Au Za'atar: A Lebanese Culinary Destination in NYC's East Village

Au Za'atar Introduce

Welcome to Au Za'atar, a distinguished Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurant that has become a true culinary destination in the heart of New York City's East Village. This is a place where authentic family recipes, passed down through generations, come to life in a setting that is both upscale and inviting. Au Za'atar is more than just a restaurant; it's a journey into the rich, dynamic flavors of the Middle East, presented with a modern and artistic touch. The ambiance is a perfect blend of cozy, trendy, and romantic, making it a stellar choice for a variety of occasions, from an intimate date night to a festive gathering with friends and family.

The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create a menu that is both extensive and deeply rooted in tradition. From the moment you step in, you're greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The service is consistently praised by patrons for its attentiveness and helpfulness. Staff members are known to provide excellent recommendations, guiding you through a menu filled with complex and dynamic flavors. The restaurant's popularity means there's usually a wait, a testament to its status as a must-visit spot in the neighborhood, so planning ahead is highly recommended.

Au Za'atar caters to a diverse crowd, being family-friendly and a popular choice for groups and tourists alike. The menu is also incredibly accommodating, with a wide range of Halal, vegetarian, and vegan options. The food, ambiance, and service are frequently rated as "10/10" by happy customers, who often highlight the generous portions and the intense, well-balanced flavors that define the cuisine. The commitment to providing an authentic yet contemporary dining experience is what truly sets Au Za'atar apart.

---

Location and Accessibility

Au Za'atar is located at 188 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009. This prime spot in the East Village places it in one of the city's most vibrant and sought-after neighborhoods. The area is easily accessible by various subway lines and buses, making it convenient for both local residents and visitors from other boroughs. For those who choose to drive, there is paid street parking available, though as with most of NYC, it can sometimes be a challenge to find a spot.

The restaurant itself is designed with accessibility in mind. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the dining experience comfortably. For outdoor dining, there is a charming outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying a meal on a pleasant New York evening. This combination of a fantastic location and thoughtful accessibility features makes Au Za'atar a welcoming spot for a wide range of patrons.

---

Services Offered

Au Za'atar offers a comprehensive suite of services to provide a seamless and memorable dining experience.

Dine-in and Outdoor Seating: The restaurant provides both indoor table service and outdoor seating, allowing you to choose the perfect setting for your meal.
Reservations: Given its popularity and the fact that there's "usually a wait," the restaurant strongly recommends making reservations for lunch, dinner, and brunch to guarantee a table.
Delivery and Takeout: For those who want to enjoy the delicious food at home, Au Za'atar offers convenient delivery and takeout services.
Catering: The restaurant provides catering services, making it an excellent choice for parties, corporate events, and other special occasions.
Full Bar Service: The bar onsite offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer, cocktails, hard liquor, and a great wine list, including Lebanese wines.
Payment Flexibility: They accept various forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, for an easy transaction.

---

Features and Highlights

Au Za'atar has several standout features that contribute to its glowing reputation.

Tableside Shawarma: One of the most talked-about highlights is the unique tableside preparation of their signature shawarma. This provides a fun, interactive, and memorable dining experience.
Authentic Lebanese & Middle Eastern Cuisine: The menu is based on authentic family recipes, offering a taste of genuine Lebanese cuisine. Dishes are praised for their intense and dynamic flavors.
Exceptional Service: The staff is known for being warm, welcoming, and attentive. Waiters like Olivia and Zander have been specifically mentioned in reviews for their excellent recommendations and care.
Diverse Menu: The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including an impressive selection of vegetarian options, Halal food, and small plates perfect for sharing.
Great Drinks: Au Za'atar is noted for having a great wine list, an excellent tea selection, and popular non-alcoholic options, such as the "best thing ever," the Frozen Watermelon Juice.
Upscale Yet Cozy Ambiance: The atmosphere is a perfect balance of upscale and cozy, creating a setting that feels both special and comfortable. It's trendy, romantic, and perfect for a chic night out.

---

Contact Information

For reservations, delivery, or general inquiries, you can reach Au Za'atar through the following:

Address: 188 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA

Phone: (212) 254-5660

---

What Is Worth Choosing

When you dine at Au Za'atar, you are choosing an experience as much as a meal. While the entire menu is a delight, there are certain dishes that are truly worth seeking out. For a starter, the dips are a must-try. The Spicy Hummus is highly recommended by customers, and a platter of dips is a great way to sample their incredible flavors. The Baba Ghanoush is another standout appetizer that showcases the restaurant's mastery of classic preparations.

For main courses, the grill section, known as "Mashawi," is a fantastic choice. The Lamb Shank is described as "melting off the bone" and "incredibly flavorful," making it a highlight for meat lovers. The various kebab platters, especially the Mixed Grill Platter, are perfect for sharing and offer a chance to try several of their perfectly grilled meats. Another signature worth exploring is the Home Style Dishes & Stews, or "Tabkhat." These dishes are authentic and comforting, like a true home-cooked Lebanese meal.

Beyond the food, the drinks are a highlight in their own right. The non-alcoholic Frozen Watermelon Juice is a surprisingly refreshing and popular choice. For a more traditional experience, a glass of Lebanese wine from their well-curated list is an excellent pairing with the rich flavors of the food. Finally, don't leave without trying one of their desserts. The Knafeh is a traditional warm cheese pastry that provides a perfect, sweet end to the meal.

What makes Au Za'atar truly special is the combination of impeccable food, warm service, and a captivating ambiance. It’s the kind of place you'll want to return to, as many reviewers have stated. The portions are generous, the flavors are intense, and the overall experience is one of genuine hospitality and culinary excellence.

Au Za'atar Menu

Hot Soups - Shorba
Chicken Soup $12.00
Red Lentil Soup $11.00

Vegetarian Dips - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Baba Ghanoush $16.00
Char-grilled eggplant puree with tahini and fresh lemon juice.
Hummus $15.00
Pureed chickpeas with tahini sauce and lemon juice.
Hummus Beiruty $15.50
Puréed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic,parsley topped with hot fava beans
Hummus Extra $18.50
traditional hummus topped with diced salad
Hummus Snobar $18.00
hummus topped with roasted pine nuts
Hummus W Fitter $18.50
Hummus with seasoned sautéed mushroom and pine nuts
Muhammara $18.00
A blend of spicy and sweet pepper with walnuts and pomegranate molasses.
Spicy Hummus $16.00
Pureed chickpeas with tahini sauce and lemon juice mixed with capsicum.
Sweet Potato Puree $17.50
purple sweet potato purée blended with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice topped with boiled egg

Meat Mezze - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Arayes Kafta $21.00
Toasted pita filled with minced meat, onion, parsley, tahini sauce and Lebanese spices.
Chicken Toshka $20.00
grilled stuffed flatbread with spicy minced chicken, onion, parsley and melted cheese
Hummus Bi Djaj $18.00
Hummus topped with marinated chicken and pine nuts.
Hummus Bi Lahmeh $19.50
Our classic chickpea dip topped with sauteed diced lamb and pine nuts.
Jwaneh $17.50
Grilled chicken wings marinated with garlic, olive oil, lemon
Kibbeh Kras $17.50
Hand rolled shells made of a mixture of beef & bulgur wheat filled with ground beef, diced onions, pine nuts
Makanek $20.00
House-made classic Lebanese spiced sausages flambeed with fresh lemon juice.
Msakhan Rolls $18.00
tangy shredded sumac chicken and caramelized onions in pastry rolls
Rekakat Lahme $16.00
Fried phyllo pastry filled with minced beef and toasted pine nuts.
Sambousik Lahme $15.00
Hand crafted pastry pockets filled with minced ground beef, toasted pine nuts
Soujouk $20.00
House made spicy beef sausages sauteed with fresh tomatoes and olive oil.
Spicy Kibbeh Sajiyeh $20.00
hand rolled shells made of a mixture of beef & bulgur wheat filled with spicy ground beef, diced onions, walnuts

Mediterranean Cheeses - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Feta & Pistachio Puree $19.00
feta, garlic honey, cilantro, pistachio
Grilled Halloum $18.00
Cypriot cheese served grilled over marinated tomatoes and cucumbers.
Halloum Mekli $19.00
Fried Cypriot cheese drizzled with garlic honey olive oil
Pickled Labne $14.50
Round shaped pickled labne in olive oil
Rekakat Jebne $14.50
Blend of 5 cheeses in phyllo.

Main Course Salads - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Grilled Halloum Salad $28.00
Traditional grilled Cypriot roasted beets and cucumber with walnuts over greens
Rocca Beetroot Salad $24.00
Arugula, beetroot, red onion, feta cheese,sumac, lemon & olive oil dressing
Salmon Salad $36.00
Arugula, greens, red onion, sun dried cranberries, boiled egg, baked salmon
Shish Tawook Salad $31.00
Grilled chicken cubes over house salad

Manae'esh Pita - Open Face Sandwiches - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Chicken Kafta W Jebne Bi Ajin $21.00
minced chicken with onions, parsley, Lebanese spices, white cheese blend
Falafel Pizza $21.00
cheese, tomatoes, diced falafel, and tahini sauce
Jebne Manouche $14.00
White cheese
Kafta W Jebne Bi Ajin $21.00
Minced meat with onions, parsley, Lebanese spices and cheese
Lahme Bi Ajin $17.50
Minced meat, onions, tomatoes with traditional spices
Soujouk W Jebne Bi Ajin $21.00
Minced beef Lebanese sausage, tomatoes and cheese
Za'atar Manouche $13.00
Sun-dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and extra virgin olive oil

Home Style Dishes & Stews - Tabkhat - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Bemieh Bi Lahme $36.00
Baby okra stew with lamb, tomato, onion,spices & cilantro served with vermicelli rice
Dalaa Mahshi $100.00
Braised lamb shoulder stuffed with spiced rice & minced beef garnished with nuts
Fattet Djaj $34.00
Shredded chicken breast, warm chickpeas,crispy pita chips smothered with yogurt sauce & sprinkled with assorted nuts
Fattet Lahmeh $38.00
succulent lamb cubes, warm chickpeas, crispy pita chips smothered with yogurt sauce & sprinkled with sautéed diced lamb & assorted nuts
Kharouf $40.00
shredded lamb shoulder served over spiced rice, minced beef & garnished with assorted nuts & pistachio
Kibbi Labaniyeh $36.00
Kibbeh krass in yogurt sauce, ground beef &mint sprinkled with toasted pine nuts served with vermicelli rice
Kousa Labaniyeh $34.00
minced meat stuffed zucchini in yogurt sauce & mint sprinkled with toasted pine nuts served with vermicelli rice
Laban Immo $46.00
lamb shank in yogurt mint stew sprinkled with toasted pine nuts served with vermicelli rice
Lamb Shank $42.00
Slow braised lamb shank served with mashed potatoes & caramelized onions
Loubiye Bi Lahmeh $36.00
Green romano beans stew with lamb, tomato,onion, spices & cilantros served with vermicelli rice
Mahashi $40.00
spiced rice and minced meat stuffed grape leaves and summer zucchini simmered in a deeply savory lemon, garlic, lamb broth with braised lamb
Malfouf Mehshi $37.00
spiced rice and minced meat stuffed cabbage simmered in a deeply savory lemon, garlic, lamb broth with braised lamb
Riz A Djaj $34.00
Tender shredded boneless chicken served on a bed of spiced rice, minced beef & garnished with assorted nuts & pistachio
Shish Barak $34.00
Hand rolled dumplings filled with ground beef & pine nuts in a mint yogurt stew served with vermicelli rice

From Our Grill - Mashawi - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Baby Lamb Chops $48.00
Seasoned baby lamb chops served with vermicelli rice
Chicken Chops $34.00
Semi-Boneless marinated chicken chops & hand cut frites
Chicken Kafta Kebab Platter $31.00
char-grilled seasoned ground chicken served hand cut frites
Filet Mignon Shish Kebab Platter $40.00
Beef filet mignon cubes served with hand cut frites
Fish Kebab $38.00
Grilled marinated cubes of swordfish served with hand cut frites
Grilled Kafta Kebab Platter $34.00
Char-grilled lean ground beef & lamb mixed with chopped onions, parsley, herbs & spices served with vermicelli rice
Lamb Kebab Platter $40.00
Seasoned lamb cubes served with vermicelli rice
Mixed Grill Platter $58.00
Shish Tawook, Filet Mignon, Chicken Kafta & Beef Kafta Kebab served with hand cut frites
Mixed Grill Platter Supreme $78.00
Shish Tawook, Filet Mignon, Chicken Kafta,Beef Kafta Kebab, Baby Lamb Chops & Jumbo Shrimp served with hand cut frites
Shish Tawook Platter $34.00
Char-grilled skewered chicken cubes marinated in lemon and herbs, vermicelli rice
Vegetable Kebab $30.00
Grilled marinated zucchini, eggplant, onion,tomato, bell pepper served with vermicelli rice

Fish & Seafood - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Areydes $40.00
Jumbo shrimp sautéed in Lebanese Provençale sauce served with vermicelli rice
Dorade $40.00
Mediterranean fish with rich flavor, grilled & butterflied served with tarator (tomato, parsley tahini salad)
Grilled Herb Salmon $36.00
Bulgur & tomato Provencale
Luccas Meshwi $42.00
Char-grilled bone-in whole branzino marinated in lemon, garlic, salt served with tarator(tomato, parsley tahini salad)
Samke Harra $40.00
Spiced fillet branzino baked in a skillet with red pepper tahini over spiced potatoes topped with pine nuts

Sandwiches - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Arnabeet Mekle Pita Sandwich $15.50
Vegetarian. Marinated fried cauliflower, tomatoes and tahini sauce.
Batata Pita Sandwich $14.00
Vegetarian. Sumac fries, coleslaw, pickles, garlic toum, ketchup
Chicken Kafta Kebab Pita Sandwich $16.50
Char-grilled ground chicken seasoned with chopped onions, parsley, spices, and a spread of za’atar aioli, topped with fresh mint leaves, Lebanese pickles and fries all inside the sandwich.
Djaj Pita Sandwich $16.50
Marinated thinly sliced chicken, garlic toum, pickles, sumac fries
Egg Pita Sandwich $13.50
Vegetarian. Boiled Egg, labne spread, scallions, olives & fresh mint leaves
Falafel Pita Sandwich $14.50
Vegetarian. Chickpea fritters, tomatoes, parsley, pickled turnips, tahini sauce.
Kafta Kebab Pita Sandwich $16.50
Char-grilled ground beef and lamb seasoned with onions, parsley, herbs, and spices with grilled tomatoes, a spread of hummus and tahini sauce.
Lahme Pita Sandwich $16.50
Marinated sliced beef, onion parsley sumac mix, pickles, tomatoes, tahini
Lamb Harra Pita Sandwich $16.50
Shaved hot & spicy Lamb with onions, jalapeno, cilantro, sumac fries and garlic toum
Makanek Pita Sandwich $16.50
Makanek(House-made classic Beef & Lamb Lebanese spiced sausages flambeed with fresh lemon juice -contains pine nuts), spread of hummus, pickles, tomatoes, sumac fries
Shish Tawook Pita Sandwich (Chicken Kebab) $16.50
Char-grilled chicken breast cubes, garlic toum, onions ＆ parsley sumac mix, pickles, and fries all inside the sandwich.
Sojuk Pita Sandwich $16.50
Spiced Lebanese beef and lamb sausage flambeed in lemon juice, garlic toum, pickles and tomato.
Taouk Franji Pita Sandwich $16.50
Shish taouk, garlic toum, pickles, coleslaw, sumac fries

Sides - Please no modifications or substitutions.
Mashed Potato $10.00
Sauteed Spinach $12.00
Spiced Rice & Minced Beef $9.50
Vermicelli Rice $8.00

Extras
Garlic Toum $2.25
Green Hot Sauce $2.25
Pita Bread $3.25
Red Hot Sauce $2.25
Tahini Sauce $1.75
Zaatar Aioli Sauce $2.25

Desserts
Ashta $15.50
Homemade pudding with honey, pistachio and fresh banana.
Baklawa $13.50
Assortment of fillo pastries with nuts.
Chocolate Salted Caramel Souffle $13.00
Moist chocolate cake with a heart of creamy salted caramel.
Knafeh $17.00
Baked cheese topped with shredded fillo dough soaked in orange blossom syrup topped with fresh pistachio.
Mouhallabie $11.00
Milk pudding topped with almonds, nuts and ground pistachio ＆ orange blossom syrup.
Pyramid $13.00
Chocolate mousse on a chocolate sponge cake base with crunchy gianduia (chocolate and hazelnut) center, dusted with cocoa powder and decorated with white chocolate drops.

NA Beverages
Coke $5.00
Glass Bottle. Requires Bottle Opener.
Diet Coke $5.00
Glass Bottle. Requires Bottle Opener.
Frozen Jellab $12.00
Sweet blend of grape, date molasses, rose water and garnished with pine nuts ＆ pine nuts
Frozen Mint Lemonada $10.00
Blended fresh mint and fresh lemon juice
Frozen Strawberry Vimto $10.00
Frozen Watermelon Juice $10.00
Blended fresh watermelon
Laban Ayran $8.00
Salty homemade yogurt drink
Pineapple Cocktail $10.00
Blended fresh pineapple ＆ banana with milk, topped with diced strawberries, pistachio ＆ pine nuts
Sprite $5.00
Glass Bottle. Requires Bottle Opener.
Strawberry Banana Cocktail $12.00
Blended fresh pineapple ＆ banana with milk, topped with diced strawberries, pistachios ＆ pine nuts

Au Za'atar Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Great wine list
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Halal food
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Late-night food
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
High chairs

Parking
Paid street parking

Au Za'atar Photos

Au Za'atar Location

Au Za'atar

New York New York County New York Avenue A

188 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA

Au Za'atar Reviews

An average rating of ★4.3 from 4258 user reviews.

lamb shawarmaspicy hummuslamb shankmint lemonadespicy falafelvideofalafel pizzasmall platesfilet mignoncrystal

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Food, ambiance and service all 10/10!!The non-alcoholic frozen watermelon juice was the best thing I’ve ever had..The lamb shank melted off the bone— so incredibly flavorful. Spicy hummus was amazing. Some of the best rice I’ve ever had. Our server Olivia was so welcoming, warm and sweet! She made the dinner even better, not overbearing but was there to bring us anything we needed as well as some awesome recommendations.Cannot wait to come back!
August 29 · Vaso Platis
Amazing meal with incredible service! Zander was our waiter and was very helpful in recommending top dishes and super attentive. The portions were generous and the flavors intense and dynamic. We’ll definitely be back
September 13 · Robert Rupp
5/5 stars!It was our first time trying Lebanese food and our server Ivan was amazing and walked us through the entire menu, sharing the most popular dishes and his personal favorites. He was on top of his service, constantly checking in on us and asking if we were ok. A fellow female server, I don't have her name, but she was also refilling our waters and offering help whenever we needed. The food was amazing, especially the Lamb Shank and spicy hummus. Thank you
July 17 · Vanessa Li
I have been to so many middle eastern restaurants and I was born and raised in the Middle East!! This restaurant DID NOT taste good at all!! I grew up eating middle eastern food and this was a disappointment.They didn’t have authentic food that I was hoping for and the worst part was everything had to be ordered separately. Hummus and bread and rice in any middle eastern restaurant is given for free. It’s a part of the meal. Here we had to order separately. My kids wanted regular lemonade but the waiter was like no there is only mint frozen one. The prizes on these were outrageous too. It’s one thing if your food is good but when it’s not and you charge a lot it’s just not worth it.I really do not know how they got these ratings! I will never recommend this place to anyone. Very disappointing
July 25 · Tinz
We went for a brunch their Food was so nice and their Hallomi cheese is so amazing we also had the Hummus with meat is also tasting delicious and the rest was ok.Service was 10/10. The ambiance 10/10. But it is a bit pricey.
September 12 · Esraa Fahmy