Au Za'atar in the East Village is an absolute standout! This place boasts a warm ambiance…read moreexceptional staff, and incredible food. Every single bite was delicious, and the portion sizes were nothing short of a feast. The tableside shawarma tower and mezze & dips spinner were clear winners! This all paired with an incredible bar and cocktail menu created a fantastic dining experience on every front. Whether you're going with a big group or a close friend, this place needs to be added to your list!

First of all I've been talking up Au Za'atar since my first visit, have sent many friends their way…read moreand have gone a few times since my first meal. My most recent visit this month changed all that. I went with my son because we were in town. As it was the first place we knew we wanted to eat, I made a reservation well in advance and we showed up on time. It was noisier than usual and pretty hectic. We ordered a few appetizers and meals and a drink. No one ever checked in on us or refilled our water. I flagged someone down for to go containers as we wanted to save room for dessert and a second drink. They brought the containers and then we proceeded to sit again with no one checking in. We had been there for approximately 40-45 minutes total and were still waiting on someone to come back with the dessert menu when the host came to our table and said "there's a party with a reservation who needs tho is table so could you please leave soon?" Never has this happened to me. How insulting. When I expressed confusion stating we hadn't even received a check so why would we leave, rather than offer a proper apology and/or a "can we get you anything else?" She just said "oh that's not what I was told." And then a server brought us a check. I asked him if 45 minutes was the usual amount of time they give customers with dinner reservations and he said "I'm not sure. We're just really busy and probably overbooked." Again, no offer to make it right. Initially I wasn't going to leave this review. I reached out directly to the restaurant via email to tell them about the humiliating experience of being asked to leave when we weren't even done. Instead of offering to make it right (anything would have been appreciated - a dessert on the house next time - just some token indicating they valued me as a customer) they just explained that there was confusion and that they've talked to their staff so it doesn't happen to anyone in the future. Both the experience and the response put a horrible taste in my mouth and sadly I will probably not be back.

A group of us were here for brunch on a Saturday and we had such a great experience…read more It's a huge beautiful space with both indoor and outdoor seating and we chose to sit indoors. The staff was extremely warm, kind and welcoming and a special shoutout to Irem who was amazing, gave us some great recommendations and took care of us throughout. I went for the $39 prix fixe brunch which is honestly such a great deal and comes with quite a spread. I had the muhammara, hummus, shakshuka and dessert and thoroughly enjoyed my coffee too. We also ordered the tuna Niçoise salad, which is by far the best I have had ever. One of my friends was accidentally served the wrong order and they immediately replaced it with the right one and made her meal completely complimentary, which was such a nice gesture and something we really appreciated. We also loved that nobody was rushing us and we could just sit, chat and enjoy our brunch. Great food, beautiful ambiance, wonderful hospitality and even the restrooms were spotless and very well maintained. Overall such a positive experience and easily a 5/5 for me.

We went for Mother's Day brunch. When we arrived a few minutes early we did have to wait a bit. The…read morerestaurant had two floors, nicely decorated and cozy. We were lead upstairs to a table. There were 7 of us The seating was cozy but not cramped. We started with 7 family style small dishes: Hummus with Falafel Pops (chickpea purée, tahini, falafel, olive oil), Spring Burrata (roasted cherry tomatoes, toast, basil oil), Hamachi Crudo (passionfruit vinaigrette, citrus zest, cucumber, mint, sesame tuile), Scallops (carrot puree, serrano pepper, brown butter sauce), Tenderloin Skewer (zaatar chimichurri, fresh herb salad), and Shiitake Stuffed Grape Leaves (tomato coulis, yogurt foam, herbs). Everything was delicious. The hummus was well seasoned the falafel had a nice crunch. It went well with the warm puffy gyro bread that came to the table. The burrata was wasm and creamy. I love the vinaigrette on the fish. I ended up eating most of it. The scallops were the sweetest, most tender ones I have ever had. The tenderloin skewers were tender and well seasoned. I liked the grape leaves but the rice consistency was very soft almost mushy and you can barely tell there were mushrooms. There was barely any mushrooms flavor. Next we all chose an entree. I got the duck breast, my husband and daughter each had the beef tenderloin. The duck breast was smaller than i expected. The skin was nicely seared and very crispy but boy did it give my jaw a workout. It was done medium rare. It was juicy but tough. The small beef tenderloin was tender and smoky. The waiter poured the sauce over the tenderloin for added flavor. Finally dessert was a fruit plate with ice cream and pudding. The fruit was fresh and the flavors of the ice cream and pudding unique. It was a nice end to a good brunch. The price was a little expensive at $85 a person.

Incredible food, good prices, great service and a nice atmosphere. One of the highlights of my New…read moreYork Trip. Would 100% recommend!

The food was very fresh and delicious. And the slushy lemon mint drink was so refreshing!read more

Nice atmospheres pleasing, margaritas strong af! 2 and your good for the night overall good vibesread more

Karizma is another hookah lounge that I just discovered. My friend bought us here last night…read more Right away I could hear great music playing and I knew it would be a vibe. We were seated on the second floor which offered a great view of the layout of the place. Karizma is dimly lit and the lounge seats and tables are cozy. We ordered a hookah with a juice infused base, pineapple top and really fun name. The attendants kept the coals burning. Tequila shots, great hookah and an incredible music mix of Afrobeats, Hip Hop, Dancehall and R&B made for a great night out. Cute spot for a date night or a night out with friends. Karizma will see me again.

Shalel is a beautiful space that really makes you feel transported out of the city. The interior is…read morewarm and inviting, and the whole experience feels a bit like an escape. Service was great, friendly and accommodating, even though we had a late reservation close to kitchen closing, which we really appreciated. The food was just as impressive, especially in both flavor and portion size. The baba ghanoush was delicious and tasted just like the ones I grew up eating. The mixed grill was a standout in terms of value, with tender, well-seasoned meats and a generous portion. The chicken tagine was equally satisfying, with moist chicken and vegetables that complemented everything nicely. We finished with the warm date tart, which was definitely on the sweeter side but perfect if you enjoy desserts like that. Overall, it's a great spot for flavorful food, large portions, and an amazing atmosphere.

Shalel has a subterranean, dimly lit, moody atmosphere that feels intimate without being overly…read moreformal. There's low sofa-style seating throughout, which adds to the cozy, tucked-away feel. Definitely a good date-night spot or somewhere to take out-of-towners when you want to impress. They have a balanced menu of large and small dishes. I ordered the halloumi and cauliflower, and while it was tasty, I was a little disappointed by the portion for $22 It was mostly cauliflower with barely any halloumi, so I didn't think the price quite matched what was served. I also offer a side of pita, not realizing most of the small plates come with pita. Since I was still hungry after the cauliflower, I also ordered the gambas al ajillo, which were delicious. I didn't try the larger dishes this time but the person I was dining with ordered the steak kebab and really enjoyed it. I also love that they have an all-night breakfast section on the menu. There's truly no wrong time for shakshuka. Next time, I'd love to try one of their sandwiches or pitas. Service was also great in a very understated way. They're attentive and present without hovering, which I really appreciated in a space that feels designed for conversation and privacy. Overall, a really cool atmosphere with an interesting menu and plenty I'd like to come back and try.

Classic for a reason. I've been coming here since high…read moreschool and now I'm... (decades older). But it's still a little storefront with a few inside tables. The service is still quick and friendly even though I no longer see the original to me owners. The falafel sandwich is loaded and the falafel balls are still crisp on the outside, warm, and herby on the inside. Perfect. Solid meal for a reasonable price.

Opened in 1971 by Syrian immigrant Mamoun Chater, the flagship Greenwich Village location on…read moreMacDougal Street is the oldest falafel shop in New York City. Operating out of a tiny, fast-moving storefront, Mamoun's is a legendary staple of Village food culture, known for serving affordable Middle Eastern classics late into the night. Using their exact menu terminology, here is how the food breaks down: Shawarma Sandwich: Thinly sliced 100% lamb cooked slowly on a vertical spit with signature spices, stuffed into a warm pita pocket with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and smooth tahineh sauce. The Manhattan: One of their loaded signature sandwiches featuring deep-fried falafel, creamy hummus, smoky baba ganouj, and fresh tabbouleh, all packed into a pita with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, pickled turnips, olives, and tahineh. Famous Hot Sauce: Made in-house from imported hot pepper spices, this signature crimson sauce is famously potent--just a few drops add a massive kick of heat to any sandwich or plate. Lines often stretch down MacDougal, but the team works with speed to get sandwiches out in seconds. A timeless NYC destination for quick, authentic Middle Eastern food.

Love Cafe Mogador! Great food, such a hidden gem in the city. The servers are always so sweet and…read morealways up for providing recommendations!

We were seated and then waited for very very long to order - not good…read more Once we ordered, the food came very fast - very good. Food was delicious - very good. High prices given the portion size, location, table size and furniture - not good.

Came here for an early dinner and some drinks with friends and family. They did not disappoint! The…read moredrinks were pretty good, but the food was even better. Everyone loved the pesto halloumi, the hummus, and the special Buratta. The service was great! It was a small restaurant but very mighty.

Place didn't feel like authentic Greek. Flavors feel like Greek fusion of sorts which I couldn't…read morepin down. I got gazpacho (admittedly, probably got the wrong thing) which sounded delicious with sourdough, chili oil, pine nuts, cheese but tasted odd. Additionally, they gave us one itty bitty pita with our hummus appetizer. Waitress kept asking us if we were ready to order when the restaurant wasn't that busy. Came here on a Saturday night and it's the first place I've been to in a while where they just serve the table shots. If you're ready/into that vibe then it would be great but it wasn't what I was expecting.

This was a stunningly great meal! We had the Tabbouleh (best I've ever tasted), Hummus Beirute…read more(delicious), Balade Falafel (more below), and shared a Mixed Grill Platter (SO good and so much food!). We eat a lot of Mediterranean food but haven't had anything like the Balade Falafel before. Instead of the usual patties, the falafel was formed into cups and filled with tahini, pickles, and fresh herbs. Excellent balanced flavors and such a great presentation! The service was extremely friendly and attentive. Pleasant, quiet interior. Very good value for the money. Only wish we lived in NYC so we could revisit this wonderful place!

Had dinner at Balade yesterday after a really long time because Fattoush (across the street) was…read moreclosed for a private party. The food here has only gotten worse since my last review, and the prices are now 2X. Additionally portion sizes are smaller than ever. We had the loubieh, hummus beiruty, eggplant entree (I forget the exact name), and the grape leaves. It was all average at best, bordering terrible. The best thing was the rice and the pita bread. I definitely won't return.