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Home > Restaurants > Periyali

Periyali

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

35 W. 20th St., New York, NY 10011
nr. Sixth Ave.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-463-7890 Send to Phone

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  • Price Range: $$$

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Reader Rating:

    7.3 out of 10

      |  

    5 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Greek
View Slide Show
Photo by Carmen E. Lopez and AJ Wilhelm

Official Website

periyali.com

Hours

Mon-Thu, noon-3pm and 5:30pm-11pm; Fri, noon-3pm and 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sat, 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sun, 5pm-10pm

Nearby Subway Stops

F, V at 23rd St.

Prices

$21-$31

Payment Methods

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Good for Groups
  • Lunch
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Romantic
  • Online Reservation

Alcohol

  • Full Bar

Reservations

Accepted/Not Necessary

Profile

This is the restaurant that first made diners aware that there was more to Greek food than a hunk of lamb on a vertical spit. Periyali took the plates away from Zorba and set them down in a room that exudes the quiet whitewashed, salt-air scented charm of mornings in Mykonos. And while other places have reduced the novelty of combining bouzouki music and class, Periyali’s succulent baby chicken, unfussily grilled fish, and uncommonly light moussaka can still surprise and beguile with their cultivated polish. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

Recommended Dishes

Moussaka, $21; grilled lamb chops, $31

7.3 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
40% Would you go back?
60% Would you take a date?
40% Would you take kids?
60% Would you go on business?
40% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 6.4
Service: 8.5
Décor: 7.8
Value: 6.0

We love this restaurant

chelseaman from 10011 | Posted on 6/6/09

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 9
Service: 9
Décor: 7
Value: 7

This is one of the places we go out to for a "nice" meal. It has those things I find essential - good food, good service, a pleasant and quiet setting. I always order the grilled octopus (you either love it or you don't: I do). Lamb is excellent. Fish specials are simple and elegant. Desserts are the only shortcoming: unimaginative standard Greek-style pastries. Fill up on starters!

Beware of Greeks...

CaptainCook from 10964 | Posted on 5/28/09

Overall Rating: 6 (Mixed Reviews)
Food: 5
Service: 8
Décor: 8
Value: 5

I've never had a good or memorable meal here, but they give you a lot of food. Should you find yourself here, the best strategy is to order two appetizers. They're ok and big enough for an entire meal. I've had moussaka (not so great), chicken kabobs (chicken was tough and flavorless), tzatziki (nothing to write home about) and sardines (ditto). The greek salad is a pretty safe bet. There's usually a fish special (branzino) which is good but simply prepared. Desserts are also not notable. I haven't found a great Greek restaurant in Manhattan yet, but Molyvos would be a better choice for price and value.

Read All 5 Reviews >>

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