The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen
Middle Eastern · Lakeview / Lincoln Park · $$$
Middle Eastern · Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL · $$
Galit is a Middle Eastern restaurant in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, owned and operated by Andrés Clavero and James Beard Award-winning chef Zachary Engel. The menu focuses on a seasonal and localized approach to dishes of the Middle East and its immigrant cuisines, alongside a unique and forward-thinking beverage program. MICHELIN star awarded since 2022. Jean Banchet Restaurant of the Year 2023.
“Refreshingly laid-back service & focus on quality of food. Teamwork of the staff was flawless and as soon as I was done with the meal I wanted to come back and have a second one! Lots of vegan/plant-based options. Cool wine list and cocktail program.”
“Galit is one of those rare meals where everything is excellent. Every dish was beautifully executed, full of flavor, and clearly crafted with intention. The hummus alone is worth the visit, but the entire meal—from start to finish—was outstanding. The open kitchen brings a great energy to the space, and the service was polished but still warm and approachable. Totally deserving of its Michelin star—don’t miss this spot if you’re in Chicago.”
“Galit truly deserves both its price point and its Michelin recognition. We visited on an extremely busy evening, yet the experience felt seamless from beginning to end. Despite the high volume, every table received equal attention and care. The atmosphere was vibrant but never chaotic. We started with the Hummus and Salatim. The hummus was beautifully balanced with a perfectly smooth texture. The components of the salatim — labneh, ezme, pickles, and the freshly baked pita — were each outstanding on their own. Every element felt thoughtfully prepared and intentional. For the main course, the clear standout was the Pastrami. The pronounced smoke aroma, the tenderness of the meat, and especially the depth of the sauce were exceptional. The sauce alone was memorable. The accompanying bread service complemented the dish perfectly. The Smoked Turkey Shawarma was also very good, but if choosing between the two, the Pastrami is the stronger option. For dessert, the Crispy Phyllo Pie was well executed and reminiscent of a refined baklava — rich and layered, though slightly heavy for my personal taste. The Malabi, on the other hand, was visually beautiful and more balanced in flavor and texture. Given the choice, I would opt for the Malabi. Both desserts were technically strong; preference simply depends on taste. Portion sizes were surprisingly satisfying. For a restaurant at this level, I expected smaller servings, but we left comfortably full. We tried the coffee after dessert was also excellent. Perhaps most impressive was the service. Despite being a Michelin-recognized restaurant, the staff remained humble, attentive, and genuinely engaging. Each dish was carefully explained, and our questions were answered thoughtfully. That level of hospitality is just as important as the food itself. Overall, Galit delivers not only in flavor and technique, but in experience. It is absolutely deserving of its recognition!”
“Well worth it! The service and food here were amazing. The menu does change but I really appreciate for it being a tasting menu you still get to select what you want. Highly recommend getting the falafel. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything. It’s definitely a lot of food, so pace yourself. We each just had a single bite of our main and took the rest home.”
“We aren’t Michelin Star eaters but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try Galit during Restaurant Week 2026. Service was friendly but felt stretched thin on a busy Saturday night. Every dish was solid but nothing was a true standout except maybe the Crispy Phyllo Pie. I understand RW isn’t usually a good representation of a place, but I do feel like many Chicago Bib Gourmand restaurants deliver better quality, flavor, and service.”
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