Well, it has been 11 years since I first reviewed this place. Time flies! I have not been here in maybe 6 years and I can tell you the food is very sad now. I got the schnitzel (breaded chicken cutlet) and it came with a side of coleslaw and mashed potatoes. You used to be able to pick two sides, but anyway... There was zero seasoning in the whole dish. The coleslaw tasty like nothing. It was full of mayo but tasted like nothing. The chicken was super dry and tasted like it had been fried yesterday and then heated in the microwave. The mashed potatoes had an annoying amount of chopped dill on top, but no salt. The biggest sadness came when I tasted the pickle soup. It is a shadow of its former self. It is light on pickles and full of under-cooked potato cubes. It was badder than bad. What is going on here? SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED CASH! read more

We were walking around in Greenpoint and suddenly the neighborhood turned Polish, which is super because I love Polish things...especially stuffed cabbage. I saw a couple pointing and nodding, so I asked, is this place amazing? They said yes. We were sold. We were wanting a drink and conveniently, they had a bar. Polish beer and incredible Polish cabbage on the way to meet friends for dinner at another restaurant? Duh!! Im Jewish - not religious - but it's important because beef/rice is the norm in my world. Karczma makes a pork version which was so so good. Big fat pieces. Thick, perfectly wrapped cabbage. Juicy, flavorful filling. The sauce was bright with tomato flavor. The wagon wheel decor was a curveball, but the warm and comfy vibe in the restaurant is what mattered most. We loved it. read more

Super casual Polish eatery. Huge portions for reasonable price. You'll leave stuffed and all that food will barely make a dent in your pocket. A huge entree of mashed potatoes and pork jowl will set you back only $24. Appetizer platter is massive for sharing amid several people. All food is satisfying, heavy, and homey. Drinks are strong--the White Russian was balanced and will be enough to make you tipsy. Staff are helpful and food is delivered quickly. You can have a quick meal and be out of here in record time, if you're in a rush. read more

Food was awesome, actually tried a new Polish dish I never had before called Placek Po Zbójnicku because it was a weekend special and sounded real good. It was this potato pancake with a type of pork and mushroom sauce goulash and it was sooooo gas. Massive portion too I got leftovers which i'm so excited to eat. Got some Pierogi Ruskie too, fried of course, and they fried these so beautifully like they werent just pan seared on the sides but fully fried and crispy all over, amazing. Blueberry pierogi to end it off which were not too sweet and just extra delish. Łomża Honey beer to drink so tasty. Vibe inside the restaurant is so classically Polish Tavern vibes I loved it. read more

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Came in at 9:30pm, and they said they were closing kitchen for the night, even though their hours say they close at 11:30pm. Still, the waiter offered to go check for me, and he said they can stay open for my order, which was very nice of them. Soup of the day is goulash. It was a snowy night the day after Christmas, so I ordered that, along with a plate of Polish specialties for $21.00 (3 pierogies, 2 potato pancakes, polish kirlbasa, hunter's stew, and stuffed cabbage. Goulash is simple, with lots of beef chunks The plate of specialties was a good deal. It was incredibly filling and satisfying to try different Polish dishes on one platter! read more

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Came here for lunch and will be coming back! Pros: - Mushroom soup, spicy beef goulash, potato pancakes, kielbasa, and hunter's stew were really good - Interior reminded me of a German-style beer hall, no frills homey type of establishment - Waitresses were friendly and service was okay Cons: - None! read more

Karczma - Plate of Polish Specialties, Spicy Beef Goulash - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Haven't had polish food in a decade and this was the perfect spot to go to for authentic food! So good! I will definitely come back for potato pancakes and pierogies! Service was quick and i love the d school vibes of thr place. read more

Karczma - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We came here to celebrate my grandmother's birthday and couldn't have asked for a better experience. This is a very authentic Polish restaurant--everything is spotlessly clean and the atmosphere is wonderful. The food was incredibly fresh. We ordered the breaded chicken cutlet, chicken meatballs, and fried chicken roll, all of which were delicious. We were especially grateful that they offer a grilled chicken cutlet; it was perfect for a member of our party with dietary restrictions. Our waitress, Joanna, was the highlight of the night. She is beautiful inside and out, and her attentive, professional service made the celebration seamless. I would also like to say a huge thank you to our bus boy as well. We didn't get his name but he was exceptional to ensure we had everything we needed. Thank you, Joanna, and the whole team for taking such great care of us! We will certainly be back. read more

A decent, pleasant meal but not especially tasty. The food is not very seasoned, so defiantly feel free to add salt or sauce after your food is delivered. The ambiance is great, however, with rustic wood tables and a Polish country feel. The service is good, as our waitress came by several times and filled our water often. The Polish specialty plate was a good way to sample the classic Polish cuisine, and it's pretty filling! The chicken cutlet was pretty bland and Alittle chewy. The sauerkraut was not as tangy or crisp as we expected. And the crepe was bland but the berry sauce helped. read more

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Karczma is a lovely spot in Greenpoint serving Polish food -- it also happened to be my first time ever trying Polish food. Though I was a bit scared by the other reviews mentioning the food was a bit bland, I found that to definitely not be true. I ordered the Veal Stew (Saturday special) and it was a lovely hearty meal that I'd definitely come back for. Will be back soon! read more

Karczma - Veal Stew - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Walked in on a Saturday night and they were able to seat 2 immediately! A lively spacious Polish restaurant, immediately felt transported to Eastern Europe! Unfortunately, there is a reason why Eastern Europe isn't known for their food, but if you want to try Polish food in the heart of the community here in Greenpoint, Karczma is the place to go! Extremely lively pub/tavern atmosphere, great for groups. Friendly staff. Tried their borscht ($8, vegetable soup w beans, beets, tomatoes, celery, cream) which was hearty and warm (and some of the few vegetables on the menu)! Shared the Polish specialties platter which had pierogis, fried potatoes, stuffed cabbage, sausage and Hunters stew. Loved pierogis and the stew best. Loved my time here and so happy I got to try Polish food in the lively ambiance of Karczma! But can't say I will be craving Polish food soon read more

Karczma - Plate of Polish Specialties - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Had lunch special, soup and entre, on a late Friday afternoon with 2 friends. Service was kind and helpful in understanding items on menu. Got Chicken Noodle soup which was a good portion with lots of thin noodles and carrots. But the flavor was lacking. Had a White Kielbasa and Hunters Stew. Now this was flavorful and a great portion. Stew complimented the meat well. Friends had Pierogies which were meh steamed. A few latkas which were crisp. Polish beer was a perfect fit. read more

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Come to this place for the fantastic old world feel, authentic food (and staff!) great beer and super reasonable prices!! The lunch special is a steal, portions are "old world style" too - great value for the money. Never seen anything other than happy faces in this place - wishing Karczma another successful 18 years! read more

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"Karczma" translates to tavern or pub, and they deliver on the promise of solid traditional Polish food and fun drinks. Located in the Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint, Karczma is a charming establishment with part of a decorative thatched roof inside to add to the setting. They have quite an extensive menu, offering everything from typical pierogi and borsht to hamburgers and Polish beers and cocktails featuring Polish vodka, etc. Many dishes are shareable, and the drinks are great. We ordered the hunter's bacon and pierogi as appetizers and then stuffed cabbage as a main (to split between two), and the kids wanted hamburgers. Kiddos were happy with the pierogi and the bacon, too, which was a nice introductory cultural moment for them, because they're ethnically half Polish. I enjoyed everything including the cabbage dish. As many have said before, this is not a place for vegans, and most of the dishes include meat. As an omnivore, I personally have no complaints, as the meat is very good. The waiters assess whether you speak Polish and give you a menu in Polish or English accordingly. Our waiter was friendly, and the service we received was very quick, then they let us sit and chat for a while. Looking forward to visiting again and trying more from the menu. read more

Karczma - pierogies (potato & cheese), Hunter Bacon, Polish mojito - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Delicious food people would love to come back for more with good service also with family and friends Even delivery to enjoy at home too

Polish. I had not had polish food for a long time & the Lunch Specials here were a nice surprise. I'd come back if I was in the neighborhood read more

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I have a few random rules when in New York - deli (S&P), any Italian restaurant in Bronx Little Italy, bagels H&H when you're in Greenpoint you must go Polish and here too there a more than a few good choices. Karczma is a great representation of all things Polish food. I'm partial to white borscht but this time went with their version of a sampler pate - kielbasa, cabbage roll, pirogies (fried), potato pancakes. I subbed out the Hunters stew for goulash just because. I loved the goulash (tender beef) and the pirogies were delicious. Special note about the kielbasa - great smoky flavor and the best I've ever had. The potato pancakes were okay as was the cabbage roll. The service was friendly and I followed the waitstaff's recommendations. Add Karczma to your list. read more

Karczma - Plate of Polish specialties. - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

it feels rare these days to find a restaurant in nyc where the food feels home cooked and warming but this place definitely does the job. I got the white borscht and stuffed cabbage which came with sides of mashed potatoes and carrot salad. everything was tasty and the portions were definitely generous. the service was great despite it being decently busy. ill definitely return and try more of their menu. read more

Karczma - white borscht - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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My big bro is Polish, and almost gave me a knuckle sandwich when I said that Polish food is just a little bland. He said we had to try Karczma in Greenpoint, as it's his favorite Polish restaurant in the city. We sat down in the rustic farmhouse interior while live Polish music played in the background. As I've gotten older, these are the nights that I've learned to appreciate more. A nice Friday night dinner with the homies, where the stressful work week feels like a distant memory. It's a good antidote to the vicious cycles of self loathing or "what am I doing with my life" that can sometimes consume me. The Polish homie ordered an authentic Polish dinner for us. Our feast for the 3 of us consisted of Hand made perogies, grilled plate for 3, Spicy beef Goulash, Traditional pork cutlet, herring in cream, potato pancakes, and roasted hocks in beer. I'm used to portion sizes at places in New York to be TINY, but these were enormous. We lowkey got mogged by all this food. The bang for your buck in here is INSANE. My favorites were the Mix grilled plate and the roasted hocks. That mixed grilled plate for "3" is really for 5 GROWN men. So much meat. It was so damn good though, the bacon and chicken went crazy. The roasted hocks is the shank portion of the pig's hind leg, and came with a big steak knife in it. It was rich and had a smoky flavor, and was so damn tender. Definitely get the roasted hocks if you come. On the other end of the spectrum, the herring in cream was just not for me. Was the fishiest fish I've ever tasted, but I'll try anything once. $60 each after tip was SO reasonable for this feast we had. I gotta start putting more respect on Polish food, that's on me... IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

Came here without a reservation on a Sunday night and the servers were so kind in trying to fit us in. We got seated after roughly 15 minutes and ordered a protein plate with kielbasa, chicken, potatos, pierogis, etc. If you dont eat Polish food often, it's a lot of meat and starches so if you're like me and want veggies, be sure to try their stuffed cabbage! read more

Karczma - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This place is super inconsistent with quality. We were here on February and everyone was amazing. Today the food was inedible. It tasted old, greasy and just plain gross. read more

First of all, service was so slow. We have been coming to Karczma for years, but this time there was a noticeable difference. The chicken cutlet was barely edible. It was too thick and a poor quality of meat. The potatoes were cold as well. They were never cold in the past and the chicken had been fine in the past. I was disappointed. read more

Polish cravings satisfied! So happy to take the journey to Greenpoint to have an authentic dinner to celebrate my mom's heritage! The portions are hearty as hell and everything tastes amazing! A repeat visit will happen for sure! read more

Karczma - Plate of Polish Specialties - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

What a cute spot! We went on a random Monday, so the space wasn't too busy, but still has a good amount of families and people on the restaurant. The space feels old school and kind of like a beer house, but not. The staff was lovely, so friendly but a little slow with the service- thankfully we weren't in a rush, so it was perfectly fine. Food I can't really speak to since it's my first time trying polish food, but my boyfriend loved it- we got the grill plate, a platter of polish specialties, and their white borscht. I loved the borscht, their stuffed cabbage, and their potato pancakes- that crunchy chewy texture is just so different but delicious. read more

Karczma has been around for a while, offering one of the most authentic Polish dining experiences. I've practically sampled everything on the menu. The white borsch served in a bread bowl is pure comfort--creamy, rich, and hearty. You can't go wrong with the hunter's bacon, a thick-cut, grilled delight paired with perfectly grilled onions--it's a classic. The grilled asparagus wrapped in ham is another solid option. While I enjoy the salmon tartare, I'm not a fan of the oversized capers it's served with, but you can easily pick them out. If you're new to Polish cuisine, start with the Plate of Specialties--it's a great introduction. It includes pan-fried pierogies, crispy and flaky potato pancakes, grilled kielbasa, and stuffed cabbage filled with rice and meat, all smothered in tomato sauce (though that's not my top pick here). For a healthier option, the grilled salmon with dill sauce is fantastic and highly recommended. On the other hand, the roasted hocks in beer is a hefty portion but a bit too fatty for my taste. Everything here is pretty solid, and you really can't go wrong with any dish. read more

Karczma - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I had the combo polish dish and was very delighted great potato pancakes pierogis kielbasa and hunters stew highly recommend and apple pie for dessert was awesome can't wait to visit again read more

Karczma - Apple pie - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I have been following this place on IG since at least two years.I was very early on my way to work last Saturday and I was very close to it,so I decided to finally try Karczma instead of dreaming of it watching the pictures online. The place looks very fine,cozy and inviting,a lot of families,super busy and super warm. I sat at the bar. All the stuff was super friendly. I had a polish beer,it was delicious. I can't really say the same about the food. I have ordered the Saturday's brunch special,a generous portion of lamb with a nice sauce on top and served with a steamed potato and cabbage. Unfortunately the lamb was flavorless and somehow chevy. I had to ask for salt and pepper to make it more interesting. Anyway,great vibe and great service. I will try to go again and get something from the regular menu. read more

Karczma - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

As one of the most concentrated Polish communities in the world (#1), I've always appreciated Greenpoint as a NYC's official "Little Poland" neighborhood. Now that the gentrification of hipsterdom is in full effect, the displacement of Polish businesses has gone by the wayside, resulting in the closures of several popular restaurants. Karczma gives me a smidgen of hope that some of the previous legacy can be preserved, especially since they've become of the best Polish food options we have left. Small places are always charming, but an immediate wish would be a bigger space for this place. There is a mini bar out front, but a narrow pathway for the darkly lit and old world interior. Seating is tight and the layout is not conducive to larger group feasts, which is ironic given the heaviness of the food. Speaking of the food, I've been very pleased with everything I've tried. Their sausages, especially the grilled blood sausage or white kielbasa, are hearty and juicy. I also really enjoyed the salmon tartare, pierogi, fried / grilled cheese and potato pancakes. The dill horseradish cream sauce is so addicting that I love dousing everything on my plate with it. From a meat perspective, the grilled combo for 3 ($49) is always the way to go. There is so much variety with their polish kielbasa, white kielbasa, chicken kebab, blood sausage, pork kebab, pork shoulder, chicken breast, salmon and bacon. The latter is a thick cut slab of bacon and is meat sweat inducing in the best way. Lastly, I love that they still serve a considerable portion of the Polish locals in the hood. They're so committed that even their website is in both Polish and English and of course, the staff is naturally bilingual. __________ (#1) For now. Maybe not for long ... read more

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BEST STEAK IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!! Service was SUPERB!!! Ambiance was supernatural!!! Decorations was perfection!!! Thank you so much KARCZMA

I just wanted to compare the taste of Gołąbki(stuffed cabbage) I had the other day at another place and came here.i had lunch special. The soup and the main were all good! Price wise, this place is the best Polish restaurant around the area. However, the other one I went the other day was also good. The bread came with grilled mushroom was stunning. read more

Karczma - Lunch special. Stuffed cabbage with kielbasa. - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I went overboard here, I know I did. If you like Polish cuisine, this is the restaurant for you. If you can find one thing to eat on the menu, then this restaurant is a success. The kielbasa is terrific here. I tried both the white and the smoked and both are delicious to a fault. The smoked version comes with fries, which I almost did not eat, but as I was eating, I observed they looked like the fries from McDonald's, which is one I will eat. I took a bite and knew I had to finish them. The gravy on the bottom gave it a nice send off. As for the other two items I got, the Blood Sausage and the Potato Pancakes, skip the former and get the latter. The former is very dense and realized in one bite it is not my thing. The latter is good, but is greasy and is also quite dense to put you in a food coma for an hour or two. There is a reason it gets crowded here, it really does get crowded. Yes, I went overboard here. That was my problem. It does not have to be yours. You just find something you like, stick with it, and enjoy. read more

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I came here knowing the menu was VERY pork oriented and I made the decision years ago to stop eating pork. I wasn't sure what to expect. I had the pickle soup. I was intrigued. I am a fan of all things pickled and I'd be remiss not to try it. It was DELICIOUS! Somewhat briny. Not as pickley as you'd think considering it's name. Think of a delicious cream of broccoli. There were bits of potato, carrots, pickles. Just delectable. I also had the chicken cutlet that came with the creamiest mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. Very good! The cutlet doesn't come with a sauce. I got garlic sauce and beef gravy on the side which paired nicely with the cutlet. Service was great. The drinks were delicious. The restaurant had a very homey feel. Highly recommend. Went on a Sunday afternoon and the place was packed. Definitely recommend that you make a reservation. Luckily we did. read more

Karczma - Pickle Soup! - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Karczma is one of my favorite restaurants in all 5 boroughs. I really appreciate everything about this place - service, atmosphere, food etc. It really is an authentic polish restaurant from the decor to even the menus (English and polish). While all of the food I've gotten there is delicious, some of my favorites are pierogies, hunters bacon, peasant lard, potato pancakes, and ham hocks (which some nights sell out very quickly!). They have some hard to find Polish beer both on draft and in bottles too. Will always try to find an excuse to come back! read more

Went there for lunch last week and would definitely go back again. Food was delicious and served by friendly staff. Had a delicious white borscht with a small side of mashed potatoes with generous sized bacon bits to start then followed by an amazing grilled kielbasa with some bigos. Can't wait to go back! read more

Came with friends out of town from Ottawa, Canada. My friend's wife was Polish and she recommended this place. So we came here and tried Karczma's food. Wow it was delicious!!! We had Pierogi (1/2 fried and 1/2 steamed) and grilled plate for two. The grilled plate for two came with: Polish kielbasa, blood sausage, pork shoulder, chicken breast, salmon and bacon). It was served with three dipping sauces: BBQ, garlic, horseradish, sautéed cabbage and roasted potatoes. It was very delicious and stuffing. I couldnt walk out of the restaurant that night My first time eating polish food!!! I had an amazing experience and i would love to come back again in the future : ) read more

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I'm currently having the best meal of my year. Literally right now. I am writing this while still in the restaurant, with my plate in-progress. I needed a moment. I am collecting my jaw off the floor and the pieces of my head that blew off and landed in flavor town. This is not food. This is sustenance. And it is changing my life. My palette? Woke. My stomach? Stoked. My wallet? Anti-broke. It's the first time I've felt I could truly afford a sit down meal in Greenpoint without selling my plasma afterwards. Joking. I'm a tech bro living in Williamsburg. I don't carry a wallet. But I would keep a photo of this meal in it if I did. To think life is short Is to drink white borscht in bread And dream of some more read more

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Food arrived piping hot and for all you pork lovers, Roasted Hocks in Beer is a MUST HAVE! We also had the pork shoulder and it was just average. Fried pierogis were also amazing. Don't forget to try the drinks - I had the Gorzka Orgo... , it was fresh and delicious. Highly recommend. Good service and nice live music in the background. read more

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Looking for an old school Polish gastropub? This is your spot! Always packed on the weekends, this place serves all the Polish classics and does it well. The borscht in the bread bowl is pretty epic and will warm you right up on a winter's day. Don't hesitate to try the fried pierogis either. Get the sampler dish if you're overwhelmed by choices, it has a bit of everything and it's all good! We did have see some errors on our bill but after some back and forth it was corrected by our friendly server. read more

Karczma - Full Portion Pierogi - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This remnant of Greenpoint's Little Poland neighborhood is more than hanging on-- with their always packed booths filled with patrons ordering plates of kielbasa and stuffed cabbage-- there are no signs of them slowing down. The place was hopping on the Sunday I went for brunch recently, so much so that our food took a lifetime to arrive at our table, but it did make the food taste that much better. You can't go wrong with a plate of pierogis-- pillowy, doughy, pockets of potato and cheese, with a smattering of onions and healthy dollop of sour cream. Steamed or fried, they know how to do right by this Polish classic. While the others at my table chowed down on a hefty meat platter and stuffed cabbage, I got busy with the Oscypek, described as a highlander style smoked cheese. It was battered and fried and the cheese inside tasted similar to halloumi. The bed of greens and the jam it was served with seemed like a bit of an afterthought but this cheese was delicious. I felt more tepid about the salmon tartare we ordered and would skip it in the future. This restaurant and cuisine is more for the carnivores than it is for those who don't eat meat. It's definitely not vegan friendly, but vegans already knew that. I'm glad I finally made my way to this Brooklyn institution, but will make a note to allot much more time to eat here in the future. read more

Karczma - smoked cheese - Polish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My friend and I came for lunch and shared the lunch plate special with soup. The soup comes with mashed potatoes. We got the pickle soup, chicken soup, unsmoked kielbasa with hunter stew, and chicken kebab. I didn't care for the pickle soup, but the chicken noodle was great. The chicken kebab was my favorite. The ambience is also cool and lots of fun music. read more

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