50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in New York

“Delicious & great service! We loved Esca but this was also v delicious & v healthy. Room is pretty. The bar is not as cozy & stylish as it was in its former iteration but overall we will be back & wish them great success! Great space & option including while in the theatre district, Sony Hall, etc;))“

“Shuka has been on our radar for ages, especially being huge fans of their sister joint, Shukette. So, we finally decided to swing by while in the area, and while it was good, it didn't quite blow us away like we'd hoped. Personally, I'm still team Shukette all the way! The inside back dining room is super chic with those ceiling lights, but the acoustics can be a bit much – it gets loud in there, and we found ourselves practically yelling depending on how packed it was. But hey, that didn't stop us from enjoying a killer Za’atar martini and some decent wine, even if it did cost us a pretty penny. We stuck to glasses since the bottle prices were just... weird.Our waiter, bless his heart, was an absolute gem – full of energy and seriously clued in on the menu. We asked him for the must-haves, and we went all in on his recommendations. Feta pistachio dip, fried halloumi, carrots, cauliflower, chicken shawarma, lamb merguez – we tried it all! The cauliflower was a real standout with its warm spices and bright citrus/sweet pops. The real star though was the chicken shawarma and lamb Merguez. Pure perfection – juicy and bursting with flavor.But alas, not everything hit the mark. The feta pistachio dip was decent, but it tasted more like a funky Gorgonzola than the tangy feta we were craving. And those carrots? Good, but they needed more spice, a crunch for texture, and a bit more consistency in every bite. Oh, and don't get me started on the pita – it was soft, sure, but unfortunately a bit too dry for my liking.But hey, the team made up for it with a sweet surprise – a free dessert! And let me tell you, nothing beats a killer coffee ice cream with chocolate. So yeah, while Shuka didn't quite earn a permanent spot in our hearts, we're glad we gave it a whirl. Who knows, we might just pop in again if we're in the neighborhood.“

“Divine food!! Such a cute space too and the chef and waiter were so lovely to us. We got the whole room to ourselves as we were eating at 5pm on a Monday but some of the best food we have had in New York. The sashimi was a knock out and cannot wait to go back. The best dish was by FAR the lamb kofta and the waiter was so good to tell us to only get one ie not add another lamb kofta ball so we had one each“

“Had a fabulous meal here with friends eating in warm and attractive outside seating. The crisp roast lamb (actually lamb neck cooked like osso bucco but with Middle Eastern spices) was one of the best meat dishes I’ve eaten in years. Really, a piece of art!! Go savor some!“

“Came here on a Wednesday after work and was able to grab a seat at the bar. Went for the "Busiate Siciliana al Pomodoro" which was a pasta with eggplant. For the affordable price of $26, I got a huge plate of pasta that lasted for two meals. It was flavorful, the pasta was cooked to perfection, and the service was fast. Definitely has more of a finance bro/businessman crowd in there but all the staff were welcoming. Worth trying it out if you're around!“

“Exceptional! Elegant, Vibrant & Authentic Greek!The food is delicious! Elea transports you to the middle of Athens! Absolutely lovely experience! A neighborhood gem!To die for apps...grilled sardines, sesame crusted feta, large grilled shrimp with frisee & fennel, Best entrees...Mousaka (veggie or classic), Lavraki, Dorade, Seafood Orzotto. An amazing selection of wines from the islands of Santorini and Crete. The owners warmly welcomed us--a lovely Greek custom. It's one of my absolute favorite restaurants in NYC. Even though I left the UWS for Hudson Yards, I come as often as I can.“

“Amazing place! My brother and I are both vegan and have a ton of allergies and the wait staff was super accommodating. The food is spectacular too - I took 2 animal eaters and a vegetarian to the restaurant and they couldn't tell the difference between the kebabs and meat. We had the "chicken", "beef", and kofta kebabs, along with the "chicken" gyros, "lamb" cigars, and hummus. I was a big fan of all the kebabs, and thought the "chicken" gyros were amazing too. The desserts were also great - highly recommend.Vegetarian options: It's an entirely vegan restaurant.“

“I have had an amazing experience with them. I ordered food for an iftar event happening at The Towers and they went above and beyond my expectations. They delivered on time, gave so much delicious food and were very helpful in making sure we had everything we needed. The event had no food left because everyone came back for 3rds and 4ths. Thank you so much for your hardwork!!“

“I’ve always wanted to try this place and it did not disappoint. We got the dip spinner and a few extras recommended by our wonderful waiter, Zorbey. Also the off-menu chicken on the spitter was perfect for our group of 6. Affordable as well!“

“I came in with very high hopes. Unfortunately I left with a lighter wallet, and disappointed.The food was fine, but nothing memorable. The jerusalem bagel was baked perfectly, but the heavy hand on the zatar took away from the experience. The schwarma, is more salad than schwarma (albeit the tasty dish I had). The sardines were fine as were the leeks, but again, for a Michelin star rated restaurant, I was definitely underwhelmed, sadly. My drink was also nothing to write home about, and at $20+ per, I was hoping for more flavor and pizzazz. I wish the best for the restaurant, but sadly I don't think I'll be back. Just not worth the bang for your buck.“

“One of the best dining experiences I've had. Excellent food and service. The chef owner was warm and welcoming. I especially liked the chicken soup on a cold rainy day. And the yogurt was the best. I hope to return soon. Would highly recommend.“

“I had a GREAT time at Little Owl tonight. I went with my friend and sat at the bar. The bartender Daniel is such a wonderful and warm person. The food was incredibly tasty and great. He pleased us while smiling and being nice the whole time. Such a wonderful guy -Also. Amy was very welcoming and sweet too.Will definitely come back.Thank you staff of Little Owl! ?“

“We came across Aura on a night out, and we are so happy that we decided to go in. We loved it so much, that we stayed till closing. The owner welcomed us with so much warmth, and hospitality.He was incredibly accommodating and got us seats by the beautiful, electric bar even though it was full. The bartenders were super sweet, fun, and everyone was so pleasant to be around. Overall it was a cozy, fun, charming little place.Drinks were amazing. Our friend tried the food and she loved it. We will definitely be back for more drinks, the food, and the aura ;)“

“I cannot state enough just how delicious the food is here !!! Soooooooooo good !! Everything was full of soo much flavor and the steak had to have been one of the best cooked steaks I’ve ever had perfect temp and seasoning.It’s pretty inside and perfect to go for a date night the ambiance is nice. Definitely recommend this place“

“Love this place. I used to live nearby and the place was in a different space a lot smaller. Now is a very nice open restaurant. Food is fantastic, service is great. They allow dogs inside. I was very surprised for this and will be back with my furry friend.“

“I’m a Persian American originally from LA and this is one of the best Persian restaurants I have been to. I am so impressed with the original recipes of the food and the ability to train the cooks to maintain loyalty to the original dish. The ingredients they use are high quality. My dad is an excellent cook and when I eat at Shiraz I feel like I am eating back at home. I should also mention I am a vegetarian and really appreciate the new vegan options - the gheimeh (vegetable stew) is a must. And the saffron ice cream — it’s what perfume would taste like if it were edible. The jazz band (with the clarinet) also created such a nice atmosphere. Bravo ? ? and thank you for bringing such high quality to nyc!“

“All great things to say about Zizi! Stumbled on it searching for a reservation with friends early on a Friday evening. All involved are big fans of Mediterranean food, and we needed to be in this area to head over to a show afterward. So it ticked all the boxes. What I figured would be a good dinner and convenient turned into an extraordinary meal. We ordered everything to share and we ordered a lot so I feel like I tried the whole menu. Everything - literally every dish - was truly excellent. Cocktails were also terrific. Particularly the espresso martini and the margarita got raves. Our waiter was lovely -- patient and friendly and added to the great vibe of the whole experience. Wish I asked his name - he gets high marks.“

“Beer selection appears to be bottles only, but you're here for the food and the cocktails so it doesn't really matter.As for the food, everyone in our party ordered different items, and everyone was blown away. Duck confit, the most beautiful medium rare burger I have seen, tuna seared to perfection and a very tasty Fërgesë, finished by a very nice creme brulee. Portions may be smaller than you're used to in the US, but very nice to walk out of a place satisfied but not dying for once on this trip.“

“We had dinner at White Olive Restaurant with my guests, the ambiance and decor are magnificent. The service was very good, Everything was on time, the cocktails and food are truly incredibly delicious, I can easily recommend this place to everyone, the menu prices are very reasonable.“

“Very nice restaurant. Just honest ingredients with excellent flavors. Service was great, attentive but not pushy (unlike some other restaurants). Go here for proper food and a general nice evening.Had the mezes and NY tenderloin steak, both good dishes. Nice steak that comes without fuzz (butter, unnecessary sauces etc).“

“All in all I had a really enjoyable time here. We ordered a few different dishes all which were beautifully presented and had good flavor although I felt some could have used a bit more acidity. I loved the market salad, the hummus, the cauliflower and the salmon. The branzino and prawns weren’t as fresh and the branzino was a little overcooked. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate us which I really appreciated.“

“We would like to thank the Avra Team for the wonderful experience we had celebrating our son's 1 year old birthday and his grandparents 40th wedding anniversary. Beautiful place for special celebration! Sophisticated ambience, attentive staff, exceptional service, delicious Greek food! We highly recommend making reservation in advance!“

“What can I say about this place?!? It is beyond adorable! My friend and I were roaming around in the rain and stumbled upon this gem! We had a couple of glasses of bubbly and a snack to share, gambas! The shrimp were sooo fresh and perfectly seasoned. The space itself is soooo cute and rustic! The service was impeccable. I can’t wait to go back and visit!“

“The best authentic Lebanese food in NYC. A must-try. All there food is fresh and delicious and very generous quantities. Their Shawarma is soooo good, you can eat it in bowl or a sandwich with lots of yummy toppings. I also tried their falafel and it was super good!“

“Amazing food, the spinach pie, greek expresso martini, and the vegetarian moussaka was beyond anything I’d imagine. The hostess Milena was beyond amazing, and the bartender Fausto was very attentive. I will make sure the Citi team is aware about this place.Definitely will be back!“

“I was in the city with two friends and we were referred to this lovely little restaurant serving traditional Turkish fare. I wasn't too hungry but I always order Lebane which is my taste test for I like the food. It was delicious. As was the cold eggplant appetizer. My friend ordered the shephards salad and arrived with bright healthy portions with fresh tomatoes (how??) and cucumbers. Dressing was a red wine combination and complemented the salad. I would have like olives on it but it was fine. Another friend order the phyllo cheese straws which were perfection. Hard to eat only one! And she ordered the lamb chops which were tender and yummy. Perfectly cooked. Very fair priced all the way around. Service was excellent. Ambiance was cozy. Finale was perfectly cooked pistachio/walnut baklava. Lightly syruped and light and buttery heaven!! A must. This will be our go to place for future visits. Thank you for a lovely end to our great day at the theater!!“

“Always fantastic. Best food, best service. Gazala is so kind, always smiling, always there to make sure everything is running smoothly and customers are happy. And the food is Devine. Better than anywhere in the world. See you next weekend for the best brunch in town!“

“Another amazing discovery, this time in Hudson Square. I went for brunch on Saturday, and to my great surprise, Port Sa’id ambiance at 1pm felt like a block party, even though on a weeknight the area is otherwise deserted. Definitely bring a group, split a bunch of things. Almost all of the dishes costs less than $20, cocktails are great so is their wine list! Exciting place!!“

“Amazing restaurant ! Food is a chefs kiss! I order the. Crispy Cajun Salmon sandwich with a side of salsa when I want to be fake healthy haha! Staff was very welcoming, I will be back!Kid-friendliness: Place is located at the Hugh and plethora restaurants and options with table and chairs“

“1- Food = Excellent. 5/5. Everything from appetizers too deserts are all made with the finest ingredients and cooked to perfection. Very happy here.2- Service = Excellent. 6/5. Their unparalleled service separates them from mostly every restaurant we have visited. Very friendly and inviting service that treats you like family. We never feel rushed and we are constantly being asked if everything is ok. Owners and everyone else here are very friendly and accommodating.3- Ambiance = Excellent 5/5. Beautiful romantic environment. Tables are good size and there are plenty of unique pockets to this restaurant. Interesting layout.4- Reservations = Excellent. 5/5.5- Value = Excellent 5/5. Unparalleled service and amazing food.We will continue to Visit and recommend this amazing restaurant.“

“I can't believe how amazing this experience was. We were seated outside in a beautiful enclosure. The music: incredible. The staff: true dedication to their craft. Food: so damn good I was so full. They went over and above to celebrate our friend's birthday.“

“What a fabulous experience we had! The food was simply amazing and fresh and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent and the restaurant itself is beautiful! I wish I had taken more pictures but I think the fact that I didn’t just proves how immersed our group was in the experience. Simply devine and I cannot wait to return next time I’m in the city!Dietary restrictions: We had someone in our party who was gluten free and they took good care of her and she had plenty of options to choose from.“

“This place, to me, is such an under-rated, undiscovered gem. Every time we are theremcrowded, we keep expecting it to be way more crowded as it's not a huge place, but the food and service are on par with some of the best tapas places around. And the prices are also Very reasonable too. They are unique, in that they are more Argentinian tapas then Spanish or Basque. So, in addition to favorites like paella, grilled octopus, and patatas bravas, there's also a decent selection of pastas and Italian fair via Argentina. And in warmer weather, the back garden can't be beat. Always fun music playing (often 80s dance or rock hits), homemade sangrias and a finished meal with free shots of Limoncello round out the meal. Friendly, top-notch service too. Let's keep this place going! They'd be worth the wait.“

“Absolutely incredible meal & service here. Everything we had was delicious. The warm bread to the wine to the hummus to the labneh to the tabouleh- we had the abdaneh chicken (per suggestion & highly recommended!) … my list goes on! Mustafa & staff were just lovely. Try it out :) homey vibe & fabulous!“

“We were a group of 25 with a preset menu of 4 selections. The service was very friendly, the meals were delicious and service was great. We had a birthday to celebrate and you joined us in song and music. Thank you for a memorable lunch with our visitors from Israel.“

“Was not expecting it but this restaurant is actually really really good! All the food here taste so delicious! I want to go back for more! Location: It is located in Park Ave. The restaurant has nice interior, looks classy but you can come in casual. Nice atmosphere at the bar too. I went here for a birthday party, they have room at the back if you want to rent. Service: omg best servers and employees. You are well taken care of. Food: Everything was delicious! MUSHROOM LASAGNA: i was not expecting that it will be good, cause it is just mushroom on it. The lasagna is so creamy and rich. Best lasagna I had. LANCASTER COUNTY ROAST CHICKEN: another favorite! The chicken is soft and the skin is so crispy! You can taste the lemon and garlic flavors in the chicken. SALMON: another favorite! The salmon is cooked perfectly and melts like butter. Broccoli rabe taste good too with bits of garlic. PORK CHOP MILANESE: its like tonkatsu! The meat is soft and the outside is breaded and crispy! CAESAR SALAD: it is so good too! Best salad i had! It has crispy anchovy on it which adds crispiness to the salad. MEATBALLS: so juicy inside and cooked perfectly. I love the bread that comes with it. CALAMARI: kinda salty, but otherwise good! Its crispy as well and the dipping sauce is good. OLIVE OIL CAKE: the cake is moist and soft. The strawberries makes it fresh. CHOCOLATE BUDINO: omg this is my favorite also! The cream is silky and the peanuts with it is soo good! As if you are eating ice cream that is not cold! Price rating: 8/10, worth every penny! I will definitely come back here when I’m craving for Italian food! Get the chicken!“

“We have had our private event at this lovely restaurant. we used the main dining room area for a party of 46 of us. The menu was excellent with a great variety of meats and chickens and seafood, along with some vegetarian items. The staff has made us very comfortable and brought each cocktail and meal on time. The space is excellent for private events and small gatherings. Entire office loved everything.“

“I recently dined at Vinateriá and I must say, the food and service were absolutely phenomenal. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The menu offered a variety of authentic Italian dishes, and everything we tried was delicious. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The service was attentive, friendly, and truly made our dining experience exceptional. I would definitely return to this restaurant in the future and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic Italian meal. 5/5 stars.“

“I went here yesterday for lunch oh my was I blown away, the star of the show was our server Ayleen the woman is brilliant her smile lit up our day so professional and respectful she also has an extensive food knowledge like I've never seen before she knew every ingredient and exactly how to explain the menu, now let me tell you the place was super packed she had so many tables I saw this woman fly through the restaurant servicing quickly and with a smile on her face she's absolutely amazing she gave me manager vibes I hope this place knows what they have she's one in a million, I'm actually a restaurant manager myself. I will be coming back many times i hope i can request her each time Thank you Ms Ayleen I hope you see this you are awesome“

“Saw the restaurant while passing by. Decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Ordered Scallopine di Pollo and Spaghetti Bolognese. Very good. And I personally recommend Panna Cotta for dessert. And the service is great. We’ll definitely be back.“

“I was delightfully surprised at how. much I enjoyed this restaurant. Went with a friend who, like me, loves Meditteranean cooking. Having traveled to different countries in Mediterranean, I learned it's more about the "farm to table" concept in preparation. You can appreciate the natural flavors of the ingredients when they come together. Well, Lo and Behold, the food at Bustan was delicious. Simply delicious. We had hummus and the portion was small and we wanted more. But instead of ordering a second, we went with Israeli Salad and then the branzino in a dish called Moroccan Fish. Yum yum. Their bread, the taboon bread, was delicious. We each couldn't get enough of the sauce in the Moroccan fish dish. Service was fantastic. Our waiter, Leonardo, knew the menu and was helpful. We weren't planning on getting desserts but then with his prodding, we got the Malabi and the halvah with ice cream. Both were so satisfying. I would definitely go back. Ambiance was lovely... very easy on the eyes. Oh I need to mention my cocktail, the spicy smoky margarita with an adjustment to go easy on the sugar was made to perfection. You won't be disappointed.“

“Julie was sweet, knowledgeable, efficient, and a great professional server. The food was so yummy! We especially loved the spinach rolls, and babaganoush! The shishkabob and dumplings and cabbage rolls were all prepared very well and delicious!“

“This restaurant is exquisite. The atmosphere is very beautiful and calming. The area is nice. The service is very good, servers are very efficient. These servers even ask about any food allergies which shows how dedicated they are to the restaurant environment. The food is very good with lots of flavor.“

“On a chilly Sunday afternoon Smiley and I dined outside at Village Taverna, heat lamps hung above each table, so we were nice and toasty, the food is outstanding, so is the staff, the atmosphere pleasing, we dined early just before the crowd to get these photos. My wife Smiley rates the Village Taverna 5 Smiles.“

“Wonderful dining experience at Omur’s Mediterranean Cuisine at 59 Ann (by the One World Trade center.). Food is fantastic, authentic, and fast, and the chef and staff here are humble and sweet. Good food, great people, convenient location, and wonderful experience. We thoroughly enjoyed it! 5-star for sure.“

“The beautiful, intimate atmosphere and absolutely top notch comfort food would be worth it alone - BUT the service was also awesome. After we were graciously seated without a reservation (try to book ahead because you really won't want to miss this place), the staff was so kind, friendly, and attentive. Absolutely everything we had was wonderful but the knafeh actually brought a tear to my eye. ❤️ Absolutely would recommend 5 out of 5 stars.“

“Moved to NYC not even a month ago with my fiance and we've already been here twice. We came for the atmosphere, and we stayed for the wonderful service and food.The staff here do a remarkable job of making sure you are having a pleasant dining experience.We recommend the short rib pide and hummus!This will be our go-to neighborhood spot! We love coming here!“

“This food is hands down 20/10! The customer service was wonderful & they’re super welcoming and friendly. Their Insalata Di Gamberi was perfect! I don’t rave about salads but the shrimp was very flavorful and all the ingredients are FRESH! Their pastas are house made and you can purchase as well. I got the busa pasta with the assorted seafood 20/10! Dessert was tiramisu which is so rich and fresh! Everything is fresh and delicious a REAL GEM I highly recommend & will definitely be back. Franchesca & Juan are great with wonderful energy!Vegetarian options: YesKid-friendliness: Yes“

“Really excellent Greek place. This is the second time I’ve visited and I’ve been impressed on both occasions by the lovely food. The tuna-salmon carpaccio is gorgeous and so good I regretted having to share it. The ink risotto and the sea bass with gnocchi are both wonderful—the gnocchi is so crispy! And for dessert we had the orange cake, which is packed with citrus flavor. Atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.“

“Nice atmosphere, really tasty and cheap meals. We had lunch, 2 people for $26 which is great for the area. Very generous plates and burritos, with drink included and little carrot cake for desert. Only if you really eat a lot will be able to finish the plate! Recommend!!“