Had an amazing experience at Cedar Palace! There were 6 of us total, and we all agreed the food was incredible, the service was attentive and amazing, and the vibes were cozy and clean. HUGE portions! And Silvana is just the sweetest. She made us several desserts to try on the house when she learned it was our first time at the restaurant. We felt very well taken care of and will absolutely be back. read more

Cedar Palace - Dubai Chocolate Waffle - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a great experience here and wanted to call out the service in particular. I ran into a bit of trouble with my order, and the team handled it quickly and professionally and no hassle at all. They even went above and beyond and gave me a gift card, which was completely unexpected but really appreciated. read more

This place was absolutely fantastic! We love Mediterranean and we're in the city for a Salt Shed show. I was a bit suspicious of all of the positive reviews but feeling optimistic. It was absolutely as fabulous as we hoped. The food was incredible, the service was great, and as we left, the owner thanked us with a big, bright smile. As I walk towards the door I looked up again to see her still smiling and waving. So sweet and so wonderful. I'm not overstating it when I say I felt like part of their family for a moment. read more

Great service and delicious food! The lentil soup was very good, with a hint of carrot that made it extra tasty. The fattoush salad was fresh with a flavorful dressing. We tried the vegetarian appetizer plate, and it was packed with fresh and authentic items like hummus, tabouli, falafel, and dolma. The potato borak was another highlight, especially with the sauce that came with it. The service here is great and the people super friendly, making you feel right at home! read more

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Loved the lamb shish kebab entree - pieces of lamb were juicy and not dry! This is a BYOB establishment, perfect for a get together (met up with friends bringing two bottles of red wine). What a great night! Seating is limited so plan accordingly, you can put your name down and they'll text you when the table is ready. Our waiter even gave us complimentary baklava and it was DELICIOUS! perfect balance between the right amount of sweet and flakey read more

Cedar Palace - Lamb Shish Kabob - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is unbelievable! From the ambience, the hospitality to the owner and head Chef really makes this place the best. The food is so fresh and you can tell it it's made with love. Plus it byob! read more

This is a restaurant that actually deserves its high scores and ratings. Food, atmosphere, service...all great. The fatoush salad is great, the various meats are really well done, and the falafel were interesting and unique. Everything was distinct and flavorful. While the weather was bitter cold, the restaurant was warm and comfortable. I am already looking forward to returning! read more

I finally got around to trying this restaurant with my granddaughter and daughter in law...what a delight! The vibe was so welcoming and pleasant, we enjoyed dining outside in the patio garden on a perfect spring evening. The food was incredible... we could'nt help making yummy sounds. The service impeccable and the bonus was meeting the lovely owner who visited our table after we dined. I found a new friend and a neighborhood place I will frequent often. Cheers to Cedar Place...you are doing everything right! read more

Service was very good, and everyone was very nice. I liked that there were vegan options on the menu. The prices were fair. I liked the location, easy to get to. read more

Lovely neighborhood spot and the NICEST ever staff - seriously the nicest I've ever encountered. BYOB, sizable outdoor space in the back, and a ton of delicious food (you'll have leftovers!). Everything on the menu looks delicious, and you can tell this business cares a ton about their customers. Lots of vegetarian options too - which is a plus! We will definitely be back! read more

What an amazing find! We just happen to be driving by and were in the mood for Mediterranean food. We didn't even check Yelp first, but now we can see (and taste) why it's so highly rated! The food is wonderful and Silvana, the owner/chef, is incredibly welcoming. The staff was also very kind. Thank you so much, Silvana & staff! read more

Wonderful find in the neighborhood. Came in with four adults and two kids for a little birthday dinner. The service was attentive. great options on the menu for everyone. husband and I tried the combination dinner with beef and chicken kefta and shawarma. The plates come with bulgar wheat or rice and honestly, the bulgar wheat was actually very good. We also ordered some baba ghanoush and falafel's. My brother and I liked the grilled lamb kebab - very tender and not gamey at all. Looking forward to returning soon . It almost feels like you're seated in an old house which probably is. seating is not ample so call ahead since they are first come first serve. read more

I did an online order for takeout from here. My order was reward before the promised time. The inside is small and pretty full. I could tell just by just doing takeout that the customer service here is great. The guy that gave me my order had a huge smile and thanked me for coming in. I hope he understands, that smile really goes a long way. I ordered their Beef Shawarma and Chicken Shawarma dinner plates. Both were ordered with rice and served with a soup of salad, not a super salad. The beef and chicken were both very flavorful as was the rice. They were both pretty filling as well, but the only thing I would have preferred is for these dinners to be served with pita bread and some sauces. Like hot sauce, yogurt and tahini sauce. In my opinion these should be complimentary with a dinner and not sold separately. That still doesn't change my experience here. Great service and delicious food. Will definitely be returning. read more

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Amazing staff/service, amazing food (the lentil soup was my favorite), and it was a very cozy/welcoming atmosphere. Definitely my new go to local spot :) read more

Absolutely delicious, and our waiter was so nice! We went for dinner, and ordered the vegetarian combo, the chicken kibbeh, and the potato boorak. It was all incredible! The falafel was moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside, some of the best I've ever had! read more

Cedar Palace - Vegetarian Combo Dinner Plate (came with pita, not pictured) - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good food, hole in the wall vibes. I will say there are better Mediterranean food places in the city- but this one is great for lincoln park! read more

Yo, what a spot. The staff? Mad cool. And the food? Next level. We crushed the steak shawarma and the chicken shawarma, and both of 'em were straight fire. If you're even thinking about Mediterranean, this is the place. I'd tell everybody to hit it up. read more

From the moment I walked in, every single person I spoke with was warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. The service felt personal, like being hosted by friends. The food was absolutely outstanding!! each dish perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. You could truly taste the freshness in every bite; every ingredient was vibrant, high-quality, and full of life. This wasn't just a meal, it was an experience I'll be craving again and again!! read more

A hole in the wall on Lincoln Park's W Armitage Ave, this Middle Eastern restaurant serves exceptionally tasty, flavorful, affordable food. A friend and I stopped by on Saturday for lunch and it wasn't too crowded-- only 2 other parties seated. The interior is pretty small and intimate and the tables seat 2-4. The decor is cohesive and tidy. I ordered the Shish Tawook sandwich and shared a bowl of french fries for the appetizer. The Shish Tawook sandwich was so delicious: the chicken breast was extremely tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. I was a also big fan of the sandwich wrap: it was so crispy and well-toasted, and overall really added to the freshness of the entire sandwich and eating experience. The sandwich prices are reasonable and affordable too-- $10.99 for such a well-sized sandwich. The fries were also great and had excellent texture. they had a really crispy exterior while maintaining a warm and fluffy interior. The service was quick and friendly, and you pay at the front counter after you're done (just a note that credit cards have a 3.5% surcharge). Overall, I highly recommend this spot for a quick, casual, affordable lunch. I will for sure be back to try the other items on the menu-- they all looked so good, it was hard to choose! read more

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Amazing food quaint ambiance Ma and pa restaurant The owner sylvana is the most personable person I've I met in a restaurant setting in a long time! read more

Cedar Palace - Yummy desert - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

best kofta i've ever had that was actually crazy. I got takeout but it was very cute in there, will 100% be back

I like this place a lot. The service is great and the inside is very cozy. In the summer you do have the option to sit in their little patio area which is also great for a chill lunch spots I definitely would recommend going for lunch over dinner. The lunch deals are great and I think this restaurant excels at their appetizers. read more

Cedar Palace - Sample platter - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had a fantastic experience at Cedar Palace. Cedar Palace is a hidden gym in Lincoln Park - a family owned and operated Mediterranean restaurant. They do not have a big dining room and do not take reservations, so be prepared to wait a while to get a table. They do allow BYOB/W, so we brought our own bottle of wine and they brought us wine glasses - and paid a reasonable cork fee. The staff was so kind and welcoming throughout the entire dining experience. It felt as though we were special guests and friends of the family. They were more than willing to stop and talk with us about anything and everything. We learned that the owners are originally from Lebanon and Syria. Much of the staff is family of the owners. The food was fantastic. We started with an order of hummus, which was delicious. I ordered the Beef Shawarma, which came with rice and tasty pickled radish. I have had this dish a a few times before from Cedar Palace and it hit the spot and didn't disappoint. We stayed a few minutes late while the restaurant was closing, finishing our wine, and the staff was super hospitable - they told us to stay as long as we wanted. We had leftovers and they also packed up some Naan and told us to roll up our rice and beef into it and put it in the microwave for leftovers later. Sure enough, I did this the next day and it was just as good as when we ate it in the restaurant. It's no surprise why Cedar Palace has such a high rating on Yelp. The food is fresh and delectable, the service is outstanding, and the prices are perfectly reasonable. read more

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The falafel was great and it went quickly downhill. The kafta was so dry we couldn't finish it. It must have been sitting for hours. Don't try this restaurant, there are better ones. read more

Amazing! Outstanding! Fantastic! Everyone who works here is so kind and hospitable. The food...just wow. You can't go wrong with anything! I will definitely be back next time I go to Chicago. read more

This mom and pop shop has excellent flavors in their food. Soup was solid but for sure the entrees of shawarma and kebabs shined through. They give you healthy servings that are appropriate for hungrier appetites and all the food felt extremely fresh. The prices are a couple bucks higher than other comparable places in the city, but can be justified by feeling like you're family eating here and the fresh ingredients used. I sat inside during out meal but I think they may also have an outdoor space. Note that there are some pretty high steps leading into the restaurant - good to be aware for those who may have mobility challenges. read more

Cedar Palace - Combo platter - your choice of 3 meats - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love the Dubai chocolate waffle, baklava and chicken skewer with garlic dipping sauce here! Great service and nice environment as well!

We enjoyed the meal in their well-decorated outdoor patio. The cabbage salad was light, refreshing, and the sourness opened our appetite for our entrees! I recommend the lamb kabob Our server was very patient with us even after we ordered a new sauce 3 different times ... (we were indecisive) read more

Cedar Palace - Cabbage salad - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The best Baba ghanoush I have ever had. Flavorful and a little smokey made it absolutely plate licking delicious. Great food overall. read more

Cedar Palace - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was super delish... service was efficient & delightful... ambiance of the outdoor patio could use some work. read more

Cedar Palace - Lentil soup - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food is so authentic and fresh. The owner and her family could not be more welcoming!! Best Lebanese food in all of Chicago!!

Alrighty, I think I found my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago! No wonder this place has such glorious reviews!! My boyfriend and I were in the neighborhood and stumbled upon this place while looking for dine-in options. This place has the most authentic middle eastern food!! I ordered a Vegetarian Kaboob platter which included grilled veggies( mushrooms, onions, eggplant, tomatoes) with rice. My server was kind enough to even get in some extra baba ganoush along with the platter. The dinner is served with the option of soup or salad. I ordered a lentil soup which was just perfect for a cold evening. My boyfriend ordered Shish Tawook with grilled Chicken and he absolutely loved it. It was served with Lebanese salad, loved the tangy dressing so much. We also asked for hot sauce on the side and the server mentioned they make their own hot sauces and grow their own peppers and I have to say it tasted so fresh and good! The ambiance could be slightly better as it not as upscale but who cares when the food and hospitality is so good! I will surely come back!! read more

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We enjoy a lovely dinner at Cedar Palace. The food was great. We started with the feta and olive appetizer, then had lamb and chicken for our mains. The salad and the lentil soup that comes with the mains were fantastic. The meat on the main course was delicious and cooked perfectly. The baklava for desert was so good. The service here is wonderful. The owners are super nice and made sure we enjoyed our dinner. The restaurant is small but welcoming. Nicely decorated with a homey feel. Wish we lived in Chicago so we could dine here again. read more

Hummus Chicken Shawarma plate was so so so so good. I dream about this meal and crave it so often. The quality of the chicle was impeccable. And the flavor of the hummus and the chicken with the toppings was soooooo good. Unfortunately it is a bit pricey, so we haven't had the chance to go back, but I HIGHLY recommend read more

AMAZING FOOD & SERVICE. 100/10. Will definitely be going back there and recommending it to all of my friends. Much better than Medi, which is another Mediterranean place in LP read more

YUM! A true Chicago gem. Portions/prices are great and the food is seriously delicious. The staff are so kind and attentive. I came for brunch and got the shakshuka was was so flavorful, clean, and just so yum. I can't wait to come back and try their lunch/dinner menu! read more

Extremely overpriced for average food. We got the beef shawarma plate and it somehow cost $23. For that amount, I'd expect a huge amount of food. It was definitely a good portion size, but not $23 worth. Meat and rice were decent. Salad was underwhelming. Sauce was good. Nothing stood out to me, but after tax and tip we were looking at nearly $30 for this meal. Definitely not worth it. read more

Cedar Palace - Beef shawarma - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nicest dining experience I've enjoyed in ages. The food was delicious. The family owned and operated business is so warm, welcoming and kind. The recipes are fresh and high quality and handed down through the generations. The love shows in their food. We started with Kibbeh...lovely thin crust and tasty meaty beef filling. Perfectly seasoned and piping fresh. The falafel is fresh and homemade. Probably the best I have ever had. Totally recommend. The Mediterranean sauté with beef was excellent. Great seasoning and flavors. The bulgar wheat to the side was light and fluffy. The rice was also top notch and an excellent side. The owner also fixed us up with a very lovely home-y cup of lentil soup, and there are a lot of vegetarian options. Meat eaters will be well satisfied here as well. Portion sizes are ample, to say the least. For dessert, we took home a few pieces of the baklava, compliments of the owner. Again, sweet, crisp and delicious with lots of pistachio. From being seated all the way to our exit, we were treated like family here. I haven't had such a genuinely nice dining experience in ages. I wish this 4-year old business well. We will be back! read more

Cedar Palace - Mediterranean sauté with rice - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What a GEM! The food is fresh and delicious. The staff is attentive and friendly- we met the owner (love a female-owned small business) and she's the sweetest human. 10/10 would recommend this place to anyone. We will be back! Baklava is best in the area. read more

Hidden neighborhood budget friendly gem! We came here about 7:30 on a Sunday. The place was practically empty. Since 3 of us wanted to try a bunch of things we got a couple plates to share - The combo appetizer plate with spread and gras leaves and we asked them to add 3 falafel balls so we could try them, and then we got a 2 Kebab combo plate (Kafta and chicken) They also brought us this very unassuming "salad" - more of a coleslaw really - with shaved cabbage and Mediterranean spices, it was a pleasant surprise. Soooo much food. My favorite was the babba ganoush and the kafta kebob. A little disappointing was the pita bread which was flat rather than fluffy. I think our bill was $47 - dinner for 3 read more

Cedar Palace - Spreads app plate. - Lebanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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