Mesiba

The story

Mesiba | Michelin-Recommended Middle Eastern Restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC

Mesiba in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

On a lively stretch of Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Mesiba brings a distinctly modern energy to Middle Eastern dining. The restaurant describes itself as a “lively, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar” where shareable plates and family-style meals are the heart of the experience, set against an eclectic and design-forward backdrop.

The menu is built for the table. Guests are encouraged to order two to three plates each, dipping into dishes like Eli's baba ganoush—eggplant with tahini, mint, and olive oil—or the charred octopus with smoked onion, sour cream, and fresh herbs. The kitchen’s signature breads, including the homemade frena flatbread served with sour cream and shatta, come straight from the oven to order. Skewers—prawns, chicken, filet mignon, or oyster mushroom—arrive with a seasonal sauce, and larger mains range from a za’atar schnitzel with hand-cut fries to braised short rib with freekeh, plums, and cipollini onions.

The drinks program is equally considered. Cocktails like the Motek—Absolut vodka, Mr. Black coffee, pistachio cordial, and espresso topped with a creamy labneh egg foam—reflect the same creative, ingredient-driven approach. A wine list spans regions from Portugal to Morocco, alongside Israeli Goldstar beer.

This approach to Middle Eastern food and hospitality has earned Mesiba a spot on the Michelin guide’s recommended list, a recognition that matches the restaurant’s ambition. Add in weekly events like the Wednesday Endless Schnitzel & Frites, and it’s clear Mesiba is a place built for return visits—a neighborhood spot that feels like a destination.