Great food here can be a long wait if you have no reservation.

Have had multiple amazing Greek meals at Nerai now. The food all-around is outstanding, the service is great, and the restaurant during lunchtime gets packed during the weekdays. We had one of the best octopus dishes of all time. Nerai is definitely a great alternative to Avra, which is also a favorite Greek restaurant of ours. Highly recommended!

During a recent visit to Nerai, a charming upscale Greek restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, I enjoyed an exceptional dining experience that beautifully blended traditional flavors with modern techniques. The ambiance was elegant yet inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening out. I started with the Pikilia platter, which featured three delicious spreads—tzatziki, hummus, and spicy feta—accompanied by warm, perfectly grilled pita. The balance of flavors was spot on, with the tzatziki being refreshing and creamy, the hummus smooth and rich, and the spicy feta providing a nice kick. It was a great way to open up the meal. Next came the Fluke Crudo, which was a visual and culinary delight. The delicate slices of fluke paired well with the subtle brininess of the American caviar and the brightness of the ouzo Meyer lemon purée. The crispy barley added a delightful texture to the dish, while the cucumber and chervil brought a fresh, herbaceous element. The dish felt light yet packed with flavor, perfect for seafood lovers. For the main course, I indulged in the Htenia, featuring seared diver scallops alongside honey-ouzo braised pork belly. This dish was a highlight for me—the scallops were perfectly cooked, tender and sweet, while the pork belly added a savory richness. The accompanying sunchoke purée and roasted peppers brought earthy and smoky notes that rounded out the dish beautifully. Every bite was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. I also tried the Paidakia Sti Skara, which showcased succulent lamb chops cooked to perfection. The lamb was juicy and flavorful, enhanced by a rich lamb jus. The honey-glazed carrots added a sweet contrast, while the dolma was a delightful nod to classic Greek cuisine. This dish felt hearty yet refined, and I savored every bite. Overall, my meal at Nerai was a culinary journey through modern Greek flavors with a fine dining touch. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, making it a memorable dining experience. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu!

Jacob Chen

Amazing dining experience. Great service and delicious food, especially the squid ink pasta. And also spectacular wines and a great in restaurant made desserts as seen below! Highly recommended

David Mardom

A fantastic and friendly restaurant which makes you will welcomed. We enjoy eating there especially on holidays. The food both amazing and well presented . Definitely give it a try!

Zoe Bishop

the food is absolutely fantastic and the service is amazing. all the staff is actually friendly and attentive , something that i see less and less of in the city. our waiter , who is from thebes, was so kind and attentive along with the bussers , food runners , managers, and service assistants.

M Kato

The restaurant has great ambience and the services was incredible. We certainly enjoyed our dinner very much. And as it was a birthday they wrote an unbelievable beautiful icing writing on a plate (in ieu of a cake itself) - Highly recommend to go for any birthday. I just could not give it 5 Stars as the food was very good but not really better than one of our go to places for Greek food (which would have lower prices, accordingly). Yes, a fine dining experience may be more about ambienceand service but very often the food is just somewhat more exquisite vs. a more "pedestrian" restaurant. I only use "pedestrian" to describe catagorically as a couple of my most favorite restaurants are pedestrian in nature. In my past reviews I think of 5 Stars for fine dining in restaurants like Picasso (Las Vegas) where the food itself was "off the charts" good and unique (i.e., can't get that taste at a pedestrian restaurant) which made the value very good.

John Ivory

The food is good, the service is nice and the atmosphere at least around 9 PM is very calm and relaxing. I definitely recommend this place, I brought my family here for a Christmas Eve dinner and they loved it. My young niece came with us and they custom made an off the menu order of french fries for her :) very nice staff.

German Bosquez

In the city for Christmas, we opted for a change of pace in cuisine, and are so glad we walked into Nerai on East 54th St. Marketed as "refined Greek cuisine", we now know what they mean! A beautiful interior with clean lines and subdued lighting, this is visually a gem. Our waitress Marina was delightfully bubbly and helpful as we navigated the menu. We took the hightop tables by the bar, which were booth-like with amply sized oval tables. The bar served up two excellent margaritas and Old Fashioneds, just the way we like them. We started with the thinly-sliced fried zucchini chips, which were some of the best we've ever had: feather light & crispy. Our mains were seared salmon, cooked perfectly to temperature, served with a rice/spinach mix that was such a nice pairing; and the diver scallops, grilled with porkbelly - so savory and delicious! - served with corn and red pepper were amazing! For dessert, we thoroughly enjoyed their hand-rolled baklava served with pistachio ice cream, plus cappuccinos. Overall, the restaurant had a very upbeat vibe that was supported by a super friendly staff (Marina, plus hostess Kristiana among the stars). We will return after the holidays to sample more of the menu and spend time with our new friends!

+3

Felisha Annie

Visited as a night cap after my company's holiday party. Walter was my bartender and he introduced me to a wonderful mezcal expresso martini! The coat check girl, whose name I forget was very personable and nice, she had a big party that had come in earlier but took the time to socialize and talk with me and my colleague as she was closing out. Really good environment.