Galit
Galit — middle eastern in Lincoln Park worth a stop for the Turkey Shawarma. Cocktail menu runs deeper than expected. Friendly team that sets the tone. "The bartender was definitely the best member of staff we encountered all evening" — Sarah
What 974 diners keep saying
What 974 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Let’s talk food first because Galit does not play around. The hummus and pita combo is borderline spiritual. It’s creamy, tahini-forward, the kind of dish that makes you side-eye every other hummus you’ve ever eaten. The turkey shawarma showed up as a total dark horse and walked away the star of the night, partially thanks to the strawberries coated Nigella seeds. And the pastrami? Not optional. Order it. Don’t debate it. Just order it. But the real MVP was our server Rich, who ran the table like a stand-up set with a side of expert wine pairings. Quick-witted, genuinely funny, and clearly plugged into the whole staff’s energy. Early on he wisely warned us to pace ourselves through the first round since anything uneaten was coming home with us. We took the advice, then jokingly asked him to grease a few palms for an extra pita for the road. We can neither confirm nor deny what happened... After the classified pita situation, Kyle wandered over to drop some deep-cut trivia: turns out “Lodi Dodi” isn’t even a Snoop original, it’s his cover of Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s 1985 classic “La Di Da Di.” Delivered completely unprompted, like breaking news. 10/10 content. Meanwhile Linus quietly short-circuited when we asked to split single glasses of wine, visibly torn between “this is a weird request” and “I respect the hustle.” The confusion was chef’s kiss. By our third shared glass, he confidently poured 50/50. Bottom line: come for the pastrami, stay for the hummus, and pray you get sat in Rich’s section. Galit isn’t just dinner; it’s dinner theater with really good pita (and surprisingly solid hip-hop trivia).”

“I’m giving 5 stars because the food was excellent and the service was outstanding. However, there was a protest outside the restaurant regarding the inclusion of foie gras on Galit’s menu. As customers, we share the protesters’ concerns and would feel much more comfortable supporting and returning to the restaurant if foie gras were removed from the menu. We truly enjoyed our experience and hope the restaurant will consider making this change.”

“Great meal, certainly worth the price. Sitting along the kitchen was fascinating and you really appreciated the hard work going into the food.”

“One of the best meals we've had in Chicago. Service was spectacular. Food was perfect”

“The food was amazing, but the staff was the real highlight of the evening. Linus and and the rest of the team were on point and so knowledgeable.”

“Had one of the best meals here. Our server, Risa, was beyond knowledgeable of the menu and guided us through each section perfectly. There was not a bad bite!”

“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.”

“The food was amazing. The atmosphere is pretty casual and the seating setup could be improved but this was one of the most filling meals we have ever had. Every dish was excellent and the wine journey was great as well. We loved the tea and coffee at the end too. Best hummus we have ever had. I get why people rate it lower because of their Michelin star but if you like great food with a more casual atmosphere I highly recommend.”

“I had an exceptional experience at Galit. From the moment we sat down, the service stood out in a way that felt both professional and genuinely warm. Our server was incredibly attentive and immediately aware of my guest’s food allergy without us having to remind anyone. Every dish that came out was presented with clear explanations, and when we had questions about specific ingredients or preparations, the staff answered them confidently and in a way that actually made sense. I didn’t recognize half the things on the menu, and they made everything approachable without dumbing anything down. We were there to celebrate my friend’s graduation, and Galit went above and beyond in a way I honestly didn’t expect. Toward the end of the meal, they surprised us with a hand-drawn card congratulating him. It was such a small gesture on paper, but one that felt incredibly intentional and heartfelt. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you why locally owned places matter. They care enough to make moments like that personal. Between the food, the service, and that thoughtful touch at the end, Galit delivered one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Chicago. I absolutely loved it and can’t recommend it enough.”

“I had an absolutely amazing dinner at Galit. The food was delicious. I also enjoyed an absolutely fabulous espresso martini. The bartender was definitely the best member of staff we encountered all evening. As I said, the food was very good and I always love sharing menus where we can try several dishes. I particularly enjoyed the hummus and the falafel. Oh yes, and the dessert! The smoked turkey dish was also a favorite of our table. The meal was well paced and service was attentive however I felt staff could have been warmer and maybe a little more personal. The main server was very good, but the other people we encountered seemed a little disinterested. The cookie to take home was also a very nice touch !”
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