Set the Scene
Set on a corner of an otherwise unassuming block in Midtown East, Au Za’atar is across the street from where I live. Yet, until last year, I had never been in. I walked past the restaurant almost daily after it opened in 2021. It was always buzzing—lines out the door, voices floating down First Avenue, diners speaking in accents from everywhere. California, Paris, Beirut, Bangkok. The hype was unmistakable. Still, I never went.
Then one afternoon, on a whim, I walked in—and that’s when my love affair began.
Owner and chef Tarik Fallous greeted me at the door and, in minutes, transported me far from Manhattan. This Midtown East outpost—his flagship, following the original East Village location that opened in 2014—is warm, glamorous, and theatrical in all the right ways. Bronze accents glow, and luxurious fabrics—green- and blue-hued leather banquettes, decorative pillows, and emerald-and-chocolate-toned walls—create a setting that invites lingering. The rooms hum with energy, and the bread ovens anchor the space like a hearth.
The Food
Fallous’s cuisine feels both abundant and intentional. The menu is expansive but thoughtful, and the generous portions make this a place best experienced with a group—so you can share, sample, and order with abandon. Everything sounds tempting, and the more people at the table, the easier it is to justify saying yes to one more dish.
Fallous describes Au Za’atar as a mezze-first restaurant, and that’s exactly how you should order. There are more than 30 small plates, hot and cold. Begin with the manae’esh—stone-oven-baked flatbreads that arrive piping hot. The za’atar manouche, topped with thyme, sesame, sumac, and olive oil, is the namesake and a non-negotiable.
From there, the feast begins: creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, muhammara with walnuts and pomegranate molasses, crisp fattoush, fried cauliflower, a lineup of Mediterranean cheeses, and salads galore—you could happily keep ordering and never repeat yourself. Kebabs span lamb, beef, and chicken; seafood includes whole branzino and shrimp in Lebanese Provençal sauce.
Hearty stews and casseroles nod to home cooking, while vegan and vegetarian diners have plenty to choose from. Then there are the lamb chops—and, if you’re here earlier in the day, standout brunch dishes like the grilled halloumi omelet and scrambled eggs with seasoned ground beef and pine nuts.
If you want drama, order the tableside shawarma—a towering, off-menu showstopper that’s roasted and carved right at the table.
Dessert—yes, even if you’re full—is essential. Ashta, a silky homemade pudding with honey, pistachios, and bananas, is the kind of dish that lingers in your memory, while knafeh bil jebne—baked cheese with shredded filo and orange blossom syrup—is rich and fragrant. And there’s no shortage of other sweet endings to choose from.
The Drinks
The bar is serious. Lebanese wines from the Bekaa Valley sit alongside an expansive international list, and arak anchors the spirits program. Cocktails are polished without being fussy, and the back bar—stacked with tequilas, whiskies, and more—is one of the strongest in the neighborhood, if not the city.
Final Thoughts
This is a hot restaurant and worth the trip to Midtown East. You can eat here everyday as plenty of my neighbors do, but it is also a destination. The draw is the full experience: food rooted in family traditions, that characteristic Lebanese hospitality, and an ambiance that makes you forget where you are- even if only for the night.
Fast Facts
Location: Midtown East, NYC
Cuisine: Lebanese and Middle Eastern
Price Point: $$$
Takes Reservations: Yes—Resy.
The Vibe: High-energy and glamorous
Our favorite thing on the menu: Mezze spread
The attire: Smart casual
Open daily 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
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New York City, New York, United States
