Yaffa Cafe
(212) 674-9302
97 St Marks Pl
(at Between Avenue A and 1st Avenue)
New York,
NY
10003
40.7276
-73.9848
Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown
Reviews & Ratings for Yaffa Cafe
43 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 43 reviews
Nice decor
by sunnynero
May 20, 2009
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
interesting space doesn't make up for the bad service
by hyeny
April 22, 2008
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.
Kitschy and Fun
by Redh34d
March 22, 2008
I recently discovered Yaffas while catching up with some friends from High School. 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. Definitely a place to take friends for long conversations and catching up. Also, veggie friendly. :)
- Pros: Vegetarian Friendly, Small but not crowded
- Cons: Oddball bathroom (if you have any quirks, probably not a good place to go)
More than kitsch for vegetarians out late at night
by evxplant
March 18, 2008
Yes, the decor is fabulous and over the top. The place is flat out adorable and fun. The outdoor cafe is great in the summertime, especially because the waitstaff actually knows you're alive back there! I 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. The service is wonderful, and the desserts to die for. My fave place to escape the hustle and bustle of the thoroughly gentrified block outside and pretend that it's 10 years ago and the East Village exists as more than a hipster/tourist/NYU brat mecca.
- Pros: Tasty, reasonably priced food, great service with a smile and some personality
- Cons: not good for large groups, can be tough to accommodate seating
Yaffa means Pretty in Hebrew
by rachelbff
November 14, 2007
What a delicious place. The waitstaff is amazing and so is the chocolate soufle'
Please do not forget to try the veggie burgers served with salad and that yummy veggie dressing.
The omlettes are outrageous, and so is the outdoor patio.
The ambience is hipster/ retro/ just plain fun!
They are open 24/7, and they are always happy to serve you. Enjoy yourself....I sure did
Thanks pretty cafe.
- Pros: Yummy food, outdoor patio, plenty of seating, open 24/7
Miserable second experience
by bethesdagirl
July 24, 2007
Second review (8/23/08): 3 friends joined us for a late lunch. We sat in the garden area, the service was *superb* (friendly & attentive) and the food was very good. The problem began when it was time to pay. We hadn't bothered asking for (2) checks, since most places don't allow it and it's always settled at the cashier's. Yaffa's cashier had a major attitude problem; she refused to calculate the tax! I was incredulous; I told her it was her job as the cashier. She got nastier and I demanded to speak to the (shift) manager, at which point she said "I'm not helping you!" and then told him "YOU deal with her!" He was immediately nasty and said "It's not her job to calculate tax!" and I said "Then whose job IS it?!" He then said "She's not from NY!" and I replied "What does THAT have to do with it?!" He then whipped out a calculator from under the cash register and I said "Why couldn't the *cashier* have used that?!" His reply: "She didn't know it was there!" (?!). Then he angrily said "How much tax do you want to pay?!" I replied "The correct amount!" He demanded of me "What is the correct amount?!" I replied "You and I both know it's 8.675%!" Then he *shoved* the calculator in my direction and said "YOU figure it out!" I replied "No; I am the CUSTOMER!" He angrily did it and then said "How much tip do you want to pay?!" I said "20%; $3.60", after which he added an *extra* tip on top of the tax! I said, "I said $3.60!" and he angrily changed it. I later contacted the GM and eventually he gave us a refund & an apology.
(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. I had been there with friends 12 years before and kept intending to return. I'm surprised about (some) negative reviews, as I had a very good experience on both occasions. Our waiter was pleasant and we also thought the food was very good.
- Pros: The garden, great service and very good food
- Cons: Incredibly nasty cashier and shift manager
The gem of St. Mark's
by steorra
April 21, 2007
Yaffa is the gem of St. Mark's! I have never seen anything like it. 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. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or into health food, you'll love it. My favorite things are the Middle Eastern appetizer and the avocado melt. Anything with the berber sauce is also incredible. 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. Also, if you're looking for drinks other than beer, wine, or mimosas, I'd look elsewhere. All things considered, however, this is probably my favorite restaurant in NYC.
- Pros: Funky decor, amazing health/vegetarian food, late hours, location!
- Cons: Space is tight, limited drinks.
Cool ecclectic NYC spot
by kb21
April 07, 2007
Yaffa is one of a kind, its interior is worth a look-see. The menu is as ecclectic as the decor, ranging from seafood to american to midetarranean. 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). The spring rolls are not that great, and the desserts are definitely way too expensive for their tiny size. There are some cake slices that are ok, but they run at about $5-6. I always feel like I'm over paying when I go there, but I still go. Its really cool inside and the patio out back is AWESOME on warm nights. 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). Patio is spacious. Worth a visit. Open all night so great if you are looking for late night dining!
- Pros: decor, food, service
- Cons: some entrees run at $20+ and the non alcoholic drinks are overpriced
Yaffa Rocks !
by dru_b
November 03, 2006
Had a great time here recently with a group of friends. We came on a Friday evening to celebrate a friend's birthday and everything was wonderful. 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.
Yaffa is just a great place to go chill, have a few glasses of wine and enjoy the great decor.
