Best Dishes at Kabawa
Roti Platter
BreadCalled the highlight of the meal by reviewers. Flaky roti made fresh bursts with butter, served alongside curried channa (chickpeas), guava chutney, and other condiments for wrapping and dipping. This bread course sets the tone for the meal and showcases the kitchen's attention to fundamentals.
Birthday Flan
DessertA whimsical dessert that captures the fun, unpretentious vibe of Kabawa. The flan is firm and lush, with texture somewhere between cake and custard, topped with a slightly bitter caramel sauce. It feels celebratory and indulgent without being overly precious.
Goat in Creole Sauce
MainsThe signature main course. Goat is slow-cooked until it's ready to peel apart, then placed in a sauce creole with a touch of oceanic funk from dried scallops. The meat is impossibly tender, and the sauce builds depth through time and ingredient layering. A standout example of Caribbean home cooking elevated through technique.
Jerk Duck Sausage
StartersAn optional starting course that brings bold Caribbean spicing. The duck sausage is richly flavored with jerk spices and contrasts beautifully with lighter courses. A choice for those who want more meat-forward dishes in their prix fixe.
Chuletas Can Can (Supplement)
MainsAn optional upcharge dish where cooks in tie-dye aprons pan-fry porterhouse-style chops with precision. The chuletas are substantial, perfectly seared, and justify the supplement for those wanting to experience the kitchen's highest level technique with premium proteins.
About Kabawa
Kabawa opened in 2025 in the East Village as the newest venture from Chef Paul Carmichael and Momofuku. Located in the former Momofuku Ko space on Extra Place, the restaurant celebrates Barbadian heritage through a fun, loosely formal three-course experience. The kitchen occupies an open counter where roughly 20 diners sit in a U-shape, watching cooks in tie-dye aprons pan-fry chuletas while soca bounces off the walls. Custom mosaics and Caribbean design elements set a warm, home-like tone.
Top 5 dishes at Kabawa:
- Roti Platter – 95% recommended(Signature)
- Birthday Flan – 92% recommended(Signature)
- Goat in Creole Sauce – 93% recommended(Signature)
- Jerk Duck Sausage – 85% recommended
- Chuletas Can Can (Supplement) – 80% recommended
Details
- Cuisine:
- Caribbean
- Price Range:
- $$$
- Website:
- Visit Website
- Services:
- Dine-in, Reservations, Counter Seating
- Reservations:
- Book a Table
Hours
- Friday:
- 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM(Open Now)
- Sunday:
- 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Monday:
- 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Tuesday:
- 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
- Wednesday:
- 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
- Thursday:
- 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday:
- 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Request counter seating when you book—it's the most immersive experience. You sit in a U-shape watching the chefs work in real-time. Groups of 4 are ideal for counter seating.
Reservations open 14 days in advance on OpenTable for parties up to 8. Book immediately at 11am for the best times, or try late-night seatings for more availability.
The $145 prix fixe includes three courses plus kitchen surprises. Choose goat for the main unless you want to pay the $75 supplement for chuletas. Either way, you'll get excellent value.
Expect energetic, loud, music-forward atmosphere with Caribbean vibes. This is not a quiet, formal fine dining room—it's fun and celebratory.
Page last updated: