El Pote Espanol Reviews

I have been going to El Pote for over 30 years. My favorite is the veal with almond sauce. My friend had the paella and he loved it. From the escargot to chorizzo it is awesome!

My wife and I prefer food we can't make at home. I can grill a steak with the best of them. But things like Squid in its own ink - take a master (to really get it right) and (while one visit doesn't insure consistancy) - our first visit- it was excellent for just what we wanted.. This is a small - cozy - clean and rather charming place which was satisfying to us in every way. For somone looking to entertain clients in NY - maybe not. It does not have the glamor of some of the glitzy 4-seasons type restaurants. But for what it is - it couldn't be better.

El Pote is a vanishing breed of old time NY Spanish restaurants- small, intimate - good food at good prices and a good wine list. It is also one of the few places that serve Sopa De Ajo.

Really close to the taste of Madrid, this quaint restaurant in Midtown has good portions, and a great price for the quality of meal we had. The Jerez Chicken was fantastic, and the Sangria was good, but not as good as in Spain. The Serrano was plentiful and the servers were really attentive. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because it was a bit expensive for what we ordered, but that could just be the New York tax.

Felt at home. THIS is a New York neighborhood friend restaurant, long established, a joy to be there, superb cuisine es extra bood because tranquil atemosphere opens the appetite. The human and hospitality elements are outstanding. Unpretentious charm and class. I would take my best friend, relative, important vip, or ...better yet...just go alone and enjoy being there. Thank you and congratulations to all at El Pote. Saludos, Pancho

The best Paella!

I started the meal off with the Garlic Soup. If I was blindfolded I would not have known that I was eating Garlic Soup. Chef, if you are reading this, it is supposed to taste like garlic in liquid form. The stuffed mushrooms which were stuffed with shrimp and crab meat (and served in an overpowering sauce) did not compliment each other at all. After having those two disappointing courses I did not want to subject myself to any more disappointment, so I asked for the check.

I love the atmosphere and loved the seafood combo in green sauce. Octopus appetizer and stuffed mushroom appetizers were great! There were 6 of us and nobody besides me loved it. Food was good, not great. Service was excellent!

Paella is supposed to be dry, not soupy. Chorizo is not supposed to take like spiced up frankfurters. The service was great, and portions huge. But you could say the same about hooters.

The place is really nice, very Spanish, service really good . Our waiter was very friendly and good. We went there early and he allowed us to get in and have a drink. It’s was very nice from him. Chorizo excelente, best ink squid with rice, and amazing asparagus. They recommend us an excellent wine. We like it very much. Very good menu.

Had never been to El Pote. Checked out some reviews on line. Location was perfect so decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Low key place. Solid Spanish food. Love Mariscada with green sauce, and they did it quite well. Will look forward to returning.

Excellent service in an adecuate atmosphere. Great food (tortilla, jamón, pimientos, bacalao) and beverages (sangria and a wide list of spanish wine). Prices are ok.

My favorite Murray Hill restaurant. The food and the wait staff is tremendous. They have been serving the neighborhood for a number of years with great success.

Ordered pulpo(octapus). It was slimy and didn't taste fresh. Sent it back. Something I RARELY do. They might have had a bad night. Pork chops were cooked like a stew. Will they get another chance? Perhaps.

Went here recently when we went to New York for a Broadway show weekend. Cozy little place. Food was wonderful. We had the Stuffed Mushrooms & Shrimp in Garlic sauce for appetizers; Paella Negra & Langoustinos for entrees and Flan tres leches & Pastel de la abuela for dessert. All was very plentiful and delicious. I've had Paella Valencia in the past, but this was the 1st time I've enjoyed Negra. Would definitely have again and recommend to others.

If you like your Spanish food the "old fashioned" way, this is for you. I have been going since 1997 and it really does not change. My wife loves the lobster, while I go for the chicken in garlic sauce. Fried potatoes are a dream; not a bit greasy, just perfect. Garlic broccoli is wonderful as well. Service is friendly yet refined, and the whole ambience is relaxing. Always go when we visit NYC.

Cozy, intimate. Great historical feel, great food.

Tonight I've had dinner for the first time at this Spanish restaurant and it's been a great experience! I had octopus for apetizer and it was absolutely delicious followed by a very good broiled veal. Waiters were friendly and the owner stopped by a couple of times for making sure that everything was OK. A must try in NYC!

This is a little neighborhood jewel. Oh... we go there despite NOT living in the neighborhood. Very good food. Large portions. Friendly and helpful staff.

If you are looking for an authentic paella, this is it! this is the place... I really love their Paella Marinara and it's wonderful! Great taste indeed, generous shrimps, clams and lobster...and big portion as well. So you can take the half of it home :). The chicken rice is also good. The veal steak is recommendable as well. You can explore more from the menu for sure, especially their lunch special and today's catch. For appetizers, I tried fried calamaries and they are very crunchy. The stuffed mushrooms are yummy too. More choices of cold cuts and seafood are also available here. They have many desserts and a wide selection of wine and cocktail. The ambience of the restaurant is nice and intimate. You will love it! Really recommended..

Very good food, nice sit-down restaurant offering Spanish cuisine (even though deserts are American cakes). They have a lunch menu that offers 2 options changing everyday: Tuesday and Thursday includes highly recommended paella.

A friend who lives in NYC suggested we meet for dinner here, it was just amazing. The chicken dishes, the osso buco were nothing short of amazing. I see myself going back over and over again. The appetizers, great. Nothing, and I mean nothing was wrong.....the price was reasonable too.

I had the paella and found it to be very good. The lighting in the restaurant is perfectly lit providing a perfect atmosphere and a very enjoyable dinner with family. I recommend reservations as they get a crowd as the evening goes on. They did not rush us as we sat for a while after eating and before ordering dessert which was very good.

This restaurant serves some of the best Spanish food I have eaten, in or outside Spain. The seafood choices were delicious and the jug of sangria refreshing. Service was rapid and portions, as normally in New York, very generous.

Great menu and the specials are always superb. This visit one of the specials was cod = delicious ! Staff are helpful and efficient! Atmosphere this time was enhanced by super troubador who sang well. If you want good Spanish food in Manhattan - this is IT !!

This is a true hidden gem. Small but cozy. Hsve the garlic soup, seafood salad, shrimps w garlic and rice. Everything was fantastic!

We went to El Pote for my Birthday, and could not have picked a better place. The staff was most welcoming and the food was great. The prices were reasonable, including for wine. They had a special on an Albarino, which was perfect with my entree of cod fish in a delicious green sauce, a Spanish Basque specialty. Other items we enjoyed were a garlic soup, gazpacho soup and a veal chop. The portions were too big to have dessert, so no opinion on that but they looked delicious. I truly recommend this restaurant on Second Ave. and 39th St.

A wonderful dining experience, intimate, nice decor. Service was great, near Pod 39 Hotel. Saved enough money there to enjoy a truly great meal here. Total bill was a bit north of $100. but we had veil which is alway pricey. This is not an expensive restaurant unless you want it to be. Cannot say enough good things about our evening there.

Restaurant with an established presence in the neighborhood. Great food, great staff and a genuine, unpretentious but warm atmosphere. I highly recommend it for traditional Spanish fare.

El Pote has been around for awhile, recently dined there after being away for a few years and was pleasantly surprised that nothing had changed - the food was very good as always ( though the Paella was not saffron-based as it had been in the past), the wait staff was the same, the atmosphere was perfect - white table cloth with a sound level that allows you to actually hear the person across the table from you. Very good value for the money.

I've been to this place around 10 times. It's kind of a throwback to the '50s inside, very small and cozy. Excellent seafood paella and red sangria. Start with jamon serrano, the food of flamenco dancers the world over, and manchego (sheep's milk cheese.) There are fancier places for sure, but this might become a go-to for a quiet, tasty meal.

What an amazing little restaurant the food was amazing and staff snd owner so welcoming we loved it wish we had found it before I’m not on our last day 🥹 would have been lovely to experience an eveong meal I’m sure it would have been lovely 🥰 Definately recommend anyone to go here for food and drinks

While riding the bus south on 2nd Avnue, my Aunt suddenly jumped up and asked me if I like Spanish food. When I said yes, she said, "Ok, we get off here." She had not eaten at El Pote in quite some time, and I never ate there before. We had the lunch special, Camarones a la Gabardina (Fried shrimps dipped in flour and eggs served with rice and black beans). Our order was taken promptly and fresh baked bread was brought to the table while we waited for our lunch. Our lunch arrived in no time. I was so glad I said yes when my Aunt suggested Spanish food. The shrimp were as delicious as I remember getting fresh fried from the fish market when I was little. The beans has some kind of very flavorful, light sauce on them and there was plenty of rice. Throughout the meal, the wait staff was very attentive. I would definitely go there again. Maybe for dinner this time.

This Spanish Restaurant is one of my favorite places in NY for lunch or dinner. It never misses the opportunity to provide a great dining experience. Enrique and his staff take a personal interest in all of their patrons. Great paella!

Tapas acceptable, paella marinara needs more seafood , good desserts and cafe

It's been there for years but this was my first time. If you didn't know it was there you might miss it. The inside is simple, but warm and charming. More importantly, the service and food were excellent. The staff was very patient with me because I had read a lot of wonderful reviews (and my friend has been going there since the 80s) but I had a million questions. Their recommendations made me very happy. I had the caracoles (snails) and the stuffed lobster and they were excellent and reasonably priced compared to other NYC restaurants. My friends had the paella....which lived up to the previous excellent reviews...and the scallops. Everyone left happy. Too full to try desserts. Maybe next time. Will definitely return. One note...top shelf liquor - but if you're into wine it has a limited winelist.

Close to my wife's work location, we are frequent guests. The staff is very familiar and has been in place for many years. They operate the dining room like a fine watch and never miss the special little service actions that make each visit special. Entrees are universally fine, my favorites being the seafood -- their specialty. Don't forget to try the Paella Valencia and the fried thin potato slices -- to die for. Fine wines to accompany every dish and a good time be be had by all to frequent this little gem on 2nd Avenue.

El Pote is a small neighborhood restaurant with only a few tables which makes for very loud dining. I managed to snag a table by the front door which was much quieter. The service was very good, the Filet of Sole was excellent and plentiful. It was tender and served with haricot vert and plantains. The bar seats about 5 and was filled with regulars.

I used Yelp to find El Pote, although I had walked by this place before when looking for another place for dinner just around the corner. I was by myself so ordered a glass of Sangria and waited for my Paella to come out. The place seemed to be a locals kind of place, if there's such a thing in Manhattan and the food was good, though not great. The servers were observant and filled my water glass regularly and the check was on time. I'd go here again if in the area, although it's certainly not a destination place for me.

Best authentic Spanish food in NYC and can’t beat the price. Place is owned by the same people forever and the service is great!

Amazing Spanish food, Excellent ambience and decoration, the service above par and the prices very reasonable. The portions are very generous and the paella is amazing and is not to be missed. Great atmosphere, courteous waiters and great food.

If you're from Spain and crave a good home cooked meal you'll want to go to El Pote on second ave between 38-39th Sts., Manhattan. If you are from anywhere else you definitely want to go to El Pote and experience authentic Spanish food. You will be greeted by Enrique or Pepe who have been co-owners for 37 years, they are both from Galicia. Pepe is the Chef and the why people always return to this small but comfortable restaurant, it's very consistent. Mushrooms,Shrimp ajillo,chorizo,Boquerones(fresh anchovies), are all good tapas,the house fries are a must.Their rack of Lamb is done to perfection with a side of string beans with a little garlic is tasty or a light cream spinach. The Paella is a house favorite, I like the Valenciana with the chorizo and chicken as well as shell fish no lobster, the rice gets more flavor as opposed to the Paella Mariscada ,which is all shell fish and lobster delicious as well. The house Pork Chops are very yummy with a light brown sauce so get the rice to mix it up. Sometimes they offer the broiled Pork Chops and the broiled Veal is excellent. If you like Lobster, you have to order the twin broiled Lobsters or a half order. I've eaten a lot of what's on the menu and as I said the consistency is always there as is the friendliness. The bar is tiny, 5 stools, but the pour is pretty good and I usually ask them not to put sugar in my Sangria, unless you like it sweet. Reservations are recommended. Say hi for me. Corky R

Another one of our old faves for Spanish food in Midtown. Very good paella & shrimp with green sauce. Dining room rather plain but after a few glasses of their excellent Sangria even that looks good. Very reasonable too. Thumbs up!

Local New York friends invited us to this special locals place. The paella was the best I have ever had! The garlic soup was five star as was the garlic shrimp, we know garlic and have attended the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California. Service was friendly and neighborly. Servings were bountiful and generous. Prices were reasonable. A great New York restaurant discovery!

If you're looking for a big impressive, fancy or celebrity spot, El Pote might disappoint. If you want a charming evening this is a wonderful little Spanish restaurant. Very authentic. Very fair prices for food and wine. Good service. Clean and welcoming. Just about everything is right with this place

My husband knows several people who live in NYC and asked for some restaurant recommendations. One of them suggested El Pote Espanol and we (with our 13 year old son) decided to check it out. We were very pleased with our meal. The place was a little crowded, but not too loud. The tables have cloth tableclothes and cloth napkins. Our server was amazingly attentive and was able to answer several questions we had. He was well dressed. The food we ordered was very good and there was a lot of it. Our entrees were delicious. The menu offers a wide selection of appetizers, and for entrees has chicken, steak, pork chops, veal, scallops, lamb, fish, shrimp, and lobster. They were lots of options and many of them sounded great. We got an appetizer to share, with our entrees, though no alcohol. After tax and tip for the three of us the bill came to $118 so not cheap but not too horrible for the city and the nice experience. We would definitely recommend it.

This is a favorite restaurant of friends of ours and we were happy we took their suggestion to eat there. Really exceptionally good Spanish food in very elegant surroundings. Service was friendly and impeccable. A midtown treasure

I've been going to El Pote for over 25 years. I live in the city, I work nearby, and at least twice a month I have lunch there we a few Spanish colleagues. El Pote has never let me down and has treated me as an “insider” since day one. If I go for tapas at the bar, I usually get the stuff peppers (pimientos rellenos), a tortilla de patatas, and/or a portion of serano ham, and with some Tempranillo or great sangria, I go home my merry way. But the lunch menu has to be, by far, the best value-to-quality find in the entire NYC midtown area. Tuesdays and Thursdays is "Paella Lunch Special Day " (at $11.95!). Yet, while paella may be its best known dish, as of lately I have gravitated to the solomillo de cerdo (pork loin). Again, at $11.95, it is hard to believe that such a delicious find can be had in New York. The price just cannot be beat. However, what keeps me coming back to El Pote, in addition to the good food, are two items: i) The atmosphere of the small bar and dining room, very authentic to a typical Madrilian restaurant of old. It is very quaint and rustic, yet quite functional and by no means dated, and ii) the long time owner, Enrique, who always greets all customers with a warm hello and handshake, and the servers, most of whom have been there as long as I have been going and know the menu like the back of their hand. My hopes are that El Pote does not succumb to the impossibly high rents of Manhattan, that Enrique never sells it and retires, and that I can keep on enjoying my lunches there for many years to come.

Dinner with business associate was truly enjoyable. The server knew the perfect amount of attention to give. I had a second martini, which I rarely do. Paella was delicious and just when I thought I was going to finish and maybe wish for one more bite, the server came and filled my plate again.

We chose the restaurant cause was very close to our hotel and had outstanding review (4.4 stars). The place is very reserved but cozy and the staff is kind. We ate a Valencia paella and seafood linguine (quality of the pasta was good, even though a bit too spicy); both portion were huge, and the average quality was good. Finally, the bill was faire

Place doesnt look fancy from outside but very cozy inside.. service is attentive and top notch. Sangria is great. Their lunch special have seafood paella optiion on certain days which is delicious. Definately a great spot

Adequate service. Good food, well presented. Salmon was exceptional. Pasta with veal ragu, good dish but a little over salted. Caprice salad appetizer, excellent . Very loud venue, not for dinner conversation. Active bar, very loud . Good location.

What a find! El Pote is absolutely wonderful! The perfect NYC restaurant. Great ambiance, great service and delicious food. A restaurant where you’re treated in the old world style - with courtesy and kindness. The Valencia paella was excellent! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you're looking for Spanish cuisine (Catalan in particular) in NYC that offers a fabulous menu along with exquisite service, come here. It's a bit out of the way on 2nd Ave between 38th & 39th from the tourist hordes, but this is a plus. We have been coming here for years whenever we're in NYC. The paella valencia is loaded with shrimp, mussels, clams, chorizo, roasted red peppers and saffron rice. If you're not a seafood person, just order the arroz con pollo and you'll have moist chicken (white meat and dark meat), generous chorizo, and roasted red peppers in saffron rice. The portions are huge so you can take it home or to your hotel room fridge. Each meal comes with a salad. If you're coming as a group, order a bunch of appetizers like the chorizo on its own and the garlic shrimp. Next, the sangria. We've only had the sangria with red wine (Rioja) and it's made with orange, lemon and apple slices along and other liquors. Not sickly sweet; it's just perfect. The restaurant also has had the same waiters and bartender since we started coming here over 15 years ago. Something is working here VERY WELL. I didn't give them 5 stars because they don't make their own desserts. They're good but not they're not made there and as such, they aren't excellent. But everything else is. The menu is also reasonably priced which makes it even that much better.

I have been to this restaurant, since the opening in 1977, hundreds of times. Since 1977 thru 1997 it was twice weekly. These days I would go, maybe 3 o 4 times a year. The main reason is that I really hate to go to Manhattan (I live in Elmhurst, Queens). To be totally honest, I have not tried all the items in their menu; but enough to know what I always liked the best. Grilled veal (Ternera a la Plancha) my favourite dish and the best in New York City. Broiled twin lobsters (Langosta al horno o a la parrilla) Squid in its own ink (Calamares en su Tinta) Rack of Baby Lamb (Costillas de cordero lechal) These 4 dishes are in my opinion what makes El Pote what it really is and has been for the past 35 years. A spanish restaurant with no pretensions of gourmet presentation, but an authentic reality of what old castilian cuisine should be.

Very good sea food the fish and the lobster impecable the service very attentive the wine fantastic I strongly recommend this cosy spanish restaurant.

The staff said that portion sizes of entrees were only big enough for one person, but the black rice paella definitely could have been shared. It was delicious. The rice was well seasoned (although got to be a bit too salty tasting by the end of the dish) and all of the differing seafood contents were cooked well - nothing overcooked or chewy here. The bread was a bit bland. Nothing like the beautiful white bread you will find in Spain with the thick and tasty crust, but it serves as a decent vessel with which to consume the delicious butter. The white asparagus wasn't worth the money, and the garlic chicken was just decent. Overall, I found this Spanish establishment to be a bit overpriced, but if you stick with the paella, you will leave a happy customer.

Had dinner here with a friend. Ironically, we both ordered the same dish. Chicken with garlic. It was amazing. A simple dish--basically chicken and garlic but the preparation makes it delectable. You can choose all white, all dark, or mixed. I chose mixed. The chicken was succulent, well flavored. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The garlic was cooked to perfection--big delicious cloves. The carmelization of the garlic really enhanced the chicken. The wait staff were attentive and really sweet. I've already recommended El Pote to friends and will definitely go back. Easy on the wallet too!

Magnificent, as always. We have been going to that restaurant for many years and the quality is always excellent. The service is attentive and friendly and the dishes are delicious, with fair prices.

This is part of a dying breed, old world style, experienced waitors, excellent food and reasonable prices. We went twice for lunch since it is 2 minutes from Lagone Medical. Both times there were several luncheon specials for $12- $13 and they were great! Last time my wife had fried shrimp with black beans and rice. I had chicken in wine. The serving were large, the service excellent, the taste outstanding We also shared a squid in ink that was out of this world. Mario Batali tied this with pasta at some of his places. come here to see how it really should taste.

It's like Europe in America. Good food. Ate the Paella, quite a portion and had to tell the chef well I couldn't finish the meal not because it was not good but it was a lot by new york standards. The lighting is just right for nice talks or closing deals. Fair prices. I'd visit again.

When I was living in the area, I was a regular at El Pote and always loved the sangria and the seafood paella. I went there again recently fir lunch and it was just as I remembered it: the same friendly welcome, quick service, well spaced tables, and delicious food. This time I tried the peppers stuffed with cod. It is an appetizer and I ordered it as my main course. It was delicious, and so was the special dish of the day , shrimp with tomatoes and garlic that my friend had ordered. So happy to see that El Pote has remained as excellent as before.

My husband and I recently met a friend at El Pote Espanol for dinner. What a great restaurant. Loved the atmosphere, the service and the food was amazing. Truly authentic Spanish food is not always easy to find and El Pote Espanol definitely fits the bill.

i had plans to celebrate my birthday in valencia spain. unfortunately the travel plans were canceled but i was still hankering for some spanish flavor and of course the most noted dish of valencia.....paella.... well El Pote saved the day.....the paella was delicious!!! the service very good and the vibe of the restaurant like one in spain.... not what i had planned originally but a good second option.....my friend and i really enjoyed ourselves.and to top it all off an entire group of waiters sang happy birthday to me.... a very nice evening..

This is a small place with a big heart. The owner, Pepe, is a wonderful host. If there are no tables available he will entertain you at the bar while he speaks of old stories, fun places to visit in NYC and Galicia. He is truly a gem of a host. We sat at the bar and interacted with Pepe for at least two hours. He was fun, funny and charming. Then we were seated and the food was well presented and came fast. The waiters are all very polite yet friendly. I ordered the filet of sole but somehow found the top sauce or gravy too sweet for my taste. It did not have the lemony taste I expected. The potato fries are great as are the flan and sangria. Those you must try. We saw very many "regulars" who we understand have been frequenting the place for more than two decades. I guess that is a good sign right? Overall, it was a satisfying experience at El Pote. Will definitely return.

wonderful old Murray Hill neighborhood spanish restaurant. great staff...tasty tapas.....refreshing sangria....and the paella was delicious.

This place is where I go when I want to treat myself to a good lunch. I say treat myself because the lunch special will still cost $14.00. However, the Monday special of fried shrimp with yellow rice and black beans is plentiful and delicious. It's the only dish I ever order. My friends usually order a garlic chicken dish that they all love. This is a small white table cloth restaurant with a real spanish feel. The waiters all remind me of matadors with their short black waist jackets. Try this place and I don't think you will be disappointed.

My wife and I were staying in the neighborhood and were looking for a small cozy restaurant with not too-heavy food. El Pote was a good find for us. We had the scallop and shrimp dishes and they were nice portions made with tasty, light sauces. The waiters were great, very friendly. The treated us not like guests, but regulars, even though this was our first visit. We even ordered desert, almond cake, and coffee that made the meal just right for us. Overall it was a postive experience.

I have been to el Pote five times over the years. The owner came to NYC over twenty years ago and started it then. Make sure you make reservations as it is small and very busy. The paella and other Spanish dishes are truly authentic. It is reasonablly priced. the atmosphere is like being is Europe.

NYC used to abound with Spanish restaurants of this type: caters to the neighborhood, affordable (considering Manhattan), menu uncluttered by lots of Latin American entries. Had a great paella here -- very full of seafood and well prepared. The garlic soup was an unexpected highlight and stuffed mushrooms were competent. My wife had the chicken with vegetables and enjoyed it thoroughly. All portions were hearty. Service was prompt. Had some Argentine wine to go with ....wasn't bad at all

Great Galician food in this small resto in midtown east. Authentic paella e pulpo a la gallega. Extraordinary Fish. Attentive service and quality over the average.

This restaurant is very intimate and cozy. The food is excellent. I suggest trying the Seafood Paella. It is filled with Lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels and served hot in a small cast iron pot. The portion is humungous and can probably serve two people. Wash it down with some sangria which is made fresh with apples and oranges. Bon Appetite.

Atmosphere was beautiful. I loved the photos and the decor. Mussels with Garlic Sauce were delicious. Salad was good but we would have preferred oil and vinegar on the side. Broiled fish was good - we had branzino. Did not appear to be broiled but it was tasty. We definitely have to come back to try the Paella

My uncle introduced this lovely neighborhood eatery to me and my husband in 1994. We have been having excellent dinners since. My uncle said he tried all the dishes and all are very good. I have brought many friends and family over the years and everyone has been very satisfied. My favorite Spanish dishes are the paella Valenciana and the Mariscada in salsa verde. We like the combination. I have been recently in 2019 traveling in Spain and we agree that the paella is the best at El Pote Espanol. I choose the Valenciana because the sausage gives it an extinctive flavor that I prefer to the seafood paella. I have eaten the lamb, fish, and shrimps in green sauce and other dishes here as well. The dinner comes with salad. The wine selection is excellent. Rioja is my favorite when eating here. The desserts are also very delicious. I have the flan and recently the strawberry cheesecake - yummy yummy. Made in house.

We ordered the artichoke and the squid in it's own ink. These appetizers were decent. My wife and I shared the paella seafood which was listed at $30.50. The dish was 90% rice and a mere 5% seafood consisting of a rubbery half lobster tail and upper bones with no meat, and a small scattering of clams and a shrimp or two. I, the husband, had to go to Whole Foods to order some tuna and challah to make me full. Oh, the bill charged us $36 for the paella seafood. My wife thought they did not update the menu. I am disappointed and will not go back for Spanish food.

Here is a really excellent Spanish restaurant...great ambiance, food is excellent.....frequent visitor..try gambas al ajillo, paella de mariscos

My cousin, who has lived in NYC most of his life recommended El Pote for a family dinner in NY. He told me he had been going there with my uncle since he was a little boy, and that many of the waiters had been there for at least 30 years. Being a native NYer, this place had all of the local ambiance of a 1960's type NYC restaurant, complete with excellent food, atmosphere and service. The portions were generous - we ordered family style so that we can taste different dishes. The paella was some of the best that I had and the chorizo appetizer was amazing. I will definitely return back here - hopefully with my lovely cousins.

*** (comfortable Spanish) $65 for two plus tip Accepts all major credit cards Weekend dinner Reviewed as local Wife is a big fan of Spanish food so we have been here a few times. Food is good with generous portions. We had the calamari in ink appetizer, seafood paella (shared, +$5 surcharge) and wine. This restaurant has a small unassuming facade facing second ave. It is a very cozy spot, fully of energy and the hustle and bustle one would imagine from New York's hay days. We came without reservations but they were able to accomodate with a small table in the corner. The authentic food and reasonable prices attract plenty of diners. Servers are very friendly, but were a bit absent minded. Frequently refilled water glasses without being prompted and very carefully served the paella but frequently forgot to bring us a dessert menu on this visit (we asked three times). Was hoping to have the cheesecake we had last time, but eventually gave up. Too busy. Also had to ask for check twice. Normally service is much better. This place will maintain a spot in our regular rotation.

There used to be many more Spanish restaurants like this one in the City, and I'm glad it's still here. Delicious gazpacho, excellent shrimp in green sauce, attentive service and reasonably priced.

The service was superb. My scallops were excellent in taste and presentation. The gazpacho was outstanding. I had cheesecake for dessert and it was tremendous.

the foods [ paella etc...] are great ! ,, service was good ! I think it's one of the best paella around in the city !

We have always loved Spanish food, having spent months in many parts of Spain over the years. El Pote looks right: dark wood furniture and beams, nice decorations on the walls. The service was friendly and efficient. We felt comfortable here. As for the food, we were less enthusiastic. I ordered the bacalao, but they did not have it even though it was on the daily specials menu at lunch. I had artichokes and Serrano, but the Serrano was cooked and tough. My husband’s paella was abundant. The rice was nicely flavored (saffron?) and had chicken, sausage, and seafood. Alas, the whole dish was long cooked with everything together; the chicken survived, but the sausage, mussels, clams, and shrimp were tough and chewy. The seafood salad was not bad although I detected a few pieces of surimi, but a mayonnaise sauce gave too uniform a taste to the whole dish. Perhaps olive oil on the salad and mayonnaise on the side for dipping? I do love mayonnaise (possibly a Spanish invention). Warm stuffed mushrooms were nicely sauced but an abundance of coarsely chopped raw garlic added an astringent unpleasant taste, although I usually like garlic. Still, after two trips we are willing to try yet another time for the bacalao.

We attended a birthday party here today for 38 people; the restaurant was closed to the public for the event; and everything worked beautifully. The staff of four waiters was able to work around the festivities very well. The food tasted authentic -- paella was filled with treasures and the almond cake was the very best I've ever tasted.

It's the best paella I've ever tasted. Classic restaurant with a really good meal. The owner is always there making drinks and talking to the customers. Great atmosphere.

I've been going to El Pote on and off for 10 years, when I want a quiet excellent meal. Food and service is always good. The paella is the best. A great little place that is consistent in its quality.

If you want authentic spanish cuisine that is out of this world, this is the place. I always get Arroz con pollo, con toreso. Amazing. There's enough for 3 meals, so I always take home a doggie bag. The best thing is the sangria. Made fresh per order. Get the large pitcher. You'll love every drop.

So, I lived in Spain 40 years ago and still hold dear memories of delicious meals and experiences in Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Granada and Sevilla. Going to this restaurant was, in theory, a trip down memory lane. The restaurant was walking distance from my hotel so I set off without a reservation and was immediately seated upon entry. The staff were welcoming and friendly as I was led in. The starter - Mussels in white wine - was really tasty and I enjoyed every bite. The bread served was light and crusty and perfect for sopping up the mussel juices. But, the reason I chose El Pote was to revisit the taste of authentic Spanish paella. Unfortunately, I don't know if I did that or not. The seafood was good and plentiful but I can't say that I loved the rice base. It was heavy and a bit salty and didn't transport me back to 'the day'! All in all, I don't want to ding them too much on Stars but this didn't live up to my hopes/expectations,

We went to this restaurant for a family birthday party. Staff was pleasant and helpful. We had the Paella Valenciana which was done correctly. The wine was delicious at the suggestion of the waiter. Restaurant was crowded but not noisy. All in all a good evening with appropriate prices. I recommend it.

Great place to sample "Mom" style cuisine, love the appetizers. Main courses are plentiful, with service second to none. Great for lunch and dinner just stay away during UN sessions.. It will be packed!! Great Place !!

This restaurant has been around for over 40 years and have visited since 1992. The staff is great, the food is regional and excellent, and the ambiance is old style NY paella restaurant.

On our visit to nyc, we spontaneously booked this restaurant, last minute decision. Very authentic Spanish /Catalonian food. For starters: Delicious artichoke hearts with Parma ham, for mains: paella marinara. Washed down with carafe and half of sangria! No room for desert! Too full! Top service! Staff are exceptional, very attentive and humorous. Professional table service. this kind of service is very rare these days. Will be back! Love this restaurant 💕💕💕💕💃

A friend invited us here and it was amazing. Great service, food and sangria. A few people got the stuffed lobster which was terrific. I got the seafood combination in green sauce - OMG! I want more today! I will definitely be back!!!

El Pote is one of those hidden gems known mostly to locals in and around this neighborhood. Most of the patrons are regulars, many of whom are known by name by the friendly and efficient staff. Although small, El Pote is pleasantly decorated, but the real magic is what comes out of the kitchen. Outstanding paella. Wonderful seafood dishes in green or garlic sauces. I've had most of the items on the menu and have not run into anything that's been less than perfect. There is no shortage of fine Spanish restaurants in Manhattan. None offers better food, and considering El Pote's reasonable prices, it may be one of the best values in the city. Reservations required on weekends.

A friend and I went to this restaurant for a last meal before heading back to college. The food itself was absolutely incredible and seemed to be very authentic Spanish. The service here was respectable; the servers were polite and pretty attentive. The only thing that might have been lacking was the atmosphere. While the restaurant was bustling, the clientele definitely seemed to be an older crowd, and my friend and I felt somewhat out of place as college students; however, the food definitely made up for it!

Great little place to have lunch away from the midtown crowds. The food is well prepared and the service is good.

El Pote Espanol is located in the Murray Hill section of NYC and specializes in Spanish food. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere with a interesting small bar in the front and dining room beyond that. The place lends itself to the desire to relax and have a good evening. The menu is excellent and every item chosen by our group was delicious. There are obviously a number of very good dining establishments in New York. This one has a good history and can easily handle groups of any size. Very friendly and prompt service.

If you're looking for a very good, authentic Spanish restaurant at a reasonable price would highly recommend El Pote. We had shrimp al ajillo, papas fritas, veal chops and all was excellent. We even were visited by the very gracious owner. All in all an excellent experience.

This establishment has been around for so many years and still is great! Have been frequent ting since the 1990's, all the food is amazing. Staff are so gracious and portions are decent size.

Had a very nice meal for 4 on a busy Friday night. Located A bit off the beaten path, but that was fine. Very small restaurant, bar and coat check out front. White tablecloths. Mature Waiters dressed nicely. Mixed , but more mature crowd. Enjoy drinking. Nice short ,reasonably priced short Spanish wine list. Can order by glass or bottle. Full bar too. Dinners come with salad. The bread is so so, plain white , Italian type , though heated , bread. Butter. Salads so so. Russian type dressing ! Throwback. No charge.... They offer 4-5 daily specials and fill Menu. Ordered black seafood rice dish( squid negro). Pork osso bucco , sautéed chicken breast. , mixed seafood in casserole. Served with seasoned rice. A Seafood soup. All were quite tasty, fresh and substantial too. Won’t go away hungry. Nice friendly and professional service. Reasonable prices too. Ordered a tiramisu and lemon tart for dessert . I dont think they make them. They have flan too. Deserts Not very tasty. Not worth the Calories . I would avoid them in future. Espresso and cappuccino just fine. All in all a nice traditional ( bit of old school too!) ( American) Spanish style meal. Just what the doctor expected and ordered.

I visit El Pote often and it is a neighborhood gem. The service is impeccable. The staff always remembers the preferences of regular guests, making you feeling like family! (Certain preferred items, such as a preferred wine, or olive oil vs. butter for bread, or sparkling vs. still water are immediately brought to your table, once they realize your preferences!) The staff at this restaurant exhibit characteristics of traditional restaurants from before my time; simply exceptional and professional service. It is a smaller neighborhood location, but, they accommodate large parties professionally and with proper staffing. Further, the owners are always present and greet new and returning guests alike. It is remarkable, the professionalism and courteous manner of the staff. Now to the food... I am a seafood and vegetable person, so, that is where I have the most experience to comment; however, I have had different meat dishes on occasion... and each has been wonderful and cooked to temperature, as requested. As noted earlier in this review, I primarily order seafood. The seafood is delivered fresh daily. Feel free to ask what fish they have, and they can prepare in a fashion noted on the menu, or you can order simply seared or broiled. As the seafood is always fresh, you can order to the temperature you prefer. At times they have special preparations, such as ceviche or raw shellfish, which I highly recommend. The lobster is always a treat, and large (huge) portion! As a final note on the food, I had a vegetarian colleague/associate join me for dinner one evening. All I knew was he was strict vegetarian. We enjoyed the white asparagus appetizer and I believe the artichoke appetizer. They offered different menu items substituting mixed vegetables for the protein. We ordered a vegetarian paella and we were not disappointed. El Pote is a neighborhood gem on the east side of Midtown. Everyone always feels welcome. Many of us regular guests have actually become friends from meeting at El Pote. Stop in, I don't think you will be disappointed.

In this city of so many Hispanics, there are very few restaurants today that serve authentic food from the country of Spain. Here there is a strong strain of Galician cooking, but with good examples from elsewhere. Both paellas were good, although we both prefer a bit more crust. The garlic soup was outstanding. The restaurant was crowded on Sunday night, small, nicely decorated, very much like a night in the old country, where I have been lucky enough to travel extensively. Our waiters were very knowledgeable, especially about several other authentic Spanish restaurants which once were attractions in NYC. Limited but quite good Spanish wines lists, all prices for food and wine very fair, and a joyous place filled with laughter and items from Spain.

The friends I met for lunch were long time patrons of El Pote. So this was a new experience for me, although I have passed it a million times. The service is very attentive, small but not cramped. We all ordered from the lunch special menu. My veal was tender and just the perfect size for lunch. Great conversation and laughs in a busy non rushed setting. I was surprised that a Tuesday could be so busy at lunch in this place. I will be back for dinner as I hear the paella is great.

Loved the ambience and the service. Can split meals for a fee, however, it's worth it because the entrees are so large! I recommend the escargot!! Yum!!

This restaurant is small but it was a full house on a Wednesday night. The food is delicious. We were a group of 5 and shared appetizers of manchego and serrano ham. Everyone enjoyed various dishes, veal, scallops, bacalao. We had a great port to end and they gave us an extra pour on the house.

We've been eating here since we moved to the neighborhood. We've entertained clients and family here and ALL have raved about the find. Enrique is the host and treats everyone as an old friend. Try the stuffed lobster - there's nothing like it in NYC.

Visiting friends in Midtown East Manhattan we all went to their favorite neighborhood restaurant. The restaurant has a warm, old fashioned, charming atmosphere. The wait staff is professional and friendly without being at all overbearing. Two of us split the delicious Paella Valencia. It was very much enough for the two of us. Our other friend got Chicken Cordon-blue (not a typical Spanish dish but he said it was wonderful) Entrees all come with a nice salad. For desert we got a tartuffo, again not typical, but excellent. Give the portion sizes, the nice atmosphere and the excellent service, this proved to be a very reasonable priced restaurant. I definitely will return.

Looking for a classic, old school NYC Spanish restaurant? Look no further. From the dressed up waiters to the dusty chotskies around the room, this place exudes the charm of bygone times, complete with the menu items and prices to boot. Like escargot? How about a starter of a dozen of them in an incredible garlic reduction sauce for under eleven bucks? The paella comes with half a lobster tail (unmentioned on the menu). This one's a winner.

I have been going for over 10 years. I have to have my paella fix every month and chorizos with quest is such a good appetizer. The shrimps verde is great. I think I have tasted every entre in this restaurant. Sangria is always wonderful and fresh fruits. The flan is just great and any of the deserts are yummy. You have to order the potato fries.

We were in Manhatten, east side, for an appointment and decided to look for a place to eat lunch. We walked by El Pote Espanol and decided to give it a try. What a fabulous & fantastic surprise. The menu offered many enticing Spanish dishes, appetisers and specials of the day. We started with a small pitcher of sangria (red), followed by the gazpacho soup. Then for our lunch we had the Marascada Verde & the fish special, a talapa with a fantastic sauce and creamed spinach & carrots. We finished with a Cappucino & a spanish esspresso. We absolutely loved the entire meal and the experience. The wait staff were attentive, present when they needed to be and watchful of what ever we might wish. We will go back!

Sorry saw the placed tried it out and wont return. Ordered the octopus. Its was slimy. The ink black squid tasted a little better but not great. The sangria was full of sugar. The paella was skimpy on the seafood. Maybe about 2 clams and not much of anything else. More onions than seafood. I wont return. Looking for geat spaniard food try El Quijote in Chelsea.

This is my wife’s favorite restaurant. Great chicken and rice plus great both red and white sangria. Excellent shrimp in garlic shrimp appetizer. Seafood paella is also excellent.