Manolo Tapas Reviews

Living in a neighborhood not really known as a dining detination, very happy this is around and a 15 minute walk from our apartment Went with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Wait staff is very warm, friendly and helpful. We ordered 6 tapas between 2 couples and enjoyed them all. Nice wine list as well. Going to definitley try again soon and try some of the mains

My sister and I had dinner here at a sad time -- our mother was hospitalized at nearby Columbia-Presbyterian. The meal was a welcome pick-me-up, on a Sunday evening. In classic tapas fashion, we each ordered several smaller dishes, and sampled one another's, as well as consuming our own. Between us we had the shrimp in garlic, lamb-stuffed peppers, potatoes with Pimenton sauce, seared Spanish squid, roast suckling pig porchetta style, and lentil soup. Every one of the dishes was tasty and enjoyable, with different flavors reminiscent of what I remember liking on a trip to Spain years ago. We followed up with flans for dessert -- also delicious. Now for the honesty part. As many have noted, Manolo Tapas is a cash-only place. When I paid the bill, I didn't notice that they'd already included gratuities, and I left a full tip on top of that. As we were going out, the wait staff stopped us, and returned the gratuity that had been included. They didn't have to do that, and I might not have noticed, but I definitely appreciated that they did. Highly recommended, and I'm hoping to go back in a few weeks.

Everything I've ordered has be awsome!! portions are perfect definitely not for hogs...but the main dish.... Paella Valenciana was out of this world and perfect for two people!......I LOVE THE GRILL CALAMARI as a hot tapa!! they have great sangria and happy hour prices are superb.....GREAT DECOR and Ambiance!!! can't wait to go again!! oh if you forgot this is one of the few CASH ONLY places but they have an ATM downstairs for you to take your well spent money.

We would not have known about Manolo at all except we were looking for restaurants near our hotel which was around the corner from the Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital complex. That being said, if you are heading east across the G.W. Bridge and you're hungry, take the 178th St. ramp and you're right there. Like any tapas restaurant, there is a large selection of small plates. We found 5 selections to be just right for two people. We had the Catalan bread with ham, the artichoke hearts (also with ham), the olives, the mushrooms, and the dates stuffed with cheese and wrapped with bacon (my favorite!) We had enough room to share a "Choco Jordi" which is a molten chocolate souffle with ice cream on the side. Everything was delicious! The decor inside is very Old World and charming.

My hubby and I were dropping off our daughter to her apartment in Manhattan and we decided to stop off at Manolo Tapas to grab a bite to eat. What a treasure this restaurant turned out to be. It was like stepping back to some of our favorite taverns in our travels to Spain. We decided to have many of the featured tapas to get a feel of the food typically served. The menu offered was very typical of the region of Galicia and of other parts. We were served about 8 tapas listed on the menu and we were very happy with the quality and flavor of our choices. The wine selection was extensive and they had several selections of Sangria and craft beers. Jesus our host and his staff were great and very attentive and we felt very welcomed and at home. For some dessert we were going to go with the typical flan but our waiter Oliver told us that the favorite choice at the restaurant was the Tarta de Santiago. He was so on the money. Such deliciousness. We also tried their homemade flan which was one of the best I have had. Definitely Manolo will be on our radar to stop by and enjoy an excellent meal and feel like we are back in Spain.

If you are familiar with authentic Spanish tapas restaurants, you are going to fall in love with Manolo Tapas. Run by a family of Spanish ex-pats, they server authentic Spanish in the heart of the Washington Heights neighborhood. The restaurant is really two smallish rooms with a private dining area in the basement. Designed to feel like an old Spanish tapas bar, the rooms are done up in red brick and deep brown, red and gold colors. Now the best part: the food. Classic Spanish plates (churrasco, paella,patatas bravas) and tapas are served up with flair. There can sometimes be a wait (when you see the small kitchen you'll understand) but the food is consistently excellent. Wine menu is more than adequate and the servers are all very familiar with the list, able to make recommendations to accompany your meal. Overall this is a gem in an increasingly diverse New York neighborhood. NOTE: Manolo is a cash-only establishment, there is an ATM in the basement but be aware they do not accept credit cards of any kind.

I have to say they never fail to give 120% out of them. Excellent service. Food always on point. I have done two events there already and will continue to come back. Our server, which I wish I knew his name was excellent. Nothing was ever missing from the table. Drinks, lots of food, tasty, delicious. Plates where changed after each tapas and tables were always cleaned. I absolutely loved every detail. My family and I are very pleased. They are amazing. Price was right for 26 of us. NO other restaurants uptown compares to their level of attention and customer service. I highly highly recommend this restaurant. It is my first time ever doing a review and I think they are worth my time to praise them. Thank you Manolos for your excellence. You guys can never leave your faithful customer uptown. Thank you thank you!

We lives in Spain for several years and this was the most old world Spanish meal we have had in the new world. The wine list was all from Spain, the tapas were all from European menus. The restaurant in Washington Heights is dark, woody and quiet on a Sunday evening. Service was attentive but not intrusive. Cash only with an ATM in the basement that only charged 99 cents for a $200 withdrawal. Bottom line is you won't be disappointed unless your expectation of Spanish food is TexMex.

I love coming here, they have a great selection of cavas and wines, i would recommend the paellas, they are to die for, and if you want some romantic spanish music just come by on a friday or saturday night after 9. Its very lovely and romantic

The food was amazing and the service was superb. My friends and I now make a stop HERE every time we visit New York! We even got to meet a celebrity from Dominican Republic. Being dominicans, it was like adding real cocholate topping to our delicious dessert, or getting your wine right at the first try, or..... Food without the company and service of good people is tasteless. However, during this celebration, visit, our food was bursting with flavors as it imprinted unforgettable memories in our hearts and minds. Hasta la proxima!

We recently are two great meals at Manolo's recently. On one occasion we shared really tasty tapas, and on the other we shared a paella. Both were great value for money. Staff were friendly and helpful. Recommended!

Upfront, this is not my favorite type of food. However, this was a business dinner and the restaurant was chosen by my guests. They had visited the restaurant before and I could see why they wanted to come back. Good service and a variety of tapas to start with and very good portions of steak and pork for the entrée. I enjoyed the shrimp and garlic sauce and the steak. I enjoyed the experience.

This is real Spanish food versus just using the name. The place is small and could use some ambience, but the food is solid.

I love love love this place!!!!!! Everytime I come to NYC I have to have dinner here. Their Skirt steak is delicious and the quality of food is impeccable! I love the service and the ambiance, they have live music on the weekends every time i have gone. My boyfriends graduation dinner was also held here and we all loved it. I recommend this NYC GEM!

We were recently looking for a place to order paella for a party we were holding at home for about 10 people. We looked at a couple of places in midtown, and then came across Manolo Tapas. We figured that with Spanish roots this must be the right place to choose - and we oprdered from them. The paella was very good - and our guests were consuming it happily. We had to drive to pick it up (since there is no delivery), but it was nicely packaged and very affordable (more so than if we used one of the midtown / Chelsea places that we were looking at). The ambiance also looked good (from what I could see when I picked up paella) - so perhaps worth a visit next time to the restaurant itself!

We visited the Cloisters and was hungry so we searched for food - it lead us here on a quiet Sat afternoon (whats a meal between lunch and dinner called? Lunner, or Drunch?). The exterior didn't look too impressive, in a regular neighbourhood but the ambiance inside the restaurant was nice - quiet, subdued with earthy colors - very warm and inviting on a cold Nov day. Between visiting the Cloisters (very Italian feel) and this restaurant (very Spanish feel), I forgot I was in bustling New York! We had their patatas bravas, jamon, grilled lamb, egg omelette, chorizo, white and red sangrias, and their desserts. Cost came up just over $110 before tips, very reasonable for the amount of food. And quality! We liked the lamb best, but all of the dishes comparable to the times we ate in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Granada - and very tasty! The sangria is excellent - but you drivers, watch out! - half a bottle of red wine doesn't bother me at dinner, although I don't drive after that, but 2 glasses of sangria gave me a buzz! I guess lots of brandy added? But it is sure tasty! Oh, and the service was excellent - very attentive and helpful! A bit out of the way but it is good food at a very reasonable price - I wished we came later so we could have stayed for their live music on Sat, but next time!

Excellent quality of the food I have already visited this place some 8 times the paella, the steak, several tapas and the Galician broth I have no words always been excellent and I plan to return soon.🥰🍽️

I recently had a wonderful evening at Manolo Tapas. Since it was a business dinner in the private room, I can only review based on that experience. Our hosts had already chosen the dishes we'd enjoy so I didn't even look at the menu, however what I had was excellent. Chorizo, shrimp and fried potatoes were all very delicious. The highlight for me was the squid ink paella, so amazingly delicious and flavorful. The desserts were equally good especially the cappuccino. The service was adequate and the decor was old world Spanish charm, if not a little dated and dark. Being cash only could be restricting, but they do have an ATM downstairs if you forget to get cash beforehand. If you're in the Heights, check it out.

Lovely evening with friends at this Spanish restaurant. Superb food, all the tapas were excellent but the cayos a la madrileña was my favourite. The paella was delicious, and good desserts too.

Make the 25 minute journey from midtown Manhattan to 175th street subway (A train) and experience true Spanish tapas at Monolo Tapas. Fresh and delicious food in a comfortable setting. The menu has tapas and larger dishes, but we prefer to have several small dishes rather than just the one flavour. Friendly and helpful staff. Please note - cash only.

I live in the Washington Heights area and have passed by Manolos for over a year before going in.. I had been hearing from so many friends how amazing the food, service etc was. With special friends in town last month from both Spain and London, I decided to take them.. And I/we were all beyond blown away. From the moment I made the reservation to simply walking in to be seated, to the service was absolutely amazing... As if that wasn't enough, the food was out of this world exquisite... To exiting the restaurant......everything was top notch. I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years. I am a NYC party planner....I've managed the Rainbow Room, worked as a Butler for the late Joan Rivers.....I know great service, great food, great people.. I am super impressed with all Manolos has to offer... I tell all my friends about it.. And I even order take-out.....on a daily basis. If you want to experience this, You must visit Manolos..... For real...

Altho the paella Mariscos is more popular, the paella negra is a surprise. There is a saxophonist night dining and takes me back to a tapas bar in spain.the proscuitto is fresh and right beside is a spanish deli La Rosa where you can get soanish treats.

This restauran is elegant, the food is good. I like the service I received from all the staff, except by the rudeness of the person who returned the 10% tip I paid and demanded me to pay minimum 15%. Considering that the place is pricey - food for 3 is $150, and that they only accept cash, I will not recommend this restaurant to any fellow tourists when in NY.

I've lived in various neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn over the past 20 years and eaten in many NYC restaurants, and this is definitely one of my very favorites. The food and service are always excellent, which is surprisingly rare in NYC. It is also one of the few quality restaurants I've discovered where you aren't rushed out the door after an hour. I highly recommend it, even if you don't live or work in the neighborhood.

Visiting med student daughter who did not have time to come down to UWS that night. Ordered six tapas including chorizo, patatas bravas, steak, dates with bacon, shrimp in garlic sauce and artichokes with ham. Excellent overall with attentive service. A very pleasant surprise.

We visited this place after just randomly searching some where close by to eat as were on vacation , on the out set it looks a little shabby but inside is nicely decorated and has a authentic Spanish feel , the food was incredible , we had serrono ham manchego cheese , chorizo , olives , tuna steak , patatas bravas and all were really well cooked . We love tapas and have been to a few restaurants but this was up there on our favourite . The staff were really friendly and made a awesome desert suggestion ..... The almond bread was to die for !!! Never has it before and it was absolutely delicious Had a fantastic night ! Would deffo go again

this is my favorite restaurant in all of nyc. it is cash only. it is small. the food is always, always delicious and flavorful. the tapas are authentic, and varied. there's something for everyone. you will walk about content, because of the great ambience and superb service. they play live music every week. love you manolo. please never change.

excelent service and food is delicious. beautiful place for dating. Sirlon steaks is gourgeous, also the apettizer.

Bumped into this restaurant by chance and was very happy I did. It's as close as a Spanish tapas bar you'll get in Washington Heights, and maybe NYC. Staff speaks Spaniard Spanish and were very attentive. Can't wait to return with a bigger appetite. Only warning is that it's cash only, otherwise we'd have eaten more! They do have a private ATM on premises just in case.

In New York for a weekend getaway we stayed at an apartment near the GWB and this was in walking distance. Since we arrived relatively late in the evening we didn't want to go too far to eat. The variety of tapas offerings is impressive with steak, seafood, fish, soups and much more. We sampled several. I had a few Spanish beers that were quite good and the BF ordered the sangria, which was both pleasant and a mistake since it came as a full, somewhat large pitcher. We sampled several of the small plates and each one was well prepared and not stingy in terms of the portion. Our waiter and server were both very attentive and spent a good amount of time conversing in Spanish with the BF, who is Mexican. We were seated at a high 2-person table by the window and we were right next to the musicians - a guitarist who also sang in Spanish and a drummer. Despite our proximity, the music was neither loud nor distracting but was a great addition to the ambiance of the restaurant. We were able to listen to the music but still could talk to one a other without shouting. We will definitely return here when in the City and recommend it to anyone. The Spanish items were all very good but if you just want steak or chicken or calamari or other non-ethnic items, there are ample choices. Price-wise, it can be inexpensive or very expensive depending on how many choices you make, if you have dessert, etc. We probably had more plates than we should have, which made our bill a bit high, but it was definitely worth the cost in terms of quality and service.

Fantastic tapas in the heart of Washington Heights. Dimly lit, quiet, unassuming, and CASH ONLY! There is an ATM downstairs! We had their setas al ajillos, or sautéed mushrooms. They were tender and salty (in a good way). We also had Pan Catalan con Jamon Serrano, which consists of bread, tomato pate, and cured Serrano ham. We also shared a huge salad, the ensalada castellana, made with tons of textures and flavors, like manchego cheese, artichoke hearts, roasted tomatoes, and spinach, all tossed with a delicious vinaigrette. We also had the tasty hot, crispy, saucy patatas bravas. I had one of their cocktail specials, which was fruity and light. We also had an elegant tart for desert, though I had my eye on the molten cocoa cake. They have multiple types of tapas with hams, chorizo, anchovies, octopus, bread, veggies, and more. They also have entrees, steaks, and paellas. Service was attentive and everyone was very nice and accommodating. The server gave us great recommendations and answered all our questions, and was extremely tolerant of our poor pronunciation of menu items. Our entire huge meal was 80 dollars before tip, which I think is a great price. You could come back again and again and experience so many combinations of flavors.

I had the shrimp, steak tapas, stuffed dates. The entrees, like the tilapia were less special tho I hear the park is great. All good with Sangria.