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Kafana Reviews List
63 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 63 reviews
5 stars
(31)
4 stars
(20)
3 stars
(8)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(37)
- fit for foodies(34)
- romantic(18)
- special occasion(12)
- good for groups(10)
- hot spot(10)
Kafana Reviews List
Review 1 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Nice spot for Eastern European food and wine. Energetic, younger crowd. Friendly efficient service in interesting neighborhood. Welcoming feel from regulars."
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, late-night find
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Review 2 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great authentic serbian food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Possibly the best balkan food you can have in the city"
Dined on 11/30/2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Authentic, tasty ex-YU food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"When my Serbian grandma visits and says that the food is "good," you know the restaurant is a winner! I would recommend going there on Fridays if you're up for a good time with live Balkan music and singing and dancing people. If you're going on a date, pick another day! It's actually the perfect place for a romantic date: dimmed lights, cozy traditional feel, intimate, with a great winelist and exceptional food. If you eat meat, order the meat platter with a šopska salata on the side. If you're a vegetarian, try the gibanica (cheese or spinach pie) with a salad on the side or if you're pescatarian, have the grilled fish of the day with blitva! Who am I kidding! JUST GO, you won't regret it :)"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Could be a small town in Eastern
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Could be a small town in Eastern or Central Europe. (It's Serbian) I've had most of the dishes there and they're all excellent. Good ingredients, simply prepared. My favorite is the beans with spicy pork sausage."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 5 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
OMG was that a great find!!! The
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"OMG was that a great find!!!
The place was not very big and we (thankfully) did make reservations because almost all tables were called for.
The service was great - very friendly and authentic people that were very approachable.
The food was out of this world good! I have never had Serbian but my husband has and we were knocked off our socks by the flavors presented. I had the sliced pork neck - which is now my favorite part of "bacon" and he had the spicy pork sausage on a bed of beans. THAT sausage was amazing and what dreams are made of. SO succulent and multidimensional flavors in a great package it was out of this world."
The place was not very big and we (thankfully) did make reservations because almost all tables were called for.
The service was great - very friendly and authentic people that were very approachable.
The food was out of this world good! I have never had Serbian but my husband has and we were knocked off our socks by the flavors presented. I had the sliced pork neck - which is now my favorite part of "bacon" and he had the spicy pork sausage on a bed of beans. THAT sausage was amazing and what dreams are made of. SO succulent and multidimensional flavors in a great package it was out of this world."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 6 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food, great service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food, great service and outstanding live music on Friday nights."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 7 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good place for an informal
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good place for an informal dinner with a group of friends. Cash only, unfortunately."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2010
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Review 8 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
good times great food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food & atmosphere good service,friendly staff.The main course proportions are generous. My husband & I took another couple there with us from out of town. We've dined there before & loved it. Definitely recommend sharing a few appetizers which are tasty;the fried spearing with urnes sauce Girice sa urnebes sosom, Lepinja sa kajmakom a traditional bread served warm with a creamy cheese spread are wonderful. We had the lamb chop, whole fish, pork chops and bean stew with baby back ribs. All were seasoned nicely, presented and cooked perfectly. We've had a few other things on the menu before they've all been very good. Fun with friends or a comfy spot for couples. great spot for dining during the week."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 9 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We've read a lot of positive
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We've read a lot of positive reviews/comments about Kafana, so when we were in NYC, we decided to grab a dinner there. It is difficult for us to form a definite opinion after only one visit, but we were not impressed: food was just OK, and service was fair at best. The place has potential and we liked dynamic (or energetic if you wish) environment, but that simply is not enough to give them a second chance. We will not go back there again, and will not recommend it to our friends."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
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Review 10 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Wine list looked interesting
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wine list looked interesting but waitress couldn't be bothered to explain the list. Second course came up on top of the first even though we were forced to rush order it. Didn't feel welcome. Food ultimately unimpressive. Hopefully this is not representative of Serbian cuisine."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2008
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Review 11 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I went there with my girlfriend.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I went there with my girlfriend. She s from Montenegro and her mother was a cook... well, Kafana made it through with her full approval. We tried Cevapi and the burger and they were both fantastic. They played romantic old-style american music... Great evening."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic
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Review 12 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I was lucky enough to have
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I was lucky enough to have a Serbian dining companion, but I think it would have been easy to navigate the menu anyways. Delicious and fresh food, unique from any other cuisine I've tried but some similarities in taste & preparation that make it easy to try everything.
An energetic and rustic dining room. Amazing to see them use the antique cash register, until you realize you have to pay cash as a result.
Will definitely go back."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 13 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Went on a Sunday night with
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went on a Sunday night with 5 of us. Seating is tight but after you start eating you don't care. Food is delicious and ambiance is cozy. We are definitely going back. I heard Friday nights they have music. Will try that."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The restaurant was smaller
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The restaurant was smaller than I expected regardless food was superb and the service was even better. They are so tentative and always put customer service first. That is what I felt. Wine list was decent enough yo actually think about he choices. Good was served in big portions and the bet part is, it's not going to leave a hole in your pocket."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A great place with very good food!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Overall, the food, the ambiance and the service were excellent! I am from Serbia and, while no Balkan restaurant in NY can compare to similar places in Serbia due to the difference in quality of meat from the Balkans and the US, this place is still very good! I would highly recommend it to anyone! :)"
Dined on 02/04/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 16 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was fantastic but
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was fantastic but the server was more interested in her lover sipping coffee at the bar than our humble table of 2."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Kafana delivers good food.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"If you've never had Serbian cuisine then you might be a bit skeptical about giving Kafana a chance. Don't be...the food is really, really good. Everything they served our group of six was met with appreciation for the flavors. My vegan mother even really enjoyed their baked bean dish. The place is small and can get a bit loud on a Saturday night but the service is above average and the decor says "Eastern Bloc" all over it. For the right occasion you will not regret giving this place a chance."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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Review 18 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The best serbian food in US!!!!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The best serbian food in US!!!!!"
Dined on 01/21/2013
2013
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Review 19 for Kafana
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Eastern European grill
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Cevapi looked like Swift's Brown n Serve sausages. Tasty but very modest. Seljacka was also tasty, served with cabbage. Ambiance is homey if somewhat somber."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2005
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Kafana
Based on the average of (44) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
1 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
