Bustan NYC

Everything about this place is just right! The decor and atmosphere, the service, and the menu, which offers a variety of things to meet a variety of needs. The only thing that took a little effort was finding items on the menu that are nondairy (it seems like lots of things have dairy in them one way or another). My companion and I really enjoyed the appetizers and entrées we ordered (mine was a fish dish made under a dome of bread) and after going to Bustan several times, I can confidently say that it is consistently excellent.

Insanely good food! We were served at the bar by Nikolai who was super knowledgeable and helpful. The eggplant carpaccio was a highlight of the meal but everything was delicious!!

It was my first time at Bustan. We were greeted warmly at the door and waited only a few minutes for our table as we did have a reservation and we were a little early. It is suggested to always book a reservation as they are deservedly busy. The ambiance was wonderful with a great upscale bar/night club vibe and warm orange colors, lighting, floral decorations and large beautiful glass printed photos on the walls of the enclosed porch. The food quality was superb and all dishes were delicious and well executed. The service was attentive and warm. Will definitely visit again soon.

This restaurant should be on your list if youre in the UWS - we ended up getting a lamb and chicken dish - was not disappointed. Make sure to get the pita bread as well. The service was quick and our waiter was kind enough to give recommendations. Knocked down a star because the mediocre elevator music was far too loud.

Bustan was ridiculously good! Was blown away by the food as well as the atmosphere. We sat in the “garden” area and it was probably the most relaxed dining setting I’ve had in Manhattan. Food was so fresh, every single thing we ordered was phenomenal! Highly recommend. I will be dining here again!

The place is cute, has a nice ambience, lively but not very loud. Its perfect to have a dinner for 2 or a big group if needed.The service is attentive, friendly and polite but a little bit slow (nothing that will detract from the nice experience, just come with time to enjoy and relax)I ordered a variety of menu items and all were delicious and the presentation is very nice but when you see the prices just now the portion sizes are very small and are meant to be shared so youll have to order a lot if youre hungry and want a substantial meal.You definitely dont want to sleep on the pita and taboon bread (thank me later!).

We walked in on a Saturday evening, and they were able to accommodate our party of two, but I would strongly recommend making reservations. The food was so delicious and authentic it brought me back to time I’ve spent on the Mediterranean. We had the hummus (strong tahini flavor, very smooth) and spicy feta (literally shocked my brain into recalling memories in Greece) along with super fresh, hot, and oily pita. For the main, we shared cauliflower over lebneh, tomatoes, and garlic, along with chicken schnitzel. Ended with baklava, vanilla ice cream with crushed pistachios and espresso. I would go here a thousand more times. Nice wine and beer selection with Israeli options.

We came here for date night and I dont think my husband couldve found a more perfect spot.Ambiance: Gorgeous and elegant. The bar area is also very nice and appealing to sit at.Service: The manager, the waitress, and all staff were so nice and thoughtful. Fairly quick to get to you even though it was busy.Food: EXCELLENT. As a vegetarian, I really enjoyed the number of options on the menu and they all sounded delicious. The Indian Tahini ended up being one of our favorite dips and the falafel was well seasoned and crispy. Must try the Taboon bread, its fresh and hot and perfectly seasoned. We also got the Israeli salad which definitely did not disappoint. The Malabi dessert was fresh, sweet, and a perfect ending to the entire meal.Overall Id say this was a great experience and I would definitely come back and bring friends.Instagram Handle: @TheShahLALand

Made reservation well ahead for an anniversary meal. They did a great job correcting the situation when initially we were not given a good table—cramped, near a busy staff door, very uncomfortable high-back chairs. But we asked for a better table and were accommodated quickly with an excellent table in a quieter spot, one of the best tables, very near the front door. Very good service throughout the evening. Server was helpful with our questions about some of the dishes. We had a mix of specials and regular menu items. Can recommend Chicken Musakhan (Taboon Bread, Tahini, Amba, etc) & Baked chocolate mousse w/ ice cream w/ crushed almonds in it. (The textured of both were wonderful. I’d go back just for that dessert!) The popular Kebab Halabi (comes in a baked bread dome...lamb onion, tomato, tahini, pistachios etc) was a just OK. The bread dome was definitely rather watery. Their tahini was lovely. All in all, definitely a recommended restaurant!

We were in the area and stopped in for early dinner. What a great find! Everything was absolutely fresh and delicious. Staff was friendly. Atmosphere was nice. We will definitely return for more.

This is my favorite restaurant on the upper west side. Full bar and incredible menu. You must get the bread for your meal and to-go.Indoor dining is well lit and not too loud, and there is an outdoor lovely garden for dining. Just do it and go here!

Highly recommend making a reservation! It was very busy here on a Tuesday night. Firstly, the restaurant and the atmosphere are wonderful. The portions were reasonable. Everything tasted extremely fresh and came out hot. The spicy feta with the house made taboon bread is a must. The menu has so many tasty things, I can’t wait to come back.

This place had a very nice atmosphere, I loved the food taste and the fact that it was unofficially an Israeli place. I liked the lamp, how they served it how the service people were nice and tentative! The chicken was also nice.The only thing that I didnt like was the food portion, they called it a large dish but it was barely enough for one person, we werent full after sharing two dishes between three people, but it was really delicious.Also make sure to make reservations, this place is very busy!

Bustan knows how to serve some great Mediterranean dishes. So many great flavors and so many choices. We stopped in here last week and the food and the service was so good we can’t wait to go back. Mediterranean did with an exotic flair. Perfect UWS local restaurant. I can’t wait to go back!!!

Bustan is a lively Mediterranean restaurant in the UWS. The food is hands-down some of the best food in the area! It’s absolutely astounding. I find the staff lovely. I enjoyed the food so much I asked to be a part of the team!

Went here based on reviews and am a fan of Mediterranean food. The neighborhood was beautiful. We sat at a cozy table for 3. Its a family style menu and we ordered 2 items from each the; small, medium and Large menu. The Tabooh Bread was fresh, hot and toasted perfectly. Add the spicy feta dip, isreali salad with the bread and just heaven on my taste buds. Loved the octopus and eggplant carpaccio. We got the special for dessert and wow just wow. A real symphony on my taste buds. Well done Bustan . As close to the land of milk and honey, Ive gotten. Thank you!

It’s our third time here. Food is always good. Katy, the new waiter is such a sweetheart! Love hummus here, also the bread, the branzino is good, lamb is presented inside a freshly baked bread, oh and the chocolate dessert was soooo yummm. Oh, and can’t beat the outside seating. I was snacking on the mint plants behind me while waiting for my margarita, which took 30 mins to arrive. Great experience, very chill atmosphere.

Good food with a few vegetarian options. My dish was actually vegan and it was very fresh, good tasting. My two fellow diners had meat and fish and were very happy with their choices. All of us said we would return, Id just need to discuss options with the waitstaff to modify dishes to be vegetarian, which Im sure they would do.

Had a wonderful time here tonight! Food was great and the atmosphere is nice. Lots of space between the tables. Juliana our waitress took care of everything and made sure we didn’t miss anything.

It feels like home. The staff is generous and sweet plus the dishes don’t disappoint. I felt more and more satisfied with each bite. How is that possible bustan ? The level of freshness and thoughtfulness of design makes each dish complete. We ordered:-hummus: I loved they served a herbed oil and chick pea chunks on top. Their house bread is delicious and made to order-baked fish- in a clay pot with chick peas and tahini, this was amazing.-baked chicken served on bread: the tenderness 🙌 it was def marinated with lots of love-baked sweet potatoes- comes with seasme seeds on top and of course, baked to perfection.The level of execution with each dish is top notch. They know what they are doing. Will be back.

The food was delicious! We got the falafel, pita, hummus, spicy feta, and Moroccan fish. Would definitely come back for the food. Some of ghee most tasty Mediterranean food I. NY. The portions were a bit small. We got the chocolate cake for dessert. I would recommend skipping the desert - didn’t taste homemade.

Came here for delicious late dinner Saturday night. Udi, the host, was so kind and welcoming. Thanks for squeezing us in! We sat at the bar and enjoyed several small plates. The smoked eggplant, tuna crudo, and cauliflower are all wonderful. Wr also ordered the Moroccan fish which was off-the-chart! Service was excellent. Would be happy to return.

If youre looking for an outstanding Mediterranean dining experience in Manhattan, look no further than the best Mediterranean restaurant in the city. From the moment you walk in, the exceptional service sets the tone for an unforgettable meal. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, ensuring that every need is met promptly and graciously. As for the food, it is nothing short of phenomenal. Each dish bursts with vibrant flavors and is prepared with the utmost care and authenticity. The freshness of the ingredients and the skillful blending of spices create a symphony of tastes that is simply unparalleled. Whether youre a connoisseur of Mediterranean cuisine or new to its delights, this restaurant offers a dining experience that is both exquisite and memorable. Im not exaggerating when I say that it was the best flavor Ive ever had.

I cannot reccomend this restaurant enough. I would give it 10 stars if i could! Everything on the menu is incredible, the flavors brought me back to Tel Aviv and Greece. The people working there were so kind and so accommodating when it came to allergies. The quality of food was also excellent; you leave feeling satiated and not gross at all. A true Mediterranean lovers dream. A gem on the upper west side and definitely one of the best restaurants in NYC. A must visit!

My first time trying israeli food, I would say it’s pretty similar to other mediterranean food. We ordered the spicy feta, roasted eggplant, pita bread and the lamb kebab. The pita bread was pretty unique as it was well seasoned & super flavorful. My fav menu was the lamb kebab which was very unique covered with some sort of dough on top.

Great food, great atmosphere... the hummus bowl was delicious and that pita bread was everything. I had to order it twice. Also had the greek salad. The feta cheese was amazing and so was everything else. Would definitely go back.

We had amazing dining experience here! Great cocktails and drinks during happy hour, delicious and fresh Mediterranean food! Excellent service, would recommend to all!!!

Food is tasty but we didnt get a Mediterranean food taste in any dishes. House bread is good. Server tried to upsell other appetizers after we finalized the order. Not worth the price of the entrees

What’s a fabulous eatery! The service was superb; they made us feel like family. The food was truly delicious; they do not skimp on flavor and proportionality. Will be back again and again.

Delicious Israeli food! 🇮🇱

The waitress Taylor provided excellent service. The food delicious 😋. We will back to eat there again.

Ive had one of the Most Ideal and Exquisite Experiences One Can Have here. I HIGHLY Recommend. 10 Million Stars. My person and I were hungry way before our Reservation and decided to try to come early to be seated. 2/3 Hrs before our original Reservation Time. The Lighting and Bar was dimly lit and reminded me of the smoldering yet high end lounges and restaurants in Europe, Dubai, and the like. The music was exceptional and created the ambiance of the sounds of Buddah Bar in Paris and Milan. Great mix of genuinely good music which is highly atmospheric. The MaitreD saw us and kindly asked if we can sit early Anywhere is fine, I do not mind getting out of your way (I used to work in restaurants as a Hostess and I know how entitled people can be. It was my Birthday this day too, so I did not want to make a fuss or speak on it), he (the MaitreD) was not only so polite, but said yes of course, not a problem and turned around to : GIVE us the BEST CORNER TABLE they have under the Smoldering Moons Displayed on the Walls (as part of their Lush Lighting). The Food... was extremely potent, exceptional and authentic Israeli Mediterranean Food and their Smokey Mezcal Cocktails paired with Spicy Feta Dish which our waitress and manager ended up suggesting . Every dish was HIGH QUALITY. and genuine to the culture. I spent a great deal of my earlier years in Israel and it was so hard to not be astounded by everything brought out. The Manager ended up sending out table complimentary Falafel for the table which is the (BEST Falafel) I have had in all my 12 Years of living in NY. I suggest their homemade Taboon Bread with their Hummus and Spicy Feta. Kept dreaming about it afterwards. The Staff seemed like a Family and Understood the culture pretty well. They all had a deep appreciation of it. and Felt like I was walking back into one of the lush lounges in Tel Aviv. Thank you for a Wonderful Experience.

The atmosphere is an experience by itself. The decor and the vibe were quite enjoyable. The service was good and they were attentive. However, the food left a bit to be desired. The hummus —albeit good—was in a terribly tiny plate and the bread is to be purchased separately. We also had the eggplant dish and the flavor and portion were both lacking. Finally, we had the chicken musakhan and it was average.The prices were fair. Hope this is helpful

We came right when they opened. it filled so fast we were amazed. best bread and hummus. ordered it 2x. excellent service. will be returning!!

The food is just so tasty. Best huntsman town. The more I can fish is as good as any meal in the city. The schnitzel can’t be beat and the kids all love the bread.

The Moroccan fish is incredible! Absolutely love Bustan, the food is delicious and it’s great pick for a weeknight dinner out.

So good! Breads, dips, burrata, Israeli salad, branzino: all greatly exceeded expectations. Great service and atmosphere.

Amazing food!! Cute and easy atmosphere. Great for sharing.

This is the ONLY place in the entire city that understands how true middle eastern/ Mediterranean food should be.My mom and her husband love this place and they dine in often to the point that the employees already know who they are. I first got here with my mom and her husband and as soon as we just entered we were greeted by Danny, on which he greeted us kindly and sat us down at our table. After that we were introduced to our very sweet and gorgeous server Taylor, which she took our orders and served us till we left for the night.Besides service, the food quality here is outstanding! Making each dish unique and flavorful, you sometimes wonder if youre eating in nyc or at some restaurant abroad, if you have been in israel then you for sure are aware on what im talking about, and you would feel at home here.Overall this is such an excellent restaurant that i am looking forward to come here again and again! :)

Had a WONDERFUL experience for my first time here!From the Bar, I was given a perfect amaretto sour. A++!The smoked trout was cooked to perfection, and the Taboon bread was light and fluffy(delicious) and paired really well with the spicy Feta.For Dessert, I tried the Silan. A delightful treat. The vanilla ice cream and candied nuts gave just the right blend of sweet and nutty, while the Halva and sesame added great texture.10/10, will definitely be coming back!And make sure to ask for Ike! Fantastic server who deserves some praise!

I was very disappointed by this place last night. I used to come here quite often, and I loved it.. But last night... we 1) waited forever for food to be served (we did get a complimentary hummus though, which was nice, but we do not love hummus and would not have ordered one anyway); 2) I asked for my fish to be filleted (upon the suggestion of the waiter!), but I just got a regular fish, full of bones; 3) fish and potatoes felt reheated, and not fresh at all - somehow dry. There was also no taste, just a saturation of dry spices. Based on last nights experience, I no longer recommend this place.

Went to Bustan last night with two friends and the meal was epic. We were surprised with freshly-baked Jerusalem Bagel to start the meal (we expected focaccia) and it was highly addictive. Then onto the spreads, spicy feta and tzatziki, both delicious and the perfect excuse to eat more of their bread. Then we had the smoked eggplant carpaccio, tuna crudo an Israeli salad and the burrata with a beet ragout that was out of this world. We split the salmon, which was served over a sweet corn polenta that made me want to lick the plate. Despite being full we had to have dessert and were so happy we did. We got the baked chocolate mousse, called Nemesis, which was so decadent and a baked meringue called Neshikot (Kisses) that paired perfectly with Rose Water and Sweet Corn ice cream, which were specials that night. Will definitely be back!

If I were to rate the food purely on quality, Id have given it five stars. Everything I had was delicious. My problem is there was exactly one meat dish, and it came in a bread bowl, which I wouldnt have eaten. They did have a few fish and chicken dishes, but thats not what I wanted. The overall experience, therefore, was not great, and I probably wont go back. But I emphasize that you might love it if your dietary preferences are in accord with the limited menu.

Had a great experience. Very friendly staff, the Mezze are great, and the Kebab was beautifully served inside warm bread and filling. I’ll be back.

Danny is the best! We came back to have dinner here again, because of him. He is so characteristic, first time we had dinner here was summer, Danny had his Pink/Salmon color suit it was very beautiful with fantastic personality.The food is delicious!

They tried to overcharge me and became very irritated when I explained the $20 overcharge. Will not be back. The service was horrible and slow. Danny (host on Sunday eve) was very rude. I’m not sure why but I got a stomach ache after the schnitzel.

I’m updating my previous review (below) because after that incident, I chose to still book a reservation at Bustan and give it a chance. And when I actually got to the restaraunt all of the staff were really kind and accommodating. We sat at the outside patio and when it started raining, they immediately moved us indoors and replaced all of our food that got rained on. They also sent us several complimentary dishes to compensate us for getting rained on and to apologize for the experience I had earlier on the phone. So overall the customer service turned out to be great. And my sister and brother-in-law who were visiting from out of town thoroughly enjoyed the experience. And every single dish was delicious, they are still raving about how good the food was a day later. I’ll have to bring more of my friends here. Thanks to Danny and the Bustan staff for being such great hosts.PRIOR REVIEW:The food is really good but when I called to make a reservation, the host was super rude. I asked if I could make a reservation and his response was a sarcastic “I don’t know.” That was unnecessary. He then asked me “how many people?” And when I told him “three,” he responded with “I suggest you just walk in” and then hung up in my face.

One of the best Israeli places in NYC. Cabbage was so good. Everything was great.

Highlight: tuna crudo. This dish has got everything. A little sweet (thanks to the orange segments), a little nutty (pistachio), a little salty, a little sour (lime), and a lot fishy! 5 ⭐The hummus was reasonable. The my grandmas homemade couscous was underwhelming, barely any flavor, barely enough broth. Really not worth $27.Finally, I disliked the tahini dip. I cant remember the last time I had tahini, but I probably will not have it again.In summary:Tuna crudo: 5 ⭐Hummus: 4 ⭐Taboon bread: 4 ⭐My grandmas homemade couscous: 3 ⭐Tahini: 2 ⭐Average would be ~3.5 ⭐, but I was happy enough with the tuna crudo to round up to 4 ⭐.

First time at this Israeli / mediterranean restaurant and had a great time. Its a family style sharing restaurant with small, medium and large plates. All the food is great. The hummus was really good and so was the Israeli salad. Very recommended!

My wife and I had a joint birthday party and ordered Bustan delivery for us and 20 friends. We got the little gem salad, chicken, kebabs, couscous, taboon, falafel, and dips, and malabi and chocolate cake for dessert. Everything was delicious, and the Bustan team was on time, very friendly, and helpful. Would definitely visit and order delivery again!

Delicious food. Tiny hummus dish. Tahini is served in a quenelle. Taboon bread highly recommended!

Very good food, but the menu could be expanded a little. Would be great if they had some kabobs (chicken, lamb, steak) and if they had some flavored breads. Would definitely go back.

10/10 experience! Such a lovely atmosphere inside, feels so cozy and chic! Service was super fast. This restaurant encourages ordering and sharing small plates, which we did, and everything was amazing. Would recommend making a reservation, as seating is limited, but not impossible to get a table as a walk in.

Excellent food and service, The dessert was fantastic, Thank you

Very nice place for some authentic Israeli cuisine.We had a group of 16 and they were able to accommodate us.Small plates:Tahini, very dense and nice.Labneh, how bad can it be?Hummus, great as usual, but not wow.Tzatzik, fresh and dilly and cucumbery.Pita is thin and stretchy and puffy and soft.Taboos is crispy and savory with more oil content.Medium plates:Cauliflower, not so crunchy but does have a charr. Quiet bland in seasoning.Artichoke, one of today’s specialty, better seasoning than the cauliflower in my tastes. Only hearts were presented and very soft and nice.Crudo, cannot remember a thing so I guess so so.Burrata, the beet salad underneath is AMAZING. It is so contrary to my intuition as it is not sweet but aromatic. The seasonings is mastery.Hummus bowl, just larger version of hummus.Israeli salad, very very nice mix and refreshing. Should supplement with any bread, meaty dish ordered.Larger plate:Moroccan fish, lovely domed top with crispy flaky texture and with a bit of scallion flavor. The fish fillets are tender but not mushy. Lovely and warm and comforting during winter with tomato, tahini, and chickpeas.Lamb kebab, very very lamby, if you know what I mean. If you are not eating lamb, then you shouldn’t order it. Otherwise, nice seasoning and great aromatic flavor profile.Chicken musakhan, very very nice and crispy chicken. Imagine chicken from crispy chicken sandwich but without the buns. A bit on the drier side, with salad and a pita underneath topped with hummus.Dessert:Malabi, chewy coconut flake with crushed pistachios on top of rose water coconut pudding that tastes creamy but the rose water can be a bit overpowering and makes the dish taste fake.In general, would come again for their fish and chicken.

The food is absolutely delicious, super fresh & authentic. I had great, friendly service seated at the bar. Tastefully decorated but the atmosphere is super loud when full.

Great Mediterranean food. We came here many times and the quality is always there. The falafel is amazing! Hummus with taboon bread is great too. Love their Israeli salad, too. Schnitzel is delicious but only good for dine in. Take out will be a bit dry. Service is never disappointing!

I’ve been to Bustan twice and I had a great experience each time. I really like Mediterranean food and Bustan is a great place to taste them, especially Israel food. My favorites are roasted cabbage, roasted cauliflower, falafel and meatballs. You should also try labneh and Israel salad for starter.

Great food, great service, great space. Doesnt get better than this.

Some of the best food I’ve ever had and service was fantastic. We were sitting outside when it started raining. The staff moved us to an indoor table, replaced all the dishes that had gotten wet, and added three more dishes on the house. Highly recommend.

From the moment we walked in the warmth was felt. We seated and waited for our friends. The food was delicious, the servers were honest and wanted to take care of us. We added more because it was so good and it was no problem.

We loved everything. The hummus, the falafel, the lamb, the bread. The bread... I have dreams about that bread.The service was also very attentive and the vibes were on point for a casual family dinner

We live in the area and come here often, but the male host working here tonight was embarrassingly rude to the point where it was actually ridiculous. He completely unnecessarily treated us like garbage. I never write reviews but I was honestly shocked at how rude and unprofessional this guy was. Did not catch his name but he was head to toe in an orange suit and clearly had an issue. It was truly bad enough that I will never dine here again. Absolutely embarrassing for this restaurant that someone with this attitude is representing their establishment. Do better!

Went here with a friend this evening and it was amazing! So cute inside, lovely back patio with open air/sun shade thing. Perfect date night or get together spot and also very vegetarian/ vegan/ gluten free friendly. The food was excellent - we had the hummus, artichoke, labneh, and the mushroom large plate, and we would recommend them all. The service was also excellent - very attentive but not overly so, and everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Our waiter was knowledgeable and informative about the menu and made helpful recommendations. Overall, I can’t recommend Bustan enough.

Took my wife there for her birthday. Didnt know what to expect. They had a comedy show that day. I was the focus of some of the comedians. We had a great time. And the food was A1! The host was very welcoming and entertaining. I totally recommend this place.

We stumbled in on our anniversary trip from Tennessee. Could not get over the quality ingredients and amazing flavors produced in this restaurant. We loved everything and appreciated our waitresses recommendations! Better than you can imagine!!

I’m still thinking about the taboon bread. It was pure magic - it’s like a pillowy soft sourdough that’s hollow in the center and super thin and crispy on the outside. And the falafel was even more crispy I heard it from across the table. We ordered nothing but mezze, and still left happy and full.

Loved the experience! Such a clean place for a perfect night out

My friend recommended this Mediterranean delight as a place where I as more of a plant-based eater can enjoy a satisfying meal. Well I can say he was right. My favorite was the Smoky eggplant carpaccio which although it is supposed to be an appetizer served as my main course with a lot of hot bread. We also got some olives and whipped feta. I have to admit the pink drink that I got with elderflower and gin was just a touch underwhelming, but the food as well as the ambience was so excellent I am still going to go ahead and give this place a five-star.

The place is amazing! The food is perfect and the people are nice! I recommend!

One of the most delicious meals Ive had in a restaurant. Thats it. Just go eat there!

One of the best Mediterranean food in Manhattan. Highly recommend taboon bread with any of the dips (spicy feta is addictive).

Excellent service, absolutely amazing flavors all around!

I was so pleasantly surprised - this spot is so much lovelier inside than you would expect at a glance. Food was solid, drinks were great, service was great, the space was full but didnt feel too loud or overcrowded. Definitely will be back.

Food was phenomenal, the manager was beyond accommodating and nice, and the space is gorgeous!!! However, the host in the front was very rude and honestly made my night unpleasant. He didn’t say hi or feel welcoming when I walked in, I said my reservation name and he looked at me confused/annoyed. I said i’m looking for my family, they’re probably seated; he said “well i don’t know where they are so you can look around and find them yourself.” I also witnessed him being arrogant and rude to other customers… so awful! Great restaurant, has a lot of potential without that host!

I honestly was impressed by how well curated the menu was. Lots of options that truly represented Mediterranean food. The hummus and the feta cheese spicy dip was truly amazing. The food in general was very creative, though out of the box, we were absolutely amazed. The decor of the restaurant was impecable (that wall of Marilyn Monroe tho….a choice) out server was VERY knowledgeable, he knew every dish and he guided us very thoughtfully throughout the menu. We had a blast. The only reason why I’m giving this place 4 stars is because of the host, he wasn’t really welcoming, it was very awkward honestly and it made us feel really uncomfortable, and you want to feel welcomed when you are having your first experience at a place, it made me feel like I wasn’t really welcomed there for some reason. Other than that, everything was great.

I love everything about this restaurant. The setting, staff, good, drink! Every single dish we had was delicious and the drink wasnt too sweet. The staff were super friendly too and didnt rush you to leave when you are finished. I cant wait to go back.

It started with the host who was rude. Then the server who wouldnt let us keep one menu to order as we ate. We ordered few different items- non of items had much flavor except for the kabobs. I guess it was a good thing we didnt get to keep the menu because we ended up not wanting to order anything else.

Service and food perfection. I have been in the food business in NYC for over 40 years, this place is a gem and staff engaging ! I should also say the specials were all fabulous as well. Don’t miss out !!

Loved the place and the ambiance we got seated at the back in the garden area .try to sit here if you can it’s less noisy and more bright :) am a vegetarian so they had pretty good selection .Order the taboon bread forget no carb day and just dig in it was delicious . Mostly ordered everything on the menu as we were a big party , the only dish in entree for vegetarians was couscous which I did not like was so bland and no flavour I would suggest to add few more entrees for vegan which has more flavour and it’s not just plain couscous with boiled vegetables !! and also price wise you need to give better options for entrees ! In all loved it would go back

I always walk past this restaurant on my work commute and couldnt wait to try, and it didnt disappoint. Service was amazing polite fast the food was amazing and came quickly and the staff made you feel like a million bucks. When I told them it was my birthday they gave me a complimentary passion fruit sorbet I will definitely be going back

Very tasty Mid eastern food with unusual variety of dishes in the menu (some Moroccan, Turkish, Greek influenced entrees) made with authentic spices and rich flavors. Nice ambiance, clean large sidewalk shed and a pretty sophisticated interior with rustic back garden room all enclosed. Good wait staff, date night standby.

Truly excellent food. All the breads are amazing. Each person in my party was raving about their dish. Planning to go again.

A very pleasant place on the upper west side, tasty food, excellent service and very good value, we will return.

Excellent restaurant. Excellent friendly and accommodating service. Really delicious, special food. Great for sharing.

This was an excellent restaurant and is going on my list of favorites on the Upper West Side, and maybe even New York. Every item we got was excellent, the type of meal that is worth going out for. The service was great, a bit noisy by I could still hear my friend. I loved the experience and cannot wait to be back.

Absolutely loved everything about our experience here. Atmosphere, food, drinks & staff are all amazing. We sat at the bar - Lindsay was awesome! Cant wait to go back.

The food was so delicious and our waiter was fabulous but the host was incredibly rude. It was so disappointing to have the evening tarnished by the disrespectful host.

Delicious, fresh, and great serving sizes! The spicy feta, taboon bread, and Chicken Musakhan were all standouts.

Food is good , good ambient BUT extremely over priced. We had Humus, cauliflower, Moroccan fish and kabab , all dishes comparable to other upscale restaurants are double the price. And we compared them to other and better restaurants serving the same dishes in NYC. The 1 star is for the return value to money paid

Best Israeli food outside of Tel Aviv. Every dish is so fresh and light. a cut above other Mediterranean restaurants. lovely indoor and outdoor space.

I just discovered this restaurant and have eaten there twice. Unbelievably delicious, quality food. Kind people, from owners to servers. Excellent quality. Charming ambience in the back (with lights and quiet). Beautiful, beautiful place. If there were ten stars, I would give it ten!

Loved this place since it opened. The food is still superb, Happy Hour wine all specials legit, and ambiance more romantic now. Very reasonable prices too. Cant go wrong with any dish though Im obsessed with anything that includes their bread.

Probably the best Mediterranean and Israeli food I had in Nyc!! Amazing fresh baked breads and hummus. So many great vegetarian options! Falafel, Roasted Cabbage and Eggplant carpacio were delicious! What a great place!

1. The blonde hostess was super friendly and cute.2. Sit outside. It’s amazing out back.3. The food is very, very good. No complaints.4. Have many desserts.5. They have Whistle Pig 10 year. Try it.

Delicious food and cocktails. Great ambiance. The Kebab Halabi is to die for!

One of the best restaurants in the UWS. Very underrated. I would definitely give this place a shot if you haven’t been. I’ve been 3 or 4 times and I’ve been blown away every time. Staff is incredible and food is always top notch.

The food here is delicious.The hummus is amazing, the eggplant dish is a must (although the raw shallot is very hard to digest for me) and the malabi which is a creamy dessert is extremely interesting and worth trying.The branzino is also excellent.

An excellent surprise - original and very tasty Israeli food.

Food is great. But the portions are a third of what they used to be. And also double the price. You pay $7 for a tablespoon of hummus- and I wish that was an exaggeration. I’m surprised they aren’t embarrassed to serve these portions. We’re talking about chickpeas. Not gold. Management has clearly lost their minds. For this reason we don’t go back.

Ive gone to this place twice and had a great time both occasions.Appetizer- Spicy feta, hummus and pita bread is a must.Drink- The Blueberry bourbon cocktail was fantastic.Entree- The salmon was mouth watering. Im not a big fan of lamb but I hear this place has one of the best in the upper west side.Dessert- Doughnuts are delicious, the taste is not overwhelmingly sweet.If you have a chance to come here, make it happen.They have outdoor seating, the ambiance is one of a distant country.

Delicious! Chicken Musakhan and Taboon Bread are a must. Love the Persian Lemonade. Nikolai was an amazing server.

My wife had organized a surprise brunch there for my birthday. The food and service were par excellance. All my guests loved the food and the waiters were very warm and friendly and took their time explaining the menu if you havent had israeli cuisine before. Theyve definitely made it to my list of top 3 restaurants.

Lots of fun, great food and lively good looking clients and staff. Turkish cuisine with a broad, European slant makes for nice meals with interesting flavors. The bar is ample and inviting, too! Good old fashioned Upper West side hospitality in abundance.

Such an amazing experience. We came here on a Saturday night and was greeted with smiles and extremely friendly service through out the whole meal. The cocktails are top notch and the Tunisian sour was one of the most interesting and delicious drinks I’ve had in all of NYC. Our table started with the homemade bread, eggplant and buratta. All amazing. For entrees we shared the branzino, the fish and the lamb kebab. Everything was a hit, including the desserts that followed. Will definitely be coming back!

Amazing!! The service is so excellent that it made me feel that was not in NYC for a moment! Service is outstanding 2 Michelin stars. Sorry - I’m a true New Yorker and I know that we have less than reasonable manners. Patio is charming, warm and delish! Oh right! The food! I have to say I was not looking for an average Mediterranean restaurant (plenty in NY) so I was not excited to come here - thanks my big sis! I discover this gem!!! Seriously! Coming back for sure!

I had the best time at Bustan all thanks to Danny and Nikoli. They took such good care of me. They were so attentive and sweet, I would come back every day to see them!

Delicious mediterranean food with adorable outdoor seating. They make the bread in house so it comes out steaming hot and delicious. The humus and their signature lamb dish were heavenly. My partner doesnt usually like lamb and even he enjoyed it. We very much enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back again.

Excellent meal prepared by a Georgian/Israeli chef. He is the master of his craft and if you want a good Mediterranean meal in NYC, this is the place to go. Our server was awesome and she helped us to pick the perfect courses.

This is one of our neighborhood favorites! The homemade bread is amazing, the spicy feta and the falafel are really really yummy as well. I also loved their brunch which offers different versions of Shashuka - so good!

One of our favorite restaurants in the area. Kebab Halabi and chicken Musakhan are both delicious. Also, the cauliflower appetizer is great. They also brought us a complimentary Indian tahini dip, which we loved. Drinks are also nice, we especially loved the Persian lemonade. Service is also great.

I love branzino in any form! While its great grilled, Ive never had such a delicious branzino stew. Its not soupy, just moist, somewhat spicy and delicious. This my new favorite restaurant. The garden in the back is adorable!

Wow! The food is unbelievably delicious! Cant wait to go back.

The burrata was fantastic. Service was wonderful. The patio was lovely. Overall a great time.

Food is delicious but sometimes a little slow to reach the table.

Wonderful food! Very attentive wait staff. Very comfy, especially in the back (enclosed) courtyard.

Amazing! We came in and instantly fell in love. Everyone was super nice and very helpful the food was an explanation of tastes in my mouth like never before. I am middle eastern and I never in my life thought that our food could get this complex and layered with flavor. The. Scallops where the star of the evening each one a bite from heaven. While trying hard to breath from over eating the desserts came in. Each one better than the other. The absolute ruler was the halva hair and ice cream with crunchy stuff it was firework In my brain. Go go go. Thats what I have to say about this amazing restaurant. Will definitely be back

Ate here with my daughter early on a Friday night. Staff were attentive and friendly, food came quickly and was good. The sound track was easy listening pop , not too loud, that made the staff very happy and they were singing along.The atmosphere is warm and clean, with a slightly odd decor that sampled kitschy acrylic paintings of Marilyn Monroe , Charlie Chaplin and the like, as well as a sophisticated and interesting modern light fixture, interesting upholstery fabric on the banquettes, and gentle, dim lighting. Our meal was overpriced as each dish we had needed just a little something before I would give it more than 3 stars. The broccoli raab side dish with garlic and orange zest was nicely cooked but needed some lemon juice and salt to brighten the flavors and make it possible to taste the orange zest. When we asked for lemon, the waitress brought several wedges very quickly and we ended up putting it on a number of dishes. (Lest you think we are obsessed with acid, this is not something we ordinarily do). The flat bread with butternut squash and lamb merguez was likewise improved with a squeeze of lemon and would have been better with far more arugula cooked in, as well as the few leaves sprinkled as a garnish on top. I was unable to see or taste the butternut squash. The fiore di late cheese was too mild and heavy in combination with the lamb merguez and I ended up with a thick grease left on my plate. A sharper, brighter cheese would have complimented the delicious lamb flavor better. The falafel balls were very good, tender, well cooked and seasoned, and came with a nice plain flatbread, a little on the sweet side, but fresh and soft, easy to enjoy. The tahini sauce and the other yellow sauce that came with them had a sweet turmeric flavor were nothing to write home about. All in all, we had a pleasant meal but were underwhelmed given the price and the high reviews this place gets. Would I go back? Probably not with so many other places to try.

Beautiful restaurant & very busy. Highly recommend to get Reservation. Food was excellent ,however I expected more. Drink was good. Great ambience and waiters. Would recommend to try out

Cozy courtyard, loved the bread, both chicken dishes, hummus and cauliflower dishes.

Updated Review:We came here today with SUCH high hopes. With family in town, we wanted to go to a favorite brunch place and show them a good time. I dont usually write bad reviews and try to look for the positive side of everything but this is going to be difficult.On a positive note, the shakshuka was quite good according to those who ordered it. I wasnt one of those people and even they were not allowed to substitute challah toss for the pits bread. Fine. Whatever.My scrambled eggs arrived lukewarm and totally unsalted. I asked 4 times for salt before asking the manager and finally getting a little bowl of what they called Israeli sea salt which Im sure it was but it was super coarse salt that no one in their right mind would sprinkle on eggs. I ask again for a salt shaker and I got another bowl of salt flakes. I asked a third time for just please, a salt shaker. Im not being complicated by asking for a salt shaker in a restaurant, right? They dont have salt shakers and by now my bland eggs are bland AND cold.My friends omelette arrived COLD and we were told that the tzatziki made the whole thing cold and it was normal. Hmm.I asked the manager about this and told him how much we love the place usually, I was very nice about it. He just kind of nodded and smiled at me like Im crazy and offered to send something over. I declined because we just wanted to leave abs were shocked when all of our dishes were listed on the bill. Two cold egg dishes, slow service and nothing comped? Really?OLD REVIEW:A wonderful experience. The service was a little slow out of the gate (we showed up for Sunday brunch with no reservations and high expectations. Oops) but they caught up with complimentary wine and dessert. The shakshuka was delicious, as were the shrimp and cauliflower appetizers. Friendly bartender knew to ask for another opinion on wine when she didnt know what to tell us. Really friendly and excellent quality.

Really excellent food and friendly service. Only reason Im not giving five stars is because check included a phantom $19 item. Everyone makes mistakes, I understand that, and I havent seen references to anything like this in other reviews. But, it happened. FWIW I would not hesitate to eat here again.

I made a reservation as a post marathon spot with my family. The service was non existent. We waited (in an empty restaurant) 90 minutes for our food.The food was tasteless and undercooked. We ended up getting a pizza next door after the meal. There are too many great options in NYC to settle for this one.

Their backyard space is amazing. Do yourself a favor and skip the Amsterdam Avenue seating and sit out back. It’s sorta James Bondish. Also, the food is amazing if you like middle eastern fare.

It’s family style eating so you get to try a lot.AMAZING: labneh, lamb halabi, falafel, octopus, spicy feta, pitaNOT A FAV: tahini

Amazing flavors! Had the Lamb and it was amazing. Definitely make a reservation! They are selling like hot cakes. The flatbread with seaseme seeds is everything 🔥

Excellent food and service! We shared 4 appetizers, 2 main dishes, and 2 desserts. Each one was just excellent. Service was attentive, and we has a great time.

Best Mediterranean place in the city. Everything is delicious.

Stumbled onto this gem for brunch after another place I had planned on was full. Had a glass of sangria and the Shakshouka: both delicious!! The service was attentive and friendly. Will definitely be back!!

We went on a rather cold night , even though we had no reservation they seated us at the bar the atmosphere was fabulous. I had the Burrata and Kebab Halabi. Beautifully served inside warm bread and filling. Presentation and the dishes were phenomenal. Could not be happier.A place highly recommended.

Food was tremendous. Worth stopping in. Octopus, spicy feta, and falafel were all wonderful.

Ιt is a restaurant with excellent meditrranean food. The chef hives interesting twists to traditional levatine food. We were four and each ate some other dish. All the dishes were done magnifecently and were extremely tasty. Dont miss the desserts which deserve a medal of their own.

Every dish is fresh and delicious. Waitstaff is wonderful and has always been super accommodating when dining early with children. Love the hummus, fresh breads, salads, falafels, and sizzling shirp.

Everything was amazing! Wish they didnt have the rule that they wont even serve bread until the whole party has arrived but food was worth the wait 👏

This place is amazing! The pita and boo tan bread was incredible! The falafel was so authentic and insanely delicious (watch out though the hummus from the hummus bowl is spicy!) The Labneh was delicious! Highly recommend

Delicious Mediterranean fare. Flavors are light, bright, fresh. Egg sandwich with avocado and spicy feta is massive yet not heavy. Tzatziki is terrific. Bread is pillowy soft and fresh from the oven. Service is friendly and attentive.

Not sure if it was an off night bc of Valentine’s Day but we did not have a great experience. Food was nothing special and service wasn’t good. Our waitress seemed bothered that we were there. There are so many better Mediterranean restaurants that I would choose over this one. The highlight was our wine and dessert (with complimentary truffles).

I loved the atmosphere and the service was incredible. Daniel and Juliana were extremely helpful… also their spicy feta and taboor bread is to die for. Kebab was also one of the best ones I had (and I traveled quite a bit in the Middle East and Turkey). Overall highly recommend

The bread and hummus were delicious as was the grilled octopus. The cocktail drinks were just ok… felt like they were trying to hard to make them unique but the taste was off. The Ross drink had a cloying rose taste.

Id come for the bread, but will stay for dinner. Make sure to get the hummus spread to accompany the carb.Dining space is a little tight, but it seats groups comfortably-ish. Attentive service.

Contemporary Mediterranean, a notch above what youre used to with fun and unique presentations. Try the burrata, the dips (comes with great bread and theyll refill it!), the octopus and the super tender lamb terracotta, which is a stew with a pastry hat, cut tableside for you. Lots of vegetarian friendly items as well.

Fantastic food. Best in NYC

Loved that place and will definitely come back. Food was delicious, martinis impeccable and service was on point.Thank you!

The best meal we had in New York--no exaggeration. Wonderful flavors, beautiful presentation, delightful service--a fabulous experience.

The service was excellent, the food was great, the decor was interesting and relaxing.

Wonderful experience ordering take out from Bustan. I ordered for pick up and everything was ready in a timely fashion, the staff was very polite and everything was packed well!Ordered the house made taboon bread, hummus, spicy feta, and mixed olives from the “for the table” menu. Israeli salad and roasted cauliflower from the appetizer menu. Everything was cooked and prepared to perfection. Great for sharing! The hummus had such a fresh taste to it and I loved that it had chick peas in it. Would highly recommend and can’t wait until I can try in person.

Amazing time at Bustan, grate service delicious food had and amazing datenight with my husband.

A little pricey but food is amazing. Try lamb terracota, octopus, mazetims. Family style, food is great for sharing, nice backyard. Good for brunches as well.

Very good food, good service, really expensive. $160 for two people two apps, two glasses of wine, two mains. But I suppose I would charge even more given this place is fully booked weeks in advance

From the employees to the food, everything was excellent! Looking forward to going back.

The food was delicious and the waiting time was fast. The staff were nice and the lamb terracota, moroccan cigars, and flatbreads were top notch quality. Would definenlty recommend.

Food was amazing and recs were incredible. highly recommend

Cool place for a smaller dinner. Great dips. Enjoy

Great atmosphere, the food and drinks were fantastic. Every dish was a home run.

Best octopus I’ve ever had!

Great little Israeli place. Fresh bread and Labneh was bomb, also the pre-mixed drinks are delicious and happy hour menu is indefinite for COVID ;)Also a nice atmosphere and outdoor dining setup. Service was very good!

Amazing food and staff is very accommodating and friendly. Hummus plate is next level! Next time Im in the city I will be back!

Food is delicious. the atmosphere leaves a little to be desired, but nothings perfect i suppose.

The food was okay (nothing fabulous) and the portions are relatively small.

Another perfect experience..My favorite place in NYC

Surprised with a happy hour at the bar on Saturday night. Drinks and appetizers are superb. Great ambience and staff.

Israeli salad was best we have had! Love sitting in the garden out back. Great service.

One of the best restaurant in the upper west side, nice Atmosphere and great service I got the chicken it was unbelievable one of the greatest dish I have in a long time highly recommended moi

This is the best Mediterranean restaurant around town, the food is excellent, the drinks are great, the service is spectacular, the fresh bread,ummm yummy,I can go on, but let me stop, Im getting hungry thinking about it..lol

Amazing food and great service!

Great vibe! Amazing food

I had a very nice lunch here of cucumber salad with octopus. Enjoyed the food and the service. Prices are a little steep.

This has been one of the best experiences I had in a restaurant in a long time. Danny the manager was very helpful and welcoming.

We love you, guys! Will be back many times! Everything is 5 stars! Happy to have you in our neighborhood! Best wishes for your business!

Excellently prepared Middle Eastern food. We ordered a variety of menu items and all were delicious.

Bustan is a must if you are looking for delicious middle eastern cuisine. It’s authentic and sophisticated with rich flavors. Our favorites were the kebabs, Moroccan fish, gem salad, cauliflower, hummus, labneh, and the pitas were perfect. The malabi and chocolate cake are also excellent. Definitely come here or even order from here!!

Amazing food! Dani is the best!Incredible experience 🙏Thank you so much!

One of the best Mediterranean dinner I had in NYC. Service an food was amazing. Will definitely go back.

Today we went Bustan for the thanksgiving dinner.its a good place and food was good. Only thing was the waitress. She forgot our order I guess and entered it like very late. We waited at least 45 mins for our main courses. When I asked for the bathroom she was rude...since I worked as a waiter while my university years I try to respect every restaurant worker but whoever cross the line should be settled back and I believe she should!!!

We went for the NYE comedy show and dinner. Its a smallish outside setting for less then 20 people. Not too cozy now as its pretty cold.The food was typical middle eastern and of good quality. The drink option s were good and we were happy with ours.The comedy show was highlighted by a friend of ours, so great.

I dream about the lamb kebab.

Everything was awesome! Looking forward to our next visit!

Excellent food and warming service food was quick and delicious chef is very accommodating and attentive the octopus is a must hummus very tasty and the desserts hit you right in the heart love it there

Great food in a nice environment. Usually not as busy as its neighbor restaurants (a positive point). Go to place for brunch !

Food is the best Mediterranean I have had in the city, which is saying a lot. This place is consistently good. The servers are attentive and friendly. The place is a bit crowded and narrow. We sat out in the heated porch area. A little more quiet there, But my legs were freezing by the end of the meal. Make sure to sit under a heat lamp. In warm weather they have tables in front, too.

Everything was delicious, especially the eggplant carpaccio and the housemade taboon.

Wow! Best food! The owner was very kind, gave us appetizers on the house.

One of the best meal I had in NYC in the past 10 years.Food is full of flavor and hospitality is at its best here.

The food was absolutely delicious. The service was very good. It was a Saturday night, we didn’t have a reservation and we’re still able to get in and treated with so much care. This is dining at its finest. A very enjoyable experience. I will be back whenever I can.

We love Bustan!!! Best food and service! You won’t be disappointed!

Always a delicious meal, modern and appealing decor, excellent staff.I highly recommend it.

Very great food. Love the falafel.

One of the best places in the upper west. Food is excellent (Moroccan Fish) service and atmosphere are 10!!!

Amazing mediterranean food! Charming patio ideal for a romantic tête à tête or with friends! Highly recommended!

I recently dined at Bustan, a Mediterranean restaurant, and had a good experience. The atmosphere was pleasant, but I wasnt thrilled with my seat, which was near the washroom. The food, however, was delicious, though the portions were on the smaller side, making it less ideal for sharing, maybe I just eat a lot. On the bright side, the service was impeccable, leaving me with no complaints in that department.

We got 700F Cabbage and Halabi kebab. The cabbage was interesting and new but Halabi Kebab was overrated and too pricey. Atmosphere was warm and cozy but chairs were a bit uncomfortable.

Interesting flavor combinations and presentation.Excellent service and knowledgeable staff.Exceptional cocktails.

Food and atmosphere was great! Especially the lamb dish. Will come again

During my much-awaited visit to New York City, I had the joyous opportunity to reunite with my family who resides just a stones throw away from 487 Amsterdam Ave. It was a heartwarming moment for all of us, and we decided to make the most of our time together by exploring the neighborhood and indulging in some good food.Upon my familys recommendation, we decided to dine at a nearby restaurant located right on Amsterdam Avenue, aptly nestled at 487 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024. The charming exterior and the promise of a memorable culinary experience lured us in, and we were not disappointed in the least.As we entered the restaurant, we were immediately enveloped in a welcoming ambiance, filled with the chatter of contented diners and the tantalizing aroma of delectable dishes. The cheerful staff made us feel right at home, and the place resonated with a sense of warmth and togetherness, perfect for our long-awaited family get-together.Our attentive server, who seemed genuinely pleased to have us there, guided us through the menu, sharing personal favorites and recommendations. It was evident that this place was more than just a restaurant; it was a community of food enthusiasts, eager to share their passion for culinary delights with others.After much contemplation, we settled on an array of dishes that appealed to every member of our diverse family. From savory appetizers to mouthwatering entrees, each plate was a testament to the chefs skill and dedication to culinary excellence. We relished every bite and shared the joy of tasting something truly extraordinary.But the sweetest part of the entire experience was, undoubtedly, the dessert selection. Our server seemed to pick up on our excitement and mentioned that the desserts here were not to be missed. And, oh boy, were they right! From the first spoonful to the last, we were captivated by the heavenly flavors that danced on our tongues. It felt as if the desserts were specially crafted to bring families closer together, savoring the joys of each others company and indulging in the pleasure of a shared experience.

Awesome delicious food. Great prices and service. Love this restaurant.

Food was good and quick. Had the schnitzel it was well seasoned and a good portion.The service was kind of lacking - warm water (no ice) and had to ask for it, had to ask for another drink instead of being offered.

Just love it, good food, Good atmosphere, excellent service, good music, not too expensive, Highly recommended. Be back for sure

Food was pretty lack luster, and compared to what you can get in the city, not at all authentic. Waitress was rude and forgot to come to the table unless flagged down. Won’t be visiting again