We had dinner here the other night and really enjoyed it. We really liked the food and the atmosphere. There is an extensive appetizer section so between the 3 of us we decided to get 5 appetizers as our meal. We had: Spread of dips - forget what it was called on the menu but had 4 different dips and deliciously warm pita bread. Fried calamari - big portion and felt really fresh. Baked feta - one of my favs - it had a big piece of feta over a tomato. Crab cake - on the small side but good. Mussels - kind of bland but not bad - prob our least favorite. The crowd here was a mix of young / old and it really felt like a neighborhood style place which we liked. The bar bad pretty busy too. The only thing that was weird and caused me to knock a star was the service. Our waiter was nice, but was weird about ordering. We had asked to start with 3 appetizers then see how we felt about how many more we should order. We also just wanted to course it out (we were drinking too). Not sure if he wasn't understanding this, but he told us it would take an hour for entrees (even though we said we weren't ordering entrees) and wouldn't put anything in until we placed the whole order. We went ahead and just chose 5 things. They all came out SUPER quickly all at once, so not really sure what was going on there as the restaurant wasn't completely full or anything. Not a huge deal but annoying nonetheless. I definitely will be back to try some of their mains - they looked good too! read more

I visited for the first time with a Groupon. The owner sat us and no waiter appeared for 20 minutes. Then I got up and told the owner and he summoned a waiter. We told the waiter about the Groupon and he said, did you tell the owner when you checked in. I said no. He then went and got the owner. The owner said we only take a few Groupons a night.....so I said are you kicking us out? He said let me see, what I can do. Anyway, I did not appreciate any of this. We liked the appetizers of Greek Beans and Grilled Octopus. My entree,salmon, came out somewhere between warm and cold. I was disgusted by it, and I was fed up with this place and did not complain about it. This owner should not use Groupon, if he feels it is not a way to introduce locals to their business. We could have become good customers, if we had a good experience. Unfortunately, we did not. read more

Very friendly and excellent food. Perfect app - grilled octopus, dips and calamari were delicious and authentic. Fresh tasty fish. But dinner on Saturday night way too loud to enjoy. Just put up some soft surfaces read more

Tucked away in Yorkville.. (parking is tough around this area). Yefsi was a delight and very romantic ambiance. Wifey was dazzling and had a sparkle in her eye. This was in 2015 and I have been procrastinating on this draft. The menu was pretty diverse but we stuck with the goodies. Ordering calamari and a few entrees (pictures below). The picture don't do it justice. Everything was appetizing and juicy. The wine paired well and it was generally a great night. Will pay another visit in 2016. read more

Tucked away on York Avenue, Yefsi is a word-of-mouth kind of place. Classy but unpretentious, it was bustling on a recent weeknight. (Not a hip crowd, but a lively one.) I don't know if I would trek from another borough for this food, but I would sure hop on the crosstown bus. The pikilia came in 4 smallish servings, but each one was a nice punch of flavor (and the spicy feta was positively addictive). The accompanying pita wedges could have been more distinctive, though. I found the pleasantly salty saganaki so delicious that my dining companions eventually just put the plate directly in front of me so I would shut up about it. The three of us shared two entrees, one a seafood special, the other the creamy moussaka. There were no leftovers, and the bill was surprisingly reasonable, given the neighborhood. The service was warm, professional, and genuine. Our waiter suggested a bottle of Greek white, and I was astonished that his choice was both delicious and inexpensive. Make a reservation, unless you like to eat late--the neighborhood is enthusiastic, but it's also middle-aged. read more

I really enjoyed eating here and give it 3.5 stars. The reason why it's not higher is because I felt that the portions were a bit meager considering the prices. For the prices charged, I expected a little more (if not in quantity, then quality). Despite this, the food was cooked well, and my dining experience was a pleasant one. This restaurant attracts an older crowd. Take that as you will. I didn't mind, but I think some people might find it "stuffy". Yefsi is a nice, traditional restaurant. If you're looking for some innovative, modern eatery, then this is not the place for you. It's got a classic UES vibe. It's nice, and most people wear what you would wear if you were to get a casual meal with a rich aunt or uncle. I like that. I don't feel like I'm being judged for not wearing the coolest shoes. People just mind their own business. I'd recommend making reservations, even on a week night. The wait staff is also more of what you'd expect at a classic restaurant. You're not going to get coddled or your ass kissed. However, they are very helpful if you ask for suggestions or questions about menu items. If you are a needy customer, this probably isn't the place for you. The staff is polite and efficient and without superfluous conversation. I appreciate that since it means that my food will be in my mouth sooner than later. The food itself is pretty good. My boyfriend and I ordered the scallops and octapodi as appetizers. Both were cooked well and tasty. I highly recommend the octapodi (grilled octopus). I ordered the lamb chops with lemon potatoes, and my boyfriend ordered the stuffed peppers (I think this might have been a special). While my lamb chops were good, I was taken aback by how tiny they were. For $30+, I expected more oomph in taste. It was very simple. Simple isn't bad, but simple, tiny lamb chops aren't worth over $30. I'm just sayin'. The potatoes were so good, though. Really. I'm still thinking about them weeks later. The stuffed pepper were just meh for me, but the boyfriend seemed really into it. All in all, Yefsi is a solid dinner spot. The food tastes pretty authentic (I'm no expert, though) and fresh. Your food won't be overcooked, and you don't have to scream over music or a million other customers' conversations. What more could you ask for? read more

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Man Yefsi is good. Went here a couple times and haven't had a bad meal. Nice wine list, good bar and everyone seems to be very friendly. Among the standouts are the lamb chops (though I didn't really like their lemon potatoes), the sausage with some citrus (maybe orange), all the spreads and the octopus. But if you really, really want to see where they are doing things right get the app that has shrimp, tomato and some cured beef. Holy Zeus this shit is good. Like really good. Like I would totally drown in a barrel of it good. It hits salty and sweet and briny and meaty and tangy and ugughugihgihgihgihihg...just order that shit and if there are more than two people at your table order two of them. Well done Yefsi. read more

I've been coming here since I moved to the neighborhood two years ago and it's my favorite restaurant in the area. It's always easy to get a reservation, the food is great, cocktails are fantastic, and the service is quick/friendly. My recommendations are the Greek salad, Yefsi chips, chicken kabab with rice, and the roasted chicken with lemon potatoes. The margaritas are also fantastic. I love that the tables are spaced far enough apart that you're not forced to listen to your neighbor's conversation the entire time you're there. It's the Upper East Side, meaning the demographic is older, but even though the husband and I are in our late 20s/early 30s we enjoy the atmosphere. read more

I'm surprised by the 4 star rating. I thought yefsi was overpriced and had bad service. I came on a random monday night; but had to wait an unacceptably long time to get an entree. The food was fine, but not worth the price. I started with a Greek salad, which was good, but sitting in a pool of oil and definitely not big enough to warrant its cost. I shared the moussaka and a dish with orzo and seafood. The moussaka was mostly cream, with very little potatoes and meat. I left hungry, dissatisfied, and with $60 less in my pocket. I won't be returning. read more

Great ambiance & even better food, reservation recommended. Our experience here was outstanding. Back room gets you linen tablecloths and with it heightened noise levels. Sit in main dining area or outside. Service was expedient and not nagging. The swordfish, 2 words...OUTSTANDING and MEMORABLE!! Salmon and Greek salad was also incredible as well. Great find on UES, highly recommended. read more

My husband and I live across the street from Yefsi so we've visited a number of times. We've tried a bunch of different things on the menu and everything is consistently excellent. Our favorites are sauteed shrimp in tomato sauce (garides saganaki) - Zucchini Croquettes - Chicken Kebob - Greek Meatballs. This is definitely one of our top 3 restaurants on the UES. Sent a few friends and good reviews across the board. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food, and drink prices are reasonable as well. My only minor complaint is during last night's visit my husband's drink was full of ice and little vodka. We asked for less ice on the second round and the drink was much better. It seems to draw a regular crowd and a lot of folks know each other, especially the bar crowd. We'll definitely come back. read more

Wonderful place, food and staff. Alex and Jenna were a delight. They made my birthday dinner one to always remember! Thanks and my gf and I can't wait to come back! read more

Excellent food, all around. I've tried a nice portion of the menu and everything is delicious. Try the grilled octopus dish, it is probably the best octopus I have ever had. Other notable selections include the yefsi chips, meatballs, seafood orzo dish. The fish selection is pretty good too. Try the striped bass. Overall. Very good Greek/ Mediterranean food and the prices are very fair. read more

My wife was craving some traditional Greek food in the Big Apple, and I wanted something a little less hip and trendy than Kefi. Then, we got in a huge debate about hummus. She trumped me, as she has spent time in Greece, and I have not. Greeks, contrary to common belief, DO NOT EAT hummus. Alas, Yefsi did not have hummus on the menu, thus pleased was the wife. Happy wife, happy life. This joint must exist as a staple for the neighborhood, as it was popping with all sorts of kind gestures from the owner. Though he was warm, the restaurant perhaps had a good problem on their hands--too busy for a Friday night--leading the owner to be somewhat frenzied. As well, our servers seemed a bit speedier than we would have liked. Portions turned out far skimpier than expected. The zucchini and eggplant chips, somewhat resembling tempura fried, were likely the best bang-for-buck. More disappointing was the chicken souvlaki--dry, a measly 2 per, with some redeeming creamy rice. Least filling was the tomato cucumber salad, yielding a mere 3 chunks of feta. For being over $10, I could not imagine any circumstance under which this portion size would be acceptable. On the whole, I thought Yefsi met the desire for a traditional Greek meal, though the experience felt a little stuffy. read more

Absolutely Delicious! I came to Yefsi after asking my nail salon owner about a photograph on her wall where she is standing with her daughter and a chef at the White House with President Obama. She told me the Chef was her husband and he was chosen to cook at the White House because he was the best Greek Chef. He owns Yefsi. I figured I would check it out. Very sophisticated atmosphere. The staff could not Have been more accommodating. We tried mostly appetizers and each on was sublime. Especially loved the grilled octopus and the Lemon potatoes. I definitely want to go back with a bigger appetite so I can try more things on the menu. I thought it was very reasonably priced and worth the trek to York Ave and 78th which is not my usual area to dine. read more

Yefsi' is a nice enough place and reasonably priced for an UES with decent cuisine. But we nearly walked out of the place before ordering due to the maitre d's arrogant and inhospitable nature. On arrival, we were given a choice of tables, the best of which was on the York Ave sidewalk. Too noisy, we thought. So we asked to sit at the window table just inside. "No, I am keeping that open for a party of 6." Ok, how about those two against the wall? "No, I am keeping them open for two parties of two." When he escorted us to his "only other available" table for four, I asked him if he had one closer to the kitchen. "Yes, that one there but it is taken." The cheaper chardonnay we wanted, sold out. "May I recommend this [$10 more expensive] alternative? " Food. Yes the octopus appetizer is outstanding. The moussaka is vg. The lamb and chicken kebab main courses were dry, tasteless and skimpy. The deserts are small but delicious. Overall, there looks to be some good choices of well prepared greek dishes aside from the kebabs, but if you have a big appetite you will want all three courses. Service (waiter). Nice and knowledgeable enough but disappeared for extended periods. Pushed the pricey specials and seemed taken aback when I asked their prices. So it has some things going for it despite itself. If you are on the way east UES, it's probably the best Greek you can get but on a scale of 1 to 10 [highest] relative to other restaurants in a 4 block radius: Food 7 Decor 7 Cleanliness 8 Noise level 4 Service 6 Price/value 6 Hospitality 0 Oh, and that table for 6 by the window? when we exited it was seated with a party of 4, the two was empty. read more

Hit or miss. We've been here 4 times so far, and our experiences have been split 50-50. During our most recent visit, the server completely forgot to put in our appetizer. The food is pretty good, but having lived in Astoria for several years, I don't think it's anything to get too excited about considering their UES prices. If you're in the mood for a nice Greek restaurant though, there really aren't many other options in the area. read more

I absolutely love this place! I must admit that I don't know a lot about greek food, so I don't know if it's authentic or not - but it's really delicious! The restaurant is so charming and lovely, the people working there are very nice and the food is so so so great! I've been there several times, and it was outstanding every time! I've had many different things, for example lamb chops, muscles, octopus, some spreads, shrimp in red sauce etc.. Yummi.. read more

The food served seemed "tired" at best. Luke warm and ingredients were stale and unappetizing. Service was prompt and attentive. Would not recommend this place. read more

Holy cannoli. Why did I not discover this spot in my neighborhood sooner? This place is packed every night of the week (and it's not a small space) - that speaks volumes and I'm lucky I finally managed to get a reservation! Yes there are quite a few older people here, but don't let that deter you, this place is fabulous and can compete with the best greek restaurants in the city. Contemporary mixed with traditional greek elements - comfortable, homey feeling. Octopus (grilled) is not to be missed - haven't ever experienced anything like it. We ordered meze and portions were on the smaller end but really delicious. read more

Spectacular food and service - we loved everything we tried, and we tried a lot! (Just one hint: consider a cocktail beforehand to steel yourself for the uber-entitled customers that pack the place - nothing that a few bottles of wine can't dull, but better to enter this place in a light haze because the stressed-out hosts aren't going to ease your way in either.) read more

Food and service is great here. Had the Feta Sto Fourno for an appetizer. Loved the combination of grilled feta, balsamic vinegar, eggplant purée and tomato. Great combination. The baby lamb chops were spiced and cooked well, baklava was very good and and nicely presented and Greek coffee was as good as I ever had. I definitely will be back. read more

We had Biologico Kotopoulo and Kotopolo Kokinisto and they were absolutely fabulous! Large portions, served hot with the perfect amount of Greek seasoning. The lemon potatoes were so delicious. The best authentic Greek meal we've had in our week stay in the UES. Highly recommend! read more

In short: amazing but over priced food. We went there for dinner. Service was ok although it did take them long time to bring our cheque. We had horiatiki (aka Greek salad) which to my astonishment was priced at $15; horiatiki is made from tomato, cucumber, onion, feta cheese, black olives and some oregano and decent olive oil. I make it at home regularly and it doesn't cost me more than $4-$5. So I feel the price tag is too high. We had two glasses of wine, two starters and one main (lamb chops) followed by shared baklava and it cost us around $97. Note that we shared all these dishes. We did enjoy the food quality and decent service but I probably won't go back because of the high price tag. read more

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Very good neighborhood Greek restaurant. Actually, the food is probably the best Greek food in the area. But the prices are a bit high for the portions served. Food is always very tasty and fresh, but again, pricey for what you receive. Wine list is pretty decent...as you'd expect, they have some good Greek options, but one of my favorite Greek wines, while on the list, has been unavailable for quite some time. Time to update the list if that's going to be the case. Always crowded and service is good, but what could be a 4-star resto does lose a star due to prices and out of date wine list. read more

The seating in this restaurant is cramped and uncomfortable, with blasts of cold air coming in the front door. Maybe that's why both times I was there on a Saturday night there were a lot of empty tables. I ordered the braised lamb shank, which was just okay, despite the $30 price, and washed it down with underwhelming house wine. The staff was not very accommodating or pleasant to deal with. Not a place I would visit again. read more

I was surprised that the portions were insultingly small. On a hot summer day I was looking fw to a delicious Greek salad and I was horrified at the miniature portion! I honestly thought they brought a side salad by mistake. The owners answer was that I was "on the UES"! When the octopus arrived I felt cheated. Everyone is better off going a bit more south and enjoying the generous freshness of taverna kyclades on 14 street/1ave. Don't miss it! read more

Another perfect meal at Yefsi! Delicious starters of yefsi chips, hummus, butter beans, followed by delicious lamb and salmon entrees!

We had an enjoyable family meal here last night for my mother-in-law's birthday. We had a few apps (which were shared of course) and most got the same entree; save my husband and I. Hubby and I shared the mixed greens salad with red wine vinaigrette. (edible, but lacking complexity.) We also shared the Mosharaki ($18) which was simply a triumph of a dish. The linguini was a bit al dente for my tastes, but over all beautiful as a meal. The portion was enough to share, though I eat less than most at a meal and I'd imagine it serves one normal eater quite well. The sauce was noticeable, but light on the tongue. A dish with braised veal, tomato sauce, and kasseri cheese sounds basic, however the veal was fork tender and didn't even need knives. Since everyone else got lamb kabobs for their meal, they were given steak knives. We tried a piece and found it to be too chewy and certainly not as good as our veal. My brother-in-law seemed to enjoyed his zucchini croquette appetizer while both his girlfriend and my father-in-law had two different cheese dishes. One was grilled cheese and the other was pan fried cheese. I'm lactose intolerant, but my husband tried both and enjoyed them quite a bit. (He is a massive fan of cheese in all forms.) As far as the overall perceptions of the place, it was obviously quite busy and therefore loud. Many things said at one end of our 8 person seating, could not be heard by anyone at the opposite end. That bothers me more because I'm sound sensitive; though it is a sign of good business. I'm sure I saw the head chef wandering the floor at some point. He never stopped at our table though. My only additional (non food) comment would be about the busy boys. I have been a bus boy and a waitress. I appreciate the need to keep water filled and tables cleared between courses, but some of us were still finishing our food when they started clearing the plates. A bit more patience would serve them well on that front. read more

A fun place to eat. Lively and good food. Neighborhood feel and good for special occasions as well.

So glad we found this place. I live in Astoria so I kind of feel like I have a good grasp on Greek food at this point in my life. Let's run down the list: Atmosphere: Borderline romatnic with a traditional estiatoria feel to it. I will say that I cannot comment on the noise volume as we went after the snow storm so it was empty. Service: Quick and friendly. Again, this could have to do with the lack of customers in the restuarant at the time, but I'll take it. Food: Incredible. Appetizers: Grilled Octopus: Perfectly cooked with the right amount of seasoning. Here's why I loved it so much. The grilled octopus was fancier than you would traditionally get, BUT it was not too much fancy (which has been an issue at other restaurants). Horiatiki: Fresh, crisp and the perfect salad. The tomatoes were ripe and again perfectly seasoned. We've had this dish at other restuarants and it simply doesn't compare to Yefsi's version. Entrees: She got the chicken kebobs while I got the Lamb Shank. Chicken kebobs; I was pleasantly surprised. My complaint in general about chicken kebobs is that they are so hard to cook and not dry out (unlike tavook kebobs which have a sauce). Well, low and beyond the chicken was cooked perfect, moist and delicious. The orzo that was served on the side was also a win. Lamb Shank: Going in, I was a little nervous as I am hit or miss with lamb. The sauce of this dish was amazing. It a light tomato based sauce with cinammon and cheese over noodles. They need to make this their signature dish because it is really that good. My girlfriend, who hates lamb, liked it as well. There was zero gaminess flavor in the meat and it fell off the bone. Simply put, this place is a HIT. The prices are very reasonable for Manhattan the food is delcious. I would have to say that this is the first place we've been in quite some time where each dish we chose was a winner. A+ Yefsi, keep up the good work...we'll definitely be back. read more

Yefsi is not only a welcome addition to the Yorkville neighborhood, but one of the best restaurants in the area. We made a reservation and were seated within a couple minutes of arriving. The restaurant was packed, but was not so loud we could not hold a conversation without shouting. Service started off a bit slow, but we eventually got our drink order in. There is a nice drink menu with several Greek wines -- they also serve at least one Greek beer that isn't listed on the menu anywhere (I can't recall the name but it was just ok... but I've never had a particularly great Greek beer). We started off with the Octapodi (grilled octopus) and it is every bit as good as other Yelpers have said. Grilled octopus is one of the few foods that actually tastes like chicken (at least in my opinion). The flavor was great and it is one of the dishes you just have to try. We tried the Htenia (grilled diver scallops) as our other appetizer and didn't like this dish as much. The scallops were very tender, but I didn't care for the fava puree. For an entree, we shared the Moussaka (for two people, we thought two apps and one entree was plenty of food). Definitely the best moussaka I've had in NYC. All of the flavors mixed together perfectly and it was just a fantastic dish. It didn't look terribly large but its very filling. Service was very to the point but attentive. We will definately be returning soon! read more

Amazing food! Everything is so fresh! We live right down the block and it's always a go to when you are in the mood for some amazing Greek food! read more

Yefsi Estiatorio - Greek Near Me - New York, New York

Consistently fresh and delicious! Outdoor seating in front on York as well as a garden in the back. The staff is friendly and accomodating when I try to be healthy and get salad instead of fries. Go when they have the prawn special - I've never tasted anything as amazing! read more

Octopus appetizer is excellent and perfectly cooked. Greek salad is superb, good tomatoes and generous chunks of feta cheese. Average mezze dip platter and lamb meatballs can be skipped over. Strong cocktails, bartender has a heavy hand. read more

Yefsi Estiatorio - Baklava - Greek Near Me - New York, New York

I made my first visit to YE this weekend and will definitely return! A very attractive venue with engaging and thoughtful staff that really add to the authentic Mediterranean experience. The food was delicious as was the Greek wine suggestion. read more

I had a Sunday night reservation for Four adults and a child. We arrived on time and then had to still wait 30 minutes until we were seated. The hostess seemed to be a bit pretentious and became irritated when we asked for an estimated wait time. Our waiter was very nice and we were given a table on the back patio. Unfortunately it was ridiculously loud and you could hardly have a conversation with those at your table because of the loud shouting of the other guests. It took a little long for our food to arrive but the food itself was delicious. My table had the salmon, the half chicken, the octopus, and smoked salmon. The chicken was by far the most flavorful. I might do takeout next time to avoid the actual restaurant. Ambiance-3 Food-8 Waiter service-9 Hostess-2 read more

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! Just moved to the city and took my family here when they were visiting over the holidays. The prices were reasonable and the food was truly DELICIOUS! We got the traditional Greek salad, the crab cakes, the shrimp with tomato sauce, and the chicken with herbs and lemon potatoes. UNREAL. Our waiter was really knowledgeable and suggested some great menu items. We went earlier though (around 6) and it did start to get a little noisy as the dinner shift progressed. Regardless, I will ABSOLUTELY be back! read more

Food was very good. Gigandes were solid but better at Pylos. Fried oyster appetizer was damn good and came with a plentiful portion for the price, a ratio that it this place is a rarity. The swordfish entree was very delicious, especially well complemented by the rice/spinach pilaf. But the swordfish was SO SO tiny, and very thin cut. with more steaky fishes, thickness is crucial and here it was lacking. Its a shame because Beyoglu, only a few blocks away, nails the thick swordfish regiment on the head and provides overall, way more volume at a way lesser price. My mom had the striped bass entree. There were two chunks of Striped Bass, which were delicious, surrounded by delicious sauce. But the pot was also filled with potatoes and by shear volume, the potatoes outnumbered the fish. When the waitress explained the entree she said bass with veggies; not veggies with bass. For $28, you'd expect a bit more - perhaps its because the fish is out of season. If so, my mistake. Waitress a little slow with the water. Had to ask twice for menus. Food overall very good, value... not so great, service passable. Wouldn't go back, only because Beyoglu is cheaper for near in quality but more food and pylos is cheaper for better food. read more

Bought the Groupon for four and headed out on a double date to this wonderful place on the UES. We were coming from Astoria, so we like to believe we know Greek food. This place was really top-notch, excellent food and service. I started with the grilled octopus on the waiter's recommendation (He mentioned it was their most ordered dish) and it was great. Just firm enough to not gross out the non-seafood lover, but perfectly cooked. I than went with the seafood pasta as an entree. Delicious as well with a good portion. Would love to come here in the warmer months as it looked like the place opened up with room for outdoor seating. Not quite a 5 star find, but a great Greek option for a date or to meet friends. Seemed like a lot of regulars at the bar, which is always a good sign. Tables are tight together, but this was no problem because of the free coat check! Knocked a star because the Groupon came with a house win which was delicious, but when we asked for a second round (to pay for) the waiter brought us a more expensive option. Maybe I wasn't clear enough with my order (I thought pointing to my glass and indicating another was enough) but be careful for this! Would have been a little pricey without the dinner, but the quality and presentation of the food was worth it. FAR WALK from the nearest subway. 2nd Ave. line can't come soon enough! read more