Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Lakeview
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 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
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.
#3
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.
#4
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.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Shawarma & Grill is a late-night counter on Diversey turning out hefty shawarma sandwiches and rice plates from Jordanian owners focused on straightforward, flavor-first cooking. It’s the move when you want fast, affordable Mediterranean—especially after bars—without sacrificing freshness or portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mix Grill Plate, Falafel Sandwich
What Makes it Special: A fast-moving shawarma counter run by Jordanian owners, known for oversized platters and reliable late-night hours.
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.
7.5
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.