Chicago | Checking Out Two Hottest Mediterranean Restaurants 🍴

When everyone keeps raving about the same two restaurants, you know you have to try them! I originally planned to visit just one Mediterranean spot, but the decision was too tough—so I ended up booking dinner at avec and brunch at aba. And just like that, my carb-loaded food adventure began! 🤣 🍴 avec (West Loop Location) Thank goodness we made a reservation—by 7 PM, the place was packed! We ordered: • Wild Mexican Prawns 🍤 – Jumbo shrimp seared to crispy perfection, served with spicy harissa, cherry tomato sauce, and freshly baked pita. The combo? Absolute fire. 🔥 • Potato & Salted Cod Brandade 🥔 – Creamy whipped salt cod and potatoes, rich with buttery, umami depth. • Chicken Shawarma 🍗 – Half a charcoal-grilled chicken with smoky, crispy skin, wrapped in warm pita with garlic toum and chili sauce. The pickled peppers on the side? Next-level addictive. • Orange Sorbet 🍊 – A bright, refreshing finish to an insanely satisfying meal. Verdict: avec made me fall in love with Mediterranean food—every dish was flavor-packed perfection. 🍴 aba (Fulton Market Location) The vibe? California coastal meets Mediterranean oasis 🌿 – think woven chairs, wood accents, and lush greenery. We ordered: • Muhammara 🌰 – A walnut-spiked red pepper dip with smoky sweetness and crazy-good texture. • Short Rib Hummus 🥩 – Braised short rib on top of silky hummus, crowned with a poached egg. We destroyed two baskets of pita with this. No regrets. • Lamb & Beef Kefta 🍖 – Spiced meatballs with bold herby flavor, though the rice was a tad undercooked for my taste. Bonus: Their warm, seasoned pita is bottomless—dangerously good! 💡 Final Thoughts: These two spots completely changed my view of Mediterranean cuisine! Before this, my knowledge was limited to Greek food—now I’m obsessed with its layered, vibrant flavors. #Chicago #ChicagoEats #MediterraneanFood #ChicagoLife #FoodieAdventures #ChicagoFoodGuide #TravelChicago #MediterraneanCuisine #Avec #Aba #ChicagoRestaurants #HiddenGems #MustTry