It’s easy to walk by this brick walled tavern without giving it a second glance. Don’t. This is the city’s one and only South African restaurant, and it does that country’s specialties proud, serving a mighty tasty bobotie (a fruit laden, curried mincemeat casserole topped with egg custard), falling-off-the-bone tender tea-and-cranberry BBQ glazed baby back ribs, and the king of African sandwiches, the Gatsby (curried chicken with pickles and peppadew peppers on a Portuguese roll), among other items. These are enhanced by a choice of 50 wines from the motherland, and a gently thrumming soundtrack of South African music. Kaia may also be one of the most unselfconsciously integrated restaurants in the city, with locals of all backgrounds and races filling the tables and bar stools here.
New York City
Travel Guide
New York City› Restaurant
Kaia Wine Bar
1614 Third Ave (btw 90th and 91st sts. )
Pauline Frommer
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Upper East Side
Hours
Mon–Fri 4–11pm, Sat 3–11pm, Sun 3–10pm
Transportation
Subway: 6 to 96th St.
Phone
212/722-0490
Prices
Entrees $17–$39 (most in the low $20's)
Cuisine Type
South African
Web site
Kaia Wine Bar
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.