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$$ | Greenpoint |
Its past as a glass factory inspired Glasserie's warm, romantic atmosphere, and details like rare light fixtures and prints of original electric bulbs abound. Owner Sara Conklin spent her childhood in the Middle East, and her experiences there influence the farm-to-table cuisine. Pair the Persian Gold cocktail (a gin and tonic with saffron) with the phyllo pastries, then order a few more small plates to share.
95 Commercial St., Brooklyn, New York, 11222, USA
Known For
- Warm, intimate atmosphere
- Middle Eastern small plates
- Great cocktails and wine list
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$$ | Chelsea |
This spin-off of Shuka in SoHo first fired up its burners in summer 2021 and was an instant hit, far exceeding in enthusiasm than the original. The focus of this stylish 80-seat eatery is modern Middle Eastern cuisine, with flavor-packed fare that spans the entire region. Chef Ayesha J. Nurdjaja takes traditional recipes and goes a step further with them, adding, for example, red onions and a sauce of chilies and garlic to the ultracreamy hummus or stewed lamb hiding inside the kibbeh. There's a delicious surprise on every plate at Shukette.
230 9th Ave., New York, New York, 10001, USA
Known For
- Fish and meat cooked on the charcoal grill
- Homemade bread, griddled to order
- The mostly Mediterranean wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$ | |
This restaurant put Bay Ridge on the foodie map when it first opened in 1998, and chef-owner Rawia Bishara’s refined Palestinian dishes—a tribute to her rich Middle Eastern heritage—continue to draw crowds and accolades. Vaulted ceilings and a glass-enclosed atrium are a stylish backdrop for the inventive interpretations of home-style meals. Don’t miss dishes like the cauliflower with tangy pomegranate molasses, the delectable eggplant napoleon, and anything made with lamb (but especially, if it's on the menu, the freekeh bel lahmeh, a type of ancient grain prepared with perfectly seasoned lamb). The signature dessert, knafeh—baked sweet cheese in phyllo dough, topped with rosewater and pistachios—requires a worthwhile 10-minute wait while it bakes.
7523 3rd Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11209, USA
Known For
- The freekeh appetizer
- Pomegranate molasses
- Save room for dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Brooklyn Heights |
Named for the founder's childhood home in Syria, this family-run bakery and market has been a mainstay of the neighborhood's Middle Eastern community since 1930. Specialties include freshly baked pita, vegetable and meat pies, and baklava. For a quick take-away lunch, order a falafel sandwich, some hummus and pita, or a lighter-than-air spinach pie.
195 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11201, USA
Known For
- Baked goods
- Mediterranean prepared food
- Neighborhood mainstay
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$ | Jackson Heights |
This snug Lebanese café caters to locals with its popular vegan platters, mixed kabobs for two (with kofta, chicken, and lamb), shawarmas, and more. Seating is limited, but if you can snag a seat at lunch or dinner time, you’re in for a treat. Try the mint lemonade and falafel sandwich, a house blend of chickpeas and fava beans, topped with turnip and pickles.
35--62 76th St., Queens, New York, 11372, USA
Known For
- Outstanding falafel and kabobs
- Friendly service
- Plenty of vegan options
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Flatiron District |
Famed Washington, D.C., restaurateur and chef Philippe Massoud brings his culinary talents—emphasizing cuisine from his native Lebanon—to New York City at this bi-level, 400-seat eatery. The menu of innovative Middle Eastern fare includes a mouth-watering variety of shareable hot and cold meze, as well as mains that run the gamut from lamb chops with za'atar to chicken livers with pomegranate molasses to duck shawarma with fig jam. Waiters never fail to refresh the basket of hot, fluffy, house-baked pita bread. A glass of Lebanese or French wine is a nice accompaniment to the cuisine.
236 5th Ave., New York, New York, 10001, USA
Known For
- Creative Lebanese cuisine focused on small plates
- House-baked pita
- Nice wine list
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$$ | Astoria | Middle Eastern
Middle-Eastern restaurants are a dime a dozen in NYC, but Egyptian-Mediterranean spots are a rarer find, attracting celebrity chefs and TV personalities like Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern. This charming yet eccentric 16-seat café, which excels at interesting homestyle dishes, is a true hidden treasure. The menu changes nightly, but think of the fare here as Egyptian-accented comfort food: exceedingly tender lamb stuffed with pomegranate is always great. For the super adventurous eater, try the grilled lamb brain or lamb tongue. When it's available, the roasted goose in a saffron sauce is a must.
25-12 Steinway St., Queens, New York, 11103, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Park Slope |
At this excellent falafel joint, the falafel balls (classic, spicy, or with spinach and mushrooms) are fried to order and everything is made fresh daily. Run by a family of Jewish-Moroccan heritage, the shop serves mostly takeout, but there are a few stools. The owner’s mother preps the Israeli couscous, vegetable toppings, and other homemade condiments. Coconut milk and fresh fruit are used to make the smoothies.
446C Dean St., Brooklyn, New York, 11217, USA
Known For
- Thick-cut, not shaved shawarma
- Pickled red cabbage
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$$ | |
This bright, tiny café makes outstanding hummus; the masabache version (traditional hummus with lemon garlic dressing) and the mushroom version (which also has onion and cumin) are favorites. Other menu standouts include shakshuka (eggs cooked in a tomato sauce) with or without a side of merguez sausage, the vegetarian meze sampling plate, the Moroccan tagines, and the weekly specials. Beer and wine are on the menu as well at this pleasant neighborhood spot.
1209 Cortelyou Rd., Brooklyn, New York, 11218, USA
Known For
- Middle Eastern comfort food
- Flavorful small plates and bowls
- Friendly local favorite
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$$ | West Village |
There's typically a crowd waiting outside for one of the copper-top tables at this casual, neighborhood, Middle Eastern restaurant. The focal point is the perfect pita that accompanies tasty salads like lemony chickpea and spinach, hearty lentil and bulgur, or falafel. Also delicious is lahambajin, spicy ground lamb on a crispy flat crust (hence the name "Pitza"). For entrées, try the juicy baby lamb sandwich or merguez–sausage sandwiches. Service is slow but friendly.
29 7th Ave. S, New York, New York, 10014, USA
Known For
- Reliable Middle Eastern fare
- Good lamb mains
- Perfect pita
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Gramercy |
In a tightly packed, high-energy space, Israeli celeb chef Meir Adoni covers a lot of ground, serving whatever is delicious from Morocco to Yemen—as well as points in between. Standouts include the smoked eggplant carpaccio, the fantastic breads (including the giant Jerusalem sesame bagel and the challah), and just about everything else.
34 E. 20th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA
Known For
- Elevated Middle Eastern dining
- Chic atmosphere
- Pricey but impressively good
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.--Tues. No lunch weekdays
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$ | |
This homey café brews daily-changing coffee roasts (also sold by the bag) and serves a variety of tasty teas, but the real treats are the breakfast pastries and Mediterranean-influenced menu—especially the Egyptian poached eggs with house-made hummus, arugula, and za’atar spices. The expansive patio is lovely in summer.
1112 Cortelyou Rd., Brooklyn, New York, 11218, USA
Known For
- Mediterranean flavors
- Homey café
- Fine coffee and teas
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$$ | |
This casual neighborhood bistro serves mouthwateringly good Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, drawing inspiration from the cuisines of Israel, Morocco, Greece, Turkey, and Southern Italy. You could easily make a meal of the tapas-style "Small Zi's," like the baba ghanoush with basil and feta, the silky hummus, and falafel with tomato salsa and yogurt sauce—but then you'd miss out on the delicious tagines (stews) and kebabs. The restaurant is cozy and unpretentious, with exposed-brick walls, wooden tables, and white shelves stocked with traditional products like tahini, honey dates, halva, and the spice blend za'atar.
129 Havemeyer St., Brooklyn, New York, 11211, USA
Known For
- Mediterranean mezze
- Cozy atmosphere
- Local favorite
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
