Top 2 Restaurants in Chicago for Middle Eastern Dining

✨ HighlightI’ve been following Beity’s journey to becoming a restaurant online for over two years, and to say that my expectations were high would be an understatement. I watched photos of stunning dishes populate my Instagram feed and couldn’t wait to see if the final dining experience would live up to them. After finally getting the opportunity to dine there last week, I can say that I couldn't have imagined my visceral response to the meal. (i.e., the final tasting scene in Ratatouille) As a Palestinian American who has always appreciated a tasting menu, I was genuinely moved to see such authentic Middle Eastern ingredients and dishes elevated to the caliber that Chef Ryan Fakih achieved with his menu. In today's world, where the Middle East is often at the forefront of global discussions, it feels more vital than ever to recognize and appreciate the beauty and complexity of its culture—especially its cuisine. I felt a profound emotional shift when I saw “Teta’s Tasting” at the top of the menu while sipping a "Tabouleh" cocktail. While I’ve had tasting menus highlighting every other cuisine, this felt like a true homage to our collective heritage and the immense love that can be found in our grandmother's dishes. From the moment I stepped into Beity, I was blown away by the warmth of the space. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with subtle touches that pay homage to a Lebanese home while maintaining a modern, refined atmosphere. Everyone I interacted with—from the hostess to the bartender to our server—was more welcoming than the last. Now, let's talk about the food. Each dish on the tasting menu was a work of art, meticulously crafted and beautifully presented. It’s one thing for a chef to create a new dish that nobody has ever seen before, but the dining experience felt like a master class in taking some of the most beloved dishes of my childhood to a Michelin-starred level. The Shish Barak, Sayadiah, and Qatayef were some of my absolute favorite dishes on the menu, so get your taste buds ready. Not to mention, the staff presented each of these dishes with a perfectly concise explanation of the dish and its significance to the chef, which gave the meal so much more context. The staff was always present for a question or a refill but never overbearing. The attention to detail while wiping down the table between each course did not go unappreciated, especially while representing a culture so driven by cleanliness. I went to this dinner with one of my friends for his birthday, but I can’t wait to bring the rest of my Palestinian family to experience one of the most special dining experiences I’ve had in a very long time. It's truly a culinary treasure that deserves all the praise it receives.→