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    Lebanese spreads (left), falafels (center), pita bread (right)
    Stephen L.

    Very good spot for authentic Lebanese foods with a highly aesthetic dining area. Here's my breakdown of the foods I ordered: Samke mechwiye (branzino) ($26) - Decent but the fish and veggies were a bit plain/bland; a tad overpriced but the other dishes were fairly priced Mouajjanat mix (1 rekakat, 1 fatayer sabenegh, and 2 sambousik jebne) ($12) - The rekakat came in a spring roll kind of shape, except it was filled with a tasty blend of three cheeses; the fatayer had a nice spinach/lemon combo inside; and the sambousik (cheesy empanadas) were tasty as well Falafels ($8) - These classic chickpea falafels were good, but a bit too hard/crunchy on the outside Lebanese spreads ($12) - Great combo of spreads, hummus and baba ghannouj were as expected, while the muhammara exceeded expectations, as it was a little nutty, peppery, and sweet all in one (and not spicy) The interior of the restaurant has a great romantic ambiance with dimmed lighting and clean, elegant decor. It is narrow with tables on both sides of the central walkway and a larger dining table in the back room. Each table is separated by glass. The white benches along with the dark wooden tables, glass dividers, and lighting make for a unique and beautiful dining area. In terms of service, the staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful, and the service speed was pretty quick. Overall, I would highly recommend Naya if you are interested in Lebanese cuisine, especially if you are looking for a date night kind of vibe.

    Anna K.

    This was such a great last minute find in the UES. One thing to note - when we tried to make reservations on Open Table - they said all the tables were taken but I'm glad we called because they were able to seat us. When we arrived, we saw that there were many open tables - so definitely call! We had the spread, cauliflower, falafel, halloumi, and lamb tartare - so delicious! I didn't like the milk pudding - lavender just seems wrong for dessert - taste like soap. But this was a great place to dine - very affordable and attentive waiters. Order the mint tea too!

    Samké Harra - broiled branzino
    Kwame S.

    Actually, this review would be a 4.5 instead of a 4. Overall, I had a wonderful experience Naya Mezze & Grill. First, I LOVED the modern/futuristic setup and design of the restaurant, which gave the restaurant a very classy and upscale vibe. For my meal, I had the Samké Harra, which is a broiled branzino with spicy tahini sauce, walnuts and pine nuts. I thought the fish was perfectly prepared, and I have no complaints about it. Actually, I was this || close to ordering another Samké Harra to go. The Tabboulé was the only thing that I did not fully enjoy meal because I found it way too sour. Perhaps, that is the way the restaurant prepares this particular side. The Tabboulé aside, I definitely would not mind visiting Naya again in the near future.

    Chicken Shawarma Tray
    Nadia A.

    Decided to order from here with my coworkers for lunch and this is the first time I had some authentic Mediterranean food and when I tell you how much I enjoyed the food. I decided to created my own chicken shawarma bowl to pick my own toppings and it was all the flavors I needed after waiting to eat for lunch. The presentation was great and so spillage in the order as well. I would definitely order again and even eat here one day!

    Pita bread
    Rajiv K.

    Enjoyable food. Well made and seasoned. My favorite was the red pepper and walnut dip which paired very well with the thick pita bread that accompanied. The tabouli was also very nice.

    the entrance to the restaurant
    Sharm S.

    Surely you have been to the Naya casual spots around the city for a quick and delicious lunch? This is Naya's original & first restaurant still open in the city! We had the pleasure of eating here and experiencing some of the most deliciously fresh hummus, falafel, and so much more! We were so full on appetizers but couldn't pass up the main course! Staff was unbelievably kind, professional and helpful. The restaurant is very clean and everyone is wearing a mask. There is also hand sanitizer upon walking in. Open now so please support your local businesses!

    Falafel
    Ed D.

    Great food. Hummus was very creamy. Service was excellent. Atmosphere comfy and quiet. Date-worthy.

    Caitlin C.

    This place was very solid. It's not some fancy nyc restaurant but the ambiance is still nice and the food was good for the price point. They give you a little appetizer of pita chips, olives, and some spiced oil which I enjoyed. They also brought plenty of pita which kept us full. Falafel were fresh and crisp, lamb was seasoned and cooked well, filet cubes were good. I really enjoyed the rice and the grilled veggies. Overall good food for the price point, would recommend

    Baba Ghannouj
    Deborah W.

    I've been to Naya a couple of times before and have enjoyed my experience every time. When you first walk in you are greeted by the gorgeous interior. I love the whole clear booth concept where the different booths of each row are divided by glass panels. It really gives an intimate feel for each table and allows you to pay attention to your tablmate(s) while also enjoying the space as a whole. During my most recent visit, my friend and I entered at 8:30PM on a Monday night. He had made a reservation but I'm not sure if it was completely necessary since it was busy but not super crowded. As soon as we were seated, we were handed menus and had our drink orders taken which we decided to get a couple of dishes to share. Apart from the efficiency, service was just ok. Our server would treat us friendly at one moment then cold the other. As for the food, we ordered the: -BABA GHANNOUJ: Yummy dip that came with some warm bread. The flavor was great, it really highlighted the eggplant taste and texture and was just a great way to start off our meal. We did not finish the whole dish and our server was kind enjoy to package the dish for us with some fresh, warm pita. -BEMIEH BEL LAHME: This was a daily special for the day so we just wanted to try it out since it was slightly chilly that night so made for a good stew-eating day. The flavor was very bold and delicious. The tomatoes really complimented the okras well; however, I would only recommend this dish for people who actually like the taste of okra because it was a very prominent note and would not be enjoyed if you do not like the taste and the texture of the veggie. All in all, definitely one of my more enjoyed restaurants in the city and I am always excited when I get to go try it out!

    Vanessa E.

    Ok firstly, this review is more of a 4.5; reason being is that they do not sell cocktails - only wine and beer. If they had a liquor license & cocktail options, easily a 5 star establishment. So this spot is SMALL. There's no way you can dine with a party of over 4, and even then it's a little tight in the 'booths'. Space aside, it's a nicely put together space with fairly dim lighting, accompanied by Arabian (I believe) music in the background. Upon first sight of the menu, my party was disappointed in not being able to grab a cocktail. A couple of us did have wine, and the other, beer. That disappointment quickly faded when our apps came and wow! Everything was very tasty - we all gave high remarks and 'mmm's' as we began trying all of the options - Baba Ganoush, Spicy Hummus, Spinach Pies, Holumi, and the Duo of Eggplant. For entrees, two members of the party opted for the spicy shrimp dish, (which was above standard level spice, so do not get if you can't handle a more intense spice) and from my taste of it - it definitely packed a punch. I myself got the spicy bronzino dish and let me say this; It was cooked to perfection! The fish was fresh and delicious, and the purée it sat atop was excellent. I would literally take that purée to go and use it with other food at home. Fabulous! I'm not much of a rice gal, but I even loved the accompanying rice. The other member of the party got the kebab platter. I as a pescatarian didn't get to try it, but he cleaned the plate which speaks for itself. I am seldom in midtown, but if ever I'm looking for a low key hidden gem for Mediterranean food, this will be the spot!

    3 mezze as part of the lunch special. Excellent!

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    Urbain N.

    Thank you for your kind feedback and we hope to see you soon at NAYA1

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    Urbain N.

    Thank you for your review! Hope to see you soon at NAYA!

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    Ask the Community - NAYA

    Hello Your website says that you are closed for renovations. Is that true? If so when will you…

    Hi Patricia, Thank you for reaching out to us. No, we are not close closed for renovations.… 

    Is the food halal?

    Hi Abraham Yes at Naya Mezze & Grill Thanks

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    You might also consider

    ABA Turkish Restaurant - Lamb

    ABA Turkish Restaurant

    4.1(671 reviews)
    1.1 mi•Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
    •$$$

    Great mid-town spot for Turkish food. The staff is great and the food is generally above average…read more It's got that great NYC shabby/chic vibe. Well worth checking out.

    Been to this place a couple of times and had great experiences. One nice perk is that you can earn…read morepoints through Opentable and redeem them for credit toward restaurant experiences, credit toward OpenTable reservations, or Amazon gift cards. You don't need to download an app, just sign up for an Opentable account at www.opentable.com. The place was exactly what we were looking for... Inexpensive, Turkish, and comfortable atmosphere! The place wasn't busy during lunch time but busy during dinner time. Amazing service and delicious food! The food was fresh and came out fast. Lunch specials are $21.95 for 2 courses while dinner specials are $36.95 for 4 courses. I had the Eggplant with Tomato Sauce and Beets as the first course and Lamb Adana Kebab as Entrée. Lamb Adana Kebab comes with salad, which I can't have since it's cold and raw, but they were able to accommodate me and replaced salad with more rice. I had Kabak Tatlısı, which has a nice sweet taste and is healthy. All were delicious, also gluten free, dairy free and soy free. Plus, the Turkish Tea as the fourth course was a great pair with my meals. Their menu offers a variety of choices, including options that are gluten free, dairy free, and soy free. I would definitely come back and suggest you give this place a try if you are in Hell's Kitchen or Columbus Circle.

    Photos
    ABA Turkish Restaurant
    ABA Turkish Restaurant - Grape leaves (appetizer)

    Grape leaves (appetizer)

    ABA Turkish Restaurant - Turkish Tea

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    Turkish Tea

    Au Za'atar - Midtown East - Chicken shawarma and French fries

    Au Za'atar - Midtown East

    4.5(601 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Midtown East

    This place is absolutely amazing. The second you walk in, the employees make you feel welcome…read more We started with the hummus and mixed dips with warm pita bread--absolutely delicious. You can tell immediately that everything is fresh. For the main course, we had a platter that came with steak, chicken, and lamb chops, and everything was cooked to perfection. The flavors and seasoning were top-tier. For dessert, we had the warm baklava, which was absolutely delicious with every bite. If you have kids, don't worry--they also have an appetizer that's similar to a mozzarella stick that was absolutely delicious. I just can't remember the name of it! They play all types of music, and even though the space is big, the personal and intimate connection with the employees is what really made the experience special. The manager, Joselyn, was incredibly warm and welcoming. Our waitress, Vivian, was on top of every single request. Bravo! I only wish I had been able to meet the chef because I would personally shake their hand. The food was truly amazing. This is definitely a place where you could throw a birthday party, have a professional dinner, or simply enjoy a beautiful night out with your wife. It has all the qualities of a great restaurant, and I feel like NYC is starting to lose sight of that kind of hospitality. Eating here honestly reminded me of my travels to Egypt. The hospitality was A1. BRAVO! And I can't forget the bartender--he definitely knows what he's doing!

    Always on the hunt for a tasty kebab! Checked out Au Za'atar with some friends, and we shared the…read morespicy hummus, fattoush salad, and their mixed grill platter. The spicy hummus isn't spicy (unless you keep eating it repeatedly on its own, at which point there may be a very mild spice building up in the back of your throat but nothing crazy). Now it may not be very spicy, but it is damn well one of the best hummus I've had because it was so velvety smooth and perfectly pureed with that fragrant nuttiness (hence why I was devouring it on its own at a certain point). The mixed grill platter is a good plate to share because it has a variety of meats like chicken and ground beef - beautifully roasted and so juicy. Personally wish it could come with rice instead of fries, but that's just a preference. Fattoush salad really complemented the whole meal with its fresh greens and tangy acidity to balance the creaminess of the hummus and savoriness of the kebabs. With good service and a cozy rustic interior, I'd recommend Au Za'atar as a solid spot for Middle Eastern cuisine :)

    Photos
    Au Za'atar - Midtown East - Bar area

    Bar area

    Au Za'atar - Midtown East - Mezze tower (3)

    Mezze tower (3)

    Au Za'atar - Midtown East - Frozen Mint Lemonada (~$14)

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    Frozen Mint Lemonada (~$14)

    Al Badawi - Mezze Filistini

    Al Badawi

    4.3(292 reviews)
    4.9 mi•Brooklyn Heights
    •$$

    While visiting New York i really wanted to visit this place. I can say this for sure that Al-badawi…read moreexceeded my expectations. They give you an authentic Palestinian food experience. For appetizers I had fried halloumi cheese, and they were the most amazing thing ever we also tried their mixed grill. Meet was flavorful and tender, kebab with creamy garlic and tahini sauce was so delicious. Also their portions are big!! Restaurant itself has a great vibe with plants, tree, zaatar and olive oil on the table and the server was very polite. Will surely visit again!

    Visited Al Badawi on Atlantic Avenue with a party of four. We had originally hoped to add a fifth…read moreperson to our reservation, but unfortunately they were unable to accommodate the extra person. Lesson learned: if you're going with a group, make sure you have your final number when making the reservation because adding someone later may not be possible. We started with the Mezzi Filistini, a mixed platter of babaganoush, muhammara, tabbouleh, salata, tahini and labneh. This was very good, and we tackled it with zest, devouring it with the accompanying pita bread. We also ordered the falafel, chicken shawarma platter and beef kebab platter. The chicken shawarma was decent, but I would have loved more chicken and bigger pieces. There was considerably more rice than chicken, which made the platter feel a little unbalanced. The beef kebab was better, with a good portion of meat and rice, and the accompanying vegetables weren't too bad either. One disappointment for me was the lack of a proper hot sauce. Something with a little heat and flavor would have paired really well with both the shawarma and kebab and, for me, would have elevated the meal. Overall, the food was good and the ambiance was pleasant. Service was also good for the most part, although I was disappointed that we weren't asked if we were interested in dessert before wrapping up the meal. Al Badawi is probably a place I would try again, but not one I'm in a rush to return to anytime soon.

    Photos
    Al Badawi - Great vibe inside

    Great vibe inside

    Al Badawi - Pistachio Flatbread

    Pistachio Flatbread

    Al Badawi - Mixed Grill

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    Mixed Grill

    Shukette - The swirl soft serve

    Shukette

    4.5(712 reviews)
    1.9 mi•Chelsea
    •$$$$

    yes. yes. did you hear me? yes. - from the summery patio, to…read morethe chipper waiter, to the first rip & dip of frena bread into the labneh, to the supple chicken, to the last bite of soft serve. - starting off with the frena bread was the start every meal needs. this fluffy pillow of garlic-drenched bread did not even need dip to be enjoyed. the roasted garlic on top served as its own topping. - we got the whole wheat pita too, which went well with the super nutty smooth hummus & the sweet, fig-lined & drizzled labneh. skip the pita & try the specialty breads... or get this to let the dips shine. the labneh was thicker than a block of cream cheese & broken up with the sweet garnishes. - the chicken was cooked astonishingly well. thick chunks of juicy meat with charred, salty skin. top it with a spoonful of their homemade garlic toum & it's even better. - the watermelon feta salad is a simple dish done with a flair. they add a tajin(-like) spice to add a spicy flair that is tamed by the refreshing, light watermelon & salty, savory feta. - the soft serve options are, of course, beautiful. the blueberry sorbet is intense, a fruity blast of bright, cold, light delicacy with a bold blueberry compote at the bottom. the "mic drop" is a nut lover's dream of tahini-based smooth ice cream topped with crunchy nuts.

    Such a lively and popular Mediterranean spot that my friend recommended. Luckily we had…read morereservations, we I overheard walk-in wait times were over an hour on a Sunday evening. We got an outdoor patio table and I found it quite inconvenient for me to place my purse on the floor since the seats could not hang anything. The dips are where it's at here, so we got the Labneh ($13) and Smoked Artic Char ($14). Of course we had to get some bread to accompany the dips and got the Frena ($13) and Pita ($7). I really wish it came with more bread because this wasn't enough and it's quite pricey for the portion. The frena is definitely one of the best breads, which comes with whole garlic pieces on focaccia-like bread. The pita did get quite hard after awhile, so you need to eat this one fresh. We enjoyed both dips, but the labneh is a must in my book. We also got the Grilled Wings ($21) and Scallops à la Plancha ($30), which were both nicely grilled. The wings were full of spicies and come plentiful, but scallops are a smaller portion. We were pretty stuffed with all the food, but had to end it with the Tahini Softserve ($15). This is a popular item here as almost every table had it. It's creamy with nutty, tart, and sweet flavors. It's also quite the presentation with such a tall swirl topped with halva floss. It's a delicious spot with a fun atmosphere, but on the pricey side. The labneh and soft serve are a must here.

    Photos
    Shukette - Dining room

    Dining room

    Shukette - The mic drop

    The mic drop

    Shukette - Joojeh chicken

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    Joojeh chicken

    Motek - Flatiron - Zucchini latkes

    Motek - Flatiron

    4.2(213 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Flatiron

    4.75 Finally decided to go for the Motek Happy Hour $5 menu…read more Great reviews and I agree with them. We lined up outside after 2:30pm and thought we might not get a chance. The hostess came out to ask how many per group, and called when space opened up. Solo person got called in quickly. HH is not limited to the bar so there was ample seating. I also read that an hour stay is allowed so more can get seated. Our wait was around 1/2 hour so was ok. We saw the menu and already decided what to order even before getting seated, which was at the bar for us. The bartender, Sebastian, was friendly and ready to get our order, also checked on us a few times. The food didn't take long after. For $5 each, I was pretty satisfied. Portions are for 1, but we ordered a few to share. Arayes burger, Salmon skewer which we paired with the Majadra rice, Eggplant (roasted)with egg, chicken Lollipops (4pcs) with spicy sauce were great for me. Steak pita had a good amount of steak but could use some of the spicy sauce; Chicken schnitzel and Pastrami pita were ok but I would skip next time. Restrooms are downstairs.

    Was excited to try Motek finally! I did make a reservation for indoor dining but they told me the…read morewait would be half an hour which was kind of a disappointment given that I arrived on time. I ended up dining outside instead since I did not want to wait. The wait staff were all very kind and helpful with recommendations. The pitas here are definitely the star so I'd recommend getting the hummus or one of the oven pitas. I really enjoyed the French pita as it had a hint of truffle and the potatoes made it interesting. The chicken shawarma was super moist and had a ton of flavor. I liked that they served it with a pita under and with some spiced hummus and salad. Would definitely recommend it!

    Photos
    Motek - Flatiron - Beautiful restaurant space, well lit and nicely decorated. Very modern. Great ambience, noise level is mild, easy to carry a conversation.

    Beautiful restaurant space, well lit and nicely decorated. Very modern. Great ambience, noise level is mild, easy to carry a conversation.

    Motek - Flatiron - Mushroom egg toast

    Mushroom egg toast

    Motek - Flatiron - Large bar

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    Large bar

    Miriam - Halloumi Salad

    Miriam

    4.0(348 reviews)
    1.7 mi•Upper West Side

    After much Yelp research, I picked out Miriam as a weekend brunch destination for someone visiting…read morefrom out-of-town. Also plusses in Miriam's favor were the fact that I could easily make a reservation (they use SevenRooms) and its proximity to the Museum of Natural History. Many of the menu items looked appealing. Two of us ordered the latkes Benedict ($27) which I loved. Instead of Canadian bacon, you're served smoked salmon. And swap out the regular hollandaise for a harissa version. There was also za'atar labneh and a chopped salad with cucumbers and tomatoes on the side, also delectable. The third person ordered the traditional shakshuka ($24) which also earned acclaim. I have to give a thumbs up to the hummus. The hostess was peppy and welcoming. Our server was more scarce towards the end of the meal for some reason, but she was nice, and the busboy seemed cool. While there's outside seating too, it was a zillion degrees so the air conditioned and classy dining room was the right choice for us.

    There is a certain kind of restaurant that does not ask to be discovered, and Miriam is one of…read morethem. I have been twice now, once on the East Side and again last night on the West Side, and I came away both times with the same impression: that some places are content to simply be good, over and over, without announcing it. The watermelon salad is sweet and hot at the same time, feta and mint against Italian chile, and it is the right thing to have first. The schnitzel is what it ought to be. The kebab, lamb and beef together, is the thing I would order if I were only allowed one thing. The knafeh cups are better on the East Side, where the crisp kataifi is laid over the cream rather than baked into a shell around it. On the West Side you have to break into the cup before you get anywhere. On the East Side the spoon goes straight down through the crunch and into the cream, and that is the whole difference. But it is the people I keep thinking about. They are kind without performing kindness, which is harder than it sounds. Last night I watched the room work, water poured, plates cleared, dishes set down, and it was never quite the same hand doing it, and never once the wrong one. A floor moves that way only when everyone on it is paying attention to everyone else. Two visits, two neighborhoods, one restaurant. I suspect that is the point.

    Photos
    Miriam - Interior of restaurant

    Interior of restaurant

    Miriam - Brussels Sprouts

    Brussels Sprouts

    Miriam - Lamb Shawarma

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    Lamb Shawarma

    NAYA - mediterranean - Updated October 2026

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