Kafana: Authentic Serbian Cuisine in New York's East Village

Kafana Introduce

An Introduction to Authentic Serbian Dining at Kafana

Nestled in the heart of New York City’s vibrant East Village, Kafana offers a truly unique and memorable dining experience. This charming restaurant transports you straight to the Balkans with its warm, cozy atmosphere and, most importantly, its dedication to authentic Serbian cuisine. For New Yorkers seeking an escape from the ordinary, Kafana provides a delightful culinary journey. It’s a place where tradition and flavor come together, offering comfort food that feels both new and deeply familiar. The restaurant has become a beloved spot for both locals and tourists alike, praised for its superb food, friendly service, and inviting ambiance. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner spot, a casual lunch with friends, or a place to enjoy live music, Kafana stands out as a must-visit destination. The menu is a celebration of Serbian culinary heritage, featuring hearty grilled meats, savory pastries, and traditional stews that promise to satisfy every palate.

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Location and Accessibility

Conveniently situated at 116 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009, USA, Kafana is easily accessible for anyone in the New York metropolitan area. The East Village location places it within walking distance of several subway lines and bus routes, making it a breeze to get to from any borough. For those driving, paid street parking is available in the surrounding area. The restaurant’s strategic position makes it a perfect stop after exploring the neighborhood’s many attractions or as a destination in itself. Kafana is also committed to accessibility, offering a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating to ensure that all guests can enjoy their dining experience comfortably. The blend of a central location and thoughtful amenities makes Kafana a convenient and welcoming spot for all.

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Services Offered

Kafana prides itself on providing a wide range of services to accommodate all diners. The restaurant offers a variety of dining options to suit your needs, whether you prefer to enjoy your meal on-site or in the comfort of your own home.

Dine-in: Experience the full Kafana atmosphere with our full-service dining, perfect for both lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended, especially for evening dining.
Outdoor Seating: Enjoy your meal al fresco with the restaurant’s outdoor seating option, a great way to take in the vibrant East Village scenery.
Curbside Pickup & Takeout: For those on the go, a convenient curbside pickup service and traditional takeout are available.
Delivery & No-Contact Delivery: Enjoy Kafana’s delicious food delivered directly to your door with their reliable delivery and no-contact delivery options.
Catering: Plan your next event with Kafana's catering services, bringing the authentic taste of Serbia to your special occasion.
Table Service: The restaurant provides attentive table service, ensuring a pleasant and smooth dining experience.

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Features and Highlights

What sets Kafana apart from other restaurants in New York City? It's the unique combination of its offerings and a commitment to providing a top-tier customer experience.

Live Music: Kafana is known for its live music, which adds a lively and authentic touch to the dining atmosphere.
Great Cocktails & Wine List: Complement your meal with an expertly crafted cocktail or a selection from their extensive wine list.
Fast Service: Customers consistently praise the restaurant for its fast and efficient service, ensuring you get to enjoy your meal without unnecessary waiting.
Serves Local Specialty: The menu features traditional Serbian dishes that are difficult to find elsewhere in the city, providing a genuine taste of the culture.
Romantic & Cozy Atmosphere: The interior of Kafana is celebrated for its casual, cozy, and romantic vibe, making it perfect for a date night or a relaxed evening out.
Good for Groups & Solo Dining: The restaurant accommodates both large groups and solo diners, making everyone feel welcome.
Family-Friendly: With a dedicated kids' menu and high chairs available, Kafana is a great choice for families with children.

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Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries, or to place an order, you can contact Kafana directly:

Address: 116 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009, USA

Phone: (212) 353-8000

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What's Worth Choosing at Kafana

Kafana’s menu is a testament to the rich and flavorful world of Serbian cuisine. It’s a culinary journey you won't want to miss. For those new to Serbian food, the menu offers a fantastic introduction with a variety of classic dishes and must-try specialties.

Start your meal with a traditional appetizer like Gibanica, a savory cheese pie, or Zeljanica, a spinach pie, both of which are beloved staples. The Lepinja, a warm, traditional bread, is also a great way to begin your dining experience. For salads, the Sopska Salad is a refreshing and popular choice, a mix of diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers topped with a generous amount of grated cheese.

The "From the Grill" section is where Kafana truly shines. The Cevapi, small grilled minced meat sausages, are a classic that no one should miss. Another popular choice is the Kobasice (sausages) or the Vesalica (smoked pork neck). For a more substantial feast, the Mixed Grill is a perfect option, offering a variety of grilled meats to share. If you're a fan of fish, the whole grilled Branzino is a delicious and healthy choice.

In the "Main Dishes" section, you’ll find some of the restaurant's most praised comfort food. The Lamb Shank, known for its tenderness and rich flavor, is a customer favorite. The Karadjordjeva Schnitzel, a rolled veal or pork schnitzel stuffed with kaymak (a type of cream cheese), is a must-try for those who enjoy hearty, savory dishes. Vegetarians will appreciate the flavorful Baked Beans (Prebranac).

No meal is complete without dessert. The Zito, a sweet wheat pudding, and the Baklava, a classic pastry with walnuts and syrup, are excellent ways to end your meal on a sweet note. And don't forget to try the Cockta, a unique Serbian soft drink that provides a refreshing and authentic taste of the Balkans.

With its diverse menu, welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service, Kafana is a culinary destination that truly lives up to its reputation. It’s a place where every visit feels like a celebration of good food, good company, and great culture.

Kafana Menu

Appetizers
Gibanica - Cheese Pie $12.95
Traditional phyllo pastry with feta cheese.
Zeljanica - Spinach Pie $12.95
Traditional phyllo pastry with spinach and feta cheese.
Lepinja - Traditional Bread $8.95
Traditional bread served warm with creamy cheese spread. Add smoked meat for an additional charge.
Fried Smelts $17.95
Girice - Fried spearing with urnebes sauce.
Smoked Trout $20.95
Dimljena Pastrmka - Served Cold
Cheese Meze $16.95
Assorted cheeses with olives and fig spread.
Meat Meze $21.95
Assorted air dried and smoked meats.
Tomato Soup $10.95
With feta cheese.
Veal Soup $10.95
Clear Broth with vegetables and meat.

Salads
Sopska Salad $16.95
Tomato, cucumber and onion with feta cheese in olive oil and vinegar dressing.
Serbian Salad $14.95
Tomato, cucumber, onion and hot peppers in olive oil and vinegar dressing.
Cabbage Salad $11.95
Kupus - Chopped cabbage with olive oil and vinegar dressing.
Roasted Peppers Salad $12.95
Pecena Paprika - Roasted red peppers, with garlic and parsley, in balsamic and olive oil dressing.
Celery And Beet Salad $15.95
Celer & Cvekla - Celery root and beet salad, with apples, walnuts and yoghurt dressing.
Green Salad $10.95
Romaine hearts and scallions in olive oil and vinegar dressing.

From the Grill
Cevapi $18.95
Traditional grilled minced meat, served with chopped onions.
Kobasice - Sausages $20.95
Served with cabbage salad.
Vesalica - Smoked Pork Neck $20.95
Dimljena Vesalica - Thin sliced smoked pork neck, served with cabbage salad.
Prunes And Liver $19.95
Rolovane Suve Sljive I Dzigerica - Prunes stuffed with walnuts and cheese, rolled in bacon with chicken liver rolled in bacon, served with cabbage salad.
Pork Chop $26.95
Krmenadla - Pork chop, served with Green Salad.
Mixed Grill $55.95
Mesano Meso - Mixed grill for two, includes Pork Chop, Smoked Pork Neck, Prunes and Liver (4pcs), Cevapi (4pcs) and Sausage, served with Green Salad.
Traditional Serbian Burger $20.95
Traditional Serbian burger with kajmak (cheese spread), served with cabbage salad.
Stuffed Burger $27.95
Punjena Pleskavica - Traditional Serbian burger stuffed with ham and cheese, served with salad and fries.
Chicken Kebabs $20.95
Pileci Raznjici - Chicken kebabs, served with cabbage salad.
Branzino $34.95
Whole Mediterranean sea-bass, served with Swiss-Chard and Boiled Potatoes

Main Dishes
Karadjordjeva Schnitzel $25.95
Pork schnitzel stuffed with ham and cheese (kajmak), served with cabbage salad and fries.
Lamb Stew $20.95
Jagnjeca Kapama - Lamb and spinach stew.
Baked Beans - Prebranac $14.95
Traditional baked beans.
Beans Stew - Pasulj $16.95
Corbast Pasulj sa Dimljenim Rebarcima - Beans stew with smoked baby back ribs.
Beans With Sausage $20.95
Prebranac sa Kobasicom - Traditional baked beans with sausage.
Lamb Shank $27.95
Jagnjeca Potkolenica - Braised lamb shank served with mashed potato and salad.
Pork Shoulder $26.95
Svinjska Plecka - Braised pork shoulder served with mashed potato and salad.
Stuffed Pepper $20.95
Stuffed yellow bell pepper with minced meat and rice, in tomato sauce served with mash potatoes

Sides
Fries - Pomfrit $9.95
Fries.
Grilled Vegetables $9.95
Grilovano Povrce - Zucchini, onions and red peppers.
Mashed Potatoes $9.95
Pire Krompir.
Swiss Chard $9.95
Blitva - Swiss chard with boiled potato and garlic.

Desserts
Zito $9.95
Traditional Serbian dessert. Boiled wheat mixed with sugar, nutmeg and walnuts.
Sour Cherry Pie $9.95
Pita sa Visnjama - Sour cherry pie.
Crepes $9.95
Palacinke - Crepes with jam or nutella.
Chesnut Puree $9.95
Kesten Pire - Chesnut puree
Baklava $9.95

Soft Drinks
Cockta $7.00
Slovenian Coke: No caffeine, made with eleven herbs, rose hip and pomegranate, which gives it a special aroma. Its overwhelming freshness comes from lemon and orange flavors. Enjoy a beverage of the times passed! (If the owner knew we wrote this description, we'd be in trouble!)
Fructal $7.00
Fruit Juice

Kafana Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Great wine list
Live music
Serves local specialty
Sports

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Late-night food
Small plates
Vegan options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Locals
Tourists

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Kafana Photos

Kafana Location

Kafana

New York New York County New York Loisaida Avenue

116 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009, USA

Kafana Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 1122 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

We had he most superb meal and time here at Kafana, food we had little prior experience of that was just amazing from start to finish. Friendly and helpful staff and we felt welcomed and looked after brilliantly. Would highly recommend to anyone going to nyc and looking for something deliciously different.
June 23 · Andrew Erskine
We came here for the Serbian food and we weren’t disappointed! The lamb shank was outstanding, so what’s the spinach pie, cabbage salad and the pork stew. Small place, but lots of charm.
June 22 · Marc Baumann
If you’re looking for hearty Balkan comfort food and a warm, laid-back vibe, Kafana delivers a memorable experience steeped in Serbian tradition. Nestled in Manhattan’s East Village, this rustic gem feels more like a friend’s home than a restaurant — the kind of place where meals are shared slowly and stories flow just as easily as the rakija.Atmosphere:Kafana embraces its identity with wooden furniture, vintage Eastern European decor, and handwritten chalkboard menus. The ambiance is casual but full of character, making it perfect for a relaxed dinner with friends or a cozy date night. It’s not a large space, so reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends.Food:The menu is rich with traditional Serbian dishes. Start with the mezze platter — a flavorful spread of kajmak, ajvar, and cured meats. The ćevapi (grilled sausages) are a standout: juicy, perfectly seasoned, and served with pillowy lepinja bread. For something heartier, the sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls) and veal goulash are deeply comforting.Vegetarians won’t be left out — dishes like grilled vegetables, cheese-filled pastries, and baked beans are all flavorful and satisfying.Drinks:A robust selection of Balkan wines and house-made rakija (fruit brandy) rounds out the experience. The staff is happy to recommend pairings if you’re new to the region’s offerings.Service:Friendly and low-key, the service feels genuine and unrushed. The staff clearly takes pride in sharing their culture, and that warmth comes through in every interaction.Overall:Kafana isn’t just a meal — it’s a cultural journey. Whether you're Serbian or simply curious about Balkan cuisine, it’s a soulful, unpretentious spot that gets the details right. Come hungry, leave happy (and maybe just a little buzzed from the rakija).
July 28 · Sasho Kralj
4/5 (complimentary) Bread with Ajvar4/5 Sopska Salad4/5 Lepinja with Kajmak4.5/5 Fried Spearing4/5 Mixed Grill -- a very large amount of meats, I would say easily suitable for 3-4 if you are ordering apps. Everything on the platter leans a bit on the salty side, smoked flavor is however excellent. The sausage variety on the platter was probably my favorite!
May 19 · Tiffany V
Very authentic atmosphere of a Kafana in former Yugoslavia back 50 years ago.Food is great and people seem to love to hang out at this place.
April 25 · Daniel Sirka