Our 5 Favorite Places to Get Hummus in NYC
Israeli cuisine is on the rise in NYC, and it’s not hard to see why: Israel is known to have some of the best produce in the world, thanks in part to its favorable climate and superb growing conditions. Specific to the mounting popularity of Israeli food is America’s obsession with hummus– a vegetarian- and vegan-friendly protein source that is popular among the health food elite (much like avocados).
Below, we put together a quick but well-researched list of our favorite places to get high-quality produce in NYC. From staples like Taim to celebrated newcomers like Dizengoff you can trust that we vouch for each one of these restaurants personally (we practically live on hummus).
Dizengoff
Dizengoff is hands down the best place to get hummus and pita in NYC, with thick layers of olive oil and delicious blends of fresh spices adorning each creamy serving of dip. (The double-cooked eggplant is also absolutely divine.) Philadelphia-based chef Michael Solomonov is the darling of the food industry at the moment, having cooked at this year’s Edible Schoolyard Benefit right after his restaurant, Zahav, took home a 2017 James Beard Award. In response to the hype over Dizengoff’s fluffy pitas and Solomonov’s critical acclaim, Dizengoff introduced a dinner series at their Chelsea Market outpost earlier this year. Not only is this some of the best Israeli food in NYC, but the eatery has a perfect location–the hummus bar is around the corner from Seed + Mill, NYC’s first halva bar, which serves a variety of tahini-based confections. Hummus and halva at Chelsea Market? Sounds like a perfect date night!
Queen of Falafel
There’s an adorable mural outside this Bushwick outpost, and the food is picture-perfect to match. Queen of Falafel holds it down among BKers as being part of the hummus renaissance in the borough. While Oasis (near the Bedford L train stop in Williamsburg) is still a perennial favorite for quick, delicious eats, there’s new falafel royalty in the hood thanks to the Queen’s emphasis on high-quality ingredients (they only use organic eggs and everything except the pita is certified gluten-free). Tucked into the House of Yes performance space, Queen of Falafel is the brain child of Rivka Orlin of Cafe Mogador, another Brooklyn favorite. In addition to the hummus we recommend the Eggplant Sabich (a sandwhich with roasted eggplant, organic egg, tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley, tahini & chili garlic dressing) washed down with homemade Moroccan Mint Tea.
Taim
Chef Einat Admony’s Taim is a fast-casual gem when it comes to hummus, making it a great option for quick delivery (they have the best Israeli cooked carrots) without the wait time that comes with eating at Balaboosta (Admony’s other restaurant). This counter service falafel and smoothie bar has played host to several celebrity takeovers (from Molly Yeh to Scott Conant) and was named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in NYC according to Zagat; they also have a food truck that’s popular with foodies on Instagram.
12 Chairs
From its trendy Williamsburg location to the popular NYU outpost on MacDougal, 12 Chairs is something of a staple when it comes to Israeli cafes– a place to see and be seen while enjoying a signature Israeli breakfast (two eggs any style served with chopped Israeli salad, assorted cheeses and dips, coffee, and freshly-squeezed orange juice).
We love the outdoor seating and the proximity to the East River Waterfront at the Wythe Avenue location, and 12 Chairs’s signature Shaksuka is an affordable take on the classic (only $12 for a meal this hearty? Sign us up). The hummus comes with a generous pour of olive oil and heaping pile of chickpeas– what’s not to love?
Ilili
Ilili is considered to have the Best Lebanese Food in NYC, and their amazing black-roasted chicken, walnut red pepper dip, charred dandelion greens, kofta, and thick labne speak for themselves. The hummus, however, is also worth the trip. Their popular Prix Fixe Lunch option is a great way to taste the wide variety of mediterranean cuisine that this higher-end restaurant has to offer, like the Phoenician Fries with sumac, parsley, and garlic whip or the Cubano Beiruteh with lamb, pork, kashkaval, pickle, and mustard. Ilili means “tell me” in colloquial Lebanese, and the restaurant has a great atmosphere for conversation. Their signature “Hommus” can be ordered with multiple additions: pine nuts, jalapeño, lamb, shrimp, or basterma (a richly seasoned, air-dried beef similar to pastrami). If you’re anything like us, you’ll order them all.
