Isabella Grandic

(4.5/5) - CASH ONLY Balkan restaurant with a great vibe! By far the best seating is indoors. Try to call / reserve. The meat platter is the best thing to get. Grilled veg is great. Bread appetizer that comes free with the red pepper spread (Ajvar ) is fantastic. As someone who grew up around this food, some of it is good, not all of it wowed me, but it’s pretty solid. Great to switch up and try new things! Lovely staff. I liked the salads, cheese mezze and the meat mains.

+17

Peter Kotchev

This place is killer. Authentic Balkan food and vibes. The food was incredible: the mixed grill was delicate, smoky, and rich. The fries and salad were great sides. And the desserts and coffee were also incredible. Servers were a highlight, super personable and fun! A great place to introduce your friends to Balkan culture.

Rafael Otero

Kafana was my first time trying Serbian food and it was a good as it was advertised. The appetizers and side dishes were delicious, especially the lepinja sa kajmakom (bread). Keep in mind, this place is cash only. It can be an inconvenience but don't let that discourage you from haves a great meal, just plan ahead. The staff is very friendly too.

Sasho Kralj

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).

Andrew Erskine

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.

+1

Marc Baumann

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.

Martina Ruseva

We came here on a Friday night and the restaurant was at capacity, highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. This spot feels so homey and has authentic Serbian cuisine. It’s cash only, so make sure you have cash before you go, there is an ATM within a block of the spot too. The portions were huge, we got two mains and the roasted peppers appetizer and couldn’t finish the food between two of us. Overall, great food, service and vibe

+3

ReedH

I loved this spot. Having visited Serbia last year, I was missing the food from the region - and Kafana delivered. It’s a got a small cozy vibe and the server was great. We started with some complimentary bread with some traditional red pepper paste which was excellent. For food, we started with cevapi - every country in the Balkans has their variation on these - and they were excellent. The star of the night though was the schnitzel - which was rolled veal with ham and cheese inside and a thin layer of bread, almost like a savory strudel. Delicious! We’d started with beers prior so continued with a local one here but they have a lengthy menu of regional wines which I look forward to exploring on a future visit.

Leila Habibi

The bread basket with the red pepper dip were fantastic! The cheese pie was yummy, the spinach pie was not as good as it looks, it is just a little underwhelming. The baked beans tho were super salty, and when I told them about it they said they’ll change it, so they took it away and came back with a supposedly new version which was just as salty :’) so I didn’t feel comfortable telling them again and just left it almost untouched. The drinks however were really good and it is a lovely and gorgeous place, so I guess a great choice for drinking and small bites

Vicki

Tried Serbian food for the first time at @kafananyc in the very East of East village! I’m not well versed in this cuisine, but the food and vibes felt very traditional. It’s a small place packed with people so can get pretty loud but chill.

+2