Yefsi Estiatorio: Authentic Greek Hospitality on the Upper East Side

Yefsi Estiatorio Introduce

In a city as dynamic as New York, Yefsi Estiatorio stands out as a beacon of genuine Greek hospitality and authentic cuisine. Located on the Upper East Side, this restaurant, whose name "Yefsi" means "taste" in Greek, lives up to its name by offering a culinary experience that is both sophisticated and deeply rooted in tradition. It's a place where the vibrant tastes of the Mediterranean come to life, from the fresh seafood to the expertly seasoned meats. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between casual and upscale, making it ideal for a variety of occasions, whether it's a romantic dinner, a celebratory meal with a group, or a moment of quiet dining. Yefsi Estiatorio is more than just a restaurant; it's a cultural haven where every dish tells a story, and every guest is treated like family. The warm and inviting ambiance, complete with outdoor seating, makes it a true neighborhood gem and a delightful escape from the city bustle.

The culinary philosophy at Yefsi is built on a foundation of fresh, high-quality ingredients, many of which are sourced to create an authentic Greek experience. Patrons consistently praise the menu for its delicious and authentic offerings. Highlights often include the Yefsi Chips—a crispy mix of fried zucchini and eggplant served with a wonderful tzatziki sauce—and the grilled octopus, which one reviewer described as having a "wonderful balance of spices." The menu offers a wide array of options, from a variety of small plates (mezedes) to hearty main courses (kyria piata). The mousaka is a classic favorite, and the grilled fish, such as the Lavraki (Branzino), is celebrated for its moistness and perfect seasoning. Beyond the food, the hospitality is a defining feature of the Yefsi experience. The staff, including the chef and owner, are known for their exceptional friendliness and ability to make guests feel at home, creating an atmosphere that is as memorable as the food itself. This commitment to both culinary excellence and heartfelt service is what makes Yefsi Estiatorio truly special.

Yefsi Estiatorio is conveniently located at 1481 York Ave, Manhattan, NY 10075. Its position on the Upper East Side places it in a prime, accessible location for residents and those visiting the neighborhood. The restaurant is well-equipped to ensure a comfortable visit for all, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating. For those who choose to drive, paid street parking is available in the area, providing a standard option for city parking. The restaurant’s outdoor seating is a popular feature, allowing diners to enjoy their meal al fresco and soak in the vibrant streetscape of Yorkville. This combination of a great location and thoughtful accessibility features makes Yefsi a convenient and welcoming destination for a memorable meal.

Yefsi Estiatorio offers a comprehensive suite of services to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its patrons.

Dine-in service provides a full-service, upscale dining experience with table service and a cozy, romantic atmosphere.
Outdoor seating is available, offering a delightful option for dining outdoors when the weather is pleasant.
Takeout and curbside pickup services are offered for a convenient and efficient way to get your meal to go.
No-contact delivery and delivery are also available, ensuring you can enjoy Yefsi's delicious food from the comfort of your home.
The restaurant is suitable for groups and accepts reservations, with dinner reservations being highly recommended.
Yefsi caters to a variety of dining options, including brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with an onsite bar serving great cocktails, beer, wine, and hard liquor.

Several features and highlights contribute to Yefsi Estiatorio's reputation as a top-tier Greek restaurant.

The menu is extensive and features authentic Greek dishes, from classic salads and mezedes to hearty entrees and healthy options.
The atmosphere is a perfect blend of casual, cozy, romantic, and trendy, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.
Yefsi is known for its fast service, ensuring a prompt and efficient dining experience.
The bar offers a great selection of alcohol, wine, and cocktails, which are noted as being exceptional by patrons.
It is popular for both solo dining and group gatherings, demonstrating its versatility.
The restaurant is accommodating to families, with high chairs available for children.
Yefsi is pet-friendly in its outdoor seating area.

Contact Information:

Address: 1481 York Ave, Manhattan, NY 10075, USA

Phone: (212) 535-0293

For anyone in New York searching for an authentic and truly memorable Greek dining experience, Yefsi Estiatorio is undoubtedly a top choice. As a number of reviews attest, it's a place that transcends a simple meal. One customer enthusiastically proclaimed it the "best Greek restaurant in the UES," praising the "totally Greek, totally delicious" food and the "amazing" hospitality. The sense of feeling like "family" from the moment you walk in is a recurring theme, with the chef and owner personally engaging with guests to ensure a warm and welcoming experience. Signature dishes, from the flavorful tzatziki and perfectly grilled octopus to the wonderful pork souvlaki, are consistently praised for their balanced spices and authentic taste. The high-quality ingredients and classic preparation methods transport diners to the Mediterranean with every bite. The restaurant’s ability to create an authentic taverna experience right here in Manhattan is a testament to its commitment to its craft. From the perfectly grilled fish to the cozy, romantic setting, every aspect of Yefsi Estiatorio is designed to make you feel like you've been "totally taken in." For those looking for a dining experience that is not just about the food, but about the genuine warmth and passion behind it, Yefsi Estiatorio is a choice you won't regret.

Yefsi Estiatorio Food & drink

Salates
Horiatiki $19.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Traditional Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, olives and feta.
Prasini $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Organic mixed greens in a red wine vinaigrette.
Roka $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Baby arugula in a light balsamic vinaigrette and topped with kefalograviera cheese.
Marouli $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Hearts of baby romaine, scallions, dill and feta.

Daily Specials
Pasta With Salmon $30.00
Linguini with fresh salmon in light tomato sauce
Bulgur Cones $18.00
Bulgur wheat stuffed with ground beef and scallions on a yogurt-tahini sauce
KOTOPITA $19.00
Chicken with scallions, onion, red and green peppers, feta and kefalograviera cheese, all wrapped in crispy phyllo dough
Pork Gyro $18.00
Braised Pork on a mini pita, with tzatiki sauce, onions and tomato
Pork Gyro $18.00
Braised pork on a mini pita, with tzatiki sauce, onions and tomato
Pork Souvlaki $24.00
Pork Kebab on a pita bread, greek fries and tzatiki sauce on the side
Pappoutsakia $18.00
Stuffed eggplant with ground beef in a light ouzo and mavrodafni tomato sauce topped with bechamel
Kebab $12.00
Lamb Shish Kebab over pita bread with dill-aioli sauce
Chicken Pie $16.00
Chicken with onions, scallions, leeks and Feta cheese stuffed in phyllo dough
Sikotakia $18.00
Calf’s liver sautéed with extra virgin olive oil and white wine, served with caper sauce

Mezedes
Kapnistos Solomos $18.00
Smoked norwegian salmon served with capers, dill aioli and roasted pita points.
Yefsi Chips $24.00
Vegetarian. Zucchini and eggplant chips lightly fried with tzatziki sauce.
Midia $18.00
P.e.i. Mussels steamed in a light spicy tomato sauce.
Loukaniko $17.00
Gluten free. Grilled country sausage on a bed of black eyed peas.
Kolokithokeftedes $13.00
Vegetarian. Zucchini croquettes with feta and kefalograviera cheese with fresh herbs on a bed of caper yogurt sauce.
Avgolemono $10.00
Traditional Greek chicken soup.
Stifado $22.00
Gluten free. Braised octopus and vidalia onions in a mavrodafni tomato sauce.
Lahanika $20.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. An array of seasonal grilled vegetables served with tzatziki sauce.
Garides Me Fasolia $20.00
Gluten free. Sauté shrimp and gigandes beans in a mastic tomato sauce topped with feta cheese.
Small Tzatiki $2.00
Ramekin-Size Tzatiki Sauce
Halloumi $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Grilled Cypriot cheese with tomatoes, onions, and cucumber relish in a citrus vinaigrette.
Feta Sto Fourn $17.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Oven baked feta cheese over eggplant puree, tomato with EVOO and balsamic glaze.
Octapodi $24.00
Gluten free. Grilled baby octopus, capers, red peppers and onions in a red wine vinaigrette.
Lavraki Ceviche $21.00
Gluten free. Branzino, jalapeno, kalamata olives and white beans.
Kavourokeftes $23.00
Jumbo lump crab cake served on a bed of gigandes salad and mustard aioli.
Gigandes $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Giant greek lima beans baked in fresh tomato sauce and fresh dill.
Fava $16.00
Vegetarian. Santorini yellow split pea puree with caramelized onions, capers and toasted pita points.
Pantzaria $15.00
Vegetarian. Red beets marinated in garlic, EVOO. And red wine vinegar served with skordalia.
Calamari $19.00
Lightly fried calamari, served with garlic lemon yogurt sauce.
Saganaki $18.00
Kefalograviera cheese lightly pan-fried.
Psarokeftedes $18.00
Fresh cod and shrimp in a light batter served with skordalia and diced red beets.
Garides Saganaki $18.00
Gluten free. Sauté shrimp with tomato sauce topped with melted feta cheese.
Manitari $15.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Grilled portobello mushrooms drizzled with EVOO and balsamic glaze.
Pikilia $22.00
Traditional Greek spreads: taramosalata; melitzanosalata; spicy feta; tzatziki.
Spanakopita $17.00
Vegetarian. Baby spinach, onions, scallions and feta stuffed in filo.
Soup Of The Day $12.00
Call us for Today's Soup Special

Sinodeftika
Lemon Potatoes $9.00
Horta $9.00
Greek Fries $9.00
Cripsy fries seasoned topped with cheese and mediterranean spice
Spanakorizo $9.00
Fasolakia $9.00
Prasorizo $9.00

Menu
Mixed Greens With Octopus $18.00
Organic mixed greens with grilled octopus.
Meatballs $16.00
Greek meatballs with fresh herbs in a light tomato sauce over rice.
Crab Cake Burger $20.00
Maryland jumbo crab meat with garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato, fries.
Shrimp Santorini $17.00
Sautéed shrimp in a light tomato sauce with orzo and melted feta cheese.
Vegetable Pasta $16.00
Greek egg noodle pasta with kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and capers in light tomato sauce and wine broth topped with manouri cheese.
Yefsi Burger $16.00
Certified angus beef stuffed with onions, garlic and kefalograviera cheese lettuce, tomato and fries.
Smoked Salmon $16.00
Smoked Norwegian salmon in a caper mayonnaise aioli, pita.

Kyria Piata
Mousaka $26.00
Layers of potatoes, eggplant and aromatic ground beef topped with béchamel sauce.
Arni Youvetsi. $30.00
Braised lamb shank over lazanaki noodles in a cinnamon tomato sauce, topped with aged kefalograviera cheese.
Mosharaki $28.00
Linguini with braised veal in our homemade tomato sauce topped with kasseri cheese.
Solomos $29.00
Gluten free. Grilled salmon with leek rice pilaf.
Shrimp Santorini $28.00
Sautéed shrimp in a light tomato sauce with orzo and melted feta cheese.
Thalassini Makaronada $31.00
Linguini with shrimp, mussels and calamari in tomato sauce topped with feta cheese.
Biologico Kotopoulo $30.00
Gluten free. Half roasted organic chicken marinated with Greek herbs served with lemon potatoes.
Xifias $32.00
Gluten free. Grilled center cut swordfish steak served on a bed of spinach and rice pilaf.
Lavraki $38.00
Gluten free. Lean white fish with mild moist tender flaky texture.
Bifteki $24.00
Gluten free. Greek patties made with certified angus beef with onions, kefalograviera cheese, served with Greek fries and tzatziki.
Plaki $33.00
Gluten free. Pan roasted stripe bass filet with cherry tomatoes, vidalia onions and potatoes in a light spicy tomato sauce.
Paidakia $42.00
Gluten free. Grilled baby lamb chops with roasted lemon potatoes.
Kotopoulo Kokinisto $30.00
Gluten free. Half oven-braised organic chicken in light spicy tomato sauce, with kalamata olives and potatoes.
Kotopoulo Souvlaki $25.00
Gluten free. Chicken kebab with grilled onions and peppers over a leek and rice pilaf.
Brizola $40.00
22 ounce black angus rib eye steak served with Greek fries.
Arni Souvlaki $27.00
Lamb kebab with grilled onions and peppers over a leek and rice pilaf.
Soutzoukakia $26.00
Greek meatballs with fresh herbs in a light tomato sauce served over rice.
Tsipoura $36.00
Gluten free. Mediterranean fish with a mild flavor and firm flaky texture.

Eggs
Yefsi Eggs $15.00
Two eggs any style, Greek sausage or Cypriot smoked ham, Greek fries.
Sausage Omelette $15.00
Spicy pork sausage, kefalograviera cheese.
Vegetable Omelette $14.00
Onions, tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini.
Steak Frites & Eggs $26.00
8.02 ny strip, eggs any style.
Yogurt $8.00
Greek yogurt, greek honey, walnuts, sour cherry preserves.
Greek Eggs Benedict $18.00
Poached eggs, smoked ham, egg lemon sauce.
Cheese Omelette $14.00
Kefalograviera, feta, halloumi.
Smoked Salmon Omelette $17.00
Onions, smoked salmon.

Greek Easter Specials
Roasted Baby Lamb $48.00
Traditionally roasted lamb with lemon potatoes.
Mageiritsa $12.00
The Easter Lamb Soup.

Sandwiches
Halloumi Sandwich $15.00
Grilled halloumi cheese with smoked Cypriot pork loin, tomato, cucumber, onion, pita.
Vegetable Sandwich $15.00
Grilled onions, carrots, eggplant, zucchini, red peppers, olive oil, balsamic glaze, pita.
Lamb Sandwich $17.00
Grilled lamb cubes, onions, green peppers, tzatziki sauce, pita.
Avocado Toast $18.00
Yellow split pea puree, mashed avocado, poached eggs and feta.
Chicken Sandwich $16.00
Grilled chicken cubes, onions, peppers, tzatziki sauce, pita.

Salates
Prasini $14.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Organic mixed greens in a red wine vinaigrette.
Roka $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Baby arugula in a light balsamic vinaigrette and topped with kefalograviera cheese.
Marouli $15.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Hearts of baby romaine, scallions, dill and feta.
Horiatiki $19.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Traditional Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, olives and feta.

Mezedes
Gigandes $14.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Giant greek lima beans baked in fresh tomato sauce and fresh dill.
Kapnistos Solomos $18.00
Smoked norwegian salmon served with capers, dill aioli and roasted pita points.
Stifado $20.00
Gluten free. Braised octopus and vidalia onions in a mavrodafni tomato sauce.
Garides Me Fasolia $18.00
Gluten free. Sauté shrimp and gigandes beans in a mastic tomato sauce topped with feta cheese.
Manitari $15.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Grilled portobello mushrooms drizzled with EVOO and balsamic glaze.
Spanakopita $17.00
Vegetarian. Baby spinach, onions, scallions and feta stuffed in filo.
Yefsi Chips $22.00
Vegetarian. Zucchini and eggplant chips lightly fried with tzatziki sauce.
Lahanika $19.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. An array of seasonal grilled vegetables served with tzatziki sauce.
Saganaki $16.00
Kefalograviera cheese lightly pan-fried.
Kavourokeftes $20.00
Jumbo lump crab cake served on a bed of gigandes salad and mustard aioli.
Pikilia $8.00
Traditional Greek spreads: taramosalata; melitzanosalata; spicy feta; tzatziki.
Avgolemono $10.00
Traditional Greek chicken soup.
Octapodi $22.00
Gluten free. Grilled baby octopus, capers, red peppers and onions in a red wine vinaigrette.
Psarokeftedes $17.00
Fresh cod and shrimp in a light batter served with skordalia and diced red beets.
Pantzaria $12.00
Vegetarian. Red beets marinated in garlic, EVOO. And red wine vinegar served with skordalia.
Lavraki Ceviche $21.00
Gluten free. Branzino, jalapeno, kalamata olives and white beans.
Fava $14.00
Vegetarian. Santorini yellow split pea puree with caramelized onions, capers and toasted pita points.
Kolokithokeftedes $12.00
Vegetarian. Zucchini croquettes with feta and kefalograviera cheese with fresh herbs on a bed of caper yogurt sauce.
Garides Saganakig $18.00
Gluten free. Sauté shrimp with tomato sauce topped with melted feta cheese.
Halloum $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Grilled Cypriot cheese with tomatoes, onions, and cucumber relish in a citrus vinaigrette.
Calamari $17.00
Lightly fried calamari, served with garlic lemon yogurt sauce.
Midia $17.00
P.e.i. Mussels steamed in a light spicy tomato sauce.
Feta Sto Fourn $16.00
Gluten free. Vegetarian. Oven baked feta cheese over eggplant puree, tomato with EVOO and balsamic glaze.
Loukaniko $16.00
Gluten free. Grilled country sausage on a bed of black eyed peas.

Wines & Beer TOGO
Assyrtiko $10.00
Glass
Rose $10.00
Glass
Greek Beer $6.00
Lager
Greek Beer $6.00
Pilsner

Wine Sale
Pinot Noir $11.99
Bottle
Pinot Grigio $10.99
Bottle

Sinodeftika
Greek Fries $9.00
Cripsy fries seasoned topped with cheese and mediterranean spice
Lemon Potatoes $9.00
Horta $9.00
Spanakorizo $9.00
Prasorizo $9.00
Fasolakia $9.00

Kyria Piata
Brizola $46.00
22 ounce black angus rib eye steak served with Greek fries.
Shrimp Santorini $28.00
Sautéed shrimp in a light tomato sauce with orzo and melted feta cheese.
Solomos $32.00
Gluten free. Grilled salmon with leek rice pilaf.
Arni Souvlaki $29.00
Lamb kebab with grilled onions and peppers over a leek and rice pilaf.
Kotopoulo Souvlaki $26.00
Gluten free. Chicken kebab with grilled onions and peppers over a leek and rice pilaf.
Mousaka $26.00
Layers of potatoes, eggplant and aromatic ground beef topped with béchamel sauce.
Thalassini Makaronada $32.00
Linguini with shrimp, mussels and calamari in tomato sauce topped with feta cheese.
Bifteki $24.00
Gluten free. Greek patties made with certified angus beef with onions, kefalograviera cheese, served with Greek fries and tzatziki.
Lavraki $42.00
Gluten free. Lean white fish with mild moist tender flaky texture.
Xifias $34.00
Gluten free. Grilled center cut swordfish steak served on a bed of spinach and rice pilaf.
Soutzoukakia $26.00
Greek meatballs with fresh herbs in a light tomato sauce served over rice.
Paidakia $48.00
Gluten free. Grilled baby lamb chops with roasted lemon potatoes.
Arni Youvetsi. $33.00
Braised lamb shank over lazanaki noodles in a cinnamon tomato sauce, topped with aged kefalograviera cheese.
Mosharaki $30.00
Linguini with braised veal in our homemade tomato sauce topped with kasseri cheese.
Kotopoulo Kokinisto $32.00
Gluten free. Half oven-braised organic chicken in light spicy tomato sauce, with kalamata olives and potatoes.
Biologico Kotopoulo $32.00
Gluten free. Half roasted organic chicken marinated with Greek herbs served with lemon potatoes.
Plaki $33.00
Gluten free. Pan roasted stripe bass filet with cherry tomatoes, vidalia onions and potatoes in a light spicy tomato sauce.
Tsipoura $36.00
Gluten free. Mediterranean fish with a mild flavor and firm flaky texture.

Yefsi Estiatorio Details

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

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale

Crowd
Groups

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
High chairs

Parking
Paid street parking

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Yefsi Estiatorio Photos

Yefsi Estiatorio Location

Yefsi Estiatorio

New York New York County New York York Avenue

1481 York Ave, Manhattan, NY 10075, USA

Yefsi Estiatorio Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 437 user reviews.

cheflambgrilled octopusdiningappetizersbrunchnoisegreek wineszucchinicalamari

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Yefsi Estiatorio greek restaurant. If your in the neighborhood try Yefsi they serve a wonderful tazeki sauce with pita, also pork soulvaki was wonderful and horitiki salad with grilled octopus was wonderful and tasty had a wonderful balance of spices. Your palette won't be disappointed.
August 14 · Epicurean Chichi
Yummmm. 😊 I had a great evening at @yefsinyc, the best Greek restaurant in the UES!The food was amazing—totally Greek, totally delicious. I could almost hear the Mediterranean waves and the sounds of fishermen beating octopus on the side of their boats.But even more amazing at @yefsiestiatorio is the hospitality. In no time, I was sitting with Katerina, the chef, the owner and his wife. I felt like family…An amazing place, this Yefsi Estiatorio. They don’t just feed you here—they totally take you in.
August 25 · Ted Weitz MD
From first bite to last, quality remains consistent. The dishes are incredible & I can sincerely say everything I've had has been wonderful. People who enjoy nice surroundings will appreciate this place. Complete approval. This place shows impressive attention to detail.
August 03 · Elsa Bennett
It's a nice Greek restaurant located on the UES. We ordered lamb with rice, pasta with shrimps, and calamari (see pictures). Although I like the lamb, the portions were kinda small. Also, my friend rated her pasta 2 out of 10.Overall, the ambiance is good, but the food quality was not as good as we expected.
July 27 · Sergey Butenco
Wow wow wow! A Greek place you want to eat at and can trust!My fiancé is from Greece and we’ve been on the search for something that’s comparable to what we get in Greece and so far THIS spot wins! And this is comparing it to spots in Astoria as well!We opened with the dips which weren’t based with filler potatoes or bread, which we’ve found very common in the states. They taste homemade to me!Everything else following the dips, after knowing that the dips are good was FANTASTIC. Highly recommend the lamb chops they were a delight!I can’t wait to return with family and more friends! ♥️Servers were so kind and delivered everything timely and at a great pacing. The complaint we had was water refills and when asking for hot water or lemon, it never came. We ended up going to the server station and asking for it after 3 tries of requesting from the table.Went last night and it felt so cozy with the Christmas decorations. 🥹
December 08 · Mindy Lai