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    Ayat

    3.9 (44 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Ayat Takeout or Delivery

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    Reviews With Photos - Ayat

    Mixed grilled platter
    Polly H.

    What stood out was the food. The portions were enough for a family and the ambience is inviting with all the olive oil. Inside there is a huge tree that is the center of the restaurant. There are traditional dishes and rice and sandwiches along with salads. My husband and I ordered the hot appetizers and a mixed grilled shawarma rice platter. Everything was delicious. The service is good, but there were only two waiters working for many people dining so I understand the wait.

    Inside
    Melissa C.

    I love trying new food from other cultures, so I was all over it when my sister-in-law suggested this Palestinian restaurant. Every single thing was next-level delicious. First, they bring fresh, hot pita with dips to the table. It took every ounce of my self-control not to fill up on it. It was so good, and they kept refilling. We got hummus for the table. I'm not usually a huge fan of hummus, but it was incredible. We cleaned the bowl. We also got another appetizer that I can't remember the name of, and it was amazing. While the pita pizza was enticing, I wanted to fully immerse myself and try a traditional dish that I've never had. I went with the Fatta Jaj, a layered kind of bowl with meat, rice, pita chips, and a garlicky sauce. It was really good, but honestly I feel like the appetizers stole the show. To top it off, the interior of the restaurant was really nice, with a big tree at the centerpiece, bottles of olive oil on display, and the wood-fired oven visible. I think I'll be dreaming of this meal for a long time.

    Mixed Grill
    Olivia K.

    I've had Ayat bookmarked for a while now, but since they finally opened their location in Queens and my friend had also raved about it since, I knew I had to come. I brought with my family for my dad's birthday. We all ordered 3 dishes to share. MEZZE FILISTINI This appetizer dish features pita breads with multiple dips/vegetables. This was probably the most popular ordered dish. Everyone loved it. It was well plated. Literally everything on this plate was delicious. It was so good we had to ask for more bread to clear this whole plate up. MIXED GRILL This dish features various meats/vegetables. I personally enjoyed the chicken/beef. I'm not a huge fan of lamb, so I didn't enjoy that. But overall, it's a well balanced dish for one to eat alone. PIZZAWARMA The pizzawarma is kinda unique to this restaurant. They stuff tons of meats/spices/toppings into a pita bread style pizza. It's their own take on pizza and they really use a wood fire oven to bake it, so it comes out tasting great. I was full after everything so I wasn't able to finish it. But I did enjoy what I did eat from it. The service was great. They catered to us well. Our server even took his time to serve our personal cake that we brought to the restaurant and had a birthday song played for my dad. Overall, my dad really enjoyed it (and so did the rest of us), so that was a huge success.

    Tree
    Dani V.

    Beautifully decorated restaurant with a tree in the middle. The food is amazing, freshly made, and well seasoned. The staff is attentive and helpful. TIP: Order the Pistachio Paradise! a wood-fired pizza with ground pistachios on a bed of mixed cheeses.

    Lamb Lamb Ouzi Royale
    Moeka S.

    I went in later at night but they were very kind and communicative about the closing situation. I wanted to go in because of the cool decor inside, and the ambiance was as nice as how it looked from the outside. We got the roasted paprika dip (best dip over ever had) and mint tea, and lamb ouzi royal. Lamb shank was delicious, though I wondered if I came in earlier if they would've juicier!! Overall I had a great time there. Will go back again.

    Mixed Grill
    Daniel S.

    The food is always so good borderline incredible at this place and the interior design is incredible with the large tree centerpiece. However where this place falls short for me is the staff/service. It's almost like if you once you order your food you do not exist anymore. For a day that wasn't packed not one person came over to ask if our food was okay , if we wanted anything else, if we wanted our plates taken away. Sat for at least 15-20 minutes with finished plates at our table without any acknowledgement. I would of ordered dessert or maybe another item if it was offered but when I'm ready to pay that comes in 2 seconds

    Meze Filistini (6 spreads & fresh pita) $32.75
    Andie E.

    4.5 Stars...Rounding up to Five Stars! What a beautiful restaurant! I had read so many raving articles about Ayat, and have been wanting to go for the longest time. They have branches all over NY but when they opened one in Astoria, Queens, we finally went! Ayat is a little pricier than some restaurants in the area but you're paying for a quality meal, and it was so worth it...really!! Shout-out to our server Tyler, who was great in every way! He provided us with everything we needed before we even asked. Thanks so much, Tyler! Menu shared by 6ppl: -- 2 orders of Salata Filistini Salad ($9): very small portion. We actually wanted to try their Watermelon Feta Salad but it's no longer on their menu. This Salata Filstini Salad was a poor replacement and nothing special. Skip this and try another salad. -- Meze Filistini (6 spreads & fresh pita) $32.75: Excellent! All 6 spreads were delicious with the warm, fresh pita. All 6 spreads were fresh & tasty. You can tell they used quality ingredients. -- Lamb Chops w.rice, salad & tahini sauce (4 chops/$39.50): Excellent dish! The lamb chops were prepared perfectly and the Tahiti sauce really complimented the lamb. Get this!! -- 2 orders of Mixed Grill w.rice, salad & yogurt sauce ($37): Fantastic platter with one lamb chops, Beef Kebab, Kofta Kebab and Chicken Kebab. The chicken was a tad bit overcooked and dry, but the other meats were perfect. Recommended! -- Fattat Lahma (6 layer dish: meat, rice, chickpeas, garlic, tahini, crispy pita; garnished w.almond slices & mint) $31: This was an excellent dish. Someone had warned me that this tends to be dry, and to order this with extra yogurt sauce...great advice! We indeed ordered this with extra yogurt sauce, and honestly could have used even more! Haha But this was a great dish! I would get this again. -- 2 orders of Knafa $15: This was slightly different from any Knafa I've ever had. It was very loose and dry but really tasty nonetheless! This was a large portion, but was perfect for 3 people sharing. All in all, this was a great meal. The freshness and quality of each dish really shined. I would definitely return to try other dishes and repeat some of the dishes we had tonight. Recommended!!

    Mezze Filistini

    Such a cute place and delicious food! Will definitely come back when I'm in NYC. The fatteh just needed to be a little bit more saucey but I had the Laban from the mezze platter so that was good Service was amazing and everyone was so nice.

    Angela G.

    Welcome to Astoria! So glad my friend & I got to stop by & try Ayat, we've been dying to go to the Brooklyn location for a while now so once they opened in our neighborhood, we knew we had to try them out. Service wise, they could use a little bit more work, I had to ask for my appetizer multiple times & by the time it came, I was done with my main course :( They did just open a couple of weeks ago though so I'm hoping that works out once they're settled in. The ambiance is so pretty, there's an aesthetic tree in the middle of the restaurant that many guests requested to sit by so I'm guessing this will become a popular photo op! Ok now on to what matters, THE FOOD! I ordered a spinach filled pie as an appetizer & the chicken kebab as my main course, my friend ordered lemon & garlic roasted chicken ouzi. It was fresh, great portion size but lacked some flavor? We had to order the knafeh for dessert ofc (which was part of the whole reason we came) - it was cheesy, crispy, fresh out of the oven but also did lack some flavor, like it needed syrup / attar? All in all, I was a little disappointed - I'd try to give this place another shot once they're settled in and hoping it was just an off day.

    Limonana
    Fateha A.

    5/5 service - very accommodating & sweet 3/5 Laziza Apple- decent, def not for everyone 4/5 Laziza Peach- love anything peachy 5/5- really good, not too sour 5/5 Hibiscus Margarita- really good 4/5 "WARA DAWALI $14 Grape leaves stuffed with a blend of rice, parsley, tomatoes, onions, and an array of spices, gluten free, vegan" love the sourness 4/5 "KIBBEH 3 pieces $12- Finely ground bulghur and meat filled with ground beef, onion, and Mediterranean spices" 3/5 potato cigar rolls- crispy 3/5 "PIZZAWARMA $23.85 Pizza crust- beef shawarma with halloumi cheese, pickles, olives, pomegranate molasses, sumac onions, and tahini sauce" wish it had more cheese, the beef tastes like lamb since it's cooked with lamb fat but not everyone likes lamb. 3/5 "SPICY CHICKEN KEBAB- Tender chicken marinated in harissa and chili spices, grilled to perfection and served with a cooling garlic dip" "3/5 FATTAT JAJ $24: 6-layer dish of roasted chicken, rice, chickpeas, mint yogurt, crispy pita, garlic sauce and slivered almonds" the top layer had more flavor, wish the flavor was dispersed evenly 4/5 "FATTAT LAHMA $29: 6-layer dish of meat, rice, chickpeas, garlic tahini, crispy pita, slivered almonds, and mint" had more flavor than the chicken 5/5 rice pudding- prolly the best we've ever had, def 1 of the creamiest, perfection, we'd come back just for this 2/5 knafeh - didn't like the flavor

    Baba ganoush
    Rob M.

    This place is so good, it makes me want to go back and re-rate previous 5-star restaurants as 4-stars because Yelp won't let me rate Ayat as 6. It is that good, friends. Everything--the food, the vibes, the service--is stellar. It is justifiably packed but please do yourself a favor, put your name down and wait it out. I promise it will be worth your while. The fresh pita goes crazy, imagine a piping hot, crispy carb balloon. When combined with the creamy rich baba ganoush or hummus, it is insane. The grilled selections are also fire. It's hard to pick a standout, but the chicken is especially tender and juicy and the kefta is an exceptionally seasoned explosion of flavor. Plus, it's gorgeous inside. I loved the olive tree at the center of the dining room (an Ayat trademark). And the servers, despite the insane number of diners and delivery guys flooding in and out, go above and beyond to be generous and helpful. Ayat is a gift to the neighborhood, and immediately earns a spot on the shortlist of favorite places to eat in Astoria.

    Mezze Filistini
    Michelle T.

    We came here on Christmas Eve at an off time early dinner late lunch. The food was lovely! Very flavorful and definitely very acidic in a good way! Service was really quick everything came out fast right after we ordered. The ambiance in the restaurant is adorable. There's a huge faux olive tree in the middle with seats around it. The drink was fantastic too! The portions were pretty big FYI me and my husband shared everything :)

    Even my dog didn't want to eat it
    Sarah V.

    Decided to go here for a special occasion lunch and boy were we disappointed! I could go to Shahs Halal or my local Greek restaurant for better quality and tasting food for 1/2 the price. For apps we got the dip spread and cigar rolls with beef. Tasty enough but nothing special. Took 15 minutes before we got some more pita to share between the four of us. For entree we got the mixed shawarma with fries. Big portion, fries were ok, meet slightly dry and the white sauce the gave us tasted like yogurt sauce that was watered down and had oil added to it, no good ! The biggest disappointment was the mixed grill. 1 tiny piece of lamb and 2 pieces each of chick, beef and kofta. Flavorless meat , flavorless rice and the meat was sooooooo dry. Kept chewing and chewing because scared to swallow and choke. I want to cry just thinking about how much better food we can get from a local place and we drove all the way from long island to try this place. I'm not even joking, I gave the meat to my dog for breakfast as to not waste food and even he didn't want it. That is the attached picture . Sooooo disappointed. Bathroom is dirty and not let clean. Not enough staff to ask for help or utensils or even the check. Lacking customer service skills.

    Assorted yummy and fresh dips

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Awesome service, phenomenal food. Very kind staff. Such a warm experience in the restaurant!

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    8 months ago

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    Record Room

    Record Room

    4.2
    (140 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Every time I venture here, I leave w/ my limbs hurting and happy…read more Super dope spot that's a little snug but you will find enough room to shake ya groove thing. ALWAYS make a reservation. As I said it's a snug spot. Definitely make reservs if you want a table. After a certain age I realized I may need a seat. LOL. If you like old school hip-hop, R&B, salsa, soul, funk...This is your spot. You may see me there.

    The Record Room is EVERYTHING you see on social media and more. My experience exceeded my…read moreexpectations. The ambiance nice, cozy, and intimate The drinks are worth every penny The music was not too loud and I went on a night (Thursday) that I knew alllll the music and could sing along And service was on point. Two things you should know before going. The first they are a stickler on punctuality. You need to be on time for your reservation if not you will lose it. In addition they will send you about 5 reminders leading up to your visit. The last one being 30 minutes before your arrival. In addtion you only have 90 minutes at a table . And when the 90 minutes over.... its over, however you are welcome to stand. The second thing, this is not a let's get lit hookah kind of spot. Very GROWN and mature. You sing along with the people next to you ...you vibe. This is great for a person who wants a nice lounge vibe, great drinks, great music, and mellow crowd. It goes without saying....I WILL BE BACK!!!!!

    Photos
    The Recipe:
Cognac, Golden Raisin, Bright Citrus Oils, Comforting Spice
    The Recipe: Cognac, Golden Raisin, Bright Citrus Oils, Comforting Spice
    Moscow Mule: 
Vodka, Comforting Spice, Citrus, Wildflower Honey
    Moscow Mule: Vodka, Comforting Spice, Citrus, Wildflower Honey
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    56709

    56709

    4.5
    (40 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I always love myself a good Japanese-themed speakeasy bar, and the drinks here are also really…read moregood. I came with a friend and got seated quickly. Staff was also friendly and happy to recommend drinks to first-timers (me). I would definitely take more friends here if we wanted to chill to city pop and sip on drinks.

    As a fan of 929, I stopped by 56709 to check out their former location/sister bar that features…read morecocktails inspired by Japanese songs/anime. I enjoyed the speakeasy vibes with the dim lighting and neon pink/blue/purple highlights along with Japanese pop songs in the background. For drinks: --Momoko: My first sip was a little too sweet but after mixing and letting the ice melt a little, I enjoyed the fruity flavors of the peach/sherry. b --Usagi: Sailor Moon inspired drink with a cute moon-like orange peel for decoration! I liked the floral vibes of the drink, almost like butterfly pea, but didn't love the spray they added in the end. The gin wasn't too strong. --Yurie: 56709's interpretation of a margarita and I enjoyed the sansho salt instead of tajin. The spicy, slightly bitter yuzu pepper liqueur helped balance out the alcohol! --Ryuichi: Enjoyed the prominent sencha tea flavors that paired well with the herbacious campari --Ranma: A little too strong for me but an interesting mix of whiskey, black tea, chocolate, and red wine. The glass was super cute! Their snacks are from Gulp (which is the front of the store). The popcorn chicken was very well seasoned, tender, and crispy. The radish cakes were freshly fried and came with a good amount of XO sauce. Staff members were pretty attentive. Managed to get two bar seats for a walk-in on a Friday night! I had a good time at 56709 but I still like 929 more for their drinks and music.

    Photos
    Vintage sound system and city pop record collection
    Vintage sound system and city pop record collection
    Usagi (sailor moon inspired)
    Usagi (sailor moon inspired)
    56709

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    Little Rascal

    Little Rascal

    4.4
    (45 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    We hosted a party at Little Rascals in Greenpoint and it could not have been more perfect. From the…read morevery first planning conversation, the team was organized, attentive, and genuinely excited to help make the event special. The space itself is stunning -- open, light-filled, and airy, with a beautiful outdoor patio in the back that was absolutely ideal for our celebration. Our guests moved effortlessly between inside and out, and the atmosphere felt festive without being chaotic. The bartenders were fantastic. They were friendly and creative, making fabulous drinks, and on top of every drink order. The waitstaff matched that energy perfectly, anticipating our needs before we even had to ask. The food buffet was delicious, keeping everyone happy and satisfied throughout our time there. What really set this experience apart was that the owner was present the entire time, personally making sure everything ran smoothly. That level of care and attention made all the difference. You could feel it in every detail. If you're looking for a place to just have a drink, or eat a meal, Little Rascals in Greenpoint is the place to frequent. And, hosting an event there, they treat it like it's the most important party of the year -- because they actually do -- look no further. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.

    We randomly came here on a Sunday afternoon and I am glad we tried it. Cocktails were delicious…read moreand the service was excellent. I started with the Spanish Bombs which was just what I needed to pick me up. It had coffee rum and espresso in it. I definitely will come back to try more.

    Photos
    Mezcal
    Mezcal
    Interior front
    Interior front
    Bar

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    Bar
    Jungly

    Jungly

    3.9
    (96 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Whenever we plan work events, I usually take lead. For this particular outing, our entire team was…read morelooking to hold a celebration for achieving a major milestone. The biggest question then became, where to go? We needed a place that was relatively easy to get to that would hold close to 100 people. Jungly was a contender for several reasons - it's location, size, vibe, and menu all seemed to check off. It also helped that I had done business with the owner previously at one of his other spots. It seemed like the natural choice, so I went ahead with the booking. Jungly is located in LIC - it's a pretty convenient spot as its close to the LIRR and the subway. Parking can be a challenge, but luckily I found a spot only a block away. The space itself is nicely set up - walking in you're immediately greeted by the bar area with dining areas both to the left and the right. Due to our size, they closed the place to the public and we were able to freely roam the bar area and one of the dining rooms. In addition to standard tables, they have some lounge space and high tops by the bar. The vibe is somewhat modern - a black/grey color scheme paired with neon and golds. It looks like the space could easily be converted to a club-like atmosphere. Since we were here for a private event, the food was set up buffet style - we chose three apps, four mains, and two sides. Ultimately, for apps we chose pita bread with dips, steak tacos, and shrimp tacos. For mains we chose fried chicken sliders, smashed beef sliders, cacio e pepe, and roasted chicken. For sides, we got fries and Brussels sprouts. In general, all of the food was tasty; the strongest dishes were the tacos, fries, and the chicken tacos. The tacos were generously filled, the fries were the crispy skin style, and the chicken sliders were nice and crispy. The weakest for me was the cacio e pepe - not much flavor and just not really a standout IMO. My communication with management to set up the event were a little staccato, though in the end everything worked out. For the most part, my communication with them was consistent in the days leading up to the event. Service the night of the event was overall good - they were very accessible but I found that they could have replenished the food a little faster in response to the rate it was being taken from the buffet. The bar, on the other hand, was great - both in service and variety of liquor available. Overall, we had a great event at Jungly. They were professional, fair, and delivered on the goods. I would definitely consider hosting another event there, or dine here on my own.

    Went there yesterday for brunch and it was pretty empty. Joined my friends at the table and it took…read moreus awhile before the waiter came to check on us. It was crazy that they only had 1 waiter to handle everything, they should've at least had 2. We placed our orders and he was pleasant and apologized for being slow. The music was good, it wasn't loud, we were able to have conversations and not yell; it's a pretty place. Was a bit disappointed at their "buffet" it's your basic continental breakfast, it wasn't worth it. The steak and eggs was delicious.

    Photos
    Jungly
    Jungly
    Jungly

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    Ayat - mideastern - Updated August 2026

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