Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Lakeview & Wrigleyville (60657)
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Avaspi
Design-forward Anatolian spot where mezze, cocktails, and brunch meet in a chic space.
Notable Picks
#1
Avaspi
8.2
Avaspi brings an Anatolian slant to Lakeview with tapas-style mezze, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and a polished room of velvet seating and cocktails. It’s where locals upgrade a neighborhood dinner into something closer to a night out without leaving the zip code.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed meze appetizer, Grilled halloumi meze, Anatolian Breakfast for Two
What makes it special: Design-forward Anatolian spot where mezze, cocktails, and brunch meet in a chic space.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Heart Of Middle East Market is a compact Halsted grocery that doubles as a takeout counter for falafel, shawarma, and house-made dips. Shelves of pantry goods, a deli case, and hot sandwiches make it more of a neighborhood utility stop than a sit-down restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Hummus with Fresh Pita
What makes it special: Tiny Middle Eastern market where grocery runs meet quick falafel and shawarma.
7.6
Birdman Ramen is a Lakeview noodle shop channeling Tokyo side-street energy, with Szechuan tori paitan and Hokkaido garlic miso bowls leading the menu. Between occasional crab-leg specials and late-ish hours, it’s become a low-key ramen option near the Red/Brown/Purple Line that still flies under most visitors’ radar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Szechuan Tori Paitan, Hokkaido Garlic Miso, Osaka Cheesecake
What makes it special: All-poultry ramen concept with tiered broth packages and a lively Belmont corner room.
#4
Matilda
7.6
Matilda is a long-running Lakeview bar-and-grill where ATLAS burgers, shareable bar snacks, and strong drinks fuel late nights in a dim, narrow room. It reads as a neighborhood cocktail lounge first and kitchen second, but regulars know the food has quietly stepped up in recent years.
Must-Try Dishes:
ATLAS Burger, Spinach artichoke dip, Chicken Parmesan sandwich
What makes it special: A 21+ cocktail bar with a stronger-than-expected kitchen, late hours, and a loyal Lakeview following.