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5 Best Shawarma Restaurants in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Thorne Savarin
By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Aba has logged over 10,700 Google reviews at a 4.8 rating, numbers most Mediterranean spots in Chicago never approach, and it shares that same 4.8 with a much smaller Egyptian kitchen, Cairo Kebab, that's built its following on koshary and hawawshi rather than shawarma alone. The best shawarma restaurants in Chicago span that whole range, from a West Loop restaurant group's Mediterranean flagship to fast-casual bowl counters and a family-run Egyptian deli, so the right pick here depends more on setting than on the meat itself.

Short answer: Aba leads Chicago's Mediterranean and shawarma scene at 4.8 stars across 10,722 reviews, a West Loop restaurant known for shareable Mediterranean plates. Cairo Kebab matches that 4.8 rating with a devoted following for its Egyptian specialties, and CAVA offers the fastest, most casual bowl-and-wrap format. A shawarma plate or wrap typically runs $10 to $30 in 2026.
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Chicago's Best Shawarma and Mediterranean, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Aba 4.8 ★ 10,722 Overall / upscale shareable plates View ›
2 Cairo Kebab 4.8 ★ 1,273 Egyptian specialties View ›
3 CAVA 4.7 ★ 992 Fast-casual bowls View ›
4 Crave Kabob 4.5 ★ 1,346 Halal kabobs and shawarma View ›
5 NAIA 4.7 ★ 986 Riverside Mediterranean dinner View ›
5 Best Shawarma Restaurants in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Aba logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Aba

4.810,722 Google reviews

Aba is a West Loop Mediterranean restaurant with a California influence, built around Chef CJ Jacobson's modern approach to shareable plates, shawarma steak frites, kebabs, and spreads like whipped feta and hummus. It runs a full beverage program of spirits and rare Mediterranean wines, with rooftop-style patio seating and Aba locations expanding into other cities.

What people praise

  • Shareable spreads, including crispy short rib hummus, called out repeatedly as phenomenal
  • Warm, attentive service with staff greeting guests personally
  • Shawarma steak frites praised as a standout among the shareable plates
  • Beautiful, patio-style decor even indoors

Worth knowing

  • Servers may suggest more plates than a smaller group can finish
  • Pricing runs higher than a fast-casual shawarma spot
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume10,722 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown88% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago and the top-rated overall, though it's a shareable-plates dinner rather than a quick shawarma wrap. Order fewer dishes than the server suggests for two people.

Website Book now+1773-645-1400 Directions

302 N Green St 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607

Cairo Kebab logo
#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Cairo Kebab

4.81,273 Google reviews

Cairo Kebab is a Little Italy-area Egyptian and Mediterranean restaurant serving halal, freshly prepared dishes including koshary, molokheya, and hawawshi, a spiced-meat pita street food, alongside more familiar kebab and shawarma plates. It runs a large vegetarian and vegan selection and has built a reputation for authentic Egyptian cooking beyond typical Mediterranean fare.

What people praise

  • Koshary called out repeatedly as an authentic, standout Egyptian dish
  • Hawawshi singled out as a genuinely new and tasty discovery for many diners
  • Staff handled an order mistake by letting the customer keep the dish for free
  • Basbousa and rice pudding praised even by non-dessert eaters

Worth knowing

  • Lamb and beef can run drier than expected on some orders
  • Smaller review base than the largest Mediterranean names on this list
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume1,273 · 87th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown86% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Tied for the highest rating on this list and the most distinctly Egyptian menu in Chicago. Go beyond the shawarma and try the koshary, it's what regulars talk about most.

Website Book now+1224-521-0649 Directions

730 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60607

CAVA logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

CAVA

4.7992 Google reviews

CAVA is a fast-casual Mediterranean chain location in the Loop offering build-your-own bowls, salads, and pitas with falafel, gyro, and shawarma-style proteins, plus a full range of dips and sauces. It's designed for quick lunch service with online ordering and multiple Chicago-area locations, part of a national Mediterranean fast-casual brand.

What people praise

  • Staff repeatedly praised for patience with first-time or indecisive orders
  • Large vegetarian and vegan options clearly labeled and easy to build around
  • Consistent quality reported across multiple CAVA locations nationally
  • Fast turnaround even during a busy lunch line

Worth knowing

  • Menu leans build-your-own bowl format rather than a traditional plated shawarma meal
  • Smaller review base at this specific downtown location
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume992 · 76th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown92% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The fastest, most convenient option on this list for a weekday lunch. Not a traditional sit-down shawarma spot, but a reliable build-your-own Mediterranean bowl when time is tight.

Website Book now+1872-710-2229 Directions

233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Crave Kabob logo
#4🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Crave Kabob

4.51,346 Google reviews

Crave Kabob is a West Side Mediterranean restaurant serving halal kabobs, shawarma bowls, biryani, falafel, and fresh-made smoothies, run with the owner frequently front of house guiding orders. It's a fast, casual counter format with dine-in seating, known for quick turnaround without sacrificing freshness.

What people praise

  • Kabobs and shawarma bowls consistently called fresh, hot, and flavorful
  • Halal certification appreciated as a reliable option for family groups
  • Owner personally recommends dishes and is noted for genuine hospitality
  • Homemade baklava and lemon mint smoothie called standout extras

Worth knowing

  • A limited weekend schedule, closed Sunday
  • Service can feel efficient rather than leisurely during busy stretches
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume1,346 · 92th
Confidencehigh
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown77% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A genuine neighborhood halal favorite with an owner who's personally invested in the experience. A strong pick for shawarma bowls specifically, with real warmth behind the counter.

Website Book now+1312-600-6800 Directions

1521 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607

NAIA logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

NAIA

4.7986 Google reviews

NAIA is a Mediterranean restaurant on the Chicago River from chef Athinagoras Kostakos, blending flavors from the Greek islands and the Levantine region into bright, seasonally driven dishes. It runs a full dinner menu alongside weekday lunch happy hour, with reservations available up to 14 days ahead and walk-in seating at the bar for the full menu.

What people praise

  • Riverside location and ambience called a genuine highlight of the visit
  • Truffle spread and other happy hour bites praised as rich and satisfying
  • Service consistently described as warm and attentive
  • Calamari and Turkish dumplings singled out among standout small plates

Worth knowing

  • Portions run smaller relative to the price point for some diners
  • Reservations can be hard to secure on short notice given demand
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume986 · 71th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown87% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most scenic Mediterranean dinner on this list, with river views and a chef-driven menu spanning Greek and Levantine flavors. Try the happy hour at the bar if a full reservation isn't available.

Website Book now+1312-219-5790 Directions

300 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the business’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against other Chicago Mediterranean and shawarma restaurants. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from thousands of diners carries more weight than a similar score from a smaller base. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does shawarma cost in Chicago? (2026)

Prices vary widely between fast-casual counters and chef-driven Mediterranean restaurants. Based on per-person prices reported directly in reviews for the businesses on this page:

JobTypical price
Fast-casual shawarma bowl or wrap$10 to $20
Sit-down halal kabob or Egyptian plate$20 to $30
Chef-driven Mediterranean dinner$40 to $100+

Ranges compiled July 2026 from per-person price data reported directly in Google reviews for the businesses on this page. Fast-casual counters run far cheaper than a full-service Mediterranean restaurant.

Serving all of Chicago

These spots span the West Loop, Little Italy, the Loop, the West Side, and the riverfront, so there’s a shawarma or Mediterranean option across much of central Chicago. Searching for shawarma near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions so you can find the closest option fast.

What to ask before you order shawarma

  • Is the meat halal certified?
  • Is it a build-your-own bowl format or a traditional plated meal?
  • What are the vegetarian or vegan options on the menu?
  • Does the restaurant take reservations, or is it walk-in only?
  • What’s the house specialty beyond the standard shawarma wrap?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these shawarma and Mediterranean restaurants?

We started from every shawarma and Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which of these restaurants is halal?

Cairo Kebab and Crave Kabob are both explicitly halal, serving Egyptian and Mediterranean dishes prepared to halal standards.

Is there a fast, casual shawarma option in Chicago?

Yes. CAVA offers a build-your-own bowl and pita format designed for quick lunch service, with multiple Chicago-area locations.

The bottom line

Aba is the safe default for the highest volume and rating combined, though it’s a shareable-plates dinner more than a quick shawarma stop. For a faster, more traditional shawarma or kabob experience, Crave Kabob and Cairo Kebab both deliver real halal flavor without the wait.

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