Head up north to West Rogers Park for terrific Middle Eastern baked goods. Chicagoans can stock up on samoon, tandoor, and pita breads from this casual restaurant and bakery or try specialties like spinach pie, beef shawarma sandwiches, and lahembajin, a Lebanese meat pizza.

Leaving hungry isn’t an option at Andersonville’s busy Persian restaurant. The kebabs are the star of the show and come in hefty portion sizes, whether they’re of the chicken, beef, lamb, or quail variety. If that’s not enough food, lunch and brunch buffets feature the aforementioned meats as well as salads, stews, omelets, vegetarian items, and more.

It’s hard for most customers to resist walking out of this Middle Eastern grocery store with an armful of goodies, especially after catching a whiff of the smells coming from the attached kitchen. Visitors will find all of the usual suspects — hummus, chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, fattoush — on the restaurant’s menu. In addition, the shop sells breads, spices, rice, dips, savory pies, sweets, and much more to take home.

Like the name suggests, skewers of lamb koobideh, rib eye, chicken, and shrimp are among the best sellers at this Persian eatery. But the extensive menu also includes classic dishes like adas polo (rice with lentils), fessenjan (pomegranate and walnut stew), and shirin polo (Persian sweet rice). There’s a separate, more casual location next door for pick-up and delivery orders.

Embroidered pillows, decorative rugs, and a warm, cozy atmosphere all help to make Semiramis an essential Lebanese dining destination. The falafel is a favorite, while the lamb/beef and chicken shawarma are marinated for 24 hours in a blend of herbs and spices. For pure value, though, the whole roasted chicken priced at $10 is tough to beat. Maamoul cookies and cups of Arabic coffee provide the finish.

Chicago’s first and only dedicated Kurdish restaurant arrived on the scene in 2017 and brought with it a new and eclectic mix of dishes. The food leans heavily on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors so expect a range of choices like grilled octopus, eggplant stew, lamb shank, and sac tava — a traditional stir-fry. During morning hours, folks can start the day with a breakfast spread full of egg scrambles, an assortment of side dishes, and bottomless Kurdish tea.

The Ramli family opened this beloved Wicker Park staple in 1995 and today it remains one of the most popular places for delicious and affordable Middle Eastern fare. The crispy falafel — priced at only 50 cents a piece — are paragons of the form and best enjoyed in a spicy pita sandwich stuffed with hummus, tomatoes, and Jerusalem salad. The salad bar is also a vegetarian’s paradise, stocked with more than 30 ingredients for $5.99 per pound. A second Sultan’s Market is located in Lincoln Park and the Ramlis also own the full-service restaurant and nightlife spot Masada in Logan Square.

Middle Eastern options are scarce in Bridgeport so it’s fortunate that Zaytune checks off all the boxes of a good kitchen. Owner Daniel Sarkiss prides himself on made-from-scratch dishes using fresh produce and herbs. Guests can build platters, wraps, or salad bowls with falafel, shawarma, kebabs, and other proteins. The herbed fries are a crowd-pleaser as well, served with Kalamata aioli.

It’s located just outside city limits but Bridgeview’s Al Bawadi is certainly worth a trip to the suburbs. The space, which used to be home to an Arby’s, is decked with Arabian décor while servers also wear traditional outfits. Diners start with complimentary eggplant dip before moving onto the signature wood-fired meats and seafood selection. Afterwards, cap the meal off with a cup of cardamom-spiked coffee.