Michelin-starred Galit is one of Chicago’s defining modern Middle Eastern restaurants, led by James Beard Award–winning chef Zachary Engel. The experience centers on a multi-course, seasonal menu rooted in Israeli and broader Middle Eastern traditions, with a strong emphasis on local sourcing and vibrant, vegetable-forward dishes. The atmosphere is warm and communal, balancing fine-dining precision with genuine hospitality.
Why It Belongs on the List
James Beard Award-winning chef Zach Engel's Michelin-starred Lincoln Park restaurant applies the precision of contemporary fine dining to Middle Eastern cuisine rooted in his time cooking in Israel and his co-owner's Palestinian heritage. The prix-fixe opens with a generous spread of hummus, salatim (spreads and pickles), and flame-kissed pita. The wine list draws almost exclusively from historic Middle Eastern winemaking regions — Armenia, Lebanon, Israel — which tells its own story. Named Jean Banchet Restaurant of the Year 2024 and James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Finalist 2025.
What Stands Out
- Michelin-starred Middle Eastern tasting menu
- Chef Zachary Engel (James Beard Award winner)
- Seasonal, locally driven ingredients
- Communal, hospitality-focused dining experience
- Creative beverage and wine program