Shalel

4.6

264 Reviews

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Romantic
Charming

Shalel has served New Yorkers since 2000 and is dedicated to the variety and excellency of Mediterranean cooking. Shalel draws its inspiration from dishes and design of the coastal Mediterranean: Morocco, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, the Côte d’Azur, and Spain. Shalel's unique underground space is a relaxed, candlelit setting where highlights include Shalel’s namesake waterfall, indoor plants, fresh cut flowers, and an “alimentari” market of various Mediterranean products. Walk down the rose petal covered stairs to this underground restaurant.

Order delivery or takeout

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Cocktail Bar
Hours of operation
Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 4:30 pm–12:00 am Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 4:30 pm–9:45 pm Thu–Sat 4:30 pm–10:45 pm
Phone number
(212) 873-2300
Website
https://shalel.kitchen/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
We offer a weekly Shabbat menu and are open to catering inquiries.
Private party facilities
We have several private rooms appropriate for special events - please inquire by phone at 212-873-2300.

Location
65 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023
Neighborhood
Lincoln Square
Cross street
Just east of the corner of Columbus Ave & W. 70th Street.
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Bus Station Columbus Ave & W 69th (M11 - M7) and Central Pk West & W 70th (M10 - M72) Subway Central Pk West & 72 St. (A/C/E), Subway 72 St. and Broadway (1/2/3)
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine

Mediterranean Olives$10.00
marinated with fennel, coriander, orange peel, stirato baguette
Hummus Bi Tahina$15.00
with grilled pita
Baba Ghanoush$15.00
smoked eggplant caviar, tahini, toasted sesame seeds, grilled pita
Mediterranean Mezze$20.00
hummus, tzatziki, baba ghanoush, tirokafteri (spicy feta dip), harissa, with oven-grilled pita
Kampachi Crudo$21.00
thinly sliced yellowtail. lemon-caper dressing, microgreens, pickled turnips, with toasted stirato baguette

Hot Mezze

Housemade Flatbread$11.00
your choice of Jordanian za'atar or dried oregano, olive oil. Add whipped ricotta with lemon for $4
Moroccan Lamb Cigars (2)$18.00
diced lamb, onions, garlic, fresh mint, feuille de brick, harissa
Butternut Squash Bruschetta$15.00
mint, onion confit, Italian ricotta
Baked Dates$16.00
stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon
Sicilian Cauliflower and Halloumi Cheese$18.00
labneh, preserved lemon-tahina spread, anchovy-citrus vinaigrette
Jamon Serrano Croquetas$15.00
manchego, harissa mayonnaise
Vegetarian Lebanese Kibbeh$15.00
yellow split peas, chickpeas, bulgur, tahini sauce
Spanakopites$16.00
blended cheeses, spinach, onions, wrapped in phyllo dough
Gambas al Ajillo* (4)$24.00
Patagonian red shrimp, Calabrian chile, blistered cherry tomatoes, sautéed with garlic, olive oil, parsley
Braised Spanish Octopus*$27.00
olive oil, aged balsamic, rosemary, patatas bravas, pickled turnips, radishes
Jerusalem Artichoke Fritters$15.00
with Kozani saffron aioli
Cheese Bourekas$16.00
organic feta and ricotta cheese, wrapped in crispy phyllo dough
Bacalhau Croquetas$15.00
salted cod, with housemade harissa mayonnaise
Lamb & Beef Meatballs$19.00
"Izmir style" with cinnamon and cumin

Roman Flatbreads

Margherita Burrata$20.00
mozzarella, pomodoro, basil
Angelo's Pizza Bianca$20.00
truffle pecorino, truffle oil, fresh mozzarella, chopped pistachios
Frutti di Mare Pizza*$25.00
octopus, clams, shrimp, tomato, Calabrian chili, basil

Salads

Ten-Ingredient Roman Salads$12.00
seasonal mixed herbs, endive, radicchio, champagne vinaigrette
Broccolini Salad$19.00
tomatoes, red onions, Palestinian maftoul
Rainbow Roasted Beet$19.00
crumbled goat cheese, mixed greens
Chopped Israeli$19.00
barrel-aged feta, olives, cucumbers, red onions, sumac, Aleppo pepper, lemon vinaigrette
Lebanese Fattoush$19.00
crust breads, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, red onions, sumac, Aleppo pepper, lemon vinaigrette

Brunch All Day

Moroccan Shakshuka$19.00
baked tomatoes, onions, peppers, two farm-fresh eggs cauliflower, zucchini, carrots
Egyptian Koshari$20.00
beluga lentils, chickpeas, caramelized yams, toasted rice, vermicelli, tomato-vinegar sauce, topped with crispy leeks, pickled vegetables

Les Grands Plats and Casseroles

Vegetarian Moussaka$26.00
layered eggplant, zucchini, Yukon Gold potatoes, red and green bell peppers, béchamel
Chicken Basteeya$31.00
saffron, ginger and cinnamon braised chicken, toasted almonds perfumed with orange blossom water, eggs, flaky pastry, topped with cinnamon sugar
Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebab$29.00
roasted vegetables, basmati pilaf, tzatziki, warm pita
Filet Mignon Kebab$35.00
roasted vegetables, Persian basmati pilaf, tzatziki, oven-grilled pita
Mixed Grill$40.00
beef kebab, chicken kebab, lamb merguez, basmati pilaf, warm pita
Chicken Tagine a la Fez$28.00
organic chicken, tomatoes, ras-el-hanout, cous-cous
Lamb Kofta Tagine$30.00
minced lamb, steamed cous-cous, chickpeas, roasted vegetables
Lamb-On-The-Bone Tagine$37.00
cous-cous, zucchini, carrots, Palestinian maftoul, berbere and kashmiri broth
Whole Branzino*$37.00
butterflied Greek striped bass, spinach, basmati pilaf
North Atlantic Bacalhau*$32.00
Portuguese salted cod stew with tomato, onion, red pepper, Yukon Gold potatoes
Venetian Sardines*$22.00
house-preserved butterflied Portuguese sardines al saor, market salad, rustic bread

Pasta & Risotto

Mezzaluna Ravioli$28.00
stuffed with porcini-ricotta crema, blistered cherry tomatoes, swiss chard, touch of butter and cream, fresh parmesan
Strozzapreti Pomodoro$20.00
fresh tomatoes, basil, Calabrian chili, fresh parmigiano
Risotto Porcini$27.00
hen-of-the-woods and porcini mushrooms, fresh parmagiano
Risotto with Patagonian Shrimp*$28.00
leeks, fava beans, touch of butter

What 264 people are saying

Shalel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Shalel captivates diners with its "incredible atmosphere" that feels like a secret Moroccan hideaway. Guests rave about the "amazing food," "cozy and romantic" setting, and "top-notch service." The unique, intimate spaces and "authentic, tasty dishes" make it a perfect escape on the Upper West Side.

264 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
the ambience was exactly what we were looking for—romantic, private, and cozy. the service was wonderful. our server was very friendly and was kind when telling us about the food options and specials. the food was 10/10 from appetizers to dessert. we are definitely going to keep Shalel on our Favorites list. Perfect for date night, celebrating a birthday or anniversary.
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NR
NRitce
San Francisco2 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Nice ambiance, good flavor on food. Pricing is ok. Service could have been a little better - especially clearing plates, tidying up given the family style food service. Also I sent a note about a special occasion which apparently they don’t read or don’t acknowledge. All together ok, but I wanted to like it more given that it’s a 5 min walk from our apartment!
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m
michael
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I’ve been there many many times always a wonderful experience. The food and the drink is excellent as well as the service and the ambience. Very highly recommended.
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S
Sara VIP
New York City22 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Such a cool place, unlike any other in the city. Outstanding food and service, can’t wait to go back!
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C
Cindy VIP
New York City23 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Love the atmosphere and the wide selection of mezze especially the octopus
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J
Jay
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I enjoyed the food during our trip to Morocco, so most of our group of six in our private room in Shalel ordered Moroccan appetizers and entrees. The food was excellent, taste and presentation, and good tangine is so aromatic. The desserts were wonderful, too. For people who don't know, some of the items can be spicy, if you're looking for that (or looking to avoid that), you should ask.
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L
Les VIP
Philadelphia10 reviews
4.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
This was our second time visiting the restaurant. It's a cosy place with a lot of nook and grannies.
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L
Lawrence VIP
New York City24 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It is always such a delight to dine at Shalel! The food, service and vibe was, as always, wonderful!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City1 review
3.0
Dined on February 28, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The food was ok not the best Mediterranean food I’ve had. The reviews said otherwise so I had a lot of excitement before going there. The place is interesting but looks like a basement with zero consideration for fire codes. The heaters weren’t working properly. The menu was a fusion of different things from France, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Lebanon. The didn’t serve any wine from Middle East and the Malbec we had was just mediocre. Overall it’s a mediocre restaurant, maybe I had high expectations before going….
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G
Gina
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always love coming to this restaurant! It's so romantic and the food is consistently so so good!
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FAQs

Shalel offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 873-2300.

Shalel is rated 4.6 stars by 264 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

65 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Just east of the corner of Columbus Ave & W. 70th Street.
Neighborhood
Lincoln Square
Hours of operation
Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 4:30 pm–12:00 am Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 4:30 pm–9:45 pm Thu–Sat 4:30 pm–10:45 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Cocktail Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Bus Station Columbus Ave & W 69th (M11 - M7) and Central Pk West & W 70th (M10 - M72) Subway Central Pk West & 72 St. (A/C/E), Subway 72 St. and Broadway (1/2/3)
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine

Website
https://shalel.kitchen/
Phone number
(212) 873-2300
Catering
We offer a weekly Shabbat menu and are open to catering inquiries.
Private party facilities
We have several private rooms appropriate for special events - please inquire by phone at 212-873-2300.

Shalel

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Order delivery or takeout

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Dining areas

Additional information

Cold Mezze

Mediterranean Olives$10.00

Hummus Bi Tahina$15.00

Baba Ghanoush$15.00

Mediterranean Mezze$20.00

Kampachi Crudo$21.00

Hot Mezze

Housemade Flatbread$11.00

Moroccan Lamb Cigars (2)$18.00

Butternut Squash Bruschetta$15.00

Baked Dates$16.00

Sicilian Cauliflower and Halloumi Cheese$18.00

Jamon Serrano Croquetas$15.00

Vegetarian Lebanese Kibbeh$15.00

Spanakopites$16.00

Gambas al Ajillo* (4)$24.00

Braised Spanish Octopus*$27.00

Jerusalem Artichoke Fritters$15.00

Cheese Bourekas$16.00

Bacalhau Croquetas$15.00

Lamb & Beef Meatballs$19.00

Roman Flatbreads

Margherita Burrata$20.00

Angelo's Pizza Bianca$20.00

Frutti di Mare Pizza*$25.00

Salads

Ten-Ingredient Roman Salads$12.00

Broccolini Salad$19.00

Rainbow Roasted Beet$19.00

Chopped Israeli$19.00

Lebanese Fattoush$19.00

Brunch All Day

Moroccan Shakshuka$19.00

Egyptian Koshari$20.00

Les Grands Plats and Casseroles

Vegetarian Moussaka$26.00

Chicken Basteeya$31.00

Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebab$29.00

Filet Mignon Kebab$35.00

Mixed Grill$40.00

Chicken Tagine a la Fez$28.00

Lamb Kofta Tagine$30.00

Lamb-On-The-Bone Tagine$37.00

Whole Branzino*$37.00

North Atlantic Bacalhau*$32.00

Venetian Sardines*$22.00

Pasta & Risotto

Mezzaluna Ravioli$28.00

Strozzapreti Pomodoro$20.00

Risotto Porcini$27.00

Risotto with Patagonian Shrimp*$28.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Shalel offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Shalel restaurant rated?

Is Shalel currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout