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Kafana

Eastern European Restaurant$$$$

Alphabet City, New York

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Kafana

8.8^/10

227

ratings

Ranked #2 for pies in the East Village
The experts at Village Voice and Serious Eats recommend this place
"The ćevapi and lepinja is amazing but so is pretty much everything."(10 Tips)
"Lamb shank, pork shoulder, and spinach pie were awesome."(6 Tips)
"Try stuffed hamburger (aka punjena pljeskavica )! It's to die for!"(3 Tips)
"Order the Karadjordjeva"(3 Tips)

77 Tips and reviews

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cevapi
punjena pljeskavica
spinach pies
karadjordjeva
good for dates
casual
mezzes
rustic
good for groups
meats
Turkish coffee
liver
restaurants
pork
bar
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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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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 BarnettJuly 4, 2021
Sweet restaurant with excellent food (esp for us meat-lovers) in the heart of Alphabet City.
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 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 TidonaMarch 24, 2018
Cevapi, ajvar sauce, cheese plate & Sopska salad. Feel like I’m in Europe when I’m here.
Rachel IvyJanuary 25, 2015
The Karadjordjeva was delicous and the meat and cheese platters and spinach pie were amazing.
Kimmie OhhDecember 8, 2019
Order the Karadjordjeva (pork schnitzel roller with ham & kajmak) & the Punjena pljeskavica (stuffed burger)
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 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 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 HereNovember 14, 2015
Coming during a night that they have free live music, such as Friday nights.
Village VoiceAugust 4, 2014
Try this Serbian restaurant where the burek is to die for. Read more
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 BJuly 13, 2016
Been here 25+ times
Excellent food, friendly waitstaff. The Cevapi are incredible !
Esther FinkelsteinNovember 25, 2019
Been here 10+ times
Cheese meze, sopska salad, and cevapi is the way to go. Super cozy!
What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
Order the meat platter for two. You'll be able to sample all of the delicious meat dishes.
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 GMarch 14, 2017
Great homemade food. Very cozy atmosphere. You cannot go wrong with anything here.
What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
This is a meat lovers paradise, particularly if you enjoy pork.
What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
The sausages may look like American style breakfast links, but they are out of this world.
MahaNovember 17, 2012
Reasonable and delicious Serbian food - very pork heavy. Go on Friday night for added ambience - an accordion player!
Venera VarbanovaMarch 3, 2015
Live Serbian music on Friday nights! Great food, generous portions, interesting wines!
What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015
Order the smoked trout appetizer. Excellent and enough to share for the table.
Wendy QiuJanuary 26, 2015
Best meat platter, hands down.Greek salad is delicious. Spinach pie needed more salt
Sam GilJune 19, 2018
Rare legit Serbian cafe in nyc
John BampalisJanuary 23, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Cheese meze...meat meze...and mix grill!!!!! And of course rakija ;-)
ben mAugust 19, 2014
Relaxed atmosphere and nicely grilled meats. Who knew I liked Serbian?
Adam RiceDecember 3, 2016
Lamb shank, pork shoulder, and spinach pie were awesome.
Mark SplatterMarch 13, 2013
excellent food and atmosphere, tiny eastern european restaurant, that will actually serve turkish coffee !
Brant McQuittyApril 16, 2016
Great atmosphere and live music -- the Serbian burger was nothing amazing.
Korgel BorbelschnitzMarch 21, 2015
Can't go wrong with the tons of meats they offer. Eat drink and makes merry.
Miguel BanuelosJuly 14, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Best grilled meat plate in town + interesting wine. Winner!
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 BJuly 31, 2016
Been here 25+ times
Cevapi!! You just get them
Ebee DJuly 29, 2018
Lamb shank, cevapi, tomato feta salad.
Ebee DJuly 29, 2018
Lamb shank, cevapi, tomato feta salad.
Hannah A.January 6, 2013
Spinach and lamb stew for the serbian food newbie. You wont regret it!
cavAugust 26, 2018
Mixed grill, spinach pie, pepper spread
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 KruzicOctober 7, 2013
Everything is authentic, even the service. Be prepared to wait.
Billy RobisonJuly 22, 2011
Best Serbian food in NY. If you like grilled meat, I can recommend no better place.

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Kafana

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