Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Village Cafe

    4.3 (125 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Village Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    VILLAGE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Village Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Guru
    Steph W.

    Ambiance (4/5): The restaurant is located a little farther from the street, almost inside a parking lot, within a small homey dining lodge. I felt like I was inside someone's home and felt welcomed and comfortable. Not loud and well lit. Service (5/5): We came at an off hour during the weekend around 1:30pm there was still around 6 parties dining in. The staff provided good recommendations and good service. When asked for water without any lemon slices, they provided bottled water at no extra cost! Food: (4/5) - rated New York Times top 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2025 Every dish came with a small cup of sour cream / Tzatziki based sauce that went with every dish. This was a must and this was mastered very well. Kutaby with chicken and lamb (4/5) - we ordered one each but the lamb was far superior than the chicken. Guru Hingal (4/5) - served in a warmed bowl with a lid in a bed of soft pasta and minced lamb. The pasta reminded me of chow fun (Chinese rice flat noodles) and then some seasoned minced lamb. While overall there were flavors in there, it was still lacked flavors and required to be drowned in the Tzatziki sauces or perhaps a order of table hot sauce. Finally we got the Lamb Lulya Kebab (5/5): this was by far the best dish of the meal! The meat was so wonderfully seasoned throughout, juicy, and complemented well with the rice, onions, and tomato based dip. The wraps themselves were way too small to enjoy using hands so we definitely reconstructed on our plates and attempts with our hands.

    Baku Salad
    Michelle C.

    I saw Emily Fedner on IG naming the Village Cafe's guru hingal as the best dish she ate in 2022 so I was very curious to try them out. The restaurant is a little hidden and actually inside the parking lot of a liquor store on a somewhat busy stretch of Coney Island Ave. Parking is free and available inside the lot though there is also street parking available. I came early on a Sunday evening around 4:30 and there were already several tables of guests. Our server was really kind and patient and walked us through some recommendations for us, as it was our first time trying Azeri food. We ordered the Baku Salad ($15) to start which had grilled and chopped eggplant and tomatoes with bell peppers and cilantro. It had a nice smoky flavor but it also tasted like something I could get from NetCost. Nothing too special. We also received some fresh, fluffy Turkish bread ($5) that we were told were complimentary but I noticed they charged us for it at the end. Oops. But I didn't mind because I love Turkish pide and these were warm to the touch. We also noticed nearly every single table had a plate of kutaby so we had two orders of the lamb version ($3 each). They are kind of like flatbread with a crispy edge except these kutabi(s?) were filled with minced lamb so juicy I was surprised the bread wasn't soaked through. They were so fragrant but in a way in which the gaminess wasn't too strong. Seriously blew all other kutaby I had eaten before out of the water. For our entrées, we decided to do as the Romans do and order the lamb lulya (most tables had these and the kutabi), the chicken kebab and mother in law's chicken at our waiter's recommendation, and of course the guru hingal. The lamb lulya kebab ($12.50) came in three precious, delicious patties all wrapped in lavash. The outside was seared and biting into the soft sausage shaped patty unleashed a river of juice. Absolutely phenomenal! The chicken kebab was also excellent and nicely seasoned. I think their grilled dishes are really great and they must be performing some kind of sorcery to create the perfect juicy grilled meats. The mother in law's chicken ($18) was baked but very crispy and smothered in mozzarella cheese and mushrooms and served with a smear of mashed potatoes. I think out of all the dishes we tried, this would probably be the option I would recommend to someone who is not too adventurous or prefers some kind of familiarity as it did give me chicken parm vibes. This is not to say it wasn't good because it was delicious and decadent and very very cheesy. And finally, the dish that drew me here in the first place: the guru hingal. It's essentially a plate of thin, handmade sheets of pappardelle-like pasta with grilled minced lamb and onion, served with a herby, garlicky yogurt sauce. The lamb flavor is amplified because it's cooked with its own fat but the yogurt sauce drizzled atop simultaneously cuts through the heaviness with its sharp garlic notes but accentuates the richness with the cream. It's the most lovely dichotomous dish and I can see why it's one of their popular menu offerings. I would suggest to eat this quickly as the pasta can congeal once cold.

    bread - super fluffy and delish!
    Sandra S.

    I am so grateful my cousin took us and the entire family here to eat. I have never had Azerbaijan foods before and I can tell you it was truly amazing! The waiter was very helpful and gave us excellent food recommendations. They were all delicious! I felt the love when I was eating the foods. I highly recommend this place. It is truly a hidden gem. We ordered to share: 1) Journey to Baku (Eggplant salad), 2) Creamy Mushroom Soup, 3) Borscht Soup, 4) Lamb Kutaby, 5) Chicken + Lamb Lulya Kebab w/ Pilaf, 6) Shaker Bura cookie. Journey to Baku (eggplant salad appetizer) - this was very delicious! The eggplants were super tender + marinated so well. It tasted like glazed balsamic eggplant. Creamy mushroom soup - WOW! I highly recommend this. One of the best creamy mushroom soup I had in awhile in NYC. Super flavorful and creamy! Borscht Soup - WOW! I also highly recommend this! This borscht has beef in it, so it is not vegetarian friendly. Super flavorful (esp after putting a few spoons of sour cream in it). Loved it very much! Lamb Kutaby - It was delicious but a bit oily. It was some sort of flatbread w/ lamb filling. If you close your eyes, it tasted like a lamb manti (dumpling). Chicken + Lamb Lulya Kebab w/ Pilaf - The chicken kebab was so tender + juicy + well seasoned. The lamb kebab was also delicious and well seasoned (not too gamey). The pilaf w/ onions was good (to mellow out the flavors of the chicken + lamb). There was some dipping sauce + I was not a big fan of it. Shaker Bura cookie - This cookie was interesting. It tasted like a butter cookie. It was nice to try, but I would not reorder this again. P.S - that bread was holy! It was so damn soft and delicious (by itself & w/ butter). The bread paired so well w/ the soups + the eggplant salad. Friendly and helpful staff + very comfortable seating. Love the decor - feels homely. I will be returning soon again!

    Chicken Teriyaki Salad w/ Chicken
    Jenny N.

    Came here for husband birthday earlier this week and he loved it. The staff was attentive and my husband said he loved their humor and jokes. I didn't understand it as they were speaking in Russian. Ambiance was cozy and nice as usual and they had high chair for my daughter which was a plus. Food this time around was okay thou. Could had been better for the price. Spent about $74 including tips.

    mary m.

    Had dinner here with a couple of friends and it was soo good. Great service, atmosphere and their food was outstanding! Honestly i forgot and probably don't even know what we ordered since we just pointed at pictures on Yelp/google. Chicken was crispy and juicy, the beef kebabs were big and juicy, perfectly grilled. The lamb sausage (I think?) with the wrap, so juicy and tender, fat just dripping down. At first we wanted to order an extra entree but our server was honest and said it will be too much for the table (he was right!). We saw a lot of ppl ordering tea at the end of their dinner and we followed along. The tea with sugar cubes was a hit and a great ending to our stuffed belly. Overall - prices are very good and food was excellent!

    a plate of mixed vegetables on a wooden table

    See all

    Photo of Marina R.
    640
    52
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of N n.
    6
    29
    34

    10 years ago

    loved this restaurant a lot. food is delish and staff is nice. their lunch specials are super good and cheap

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    This cozy Azerbaijani cafe is a hidden gem! Great ambiance, friendly staff, authentic food, and fair price. BYOB at no charge!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - Village Cafe

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Cafes 23,031 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Dunya Kabab House - Uzbeki Qabuli Pulao

    Dunya Kabab House

    4.6(100 reviews)
    2.2 miFlatbush, Kensington
    $$

    Wow this is a legendary Afghan restaurant located in Kensington Brooklyn and from the mante, to the…read morechicken kebab plate I can't tell you what's not amazing about this place. Good restaurant to come in with the family but also great for take out, and the quality and consistency is always top notch. The mante is seasoned so well and it's always fresh to order and one of my favorite dishes of all time. The food is very palatable as it's not spicy and you get a great value for your money. It's also halal and a great option in the area or if you're looking to explore and try some classic afghan food!

    I had been to this Afghan restaurant once a good while ago, having gone there as part of a Yelp…read moreevent where I loved the food. More recently, I hosted a meal here with a bunch of others, and there were enough glaring issues that I can't recommend this place anymore, regardless of the excellent quality. The place is casual, and the staff had to be asked for silverware, extra cups for water, spoons for serving, and other items. To drink, someone had a $5 Doogh, and I ordered one too, but it never arrived, though at least it wasn't on the bill. They gave us a simple salad to munch on prior to the meal, which worked well with the yogurt dressing on the table. The bread on everyone else's table was missing from ours, which turned out to be the first difference in our meal compared to most other tables. For appetizers, we got a couple that were both $8 and had the same type of sauce. My preference of the two was the Mantu, or steamed dumplings stuffed with ground beef. The dish came with six large dumplings that were plump, with a nice thin dumpling skin. There was also the Aushak, filled with leeks and scallions. In comparison, they were smaller and a bit thicker, with a more refreshing filling. The sauces on both dishes consisted of a mix of garlic mint yogurt and a lamb/tomato-based sauce, and they went well, adding some tang. Of the mains, my preference was the $15 Chapli Kabob, or sizzling pan-fried ground beef patties mixed with fresh vegetables. In comparison to the Pakistani version, they were more delicately spiced, but I didn't mind, as there still was a little pleasant kick. The meat, otherwise, was very tender, with the three patties easily broken apart with a spoon for sharing. The group favorite was surprisingly the Spicy Chicken Kabob, consisting of boneless chicken breast marinated with a blend of Afghan spices for $17. The chicken was very tender and juicy, with a mild kick. I found it better than the $18 Lamb Tikka Kabob, with the meat in the latter being tasty but a bit dry/overcooked. There was also the tasty $15 Borani Banjan, or fried eggplant seasoned with spices and topped with garlic mint yogurt. This is available as an appetizer, but we got it as a main. The eggplant had a light crisp and a similarly tasty sauce, similar to the appetizers, which made sense in retrospect. The most well-known dish here is the Uzbeki Qabuli Pulao for $23, or braised lamb shank served over a bed of rice and garnished with sweet raisins and carrots. The lamb fell off the bone and was wonderful overall, and I can see why this is the most popular option here. I would comment on the Qabuli Pulao, but they gave us standard brown rice. They eventually gave us a separate dish of raisins and carrots, but this was annoying at best, as a few other dishes were coming out with said mixture on other tables, and I doubt they had all ordered it prior. For dessert, we got a single order of Firnee for $6, a housemade custard made with sweet milk, cinnamon, rosewater, and cardamom, garnished with minced pistachios. The custard was light with a mild sweetness. Otherwise, there was a pleasant floral flavor. We had a $5 pot of green tea with that dessert, which had some cardamom and I think maybe a little bit of cinnamon as well, and it went well. Overall, it was good, though a few of us got dessert afterwards at the excellent Pakistani shop Narala nearby. If the food wasn't so good, I'd be docking this spot another point or two, as this was the first time in a very long time that it felt like we were getting a different experience, in terms of bread and especially the rice, for some rather obvious/unfortunate reasons. The fact that they charged us for this rice multiple times without giving us said pulao irks me as well, even if it's only $3 per dish. To be honest, I would prefer to go back to a pricier spot in Manhattan, such as Afghan Kabob House or Ariana, where the service is nicer and we get the same experience.

    Photos
    Dunya Kabab House
    Dunya Kabab House - Mixed Afghan Kabab

    Mixed Afghan Kabab

    Dunya Kabab House - Bolani Mixed

    See all

    Bolani Mixed

    Village Cafe - cafes - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...