3.5 stars, a beautiful dimly lit dining room and huge no less. There are a few steps walking up to the dining area. Great for groups of all sizes, reservations suggested but on this weekday visit, it was not too busy. We had a resy any way. Service was fair. Our waiter checked in with us once after we ordered and we had to beckon him twice - once for water refill and second for condiments/questions. What I didn't appreciate but understood, since we were two people dining, we got a corner table for two. It was not busy so we asked for the table next to us since we ordered plenty. They did not accommodate us saying they may need it for later. I did not think that was necessary since the place was not busy. This was 6pm on a Wednesday. And to boot, huge dining room - plenty of seating available. This was off putting as we said we ordered plenty. Our plates barely fit and they brought everything almost at once. Onto the food, I may not have ordered their popular dishes but nevertheless, nothing to rave about. Portions were shareable but it was just okay. There was not one stand out dish. I had higher expectations based on other reviews and photos but it was likely what we ordered. This was a vegetarian meal for me since I was dining with a vegetarian. - Moussakaa, this was a very tomato based sauce dish. Fried eggplant and chick peas combined had a nice texture. Mild flavors. - Arayess cheese - sorely disappointed. Very little flavor and I love my cheeses. It needed something to make it more appealing. It literally looked like cheese in a pita. And yes, by description it was. No condiments or side of anything to offset the plating. Visually flat. It could've used a sun dried tomato paste or some acidic side dipping sauce. - Yara Fries - shockingly simple, zaatar and spices. But they didn't put enough. It still looked like regular fries. And by the name, I expected more punch of flavor. It was not there. - Falafel - tricky dish if it's not cooked well. Simple again by name but the ingredients were just mild in flavor. Crunch was perfect. The chickpea, onions, cilantro and garlic was not pronounced. It was ok. Not memorable. - House wine, by the glass, decent and went well with what we ate. Would I return is the question... Likely not. The menu was so promising but nothing to bring me back. read more

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Went for a party to Yara so we ordered a ton of different options. Vibes were great, not too busy for a Saturday night. The waiter and staff were also super helpful. Main critics were the bread/pita and hummus. I've never had staler bread/pita in my life. Wasn't soft at all and was tough to break apart. The plain hummus was also pretty salty. However besides that, the food was great. Highly recommend the eggplant dip. read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

Stodgy no-frills Lebanese stalwart typical of East Midtown. To their credit they do have a number of Lebanese items that are otherwise hard to find in Manhattan - so I suggested this as an option for a recent work dinner. We shared a wide selection of mezzes. The best was the eggplant fatteh, which was the reason I came - the eggplant and pita chips were very nicely textured with the yogurt. I also quite enjoyed the spiced potatoes, i.e. batata harra. The vegan kibbeh and Zahra mekhla were not the best renditions I've had. I would have appreciated a bit more tahini on the cauliflower, and the kibbeh were a bit too sweet. The hummus was passable. The kunefe was typical of the Levantine style, with a soft semolina layer without kadayif, and went nicely with a glass of white coffee as a digestif of sorts. read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

We had a great experience at Yara from start to finish. The restaurant has an upscale feel with a very modern and polished interior. Service was attentive and welcoming throughout the meal. We started with the babaganouj, which was excellent, and my main dish was the shish tawook. It was very tasty, well portioned, and made for an overall satisfying experience! read more

Yara - Babaghanouj - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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If you're looking for elevated Mediterranean cuisine in a stunning, modern setting, Yara in Midtown is a must-visit! From the ultra-creamy beef hummus to the succulent mixed grill of chicken, filet mignon, and lamb--every dish is crafted to perfection. Pair with white wine and red wine ( Musar Jeune) it will be an unforgettable dining experience. Whether it's a cozy date night, a celebration, or a stylish night out with friends, Yara sets the perfect mood. With a chef bringing decades of culinary mastery and multiple Michelin Guide recognitions, you know you're in for something special. And the desserts--decadent, rich, and the perfect sweet ending to an unforgettable meal. read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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The service here was very nice and the hostess was super accommodating as we got caught in traffic and were 30 minutes late for our reservation. The food was good but not spectacular. We had babaganosh and two other mezza. I will say the lamb chops were perfectly cooked and delicious. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice for a date night dinner read more

We rolled into Yara on a Sunday night, just me, my wife, and our friend, thinking we'd get something lowkey and ended up with this calm, classy dinner in Midtown that felt like a little secret spot. The place is modern, the lighting is soft, and our server was this old school gentleman who probably knows more about hospitality than I know about anything. He was calm, precise, and totally unfazed by my chaotic order of mezze, wine, and the Yara mixed grill like we were prepping for a meat-based expedition. The Lebanese wine was smooth in a way that made me want to say "notes of oak" even though I have no clue what that means. Left full and weirdly inspired. read more

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Live music was great, ambiance was very pretty, food was portioned well with plenty of different options. The menu was huge, and waitstaff were ready to answer any questions and make any customizations to menu items. Would recommend this place for upscale dining with a relaxed pace or for a nice celebration. Food was flavorful. read more

Yara - Shawarma Chicken - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Food healthylicious! Service is great and the ambiance is awesome... they didnt rush us we were there for like 3 hrs Will go back again read more

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We came here for a group dinner the other night and it was absolutely fantastic!!!! The food was phenomenal and the service was great. My favorite appetizer by far was the Muhammara. It is really similar to hummus but made with roasted walnuts and bell peppers. Absolutely incredible! The chicken kebabs were amazing and the staff was incredibly friendly. The highlight was their greek yogurt based dessert. By far simply divine. IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC read more

This restaurant is very spacious. The service here is amazing. The drinks are delicious and the food here is very favorful. The portion size is a lot. This restaurant is a good spot for a night out, a party or a date. I would recommend others to come here. Will come back again when I can. read more

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Yara in Midtown is serving up elevated Lebanese Mediterranean flavors in a stunning, modern space! From the warm, pillowy pita to the perfectly grilled meats, every bite was a hit. The All Grill Platter is a def must. Tender lamb, juicy chicken, and flavorful steak cooked to perfection. But if you're skipping meat, don't worry, the prawns are just as incredible! This spot is perfect for a chic dinner with friends or a date night. Highly recommend! Like & Follow me on @butteronaroll_ for more recommendations read more

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Our party of 7 tried a number of mezze and platter dishes and there were plenty of vegan options for our vegan in the group to select from. Among everything we ordered included hummus and spicy hummus - both bowls were scraped clean, it was soooo good -- plus moussakaa, falafel, and cauliflower mezzes. Everything was delicious! I had the lemon sole, which could've done with a lot less salt, but the whole dish was delicious and I left nothing behind (except for some bones). Our dinner was made all the more memorable by our waiter who was funny/super nice! Knowing it was my birthday, once dinner was over, out came a birthday torch and accompanying baklawa w delicious cotton candy topping (on the house, which was a nice surprise). Two others celebrated their birthdays there while we were there, so it's quite popular for birthday celebrations. I look forward to returning some day soon, and I will recommend this restaurant to my friends. read more

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Amazing food and gracious service in a lovely dining room. We had early reservations, and split a variety of meze and a salad. There were a number of delicious vegan options among the many options on the menu -- enjoyed equally by the vegan and non-vegan at our table. read more

Ordered: Hummus ($13) Babaghanouj (~$14) Warak Einab (~$15) Tabouleh (~$17) Fatoush (~$16) Fried Cauliflower (~$16) Sambousek Meat (~$15) Sambousek Cheese (~$15) Yara Fries (~$10) Yara Mixed Grill (~$58): shish tawook, filet mignon, kefta, lamb chops and shrimp, served with grilled vegetables, rice and garlic aioli Aya's take: We were looking for a Lebanese restaurant where we can have a family gathering (9 people) and was so thankful to have come across Yara! They have a semi-private dining section which is slightly tucked away from the regular dining area. It's classy, traditional, and cozy. From the brick wall to the colored wall to the chandelier, it actually feels like you're at home sitting in a dining room. About 2 weeks before, we contacted them to inquire and received a prompt response from Norman. Norman is the man!! He was super responsive and was there the whole time ensuring we had everything we needed, chatting with the families, and being entertaining lol. All the food came out in a timely manner and everything tasted delicious. Where do I begin? From all the appetizers we got to the Yara Mixed Grill, it was truly a taste of Lebanon in the heart of NYC. The must orders for me were the Hummus, Babaghanouj, Fatoush, and Yara Mixed Grill. You know the chef is talented when every piece of meat in the Yara Mixed Grill came out super tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. The Yara Fries were also super addictive! No matter what you order, you will not have a bad bite here. The chef even came out to greet us which was a nice touch. Being Lebanese and a native New Yorker, I couldn't have asked for a better place to have this event. I can't recommend Yara enough and look forward to coming back! read more

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Kibbeh Nayeh was delicious in a nice atmosphere & reservations accepted. Dined w a Lebanese friend who was impressed w food

I've been here a few times and love the food and service here. This time I came for my birthday. The hostess was very thoughtful and offered a vase with water to place my birthday flowers in while we dined. They also sang happy birthday for me :) I always get the babaghanouj and kebab platter. The yara fries were so well seasoned. Great ambiance. Drink menu is a little limited. read more

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My husband and I came here for lunch one day. The interior is very cozy and aesthetically pleasing. Food came quickly and was very tasty! I would come back again. read more

I'm not a huge fan of Mediterranean/lebanese food so I say I'm a rather harsh critic. But the food was good! The hummus was delicious and came with pita bread (5 decent sized pitas I counted lol). I got the goat fossolia which came with rice and the lamb was superrrr tender. Like you don't need a knife. My friends got the chicken shawarma and those fries were to die for lol along with the garlicky white sauce it came with. We also got the warak einab which was so comforting honestly. Our waiter was kind enough to tell us how to each certain dishes which was very helpful. Service was great and our waters were refilled several times. The place is rather quite fancy and upscale compared to places I usually go to but still casual enough for a random dinner! The owner I believe was super kind and even came outside of the restaurant to help us take a picture when we were struggling!! That was so kind of him and wanted to say thanks for making the pics perfect like he said he will!!! read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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We were looking for a last minute dinner reservation in midtown last week, and ended up at Yara because everywhere else we tried was booked (holiday dinners!). I went in with low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. They have TONS of vegetarian options, and everything we ordered was delicious. For three people, we ordered: Falafel Spicy hummus Spicy potatoes Fatayir Cauliflower Yara Tzatziki Their spicy sauce and spicy hummus were legitimately spicy without being over the top. Also, their portion sizes are pretty big compared to NYC standards, so this was more than enough food for three of us. Highly recommend checking them out...I know I'll definitely be back! read more

Yara, Very expensive place to eat. But me and my girl love Lebanese food. Its the same as our Hebrew food in many ways. Anyhow, we were seated and greeted. I wanted the Lamb Chops plate as soon as I looked at the menu. I love Lamb, and their Lamb is delicious. Lots of Rosemary, and other good seasonings. The chops were moist and tender.Awesome place to eat with huge portions as well. I will be back for more on my next trip. read more

Best Lebanese food I've had in New York! And I've been to a lot. The mixed grill was delicious, juicy and a generous portion. Hummus was WONDERFUL, smooth and perfect. The foul was delicious and very traditional. The owner (Norman) is extremely welcoming and kind, treated us like family. I will absolutely be coming back and can't recommend it enough! read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Hidden gem of the east side, food is outstanding, service is superb. I was immediately greeted with the smile, table was ready. No waiting time. read more

Yara - Table - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

I reviewed Yara in the past when I ordered take-out. This time, we went to the restaurant to eat an early dinner. The food was delicious. I still stand by my earlier review, but overall very good and enjoyable in a beautiful restaurant setting. Will be back! read more

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Good, but not great. We tried to order cocktails but the waiter told us there was no bartender and he was very busy which we obviously empathized for, but just found a little off-putting on a Friday night and as it was as soon as we sat down. The spicy hummus was delicious with the perfect amount of spice but pita was not fresh or warm. We loved the meat samosek and spinach fatayer but halloumi was a miss. Presentation and atmosphere were meh. Hostess however was very nice! read more

The food here was delicious. I went with a large group and split several dishes. -Mezze- Pita - nice and fluffy, and came in a pretty large quantity which was good for a lot of people. Hummus - creamy and subtly flavored. Baba ghanoush - also very creamy, but with some welcome tartness. I would have preferred this to be a bit more on the smokier side. Beet falafel - crispy, with a subtle sweet and earthy flavor from the beets. I liked the variation here. Vegan warak einab - sour and herbaceous, provided nice contrast with the other mezze. Vegan kibbeh - crispy and filled with pleasant warm spices. -Platters- My group has the Yara mixed grill and shawarma beef, which they enjoyed. I didn't try these dishes because I'm vegetarian. Okra - great tomato sauce and pleasantly soft okra. Paired well with the rice served on the side. We got an enormous amount of food for a total bill of about $205. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and has plenty of space for large parties. Definitely give this one a try. read more

Great experience at this great looking restaurant. Service was excellent and without any delays. Food presentation was great and the portions were good. Looking to go back soon to try more from their menu as this is one of most comprehensive Lebanese menus I have seen in a while! read more

Yara - Tabouli Salad, Chicken Liver, Hummus - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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The food was excellent. The service was excellent, and the ambience was great. The owners were super friendly. I would highly recommend.

This restraunt was so nice on the inside. The owner is Lebanese and It was such a nice vibe. The mixed grill was really good and so was the spicy potato. They also had live music. I felt like the prices were good. Prepare to pay around $50 a person after appetizers and drinks and entrees. I really like the spicy potatoes and the beef hummus. Service was fast as well. read more

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Lebanese cuisine seems to be the most universally popular cuisine. I have never met anyone who didn't like Lebanese food. And among the Lebanese restaurants in New York City, Yara is definitely among my favorites. The menu is rather extensive, but the food is consistently tasty. You will not find mulukhia on many other menus around here. The kibbe b laban is another favorite with its mildly tangy and garlicky flavors. Among the desserts, the sfouf (turmeric cake) wins me over with its simple deliciousness. Service is very gracious, and can take some time during the busy lunch hour as there is just one person manning the dining room. The dining room itself is bright and cheerful with fresh flowers placed on each table. read more

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My family came to Yara on New Years Eve in the afternoon. It was pretty empty, but it worked for our needs. Our waitress was mostly attentive. The menu had some nice variety and some items that aren't as common as others. We liked the beet falafel, vegan kibbe, and spicy hummus in particular. I wasn't in love with my lamb okra. I didn't realize it would be so soupy. The shawarma beef platter was definitely the winner. We got a white wine that tasted a little off. We didn't send it back, which is on us. Get the namoura and baklava. We weren't fans of the tumeric dessert. Modern, upscale feel. It was also nicely decorated for the holidays. read more

Best Lebanese food in Manhattan. Must order the fattoush salad, cauliflower kibbeh, koussa and the black tea with mint. Service was good. Nothing outstanding, but the waiters were very efficient. Music was excellent, good ambience. Not too upscale, but not low scale either. Perfect for a birthday celebration or intimate evening. Overall, I would return again. read more

Yara - Koussa, lamb okra, fatoush salad - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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A large restaurant space with beautiful atmosphere. Loved the fir tree decorated with Valentine bulbs! The hostess seated and served us our meal. The music playing in the background was unobtrusive, and tables were spaced far enough apart that we at the table could speak normally. My Moussaka was delicious. I was surprised it was served at room temperature. Very tasty nonetheless. Pita bread was a nice addition, but served cold and frankly, a bit stale. My companion raved about Beef Shwarma. We finished with the suggested Milk Pudding, and though I was not a fan, it was beautifully plated. read more

Yara - A BEAUTIFUL Space! - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Yara Restaurant offers delicious Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes with authentic flavors and great service.

The lunch with my team turned out perfectly at this restaurant. The staff showed kind assistance and responded to questions cheerfully. The feeling in this restaurant is always right. Yara prices sensibly and includes healthy vegetable servings. My assessment is now complete. read more

The 6 of us had a good selection to try. As mentioned their hummus is very good, and also as mentioned the shawarma is a bit dry and needed a sauce to wake it up. Portion was small so needed the apps and pita to fill up. Also as mentioned the service is weak. They were pretty busy and I needed to request the Tzatziki sauce multiple times. We also needed to wave down servers a few times. It's a very nicely decorated main room which is great for talking until they turn music up to a very uncomfortable lever to sing at a table. They have a nice little bar area downstairs in case you have a wait and want a drink. We felt the apps were just ok, which included the Grilled Halloumi (good), grape leaves (so-so), Yara Fries (good, MUCH better than the side fries). Wife enjoyed the lamb chops ($42) but no other dishes were noted as outstanding. I would rate 2.5 stars if available. read more

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My friend and I were looking for a place in the area to a nice lunch during the week and catch up. We were seated right away without a reservation even though it was quite crowded, there was plenty of seating. Inside was cozy, comfortable lighting, spacious and sleek. The waiter came over and he was so friendly and familiar, we felt right at home, he immediately recommended the chicken tenders and we ordered Baba ghanoush with Pita bread to start. WOW! He was right, everything was delicious - I would not call myself a baba ghanoush snob by any means but my past experience was inconsistent and this was definitely one of the best I have had (balanced flavor, creamy, not overpoweringly garlicky or anything). The pita came out warm and fluffy - it was addicting we couldn't stop- we had to have seconds. They said after the meal that it was made inhouse. The chicken tenders came with two hearty skewers, rice and vegetables. Very generous portion and very juicy, delicious well seasoned. Honestly, I was impressed by the service and food. I can't wait to have this again and bring more friends and family in on this place! read more

Excellent service by the owner himself. Took my husband here for his birthday. For starters we ordered their hummus, baba ganoush, and chicken liver. For the main we had their mixed grill. For dessert the owner wanted to surprise my husband and I and he brought us their panna cotta with some pistachio cookies and baklava with a candle and sang happy birthday for him which was beyond sweet and thoughtful. I loved their chicken liver and baba ganoush. My husband enjoyed their hummus. The mixed platter was decent. However, their pita was a bit dry. I wish they had that thick, soft, buttery pita but nevertheless cute spot, with a modern and a rustic feel. A good place for conversations, and some good food. Will return to try other items on the menu. read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Great for large groups! I came with 25 people for a work dinner and the staff was so accommodating and patient with us. I ended up ordering a bunch of mezze for the table and everything was a hit. I particularly enjoyed the falafel and labneh, and the pita came in abundance. Highly recommend. read more

Yara - Hummus and Labneh - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

This is one of the best restaurants in the area. Whether it's lunch with co workers or family dinner. The hospitality and quality of service offered is just outstanding. read more

Yara - Just a snap shot near my dining table - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York