What clients say about Lava Shawarma NYC in New York (NY)
The food was great! The ingredients were fresh, the flavors were authentic, and overall I had a wonderful experience.
The service, however, was not great. It took 10+ minutes for the waiter to take my order, and I had to make eye contact just to get his attention. He forgot to bring out drinks that I had already ordered and still tried to charge me for them at the end. He also didn’t bring over napkins or utensils, and I had to go up to the front to pay. He wasn’t rude by any means, just seemed indifferent.
For the price point, this isn’t a hole in the wall, so I expected the service to match the level of care the kitchen puts into the food. Will definitely be coming back regardless. :)
A place I used to love, but today was a huge disappointment. My friend and I only found out it was an iftar buffet-only after we were seated. I originally wanted to order a regular sandwich like I used to, but the waiter told us it was not available. However, I was surprised to see other customers receiving regular sandwiches instead of the buffet food.
There was nothing showing what was included in the buffet. When the Athan started, everyone had to stand in a long line between the tables to get food, which was very uncomfortable and disorganized. The staff watched us closely while we served ourselves, and the plates were very small. We barely ate anything and were still charged $80. We even had to get the water carafes ourselves. Also, the booths were not clean and looked quite dirty, especially the pillows, which was very unappealing.
We ended up leaving to eat somewhere else because we were still starving and did not feel comfortable serving ourselves. For that price, we could have had a much better experience. I would not recommend this place.
I would give zero starts if I could! Worst experience ever in nyc, I walked in with my friend and my son we were greated in a very cold unpleasant way then the water refused to give us a table for three he said he will have more people coming in !!! Weiiiird!! After we sat down we were told it was actually a buffet today and that everything in it was good and we didn’t have even the chance to look at a menu or anything it was just a surprise menu and nothing on the buffet was good very small amounts for too many peoples we were char he over 80$ for two bites of salade I will never stop there ever again and the hygiene is concerning
Just tried this spot andthe Chicken Shawarma Burger is good. Juicy, packed with flavor.
Arabic tea house tea. Seriously, it’s amazing—smooth, aromatic, and makes the whole meal feel special.
The vibe is chill,staff super friendly, must visit.
Our 2nd time here, and they did not miss! Fresh, authentic shawarmas, delightful salads & some of the best battered cod I’ve had in a while. Salah and the team are always on point, making you feel at home. Grab some tea & relax.
Had a pleasure to eat there last week. Cute decor, we were welcomed with hot tea. The food was divine. Highly recommend this place
Went back and the food was soo good again. They have best fish and chips in NYC. Salah was an amazing host and very attentive. I could give him more than 5 Stars for service!
What a big difference between Greenwich village location and this one (night and day) we received both plates cold and lamb was burned (black) and so dry . Rice was big chunk in it . I never been so disappointed. I don't even know why Other location gave us fresh shawarma and hot rice . & Soo juicy I loved that location and staff more than usual. Never will be back to this location ?
We visited this restaurant because it had great reviews, but the food was disappointing. The chicken maqluba was very bland and lacked the flavor we expected based on the hype. If you are used to the bold spices of Indian cuisine, you might find the dishes here quite subpar. Overall, it was a letdown despite the high ratings.
Taste is inherently subjective. From an objective standpoint, it is clear that care and effort went into the food, but personally, the flavors did not quite suit my preferences. The gentleman at the entrance was very welcoming and would offer a small cup of hot drink even if you only paused briefly at the door. I appreciated the gesture, though the spice-forward flavor of the drink was too strong for me to finish. The restaurant itself is quite spacious, with an atmosphere that feels quietly desolate, almost like a vast desert. The rice was a bit dry, though that seems common with long grain rice. The meat was decent and my boyfriend enjoyed it, but I did not find anything particularly memorable, especially given the price point. Overall, it was neither bad nor especially impressive.
Love the restaurant. Great place delicious authentic food. The best I ever had in New York. Beautiful welcoming staff. Very clean. What a nice surprise and beautiful experience.
“You can taste the authenticity. From the shawarma sandwich , homemade kebab to the shawarma burger and Mediterranean dessert, everything was on point. The special tea was the perfect finishing touch.”
I was passing by and it caught my eye, so I went inside to try it. A real Jordanian-taste restaurant! ??❤️❤️❤️
Great hospitality, delicious and clean food.
Absolutely Exceptional!
I don’t even know where to begin this restaurant delivered one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The mansaf was phenomenal: beautifully presented, incredibly flavorful, and made with such authenticity that you can taste the care in every bite. It was comforting, rich, and perfectly balanced truly the kind of dish you remember.
The service was just as outstanding. Every staff member we interacted with was kind, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. They checked on us with the perfect balance of warmth and professionalism, making us feel taken care of without ever being intrusive. You can tell they really value their guests and take pride in what they do.
From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, everything felt thoughtful, welcoming, and elevated. This is the kind of place you want to return to again and again. Highly, highly recommended!
I was excited to see a place that serves food from the Levantine region and Lava did not disappoint! Delcious food in a welcoming space, staff were attentive and so helpful in answering questions. Will definitely come back.
Welcoming atmosphere walking in was greeted by a traditionally dressed gentleman that game me some tea to start! I ordered the falafel and baklava.... Finally a falafel sandwich that didn't leak all over me and was well balanced with he pickle/veggie/falafel/bread ratio. Amazing flavors the baklava was really sweet side of things but nonetheless very well made and tasted good!
The atmosphere is cozy, the seats are comfortable, and the chicken shawarma is amazing. I’ve tried many different shawarmas from various cuisines, and this one is really good. I also recommend their Arabic tea, and the Tres Leches was fabulous.
Super welcoming and sweet! We had arrived just when they closed and the guy was so nice. He sent us on our way with cups of complementary teas and it was amazing!!! Can’t wait to give this please a proper try!
This restaurant is fantastic, organized and clean. The food is amazing, I had traditional Jordanian food called Maqluba which was very delicious, it has rice cauliflower potatoes and chicken served with two sides of yogurt and Jerusalem salad.
Food under the glass looked clean, fresh and tasty. I was given a delicious cup of tea while I waited for my egg plant salad to be finished. They definitely made it in the moment cause it took a little while. Got it home and it was an extremely substantial portion in a nice container. I looked it and there was a lot of raw onions, not always my favorite thing. Then I tasted it and it was absolutely delicious. And, very fairly price. Great job.
The service was very nice, the server was patient and friendly in explaining the menu items. There’s a lot of variety to choose from, and I especially loved their dessert options. The Espresso Crème Brûlée was amazing and definitely a highlight for me.
The only downside was that the food took quite a long time to come out, which could have been better.
I was hungry and in the area, this gem was a pleasant surprise! Schwarma is always delicious but this place goes an extra mile with sides and presentation. The fries were crispy and the sandwich was cut and garnished just like on the menu. The staff is friendly (and bring you water). Highly recommend this place
This is nice hidden gem. We wanted some middle eastern food. This was perfect spot. Not pricy and very tasty ? a d you get a large quantity of food. We got the 6person platter. It can feed way more than 6 more like 8 or possibly 10 if you are not super hungry.it come with lamb beef and chicken with variety of veggies. Also comes with rice and babagaloush and hummus. You get some free tea. The staff is warm and attentive. The food came out piping hot. You also get pita ?? bread too
Absolutely incredible experience! The service, food, and atmosphere were all top notch. Prices were surprisingly reasonable for Manhattan, and the quality of the food was impressively fresh. The lamb and beef shawarma were standout favorites, but the mezzas, especially the babaganoush and hummus, deserve a special shoutout. Dining here feels like a delicious escape from the hustle of NYC. Highly recommend stopping by to enjoy the amazing flavors this place has to offer!
We always enjoy coming to Lava for a relaxing meal. The owner is super kind and always pour tea for each customer. The place is very kid friendly. The Chicken Maqluba is a must to order in this restaurant and you will be amazed at how the dish is served (video added). The owner even served us a dessert to complete the meal! This is our go-to place for family quality time and we highly recommend if you like or would like to try Middle Eastern food.
An authentic Middle Eastern restaurant with cozy atmosphere. We ordered maqluba, lamb shank, mixed pickle and kunafah. Everything was delicious! It was an exciting experience for the whole family. My daughter said the tea was Fabulous! ?
This was right down the street from where I was staying. I visit New York 3-4 times a year. And this is my fourth time eating here. I discovered it last year as it was a new place down the street from where I was staying. And I was craving Mediterranean type of food. Little did I know...
?That I would experience Jordanian food for my first time. And I would also experience the best tasting grape leaves I have ever had in the world. ? ?
I always try to try something new. The video is of the pasta is Egyptian koshari.
When you visit .. you will order the grape leaves.. their sauce on it was the first I've ever tasted like that. And their eggplant is also a great side.
Can't wait to come back. I already miss their free tea they give you when you sit down. It really hit the spot, especially during the snow.
This gem has become one of my most favorite places to eat in NYC. Definitely my favorite in terms of Mediterranean & Arabic style food in the city. The portions are big. And the pricing is fair.
Till I visit again!
During our recent trip to the Paris Olympics, we dined at a beautiful Lebanese restaurant. Since then, I have been a fan. Lava reminded me of the delicious, fresh, delicious dishes we enjoyed in Paris. In addition to being bright and well lit, Lava offers great customer service as well as delicious and fresh traditional meals. They also offer a range of vegan options on their menu. Separate grills are used to prepare these dishes. Lava is highly recommended by me. This is a great place for family gatherings, date nights, and friends to get together.
Great spot for turkey food, nice seating area, hospitality is top, and food is delicious.
I saw their burger while waiting, and I wish I pick one up for myself. Maybe next time. They give you free tea and honestly you should get a cup while there.
To go, they are wrap up. I appreciate them using paper bag.
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