If giving a 4 star review to a restaurant I've only been to once, is wrong, I don't want to be right. Koliba, a Czech restaurant, won me over by going above and beyond. We had the beef with cream sauce, a dish overflowing with sauce. So much sauce, it seeped out of my leftover container into my bag. The meat was tender but not my favorite type of meat, it had a weird taste, like overly beefy. (When I use the word beefy I think about a bouncer, but this is not at all what I mean. It doesn't taste like a 6 foot tall, overly muscular guy, maybe heavy on the blood. Not that the blood was visible, in the least. Actually, I'm finding it hard to describe the taste, so I'll stop). The dumpling cakes that came with the meal were plentiful and spongy. Our other dish, pierogi's, were doused with pork. If I have to explain why this is a good thing, have your taste buds, or sanity checked out. Our dessert was made my Armenian bakers, a honey, super chocolatey cake; soft, a little goes a long way. Our sweet waitress who barely spoke English would approach us by preempting with a qualifier, every time, by saying "sorry or "excuse me", when there was nothing to be sorry about or excuse. I like this. Better to be excused when not doing doing something wrong than not being sorry at all. It's like a warm-up exercise for the conscious. The restaurant is well lit, and basic with a Czech country flair. It also houses a bar. GO! read more

I really liked this place. Food was great and the restaurant is small but very cozy with wooden tables. It reminded me if a restaurant I visited I Prague. Would deffintly come back. read more

This place is just amazing. I'd never even had Czech food before going here, but I get the feeling it's authentic based on the fact that I am only ever one of about four people there speaking English. Every dish you get is HUGE. And delicious. And the beers are HUGE. And delicious. Best things: Pork Schnitzel w/ Pancake Batter, Goulash, Boiled Beef in Dill Sauce, Kielbasa, Chicken in fresh picked mushrooms, French Onion Soup... Just everything. I've been here at least a dozen times and have never been disappointed. read more

Had a super meal at Koliba. My husband's family are Czech and this is as near to Czech home cooking as it gets! Pork and dumplings and outstanding sauerkraut. Beautifully done chicken in a light sauce with mushrooms. Traditional dumplings Very friendly service and cool beer. What more can you ask for? Highly recommended and not even expensive. We'll be back! read more

Great pour on the beer, absolutely delicious food & friendly staff. What more can you ask for?

cozy place. food tastes very european. like the brouczech, nice dark bavarian style. the playlist is pretty cool, classic polka stuff interspersed with remixes and electronic czech. wanted to try some real czech dumplings but they had apricots in them, so i passed. we did try some grilled kolbhasa and garlic chicken. the sauerkraut was sweet? kinda wierd but a few bites were ok. when you're in a place where your table is the only english being spoken, that is special. my czech friend tells me that last time she was here a drunk polish guy picked a fight with a czech. she loves this classic old world tavern. i think i could grow into it myself. read more

For those you are still struggling to make difference between Czech and Slovak cuisine - this one is definitely Slovak, also outside look reminds you of Slovak mountain chalets i.e. in High Tatras. Of course they offer also Czech meals, but go for their "halusky", Slovak very nice meal, for beer I suggest Golden Pheasant, perhaps the best Slovak beer. If they have "Cesnecka" soup (garlic), go for it too. read more

This place is the real deal. Good old fashion Czech cooking in a friendly setting with good prices. Dobrou chut.

A cozy dining room and a small bar area, with traditional hunting lodge decorations on the walls, first greet the visitor to Koliba. This restaurant specializes in Czech and Slovak dishes, and does not disappoint. Most of the meat dishes are well prepared in the traditional manner and typically come with a hearty selection of sides (dumplings, potatoes and vegetables). All dishes are well proportioned and are priced reasonably. There also is a good selection of Czech beers and liquors on hand. Try to go during one of their special game meat weekends, the specials are fresh and well prepared. For a great all-Czech experience, go to Koliba first for dinner, then go to the Bohemian Beer Garden (just a couple blocks away) for drinks into the night. read more

Koliba, which means chalet in Slovak, is located in Astoria, not too far from the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. And as you can see from the frontage, it bears the peculiarity of serving cuisine from a country that no longer exists, and even brags about it on its web site -- look at that beautiful Czechoslovakia in red on the map! The interior is decorated like a hunting lodge, with stuffed animal heads, antlers and hatchets. You'll find more (and better) pictures on their web site, too. And while you're there, you might as well make yourself acquainted with the rules of the house. My favorite: "Take out orders are charged extra. Prices are subject to change without notice." The menu, of reasonable length, lists many Czech and Slovak classics: beef stews, pork roasts, schnitzels, dumplings, haluky (Slovak spaetzle), klobasa (sausage). Before ordering, keep in mind that the portions are really huge. Most dishes are about double the "normal" size. The grilled sausage was smoky and juicy, as good Czech sausage usually is. I actually wonder if Czech restaurants make their own or order them from a butcher -- I would think the latter, which is fine by me. The giant langos wasn't bad, but the dough was a bit bland, with too much garlic and too much cheese. I would have preferred less cheese, but slightly melted. The combination pork platter consisted of roasted loin of pork and smoked pork with red cabbage (lots of it) with an order of bread dumplings on the side. The roasted pork certainly didn't look like loin to me, but all the meat was properly cooked and tender. The traditional dumplings played their sauce-mopping role to perfection. The pork schnitzel (or schnitzels rather, since one portion includes two generous pieces) looked a lot like a chicken schnitzel, but was bland enough that we might never find out the truth. As is often the problem with schnitzels, it was rather dry. The dish could be significantly improved simply by adding some butter while frying, and serving it with an egg on top, and I don't care if it's not "the way it's served in Czechoslovakia"! At least the fries were crispy. As for the under-ripe tomato and other tired vegetables, I'd like to shake the hand of a diner who actually eats them all. The haluky, potato spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese and bacon, were borderline inedible. First, the spaetzle looked liked giant greenish-greyish gnocchi and tasted rubbery and undercooked. Then there was the monstrous cheese sauce. Sure, it looks close enough to the reference picture on Wikipedia, but this is just an illusion. I certainly don't remember eating anything that gross in Slovakia. To be fair, the bacon was good, but this just wasn't enough to redeem the dish in any way. The leftovers, minus the haluky that went straight to the trash, fed us for another meal and a half. I can only regret the quality didn't always match the quantity. Oh, and if you're one of those individuals with a special dessert pocket, they serve home-made trúdl and crepes. read more

Food is good but nothing really special about it. The menu could be a lot better designed with pics and clear description od the dishes. For a non-european, its just impossible to have any idea of what to order.. they dont have a full bar. read more

This is a wonderful restaurant and easily accessible since it's just a few steps from the end of the N/Q line. If you're a fan of mac/cheese (and who isn't?), you have to try the Potato spaetzle with sheep cheese-bacon. I'd rather eat that than any other mac/cheese style dish anywhere. Ambience is good, wait staff pleasant and beer selection good. What's not to like? read more

A real good spot to switch up food in Astoria. It has a family vibe and focuses on good traditional plates and good service. This is the place to go to when your hungry and don't know where to eat. They won't disappoint you. read more

The best czech&slovak food on the east coast. could be closer to manhattan but worth the commute

Great place for heavy Czech food and great Staroprammen beer.

I like this little spot. They have really good Czech food and the atmosphere is very cozy. There hours are a little later when it comes to opening, so its more of a afternoon lunch and dinner their. I particularly like the home made soups and awesome pilsners. The bar is a perfect spot if you can't get a table and the service is pretty good for the most part. I haven't had any complaints on my end yet. Any time I go there I leave pretty good. I only gave it four start because I haven't tried all there food yet! read more

The food is great. It goes so well with beer. Offering better value and taste compared to the Czeck restaurant in upper east side. The duckling with red cabbage was amazing! read more

i thought the food here was amazing and really unique. i had the lentil soup and it was to die for. there were chunks of some porcine meat and it melted in your mouth with every bite! i also had the beef with cream sauce. so good. softest beef i've tasted in a long time, cooked to perfection. i couldn't finish all my food so the portions are large (or i'm small?). nice beer selection and fun environment. read more

My girlfriend and I had our first date here. We now frequent it for our anniversaries. Excellent food.. good place to try for first timers to Czech cuisine. Great beer selection. Reasonable prices for sure. Try the Slivovitz! read more

You can say i've been on a German food kick ever since I developed a liking for the pickled herring and then found out that its also popular in Czech cuisine. So i was eager to travel all the way to Queens and try the place i've passed many times without any interest of going inside, Koliba -it was so good, i cant get over it! I can't say that i cant wait to go back bc i have a feeling it was pretty high in calories, as most good things are. My friend and i had the herring, the cod liver (yum!) and I had the potato dumplings without the bacon. It was more food than i could handle and very inexpensive. While the atmosphere was extremely low key, the decor was cute and cozy. read more

Great food. They has some really good specialties from time to time. The place could offer better non-alcoholic drinks.

The food is yummy, staff is friendly, prices are good ... try some Czech/Slovak food :) Good for a dinner or lunch.

It helped that my friend speaks Czech, but went here after the beer garden Friday and it was soo good. Started with Potato spaetzle with sheep cheese & bacon (without the cheese) - holy filling. Then had some Duck, Goulash, and Chicken ala baca. All were good, but the chicken was the best. Place was very warm and food was very comfort style. Delish! read more

This place has the best sliced ham I have ever tasted. I think they called it "pork", so we were initially expecting some chops. Instead, we were given tender slices of Easter-style ham with giant bread dumplings. The beer is cheap and large, and the folksy decor is very calming. I'm so glad we stumbled in here. What a lovely find! read more

Discovered this place more than 10 years ago. Food is consistently good. Must try item on the menu: fried cheese and ham. Their beer is pretty good on the tap. The restaurant needs small improvement such as new menus ;) staff very friendly and there since the beginning... read more

This place is totally no frills ... but the service is friendly, the atmosphere is comfortable and the food is delicious! Please note however, if you are a vegetarian or on a diet...this is NOT the place for you ... this is comfort food at it's eastern European best! read more

Changed my life. It's not cheap for fare that seems somewhat simple, but everything tasted outstanding and the portions are hearty. Vibe is amazing. read more

Ate here last night with the wife and another couple. All of us having been to Prague a few years ago we were having flashbacks. We really felt like we were in the Czech Republic. The beers were amazing and the food and service were very good. We will definitely return and certainly recommend trying this place for a Czech experience. read more

I came here earlier today and had the roast duck, which was absolutely delicious. My fiance and I split a broiled kolbasa, and he had the pork schnitzel with cheese. I tried both, and thought they were great. The service was very friendly and attentive, and I thought the prices were very fair, especially since the portions were large. Definitely recommend this restaurant! read more

Went here with a friend from Slovakia who was very impressed by the authenticity of the food - portions were huge and each plate was delicious. Will definitely be back here again! read more

WOW, Excellent ! From midtown Manhattan about 20 minutes on subway, around the corner from the stop. Warm, cozy and inviting from outside, the same when stepping inside. We ate here last night for the first time . Had Svitxkova, Halloushky, Liver Dumpling soup . My partner had Czech beer he said was as good as any Danish or better than... I had the perfectly chilled Slivovitz . The food was better than my mamicka's ! The food brings back many memories, and we look forward to making many more here. The waitperson was very charming, and attentive without being overly . Georgia the owner is a treasure seldom found these days in restaurants . I am a chef, and do not eat out much. But, I cannot recommend this place highly enough . I have NEVER written a restaurant review, but, this place needs to be discovered, experienced, over, and over again . We look forward to future visits to have so many more of the menus items that I know will make very happy stomachs, and hearts. Sincerely, Christian J read more

The food here was good and the decor is very cute. The service was decent but they only had 2 women working the whole restaurant so I can see how the service would deteriorate if there were more customers. There were only about 4 tables they had to serve on a Sunday night. An annoying thing is they only accept cash for the tips. I would definitely come back again for the food. read more

This place was absolutely horrible. The service is terrible, and way overpriced for the crap they serve. Not only that they have a minimum of $25 on a card. The table next to us was not allowed to pay their $20 buy beers with the card so they had to run to an ATM to get cash. Really pathetic for a restaurant in New York. Stay away! read more

Have been here twice, several years apart and the food was great each time! Service was very attentive. Will definitely visit again!

The shizzz is great. I'm Russian who used to live in Astoria and sometimes I just need some bland eastern/central european comfort food. My boyfriend and I have been here many times and it's always good. He tends to get chicken schnitzel and I like to get spaetzle. I've had the pickles, kielbasa/salami and some salad with eggs (can't remember then name) The food is always fresh and always delicious. The portions are enormous so you can really split a dish between 2 people...but I like to just take half home and enjoy it all over again. The beers are big, about $5 for a liter...and they have Czech beers on tap and in bottles. The service is mostly good but it may take a while for your food to come out cause they're cooking it up fresh for you and the place gets crowded. They're always some husky Czech men sitting at the bar. I've waited for a table on many nights, they're always full of patrons so make a reservation if you know you want to go (even though it's not a fancy place) The decor is typical eastern/central log cabin kitsch....love it. Warm, toasty and lively. read more

Nice place! Beef with cream sauce and the fluffy dumplings was my favorite. It was the third Czech place I visited in NYC over the weekend.

After weeks of wanting to try this place after being told about it from a friend of mine, I finally got here. First of all, the staff is very friendly and told me all about the different items on the menu. Including the dark beer which I will be hunting down in stores to purchase cause it was delicious. I started with the Garlic soup with egg yolk and cheese. It was like nothing I have ever tried but I loved it so much. I began to show the waitress a piece of paper with something written on it that I was told I should try. Not sure of the name of it anymore but it's potato spaetzle with sheep cheese-bacon. Incredible! It was like a rich and creamy gnocci with chunks of bacon. There were pieces of bacon with every bite. It's very rich and filling so I had to bring some home. The waitress told me no one can finish it in one sitting. I'll eat the rest today. Looking forward to that. My wife had the Pork schnitzel in potato pancake batter-topped with cheese. Two huge cutlets where I'm so glad she brought the other on home. I'll be eating that too! This will not be the only time I will be here. The food and atmosphere was perfect. Thanks Susan for turning me on to this place. read more

talk about comfort food...schnitzel, pirogi, roast meat; all washed down with a 1/2 liter of krusovich. and it's proximity to bohemian hall makes it a great alternative for sustenance after drinking under the stars. as previously warned, this place can be very busy. there is usually room at the bar but hold out for a table. remember to loosen your belt as you leave because the portions are very large. great for sharing with your special someone or keeping for yourself as leftovers. read more

Koliba is authentic Czech/Slovak restaurant. Food is delicious and beer is amazing. They also have non-alkoholic beverages from Slovakia/Czech Republic. Stuff is very friendly. I was there many times and it is always for 5 stars read more

Absolutely delicious!! We came here for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful time. We started with the boiled pierogis with bacon and sour cream and they were lovely pillows of comforting goodness. The potato filling had just the right amount of garlic and seasoning and were supported well by the savory bacon (of which there were plenty) and the bright sour cream. I then had the duck with red cabbage and bread dumplings and it was really tasty. The duck skin was really crispy and the meat was juicy and it came in a truly yummy gravy. My date had the pork schnitzel in potato pancake batter with potato salad and he really enjoyed it. And then the night was topped off with a gooey delectable honey cake. This might be our new favorite cake. . . sooo gooooood. Plus, our waitperson was incredibly nice. She was attentive and helpful and made us feel very well taken care of. This restaurant is not near our home, but we'll definitely be coming back soon and as often as we can. read more