal. The woman apologized for the inconvenience, and hopefully that alarm stuff was just a one-off. read more

I've been hesitating for years to say anything about Oasis Cafe because I don't want to share it with the masses. It is hands down the best middle eastern food in Chicago. I love dolma, and this is the best. Bright and lemony, always fresh. My go-to vegetarian combo comes with dolma or tabouleh. The tabouleh is pretty amazing too. I could be happy with a plate of tabouleh and a pita to soak up that mouthwatering dressing. I could also be happy with a plate of their perfectly fried falafel. I only barely like falafel because it's so bland at most places, but I love it here. Don't get me started on the shawarma. It is very easy to over-eat here. I know the place looks like a place where you could definitely get food poisoning. Who puts a restaurant in the back of a drab little jewelry mall on Wabash? But that's all part of the charm. Bring people here and you will immediately look like the most experienced and knowledgeable Chicago foodie they have ever met. Also, they have diet Dr. Pepper on tap. Also clean restrooms. Also, I've eaten here hundreds of times and never gotten food poisoning. read more

Oasis Cafe - Veggie combo with tabouleh and shawarma plate. Every bite was amazing. - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a solid, no-frills spot for decently priced Middle Eastern food in the heart of the Loop. The location is tucked away at the back of a jewelry store; you order at the counter and they call out your name once the food is ready. I stopped by with a friend on a Saturday for lunch and there were only a few others there. We got Hummus as an appetizer, which came with 2 pieces of pita. The hummus was thick and earthy-- it was good, quality, and hit the spot. I also got the Kefta Kabob Sandwich, which was delicious: the meat was juicy and flavorful, the pita pocket warm and packed with veggies. The sauce was rich and earthy. I got a cup of Arabic Coffee too, which I wasn't a huge fan of at first but eventually grew to really like it. It was very bitter and concentrated with strong floral accents. We also shared a baklava, which was good: the texture was perfectly sticky and it was not overly sweet. The prices are pretty affordable, especially relative to the surrounding area: sandwiches and entrees are ~$7-15. The food is also very filling, so great value all around. Service at the counter was a little gruff, but generally nice and quick. I appreciated the simplicity of the place-- the ambience is not amazing, but I'd always rather have good food and affordable prices over incredible ambience. I'll definitely be back to try other menu items! -- Price (relative to peers): 5/5 Food: 4.5/5 Ambience: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Overall Value: 4.2/5 read more

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This place has the best cheap Mediterranean food I've had in Chicago. This is a hidden gem. Quality- the falafel is crunchy and fresh. The chicken is juicy and seasoned well. This place Blows naf naf away. Quantity- excellent for 10 bucks. I'd be here every week for lunch if I worked closer. Atmosphere- nice seating area in the back of a jewelry store. Service - very fast read more

Oasis Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The lunch special is a good value, and the quality of food is there. I will go there again

Cynthia was so nice! The food was good and very filling. Service was 5 star. The food was ok I needed some tiziki sauce. The desert was good also. Nice experience eating in a jewelry store. Very different! read more

Oasis Cafe - Kefta Kebab Plate and grape leaves - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Unbelievable one of a kind place, actually a literal Oasis behind jewelry store. Every thing I have had here is amazing. If in doubt, try falafel sandwich. Great daily lunch items and beyond reasonably priced. Very fresh. I feel better about the world because this place exists. read more

For people new to Chicago it's fun to eat here because it feels very "big city," being hidden in the back of a jewelry store. It's also fun because the food is very good! Service was fine, you just order and they call your number after a while, they were polite, no problem. The ambiance is funny because of course it's in the back of a store and seemingly has no place being there. There's a bathroom around the corner in case you need one. Definitely recommend. My mother in law can't stop talking about the Egyptian Salad! read more

service was so quick they had the food out practically as soon as we ordered. food wasn't amazing but wasn't bad. it was nice and quiet though cause the restaurant is located at the back of a jewelry store which i think is cool read more

Oasis Cafe - Wabash Mixed Combo Special - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I enjoyed eating the food from this almost secret location just one block over from where the park of the well known Bean, more correctly known as the Cloud Gate, is found. The price was right. The portions enough to take home after feeling fully satiated. You may miss the entrance if you are looking to find a sign up top on the side of the building. But nope! Look down. There's a street sign only. There may or may not be an arrow visible pointing you into the entrance of a jewelry store. Exactly.... You are scratching your head right? But I'm sure if you've lived in a city, you know that the most impressive places may be found in the tiniest of holes. Right? The service reminded me a tad of Seinfeld's Soup guy. If you know what I mean, then that's enough. If you don't? Be prepared? How? 1) Read the menu, 2) observe the other clientele in line, see what and how they order from the food to the beverage to asking for a cold cup of free water, 3) make sure your party doesn't have that one person who five minutes into everyone else knowing what they will order is STILL not ready ... you know what? put in your order, then let them head up to put theirs in while you've grabbed your seats and enjoy your middle eastern spread. If you are nice? Maybe you'll share . As for the ambiance? It's definitely no frills. It's a mom and pop vibe that's on point. Walk confidently through that jewelry store and head straight on back. Secure your spot. Grab a friend or two and comisurate over a tasty and healthy meal. Enjoy! read more

I had never been to this place before and was looking to have lentils. I made my order through Menufy (or something like that). They did call promptly to inform me that they were out and asked if I'd want something else to go with my falafel. I was really disappointed when I arrived. I walked down and responded when the person upfront asked if I had ordered. I told him that I had pick up and it sounded like he said that he didn't have an order. I stayed there perplexed at what to do next because I already paid. He then asked me if I spoke Spanish. I told him I did and he proceeded not to say anything. He sort of complained that there wasn't lentil, which I already knew and was confused. I told him I had said to have the spinach pie instead. There was some guy, maybe the owner, on the phone in the kitchen and making odd jokes to the worker. He finally put it together and handed it to me. As I walked out what I think was the security guard in the jeweler store made some inappropriate noises (mmmm) as I walk out. It was so uncomfortable and inappropriate. I went to eat the food and falafel was so dry I had started actually coughing. I dipped it in the hummus to help. It also wasn't very flavorful. I've made some at home that tasted way better. The spinach pie was very disappointing and I actually throughout the rest after a bite, which is unusual for me. I hate waste. Food was okay and service was terrible. read more

This is the second time I've eaten here, first review. I got the Mixed Combo plate with Chicken Shawarma. It was outstanding. Very nicely spiced, cheap prices and large portions. The highlight for me was the Falafel. Hot, light and crispy. I would have eaten a whole meal of them. This place is inconspicuous and the reason I love using Yelp as I would not have found this place without knowing about it first. Tucked behind a jewelry store it makes up for a lack of ambiance with great food from a local family. If you're looking on Yelp these are the types of places you foodies out there should be looking for, if not just go to Cheesecake Factory and call it a day or a bland date, whatever. But, if you like supporting local businesses that offer great fare, try this place. Cheers! read more

Oasis Cafe - Sorry, forgot to take a pic before I started. Mixed Combo plate with Chicken Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow! I came here with the intention of trying their vegetarian falafel sandwich, but when I walked in everyone was eating the same thing so I instantly changed my mind! The Wednesday special (Moroccan chicken) was filled with flavor and was so fresh! Absolutely a hidden gem. I will continue to come back. Also, the plate was enough for 2 people to share AND WAS ONLY $10.95!! read more

Oasis Cafe - Wednesday Special $10.95 - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I brag on it all the time because it's like a hidden secret in the back of the store. However, I went today and I received very poor service and poor food. The woman at the counter was not friendly at all and then I bought the Moroccan chicken. When I got in the car to taste it, it tasted just like boiled chicken without any seasoning, but the potato was seasoned. I called the restaurant to let them know, and the woman told me that she was sorry to hear that with a dry disrespectful tone. The customer service needs to improve at this place. read more

Bit of a quirky entrance but a great recommendation to a cozy neighborhood find. Really good falafels, light, crispy and flavorful.

Tucked away in the back of a jewelry store, this place really is an oasis! At first we weren't sure how to get there and entered the wrong building, but then saw it through a jewelry store window and went in not knowing if we were going the correct way. Turns out that was the correct way so we walked through to order. We ordered the Greek salad with kafta kabob and the falafel sandwich. The falafel sandwich was really good and fresh tasting! We also asked for the garlic sauce to put on it, this is a must. My Greek salad was good, I've had better Greek salads but I needed some veggies in my vacation diet so I still appreciated it. The kafta was yummy! Was a surprising find and we liked the different experience of finding this place at the back of a store. read more

Oasis Cafe - Falafel Sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The definition of a hole in the wall as it's in the back of a jewelry store. Crazy good. Super affordable and quick service. I was in an out. read more

Oasis Cafe - Kefta sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food is amazing, atmosphere is a bit rough but is nostalgic as an American Muslim and a testament to having good halal food. Normally that would be a 4/5 but the service is amazing, portions are good (I had 3-4 big kefta in my pita), and there is love in the food. read more