Omars Mediterranean Cuisine — Restaurant in New York

This is one of the best Halal Mediterranean place near grand central station. They also have another location which I never been to so I can't comment on that as I am closer to this location.

The staff here are very pleasant to deal with. Marek, the manager is an awesome fellow. The food portion is not disappointing for the amount charged, for those who can eat this would be great find.

Their food and service is so good that I am a regular at this location. I usually get lunch but if I get dinner then I bring enough for the whole family. I love their combo platters. They usually have different meal of the day which I feel like it comes with more food than other menu option. And the selections are great so I get whatever the offering doe the day.

If you plan on coming during lunch expect a long line as they get crowded real fast. People usually arrive on crowds. To avoid that, you can order ahead and pick up. But if you are a first time visitor then you should get on the line so you can see how the food looks before you order.

This place has the best baklava I ever had and I tried from many many places including the ones that are localized within the ethnic communities. Every order cones with a serving of baklava packed in a small plastic container so if you order here you'll be in for a great surprise. Unless you can't eat nut based products. The concept of serving this in a container is great because if you're too full you can keep the desert for a later time. Great idea for whoever thought of it.

One of the things I wish they served would be Turkish tea although they don't label themselves as Turkish restaurant.

I tried all the dishes and love them all... Keep up...

I checked out Omar's for an early evening meal before a show. A friend had several good lunch experiences at Omar's so we figured why not. The result didn't quite hit the mark but I think they could have killed it.

We got the Omar's signature (meat sampler) and 3 sides. Very happy that we were greeted by complementary hummus and pita. The Tabouli salad was very good as well and more volume-wise than expected for a side. The Greek salad side was a total miss as the salad seemed like it had sat out a bit too long. Right in the middle came our side of falafel. Five pieces is more than fair for a side yet they were only average in taste.

Unfortunately what locked up my 3-star review (for now) was the meat platter. Yea, portions were nice. However, outside the lamb, the rest was extremely dry. I mean rubber chicken dry. The small salad and eggplant that came on the platter were nice but couldn't save the dry chicken.

As we were sort of rush, we headed out without formally ordering dessert so when they threw in 2 small cuts of baklava with our to-go box I was thrilled. Tasted yum as well.

So maybe the hour, past lunch but not quite dinner (630 on a Friday) impacted the meats? Dry from not being sold at an early rush or just over cooked. Considering the rest, I'd give Omar's another go, but can't top a...

3-Star Review for Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine – 369 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY

I recently dined at Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine on Lexington Avenue and found it to be a decent experience, warranting three stars. The service was exceptional—friendly, attentive, and efficient, even during a busy time. The staff’s warmth made the visit pleasant. The restaurant was clean, which added to the overall positive impression.

The food was flavorful with a great variety of side dish options. I ordered the spicy lamb platter with salad and beans, accompanied by a warm pita wrapped in foil and a complimentary piece of baklava for dessert.

The lamb had a nice spicy kick, complemented well by the fresh salad and hearty beans. The pita was soft and warm, and the baklava was a sweet, flaky treat, though not particularly standout. Portions were medium but satisfying.

On the downside, the seating was limited—there’s some, but not much, so finding a spot could be tricky during peak hours. The sauces were underwhelming, lacking the wow factor I’ve tasted at other Mediterranean spots.

Overall, Omar’s offers a solid meal with excellent service and a clean environment, but the limited seating and average sauces keep it from being exceptional. I’d return for a quick bite if nearby, but it’s not a...