Shaya

All around super friendly staff. The spreads were delicious

Where do I begin? I love this place. From our amiable hostess, to the manager checking in on us, to our wonderful server, everything was a 10 out of 10. Make a reservation though because when this place opens it fills right up. It’s no wonder. Everything is delicious. It’s fresh, original, and so full of flavor! There were so many things I wanted to try. I can’t wait to come back. Thank you for the support that was given to me and my travelers. We appreciate the help. We are grateful for the terrific service. The food was ambrosia! And the Ghost Whisperer cocktail was like a hug and a kiss and a spank all at once. 😘. I want another one. The Lamb Kofte Kebab is perfect when you don’t know what to get. You can trust what Ryan recommends. He knows!! And you should always get the ikra with caviar. Just saying.

+6

Food is absolutely delicious. Warm fresh baked pitas, hummus dip ... and I dream about the halloumi with kumquat marmalade.

+1

Shaya is exceptional and a real treasure. Everything was prepared gluten free upon request (minus the pita bread, though they offered a plate of fresh crudités as a substitute). Our happy hour order came out almost immediately (wine by the glass and an order of lamb hummus), and everything else came out timely and fresh. Waitress was on point and extremely knowledgeable, also took our order by memory. The braised lamb and warm pita were my husbands favorite and I would order everything again, noting the roasted beets, lamb hummus and chocolate mousse. We agreed that everything on the menu is probably fantastic, highly recommend!

+3

The food was absolutely incredible—I can't recommend it enough! Everything was so fresh and flavorful. Our waiter was incredibly accommodating with nut allergies and very knowledgeable about the menu. The cauliflower hummus was a standout, and the halloumi cheese tasted like dessert—in the best way! The small plates are perfect for sharing and make for a great Israeli-style tapas experience. Run, don’t walk, to this place!

Absolutely phenomenal food options and cocktail are dying for. We celebrated our anniversary dinner and it was best decision for our Nola vacation. Many vegetarian options.Peaceful and aesthetic vibe

6 of my friends and I traveled from out of state to NOLA for new years. One friend of mine has celiac disease meaning she cannot eat gluten. Our server Amber took it upon herself to go over the entire menu with her and crossed out things she cannot have. This simple act of kindness spoke VOLUMES at our table and truly touched my gluten free bestie. Amber is an incredible server and the food at Shaya is awesome as well. Thank you Amber!!!

Is it sacrilege to claim that the best food I had in New Orleans was at an Israeli place? Well, it's true. We went to the amazing cajun/creole places too, but this was the one that stood out. It's the kind of place where you want to get several different things and share, which is good because you'll want to eat it all. The service was great, the cocktails were innovative and tasty, but THE FOOD... The food was at a level of deliciousness that's hard to explain. Everything I put in my mouth was just remarkably delicious. Go there. Get one of everything. Seriously.

+4

The food was so good, I cried. Not an exaggeration. I had the Baby Ganoush, Lamb Hummus, and Crispy Halloumi. The food was accompanied with free fresh pita. It might not seem like a lot, only 3 dishes right? I was so full by the time I left that I wish I had only gotten two items. My favorite out of the 3 dishes was the Lamb Hummus. The hummus was smooth and the lamb added an amazing flavor that tears came to my eyes. I didn't like the Crispy Halloumi as much as I thought I would. I think the apricot flavor was a little overpowering and the cheese couldn't shine alongside it. Another thing that made my experience unique is that it was also happy hour when I dined in so the hummus was HALF off. So mind-blowing that something so delicious could be affordable. From $18 to only $9 to experience a piece of heaven! I feel like I've got to go here every time I'm in New Orleans now to try all the other menu items. The service was amazing, the waitress attending me was very kind and had great recommendations. If I wasn't driving, I would've loved to have tried a cocktail.

+3

Read other reviews before coming and they weren’t joking!! Everything was so good. The pita bread was just so delicious and they were super generous ❤️ even gave us one more to go. would be best to come with 3-4 people so you can order more food to share.

Excellent!! Feel great after eating. Food temperature was HOT and excellent! Very friendly service and we would eat here again !

A former Sous Chef at Shaya told us about the fantastic quality of the food at the restaurant at 4313 Magazine St. In the area of the Garden District in New Orleans. He was our Uber driver but his enthusiasm was so uplifting that my family had to eat at Shaya before we left and returned to Arizona. My son had visited Israel a few years ago and told of outstanding hummus. I really didn’t like hummus all that much in the supermarkets but I was willing to be open-minded so maybe I would finally know what the best hummus should taste like. Glad I tried fried chicken hummus and mushroom hummus. Both were incredible and even better with the wood-fired pita, hot and soft to scoop the hummus and chicken or mushrooms. For the Saladin choices on the menu, we chose Baba Ganoush and Shaya supplied enough of the creamy eggplant to feed three of us. We had chosen to eat inside at a comfortable table, and although some say Shaya can be a bit loud, we found the noise level not very distracting. Shaya also has an area outside. The wine and drink selections are varied and high quality. My wife chose Red Blend after she sampled three or four wines until she found the one that would complement her meal the best. I chose Gargenega and was quite satisfied. Kimberly, our server, was extremely accommodating because she wanted me too to have the best choice for wine. My wife and son were sharing everything but the wine. This is the best way to enjoy Shaya by ordering several plates or bowls of humus, Saladin, small plates, and large plates if you still have room left. The small plates were next and we were ready for Sujuk Flatbread and Lamb Kotke Kebab. Kimberly did not rush us through our meal though the table was only so big for all the plates. A couple of times, the staff attempted to pull off the table the nearly empty hummus bowls but my family was into the fine art of cleaning the bowls and so the staff couldn’t remove anything. After three rounds of pita, we were ready for dessert and chose with a lot of help, the Ghazel Banat. The dessert was very different from anything I’ve ever had. The ice cream was excellent, but I would have wanted more ice cream because all three of us shared. Then it was time to leave and walk to St. Louis Street and pick up the cable car and then do an hour of exercise.

+3

I really wanted to try this restaurant when someone posted in the review "Memorable Meal". That is saying a lot. I totally recommend the mushroom hummus, and now want to try to duplicate on my own at home. Yummy fresh aromatic meals, had the lamb kabob and chicken thigh and leg and the tziki was yum! Service was top notch!

+2

Visited Shaya with a party of 9 and we were not disappointed. Our server was friendly and provided recommendations and answered questions about the menu. The bread was freshly baked and tasted delicious. By the time the entree arrived, we were almost full All in all a good experience.

Surprisingly, a fusion that really works is Israeli and Southern food at Shaya. Located along Magazine Street, it's a small restaurant with inviting staff. Booking a reservation on a Monday at noon, our party of four walked in and were served in no time. To feed myself, wife, mother-in-law, and seven-year-old daughter, we ordered the fried chicken hummus, mushroom hummus, pide, and three dips (labneh, beets, and moussaka). We were literally full from noon to the next morning. The pita bread comes out hot unlimited and it's filling! Literally, every dish was great, but I found the sweetness of the date salsa verde and the savory of the aleppo pepper worked well on the fried chicken hummus. (The hummus is so smooth!) My wife and mother-in-law loved the mushroom hummus best. Don't sleep on the drinks. The pomegranate lemon soda was refreshing, Lebanese iced tea sweet, and the mint tea comes with a pitcher of more. If you love good food, go here!

+1

First time eating with Shaya. It was absolutely amazing! Every single item we ordered was cooked, seasoned and portioned perfectly. Very rare for me to have a restaurant that is almost flawless. Pita made to order was a plus!! And they are really soft!

+2

I’m from New Orleans, but live away now. Whenever we are there for a visit, this is where we want to go. The fried chicken hummus, the fresh made bread, the ikra, the smoked labne, and the muhammara are delectable! I crave for the fried chicken hummus on a regular basis. And who can resist the fresh pita made in the oven out in the open. We love this restaurant! When you visit New Orleans, you can have creole and cajun food a hundred different ways, but this restaurant is a true gem! Oh and don’t forget a refreshing cocktail or mocktail!

Fantastic dining experience! We went twice during our last visit to NOLA. The hummus really is standout - we got the fried chicken hummus and the mushroom. Both were fantastic. The cocktail we got was also great. But the best thing about Shaya was 100% the fresh pita they kept bringing over. So fluffy and delicious. 🤤

We came here for dinner with two other couples on a Thursday night in mid December. I had heard good reviews and was super excited to try Shaya. We were seated immediately upon arrival and placed an emergency hummus order along with our cocktails. The service throughout the meal was excellent and we loved every dish that we tried. We ordered family style and had the Salatim, lamb hummus, wild mushroom hummus, Israeli salad, brussels sprouts, crispy halloumi, slow-cooked lamb shank, chicken leg & thigh and hanger steak. Everything was truly 10/10. The complimentary bread service is so so good and the chicken leg and thigh is cooked akin to duck confit. I would be hard pressed to choose my favorite dish but the mushroom hummus is up there. If I lived in New Orleans this would certainly be a go to favorite.

+5

Great atmosphere for a date, bday dinner, girls night, etc! Amazing food and spectacular service. Also got to try a Greek wine which I had never had before but it was so good. The fresh pita is perfect and they continuously bring you more throughout your meal. The chicken and fish entrees were both cooked perfectly and had tons of flavor. I also really loved the passionfruit sorbet for dessert! The back seating area is cute for photos and would be great for happy hour when the weather is nice.

+4

Wonderful place to eat. The wait staff was very knowledgeable Gluten-free options and what to avoid and recommended substitutions where suitable. Super friendly. The food was amazing, the best hummus I've ever had. The salmon over aromatic rice and shrimp kabobs were also very delicious. The place was a little load but classy casual.

Simple and cozy ambience! The food was very well presented and tasted great. The flavors were very authentic. They have a huge range of hummus options. Highlight is the fresh baked pita bread that is served hot. Special shout out to our waitress Alexis, she is very sweet and attentive. Overall a fantastic experience! Must visit place for anyone who is visiting New Orleans.

+5

I read about this place and it was our first meal on this visit to New Orleans. What a start to a trip! Amazing lunch. I would suggest making a reservation as it was full when we dined on a Friday. We sat at the bar and the bartender was great, tasty drinks (the Tavi Spritz is my new favorite drink) and good advice on food. We started with the half order of fried chicken hummus. Creamy hummus topped with chucks of fried chicken and amazing salsa verde. So good! The fresh pita and olive oil and spices served with it were perfect. I loved the crispy halloumi. Crispy and hot drizzled with honey and on the best citrus and nut base. Every bite was a flavor bomb. ❤️ The lamb kofta had nice char and flavor , served on some spicy spread with tomatoes and yogurt to cool it off. The sujuk pide is big. A thin bread wrapped around tender meat and cheese with tomatoes on top. Filling but so good! We didn’t have room for dessert because we enjoyed the lunch so much. I would definitely go back and try more. And more crispy halloumi!

This was one of my favorite meals in memory. The hummus was a creamy cloud paired with amazing hot pita. Pooled in the center was a lamb ragu I have tried to duplicate many times. The cheesecake was next level good.

+6

My first visit here, was really impressed with the ambience, it was very calm and mellow, we sat outside and it was very refreshing. The food was REALLY good, very authentic My favorite was the bread and the mushroom humus with the tender lamb. I don't remember what the drinks were but it was really delicious and lively 😋 😍. We sat outside and the sun was setting, so I think we got the best seats that evening. 😊

+3

Amazing Israeli food in a posh upbeat setting. Everything on the menu was delicious and the service was wonderful! There are so many things on the menu, and even the smaller plates are a lot of food. I made the great decision of ordering as much as possible. My favorites are the lamb hummus and the smoked labneh. You can’t go wrong with any of the options. Also, their cocktail game is strong! Don’t sleep on it.

I had an amazing dining experience! The food was absolutely delicious and prepared with great care. I highly recommend trying the hummus – it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making the experience even more enjoyable. What truly stood out for me, though, was the exceptional service provided by Neil and Brooke at the bar. They are incredibly professional and made me feel so welcome. This is definitely a place I’ll be coming back to!

Great atmosphere!!! We love the hibiscus mango tea. The bread with hummus was the best.

Truthfully one of the best meals that my wife and I have ever experienced in our time together. We went for her birthday and the food was outstanding!! Our sever was amazing and gave us great recommendations. Every bite we took was better than the next. True standouts was the bread service and hummus with lamb ragu and hummus with fried chicken. Dessert was also fabulous! All around an amazing dining experience and whenever we return to New Orleans we will certainly be going again!

+5

We truly enjoyed the food. The hummus fried chicken, the halloumi, the lamb all delicious. The cheesecake had a welcome spin to is flavor and texture. The place is decorated tastefully.

After seeing this place on Somebody Feeds Phil, we tried it during a trip to NOLA. Everything was so delicious! Please open up a location in NYC/LI!!!! I am craving that pita and fried chicken hummus!

This place was highly recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. The ambience and customer service were superb. Our waitress was Amanda and she was so friendly and patient. The food was flavorful...even my picky son loved his meal. This is definitely a must if you're ever in the area.

+1

Our waiter Malcolm was in it! Welcoming and informative, always making sure we are not running out of the delicious freshly-made pita bread. The appetizer platter of Baba Ganoush, Moussaka and Mohammara was to die for and the Fried Chicken Hummis and Lamb Kefta Kebab were not far behind. A must visit when visiting NOLA Garden District and strolling down Magazine Street.

I came here with no expectations. Just wanted to try something different during Restaurant Week. My party, however, had high expectations since they heard good things about the food. Well, I can honestly say I was very impressed! The food was top level, as was the service. Both the Tahini Hummus and the Fried Chicken Hummus are worth coming here! Served with hot and fresh pitas. The taste of our Demi Fattoush salads was exquisite. I had the Lamb Shoulder. It was very tender and delicious. My wife had the Shakshuka, which had a crazy good sauce with whole tomatoes that burst in your mouth full of flavor. I loved my Chocolate Tahini Mousse! Glad we came here.

+5

Back again after 7 years and I’m happy to report the place and quality is almost the same but dare I say even better!? Maybe because ever since I went here in 2018 I’ve been thinking of it since. Everything I’ve eaten here is sensational. Such quality of everything. Our waitress was so fun and charismatic and helped us pick what we wanted. I will miss this place but hope to be back in another 7 years maybe?!

+2

Delicious!!! The special was octopus with hummus and it did not disappoint. Creamy hummus with perfectly tender octopus. The pita bread comes out hot, soft with a buttery taste. We had the lamb burger which had a double patty with halloumi cheese in between, fantastic!

My brother and I went here on a road trip. I do suggest making a reservation. We did and it went well. The staff, food, and atmosphere are top-notch! This is one of the best restaurants I've eaten at! I still dream about the food we ate there. The lamb ragu hummus was divine. It was full of flavor, creamy, and we savored every single bite. The crispy halloumi was fantastic with fried cheese and marmalade with nuts... out of this world great! The sujuk pide was incredible and when you got a bite with tomato it sent my taste buds fluttering. I would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat! And I highly recommend it to anyone! If you're in New Orleans you need to go here and experience this masterpiece of food for yourself. Parking is a bit challenging so leave plenty of time to park with your reservation. We parked a block and a half away on the street. My recommendation if you try this place is to get the plates/food to share so you can experience more items and try multiple things. Out of our entire road trip from Minnesota this was one of our favorite places to eat. Thank you for taking the time to read my recommendation.

+6

Shaya was outstanding! Enjoyed the fried chicken hummus and pita bread along with the cauliflower hummus. Both were excellent. Moved on to the Israeli salad. The flavors of cucumbers, tomatoes, onion and goat cheese were off the charts. So fresh and crisp. Definitely try one. We shared the Crispy Halloumi and wood fired pita with olive oil dipping sauce. Our cocktails from the bar were excellent, as was the service we received from our waitress. Thank you Shaya for a wonderful dining experience! 😊

+3

The service was impeccable, the food unique and delicious. We ordered the fried chicken hummus, the Brussels sprouts, sujuk pide, and the hangar steak. We enjoyed it all but the sujuk pide was our absolute favorite.

This has been one of the best food experiences we've ever had, if not the best. We went to Shaya because we watched an episode from the show Somebody Feed Phil. The pita bread comes directly from the brick oven, hot, soft, delicious. The satamis are just out of this world and they go perfectly with the bread. The Israeli salad is amazing with super fresh ingredients. The waitress who served us was the best! The atmosphere is relaxing and minimalistic. I wish I could have a restaurant like this on my area.

One word, yes! This is a must when you are in New Orleans. Fried chicken hummus ✅️ baba ganoush ✅️ pita ✅️ lamb shank ✅️ falafel ✅️. We would eat here frequently if we were locals. Delicious food, great service, and lovely atmosphere. We cannot recommend this place enough. Hayden was our server. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and patient as we decided what to eat. Definitely check Shaya out.

Such a fantastic place. The appetizers (Salatim) and small plates were so good we never got to the (mains) large plates. We had te babaganusg, pickles, humus with tahini and with mushrooms, the muhamara, ikra, Israeli salad, pide, and kufta. Their pitas are baked on site and served fresh out of the taboun. For dessert we had the chocolate brownie and labneh cheesecake weeks both plates were locked clean. Staff are fast and attentive, but not intrusive. The patio was very nice but the fans were a little loud and the background music read a little too quiet. This didn't take away from our overall enjoyment.

The food was delicious and the prices were fair. We enjoyed the dips and hummus, which were great choices for vegetarians. Plus, they have fresh pita breads that keep refilling, which is a plus!

+1

The food was so good. We went for happy hour and the half price wine and hummus was a great call. Really enjoyed. The Halumi and fired chicken hummus. Recommend to sit in the back courtyard Because the front room gets loud.

You’re missing out if you don’t pay this place a visit. The best hummus we have ever had, breads, marinated beet salad was so tasty, chicken thigh and rice was perfectly cooked, and don’t go past the humble pickles.

+1

This place was amazing! I would absolutely come back here again if I am ever in New Orleans. All of the servers were so attentive and friendly! The food was delicious and filling! Tried the fried chicken hummus, falafel, hallumi, and salmon with couscous! Would recommend making a reservation ahead of time as it is a very popular place!

Brought some clients here for a dinner and we had a fantastic time. The service was amazing and the food was even better. We had a little bit of everything! Every hummus was great, as were the plates we ordered. I got the hangar steak, my colleague got the lamb shank, a few of our clients got the kebabs or the shrimp, and everyone said they loved what they ate.

One of those the more the merrier spots to share the dishes. The pita bread is "that good" as are the hummus options. The Muhummara was a sweet surprise and the star surprise for me was the harissa and "Risotto" of the Bakkafrost Salmon. Oh, the knafeh cheesecake and chocolate Tahiti mousse were great endings. 5⭐️s

+6

I visited Shaya for the first time today, and I was absolutely blown away. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with such warmth and genuine hospitality that it immediately set the tone for an incredible experience. The service was truly outstanding, attentive, friendly, and perfectly timed. A special shoutout to the wonderful bartenders who recommended amazing drink options. We ultimately settled on wine and were so pleased with the recommendations. As we were visiting from California we loved learning about the restaurant, neighborhood and history of the area.They made us feel so well taken care of throughout our entire visit. Now, the food… simply phenomenal!! Every bite felt like a celebration of flavor. The chicken hummus was unbelievably smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced, comforting yet elevated. The lamb kabobs were nothing short of perfection!!!!! Tender, juicy, and bursting with seasoning that showcased true culinary mastery. Huge praise to Chef Deremy, whose talent and passion clearly shine through every dish. You can feel the care and creativity behind each plate, and it made the entire meal feel special and memorable. I truly felt like he made these dishes especially for us and appreciated that he took the time to explain how they were prepared. Between the delightful welcome, exceptional service, outstanding drinks, and an unforgettable feast, this experience exceeded every expectation. Shaya has officially earned a spot at the top of my list, and I cannot wait to return. Highly recommend to anyone looking for incredible food, amazing staff, and an overall five-star dining experience! I'd give this 10 stars if I could! Thank you Shaya for making our trip so spectacular!

+1

Dinner at Shaya sitting at the bar. Overall modern lively space with exceptional food. Started with the Muhumarra with with the fabulous pita was a treat. Next had the spiced beef pie. Which was tasty but much larger than expected. Great refreshing house spritz for my drink and a strawberry sorbet for desert. Great meal and will be back.

Shaya is an absolute must-visit in New Orleans! The wood-fired pita is life-changing—pillowy, warm, and perfect for dipping into their incredible lamb ragout hummus. We also loved the cauliflower hummus and the halloumi, which were bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. The atmosphere on Magazine Street is chic yet welcoming, making it perfect for a date night or a group dinner. Even if you aren't familiar with Israeli cuisine, the staff does a fantastic job guiding you through the menu. Pro tip: Make a reservation well in advance because this spot is rightfully popular. Easily one of the best dining experiences in NOLA!

+6

La mejor comida de oriente de nola

Exquisito lugar. El pan pita recién hecho es una delicia.

La mejor comida israelí en New Orleans muy buena atención. Nos encantó. Absolutamente recomendable !

Sabores israelíes con buen balance y gran nivel. El ambiente es acojedor y la atención muy buena. Recomiendo pedir varias cosas para compartir, especialmente el hummus con pan pita, la moussaka, el queso halloumi y el cordero.

+2

Excellent food visit after visit. Definitely try the mushroom topped hummus and the fried Halloumi. Also the chicken and Salmon were both scrumptious and definitely not ordinary. I appreciate that they always know exactly what on the menu is safe for my gluten free diet and most of the items are or can be made that way with a minimum of disruption to the original dish. One of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans!

Woah. Wowzers. Service ? 10/10 Flavors 10/10 Ambiance ? 10/10 | didn't know how badly i needed calm lighting - only led to calm loving conversations :) Highlight was definitely our lovely servers Chris and Amanda, they were so wholesome and relatable and they gave such valid recommendations, we actually only got what they said to get- def the best service you'll get in nola. !!! GET THE FRIED CHICKEN HUMMUS !!! also thanks to tony, my water stayed filled the entire time because of him and not in an intrusive way at all. what a goat with such a nice smile :) I heard there is also deal on hummus for half off between

Shaya was an exceptional experience! DELICIOUS halloumi, Brussels sprouts, and fried chicken hummus. 😋 Drink was well balanced too. 🥂 Doesn’t quite top a few other all-time faves, but lovely for a nicer night out.

Enjoyed a night with my wife for her birthday here. And we loved everything! I wish I remembered our waitress name but even the others, everyone was just personable and the food was incredible and surprisingly very prompt. Barely got through the first ordered cocktail. Absolutely 0 complaints

Shaya is one of the best spots in NOLA. The food is fresh, flavorful, and creative — especially the hummus and warm pita. The atmosphere is relaxed but still feels special, and everything on the menu hits. Definitely worth a visit.

Amazing food! The spreads/dips were all phenom, the pomegranate glazed lamb shank was divine! Very much enjoyed our meal here. And appreciated the staff squeezing us in for a late reservation, and not making us feel rushed. The decor is nice and open and light. Loved everything about the experience.

Very nice,atmosphere with casual feel. Food was excellent and good sized portions. Went there on a first date and had a great time. We talked a LOT and the servers were very attentive but not pushy and never felt rushed at all, even after we finished eating. Great experience. Will definitely be back.

The dips really stood out in our meal and next time I go I might only get appetizers. The entrees were also wonderful but any plate with the fresh pita bread is a staple. Would love to come back and try more!!

I gotta tell ya. I didn't go to New Orleans to have one of the best Middle Eastern/Israeli meals or even think there was a place like this here. However, there we were, in the Garden District, at this cute place dining on all kinds of delicacies that are neither cajun nor creole. This is not my favorite cuisine, but my friends and my wife love it, so I figured we'd go and I would find something and "eat around them" as they enjoyed their meals. We started with not one, not three, not five, but all the appetizers (called Salatim). We dined on Baba Ganoush, Moussaka, Smoked Labneh, pickles, Ikra, and Muhammara. Yep, I had to look them all up as well. I actually liked the muhammara. Then they ordered a lot of hummus. There was a fried chicken hummus. I liked that one, too. They also ordered a couple other hummus flavors including tahini, cauliflower, and wild mushroom. I'd like to say we got on to the main course, but first there were small plates. They ordered falafel, crispy halloumi, sujuk pide, brussel sprouts, Israeli salad, and fattoush salad. I am a convert on the halloumi and the pide. Both were very tasty. Finally, we got to our main course. I ordered the halabi spiced hangar steak. It came with fingerling potatoes. Both were so good and so well prepared, that this is easily a favorite spot in New Orleans. I'm a dessert guy, and of course, no one had room left for dessert, but we'd be fools to stop our tasting of the menu if we didn't get dessert. So, we ordered the dark chocolate halva brownie, chocolate tahini mousse, and their seasonal sorbet/gelato. Man, do I love a good mousse, and this topped most mousse I've ever had. The service was phenomenal. Our server was extremely helpful selecting courses and pairing with some fun drinks. And they didn't rush us out when we were finished either. This is a place worth visiting not once, but often, and bring your friends as their food is meant to be shared. When I return to NOLA, I'm returning to Shaya.

Babaganoush and lamb kabob were highlights. Great service, great atmosphere. We sat on back patio on a perfect night. Fair warning, 2 people split lamb and 3-dip combo, and desert it was enough food, no crumbs, about $60 (no drinks.) Not cheap on the wallet, but not cheap in taste or experience, neither.

What a fantastic lunch! Busy, but never felt rushed.. The most delicious middle-eastern food we have ever had! Enjoyed Baba Ganoush and freshly baked pita; but the stars of lunch were the Muhammara - the complexity of flavors were exquisite - and the shrimp kabob with the sauce (Haraime - a delicate fish stew). We had a variety of desserts -King Cake and the mousse. Our server, Lola, was exceptional! Knowledgeable and so lovely! Fascinating drink menu - one favorite was “The Road to Kfar!” Don’t miss Shaya!

We had a great time at this restaurant. Jules took great care of us and she was so attentive to everything providing us a great service. The food was delicious! We had hummus, fried haloomi, salmon and hanger steak. Everything great! We'll come back for sure. 10 points to the fresh made pita

What a wonderful place! Went there for dinner last night. Everything we tried was tasty. The Muhamarra (an unfamiliar dish recommended by our server) was a high point. The pita fresh from the oven was a treat all by itself. They accommodated us as walk-ins, but I would try to get a reservation next time as they were quite busy.

We had dinner at Shay’s with our so. We had an incredible, fabulous server, Lola, who was very friendly and attentive. We asked her for recommendations on the menu which she followed, and she was spot on. Each recommendation was terrific. My favorite was the flatbread, and the olive oil with zatar. I f we had more time here we’d return for another meal. You want regret it!

I was always told about Shaya but finally went. Make reservations. I went impromptu and got a seat at the bar. Still excellent service. The crispy haloumi was good but the fried chicken hummus was great. The hanger steak was good but the sneaky star of the plate was the roasted fingerling potatoes with the zata'ar toum sauce. Had a pour of Pappy 12 with my dinner. 10 out of 10 would do again.

It was heavily recommended on our recent trip to NOLA and have to say, it is probably one of the best medi meals we have had! The mahamra and hummus were flavorful and lamb kabobs were perfectly seasoned. The butternut squash soup was beyond perfection! The only thing we didn’t like is it’s located 5000 miles from us.

Deliciosa comida, bien servida y variada. Tiene lugares de estacionamiento sobre Magazine.

Me fascinó la comida de este lugar, súper recomendable, volvería sin dudarlo, de hecho me quedé con las ganas de comer ahí por segunda vez.

Es exquisito todo. El cordero horneado lentamente, la carne, las entradas todas muy ricas, el pan recien horneado, hasta el aderezo que ponen esta delicioso.

La comida es deliciosa y el lugar es muy agradable y tranquilo. Estuvimos 5 días en la ciudad y repetimos !!!!

El lugar es espectacular en todo sentido, la comida, la atención y los precios.

Manjares. Las comidas son exquisitas. Recomiendo acompañar con el arroz tostado a la manteca.

Superior,desde un aperitivo ,hasta un buen trago.Lo mejor en comida israelí.

Bien lugar muy ameno,

Deliciosa comida, acogedor restaurante

Increíble place

The reason for four stars versus five is that cilantro (a lot of it) was used in most dishes, but cilantro was NOT listed on the menu ingredients. As one of the many individuals who have a taste aversion to cilantro, it would have been very helpful to clearly list cilantro as an ingredient. I didn't even think of asking about cilantro in the food items because 1) it wasn't listed as an ingredient and 2) Israeli/Mediterranean food typically uses parsley and not cilantro as the herb of preference, so use of cilantro was completely unexpected. The food I could eat by separating the cilantro was great, the food that had cilantro mixed throughout I simply couldn't eat. To Shaya management, PLEASE list cilantro as an ingredient as there are many people like me with a taste aversion to cilantro, and we don't want to waste our money on dishes we simply cannot enjoy.

+3

Healthy and amazing at the same time. We sat at the bar and the bartender and wait staff were excellent. Had various Israeli/ Middle East standards, hummus, tahini and Falafel. The fresh bread and oil was insanely good and will be back for the fried chicken hummus again. I’m docking one star because they tack on 3% for credit cards. This is annoying to no end. Yes it’s printed clearly at the bottom of the menu. But really they should update their name to Shaya( bring cash to avoid additional fees.) Build the fees into your menu prices.

Good food but not outstanding. Very typical Mediterranean restaurant. (The interior is pretty simple, might have imagined it to be more flamboyant?) The hummus was good, the slow roasted lamb was juicy and tender. The pita bread was freshly baked and olive oil with sesame was good. The main dining hall was VERY LOUD and we requested to change table to the patio where it was better, not too hot coz of the fans.

Really great. Hot fresh bread that just keeps coming and the king cake was phenomenal. The labneh was the highlight for me. Nice patio too.

MAKE RESERVATIONS Even if every table or almost every table is open and you go in between the rush…MAKE RESERVATIONS. If you don’t, you might get rude looks from the hostess with her displaying an air of irritation. The dress attire is casual-mix. The food deserves five stars, but the uncomfortableness that you have to muddle through in order to get said food, drops the whole experience down to three. The ambience is beautiful and relaxing. There are plenty of places for food in NOLA and I would personally choose somewhere where the hostess is not. But if you are brave enough, the food is fantastic!

+2

We heard many good things about the place so decided to try it. Truth is, it is OK, but not amazing or great. Pita is served freshly baked but is not very fluffy, Ikra - which is supposed to have roe in it - had no taste of roe. Just a dip. Labneh was good. Pickles very weak. Humus was ok (not great) but lamb ragu was too ‘tomatoee’ which did not work. Pideh had a sweet sauce on it that did not work. Chicken was good. Overall / time to relook at the menu, update the tastes and refresh the approach. What was cool and innovative Levantine/Palestinian/Israeli cooking a decade feels stale now. Service was great!

+1

Been here a few times over the years. The food is always on point. But when we went this week the service was so so slow. We waited about 45 min for our drinks, and coffee took longer than the Bloody Mary. I felt bad for the server because I knew he was trying hard, and we assumed they were short staffed. But it was a pretty frustrating experience. Next time I’ll stick with Saba…

Good food if you do not mind the salt. This place is way overrated. Good place for vegan. We had a long-standing reservation so we had no wait for our table of eight (8). They can accommodate changes for special requests.