Dominican Restaurants in New York, NY

“great people and music. if you want a quiet place , stay home 🏡“

“Great food and great service. The food reminds me of home and is reasonably priced. We keep coming back for the ox tail stew, ribs, beef steak, porkchops, dumplings and the boneless chicharonnes de pollo. Most meals are served with white or yellow rice and beans or vegetables. If you want to try something different, they have the beef liver and squid ink fried rice which remind me of squid ink Paella. The combination meals are a great option to try out different dishes. The staff and owners always greet you with a warm welcome.“

“Excellent!“

“I come to this restaurant at least three times a month, and I’ve been going here for 15 years. It’s truly great—the food is always fresh and delicious. They have the best tres leches, and everything they make tastes consistently good and fresh. Highly recommend!“

“we used them for our wedding, 60 people flowed through nice and easy and everyone moved their food. the mac and cheese balls were absolutely amazing but all the food was.“

“Truly a neighborhood gem. Visited here many times and never disappointed. Great prices and consistently great prices. I usually get the chicken chunks (boneless) but I had the chicken mofongo instead, my friend ordered the cheese monfongo. My mofongo was great, wasn’t expecting to have two nicely fried pieces of chicken as a garnish, I also like that the mofongo portion wasn’t huge and comes with a side of salad (great for such a carb-heavy dish). Great flavors, but would’ve loved to taste a bit more garlic. The consumé that comes with the mofongo adds all the flavor you need.

Service was okay, atmosphere is nice and it’s great that they accept card and cash.“

“The servers are attentive and the kitchen delivers quality. Nothing here hides behind heavy sauces. The rating scale should extend for places like this. The employees deliver outstanding customer support. The entire experience left me wanting nothing more.“

“DELICIOUS! Best mofongo & chicharron in Manhattan. Takes exactly like the one in PR that my family serves me. Everything is so flavorful and juicy and the chicharron is so incredibly crispy but still fatty. Was perfect for takeout and I’ll def be going back all the time“

“nos comimos unos ricos cubanos, pernil pernil muy rico, jamón queso y huevo queso derretido y bien cocinado, mondongo riquísimos lo recomiendo 100 porciento“

“I got a corn drink-no se como se llama-that was really good and a majorette that was to die for. I was told this is the best spot for habichuelas con dulce. That being said, I guess it is not for me, then. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this place ?“

“Todos los platos son excelentes👍🏼“

“Amazing place I’ve been eating there for 11 years!! Their staff is ever so kind to everyone. Food is affordable and delicious. The restaurant is in a good location near tons of apartments so it’s good to order food and good to go down there and dine!! 110% recommend food is fresh and cultural.kid friendly towards being treated and also with the food portions

Kid-friendliness: I’ve went there when I was really little not once have I ever gotten food I haven’t loved I used to go in there confident in what I wanted to get and the portions were just small enough for me to eat with barley and left overs“

“the rotisserie chicken is grestrice a peas nice my favorite spot 😋“

“Perfect service never disappoint.

Vegetarian options: Delious

Dietary restrictions: Healthy options

Kid-friendliness: Friendly environment

Wheelchair accessibility: Easy to access“

“For the first time I visited this fried food and I can tell you that I loved it, from the quality, the flavor, the portion that was too much and the price, not to mention super economical, we ordered a varied tray, a hotdog and a juice and everything was very delicious and the preparation was very Quick, I will definitely come back ?“

“Small hole in the wall shop serving up bomb food. Ordered the chicken quesadilla for pick-up was still hot, crunchy and delicious. Cheese to chicken ratio was fantastic. Sauce is delicious! Guy at the front was kind. No complaints. And to get a meal for $11 nowadays?! Unreal! Thank you!“

“Everything is great here!“

“I stumbled across this little hidden gem on my way to the bus stop. I ordered fried pork crackling (chicharrones de Cerdo) with boiled cassava topped with pickled onions. I literally felt like I was on a beach in Dominican Republic! The fried pork was crispy and juicy at the same time- full of flavor. I’m so happy I found this new food spot on my way home from a long day of work. I saw they sell a lot of rotisserie chicken, not sure if there was a catering going on but that chicken looked amazing coming out of the ovens!“

“I ate at this restaurant during my Christmas vacation visit to New York. It is fantastic! The staff is friendly and welcoming. The food is so tasty. It was better than the big advertised restaurants. If you want a real delicious meal and some great music while you eat, go to this place. It's a hidden gem.“

“My last visit to Elsa La Reina del Chicharrón was nothing short of amazing. Elsa truly lives up to her name the queen of chicharrón! perfectly seasoned pork, and the flavor doesn’t disappoint. The chicharrón was crispy, juicy, and full of that authentic sazón that’s hard to find anywhere else in the city.

You can tell everything is made with love and pride. The service was friendly, fast, and made me feel like family. If you’re in New York and haven’t been to Elsa yet, you’re seriously missing out. She’s simply the best nobody does it like Elsa!“

“It's a convenient restaurant in my workplace area. The service is good and I found the staff friendly. The lunch special of grilled salmon filet with white rice & beans is on point. At a price of $10 bucks, that's my lunch and dinner for the day.
Winning☺️!“

“Best tres leches in the world so soft & well made that you can really enjoy the flavors! The cake itself is Delicious I been a big fan of this tres leches for many years now & wouldn't change it for no other.“

“Todos los platos son excelentes👍🏼“

“Excelente servicio! Muy buena calidad en la comida“

“I just ordered the tastiest Cuban sandwich I have tried. It was pressed so toasty and crispy. I had the waitress add extra pickles and garlic. They make the drink “Morirsoñando” (like a creamsicle) with freshly squeezed orange juice and it brought me back to how my grandma used to make it. I will definitely come back to try more dishes- their daily lunch specials caught my eye so it gives me more of a reason to return!“

“I stopped by this little restaurant and was pleasantly surprised by how good everything was. I ordered a mangú con tres golpes and it was absolutely on point, well prepared, flavorful, and just the comfort food I was craving. The jugo de Chinola was not overly sweet and it was just right and refreshing, as it should be.

The service was just as great. Yadira took care of us with a big smile, quick service, and genuine kindness that made the experience even better. For such a small spot, it really delivers in both taste and hospitality.

Recommended 100%“

“READ THIS- realistic assessment. I moved to this neighborhood two years ago, so I am not just saying this because this is all I know. I'm a foodie and even though I have only ever left a couple reviews I finally did it for these guys tonight. They are literally steps fromy door and I have eaten here about once a week for 2 years. To the people reviewing it's loud, and they are rude etc. let me tell you, EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS PLACE IS FULL, ALL HOURS. The food is delicious, cheap and FAST. I come here once a week for two years, they ARENT NICE. I CANT BLAME THEM! they are a small business with the same employees working day in and out, lines out the door. Get your amazing food, pay, and leave. Have you ever seen the soup episode in Seinfeld. I only go once a week, but about 5 time each week I look through the door, to see if it's packed. Usually it is so I move on cuz I ate crowds. (When I say packed I mean it because there is not seating, it's just an order counter and pay counter inside.). I indulge once a week when I'm lucky enough to see a line 2 deep or less. Here is my problem. My first time in there, rookie, I wanted to try a burrito. But they are so busy and it's they have a lot of food in hot pans to make plates. But the burrito they grill the raw chicken right in front of you, and I couldn't help but feel like I hold up lines. I will tell you though, when that thing comes through, hot, fresh and mounded high with chicken for 7 bucks! I was floored. Cheaper than a garbage taco bell burrito for 8.69 half the size and less than half as good. I was hooked. But today, I grabbed one of their rotisserie chickens from the oven in the window. I am not telling y'all any lies. Best. I . Have. Ever . Had. Now I love fired chicken, breading is great yada yada. But never had a roast chicken this good. Only one pointer, they default give you a garlic sauce, either it doesn't need it or ask for something you spicy if you like a little kick, cuz this sauce is pointless. So no, you can't sit down and eat. Not it's not quiet, no they don't have time to be friendly. If you want TASTE for VALUE then you know what to do.“

“Honestly this a hidden Gem. It's a really small shop with great Hispanic food. Unfortunately, there's no space for a group of people to sit and eat in. But if you happen to be alone you may be able to grab a seat. They have a lot of different options which is amazing. Its inexpensive and they serve a really good portion of food. The staff is very nice and attentive. They are pretty fast but it does get packed during lunch time starting at 12 pm usually. So you may have to wait a little longer than usual. Definitely try to catch the mangu in the morning for breakfast.“

“This little gem of a restaurant serves some of the best Dominican food I have eaten in my entire life.

Marinated grilled steak, roast chicken, fried plantains, Mofongo, fried Yucca… Everything is delicious, the restaurant is a beautiful little gem box, and the owner is elegant and wonderful.

The prices are modest we loved everything.“

“The Chicharones and the Rabos was delicious! Got take out for this but I donrecommend bringing someone who speaks spanish to help you get your order right. I paid much more than what I should’ve when I went by myself but when I went with my friend who spoke spanish to them we paid the same amount for more food. But still recommend!“

“Great food. Inexpensive. Good service.“

“Best chicharrón you'd ever taste. I can't leave without getting some. I have 4 food spots I drive over an hour to on purpose, out of my way, to get their food; this is one of them. The staff is quick and efficient, they are always on top of everything and you be crazy not to take a step in and be hypnotized by the smells of some of the most mouth-watering flavors you'll ever try in your life.“

“the best I've had in years“

“I had breakfast in this restaurant for 20 years they have the best mangu,the best coffee and the food is fresh and delicious. the staff is amazing. I was there today after haven't been in the neighborhood for few years and still amazing highly recommend“

“This place is the real deal: local, totally authentic, no frills. I speak a small amount of Spanish, and the staff was super nice and patient, though they did laugh a bit when I asked for my eggs sunny side up (I didn’t know how else to order it — I guess just go with “normal” if you’re not sure!)I had the mangú con los tres golpes for breakfast, recommended by someone else’s review here. The portion, including passion fruit juice, was absolutely huge, and it only set me back $14.I’m glad I knew what I was getting beforehand, because there wasn’t a menu; it’s the sort of place where you just go up and order because most people know what they want already. If you don’t speak much Spanish and don’t know much about Dominican cuisine, it can be a little intimidating, but it’s worth it.“

“Food was very well presented. portions are enough for two. it was clean and I really appreciate that they don't tag you with an extra charge for using your debit or credit card. I will be going back for sure.“

“This food truck is the best spot for late night cravings. I believe that this food truck is only open for a certain amount of hours at night and days throughout the week. You’ll most likely catch them on the weekends. The food is good and the price is decent. No complaints!“

“Everything is good here. Simple, old-fashioned, Caribbean/Latino Classics. Excellent empanadas, good coffee, friendly service, neighborhood place, no BS. Closed Sundays. This is exactly the type of neighborhood place we all whine about missing after it’s gone. Go there now. Highly recommended.“

“I moved on this block 15 years ago and it's one of the few places that's still around and there's a reason. Confusing as hell to order food but man beans and rice and some protein from here are what gets so many of us by. Absolutely love this place.“

“The food was very good. Our table ordered a sampling platter and everything on it was delicious. I also ordered a pollo monfango which was very filling and satisfying. However, despite the good food we were really the only people in the restaurant and our wait for our food was over an hour. We were a party of 5 which may have contributed to it, though.“

“Absolutely excellent Dominican food! Everything I ordered was delicious — the carne frita was fire, the queso frito perfectly crispy, the mangú, pollo guisado, and beans all seasoned just right — not too salty and full of flavor. Portions were generous and everything tasted homemade. Definitely one of the best Dominican spots I’ve ordered from!“

“The food is much better for me VS El Jobito across the street. I'm surprised I don't have to pay more than $10 for most dishes, this depends on the amount taken out/eaten inside but I think it's reasonable. Not to mention nicer vegetables/salads too, when one needs a side dish.“

“Great food. Excellent service. Baseball!!“

“Buenisssimaaaaaaaa. Me encanto el lugar“

“I order here every chance I get when I’m not cooking at home. Literally the best Dominican restaurant with the best flavor in the city and being Dominican and having tried different restaurant in the city this one hits the closest to home. The staff is friendly and the service is always on point. I send everyone that comes around my home and they love it aswell. Everytime i try a new dish I fall in love all over again. Really my favorite ✅“

“We hadn't been here in a while. Looked forward. Start positive: White rice, red beans, and arroz con gandules, very good. However, on a Friday evening (7ish) , there was only 1 server for the entire section. It was not crowded. Empty tables in our section.We placed our orders right away with drinks and an appetizer. We waited more than 30 minutes for our drinks and appetizer. Appetizer never arrived, but our main courses (both the same) did. The fried pork chops were overly cooked - dried excessively. They were more like fried pork chunks. Difficult to eat. Knife had a difficult time cutting the meat. Margarita was subpar at best. Management needs to step up. I am a strong supporter of local restaurants, especially Puerto Rican/Latino establishments. This restaurant is an East Harlem icon. Overall: disappointed.“