Dafni Greek Taverna
“I highly recommend the saganaki, horiatiki salad, and the gyro sandwich!”
“The restaurant is a gem in Times Square that you probably pass by without knowing but you are missing out if you do.”
“It's actually about half a block from the Port Authority, but don't let it's location fool you!”
Dafni Greek Taverna
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Went here prior to the theater and it was pretty good. Started with the spanakopita and it was better than many I had. For dinner had the gyro plate and the meat was cooked nice and tasty. The pita bread was very good. The portions were quite large-the spanakopita appetizer was enough for 2 people easy or combined with another appetizer would make a good meal. The gyro platter had a lot of meat and I had the roasted potatoes which were good but the spanakopita filled me up. I had to try the galaktoboureko which I had enjoyed in Greece and it was quite good. My friend had the roasted vegetables and enjoyed them. Service was pretty good although the waitress did not seem to fully understand the questions asked though she was very nice. It is convenient to the theaters and food is pretty good.
3.5 stars. Giant servings of meat, plus plenty of vegetarian options, plus super-attentive and friendly service. Free pita bread, likely not house-made, but grilled so that it perked up a bit. We started with beets, which are served cold with garlicky potatoes – simple and tasty. Vegetarian moussaka was a good 6" square serving – sauce was a tasty baked-on layer, eggplant a little full of seeds but didn't take too much away from overall quality. Gyros and pork were especially good of the grilled meat selections, though rice was pretty bland and fries (ordered on the side) a little too soggy for my taste. The baklava was another huge portion, rich and super sweet (in a good way, though likely too much for two people – we split it across three and it was about right). This and Turco are both good quality Mediterranean food at a good value for the amount of food around the Theatre District – if you want a touch more ambiance, go here.
Nice Theater District find. Tasty food and generous portions – I had a Greek salad with salmon, and also tried lamb gyro with lemon potatoes and chicken with fries. The pita and tzaziki is great, too. Our service wasn't great but the food was delicious so I would come back. It's easy to get a reservation.
So so good. You can get Greek food at many places throughout NYC, but it's not always memorable.
I don't know Dafni, but she doesn't disappoint. I tried the salad that starts with an H and it was so delish. Try the 3 meze platter to start with the eggplant. The chicken kebab = thumbs up too.
For ordering in or dining out, this may be my new spot. Check it out!
The food here is fairly good. I ordered the lamb shank. The lamb itself was very tasty, and well cooked. The pasta accompanying it was bland and uninspired, mostly flavorless noodles. The chicken Souvlaki was pretty good as well. Overall it didn't blow me away, as I grew up eating Greek food. But it's alright.
My boyfriend and I had our VERY FIRST DATE almost 3 years ago at Dafini. This past Valentine's Day we saw a show on Broadway and went for an early dinner after (Dafni is conveniently walking distance from the show which was at the new Amsterdam theatre).
I remember how much I enjoyed the food on our very first date here so I was looking forward to a good Greek meal and spending our Valentine's Day at the restaurant we had our first date at, call me a mush but it's special to me!
We walked in around 5 on a Saturday, there were 2 other couples eating. The hostess/waitress greeted us and asked if we had a reservation (no, we did not). She responded with "we are going to be very busy in a while, but if you want to eat quick, our food comes out fast, mumble mumble, an hour, mumble, I can seat you".
My boyfriend graciously apologized for not making reservations and we were seated promptly. We ordered spanakopita for an appetizer (mediocre)… The spinach was dry inside. I ordered keftedes which is a pasta with a delicious stew and meatballs on top, my boyfriend ordered the moussaka. Both came out very fast, they prepared the dishes very poorly. I had minimal sauce on the pasta (which I later asked for more of). Both dishes were good, but unfortunately were not as good as the first time we came. For dessert we had baklava- absolutely scrumptious. Probably the best baklava I've had.
Overall, the food is good here don't get me wrong. Yes, it was our fault we did not make a reservation but I would rather have been turned away then be rushed through a meal.
I love it when people get "food envious" when I order the best-looking meal.
You know what I mean – that moment when the waiter brings in your table's food, and everyone in your party is checking out each other's meals, and then you realize…YOU HAVE THE BEST MEAL. That happened to me when my friends and I were eating at Dafni's, and I ordered the gyro platter. It comes with a VERY generous portion of perfectly seasoned gyro meat and a side of rice and tzatziki that compliments the main dish well. I could feel everyone's eyes on my food, and I loved it!
I was a winner that night, and you can be one, too…as long as you order that gyro platter! Yum!
Finally a decent restaurant in tourist hell. This place was so good! Nice atmosphere. Reservations are definitely recommended.
Ordered the grilled octopus – this is a must for me anytime I eat in a Greek restaurant. Their grilled octopus did not disappoint.
Ordered the loukaniko (grilled sausage with leeks) absolutely amazing. The leeks were so good too!!
We ordered the Greek salad. It's standard but that doesnt make it boring. The feta tasted very fresh and the dressing they gave us was so unique tasting. Not what you'd expect on a Greek salad. Loved it.
Lastly we ordered the plaki (baked filet of striped bass with tomato sauce, onions, garlic and white wine). This dish was mind blowing. The sauce was superb. The fish was excellent.
I will definitely be back to this place. What a fantastic find!