Drinks were great. Staff were excellent. Food was okay, but not great. I had lamb sausages, which were too fatty for my taste. The riz was possibly the best item.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Nabel Rajab Basha
We went there for Valentine. The food was delicious, but the portions were very small. It took them 30 mins to get us seated. I dont know whats the point of reservation if tables wont be available in time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
John Neumayer
Awesome place and great food
Food: 5
Judge Dredd
Great food and great service. We tried a lot of the food as part of their Journey Platters. The lead waiter was very precise about the food order and managed things perfectly. Definitely a place worth checking out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amandip Kaur
Fantastic experience and food was delicious (full of authentic flavors and presentation was nice). Both the mixed grill and lamb shank dishes were great. The atmosphere was warm and inviting & service was friendly. I’ve been here a few times now and recommend this place for drinks as well; great place for group dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maddalena Magro
I came to Ilili with friends and overall we had a very good experience: the food (that we shared) was delicious, the service was nice and quick, the decor was cool. The only point to improve is the acoustics of the restaurant: we dined at 9pm and it was really too loud - in between people’s voices and background music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
korra dale
I recently dined at ilili NoMad and had a really enjoyable experience!
Food: The dishes were flavorful and beautifully presented. I especially loved the mezze platter, which had a great variety of tastes and textures. The flavors were authentic and satisfying.
Service: The service was attentive and friendly, though a bit slow at times. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, which helped us make great choices.
Atmosphere: The restaurant boasts a stylish and inviting ambiance, perfect for a nice dinner or special occasion. The decor adds to the overall experience.
Overall, ilili NoMad is definitely worth checking out for anyone looking for delicious Mediterranean cuisine in a lovely setting. I look forward to returning!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Collins Wakefield
Specifically writing this review so that it’s online and someone reaches out to me. I went to ilili nomad for Valentine’s Day last night. I booked the reservation two weeks prior for 9:15pm. We arrived late but within our grace period and I also called 20 minutes prior to the reservation to let the host stand know traffic was heavy. We arrived and were greeted by a brat host- dark hair shorter girl. She couldn’t get a sentence out about our table (saying half a sentence then stuttering and saying a different half of a sentence and stuttering again) to which she then weirdly told us sorry no table until 10pm. Okay no problem, we waited at the bar and ordered two drinks (the valentines duo drink special). We sat on the end of the bar. After finishing our drinks I asked the bartender if we could check out that bill at the bar- I wanted to pay for the drinks because my date was covering dinner. So I cashed out and tipped 25%. Finally it’s 10:10pm, I am wondering why we are still not sat when our reservation was at 9:15? So I go back to the host stand and politely ask the same girl what the deal with the table is. She rudely, when I say rude I mean rude, looked at me and said yep sorry maybe 10:30. I mean I walked back to the bar and told my date a little bit annoyed but also confused… is this not why we made a reservation? The bartender (who was extremely nice and made fantastic drinks) heard me speaking and asked if everything was well- to which I told her our situation. She quickly went to the manager. Within 5 minutes someone came up to us and brought us to a table. Keep in mind it’s 10:30 now and the restaurant is slowly closing… so I truly believe if she didn’t interfere we would have never been sat which is crazy to me. We were sat upstairs. Then our waiter came out and in my opinion was beyond sub par for a fine dining experience where not a single check could have been under 400$. 1- it’s only 5 small dishes and we were so rushed they could not wait to bring our courses out once the first course was finished. 2- the restaurant and staff then began cleaning up around us while we were eating. I mean sweeping, clearing wiping tables etc. to me paying over 400$ for a Valentine’s Day dinner that was so rude. Finally to finish off our night, the waiter brought out check. The check had the two drinks that I seperately paid for at the bar on the check. So my date politely said hey I think we paid for these. The waiter took the check back to talk to the manager and came back to say we couldn’t find those two drink being paid for but we will just take them off I guess. Ok thanks but what? I felt as if they almost didn’t believe me I was fully about to pull out my bank account transaction that I had just gotten. So from beginning to end I am not happy with the experience and I thought it was ridiculous. I had been to the ilili in DC but never in NYC and was extremely excited as I love the restaurant interior, food, and everything about it and was looking forward to my valentines date. Thank you. (Manager and bartender 10/10 anyone else we directly interacted with was absolutely ridiculous). I never leave bad reviews.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Katie Morris
Gorgeous location and great food. We felt a bit rushed through our meal as a big group.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Jimmy Galaxy
Chosen for proximity to hotel last minute but did not disappoint. Incredible food and service would def go back!
Overall 4/5 Food 3.75/5 Ambiance 5/5 Service 5/5 Value 2.5/5
Ilili, Lebanese sharing dishes in a fine dining lens
I was really excited to try Ilili since my husband has been raving about it. There were definitely some hits, but also quite a few misses for us and overall, portions were very small. We ordered 10 dishes for 6 people and still left hungry, so I’d describe this as more of a Lebanese fine-dining experience rather than family-style.
Here’s what we tried: Rkaykat bil jibneh 4.5/5: The standout appetizer of the night. The cheese pastry roll was flaky, savory, and delicious
Moussaka 3/5: My first time having Lebanese moussaka, I didn’t realize it’s served cold, and personally, it just wasn’t to my taste preference
Beef fried kibbeh 3/5: A bit dry for my taste and didn’t quite hit the mark
Baba ghannou 2.75/5: Not a fan of this hummus, the smoky flavor was too strong for me
Mixed grill 4.5/5: The meats were tender and well-cooked, but again, portions were much smaller than expected
Hearth-baked loup de mer 4.75/5: Loved this, almost boneless and beautifully cooked with great flavor even without the sauce
Phoenician fries 5/5: Some of the best fries I’ve ever had! We loved them so much we ordered a second round
Kebab kerez 3.25/5: The sauce was too sweet and overpowering for my liking
Tuna tartare 3/5: Pretty underwhelming and not very flavorful.
Overall: beautiful restaurant, creative menu, but expect small portions
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Michael Chandler
Very loud, but great food and service
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Gómez Sánchez
We couldn't use the fixed NY Restaurant Week menu because it was weekend. Unfair since we reserved since NY week website for a day among the specific restricted set of days for this.
Patepat Tawerapetcharat
Very cool spot! Love the atmosphere here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Marco Taroni
Ilili is truly a special place and a must-visit every single time I come to New York. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is simply stunning — elegant, warm, and vibrant at the same time. The location alone already sets the tone for an unforgettable experience.
The service is outstanding: professional, attentive, and always delivered with genuine kindness. You immediately feel welcomed and taken care of, which makes the entire evening even more enjoyable.
But the real star is, without any doubt, the food. Thanks to Ilili, I discovered Lebanese cuisine for the first time — and from that moment on, I completely fell in love with it. Each dish is a perfect balance of flavors, aromas, and textures, prepared with exceptional quality ingredients and presented beautifully. Every bite tells a story of tradition, passion, and culinary excellence.
Ilili didn’t just make me appreciate Lebanese food — it made me crave it. Every visit becomes a journey, and every dinner here turns into a memorable experience that stays with you long after you leave.
My sincere compliments to the entire team for maintaining such an incredibly high standard over the years. Ilili is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience — and one I can’t wait to repeat every time I return to NYC.
Drinks were great. Staff were excellent. Food was okay, but not great. I had lamb sausages, which were too fatty for my taste. The riz was possibly the best item.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
We went there for Valentine. The food was delicious, but the portions were very small. It took them 30 mins to get us seated. I dont know whats the point of reservation if tables wont be available in time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Awesome place and great food
Food: 5
Great food and great service. We tried a lot of the food as part of their Journey Platters. The lead waiter was very precise about the food order and managed things perfectly.
Definitely a place worth checking out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic experience and food was delicious (full of authentic flavors and presentation was nice). Both the mixed grill and lamb shank dishes were great. The atmosphere was warm and inviting & service was friendly. I’ve been here a few times now and recommend this place for drinks as well; great place for group dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came to Ilili with friends and overall we had a very good experience: the food (that we shared) was delicious, the service was nice and quick, the decor was cool. The only point to improve is the acoustics of the restaurant: we dined at 9pm and it was really too loud - in between people’s voices and background music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently dined at ilili NoMad and had a really enjoyable experience!
Food: The dishes were flavorful and beautifully presented. I especially loved the mezze platter, which had a great variety of tastes and textures. The flavors were authentic and satisfying.
Service: The service was attentive and friendly, though a bit slow at times. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, which helped us make great choices.
Atmosphere: The restaurant boasts a stylish and inviting ambiance, perfect for a nice dinner or special occasion. The decor adds to the overall experience.
Overall, ilili NoMad is definitely worth checking out for anyone looking for delicious Mediterranean cuisine in a lovely setting. I look forward to returning!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Specifically writing this review so that it’s online and someone reaches out to me. I went to ilili nomad for Valentine’s Day last night. I booked the reservation two weeks prior for 9:15pm. We arrived late but within our grace period and I also called 20 minutes prior to the reservation to let the host stand know traffic was heavy. We arrived and were greeted by a brat host- dark hair shorter girl. She couldn’t get a sentence out about our table (saying half a sentence then stuttering and saying a different half of a sentence and stuttering again) to which she then weirdly told us sorry no table until 10pm. Okay no problem, we waited at the bar and ordered two drinks (the valentines duo drink special). We sat on the end of the bar. After finishing our drinks I asked the bartender if we could check out that bill at the bar- I wanted to pay for the drinks because my date was covering dinner. So I cashed out and tipped 25%. Finally it’s 10:10pm, I am wondering why we are still not sat when our reservation was at 9:15? So I go back to the host stand and politely ask the same girl what the deal with the table is. She rudely, when I say rude I mean rude, looked at me and said yep sorry maybe 10:30. I mean I walked back to the bar and told my date a little bit annoyed but also confused… is this not why we made a reservation? The bartender (who was extremely nice and made fantastic drinks) heard me speaking and asked if everything was well- to which I told her our situation. She quickly went to the manager. Within 5 minutes someone came up to us and brought us to a table. Keep in mind it’s 10:30 now and the restaurant is slowly closing… so I truly believe if she didn’t interfere we would have never been sat which is crazy to me. We were sat upstairs. Then our waiter came out and in my opinion was beyond sub par for a fine dining experience where not a single check could have been under 400$. 1- it’s only 5 small dishes and we were so rushed they could not wait to bring our courses out once the first course was finished. 2- the restaurant and staff then began cleaning up around us while we were eating. I mean sweeping, clearing wiping tables etc. to me paying over 400$ for a Valentine’s Day dinner that was so rude. Finally to finish off our night, the waiter brought out check. The check had the two drinks that I seperately paid for at the bar on the check. So my date politely said hey I think we paid for these. The waiter took the check back to talk to the manager and came back to say we couldn’t find those two drink being paid for but we will just take them off I guess. Ok thanks but what? I felt as if they almost didn’t believe me I was fully about to pull out my bank account transaction that I had just gotten. So from beginning to end I am not happy with the experience and I thought it was ridiculous. I had been to the ilili in DC but never in NYC and was extremely excited as I love the restaurant interior, food, and everything about it and was looking forward to my valentines date. Thank you. (Manager and bartender 10/10 anyone else we directly interacted with was absolutely ridiculous). I never leave bad reviews.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Gorgeous location and great food. We felt a bit rushed through our meal as a big group.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Chosen for proximity to hotel last minute but did not disappoint. Incredible food and service would def go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Overall 4/5
Food 3.75/5
Ambiance 5/5
Service 5/5
Value 2.5/5
Ilili, Lebanese sharing dishes in a fine dining lens
I was really excited to try Ilili since my husband has been raving about it. There were definitely some hits, but also quite a few misses for us and overall, portions were very small. We ordered 10 dishes for 6 people and still left hungry, so I’d describe this as more of a Lebanese fine-dining experience rather than family-style.
Here’s what we tried:
Rkaykat bil jibneh 4.5/5: The standout appetizer of the night. The cheese pastry roll was flaky, savory, and delicious
Moussaka 3/5: My first time having Lebanese moussaka, I didn’t realize it’s served cold, and personally, it just wasn’t to my taste preference
Beef fried kibbeh 3/5: A bit dry for my taste and didn’t quite hit the mark
Baba ghannou 2.75/5: Not a fan of this hummus, the smoky flavor was too strong for me
Mixed grill 4.5/5: The meats were tender and well-cooked, but again, portions were much smaller than expected
Hearth-baked loup de mer 4.75/5: Loved this, almost boneless and beautifully cooked with great flavor even without the sauce
Phoenician fries 5/5: Some of the best fries I’ve ever had! We loved them so much we ordered a second round
Kebab kerez 3.25/5: The sauce was too sweet and overpowering for my liking
Tuna tartare 3/5: Pretty underwhelming and not very flavorful.
Overall: beautiful restaurant, creative menu, but expect small portions
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Very loud, but great food and service
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
We couldn't use the fixed NY Restaurant Week menu because it was weekend. Unfair since we reserved since NY week website for a day among the specific restricted set of days for this.
Very cool spot! Love the atmosphere here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ilili is truly a special place and a must-visit every single time I come to New York.
From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is simply stunning — elegant, warm, and vibrant at the same time. The location alone already sets the tone for an unforgettable experience.
The service is outstanding: professional, attentive, and always delivered with genuine kindness. You immediately feel welcomed and taken care of, which makes the entire evening even more enjoyable.
But the real star is, without any doubt, the food. Thanks to Ilili, I discovered Lebanese cuisine for the first time — and from that moment on, I completely fell in love with it. Each dish is a perfect balance of flavors, aromas, and textures, prepared with exceptional quality ingredients and presented beautifully. Every bite tells a story of tradition, passion, and culinary excellence.
Ilili didn’t just make me appreciate Lebanese food — it made me crave it. Every visit becomes a journey, and every dinner here turns into a memorable experience that stays with you long after you leave.
My sincere compliments to the entire team for maintaining such an incredibly high standard over the years. Ilili is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience — and one I can’t wait to repeat every time I return to NYC.
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