I know this place has been well known for a long time but I was really impressed. Every dish we had was the best version of Greek I’ve ever had. Not to mention the food came out incredibly fast. The carafe of white wine was also a surprise it drank like golden water. Great spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elona Nacaj
Fun vibe and good food but kinda inconvenient- had to wait almost an hour and half for a table for two (no reservations- you just walk in and give your name and wait for them to call you). Granted, it was a busy Friday night tho, it may be different coming in on a weekday. Also, while the food was really good quality and I love my Greek food, the portions were pretty small.
We had the tzatziki, saganaki, zucchini chips, Greek salad, octopus, and lamb chops. All really good! If there was something I would’ve passed on, it may be the zucchini chips.
Chris Evdaimon
Authentic Greek taverna food and environment.
Gummy
Always delicious food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Slot machine
Excellent food Very tasty Service needs improvement Atmosphere to loud noise, needs decoration
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Harry Channing
Decent chicken at decent price
Amanda Opromolla
Quite loud and the food was overall salty. They give you a tiny amount of pita for your dips and then charge you extra for more.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
O M
Food is great, service is fast, atmosphere is a bit loud though. Very young cool vibe.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley dream
Please make sure to read the reviews before going!!! I don’t even know where to start ! this was truly one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. My boyfriend and I went to this restaurant to have dinner, but the staff’s strange looks and the way they stared at us as if we didn’t belong there made me feel extremely uncomfortable. It honestly felt like they thought we came to eat for free… They seated us in a dark corner. Thankfully, the person who took our order was polite, but the rest of the staff really need professional service training! Maybe they don’t like their jobs! I don’t know, but that’s not my problem. As a customer, I want to feel comfortable and enjoy my meal without stress. Food should not be placed harshly on the table! you simply say “enjoy your meal.” Also, while we hadn’t even finished eating yet, a female staff member brought us the check and wanted us to pay right away. We said it was okay, but it was confusing and rude. Believe me, nobody would want to experience that moment. We didn’t complain, but even though we didn’t want to pay the service charge (because the service and attitude were terrible), they still charged our card!.. which is absolutely unacceptable! I believe they know exactly what that means. If the owner or manager is reading this, please train your staff on how to treat customers with respect and professionalism. Even the bartender kept staring at customers the whole time! it felt like they were afraid people would eat and leave without paying! This was a really bad experience for me. I own my own online business, and I always treat my customers kindly, listen to what they want, and handle everything with patience and respect. If you don’t love your job, please look for something else — no one should have to deal with your aggression or stress!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Ant Oine
All too disappointing experience!
Let’s start with the standing in the middle of the room while waiting for the last person of our party (5 of us already here). Can’t seat AT THE BAR can stand near it because if people want to come and eat we can’t be taking their space. Literally no one at the bar the 7 min we waited… could definitely have been seated and started with drinks but oh well. Poor staff management.
Let’s continue, we ordered drinks. Out of the 6 drinks, 3 were wrong. We ordered 2 lagunitas and are given something completely different without acknowledgement. Asked for one of these specialty Greek beer and get given a presidente… again no notice about it. One of ur returned the beer and took literally 20 min to get a replacement.
Let’s talk about food..
We are asked to ordered everything at once.. ok but then 3 of us got served their main dishes, and a bit more than 25 min later when the 3 are about done with their meal and after 2 times asking the food finally came. So complete missed again on that one.
We got the mixed platter. Sausage was ok but dry , lamb was fine and bifteki wayyyy too salty..
Forced to pay 10% gratuity with such poor service feels like extortion to be honest. Will never come back and hope people get a better experience than this.
Tucked away in the vibrant chaos of New York City's Lower East Side, Kiki's stands out as one of those rare spots where the hype doesn't just live up to expectations—it exceeds them. This unpretentious Greek taverna has earned its cult following for good reason: it's a masterclass in straightforward, soul-satisfying Mediterranean fare that leaves you craving more long after the last bite. From the moment you step inside, the energy is electric—think lively chatter over clinking glasses, the sizzle of the grill in the open kitchen, and that unmistakable aroma of charred lamb and fresh herbs wafting through the air. The space is cozy and no-frills, with simple wooden tables and a chalkboard menu that keeps things refreshingly casual. Reservations? Good luck; this place packs in crowds night after night, but the wait is always worth it. Now, onto the stars of the show. The Greek salad here is nothing short of transcendent—a vibrant explosion of crisp romaine, tangy feta that crumbles like snow, briny olives, and perfectly ripe tomatoes dressed in a light, herbaceous vinaigrette that ties it all together without overwhelming a single ingredient. It's fresh, it's balanced, and it's the kind of starter that makes you wish you could bottle the simplicity and take it home. No soggy greens or overly dressed nonsense; just pure, honest excellence that sets the tone for the meal. But if the salad steals your heart, the cheesecake will claim your soul. Oh, the cheesecake—dense yet impossibly light, with a subtle graham cracker crust that gives way to a velvety filling infused with just the right whisper of citrus and vanilla. It's not overly sweet, allowing the creamy richness to shine through in every forkful. Served in generous slices (though they vanish all too quickly), it's the perfect capstone to a hearty dinner, leaving you in a state of blissful, full-bellied contentment. In a city drowning in dessert options, Kiki's version is a standout—hands down one of the best cheesecakes you'll encounter anywhere. Pair it all with a glass of crisp Assyrtiko from their thoughtful Greek wine list, and you've got the makings of an unforgettable night. Service is efficient and warm, even on the busiest evenings, and prices are fair for the quality (entrees hover around $20–$30). Is it perfect? Not quite—the lamb chops can sometimes veer toward the fatty side if you're not in the mood—but at its core, Kiki's is reliable, delicious, and utterly addictive. If you're seeking authentic Greek flavors without the tourist traps, do yourself a favor and add Kiki's to your list. Five stars, no hesitation. Just go hungry, and brace yourself for that cheesecake-induced food coma.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Kanarek
The food is absolutely delicious. It is hands down the best tatziki I've ever tried. The feta cheese is also amazing the grilled meets her delicious, the lemon potatoes too - definitely worth the high price
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Benjamin Kotton
Good food and great vibes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Hanson
Absolute fire and hot attentive staff. Very crowded / busy tho
I know this place has been well known for a long time but I was really impressed. Every dish we had was the best version of Greek I’ve ever had. Not to mention the food came out incredibly fast. The carafe of white wine was also a surprise it drank like golden water. Great spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun vibe and good food but kinda inconvenient- had to wait almost an hour and half for a table for two (no reservations- you just walk in and give your name and wait for them to call you). Granted, it was a busy Friday night tho, it may be different coming in on a weekday. Also, while the food was really good quality and I love my Greek food, the portions were pretty small.
We had the tzatziki, saganaki, zucchini chips, Greek salad, octopus, and lamb chops. All really good! If there was something I would’ve passed on, it may be the zucchini chips.
Authentic Greek taverna food and environment.
Always delicious food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Excellent food
Very tasty
Service needs improvement
Atmosphere to loud noise, needs decoration
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Decent chicken at decent price
Quite loud and the food was overall salty. They give you a tiny amount of pita for your dips and then charge you extra for more.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food is great, service is fast, atmosphere is a bit loud though. Very young cool vibe.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Please make sure to read the reviews before going!!!
I don’t even know where to start ! this was truly one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. My boyfriend and I went to this restaurant to have dinner, but the staff’s strange looks and the way they stared at us as if we didn’t belong there made me feel extremely uncomfortable. It honestly felt like they thought we came to eat for free… They seated us in a dark corner. Thankfully, the person who took our order was polite, but the rest of the staff really need professional service training! Maybe they don’t like their jobs! I don’t know, but that’s not my problem. As a customer, I want to feel comfortable and enjoy my meal without stress. Food should not be placed harshly on the table! you simply say “enjoy your meal.” Also, while we hadn’t even finished eating yet, a female staff member brought us the check and wanted us to pay right away. We said it was okay, but it was confusing and rude.
Believe me, nobody would want to experience that moment. We didn’t complain, but even though we didn’t want to pay the service charge (because the service and attitude were terrible), they still charged our card!.. which is absolutely unacceptable! I believe they know exactly what that means. If the owner or manager is reading this, please train your staff on how to treat customers with respect and professionalism. Even the bartender kept staring at customers the whole time! it felt like they were afraid people would eat and leave without paying!
This was a really bad experience for me. I own my own online business, and I always treat my customers kindly, listen to what they want, and handle everything with patience and respect. If you don’t love your job, please look for something else — no one should have to deal with your aggression or stress!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
All too disappointing experience!
Let’s start with the standing in the middle of the room while waiting for the last person of our party (5 of us already here). Can’t seat AT THE BAR can stand near it because if people want to come and eat we can’t be taking their space. Literally no one at the bar the 7 min we waited… could definitely have been seated and started with drinks but oh well. Poor staff management.
Let’s continue, we ordered drinks. Out of the 6 drinks, 3 were wrong. We ordered 2 lagunitas and are given something completely different without acknowledgement. Asked for one of these specialty Greek beer and get given a presidente… again no notice about it. One of ur returned the beer and took literally 20 min to get a replacement.
Let’s talk about food..
We are asked to ordered everything at once.. ok but then 3 of us got served their main dishes, and a bit more than 25 min later when the 3 are about done with their meal and after 2 times asking the food finally came. So complete missed again on that one.
We got the mixed platter. Sausage was ok but dry , lamb was fine and bifteki wayyyy too salty..
Forced to pay 10% gratuity with such poor service feels like extortion to be honest. Will never come back and hope people get a better experience than this.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Tucked away in the vibrant chaos of New York City's Lower East Side, Kiki's stands out as one of those rare spots where the hype doesn't just live up to expectations—it exceeds them. This unpretentious Greek taverna has earned its cult following for good reason: it's a masterclass in straightforward, soul-satisfying Mediterranean fare that leaves you craving more long after the last bite.
From the moment you step inside, the energy is electric—think lively chatter over clinking glasses, the sizzle of the grill in the open kitchen, and that unmistakable aroma of charred lamb and fresh herbs wafting through the air. The space is cozy and no-frills, with simple wooden tables and a chalkboard menu that keeps things refreshingly casual. Reservations? Good luck; this place packs in crowds night after night, but the wait is always worth it.
Now, onto the stars of the show. The Greek salad here is nothing short of transcendent—a vibrant explosion of crisp romaine, tangy feta that crumbles like snow, briny olives, and perfectly ripe tomatoes dressed in a light, herbaceous vinaigrette that ties it all together without overwhelming a single ingredient. It's fresh, it's balanced, and it's the kind of starter that makes you wish you could bottle the simplicity and take it home. No soggy greens or overly dressed nonsense; just pure, honest excellence that sets the tone for the meal.
But if the salad steals your heart, the cheesecake will claim your soul. Oh, the cheesecake—dense yet impossibly light, with a subtle graham cracker crust that gives way to a velvety filling infused with just the right whisper of citrus and vanilla. It's not overly sweet, allowing the creamy richness to shine through in every forkful. Served in generous slices (though they vanish all too quickly), it's the perfect capstone to a hearty dinner, leaving you in a state of blissful, full-bellied contentment. In a city drowning in dessert options, Kiki's version is a standout—hands down one of the best cheesecakes you'll encounter anywhere.
Pair it all with a glass of crisp Assyrtiko from their thoughtful Greek wine list, and you've got the makings of an unforgettable night. Service is efficient and warm, even on the busiest evenings, and prices are fair for the quality (entrees hover around $20–$30). Is it perfect? Not quite—the lamb chops can sometimes veer toward the fatty side if you're not in the mood—but at its core, Kiki's is reliable, delicious, and utterly addictive.
If you're seeking authentic Greek flavors without the tourist traps, do yourself a favor and add Kiki's to your list. Five stars, no hesitation. Just go hungry, and brace yourself for that cheesecake-induced food coma.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is absolutely delicious. It is hands down the best tatziki I've ever tried. The feta cheese is also amazing the grilled meets her delicious, the lemon potatoes too - definitely worth the high price
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Good food and great vibes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolute fire and hot attentive staff. Very crowded / busy tho
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always the best
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