Leon's Introduce
In the vibrant and ever-evolving New York City dining scene, Leon's emerges as a truly distinctive destination. More than just an Italian restaurant, this Union Square gem offers a thoughtful and flavorful fusion of Southern Italian, Egyptian, and French culinary traditions. Born from the same team behind the beloved Anton's, Leon's is a personal project that weaves together family heritage and a passion for vibrant, fresh ingredients. It provides a unique escape, with a welcoming, airy atmosphere that feels both cozy and sophisticated.
The menu at Leon's is a testament to this unique blend of cultures. While it is rooted in classic Italian dishes, it is elevated by unexpected, yet harmonious, accents. You'll find traditional pastas alongside dishes inspired by family recipes, such as the Fava Bean Falafel and Lamb Kofta. This creative approach has garnered praise from New Yorkers who appreciate the high-quality food and the "Michelin-star level attention to detail" without any of the pretense. Leon's is an all-day restaurant designed to be a convivial gathering place for the community, serving continuously from morning pastries and coffee to a full dinner service.
Leon's is ideally situated at 817 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USA. This prime location places it in the heart of Union Square, a major hub for shopping, entertainment, and public transport. Its proximity to the famed Strand Bookstore and other neighborhood landmarks makes it a perfect stop before or after exploring the area.
The restaurant is easily reachable for locals and visitors alike, thanks to the numerous subway lines and bus routes that serve the Union Square area. The space itself is designed with guest comfort in mind, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance. Its large windows flood the dining room with natural light, creating a bright and welcoming ambiance. This commitment to accessibility and a prime location makes Leon's a convenient and appealing choice for any occasion.
Leon's provides a comprehensive range of services to cater to a diverse clientele and various dining needs.
- All-Day Dining: Serving continuously throughout the day, Leon's offers options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also provides a dedicated weekend brunch menu.
- Flexible Service: Whether you're in the mood for a full dining experience, a quick takeout order, or a delivery to your home, Leon's has you covered.
- Reservations: Given its growing popularity, dinner reservations are highly recommended to secure a table, especially on weekends.
- Meal Kits: For those who want to enjoy the flavors of Leon's at home, they offer unique "Feeding a Crowd" options like the "Festa Di Pasta AT HOME," which includes a selection of their pastas and a bottle of wine.
- Catering and Private Events: The restaurant offers a private dining room that can accommodate up to 22 seated guests, making it an excellent venue for special events and private parties.
Leon's stands out for several key features that contribute to its unique and celebrated reputation.
- Exceptional Ambiance: The restaurant's design is a major highlight. It's spacious, airy, and filled with natural light, creating a serene and welcoming environment. The high ceilings, custom art, and thoughtful decor evoke a sense of weathered Italian beauty without feeling stuffy.
- Unique Menu Fusion: The menu's blend of Italian with Egyptian and French accents is a defining characteristic. Dishes like the "Lamb Kofta" and the "Fava Bean Falafel" showcase a thoughtful and delicious culinary fusion that you won't find anywhere else.
- Outstanding Beverage Program: The wine list, curated by co-founder Natalie Johnson, is extensive and primarily features Italian and coastal European wines. The bar also offers a well-crafted selection of cocktails and a great coffee program.
- Signature Dishes: Guests rave about specific items on the menu. The "Lamb Burger" is frequently hailed as one of the best non-beef burgers in the city, and the Fava Bean Falafel is praised as "especially good." The pasta dishes, such as the "Ricotta Cavatelli," are also highly popular.
- Attention to Detail: The owners, Nick Anderer and Natalie Johnson, are celebrated for their meticulous approach to hospitality and their commitment to creating a community space. This extends to every aspect of the experience, from the decor to the service.
To book a table or get in touch, you can reach Leon's using the contact details below:
Address: 817 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USA
Phone: (646) 410-2703
Choosing Leon's is a decision to experience something truly special in the New York City dining landscape. It's a place that transcends a single cuisine category to offer a creative and deeply personal culinary journey. The restaurant's blend of familiar Italian comfort with the exotic and flavorful notes of Egyptian family recipes creates a dining experience that is both comforting and exciting. The food, particularly the Lamb Burger and the Fava Bean Falafel, is consistently praised as being of the highest quality, with a level of flavor and execution that competes with the city’s most elite establishments.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere at Leon's is a major draw. The airy and well-decorated space provides a beautiful backdrop for any meal, whether it’s a quick coffee and pastry in the morning or a celebratory dinner with a group. The warm and professional service, which feels attentive but not intrusive, adds to the overall exceptional experience. For New Yorkers seeking a restaurant that combines incredible food, a stunning ambiance, and genuine hospitality, Leon's is not just a choice—it's a destination.
Leon's Menu
Leon's - Pastries
- Croissant $7.00
- Scone $6.00
- Seasonal Muffin $7.00
- Pistachio Kataifi $6.00
- Leon's Pastry Basket $23.00
Leon's - Coffee
- Hot Coffee $6.00
- Cold Brew $7.00
- Espresso $6.00
- Caffe Con Panna $7.50
- Cortado $6.50
- Cappuccino $7.00
- Americano $6.00
- Latte $7.50
- Macchiato $6.50
- Bambuccino $6.00
Leon's - Tea
- English Breakfast $6.00
- Spiced Egyptian $7.00
- Genmaicha $7.00
- Ginger-Lemon $5.50
- Chamomile $6.00
- Mint $6.50
Leon's - Merch
- Leon's Dad Hat $35.00
- Leon's Trucker Hat $35.00
- Leons X Further Candle $35.00
Leon's - Feeding A Crowd
- Festa Di Pasta AT HOME $67.00
- Group Lunch For 2 $52.00
- Group Lunch For 4 $98.00
Leon's - Meat & Cheese
- Cheese Trio $29.00
- Salumi Duo $27.00
- Mozzarella Di Bufala $17.00
- Prosciutto $19.00
Leon's - Starters
- Fava Bean Falafel With Tahina $15.00
- Arugula Salad, Caciotta & Pomodorini $21.00
- Butterball Potatoes, Tonnato, Mkt Peppers & Egg $26.00
Leon's - Pasta
- Spaghetti Alle Zucchine $29.00
- Ricotta Cavatelli, Sausage & Market Greens $28.00
- Lemon Tagliolini $26.00
- Pappardelle & Rabbit Ragù $32.00
Leon's - Paninis
- La Bianca Rosa, Mozzarella Di Bufala & Arugula $19.00
- Rapini Melt With Agrodolce Onions $19.00
- Tuna Salad With Green Olives $16.00
- Leon's Lamb Burger With Egyptian Fries $29.00
Leon's - Lunch Mains
- Arugula & Chicken Paillard Salad With Caciotta $28.00
- Skate Wing All'Acqua Pazza $29.00
- Lamb Kofta, Tahina & Pilaf Al Hakim $28.00
- Hanger Steak $35.00
Leon's - Sides
- Market Greens Strascinati $15.00
- Beans Alexandria $16.00
- Lemon Potatoes & Capers $14.00
- Side Of Garlic-Chili Shatta $3.00
- Side Of Tahina Sauce $5.00
Leon's - Feeding A Crowd
- Festa Di Pasta AT HOME $67.00
Leon's - Starters
- Fava Bean Falafel With Tahina $15.00
- Rapini Melt With Agrodolce Onions $19.00
- Big Green Salad With Cheese $23.00
- Arugula Salad, Caciotta & Pomodorini $21.00
- Escarole, Anchovy Dressing & Sesame $24.00
- Charred Eggplant Baba With Pane Carasau $21.00
- Butterball Potatoes, Tonnato, Mkt Peppers & Egg $25.00
Leon's - Pasta
- Spaghetti Alle Zucchine $29.00
- Spaghetti Alla Chitarra Con Pomodoro $27.00
- Ricotta Cavatelli, Sausage & Market Greens $28.00
- Corn Ravioli With Sungold Tomatoes $29.00
- Lemon Tagliolini $26.00
- Pappardelle & Rabbit Ragù $32.00
Leon's - Mains
- Brick Chicken Baharat $37.00
- Hanger Steak $35.00
- Roasted Pork Belly, White Beans & Salsa Verde $34.00
- Skate Wing All'Acqua Pazza $29.00
Leon's - Dessert
- Grand-Mère Lucie's Tarte Au Citron $17.00
- Crème Caramel $15.00
- Chocolate 'Riso Nero', Hazelnuts & Raisins $16.00
- Torta Di Ricotta $16.00
Leon's Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- High chairs
Leon's Photos










Leon's Location
Leon's Reviews
spacewinethe menueggplantpricelambfalafelsatolive oilbrick chicken
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Nice experience overall. The food was good. The menu is kind of half Egyptian food and half Italian . We ordered a bit of both and we ended up liking more the Egyptian dishes. Falafel (Taameya) was especially good. Service was warm and the ambiance was excellent. Lots of space between tables and the place is very nicely decorated.
June 18 · Tarek Farahatspacious, airy, and flooded with natural light, leon’s is a welcoming getaway in union square. michelin-star level attention to detail, without the pretentiousnessLAMB BURGER on toasted sesame-ciabatta topped with garlic-chili shatta and tahini recalibrated my expectations of what’s possible. this is the best non-beef burger i’ve ever had, full stop. there’s plenty of good-not-great non-beef burgers, but leon’s lamb patty can hold its weight with the city’s elite. the egyptian carrot fries are thick and dazzled in an array of spices that are complemented beautifully when drenched in their citrus aioliday, or night, the egyptian and french accents thoughtfully weaved into this italian restaurant flat out works. kudos to the nick + natalie for another knockout restaurant + impeccable service (i couldn’t imagine running one restaurant with my wife, let alone TWO). grand-pappy leon is smiling down on this one
June 18 · BURGER TRUGSI can’t decide if the service or the food was better — and yes, that’s possible at places like Leon’s. We had a group for dinner, and from the moment we sat down to when we paid, everything was top-notch. It’s the perfect spot for a date or a dinner with your parents; it ticks all the boxes! We ended up sharing a dessert, which was something like an olive oil cake, and it was absolutely heavenly.
February 15 · Liz FarrisIncredible addition to the neighborhood! Have gone twice this week - highly highly recommend.Ambiance is perfect. Staff is extremely friendly and attentive. Do not sleep on the olive oil and bread, chefs kiss. They rotate the olive oil weekly. Eggplant and tuna crudo absolute must orders. Tried several pastas - the crab, ravioli caprese & the almond pasta all great. The chicken dish is to die. Love that they serve the wine in carafes & also love that the owner walks around in his apron chatting with the customers. I really love it here 100/10, can’t wait to come in to try their breakfast as well! *they were also accommodating when I came with my 9m old so that is a ++++++ in my book
November 22 · Olena PerezService was great! We ordered the Gorgonzola and olives to start. The cheese came with roasted almonds and a date. Cheese was delicious. Husband got the cacio e pepe and I got the caprese ravioli. The cacio e pepe was okay, but the noodles did taste/feel like store bought spaghetti I could have made at home. We are always looking for new places in NYC to try cacio e pepe and have tried a lot. This one was very average but appreciated that it wasn’t drowning in oil. The ravioli was delicious! It comes with 3 ravioli, I opted to get a fourth. It had a lemony vibrant flavor and the tomato sauce was very fresh. I ate all of it. Bathroom was clean.
May 10 · Elizabeth Koseler
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