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(Unfortunately, this place is NOW CLOSED by the City) I've been to Ayat several times since they opened in Bay Ridge. But this is the first two times that I've gone to their "NEW" sit down location' across from the original. The decor is really pretty and it pays homage to Palestine. The staff is great. I've gotten the Hibiscus Margarita (non-alcoholic - so good, you honestly don't miss alcohol); Got Muradad: rice/lentil/caramelized onions n some kinda yogurt; Chicken Shawarma salad; the measl comes with pita bread, olives in oil and another seasoned oil dish
Known for its delicious Palestinian food and very friendly service, I walked into Ayat with high expectations and they delivered. I went at around 7pm on a Tuesday and the restaurant was dimly lit, busy, but with tables to spare. We ordered babaganoush and kibbeh as appetizers and my date got a mint lemonade. The mint lemonade was a little sweet but had great mint and fresh lemon flavor. The babaganoush was served with warm pita and had the perfect balance of eggplant, tahini, olive oil, and spices. The kibbeh were crisp, warm, and flavorful. For entrees, my date got the mixed grill, and I got the beef shawarma sandwich. I thought my sandwich was supposed to come with fries (based upon the menu), but unfortunately it didn't come out with any. The mixed grill had wonderful chunks of tender beef, chicken, and lamb. Both entrees could have benefited from garlic/toum sauce. We did end up getting some toum sauce to-go which really elevated the leftovers. Overall great pick for authentic Palestinian food. Just remember to ask for your fries and garlic sauce!
A great spot that is no longer great. They may have changed management recently because everything went downhill at this location. We ordered a few apps and the app my friend really wanted is now half the portion for more money. Like it's a cup of steamed cauliflower for $15 meanwhile my whole entree that's 2 meals easily was $21. Doesn't make sense. She also said it doesn't taste as good as it use to. My meal was good but the service was horrific. I asked the waitress for a spicy sauce and she said she'll go see if they have, 2 min later I see her sitting on her phone. Completely forgot. Then for desert we order kunefe and they told us it'll take about 15 min so we said ok np. She comes back 15 min later and says it's on the way the kitchens just a bit backed up. 15 min after that the other waitress brings us the check. Mind you we didn't get our dessert yet. Then about 10 min after that she comes to take our payment and we told her the dessert hasn't even come. We finally got the kunefe after 40 min of placing the order. It was terrible, really dry and no flavor. Then it took them about 20 min to come get the check. Even though one of the waitresses was doing absolutely nothing most of the time we were there. Wont be coming back here.
Review: Ayat East Village - A Flavor-Packed Feast with Heart and Heat Every now and then, a restaurant surprises you--not with fanfare, but with flavor so generous and vibrant it makes you pause mid-bite and rethink everything you thought you knew about lunch. Ayat East Village, a Palestinian restaurant tucked into one of downtown's busiest corners, is one of those rare gems. We came hungry and curious, and quickly found ourselves worshiping at the altar of the mixed grill platter--a dish so loaded with marinated, fire-kissed meats it could easily be mistaken for a celebration in and of itself. Lamb, chicken, kefta--all seasoned differently, all cooked to perfection. It wasn't just variety for the sake of it; each bite brought something new, from smoky to spiced to downright crave-worthy. Three of us ate like royalty and still had leftovers. Not an exaggeration, just facts. We did order one additional dish (because restraint is for weekdays), but honestly? The mixed grill alone could've carried the entire meal. It's the kind of offering that feels like a love letter to abundance--both in portion and in spirit--and the price point made it feel almost like we were getting away with something. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with a warm, welcoming design that blends modern flair with cultural roots. You can tell Ayat is proud of its heritage--and wants you to feel at home in it, too. The location in the East Village makes it perfect for a casual weekend lunch or a more intentional dinner stop, and the energy inside walks the line between cozy and effortlessly cool. In short: Ayat East Village is more than just a place to eat--it's an experience that feeds you in every sense. Flavorful, filling, and thoughtfully designed, it's the kind of spot that reminds you lunch doesn't have to be complicated to be unforgettable.
Came here for dinner with my girlfriend on a Thursday night. Ordered the fried eggplant, chicken over rice and lamb mansaf. The fried eggplant was interesting, the skin becomes kind of hard to chew, but flavors were good. The lamb mansaf came on a big platter and a side of yogurt sauce. Personally, I did not like this dish because it was really gamey and I found that the pairing with the yogurt sauce was ehh. My favorite thing was the chicken over rice. The chicken was tender, well seasoned and flavors were just spot on. Overall a decent meal, good service with nice interior decor. Would come back to try other dishes.
YUM - everything we got here was delish! We made reservations for a group of 6 for a Mother's Day lunch on a nice day, so they opened their space, which made it bright and comfortable. We started with their Fried Calamari, which was good, but a bit crispier than I'd like. The Mezze Filistini app was DELISH and plentiful. We had to get a few refills of pita, which were free! It was also perfect to pair the spreads with the rest of our meal, which made it worth it. For entrees, we split several dishes - Chicken Kebab and Kefta Mashawy dishes, which came with a perfect white sauce. Then, we also shared the Fattat Jaj and Lamb Ouzi Royale Traditional dishes. The Fattat Jaj was my FAVE!! It's topped with crispy pita and sliced almonds, which gave the dish a nice crunch. Staff were very attentive and kind. They helped pack our leftovers and gave us their lovely reusable takeaway bag to carry it all home. Would definitely come back with a large group again!
First review of 2025. Not only is Ayat's ambiance beautifully decored, the food is amazing. The single portions were huge and could've easily fed 2 people. Or maybe it was just us. We're glad we ordered small plates but we still had to take the rest to go which I didnt mind leftovers at all. Their chicken shawarma and roasted cauliflower appetizer were my favorite. Would like to also point out that their fresh made pitas and kefta were just as tasty. Lastly, you know this place good cos they have a separate location directly across the street just for take out only!
Great food and great service. Everything was delicious and fresh. The server was very attentive and the restaurant is very cozy. Not very big but it also didn't get very crowded on a Monday evening which was nice and intimate for my anniversary dinner. Would recommend!
I have been trying to visit Ayat for a very long time, and finally took the leap. I had saved their location in Bay Ridge when I discovered them, but they have quite a few locations now so if this is far from you, don't be intimidated! They didn't have any reservations available online when I went, but we didn't have an issue being seated. FYI - they have a take out location across the street, so if you pull up and see there is no seating just know you're on the wrong side! This spot has a beautiful interior, I think it's great for a date night (and some ig pics..). They do not have any alcoholic beverages, but offer a ton of interesting mocktails. I got the mint lemonade and wish I had two. DELISH. They also give you some free bread with olives/olive oil/za'atar seasoning which is always a good sign. Their food menu is expansive, it can be hard to decide on a few items. You can't go wrong with the Mansaf or their Shawarma platter. This was my first time trying Palestinian food, and I'll definitely be trying more going forward. The Mansaf was even better than I expected because of the side soup. We ended up dousing the rice and lamb with it. What I enjoyed most about the mixed shawarma platter was the meat:rice ratio. The way the beef is seasoned, it almost tastes like lamb. The side salad adds a nice dimension as well, I wish the Mansaf had something similar for a few vegetables. Fries were perfectly crispy as well. I was really anticipating the dessert menu and was not disappointed. I have eyed Kunefe on many menus and hadn't ordered it in a restaurant until this day. I have no regrets, it is in my top 5 desserts (in competition with tres leche, tiramisu, a good cookie, amongst others). I'm still thinking about the sweetness balanced with crunch and cheesy flavors.... Overall, I had a great experience at Ayat. This location is close to the Dyker Heights christmas lights, so you can walk off your meal. My only complaint was it took forever to get the bill and the food got cold a bit quicker than I anticipated.
My friends weren't lying when they mentioned that the portions were huge. You'll definitely get a bang for your buck. For my mom's birthday, I reserved a table for 5. When we first got there, we were confused because the address was to the takeout-only space and not the actual restaurant which is across the street. Even so, we were kindly redirected and seated immediately. The restaurant wasn't super busy and the vibe was casual but hip. Service was inconsistent with our main waitress (doubling as a hostess) lounging around the empty bar on her phone. The busboy, on the other hand, took care of us and made sure we had everything we needed such as water and bread refills. The food was the best part and came out in monstrous platters. The mixed grill platter and the mezze filistini are a great way to taste all the proteins and spreads that ayat has to offer. I particularly enjoyed the labneh and salata spreads and the pita was delicious and freshly baked on the spot for consumption. The crown jewel of the feast was the mansaf served with juicy morsels of lamb atop a heap of seasoned rice. The lamb was so tender that it fell off the bone and the rice with the almonds and fermented yogurt were just *chef's kiss* . Our family of 5 were happily full and glad to take home the leftovers. We'll be back to get another mansaf and maybe next time we'll leave space to try their baklava.
We've all been to a Halal cart or two but, Ayat takes it to the next level offering a fresh take on classic Arab and Mediterranean dishes. Their menu features unique twists like Shawarma pizza and Tahini ice cream, which are both delightful and innovative. Like I said, I've been to my fair share of Araby spots so was pleasantly surprised to find some traditional favorites that are often hard to come by, like Bamia, Fasoulia, and even Mansaf. It's a win for anyone who appreciates authentic Arabic cuisine and wants a Halal/Zabiha friendly option. The location is also perfect--centrally situated in NYC, making it convenient to stop by while exploring the city. Unfortunately, my food did arrive a bit cold since I ordered it to my hotel in Manhattan during a work trip. But, the food was impressive enough that I'd be interested in visiting in person next visit!
Went back with friends and it was just as good as the first time! Fresh delicious food and great service! BYOB was awesome as well
4 years ago
Bay Ridge is a little out of the way for me, but I always make an effort to trek out to this incredible neighborhood for the sheer diversity in cuisines available. I actually tried to go to Ayat twice, but the first time I arrived too early and they were not totally ready to serve everything from their menu yet. But, I made sure to come a little later on my second visit, and was finally able to try their much lauded Palestinian fare. The space is fairly casual. You order at the counter and pick a table and your food is brought to you by the staff. I came in on a Saturday afternoon and several tables had already been occupied. As per the staff's recommendation, we went with the mansaf ($38) which is this giant plate of rice atop fresh saj flatbread with a delicious yogurt sauce and the most tender bone-in lamb chunks. The meat literally fell off the bone with a nudge from my fork; it was heavenly. We also ordered the fattat jaj ($32) which kind of reminded me of a deconstructed, veggie-less shwarma in that it had a heap of roasted chicken layered with rice, chickpeas, mint yogurt, crispy pita chips, and a garlicky sauce that tasted like toum but was creamier and runnier. Personally, I think I liked the fattat jaj more because there were more textures to play with but the mansaf was really well done and so flavorful as well. Both dishes were absolutely massive so I was sadly unable to order any of their dips but we did manage to save enough room for one dessert so we ordered their knafa ($9) which had imported akawi cheese crusted with thread-like semolina dough and baked until orange and crispy and drenched in rosewater syrup. I thought it was an interesting flavor combination as you get the salty, briny flavor of the akawi cheese as well as the sticky sweet rosewater syrup with every bite. The knafeh at Ayat was really interesting because it was the first time I had ever seen knafeh in such a bright orange hue before. Generally, I have only ever seen it in a golden brown color before. A note that a lot of their dishes includes nuts as garnish so I would definitely make sure to let the staff know if you have an allergy. They were very accommodating and made sure to put the almonds and pistachios on the side for us, which was greatly appreciated. A second note that water is not served here so I suggest grabbing a bottle or two of their water or a bubbly apple and hops flavored Laziza ($2.50). We also walked out with a pack of their baklava ($6) which was locally made. All in all, a literal feast with the most generous portions around. We brought home quite a bit of leftovers so I would definitely recommend coming in hungry or with a group of people to break bread with. read more
I'd love to front and pretend like I know everything there is to know about Palestinian food. But sadly I'd say this was probably our first experience. But what an experience! Yeah, it's way down in the far reaches of Brooklyn, so not likely you'll be in the area unless you live there. But forget that- this is a destination restaurant if ever there was one. Before Ayat, I didn't even know there was such a thing as Beef Manaqish. Now I freakin' crave it! On a conference call the other day they were discussing facts and figures... I'm thinking about Manaqish. What have you people done to me?! Grilled meats and stews with intoxicating flavors and aromas... Fermented yogurt sauces and dips... Why does Brooklyn keep hiding this excellent food from me?! Manaqish! We finished off our meal, watching people walk by, enjoying our qahwa arabia, wondering why you, the reader, would read this far instead of heading out the door to go try this place immediately. Seriously... Go! Stop reading. Manaqish! read more
5 years ago
Prepare to wait! The restaurant wasn't very busy and we got a table immediately, but then was left alone without any direction or menus at the table. This was my first time here and no one told us to order at the register until much later and once we did, we waited much longer than expected for our food. Considering we ordered the mezze filistini ( a mixed platter of COLD dips), we did not anticipate waiting 40minutes for our starter, which also came with COLD pitas. We also ordered the mixed grill, where each meat was flavorful in its own way and came with a scoop of hummus and babaganous, as well as the fattat jaj, which seems to be an acquired taste as some in our group liked it and some didn't. There is a mix of textures and each bite is a little different. Some good some bad. The food was good, but not amazing enough to counter the bad service and wait time. The waitstaff seemed so disinterested in being there and the whole experience felt disorganized. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
The cauliflower appetizer was alright. Not sure why I was expecting something warmer and more crispy. The Fattata Jaj was really good. The portion is meant to serve 2. The chicken shawrma and lamb was good too but not as amazing as the Fattata Jaj. I was excited for the hummus but it was disappointing to me. It tasted bland and smokey so I didn't bother. I Just an fyi, the food does not reheat well the next day. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
I feel so fortunate to have experienced the delicious cuisine of Palestine. Right in Brooklyn! Portions are generous and shareable. We had the za'atar and chicken platter - along with traditional coffee. Za'atar - tasty, flavorful appetizer. Came with 4 pieces. Fattat Jaj (chicken platter): wow is a word that comes to mind. The flavors, textures, and fragrance of this dish is a form of self-care. Says it's a portion for 2, but we had leftovers to take home :) not complaining Coffee: I've never had coffee this style, but I really enjoyed the serving style and cardamom notes. Interiors: beautiful space inside, lots of open air. While there, they were accommodating a family of 8 - so probably okay for a group if you call ahead. Outdoor seating also available. read more
1 year ago
Food is amazing! Tastes as good as it looks, and came out very quickly. Service is wonderful, and answered any and all questions I had. Restaurant is well decorated, and very pretty to look at while waiting for food. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
We love this place so much, we take the hour drive every chance we get. The staff are always amazing and the food is really something special! Authentic and traditional Palestinian food seriously made of love! Seating is a moderate size and due to this place being so delicious, it can get packed quickly. Their mixed chicken and beef shawarma was soooooooo good. Flavorful and tender! A must try! read more
Recently, I met a friend here for lunch. We shared a salad and mixed shawarma platter. The food was delicious. I highly recommend the shawarma; the meats were well seasoned. The service was impeccable. Our waitress kept asking if we were okay. At the end, the owner gave us extra pita bread for the leftover we had. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
First time trying Palestinian food and I've been wanting to try this place for a while after seeing an acquaintance post a picture of their food. Went on a Saturday afternoon to grab lunch for take out. The place was packed! Not a single empty table inside. They also offer outdoor sitting. I ordered the fattat jaj (serves 2) and an order of falafels. The total came to $30 and they added 15% to all their prices (not reflected on the menu) due to the price increase on the meats. The portion for the fattat jaj was HUGE! It could easily feed 3 people. We were two hungry people and still had leftovers. I really liked the dish, the different textures from the pita chips and toasted almonds. The rice and the chicken were very good. I just wished it had more sauce, but overall, it was a delicious dish. Now the falafel... one of the best falafels I've ever had! Really really good. Still crispy by the time I got home. Very I am definitely coming back to try their platters. read more
2 years ago
Very impressed with how good everything was. There is an inside spot and outdoor dining. You go to the cashier to put your order and you get a number to put on your table. We ordered the a salad , meat pie, eggplant, mixed grill, and lamb cauliflower stew. Our 5 year old ate the salad and meat pie . For three adults, this was a lot of food and probably could have done without the salad , meat pie and eggplant. The eggplant was very good with the sauce but without the sauce, it may not be for everyone based on texture. The mixed grill also came with salad, hummus and baba . The lamb was incredibly good. The chicken was a bit dry. The lamb cauliflower dish was the best and I would just go back and order that. They don't really offer water, so bring your own water bottle or buy water or soda on site. read more
2 years ago
Ayat is my favorite dinner place around the area. Always consistently delicious food every time you visit. Have the limonana & grill mix & of course hummus. Shauntel was amazing!!! read more
2 years ago
This place was delicious! The portions were huge honestly should've just split the plate with my friend. Also got the cauliflower appetizer which was pretty good. They had this really refreshing lemonade mint like drink. I would definitely come back here. The servers were super nice and it was just a good time. read more
2 years ago
So so good!! We ordered the beef shawarma platter and chicken shawarma platters. Both were very good but i preferred the chicken. Not a huge fan of baba ghanoush in general but the salad and hummus were good (all included in platter). We also went when it wasn't very busy. The service was quick and it was a clean dining area. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
The presentation of the food is nice. We ordered maguluba, an upside down rice dish, fatah with meat mixed grill and kibbeh, which are meatball appetizers. Our food took some time to come to the table which is fine but none of the food had any salt or flavor in it, which was really shocking. We started off with the kibbeh which was bland and had a strange taste. They weren't fried properly and didn't taste fresh. They didn't have pine nuts in them either. We told them about the kibbeh and they sent out two new pieces, fried better but still a fail. They should have brought a sauce on the side. Next the fatah came out. The bread on top was crunchy and there was very little tahini sprinkled on top. The rice was lukewarm and had no taste and the meat on top was dry, not fresh There was no flavor in the whole dish. Then the mixed grill came out. The meat was cooked well but had no salt or spice and the little tahini they provided on the side was watery and saltless as well. The magloba was okay. It is supposed to be bursting with flavors of cardamon, clove, cardamom and much more. It was better than all the dishes but not by much. Again there was no salt, the rice was bland, very bland. The potatoes in it were good but the cauliflower was precooked making it too soft, the chicken in it still had the skin on it, like it wasn't cleaned properly. The yoghurt sauce also had no salt. The most shocking thing was that there was no Olive oil on top of any of our dishes, a Palestinian staple, not even on top of the fatah bread or on the hummus or baba ghanoush. They could have put olives on the table with olive oil and a sprinkle of zaatar, anything to give the place an authentic feel. We left disappointed. The plates are paper/plastic. It was a fast food experience with a restaurant price. I heard great things about this place so I assume I came on a bad day, Saturday. The water bottles look nice. Mera's Tip: mixed grill but ask for a side of salt read more
4 years ago
Alhamdulillah we enjoyed this place a lot. The atmosphere is so vibrant and welcoming and the food is absolutely amazing. We had 3 dishes for 4 people and that was more than enough- we had so many leftovers. The tea (not pictured) was so delicious and could be a great start or end to your meal. The lemonade was also unique and delicious. The mansaf was the best part of the meal and the meat was so tender and well marinated. We don't get to go to bay ridge often but this will definitely be a place to remember and will crave in the future! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
Second visit confirmed the service issues that made me take out 1 star. Food is still great, service is not. I understand the family business model but when a restaurant is long enough in the market and hits a high level of flow it must change its model and dedicate at least 1 person for table service. There is NO table service, you order at the cashier then wait for your food, if you want you have to take your beverage from the fridge. Sometimes you may find 1 or 2 people sitting on a 4 seat table, and even worse you sit on a table that wasn't cleaned after the previous customer. You have to ask to send someone to clean. I am not optimistic they will change the way they run their business, yet I may go again just to enjoy a plate not the whole experience. read more
3 years ago
Beautiful beautiful place, the artwork throughout the restaurant is stunning. The outdoor seating on the rooftop was so calming and peaceful, I did not feel like leaving. Service was good too, just be aware they may need reservations in advance. I had the chicken shawarma platter with the rice, hummus, and the baba ghanoush. The star had to be the baba ganoush and the limonana. The drink was so refreshing and delicious. Also had the zahir (fried cauliflower) and cheese manaqish, which was thinner than I thought- would probably go for the beef one next time. Another plus was that it was in the Industry City, so after eating you can look around and explore other stores. read more
4 years ago
Came here for lunch on a Friday, around 4pm, the place was still quiet. When you first enter you need to walk all the way in to where the cash register is to order. They have cute wooden menus there also you can bring it to a table to look. Order at the counter, you get a number, choose whichever table you want and they will bring the food to you. I think the food is so worth it for the price. Good portion size and delicious. I ordered the chicken shawarma platter (Served w/ rice, hummus, baba ghanoush & Salata) and a side of falafel. The staff were very nice so no complaints about the service. There is a bathroom all the way in the back. read more
3 years ago
We've consistently had issues with Ayat, especially related to deliveries. We were big supporters when they first opened, but every time there was an issue - items being forgotten, wrong items in the order, etc. It reached a point that we stopped ordering from them because every time something was off, without fail. Recently we decided to try again hoping things would be fixed by now with how long they have been open. We ordered a family-style dish that cost $32 and is specifically advertised as "Served w/ rice, hummus, baba ghanoush & Salata". When the order came, there was no hummus, baba ghanoush, or salata and when I called the restaurant I was told "I'm not sure why it says that on the menu because it doesn't come with that, and you aren't the first person who has called about this". The fact that they know their menu advertises this and have had multiple people call about it, but still have not fix the menu, is unacceptable, especially for how much they charge. $32 for a lot of rice with little chicken and some pita chips on top...hard pass. I understand running a restaurant is difficult, especially these days, but after this many negative experiences we've come to terms with the fact that Ayat just ain't it. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Extremely disappointed with the service, so I had to take the food to go, unfortunately the place was so cram and the waitresses had no worry about confirming what the people waiting were waiting for, and the food was rushed and not prepared well, a lot of things went wrong here, I honestly wasn't looking forward to a bad experience after fasting all day, and spending 280$ id expect some decent service, however I won't be dining here no more and ayat in brooklyn will not be having my business anymore. I'm extremely disappointed as this was the closest "authentic" Palestinian food. but instead I will have to find another Palestinian food location. read more
2 years ago
Decided to order lunch with my colleagues and happened to come across this place. Amazing reviews with good rating, so I did not think twice and decided to order a plate for everyone to share. The chicken shawarma plate (serves 5-6 people) were indeed more than enough to feed 5 people and we all enjoyed the food. Definitely recommend checking this place out for fresh foods:) read more
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Ask the Community - Ayat NYC
Is this a full service spot with like waited tables? Or is it a type of place you order at the register and then bring your food to the table?
It is half service, you order and pay at register upfront, then you go seat yourself at any available table. They will bring the food to your table.
Are reservations required or an option? Or is this a walk-in venue?
Walk in casual restaurant
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