This place has been a favorite little gem to me for 10 years or so. Great wine selections, amazing small plates (will usually ask the waitstaff what they recommend and just eat those things, keeps things lively), and a cool environment, though I remember one time I went and there were some patrons that were clearly tourists who had no manners and sullied that experience... Other that that annoying evening, my other visits to this restaurant have been enjoyable. read more

This South African wine bar is a great spot in the UES for amazing wine and/or great food. The interior is cozy and there's plenty of seating, but I recommend making a reservation for big groups. Service is stellar here and everyone is so friendly. We tried a couple of wines, and everything was amazing. I've never had the chance to try South African wines before, so I really enjoyed this! Would definitely recommend to others! read more

Kaia Wine Bar - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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When the happy hour menu is ready for the girls. Martini and French fry combo? Wine and charcuterie combo? Pair that with the happiest staff!! Say less. My name is there. read more

Kaia Wine Bar - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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Great addition to the Upper East Side. Heard great thinks about this South African wine bar and finally made it. The little bites they offer were quite delicious and they have a fair offering for happy hour. The wine itself was quite delicious, nice, sweet, not too heavy and just up my alley. The service was A+ as well, and very attentive and kind. The vibe was hip, and had nice lighting especially as it transitioned to nighttime. This is a great place to catch up with friends, the noise level isn't too bad at all, though the tables are somewhat close together but I don't think it's an issue. The bites were surprisingly good! I don't expect much from UES food but I was quite pleased. Would definitely come back here, or bring a friend/date, especially since they're kind of unique in what they're offering the dining scene of NYC read more

Kaia Wine Bar - South African Near Me - New York, New York

I don't know what happened when we came here but the service was really really bad. We were sitting for 30+ minutes and kept on trying to make eye contact and everyone was just ignoring us. Finally, I raised my hand and the waitress, who had been ignoring us, looked at me and rudely said "we'll be with you in a minute". After we finally ordered, the food came fairly fast and it was good but then when we ordered dessert it took so long to come. I don't know what happened but hoping this was just an off day. Food was good and they included a little birthday special with the dessert read more

Kaia Wine Bar - LAM BURGER/LAMB BURGER - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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(This is a 4.5 star review) Kaia had been suggested to me many times. It seems like everyone I know in the Upper East Side had either been here or heard of this South African wine bar. The decor of this place, both outside and inside, is very unassuming. It was much simpler than I expected, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but was definitely something I noticed. There were about 2 waiters running the floor and two bartenders and the place was packed around 6:30 when we arrived. However, I will say, the waiters were really hustling to make the place run so I have a lot of respect for them-despite the chaos. Indeed, our waiter still took the time to facilitate a wine tasting for us when we ordered our wine bottle. My friend and I were there on a PULSD voucher (which if you don't know-is like groupon for NYC-and possibly other major cities) that offers amazing combo deals on meals, salon treatments etc. This particular voucher could not be beat. It was $65 for one wine bottle, one appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. We ordered the Bruwer Vintner Dry Red Blend Stellenbach (about $64) at the waiters suggestion. Neither of us are typically red wine fans, but this paired really nicely with the Eend Vlerkies Duck Dremettes ($26) that we ordered as an appetizer. While the duck was really good, I wouldn't say that it's the best duck I've had-and I think that I preferred the rest of the meal. As an entree, I ordered the Pan Geroosterde Bronzino ($45) which was really divine. The fish was soft yet the skin was crunchy because it was pan seared. I really loved the tumeric sauce it was served with and the cilantro risotto went really well with the blistered cherry tomatoes. For dessert, we ordered the dark chocolate flourless terrine ($9) which was arguably the best part of the meal. It was so creamy and decadent and the honeycomb chocolate crunchies and amarula cream on top really skyrocketted this treat to perfection. Really great experience, really great company, really great voucher (definitely visit Kaia with Pulsd if you can) read more

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Kaia is a neighborhood gem in the UES! I am so sad to hear that they are moving over the next few months. I have lived near the restaurant for the past 9 years and it's always my go to spot after an event at the 92nd Y when I want to go out for some wine and charcuterie! Their wine selection is fantastic. I also love their lamb burger - it's so unique and delicious. Their staff is so amazing and you can tell they really love Kaia. During the summer they have a cute outdoor setup under string lights and also have seating indoors. I will miss them being around the corner! read more

Kaia Wine Bar - Oysters - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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Such a great restaurant! Despite it being fairly new, it's very polished and refined in so many ways. Very aesthetically pleasing inside and service was phenomenal. Dishes were great and incredibly flavorful and vibrant. Tapas were extraordinary. read more

Food: Ordered a bunch of dishes here to share! Definitely the way to go in order to try the most out of this place. The dishes we ordered were: 2 oxtail birrias, kaia farmers market slaai, the gatsby, dukka hoender slider along with their bread accompanied with some wine. I haven't had the chance to try much south african food and so glad I tried this place out! The dishes were all great and I was happy with the selections made. Cost: I did find the prices of these to be on the slightly pricer end but it is a wine bar + unique type of cuisine so I was sort of expecting this! Environment: A decent amount of seating available both inside and outside. This place is always busy and so I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you want to make sure you have a seat to eat here. Service: The waiters/waitresses were attentive although I did feel like the dishes came out a little on the slower side. Uniqueness: Unique South African + wine bar to check out! read more

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Super packed on a Saturday night, so definitely call and make a reservation! Great vibes but tightly packed tables. The bread they started the meal off was soft and went well with the oil and seeds they gave. The lamb burger 4.5/5 Really solid juicy burger. No substitutes allowed but the blue cheese was very very strong. Came with a unique cherry compote that paired so well with the burger. Bobotie 3/5 Not necessarily my favorite as I wish the rice was a little more flavorful. Unique and worth trying if you're curious Blomkool frikkadelle 5/5 This was my favorite part of the meal! The meatballs were delicious and went well with the cabbage. The tomato sauce it was served in was also delicious with the bread read more

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This is a great local wine bar. We got to try authentic African blends and they were really good. The staff there were very friendly and gave us a lot of information about the different wines and where the regions they're from. We also got the veggie sliders as a snack and they were delicious. The sauce that it comes with perfectly complemented the potato patty. They also give you some bread with your wine and I really enjoyed the seasoning that it came with. We also got some cheeses and I really liked that there were so many different options to pick from. The seating area is really nice, it's comfortable for big and small groups. This wine bar really felt like a local spot that welcomes everyone and really fosters a sense of community. read more

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A lovely neighborhood wine bar with great drinks and great food. The vibe is very relaxed, and you can enjoy a leisurely drink and/or meal without feeling rushed. I came with my husband and friends (2), and we shared 4 sliders, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. The chicken and fish sliders were juicy, the oxtail was tender and rich, and the tiger prawns had a firm bite. The breads and dukkah were so flavorful (and the bread was very good at absorbing all the sauces with the entrees). For dessert, we got the sticky cake and the chocolate terrine -- both were incredible. The sticky cake was surprisingly airy, which balanced the sweetness very well. The chocolate terrine was fudgy and delicious. We also got happy hour wines (red, wine, and rosé), which were all good. Service was also friendly and informative. read more

Second time here and it didn't dissapoint. Service is friendly and attentive. Food is unique and delicious. Atmosphere is cozy. What else would you want for the perfect evening? read more

Kaia Wine Bar - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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Kaia is your warm favorite neighborhood restaurant/wine bar. With a bar and open seating area. Happy hours are great 4-7pm. Nice spread menu which I plan to keep exploring. I especially love the South African feel. The ambiance is vibrant and fresh. The music is great. It gets packed and busy prime time evenings. Service is always great, attentive, warm, welcoming. My first time at Kaia was 2012 having tried bunny chow! Definitely will be going back! read more

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Many wine bars have lots of wine selections and a smattering of small plates of unremarkable food. This wine bar is different. The dishes are varied, unique and tasty. Portions are not skimpy. We enjoyed several appetizers. First was the baked lemons with artichokes, cherry tomatoes, olives and goat cheese. Absolutely delicious and unlike any other dish we've tasted. We also had duck drumsticks and lamb skewers, which were very tender. Entrees included baby back ribs, assorted tacos, macaroni and cheese with wild mushrooms, and a delectable grilled cheese with a zucchini soup. Oh and of course we drained a bottle of red and a bottle of white. Service is friendly and there is seating outdoors, which can be necessary as there is no air conditioning inside. read more

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We moved into the neighborhood a little over a year ago, and this place always has a crowd. Wether people are smiling and enjoying some wine outside, or packed into this cozy, dark, but beautifully decorated restaurant eating what looked like yummy food, something about this place caught our eye. We finally went, and were SO impressed. We went slightly before the dinner time rush and during happy hour and were sat within 10 minutes. I will admit that about 30 minutes in (after happy hour), there was a long wait. We let the waiter know it was our first time. Although it was busy, he took the time to go through every item on the menu, explained to us what made each thing unique, and even recommended some of his favorite. This was super helpful and nice! Here is what we ended up ordering: 1. Snuck in a glass or two of wine during happy hour for $8 each. - HH: 4pm - 7pm 2. Complimentary bread. - You dip the bread in oil and a mixture of their spices. Great combo! 3. Eend Vlerkies (Duck dremettes) - There's no cute way to eat this and that is okay. The duck was very juicy and the mango chutney sauce was great. 4. Kaia Farmers Market Slaai - Easily one of my favorite things on the menu. 5. Lam Burger - This was different... sour cherry compote, lamb, and a brioche bread, but it worked. The lamb was very thick and juicy. Worth the price. 6. Malva Poeding (Traditional South African sticky cake) - I'm a big dessert person, and this was such a highlight for me. There are days where I just want to order this to go and have at home. Everything above was shared by two people. Did we need to finish it all? No. Did we want to finish it all? Yes. Please note that their menu changes so what I have reviewed may no longer be an option. read more

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Some friends of mine brought me here cause it's their favorite wine bar in the city. Both bottles of wine, we let the staff select for us and both were perfect. I did prefer the slightly drier sauv blanc. It's not just wine though, the food is beyond delicious. The chicken sandwich I will dram about until I can have another. It was crazy how good it is. The duck was so surprising, I'm used to duck being tough or chewy and the duck frites here melt in your mouth. Beyond impressive. Don't forget to start with the deviled eggs (although, two pieces, which is one full egg is kinda disappointing) and end with dessert. Malta pudding for the win. I immediately started making a list of people I need to bring to this amazing restaurant. It looks like they have some fun day events sometimes too based on some posters I saw. I'd love to come back for that. read more

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We visited this South African restaurant on a night that happened to be a particularly hectic night for the staff. Despite being clearly stretched thin, they remained remarkably friendly, personable, and composed. Kudos to the team for managing the chaos with such grace--and still delivering a fantastic experience. At one point, we asked about a drink that wasn't on the menu. The bartender/waiter warned us it would take some time so we declined, but he then went ahead and made it anyway. To be honest, it was one of the best cocktails I've had in ages. If you're looking for bold, unexpected flavor combinations, this might just be your new favorite spot. We started with the fish cakes, topped with a curried aioli--delicious. We also tried the Gabakte Suurlemoene (baked lemons). While we were glad for the adventurous bite, it was too tart for our taste; let's call it a one-time experience. For mains, we went with the Gatsby, a classic Cape Town street food--a pulled pork sandwich with pickles and sweet seasoning. It was messy in the best way and bursting with flavor. We also had the lamb burger with a sour cherry compote. It was cooked as described and offered a savory-sweet contrast that worked surprisingly well. If you're ready to explore beyond typical American dishes and don't mind a culinary curveball or two, I definitely recommend this spot. Go with an open mind. There are a wide range of wines available to complement the meal. read more

Food was really good, we tried many different items and all were tasty; with some being surprisingly good. Crab cake slider was the best one of the 3 imo. Devil eggs were on point. All of the mains were great. The only caveat of this place is that is very busy, or at least it was for a Monday. We went there thinking it would be more calm but it was packed, and felt like they were understaffed.. maybe it was unexpectedly too busy read more

I've been here a few times now and I've enjoyed my experience every time. The food has always been good, complimentary bread, fantastic wine selection, good vibes. The service can be slow sometimes but that's a testament to how lively it is on the weekdays. I am a huge fan of the happy hour martini French fries combo.... Highly recommend!! read more

A staple South African food and wine bar in the Upper East Side! So happy I paid this place a visit after having walked past it a few times and see how lively it can be. The food is simply amazing - offering street to elevated South African food (such as their street style sandwich). The service is great - and they offer both inside and outdoor seating. Great place for a group or intimate conversation at the bar! read more

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3.5 stars! Not vegetarian friendly. The homemade sauce was definitely 4.5 stars but the burger itself was basic with a bland mushroom patty. Fries were also not crisp and were more soft/chewy Great place for a social hangout and wine but not worth the hype. Service was good! read more

Kaia Wine Bar - Veggie Slider - South African Near Me - New York, New York

So glad I stopped in here while wandering around looking for a spot. Great staff, food, drinks, and vibe. Complementary bread plate was nice to start with. Wonderful wine list though I had 2 cocktails, which were amazing. Do recommend the butterball cocktail. Chicken and fish slider were very tasty, had unique flavors and were high quality. Deviled eggs were also an amazing recipe. The chocolate terrien cake was an amazing close to the dinner, also recommend trying that. Overall great place to stop in and unwind with some nice food and drink. Thanks read more

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Fantastic restaurant! This is my second time here and the food and drinks don't disappoint. The roasted oysters were so unique and unlike any oyster dish I've tried. Eli carpaccio was also unique and buttery soft; practically melted in your mouth! The duck dremettes were messy to eat but delicious flavor and very generous portion size. The dark chocolate dessert was a perfect end to the meal- it is very very rich! If you're not a fan of chocolate, I would suggest the malva pudding which is also very yummy. We shared a bottle of wine and two cocktails - everything this restaurant does is unique in flavor! Ambiance is nice- there is ample options for seating including outdoor, bar, and indoor tables. Service was attentive- we had several questions about the menu which the servers helped with. Overall fantastic experience and I would return again whether it be for a date or a girls dinner. read more

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They open at 4pm and go straight into happy hour so if you come a little later you might have to wait a little before being seated. They're a pretty straightforward spot with South African food and drinks. I went for Bunny Chow and unfortunately they didn't have it so ordered bobotie instead. I also wanted melk tert but they didn't have it so instead got a dark chocolate terrine. Overall, it's okay, it's not amazing and not bad, just okay. The service was nice and helpful. As with any bar, it can get quite loud so harder to hear if looking to focus on talking. read more

Kaia Wine Bar - Bobotie - South African Near Me - New York, New York

Kaia Wine Bar is a truly unique spot in the UES. They're a South African wine bar serving up drinks, small bites, and unique entrees, with incredibly friendly service. Pro tip: their happy hour specials are not only out of this world, but incredibly affordable. Two drinks and a cheese board (with complimentary bread) was only $25!! Pretty unheard of, if you ask me, given that most cocktails nowadays are $18+. Although I've realized that dirty martinis and I will never get along, I was told that as dirty martinis go, this one was excellent. The olives were delicious. The cheese I ordered was overpriced for the portions ($8 for 3 slices) but delicious nonetheless.I recommend Snow Camp for anyone who wants a creamy cheese akin to brie. The jam had notes of cinnamon, and paired well with the rest of our meal. The highlight of Kaia is their complimentary (with food) bread with olive oil and spices. I don't know what kind of witchcraft is involved in the making of the spice blend that is brought out with the bread, but it is entirely worth it to order a small plate JUST to get the bread. Dip in olive oil then the spice mix, and you'll see what I mean. Heaven. If the owner ever decided to sell this top secret recipe, I'm sure she'd make millions. Such a fun spot, can't wait to go back! read more

Kaia Wine Bar - Snow Camp Cheese and jam - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is very friendly, excellent service, and an excellent selection of wines!!! Finding my photos...

I have been meaning to try this place for years -- but it is always packed! We finally got to sit outside on a beautiful fall evening and enjoy their happy hour wine deal. The south african wine was fantastic. And we really enjoyed the tasty sliders we got as a snack. Truly can't wait to come back. read more

Kaia Wine Bar - South African Near Me - New York, New York

Surprisingly good food, great selection of South African wines, and plentiful outdoor seating! The grilled cheese sandwich with pickles onions and chutney was a standout, but our group also enjoyed the lamb skewers, rooibos ribs, and desserts. The mushroom mac & cheese was nothing special. Service was a bit odd, and our server wasn't very helpful in helping us select bottles of wine, but overall we had a great meal and look forward to returning! read more

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The complete package delivered unexpected satisfaction. Workers here provided superior service. Everything tasted fresh though the serving was small. This place has a nice setting for post-dinner activities. I'm completely taken with this spot, and you will be also. read more

This place has great vibes no matter what you are looking for. Weekend brunch is quiet and on evenings the restaurant is packed and the music is going. The wine selection is great and so is the food. Bobotie is the ultimate comfort dish. It's also fun to just go for tacos and drinks at the bar. read more

Went for a quick snack and the happy hour, which is every day from 4-7pm. It was $8 for martinis and wines. There are a couple of items on the menu that are brought back by enthusiasts, which mean you can't get them regularly anywhere else. I haven't tried South African food before so it was fun to get introduced to a very extensive menu. From what I can tell, it's curries with a touch of what you'd expect from the Dutch - fries, mayo, a lot of bread. The portions were big and I gotta say, pretty decadently delicious. Service was lovely and attentive. The place gets loud inside once the crowd comes so come early and/or sit outside. But come! I know I'm going back sometime soon to try the rest of the menu. read more

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Food was 10 of 10 Service was also a 10. Quick fast and efficient. Our waitress made good wine recs, there was HH going while we were there on wine! Decor and ambiance were also cool, we got a spot in front of the window looking at the street. People watching position success! Quick suggestion: Take the trip to the restroom. read more

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the staff here was all really nice and friendly. the food looked rly good and the happy hour deals nice it was a little cramped in the seating area but nothing u couldn't deal with. would come back next time with an book and sit at the bar or near the widow read more

Both food preparation and customer service shine equally here. The meals feature unique combinations that surprise positively. Competent employees who offered great recommendations and made my family laugh during our meal. The food satisfies hunger, the drinks satisfy thirst and the space satisfies the senses. This place earns my unconditional praise. read more

Kaia is phenomenal and easily one of my go-to restaurants in 2024! This year alone, I have visited the South African establishment at least 5-6 times because the food is amazing and very flavorful. I have tried most of the menu and most of the drinks. Order the bobotie. Trust me with this one. It's a ground meat dish that is full of flavor and the raisins give the meat a hint of sweetness. The dish comes with a side of yellow rice. The food and drinks are always on point and most of the times that I go, there is usually a crowd at the restaurant, but we are able to get seating within less than 5 minutes. Kaia is easily one of my favorite restaurants that I have dined at in all of 2024. I look forward to coming back just thinking about it. read more

The restaurant understands what customers really want. The service moves along and the food delivers. The employees display both warmth and assistance. The menu offers quality eating without high costs. My evaluation: Kaia Wine Bar is superb. read more

Pulsd deal is insane, good wine, sticky cake is not too sweet but a perfect winter dessert read more

Kaia Wine Bar - EEND VLERKIES ( 6 ) / DUCK DREMETTES DIK SNIT SPEK/ THICK CUT BACON - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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I've walked by this restaurant and thought it looked so unique and inviting. I've never had South African food before and it did not disappoint. The blending of cultures is clear in South African cuisine and I really appreciated it. The food was really delicious and the vibes were amazing! The lamb burger was extremely tender and tasty. The Gatsby was also one for the books. The sandwich was amazing with the main ingredients of chicken flavored with garam masala. We also ordered 2 bottles of wine. The introduction was our favorite! We were given a free round of shots for our party as well which was much appreciated! The staff were very welcoming, we will be back! read more

Kaia Wine Bar - LAM BURGER/LAMB BURGER and THE GATSBY/ CAPETONIAN STREETFOOD - South African Near Me - New York, New York

I ordered their Thanksgiving boxed dinner this year which they offered for pick up or delivery. We were offered the ability to pick up between 5:30pm and 9:30pm the day before Thanksgiving. This ended up being a great deal ($59/portion) as the portions were very generous. The Turkey was moist and flavorful, and the sides were all delicious. The cranberry sauce and gravy, especially, were a highlight and paired well with the potatoes and sweet potatoes. The only change recommended would be to have roasted veggies (including Brussels sprouts) instead of steamed. read more

Kaia Wine Bar - Thanksgiving dinner special - South African Near Me - New York, New York

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