Kefi Restaurant

(212) 873-0200

222 W 79th St
New York, NY 10024 40.7834 -73.9791

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Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

KEFIRESTAURANT.COM

Price:

$$

Last updated 4.21.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Date Spot, Private Rooms

Cuisine:

Greek, Mediterranean

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Kefi Restaurant

Featured Review

Justin Hartung

Contributor

The Scene – In 2006, two of celebrated chef Michael Psilakis' restaurants, Dona and Onera, closed. Yet shortly after, two new restaurants, Kefi and Anthos, sprang up in their place. A more casual re-tooling of Onera's townhouse space, Kefi does its best to ward off uptown stuffiness. The potentially claustrophobic dining room--low-ceilinged and nearly windowless--is offset by a family-friendly crowd, photos of a young Psilakis dancing and swaths of undulating blue and white fabric. – – The Food – Onera's upscale Greek menu has been downscaled as well, with the focus…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Skip unfocused desserts like an overloaded chocolate mousse with sesame ice cream and have an digestif instead. Six kinds of ouzo are available, as is tsipouro, a Greek brandy.
What to Drink:
Break out of beer boredom with one of four Greek brews--at $4.50, a bottle of the slightly malty Keo is a refreshing steal.
Where to Sit:
Right to the left of the dining room entrance is a table for four that's semi-enclosed and a bit more private.
Know Before You Go:
The restaurant doesn't take reservations and fills up quickly. Get there by 6:30pm if you don't want to have a substantial wait in the cramped front bar area.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “In addition, at Kefi they have a good size wine list, polished service and a great decor.”
  2. “Charming ambience, decent food.”
  3. “The dining room is so pretty and romantic and the staff was very gracious and professional.”
  4. “The decor of the place in white and blue sure helped and the friendly manager eager to serve us the Santorini white wine augmented my perception.”
  5. “While the ambience of the dining area was nice, the tables were simply on top of one another - making it difficult to hear each other.”
  6. “Delicious food, professional service and charming ambiance comes at a very fair price at Kefi.”
  7. “It is a cozy neighborhood restaurants that I wish that there more like that.”
  8. “Michael Psilakis take on traditional Greek food is great and the ambiance transport you back to a Greek Island.”
dessert
75.0% positive
  1. “wouldn't recommend the open spinach pie, which is basically creamed spinach in a filo dough basket w/ a sprinkling of feta on top.”
  2. “It sure gives you an excuse to order their fantastic sweet creations like the chocolate and halva mousse.”
  3. “Desserts were also very good especially the chocolate-halva cake.”
  4. “Kefi also surprised me with few twist on the classics, like an open spinach pie and light manti with a tasty chesse sauce.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The decor of the place in white and blue sure helped and the friendly manager eager to serve us the Santorini white wine augmented my perception.”
  2. “The manager is always on hand to make great wine suggestion and with lots of wine under the $20 mark I got out of Kefi having spent only $62 for two people.”
  3. “The service was professional and helpful when recommending dishes & wines.”
  4. “It is a casual place and usually there is a wait at the bar for a table, but the food is really outstanding and the prices are so gentle that will allow me to go back many times during the month.”
  5. “It pays to be nice with the gentleman at the door because the bar area is always mobbed with customers waiting for a table in the charming back dining room.”
  6. “All under $10 and with lots of interesting Greek wines to match under $25.”
  7. “In addition, at Kefi they have a good size wine list, polished service and a great decor.”
  8. “The cocktails were delicious and at $ 6 to $ 7 each reasonably priced.”
  9. “The wine list surprised us as well because it was full of great Greek whites for under $30.”
  10. “There was a wait when we arrived, but the bartender turned us on few Greek cocktails and we were quite happy to sit at the charming bar.”
food quality
98.64999771118164% positive
  1. “It's very small, initimate but the service and food was amazing.”
  2. “It is a casual place and usually there is a wait at the bar for a table, but the food is really outstanding and the prices are so gentle that will allow me to go back many times during the month.”
  3. “Michael Psilakis take on traditional Greek food is great and the ambiance transport you back to a Greek Island.”
  4. “The service was professional and helpful when recommending dishes & wines.”
  5. “The perfect octopus, the cremiest spreads, the softest meatballs and the most delicious mussels.”
  6. “yummy Greek”
  7. “love the spreads and the pork, but everything was exceptional considering the reasonable prices.”
  8. “Everything was super fresh and pretty affordable.”
  9. “love Greek food and when I heard that Michael Psilakis converted Onera into a casual Taverna serving his mother's food I gather few friends to check it out.”
  10. “Delicious food, professional service and charming ambiance comes at a very fair price at Kefi.”
  11. “delicious Greek food --miles away in preparation and concept from Greek street food or diner food.”
  12. “had the shrimp and orzo, which quite honestly was the best I have ever had!”
  13. “We were disappointed given what we read and our hope to find an authentic greek restaurant.”
  14. “This colored our entire evening and enjoyment of the food which was quite enjoyable.”
  15. “don't think I have been at a restaurant in New York City where such great food comes at gentle prices as the ones at Kefi.”
  16. “That said, the appetizer spread was very good (w/ four different spreads), as were the meatballs -- which were named the "Best in New York" -- and come four in a kicky tomato sauce (they definitely were not hot enough tho).”
  17. “Great food, if you find a seat”
  18. “Amazing innovative Greek food and friendly staff”
  19. “Charming ambience, decent food.”
  20. “No matter, the food was amazing, highlighted by the appetizer spreads of both Greek yogurt, roe, eggplant, and chickpeas, and potato, string beans, feta, and olives.”
  21. “love the lamb shank and the orzo that comes with the dish.”
  22. “After being seated, we tasted a number of appetizers with the greek salad being the best.”
  23. “Kefi also surprised me with few twist on the classics, like an open spinach pie and light manti with a tasty chesse sauce.”
  24. “love Greek food and Kefi serves some of the freshest and most original this side of Athens.”
  25. “The new Kefi offers incredibly delicious food.”
  26. “Great greek food at very reasonable prices”
  27. “Everyone in my party was so happy and excited with their food, we passed around so everyone could taste each one.”
  28. “However, the waiters are always nice and polite and they remember my favorite dishes each visit.”
  29. “The swordfish was outstanding and at $15 and even the lamb shank at the same price proves that the kitchen at Kefi is equally skilled with fish or meat preparations.”
  30. “also liked the moussaka, but among the main courses I would order the lamb shank over and over again.”
  31. “The grilled octopus was the best I've ever had and the lamb fell right off the bone.”
  32. “The appetizers were good, maybe even the highlight of the meal.”
  33. “The cocktails were delicious and at $ 6 to $ 7 each reasonably priced.”
  34. “used to travel to Astoria to dine at the local authentic tavernas, but I guess I will not anymore.”
  35. “Overall, the place is quaint & charming, and the food is more than decent (esp for the value!)”
  36. “All Greek dishes with a great little twist.”
  37. “The octopus is the best I have ever had and the branzino is delicious and priced at $15 might be the best bargain in New York.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The stuffed cuttlefish could find its place on a menu of the best restaurants in the Manhattan.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Unfortunately, Kefi is no longer a best kept secret & with their recent amazing writeups in New York mag, the place is now swarmed.”
  2. “This is really the best Greek restaurant I have ever been to.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “It is a casual place and usually there is a wait at the bar for a table, but the food is really outstanding and the prices are so gentle that will allow me to go back many times during the month.”
service
91.18000030517578% positive
  1. “The decor of the place in white and blue sure helped and the friendly manager eager to serve us the Santorini white wine augmented my perception.”
  2. “The dining room is so pretty and romantic and the staff was very gracious and professional.”
  3. “Amazing innovative Greek food and friendly staff”
  4. “The manager is always on hand to make great wine suggestion and with lots of wine under the $20 mark I got out of Kefi having spent only $62 for two people.”
  5. “It's very small, initimate but the service and food was amazing.”
  6. “Delicious food, professional service and charming ambiance comes at a very fair price at Kefi.”
  7. “Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable and when another table opened up in the main dining room, they moved us immediately, making for a very pleasant dining experience.”
  8. “Good Greek Food, Need To Work On customer service and Relations”
  9. “Luckily, the service is as good as it was at Onera and I liked the casual feeling of the dining room.”
  10. “We had a decent dinner but weren't able to relax because the waiter kept rushing us.”
  11. “There was a wait when we arrived, but the bartender turned us on few Greek cocktails and we were quite happy to sit at the charming bar.”
  12. “The service was professional and helpful when recommending dishes & wines.”
  13. “group of friends and I decided to meet there and while I arrived first I indulged in a great ouzo suggested by the manager there.”
  14. “Food and prices are worth going back for, just make sure you have hours to do it in as the service is abysmal.”
  15. “In addition, at Kefi they have a good size wine list, polished service and a great decor.”
  16. “The staff was nice and efficient and did everything well and we were there on a saturday night.”
  17. “However, the waiters are always nice and polite and they remember my favorite dishes each visit.”
value
90.90999603271484% positive
  1. “The place was vibrant and full when I arrived at 10 PM on Saturday, but prices for Ouzo are very reasonable at $6 per glass and I indulged while I was waiting for a table.”
  2. “It is a casual place and usually there is a wait at the bar for a table, but the food is really outstanding and the prices are so gentle that will allow me to go back many times during the month.”
  3. “Delicious food, professional service and charming ambiance comes at a very fair price at Kefi.”
  4. “Overall, the place is quaint & charming, and the food is more than decent (esp for the value!)”
  5. “The swordfish was outstanding and at $15 and even the lamb shank at the same price proves that the kitchen at Kefi is equally skilled with fish or meat preparations.”
  6. “Great greek food at very reasonable prices”
  7. “love the spreads and the pork, but everything was exceptional considering the reasonable prices.”
  8. “am glad to have such a fantastic restaurant at these bargain prices in my neighborhood.”
  9. “Food and prices are worth going back for, just make sure you have hours to do it in as the service is abysmal.”
  10. “Everything was super fresh and pretty affordable.”
  11. “don't think I have been at a restaurant in New York City where such great food comes at gentle prices as the ones at Kefi.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/24/10

Good choice for Greek - maybe your only choice.

by gingina

I love them because clearly they love me. The food they feed me is so good & fresh. I feel healthier after I eat here then anywhere else. Period. I find the service terrific and I do not think they take too long -- once you actually get a seat.

3 Star Rating: Average

05/27/10

Great food, if you find a seat

by Evanismo , Citysearch Contributor

Unadorned whitewashed walls, azure blue trim, industrial lawnmower-like decibel levels – yes, a Greek restaurant at its finest. One of the better Greek dinners I’ve had, but it was a difficult task to get there. After we were told to return in an hour (which was fine – enough time for a cocktail down the block), we returned to wait again for almost a half hour. Our party of five was thoughtfully squeezed into a corner table hardly made for four, the fifth man placed snugly next to our neighbor, who played elbow wars the entire night. Our overworked server decided to treat us like we had never eaten this kind of food before, notwithstanding our Greek friend dining with us. No matter, the food was amazing, highlighted by the appetizer spreads of both Greek yogurt, roe, eggplant, and chickpeas, and potato, string beans, feta, and olives.

  • Pros: Mmm.
  • Cons: Loud and crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/14/08

Great greek food at very reasonable prices

by heddo

The last 2 reviewers must have been in really bad moods or something cause this place was beyond pleasant. The staff was nice and efficient and did everything well and we were there on a saturday night. We sat and had a relaxed and enjoyable meal. We ordered up a bunch of appetizers and then split the leg of lamb and it was a perfect amount of food and with drinks and tip we got out of there for 80 bucks for 2! No small feat in this town. The grilled octopus was the best I've ever had and the lamb fell right off the bone....im getting hungry just thinking about this place....I definitely plan to make this a regular stop.

  • Pros: food, food, food
  • Cons: get's busy but thats to be expected for this place
2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/27/08

Don't go expecting a relaxing dinner

by paigeg

We had a decent dinner but weren't able to relax because the waiter kept rushing us. He kept hovering over us while we ate and while we paid for the bill. After the meal was over and done with, we were poured more water without asking and then ten seconds later, our water was taken away. What an insult. This behavior really ruined what could have been a nice dinner. Don't expect any Greek hospitality here.

  • Pros: ambience
  • Cons: rushed service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/29/08

Felt like I was in Greece!

by heylo811

We read about Kefi in TONY and wanted to check it out randomly one early evening. Thank goodness we got there before 6.30 because the place was getting packed. It's very small, initimate but the service and food was amazing. This dinner rivaled our meals in Greece. Everything was super fresh and pretty affordable. I also had the Greek Margarita and it was yummy. I would totally come back.

  • Pros: Food, Service and Price
  • Cons: Small drinks

The Details on Kefi Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • amazing innovative greek food
  • professional service
  • best kefi
  • best grilled octopus
  • always nice waiter
  • pretty back dining room
  • very reasonable prices
  • nice staff
  • divine branzino
  • fantastic cremiest spreads
  • divine swordfish
  • best bargain
  • fantastic creations
  • nice ambience
  • nice dinner
  • when recommending greek wines
  • love orzo
  • excited everyone
  • favorite dishes
  • super fresh everything
  • best greek salad
  • amazing writeups
  • best greek restaurant
  • love lamb shank
  • great traditional greek food
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