Im sorry. I dont know if its my age, or my experience dining in NYC or the fact that I was born and raised in Brooklyn... but this place just did NOT meet the bar me . 1st impression, its beautiful inside . The walk way , hanging monkeys, the deep dark interior - very sexy .... HOWEVER , I came thinking I would get to try some AFRO CARIBBEAN fusion .... I instead received a menu with over priced curry goat and oxtails . As my date and I looked at the entirely too bright flash menu ... we realized that they charge damn near $20 bucks for white rice (calling it Haitian white rice) my fiancé (who happens to Haitian) reminded me that they dont even have white rice, its just reg rice with scallions ... I guess for the location its works/ but I can definitely get some amazing curry goat in Brooklyn and not pay 50 bucks for it . Also, asking our waitress what kinda spices are in the spiced jam and her response was "well its a bunch of different spices and goat cheese, it pairs well with the cassava bread" ... I had to go.... Highlight of the night was their version of an old fashioned (it had cherry and something else) AND that' we dined w/ Al Sharpton... We left after the 1st round of drinks & apps . I just couldn't do it . We walked to a cute hookah place nearby. Its never that deep read more

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This restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and I'm glad I got to celebrate my birthday here! Upon walking in, you're met by a dark ambiance and stunning decor. My birthday guests enjoyed taking pictures in the entrance hallway lined with many mirrors. It was a late weekday evening with a decent crowd, but we still made sure to make a reservation prior to coming. Everyone was incredibly friendly - from the doorman to the host and our server. Now, for the food. It is on the expensive side, but I am from DC and used to higher priced meals, so come expecting to spend. The first menu item to come was our drinks, and we all ordered mocktails. Then came the cornbread and beef patties. The cornbread was good but a little on the dry side. The tamarind and honey butter complemented it so perfectly. I don't eat beef but my guests seemed to really enjoy the beef patties! For our entrees, we ordered family style and all shared the suya chicken and the shrimp. I loved the African-Caribbean fusion flavors! The suya powder on the roasted chicken was divine. The shito butter on the shrimp didn't exactly taste like Ghanaian-authentic shito, but it was still tasty. I could've used a little more hot spices in the shito butter. Lastly, we got the spiced beignets for a birthday dessert. I have to admit, this was probably my least favorite and tasted more like an old fashioned donut. Nonetheless, I most definitely enjoyed my birthday dinner and will be back for that suya chicken the next time I'm in NYC! 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

My partner and I recently dined at LeLe for Valentine's Day. With demanding work schedules and a one year old child with special needs, it felt really special to finally get dressed up and enjoy a night out together. LeLe is a beautiful restaurant, the ambiance and music were great, the hostess was warm and welcoming, and we were seated promptly. The food itself was delicious, and the food runners were kind. Unfortunately, our service experience did not match the rest of the evening. Our server, a tall gentleman with long synthetic dreadlocks, did not introduce himself. While he wasn't disrespectful, his demeanor felt disengaged. There was no warmth or check-ins throughout the meal. Once our dishes were delivered, he never returned to ask if everything was satisfactory. The only time he came back to the table was to ask if we wanted another drink. Additionally, our main course was brought out after a table that had been seated after us. While I understand that delays can happen, I worked as a server for many years and it still impacted the experience. The manager did come to apologize and offered complimentary shots, which we declined. He also mentioned the bill would be comped, but it ultimately was not. I appreciated the apology, nonetheless. With an automatic gratuity included and a bill close to $600, I expected a higher level of attentiveness. I have no issue tipping. I spent most of my 20s waitressing , but service should reflect the standard being charged. Overall, the food and ambiance were excellent, but the service left us disappointed on what was meant to be a special evening. read more

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

Delicious. Highly recommend the wings and the grilled shrimp. There's also this apricot drink that's to die for. read more

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Excellent Service, Beautiful Decor, Delicious Food & Drinks. Overall a great choice for us. We will be returning soon. read more

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Nice place overall with friendly, welcoming staff. The menu doesn't have a ton of options, but the quality and great service definitely stood out. read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

It was only the second day open but the customer service was top notch. There was plenty of staff ready to serve. Food came out quickly for the most part. There was a handful of items on the menu that they didn't have available which felt odd but, again, they just opened. I think its to be expected that they'll have some kinks to sort out. The food was good! The highlights were the shrimp, oxtail, wagyu (it was delicious but a TINY portion). The wings were pretty good but how good can wings ever be? Not sure if it fit the vibe the restaurant is going for. I'd absolutely skip the cornbread. The only thing I'm still a bit conflicted about is some of the food felt wildly overpriced! However, when you consider the location, the number of people on staff and the quality of the ingredients, you can't expect affordably priced food. Additionally, we also left VERY full so I guess its a toss up. For dessert, we got the rum cake with a side of coffee ice cream. My wife and I do not like coffee ice cream but what they served was really good. Like surprisingly good. I've had better rum cake but this one wasn't bad. read more

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Absolutely LOVED this place! The decor, the staff, the food...all 10/10 DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!! My girlfriends and I came here after a pretty disappointing brunch at another place and boy were we happy we did. For food, we had the wings, the beef patties, and the shrimp - all suggestions from the hostess who greeted and seated us - and they were all top notch. For drinks, we had the Scarlet Garden, the Lele punch, and the Spice Market. Each of our drinks were perfectly curated and balanced. Needless to say, we enjoyed ourselves and will 1000% be back!! read more

Everything about this restaurant is amazing. I came here one Friday night for a girls night with a group of friends. From the food to the ambiance this spot is 10/10. EVERYTHING we ordered was AMAZING. As a vegetarian I appreciated the many options that I had to choose from including the Jerk Oyster Mushrooms, Corn Ribs, Fried Cheese, and Cornbread. Some favorites from the table were the Oxtail, Shrimp and Suya Chicken. Seasoned to perfection and all of the sauces were incredible. The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning. They have two floors of elegance. Around 9:30/10pm they started the Carnival experience. Which included a drummer, carnival dancers, and performers on stilts. They came through every 30mins or so. It was truly a lovely vibe to add to the dinning experience. Service was top notch. We will definitely be back. read more

This restaurant has a bright future. It's only been open for three weeks and I can already tell that it will be around a long time. Ambiance: gorgeous I walked in feeling like I was straight out of the film Coming to America. It was the regal touches for me. They did an excellent job decorating this spot. Even the dinnerware was classy and chic. Food: amazing and delicious I looked over the menu prior to coming. The plan was to try two dishes from the small plates section. I had my mind set on either the patties or the wings. I really couldn't decide. The bartenders couldn't help me either. My picks just happen to be popular and their favorite picks too. The manager P, suggested the shrimp in the green curry sauce to my list. This made it more complicated. Then, he described how each small dish was prepared. When I finally made my decision, one of the owners who happen to be sitting next to me at the bar just received his plate. It was the shrimp! So naturally, I decided to order it with white rice and pikliz. It was "close your eyes, shake your head and do a little dance " good. He was right! Service: 100% perfect. Doorman: 10/10. He spotted me across the street and waved me over. When I asked how he knew, I was coming his way....he said it was my outfit. I guess I looked like royalty ‍. Hostesses 10/10 Greeted with a smile and walked me right in to the bar. They also said goodnight at the end. I love when restaurants do that. Bartenders: 10000/10 I sat at the bar and the two Bartenders were friendly, accommodating and just real chill. They were busy, but didn't forget about me. Managers: 10000000/10 I was a solo diner in a restaurant full of people. P and the owner took the time to chat with me about their restaurant. It was nice getting that attention and hearing how passionate they are about everything. In all, I will return and try the other dishes. It's a place worth visiting again and again. Check it out and tip well! They crew deserves it! read more

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If you are used to eating Caribbean food, this is not the restaurant for you. The food is inconsistent. For appetizers we had the patties 2/5. Patty crust should be flaky. The filing was decent. The corn appetizer was strange. It was cold and sloppy 0/5. I wouldn't order either again. The mains were good, but again inconsistent. I ordered the curry goat which came with rice. The curry was bland but the meat was tender and had large pieces 3/5. My friend had lambchops which were well-seasoned but small. It sat on a bed of onions and habanero peppers 4/5. My drink was good 5/5 Service was 2/5. They need more staff who are knowledgeable about the dishes. They struggled with describing flavor profiles and giving recommendations. And they definitely cleared the table while I was still eating. Rude. Anyway, Ill only come back if a friend insists for their birthday, but I'll try to avoid it. There are too many other nice Caribbean restaurants in nyc to try. read more

I'm giving this place 5 stars based on how beautiful it is inside. We only sat at the bar. We had drinks and an appetizer. The drinks were good and the jerk mushrooms were sooooooo good. Mm. It is very pricey I must say. But I would certainly go back. Maybe for a birthday. read more

I'm giving this spot five stars for a few reasons. For one, it's a beautiful space. We were here on 12/4/25 celebrating my sister in laws birthday. On the walk in from a cold night, I felt the warm inviting vibes. A great crowd, the front of the house was extremely gracious offering to take our coats. Upon being seated, we had an extremely knowledgeable waitress who exuded great energy. I got the Lele punch, it was really tasty, a little sweet, but good. My party also ordered cocktails which they enjoyed very much. We started with the mushrooms, wings and beef patties. All superb. Mushrooms garlicky like I like them, the wings were crispy and they came with an undeniable scotch bonnet sauce on the side, and the beef patties had a super flavorful filling with the flaky crust, high end Gun Hill Road action there. For entrees we ordered the chicken, oxtail lamb chops and shrimp. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. I sampled the oxtail and lamb, both were tender especially the oxtail. read more

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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

Had my birthday here and it was such a vibe. The restaurant is beautiful so come dressed to impress. Your pics will be lovely. The food was good, some dishes we liked better than others. They have their own take to certain dishes. Our menu was pri fixe so got to try a few different things. Our faves were the fried chicken, oxtail, corn, I personally enjoyed the fish but my friends not so much. Vibes were good, music was banging and the owner even stopped by with shots for a birthday toast. Our waitress was nice and knowledgeable about the food options. Will definitely go again! We were having such a good time we closed the place out lol. read more

Lele - Beignets - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

You will come here for an elevated experience! It's more than just another stylish restaurant. It is art, it is beauty, it is a celebration of who you are and how far you've come. Not being dramatic, but this place invoked all the right emotions in me. Won't lie we kept it safe with the cuisine, they were close to closing but the wings were perfect and I could have the sauce that came with it all by itself. We had Pearadise Lost for drinks and it was superb! The service was impeccable from the moment we stepped in. Leah told us the story behind our drink and she was just so delightful. And Ben, the manager was friendly and accommodating (we came in late) and made rounds to assure that we were content. Just a simple NJ Transit train ride away if you don't want to take your car to the city, and we will be back again and again and again . read more

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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

In a nut shell this place is like having a hot girlfriend who just has no substance, aka a blond!! Yes the decor is nice yes i love upscale Caribbean but there is much needing to be fixed. Firstly i made reservations. Got seated in the top level right at the balcony. The chairs are to small to low and the tables are two small to be comfortable. Felt like your in a lil kids play house having tea time. Ok we got sat, ordered a drink and an appetizer just to start. The wings came out the were fried nicely Coated with a light layer of seasoning but for me the scotch bonnet sauce was so good like so good flavor sweetness and spicy not as much as i would have liked but it was good. After the wings. I let the waitress know what we wanted as a main now this is after like already being here 30 minutes. Give me the oxtails plz, like a bad Caribbean restaurant she says we no have that!, well not those exact words but y'all get the point. How You not telling your customer there isn't any oxtails Untill after they ask for it. That's like going to see destinys child perform but Beyonce not going be there and telling you after your already there. To make it worse she tells us they ran out at 8pm, how on a Saturday when y'all open at 5pm you run out of oxtails at 8pm like really. So I sucked it up ordered the goat and the Suya fried chicken. Now i want you to understand we still haven't gotten our drinks yet. Being that we up stairs we see right over the bar so we seeing drinks stacked on the counters waiting to be picked up wondering where are ours. Still waiting for our drinks a famous rapper and his entourage walk in we finally get our drinks. Yes my drink was good it was strong nice flavor but it was also no cold as if it had just sat there waiting. Food still hasn't gotten here an I'm tired of the waiting game. The rapper and his entourage only been here for 15 minutes and there drinks already at there table. I just. Walked over to our waitress and told here we'll pay our tab and leave. She did offer to see if our food was ready and have it bagged up to go. But by now I was over it. Seeing that other people in the restaurant who were there before us and some after us still hadn't. Gotten their mains yet. Some much I wanted to love about this place but it's to much going wrong and not enough going right. How do you only have one person waiting every table on the top level. It's more than 6 tables And some of them had more than 4 ppl at each. After the runner grabs our appetizer that we ate why is he bringing out more empty plates Like we aren't waiting for our main course. Like we aren't waiting for our main course where are we suppose to place all these damn plates. This is def a spot I'd suggest u come to when they first open at 5pm try to be the first in and first out. Please work on improving things. read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to Lele for a friend's birthday and the food and drinks were delicious. The service and ambiance was a 10 out of 10!!! read more

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Found this place via insta and looked really good! Made reservations and came with my friend who has never tried Caribbean food before and loved it especially the oxtail! This is a fusion Afro-Caribbean restaurant which is a first for me however I'm no stranger to Caribbean food in general. Everything from start to finish was excellent. The inside is beautifully decorated entrance and to wall full of beautiful artwork. Our waiter Lex was very informative and attentive. We tried almost everything and was not disappointed, my favorite If had to pick were the wings and oxtail but everything was delicious from the food to the drinks! It is a bit on the pricey side and according to our waiter it has only been a month since they've been open when I went and are still adding new dishes to the menu. Will definitely go back to try the rest of the menu and drinks. The seating is a bit tight, so I recommend calling to get a corner or good spot because where we were seated was in the middle of the boot area and I did not like it and asked for the corner but couldn't get it even though there were plenty of seats available while we were there hence the four stars. read more

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I want to start off by saying that i had no idea that was a Haitian restaurant and as a Haitian man, myself, had i known this i would NOT have come here. This is simply because, as a Caribbean person, we all know better than to go to the city for authentic food. It is made with other ethnicities pallets in mind and not ppl from back home. So we are aware that we can be harsh critics of our own folks but we were not the target audience to begin with. So let's keep that in mind. So my homegirl and I decided we wanted to get fly and go try this restaurant. Bet! So we get here and from the walk-in it was an incredible visual! The decor was definitely sexy and welcoming from the time the curtains are parted. The hostess, wait staff and just everyone there were friendly. We had an 8pm reservation and were seated immediately and the server was immediate with introduction and attention. The drinks were pricey but thats becoming standard unless you go to a dive bar on the LowerEast Side. The drinks were good and strong. My homegirl had their variation of rum punch and i had some drink with Henny in it. I couldn't tell you why i even chose that drink but i didn't regret it at all! It was good, creeping and that henny taste was masked really well. NOW LETS GET TO THE FOOD! Now, again, i have to preface by saying i am Haitian and know authentic cuisine from back home. One thing i noticed off the rip was tha THEY CHARGE FOR EVERYTHING SINGLE THING! They charge like $6 for pikliz! Like this is robbery fr! They have a small but accumulating menu with a little bit of everything. We started off with wings and them joints was hitting. It came with this buffalo like aioli sauce and it was definitely finger-licking (pause. Lol). So wings and good drinks ain't never hurt a situation so of course we thinking whatever else is about to come out the kitchen is gonna be a hit! So they were out of chicken for the night so we subbed that for monkfish, jerk lamb, "black rice", plantains. Unfortunately, NOTHING we ordered was any good! Like absolutely nothing! There was literally no seasonings on anything we ate. My homegirl is from Trinidad and her palette detected not a crumb of seasoning. The gravies on the plates had no taste either. The best way for me to explain the taste is like licking an envelope. It was the same taste profile of everything we ordered for our main courses. The waitress came to check on us and she was shocked that we were not enjoying our meals. We explained that we were gonna tough it out and get through our meals because we didn't wanna cause trouble or anything. She just recommended that we speak with her manager and see what could be done about the matter. The manager came by and we explained the same thing. He was very apologetic and trying to see what could be done for us not enjoying our meals and we were able to exchange for some more wings. In the end though, we were still charged full price for meals that were basically untouched. Also most restaurants are doing something similar these days where they no longer bring you a paper receipt with an itemized list of what was purchased but instead bring the handheld machine with the total and the gratuity "suggestions" already listed and i saw a tip of the lowest amount being THIRTY-THREE MUTHAF___N US AMERICAN DOLLARS! Like cmon bruh! Let's cut the shit! Fr fr! That was odee! So a meal of 4 drinks, two order of wings (dont even know if they gave a discount or they were on the house for the 2nd set of wings they gave us due to our meals being flat), two entrees that were basically UNTOUCHED ran us a tab of... call it, $360. So split evenly, we paid $180 for 16 wings and 4 drinks and wack food. Now, lemme be clear, the food is the ONLY thing that we took issue with. They had lovely ladies walking around in mas band costumes and steel pan players blessing the crowd with culture momentous of the Caribbean (Trinidad and Haiti forward from the looks and feel of it). It is possible that they can get it together and tighten up on the food coming out the kitchen as they go along and progress but im sure i wont be returning to this establishment. It just isn't for me and it was not made with me (audience-wise) in mind because myself and other Caribbean ppl alike are very very harsh critics. However, i wish them luck. read more

From the moment my wife and I walked through the golden-lit hallway of Lélé, we knew we were in for something special. The ambiance is stunning -- dramatic, intimate, and elevated. The lighting, the decor, even the illuminated menus... every detail was thoughtfully curated to make the space feel luxurious yet welcoming. We arrived at 10:37 PM, a bit unaware that while the restaurant stays open until midnight, the kitchen actually closes at 10:30 PM -- something that should definitely be made clearer on the website. That said, Ben, the manager, went above and beyond by making an exception for us and having us seated. That gesture alone set the tone for what would become a memorable night. We kept it simple and ordered the wings with the sauce on the side -- a rich and flavorful blend of berbere, sumac, and scotch bonnet. Spiced just right, full of flavor, and perfectly crisp. It hit the spot. Our server, Leah (hope I'm spelling that right), was phenomenal -- warm, attentive, and patient despite the late hour. And Ben checked on us more than once to ensure we were comfortable. That level of care isn't something you get everywhere. All in all, Lélé isn't just a restaurant -- it's an experience. We'll definitely be back, this time a bit earlier to try more of what the menu has to offer. If you're in NYC and looking for a place that blends Afro-Caribbean flavor with upscale vibes, Lélé should be at the top of your list. read more

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Great ambiance and service. Food presentation was nice as well. Unfortunately serving appetizers as main courses wasn't what I thought I'd see. As I dined with a former Yelp elite we definitely went to see what the hype was about. The bar didn't have any whisky or scotch available which was a negative for me. Overall definitely worth another visit. Better portions please read more

Amazing restaurant, amazing staff, amazing atmosphere, amazing food. Not much more to say. We visited for my father's birthday, as it's definitely a location for a special night out. The servers were warm and personable, while managing a thousand things. Everything was prompt and great. The location is beautiful, my sister even asked the waitress if she could get the name of the interior decorator! I had the jerk oyster mushrooms, the berebere chicken wings, the hamachi, the suya chicken, the cornbread and the monkfish. My favorite were the chicken dishes; the skin was seasoned exquisitely while the chicken was extremely tender.Everything was great. My dad had the curry goat and oxtail and said it was amongst the best he's ever had. Cannot recommend enough. read more

5 for Restaurant Beautiful restaurant! The mood, decor, lighting-- all very elegant-- definitely goes with the neighborhood dining experience. A creative drink menu and light-up menus, all give it a sleek vibe. The staff (doorman, hostesses, bar tenders, floor manager, buss boys and waitresses) all very welcoming and attentive. 3 for Food The food is a good-- but as an elevated afro- Caribbean restaurant-- I feel the flavors could be bolder. However, if it's your first time or introduction to the cuisine-- it would be good. Also prices match the neighborhood ($56 for oxtail and side of rice, $46 for curry goat) Again, good food but if you're used to the cuisine you'll be underwhelmed. 4 for Vibe Definitely an instagram/birthday location! We were there last Wednesday at 8pm and there were 5 birthday parties around us. But not turn-up, uptown Saturday swag surf Brunch Birthday parties-- everyone was real chill. Music was great and not too loud. Only suggestion other than bolder/more seasoning for food-- PLEASE enforce a dress code after 6pm. The restaurant is giving heels/pantsuits and blazers with dress shoes-- but even at 8pm, people were in hoodies, sneakers, micro shorts and sandals. I understand it's summer right now, but as one of the only elevated drop- Caribbean restaurant in the area- I'd love to see people looking like they're all at the same upscale establishment. Room for improvement but very much appreciate the new cuisine in Midtown. read more

Upon arrival you're greeted with a beautifully decorated corridor. That was the highlight of my experience here. The food is mediocre, service is atrocious. My apps arrived one at a time, my order was incorrect and my drink arrived well after we ate the first starter. My app order was corrected after I spoke with the server. The food is presented well but tasted just ok, nothing to drool over. Didn't bother with dessert. Overpaid for 3 apps (wings, mushrooms that I didn't order but still paid for and shrimp) and 2 entrées (oxtail and chicken) and 2 drinks (over $450 with tip, see photos attached, does this look like a $400 meal?!) I understand this is in midtown and I've dined all over the world but the cost to taste and super slow service is unacceptable. Don't go here, don't believe the social media marketing and don't waste your time or money. read more

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Food is good but wow so expensive for what you get. The ambiance is amazing, service is decent, not fine dining service but fine dining prices and ambience. read more

Lélé completely exceeded my expectations! From the moment we walked in, the space was stunning and we were warmly welcomed by the kindest hostess. Despite it being a busy Friday night at 9 PM, we were seated right away. The music was just right... hip-hop and Caribbean at a comfortable volume. Our server came over promptly and our drinks arrived quickly after. We started with the cornbread with the spiced grape jam & whipped goat cheese. It was a nice, light bite to kick things off. For dinner, we shared the jerk oyster mushrooms (absolutely delicious), grilled corn (good), and the suya chicken. The chicken had so much flavor and just the right amount of heat, but it was a bit tricky to eat--more like a Cornish hen, so lots of bones and small portions of meat, which made it a little less convenient for a dining-out setting. I mentioned to the staff that it was my friend's birthday, and they surprised us by comping a banana ice cream and buttered rum shot--both were incredible! That thoughtful gesture made the experience even more memorable. I'll definitely be back. Our host mentioned they're considering adding a lounge or happy hour soon, and I'm already looking forward to checking it out! read more

I walked in at around 9:30pm and I asked the host for a table for 1. Before I could finish my sentence she and another female staff said in a very rude tone "sorry kitchen is closed, we just sat the last people couple minutes ago". I say ok and stood in the corner because I have to find another place to eat, 10min later one of the same staff that denied me, tried to offer me dinner and a seat... I pointed out how she just denied me because the kitchen was closed then she said they only had oxtails left if I wanted some. I declined then walked out. The bouncer was very nice and tried to convince me to stay and even return another day or possibly ask the manager to get me a seat. He was the only staff that was welcoming and genuinely wanted me to enjoy my dinner & have a good experience. The restaurant is beautiful but I will not be back, very disappointed. read more

The food was amazing! While pricey we had everything. The oxtails and chicken were fabulous both the black rice and sticky rice were good and well paired. The mushroom app was a hit at our table while the plantains were cooked perfectly and not unexpected. The corn was great for our corn lover who ate most of it. The drinks offered a nice variety and all were tasty. The only thing not a hit was the rum cake, it fell short but by then we were pretty full. Our server was great and met the needs of our large party with speed and grace. It seemed every drink was filled to the top. The atmosphere was stunning. I went back to an era when a restaurant was beautiful I side and out - this did not fall short and yes the seating was comfortable. We will be back! read more

I REALLY tried to love this place. Marla the Host is very pleasant and helpful when you come in. Franklin the support staff/busser did a good job to get me all I needed and for this im grateful to him. Since the server disappeared and only came to bring the cheque. I decided to ONLY shed light on the good parts. read more

Food disgusting, to expensive. Stuff unprofessional. They don't even have everything that's on the menu. But ambiance is beautiful

Where do I begin... this may be one of the best meals i've had. The ambience: elegant, trendy environment with great music yet perfect for a catch up with the girls or an intimate date. Also helps the green velvet booths are fire for ig photos! For appetizers we got the hamachi, shrimp and mushrooms (all insane and decadent in flavor) paired with some blood orange mocktails! For entrees, the wagyu beef and chicken paired with rice-- all incredible and highly recommended by our lovely server Lia! Already have a reservation for next week. Promise this is a meal you'll be dreaaaaaming about read more

Lele - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

Beautiful place. Staff was very nice and accommodating. Mangers was cool. Drinks were great but the food was kinda underwhelming. Beef patties could have been more crispy. I definitely want to come back an check it out again in a few months an see the improvements being they just opened. Music was great too, great for dates especially. This place has potential. I'll be back for sure. read more

Lele - Golden Money was bomb. Kept me alive through the entire experience. - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

A Taste of Elegance and Caribbean Soul at Lele NYC This evening, I finally dined at the much talked about Lele NYC, the new upscale Caribbean restaurant creating a buzz in the city. My cousins had attended the grand opening and raved about it and now, I understand why. From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated. The ambiance is nothing short of stunning. As an artist, I found myself constantly enchanted every corner revealed something new, from the thoughtfully curated artwork to the intricate design details. The space is vibrant yet sophisticated, exuding both warmth and luxury. The menu, while not overly large, is beautifully curated which I appreciate. I started with the Grilled Coco & Cassava Bread served with Spiced Grape Jam and Whipped Goat Cheese a perfect harmony of textures and unexpected flavor. I also ordered the Shrimp Green Curry with Jalapeño Kosho and Shito Butter as an appetizer, and it was an absolute standout: bold, creamy, and packed with layers of heat and depth. For my entrée, I chose the Suya Chicken Poussin, which was masterfully seasoned and accompanied by Hot Honey, Pepper Pickled Onion, and Peanuts, served with perfectly cooked, flavorful white rice. Every bite delivered a playful contrast of sweet, spicy, and savory. To drink, I went with the Blush Amour, a gorgeous cocktail made with Grey Goose, Kalamansi, St. Germain, and Sparkling Blood Orange. It was light, refreshing, and paired beautifully with the richness of the meal. I didn't have room for dessert this time, but that only gives me more reason to return and I absolutely will. Lele NYC is more than a restaurant--it's an experience, and one I can't wait to repeat. read more

I came here for my Bday celebration, since I'm celebrating all year & the food, drinks & ambiance was amazing. I will for sure say 10/10! This was a great experience and I will for sure come back for dinner with my husband & to try brunch! Le or Lea but we called her Lboogie or LELE lol was our server and she was amazing! Her energy was beautiful & she was very attentive! read more

I went on 03/27/26 The ambiance was nice but that was the only thing nice.The lamb chop was not good at all the jerk sauce was not good.The oxtail was jus ok,chicken wing was not good.the soya chicken was not good.It was 6 of us the bill came up to $766 if the food was good I wouldn't have cared but we left feeling like we got rob,The only that was good was the beef patty and the callamari. In all it was not a good experience for us and the birthday girl,need a refund. read more

Beautiful vibes, great food, drinks, and atmosphere! The oxtail was perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, and the wings and patties were exceptional. Everything was made to order, fresh, and delicious. The ambiance was amazing -- can't wait to visit again! read more

Lele - Menu cover - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

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