Nura

Nura is from the people behind Otis, an East Williamsburg restaurant where you can eat satisfying, vaguely Italian food. We like Otis, but it’s never as busy as it deserves to be—and maybe that’s why the owners decided to go big with Nura.

This Mediterranean-leaning Greenpoint spot is located in a former auto body shop, and it has high ceilings, a huge skylight, and a bar in the middle that functions as the restaurant’s town square. Despite the big bar, this isn’t the sort of place where you’ll want to eat alone. The plant-filled space is massive and lively, and, if you’re by yourself, you might have some weirdly existential thoughts that are best reserved for late-night stargazing. Also, you’ll want to share a bunch of things.

photo credit: Catherine Dzilenski

Start your meal with the bread basket that comes with naan and a few Parker House rolls. The basket is accompanied by a few dips—such as a bright spring pea hummus with chimichurri—and it’s perfect for sharing with one or two people. Next, get the charred prawns that come in a tangy pool of habanero butter. We’ve seen people order seconds, and we’ve thought about doing the same.

Come to Nura the next time you need to catch up with a few friends who are down to spend between $50-$100 each on dinner. Drink some fun cocktails (or natural wine from the Czech Republic), and hang out in the lounge tucked away in the corner before or after dinner. There, you can sit in an armchair next to a few indoor trees, and take in the whole impressive scene.