Best Middle Eastern 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.
8.4
Zam Zam is a high-volume halal counter near Wrigley where shawarma, falafel, and hefty rice bowls feed game-day crowds and late-night regulars. It’s more about speed, portions, and flavor than decor, with long hours and online ordering keeping the line moving.
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.
#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.
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This IDOF outpost brings the brand’s build-your-own plates and wraps to Belmont, leaning on quick assembly-line service and big portions. It’s an everyday option for bowls loaded with shawarma, falafel, grains, and salads at commuter- and student-friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
All In Platter, Chicken Shawarma Plate, Falafel Plate
What makes it special: Assembly-line halal bowls and wraps with generous portions and options.
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.