Shalel Kitchen & Bar Reviews

Tired of all our go to places in the upper west side we tried and loved this one. Rose petals lead you down the stairs past a heavy curtain where you'll feel like you've been transported to another country. The area for dining is crammed but well worth it with an extremely romantic setting candles light the tables with flowers and more petals decorating the areas around you. We went in for a quick bite and drink but stayed for hours drinking and trying different plates. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Theirs a bar and more seating inside but stayed in the entrance corridor full of people on dates. I highly recommend trying this place good late and have fun.

Yes, as other reviewers have pointed out, the interior is dark, lit mainly be candlelight, but to such an extreme that it was very difficult to read the menu. The food was mediocre. The Lamb Tagine was not the best and the Lamb Kofta Tagine was even worse. It's mainly a Moroccan style restaurant, so you would expect better, but they do have pasta dishes on the menu. The prices were higher than the quality of the meal. The waitstaff was not very attentive and other staff acted pretentious, as if you were doing them a favor by dining there. Would not return.

Great space, food can be improved but it's mostly a bar.

Look for rose petals sprinkled along the steps leading to this underground restaurant. Bartenders are top-notch, and food is beautifully plated. Delicious Middle Eastern fare, creamy spreads, mouth-watering flatbreads. A great spot on the Upper West Side!

I read about this place before arriving in NY and had put it down on my list of places to go to. I am so glad we went there! The setting couldn't be any more charming. Rose petals on the stair case all the way down. When you enter, it's like you're transported to another world. Dim lights, candles everywhere, exotic music. It doesn't get better than this. Very romantic. We went there for drinks and sat at the bar. I would have gladly stayed for food but we were meeting other people at another location for dinner so only had time for drinks. I will return for sure on my next visit to NY.

This is one of the coolest little places I've eaten at in NYC. You walk down the steps and into a little dimly lit maze of rooms/nooks and crannies with tables tucked here and there with candles twinkling all about. We were sat at a table in a little area with a stone wall and water streaming down in little rivulets into a small pool with rose petals floating in it. We were positively astounded by this amazing and unique little place right away. The moroccan food did not disappoint - we started off with a delicious butternut squash bruschetta, followed by a (to die for) chilean sea bass, gnocchi, israeli salad. We will definitely be back. I suspect it is hard to get a table for earlier dinner here, and I don't think they take reservations for 2 people. We knew this and so went late, around 9PM and got right in although they were still nearly full at this hour and people kept coming in as we were leaving at 11PM. Another plus was the very reasonable price for such a unique meal.

Shalel is by far my favorite spot in the city if I want to get away from the busy, crowded restaurants. I would recommend going on a weekday night so you could really feel the ambience of the place and get a good table. The food is amazing!!!

The best!! Great owner,very friendly and awesome menu. The place is very romantic,cozy and I recommend it to all.

A friend suggested the Shalel a few years ago and we loved it. Moroccan food - I'm not an expert on it but it has always been wonderful. They have an interesting drink menu also. We were so happy to have Irene as our server again this year. She is great. The restaurant is basement level. As you walk down the stairs the wonderful aroma of spices greets you. The atmosphere is dark but is appropriate. There are several rooms, all rather small and intimate but perfectly suited to the venue. It doesn't stand out from the street - just get to the address and you'll see it. If you have 4-6 in your group, see if the little private circular room is available.

One of the best kept secret date spots in nyc. Atmosphere is amazing, can be such an intimate place depending on which room you go into. The best is the soothing running water pondish back room.. although the larger front room with the couches and swinging chairs are a close second. Use this place wisely.. they don't really advertise so lets try and keep it that way

On NYC's Upper West Side, A Very Romantic Mediterranean Restaurant with good food!! The atmosphere is like a Classic Europen restuarant - there is no other restaurant like in in New York. This is the 3rd time we have visited Shalel - and always pleasantly surprised!!. The mediterranean cuisine - for spanakopita to lamb dishes are always delicious. From the Rose Petals down the stairs entering for 70th Street; to all the candles, to the old word bar and carvens inside the restaurant...it is a great experience with Great Food!

We met friends at the bar here and we're sad we went somewhere else for dinner. What a cute, funky surprise. The drinks were amazing and the food looked wonderful. I look forward to returning here for dinner.

In our sensory overload universe, it is refreshing to be in a place without a ton of light or televisions assaulting one's senses. The whole layout just had a lot of sexiness to it. I had already dined earlier in Brooklyn, so I just stopped in for a nightcap, but I loved it. The ambience and the practically hidden location of Shalel were not just gimmicks, as the place really did embody those attributes.

A local told us about this restaurant. So glad we went great food and atmosphere! The dates app was delish!!

Excellent food great ambiance great cocktails perfect for a date night! Reasonable prices cocktails were strong I have not one complaint! Hubby n I shared everything. The spreads were impeccable! So fresh n tasty!

At first glance my husband and I were a little concerned about going to this restaurant. There is no huge sign, and it is located in the basement! I'm so glad we went for it though. The restaurant is beautiful. The service was stellar and the food was just perfect! We will be going back next time we visit.

We struggled to find this restaurant, not realising it was underground! Check out the picture. Unusual and mysterious restaurant layout with a waterfall! Great staff and really delicious food. Thoroughly recommend.

This restaurant is a pleasant surprise. I went there with a friend and we were both delighted. You sit in a dark cave-like area that is totally relaxing. The food is authentic and very tasty. The waiter was amiable. My friend and I both want to come back here with dates.

Right off Columbus ave, you can walk by and barely notice this place. Bad idea. Unique decor and ambiance is what bring people, mostly in pairs, here. What keeps them coming back is excellent mediteranian food. You can easily fill up on various appetizers (lamb meatballs is a favorite) without going for main dishes at reasonable prices. Wine is on the expensive side but for a great date place, nothing is too expensive.

This is a unique restaurant, especially for the neighborhood. We loved the atmosphere and the food was even better. The lamb on the bone tagine was delicious.

Friday night I decided to visit the Shalel Lounge for dinner with my wife for the first time after walking past the entranceway stairway that leads downstairs to the basement countless times. We were shocked when we walked into a beautiful lounge type setting that you would normally find somewhere downtown. The food was delicious and they have a fabulous drink menu. Also our waitress Mila was extremely personable and totally attentive to our needs. The bottom line is that we were extremely impressed with this lounge type restaurant located in the upper Westside.

Located in a basement in the Lincoln center area this restaraunt is worth the trip, food great, athmospher unique, service wonderful,,,dark and cozy.

The restaurant is hidden below street level and has a lovely decor and ambience. Small tales tucked in little nooks provide for a great intimate setting. Definitely cool as far as appearances. The staff are friendly and welcoming. So it has all the makings of a great place to eat but unfortunately the food is simply not that good. The appetizers were the better part of the meal but the tagine dishes were a far cry from true tagines and had little flavor. The lamb dish was actually barely edible. Desserts were the best part of the meal. So i would come here for the ambience and get drinks but not sure i would stay and eat.

An extraordinary place which I would have never noticed if I hadn't been taken there. Extra good cocktails, decent food, somewhat creepy surrounds (which you get used to) - over all, a memorable venue.

This place reminds me of what I imagine Hef's Grotto to be: dark with just enough light and secluded stone areas to get into a little bit of trouble. A nice oasis on the UWS. Put on your list to check out with your girlfriend or date.....or wife (c'mon, married people don't really go out).

Food was pretty good, and the venue is unique, but the manager/bartender had no interest in making sure we had a good experience, so we did not. With all of the terrific restaurants in NYC, we won't be returning.

We enjoyed a fun and romantic night here next to a waterfall! The restaurant is full of little nooks and crannies with rooms of varying sizes like nothing we'd ever seen before and not the least bit kitsch as the decor and furnishings were very tasteful. The food was really good and the staff very relaxed and friendly but professional. Was our our first time but can't wait to back.

Enjoyed the Moroccan versions of the Old Fashioned cocktail and little pizzas which were surprisingly good... Not too heavy or overly spiced... Just perfect to enjoy on a night out in a relaxed lounge with my love.

We celebrated my birthday here last weekend (9 of us) and we had a cozy room. The food was delicious and we loved the atmosphere. The server was very nice, although the service could have moved a little quicker. Highly recommend!

Food was great! Lots of flavor. Drinks were awesome l, Andrew at the bar was the best!!! He there Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesdays.

We joined a group of friends at Shalel before a performance at the Met & had a delightful experience. The place is cleverly hidden, but lovely; if we hadn't had to get to the theater, we'd have lingered for quite a while. Every dish our party ordered was delicious & service was attentive, friendly, & timely. The wine & cocktails were also excellent. Prices were very reasonable, especially by New York standards. We would recommend Shalel to anyone, NYC resident or visitor, & will definitely return.

The rooms are carved out of stone below ground - very atmospheric. To start with the almond stuffed dates were delcious, as were the spreads. Lamb meatballs were better than sliced lamb, they were juicy rather than dry.

An interesting basement location uses the lack of light to create a comfortable warm space using candles. Quite an extensive Mediterranean menu, and a good list of wines. The food was very good. Service was ok. Recommended

When my cousin, a New Yorker, said she had another sexy restaurant for us to go to, all I could think is sexy means expensive! Ok, a little expensive compared to what I'm used to in the south but worth every penny! We loved the ambience of the stone walls & the lighting & especially the rose petals leading us down the stairs. & the food!! Wow! We ordered the dips (tzatziki, hummus, & harissa) w/pita, lamb cigars (wonderfully spicy), & then the bartender gave us on the house, the dates wrapped in something wonderful! Then add the drinks- Honeymoon in Greece, Lychee martini, & then he gave us once again on the house blue shots w/blue curacau & coconut something- YUM! Now it's time for main course- 2 of us ordered the chicken marinated in yogurt & I ordered some kind of Mediterranean chicken marinated in cinnamon & other spices- it was a great suggestion by the bartender! He was very attentive but not pushy & made sure he held a candle to the menu when we couldn't read. Great food & experience!

Something different various seating options depending on your mood. Good food great atmosphere. Service can be slow but your going here if your in a rush - not a first date place but a great option for a second and anniversary

We went here for my fiance's birthday. We were travelling from Thailand. Contacted them via the online request from. Visillis emailed back within 15 mins saying he and his team would help out with the booking and a surprise desert. Moroccan Shakshuka Chopped Israeli Salad Braised Spanish Octopus Loin Lamb Chops Warm Chocolate Cake for a Birthday cake desert... Food was FANTASTIC. Visillis came and greeted us to welcome us. Our wait staff (blonde lady...sorry cant remember her name)... was SUPER. great ambience in the underground / under street setup. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED... we will be back Thanks Visillis and staff. 😎😊

Okay so you search for the entry, and follow the rose petals. As you descend the stairs it becomes clear that whomever owns this restaurant has cleverly disguised an ordinary damp basement space into a bar. Used to be there was a limited menu (as limited as the light.) Now it's a full middle eastern offering, minus the once-best chicken tagine. (The lamb is good but the chicken was memorable. Decent wine list. Good bartender. Wait staff can be petulant.

We rented an apartment on West 70th St. and passed Shalel daily for a week until we finally followed the red rose petals into the restaurant...not really sure we were there. It is an underground maze, a grotto with dripping water and moss and lots of romance and atmosphere. The novelty of it made our experience great. The signature drinks were good and we enjoyed the food...but with this exotic setting and potent drinks, the food was NOT the thing.

Unique and magical restaurant. Tasty cuisine. Great atmosphere. The staff were wonderful and attentive. We highly recommend this restaurant!

We picked this place because we wanted Moroccan food, but the menu had options from various Mediterranean cuisines. Good value for money, tasty, and family owned.

Once we realized the tiny sign at street level was to the top of the entrance we were immediately interested in where the rose petaled steps lead to. It is a cavernous space with intimate tables along walls and in small arrangements. Candle lit mostly. For the adventurous and nimble footed this restaurant is completely outside the typical white table clothed Manhattan fare. The appetizer, three entrees and dessert were fantastic. Wine enjoyable.I would not recommend little kids but older youth would enjoy the experience. Ours did. Its a cultural event.

I love this place, though you have to go with a sense of adventure and a willingness to be ignored. The food is delicious, no frills and not particularly generous. I love the Morroccan Cigars (lamb) and the chicken in lemon in cous cous. The drink menu is well done. The service can range from warm and attentive to hostile to indifferent. come prepared to lounge.

A perfect spot if you in the mood for some romance, great middle eastern food and a surreptitious ambiance. It is usually crowded but you can find a spot without trouble and there are plenty of little private spots for intimate dinners and dates. If you have never been there, it can be a little tricky to spot as it is below ground level, and you kinda feel a slight thrill when you find your way into the place.. its pretty dark inside with scented candles and rose petals.. the food is good, the service is good and the mood is already set even before you settle yourselves down... Gals, your guys are gonna love you for bringing them here and Guys.. you can just sit back and chill as the ambiance works your ladies up...

The place is awesome, truly surprising as from the entrance. It is hard to find the restaurant since it is in a basement, very hidden and with no visible sign from the outside. The place is really cool, the atmosphere is quite romantic as it is only illuminated by candle lights. It also has great ambient music. I'd give three stars to the food (I had risotto which wasn't authentic risotto. It was rather rice with cheese and vegetables), however, the atmosphere and service deserve five or even six stars if possible, so that's why I ranked it with 4. I'd really recommend it to surprise the significant other in a cool atmosphere.

Unique and charming, the rose petals everywhere from leading up to the entrance to the place, to the tables inside, are gorgeous. The atmosphere is stunning. Dark. Sultry. Seductive. Cozy. The service was prompt and great. We went there for drinks, which by no means left us disappointed. The drinks there are unique and AMAZING. I snacked on the hummus, which was one of the best plates of it I've had, anywhere. I would recommend this to any group - either big or small - to go and relax and have a nice evening. Lovely place.

At first we didn't see the entrance, so I posted a photo here. Enjoyed everything - lovely, candlelit setting under street level. Give your eyes time to adjust in the peaceful setting. My husband devoured his chicken kabobs and I preferred the spicier chicken tagline.

What a find! We went with a friend who lived in the neighborhood for 10 years before one day getting curious about this spot. And we're so glad he did because we'll definitely put it on our list of spots to go back to next time we're in this part of town. It is down a set of stairs -- no big sign but rose petals guide the way -- and watch your steps as you enter because you go down, then up a few steps, then down again and it's a bit dark. It was surprisingly crowded but there were all sorts of nooks and crannies and we ended up eating literally next to some actual Manhattan bedrock. The service was understated and the food was delicious, including the best spanikopita I think I've ever had. Really a find (but be sure to use the flashlight on your phone to read the menu!).

If you're looking for a downtown type of lounge, but don't want to leave the Upper West Side, Shalel is the place. This is a locals hangout with a great vibe. No tourists in sight. The food, the vibe and the cocktails are fantastic, especially the lamb cigars and Lychee martinis. This is a great hideaway for the perfect date, but also good for a couple of friends to hang. This is not a high energy place, it's a low key vibe, where you can talk, so if you're looking to go dancing and party with your friends, this is not the place.

Love the rose petals lining the stairwell on the way to this hidden and romantic dining spot. Ask to sit by the waterfall for a candlelit dinner. The cheese, hummus and Mediterranean fair will not disappoint.

We stopped here on a weeknight and shared a salad and eggplant appetizer, and each of us ordered a meal. Service was prompt and friendly and the food was very good. We found it to be overpriced but did enjoy the ambiance.

I want to start with the bartender because he was extremely annoying and intrusive. I was with friends at the bar - the end of the bar where there was no chance of anyone being close - and everything we discussed, the bartender would run to us and chime in. He never got the hint that we were having a private conversation. Not only that, he was rude and not so quick (except to interrupt). Apparently there is another bartender who is not American and he is just fine. The food was just good. The drinks were pretty good. It was raining and one of the owners (or owner's brother?) insisted I put my umbrella on a table outside of the restaurant. I complied and it had been moved further out into the rain by the time I needed it. I hadn't seen it because it was moved, so I told a waitress. She and the bartender became very rude and defensive, insisting there was no older man and only the two of them. I said that meant some man was standing there stealing things at their door. That's when the waitress took a moment to think and admitted that I was correct. She found the umbrellas on another table outside at that point. Only, it wasn't my nice, expensive umbrella. It was someone else's. Someone had stolen mine. I just took it and left. I won't go back. Not only was everything mediocre to less than mediocre, the bartender won't let you have a private moment. And my friend who suggested the place had seen rats and cockroaches in the past (supposedly because it's located in the basement). I'm not a fan.

What a pleasant surprise. Great atmosphere in this walk-down restaurant space. It was quiet, intimate, unusual featuring excellent, affordable Moroccan cuisine and a lovely wine list. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The lamb dishes were really good -- hard to find decent lamb anywhere in the City.

Most unusual setting. Difficult to describe but will try. It looks like a cave with little nooks off the bar. Very middle eastern with lovely Moroccan lamps in every area. Rather dark with lots of candles. Great setting for a movie!!! You have to know that it is there. I have passed by many times and never noticed it. It’s the kind of place Aladdin will eat! The food was middle eastern and good, but expensive.

This is a great place to bring someone special. there are many nooks and corners that create great ambiance for a very special occasion. the food and drinks are great. It is lots of fun.

This is supposed to be a Middle Eastern place. I wasn’t expecting pizza. Other reviewers raved about the atmosphere. We wanted to see the waterfall but we were told it was occupied. We were seated at a tiny table where we could see the bar but otherwise we were closed in. The food was good, but not enough room at the table for food, wine etc.

Walk from Columbus Circle and enjoy a good Mediterranean restaurant. Large menu, well prepared food and good service.

Follow the rose petals down the stairs...If you want quintessentially Moroccan food order the dates, the cauliflower and a lamb dish. I’m sure everything is great, though.

If you like cozy, intimate dining or post show drinks in a funky setting below street level, this is the place! We had a private nook all to ourselves. Menu items were Greek/Middle Eastern based and it was hard to decide what to have - it all looked so good. Our waitress was great and we would recommend this place especially for date night!

A beautiful basement restaurant and bar. It's mostly lit by candlelight, the place reminded me of a wine cellar, lots of little nooks and crannies so you never feel crowded. The service was prompt and pleasant. The cocktails were good, but the food was incredible! Home made houmous, tzatziki, baba ghanoush, flat breads, lamb kofta cigars, and the best spanakipitas i've ever had. New York is full of restaurants, but you should definitely make the trip up to the upper west side to check our this place!

you do wonder what you have got yourself into when going down the stairs and into the restaurant, but dont be afraid- the meals are delicious and full of flavor, we enjoyed the dips, fatoush and israeli salads , baklava, lamb kofta and vegetarian tagine, plus the deserts and coffee were all excellent. Its an easy walk from 54th & Broadway where we were staying.

We had a birthday dinner for a family member and it was a great location. We shared plenty of plates including shrimp, bacon wrapped dates, octopus, hummus, chicken wraps and more. Great spot for sharing.

This hidden gem, reached by walking down some steps from street level, is one of the cooler spots in the city. Shalel is a series of small interconnected nooks all branching off the bar area. The lighting is dark and the place is very atmospheric with couches and cushioned chairs clustered around small tables. It is easy to feel like you have your own private corner of the restaurant. My wife and I have come here for drinks and also a light dinner. There are a number of good cocktails and the red and white sangrias are outstanding.

What an amazing character this place has . From the cavernous walls of stone to the candlelit mismatched artistic place settings and tables . The staff is awesome ,attentive but chill. The food beyond expectation and the peaceful relaxation of the seating with pillows and couches . it doesn't get better . The prices were more than fair on food though the drinks were a bit steep. The location was central to Broadway , the Met and Central Park.

We had appetizers which were fine and entree which felt like a leftover from the night. At the end waiter asked us how was the food, and we said appetizers were fine, entree we did not like. We were polite and normal. He gave us bill, with everything in it, we paid and left good tips. Suddenly from nowhere - some guy comes up and screams - get out of my place. We did not understand who it was and why. Then he looked at me and yells, I am General manager, you don’t like my food, get out of here. I am asking a waiter - is it a joke, the waiter says yes. Meanwhile the “manager” kept screaming. Staff is looking with huge eyes, not understanding what is going on. Manager was getting more and more aggressive. We have never ever ever anywhere in the world, had seen anything like that. All the reviews about rude staff, which we saw before and thought how bad could it be - are apparently more than true. We felt really scared that he would start throwing plates and forks at us. Awful