In a city where restaurants open and close at dizzying speed, few concepts manage to rise above the noise. Yet Onur Safak, entrepreneur, operator, and the creative mind behind ZOI and Ten11, has built more than a restaurant. He has created a soulful Mediterranean ecosystem in New York, one rooted in cultural depth, disciplined leadership, and a long-term vision that continues to evolve. From its celebrated NoMad flagship to its newly opened Upper East Side location, ZOI reflects a hospitality philosophy that feels both deeply personal and refined.

Zoi Mediterranean is more than a restaurant — it’s a celebration of soulful flavors, coastal elegance, and timeless hospitality.
Grateful for the recognition and even more grateful for our amazing guests who make Zoi what it is.
Come experience the story behind the headlines.

Zoi Mediterranean, a new Turkish restaurant, has opened in the LIFE Hotel, near the Empire State Building.

A new upscale Mediterranean lounge has opened in Manhattan’s NoMad district. The restaurant brings a tapas-style dining experience with luxurious ambiance.

It’s not every Tuesday that I find myself swanning through a $1.2 million Mediterranean fantasy in the former headquarters of Life magazine.

Onur Şafak, who had been investing in various sectors in Europe until 2008, moved to the United States, taking the first steps toward his future success story.

ZOI is a unique Mediterranean restaurant/bar on Nomad, Manhattan, with a focus on great food, equally amazing cocktails, and an inviting atmosphere!

Restauranteur Onur Safak welcomed Bethenny Frankel and her team for dinner at Zoi Mediterranean Restaurant at the Life Hotel where they enjoyed an array of its signature Mediterranean dishes, including a first look at their new Pave Potato with Caviar dish on Monday, October 13

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RHOM Julia Lemigova and tennis star wife Martina Navratilova seen in good spirits and highly affectionate at a dinner with Larsa Pippen at La Grande Boucherie Miami.

Bethenny Frankel and her team having dinner at Zoi Mediterranean Restaurant at the Life Hotel where they enjoyed an array of its signature Mediterranean dishes, including a first look at their new pave potato with caviar dish.

 

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This Thanksgiving, New York’s culinary scene is getting a Mediterranean flair courtesy of ZOI, the beloved restaurant nestled inside the historic Life Hotel in NoMad. Named after the Greek word “Ζωή” (Zoi), meaning life, the restaurant’s ethos centers on togetherness, authenticity, and the art of savoring the moment,  all of which come to life in its special Thanksgiving dinner experience this season.

Zoi Mediterranean is more than a restaurant — it’s a celebration of soulful flavors, coastal elegance, and timeless hospitality.
Grateful for the recognition and even more grateful for our amazing guests who make Zoi what it is.
Come experience the story behind the headlines.

Gurus Magazine Publisher Derek Warburton celebrates Hilaria Baldwin’s holiday cover launch with support from Actor Alec Baldwin at Zoi Mediterranean Cuisine, Nomad in NYC.

The historic LIFE Hotel has undergone a $1.2 million glow-up to debut Zoi Mediterranean and its sultry downstairs sister spot, Ten11 Lounge

Blue Mezze Bar was recently spotlighted in Plate Magazine's “Chefs on the Move” column.

New Authentic Mediterranean Restaurant & Sophisticated Speakeasy Debut in NoMad Following $1.2 Million Transformation

Several exciting new businesses have recently opened in the neighborhood. This roundup features a variety of new neighbors, from a Thai tea and dessert spot to a Korean-founded izakaya chain’s first U.S. location.

ZOI is a unique Mediterranean restaurant/bar on Nomad, Manhattan, with a focus on great food, equally amazing cocktails, and an inviting atmosphere! ​Zoi has introduced a new European brunch menu that is sure to delight food enthusiasts. The menu features a delicious blend of classic brunch items and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with some standout creations that are generating a lot of buzz.

​Bethenny Frankel joined restauranteur Onur Safak for dinner at Zoi Mediterranean Restaurant at the Life Hotel in New York City on October 13, 2025, for a first look at their new Pave Potato with Caviar dish.

This Thanksgiving, one of New York’s ZOI is inviting the city to celebrate the holiday with a distinctly Mediterranean sensibility. The warmly lit, coastal-inspired restaurant tucked inside the historic Life Hotel in NoMad is reimagining the traditional feast through the lens of “Ζωή” (Zoi), the Greek word for life and the philosophy at the heart of everything the restaurant does.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s vibrant NoMad district, ZOI is more than a restaurant — it is a celebration of life and togetherness. Inspired by the Greek word “Ζωή” (Zoi), meaning life, the concept embraces the richness of flavors, the warmth of hospitality, and the joy of gathering with loved ones, especially during Thanksgiving and the holiday season.