Recommendations- Chicken Liver Mousse, Breads & Spreads, Wellington (to split) From the same folks as Raf's and The Musket Room, this is their first foray into Mediterranean food. The space itself is absolutely gorgeous, from the seating/plating arrangements to the ceiling and various decorations, while the staff gave good recommendations. The prices are a tad high, even by this area, but in terms of flavor, it was very good, and I would go back for lunch or brunch, or stick primarily with appetizers, even if I loved the entree. To drink, I had a Smokey Robinson, a mix of Japanese whisky, bourbon, smoked vermouth, Cherry Heering, arak, and bitters for $24, which was alright. It tasted like a Manhattan, but on the smokier end, and I wish it had more arak flavor. The drink was also a bit small, but that made a bit of sense as it was quite boozy. I started with the $16 Chicken Liver Mousse, with cardamom, pistachio, arak, and fig on toast. The portion size was quite decent for the price point, and the flavors were nice. The mousse was soft and silky, while the pistachios added some crunch, and the fig added some sweetness. All of this came on two thick pieces of toast. I liked it, with the only previous chicken liver toast I liked more being the seasonal versions from Agi's in Brooklyn. Another few people had two orders of the Breads & Spreads for $21, with the breads consisting of pita, talami, and lavash with za'atar oil, while the spreads consisted of eggplant with coriander and chili crisp and labneh with trout roe. There were also a few other options, including gluten-free bread as well as an add-on for caviar for an extra $50. I had a bit of each of the spreads, with the eggplant being particularly delicious, while I don't exactly see the point of the trout roe, as it was just adding some extra saltiness. For my main dish, thankfully, someone split the $74 Lamb Wellington with me. This was $74 and had grape leaves, labneh, and za'atar, and came with two large pieces with the sauce poured at the table. This was a unique take on a Wellington, with the grape leaves used as the in-between layers instead of duxelles. The other person ordered medium, which I was fine with, though I prefer medium rare, and the meat itself was very tender. The pastry crust was buttery, and the sauce added a bit of sweetness, while the labneh had some sourness. This was delicious, and even at that price point, I probably would recommend it, which is saying something. Other people got the $29 Levantine Dumplings, the $22 Chickpea Balila, the $36 Tuna, and the $48 Half Chicken, along with some Lebanese rice on the side. The portion sizes ranged pretty heavily, with the dumplings in particular being quite small. The person who is a vegetarian liked the balila, which was a stew, and said it had a good amount of heat. The latter people loved the tuna and liked the chicken. For dessert, two of us split the Knafeh Cheesecake for $17, with crispy kataifi, apple, and saffron-arak honey sauce. Regardless of it being spelled kunafa, kunefe, or others, knafeh is one of my favorite Middle Eastern desserts, but this missed the mark. The texture didn't really remind me of either dessert, with the cheese being an odd mix of soft and hard. I liked the apples, the kataifi was not soggy, and thankfully, the sauce was not too sweet, being a bit perfumy also from rosewater or possibly the listed saffron. This was just okay, and I wouldn't recommend it. Others enjoyed the $15 Assortment of Sweets and the $21 Chocolate Pot de Crème. I wish some of the spices were a bit more pronounced, but I would go back for lunch or brunch to avoid some of the sticker shock. Mid/low 4. read more

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Loved my time there. The huge skylight is so gorgeous and it was a perfect place to have a conversation seeing that the music wasn't too loud. Our waiter was cheeky but so polite and knowledgeable. Even the staff filling waters were so sweet and actually converse with you. We also had someone in a suit and tie talk to us, maybe one of the managers, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. Oysters were nice and fresh but quite small. The chicken liver mousse was soooo good and I loved the nice thick toast it came on. Very sad they ran out of the lamb Wellington! So we opted for the ny strip which was one of the better ny strips I've had for sureeeee The tabouli was too sour in my opinion as a middle eastern and the knafe cheesecake was okay. I would come back! read more

Cafe Zaffri - Oysters, chicken liver mousse, and that Smokey cocktail that has arak in it - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I can't help but leave my most recent experience at Cafe Zaffri feeling like this venue is a scam, geared towards guests at the hotel upstairs and tourists. Their management seems to adopt the thuggish practices that I would normally associate with nightclub. We learned all of this the hard way. A $180 cake cutting fee without a warning beforehand. Threatening to impose a $175 prix-fixe due to a minute increase in party size, on a Monday night and also without warning. I will do this establishment the favor of not going into more detail on the serious indignities they put our party through, but will just advise anyone considering an event here to urgently make alternative plans. read more

Have been here a few times now and have enjoyed it. There are 2 areas of this restaurant. The back room has a more loungy, elegant vibe. The other is more airy as it's under a skylight, during daylight hours it feels like you're sitting in a cafe outside. The cocktails are expertly made. We really enjoy the breads and spreads. Save room for the sundae, it's worth it. read more

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Beautiful restaurant and great service but the food was not good. Our server really hyped up the food. We ended up ordering everything he recommended and nothing we liked. The steak was bloody and lacked flavor. And the rest I can't even remember because it was just bland. Our check was almost $500. It was four of us and we only had one drink each. Maybe go for drinks and an instagram post but I don't recommend this place for dinner. read more

Cafe Zaffri - Old fashioned before dinner - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

This has to be one of my favorite restaurants I've visited in New York. I come into the city every few months for work and usually make it a point to try somewhere new each time... but I might have to break that rule for this place. From the moment you walk up to the façade and step inside, every detail feels so intentionally designed and absolutely beautiful. It's perfect for a small group, a date night, or dinner with friends. The ambiance is stunning, the service is incredible, and the food is beyond amazing. They were also very attentive to gluten-free allergies, which I really appreciated. When you combine gorgeous décor, exceptional food, and a wonderful staff, it's tens across the board. Thank you for such a memorable experience -- I truly look forward to coming back. read more

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I can confirm the review about the gift card is 100% accurate because it happened to us. A friend purchased a Cafe Zaffri gift card through American Express as a birthday gift for my husband. It was a legitimate gift card with Cafe Zaffri's branding, a gift card number, PIN, QR code, and purchase confirmation. When we went to redeem it, the restaurant refused to honor it. To make matters worse, they accused me of presenting a forged Cafe Zaffri gift card bearing their logo. There is no excuse for treating customers this way. If you sold gift cards under the Cafe Zaffri name, you should stand behind them. Any ownership change or dispute with your gift card provider is your responsibility, not your customers'. New York has consumer protection laws regarding gift cards, including that they generally remain valid for at least nine years. Whether refusing to honor previously sold gift cards complies with those laws is something consumers should seriously question. We were inconvenienced, and forced to pay for a meal that had already been paid for through the gift card. This is completely unacceptable. Until Cafe Zaffri takes responsibility and makes affected customers whole, I would strongly discourage anyone from purchasing gift cards or supporting this business. Also, the food was mediocre at best, and the restaurant was nearly empty, which made it feel like it's struggling. Avoid this restaurant, you'll have more fun somewhere else. Too bad because I heard it was once an excellent restaurant. That's all changed now. read more

Don't go for brunch or lunch. Bad service in so many ways, good decor and ambiance and not good food. Shakshuka was very watery and not flavorful. Jerusalem bagel came cold and tasted old and bland. The skewers (beef and fish one) were just fine. It was very disappointing as Raf's is one of my favorite restaurants but they got a lot of things wrong here. The only saving grace is the ambience. read more

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The customer service was excellent, and our waiter helped us a lot with the things that were new to us. I had a nut allergy, and he was spot on with everything and always called out everything that contained nuts. The fries were the best I've had so far in restaurant experiences. I can't explain it, just order the fries, and you'll see what I mean. I wanted all the appetizers but settled for oysters, fried cheese and fries but loved it. Had a sundae as dessert and we are still talking about it.The ambiance was perfect. read more

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AVOID THIS PLACE. THEY ARE NOT ETHICAL. I've been to Cafe Zaffri several times. Always great food, great service, beautiful interior. I've recommended it many times to several people, all went and enjoyed. But this restaurant is NOT what it was and it should be AVOIDED. I bought a gift certificate from Cafe Zaffri. The charge on my Amex bill said Cafe Zaffri, it came as an email with a confirmation number, QR code, 16 digit gift card code, pin number, Cafe Zaffri's logo at the top, my personalized gift message, etc. I gave it to a friend for his birthday. The friend ate there, and the restaurant would did not honor their own gift card! Seriously...??? They tried to blame the company that does their gift card processing to say it's not legitimate. So I contacted the company that does their processing. And they confirmed the restaurant should have the record, and should have honored it. And they said the restaurant could have just called them to reconfirm if they had a question. Instead they chose to embarrass my friend. It's unbelievable. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT!!!! THEY ARE STEALING FROM THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS. And it's an absolute shame, because it was once amazing. read more

The location and atrium is a total vibe. We snagged an early dinner reservation because that's all we could get - it was empty at first but filled up quickly! Drink menu is fun but a bit pricy. I thought the food was good but as a local, not good enough to visit regularly. read more

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The vibe is great and the room is beautiful (remember to look at the art on the walls). The food is good and creative. Service was choppy and staff didn't seem to have it all together which I understand at a new place on a very busy Saturday evening. read more

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We came in for a birthday celebration and, honestly, we left feeling very confused and disappointed. The experience started off wonderfully...the front-of-house team was warm, gracious, and incredibly helpful. They even secured a few extra spots for our group on a Thursday evening at 6:00 pm and kindly reminded us that the table was needed by 7:30 pm, which was no issue. They took our coats, wished my daughter a happy birthday, and set the tone for what we hoped would be a special evening. Unfortunately, once we were seated, the experience shifted. Our initial server handed us off to another, and from the very beginning, the second waiter felt abrupt and disengaged. We kept wondering if we had done something wrong. Despite mentioning more than once that we were celebrating a birthday...and that some of us had flown into the city specifically for this dinner there was no acknowledgement at all of the birthday. Not even a simple "happy birthday," let alone any small gesture to make the evening special. For a restaurant of this caliber, that was surprising and disappointing. We thought they would bring something with a candle on it to mark the occasion.....but nothing. Our bill was over $500, including entrées, appetizers, and drinks, so it's unclear what went wrong or why we were treated so dismissively. There was no option to call and speak with a manager afterward, which is what ultimately prompted me to leave this review. The food was delicious and the atmosphere absolutely beautiful, but the overall experience left us feeling deflated. We did find another place afterward to celebrate with dessert and end the evening on a positive note, but it's sad to say we wouldn't return or recommend this restaurant based on how we felt leaving. Perhaps it was an off night or simply an off server, but it was enough to overshadow what should have been a memorable celebration. read more

Wanted to experience, once again, the amazing food and ambience at Cafe Zaffri. Unfortunately, it wasn't as i remembered from a year ago. We went for brunch and were seated promptly. The staff were polite and attentive. But I would say a little too robotic, as though fresh out of training. The food took too long to come and things came in sections. When the French toast arrived we had to wait for the syrup. When the avocado toast came we had to wait for the lukewarm eggs. In the end we received a QR code to pay which was weird because we could not see the bill. We requested a paper bill and the whole thing was off from there. The server was standing way too close as we entered payment. There was no hand off from our first server to the next two! It was too casual in who we were dealing with. Very unfortunate. The place is amazing in terms of decor and menu. Last April it was impeccable. I hope things will be improved. read more

Gorgeous space, lovely staff and fantastic food. It's the kind of place you'd take your mom for mother's day or her birthday. Save room for dessert. read more

Two words: Cafe Zaffri. Modern Lebanese cuisine from the masterminds behind The Musket Room, served in a serene, skylight-kissed space that looks like it was designed by someone who wakes up every morning and chooses excellence. The room is so gorgeous it practically whispers, "You're welcome" as you walk in. I went about two weeks ago with my friends Paola and Prer (hello, ladies), and we were collectively shook. The design alone could have fed us, but then the food arrived and we reached a higher plane of existence. The restaurant sits on the ground floor of a townhouse, bathing you in natural light and good decisions. The menu is pure bliss. Now, as a loyal gluten-free girlie, I'm used to restaurants pretending to care about my dietary needs by offering me a sad cracker that tastes like disappointment. But Cafe Zaffri? They understood the assignment. A fully gluten-free bread basket. Three different types. Three! And they looked identical to the gluten-filled versions, so much so that I had to double check with the server and then make my friends taste-test. Honestly? Revolutionary. The drinks were just as impressive. I ordered my usual dirty martini with Monkey 47, because the ratio absolutely matters, and Zaffri delivered perfection in a glass. And speaking of perfection, the actual food hits were next level. The endive salad was a crisp, refreshing masterpiece, and the tartare was so good it made us question every single one we've had before. Truly hit after hit. Oh, and as a final sprinkle of magic, Anne Hathaway was casually sitting behind us. Yes, that Anne Hathaway. I'm convinced the universe was showing off. In short, run--don't walk. read more

The space is exquisite, absolutely beautiful. I ordered the spaghetti with King Crab, Saffron & Aleppo it was DELICIOUS!!! I'm giving the drinks 10 stars. The service was great, it elevates your experience. I highly recommend omg!! read more

Located on East 16th Street, one can hardly imagine the luxurious interior. With a stunning skylight and comfortable armchair seating, Cafe Zaffri's dining area is a serene oasis. This Lebanese restaurant has an interesting selection for breakfast and so I decided to come here. I chose the Zaffri's Lebanese breakfast of two eggs, pork battata harra and market greens. Two perfectly made poached eggs nestled on a plate with the diced potatoes and pork belly that glistened and a green salad which had endives which I enjoy for the its peppery flavor. I took my time to relish each bite savoring the peaceful atmosphere here. To begin, I had ordered the pistachio hand pie but when it was set before me I realized that it was not the traditional hand pie I had envisioned. Pistachios were encased in a thick pastry of phyllo dough and one bite made me realize how honeyed it was. "Lebanese Hand Pie" would have been a more appropriate name as then one wouldn't confuse it. Fresh mint tea was made with fresh mint leaves and hot water poured into a teapot. It was pale and had little flavor. I thought longingly of the robust mint tea at the Arabian Tea House in Dubai which would have brought more joy to this mouthwatering breakfast. Service here is hushed and unobtrusive. Restrooms are downstairs and the hand rail was covered in fabric that felt like velvet. Madeleine, Woody and Sashank made my breakfast enjoyable. The quiet busboy was polite and gracious. I did eat the hand pie with hot Assam tea and relished each bite. I could have eaten a second one. read more

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Cafe Zaffri is truly one of this foodies faves! The food is elevated to exquisite and NEVER DISAPPOINTS! . The skewer service, Qatayef and chilled red wine are personal favorites but every dish is perfectly conceived! The service is absolutely incredible from the moment you enter and see the shining star that is Sophia to every interaction with the diligent and knowledgeable staff. The ambience is perfection...luxe but intimate and cozy. I would gatekeep this one forever but it is just too good to be missed!!! read more

Dry toast, inattentive service, extremely dry croissant (how is that even possible unless it was made yesterday??), sausage was also dry (maybe dry is their thing?) uncomfortable seating. $65 all up for eggs, coffee, croissant, and half a sausage. On the positive side: coffee was smooth and the right temperature, eggs cooked perfectly. read more

Stunning. Simply breathtaking. Upon entering, you are instantly transported. From the main entrance to the coat check and bar, to the sun drenched dining room (and the beautiful back room), the decor is the very first thing that you'll notice upon entering. Their service is also something of note, in that it's just attentive enough. I'm actually surprised by the overall rating, because my meal was fantastic and I cannot wait to return for another meal. The food. THE FOOD. You must get the breads and spreads (it's spectacular), the wood ear mushroom app (solid), and I adored the lamb cavatelli. You also cannot skip dessert, I was blown away by their take on baklava and I really liked the knafeh cheesecake -- a lot lighter than your traditional cheesecake and simply divine. My ONLY gripe is the price point. Nothing here in inexpensive. However, between the ambiance, the food and the service that I had at dinner, I'll definitely be filing this under 'worth the splurge' for special occasion meals. read more

I'd call this a 3.5 as the food was decent and the space is beautiful. The Lamb Wellington is special and was my favorite dish, though I also enjoyed the cavatelli and chocolate dessert. The mushrooms and fried eggplant were fine, but a bit greasy and not memorable. The service is where this place fell apart. Tons of servers standing around doing nothing other than continually pouring water and wine into our glasses - we literally moved bottles to the middle of the table so they would stop. However, when we actually needed something (menus, our food to be delivered) no one was available. read more

Let's just say my whole day was going south, until I walked into the heavenly gates of Cafe Zaffri, and was met by an angel on earth, our server, Hannah. We had breads and spreads in the lounge which Hannah paired a wonderful cocktail with. The ambience of the restaurant is beautiful, will definitely be coming back for dinner. read more

Food and atmosphere was amazing! Mo was our server and he was great. Will be back for sure.

When I think about a place where I can have a well curated meal in an environment that is cozy but fun, I think about Cafe Zaffri where they treat you like an extension of their family. High level of service. Great food options and beverages. Ensure you check them out! read more

I absolutely love this place. So many great items but top on my list is the "Pistachio Hand Pie" it was delicious and perfectly flavorful! My server was amazing attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. Highly recommend this spot! read more

The only reason this place gets a two stars instead of zero is the wonderful space/decor. Went for brunch. Food was pretty bad and so was the brusque hostess. Servers were nice enough but wouldn't go back- no other upsides other than the lovely space read more

I had the best experience at this Cafe.. more importantly the staff were incredible and intentional I believe I met the manager Davorah.. she was an absolute delight I will definitely be back and will be bringing some friends with me next time! read more

Service was really bad and food wasn't very good not worth the money unless you care about the visual appeal.

Kind server but staff did not do anything to make our night feel special whatsoever, especially when told it was our anniversary dinner and they placed us in a corner away from the beautiful main dining room. For the price of the food, it was nothing I'd go back for as a local, not bad but not impressed. Lovely ambience in the main dining room (be sure to indicate you want to sit in there or you'll be disappointed), but the tables are so squashed together I couldn't hear myself talk over the couple next to me and the loud music. Seems like just a trendy social media spot and I wouldn't come back a second time. read more

Everything about this place was a win for me. I visited this location during my first visit to New York and it will definitely be included in my next. The food was flavorful and came out in a timely manner. Every server was welcoming and made me feel like part of the family. I highly recommend that you add Cafe Zaffri to your itinerary. read more

The food was so delicious and the ambiance was so tranquil and beautiful. I really appreciate the quality of service at this restaurant. I'll definitely be going back! read more

I decided to try something different, and settled on this Lebonese restaurant. The experience was melodic. The food and the staff were amazing. I definitely will be making this location a staple in my choices of fine dining. read more

Absolutely phenomenal dinner experience at Zaf's - if I could give more than 5 stars, I would! From the moment we arrived, everything was flawless. The host was incredibly warm and welcoming, setting the tone for the night right at check-in. The service throughout was impeccable -- attentive without being intrusive, and every server and sommelier we interacted with was gracious, professional and attentive. The space itself is stunning -- we sat in a booth in the main dining room which is both elegant and modern with just the right lighting and vibe. It feels fun, adult, and effortlessly sexy -- the kind of place you want to linger in. And the food? Truly excellent. Every dish was beautifully presented, flavorful and perfectly executed. Oh, and don't miss out on the deserts (!). Can't wait to come back and taste my way through the rest of the menu and to check out brunch! read more

both the main dining room and the atrium have great ambience and service! amazing fried eggplant and spreads

Cafe Zaffri has a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere with attentive service. The fried eggplant and lamb Wellington are excellent, and the overall experience makes it a great spot for a special night out. read more

GREAT vibe! The staff is super knowledgeable and personable. Cocktails were tasty and well crafted. Food was gorgeous and really outside the box. HIGHLY recommend! read more

Incredible experience from the moment of arrival. A gorgeous space - beautiful incense smell that's noticeable but not intrusive, perfect music for the ambience. Service was knowledgable and efficient, and felt so personal. Food was delicious and portions perfect. read more

Absolutely loved this place! The food was flavorful, the atmosphere is cozy with a great vibe & the service was warm and welcoming. Glad to have found this hidden gem. Looking forward to coming back! read more

We did not have a great experience. We went before a show, so we ate at 6 pm. The service was extremely slow considering they had 50 people working. There were soooo many people working, they were just sitting around talking. We waited so long to order our food and then for our food to come out. They also put the three of us at a table that was clearly for two people even though 75% of the restaurant was empty. The cocktails were good and so were the mocktails. Although the mocktails were $18 and most of the glass was ice. It was like three sips. The trio of dips were the excellent and I highly suggest those. They don't have a ton of vegetarian options for mains. We split the crab pasta and the lamb pasta. Both were okay. My vegetarian friend got the fries as her side of a bunch of diff vegetables and the fries were good. We asked for the fries and the pasta to go, and when we left we discovered they only gave us the fries. The bottles of water were $12 which is just insane even for NYC. When we were leaving another table of eight were being sat at what clearly was not going to fit them and was a bunch of round tables of two pushed together and the guy said "I didn't wait for 30 minutes to be sat here". Which I totally agree with. Considering still the restaurant was half empty. The restaurant is beautiful, but I wouldn't return. There are a lot better restaurants that are Middle Eastern in NYC. read more