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KABAWA / BAR KABAWA

Updated

Phone: (646) 790-8747

Address: 8 EXTRA PLACE 10003

TLDR

Elevated Caribbean dining featuring bold, spicy flavors and a lively counter-seating experience in the East Village. A polarizing spot that balances gourmet technique with casual vibes.

Reddit Sentiment for KABAWA / BAR KABAWA(based on 153 Reddit opinions)

55% Positive27% Neutral18% Negative

Reddit Sentiment Over Time

Unique Posts Over Time

Achievements and Accolades

NYT Top 100

Tags

caribbean 44middle eastern 5turkish 3goat 14caribbean 8roti 7View All

Neighborhoods

East Village

Instagram Posts References

Kabawa is a Barbadian restaurant with reservations released 14 days out via OpenTable. The release time is unpublished, but midnight is rumored to be the time, with verification on the evening before.

Kabawa is presented as the author's favorite meal of last year, located on the Lower East Side (LES). It offers elevated Caribbean food, and the author states they have had a '10 out of 10' experience on both visits, strongly recommending it. The meal is described as 'fire' and akin to a tasting menu experience, ideal for celebrations.

The post mentions rum-based cocktails at Kabawa as part of a list of six drinks the author can't stop thinking about.

The post details a fantastic meal at Kabawa, praising numerous dishes. Standout appetizers included scallops and a starter plate with roti (paratha/canai roti). Entrees were described as phenomenal, with particular commendation for the duck sausage and goat dishes, and the recommended cobia. The dessert selection was also a hit, with the coconut sorbet, birthday flan, and coconut turnover all being highlighted as excellent. The reviewer expressed a strong desire to return.

Kabawa is described as Chef Paul Carmichael's love letter to the Caribbean, located in the intimate space formerly occupied by Momofuku Ko. The restaurant offers a culinary experience where every dish is executed with extraordinary technique, evoking feelings of comfort, joy, and personal connection. It has received accolades such as Michelin recognition, three stars from The New York Times, and was named Food & Wine’s Best Restaurant in America. The ambiance is characterized as generous and deeply human, with a buzzing room that encourages conversation, and service that anticipates needs without interruption. Chef Paul Carmichael's personal touch, sharing stories with guests, further enhances the dining experience, making it feel rare and personal. Kabawa is praised for creating more than just a restaurant; it crafts evenings that become cherished memories.

For special occasions, Chef Eli Sussman considers Kabawa to be at the top of his list, suggesting it offers a memorable and high-quality dining experience suitable for celebrations. The image shows a large cut of roasted meat, possibly a pork chop or roast.

Kabawa offers a unique Breadfruit Tostón topped with octopus. This dish features crispy fried breadfruit slices serving as a base for tender, chopped octopus mixed with herbs, onions, and microgreens, presenting a delightful fusion of Caribbean/Latin American flavors with seafood.

Kabawa's coconut turnover is described as an 'incredible' and 'special' dessert, so memorable that the reviewer would eagerly return just to have it again.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

positive

Chef Paul Carmichael of Kabawa is participating in Pay What You Can Day to make his high-end Caribbean prix fixe menu more accessible to the wider community.

• Aug 13, 2026
Read More →
Grubstreet
Kabawa
positive

Bryan Kim reviews Kabawa, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant in the East Village, praising its fun atmosphere and unique fine dining approach with dishes like jerk duck sausage and braised goat.

Bryan Kim • Jul 1, 2025
Bar Kabawa
positive

Sonal Shah reviews Bar Kabawa, an East Village spot where rum cocktails and Caribbean patties fuel a lively party atmosphere, praising its creative drinks and flavorful snacks.

Sonal Shah • Jul 1, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation
Review

Unknown • Date unknown

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
And more New York City restaurant intel to know this week
neutral

Kabawa is listed as a participating restaurant for the "Pay What You Can" charity day on August 26.

• Aug 7, 2026
Mentioned In
Buenos Aires in the East Village.
neutral

A daytime café and wine bar that served as the site for the national team's uniform shoot, it plans to show all games and offer local snacks.

Jesse Ilan Kornbluth • Jun 4, 2026
Read More →
Grubstreet
Mentioned In
NYC’s 45 best restaurants

Time Out • Date unknown
Mentioned In
The Eater 38: Winter 2026

Eater • Date unknown
Mentioned In
It’s dinnertime. What’s a local to do?
very positive

Kabawa, led by chef Paul Carmichael, is described as a joyful and indispensable restaurant serving wonderful Pan-Caribbean cuisine, with a playful menu that encourages self-love and indulgence.

The New York Times • Date unknown
Read More →
Grubstreet

Details

Located in a former fine-dining space in the East Village, this restaurant serves an elevated, chef-driven approach to Caribbean cuisine [1], [2]. The atmosphere is vibrant and informal, characterized by soca music and counter seating that allows diners to watch the kitchen staff [3]. While the restaurant is widely celebrated on prestigious 'best of' lists, feedback remains deeply polarized, with some diners calling it a top-tier experience and others criticizing the value and hype [4], [5].

Food Overview

The menu focuses on modern interpretations of Pan-Caribbean dishes, featuring a multi-course format [1], [3]. Standout dishes frequently mentioned include the goat [1], [6], pepper shrimp [6], [7], and the bread service [3], [8], while the Chuletas Can Can [1] and duck sausage [4], [5] receive mixed reviews due to perceived issues with fat content and consistency.

Customer Sentiment

Customer reception is highly split; many visitors describe it as a stellar, memorable meal [1], [3], while a significant number of patrons find the experience overpriced and ultimately underwhelming given the intense social media hype [4], [5].

Most Mentioned Dishes

  • 01
    Goat
    22 mentions
    The goat dishes are frequently highlighted as exceptional, with r...
  • 02
    Chuleta Can Can
    11 mentionsMenu: Chuletas Can Can
    This dish receives highly polarized reviews, with some finding it...
  • 03
    Coconut Turnover
    10 mentions
    Reviews are divided on the turnover; some call it the 'most incre...
  • 04
    Duck Sausage
    8 mentionsMenu: "Jerk" Duck Sausage
    This dish elicits mixed reactions, with some praising its intense...
  • 05
    Pepper Shrimp
    8 mentions
    Reviews for the pepper shrimp are generally positive, with descri...
  • 06
    Roti
    8 mentions
    The roti offerings are generally well-received, described as a 'C...

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About KABAWA / BAR KABAWA

This thread serves as a comprehensive discussion regarding the restaurant's reputation, featuring debates on its prix-fixe format, dish quality, and general hype.
A highly critical post from a diner who felt the meal did not meet expectations, sparking a significant conversation among users about whether the restaurant is overrated.
A helpful thread for those already committed to visiting, providing specific dish recommendations like the goat and pepper shrimp.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Best Chefs Tablecounter Experience Under 200 Pp

"Briefly mentioned as a recommendation."

Positive
Sep 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Chefs Tablecounter Experience Under 200 Pp

"Briefly mentioned."

Neutral
Aug 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kabawa East Village Dinner Reservation July 2026

"The diner had an excellent experience and thoroughly enjoyed the food."

Positive
Aug 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kabawa East Village Dinner Reservation July 2026

"The diner acknowledges the food is good but believes it is overrated and overpriced."

Negative
Aug 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kabawa East Village Dinner Reservation July 2026

"The diner found the meal mediocre, noting that the starters were the best part while the main dishes were bland and the dessert was insulting."

Negative
Aug 7, 2026View Comment →

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