Something so nearly magic about eating a plate of fresh Mediterranean seafood dishes is the salty kiss of the sea, the coziness of cumin and coriander, the sweetness of the fish skin cooked to the very last bit of its flesh. You do not need a plane ticket to Alexandria or Athens if you have been pursuing that feeling in New York City. You only have to go to Astoria, Queens.

Located deep in the bustling Little Egypt area of Astoria, on Steinway Street, is Sabry Seafood restaurant, whose little secret is known as the best-kept among lovers of traditional ocean-fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Chef Sabry: Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, trained with Egyptian, Greek, and Italian chefs, has been adding the spirit of the Mediterranean coast to the New York diners since 1985.

You are either an old resident of the area, an inquisitive food lover, or a tourist seeking something authentic, and this list of 10 fresh Mediterranean dishes of seafood will have you picking up your reservation before you even finish the list.

Top 10 Dishes that Characterize Mediterranean Seafood in NYC

Dish No. 1: Whole Grilled Red Snapper

Very little evokes a Mediterranean ambiance as well as a whole red snapper grilled to perfection. The fish is scored at Sabry, marinated in garlic, lemon, and a house blend of Egyptian spices, and kissed over open fires until the skin turns golden. The inside is a revelation in simplicity: the flesh, moist, flaky, and milky white. This is the meal that keeps the clientele coming back every week, served with rice and fresh salad.

Dish No. 2: Sea Bass (Lavraki) is grilled

In Greek, this fish is called lavraki; in Chef Sabry’s version, it is perfect. The natural sweetness and tenderness of sea bass are in perfect harmony with the light, herbaceous Eastern Mediterranean sauces. A drizzle of good olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, fresh herbs – the supporting cast is kept to a minimum since the fish is the star. It is among the most popular fresh Mediterranean seafood dishes on the menu, and for good reason.

Dish No. 3: Crispy Fried Calamari

The trick to fantastic fried Calamari is moderation: a light, seasoned coating that breaks upon first taste, revealing tender, sweet squid within. The Sabry version does not have the heavy, greasy batter that spoils so many versions of this classic. Served in a gold dish, steaming, and accompanied by tahini or a sharp tomato-based dipping sauce on the side, this appetizer is hardly left on the table. Order two.

Dish No. 4: Shrimp Garlic Butter sauce

Big, fat shrimp–the type that snaps and is sweet–sauteed in a buttery, garlicky sauce spicy with a touch of chili. This is a tribute to the power of great ingredients when handled lightly. The shrimp is never overcooked, leaving you with that good bite each time. Take up all the remaining sauce with the warm, crusty bread of Sabry.

Dish No. 5: Fried Seafood Platter

The showstopper. A large platter to share the finest of the sea: grilled fish, shrimp, Calamari, and whatever the day’s catch inspires, all on one grand serving board. Customers always say that they leave the table very full and very happy. It’s a feast that embodies what makes this Egyptian seafood restaurant in NYC so special: abundance, freshness, and flavor that hits from every angle.

Dish No. 6: Lobster — Done Right

Lobster is known to be tough when it is overcooked, but at Sabry Lobster, all lobsters come out of the kitchen tender, juicy, and brimming with salty sweetness. Refined over decades, the trick used by Chef Sabry doesn’t mask the lobster’s flavor but brings it out. Steamed, grilled, or made to your liking, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to enjoy luxury without the pretense. It pairs beautifully with a side of tahini and an unexpected Mediterranean twist.

Dish No. 7: Salmon with Greek Herbs Grilled.

Here, salmon is given an Egyptian twist: it is marinated in a blend of cumin, coriander, lemon, and fresh herbs, then grilled. The outcome is a fillet that has been subtly smoked, with warm spice flavors and that richness that makes salmon one of the most famous seafood options in the world. It’s served with a crisp salad and brown rice and is a complete, balanced meal that does not feel heavy.

Dish No. 8: Egyptian-Style Fish Soup (Shorbet Samak)

The Egyptian fish soup is a bowl of warmth. Full of natural gelatin from simmered fish bones, aromatic with cumin and fresh tomatoes, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs, this is the type of food that feels like a hug on the inside. It is modest, very tasty, and a true reflection of the home-cooking tradition that runs through Chef Sabry’s culinary DNA. This dish may not be listed on the printed menu; enquire with your waiter about the specials of the day.

Dish No. 9: Seafood Shakshuka

One of the North African and Middle Eastern dishes is Shakshuka, which is eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce. Sabry takes the idea a step further, adding shrimp and flaky fish to the sauce, which is in the process of boiling, making it breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch at the same time. Paprika, cumin, and fresh herbs are heavily used to season the sauce; the seafood adds a brininess that makes the whole thing sing. Serve on warm Egyptian flatbread. Perfection.

Dish No. 10: Grilled October with lemon and olive oil.

Delicate, smoked, a bit smoky — grilled octopus is a great delicacy in Mediterranean seaside cooking. The version of Sabry is braised to tenderness, then placed on the grill to achieve that gorgeous char without any elasticity. It is topped off with a final drizzle of high-quality olive oil, fresh lemon, and some herbs. And it is the food that turns first-time octopus consumers into instant converts.

The reason why Sabry is the Most Authentic Egyptian Seafood Restaurant in NYC.

There are thousands of restaurants in New York City. Few of them have what Sabry has to boast about: a founding chef trained on the very shores of Alexandria, a commitment to using fresh seafood every day, and a dining room atmosphere that is both unpretentious and community-friendly.

Located in Astoria, also known as the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the world, Sabry has built its reputation as the Egyptian restaurant to go to for seafood in NYC over decades of consistency, attention to detail, and pure devotion to the trade.

Why is Sabry different?

  • Fresh seafood, daily – no freezing, no shortcuts.
  • True Egyptian and Mediterranean style, by a chef who was trained there.
  • See-before-you-order freshness – select your fish directly off the display.
  • Warm, neighborhood atmosphere in the heart of Astoria’s Little Egypt
  • Full sizes at reasonable rates, with friendly and attentive service.

Open every day, 12 PM -11 PM, lunch, dinner, and all the in between.

 “The food was very good. It was great cooked and tasted great. The staff was very kind and attentive. We will certainly come back.

Ready to Taste the Mediterranean? Come Find Us in Astoria.

The second time you are hit by the urge to have some fresh Mediterranean dishes of seafood, be it in Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan, or even when you are just in New York City, visit Sabry. And since 1985, Chef Sabry and his crew have been transforming first-time customers into regulars.

Be it the entire grilled snapper, the grand mixed platter, the crispy Calamari, or the perfectly cooked lobster, each dish at this favorite Egyptian seafood restaurant in NYC has a story to tell about a coast, a culture, and a chef who enjoys what he is doing. Love is what it brings with each bite.

Don’t simply read about it. Taste it.