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Gazala's Reviews List
Gazala's
Don't miss a chance to try delicious druze meal prepared by Gazala's mother! She will be cooking her spun recepies August,1 to August,18! Get a taste you will never forget!
A hidden gem amidst so much on the Upper West Side. Gazala's serves some of the best appetizers around to start off your dining experience.
Chef/owner Gazala is Druze Israeli, but the menu will be familiar to anyone who has tried Middle Eastern food.
The babaganoush (roast eggplant dip) is smoky and velvety. The inside of the kibbe's crispy crust is moist ground lamb seasoned perfectly with aromatic spices. The felafel (deep-fried ground chickpeas) feature an unusually crunchy crust.
The ambiance is more contemporary than our Midtown location offering large areas for private parties and large groups.
Don't be surprised to see Gazala come out of her busy kitchen and chat with the diners.
See more Gazala's details
85 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 85 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(45)
3 stars
(20)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(34)
- good for groups(24)
- fit for foodies(21)
- romantic(10)
- kid-friendly(7)
- great for lunch(6)
Gazala's Reviews List
Review 1 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Gazala's Again
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We keep coming back to Gazala's with different friends who thank us for bringing them there. The food is great Middle-eastern Druze specialties. Ask the waitresses and they'll tell you about Druze food, culture, history, etc. The service is friendly and competent. There are a few outdoor tables which we haven't tried yet."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 2 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food is excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was superb. But the place was a bit to noisy for my taste. So if you don't have to have a serious conversation as was the case here for me so OK..But want to eat really good food and fresh, this is the place to go."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
good meal, nice atmosphere, slow se
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice atmosphere. Shrimp and fish were amazing. Meats were ok. Service was polite but very slow. We had a very long slow meal. Good, but not as good as previously."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
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Review 4 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food is good - I wish they
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food is good - I wish they would ditch the chairs."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2007
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Review 5 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service was relatively slow
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was relatively slow (it was a Monday night) but food was great!"
Dined on 04/15/2013
2012
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Review 6 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food is great! I do think
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food is great! I do think that meat is cooked too much, rice is bland , and portions are smaller. They should introduce more specials too ! Get creative ;)"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
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Review 7 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Live the food and the restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Live the food and the restaurant history"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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Review 8 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
After reading the stellar
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"After reading the stellar reviews, I was expecting cooking like my old neighboor's.
Instead, EVERYTHING tasted like my Junior High School cafeteria! I was so disappointed.
And embarassed, because I had told my friend that I would take her to this restaurant when
she is next in NY. I wouldn't dare!!!"
Instead, EVERYTHING tasted like my Junior High School cafeteria! I was so disappointed.
And embarassed, because I had told my friend that I would take her to this restaurant when
she is next in NY. I wouldn't dare!!!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2008
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Review 9 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Solid middle eastern food.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Solid middle eastern food. Chairs uncomfortable. A tad pricey for portion size. Hummus very good, everything made fresh to order. It did not wow me but it is a solid staple. Service friendly."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2005
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Review 10 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice middle eastern option
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice middle eastern option near natural history museum!"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2004
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Review 11 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, romantic
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Review 12 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I had dinner at Gazalas last
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had dinner at Gazalas last weekend and overall it was great! The food was delicious, the service was very friendly and helpful. The best thing we tried was the flaky pastry filled with cheese and spinach, we also had a whole fish and it was amazing. The only downside was that it it was really noisy, but it was a Saturday night so I guess its fine. And also, we sat right across the kitchen window and could hear all the Spanish talking through all the noise (which is weird for a druze restaurant) and every time we asked our waitress for some bread we saw her practically bagging for it... Hmmm... I thought bread is free everywhere. Nevertheless I liked it and will be back!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 13 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great fish platters, tried
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great fish platters, tried the branzino and snapper and enjoyed the branzino most. Everything was tasty, but somewhat over salted. The room is cozy, and the service was pleasant."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2008
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Review 14 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food should match menu
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Not much to cheer about when two of the about 6 listed ingredients in a salad are missing."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2004
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Review 15 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I had dined at the Gazala
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had dined at the Gazala on Ninth Ave. and also a brunch at the Columbus site, albeit, outdoors. As someone who has lived in Israel for many years, I am a lover of middle eastern food and it was delicious."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
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Review 16 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Top notch middle eastern food.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food here is just authentic and excellent. The staff is typically the same nice, friendly faces. Just a great place to go."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Mmmmm good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Delicious food! Better than any other Druze restaurant (even in Israel). Gazala really understands how to season her dishes."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
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Review 18 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This is one of my favorite
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood. When I go, we usually get some form of hummus or mixed plate (stuffed grape leaves, falafel, baba ghanoush, tahini, humus) appetizers with their delicious signature flatbread (more like a thinner tortilla or crepe). Their grilled meats are amazing, as are the burekas and pies. Plus, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is so cozy. This would be a great place for a date or for a large group, and service is always great too."
Dined on 02/04/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Mediterranean YUMMY, Find...
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Mediterranean at its best. Along with a great selection of meatless as well as dishes with plenty of meat offerings. The decor is brick walls with tiles on them forming trees and other objects, the lighting is dim red and candlelight, the music is perfect and caters to the setting.
I was very pleased with my choice."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Not what you think it is.
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Probably the worst Middle Eastern food I have eaten in NYC. None of the dishes we tasted were recognizable as as Middle Eastern cuisine which we have eaten many times in other restaurants. Nice people but way off the mark foodwise."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2004
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Review 21 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
We went with friends and had
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went with friends and had high hopes. The food was average, and the staff was fine. We just didn't feel a spark of enjoyment after dinner. I guess you could say it was a solid "average"."
Dined on 12/30/2012
2007
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Review 22 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food and service, across
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food and service, across the street from the American Museum of Natural History. Also I love it because its not noisy."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2008
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Review 23 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I love this restaurant tho
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I love this restaurant tho usually middle eastern food isn't my favorite but theirs is outstanding."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2008
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Review 24 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
OK, Not great.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Falafel was wonderful. Artichoke hearts even better. Babaganoush ok. Labena (goat cheese) not very good at all."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2005
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Review 25 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I love bringing new people
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I love bringing new people to this restaurant because its so good and its not noisy!! Hurray!!"
Dined on 01/22/2013
2008
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Review 26 for Gazala's
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good Middle Eastern fare with
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good Middle Eastern fare with an Israeli Druze accent. The chicken kabob is the best chicken anywhere."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Gazala's
Based on the average of (59) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
5 out of 5 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic