Tapas Restaurants in New York, NY

“Absolutely love Salinas Restaurant! From the service to the food, everything was flawless. I had amazing drinks. The menu is packed with great options, and every dish we tried was outstanding. Nothing disappoints here.

I had an excellent experience overall, highly recommend this place, and I’ll definitely be back.“

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

“Sexy af friendly drinks were awesome and food was exceptional“

“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.“

“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.“

“This Spanish tapas and wine bar is a great cozy spot in Nomad. Service here is really quick and the vibe is perfect for a date night!

I got their charcuterie, hamachi crudo, and duck breast as well as their albarino wine. Everything was great to share. I loved their wine selection and would highly recommend adding at least a glass to pair with your meal. Out of the dishes that I got, the favorite was definitely the duck breast which had a date-based puree that was absolutely delicious. The other bites were alright. Nonetheless, it was a very warm and cozy vibe—great for an intimate dinner!“

“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!“

“Food is amazing and ambience was great“

“Very good food. Great service, friendly staff and waitress. I recommend the fried chicken, and the kimchi fried rice. The black sesame pudding, as a dessert, was insanely delicious and buttery. Super good.
Brussel sprouts were very tasty. Tteokbokki dish was very interesting and a good interpretation of a creamy, rich pasta-like dish (a bit like a creamy Mac & cheese with everything seasoning). Enjoyed every dish.
Matcha beer was fine, but would opt for a regular beer or cocktail next time.“

“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.“

“Walking into this spot felt like stepping into a warm little pocket where Manila meets Madrid, and honestly, the fusion works so much better than I expected. Service was warm in that very Filipino way—the kind where you feel like a guest rather than a customer—but also polished like a European bistro.

My favorite was the Pork Skewered Adobo. Instead of the usual stew-style adobo, they grill the pork until the edges get that perfect little char, then glaze it with a reduction that hits you with all the classic adobo notes—soy, vinegar, garlic—and laid on top of a bed of adobo rice… it was delightful!“

“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.“

“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! 🌺“

“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!“

“I stopped by this little Spanish tapas bar in Soho, and it was such a lovely surprise. The atmosphere is simple and warm, with a friendly, almost family-style vibe. The service was very cordial, and even though the place isn’t trying to be fancy, it feels authentic in the best way.
The food brought me straight back to my childhood. I tried the tortilla, a toast with calamari, another one with ham and cheese, and some croquettes — everything was delicious and comforting, just like my grandmother’s cooking. The flavors were exactly what Spanish tapas should be: honest, flavorful, and made with care.
It’s a great spot to stop for a few bites, share a table, and enjoy real Spanish comfort food in a relaxed setting. Highly recommend if you’re craving something simple and genuinely good.“

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

“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.“

“Great food. Good service.“

“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.“

“My wife and I had the most lovely date night here. Customer service - for me - is what makes a place stand out in NY. Every single employee was the absolute best. So passionate, insightful and kind.
But yes. The food is also superb. Each dish is a little art piece. You can tell you are eating something that has been lovingly tested and improved upon. Such a treat.
And then the drinks. I had never heard of a single spirit on the menu. Had a blast jumping around and being taken on a ride.
And good hand soap. Gotta love good hand soap.
So yeah. It’s great. Check it out.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Excellent service and food“

“💥💥💥💥💥 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!“

“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!“

“Delicious! Friendly service.“

“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.“

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

“delicious tapas, cervesa Alhambra, flamenco de Seville, personable service was all together like the best of Spain. one of those moments that shows nyc always strives to be the best!“

“My husband and I came into town and I said I wanted good Chinese food. He found this wonderful gem and it did not disappoint. We tried the green beans and minced pork, scallion pancakes, and pork dumplings. Everything was fresh, hot, and so flavorful. They even made my husband use chopsticks for the first time.😊. We will be back when we’re in NYC again.“

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

“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“

“Great times and great ambience!“

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

“Amazing and interesting menu. Each dish was exciting and fun. We realized after our meal that we accidentally ordered and ate all vegetarian. Get the cheezits and the squash rings! The schnitzel was delicious as was the carrot hummus. Whatever that chocolate caramel dessert with marshmallow on top is… GET IT! Maybe get two.“

“we had amazing time, the food was so yummy.“

“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) 🤣“

“The restaurant was dark and extremely loud. My friend and I could barely hear each other from across the table. The server was very friendly. There was a Wednesday happy hour deal on drinks so the meal was very affordable. I'd go again.“

“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!“

“Incredible opportunity to listen to fantastic music!“

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