There’s something especially satisfying about discovering a neighborhood restaurant on a sunny New York day, when the best seat in the house happens to be outside. That was exactly the case during a visit to Dear Margo, the Eastern Mediterranean restaurant at 961 Lexington Avenue, where the seasonal outdoor tables offered the perfect setting for a leisurely al fresco meal.

Located at the corner of Lexington Avenue and 70th Street, Dear Margo opened in March 2026 with a simple goal: to bring approachable, flavorful Levantine cuisine to the Upper East Side. The restaurant comes from restaurateur Dean Pashalis, whose more than a decade of experience with Anassa Taverna helped shape the concept, while Executive Chef Efraim Naon, known as Chef Efi, brings decades of experience cooking Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.

The restaurant itself feels warm and inviting, with earthy textures, a custom stone wall and shelves filled with decorative pots and sculptural accents. Floor-to-ceiling accordion glass doors further blur the line between indoors and out, making Dear Margo particularly well suited for sunny spring and summer days. 

For my meal, I started with the Zucchini Latkes, followed by the Rib Eye Shawarma Sandwich and the Chicken Schnitzel entrée. Each dish offered its own take on the restaurant’s Eastern Mediterranean-inspired menu, which spans everything from freshly baked laffa and traditional spreads to skewers, salads, pita sandwiches and hearty entrées. The Rib Eye Shawarma Sandwich was robust in flavor, while the Chicken Schnitzel was crisp and juicy. The potato chips cooked in beef tallow quickly impressed me as the perfect accompaniment for each bite.

But the sweetest surprise came at the end of the meal. Dear Margo offers complimentary frozen yogurt with seasonal toppings, and it was the perfect way to finish lunch. Light, refreshing and just indulgent enough, it added an extra touch of hospitality to an already enjoyable meal.

Named after Pashalis’ grandmother, Margo, who inspired his love of Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant is designed to feel like a neighborhood gem—and the laid-back atmosphere, accessible menu and welcoming approach certainly make it an easy place to settle in. With walk-ins welcome and no reservations required, Dear Margo is the kind of Upper East Side spot that works equally well for a casual meal, a sunny afternoon outdoors or a relaxed dinner with friends. Keep up with them on Instagram @dearmargonyc and plan your visit by visiting https://www.dearmargo.com/

All photos are courtesy of Dear Margo and Tim Stype.