Shukette

"At most fun restaurants, it’s booze or music that amp up the party atmosphere. At Shukette in Chelsea, it’s bread. The star of the “Rip This” section of this Middle Eastern restaurant’s menu is the frena, coming in hot from the oven at the center of an open kitchen. But all the other breads are great too, and dipping them into a variety of tangy dips with a couple of friends is a guaranteed good time. Reserve a counter seat so you can watch the rapid production of pitas, kebabs, and other grilled meats in front of you, while basking in the direct heat of the fire. Cool down with some soft serve—if you have any room left after all those glorious carbs." - willa moore, sonal shah, bryan kim, neha talreja, will hartman

"Ayesha Nurdjaja’s Eastern Mediterranean 2021 follow-up to Shuka still packs people in, here for the lively bar scene and excellent menu of dips, breads, braised and grilled meats, and vegetables. Dishes wear bold flavors, thanks to fistfuls of fresh herbs, and details like harissa, pickles, za’atar, or citrus. Go with a crowd to try more, but if it’s peak dining hour, be prepared: It’s loud." - Robert Sietsema

"Tahini Soft Serve "The food at Shukette is amazing. I could sleep in their hummus and tuck myself in with their frena. But I will not forgive you if you don’t order the tahini soft serve. It’s vegan, but I genuinely think you’d never know. The soft serve is topped with halva floss, hazelnuts, and pomegranate molasses. It’s called 'The Mic Drop' for a reason." - brennan carley

"It’s less loud and more chill in the outdoor seating at Shukette, via chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, who is responsible for Shukette’s more-formal predecessor Shuk. Both concentrate on Middle Eastern food, but Shukette makes more use of a charcoal grill, which infuses lamb and chicken with smoky flavors. A range of North African and Middle Eastern breads are another focus at this lively spot in Chelsea." - Eater Staff

"Shukette is ideal for large groups with its shareable skewers." - Sophie Friedman