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    Cafe Katja

    4.4 (888 reviews)
    ModerateGerman, Bars, Austrian
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Cafe Katja Takeout or Delivery

    Cafe Katja Photos

    CAFE KATJA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Katja

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    Front to back, Gulasch, Blutwurst, roasted veggies and Frittaten Suppe.
    Mark P.

    I love coming here ever time I visit NYC. The food is truly amazing - everything tastes so pure, so fresh , so delicious. I'm a sucker for Blood Sausage, one of the specialties tonight and it was fantastic as expected. A tremendous variety of Austrian and German beers and wines, but i'll stick with the Elderflower Lemonade. Wifey had the goulasch tonight - it's my usual, and was terrific as always. Do yourself a favor - if you love Austrian Food, make this your second home, if you've never tried it you are Long overdue. Service is always friendly and the Cafe interior could be in any Alpine town.

    Goulash blood sausage, roasted vegetables, and a chicken soup with sliced crêpes.
    Alexandra P.

    Highly recommend this charming restaurant. First for the food second for the ambience and the service is charming. Several items on the menu. Remind me of what my mother used to make. Classic and also memorable.

    Liptauer. $16 in 2025.  A tangy whipped cheese. Good.
    Lorraine S.

    It's Spargelzeit in Germany from the end of April until June 24th and Katja is the place to celebrate it here in NYC. What is Spargelzeit ? It's the celebration of the white asparagus (Spargel) season that is so beloved in Germany. Katja has several dishes on this tender vegetable that is less grassy tasting than its green cousin. Traditionally, it's eaten with hollandaise sauce and boiled potatoes but I always opt for sliced German ham. A small is good enough for a light meal. It is pricey at 27 dollars but the asparagus are imported from Europe and they are thick. You'd be hard pressed finding good looking ones such as Katja's in Whole Foods, sadly. Cafe Katja makes their spargel perfect. Tender and with just the right amount of butter that is barely noticeable but gives a slight salty creamy taste. The accompanying ham I choose is similar a French style boiled ham so it's not too salty which will take away the flavor of the spargel. For an app I get liptauer. It's a smooth whipped slightly salty cheese that is perfect for smearing onto the toasted rye bread that comes with it. A substantial size plate , it also comes with a variety of radishes and pickled vegetables. I got the wine that is recommended for the spargel. It was good but I'm not a sommelier so I can't tell a good wine from a bad one hahaha. However , if beers your thing i do like their assortment here. Here's where I give a star off. I never cared for the service. They seem aloof. Barely a smile and I had to stare at my empty water glass for far too long. Also , handing the bill without me asking is rude. It wasn't like I was there for long and they had plenty of seating. Also, they sat others down for drinks 10 minutes before closing so I was politely asked to pay and go for no real reason except for maybe bc I was a solo diner. Also, although I was seated outside, the parties both on my left and right lit up cigarettes and the waitress turned a blind eye. Who wants to inhale a mouthful of nasty cigarette smoke when biting into some good food ?

    Pretzel
    Christine L.

    I can not get enough of this restaurant!! It's one of my all time favs for not just the cozy ambiance but the food itself. Their entrees come with certain sides but they're so flexible with switching the 2 sides for others on the menu which I can't say for other restaurants similar. I always have to get spatzel and here I can just swap out a side to get my fix! The servers here are always amazing, but the last time when my fiancé and I sat in the cozy booth corner, we had an amazing waitress that was so kind to us and actually chatted with us when we interacted with each other. I really regret not getting her name because she was impeccable!!! We told her this was my fav restaurant in the city and she even let us try some drink (it's like a post dinner digestive alcohol- forgot the name) on the house! I'll always come back to this place and recommend it to anyone!

    The food here brought my German-speaking friend to tears. The sausage platter was ausgezeichnet! The apple streudel was divine accompanied by schnapps. Great atmosphere on a Friday night. Highly recommend!

    Wiener Schnitzel
    Demi R.

    Hubby came for the schnitzel while I satisfied my Kale Caesar salad cravings. The schnitzel is not as thin as we'd like it to be, but hey - it's their own spin. The Kale Caesar is huge - good for sharing (for two). The staff is friendly and attentive. It's in a great location on the Lower East Side. The atmosphere is not too loud, and they have a great selection of drinks. Great for couples, group dining, even solo.

    Beef Gulasch with Spaetzle noodles and dark Koestritzer beer. Great comfort food combo for a cold wintry day.
    Edmond C.

    Cafe Katja is a solid restaurant with good and friendly service. I can see this place as a great place to gather with friends who like beer and wine German style. I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon and there were plenty of places to sit. Some of the tables are in odd positions relative to each other, which may make maneuvering around a little tricky without bumping into other patrons. However, the German ambience is unmistakable and they have a very large u shaped bar that may wrap all around, but I did not see all around the bar area. I arrived when only the brunch menu was available. Wienerschnitzel was on the brunch menu, but not Jaegerschnitzel. So I opted for the beef Goulash with Spaetzle noodles. Accompanying the Gulasch, I ordered their dark beer, Koestritzer, an excellent pairing with the Gulasch. The Gulasch had nice chunks of tender beef in that savory stew or sauce, with the Spaetzle noodles offering a firm al dente, slightly buttery counterpoint. The slight sweetness of the stewed beef allowed the palate to be washed down with that beer, highlighting its slightly sweet malt. The malt and richness of the stewed beef come together nicely and is great comfort food for these colder months. The full menu looks promising and Cafe Katja is a place worth revisiting. Prices are reasonable and will allow you to revisit without fear of overcharging. If you live nearby, this would be a reliable place to be a regular and experience the full menu. A good value and very solid three star experience.

    Robert P.

    Small Great food The Sunday crew all speak German Clean Fun Good drinks Great service Not really handicap friendly Old building

    Wiener Schnitzel with cucumber potato salad
    Marianne F.

    Not the best schnitzel I've ever had but very decent. Good beers. The schnitzel was pricey but the beer was cheap. Go figure. So so service.

    Best service of all time. Waiter was super attentive. The pretzel was to die for. I didn't like my drink and they made me another one with no issue. The owner is so sweet and gave us a free shot for moving from a section. Overall 10/10.

    Shani F.

    A friend and I went for dinner on a busy Saturday night. But luckily we were able to get a table pretty easily. We started with the roasted beet salad. It was flavourful but I thought it would have been better with more cheese and not quite aa many beets. We each had the trout almondine. I love trout and really enjoyed the dish. I'd go back to try the fried chicken, hickory-smoked salmon and the spatzle.

    Fall Spaetzle

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    My favorite restaurant in New York, still out of the way for me and I still make sure I go whenever I can. Great food and service!

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    2 years ago

    Great food, good portions, top notch service. The staff welcomed us and made us feel at home.

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    Cafe Katja Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Katja

    Do they still do happy hour as of Jan 2020?

    Trying to call and no one picks up, I get message that voice mail isn't set up. Is this place still open?

    They open at 5pm. Just wait a few minutes.

    I would like to visit this place tonight around 8:30, do I need to make a reservation? can't find the place in open table..

    You do not need a reservation for tonight. If it's crowded, eat at the bar where you can watch the chefs cook and chat with the bartenders. This is my favorite restaurant in NYC!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Heidelberg Restaurant

    Heidelberg Restaurant

    3.9
    (935 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for an authentic German pub experience on the Upper East Side, Heidelberg is a…read moreneighborhood classic. It's located right next door to a German butcher, which adds to the old-world feel before you even walk in. We've only visited the small outdoor seating area along 2nd Avenue, and it's become one of our favorite places to relax, enjoy a drink, and watch the neighborhood go by. The patio is fairly small, so tables fill up quickly. If you're bringing your pup, I'd recommend a carrier or having them on all fours. There just isn't enough room for a stroller without making the space feel cramped. The star of the menu (at least for us) is the giant soft pretzel. It's perfectly warm, chewy, and served with Dijon mustard--simple but absolutely delicious. If you're ordering beer, be prepared...the pints are enormous! Mom isn't much of a beer drinker, so she ordered the rosé cider instead and loved it. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is friendly, and it's an ideal stop if you're looking to unwind rather than rush through a meal. Dogba's Verdict If your humans enjoy a good German beer, a giant pretzel, and a little people watching, Heidelberg is definitely worth a stop. I'll happily supervise from my carrier while waiting for pretzel crumbs to magically fall my way. 4 paws up! Pup Perks * Dogs Welcome Outside * Carrier Friendly * Dogs on Leash Welcome * Not Stroller Friendly * Giant Soft Pretzel * Massive German Pints * Excellent People Watching

    Came here for some good German food based on the positive ratings. For the most part Yelp reviews…read moreare my goto and very few times have let me down. Well this is one of those times. I had the single combo and was very surprised that the food tasted very bland. The flavors were good but very mild. Overall price and service were good, but the food was tasty but very bland.

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    Bar
    Bar
    Kasespatzle
    Kasespatzle
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    Cafe Sabarsky

    Cafe Sabarsky

    3.8
    (716 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    My fiancé and I took my mother here for dinner while she was visiting us in the city. We made a…read morereservation a few days in advance which I definitely recommend now that all the tables were completely full by the time we got here at 6:15pm on a Friday. We passed the security area and then found the cafe immediately on the ground floor. The host greeted us kindly and showed us to our table. This cafe is just stunning-- the wooden furniture and walls, large windows facing the park, the dim lightning, all create a cozy but refined atmosphere. It gives off pristine Central European vibes. We were also lucky and they had a live pianist while we were eating which really elevated the ambiance further. Our waitress was very pleasant and available to help us with all our needs. She took our orders and answered all our questions. We ordered some mulled wines which were perfect for the cold weather, they were spiced and not sweetened at all which I liked. While we waited for our food, we also got some complimentary bread and butter. The bread had some seeds and a nice flavor to it. The butter was creamy and a little salty. The food came out very quickly! We tried: - Smoked trout crepes: perfect to split! This comes with 3 small crepes which were filled with generous smoked trout and came with a side of creme fraiche. The trout was smoky without being fishy and the cold crepes were the perfect light but bright starter. There were some tangy elements from the pickled cucumbers it came with and fresh cherry tomatoes. Very refreshing. The creme fraiche was very good and I used the leftover on the complimentary bread which was also amazing! - Chicken paprikas: my mom ordered this and really enjoyed it. The chicken was so tender it fell off the bone. It came in this very rich and thick tomato and paprika sauce. The dish came with a side of creamed spatzle which are egg noodles and had a creaminess that balanced out the rich spiced sauce. Very comforting. - Beef goulash: my fiancé got the goulash which similarly had super tender beef in a rich sauce and paired with spatzle for a comforting balance. This sauce also had hints of paprika but was far more subtle than that of the chicken paprikas. Very nice dish, really filling. If you like goulash, definitely order this! - Wiener schnitzel: having had schnitzel in Vienna, I had cautious hope about this. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. The breading was slightly thicker here and less airy in general and the meat a bit less tender but I liked how it was not so greasy and I did like that the breading was overall very thin. The lingonberry sauce was quite sweet and would have preferred it on the side. The potato salad though was really amazing and reminded me of that we had in Vienna. It was the perfect side to have with the schnitzel with its pickled, tangy, and herbal elements. - Warm cheese strudel: this dessert was perfect! It came warm and had a moist consistency, almost like a hybrid between a tres leches and a French toast. The cheese was a bit sweet but had little hints of savoriness which really helped balance the dish. - Sachertorte: nice chocolate and apricot cake. This was a lot breadier and less moist than the ones we had in Vienna, however, still good! I thought the chocolate, apricot, and rum balance was perfect. - Hot chocolate: best hot chocolate I have had in a while! Creamy but not too thick, perfectly sweet without being too overwhelming, and had the right amount of chocolate. The whipped cream was light and added a really aesthetic and refreshing touch. They offer a version with rum as well but the original was my favorite. Overall, I had an amazing dinner here! The service was good, the food was amazing and perfectly comforting for the cold weather, and the ambiance was just impeccable. I think this is the perfect spot to bring parents to impress them and have a nice meal. I definitely want to try their brunch/ lunch one day although know those are walk in tables. Would recommend for dinner and or coffee + dessert!

    Cafe Sabarsky has a really unique setting inside the gallery, and the atmosphere alone makes it…read moreworth a visit. The food itself was definitely delicious across the board. The weisswurst was especially tender and flavorful, paired nicely with the pretzel and sweet mustard. That said, the presentation was a bit odd. The whole plate was very monochromatic, mostly shades of brown, which we couldn't help but laugh about a little. We also had the smoked trout crêpes, which were just as tasty and much more visually appealing, but noticeably smaller in portion. That contrast felt a bit inconsistent and left me still a little hungry by the end. Overall, it was a mix of great flavors and a beautiful setting, but with some unevenness in presentation and portion sizes that made the experience feel slightly off.

    Photos
    Just outside the cafe
    Just outside the cafe
    Dessert menu
    Dessert menu
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    Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar

    Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar

    4.1
    (271 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$
    Vegan friendly
    Kid friendly

    Stube rivals any hot dog stand in New York City. A small kiosk attached to the Schaller and Weber…read morebutcher shop, this German stop-and-go window offers a variety of sausages, from bratwurst to Weisswurst to Andouille. Don't ask me the difference between these varieties. I can only surmise that each is a different blend of meats, like beef, pork, or chicken. My favorite will always be bratwurst (beef and pork), but I also enjoy their Knackwurst. While the brat has a very breakfast sausage-like texture, the knackwurst is denser and firmer, closer to a traditional American hot dog. You have the choice between a potato or pretzel bun, and it is almost sacrilegious not to choose the latter. You can also add up to three toppings, including onions and relish. While this stand has indoor seating, it's recommended that you sit at their outdoor tables or standing bar on a sunny day out. Granted, Stube is double the price of a typical hot dog stand, but this is clearly more elevated and made with premium ingredients. Stube is a nice place to sling some glizzies, and if you're in the area, give this kiosk a try!

    One of the rare specialty spots that still exists in New York. Schaller's Stube specializes in…read moregerman sausages. It's small, quaint, and great for a quick lunch. You can order at the front window or inside the shop as they do have counter dining. They serve a variety of wursts on a pretzel, potato, or semmel bun and a selection of fixin's. We got the brat and knackwursts on this visit. The brat was nicely seasoned and fragrant. The knack was closer to your traditional ny hot dog with a snappy bite. This worked well with all the accoutrements (sauerkraut, onions, relish, cabbage slaw, etc. ) They are also connected to Schaller & Weber next door for your german grocery needs.

    Photos
    Currywurst was the perfect decision
    Currywurst was the perfect decision
    Jumbo Soft Pretzel
    Jumbo Soft Pretzel
    SCHALLER DOUBLE (Bacon Cheddar Brat, American Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Frisée, Pickles, Tomato, Diced Onion, Stube Sauce)

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    SCHALLER DOUBLE (Bacon Cheddar Brat, American Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Frisée, Pickles, Tomato, Diced Onion, Stube Sauce)
    The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line

    The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line

    3.3
    (933 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Been several times and this time was there watching the Brasil Norway World Cup game. Communal…read moretable were easy to grab and seat . They were doing tickets for beer and food as well as full bar à la carte. The space is big and wide open communal. Being meat packing / Standard hotel this is no budget friendly menu. Each ticket was $13 and mixed drinks can easily run 20something. I asked for Rose's with tequila. Bartender clearly had no idea what it was lol

    Super fun and great vibes. Super crowded during the afternoon…read more The pretzel was ok, cheese bread was fine but wish there were utensils with it because it was super hard to eat. The hot toddy I got was pretty good and I liked the flavor. The ski shot which is 4 shots of $50 was overpriced in my opinion. Unfortunately the actual experience was soured by the fact that apparently it's $50 pp min if you reserve a table and then in the end they tried to charge us for people who didn't show up even though we did fill the table. I understand the policy and the manager was super nice to us and tried to rectify the situation but our waitress ended up being super rude in the end. They gave us a small discount but we ended up having to buy a lot of tickets to use in the future. Wasn't too happy about how things ended so would probably recommend that you go in the evening to avoid crowds if that's not your vibe and also do not book a table.

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    The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line
    Giant pretzel
    Giant pretzel
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    Consulate General of Germany

    Consulate General of Germany

    2.5
    (11 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    German Visa. Very prompt and smooth. Friendly staff go out of their way to help. Great experience.read more

    I applied for a resident visa for a job offer in Germany and this was my experience:…read more First, making an appointment is pretty daunting. In July, I booked my appointment and the earliest they had was August 31 but i checked back every single day and was able to change it to August 15th and then again I kept checking, and finally I saw an opening for August 3. For people who found that appointments are 2 months out, I would recommend checking the reservations portal every day for earlier dates. Second, the documents you need for a resident visa are not really outlined on the website but you will need the following if your situation is for a job offer: -2 copies of resident visa applications filled out (not sure where you download this form since my company gave it to me) -2 biometric passport pictures 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm with white background -2 copies of your passport only of the data page, and passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 3 empty pages -2 signed form §54 residence law (i got this form at the embassy) -2 copies of medical health insurance that covers Germany (i got health insurance through my new company but there are many rules surrounding health insurance that you should research) -original college diploma (i had photo copies but then eventually had to bring in my original college diploma) -2 copies of enrollment and degree verification from my university -2 copies of ANABIN degree verification -2 copies of ANABIN university verification -2 copies of signed job offer from my company and me -2 copies of CV I submitted my application on August 3rd and was approved in 4 business days. I went back to the embassy with my passport and original diploma, then they returned my passport to me in 30 minutes with the temporary visa inside of it.

    Photos
    Ongoing seminar about BITs
    Ongoing seminar about BITs
    Consulate General of Germany
    Consulate General of Germany

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    Cafe Katja - german - Updated July 2026

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