ilili

Name: ilili
Address: 236 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, United States, 10001
Telephone: (212) 683-2929
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

6723 Reviews

$31 to $50

Lebanese

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Welcome to ilili!

We’re honored to share the cuisine and culture of Lebanon in the heart of New York City. Since 2007, our home in the Flatiron District has introduced the passion and generosity of the Lebanese table to hundreds of thousands of curious diners while comforting native Lebanese guests with a celebration of their homeland and values. Owner and Executive Chef Philippe Massoud expertly crafts a sophisticated blend of modern and traditional Lebanese cuisine drawing influences from the span of the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Our warm and generous hospitality drives our mission to make every guest and team member feel genuinely welcomed and fundamentally honored.

We are here to share; to pass fresh pita bread and mezze amongst old friends and new; to celebrate life and its delicious bounty. We invite you to experience our old world hospitality, timeless generosity, and tireless dedication to uncovering and sharing the rich traditions of Lebanon.

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(212) 683-2929

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:30 pm–10:00 pm Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(212) 683-2929
Website
http://www.ililirestaurants.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Philippe Massoud
Catering
ilili caters events from 5 to 500 guests, with the same spirit of hospitality as we provide every day in our restaurant. For further information, please visit our website www.ililinyc.com/catering/
Private party facilities
Private events at ilili feature classic Lebanese cuisine mixed with modern Mediterranean influences in a warm and inviting atmosphere. There are three private event spaces perfect for any occasion as well as the entire restaurant that can accommodate parties of up to 297 guests.
Private party contact
Private Events Manager: (877) 708-9210

Location
236 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10001
Neighborhood
Gramercy / Flatiron
Cross street
Between 27th & 28th
Parking details
Parking is available in a lot on 28th Street, between Broadway and 5th Avenue. Street parking is also available near restaurant.
Public transit
N & R Subway Lines 28th Street Stop. 6 Line on Park is near as well 28th Street Stop.
Entertainment
Entertainment is available upon request for private events.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Best Restaurants with Vegan Options in New York City

Popular dishes

What 6,723 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

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e
emilymil
Denver
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and excellent food! Everything was perfect!
JF
JacobF
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of my favorite spots in NYC
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing!!!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 20, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience3
The lighting in the back room is too bright, the lounge/bar and the middle room are great. Wish the lighting was better in the back room + acoustics can be made better
JO
JohnO
Worcestershire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was excellent, staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes
E
Esti3
London
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to lunch to celebrate our daughters Graduation and the food and service were great!
HH
HHayes
New York Area
126 reviews
vip
4.0
126 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience4
My first visit, was very impressed by the decor, and the service was very good. A disappointment was the lack of a traditional mixed mezza platter, so as a single diner I was unable to sample a variety of things.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cleveland
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience4
The food was good, but not that special. There were a lot of tables open, but we were put at a small table in a corner with a room divider separating us from a walkway. The server seemed to forget about us in our corner.
CA
ClaraA
Washington DC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall2food2service1ambience2
From the beginning we were rushed to order. The food was sloppy with the meat having a ridiculous amount of animal fat. Having been to hundreds of lebanese restaurants around the world, we were appauled to hear the waiter explain that the mousaka is vegan. He was apologetic that the lebanese version is unlike the Greek. Where's the pride? It's actually only the mousaka that prompted the second star for food as everything else deserved only one. The dolma were deli quality, bland. How can this be anywhere near the best leb restaurant in NYC? No freaking way.
SW
SandW
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time dining with friends on a Sunday. The food is Lebanese Mediterranean and very good. A great place for family style sharing . There were many large groups making for an energetic convivial atmosphere inside. The bar is more relaxed, with subdued lighting for a nice cocktail before dining. Outdoor seating is also available. Service was attentive with particular care in describing the various menu choices. Lots of delicious Gluten Free/ Vegan selections for those needing it.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s always excellent here. Pricey without a doubt, but you know that going in. Consistently great and very authentic.
HS
HeinS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Was really a great experience! The food recommendation was great tii
SS
StephanieS
Minneapolis
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
We really enjoyed dinner and service at Ilili on Sat 5/14 as we were celebrating a birthday. The qualify of the food was very high. The best pita and him us we’ve had as an appetizer. The portions were large on the entree style offerings. Very busy with a nice energy as patrons were enjoying themselves all around us. The server was excellent. We are going back again to try other menu items. Highly recommend!
AB
AB102
New York Area
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Great food and ambiance! Our server was very informative and tended to us well! Definitely worth the time and money.
NP
NickP
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
The Arnabeet Mekle and Phoenician Fries were excellent, but the rest was not memorable. Try to be seated in the bar area or main dining room. The side dining room feels like you're being left out.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Parents first visit to NYC to meet my partner and celebrate. Service was very efficient, food was excellent.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
9 reviews
vip
2.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall2food5service2ambience5
I have been here numerous times and tonight I was celebrating my cousins 70 birthday the service was terrible Our waiter never returned to take our order we had to ask the bus person to get a waiter and another waiter took our order we waited forever for our food The food as always was delicious but aervious on a scale of 1-10 would be a 5
CM
ClaudiaM
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The food never disappoints. The waitresses and servers are always friendly and cheerful.
MM
MMHH
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience5
The food was amazing! Service was good. Not easy to have a group conversation due to the noise level.
TG
TheGaloppingGormond2022
Hawaii
162 reviews
vip
3.0
162 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall3food4service1ambience4
Not the best place for a couples dinner. Much better for large groups. This a huge restaurant and it attracts lots of large parties. The food was good but not great. The service was inattentive and rushed. He got our order wrong and argued with us about it. Next time just take the wrong item back and replace it with what the diner ordered. Not that hard to do. The cocktails were quite nice and the room impressive. Grab a group of colleagues and go but if you are on date night find a more intimate spot elsewhere.
A
Ally
Washington DC
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great service, amazing breads and spreads! Def recommend it for people who love Lebanese, Mediterranean foods.
MM
MikeM
Las Vegas
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious Mediterranean food, very well prepared and served! Service is amazing and inside music very enjoyable
d
danae
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
so many great sharing options. food & cocktails are really great
CR
CharlotteR
London
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved the lounge seating area. Great cocktails and the food was amazing. Our server was very attentive and everyone had a great time.
JC
JamesC
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great drinks and very good service. Plan on arriving after 5PM so you can enjoy the fabulous duck shawarma. Favorite drink is the non-bloody -stunning every time.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing experience at ilili. This is my third time here and the food never misses. The meknek sausages are very authentic. The feta mezza is delicious. Will definitely be back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My experience at ilili was phenomenal. Was there on Mother’s Day and we enjoyed such a great meal. Everything was excellent. I would recommend to anyone
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Mother’s Day was great , our waiter was amazing Alexander really makes you fell special and enjoy the menu Ty
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Mother’s Day brunch was outstanding
g
gramercypl
New York Area
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall4food5service2ambience4
Our meal started out well. We were seated immediately and were greeted promptly. We got drinks and our appetizers and main courses were delicious. For some reason our server became totally inattentive. We asked for water refills several times and our plates were not cleared. We finally spoke to a manager to get water refill and dessert. Very disappointing as this was my first visit and the food was worth a second visit
B
Beth
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We celebrated our anniversary with friends at ilili. We had a fantastic time - the food was exceptional
JS
JeffreySMeyer
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
Excellent food
PM
PaigeM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Amazing experience and amazing food. Let your server guide your food experience and you won’t retreat it!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall2food5service2ambience4
The food at ilili is always terrific. And the service good as well. However, whenever I reserve a table here, they inevitably will try and sit me anywhere but the main downstairs dining room. They have 2 other spaces (upstairs and downstairs in the back) and they always will try and persuade me there’s nothing they can do to let me and my party sit at a decent table. This time around the manager Carl actually said to me that people who want a table in the main area, request it when they make a reservation. The joke was on him, as I had, indeed, made the request in my reservation form and was told by the hostess that they couldn’t always accommodate these requests. So it turns out that what they really couldn’t do, is get their stories straight. In short, this 5-10 minute argument which inevitably ends with us sitting where we wanted, is just not how I want to start my dinner. And it shows that it’s not that they can’t accommodate people, it’s that for whatever reason they’d rather not. I sadly won’t be coming here again. though I do love the food.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Very good over all .. as usual
G
Gocha
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, drinks, ambiance and service. I have been at this place a couple of times with friends and is always a really good choice.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
We enjoyed trying new Lebanese foods! Fun menu and nice atmosphere.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
GREAT! AMAZING SPOT
EC
EdwardC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and exceptional food. Not your mother's lamb.
s
sidifood28
New York Area
33 reviews
vip
4.0
33 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Excellent food, fun atmosphere, and good service . Nice variety of food and wine options.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Contactless payment available

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from ilili using the Order Online button. ilili also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. ilili also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 683-2929.

ilili is rated 4.7 stars by 6723 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing