I ordered the mixed grill plate to-go, after confirming with the hostess that it would be enough for two people to share. At the $42 price tag, I took her word for it when she said it would be. I got it home and was shocked to find the container about 1/3 filled, with a sad serving of yogurt sauce in a small container and a small bag of pita slices. Look at my picture - that is not after spooning out some rice. That's literally all the rice they gave. I have never encountered a restaurant that was so stingy that they skimped on the rice. The meat was a barely passable portion for the price. This is what I get for ordering food in the UWS. I am not rich enough to pay this much for chintzy food. Won't be coming back if I can help it. read more

Shalel - Mixed grill, which was $45 and change after tax. You can't give me a full serving of rice for that price??? - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

Food was good. Service was great. But if you are claustrophobic, ask to avoid the room that is like Jeffrey Dahmer's dungeon. And don't trip on the 3 inch lip when you pull the curtain back as you head to the bathroom (the floors are very uneven). read more

3.5 and probably will return. This Moroccan restaurant is in the basement, dime lighted with many cute and small areas; more suitable for couples than families. It was Friday 7pm, we were seated right away at the room behind the cash register. Four tables in our little room, which was never full. Perhaps due to their location below the street level: we've to double back to find it. Good thin stems, homey service (an older couple - not sure they're husband and wife, who served in our room) and food. Lovely tiles in the main/bar room. The elder gent told me, "they're holy tiles." We've Eggplant Borek Moroccan cigars (lamb) Sicilian cauliflowers They're all good and delicious. The three red wines are ok. A small service fee is charged for paying with credit card. read more

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Beautiful romantic Ambiance, Food was delicious, service was okay I didn't care for the drink I didn't touch it and brought it to server's attention but she did not offer any other suggestions or replacement!! She charged it anyway! This was my 2nd time here and invited guests over! I think I think I will try different Morocco / Middle Eastern food restaurants! read more

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Shalel on the Upper West Side is a romantic, candle-lit Mediterranean restaurant with a courtyard waterfall. For dinner we had a round of peach bellinis and for appetizers ordered the Mediterranean mezze, lamb and beef meatballs, and perfectly crispy spanakopites. For mains we had the lamb burger, shakshuka, and eggplant kefta. The food was good, and the vibes were even better. Shalel is a perfect spot for an intimate date read more

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I had an incredibly disappointing experience. I made reservations for Valentine's Day a month in advance to have dinner at Shalel. Once we arrived and settled in, we noticed that they didn't have their regular menu and only when prompted did they let us know it was only a $95 per person limited pre-fix menu that had literally none of their regular menu selection. To put it simply, the food was bad. The pre-fixe had none of the dishes that are on their regular menu. Except for a few cold mezze that were a full-price additional cost and a very small portion. The first dish put down was a large amount of dip and less than half of a piece of sliced pita for all of it. For our mains, the fish had a smell distinctly of a previously frozen fillet. When it was time for dessert, my boyfriend asked for the waiter's recommendation and he upsold us on the strawberry shortcake that had an additional cost. When it arrived, it was made out shortbread that was almost definitely from Girl Scout shortbread cookies. Part way through the dinner, we overheard the table next to us saying to each other, "this is disappointing." We very obviously did not eat most of our meal and other than the cursory "everything good here?" and a terse "yes," the staff made no effort to find out if there was something wrong, which there clearly was. This was not acceptable service for a meal that ultimately cost us over $300. Everything came out quickly except for when we put the card down on the check. It took over 15 minutes for someone to come back to us. As soon as we paid, I went to the bathroom and while I was gone, the waiter came up to my boyfriend and told him that they needed to clear the table because people were waiting. The food and the service were absolutely not worth the high cost of our meal. I will not be returning and do not recommend the restaurant. read more

This place is a hidden gem! Unique and pretty. Psssss they have a secret waterfall it's definitely a great date spot. I reserved in advance to be seated by the waterfall with my friends. The service was great, the food was okay. Drinks were delicious. May bring a date here next time read more

Shalel - Waterfall - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

This hidden a little underground restaurant with a series of grottoes was the site of a lovely celebratory dinner for our small group. The service was friendly and impeccable, and the ambience was really special. Besides the gorgeous cocktail I had -- the arak mule -- We also really enjoyed the butternut squash, bruschetta, the lamb, cigars, and the lamb kofte tagine. And OH EM GEE, the desserts! I'm blanking on the name of the Portuguese custard tartlets, but they would be worth the four-hour drive to have them again. We also really enjoyed the baklava and the date tart. I could see this as an ideal date night restaurant, but it was really good for our pre-college-graduation celebration, too. read more

Shalel - Arak Mule -- divine! - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

Beautiful, cozy, place, great for dates!!! My husband and and I met there for our first date and often go back to celebrate. Food is amazing, we got the mixed grill and smoked fish salad. We met the family that runs it recently, super friendly, filled with old school charm. They have been there for over 20y on a quiet street filled with brownstones on uws by Central Park. read more

Shalel - Salad - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

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Overall rating: 4.4 This is a very unique spot in UWS. It feels like a cave and I absolutely love it. I wish I gave it a 5 star, but the service was absolutely terrible. Also the "waterfall" people mention is barely a waterfall. It's water going down a slope. The food was good, but it was impossible to get multiple drinks because of the slow service. We went towards the night and definitely overstayed past the closing time! But we didn't even realize it was closing because we never saw staff. The food was gooood. I don't know if I just didn't like what I ordered. But I'm interested in coming back again to try other foods. It's a very small-seated spot & intimate, so I don't recommend for parties or groups of 3 or more. Def more date night vibe, vs catching up with a friend. read more

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Amazing ambiance, food and service! A hidden treasure. Would recommend for a romantic date night! read more

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Had the most wonderful time at the Shalel Lounge! The food and service were both amazing and I loved the entire vibe of the restaurant. There wasn't one thing we tried that I didn't absolutely love. Can't wait to come back! read more

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I had dinner here with two friends on Wednesday 4/10. When I bit into a piece of flatbread, there were not one, not two, but THREE shards of glass in it, all larger than a dime. My friends and I were horrified. Thank god I didn't swallow them. We called the waitresses over, showed them my food, the shards, they were mortified, super apologetic, and they comped our entire meal. They took my number down and told me a manager would call me. That was one week ago. I understand things happen in restaurant kitchens, but the fact that no one from management reached out to me afterwards to make sure I was ok or to see if I needed to go to a dentist is totally unacceptable. Do better. read more

The food here is great! I had the vegetarian moussaka and Egyptian koshari. The koshari was light but flavorful - I enjoyed the lightly tangy sauce. The moussaka was hearty and delicious. The potatoes and bechamel made the dish a lot more substantial, and the tomato sauce was bursting with flavor. I love the decor inside, which lends an almost mysterious vibe - it's easy to forget you're totally underground. The prices are definitely a bit high, but worth it for the quality. read more

Every so often I dine at Shalel, introducing friends to its cavelike, hideaway ambiance, and hoping that the reality of the food will match the menu description. Alas, I continue to be disappointed. Maybe it's so dark in the kitchen the chefs can't see what they are doing. The food lacks the flavor one would expect from the menu. Service on a recent evening was pleasant, nothing outstandy, nothing to be faulted. read more

One of my favorite intimate date night spots. Amazing Mediterranean food, great spices, good portions. Cozy, romantic setting. The worst part about this place is how hot it is. It's so stuffy and humid in here, no air flow. read more

This gem is in a lower level location - almost hidden but well worth finding. Delicious food and an interesting collection of menu choices making up a nice selection of Mediterranean options. ( great chicken tangine fwiw). Intimate (close) space ( typical for NYC or Europe) with predominantly candlelight - could be romantic if you're inclined to make it so. Attentive staff ready to answer questions or engage with patrons. read more

Shalel - Intimate surroundings - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

Arguably the most romantic restaurant in NYC. The ambiance is amazing and the restaurant itself is in a hidden nook on the block but once you enter, it's like you're transported to a hidden cave in Spain. I came here for an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend and this did not disappoint. Their food was delicious and the waiter was SO NICE. I changed my reservations probably 3x times and requested the table near the waterfall and while that table was taken, he was able to accommodate me by sitting us in our very own private corner, a few feet from the waterfall. The best service. The wine could be a little bit chilled but regardless, their entire menu looked so appetizing. Definitely going back! read more

Shalel - Moroccan Shakshuka - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

I prefer the old name, Shalel Lounge, sounds sexier and matches the decor and vibe. Seems as if also the menu has been redone. However; after many many visits here, it continues to deliver. From drinks to apps to entrees and even dessert, Shalel is a consistent choice for a date night or even a great post dinner drink. We have brought many friends here and everyone has been blown away by the character, decor and uniqueness. However; mostly amazing is the great food. Always hot and always tasting great! read more

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Truly a fantastic place. Loved everything about it - the food, the staff, the vibes. Definitely need to revisit to be able to experience more off the menu. Everything we tried was delicious, and honestly felt like a big hug. We hadn't made a reservation (would definitely recommend making one), but we were able to be squeezed in. Loved all the seating arrangements. Cozy and feels like it could be a nice date spot. The lamb cigars were amazing as were the lamb and beef meatballs. Loved the mushrooms as well and would recommend the baba ganoush. The desert (EKMEK KATAIF) was great as well! The staff was lovely. If you're thinking about trying this place out, would suggest that you do! read more

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This quaint hole in the *ground* was so beautiful and unique, it truly does make you feel like you transported abroad. The ambiance is very moody with lots of candles and red lighting, it makes for a very romantic setting. I came here on Valentine's Day with a reservation and they sat us right across the bar near the entrance. We wanted a seat in a different area (they have several alcoves) and they were very accommodating, especially since we were early and we beat the crowd. Valentine's Day had a pre-fixe menu, so we ordered the Mediterranean Mezze and Bourekas to start, the Seafood Stew and 8-Hour Brasseto de Manzo as mains, then the Caramel Chocolate Cake and Labneh with Amarena Cherries for dessert. The food was incredible. The pita was piping hot still when they served the Mezze to us, and it felt like a doughy pillow in my mouth, dipped in a variety of spreads served along with it. The 8-Hour Brasseto de Manzo had the most tender meat it was just falling apart. The seafood stew was very hearty and they also didn't skimp on all the seafood in there. My one complaint was that the service was extremely slow (although very very kind and attentive), and they had messed up our check at the end by adding additional drinks. This could be due to the fact that Valentine's Day was a busier night than usual or that they are understaffed, because it almost looked like it could be a family run business. Definitely something I could look past to experience this restaurant though! read more

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Shalel never disappoints. Its cozy, private atmosphere makes for a great night out, whether you're grabbing dinner or just drinks. The menu is always delicious, with something new to try each time I visit. The service is consistently amazing--friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Whether you're looking for a laid-back meal or a spot to unwind after work, Shalel is always a solid choice. read more

For starters, finding this place was not easy. There's a huge sign outside that says "tacos", which was misleading and I walked by several times. Once I realized it was a sign for a pop up truck that wasn't there, I wandered down the steps and through a few doors to find a very dark and intimate area. The hostess greeted me. She was very oddly related and cold. She sat me at a table while I waited for my friend and asked several times how long they would be despite my first estimate of about 10 mins. I was not offered anything while I waited, as the hostess (who was also our waitress) was nowhere to be found. Mind you, I was the only customer in the restaurant at this time. My friend eventually came and we ordered a few dishes to share. We ordered a bottle of red wine, shrimp, sausage, and grilled octopus. All dishes left me content- nothing really stood out or was memorable. Also, portions were way to small!! The wine was the best thing we'd had up to this point. So here I was with subpar service and subpar food. I was looking forward to dessert. We ordered baklava. She came back and told us that they were out and we would have to order something else. We opted for the custard tarts. They were also just ok but the "gelato" it came with was yummy and unlike other gelatos I've had. The texture was luxurious and left me wanting more. Not sure if I'll return but it's a good place to visit if you just want a snack and wine. read more

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Undoubtedly one of the most cozy romantic restaurants in town. Amazing people too. They have delectable food, great service and wonderful ambience. Everything which makes a beautiful dining experience even better. The people who run Shalel were very accommodating to our requests and we were very impressed by the hospitality. The food was so good, I had food coma after our meal! I would recommend this to everyone :) read more

Everything we tried here was amazing. Don't skip dessert and mint tea! Service was just ok but food would have me coming back. And it's a beautiful spot! read more

As everyone else has said, the ambiance is great. I was worried about a basement restaurant and still have some reservations about that, but it felt like we were in Dracula's lair. There was stone everywhere, with small hallways delivering you to random rooms. Low lighting with red bulbs, and curtains drawn to separate areas. I loved that aspect. We got the Jamin croquettes, chicken basteeya. Lamb on the bone, and combo plate cake. We enjoyed all of it and when we come back, will order the chicken dish again and try a couple new items. The chocolate cake was a lava cake with blueberries and pomegranate. It was my fav part (but that's no surprise for me). read more

lamb tagine, bacon wrapped dates, baba ghanoush, artichoke fritters. food was even better than I expected. service was good; they let us switch tables. ambience was really nice but if you're a party of two then it's more dependent on where they seat you. read more

Shalel - Moroccan Near Me - New York, New York

What a find! This restaurant is lovely and romantic. The food is Moroccan -- Middle Eastern. They have small plates and larger entrees. We ordered six small plates for three people -- a little too much but it was so delicious we ate it all. We had Eggplant Kefta (aKA fritters) and amazing vegetable kibbeh (veggie meatballs), lamb beef meatballs in a cinnamon scented sauce, beet salad with incredible thick labneh (yogurt), broccolini, and a mix of delicious spreads -- hummus, baba ganoush and tzatziki. Everything was perfect. I had a lovely glass of Cabernet. For dessert, we shared two delicious desserts. There's a little seating outside, in the outside area below street level outside the front door. We sat in a small room, by ourselves, ringed with red velvet banquettes, with two windows open to the outside. Rebecca took good care of us and was very nice to us. We highly recommend it. And we can't wait til the pandemic is done, and we can squeeze 20 friends into the room we ate in. read more

The food is good, and perhaps, great, depending on what you order. The service is swift and friendly. The ambiance is the real reason to go. It's down an unassuming staircase with only a light at the top signaling its entrance. It has dark, winding hallways and nooks full of candles. Great, cozy date spot, and that was the goal. read more

We really loved Shalel. The host accommodated us for a table with space. The food was absolutely delicious. It's really dark inside so it's a cute spot for a date. read more

Actually 4.5 stars !! Went here for my birthday. Very romantic. Very date-y. Let's get disappointments out of the way. The lamb lamahkhun pizza was not very good. Less lamb, crust was just okay! The lamb samosa kinda things were yummy. Crispy coating and beautiful mixture inside. They are very generous with Harissa and thank god for that. Ok so for the good stuff. My lycheetini was amazing. That lychee infused vodka was so perfect. My mixed grilled kebabs were good. The rice was delicious mainly because it was full of buttery goodness and probably some clove flavor as well. Veggies were pretty standard. Lamb meatball tagine was on spot. Nice flavors, beautiful spices and tender juicy pieces of meatballs. Dessert was a tad disappointing. My baked fig tartlet had a flavorless crust. Fish wee over baked and lacked flavor. But they gave us (and he entire restaurant) complimentary tequila shots on the house before we left and that was an incredibly nice gesture. read more

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Food was awesome!!! The place is a little hidden, and is very intimate! Must try the tarte flambé soooo incredible! It's a bit dark inside but perfect for a date or small group, otherwise got pretty busy and the waiter seemed a bit rushed but still had an enjoyable experience!! read more

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Hidden gem down the stairs on the UWS. The food the setting the service always on point.

Drawing inspiration after watching episode 2 of "Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner" from one of my favorite celebrity chefs David Chang, I scoped out some Moroccan themed restaurants and found Shalel. This hidden gem is conveniently located a few blocks from the Lincoln Center on a quiet Central Park townhouse riddled block. You wouldn't know it was there unless you were actively looking. Just a frame of thought- Boy do I Love living in NYC! The fact that I can select almost any country in the world and with great confidence know that I will eventually find an authentic immersive cuisine experience is amazing! I just had to be taken out of NYC and to Morocco, without actually traveling. From the doorway entrance to the restaurant itself is truly a beautiful realization of Morocco, or what I believe Morocco to be. Every nook and cranny has its own theme, from the romantic lounge, to the dungeon like seating area next to a miniature underground aqueduct. We had several superb dishes, and refreshing drinks. The breakdown is as follows. Drinks 1) Le Mistral 2) Plum Appetizers 1)Braised Spanish Octopus 2) Assorted Mediterranean spreads 3) Jamon Serrano Croquetas Main 1) Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebobs 2) Lamb Tagine Shalel sets up the romantic mood idealization, and after a drink or two, I was seductively whispering sweet nothings to my boo. For those romantic connoisseurs, dare yourself to come and experience a sensation of those passionate perceptions. The intimate setting encapsulates connotations of a place far away and mysterious, and one is compelled to act on the inspiration Shalel Kitchen provides. read more

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It was my second time in this little cute spot. The food is amazing and the ambience has such a sexy vibe. I love the atmosphere and the wine list is also amazing. The services is not the best, you just have to be patient. There were only 2 waiter for the entire place and the "waiter" is the hostess, receptionist, waiter... all in one. read more

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Tl;dr: Its fine to have a per-person minimum policy, but they tell you after you've sat and orderd. We ordered more than we could eat and were pressured to order more or move to a worse location in the restaurant! So strange. Great vibes, but shockingly poor customer service. This used to be a favorite spot of mine, recommended to those visiting New York and locals, but my most recent experience was so unacceptable that I don't think I will be returning and will advise my friends and colleagues to steer clear :( I had made a reservation for 2 days in advance, and was pleased to see we were given a great table! We did we ordered 3-4 plates to share. The server then informed us of a $30 minimum per person if we wanted to sit in one of these nice tables (a table that we did not at all request, but were just placed at). The server went away for a few minutes to calculate the per-person cost, came back and told us that if we wanted to stay to eat what we had ordered we had to move to the bar. So we left! read more

Is it fancy? No. Is it pretentious? No Is it special? Absolutely. I rarely give 5 stars but this place is exact what it says it is. A very cozy, sexy, warm, and unique space that is unapologetically simple yet perfect at being simple. The owners and staff are simply sweet, efficient and proud. They should be. They add to the appeal of this truly charming upper west side speak easy type European casual restaurant The wine selections by the glass.. outstanding The food selections vast and all delicious The service .. highly attentive The chopped Israel salad just perfect, the Mediterranean dips the best around The Bronzino.. my favorite in all Manhattan crispy skin and superb flavoring via herbs and extra rich olive oil a site to behold. The filet mignon, a generous and delicious portion A perfect date night spot ... easy to slip a kiss without offending anyone. Lol Plus ... it's very fairly priced. It's my fav go to uptown. A downtown vibe uptown GO! read more

Beautiful Moroccan restaurant with a modern menu. Everything we tried was superb! Very good service and reasonable prices! read more

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I enjoyed this restaurant. The interior is very cool and very intimate. The restaurant is down stairs and consists of different rooms. The couches/chairs are comfortable. I started off with Hummus di Tahina with grilled pita. It was very good. I had the Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebab with roasted vegetables, basmati pilaf, and.warm pita. It was delicious. Their beer selection was good but I wish they had Moroccan beer. read more

The coziest of all Mediterranean places on the UWS. If I'm comparing to my other go-to Mediterranean spots, the food is average and not as filling. However if we're talking about cute date spot where you get to look into a "roaring" river while sitting in the basement of an UWS restaurants you've got it. read more