CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Shukette

Ayesha Nurdjaja's Mediterranean grill on Ninth Avenue — frena bread and the Fish in a Cage.

Illustration of a Mediterranean table: grilled fish, olives and salad — Illustration · not a photo of this venue

Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja built a following for her Eastern Mediterranean cooking at Shuka in SoHo, and Shukette, opened in 2021 on Ninth Avenue, is its Chelsea sister — a room for groups, dates and anyone happy eating at the bar.

Order two frena breads, because one disappears fast, and the grilled lafa with za'atar. Then the Fish in a Cage, a whole porgy grilled in a wire basket with green charmoula, and the joojeh chicken. Labneh with whatever is on top that day and shawarma-spiced fries fill the gaps; tahini soft serve is the only dessert, and the right one.

Editor’s tip

Put your name in for the bar early in the evening, and order the frena twice.

Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Pearl River Mart at Chelsea Market

The 1971 Chinatown emporium's lantern-hung outpost on Chelsea Market's main concourse.

Shopping · Free

~10 min on foot

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Chelsea Market

The Oreo's birthplace, hollowed into a brick tunnel of food stalls.

Historic Place · Free

~11 min on foot

Also in the neighborhood

Illustration

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Cookshop

West Chelsea's steady farm-to-table corner, directly across from the High Line.

New American · Brunch · $$$

Google rating & reviews ↗

Illustration

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Los Tacos No. 1 (Chelsea Market)

The standing-room Chelsea Market taco counter that started it all — adobada first, chairs never.

Tacos · Hidden Gem · $

Google rating & reviews ↗

Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 14, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.