These 7 Illinois Greek Restaurants Roast Their Lamb Fresh And Pile The Plates With Rice
Some of the best meals in Illinois hide behind plain storefronts you might drive right past without a second glance. The smell of lamb slowly roasting and rice steaming next to lemony potatoes has a way of pulling you inside anyway.
Once you taste a plate of tender braised lamb piled high next to fluffy rice, you understand why people keep coming back for more. Here are seven spots where the lamb is cooked fresh and the plates are anything but shy.
1. Greek Islands Lombard, Lombard, IL
Right off 22nd Street sits a taverna where the roast lamb has become the stuff of quiet legend. The Colorado braised lamb arrives with rice, potato, and a rich tomato sauce that soaks into every grain.
Family-style dining is the whole idea here, so bring a group and pass the platters around. Village salad, grilled eggplant, saganaki, and dolmades all crowd the table alongside the star lamb dishes.
The kokinisto lamb and sliced roast leg of lamb are the ones regulars order without even glancing at the menu.
Cozy and casual, with a fireplace and a bit of a romantic streak, the room works for both a solo lunch and a big celebration. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, and plenty of parking, which makes it an easy call for families.
Open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays, it usually draws a wait during weekend afternoons and evenings. Reservations are a smart move if you are rolling in with a crowd.
Expect to spend around twenty to thirty dollars a person for a proper feast.
2. Mykonos Greek Restaurant, Niles, IL
Serving Greek classics since 1981, this Niles staple has had decades to perfect its lamb. The braised version comes tender, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth, often paired with orzo or a scoop of rice pilaf.
Sunlight pours into the bright dining room, and a protected patio lets you eat outdoors when the weather cooperates. Dogs are welcome outside too, so your four-legged friend can tag along.
The leg of lamb with Greek potatoes and rice is a favorite, and the homemade lamb gyros carry that pure, traditional flavor. An Ancient Greek salad and a combination plate round out the menu nicely if you want to sample a little of everything.
Live music, valet parking, and a cozy atmosphere give this spot a bit of an occasion feel without the fuss. Open late every day, with Friday hours stretching toward midnight, it suits both early dinners and unhurried evenings.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially for busy weekend nights.
3. Psistaria Greek Taverna, Lincolnwood, IL
Tucked along Touhy Avenue, this family-owned taverna keeps things simple, cozy, and deeply satisfying. The braised lamb shows up over rice that is well-seasoned and pureed to a smooth, savory finish, served with riganati on the side.
Start with the creamy egg lemon soup, a house favorite that people struggle to pronounce but never stop ordering. Dolmades, grilled octopus, saganaki, and pastichio fill out an appetizer lineup worth exploring slowly.
Lamb shank, stuffed chicken, and fresh fish share the spotlight, and the sides earn just as much praise as the mains. The kitchen leans traditional, and the flavors reflect the care of a place run by its own family.
Warm and welcoming, the taverna is LGBTQ+ friendly, good for kids, and even allows dogs inside. Free Wi-Fi, valet parking, and a full menu of vegan and vegetarian picks add to the appeal.
Closed Mondays, it fills up on weekend evenings, so booking ahead is wise.
4. OPA! Modern Greek Cuisine, Orland Park, IL
Fall-off-the-bone lamb shank is the headline act at this Orland Park favorite, and it lives up to the hype. The meat slides apart with a fork and rests over rice and potatoes that stay tender rather than starchy.
Lamb chops here come cooked to order and seasoned with a confident hand, often paired with fluffy, soft yellow rice. Chicken kabobs land moist and flavorful, giving non-lamb eaters something to celebrate too.
The modern setting leans a little upscale, with a romantic, trendy vibe and occasional live music. Moussaka, whole broiled seabass, and bougatsa show off a kitchen with range beyond the grill.
Hours here are a bit unusual, with dinner-only service most weekdays and Tuesdays closed entirely. Weekend afternoons open up for lunch, and Saturday evenings pack the house.
Reservations are accepted, parking is easy, and the price stays friendly at twenty to thirty dollars a person.
5. Raki Restaurant, Hanover Park, IL
Mediterranean coastal cooking gets a modern polish at this Hanover Park gem. The braised lamb shank arrives over rice so tender you can cut it with the tip of your fork, and the flavor runs deep.
Roasted lamb dishes here have a reputation for tasting like something straight out of Greece. Rich, seasoned, and cooked with care, the lamb practically dissolves the moment it hits your plate.
The atmosphere is upscale yet cozy, with warm hospitality and beautifully presented dishes that feel a step above casual. Saganaki, hummus, and a fresh Greek salad make easygoing companions to the heartier plates.
Live music and a romantic setting make it a good pick for a special evening out. Open seven days with a shorter Monday schedule, it stays quietest on weekday mornings and busiest Saturday evening.
Dinner reservations come recommended, and parking rarely poses a problem.
6. Athena Greek Restaurant, Chicago, IL
Perched in Chicago’s Greektown, this spacious spot pairs traditional cooking with an outdoor patio and sweeping city views. Perfectly seasoned lamb comes with rice, potatoes, and a generous heap of Greek salad big enough to share.
The sliced roasted leg of lamb is a signature, showing off the kind of balanced seasoning that reflects real skill in the kitchen. Add lamb to a Greek salad and you have a light-but-filling plate that never feels like a compromise.
Paidakia, Athenian chicken, and moussaka fill the menu, and the setting suits everything from a casual lunch to a holiday dinner. The rooftop views make it a memorable stop for visitors seeing the city for the first time.
Open daily with later hours on weekends, it hits its busiest stride on Saturday evenings. Valet parking, dog-friendly patio seating, and a full vegetarian and vegan menu widen the welcome.
Dinner reservations are recommended when you plan to visit.
7. Greek Islands, Chicago, IL
A true Greektown tradition on Halsted Street, this taverna has been feeding Chicago family-style for generations. The lamb chops come out tender, juicy, and full of flavor, while the lamb yuvetsi carries all the comfort of an old-country recipe.
Plates arrive loaded with rice, veggies, and gyro meat, keeping with the generous spirit of the place. Branzino and a flaming saganaki cheese add a little theater to the meal without overshadowing the lamb.
The historic dining room feels festive, cozy, and unmistakably Chicago, with live music adding to the energy. Baklava with ice cream and galaktoboureko wait at the end for anyone with room to spare.
Closed Mondays, it draws crowds on weekend evenings and even offers a recommended weekend brunch. Valet parking, a kids’ menu, and dog-friendly outdoor seating make it easy for all kinds of visits.
At twenty to thirty dollars a person, this Greektown classic stays affordable for the experience it delivers.