ilili is New York’s premier contemporary Lebanese restaurant offering inspired Mediterranean cuisine. The menu mixes authentic Lebanese dishes with modern Mediterranean influences to create a culinary journey for the palate and senses. Complementing the international cuisine, ilili offers an impressive wine list that includes wines from all over the world and features favorites from Lebanon and the Mediterranean. The restaurant’s decor echoes the diverse menu, combining the architectural richness of Old Lebanon with an attitude and style that is unmistakably New York. A DJ sets the mood with music from around the globe and soft, amber lighting punctuated by candles create a sexy, sophisticated atmosphere in which to enjoy a relaxed meal. The cuisine, décor and ambience come together to create a new world for your senses to explore, whispering gently in your ear, ilili.
"I went here for my birthday with some girl friends. We were originally seated at one table but our hostess Corinne was fantastic and got us a roundtable instead after I asked to switch. So nice! The food was as delicious as usual (i have been here before) and for dessert they were kind enough to bring baklava for me and 8 pieces for my 8 friends. Fantastic service! My only complaint is their policy to wait until the entire party arrives before you can be seated. I had a few very late friends so it was a little bit of a pain to wait by the bar when we were all starving just so we could be seated. Aside from that, I had a wonderful experience here!"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: good for groups, hot spot
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"Illi was a surprise. Several friends had recommended it. But it wasn't until I went there and had dinner with a friend that I realized how good the food was. The negatives are the following: the wine list is way overpriced; the noise level is horrific; despite a seeming overabundance of wait staff, the service seemed irregular .Would I go back? Yes, Yes, Yes."
Dined on 5/20/2013
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Review 4 for ilili
Overall rating
(Outstanding)5/5
Exotic yet familiar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/18/2013
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Very Good)4/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"What a treat this place was! My friends and I loved the appetizer menu so well we created a meal of several items that were brought to us progressively and it was delightful! The very best items we tried were the Brussels sprouts and the bone marrow, which came with a tabbouleh salad... ours was modified because one of our party required gluten-free food, and the alternate was FANTASTIC! They even had a gluten free version of the duck shawarma for my friend, and what a treat that was! Excellent! We had a great time, the staff was wonderful and we wanted to hug the chef!"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for ilili
Overall rating
(Very Good)4/5
Great Lebanese
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/19/2013
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Very Good)4/5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Wonderful food, excellent wine and extremely helpful staff made for an excellent evening out. Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for ilili
Overall rating
(Very Good)4/5
Splendid Brunch
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/19/2013
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Good)3/5
Ambiance
(Good)3/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Being an Arab food expert albeit self-proclaimed, I found the brunch menu to be simply delightful. A smart take on Lebanese classics translated into splendid brunch!! Definitely would go back again."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion
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"Very good updated Middle Eastern food. While you could see that it could get very loud at night, brunch was pretty calm. Service was terrific, very happy to explain the menu, help us order the right amount of food and very, very helpful in accommodating two gluten-free diners. And a great twist on a Bloody Mary!"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch
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"i went to ilili with a group of about 10 to celebrate my graduation from college, and the experience was absolutely fantastic. Service was great. The food was amazing. The Price wasn't too bad either. I would highly recommend ilili to anyone."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot, special occasion
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"We have dined at ilili many times, which always requires a reservation. We used to go for the sautéed brussels sprouts and duck shawarma, tolerating the small overpriced wine list and cramped seating for the food, but this experience was worse than usual. Despite having a reservation, we waited 20 minutes to be seated. Service was quite slow and they sold out of the duck shawarma by 8:30. Our food was served in a confusing order (e.g., appetizers/side dishes served long after the main courses) and we had to ask for bread. The table of two next to us had glass shards in their food, so their meal was comped, which they used as an excuse to loudly and obnoxiously pound free cocktails. The food was ok, but was a disappointing experience."
Dined on 5/18/2013
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"Took my Mom and we had a lovely meal and the restaurant and service was very friendly and knowledgable about the menu and drinks. We end up ordering mire then we could eat! But everything was great! Looking forward to eat there again"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The way the dining room is arranged, tables for four alternate with tables for six (or eight). Which means we three were sandwiched between two tables of eight (mostly) women, screeching and shouting and howling and laughing. The food may be good, but the noise level is unbearable. I wouldn't put anyone I know through this experience."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We were there for Mother's Day and ilili Restaurant met our expectations with its delightful staff, the exquisite food, and wonderful table service. As large as this beautiful restaurant is with its lighting and high ceilings, we still felt that we were having our own party. We were served with complementary champagne to celebrate the day and the brunch was delicious. Our complements to the chef! We will revisit again and again....Thank you for making this special day memorable for my mom, our friends and I!
Hind"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, notable wine list, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Great dining experience all around, from friendly knowledgeable service, to absolutely delicious Middle eastern food. Falafel is superb. Try the garlic whip, add to various items. You won't be disappointed."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, late-night find, great for lunch, special occasion
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"The menu and food are excellent. The major drawback is the configuration of the space and the noise level. The main room is 2 storied and the noise bounces off the walls The upstairs room is dark, low ceiling, tight and uncomfortable. having a private conversation is virtually impossible. will not recommend to friends."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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"Ilili has everything going for it. The food was superb (as good Middle Eastern food as we have had anywhere in the world, including the Middle East); unusually beautiful presentation for Middle Eastern food; a large modern, lovely space and charming service. We literally have no quibbles.
We went for lunch (four people). Standouts: the muhamarra, the shrimp and the brussels sprouts. (Who knew that there was a Lebanese way to serve brussels sprouts.) Also the banana bread pudding for dessert. The portions are right-sized for sharing--we had a lot of fun exploring the menu.
David and I just spent the last week in NYC eating in excellent restaurants. Ilini was the standout."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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"I've been to ilili many times. Each experience had been better than the previous. This last visit alarmed me. Excellent food, as usual, but service lacked the warmth I’ve felt previously. The baretender didn't seem friendly. I smiled at a hostess, she reciprocated reluctantly. Before seating, we were told our table would be needed by 8pm. I felt somewhat rushed. Our waitress lacked attentiveness - routine things (ex. refilling my water glass, fully describing the special appetizer) seemed like an extra step. Surely staff has changed. I will go back but there was a very noticeable difference from other occasions.
Concerned!"
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I enjoyed everything about this place. Food: Every mezza was ordered was delicious! Some of the memorable dishes were the labne which was creamy and delicious, the chankleesh which was tasty and refreshing as well as the kibbeh bi laban (beef dumplings) which were submerged in this amazing yogurt sauce but were not as heavy as they sound. Has other mezzes as well which were tasty but those were the best, in my taste.
The service was impeccable. Our waitress often had recommendations to cater to our requests and they often brought fresh bread to eat with our dinner. Never had to ask for anything more than once and all went smoothly with the reservations.
Overall, very pleasant experience."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot
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"We dined with a group of 8 for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night. It was a great combo of easiness and delicious food. Honestly we couldn't have been more happier with the experience. Our main courses were served at the same time than the last set of our starters, so we asked them to wait for a second that we finish. The waitress was happy to oblige, but then two minutes later she got screamed at by the restaurant manager in the middle of the dining hall, which showed poor taste from him. We made a point to tell him that we were really happy with the service and had requested the delay. Hopefully she didn't get into too much trouble, as they ended up bringing us a new set of mains. Anyway, amazing place!"
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot, special occasion
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"A new, creative take on Middle Eastern cuisine in a tasteful, vibrant environment. The place is hopping until late. Try the kebabs and the shawirma, and don't skip the humus or the fatoush salad. Service is excellent."
Dined on 2/21/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"Ilili restaurant has this modern look to it with all bamboo walls. Service very good, quick and polite waiters. The food nicely prepared. Brussels sprouts and tartar were delicious."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I have had lunch at ilili a number of times and have found it to be consistently delicious. This time was different. I ordered the falafel wrap, which was stuffed with so many tomatoes and so much sauce that the flavor of the falafels, which are very tasty here, were completely lost. Also, the wrap disintegrated in my hands, making a huge mess. I think this is more a matter of someone in the kitchen not paying attention, but not a great experience this time around."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2008
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"IF you have a large party, the mezze grande, or whatever, is a good deal. 6 of us couldn't finish it and ended up skipping entrees. Food is very good."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups
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"The varied mezze choices are some of the best I have ever had in NY. The server also was excellent about explaining the differences between the dishes."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"The food was great, the service not so much. My friends and I ordered a bunch of appetizers/small plates to share and when we got our yogurt dip, the busboy spilled it all over my leather bag. He then quickly wiped it up only with a napkin and I asked him for water to clean it up. Then he said he would get the manager and he never came back. I didn't complain because the sauce didn't stain my bag but still...Then after we ate our appetizers, we waited a really long time for our dinner. At one point our waiter came by and even asked us "you didn't eat already did you?". We finally got our food but it was a long time in between and we were almost full by that time."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
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"A distinctive looking room, if very noisy. Problems stem from offering very poor value on lunch menu. Of 7 entrees, 2 or 3 had supplements, 1 was not available, the lamb shank sandwich-all of the rest of choices are sandwiches-is mislabelled as lamb shank. Food was tasty, though skimpy portions consistent with a place offering poor value. Wine list was brief, unexciting and robustly priced. Our waitress was the lone bright spot. Had been anticipating eating here for some time. A real let down."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2003
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"Very good food but a little limited menu and WAY too pricey for the kind of food, the portion size and the time of day (lunch). Seriously, at least double the price than entrees should be. Staff was pleasant. Waiter knew menu well and offered good suggesions."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Good food. Staff were extremely courtesy and helpful. Only two veg entree choices, but the semolina gnocchi was quite good. Many other options in the mezze. Interesting Lebanese wine."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Ilili was recommended by a co-worker and I couldn't have been happier with her suggestion.The food was outstanding. My group wasn't well-versed in Lebanese cuisine, but it didn't matter. Our waiter was extremely helpful in suggesting different flavor pairings and he didn't let us down. Veal bacon, lamb dumplings, grape leaves to die for were some of the amazing dishes my party chose to eat. We ended up ordering a two round of mesas, small plates, and it was more than filling. I highly recommend Ilili for a different experience. You won't be disappointed."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, hot spot
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"our waiter was amazing!!! She was so sweet and beyond helpful - especially since 1/2 of our party was super late! however, it was really loud in there and hard to hear other people in a big group. loved it though!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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