NAYA 44th and 3rd: Authentic Middle Eastern Flavors in Midtown East

NAYA 44th and 3rd Introduce

Introduction / Overview

In the bustling culinary scene of Midtown East, NAYA 44th and 3rd stands out as a vibrant and essential destination for authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. This trendy, casual restaurant has become a go-to spot for those seeking fresh, flavorful, and wholesome meals that can be enjoyed quickly without sacrificing quality. NAYA’s mission is rooted in sharing the story of Lebanese heritage and love through family-inspired recipes. The restaurant is celebrated for its modern approach to traditional flavors, offering a unique "Create Your Own" concept that allows diners to build their perfect meal from a wide array of bases, proteins, and toppings.

The core of NAYA's appeal lies in its commitment to fresh ingredients and exceptional taste. Whether you're a long-time fan of Middle Eastern food or new to the cuisine, the menu is designed to be accessible and exciting. Popular choices like the NAYA Bowl, Roll, and Salad allow for endless customization, ensuring a satisfying experience for every palate. The restaurant is known for its kind and attentive staff, who consistently provide outstanding service, making every visit a pleasant one. Beyond the main dishes, NAYA offers a tempting selection of hot and cold appetizers, from classic hummus and falafel to more unique offerings like Rekakat and Fatayer. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, NAYA 44th and 3rd provides a memorable dining experience that keeps customers returning regularly.

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Location and Accessibility

NAYA 44th and 3rd is conveniently located at 688 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017, placing it in a prime, easily accessible location in Midtown East. This central spot is surrounded by corporate offices, residential buildings, and other attractions, making it a perfect destination for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or a relaxed meal for solo diners. The area is well-served by public transportation, including several subway lines and bus routes, making it a convenient stop for anyone in Manhattan. Paid street parking is also available, though as with many parts of the city, it may require a bit of patience to find a spot.

The restaurant is committed to being accessible to everyone. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring ease of access for individuals with mobility challenges. Inside, you will find wheelchair accessible seating and a gender-neutral restroom that is also wheelchair accessible. For those who prefer to dine with their furry friends, dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area. When it comes to service, NAYA offers a variety of convenient options. You can enjoy the trendy, casual atmosphere by choosing to dine-in, or you can opt for takeout for a meal on the go. The restaurant also provides delivery and no-contact delivery, bringing their delicious and fresh food directly to you. This combination of a central location and thoughtful accessibility features makes NAYA a welcoming and convenient choice for all New Yorkers.

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Services Offered

Dine-in: Enjoy a meal inside the restaurant with counter service in a casual and trendy atmosphere.
Takeout & Delivery: NAYA provides fast and reliable takeout and delivery services, including a no-contact option, perfect for a quick bite at the office or at home.
Catering: The restaurant offers a robust catering menu, including an "Ultimate Appetizer Bundle" and a "Build-Your-Own Bowl Bar" for events and meetings.
Lunch & Dinner: Open for both lunch and dinner, NAYA is a popular choice for a satisfying and quick meal during the day or evening.
Specialty Diets: The menu features a wide range of options for different dietary needs, including halal food, vegan options, and vegetarian options.

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Features / Highlights

Create-Your-Own Concept: The signature NAYA Bowl, Roll, and Salad allow customers to customize their meals with a variety of proteins, bases, and fresh toppings.
Fresh and Flavorful Food: Customers consistently praise the freshness of the ingredients and the delicious, authentic flavors of the dishes.
Friendly and Attentive Staff: The employees are known for their kindness and outstanding service awareness, ensuring a positive and welcoming experience.
Halal & Vegan Options: NAYA is a great choice for those seeking halal food, and also offers extensive vegan and vegetarian selections.
Unique Pantry Items: In addition to prepared meals, the restaurant sells unique pantry items like Pomegranate Molasses and Za'atar Mix, allowing customers to bring NAYA's flavors home.
Community-Friendly Vibe: The restaurant is known for being family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a transgender safespace, creating an inclusive atmosphere for all.

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Contact Information

Address: 688 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 557-0007

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What is Worth Choosing?

NAYA 44th and 3rd is an exceptional choice for anyone in New York looking for a high-quality, convenient, and flavorful meal. The most compelling reason to choose NAYA is the combination of its "Create Your Own" menu and the evident freshness of its ingredients. This modern, build-your-own model gives you complete control over your meal, whether you’re craving a protein-packed bowl with chicken shawarma, a refreshing salad topped with falafel, or a satisfying roll filled with all your favorite fixings. The food is consistently described as delicious and fresh, which is a major draw for health-conscious diners and those who appreciate quality sourcing.

Beyond the food, the overall experience at NAYA is what truly sets it apart. Customer reviews highlight the "wonderfully kind" staff and their "outstanding service awareness," which makes every visit a pleasant one. This friendly and welcoming environment contributes to a comfortable atmosphere that is both casual and trendy. The restaurant is also a pioneer in creating an inclusive space, being explicitly family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a transgender safe space. This commitment to community makes it more than just a place to eat; it's a place to feel welcomed. The convenience of its location in Midtown East, coupled with options for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, fits seamlessly into the busy lifestyle of New Yorkers. Furthermore, NAYA offers a range of options for different dietary needs, including halal, vegan, and vegetarian choices, ensuring that everyone can find a meal that is both delicious and suitable. This blend of great food, excellent service, and a welcoming environment makes NAYA 44th and 3rd a truly worthwhile destination.

NAYA 44th and 3rd Food & drink

Ultimate appetizer bundle
Ultimate Appetizer Bundle $115.00
Serves 6-8 | Includes 1 dozen hot appetizers, 1 cold appetizer tray served with pita chips or pita bread, and 1 dozen pita pockets – all the favorites in one bundle!

Extras
NEW! Pomegranate Tahini $0.69
A delicious blend of tahini and pomegranate molasses, offering a rich, nutty base with a sweet-tart finish.
Vermicelli Rice $3.29
white, medium grain with vermicelli
Spicy Red Pepper Sauce $0.69
Mild, tomato base
Side Of Protein $0.00
Pita Chips $4.29
White & whole wheat chips with zaatar, sumac
Toum (Garlic Whip) $0.69
Tri-Color Quinoa $3.29
Fluffy and earthy white, red, and black quinoa grains
Pita Bread $1.29
Zesty Jalapeño Sauce $0.69
Jalapeño base
Lemon Tahini $0.69
Sesame base

Sweets
NEW! Cashew Baklava $4.30
Crispy, rolled phyllo fingers filled with cashews and hints of lemon, rose water, and orange blossom.
NEW! Namoura Coconut Cake $4.30
A classic Middle Eastern dessert made with farina, soaked in a fragrant rose water and orange blossom syrup. Moist, sweet, and delicately flavored with hints of almond and coconut.
NEW! Pistachio Baklava $5.30
A crispy sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo filled with pistachio and hints of lemon, rose water, and orange blossom.

Beverages
Spindrift Grapefruit $3.60
Open Water Sparkling $3.60
Spindrift Orange Mango $3.60
Gold Peak Ice Tea $4.10
A high quality ready-to-drink iced tea with an authentic home brewed taste.
Spindrift Raspberry Lime $3.60
Canned Soda $3.10
Open Still Water $3.60

Create Your Own
NAYA Roll $13.90
Build-Your-Own: Daily baked pita bread with your choice of protein, toppings and homemade sauces.
NAYA Bowl $15.30
Build-Your-Own: Vermicelli rice or Quinoa rice with your choice of protein, toppings, and homemade sauces.
NAYA Salad $15.30
Build-Your-Own: Romaine lettuce or Spinach, Arugula & Cabbage mix with your choice of protein, toppings and homemade sauces

Hot Appetizers
Kibbe $2.30
Fried beef dumplings stuffed with minced beef and pine nuts (1 pc)
Rekakat $2.30
Blend of three Mediterranean cheeses, wrapped in phyllo and deep fried (1 pc)
Fatayer $1.80
Mini pie with spinach, lemon and sumac (1 pc)
Falafel Pcs $1.10
Fried chickpea croquette, herbs, spices (1 pc)

NEW | featured salad
Roasted Lemon Chicken Salad $16.95
Tender chicken marinated in spices and New York Shuk Preserved Lemon, roasted to perfection and served over seasonal mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, yogurt cucumber sauce, crumbled feta, SIMPLi Kalamata olives, lemon wedge and tangy sumac onions. Paired with pomegranate tahini on the side for a bright, flavorful finish.

Cold Appetizers
Cucumber Yogurt Dip $5.29
Diced cucumber yogurt and dry mint
Baba Ghannouj Dip $5.29
Roasted eggplant puree, imported tahini and lemon
Spicy Hummus Dip $5.29
Chickpea puree, imported tahini and jalapeno
Grape Leaves $6.29
Stuffed with parsley, onion, tomato and rice
Toum Garlic Whip $5.29
Our Toum (garlic whip) is a creamy, bold spread that adds a punch of flavor to any roll, bowl, or salad.
Tabboule $5.29
Half portion. Parsley, mint, bulgur, tomato, onion, lemon and olive oil
Hummus Dip $5.29
Chickpea puree, imported tahini and lemon
Labne Dip $5.29
Strained yogurt dip
Cabbage Slaw Salad $4.29
Cabbage salad, dry mint, lemon, olive oil

Pantry
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $11.00
From Koura, Lebanon, our unfiltered, unrefined extra virgin olive oil offers natural richness with a peppery finish. Ideal for drizzling over NAYA hummus, baba ghannouj or labne.
Mixed Nuts $7.00
Snack time just got better with our mixed nuts. Enjoy a savory mix of Lebanese-style peanuts, salted almonds, cashews, chickpeas, corn, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds and more.
Pomegranate Molasses $11.00
Infuse your marinades and salads with a burst of sweet, tangy richness. Drizzle over NAYA's seasonal greens or even your favorite ice cream for a bold, new twist.
Spicy Red Pepper Seasoning $7.00
This vibrant blend of red pepper, paprika, cumin, coriander and basil brings Lebanese flavors to any dish. Add a zesty kick to your roasted potatoes, kabobs or sprinkle it over NAYA hummus.
Za'atar Mix $7.00
Meet za’atar, a Lebanese classic. Oregano, sumac and toasted sesame seeds bring an aromatic touch to dips, marinades or rubs. Try a dash over NAYA’s Labne, or combined with olive oil for pita bread dippin’.

NAYA 44th and 3rd Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in
Onsite services

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Halal food
Quick bite
Vegan options
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Usually a wait
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Paid street parking

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

NAYA 44th and 3rd Photos

NAYA 44th and 3rd Location

NAYA 44th and 3rd

New York New York County New York 3rd Avenue

688 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA

NAYA 44th and 3rd Reviews

An average rating of ★4.3 from 681 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

A quick summary of the restaurant's strengths. Employees here were wonderfully kind. I return regularly because I'm never disappointed. The meals combine excellent taste with noticeable freshness. We feel good about eating here.
September 18 · Shelley Harrison
That was an experience I won't forget. I'd return for the drinks and enjoy the food while there. Their staff shows outstanding service awareness consistently. The dishes were nice but not the finest of their kind we've had. I'm promoting this place to all my contacts.
September 06 · Lloyd Holmes
Location was excellentThe service was prompt and courteous.Ordered the bowl with beef shawarma and the wrap with lamb kebab .Both were exceptionally good .Would visit this place again
April 09 · Justus Alexander
This place is the worst! The food is good but some of the people that work here are clueless. I ordered a wrap with not much in there but they couldn’t even roll it, half of the filling fell out and was just smashed on top of the wrap. When you open the wrap to eat it, everything just falls apart. Always disappointed with Naya recently!
September 09 · Gary T
First time at this location and restaurant, manager Christine welcome me as I entered the location felt right at home. Such a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere. Ladies Nicole and Julia were such a great help as a first timer and they offer options I never would’ve thought of. First timer had a fabulous experience and I’ll be back tomorrow with friends.
June 16 · Victoria Graves