Best Healthy Middle Eastern Restaurants in Chicago
17 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Falafel & Grill
Big-flavor shawarma and falafel that holds up at high volume.
Notable Picks
8.4
A high-throughput Middle Eastern counter that consistently lands best in the shawarma-and-falafel lane, with sides that show real care. It’s a reliable move for a fast meal that still tastes fresh, especially when you keep the order focused and let the classics do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel wrap, Lentil soup with lemon
What Makes it Special: Big-flavor shawarma and falafel that holds up at high volume.
8.3
A fast-casual Loop workhorse for build-your-own bowls and pitas that leans on bright sauces, pickles, and spice-forward proteins. It’s best when you keep the build focused—one signature protein, a clean base, and two sauces—so the Mediterranean flavors stay sharp instead of muddled.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Harissa Bowl, Street Falafel, Moroccan Rice
What Makes it Special: A high-volume Loop lunch counter that stays reliable across bowls, pitas, and sauces.
#3
Pita Pita
8.2
A fast-casual Mediterranean counter in the Illinois Medical District that’s built for high-turnover bowls, wraps, and grilled skewer plates that stay flavorful on the way back to work. Best used as a reliable lunch base: pick one protein lane (shish tawook or shawarma), add a dip, and let the portions do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma, Chicken shish tawook, Falafel bowl
What Makes it Special: High-turnover shawarma-and-bowl execution that stays dependable for the Medical District lunch rush.
#4
Hummus Grill
8.1
Hummus Grill is a family-owned Mediterranean counter on Damen where shawarma wraps, mix grills, and vegetarian plates come with creamy hummus and fresh salads. It’s a neighborhood staple for quick takeout or casual meals when you want something filling but not overly heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, House Mix Grill Plate, Beef and Lamb Shawarma Wrap
What Makes it Special: Family-run Mediterranean grill with big portions, creamy hummus, and salads.
Rumi Middle Eastern Grill runs a counter-service model focused on bowls, salads, and plates built around shawarma, falafel, and grilled meats. It’s the healthier-feeling option on Milwaukee for diners who want something fast but customizable, with plenty of vegetables and spreads in the mix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma bowl, Falafel plate with hummus, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: Build-your-own Middle Eastern bowls with plenty of fresh toppings.
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.
7.8
A small, culture-forward Mediterranean counter where the food reads like home cooking—best when you order a composed plate instead of sampling everything. It’s a calm, practical Loop option when you want warmth, spices, and a meal that feels intentional without turning lunch into a production.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Hummus with pita, Tabbouleh
What Makes it Special: Comforting, home-style Mediterranean cooking in a low-key Loop setup.
At the Diversey edge of Logan Square, Tarboush Mediterranean Grill focuses on shawarma, kafta, and kebab plates built over rice with salads and sauces. It operates like a casual grill with plenty of takeout and delivery, but there’s enough dine-in seating for low-key dinners built around shareable platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Kafta Plate, Meat Assortment Plate
What Makes it Special: A kebab-focused grill where shawarma and kafta plates anchor big meals.
#9
Café 53
7.7
A Hyde Park all-day cafe where the Middle Eastern lane shows up in oven-baked sandwiches and wraps that travel well. Treat it as a quick, casual stop: one wrap or baked sandwich, plus a drink, and keep expectations in the fast-comfort zone.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus and falafel wrap, Kufta oven-baked sandwich, Homemade chai
What Makes it Special: Oven-baked sandwiches with a solid falafel-and-hummus option all day.
#10
Faiza
7.7
A broader Middle Eastern menu where the best orders lean into hearty platters and grilled-protein plates rather than snack-style quick bites. It’s a practical sit-down-or-takeout pick when you want a full, composed meal with rice, salad, and sauces working together.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken kebab plate, Mixed grill platter, Fattoush salad
What Makes it Special: Plate-and-platter ordering with a fuller menu range than most.
IDOF’s University Village location is a fast-casual build-your-own line for falafel, shawarma, and grain bowls aimed squarely at students and office workers. The menu leans customizable and relatively light, with plenty of vegetarian-friendly options and portions that make it an everyday lunch candidate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build-Your-Own Falafel Bowl, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Hummus and Falafel Plate
What Makes it Special: Local mini-chain specializing in customizable falafel and shawarma bowls that stay relatively light and affordable.
#12
Khubz
7.7
A new, unassuming Middle Eastern takeout-style spot where the early signal points to a strong shawarma-and-hummus lane. Keep it tight—one protein wrap/plate plus hummus and soup—and it lands best as a quick, reliable neighborhood pickup rather than a dine-in destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma, Hummus, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: Early standout for creamy hummus and well-executed shawarma.
7.6
A fast, West Loop counter built for a clean Mediterranean lunch: crisp falafel, shawarma, and bowls that stay satisfying without turning heavy. The best orders are simple—one wrap or bowl plus a dip—so flavors stay focused and the line keeps moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel pita or wrap, Chicken shawarma, Hummus with pita
What Makes it Special: Fast Mediterranean built around crisp falafel and straightforward shawarma.
A takeout-forward Mediterranean counter known for generous portions and a menu that plays best when you keep it tight: one wrap plus one dip and a side. The strengths are straightforward—shawarma, falafel, and creamy spreads—built for quick meals that still feel hearty.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel wrap, Chicken shawarma, Baba ghanoush
What Makes it Special: Big-portion Mediterranean staples that are easiest to win with as a wrap-and-dips order.
#15
Roti
7.6
A fast-casual Mediterranean bowl-and-pita stop that wins on speed, customization, and lunch-hour reliability. It’s best when you keep the build tight—one protein, a clean sauce strategy, and a short topping list—so flavors stay distinct instead of muddy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Roti & Tahini Pita, Classic Falafel Street Pita, Harissa Chicken Bowl
What Makes it Special: Fast Mediterranean bowls and pitas with build-your-own control.
A classic street-food Mediterranean lineup in the Hayden Hall food-hall format, best for quick pitas and plates when you want straightforward shawarma-and-falafel comfort. Keep it simple—one main, one sauce lane, and it lands as an efficient, satisfying Loop bite rather than a drawn-out meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Green Falafel, Chicken Shawarma, Hummus with pita
What Makes it Special: Straight-ahead falafel-and-shawarma street food built for speed.
#17
Naf Naf Grill
7.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Healthy Haven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A fast-casual Middle Eastern option that’s most useful for predictable bowls, pita builds, and workday takeout speed. It performs best when you keep the build simple—one protein lane, one sauce direction, and a couple toppings that add crunch and acid.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma bowl, Falafel in pita, Hummus + pita
What Makes it Special: A build-your-own Middle Eastern bowl and pita stop designed for speed and consistency.