Korali Estiatorio
“Amazing dinner – the Meze was fantastic (stuffed and grilled calamari as well as the spreads).”
“Glad these guys are in the neighborhood and hope they do well.”
“the price value was again outstanding and the owner made you feel welcome and was really on top of what was going on ..”
Korali Estiatorio
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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A really cool authentic spot on the UES, with a unique, modern vibe and open space. The restaurant has a good amount of seating with a downstairs and upstairs dining area. The menu is expansive with lots of options and includes plenty of traditional Greek dishes to wet your whistle!
We started with a few appetizers, including the Korali chips (yum and a good sized portion for the table!), the grilled octopus (which I am too scared to try, but everyone else devoured and said it was amazing), the Horiatiki and patzaria salad, both of which were great. Love a good tradition Greek salad with big hunks of feta!
Our table also ordered, the mussles, shrimp, a white fish (not sure which, sorry!), and the chicken souvlaki with Greek rice. We had originally ordered a side of sautéed spinach, but when it took 3 times asking, by the time it finally arrived, we sent it back since we were nearly finished with our entrees. It was unfortunate that the waiter didn't just let us keep it, when we turned it down, I would've expected him to say, please enjoy it, we won't charge you for it, since it arrived nearly 15 minutes after our entrees.
The bottle of red wine we got was delicious (not Greek), but they had a bunch of Greek wines to choose from. I don't know that a good red wine comes from Greek, so we stuck with what we knew.
Overall, everyone was happy with the food, the service was definitely meh at best. It's a nice place, and pricey, but I'd return if the occasion was right!
Great Greek food comes to Yorkville! Korall is a an open, airy, inviting spot serving classic Greek dishes. Really enjoyed the taromosalata, spicy feta, and the grilled shrimp as appetizers. The atlantic cod main course (prepared with onion, tomato, and a silky celery root puree) was good but the branzino was better. Washed down with a glass of chilled retsina – perfect.
With a small sample size, Korali Estiatorio is the truth.
Quality Greek food is seriously lacking in this area of Upper East Side. I know because I lived in the neighborhood for a chunk and craved quality Mediterranean regularly, but with few satisfactory options. That's now a thing of the past.
From the moment you enter you experience a brief trip to the cobblestoned streets of Mykonos (as much as one can experience without leaving Manhattan). Soft white decor and a smooth rock facade give off an easy, breezy vibe and alters your mood for the better. And with bar seating, a main dining room, a quieter dining room in the back, and an upstairs area that can accommodate 25 – 50 people (seated or cocktail style), there's plenty of room to spread out.
On the food side of things, they nail the basics of Greek cuisine. Their grilled octopus has the proper mouthfeel and perfect char, the Halloumi was what you'd expect, but garnished with blistered grapes for a mildly sweet offset, and the branzino was served in the traditionally less-is-more style (salt, olive oil, capers) that makes it such an easy, yet satisfying entree. Dessert included a homemade Greek yogurt topped with honey and dried fruits that shouldn't be missed. You'll never feel compelled to eat Chobani ever again. I was also able to indulge in a phyllo-dough wrapped confection called galaktoboureko which should also be on your radar.
This is just a snap shot of their vast menu. I'm thoroughly looking forward to a return to experience some of their other options. Upper East Siders, this should be one of your new favorite restaurants.
We were headed to the Indian next door which was superb but has unfortunately closed due to tax problems. So we thought we'd give it a try. Everything was good except the food. The lamb souvlaki was impossible to cut and equally impossible to chew. My lower jaw was still aching the next day. Friendly and quick service, reasonable prices but just second rate.
Best new find in the hood! I have a thing for grilled octopus. I know, I know, not the go-to thing most people crave, but man, I love the stuff. When I saw it on the menu I knew I needed to go and check it out, among all the other amazing Greek dishes. My friend and I opted to share 5-6 dishes instead of getting entrees and it worked out great. Every dish we had was better than the next, and yes, the octopus was damn good! The vibe of the place was refreshing. High ceilings, light wood and walls gave it a very open and airy feel. Highly appreciated given that many restaurants can we super tiny, dimly lit, and over crowded. This was a great ambiance. Food was awesome. Even my Greek friend said she would bring her parents and family here, which was definitely a sign of good food and authentic flavors. Especially since her parents are from Greece and own diners, you know this place must be awesome if she is wanting to bring them here. I can't wait to go back again soon. So happy it's so close to home!
Korali delivered an incredible experience. Food, ambiance, and service a little further north than my usual stomping grounds. I'm told that it is good to get out of one's comfort zone.
Apps were the "pikelia" (variety) of four traditional spreads: kpanisti (spicy feta dip), taramosalata (fish roe mouse), melitzonosalata (eggplant salad – think babaganush) and tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill – tzatzik in Turkish). All were above average. We also ordered a Greek, tomato based salad. Mains consisted of the lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass), paidakia (lamb chops), and youvetzi (tomato, orzo and beef). Desert was traditonal greek yogurt with traditional Turkish pastries like baklava.
Service was friendly and efficient and the decor is beach chic and worth the trip to 93rd and 3rd.
Am thrilled by this addition to the neighborhood! Cool space with an additional lofted dining room space. The atmosphere is both buzzy and intimate. Service is friendly. Food is delicious. Three of us split tzatziki and feta with their delicious pita, meatballs (forgettable), octopus (superb), the red snapper special (a little overdone, but quite good), sauteed spinach and french fries. Everything was so delicious and tasted very fresh. We did not order dessert, but were given a little after-dinner drink that was ouzo and lemon (I think). I would definitely come back (especially if someone else was paying!).
A terrific neighborhood option. We made a meal entirely of mezes and were totally satisfied. Beet salad with fennel, crabcakes with gigantes, spanikopita, and a salty saganaki were all fresh and beautifully presented. I can't wait to go back and try the fish entrees.
The breezy interior (whitewash, stone, lots of light) channels the Greek isles. The bar is very welcoming, as is the service, which is attentive and charmingly rough around the edges ("You want more wine, Lady?"). You probably won't recognize anything on the wine menu (which has many options by the glass), but ask for advice and you'll find a perfect match for the food.
This is nitpicking, but the music system needs an upgrade. Everything sounded tinny and amateurish, as if your uncle from the old country was off practicing with his pals somewhere next door. With a little tweaking, it would add a lot to the authentic Mediterranean vibe.