The Best Middle Eastern Food in Chicago
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The best Middle Eastern food in Chicago, according to the experts: AAA, the James Beard Awards, and the Michelin Guide have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Galit comes out on top.
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Sifr and Al Bawadi Grill hold the next two places. Eater and the Michelin Guide show up on more of this list than any other guide.
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Rank 1. Galit
Middle Eastern
The hummus arrives first, topped with brisket, alongside salatim and pita still warm from the flame, which is a good sign of what's coming. Galit is a prix-fixe modern Middle Eastern spot on Lincoln Ave, holding a Michelin star, where chef Zach Engel builds a menu that feels personal rather than encyclopedic. The wine list leans into Armenia, Lebanon, and Palestine, so the pairings have something to say.
The awards
- AAA AAA: Four Diamonds
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2025 · Nominee · Outstanding Restaurant
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: 1 Star
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Rank 2. Sifr
Wood-Fired Middle Eastern
The hummus arrives looking like a still life, crowned with charred and crispy chickpeas, zhoug, and za'atar, and the table hasn't even filled up yet. This wood-fired Middle Eastern restaurant in River North comes from the team behind Indienne, and earns a Michelin Bib Gourmand by loading the table with dips, small plates, and things fresh off the grill. The menu is built for sharing, though everyone will test that theory over the last scoop of house-made ice cream.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
- Eater Eater: The Best Restaurants in River North
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Rank 3. Al Bawadi Grill
Middle Eastern
The ceiling is draped in colorful fabric to conjure a Bedouin tent, and the smell of mesquite smoke handles the rest of the welcome. This sprawling Middle Eastern grill in the southwest suburbs sends out kefta, shish kebab, and lamb on platters sized for a small wedding party, with hummus and rice enough to guarantee leftovers. The New York Times put it on their short list of Chicago's best restaurants right now, which is the kind of thing that's hard to ignore.
The awards
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now
- Eater The Best Places to Eat in Suburban Chicago
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Rank 4. Ragadan
Middle Eastern
The awards
- The Banchets The Banchets: Winner · Best Counter Service
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Rank 5. Migos Fine Foods
Middle Eastern
The awards
- The Banchets The Banchets: Nominee · Best Counter Service
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Rank 6. Evette’s
Middle Eastern
The awards
- The New York Times The New York Times: The Restaurant List
- Eater Eater: Lincoln Park’s Best Restaurants
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Rank 7. Beity
Lebanese
Stone walls, an arched ceiling, and a lower level with its own fireplace make this Lebanese restaurant feel more like a Beirut cellar than a Fulton Market address. The chef draws on family recipes for his mezze and tasting menu, moving through charred pita and parsley hummus before landing on stylized takes on traditional stews and fish dishes. The bar pours cocktails built around arak and tahini for a shorter, looser visit.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Selected Restaurant
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Rank 8. Al Bawadi Grill
Middle Eastern
Colorful fabric drapes the ceiling like a Bedouin tent, and the smell of mesquite smoke hits you before you find a table. Al Bawadi is a sprawling Middle Eastern grill in Niles where the portions arrive on banquet platters, hummus and rice piled high enough to guarantee tomorrow's lunch. Kefta, kebabs, lamb, chicken, seafood, all over hardwood. The New York Times put it on their list of the 25 best restaurants in Chicago right now.
The awards
- The New York Times The New York Times: The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now