An all-day Levantine salon off Union Square
Cafe Zaffri opened in early 2025 on the ground floor of The Twenty Two, the hotel and members’ club in a landmark 1891 building just off Union Square. Although the club upstairs is private, the restaurant is open to the public, and it makes an immediate impression: soaring ceilings, a skylit atrium, and two dining rooms, one sun-soaked and one dark and moody. The interiors, by Post Company, are the kind people photograph before they sit down.
The food is modern Levantine, drawing on the Lebanese heritage of executive chef Mary Attea, with dips and spreads, Moroccan-spiced mains, and a showpiece lamb Wellington wrapped in grape leaves. It comes from a women-led team behind Raf’s and the Michelin-starred Musket Room, with pastry by Camari Mick. It is a special-occasion room where the setting is the headline and the cocktails lean arak-forward.
What to Expect
There is no happy hour at Cafe Zaffri. The bar mixes a serious cocktail list, but drinks are served at full, upscale prices with no discounted window, which is standard for a hotel dining room of this kind. Come for the space, the brunch, and a candlelit dinner rather than a bargain, and expect to spend accordingly.
The Room
The design is the draw: a dramatic, palace-like main room under a skylight, a brighter sunroom, and a separate lounge and bar. It skews glamorous and, on weekend nights, sceney and loud. Service and portions can be uneven for the price, so manage expectations, but few rooms in the neighborhood look this good.
Who Cafe Zaffri Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Special-occasion dinner | A striking, high-design room built for marking something over a long, candlelit meal. |
| Weekend brunch | The all-day format shines at brunch, widely singled out as the best time to go. |
| Impressing out-of-town guests | The landmark hotel setting and skylit atrium do a lot of the work for you. |
| Cocktails in a stylish room | A full bar with arak-forward drinks in a lounge worth dressing up for, no deal required. |
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Cafe Zaffri FAQ
Does Cafe Zaffri have a happy hour?
No. It has a full cocktail bar, but there is no advertised happy hour or discounted-drink window. It is an upscale, all-day restaurant.
Where exactly is Cafe Zaffri?
At 16 E 16th Street, on the ground floor of The Twenty Two hotel, just off Union Square in Manhattan. It is open to the public even though the club upstairs is private.
Who is behind Cafe Zaffri?
The team behind Raf’s and the Michelin-starred Musket Room, restaurateurs Jennifer and Nicole Vitagliano, with executive chef Mary Attea and pastry chef Camari Mick.
What kind of food does it serve?
Modern Levantine and Mediterranean cooking, with dips and spreads, Moroccan-spiced mains, a signature lamb Wellington, and arak-forward cocktails.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Cafe Zaffri before visiting for a specific deal.