FARIDA - Finest World Dishes

The restaurant’s beautiful interior decoration is only bested by the food. Elaborate designs and lighting transport you right to Central Asia. Meals from Central Asia as well as Ukraine and the Caucus are offered. The soups are very aromatic, filling without being heavy. Will definitely be back!

I just love everything about this place. The vibe is great, there’s live music, and the food was amazing. The service was excellent as well. Would definitely go back here again.

Came here for my dad’s birthday dinner, amazing food and experience!! The service was fast, friendly, and very thoughtful. There was also beautiful live music.<br><br>All the dishes were delicious - apart from all the appetizers and main dishes, we all really LOVED and would highly recommend the tea & honey cake! Only dish I wouldn’t get again is the Kyrgyz Ganfan - it was quite pricey ($27) and only had maybe 3 pieces of meat, so while it was fine it didn’t blow us away or feel like good value relative to everything else that was amazing.<br><br>Would definitely recommend this spot, especially for any birthday/celebration dinners - doesn’t look like much from the storefront (and note that there are stairs to get down to the restaurants) but it was amazing!

Farida had a nice atmosphere with live karaoke, and the staff were friendly, but unfortunately the food was extremely disappointing, especially for the price.<br><br>We ordered the mini umka puffs (three beef and two cheese), and they were very oily and soggy on the bottom. The beef filling was mostly salt and pepper with no real depth of flavor, plus lots of fat and gristle. The cheburek was almost the exact same experience — same filling, same sauce, and again not very tasty.<br><br>The Uzbek plov was also very, very oily. The meat in that dish was better than the others, but overall it still lacked flavor. The steak manti was honestly close to inedible. It tasted bad, very fatty, and what initially seemed like juicy filling inside turned out to just be condensation water.<br><br>The Kazan kebab was especially disappointing because the picture on their website looks incredible. In reality, it looked nothing like the photos — the meat was basically boiled, extremely fatty, and pretty unpleasant. Thankfully, the tender beef short ribs were the best thing we ordered. The meat actually had flavor, and the potatoes were good. The lemonade was also very good.<br><br>I went in expecting Uzbek food to be less heavily spiced than other cuisines, which is completely fine, but this was beyond that — the food just felt low quality and poorly executed. For four people, with only one lemonade and no alcoholic drinks, the bill came to about $260, which felt insanely expensive for the quality we received.<br><br>The atmosphere was nice, but the basement dining area was also extremely hot and uncomfortable. Overall, this place did not live up to the hype. Check the pictures for the dishes we ordered.

My colleagues and I had a great time at Farida, enjoying each other’s food and company. The live music and ambiance created the perfect atmosphere for a Friday evening in NYC. All of the Middle Eastern decor was beautiful and added so much character and warmth to the space.<br><br>Our waitress was incredibly helpful and took the time to guide us through the menu, recommending local specialties and standout dishes. The food was flavorful, fresh, and perfect for sharing with the table. The fried bread was addicting! Everything felt warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated from start to finish.

Farida was a great experience, the food was absolutely delicious. We tried the lunch specials, and every dish was excellent and full of flavor. Asil took care of us and was incredibly kind and attentive. The restaurant is also beautifully decorated, very classy, and has such a lovely atmosphere.

Tried this cozy Kazakh-style spot for a friend gathering and it turned out to be such a great find!<br><br>The ambiance is amazing, very warm and atmospheric, and they even had a live singer in the evening 🎤. A perfect place to unwind after work, grab drinks with colleagues.<br><br>The baked buns come with 5 pieces and can mix fillings like beef, spinach, pumpkin, and chicken. My favorite was the beef. The bun was crispy on the outside and very flavorful. The lamb leg was incredibly tender and well-seasoned. Highly recommend! The beef noodles were also a highlight — great texture, especially if you like your noodles chewy and springy. We tried a veggie dish, eggplant salad. Still a good option if you’re craving something lighter, but I’d prioritize some of the other dishes first.<br><br>And the dessert was a 10/10 — the honey cake was rich with natural honey flavor, beautifully layered, and not overly sweet. Would be even better paired with a cup of coffee.<br><br>Overall, a really enjoyable experience with great food and vibe. Would definitely come back!

We got in out of curiosity and found a true gem. The concept of bringing together dishes from different countries is executed so well—each plate feels authentic, balanced, and full of character. The flavors are bold without being overwhelming, and every bite tells a different story. It’s the kind of place where you want to order everything just to keep exploring. The ambiance is really lovely. Aidana, our waitress was really sweet and welcoming, and offered us a very nice service. I highly recommend it and can't wait to come again!

Places like this are the reason I love NYC. Farida in downtown Manhattan feels like stepping through a portal into a completely different country and culture the moment you walk through the door.<br><br>They had live music, which made the whole experience feel even more immersive. The service was charming and friendly, adding to the warmth of the space. Every detail is thoughtfully considered and clearly a labor of love, even the chair fabric. The food is deeply authentic, rich, and full of flavor, and the entire space is lively, warm, and full of character. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how special New York dining can be

My friends and I recently went to FARIDA and had a great experience. The atmosphere is warm and homey, and the food was excellent. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful.<br><br>The service was also great. Our server Maria was welcoming, attentive, and helpful with recommendations, which made the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. Definitely a spot we’d all happily go back to.

Very cozy place with very delicious food. The hostess, Maria, was very friendly and welcoming. Each meal we had was authentic and felt homemade. Highly recommend — if you’re in town, definitely stop by and enjoy Central Asian cuisine.

We had an amazing experience at this restaurant today! Maria, who served us, was absolutely wonderful. She was very friendly and recommended many delicious dishes for us, including the plov and the milk tea. Everything tasted incredibly authentic and flavorful.<br><br>I’m from China, and the flavors here are very close to the cuisine from the Xinjiang region back home, which made it even more special for me. It truly felt authentic and comforting.<br><br>Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for real Central Asian flavors. Amazing food and excellent service!

The place is very colorful and nice atmosphere. The menu is diverse and interesting. I appreciated that the dishes were marked with the country of origin.<br>The umka puffs are delicious and addictive. We tried chicken.<br>The kazan chicken kebab was juicy and the potatoes it comes with are very flavorful.<br>Would definitely come again to try more!

This is one of the best Kazakh-Central Asian restaurants in the country, and there’s not that many around. As a native born Kazakh, the opportunity to have authentic and delicious Kazakh and other central Asian food is a gift and I’m so grateful this restaurant exists here in NYC to visit on our travels. The atmosphere is cozy, especially on a cold night. There is soft pop music and the artwork is beautiful. It takes me back to my homeland. The food is delicious and beautifully made. The servers here are friendly and welcoming. I wish I lived in the city or could visit more often because I’d come here so often. Please do check this place out!

Farida Restaurant is an absolute gem! The food was outstanding, and the hospitality truly made the experience unforgettable.<br><br>Max, our host, and Abu, our server and co-host, were incredibly warm, friendly, and welcoming. From the moment we arrived, they made us feel completely at home. Their recommendations were spot-on, and their attention and kindness made the evening extra special.<br><br>We ordered the Tender Veal Liver with Mushrooms, the Mediterranean Breeze, and the ground lamb kebab—everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. You can truly taste the quality and care in every dish.<br><br>To top off an already amazing feast, Max and the restaurant generously treated us to the Chak Chak dessert on the house—and wow, it was absolutely delicious! Such a wonderful and thoughtful surprise. Do yourself a favor and try this amazing dessert—it’s so, so good!<br><br>What really sets this place apart is the exceptional customer service. Max and Abu went above and beyond to take care of us, and their genuine hospitality is the reason this has become one of my favorite restaurants in New York.<br><br>Incredible food, incredible people, and a wonderful atmosphere.<br>I absolutely love this place—highly recommended! 🌟🍽️