Ayat (Palestinian)

Ayat is a Palestinian restaurant offering an all-halal menu of mezze, grilled meats, and traditional dishes like musakhan and mansaf. The UWS outpost, opened as part of the mini-chain’s NYC expansion, sits near Columbia and keeps the “Palestinian soul food” focus with shareable platters, fresh-baked breads, and dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh in a casual dining room. Decor and branding highlight Palestinian identity and food culture, and the restaurant has drawn attention both for its cooking and for its explicitly pro-Palestinian messaging and design, which have sparked some criticism as well as strong support from regulars. Located at 941 Amsterdam Ave. (between W. 106th & 107th Streets). https://www.ayatnyc.com/