Social Profile: 
![]()
✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
… View more
Shalel has served New Yorkers since 2000 and is dedicated to the variety and excellency of Mediterranean cooking and cocktails. Shalel draws its inspiration from dishes and design of the coastal Mediterranean: Morocco, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, the Côte d’Azur, and Spain. Shalel’s unique underground space is a relaxed, candlelit setting where highlights include Shalel’s namesake waterfall, indoor plants, fresh cut flowers, and an “alimentari”/market of various Mediterranean products.
Underground lounge where dark nooks & a waterfall lend a romantic, intimate vibe.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 65 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 873-2300
Website: https://shalel.kitchen/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Shalel شلال
… Shalel Menu · Shalel شلال · Press. Feeding New Yorkers since 2000. Scroll … NY, 10023,. United States. Hours. Mon 4:30pm – 11:00pm. Tue 4:30pm – 11:00pm. Wed 4: …
SHALEL (@shalelnyc) · New York, NY – Instagram
2130 Followers, 1122 Following, 115 Posts – SHALEL (@shalelnyc) on Instagram: “Underground, candlelit dining and cocktails with a namesake waterfall.
Shalel Restaurant – New York, NY | OpenTable
Shalel offers a “unique and cozy” dining experience with a “cavelike atmosphere” and “delicious food.” Many praise its “romantic” setting, while excellent …
Last Updates
Reviews
Quasar
A feast for the eyes but not so for the palate. Romantic atmospheric nooks that silently promise a sumptuous meal but that the kitchen cannot deliver.
Though the mediterranean olive appetizer was well balanced with herbal notes and pickled veggies with the right amount of toasted baguette slices, the chicken Bastilla was a travesty- flat like a tortilla served on a metal casserole – with a single layer of filo dough under it and a floating soggy one top. Not wrapped all around the filling as it should always be.
The filling in between was heavy on soupy fried onions, with just two chunks of chicken (not shredded as it should be) and maybe a couple of almonds.
The mint tea was passable but it did not make up for the overall disappointment.
I chose to dine here because it came up on Google as a Moroccan restaurant l, food that I am passionate about, but the menu is all over the place, from Turkey to Egypt to Italy and Greece spread too thin to its own detriment.
Well thought out decor and friendly service, but who are we kidding?
… moreThough the mediterranean olive appetizer was well balanced with herbal notes and pickled veggies with the right amount of toasted baguette slices, the chicken Bastilla was a travesty- flat like a tortilla served on a metal casserole – with a single layer of filo dough under it and a floating soggy one top. Not wrapped all around the filling as it should always be.
The filling in between was heavy on soupy fried onions, with just two chunks of chicken (not shredded as it should be) and maybe a couple of almonds.
The mint tea was passable but it did not make up for the overall disappointment.
I chose to dine here because it came up on Google as a Moroccan restaurant l, food that I am passionate about, but the menu is all over the place, from Turkey to Egypt to Italy and Greece spread too thin to its own detriment.
Well thought out decor and friendly service, but who are we kidding?
J Carlos Porras
My girlfriend Stacey and I celebrated our third anniversary at Shalel, and Daniel made the night perfect. He was incredibly attentive without ever being intrusive. He anticipated what we needed before we even asked, checked in at just the right moments, and made the entire experience feel personal and thoughtful. His kindness, timing, and professionalism elevated our evening and made it truly memorable.
Thank you, Daniel, for helping make our anniversary so special. We’ll definitely be back.
… moreThank you, Daniel, for helping make our anniversary so special. We’ll definitely be back.
Lisa Greissinger
We had 5:30 PM reservations at Shalel near the Beacon Theater before a show and arrived exactly on time. Despite the charm of the room, the evening went downhill fast.
The drinks were excellent. The food was outstanding — the kitchen clearly knows what it’s doing. Unfortunately, the front of house seems intent on sabotaging it.
Our waitress was curt from the start. After dinner, we asked for the check. One member of our party stepped away to use the restroom. At 6:55 PM — well short of two hours — we were told they “needed the table.” We said we’d leave as soon as our guest returned.
Five minutes later, with our friend still waiting in a restroom line, the manager arrived to inform us we had exceeded the two-hour limit and had to vacate the table immediately.
Our reservation was at 5:30 PM. That means 7:30 PM — not 7:00. The math isn’t complicated.
I’ve worked in restaurants. If you need a table, there’s a professional way to handle it. This wasn’t it. It was graceless, inhospitable, and unnecessary times two.
We spent over $80 per person. The dismissive treatment from both the waitress and the manager completely erased the charm of the space and the excellence of the food.
With competent hospitality, this could be a great pre-theater option. Instead, it’s a lesson in how to drive customers away. We won’t be back.
… moreThe drinks were excellent. The food was outstanding — the kitchen clearly knows what it’s doing. Unfortunately, the front of house seems intent on sabotaging it.
Our waitress was curt from the start. After dinner, we asked for the check. One member of our party stepped away to use the restroom. At 6:55 PM — well short of two hours — we were told they “needed the table.” We said we’d leave as soon as our guest returned.
Five minutes later, with our friend still waiting in a restroom line, the manager arrived to inform us we had exceeded the two-hour limit and had to vacate the table immediately.
Our reservation was at 5:30 PM. That means 7:30 PM — not 7:00. The math isn’t complicated.
I’ve worked in restaurants. If you need a table, there’s a professional way to handle it. This wasn’t it. It was graceless, inhospitable, and unnecessary times two.
We spent over $80 per person. The dismissive treatment from both the waitress and the manager completely erased the charm of the space and the excellence of the food.
With competent hospitality, this could be a great pre-theater option. Instead, it’s a lesson in how to drive customers away. We won’t be back.
Zhique Lan
Quite and beautiful place. easy to talk.
would like to enjoy the food here again! The service here is quite annoying, but people who eat here are very polite.
… morewould like to enjoy the food here again! The service here is quite annoying, but people who eat here are very polite.
Natalia Bilash
Had dinner last night with a friend at Shalel on the Upper West Side. I was a bit apprehensive about coming here, given the reports of rude management and poor service from other reviews.
We arrived at our reserved time and were told there were no tables available. I don’t understand establishments that do that – if you have a reservation for a specified time, your table should be waiting for you, with a 15-minute grace period.
We waited for 20 minutes at the entrance of the restaurant, pretty much in the way of waiters rushing by with food for other tables, while the hostess hummed and hawed on where to seat us. Her behaviour was odd, it was as if she was either new at her job and didn’t know what to do, or she was extremely disorganized. (She should have suggested waiting at the bar with a drink on the house).
20 minutes after we arrived, we were seated at what was supposedly the “best table in the house”. I wasn’t overly impressed with the ambiance and atmosphere of Shalel – dark little alley-like corners to look like mini caves, with little / no light and dangerous uneven flooring. They should improve the lighting situation so no one falls.
Our table was near a small waterfall-like pond filled with flower petals. We had a hard time reading what was on the menu, even with our iPhone light, it was hard to see.
We had a very friendly waiter and this improved our mood. The food is ok – I would not really describe it as Mediterranean, it’s more like Turkish or Moroccan. We shared 2 appetizers: artichoke fritters and dates wrapped in bacon – both were amazing! Our entrees were less exciting and we couldn’t really see what we were eating – meat which covered a pile of rice with a spicy sauce. Mediocre at best.
I would not return. The cave like dark atmosphere really made me uncomfortable, mostly because we were underground. Above us was an apartment building. It felt claustrophobic.
… moreWe arrived at our reserved time and were told there were no tables available. I don’t understand establishments that do that – if you have a reservation for a specified time, your table should be waiting for you, with a 15-minute grace period.
We waited for 20 minutes at the entrance of the restaurant, pretty much in the way of waiters rushing by with food for other tables, while the hostess hummed and hawed on where to seat us. Her behaviour was odd, it was as if she was either new at her job and didn’t know what to do, or she was extremely disorganized. (She should have suggested waiting at the bar with a drink on the house).
20 minutes after we arrived, we were seated at what was supposedly the “best table in the house”. I wasn’t overly impressed with the ambiance and atmosphere of Shalel – dark little alley-like corners to look like mini caves, with little / no light and dangerous uneven flooring. They should improve the lighting situation so no one falls.
Our table was near a small waterfall-like pond filled with flower petals. We had a hard time reading what was on the menu, even with our iPhone light, it was hard to see.
We had a very friendly waiter and this improved our mood. The food is ok – I would not really describe it as Mediterranean, it’s more like Turkish or Moroccan. We shared 2 appetizers: artichoke fritters and dates wrapped in bacon – both were amazing! Our entrees were less exciting and we couldn’t really see what we were eating – meat which covered a pile of rice with a spicy sauce. Mediocre at best.
I would not return. The cave like dark atmosphere really made me uncomfortable, mostly because we were underground. Above us was an apartment building. It felt claustrophobic.
Toby Hall
Shalel is perhaps the only place in the neighborhood that I would actually call a “hidden gem.” The ambiance makes you immediately feel like you’ve escaped from NYC and entered a hidden grotto. Incredible food, excellent inventive cocktails, and attentive staff who go above and beyond. Toby and Megan took excellent care of us, and our usual bartender, Andrew, has always made us feel right at home. I can’t recommend this place more, especially for an intimate date night.
… moreJessica L. Rollén
I was nervous from the photos that the ambiance here would not be good, like it would feel dirty or dank something – but I was pleased to find that it was actually super beautiful and romantic. The atmosphere surpassed my expectations in person. I think the photos do a poor job of capturing the low light ambiance. Shalel was both romantic and cool – the perfect date spot. The food wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but they had some solid dishes and plenty of variety on the menu. The cocktails were actually fantastic, and pleasantly the non-alcoholic cocktails were also interesting and well-done, which I find is rare. Several vegetarian options and a few vegan options.
… moreAlexa Moses
We had the best Friday evening at Shalel. My best friend and I went and sat at the bar, and got the most wonderful service from the very cute bartender, Andrew Robert Faria. The food was delightful- everything was prepared with the most delicate seasonings! The service, ambiance and vibe of the whole place is cozy, sophisticated and a must try. Thank you Andrew and shoutout to his partner in crime Austin as well! Austin is only 1 day in and is crushing it on the job :).
… moreMcallister Stowell
Had a wonderful date night!
The food was outstanding (with the one exception being that the mushroom risotto needed some salt). Special standouts: the spanakopites, the lamb cigars, and THE BAKLAVA WOW!!
The atmosphere was wonderfully romantic as well. Gorgeous and moody interior with an… interesting musical ambiance.
Our server Dan welcomed us and guided us well through some menu questions. He and the bartender had friendly vibes whenever they checked on us, which they did the perfect amount!
… moreThe food was outstanding (with the one exception being that the mushroom risotto needed some salt). Special standouts: the spanakopites, the lamb cigars, and THE BAKLAVA WOW!!
The atmosphere was wonderfully romantic as well. Gorgeous and moody interior with an… interesting musical ambiance.
Our server Dan welcomed us and guided us well through some menu questions. He and the bartender had friendly vibes whenever they checked on us, which they did the perfect amount!
Milad Toliyati
This place has the coolest vibe ever. It’s like entering a cave or a Moroccan festive tent. The food was good. The vibe is def worth it.
… more