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    Taza Cafe

    4.5 (700 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Taza Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Taza Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    TAZA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Taza Cafe

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    Avinaba C.

    We were feeling like Mediterranean food today for lunch so we decided to try Taza Cafe. The restaurant is small and definitely more of a fast casual place. The staff were super friendly and the food was good. I got the chicken shawarma plate and my gf got their gyro sandwich. Both were super tasty and light and the portions were huge. The plate comes with their cucumber salad, a falafel, pita, and hummus along with the chicken and rice. Overall solid spot!

    Vegetarian Combination
    Steve A.

    Better than expected place just outside The Loop. It seems like a good place for Mediterranean. Taza is convenient for anyone around here at lunch and especially for downtown workers. Has quite a lot on the menu including things such as falafel, hummus, and tabbouli among the classic favorites. The prices aren't bad for the big portions. Came in before getting on a train and had a pretty good meal. It's a small place but it wasn't crowded because no one else was in here, which could have been a bad sign. This is the kind of place that's only open weekdays. Most people coming here work downtown. That's why. I got the Vegetarian Combination. It's about $11 for a lot. There was dolmas, falafel, house salad, hummus, pitas, and tabbouli. A feast. This was filling and certainly almost worth the price. Also this is fairly healthy. The rest of the menu features stuff like gyros if you're looking for meats. Good place much better than expected. It also had pretty friendly service. This is one of the better cheaper options around here for vegans and vegetarians.

    Gyros Plate
    Jessica M.

    Highly recommend! Food 10/10 Service 10/10 Generous portions and the service was welcoming and attentive. Thanks for three delicious plates!

    Gyros Plate
    Kathy K.

    I was craving falafel and I'm glad I discovered this spot! Staff was very friendly and made my to-go order when I got there so it was super fresh. Good portion sizes as well. Would definitely come here again!

    Sandrine H.

    This place is such a good find. Food is delicious, affordable and portion sizes are generous. So far, I've posted on my instagram, tiktok, and google because the food was that good. Plus, the service is so friendly and hospitable. I will definitely be a regular!

    Rebecca H.

    I'm a little bit surprised by the incredibly high ratings for this place. It wasn't bad by any means whatsoever but it wasn't excellent either. There are a few options I have considered for why I wasn't impressed but everyone else on here is losing their shit over this place: 1. I was having a stroke, 2. everyone else has been having a city-wide stroke, 3. Mediterranean food just isn't that great overall and relative to everything else, this place is amazing, 4. they had an off day the day I just happened to order their food, 5. I have inappropriately high expectations. We had just arrived from Boston and checked into our hotel. We were starving and wanted to order some lunch for delivery. This place was highly rated and has plenty of vegetarian options. I also appreciate the fact that everything is clearly designated vegan and GF on the menu. Easy on the eyes. We both ordered a lentil soup, fries, jerusalem salad, and vegetarian combo platter. The lentil soup and the fries were the best of the bunch. The fries were DELICIOUS and seasoned delightfully. The lentil soup was warm and tasty. The Jerusalem salad contains diced tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint, dressed with "their special tahini sauce". It was just ok, I only wanted a few bites. The vegetarian combo platter contains dolmeh, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, served with pita bread and house salad. Dolmeh are stuffed grape leaves and this was also just ok. The falafel were crispy. The tabbouleh was fresh. The hummus was PERFECT in texture but as far as taste goes: JUST OK. It wasn't bad, just "meh". We didn't finish our leftovers. GF feels differently than me and enjoyed it so maybe I really just am having a stroke.

    Baklava
    Bessy T.

    Best falafel I've had in Chicago hands down @tazacafechicago The Loop, Chicago Made with so much LOVEEE , this Mediterranean spot is super low key but been around for 13 years! Come in for platters , order catering for your office, group order with your office (sharing a ), or even grab a quick dinner after work in the loop All the food is made daily by Hamza (originally from Jordan). He gets in about 5-6am before the 10:30am lunch period begins. We got the below plates, all of their popular items that comes with fluffy dill basmati rice (so good!), Creamy Hummus + pita, and a cucumber tomato Mediterranean salad: Taza Combo (Chicken Shawarma & Gyro) Chicken Kabob & Falafel combo Falafel salad Their falafels are the BEST I've had in Chicago so far. hamza makes 500-2000+ of them daily They're fried fresh so they're super crunchy Packed with flavor with chickpeas, garlic, coriander, spices like cumin, s&p Make sure to get the assorted baklava. They're also made fresh in Chicago by a partner . They're so crispy, not too sweet, and filled with a variety of nuts! So dang good. They've started to extend their hours till 8pm and are closed Saturday and Sundays. Check it out! More videos and reviews on Instagram @midwestmunching (Sponsored)

    Mike K.

    Food was just OK. The chicken did not have a lot of flavor. Nothing blew me away and I probably wouldn't be back.

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    1 year ago

    Such fresh and tasty food for good prices! The staff is very polite and quick to get you exactly what you need. Highly recommend.

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

    They donated catering services for our teacher appreciation week! Delicious food and so appreciated the generosity!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Super chill and amazing people and the food is delicious. It's not very expensive either and the portions are great!

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    4 years ago

    My only complaint is quantities - the plates are such a small portion. The food tastes good!

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    1 year ago

    Best Falafel I've ever had! Very welcoming staff!! I would definitely return, quick and easy service

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    2 years ago

    Simple menu with good variety. Plentiful portions of very tasty eats. Great service in a cafe setting.

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    Page 1 of 18

    Ask the Community - Taza Cafe

    Is this zabiha /halal?

    From the zabiha dot com website: The owners of this restaurant are Muslim and have confirmed its halal status. Everything but the turkey is zabihah Halal.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    This restaurant space is beautifully done inside and you can also sit out on their balcony patio,…read morewhich is such a nice option as well. They have the decor down to the details. We got the smoky garlic hummus, whipped feta, brussel sprouts, and lemon meringue bar for dessert, and honestly everything was amazing. The harissa honey on the brussel sprouts was so good, and the lemon meringue bar with the citrus crema and graham cracker crust was the perfect sweet item to round out the meal. They bring complementary pita with your hummus and dips and the bread with za'atar itself was delicious. They recommend 2-3 share plates per person, but we ordered 3 plus dessert for two people and still had leftovers. So I'd say it definitely depends on how hungry you are! We went for lunch/brunch and were pretty much the first people there, so service was super fast. Our server was lovely and incredibly attentive with topping off water and clearing plates. Definitely would come back to try some of their larger plate options.

    I enjoyed a tasty brunch here with friends on a bustling Saturday morning. We ended up splitting…read moreplates, trying the crispy short rib hummus, a unique concept that combined the crispiness of the short rib with grilled onion and hummus, and whipped feta, which was light and airy with pistachio and olive oil. The crispy potatoes also hit the spot, especially due to the scallion cream it came with. Not to be outdone was the house pita bread, which was wonderfully spiced. I also appreciated the mocktail options offered as well! Service was excellent, ambiance was beautiful, and food was tasty. Overall would recommend this place to anyone looking for a gorgeous and yummy brunch location in the West Loop!

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    Ema - Salmon bab.

    Ema

    4.3(2k reviews)
    0.5 miNear North Side
    $$

    I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

    Came for a late lunch. Split a meal: *Whipped spicy feta -…read moreVery tasty. The pita was warm with lots of za'atar. Enough to share with 2-3 people *Braised short rib sandwich - In a pita stuffed with cabbage. The beef was extremely tender. Unfortunately there was several large pieces of cabbage core vs shredded. The fries were crispy and seasoned with za'atar. The au jus provided, tasted it had a bit of red wine vinegar. That was a winner! Would order both items again. The decor is beautiful. Sat at the bar and the bartender wasn't in the best mood. Minus one star for the combination of the large pieces of cabbage core and sat at the bar for about 15 minutes - no one was there to serve us.

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    Ema tables and bar

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    Al Bawadi Grill - Family Platter (serves 5-6 people)

    Al Bawadi Grill

    4.1(1.2k reviews)
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    The whole concept and aesthetic of this restaurant completely wowed me!! It feels so well thought…read moreout. The service was amazing too, super professional, friendly, always on top of everything without being overwhelming. And the hummus was especially good, and creamy, which I loved!! The food overall was great. Such a cool experience from start to finish.

    I really liked this place. They have parking in front of the restaurant and back. I highly…read morerecommend a reservation on Friday-Sunday even if you are just one person. I called them because I wasn't sure if the online version would be too slow. We were a group of three that came in Saturday night at 7 pm. It was moderately busy. The staff were all welcoming with smiles on their faces and attentiveness. Prices were fair for the amount of food you receive. Food portions are colossal so I would recommend one appetizer and one entree if you are a couple. They give you a complimentary dish. We ordered arayes with meat, meat toshka, mixed grill with baba ghanouj, fillet of basa fried, and mint lemonade. They also offer you fresh Arabic coffee before you leave. This is about a 4.5-5. -arayes with meat 4 - this was not bad. It's like a tamer version of the meat toshka. -meat toshka 5 - I prefer this over the arayes because they add the Syrian cheese. This one was bursting with flavor the moment you took a bite out of it. The minced beef and lamb just melt in the mouth. -mixed grill 5 - this came with 3 big skewers (shish kabab, kufta kabab, and chicken tawook. It also has tomatoes and onions to help cut down the meat when digesting. There are two heaping portions of biryani and saffron rice and baba ghanouj. The baba ghanouj was creamy and flavorful. It goes well with the pita bread. The meats were cooked medium well unless you want something. I think next time I'll ask for the shish kababs to be cooked medium rare or medium for a more juicy taste. The chicken tawook and kufta were both succulent. -fillet of basa fried 5 - the two pieces of basa fillet were astronomical. It also comes with two different kinds of rice. The fish was flaky, moist, and seasoned. Make sure you add the lemon and eat it with the sauce. -mint lemonade 5 - this was very refreshing after eating a heavy meal.

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    Al Bawadi Grill - 20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

    20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

    Al Bawadi Grill - Kenafah

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    Avec - Chicago - Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates

    Avec - Chicago

    4.3(2.7k reviews)
    0.4 miWest Loop, Near West Side
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    Yum yum yum! I came here for lunch left thoroughly impressed and full. $26 prefix menu includes…read morechoice of soup, choice of salad or sandwich, choice of baklava or fudge. Now for $26, this is such an incredible steal. We actually got to choose between the soup or we got the chorizo stuffed dates which oh my GOSH. These really sent the tone for the rest of the lunch. They are served in a bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce that I honestly could have drank. Highly recommend! My husband went with the lentil soup and love it as well! I got the chicken shawarma which was also absolutely delicious. The flavors were so good and portions are legit. Ended the meal with a baklava which also hit the spot! Forgot to mention we also got two starters: the heirloom tomatoes and hummus. I cannot think of a single bad thing to say about our experience. The service, ambiance, and most importantly, THE FOOD, were all top notch. I'm sold on the dinner menu now and will absolutely be back!

    Originally thought the restaurant was French because of the name. It isn't French. Good food. We…read morestarted with some drinks. I got a Negroni it was made well. Friend ordered some small plates that relieved our hunger until entrees. We got calimari and salmon and I'm forgetting an appetizer. For our mains we got pizza and pork shoulder. The mushrooms on the pizza were savory and tasty. The pork was tender and life giving. Even with 3 people had food left over. For dessert we shared the honey peach cake. It reminded me a lot of a tres leches.

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    Avec - Chicago - Restaurant view from bar

    Restaurant view from bar

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    Avaspi - Babaganoush

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    4.8(111 reviews)
    4.0 miLakeview

    Firat, Avaspi manager, helped us plan a surprise birthday party for a friend, which included 10…read moreguests July 8, 2026. The table was beautifully set with red cloth napkins and small lanterns adding to the ambiance of the place. He welcomed adding our own decorations- paper placemats and a balloon bouquet. The area was set apart from the main dining area which made the experience more intimate. The food was served family style on platters, attractively presented and absolutely delicious! The individual printed menus at each setting described the wine choices, the first course Meze, the Main course choices , and 2 Desserts. Each course was tastier than the next! We chose: 1st course 2 platters of Mixed Meze, homemade bread, 2 Mushroom Tava, and 2 Calamari. 2nd course: 3 platters of "Mixed Plate for two" had Chicken kebab, Beef delight, Lamb Delight, Lamb Chops, Haydara, Ezme, Fries, and Rice. 2 Orange Salmon platters and Green Olive Salad. 3rd course: Baklava and Coconut Cake. The portions were more than enough for the 10 guests In order to try almost every food choice. Our server, Maine, timed each course very well. He also cleared European-style waiting until everyone was done eating. A pleasurable change as we weren't rushed! The water glasses and wine glasses were consistently filled. Though we had dined at Avaspi for both Happy Hour and Dinner, all 8 guests expressed how enjoyable the cuisine, wine selection, service and ambiance was throughout the evending. We all plan to return!

    If you only know of the Kurdish people or culture through the news, it's time to remedy that-- head…read moreover to Avaspi for drinks and snacks at the generous Happy Hour or for a full dinner. The beautiful bar is set back in the glowingly dining room that has a painting of the Kurdish area in Turkey from where the owner comes from. Remixes of contemporary tunes gives a kind of clubby feeling inside, and the large sidewalk patio (on the side street) to enjoy the season is a completely different vibe. It's not just another variant on Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/ Persian cuisine, though you'll find familiar salads, spreads and cuts of meat. The presentations and flavors are different. The friendly (and easy on the eyes) staff will guide you through the menu. Very nice wine list as well as creative takes on standard cocktails (some mocktails too) complement the meal. Come in a group so you can sample many things; I assure you it'll all be good. Loved the calamari and the meze plate on this last visit. Grilled haloumi and shrimp were great previously. Easy to get to so get going!

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    Avaspi - Avaspi bar

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    Taza Cafe - greek - Updated August 2026

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