Elea
New York
At a glance
Elea, located on the Upper West Side of New York, offers a dining experience steeped in Greek traditions and hospitality. The restaurant, whose name means 'olive tree' in Ancient Greek, serves as a gathering place for those looking to enjoy classic Greek dishes in a welcoming environment. Elea emphasizes simplicity, generosity, and community in its offerings. Guests are invited to share Greek classics, thoughtfully crafted with ingredients like olive oil and traditional recipes that highlight the culinary heritage. Elea provides an inviting atmosphere where time is taken to savor both food and conversation, embodying the Greek ethos of 'philotimo' - an ingrained sense of duty, honor, and care for others. This approach is reflected in every dish and the way patrons are greeted. The essence of the establishment lies in its focus on simplicity, with each element coming together to offer a true taste of Greece amidst the urban backdrop of New York.
Reviews
We hosted my husband’s 40th birthday celebration at Elea NYC, and it was nothing short of perfection. George was truly a godsend. From the very beginning, he answered every single question I had (and there were many!) with kindness, patience, and promptness. His attention to detail and professionalism made the entire planning process seamless. He ensured our schedule stayed on track, accommodated our meal requests, and helped make the evening unforgettable. The food was absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was outstanding from the creative and delicious mocktails to the crispy calamari, perfectly grilled shrimp, incredible branzino, and flavorful lamb chops. Every course exceeded our expectations. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about the food, the impeccable service, and the warm hospitality. The staff made everyone feel genuinely welcome, and the entire evening ran flawlessly. Thank you to George and the entire Elea team for making my husband’s 40th birthday such a memorable celebration.
Great location just off Broadway at 85th Street. They have a big outdoor patio and the upstairs dining room was bright and airy. However they sat us in the downstairs eating area which wasn't horrible but had no natural light and the floor was sticky. The service was fantastic. I highly recommend the Elea chips as an appetizer. I had the mosaka which was good as well. They have a wide range of fish and meat dishes and it was nice to see a nice selection of mocktails in addition to their extensive wine list. I probably would have given them a five-star rating if we were not sitting in the basement but that was part of the experience.
Elea is a class act. It might be the best Greek restaurant I’ve been to in the city. Great selection of wines, great wait staff, impeccable service and a helpful sommelier. We came with a party of 4 on a Thursday night and again with a party of six on a Thursday night. We had many dishes and they were almost all exceptional. The standouts were the Short Rib Youvetsi, Lamb Shank, Lamb Chops, Bakaliaros, Spanakopita, Horiatiki and the spreads. Elea is not cheap, but it is elegant and one of the best restaurants on the upper west side. Great for special occasions!
Went for a birthday dinner and it was amazing. They spoiled the whole party and brought out a huge sparkler for my boyfriend. The staff was attentive, accommodating and nice. On top of that the food was amazing. We all shared or plates and I really loved everything I ate. The lavraki and white fish appetizer were my favorites ❤️ Plus dessert 🤤 delicious
We came to this restaurant for a birthday celebration and upon entering it immediately brought back pleasant memories from our vacation in Greece this past summer. The staff greeted us warmly and with excitement. We had multiple appetizers and entrées, being that we were a party of five, which you can see from the pictures below. Our waitress was amazing, the food was exquisite, and I would definitely recommend this place to everyone!
