The aromatic spice combinations of Middle Eastern cuisine can make your mouth water and your stomach growl. It stems from ancient civilizations influenced by the Mediterranean along its western border, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria, and the mountains of Afghanistan in the eastern part of the region.
That said, it's easily confused with its geographic neighbor, Mediterranean cuisine. Although the two have some foods in common, like pita bread or stuffed grape leaves, Mediterranean food tends to use herbs. At the same time, Middle Eastern fare is flavored with bolder spices like sumac, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cardamom.
As consumers lean toward healthier fare, Middle Eastern restaurants are poised to have a moment. The cuisine's plant-heavy options include hummus, falafel, and fattoush salad. Lentils have been another Middle Eastern staple since at least 8,000 B.C. To satisfy a sweet tooth, options like baklava and halva fit the bill.
Middle Eastern dining emphasizes a shared experience, with many dishes designed to be eaten communally so that everyone at the table can build relationships through food. Mezze platters of bite-sized options and family-style stews are perfect for a night out with family or friends.
Although Middle Eastern restaurants aren't as prevalent as other ethnic cuisines, there are over 144,000 places in the United States where you can sample this region's delights.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated breakfast restaurants in Champaign based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of July 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "Middle Eastern" on Yelp and within a 10-kilometer radius of Champaign were included. Some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides breakfast food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 10 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
Keep reading to see if your favorite restaurant made the cut, and to discover new spots you haven't been to yet.
