Reza’s Restaurant folds, bringing an end to a longstanding Chicago brand Reza’s, a popular fusion restaurant, closed last spring

Reza’s Restaurant closed its doors in May 2025 because of long-term financial pressures set by the pandemic.

The restaurant, located on Sherman Avenue, served up hearty Mediterranean and Persian cuisine, including tabbouli salad, baba ghannouj and lamb chops. It was especially known for its kebabs and family platters, which allowed customers to mix and match a variety of meats, vegetables and dipping sauces.

Easily recognizable for its bold red exterior and suave blue interior alike, Reza’s sat in a heavily foot-trafficked position in downtown Evanston.

The Middle Eastern fusion restaurant had been in operation since 1983, when it opened its first location in Andersonville. As a chain that served the Chicagoland area for over 40 years, Reza’s will be fondly remembered as the site of many a family dinner, birthday party or bar crawl. A staple for many Northwestern newcomers, the lounge provided foundational memories for a myriad of students and Evanston residents alike.

As of February 2026, the building on Sherman Avenue remains vacant, despite its location on an otherwise prosperous street.

For anyone craving Mediterranean food, Habibi In and Olive Mediterranean Grill lie only a few short blocks away. Persian food connoisseurs, however, might be out of luck, as the nearest restaurants are all the way in Chicago.

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