Mediterranean

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

  • 12 Chairs – Middle Eastern dishes (including standout hummus) featured in a laid-back, rustic setting
    • Location: Soho, Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Alive, loud, casual 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, grilled chicken 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a group dinner, dinner before going out 

  • Au’Zatar – Lebanese/Middle Eastern fare in a contemporary space, known for their tableside shawarma towers
    • Location: Midtown East, East Village 
    • Atmosphere: Casual, contemporary 
    • Suggestions: Falafel, hummus, halloum mekli, chicken kafta kebab, fries, shawarma 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get. It’s likely you’d be able to walk in on a weekday 
    • A Good Place For: A last minute meal, casual dinner with friends 

  • Balaboosta – Imaginative takes on Middle Eastern home cooking fill the menu at this popular storefront space
    • Location: West Village 
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, contemporary 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, cauliflower, tahdig rice 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: A small group dinner, a date, a casual dinner 

  • Estiatorio Milos – A Greek gastronomic experience, united by fresh ingredients and timeless traditions
    • Location: Midtown, Hudson Yards 
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, grand, corporate 
    • Suggestions: Milos is known for their seafood; I don’t eat seafood but can attest that their non-seafood dishes were delicious. My family, who does eat seafood, did enjoy their branzino 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: A business dinner, dinner with the parents 

  • HaSalon – Locavore spot from Israeli celebrity chef with a reservations-only experience & a theatrical vibe
    • Location: Hells Kitchen 
    • Atmosphere: Party, loud, theatrical 
    • Suggestions: The beans (on the menu as “the most beautiful braid ever made, perfumed with lemon, olive oil and garlic)
    • Reservations: Required. HaSalon NYC offers two dining experiences options per evening. The first seating is 6:00pm – 7:30pm and is more relaxed. The second seating, 7:45pm or later, is louder and more upbeat, with energy building throughout the night until close (around midnight). Final seating is at 9:30pm
    • A Good Place For: A birthday dinner, a celebration, a large group dinner 
    • Note: I found the food here to be incredibly disappointing and very overpriced. I would not go back to HaSalon

  • ilili – Creative Lebanese sharing plates, entrees & cocktails served up in a trendy, modern space
    • Location: Nomad 
    • Atmosphere: Warm, romantic, spacious 
    • Suggestions: Mouhamara, hummus, falafel 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a date 

  • Laser Wolf – Chic, relaxed rooftop restaurant with Israeli-style skewered snacks and Manhattan skyline views
    • Location: Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Rooftop, bustling, trendy
    • Suggestions: Lamb Kofta, Brisket Kebab, Chicken Shishlik, Brown Sugar Soft Serve Ice Cream 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations open 21 days in advance at 10am on Resy
    • A Good Place For: A group dinner, dinner at the bar, a meal to impress out of towners, nice rooftop views  
    • Note: The ice cream at Laser Wolf may be the best ice cream I’ve ever had

  • Lola Taverna – Cozy option specializing in Greek classics including seafood & meat dishes, plus a robust wine list
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Warm, welcoming, lively 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, chicken souvlaki 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested; reservations are available on a rolling 2 week basis exclusively through Resy
    • A Good Place For: A date, a small group dinner 

  • Shoo Shoo – Playful Mediterranean fare with Israeli influences & health-conscious ethos in a plant-filled space
    • Location: Nolita 
    • Atmosphere: Quaint cafe, welcoming, vibey 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, Japanese eggplant, Shoo Shoo kebab 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends 

  • Shuka – Place for contemporary Eastern Mediterranean food, wine & cocktails in a stylish setting
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Colorful, festive 
    • Suggestions: Fried halloumi, crispy cauliflower, hummus 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, brunch 
    • Sister Restaurants: Shukette, Cookshop, Rosie’s, Vic’s

  • Shukette – Bustling destination with chef’s tables turning out kebabs & seafood specialties
    • Location: Chelsea 
    • Atmosphere: Loud, energetic, modern 
    • Suggestions: Everything – literally everything – was delicious. Hummus, chickpea flaxseed cracker, grilled broccoli, roasted cauliflower 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations open 30 days in advance at 9am on Resy
    • A Good Place For: A date, eating at the bar, a small group dinner (3-4 people)
    • Sister Restaurants: Shuka, Cookshop, Rosie’s, Vic’s

  • Zooba – Local outpost of a Cairo-based chain serving Egyptian street food bites in a colorful space
    • Location: Nolita 
    • Atmosphere: Small, quaint, colorful, casual
    • Suggestions: Hawawshi burger
    • Reservations: Not required 
    • A Good Place For: A casual meal

  • Zou Zou’s – Stylish restaurant with an open kitchen dishing up Eastern Mediterranean bites and cocktails
    • Location: Hudson Yards
    • Atmosphere: Stylish, trendy, upscale, lively  
    • Suggestions: Dips, grilled artichokes, Yemeni Au Poivre kebab, charred pineapple 
    • Reservations: Required and can be made through Open Table 
    • A Good Place For: A group dinner, dinner with the parents, dinner to impress out of towners