We had an excellent experience at Al Bawadi grill. I was staying near the airport and was looking for good food in the area. A friend from Chicago recommended this place to us and the recommendation was on point. The way the staff is dressed to the decor, it all makes you feel like you went through a little portal into Palestine In terms of the food we got: * Fresh juice- I highly recommend it. I got a mix of carrot apple and orange. * Chicken wings- I never dipped them in the sauce because they were so lemony and delicious on their own * Chicken Toshka- it is a sizable portion of a delicious sandwich * Chicken Tikka- dont forget to request the hot sauce and garlic sauce on the side * Pomfret- I can't speak for this one since I was too stuffed to eat it but my family loved it. Now the highlight- the Kanafeh. It is amazing!! One of the best I have ever had. I highly recommend it. We washed it down with a pot of their mint tea. The service was excellent as well. I have nothing but praises. read more

See all

Al Bawadi is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant which offers some amazing food. Everything that I tried was delicious, and the portions were large. The mixed grill is a great choice as it comes with a variety of meat along with rice. The chicken was my favorite part of the meal, but all of the meats were succulent and tender. Moreover, the shrimp was very tasty as well. The red snapper was ok but was not as good as the other dishes. Everything also comes with a good amount of rice. Lastly, in terms of food, the Kenafa dessert is amazing. It was my first time trying this dish, and I'm so glad I had it at this restaurant. It is not too sweet and is very unique. The dessert is cut into 4 pieces and big enough to share with around 3-4 people. The service here was excellent. The staff were friendly throughout the night and gave us some nice recommendations. The interior of the restaurant is also very clean and decorative. I'll definitely be coming back to try more dishes here. read more

See all

Staff really rude, I came in for a simple meal. I like the food here but had a really bad experience.

Service was great. The servers are very attentive and nice. The place looks nice and inviting. The food was prepared well and fast. They give you an appetizer of eggplant dip with the bread. We ordered the large meat platter and more than enough for 7 people. There are more to-go. The food is flavorful, even the rice. It's good to try but to combination of spices for me. My friends enjoyed the food though. I love the dessert we ordered-Kenafa. Lightly sweetened cheese withthin noodle like pastry on top. It's so yummy. Plenty of parking space. read more

See all

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience - The Best Palestinian Food I've Ever Had I can't say enough good things about this place. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I had been welcomed into someone's home. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the aromas coming from the kitchen were absolutely mouthwatering. But the food--the food--was on another level. Every single dish was bursting with flavor, perfectly seasoned, and made with love. You could taste the tradition and history in every bite. The hummus was the creamiest I've ever had, the musakhan was rich and comforting, and the maqluba was a true showstopper. Even the bread was fresh, warm, and addictive. I've eaten at a lot of places, but this was hands down the best Palestinian food I've ever had. It's not just a meal--it's an experience, and one I'll be dreaming about until I can come back again. If you're looking for authentic, soul-warming, unforgettable Palestinian cuisine, do yourself a favor and go. You won't regret it. read more

Might have just been an off night, but it took awhile to get a server to swing by and over an hour to get our food. We ordered: Baba ganouj Mixed shawarma platter Lamb kebab platter (sub tabbouleh salad instead of rice) Chicken tawook sandwich Lamb kebab sandwich Hummus with meat If we were to do it again, we'd do the sandwiches and the hummus with meat for sure. read more

See all

What an absolute tree! Everyone knows the original is legendary for their food, service and quality! However, for those of us that live on the north side... Having a location in Niles is perfect! Yes, there are some differences... But not with the quality as the food is just as delicious as the original And the decor is stunning! Came with some friends from out of town who had never eaten Mediterranean... They were blown away and absolutely loved it! We requested a private VIP room and they absolutely accommodate us... THANK YOU! Wish I could say I had photos of the food to upload... But the truth is everyone was loving everything so much and so fast... Cameras just weren't fast enough! You should absolutely give them a try... And then come back again and again and again! You will not be disappointed read more

I used to go to Al Bawadi all the time. One day about 6 months ago, I went here to get something to go and I saw a cockroach on top of their menus. I pointed it out to the staff and they denied having a cockroach problem. I cancelled my order and took a few pictures as evidence. I don't plan on returning. read more

Al Bawadi Grill - Middle Eastern Near Me - Niles, Illinois

See all

I was looking for a good middle eastern/mediterranean place to eat with my family, and this place was recommended to me by a friend. So glad I went! The ambiance is great, and all the staff are really friendly. I went with a party of six, and we ordered the arayes with meat for an appetizer, sage tea, and a large mixed kabab platter that came with kababs, biryani and saffron rice, vegetables, and pita bread. Everything was really delicious and a good deal. To top it off, they gave us several free samples of their turkish coffee which was delicious! I would definitely come to this place again if I'm in the area. read more

Al Bawadi Grill - appetizers - Middle Eastern Near Me - Niles, Illinois

Prices are ridiculously high for the small portions you get. Rip off!! Average flavor at best and sloppy execution. But I have to say, the interior is a beautiful thing to look at. But that's all it's going for it! Kabul House or Noon O kabob way better in every aspect. read more

A group of 4 of us stopped by on a Saturday night for dinner. It took about 45 minutes to get seated and another 5 minutes for our waiter to acknowledge us. The food came pretty quickly which was a plus. The mixed platter is amazing; the meats are tender and flavored so well. The rice is definitely some of the best rice I have ever had. The downside about the experience is definitely the service; I understand it was busy but they forgot a few side dishes and a soda. They actually never brought back the soda even though we asked and still charged for it. Overall, still a great experience but the service could use a bit of work. read more

Al Bawadi Grill - Mixed platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - Niles, Illinois

See all

What a better family meal then takeout from Al Bawadi Grill for some middle eastern cuisine We finally tried this restaurant after talking about it so much everytime we drive by it and we finally got to try it, and we were so glad we did!! It was DELICIOUS got a mixed chicken and beef shawarma dinner with a side salad and we ate it all so quick, definitely will be ordering or trying it in person at the restaurant soon!! read more

See all

I grabbed dinner here while traveling a couple months back and I still think about how delicious their food was every week or so since. I think this is a chain so I was expecting middle of the road food but this was top notch. I'm not a middle eastern food connoisseur or anything but this was possibly some of the best middle eastern food I've had in the US. read more

We had a reservation for 10 people to celebrate a birthday. I've been to the Bridgeview location but this was my first time trying the Niles location. We ordered both of the mixed platters to share family style because each is meant for 5-6 people. Honestly it was so much food we probably didn't need to order both! We also ordered the samosas, falafel, and mozzarella sticks for appetizers. The bread they provide is unlike any bread I've had at other Middle Eastern restaurants. It was fluffy and slightly crispy topped with a seed, maybe black sesame seeds. It was super tasty with the delicious hummus and garlic sauce that come with the platter! The garlic sauce and hummus is a must. The platter also comes with a salad and baba ganoush as well. The tray brings two types of rice topped with various grilled meats. We also ended up ordering separately a plate of lamb chops because the platter only came with 4 pieces. The second platter comes with a spicy tandoori style chicken kabob. That's the primary difference between the two platters. I will say the only thing that was disappointing was their hot sauce! Other than that, I was very pleased and I had leftovers. This is a fantastic spot to try if you have a large group. read more

See all

If you're not middle eastern, don't even bother coming here, they will treat you like garbage. You'll get ignored, you won't receive the complimentary pita and appetizer and they will treat you noticeably differently than the other tables. Rude staff this place is a joke. read more

We love this restaurant! Went for the first time and will be coming back. Ambiance and service were great. Food was outstanding!

My friend brought me here for dinner on a weekday. The place is beautifully decorated, very welcoming. The food was delicious, tasted fresh and nicely spiced. We had fried kibbeh, cheese arayes, hummus, falafel and mixed grill plate. Yum! The service was wonderful. The place is very relaxed, didn't feel rushed. And it's wheelchair accessible. read more

Really nice restaurant with a nice Middle Eastern vibe. Food was good, service was friendly. Definitely recommend. We had the pomphret and kefta kebab platters. Both top notch. read more

This place deserves a 10/10 on customer service, ambiance, and food!!! From appetizers to the main course, everything was full of flavor and amazing. We ordered the platter for the main course that feeds 5-6 people, includes chicken, lamb, and beef. AMAZING!!! The quantity is huge so you can have leftovers for lunch the next day. Definitely check out this place if you like Middle Eastern food. It's worth it!! read more

Food deserves 5 start- but had to wait for the lamb chops 30 min and it wasn't even busy - good food thou

Best GRILLED SALMON KABAB, very clean and calming atmosphere, the other foods I tried are 1. Chicken tika 2. Shrimps 3. Combination Great taste and soup with bread as starter was excellent, decent size portion, chois of yellow or red rice. Both were equally mouthwatering. Professional and courteous staff and serving crew, we were greeted at the entrance with person wearing traditional Arab dress, very impressive. read more

This past week, I had the opportunity to dine at Al Bawadi Grill, and I am very pleased to report that it turned out to be a delightful experience. The standout feature of the evening was, without a doubt, the food. Al Bawadi Grill serves up authentic Middle Eastern dishes that sing with flavor and leave one's taste buds dancing; I've certainly never had cuisine like that in the neighborhood. What was particularly great were the grilled meats, which were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The appetizers were also great; the variety alone was impressive, but the real highlights for me were the hummus and the tabbouleh. The service was another strong point. Our server was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. He was knowledgeable about the menu and offered some great recommendations, which I've no doubt enhanced our dining experience. As for ambience, Al Bawadi Grill is what I'd call a comfortably casual dining experience. It is, in fact, nice enough that it feels special while not being overly fancy. read more

Pros: good service, great hummus and baba ganoush, chicken tawook wrap, chicken tikki wrap were very good and falafel wrap was good Cons: Arabic salad didn't have the olive oil and lemon, the lamb shish kabob platter was not good, lamb was very tough and they give you 2 types of rice We did tell the waiter and the manager the issues but they didn't offer to remake it or remove it from the bill. The customer service could have been better. read more

I ordered 2 shawarma plates plus appetizers and drinks for carry out cost me $80! the meat was dry and tasteless the pita was dry and hard to chew they didn't give any sauces to put in that dry meat my wife Litterly choked. You would expect for that price you wouldn't be served day old food and it was definitely not fresh I do recommend this place read more

My to go order is falafel, tabouli, bread and Toum on repeat every week , that should explain everything, excellent service, consistant taste & value for my buck read more

Sadly disappointed with the food here. I heard great things and really wanted to like it. The Arayes (both meat and cheese) were the biggest letdown (way too little meat/cheese and basically tasted like a toasted pita). The Hummos was good (the meat they added not so much), the lebaneh was great, and the mixed grill was average. I wish I tried the Kunafe but ordered too much and was too let down to give it a try. read more

See all

I love Al Bawadi Grill! The service is great. The food if fantastic! My wife enjoy the 2 person sharing beef plates! The Rice is really good. I enjoy the mild rice. If you enjoy spicy rice, they can accommodate you. I do enjoy the pitas. read more

I have been out of the yelp scene for a while because I didn't experience anything worth writing about until today. Al Bawadi Grill is the best Middle Eastern dining experience I have ever had. As you enter the place, the smell will start making your mouth water. Every little detail is thought of in this restaurant. Decoration is impeccable and every single inch of the restaurant is filled with culture. We were surprised when they brought so many things to the table with the pita bread. The Hummus and Baba Ghanoush were creamy and perfect. We ordered the Al Bawadi Mixed Grill and the Mint lemonades. Plates are definitely shareable. Every one of the meats were tender and cooked perfectly. I must say that I do not usually eat chicken but this one had the perfect seasoning and was juicy. The food is definitely a 10/10. Service is something I must point out as well. Every single server was super nice and made us feel very comfortable. I loved the sir that went around giving the coffee. What a great coffee! Overall, this experience has delivered one of the best flavors I have experienced. I have already decided this is a place I will have to visit once a week and bring my friends to try! read more

See all

Food and service was very good! I was there on a monday night and it was well attended. Best for groups ordered the palatter and it was great. there was a great deal to take home for another meal. It is a Palastinian wich is unique! read more

You're not going to regret going here. This is perhaps the only place in the area where you're going to find authentic Middle Eastern food. Seriously. My sister studied abroad in Israel for about a year, and she even said that this is the most authentic Middle Eastern food she's had since her trip. Please come here. They are also so insanely generous with the portion sizes and eating here will keep you full for hours. The makdous I honestly didn't like, but not going to rate them against that because that's just a personal preference. 10/10 would highly recommend this place to everyone. I need to come back over and over again because I genuinely have the urge to try everything on the menu read more

Al Bawadi Grill - Al Bawadi Mixed Grill (left), 1/2 Chicken Tikka Platter Bone In (right), Foul Moudammas (top) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Niles, Illinois

See all

Massive servings of delicious food! Everything we ordered was good but the chicken shawerma was my personal favorite. I haven't found many great middle eastern restaurants in the area so this was a great find!! read more

See all

horrible experience during Ramadan Iftar buffet. went with a family of seven. one of my daughters got sick on the way and didn't touch a plate at all. other three daughters are very young and barely ate. they make no distinction between young and old. even my 3 yr old was consideeed an adult at 50 a head. save your money and to make things worse 41 dollars in gratuity and the service was stand in line for a horrible experience to get nailed per seat whether they eat or not. my daughter had her head down the whole time but they didn't care. owner is greedy and doesn't deserve the business. read more

If you're in the mood for Middle Eastern food this place is a must-try! The meat platter for 5-6 people was a delectable sampling of grilled meats with a ton of flavorful rice and appetizer of salad, hummus and baba ganoush. I would say it served more like 6-7 people. The mint lemonade is very refreshing and not too sweet. Make sure to save room for the kanafa for dessert! Service was pretty good though had to wait a while to flag someone down a few times. Appreciated that they kept us posted when our food was delayed due to a brief issue with the grill. The atmosphere is very fun with Arabic music and cultural furnishings and dress for the wait staff. read more

Al Bawadi Grill - LARGE MIXED MEAT PLATTER (SERVES 5-6 PEOPLE) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Niles, Illinois

Excellent service very authentic Middle East food went out of their way to meet and greet and offer exceptional service the atmosphere is very welcoming and super clean will definitely be back soon. read more

See all

Always have good service here! The place is actually huge and I love the decorations. Feels like I am taken to the Middle East and I have never been. Love getting a bunch of things and sharing with the table. Love the spreads with the bread. The shrimp is also one of our favorites. And to end with some kenafa is unbelievable. It comes out hot and they cut it and serve you right away. Pairs well with a hot tea. Really enjoy coming here!!! read more

Al Bawadi Grill - Middle Eastern Near Me - Niles, Illinois

See all

Delicious and fun experience. Best hummus and fresh bred (complementary) and the desert was the best ever. Great service too. Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

For many years this restaurant is our family favorite place for any kind of event, either it's a bday party or just to go food , simply family dinner or big celebrations. Service is always excellent, super friendly staff and food is the best! read more

On a Wednesday night we arrived and were seated promptly. We had a staff approach us and we received answers to questions about beverages and ordered an entree, appetizer, and a drink. They served us two beverages where we ordered one, and brought out NO ENTREE when we had ordered the mixed grill platter. There had been a miscommunication and 2 large mistakes in the order as well as lack of proactive service to compensate for the errors. Instead we were told "the order was read out to us" when I recall that it wasn't. When asked to repeat the order off their page, it was not written anywhere for them to share back with us. We still gave them the benefit of the doubt and payed for both drinks. No staff approached us to check in during the duration of our visit. This resulted in us waiting for 30 minutes for an entree that was never ordered on their end. Finally we requested for the bill, but ended up contemplating if we should walk to the front due to the significant tardiness of our waiter (another 5-10 minutes). He continued to converse with a group across our table without attending to our bill and now unmet needs. Luckily we were assisted by another staff and left without complaining (as there was no one seemingly available). read more

This was an experience. The staff were dressed impressively. The restaurant is decorated with great details. It's an old building and it was evident by the flooring and the table area we were seated. The staff were attentive though and service was fast. The food were delicious. They walk around with coffee samples as well, which I appreciated that day. read more

See all

Started off with their very refreshing fresh mint lemonade, and a few of their signature mezzes. We did the hummus, and it was solid along with the Baba Ghanouj which I think is perfectly smokey and paired nicely with the warm naan. My favorite here though is the muthawama, its very garlicky, so if you love garlic as much as I do, I wouldnt pass up on the muthawama. The Jerusalem Salad, Fatoush Salad, and Tabouleh Salad were all light and flavorful in their own way. The fried cheese here is shaped like a rectangle, perfectly prepared, and mildy salty which I had two whole chunks of cheese, theyre amazing. The arayes with meat had minced beef and lamb, this one is one of my Dads personal favorites. Fried Kibbeh was deep fried and had a shell of bulgur wheat that was more mild and nutty, but still juicy from the ground beef and spices. Their wings are unbelievable, and grilled over a mesquite flame, they're juicy beyond belief. For the main courses we did their kababs which were all grilled over a wood fire, and definitely prepared the right way. It was my first time trying the chicken kufta kabab here, I liked it, but personally I'm more team lamb and beef when it comes to kababs. The lamb shish kabab, kufta kabab, and chicken tikka kabab were fantastic, but my favorite out of all of them is the filet mignon kabab, it was extra juicy and tender from the type of cut of meat, but dont sleep on the shawarma. Both the chicken shawarma and meat shawarma options were sliced traditionally, I really would love to try them as a wrap next time, they were great. The red rice and yellow rice arent dry, and you really cant go wrong with either one. For dessert, I had a turkish coffee and they brought out the knafeh for my Dads birthday, and the whole restaurant sang happy birthday to him. The knafeh is sweet and cheesy, nice crunch as well. read more

See all