Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Sea Salt
Mediterranean seafood and meze with a well-used sidewalk patio that shines during happy hour.
Notable Picks
#1
Sea Salt
8.5
Sea Salt NYC is a Greek-leaning Mediterranean restaurant known for grilled seafood, meze, and cocktails served on a busy First Avenue patio that is popular during happy hour. It’s a go-to for after-work drinks that can easily turn into a full dinner built around branzino, lamb, and classic Greek salads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Octopus, Whole Branzino, Lamb Chops
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean seafood and meze with a well-used sidewalk patio that shines during happy hour.
Worthy Picks
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Group Dining Gatherings
A no-frills Yorkville Afghan counter built around char-grilled kebabs, rice platters, and hearty classics that travel well. Order one kebab platter plus one dumpling or stuffed flatbread to get both smoke and spice without redundancy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken kebab platter, Mantu dumplings, Qabuli palaw
What Makes it Special: Char-grilled Afghan kebabs and rice platters with strong takeout value.