A Taste of Tel Aviv in New York City: Dining at Malka on the Upper West Side
Kosher Meat Restaurant in New York City ✈
I recently had the chance to dine at Malka in New York City, a kosher meat restaurant located at 161 West 72nd Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Founded by Israeli celebrity Chef Eyal Shani, Malka has quickly gained a reputation for offering unique and flavorful kosher cuisine. The restaurant originated in Tel Aviv and has since expanded to New York City, Brooklyn, and beyond. Given its growing popularity, I had to check it out myself, and it didn’t disappoint.
Chef Eyal Shani is a household name in Israel and is known for his bold, unconventional approach to food. He rose to fame with his emphasis on fresh ingredients and his ability to turn simple dishes into something extraordinary. Shani has a range of restaurants both in Israel and abroad, including HaSalon and Miznon, with each one highlighting his signature style—uncomplicated yet deeply flavorful dishes that connect with the land and its ingredients.
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“Malka lived up to the hype. Chef Eyal Shani’s influence is clear in every dish, with a focus on fresh, simple ingredients elevated by careful preparation. The restaurant’s exciting atmosphere on the main floor and the more relaxed, private space upstairs offer something for everyone.”
Born in Jerusalem in 1959, Chef Shani discovered his love for food early on, thanks to his grandfather, an agronomist and committed vegan. From a young age, Shani was introduced to local markets, fields, and vineyards, which shaped his culinary foundation. In 1989, he launched his first restaurant, Oceanus, in Jerusalem, where he developed a distinctive cooking style centered around Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil, fresh fish, tahini, seasonal vegetables, and, notably, tomatoes.
Malka follows this same philosophy. Rooted in Tel Aviv, the restaurant brings a Middle Eastern-inspired menu to a kosher dining audience. The popularity of Malka, both in New York and internationally, speaks to the growing demand for Shani’s take on kosher cuisine.
Along with his partner, Shahar Segal, Shani has since expanded his culinary empire. Together, they operate a variety of restaurants worldwide, including, North Abraxas, North Miznon, Lilienblum, SHMONÉ, Bella, Port Sa'id, Romano, Mirage, and Dvorah.
Malka is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a neighborhood known for its diverse atmosphere and strong Jewish community. The Upper West Side is home to numerous kosher restaurants, synagogues, and Jewish cultural institutions, making it a central hub for Jewish life in New York City. The area has a rich history and a mix of modern and traditional influences, attracting both locals and visitors who appreciate its blend of culture, food, and community. The Jewish community here is dynamic, with deep roots and a wide range of religious and cultural expressions.
Upon arriving at Malka, the buzz of the packed restaurant was noticeable. The main floor was bustling with activity, and even the bar towards the back was lively. Fortunately, my group was seated in the quieter upstairs mezzanine, which offers a more private dining experience. There’s also an adjacent outdoor terrace on the upper level for those who prefer to dine al fresco.
We started by sharing a few appetizers. The Golden Focaccia was great—perfectly baked and accompanied by a dip that complemented its rich texture. The Hummus Gargirim and the Roasted Broccolini were simple but well-executed.
For the main course, I went with the Lamb Kebab on Focaccia which was well-seasoned and served with vegetables. My friends had the Fish Shawarma, and while I didn’t try it myself, they raved about it.
The menu at Malka offers a selection of dishes, starting with the "Bread" section, which includes options like a bread bag served with tahini, spicy olives, and a focaccia roll accompanied by resek and zhoug. Under "Vegetable Creatures," diners can choose from dishes like a field of greens with white wine vinaigrette, spicy vegetable preparations, hummus bruschetta, and spinach dishes. Other notable options include a layered eggplant dish and a nostalgic take on Old City mezze.
The "Animal Creatures" section features meat-based mains, such as striped bass shawarma, Malka's signature schnitzel filled with mashed potato marrow, and golden Yukon potatoes stuffed with lamb pancetta. Lamb is prominently featured with options like lamb kebab on focaccia and lamb resting between soft challah bread. For a classic dish, there's also a minute steak and eggs preparation.
The menu concludes with "Sweetfood" items, offering a cookie plate as well as a variety of tarts and cakes, including berry, lemon, pistachio, and pecan pie. For dessert I had the Chocolate Mousse.
Malka's wine menu offers a curated selection of sparkling, white, rosé, and red wines, as well as dessert and large-format options. The sparkling section includes Crémant d'Alsace from Koenig in France, alongside two champagnes from Drappier, a Pinot Noir Brut Nature, and a Carte d’Or Brut available in a magnum size.
In the white wine category, offerings range from a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France to a Riesling from Alsace, with selections from Sancerre and Chablis as well. New Zealand is represented with a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, while there are also wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux, including a Pessac-Léognan from Château Gazin Rocquencourt.
For rosé, there is a single selection of Sancerre Rosé from Loire Valley, France.
The red wines include a variety of options from around the globe, such as a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, a Rioja from Spain, and a Barbera d'Asti from Italy. Israeli wines are also well-represented with bottles from the Jezreel Valley, Carmel Winery, Tura Estate, Shiloh, and others. French wines are featured from Bordeaux, with a Lalande-de-Pomerol and another offering from Pessac-Léognan. There are additional red wines from Italy and Spain, including a Montsant from the Priorat region.
For those seeking large-format bottles, magnum-sized red wines from Israel and France are available. The dessert wine selection includes a late-harvest Riesling from Israel and a Sauvignon Blanc from California's Sonoma Coast.
The cocktail menu features over ten delightful drinks including a Golden Martini, a Flaming Margarita, and a Sage Daquiri.
Malka lived up to the hype. Chef Eyal Shani’s influence is clear in every dish, with a focus on fresh, simple ingredients elevated by careful preparation. The restaurant’s exciting atmosphere on the main floor and the more relaxed, private space upstairs offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of Israeli cuisine or just looking for high-quality kosher dining in New York City, Malka is worth a visit.
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