Nerai Reviews

If you're looking to get off of "restaurant row" and need an option for a pre show meal, I would recommend Nerai. The space is very nice and roomy for a NY restaurant. We had more then a foot in between tables. The wait staff was very good and knowledgable about the menu and made good recommendations on selection and quantity. We opted for the fish special and it was prepared very well. No fussy sauces. Simple, fresh preparation and ingredients let the food speak for itself. Delicious! We also had the beat salad, which was very tasty. The wine selection was unusual in that it had many Greek wines, so we asked for help from the sommelier, who was so knowledgeable and helpful. He wanted us to find a wine we would love, and paired well with our meal, which was not difficult. If there was one thing I would add, we found the meal a bit on the pricy side, even for NY standards, but the food was fresh and very good.

This restaurant came highly recommended, but turned out very disappointing. The small piece of the grilled octopus was good, but the rest of the dishes lacked in flavor and the shrimps were way overcooked.

I had been here before for a business meal and thought the food was excellent. Tonight, my husband and I had an excellent dinner. Service was outstanding. The meal and wine was excellent. It couldn’t have been better. The fact they are confident enough to run a no tipping restaurant in NYC tells a lot. It’s the way it should be! Highly recommended.

Nerai offers a fantastic Greek dining experience with its exquisite seafood and Mediterranean flavors. The dishes are beautifully presented, and each bite is a delight. The service is top-notch, with staff that are both attentive and knowledgeable, enhancing the dining experience. The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant and sophisticated, yet inviting, making it a perfect choice for a special evening out or a fancy lunch. Definitely a must-visit.

Nice restaurant, liked the ambience, decoration and service, very friendly. The food is very good, fresh fish for me it's a must. Its not cheap but if you want to eat well and fresh you got to pay it. Would return in a minute

We are still talking about the meal. My husband and I stayed at the hotel across the street and all the reviews I read were excellent. We had dinner with another couple and we all loved it. The restaurant is decorated beautifully and you feel like you are going to have a great time as soon as you walk in. We decided on the prix fixed menu which is the whole menu with a few up charged items. We started with cocktails and the zucchini chips. We all remarked that it may have been the first time we got the cocktails and the snack at the same time and was not served our appetizers before we were done with the snack. The chips are wonderful! I won’t bore you with what everyone had to eat, but I will tell you that there was nothing left on any of the plates. The duck, the scallops...everything was delicious. We also remarked how the timing was perfect. The server was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient I can’t think of anything to criticize. Greek fine dining on 54th street. Enjoy!!

This is an extraordinary restaurant for those who like Greek food. The service was extraordinarily attentive and the sommelier provided great advice on a Greek dry white wine. The waiter steered us towards great appetizers and main courses. Notable was the octopus appetizer and the Branzino. I avoided the chicken for obvious reasons—professional courtesy.

AWESOME! food was superb! Will be back without a doubt! Beet salad Dover sole and lemon potato’s - all amazing ! Beautiful decor

We visited Nerai on our first evening in New York and it was truly superb from start to finish. Great service, we had a good corner table. My partner had the octopus which was cooked to perfection and I had the Greek salad which was divine and felt could have been in the Greek Islands! The wine was delicious and have to say was our best meal in New York. Would highly recommend and definitely revisit next time in New York.

My mother and I had a lovely dinner at Nerai on 2/16/18. It is important to mention that this is a non-tipping restaurant, which is not very common in the city. To give you an idea of cost, we had a glass of Pinot Noir each, shared the chips nerai and she had the grilled octopus as a main course while I had the chicken lemonato - all of which was rounded out by a fresh plate of seasonal fruit - and the bill came out to a few dollars over $150. Everything was excellent! The atmosphere is great and the servers were attentive without being overbearing. Although it may not be a place that I could personally afford often, I would definitely return and recommend Nerai!

A quick lunch... Expected a better deal.. Portions were not generous.. And the chicken skewers we just all right.. Did not make my best of New York list

Great food ! That’s the most important thing. I went with my parents for my sisters birthday on a Wednesday night. As I said the food was amazing, but regarding the ambiance, it was a little too quiet for my taste (even though there was a DJ in the first floor, but we were sitting on the second floor), it felt like a too formal ambiance and slightly boring. And although the service was good and on point, we did felt we were being rushed a little bit to leave quickly. Because of these things I would hesitate to go back, but again, the food was amazing. The duck moussaka and the saganaki are a must.

This is a Greek restaurant with ethnic takes on a wide variety of basic menu items - fish, scallops, steaks, pasta. We had a group of 6 for a business dinner and were seated promptly with great service. We chose the 3 course Prix Fixe option and no one was disappointed. Beet salad was nice, Salmon was decent. Desserts are huge so save room!

The food and service here are excellent. We have eaten here a number of times. Every dish has been excellent, and the service is spectacular...attentive without being annoying. We are part time residents, and this is our favorite NYC restaurant. They have been great during Covid with their heated courtyard. This past weekend we called Nerai to send a gift certificate to a friend. Michael, the manager, personally dropped the gift card at her apartment building.....above and beyond the call of duty.

Upstairs seating is quiet and comfortable as well as spacious! Great restaurant for service and wonderful food. Try the Octopus appetizer, I know I was not sure until I tasted it... amazing!

Had lunch at a beautiful Greek restaurant in Manhattan. Restaurants and bars in NYC have set up temporary outdoor dining booths (they have to apply for a government permit for the space as it is actually pedestrian lanes and roadside they’re using) due to no dine in restrictions earlier and I think most people do enjoy dining outdoors especially if it's a nice weather. It's so European! Everything was lovely! The foods, the service, especially the ambience! We also noticed that most servers were Greek too. It won't go wrong choosing what to have with their recommendations. The highlight of our Greek lunch was the grilled LAVRAKI fish served with a side of sauteed spinach. It's a Mediterranean sea bass, a traditional Greek delicacy. It's delicious! We also ordered grilled octopus served over santorini fava with caramelized onions, roasted peppers, and capers as starter. Besides Lavraki we had seafood saffron orzotto. Wish we could have more space in our stomachs to try other dishes!

Thoroughly enjoyed a special occasion dinner at Nerai recently. Picked this restaurant due to its rating and location. They did not disappoint. My steak was perfect. Service was flawless as well! No tipping is a nice policy that I wish other restaurants would consider. Romantic atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Most of the menu items at Nerai feature Greek names, and certainly they are "Mediterranean" in style, and there are some (like spanikopita) which are authentically Greek. But the menu caters to a wide variety of tastes. Our seafood orzo ($36, pictured in this review), included a generous serving of grilled octopus, shrimp, mussels and spicy sausage over exquisite orzo. Our filet mignon ($44) was prepared exactly as requested and served with delicious mushrooms. We enjoyed grilled, caramelized brussels sprouts ($14) as a side dish. We shared spanikopita ($18 for 3 small cupcake-sized pies) as our appetizer. We couldn't agree on dessert, so we ordered both the saragli ($15, a plate containing two small baklava rolls and a ball of pistachio ice cream) and chocolate mousse ($16); both were delicious. Nerai's dining room is quiet, comfortable and elegant. dining booths are large, and separated from others by Covid-inspired plexiglas panels which don't intrude in the pleasant setting. Tables allow plenty of space for uncramped dining. Thankfully, the soft music was not a Greek restaurant's customary overkill of traditional Greek melodies, but rather a gentle array of jazzy Mediterranean, and it did not interfere with table conversation. Service was extremely attentive, but not intrusive, and included details such as fresh silverware between courses and elegant glasses showcasing our wine's colors. Attention to detail is one of Nerai's hallmarks: Both the hostess and our server had clearly read our reservation notes, and were careful to reassure us about their knowledge of our allergy concerns. They also wished us well on our special occasion. The restaurant has an elegant upstairs dining room, which we had requested, but it was closed. There was plenty of nice outdoor seating... even some not immediately adjacent to the street. Reservations are not available on Open Table, but Nerai has its own reservation system which works very well. Dates are "released" about a month in advance, to prevent everything being booked up months before.

We were in town for the weekend and stayed at the Omni. Nerai was a couple of blocks away so easy to get to. The food was fantastic and the wine menu with some Greek wine options was wonderful. Highly recommend this restaurant

The meatball appetizer was very good. The duck breast main course was one of the best duck breasts I have ever had. It came with a side of duck leg moussaka, which my husband loved. I wasn't as much of a fan of that particular side. There were other sides, all very good. The service was outstanding. I'd go back here any time. Highly recommend.

First-rate -- everything. The chops were well-seasoned and generously proportioned. Trio of spreads and fried cheese got us off to a great start. Lemonda chicken was very moist and delicious, as were the short ribs and pasta. Service was attentive without being overbearing and the place was all nicely furnished.

The food was great and the service excellent. Drinks also highly recommended. I will definitely be back at Nerai and I will recommend to family and friends.

My wife and I stopped her for a late lunch after several hours at the MoMA and so happy we did. I had the chicken skewer and my wife had the Greek salad. I don’t think I had better food in Greece, it was that good.

We ate here with a group of 5. The food was amazing one of the best meals I had in New York!! Would definitely come back here.

my third meal here over several years. they advertise as gourmet Greek cuisine, and they mean it. everything was cooked properly and was totally delicious. spouse had lamb that was wonderful, I had a whole sauteed fish with capers. nice wine list. we had retsina, which is not something ordinarily ordered in this restaurant, but they had a single version that was well-chosen. come hungry, come with a full wallet, as this place is not inexpensive. expect to have a wonderful meal.

If you're looking for delicious, creative, sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine, and budget is not an issue -I recommend Nerai, without question. Located in mid town, in an unassuming street level spot, you enter into a modern, lovely, open oasis. The food is contemporary Greek which includes some traditional selections, like spreads, octopus and lamb, but done it a totally unique and refined way. As there were so many wonderful choices, we went with the 4 course tasting menu for $85 pp (note: there's an up charge for certain options) which includes a starter, pasta, main and dessert...and each course was better than the next! The braised short ribs over pacheri pasta was sublime - rich and flavorful. The duck "moussaka" was fantastic...seared perfectly and served over lentils...not like any moussaka I've ever had. Even the dessert was heavenly - vanilla custard, chantilly cream and pistachios, light as a cloud, yet makes a statement. They also have a wine pairing menu, which, if you're a wine lover, would probably make sense. The service was attentive and friendly. This is a great spot to celebrate a special occasion or a business dinner on an expense account. Well worth it.

This is a fantastic place to enjoy Greek Mediterranean food. Service was great & the place has beautiful ambience. Will surely wanna go back.

I love this restaurant. The food is delicious and the service is amazing. Seating is roomy for NYC so it's great for a date night and pricing is reasonable. Have been several times and the food and service is consistently excellent!

I enjoyed visiting Nerai for an early dinner on a Friday with a friend. The service was fast and everyone was so friendly. My waitress took alot of time explaining the menu to me, and recommending the dishes that were most unique and popular. I ordered Pikilla (hummus, whipped feta, and tzatziki with pita) and Spanakopita (artichoke, spinach, and feta pies) to start. It was all fresh, the hummus was my favorite and the spinach pies were delicious. My friend decided to try the Duck Moussaka. I ordered the Astakomakaronada which includes poached Maine lobster with squid ink linguine and a metaxa bisque. I absolutely loved my pasta dish, it was decadent and slightly sweet. My friend loved the duck, and the lentils it was served beside as well. I recommend trying their gelato for dessert, I got the Chocolate Mouse option which is called Sokolatina. I loved the chocolate flavor mixed with the raspberry jam on the plate. Overall, everything was so yummy and the beautiful decor made my meal feel really special.

We had a wonderful dinner last night. The food was fantastic; as good as some of the nicest restaurants in Greece that we have visited. The service was very good. Definitely a nice evening.

A calm oasis in frenetic New York with a nice level of sophistication and good service most probably worth a return visit.

We had a very enjoyable meal here and can't wait for a return visit. The cocktails were excellent, the food very tasty (loved the saganaki!) and the service and overall ambience top notch. This is a classy restaurant worth a visit while in midtown.

Recently celebrated my birthday at Nerai. If you want high end Greek food, this is your place to go. Great atmosphere, friendly , attentive service, and great food. Creative spins on classic dishes. The shredded duck Moussaka with the duck breast served over lentils and figs was spectacular. Baklava was served warm and full of flavor. The Greek meatballs were delicious. Each dish had something extra that made it taste that much better than classic Greek food.

Wonderful meal with mouth watering dishes! I loved the watermelon salad and halibut. My daughters has salmon and lamb- they said it was their favourite meal…and the Greek yogurt dessert with honey was a Perfect simple dish. I highly recommend this place- we sat outside and it was beautiful with the nicest waiter.

We treated our Armenian and French friends to a Greek dining experience in NY before going to a Broadway show. We sat upstairs and dined on their pre fixe menu which offered 4 courses including dessert. All of us are foodies and world travellers and everyone enjoyed the food and the presentation. We imbibed red and white wines to complement the meal. We will be going back as a couple for a romantic evening.

We ended up canceling the order after 1 hour and 20min. I ordered $160 but I got only $25 credit. I never had any experience like this and it was unappropriated attitude to try contact with the restaurant. Thankfully, I skipped my dinner!!!!

Working in New York for the week, take your client to eat here. Food is great, but don't forget to make a reservation to avoid lines.

Atentive personel takes care of yout dinning expirience Exelent Geek wine list to match your plates.Diversity concentrated menue plates

We were busy and missed lunch, so we picked this place because it was on our way and had good reviews on TA. We lucked out because it was early; got a table without a reservation. Our experience could not have been better. Octopus appetizer was melt in your mouth tender, not at all chewy. Rack of lamb was delicious and substantial, as was the salmon. Sommelier guided us to a very nice , but not overly expensive, Greek wine . I enjoyed the yogurt sampler for dessert; my lady chose gelato and was not disappointed. Recommend this place highly.

I went here with a busines client after looking at reviews online....and was not disappointed! We chose to do the Prix Fixe menu where you get to select 4 courses. We arrived at this choice due to the overwhelming amount of excellent choices on the menu and our difficulty at arriving at only one for each section! For Orektika: Tuna Tartare -- Absolutely amazing....just melts in your mouth. I could probably eat this all day long if it there was a conveyor belt feeding me! For Zymarika: Pastitsada -- Again, the short rib was phenomonal and just melted in your mouth with the pasta together. The flavors and texture were perfect! For Kyrios: Paidakia sti Skara (aka the lamb chops) -- Get these medium-rare! Some of the best lamb chops I have ever eaten. The meat was tender, well flavored and I think I may have shed some tears when all of it was gone! I even started nibbling on the bone! For Epidorpio: I got Karidopita. All of it looked good. I don't think you will meet a dessert here that you don't like -- and I was definitely satisified with my selection! The service here was extremely attentive and they went above-and-beyond to make sure myself and my guest were satisified with our choices. You will feel like you are a special guest at this restaurant -- and you should feel very special that you made the choice to eat here! Definitely put this on your list for top NYC restaurants -- in midtown or all of NYC!

I stop by this restaurant randomly looking for a good Greek restaurant in mid-town. The food was amazing starting with a Greek salad and meat balls. The lamb chops were serve in a very good portion as well as a Lobster pasta. Having my children the staff take care of her with a pasta. Desserts and ambiance was unique! Thanks to Paris!!!

We visited Nerai based on the reviews and we must have hit it on a bad day because nothing went right. We called for a reservation but when we arrived the host couldn't find it and for some reason it made him unhappy - not sure if he was unhappy with us or his staff but it wasn't very welcoming (the restaurant was empty since it was only 1145). We were excited about the authentic greek options however, the food did not live up to the expectations. The spinach pies were good but that is the last positive thing I have to say. The Revithokeftedes (chickpea fritters) were tasteless and I got a bit of grit in every bite (like sand or eggshell). I couldn't continue to eat it. My guest got Lavraki (fish) and she had 3 dangerous bones in the first bite. We let the waiter know and, after some time, someone (manager?) came and offered her the menu. She picked the salmon but it was tasteless so she ate very little. We were shocked to see that we were charged for the dish ($36). The waiter was nice and professional but it was not a happy experience. Hopefully, we just had a bad luck day and the other reviews are on-point.

Delicious food , service great - wine amazing , delicious will definetly be back. My client enjoyed the meal ad well - very fresh

I wanted to thank the staff!!! It is hard to find individuals that have manners and amazing. food!!!! I had champagne and a greek salad. I am looking forward to going back! You all are really really lovely!!!!

Stopped in for a late lunch a couple of weeks back. It was around 2p and the place was packed. I sat at the bar and enjoyed a nice Greek Assyrtiko from Santorini. Calimari was good too.

Great food, lovely room, excellent (and well priced) wine list yet barely half full on a Friday night. This gem needs to get the word out.

We had a lovely anniversary dinner at Nerai. The prie fixe menu was an excellent value - choices off the menu and generous portions. I don’t eat calamari or squid but the waiter assured me I would like the lobster and squid ink pasta. He was right. The lamp chops were generous and perfectly cooked; the scallops very tasty. We asked the sommelier for a recommendation and he suggested a Greek red wine that was perfect. Service was attentive without being intrusive.

A friend invited to Nerai for lunch and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The front bar room opens to the street when the weather permits and there are two dining rooms, one upstairs. We sat on the main level in a very comfort banquette where past the outdoor diners you could still see out to the street from the open doors. The room is elegant, well designed and distinctly mediterranean. We both had the prix fixe @ $39. We were first served a complimentary plate of tzatziki, tahini and a third dip I didn't recognize with warm, soft grilled pita. Very nice. Our starters were the Greek Salad and Spinach Pies. Both were excellent. The tomatoes were quality and perfectly ripe, with a good size chunk of feta, cucumbers and onion all nicely dressed. The spanakopita were served as two smaller pies (nice phyllo to filling ratio) on a smear of ouzo yogurt. There were an added touch of artichoke in the filling. The main courses were Organic Chicken Skewer and Seafood Orzotto. The chicken was accompanied by delicious lemon potatoes, cherry tomato salad, cucumbers and tzatziki. All worked well in combination. Very tasty and made me feel like I had a healthy lunch. The Seafood Orzotto is served with shrimp, calamari, and mussels and dressed with a saffron sauce. All the seafood was cooked perfectly and again the combinations of favors was excellent. The Walnut Cake was a nice finish, served with figs and honey. I plan on making this a regular lunch spot.

My wife and I just enjoyed an outstanding dinner at this lovely midtown restaurant. From the moment that you entered you are greeted warmly. A special shout out to Viola, our professional and very friendly server, who helped make our night, an anniversary celebration, so special. The dining room is an excellent size and beautifully appointed. Even when it is nearly full it is not noisy. Our dinner - a trio of dips with delicious feta, meat (beef and lamb) Greek meatballs with tomato sauce, and a delicious duck breast - was superb. In addition, my wife enjoyed 2 different glasses of Greek wine and I had the best Manhattan in quite a long time. Can't wait to return!

Heavily overpriced, food simply not good enough. The sad thing is that the fish and other ingredients were most likely of food quality before it came in the hands of the unprofessional kitchen staff. Unfriendly welcome, never seen a bathroom that appallingly filthy in an ‘upscale’ restaurant. Have to say the waiting staff is super friendly, they can’t help it that the food is so mediocre.

We enjoyed our meal but felt very rushed. We sat down and 45 minutes later we were leaving. The restaurant is very noisy and expensive . With the hurried server I felt like we were eating in a fast food restaurant.

Four of us ate here on saturday night. We had an assortment of dips, and greek salads to start...wow! Fresh flavorful and beautifully presented. Our mains were filet and lamb. Amazing. Then baklava..we shared..we should not have shared...i wanted another plate just for myself.. would we come back?? Definitely....again and again. All of the staff were professional and engaging. Well done all the way around.

The staff was very professional and welcoming throughout the night. The food and wine were delicious. I highly recommend it the filet.

Fantastic service, cocktails, food. Could not fault this place. It was our last night in New York and what a great meal it was !

Mixilogist was creatively making vodka and bourbon drinks that were fresh and delicious. The greatest crab cake I have ever had. Which was the perfect bridge to a ideally cooked piece of Branzino. Tipped included restaurant, but had to add an additional amount for well above average table service.

Nerai is gorgeous. From the moment you enter the doors, you're greeted with warmth and kindness. I dined with my family including my elderly mother, and the service was so helpful and accommodating while not being stifling. The food was incredible. This might have been one of the best lamb chops I've had in NYC. The whole roasted fish was fresh and cooked perfectly, I could eat it for every meal. Thank you Nerai, we will be back!

One of the best places I have ever eaten. My wife and I celebrated Valentine's day and menu and wait staff were wonderful. Each course was delicious, from the appetizers to the main course and the drinks were well priced. The restaurant was busy but we never felt rushed. Will definitely be back the next time visiting NYC.

This a lovely restaurant - simple and elegant decor, professional staff. Food prepared and presented mostly with care. Our salmon was excellent but risotto bed tepid temp although still tasty - if it were warm, would have been great. The other thing reason why 4 not 5 stars is that there was no soap in the bathroom - at 6:00 pm - and restaurant and bar were nearly full. I asked for this and it took 10 minutes to replace. I ended up using the hand sanitizer at the hostess stand. We had a lovely pre-concert meal, but we won’t come back.

Exceptional indeed. Picked this place through trip advisor and I tell you.... not regrets! Service speed, location and quality of food... worth every penny

We had an excellent lunch at Nerai. The food is delicious and made with very fresh ingredients. We recommend the spreads, Greek salad and chicken skewers. The restaurant is small and quaint with table, bar and outdoor seating options. A great find for Greek food in midtown.

My husband and I ate here on a Saturday night prior to seeing a show. We arrived to find a small, but very lovely decorated restaurant with a few tables outside, a nice bar and some seating on both first and second floors. We chose to have a drink at the bar prior to sitting at the table. We both enjoyed their signature “stuffed & dirty” martini. We chose to each have the 4 course pre-fix dinner at $79 each. Appetizer, pasta, entree and dessert. Waiter and the sommelier gave great recommendations for food and wine pairings. Everything we had from raw oysters, lamb chops and walnut cake for dessert was nothing short of outstanding. And for the price, can’t beat it. We will return.

Great Greek food and really excellent Greek wines. Unfortunately the sommelier was very aggressive in pushing the more expensive wines and I was put in the position towards my guests that I had to buy a very expensive wine or look stingy to them. The more affordable wine was great.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. The food is consistently excellent, they are food-allergy sensitive, and the bar is delicious. The salmon is my favorite and the Greek cheese!

Overall a positive experience. The dishes are tastefully made and as others mentioned, service is excellent. The ambient is also very welcoming. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and maybe our impression reflects that. On the plus side were the dips, the Halumi salad, and the Calamari. However the assortment and menu are limited and there wasn’t a lot to choose from. Most dishes are modern interpretations, not so much classic Greek cuisine. The cocktails are on the creative side, but wine prices are in the stratosphere. A good restaurant but way overpriced. Still, for special occasions it’s recommended.

I was here for a business lunch. We sat upstairs, where it seems to be a little less noisy. The food was good, greek salad and falafel reliable starters. I had a mushroom risotto and my colleagues steak, both were very good. Service a bit slow, mostly because every table was full, but friendly. Not overly expensive, especially for the neighborhood.

The food and service were excellent. We sat upstairs where the atmosphere was lovely. Would definitely return

When a restaurant so thoroughly meets and exceeds your expectations as Nerai, its difficult not to resort to hyperbole to describe the experience. Comments from our group of 5 that dined there last night: “best spanakopita I have ever had”, “the scallops were the most buttery and sweet in memory”, “incredible, professional and actually fun service from the staff who were so into the restaurant and its food it was contagious”, “best Dover sole I ever put in my mouth”, and I could go on an on. From the extensive offering of unique greek wines, including an incredibly earthy one from Santorini, to the grilled octopus, to the lobster pasta, to the rolled baklava .........it was just one show stopper after another. Cant say enough about this incredible and special place. It is pricey but worth every penny. Didn’t praise the zucchini and eggplant chips as while they were delicious, they also were quite greasy, but only a very small blip.

Went for lunch. Sat at the bar since I was alone. The bartender suggested a couple of appetizers since I did not want a large lunch. Both were excellent. The spinach pies and zucchini fritters.

The intention was to have a good meal, at the end we had a very nice meal plus excellent Greek wine and wonderful services, super recomended.

The food here was exceptional. It's higher end Greek, but the pricing isn't bad. We tried many things - dips, spanakopita, octopus, bass, lamb chops, potatoes, horta. Everything was great, but the lamb chops were absolutely amazing. Service was friendly and helpful. I'll be back here.

So we came back to NYC after 3 years and wanted to visit NERAI again, as we had amazing memories from our first visit in 2016. We noticed however, that it changed quite a lot. The food is delicious, however, in my view, far away from the concept of Greek simplicity of their cuisine. The service was OK, and I cannot point to anything that went wronge here - it was however very unnatural and "stiff". Therefore, you might treat my review as subjective, but hey, the reviews are here for a reason :) Something as simple as filo cake with feta was redefined to become a "pie-like", round piece of food. When asked about as "strong, full-body wine", we were told that all of the wines have the same % content (yeah, we're from Poland, but it's not what we look for in the red wine :P). Also, I remembered Nerai to be non-tipping restaurant - once again, it changed. So all in all, if you wish to spend USD 200+ for Greek food -> save yourself at least half of that money and go somewhere else.

This is an excellent Greek restaurant with top notch service, fresh seafood and new twists on original greek staples. The elegant understated decor matches the simplicity and the sophistication of each beautifully plated dish. We shared several appetizers followed by entrees. Everything was delicious , specially my Lavraki fish. I highly recommend this restaurant for an elegant night out. I give it my GoldnAdvice seal of approval.

The food was great!!! I have never had such great Greek food. Stephanie, our server, was very attentive and warm. Will definitely go back since we found our favorite place!!!

Walked in for supper after visiting the nearby Museum of Modern Art without a reservation and was immediately seated. Modern Mediterranean cozy casual elegant atmosphere. Noticed some clientele were Greek, as well as locals with children. Service was cordial attentive and professional and food was delivered without delay. I enjoyed an outstanding beet salad with pears, arugula, almonds and saffron accompanied with a glass of 2016 Aidani Hatzidakis (Santorini) followed with a perfectly grilled and deboned loup (sea bass) lightly seasoned with oregano and capers. This was accompanied by a glass of bolder Santorini white: a 2017 Assyrtiko Sigalas. The dessert was a fantastic assortment of baklava, sesame brittle, a tahini parfait and pistachio gelato, paired with an Stoupakis Homeric Mastiha (Chios) with a dense tones of anise. Recommend for a languorous meal in a bustling city.

As always Nerai excellent! This Greek restaurant is very good and we really like it. We have been at least 4 times and always spectacular. The lamb ribs, the moussaka, the tickets, the service, everything excellent!

My husband and I dined at Nerai and were both completely blown away by the quality of the food, wine, service and ambiance. Top shop all the way around. Friendly and helpful bar staff, waiter and really patient and knowledgeable sommelier. We ordered 2 salads, the rainbow beet and a greek salad. My husband is working on eating more greens, but it is a challenge. LOL. He made a face when I ordered the rainbow beet, but absolutely loved it. He had the scallops which he also loved and I had the dover sole, which was the BEST dover sole I have ever eaten. Thank you for a great evening!

A nice little restaurant half a block from Madison. A very pleasant atmosphere and spectacular food. Great variety of marine dishes among some other varieties. Do not forget to taste the cheeses and wines with the desserts. I loved the little tables outside the premises which makes it fun and very enjoyable. Highly recommended and I will add it to my list of favorite restaurants in NYC

In the city for Christmas, we opted for a change of pace in cuisine, and are so glad we walked into Nerai on East 54th St. Marketed as "refined Greek cuisine", we now know what they mean! A beautiful interior with clean lines and subdued lighting, this is visually a gem. Our waitress Marina was delightfully bubbly and helpful as we navigated the menu. We took the hightop tables by the bar, which were booth-like with amply sized oval tables. The bar served up two excellent margaritas and Old Fashioneds, just the way we like them. We started with the thinly-sliced fried zucchini chips, which were some of the best we've ever had: feather light & crispy. Our mains were seared salmon, cooked perfectly to temperature, served with a rice/spinach mix that was such a nice pairing; and the diver scallops, grilled with porkbelly - so savory and delicious! - served with corn and red pepper were amazing! For dessert, we thoroughly enjoyed their hand-rolled baklava served with pistachio ice cream, plus cappuccinos. Overall, the restaurant had a very upbeat vibe that was supported by a super friendly staff (Marina, plus hostess Kristiana among the stars). We will return after the holidays to sample more of the menu and spend time with our new friends!

There are three excellent Greek restaurants in NYC. The other two are well known, but tend to be very noisy and tend to rely on their reputation. Nerai, on the other hand offers an elegant venue, with professional service and simply stunning food.

I am so happy I discovered this restaurant. The food, service, and atmosphere were all exquisite. The Spanakopita was the best I’ve ever had and the Scallops were also magnificent. The service was attentive but not intrusive. I will definitely be back!!!

Always excellent! Again on our visit to NYC we enjoyed a delicious dinner. Nerai zucchini chips are wonderful from the start. Great lambs chops and an amazing delicious “Kicked” pasta. The service is of the highest quality and the place is elegant and beautiful. Whenever we're in NYC, we'll enjoy it.

Recently, my wife and I dined at Nerai. We had a terrific experience! We chose the 4 course menu that is a great value for New York or anywhere else. This included a starter, pasta, entree and dessert. Demetri, the head waiter, reviewed the entire menu with us and made recommendations in each category, He was right on in all his recommendations and is a superb waiter. For starters we both choose the Octopus. This was grilled and cooked perfectly. This was served with fava beans, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers and capers. If you enjoy octopus this is a must try! I have eaten octopus at many restaurants throughout the United States and Europe.This is one of the best octopus dishes that I have ever enjoyed, For pastas. we both enjoyed the Poached Lobster with Squid Ink Pasta served with Metaxa bisque. Again, this is superb. For entrees, I immensely enjoyed the seared Duck Breast over Lentils and Chanterelles with a Fig jus, This dish was an ethereal combination of flavors. Again, a must try if you enjoy duck. My wife ordered the Branzino that was cooked perfectly and melted in her mouth. For dessert, we both enjoyed the Baklava served with Tahini Parfait, Sesame Brittle with Pistachio Gelato. This was a fitting ending to our meal. We selected the wine pairing with each wine appropriately embellishing our food The contemporary ambiance is pleasant without being overbearing. Again, service is excellent. Nerai is a must try if you appreciate Mediterranean food!

I came here for the first time last week and had one of the best Greek meals I've ever had in New York - everything from the food to the space to the service was divine. I loved the modern spin on traditional Greek dishes - The Duck Moussaka and Char Grilled Octopus were out of this world - highly recommend that. And for dessert, the Mastic Ice Cream is so on point (very hard to find this outside of Greece!) The ambiance is chic and beautiful yet still comfortable and unpretentious. Perfect for any occasion..date, family dinner or fun night out! I will definitely be back.

We took our adult daughter out to a show and dinner for her birthday and she chose Nerai. She chose very well indeed. It was outstanding in every way. We came in very early on a Sunday night and it was really quiet. The restaurant is small and very classy in all appearances. We were welcomed with a warm smile and everyone of the staff who we interacted with was friendly, professional and welcoming. The service was attentive, friendly and impeccable. Loved the half-price Greek wine special. The menu is lovely and everything we tried was great. Warm and tasty pita bread with flavorful "spreads?" - amazing zucchini chips and yummy baked Greek cheese. Big portions as well. The lamb was beautiful and perfectly prepared. The bronzini was cooked just right and flavorful. The staff realized it was my daughter's birthday and they very kindly presented a dessert and candle with no fuss or embarrassment. Glad they didn't sing. Not that kind of place.

I love this restaurant. The spreads and octopus are terrific as starters. The chicken and fish are fabulous. Everything I’ve had at this restaurant is good. It’s my go-to in midtown.

When it comes to Greek food, this place is the best. They have an awesome menu and the service is one of a kind. I highly recommend trying them out when you have a chance.

Nerai probably is the most unusual and creative Greek restaurants I’ve ever visited. Set in an elegant and sophisticated white dining room, the experience is first rate overall. Dishes are beautifully Plated and the flavors are superb. Authentic yet nouvelle and different. Also, the service is excellent. Definitely would return!

Lovely place, small, high end. Service was good, menu interesting and the sommelier was very helpful. Nice ambience, quite. Lots of selections. I chose the scallops with pork belly- it was good. Husband had duck moussaka which he reports was wonderful. We split a greek salad, quick good. We split a wonderful dessert- white chocolate mousse with raspberry glaze with cherry sorbet. For me the wine or the dessert was best, not sure Mediterranean food needs to be upscale- although the ambience was lovely.

A great restaurant. This was the second time there, but this time we took some friends from Canada. They agreeded that the seafood choices were out standing. The Greek touch makes the menu.

This was the 2nd time we have dined at Nerai. Our 1st visit was incredible, and this visit was just as awesome. The service is excellent, very friendly and knowledgeable, but not intrusive - kind of just there when you need something. There were 6 of us dining so we had a variety of entrees - couple of us had the PAPIA MOUSSAKA duck which was really good, and then others had the KAKAVIA bass and SOLOMO salmon, along with a couple of starters. Everything was delicious. I started the night with a 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle for only $100! and then finished with KATAIFI EKMEK for dessert. We were there the day after Christmas and had a very enjoyable evening at Nerai.

Service was great - very attentive and polite and efficient. Food excellent. Nice tasty food. Typical NY expensive prices, but that’s everywhere there now! Would go back for sure

Nerai is located just a few steps from Madison Avenue on 55th Street, and no doubt it caters to an extensive "Madison Avenue" expense-account clientele. Our visit was for a special occasion. We enjoyed our dinner - and the overall experience - very much, from reception to dessert. Our reservation table was not available when we arrived, but the manager promptly made other arrangements. We had asked for a quieter table, away from a busing station, and the hostess and manager had already noted that request. We were escorted upstairs to the more secluded (but still quite lively) dining area. Seating was on very a comfortable, uncrowded leather banquette. Our table was spacious, elegant and well-lighted. A slightly-too-eager sommelier inquired about wine, presenting Nerai's extensive list. We chose individual glasses ($16) rather than a bottle on this occasion. We were not in a hurry. Although we considered Nerai's prix fixe multi-course dinner options, we were attracted to enough other choices that we decided to order a la carte. We shared two appetizers, Spanikopita ($16) for 3 round 1.5" "parcels" containing spinach, artichokes, dill and feta... and a nice fig-and-greens salad delightfully combining both colors and flavors. Both appetizers were delicious and beautifully presented. Our main dish (not called a main dish on their menu), "Orzotto Thalassino" (seafood orzo $36), was wonderful. A generous selection of octopus, shrimp, mussels and calamari nestled atop a tender pile of golden-white, perfectly cooked orzo. Our mushroom risotto ($29) was also excellent, including porcini, cremini, beech and shitakes. ("Main" dishes, which we did not try, included chicken, duck, filet mignon, lamb, scallops and four kinds of fish. $34-$44) Desserts were pieces de resistance. Seriously. We ordered two desserts (unnecessary) because we couldn't agree on a choice. Beautifully presented and generously portioned (easily shareable), our white chocolate mousse ($16) was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Our "Saragli" ($15) turned out to be a multi-feature small dessert platter containing two heavenly honey baklava rolls, a small ball of pistachio gelato, a delightful slice of sesame-honey brittle, and a portion of sweet tahini, on a plate dusted with pistachio crumbles. Every component was heavenly. Service at Nerai was absolutely attentive, as it should be in an establishment of this caliber, but never intrusive. Used plates silently disappeared with permission, silverware replaced and dishes served never too quickly. Our table was "captained" by an attentive waiter and served by prompt assistants. Evidence of the high level of service: our "captain" mentioned that there was a "special" available that night, but he said he would not describe it, since he was aware of our shellfish allergy (pre-noted-in-our-reservation). Kudos for not only observing that information, but even getting it to the server at our table! We were not rushed at all through our meal, and had the feeling no one was in a hurry to turn the table. Overall, Nerai was an expensive, but commensurately pleasurable experience, both in terms of ambiance/service and quality and presentation. We would definitely visit again when the occasion warrants. Or if we were on an expense account.

Nerai is fantastic. On our first night in NYC, we asked the hotel concierge where a place was to go for good seafood that was in walking distance from the hotel, and he suggested Nerai. So, we went. Both my wife and I commented that this was the best meal we have had in a LONG time. We arrived slightly before it was open for dinner, so sat in the bar area, which turned out to be great. The service was fantastic, as we were waited on by the bar staff as well as the dining staff, and they were all very professional and personable. We had oysters and drinks while it was still Happy Hour, which were excellent. Once the dining room was open, we both ordered fish meals. My wife had the Lavraki, which is Branzino or Mediterranean Sea Bass. She had it served as a whole fish, and she loved it. I had the Salmon over risotto, which was awesome. The fish just fell apart with the touch of a fork, and the risotto was very flavorful. We took our time eating, as we were really enjoying the atmosphere, and somehow my meal stayed the same warm temperature from start to finish! We also had the Manitaria...mixed mushrooms with zatar...as a side, which was out of this world. We have been on a sauteed mushroom kick ever since. We also had the Fluke Crudo with caviar as an appetizer, which was unique and very good. The food was fantastic, the service was outstanding, the atmosphere was great...and we went back a few nights later. When we get back to NYC, we will definitely go back again to Nerai.

This is a first-rate restaurant with very reasonable prices. I loved my rack of lamb. Besides being cooked perfectly and beautifully presented, the portion was very large. There was enough to share with the table. Others loved their fish dinner. We had a lovely in the back dining room on a wall.

This is nicer inside than most of the Greek Restaurants I have been to. And the food was prepared well. Subtle yet distinct flavors. We had lunch there. Greek salad with chicken, and the shrimp skewers, and the spinach pies as an appy. All delicious. You will need a reservation during busy hours. We were there for a late lunch and had no wait time.

I love Greek food and I especially love metal. Their tzatziki is next level. Spicey feta is amazing. Ambiance is wonderful. Great service and great Greek food. highly recommend the lavraki or lobster pasta

Nerai was directly across from our hotel and the previous reviews suggested it was worth visiting. I am very pleased to report that our experience was fabulous. The food was excellent, we tried the Yellow fin tuna with shallot vinegar and kataifi. The balance of the vinegar cutting through the tuna was perfect, and the crispness of the potato added another dimension to the texture of the dish. I had the Duck with beluga lentils, fig and chanterel jus, with duck mousaka. The duck was the best I have ever had, real flavour, melt in the mouth tender, the jus and lentils worked beautifully with the duck. I felt that it did not need the mousaka, however, I can understand that the dish needs its Greek identity. My wife had the Procini, beech, and shitake mushroom risotto, perhaps cooked a fraction more than than perfect, but very good. Dessert appeared a velvety smooth mix of Vanilla cream ice cream and filo pastry, the dish had brilliant textures and flavours. Service was unobtrusive, efficient and friendly, what more could you want? Michael the wine director thought he recognised me, however, I suspect he just wanted to chat to a fellow Scotsman. Keep up the good work, I know where I will be eating next time I am in NY.

Not sure what’s the hype about this restaurant. Aside from being ultra pretentious, the food was average. Took a client there for dinner, he wanted good Greek food, boy was it underwhelming!!!!

Food was delicious and staff is excellent! We had a lovely table far from the noisy bar. Enjoyed several appetizers. The fried zucchini chips were excellent, served with a delicious tzatziki sauce and a very large portion. Beet salad was exceptional! Also sampled the spanikopita which was ok; octopus was also pretty good. Entrees were exceptional - scallops are amazing. Fantastic sauce, little potato chips, bits of cauliflower all great flavors together. My husband had the duck, slices of duck served with a duck mousakka. Really exceptional! Tried a few desserts of course. I loved the walnut cake but my husband didn’t (thought it was ok); baklava was amazing. Both served with delicious gelato. A lovely meal. We will be back.

Visited with our son while in New York. From the waiter, sommelier and wait staff the service was superb and the meal very memorable. I am not a fan of octopus, but their tender char grilled hand rolled octopus is amazing

This restaurant is amazing. Excellent service and amazing food with a great environment. Good for any occasion.

The staff is exceptional and every single one of them made us feel extremely welcomed. We arrived at 5:30 pm and ordered from the weekend theater prix fixe menu, a 3-course meal that is a real steal at $49.00. I started with a haloumi, fig and fennel salad, which was light and delicious. My main course was the levraki (bronzino), which was cooked and seasoned to perfection! I ended my meal with a custard dessert. We were nicely surprised with a complimentary mini mousse cake in honor of our anniversary. My husband raved about his lamb chops. We can't wait to return again!!

It was extremely convinient because it is just across the street from the hotel The service was good and very nice atmosphere

Appetizers and food was very so-so. Pasta with lobster was so sauce heavy, I couldn’t eat it. Wine recommendation was uninspired to say the least. I would skip this restaurant for anything other.

Very nice ambience and gracious service, but pricey -- the menu is Greek-unusual, not too many classic Greek restaurant offerings and where there are some, they are created with a different spin (untraditional moussaka with sliced duck). But the food is very good, except for the hummus, which is dry and tasteless. Oh well, maybe not everything can be a winner. All in all, a very good dinner, but we probably wouldn't go back just because of the unusual menu.

The three of us all had a very good meal. Many of the dishes are typical continental cuisine and contemporary Greek. Not a lot of traditional Greek dishes here. None-the-less, everything was quite good, including the service and atmosphere. If you are looking for a quiet meal, try upstairs. For a more energic downstairs fits the bill. The wine list contained many good Greek wines.

Decided to celebrate New Year's Eve here. What a wise decision. From the moment we entered this little gem of a restaurant we felt special, with excellent service given with genuine smiles fro staff. We opted for the seven course tasting menu, which by NYC standards was reasonably priced. Winter salad, tuna, langoustine, lamb, black truffle pasta, sea bass, walnut cake with lime ice cream. Every course was better than the next. Restaurant decor simplistic by stylistic. Enjoyed a great evening, a fitting start to 2020. Thanks Nerai. Hope we can pay a return visit!

My husband and I met friends here for dinner and drinks. We had reservations for the evening and stopped by the bar for pre-dinner drinks. Let me start by saying the restaurant is absolutely beautiful! The decor and ambiance is spot on!! The drink menu was very unique. I found an interesting drink and asked the bar tender to make a liquor substitution, which he happily did. All 4 drinks were beautifully presented and garnished with various fruits and sprigs. We ate in the corner booth of the upstairs dining room. It was nice because we had a great view of the restaurant, yet it felt semi-private. I think we tried nearly every appetizer on the menu! Everything was phenomenal!! Our entrees didn’t disappoint either. From the duck to fresh seafood to my vegetarian dish, the flavors were to die for! The only thing our table didn’t rave about were the dandelion greens, but I think you have to have an acquired taste for those anyway! The service was impeccable. There was never a moment that we didn’t have exactly what we needed. The server was very attentive and sometimes knew our dining needs before we did. This was by far our favorite restaurant during this trip to NYC. Check it out...you won’t be disappointed!

Reasonably authentic Greek food, especially the appetizers/starters. We began with the Pikilia - a trio of spreads that included tzatziki, hummus, and a spicy whipped fetta that complemented the grilled pita bread. I ordered the Grilled Octopus which came with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, and a fava bean puree. It was large enough to serve as my main. My wife had the salmon which was also very good. We were seated in the Pergola which was very pleasant. Service was attentive, with a good pace. We found the menu and wine list prices reasonable. The wine list had a very broad selection of regional Greek wines. The cocktails from the bar were well made.

We shopped, then arrived here at 5:00 and had no problem getting a horseshoe shaped banquette seat to seat the 5 of us for cocktails and appetizers. Next time we will stay for dinner as the menu looked fantastic.

We were there after going to a meeting at The Jacob Javits. We were greeted immediately when we walked though the front door and were escorted to our table. We ordered drinks while we waited for another friend to arrive. My old fashion was perfectly prepared. We ordered spreads and pita and zucchini chips for the table as starters. Both were very good. For appetizers we had Greek tomato salad and grilled octopus. For entrees we had lamb chops and strip steaks. Both the appetizers and entrees were delicious. Everyone of the staff was professional and friendly.

We had a 20 minute wait despite being on time for a reservation made days in advance, and there really isnt any place to wait comfortably. the menu was run of the mill Greek offerings, nothing really "modern" about it imo. chips were good though greasy. Prices were high even for NYC. At this price point there are much better Greek options (starts with an "A" lol)

This restaurant accepted a reservation, but we had to wait more than 30 minutes to get seated. The wait staff was accommodations, friendly, and satisfactory. We had a drink at a busy bar, and once seated had a little wait before we were attended. The initial common Greek offerings as appetizers were satisfactory, and adequately prepared. The dover sole, while expectedly expensive, was nicely prepared, however, the sauce, while good, was scantily placed on the plate. The presentation after deboning was fine. No desert was had, and the Assyrtiko Wine was standard, and slightly overpriced

We arrived a little early but, immediately greeted by Maître D.The staff was knowledgeable, interacted with our menu choices and made recommendations since it was our first time there. The fish tasted as if they just caught it from the Mediterranean sea that day and served it. It was hands down the BEST fish I have ever had in NYC. The octopus was cooked to perfection and the spanakopita made me feel like I was sitting in Athens. The Kataifi Ekmek, vanilla custard, was the best dessert and lite! Cannot wait to go back!!!

I dined with a friend on Friday evening and the atmosphere can be described as contemporary elegance and the food is outstanding and uses the finest quality ingredients. We started with watermelon feta salad which was fresh, delicious and the perfect summer starter! We continued with the fresh spreads which include tzatziki, feta and eggplant which again were nothing short of fresh, flavorful and wonderful. I ordered the Pan Seared Dover Sole which comes with Beurre Blanc sauce and capers. The meal was phenomenal, a nice large portion and I would give the dish 5 stars. The seafood was fresh and the light sauce paired perfectly with the white fish. A plus and can’t wait to return!

The food was off! Both dishes, octopus and shrimp were off. Having read trip-advisor reviews, we anticipated a delightful experience; unfortunately, it was not. The most disappointing aspect was the food. The sauces on each dish were awkward and amateurish. The service was also disappointing as the waiter offered no assistance with the menu. Strongly do not recommend.

We enjoyed a fantastic experience at Nerai on our last night in NYC. The reservation staff could not have been more accommodating, I changed my reservation time twice due to changes in our show schedule (we attended the taping of Trevor Noah's show across town). We arrived 40 minutes early for our 9:00 pm reservation, and yet we were seated immediately in the warm and inviting downstairs dining room. We relied on our server's excellent descriptions and explanations of the main courses, and each chose a separate entrée. The squid ink linguini with Maine lobster tail in a metaxa bisque was incredibly delicious. Our party also enjoyed the Hokkaido scallops with pork belly, slow braised short ribs, and the mushroom risotto. Our server (a Romanian, not Greek!) had incredible knowledge and expertise, and contributed greatly to our satisfaction and enjoyment of the evening. We had the paper thin fried zucchini chips as a starter for the table, and they were delicious as well. A truly memorable experience and highlight of our 5 days in New York.

We tried fish, lamb, and octopus. The food was well prepared, but on simple side, nothing very imaginative. It took a while to prepare, about 40 minutes, but we were supplied with munchies, so not a big deal. Cocktails were excellent. The wine list is either very expensive or simply overpriced. Greek was on special, so we tried that and were not too impressed. The service was great, very attentive, but not overly pushy. Nice atmosphere.

Wonderful breakfast and fabulous service! Found on trip advisor and looked great so set off to get me some breakfast! Wasn’t disappointed! Superb service and food!

An excellent environment, with great service and wonderful food! Everything is perfect. Also they have a fantastic wine menu.

This was my first visit after 2 years. Was there for a lunch and a dinner in the same week in NY. Lunch better than dinner which has much more limited, and much less Mediterranean, choices than the old Nerai. The bar server was super accommodating to offset how unaccommodating the menu was. Eg. Lunch salad had an option to add protein, dinner didn’t and after asking the kitchen said no. Similarly I couldnt get a side of fries. The prices are higher than before, understandably they are up everywhere, but the menu much more limited and lacks a specific food identity. This was one of my go to’s in midtown and am sorry to see its lost its menu touch. The service still excellent.

The restaurant is prettier than pictured and very popular at lunchtime. It was still quiet enough to talk. The food was good. Portions are modest. Best for expense account business meals.

Not your typical Greek restaurant. Excellent service, Stephanie was the best, and a varied menu. Not inexpensive but well worth it. Spacious covered outdoor seating. All dishes were delicious!

Excellent food, super & friendly service, good wines, NOISY venue on Fridays with a DJ no one understands. Currently undergoing changes, perhaps will isolate DJ.

I had a very basic dinner here. The only redeeming feature was the utterly charming French waitress/bartender. I wouldn’t touch most of the food since it mostly totally unauthentically includes loads of sugar - endless honey and the like added. I therefore had a very very average Greek salad (earth shattering, not) and a bland bit of fish. This and two glasses of average wine came in at over $100 - crazy.

My husband and I had dinner here for our anniversary on the recommendation of the doorman at the hotel where we were staying and we were not disappointed! The food was excellent. We started with Pikilia which is grilled pita with three different spreads which were all amazing. I had the lamb and my husband had the dover sole. Both dishes were absolutely delicious. The ambiance is relaxing and our servers were attentive. The only thing keeping me from giving a 5 rating is that we waited quite a long time between our appetizer and our entrees. The table next to us received their entrees well before us and they were seated and ordered after we did.

We had a wonderful dinner at Nerai. These folks have gotten access to the space next door to them. There are a number (20) of tables, spaced far apart in a beautiful spot. The food (zuchini chips looked good, but we will try next time) was excellent...I had the autumn risotto and my wife had the spaghetti and shrimp. The Greek Salad was awesome. The martini was terrific!!! Great location. Great atmosphere. Perfect for covid. Service was excellent!!!! Prices were fair. It is not cheap, but it is reasonable for mid town Manhattan

My husband and I enjoyed a multicourse meal at Nerai. The entire experience was relaxing and delightful from start to finish. The decor is lovely. The dishes are delicious and creative. Our sommelier, Michael Coll, truly stood out for his knowledge of wine and the menu, as well as his thoughtful conversation. We look forward to returning on our next trip to NYC,

I took two colleague for lunch. We each had $39 price fixe lunch. Delicious Greek salad, nice fish, fast service, modern design. In 45 minutes we had both courses and coffee. Great location and hospitable staff

This is a very elegant and quiet restaurant with excellent food and service. If you want to be seen go to Milos if you want to talk go to Nerai.

My husband and I dined at Nerai last night and it was a culinary delight. Unfortunately we are dieting so I didn’t get to order some things that I would have like to have tried. What we did order was perfect for us. The Octopus appetizer was outstanding. The Octopus was cooked to perfection, so tender. I had the Langoustine special. You don’t see Langoustines too often on a menu. These were grilled perfectly, such a treat. My husband had the Duck Moussaka and I had a taste of the duck. It was tender and the sauce was amazing. I wish I could have had dessert, next time after I lose more weight. The ambiance is very charming. The service impeccable. Our server Theo was friendly and accommodating and the rest of the staff was very attentive. I look forward to going back, I highly recommend Nerai.

After a day of touring NYC this was the perfect ending. The service was wonderful and our meal was delicious.

Had great expectations but unfortunately this was just an awful experience. Staff do their best to make this feel like a 5* experience, however, it really does fall short. Cheap, low, and uncomfortable seating outside, an overpriced wine list, and dishes that would, in comparison put the UK’s M&S ‘dine-in-for2’ deals in the running for Michelin recognition. A meatball dish which couldn’t match Subway but at a much greater price. I could go on, but safe to say there won’t be a return visit…. In truth, given the cost, I feel as though I’ve been robbed, with my family feeling very disappointed… An experience not to be repeated

Our experience at this modern and inviting restaurant was just perfect for our last night in NYC. The service was excellent and exceeded our expectations. The entrees and the desserts were delicious. The wine recommended by our server was over the top. We can't say enough about Nerai.

Great atmosphere with fabulous wait staff. The food was delicious and great to share Not really noisy, so good for conversation

We haven’t been to The City in 10 years and ate here 2 of our 3 nights. Everything was fantastic—the service/people, the food, and the ambiance!! One of the best dining experiences ever. We can’t wait to come back.

We had an exceptional dining experience at Nerai. Beautiful creative menu, outstanding and extensive wine list, delicious food, gracious service by an exceptional staff, and wonderful ambience. This was really a special treat. We look forward to returning!

Lovely ambience, service, and food! Great restaurant to visit after a visit to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) as it's so close!

They invited us to table outside in Decemver and even we had the resavation. And it was so cold, so we have to eat dishes with my coat on. They said there were hiter but it couldn't help so much, so never trust that if you want to enjoy dinner (Waiters were down coat). By the way, they said we should we have to request inside or outside when we make resavation, but we couldn't find the choice. It maybe we have to put that request clearly in the free comments. I hope this info help someone who don't want to eat dinner with frozening with cold. 因みに、偶然だと信じたいですが、テラス席？で食事をしていたのは、私達以外は中国語で会話されている方でした。

Stopped in last night and enjoyed everything about it: creative martinis, delicious Greek food presented very elegantly, glistening interior, friendly barman who added value. Will be back!

It wasn’t a day I expected to have a fine meal... After a rainy graduation ceremony that literally did NOT stop in the pouring rain, I was just ready to be across the street at the Elysee... However, I needed to eat. Let me start with a wonderful stuffed & dirty martini- not for those who do not like olives and olive brine. I found it delightful and perfect. Follow this with the thinly-sliced zucchini (EVERYONE at the table loved this dish)! I had perhaps the BEST duck moussaka I have EVER eaten in my life... I rarely get extremely excited about food; but, this was absolutely outstanding! The decor is relaxing and although completely full, the noise-level was quite acceptable. Our server Catalin was knowledgeable and provided excellent guidance. Make this a destination if you’re in Manhattan. You will NOT be disappointed.

We sat upstairs, which was suggested if we wanted a little quieter evening. It was charming. Service was terrifc. We did the tasting menu, 4 courses, which was plenty. Everything was good, especially the pasta with lobster. The fish was light and fresh, and the lamb chops were oh so good. Dessert was just ok, but who needed dessert ? Well worth a visit.

Went for dinner last night and had a great experience.....The menu combines traditional favorites with modern presentation and some contemporary updates to traditional dishes (the Duck Moussaka)....Taste and presentation top notch as was service.....friendly bartenders and well trained service staff....I say, 'Et Voila' Well Done and we will certainly return...

Nerai is fine dining restaurant in MidTown. It is very close to some of the world's largest financial institutions such as Blackstone, BlackRock, Citi, and JP Morgan Chase. Hence, it attracts a corporate crowd. Not a hipster in sight. We had the risotto, the lobster, the lamb chops, and the duck entrees. All were good, but not spectacular. Service was decent, however, it will improve as the City comes back to life. Diners have the option to sit inside or outside.

We had a management meeting and we choose Nerai, it’s a very nice Greek restaurant. We tasted a very pleasant Greek red wine and I ate the lamb chops that were really good from quality of meat and cooking level.

Wonderful food, atmosphere and service. Went on a Friday night before theatre. Sommelier was very helpful with the selection of Greek wine, which we were not familiar with. Had the duck moussaka and the seafood orzo. Great desserts as well.

We were here for our wedding anniversary. The downstairs is chic and the upstairs is beautifully decorated with the olive trees creating an airy atmosphere. They have a selection of interesting Greek beers as well as wine and cocktails. Our waiter Dimitri and his helpers were incredibly prompt (as soon as a course was finished they would whisk the plates and utensils away) as well as knowledgeable. We opted for the chef's selection of 6 courses. All the food was very thoughtful and delicious with slight details and flavors to elevate and coalesce the ingredients. The greek salad was a standout, as plebeian as the selection may sound, with its perfect dressing. The grilled octopus was phenomenal and the fish soup had the perfect amount of lemony acidity to work as a great intermezzo. The squid-ink pasta with lobster had a rich smoothness and the following lamb chops were the perfect counterbalance. Dessert came with 3 different concoctions, none of which were overly sweet or heavy. The food is very plentiful so be prepared to ingest a very generous meal or to take many leftovers home like we did. Great overall experience in an opulent setting that made us feel pampered, delighted, inspired by the flavors, and very full.

Apparently, you can have good Mediterranean food in the middle of winter...in New York. Nice dishes with great outdoor seating!

The restaurant has great ambience and the services was incredible. We certainly enjoyed our dinner very much. And as it was a birthday they wrote an unbelievable beautiful icing writing on a plate (in ieu of a cake itself) - Highly recommend to go for any birthday. I just could not give it 5 Stars as the food was very good but not really better than one of our go to places for Greek food (which would have lower prices, accordingly). Yes, a fine dining experience may be more about ambienceand service but very often the food is just somewhat more exquisite vs. a more "pedestrian" restaurant. I only use "pedestrian" to describe catagorically as a couple of my most favorite restaurants are pedestrian in nature. In my past reviews I think of 5 Stars for fine dining in restaurants like Picasso (Las Vegas) where the food itself was "off the charts" good and unique (i.e., can't get that taste at a pedestrian restaurant) which made the value very good.

Pretty much opposite our hotel - Hotel Elysee - so very convenient. We booked a table for two on a Monday night on OpenTable. All good, seated quickly and with out fuss. Upstairs is nice and quiet. Relaxed but atmospheric. The food was wonderful; fresh, tasty, well proportioned and presented. We were there for an occasion and they presented us with an extra little cake! A really nice touch we weren't expecting. All in all, this is a great little place and an excellent find.

I went there pre-theatre on a Wednesday night and the place was already hopping. The restaurant is beautiful and cozy, just like being on the deck of a ship. The food is modern Mediterranean and the presentation is beautiful. More importantly the food was outstanding!! Our server was AWFUL but once it was brought to managements attention all was made right and they even comped our entire meal.Totally unnecessary and above and beyond as we would have been happy with a dessert on the house. I would not hesitate to return OFTEN! I would definitely recommend!!!

Very good. Food delicious and wine was well recommended. Half price Greek wine on Sunday’s. Great service too

Dear Nerai team, Thank you for all the dinners in your place. Your food is simply excellent and tasty. We definitly feel in a good atmosphere when entering in the restaurant. Amability of the team, beautiful place in the 54th Street. Hope to come back soon to enjoy another Octopus house specialitie ❤️ Thank you !

We visited Nerai on a Friday evening after making a reservation due to the fantastic reviews on Trip Advisor. The decor of the restaurant is stunning, modern but very cosy and welcoming too. The staff are exceptional- from the moment you arrive, you are made to feel special and a valued customer. But what really sets this place is the food- wow, just wow! We had four courses for $79, which was exceptional value. Each course was outstanding but the standout dishes were the Grilled Octopus to start, the Orzotto and the mains of duck moussaka and filet mignon. My husband said it was the best meal he has ever had! If you are visiting NYC, pay a visit to Nerai- you are in for a treat!

Nerai turned out to be a wonderful place to entertain clients. The atmosphere and acoustics made it easy to have normal conversations while still a lively environment. The food was delicious from the appetizers through main meals. We had the fried zucchini, hummus and also a fried cheese. We enjoyed sharing the Greek Salad and the Arugula Salad. We all ordered different entrees, while filet fish, seafood and Duck were amazing. The wait staff where attentive and all worked well as a team. Bottomline, this is a winner in Manahatten.

OMG I took the Fluke fish carpaccio, it was one of the best carpaccio I have ever had. Really fine and gourmet. Unfortunately I wasn't that hungry I couldn't eat more than a starter but next time I come back to NY I will go there!

The service was excellent. The wine list was interesting and what we picked was expensive but not overpriced, it was excellent (Nerantzi Syrah 2011). For the appetizers we split (between 4 of us) the Trio spreads and the Beets and Skordalia (excellent). The main course was Kakavia (Sea Bass) and Paidakia sti skara (lamb chops). Very tasty and savory meals. Based on our experience I would assume the rest of the menu would be equally good.

Dining at Nerai is always a pleasant experience, with reliable service, a great vibe, and beyond delicious food. I recently dined there for my birthday and my party and I enjoyed attentive service paired with flavourful Greek food. It's a mix of traditional Greek dishes with modern influences; the restaurant's ambiance both refined and fun (there was DJ playing music that only enhanced the experience). The guests were predominately an after-work crowd, so it gets quite busy around 6:30-7, and reservations are highly recommended. To start, we all split the fried zucchini chips which were tasty and light, as well as the haloumi and hummus. All excellent. The dish that most stood out was the Octopus, but everything was delightful and flavourful. Other dishes ordered was a horiatiki salad (similar to what most would call a Greek salad), mushroom risotto and scallops. For dessert we split the Vanilla Custard and the honey cheesecake.

This is a truly upscale restaurant that serves refined Greek food. Quite different from many people's idea of a "Greek" restaurant (midscale with an Acropolis mural). Enjoyed perfectly prepared lamb chops. Don't think I've ever had better. Was a little disappointed, but understood, when I found they didn't have Retsina on the wine list. Server explained they do serve Greek Retsina during the Summer when the outdoor seating and seasonal food menu pairs up with the wine. Highly recommend.

I visited NERAI for a dinner in August and ordered six plate prefix menu and wine paring. It was marverous experience. The dishes are cutting edged. Greek wines are very nice.

We made a reservation at Nerai for a special birthday dinner. The service was wonderful and the food simply great. Our waiter was excellent. Beautiful restaurant and a beautiful experience.

Nice outdoor seating, more attractive and comfy than most. Delicious food, a twist on traditions. Huge portions and prices up there, too.

We go to Nerai every visit to NYC. Food is excellent and the seafood and Mediterranean menu is one of our favorites. Staying across the street at the Hotel Elysee is ideal and the combination is super

Very good is not enough. Four course menu 79$/person is a best choice in my opinion. Very professional staff and very very good sommelier. Like it.

The ambiance of Nerai is infused with an energy that offers elegant and sophisticated dining room focused deliberately on enhancing superb Greek cuisine. We loved the spanakopita, the cracker bread and the amazingly tender crispy lemon chicken. Service was wonderful and the room had just the right mix of excitement without being noisy. Will return next time we're in NYC.