Kaia Wine Bar

Located in New York, New York

Address: 1614 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128, United States

Phone: +1 212-722-0490

Rating: 4.5

Services

Identifies as women-owned
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Delivery
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great wine list
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Spirits
Wine
Seating
Toilets
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safe space
Accepts reservations
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Photos

Latest NYC Bar Directory

Comments

Review 1 (2024-10-14 - Rating: 5)
Best vibes! Came for a drink and light dinner. Music is amazing, wine selection is great, I got the salad which came with warm bread (with an amazing spice dish) - all were excellent. Staff was so friendly, especially Rose, who took care of me. Also, love how dog friendly they are!

Review 2 (2024-12-23 - Rating: 5)
I stumbled upon this gem and was thoroughly impressed! I knew nothing about African wine before coming here, but it was absolutely delicious. We visited during happy hour and took advantage of the wine and charcuterie combo, which was an incredible value at just $8. We also tried the dukkah slider, which was bursting with flavor—perfectly juicy and seasoned with spices that elevated the dish.The warm and welcoming servers made the experience even better. I can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu!

Review 3 (2024-05-15 - Rating: 5)
Hubby and I went for dinner in the city as he wanted to try South African food. It was surprisingly lively for a 5pm on a Saturday. So clearly its popular! The service was good and the food was as well. Their house bread is *top tier*. The tables were a tad tight but since the restaurant is crowded you cant hear other folks conversations. If I lived closer, I could see myself being a regular.

Review 4 (2024-05-22 - Rating: 4)
I’ve walked by this restaurant and thought it looked so unique and inviting. I’ve never had South African food before and it did not disappoint. The blending of cultures is clear in South African cuisine and I really appreciated it. The food was really delicious and the vibes were amazing!The lamb burger was extremely tender and tasty. The Gatsby was also one for the books. The sandwich was amazing with the main ingredients of chicken flavored with garam masala.We also ordered 2 bottles of wine. The introduction was our favorite!We were given a free round of shots for our party as well which was much appreciated! The staff were very welcoming, we will be back!

Review 5 (2024-08-24 - Rating: 5)
Came in for the first time . I noticed there was a gentleman eating outside with a very garnish drink. People inside looked happy, the vibe was smooth and whatever they were cooking smells delish !! The bartender ( as a sat at the bar) was extremely hospitable. . Her name is Julia . She is very welcoming and made sure my wine selection was on point . The chicken sliders & French fries were super delicious. The wine options were amazing . The only South African Bar / Restaurant in NYC . If ever in the upper east side, give them a try . Don’t forget to say hi to Julia she is awesome !!

Review 6 (2024-09-02 - Rating: 5)
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. I usually have either the spicy lamb burger with cherries and pickles, Bobotie, or the pork tacos. I love that the foodie is both new to me but also strangely familiar in an upscale comfort food sort of way. This makes sense once I found out the menu serves family recipes. If you’re looking for a great food and a lively environment, I highly recommend this place.

Review 7 (2024-10-19 - Rating: 5)
I love this place. Everything Ive ever had here has been great. I visited once and there was a South African tourist who visited this place just because the food was great. Their service and the ambiance is also always good.The Bobotie and the Peri Peri Prawns are excellent. They make good cocktails.

Review 8 (2023-10-22 - Rating: 5)
What a perfect place to take friends. They have great cocktails, wine and an amazing menu featuring an interesting variety of South African fare. So many great options. We loved the shrimp and grits, and all of the sliders are fantastic. The service team is really dedicated to taking care of their guests! Exceeds expectations on all levels.

Review 9 (2022-10-10 - Rating: 5)
Service is immaculate. Ppl are friendly and the atmosphere is so homey. Flavors were amazing. Love the free warm bread w dip omg so good.Corn! wow, its the best hahahah. The red powder on top just made it more amazing.Duck wing was nicely flavored too my friend loved it, she like duck.Shrimp flavor were almost like seafood boil/cajun, i was a big fan. Lamb burger had too much on it(cherries? And the cheese too much), but my friend enjoyed it but wish it could’ve been slightly adjusted.Dessert (sticky cake) was awesome. Love the custard and the warmth of it.Interesting bathroom but very cute and cozy.

Review 10 (2023-07-17 - Rating: 5)
I used to frequent the place when it first opened 12 years ago.... And came back when I stopped by to see friends nearby. The place is just as delicious. The duck dremettes, the cheesy goodness of the sandwich with white bean soup.... The service is great, make sure to order some of that famous pretzel bread with the good dipping spice and oil.... And enjoy a lip smacking meal

Review 11 (2022-10-29 - Rating: 5)
An Upper East side gem. Food is quite good (v nice build-your-own cheese plates) and besides many South African wines they have great cocktails. Always very friendly service too!

Review 12 (2023-02-20 - Rating: 5)
Kaia wine bar is an absolutely amazing hang out place. The staff (Lufefe) is awesome. The service is beyond amazing. The food, umngqusho was so delicious it took me back home 🇿🇦 I’m definitely going back there soon.

Review 13 (2023-04-19 - Rating: 5)
Wine and food is all delicious, but the staff is what truly stands out here!! Everyone is exceptionally kind and genuine. Mikhala especially will take care of you like no other - so don’t hesitate to sit at the bar! And Zine will make you feel at home instantly. I can’t recommend Kaia enough!

Review 14 (2022-10-14 - Rating: 4)
First time here with family. We sat outside, was really nice. Waiter was super sweet and attentive. I got the Gatsby, was delicious. Wish there were more masala seasoning but other wise delicious. I got the mango cocktail which was also delicious. I usually don’t like mezcal but I enjoyed it!

Review 15 (2024-05-30 - Rating: 5)
One of my favorite if not my favorite wine bar in the city. Great happy hour with decent wines until 7p (as of May 2024) and vast selection of quality South African wines. The service is always with a smile, the vibe is always bustling and upbeat. The bread that comes with every meal is some of the best in the city, and the menu is full of unique tasty options. Place is usually packed at all hours and for good reason.

Review 16 (2023-11-30 - Rating: 5)
Kaia was great. Walked in on a Sunday afternoon at 4pm and it was already bumping. The wine selection is unique and fantastic - all South African, of course - and the food is delicious and well-priced. Great vibe. Special mention goes to Kyle, who was so incredibly hospitable to my partner Jackie and I; he guided us through the wines and menu, was so warm and welcoming, and just made the whole experience a lovely time. Well be back when were in town, and well be telling any pals visiting NYC to drop in.

Review 17 (2024-08-05 - Rating: 5)
Came here for a private event and the staff was fabulous. The Bobotie was a fantastic entree and we were sucking down Granadilla Lollies for hours. You must go here!

Review 18 (2019-09-02 - Rating: 5)
Awesome authentic South African food. Great variety including seasonal treats. The selection of SA wines are also a delight. Even the bread on the table is memorable.

Review 19 (2024-07-15 - Rating: 5)
Two of us walked in on Sat evening no booking & got window seats. Had their happy hour wine & a different second glass, both very good. The meat & cheese board was delicious, the complimentary bread is divine 👌🏻 our server was lovely, will definitely be back!

Review 20 (2024-07-31 - Rating: 5)
The best portobello slider ever! The wine was also great. This place has a nice vibe and friendly staff.

Review 21 (2023-10-24 - Rating: 4)
Ill start with the host and the servers were great. Their genuine personalities and welcoming nature made you feel like they were happy you were there. The atmosphere was very diverse and had people from all different walks of life, with the understanding that everyone could afford to be there.They have a great selection of South African wines! But, I would say that the individual glasses are ~$2 over priced.The food was meh. Mainly because the meat in all the dishes we ordered was overcooked (lamb skewers, halibut, and shrimp).

Review 22 (2024-09-14 - Rating: 4)
Crazy, busy, frenetic, and short staffed. They do try their best and don’t do a bad job, but for the amount of people crammed into this place they need more bartenders and wait staff. Sit outside unless the jet engine decibel level doesn’t bother you.On the good side, the wine list is fantastic. More glass pours than anywhere I have been in NYC. I didn’t have the food or look at the food menu.For all its faults (a victim of its own success) it is my favorite wine bar. And I was in the wine biz for 15 years.

Review 23 (2024-03-20 - Rating: 4)
Great spot for date 😍No house wine but bartender’s wine choice was awesome.I live near this neighborhood and weekend was always full. So I visited here on Tuesday night.One little thing from my own perspective : Weird restroom 😂Downstairs (bit steep stairs) and you can watch people preparing food near the restroom entrance 😜 wasn’t a big deal for me but I thought it was interesting to watch the cooking area.

Review 24 (2022-10-29 - Rating: 5)
Lovely bar for a date. Nice atmosphere. Do not count on many veggie options.

Review 25 (2024-11-24 - Rating: 4)
Nice place. Small but quaint. Has outdoor seating.

Review 26 (2024-01-09 - Rating: 4)
Delicious food, but I am dropping a star because of the disappointing service. Went with 3 others on a Tuesday night ordered 3 appetizers ( Lam sosaties > dik snit spek > gebakte), and then the gatsby and lam burger. Both sandwiches were exquisite. Would go back for the kombuis.Now to the subpar service - Our friends raved about the small things the restaurant did in the past like the complimentary homemade bread and dip. On 4 separate occasions with two different staff members, we asked for these items. There were four different excuses. We even noticed every other table in the restaurant at one point with the bread except for us. I was embarrassed when I reminded our waiter for the fourth time, but they seemed unfazed. Bizarre.I hope you, reader, give this place a try and I hope you get the complete experience with bread and quality service. I hope you, reader, give this place five stars because their food + atmosphere deserves that. I unfortunately cannot give 5 stars until I get that experience.

Review 27 (2023-09-29 - Rating: 5)
After a long day at the Met, made the 15 minute walk over. Totally worth it. Ordered the Gatsby and a glass of Malbec, one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tasted. Great atmosphere and decor as well. Stop in if you’re near by.

Review 28 (2023-11-26 - Rating: 5)
Amazing drinks and food. Get the prawns, they are the best thing I’ve had in a while. Such a unique menu, my South African boyfriend and I were extremely happy with our visit.

Review 29 (2022-04-15 - Rating: 5)
Really good, creative cocktails. The food is wonderful, their burger is one of the best in the area and theyve got a very interesting menu. Ive tried maybe half the things on the menu and its all been good. Fun vibe, good music, nice outdoor seating area and good service. Only thing is the bathroom is down a pretty steep staircase so its not very accessible.

Review 30 (2023-09-14 - Rating: 5)
Incredible gem in the neighborhood. Delicious food packed with flavor at competitive prices. Lovely cool atmosphere with outdoor seating option. Very friendly staff. Absolutely will return. No bad choices on the menu AT ALL.

Review 31 (2023-12-14 - Rating: 5)
As a South African, it was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise to find a South African wine bar in New York. The menu is authentic and the wine selection extremely well curated. I’d recommend it to both locals and nostalgic South Africans in the city.

Review 32 (2024-06-10 - Rating: 5)
Never tried South African food, but this is really delicious food. I was honestly surprised at how good it was. And it felt like it was family style cooking.

Review 33 (2024-02-25 - Rating: 5)
Went here first with 13 year old son and wife. We tried a handful of dishes and they were all fresh, properly cooked and seasoned and tasted great. The place is cozy and has a few antique ovens which were very cool. The wait staff was so awesome. Friendly, helpful, personable and like the food great.Aside from above tried two deserts and 1 glass of wine all in line with the rest of evening. There was a table for 20 set (birthday party) and the restaurant decorated table beautifully in candles, flowers, etc.We will 100% be back and can not recommend enough.

Review 34 (2023-03-31 - Rating: 5)
I am writing this review as I sit in this restaurant because I couldn’t wait until I got home! Probably the tastiest, most dope cuisine I’ve tried in nyc thus far. Big props to their kitchen, what impeccable tastes. I’ll be back to try the rest of the menu for sure. And drinks were also wonderful.

Review 35 (2024-04-13 - Rating: 5)
Great little place. Relaxing atmosphere though a bit loud. Fun music for sure and super friendly waiters. Definitely recommend stopping by.

Review 36 (2023-09-23 - Rating: 4)
Quality: different variety of foods, delicious, great flavours! My wine was ok, but that’s it. I chose a happy hour wine. Quite a pricey place.Service: very friendly, fast.Big plus: outside terrace!

Review 37 (2023-04-19 - Rating: 5)
This was by far the best meal I have had in decades. I will keep coming back again and again to try new foods. The Gatsby sandwich in particular was an amazing blend of deliciousness. I also want to give a shout out to the staff who were so kind, helpful and knowledgeable.

Review 38 (2023-12-08 - Rating: 5)
An AMAZING experience every time we are in New York we plan our visit around going to Kaia! Thank you to the staff for being extra dog friendly with Peanut last night! The food is DELICIOUS! The vibe is my people I get so overwhelmed every time we go, the food has all the flavours from home and my husband gets to experience a little bit of South Africa Thank you to Suzaan for bringing our home to the US🇿🇦❤️

Review 39 (2024-09-22 - Rating: 5)
Excellent food, drinks, atmosphere. Servers are genuine and attentive

Review 40 (2023-05-21 - Rating: 5)
This place a good energy/vibe, one of my new favorite restaurants in the city. The strictly South African food and wine menu made it an incredibly unique dining experience. Would highly recommend

Review 41 (2023-05-18 - Rating: 5)
Really enjoyed my time here. Just got the happy hour white wine, loved the surprise bread and oil, and the food was great! Would definitely come here more often if I lived close by!

Review 42 (2024-10-30 - Rating: 5)
Quick stop on our weekend in NYC and what a find! Service and vibe were amazing! We loved the food and wine selection, and I had the BEST espresso martini ever! Hope to get back there soon!

Review 43 (2024-12-20 - Rating: 5)
Perfect place for a bit of a sip and dinner - great wine selection highlighting different diverse winery owners + great south african fare with an intimate ambience!

Review 44 (2020-09-05 - Rating: 5)
Really good chicken sliders. Loved the bread with the seeds and the oil. Wine was delicious to try something different. Recommended

Review 45 (2024-12-16 - Rating: 5)
This was amazing - great wines, and interesting, amazing food that transported us back to good times in South Africa. We had somewhere to be in UES and decided on dinner here beforehand, but next time well just come up for Kaia!

Review 46 (2023-02-26 - Rating: 5)
The staff here is welcoming and friendly without being overbearing. My go to on the menu are the dik spek (thick cut bacon and side salad) oxtail birria tacos (as good as it sounds, if not better) lamb burger (on the expensive side, but made wonderfully delicious on a toasted and buttered bun) and today I had the lamb skewer (with onions and grilled apricots, which as someone who is not a great fan of skewers, this was beyond what I was expecting.) They recently added shrimp and grits (also on the expensive side, but taste wise they have never let me down.) Do yourself a favor and help keep this place running, they are one of the best and my most frequented restaurant in this neighborhood for a reason (they absolutely deserve it!)

Review 47 (2023-08-09 - Rating: 5)
OMG it was amazing. I got the mac n cheese and sparkling wine - both were out of this world. But the best part was delicious dark chocolate dessert. It disappeared in about 2 minutes.

Review 48 (2024-10-20 - Rating: 5)
Excellent food with a South African flair. Appetizers meant to be shared. Crowded and loud. Come to eat, tell stories, and laugh. Intimate or romantic conversations need to go somewhere else.

Review 49 (2024-05-05 - Rating: 5)
Amazing food and wine, great variety and original combinations

Review 50 (2018-03-23 - Rating: 5)
LOVED this place. Our server Jessica was the epitome of warm, knowledgeable and fun. The food was DELICIOUS and the wines were exquisite. The sweet owner came to our table and offered great tastings. All our 80s jams played; just a great night.

Review 51 (2022-02-03 - Rating: 5)
Brilliant UES gem. The food is EXCELLENT. This was my first time there and I will be coming back. Our waitress was lovely. I dont remember her name, but she had super short hair and cool tatts. Her recommendation for dessert was the strawberry on top of my experience and she even brought us some delicious shots afterwards. SHE is a keeper and five stars is an understatement.

Review 52 (2022-09-06 - Rating: 4)
Great food and not many restaurants own their mistakes. We ordered a a taco that did not have tomatoes on menu but came with tomato pieces and a medium rare lamb burger that was cooked to oblivion. They took both dishes back. Usually my experience says the corrected dishes come out hastily prepared. Not in this case. They brought us back dishes made perfectly which led us to order even more food.One star subtracted for the naive server (probably new to the restaurant) who intially tried to gaslight us into thinking this is what we ordered intially

Review 53 (2013-05-22 - Rating: 4)
I havent tried the food offerings, but Kaia is a cute little wine bar with a lot of potential. The space is modern yet cozy, with smaller tables in the front and a couch/lounge area in the back for bigger parties; the atmosphere is low-key leaning toward intimate, this would be a great place for date night. The wine list features a wide selection of (mostly) South African wines, which makes sense since this is a South African wine bar! Service is personable and helpful, our waitress was great at making suggestions for those that werent sure what they wanted. I definitely plan on going back.

Review 54 (2018-07-31 - Rating: 5)
Kaia is one of my favorite spots in the city. It’s cozy and the staff is friendly. It is the perfect date spot and I highly recommend the sliders and ribs. The wine is also excellent (though it’s really hard to go wrong with any South African wine) and they have a generous bottomless brunch.

Review 55 (2017-01-07 - Rating: 5)
Ive tried probably half the things on this menu, and every single was has blown me away. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly, and happy to tell you all about the food—as well as pulling the chef out to come talk to your table individually. Dont be afraid to try something that sounds a little scary (i.e. lamb tongue or ox tail), because those are the best dishes on the menu. Perfect atmosphere for a date or intimate dinner with friends.

Review 56 (2019-02-14 - Rating: 5)
Arrived for my first time trying this place around 9pm on a Wednesday night to meet a couple friends and celebrate a birthday. We had the best time and ended up staying until 12:30am. Delicious food, South African wine, and bread. Organic menu. Laidback, fun, after-hours atmosphere. If you’re lucky, they may turn on some Sauti Sol (check him out on YouTube) for dancing. Met the staff by name. Also, our waitress took the time to explain the menu of only South African wines without making our unfamiliarity with wines from that region seem disgraceful. Really the whole restaurant gives you an emersion into South Africa, from the music to the wine, to the magazines in the bathrooms. Highly recommended for anyone in the neighborhood. Definitely a fun, go-to spot on the Upper East Side.

Review 57 (2024-10-13 - Rating: 5)
The vibes are immaculate. Lovely service, delicious food, and perhaps my fav soundtrack of any NYC bar.

Review 58 (2021-01-05 - Rating: 5)
This is a local hidden gem! The food Is what I imagine to be home cooked South African deliciousness! All of the wines are from South Africa as well, the vibe is cool there’s always good music playing and there’s plenty of outdoor seating!

Review 59 (2023-12-17 - Rating: 5)
The staff at Kaia were so friendly and welcoming, as well as attentive. The food was so good - my date and I shared an appetizer (a lamb kebab with an amazing reduction), each of us got an entree, a bottle of wine and a dessert. The music and vibe of the place was really cool, and they were advertising an upcoming disco night. I dont know South African food and cant comment on authenticity. For a NYC restaurant though, it had an amazingly welcome freshness and diversity of taste.As an update, Ive been coming here for over a year now, and the food and service is still fantastic. I cant recommend this place enough.Id definitely recommend going there.

Review 60 (2024-01-07 - Rating: 5)
The service and the vibe of the place’s incredible , the warty carpaccio is top! And they have an extensive South African wines list of pinotage

Review 61 (2021-05-14 - Rating: 5)
Amazing experience!!!! The atmosphere was incredible and the wine was soooo good. The food was AMAZING!! It was soo flavorful!! We will definitely be returning. Love the $8 wine happy hour.

Review 62 (2019-09-16 - Rating: 5)
What a find!! We looked for a bar as we were early for a reservation at another restaurant. Found Kaias and after looking at the menu and seeing food that came out for the other customers we cancelled the original booking and dug in. Great wines, awesome food. Will definitely go back next time were in NYC

Review 63 (2013-05-22 - Rating: 4)
Kaia is a delightful wine bar tucked along Third on the Upper East Side. Though South African focused, their wine list offers great variety and lush flavors from around the globe. Novices and oenophiles alike will find palate pleasing wines. The space is adorable — part whimsy, part modern farmhouse. Service is friendly, fast, and efficient. A lovely neighborhood gem. I cant wait to return.

Review 64 (2024-08-24 - Rating: 5)
Great atmosphere. Fun for happy hour

Review 65 (2021-12-07 - Rating: 5)
Great knowledge by the wait staff, we were full by the time we got there, but were definitely curious about the menu. Were seriously considering getting food bc our server (a guy with an accent, forgot his name, my bad) was definitely tempting us with what looked like a great selection.

Review 66 (2013-05-22 - Rating: 4)
The wine bar is known for their South African wines, you will not find youre average Italian or French wine on their list. We had the De Meye Shiraz Rose, which was super refreshing! The ambiance caters to small talk and the tables cater to larger groups. However, if youre not a wine person, they also have a beer list.

Review 67 (2023-07-12 - Rating: 5)
Prepare to be impressed by the remarkable selection of wines available at this establishment. The sheer variety and quality of the wines on offer are truly exceptional.

Review 68 (2022-07-24 - Rating: 5)
Excellent Peri Peri Prawns and the other dishes looked good as well. Great wine selection. Will be back this week for more and will have to make room for desert.

Review 69 (2022-12-31 - Rating: 5)
We love Kaia. Cool staff, great food menu, and the Ginger Honey Paloma might be my single favorite cocktail in NYC.

Review 70 (2013-12-05 - Rating: 4)
I am a native New Yorker and will keep to the directness of how we are known to be :)Drinks: Excellent. I love South African wine, but for those that are not familiar they also offer other regions. :) They have some exceptional South African Chenin and Sauvignon Blancs.Food: I had the Truflle Tremor Cheese plate & it was delicious!Space: Very cozy and sleek wine bar that is open and conducive to mixing and mingling. Stocked with communal tables and a lounge area it is great for get-togethers and date night.Scene: Date night. Romantic. Single scene.Service: Really attentive and friendly staff.

Review 71 (2022-09-06 - Rating: 5)
I took myself on two dates there, I must say that I was highly pleased by both visits. The food was amazing, the ambiance and severs were kind as well. I love this place so much. Oh the corn thing was delicious along with the wine. 🇿🇦

Review 72 (2023-12-05 - Rating: 5)
Ecstatic wine bar with a sophisticated selection of South African wine. Oysters were delicious. The hostess/servers were on top of everything. Even while you wait for a seat they’ll serve you a drink 5/5

Review 73 (2019-10-31 - Rating: 5)
Being half-South African and a huge fan of the countrys cuisine, Im still surprised by how hard it is to find South African food across the US. Even in NYC, there have only been a handful of players, most of whom have sadly closed down: Braai, Jonty Jacobs, Madiba, etc. Fortunately, Kaia delivers authentic South African flavors with a twist, serving an inspired menu in a trendy wine bar setting.While they dont always have biltong available (Id always order it), there are many other flavors that bring me straight back: deviled eggs with a hint of peri peri; a meaty elk carpaccio, perfectly accented with fragrant coriander seeds and sweet mustard; bobotie (ground beef and egg custard) with a crisp exterior and just the right amount of sweetness. The dessert menu also strikes the right notes, with an authentic malva pudding and passion fruit custard tart serving as highlights.Kaias small plates & wine bar approach might seem familiar, but the distinct, authentic flavors rise above Manhattans current standard. Highly recommended.

Review 74 (2024-10-13 - Rating: 5)
Favorite spot in NY for good South African wine and bites!

Review 75 (2021-08-26 - Rating: 5)
Came here with friends to reminisce our time abroad in South Africa. Their South African wine selection is extensive and we were told it changes often to add new selections. Also appreciated that they had labels noting if the wines came from BIPOC owned vineyards. The oysters were good, and I was a huge fan of the watermelon and strawberry cold soup! Perfect for a hot day. Wished there was more soup than grilled cheese, just because it was so yummy!

Review 76 (2013-05-31 - Rating: 4)
Really pleasant, laid back little wine bar. Im not a wine person in general so I cant comment on their selection but I enjoyed what I tried and the service was excellent. Lots of room for groups as well.

Review 77 (2023-05-16 - Rating: 5)
Highly recommended. The food is great, and the staff is ultra-friendly. Try the following:- Birria taco- Duck taco- Fishcake slider (pictured below)- Chicken slider (also pictured below)Also, go during happy hour for good pricing on house wines! This establishment deserves more than 5 stars, based on the friendliness of the staff.

Review 78 (2019-01-07 - Rating: 5)
Ive been here for just a glass of wine, brunch and dinner and Im always impressed! The food is delicious and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Very cozy and casual atmoshpere.

Review 79 (2023-03-26 - Rating: 5)
Had the most amazing time here, food is amazing and the staff is so welcoming and fun. Be aware the martinis are very strong but that’s always a good thing.

Review 80 (2024-12-16 - Rating: 5)
Its loud but a fun place

Review 81 (2024-07-23 - Rating: 5)
My favorite wine bar on the UES! the staff is always friendly and welcoming, the food excellent and unique, and the atmosphere is great! never see this place empty :)

Review 82 (2019-02-08 - Rating: 5)
Loved my brunch experience and found the management extremely warm and friendly. It also is great to support local small businesses bringing new and authentic cuisine to the UES. ♥️

Review 83 (2024-07-12 - Rating: 5)
For the BEST food, wine and service visit this wine bar. There is a reason they have been mentioned in all the note worthy newspapers and magazines. Go - you wont be dissapointed.

Review 84 (2021-11-19 - Rating: 5)
Needed a taste of SA and this definitely did it!!Super friendly staff and the main lady could not have been nicer and truly made it feel like home- Cheers!Stop by and grab some Bobotie and Malva Pudding!!! 🙂😬❤️🇿🇦

Review 85 (2020-12-30 - Rating: 4)
As a South African this place really hit close to home. The food is good.

Review 86 (2017-07-02 - Rating: 5)
Amazing brunch here with a selection of south African treats and NY favorites. The staff are fantastic and the drinks were great... For 4 hours! Well worth a visit!

Review 87 (2023-08-10 - Rating: 5)
The food was great, the service and atmosphere was amazing. Can’t wait to go back! We did the Pulsd, it was a great deal!

Review 88 (2017-10-21 - Rating: 4)
Very good selection of wine from South Africa. Its a small and cozy restaurant. Didnt eat here but the menu looks interesting and will the food soon.

Review 89 (2022-09-23 - Rating: 5)
Everything about Kaia is incredible - from the ambiance, to the food, to the people who work there. Nothing bad to ever say about it! Wine selection is never ending, and I love that you can get great quality food that’s so different than anywhere else in the upper east side. Personal favorites are the quail and the lamb burger.

Review 90 (2019-06-06 - Rating: 5)
Absolutely good! the flavors are exquisite!

Review 91 (2021-05-24 - Rating: 5)
Such a welcoming and unique restaurant. Everything was perfect. The lamb burger is to die for. I also loved the duck wings and fish cake. (Not a huge fan of the deviled eggs as it was mostly salad and just two halves of an egg with an overbearing filling imo.) Everything else was to die for. The drinks were also great! Order the Rumelata! The staff is also super sweet.

Review 92 (2019-02-20 - Rating: 5)
Ask for Geremy to make your cocktails! Make sure you call for reservation on a weekend night.

Review 93 (2022-01-16 - Rating: 5)
Amazing experience! Love the food, dessert was truly delicious! drinks are great and the service is outstanding!!!Def will come for more!

Review 94 (2018-04-25 - Rating: 5)
Great place! The staff was wonderful and VERY attentive! Atmosphere is great and the selection of food and wine excellent...great place to relax and unwind...celebrated my birthday there and they really made it very special!

Review 95 (2023-01-19 - Rating: 5)
The peri peri head on prawns were some of the best i’ve ever had and the Shiraz wine was rich in spices and peppers and plum. The wait staff was also excellent.

Review 96 (2023-04-04 - Rating: 5)
Amazing food, went here on pulsd and now am looking forward to my next visit. Absolutely delicious!

Review 97 (2024-08-29 - Rating: 5)
The food and vibes were great!

Review 98 (2018-06-17 - Rating: 5)
Really cozy atmosphere and great service - I was really impressed when they brought me another bellini without asking. We both ordered bottomless brunch for $29 each. For that, you get one entree and continuous drinks that include bloody marys, bellinis, and mimosas. The food was excellent (really flavourful and plenty to eat!) and the drinks were as well. I would go back for brunch and I definitely want to try dinner!

Review 99 (2021-05-24 - Rating: 5)
I am not a person that write reviews but this place deserve an amazing review will come back again the staf so friendly and kind that you want to Hugh them also the food so tasty the hamburger one of the best that I tried in my life the drinks great bartenders the 4 drinks we ordered on point with flavors and taste definitely one of the best places in nyc

Review 100 (2023-06-23 - Rating: 5)
The food, service, atmosphere- all came together . Very nice place and experience. Very dog friendly.

Review 101 (2023-11-07 - Rating: 5)
Great atmosphere and even better food. Highly recommend the Gatsby as an entree.

Review 102 (2021-11-14 - Rating: 5)
Honestly still one of my favourites! I traveled from the west coast to NYC and this was my first restaurant I had to visit!Food is absolutely delicious and the South African wines are excellent as well! The dukka hoender (chicken) is fantastic! Staff are really friendly and helpful too! Aim to sit inside if you get cold!So glad to see you guys are surviving the pandemic!Question - can you ship the dukka across the country?

Review 103 (2021-05-26 - Rating: 4)
This place is great. Food is delicious! We got the duck wings, the Gebakte Suurlemoene which is the baked lemons with tomatoes, olive and goat cheese and the main- The Gatsby which is a traditional South African sandwich. It was delicious. My only two points of improvement are how loud it can get when you sit indoors (they have an outdoor seating area as well, which was preferred, but it was full when we got there on Monday for dinner) and the fact that my clothes smelled like food very strongly after visiting the bathroom (but it was very clean though) - it is downstairs where some of the cooking is happening I believe (and which is a classic NYC restaurant bathroom, so no surprises there), but I wish there was a better ventilation system. Everything else was great. I will be back again.

Review 104 (2018-03-10 - Rating: 4)
Found this place without using the internet! Fantastic find. Great South African wine selection. Get the lamb burger. Attentive bar tender. Cool vibes.

Review 105 (2019-04-05 - Rating: 5)
I love their short ribs, and wine selection. It is a small bar but really cozy. No need to do reservation!

Review 106 (2016-12-16 - Rating: 5)
Food is wonderful, authentic, South African wines.

Review 107 (2022-08-22 - Rating: 5)
I came here for happy hour with my friend tonight and Mikayla/McKayla(?) the bartender is amazing. I cant wait to come back again because of her!!

Review 108 (2023-06-20 - Rating: 5)
Amazing ambiance and food. Especially loved the free bread they gave out.

Review 109 (2016-12-11 - Rating: 5)
Great atmosphere matched only by amazing food and broad wine selection! Highly recommended for a romantic date night or casual evening!

Review 110 (2024-04-27 - Rating: 5)
Every time we come to New York we go to Kaia. They have the best Espresso Martini I have ever tried. The food is excellent. The music ambience is amazing and Zine is awesome. We will be back many times for sure!

Review 111 (2021-07-23 - Rating: 5)
Amazing as always, great wine, great food and great service

Review 112 (2018-08-15 - Rating: 5)
Great service and the owner is so sweet! We loved the lam burger, elk carpaccio, and wild boar sliders.

Review 113 (2018-05-05 - Rating: 4)
Good food, good wine. Service was uneven. First round took forever to get, while the second round was almost instantaneous.

Review 114 (2017-03-18 - Rating: 4)
Had a great time here, wine was super good, food was OK, maybe have to try entrees instead of the sliders.

Review 115 (2021-09-28 - Rating: 4)
Great date night restaurant. Fun, viby music. Steak taco was my favorite. Chicken tinga was great too. Service was pretty quick. Drinks were very good. Five hour Francisco was great, a little tart for my taste. I am genius drink was outstanding.

Review 116 (2018-10-03 - Rating: 4)
Classic wine bar with great selection of South African food and wines. Great option for anyone in our around the Upper East

Review 117 (2021-03-21 - Rating: 5)
Everything is so delicious here! Malva pudding is a must for dessert. Staff is very friendly!

Review 118 (2024-04-12 - Rating: 4)
Great place for unique South African foods and wines. The selection is amazing and the food ringle your taste buds but the final check can be quite pricy even if you order just 1 drink and 1 main. The place also gets very loud by the evening

Review 119 (2017-08-20 - Rating: 5)
Great little spot for some African culture and a great glass of wine. Very personable bartender in Thabiso. Come check it out.

Review 120 (2024-04-17 - Rating: 5)
SUCH a fun place. The waiters live like they love their lives!

Review 121 (2019-05-04 - Rating: 5)
Absolutely fantastic - the staff is amazing and the wine and food are fabulous! Such an amazing find

Review 122 (2019-08-30 - Rating: 5)
Absolutely love this place. Food and wine are excellent. Staff are so friendly!

Review 123 (2023-12-12 - Rating: 5)
An unparalleled selection of South African wines. Wonderful atmosphere. The owner went above and beyond to address an issue related to my dining experience and was genuine and kind throughout the interaction. Will definitely return and would highly recommend.

Review 124 (2019-11-21 - Rating: 5)
Great service, fabulously interesting food, approachable wine. My new local gem!

Review 125 (2020-06-11 - Rating: 5)
The food is really good. I had the sliders boar and chicken and its was really tasty

Review 126 (2017-11-17 - Rating: 4)
Amazing lamb burger! I was quite impressed by the lamb burger, but didnt like the other dish as much.

Review 127 (2023-08-30 - Rating: 5)
This is a great place for wine and also South African food. Menu is diverse and food is delicious. Whether you are eating inside or outside (if thats still an option), Ive never been disappointed. I wish my friends still lived in the neighborhood so I had more reasons to return.

Review 128 (2021-03-06 - Rating: 5)
Food and Service were great. The spiced beef dish is dee Lis Shush;

Review 129 (2019-08-11 - Rating: 5)
The food is excellent, and the bar has a great atmosphere and really good service.

Review 130 (2023-10-04 - Rating: 5)
We had such a nice Friday evening here! This is really a hidden gem in NY - what makes it so super special is the service that spends a lot of time to explain you all the different wine and food they offer and help you to find the perfect dinner for you :) the restaurant is super cozy and has a great outside Ambiente. I really enjoyed my stay here and will definitely come back!

Review 131 (2023-09-29 - Rating: 5)
Comfy South African restaurant with exotically spiced, true to form dishes worth waiting in a line for. The sliders/apps are the cream of the crop (the main courses slightly disappoint), and the wine selection to pare is awesome. $40 a person. 4.5/5 stars as a dinner spot.

Review 132 (2022-02-24 - Rating: 4)
We went there and was good. The people was nice but the music so loud we barely can talk there.

Review 133 (2023-08-20 - Rating: 5)
Amazing food and great service. Very impressed

Review 134 (2023-11-05 - Rating: 5)
Kaia is one of our favorite date night spots. The food is fantastic (get the duck wing dremettes as an app!). They are almost always busy so service can sometimes take a little but thats not their fault and everyone there is so nice and helpful.

Review 135 (2017-10-27 - Rating: 5)
Great staff, you feel welcome and they will let you taste wines until you fall in love with one.

Review 136 (2022-07-08 - Rating: 5)
Creative hot and cold dishes served by warm staff ☺️.Recommended.

Review 137 (2023-03-14 - Rating: 5)
Great wine, great drinks

Review 138 (2023-09-11 - Rating: 4)
Stopped in here before we went to dinner. The place was packed, but my wife managed to snag us seats at the bar. Glad we did... it was happy hour and the drinks were good. We didnt eat anything, but enjoyed a few drinks and spoke with the bartender who is also a very talented artist. The only thing I didnt like was the acoustics. Very loud when full. For me its not desirable since I am sensitive to background noise. We would go back to try the menu for sure.

Review 139 (2019-08-29 - Rating: 5)
Arguably the best food and wine experience in UES. Worth going to 3x month.

Review 140 (2023-11-20 - Rating: 5)
Excellent food!! I don’t really drink and this place is for sure worth it even just for the South African food. The malva pudding dessert is delicious, and I love the bread & dukka spices. Great vibes too, with nice servers

Review 141 (2023-08-29 - Rating: 5)
What an amazing spot! From the bread to the appetizers to the main! I had the mushroom slider and prawn dish with a bottle of bubbly and it was such a wonderful experience. The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable! I will be back!

Review 142 (2023-12-31 - Rating: 5)
The service, the food, and the pleasantness of the staff and personnel were exceptional.Definitely worth the visit.

Review 143 (2023-10-28 - Rating: 5)
Great wine bar perfect for a night out with friends. Their South African wine selection is great and the service is very personable. Ekatarina was a great waitress, very patient, and very knowledgeable about the wines. Would highly reccomend on a nice warm day/ cool evening. Their Malva pudding is a must try desert!

Review 144 (2018-04-09 - Rating: 4)
Great food and wine ...missed not having some Safa beer though.

Review 145 (2019-11-23 - Rating: 5)
Very authentic South African fare and an excellent wine selection

Review 146 (2016-02-05 - Rating: 5)
Cool, energetic vibe. Great South African wine and tasty SA dishes.

Review 147 (2022-12-05 - Rating: 4)
Wine was super pricey but staff was helpful and kind

Review 148 (2024-02-09 - Rating: 5)
Hidden gem in UES. Amazing food and ambiance

Review 149 (2022-05-09 - Rating: 4)
Great unique experience fare and a good selection of wines and such

Review 150 (2012-01-21 - Rating: 4)
Good selection of wines, especially from South Africa and the ribs were falling off the bones. Need to try more off their menu

Review 151 (2023-12-04 - Rating: 5)
There’s these little chicken sliders I forgot their name, they’re like 6 bucks which is great , it’s insane how delicious they like omg they’re so perfect . And the waitress was amazing she was so helpful and attentive and just amazing I really liked it and I can’t wait to go back I’m going to go back as soon as I get a chance and I will sit at the bar , order a drink and order one slider after another until Iv had my fill . The prices were great honestly, it all adds up obv especially if u take an ungrateful girl with u that just orders wine glass after wine glass and it’s all for nothing because nothing happens that night , but if u go with someone that actually likes you back , you able to have a great time and not spend a lot , especially if u pregame before u go if ur tryna get drunk

Review 152 (2023-09-13 - Rating: 5)
Love this place! so cute, kind staff and amazing food and drinks. plus their happy hour is great!!

Review 153 (2023-04-13 - Rating: 5)
This place is incredible - no joke! it was super busy even on a monday night. they have a wonderful cocktail menu along with wines. the tacos were so yummy and quite large too. definitely recommend trying a bunch of apps and entrees, everything has such a unique flavor.

Review 154 (2023-04-20 - Rating: 5)
Fantastic vibe! Great experience. Yummy food. Great wine. Lots of love in the space. People were great. Window seat great for people watching

Review 155 (2023-09-11 - Rating: 5)
Great wine and cheese, great service too! Th atmosphere is cozy and I felt really comfortable, go there for a first date or for a night with your girl squad.

Review 156 (2021-05-15 - Rating: 5)
Great food and fantastic collection of South African wines.

Review 157 (2024-01-20 - Rating: 5)
Super chill happy hour, great deal!

Review 158 (2016-05-09 - Rating: 5)
All of their food and wine has been consistently excellent! Try the bobotie!

Review 159 (2023-09-09 - Rating: 5)
Love this place!! The service was excellent, the cheese/biltong was great, and the wines were also great.

Review 160 (2022-08-21 - Rating: 5)
We used a Pulse deal which included a bottle of wine, a starter to share, dessert to share, and two main dishes. Best date night in a while. Food was excellent! A good selection of African wines with a nice outdoor eating area. Oh, and we loved the music. Waiter with the beard was super attentive and even provided me with a finger bowl to wash up after my Prawns.

Review 161 (2023-01-10 - Rating: 5)
I absolutely loved the food here and I am really sad I forgot to take a picture. I was so ready to dig in, will have to go back.The food was simply amazing! The staff was amazing. They have a great selection of wines and beers.

Review 162 (2023-08-29 - Rating: 4)
Pricy for what it is, but their happy hour wines are great! The staff is knowledgeable and going for a glass of wine at the bar is reliable

Review 163 (2023-04-08 - Rating: 5)
Amazing dinner last night. Stopped by for some light bites and a couple glasses of wine, both were delicious. Service was phenomenal, felt very welcomed. Hope to be back soon.

Review 164 (2022-09-22 - Rating: 4)
This is a special place on the Upper East Side where one can an authentic vibe of South Africa. The food is utterly delicious. My go-to order is the ribs, but everything I have ever ordered when eating here has been tasty. Typically I try the South African wines from their extensive menu, but recently I had one of their house cocktails. The ingredients were similar to a Negroni, but had a fresh twist. The service is friendly and relaxed, but attentive.