Saraghina Closer to Opening Long Awaited Italian Cafe on Dekalb Avenue in Fort Greene

An Italian cafe is getting closer to an opening on a busy commercial stretch of Fort Greene.

Construction fences that were installed prior to the start of the pandemic have recently come down around Saraghina Caffè, a sister establishment to Bed Stuy’s Saraghina, Bar Cicchetti and Saraghina Bakery, at 195 Dekalb Avenue. A peek in the windows showed work still happening on the interior. New dark wood cladding has been installed around the windows of the shopfront.

The eatery takes the place of Madiba, a beloved South African restaurant that closed in 2018 after 20 years in the neighborhood.

In June 2021, Saraghina owner Edoardo Mantelli told New York Magazine that the new space will be “inspired by the 1930s-era Viennese cafés of Torino and Milano” and will have 50 seats inside and 40 outside. A bar inside will be standing only. The light fare will include Saraghina Bakery baked goods, sandwiches, raw bar and petite pizzas — which could mean a wood-burning pizza oven like Saraghina’s is in the works.

According to New York State Liquor Authority documents, the owners applied for a liquor license at the space in January 2019, which is still pending.

Representatives for Saraghina did not respond to a request for more information about the new spot, including prospective opening date and details about the menu.

Saraghina opened at 435 Halsey Street in the summer of 2009 and Saraghina Bakery opened next door at 433 Halsey Street in 2014, followed by Saraghina Bar, now known as Bar Cicchetti, next door at 348 Lewis Avenue in 2015.

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