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Au Za'atar - East Village
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Au Za'atar - East Village
8.3
A high-volume Lebanese-Mediterranean room that’s built for sharing: spreads, grilled meats, and bright salads in a lively, reservation-friendly setting. It’s a strong choice when you want reliable crowd-pleasers with enough menu range to satisfy both picky eaters and spice seekers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tableside shawarma, Hummus and mixed dips, Shish taouk
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Big, shareable Lebanese-Mediterranean menu with proven reliability at scale.
Who should go: Groups who want easy sharing
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or early weekend lunch
What to order: Tableside shawarma, hummus, shish taouk
Insider tip: Order 2 dips, 1 salad, 1 grill, 1 starch—skip extra mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; expect to circle or use a nearby paid garage if driving.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans are common, but a polished top works well for evenings.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours—fine for groups, less ideal for quiet conversations.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5–10 minute wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong selection of mezze, salads, and vegetable-based plates.
Vegan options: Yes—several dips, salads, and sides can be ordered vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Limited—many grilled items and salads work, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or daytime dates than intimate first dates—the lively room and share-plate format keep things easy but not romantic-quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait at dinner; reservations are strongly recommended for groups or weekend nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—kids do well with the spreads, grilled meats, and flexible ordering, especially at lunch or early dinner.
Best For
Better for: Reliable group dining with broad menu appeal and consistent execution at scale.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate Mediterranean meal or a chef-driven, fine-dining experience.
Au Za'atar - East Village
8.6
A high-volume Lebanese-Middle Eastern room that wins on reliable, crowd-pleasing spreads and grills, with enough menu range to make group ordering feel easy instead of chaotic. Go for a balanced table—two dips, one bright salad, one grill, and one starch—then stop before the order turns into leftovers math.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tableside shawarma, Hummus, Shish taouk
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Big, shareable Lebanese menu that stays dependable at serious volume.
Who should go: Groups who want easy sharing
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or early weekend lunch
What to order: Tableside shawarma, hummus, shish taouk
Insider tip: Build the table: 2 dips + 1 salad + 1 grill + 1 starch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive after 6pm. Best bet is walking, rideshare, or nearby garages on 1st Ave.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are common, but polished casual fits the vibe best.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — energetic room where group conversation is easy, but quiet one-on-one talks can be challenging during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended for groups.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside peak lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — many strong options including dips, salads, and vegetable-based mains.
Vegan options: Yes — several naturally vegan dips, salads, and sides; just confirm sauces.
Gluten-free options: Partial — many grill items and salads are gluten-free, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or social dates than intimate ones — the lively energy and shareable menu take pressure off, but it’s not quiet or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weekdays or early evenings, but weekends and prime dinner hours often mean a wait. Reservations are the safest move for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — familiar flavors, shareable plates, and a high-energy room make it suitable for older kids and families comfortable with noise.
Best For
Better for: Large-group dining, dependable Lebanese crowd-pleasers, and stress-free ordering at scale.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic meal or tightly focused, chef-driven dishes — smaller, more intimate Middle Eastern spots will deliver that better.
Au Za'atar - East Village
8.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A lunch-friendly Middle Eastern room that balances speed with a menu built for sharing, making it ideal for business lunches that need both substance and flexibility. The move is mezze-first for the table, then one grill or shawarma anchor so the meeting stays flowing instead of turning into a complicated order log.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tableside Shawarma, Hummus + Mezze Spread, Mixed Grill Platter
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Shareable mezze-and-grill format that keeps lunch organized.
Who should go: Teams who want a flexible, crowd-pleasing menu
When to visit: Weekday lunch before 1pm
What to order: Mezze, mixed grill, shawarma
Insider tip: Assign one person to call the mezze set, then add one main per 3–4 people.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability and often tough during lunch hours. Rideshare or walking is recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and clean sneakers are fine, but polished business-casual fits the room best.
Noise level: Moderate. Energetic but controlled—easy enough to hold a work conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait before 1pm; brief 10–15 minute wait possible after 1pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — strong mezze selection and several satisfying vegetarian mains.
Vegan options: Yes — multiple mezze and plant-forward dishes can make a full meal.
Gluten-free options: Limited but workable — grilled proteins and salads are the safest bets; confirm pita substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you like sharing food. The mezze format creates an easy, interactive flow without feeling too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? At lunch, yes—arrive before 1pm for the smoothest seating. Dinner is more competitive, especially on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy grilled meats and familiar flavors; less ideal for strollers or very young children during busy hours.
Best For
Better for: Business lunches and group meals where sharing keeps ordering efficient and the table engaged.
Skip if: You want a quiet, low-energy lunch or strictly individual plating with minimal table interaction.