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    Village Cafe

    4.3 (124 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Village Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    VILLAGE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Village Cafe

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    Borscht
    Larissa B.

    You'll feel like you were transported to another country. This area of Brooklyn is a Mecca of Eastern European foods, from Georgian to Moldovan to even Azerbaijani, like Village Cafe. Walking in felt like we were in a local restaurant in Azerbaijan, with a large table of men eating endless platters of food and drinking and laughing. Featured on the NYT 100, I ventured out to try this restaurant, lured in by the steaming bowl of borscht I saw on a video. It was perfect for this cold, winter night. We got a bowl of borscht each, which was filling and warming, a kutaby (lamb was better than the greens one), a lamb lulya (think kofta) which was so flavorful, a little salty, but it was balanced by that incredible sauce with it and rice, as well as a baklava. I wouldn't get the baklava again, but they had a fun selection of traditional desserts. It's BYOB with a liquor store conveniently located next door featuring wines from Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, etc. a whole kosher section and the usual suspects.

    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

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    Photo of N n.
    6
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    10 years ago

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

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

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

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    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - Village Cafe

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    Cafe Mogador

    Cafe Mogador

    4.4
    (1.6k reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $$$

    Cafe Mogador has incredible food in both locations, obviously. But the Wythe location in…read moreWilliamsburg is a stand out! It's much more spacious and has indoor/outdoor seating. Great ambiance! This is my staple restaurant that I've been going to for years. It's about time I left a review. It's overdue! My favorite menu is their breakfast/brunch menu. I will continue to frequent this restaurant for good reason.

    Cafe Mogador is one of those rare nyc gems that was super popular in the 2010s when they first…read moreopened and has somehow maintained that popularity over more than the decade plus since. I went back for a weekday lunch recently and the food and atmosphere both hold up fabulously, so it makes sense why they've remained a brunch mainstay at both their East Village and Williamsburg locations. I enjoy that they serve their hot moroccan tea in a glass as is traditional, so you can see all the fresh mint leaves in your cup. I had tea like this multiple times a day during my trip to Morocco a few years back so sipping on this here took me back in time. I ordered a short stack of their blueberry pancakes which were very fluffy and delicious. They're not the kind of pancake with crispy edges, which are my preferred kind of pancake but I still found them satisfying. The moroccan eggs, which are two poached eggs in spicy stewed tomatoes and served with zahar pita is a delight. The pita is very fluffy and the zahatar adds such a nice fragrant spice to the bread. They used to serve this with potatoes but now those come at an additional charge but are well worth getting. The Williamsburg location also has pretty good wifi and they let me work on my laptop through my brief stay there. Kitchen was speedy too.

    Photos
    Interior just past the bar
    Interior just past the bar
    Homemade Merguez Sausage Couscous
    Homemade Merguez Sausage Couscous
    Mint Ice Tea

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    Mint Ice Tea
    Miriam

    Miriam

    4.0
    (1.3k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    The food was amazing. Had the Jerusalem breakfast (formerly known as the Israeli breakfast) and the…read morelamb shawarma terracotta. The lamb was a balance of sweet and savory. The presentation in a terracotta dish with a baked dough cover added to the appeal. Great place for a Friday afternoon celebration with attentive service.

    Miriam has always been great, we've been coming here for 4 years, but they keep changing the menu…read more Every time we come now it's different which I understand to a certain extent but we also come for the dishes we love. My husband LOVED the burek, but then they totally changed it and now it's just gone. The food is still delicious, but unpredictable of what we can / will order. The new space is beautiful and open and airy, but sadly the service has dipped. This place used to be almost too fast, we were in and out and we consistently knew we could come here and get out in a very timely manner. But now I literally had to flag down our waitress and I still didn't get her attention, another waitress came over to help us get our check. We also didn't get checked on at all, luckily our food was good and right. The table next to us didn't get greeted for water or anything so they had to flag down the guy delivering food to get a waitress. I thinkkk it may be because the wait staff is servicing here and the location next store but it's really impacted the experience. Totally understand that a lot of places are understaffed, but we've never experienced this before Miriam we love you, but pleaseeeeee stop changing the menu.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Chicken liver with beets
    Chicken liver with beets
    Lamb Shawarma

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    Lamb Shawarma
    K'Far

    K'Far

    4.4
    (260 reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $$

    We picked this place on a whim because it was attached to our hotel, and after a long day, we were…read moretoo tired to venture elsewhere. What a wonderful surprise this turned out to be! The restaurant itself has a modern, chic décor with a lively but moderate noise level. It strikes a great balance between energetic and intimate, making it an excellent spot for a romantic date night if that's what you're looking for. Our server, Sam, absolutely made the experience. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, answered all of our questions with confidence, and did an amazing job matching our preferences with the perfect food and drink recommendations. Her service was exceptional from beginning to end. We started with the pita and hummus, and you could immediately tell everything was made from scratch. The pita was warm and fresh, the hummus was incredibly smooth and flavorful, and you could truly see and taste the quality. For dinner, we had the burger with the house chips. Both were excellent, and I especially loved the herb mayonnaise that came with the chips. I didn't even realize it was mayonnaise at first because it was so fresh and flavorful! We also shared the Caesar salad, which was delicious. The next morning, we came back for breakfast and ordered the Jerusalem bagel with egg and cheese. It was absolutely decadent and the perfect way to start the day. Between the outstanding food, beautiful atmosphere, and exceptional service, this restaurant exceeded every expectation. A huge shoutout to Sam for making our visit so memorable. We can't wait to come back the next time we're in the area to explore more of the menu and, hopefully, have Sam as our server again!

    Came with a friend to brunch on a sunny Spring day, and the vibes were alive! The pastel colors and…read moreMediterranean flare made the spot feel breezy and easygoing. The brunch menu has a lot of delicious looking options, so my friend and I shared several dishes. We had the mushroom hummus, pistachio sticky bun, kale salad, and Israeli breakfast all to share. It was a wonderful spread and everything was fresh and flavorful - absolutely delectable. Even the sides and breads that came with the Israeli breakfast were wonderfully prepared. Service was quick and the staff were all friendly and attentive. I cannot wait to come back for again brunch and to try their dinner menu!

    Photos
    K'Far
    K'Far
    K'Far

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    Miss Ada

    Miss Ada

    4.4
    (633 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

    Make your reservation - this place was busy even right at 5 pm on a Friday!…read moreMiss Ada is the perfect place to come with friends and order a bunch of things to share. I highly recommend getting an assortment of dips and small plates - 2-3 dishes per person was just right for us. I can't pick a favorite item of the evening: The Israeli Salad Hummus was some of the best/most flavorful hummus I've had, the Whipped Ricotta was perfect and so fluffy, and the Matbucha & Labne are also great additions to the table. They make a really good Falafel here, and the Crispy Cauliflower were perfectly crispy and well-sauced. The Chocolate Babka dessert is a great way to end your meal, and they do make a solid espresso martini for those wondering. The only thing I was not a fan of is their drink menu - all of the cocktails are spicy or smoky. Although you can sub out different alcohols, it would be nice to have a few other options.

    sweet potato hummus ($14) - saw a bunch of people recommend…read morethis but i personally didn't really see the hype - it was just sweet potato with a bit of spice mixed with other flavors that i wasnt really fond of - i realized i like my sweet potato just plain and charred instead of something too fancy - it's not bad but im not impressed whipped ricotta ($14) - this was very yummy! I thought it would be quite heavy but when paired with the pita bread it was just right - light and fluffy with a light drizzle of honey made it a great ricotta - however, ive had better ricotta before at theodora lamb shawarma ($20) - i wasn't expecting it to be a dip but it was delicate and delicious anyways - this is probably my fav dish out of all 3 - the dip was strong and smooth; tasted unique but not anything too impressive either - the lamb was super tender but it was quite strong; i dont think people would've been able to handle it if theyve never had lamb before rating: 4/5 - everything we ordered was good and the quality is definitely there so it's a solid 4 but nothing really stood out - ive had better and more innovative dips elsewhere - the vibe is cute though! It's a perfect brunch spot decorated with plants; feels like a cozy little tree house - quick service; nothing to note IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Outdoor set up
    Outdoor set up
    Whipped Ricotta and Babaghanoush
    Whipped Ricotta and Babaghanoush
    Crispy Cauliflower

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    Crispy Cauliflower
    Theodora

    Theodora

    4.5
    (221 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    Theodora in Fort Greene, Brooklyn... you just earned a permanent spot on my favorites list…read more Everything was cooked over an open fire, and you could literally taste the difference in every bite. The hummus? Hands down the BEST I've ever had. Creamy, smoky, and absolutely unforgettable. The ambiance is effortlessly luxurious with beautiful Mediterranean vibes, the cocktails don't disappoint (they're STRONG ), and every dish was bursting with flavor. Now I have one reason to come back ASAP... that fire-grilled trout has my name written all over it. If you're a foodie who appreciates incredible flavors, gorgeous aesthetics, and an unforgettable dining experience, put Theodora at the top of your Brooklyn list. Save this for your next date night, girls' night, or solo foodie adventure. #TheodoraBrooklyn #BrooklynEats #MediterraneanFood #NYCFoodie #FortGreene #OpenFireCooking #FoodTok #NYCRestaurants #DateNightIdeas #GirlsNightOut #CocktailHour #LuxuryDining #HummusLover #ExploreNYC #ParadiseTheory

    I was lucky enough to snag a 5:00PM reservation on a Saturday. When I arrived, there was a huge…read moreline outside. Unfortunately, process felt really disorganized. They were seating people who had been waiting in line before those with reservations, so what's the point of making a reservation?!?! I still had to wait before being seated, and that was pretty frustrating. Everything I ordered: Wood Fired Sesame Khubz: Highly recommend ordering this! It was perfectly crisp on the outside, while the inside was light, airy, and fluffy. It paired beautifully with the taramasalata, which was creamy, rich, and flavorful. Bluefin Tuna Crudo: Super fresh, flavorful, and refreshing. Decent. Nothing special. Clams & Broccolini: One of my favorite dishes of the night. The clams were large, sweet, and cooked perfectly. The crunchy broccolini and Parmesan brought everything together. Definitely a must order! Black Cod: Perfectly cooked, flaky, and tender, served with morel mushrooms. The fish itself was excellent, but I wasn't a fan of the sauce. I didn't think the flavors complemented each other very well. Octopus: This was disappointing. It was quite rubbery and lacked the char I was hoping for. Prawns: Another standout. The prawns were huge, perfectly charred, and paired with a honey habanero sauce and pineapple pico de gallo. The sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors worked really well together. Swordfish Belly: Beautifully grilled, buttery, and flaky. While the texture was excellent, I found the seasoning and sauce a bit underwhelming. Pomegranate Donuts: A great way to end the meal. Warm, fluffy, and served with condensed milk for dipping. Absolutely delicious! Cocktails: They were just okay. Nothing particularly memorable. Overall, I don't really understand the hype, especially considering the hefty price tag... While there were a few standout dishes, the overall experience didn't justify the cost for me. I wouldn't recommend it, and I don't see myself returning. Meh.

    Photos
    Inside (bar)
    Inside (bar)
    Whipped Ricotta Sourdough (~$17)
    Whipped Ricotta Sourdough (~$17)
    Whole Butterflied Trout (~$48)

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    Whole Butterflied Trout (~$48)
    Sawa

    Sawa

    4.3
    (55 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$$

    Chef worked at Sofreh - which is one of my faves - and I love Lebanese food, so I was excited to…read moretry this spot. Made a reservation for dinner on a Thurs night and tried: + Seaside snap cocktail + Coco logic cocktail + Hummus with Wagyu beef cheek and pine nuts + Baba ghannouj + Snap peas with labneh + Muhammara + sfeeha - baked lamb pies + lamb ribs Cocktails were fine - would get wine next time. Food was excellent, with my favorite dish being the lamb ribs. Baba ghannouj, snap peas and sfeeha were all delicious as well. I do prefer the muhammara at Miss Ada, but would order the rest of the dips (and hummus) here again. 4.5 stars.

    Went to Sawa for dinner with a group of six on a Friday night, and it was a great dinner. When you…read morewalk in, you are immediately greeted by a giant oven baking fresh pita as well as an open kitchen. There is also an outdoor dining area, as well as a mid-sized dining room and we were seated near the window. Sawa serves Lebanese cuisine with some more modern dishes. Additionally, they have a mostly Lebanese wine list, which gave us an opportunity to try some new wines. We ordered both a red and a white for the table, and I was especially drawn to the red, as the red was served chilled, light-bodied, and very enjoyable. Nearly all of the reds and whites on the menu are from Lebanon, with just one red from Morocco, plus a couple sparkling options from Lebanon as well. We started with several dips for the table: hummus, baba ghannouj, and muhammara. The hummus was incredibly smooth, and the muhammara was especially flavorful with large pieces of walnut throughout. Everyone at the table receives fresh pita, and we ended up ordering a few more to share. We also shared the Brussels sprouts and the snap peas. The Brussels sprouts were rich and flavorful, but the snap peas really stood out. They were unlike anything I have tasted before, intensely mint, served with garlic mint labneh, and very delicious. For mains, we focused on lamb: two orders of the lamb ribs, two orders of the kafta, and two orders of the sfeeha. We probably over-ordered by about one entrée, but otherwise it was the right amount of food for six people. The lamb ribs were phenomenal, fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. The lamb pies were also very good and came with a delicious dipping sauce. The kafta was good, though not quite as memorable as the other lamb dishes, but still very satisfying. Service was attentive throughout the meal, and despite the number of dishes on the table, the staff handled everything smoothly. The table got a little crowded at times, but it was manageable. I would absolutely recommend Sawa, especially for anyone who enjoys trying something a little different. They do classic Lebanese dishes very well, while also offering some creative dishes that feel unique and memorable. I am already looking forward to going back.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Gem salad
    Gem salad
    Layali lubnan

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    Layali lubnan
    Laser Wolf

    Laser Wolf

    4.4
    (521 reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $$$$

    In one word: incredible!…read more We enjoyed the friendly arrival to the elevator, and then up to the top floor for a great view, We have eaten all over the world and everyone in our party found the food just delicious! We enjoyed the unique way the restaurant made the small condiments available--highlights were the Persian cucumbers, fresh hummus and olive oil with I believe was a potato dish. We tried a number of grilled meats which were all tender and absolutely cooked to perfection. I also noticed a few grilled vegetable dishes which would be perfect for my daughter since she is Vegan! Thank you again for a great experience!

    I enjoyed Laser Wolf's prix fixe format where your grill choice automatically comes with silky…read morehummus, warm pita and a daily spread of four salatim. Before the main even arrives you're already happy! The pickled vegetables, baba ganoush, cabbage salad and olives kept things exciting from the start. The Steak Shishlik was the real moment though, beautifully charred, tender and served on a metal platter with pickled red onions and sumac tahini. Just really solid, satisfying dish. Drinks were a vibe too. The Pomegranate Cosmo was deep pink, orchid-topped and delicious. The Hot Crush brought a bright kiwi flavor with just enough spice to keep it interesting. And the Brown Sugar Soft Serve with halva oat crumble to finish? Light, a little crunchy and the perfect ending.

    Photos
    View from the counter
    View from the counter
    Platter with dips etc
    Platter with dips etc
    Window view

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    Window view

    Village Cafe - cafes - Updated July 2026

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