
Tanoreen
A beloved Bay Ridge institution serving refined Palestinian cuisine with inventive takes on homestyle meals in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. [^M1, ^M2...

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Must-see attractions
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Tanoreen

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Bay Ridge institution serving refined Palestinian cuisine with inventive takes on homestyle meals in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. [^M1, ^M2, ^M5]
"This place is AMAZING!! The most authentic amazing food ever! SOOOOOO worth the trip! "
Reserve Your Table
This popular spot fills up quickly; advance reservations are highly recommended.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss iconic dishes like the fried cauliflower, lamb shanks, or freekeh bel lahmeh.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Middle Eastern, Palestinian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Palestinian Flavors
Experience refined Palestinian cuisine by chef-owner Rawia Bishara, with inventive takes on homestyle meals. [^M1, ^M2, ^M5, ^M10]

Must-Try Knafeh Dessert
Indulge in the famous, gooey, cheesy Knafeh, hailed as the best dessert in NYC.

Cozy Atmosphere & Warm Service
Enjoy a welcoming and cozy atmosphere with attentive, friendly staff, making it a neighborhood gem. [^M2, ^R3, ^R4, ^R7]
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve Your Table
This popular spot fills up quickly; advance reservations are highly recommended.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss iconic dishes like the fried cauliflower, lamb shanks, or freekeh bel lahmeh.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff are happy to guide you to hidden gems and personal favorites on the extensive menu.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting outside of busy weekend times.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve Your Table
This popular spot fills up quickly; advance reservations are highly recommended.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss iconic dishes like the fried cauliflower, lamb shanks, or freekeh bel lahmeh.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff are happy to guide you to hidden gems and personal favorites on the extensive menu.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting outside of busy weekend times.
Check Your Bill
One reviewer noted an unexpected charge for a drink that wasn't ordered.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tanoreen is lauded for its authentic and generous portions of Palestinian and Middle Eastern cuisine, with many highlighting the cozy atmosphere and warm service. However, some recent reviews suggest a dip in food quality, and one diner noted an issue with their bill and an extra charge for card payment.
"Just went for restaurant week and it was great! The food was delicious and plentiful. Loved the fried cauliflower. It was tender in the inside and crispy on the outside. The sauce was also very flavorful and creamy. I ordered the lamb shanks was tender and paired very well with the yogurt dip. Finished it off with the infamous kunefeh. Very cheesy, hearty and super filling. Ate a bit but had to take most of it home. Very large portions. Thumbs 👍"
jen k
"Food was great. It was definitely something new for me. We tried many different dishes and even the dessert. Make sure to check your bill, they charged us an alcoholic drink when we didn’t even order it."
Raymond Wong
"This probably is my favorite restaurant of all time anywhere it is absolutely top-notch Arabic food and every dish tastes as good or better than my grandmother would make it and that’s about the highest compliment I can give….. super fresh super healthy. Every dish is a masterpiece."
Rich Zakka
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't miss dishes like the fried cauliflower with pomegranate molasses, the lamb shank, freekeh bel lahmeh, and the famous Knafeh dessert.
Tanoreen is a popular spot, especially on weekends. It's recommended to make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a table.
Yes, Tanoreen offers vegetarian and vegan options. Look for the 'VS' and 'VG' notations on the menu.
Yes, Tanoreen is great for groups and families, with large portions meant for sharing. [^M6, ^R8]
Knafeh is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with cheese, layered with crispy dough, and soaked in sweet syrup. Tanoreen's version is highly praised.
One reviewer mentioned being charged an extra fee for paying by card. It's advisable to clarify payment methods and potential charges.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Brooklyn’s 50 Best Restaurants
This is the restaurant that put Bay Ridge on the foodie map when it first opened in 1998, and chef-owner Rawia Bishara’s refined Palestinian dishes—a tribute to her rich Middle Eastern heritage—continue to draw crowds and accolades. Vaulted ceilings and a glass-enclosed atrium are a refined backdrop for the inventive interpretations of homestyle meals. Don’t miss dishes like the cauliflower with tangy pomegranate molasses, the delectable eggplant napoleon, and anything made with lamb (but especially the freekeh bel lahmeh, a type of ancient grain prepared with perfectly seasoned lamb).
50 Best Restaurants in Brooklyn: All the Classics to New Favorites
This Bay Ridge Middle Eastern stalwart is a classic for a reason, chef Rawia Bashara’s cooking helped the restaurant earn James Beard nominations, and after over 20 years in business, Rawia is now a published cookbook author as well. The warm and laid-back interiors make it a neighborhood favorite, but the food (with influences from Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon) is what truly makes Tanoreen a destination. Sample everything from the Kibbe to the Mushakan to the Fetti, and make sure to end your meal with the famous Knafeh for dessert.
The Best Middle Eastern Restaurants In New York City
Restaurant, Bar, Middle Eastern, $ Opened in 1998 by Chef and owner Rawia Bishara, Tanoreen showcases the Middle Eastern home-cooking Rawia ate growing up, with not-so-subtle nods to more modern inspirations. A success from the outset, the restaurant is regularly frequented by locals and tourists from across the city. On the menu, the sayadiyya, or the ‘fisherman’s meal’ is a firm favorite, rice sautéed with shredded Tilapia, caramelized onion, toasted almonds and tanoreen spices, topped with the fillet of the fish of the day.
12 best Middle Eastern food in NYC, from Lebanese restaurants to meze and grills
Palestinian-born Rawia Bishara, who runs the restaurant with her daughter Jumana, walks the dining room nightly, a maternal hostess generously handing out hugs, handshakes and big party platters lavishly garnished in tomatoes, parsley and za’atar dust. Her cooking—Middle Eastern soul food, you might call it—is inspired by traditional techniques. While many dishes are just as her mother made them, plenty of others chart their own course.
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Around since 1998, Tanoreen is a New York City staple, serving shareable portions of Palestinian and Middle Eastern food best enjoyed with a group. The baba ganoush is lemony, the fetti with sumac-spiced lamb gets some crunch from almonds and fried pita, and the gooey knafeh is worth every bit of its 20-minute wait. Bring the whole family to this Bay Ridge spot, and enjoy a casual meal at a big round table under a glowing chandelier.
The Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in New York City
Designation: Bib GourmandWhat Our Inspectors Say: "Appetizers are numerous (grape leaves are a lively sure thing), but don't miss the mansaf, a homey dish consisting of braised lamb doused in creamy yogurt and served over a mound of fluffy rice. Like so many of the other dishes, it's massive, so come hungry or armed with friends.
Where to Eat Middle Eastern Food in New York City Right Now
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Rawia Bishara’s restaurant, Tanoreen, her ode to all foods Palestinian and, more generally, Middle Eastern. In that time, she’s made Bay Ridge a destination for people seeking her delicious (and extremely affordable) takes on staples of the Palestinian diet, like musukhan flatbread served with sumac-dusted chicken and shulbato, a Bulgar wheat pilaf mixed with tomato sauce, chickpeas, and vegetables. But don’t sleep on Bishara’s more modern-minded dishes like the cauliflower steak with tahini and pomegranate or the mashi, which features baby squash and eggplants stuffed with rice and lamb in a fresh tomato sauce.
The Best Restaurants In Brooklyn Unlike Anything I Had Before
You can try Tanoreen – they have the best food in Brooklyn, and you can taste Mediterranean, Palestinian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. The mother-daughter chef duo put their heart and soul into every recipe, which is why it felt like I was eating something my grandma would make in her small and warm kitchen. The dishes that I am talking about are falafel, Mediterranean eggplant, shepherd’s pie, and knafeh (which is probably my favorite dessert from now on).
30+ Greatest & Best Restaurants in Brooklyn (Foodie’s Guide)
Bay Ridge is a great Brooklyn neighborhood and I always find myself wanting to spend more time over there. I also always find myself eating at Tanoreen every time I’m close by and for good reason since it tops the list of where to eat in Brooklyn especially if you’re looking for exceptional Middle Eastern fare. Tanoreen is run by a Palestinian-American mother-daughter team and serves a range of dishes from Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.
9 Best Restaurants in Brooklyn
At this Bay Ridge mainstay, chef Rawia Bishara blends the cuisine of her native Palestine with a healthy dose of Lebanese. One of the best Middle Eastern eateries in all of New York, Tanoreen serves up excellent creamy hummus; Brussels sprouts sprinkled with pomegranate seeds, garlic and tahini; and tender grilled meats, among many other delights. 7523 3rd Avenue, Bay Ridge.
23 Best Middle Eastern restaurants in New York City
Tanoreen is a highly-rated Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn, known for its halal offerings and excellent service. A group of six girlfriends visited Tanoreen for lunch, securing a 12:00 PM reservation and being promptly seated. The waitstaff proved to be knowledgeable and helpful, answering questions and explaining various dishes.
10 Best Buffet Restaurants In Brooklyn, New York
This restaurant ranks high in the places I would recommend you to have your buffet in Brooklyn. The foods prove a must-have, and the buffet here consists of a variety of tasty middle-eastern cuisine. The Mediterranean aromas will keep you locked in every dish you serve, and I tell you, this place proves addictive.
18 Best Mediterranean Restaurants In NYC, According To A Local
This exquisite eatery is at the top of the Middle Eastern food scene in NYC, and for good reason. The bright, open dining room begs guests to stay and sample mezze and artisanal drinks before indulging in a spicy, zesty, and lively main course. Dishes here are affordable but never skimp on quality.
Best Middle Eastern in Brooklyn
Tanoreen 7523 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (718) 748-5600 – tanoreen.com. Tanoreen in Brooklyn is a Middle Eastern restaurant that leaves a lasting impression on all those who visit. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, the restaurant creates a sense of home and comfort that is reflected in its dishes.
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Tanoreen is a Middle Eastern restaurant with a warm and deliciously decorated atmosphere. Owned by Rawia Bishara, it serves traditional dishes with a unique twist. The restaurant has a cult following for its great food, warm ambiance, and generous portions of Mediterranean-Middle Eastern cuisine.
Where to Eat in Brooklyn
Chef and owner Rawia Bishara exalts the flavors of her native Nazareth at this Bay Ridge Middle Eastern destination. Don't miss her baked Mediterranean eggplant or the knafeh dessert—sweet, stretchy cheese encased in crunchy shredded fillo dough and soaked in orange blossom water.
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A mother-daughter team welcomes you home to their lively neighborhood spot where Arabic music, clinking glasses, and platters of mezze (stuffed grape leaves, Armenian sausage, fattoush) swirls around in one cacaphonous family reunion. 7523 3rd Ave.Brooklyn, NY 11209+1-718-748-5600
Garfield Realty » 10 Fantastic Women-Run Restaurants in Brooklyn
James Beard Award nominated Chef Rawia Bishara is the founder of one of the most beloved Middle Eastern restaurants in all of New York. Born and raised in Nazareth, Rawia moved to New York in 1974. She established Tanoreen in 1998, and it became a global foodie destination.
Best Places to Eat in New York City 2023
It might not look like it from the outside, but Tanoreen has long been considered one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in New York City. Don't even think about the long trek (it's about an hour-long subway ride from lower Manhattan) — just go. You'll thank me later.
Best Of 12 Shawarma In Bay Ridge Nyc
Tanoreen: While not exclusively a shawarma spot, Tanoreen's shawarma is a must-try. This upscale restaurant elevates the dish with high-quality ingredients and a sophisticated presentation. Their chicken shawarma is particularly noteworthy.
21 of the Best Cheap Eats in NYC
Eat enough Middle Eastern appetizers and you don't need to spring for a main dish. At Tanoreen, you can have your fill of tasty and cheap dishes such as eggplant with tomato and basil for $16 or grape leaves stuffed with lamb for $14.
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Palestinian and Middle Eastern cooking takes center stage at Tanoreen, where recipes have been passed down through a mother-daughter team since 1998. The dishes are generous, the flavors bold, and the kitchen never cuts corners.
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Tanoreen is arguably the most famous restaurant in Bay Ridge, and the best Palestinian place we know of. In business since 1998, the owners have also published several highly regarded cookbooks.
Best of New York | Best Middle Eastern Food in New York in New York
The garlic-heavy dishes of Tanoreen render any preconceived notions of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean food inert, giving the menu it's own distinctive—and delicious—tint.
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This popular Middle Eastern, phyllo pastry dessert is a family recipe of chef and owner Rawia Bishara that she learned from her mother.
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Unlike a lot of the old foodie meccas, Tanoreen still has it — in fact, it's even better, and worth a trip to distant Bay Ridge.


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