Shalel

4.7 (486)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

65 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

Make a reservation

Shalel

4.7

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Lincoln Square

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 6, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 36 times today

About this restaurant

Romantic
Charming
Neighborhood gem

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.

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
Private party facilities
We have offer several semi-private rooms appropriate for special events with smaller groups, as well as full restaurant buyouts. Please inquire by email at shalelevents@gmail.com.
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

thebestoftheupperwest
Date Night Done Right 🍽️🕯️ For the seventh one I have dinner in a cozy, romantic cave! 🍽️ Head to @shalelnyc for a romantic date night! Candles, Moroccan decor, a waterfall and secret nooks to eat a private dinner! ✨Highlights: cheese bourekas, roasted beet and orange salad, lamb on the bone tagine, new seasonal menu item - spicy chicken sandwich, baklava and the mint tea! ⭐️Make a reservation at @shalelnyc and impress your date!

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Tagine de Légumes
steamed couscous, maftoul, chickpeas, seasonal vegetables, red chermoula broth
Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops
artichokes à la barigoule, Yukon potato and cauliflower purée
Roast Faroe Island Salmon
spanakorizo, mustard sauce
Moroccan Kefta Mkaouara
in a spiced tomato sauce, basmati rice, roasted vegetables
Braised Baby Lamb
basmati rice pilaf, romaine, fresh dill, Greek yogurt

Third Course

Gelato Trio
mascarpone & orange dark chocolate gelato, black currant sorbet
Warm Bougatsa (for 2)
vanilla custard pie wrapped in crispy phyllo, with cinnamon and mascarpone gelato
Ekmek Kataifi
layered cake of crème fraiche, vanilla custard, honey-syrup shredded kataif pastry, and pistachios

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Shalel.

4.7

(486)

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Shalel offers a unique, subterranean dining experience with an eclectic, cozy ambiance perfect for date nights. Guests praise the "fantastic service" and "delicious food," particularly the mezze and octopus. While some find portions small or ambiance too dim, the creative menu and "amazing atmosphere" make visiting worthwhile.

486 Reviews

J
Jo Ann
West Palm Beach1 review
3.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
We were looking for a quiet restaurant, and Shalel fit that bill. The pros: the appetizers (olives and jerusalem artichoke fritters) and the dessert (olive oil cake with mascarpone ice cream) were excellent as was the branzino entree. My cocktail was lovely. The prices for the quality of food and portions is reasonable. Cons: My salmon in cabbage had no seasoning, and while the cabbage may have kept the salmon moist, the meal was totally undistinguished. The entrees arrived within 10 minutes of the arrival of the appetizers -- way too soon, as should have been obvious to the server. As the table was quite small, we had to try to fit it all on limited space. We were seated next to the "waterfall". It reminded us more of a drainage ditch -- a trickle of water along a grey-black slope the ended in a moribund shallow pool with wilted rose petals. As we were warned, the entire restaurant is quite dark. Perhaps in a different seating area, this would have been romantic.
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M
Mike
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 27, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
a must-try on the uws - fantastic service and delicious menu
Is this helpful?
MF
MattF
New York City5 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 26, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great setting, atmosphere and service. Food was disappointing.
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P
Patricia
New York City43 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 22, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful find for Mediterranean food near Lincoln Center, NYC. Quiet - we were able to have a real conversation. Unusual subterranean ambiance. Great food!
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c
chaim Gold
New York City6 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 16, 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very interesting location and ambiance. You feel as if you are in a Suk in Morocco. Food quality is not as good as it should be a ND portions are small.
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H
Henry
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined on October 9, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fun place that's very cozy. Feels like your under ground. Great quality and prices that fit. Had a great date night here
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J
Jed Gold
New York City234 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 5, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A wonderfully different experience: like being in a low-lit cave that happens to feature fine food with a Moroccan twist. Excellent!
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P
Pascha
Munich1 review
5.0
Dined on October 3, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing atmosphere, great food and vibe. If you are in the area, go. If not, make a trip, it’s worth it.
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B
Blake Gold
Chicago7 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 3, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Food is pretty good, Octopus is the best I’ve had in the city, spanakopita was flavorful and drinks were pretty good. Ambiance… not up to the hype of other reviews. Service was okay, it’s a solid 3+ for NY
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C
Catherine
Philadelphia3 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 3, 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Restaurant is beautiful. Food is solid but not amazing
Is this helpful?

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
Private party facilities
We have offer several semi-private rooms appropriate for special events with smaller groups, as well as full restaurant buyouts. Please inquire by email at shalelevents@gmail.com.
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine

FAQs

Thursday evenings are a lovely choice, one guest enjoyed a Thursday night visit, and weekends are great for late plans, since the kitchen stays open later on weekends.

Portions at Shalel are often described as generous, several guests say they left comfortably full, and many enjoy shareable mezze and substantial mains.

Yes, Shalel is frequently recommended for date night, thanks to its intimate, candlelit subterranean nooks and a transportive, romantic atmosphere praised by many guests.

Casual dress is the guide, comfortable, neat attire is appropriate and nothing formal is required.

Shalel is a popular pre-theater spot in Lincoln Square, and guests recommend arriving right at opening to snag one of the restaurant’s semi-private nooks, it’s a lovely choice for an early dinner before a show.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

Shalel

4.7

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Lincoln Square

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 6, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 36 times today

Shalel

Make a reservation

Shalel

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Concierge
AI Beta

Videos

Menu

First Course

Salade Verte

Duck Confit Salad

Stuffed Calamari

Chilled Seafood Antipaso$7.00

Second Course

Tagine de Légumes

Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops

Roast Faroe Island Salmon

Moroccan Kefta Mkaouara

Braised Baby Lamb

Third Course

Gelato Trio

Warm Bougatsa (for 2)

Ekmek Kataifi

Reviews

Review summary

Dining areas

Additional information

FAQs

What is the best day to go to Shalel?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Is this a good pick for date night?

What is the dress code for Shalel?

When is the best time to go to Shalel?

Make a reservation

Shalel

Make a reservation