5 Most Mesmerizing Belly Dancing Restaurants In NYC Right Now (2024)

Step into a world of vibrant culture, exotic flavors, and mesmerizing movement. Finding a truly authentic and high-quality belly dancing restaurant in New York City can be a challenge, as many venues come and go. However, as of late 2024, the city's top spots continue to offer spectacular live entertainment, pairing traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine with dazzling performances that transport you far beyond the five boroughs. These aren't just restaurants; they are immersive cultural experiences featuring some of the best professional dancers in the tri-state area.

The current dining scene for live entertainment is thriving, with venues ranging from intimate West Village hideaways to expansive Brooklyn banquet halls and even unique Queens rooftops. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, seeking a romantic date night, or simply craving an unforgettable dinner show, these five NYC restaurants are guaranteed to deliver the most captivating belly dancing shows available today. We have the latest schedules, locations, and cuisine details you need to plan your perfect night out.

The Essential List: NYC's Top Belly Dancing Dinner Shows (2024)

The experience of dining while watching a skilled belly dancer—a captivating art form known as Raqs Sharqi—is a centuries-old tradition, particularly in Egyptian, Lebanese, and Turkish cultures. These New York establishments honor that tradition by featuring professional performers, often accompanied by live music or a DJ, elevating a simple meal into a full-scale spectacle.

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1. Casa La Femme: The Egyptian Oasis in the West Village

Location: West Village, Manhattan

Cuisine: Egyptian & Middle Eastern

Show Schedule: Fridays & Saturdays (7:30 pm & 9:30 pm), Sundays (8:00 pm)

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Casa La Femme is arguably the most famous and enduring belly dancing restaurant in Manhattan, known for its lush, romantic, and distinctly Egyptian ambiance. The interior is designed to look like a luxurious desert tent, complete with flowing white fabrics, low-slung couches, and intimate lighting, making it a perfect spot for a romantic evening or a celebratory gathering.

The restaurant’s menu focuses on authentic Egyptian dishes and Middle Eastern staples, including a variety of hot and cold mezze (appetizers), savory tagines, and traditional grilled meats. The highlight, of course, is the captivating belly dance show, which takes place several nights a week. The dancers, often performing in the classical Egyptian style, engage with the audience, sometimes inviting guests to join in the celebration.

• Key Entities: Egyptian Cuisine, West Village, Manhattan, Romantic Ambiance, Mezze, Tagine.

2. Tagine: Moroccan Nights in Midtown West

Location: Midtown West, Manhattan (Near Times Square)

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Cuisine: Moroccan

Show Schedule: Regular live music and belly dance shows (check website for specific days)

Tagine offers a truly authentic Moroccan experience right in the heart of Manhattan. It’s a slightly more casual, yet equally enchanting, venue that transports diners to a Marrakech riad. The restaurant is celebrated for its traditional Moroccan fare, which is flavorful and aromatic.

Diners flock here for the signature dishes, particularly the slow-cooked savory-sweet tagine stews, often featuring lamb, chicken, or vegetables with dried fruits and spices like saffron and cinnamon. The entertainment includes both live music and professional belly dancers, such as the renowned Mariyah and friends, creating a lively, celebratory atmosphere that is a staple of Moroccan hospitality.

• Key Entities: Moroccan Cuisine, Midtown West, Times Square, Tagine, Couscous, Mariyah (Dancer).

3. Mera Restaurant: Brooklyn's Mediterranean Dinner & Dance

Location: Gravesend, Brooklyn (Kings Highway)

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Show Schedule: Fridays & Saturdays at 9:45 pm

For those in Brooklyn, Mera Restaurant is the premier destination for a spectacular dinner and show. Located in the Gravesend neighborhood, Mera provides a massive, elegant setting that caters to both intimate dining and large parties. The restaurant is known for its late-night dining and vibrant weekend parties, making it a true entertainment hub.

The menu features a broad range of Mediterranean cuisine, including fresh seafood, kebabs, and a wide selection of appetizers. The entertainment is a full "Mera Experience," which includes a DJ, a drummer, and a dazzling belly dance show every Friday and Saturday night, often featuring the talented Mariyah and a rotating cast of guest dancers.

• Key Entities: Mediterranean Cuisine, Gravesend, Brooklyn, Late-Night Dining, DJ Entertainment, Mariyah.

4. Sezam: A Kosher & Central Asian Spectacle in Queens

Location: Rego Park, Queens (Queens Blvd)

Cuisine: Kosher, Central Asian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Show Schedule: Live music and belly dance every day (Saturdays at 9:30 pm, Mon-Thurs at 8:00 pm)

Sezam offers one of the most unique cultural dining experiences in New York, blending Central Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern flavors—all within a Kosher framework. Located in Rego Park, Queens, Sezam is a vibrant banquet restaurant celebrated for its authentic and extensive menu.

The restaurant features live music and belly dancing every night of the week, a rarity in NYC, making it a reliable choice for mid-week entertainment. The cuisine is a delightful exploration, offering everything from traditional shish kebab to savory Central Asian dishes, making it a must-visit for foodies seeking a truly different kind of dinner show.

• Key Entities: Kosher Restaurant, Rego Park, Queens, Central Asian Cuisine, Shish Kebab, Daily Shows.

5. Lighthouse Rooftop: The Unexpected Fusion in LIC

Location: Long Island City (LIC), Queens

Cuisine: Mexican Fusion

Show Schedule: Belly dancing and other live performances on select nights (check event calendar)

For a completely different take on the dinner-and-show concept, Lighthouse Rooftop in Long Island City provides a luxurious and modern setting with a spectacular view. This venue is a culinary fusion haven, specializing in Mexican and other international flavors, and it has become a hub for diverse live entertainment.

While not a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant, Lighthouse regularly features a variety of live performances, including samba, acrobatics from the ceiling, and, yes, professional belly dancing. This is the ideal spot for those looking for a high-energy, contemporary venue with a diverse entertainment lineup and a stunning rooftop ambiance that breaks the traditional mold.

• Key Entities: Mexican Fusion, Long Island City (LIC), Queens, Rooftop, Samba, Acrobatics, Contemporary Venue.

Planning Your NYC Belly Dance Night: What to Expect

When booking a reservation at one of these top NYC belly dancing restaurants, keep a few things in mind to ensure the best experience. The atmosphere at most of these venues is lively, celebratory, and often loud, particularly when the music is live and the dancer is performing. The experience is designed to be fully immersive, encouraging audience participation and applause.

The Art of Raqs Sharqi and the Dancers

The belly dancing you see in NYC is a blend of various styles, often drawing heavily from Egyptian, Lebanese, and Turkish traditions. Dancers like Layla Isis, Shoshana, and Mio Dance Entertainment are known names in the NYC scene, often performing at these venues or available for private events. The performances focus on intricate hip movements, fluid arm work, and the use of props like veils, finger cymbals (zills), or even swords, showcasing the incredible skill and artistry of the performers.

Pro Tip: Most restaurants schedule the belly dance show to start well after the dinner rush, typically between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, so plan your reservation time accordingly to avoid missing the main event.

LSI Keywords and Topical Entities for Your Next Visit

To deepen your understanding and appreciation of the experience, familiarize yourself with some of the cultural entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords associated with this unique dining experience:

• Cuisine Styles: Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Kosher.
• Dishes: Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Falafel, Shawarma, Baklava.
• Music/Culture: Oud (lute), Tabla (drum), Zills (finger cymbals), Dabke (folk dance).
• NYC Neighborhoods: Astoria, Bay Ridge, SoHo, Gravesend.

Whether you choose the classic Egyptian luxury of Casa La Femme, the authentic Moroccan spices of Tagine, or the vibrant Central Asian flavors of Sezam, these five venues represent the best and most current belly dancing dinner experiences New York City has to offer in 2024. Book your table and prepare for a night of unforgettable sights, sounds, and tastes.