Recent social media posts
06/02/2026
Opening the Soccer Tournament is South Africa's against Mexico! June 11th at 3pm EST! Our TV's are up! Our famous Tacos made a comeback until the finals - we will also serve a fab South African bar menu - who knows, maybe a full blown is in the making.. we will show all games and hope you will join us not just for the opening match - but throughout 🇿🇦🇲🇽🌮⚽️🥅
05/30/2026
Kaia's current Seacuterie platter. Since we moved - not a lot of people know that we added an excellent RAWBAR station. I have always wanted one at old Kaia but space was an issue. Not here!!! HAPPY hour oysters all night long as well for $1. Our platter offerings will change often just to keep things fresh for the Summer. 🦪🇿🇦 - and off course a little Shout Out to for their excellent Pinotage Rose - The Fox & the Flamingo! 🍷
05/28/2026
Happy Hour Oysters ALL DAY LONG! $1 oysters served with freshly grated horseradish & our famous Apple-Gimlet Sauce! 🇿🇦 🦪
05/23/2026
Banana Pepper Martini's for Happy Hour at Kaia from 4 to 6pm EveryDay! Kaia Salt rim made with banana peppers and celery.
05/05/2026
Ramps have a small window in the spring and when here we jump through it! Tonight's iteration is our longtime cook Ruben's Guac 🥑 with added ramps in the mix. Happy 🇲🇽🇿🇦🌮
05/05/2026
🌮🇿🇦🇲🇽
During Covid, when every Mexican restaurant closed, our kitchen found something unexpected — a marriage between Mexican heritage and South African spices that nobody saw coming. Our cooks, who have been with Kaia for years, perfected it together.
The result? Kaia Tacos. Juicy, bold, deeply spiced. Not your average taco.
And our most legendary — the Oxtail Taco. Slow cooked South African style, the meat pulled off the bone and folded into a taco. Think Birria but make it South African. Rich, tender, deeply spiced. New York came for it and kept coming.
Tonight they’re back. Cinco de Mayo felt like the right moment — and with South Africa facing Mexico in Mexico City on June 11 to open the World Cup, it feels like destiny.
And because no Cinco de Mayo is complete without one — Margaritas all night long. Our most loved: the Passionfruit Margarita. 🍹
Come in tonight. Limited run. While they last.
1446 1st Avenue · Open from 4pm
Happy Hour 4–6pm
📞 212.722.0490
CincoDeMayo WorldCup2026 BafanaBafana SAvsMexico FIFA2026 NYCfood UpperEastSide Margaritas PassionfruitMargarita
03/29/2026
She is spring pretty ain't she? Our Non Alcoholic drinks menu for the sober curious amongst us... cause N/A doesn't have to be nonsense drinks in nice places.. named after our Kenny... The Kenny. 🌸🌺- we use a wonderful non alcoholic product from South Africa called by blending two of their options- the abstinence aperitif and citrus 'gin', fresh lemon, rosemary simple syrup and a star anise wash 🇿🇦
02/13/2026
Lamb Chops! Need we say more... 🐑 .. 1446 1st Avenue - between 75 & 76 !
02/08/2026
We hope you will support us during the Super Bowl this evening. TV's are up and We have some Super Bowl snacks & beers available. Old Kaia favorites like our Dukka Chicken Sliders are making a comeback & our famous Kaia Mango Chutney Wings OR Peri Peri Wings! Plus the best Smash Burgers in Town
01/27/2026
Come get cozy with us at New Kaia. We open at 5pm for our soft opening week. Friday the 30th will be our hard open starting at 4pm. Come hang with us.. we appreciate the support whilst we get her revved up and going..🇿🇦
01/21/2026
We open TONIGHT at our NEW location on the UES. Kaia- South African Farmhouse Restaurant ( New York City's ONLY South African Restaurant ) opens for our soft launch tonight, January 21 at 5pm. Our NEW LOCATION address is 1446 1st Avenue- between 75 & 76th street! We hope you come join us for a hello drink or meal. We are thrilled to be in our new neighborhood, building new memories and bringing a bit more authentic 🔥 driven South African food and wine to this special place. 🇿🇦 Our Hard launch will be next Friday - January 30th in addition to bringing a fun Brunch service very needed to our neighborhood on Saturdays and Sundays.
12/31/2025
My heart is full of gratitude and love for the end of an era on 3rd Avenue- a South African 'hole in a wall' that survived 15 years on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
The memories made- the true spirit of a dream and a whim really to bring a little bit of my country to the US and survive so long against all kinds of odds.
However- it is time for us to move on to a bigger and better location that has 🔥 capabilities for us to continue our South African story. Where we can do more and where my loyal staff most of you know by name- have a better shot at growth and where we can thrive.
Sometime in January - we hope to open our new location at 1446 1st Avenue, between 75 & 76 streets in New York City. But for TODAY - New Years Eve- we hope you stop by Kaia for one more drink or meal and help us usher in not just a new year- but a new beginning!
Joining us this New Years Eve will help this very special 'one of a kind' Kaia continue.
If you can't make it in person today- please consider booking an event with us, consider us for catering, donate to our moving fund- ever penny counts while we wait for Kaia to open in January 2026!
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the life you all allowed us to live and build at Kaia: our Home.. and continue to build. 🇿🇦
Suzaan & the Kaia Team
donation and event requests- [email protected]
Instagram -
09/12/2025
Another Massive Loss for our South African wine community. One of the most unassuming famous people in Wine & our beloved Rugby off course in SA you could ever meet. In his younger days he would often come into Decameron ( any restaurant really ) with no shoes on, something that reminded me a lot of my own father and made him one of the most endearing humans. We all adored him. He was kind and an exceptional stalwart of South African wine. What a loss! But honestly. What a life! To everyone at Vriesenhof, his family and his friends. We will raise a glass to this special man.
08/16/2025
Today is Pork Fest at Kaia. Join us starting at 1pm for Pork & Chicken on the Braai - some South African fixings on the side.. Our regular menu will be available too! All proceeds will go toward our new location! 🇿🇦
08/15/2025
PORK FEST tomorrow- Saturday August 16th! In honor of my mother Elize. All proceeds will go toward our new location. We hope you would join us! We are also putting some chicken on the Braai and will have lovely South African Side Dishes. Our regular menu will be available all day for those who don't partake in the pork. We got you! A small farmers market will also be on offer. Festivities start at 1pm!
08/15/2025
You never see this on the Upper East Side. Pork Fest or any Fest. All proceeds will go toward our new location. Beers and Beverages will be flowing - music by our Zine will be playing.. come support us! I am doing a small farmers market also in honor of my mom Elize's memory whom without... we never wound have survived Covid. We will have a lot of her and our favorites for sale. Come join us.. even if for a hello! 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
08/14/2025
Our annual PIg Roast is happening this Saturday! Starting at 1pm! All proceeds will go toward our NEW location - small farmers market, good music, regular menu available. We are putting some chicken in the Braai too! 🇿🇦
08/13/2025
Our Annual PIG ROAST BRAAIBBQ is THIS Saturday - August 16 at 1pm. All proceeds will go toward our new location and we are also celebrating what would have been my mother's 72nd birthday: We will also have a small farmer's market with her Boerewors for sale and other South African delicacies like Biltong, Chili Bites, Kaia's rendered peri peri duck fat, my mom's bread, jam, and mustard, delicious South African desserts to go and much more! Wine and Beer will flowing, fun music and more.. 🇿🇦
07/25/2025
With a little help from our friends at Master Window Repair with same day service, makes one feel just a tiny bit better after the burglary this morning..
Address
1446 1st Avenue
New York, NY
10021
Directions to 3rd Avenue in New York can be accessed via the nearest subway stations such as the Third Avenue station, Lexington Av/59 St station and 51st St. station. For those coming by car, parking is available nearby at paid parking garages or roadside parking lots.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
4pm - 10pm |
| Tuesday |
4pm - 10pm |
| Wednesday |
4pm - 10pm |
| Thursday |
4pm - 10pm |
| Friday |
4pm - 11pm |
| Saturday |
4pm - 11pm |
| Sunday |
11am - 3pm |
|
3pm - 10pm |
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What people say
Kaia - South African Wine Bar & Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic South African dining experience in New York. This wine bar and restaurant serves locally sourced seasonal South African inspired small plates, local meats & cheese, cocktails, craft beer & South African Wines. The menu is carefully crafted by Chef Bill who uses his expertise to create a superb menu that perfectly complements the wines on offer.
One of the highlights of Kaia - South African Wine Bar & Restaurant is their winemaker dinners. These events are extremely popular and offer guests the opportunity to meet some of the most talented winemakers from around the world. The Long Table event is particularly special as it allows guests to enjoy a specially designed menu while sitting at a communal table with other wine enthusiasts.
The atmosphere at Kaia - South African Wine Bar & Restaurant is warm and inviting, making it the perfect place to relax with friends or family. The staff are knowledgeable about the wines on offer and are always happy to make recommendations based on your preferences.
Overall, Kaia - South African Wine Bar & Restaurant is a fantastic addition to New York's dining scene. With its delicious food, excellent wine selection, and welcoming atmosphere, it's no wonder that this restaurant has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
