Unearth The Voyage
Chicago is more than deep-dish pizza and hot dogs. The city’s restaurant scene takes you on a journey around the world, from Kurdish kitchens to Balkan feasts, all without leaving the neighborhood. Whether you’re craving Mediterranean mezze or Somali comfort food, these international spots serve up authentic flavors that’ll make you feel like you’ve hopped on a plane.
1. Aba – Mediterranean With a Rooftop View of Fulton Market
Want to escape to the Mediterranean without leaving the West Loop? Aba blends Israeli, Lebanese, Turkish, and Greek flavors with a California vibe. The rooftop patio and greenery-filled dining room create an oasis in Fulton Market.
Chef CJ Jacobson’s menu shines with sharing plates like Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Smoky Garlic Hummus, and shawarma-spiced skirt steak. Fresh seafood and vegetable dishes round out the lineup.
The beverage program highlights lesser-known Mediterranean wines and spirits. Perfect for adventurous drinkers who want something beyond the usual picks.
2. AMBAR Restaurant Chicago – Unlimited Balkan Small Plates in River North
Here’s a deal that sounds too good to be true: pay one price and order unlimited small plates from a menu of 30 to 40 dishes. Ambar’s River North location brings a full Balkan feast to your table.
Cevapi grilled sausages, sarma stuffed cabbage, and spreads like kajmak and beet tzatziki showcase traditional flavors. Modern twists include almond fried chicken with apple slaw and lamb flatbread.
Rakia-based cocktails and a thoughtful Balkan wine list complete the experience. Groups especially love the unlimited format and sleek, celebratory atmosphere.
3. Mogadishu Restaurant – Somali Comfort Food From Breakfast to Late Night
Starting at 5 a.m., Mogadishu Restaurant in River West serves East African comfort food all day long. Breakfast brings crispy Somali anjera with sweet tea or kay kay—chopped chapati cooked with vegetables or meat.
Later, big plates of bariis with goat, lamb shank with rice, and chicken suqaar fill the menu. Veggie combos offer plenty of options too.
Reviewers consistently praise the huge portions and affordable prices. The home-away-from-home vibe keeps traditional Somali flavors front and center.
4. EUROASIA RESTAURANT – Central Asian & Eastern European Halal Gem
Tucked on W Oak Street, EuroAsia feels like stepping into a Central Asian home kitchen. This cozy halal spot specializes in Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Russian, and Eastern European cooking with generous portions and family-run warmth.
Manty steamed dumplings, lamb samsa, chebureki, borscht, and lagman noodles showcase the menu’s range. Pan-fried potatoes with lamb and shorpo soup round out the comfort food lineup.
Imported drinks like kvas add authentic touches. Think grandma cooking from across the post-Soviet world at prices that won’t break the bank.
5. Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen – Ukrainian Village Classic
Since 2016, Tryzub has celebrated Ukrainian food and culture in the heart of Ukrainian Village. Borscht, stuffed cabbage, and handmade varenyky with colorful fillings—beef, potato, mushrooms—honor tradition with modern touches.
Weekend brunch brings deruny potato pancakes and syrnyky cheese pancakes alongside coffee and cocktails. House-infused spirits add extra flair to the drink menu.
More than just a restaurant, Tryzub serves as a cultural hub. Art and history references throughout the space tell the story behind the food.
6. The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen – Chicago’s First Kurdish Restaurant
As Chicago’s first Kurdish kitchen, The Gundis puts a spotlight on flavors rarely found elsewhere in the city. Kurdish and broader Middle Eastern traditions shape the menu in this cozy, modern space.
Grilled meats, hearty stews, fresh bread, and plenty of dips and salads showcase Kurdish culinary roots. Shared plates emphasize the hospitality central to the culture.
Looking to explore a less familiar regional cuisine? The Gundis offers exactly that—a genuine first in Chicago’s dining scene.
7. Jibek Jolu – Kyrgyz “Silk Road” Flavors in Lincoln Square
Named after the Kyrgyz words for Silk Road, Jibek Jolu brings Central Asian cuisine to Lincoln Square. Plov rice pilaf, handmade manti, samsa, and guro lagman hand-pulled noodles read like a culinary tour along ancient trade routes.
Shorpo lamb soup, fresh breads, and honey cake for dessert complete the generous menu. Portions earn consistent praise for both quantity and quality.
The cozy, yurt-inspired interior sets the mood. BYOB policy makes group dinners even more relaxed and affordable.
8. India House Restaurant Chicago – Classic Indian With a Popular Lunch Buffet
With over 250 menu items spanning multiple regions of India, India House in River North covers serious ground. Street snacks, tandoori specialties, and rich curries represent the country’s diverse flavors.
The all-you-can-eat lunch buffet—available weekdays and weekends—lets you sample widely in one visit. Chicken tikka, naan, samosas, biryani, and gulab jamun are crowd favorites.
Zagat and OpenTable have recognized this long-running spot. Catering and private rooms make it work for both casual meals and special events.
9. Kapitan – Chicago’s Only Peranakan Restaurant
Run by the owner of Malaysian spot Serai, Kapitan is Chicago’s only dedicated Peranakan restaurant. Peranakan cuisine blends Malay, Chinese, and other regional influences into something truly unique.
Nasi lemak, mee siam, Hainanese chicken, pie tee, and rich curry plates fill the shareable menu. All-day offerings mean you can visit anytime.
Chicago hadn’t seen this style of Malaysian cooking in years before Kapitan arrived. For Southeast Asian flavors beyond the usual Thai and Vietnamese, this Lincoln Park spot stands out.
10. Cafe Beograd – Serbian & Balkan Comfort in Irving Park
Serving Serbian and Balkan cuisine since the 1980s, Cafe Beograd is an Irving Park institution. Pljeskavica Serbian-style burgers, bacon-wrapped cevapčići, mixed meat platters, burek, and goulash dominate the menu.
Open from morning until midnight, it works for late breakfast or a long, meat-heavy dinner. Shopska salad and other hearty sides round out the offerings.
The casual, lively vibe attracts regulars and newcomers alike. Frequently recommended as one of Chicagoland’s top Serbian spots.
11. Russian Tea Time Restaurant – Eastern European Tea & Classics Near the Art Institute
For over three decades, Russian Tea Time has served as a downtown landmark near the Art Institute. Daily afternoon tea service pairs tea with pastries and small bites in an old-world setting.
Beyond sweets, the main menu spans the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe. Meat, fish, and plenty of vegetarian options showcase the region’s diversity.
Samovars and hearty plates create a special atmosphere. If you’re exploring the Loop and want something that feels elegant and traditional, this is worth the stop.
12. Tuscany Taylor (Tuscany on Taylor Street) – Little Italy’s Northern Italian Standby
In Little Italy’s heart, Tuscany on Taylor has been a neighborhood favorite for years. The Phil Stefani group runs this spot known for handmade Italian favorites and a warm, welcoming vibe.
Northern Italian cooking drives the menu—pastas, risottos, seafood, and grilled meats. The classic dining room and inviting patio suit any occasion.
Date nights, family dinners, and pre-game meals all work here. A long track record and consistent food keep locals and visitors coming back.
