(312) 751-9600

617 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8929 -87.6339

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

Hours:

Monday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Price:

$

Last updated 10.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express , Visa , Discover , Diners Club , MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite , Quiet , Business Dining , Lunch Spot , Date Spot , Group Dining , Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Lebanese , Mediterranean , Middle Eastern , Vegetarian

Smoking Permitted:

Section, Yes

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Kan Zaman

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – A River North mix of suits and business-casual types meander into this pleasant space, where fringe-beaded lamps, a long shelf of Middle Eastern knicknacks and dolls, and rich-colored tapestries on soft yellow walls make for an exotic, upscale-casual vibe. The side room is even cozier, with raised tables and seating on plush pillows and blankets. – – The Food – The very affordable Lebanese menu touches on all the classics, and there's no better way to start exploring than with the vegetarian combo, a big sampler platter of creamy-tangy hummus, chilled dolma…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Hookah is also offered (for dining guests only) in a variety of flavors.
What to Drink:
BYOB or go for one of the restaurant's non-alcoholic smoothies, teas, or fresh-squeezed fruit juices.
The Extras:
Weekend evenings feature belly dancing, with a 45-minute show on Friday at 9pm and 20-minute shows on Saturday at 8:30pm and 10pm.
Save Money:
Lunch is a real steal, with super-cheap weekday specials on falafel and shawarma sandwiches, kebab plates and more (11am to 3pm).
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The exterior isn't much, but the dining room is comfortable and warm, and the service is prompt.”
  2. “Excellent food and service with a relaxing atmosphere!”
  3. “It has a great atmosphere.”
  4. “It's easy to get to, the staff is fantastic, the decor and ambience is great for a sophisticated dinner with friends or a romantic dinner with "you know who.”
  5. “The food was delicious, service excellent (although it wasn't busy at the time) and the atmosphere was pleasing.”
  6. “This is a great place to go with friends or even for a romantic date!”
food quality
84.20999526977539% positive
  1. “The food was delicious, service excellent (although it wasn't busy at the time) and the atmosphere was pleasing.”
  2. “food was good tho.”
  3. “(And the food was good too)”
  4. “We had a few appetizers, lamb and beef sausages in tomato sauce, which was excellent, and also the Baba Ghounoush, which was ok.”
  5. “Excellent food and service with a relaxing atmosphere!”
  6. “If your hunger and want a really good warm meal this is the place to eat at.”
  7. “The food was so good here!”
  8. “One person in our party ordered a spinach dish which was delicious.”
  9. “Have they not eaten amazing Lebanese food and been tricked into thinking this is good?”
  10. “The food is fantastic, and the service is good.”
  11. “You also get salad or soup, my Lentil soup was excellent.”
  12. “The Middle Eastern fare here is delicious (I love the silky hummus and the crispy falafels) and the prices are very reasonable.”
  13. “The food was dry - I had a filet mignon shish kabob (the special of the night) and lacked any taste of olive oil or salt for that matter.”
  14. “The food is highly recommended as well - very tasty and entrees come with rice or bulgar wheat, and delicious lentil soup or salad.”
  15. “Meals include white rice or wheat, all of which was good.”
  16. “had a headache when I left and I can't be sure it was due to the loudness of the restaurant or the disgusting food.”
  17. “Top it all off with a delicious menu of traditionally prepared and presented Lebanese specialties.”
  18. “The beef kabobs were excellent as was the chicken.”
  19. “especially enjoy their french fries, as weird as that”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Top it all off with a delicious menu of traditionally prepared and presented Lebanese specialties.”
  2. “Everything on the menu is fantastic!”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “If your hunger and want a really good warm meal this is the place to eat at.”
  2. “This is a great place to go with friends or even for a romantic date!”
  3. “Other than that, this is a great place that includes hookas.”
  4. “And I'm so glad we did because since then it is my favorite restaurant!”
service
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “It's easy to get to, the staff is fantastic, the decor and ambience is great for a sophisticated dinner with friends or a romantic dinner with "you know who.”
  2. “The food was delicious, service excellent (although it wasn't busy at the time) and the atmosphere was pleasing.”
  3. “This place has horrible acoustics because everything echos and people yell to hear eachother.”
  4. “The food is fantastic, and the service is good.”
  5. “The exterior isn't much, but the dining room is comfortable and warm, and the service is prompt.”
  6. “Excellent food and service with a relaxing atmosphere!”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “The Middle Eastern fare here is delicious (I love the silky hummus and the crispy falafels) and the prices are very reasonable.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/15/10

Good Lebanese Food!

by Raquel M

The restaurant was closed for our group of 100. We rec'd very personl service. And everyone loved the great Belly Dancer! (And the food was good too)

  • Pros: Atmosphere was awesome! Great service.
  • Cons: The hummous was a little dry.
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/06/09

Good Food if You Like Garbage

by nolachitown

Seriously?! Who are these people that venture to this place? Have they not eaten amazing Lebanese food and been tricked into thinking this is good? This place is awful. The food was dry - I had a filet mignon shish kabob (the special of the night) and lacked any taste of olive oil or salt for that matter. The appetizers were mediocre in taste and small in size (the hummous was the worst thing I've ever had). I decided to go on a Friday night to catch the belly dancers, which were the highlight of this restaurant. This place has horrible acoustics because everything echos and people yell to hear eachother. I had a headache when I left and I can't be sure it was due to the loudness of the restaurant or the disgusting food. This is a definite pass.

  • Pros: the bellydancer comes around to dance with various tables
  • Cons: took forever to get a glass of water filled, the food lacked taste or oil, the acoustics force you to scream at your company
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/02/08

Best restaurant ever!!!

by Linsea

I stumbled across this place 4 years ago with some friends and we decided to give it a try. And I'm so glad we did because since then it is my favorite restaurant!!! It has a great atmosphere. You can either sit at a regular table or you can take off your shoes and sit on pillows around a table! It is BYOB which helps cut down on cost when going out! But cost isn't really even an issue when dining there because everything is so moderately priced!! I love the mediterranean spinach which is like $11, and there are always leftovers to take home! Everything on the menu is fantastic!!!!!!! Just writing this review makes me want to go there right now! This is a great place to go with friends or even for a romantic date!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/26/07

Shawarma-Licious!!!

by pghmofo

Mmmmmmm, chicken Shawarma. I really dig this place, a great lunch spot in River North. Service is so-so, but what?s really important is the food. Best Chicken Shawarma in Chicago. I cant say Im an expert at Middle Eastern food, but I Know Yummy when I taste it, and Kan Zaman has plenty of it! Price could be a little lower for lunch in my opinion, but whatever, its not outrageous. Did I mention the Chicken Shawarma (with extra Tahini sauce)!

  • Pros: Shawarma, Nice open airy space in summer
  • Cons: a little expensive, but not too bad
3 Star Rating: Average

03/06/07

Fabulous Lebanese food!

by dolphinlodge

Excellent Place - have lived in the MIddle East for a few years and this is the real deal - exactly as it is in Middle East!

The Details on Kan Zaman

Place Categories:

  • fantastic food
  • favorite restaurant
  • nice atmosphere
  • great place
  • not amazing lebanese food
  • really good warm meal
  • love crispy falafels
  • mediocre appetizers
  • enjoyable dinner
  • excellent service
  • favorite mediterranean lunch
  • comfortable dining room
  • great lunch spot
  • loved great belly dancer
  • love mediterranean spinach
  • good tho
  • great decor
  • fantastic staff
  • delicious spinach dish
  • excellent lentil soup
  • excellent beef kabobs
  • good white rice
  • especially enjoy french fries
  • excellent tomato sauce
  • horrible acoustics