Levant
Astoria (East)-Woodside (North), New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Ghee-Layered Feteer Counter
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Levant works when you want a relaxed Astoria meal with more credibility than a casual night usually gets. It is a better fit for curious diners and small groups than for formal special occasions; cross-shop Mombar for a more destination-style night or AbuQir Seafood if Egyptian seafood is the point.
About Levant
Levant in New York City has a clear practical hook: daily hours from 12 PM to 2 AM and a smart casual dress code. It is also recognized on the New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City list at #25 for 2026, giving it a documented reason to be on the shortlist for diners comparing options in the city.
The case for going is simple: choose it when the group wants a New York City meal with confirmed recognition and broad scheduling flexibility. Beyond its hours, dress code, recognition, specific details such as cuisine, pricing, chef, seating, service format, dietary accommodations should be checked directly with the venue before planning around them.
Use it for a flexible New York City night
The strongest reason to consider Levant is its combination of late daily hours and citywide recognition. In New York City, where many restaurant plans depend on timing, a venue open from 12 PM to 2 AM every day gives diners more room to plan around work, travel, or a longer evening.
Because specific menu, price, service-format information varies, the smart planning approach is to treat Levant as a flexible New York City option rather than building the night around a specific dish, format, or occasion type. Check the venue directly for the latest operational and menu details before going.
How to decide between Levant and other alternatives
When comparing Levant with other dining options, consider that it has daily 12 PM to 2 AM hours, a smart casual dress code, a New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #25 ranking for 2026.
If you are still deciding, compare Levant with Mombar, AbuQir Seafood, Ovelia, or Andrew Bellucci's Pizzeria based on the current details each venue publishes. Levant is the choice to keep on the list when recognition and wide daily hours are the deciding factors.
Planning details
- Location
- 25-64 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- levantnyc.com
- Phone
- (718) 233-8800
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Levant feels like a focused neighborhood lab for Levantine baking rather than a generalized Middle Eastern restaurant. It foregrounds feteer — a laminated, ghee-lacquered bread — as the organizing idea, and presents its menu with a casual confidence that still rewards attention. The writing frames the place as part of a new wave of spots that treat a single technique or ingredient as the showpiece, so the experience is more purposeful than generic. Expect an approachable, ingredient-driven meal in a vibrant Astoria corridor that privileges craftsmanship over formality.
Best For
Levant is best for diners who want an ingredient-forward, exploratory meal without the fuss of formal tasting rooms. Because the kitchen builds sequences around feteer, it particularly suits people looking for a dinner that unfolds through multiple small to mid-sized plates centered on bread and fillings. Neighborhood visitors and food-savvy locals alike visit to sample variations on the laminated flatbread and follow a loose tasting progression. The restaurant’s casual format makes it a good pick when you want a creative, focused meal on Steinway Street rather than a traditional sit-down prix fixe experience.
Ordering Tips
Treat the feteer as the centerpiece: order several of the savory preparations to share and to experience contrast across fillings. The description highlights that the bread arrives with a visible ghee lacquer and crisp perimeter yet supple interior, and savory versions include components like homemade sausage and melting cheese — those are useful starting points. Because the menu rewards sequential attention, pace your plates rather than piling everything at once: start with lighter fillings and work toward the richer, more composed preparations so the bread holds its structure through service.
Venue details
Ambiance
Handsomely lit with warm, charming atmosphere; cozy with tables close together but with excellent noise control allowing for conversation.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- duck leg confit
- steak tartare
- coq au vin
- beef bourguignon
- escargots
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
If You Can't Get In
Try AbuQir Seafood if the group wants a more seafood-driven meal in New York City. Choose Ovelia if the priority is a casual Astoria dinner with an easier neighborhood feel.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Levant is the middle-lane Astoria pick: less narrowly defined than AbuQir Seafood, less pizza-focused than Andrew Bellucci's Pizzeria, less of a themed destination than Mombar. Choose it when the table wants a relaxed meal with enough recognition to feel intentional.
For value, AbuQir Seafood is the stronger choice if seafood is the plan from the start. Mombar is better when ambiance and a more transportive room matter. Ovelia is the easier recommendation for diners who want Greek-leaning comfort in a neighborhood setting. Levant works when the group wants flexibility and does not want the meal locked into one category.
Booking difficulty should be treated as easier than New York's high-demand tasting-menu circuit, but Astoria peak dinner windows can still be more comfortable with a plan. For a low-friction night, Levant and Ovelia are the practical cross-shops; for a more specific food mission, pick AbuQir Seafood or Andrew Bellucci's Pizzeria.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Levant guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Levant
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levant | New York City | ; | 2026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #252025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City |
| Mombar | New York City | No published awards | ; |
| AbuQir Seafood | New York City | Egyptian, Seafood | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #52026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #172025 New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York2025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City |
| AbuQir Seafood | Astoria | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #52026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #172025 New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York2025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City | ; |
| Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria | New York City | No published awards | ; |
| Ovelia | New York City | No published awards | ; |
How Levant NYC compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Levant?
Levant is open from 12 PM to 2 AM every day in New York City. For specific meal-period details, check directly with the venue if you need to confirm what is available at a particular time.
What should I wear to Levant?
The dress code is smart casual. Clean, polished casual clothing is the safest choice.
Is Levant good for a special occasion?
Levant can be considered for a New York City meal when recognition matters: it is listed as New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #25 for 2026. For occasion-specific details such as seating, menu format, or service style, check directly with the venue before booking.
Can I eat at the bar at Levant?
Levant is open from 12 PM to 2 AM daily. You should check directly with the venue for bar seating options and current availability.
What should I order at Levant?
What are alternatives to Levant?
Other options to compare include Mombar, AbuQir Seafood, Andrew Bellucci's Pizzeria, Ovelia. Check each venue's current details to decide which best fits the meal you want.
Does Levant handle dietary restrictions?
Contact Levant directly before going if you have strict dietary needs.
