Galit

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!

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.

What an absolutely phenomenal restaurant. Galit delivers culinary banger after banger, leaving us completely stuffed and smiling from ear to ear. We arrived a bit early, and the short wait for our table turned out to be a blessing. Jerome, the bartender, set the tone perfectly with incredible cocktails and a few fantastic wine tastes. He’s a genuinely great guy who even hooked us up with some stellar recommendations for exploring Chicago. Once seated, the hospitality only elevated. Our server, Molly, was an absolute joy. She instantly read our energy, matching our vibe the entire evening and flawlessly steering us toward menu highlights—though honestly, every dish we chose ourselves was spectacular in its own right. When we inquired about the caviar, she went above and beyond, setting us up with an unforgettable round of caviar bumps and shots! Across the board, not a single dish fell flat, and the portion sizes are generously considerable. A pro-tip for future visits (and we will be back): focusing heavily on the hummus and the pastrami alone would be an incredible, fully satisfying meal for most. That pastrami is nothing short of divine—easily the best I’ve ever had. One bite transports you to an entirely heavenly dimension. The wine pairing was brilliantly on point, featuring fun, surprising pours from regions of the world not traditionally associated with winemaking. To cap it all off, a special shoutout to Jessica, who engaged us in wonderful conversation as we closed out the night. While the atmosphere remains warmly approachable, the culinary execution and service at Galit rank right up there with some of the 2- and even 3-star Michelin experiences we’ve enjoyed over the years. Realistically, there is a very strong argument for them earning a second star. We will absolutely be back.

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.