I have had many meals in NYC over many vacations here, and this was the best meal I have ever had here. I had the sirloin steak with fries. The steak had no fat, was amazingly tender, and had fantastic flavor. The fries were fresh cut and delicious as well. My wife had the chicken shashlik and loved it as well. The portions were sizable too. Five stars all around.

This is a high-quality restaurant and you are very likely to enjoy your meal and overall experience here. Perhaps most important, however, is the *value*. When one considers the beautiful atmosphere, the quality of the service, and the very high quality of the food, it is very impressive that they offer all of that at the prices that they do. That is all the more the case when you consider its location here in Midtown Manhattan. Even if you are on your way somewhere else, the fact that it is so close to Grand Central means you might have an opportunity to enjoy this place. When one talks with the staff, it is easy to tell that they know the restaurant business and understand how to achieve success in it in NYC, which is obviously not easy. There is lots on the menu likely worth a try, but their burger is very good -- it was clear that the chef put some thought, creativity and knowledge into the sauce, for example. When someone can take a basic lunch like a burger and fries do that, you can tell that the restaurant knows what they are doing. The coffee prepared and served in a french press was very good; they served me a brand of Colombian (Omnipak is the brand, I believe they said). They said they were grinding the beans there and because it tasted so good, I bet they know how to store the beans properly and probably do that (which not every place does). The very fact that one can have a great sandwich and fries in a place as beautiful as this in Midtown Manhattan for $21.00 before tax and tip is really impressive. The service is good here too. It's evident that these are knowledgeable restauranteurs who know the industry and care about their customers. I will definitely be back here.

Nice Mediterranean place with traditional Turkish food. Long wine list. Thanks

Delicious, good service, and clean. This is probably my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in the area as the servers are polite and understanding. They are also patient and quick. We are a family of four and it sometimes takes a while to get the food, it came to the table fast. The restaurant was very good as it gives a comfortable vibe. I ordered a combo of dips for the appetizer and a chicken shashlik. the food was way better than I thought it would be. The sides on the menu were delicious and well seasoned. I ordered the grilled veggies and they were so good! I usually don’t eat grilled eggplant but this was soo good. Dessert was delicious as the ice cream was rich and sweet. The bathrooms are very clean and have a lot of privacy unlike other restaurants I have seen. Definitely worth coming back to when I come back to New York!

We wanted to host a dinner for family offices and HNW individuals to meet and let them get to know about our venture fund and three other funds who were cohosts. We spoke with three different restaurants in the area. We settled on Pera because of their communication, menu, and ability to host up to 20 people. We ended up taking the wine alcove for our 16 guests. About an hour before the dinner started I arrived and realized that the wine alcove would not offer us the ability for people to stand and mingle without interfering with the flow of the restaurant. After speaking with the management no more than 10 minutes later they came back and were able to offer us the private room which wasn't being used at that time. They quickly converted it from 4 tables of 4 to 2 tables of 8 with space between for people to stand, have a glass of something, and network. The private room ended up being excellent and we had close to 20 people as others showed up unannounced. The service was five stars, the food was excellent, and the dinner went great. People were able to mingle, the wait staff was very attentive, the wine glasses and water glasses were always filled and the food was great. We were served a variety of appetizers and then a choice of a main course. I chose the steak and it was great, everyone had a great time. Five stars to the whole staff and the restaurant for accommodating us and for allowing us to stay after dinner and not rushing us out. if you're having a corporate dinner or a birthday party or some other function Pera is a great place for it.

The food was Absolutely Amazing from presentation to taste. Everything we ordered got great reviews from our group. They had quite a variety of drinks to choose from...a wine lover's dream. Lovely atmosphere dimmed lights, but bright enough to see your food..We enjoyed it with friends, so it was conducive to conversations as well. Definitely a repeat location.

We had a wonderful family reunion brunch for 16 people at Pera on Madison Avenue. The food was absolutely delicious and Kostos (and other staff) were extremely helpful and accommodating. We had many picky eaters, but everyone loved the food and ambiance (we had a private room).

After spending all day at the Met, we were looking for a place to chill with wine and appetizers and this place fit the bill perfectly. We ordered pita bread, calamari, grilled artichokes and stuffed grape leaves and all were delicious and prepared Mediterranean style. The service was friendly, and the place has a nice appearance and ambiance. Highly recommended.

Excellent food and ambience however has a weird practice of mandating order for apps and main course to be put in at the same time.

Great place for a client dinner. Food was fantastic. Loved their spin on fried calamari and the seafood cake. Their old fashioned was okay. Used a maraschino cherry (sad face). Need to upgrade to Luxardo cherry!

Great service. Generous portions. Enjoyed the last day of restaurant week.

Went with a large group, and service was excellent despite the table size. All of the share plates that we tried were delicious, and the signature lamb dish was also impressive. As you can imagine, I really enjoyed my meal here.

Loved this place. Superb wine that was suggested by our sommelier. Hmmmm. Memories galore. Excellent food and my first experience of sumac. Pure love in a spice that I and a purchased after. Talk about fine dining.

My sister and I hosted our mom's 80th birthday dinner here. Everything went well from start to finish. Emi helped us put together a menu and always got back to us in a timely manner. Cindy took care of our party the day of and she was wonderful. The food and drinks were great. I'll be going back during the summertime. Thanks again

Amazing Mediterranean cuisine! Try the watermelon & feta salad, it’s out of this world! Actually, everything we ate was lovely!

What an amazing dinijng experience. This place is a step above the rest, and they have the best Greek wines!

+6

Was in the city for meetings and stopped for lunch. Had the Muammara for an app and the Grilled Veg Timbale with some baklava for dessert. It was amazing. Everything was fresh and great service. Delicious!

If you’re here, you found one of the best restaurants in North America! The food is spectacular but the atmosphere is something special! Staff is very friendly and welcoming and the food… an unforgettable experience. Did I tell you that it was one of the most affordable restaurants ? I will always brag about my experience here!

We come back for the feta stuffed dates over and over. They are remarkable. All the dishes are superb. On a cold February night the hostess thoughtfully brought us hot water with lemon - which was thoughtful and just perfect.

Very cool place right around the corner of Grand Central. Pretty big sized compared to the NY standards, so the noise is low and allows a normal conversation without yelling at the other people 😁 Interesting Mediterranean style food. During happy hour you can get a drink and a choice of two small appetizers for $24.

Delicious flavors. Suggest the appetizers calamari and chef’s choice Appetizer.

My team of 30 had an amazing time at Pera a few weeks ago. We held an annual team meeting and after wrapping up a day of meetings, we were excited to visit a new restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we were provided a warm welcome and seated in a requested semi private area. The divider provided a slight piece of privacy while still allowing us to be a part of the crowd. The lighting was perfect and then came the best part… the food. We had a prefixed menu and it did not disappoint. Everything was served in sort of a family thanksgiving style. We were passing food around to one another, laughing and although we were peers, it almost felt like we were all a bunch of family members out and enjoying an amazing dinner together. Everything was so delicious. I took a few minutes between talk and laughter to stare at a few managers in the group and they were very happy: As an assistant, I was truly happy to see all the smiles of my peers and I knew we’d made the right decision coming to Pera. The service was nothing short of amazing. We were tended to in a caring way, but also given the proper time to relax and just enjoy our time together. I could hear guests at other tables and there was laughter and great conversations going on, but somehow it didn’t overtake my team’s ability to hear one another. We would definitely go back again! Thank You Pera! Best, Tamara

Our family's Thanksgiving experience at this restaurant was truly memorable. From the moment we stepped in, the high-quality of every dish stood out, many dishes like the cranberry sauce tasted homemade. We also had incredible service. The ambience of the space contributed greatly to our enjoyment, with tasteful decor and a welcoming atmosphere. However, the music was the only aspect that detracted from the experience, lacking a consistent theme and feeling somewhat disjointed from the setting. Despite this, the meal itself was a remarkable success, and we left with a sense of gratitude for a wonderful thanksgiving meal.

Good service, very clean and most important the food was Amazing!!!

+1

Really loved the 3-Dip appetizer and the Salmon over Risotto. Very attentive service.

Absolutely delicious-probably the best lamp I’ve ever had. Prices are not bad and service and ambience was excellent. I went on a work lunch and everyone loved their order.

Make your way to this place as soon as possible. The flavors melted away while I tried to make the moment last. Pera Mediterranean Brasserie wove a spell of flavor and atmosphere! Every worker contributes to the pleasant environment. Find an opportunity to visit this spot.

Mediterranean food selection was varied and excellent. Good drink menu - before and after dinner. Service was prompt and attentive. Atmosphere was upscale and only downside was noise level.

Great food and service. A must visit.

+2

Great service and food! My clients from Japan really enjoyed and impressed with the quality, presentation, and flavors of food. We had grilled Lamb special, Salmon, Greek salad with Chicken shashlik, also Spanish octopus as an appetizer. Perfect for business with convenient location. I'll definitely bring my other clients back there.

Came here while staying at the library hotel and enjoyed a lovely Saturday brunch meal on the patio. Ordered the hummus, village salad, and “steak” frites, all excellent, flavorful, perfectly seasoned and great portions. One of the best village salads I’ve had outside of greece. Great friendly service. Highly recommend.

Great place! The food was STELLAR, the prices were reasonable, and the service was spot on. Plus the proximity to grand Central makes it a prime meeting location! Will definitely be back!

Update 2/16/23...I had another great experience at Pera! My server Ionela was awesome, super helpful, friendly and professional. The food once again was extremely delicious! The Octopus, humas and lamb were outstanding. As for the dessert, the baklava amazing! I will keep coming back! __________________________________ I have eaten at Pera quite a few times over the years and have enjoyed it every time. The food is outstanding and the space is beautiful. The staff are very good as well. Our waiter Edwin was fantastic! The Octopus, Lamb, Portuguese Calamari, Seafood Cake. Humas Dips were all absolutely delicious! It is a special place and I can't wait to return.

Miguel Anderson

We hosted our wedding dinner at Pera this January, about 120 people on a Friday night, and overall it was a wonderful experience. The space is beautiful, especially in the winter, and it barely needed any extra decor. Being right next to Grand Central made it incredibly easy for guests coming from all over. Before choosing Pera, we looked at a lot of NYC venues and kept running into the same issues: places that were too expensive, too small, or technically fit our guest count but were broken up into weird rooms, alcoves, or hallways. Pera stood out because it was reasonably priced, had true restaurant-quality food, and offered one large, continuous event space right in the heart of the city. We were able to do a cocktail hour, a seated dinner, and speeches all seamlessly. From the start, Pinar and Emi were kind, responsive, and patient as we asked a million questions. They really worked with us to make sure the night felt right. Communication was strong throughout, and we always felt heard. We booked about a year in advance, and during planning there were some natural adjustments as menus and pricing evolved. What mattered most to us was that when it came time to lock things in, they worked with us thoughtfully and collaboratively so we could land on a menu we were excited about. That flexibility made a big difference. The food was excellent. Multiple guests told us how delicious everything was. The service during the night was smooth and professional. Overall, Pera delivered a great evening for us. It’s a beautiful space with strong food, a solid team, and a very convenient location, and we’d recommend it to anyone looking to host a large dinner or event in the city.

Sydney Lovro

I had a phenomenal experience at Pera! The ambience was incredible—soft lighting, pleasant music that was at the perfect low volume so that we could all hear each other clearly, and a beautiful interior. The service was fast, yet at the same time we never felt rushed and that was super nice. The staff was super friendly and professional. And best of all, the food was immaculate! We got the trio dip and calamari to start, both of which disappeared instantly, and I got the chicken as my main, which blew me away with its depth of flavor despite being a very simple dish. Perfect portion sizes too—not too much, not too little. Everyone in my group was praising their food, and we all left full and completely satisfied. Thank you to the lovely staff at Pera, I will definitely be coming back soon!

Vanessa Castillo

The restaurant delivers remarkable results. Eating well doesn't cost too much here. Their food impresses while prices remain fair. Service is sufficient, though sometimes disappointing. The prompt service, friendly staff and delicious offerings deserve recognition.

Bradley Miller

A delightful spot for lunch and impressive ambiance. Cocktail No. 5 is now absolute favorite. The soujouk were the undeniable best way to start a meal but the lamb adana on top of the watermelon heirloom tomato salad stole the show. Easily top 5 lamb preparations I’ve ever had. Welcoming and higher tier staff. Beautiful open kitchen. Finely curated spot that is definitely worth a visit.

+5

Bengüsu ARSLAN

Food are amazing. Adana kebab is the best in town, definitely. But tables are so close each other and We literally couldn't hear each other at the table. We asked them to change our table, but they were not interested. They have no raki BTW.

Hannah Perez

We went for happy hour and were very happy with the selection. Promotion for 1 cocktail and 2 mezes. Everyone was nice and professional. We would come back again.

O Kalafatoglu

We recently hosted a large business networking event at Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, and everything was absolutely perfect! From the moment we started planning, their team was professional, accommodating, and attentive to every detail. The atmosphere was elegant yet welcoming—ideal for both casual conversations and professional networking. The food was outstanding, with a fantastic selection of Mediterranean dishes that impressed all of our guests. The service was seamless, with staff ensuring everyone was taken care of without being intrusive. Coordinating an event for a large group can be challenging, but Pera made it effortless. Whether you’re planning a corporate gathering, networking event, or private dinner, this place is a top choice in NYC. Highly recommend, and we’ll definitely be back for future events!

Steven Ludwig

We really enjoyed this neighborhood favorite. The desserts blew us away. We can recommend the seafood cake, the gnocchi, and the meze sampler. Server could have been more attentive, but the chef was very present at the table when food was presented; nice.

+3

Nastassja

Had the BEST Christmas Eve dinner here with family visiting from Texas. It was their first time coming to NYC and this was exactly what we all needed. This restaurant was simply exquisite, offering a wonderful prix fixe menu with wine pairing that left us all very impressed. Romantic and private ambiance followed by wonderful dinner service and very delicious food. Highly recommend.

Food is good. Menu is mainly lamb, seafood, and chicken. Service was excellent. Restaurant was mostly empty when we went at 4pm on a Saturday. Has a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

Great spot for a larger group dinner. We had a nice spot for a group of 8 of us. Service was great. Drinks were good and the food was okay

Greatly enjoyed the food and staff. Restaurant was on the hot side (thermostat was next to us - set to 70 but sitting at 80) and music was a bit too loud and too electronic for my taste. Still a great place to eat.

Hopping NYC restaurant with great lamb dishes. Experience was wonderful. Up and coming hip place. Apps were delicious too. Pricing of dishes is very reasonable.

Wonderful place! We came here for a business dinner. The space is beautiful and the atmosphere is great. The space was a bit tight and we were sitting elbow to elbow. The appetizers were tasty, nice selection and the entrees were very good as well. I got the farmers salad with grilled salmon, the portion was generous and the fish was cooked perfectly. Overall we had a great time plus I was able to make a reservation for 12 without calling (just on open table) - made things a lot easier

Delicious food, beautiful space, ok service. As far as restaurants go in close proximity to grand central, this is a solid option, with delicious food and beautiful ambience with a lively Mediterranean vibe. The service, however, leaves something to be desired…with the waitstaff repeatedly asking if we were done with our meal (while our silverware was in the “still consuming/enjoying open position…” likely just a matter of training as they were still lovely and amiable.

Three of us dined on 28 th sept excellent mese platter and main courses,great wine ,very efficient and courteous service. Avoid the baklava,it is really not up to mark. All else great.would definitely come back again. And a bing thanks to the staff to make our evening memorable.

Totally decent spot for business lunch dinner or drinks. A few vegan options available. Not spectacular but a nice upscale choice for doing deals.

Nice ambiance Watermelon salmon salad is great Tip: just don't eat the jalapeños, the heat is insane Overall solid place Unassuming great for client lunches

Nice sit down restaurant. Reasonably priced. The watermelon salad was outstanding. The bakhlava was outstanding. My steak dish was good. The service was a bit wanting. A bit slow. No bread served with salad. Would have been 5 star otherwise.

Based on GF's great experience at Pera's Soho branch some time ago, we celebrated her birthday with early dinner at the midtown location after taking in a Broadway show. The restaurant was warm and comfortable despite the chilly January temps. Our first stop was at the bar. We enjoyed a round of excellent cocktails served with great style by an accomplished mixologist. Bravo! For dinner, we ordered from the NYC Restaurant Week menu (three courses for $60, including a glass of wine). Our apps -- a trio of mezze dips with pita chips and fried calamari -- were delicious. The main courses were pretty good, too; but my braised short rib was a tad dull and under seasoned, and her chicken shashlik was served lukewarm. The baklava dessert was lovely, and hers came with a celebratory birthday candle. Service was mostly solid throughout. The place was super busy! All in all, we enjoyed our dinner experience.

Went there with 7 others the other night for a casual business dinner. We opted for the tasting menu option, which turned out to be quite good. We started with a selection of dips/hummus, then an excellent feta salad. The main course was a meat platter of lamb and chicken, which was excellent. It finished off with baklava. At first I was worried that it would not be enough food for everyone, but it turned out to be plenty. Decent beer menu (wasn't in a wine mood). For Mediterranean food, it is a very solid choice. Yes, it's a bit pricey; but it's NYC and no worse than other places of equal quality. Recommended.

The entres were fantastic, especially the chicken shashlik which was juicy and flavorful. The bulgar pilaf it was served on was also delicious. The salmon was lovely, especially with the sumac and preserved lemon flavors. The appetizers left something to be desired (the calamari wasn't crispy nor particularly memorable), but the service was great and the interesting wine list brought tastes of Turkey and Santorini to this delightful dinner.

Food was good, but not worth returning, service and atmosphere outstanding.

The food is delicious albeit a little greasy, the ambience is nice. The location is good too, conveniently located in the Mid town!

Great restaurant in Midtown with excellent food and service. The food was fresh and well prepared. The service was excellent and very accommodating. Highly recommended.

Went here for the first time and went for the tasting menu. It opened with a trio of dips and some chips/crisp bread. Frankly, if we had that by itself it would have been enough for the entire meal! As it was we saved room for the salad, followed by tacos and the large plate of various meat. It was tasty, but way too much food for what could be called a tasting menu. So, if you want to go for it make sure you have a very empty stomach. We doggy-bagged most of the last two dishes. For a Friday evening it wasn't too packed. We suspected the restaurant must do a lot of business during lunchtime given its central location. But at least it meant the restaurant wasn't very loud and you could hold a normal conversation. The service was very attentive too. We'll be back, but I think we'll give the tasting menu a miss and just do tapas style as the appetizers looked quite interesting.

Great place for restaurant week. Portions are extremely ample (almost too much food) and the food is yummy. Service was perfect— quick but not overly so.

Pera is spacious and service was great. Giving it four stars because I visited the restaurant during NY restaurant and was disappointed with the amount/quality of food I received for $39. It was simply okay and I wouldn't recommend going there for restaurant week. However, the restaurant week menu was limited and I can't speak on the quality of the rest of the menu.

+1

I came here with my besties for restaurant week. The restaurant has an amazing decor and ambiance. It is chic and caters to a middle-class status and up. The host was courteous and professional. The waitstaff was attentive and very low-key. They stuck to the background and kept everything straight to the point. For appetizers, we ordered 2 calamari dishes and chips with mixed dips. The calamari was delicious, and so were the chips. However, out of the 4 dips, 2 were great. The rest tasted bland. For my dinner, I had salmon with the quinoa. Sadly, it was mediocre. Granted, my palate was already satiated with the dips and calamari, so the salmon tasted super bland. I'm not that big of a fan of the quinoa but my besties really liked it. My besties had the steak with fries (didn't take a pic). I loved it. So, it is a matter of preference.

Aritichoke Meze was very good. Should have Chef's Meze Sampler.

BEST KEBAB IN THE UNIVERSE! Juicy, well seasoned, really just the best and I consider myself a kebab conisseour. But the maroul salad is grossly over-priced, its comical! Its literally some chopped romaine with dill, it tastes ok but nowhere near justifies it's price. Also grand bazaar was delightful.

+1

If you want to taste Turkish food, you are at the right address. My favorite is the selection of all mezes, humus, mucver, and as the main dish, Adana kebab. Bulgur pilav is especially recommended to be ordered as side dish and peppers are great for those who like hot/spicy taste. The service is friendly. I wish they had white table cloths. I cannot stand the idea of eating on those plastic table mats imagining how many more people shared it before me ! And they should be serving real Turkish tea in glass tea cups, not tea bags! Those two items make them lose a star. Also, in the cold winter days, the place is blowing cold with the air streaming in from the door that opens and closes non-stop at the peak of the lunch and dinners hours and gives a very uncomfortable feeling. I know what i am talking about when the temperature is below zero outside. Believe they need to replace the door at least with a revolving one.

+6

The meats were very well grilled, pink and juicy. The salads lacked flavour and the lavash seemed dried out. I would go back only for the mixed grill plate of meat.

Taylor

We visited this place for a happy hour nightcap, and it was absolutely beautiful! You could actually hear yourself think and the person next to you! Their happy hour offers a drink with some appetizers, but I believe they should have a separate happy hour with just drinks, as you’d otherwise have to order from the regular menu. Regardless, I’ll definitely be returning to try their food! Their wine was incredible!

sam si

We had a great team lunch at Pera Mediterranean Brasserie—terrific staff, a welcoming ambiance, and definitely a spot worth considering for events or business meals. The space feels polished yet approachable, and other reviewers have noted how it shines for group dining and upscale gatherings.  Here’s how our meal went: Starters • Grilled octopus: Cooked well and crisp at the edges, but I felt it could have used more seasoning to truly stand out. • Hummus: Creamy, smooth, and flavorful—a strong start that I enjoyed. Main Course • Beef shishlik: Tender and well executed in terms of cooking technique; however, it lacked a bit of seasoning punch. I’d rate it about 3.5 out of 5—good, but left a little room for improvement. Overall, we really enjoyed ourselves. With the strong service, atmosphere, and overall experience, I’ll definitely be returning to try more dishes. If you’re planning a lunch with friends or colleagues and want somewhere that balances style and comfort—this is a solid choice.

+9

Christy Edwards

A party of six of us stopped in here for lunch during a business trip. The hostess did not seem very pleased when we arrived without a reservation but was still able to accommodate us. There were no guests in the restaurant when we arrived however it quickly filled up so I would definitely suggest a reservation. For appetizers we had the Pera Dip Trio, Grilled Spanish Octopus, and Portuguese Fried Calamari. All were excellent! For my main plate I had the Sirloin Shashlik Steak Frites which was marinated, seasoned, and very tender. I also enjoyed the Mediterranean Rose Sangria! The atmosphere is also very nice!

Lawrence

Excellent! Amazing atmosphere and very high-end feeling restaurant with great decoration and well-dressed servers. The food was good and wasn't as expensive as expected for such a nice place in Manhattan.

Davis D. Janowski

I was a guest at a very enjoyable business lunch here yesterday. And just now reading a note from the owners I was intrigued that a differentiator about Pera is its Turkish connection. I spent a week many years ago in southern Turkey and just fell in love with it, its people and the cuisine. It is a beautifully laid out restaurant and the service was pleasant. I enjoyed the meze sampler we had as appetizers and the flavors seemed to have a spin on them making them different from many of the kind of 'vanilla' Med restaurants in town. I had a really good seared Scottish salmon over risotto and enjoyed how perfect it was---at least to my taste---crunchy, flavorful, surface, tender, juicy in between (see photo).

+2

Amulay Chadha

Went here for their happy hour which is a decent deal - $20 for 2 small plates and a cocktail. Really nice interior and decor, extremely clean. Happy hour runs everyday so is worth the visit!

+9

Ameya Bhakay

We had made reservations for a table of 6 and this review is specifically for NYC Restaurant Week (2021). We got outside seating on a Friday evening for 6:30 pm on a relatively warm day. We arrived on time and were seated right away. The place was empty inside at that time and outdoor seating was slightly busy with 2 other tables occupied. We ordered a few cocktails and some beer on tap and it took longer for us to get our drinks to us, including repeat orders for beers, which our waitress forgot to put it. We ordered from the $39 per person NYC Restaurant Week menu, which included Assorted Dips Platter, Portuguese Calamari, Hand Rolled Grape Leaves, and a Maroul Salad. The Grape Leaves and Maroul Salad were absolutely delicious and were the best appetizers on the table. For mains, we got Lamb Adana, Organic Beef Burger, and Black Pepper Ricotta Gnocchi. We all cleaned out our plates, and I can confirm that the Gnocchi was absolutely filing and delicious! Our waitress was not attentive at all, but service other than that was absolutely top notch... so giving a 20% gratuity at end did suck a little bit! We might visit again for lunch or dinner!

+7

I wanted to like this place more. Ordered Chicken Shashlik for dinner and found that the chicken was bland and tough perhaps over cooked. The rice was good. My guest had the Salmon and risotto which they enjoyed. French Margarita was ok very light on the toquilla. I will say that the baklava was very tasty but not worth me going back for. As for the atmosphere it was very noisy and busy.

The first impression was amazing, that started with the host who was super friendly and attentive. In the beginning so was the waitress, but then we just didn't see her for half an hour at a time...so ordering another drink was not really an option. As for the drinks order a mojito and it was just bad and looked and tasted nothing like one. We got more attention from the bus boy then the waitress. Since we didn't see our waitress at all we asked the bus boy for the check,and then 30 minutes later we asked a different waitress for it again and that's when we finally got to see our waitress. As for the food it was just OK especially compared to other Mediterranean restaurants. When you read the menu it looks different from the regular dishes with some twist on it, when in reality it's just fancy names and nothing special about the food itself.

Tried out on restaurant week. The potion was huge and couldn't finish my dishes. Tasted good, but not special... I had gaspacho and gnocchi.

Disclaimer: was there for an event with a fixed menu. Very mediocre food. Starters were ok, Greek salad was fresh but nothing special, pita chips and dips were very plain and who serves cheese sticks in a Mediterranean restaurant? The only dish that actually stood out was the grilled calamari and sausage. For the main course we tried the lamb kebab and the chicken dish. Lamb kebab was medium rare, which is kind of sketchy. The chicken lacked flavor and the rice bulgur had a strange aftertaste. For desserts we got a rice pudding which was bottled brulee'd to a point where it was a bit bitter and a baklava that had seen better days. Coffee was good though...

While the food was fine, no one thought any of the dishes stood out, and some were either over or under-seasoned. If you want food of equivalent quality (or maybe better) for less, go to Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine. If you want higher quality food and ambiance for the same price, there's ilili.

I went after seeing other people's reviews, but it wasn't a good place to recommend. The service was too slow even after one o'clock, and no one cared. I really liked the sparkling water I ordered here.

+1

Justo Bello (Hitokirivon)

Had a good time with friends and the food was good, but both food and drinks were expensive. The food was good but it tasted like it was cooked at a diner and the service could have been better. There were times our party didn't have anyone coming to our table to assist us.

Minh-Hien Nguyen

The restaurant decor is nice but the tables are really close together to where one would be stuck on the booth side if all tables were filled — not enough clearance to get in and out. They had to pull the table out in order for a person to get seated and then the table was shoved back into place effectively trapping the diner. Not a good set up. Regarding the food, the appetizers were great although the lamb tacos were very rich. The main course, the mixed grill platter, had so so seasoned meat, but the sad part was that the variety of meat was all overcooked. We would only return for appetizers, if they’re still in business by then.

There is nothing wrong with the food or price, the menu has decent options. However the portions aren't really what they should be for the platters and vegan/veg menu. Dessert's are delicious. They have a limited cocktails options. Staff/Hospitality needs to be fixed. Note- You will have to be cautious and keep a note of your order as bill can have extra items.

Expensive for such simple food. I got a simple green salad with a few pieces of artichoke and a plain chicken brochette.

Very mid. This place has so many reviews because of tourists, but the food i tried has very bland and overpriced for what it was. It was a nice atmosphere, but the food need improvement in flavor department.

This was a go to space for many years as we work across the street and have had numerous team and business lunches here. But service has really slipped. I took 2 guests here for lunch. They werent super packed as they normally are. My guests both ordered pasta while I had lamb. The plates took long time to arrive. When they did, my lamb and fries were good and hot, the two pastas were cold and gummy. Nothing worse than cold carbonara. We asked them to switch out for lamb which they did. The icing on top, I paid for the lunch w business ccard and they told me it was declined... not sure if deliberate. I used my card after and it was fine.

Eric Switzer

1. Sitting outside on Madison Ave for a business dinner as buses fly by, not great. We were also visited by a homeless man begging for food at our table and no one from the restaurant intervened even though he was clearly in their defined dining area with deck rails around us. 2. I ordered a Mocktail, the "Cucumber Gin and Tonic" and purposefully pointed to the mocktail section on the menu so that our waiter understood. He then announced to the table "that is a mocktail, no alcohol"....yes sir, I am aware. You do not need to announce that to the entire table during what was clearly a business dinner. 3. Crab Carbonara was horrible. Cheese clumps that were not melted. Where was the crab? I couldn't find more than a few small strings of crab. I will not dine here again.

Service and ambiance were excellent. Terrible food!!! Had kebab dish. Nothing mediterrnean about it. Waste of money. Never going there again.

Don’t waste your time and money here. For a reservation of 11 people they squeezed us in a table for 8. We literally could not move. The drinks are “okay” you could get better cocktails at a dive bar. The portions are TINY. All of our mains were room temperature or cold and the food overall was NOT good. If you want great Mediterranean food just go to Astoria, Queens.

A few weeks ago, I visited Pera with clients and colleagues for a high-stakes team dinner — about 15 of us, all dressed in formal business attire. I’d read about Pera in The New York Times, and some of my colleagues had positive prior experiences, so I was genuinely excited. While the food was excellent, what happened that evening left a bitter memory for many of us. I feel compelled to share this — not out of anger, but in the hope it prompts reflection. Earlier that day, I had worn a brand-new pair of leather shoes which gave me painful shoe bites. By dinner, the skin on my feet had peeled, and walking was incredibly difficult. I discreetly removed my shoes while seated at the table, simply to ease the pain. We were not in a casual setting — I was in a business suit, and I had no intention of being disrespectful. But then a manager came over and whispered, "Please wear your shoes. Another customer is complaining." I explained I was in genuine pain, but she insisted, "It’s our policy." Then another staff member — tall, long hair, stern — chimed in: "You're inside our premises, not outside. You must follow our rules." I was shocked by the lack of empathy. Rather than offering assistance or even a kind word, she looked at her colleague, rolled her eyes, and the two of them laughed. I was repeatedly told, “You should not have come if your feet were hurting so much. You should’ve stayed home.” That hurt more than the blisters. When I asked for a copy of the policy, I was told it wasn’t written anywhere — “It’s common sense. This is not a tiki bar,” the manager said, repeating the phrase multiple times, despite the context clearly showing that I was in pain and not being unruly. I get it — policies are policies. But in the absence of a written rule, and with a clearly explained physical condition, wouldn’t basic humanity prevail? I wasn’t asking for special treatment, just for a moment of understanding. My team was equally taken aback by the dismissive attitude of the staff. What was meant to be a celebratory evening turned sour. This is a restaurant that has received critical acclaim, yet what we experienced was tone-deaf and demeaning. I write this not to criticize for the sake of it, but to invite reflection. Maybe the policy should be revisited — or at the very least, enforced with more compassion. If someone is in visible pain, perhaps staff could ask, “Is there anything we can do to help?” instead of “You should’ve stayed home.” I don’t expect anything in return, but I hope my experience gives the management a chance to rethink how rules and empathy can coexist — because right now, it feels like they don’t.

Rafael Ruiz

Visited Pera in New York with my wife and our two-year-old daughter and the experience was deeply disappointing, especially considering the high prices and the reputation of the restaurant. First, the food did not justify the cost at all. Every dish on the menu was expensive, yet nothing stood out. The gnocchi arrived cold, the flavors were bland, and the dish I ordered (chicken) was wrong the first time — they brought me a completely different plate. On top of that, we were repeatedly rushed by staff because they said the restaurant was closing, which is unacceptable when you are paying premium prices. However, the most serious and upsetting issue was how the situation with my daughter was handled. My daughter needed a diaper change, so I went to check the restrooms. There was no changing table in either the men’s or women’s bathroom, and the ADA-accessible restroom was closed and unusable. This alone is a serious issue, as restaurants open to the public are required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide accessible restroom facilities, and closing the only accessible bathroom without an alternative accommodation is a violation of basic accessibility standards. I then asked a waiter where I could change my daughter. One of their own staff members suggested a bench near some tables, and I explicitly asked if that was acceptable. He said yes. When I began changing her, the night manager came over yelling, accusing me of being unsanitary, claiming I was “contaminating plates” and creating a health issue. She did this in front of other guests, without offering any alternative solution, without asking what had happened, and without showing the slightest concern for a family with a small child. When I explained that her own waiter had directed me there, she ignored it, scolded the staff, and walked away. When I later asked her again where I was supposed to change my daughter, she offered no solution whatsoever. At that point, I stated that I did not feel it was appropriate to pay after being treated with such disrespect and after being denied a basic accommodation for a child. Her only response was to threaten to call the police, instead of addressing the problem or trying to resolve the situation. For clarity: No diaper-changing facilities were available. The accessible restroom was closed. No reasonable accommodation was offered. Management reacted aggressively rather than professionally. This treatment potentially violates ADA accessibility requirements and shows a complete lack of respect for families. This was not just bad service — it was humiliating, hostile, and unacceptable. I would strongly not recommend Pera to families, and I seriously question their compliance with accessibility and basic customer service standards.