Cafe Zaffri — Restaurant in New York

Cafe Zaffri may not scream for attention from the outside, but step through its doors and you're met with a calm confidence, a space that knows exactly what it’s doing. And what it’s doing is exceptional.

Let’s talk about the martini, Saifi Square. This was, without exaggeration, one of the best we’ve ever had. Ice-cold, crystal clear, and expertly balanced, it walked the line between strength and finesse with absolute poise. No unnecessary garnishes, no gimmicks, just a beautifully executed classic that reminded me why the martini endures.

To start, we had the beet salad, which was as thoughtful as it was flavorful. Roasted beets, tender and earthy, paired beautifully with horseradish and the crunch of pistachios and cocoa nibs. A bright buttermilk vinaigrette pulled everything together without overpowering. Simple, seasonal, and perfectly composed. Fried Syrian cheese with a preserved lemon dipping sauce? Absolutely delicious.

Then came the spicy fried eggplant, unexpected and completely addictive. A whole eggplant “paillard” style was fried to golden crispness, seasoned with a black sesame and garlic purée that brought real depth without being overly aggressive. The heat built slowly, balanced by the eggplant’s natural sweetness and the satisfying texture of each bite.

Service at Cafe Zaffri was attentive but unintrusive, and the atmosphere struck a sweet spot: cozy yet refined, with a low hum of conversation.

Final Take: Cafe Zaffri isn’t just another neighborhood spot - it’s a place worth seeking out. Whether you're chasing the perfect martini or craving food with bold, clean flavors, this place delivers. Don’t miss the...

Friends and I had both had Cafe Zaffri on our “want to go” list. The space is beautiful - a large atrium with loungey type seating. Everyone in the restaurant is very “sceney” - women dressed in mini skirts and an air of stuffiness, and a “who’s who” feeling. This is fine if you’re going for this, but as my group was in jeans and a tshirt w / a leather jacket, we felt slightly out of place. Every menu we received throughout the night had a “no flash photography” warning written on it.

The server was kind and gave us the menu run down. However, he was a bit sneaky with some expensive additions - for example my husband had two Tito’s vodka martinis, and then ordered an espresso martini and the server said under his breath “grey goose vodka? Ok” — just felt like we were already spending so much money with them, why twist the knife?

The drinks took a while to deliver.

We split the breads and spread (comes with 3 measly pieces of bread), fried jibneh, shish barak, cavatelli and lamb Wellington. The Wellington was the best thing we ate. Everything else was fine - nothing to write home about. Dessert was where I was most let down - the sweets for two - ice cream / sorbet lacked flavor - and I am a huge sweets person and always love ice cream. Didn’t do it for me. Cocktails were very good, but you pay the price - $26 for one drink. Recommend the night moves - which is a mezcal twist on an espresso martini.

Be prepared to drop $400++ on a meal with 4 people - easily. Likely will not come back - not my vibe and...

Located on East 16th Street, one can hardly imagine the luxurious interior. With a skylight and comfortable armchair seating, Cafe Zaffri’s dining area is a serene oasis. This Lebanese restaurant has an interesting selection for breakfast and so I decided to come here. I chose the Zaffri’s Lebanese breakfast of two eggs, pork battata harra and market greens. Two perfectly made poached eggs nestled on a plate with the diced potatoes and pork belly that glistened and a green salad which had endives with it’s nutty flavor and is a favorite. I took my time to relish each bite savoring the peaceful atmosphere here. To begin, I had ordered the pistachio hand pie but when it was set before me I realized that it was not the traditional hand pie I had envisioned. Pistachios were encased in a thick phyllo dough and one bite made me realize how honeyed it was. “Lebanese Hand Pie” would have been a more appropriate name as then one wouldn’t confuse it. Fresh mint tea was made with fresh mint leaves and hot water poured into the teapot. It was pale and insipid. I thought longingly of the robust mint tea at the Arabian Tea House in Dubai which would have brought more joy to this breakfast. Service was hushed and unobtrusive l. Madeleine, Woody and Sashank looked after me admirably. The quiet busboy was both professional and gracious. Restrooms are down a circular staircase where the handrails are covered in fabric. After all this restaurant is in the Twenty Two Hotel...