(212) 674-9302

97 St Marks Pl (Between Avenue A and 1st Avenue)
New York, NY 10003 40.7276 -73.9848

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Daily 24hrs

Price:

$$

Last updated 7.09.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Food Delivery, Cheap Eats

General Info:

Open 7 Days, Open 24 Hours

Cuisine:

Eclectic & International, New American, Vegetarian

Smoking Permitted:

On patio

What People Are Saying About Yaffa Cafe

Featured Review

Katie Heffernan

Contributor

The Scene – This East Village restaurant never gets a wink of sleep, and the decor recalls an insomniac's late-night, Technicolor dreamscape. Zebra, cheetah and colorful floral patterns cover every inch of wall, low-lit by strings of Chinese lanterns and dangling grapevine lights. It's so out there that it works--black-clad raver waiters and all--and even the most normal of groups love getting together for dinner and popular brunching on the palm-lined backyard patio spread. – – The Food – The mishmash menu was built to satisfy a scene of late-night cravers--come here…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Try the outdoor sidewalk patio for some summertime street action.
The Extras:
Order food to your door between noon and 11pm daily, with a $10 minimum.
Save Money:
The $8 weekday lunch deal includes a soup with a salad or wrap, noon to 4pm.
When to Go:
Go for brunch between 11am and 4pm on weekends.
ambiance
84.37999725341797% positive
  1. The place is interesting and the crowd is fun on most nights.
  2. love Yaffa - the funky decor, the reasonably priced food, the really delicious options for vegans (which I am).
  3. It's open 24 hours and has a really cool ambience - funky leopard seats, cool lamps, and a gorgeous, peaceful little garden to sit in outside.
  4. The staff, about as colorful and odd as the decor, is enthusiastic and always makes up for a great show.
  5. It has some hysterical decor and interesting music selection (started with some generic pop and changed to the Beatles and then Bob Marley), but overall a great vibe and friendly atmosphere.
  6. Funky mixed decorations, nice back garden, good food, good prices.
  7. Yes, the decor is fabulous and over the top.
  8. Very cozy rich ambiance.
  9. (First review): My husband & I ate an early lunch in Yaffa's garden on a weekday in late 6/07 and fortunately it wasn't crowded, so we were able to thoroughly enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.
  10. mildly impressive decor, not outlandish but big zebra couch theme going on there, but hey, its the village!
  11. Yaffa is just a great place to go chill, have a few glasses of wine and enjoy the great decor.
  12. The food is very nice and the atmosphere is full of personality
  13. The food is not amazing, but the atmosphere is.
  14. The place is flat out adorable and fun.
  15. also love the colorful decor.
  16. Nice decor
dessert
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The spring rolls are not that great, and the desserts are definitely way too expensive for their tiny size.
  2. The service is wonderful, and the desserts to die for.
  3. The waitstaff is amazing and so is the chocolate soufle'
  4. liked the hummos platter, the brie sandwich, and about 20 other things on the menu (if they still have the chocolate cake you need to get it).
  5. Oh, and if you like chocolate, try a heated slice of the chocolate mud pie.
  6. The only downside to Yaffa is that it can get crowded at times (space is tight), and the desserts aren't big enough to share.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. Yaffa is just a great place to go chill, have a few glasses of wine and enjoy the great decor.
food quality
73.28000068664551% positive
  1. Considering the average quality of food in NYC, it's amazing that a restaurant with such terrible food can stay in business.
  2. What a delicious place.
  3. Not only is the place uniquely decorated with interesting background music, but the food is delicious, generous, and modestly priced.
  4. Cheap, fast, good food in a comfy and interesting setting.
  5. The food is not amazing but it's a good value for money: it's quite cheap and portions are huge.
  6. Prices are cheap and the place has some character but the food is pretty bad - just not worth eating.
  7. The food was very good, everything came in good time with no mistakes, the staff were very calm and attentive and the music was amazing.
  8. had the worst soba noodles I'd ever had in my life there.
  9. cheap, good food, nice garden and relaxing.
  10. Don't come here when you actually want some decent food and good service.
  11. Waitstaff is usually intimidating but also quick to get you the delicious food they offer.
  12. Funky mixed decorations, nice back garden, good food, good prices.
  13. love Yaffa - the funky decor, the reasonably priced food, the really delicious options for vegans (which I am).
  14. You can't go wrong with Yaffa's great brunch menu - their home fries are amazing - but the portion is too small to satisfy my craving.
  15. Our waiter was pleasant and we also thought the food was very good.
  16. They're open 24/7, the staff is very accomodating (with the exception of a rude French waiter I had once), and the food is delicious.
  17. My daughter's pasta primavera was inedible.
  18. liked the hummos platter, the brie sandwich, and about 20 other things on the menu (if they still have the chocolate cake you need to get it).
  19. Avacado lovers will be dazzled at the choices including avacado: like the avacado melt, an avacado split on bread topped with melted cheese and served with salad (the carrot dressing is amazing) ($6.50).
  20. The "carrot dressing" of their salad is really delicious.
  21. The food was inedible!
  22. have been going here since HS when I have a late night hankering for something that didn't have a mother, and their vegetarian options are always flavorful and tasty.
  23. The food is not amazing, but the atmosphere is.
  24. I've had some great chicken dishes with veggies and rice on the side.
  25. No matter what you order, use the carrot dressing on the salad liberally, it's worth the trip.
  26. the chicken was horrible.
  27. Anything with the berber sauce is also incredible.
  28. We sat in the garden area, the service was *superb* (friendly & attentive) and the food was very good.
  29. It's open late, the staff is great, the food is delicious
  30. Shockingly poor food
  31. The food here is decent, and the carrot dressing is good, but I can get it at Dojo too (where the food is cheaper).
  32. The food is very affordable and has been delcious everytime.
  33. The food is very nice and the atmosphere is full of personality
  34. I've dined there with veggies and omnivores and we've all always be able to get a good meal.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. have been going here since HS when I have a late night hankering for something that didn't have a mother, and their vegetarian options are always flavorful and tasty.
  2. You can't go wrong with Yaffa's great brunch menu - their home fries are amazing - but the portion is too small to satisfy my craving.
  3. love Yaffa - the funky decor, the reasonably priced food, the really delicious options for vegans (which I am).
  4. Their breakfast and brunch menus are great, however their dinner menus are lacking.
  5. liked the hummos platter, the brie sandwich, and about 20 other things on the menu (if they still have the chocolate cake you need to get it).
  6. It has some hysterical decor and interesting music selection (started with some generic pop and changed to the Beatles and then Bob Marley), but overall a great vibe and friendly atmosphere.
  7. At least it's cheap and the variety is good.
  8. Avacado lovers will be dazzled at the choices including avacado: like the avacado melt, an avacado split on bread topped with melted cheese and served with salad (the carrot dressing is amazing) ($6.50).
  9. They have an extensive CD collection here too, and they are always playing some good music while you eat too!
overall
100.0% positive
  1. All things considered, however, this is probably my favorite restaurant in NYC.
  2. It's a great place to meet with friends for dinner, or for a date!
  3. good place to bring a date on the way out, or better yet on the home--grab a free condom when you pay your bill.
  4. This is a really great place to go to.
  5. The staff is nice but the place is definitely pressed for space, keep that in mind when bringing a large crowd (although seating is available).
  6. Yaffa is just a great place to go chill, have a few glasses of wine and enjoy the great decor.
service
89.21999931335449% positive
  1. It has some hysterical decor and interesting music selection (started with some generic pop and changed to the Beatles and then Bob Marley), but overall a great vibe and friendly atmosphere.
  2. The food was very good, everything came in good time with no mistakes, the staff were very calm and attentive and the music was amazing.
  3. If the wait staff is fast, they'll be rude.
  4. It's open late, the staff is great, the food is delicious
  5. the staff is NOT friendly.
  6. Our waiter was pleasant and we also thought the food was very good.
  7. They're open 24/7, the staff is very accomodating (with the exception of a rude French waiter I had once), and the food is delicious.
  8. The staff is nice but the place is definitely pressed for space, keep that in mind when bringing a large crowd (although seating is available).
  9. We sat in the garden area, the service was *superb* (friendly & attentive) and the food was very good.
  10. The staff, about as colorful and odd as the decor, is enthusiastic and always makes up for a great show.
  11. interesting space doesn't make up for the bad service
  12. The service is wonderful, and the desserts to die for.
  13. The servers have always been extremely nice, and they never rush you.
  14. do, however, love the carrot ginger dressing, and the cordial staff.
  15. Don't come here when you actually want some decent food and good service.
  16. Gerry B. is the best manager in the world.
  17. This place is great for first dates, kids, artists and people from all walks of life.
value
83.92999649047852% positive
  1. cheap, good food, nice garden and relaxing.
  2. Food is great and cheap, especially when you're craving breakfast foods at 3 in the morning!
  3. Prices are cheap and the place has some character but the food is pretty bad - just not worth eating.
  4. The food is not amazing but it's a good value for money: it's quite cheap and portions are huge.
  5. Great off the cuff spot, great prices
  6. Ecclectically decorated, dark and snug (inside), with a beautiful garden in the back, this is an ideal (relatively inexpensive) getaway from the outside world.
  7. Funky mixed decorations, nice back garden, good food, good prices.
  8. No matter what you order, use the carrot dressing on the salad liberally, it's worth the trip.
  9. The food is very affordable and has been delcious everytime.
  10. Not only is the place uniquely decorated with interesting background music, but the food is delicious, generous, and modestly priced.
  11. The spring rolls are not that great, and the desserts are definitely way too expensive for their tiny size.
  12. have been going to Yaffa for years for it's cheap and basic fare, but I had no idea that Yaffa has a huge and very East Villagely-decorated garden in the back!
  13. At least it's cheap and the variety is good.
  14. The huge and beautiful summer garden is every visitor's must see.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. Waitstaff is usually intimidating but also quick to get you the delicious food they offer.
  2. The beautiful outdoor garden made the evening special, as me, my boyfrien, my sister and her boyfriend had one of the best dinners in a long time.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/12/10

Reasonable & delicious, good for omni, veg & vegan

by njrugger45

I love Yaffa - the funky decor, the reasonably priced food, the really delicious options for vegans (which I am). I've dined there with veggies and omnivores and we've all always be able to get a good meal. Highly recommended.

  • Pros: Good menu, inexpensive
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/04/09

Fun and Funky!

by JLively

LOVE their greek salads, that carrott dressing is to die for. Great stir fry and banana cheesecake too.

Funky & fun.

  • Pros: Food
2 Star Rating: Below Average

08/12/09

Heavy on kitsch, light on quality/taste/service

by TransplantedTexan

the chicken was horrible. thin, tasteless, overpriced, tough. the staff is NOT friendly. they act all disinterested, foreign to make their indifference seem ok. they won't even tell you thank you when you checkout. i was with a Meetup group. never once did our server or other staff just tell us to go and pay at the register so we sat there with no one ever to check on us, ask us if we needed anything. so finally we got up to leave and finally someone working there mumbled that (as if i should miraculously know this) you pay at the register. it left a VERY bad flavor in my mouth, literally AND figuratively. this is a place i liked. this one night ruined it for me. the area is hip so don't waste your calories, money and time on Yaffa.....the nearby Cafe Mogador is PHENOMENAL and is worlds better in every way than this wannabe, wretched place. the outdoor cafe are is nice though.

  • Pros: kitsch, ambiance, artistic, patio, location
  • Cons: horrible chicken entrees, pathetic service
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/20/09

Nice decor

by sunnynero

This is a really great place to go to. The space is large and they have outdoor seating as well. Their breakfast and brunch menus are great, however their dinner menus are lacking. I would highly recommend coming here during the day.

  • Pros: decor, atmosphere, breakfast
  • Cons: dinner
2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/22/08

interesting space doesn't make up for the bad service

by hyeny

decor? fun. animal prints and mirrors are always a good time.go to the back patio, its spacey and cool. the food was average, nothing to write home about but edible. however, the service pretty much nonexistent. we had to ask for plates twice for a shared appetizer, we have three different waiters - none of which could be found when we needed something (the basics: silverware, bread, water.) and our "main" waiter had the most sour attitude ever. i'm sorry you are still working on your "acting career" at the age of 40 but try to act marginally friendly to your customers - at this point, it looks like the only income you are getting is tips, so why jeopardize that too!!

  • Pros: nice to sit outside on a lovely day
  • Cons: service stinks.

The Details on Yaffa Cafe

Place Categories:

  • very good food
  • great place
  • not amazing food
  • nice colorful decor
  • \* superb service
  • nice back garden
  • cool yaffa
  • amazing background music
  • nice wait staff
  • great pleasant atmosphere
  • always flavorful vegetarian options
  • amazing carrot dressing
  • not big desserts
  • great brunch menu
  • really cool patio
  • love carrot ginger
  • comfy setting
  • great prices
  • beautiful summer garden
  • really cool inside
  • good variety
  • very east villagelydecorated garden
  • nice outdoor cafe
  • great chicken dishes
  • incredible anything
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Curry Dream

66 W. 39th St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Libation

137 Ludlow St., New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

245 E 55th St, New York, NY

1 Star Rating: Poor

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

99 7th Avenue South, New York, NY

Advertisement