Tapas Restaurants in New York, NY

“Delicious food!! The best place I've been to in the east village in a very long time. I highly recommend it 😋“

“I’m visiting my mom from Los Angeles, and as we planned a night out together, I wanted to support a local spot. There’s always something new whenever I return home, and this time it was Chez Messy, just around the corner from the 157th Street train station. Perched up upon a small staircase, this two-floor restaurant is intimate, cozy, and deeply sultry.

Nestled in the heart of Uptown New York City, a neighborhood known for its Dominican roots and growing diversity, Chez Messy shines as a Spanish Caribbean infused gem that took my breath away. The space feels both refined and familiar, elegant yet soulful. As I sat waiting for my mother, I opened the menu, and immediately everything called my name.

Our server Joshua was an absolute delight, attentive, kind, and confident in every recommendation. Antonio, the owner and floor manager, greeted us with charm and poise. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded pride and grace, the embodiment of someone who deeply loves what he has created. What touched me most was realizing that this Spanish Caribbean dream of a restaurant is owned and operated by Dominicans. As someone who has traveled the world and eaten in countless hidden gems tucked along cobblestone streets, I can say this place holds its own among the best.

We started with a crisp glass of Albariño and dove into the pulpo and mofonguitos filled with ropa vieja. Let me start by saying I’m not typically a red meat superfan, but that evening I was completely transformed. The ropa vieja was tender, savory, juicy, and full of flavor. The plantain cups that held it were subtly sweet, creating a beautiful harmony between bold and delicate notes.

The pulpo was perfection, tender octopus paired with a light touch of vinegar and oil, thinly sliced onions, capers, and cherry tomatoes that burst like little jewels of freshness. It was bright, balanced, and refreshing, a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable meal.

Then came a surprise from Antonio, the avocado salad and batatas bravas, further inviting us into the full Chez Messy experience. I’ve had batatas bravas in Spain and beyond, but these were divine. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, with seasoning that danced on the palate. The avocado salad was heaven itself, silky avocado paired with slivers of almonds and a hint of citrus, perhaps grapefruit, creating a beautifully layered bite that was both rich and refreshing.

By the time our entrée arrived, filet mignon and shrimp in cream sauce, medium rare, we were already swept away. The filet was tender and bursting with flavor, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was so delicious that I found myself tempted to lick the plate.

Everything about our experience at Chez Messy was divine, from the impeccable service to the romantic, dark, and dreamy ambiance, the vibrant music that moved through the air, and the drinks that sparkled as much as the conversation.

Chez Messy is where you go when you want great food in a wonderful location, when you want to feel inspired, seen, and transported. It is a love letter to Spanish Caribbean flavor and Dominican pride, wrapped in elegance and joy.

This place deserves to be full every night, though a part of me secretly wants to keep it all to myself.“

“My taste buds were surprised in the best possible way. The restaurant is small with busy lunches, yet delivers on taste and customer care. The kitchen delivers surprising quality. These workers deliver great service because they trust their product. Amazingly tasty!!!“

“Here's the review Spencer wrote for you: My family and I just visited to celebrate my grandsons birthday- we like to get a bunch of plates and share family style and this menu was perfect for that. You have to get mezze and extra bread (must try the kubane). We also ended up getting three orders of the shishbarak for the six of us, it is way too good! I got the salmon for my entree which was cooked to perfection and beautifully seasoned. Spencer our server recommended the silan and the cheesecake for dessert so we shared those and boy were they something special- I can’t pick a favorite! He brought us a candle and we got some great pictures. I can’t recommend this restaurant enough.“

“Your bill will be higher here but the experience makes it fair. The menu won't break the bank and tastes good. The kitchen maintains high standards. Service quality equals their excellent menu offerings. This spot warrants your immediate attention.“

“I was so impressed by ARIARI! Every dish was full of fresh, vibrant flavors and beautifully plated. The seafood and grilled items really stood out — everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. The staff were super friendly and attentive, and the vibe of the place is modern yet comfortable. Such a great spot for dinner with friends or a nice date night! 🍶🍤✨“

“If you appreciate fusion sushi, I highly recommend giving this establishment a try. Their all-you-can-eat sushi on Mondays is an excellent option for a refined dining experience. The ambiance was truly wonderful. I visited on a Monday evening with my family, including children, and everything was impeccable. Our server, Patria, provided exceptional service. I requested the Knicks game to be displayed on the television, and she promptly accommodated my request. My personal favorites among the sushi selections were the Volcano roll and the Mar Y Tierra.“

“I went to Plado for the first time last night with a couple of friends who had already been there several times and raved about it. They were not wrong to rave! The food was simply superb. Every dish was an experience to savor. It actually made me stop and slow down so I could enjoy what was happening in my mouth. Everything had various levels of flavor that made the experience worthwhile. I can’t wait to go back and try more. Standouts for me were hard to choose but if I had to, the taro gnocchi, duck confit, and roasted carrots were my favorite. Desserts were out of this world delicious and unique so I encourage everyone to save room. The ambiance is lovely and the chef and his wife are warm and welcoming. I wish them a long and successful stay in Glen Cove!“

“We enjoyed the ambiance, the service and especially the food. But we felt like lost tourists (and, really, we're not!) just trying to get upstairs to the restaurant and, believe it or not, trying to pay the bill. We were not by any means the oldest folks there, but felt like the proverbial boomer dummies. You shouldn't skip the experience, but don't be surprised if it takes a few tries to crack the code on the elevators and the QR symbols hiding the bill.“

“delicious food and drinks menu. service was attentive too.“

“I found none of the problems mentioned by other reviewers. Their cooking approach demonstrates originality and every option has distinctive tastes. Workers exhibit outstanding friendliness and gladly provide recommendations if you seem undecided. This place maintains its standards. So happy with this place. I can't wait to go back and get everything single thing on their menu.“

“We came to 87 Ludlow as a group of three and had such a great experience. The food was amazing, and we were lucky to catch their happy hour — the tapas were incredible! The Panang Curry with mussels was our favorite dish. Great vibe, great food, definitely coming back!“

“great happy hour and nice patio setup. owned by the same people as bar belly so you know it’s good. we walked in at 6:30 on a friday with no wait. wine was great and cocktails were good. would return for drinks and snacks before a night out.“

“Endroit magnifique, décoré avec beaucoup de goût ! Les plats sont aussi beaux que bons, une cuisine travaillée et raffinée.. Le personnel accueillant et très professionnel ! Nous recommandons largement ! Allez-y les yeux fermés et les papilles ouvertes! 🌺“

“Great food. Good service.“

“This is a bit of an upscale tapas bar, knowledge staff, not obtrusive. It did remind me of some upscale places in Spain. Go eat tapas the Manhattans with chocolate rim omg! Food was good too!“

“Accueil est cordial, le personnel professionnel , la nourriture est très bonne. Un petit coin de Provence à New York. Ambiance sympa 👍🏻“

“We had the most amazing experience here. Although arriving without a reservation our amazing waitress accommodated us and provided us such a wonderful time being here. The food was so good. Service was exceptional. We look forward to returning again.“

“Superb experience , great food, prompt service, moderate prices...very enjoyable and well worth the money“

“What a wonderful restaurant great mix of foods and service was so friendly. Highly recommend butternut fries to start!“

“We dined in. Three people. Ordered two main items, soda, and a cocktail. $100+tip. Food took one hour to arrive.Food was OK. There was only one server, very friendly but it was very hard to get their attention before or after food arrived.
I love neighborhood places and would support them fully but I am not sure how pricey they should be and how much service should I expect, with or without this pricetag.“

“The care and creative that’s put into each dish is superb. The pre-fix is an excellent deal. And it’s fam friendly even though the food is avant-garde in style. Nice service.“

“We were incredibly impressed at C as in Charlie. Every single dish we had was very good - 3 of them were exceptional. The mozzarella/green pepper with soy balsamic was insanely good, the ribs were melt in your mouth and the prawn roll delicious too. Service was excellent and the restaurant had a real buzz/warmth to it. Absolutely shouldn’t be missed. Surprisingly reasonably priced too.“

“Just what it says on the label - literally a bar in the shoe department in the basement of Nordstrom. Drinks are great, service is above and beyond what you’d expect from something that was presumably an afterthought when designing a department store, and you sure can’t beat the people watching as the shoe shoppers clamor around you. The constant PA announcements can be a bit much after a while, particularly when it seems like a pretty straightforward take a number system for shoe assistance yet they have to keep explaining how numbers work, but this isn’t really a place for quiet conversation anyway. But you can’t beat the price and entertainment if you’ve got some time to kill.“

“Excellent service and food“

“An outstanding burger and salad, tucked away on the 5th floor of Nordstrom. primarily a shopping floor with no break between it and the restaurant. Department store ambience. Although service was slow, waitstaff were attentive. The restaurant was completely out of beer on a Friday night at 6 pm.“

“The pork chop was succulent and had the most amazing spice combination. The barbacoa was the best I have ever had. Not a fan of the mezcal, but I gave it a try. Other more common drinks looked great with a good pour. Good vibe and open late with a super friendly staff!“

“The food is delicious and the service remarkably and memorably friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We started with the brussels, which have a sweet vinaigrette dressing and are cooked perfectly. The ribs were meaty, not fatty, with flavorful spicing. The corn and cheese is a surprise --- on the cob, but with chili powder. But the highlight was the kimchi fried rice, a uniquely delicious and satisfying dish topped by a perfectly poached egg. We closed the main courses with seafood kalguksu, a slightly spicy noodle soup with all kinds of seafood. Best seafood broth ever. Period Every other table had the black sesame bread pudding, so we decided to try it. They were right. Don't think about the huge volume of butter involved. All in all, small plates with huge flavors served by a wonderful wait team. Thanks Gurumé.“

“Delicious! Friendly service.“

“A charming gem in the West Village with that quintessential neighborhood feel. The team here was warm and engaging, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. The intimate setup makes it great for a date or catching up with friends, and both the cocktails and wine list were excellent. What stood out most, though, was the creativity in the dishes, each one felt thoughtfully put together and seasonal. Recommend the black sea bass ceviche.“

“Prices for the food at the deli are ok for NY, wine prices and prices at the store for some of the products are too high. I got one of the Spanish wines the sell 35% cheaper at the liquor store and cheaper spanish beers are sold at whole foods. However, food was good (adapted to American taste,of course) and the variety of beers was also good. They also have some non alcoholic 0.0 beers. We will come back.“

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“The help was very friendly. Service was great! The food was all good!“

“The menu features food that seems simple but tastes wonderfully complex. The Lexington Social delivers excellence in every aspect. The staff has a level of beauty that's noticeable. The food here deserves high praise. This spot offers apparent skill.“

“The best flavors, super authentic, delicious! We had a feast tasting almost everything on the menu. Spicy, non spicy, flavorful, hot, tasty, tender, fresh. Wow wow wow, definitely recommend Yum Cha, and coming back. And the service and atmosphere are made super nice by Ivy, the queen of smiles, happiness and positivity.“

“Fabulous dinner we sat outside in the beautiful outdoor seating, Great service delicious food“

“Great times and great ambience!“

“Excelente local admiración por la rica comida y la dedicación de los meseros la chica es excepcional me quedo con este local para cuando vuelva a nyc“

“Amazing Place!! Crafty Delicious Cocktails, Awesome Service, Tasty Tapas. Beautiful Ambiance & Presentation. I recommend this Place. Everything's Jake!!👍Thank you, Hana“

“💥💥💥💥💥 Just discovered a gem! Can’t wait to return. Tucked in on Columbus Av. betw 106/107. Best Mexican food I’ve yet to find in the city. I had the fish tacos! Excellente! Also the best sangria. Our server, Carol, was wonderful. And she gave me a delicious flan desert and everyone sang happy birthday. Thank you Carol and everyone! See you soon!“

“Great food, well priced happy hour and great service!“

“We had a great time sitting at the bar (drinks and tapas). we'd like to thank Max so much. Brilliant barman. He made our last day in NY very special (love Mrs. Doubtfire) 🤣“

“Great location; close to Metro North. Quality Food, Service and Friendly Staff😀“

“Came here with a friend visiting town on a Sunday evening. The food was delicious we were so pleased round after round. I wasn’t a fan of the sweet bagged drinks but they switched it for a wine for me, so kind. The vibes were great which I was worried about for a Sunday but the buzz was there.

We shared 5 dishes between 2, probably could’ve had 1 more!
- sweet potato (our favorite)
- avocado
- salmon special
- beef ragu
- noodles

Great food, ambiance, service. Would definitely recommend for a small group!“

“Absolutely exceeded our expectations. We went on a whim. Greeted with lots of warm affection when we came in and they kept bringing amazing food to the table with great explanations on what everything was. Literally everything they served was fantastic.“

“Great service and a wonderful frose“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of My Favorite Korean Restaurants! Seoul BAP is not just another Korean restaurant — the food is absolutely amazing! Every dish is full of rich, authentic Korean flavors with a modern twist. It’s truly one of the best Korean dining spots in the city. The cocktail menu is just as exciting — featuring creative drinks that perfectly match the vibe and flavor of the food. 🍹 Spicy Passionfruit Margarita – bold and vibrant with a Korean-inspired kick. 🥃 Bourbon Bee Hive – smooth, rich, and full of depth. 💜 Lavender Skies – crafted with premium gin infused with butterfly pea flower and lavender, finished with a touch of Amaro — simply elegant. And the newest favorite everyone’s asking for: 🌺 Midnight Hibiscus – a hibiscus-infused vodka cocktail with elderflower and gentle sweetness. It’s beautifully balanced and pairs perfectly with Seoul BAP’s contemporary Korean cuisine. Best enjoyed with Taylor Swift’s Opalite playing in the background! 🎶✨ Come check out Seoul BAP — where Seoul meets style, flavor, and good vibes all in one place.“

“a great Basque tapas restaurant. i wonderful gem in Chelsea!“

“Very nice atmosphere in the middle of the East Village.“

“They've paired stylish surroundings with flavor-packed food. The workers' attention to customers is the key attraction. This place offers an attractive dining environment. Their cooking impresses in an enjoyable atmosphere. I've been to this place dozens of times and I've never had a negative experience.“