Kafana
Eastern European Restaurant$$$$
Alphabet City, New York
The folks at Serious Eats and Village Voice like this place. Would you agree?
"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 reviewsFilter:
- cevapi
- punjena pljeskavica
- spinach pies
- karadjordjeva
- good for dates
- (15 more)
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Luka KladaricDecember 8, 2015absolutely 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, 2019Great 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, 2017Kafana, 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, 2015You'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.
- 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, 2015One 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.
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.
PaddyJanuary 1, 2014I'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.
Serious EatsNovember 8, 2013Cozy, charming Serbian restaurant high on comfort food like braised beans with sausage, hefty spinach pies, and bacon-wrapped liver and dates.
Cesar RazuriJune 16, 2013Delicious 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, 2021Sweet restaurant with excellent food (esp for us meat-lovers) in the heart of Alphabet City.
Mirella🐚June 25, 2018it 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, 2022As 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, 2018Cevapi, ajvar sauce, cheese plate & Sopska salad. Feel like I’m in Europe when I’m here.
Rachel IvyJanuary 25, 2015The Karadjordjeva was delicous and the meat and cheese platters and spinach pie were amazing.
- Kimmie OhhDecember 8, 2019Order the Karadjordjeva (pork schnitzel roller with ham & kajmak) & the Punjena pljeskavica (stuffed burger)
Tim BushnellAugust 24, 2019Balkans 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, 2011Try 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, 2014To 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, 2015Coming during a night that they have free live music, such as Friday nights.
KerryJune 16, 2013I usually order meat (which is always delicious), but tried the bronzino fish special and it was DELICIOUS! Leaving soooo happy!
Cheese meze, sopska salad, and cevapi is the way to go. Super cozy!- What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015Order the meat platter for two. You'll be able to sample all of the delicious meat dishes.
Viola GMarch 14, 2017Great homemade food. Very cozy atmosphere. You cannot go wrong with anything here.
RobinJune 9, 2010Skip 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.- What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015The sausages may look like American style breakfast links, but they are out of this world.
MahaNovember 17, 2012Reasonable and delicious Serbian food - very pork heavy. Go on Friday night for added ambience - an accordion player!
Venera VarbanovaMarch 3, 2015Live Serbian music on Friday nights! Great food, generous portions, interesting wines!- What's Good HereNovember 14, 2015Order the smoked trout appetizer. Excellent and enough to share for the table.
- Wendy QiuJanuary 26, 2015Best meat platter, hands down.Greek salad is delicious. Spinach pie needed more salt
Cheese meze...meat meze...and mix grill!!!!! And of course rakija ;-)
Mark SplatterMarch 13, 2013excellent food and atmosphere, tiny eastern european restaurant, that will actually serve turkish coffee !
Brant McQuittyApril 16, 2016Great atmosphere and live music -- the Serbian burger was nothing amazing.
Korgel BorbelschnitzMarch 21, 2015Can't go wrong with the tons of meats they offer. Eat drink and makes merry.
Best grilled meat plate in town + interesting wine. Winner!- Village VoiceFebruary 3, 2012Village Voice is excited to have Kafana at the 2012 ChoiceEats food fest! Full list of restaurants here: http://ow.ly/8QjDQ
eat meat! no, scratch that, just eat! this is the first time my grandma approved of restaurant food - BIG deal.
Billy RobisonJuly 22, 2011Best Serbian food in NY. If you like grilled meat, I can recommend no better place.
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Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Kafana, a Yugoslavian delight in the East Village, is focused, unwavering, and explicitly Serbian-Croatian, with grilled meats and chopped, crunchy, fresh salads.
Closed until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri
- 5:00 PM–1:00 AM
- Sat–Sun
- Noon–Midnight
(212) 353-8000
Features
Credit Cards
No
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Parking
Street
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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