OUTSTANDING!!! What a gem of a Lebanese restaurant in NYC. We went for Valentine's Day and didn't know what to expect. The restaurant has lovely ambiance and beyond hospitable and friendly staff. The food is Authentic Lebanese cuisine. There's no fusion or funny business. This is Lebanese dining as if you're sitting at an eatery in Beirut. The Kibbe naye (lamb tartar) is out of this world. Very generous portion for the price charged. The best part was our server Charles whose knowledge of the menu and cuisine was very much appreciated. He checked in on us often and was extremely personable and attentive. We also had the pleasure of meeting Linda one of the owners, who was so gracious in making sure we received our complimentary heart shaped falafel and rose for the occasion. I watched her check in with every table to make sure that everyone was well taken care of and enjoying their experience. Yara far exceeded my expectations. It's warm, welcoming and most of all the food was outstanding. Can't recommend this place enough to anyone looking to enjoy a real Lebanese treat while in NYC. read more

Stopped into this restaurant for dinner Saturday night, and I am sooo happy I did! Immediately when we entered, we were warmly greeted by the hostess who was so kind. We had no reservation set and they were able to get us seated right away which was awesome especially since it was a saturday night. The service here was amazing: everyone was efficient, kind, and very helpful. I really enjoyed the cauliflower and hummus here, and my chicken dish was also great. Definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a great meal with no reservation set! Wonderful experience read more

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Food is ok . No really a good flavor more on the plain side . The waitress no very gracious. She was not impolite but was in a hurry and we didn't feel welcome. The ambiance is nice, clean and modern . Love the Lebanese music . read more

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

Went here for NYE this year with a friend and it was an amazzzzzzing experience. Ambience: 5/5. Intimate, perfect for a date or a party with close-knit group of friends. Felt very safe. Service: 5/5. Attentive, quick to respond, great recommendations Food/Drinks: 7/5. Grape leaves esp were phenomenal. Baklava was outstanding. And the Malbec! Soooo good. read more

This Lebanese restaurant is amazing! Definitely recommend you check it out. The food is so good and authentic. We ordered Hummus, Tabouleh, Shish Taouk, and Shawarma. It all tasted incredible. The service was also solid. The owners of the restaurant made my girlfriend and I feel right at home and doted on us, wanting to ensure that everything was up-to-standard. Lastly, we loved the decor of Yara and the atmosphere while there! All in all, it's hard not to give this restaurant 5-stars. Wish we had something like Yara in Boston. Anyways, can't wait to be back! read more

I've been meaning to try Yara for awhile and glad we finally did. We went for happy hour and sat in the downstairs area in the lounge. We were the only ones there. The tables were a little small for the amount of dishes we ordered. We each had a drink and also ordered hummus/pita, falafel, and eggplant. We recommend the eggplant appetizer dish. I'm only giving four stars because a couple of the workers told us the wrong information when we arrived. Once we were seated by the hostess on the main floor, someone else comes over to us and said happy hour is only served downstairs and we get 50% off drinks and appetizers. The bartender downstairs said there is no discount. Overall the restaurant has a great atmosphere which gives it an upscale feel. We were impressed with the appetizers and plan to go back for dinner. read more

Yara - Happy hour at Yara - Hummus, falafel, eggplant - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

I never wrote a review. But this place is unique in its clean complex tastes from the Middle East and unassuming welcoming atmosphere. And the service was warm and not pushy. read more

Delicious food and great service - recommended by a colleague, located in Midtown. Enjoyed some appetizers, the Lemon Sole and some traditional ice cream for dessert. read more

This Lebanese restaurant just opened and while there are some negatives, I think this has huge potential! The food came out quickly and was cooked to perfection! They did forget an order but quickly recouped. The interior is modern and open floor plan but very welcoming. The cocktail menu is superb! The wine list is a little pricey but there are a couple under $70 which are worth trying. The one oddity is the exterior. The red awning with white font does not reflect the ambiance at all. I'll definitely be back! read more

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We had such a good experience at Yara tonight! Husband felt like middle eastern food and found Yara to be about a 15 minute walk from our hotel. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting and we felt immediately comfortable. The food was delicious- although we found it necessary to share so a salad and the mixed grill was plenty for us. So so good. We did definitely enjoy the pickled turnips that were provided as an appetizer. We did save a little room for milk pudding as dessert which was just enough without being too filling. The next time we are in NYC we will have to go back. Highly recommend. read more

My friend and I were intending to take the tram to roosevelt island and walk outside for a few hours. However during covid, we skipped that because the trams were overcrowded with people. We ended up finding this lebanese restaurant which had outside seating. The host and management were extremely accommodating to my friend and I when we asked if we can sit more far apart by moving the tables further away. I had the beet falafel which is also one of the vegan dishes and it was delicious. They also serve pickled cabbage and zaatar for the side. I also got the zaatar french fries which were fine. I was expecting the zaatar to be seasoned on the fries but they served the zaatar on the side. The french fries were fine just not what I expected. I would definitely come back to Yara. They made my friend and I feel comfortable and we don't go out to eat often during the pandemic. read more

This is a great restaurant! If you like mediterranean food you must go! Service is great and friendly. Food is delicious. They also have jazz on Wednesdays, although that needs to be confirmed as, at rare occasions, they might cancel it. Highly recommended. read more

Neighborhood restaurant providing a decent size, clean space for large groups, parties etc. cuisine is Lebanese but with a smattering of Greek and a few odd items, such as French fries which do not mix. Service is ok, sadly one of my favorite dishes I was told was on the brunch menu. The classic hummus was tasty and the kibbe good. I would regard this as a post work quick drink and appetizer kind of place to catch up rather than see and be seen or to be all epicurean about life... read more

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My boyfriend and I went here for date night and it was a beautiful expansive space with great service! The food was immaculate - my chicken shawarma and his lamb chops were off the charts! Also our server was very accommodating! It is Passover and we are both not eating bread and he had brought us over matzah with our meal- super considerate and thoughtful. Would recommend for something low key and authentic. read more

Relaxing outdoor eating area. Delicious soujouk but the labne was a bit basic and pita was dry. Luckily fresh mint was available for my tea. read more

midtown generic restaurant with a v good menu/offerings. food was nothing special/marginal. place is open/clean. service was horrible. had to ask for and remind about everything. note: party of 6 so tip was included. which def worked in their favor bc poor service. don't recommend as many other options close by. read more

This is the real deal! It's not just hummus and Kebobs. They serve food that my grandmother cooks. And they do it almost as good. The ambiance is elevated and the service is super friendly. read more

The food was incredibly well presented, deliciously and unique. I wanted to order something unique and could not be found somewhere else. The owner recommended us chicken liver, Lebanese sausage, and a feta dish, and they turned out surprisingly tasty. Their Lebanese ice cream has three different flavors, all unique and refreshing, you can even taste the strawberry seeds in the strawberry ice cream. The Lebanese milk pudding was fluffy, light, and aromatic. We had pleasant conversations with the owner. He was very hospitable and interesting, sharing with us his stories traveling around the world. Will definitely come back and try other dishes. Highly recommended for the unique food and authentic cultural experiences! --Jingwen & Matthew read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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My wife and I took family and friends to Yara as a celebration for our daughter's graduation from NYU (Master's degree). Twelve people attended the dinner. First, we were seated in a semi-private area in the back of the restaraunt, which was perfect for our group. The table was a large square so everyone could see and be seen and could even communicate across the table. Appetizers were chosen for the table and one was better than the next. There was a large variety to choose from, multiple plates of each came out of the kitchen and all plates returned empty; the food was devoured. Each person ordered their own entree. The dishes were beautifully prepared and displayed, and tasted amazing. I had lamb chops, one of my favorite dinners, and they were tender, had great flavor, and prepared perfectly medium-rare, just like I ordered. Others ate the Lemon Sole, Grilled Salmon, Sautéed Shrimp, and everyone raved about their food. Additionally, the drinks were great; both wine and cocktails. The deserts were fabulous too. My first ever Milk Pudding with ground pistachio was killer. Finally, the wait staff was warm and attentive, on top of all of our requests, the food was served hot, and the drinks flowed as the night went on. The restaraunt was full of people and bustling but not at all overwhelming. We would strongly recommend Yara to anyone who would listen! Joshua and Sandy Cohen read more

This is seriously a gem of a place. The exterior is quaint but the minute you step inside the lighting gives a warm welcome glow. The Chandelier lighting and all of the candles are such great finishing touches. Interior design and the decor was spot on and so cozy. Great for a date night or a dinner with friends. I noticed the back of the restaurant has a much larger table for a larger party. We ordered the hummus, fries and lamb to share. Friend loved his cocktail ! The portions were great and the food was very nicely done. Our server was fantastic, we had a very wonderful time at this restaurant and would highly recommend this place! I would defiantly like to come back and try the other dishes! read more

Yara - Seating area - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent food and atmosphere. Food was great and staff were very friendly. I would recommend this restaurant when in New York.

We went for lunch on a weekday and it was completely empty. Sometimes that's nice but I think it resulted in us getting a bit too much attention from the waiter (who may have been the owner?) and it became a bit uncomfortable. So kind and I'd recommend this place to everyone, but I think the restaurant's vibe is actually better for dinner when it's more filled up. They have great cocktails, great mezze, and great mains. I'd recommend the hummus for sure and the salmon. read more

Oh man this is goood. Tucked away way east in midtown is this delightful Lebanese joint. We were looking for a lunch spot before walking across the Queensboro Bridge and was lucky to find Yara would had outdoor seating. We ordered the babaganoush and the Mixed Platter which came with grilled chicken, beef and kefta (1 skewer each). The entree itself was $38 which is a bit pricey but both of us were full with just the app and the entree, so it was worth the cost! The babaganoush was one of the better I've had, savory and smokey. And the kebabs were killer - great flavor, tender, and just the right amount of char. If I had to choose of the proteins to eat a full meal of, def the chicken. Would eat again. read more

We used to go to this Lebanese establishment when it was Al Bustan...however attended recently for an event celebrating my daughter's acceptance to medical school....I was sorely disappointed...albiet I am also Lebanese....never felt at home" at all...... waiter was aloof, and very misleading....price was not what we were quoted......in fact we paid double....disgusting and greedy....they are a complete rip off...stay away from this restaurant....asked for all leftovers, as our party of 10 had plenty, they gave us one tiny dish of humus and one tiny dish of chicken ...sad...Not to mention the cake we gave them to store in freezer for this big event was completely melted...sad and criminal...stay away from this establishment, My advice.. as a NYC Lebanese...go to Balade Restaurant instead.....trust me......doctors know best and would definelty NOT recommend...:) read more

One of the few places in NYC that offers kibbeh nayeh from the menus I've looked at! I first had this dish at Sunnin in west LA and found it appealing. Yara has one with cracked wheat which adds an interesting texture and with more fresh garnishes. It didn't have as much flavor as I remember but that's ok. Their babaganoush is a little more sour than I'm used to also. We also tried a chicken and vegetable stew that i can't recall the name of. It's a little upscale restaurant but everything was well plated and fresh. Other aspects of the menu didn't stick out to me as much. Overall a good experience and would come back! read more

Yara - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious Lebanese food!! They make the bread fresh every day. Kafte was moist, perfectly spiced, and delicious. Highly recommend!!!

Yara is by far one of the best Lebanese restaurants around. Service to ambiance to food quality, all 5 stars worthy. Came for Christmas dinner, and in no way did the skimp on service or food! Falafel are a must, babaganoush is a must, hummus is a must, chicken shawarma is a must, their fresh hot sauce is amazing! The hit though were the spicy potatoes! Cannot wait to go back, all the flavors were unique yet complimentary of one another. read more

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Definitely one of the best Lebanese spots in Manhattan. We got the Yara fries, hummus, babaghanoush, tabouleh, falafels, cheese sambosik and kibbe- my favourites were the sambosik and tabouleh, but everything was great (the yara fries were amazing but could use more zatar). We had the lebanese strawberry ice cream for dessert and it was delicious. Definitely would recommend. read more

Yara - Yara Fries, Tabouli Salad, Hummus, Sambosik cheese, Kibbe B Laban, Falafel, Babaghanouj - Lebanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Made a reservation but the restaurant didn't honor it. They said the place was closed for a private event. We had to find another place for dinner on a busy night without a reservation. Not cool, Yara! read more

Loved the food. The flavors were delectable. I ordered a fattoush salad with lentils and rice. It was truly wonderful. We also had the chicken kabob platter. Also delish. The chicken was not dried out and it was not overdone. The service was second to none and with a smile. I recommend this highly. read more

Go to the Halal stand on the corner instead. Service is a nightmare. Food wasn't prepared properly. Ordered Kofta, one side was completely raw, the other side was burnt to a crisp. $36. Servers were nowhere to be found. They attempted to comp us a few appetizers for the shit show we participated in but of course it was put on the bill at the end. You can find much better Mediterranean Food for a third of the price at many other places. Seek them out. read more

Food was mediocre and the service was not well organized. Drinks took forever to order and we had to call the waiter to come so we could order food. It was just spotty and erratic. Decor is ok but they add tip for a party of five so you know what's up there. Won't be back. read more

We tried yara for the first time today! Loved the space and the food was amazing! Whatever we ordered was so good we didn't even have a chance to take a picture of it! Will definitely come back again! Happy for this new discovery! Cauliflower, and mixed grill were soooo good. read more

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Most amazing Lebanese food and desserts! Wine was really good too. Spicy potatoes are everything, the milk pudding is heavenly. read more

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

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One of our favorite dining experiences in NYC. The owner Norman was great as well as our server. Excellent food and great ambiance. We look forward to becoming regulars. read more

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I love the food, but honestly I have to stop coming because the service is so bad. Dining in means you have to beg the wait staff to see you more than once. The food takes forever to come and once it does, you better stand up to get them to come back eventually. Want the check? See a movie on your phone and maybe they'll come back by the time it's over. The straw that did it for me? Ordering take-out (because the service is so bad), and the hostess was absolutely rude. They get a lot of traffic, so that's good. But you honestly feel like they don't care if they have your business. It's a shame. I like the food. But after 4+ visits I've given up. It's not worth it. read more

Fresh. Delicious. Authentic Labanese. Yummm!!! Weeknight dinner with friends. Our first time at restaurant and our restaurant of choice did not disappoint. read more

So much fine trying different restaurants. This place was fun, lively and the food was great. The service was awesome as folks were extremely attentive. I had a lamb dish that was so good. For starters the hummus was tremendous. The staff helped us choose meals and all of us left raving. read more

One of the best Lebanese places I've been to- and I'm Lebanese! - Filet mignon was seasoned to perfection - Labneh was flavorful - Baklava was frankly insane- light rose water on the pallet, not too much honey but just enough. - lamb kibbeh nayeh was lit Great for business and family occasions read more

I came here because Yelp showed good reviews. However, my experience was not the best. Cons: - cold chewy hard bread - bad service (no waiters around, the recepcionist was alternating between chatting w a friend outside and giving us bad service) - they do not show you the wine you order before pouring it or allow you to taste it (but most of the restaurants in the US do this so...) - the person who attended us had his phone on his pocket ringing for a long time Pros: - good average food (not worth the price though) - pretty interior read more