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Zyara Restaurant
$$$ · Middle Eastern

25-53 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Middle Eastern in Astoria

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Zyara Restaurant 8.4
Astoria (North)-Ditmars-Steinway
Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Family Friendly Favorites Trendy Table Hotspots Quick Bites Champions
A modern Middle Eastern dining room that hits hardest in shawarma-and-grill comfort with bright pickles, sauces, and fresh-baked breads. The most reliable move is to build the table around one laffa-style wrap and one mixed-grill plate, then let the salads do the balancing. It’s built for repeat orders, not menu wandering.
Must-Try Dishes: Chicken laffa shawarma, Mixed grill platter, Kunafa
Scores:
Value: 8 Service: 8.1 Consistency: 8.6 Food Quality: 8.8 Atmosphere: 7.2 Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: High-output shawarma and grill plates anchored by house pickles and sauces.
Who should go: Friends splitting platters and wraps
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for smoother pacing
What to order: Chicken laffa, mixed grill, kunafa
Insider tip: Add one salad sampler, then stop—don’t over-order mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Steinway Street; can be tight after 6pm, easier earlier or a block or two off the main strip.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and sneakers are fine, but the room skews polished.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — you can talk without shouting, but it’s not hushed.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — strong options like falafel, salads, dips, and vegetable sides.
Vegan options: Yes — falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, salads, and pickles work well if you skip dairy sauces.
Gluten-free options: Limited — grilled meats and salads are doable, but breads and cross-contact are hard to avoid.
Best For
Better for: Modern shawarma wraps, mixed grills, and bright, pickle-driven balance in a cleaner, more contemporary room.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, drawn-out dinner or a fully gluten-free experience — simpler grills or calmer dining rooms may suit better.