Kaia Wine Bar

Wine and food is all delicious, but the staff is what truly stands out here!! Everyone is exceptionally kind and genuine. Mikhala especially will take care of you like no other - so don’t hesitate to sit at the bar! And Zine will make you feel at home instantly. I can’t recommend Kaia enough!

The staff here is welcoming and friendly without being overbearing. My go to on the menu are the dik spek (thick cut bacon and side salad) oxtail birria tacos (as good as it sounds, if not better) lamb burger (on the expensive side, but made wonderfully delicious on a toasted and buttered bun) and today I had the lamb skewer (with onions and grilled apricots, which as someone who is not a great fan of skewers, this was beyond what I was expecting.) They recently added shrimp and grits (also on the expensive side, but taste wise they have never let me down.) Do yourself a favor and help keep this place running, they are one of the best and my most frequented restaurant in this neighborhood for a reason (they absolutely deserve it!)

An Upper East side gem. Food is quite good (v nice build-your-own cheese plates) and besides many South African wines they have great cocktails. Always very friendly service too!

Service is immaculate. Ppl are friendly and the atmosphere is so homey. Flavors were amazing. Love the free warm bread w dip omg so good.

Corn! wow, its the best hahahah. The red powder on top just made it more amazing.
Duck wing was nicely flavored too my friend loved it, she like duck.

Shrimp flavor were almost like seafood boil/cajun, i was a big fan. Lamb burger had too much on it(cherries? And the cheese too much), but my friend enjoyed it but wish it could’ve been slightly adjusted.

Dessert (sticky cake) was awesome. Love the custard and the warmth of it.
Interesting bathroom but very cute and cozy.

Everything about Kaia is incredible - from the ambiance, to the food, to the people who work there. Nothing bad to ever say about it! Wine selection is never ending, and I love that you can get great quality food that’s so different than anywhere else in the upper east side. Personal favorites are the quail and the lamb burger.