The food was absolutely fantastic and the restaurant felt like an old Balkan home. Definitely should make reservations.

4/5 (complimentary) Bread with Ajvar 4/5 Sopska Salad 4/5 Lepinja with Kajmak 4.5/5 Fried Spearing 4/5 Mixed Grill -- a very large amount of meats, I would say easily suitable for 3-4 if you are ordering apps. Everything on the platter is on the saltier side, smoked flavor is however excellent. The sausage variety on the platter was probably my favorite! The vibes here feel like eating at your grandmother's house in Europe! Caution that it is cash only! We came on a Monday evening, and seated immediately with no reservation. I did notice that most tables seated by us did have a resy. read more

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A long time ago, I chose this restaurant for lunch with a friend. I remember the delicious, unique Serbian dishes. Yesterday, I suggested to my husband that we go to Kafana. I made a reservation, and we went there for dinner. My order was: Karadjordjeva, Cevapi, Dimljena vesalica, and Rolovane suve sljive and dzigerica. All the dishes were delicious. The portions were quite large. I also ordered a glass of Yellow Muscat dessert wine on the recommendation of our waiter. It was very tasty and aromatic. The restaurant has a very cozy, homey, and welcoming atmosphere. The interior is seemingly simple, but it gives the restaurant an ethnic feel. The service was also very good. It felt like we were visiting hospitable hosts rather than going to a restaurant. I would also like to point out that the prices are very reasonable! Visit this restaurant and you won't regret it! read more

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Another hidden gem in LES. All the dishes were good, but the mashed potatoes are out of this world. You won't understand until you try it! It's addictive. It's a rather loud atmosphere so would come here with a group rather than alone or for a date night. Great service as well very friendly wait staff! read more

Kafana - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

What an amazing little place. The food was amazing. The wine; phenomenal. Service great. Vibes impeccable. Amazing date night spot (or for a large group like I did!) One warning is it is cash only so make sure you hit the atm then enjoy the amazing vibes. read more

Kafana - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

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Service, top notch. Food, amazing. Loved the authentic Serbian experience, brandy, beer, fire touched meats, and hospitality. My crew ordered what felt like the whole menu, we didn't leave hungry or disappointed. read more

CASH ONLY!! Didn't know it until we sat down and had to run to ATM nearby. Surprised there aren't more reviews that mention this. We came on a Monday holiday at 6pm and the place was packed by 6:30pm! Thankfully we made a reservation. The tables are reallllly close together so you're going to have to squeeze in and out. I guess that's what makes it an intimate setting plus candles! It was our first time trying Serbian food and it was lovely with good portions. They give complimentary bread with a pepper spread which was delicious. We got Karadjordjeva Schnitzel Zeljanica - Spinach Pie Kobasice - Sausages (Ljuta) The schnitzel is basically a cordon bleu which was fine. The spinach pie was also nice with feta cheese and flaky phyllo pastry. I would say the star of the show was the smoked jalapeño spicy pork sausage. Super flavorful and came with pickled cabbage. Love it - would definitely recommend. read more

Kafana - Karadjordjeva Schnitzel Zeljanica - Spinach Pie Kobasice - Sausages (Ljuta) - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

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First time trying Serbian food. Everything we tried was delicious. You can tell each dish was prepared with care. Highly recommended.

Being from Serbia is not enough to offer good food. Definitively this is the problem here. The food is unambiguously bad. Waiters are quite nice. But the faba beans are close to be a digestive threat. The pickle salad and the breads are nice. The charcuterie was kind of ok but not great quality. But the different meats and fries were too basic and not great. The desserts were just the crepes-with m-Nutella type of undergrad students taste. The New York Times included this restaurant in their 100 best NY restaurants, and it was a disservice to a restaurante that does not resist to be closely looked. The worse is that it is rather expensive. Around 90 USD per person. The space is a tipically NY eatery. I am sorry to say that I'd never recommend this food. read more

Kafana - Meat - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

This place is a real gem. I came for the cevapi, which was excellent, but the pork shoulder turned out to be even more impressive. The bread with kaymak is also delicious. They have a wide and unique selection of wines from Slavic countries. The owner is very welcoming and clearly passionate about his food. Such a fun spot! read more

Tried Serbian food for the first time at @kafananyc in the very East of East village! I'm not well versed in this cuisine, but the food and vibes felt very traditional. It's a small place packed with people so can get pretty loud but chill. read more

Kafana - Zeljanica - Spinach Pie - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm making this restaurant a regular stop. Staff provides superior service with delicious dishes at moderate prices. Employees performed excellently. Our meal here was completely satisfying. This place is worthy of your time. read more

The taste sensations are remarkable! Each plate we tried was a complete success. The workers' genuine kindness enhances every meal. The food here makes dining worthwhile. This restaurant satisfies my preferences. read more

How did I miss seeing this place before? I encountered new components of excellent quality. I appreciated the unique, engaging environment. Employees delivered exceptional service quality. The pricing structure is reasonable. read more

Six of us visited this restaurant together. No competitor can beat these rates. The ingredients shine through. Staff demonstrated sincere hospitality! Kafana staff members create a welcoming space. read more

I never hesitate to suggest this place for group dinners. Kafana's address is perfect, but its staff's helpfulness is even better. The workers delivered outstandingly good service. Every plate leaves the kitchen at peak quality. I'm considering my schedule for a return visit. read more

Short review: Place is much more reasonable if you do the prix fixe menu for $50 (+ tax/tip each.) You'll leave stuffed though it's a better deal the more people who do it. Would recommend in short 5/6 people or more. My favorite on the main menu is the Rolovane Suve Sljive I Dzigerica (stuffed things with bacon) and the Prebanac sa kobasicom (baked beans with sausage) with the Girice (Fried Smelts) being a great appetizer. My favorite dessert by a mile is the reforma (chocolate/walnut.) I've been to this place a couple time. They are a bit pricey for the type of food but it is essentially Alphabet City/East Village so they're mostly warranted. There's definitely better Balkan food in Astoria for instance but you're paying for the convenience. Cash only as many have noted. In terms of drinks, they have a nice selection of wines from all over the region along with Cockta (the Balkan less sweeter better Coke,) Jupi (similar to Fanta,) and a selection of rakia, a Balkan fruit brandy including Slivovitz/Šljivovica (plum,) pear, and apricot. I believe they use R. Jelinek judging by the bill which is the common brand and it's a pretty cheap way of getting a good amount of alcohol. I personally prefer the pear/apricot. The following menu below is from my recommendation the prix fixe menu. See the short review. Bread: Also comes with the other meals. Good bread served with a good version of ajvar, a red pepper paste. Hard not to eat the whole thing. Appetizers: Lepinja Sa Kahmakom-Traditional bread served warm with creamy cheese spread- I think they added some meat in it like with the add-on for a large group also. Very tasty but very filling. Meat/Cheese Mezze- Assorted cheese and air dried/smoked meats: Nice mix of meats/cheeses. I liked the dried beef the most of the meats and there was an interesting 2/3 cheeses. Zeljanica/Spinach Pie- Traditional phyllo pastry with spinach and feta cheese- This is easily my least favorite thing here and I'd almost request not to get it. I don't like the phyllo texture and it just feels filling without much flavor (the potato version even more.) Girice/Fried spearing (smelts) with urnebes sauce- For some reason they only give this if you request it. And I would highly recommend requesting it. The urnebes is a cheesy (feta,) and peppery sauce with a good amount of paprika and it's quite delicious but I almost prefer dipping these in the ajvar. Sopska Salad/Shepherd Salad- Tomato, cucumber and onion with feta cheese in olive oil and vinegar dressing. Alright take. Very good quality feta but I find the dressing a bit light compared to most. Kupus/Cabbage Salad- Chopped cabbage with same dressing. Also perfectly fine. Helps reduce the richness. Main: The main dish that arrives is a massive meat platter which will dwarf most meat platters you've ever had. It consists of the following: Rolovane Suve Sljive I Dzigerica/Prunes stuffed with walnuts and cheese, rolled in bacon with chicken liver rolled in bacon- Might not be listed first but this is my favorite thing on the menu. The prunes with walnuts/cheese/bacon are a bit lighter than the one with chicken liver. The latter is rich and delicious and basically a much better take on Devils on Horseback. Cevapi/Small Sausage- Traditional grilled minced meat served with chopped onions- Good mini sausages with a nice chew. I prefer them from a place in Astoria more but still good. Dimljena Vesalic/Thin sliced smoked pork neck- Tasty flavor. A bit chewy. Kobasice/Sausages-Basically their take on kielbasa. The less people you have the less type of sausages. We personally got a version which had a nice paprika kick which was fine. Pileci Raznjici/Chicken kebabs- Fine. Not as well flavored. We skipped these and got more of the prunes when I was here with two people. Prebranac/Traditional baked beans- I prefer the version with the sausage as it has more flavor in general but it's good with a good amount of sweetness. Pomfrit/Fries. Fine. I'd prefer them more crisp. The desserts at the end are the following- Zito/Boiled wheat mixed with sugar, nutmeg and walnuts. There is a polish Easter dessert which is somewhat similar but nothing else I can think of outside of maybe calling it a dessert version of cream of wheat. Very lightly sweetened. Pita sa Visnjama/Sour cherry pie-The first time I had this thing it was burnt. The second time it was tasty. The third time it was bland. Reforma/Layered walnut sponge cake with creamy chocolate filling-This is amazing. Almost like a fudge with a good amount of chocolate and not overly sweet. Palacinke/Crepes with jam or nutella- With three people we got only the nutella which was fine. The jam version I believe was apricot and it was tasty. Probably in my second favorite (at least it's more consistent.) The food here is good. Definitely a lot pricier than Queens but well that's Astoria for you. It's perhaps a bit inconsistent for the price tag but I find it to be fine. Low 4. read more

Their menu satisfies while their staff anticipates needs. All food here demonstrates excellence. Their workers delivered consistent excellence. The menu items were straightforward. Only quality found here. read more

The dishes here show real skill in how they're made. The employees were fast and cordial. The restaurant offers a clear, simple menu. The dishes here meet highest quality benchmarks. I miss being at this restaurant. read more

As we entered both employees looked at my Harris/Walz shirt and shot back a dirty look. They were not really interested in doing service. The vibe was very aggressive. We decided to leave. I'll give my money to a business that wants me to be there. Won't be back. Side note water glass had lipstick stains. Trump vibes in the Village is not a winning strategy. read more

Generous portion and hearty food. Loved our experience in Kafana. We have never tried Serbian food prior to this, and the staff recommended Svinjska plećka (braised pork shoulder) and Jagnjeća kapama (lamb and spinach stew). The pork shoulder was very tender. It balanced the mashed potato and the tanginess of the coleslaw salad. The stew was homey. We also got a cheese pie. For two people, we couldn't even finish all of our food and had leftovers to take home! This is definitely a hidden gem and I will be coming back! read more

Kafana - Pork shoulder and lamb+spinach stew - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

Everything. Just bringing Serbia to you.. The smells, the tastes and flavors, the people. Oh and let's not forget the booze! read more

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Good food! Perfect for meat eaters. Cute vibe inside. We tried quite a bit of food. Red pepper salad- amazing!!! Spinach pie- ok Mixed grill - highlights prune with bacon is unique and good, spicy pork sausage was delish Pork kebab- yummm Chard with potatoes- pass read more

Kafana - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

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Great Michelin place with old school vibes. We ended up coming here on a day with live music (Friday night) and it was lovely to listen to the music. The waitress was great as we didn't have a reservation but she managed to get us a table that someone ended up not coming for. I appreciate that with all restaurants instead of letting the table be empty for hours on end because someone can be enjoying their time there. Service in general here was an A++. They were super understanding that one of our friends were late and was great with the wine recommendations. We got the sparkling rose which was not your typical rose- it was like a red sparkling but with a tinge of white. I never had anything like that before and I would urge some others to try it because it's pretty good and pretty bizarre. We shared the sausages (kobasice), the lamb shank and the pork schnitzel. The sausages only come with some purple cabbage which I really liked. One of our party cannot eat spicy and we asked for mild but it was still a little spicy for her taste but I enjoy spicy so it's good to come try it with people who can handle some spice. (Her spice tolerance is very low) The other two wasn't spicy at all. The pork schnitzel was super filling and personally I don't like too much meat so wasn't a big fan of this one but it came with fries so it was a good pick for us since we wanted to try a spectrum. The lamb shank was the best as it was nice and tender and came with some mashed potatoes and the salad. I definitely prefer the cabbage over the salad so I would come here to share some plates to get a good taste of everything because it was so great to try Serbian food & their culture. I definitely didn't think this was "101 best places to eat in the world" (the article I saw outside their restaurant) but I had a really great time and had amazing service and everything was satisfying and filling. read more

Kafana - Kobasice - Sausages, Lamb Shank and pork Karadjordjeva Schnitzel - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

It pains me to write this review, but I had to share my recent experience. My mom and I came here on a Friday night, as we both love Serbian food and have been venturing through many Balkan restaurants in NYC. I am Balkan myself. However, the food left much to be desired. To start off, the service was slow and a bit rude. Our server wasn't very attentive towards us and it took a long time for everything to arrive, even though the place wasn't so busy. Don't expect to see much smiles upon arriving. For our appetizers, we ordered the Gibanica - Cheese Pie and Sopska Salad. The pie was crispy on the outside, but very doughy and undercooked on the inside to the point where it was inedible. Unfortunately we had to send it back, though, this was taken off our bill. However, we never received a replacement. Upon asking the server how the gibanica is usually made, he responded with "I don't know," which was not helpful. The salad was good, but overpriced. Come on, $14 for a small salad? Now I understand prices have been raised, but $14 is ridiculous. We also noticed that after sending the gibanica back, we received less than stellar treatment and everyone else was served before us. For our main course, we ordered the Pork Shoulder. The pork and the mashed potatoes were cooked well, but personally I found the pork to be too salty. Also, I felt the dish had too much cabbage. For our dessert, we ordered the Sour Cherry Pie. I'm not sure what we received, but the pie was just inedible. The crust was burnt and the filling was very dry. It didn't have any distinguishable cherry flavor to it and tasted stale, suggesting that it was not fresh. The only highlight of the whole experience was the complementary bread and ajvar that we received in the beginning - had a nice and spicy kick to it. Otherwise, I would not return. Go to Selo in Astoria if you want quality Serbian food and much better hospitality. *Note* Cash only. Plan accordingly. read more

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Wow just amazing. My friend from Bulgaria and I were searching for a good Balkan food spot and this was just the place. I ordered the Ćevapi and it just reminded me of my trip to Croatia. The meat was delicious and full of flavor. My friend ordered the Sopska Salad and some other dish that started with an S ... I forgot what it was called but it was super good. The ambiance was very nice and I loved the vibes. Def recommend to anyone who is craving Balkan food or just want to try it out. read more

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I've ridden and walked by this place a hundred times but was never sure what it was. I seemed like it might be a coffee shop. My friend suggested we try this Serbian restaurant and super glad he did. We shared all the dishes. We got the spinach pie which was exactly what it should be. If I did it over, I've skip the carbs and save it the stomach space for more meat. Also got the celery root and beet salad which was fresh and helped but the richness of the meat. The mains were the braised lamb shank and the mixed grill. Within the mixed grill, my favorites were the Cevapi and the smoked pork neck. The wrapped prunes were good too and was a throw back in that it totally reminded us of rumaki. The meat mains also came with a slightly wilted lettuce that accompanied the meats and was tasty in an of itself. The server was also super friendly and attentive. read more

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A great meal for a cold fall evening! We got the Bacon Wrapped Chicken liver/prunes which I didn't love but my tablemates did. The braised lamb shank and Cevapi was amazing read more

I had a reservation for 12 people which the staff gratefully accommodated even though the restaurant is not that big. When ordering as a group larger than six, the restaurant automatically switches to a family style menu in which you aren't able to order individual meals. This was great as we got to try a lot of the different menu items, but it also raised the price significantly. I was also able to pay by credit card for such a big group. The food was definitely great and tasted like Serbia. read more

A unique restaurant as there are not many Serbian restaurants. The spinach pie was great but as you eat it, it becomes dry since there is no sauce. Slow service and the restaurant is very small. There were also no chicken only options. Not recommended for vegetarians. read more

Kafana - Zeljanica - Spinach Pie - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

As someone who had never previously had Serbian food, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was not even fully sure what all the items on the menu were, but thankfully the very helpful staff explained and answered a lot of questions about the food. The mains were alright, but the cheese and meat board as well as the bacon wrapped prunes and liver absolutely blew my mind. I would highly recommend ordering and sharing appetizers and maybe one main if you have a decent sized group. The table wine was great for the price too! read more

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Came here with my boyfriend as he is Serbian and wanted us to try some Serbian food. He ordered for all of us, but got a mix of stuff based on the waiters recommendation. Started off with some bread and ivar for the table. Then got a slice of spinach pie which was a very hearty size portion and very heavy. It was bready, cheesy and spinachy. Would probably pass on this next time Next got the roasted red peppers which was super tasty. The peppers basted naturally sweet and tender. We got 2 large plates of meat, the pork shoulder and a mix of meats (pork chop, cevapi, kobasice) which was all nice as well. They came with some sides of salad, pickled cabbage and mashed potatoes which were all super tasty. Got some crepes for dessert which were a good way to end the night. Overall a very hearty meal but would definitely come back read more

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Authentic delicious Balkan food. My boyfriend is Serbian and he wanted to take me here to try Serbian food and he very much approved of the food which says a lot. The restaurant is a cozy little place that felt very homey. The service is normal. read more

We came to Kafana looking for something new, and we weren't disappointed. Great meats, the beans and sausage was a standout, as well as the spinach pie and pork chop. Dessert was great as well, we liked the traditional walnut dessert that was light and sweet. While the restaurant is a bit off the beaten path, it's worth the trip! read more

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We really liked the food, we had the mix grill for two people, all the meat was really tasty and with a smoky woody flavor: beef liver, pork chop, beef cheek, sausage, prune/cheese/walnut wrapped in bacon. Really good flavors. But it does not come with any sides (well technically the meat lays on green salad but it's not a lot of salad and there's no starch). They also bring a basket of bread with a little red pepper dip as an appetizer (for free), which is nice. But: the service is slow and a bit rude. Also: it's cash only. Also: almost 9$ for soggy fries is definitely not worth it. Also: they're playing funky music pretty loud on the background, it doesn't really match the "romantic" atmosphere of the restaurant with flowers on the tables and little candles. In short: order the mix grill, don't order the fries, and do take out :) read more

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We visited Kafana TWO Saturdays in a row and both times have left us already planning our next visit. 5/5 Food: The first time, I had the stuffed cabbage with minced meat special of the day with mashed potatoes. I LOVE stuffed cabbage and was craving it for a while so it was extra comforting to eat. The mashed potatoes were so buttery and delicious, I ate the whole thing even though I was trying not to haha. The second time, I had the Karadjordjeva (pork schnitzel with rolled with ham and kajmak aka Serbian cheese) and it came with red cabbage salad and fries. Super super delicious and decadent - it oozed out butter and melted cheese when I cut into it. I also ordered a side of the Russian salad with is similar to that of American potato salad, except with pickles and peas and carrots... it was REALLY good and I don't normally like mayo. But honestly, the star of the restaurant has to be their complementary bread and Ajvar sauce!! It's like a roasted red pepper/eggplant sauce that is the right amount of spicy but so so tasty. It was so good the waitress was kind enough to bring us a second serving. :) Oh and don't forget to try their bottled beers! Nikšićko from Montenegro or Jelen from Serbia 5/5 Hospitality: The first time we went, we sat outside and it was a fairly chilly day. I thought wearing a flannel was enough but I was wrong. Not sure if it was either the owner or an employee, but they were apparently hanging outside sitting at a table next to us and saw that we were cold and offered us blankets! The second time we went, it was also pretty chilly and windy despite being prepared with warmer clothes. The waitress actually came out with two shots of Rakija (Serbian alcohol) on the house to "warm us up" !! Very attentive, quick and friendly service! Will definitely be back to try more delicious Serbian foods! , Kafana! read more

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So happy we found this place. We'd been craving this cuisine since our trip to the Balkans last year and it did not disappoint. The food is excellent and the portions are big. You will leave happy and stuffed. We recommended the spinach pie and cevapi. They also have a great wine list. We will be back. read more

Kafana - Interior - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

I have loved my experience every time I've come to this place. It was long time ago that I haven't been here and it felt so good coming back and trying our favorite dishes. Do yourself a favor and if you are around the area give this place a try, keep in mind this place is cash only. read more

Kafana - Karadjordjeva Schnitzel and Lamb Shank. Highly recommended - Modern European Near Me - New York, New York

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I would give them a ZERO if I could. Dimitrije was our server and my family was UTTERLY DISSAPOINTED with his service. And the staff of the restaurant is utterly disgusted to serve you. You're not welcome there. The ambiance is terrible. The food wasn't even that good. You're better off eating a pidgeon off the road outside or a rat that scurries across your feet while u dine here. read more

Be aware of server by the name of Dimitrije Petrovic. He has unresolved anger issues and will not hesitate to put his hands on you and get physical with you if you express your dissatisfaction with your meal. He followed my partner and I out of the restaurant and began to push and shove him, while screaming at his face with the mentality of a child throwing a temper tantrum out of ignorance and selfishness. read more