Avaspi

I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve come across this restaurant!! We spontaneously decided to come here (and happened to stop by during happy hour which is always a plus). The food is phenomenal! The interior is beautiful. Everything that we ordered was absolutely delicious, fresh, and the presentation was fantastic. I also tried the Turkish coffee and the Kurdish coffee, both were delicious and served in cute little cups. Our waiter, Emin, was so nice and gave great recommendations. I will definitely be coming back here. 10/10, my absolute favorite tapas restaurant now. Beats many of the mainstream places. Also, this is a great spot if you’re vegetarian!

Ozgur was our fantastic server who took care of us from start to finish. Everyone was so friendly and kind. The food, the atmosphere, the drinks were amazing. Everything cooked to perfection, seasoned perfectly and the meat so tender. Unbelievable experience. We will be back. Thank you!

Everything was amazing!!!! Our waiter Emin was so attentive. He recommended the best dishes. The appetizers were prepared super quickly, as were the main dishes. The meat... it was the best meat I've ever had. The lamb melted in my mouth - literally. I highly recommend this restaurant.

We ordered a couple of apps, drinks, and shared an entree. They provided bread with each app, and the entree had some great veggie sides. Overall an excellent experience 💯😃 The patio is dog friendly 😁

Amazing tapas restaurant with one of the best happy hours in Lakeview! We came on a Thursday at 4:30p and they have a happy hour from 4-6 where all cocktails and wine are $10, their whiskey sours are amazing! We ordered the stuffed dates, stuffed mushrooms, and halloumi and bread and finished it off with the meats and I'm not kidding when I say everything was amazing! We can't wait to come back here and order more, we also had the baklava for dessert and it was a perfect ending to the meal. We were stuffed but since everything was made fresh we didn't feel disgusting, I hope more people come here to try the place that's only been here for a year.

From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting ambience set the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable culinary experience. We started with the Mixed Meze—a vibrant platter of ezme, hummus, baba ganoush, haydari, and muhammara. Each dip brought its own unique richness, from the smoky depth of the baba ganoush to the bold, spicy tang of the ezme. It was the perfect introduction to the meal. Next up were the Stuffed Dates—a standout dish. These sweet bites packed with feta cheese, yogurt, herbs, and walnuts, swimming in a roasted red pepper sauce, were decadent and addictive. The Calamari Meze was another showstopper: tender baby calamari infused with garlic and herbs, paired beautifully with green olives and a fresh herb finish. The Beets Meze—roasted beets over haydari—was earthy, creamy, and surprisingly refreshing. The Avaspi Potato Salad was a textural masterpiece—crispy potatoes tossed with arugula, dill, and an irresistible isot and sumac dressing. Who knew a potato salad could steal the spotlight? For our main course, we shared the Avaspi Mixed Plate for 2, and it was a carnivore’s dream. Juicy chicken kebabs, flavorful beef and lamb delights, tender lamb chops, and perfectly seasoned sides made every bite count. The rice and fries were the ideal accompaniment, but the real surprise was how even the salad and dips added layers of richness to the plate. And just when we thought we couldn’t be more impressed, we finished with the coconut cake and a pot of tea. The cake was light, moist, and not overly sweet—just the right touch to end a spice-filled, flavor-rich meal. But what truly elevated our experience was the outstanding customer service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they were serving. This is more than just dinner—it’s a journey through Anatolia with every bite. I can’t wait to bring my friends and family back to Avaspi. Whether you’re a lover of Mediterranean cuisine or just looking for a unique dining experience in Chicago, Avaspi is an absolute must-visit.

What is this place? It’s magical. The space itself is old and new charm and takes you back to ancient Anatolia. Best grape leaves I’ve had. Amazing basil martini. The mezze are all great! Salads are amazing. Get their Kurdish coffee! And a sweet patio, brunch and happy hour! Go soon!

Wow! So happy we came here for happy hour. My friend and I were blown away with each dish and the delicious drinks (special shoutout to the stuffed eggplant and the Avaspi Lemonade!) The tomato sauce in the dishes was spot on, and reminded us of home-cooked Turkish meals. We will be back!

We chose Avaspi for our first family gathering, and it was a fantastic experience! The Anatolian-inspired food was absolutely delicious - the mixed plate for two was a hit with tender lamb chops and flavorful chicken, paired with their amazing bottomless bread and creamy haydari dip. The menu had something for everyone, including vegetarian options like the dolma and grilled halloumi. The service was top-notch; our server was attentive and made us feel so welcome, even with a busy crowd. The chic, modern vibe with cozy seating added to the special occasion feel. Only note: portions can be small for the price, so order a few dishes to share. Highly recommend for a memorable family meal in Lakeview! We'll be back!" We chose Avaspi for our first family gathering, and it was a fantastic experience! The Anatolian-inspired food was absolutely delicious - the mixed plate for two was a hit with tender lamb chops and flavorful chicken, paired with their amazing bottomless bread and creamy haydari dip. The menu had something for everyone, including vegetarian options like the dolma and grilled halloumi. The service was top-notch; our server was attentive and made us feel so welcome, even with a busy crowd. The chic, modern vibe with cozy seating added to the special occasion feel. Only note: portions can be small for the price, so order a few dishes to share. Highly recommend for a memorable family meal in Lakeview! We'll be back!"

Great food & even better staff! We had a huge party of 15 people, and they accommodated us with no issues. The service was amazing, and the food tasted great. Firat was particularly amazing and made sure we were taken care of the entire time. Highly recommend this place!

We don't get into Chicago often, luckily today we had errands to run near Avaspi and based on the great reviews we made the wise choice to stop by for happy hour. The HH menu is awesome, everything on it sounded wonderful but we could only order a few since we're not very big eaters. Here's the breakdown: Old Fashioned & Anatolian Heat Cocktails- both delicious Grilled Halloumi- WOW! First time having halloumi, it was cooked perfectly and paired with crispy crostini & a tasty olive mix Calamari Meze- Unique way of preparing the squid, no breading at all. It was a lot for 2 people to eat (we took some home). Under the calamari was the same olive mix as with the halloumi, which could have been a mistake if it hadn't been SO delicious. Neither of us our big fans of olives, but we both absolutely loved these chopped up beauties (there's still a little bit left, might have to fight for who gets it). Mushroom Tava- Quite possibly our favorite tastes of the night, the mushrooms & onions were cooked perfectly and the haydari yogurt dip was awesome as well. Large portion, took some home and are looking forward to trying them cold. Stuffed Dates- loved the dates and liked the muhammara red pepper mix, but didn't really think they went together. Chocolate Carrot Cake- beautifully presented, very tasty. I would have preferred plain carrot cake, but my husband loved the added chocolate. Everything was fantastic and our waiter, Mahmet was phenomenal as was all the service. The ambience was great, we really liked their choice of music and decor. We thought the prices & portion sizes were good, and love that we have leftovers so we can tantalize our tastebuds a second time. We definitely plan to come back to sample other dishes (and order these again), will have to either bring friends or bigger appetites. 6/25/25- Eating our leftovers tonight, planned to reheat with some noodles to go with them but after trying the calamari & mushrooms cold, we decided to forgo the cooking. All of them were very tasty... yum, again!

Decor is beautiful and staff were EXTREMELY attentive. I was apologetic because I ordered the sangria without fully reading the description and missed that it was mixed with whiskey. I ended up having to send it back because it was so strong, but I am not a whiskey drinker. If you like whiskey, this was probably delicious and so I wished I liked whiskey. Everything else was OK. Everything was beautifully pleaded. I did feel like it all lap a little bit of flavor and depth. The lamb could use more seasoning for sure. The whole meal was fine. The grape leaves were good. I would be curious to visit for happy hour to try the food at a cheaper price point but it's all still reasonably priced. It's worth a visit.

Avaspi on Belmont is, quite simply, a standout. From the moment we walked in, it struck that rare balance between upscale ambiance and warm, unpretentious hospitality. You feel welcomed, not watched--something a lot of "high end" places never quite master. The food? Absolutely incredible. We started with the stuffed eggplant, and I'll say it plainly: it was out of this world. Rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Then came the calamari meze, and this dish deserves its own shoutout. I don't like calamari--at all--but somehow I couldn't stop eating this. There was an umami depth I couldn't quite name, but it hooked me. I've never been more pleasantly surprised by a plate. Next was the halloumi salad. It's rare that a salad makes it into the highlight reel of a meal, but this one did. Fresh, vibrant, and anchored by perfectly grilled halloumi, it held its own against the heavier dishes. The star of the show, though, was the Avaspi Mixed Plate for two. It came out sizzling and aromatic, and every bite of meat was shockingly juicy and packed with flavor. We kept exchanging looks like, How is this even real? Service was top-tier--attentive without hovering, gracious without being stiff. Portions were generous, pricing felt more than fair, and we left already talking about when we'd be back. If you're in Chicago and want a meal that hits every mark--food, service, atmosphere--Avaspi is your spot.

Solid option after a Cubs game. Would get the kabob and try different small plates. Beers Meze - 3.5/5. Nice sourness from the haydari, beets fine. Stuffed dates - 3.5/5. Perfect dates. Filling for lost and the bell pepper sauce felt disjointed. Chicken Kabab - 4/5. Super flavorful chicken. Solid side salad. Didn't eat much of the rice or bread but hit the spot.

Really enjoyed this restaurant! It was my first time trying stuffed grape leaves and halloumi and I loved them both. The portions are a bit on the smaller side, so probably get +1 dish than the number of people at the table. The drinks were all really tasty as well- my favorite was the avaspi lemonade it was perfect for summer

Amazing. Every dish was delicious. We orderedthe following: ezme , muharamma, sarma, octopus, grilled halloumi, and chicken kebabs. We ordered everything but the kebab during happy hour. The servers were really nice. I'm looking forward to my next visit.

My husband brought me here last night to celebrate my birthday. We ordered the halloumi cheese, the BBQ platter for two, and kunafa. The halloumi and kunafa were definitely the highlights for me! The halloumi cheese was absolutely heavenly, and the kunafa had just the right balance of sweetness and texture. However, I was disappointed with the BBQ meat. It was undercooked, and the server didn't ask how we'd like it prepared. The flavor was also lacking, there was no seasoning or salt, which made it feel quite plain. On a positive note, the environment was lovely! The space was clean, beautifully decorated, and the Christmas decorations added a festive touch to the experience

Sat outside on a lovely evening. The service was very attentive. Had the dinner plate for two. The food was amazing. Meat well cooked appetizers, salad , fries and rice great. Wine choices were fine for our meal. Just want to say thank you to them. We asked for just a little side of beets and they gave us a whole side. We loved the beets. Definitely coming back.

Wonderful atmosphere, great music, excellent service from the super nice guys there, and food was incredible! Also tried the Kurdish coffee and it was great. Look forward to many more times at Avaspi!

I haven't written a review here in a long time, but I HAD TO after eating here today with four friends. It's Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and we were treated so well! The food is amazing Anatolian fare. We each had two glasses of wine and split the mixed meze appetizer, which came with a few dips I'd never tried before--all well-balanced and flavorful. We each ordered an entrée, and I had the lamb. I'm always a little nervous about ordering lamb because I worry it'll be too fatty, but this cut was one of the best I've ever had--tender, perfectly cooked, and served with fluffy, spiced rice and a light mixed salad. The seating is very comfortable, and the interior is beautifully designed and spacious, making it a lovely place to enjoy a long meal with friends. We finished by sharing the konofeh for dessert, and it was incredible--crispy, gooey, lightly sweet, and so good we immediately wished we had ordered two. I can't end this review without mentioning how incredible the staff is! Super attentive, with unobtrusive service the moment our glasses were empty, and they instinctively knew when to give us space when we were deep in conversation or enjoying our food. It was a little too chilly to sit outside even though it's Memorial Day weekend, but the outdoor patio looks nicely appointed and shaded. I'll definitely be coming back to try some dining al fresco next time!

Really good food! A bit pricey but because service & food was great I gave them 5 stars. Mixed meze appetizer $25.95. Everything was yummy especially the babaganoush. They gave me some gluten free bread (toast) as well as the regular bread. The grilled halloumi meze had great flavor. The calamari meze was very tender & had a bit of a kick to it. The stuffed mushrooms in the tomato sauce were very good as well.

A beautiful restaurant, amazing service, above and beyond, and the food was simply incredible. I'm a big fan and would highly recommend this to anyone.

Five of us had dinner on a Sunday evening. The service was very professional and the food was pretty good however, I don't think the pricing is warranted. We ordered the sautéed calamari, the five meze appetizer and the goat cheese with tomato sauce as starters and then the lamb chops and beef avaspi as entrees to share. Everyone had two drinks and the bill totaled $353 - it felt like a $250 to $275 value at most. The five meze app was seriously priced at $24.95. It was five very small bowls - barely a quarter to a third of a cup of each dip and a plate of bread. One of the dips was hummus - it was standard, no special flavor, the second was ezme - a sort of Anatolian pico de gallo - fresh and flavorful, the third was baba ganoush -= a very tasty version, good smoky flavor, the fourth was haydari - a thick yogurt with mint garlic etc reminiscent of tazaziki, and the fifth was muhammara - a smooth red pepper spiced dip. The baba ganoush and muhammara were the best of all five. The bread was interesting looking but really a big pillowy ball with an egg wash and topped with white and black sesame seeds however it had no real flavor of it's own and was basically a carrier for the dips. Had the bread been interesting the combo meze dips might have been worth the price. The goat cheese with tomato sauce was disappointing as the tomato sauce lacked flavor and spice. It was fairly watery and although the goat cheese was light and fluffy - the grilled sticks of the same bread were not interesting enough to carry this into the very good category. The calamari appetizer was drenched in olive oil and spices so it has plenty of flavor however the multiple sauces and olives seriously overpowered the calamari - which were tender. This was when the plain bread was useful to dip in the sauces! The Beef Avaspi with rice was flavorful and tender and almost as good as the grilled lamb chops which were very well seasoned. All in all the meal was decent however the prices are too high for me.

This is a great restaurant! Food was excellent, great ambience, and best of all, the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming! Both the beef and chicken kabob were delicious and tender. And the dates stuffed with feta & walnuts were a great combination!

Food and drinks were great!! Lots of tapas options - loved the halloumi salad, stuffed mushrooms, and sarma. I've had sarma before and the grape leaves were bitter but this one tasted so good and it came with the yummiest yogurt sauce. The Kunefe was 10/10

I chose Avaspi because is located right across from the play that we were attending. I called for reservations since we were driving from the west burbs and explained we had limited time for a meal because of the play (and my friends taking their sweet time lol). Great choice! I scored. A burst of flavors in a great atmosphere, unique decor, and black walls with red accents looked great. Service was also great, they attended to us quickly knowing our time limitations. The food was fantastic. The perfect fusion of East and West in this Anatolian tapas concept with rich flavors. We tried multiple things: - tomato and goat cheese dish that was fantastic - Meat sampler for 2: tender lamb chops, chicken and beef - Hummus and Babaganoush - Grilled Halloumi Meze (I love Halloumi so I was happy to see it on the menu) I had an Old Fashioned, it was okay, but it would benefit from being served with one big ice cube instead of traditional little pieces. They have a respectable wine and cocktail selection as well as several beers. We all enjoyed the flood and our time at Avaspi. Sadly we did not have time for a sweet treat as we had to dash to the theater. I will definitely return!

Very attractive Mediterranean spot on Belmont. Food was delicious. Service was excellent. Music perfect for the setting. Give this 4-month old spot a try. Outdoor patio in nice weather.

We chose Avaspi over other Mediterranean restaurants because they feature on their menu that they offer gluten free bread. But when we ordered babaganoush with gluten free bread, they brought out cucumber and carrot sticks instead of the gluten free bread. They said they did not have it, which was really disappointing. We could get the subsituted veggies at any Mediterranean restaurant. The rest of the meal was fine, nothing special. The service was very attentive, which was lovely, but everything else was just meh.

This place has a great vibe! I came here with a party of 3 and we ordered some cocktails and 5 dishes: Haydari Ezme Babaganoush Calamari Meze Mushroom Tava Everything was really tasty! Our only mistake was that all of our dishes were best with bread/dipped, so we were quickly stuffed! However I'm excited to return to try other items from the menu.

We had a really good experience here! All the food was really good, drinks were just okay, but I'm giving them five stars anyway because they are a newer place. We got the stuffed dates, calamari meze, grilled halloumi meze, and icli kofte/ kutilk. All the dishes were so good, it's hard to pick a favorite but I might choose the halloumi. For the two of us we got four tapas plates and along with the bread it was enough to fill us but it wasn't heavy. I got the Anatolian Nights cocktail and it wasn't bad, but wasn't worth the price tag. Still, I would definitely return.

Drinks and food were yummy and the service was excellent. The mixed plate for 2 was so good - more than enough for two! So much space inside for date night or large groups.

We love this place! We have been for dinner multiple times (love the platter and their homemade hummus) and now they just started serving brunch and it is phenomenal!!! The service is good-- the staff is so friendly and accommodating and the vibes are gorgeous and there's a small patio too. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's not busy (yet!), it's just still a hidden gem. 100/10 recommend PS they do have high chairs and were very friendly to my toddler

We've driven by Avaspi so many times and have been meaning to go, and I'm so glad we finally did! Everything was top notch, from the service to the drinks to the food. We got several appetizers to share and they were all delicious, our favorites were the olive salad and the warm halloumi. Highly recommend, and we can't wait to visit again!

I can't believe this place isn't booked wall-to-wall every night. Very cool interior. The servers were very attentive and all the food we tried was out of this world. I've told everyone about this place

Great Mediterranean food and the Service was unbelievable . We fast, so the chef came to our table to make sure all our food was to our requirements and request.

I do love this place overall and would give it 3.5 stars based on its great location, great food and great service! There is no outdoor seating, but the windows and doors are open in the summer. The seating is very comfortable and the decorations are nice. I love Turkish food so I may be biased. Overall, the freshness and taste of the dishes is great. It's real food that feels homemade and filling without feeling heavy. The reason why it was 3 stars instead of 4 is the meat was not edible and there were no organic options.

Lovely Belmont St/Lakeview Interesting cocktail list with creative, tasty, fun options. Share a mixed meat platter. Our favorites were the lamb and beef. Service was friendly and attentive. Large open room with inviting decor. Great for groups and families.

What I liked: the atmosphere: colorful velvet like booths, purple glassware and big pictures of a beautiful Mediterranean scene; the food: babaganoush combined with ezme in bread was our favorite bites (creamy baba with acidic ezme); the service: all smiles, fast, helpful. Why it didn't get 5 stars: portion sizes of tapas I think were too big. I loved the baba but wanted to try more tapas but couldn't eat it all or I'd be too full. I also didn't want to be wasteful or make them think I didn't like it. All in all: go, eat, enjoy.

Tasty Turkish tapas in a dimly lit, moody atmosphere. Great for date night or friends night out. Not particularly family friendly given how dark the restaurant is and lack of kids menu. Apps came out pretty quickly in piece meal fashion. We most enjoyed the shrimp appetizer (order a side of fluffy rice to soak up the delish sauce) and the grand mezze platter (wish it came with more pita or more bread). My favorite of the dips was the bright muhammara and the smoky baba ganoush. The calamari was pretty salty so not the fave. Tomato and goat cheese dip could've been elevated with a crunchy textural element. The salad with raisins was delightful; sweet and savory. There was quite a lag between apps and entrees but the latter was worth the wait. The lamb chops (five pieces) were tender and served atop a lovely bed of spinach and other tasty veg. Branzino was also good portion and cooked well. Everything is served with plain mash. Service was great. A welcome change from the prior seafood restaurant tenants.

First time having Kurdish food, and it did not disappoint. We started with five different dips, some of which were particularly interesting (one included pomegranate or some other fruit). The bread that comes either these is bottomless, so you'll have plenty. For the entree we tried a sampler with several meats and fries, the Avaspi Mixed Plate. It was all very good, particularly the lamb. Try this place out for a different take on Middle Eastern cuisine!

From start to finish this was quite a find. We wanted to eat close to Theater Witt and found this. The staff was so attentive and friendly and gave perfect recommendations. We shared 4 'tapas' between 3 people and we couldn't decide what we liked best as they were all delicious and perfectly seasoned. We will be back.

This was my first time coming with the family. This is by far the BEST restaurant in Chicago. The service food and atmosphere. The employees are absolutely incredible. We had an amazing time n hope to visit you soon again. Thank you Firat for taking care of us!

Great food and pleasant atmosphere, eating outside on a late summer evening. 3 of us had mixed meze, with tasty bread. Then potato salad, stuffed mushrooms, chicken kabobs, grape leaves, grilled cheese. Everything was excellent! We'll be back...

This place is so delicious and amazing looking inside. A hot little date night spot with amazing food. We tried so many different things all based on our servers recommendations. Be adventurous and do the same!

Delicious everything we order is amazing we keep coming back. They are gluten free friendly!!! The service is top notch.

The food was really really good. All the meat on the platter was so soft and the two sauces on the side really complimented all of the meats. Our appetizer was so delicious as well. We had amazing friendly service, our waiter was so kind and the ambiance of the place is very sultry and elegant so good for a date night. Highly recommend!

I have been to Avaspi quite a few times and it never disappoints. And my visit last evening was no exception. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the staff were all friendly and accommodating. We started with delicious halloumi and stuffed mushroom -- both wonderful. For dinner I had something called Hunkar, which is sautéed beef with tomato sauce and spices served over creamy eggplant...it was FANTASTIC! With the warm weather upon us, I am really looking forward to sitting in their lovely tree-lined outdoor space soon!

We just discovered this relatively new restaurant. The cuisine is from the Anatoly region, so there is a mixture of Turkish and Kurdish dishes. The food was wonderful. Lots of vegetarian options, great spices. The service was excellent. Really nice people. Be sure to get the Kurdish coffee after dinner.

The food at Avaspi continues to be delicious and the service and atmosphere continue to be comfortable and enjoyable. We recently dined with a family group of mostly vegetarian eaters. We chose numerous cold and hot vegetarian and vegan appetizers and shared them as small plates. Everything was fresh and delicious. There is currently one vegetarian main dish choice on the menu, but the vegetarian appetizers were plentiful and satisfied the appetites of all.

We ate there for the first time last night and will definitely be back! The food was fresh and service was top notch. Dimly lit with candles and a cute bar makes this a must for dare night. They are large enough for groups as well and open for brunch!

Excellent food, service and a nice ambiance. Nice for a date night but probably better for a small group or family dining outings. Very friendly and attentive staff without being obtrusive. I'll definitely be back.

Charming restaurant with excellent food and good service. Some of the dishes are what you would expect in a Mediterranean restaurant, but there were several others I have never seen anywhere else. We tried a selection of dishes and they were all fresh and tasty without being too spicy for anyone in our group. Nice wine list, tasteful decor, pleasant background music. It was an exceptionally pleasant evening. We'll definitely be back.

Still fabulous. All of the things. Best baklava I have ever had. The staff is incredible. Will keep coming back. Highly recommend!

We loved the food and the vibe! Everything was so delicious! Great service! Definitely my favorite restaurant in Chicago! Strongly recommend this restaurant,you will not regret it!!!

Delicious. Get the mixed plate and try a little bit of everything! Our server Fred was great. Very attentive and answered all our questions.

Outstanding service! We've been 3 times now and each time we had a great experience with the staff; they offer good explanations of the menu items and recommendations and they take in interest in what we're doing and how our night is going. Kinda cool! The food is also pretty good! Dishes are bigger than what I typically expect for "tapas". They also have traditional entrees.

Food was amazing - especially the platter for four, service was excellent our server was so attentive and friendly, and the restaurant was nicely decorated and very clean!