my friends and i enjoyed this place SO much. aside from it being so gorgeous on the outside and the inside, the food is incredible. we got the vegan platter and a few appetizers. we were all so full at the end but didn't want to stop eating lol. there was super fast and friendly service too excited to come back soon! read more

Ayat - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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I would recommend making a reservation to dine at Ayat. We shared the mixed appetizer platter which consists of hummus, baba ghanoush, muhammarah, tabbouleh, salata tahina and labneh. All components were delicious with their fresh pita. My friends ordered one of the wood fired pizzas and the espresso martini, both of which they recommended. I ordered the chicken shawarma platter which was as expected nothing special. The restaurant was extremely busy so service and the pita refill were slow. Of note there is only one restroom so the line was long but overall dining here was a good experience. read more

First time trying Palestinian food and was so surprised how much I liked it! Also the first/second time trying hummus so my expectations were exceeded. I really liked how the pita bread just kept coming once I was done and it is wood fire oven baked almost right in front of you (depending where you sit). The fattat jaj was delicious it had rice, yogurt, chicken, pita chips, chickpeas, and almonds which is everything I enjoy eating so this was the perfect dish. The service was great, I came during lunch time and I was the only one dining for majority of my meal so the food came out super quick. The inside it so nice and clean too. read more

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One of the worst middle eastern meals I have ever had. Not only did I get food poisoning from the food, the staff was rude as well. I am never coming back here again and will tell all my friends and family to AVOID THIS RESTAURANT AT ALL COST read more

Delicate Presence Your first few seconds and minutes after entering Ayat's 107 Loisaida Ave locale, especially if you enter before lunch say by 11:30 a.m. will effuse a grand sense of open space, generous light entering from without, sound softness, and select canvases with intense Palestinian visages, especially during these current Palestinian times. Ayat's interior and natural sky and exterior openness subtly support each other. The waitpersons and other staff gently float by and often stately stand before you. They seem few at this early time and suggest full patience and all skills needed for their success. The tallest amongst them this day, perhaps the main waitperson, without asserting her voice but instead her visage topside softly adds her hello. She asks for, listens to, and carries out requests without losing her omnipresent, tall, positive, pleasantly real visage. The waiters who support and supplement her presence on the turf, mostly if not all totally shorter men, also efficiently fit their tasks into Ayat's time and space with soft yet firm demeanor. Without having to count the tables you will surely know that the restaurant at different times may totally fill, yet the table placement saves enough space between tables to maintain a sense of openness. Some outside space with more tables adds an aura and vastness to its inside partner. The food options we chose added to the stability of surroundings we saw, with both their taste and picturesque presence. Experience as we did picturesquely the delicate olives (O, olives, you are so delicious) which arrive early. Baba ghanoush enunciated its unique identity both in flavor and color. All dishes blend well with the fresh, soft-to-the-touch pita.The waitpersons carefully and appropriately seat roasted cauliflower with tahini at the table center. Muhammara, a melange dip of walnuts, red bell peppers, pomegranate molasses, and breadcrumbs quietly awaits your deep discovery. Convenient views of the open current cooking area and easy access for all to the bathroom further secure diners' peace-of-mind. As you depart Ayat secure in the tastes still on your tongue and the subtle visual mosaic you inhabited do not forget Ayat's memorable tallest, most palpable waitperson who carefully nurtured everyone's presence. read more

Great food the seats at the door can be a cold and windy, it's better if there's more heater or sth, they were just open prob run down on staff, a dish wasn't delivered but it's ok they are doing a good job otherwise read more

It was all amazing, the mezze platter was the fav. Phenomenalllll. The stuffed squash was a close second. read more

I was there a few days ago. It was the worst experience. That's the one in the East Village. I've been to the one on third Avenue, Brooklyn, at least three or four times that is excellent but the one in East Village I would not recommend to anyone. read more

Order take out. Told it's kinda busy, so come in 15 minutes. Arrived 20 minutes later, told wait another 15 minutes. Waited 20 minutes standing by the order station. Told it's being prepared.....I'm still waiting here an hour since I called in, 40 minutes since I paid and nothing....so I figured I'd write this appropriate review read more

I ordered the Lemon Garlic Chicken Ouzi and it was so delicious! The restaurant was beautiful inside and had lots of moving art.

Delicious food and beautiful restaurant! The brick oven bread was absolutely delicious and their mint lemonade is constantly on my mind I would love to go back. It is a little pricey but totally worth it. I would 100% return. read more

Incredible food. BYOB. Highly recommend. The best middle eastern/ Mediterranean food in the city!

The flavors were simply amazing. Everything in the plate was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The pita, the salad, the rice, the chicken, the potatoes all perfectly prepared. HIGHLY recommend! read more

The food is wonderful, the service is friendly and the atmosphere is great. The only problem was that the music was too loud -- it was hard to converse. GREAT bags for take-away -- they should make fabric ones -- I'm sure they would sell. Peace. read more

Horrible customer service!!! Honestly the hostess is rude and lacks common sense. Spend your money elsewhere! Had a reservation as well btw read more

Super yummy food and kind folks working here! Reasonably priced and beautiful decor! Would recommend!

beautiful ambiance and GREAT food!! i wish i didn't live so far away :( i would eat this every day of my life if i could read more

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I really wanted to like this spot because its close to my apt and the menu had a lot of options I love but the food here was embarrassing. The labneh was not thick like its supposed to be and tasted like a bowl of yogurt. The lamb was overcooked and the chicken was dry. Even worse, the prices are so expensive! Only good thing was the pita bread... In reading these reviews it must be the owners and their friends giving the 5 stars because my experience was horrible. Ironically enough, the hostess was friendly and cheerful and that is the one complaint I read in the other reviews! read more

Absolutely delicious. Ordered maklouba, msakhan, spicy kefta, hot appetizer platter and baba ghanoush family style for 5 people. Everything was soooo yummy and we had tons of food left over. Somehow the bill was only $150. The alphabet city location is roomy and beautiful. We had so much fun would recommend! And you can BYO without a fee! read more

lots of vegan and vegetarian options! kind and attentive staff. also food was delicious i am excited to return read more

Ayat - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

This place was a complete ripoff. I got the lamb chops for $36 and the 4 pieces did not have much meat on them and they were overcooked (slightly black in some places). For about the same price someone else at our table had the mixed grill and he said the meat was dry and the portion for the size of it was small. Admittedly I'm a bit of a rice snob and I was disgusted with overcooked rice. What middle eastern spot can't cook rice? Only positive was a nice, attentive waitress. Overall, TERRIBLE decision not going to Ravagh for quality Persian or to Dagon for Mediterranean ... both are so much better. Felt ripped off! read more

Beautiful food, wonderful loving people!!!!! I would recommend this place to everyone I know!!!!

I just seen someone talk about the waitress same thing happened to me she was disrespectful and took mad long to sit us down even though it was empty. read more

Amazingly tasty Every time I pass by it's always crowded... good sign. Worth the try ;)

This place was amazing and lived up to the hype. I left completely satisfied. The mezze filistini could have been the only thing we ordered and I'd be good with it. The cauliflower was also on point. Meats and rice dish hearty and delicious. We tried so many different dishes it was a treat. Service was great - we arrived for a late dinner with big group and they squeezed us in. Need to come back soon. read more

Amazing food and people -- we adore Ayat so much! The food is absolutely delicious and the team effuses such love for their incredible country. read more

First off, the hostess has quite the attitude problem. She needs to check herself and how she speaks to human beings. Second, the food took 59 minutes to get to us after ordering. Food was mid. Wonder if the Brooklyn location is any better but WOW expensive and disappointing. read more

Excellence. The food, service and ambiance. They specialize in items only your mama can finesse. I felt right at home; warm, cozy and full!

We came here with such enthusiasm, then waited as three other groups who arrived after us were seated first, then once seated waited for bread and olives while later-arriving tables got theirs, and it felt...terrible. And in case you are wondering about identity- based whatever, it's not about that; we are a mixed Arab family same as most of the staff and patrons. The food is amazing. But it feels exclusive to be treated that way, so we will look elsewhere. read more

The service is pretty bad which is the main issue. The restaurant itself is also way too hot. It's not really airconditioned and they have an oven going that makes the space very hot. The food is ok but seems to have gotten a bit worse since this place opened. read more

Beware the fine print on the menu, they charge a 4% service charge for using a credit card. While $2.09 is not a lot of money on a $52 bill, it is also an unnecessary charged that the customer has to pay for. The food is ok, the environment and vibe not so great. Friendly waitress, friendly staff, but just something about the room has no warmth and same with the staff. read more

Amazing food and service. Great ambiance and decor and very friendly staff. The mansaf is the best I've ever had. Cannot recommend enough

Great food, very tasty with very large portions. Attentive service in a cozy and homely atmosphere. Overall a great experience.

Thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. Authentic Palestinian cuisine. Great service and and genial ppl. We'll be back to dine again.

Unfortunately, I will not go back to this place. I entered this restaurant and it was not crowded at all. Waiters saw me but they kept on chit chatting to each other ignoring me. I was wandering how long I have to stand there until someone greets me or seats me. Maybe since this restaurant is in East Village, both waiters and clients do not understand good restaurant service? I ordered ram shish kebab dish. The meat was so dry and hard that I almost choke on them. The salad and veggies were too sour. I went there with high hope but it was a total disappointment. read more

Spectacular food. Great portions. The fattat jaj never disappoints. Hits so many notes. The muhammara is very flavorful.

Ayat has amazing food and nice staff. I highly recommend any of the lamb dishes, especially the mansaf. The ouzi is also delicious. Portions are large so keep that in mind when ordering. read more

Not a good spot. Owners are not courteous; food is not good. Avoid - there are so many better options

The woman maitre d was hostile and had a condescending attitude. The waiter was totally disengaged and disinterested in serving us and not forthcoming with information. The food was fine, and some items were good but with this kind of service you wont find us there again. read more

The most amazing food at the most amazing location! Amazing service in a beautiful location. Could not recommend this restaurant enough