Best Date Night Middle Eastern Restaurants in Chicago
12 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Aba
Destination rooftop Mediterranean spot where polished mezze meets a lush, scene-y patio.
Notable Picks
#1
Aba
8.9
Aba is a high-energy rooftop spot in Fulton Market where modern Middle Eastern–leaning mezze, shawarma-spiced proteins, and a deep cocktail list are matched by one of the most polished patios in the city. Locals treat it as a go-to for celebratory dinners, brunch with out-of-towners, and nights where food and scene both matter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whipped Feta with charred pita, Short Rib Hummus, Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak
What Makes it Special: Destination rooftop Mediterranean spot where polished mezze meets a lush, scene-y patio.
#2
Noon O Kabab
8.8
A Persian institution where the strength is precision on the grill and a more sit-down, occasion-ready rhythm than most neighborhood kabob counters. Build the table around one premium skewer and one stew or rice set—portions run generous, so doubling mains is usually the wrong move.
Must-Try Dishes:
Barg (filet mignon) kabob, Boneless chicken kabob, Ghormeh sabzi (herb stew) with rice
What Makes it Special: A destination-level Persian grill with the volume and reputation to back up repeat visits.
8.7
Since 2002, Turquoise has been Roscoe Village’s go-to Turkish-Mediterranean dining room for kebabs, mezze, and an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch that fills the cozy space with regulars. A long track record, live-music nights, and nearly two thousand cross-platform reviews make it one of the neighborhood’s most established Mediterranean destinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-You-Can-Eat Turkish Sunday Brunch, Hunkar Begendi (Sultan’s Delight), Lahmajoun and mezze spread
What Makes it Special: Long-running Turkish-Mediterranean spot with beloved brunch and warm hospitality.
#4
Beity
8.6
Beity brings chef Ryan Fakih’s Lebanese heritage into a moody, stone-walled Fulton Market dining room with a tasting menu built around mezze, sayadieh, and classic Levantine flavors. It leans more fine dining than neighborhood grill, with cocktails and service calibrated for long, special-occasion evenings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Parsley Hummus with Lamb, Shish Barak Dumplings, Qatayef with burnt honey ice cream
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized Lebanese tasting menu that treats mezze and family recipes with fine-dining framing.
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.
#6
Fiya
8.3
A modern Middle Eastern/Israeli-leaning kitchen where the move is to build the meal around hummus-and-pita and one larger centerpiece, then stop before it turns into a crowded table. The food lands best when you let the spice blends and sauces do the work—bright, savory, and designed for sharing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus (Original or Shawarma), Shakshuka, Khachapuri
What Makes it Special: Modern Middle Eastern cooking anchored by hummus, pita, and bold mains.
#7
Marrakech
8.3
Moroccan cooking in a small, intimate dining room where the kitchen leans into tagines, couscous, and spiced starters rather than trend-chasing plates. Go in hungry for a slow, family-style meal—mint tea, a spread of appetizers, then one tagine to anchor the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken pastilla, Lamb couscous, Atlas tagine
What Makes it Special: A focused Moroccan menu where tagines and pastilla drive the entire experience.
#8
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.
#9
Elia
8.2
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Elia is a modern Mediterranean restaurant on Division where mezze, mixed grills, and seafood arrive in a candlelit room accented with deep reds and live-fire aromas. It’s used for birthday dinners and date nights when diners want an all-evening experience built around shared plates and a broader wine list.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-you-can-eat mezze and grill spread, Lamb chops, Baklava dessert
What Makes it Special: Modern, music-forward Mediterranean room built for lingering celebrations.
8.2
A Clark Street sit-down built around grilled meats, bright dips, and a menu that’s best ordered as a spread rather than a single plate. The strongest move is to anchor the table with one mixed grill, then layer in hummus-style starters so the meal stays balanced and satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed grill platter, Chicken kebab, Hummus with warm pita
What Makes it Special: A polished neighborhood Mediterranean room that shines with grill-and-dip combo ordering.
8
A Devon Avenue halal dining room that leans into bold spice and grill-forward plates, with a menu that bridges Middle Eastern staples and tandoor-style comfort. It lands best when you commit to one kebab/taouk centerpiece and one sweet finish instead of turning it into a sprawling order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken tawook, Mixed grill platter, Kunafa
What Makes it Special: Grill-and-tandoor cooking with Middle Eastern comfort and dessert payoff.
Worthy Picks
#12
Zarsh Restaurant
7.7
A small, dinner-hours Afghan spot that reads more like a neighborhood dining room than a grab-and-go counter—lean into rice-and-meat specialties and treat it as a slower, sit-down meal. The value is in the comforting spice profile and homestyle execution, not a big-room vibe or high-friction service theater.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabuli pulao, Bolani, Kebab sampler
What Makes it Special: Afghan dinner-only cooking built around kabuli pulao and comfort-forward specialties.