Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in Chelsea
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Shukette
Seasonal Levantine small plates and live-fire grilling in a high-energy setting.
Notable Picks
#1
Shukette
8.4
Vibes:
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Group Dining Gatherings
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Chelsea’s buzzy Levantine grill house, built for sharing: bright dips, vegetable mezze, and charcoal-kissed skewers land with high flavor density. The room is loud and kinetic, reflecting its open-kitchen energy, but the cooking stays focused and confident. Ideal for groups that want a modern Middle Eastern feast without losing authenticity.
Must-Try Dishes:
House breads with dip trio, Charcoal-grilled lamb or chicken skewers, Seasonal mezze and salads
What makes it special: Seasonal Levantine small plates and live-fire grilling in a high-energy setting.
#2
Zou Zou’s
8.2
A polished Eastern Mediterranean brasserie in Manhattan West, spanning Lebanese to Turkish and beyond with confident seasoning and share-plate pacing. The cooking leans generous—smoky eggplant, jeweled rice, and grilled meats are the anchors—while the sleek hotel-plaza setting makes it a strong pre-show or business-adjacent pick. Expect a lively room and a menu built for breadth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Zou Zou’s dip tower, Baby lamb chops, Ember-roasted eggplant
What makes it special: Wide-ranging Eastern Mediterranean menu with upscale execution near Penn Station.