Welcome to LÉLÉ NYC Afro-Caribbean Inspired
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About Lélé
Tucked elegantly in the heart of New York City, Lélé is more than a restaurant — it is an experience, a journey that reimagines Afro-Caribbean cuisine through the lens of luxury, art, and innovation.
Founded with a vision to honor the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean while elevating them to a world-class fine dining stage, Lélé blends heritage with haute cuisine. Under the direction of Michelin-starred Chef Rúnar Pierre, each dish tells a story — one that bridges the islands’ bold flavors, spices, and traditions with modern culinary craftsmanship. From tender oxtails infused with island aromatics to our signature suya chicken and handcrafted beef patties, every plate is a celebration of depth, detail, and creativity.
Lélé is a luxury Afro-Caribbean restaurant in New York City, blending island heritage, art, and fine dining in an elegant, immersive setting.
- Afro-Caribbean flavors with modern flair
- Led by Michelin-starred Chef Rúnar Pierre
- Elegant tropical-inspired interiors
- Music, culture, and community come alive
- A refined journey of taste and art
Our Customers feedback
reviews
Best food for you and family
No caribbean place like this in New York. The food, ambiance and music was amazing. im so proud.
From the moment you step through the door at Lélé, the thoughtfully designed space makes an immediate impression. We arrived for an early reservation before heading to a show and were seated promptly, setting the perfect tone for the evening. Our waitress was attentive and genuinely knowledgeable, patiently guiding us through the menu with enthusiasm.
We started with the wings, which arrived perfectly seasoned with an exceptional dipping sauce that delivered just the right amount of heat. For cocktails, my wife ordered the lemon drop martinis, while I sampled two drinks: the Pearadise Lost, which leaned a bit too sweet for my palate, and the Spice Market, which proved to be far more balanced and satisfying.
For the main course, my wife chose the Suya Chicken—expertly seasoned—accompanied by plantains cooked to perfection. I went with the oxtails and Haitian rice, and I have to be honest: having lived and worked in urban environments my entire life, I've had plenty of oxtails. These rank in my top three, hands down. There's a subtle sweetness to them that's incredibly appealing, and I'm 100% ordering them again.
Beyond the excellent food, Lélé itself is a comfortable, inviting space with well-curated music playing at just the right volume—never overwhelming the conversation. If you're looking to impress someone special or simply want to enjoy outstanding Afro-Caribbean cuisine, this is absolutely the place. We're already planning our next visit.
We started with the wings, which arrived perfectly seasoned with an exceptional dipping sauce that delivered just the right amount of heat. For cocktails, my wife ordered the lemon drop martinis, while I sampled two drinks: the Pearadise Lost, which leaned a bit too sweet for my palate, and the Spice Market, which proved to be far more balanced and satisfying.
For the main course, my wife chose the Suya Chicken—expertly seasoned—accompanied by plantains cooked to perfection. I went with the oxtails and Haitian rice, and I have to be honest: having lived and worked in urban environments my entire life, I've had plenty of oxtails. These rank in my top three, hands down. There's a subtle sweetness to them that's incredibly appealing, and I'm 100% ordering them again.
Beyond the excellent food, Lélé itself is a comfortable, inviting space with well-curated music playing at just the right volume—never overwhelming the conversation. If you're looking to impress someone special or simply want to enjoy outstanding Afro-Caribbean cuisine, this is absolutely the place. We're already planning our next visit.
The drinks were well crafted and the food was superbly executed. We had the oxtail and beef patties. Simply Excellent!
I really wanted to love LELE, but unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the hype. The atmosphere and customer service were fantastic definitely a 10/10. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, and the vibe of the place was lively and inviting, so I was excited to dig into the meal.
When it comes to the food, I was seriously disappointed. The cornbread was decent, nothing spectacular but fine. The cassava bread had no flavor at all, and honestly, all I could taste was charred grill marks super underwhelming. The beef patty was okay, but definitely not anything worth raving about. The curry goat lacked the bold, island flavors I was expecting; it tasted very watered down. And the oxtail… Also lacking in depth.
The monkfish was the worst part of the meal ended up sending it back because it tasted off, and not in a good way. As for drinks, skip the alcohol they were so weak it was like drinking flavored water. Go for a mocktail if you want something refreshing.
On a positive note, the plantains were the highlight of the meal. Sweet, crispy, and perfectly cooked. If the food had matched the service and ambiance, this could’ve been a much better experience.
Honestly, I’d give it another shot if they revamped the menu and gave the dishes more flavor and authenticity. But right now, we are not rushing back my entire party felt the same and even shared our experience with those who were waiting for our review before going.
When it comes to the food, I was seriously disappointed. The cornbread was decent, nothing spectacular but fine. The cassava bread had no flavor at all, and honestly, all I could taste was charred grill marks super underwhelming. The beef patty was okay, but definitely not anything worth raving about. The curry goat lacked the bold, island flavors I was expecting; it tasted very watered down. And the oxtail… Also lacking in depth.
The monkfish was the worst part of the meal ended up sending it back because it tasted off, and not in a good way. As for drinks, skip the alcohol they were so weak it was like drinking flavored water. Go for a mocktail if you want something refreshing.
On a positive note, the plantains were the highlight of the meal. Sweet, crispy, and perfectly cooked. If the food had matched the service and ambiance, this could’ve been a much better experience.
Honestly, I’d give it another shot if they revamped the menu and gave the dishes more flavor and authenticity. But right now, we are not rushing back my entire party felt the same and even shared our experience with those who were waiting for our review before going.
Hi the drinks, food and service were amazing, and the music made want to stay much longer. Congrats on the beautiful new place. I recommend!
The morning trek here proved completely worthwhile. The menu offers steady value. Employees display incredible niceness and accommodation, with prompt meal service. A Yelp recommendation led me to this nice spot. The employees at this place are professional.
Crowd was ok kind of young but the service was amazing the decor was really nice the food was decent just do not order the Cornish hen. The drinks were decent as well
Bria was great she recommended the best choices and we had a great time! Thanks
Experience Lélé NYC — a luxurious African restaurant and Caribbean restaurant on Madison Avenue in Murray Hill, New York City, offering refined island-inspired cuisine by Michelin-star Chef Rúnar Pierre.
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- 237 Madison ave, New York, NY 10016
- 5PM to 12AM (Wed. Thu. Sat. Sun.)
- *5PM to 2AM (Fri)
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