A handsome Persian and Middle Eastern grill with highly praised lamb, kebabs, seafood, and gluten-free choices, but service speed and consistency can vary sharply.
Sufiya's Grill in Merrick earns its standing through exceptional food quality, with diners especially praising the lamb, kebabs, and fresh bread. Attentive service and attractive decor are common, but slow waits and occasional inattentiveness keep it from a higher standing. Uneven sides and mains and a noisy dining room when busy prevent a more polished, dependable experience.
Sufiya’s Grill presents as a polished, warm Merrick dining room rather than a bare-bones kebab counter: reviewers repeatedly praise the elegant decor, cozy mood, full bar, and attentive moments. One diner described the room as peaceful and romantic, while another found it a reliable weekly stop. The experience is not perfectly even, however; busy nights have produced long waits, missed check-ins, and reservation frustration. The kitchen leans toward classic Persian and broader Middle Eastern grilling, with lamb, koobideh, kebabs, salmon, eggplant dips, rice, and plentiful vegetables doing the heavy lifting. The best feedback is vivid about juicy lamb, carefully cooked salmon, flavorful meat, warm bread, and fresh food; weaker reports focus on bland chicken, thin salads, watery soup, and disappointing baklava. The current menu supports a strong gluten-free and vegetarian offering, but the overall pricing is closer to special-occasion dining than a quick casual bite. Families have workable choices, including falafel, hummus, grilled vegetables, rice, chicken kebab, sandwiches, cheesecake, chocolate cake, and ice cream, though there is no clearly listed children’s menu. Kids who prefer familiar grilled meat, rice, bread, or sweets should manage well; picky eaters may be less enthusiastic about eggplant dips, saffron flavors, lamb, and Persian-style preparations. Ask about timing before settling in with young children, especially at peak hours.
Area vibe: Suburban, family-oriented commercial strip with local shops and restaurants.
Safety: Generally safe with well-lit streets and steady local foot and car traffic in evenings.
What's nearby: Along Merrick Road near shops, banks, and commuter links to LIRR; typical suburban retail and dining stretch.
The strongest orders center on eggplant dips, lamb, kebabs, and salmon, but a few menu staples are less reliable.
Expect an attractive dining room and a higher-than-casual bill, but allow extra time because busy reservations have not always meant prompt seating or service.
Vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diners have substantial choices ranging from dips and salads to full grilled or vegetable-based entrées.