This place is a hidden gem !! I would even give more stars if I could. After venturing through many Balkan restaurants in NYC, I have to say that by far, this spot has the BEST byrek. Don't let the small space fool you ! The interior was also very clean. They had nice Albanian music playing on their TV as well. My mom and I came here on a Friday night. We were seated right away and the owner was a very kind man. For our appetizer, we ordered the Ferges to share. Comes with pita bread on the side. This was a very delicious dish and I would definitely order this again. For our main course, we ordered the Byrek Combo, which comes with qebapa and fries. The byrek tasted so much like a home-cooked meal. Flaky dough and good amounts of filling. Everything was served hot and very fresh. Qebapa had the perfect amount of spices and fries were nice and crispy. Portions were great as well. For dessert, we ordered the Albanian baklava and I tried their Dua Kafé. The baklava was amazing !! It had the perfect moist texture and consistency. I really enjoyed the coffee too. I would highly recommend this place if you're looking for authentic Albanian food. A little on the pricier side, but you are paying for high quality. The owner even told us the coffee was on the house, which was much appreciated :D read more

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I never had Albanian food before. My doorman is Albanian and told me about this place. Wow it was amazing experience! This cozy restaurant didn't disappoint me! I can't tell it's authentic or not since I'd never had, but everything we ordered was delicious especially Tave Elbasani, the lamb was so tender with flavorful yoghurt sauce. I must come back for other dishes to try soon! read more

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Authentic quality Albanian cuisine with great service! I ordered the Tavë Elbasani, which had tender lamb pieces baked in a bowl with egg and yogurt. The bowl came out of the kitchen sizzling hot, and the egg was delicious and fluffy. The only point for improvement was that there were only a couple pieces of lamb in there though (although the pieces were tasty). $22 was a fair price for this dish. To drink, I got the Dhallë, which was exactly as advertised - a salty yogurt drink (pretty good). It came in a small glass bottle and was only $4. The owner is Albanian, which explains why the place is very authentic. He is super friendly and helpful and makes sure that all of his customers are being well taken care of. The restaurant itself is pretty small with some Albanian themed decor and music. There was only one other occupied table on a Saturday afternoon. Overall, Dua Kafe earns a very solid 4 stars from me for the delicious authentic food and great service. If you are interested in trying some Albanian food, then this should be at the top of your list! read more

Dua Kafe - Tavë Elbasani - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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I found my new favorite restaurant here. They give you plenty without charging extra. No matter the environment, their dishes remain impressive. The customer experience here surpasses elite restaurant standards. This restaurant met my expectations. read more

This was my first time having Albanian food so definitely not an expert, but I really enjoyed my meal here. My friend and I ordered a spinach byrek combo and a tave elbasani to share. The restaurant wasn't busy but it seemed like there was just one busy guy doing all the serving, and the food took a while to come out, but it was hot and fresh when it did. The byrek was two slices of a flaky pie with spinach and cheese, served with fries and three small meat kebabs. The tave elbasani was a casserole made with lamb, yogurt, and baked egg that was super creamy and lamby-tasting (yummy to me but maybe not if you don't like lamb) and the more unique entree to me. We also got a little bucket of toasted bread strips that I think was for dipping in the lamb dish, at least that's how we enjoyed it. Overall a very filling and hearty meal, though the other entrees and appetizers were more pricey so I'm not sure I'd stray away from the two entrees I tried if I were to come again. I would be happy to come back to introduce others to Albanian food though! read more

Dua Kafe - Tave Elbasani on top, Byrek Combo below - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

This was a good place for a long catch-up with a friend. I'd come back for the dessert (plums). That being said, the food was still solid, with good portion sizes. The octopus, which was $30, actually did come out with a generous amount of octopus which was nice. It just didn't feel distinguished enough to go back for. The service was quite slow. I didn't mind it as I had the time, but I can see this being a point of frustration for some. read more

Dua Kafe - Sallat Oktapodi - Octopus, Byrek Combo, fries - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

This place has invested in looking good. The team surpassed what we thought possible. The modest size creates a homey feeling. Empty plates surrounded the table after our delicious meal. Dua Kafe deserves more attention. read more

You'll keep this spot in mind. The team excels at service consistency. Their menu shows creativity while each dish offers distinct tastes. Our whole party enjoyed everything we ordered. This spot delivers a pleasant atmosphere. read more

Had such a lovely experience at Dua Kafe. It was my first time trying Albanian food and upon reading the reviews, was excited to see what the place had to offer. I definitely left the place feeling warm, full, and so satisfied! If you're looking for a unique spot in the city with good food and nice vibes, do pay this spot a visit. We started out the meal with Fergese, which is a mix of peppers, tomato, onion and cottage cheese. It was served with warm bread and was a great way to start the meal. We then followed it with the octopus salad. It was a generous portion and the capers really mixed well with the flavors, delicious! Our main was the borek combo which came with fries and qebapa. Solid and filling main dish! It's generally hard for one to not like Borek, and the spinach filled one is a must have if you're a fan of boreks! Lastly, we ended the meal with the très lèches and Albanian coffee. The coffee is similar to what you'd get for a strong Turkish coffee. And the cake was a perfect way to end the meal, with a unique take on caramel to enrich it further. Lately, the decor of the place is great! With pictures all over one of the walls of Albania and its people. The choice of music also will not disappoint! read more

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An absolute hidden gem with lovely, original dishes served with warmth and flair in an unbelievably tiny but adorably decorated space.

Albania is a country whose cuisine is not well known. Sandwiched between the former Yugoslavia & Greece & always looking towards Italy, it's food is reminiscent of a Serbian style if I had to pick a neighbor. Exotic & charming little spot with slow service but delicious food. Ate: Whole branzino Grilled veg with yogurt dip Total $48 I got to try my friends sausage and potato bread and their breads come out on a little table- so rustic . Plus, garlic lovers this is your spot! My branzino and veg were super duper and a real culinary journey to a land we don't know very well. read more

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We came for lunch this afternoon and I'm so glad we went here! It's so small that we were using google maps to find it and still managed to walk right past it lol My friend ordered Michelle's panini and I got the byrek combo, 1 spinach byrek with 3 beef skewers and fries. Neither of us had had Albanian food before and wow is it good. The beef was juicy and tender, byrek was soft, warm and flaky. It was somewhat like a thinner spanakopita. Plus, prices are quite fair for what you get. What a great little neighborhood place. read more

Dua Kafe - Byrek combo - spinach byrek, beef skewers, and fries - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Delicious tasting Albanian food in the East Village! Everything tasted fresh and homemade. The presentation was even better. My only complaint is that the chicken got a bit dry and relied too much on a yogurt sauce to make it taste good. The owner, Bobian, is an incredibly nice and intelligent man who only wants the best for his customers. Between the pop music from Albania playing, and the upbeat atmosphere he creates, it is hard not to have fun here. It is a unique experience you will find hard pressed in the city. Bring your appetite and positive vibes here! read more

Good ambiance. Service was top notch, there when you need it but not over bearing. Food was great, reminds me of Albania. Would recommend, good local spot. If you know you know. read more

Dua Kafe - Dua kaffe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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The food wasn't good ... i love Albanian food..but this wasn't at all ... disappointed because i was so excited to try it.

I just moved to the area and thought I would try out this quaint Albanian spot with a few friends for brunch. We loved the warm atmosphere and the presentation of the food and tea (served in an artisanal looking tea filter and beautiful china!!). The owner was so pleasant to talk to and we loved chatting with him about his recommendations, the history of the decor hanging around the restaurant and how much we enjoyed the food. I LOVED the spinach byrek and although I personally don't love cottage cheese, the rest of my party loved the fergese. The herbs in the tea (recommended by the owner) were so fresh -- can definitely see this being a regular spot near my new home! read more

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Dua is a gem. Everything is freshly made and the service is top knotch. We loved every dish and whole fish was cooked perfectly. Love this place. read more

Cozy and quaint cafe serving traditional Albanian dishes. I loved it and will be back. Everything from the food to the Albanian coffee was fresh and flavorful. The kitchen was just opening around Noon on a Saturday so it was super quiet and easy to drop in. Only one server (with another cook in the back) so the food took a bit longer but he was very attentive, warm, and helpful with the menu. Great place for a brunch with a friend. read more

Dua Kafe - Byrek Combo. Wish I had ordered more of the Byrek- crispy and so tasty - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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I wish i could give 10 stars to DuaKafe. Authentic Albanian food. I had a dinner with my friend last night, The Resturent is truly amazing, food was fresh and super tasty & service was great. Bobby the owner is a very nice guy. I'm 100% going back to Duakafe. A must try for everyone!!!! read more

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Delicious spinach burek only at " Dua kafe" This place is so amazing and the staff is so nice. read more

Dua Kafe - Burek - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Run, don't walk to this hidden gem. As a vegetarian, I was able to find very satisfying food like the Burek (spinach and cheese combo) and the appetizer, Fergese. My carnivore friend also enjoyed the Burek. The Burek has 4 slices and it's big for me. Pros: 1. Comprehensive menu 2. Fair prices 3. Great service - the owner is very hospitable 4. Location - it is away from the hustle and bustle of upper 14th street Con: 1. Stuffed tummy :-D I didn't have space for desert and coffee. I plan to make this place a regular spot and it should be on your list as well. read more

My girlfriend took me here before work for lunch. Shes albanian and she highly recommends this place! U cant find alot of good albanian restaurants around and she said this spot is authentic and alot of famous albanian celebrities come here!!! She ordered a bunch of things for us to try and everything was so so good! The staff were so nice and friendly. Felt so cozy and very much like home. read more

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This place is amazing. 1) The service is 10/10, probably the best service I ever got. 2) I got 2 dishes: qebapa with fli and tave kosi. If I have to recommend one if it is your first time getting Albanian food, try the qebapa with fli. 3) The ambiance of this place is 10/10 as well. They have pictures of famous Albanian personalities on the wall. read more

It's always a great feeling to be back at Dua kafe! Amazing service, Bobi the owner was on top of our table all the time and made us experience the true Albanian hospitality! Food is so delicious. We started with fli and qofte, second dish was lushnja salad with grilled veggies, than my fav dish kidneys with bread on the bottom, and my bf fav dish tave kosi. For dessert we got trilece is similar to ters lecces but it's prepared same like in albania. I really wanted to get the baklava with panda milk but we were so full lol. Hand sanitizer on the table with some fresh rosemary which did smell so nice, and the dividers between the tables made us enjoy our experience there in max. Thumbs up!!! lots of love for this place! read more

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Loved our dinner here--the food was incredible and tasted very home made. The server was kind and he made sure we ordered the best things on the menu. I would come back in a heartbeat. read more

Loved the dining experience here! The five dishes we ordered were all super delicious. Appetizer wise, the cheese that gets lit on fire and the red pepper with cream were amazing and very exotic to me. For main, the flija (honey pancake) with qebepa tasted wonderful with the mix of savoury meat and honey dough that melted in our mouth. The coffee came with a beautiful cup which was a pleasant wrap of the satisfying meal. Service was friendly and fast. read more

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Food looks good and seems like it would be delicious however it was tasteless and bland. The bread is sad white bread, lamb dId not taste lIke anything and was over cooked. When we got the bill it was dOuble the amount we expected to pAy. Make sure you ask how much everything will cost! The sad Lamb chops was $35!!! We would not return read more

Dua Kafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Had a great meal while listening to Alabamian cardi b Food was quite expensive but the experience was worth it read more

Dua Kafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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This place was amazing, recommended by an Albanian friend. The food, decor, and music are all authentic. We wanted to try everything on the menu, it all sounded so delicious. In the end settled for a small appetizer tripe soup, and two entrees. Byrek with spinach and qebapa, lamb mixed with egg, were hearty dishes and satisfying. For dessert highly highly recommend the baklava There are photos of famous people of Albanian descent on the wall, some of which are autographed! Dua Lipa, Ava Max, Regis Philbin, Rita Ora, etc. It's a small place with some indoor and outdoor seating. We went on a weekday evening and there were a total of 3 parties. A true hidden gem. Will definitely be back! read more

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I came here about a month ago, but forgot to review. This cute cafe, unfortunately situated near a lot of L train construction, is not to be missed. If you didn't know, Dua means love and I believe this fits the name of the cafe perfectly. The cafe is decorated with pictures Albanian celebrities (..and George H.W Bush?). I ordered the qebapa with spinach burek, along with my friend. We waited about 30 minutes for our food, but we were entertained by the Albanian music videos on the TV in the cafe. Once our food came, everything was delicious! Everything tasted really fresh. I do wish that there was more white sauce that came with the dish, since I wanted to douse my burek with it out of habit,but the food was extremely good as it was. I was really stuffed at the end, even though I did not eat the whole day. Highly recommend if you never tried Albanian/Balkan food before! read more

Dua Kafe - Very blurry photo of the burek and qebapa, came with fries. - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

My first time trying Albanian food! Not only was the food amazing but I was especially impressed/touched with how personable the owner was. He spoke to us as if we were old friends of his which you just don't encounter often in the city. The place is tiny but cutely decorated like Albania. You might feel a bit cramped if it's crowded but it's not that big of a deal. We were advised to try the Albanian coffee which was made in a traditional type of Albanian coffee pot where the coffee is heated with a flame right at your table. Pretty cool little contraption! My friend had the spinach and cheese byrek/borek (kind of like a spanakopita) and the owner recommended she tried the baked pasta which was a special that day. She enjoyed her dishes and I agreed (as I obviously stole some bites =P). I had the meat byrek, eggs/sausages... loved it all! Even the sausages were very uniquely flavored. Loved trying a new cuisine and the hospitality of the owner. Have recommended it to others in the EV already. read more

Dua Kafe - Meat Byrek Combo Brunch - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

The food was so good and owner and staff were so friendly and attentive! I really enjoyed the conversation we had with them!!

Food is delicious and authentic, the server/ owner is super efficient and friendly. The best byrek next to my mom's. I have been here twice and will be a regular. read more

Very happy about finding out this lovely new place serving Albanian food in my neighborhood. Everything was beyond my expectation and I am sure I will come back often. The space is rather limited but the owner was very creative to attend to the very detail - you will see small paintings of the street scenes of the neighborhoods in Albania where the owner grew up; you will also get to see the old violin he played long time ago; and let alone those photos of old celebrities in Albania. We were also largely satisfied with the food - they came with perfect portion and really reasonably priced given that it is in east village. Oh and of course they were all very tasty. Really recommended! read more

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Amazing place! Great food, perfect customer service. very cozy and warm ambient. Mediterranean, especially Albanian traditional food.

When you miss Albania go here! They have delicious traditional Albanian dishes and people are very nice. Place is a little small but they make you feel very comfortable! read more

You regularly pass by this secret hole in the wall? Wondered what's a Byrek? Need a reason to step? This is a small cozy Cafe that offers one of the best and affordable breakfast and brunch dishes. You will feel like you've found a vacation home within your own neighborhood. The family ran business makes you feel so welcomed and the genuine hospitality is really second to none. I love coming here by myself to just unwind or take a friend and chat while we wait for the Belgium style coffee to brew. They have wonderful and filling Byrek (savory pies). Everything is homemade that morning. It's a calming and soothing experience that deserves the love of the East Village! You'll notice the shop right by a barber pole, you can't miss it! read more

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I feel bad to leave a negative review, but we just didn't have a good lunch experience here. First, we had California omelette and vegetable omelette, both are flavorless. Me and my husband found really hard to enjoy. Second, the room was freezing, and the coffee flask has no cover so our coffee got cold extremely quick. Third, the table is way too small to manage our sitting positions. We just constantly kicked each other. Fourth, the service is a big miss. They took 20 minutes to prepare two omelettes when there were only me and my husband two customers in the store...And if I need something, I had to speak very loudly or walk closely to the kitchen. Because the music was too loud and the waitress is sort of cook as well so I really couldn't find someone in the dining room. This is actually our second time here. This time I wanted to give 1 star because I feel I really wasted my money on the food, but the first time here for me was ok, though they got wrong with my husband's order at that time lol. I don't know why there are so many 5 stars, but we probably will not come back unless we have to.... read more

Dua Kafe - California omelette - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing and creative Albanian Cuisine in Manhattan! Warm hospitality and ambiance. Highly recommended! read more

Dua Kafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Superb, family-owned Albanian restaurant. Food is delicious, with fresh ingredients, many from the Balkans/Albania. Lucky to have an Albanian restaurant of this quality south of the Bronx. Albanian celebrities visit when they are in the U.S.! Please support them too. read more