El Parador Cafe Reviews

This is the only Mexican restaurant I have come across any where that has a separate vegetarian menu so that you do not have to worry about killed and dead animals lurking around in your plate. I was visiting after along gap. The veg menu is still there but a distant glory of what it used to offer. There was a taco tray that was more like a raw version of fajitas. The guacamole was good. The margaritas were tiny and over priced. In fact the entire meal was way over priced. I will have to search harder for another Mexican p;ace in NYC.

I was dining here after a gap of over 2 years, and what used to be my favorite Mexican restaurant in NYC, it has gone downhill. There are just a handful of Mexican restaurants in NYC, in fact all of the USA, that have a separate full vegetarian menu, so obviously this was a big plus for me. The guacamole did not taste fresh and was seriously devoid of flavor. I had to add salt and lime. The vegetarian salsa was just chopped tomatoes and onions. What use to be my favorite, the green chile corn bread was dense and fatty. The salad was over dressed. Margaritas were average, not the killer they used to be. Perhaps I was here on a rare bad day. I will give them the benefit of doubt.

Seconds after leaving the hustle and bustle of 34th St this delightful oasis relaxes all so enter and serves up delightful and classic Mexican dishes in a friendly and chilled manner.

I eat here once every few months. They have the best salsa and warm chips. This place is the oldest Mexican restaurant in New York. The food and drinks are great and the service is too. You can't go wrong with the sizzling fajitas! Not inexpensive but worth the value.

El Parador is tucked behind a tired awning and a plain wood door. At first, you are unlikely to just stumble in. However, once you open the door you find yourself in a stylish romantic setting that is surprisingly large and perfectly lit. A nice bar in the front of the restaurant leads to a larger dining room. The menu offers a large selection of Central Mexican cuisine and also has many offerings that would considered more Central / South American in nature, although certainly can be found in Mexico. We were a party of four with one vegetarian. Not only were there options for the vegetarian, they offered a full Vegan and Vegetarian menu. As attested to in previous reviewers comments, the Margaritas were fresh and excellent. No syrup used in these babies. Our meal from appetizers to dessert was superb, as was the service. A special mention should go to the beautiful Mole served. One of the most difficult dishes to make anywhere, this was clearly homemade Mole and served directly from the Le Creuset individual baking dish. Could not have been any better. All of this and the meal ended with a bill that was much less than anticipated, making this El Parador a real winner.

If you are looking for a sure bet that consistently delivers on great food and service, head to El Parador.

This is the second time I've visited El Parador and both visits have been great. On the first visit we were seated in the bar area but we preferred sitting in the upper area on the second trip. It's a cozy, intimate place with a welcoming staff and excellent food. Next time we're going to aim for the happy hour (5-7 I believe, bar only) and enjoy their margaritas again. It's a great find in a quiet area of NYC.

This restaurant has a warm and attractive ambiance with excellent lighting. We have been here previously and wanted to try it again. The stuffed jalapeno appetizer, chips, salsa and guacamole were all excellent as were the cocktails. However, we were disappointed with the main entrees. My Fried Pollo Parador was served hot and nicely flavored, although it would have been better if they included a sauce to enhance the flavor. My son and his fiance ordered the Chef's Combo dinners and my wife ordered the Enchilada Suiza. Their entrees were all served warm and not hot. It seemed that the dishes were left sitting in the kitchen for some time before they were delivered. Also, both my son and his fiance had minor abdominal pain after eating their meals. We all received sides of rice and beans and that was also served warm, not hot. Overall, this was a disappointing dinner. I will give the restaurant credit for serving a complimentary slice of birthday cake with a lit candle as well as shots of pineapple flavored tequilla on the house. Perhaps it was an off night, however when you pay premium prices for a dinner, you would expect the entrees to be hot. We may return again to give it another try, however I am considering other options for Mexican food the next time we are in NY.

Spent a week in Kips Bay trying out all the best rated restaurants. This was easily our favourite. Really great tasting interesting Mexican food in a really lovely soft lit interior. Doesn't look much from the outside but definitely worth a visit.

It's was our first time there it and it was great. The waiters were right on with their recommendations. Definitely a place for dinner.

This restaurant has wonderful ambience if a table in the rear is available. If seeking the best Mexican food, I think there are better places. Price is typical for the area.

We hosted 17 people for our daughter's Sweet 16 dinner. It was terrific. We had been here before for dinner and loved it. Food is great with sophisticated twists on Mexican dishes but not so unusual as to make it inaccessible to the younger crowd. The Ropa Vieja was perfectly prepared, and all the kids at the dinner thoroughly enjoyed plates of nachos as well as enchiladas, tacos and fajitas. The adults enjoyed wonderful margaritas and sangria and they made "virgin" margaritas for the kids which went over well. We did not do a price fixed menu and it was still extremely reasonable for such a large group. The waiters are formally dressed and the ambiance is cozy but festive with a nice hum of energy. The downstairs was able to host two separate parties of 17 people each without any issues - one was ours and another was a birthday party for an adult. We all had a great time together. El Parador has been around a long time - it is a tradition worth enjoying.

Many times Mexican cuisine gets a bad rap because the food is super processed and leaves on feeling just gross. El Parador has great quality food and puts out a fresh product. From our drinks, to apps and the mains, everything was very very good. Our server was very nice and friendly as well. We were able to get in without a reservation which left us sitting in them middle of the restaurant. If getting bumped into by people bothers you, request a table along either side of the restaurant when you make your reservation. Between the staff and customers walking in/out we were getting bumped into every few minutes, other than that, it was a great dinner!

Such a positive energy, very friendly and careful stuff especialy Grace, love her!🧚🏼‍♀️ Strawberry frozen margarita and guacamole are the best in the town!

This restaurant has been a staple in Murray Hill for many years. You can easily walk past and not notice it. But once inside, it's like being transported to a different time.

I found this on tripadvisor, but struggled to make a reservation (My problem getting my mobile to work in the USA), so we thought we would walk down and see if we could get in as it was only a few blocks from our hotel. On arrival we entered to see a very busy restaurant. We were greeted by a very friendly host who showed us to a table for two. As soon as we sat down a waiter appeared from nowhere with some nachos. I'm not sure how he knew we had just sat down, maybe some Mexican magic! As we only had to walk back to the hotel, we ordered a jug of Sangria to share, which tasted great and definitely had a good lug of alcohol in it. We ordered the Guacamole to share for starters which was delicious and creamy. Sandra had the Fish Tacos, and I had the Beef Burritos for mains. I have to say, and Sandra agreed I have not eaten food as flavoursome as this for a long time, it was top notch. If we had been in NYC for longer, we would have eaten here again. The restaurant is not big and it does not look much from the outside, but the magic happens inside. If you are in NYC, like Mexican food that you must eat here.

It's hard to find good Mexican food in New York. Chefs in New York feel compelled to serve either five-star fare or Chipotle. El Parador is an exception: delicious, old-world Mexican food with Mexico City-restaurant feel. There's a good reason this restaurant has been in New York for a long time.

Okay, okay. I'm known to complain about the lack of good mexican food in NYC but this place is definitely a step in the right direction. Tasty food overall and pretty decent service, all within 10 minutes of where I live. Give it a try, you will be un-disappointed.

From the moment we arrived it was a special night. Attentive host and waiter. The food was delicious. We had our teenagers with us but it had a lovely intimate feel to the restaurant. Highly recommended.

Although long time running, still unknown to some of my NY colleagues. This has to change! Perfect food. Varoius authentical Mexican dishes. Heavenly Margarita's. Very affordable and extremely friendly Staff. Also important, not the rush rush you often experience in NYC restaurants. Here you can take your time and enjoy.

Step inside and you will feel like you've been transported to Mexico. The food is excellent and always consistent - - the house Chicken (you have to wait 30 minutes) is the most tasty chicken you will ever have. They start you with house made totopos and salsa. Margaritas are some of the best in the city.

We found this place using TA and the Michelin guide while visiting NYC. The restaurant is very nice and so was the food. Staff was very helpful as we were 1/2h late for our booking (NYC traffic anyone ?????) and still manage to find us table.

We stumbled in after a Dr. appt. at NYU,not expecting lunch service. The sophisticated menu offers something for everyone.It was quiet w excellent service,I avoid at dinner too NOISY

First I would like to prefice that my wife and I have been patronizing El Paradoror for 45 years. YES, 45 years, and it has been the same for all of those years. What I mean by that, is that the ownership and or management has been part of and directly involved in the day to day operation of the restaurant since that time.As the menu sometimes changes a bit, the quality and flavor of the food continuely gets better. Alex, the owner/ Host is always over accommodating, and truly appreciates your business. All of the entires are excellent depending on your preference of coarse, as is the desert. On a side one, Alex will ask the chef he he can prepare something that may not be on the menu that evening if requested. I cannot say enough good things about Elarador without being redundant. What I can say is, please don't have any reservations about trying this place if you like good true Mexican fare. But, I do recommend that you make reservations. I am confident you won't be disappointed.

Yes, the best margaritas in NYC and some of the best Mexican food as well. A little off the beaten path, but worth it. Go!

Great food, bit the only place we have been that has applied a 20% service charge to the bill, when we questioned this the waiter became surly and gave no reason why it was applied. No mention of any service charge on the menu, will not be back.

I lived in Los Angeles for years. The main and really only thing I miss about L. A. is that Mexican Food. Well, after living in NY and searching around I finally found El Parador. Now, if you want cheap, this is not the place to go. If you want excellent authentic Mexican food with great service...this is it my friend.

Been coming twice a year for decades. Always terrific and authentic. Nice booths. Funny locale. Taco chips are warm. Salsa supreme.

We had a delightful dinner. They gave us a corner booth which was very romantic. We had fish and shrimp. Excellent salsa and warm chips to start. The flavours of each dish were amazing. Everything was cooked perfectly. I tried two of their premium tequilas after dinner. I was amazed at the complexity and layers. The service was very good as well. Good wine list with modest prices. We had a truly outstanding Argentinian chardonnay. The restaurant was packed and I can see why. Highly recommended.

We have visited this restaurant on numerous occasions but were extremely peeved at receiving our bill with a 20% fee already added onto the bill on our most recent visit. Generally we would give el Parador a 5 star review but the change in policy from tips being based on the service provided to being made mandatory will make us seek alternatives to this restaurant

Quiet friendly restaurant with good authentic Mexican food and full selection of drinks at the bar. We went with friends on a cold Thursday night without a reservation. The wait time would be 40 min, so it's popular but not overcrowded. We chose to sit by the bar. Enchiladas were delicious. Our selection was lobster enchiladas and chefs special. Apparently it's one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the city.

Based on advice in other reviews, I requested the vegetarian menu which had a good selection of items. I opted for the vegetarian taco plate which allowed a choice of three different warm fillings combined with servings of fresh toppings with warm soft tacos to make them yourself. I chose sweet potatoes, Black beans and fried plantains, all of which were excellent .. and great homemade salsa and guacamole. The frozen margarita was great as well with enough alcohol and not too sweet. The waiters were very attentive and we received efficient sevice. My colleague ordered a steak dish and was also very satisfied. I can highly recommend !

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in NYC -- it's a small, authentic, friendly place that has good food, great atmosphere, friendly staff and clientele, and the best margaritas you can find. So, you must order the house margarita on the rocks -- they don't use a mix but instead use real lime juice so it's not too sweet. The salsa is really good -- served warm with a unique flavor. The guacamole is outstanding, and all the entrees are very good. My favorites are chicken in mojo, ropa vieja, the special enchiladas, and the numerous fish dishes (especially the rockfish). Alex the evening manager is very friendly and treats regular clients very well. Well worth the trip!

Living in Denver, Co, we have access to many Mexican and Southwest places to eat, but El Parador was special. The interior is dark and clubby. The bartender was full of personality. We had enchiladas and they were outstanding.

Good Mexican restaurant in Murray hill district. Quality food. Nice service, and fine margarita drinks. Somewhat pricey considering US tipping policy. Recommended.

Always outstanding, the food is scrumptious and the service is really great -- like you're visiting an old friend. One of my all-time favorites.

We hadn't been back to NYC in a long time so we were happy to see our old favorite was still thriving on the East side. We had a party of 8 on a Saturday night and we made reservations a few days in advance. We had a nice large table in the back. The restaurant was crowded and quite spirited ( the margaritas maybe? ) but we were able to converse easily in the back. The restaurant still has the same old world Mexican charm it had 30 years ago...The food is good traditional homestyle Mexican. Great prices. Good service. This is a fun place to come with the group. The frozen margaritas come out of a 'Slurpee' machine. They taste great and pack quite a punch. If you are looking for nuevo Mexican, go elsewhere. But if you are looking for a fun night and good food and drinks at a good price, this is a New York classic.

New York’s oldest Mexican restaurant that lives up to its quality. Lovely staff and amazing quality food. Definitely worth going to if you love Mexican.

My friend and I stopped here to for an early dinner. Its a very cute decor and clean. The staff were very friendly and we met the owner who stopped and talked to most of the patrons. He informed us he had another restaurant in Brooklyn. Now to the food that was not just affordable but very tasty. For appetizers we had filled peppers with cheese and peanutbutter that were good but real spicy... It didnt matter how hot they were because I kept putting small pieces in my mouth. We also had some fried wings and quesadillas. We ate at the bar and chilled with our drinks specials during happy hour on a Saturday. Its a shame I neglected this restaurant for soo long since I work two blocks from here. I will definitely return and enjoy some good food and drinks!

Food in this restaurant is the best Mexican cuisine I have ever had! Their homemade guacamole was worth every penny. Normally after Mexican food, you feel satisfied but a bit 'dirty'. This was not the case here: clean tasty food. Would recommend to anyone.

This place has been here forever (it's rumored to be the first Mexican restaurant in NYC) and after 15 years I had a chance to visit it again. It's great authentic food with flavors that are a cut above joints like dos caminos and rosa mexicano. They have a vegetarian menu if you ask. They will also make things like their Paella even if it isn't on the menu that day. Some bummers are the location, which is a bit out of the way, and the room which is narrow and loud (which resulted in my waiter hearing the wrong order). Margaritas are pretty solid too.

Met some friends for drinks and ended up spending several hours tasting their extensive tequila menu and enjoying Happy Hour food specials. Very good service.

The food is fantastic as was the service!!! The wait staff are the greatest and the owner spent time at our table. The owner ordered a speciality of the house for us to sample . He also gave us shots of pineapple tequila on the house. Best margaritas in Manhattan. We can't wait to visit again.

Lovely service, read through the vegan options for my sister who was fed well with a mound of guacamole and vegan enchiladas. A good choice of beer and wine to please all guests. I had the corn which was fresh and good spice level. The jalapeños stuffed with cheese were lovely as well. The meat was a nice portion (not too big) and cooked well for the sizzling fajitas and the 'DIY' tacos went down well. All finished off with a shot on the restuarant with our waiter. A great atmosphere and I reccomend a visit.

I visit El Parador every time I go to the city and have been doing so for over 10 years. Same staff the entire time and the food has never disappointed!

Spicy meal but very enjoyable. My wife complained too spicy. I didn't think so and I ate the jalapeños with peanut butter which was extremely interesting and delicious. My chicken mole was fantastic and huge portion. My wife complained Ropa vieja too fatty. She also didn’t like the flan which I enjoyed the few bitefuls that I had as it was a very different licorice type of flavor. Too full to eat the flan or I would have. Very enjoyable meal overall. I suppose my only complaint was that the drinks needed mas fuerte !

I have been going to this restaurants since the late 1980s and love it. Happy to be able to bring my family there before a trip to the movies. The staff are kind, the food solid and the margaritas are excellent.

I must have walked past this restaurant a hundred times. The food was terrific and they have excellent vegetarian options. Service was good. A little pricey but worth it. We will definitely go back.

Chips we fresh but note the salsa contains BEEF PASTE. We didn't find this out until after we were 2 cups done and my friend who's a vegetarian was less than pleased. It does say this in the menu but we weren't given menus until about 20 minutes after sitting down and being served drinks/chips/salsa. The only amazing thing was the peanut butter stuffed jalapenos. They sounded weird but were DELICIOUS. Other than that, food was sub par. With all the Mexican options in the city, I'm not in a rush to head back here...

It didn't look much from the outside but behind the door - packed restaurant with candles, gorgeous bar, booth seating and delicious food. We had a great meal, reasonably priced and a decent margarita!

This was my first visit, and I enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice yet very laid back. Service was very good. I had the baja fish tacos which were very well prepared and came with a really tasty green salsa. I also requested some hot salsa, which was excellent, and extremely spicy. Side of beans and rice were OK, though nothing special. Complimentary chips and salsa were OK but nothing special. In retrospect I should have added some of the hot salsa to liven things up, and I would probably have enjoyed more. All in all, it was a nice visit, and I would be happy to return for another meal.

We only sat at the bar and had drinks and appetizers. The margaritas were delicious - not too sweet. We had the homemade guacamole which was amazing and the chorizo quesadilla. Very good! The service was impeccable with the owner coming over and chatting with us. I highly recommend if you like great Mexican food. It has been around since 1959 so they must be doing something right!

This place is amazing,Alex his Father Manny and staff are unbelievable! The food and drinks are amazing!Ever time I visit they make me feel like family!I love yo ear at the bar and listen to the Mexican music.You know a place is good when you see the same employees for years and years working there. Thank You Manny,Alex and Staff for all your years of unbelievable service. Russell Angelini

This is a very good restaurant with very good Mexican food, plus excellent staff who do justice to the cuisine with great table service.

Great margaritas, great food. Went for lunch, restaurant was vrery quiet., we were not rushed, Wait staff was terrific.

This resturant was perfect for our family. The adults loved the spicy salsa and the margaritas! Our children (8 & 6 yrs old) loved the nachos - different than what they usually have, everyone enjoyed dipping crispy chips into a small clay pot; hot mixture of cheese and chicken, not too spicy, a delicious mess! Amazing! The gentleman who took our order was patient while my 6 year old ordered for himself. (I think he was an owner.) Reservations recommended! The place was full - with New Yorkers - which we always like to see. New Yorkers know good food! Nice walk from our hotel (The Westin Grand Central). Would go here again when in NYC.

Very friendly staff and good service. The food was fantastic. Good prices and a decent range of drinks.

This restaurant is such a hidden treasure. Great selection of Mezcals and Tequila, authentic Mexican food, and it's off the radar. The pollo de parador is the best fried chicken dish in all of Nyc. I strongly prefer it to the renowned Blue Ribbon fried chicken and it's my husband's (aka the pickiest eater on the planet) favorite meal pretty much anywhere. I love the mole chicken, their sauce has a unique blend of spices of which I have never had the like. This place blows standard NYC Mexican cuisine hot spots like Rosa Mexicano out of the water. In fact it opened in 1959 and is regarded as one of the first Mexican restaurants in NYC. Don't let the unassuming appearance fool you, this is some of the best food in NYC period.

El Parador is kind of off the beaten track in Murray Hill right around where the Mid-Town tunnel entrance is located. Well worth the trek for very good Mexican food. We were staying near Grand Central and were looking for somewhere within walking distance, when I found good reviews of the restaurant on Yelp. We were with my 5 year old, who wasn't on his best behavior towards the end of the meal and the waiters were very nice despite the mini-meltdown he had. Their service from the beginning was great. Water and chips/beans were quickly on the table and our order was dispatched to the kitchen rapidly. As I mentioned we ordered the Pollo Parador (it takes about 30 minutes to make) and as the menu states, is a "1/2 Chicken Marinated For 24 Hrs. With Our Oldest Secret Recipe. Fried And Baked." The outside was crispy and the inside was perfectly moist with a tangy taste to it. We also ordered elote (Mexican corn on the cob) which was a little bland for me and short rib tacos which were very good. We also shared a frozen Strawberry Margarita. I'd recommend to try although I'm not sure I would go back as it's not located in an area with a lot of other things to do/ area that I don't normally frequent. Prices were reasonable and food was very good.

This is honestly the best Mexican food we have had and we spent the rest of the trip talking about how we could attempt to recreate it when we got home. The outside is very unassuming but when you get inside the atmosphere and style is prefect. Service was brilliant and the Margaritas were top notch! Would highly recommend.

Moved away from NYC 30 years ago - missed a few things including El Parador. Was visiting New York with family and took three generations to El Parador last night, hoping it was still awesome. It was...dinner and margaritas were all fantastic! Also, got a lot of love from the service but not too much. Highly recommend.

El Parador was introduced to me in 1986. For the next 16 years it was my go to restaurant in Manhattan. Since moving to Florida it's on my must go list every time I come to New York. Over the years I have recommended it to anyone traveling to Manhattan and receive only glowing feedback and new converts. Margarita's which can only be made by the hand of heaven, delicious gourmet quality traditional Mexican dishes but fear not; if you or a friend doesn't prefer Mexican cuisine, there are plenty of excellent Gringo choices. Beautiful restaurant, excellent food and service and a great experience. Everything down to the salsa for the chips is unique and special. Downstairs room for larger gatherings. Alex is a master restauranteur who honors his father's and previous owner Carlos' legacies in his own voice.

My brother and I go often because it's the one of the rare mexican restaurants that has white table cloths. The chicken mole is excellent and big enough for 2 people. Guacamole is chunky and homemade. Salsa is served warm and spiced with chipotle and cinnamon. Margaritas are deadly.

A must visit restaurant in NYC is the El Parador cafe. The owner and staff made us feel welcome and constantly checked up on us, and their shrimp quesadilla are amazing! Definitely worth the visit. Would recommend it 100%.

If you want good and traditional quality Mexican cuisine and atmosphere this is THE place! Operating since 1959, you feel you are in a good restaurant in the middle of Mexico City. The bar is extremely well stocked with any type of tequila you may prefer which you begin with before getting to the tangy Sea Bass Ceviche, the spicy Diablito Ham, a sumptuous Pork Tostada, an outstanding Wagyu Carpaccio, a juicy Milanesa and a Copoazu and Fig dessert. A fresh and dry white wine will keep good company to all of those dishes. Prices are moderate to high while service makes you feel the center of attention and well taken care of by any standard. Viva El Parador!

I had never been to El Parador, it was recommended by a friend. We all liked it a lot, it's a cute little place with delicious food, great service, and strong margaritas. I wouldn't call it cheap (we paid about $50 each), but it was good value. We'll definitely be going back.

Despite a change in ownership years back, this restaurant has changed little since I took my wife here on our first date...now returning with our kids for a 30th anniversary celebration. The staff is welcoming, friendly and attentive. The restaurant is charming in a "retro-Mexican" way. The chips, salsa are much better than what is usually served in a typical Latin style restaurant. The guacomole fresh and tasty. The entrees were all excellent - enjoyed salads w/ chicken as well as several fish dishes. Looking at the menu, did not seem pricey, but with drinks, the tab can get to be more than expected. Little bit of "sticker shock" at the end. Despite this, an excellent choice for a festive and enjoyable meal.

Insider Restaurant.delicious meals,including taccos for free :-) Very nice Service. We had a salad and some quessadillias with chicken.the tequila sunrise is a tough one :-)

The first time I went to El Parador, I spent the evening sleeping in a woven basket under the table. In the almost eighteen years since, I have probably dined there fifty times. I used to think that going out to dinner was a synonym for going to El Parador––it was about the only place my parents would take me, because I was always good there. Now, of course, I realize that I was good there because I felt good there. El Parador was, and is, the epitome of what going out to dinner should mean: friendly reception, great food, great atmosphere, and comfortable surroundings. I’m not really a food person, and eating usually makes me tense, but El Parador is actually relaxing––even without the margaritas my Dad swears by! Today, visiting El Parador for dinner means a relatively uncrowded (for New York) walk south down the UN plaza, past 193 empty flagpoles (flags are down for the night) and the marshy vacant lot that spans from First Avenue to the East River, to the NYU hospital complex. Turning onto 34th street welcomes you into a different world––one of bustling people eager to get where they’re going; lots of shops, and lots of apartments. The restaurant is easy to miss––an unassuming red door in a nook at the corner of a brick apartment building. I lift the heavy door and check my coat. Inside is bustling too, but in a good way: waiters looking after customers, Spanish music, colorful tiles and ceramics, candles and white tablecloths. “Hola, senorita!” Alex, the owner, and the maître d', show me to Table One, the same table I’ve sat at since my basket days. It’s a corner banquette, originally chosen so I could lie down and sleep while my parents drank sangria; later it was ideal because I could slide around and play with my Winne-the-Pooh animals in the corner, without disturbing anyone or falling off of a chair. I learned important lessons at El Parador: that Spanish was a language that people actually speak, not just something like math that you study at school; that people in different countries eat different foods, and, memorably, that candles are hot and placing your hand on top of them is a terrible idea. On my first few visits, admittedly I did not dine on menu items, but pretty soon I was taking advantage of the high chairs and developing a taste for tortilla chips and salsa. (I’m also told that the long steep staircase to the Ladies Room is where I perfected my stair climbing skills, at age one.) Early on, as soon as they saw me coming, the staff made me a special set of nachos normales, stuffed with bean paste and asiago cheese. They called it a pizza, and for years I rejected Italian pizza as an unacceptable substitute for El P’s “real” pizza. To this day, asiago is my preferred cheese. And, to this day, the waiters––many of them have been there as long as I have been going––still ask me if I want a pizza when I get there! El Parador means a lot to me today because the staff has always taken the long view. When I was a child, I did not order anything that the restaurant made money on. I caused the restaurant to give up a table for four instead of a table for two, and I made a huge mess crumbling tortilla chips everywhere to feed my toys. The virgin frozen pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris I grew to love were not expensive, but were just as much trouble for them to make as the rum drinks the restaurant could charge $15 for. Yet they positively welcomed me, every time. Now, they have a customer for life. I remember once, when I was about five, we sat down at Table One and I got out my animals and started playing quietly while I ate my pizza. At the table next to us was tense lady who glared at me and summoned Alex in an agitated way. She pointed at me and said “There is a child here. I don’t like children. I don’t want her to sit here.” Alex smiled at her and said “This young lady is one of our best customers.” The lady left. We didn’t. Another time, most unusually, we walked to the restaurant without calling ahead, and when we entered we found a private party in progress and a sign saying “Closed.” Alex apologized profusely and we left. The maitre d’ caught up with us when we were a few yards down the block. “I have a table for you.” The staff had set a table in a little basement room, away from the noise of the party, and for the next two hours, despite the demands of a large group in the main dining room, we were waited on with consummate professionalism. Walking in to El Parador is like being wrapped in a cocoon of happiness. I mentioned before that I am not a food person, and I think I surprised even myself, recently, when I had no homework one night and wanted to do something with my family. Before I knew it, I had texted: “Do you want to meet me at El Parador for dinner?” It was the perfect way to celebrate. El Parador has been in business for sixty years. Many of the banquettes, like the one I still always try to get, have little plaques from grateful customers recognizing birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events celebrated there over the decades. I can’t wait to put up my own plaque, one day. El Parador may not have any Michelin stars, but it’s a better restaurant than any of the fancier ones I’ve been to. They are always welcoming, their food is always good, and they know how to start early to get satisfied customers!

First time this week in this restaurant. Food was great and the service very nice. From the guacamole to the paella or enchiladas , everything was very good . Love the traditional decor. We liked it so much we bought the restaurant teeshirt !! Only regret , they don’t bottle their salsa so we could not bring any home . :-(

This is authentic mexican food, which is completely different from the tex-mex meals we are used to. The staff is friendly and attentive. We waited about 30 minutes between appetizers and entrees, but it was the only bad thing about it. I highly recommand that place!

I love Mexican food. Let me clarify, I love authentic Mexican food. And when there's a place that's been open since 1959, as the oldest Mexican restaurant in New York City, I need to check it out. Upon entering, you're set in a cozy and inviting space, dimly lit, with lots of fantastic lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Before you know it, you're brought a bowl of tortilla chips and their house salsa. You can read the rest of my review with photos here: sprungonfood.com/2013/11/22/el-parador-cafe

5 friends in NYC for the week and this was our last dinner. By far the most fun we had!! Thank you Armando and Miguel!!

Worst place I have ever been to in my life. Combination of cockroaches, terrible food and impolite staff.

This is an attractive, romantic restaurant with a very nice atmosphere. My drink was a Margarita which I would have preferred to be made with a lime rather than a lemon as they make it here, but the drink was strong. I started off with Camarones, which was listed under the heading of Quesadillas. It is described as having White Shrimp sauteed with Tomato Salsa ($17). For my main course I had the Ropa Vieja which was Braised and Shredded Flank Steak ($24), which was very good. It was accompanied by Plantain Tostones, which did not have much taste, and Black Beans which had a taste that I found unpleasant. You are better off choosing rice instead of the Black Beans. Waiter service needs improvement along with their understanding of English.

We had our last dinner out in Murray Hill at this wonderful restaurant! The place was crowded but the service was really good! The food was fresh and nicely prepared. I ordered the cheese enchilada with tomatillo sauce and elote on the side. So yummy. Others in our party orders paella, tacos, chicken enchilada, sweet potatoes, and flan was shared by all for dessert. Everything was delicious! The house margaritas are one of the best I’ve ever had! And the house made salsa with chips... well you get the drift....everything is delicious here! Make a reservation as it’s usually very busy!!

They do not have burritos on the dinner menu. This is more of a fine dining Mexican experience. My husband had the Mole Poblano and it was delicious! A very fine Mole a little sweet and a little spicy, a very complex flavor experience. The Chicken on his plate was a huge breast cooked perfectly tender. I had the Braised Shrimp in green sauce. All Latin restaurants make this and most are flavorless. This one was very tasty with tons of garlic. They do serve complementary salsa and chips and the salsa is cooked type served warm that is not vegetarian. We enjoyed the salsa. If this is not to your liking they do have a Pico salsa available on the menu. The rice and beans served with both of our dishes were delicious. Very roomy with two bars and seating on two floors.

Great food, huge portions and yummy frozen margaritas! We went for lunch and service was fast and friendly. Slightly off the beaten path but definitely worth the trek!

We were very surprised when the bill came that 20% charge was included in the bill, as we were 3 people dining. Our waiter (Manuel), when asked, said that was customary for the restaurant. We were not too happy about it, because the person who was paying was about to add a 20% tip. On our way out, we stopped to ask other customers who had received their bill as well, and were very surprised to see there was no service charge added to their bill (they were 4). So, because we were speaking French over dinner, the waiter either thought to take advantage and get a double tip, or was afraid we would not tip and wanted to make sure we did. In any case, they lied to our face, and we will not be going back, even though we live 2 blocks away and have been regular customers.

My husband and I were celebrating our 14th anniversary but we had our boys (ages 10 and 12) with us. We went late after a show and it was worth the wait! The service was excellent and thoughtful to include the boy's tastes. We had been to a very good Mexican resort this spring but the food here was amazing. My husband said the chef's special was one of the best ever!

There were cockroaches in the drinks, the food was too spicy and we ordered dinner for 40 but there wasn't even place for the half of us. In addition to all of this, they were very rude and treated us poorly.

Our reservations for four people were for 8:00 on a Friday and I think the Happy Hour crowd was still going strong. Every seat was taken. The noise level was so loud that holding a normal conversation was out of the question. It did taper off some by the time we got our entres though. Our waiter was not that knowledgable with the menu so I don't know if there was a language barrier there or if we just could not understand him because it was so loud. He seemed to want us to spend more money by ordering more than what wanted to. We decided to get a pitcher of sangria, which was very good, instead of continuing to order the more pricey margarittas. Even though the waiter suggested to get separate orders of Paella, we split the order between my husband and I which was more than enough since we didn't want to take leftovers with us back to the hotel. I guess overall, it was a good restaurant choice, once the atmosphere settled down a bit.

El Parador was recommended by my guest who recalled this place from a long time ago, but was not really familiar with it. He made a reservation via Open Table, and they said they could not find it. We were put at the back and it was so noisy it was impossible to hold any sort of decent conversation. This was highly unfortunate as 2 our our companions were blind and had to rely on sound. Try to read a menu all with spanish/mexican words towards blind people - it was impossible. I also think the waiter was nervous about waiting on blind people so he hardly came to the table. We finally got to place a drink order and had to insist he return for place the food order. I would have elected to leave but had no idea where else to go in that neighbourhood. The food finally came and it was forgettable, I think I had the fish tacos; there was not much to these and the chicken or my companion looked overcooked. I would not return here again and regretted having to pay for such poor food and service.

We were looking for a Mexican res. and we came on the Parador. It is a bit out of the way, and it appears unassuming and "hidden," but WOW, we walked in and it was rocking! The drinks and the chips and salsa were fantastic. The salsa is a wonderful mole. We sat at the bar and we had a great dinner and a great time. Do not be put off that it seems obscure.

Popular restaurant near NYU medical center, completely unpretentious, untrendy and pretty good, though not cheap. Soft , sparkly light (everyone looks great), no discernable music, so the quietest restaurant in NYC, by far). Excellent margaritas, terrific guacamole (actual cilantro!), good chips. TERRIFIC fish tacos---super fresh, generous (do get the fried ones--waiter's kind suggestion). Husband's lamb chops were weird--$32, plate had three lamb chops piled up like something out of the Flintstones, almost nothing else on the plate except for a Stonehenge -like ring of dark sauce that had some beans buried in it. Tasty, but who gets lamb chops in a Mexican restaurant? Stick with the basics--deserts, too. The flan was excellent.

Well worth a trip downtown to this Mexican - food was amazing as were the cocktails. Service was great and it was not expensive at all for New York! Really lovely meal. I had the enchilladas which were amazing, fantastic menu.

This restaurant is gorgeous, perfectly lit, and not at all stuffy or stiff. Food was great; guacamole and lamb chops were superb, cilantro was very fresh and flavorful, drinks were nice and staff had very good knowledge of tequilas. I wished the food had a bit more heat (spice) to it, but I understand many Northerners like it toned down. When I come back to the city someday, I will be back.

el Parador has been here forever... since 1959. We were here a lot in the 70's and 80's and just hadn't gone back. We should have. food is very good. Service excellent. Drinks are good but not large. Two had Carne Asada and two had Chile Rellenos. Well flavored. Chili was not piping hot when served so we asked to have them heated and entirely new ones came out. Guacomole was good -- but again not a large portion. Recommend for lunch or dinner with family or friends. Impeccably clean.

Went with my husband and 4yo son who is gluten free. We made a reservation on plated, were seated immediately upon arriving, chips arrived as soon as we sat down. Drinks were perfect, guacamole was delicious. They brought my son a free appetizer, which he loved. I had the fajitas and the steak was cooked perfectly! I wish I didn’t live 500 miles away!

Excellent Mexican restaurant with good food and fair prices. My wife and I stopped here for lunch after we got off the Ferry at 34 street. Don’t be intimated by the price fix menu, but we chose the fajitas. We shared a fajita for one and even though the portion was a little small, was plenty for my wife and I to share for lunch. The food was excellent and arrived quickly at a perfect temperature. The service was great and the waiter was very friendly We would certainly come back

On a recent trip back to NYC, my friend suggested we meet for dinner at El Parador. I had never been before. I walked in and immediately felt at home. The decor is quaint and the atmosphere friendly, comfortable and relaxed. The cocktails, food and service were perfect. They even offered an extensive vegetarian menu which was perfect for my dining companion. I can't wait to return. PS My friend insisted we try the peanut butter stuffed jalapenos. I am so happy she did. They were delicious!

Had a superb meal here on New Year’s eve. Lovely atmosphere and set up in the restaurant. Our table wasn’t quite ready so they gave us tortillas and salsa at the bar whilst we waited. Food was superb and waiter was extremely nice and helpful (we asked him lots of questions and advice and he was very knowledgeable and more than happy to help). Would definitely recommend if you are in the area.

Superb enchiladas. Soft but slightly crunchy outside, and amazing sauce. If you're in the mood for something really tasty but not horrible for you, El Parador should be top of your list. Use Instapark so you don't have to deal with city traffic.

I was here last week. My skirt steak took forever to arrive at my dinner table. I asked for the meat to be well cooked. Instead, it was undercooked with some red meat visible. I do not recommend eating here. However, if you like wine bars El Parador might be a better option. If you are in the area, this restaurant should be a miss..and I went at a very quiet time during the day before 5.30pm. And I forgot to mention that the entrance is hard to find and not clearly marked!

My husband and I visited NYC recently and this little spot was near our hotel. We popped in for happy hou after reading reviews here. We really enjoyed the margaritas, stuffed jalapenos, mushroom quesadillas and guacamole. The restauarant was dark, but not unwelcoming.

It was our first time at El Parador Cafe and we loved it. Service was wonderful from the moment we sat down. We didn't just have one server, or so it seemed because we were constantly being taken care of. Water refills, clearing dishes, asking us if we needed drinks, etc. We were promptly given chips and salsa. The non-vegetarian salsa was delicious and unique. I'd never had anything like it. The server did bring the vegetarian version as well which was also good. For appetizers we had the Nachos Normales. I like my nachos simple and without lettuce, tomatoes, etc. These nachos were perfect. My grilled sirloin Fajitas were as good as I've ever had. My husband loved his Ropa Vieja Mexicana and our daughter enjoyed the Taco Tray. Yes, the atmosphere was very dark but we liked the small lighting. Looking forward to coming back.

Been here twice and can't wait to go back! First, excellent atmosphere, the lighting is just right and the service is excellent. Margarita's very good. Nachos are simply amazing. I was hesitant at first, not a big nacho person, however, these are a different story. The cheese is warm, soft and delicious. The highlight of my meal by far. Even if you're hesitant you have to order them.

We have had some really good luck with Mexican restaurants in the neighborhood we are staying! Yesterday's was El Parador, we had steak, tinga chicken and spinach mushroom tacos and they were all delicious! The tinga was our fave but we loved them all. Chips & salsa also quite good, tasty margaritas and our server Miguel was top notch. The couple next to us had the seafood paella and they said it's their favorite in all of NYC. Go!

One of the true jewels of NYC! Going strong for over 50 years....and I know why.....excellence! Not the typical Mexican fare that abounds ...this place has unique items....try grilled jalopinos with peanut butter. Drinks are wonderful as well as the service!

This is one of the most beloved Mexican restaurants in nyc for good reasons. The food is outstanding and the service is truly excellent. The atmosphere even feels like a nice restaurant in Mexico. Prices are great too.

I am convinced this place has the best chips and margaritas on the rocks and I have been to quite a few. Family owned for years and a very nice wine menu to boot! Happy hour until 6 with1/2 prices Place fills up quick Main courses good as well but nothing wrong with margos and chips and their xmas Nachos for dinner either!

Delicious Mexican food in NYC. set in an obscurd spot, this resturant will please the palate. Presentation was colorful and food was cooked just right. Although quite loud, the atmosphere was engaging and homely.

El Parador has been around since 1959, and is the oldest Mexican restaurant in the city. But don't let it's history fool you. This restaurant's current incarnation is marvelous! On a rainy evening, a friend and I walked into the most welcoming, warm and charming atmosphere---with knock-out food. Spanish is spoken here---by a great many of those dining, and in the sophisticated, delicious haute Mexican food that comes from the kitchen. Particularly memorable was a crab salpicon---and perfectly made margaritas. The rooms are lit with perforated tin fixtures, which cast a soft glow---plus twinkling, magical light patterns on the ceiling. We were warmly welcomed by the young, attractive staff, and our charming waiter was attentive and helpful. It was one of those great evenings, where we enjoyed the perfect dining experience. I have a feeling that this is not unusual for El Parador. My friend and I would happily dine there again.

Let me preface this with the fact that I'm married to a man whose family is from Mexico and we tend to visit Mexico often. Why do I mention that? Because we're very picky about Mexican food since we have the real thing all the time. So let me start with the drinks. I had sangria and it was terrific! It went right to my legs as great sangria usually does. My friend had another drink which she loved. Very potent. The food.... we started with guacamole which was very very good. We also started with the lobster ceviche, which was also terrific. Then we ordered the enchiladas. Not so great. Very Americanized, filled with ground beef. They honestly didn't have much taste even with the different sauces on top. As we sat there the place got really busy and the bar became incredibly crowded. Everybody seemed to be having a great time. So I'd go back for the guac and the drinks. Nice atmosphere as well!

and the Margarita(s)! Our meals were delicious on their own, but topping them off with friendly and impeccable service made the dining experience tremendous. We’ll definitely be back.

We found this through an Expedia concierge recommendation. And what a find it turned out to be. Wonderful ambiance, excellent service and very, very good food. Best-ever guacamole and sangria. Enjoyed ribs cooked in banana leaf with cactus pad. Unusual and delightful. And oh, don't forget the deep fried ice cream. Definitely worth searching out.

We are looking for a spot gur a quick bite refute eye fixture snd this was ur. Looks like nothing from the outside enter a darkly lit dii ok scotch a huge bar containing fine outstanding Mexican food snd great service. A polite bartender and bartender are there yo take good care. Excellent guacamole, expertly done fajitas and the tacos are very well Made. Additional dining and party space are downstairs. I recommend this disce furcwuskity of food, great. Service snd convenient location, it works well.

I was here over 40 years ago. The food is excellent Mexican. The chips and salsa great. Salsa a bit spicey. The quesadillas are great. We had the chicken and beef. Chicken was delicious and beef good. The place was jumping at 8:30 on a Thursday night. Still, the service was excellent and staff very nice. The tables are so close, if there is a pause in your conversation, there are two on either side that can fill in!! For a quick late bite, perfect. Forget romantic!

Well, the martini was good but after that everything was horrible. Nothing was good, the guacamole was basically a crushed avocado with absolutely no taste. The taco plate looked nor tasted like tacos; overdone chickens and dried out pork. Lastly the cappuccino was warm dark brown water. This place, at one time, was a terrific Mexican restaurant. My advice, close the doors.

My wife and I visited El Parador for dinner tonight. I had the Pork Chop while my wife had the Black Bean and Spinach Enchilada. All the food was very tasty and no complaints at all. The service was very good which added to what was a great night out in NYC. I would definitely recommend El Parador if you're looking for some Mexican food to eat.

The food was good....not great. We had the guacamole and the taco plate. Portions were good sized. The drinks were not great. I love regular margaritas on the rocks, but after the first, I had to switch to strawberry just to make it palatable.

I hesitate to review in fear of not getting a table in the future. I'd say this is one of the top two mexican restaurants in the city for those who love authentic mexican. We sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and knowledgeable, but most of all made a killer margarita! Ordered the taco plate and the jalapeño and peanut butter app - OMG - watch out Reece's! I will certainly be back!

Really enjoyed the tacos and guacamole. The sizes are quite large and the food is good. Go for the frozen margaritas!

This place is a classic that has been around for over 50 years. It's authentic and has great salsa's and sangria. Many choices for Tequila's and the best staff around. I'm old school, so I loved the Taco Tray, which has beef, chicken, chorizo and fresh toppings, Mmmm. Put this on your list!

A hidden Gem in Murray Hill Out of the way but worth the travel. Classic Mexican decor but done very classy. Service is great and the food is wonderful. Great place to meet with friends for a great meal.

If you hadn’t done your research you’d walk straight past this place, it doesn’t look like much from the outside, inside however it opens up beautifully to reveal a lovely traditional style restaurant, cosy and welcoming with a warm ambience. We had our fussy 13 year old son with us but they were able to provide non spicy fajitas. All our table loved the homemade salsa but I adored the guacamole, unfortunately I ate so much of it I couldn’t do my main course of tacos full justice! The other kids had the fried chicken and they loved it. Service was amazing, glasses always topped up and loads of tortilla chips that kept coming. Highly recommend. Has a nice bar too that I’d imagine would be lovely to sit at with a margarita (they were delicious too!!) and a bowl of guacamole.

My friends and I came here for a recent girl's trip in NYC. I have been here another time and enjoyed it which was about 5 years ago. This visit definitely did not disappoint! We all three got the chef combo and loved it. The classic margarita was the best margarita I have ever had. We ordered the guacamole as a starter and it tasted very fresh. This was a short walk from our hotel (Westin Grand Central). Great autmosphere. I highly suggest getting reservations as it gets busy.

If you walked past this place, you most likely would not stop in. It doesn't look like anything from outside - just a plain dark brown door with a dim sign, nothing spectacular. Once you enter inside, you feel instantly transported to Mexico. The food is great, the service was ok. Sometimes we had to ask for things multiple times or wait long periods for something we requested. But overall, it was a good experience. One of my friends had the Chicken Mole and she said it was fabulous. I had the Chimi and it was great. I would go back in a heartbeat. The place was packed with all sorts of people. They also have a small room/bar downstairs for groups.

My husband and I have been coming to El Parador for years and have never been disappointed. I LOVE the salsa served with the chips, they should bottle and sell it! Fantastic margaritas, sangria etc; the mole poblano is fantastic as are the fajitas (steak in particular). I recently branched out after 15-20 years and tried the lamb chops for the very first time, they were fantastic. My husband loves the steak ala brasa. Don't let them take that salsa aways when they bring your main course!

Delicious meal here and wonderful service! We did not have a reservation and so glad the we got the last table. The three of us enjoyed our meals-margaritas and sangria- simply delicious Mexican food with white linen service. It is walkable from NYU hospital .

My Sister and I picked this place because of the menu We made reservations 3 months in advance as we were traveling to NYC from AZ. They were NOT HONORED!!!!! We showed up 15 mins in advance and were told to wait in the bar area. At 10 mins after our reservation time were were told to wait 5 mins more!!! this made a total of 30 mins to wait!! While we were waiting other parties of 2 (Couples) were seated we again asked to be seated and were told only bar tables were available this wasn't at all what we expected. however we were hungry so sat there anyway. Another party of 2 guys were told to sit in the bar and that their reservation couldn't be honored either. We ordered and our food was incorrect We sent it back twice and still incorrect. Being hungry we ate anyway. It was disappointing that We didn't get our SUIZA sauce....

We were shown to a cosy booth at the rear of the restaurant. Surrounded by little plaques on the wall of couples who were celebrating anniversary and engagements, we definitely had the best seats in the house, other tables were all cramped in together so I was glad we sat where we were. The restaurant had a lovely romantic ambiance and we eagerly anticipated our meal. I took the waiter's recommendation and had the mole poblando. I'm very familiar with mexican food and almost went for the old favourite chimichanga but I wanted to try something different and liked the idea of the traditional dish with the complex sauce I'd not tried before. We ordered margaritas which where lovely, we also ordered a bottle of wine which never arrived.The mole poblando was not nice and I was really disappointed. It was chicken in a dark coloured sauce, it looked sticky and sweet which I love. In fact it was a thick sauce which tasted of cornflour. Too much had been used to thicken the sauce and it was not unpleasant, just bland, stuck to the roof of your mouth and not very nice. We asked the waiter to try it to see if that was how it should taste, he did not do it and was actually cross that I said I was disappointed with it.My disappointment was never addressed. My husband has the braised beef which was ok but again lacked flavour and was bland. I think this restaurant, recommended in our guidebook has taken the eye off the ball with regards to the quality of food offered. It's not cheap, out of the way in a quiet neighborhood, I really wouldn't bother as there are much better options in NYC.

Found this restaurant on Yelp while in NYC whlle looking for Mexican . It was an absolute gem authentic in every way from the decor to the food and drinks. The Margaritas were outstanding and the menu features natural fresh ingrediants. The chili stuffed with peanut butter is to die for . I had a pork chop in red sauce and tres leche for desert. The service was excellent and the although it was a little loud we had a wonderful meal .

Always love coming to el parador whether it be for a casual dinner or date night out! The guacamole and chips are to die for. I would also highly recommend the frozen mango margarita. For entrees the jalapeño chicken quesadilla is one of a kind and also the taco tray is always a hit. The one dish I've had that I didn't like was the shrimp with garlic and fish fumet. Just wasn't a fan!

Went here on a guide-book recommendation, during a 5 night stay in New York. Great atmosphere, it was buzzing- even on a Wednesday night. The waiters were efficient and appeared to work very hard. The food was excellent- we had shrimp faijetas and fish tacos. It is well-priced for the quality of the food, too. Overall, a really excellent meal in a friendly and welcoming restaurant.

This place has a lively and fun vibe, great for visiting worth a group of friends. The guacamole is delicious, the main meals are good though wouldn't say amazing. If you like a cocktail, the frozen margaritas are definitely worth a try.

I've had some lovely dining experiences here, but this last visit, the service (on a Sunday night, with only a handful of tables filled) was different. Our waiter seemed impatient as we had a few questions about our selections. After we received our meals, we were never checked on again--which meant we never received a side dish we had ordered, nor a second glass of wine for one member of our party, and there was no one to tell. The food was good, but the overall lack of care left me questioning whether I'd return.

A group of 6 girls arrived for a reserved dinner May 5th. The front door is a bit confusing, as it wasn't marked nor did it look like an entrance, but it was. Once inside we were told to walk to the back and we would be seated. I had to go find a server and we were then seated. The place was very dim. We were greeted as soon as we were seated. We were offered water, however they didn't put any ice in our glasses but we asked and were brought plenty. Our server was kind and helpful. Our meal was just mediocre . The black beans and rice on the other hand were SO good. Our experience was fine , however I will try a different place next visit.

This place is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in NYC and once you try their food you know why it has survived for so long!! I have only been there once and have tried only a few things but I know for sure I am very impressed and will be back shortly. My personal favorites were: Jalapeños Rellenos with cheese (imagine jalapeños stuffed with yummy cheese!!) and Ropa vieja Mexicana (shredded beef served with black beans). I loved their cocktails as well as non-alcoholic mixes. The staff members were super friendly and helpful.

This is truly a hidden gem in NYC. The food was excellent, the service was fantastic and the drinks were amazing. Make sure you leave some room for dessert. And if you are not sure what to get, always ask your waiter. My chicken enchilada with mole sauce was divine.

Went here on a Tuesday night at about 7in the evening but managed to get a table the staff are very friendly tortilla chips and salsa brought to the table immediately I ad chicken fajitas and my husband had a seafood paella both were really good ,shared a litre of very good sangria finished with coffee no room for dessert as portions are big. Lovely atmosphere and great value for money.

Had my birthday celebration at El Parador and was pleasantly surprised. Picked this restaurant based on the proximity to NYC Langone Hospital and the description that its the oldest Mexicana restaurant in NYC. The outside doesn’t look like much but the inside is very nice and authentic looking. IT’s just a little is too dark. First, they bring chips and salsa and keep refilling the tortilla chips. The classic margarita was very good. We started with the guacamole and the Jalapeños Rellenos stuffed with cheese… very good. Our party of 5 had the fajitas with chicken and steak and also the chef’s combo plate. Everything was delicious. Although I ordered flan they brought out a piece of cake with a candle and sang Happy Birthday. Then they gave us all a shot of pineapple tequila. The service was very attentive. Overall a great experience.

The food was very traditional & very good. I'd call this an excellent neighbourhood restaurant. Most of the staff were excellent (although some of the junior staff seemed at a loss) & they offer a very good selection of rinks too.

Traditional Mexican food with quality and for a good price. Try the house margarita, it is delicious and they use natural flavors to do. Staffs are nice.

Stop by the lively bar for Happy Hour from 5-7 M-Sun before dinner for cocktails like Sangria or a Margarita! Then sit down to a feast for the senses including a gorgeous seafood paella, or the Pollo Parador which is chicken marinated in for 24 hrs , resulting in tender and succulent pieces of chicken accompanied with rice and beans. Serious comfort food. Oh and there's a downstairs too for overflow or private events!

Even though the atmosphere is very simple and familiar, the quality of service and above all of the food is remarkable. And the bill is absolutely correct! A small tip: try their margarita, you will see ...

We had a late lunch at El Parador Cafe. Nice place. Service is excellent. Margaritas were very good. We had nachos and tacos and they were both excellent. Good value for money.

Best secret in all of NYC. Food is second to none. The owner Alex makes you feel like a king. The atmosphere is one of the best NYC has to offer. You will not be disappointed.

The food here is good but not great. I had the polo parador and it was too big and just OK. Their salsa isn't that good just OK too. They have a large and varied menu mostly Mexican. Service is a little slow and strangely they don't keep the drinks replenished. A bit pricey but so is New York. I could be so much better with a little attention and focus on a tighter menu with more basic Mexican cuisine.

We didn't know what to expect with this restaurant, but wow, were we impressed. The waiters were kind and wonderful with our children. We had a mariachi band playing music and having fun with the guests, the kids loved it. Naturally, if you prefer quiet dining, this may not be for you, but we really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was so fun and friendly it took away from some of the harshness of other areas of NY. The food was also exceptional, we had several dishes and none of them disappointed. We took the subway to get there with our kids and had no trouble finding the location.

I can't believe this restaurant has so many favorable reviews. It is ridiculously overpriced. The service could be better: we were ignored when we entered; had to flag down a waiter (they were talking amongst themselves and on the phone) to take our order; and our waiter removed the chips and salsa from our table when he brought the entrees (I took them off his tray and restored them to the table). The pan-fried chorizo appetizer was chewy and laughably paltry, especially at $10. Braised shrimp in salsa verde was as unappetizing as it looks in the photo. You get six, medium-sized, tough shrimp; a small portion of bland, mushy rice; and unfresh-looking green sauce for $25. Idiotic. The combination plate of an enchilada, chile relleno, and a burrito was more plentiful but institutional. The accompanying beans were bland. A side order of roasted beets ($8) was cooked almost beyond recognition.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. The place has a great Spanish type atmosphere. The waiters were extremely friendly and helpful with the menu. The margaritas were awesome. The chips and two dips were very flavorful and I had shrimp fajitas which were very tasty. I would suggest a reservation as they get really busy.

There's a reason they are proud of the fact that they are one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in NYC founded in 1959, the food was delicious Have the 24hr chicken and one of the fresh ceviches - I'm sure one of the daily specials will also satisfy and amaze your taste buds Wait staff are on their game

Authentic buzz and great food can be found at the on ramp to the Queens tunnel in Manhattan. The pork in the banana leave with laurel is truly a unique taste. The octopus is outstanding and off the tacos and enchiladas routine. The chicken fajitas were the best I have had since I left Phoenix. Wine list is tight and inexpensive we went with the Spanish recommendations. Next time we will try to sit at a booth table. There will surely be a next time.

We had an amazing dining experience at El Parador Cafe. The food was great and the staff friendly and attentive. Try the chicken with the chocolate mole sauce.

This is the oldest Mexican restaurant in NYC. It's consistently good food, friendly service, great cocktails and an excellent wine list make it one of our go to restaurants. Sit at the bar for a cocktail and chips and salsa or grab a table. Always sit upstairs unless you're having a party then you'll be downstairs. Enjoy!

This is the best restaurant in Murray Hill and one of my favorites in the city. The atmosphere, food, drinks and service are always top notch. I'm a big fan of the tamarind margarita and the pork chop. I think the pork chop might be the best I've had (as good as if not better than Little Owl). Also, the chicken quesadillas are delicious. The seasoning on the chicken and the cheese they use is the perfect combination. Definitely go! You won't be disappointed. You'll need a reservation.

Established in 1959 by the flamboyant Carlos Jacott, El Parador is the oldest Mexican restaurant in New York City. And when you realize that the average lifespan of a restaurant is five years or less, this esteemed eatery’s longevity is all the more impressive. And although El Parador was sold to Manuel Alejandro in 1990, it continued on with a definitive sense of style. The torch was subsequently passed to Mr. Alejandro’s son, José, known as Alex, a 1994 graduate of the French Culinary Institute, who continues to impress discriminating diners with his innovative cookery. But El Parador is famous for infinitely more than its longevity. According to Le Guide Michelin, it is the numero uno Mexican restaurant in the Big Apple. It was also named “Bib Gourmand,” which means it is considered an exceptionally good value. So you leave the bustling sidewalks of East 34th Street behind and step into El Parador’s convivial bar/lounge. There are some establishments that put you at ease the moment you cross the threshold… and this is most assuredly one of them. Here you may assuage your thirst by downing one of the restaurant’s signature margaritas while savoring crisp complimentary tortilla chips companioned by a warm dipping sauce redolent of spices. Ah, yes… all seems right with the world. And when it comes time to settle in at table, the casual, romantically-imbued dining area decked out in dark wood, Spanish tiles, and colorful lanterns surely beckons. Or you may also elect, as we did, to stake a claim to one of the cozy booths adjacent to the bar. These are actually more intimate, allowing for private conversations, and affording a bird’s-eye view of the spirited goings-on that are so typically – and magically – Manhattan. To start things off, the black bean soup is a perennial favorite. Plenty of spice here – and there’s just enough heat to tantalize the taste buds without paralyzing them – but the secret is the artful integration of an exquisite selection of seasonings, which brings about a remarkably harmonious gestalt. In a similar vein, the exceedingly popular chili con carne, available at lunch and at dinner by request, is also not to be missed. Assertively seasoned with beef picadillo (ground beef, tomatoes, garlic, and onions), it is also crowned with a zippy jalapeño relish. The quesadillas are particularly recommended appetizers. These are flour tortillas that are filled with a variety of delectable items and then folded in the shape of a half moon and toasted under the broiler. Recently sampled, for instance, was a savory combo of potato and chorizo sausage garnished with a contrastingly crunchy and colorful pickled coleslaw. But the sine qua non of a visit to El Parador – other than the chunky, impeccably seasoned guacamole clásico prepared in the establishment’s 43-year-old molcajete (mortar) – remains the pickled jalapeño peppers stuffed with peanut butter. The peppers are filled with chunky peanut butter, dipped in flour, egg and bread crumbs, and then fried. According to urban legend, during Mr. Jacott’s college days, all he had in the refrigerator were jalapeños & peanut butter; and that’s how a great recipe was born… At least that’s the story handed down from old bartenders and waiters. But however the dish came about, it is a triumph of culinary ingenuity, an unmitigated joy of tastes and textures. When it comes to entrées, my advice is to firmly resist the temptation to order the usual suspects – namely enchiladas or combo platters. Not that these items aren’t up to the mark; they most certainly are. But the kitchen here operates on a much higher plain; and you will be rewarded if you go for the gold rather than the mundane. Confirmed carnivores, for example, can’t miss with either the 24-ounce center cut sirloin or the double-cut baby lamb chops. The former is served up with a delicious array of roasted seasonal vegetables and a zesty red onion relish. The latter is enhanced with a chipotle & garlic adobo rub (a piquant paste consisting of ground chilies, herbs, and vinegar) and finished with guajillo salsa (a thick, red, flavorful sauce produced from seeded, soaked, pulverized, and cooked guajillo chilies). Then, of course, for those in search of true culinary authenticity, there is always the mole poblano, the national dish of Mexico. One-half chicken is slowly stewed in mole, a reddish-brown sauce (literally, “concoction”) comprised of a blend of onions, garlic, several types of chilies, ground seeds, and a small amount of Mexican chocolate. The result is an utterly delicious, spicy, rich, smooth, complex, downright sexy sauce that succeeds in totally beguiling the palate without overwhelming it. One additional note with regard to entrées: El Parador’s kitchen is particularly adept at matters thalassic. So if you happen to have an incurable love for the pleasures of the sea, this is the ideal spot to indulge those noble predispositions. And surely the place to begin is the bouillabaisse Veracruzana, a mainstay on the restaurant’s printed menu. All the constituents – lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels – are prepared to perfection… But it is the extraordinary broth that succeeds in propelling this dish into orbit. Veracruz or Veracruzana refers to a Mexican dish (usually of fish or shellfish) that is cooked in a sauce/broth that is comprised of tomatoes, chilies, onion, and garlic flavored with a dash of oregano and splash lime juice, which is generally served over rice. In this case, the tomatoes are charred; the garlic is predominant but not overpowering; the jalapeños provide just enough heat to make things interesting; and the well-seasoned rice is served on the side. A truly outstanding presentation. And the day boat halibut, a special of the evening, is every bit its equal. The filet itself is pristine of health and beautifully grilled; its snowy white countenance firm of texture yet incredibly moist. A stunning warm tomato & red onion vinaigrette provides the crowning touch; black rice and grilled scallions the perfectly complementary traveling companions. Undoubtedly the most illustrious representative of this particular species that it has ever been my pleasure to ingest. But do leave room for dessert. The Flan de la Casa, for example, is benchmark. Flan is the Mexican version of crème caramel. El Parador’s denouement offers not only ethereal custard coated with browned caramel, but also a crunchy foundation of texturally contrasting pecan wedding cookie and the tasty divergence of spicy mango. … But the Mexican fried ice cream is also a worthy contender. A delectable orb is cut into four sections and adorned with Mexican crema & honey; artistic dabs of blueberry sauce and sprinkling of peanut brittle add color and texture to this highly recommendable sweet ending. In an interview, another food writer asked executive chef/proprietor Alex Alejandro why he thought El Parador had not only survived but had also greatly prospered for over half-a-century in such an intensely competitive culinary environment. Mr. Alejandro’s immediate response: “The secret is consistency…” How true… “A foolish consistency” may very well be “the hobgoblin of little minds,” as Emerson once noted… But in the restaurant business it is that one indisputably essential element that separates the few truly venerable establishments from a host of flash-in-the-pan also-rans. Given the seamless stability of El Parador’s cuisine, service, and ambiance, I see no reason why it will not continue to cater to its ever-growing loyal clientele for yet another fifty years.

Went to El Parador on a Saturday night without a reservation, but was able to be seated right away! I had heard about this place from friends, who highly recommended and El Parador did not disappoint. The restaurant has a very intimate, distinct feel almost as though you are walking into a Mexican family's home. The food mirrored that of the atmosphere, authentic. All ingredients you can tell were super fresh and delicious, and the drinks were just as good as the food! The Mole Poblano and Pollo Parador are must tries, but I'm sure you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Finally the staff could not have been more accommodating and helpful. From refilling our chips and salsa before we even asked to providing great recommendations and being super knowledgeable, you could tell every staff member cared about your experience.

There is a reason El Parador Cafe prides itself as the oldest Mexican restaurant in the city. I have eaten at this restaurant at least 30 times, and the food has consistently been great. It is definitely different than the conventional Mexican restaurant, which is why the locals flock to this place. It serves high quality Mexican food cooked to perfection.

Last Friday we booked with friends at this place. When we arrived we didn’t get chairs as this was not included (?!?). We received the food (worth 1450$) for 15 persons instead of 44!! On top of all misery the food was not good and we discovered several cockroaches in the restaurant. Even in the drinks!! Picture attached! Never go there!

Mexican food at it's best. So great so busy so affordable. The waiter's are the best. Atmosphere is so realistic you feel like your in Mexico. Would return every time I' am New York

Food was good but on the expensive side for a Mexican and not really worth the money. I had the bouillabaisse with Lobster (which was bit on the tough side) and my son had the chicken fajitas - which were good but on the small side.The drinks were expensive and although the list of tequilas was extensive (including a shot costing $100) I still think it was overpriced. Our waiter couldn't speak very good English either or maybe he just wasn't that interested?!?

This place was recommended to us for margaritas. They were delicious, both frozen and straight up. We had snacks of mussels and something else I can't remember probably due to the excellent drinks, service great, a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

Unlike the mos recent reviews, our service was excellent. Insalata mixta, nice spicy dressing and the half avocado grilled nicely. Shrimp was delicious as was the rice and beans. Yes, it's very dim inside but just the classic relaxing NYC after dinner work atmosphere. Wouldn't pay too much attention to the out-of-towner's negative service comments. This is NYC. Sometimes you have to wait. Food was excellent.

I was there a couple of days ago with my girlfriend. Very nice restaurant with friendly staff and excellent cooking. We had stuffed jalapeno, paella and a chef's special combo, with 3 enchilladas. For two people the check came out at about 60$ plus grauities.

59 years old restaurant that serves both Spanish & Mexican food. We go there for the spanish food which is excellent, offering great & friendly service.

I hate to review this restaurant because I want to keep this spectacular secret to myself! The food is fresh and never fails to please and please again. My visits to the city are not complete without a visit to El Parador.

El Parador is the best authentic Mexican restaurant in the United States and perhaps the world. No hyperbole. The best chips and salsa in the world, bar none.

I enjoyed everything about my visit to El Parador Cafe. Great staff and great food. I look forward to a return visit. Thanks for a great night!

El Parador continues to deliver. Walking on the north side of East 34th Street hard by the entrance to the Queens Midtown Tunnel you'd be hard pressed to think there is a great restaurant right in front of you. The entrance looks like it should be for a speakeasy, but it isn't. This is high-end Mexican. Of course you order margaritas. More than one each. Gimlets, scotch, bourbon, not allowed. Have a glass of wine another time. We favor the seafood dishes. They had run out of lobster enchiladas, they were so good, by the time we arrived after a movie nearby at Kips Bay. Desert was warm and tasty. Espresso brings you right back. We'll be back real soon.

We had an awesome girls night out with great food and yummy margaritas. I would definitely go back for another girls night!

We had reservations for 40 people, but when we arrived at the restaurant we could not all sit down and their was not enough food for everyone... To make it even worse we found several cockroaches and 1 in one of the drinks... The waiters weren’t friendly and they threatened to shoot one of our friends!!! Awful experience overall!!

Truly enjoyed are dinner here the other night. Margaritas are excellent, guacamole was great and the chorizo with onions superb. Not a Tex Mex restaurant. Has some very interesting items on the menu and specials. All of our choices were excellent. Staff very helpful. Parking is difficult but there is a parking place 5 doors down.

I've visited El Parador a number of times. It is definitely off the beaten path . . . but well worth the journey. El Parador has been part of my journey through life as I think my first meal at El Parador was sometime in the 80s. While the exterior is ordinary, once you walk through the doors, you are enveloped by an old world charm. Chips and salsa are served . . although vegetarians should note, the salsa is not vegetarian -- the menu does note this, but the chips and salsa sometimes arrive prior to the menu. The menu is upper end Mexican but also has some Spanish options, including a few paellas - which rival those of Spanish restauarants. Everything I've ordered has been great. Definitely a place I will continue to frequent.