The 2 owners are brothers and definitely class acts !! Hard-working individuals that know how to run a restaurant !!

My wife has always liked Cafe Luka. When we first came back to NYC over a decade ago, it was a solid breakfast spot and a nice dinner option. Portions were good and prices were higher than average but within reach. We returned yesterday for an early dinner and while the food was good and service decent, the portions and pricing have gotten out of hand. I had a pizza burger and fries for $21. No, really. It was a tasty burger but not Minetta Tavern good. My wife had a choice to make, get the spinach pie appetizer for $17 or the entree version for $27. The extra $10? Got us a salad and I am guessing a larger portion of pie. That's it...for $10 more. I remember when they would provide salad, soup, potatoes, veggies, bread, and even a dessert, for much less. The waiter did bring two pickle spears and tiny cups of cole slaw to be fair. We had water, no dessert or apps, and spent $55 for a meal that should have cost $30, maybe $35. So, you get the extra $20 this visit but you lost future visits, seems like a risky move. This is not the only spot on the neighborhood that has gone off the rails with their menu pricing management and I realize costs around labor, ingredients, utilities, etc have all gone up. Problem is, the customers pocket is only so deep and it's becoming unsustainable to continue to push the majority of the expenses onto your menu for others to subsidize. So, we didn't have a "bad" experience but walked away feeling taken advantage of in what we received for the money. Now my wife is no longer going to push for this spot in the future and we will give others a try. read more

This is a diner. It might have a cafe name, and it might be a little nicer inside, but it's most definitely a diner. Cafe Luka caters to the neighborhood, and at any given time it's probably filled with people who have their loved ones in a nearby hospital, and are getting out for a marginally better meal than the cafeterias can provide. I was doing the same, and I enjoyed a classic breakfast of eggs, toast, corned beef hash, and potatoes. I like that the potatoes were well done without me having to ask. We all need a little texture in our lives. It's worth noting that: 1. Everything came out in about 3 minutes flat, as it should at a diner. 2. The wifi didn't work when I was there. 3. Diner breakfasts in Manhattan are insanely expensive now (I'm talking nearly $20 for a two egg breakfast, before tax and tip). read more

Cafe Luka - Two 2 Eggs Any Style - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

(This is a 3.5 star review) My best friend and I met up here for a quick dinner last night around 6pm. When we arrived, it was virtually empty, which was nice. A few more people trickled in towards the end of our meal. Our waiter was kind and accommodating, answering our questions about the menu. We ended up going quite simple, ordering a deluxe burger and a piña colada to split because we weren't that hungry. The food came out super quickly (probably testament to how slow it was at the time). The meal started with some coleslaw and pickles (which I LOVE and was very happy about). The burger ($21) was super simple and did the job, but did not blow us away at all. We had to dress it up a bit for the picture below :) The piña colada, while good, was super sweet. We really didn't taste much alcohol and it was also ($18.45) which we found really overpriced for what it was. In any case, it's nice to have cafes like this that are local. We appreciated the simplicity of the place and it's also quite large, with lots of tables so it could be a nice place for a snack/to do some work. read more

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Great little sit down cafe! Had basic breakfast and got great service and great food. Very clean.

My husband and I were in the area yesterday morning and decided to eat at this diner. There were many patrons which is always a good sign. The wait staff were friendly and showed us where we can sit and bright is the menus. They have a wide selection from wraps, sandwiches, breakfast items, dessert, etc. I ordered the eggs florentine with whole wheat toast and my husband got a toasted bagel with lox and salad. I enjoyed my dish very much. It came with 2 poached eggs, hashed potatoes, toast, cooked spinach and feta. It was well cooked and flavorful. My dish was $20.50. My husband's bagel with cream cheese and lox was good too but he's not sure if it's worth $22.50. That seemed a bit steep. The ambiance is friendly and welcoming. It's a nice diner/Cafe but a bit pricey. read more

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We came in with a large group and the owner was so accommodating to ensure we could be seated together and promptly. It offers very typical diner food and the prices are a bit high for the quality in my opinion. The gold brown pancakes with banana and walnut (in between the stacks) was probably the best dish. The avocado toast was pretty mediocre. The poached eggs were extremely rubbery and I couldn't really eat them. 5/5 stars for service and the owner is such a friendly guy! Maybe worth stopping by for a coffee or something, but I wasn't particularly impressed with the food. read more

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The owners are kind, friendly, and genuinely good people working hard to keep this establishment competitive compared to the other diners in the surrounding area. Many folks eat here from the neighborhood as a consistent "go to" spot, given the quality of their food and prompt service. Most diners offer the same kinds of dishes, but this one stands out for its attention to detail and customer service. As an example, my family ate at this diner on a busy weekend day (with a stroller) yet were given a quiet section of the restaurant on purpose, since the management understood the stress associated with eating out with little kids. The menu could use more food options but you'll still easily find what you want. read more

Cafe Luka - Egg White Omelette - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

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Wonderful owners & staff! Food was delicious! Service was the best! Very clean and atmosphere was very relaxing! My husband and I were in NYC for a couple of Dr. appointments and would recommend this restaurant again and again! read more

Food was great, waiters are super attentive , and the host was amazingly friendly, he walks around the place , talking to all the guests. Music is nice and at a good volume where we could still have conversations! Highly recommended ! read more

It is a nice combination of cafe & restaurant . Personally the prices are on high side but the food was fresh & tasty.. repeatedly said egg allergy , egg allergy , and there they were in his salad in the middle unearthed while eating .. sigh ...he's ok btw... they quickly corrected and apologized The pizzas we ordered were very good . I'm not about thin crust but this was what they had and it was very good with the toppings - We were upcharged for cauliflower crusts which we didn't order .. it was quickly corrected, I usually don't question the bill but it was what it was I would come back just for the salads , all of us ordered and they were HUGE & fresh .. produce is expensive in the city and I can commiserate with the prices . The people were nice and it is a very clean & relaxed atmosphere . read more

Had an enjoyable breakfast here at Cafe Luka, my eggs were pretty good standard diner style and the French toast was quite tasty. The service was excellent and the staff was quite friendly! Will definitely be back if I'm in the area and want to grab a quick breakfast read more

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Quality and quick breakfast before our flight back to Florida. The hashbrowns have their own spice kick to them which I loved. Luka is a fantastic owner and is the epitome of New York hospitality! He went out of his way to check on us and had a great conversation with him. The staff was excellent as well. read more

Cafe Luka - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Great diner in the UES! The omelette was amazing and the bacon was crispy. Definitely recommend. It was also crowded but we didn't have to wait which was really nice. A+ read more

Wonderful hidden gem!! Everything is AMAZING! atmosphere, service, FOOD. They were super accommodating with our stroller and gave us a really cozy table (we were seated next to the entrance and asked to move in since it was chilly and there was no problem at all) We had onion soup, fried chicken basket, eggs with hashbrown, sausage and bacon and extra side of bacon. Portions huge Onion soup was huge with plenty of yummy cheese. It was cooked to perfection since most of the times it could go on the salty side but his one was perfect!! The fried chilen came with a bowl of salad or soup and side of fries. oMG such crunch chicken!!! The batter was perfect and perfectly seasoned The cherry on top was the chocolate chip cake. Service was suuper friendly and really nice Will surely come back and try more dishes since everything on other tables looked yummy read more

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Breakfast was great. Service was fast. The coffee was great also wasn't rushed out. Sitting there it also was obvious that it was a local crowd and also hospital personnel. The owner was on a first name basis with a number of the guests. Definately a go to next time I am in the area at that time. read more

I'm from out of state. Excellent food and service. The owners treat you like royalty. I highly recommend Cafe Luka. To quote Arnold. " I'll be back." read more

I had breakfast there a few years ago. They couldn't get a simple request of scrambled egg on a toasted buttered roll right. This past week, I ventured there again. Eggs over easy, home fries and toast. Simply, right? The eggs must of been cooked in oil , not butter, the home fries and toast were cold and dry on arrival. The home fries were inedible. Our group (4) ordered both tea and coffee. The staff returned, twice, to refill all those that order coffee, but ignored the tea drinkers. The interior is very nice, the staff are friendly. Prices are excessively high for the quality of food served. Hire a capable cook! read more

Don't come here. Total rip off. Waaaayyy too expensive. Price gouging bc it's so close to the hospital. Wow. Not even close. You run a dinner. Your prices rival mid-highend place like Union Square Cafe. Try again. read more

The service was great, the waiter was fast and attentive: the owner is hilarious and friendly. Takes time to get to know his customers. Very clean, decor is nice. A little pricy but that's to be expected for the area. The owner gave me a free muffin on my way out, he really cherishes his healthcare worker customers from hospital row, hence why most customer were in scrubs. Decor and layout is nice as well. Great coffee, which they offered to top me off 4 times in 30 minutes. I had a chicken salad melt on gluten free bread and it was very good, meaty without drowning in mayo and the gluten free bread is probable one of the best I have ever had. I should have asked him the brand. Will definitely be back. read more

Wonderful people. Great blt. Nice soup too. Highly recommended. Owner very gracious fair prices convenient to all hospitals

Hi, I was not a big fan of the food here. I felt that the eggs were over cooked and the food was kind of bland. The ambiance of the place was nice and I think perhaps I ordered the wrong meal. read more

Cafe Luka - Spanish Omelette - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Im gluten free and the pizza was amazing!! service was great as well, every time my water was empty it was promptly filled.

My first choice was a portobello mushroom sandwich. We are out of mushrooms, I was told. As a backup, I chose a hot dog. The good news? I got 2 hot dogs. The bad? They were served on hamburg rolls. This in New York City? read more

Found this place online and decided to stop in for brunch. While nicely decorated, it is a bit small and does get crowded. Lucky for me, my sister and I were seated right away. I think it was the last empty table at the time we went, which was around 1pm. The servers were really nice and the food was really good. I got pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage. I also ordered a mimosa, which came in a bigger glass than I was expecting, they definitely don't skimp on them. Glad I stopped in and I would love to go back and try some other things! read more

Cafe Luka is a really nice neighborhood cafe with exceptionally friendly employees and manager. They loved my sports hat and face mask and wanted to chat on and on about sports. Meanwhile I needed coffee after my long walk. The manager offered me a larger coffee and charged me $3 which I felt was well priced. I asked for the "to go" cup. I added I would like to sit and relax quietly drinking my coffee and would it be okay if I sat at a table instead of the counter where they were chatting. He was so nice and teasing me said it would cost extra. I sat in the rear in a cozy side space away from the traffic area. The space was perfect. The atmosphere is artistic and the place is clean and comfortable. The manager saw me admiring the art and told me all the pieces were by Alexander Kaletski. I really love the artistic decor he has created. I'm going to research this artist to learn more. I'm already planning lunch with my daughter for the next time I'm in the neighborhood. I'm recommending you visit this pleasant neighborhood cafe. You definitely receive a lot of personal attention from the employees and management. read more

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Vegan options is very limited. If you want to get lit after work this is the best place to be. Post work mimosas is the best kind. The drinks here are strong. I'm pretty sure they just put a splash of orange juice just to give it color. The staff are amazing! I got a free mimosa on my birthday. Will definitely come back for more. read more

Cafe Luka - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

The service was relatively quick and we seated immediately on a weekend during prime brunch hours. I ordered the eggs Florentine which was creamy but the eggs were poached eggs overcooked. The coffee was abysmal. read more

Cafe Luka - eggs Florentine - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Sure it looks nice inside for diner, but don't be fooled. the prices are high and the food is terrible. I didn't think it was possible to mess up eggs... others mentioned rubbery eggs, and that's exactly what we got. My son and I both did not finish our food. read more

Dropped by here for a light breakfast and it was pretty good. Split a Belgian waffle with a side of eggs with my friend and it was good, nothing special but not bad either l. The eggs were fluffy but I wish the waffles were softer. Service was slow as well but servers were nice. read more

Cafe Luka - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Stayed in Upper East side and stumbled upon a fantastic place to eat breakfast. The food was fabulous and the owners John and Mark made us feel so welcome. I felt like we were visiting family when we dined there. Eduardo and Mario went above any level of service that I have experienced in the past. Matter of fact EVERY waiter was extremely attentive and so pleasant like they truly loved there work!!! Can totally understand being that the owners are so absolutely amazing. BTW their homemade chocolate chip muffins are great. They even have gluten free toast!! read more

Cafe Luka is my go to for breakfast or brunch. The servers are always great and the food is plentiful and delicious. I'm so grateful to have good food in the neighborhood! read more

Had a lovely brunch here. The space is clean and cozy. The food is simple and decent, especially for the very affordable price. Nothing fancy or amazing - but good for a local diner. The service was friendly. It was easy to get seats, and there were lots of families with kids. Got their 2 eggs any style dish and subbed the meat for lox, and it was fine. Also really liked their coffee. All in all, a pleasant experience, and since I live across the street, I expect I'll be coming here again soon. read more

Cafe Luka - Two 2 Eggs Any Style - Diners Near Me - New York, New York

Staying with friends who pointed me here. Great neighborhood spot! Sat at the counter and enjoyed chatting with everyone. I followed the rules and ordered oatmeal and coffee, all was tasty. read more

great lox bagel stopped by for breakfast and got a smoke salmon bagel. service was fast. bagel was yummy with a good amount of cream cheese and salmon. served with lots of fresh veggies on the side. very chillax vibe, great place for a casual meal. reasonable prices read more

This restaurant is not transparent about their ingredients that they use for their food. Additionally, they are not properly educated or knowledgeable about Celiac. In the past, the servers informed me the chicken burger was gluten free (and I have eaten it multiple times). When I went the most recent time, the server said they use bread crimbs (and always do). The next day, I spoke to the owner (John) and he explained "sometimes we use a little bit of panko breadcrumbs." I explained celiac to him saying even a little bit of gluten can make me very sick. I definitely do not trust them due to their lack of transparency of ingredients and the lack of knowledge about celiac. read more

I walked into Cafe Luka at 7:30am yesterday after a 3 hr drive from Massachusetts for an appointment at HSS (a block away). Not crowded but a friendly owner waved me in--asking if I needed a menu. I replied "do you have Lox, eggs and onions?" (A NYC staple I miss in Mass.) He replied "of course--omelette or scrambled? How do you like it? It was excellent, the bagel on the side fresh & so was the OJ. Only thing better was the conversation--first with owner, and then with his brother (and co-owner). Not inexpensive but absolutely a fair value given the neighborhood & the quality of food. Convenient to all the medical buildings in the area. Also decorated nicely--a couple notches above "standard nyc diner". A pleasant spot to relax between appointments. My only regret is that HSS appointment was quick and it was too early to return for lunch..... read more

This isn't our usual neighborhood but we were looking for a place to eat after visiting the hospital. It was the perfect choice. We were warmly greeted at the door. The server was attentive and the food was excellent. The brisket sandwich was just the way we like it-- tender and thinly sliced with a tasty gravy. The BLT was loaded with crispy bacon, rhetorical lettuce was very green and tender, even the tomatoes (it's only April) were red and juicy. A real step up from so many other "diners." read more

Delicious food! Excellent service! Family friendly atmosphere. A great place to settle in for a good meal.

Good food and excellent service. Fast and reliable. Owners are fantastic operators and super friendly. I highly recommend