The team behind Midtown’s beloved Abaita opened its latest concept earlier this summer: Libbi, a new Mediterranean kosher restaurant on the Upper East Side. Located at 205 East 81st Street, Libbi brings a bold and creative dairy/fish menu to one of Manhattan’s quieter kosher neighborhoods, offering breakfast, lunch, and soon, dinner in a stylish setting with both indoor and outdoor seating.

From the Creators of Abaita

Chef David Donagrandi and his team, known for their elevated Italian kosher fare at Abaita, are aiming to push the kosher culinary conversation further with Libbi. While Abaita remains focused on Italian cuisine, Libbi brings in broader Mediterranean influences with a mix of modern Israeli, Southern European, and Middle Eastern flavors. The concept is centered around bright, fresh, seasonal ingredients with thoughtful plating and a sophisticated beverage program.

A First Look at the Menu

The menu is broken into two parts: Savory Starts and Libbi’s Table, with dishes that are designed to be shared or enjoyed individually. Standout items include:

Savory Starts:

Crudité with fried capers and whipped labane butter ($23)

Beet Terrine with blueberry beets marmalade and Bethel yogurt ($25)

Asparagus with soft egg, watercress, and horseradish ($27)

Rosti Terrine topped with steamed egg, brown butter, and hollandaise ($27)

Tuna Toro with jalapeño, melon salad, and lemon juice ($36)

Libbi’s Table:

Spaghetti with English peas pesto, yogurt, lemon zest, and pecorino ($29)

Spicy Tomato Pizza with mozzarella, shiitake mushrooms, and garlic chili oil ($27)

Pizza Bianca with goat cheese béchamel, zucchini, and melted leek ($28)

Fried Black Cod with roasted gribiche and fennel salad ($44)

Pan Roasted Halibut with braised baby leek and salsa verde ($45)

The restaurant’s pizzas, labeled “pinse” in earlier concepts, are a highlight of the menu—airy, oblong crusts with bold, inventive toppings that rotate regularly.

A note on the menu clarifies that Libbi is an artisanal kitchen, does not allow substitutions (except for allergies), and all cheeses marked with an asterisk are hard cheeses.

Drinks & Coffee

Libbi’s beverage menu includes house cocktails like the Olive Oil Martini, Raspberry Paper Plane, and a Shiso Mojito—each priced at $21. Soft drinks include imported Moshi sparkling sodas, and juices like Cold Pressed Cara Cara Orange Juice ($9). Espresso, cappuccinos, iced lattes, and a thoughtful list of teas round out the drinks section.

About the Space

Libbi offers seating for over 40 guests indoors and will accommodate more than 30 outdoors during warmer months. The interior is modern and elegant, with minimalistic design choices that let the food and plating shine. While the restaurant is still new, photos of dishes and the dining space are expected to be shared in the coming days.

Final Details

Libbi is now open at 205 East 81st Street, New York, NY. The restaurant is certified kosher by OK Kosher and is Cholov Yisroel. Current hours are:

• Sunday Brunch: 9:00am–3:15pm

• Monday–Thursday Lunch: 12:00pm–3:15pm

• Monday–Thursday Dinner: 5:30pm–9:15pm (last seating)