This place was a letdown. From the second we stepped out the car, the bouncer was rude . And the experience with the server was no better; barely came around, and when he did, it felt like he was in a rush . Three of us came out on a Sunday night for an 8:30 reservation just because we were in town and did not want to leave the city without trying it. It was not full when we got there but it did start getting busier. And maybe they were short staffed, I don't know but everything took forever: Getting a table (with a reservation), water, putting in our order, the food coming out, getting the check -- all of it dragged. we ordered the Jerk lamb chops, oxtail, white rice and Haitian rice, plantains, and cassava bread. We really enjoyed the Haitian rice and plantains. The lamb chops were cold, the oxtails were overcooked and basically swimming in what tasted like BBQ sauce. And we never got the bread we ordered. I cannot believe we spent $160 for that experience. The first bill they brought belonged to another table, had to wait on the correct one. Then when they brought the correct one, it included the bread that our table never received so we had to wait again for that to be removed. Of course our waiter seemed rushed all night and was inattentive to matters like that. I really wanted to like this place. I saw the clips on social media, and I wanted to support a black owned establishment. But none of it translated to an actual good experience. If anything, the hype makes the disappointment worse. Trust the google and yelp reviews, I should have read those first! read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

I dont usually write reviews about for this place I had to do it. food is amazing the vibe is 10/10 service was excellent and very attentive. definitely recommend this place for a date night or any special occasion. read more

Me and friend's got together for a birthday dinner. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into a really nice restaurant! I was greeted and sat. Our waitress was great! We ordered: Oxtail Wings The food was delicious and the wings were the best! I also loved the cocktails! All in all a good experience! read more

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Lele definitely wins on ambiance -- beautiful vibe, stylish setting, and great energy. The service, however, didn't match the atmosphere. Food has potential, but the meats could be more moist, flavors more distinct, and the dishes need better fusion of the cultures they're inspired by. Right now, too many dishes carry the same taste profile. A few tweaks and this place could really stand out. The jerk turkey bacon is a must try, Drinks are made true Caribbean style-Strong! The wait time for brunch food to come out was over 1hr. They have potential, but needs to do a bit better for the experience. read more

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We made reservations as it was Mother's Day brunch. The space is so beautiful. The front door is incredibly heavy and uncomfortable to open. We were seated right away. It smells so good in here. We ordered jerk wings as appetizers. We were told it was 6 wings but it was only 4. 28 dollars for 4 wings is insane. It was delicious none the less I ordered the jerk steak and eggs. My mother ordered the plaintain waffles and chicken as well as jerked turkey bacon. The food was good for the most part but the turkey bacon was really distasteful and salty. We let our waitress know. It was about a fifteen minute wait before someone came to place our order but we didn't wait look for the food. I ordered another orange juice that never came. The bathrooms were very clean and I loved the idea of individual stalls. For myself snd my mother with no alcohol it was 164 before tip. That's pricey. The portion sizes were medium size and packed with flavor. Also we watched the staff tried to seat three people in a very small space next to us. The patrons both times got up and left going elsewhere read more

Had an amazing time here! The food and drinks are delicious and the atmosphere is lively and fun. The restaurant itself is beautiful. The staff was very friendly and accommodating and I think this is an amazing addition to the city! read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

3.5 Fairly new restaurant that has been making own waves on IG. Came for a belated birthday outing and had mixed emotions. The staff was very welcoming as we arrived, it looks small, but the space was ample. The tables are relatively close to each other, if you dine on the lower level. After being seats, it took quite while for someone to come over and take our orders. Also, typically they start you with an appetizer or a drink, but the server asked if we were ready to order. We were all ready, due to the long wait anyway. I just went with the beef patties and plantains. The patties looked small in pictures but were very filling and larger in person. I enjoyed the food. Also, we ordered oxtails, Akra, and two other dishes, which I can't recall. We were all pleased with the meal but just thought the service could be improved. read more

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I had a wonderful experience here. Our server provided great service as she was friendly and offered her top picks of appetizers, entrees, and drinks. I loved the decor of the restaurant. The music was very much Caribbean and I loved it! The music was at a volume where you could hold a conversation which was a plus. For appetizers, we decided on the berbere chicken wings which were fried to perfection and the buffalo sauce was the perfect addition. The oxtails and white rice was falling off the bone and the presentation was appealing. I would definitely come again. read more

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The food and drinks here were delicious. Everything we ordered was great, and my personal favorite was the oxtail. The menu had a nice variety and is a good option for groups who like to share meals. I also enjoyed the decor and overall ambience of the place. Definitely a good spot for pictures and felt unique compared to lots of other restaurants in Manhattan. Our waiter was very nice, fast, and friendly which was lovely. That said, the hostess wasn't that warm upon greeting and seemed to be a bit annoyed when I asked if we could wait at the bar before our reservation time. That was off putting but the rest of the experience made up for it. Definitely a spot worth checking out. read more

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LE LE is an Afro Carribean resturant. As you walk in your greeted with a beautiful entry way with gold palm leaves and mokeys hanging on ropes holding lights....it feels like you walking a carribbean carpet. This resturant has great ambiance and decor, dimly lit, well dressed patrons, glasses clinking...the music was at a good enough level to enjoy and still conversate. The menu was definitely upscale but unfortunately overpriced. 3 cocktail patties at a over 20 dollar price point. We ordered the lamb chops and the branzino...both were well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I wish the lamb came with a side..the veggies were good but lacked another component. My only complaint would be the service...the host and waitstaff were not the friendliest and the server lacked the knowledge of the menu items. I would go back to check out their weekend entertainment read more

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I dine here on a Saturday evening with my friends, The space is beautiful and has that flair. There was a strong aroma of curry upon entering the restaurant. We had to wait to get seated, they have multiple hosts in the front which kind of makes check in a bit complicated, I don't think they have a system in place for seamless interaction (They need to work on that) We got seated after about 20 mins, the drinks were good, for food we ordered a variety of things, the standouts were the queso Frito, jerk oyster mushrooms, the hamachi was beautifully plated in the form of a rose but it didn't taste fresh. Moving on to entrees, I ordered the fish and would have loved if they have the option to debone it, felt like a lot of work to get through that fish, the lamb chops were good, and we had a whole flan for dessert, overall the flavors are there, the music was good, our server Briana was awesome, she did a stellar job with recommendations, checking on us periodically and had a wonderful attitude and energy. read more

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the newest Caribbean restaurant in New York City and it screams luxury. This restaurant serves Caribbean food with a modern twist. The cocktails are great and the ambience is stunning. This is what we had. Drinks * Papa Bois Punch - $22 * Island Outlaw - $22 * Lemon Drop Strawberry - $23 * Lele Punch * Pearadise Lost - $23 Apps * Cornbread - $12 * Sweet Plantains - $14 * Fried Green Plantains * Jerk Mushrooms - $18 * Black Rice (Diri Djon Djon) - $18 * Chicken Wings - $28 *Entrées * Branzino - $68 * Lamb Chops - $56 Loved the plantains, cornbread, branzino & lamb chops. The black rice needs some work. The chicken wings were good but the chicken inside needed more flavor. For the price I expected A1 flavor inside and out. Strong cocktails & live dancers that hyped the crowd. Caribbean vibes with all genres of Haitian music, yes please! To see the live entrainment it is only on Fridays at 9:30pm. A reservation is a must for Fridays. read more

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Lele is an absolute vibe. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt sexy and mysterious -- dim lighting, beautiful energy, and music low enough to actually enjoy conversation. It struck the perfect balance between upscale and intimate. We started with the Berbere wings and jerk mushrooms, and both were incredibly delicious. The wings were bold and flavorful with just the right kick, and the jerk mushrooms were rich, perfectly seasoned, and memorable. For my entrée, I had the whole fried branzino with tostones -- flat and crispy, just the way I like it. My friends ordered the oxtail, and it was fall-off-the-bone good. We genuinely loved everything we had. The drinks were also delicious (even though I can't remember the names!), and the service was attentive without being intrusive. We would absolutely return for both the food and the vibes. read more

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Definitely deserving of 5 stars. The ambiance and decor is just gorgeous. The service was really good. Our waiter was Raymond, he was pleasant and really attentive. Another guy ,Asian, I'm assuming was an owner. He was also really attentive and pleasant. The food was DELICIOUS. A little pricey but definitely worth it. The only issue was that we had to wait a while to be seated. But we received a round of champagne for the wait and the birthday girl. So that was cool. read more

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Overpriced and overdone! Get over yourselves. This is NYC, better food anywhere else. Service is non existent and they add service charges for breathing the air. This place is a joke, going here is pretending you're going to a nice restaurant just to get garbage tasting food put on a fancy plate. In the end, all you're paying for is to play dress up and get ripped off. Do better. read more

Came to this beautiful gem during my trip and trust me when I say it's on my list when I comeback! Our waitress was so nice and very helpful with recommendations for food and drinks. App- beef patty, mushrooms and shrimp ( 3 different plates) Dinner - lamb, fried branzino The inside is so beautiful. Low lighting and velvet interior. read more

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I haven't thoroughly enjoyed an experience like this in a while! I came in with two girl friends late on a Saturday night. I was shocked that there was a late night menu- everything was a hit! The staff was super friendly and helpful and assisted us with picking items. The calamari, YUM! Wings, YUM! Hamachi, YUM! Goat, YUM! I'll absolutely return read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

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I'll start with the good. The decor is beautiful. The drinks were strong and tasty. The branzino, lamb chops and corn were cooked to perfection. Also, our waitress was fine. Now the not so good. I had a reservation for 4 people we 9:45PM. I checked in at 9:30, knowing I wouldn't be seated because my entire party wasn't there but I saw it was busy so I wanted to check in a little early. When my entire party arrived, I checked in again and was told it would be a few moments. After checking in 2 more times, at approximately 10:05 PM my party was brought down to the basement to a "private room". The room was nice, but not what we asked for. There was a table but it wasn't appropriate for dining. It was better suited for drinks and/or small bites. There was a TV playing a YouTube mix as opposed to the music that was playing upstairs. We requested to be seated upstairs and were told they weren't sure how long the wait for a table would be since we "forfeited" the private room. Finally at 10:13 we were seated for our 9:45 reservation. The food was good but it did not make up for the poor service to make me go back. read more

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Ok so .. we went here on a snowy night which may possibly be why some items were not available. Despite being a snowy night the restaurant was quite busy! when you walk in there's a beautiful walkway with golden palm trees and monkeys. It really feels like you've stepped foot into an elegant rainforest... the food was amazing and the service was great the only disappointment was that they did not have several Items we were looking forward to eating such as the coco bread and flan. The desserts were completely out and it was my birthday. The waiter did his best to make it up to us but we really wanted to try the cake. I guess we will have to return! read more

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I really want to give 4/5 stars, but the timing thing really didn't sit well with me - This place is new to the scene and had been on my list for a while, so I was really excited to finally try it. The food did not disappoint--everything my party and I ordered was excellent. Portions were generous, the presentation was beautiful, and overall the food experience was a standout. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and very well designed. It's great for mid-sized group dinners, though the bar area is on the smaller side. I went for an early Friday dinner and didn't get to experience the show, but by around 7:30 pm the energy picked up significantly, and it was clear the show adds a fun, lively vibe to the space. Unfortunately, the biggest downside was the strict two-hour table limit. From the moment we sat down, we felt rushed, with a clear cutoff around the 1 hour and 45 minute mark. While I understand the need to turn tables--especially on busy nights--this is not an inexpensive restaurant, and the pacing took away from what should have been a relaxed dining experience. Once the check was dropped, my party expressed our frustration and asked if we could continue at the bar. We were initially told yes, but upon arriving at the bar, we were told it was reserved only for guests actively dining on Friday nights. That was extremely disappointing, especially after spending close to $800. Although the staff ultimately allowed us to stay, by that point the experience felt soured. I truly hope the restaurant finds a better balance with its timing policy, because the food, atmosphere, and concept are strong--it just needs to feel more accommodating to paying guests. read more

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LeLe is a fusion of AfroCaribbean ingredients with a modern twist. Food: I had the wings for starters which was very taste and the buffalo sauce was nicely spicy. The oxtail with the Haitian white rice hit the spot. The oxtail was well seasoned and falling off the bone. The alcoholic beverages have a natural juice taste but also strong with the kick you need. The Lele punch is a go! Service: the service is really good, fast, and efficient. The staff is very attentive and provides great recommendations. Ambiance: the ambiance is very upscale with a laid back soft tone. It's very sexy cozy with music playing. It's gives a lounge/Resturant with a modern vibe. It's good for date night but also groups for friends night out or birthday celebration. The overall rating for Lele is 4.8/5.0 read more

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I couldn't wait to write this review because I did not want to forget the details of this beautiful restaurant! Lélé is that girlllll, ok?! You do not want to miss it. It's newly opened, black-owned, upscale restaurant offering up Caribbean-inspired dishes; pulling particularly from Haitian cuisine. With those attributes alone, count me in! I made a reservation on Resy and noted that if I was a no-show, there would be a $50 cancellation fee per person. I arrived about 10 minutes before my reservation, and was greeted with a dimly lit, beautifully adorned interior and a smiling hostess. The interior is huge! There's two levels of seating. We sat on the lower level. Brianna was our waiter and she seemed very knowledgeable about the menu and recommended a few items. Food: We tried the Suya Chicken Poussin which is draped with hot honey and pepper pickled onion. We also tried the Oxtail, Beef Patty, Pikliz, Berbere Chicken Wings, Akra, Corn Bread and Grilled Shrimp. The oxtail was good. It comes with Haitian white rice. Now, I had to try the white rice. As a Haitian-American, our white rice is very different from a traditional white rice. There's flavor to it. Let's just say it passed and I was impressed. The oxtail was good too; it was on the sweeter side. I prefer my oxtail with a more salty (for the lack of a better word) flavor. I would still get it again even with my preference. The Beef Patty was good as well. Not my favorite, but it's not bad at all. The Akra and Pikliz were spot on! I was very impressed with the Akra; it had the flavors that I am used to. The Pikliz, which is a spicy slaw, could have been spicier. However, I understand they made it on the less spicier side to appease a larger audience. The chicken wings had a dry rub with scotch bonnet flavoring - very good. Ambiance: Again, the decor is beautiful with murals on the walls, chandeliers and velvet furniture. Oh! And they were playing Kompa, which is Haitian music. I loved it 5/5! When in NYC again, I am definitely going back. Cheers! read more

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My cousin turned 27 and 6 of us came here for her birthday. The restaurant was beautiful. I loved the vibe. Our reservation was for 10:30pm but we waited over 30 minutes for a table to get up. The manager came over and told us he would give us champagne while we waited. We finally got seated and got the champagne and a round of drinks. For appetizers, the table got cornbread, wings, and beef patties. For dinner, everyone got either oxtail or lamb chops. The food was amazing. The owner came over and bought us a round of shots and the birthday girl got 2. The service was great. The restaurant was on the pricier side. We left a $250 deposit and then each person paid $140. I would still want to come back. I had a nice experience. read more

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Lele is the high end Caribbean restaurant that we didn't know we needed. I saw this place in an article & figured I should try it after work one day & am glad that I did. Do note that there isn't a particular dress code but it definitely is an upscale spot. I came in my sneakers (smh I know lol) & they didn't mind at all & welcomed me in- I'd just wear a different outfit to match the vibes next time haha. I grabbed a seat at the bar & started off with the "spice market" drink which had 2 different types of rum, shredded coconut, & some other stuff...in short it was perfection. I followed it with the "island outlaw" drink which was mezcal-based. It was good, but honestly the "spice market" drink was a lot better IMHO. Also I'm in a Caribbean place, I'm going with the rum-based drinks! I also had the jerk oyster mushroom which was really good- I've had jerk chicken, salmon, etc but haven't had a vegetarian take on it & was pleasantly surprised. After that, I had the rum cake for dessert (there's always room for dessert) & loved it- just the right amount of sweetness. All in all, I would 100% return back to Lele & look forward to trying their other rum-based cocktails & food. read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

I came with no expectations except for hunger and I love good oxtails. The ambience was spot on...exceptional!!!! I was able to walk in...and none of the reservations for the evening were filled...and most of the tables were empty...perhaps a super red flag...but I through caution to the wind...it's Caribbean for God sake...how wrong could it be? Well! The $58 price of the oxtail slapped me in the face but it's a high rent area...so par for the course. I started with the apple salad...delicious...I'm a pepper freak...so I added my share. I ordered the head on shrimp in a curry sauce and I was confused...they looked pretty but the flavor was bland and super light on the spice...edible but my palate was not happy. I ordered the cornbread...and my confusion continued...it tasted burnt....so that sat there...I attempted a few more nibbles...and I realized it wasn't going to taste any better. So I thought...perhaps I'll break the bank and order the $58 oxtails...the table next to me had two orders so it must be good! Well! The oxtails were the most bland-no tasting-dry in a sauce meat....I'm not sure how those oxtails were let out of the kitchen. I had $20 oxtails in a New Jersey side shop....that were tender, juicy, and flavorful. What is happening in Lele's that that is what is coming out of the kitchen. The rice tasted a bit like my grandmother's butter rice...and even those were subpar. $150...into the ethers!!! And I get it...they have to pay that high priced rent and all the staff. I don't know how to make an oxtail...and never tried...I've always relied on folks bringing that flavor. I paid my bill and left my full oxtails sitting on the table...definitely no doggy bag for me! read more

The place looks beautiful the music decor and vibes was perfect for a Saturday night. I had the oxtail and my wife had the jerk lamb and they were both falling of the bone and very succulent. read more

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The venue is beautiful. Rich colors and lovely decor. Very picturesque. Black owned: Haitian and Guyanese You must arrive with your full party or majority of party to be seated. If they are very late, your table will be given away and they will do their best to accommodate you as they are a popular restaurant. The bartenders are amazing! Specifically Benji, she was amazing and made my birthday special. Thank you. Drinks: I really enjoyed the Spice Market. The ice cube is made with coconut water and has coconut flakes on top. Friends tried the island outlaw and said it was pretty spicy but tasty. The rim had a scotch bonnet salt. Hamachi was so good. Especially the crackers served with it. Coco bread is not traditional Jamaican coco bread, but very light and delicious Spiced grape jam and whipped goat cheese isn't served with bread or crackers. Very good pairing with coco bread. Skip the beef patties. Try other small plates... Jerk oyster mushrooms are flavorful. Has black eyed peas and black garlic with it. Oxtail is NOT Jamaican oxtail. More along the lines of Guyanese oxtail. Sweet but it tastes good. The owner let us know they adjusted the recipe from the original coffee flavor. Monkfish was not my favorite. Although, my friends enjoyed it. The flavor reminded me of mackerel. Cream cheese flan was soooooo good. Do not skip. It serves 4-6 people. I will say service was a bit slow. But the server was so lovely. Due to delays, we received complimentary shots. I wish I remembered her name. She was very helpful with the menu and recommendations. I'd come back for drink and appetizers. read more

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Great EXPERIENCE!! no happy hour ! Place and ambience is nice and vibes . Is a bit pricey , they charge a big price for a table of 4 so go with enough cash or good credit card lol the food was ok but the grits was my favorite, i waited like 30 min for chicken and waffles by the time my food came everyone in my table had finished eating smh read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

The owner and I are long time friends and yet my opinion doesnt need to be biased. Let me start off by saying the decor is absolutely beautiful. There's a royalty vibe upon entry. The host was inviting and our waiter was cool. The menu doesn't have much of a selection as of yet but I will say the few items we did try were delicious. The corn with the white sauce was FIRE. The mushrooms were good and the mocktail was really good it has a unique flavor. The lemon beignet had a unique flavor as well and it was really good. Let me not forget since I'm the parking info queen! There is metered parking across the street and directly right around the corner. read more

Lele - My sister, the owner (My friend) Shaft and myself - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

This spot is poppin...the food was amazing and yummy...the service was on point and had e everythin is wanted...the ambiance was a vibe...this made the day so special read more

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I went for Valentine's Day dinner and I was really excited because this place has been the entirety of my feed for a while. The ambiance was gorgeous, very moody and sexy. Great place for a date night. The drinks were great, done well. The food was good. We stared with wings and then I had the oxtail. The oxtail was served with white rice on the side and that's pretty much the only side that they had besides plantain which I was confused and disappointed by. When it came it's was giving parboiled with no seasoning or anything. Being Caribbean, I just had higher expectations I guess. The flavor of the oxtail was on point though. Probably some of the best I've had from a restaurant. My boyfriend had the jerk lamb chops which were also so delicious. We finished with the beignets and that was excellent. The flavors were just so well put together. I just really wish the sides were thought about some more. The server was really nice. She catered to me even when I was a little undecided about what I wanted she was kind about it and made suggestions based on what I wanted. I'm not sure if I'd go again maybe for drinks or the carnival experience they have on specific nights but for dinner it's not at the top of my list. read more

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OMG! Where do I start!? So the atmosphere is amazing from jump you know this is a place you want to fine wine and dine at okay?. . Okay now the service at front desk was Great! Seating was perfect timing. Got sat down waiter Amanda came took our drinks and by time we were also ready to order. We got the oxtails, lamb chops, corn bread, black rice And my my goodness IT WAS ALLLLLLL DELICIOUS‍ 1000/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The staff was amazing Benjamin was welcoming, the entertainer for the hour was reallllly nice nothing was rushed, vibes were delightful and I would MOST DEFINITELY be back visiting from Las Vegas and I'll brag on this place even back home! Keep up the fantastic work. read more

I had a good time until the last 5 seconds. Not sure what is up with the Ogre security guard but he is fake speaking like the spot is a club. The boy really said "let's push" as I am taking a picture of the "Reserve" sign as I am exiting. I ignored him, still took my picture, but i definitely rubbed me wrong. I was with my family and kids, so I played it cool but he was out of pocket. I am thinking brother I just spent $600+, you going to relax and let me take my damn picture. Food was ok, service was good. Entertainment was super dope. Ambiance was very official, no complaints. High end spot like this needs high end security, not someone moving like it's a nightclub in the trenches. Come to think of it, he didn't even great you at the door upon entry. read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

No notes!! The service was beyond. Hospitable, welcoming, and courteous. The decor is STUNNING. Very grand scale and a luxurious but cozy ambiance. Now, the food... wow. Everything that hit our table was delicious. The standouts: the chicken wings (so crispy and well seasoned), the head-on shrimp, oxtail, lamb chops, monkfish, and plantain. My vegan friend said the jerk oyster mushrooms were the best mushrooms he's ever tasted; they were so flavorful and cooked perfectly. Everyone at the table left full and super satisfied. This restaurant exceeded our expectations, and I'll absolutely be back. read more

I had a great experience here. My friend and I had been casually hanging out after work on a weekday. It was our birthday month, Scorpio season, and we decided to go for an impromptu "birthday dinner" - unplanned, spontaneous. It came up on google maps as we walked around, so we just dropped in. Wow were we pleasantly surprised. First off, the interior decor. It's gorgeous! I'm partial to green, lush, vibrant, naturescapes and this is exactly what Lele is. Your eye is drawn to all corners of this restaurant. It felt transporting. While there is a middle dining area, there are other seating sections that give this place some character, more so than your typical restaurant seating. As I mentioned, the main color palate is green with pops of bright colors. However the vibe is moody, dark and sexy. Now, onto the food. The standout was hands down the jerk mushrooms. We still We could not get enough of this. It was a saucy medley of mushrooms, packed with flavor, I mean packED! We still talk about it. We also had the oxtail, which came with rice. The oxtail was delicious, the gravy luscious and the meat unctuous. In all, the meal satisfied. The portions were not huge, but just right and we did not have that expectation. Our dessert was the cake with ice cream, it was okay. They put a sweet HBD sign on the plate with a candle for us. We sat next to diners who tried more items, and they commented that their food and drink were delicious. The service was attentive and pleasant, didn't feel overbearing or snobbish. We even got to meet the owner who had been checking on all the tables, a young and kind gentleman who was very welcoming. He has Haitian roots and wanted to showcase that cuisine. All in all, a very positive experience. Since then, my friend has gone back with out of town friends and they loved it. They've since started DJ nights, and other events. Look forward to going back, especially for those mushrooms! read more

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We had an amazing group dinner celebration at Lele. We had to use their preset menu since our group had 10 people, and the first impression wasn't great. The restaurant originally agreed to book us at 7pm, but then changed the time to 6 (without telling us) and told us they couldn't change the reservation. This was annoying since they confirmed multiple times that 7pm worked, and we were all traveling from out of town. Our experience at the restaurant was a pleasant surprise after the booking issue and the restaurant redeemed itself. The spot is a bit hidden, but once you're inside, it's gorgeous. The hostess helped us by storing a surprise present. The bartender was great. The drinks were fantastic. Our long booth was a perfect location on the main floor. There was plenty of space. The preset menu was $120 per person, which we thought was not steep at first, but it was actually well worth the price! I'd actually always order from a preset menu. Our money was well spent. The appetizers came first, and there was plenty. The shrimp, wings and fried cheese were all fantastic. For the entrees, everything was good. The goat was amazing. The chicken was the bomb. They accommodated a last minute request for fish. The mushroom side was actually some of the best mushrooms I've ever had. We also appreciate that the manager came over and offered us shots to leave, which we thought was a great way to get rid of us. While we were really annoyed with the booking process, the in restaurant experience was amazing, and I would for sure go back. Highly recommend. read more

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Ambiance is the star. Beautiful space, dimmed and intimate. I went right at opening so it wasn't crowded, but they did have 2 for 1 drinks which is a plus. I went with a friend and we were satisfied with their "small" dishes, they are shareable. We had 2 drinks each and the bill was about $100. I'm not mad at the experience at all. Upper area was closed, but it's pretty up there as well. It gives lounge and live music (though they don't have live music, at least not on a consistent basis) Leah was our server, she was knowledgeable about the menu and helpful in us deciding what we wanted. Wait staff came around making sure our tables were clear as needed. Good afterwork spot for a quick bite. read more

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Went here for a friend's birthday dinner. Lele is definitely a beautiful place for any special occasion. Soon as you walk in, the ambiance and decor grabs your attention. Everyone stops to take pictures right there. Inside is dimly lit but still beautiful. Upstairs decor also good for photo ops. They played a great mix of music. The service was very good. Naquan L was our server and he was on point despite us being a group of 9. He quick, gave good recommendations, and was very friendly and personable the entire time. Drinks: were really good. The scarlet garden was a big hit with our group. Also had a pretty decent d'usse sidecar. The espresso martini and the old fashioned were fails though. Food: we did a pre-fixed menu where we just ordered a bunch of certain menu items to share family style. The food was decent but we collectively felt like a lot of the dishes were ruined by the overboard/overkill of certain ingredients that were added. For example the queso frito: we felt like we were eating French toast instead of fried cheese. Why do we need coffee, spices, and honey on fried cheese?? The flavors were just too much and you couldn't eat too much of it before it became cloying . Same goes for the grilled corn. Why do we need to add peanuts to that?? It was good but peanut was not necessary and 2 of our guests actually had an allergic reaction not knowing peanuts was in the corn. The oxtail was decent but tasted sweet and could've been better without the coffee and BBQ in it. Just why?? I didn't even bother trying the curry goat because why does it say it has golden raisins?? Whyyy?! The wings were really good but guess what? Again, overkill with the berbere on it. We were literally dusting them off. I didn't eat any of the suya chicken because it had the same berbere spice on it. The green curry shrimp was great! No complaints there. Very flavorful and the ingredients make sense. The jerk mushroom and flan were good as well. I know we strive to be different, and I'm here for different, but sometimes, as was the case here in my opinion, less is more. read more

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I wanted to love this place so bad, especially because I am loving the increase in Caribbean cuisine for higher end spots. The decor is STUNNING as you can see from the other reviews. Truly did an amazing job. The lele punch and soursop drink was good. I like the soursop one more which was surprising. The food...I want to preface this by saying I often feel like non-white cuisines are not valued the way other cuisines are. That is NOT the case for me. I have no issue spending$56 on oxtails. My issue is spending that much, and they aren't falling off the bone. If you are coming to midtown for a cheap dinner then don't come here or anywhere else in the area. However, the food just missed the mark for us. We ordered the beef patties, shrimp, oxtails, curry goat, and monk fish. I'm not sure if they are trying to appease the white ppl in the area but baby when I eat carribean food I expect FLAVAaaaaa. I was not wow-ed by any of the dishes and neither was the rest of the party. I want to reiterate....this review is not comparing a hood spot in flatbush to a nice place in midtown-it's about the food itself. Money isn't the issue, however it def stings dropping $400 and you feeling it was "mid". Our server was awesome. Too bad the food wasn't equally awesome. read more

I haven't given a five-star review in a long time, but this place truly deserves it! The atmosphere is beautiful and impressive. I appreciated that the menu was well-lit since the restaurant lighting is on the dim side. We were seated along the buffet area, which was a bit narrow to walk through, and the room was a little cold. The bathroom could use some maintenance, but overall, the space works great for singles, couples, families, or group gatherings. Service was good. I did order an extra drink that never arrived. Now, the food Everything we ordered was delicious! The only item that could be improved was the chicken; it would be even better with the chicken wing sauce or a boneless option since it was a bit hard to cut. We had Suya chicken, Monk fish (texture like lobster), The wings, Hisabi (it's raw),The corn,The rice, Squash, sweet plantains,The corn bread and coco bread. Dessert we had rum cake and Beignets which both was delicious and an elevated version of the dish. Drinks loved the island outlaw and moscow mule. Still, I'm already looking forward to coming back especially for that amazing chicken wing sauce! read more

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