Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Lakeview & Wrigleyville (60657)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen
Chicago’s first Kurdish restaurant, pairing soulful mezze with a serious Kurdish breakfast.
Notable Picks
8.5
Chicago’s first Kurdish restaurant serves mezze, hearty lamb plates, and a standout Kurdish breakfast in a cozy Lakeview dining room. Locals use it for relaxed date nights and long, share-heavy meals that feel special without going full white-tablecloth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kurdish Breakfast, Sac tawa with lamb, Red lentil and goat cheese soup
What makes it special: Chicago’s first Kurdish restaurant, pairing soulful mezze with a serious Kurdish breakfast.
#2
Zizi's Cafe
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Zizi’s is a Turkish-led Mediterranean cafe known for generous kebab platters, house-baked breads, and a long menu of grilled meats and vegetarian plates. With hundreds of reviews and steady takeout traffic, it’s a Lakeview staple for casual dinners and hearty, shareable meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doner Iskender Kebab, Adana kebab platter, Kunefe
What makes it special: High-volume Turkish cafe where grilled meats and big platters anchor weeknight dinners.
#3
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
Sila’s is a fast-casual Mediterranean counter where build-your-own bowls, pitas, and salads rotate through shawarma, falafel, and grilled proteins. It’s a go-to in Lakeview East for quick, customizable meals that lean fresher and lighter than typical late-night options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build Your Own Bowl, Sila’s Salad Bowl with Protein, Hangover Sandwich
What makes it special: Fast-casual Mediterranean bowls with strong customization and better-than-chain freshness.
7.6
Zam Zam is a halal Middle Eastern counter by Wrigley Field known for oversized shawarma plates, laffa bread, and late-night hours. It’s the move when you want volume and flavor—especially after games—more than a slow, sit-down experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Windstorm Plate (Chicken Shawarma - Gyro - Falafel), Lentil Soup
What makes it special: High-volume halal shawarma shop by the ballpark with huge plates and long hours.
7.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Olive Mountain Grill is a small, homey counter-service spot serving shawarma, kifta, and platters that mix Palestinian and broader Mediterranean flavors. With friendly service and affordable lunch specials, it works best as a neighborhood standby for simple, satisfying plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Platter, Kifta Kabab Platter, Vegetarian Combo
What makes it special: No-frills neighborhood grill where shawarma plates and kifta skewers stay budget-friendly.