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Kafana

Kafana

Eastern European Restaurant$$$$
Alphabet City, New York
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8.8/10
227
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from Village Voice and Serious Eats
    • Village Voice
    • Serious Eats
  • Tips
    Justin B.
    "The ćevapi and lepinja is amazing but so is pretty much everything."(10 Tips)
    Adam R.
    "Lamb shank, pork shoulder, and spinach pie were awesome."(6 Tips)
    Mila B.
    "Try stuffed hamburger (aka punjena pljeskavica )! It's to die for!"(3 Tips)
    Kimmie O.
    "Order the Karadjordjeva"(3 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon77 Tips and reviews
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  • cevapi
  • punjena pljeskavica
  • spinach pies
  • karadjordjeva
  • good for dates
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  • Luka K.heart icon on user image
    Luka KladaricDecember 8, 2015
    absolutely amazing food and a real good showcase of Balkan cuisine. start off with some rakija and try the sarma, ćevapi or lamb shank.
  • Justin B.heart icon on user image
    Justin BFebruary 18, 2019
    Great spot. If you like meat this is the place for you. The ćevapi and lepinja is amazing but so is pretty much everything. If you really want a lot and have someone to share with get the mix grill!
  • Untapped Cities
    Untapped CitiesAugust 18, 2017
    Kafana, a rustic bistro located on Avenue C, is home to New York’s most authentic and genuine Serbian cuisine. It offers a variety of Serbian wines, cheeses, and of course: meat, meat, meat. Read more
  • Behrad Eatsheart icon on user image
    Behrad EatsMay 6, 2015
    You'll find some real authentic Balkan food here. Go for the Svinjska plecka, a savory braised pork shoulder served with mashed potatoes and a red cabbage salad.
  • DoubleDeuceheart icon on user image
    DoubleDeuceDecember 14, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Great spot for a cozy meal. The food is delightfully Serbian and the wine is paired up to match as well. I also found my bill to be surprisingly lower than other area options. Loved the burger!
  • Desirée M.heart icon on user image
    Desirée MacDonaldJune 9, 2015
    One of my favourite restaurants in NY. Cute, rustic atmosphere with the most incredible food and staff. Go with a group and get the family style prix-fixe, I promise you won't regret it.
  • Emilie D.heart icon on user image
    Emilie DishonghSeptember 28, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Fried spearing, smoked trout and the big grilled meat plate are always awesome. Interesting regional wine list. I don't know why the food media ignores this place, but thank god they do. More for us.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsNovember 8, 2013
    Cozy, charming Serbian restaurant high on comfort food like braised beans with sausage, hefty spinach pies, and bacon-wrapped liver and dates.
  • Paddy
    PaddyJanuary 1, 2014
    I'm not really au fait with Serbian food but the spicy sausage was good and the bean stew was enjoyed by herself. They had no Gibanice which was a shame because it's the reason we went to Kafana.
  • Cesar R.heart icon on user image
    Cesar RazuriJune 16, 2013
    Delicious Serbian-Croatian eats here. Went during a guitar duo performing & they were great. I didn't know the words, but felt a fun vibe from folks who did. The food: amazing. The cheese pie, is yum.
  • Ted B.heart icon on user image
    Ted BarnettJuly 4, 2021
    Sweet restaurant with excellent food (esp for us meat-lovers) in the heart of Alphabet City.
  • Mirella🐚heart icon on user image
    Mirella🐚June 25, 2018
    it is very noisy, especially when a game is on. rather than that, very good food, portions, and location. Service could have been a bit more polite
  • Lazar S.
    Lazar StojkovićAugust 29, 2022
    As authentic Serbian food goes, this place is as good as it gets in NYC. Not accepting credit cards in 2022 is inexcusable, though.
  • Amelia T.heart icon on user image
    Amelia TidonaMarch 24, 2018
    Cevapi, ajvar sauce, cheese plate & Sopska salad. Feel like I’m in Europe when I’m here.
  • Rachel I.heart icon on user image
    Rachel IvyJanuary 25, 2015
    The Karadjordjeva was delicous and the meat and cheese platters and spinach pie were amazing.
  • Kimmie O.heart icon on user image
    Kimmie OhhDecember 8, 2019
    Order the Karadjordjeva (pork schnitzel roller with ham & kajmak) & the Punjena pljeskavica (stuffed burger)
  • Tim B.heart icon on user image
    Tim BushnellAugust 24, 2019
    Balkans food, the spinach pie is great, bring a friend to share it all. I came hungry and I couldn't finish it all
  • Jenny W.
    Jenny WuAugust 16, 2011
    Try the Cevapi, similar to Mediterranean merguez sausage, except made with 3 different meats! Also, Balkan wines are unbeatable. I opted for a Slovenian pinot noir.
  • Matt S.
    Matt SzenicsOctober 6, 2014
    To do: eat a lamb chop or pork shoulder special, share bottle of Serbian wine with friends, and hibernate for the winter afterwards
  • What's Good Hereheart icon on user image
    What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
    Coming during a night that they have free live music, such as Friday nights.
  • Village Voice
    Village VoiceAugust 4, 2014
    Try this Serbian restaurant where the burek is to die for. Read more
  • Kerry
    KerryJune 16, 2013
    I usually order meat (which is always delicious), but tried the bronzino fish special and it was DELICIOUS! Leaving soooo happy!
  • T B.heart icon on user image
    T BJuly 13, 2016
    Been here 25+ times
    Excellent food, friendly waitstaff. The Cevapi are incredible !
  • Esther F.heart icon on user image
    Esther FinkelsteinNovember 25, 2019
    Been here 10+ times
    Cheese meze, sopska salad, and cevapi is the way to go. Super cozy!
  • What's Good Hereheart icon on user image
    What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
    Order the meat platter for two. You'll be able to sample all of the delicious meat dishes.
  • Robin
    RobinJune 9, 2010
    Skip Zum Schneider and go here for a warm, uncrowded and authentic experience. It feels like you're in another country (Serbia!). The burger is atypical, with delicious red cabbage and onions.
  • Viola G.heart icon on user image
    Viola GMarch 14, 2017
    Great homemade food. Very cozy atmosphere. You cannot go wrong with anything here.
  • What's Good Hereheart icon on user image
    What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
    This is a meat lovers paradise, particularly if you enjoy pork.
  • What's Good Hereheart icon on user image
    What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
    The sausages may look like American style breakfast links, but they are out of this world.
  • Maha
    MahaNovember 17, 2012
    Reasonable and delicious Serbian food - very pork heavy. Go on Friday night for added ambience - an accordion player!
  • Venera V.heart icon on user image
    Venera VarbanovaMarch 3, 2015
    Live Serbian music on Friday nights! Great food, generous portions, interesting wines!
  • What's Good Hereheart icon on user image
    What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
    Order the smoked trout appetizer. Excellent and enough to share for the table.
  • Wendy Q.heart icon on user image
    Wendy QiuJanuary 26, 2015
    Best meat platter, hands down.Greek salad is delicious. Spinach pie needed more salt
  • Sam G.heart icon on user image
    Sam GilJune 19, 2018
    Rare legit Serbian cafe in nyc
  • John B.heart icon on user image
    John BampalisJanuary 23, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Cheese meze...meat meze...and mix grill!!!!! And of course rakija ;-)
  • ben m.
    ben mAugust 19, 2014
    Relaxed atmosphere and nicely grilled meats. Who knew I liked Serbian?
  • Adam R.heart icon on user image
    Adam RiceDecember 3, 2016
    Lamb shank, pork shoulder, and spinach pie were awesome.
  • Mark S.heart icon on user image
    Mark SplatterMarch 13, 2013
    excellent food and atmosphere, tiny eastern european restaurant, that will actually serve turkish coffee !
  • Brant M.heart icon on user image
    Brant McQuittyApril 16, 2016
    Great atmosphere and live music -- the Serbian burger was nothing amazing.
  • Korgel B.
    Korgel BorbelschnitzMarch 21, 2015
    Can't go wrong with the tons of meats they offer. Eat drink and makes merry.
  • Miguel B.
    Miguel BanuelosJuly 14, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Best grilled meat plate in town + interesting wine. Winner!
  • Village Voice
    Village VoiceFebruary 3, 2012
    Village Voice is excited to have Kafana at the 2012 ChoiceEats food fest! Full list of restaurants here: http://ow.ly/8QjDQ
  • T B.heart icon on user image
    T BJuly 31, 2016
    Been here 25+ times
    Cevapi!! You just get them
  • Ebee D.heart icon on user image
    Ebee DJuly 29, 2018
    Lamb shank, cevapi, tomato feta salad.
  • Ebee D.heart icon on user image
    Ebee DJuly 29, 2018
    Lamb shank, cevapi, tomato feta salad.
  • Hannah A.heart icon on user image
    Hannah A.January 6, 2013
    Spinach and lamb stew for the serbian food newbie. You wont regret it!
  • cavheart icon on user image
    cavAugust 26, 2018
    Mixed grill, spinach pie, pepper spread
  • Jovana O.
    Jovana ObradovicMarch 7, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    eat meat! no, scratch that, just eat! this is the first time my grandma approved of restaurant food - BIG deal.
  • Gina K.
    Gina KruzicOctober 7, 2013
    Everything is authentic, even the service. Be prepared to wait.
  • Billy R.
    Billy RobisonJuly 22, 2011
    Best Serbian food in NY. If you like grilled meat, I can recommend no better place.
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