Middle Eastern food, Israeli wine, zero apologies
Lincoln Park · Chicago · Farm to Table, Middle Eastern · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into a Michelin-starred Middle Eastern spot in Lincoln Park and the wine list is... actually Israeli-forward and serious about it. That alone earns your attention. This isn't a list that wandered in from the nearest steakhouse — it was clearly built with intention.
Galit's list runs 120-160 bottles with a genuine focus on Israel, Lebanon, and California — a trifecta you won't find anywhere else in Chicago. Domaine du Castel and Yatir Winery anchor the Israeli side with real credibility, while Chateau Musar and Massaya bring Lebanese depth that most wine directors in this city wouldn't even attempt. Recanati and Clos de Gat round out the Israeli section nicely, giving you options at different price points rather than just trophy bottles. California shows up through Covenant Winery, which fits the kosher-friendly ethos of the list and adds a familiar entry point for guests nervous about venturing into Bekaa Valley territory.
With 12-18 pours in the $14-$22 range, the by-the-glass program is solid and unusually adventurous for a Lincoln Park dining room. Expect to see Israeli whites and Lebanese reds on the pour list — not just token appearances but genuine picks that actually reflect the bottle list. Rotation feels curated rather than reactive, which is a good sign.
Massaya (Lebanon) — $12-$40 range
Lebanese wine at a Michelin spot where it belongs — Massaya offers smoky, sun-baked Rhône character that drinks well above its price point and plays perfectly against the shawarma and mezze on the table.
Chateau Ksara (Lebanon)
Most guests reach for something familiar and walk right past Ksara, one of Lebanon's oldest operating wineries. These bottles carry real history and a savory, earthy quality that makes them fascinating alongside roasted eggplant or lamb — don't sleep on it.
California options (general)
Covenant is a fine producer but if you're sitting in front of the most interesting Israeli and Lebanese list in Chicago, ordering California is like flying to Tokyo and eating at a Cheesecake Factory. The California bottles are here as a safety net — don't use it.
Domaine du Castel (Israel) + Lamb neck shawarma
Castel's reds are Bordeaux-influenced but carry a distinctly Eastern Mediterranean warmth — dark fruit, cedar, a little earth. Against the slow-roasted, spiced lamb neck shawarma, it's the kind of match that makes you put down your fork mid-bite and just think for a second.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Galit is doing something almost no one else in Chicago is doing with a wine list, and they've got a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2023 to show it's not accidental. If you care at all about Israeli or Lebanese wine, this is your excuse to make a reservation.
West Loop · Chicago · Californian
The Oakville Grill earns its Wine Spectator credential and the sommelier duo makes this list accessible, not intimidating. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is reason enough to get a reservation — just let go of the idea that anything other than California is on the agenda.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American
John's is a neighborhood spot that punches well above its casual format — two sommeliers, a thoughtful France-and-California list, fair prices, and half-price bottles every Monday. Send your friends here, especially on a Monday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
River North · Chicago · American, Seafood
Terrace 16 earns its Wine Spectator badge and delivers a respectable, California-and-France-focused list in one of Chicago's most dramatic dining rooms. Just don't expect to be surprised — the wine is as reliable as the skyline view, and nearly as expensive.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
River North · Chicago · French, Indian
Indienne is the Wild Card in the truest sense — a fusion kitchen with a genuinely considered wine program that earns its Wine Spectator nod. Yes, send a friend here for wine, but make sure they skip the Napa Cab and lead with Riesling.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Loop · Chicago · Steak house
BLVD Steakhouse doesn't reinvent the steakhouse wine list, but it executes the formula competently — solid producers, proper storage, and enough range to keep a table of Cab loyalists happy all night. Just go in with your eyes open on the markups and skip the trophy-bottle trap.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Magnificent Mile · Chicago · American
Adorn is a reliable, well-staffed wine program in a high-overhead setting — you're paying for the view and the address, but the list itself is legitimate. Send a friend here who wants solid French and California bottles without doing homework first.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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