El Malecon Restaurant Reviews

I first came to El Malecon 10 years ago to Meet a friend for lunch living a block away. I have been going there a few times a year ever since for lunch and dinner. Great Carne Asada, chicken, Dominican sausage, fried plantains and smiling waitresses. Good food, service and great prices. Recommend to couples, family and friends.

If you're looking for authentic Dominican cuisine, look no further. El Malecon, located in Washington Heights, will have you believing you are actually in the Dominican Republic. Their menu includes Dominican favorites such as Jugo de Chinola (passion fruit juice), mofongo (different types), pasteles, mangu, yuca frita... The list goes on and on. The flavors are savory and to enhance your experience, the waitstaff is also Dominican.

The service was sharp. Our friends had snagged the table as we made our way there after visiting a museum. They were served and we were well attended to once we arrived. Good Argentine cuisine. Fine drinks. (Actually really good cocktails.)

great service, food is delicious. I always come here every time I visit Washington Heights. I recommend this restaurant to anybody seeking an authentic Dominican plate.

My girlfriend and I have lived in Washington Heights for less than a week and we've been here twice... the first time we carried out (it's only a block from us) and the second time we brought a couple of friends and dined in. The rotisserie chickens slowly spinning in the window will grab anyone's attention and we're grateful to have given it a chance. Our carryout experience was great -- it was about a 15-minute wait for the chicken to be finished (even though to us they looked finished... in our opinion that's excellent quality control. They won't give you just any chicken willy-nilly). While we waited they encouraged us to take a seat and even brought us waters. The bird stayed hot and juicy because they put it in a heat-insulated bag. Great flavor and they section it off for you. Our dinner there a few nights later was excellent - very fast and attentive service. Try the sweet plantains as an accompaniment.

Malecon always delivers. The food is great and plentiful. In fact, you can be sure that one plate and a side of rice and beans is enough to fill 2 people. And, you won't be disappointed when you get the bill either. It's worth a trip up to Washington Heights if you love Spanish food. As for atmosphere, it's loud and energetic. It's not the place to go if you're looking for some quiet time.

Servings are very large, excellent mashed potatoes, roasted chicken is yummy!!! Very good wait staff! Would recommend!!!

I researched the best restaurant for Dominican food in Washington Heights and this truly was the best. Great service and wonderful menu! They are packed day and night and now I know why. If you want really great Caribbean food in a nice clean atmosphere.....El Malecon.

Our family of four ordered 2 whole chickens , a large side of yellow rice, a large side of fried plantains, a large side of black beans and a large side of steamed vegetables. The order came to $45 and it is a big bargain! The chicken was moist with crispy skin and seasoned perfectly. The plantains were hot and soft. We ladled black beans onto our yellow rice, which is a match made in heaven. The steamed vegetables were good, but nothing special. We all ate heartily and there are plenty of leftovers for another meal . You will be hard pressed to find a better carry out value for such delicious food!

The food is poor and spoiled. If you order check out taste the food before you leave.The service was confused. The wine we ordered was warm and we had to tell the waitress it was unacceptable. Too late.

We had a great experience here and really enjoyed the food! Lots of variety and great service! This was one of the best spanish restuarants ive had the pleasure of visiting.

The joint looks like a diner with similar menus but the food was anything but. Authentic Dominican food and very good service. Prices aren't cheap. Lunch is roughly $15 per person depending on what you get. I recommend their Mofongo (any!) We went there on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. You may have to wait for a table and most likely need to wait for the bathroom as there's only one for each sex.

Crowded and noisy, no reservations accepted, and always - *always* - a line at the door. Doesn't sound like a 5-star, eh? Well, it's worth the wait, no matter how long it is, so shut up and get in line. Chicken is their thing, but seafood & other entrees are excellent too. Even my vegetarian daughter was happy. Excellent dinner for a family of 5 cost 80 bucks - how often does that happen anymore in NYC? Not fancy, but that's part of the charm. Go.

Located on Broadway Avenue near the Washington Bridge, serving great food with great service, but prices a bit on the high side. Mofongo was very good, ( with chicken $14, and just a tiny piece of chicken) Not a big place inside for seating, the place gets packed even on Sunday afternoons. Parking is on street.

It was our anniversary and i decided to go to "el malecon" we get inside order a skirt steak with no onions and 2 cocktails,a pomagranite martini and a kettle and club for the hubby,i got a regular margarita and he got house vodka and gingerale,smh that was thier 1st mistake,we let it slide,it was our special day,so we make a toast to "us" on our anniversary,take a zip and give eachother a tap kiss on the lips0ppand stare into eachothers eyes :) So whats the problem u might ask??? Here comes our waitress telling us we cant kiss there because the manager doesnt allow kissing in the restaurant !!??!?!?! What? Are they seriouS!? I could understand if we were sticking our tongues down eachothers troats but that wasnt the case,it was a peck on the lips with a deep stare into eachothers eyes, im very dissapointed with the way the waitress approched us,very unproffesional very demanding and almost talking down to us,now the food gets to the table,churrasco with no onions right? Nope,wrong! They drench my steak in onions,im already very upset as it is so i tell the waitress that were leaving and we do not want the food,we were only going to pay the 2 drinks that we only took a zip of at 10bucks a piece,the waitress said we cant leave without paying the full meal we didnt touch,i asked for the manager (the one that said we couldnt kiss at the restaurant) but he was nowhere to be found,they kept insisting we had to pay,and i kept insisting i will only pay for the 2drinks that were the wrong ones to begin with,at the end i left 20 bucks on the table for the 2 drinks and walked out! Thats to a poor wait staff we will NEVER visit there ever! HORRIFIC EXPIRIENCE SMH

Amazing Dominican food! Line was long to get in, but it moved quickly. Table for 2 available in 10 minutes. Cocktails were tasty. It was a great way to try different types of Dominican food. We had shrimp mofongo mini--it was enough to share. Their portions are large, so be aware when ordering. You will probably want to share your sides, apps, etc. Service is amazing... very local vibe. Some of the patrons (mostly Dominican) chatted with us about our food choices and theirs... it was great! Get the chicken!!!

we had a great meal with very good food. The place is family oriented with plenty of locals who appreciate good food

I ordered a Whole Chicken w/White Rice, Beans and a side of Steamed Vegetables via delivery for $22. This fed 3 full-sized adult and an 8yr old child; can't beat that price for feeding 4 people. The food was delivered with 30 mins and arrived nice and hot. The taste was delicious...the chicken was juicy, the rice cooked perfectly and the vegetables were fresh; I don't eat beans but the rest of the family enjoyed them. I will definitely be ordering from them again when in the area.

I can't recommend this place highly enough. It is not just a good place for the neighborhood, it is something you should travel to. There is a wide-ranging menu for all dietary needs, there is ample seating, the staff is invariably friendly, the portions are large, and, most importantly, the cost is incredibly reasonable. The food is simply prepared and always good.

What a lovely way to end a fun day in NYC! My nephew, his wife, two children and I wanted some authentic food. We were not disappointed. Everything we ordered was a big hit ~ chicken! pork chops, shrimp in butter sauce and rice in beans. We even had leftovers which I shared with my husband two days later. By the way, our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful.

You come to Malecon for one thing. The chicken!!! First thing you see when walking in are two massive rotisseries with hundreds of small, heavily seasoned & glistening birds taking their final and greatest ferris wheel ride. This is what you are here for. Don't bother with anything else besides the Pollo with the exception of side dishes. I usually stick with the usual suspects, Tostones, yellow rice, and beans (both the red and black are delicious). I can't speak for the restaurant service as I only do take out here. The line can get long during peak hours, but moves quickly. Service at the counter is fast, loud and efficent, not rude. When you get to the counter know what you want and SPEAK UP. If you hesitate they will move to the person behind you. Sorry, but the rest of us need our chicken and can't be bothered with your indecisiveness. You can get your chicken hot or cold. Regardless of when you plan on eating get it hot. They will cut it up for you unless you specifically ask them not to. As i mentioned above the birds are small. You'll want leftovers anyway so order at least one extra. Most importantly, make sure you ask for green sauce. Not that the chicken needs any more flavor, but this stuff is amazing on anything. Be forewarned that they are stingy with the green goodness, so politely ask for extra and you may be rewarded. I will warn those on a low sodium diet that this is not the chicken for you. I guess you could take the skin off, but that's the best part. If you are a dessert fan the Tres Leches is very solid, although I usually hit Floridita Bakery 2 blocks north of Malecon on the west side of Broadway.

There's no since in traveling all the way to Puerto Rico jyst for the food because this place serves up some good ol fashion Chicken Mofongo! Try it. You just might like it.

This was our 2nd time here and it was consistently good. I ordered the Arroz con Pollo, which I ordered the last time and it was excellent. The portions are very large so this dish should be shared unless you are very hungry. Appetizers were mofongo con chiccaron and it was also very good. Sweet plantains and rice and beans equally good. They do not take reservations and it was VERY crowded on Saturday night. Park is horrendous especially if there is an event across the street in the theatre... public transportation is best. For desser I had caffe con leche and chocolate cake. Coffee was average but chocolate cake was stupendous if you are a dark chocolate lover.

We had a bunch of different dishes, and were definitely satisfied and full. In some cases (the rotisserie chicken and fried chicken), the food was very good. In other cases (the chicken soft tacos), the food was disappointing. Regardless, however, the price was a bit high.

I moved to Washington Heights from Hell's Kitchen (sigh, I know, what I get for getting engaged to a nurse at Columbia and couldn't turn down the gigantic hospital housing apartments)... ANYWAYS. So I was bummed, Sad, to move from probably one of the most foodie parts of Manhattan, to a place I didn't even know was on the Island! I probably get the whole chicken w/rice and beans combo 2-3 times a month. Their Whole chicken and rice deal is probably the best and most delicious in the city. GET THE YELLOW RICE. It has so much flavor, I eat it alone! Their Modongo (tripe soup) isn't as good as others and their Maduros (Sweet plantains) aren't as caramelized as I normally prefer. But I still come back... for the yellow rice!

This restaurant is my go to place for tourist-friendly Dominican food. Although the kitchen is hit-or-miss at times, 95% of the time you get solid Dominican fare in an atmosphere that delights (to the Dominican taste) and with service that meets or exceeds Dominican standards. Take note: El Malecon is billed (in the Dominican community) as a bit of home in pretty lush surroundings. They are more than happy to serve the non-Dominican, but they do it Dominican-style. For those of us used to US customer service standards (even the lower standards of NYC), Dominican-style is markedly lower than what we would expect, especially if there is a problem. However, if you don't expect much on that front, you should thoroughly enjoy your experience.

What a great find in upper Manhattan. Sangria was very fruity, portions are very large and desserts are to died for. Excellent service. All the dishes that we ordered tasted very authentic.

It's packed everyday ... locals , doctors , nurses and some adventurous tourists !!! Rotisserie chicken is epic !!!! Rice and beans very goood also It's worth the trip to Washington Heights It's only a few blocks from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital , so if you're there , make the walk over here!!!

First time eating dominican food. The mofango was interesting. The three layer cake was so moist and delicious. Good coffee too, and I'm very fussy about my coffee.

This place was extremely busy and just a tad loud, but so worth it. The service is quick once you are seated. Fresh food and very affordable. My family and I all had different dishes and they were all so very yummy and filling. Portions are more than enough. You will not be disappointed. It is a must try if ever in the Bronx.

OMG! Friday was GNO (Girls Night Out) to celebrate my birthday. I thought that I would chose a reasonably priced restaurant with great food. Boy, did we make the right choice. If you like spanish food you will love it after your visit to El Malecon. Skip the fancy spanish restaurants downtown. It's so unauthenthic and expensive for no darn reason. We had steak and onions, half a chicken, grilled pork chops and fried pork chops, with yellow rice, beans and sweet plantains. There was so much food that I took as much food home as I also ate. After I got home, I ate my leftovers 2 more times. We could not believe how much we loved the Sangria. It was so good we ordered a second pitcher. They only serve the red, no white sangria and no need to care. You will very happy with the red. So what the restaurant is in Washington Heights. We travel to go everywhere else, so take a trip uptown for a change and you will NEVER go downtown for excellent spanish (Dominican) food again. Guaranteed!!!

You can tell you're in a good place when the locals eat there - and plenty of them do, as well as the constant stream of people getting a take-out. Very tasty!

El Malecon is the real deal. The main draw seems to be the incredibly moist and tasty rotisserie chicken, but check out the sides of plantains, and beans as well. Great value. Judging from the crowds, takeout is a big part of what they do. Seating area was busy on the couple of occasions I was there, but there was always a table available.

Awesome Dominican food! Great variety and portions are big enough to share. Reasonably priced. Nice staff. Clean restaurant. Feels like home. This place won’t disappoint.

Malecon is known because of their delicious rotisserie chicken. I recommend it with any side that your heart desires. It's mouth watering smell satisfies you to the last bit.

What a delightful surprise to have my best friend take me to the neared "Latin" restaurant. It had been a long time since I had had such a good and fruity sangria, tasty rice and Garlic sauce Shrimp. The rice was delicious even after reheating the day after. We returned a couple of days later to try more yummy dishes. We shared an avocado salad that was big enough for 3 of us. I had the bistek a la parrilla which was a bit dried up as if cooked too long or reheated. Everyone else was very satisfied with their dishes. We had to share the flan which was excellent. I recommend you do not come here after 10 PM. The staff is in a rush to catch public transportation home and are not relaxed when serving or taking care of your bill.

This place is known for its roasted chicken, and the frequent patronage of a lot well-known Dominicans in the community. The waiter appeared limited in English, and I insisted that he speak to me in Spanish because I needed the practice. When I'm in any Spanish-speaking restaurant, I tip better when I'm spoken to in Spanish. My waiter was very good in helping me make my selections of roasted chicken with rice and beans, and a batido de chinola, a passion fruit shake, which the waiter assured me is “very Dominican;” just want I wanted----something very Dominican to try for the first time; quite tasty, I might add.

The food was good but it could be better because I've been to other malecons that were way better. Food is good don't get me wrong but I wouldn't take a date here.

I'm from CA and could not wait to visit Washington Heights to eat some authentic Dominican food. We were not disappointed! I wish I could have sampled more because there's so much to choose! We had the bistec encebollado, arroz con habichuelas, tostones, pollo asado, and ensalada. I would like to return and try their mangú! I hope I can convince my colleagues to join me!

Mama Mia!!! This is the Camarofongo 🤤. A Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 dish with shrimp 🍤 and plantain, before you die please eat this one, you will remember me hehe and please enjoy with a Presidente 🍺. Ask for Mrs Carmen the best service, you will love. @manudominguezm

When entering we saw lots of chicken being prepared and should have ordered that. Instead we ordered grill seafood. It was over cooked and rubbery. Stick with the chicken. Service was very good. Although some of the women ordered beer and were not offered a glass.

Excellent place to eat Roasted chicken is the best in town, good prices. Ll definitely come back and try it again

Fresh, delicious food with impeccable service and an outstanding atmosphere that is among the best of what New York has to offer. Highly recommended!

To our surprise there were no hot spices in the food. It really was lovely. We entered a world of Picaderas, Plantains and Mofongos and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Throw in some rice and avocadoes and a jug of Sangria and the evening was complete. We waddled out of this lovely busy characterful place.

So I ordered the Shrimp Mofongo and the mofongo itself was AMAZING but my shrimp were not deveined! This is a rookie mistake and also unappetizing and displeasing to the eye. The service was also a bit slow but to their defense it was super packed. Everything else was pretty good, the bread, the beef mofongo, and longaniza mofongo were all delicious.

The food is amazing no matter what you order. Unfortunetly the services is not the best, they food comes quick but not always with a smile.

Stopped for a late lunch on our way to The Cloisters Museum. There was a line, but it moved quickly, and we were seated at a booth in the back. While in line, we watched the plates of Dominican specialties coming out of the kitchen --big plates of chicken and rice, beans and plantains. Tacos, soups, steaks and seafood paella. Mango shakes. Simple fare but so wonderfully delicious, served family style to share. The kids loved the crunchy grilled and flattened garlic bread that came immediately. I thought we ordered too much, but we ate everything! The wait staff and atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. It was a Saturday afternoon and the restaurant was filled with families speaking several different languages. A cultural and culinary experience off the beaten path, and well worth the trip. Great value, too! We were impressed.

I usually come here for their grill chicken is so delicious always done to perfection and their side dishes are great also

This place is the real deal- stellar food in a Dominican neighborhood. I the mashed plantains with eggs (for breakfast) blew my mind. Can't wait to go back.

If you want the height of real Dominican cooking in New York City, go to the Heights — Washington Heights to Malecon at the corner of W Broadway and 175th. We ate there on a sunny afternoon in September. We sat outside after a short wait chatting with other faithful customers and the owner Pablo. And what a treat we had in store! We dined on spit-toasted chicken falling off the bone, arroz con gandules, sweet and green plantains and black beans. All this was washed down with icy cold Presidente beer. For dessert we indulged in flan and carrot cake. The portions were generous and a bargain. We even had leftovers for another meal. We’ll be back!

Best rotisserie chicken in the city...

Very cozy and small place. Ambiance is family restaurant. Great dinner date spot. However, a bit loud for my taste. The food is delicious and well seasoned. I ordered a piña colada with alcohol, that could've used more alcohol, but overall was good. Good portions of rice and plantains, enough to share. When up in the heights, don't be afraid to stop by for dinner. If you drive, be aware that parking is very limited or close to none. There are plenty of paid parking garages around the area that you can use.

I liked these quesadillas. Maybe they aren't a traditional Mexican one but the flavor was good. Melted cheese with chicken a different dices to try was good. The service is really good and they have a international menu. ------------------- @Elmanidlminguez (Instagram) Food + Entertainment in NY

Malecon Restuarant has excellent prices for delicious food!! Their portions are large, and the staff is accommodating and friendly!! I am now hooked, and will reccomend to my family and friends!! Curbside service great too. Gave me what I wanted- Extra Sauce!! Delicious!!

Great chicken.

This place has the best rotisserie chicken and is really popular. My family and I love the food. The portion size is really big. The tres Leches cake is also really good. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a good Spanish restaurant.

Love the roasted chicken

Earlier I tried Pastelon (That's the dominican lasagna- LOL mashed Yellow Plantain instead of pasta) and I loved.. 10 Points.. so my friend invite me to eat Mofongo and steak in the Malecon, At the beginning I was full but I soon as I saw the plate I felt in love with the flavors and colors.. It's worth to go uptown to try this Dominican Restaurant.

This restaurant was suggested to me by Hotel staff as one of the best for Dominican food in the area so we decided to have some delivered. We ordered Mondongo and Tostones with diff juices (lemonade, Papaya, Passion Fruit) the food arrived within 30 min and it did not disappoint. The following night it was less cold so we decided to walk to the Restaurant - The restaurant is small and was packed, we waited about 25-30 min to be seated but again worth the wait the food exceeded our expectations. The Shrimp Mofongo was delicious and the Sancocho tasted homemade. We were told their chicken is what they are known for so we will def be returning to try it. The reason for 4 starts is because service was a bit slow and we had to wait a while for the waitress to bring our check.

Perfectly seasoned and moist roast chicken with rice and beans, sweet jugos (I like guanabana) and apparently mofongo too.

The chicken is really great, as are the plantains. Haven't tried a lot of other dishes because the chicken is the best. We order-in at least once a week.

This is my first experience with Dominican food. And I must admit that any I have after this will have a lot to life up to. The chicken, lobster mofongo, plantains, and beans are just to die for!!! This place has a warm family vibe and staff is amazingly fast. If you come on a Sunday around 3 expect a wait. But the staff gets you seated pretty quickly. Trust me it's worth the wait. Yes add this to your list of must eat places in NYC.

The restaurant is operated like a fast food chain--no one welcomes you and seats you. Some advice for first timers:don't expect the courtesy of a greeting before being served and don't expect to have your appetizer brought to you before your meal. Maybe there is a language barrier to consider, but good manners always go a long way, even if your mute. You have to wait at least ten minutes before anyone comes to serve you--ridiculous! The food is served in intervals of 4-7 minutes before you receive the whole meal, that is, you might get the chicken and soda and then have to wait another five minutes for the rice and then another five for the beans. Adding insult to injury, when you are getting the food, it is thrown on the table and you never see the waiter again until you recieve the check. Now, just to recieve the check, you will need to hunt the waiter down, that same waiter who is probably giving great service to someone who is a native of her country--the locals know which country I am referring to. So, if you think that having a great meal is more important than the service, ENJOY!

If you go to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for an appointment and you want a nice lunch after, the options are limited. El Malecon Restaurant, which is #1 on Tripadvisor for that area, fills that need nicely. The diner like restaurant is a well run machine. The busboys, waitresses and cooks know what they are doing and do it well. The physical plant is a little shop worn but it is in the Manhattan style and it works. The food is first rate Latin cooking with Spanish, South American and Caribbean represented. The menu is multi paged so you should find something. We tried the $12 lunch special which is 8 or so full plate dinners offered on a discounted menu that day. It changes for the day of the week. My wife had the ox tail with rice, beans and bread. It was delicious. It was so large she had to take some home. I splurged and had the grouper and fried shrimp platter with a large side plate of sweet plantains ( there are other choices) It was perfectly done and very enjoyable.

Besides the eggshells in my mashed potatoes, salpican was good (I've had much better in DR). Some of our tostones weren't fully cooked, most of the meat was very overcooked. Longaniza was very decent, however. Service was so-so.

Local gem. Truly you can't go wrong your choices. My favorites: fried chunks of meat w fried plantains. (Chicharones De pollo con tostones) Skirt steak w rice and peas. (Churasco arroz con gandules) get a side of maduros which are sweet plantains. They gave a large selection make of natural fruit juices which they'll taylor make for you.

A friendly basic chicken and pork restaurant with an eclectic menu. Portions are large, service is adequate. Well worth a visit.

The food is always good here. It's been a neighborhood institution for years and it consistently is the same great food. Definitely recommend the Salmon a la Mexicana!

The big problem with traveling solo is you can't try everything you want to on the menu! But I came close. The roasted chicken is indeed wonderful, though the breast can be a little dry. The thigh, wings and butt were just perfect though: well worth a fairly long wait during prime-time on Saturday night! I wasn't wild about the plain mofongo (plantain-based starch side dish that is clearly meant to be smothered in some sort of aromatic sauce), but the mixed green salad with avocado was simply delicious. It was served with a very simple salsa fresca sort of dressing, and I could have eaten the dressing by the spoonful! After all that I was way too full for dessert but boy I wish I had more time to explore more on this soul-fattening menu!

We attended a Gospel & Jazz Concert at the United Palace. We asked one of the Ushers to recommend a restaurant in the area. He didn't hesitate. He immediately said,"El Malecon". He was so right. After reading their huge menu, we both ordered the Rotisserie Half Chicken with a side. I ordered the Fried Plantains and my friend ordered the Vegetables. We both loved the chicken. The plantains were excellent. The portions were HUGE!. We both took food home. I just had another delicious meal.

We visited here for lunch at the suggestion of a friend who used to live nearby. I had a pastelito de res as an appetizer and arroz con pollo as my meal. It was more than enough food! I felt bad not being able to take the leftovers with me (we didn’t have access to a fridge) because it must have looked like I didn’t like it with all that was left. My friend had a Cuban sandwich and she said it was the best one she’d ever eaten. The menu is large and I suspect that anything you choose would be delicious. I will be back!

The roasted pollo is delicious. I use to thane it to go . The service is super fast and the prices very affordable. Definitely to try if you are in Washington heights.

My husband was raised in the Dominican and Puerto Rican neighborhoods of New York. We now reside in Virginia and this is our first stop whenever we are fortunate enough to travel to NYC. The food is delicious! It's always busy, but we have never had a bad service experience.

I was desperate for some straight up Dominican food. Oh my god. Malecon ticked every box. Washington Heights has a rhythm and a great and vibrant scene. The food was incredible. The music insatiable and the atmosphere meaning I have to come back!

Believe it. This is the best restaurant in The Heights. The Chicken Malecon is just about perfect. If you have 3 or 4 in your party order a whole chicken. Team it up with rice and beans, maybe some avocado salad, and sweet fried plantain and you will go away happy and very full. And at a VERY reasonable price. Compared to most NYC restaurants, it's cheap. Our daughter moved to NYC this summer and lives around the corner from Malecon. We've eaten here a couple of times. For anglos: You server may not speak english. No worries. Just point at the menu and enjoy an excellent meal.

We took the subway to Washington Heights to explore the neighborhoods and worked up an appetite. I picked out the Malecon restaurant in advance after reviewing the menu and the many good reviews. 

We were seated quickly and spent a few minutes looking over the substantial menu. 

I chose one of the daily specials and my wife selected what she thought would be lighter a bowl of their Sopa De Pollo. A server brought a plate of warm bread and after a few minutes our food arrived - it was plentiful!
 I enjoyed the Pernil which was slow-roasted marinated pork, served with a side of Moro Gandules (mixed rice with pigeon peas). The pork was so very tender and flavorful - would definitely order again. Honestly, I was not a fan of the mixed rice (I do not love peas) but that’s my fault for ordering. My dining partner enjoyed her bowl of Sopa De Pollo, flavorful broth with lots of big chunks of Chicken. We shared a plate of Maduros (sweet fried plantains). So tasty. The prices were very affordable and the serving plentiful. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my Pork, next time I would order one of the dishes with the roast chicken (you can see the rotisserie in the front window and an employee cutting up the freshly roasted chicken as you enter the restaurant.

Dominican in NY

This is not those restaurants that serve you just Dominican food, they serve a mix of both worlds. Not crowded on a Sunday morning or afternoon. Ordered a steak sandwich and it was a delish and it came in minutes! Sometimes, they can get your order wrong but this is in a rare basis. It happened to me, but I come here as much as I can so it is ok. Great Restaurant and a must go if you head to Washington Heights.

There is a reason this place is famous...the food is fantastic and ridiculously reasonably priced. It's a great experience in Washington Heights...no frills, just real people and real Dominican food. Go!

Delicious food, big portions and good price. I had the chicken breast and steak with rice and beans and my brother had the chicken and shrimp linguine. For dessert he had the carrot cake and I had the flan. We will definitely be back on this trip.

Modern lighting mixed with retro walls and beams create a nice atmosphere. Try the oxtail, roast pork, and of course, the mofongo. Along with the huge serving of rice and beans, you will be satisfied for hours. Service can be a little spotty when it gets busy for lunch or dinner. Lunch special at $10 is a good deal.

When I visit NY this is one of my favorite Dominican restaurants.It's authentic clean and quick service..Anything you eat you'll love...be sure to try their 3 leches cake 🎂 its super yummmm😋

As a local of Washington Heights I have had an opportunity to eat here several times. As a newcomer to the neighborhood we put up with the long waits for food or to see the waitress for our bill. Now we know of other options with way more reasonable prices.

El Malecon Manhattan, New York El Malecon is an amazing Dominican restuarant with delicious food at reasonalble prices on Broadway & 175th Street. The restaurant is large and can accomodate medium size groups easily. It has bene modernized and now has comfortable booths. The waitresses are friendly and provide service with a real smile. They are happy to see you. The menu is large and has many traditional Dominican dishes. The tropical fruit drinks are fresh and delicious. Be sure to order the advocado salad with your meal.The roasted chicken was amongst the best I have eaten in any restuarant. The chicken was tender and tasty. The rice and beans were good and the hard plantins were delicious. What a lovely way to experience Domincan culture and food in uptown Manhattan. Take an adventure and come to Washington Heights for a great meal

"El Malecón is an uptown institution and its chicken is a personal favorite. I once saw a scuffle break out in El Malecón because they ran out of chicken. It really is fight-worthy pollo." Junot Diaz I don't think I can come up with better words to describe what this restaurant's food is like. Authentic Dominican food, and tons of it for a few bucks. If you are in the neighborhood, don't hesitate to visit.

Came for the mofongo and churrasco and left with 6 tres leches to go. Él pollo a la plancha was well seasoned and my mofongo to die for. Excellent Dominican food. Worth the long drive from Albany

They made me pay twice stating one of my cards did not work. I showed them that it did as the charge immediately went pending. They said: oh but it did not print the receipt so you need to try with another card. Few days later both operations posted on my account. I complained m, and brought proof of the operations in the statement, and an extremely rude woman at the register behind the counter kept saying I was lying and anyhow I needed to speak with the manager. 10 minutes waiting and then the manager was the man next to her who kept ignoring me. EPIC FAIL.

El Malecon is a nice restaurant located uptown NYC. You might walkby and see the chicken roasting, and yes it is very good indeed. This is a perfect place to bring your friends or family.

Want to sample great Dominican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban fare? This is the place. Always crowded, locals know this is the place for some home-cooked food. It's busy, noisy, and delicious. Definitely order the whole rotisserie chicken. With two side dishes, the dinner special is the best deal in the neighborhood.

Stopped here for lunch on our way home from NYC. What can I say but amazing! Best mofongo ever! Don’t miss this stop! Extensive menu, delicious food, reasonable price!

They call themselves "el rey del pollo" and my friends agree that their chicken is special. We eat fish and it was quite good=though beware the "crab meat" as it is fake.

This small restaurant on the northwest side of Manhattan offers an interesting variety of Latin American, Caribbean, and North American fare, and alcoholic beverages as well, in a relaxed, warm atmosphere. I can recommend the vegetarian (black bean) tacos, fries, and Mexican beers. I would have liked to try the veggie breakfast wraps, but I came too late in the evening. 😋‼️

Having relocated from Chicago to Connecticut, we missed the flavor of Central and South American cuisine... until we had lunch at El Malecon, which is an excellent Dominican restaurant in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan.

I had passed El Malecon a few times while in the neighborhood and thought they had an interesting menu. I finally got a chance to try it this evening and the food is wonderful, perfectly cooked and a nice size portion for the cost. I had the shrimp with garlic sauce that came with a large mound of rice and beans and a chicken quesadilla. The dishes were prepared fresh, were very flavorful and perfectly cooked. There were loads of shrimp in the garlic sauce and they were big, plump and fresh tasting, not frozen. The service was a little off since my Spanish is not the greatest but is pleasant and helpful enough. It is a nice place to watch a sporting event as well.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! The chicken is AMAZING! The food is outstanding, and it is ALWAYS crowded so that should be an indication. The only negative is that sometimes you have to wait a bit for a table... but it is totally worth the wait!!