12 Chairs Café

"The small cafe serving Middle Eastern staples makes an unfussy shakshuka for breakfast that’s supplemented by the optional Bulgarian feta cheese. The included Israeli salad is a bonus. There’s an additional location in Soho." - Paul Schrodt

"Snack on warm pita and hummus at this charming Middle-Eastern brasserie. Self-described as "Israeli-Russian" cuisine, 12 chairs brings Middle Eastern flavors to Eastern European dishes and is our go-to lunch spot." - Franklyn

"If you want to eat healthy at 12 Chairs, the go-to order is a salad. They do a bunch of them, including one with chicken schnitzel. And while that might not be the healthiest choice you could make, you’ll feel better about eating schnitzel when it’s on a bed of chopped salad. Other healthy options include couscous, fish, or shakshouka. There are two 12 Chairs locations and they serve the same affordable Mediterranean menu, but the Williamsburg one is brighter, more spacious, and better for an extended hang with friends." - hannah albertine, bryan kim

"There are two 12 Chairs locations in NYC (in the West Village and Williamsburg), and both are perfect for a quick meal that’s more satisfying than whatever salad you were thinking about building at home. The menu here is Mediterranean, and it includes stuff like chicken schnitzel, some very good hummus and falafel, and a lots of different sandwiches and salads. If you go to Westville too often, this place is a great alternative, and they also serve breakfast all day if you need some eggs at 6pm." - bryan kim

"12 Chairs is a big spot that’s open from 8am-11pm (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays), and has a huge menu. So it’s a very useful place to know about. The food here is Middle Eastern, and they have a lot of salads and sandwiches in addition to some bigger plates like couscous and schnitzel. Plus, breakfast is available all day, so if you want to have a beer and an omelet at 10pm, that’s something you can do here." - bryan kim, matt tervooren