The Best Arab Restaurants to Eat When Visiting New York

posted on: Aug 3, 2020

Elements

BY: Jackson Chasen-Buckley/ Arab America Contributing Writer                                                                                                             

Taking a stroll around the Big Apple? Are you craving some flair to add to your diet? Why not try the delicious Arabic cuisine that New York has to offer. Ranging from Lebanese to Moroccan, you definitely can’t go wrong with tasting some of the best Arabic dishes on the East Coast. Arab America has compiled a list of restaurants that you must try whenever you are in the city.

Sammy’s Halal

Cititour                                                                                                                  Sammy’s is known throughout the Manhattan borough for bringing some of the best halal food in New York City. Established in 2003, this restaurant provides some of the best services in combo with its delicious meals. Its most popular dishes are its chicken over rice and its lamb over rice. Best of all, the dishes are relatively cheap for food that tastes delightful, averaging around $9. The restaurant has two locations: 70 W 39th St and 109 1st Avenue. In addition, Sammy’s provides takeout and delivery! Don’t miss the Vendy award-winning halal joint’s cooking.

For more information, visit their website.

Naya

OpenTable                                                                                                              Of the food locations listed, Naya is probably the most modern, but that doesn’t mean it has lost its cultural roots in the slightest. I would equate it to a Lebanese Chipotle. Similar in the process, but Naya outranks Chipotle in flavor and overall quality of the food. Coupled with their excellent customer service, Naya employs a variety of herbs and spices with their meals to add the extra flair. Their main dishes average about around $10. The restaurant is located at 488 Madison Avenue, in close proximity to radio City Music Hall. If you desire a present-day Mediterranean meal that sticks to its cultural background, Naya is definitely the place for you.

For more information, check out their website.

Yemen Cafe

TripAdvisor                                                                                                  Located in Brooklyn, this Arabic restaurant has been cooking up delicious Yemeni food since 1986. Yemen cafe prides itself on having some of the best hospitality in the business. The portion of their meals allows customers to receive a plentiful meal for a relatively decent price. The Arabic restaurant offers dine-in carry-out, and even the option to cater events. Their main specialties include their large variety of chicken and lamb dishes. In addition, Yemen Cafe offers delicious fish meals for customers who are not a big fan of red meat. As the establishment itself puts it, “Yemen Café and Restaurant is upscale, but never uptight, with a welcoming neighborhood vibe and outstanding service that keeps locals coming back and visitors raving.”

For more information, check out their website.

Mombar

Time Out                                                                                                              This Egyptian centered cuisine restaurant is located in northwestern Queens. Come for the mysterious ambiance and stay for the savory meals. The New York Magazine describes the interior design as “Alice-in-Arabian-Wonderland”. The walls are lined with cooking devices, and a variety of mosaics are scattered around the venue. Likewise to the visually pleasing decor, the restaurant’s Egyptian dishes are top-notch. Mombar offers traditional North African appetizers at a great price. Moreover, for those who are feeling more adventurous, authentic Egyptian dishes are provided as well. Lamb brain, lamb tongue, and lamb cheeks are among the most popular of the appetizers. Mombar is most defiantly the spot if you are looking for culturally-rooted Egyptian cuisine.

For more information, check out their menu.

Tanoreen

Tanoreen                                                                                                              Located in Brooklyn, Tanoreen has cemented itself as one of the best Palestinian/Arab restaurants in New York City. Originally opened in 1998, this establishment’s sole mission is to provide equally wonderful food and service to its patrons. Chef Rawia’s simple idea was to create a reactant where one would cook as they would do to their family and friends. As a result, it’s safe to say that this intention has translated perfectly. Their dishes are stupendous and cooked to almost perfection. Try the fan-favorite Kafta. Its ground lamb mixed in with onions, parsley, and tomatoes with rice on the side.. Mother and daughter, Rawia and Jumana Bishara, run the establishment. They are always eager to check in on patrons to make sure everything is up to standard. This hospitality in joint with the incredible cuisine should be the sole reason that you plan a night to dine at Tanoreen.

For more information, check out their website.

Cafe Mogador

Wanderonwards                                                                                                  Cafe Mogador opened in 1983 within New York’s East Village. In addition to served up delectable dishes. Mogador acted as a social hub where daily patrons would casually mingle with each other. As a result of its more than 30-year operation, Cafe Mogador exploded to become one fo the top eatery destinations for New-Yorkers. The Moroccan twist intertwined with the dishes adds a lovely zest and flair that is hard to come nowadays with restarts shying away from their cultural roots. This is not the case for Cafe Mogador. Founder and owner Rivka stays true to her Moroccan heritage which translates wonderfully to Moagador’s food. I would highly recommend going for brunch there. The menu includes a large mixture of American and Moroccan dishes that are bound to leave patrons both full and satisfied.

For more information, check out their website.

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