Credit cards
Yes
ilili Restaurant NYC in New York
Categories
Location on the map
New York, New York County, New York, US
Payments
Phone: +1 212-683-2929
Site: http://www.ililirestaurants.com/
Related: allergy report nyc
Site: http://www.ililirestaurants.com/
Related: allergy report nyc
Opening hours
- Monday:11:30AM–11PM
- Tuesday:11:30AM–3PM
- Wednesday:11:30AM–3PM
- Thursday:11:30AM–3PM
- Friday:11:30AM–3PM
- Saturday:11AM–3:15PM
- Sunday:11AM–3:15PM
Comments (199)
Really beautiful restaurant and great quality Lebanese cuisine. Lovely for birthday brunch! Staff is very attentive and friendly.
This is a staple of mine whenever I’m in Midtown. I’ve been coming to this place for over 7 years now. Their food, service, and drinks are as amazing as the first time I had them. Ilili is super consistent and their bar staff has always been top notch — never snooty. Highly recommend trying Ilili out; I dream about it both when I’m awake and when I’m asleep.You must try the hummus, it’s the best I’ve ever had!
Best dinner we had on our trip to New York. The atmosphere was trendy and food delicious. I ordered the salmon, the skin was perfectly crispy. The hummus and fresh made pita were also good. The drinks did not disappoint. Make sure to have a reservation.
I am a food enthusiast and appreciate all types of cuisines. For Middle Eastern food, one of my favorite categories of cuisines, Ilili NYC is the best I have tried yet in New York City and all of the United States. Strong and unique flavors are present in each and every dish. Complementary textures and flavors are utilized and there is no shortage of dips and warm, authentic Lebanese Pita bread. If seeking recommendations, I highly recommend the hummus with lamb, Labneh, Falafel, and especially, the Kibbeh Bi Laban, which will melt in your mouth, and Stuffed Grape Leaves, which come with extremely flavorful ground lamb meat. My server, Annie, was extremely friendly and attentive. She was knowledgeable about the menu and shared an appreciation for the food. Despite the large restaurant filling up extremely fast, which should be noted as a positive sign, service remained strong and friendly throughout my experience. The atmosphere was grand in presentation, but still allowed for intimate conversation among tables, which is increasingly difficult to find in New York City today. To conclude this review, the food is well worth its value and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who has an appreciation for Middle Eastern cuisine or just a quality dining experience. I hope to return soon!
This was the last restaurant we dined at during our recent NY visit. I was a little nervous as we had never had Lebanese cuisine before, however it was the most amazing evening! Our server (hate I can’t remember his name) was an absolute delight! He encouraged us to order things we typically might steer clear of (“don’t order safe choices”), and we enjoyed the most incredible meal. Vegan options were available for our daughter, and they gave excellent wine recommendations too! Exquisite cuisine, top-notch service and gorgeous venue!
Amazing Lebanese food, for me its the 5th time I eat in this restaurant and I must say I love their preparations, they will have my business in the future for sure.We ordered the hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, black iron shrimp, salmon, chicken breast and the two desserts. Everything was amazing. It was a new burst of flavor, texture and temperature with every dish we ate. The service is great, each course of the dinner was checked on by our waitress and the waters were always full.I will say that this restaurant can certainly step up the furniture in terms of the chairs and tables, and it will be the finishing touch it needs.The chairs felt slightly flimsy and too laid back for something that I’d like to lounge in.The table itself can use some real candles instead of the fake ones. I appreciate the technology with mobile payments through the wait staffs mobile devices.
Attentive service. Clean. Authentic. I am a regular here and have been with a large family, business meeting, date, and for a quick lunch. My favorite dish is muhamara. Their fries are 10/10. Their cherry kabob and entire desert menu is authentic.
This place was a very large restaurant, a lot of families were there. It is definitely on the fine dining side. But the food and the meat was great. We ordered appetizers and shared plates. My favourite appetizer was the labneh and both our main dishes were great. Lamb shank was absolutely perfectly cooked and the mixed grills was a combination of all kabobs and everything tasted great.
The service quality was very poor. Our server was purely terrible. He started taking our order then got distracted and walked away without saying a word. Got a sugar margarita wrong twice. When another person brought the food they didn’t even say what was what.Pretty disappointed.While the place looks nice and the food was good, I wouldn’t come back considering simply insane prices for what it is.
The food is very good, and quite premium but doesn’t wow. Service is a bit aloof. The atmosphere is nice. The place tries hard to be a 5-star, but just isn’t.
By far my favorite restaurant in the city. A modern, creative version of authentic Lebanese cuisine. I always get the duck shawarma whenever I visit. Ambiance is great. The service and management also go out of their way to ensure a pleasant experience.
Ilili is a huge restaurant, the food is good, we appreciated babaganoush a lot. It’s on a pricey side, sharing a puc of the receipt that includes our orders and the total.
Excellent place! Would love to come back. Very cool atmosphere. Gluten free is no problem here
I had high expectations for this restaurant and it did not meet them. I found the brunch menu to be quite limited. I had the shrimp hot mezza and it was underwhelming in taste. The fries were nothing special. My friend found her burger tasty, but nothing memorable. The only good thing was the service and decor: impeccable.
Likes- delicious food- good service- beautiful interior, great atmosphere and vibes- whole fish good for 2personDislike- none
Firstly, Food is really good. Highly recommend the falafel and brussel sprouts. My husband got the lamb chops and said they were delicious as well. Only thing we were very disappointed about is that we made a reservation for 6:15 PM. We were seated in the back room, when there was ample room in the front dining area which has the better views and decor. We thought maybe because it is just two of us and they need more room. When we looked in the other dining area we noticed a few other couples outside. My husband spoke to the manager about being moved and they moved us graciously and were great about it. But just made us wonder why we were seated in the back room, we did feel discriminated so for that reason we will not be returning, although we have loved this place for years!
In my trip to New York, me and my family decided to try lunch here, and we dont regret it one bit. A tad pricey but it is worth it. The restaurant is clean, organized, and profesional. The waiters were nice, and patient. A well behaved environment and I am thankful. We ordered the mixed meal, and the food was spectacular. Arguably the top 5 best restaurants I been in my life. Highly recommend!
Great place to try small and large plates to share as its more of an upscale family style experience. Everything was delicious, including the cocktails. Highly recommend!
The dishes were great!Im not a fan of red meat usually but this place really knows how to cook red meat well! The lamb is a must try.The drinks were great too.and we all loved the ice cream balls, nice and unique flavors.The service was also great.Cant wait to be here again for another meal!
The food was awesome! Ambience was good. They had individual toilets and small towels to dry hands. I personally had beef and lamb shawarma. We also ordered hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel and some egg plant dishes. All of them were fantastic. We also tried Arak and it was fire! The staff were very courteous. Definitely recommend!
It may not look like it, and Lebanese cuisine isn’t really known for their fries but good lord this restaurant has the best fries I’ve ever had in my life. As a massive fries lover, fries are pretty much more or less the same across the world but ilili’s fries really stood out. Of course the rest of the cuisine was good too. It’s a little stuffy inside, not really a “chill” vibe but it was a good experience. Our server was polite and pleasant.
Very nice place. Great Líbano style dinner. Nice wine offering. We were assigned a table for 2 in a noisy section, asked for a change and they were very polite. Once moved we had an amazing dinner.
The restaurant was amazing from the beginning to the end. The atmosphere is very breathtaking and warm. I was pleasantly greeted by the hostess and seated in the main dining room which was absolutely beautiful. I loved the decor and ambiance. The food was spectacular! I never tried Lebanese food before and this was definitely an amazing first experience. Our waiter was very informative and very personable. I will definitely be coming back!
The service was great. Since we were kind off new to Lebanese food, Noah helped us to select food based on our preferences. It was a bit loud for fine dining. But nonetheless less a great experience. Their Mekanek (lamb sausage) was absolutely delicious. That with Riz (Lebanese Rice) and Mouhamara (Dip) was a delicious combo. Cocktails were refreshing as well.
We had a great experience at ilili restaurant. They have a nice waiting area before seating. The interior design is pretty unique. Food was DELICIOUS! There are so much flavors from each dish. The server is super friendly and helpful. Will definitely visit again whenever we are in town.
JS4.4For sure, not the place to go and order for one. The complete Lebanese food experience will be lost.Pretty margarita, lacking in everything other than a frosted rim. I wouldnt go for the drinks.The Fattoush salad was great! Amaizng mix and flavors, wow! JS8.7The Mouhamara may have just not been for me... Cant rate it... Sorry. Could be amaizng or....The Pita was the biggest disappointment.... It looked as if it was going to be warm and amaizng as it presents as puffed and fresh! It was cold and far from fresh... JS1.2The Phoenician Fries... Another let down. They look amazing! Room temp and soggy... The special dip was the only reason I ate a few.... Fries JS0.0 Dip JS6.6Nice space, cute lounge area for a cocktail... Maybe.What do I know... The place was packed!MY Server Anna... JS8.9.
True Lebanese cuisine. The food is simply amazing, probably the best Lebanese food I’ve ever tried, in or outside of Lebanon. The service is great, they really make you feel like if you were in Lebanon. Everyone was amazing and super kind, and I can’t stop thinking about the food, from the meza to the deserts, everything was just perfect.
This was my second visit to Ilili and this place never disappoints. Excellent Lebanese food which can be enjoyed family style. We ordered Phoenician fries, babaganoush, labne, mouhamara, mekanek and the mix grill platter. The dips came with freshly baked pita breads which were very delicious. We enjoyed everything we ordered and this was a lot of food for our party of 5. The grill platter came with 3 kinds of seasoned whipped butter which was super delicious.
I came here with my dance school to get a taste of some Lebanese food and culture and this place was a wonderful experience. We had a group of 8 so they couldnt sit us outside ( they can seat 6 there) but when I saw the gorgeous interior I was blown away! The high ceilings and beautiful bar and lounge is very nice atmosphere. The staff and waiters are so friendly and inviting, they truly care about their customers. I do recommend reservations for 6 or more people because this place is crowded and busy! The menu is authentic lebanese with family mezze concepts, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We tried the fried feta cigars, stuffed grape leaves, feta fries along with hummus and babaganoush dips with fresh baked bread and everything was so flavorful, crispy, well seasoned and far from dull ( there is use of mint paprika parsley in all their dishes). I also got the falafel wrap with handcut fries and chopped cucumber / tomatoes with hummus on top, they looked more like tacos then wraps lol but it was extremely tasty and definitely made from scratch, you can tell nothing is frozen or deep fried. The country breakfast is an absolute hit, you get sausages eggs in a huge pan, amazing idea for brunch. They also have vegetarian vegan and seafood options which is a plus. The drink menu is extensive with arabic beers from lebanon, to italian bellinis, french wines and mimosas for brunch. Some wine bottles are as much as $200 while cocktails are $16 and beers are $13. I found a domestic staten island dry beer and it was very refreshing, kinda reminded me of a rose cider. The dessert menu just had ice cream, sorbet with 3 scoops of a different flavor along with 6 pieces of bakalava. We tried fig pistachio ice cream flavors and they blew my mind, i also admire their tea and coffee selections with fresh mint or turkish ground. What holds me back from giving 5 stars is how small the portions are considering the prices that you pay, mezze style could indeed accommodate 4 but one mezze alone is $14-18. They also can only take 5 cards at most for large parties which made paying the bill confusing. I would love to come back here to try their dinner though, just know that the brunch/ lunch kitchen closes at 4 until their next dinner service; seems like they have to close their kitchen between each meal.
Had a great lunch here. Tried two of the salads. The chicken Fattoush was excellent.
Good ambience and good food (not great). I went for Lunch and realized that the menu is very limited for Lunch. Would suggest going here for dinner instead.
The food was ok and overpriced. Nothing special in a city with incredible food. So don’t waist your money. The support service staff was amazing. Our dirty dishes were cleared promptly and our water glasses never went below halfway, but our waiter was terrible!!!We saw him three times in the almost 2 hours we were there. Once when we first arrived and he welcomed us. The second time was 20 minutes later when he took our order and the third time when we finished our meal and he asked if we wanted dessert. We said no to dessert and then waited…and waited..and waited for our check. It took 30 minutes for us to get our check and that’s only because we made eye contact with the manager while holding a credit card. He brought us our check, we paid him and got out of there never to return.
Extremely overpriced for what they offer however the ambiance and vibe is pretty cool.The Arak was an interesting drink that went well with the food though I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone.Babaganoush and hummus were both beautifully presented and tasted decent.Portion sizes were not great but serviceable.Honestly you can find better, cheaper middle eastern food almost anywhere but if you have a hankering for very particular lebanese food then this place is a good choice.Expect to pay $150-$200 for a party of four with a round of drinks and one dish each. Much more if you get the seafood…
4 years ago i rated this restaurant 5 start and i will still rate it the same! Highly recommend
Slow service, we were seated at the worst table in the house despite there being tons of better tables available and the restaurant was not at all busy. Dishes sounded great on the menu but were not executed well. Tough and overcooked meatballs, small portions for the dips (which were quite good). We skipped dessert, which is not something I do often!
Finally got a Lebanese restaurant in NY, delicious food and very good service.
The lamb burger was phenomenal. My husband ordered it and I had to force myself to stop stealing bites. I had the lamb. It was good and roasted tomatoes with it were perfect.The drinks were great too. I liked my cocktails and my husband enjoyed his beers.
Just an all around unbeatable dining experience. We made the sometimes risky choice of letting our server decide what we’d be eating and drinking but they sure did deliver. We tried so many new things that were all top notch. I highly recommend this approach at here. Let ilili take the wheel.
Great thorough check in process, beautiful ambiance, energetic server with wonderful recommendations and delicious plates to share! Great for a girls night out! I just wish we could sit around longer. I understand the need to reset the table for the next guests, but will only go when I know I don’t need to sit and talk long.
Food was very good, not amazing! I recommend trying but dont expect to be amazed by their dishes. Basic elevated Lebanese, no creativity or twist... Beautiful indoor space, service was average
We had a decent dinner at Ilili, the food was reasonably tasty and the service was quick and nice. What didnt cut it is the price of everything: we ended up paying 195$ for a meal that in the UK (or Europe) would have cost half as much. I understand Manhattan is expensive but even if compared with other meals we had in the same week this sounds wildly overpriced.
Restaurant is beautiful indeed and the food is great. A little overpriced but I believe with a fancy location comes an expensive menu.Service was excellent as well.
The head chef was once quoted that he will never run out of ideas or flavors for his cuisine. That was overly apparent in every plate that hit our table. Every dish was better than the next and the service was excellent. Excellent Lebanese wine pairings as well! I never thought certain flavors would pair so well until I tried Mr. Massoud’s cuisine. . I’m sorry I just found out about this place, but we will be back on many occasions. 5 stars all around!
Had a wonderful experience here from start to finish. The food is amazing and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Its indoor space is beautiful and spacious - great atmosphere for dates or special occasions. There’s a good variety of options for its small plates/mezzas and it’s a great way to try different food for a reasonable price. We ordered four mezzas and it was plenty to share among two people. The Phoenician fries is a must-try! It’s thick-cut and has a perfectly seasoned and crispy surface. The kebab kerez is also highly-recommended. I especially love its slightly sweetened cherry sauce that pairs well with the meatballs.
I was very excited to re-visit this restaurant, but unfortunately was beyond disappointed. I first ate here pre-pandemic and it was a full five stars- food, service, and ambiance. However, my husband and I dined for brunch yesterday- the food was absolutely disappointing. The lamb burger (which is our go to) was absolutely tasteless. A lot of the other dishes were just very under whelming, especially for the price. The staff/ service are still great. We were just beyond disappointed by the food, will not be returning.
The waitstaff here is so friendly and attentive, they make the experience feel luxurious and special. Went with some friends, and the waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and the food was equally excellent. We loved the dips with the jalapeño hummus and babaganoush being amazing. Great drinks as well! The ambiance makes the prices worth it
Great food and drinks. Our waiter suggested the lamb chops and I think they were one of the best things Ive ever eaten
Food was phenomenal. Our waiter, Noah, was a pleasure and helped us pick out our plates. He knew a lot about the restaurant and was very friendly and detailed, offering the type of service that emphasized a fine dining experience.
Me and my husband went here for Valentine’s Day. It was very good. The stuff was very attentive, even though they had a full house, they made us feel special. The food itself was amaaazing! Was worth every penny.
Amazing place. They seated us in a pinch even though we dressed down a bit and the service was great.Liked the arak in particular along with the wonderful combinations. Fresh pita, a dish that included roasted brussel sprouts, pomegranate molasses yogurt and grapes, a plate of flavorful grilled meats with an intense garlic sauce and wines and cocktails to match.Get a table and come hungry. Make a night of it.
I dont review restaurants, or any establishments really But this is an exception, for good reason. This place is awesome.when I say that was enough (although their other options look great as well). The food is amazing, healthier, and has a ton of variety in flavor profiles. A unique dining experience. The service is spectacularand friendly- you feel like youre eating in someones home, but with the added benefits of a sweet interiorwith great, lively vibes.
Ayatef & veal bacon, labne were both amazing. Baba ghannouj, hummus, mouhamara, hindbeh were all very good.
The food here is phenomenal! The hummus, the babaganoush, black shrimp, sausage, salad, lamb, eggplant....everything was a hit!! The drinks Beirut to Manhattan and American Rye were strong! Id definitely would return!!
The pricing may be a bit pretentious but the food and excellent service keeps me coming back. Really exquisite take on Lebanese food mostly as shared plates. Also great cocktails and wine list, I would particularly recommend trying the Lebanese reds. Besides many vegetarian options they are also great about making things vegetarian.
Terrific Lebanese (Mediterranean) food. Very large impressive space but not too noisy. Service was good, not great. Absolutely worth trying.
Food was good but not spectacular. Service was great. We found the place too loud though, unfortunately. People were literally shouting while having lunch.
Lovely atmosphere and good food, impeccable service. overall pleasant dining experience.
Nice and cozy atmosphere! The food had a delicate taste and respected the tradition. The mixed grill was delicious. Cocktails well made
Nice ambiance, the salmon, fries and sweet potato fries were amazing!
I only had vegetarian mezas, but what I can report is that the babaganoush is easily the best Ive ever had. The real star of the show, though, was the Brussels sprouts. They will change your whole mind about what Brussels sprouts can taste like, even if you dont like Brussels sprouts now. They transported me to another world where anything is possible. I heard angels singing.All the other dishes and the pita were all top quality, but if you go here and dont try the sprouts, you are making a mistake.Also, the cocktail, I had the Seed Money, absolutely superior.
Great place to go with friends and family. Best to order a bunch of plates and share for the table. Staff was very friendly. Everything is very delicious!
Got the best cocktails I’ve tried in a long time. Jesus went above and beyond with our drink selection. Food was also great. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a great place.
Exceeded all expectations.The interior space is absolutely stunning with sky high vaulted ceilings and vintage lighting that beautifully Illuminated the space. The Lebanese cuisine is a mix of modern and traditional. The food quality and freshness were notable. Our server Lubna (coincidentally my dining companions mothers name!) was very attentive, informative, pleasant and genuine! We much appreciated this.We ate:Lamb burgers - brioche bun, syrian air cured beef cooked perfectlyPhoenician Fries - crispy, sumac, parsley, garlic whipVeal bacon - mouth droolBrussel sprouts - their signature side, is authentically different with a sweet kick - fig jam, grapes, mint yogurt, and walnuts ( I dont even like walnuts and this was delicious)Drinks - Vert, From Beirtut with Passion, Salt & Smoke - mixologist was on pointWe dined inside. Covid rules were in effect and adhered to. Temperatures taken at the door as well as personal contact information. Masks were worn by all staff and they went the extra step to hand each person a small bag to keep your mask clean and safe - a really nice touch since I manage to drop mine on the floor while dining out! Great/Central location. Did not charge extra covid recoop taxes. Did ask for a $2 donation to Beirut fund with ordering the Beirut with Passion drink - we happily donated.Please support this wonderful place you will not be disappointed.
Ambiance 👍🏼, authentic cuisine, great customer service will definitely visit again.
High-end Lebanese, fabulous food, extraordinary service. Zero decoration or ambiance compared to the DC location. At these prices, I expect tablecloths.
The best Lebanese food Ive ever had at a restaurant. Only complaint is the mixed grill dosent come with rice or fries. Also kanafeh was not very good. Otherwise was great.
Delicious. Everything was 10/10. I will come back multiple times
The staff was amazing. The food was divine. The atmosphere was absolutely indulgent and romantic. 100% amazing experience for our first time having Lebanese food. And it wasnt overwhelming with all the flavor it had packed into it.
The food was absolutely amazing! During COVID before they temporarily closed, they setup a really nice outdoor seating area that hosts many tables that can host what it seems to be up to 8 to 10 people.The interior design is beautiful. High ceilings, cedar wood, you really feel like you’re in a different world.
Ilili - A well curated Lebanese-inspired menu, with the Mediterranean essentials with a twist by Chef Philippe Massoud. Perfectly marinated and grilled chicken, cooked through but not dry. Try the pink yogurt sauce with it over a warm home-made pita.Suggests definitely getting the hummus and other menu items such as the black iron shrimp with a spicy kick of jalapeños.Excellent service despite COVID restrictions.
If you love Mediterranean food, specially Lebanese cuisine, you will love Ilili.Additionally, if you are vegetarian, like us, you can relax, theres plenty of very nice appetizer and Mezze options to make up for the sparsity of vegetarian entres.Do not miss their Muhammara, it is to die for.Or their sinful candy bar dessert.
Amazing Lebanese restaurant, my favorite Middle eastern food spot in NYC.The Brussels Sprouts and the Warak Enab are to simply to die for! The fried Kibe also very good.Friendly service, relaxed ambiance, it’s clear that everyone is here for the food. For sure I’ll come back!!!
This restaurant is seriously amazing. It is huge, many tables and multi-level, yet the service is top-knotch. The food is incredible especially with Arak. Cannot wait to return.
Excellent lebanese food. Highly recommend the salmon meal, great complex flavors of pomegranate and squash. Muhamarra was very tasty. Lamb sausage had great flavor. Great baklava with pistachio ice cream on the side
My hubby booked the place for my bday.. and it was totally amazing. The food was beyond delicious. Everything was so flavourful we totally enjoyed the dinner. Make a reservation before you go,also parking across the street is avilable aftr 7.We took our 7yr old with us..and he found the food delcious too. We ordered from hummus,to salald,to shrimp which was really worth ordering...the salmon was so far the best and the chicken was moist amd flavourfull too.
My favorite restaurant in the city! Classic Lebanese dishes with a twist! I went for Pride Drag Brunch and it was amazing!
What an absolute delight. Went here for a birthday dinner and while looking at the normal menu our waiter stopped by to offer us a tasting menu (not published online)Of course we had to try it - absolutely zero disappointment except that we couldn’t eat it all because there were so many dishes.I highly recommend ilili and will definitely return again.P.S. try the lemonade, you won’t be disappointed
Beautiful decor and layout inside the restaurant as well as a comfortable and modern environment. The service was very prompt and appropriate. The menu is an exciting and colorful array of fresh dishes exploring a diverse range of flavors and techniques. The dandelion greens elicited an incredible savory and rich flavor and the falafel was light and airy with the delicious chickpea background often masked. The traditional Lebanese dishes including the hummus and beef Schwarma were fresh, flavorful and absolutely delicious. Overall was a good value for the experience and would go back on a heartbeat.
Had a lonely date here during the pandemic. Food was delicious and the server was friendly.The tables are pretty tiny so if you’re with tall people, it could be a bit difficult. We almost flipped the table over a few times.That being said, we had a great experience.
Excellent Lebanese food!Everything we had was solid.Service is very good for a place this busy.One thing we did not get a picture of was the mini pancake sandwiches. Probably the BEST THING WE ATE.Highly recommended.
Absolutely fantastic! The restaurant itself has a great decor - if I have one critique it’s that the dining area is a little loud so at a large round table, it can be a little difficult to hear each other. Stand out dishes were the falafel, duck shawarma, moussaka and mixed grill (garlic whip trio is out of this world). Would definitely recommend coming here!
This is the best middle eastern food in NY so far. Definitely the best lamb shawarma I’ve ever had. Love the arak experience ❤️
Superb middleastern food. Fantastic ambience.
Perhaps the best Lebanese in New York City. Suggest the duck Shawarma. Strong cocktail list
An upscale Mediterranean restaurant with an inclination towards Labenese tastes. The menu is always interesting and their collection of Labenese Wines is outstanding including some rare finds from Chateau Musar. Whether you are in the mood for some small plates tapas style or a full four course meal this restaurant caters to all. Tables are distanced and partitioned with options for outdoor seating. Reservations recommended.
Late brunch at this luxurious middle eastern spot was absolutely marvelous. The service, food, atmosphere, and dessert were all done very well. The fresh bread, feta dish, and baklava for dessert were highlights!ILILI has an expansive menu and gorgeous outdoor seating. Staff was adhering to CDC guidelines. We had a great experience eating there, and would probably go back!
Everything was delicious! especially the Baba ganoush
Undeniably one of the best fusion-Lebanese restaurants in NYC. Coming from a true Lebanese foodie with lots of Hummus experience, iLili fulfills that need of good taste from the Cedar country in every way.Food Taste: 8/10Quality of Service: 7/10Restaurant Ambiance: 7/10Value for Money: 8/10Quick Tip: Dip your fried Cheese Rolls in some Hummus and enjoy the perfect explosion of taste and savors with a nice fresh mint Lemonade.
Fresh and tender grape leaves in a hot bowl laying on a steaming bed of lamb in its gravy accompanied by a side of cool tahini were just part of a great dining experience. In this part of town it can be challenging to find great spots to eat due to the exchangeable aspect of the tourist traffic. Ilili definitely stands out in these crowded streets, taking pride in the freshness of its food and warmth of its crew. The table was kept clean throughout our sitting and our waiter made sure to stay around. Both the food and wine menus are well designed giving the guest a choice of pre fix. During our dinner, one of my my invitees accidentally dropped his wine. Our waiter and manager reacted quick and cleaned up, but to my surprise, his wine wasn’t replaced. Little flunks leaving me with the thought that other little flunks can be happening in this place, it’s this little detail why I didn’t give five stars to this fine establishment. I still recommend it. The food and ambiance was great. As a side note, the spacing/ amount of tables could be improved since this place is pretty closed and the current setup can make the guests a little claustophobic.
Amazing selection of beautifully prepared Lebanese dishes in a classy environment. We allowed our server to surprise us with dishes and were not disappointed. Dont forget their delicious Brussels sprouts and the Ashta for dessert.
Nice place and service. Good setup for outdoor dining with most or all tables covered with shade. Hummus and pita were good, so was the veal bacon. Good brunch prix-fixe deal.
What an experience. While expensive, the food is great (although the falafels didnt really taste great so that was disappointing) but 10/10 for an amazing restaurant/bar vibe!! a must-visit!!
This was my first time at a Lebanese restaurant. It’s Mediterranean cuisine and similar to Greek food. Hint of floral, herbal and spicy heat in every dish keeps each course interesting in a pleasantly surprising way. They have mezze (small plates) options or entree portions. Try the falafel, babaganoush, beef shawarma but I wouldn’t recommend the grilled octopus - it was under cooked and had an awful slimy texture. Service was attentive with appropriate timing in checking in with us. And I’ll be going back for the strawberry chocolate dessert!
Came for brunch. Service was great but the food was a little bland. The shakshuka was disappointing and my chicken and waffles were smothered in sauce, ruining all the crispness of fried chicken and fresh waffles.
Firstly this is a nice upscale fine dining. Great ambience n The interiors are so good. We came here for restaurant week dinner. Its a pre fix menu$42 per head. Its a for course meal, it was just perfect reach item was so good
I fell in love with mediterranean cuisine when I was in Tel Aviv last year. The use of unfamiliar, but incredibly fragrant spices on simply prepared dishes conjured an Aladdin-esque mysticism that enthralled me the whole time I was there.#NYCRestaurantWeek at @ililirestaurants brought me back to that Arabic fantasy. All the dishes we had - save the tomato salad - were pretty darn perfect up to the elegant plating. My favorite was the cauliflower in labne - a simple roasted vegetable bathed in a luxurious creamy base. The lamb and knafe completed our lebanese/mediterranean experience quite perfectly (who can complain about a deep-fried cheese wheel?).PSA: This restaurant week deal is pretty darn worth it. You get two appetizers, instead of one like most other restaurants (the magic is in the mezzes). Even after paying the supplement on some of the dishes, which may be 2/3-sized, its still significantly cheaper than going to the restaurant on full price. (But seriously, the regular pricing is a little whack - $22 for the bland af tomato salad?!)
Great Lebanese food, just as good as if it were in Lebanon. The interior has a great modern cozy style.I highly recommend the kanefeh.
Delicious Lebanese food, the staff was very friendly and helpful. We shared the mixed meat and the roasted chicken. It was amazing. You should try the deserts afterwards they were delicious! I would recommend this to everyone I know.
If this guy open up in lebanon he would close from day one, this is not lebanese maybe it’s something else you are ruining the lebanese cuisine identity, pictures on your toast looks like my son george did the plates actually he would do better looking plates and he’s 7 years old, please switch your concept to korean bbq i beg you but not lebanese.
Amazing Mediterranean food .... just amazing.... we were amazed to see how soft the peta bread was ... definitely must try this.. peta bread with hummus... we also ordered falalel and an eggplant starter and we were amazed to see the food quality... the falele comes in square boxes which was unique and it tastes amazing. Another must try for sure !!! Overall a 5 star experience for me... service was good but just a caution... the prices are above the average price but definitely you guys should give this restaurant a try..
So I loved the service and ambiance. The servers and sommelier were both charming and helpful and eager to please. The ambiance was also very charming with string lights over the sidewalk and well spaced seating with romantic faux candle tableside. The wine also, a French Pinot, was delightful. But the food itself is too pricy. Small plates like hummus or baba ghanouj should be transcendent if priced this way. They are simply well done. But for well done, go to Queens and get the authentic Middle Eastern experience at a quarter of the price. Ilili doesn’t elevate the genre. The cheese rolls were a little salty and a small quantity, the grape leaves were a little soggy, the falafel was not flavorful/fresh enough (compared to even a cheap place like Mamoun’s), and the beef shawarma was so nondescript, not a single aspect of it stuck out.Again, I want to emphasize I had a great time. This is still a great atmosphere and a great team. But it is just in a city with spectacular Middle Eastern options and it falls short at this price.
Arrived to the restaurant with high expectations because of many recommendations and even though the food is ok (nothing extraordinary) it was overrated and not worth the price. Also, the vibe of the place feels old and way too big.
Aww! There are no words to describe my experience at Ililis! I had brunch with some friends, and we shared a bunch of Mezza, either hot and cold. Falafels are a must. They are so crunchy and delicious! They come with a unique and yummy sauce. Another incredible Mezza that deserves your attention is MOUHAMARA (walnuts, sundried peppers, pomegranate molasses.) The staff is kind, the location is trendy and clean. The wine selection is nice (we decided to stick with Lebanese wine), and the bread that serves is just outstanding. Strongly recommended for a tasty experience! The menu offers also vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options!
Great service and amazing food. We were a party of 6 and what worked best for us was the round table with lots of space in the middle (since we shared nearly all of the dishes). I have several food sensitivities and the server and chef were very helpful in pointing out or modifying the dishes. One friend was from Jordan and could assert the authenticity of the food.My personal favorites included the brussel sprouts with walnuts, rice, mixed vegetable mezze, chicken main course served with savory garlic mousse. The fish was a Branzino that was somewhat overpriced for the size. The pita is absolutely perfect.
Above and beyond dining experience. We ate outside during COVID and the staff was super hospitable and attentive. Pricing is very fair for quality of service and dishes!! Cleanliness and hygiene was also very thorough (temp checks, masks, contact tracing). Overall amazing experience and will definitely be returning!
Nice romantic place for Lebanese/Mediterranean food. The food and drinks were good. I really enjoyed the Falafel, Phoenician fries & the Hummus. They were quite flavorful & fresh. I was not a fan of the Semolina Gnocchi. In my opinion, it was lacking flavor & spice. I did explain this to the waiter & they offered to replace it with another dish to my liking. We were very full & the dish was comped. Excellent service. The ambiance is excelled as well. Very romantic atmosphere. I definitely recommend ILILI for date night.
I attended a Prosecco master class here which included a food pairing. Based on what we were served I will definitely be back. The dips in particular were phenomenal as were the desserts.
Warm ambience, with good service. The dishes at Ilili are inventively created. Square falafels, nioochi with yogurt, and humus with cauliflower. All yummy. Try the chicken skewers and burrata (really yummy). Plating is very well done, as you might expect in this Instagram age. All in all a great experience.
We had an excellent meal accompanied by a very nice Lebanese red wine. Food and service were both terrific and I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Brunch menu is pretty extensive and flexible as they have a prefix option and you can order a la carte. Food is a little expensive but portions are generous and the food is good, especially the hummus and the brussel sprouts. Service was attentive and the atmosphere modern and clean, minus the bathrooms whose walls are lined with sandpaper and are not actually stone. Creative or cheap, you be the judge.
We went for brunch after church when I was visiting NYC. Delicious! This place helped to make the whole day a very special occasion, so much so that I would go out of my way to return - even when New York City has so many other restaurants to try! Now you now this Midwest grandma likes to squeeze her pennies, but this splurge was so worth it! I highly recommend it!
I went for my birthday and tried couple of lamb chops and they are good. At the end ordered a dessert and it was really good. Quiet expensive but it’s ur bday😋😋
Do not go to Ilili unless you want to spoil your evening with bad attitude and average food. We went there on November 29 - the experience was horrible and will never be returning! The server whose name is Mauricio O was horribly rude and interrupted us several times and rushed us through the whole evening. The host seated us right next to the door on a very cold day. When asked to be moved to another location since we have a small child and will be uncomfortable overall, he said the door will not be opened. Yet, people walked in through that door many times on this cold day. The host walked away while we were still talking! How rude?! This is in spite of there being many free tables. Save yourself the trouble of visiting this place for average food and really bad attitude. There are plenty of other places in NYC to enjoy your evening with great food and better service. This place will be history if they dont learn to treat people with respect and improve service.
Everything we tried was so good. Must try.
Upscale Mediterranean restaurant with a lot of vegetarian appetizer options. we tried 4, and they were all just perfect. Batata harra and Arnabeet Mekle were our favorite. Their wine list is endless which is another amazing thing. I would really like them to add a few more vegetarian options in entree menu.Over all experience was great! The upstairs dining room is quite boring unlike their grand, high ceiling main dining room. We have dined in both the rooms and would like to go again and be seated downstairs.
Wonderful atmosphere, great food. Outstanding service
Delicious Mediterranean food! Pita bread is too die for, salmon amazing. Food here is honestly incredible, if you haven’t been here you missing out
The food was so good!! the experience was a rushed though and it was really hard to hear in the way everything is set up.
Incredible restaurant with great food and service. Christian at the front was very accommodating and friendly. We went on one of the busiest nights of the year and the food was 10/10 and the service was 11/10.
Fabulous dining experience and absolutely gorgeous food. Staff was friendly and amended main dishes to cater for vegan options. Very friendly, quite sophisticated nice restaurant.
Bill had items that we did not order. Shady vibe from waiter. Drinks were amazing- food was just okay.
I went here during NYC’s restaurant week, and enjoyed everything I ordered. I went with 3 other people and we essentially got to try every appetizer (small plate) on the menu - everything was tasty! The service was very good too, being very flexible with someone at the table who has dairy and nut allergies.
The atmosphere and staff at Ilili are amazing and feel very refined. The food is great for sharing and has deep flavors. We visited as a party of 10 and ordered a handful of appetizers, mains, and desserts to share. All the food was beautifully plated and rich in flavors. The staff was very attentive throughout the meal and they handled our large party size with ease.We sat inside with a party of 10. COVID vaccine proof and photo ID are required to eat here.
The food was great. The brussel sprout salad was especially delicious. The staff was friendly and professional. The entire dinning experience was wonderful.
Overall a very good experience and still the same through the years. Food its awesome in quality, price wine bottles high over other similar places, food price its over the median but the quality justify it. You can easily spend $100 per person with wine. Also it is confusing and disappointed its to not to have one menu with all the information. looking two menus (Wine list and Food) on the phone...its exhausting...also dont be offered as option Le Cart (regular menu).They should do something with the noise level. For a 4/5 stars restaurant in NYC, the minimum that you expect is to have a normal conversation at your table....it was difficult and we was a small party. Something weird when you go out to the street you feel relieved......in NYC...that tell you that something is wrong.... ... Otherwise food and service is fabulous
We celebrated Thanksgiving dinner here and we couldn’t have asked for a better dining experience. From the food to the staff, everything was perfect. We look forward to visiting again to try out their regular menu.
This place never disappoints. Food is amazing. Service is awesome.
Absolutely loved it. It’s spacious and let’s not even get started with the menu. Went there with a group and we shared a lot of the plates. There were certain ways they had cooked the Brussels sprouts or Eggplants that I didn’t even know existed and could taste that good. Will definitely be going again
Unlike most restaurants, participating in the Summer Restaurant Week, Ilili offers very generous and fair menu options. If it wasnt for the SRW, wed end up paying $75 more.The food is absolutely delicious, their steak tartar is to die for. The servings are rather small, especially desserts are simply tiny. Also, they serve 2 lamb chops for $50 (outside of the SRW), which is way overpriced.The place is huge and loud. The wait staff does a good job managing the space. However, we ended up waiting for over an hour for the appetizers.All in all, a great deal and a must-visit for the SRW.
Everything from arrival to departure was absolutely PERFECT! The manager was talking to us before we were seated, he sat us and checked in on us twice during the meal, definitely made us feel special! The servers knowledge of the menu was phenomenal! When I say we had questions, our party asked so many questions it was starting to put me off 😆 He had an answer for every single one and never looked the slightest bit put off, he also recommended a few dishes that were FANTASTIC! The food itself not only met our expectations but greatly exceeded them! You have to get the ILILI candy bar for dessert, AWESOME! Thank you to Marco and his team for the FANTASTIC service! We will be back as often as we can!
We reserved a table for NYE and unfortunately it wasn’t the best experience. The service is really slow and bad. I won’t recommend it: two stars for semi decent dj but that’s it, surprisingly food was just ok. Nothing special, won’t come back and not recommended.
Love the food here. Been couple times, all dishes are very good and they keep it consistent.
Really wonderful service and delicious food. We ate so much. The branzino was delicately cooked. Loved the beetroot mezze and the babaganoush was delicious.
I really loved the food here! The only upsetting thing was that I ordered so much food, that I couldn’t finish everything. I can’t wait to go back to try other things on the menu.I loved the appetizers: Brussel Sprouts, Hummus, and Beef Fried Kibbeh. Then for the main, I had the Hearth Baked Loup de Mer with dairy-free, tahini based tartar sauce. Paired with Phoenician Fries with sumac, parsley, and garlic whip, and Lebanese rice with toasted vermicelli, and mixed nuts.I also tried the salt and smoke cocktail: mezcal, cocchi americano, lemon, honey, pomegranate, sumac, & aleppo salt, which I really liked!The space, the ambience, the food and the service were all good. Keep in mind that it’s easy to over order and the food is quite filling, so make sure you ask your server for some guidance.
Food is really good, I loved the steak tartar, baklavas and turkish coffee. The place is nice and spacious and service is really good. I will come back.
Very good Lebanese food with a wide range of specialties and drinks. Excellent grilled meats, specially the beef. Appetizers included feta and hummus. Private rooms are available upstairs for bigger groups and parties. Staff was friendly and attentive.
The restaurant has a great decor. They were nice and quick in accommodating us since we were before time. We ordered Middle Eastern beer and a cocktail. Beer was good. Restaurant is cozy and not very loud. We ordered falafel and cheese rolls in appetizers. Both were good but not outstanding.
Good restaurant, the only problem is the waiter took away our salad before we finish — and 20 min later did they bring the bbq.
I had an awful experience here recently after always being a big fan. Me and another friend brought our girlfriend in for her birthday dinner a few weeks ago and decided to sit in the lounge on a Friday night. We had a great meal and a fun time that was met with an abrupt and rude ending after being cut off by the bar (after three cocktails mainly filled with ice because #NYC) because we were being too loud. It was Friday night, the music was loud, we were some of the only people sitting in the entryway lounge (where you have to order food from the bar yourself), and we were NOT being too loud. Instead we were victimized for some odd reason, made to feel uncomfortable, and forced to leave despite a pity drink that the manager offered us on our way out, as if we would have stayed. Ill never be back. This restaurant can choke!
Lovely !Nice ambiance, lovely food ! Excellent food and superb staff. We really enjoyed ourselves. I loved it 😁
It was great experience in this restaurant . They served a delicious food and have a clean place. Host was kindly and nice . Really I recommend to visit this restaurant and enjoy there .
This is a fabulous restaurant from the spacious decor to the excellent, extensive, and authentic Lebanese menu. Great for brunch on the weekends. Go with friends and share as many dishes as you can. We went with a party of 4 and shared 6 appetizers and a dessert. All delicious! Will definitely go back with more friends. All Covid protocols are in place and practiced by the entire staff.
Everything i ate here was delicious - great experience, the music they played was great too, a fun vibe
Simple atmosphere, exceptional service, phenomenal Lebanese food!Got a same-day reservation for a party of nine, had friendly and welcoming service from all of the staff we interacted with, and had an amazing meal. Highly recommend any and all of their dishes, had probably 20 different dishes between our group, all of which were outstanding.Ilili has now become one of my favorite middle eastern restaurants in NYC. Very much looking forward to our next visit!
I came here on the occasion of New Years Eve and I should say that this is the best premium Lebanese restaurant I have ever tried (tip to reader: I am Lebanese and know what and how Lebanese food tastes like.)The place had an extraordinary feel that matches no other. We were sat in the lounge that was very classy and very well decorated. The Kebbe nayye was up the roof and the lobster was of great value. Not to mention the mouthwatering steak and Hummus.If youre a fan of meditaranean food, especially Lebanese, then youre in for a treat!
Nice brunch with friends! Brunch deal for ~$32 included entree, shared plate, and drink. Food was ok, entrees were on the smaller side, service was great. Wasn’t too crowded on a Saturday at 12.30pm which was a plus.
It was a lovely Lebanese Restaurant with great decor. Food was good and would go again.
I had been recommended this place highly by my friend, and when I found myself in the neighborhood, decided to stop for a visit.The hummus with lamb was great, albeit the lemon added felt a tad too much for me. The pita it was served with, however, was perfect.The bartender couldve been more attentive, my water wasnt filled nearly as quickly as they shouldve, but overall, I might return again, but maybe with more people
Great place for some Lebanese food. Presentation and service were top notch.
Best tabbouleh I’ve ever had. Initially came for the atmosphere but the quality of food far exceeded my expectations. Great place to come with friends for a variety of drinks and appetizer size portions. The Passion Project and Spicy Sumac Margarita were fantastic.
Very nice and trendy restaurant in Manhattan for fast Lebanese food with a distinctive touch and quality.
Atmosphere and service was outstanding. The food was delicious and presented amazingly.
Wish I listened to the other reviews... food was way overpriced for the experience, and it seemed to be Lebanese-inspired, but not really Lebanese.
The food here is amazing. Duck shawarma tacos, hummus, cauliflower all top notch
The food, the views and the staff were lovelyHighly recommend
Super delicious food and was a great place to spend my birthday dinner!
Delicious food and good service
How do you turn a great restaurant experience on its head? Bad hosting! Saying you are about to experience a rush and no tables are available when every time slot on Opentable is free for the rest of the night is not a way to get repeat business. Food was good overall and the bartender makes great drinks but will not be coming back.
Worthy of the hype. Lebanese mod, very well done. I personally favor tabouleh and falafel, at any establishment and judge accordingly. Both were unique, and very tasty. The lamb sausages moved me to 5 stars. Unexpected and amazing flavor with pine nut additions. Great ambiance, solid dining.
Dined at ilili during restaurant week. Deliciously good food, decent portions! Highly recommend the lamb makloubeh and chicken liver..
I ordered out shawarma and was disappointed to get something like a gyro. It was $24 and much less than I expected. I was hoping for yellow rice, grilled vegetables, beef/lamb, tahini sauce, and some pita bread. The all meat wrap was a bit dry but tasteful. I would try this spot again possibly.
Visited from Dallas and one of the best experiences I have ever had. Food and service A+
The food was so good! Fresh and tasty especially the duck shawarma. Everything was delicious except for the kunafa. Staff was really friendly. Lovely ambience. We really enjoyed our dinner highly recommended!
Great atmosphere with pleasant hosts, busboys and waiters. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved the prefix brunch. Surprisingly big and filling portions with amazing flavor.
The food was amazing, per usual and our server was wonderful!
What a wonderful experience! We came here for a group dinner and the service was outstanding. It was also a very safe environment, which added to our comfort and overall positive experience. Yummy food!
Food very good, and personal is good! Place interesting! And Massaya wine Lebanon is an surprise!
Mixed grill and fattoush were delicious! A little bit pricey but you can not find any imperfections in the quality!
What a grastonomic experience!!!!!! The food was beyond incredible—we all had Lebanese food before, but not like this. But the star of the show was our waiter Alex. He MADE the experience. Alex explained how to pair the food on our table—-we left him in charge of ordering. His personality heightened the experience. We will definitely be back. And we’ll be asking for Alex.
Came for corporate dinner, incredibly attentive service. My glass was never empty despite me chugging water. Best chicken kebab of my life, succulent beyond belief (possibly influenced by it being free). Each dish was fantastic. Aleppo margarita had a nice spicy kick. Would return for the food and ambiance. Only un-partially-eaten photo I saved is of the ‘candybar’ dessert: a Ferrero Rocher-like cake (fig caramel, nuts, chocolate) with halva ice cream.
The place is enjoyable and lively. The service is a bit slow but friendly. The food, from what I had, is good and faithful to the original Lebanese cuisine. I would recommend if it was not the price. Cold mezze starting at $12, other hot mezze around $20-24 is way too expensive. A Lebanese meal involves a variety of mezze and a main dish like shawarma or kebab. If you do that is this place, be prepared to spend quite a lot.
What a gem of a restaurant! This was my second time eating here, and it did not disappoint. First of all, the decor is beautiful. Warm wood, lots of glass, so pretty. Then, there’s the food! Amazing!, we were a group of 7 and did the whole meal family style. Started with hummus (so very creamy) baba ghannaj, mouhamara, tabbouleh and moussaka. All starters were so fresh and nicely seasoned, very delicious!Hot mezza was next. I am vegan and Chris, our server, could not have been more attentive to my needs. I had warm eggplant, Lebanese rice, and tabbouleh on delish pita. Fries were Great,, mekanek, lamb shank and mixed grill platter did not disappoint the meat eaters. Even the deserts were fab!,Highly, highly recommend. You will be so happy you ate here! Great location too!,
Middle eastern food, place is very crowded but food is good. Waiters get a little lost in the crowd so holler for your prefer and bill.
We arrived without a reservation and due to someone else cancelling theirs last minute we were lucky enough to be seated. Success!Our server Alex was extremely nice. He curated our entire lunch as neither of us had eaten Lebanese before. One in our party had a nut allergy and red meat restriction. Kind of tough for Lebanese right? Well he still made it work.The drinks were tasty.The Brussels sprouts were good.Lebanese rice was stellar.Shrimp was A1.Lebanese pancake with fresh fruit and clotted cream was also a nice brunch choice.The attentiveness of the staff could not be better...seriously.I would absolutely return again. Great restaurant.
The dining experience here is such a pleasure. The ambience is great and all the food was delicious.
Perfect for breakfast. A little bit expensive but it’s 100% worth it. I suggest you to try their orange juice. Super juicy and tasty.
Love this place. Went for Valentine’s Day and there was a prefixed menu. It was perfect!
Very large space. It can accommodate large or intimate groups. Good service. Gorgeous decor. The food was great accompanied by an extensive wine list.
Decadent, fresh, sumptuous are the ways I would describe the food. The mezze appetizers were enough to leave us full but of course to really leave no room for doubt (or dessert), try the branzino, grill for 2, chicken kebab, or the unbelievable lamb. Cocktails subtle. Service impeccable. The restaurant itself is spacious and elegant. Enjoyed everything about our dinner this evening. Thanks!
This was our first dining at Ilili in a little over two years and Ive got to say we were somewhat disappointed. Whereas our prior dining experience was delicious and savory, the latest meal fell short of our high expectations. Im sure the restaurant has changed its menu during the course of the past two years, but we found the selection a little limited and not as imaginative as our last meal.Nevertheless, we would recommend this restaurant for a tasty Lebanese meal.
Great Lebanese fare in a chic environment. The service was really great as was the Bekaa Valley red we had.
Very nice. Food was well presented and tasty. Will definitely be back👍🏾🙌🏾
Best mix of authentic Lebanese and Syrian food youll find in NYC, service and venue are 10/10, the food is exceptional.Highly recommend
The ambiance of ILILI is cozy and relaxed. However, their food is not quite surprising with its price.
While there was a minor issue with my order, they were good about it and replaced it. Fast service. Lively.
Beautiful interior (especially the bathroom lounge) and incredibly tasty, elegantly ethnic foods. Great for chilling at the lounge/bar area, and creative, but again culturally relevant drink options. Do yourself a favor and order the dessert with orange blossom that takes a while and the duck shawarma.
Hands down best Lebanese food period (shh dont tell my relatives. Great weekend brunch $29 Pre-Fix
I had a tremendous experience at Ilili. I have been here multiple times and always had a great time. The food is always top notch, but the service and employees were expectional. Michael was a great server who provided spot on recommendations and high quality service. Lauren (Manager) even stopped by the table to check how everything was going. As someone in the industry, I was blown away and hope that they keep up what theyre doing.
Ilili always delivers. Romantic dinner with my wife. She loves Lebanese and this is definitely the best Lebanese restaurant in NYC. We had few cold and hot started. The shawarma and chicken liver were incredibly tasty.Also the ribeye steak is better than many other steakhouses. It won’t disappoint you.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for ilili Restaurant NYC 2023:
Review №1
2022-01-19Wow. This restaurant blew me away. It does everything it is supposed to do right, right. From the moment I was first greeted at the door to the moment I left, everything was great. They truly understood the Restaurant Week assignment and executed every dish that we ordered, to perfection. They will have my business in the future for sure. We ordered the hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, black iron shrimp, salmon, chicken breast and the two desserts. Everything was amazing. It was a new burst of flavor, texture and temperature with every dish we ate. The service is great, each course of the dinner was checked on by our waitress and the waters were always full. I will say that this restaurant can certainly step up the furniture in terms of the chairs and tables, and it will be the finishing touch it needs. The chairs felt slightly flimsy and too laid back for something that I’d like to lounge in. The table itself can use some real candles instead of the fake ones. I appreciate the technology with mobile payments through the wait staffs mobile devices, but I felt uncomfortable touching the screen multiple times to pay for my meal. Overall, great experience that can be enhanced through minor touches.
Review №2
2022-06-10Oh Ilili, I have nothing but compliments for this restaurant. The ambience is simultaneously homey yet upscale (God bless the interior designers and decorators). You’re definitely going to feel welcomed as the guests and staff represent various ethnicities and shades of melanin. And no matter the occasion (family dinner, date, special occasion, or casual meal), you’ll feel like you’re in the right place.The food is AMAZING! Dinning here was my first Lebanese cuisine experience and there isn’t another Lebanese restaurant I want to try because the menu here is delicious. The mixed grill platter with lamb, chicken, beef, potatoes, and veggies, is absolutely delicious and I order it every time. My lovely friend took me here for my birthday and Valentine’s Day, both experiences were more than worthwhile. The seasonal drinks are also very good and you definitely get the bang for your buck!What makes the overall experience so outstanding, is the staff! They make eye contact with you, smile, and make sure your needs are met in a timely manner. The restrooms are always clean. Lastly, making a reservation here is easy but not necessary (I recommend making a reservation though because it does get busy). Enjoy!
Review №3
2022-01-23I came across this place while browsing where to dine Middle Eastern food in midtown west! The ambiance was great, the servers were courteous, the place was busy but everything was flowing smoothly and the food came faster than we expected! The food was delicious and loved every moment of it!!
Review №4
2022-01-25Sometimes I dream about this place in my sleep. One of the best Lebanese restaurants in the country. The food is always so amazing and flavorful. I recommend trying some of everything on the menu. You really can’t go wrong. One of MY top 5 restaurants in the city.
Review №5
2022-03-24Absolute waste of money…me and my friend wanted to have Lebanese food, we were near by this restaurant looking at the ratings we decided to go for lunch.It was absolute waste of money and time.The ambiance is lavish and good but the food was not tasty at all.To start with I ordered white coffee and my friend ordered mint tea.Bothel drinks were horrible, the white coffee was jasmine flavor water., the server said it’s Lebanese decaf coffee.For the mint tea with my friends request they added ginger flavor in it and tasted better.For the food firstly there was no chicken dish , so I ordered falafel wrap and it was bad The sauce did not taste good. I could not finish the dish.My friend ordered salmon burger which also was very average.Would not recommend who is really looking for good food and not just the fancy ambiance.
Review №6
2022-05-24All I can Say Is Wow ! If you seek Mediterranean Food in NYC, there’s nothing in New York that would be give you better feeling after eating at this Restaurant! Let us be quality, quantity, presentation, food options etc, nothing comes near to this Place! It’s a gem in the heart of New York City near Flat Iron Building. Hummus, Sumac, Falafel are you die for ! Been to many restaurants in New York, spent thousands in trying but unfortunately in my option and opinion, you wouldn’t find a better Mediterranean food than here !
Review №7
2022-03-27Absolutely phenomenal upscale Mediterranean food. The wait for the food and dessert was a bit too long to justify a 5* review, but this place is definitely worth going out of your way for if you want a classy twist on some great Mediterranean food.
Review №8
2022-03-26The menu seems meat heavy but there is a good number of vegetarian options. The outdoor sitting is nice and cozy. The Food is tasty and some of the Mezza are very unique.
Review №9
2021-11-20A wonderful Lebanese restaurant. Great ambiance, it’s classy, romantic, and still fun. The bar/lounge area is especially nice to catch up with big groups of friends and get a nice cocktail. Also recommend this for dinner for big groups. The appetizers are all shareable so it keeps it easy. The bread is out of this world delicious - light but fluffy and served warm to dip and eat all your delicious apps
Review №10
2022-01-26Love this restaurant. Food is delicious, the best Lebanese food I’ve tried in NYC. Service and ambience is great too.Good place to catch up with friends or enjoying good dinner with your family.