Ayat: Acclaimed BYOB Palestinian “Soul Food” in Bay Ridge
Ayat, at 8504 3rd Avenue, is the Bay Ridge flagship of the Palestinian restaurant that’s become one of the best stories in NYC dining. Opened in 2020 by husband-and-wife duo Ayat Masoud and Abdul Elenani in the neighborhood where they grew up, it set out to share Palestinian culture through food — and has since earned a spot in the Michelin Guide and on the New York Times’ 100 Best Restaurants list, while growing to locations across four boroughs and beyond.
It’s a BYOB bistro with no bar, so there’s no happy hour — but for a happy-hour site, BYOB is its own kind of deal: bring your own bottle and let the food do the talking.
What to Expect
How a meal works here:
- BYOB — no bar, so bring your own wine or beer
- Half-service — order and pay at the register, grab a table, and the food comes to you
- All halal, with vegan and gluten-free options and a leafy patio
- Plenty under $21 — fattoush is $9, chicken shawarma $10, the vegan platter $21
The Food
Authentic, generous Palestinian cooking: mansaf, the signature feast of bone-in lamb in fermented yogurt sauce over sajj bread and rice with slivered almonds ($38); maklouba, a layered dish of roasted chicken, rice, chickpeas, mint yogurt, crispy pita, garlic sauce and almonds; musakhan with taboon bread, sautéed onions, sumac and pine nuts; plus shawarma, falafel, fattoush and a full vegan platter. Every plate, as the owners put it, tells their story.
The Room
A cozy bistro on Bay Ridge’s historic 3rd Avenue, where Brooklyn brownstones meet Middle Eastern hospitality — welcoming tables, a leafy patio, and the kind of warmth that’s made it a genuine neighborhood favorite. “Good food, real talk, no filter.”
Who Ayat Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| A Palestinian feast | Mansaf and maklouba made to share |
| BYOB dinner | Bring your own bottle — no bar, no markup |
| A value meal out | Acclaimed cooking with lots under $21 |
| Vegan & halal diners | All halal, with a full vegan platter |
More NYC Happy Hours
Cebu Bar & Bistro · Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge’s Third Avenue staple
Kitty Kiernan’s · Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge’s first Irish pub on 3rd Avenue
Little Cupcake Bakeshop · Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge’s neighborhood bakery
Ayat FAQ
Does Ayat have a happy hour?
No — it’s a BYOB Palestinian restaurant with no bar. Bring your own wine or beer.
Where is Ayat?
The Bay Ridge flagship is at 8504 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn — near the R at 86th Street.
What should I order?
The mansaf and maklouba are the showpieces; shawarma, fattoush and the vegan platter are great value.
Is Ayat halal?
Yes — the entire menu is halal, with vegan and gluten-free options too.
Details last verified June 2026. Ayat is BYOB with no bar or happy hour; no public phone was confirmed (see ayatnyc.com), and exact hours can vary — confirm before visiting.