Yara — Restaurant in New York

I cannot thank YARA enough for making my sister’s engagement celebration absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth, grace, and a level of hospitality that set the tone for the entire evening. Every detail was perfect, and I can truly say this restaurant turned a special event into an extraordinary one.The atmosphere at YARA is simply breathtaking. The décor beautifully blends traditional Lebanese charm with contemporary elegance, creating an inviting and sophisticated ambiance that was perfect for such an important occasion. The staff went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly, anticipating every need before we even asked. Their professionalism, coupled with genuine warmth, made us feel like we were the only ones in the restaurant.The level of care and attention was truly top-tier. From the fresh, flavorful mezze platters to the perfectly spiced kebabs, everything was not only delicious but felt like a true taste of Lebanon. The Muhammara fattoush, and tabbouleh, Tawook were standout favorites, and the mains, including the filet mignon and chicken, were cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was one of joy, laughter, and celebration, and a large part of that was due to the vibe created by YARA.The staff even arranged a song surprise for us that added an extra layer of magic to the evening!

If you're looking for a place to host a special event like an engagement ceremony or any significant celebration, YARA is the place to go. The combination of outstanding food, unparalleled service, and an enchanting atmosphere makes it a venue that stands out in every way. My sister’s engagement ceremony was beautiful, and much of that is thanks to the incredible team at YARA.

Thank you for making this day so memorable for our family. We will certainly be back for future celebrations—and can’t wait to recommend it to all...

The owner took the time to find my phone number and called me. She was very honest and informed me about being short-staffed that evening. That does happen sometimes. She also said when she came to our table, she was not aware of our disappointment at the service, hence her joke. I believe her. As mentioned in my review, I like the food and atmosphere. They just had a bad evening due to personnel calling in at the last minute. Understandable. I modified my rating. Hope they get Apple Pay🙂

Food was good. Our waiter, Ecdder was excellent as usual. However, on a Friday night, they just did not have adequate staff. Ecdder was taking care of too many tables by himself. Support staff was minimal and the kitchen seemed to be having a lot of issues. I usually take overseas visitors there because the food is good and I live close by. Tonight I had a group of 7 diners, many of them from Turkey. The chaos and inefficiency in the restaurant resulted in an expensive yet tense and unsatisfying meal. As the host of the group, my dinner was very stressful. And they don’t accept Apple Pay, which is ridiculous. Have to look for another place with similar food. Maybe Ali Baba, SipSak or Au Za-atar?

To the owner: if you were aware of the issues at your restaurant on a Friday night and our server asked you to stop by our table for some damage control, why did you instead crack a joke about us having to pay double rather than acknowledging the issues of the evening and apologizing for the...

I’m sad to give this restaurant 2 stars.

After reading the many high reviews, I was excited to enjoy a good Lebanese dinner. When we walked in, the hostess was very funny and personable and we were impressed with the beauty of the room. As soon as we sat down I was patting myself on the back for finding this spot and suggesting to my husband that we come back with friends. But that changed when the food arrived.

We ordered a variety of small plates — the beet salad with feta, falafel, fried cauliflower, chickpea hummus, tzatziki, and grilled Haloumi cheese. But while we arrived hungry, we finished nothing.

I just reread the reviews and I’m thinking (and hopeful) that this was just an off night because the food we were served did not taste fresh and flavorful but rather as if the ingredients were out of a can. The pita was served cold (and hard) which was another disappointment — even if the hummus or other dippable dishes weren’t great, amazing bread to use to dip would have gone a long way.

The waiter was nice and again, restaurant is very pretty. And prices are reasonable (but I’m wondering if that doesn’t allow them to have better ingredients or talent in the kitchen.).

Fingers crossed last night was an off night so others enjoy Yara more...