# Au Za'atar > Au Za'atar is an Arabian French bistro in Alphabet City, New York, rooted in family recipes from Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco. The restaurant is best known as the home of the original tableside shawarma, a signature experience that keeps guests coming back. The menu spans mezze, hearty meat platters, and indulgent desserts, with organic wine available to pair alongside. The space suits a wide range of occasions, from romantic date nights to lively group celebrations. With a warm cultural atmosphere and two New York locations, Au Za'atar has earned a devoted following in the city. ## Key facts - **URL**: https://frankiapp.com/business/au-za-atar-12275 - **Type**: Restaurants - **Cuisine**: Middle Eastern - **Location**: New York, NY - **Address**: 188 Avenue A (at 12th St), New York, NY 10009, US - **Phone**: 12122545660 - **Website**: https://auzaatar.com - **Coordinates**: 40.729092, -73.981363 - **Claimed**: claimed - **Vibes**: Cultural ## About Au Za'atar is an Arabian French bistro in Alphabet City, New York, rooted in family recipes from Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco. The restaurant is best known as the home of the original tableside shawarma, a signature experience that keeps guests coming back. The menu spans mezze, hearty meat platters, and indulgent desserts, with organic wine available to pair alongside. The space suits a wide range of occasions, from romantic date nights to lively group celebrations. With a warm cultural atmosphere and two New York locations, Au Za'atar has earned a devoted following in the city. ## Highlights - **Original tableside shawarma** — Au Za'atar is the home of NYC's original tableside shawarma experience. - **Family recipe mezze** — Mezze draws from Lebanese, Tunisian, and Moroccan family traditions. - **Organic wine selection** — A curated list of organic wines pairs beautifully with the Middle Eastern menu. - **Cultural bistro atmosphere** — The warm, culturally rich setting suits date nights and group celebrations alike. ## FAQ ### Where is Au Za'atar located? Au Za'atar's East Village location is at 188 Avenue A at 12th Street, New York, NY 10009. There is also a second location in Midtown East. ### What type of food does Au Za'atar serve? Au Za'atar is an Arabian French bistro with a menu rooted in family recipes from Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco. You can expect a spread of mezze, meat platters, and satisfying desserts, all prepared with Middle Eastern culinary traditions at the core. Organic wines are available to round out the meal. ### What is Au Za'atar best known for? Au Za'atar is the home of the original tableside shawarma in New York City, and it has become one of the restaurant's most talked-about experiences among diners. Guests also rave about the mezze selection and desserts like baklava and lava cake. ### What is Franki? Franki is a restaurant discovery app that helps you find great places to eat through real video reviews from actual diners. You can browse reviews, photos, and videos of Au Za'atar on Franki, and earn cash back when you dine there. Download Franki on the App Store or Google Play to start exploring. ### Is Au Za'atar good for groups and special occasions? Yes, Au Za'atar is well suited for group hangouts, family dinners, date nights, and celebrations. Reviewers specifically praise it as a great spot for large groups and milestone occasions. ### Does Au Za'atar take reservations? Yes, you can reserve a table online at auzaatar.com for both the East Village and Midtown East locations. Walk-ins are also welcome when tables are available. ### Can I order online from Au Za'atar? Yes, online ordering for delivery, pick-up, and catering is available through auzaatar.com. ### How can I contact Au Za'atar? You can reach Au Za'atar by phone at (212) 254-5660 or explore menus, reserve a table, and place orders at auzaatar.com. ## Reviews ### allie_eats_ — 5.0/5 · May 4, 2021 The tableside shawarma at Au Za’Atar is my entire personality trait at this point #nyc #auzaatar #hummus #mezze #shawarma ### priyas_plates — 5.0/5 · May 15, 2023 au zaatar is located in the east village and has delicious middle eastern food. We got some mezze but if i go next time would try their au zaatar meat platter as it looked very interesting and cool. The baklava and lava cake were excellent desserts as well ### schnazzyeats — 5.0/5 · Jul 15, 2023 Great middle eastern food ### user_bb18e0 — 5.0/5 · Nov 28, 2025 Great for large groups & celebrating ### food_lover_1998 — 5.0/5 · Feb 11, 2026 We came here for dinner. My boyfriend and were exploring the East Village and wanted something different so we spotted Au Za'atar and went in. We didn't make reservations but luckily we got a table right away. Started with the SAMBOUSIK LAHME as appetizer (beef-filled pastry pockets with pine nuts) and it was delicious. Then we shared the Mixed Grill Platter Supreme (Shish Tawook, Filet Mignon, Chicken & Beef Kafta kebabs with hand-cut frites). It's big enough for two and full of flavor. ## Nearby - [Kong Sihk Tong 港食堂](https://frankiapp.com/business/kong-sihk-tong-30160) — American · $$$$ - 65 Bayard St (btwn Mott & Elizabeth Sts), New York, NY 10013, US - [Han Bat](https://frankiapp.com/business/han-bat-28740) — Korean - 53 W 35th St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave.), New York, NY 10001, US - [Levain Bakery](https://frankiapp.com/business/levain-bakery-26932) — Comfort Food · $$$$ - 340 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, US - [HEYTEA](https://frankiapp.com/business/heytea-99019) — Bubble Tea Shop · $$$$ - 1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, US - [Katz's Delicatessen](https://frankiapp.com/business/katz-s-delicatessen-8425) — Sandwich Spot - 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, US - [Prince Street Pizza](https://frankiapp.com/business/prince-street-pizza-30384) — American · $$$$ - 27 Prince St (btwn Mott & Elizabeth St), New York, NY 10012, US - [Grace Street Coffee & Desserts](https://frankiapp.com/business/grace-street-coffee-desserts-604) — Dessert Shop · $$$$ - 17 W 32nd St, , New York, NY 10001, US - [Xing Fu Tang 幸福堂](https://frankiapp.com/business/xing-fu-tang-26830) — Comfort Food · $$$$ - 133 2nd Ave (btwn St. Marks Pl & E 9th St), New York, NY 10003, US --- View full profile, photos, videos, and reviews on Franki: https://frankiapp.com/business/au-za-atar-12275