Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in East Village (10009)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Cafe Mogador
Moroccan comfort classics that stay craveable across brunch and dinner.
Notable Picks
#1
Cafe Mogador
8.5
A warm, always-busy Moroccan mainstay that’s at its best when you order like a regular: one tagine, one grilled plate, and a couple of classic spreads to start. It works equally well for brunch crowds and weeknight dinners when you want steady, spice-forward comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives, Lamb tagine, Moroccan mint tea
What makes it special: Moroccan comfort classics that stay craveable across brunch and dinner.
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
What makes it special: Big, shareable Lebanese-Mediterranean menu with proven reliability at scale.
#3
Balade
8.3
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Lebanese dining room built for mezze-first meals and generous mixed grills, with a warm, festive energy that suits dates or small celebrations. The smart move is to anchor with one standout dip, one kebbeh-style appetizer, and a grill platter for the table—then let the bread do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus with lamb, Kebbe kras, Supreme mixed grill
What makes it special: Mezze-and-grill Lebanese cooking in a festive, reservation-friendly room.
#4
Ayat
8.2
A Palestinian spot that shines when you lean into grilled meats, fresh breads, and shareable spreads that reward a family-style approach. The room runs lively and can feel fast-paced, so the best outcome comes from a tight order: one grill combo, two dips, and one bright side to cut the richness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma, Kofta kebab, Fresh pita with dips
What makes it special: Palestinian comfort food built for big, shareable spreads and grills.
Worthy Picks
7.7
A late-night cafe-lounge hybrid where Middle Eastern comfort plates share the spotlight with hookah and nightlife energy. Treat it as a hang: order one kebab plate, one dip, and tea or coffee, and keep expectations focused on vibe and warmth rather than fine-dining precision.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken kebabs, Hummus, Lentil soup
What makes it special: A hookah-forward cafe where kebabs and tea power the hang.