An exceptional place where food is not only delicious, but deeply meaningful. Every dish reflects generations of tradition and a culture preserved with care and pride. You can feel the authenticity in every bite, and the warmth in the way you’re welcomed. Despite difficult circumstances, they continue to honor their roots through their cooking — and that alone makes this restaurant truly special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
roseline
Closed. Why would you eat at a place that has been closed multiple times by the DOH??
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Daphne
EDIT, Jan. 2026: Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be back at this location. I saw that the NYC Department of Health closed this location, not just once, but several times in 2025, most recently in December. This is very disappointing. I don’t feel comfortable coming back. This used to be one of my favorite places in Bay Ridge.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab
Richard Molinari
It's sad seeing how bad this place has gotten. They've been closed way too many times by the city to count. I just drove by this afternoon (12/29) and they were once again ordered shut by the board of health. I can only imagine the state of their kitchens at other locations.
I H
I rarely leave bad reviews, but this place was a huge disappointment. The food tasted bland, reheated, and honestly just unpleasant. What bothered me even more was how the restaurant tried to “appropriate” dishes from other countries in a really tone-deaf way and treated it like a trendy gimmick rather than respecting where those dishes actually come from.
Underwhelming and culturally insensitive. Definitely wouldn’t return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Reproduction Cles Marseille
It was good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mohammed Alanazi
Ayat serves incredible Mansaf! The meat was so juicy and delicious, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. A truly authentic and satisfying dish.
Definitely a great spot for flavorful Palestinian food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elena Radin
We went on our first dinner out in New York, it was quite late (9.00 pm) and the kitchen was still open. We had a feast of dishes, from falafels, to eggplant rolls, to hummus, lovely roasted cauliflower and other veggies, we have been offered a complementary dish of baclava. Wonderful customer service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Haris Krsic
Very cool Palestinian restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Schumann Zohan
Ayat delivered exactly what I hoped for. The moment you walk in, the place feels warm and inviting. The food hits that sweet spot between comfort and depth, especially the lamb dishes which were cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Their hummus is ridiculously smooth and easily one of the best I’ve had in the city.
Service was steady, friendly, and never rushed. You can tell they care about what they serve and how people feel walking out.
If you want a meal that feels thoughtful and satisfying, Ayat is worth the trip.
The atmosphere is simply wonderful. The food is fresh and delicious. I recommend it to everyone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Becker
This place is a true gem! We came here to celebrate our son’s birthday, as he is a fan of middle eastern cuisine - and he was quite pleased! We began with appetizers of kibbeh and the cheese cigar rolls and mint tea, and for dinner had the family style mixed meat option. So much food! And one thing tasting better than the next - with shawarma, chicken, lamb chops over rice, fatoush salad, hummus, baba ganoush - we were in heaven! The restaurant is immaculate - very friendly staff, we never felt rushed, and we’re still eating the leftovers the next day. Highly, highly recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zoe Bishop
absolutely delicious and a gorgeous spot for lunch or dinner , fresh and full of flavor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Coronado
Excellent food and service. Food was very authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ramona samel
The food is great. The portions are big and its best to come with a few people to try as many dishes as possible. We regularly take food home when we come. The service is friendly and good.
An exceptional place where food is not only delicious, but deeply meaningful. Every dish reflects generations of tradition and a culture preserved with care and pride. You can feel the authenticity in every bite, and the warmth in the way you’re welcomed. Despite difficult circumstances, they continue to honor their roots through their cooking — and that alone makes this restaurant truly special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Closed. Why would you eat at a place that has been closed multiple times by the DOH??
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
EDIT, Jan. 2026: Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be back at this location. I saw that the NYC Department of Health closed this location, not just once, but several times in 2025, most recently in December. This is very disappointing. I don’t feel comfortable coming back. This used to be one of my favorite places in Bay Ridge.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab
It's sad seeing how bad this place has gotten. They've been closed way too many times by the city to count. I just drove by this afternoon (12/29) and they were once again ordered shut by the board of health. I can only imagine the state of their kitchens at other locations.
I rarely leave bad reviews, but this place was a huge disappointment. The food tasted bland, reheated, and honestly just unpleasant. What bothered me even more was how the restaurant tried to “appropriate” dishes from other countries in a really tone-deaf way and treated it like a trendy gimmick rather than respecting where those dishes actually come from.
Underwhelming and culturally insensitive. Definitely wouldn’t return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It was good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ayat serves incredible Mansaf! The meat was so juicy and delicious, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. A truly authentic and satisfying dish.
Definitely a great spot for flavorful Palestinian food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went on our first dinner out in New York, it was quite late (9.00 pm) and the kitchen was still open. We had a feast of dishes, from falafels, to eggplant rolls, to hummus, lovely roasted cauliflower and other veggies, we have been offered a complementary dish of baclava.
Wonderful customer service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cool Palestinian restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ayat delivered exactly what I hoped for. The moment you walk in, the place feels warm and inviting. The food hits that sweet spot between comfort and depth, especially the lamb dishes which were cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Their hummus is ridiculously smooth and easily one of the best I’ve had in the city.
Service was steady, friendly, and never rushed. You can tell they care about what they serve and how people feel walking out.
If you want a meal that feels thoughtful and satisfying, Ayat is worth the trip.
Restaurantji Recommends
The atmosphere is simply wonderful. The food is fresh and delicious. I recommend it to everyone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a true gem! We came here to celebrate our son’s birthday, as he is a fan of middle eastern cuisine - and he was quite pleased! We began with appetizers of kibbeh and the cheese cigar rolls and mint tea, and for dinner had the family style mixed meat option. So much food! And one thing tasting better than the next - with shawarma, chicken, lamb chops over rice, fatoush salad, hummus, baba ganoush - we were in heaven!
The restaurant is immaculate - very friendly staff, we never felt rushed, and we’re still eating the leftovers the next day. Highly, highly recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
absolutely delicious and a gorgeous spot for lunch or dinner , fresh and full of flavor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service. Food was very authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is great. The portions are big and its best to come with a few people to try as many dishes as possible. We regularly take food home when we come. The service is friendly and good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...