Ali Baba Mediterranean & turkish Cuisine
About This Spot
Stepping into Ali Baba Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine feels like crossing a threshold from the bustle of Manhattan to the warm embrace of a neighborhood gathering spot where time slows down just enough to savor the moment. Nestled on East 53rd Street, this inviting restaurant carries a quiet charm that invites guests to settle in, relax, and lose themselves in the gentle rhythm of an unhurried evening.
The atmosphere here is intimate yet unpretentious, striking a balance between a cozy nook and a lively celebration of Mediterranean flavors. Soft light bounces off rich wooden accents while the faint aroma of freshly baked bread and fragrant spices sets the stage for a comforting experience. It’s a place where conversations unfold naturally, and the pace respects your time—whether you’re sharing a casual meal with friends or enjoying a thoughtful moment alone.
The menu at Ali Baba is an ode to authentic Turkish and Mediterranean traditions, thoughtfully reimagined with subtle touches that keep each bite vibrant and fresh. Rather than simply a list of dishes, it’s an invitation to explore layers of flavor and texture—from the flaky, delicate allure of fresh lahmacun to the tender juiciness of their mixed grills and the soothing warmth of traditional Turkish coffee.
Vegetarian and seafood options carry the same care and attention, crafted with an appreciation for seasonal ingredients and balanced seasoning. The presence of halal offerings adds a meaningful layer of inclusivity, ensuring that diverse guests can find something to feel truly at home with.
This is a place where good food meets thoughtful hospitality. The staff’s attentiveness pairs effortlessly with the relaxed atmosphere, creating an experience that feels both personal and genuine. You might notice how the servers move with ease, their smiles steady but never intrusive, always seeking to enhance your stay without rushing it.
Ultimately, Ali Baba Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine isn’t just about dining—it’s about connecting with a culture and its stories through shared meals and simple gestures. Whether you’re familiar with Turkish flavors or venturing into this culinary landscape for the first time, the restaurant offers a warm welcome and a space to discover something both timeless and refreshingly honest.
What’s Available Here
-
Identifies as women-owned
- Outdoor seating
- Kerbside pickup
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Assistive hearing loop
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Halal food
- Happy-hour drinks
- Happy-hour food
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Bar on site
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Reservations required
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Dogs allowed
- Dogs allowed outside
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
Guest Reviews
Share Your Experience
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Your Sweet Expectations
Eeraj Qaisar 11 Dec 2025
A great find for a nice and relaxed Turkish dinner. Attentive staff, polite and friendly. Food was great and portions were of the right size. We didn't feel rushed and the overall vibe was inviting. Highly recommended.
NEŞET TANG 06 Dec 2025
It is one of the best places in the United States that you can taste variety of Turkish dishes. Most of the dishes, even better than in Turkey, as a person from Turkey I highly recommend that place.
Edwin Polanco 21 Nov 2025
We had a wonderful experience at Ali Baba Mediterranean Cuisine on 53rd east side and a big part of that was thanks to our server Nisa. She was exceptional from start to finish—attentive, warm, and always checking in with a contagious smile that made us feel genuinely welcome. The food was outstanding and truly authentic Turkish cuisine, but Nisa’s service elevated the entire experience. She was knowledgeable, patient, and made great recommendations without ever feeling pushy. I would absolutely recommend Ali Baba to anyone looking for authentic Turkish food and great hospitality. If you’re lucky enough to have Nisa as your server, you’re in very good hands.
Marat Shalagin 20 Nov 2025
I had dinner here today with four of my friends, and we were all genuinely impressed. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and very inviting — a perfect place to relax and enjoy a good meal. They also offer halal options, which was an important plus for us. We ordered a variety of meats — chicken, lamb, and beef — and everything was cooked perfectly. The meat was juicy, flavorful, and prepared with real attention to quality. The portions are generous, and the presentation is clean and thoughtful. You can tell the kitchen puts care into every dish. The service was excellent as well: fast, friendly, and attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine and have a great dining experience. We’ll definitely be coming back!
beyza simsekoglu 15 Nov 2025
I honestly did not expect an experience like this. First of all, the atmosphere is incredible, you truly feel like you’re in a restaurant back in Türkiye. I could write paragraphs about the food because everything was unbelievably delicious. My absolute favorites were the Alinazik and the Special Kebab, so fresh, so flavorful. The meze platter, pide, lahmacun… every single thing we tried was outstanding. I highly recommend this place. It’s definitely going to become a spot I visit every month.
S Y 09 Oct 2025
Excellent dinner with my niece! Food was delicious! Service was excellent with positive vibes! We got complimentary tea and baklava as well definitely a great place to enjoy turkish food
Steven Warren 09 Oct 2025
Had a really great meal here! The food was packed with flavor and everything we ordered was delicious. The hummus was a standout, definitely recommend trying it. I loved that they brought out this huge fluffy bread as a complimentary appetizer right when we sat down, which was a nice touch. The portion sizes were just right and the presentation was beautiful on every plate. I have to mention the lamb dishes because they were incredible. The lamb was perfectly cooked with amazing flavor and seasoning. You really can't go wrong with anything that includes lamb on their menu. The restaurant itself is well decorated and the food presentation is top notch. However, there were a few quirks during our visit. While we were eating, their outdoor canopy actually blew off in the wind, which was pretty dramatic. The outdoor seating area also felt like it wasn't given much thought compared to the indoor space. The service was a bit inconsistent. Our server had a habit of clearing plates while we were still eating from them to make room for the next course, even though there was plenty of space on our table. We could have easily moved things around ourselves. It made us feel a bit rushed, especially when it took a while to get our check at the end. Despite these small issues, I'd definitely come back. The food quality is excellent and the pricing is very fair for New York City. The flavors and preparation really make this place worth visiting again.
Sarah O. 04 Oct 2025
If you’re craving real Turkish hospitality in the middle of Manhattan, Ali Baba Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine delivers it from the moment you walk in. The food is great, yes, but what really elevates the whole experience is the warmth that comes with it. Nurten and Menderes made us feel like we were guests in their home rather than customers in a restaurant — the kind of hospitality Turks are known for but you rarely find outside the country. The meal kicked off with their iconic balloon bread, straight out of the stone oven. It comes puffed, warm, lightly blistered, and honestly worth the visit on its own. Pair that with the cold meze — especially the hummus, smoky eggplant, and muhammara — and you’re already in a good place. For mains, the lamb shish kebab was exactly what it should be: tender, seasoned just right, and grilled cleanly with no unnecessary heaviness. The pide and seafood options looked great too, and the menu makes it easy for a group to try a bit of everything. The space feels cozy and lively without being chaotic. It’s a solid spot for a date, a relaxed dinner with friends, or a solo plate of comfort food after a long day. If you go during a quieter hour, you’ll get even more of the relaxed, warm atmosphere. Overall, Ali Baba is one of those places that reminds you why Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine is loved worldwide: simple, honest flavors made with intention — and the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. Nurten and Menderes truly made the night.