This place is extremely overpriced. The food is okay, nothing outstanding. Dinner for 2 - $500. But quality and size of portions absolutely not worth it. For this budget you can go to one of many really cool restaurants where you can enjoy your food, drinks and get nice service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
tuedy wilson
What an experience!!!
Absolutely amazing food, energy, and people
Cannot wait to go back.
We started off at Bar Kabawa. The music and vibe there is great. Then headed over to Kabawa
Here are a few highlights
Chuletas Can Can: love it. This is a must get. Insane flavor and crunch and juiciness. I loved putting the meat in the goat curry sauce. That’s the trick chef Mike taught us!! I can’t describe how amazing this is.
Goat: Super flavorful, a bit of spice, great great flavor. We got extra curry sauce which was amazing
Plantain with eggs & caviar: my husband was obsessed with this. It was okay to me but he loved it!!
Pepper sauce: asked for some of this on the side. Yes!!!! Amazing scotch bonnet flavor
Bar Kabawa bites
Solomon Gundy: Wow. Wow. Get it.
Pickled Okra: I love okra and this was next level
Daiquiri: well balanced drink over shaved ice. Fave drink of the night
This was a great culinary tour of the Caribbean
The staff was amazing by the way. We sat by chef Mike who was so personable and clearly passionate about what he does. Super fun and high energy. He was truly impressed by the amount of food we ordered and our ability to finish it.
10/10 will be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan Miller
Really enjoyed the decor, meal and experience - more Caribbean inspired than strong Caribbean flavors. The counter is a bit difficult for more than 2 to talk and share plates.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Javier Kohen
The food was very good, with some dishes such as the cobia (fish) and shrimps standing out for me because of the fresh and complex flavors, and others like the starter, sides and dumplings giving me the impression of filler. I though the value of the food per dollar was relatively low.
The service was ever present, friendly, and super efficient. The ambiance is nice, I really valued being able to look directly into the kitchen, but it was also too loud to have a comfortable conversation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Nada Bedair
Incredible experience! Definitely loved it. Chef Paul and Mike were great. Very inviting atmosphere, hospitality is top notch and the food was fantastic. Very well seasoned and cooked to perfection. A must try spot for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nikki Lakhani
Delicious food, especially the goat and the cobia, and warm, fun service. Absolutely sit at the bar and come very hungry.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C Chancy
Where do I begin? The food? The environment? The staff?? 5s all around!! My husband and I celebrated our 17 year anniversary here and it was a premium experience all together. Damani was amazing and Denzell and Mike was a pleasure to interact with. Chef Paul walked around ensuring everything was running smoothly. I wish I could eat here everyday. The food is made with love and you can tell by the staff’s demeanor, their attentiveness to detail and their sincere interest in your satisfaction of the food. I highly recommend this establishment. It will not disappoint!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Lazar
I looked up Kabawa before a recent trip to NYC and I’m so glad that I did. It is nestled on Extra Place, secluded but right off of 14th street.
We arrived a few minutes early and were given a tour of the bar and restaurant by Mint, one of the servers. She was super friendly and it was a great way to start the meal!
They have only been open a few months and I found both the space and the menu to be inventive. It is is $145pp, which seemed a bit high for what was being served.
We started with the Breadfruit Tostón and Cassava Dumplings. The Tostón I was a standout and the octopus was very fresh. It was a generous portion as well. There was also an included bread service, which was very good (try the chickpea curry spread!).
For entrees, we got the Goat and Black Bass. The Goat was my favorite, and paired well with the included rice sides. The bass was also good but a smaller portion.
Finally we finished with coconut sorbet and the “matrimony”. I like them both! I also enjoyed the tamarind that was supplied between the second and third course. Eating one from the shell was a fun experience.
All in all, I loved this experience. It was definitely a bit pricier that it needed to be but if you avoid wine and additional cost items, it’s much more reasonable. Enjoy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katja Srpan
The menu was clearly crafted with care — each dish felt thoughtful and beautifully composed. The food itself was delicious, and the skirt steak was exceptional — one of the most tender (however, not the most flavorful) I’ve ever had. The staff were kind and attentive, and the atmosphere had a cool, relaxed vibe with great music to match.
There were even a few charming surprises throughout the meal, like a fresh tamarind to awaken the palate before the next dish — a lovely touch that made the experience feel special.
That said, there was quite a long wait both for the table and between courses. But overall, it was a very nice dining experience, perfect for a special night out or when you want to enjoy something a little different.
Great restaurant and a great experience. Service was attentive, but not overwhelming. The goat had a wonderful flavor and just a little heat which paired nicely with the sweetness of the Cobia. The turnover for dessert was outstanding with just a subtle hint of coconut and lovely layers. It's fun to watch the staff prepare the food while sitting at the counter and they were friendly and chatty which was great. Due to the noise I would suggest it's best for 2 people at the counter as more than that might make it hard to interact when sitting side by side. Excellent wine selection. It's expensive, but worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dana Moody
Great experience! The food was delicious and the vibe was amazing. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joy S
The decor, atmosphere and service were wonderful, but the food was largely underwhelming; the food flavor profiles weren’t developed complex or layered as flavors typically are in fine dining cuisine. With the exception of the flan, none of the food I ordered left me yearning for the next bite.
The meal starts with buss up roti and bammy paired with an assortment of four sauces. This was tasty, I enjoyed the sauces.
For my first dish I ordered the breadfruit toston and my husband ordered the pepper shrimp. Both dishes were ok.
For my main I ordered the cobia and my husband ordered the goat. The cobia had a sweet glaze on the top and was resting in a broth. The glaze was the prominent flavor note on the fish and the broth didn’t add depth of flavor when accompanied with the fish. I tried the goat and it was too spicy. I can handle spicy food, but the sauce was just hot, the flavor didn’t develop with each bite.
I ordered flan for dessert and my husband ordered the coconut sorbet. Honestly, my dessert was the only highlight of the meal; it had a beautiful creamy, silky texture. The sorbet was quite sweet and had some slight texture to it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Jay Chen
The service was outstanding — friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. You can tell the staff takes pride in the food and culture they’re sharing. Food is absolutely phenomenal. The bold kick of spice and smoky flavor is what I want in a true Caribbean dish!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aïa Moallemi-Skaf
Food was not worth the price. It was borderline meh. Would not recommend the shrimp, it was gloopy as hell, the octopus needed lemon and salt. Skirt steak was fine, goat was great! Flan was very rich, sprinkles seemed cheap but festive?
This place is extremely overpriced. The food is okay, nothing outstanding.
Dinner for 2 - $500. But quality and size of portions absolutely not worth it.
For this budget you can go to one of many really cool restaurants where you can enjoy your food, drinks and get nice service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What an experience!!!
Absolutely amazing food, energy, and people
Cannot wait to go back.
We started off at Bar Kabawa. The music and vibe there is great. Then headed over to Kabawa
Here are a few highlights
Chuletas Can Can: love it. This is a must get. Insane flavor and crunch and juiciness. I loved putting the meat in the goat curry sauce. That’s the trick chef Mike taught us!! I can’t describe how amazing this is.
Goat: Super flavorful, a bit of spice, great great flavor. We got extra curry sauce which was amazing
Plantain with eggs & caviar: my husband was obsessed with this. It was okay to me but he loved it!!
Pepper sauce: asked for some of this on the side. Yes!!!! Amazing scotch bonnet flavor
Bar Kabawa bites
Solomon Gundy: Wow. Wow. Get it.
Pickled Okra: I love okra and this was next level
Daiquiri: well balanced drink over shaved ice. Fave drink of the night
This was a great culinary tour of the Caribbean
The staff was amazing by the way. We sat by chef Mike who was so personable and clearly passionate about what he does. Super fun and high energy. He was truly impressed by the amount of food we ordered and our ability to finish it.
10/10 will be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really enjoyed the decor, meal and experience - more Caribbean inspired than strong Caribbean flavors. The counter is a bit difficult for more than 2 to talk and share plates.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was very good, with some dishes such as the cobia (fish) and shrimps standing out for me because of the fresh and complex flavors, and others like the starter, sides and dumplings giving me the impression of filler. I though the value of the food per dollar was relatively low.
The service was ever present, friendly, and super efficient. The ambiance is nice, I really valued being able to look directly into the kitchen, but it was also too loud to have a comfortable conversation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Incredible experience! Definitely loved it. Chef Paul and Mike were great. Very inviting atmosphere, hospitality is top notch and the food was fantastic. Very well seasoned and cooked to perfection. A must try spot for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food, especially the goat and the cobia, and warm, fun service. Absolutely sit at the bar and come very hungry.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Where do I begin? The food? The environment? The staff?? 5s all around!! My husband and I celebrated our 17 year anniversary here and it was a premium experience all together. Damani was amazing and Denzell and Mike was a pleasure to interact with. Chef Paul walked around ensuring everything was running smoothly. I wish I could eat here everyday. The food is made with love and you can tell by the staff’s demeanor, their attentiveness to detail and their sincere interest in your satisfaction of the food. I highly recommend this establishment. It will not disappoint!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I looked up Kabawa before a recent trip to NYC and I’m so glad that I did. It is nestled on Extra Place, secluded but right off of 14th street.
We arrived a few minutes early and were given a tour of the bar and restaurant by Mint, one of the servers. She was super friendly and it was a great way to start the meal!
They have only been open a few months and I found both the space and the menu to be inventive. It is is $145pp, which seemed a bit high for what was being served.
We started with the Breadfruit Tostón and Cassava Dumplings. The Tostón I was a standout and the octopus was very fresh. It was a generous portion as well. There was also an included bread service, which was very good (try the chickpea curry spread!).
For entrees, we got the Goat and Black Bass. The Goat was my favorite, and paired well with the included rice sides. The bass was also good but a smaller portion.
Finally we finished with coconut sorbet and the “matrimony”. I like them both! I also enjoyed the tamarind that was supplied between the second and third course. Eating one from the shell was a fun experience.
All in all, I loved this experience. It was definitely a bit pricier that it needed to be but if you avoid wine and additional cost items, it’s much more reasonable. Enjoy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The menu was clearly crafted with care — each dish felt thoughtful and beautifully composed. The food itself was delicious, and the skirt steak was exceptional — one of the most tender (however, not the most flavorful) I’ve ever had. The staff were kind and attentive, and the atmosphere had a cool, relaxed vibe with great music to match.
There were even a few charming surprises throughout the meal, like a fresh tamarind to awaken the palate before the next dish — a lovely touch that made the experience feel special.
That said, there was quite a long wait both for the table and between courses. But overall, it was a very nice dining experience, perfect for a special night out or when you want to enjoy something a little different.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Absolutely Amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great restaurant and a great experience. Service was attentive, but not overwhelming. The goat had a wonderful flavor and just a little heat which paired nicely with the sweetness of the Cobia. The turnover for dessert was outstanding with just a subtle hint of coconut and lovely layers. It's fun to watch the staff prepare the food while sitting at the counter and they were friendly and chatty which was great. Due to the noise I would suggest it's best for 2 people at the counter as more than that might make it hard to interact when sitting side by side. Excellent wine selection. It's expensive, but worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience! The food was delicious and the vibe was amazing. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The decor, atmosphere and service were wonderful, but the food was largely underwhelming; the food flavor profiles weren’t developed complex or layered as flavors typically are in fine dining cuisine. With the exception of the flan, none of the food I ordered left me yearning for the next bite.
The meal starts with buss up roti and bammy paired with an assortment of four sauces. This was tasty, I enjoyed the sauces.
For my first dish I ordered the breadfruit toston and my husband ordered the pepper shrimp. Both dishes were ok.
For my main I ordered the cobia and my husband ordered the goat. The cobia had a sweet glaze on the top and was resting in a broth. The glaze was the prominent flavor note on the fish and the broth didn’t add depth of flavor when accompanied with the fish. I tried the goat and it was too spicy. I can handle spicy food, but the sauce was just hot, the flavor didn’t develop with each bite.
I ordered flan for dessert and my husband ordered the coconut sorbet. Honestly, my dessert was the only highlight of the meal; it had a beautiful creamy, silky texture. The sorbet was quite sweet and had some slight texture to it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
The service was outstanding — friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. You can tell the staff takes pride in the food and culture they’re sharing.
Food is absolutely phenomenal. The bold kick of spice and smoky flavor is what I want in a true Caribbean dish!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was not worth the price. It was borderline meh. Would not recommend the shrimp, it was gloopy as hell, the octopus needed lemon and salt. Skirt steak was fine, goat was great! Flan was very rich, sprinkles seemed cheap but festive?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
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