Hello dear
Welcome to Little Rascal
At Little Rascal, situated on Elizabeth Street in vibrant New York City, the spirit of Middle Eastern cuisine is alive and inviting. With a focus on sharing, the small menu features delightful offerings like homemade hummus, tender Turkish meatballs, and perfectly grilled lamb chops. The ambiance strikes a chord with its blend of cozy intimacy and classy sophistication, making it an ideal venue for both casual dining and special occasions. Diners rave about the exceptional cocktails and attentive service, which elevate the experience here. It’s a place where every meal feels personal, and every visit leaves you anticipating your next dish.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
New Year's Feast
New Year's Dinner
Whole Mediterranean Branzino
Lamb Brochette
About
Little Rascal
Welcome to Little Rascal: A Middle Eastern Gem in NYC
If you're in the mood for an unforgettable dining experience that combines warmth, intimacy, and exceptional flavors, look no further than Little Rascal. Nestled at 163 Elizabeth St, New York, NY, this delightful Middle Eastern eatery offers a cozy ambiance perfect for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings.
What Makes Little Rascal Special
- Distinct Culinary Offerings: The menu at Little Rascal is a treasure trove of Middle Eastern delights. From hummus and dolma to mouthwatering grilled octopus and savory lamb chops, each dish is designed to elevate your dining experience. Make sure not to miss the infamous baklava—a sweet, syrupy indulgence that promises to linger on your palate.
- Cocktail Culture: The cocktail menu is equally enticing with creative concoctions that highlight complex, bold flavors. Discover new favorites as the talented bartenders whip up custom drinks that aren't even on the menu.
- Inviting Atmosphere: Little Rascal strikes a balance between casual and classy—a modern retreat with heated outdoor seating, gender-neutral restrooms, and comforting decor. Patrons have described the establishment as intimate and personable, making it ideal for a date night or celebratory gatherings.
- Service that Shines: Guests rave about the attentive service. From the moment you enter, the staff goes above and beyond to ensure a personal, memorable experience—whether it’s taking your coat or presenting a birthday cake.
Highlights from the Menu
Start your meal with their homemade hummus, rich with flavor, or the grilled artichoke, perfect for sharing among friends. Then, delve into the main courses. The manti, beef dumplings topped with Greek yogurt and tomato, are a must-try, capturing the essence of comfort food. For a heartier option, the lamb chops are grilled to perfection, offering a tender and flavorful bite that keeps diners coming back for more.
As for vegetarian diners, the variety of vegetarian options is impressive—each crafted to ensure no one feels left out. Diners have praised the unique flavors, particularly in dishes like the baba ganoush and spanakopita.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking for a lively night with friends or a cozy dinner for two, Little Rascal delivers on every front. Their attention to detail in flavors, atmosphere, and service elevates it above the crowded NYC dining scene. Don't forget to take advantage of their local delivery and takeout options—bringing the taste of the Middle East to the comfort of your own home is just a phone call away at (212) 966-0446.
So, next time you find yourself craving Middle Eastern cuisine in New York, remember the rascal at Little Rascal awaits with open arms (and a delicious menu)!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Another wonderful neighborhood place with a small menu and exceptional, personable service. Very intimate. And as someone with short legs and a big ass, I have to say, they have the most realistic and comfortable bar seats I've ever experienced. My feet actually touched the bar across the bottom of the seat. My ass actually fit completely into the seat. BRAVO! I am often a solo diner, but they don't accept reservations for one. It's probably not unreasonable to walk into this place early in the evening, even on a Friday night like me, and expect to snag a seat without too much trouble, but if you can, reservations would help. Spot only has about five or six tables that seat anywhere from two or three to maybe five or six depending on the configuration. This is more of a mediterranean-ish place. You can start with hummus, caviar, mixed olives, lentil soup. Plates include grilled artichokes, roasted cauliflower. They have a couple different salads--green, shepherds, and spinach and pear. You can order prawns, octopus, eggplant, Turkish meatballs, lamb chops. Grilled salmon, branzino, kebabs. I chose to go with girl dinner. I had a cheeseboard for 22 bucks. And it was a pretty big, impressive cheeseboard with at least six different types of cheese, some dried fruit, grapes. And I went with their seasoned fries with truffle salt. The fries were fantastic. Light, yet crisp, thick, with a great sauce. Would go back there again just for these! A large cocktail and wine menu. Various spirits, from mezcal to whiskey, gin, rye, rum, vodka. Each drink I had was good, with complex flavors. Toward the end I started having the bartender make me drinks he was working on that weren't on the menu. I love doing that in places when it's laid back and not busy. They have some great ideas cooking here! They are a little more expensive--18 to 23 or 24 dollars depending on the drink or the spirit. But you also get what you pay for with this place. The bartender was awesome. Cool guy who made sure I was taken care of, but also gave me space to chill. ”
“ Little Rascal had us cocktail/appetizers for my sister's birthday. The atmosphere was the perfect combination of sophisticated and cozy. The cocktails were delicious, alongside the trio plates. Overall, the service was superb, making a personal experience for everyone, especially the birthday girl! The gentleman greeted us, taking our coats and showing the table. The server did an amazing job checking in our party of 8, making sure everyone had drinks and enjoying our time. And lastly, they helped cut our cake and celebrate with candles at the end of the night. Not many places like this in NYC with so much care and intention into their service. I highly recommend whether you are looking for an intimate date spot or event to celebrate! ”
“ Amazing drinks, homemade hummus, and lamb cooked to perfection- some of my favorite reasons to visit Little Rascal. I have visited with family, coworkers, and friends and it passes the test across the board- there's something for everyone on their menu and the ambiance is so warm and inviting, we're always impressed. From the octopus to the branzino to the lamb to the meatballs, the meal is delicious. My recco: take a few people and order as much as possible so you can taste everything! Oh- and (as long as there's no nut allergy) don't skimp on the baklava. ”
“ Nice little spot with great drinks. We had a small department event here (venue buyout), which was nice and intimate, great for mingling and conversation. Not much decor though and pretty simple, but food was good especially the baba ganoush and shrimp. Overall decent option for a team gathering! ”
“ We got halloumi and hummus to share, both were good! The hummus has a strong bell pepper flavor, which I'm not familiar with but I enjoyed it! The pita was okay, played as a supporting character than main meal. I got the Wagyu burger, which was pretty good. It's not as fatty as I thought it would've been, a good thing so I don't get palette fatigue. We came as a group of 6 catching up and they let us stay for a really long time, which was must appreciated! ”
“ Very good food and drinks. Service was pleasant and not too crowded. Intimate restaurant with a good ambiance. Would recommend. ”
“ Um. Wow. This was delightful. I ordered the "grilled artichoke". It was grilled hearts, "sautéed" Fava beans, preserved lemon, blood orange, flat leaf parsley, mint, arugula. DE-lightful. Light yet filling. So good. The owners are charming the bartenders are fantastic. Will be back. Prolly tomorrow. ”
“ This place had been on my list for a while. I was in the area after a work event and decided to go. I sat at the bar at the staff was amazing they took care of me really well. The portions here are pretty big so I do recommend sharing. I ordered the cauliflower and the chicken dish. I also had an amazing Martini. The vibes are dope for a date night, friends dinner or even for clients. ”
“ Service was really good. The food was also really good but a different pallet of taste and then I'm used to. I got the lamb kebabs, the flavor of the meat was very good and the temperature was perfect. This would be a good spot for a date. Cute vibes ”
