Welcome to Cafe Luka
Located in New York, Cafe Luka, a cozy American diner, offers a wide range of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options with a focus on quality and customer service. With a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff, customers rave about the delicious omelettes, French toast, and crispy bacon. The owner Luka is known for his New York hospitality, making every visit a memorable experience. The generous portions and tasty dishes like eggs with hashbrowns and fried chicken basket, combined with prompt service, make Cafe Luka a hidden gem worth visiting.
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1317 1st Ave New York, NY 100211317 1st Ave New York, NY 10021 Hotline: (212) 585-2205
Welcome to Cafe Luka, a delightful gem nestled at 1317 1st Ave in the heart of New York City. Catering to both locals and visitors alike, this American diner offers a warm atmosphere where the essence of classic café dining meets a touch of modern decor.
At Cafe Luka, every meal is crafted with care, and the flavors speak volumes. The menu features an array of enticing entries, from the hearty Penne Pesto with Chicken to the comforting Spaghetti and Meatballs. All dishes are prepared using fresh ingredients, ensuring that every bite is memorable. One standout dish is the Chicken Marsala with Spaghetti, which has received praise for its satisfying blend of flavors. Meanwhile, health-conscious diners can indulge in delightful options like the Vegetable Platter or the refreshing Fresh Melon with Cottage Cheese.
What truly sets Cafe Luka apart is its inviting ambiance and the hospitality extended by its owners, Luka and his brother. Their genuine warmth creates a welcoming environment where you feel right at home, whether you’re stopping by for a quick breakfast before an appointment or enjoying a leisurely brunch. Patrons have raved about the attentive service, which elevates the dining experience beyond the ordinary.
The breakfast menu is particularly impressive, featuring dishes like the classic Hashbrowns that come with a unique spice kick, leaving a lasting impression. If you’re in search of something sweet, the French Toast is not to be missed—it's fluffy, flavorful, and the perfect start to your day.
Each visit offers something special, whether it’s the fluffy pancakes served with fruits, the satisfying BLT stuffed with crispy bacon, or the generously sized mimosas that don’t skimp on quality. As a diner that prides itself on delicious food and an immersive dining experience, Cafe Luka will quickly become your go-to spot, whether you're new to the city or a seasoned local.
Cafe Luka is more than just a place to eat; it's a community hub where conversations flow as smoothly as the fresh OJ. Essentially, it's a haven in the bustling city, providing not only delectable meals but also a sense of belonging. So, whether you're looking for a cozy breakfast or a quick lunch between appointments, Cafe Luka is your perfect destination. Come for the food, stay for the conversation—you won't regret it!
I walked into Cafe Luka at 7:30am yesterday after a 3 hr drive from Massachusetts for an appointment at HSS (a block away). Not crowded but a friendly owner waved me in--asking if I needed a menu. I replied "do you have Lox, eggs and onions?" (A NYC staple I miss in Mass.) He replied "of course--omelette or scrambled? How do you like it? It was excellent, the bagel on the side fresh & so was the OJ. Only thing better was the conversation--first with owner, and then with his brother (and co-owner). Not inexpensive but absolutely a fair value given the neighborhood & the quality of food. Convenient to all the medical buildings in the area. Also decorated nicely--a couple notches above "standard nyc diner". A pleasant spot to relax between appointments. My only regret is that HSS appointment was quick and it was too early to return for lunch.....
This isn't our usual neighborhood but we were looking for a place to eat after visiting the hospital. It was the perfect choice. We were warmly greeted at the door. The server was attentive and the food was excellent. The brisket sandwich was just the way we like it-- tender and thinly sliced with a tasty gravy. The BLT was loaded with crispy bacon, rhetorical lettuce was very green and tender, even the tomatoes (it's only April) were red and juicy. A real step up from so many other "diners."
Quality and quick breakfast before our flight back to Florida. The hashbrowns have their own spice kick to them which I loved. Luka is a fantastic owner and is the epitome of New York hospitality! He went out of his way to check on us and had a great conversation with him. The staff was excellent as well.
Found this place online and decided to stop in for brunch. While nicely decorated, it is a bit small and does get crowded. Lucky for me, my sister and I were seated right away. I think it was the last empty table at the time we went, which was around 1pm. The servers were really nice and the food was really good. I got pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage. I also ordered a mimosa, which came in a bigger glass than I was expecting, they definitely don't skimp on them. Glad I stopped in and I would love to go back and try some other things!
Had an enjoyable breakfast here at Cafe Luka, my eggs were pretty good standard diner style and the French toast was quite tasty. The service was excellent and the staff was quite friendly! Will definitely be back if I'm in the area and want to grab a quick breakfast
The owners are kind, friendly, and genuinely good people working hard to keep this establishment competitive compared to the other diners in the surrounding area. Many folks eat here from the neighborhood as a consistent "go to" spot, given the quality of their food and prompt service. Most diners offer the same kinds of dishes, but this one stands out for its attention to detail and customer service. As an example, my family ate at this diner on a busy weekend day (with a stroller) yet were given a quiet section of the restaurant on purpose, since the management understood the stress associated with eating out with little kids. The menu could use more food options but you'll still easily find what you want.
Wonderful hidden gem!! Everything is AMAZING! atmosphere, service, FOOD. They were super accommodating with our stroller and gave us a really cozy table (we were seated next to the entrance and asked to move in since it was chilly and there was no problem at all) We had onion soup, fried chicken basket, eggs with hashbrown, sausage and bacon and extra side of bacon. Portions huge Onion soup was huge with plenty of yummy cheese. It was cooked to perfection since most of the times it could go on the salty side but his one was perfect!! The fried chilen came with a bowl of salad or soup and side of fries. oMG such crunch chicken!!! The batter was perfect and perfectly seasoned The cherry on top was the chocolate chip cake. Service was suuper friendly and really nice Will surely come back and try more dishes since everything on other tables looked yummy