Traif Reviews

Foodie heaven! This is a great little place with terrific food! Small plates of varying types with terrific deserts! We had the sampler which gave us about 10 tastes plus 3 desserts...somewhat pricey for the amount of food, so not for those who want huge portions....right next to the Williamsburg bridge....little patio in back is nice but small...

Seafood, and pork friendly. Healthy fried nice portions , beautiful presentation. Very tasty. I would consider dinning at that place as fine dinning but still casual.

Interesting combinations like ribs and strawberries - divine! Yummy plates to share. Love the name - hysterical! The staff had us in stitches. One of the most memorable meals I've ever experienced. Thank you!

This food here is simply amazing. We were in a big group and split in pairs to order different plates. The strategy worked out because each of each got to try 3 of them. And they were all great! They all come from the open kitchen randomly at the chef's discretion, but that is not a problem at all. The sushi was a big hit among the vegetarians. The bacon doughnut may sound weird at first but tastes amazing!

Outstanding dinner. No reservation but they found a couple of seats at the bar. Looked after really well by lovely barman who knocked up great cocktails and recommended a well priced French Pinot. Ordered 5 dishes which was loads. Braised short rib sliders, monkfish cheek chowder and broccoli, mushrooms and truffle toast were the highlights. Amazing quality from what is basically a behind the bar kitchen. Chef team were like ninjas. Great to watch.

As a restaurant owner I can truly say that Traif is probably one of the best selections around in Brooklyn. I am always happy to come here. The food is great and consistently good. Here are my favorite things: - Tuna Tartar - Pork belly sliders - Strawberry glazed ribs - Donuts with bacon bits. We usually order around 6 dishes for 2 people (yes we eat a lot). Service is always attentive and sweet. Try the Moroccan wine they have. If you like spicy wine this would be a great option for you.

Simply delicious! Great service. The chef's selection menu with wine pairing is 95 dollars for a 10 course meal. Hardly possible to find better value for money. Approved with flying colors. Well done guys!

We went to Traif for my birthday with another couple who was over and hour and a half late for our reservation. The hostess was so nice held the table for as long as possible and as they were getting close to giving our table away due to our tardy friends my husband asked if we could be seated and order enough to cover the other couple. They were more than happy to oblige. As we were planning on doing the tasting menu for $45/person this worked out perfectly and everything was delectable. A very well thought out and innovative menu. I would tell you more about the dishes but the wine and the food were flowing so all was right with the world!

Was really amped up on this spot regarding the reviews on TA and other sites online. We made a reservation and showed up on time. The restaurant is tiny as are many in NYC and the surrounding areas and I usually love the vibe and energy in these kinds of chef driven restaurants. We were seated immediately next to the door and window in a cramped space although there were better tables available and at no point were seated during the evening. This place as I said was small about 3/4 full but really had no discernible ambiance or vibe. I couldn't hear any music and besides the graffiti style mural there was not alot going on design wise. We ordered a couple house cocktails, the pig something, and I'm not sure what the GF had but both were tasty and served promptly. The served recommended we order 4-5 dishes to share and I tried to start out with 3 as we were in no rush. He basically insisted that I order all the dishes at once, (something to do with the service, bla bla bla) so I was suddenly rushed into ordering 3 more dishes barely 2 sips into my cocktail. Ok, it's Brooklyn so we go with the flow and continue to enjoy our drinks. We had the spicy tuna app which was honestly pretty flat and insipid. Nothing special at all. We had the seared foie gras with a sunny side up egg which again was below average. The foie gras was not of good quality and was completely compromised by the oversized fried egg. We opted for a bottle of Pinot which was quite nice. Their famous pork ribs with strawberry and cinnamon were the highlight of the meal but were far from succulent and fall off the bone tender. Like I said we were not impressed and I would never return.

What a great find in Williamsburg. I made a reservation for a table in the "garden room" (which i highly recommend as the main dining room can be somewhat tight and loud) and were seated promptly at the requested time. We started with Mojitos and were then going to order wine but the Mojitos were so good that we ordered more with our meal :-) My girl and I had eight items off the wonderfully eclectic menu. I know that's a bit much but everything sounded so good! Standouts were the Figs and Burrata- fresh and flavorful. Chicken livers- rich and perfectly seasoned. Broccoli Rabe- OMG, what a combo of flavors! Outstanding! Head on Prawns- Vibrantly seasoned and cooked perfectly. Always a special treat when you get to suck out the brains. ( know it sounds crude but to me one of lifes little joys). Pork Belly- Soooo tender. The only disappointment were the Soft Shell crabs. I found them to be overwhelmed by the heavy cornmeal crust. It took away from the sweet, briny taste that makes a soft shell crab such a wonderful thing. We finished off with dessert. Key lime was excellent. Service was also excellent. Paced perfectly. Overall one of the best dining experiences I've had. Just hope Traif sticks with it's roots and doesn't try to be something it's not. It is a wonderful culinary experience in a casual, not up-tight atmosphere. Kudos to Traif.

This restaurant is my all time favorite to dine at. I was introduced to it in September and have gone back multiple times since. Not only is literally everything on the menu amazing, but their tasting menu is a deal you cannot beat. 10 courses and 2 desserts for $50pp. They change their dishes frequently, but my favorites have been the foie gras, pork belly, lamb shank, scallop and cheeses. If you are a big foodie, this is definitely the place for you! Their cocktails are also really good.

We called Traif several times to try and prepare for our group dinner to celebrate a friend about to have breast cancer surgery. It took a few days to even receive a call back. We were first told we were not allowed to sit in the back Terrace area which is what we requested. They said the tables at the terrace would not work for 8 people which is not true at all. It was an empty Tuesday evening meal at 630 pm! We were then called back at the very last minute on Tuesday afternoon to tell us a large group had to pay $50 per person. Entrees are normally $12+ but we accepted this new info as our friend having surgery wanted to go to Traif. In the end, The food was delicious BUT it was not worth $50 per person. As we left, we said hello to the Chef/owner. The owner had nothing to say to us after spending over a $1000. On the upside, Max was a wonderful waiter. Our view -- NYC and Brooklyn has so many amazing spots. You deserve the best of service, atmosphere and food. Spend your money elsewhere. The Traif chef/owner is absolutely not gracious or thankful or deserving of your business.

best brunch in brooklyn. their bacon donuts with coffee ice cream make this so much better than it already is!

The name alone was enough to catch my attention but to say that this restaurant does not get by on a cute name is a giant understatement. About a week ago I wrote a review about a tasting menu at a high-end Manhattan restaurant. The experience was miserable, the check enormous and going to Traif for another tasting menu made me question the decision. I'm glad gluttony won out over my previous bad experience. From the time we arrived at Traif staff was great. Coming out to meet us (and every group of diners that followed) in less than 10 seconds, keeping us posted of what was taking place at table we were to occupy, discussing various menu options and choices in suggesting a wine were all done seamlessly and with what seemed to be an enjoyment that a busy Saturday night does not always allow for. We ordered t is really in he "adventurous" tasting menu (instead of one populated with signature dishes) and the food came more quickly than any place I can remember. This is not to say we felt rushed but the food came almost before we ordered. We mentioned to a server (not our waiter) that we wished to add a seared fois that we had passed on our way in (sooooo good) and by the time our waiter came back to table and we asked about it he said the order taken had already been care of. Almost everything on the tasting menu was delicious, creatively put together and largely different from what you might see anywhere else. The onion soup starter alone is reason to go, the bacon doughnuts at the end, reason to return. My family is all foodies, whether a barbecue joint in North Carolina (Go to Allen & Sons!) or a three-star Michelin in Paris, we want an enjoyable experience with REALLY good food. Traif delivered that perfectly. Having flamed a Michelin starred chef last week ,I'm thrilled to complement Traif. The old guard better take a real close look at this place an its contemporaries because this is the logical future of food and unless they work hard to catch up it will not only be dinosaurs that are extinct. I am not saying that Traif is perfect, it's fairly noisy and a little bit snug but we all enjoyed our evening so much that we barely noticed. As for the "will you go back" test, I don't think my answer will stun you, I will go back soon as I can. Don't miss it. We actually began planning a return visit with significant other who couldn't make it while we still eating..

A wonderful meal! Two of us had 9 courses! That was a bit too much, but it was so hard to choose. Favorites were the rabbit confit (incredibly delicious!), the chicken livers, the peach salad, the figs with burrata, the cockles and the sweetbreads. The large grilled prawns were fine, but not a standout. I just don't like soft-shelled crabs, but my friend wanted to try them. i still don't like soft-shelled crabs. Dessert (the white chocolate budino) was good but not special...and it was supposed to have rhubarb puree in it, but I couldn't find it anywhere. we had an interesting cocktail and a nice wine as well. Service was polite and accomodating. I was painfully full. The problems we encountered had to do with ambience and temperature. The music was so loud, that I could barely hear my friend speak. It's just too loud for a restaurant like this. And the air conditioner seemed to be broken, so it was uncomfortably warm. I would love to come back...in the winter...and try more dishes here, because the food is, overall, truly special.

Well.. its possible in the end we had most things on the menu. The food was excellent.. cauliflower delicious, pork belly, lamb, steak fries and more. Craft cocktails, wine and beer. Food flavorful and interesting.

Loved it. Original dishes with a playful twist. (My favourite was the doughnut with bacon) First visit to NY and was definitely a highlight of the trip.

First review I have ever written. We had pre-fixe meal; each course was delicious and inventive. Will be back!

We had a family dinner at Traif and since we were five, we were able to savor 15 of the small dishes on the menu. They were all well prepared with fresh ingredients. The variety of offerings appealed to the various tastes. Some dishes that night were crayfish, sweetbreads, sliders, Shishito peppers, pork ribs, goat neck (yes and it was delicious!), and cockles, There is a very congenial atmosphere and the service was good. It is well worth a visit.

This superb restaurant, nestled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is definitely worth the trip. Enjoy the innovative selections, wonderful pairing of savory and sweet dishes. Small plates allow experimenting and sharing. The food is just delicious and the service is excellent. Try week nights rather than weekends - less crowded. Make a reservation and enjoy!

This is my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn, if not all of NYC. My wife and I have been coming here for years and the food and drinks are consistently amazing. The menu is always changing and using whatever is in season. As far as drinks, it doesn't get much better than a Rude Little Pig. Go here, you'll be impressed.

Having lived in New York for almost a decade, I have gotten tired of going to these famous popular restaurants in Manhattan only to leave feeling robbed and disappointed with the food. Granted, the hype makes you expect a lot more, but I've come to realize that the joy to dining in such an amazing, diverse city is to find the true gems... A restaurant with great food and reasonable prices that MAKE SENSE. Now, my recent obsession has been exploring Brooklyn (mainly Williamsburg) and finding gems that you just can't find in the city. My number one obsession, foul-proof recommendation to my Manhattanite friends at the moment will be Traif. I have been to Traif 3 times so far and not ONCE have I been disappointed with a dish (and I am a picky eater). A lot of people say that Boqueria in the city has amazing tapas, but my reaction to every single dish was mediocre at best. Some of my favorite dishes at Traif are: Spicy tuna on Eggplant tempura, pork belly risotto, and Bacon wrapped- blue cheese stuffed dates!! Don't forget to order the bacon doughnuts for dessert!!!!! Just AMAZING. Oh and I forgot to mention, the atmosphere is cozy and relatively casual, making it a great place for a casual date, or having a tapas night with ur close friends!!

The food here is just awesome. Try the tasting menu - its the best value for money: 11 dishes for $50 out of which 9 are savory and 2 are sweet. I've eaten here twice and loved it both times. The second time I was waaaay to full by the 8th course so I think the order of the dishes could have been a bit different and there were too many big dishes but still there IS nothing to complain about. Everything was beyond tasty. Must haves: tuna tartar on eggplant, sliders, scallops, foie gras, mussels, pork belly -- yeah, really everything!

One of the best food ever tried worldwide! The mix and match,salty and sweet in a perfect and totally creative way makes it the perfect place for people who loves every kind of food and love to experiment new tastes! They have small dishes so that you can taste more of them sharing the food with your friends. The more you try the more you want to go back there ASAP.

This restaurant is a MUST if you are in New York! It's quite small place with a super cosy atmosphere. The menu is based on sharing different little dishes and honestly - it's absolutely gorgeous! I never though a simple salad could taste so delicious and give me such a big smile. All dishes we had, including desert, was super good! The service was excellent and the best part, really quite affordable. Highly recommend!

By far the best food I've ever put in my mouth. It's Michelin recommended, why they don't have actual stars is beyond me. Yea, it's a tiny place with an exposed kitchen, but the magic that happens here is indescribable. I've been there twice, once on a whim (my bf is amazing at randomly picking spots on yelp) and just went back for my 28th birthday with a group of 10. Unfortunately, 10 is the biggest party they accommodate. I tell you it's tiny. If you dine with 3 or more people you can do the chef tasting which consists of 9 savory dishes and 2 desserts for $45. Drinks are great. Have the red pearl. Kiwi jalapeño amazingness. I can't tell you of any specific dishes because they are all great. On my last visit I made reservations for 9 and wasn't seated until 935pm which pissed me off because I had to be somewhere at 11, but that's how great the food is. I'll overlook that gladly. They have the type of food where you lean back in your seat and need a minute to process what you've just experienced. Just go.

Great find a bit out of the way but fantastic food and drink. This could be a Michelin star if they applied a bit more details but I like it the way it is. Sharing plates for the tasting menu with different wines accompanying it and great value for money for NYC in a laid back atmosphere.

An unexpected treat. Goodness throughout in an inconspcious location. Microscopic open kitchen. Chaotic environment, caring, skilled and friendly staff. Love it, 100% chance of return.

What a hidden gem! The restaurant is small and tucked away. It's very loud in the main restaurant but we had seating in a back area that was quieter. The menu is mostly tapas. We were a group of 5 there for a celebration. We ordered 10 tapas, which was more than enough for our group. Mensch one was better than the previous! The waitstaff brought 1-2 plates out at a time and they were well-spaced. Favorites: tuna tartare on eggplant, melted muenster with chorizo served with apple slices, short rib sliders, and cinnamon ribs. Makes me hungry just writing this!

I came here on a last minute search and ive always wanted to come here based on the reviews and the pictures and it didnt dissapoint. The food here is very fresh and unique. I also sat at the bar after a pretty long wait but i went for drinks they called me back and i came back. Reservations are a must of course if you want to sit down but after 10pm you should be okay. While sitting at the bar you see the chefs there making the food and it was great to see them prepare everything. I ordered the soft shell crab, the tuna and the ribs, and the artichoke wow they are all amazing. I do wish the plates were a bit larger but the only minus i would say is the wait.

traif deserves all the press and love they've been getting. awesome eclectic food and great cocktails/wines. i go every few months. can't wait for heather and jason to open their new spot next door (in a few weeks)!

Fantastic place. Six of us at the table, we had the tasting menu. Just incredible food and service. Our waiter John also helped to make this a great experience with good service and recommendations, and his fun sense of dining. We can't wait to return.

Liking the name , we decided to load up on pork and shellfish .. We got some of that but mostly lovely innovative bites prepared creatively and with care . Not only Traif ..... Good cauliflower, broccoli . Donuts with bacon rounded out the meal . Service was great too . Nice to back in Brooklyn .

Nicely done restaurant that enjoys creative international twists in its ever changing menu. Watermelon seem to be the ingredient of the day from gazpacho to a free palate cleanser of with a balsamic over vinegar. The prices were not out of line for the experience. Presentation was excellent and the small plate portions we ample and very delicious. Little treasures each one. Crowded and a bit noisy. Typical casual and trendy Williamsburg clientele. Would definitely recommend to adventurous foodies. Good value for the quality. Go very early if you want not to wait... and you still might find a line.

Our son lives in Brooklyn and we have been wanting to try Traif for several years. We were a party of nine, so we went with the Chef's Choice for everyone. Small plates, tapas style. OMG!! Each dish was so good. We started out with a pea soup, followed by tuna tartare on tempura eggplant, seared scallops and risotto, confit chicken wings, braised short rib sliders, and several more fabulous dishes. Dessert was bacon doughnuts with coffee ice cream and key lime pie. I would recommend Traif to everyone. The only negative comment I have is that it was VERY loud. I could hardly hear the person sitting next to me. Maybe a table in the back would have been better. Go and enjoy!

Unique food combinations. Drinks are incredible as well. All set in a very cozy, well lit place. The sliders are definitely the restaurant's signature dish; but you can't go wrong with any plate.

The food is delicious and the cocktails are inventive, but what blew me away was the staff at Traif. Before ordering our food I told the waitress I had an allergy to dairy, and not only did she make sure each plate was specially made for me, the food runner then made a point to place the plates down each time with the dairy-free portion towards me. I have had this allergy my whole life and this is the first time I have EVER experienced such amazing attention to detail. I'm already planning my next dinner at Traif and can't wait to spread the word about this amazing restaurant! (Make sure to order the mussels - YUM!)

Traif is an unassuming place with flavors that far exceed any restaurant I’ve been to in NY. Each dish on the tasting menu kept us wondering how they could top it with the next but somehow they did. Definitely make reservations because it does fill up quickly. Some examples of the unique but awesome favor combos we enjoyed are : strawberry and cinnamon glazed pork ribs with mint, ginger and chilies, buratta with bourbon bacon marmalade. Will definitely be back next time we are in NYC.

This is a review of the even by Tasting Collective that we attended. It was a 10-Course Globally Inspired Feast. Ever since I joined Tasting Collective, the name Traif kept coming up as everyone’s favorite restaurant event. And this is a diners club of food lovers, I had to go and try it out! The interior is simple and industrial, chilled, and with very cool, modern, abstract art decor throughout. I liked the mix of straight and curved lines, minimal but yet distinctive colors, simple furniture and warm, soft light inviting customers in. They had a very lovely patio in the back. I really liked it here, it had more natural light coming in before the Sun went down, and then lit up with festive string lights. They had good amount of greenery around it that made the space even more relaxing. We started off with a couple of drinks. We chose Yuzu Kosho and Drink Like its Spring. They were both very tasty, high quality and strong. For food, we got to try Crispy Sweetbreads, Cured Fluke Sashimi, Dry-Aged Venison, Roasted Berkshire Pork Belly, Roasted Rainbow Carrots, Salt & Pepper Hamachi Collar Wraps, Seared Scallops & Risotto, Smoked Lamb Puttanesca Cavatelli, Toasted Pistachio Budino, and Warm Sugar Maple Pie. All these dishes, one word: Amazing!!! I now know the reason why this is the most popular spot among the Tasting Collective members. My taste buds were having the time of their lives the entire night! I would love to go back again for more of their amazing dishes! Read my full review of the restaurant and food on my food blog, foodlovergirl

Having been a resident of Williamsburg for nearly 2 years and tried nearly everything around, Traif is my favorite place here, if not in all of NYC. The place serves mostly small dishes, it is great for small groups so you can try a variety of dishes. The dishes are all individually unique with flavor combinations you have perhaps never dreamed up of. My favorite was the bacon covered dates which in and of itself was not unique to trait, but was spectacularly done. Highly recommended - promise you will not be disappointed.

After some mishigas trying to set up a reservation, we found the restaurant to be cute, cramped and lively. The staff are in constant motion from taking your water order to getting you a small parting sweet. Service was attentive at all times and we had all of the servers waiters and mangers at our table at some point during the evening. The open kitchen was hopping. The menu is all share plates but some are larger than others. We wanted to eat everything from the descriptions. We did eat frito mixto which were fried oysters, portobellas and zucchini with a spicy dipping sauce; burrata and avocado cream salad with micro greens and a tangy dressing. Then came delicious chopped chicken livers with balsamic toast and rosemary. The bone marrow was somewhat disappointing. I prefer the bones to be sliced lengthwise for easier access to the marrow. The plate came with bocarones, a sausage pate and a veggie escabeche. The sausage brought out the taste of the marrow, but anchovies clashed; some added salt would have improved it. The last dish was maybe the most fabulous and I wish I had had enough appetite to consume every morsel - sauteed broccoli rabe with portobella truffle toast, with creamy gravy and a fried egg. A real taste treat. Wines were eccentric, interesting and tasty. I had a white picpoul. The small beer list was food but could improve with at least one Belgian style Tripel. All and all a great place to spend erev Shabat.

The small and yes very noisy space belies the friendly and professional service, unique food, (one dish was better than the next) and is an excellent value. That tiny kitchen is amazing. What else could a foodie want?:-)

Went for dinner last night. We got the tasting menu - 9 courses plus dessert. It was so delicious! Amazing flavors and creative twists and everything tasted fresh and delicious. So excited to come soon and do it all over again. Highly recommend!

Been here several times. Consistently excellent. The flavors created by chief Jason Marcus are fresh, different and dare I say sophisticated. The flavors combos are different then anything I've ever encountered- in a good way. Tuna Shashimi on Japanese eggplant, peach and almond salad with blue cheese, sweet potato fries with sirocha mayo and short rib sliders then finished with the best bacon donuts- to name just a few of the dishes. The menu is constantly changing. Highly recommend this place. Great value for the $$.

So small yet the stuff that comes out of this kitchen is outrageously good. Grab a seat at the bar and see the chefs weave their magic. The bar program is very good as well. Must visit when in Williamsburg!

First thing to know- don't bring your friends with Kosher diets here. "Traif" is the Yiddish word for non-kosher- and with a pork/seafood heavy menu... this place is anything but. (Although it is located in an area of Williamsburg heavily populated with Hasidic Jews.) We've been twice with two very different groups of people with varying tastes- and everyone loved it. I would highly recommend the chef's tasting menu- as it ensures you get to try the most things- and with the perfect number for your table. I promise you won't leave hungry. The unconventional flavors cater to everyone- from the very adventurous to the conservative. And even when you hand over your rights to the chef when you choose the tasting menu, Traif is wonderful about asking if there's anything you especially do or do NOT want to try. Highly highly highly recommend. <3

Many restaurants these days are combining flavors in new and interesting ways, but many restaurants are getting it wrong. Sure, the separate ingredients may be good individually, but they sum is not always greater than the parts. Not true in the case of Traif. By using simple (yet in many cases exotic) ingredients prepared in thoughtful ways, Traif creates dishes that are innovative yet soulful. This place can get pretty busy, especially on a weekend. That being said, I've never had to make a reservation--mainly because I don't mind killing time enjoying a beverage at the bar (or at a neighboring bar, and there are many in the neighborhood--try Dram or Post Office).

Was here with some friends for dinner. My friends had been here before, and the waiter then put in some extra dishes for us :) We selected the chefs recommendation of different dishes along with the wine package, and was not disappointed! Really really good food experience.

I went there with my parents to celebrate my mothers birthday. we opted for the chefs selection which is 50$ pp. The food was delicious but we could not really enjoy the various plates because the service staff kept bringing new plates before we even finished the last. altogehter we felt rushed and some of the changing waiters/waitresses sort of slammed the plate on the table murmuring down the composition of the food as if they were really keen on getting home as early as possible. which I understand as a working person but was really annoying at the time being there. would not consider coming back.

We came here for my birthday, I heard it was very good, especially if you like bacon. Well, from the moment I stepped inside, the smell of smokey bacon engulfed me, Wow! I was in love already! We went on a weeknight so it wasn't crowded, which is always nice, not very noisy at all. The place is very pretty, decorated by an artist. We had the Chef's selections which is a 9 course meal, shared by the table. You get a small taste of lots of Yummy foods!!! It was great!!! I had a cocktail called "Smokey Pig", that was sooo good!!! The food and desserts are very good and our server Judy was great! Attentive and on point!!! Very helpful too with regards to info on the restaurant and the sister restaurant XiXA, next door. That place looks cool too!!! I have to check it out.

A truly hidden gem in Williamsburg! From the moment we stepped through the unassuming storefront our experience was nothing short of amazing! The friendly hostess guided us to a seat at the bar. The chefs are cooking right in front of you as you sit at the bar and you can watch them perform feats of culinary magic! The bartender prepared a strawberry spritz cocktail that was very refreshing. From there we ordered the melted muenster cheese with chorizo served with sliced apples and toasted crostini's...amazing! The rest of our party finally arrived and we got started with the zucchini soup...very rich and tasty. We ordered five small plates.We started with the buffalo milk burrata cheese followed by the fried quail, scallops were cooked to perfection! The grass fed steak was a perfect medium rare and the short rib sliders were to die for! Our dessert was bacon donuts with coffee ice cream that when eaten together provides a culinary explosion in your mouth! Service was excellent also,,,very timely and attentive! We have dined in the restaurants of several Iron Chefs and Traif can compete with the best of them!!! Don't miss out on this dining experience. P.S Our only suggestion to the owner, do something with your store front to let people know you are there!

Food was very nice. Restaurant with good vibe. Our server literally rolled her eyes when I asked for a bread for our burrata. Wine glass smelled so strongly of chlorine, you can not taste the wine. When we asked our waitress about our wine choice : California cinsault, she replied that bottle is very decorative (???)

Through the guidance of TripAdvisor we found this great restaurant close to your location in Williamsburg. Having never stepped into this place before, we (a group of 3) were given a warm welcome by our waiter. He gave us a good review of our options, brought us nice Austrian beer and we quickly settled on the chefs menu. We liked everything and loved some of it. It's apparently an evolving menu so you will be treated to something different every time. That might mean that we got lucky on our first visit - but based on my experience I wouldn't hesitate to go back. The place was full and with a really mixed crowed - probably might want to make a reservation if you are a larger group or want to make sure they have a seat for you.

Traif is a small hippy place that gains a lot of attention every weekend! It's best to make reservations if you do not want to wait or asked to sit at the Cosmo bar. This place is very nice, the kitchen is small and off to the side of the bar. When we first came to Traif, the waitress asked us if it was out first time and we told her yes and she explained how it works. All their meals are small plates and couples share about 3-5 plates. My favorite plate is the Pork Sliders with sweet potato fries, they are to die for!! The sliders have this taste that'll keep you running back for these little sliders. I love the Strawberry Ribs as well, they are juicy and flavorful. This place is jumping and their food rock!!! I wish I could eat here everyday of my life. Prices are moderate, not too high at all. Each plate range between $8-$30.

I was in Brooklyn on my own for dinner on Friday night and Yelp suggested Traif. I was sat at the bar, but next to a rather large fellow who was taking up several spaces. The hostess noticed my discomfort and came and asked if I'd like to sit next to the kitchen, which turned out to be wonderful. The executive chef was managing the whole production of a very competent staff. It was great entertainment to see the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of the operation. I ordered the pork sliders with sweet potato fries. Sliders came on perfectly light rolls and were spiced beautifully. The sweet potato fries were crisp and not over-salted. Next time I'll have the scallops which were also beautifully executed.

The food was great, and a wonderful selection. The wait staff was great, fast and knowledgable. Will absolutely come again. The selection of menu selections for health conscious guests was also great.

All of those crazy food combinations you see in "hip" hot spot locations that you're supposed to pretend somehow work together actually do here! It's all super yummy but I miss old dishes, as they cycle everything often. Keep things interesting though! Dishes are appetizer size and you order 7-10 between 2 people and share it all. YUUUUM!

We dined on a Tuesday night and had a great waiter and the food was super. However, I could hardly hear my wife as the noise level was much too high. We also sat near the "kitchen" and the traffic was quite distracting. Get a table outside if you can and the visit will be perfect.

This was a very interesting dining experience. The food was creative and delicious. I suggesting going with a group of 4+ to taste a broad range of items they offer. The price was fair (not cheap) but worth the try for this interesting dining experience.

Oh Traif, a restaurant that serves all of my favourite things was always going to be a winner... The food was great, quite a varied menu that is made up of smaller sharing dishes. A nice spread of options that were well done. The food wasn't 'gastronomy' but it was very flavourful and non-pretentious which I prefer. I would say as a warning - the dishes are billed as 'small plates' but they aren't all that small! We ordered 5 at the recommendation of our waiter but we were stuffed at four (might have been what we ordered though as we went for quite heavy rich food). It's not cheap but neither eyewateringly expensive our meal plus quite a few drinks came to $120 (not inc tip). If you like pork and seafood I would definitely recommend Traif.

Great service, great atmosphere. Whole staff was very friendyl. This place is truly a gem. The small plates are perfect because it allows you to try all the joy this place has to offer, like the bacon crusted doughnut or the strawberry glazed ribs.

It’s surprising to me this place doesn’t have a Michelin star. The flavors are unique and wonderful. So many highlights but the gnocchi with mushrooms were like pillows of heaven in a beautiful earthy sauce.

The food was really outstanding, especially for the price. The starter was tuna tartare on fried Japanese eggplant - absolutely wonderful. Also had fried gnocchi, burratta, foie gras, and pork filet mignon - all very good. Don’t miss deserts - we had key lime pie (was good, but had better) and bacon doughnuts - outstanding. Service was good. My only slight negative is that the chair was a bit uncomfortable for me … but that’s likely true at most Brooklyn restaurants in this price range. Def would go back. Great place, highly recommend.

Cozy location, pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff, excellent dishes. What to ask more? A while passed from my last visit in December so I can't remember all my courses but I like to speak out how nice it was. A forced lap on every flight to NYC. See you soon!

We have mixed feelings about the restaurant. We sat in the section outside the back of the restaurant, a sort of terrace completely closed with transparent plastic or glass. Not ideal... The service was reasonably good. The food is served in sharable plates, which is a plus for us. Some of the food we ordered was quite good, like the sauteed broccoli rabe and the baked muenster cheese. The rest of the food was just ok. All in all an average dining experience.

I was back in NYC for the weekend and staying w/ a friend in Williamsburg, and she said I had to go to Traif. Due to scheduling issues, I ventured out for a solo dinner on a Saturday night around 9:30pm. The place wasn't overly crowded, and I easily got a spot at the bar. I saw the gentleman next to me eating some ribs, so I knew I was definitely getting those. And because this place is known for pork, I was getting another pork dish. As soon as I saw crispy pork belly, I immediately knew. (Just so you know, it's a tapas place, so I wasn't ordering two entrees for myself.) The ribs were actually pretty plentiful. I'd say this was the lesser of the two dishes, though still good. The size of the portion was great. The pork belly was the clear winner. Part of me wishes I ordered three of the pork belly dishes instead, but I love variety. While I ate dinner, I had one of their signature cocktails, called The Last Word. According to the barman, The Last Word is a classic cocktail from the days of yore. It was amazing. This alone would be worth a trip to Traif. I did manage to fit in dessert. It was a warm pistachio cake w/ arugula ice cream & blackberries. Pretty interesting & good, but not the greatest. I highly recommend a visit.

Man that was a good meal. So many great, exciting dishes at just the right size. We ended up order 6 dishes for 2 plus dessert, which proved to be 1 dish too many (should have skipped the foie gras, though it was tasty). Loved the sliders (smoked paprika aioli is a revelation), muenster cheese, tuna tartare...enjoyed the soft shell crab and donuts. Less wowed by the pork belly and foie, although both were well prepared. Great cocktails, too. Attentive service, great laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. We went early (6 pm) and thus did not have any service issues in terms of timing that have been mentioned by others. We will definitely return, and next time, we'll bring guests. Great visit to Traif - now easily in our top 5 in Brooklyn.

Just had dinner with friends. A foodie's dream. Every dish was interesting and flavorful. Prices relatively inexpensive. Service attentive. Portions a little small but that was fine. Must have a reservation on a Saturday night. We all loved it.

We haven't stopped thinking about this restaurant since we got back. Very charming glassed in patio that overlooks a garden area, very Alice and Wonderland. The menu changes daily, but it's all things pork. Traif means unkosher. Very funny when you consider it's near a jewish neighborhood. We had ribs with cinnamon and pomegranates, Pig cheeks braised, The best fig salad, and so much more. Unbelievably good! They are small plates to be shared with the table, figure about 2 per person (about $9 each). Make the trip, you will love it.

Traif is a funky, small plates restaurant in hipster Williamsburg, Brooklyn. it's small, noisy but fun. you settle in, order a bunch of dishes, which in turn show up randomly over the next hour or so. you sit, sip a drink, chat up a storm until one of these unique, wonderfully tasty dishes arrive. I think it's perfect for taking the out of towners out for a meal. they get to see an up and coming neighborhood [that is packed with kids on a weekend night] and have a tasty and unique meal.

Of all the places where our Brooklynite son took us for dinner, this was the best. Similar to tapas, the dishes are excellent and designed to be shared. Traif is opposite of Kosher, so expect a lot of pork.

So, two ignorant Texans walk into Peter Luger’s thinking they can just stroll up and get a table for two like its Golden Corral. Being informed politely that it doesn’t work that way, we consulted TripAdvisor for a nearby alternative and found this awesome place. Great food; chef cooks every dish with care. Would give it six stars if they let me...

This is ... Love. Young, hard working and talented chefs and other personell try hard to give you the best. Very popular and crowded but wearth every penny. If you want only one fun night in NYC... Spend it here.

We had a group of six and were treated perfectly! We cut back on the recommended number of plates by four and had plenty of excellent tasty small plates. We would definitely go back!

Almost a year after my first visit to Traif and I still rave about this place. Last visit we were four and each ordered 2-3 plates and had a bottle of wine and a few cocktails. Collectively we got out of the restaurant for around $150 for four of us!!! Each dish was amazing. We ended up ordering 3 orders of the scallops because they were amazing. We even tried the bacon doughnuts and were not disappointed! A friend that was with us asked if there were any vegan options: after our waiter got over the initial shock he politely said that he would ask the chef if he could cook something up but being a busy busy busy saturday night, he couldn't promise anything. Ended up that the chef whipped up an amazing three courses/plates specifically for her. They were also amazing. By far my favorite restaurant in New York. Inexpensive for the caliber of food and inexpensive for New York. This is a must for a visit to New York if you are a foodie!

Wow! Great food, good service and cute atmosphere. Music is also great. The bacon donuts, sliders etc were amazing. We cleared the plate on every course. Recommend this place to the end

We visited Traif on a Wednesday night; had a reservation in the outer room. We I arrived to join my party, there was no one in the place, but when we left, the entire restaurant was filled to the brim. Pretty good crowd for mid week, I'd say. The food is presented in small sharing plates, with an emphasis on pork dishes prepared a lot of different ways. (Hence the restaurants name, which is Yiddish for "non-kosher.") We opted for the tasting menu ($45) since it was our first visit and couldn't decide what we wanted. They will custom tailor the tasting menu to your tastes. Got to have the pork belly sliders, done. Don't like the buttermilk crusted squab? Done. There were 9-10 dishes that came out... We lost count... But each one was more tummy than the last. I can't even tell you what most of them were; suffice it to say that if you go this way, with the chefs menu, you will definitely not be disappointed. The location, in downtown Brooklyn is convenient to the Marcy avenue subway stop, and is somewhat non-descript from the outside... I walked right past if before I realized where it was located. It's hard to really make a mark in NYC, but Traif has done it. We will be back.

My son and I had the good fortune of dining at Traif. We were able to get a reservation for 8:30 on a Thursday. The entrance is non description, but disguises a vibrant exciting restaurant. We ordered 8 or 9 small plates-the best: seared foie gras, buffalo frog legs, asparagus salad. Everything was good and innovative. Eclectic wine list--we had an Albariño. The service was friendly and efficient. The kitchen staff was incredible to watch. Very very small kitchen with three line cooks--they can really perform The ambience is high energy, tables close together and loud. A great dining experience

This is the bomb. Order the chefs menu. Honestly some of the best flavors I’ve ever encountered. Great ambiance as well.

One of my favorite places in Brooklyn. It is a small place (make a reservation). The buffalo frog legs were out of this world. Yummy!

I've been wanting to come to Traif for a while and finally made it with a friend. They have a very reasonable tasting menu, $55, but we decided to go a la carte. The carrots are a must have. Venison tartare with heirloom tomatoes and blue cheese was a new dish on the menu and great. The eggplant dish was very tasty but I didn't need for it to be fried. The gnocchi was excellent. The gnocchi themselves were good, nothing special, but the mushroom sauce and mushrooms made it a must have dish. The duck breast was quite good. We saw so many sliders come out that we decided to get them. Not special but perfect pulled pork sliders. It's a cute space. We sat at the bar which was fun to sit at the kitchen. They're a well oiled machine. Servers and staff are friendly. Pacing is a bit faster than normal, but was good. My main criticism would be that the sauces, while different, had some similarities, which made it seem a bit repetitive.

Had wanted to dine at Traif for some time so last Saturday we called to make a reservation for dinner, only to be told that there were no tables available and we were offered a table at their other restaurant Xixa (same Chef, next door but not same cuisine). On our way to Xixa we passed by Traif and noticed that there were many empty tables so we decided to try our luck without mentioning our call for a reservation...surprise! we were immediately offered a table! Hence, we told them about our experience and asked them to cancel our reservation at Xixa! Well, overall our experience was wonderful!! We opted for the Chef's selection and we got 10+ delicious dishes! As we were informed the Chef's selection is exactly that: whatever the chef feels like sharing with you at that precise moment, of course they are all plates offered in the menu, but you do not know what you are going to be having, nor will you have the same dishes as others sampling the Chef's selection, nor will you eat the same things next time you go back! Some of the dishes we had were: Italian chicories w/bacon, blue cheese, etc; spicy big eye tuna tartare w/japanese tempura eggplant; salt + pepper shrimp w/sweet-spicy thai vin; hampshire pork belly w/sesame hummus; berkshire baby ribs glazed w/strawberry cinnamon; bb short rib sliders; manilla clams...and some others that I can not remember right now! Oh and yes, of course we also had dessert!!! :))) The only "con" at this place is that their ventilation system is non-existant hence all the time we were in a haze of smoke and different smells/odors that came home with us and lingered in our clothes overnight, and the next day, and some until we washed them or sent them to the dry cleaning! Our experience was great, I will definitely return and I definitely recommend it, I sincerely hope that you have the same awesome gastronomic journey I had!!!

I was delighted with the unique combination of tastes. I went with my daughter and granddaughter. We ordered five plates and carried some home. The brussel sprouts were the best I’ve ever tasted. The sort ribs were also great. Wish I had room to taste more dishes

This rather pedestrian (from outside) storefront restaurant serves up really great and unusual contemporary shared plates/tapas with a good cocktail, beer and wine list. It has a covered patio at the back. We went for the $55 chef's menu and ended up eating a lot including two desserts. Go if you are super hungry or be judicious in your shared picks (they suggest at least 5 dishes for a couple of people)

This place might be small or tiny but the food is huge. My niece took us here on our trip to Brooklyn, She planned ahead and made reservations a month in advance. If you don't there really isn't any squeezing you in anyplace.......Everything we had was great can write anything bad.... ..the service was excellent the prices fair...and did I say the food was great, awesome downright good..you cant go wrong on anything you order. Our son is a professional chef so we have become critical of food.....had he been with us he would still be sitting at the table trying things.....but some of our favorites - the ribs with strawberry and cinnamon glaze, the tuna tartar on the eggplant boat, the mouse and peanut brittle for dessert, salt and pepper shrimp.

This is a great restaurant that serves small plates. We ordered the Chef Selection and we were very pleased with the variety of food that we received. It was all great, but especially the scallops. The environment was very cool and the service was excellent. We were full by the time they served us dessert. Also, they have a very unique and nice cocktail menu. My only criticism is that each dish came a little fast. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for something different!

Highly recommended . Taster menu at $55 was a revelation. Dishes included scallop risotto, salad, tuna tartare, a generous portion of red snapper with a bun to make a sandwich, pasta, spare ribs, little donuts with bacon & key lime pie.every dish was a treat. I have definitely not remembered them all. Service was good & well organised. Bit of an issue that none of our uk payment cards were accepted.

Loved this funky little place It's small and a bit noisy and young and cool The food is exceptional. We had the tasting menu which was exceptionally generous and good value at $50 per head (plus 20% gratuity enforced) plus drinks. As Melbourne foodies we can't recommend this food highly enough. A fun night out

I came here with my boyfriend and friend after a much anticipated wait and Traif did not disappoint! We each got a few cocktails, some bubbly, and the tasting menu. The tasting menu is SUCH a steal. For $45 each, we got nine courses and two desserts. The tasting menu included: -Pork Belly with lentils -Pork cheek -Tuna tartar -Hazelnut salad -Foie Gras -the infamous strawberry cinnamon glazed ribs -clam chowder -little sloppy joe type buns -scallops The dessert came with a key lime pie and the bacon dougnuts. My favs included: the pork belly with lentils, the foie gras, the strawberry cinnamon glazed ribs and the bacon donuts. Our waitress was very kind and accommodating. I don't like cheese, but didn't want to ruin the meal for my companions, so she mainly avoided the cheese items, but for the buns she put cheese on two of them and left mine without. We were also allowed to give suggestions for the tasting menu. We requested the foie gras the ribs and got both. For my cocktail, I got a drink with a raw egg in it. Twice. I learned the hard way that you should probably only get one drink with a raw egg in it. Womp womp. It is places like Traif that remind you that you can great absolutely great food without spending a bloody fortune. If you use places like this as a guideline, it makes it very hard to give out tons of five-star ratings. I highly recommend a trip out to Traif. It is well worth it.

The airy doughnuts topped with dulce de leche and crispy bacon bits with a scoop of strong coffee ice cream is a must. The cocktails are creative and pair perfectly with the food. Get the head-on prawns and be prepared for a wonderful, delicious, spicy mess. For singles or couples, seats at the bar are recommended to watch the magic coming from such a tiny space. Reservations for tables, particularly in the small outdoor patio in the back, are a must.

I was taken to dinner by my son to Traif. We had the chef's tasting meal with wine pairings. We ate in the back in their garden area. It was a good choice. A large fan kept the air circulating. The meal started with a tasty strawberry gazpacho amuse bouche. This was followed by an excellent foie gras and raspberry tartine with apricot jam and toasted almond on gingerbread. It was delicate and delicious. Next was blistered shishitos, watermelon, feta, almonds, mint, chil vin. It was another excellent light course. The bbq, braised short rib sliders with hand cut fries and smoked paprika ailoi was the weakest of the courses. It was just ordinary. The final course was dayboat scallops, roasted corn risotto, raspberry. pistachio-sage brown butter. This was also very good. The wine pairings went well, they were not exceptional. The service was excellent, attentive and informative. At times the service was slow. Traif was a wonderful experience.

If you like small plates and trying different combinations this is the place for you. We shared 6 plates between 2 and it was more than enough. The ribs with strawberry glaze was very good, and i loved the salt & pepper shrimp. We also received a complimentary watermelon gazpacho as amuse bouche and a watermelon bit after our dinner which was a perfect palate cleanser. Staff was friendly and efficient.

I was on a work trip and staying overnight near Newark airport. As always, looked on Yelp for interesting food places and Traif was at the top of the list ... but far far away in Brooklyn. Played clueless tourist, and took a train-subway adventure to this place with no regrets! Apparently, there is always a long line to get in but since it was just me I lucked out and managed to get seated at the bar right away. I just went by the pics on Yelp and knew that I had to end with the bacon donuts fo' sho'. This is a small plate-sampler type place - which I gathered just by staring at the plates being served to my neighbors. Ended up going with the pork belly dish & the scallops & risotto dish. Pork belly was yummy - reminded me of carnitas that's prepared with some crunchiness on the outside ... and fatty goodness on the inside. Scallops were cooked well, and risotto was good, but pork belly was definitely better "value". Of course, the bacon, dulce de leche donuts were amazing and I pretty much wolfed everything down. My only negative - if you could call it one - is that I dished out 60 bucks inluding tip for just me and left still feeling a lil' hungry. Probably best to approach this place dim-sum style with a large group sharing LOTS of plates.

I recently dined here and found the overall experience to be quite enjoyable. I shared 6 small plates, and while all were delicious, I enjoyed some more than others. The Scallop dish was probably my favorite. The scallops were seared to perfection and the sauce they were served with was delicious- I only wish that it was served with something else on the plate The Lamb Tenderloin was a near top contender. I only wish that each tiny morsel of lamb were cooked evenly. The Tuna over Eggplant-Loved it Strawberry Glazed Ribs- These are a MUST order when dining here- the meat fell righ off the bone and the glaze was divine Cockles and Pork Belly- Loved the smokiness of the dish Sliders- Good, but the star of this dish were the sweet potato fries and the dipping sauce Overall, service and quality of food were worth the visit!

The best dining experience I've had in Brooklyn! Very tasty, and well prepared food! Highly recommend going and ordering the Chefs Selection.

We decided to try Traif for dinner because of our experience at Xixi. The four of us decided to approach the meal in a sequential fashion having two plates at a time to accommodate the one vegetarian. All the vegetable dishes as well as the chopped liver, the sweetbreads, the pork belly, the pasta, the broccoli rabe and all the desserts were exceptional. The only negative about both chef Marcus' restaurants is the wine policy. I was informed how proud they are about the selection of wines available and how allowing wine from outside might limit the scope of bottles offered on the list. I might suggest making some exceptions if a diner wanted to bring a special bottle from home. The wine policy has influenced my choice of places to return to for dinner.

The menu is an odd assortment but I think there is something for everyone. I had the fried oysters and the scallops; very tasty. My GF had the duck and the pork and she enjoyed. The waiter suggested that we order 6 items but this was way too much food. I suggest 2 items per person.

I can't tell you how fed-up (pardon the pun) I am with restaurants in my home city of San Francisco. We travel the world and still no other city seems to fire on all cylinders like New York. And after one month of dining all over Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, the best meal BY FAR was at Traif. I could go on and on about virtually every menu item we were served (we ordered the chef's selection menu at $50/person) but there's no point since the menu changes, what -- daily? weekly? Hands down, our dinner at Traif was the best for food and best for value that we've had in over a year. One caveat: if ambience is your thing, try somewhere else. Traif is all about absolutely delicious food on your plate and no fuss with the plate itself.

What a great evening; the food is excellent! We ordered 5 dishes and we enjoyed all of them. Everyone that goes here has to order the figs wrapped in bacon with blue cheese... One of the nicest dishes we have eaten! A definite must visit if you're in New York.

Food was pretty yumm service was great nice place to eat . The wait to get a table was a few minutes. Waiter was attentive and fast. Chicken plate was juicy

Yes it isn't kosher, but wow! We ate outside and loved every single course which they recommended. Some dishes we had to repeat. This is not an inexpensive place, but it is well worth it for a special occasion. We set outside on the covered terrace and it was spectacular in coolness (not too) and privacy. I recommend this highly.

My wife and I have been tonight at Traif. Our aim was to have dinner there. The reason, someone told us that this restaurant was a 9.5 over 10. Following the advice of the waitress, we ordered three plates: tuna tartar, pork belly and foie, but after tasting the first two we decided to cancel the last one and run away from the restaurant. Tuna tartar is a fake tartar, because the whole taste is hidden by sauces. In addition, since the chef seems to have an obssesion with textures, the fish is seved on a fried vegetable, so that the taste is hidden even further away. Moreover, the amount of tuna used is simply ridiculous. As regards pork belly, my wife and I have been wondering the whole evening why the chef decided to cover such a fatty meat with stir fry vegetables leaking oil. If you order this plate, you will have that greasy taste for hours in your mouth. After these two terrible plates, we just canceled the third plate. What could have this chef done with foie? One tip about this restaurante. How is it possible that such a tiny kitchen with just three cookers is able to serve so many people? Because they do not cook real, well-prepared food. They just combine ingredients in an unsubstantial and pretentious way.

One of the best places to eat in Brooklyn. Service is fantastic and food is even better. Recommend the scallops but there is so much to choose from.

Good quality of food, fair price! Very creative and the cocktails are absolutely amazing ❤️ the restaurant’s not too big, but comfy. Employees are all very nice.

Love this place! Went twice on my last trip to NY and couldn't wait to go back. My favorites were the scallops with risotto and the salted shrimp. The pana cotta for dessert was also amazing! Great value considering the quality of the food. Little but too loud, but the delicious food makes up for it! If you're like me and didn't know how to get there, catch the J or the M train to Marcy Avenue. Only couple of minutes walk from there. Enjoy!

Brooklyn ! You follow your GPS and arrive on the street facing the once-grand Valley Forge Monument Park….. and then drive right on by. No sign, no lights, no outward indication that this is what you’re looking for. Then you go on down the block, park, and walk back to see ~ it’s actually there…. hiding behind an improvised screen that keeps waiting, hungry customers shielded from the weather in a tiny vestibule, from the elements. But a small sign, or something, would help… could help? We had a reservation and were on time, but there was a wait, in that small vestibule with a bunch of others hoping to be the next chosen-ones. The inside was packed to capacity…..so maybe that’s a good sign??? The space is medium-small, crowded, busy and occupied along one side by the bar and open kitchen, where culinary geniuses work assiduously at their appointed tasks, to produce their brand of gastronomic gems. Tiny, gastronomic gems…. very tiny. Really, really….very tiny. The menu is extensive and changes without notice as things run out or get over-consumed, and the wine list is also very impressive. No doubt that the pedigreed proprietors got their “right stuff” together where they came from. We came for the famed “chief’s selection” which requires the participation of three or more guests and is served for the table, where everyone can choose a total of 7 menu items that are served one at a time for the “experience.” The whole thing is preceded by a serving of soup for each guest (comes with the meal as a “bonus”) and a crisp cookie and dessert follow to round out. Notice that I have tried to stay away from the portions. The food is very delicious. No doubt. Each course is very well designed (making the right ingredients in food come together is “design”, as much as any other form of creative effort we make as a species…) and well executed. The food arrives in separate courses: one course per menu item that was selected, in individual portions, one for each guest at the table. And it’s very fresh off the kitchen where one can see the servings being assembled. And it all goes down very well… with the wine or other liquids. Because it is served in courses, the meal takes some time to go through, even though it is “family style.” You don’t just get all the food and chow through it all-a-once. Asparagus soup, seared scallops, lamb chops, softshell crabs, whole-roasted shrimp, pork belly, seared foie gras, braised short-rib sliders… all delicious. And here’s the trap. The portions are what I said above: very tiny. Really, really….very tiny. The soup bowl’s a little larger than a thimble. Okay… maybe two thimbles. I have a friend who used to get drunk on one thimbleful of rum, so maybe this is large! Each successive course is just “large” enough to taste… so this is really a tasting menu, with the emphasis on “tasting”. When they say small plates, they mean small plates. Any smaller, and there wouldn’t be anything visible.. All told, after all the portions went down, the individual guest’s entire meal is smaller than one regular entrée serving in the average NY restaurant. So.. don’t “come hungry, darlin’…” as they say at Ruth’s steakhouse. Eat elsewhere, come to taste ~ or you’ll go hungry, darlin’. Because the meal is slow, one feels filled at the end of it, but that feeling is small plated and short-lived. I was hungry again even before I got to bed. Overall? …good. Expensive? …off the wall ! Really fantastic? … would be, if the price was. Value for money? pffffft! And watch for the next episode in the dining devolution: pay just to smell, not actually eat anything.

I went walk in and sat at the bar. Bartender explained to me the menu, and as I talked to him he was very friendly and more genuine than most of the service received in many Williamsburg places. Food was awesome and you have to note that there's an amazing effort going on from the kitchen staff, since their space is almost shared with bar top, which makes this place an awesome stop. You must love pork and heavy dishes. Everything pairs well with Yamazaki on the rocks. I regret not trying the bacon donuts.

I am still in food coma! This was great, we got shut out at Lilia's and we could not have been happier! Supper Staff! Cal was an amazing waiter. Told us off the bat to go with the Chef's Selection, we told him what we liked and didn't;t like and they customized a meal for us. Everything was delicious. I EVEN ATE CAULIFLOWER and I hate that stuff.

It almost seems redundant to give Traif a great review, since the internet appears to be pretty full of them. That said, it was too fantastic of a surprise to let fade away without some internet recognition. We toyed with a few ideas for dinner in the area... Sweetwater, Rabbit Hole, Lokal? We were on our way to Rabbit Hole when we had a sudden change of heart and thank goodness we did. At 6:15 we showed up at Traif without a reservation, the host glanced around to see if he could accomodate... though there were many open tables at 6:15, they quickly filled up after we sat. The menu at Traif is full of things we were excited to try. The waitress explained the order of the menu from lighter to heavier dishes, though they are all fairly small and meant for sharing. We went for 6 dishes, though I am sure we would have been satisfied with 4 or 5, there were just too many enticing pairings to pass up. While perusing the menu, we were brought an amuse bouche of small shot glasses of bacon broth. Yes, bacon broth. It tastes exactly what it is, but is better than I would have ever imagined - salty, smoky warmth. First: the tricolore salad with fennel, pomegranate seeds, blood orange, and more... perfectly dressed, sweet, sour and crunchy - off to the right start. Second: the blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon. Every bit as delicious as it sounds, with near-charred bacon and blue cheese strong enough to give interest and subtle enough not to distract. Third: Joe's chopped chicken livers - in a little pot - smooth creamy moussey liver scented with rosemary, with crunchy balsamic toast to spread it upon. Decadent, as chicken liver mousse must be, but the hints of rosemary made it a bit unusual. Fourth: Burrata with avocado creme mousse. Burrata was exquisite. Avocado mousse refreshing and lovely.... not sure I would pair them together again, but still managed to clean the plate. Fifth: Pork cheeks with Israeli couscous, pomegranate, apple and other fantastic compliments. Meat was tender and impeccably cooked and the bed of accompaniments did not fade into the background. Sixth: Dayboat scallops over a cauliflower puree with hazelnuts and blood orange. Again, cooked to perfection, complimented perfectly. This praise getting annoying yet? Although completely stuffed and happy, we took just a peek at the dessert menu and couldn't help ourselves. I am a nutella girl and fiance is a bacon man... so we had to order, not one, but two desserts to share. Dessert One: Nutella mousse with banana ice cream and pistachio crumble on top. Dessert Two: Bacon topped dulce de leche doughnuts with a scoop of coffee ice cream on the side. The service was delightful. Fiance commented that our waitress seemed stoned, but she was charming and attentive. Our food came quickly, with very little lag time (if any) between courses and we were checked on as to the goodness of our meal numerous times. The restaurant isn't much to look at, but the high level of every single bite of food we tasted makes up for the minimal ambiance tenfold. We will definitely be back, and will be talking about the fantastic meal we had at Traif until then.

Having read the positive and negative reviews, we did not know what to expect. Traif was busy so our table was in the noisy area just opposite the bar and it was hard to hear. Our waitress was so friendly and positive that she made up for the noise level. We went with her recommendations and were generally delighted. We had 8 items for a party of three and were happy with all of them except the last. The peach salad was terrific, the brussel sprouts outstanding, scallops, shrimp, foie gras, and tuna were all delicious (the tuna portion was very small but I loved it served on the eggplant tempura). Wish we had tried the missions figs. We ordered the short rib sliders instead of the glazed baby back ribs and that was our only misstep. The sliders were fine - just not nearly as interesting as the rest of the items. Also we had cocktails earlier at another place so were not able to try anything from the intriguing cocktail menu. Won't make the mistake next time!

Im a local and have seen the hype and glory of this joint fade. Dont get me wrong, theres sure to be good food here But not as good as these reviews suggest. you are in a neighborhood of gastronomic wonders- you can find much better food than this walking a block or two in any direction! (bistro petit, roebling tea house, bozu, m shanghai, egg, fatty cue)

We were worried a small plate experience would not be enough food but we had more than enough - we were full. Bigger portions than "tapas" and it was fun to share a variety of foods within our group. The menu basically changes every day and there is a mind-boggling selection of unique foods. Reasonably priced too. The portions were much bigger than we expected. Strawberry glazed ribs were so good, plus mini sliders, basically everything was great. We were too full for dessert but we got complimentary maple glazed watermelon chunks to end the meal. Yummy. You have to call for reservations in advance. I don't think they take walk-ins. We liked the atmosphere a lot - we were seated in the back patio area which was quieter.

Traif Chef Menu is the biggest ripoff that they will push on you as the greatest value. At $50 per head,they will send down your way the cheapest plates and sometimes repeats. The dessert for 4 was one small slice of pie. You are much better off ordering from the main menu, because you have no choice on what you get, with this Chef's menu.

Excellent food. I did have a problem with spicy food and they managed to cater to my needs. Really special food. Good service. 2 things to know: They automatically take 20% service And the ventilation in the restaurant was problematic. Otherwise, Excellent Food

My husband and I ate at the restaurant after reading the many positive reviews of its food, and all we have to say is "Wow". The food we dined on was incredible. I got excited from the moment we were given an amuse-bouche of bacon broth. I absolutely love bacon and had never had it in a broth concoction...I still dream of that bacon broth to this day. Everything from the gemelli pasta, baby back ribs, beet salad, to the sliders was delicious, but our absolute favourite dish was the seared scallops. We had never tasted anything like them before! We were savouring all the different flavours and couldn't believe how creative the mish-mash of ingredients was and how good all the dishes tasted. To top it off, we had the bacon donuts for dessert which were the perfect mixture of sweet and salty. The restaurant was quite busy but the service was fast and friendly. We will definitely be returning to eat here the next time we visit New York. Holy party in your mouth!!!!!

Spectacular food, very inventive dishes, must have tasting menu. Sister restaurant to XIxa, next door. Great food!

Was looking for a NYC restaurant with tasting menu and wine pairing and found this little gem on a YouTube channel. From the minute we walked in you felt you were in a family run restaurant... the staff were attentive and more than happy for a chat All courses were served as a sharing plate ( the best thing being as it was Chefs Choice youbdidnt know what you would get until it appeared) and certainly did not skimp on portion sizes and the wines chosen matched just right. Nice touch at the end when they brought my partner one of the best pannacottas we've ever had. Do not be put off by the area ... Traif should be on your list to visit

The tapas like plates were very well done. I have the scallops and sweetbreads and both were great. Pretty costly at $20-25 for a plate given one needs at least 2. Drinks are well done. Staff is friendly too and helpful. Place is very small and over crowded. They pack twice as many people as can fit.

Looking at their website or menu, there’s no indication that this is a tapas place. However, the waiter made it clear to us as we were seated, and suggested either 3 plates per person or the chef’s special of 5 plates. TBH, if we had known it was a tapas place we wouldn’t have come, because the prices seemed a bit high. However, their ‘small plates’ were really ‘medium plates’, with a sizable portion and a side included. We had three plates to split between us and it was plenty! Once you get past that confusion, the food was amazing! We had wonderful seared scallops and salt-and-pepper shrimp (and we’re picky about seafood!). They have an impressive wine list, but very little by the glass. Service was very efficient without being intrusive. Recommended!

As a prelude to riding the Five Boros bike ride we made a reservation for my wife and family at Traif. Both my sons live in Clinton Hills so it was a short ride to the restaurant. My younger son recommended we try the tasting menu. We asked if the kitchen could stress courses with fish or shellfish and the kitchen was more than happy to accommodate. We had an amuse of pea soup and then prawns, scallops and fish as part the eleven courses. The only meat was delicious barbecue ribs. There was not a miss from the salad to the dessert. My only complaint was the wine policy. I did not call ahead to check if outside wine was allowed. I brought some old wines from my cellar only to be informed wine had to be purchased from the list. There was an eclectic selection but not many older wines to choose from. I must comment about the wonderful Schott crystal the wine was served with. However, because of the wine policy I probably would hesitate to dine at Traif frequently even though the food was excellent and the tasting menu a true bargain for New York.

Last Friday we enjoyed this experience so much! First with a party of six it worked perfect. We made check marks on the menu for the eight dishes - which was the perfect amount of food for six smaller appetites. They surprised us with an extra dessert. Our favorite plates were: the soft shell crab, & foie gras! You must try this place....

Everything was delicious. Energetic atmosphere and deliciously non-kosher ;) made my evening. Try everything the waitress recommends and save room for the bacon ice cream.

What a fabulous place....On a chance trip to Brooklyn we discovered this restaurant 3 blocks from where we were staying. Everything we tried (8 dishes between 3 of us) was superb, Each dish had too many ingredients to list but we had the lacinato kale, salt and pepper shrimp, broccoli rabe, black spaetzle, Korean Hamachi, braised pork cheeks, sweetbreads and duck confit...The kitchen produced plates that were hot, spicy, flavorful, and ripe without missing a beat. The wait staff were spot on, attentive yet unobtrusive. If we had any room left we would have sampled more food but just couldn't do it. I absolutely would return and try the dishes we missed.

I would like to begin by suggesting no one to come here on an empty stomach. The portions are definitely a microcosm compared to other eateries. We were here for a birthday celebration for 7 people and foolishly ordered the "chef's selection". My initial choice was ordering an entrée for myself but since the majority of the party wanted the chef's selection I decided not to be a party pooper and went along. They say always say go with your gut... The fried fish tails must of been from a guppie. Pedestrian pork sliders and sweet potato fries that can be found anywhere. A piece of fish that was the size of an IPhone - to share. A (dare I say) slice of key lime pie - think Trivial Pursuit pieces that was OK at best. One dish was 7 pieces of pineapple (no bigger than a rolling die, no joke) with lavender...you're kidding me that it counted as a "plate". We ordered multiple drinks plus 2 bottles of wine because these dishes took obscenely look to come out considering their size. Plus, if you're not eating well at a party - you're going to drink! So when the bill finally came it came out to 125 dollars each! So I came to the conclusion that the "chef's selection" IS like what other reviews say on this site...the most economically advantageous - for Traif. I would like to end to say that this is not a review of the flavors. They were moderately good. It's about the portions. It was so bad we ended up going to another place TO EAT again! For 125 per - you can do much much much better. Never going back. The end.

When visiting Williamsburg, we decided to go to Traif. Upon some coaxing from my dinner mates, we decided on the chef's selection dinner for $40 a person. First of all, this was a lot of food! We basically got a tasty size portion of nearly everything on the menu. Overall, it added up to 13 courses or so. The food is really divine and well though out. There is something for everyone and some things that are not for everyone, fois grais, sweetbreads, chicken live pate. The scallops were to die for and the pace and progression of the meal was well thought out. While I enjoyed the chef's selection dinner, upon returning I would probably go for a single serving of one of my favorites, scallops as mentioned or perhaps the cinnamon chicken wings.

Wonderful food and service. great place to have exceptional food with some friends. They are always able to accommodate my gluten allergy and are well educated about it as well. The scallops dish is always my favorite. The only thing I would say is that they are in need of a renovation.

Wow, amazing place... The food was way more exiting than many michelin star restaurants i've been too. We had the 13-course tasting menu, priced at 45 dollars...!!!! Perfect service, perfect atmosphere, perfect food. Would go back any day.

Wonderful experience here! We made reservations and got a very nice spot in the back by the garden. Started off with a bottle of their Albarino which had really interesting lemon flavors to it, which led us into dinner - Baked cheese & apple crostini / Salt & pepper shrimp / fried buffali oysters & BBQ short rib sliders. Dishes are small plates and we found 4 was almost too much for us, probably could have done without one of them, especially since we got dessert...Bacon Doughnuts! Everything was incredible. We'll be back for sure next time we're in the Brooklyn area! Try their sister restaurant a few buildings down as well, Xixa.

Traif is hands-down my favorite restaurant in the city. The constantly-evolving, hand-written menu is a combination of fan favorites (don't skip the strawberry ribs! I know it sounds weird, but trust me) and seasonal creations that will blow you away. True to it's name, you'll find plenty of pork and meat paired with cheese :-) I know Brooklyn seems a little out of the way, but Williamsburg is right across the bridge and well worth the short cab ride to get there.

One has to admit that they do some pretty creative things with pork. As has been said here already, it is mostly a tapas-like place and we ordered four dishes for the two of us and it was more than enough. The cauliflower was excellent and teh pork belly dish was perpared much better than what one usually finds. The only downsides to this place were operational, if you will. It is a small'ish place and it got really really noisy at one point (though there was a particularly loud group there). That and the parking --but its Brooklyn...so what else can one expect. I am glad we tried it and might stop by again if in the area --yet likely would not make a trip just for it.

The food here is so delicious! We had a really good dinner- people were nice, service was excellent but above all the food was impressively tasty. As a vegetarian I was able to find more than enough dishes to satiate desire for options and every single plate was delicious. New flavors and...yeah just go here, its just impressive!

Went along with a Jewish friend and loved it, took a little while for us to find but worth it. Had to ask the waiter to stop bringing food...he didn't! relaxed, professional and different.

I can't think of one thing i didn't like about Traif. The name is amazing because i love pork, and think it's hilarious that their sign has a pig on it... Also their food is incredible and comes out of the smallest kitchen around!!!! Confit chicken wings, razor clams, fresh fried donuts, korean style duck with lettuce wraps. I'm trying to remember what else i had, but it all was absolutely incredible as well as affordable and food friendly wine selections. I also had the foie, and had a decent glass of Sauternes with it. Don't think it was Chateaud'Yquem, but it was tasty... all in all this was a great experience... they have awesome cocktails as well. pomegranate martini with a bacon rim... yes please. It's a small plate restaurant, and their were four of us, so we just picked 3/4s of the menu and split everything... at the end with probably 12-15 courses two bottles of wine, two glasses of wine, 8 cocktails and tip i think it was under 350... pretty damn good for the quality of food and drinks, and being that it's NYC... well brooklyn... busy place though, recommend reservations

I love how the restaurants in Brooklyn have steadily upped their game. Traif (and the adjacent Xixa) are far and away my favs. This is one of the best restaurants to feel like a foodie without it killing your wallet. The food is always delicious and spans all sorts of flavors, textures and ingredients. I read a few of the reviews that talk about portions - I can only imagine how large these people must be; I've never left the restaurant hungry and am usually stuffed after the Chef's Selection. Great for couples and groups of friends but definitely call well in advance to make a reservation - they're full and popular for a reason.

Excellent food, enjoyable atmosphere, smiling waiters! They don't read their email, so call them to reserve a table!

thank christ I'm not a jew or muslim (im an atheist) - this place is so non kosher its squealing in pig and bottom feeding sea food and its A M A Z I N G!!! I loved everything they served up - been 3 times - i would move in - oh and the non piggy non seafood bites are just as good but not as sinfully pleasing... If i believed in hell i would be going and eating here too ... Im mainly a veggy / only fish guy - so this place just hits every taste bud zone ... I love you traif .. Your the lover my parents warned me about.

We got five shared plates between the two of us and our server worked with us on timing/order and drinks to go with our selections. The food was amazing and the service was top notch. We were so happily overstuffed. It's a great experience so plan on taking your time and definitely make reservations as it's a bustling little spot!

Started off a little rocky when they did not have our reservation. But quickly changed when they not only fit us in but amazed us with great service and interesting, delicious, amazing food. There were four of us so we did the "chef selection". Everything was the so good.

Where do I start, first the place is small so you have to make reservation. I didn’t have reservation but i knew if i was there early I could eat at the bar and that’s exactly what we did, I enjoyed more if I would be in a table, because I could see the chefs preparing the food. I not only eat out all the time but also Love to cook, actually I do it 4 or 5 times a week. Sorry Irrelevant Lol. This is a tapa style so is a bunch of smalls plates to share. First, I got the Aviator cocktail it was exquisite, my husband tried the bacon one and he liked it. We got the pepper and salt shrimps, pork belly, soft crab, pasta dish, strawberry ribs, short ribs slider and finished off with the bacon donuts. I know go big or go home Lol. I been around and it take a lot to impress me and this place is amazing. Everything was delicious; exquisite I can’t complaint about anything. Yes is expensive but I don’t have any problem paying for amazing food and outstanding service. This is my official favorite place; I can’t believe it took me so long to find it.

I ordered barbecue ribs and roasted ducks. They are both small plates for 12 dollars. I would say they the dishes were good. The ribs' meat fell off the bones while dish artistically presented. Nonetheless they were not exceptional. I would say unique design but not gastronomically wonderful for the price.

One of best dinners I've had. We did the tasting menu; everything was incredibly good or better. Outstanding service. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Reservations a must, it seems.

My brother-in-law recommend Traif for our trip to NY. He made reservations for Friday evening and we were able to get in quickly. We chose to do the chef's selection which was a nice option versus trying to get enough of each plate for everyone. They were happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions (no Tartar due to pregnancy). The bacon fat focaccia was beyond delicious as were the bacon doughnuts. I even said the scallop was good which was a big step for me as a seafood hater. They went a little crazy on the peas which means a lot coming from a pea lover. Overall the meal was fantastic and there was more than enough food (at least for a smaller female not sure if the men feel the same way.)

It's a really cool place with a nice and friendly staff. The food and cocktail are perfect. One of the best places i've eaten and a must if you're staying in Williamsburg.

Overall good experience. We got the tasting menu which is a good choice. While The food is particular and tasty, we felt it was too fat/oily. The service was very good. Good wine list.

The cocktails were great especially the vodka kiwi basil drink. The melon gazpacho was a perfect starter. Tuna tartare -> divine. The arugula salad with berries was refreshing. The soft shell crab and scallop dishes were tasty and cooked to perfection! The ribs were literally finger-licking!!! I wish I had more room to taste everything else on the menu. The desserts were fabulous! The service was excellent and the atmosphere although a little loud was also great! The last little treat, a bit of pineapple infused with goodness was an ideal bite to end a perfect meal!!! I will recommend this restaurant to everyone I know.

We sat at the bar which was great to observe the kitchen. it is really impressive how, in such a small space, the team produce such excellent food. Its hot sitting there but fun!

This is a great take on small plate dining with an emphasis on pork products on the menu. They do an excellent job with all of the food and you honestly can't go wrong with your choices. They tend to fill up quickly so it's good to go on the earlier side.

I would suggest making a booking, we didn't and luckily got the last table for dinner but I wouldn't risk it - you don't want to miss out on this little gem. The cocktails were amazing and everything we ordered was delicious. Service was top notch and the place had a very cool vibe to it. I highly recommend getting the dates and the bacon donuts.

I had one of the best meals of my life at this under-the-radar place. If it were in any other neighborhood it would be booked weeks ahead and would cost much more. As it was, it was not crowded and the multi-course tasting menu was a steal at about $50 a head. There is pleasant outdoor seating if the weather is right, as it was when we were there. The service is agreeable, efficient, helpful, and unobtrusive,

This was in the top 3 dining experiences I've had in New York City - the food was delightful / creative; the ambiance fun / hip; the service was fantastic! We went in a group of six - some out of towners and some New Yorkers - and Traif was just the right balance of adventurous food for everyone. We did the chef's selection menu which was super fun and not pricey at all! Menu must haves: lamb tongue, key lime pie, bacon donuts, tuna tare tare on eggplant. The menu changes seasonally so we'll definitely be going back for round two this summer!

Have been there twice and was treated to culinary artistry eminating from the smallest restaurant kitchen on the Planet. Well executed creative tapas in intimate surroundings.