Spanish Diner at Mercado Little Spain

How can this place exist? Possibly the worst restaurant we have been to in Manhattan. We were six people ordering varied dishes. Every dish came with a bland fried egg on top. Avocado with egg - came with avocado with egg. This could have been made while half asleep before your first cup of coffee. The Cuban sausage rice dish - was exactly that - white rice, a sad and weird tasting sausage and tomato sauce that tasted like it was from a jar - all individually plated like you would on a Tuesday night after a late night of work when you have an empty fridge. Lentil stew? It’s lentil soup. Why is this an entree? Then let’s talk about the seating. Why are we using outdoor rattan chairs that don’t fit side by side and are so low? Clearly they don’t match the tables. Ordered by mistake? Oh well, let’s just use them anyway. Okay the food was crap, maybe the service was better? Sadly, no. Some of our dishes came out then we waited 20 min until finally a host came by to let us know the order machine was all jammed up. His offer? Desserts. After such a terrible meal we did not want to wait around for sad looking and bland tasting desserts. We asked for a credit of the food that came late. After all, it was as if these dishes were made by blindfolded 12 year olds for Mother’s Day. If you go to a show at the Shed do yourself a favor and make the walk to a neighborhood restaurant instead.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I am very sad to hear that Spanish Diner will be closing in the Spring 2025. Spanish Diner is where I could get the canalones and the fricandó that made me feel like at home! I will miss it! 😭

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Fricando De Ternera

Shane in the Diner is the best! The
Food was amazing, but the personalized service from Shane is what makes me excited to return!!!!

Jamon Iberico, manchego, croquetas, olives, pincho de tortilla, some Estrella Damm, and a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich for the kids. Very nice space (although a bit loud), mostly attentive service, fun little place.

Kid-friendliness: Maybe three tables with kids (including our own), all seemed happy. Lots of options with tapas so even picky kids would be happy I'd imagine.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Absolutely great. The food was typical spanish and was simply great, the crew are absolutely really nice and the place was simply awesome. A must go in

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very average food and service.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

If you love authentic Spanish food, you’ll love this.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything is spectacular. Delicious!! Flavio, a genius, attended to us!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Spanish comfort food. Very noisy environment. Loud music. Food is good.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Service and atmosphere was good but the food was basic AF. Didn’t look appetizing as well. I’d skip this and go to the marketplace inside instead!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

We sat at the outside part facing the High Line with table service, so not sure how the other food stalls are, but the food where we were was TERRIBLE! Gazpacho came in a tiny plastic bottle (?!), flatbreads were disgusting and barely warmed up, and the empenadas were like something a 4-year-old would make at camp. It was all so half-assed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

We made a reservation to have drinks. We had to flag a server to take our order after 10 minutes of being ignored. I informed them up front that we were only having drinks. Minutes later, we were told we could not have drinks only at a table (following our order and at a time when most other tables were empty). I immediately requested the check and chugged my overpriced and too sweet sangria. The server was curt and disgruntled. What a terrible experience.

We entered and greeted the 2 girls at front, they continued talking and ignoring the fact that we were standing right there.

Didn’t get the chance experience the food and everything else as we turned back right away because that was a red flag already.

Service: 1

We enjoyed our meals here and especially the large seating area with a fresh breeze. My absolute favorite dish was the huevos con papas (eggs with fries). They offer a non alcoholic Sangria that was really good. I also recommend the Pollo Guisado Con Arroz.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

We ordered Merluza frita and Gazpacho andaluz, both very good. The service was not friendly. There are probably better options in the food court

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3