Searching for a good list of the best Mediterranean restaurants in New York? You’ve reached the right place. New York City is a culinary melting pot, brimming with flavours from around the world. While the city’s staples like pizza, bagels, and deli sandwiches hold a special place in our hearts, sometimes you crave something a little different—something fresh, vibrant, and reminiscent of sun-soaked shores. When Mediterranean cuisine is calling, New York doesn’t disappoint.
From crisp Greek salads and richly spiced shakshuka to golden falafel and the ever-versatile olive, the city offers a dazzling array of Mediterranean restaurants waiting to transport your taste buds. Whether you’re looking for a casual bite or an elegant dining experience, as part of our Mediterranean food tips, our curated list highlights the very best spots to explore first.
11 Must-Try Mediterranean Restaurants in New York
When sailing through Italian waters isn’t an option, here are the spots you simply have to try when that Mediterranean craving hits.
1. Frena
This place lands constantly on almost any list of best Mediterranean restaurants in New York. If you’re like us and are a stickler for presentation, Frena on 10th Avenue will blow your hair back. The kitchen is run by Chef Efi Naon—a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavor master.
If cocktails are your thing, we highly recommend that you start your evening off with one. They’re an art on their own (and there are non-alcoholic options to choose from, too!).
As for their dinner menu, every dish is packed with fresh ingredients, so you can’t really go wrong with whatever you choose. Our top picks would be the Egg Burek, crispy zucchini cakes, and the homemade merguez.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
2. Shuka
Whether you’re a local or are busy packing your bags for your NYC vacation, this intimate restaurant is a must. It gets busy, though, so be sure to make a reservation to be safe.
This is a fan favorite among those who love sharing small plates and experiencing as much as possible when dining out. The excellent service and moderate prices are an added bonus.
Shuka is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with brunch being a particularly popular time. Whenever you choose to go, though, don’t forget to try the dips!
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
3. Shukette
Don’t let Shukette’s playful website fool you—they’re pretty serious about creating some mouthwatering foods, and boy, do they deliver.
Open from 5 pm daily, Shukette serves up some of the most heavenly Mediterranean plates in New York. They even take something as simple as hummus to the next level.
But if you really want to try something different, end your meal off with their Tahini soft serve sundae, served with halva floss, hazelnuts, pomegranate molasses, and seasonal fruit.
Watch this video to learn more:
4. Zaytinya
This is another place you’ll find on countless lists of best Mediterranean restaurants in New York. If you head to Broadway, you will find Zaytinya, a sleek spot at The Ritz-Carlton NoMad. The menu is based on Jose Ayala’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of travel—and it certainly shows.
On the menu, you’ll find authentic dishes such as avgolemono, an egg and lemon soup—sounds odd at first, but it’s delicious! The Htipiti was also one of our favorites, which is a spread made with marinated roasted red peppers, feta, and thyme.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
5. Da Andrea
Located in Greenwich Village, Da Andrea offers a little taste of Italy in New York, and it starts the minute you arrive outside this idyllic space.
Open for brunch and dinner, you can look forward to fresh dishes such as gnocchi, scallops, and one of the best caesar salads we’ve had in a while.
Chef Meliano Plascensia is the man behind these creations, drawing his inspiration from days spent in the kitchen with his mother in the Dominican Republic.
Watch this reel to get a glimpse:
6. Cafe Mogador
What we really love about Cafe Mogador is that they keep things simple. Their menu might be smaller, but they do what they do well! This is also a good option if you’re looking for a good selection of vegetarian plates.
Another fact that makes this a special place is that Cafe Mogador was both an early pioneer in the NYC restaurant scene and a cultural hotspot in the 1980s. What’s more, the original founding family still owns and operates the location. In essence, it’s a true New York Mediterranean gem.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
7. Taboonette
If you’re looking for tasty Mediterranean food on the go, served with speed and a smile, we can’t recommend Taboonette enough.
Tucked away in both Union Square and Hudson Square, you can try dishes such as pulled pork, haloumi salad, and (our personal favorite) the sweet potato falafel.
Taboonette is even open for breakfast if you want to add some flavor to your morning routine.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
8. ilili
ilili, which means “tell me” in Arabic, is a place to come together, share stories, and enjoy food. You’ll find the interior of the restaurant is a little more serious than some of the ohers on this list, but you’ll be too focused on the food to notice.
The menu is a blend of Lebanese, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern dishes, so you’ll have plenty to choose from. But, the mushroom grape leaves, tabbouleh, and Phoenician fries are a must!
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
9. Nish Nush
If you find yourself near the Chambers Street subway station, be sure to stop in at Nish Nush for a quick, authentic taste of the Mediterranean. The portions are generous, and the flavors are fantastic.
The space is cozy and inviting and the staff welcoming. As for the food, think of dishes such as a chili falafel burger, cauliflower sabich sandwich, and an assortment of mezze.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
10. Tomiño Taberna Gallega
This Mediterranean spot has a Spanish flare, so expect dishes such as grilled mussels, vegetable stew, and croquettes. However, if you really want to spoil yourself, their grilled seafood selection is a must!
This stylish and intimate space is located on Grand Street in Little Italy and is perfect for your next date night, especially because there are so many shareable mains to choose from.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
11. Hummus Place
Based in the Upper West Side, Hummus Place is a vegetarian dream, where each dish is lovingly made and served in a laid-back atmosphere.
Even though all of their brunch, lunch, and dinner menus are amazing, we can’t recommend the eggplant shakshuka and Mallawach dish (eggs, puff pastry, and grated tomato) enough.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
A Mediterranean Way of Life
If you’re living in NYC or just paying a visit, you’ll always be spoiled for choice when it comes to Mediterranean restaurants. I hope this list of best Mediterranean restaurants in New York will make your culinary adventures a bit more enjoyable. No matter if you’re looking for a quick bite on the go or you want to have a unique dining experience that focuses on presentation, once again, New York is ready to deliver.
Anthony is a passionate food enthusiast living in the bustling food scene of New York City. With an insatiable curiosity for culinary exploration, he loves exploring the city’s diverse eateries, seeking out unique flavors and sharing his gastronomic adventures with fellow food lovers.
