Rafael Hasid is a New York chef and restaurateur whose Mediterranean Israeli sensibility has shaped some of the city’s most beloved neighborhood restaurants. With a focus on hospitality, community, and vibrant seasonal flavors, Hasid’s work connects tradition with contemporary conviviality.
For nearly two decades, Rafael “Rafi” Hasid has been a fixture in New York’s Mediterranean dining scene, earning a devoted following for food that feels both personal and timeless. Born and raised in Petach Tikvah in Israel, Hasid grew up around family meals that blended Eastern European favorites with Israeli staples, experiences that now inform his layered approach to cooking and his sense of welcoming hospitality.
After military service, Hasid moved to New York at 24 to study at the French Culinary Institute, laying the groundwork for a career that would influence neighborhood dining across the city. In 2005, he opened Miriam in Park Slope, named in tribute to his mother. The restaurant’s success led to expansion, including Miriam on the Upper West Side, Miriam Street Food, and Miriam Upper East Side, each reflecting his commitment to thoughtful, season-driven Mediterranean cuisine.
At the center of Hasid’s work is a belief that food should bring people together. His cooking reflects a respect for tradition alongside a curiosity for new flavors, resulting in dishes that highlight memory, seasonality, and the simple joy of sharing a table.
