Tacuba Hell's Kitchen Cantina Mexicana Reviews

4.2

885 of 13,360 Restaurants in New York City


Reviews

Excellent everything!!

By travelpleasures |

The food was amazing-recommend the pescado tacos or burrito. Crunch cake was delicious. Portions were plentiful. Service was amazing-attentive and genuine and knowledgeable and fun! Ambiance was cozy yet friendly; decor very tasteful. And on a very very cold day, the heat was adjusted accordingly. Can't wait to return to this gem!

Great food and great service

By LucasANet |

Everyone had a great meal and margaritas. Guacamole with chips was also fantastic. Service was on point my glass was never empty.

Disappointing

By Tburd2312 |

Came here with my husband on Christmas Day whilst on holiday in NY. Staff were pleasant enough but they came back with only my order and my husband had to watch me eat while he sat there with nothing. His eventually appeared when I was almost finished mine. We had the enchiladas but they were saturated in far too much sauce plus the portions were very small. Very expensive for what it was. Disappointed.

Melt in your mouth carnitas

By worktotravel14 |

We enjoyed coming here here for a little pre-theater dinner, some of the best Mexican I have had in awhile. They have a nice array of margaritas and cocktails, all with fresh ingredients, avoiding your standard sweet and sour. I really enjoyed the pina por la nina, a pineapple concoction that brought the fruit forward. Slightly dangerous. I alao had an amazing shrimp suit and the carnitas were fantastic. The hangar steak carne asada was a treat, given the nice cut of meat, though not as spectacular all the rest. They provide chips, but not salsa for the table, my only major critique for a restaurant that otherwise meets a tasty Mexican experience.

Pricey but good taste

By Rajagopal S |

Liked it overall. Loved the dark modellos .. very courteous staff. It took sometime for them to serve food but was worth the wait. Nice place to hang out with family or friends. A lil expensive but with NY standards it's ok.

Won me Over

By kimboToronto |

I have never been a fan of Mexican food but Tacuba has converted me. The menu was fresh and the food delicious. We ordered ceviche and tacos and all were great. The drinks were also very good. We were a disparate group and all enjoyed it. It was very busy and noisy.

Mexico in New York

By farnhamian |

Another trusty standby in Hells Kitchen: tacos, margaritas and ceviche will satisfy, while the atmosphere and service deliver too. Nothing outstanding, but good standards all round.

Amazing Food - Great Staff

By SusyAdz |

Hidden Gem... if your looking for great Mexican food this is the spot. They have two locations and both locations are great. We sat at the bar and our bartenders Daniel and Bartolo were amazing. Very friendly and helpful with picking out dishes. We showed up on a Sunday and the general manager came by and greeted us and towards the end of the night he brought over the iPad that controlled the music and we got to play some of our jams and even got customers around us to dance around the bar. Overall great food I recommend the Calabazita con Jamaica, tacos carne asada and the pulpo y chorizo.

Fantastic atmosphere

By millsyLondon |

Very authentic Mexican food with a smile. The frozen margaritas are to die for.Food was hot and full of flavours, service was quick.

Fire!

By Eric W |

Wife and I walked in and were immediately sat which was a bonus and unexpected considering it was packed. Service was efficient and staff was informative when we asked about ingredients and preparation. House cocktails were creative and delicious. Food was amazing...brisket tacos with horseradish crema, veggie tacos, fried Brussels sprouts (wanted to lick the bowl which may or may not have happened) with the sprouts leaning on al dente for texture and flavor retention instead of soggy and forgotten, guacamole with this killer salsa that redefined what salsa is and made a clear statement of what it should be. It was a perfect blend of roasted tomatoes and veggies but finely pureed instead of the chunkiness that I thought was the only way. I was wrong! Guac had a creamy texture dotted with the subtle heat of Serrano peppers. Back to the tacos: brisket was fresh and melted in my mouth. Perfect portion size considering it was incredibly decadent. Restaurant was loud but vibrant. Loud is what chef-driven, food-focused restaurants sound like. Quiet is what restaurants who-soon-will-be-forgotten sound like. It’s a give and take. Choose Loud!! Only my first visit so I’m no expert but if they can hit good instead of great on my next visit, I’ll still be satisfied. Thanks for the great experience but no thanks for making me have to long for it since I only visit NYC once a year at best.

Ordering Pizza

By Amy K |

Cool atmosphere but for this Florida/Colorado girl, I'm ordering pizza 🤢. Plus, waaaaaaay over priced.

loved all the entrees.....the ceviche appetizer was very spicy though

By xTruth |

we ordered and shared 3 entrees...everything was very good....The one ceviche app (called 7 ingredients) was very spicy and very unexpected..... The restaurant was loud...but not unbearable.....The manger was visible...but never stopped by tables to ask diners "how things were".....

Upscale mexican food

By mdmaviation |

The place is pretty popular so expect to wait for a table even at 4 pm on Saturday but if small party skip the line and sit at the bar. The vibe is good the decor tasteful, not typical of Mexican with attentive service, delicious food and full bar. We first placed an order for Guacamole and chips; no charge for the chips but for guacamole. My daughter being a vegan had plenty to choose from while I had chicken enchiladas fresh, tasty with upscale dish presentation. Price is quite reasonable for the Big Apple, can't wait to go again.

Top of the line authentic Mexican food and service!!!

By DavidA446 |

I am posting this review on behalf of my wife (Ana Cristina) Tacuba is simply amazing!!!!! The food and margaritas are to die for. I come here to eat and knew it will be the place I wanted to cater my husbands 40th birthday. There’s a lot of chefs in my husband’s family, so I knew I had to order from a place that is top of the line. And as a Mexican, I wanted true authentic Mexican cuisine. The planning was a smooth ride due to the excellent service of two great people, Betty and Elisa. I changed the amount of food several times and they both always helped me with the best attitude. The food tasting was an incredible experience. They gave us so much food to try and all was beyond delicious! The day of the party, the food came exactly on time and they helped place everything on the table. Tacuba provided us with everything including the table clothes, food labeling, all utensils and even though I didn’t order dessert, they gave us complimentary churros, which we thought was a great gesture from Tacuba. They also gave me a sombrero for free to have for my party. Everyone was extremely happy with the food. I over ordered food with hopes that I would have some leftovers, but everyone loved the food so much that it was all gone and no leftovers. Everyone ate everything so fast I didn't even get a chance to take pictures of the delicious food. During the party I got many great compliments for the food. And until today I still have family members telling me how amazing the food was! I highly recommend this place for any event. For sure I will have Tacuba cater my events; personal and professional. Muchas Gracias Tacuba! Excelente servicio y lugar!

Great Food and Atmosphere

By Juju |

Stopped here to eat with friends. Ordered a burrito which was fantastic. Shared some desserts at the table. Loved the Tres Leches De Limon Cake and the Tacuba Crunch Cake. Great atmosphere here. The staff were awesome. Will definitely come back when we come to the city again.

Delicious Mexican food, nice atmosphere

By Emma B |

We stumbled across Tacuba whilst wandering around Hell’s Kitchen. He staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. We both had the chicken enchiladas with rice and beans, which was absolutely delicious and the portions were of a good size. One portion of rice and beans was enough to share between two. The mango mojito was absolutely delicious as a drink and the local beer options were also great. Loved the decor and atmosphere. Will definitely go back again.

Unexpected dinner

By bloomcrew |

We come to the city every Feb for a conference and of primary importance is getting our meal reservations in place. We always plan a dinner at Toloache on 51st. We were surprised to get a call a few hours prior to our reservation there letting us know that there was some type of issue in the restaurant and they would be closing for the evening. Fortunately they offered to honor our reservation at their sister restaurant Tacuba. We weren't sure what to expect and were disappointed we wouldn't be enjoying some of the specialties we really love at Toloache. Well, there was no reason to worry. The food at Tacuba is awesome! The atmosphere is very different however. This place is much higher energy, louder, and seems to draw possibly a younger crowd. Less formal, but retains the great service of Toloache. First order of business in a Mexican restaurant- order the margaritas. We chose the De La Casa- Baron's tequila, cointreau and lime. A fresh, simple margarita- perfect proportions of ingredients created great flavor and a drink that packed a punch. We began our meal with the Aguachile ceviche. Lobster, shrimp and avocado suspended in a yummy lime broth. The juice was so good, we spooned it up and ate it as well. We then shared the Ensalada Aguacate. This salad sounded unique and interesting. Kale, avocado, beets, pistachios and a caesar dressing. Wow- really delicious combination. So glad we decided to try it. We both ordered the Suadero tacos for our entree. These contain slow braised brisket that is melt in your mouth tender and with flavor that will stay in your head for days. You get 3 small tacos, but we found them to be filling. I have seen other reviews that have said they thought the prices were high and the servings small. I would agree with the fact that the prices are higher than in a typical Mexican restaurant, but this is not your typical Mexican restaurant. You are paying for the absolute bursts of flavor found in these recipes created by highly skilled chefs. This is "gourmet" Mexican if you will. Great service throughout the meal from a team of really friendly servers. We are happy to report that we enjoyed the food just like we enjoy it at Toloache. Toloache will always be our first pick due to the ambiance, but if you want amazing Mexican food in a more casual/louder environment- then Tacuba is a great choice!

Authentic Food & Nice Vibe

By ekann01 |

We went for a late lunch. We had the brisket tacos, and the steak tacos. I would recommend both. They served them with rice and beans. Service was a bit slow but other than that, would definitely go back!

Great under pressure

By 4Travlrs |

We went to Hells Kitchen looking for a good restaurant and experience for our first night in NYC - 13 July 2019. Boy, did we get both (in a good way, sort of). Our group of four got a table quickly during the dinner rush on a Saturday night. Our friendly server got us drinks and appetizers quickly. The guacamole and chips are really good, as are the chicken tacos. The entree portions are not large but the sides are big enough for at least two. We highly recommend the Brussel Sprouts. The restaurant is a cool experience, but it was the power outage that took down the upper West Side that added to the night. The restaurant was quick and agile dealing with a kitchen that couldn’t cook food or had power to complete billing. Everyone stayed cool and went with the flow. I can’t speak to comments about noise level or lighting under normal conditions. If true, it’s not unique to Tacuba.

Great food and accommodating for children

By Anne S |

So pleased that they were willing to accommodate our special request for kid style quesadillas with just cheese and tortillas for unadventurous kiddos we were traveling with. Very kind of them. Service was excellent, especially given the fact that the restaurant was totally packed. Kids liked their quesadillas and the grown up food was fantastic. Fish Tacos (PESCADO A LA TALLA) were incredibly good - flavorful without being over the top as was the Mole. Sides of spicy kale (more vinegary than spicy) and beans and rice also yummy. Chips were warm and fresh and guac was wonderful and made spicy to order. It is larger than it looks with an additional dining room and additional bathrooms downstairs. Only tip would be to look for a reservation after 7 if you don't need to get to theater.

Great Place!

By jahhp |

Visited here on a trip to NYC with my boyfriend. His 2 friends and I were headed to another place, but it was overly crowded, so went to Tacuba nearby and so glad we did (we all were, actually)! I started off with a glass of white sangria and found it to be some of the best I've ever had. It wasn't strong, bitter or overly sweet (problems I've encountered elsewhere); it was flavorful and balanced. My boyfriend had a frozen mango margarita and he LOVED it. One of our friends got one based on his reaction. I tried it and it was delicious. We all shared the guacamole and it was very tasty. Slight heat, but not too hot. Just like I like it! That was finished rather quickly by the four of us. I had the chicken tacos and found them to be just right in flavor and size (it says appetizer-sized on the menu). I paired them with the fried brussel sprouts, which were AMAZING! I could have made a meal on those alone! SO FLAVORFUL! One friend found the Chile Relleno a bit disappointing. He didn't HATE it, but thought it was just average. My boyfriend had the avocado "fries". I tried one. It's very unique and I liked it. He liked them as well, but agreed that he didn't know if he would order them a lot. They were tasty, overall. For dessert, I had the churros with 2 dipping sauces and LOVED it. Great chocolate sauce and the caramel was equally as good. The ambiance is lively, the atmosphere is lovely, the service very attentive, the food was overall very good and the prices & portions are reasonable. we all agreed that we would go back.

mexican restaurant in hells kitchen perfect brunch

By motherJo |

first time eating here -we had brunch- the food is really good and service pretty good. the ricotta pancakes I had were outstanding. just had to remind the waiter he did not serve e the syrup that came with it. the pancakes were crisp and moist all at the same time and the other food my family had looked good too and they enjoyed.

Perfect atmosphere, great food, wonderful service!

By Melanie O |

We had a fantastic brunch at Tacuba! LOVE that they offer reservations...a big plus! Our table was in the back room with a hint of a patio feel: nice ambiance. The decor is lovely: not overdone. Our server was friendly and helpful and all the servers were attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The cocktail menu is awesome! I enjoyed a hibiscus drink that tasted as good as it looked. The food was spectacular: we're vegetarian and our server helped us navigate the menu and offered custom edits if we so desired, but we didn't need it as their menu covers everyone! The guac was FANTASTIC and their salsas are delicious: smoky and savory. We had the chili relleno, stuffed with quinoa and kale and it was absolutely wonderful. The calabacita tacos were also awesome! HIGHLY recommended.

Watermelon margarita, yes please

By Jaime Ang |

For a Monday, a very lively scene with the watermelon margarita flowing at each table (recommend it). I must admit the service was a little slow, and we didn't get chips and dip until halfway sitting down for a group of 8, but the cheese dip had the right amount of spice. I had the octopus and chorizo tacos, which were cooked to perfection. Overall the vibe was festive, and I think this is a great spot for a group of friends if you don't mind some noise.

Underwhelmed

By Kathy L |

We arrived around 5 on a Saturday. The hostess asked if we had a reservation, we did not. She asked the couple behind us if they had a reservation, they did so she sat them. She came back to us and seated us and informed us that we had to finish by 6:15 because they had a large party coming in. No problem. She could have smiled once, a little. It took a bit for our server to come over for our drink order (and I was worried because now we are under a time constraint) He finally came over and at that time we were ready to order food as well. Server was pleasant enough. We noticed the manager going around to many of the tables, speaking to guests, but not us. I had the tacos, they were tasty but very small. My daughter had the enchiladas and liked them a lot. We won't be back.

Marvelous margaritas!

By krolands |

Our server remembered us from a couple of years ago, when she was working her first night at Tacuba. The food was just as good as the last visit. Branzino, fish tacos, guacamole, and the best cucumber lime margaritas I have ever tasted. Superb service. I can’t wait to go back again.

Deliciousness

By spuffy_c |

Attempting to eat a different cuisine each night of our stay, my best friend and I noticed Tacuba as our taxi drove past it on our way back from somewhere else. We are massive fans of Mexican and eaten our fair share, but this was exceptional. We shared chips with dip/guacamole and I had the enchiladas and my friend had the tacos and we were both in heaven. Service was A+ and ambiance was A+ - would definitely return!

Amazing Drinks Options

By Nataliya115 |

Some great drink options especially the magharita options! Loved the Tamarind Magharita as well as the watermelon Magharita ( on the rocks) food options arent that extensive but its a decent menu that complements the drinks well. Overall great place!

Delicious tapas

By Drew K |

This place has the best size tapas and it’s super delicious and flavorful. Cocktails were strong and got right to the point. I cannot wait to go again!

Well worth a visit

By Cwiss1981 |

This is a very good Mexican restaurant with very good food and service. We were very impressed. Its a touch on the pricey side but not crazy considering the good location in New York. It was also a little hard to hear my fellow diners as the music's volume occasionally seemed to get really loud; but the atmosphere was lively and enjoyable overall.

Try it, L❤️ove it

By TheOrangeTraveler |

We visited Tacuba for the first time in December 2018 and we loved everything about it: the ambiance, the food and the service. If you are staying in Times Square or Midtown, 9th Ave may prove to be a bit of a walk to the West. I assure you it’s totally worth it and you will be there before you know it! This place has a welcoming ambiance for adults and families alike and the food is fantastic! It holds a perfect balance between authentic Mexican and American Mexican. The guacamole, Fried Avocado, Tortilla Soup and Taco selection were some of our favorites in the menu. Service was very good! Tips: * Great for families * Reserve in advance via Open Table * Order churros for dessert!

Loved this place!

By TravLBRo |

Such a great restaurant! Lively atmosphere, great food, and excellent service! Best beef quesadilla I've ever tried. I ordered the grasshopper tacos for my main dish, mostly out of curiosity. They were crunchy and spicy and wonderful. Plenty of more traditional Mexican food as well. I tried several of my friends' dishes and they were all delicious!

Very Eh

By Elizabeth F |

Pros: - Entree very good - Drinks strong and well made - Festive atmosphere Cons: - Entree is tiny. Like, for a bird - Guac bland, nothing special - SO LOUD SO LOUD we couldn't even talk except to yell Would not go back.

Get the Brussels

By Jessica S |

Great atmosphere. Great margaritas. Small tacos. I ate three tacos with a side of brussel sprouts and was full. The tacos aren't enough to eat alone.

Great food. Great drinks. Great value

By Phil MA |

I've been here twice now during two separate visits to New York two years apart, and in both cases (the most recent just last week) the food was great, the drinks superb, and prices great for an expensive city. The decor has a cantina feel without being kitschy, and the service is pleasant and efficient. The guacamole is some of the best I've had - fresh, simple and delicious. The chicken mole and carnitas we had on our last visit were great, and I love their margaritas. I had a taste of the Sangria which was quite nice as well. I'll definitely back again on my next visit to the city.

Absolutely excellent

By Lotsofreviews |

We stumbled across this place when in the area and wandered in. Firstly the service was flawless, from the friendly welcoming maitre d, the helpful attentive waiter to the chap who filled up our water glasses constantly. We had some chips and guacamole to start and it was all so fresh and tasty. My wife had some chicken tacos which were lovely while I had the roast suckling pig. This was phenomenal. One of the tastiest meats I’ve had in a long time. I couldn’t recommend it enough. It was reasonably priced comparatively and being a short walk from broadway this place was ideal for us.

Excellent food and drinks

By KCLizard |

This place is very crowded so I highly recommend reservations. We started with drinks, which were excellent, and chips and guacamole, which was very tasty. The food is fresh, and we had a combination of different tacos that were all tasty. For this part of the city, the prices were not bad and the service was good.

Bueno

By cmacNYC |

We dined here Saturday 8-12-17 for my honey's Birthday. She happens to be Mexican decent and swore this place was very authentic as they spoke her language and mine as well. Very comfortable. Food and service was on point from start to finish and not very expensive. Return trip will happen soon. Good job Tacuba!

Great food amazing service!

By Colleen W |

What a great place with amazing Mexican food! It was super busy but our waiter was great Juanlisa ! The tacos are amazing as well as kale beet salad. Guacamole was so good and the roasted tomato salsa was the best ever! Nice wine list and great margaritas ! Enjoy

Cozy atmosphere amazing service tasty food!

By colleenva |

While visiting our Daughter and her boyfriend, we decided on Mexican and were very happy we did! Luckily we were able to get a reservation on a Friday night. The tacos were great as well as the guacamole of course! Our drinks were the best! Pineapple tequila...served in a fresh pineapple and my mojo to was the best!!! Churros and chocolate cake were the super finale... Definitely recommend!

Best branzino ever!

By mikelopez149 |

Stopped by with my family and had the best branzino I have ever tried! I loved the service and the atmosphere! We weren't rushed, which You rarely can find nowadays! I had a great experience! Chocolate cake is a must!

Great twist on Mexican Food

By Leanne W |

The Carne Asada tacos are to die for! It's a small dish, so you might want to order a side to go with it. The guacamole is divine and you can ask for more chips if needed. The friend plantains are also delicious. I tried the braised beef short ribs during our first visit and it was so different from anything I'd ever had. I was skeptical about the sunchoke puree, but it was amazing. The dish was bursting with flavor. All in all, this is a great find in Hell's Kitchen. So worth the trip we went twice during our week in NYC.

THE BEST MEXICAN EVER ! ( in Hells Kitchen)

By Peter C |

Staying at the Intercontinental for a week we opted for Tacuba after reading about the chef and his experiences. Excellent choice, From entering, we were warmly greeted by Luisa and seated by Steven. great decor, exposed brick, paintings, beautiful Mexican tiled flooring, comfortable seating. First impression. We made a good choice for lunch. Menu was just what we were looking for, good fresh Mexican. Corn chips were fresh and made in-house, Guacamole was perfect, we mopped the plate. My main was the Carnitas. Outstanding! Delicious marinated pork with crispy bits and the accompanying sauce with tamarind was a revelation. As my wife would say. "The flavours danced across my tongue"! Terrific service from warm, friendly people. Great beer selection. I could have eaten there every day and night.I have to know the secret of that sauce for the Carnitas. ( I think MacDuff from Albany should stay in Albany) Congratulations! Cheers. Peter & Maureen from Australia. We shall return on our next trip.

New York 2017

By Peter B |

Efficient and friendly service. Fantastic food and relaxed atmosphere. We would definitely come here again.

For the Deaf and Those Who Aspire to Be

By John A |

Let's first talk of the hostess (call her 'H") who barely greeted us when we arrived ten minutes early and then would not seat us, although there were plenty of tables - in fact, one four-top was right next to the front door. Five minutes later, our friends arrived, I told H and, lo and behold, she threw some menus on that very same empty table by the breezy front door and said we could sit down. We asked for a table further back where we wouldn't be jostled by the arriving patrons; with a sigh, H walked to the back and then came to tell us (threaten us) that we could sit further back but "HAD TO BE OUT WITHIN 2 HOURS." The "decor" consists of brick walls, an unusually low ceiling in the back, and a huge garage door with glass panels, which permit any sound to zing around the room in endless cacophony. I have never eaten anywhere that is as noisy as Tacuba. On the other side of the ledger, the waiter was pleasant (but couldn't really talk to us due to the stunning noise level). Surprisingly, the waiters knew who had ordered which dish so we were spared the "who gets the mole?"The food seemed freshly prepared and tasty. We left after an hour; one of our party commented that like standing on a subway platform, the noise is less insulting once you get on the train. Who knew that NYC streets could be relatively quiet.

Mexican With Variation

By ROBERT I |

This visit found us with a more mature crowd than some other places. The food seemed more original Mexican and was very good. While not quiet it was quieter than other boisterous places. It was time to open the front doors and let the breezes in. Our waiter was attentive and accommodating.

Delicious food, great ambiance

By Giorgio T |

We happened upon this restaurant walking around Hell's Kitchen. We didn't have a reservation but the staff was very nice and found a table for us quickly. The ambiance is great - exposed brick, skylights, a bustling and spacious bar section. The food was delicious: I had the tacos with pulpo and chorizo, and the aguachile ceviche. My girlfriend had the chile relleno. All the dishes were delicious, imaginative and well prepared, and everything on the menu looked great. The service was super friendly and attentive, and relatively fast even though the place was crowded. It got a bit noisy towards the end of our meal, but not so much that we couldn't have a relaxed conversation. The place is casual, vibrant and fun but not too noisy. Overall a great Mexican restaurant with delicious food and attention to detail. I recommend it.

Buzzing trendy Mexican restaurant

By Paul C |

What a fabulous place. After a dreadful experience at a restaurant the previous night in Mid-Town Manhattan, we opted for a Mexican in Hells Kitchen, and we were not disappointed. We arrived to a buzzing and trendy Mexican eatery in Hells Kitchen. Great looking place from the exterior, funky music which wasn't too loud to be able to talk to each other over dinner. The serving team were super friendly and efficient and the food was excellent. Cannot fault this place really so would definitely recommend to anyone. If I am being picky, then the customers on the large table behind is were super noisy laughing relentlessly/stupidly to absolutely nothing funny which was slightly irritating. But as soon as their food arrived, they shut up and went quiet! But we recommend this place and would return again.

Good food, small portions

By bobalcorn5 |

I visited Tacuba with my daughter for an early dinner. The restaurant is located on 9th Avenue in an area with many small restaurants. My granddaughter's stroller was accommodated without a problem, and we were served promptly. My quesadilla appetizer was very tasty, but small in size. My daughter had a plate of three tacos, also tasty but small in size. Our Brussels sprout side dish was very good. We were glad we had a late lunch, so the small portions were filling for us. All in all, our experience was a good one.

Great place for good food and relaxed environment

By Barry N |

Although the place was full, it makes you forget that you are in a busy town. Staff is friendly and relaxed, food is great. Throw in some Mexican music and you feel like you are elsewhere.

Amazing food

By debdex66 |

Love the food and drinks. The guacamole was amazing, the margaritas were fantastic and our dinners were soooo delicious. I had the carne asada and it was perfect. The only downside is that it is extremely noisy so hard to have dinner conversation.

Just ok

By Monica S |

Service was super slow and we didn't even go at a busy time. The queso was yummy but weird that chips weren't served with it, it came with tortillas instead. The chicken taco appetizer was good and I loved the guac. My husbands carnitas dinner was ok but pricey for what he got.

Really bad brunch. Terrible service too.

By 112 |

Went to Tacuba after a decent experience for lunch. We came to try their weekend brunch and this time I brought my parents. The service was extremely poor. We were the first ones in the restaurant and were served after all other tables had got their food. They couldn't get the order right, they forgot certain items too. The food itself was also way below par. Cold eggs benefit, the enchaladas had an after taste and the only decent dish was our tacos.

Authentic charming cantina

By dianealine |

Staff very courteous, fresh food, good drinks and great location. The tacos tortilla are freshly made. The drinks are amazing while waiting for your main course. Perfect!

Amazing

By Oli W |

Stumbled across this gem of a restaurant whilst visit New York. The service was second to none and the food was amazing. Try the skirt steak dish and be amazed at how sensational it is

Good Mexican !

By PMLama |

This crowded Mexican restaurant offers several good plates and a good selection of drinks, that makes you have a good time with friends or couples

An absolute Gem

By @civil_gorilla |

The food in here is top notch and absolutely incredible. My highlight dining experience on this trip to New York.

Great Food

By Kelly G |

The food was great, so was the service. Unfortunately, as soon as we finished dessert we were approached by the hostess and advised that we needed to leave as they had another reservation that needed the table. Restaurant was very busy, but that seemed a little odd.

Mixed Mexican

By MKIfoodie |

Six of us attended on a Wednesday night and Tacuba was busy. Note that they wouldn’t seat us until all of our party had arrived. Once seated the service was attentive with one exception. One of our Platos Fuentes (main courses) was incorrectly identified to the kitchen and my wife had to wait a half hour before her Chile Relleno arrived. On the plus side the Guacamole was exceptional with excellent flavor and texture. The Octopus (Para La Mesa) was very well received as was the soup. The avocado kale salad was not up to par and was not tasty despite the beets, pistachios, Parmesan and dressing. Overall the appetizers were good to excellent. The various ceviches were all outstanding, assuming you like citrus “cooked” items. Unfortunately the Platos Fuentes were a disappointment to most of us. Two of us had the Carnitas and were expecting nice succulent pork, but instead it turned out to be more like dry pulled pork. The chcharron (crackling skin) was good. One of our friends also had the Chile Relleno and although it was better than my wife’s late and probably rushed version, the other elements of the dish could not overcome the blandness of the quinoa. The best main of the night was the braised short ribs, but about as good as you would get at many other restaurants.

Fantastic Mexican in Hell's Kitchen

By Gordon C |

Amazing spread of tequila and mescal. Talented bartenders. Brisket tacos (suadore) are amazing. Great atmosphere whether in a group at a table or sat at the bar.

Neat place, good food, good atmosphere

By Jhobackatl |

This is a nice place in the Hell's Kitchen area of town. The food was high quality and the prices were more than reasonable compared to most places we ate. There were 3 couples and we all ordered different entrees and nobody was disappointed. I like the atmosphere as it was fun and upbeat. My only complaint was it was very loud in there. At times it was difficult to hear each other talking. But all in all a solid restaurant.

Good Energy + Mexican Satisfaction

By Tom L |

Although we had a reservation for a table for prefer to sit at the bar. Lucky for us, Jimmy was our server behind the bar. Tacuba is a popular place. Scoring a table as a walk in can be tough. The place is fairly dimly lit and the noise level is fairly high. They have an amazing selection of mezcal, tequila and margaritas. Wines are very sensibly priced and won't break the bank. All your Mexican favourites are on the menu. Most are fairly traditional. We opted for quesadilla de flor, chicken enchiladas de mole, vegetable tacos plus rice and beans. Ample, tasty and nicely presented. You will have a fun night here and be plied with tasty food and drink.

Disapponting

By Priya S |

I had heard really great things about Tacuba prior to going so admittedly I had my standard high. However, I was fairly disappointed. Firstly, this spot is really pricey for Mexican cuisine. One guacamole to share, two appetizers to share, one entree and two drinks (one each) was $60 per person. The food wasn't bad, but it also wasn't anything spectacular. I've had better Mexican food in the city for far less (I'm looking at you Sinigual). We asked for spicy guacamole which came out mild at best. My quesadilla was pretty good but it's kind of hard to mess that up. Considering we only had one drink each and only one entree and the food was average at best this seems pretty pricey to warrant another casual visit anytime soon.

Superb Mexican dishes - upscale cuisine - neighborhood gem

By Beth Moore |

Friends who were visiting NYC recommended this place to me and said they had learned about it from their hotel concierge last year. It's near my office in Hells Kitchen so I decided to give it a try. Wow! I was really impressed and sorry I had overlooked this spot that was right under my nose all this time. Wonderful top shelf cocktails - true bar mixology going on here - no cheap mixers. Delicious and creative dishes. Try the fish tacos (appetizer) and the quesadilla de costilla. The latter is very small portion but tasty. Definitely fit for a foodie. The portions overall are not large and the prices not cheap, but this place is worth the splurge for the best Mexican food in NYC!

phenomenal!!!

By frankiecalarco |

it was the highlight our ny-trip in this year. extremly fresh products, charming presented. the service was very attentiv (chris & alfredo). we were a group of seven persons, every plate was surprising and awesome tasty. we will recommend the tacuba to all our friends going to nyc! thank to all the staff!

Grasshopper Tacos

By Robert A |

I agree the price to quantity ration is high, but this is NYC after all and the chance to try some sustainable food in the form of a Taco was too good to pass up. The place has a great vibe and the service was top-notch. Recommend.

Upscale Mexican - pricey, but good

By Beth Moore |

I like this place a lot. The portions on some dishes is small, but overall fine. It's more expensive than your average Mexican joint, but the quality is very good! I highly recommend it

Expensive lunch that was not worth the long wait

By Andrew L |

We stopped because it was convenient and had good reviews but we were somewhat disappointed with the overall experience. The service was good and I can't find anything to complain about, however that's the highlight of positivity here. The music was too loud to hold a normal conversation. The kitchen was slow for a lunch time (there were two parties of 6-8 each, otherwise the place was empty). The flavor combinations of the suadero tacos was okay but still left me unsatisfied. I ordered a side of Huitlacoche fried rice because I'd never heard of this before and it was so horrible that I couldn't eat it. An Asian flavor profile dish has no place in a Mexican restaurant. It was awful.

Add Tacuba to the Excellent Mexican Options in Hell's Kitchen

By michaelruns |

This spot opened in the spring of 2016 but I've only now gotten around to going in for dinner. We had a tremendous experience from the manager down to our server, back waiter and bar tenders. The restaurant itself has a very pleasant design on the inside (and is unassuming from the outside). Delicious Mexican cuisine - interesting appetizers, entrees, and specials. Luis the manager offered us delicious tequila shots (I'm not much of a drinker so I was skeptical about this, but the tequila he chose was very smooth and didn't pack as big a punch as I thought it might). It seems a reservation is recommended. I was there on a Saturday night at dinner and was lucky to get a table for 2 without a reservation. Convenient to most Broadway theaters, this is a nice addition to the eclectic selections we have on 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen.

With so many options...

By DocMulf |

Prior to our stay in NYC, I researched Mexican restaurants in mid-town for us to have lunch and decided to try Tacuba. We dined on a Friday afternoon and the restaurant was pretty empty, which was telling in retrospect. We were seated in the upper level of the restaurant which was bright and sunny; my spouse and I were the only people dining in this area other than a large party. I asked our server if we could access wifi and he said, "not for customers." Although we were the only people dining, he kept returning; rush us to order. We ordered margaritas; they tasted more like limeade than margaritas, neither one of us tasted a hint of tequila. We were shocked to learn that chips and salsa weren't complimentary. If you want tortilla chips, you need to order guacamole. We both ordered a chicken burrito. Our burritos were delicious which was the only positive aspect of our visit to the restaurant. Our burritos came with fried potatoes strings, not French fries, which was different. With all of the choices to dine in NYC, we would not return to this restaurant.

Great place to come for brunch on the weekends

By crunch6 |

The Tacos de Birria here are mind blowing! The avocado fries are tasty, too. But our favorite was the guacamole and the salsa with the homemade chips. Thank you to the staff for the great service. Great spot to go before your matinee!

Fabulous fresh Mexican food.

By Griswalds11 |

Fabulous fresh Mexican food. We didn’t find the restaurant noisy at all. We ate early before the theatre and it was quick and tasty. We shared ceviche, guacamole, mushroom rice, chicken tacos and Brussel sprouts. All was fabulous. Get the sprouts! Churros for dessert was also delicious. Highly recommended.

Great Mexican Food & warm ambiance

By CatwomanB |

Me & my husband love good Mexican Food, which is hard to find in Belgium by the way. After Marathon Day (and after a period of special diets & no alcohol), we went looking for a Mexican restaurant or cantina. Many places were fully booked weeks in advance, but we took a chance and just went to Tacuba. We had a lovely evening in a crowded but warm atmosphere. The bar looked just incredible and they had and endless list of premium tequilas. Nice food (could spice it up a little), friendly staff. If you're in Hell's Kitchen, just give it a try !

Not a place for family

By Matt H |

We had a reservation for 3 and when we showed up we were given a small table for two by the restrooms. Our party of three was two adults and a toddler and the host when asked made comment that the toddler won’t need any space to eat. We reminded him we had a reservation for which he responded that we could eat at the bar which I thought was rude. We got up and left - there are several better options in hell’s kitchen with better service. Won’t recommend for families or couples with a toddler

Lively and Fun!

By Bankerwon |

We went early evening so we’d be able to get to our show. We were seated promptly and drink orders taken. This cantina was very busy and the drinks, food were timely. This primarily a tapas style but the did have full entrees. We enjoyed a little of everything and were very pleased with the food and service.

Flavorful Fare

By mbink11 |

Enjoyed our dinner at Tacuba. Open air with quaint decor. Strawberry margarita was refreshing and the Paloma was an interesting concoction. Guacamole was fresh and spiced just right and the roasted tomato salsa was unique. Shrimp tacos and Carne Asada for dinner, both delicious. Chef Julian Medina has another hit with this menu, recognizable but certainly non typical in the flavor spectrum.

Good venue, average food

By Tunaidi |

Tacuba is an interesting restaurant. I can't say the food is the best. In fact, in general, the food leans more to the mediocre end of the spectrum. The theme is small portions, elevated prices, and average tasting. However, what captivates most patrons may be the vibe, the drinks, and the spacious venue, which is great for groups.

Excellent meal for reasonable price

By Lucy M |

We particularly enjoyed the ensalada de aguacate for the table, and they made guacamole fresh for us without cilantro! Fast and very courteous service. We will return!

Brilliant food, service and cocktails

By JFidd |

This restaurant was booked last minute and they managed to squeeze us in. The service was impeccable and we were thoroughly impressed with the atmosphere, the cocktails, the food and overall ambience.

Authentico Mexican Food

By Teri Y |

Had a great meal at Tacuba before the Theater! Fresh ingredients and delicious spices. The Mole for the Chicken Enchiladas was home made! Brisket tacos and Chicken tacos were perfect. The salsa was home made as well - a combination of chipotle and creama so it was very flavorful and not too hot. Look forward to returning!

Great cocktails and out of ordinary Mexican Food

By Al Z |

Had dinner there earlier this week for a friend's birthday. The cocktails were very good particularly the one that is served in a pineapple. I don't really like tequila but I really loved that mix. The food was OK. We ordered almost all tacos on the menu and shared. Portions are quite small for the price tag but it is nice to have out of ordinary tacos (octopus, veggie etc..). I haven't been wowed by the food. It was just fine and I'd even add that the guacamole wasn't that tasty. I would not recommend for a romantic dinner. The place is very loud....well we were bursting out laughing every 2 min with my friends and I could feel by the looks of the people around that we were very loud! Oh well, we had fun!

Unenticing menu

By weinsteinemail |

Most at our table didn't care for menu. Anyplace with fried grasshoppers should be a tipoff. I settled on the kale salad which was ok but I have higher expectations when I eat out than an ok. Also small after being told it was a dinner salad. Most of portions small which doesn't bother me except the prices should reflect that.

Superb vibrant Mexican

By PaulManuel |

Absolutely loved this place. Vibrant, buzzing Mexican. Great cocktails, friendly staff and superb Mexican food.

Rude service

By Ian2885 |

We went there on recommendation and were left very disappointed. The waiter sat us at a table and put two menus on the table and said "sparkle or tap?", no hello, no pleasantries......nothing. He just looked at me and repeated "sparkle or tap?" We nearly left there and then but hoping that it was going to get better we stayed. The music was very loud and spoilt the potential of having a nice meal. The food was alright but the tacos were soggy, the quesadillas was quite small and better as an appetiser than a main. The flavour was alright but the service spoilt the meal. If you're not bothered about manners or having a conversation over your meal, a nice place!

Very loud but food was worth it

By lawgoddess1960 |

I usually shy away from really loud restaurants, but the food was so good here i think i would go back anyway. It was very loud and very lively but there was also something really cool about the place. The food was very good and the service was efficient although not exactly friendly. We ordered the grasshopper tacos which were excellent and the fish tacos. The avocado fries were decadent and wonderful. The portions were huge and the food was excellent. I’m not usually a Mexican food fan, but this was the real thing, no canned food here. Definitely go, just be prepared for the noise. The margaritas help with relaxing, although avoid the smoky margarita, it was really unpleasant tasting.

Must try!!

By Fei Ying Y |

We had the best foods , we felt like we were in heaven !! Our fave is the fries avocado !! Must go and you will regret !

Pricey Mexican food, left hungry

By Mintari P |

Had dinner yesterday after La Boheme at Lincoln Center. Four of us had a main dish that costed between $20-26 per plate (salad with chicken pieces $21, Chile Relleno $20, brisket tacos -three tiny tacos that looked like a plate for an appetizer $18 and chicken enchilada mole poblano $26). Unlike any Mexican restaurants we went to in the past, after we finished dinner, everybody was still hungry! Quality was just so so. Will not go back & not recommeded for people who want to eat real dinner!

Great vibes and food

By morgan_gee7 |

Tacuba - Really cool decor and vibe here. Started with the queso and it was tasty, but wish you got more than 4 flour tortillas. Ordered the pollo tacos, they were excellent. Friend had the yuzu margarita and said it was wicked good. Finished with the tres leches limon cake and it was okay, but a weird texture. The servers were nice, but it did get really slow toward the end of our dinner when it got super busy. Overall decent experience and would go back.

Excellent Mexican Food

By mazu1976 |

Went there on 1/11 for a business dinner with 3 colleagues and came away impressed. We had the guacamole which was delicious and ordered 3 types of their tacos as appetizers in addition to getting individual meals. We ordered the lobster, octopus and beef tacos and they were awesome. I ordered the skirt steak for dinner and let's just say that I would get it again. Everything priced well. The only thing I'd say is that it got hot in this restaurant and they had no flavored vodkas to pick from. All in all would definitely go back.

Favorite Friday Lunch Spot!

By KarenM-2709 |

Dined here 2 Friday's in a row for business lunch after hosting a dinner for 15 colleagues at Christmas time. The food is delicious! Service is great - very attentive and the owner/manager always checks to see if you are satisfied. Love the enchiladas, burritos ... especially the sangria & margarita's... ;) This is a favorite restaurant.

So much fun

By laurendavid23 |

Came here by myself one night, and had so much fun sitting at the bar. Food was tasty, cocktails amazing, staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Lively and eclectic atmosphere. Only (minor) criticism was the avocado 'fries', were poor but I blame myself for ordering them - what did I expect? Avocado is not a food that deep fries well. But after 3 margaritas I was in no position to discern that. All in all, one of the best nights I had in New York, in terms of atmosphere.

Please somebody tells the owner your hostess is more than rude!!!!!

By lalupaz |

Its so sad that a restaurant with delicious food and a very kind waitress and bar tenders has the most rude hostess in NY! We went today December 6 2019 for the goodbye dinner of a friend.. the hostess (a tall man with glasses wearing an orange outfit and kind of Spanish accent) was very rude from the begging we entered to the restaurant.. first he made a bad and rude joke to my friend when he asked about the name of my friend.. then when we wanted an extra seat for a friend he was more than rude with the response and told us in certain way to leave the restaurant, we only stayed there because the waitress was so kind and nice and organized us at the end. I loved the place, food, people and vibe but for sure I’m not planning come back as long this rude man is the hostess of this place! Worst customer service I’ve ever lived!

Very tasty meal, good service, friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices

By Margo M |

Four of us went last week for pre-theatre dinner. It was a first visit for all of us. Even though our entire party was not there yet, they seated two of us right away. That was a perfect beginning - instead of crowding around near the door we were able to sit comfortably and get started on some Margaritas while we waited for our friends! The four of us shared a large order of guacamole to start. I was the only one who likes my guacamole on the spicy side, so I kept my opinion to myself when the other three said they prefer medium. I didn't mind though, once I tasted it - fresh with a nice zing to it and good texture. Two of us ordered the Suadero tacos - brisket, avocado, red onions, cilantro tomatillo salsa, horseradish crema. First rate - I highly recommend this dish and will definitely order it again when I go back. All four of us joined the clean plate club that evening. There was a very cheerful feeling throughout the restaurant - maybe the Margaritas had something to do with that. The wait staff knew we needed to get to the theater - service was efficient but never felt rushed. Altogether a successful experience.

Dinner and Drinks with Friends

By humby2016 |

we seat at the bar, Fantastic good choice the bartenders very good all of then very attentive food excellent, we have a very good time .

So so food and service

By Mackie B |

We visited Tacuba on a Sunday night in Dec. it was not very busy, the food was pretty basic, the menu is not very large, our server was nice but not very attentive. We ordered the octopus chorizo tacos, guacamole and chips and 2 margaritas. Our bill came to $81.66 w/ a $15 tip. It is an ok restaurant but there are better options in NYC.

Yummy food!

By bbland0 |

Authentic Mexican. Tacos are good but small so don’t go real hungry! No complimentary chips and salsa.

Fun and Delicious!

By RealtOr30 |

Excellent Mexican food! The brisket and chicken tacos were amazing and great margaritas. The guacamole and chips were also very good. A fun atmosphere and good service.

Finally! A great margarita!

By Sean C |

Upfront: This review is a RAVE. Serious mixology meets mezcal?! Actually, I prefer tequila in my margaritas. Whatever one's preference, Tacuba aims to please. I've been here three times now in recent weeks and what a pleasant surprise and fine addition to the neighborhood. Food is "haute Mexicano" with smallish portions but packing freshness and flavor. Vegetarian tacos are a bargain and perfect accompaniment to a drink. But to me this isn't a dining destination; it's a cocktailing one! The signature margaritas are made with same attention to details and freshness as accorded the food. The clarity of flavor surprises and spoils. A classic margarita—fresh lime juice, tequila and some sweetner (Cointreau?)—is perfect, the best I've had in ages (I'm 58 from Northern California and my lineage shares Mexican Indian family members). Over different nights Danny, Bartolo and Miguel all were quick to acknowledge our presence. One very busy night, Miguel even attentively spotted us survey a full bar and alerted us to a soon-to-depart couple. Danny was eager to mention if I didn't like an adventurous mezcal-based cocktail, I was to feel free to get something else. For flavor, ingredients and service, Tacuba is a clear several notches above the usual 9th Ave restaurant row. Will add that, where just a few block away in midtown $16 cocktails are highway robbery; Tacuba offers better quality drinking for about 2/3 that cost - and the classic margarita is a steal. And you get better, friendlier service.

Fantastic

By Lara |

I loved this place, being from the UK we only get what I call commercial Mexicans, run of the mill food, this was a totally different experience, the atmosphere was electric, the food divine and fabulous lime mojito. We had a cheese and chorizo starter to share that was served with nachos, my daughter had chicken tortillas for main and I had a wonderful prawn dish which was like a cold chilli and lime thin watery soup, not explaining it very well!! It was wonderful and like nothing I had tasted before, I had pancakes for desert and my daughter had churros, I would go back to NY just to go to this place!

Great for Celiacs, tastes and value

By Keith B |

My wife and I were taken here by my sister who lives in Manhattan and is always talking about how we just have to go to this restaurant when we visit. Two of us are Celiac so gluten free is a must and we had no issue as just about everything on the menu is gluten free and tasted great and authentic.

Excellent guacamole

By Attea146 |

All four of us loved our guacamole and chips. We had heard it was the best guacamole in NYC and that might be true. I had a refreshing cava to drink. Tacos carnitas were succulent, as was the carne asada. Traditional but not boring decor and ambience. Excellent service.

Nice atmosphere for the area

By jw2018jw |

This restaurant has a nice atmosphere with tables open to the street, and a more private and spacious courtyard inside. The decor is pleasant and appropriate to the cuisine. The food was all good. I didn't think the guacamole was great, which was disappointing. Our tacos and entrees were excellent. I enjoyed my drink: the aptly -named REFRESCANTE. I wanted to book Toloache, but they were full. I found this restaurant to be cleaner and more pleasant, though the food was less exciting than Toloache. Overall a good find in the theater district.

Delicious and Fresh

By Laura P |

We stumbled into this place and were thrilled with the food. Freshly made and delicious, it transported us back to when we lived in Mexico City. Fantastic chicken burrito and chicken taquitos!

Quick meal

By Walter K |

Was traveling and by myself on Valentine's Day. Most restaurants in the area were bust so I walked up to Tacuba. Little out of the way from where I was staying but know it's worth the walk. It was also Ash Wednesday so I asked the bartender for some recommendations. Had the shrimp and lobster ceviche and the fish tacos Ceviche was good and the tacos were excellent. Love the margaritas there

My wife loves her Margaritas

By Dede A |

We didn't know where we wanted to go, so we were just walking around and found this place. The service and atmosphere were fine. We had the guacamole and salsa and chips. The guacamole was good, the salsa was weird and orange with no chunks of anything in it. I had the Japon ceviche which was very good, with peanuts, yellowtail and tuna. My wife had the carne asada tacos, which she loved. It was not as cheap as Mexican food should be.

Good food but RUDE server

By Michelle S |

Came here for lunch today and food was really good. Great quality and fresh ingredients. Also drunks were very good. I wish I could give it a 5 star review. However, service was terrible. I even wish my complaint was about slow service or something like that, but no it was not slow...worse, it was RUDE! Our server (manager knows who he is as we let him know when we left) was simply RUDE! He was not corteous, he looked upset, rarely made any eye contact and the feeling and vibe we got was like we were asking a favor by ordering food. I felt uncomfortable. I just ask management to please consider who you hire. Being friendly, or at least corteous goes a long way.

Service is great!

By flyspain |

We wanted tacos while walking towards Central Park. Decided to stop here for lunch. Very charming cantina. Tacos were decent, $18 for three tacos. Service was attentive and great.

Imaginative brunch

By Catherine138 |

We thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday pre-theater brunch. The guac was tasty and the dipping sauce (not like any salsa we've had) was different and very nice. Each of us ordered a different entree and we were all very happy with our food. The maise (spelling?) custard dessert was light and really lovely. We had both the white and the red sangria and liked each one. Our server was sweet and attentive. We would definitely return to explore the menu further.

Delicious Mexican food!

By tavg |

Walking in the neighborhood, my boyfriend and I spontaneously decided to give Tacuba a try. Even though it was fairly early for dinner, the restaurant was already packed, but the host was kind enough to find us a table (so long as we were done by a certain time, which was not a problem). Everything we had was delicious and quite authentic - I have family in Mexico and have visited the country a number of times, so I think I'm qualified to make this assessment. Service was friendly and remarkably well organized in such a busy setting. The only minor negative is that it was extremely noisy, so if you're looking to have an important conversation, you may want to look for a quieter option. All in all, we loved it, and would definitely recommend it. But be aware that it's on the more expensive side - but totally worth it!

Just Ok.

By Brett C |

The margaritas were great, but the food and service were just ok. Plus our entrees came out just a few minutes after the appetizers were served, we felt really rushed.

Very busy

By Terry H |

To be fair we didn’t have a reservation, but was seated straight away. At a very small table with high seats not idea but we managed. The food was OK I ordered tacos with habanero sauce no heat what so ever. The drinks were ok not a massive fan of IPA. For me very expensive for what it was. Maybe this is NYC prices

Bad food, bad drinks

By yankee_traveler_212 |

Go elsewhere. It gets three stars for the nice-looking space, and -2 for the food and drinks. The food is poor, and the tacos are shamefully small (they do warn that a plate of 3 are appetizer size, but it would take many orders to get full from them). The other dishes weren't much better. Prices are too high for the quality of what they offer. And service is painfully slow. Expect it to be noisy because the waiters try to encourage tables to order tequila shots.

Fantastic taste sensations

By mrbens |

Really great vibe. Very loud. Portion size not the same as many New York sized portions. Slightly smaller. Taste is amazing. Staff super friendly. Frozen cocktails lovely.

Perfect date night

By AskmelanieK |

Excellent food and drinks while being reasonably priced. Fresh delicious Mexican seafood options and some unique items too. Busy place on a Saturday night but excellent service and a fun environment.

Food good, service rushed

By MsDKinVA |

Ordered very tasty carnitas and short rib quesadilla. Had a reservation for 3 on Saturday at 7 p.m. The place was packed and crazy loud. We were seated at a cramped table in the bar area. People standing and sitting at the bar were too close for comfort. Not at all relaxing and not at all the time or place to have a conversation, unless you like it loud.

HK Mexican

By anthony v |

Went on Wed. night for dinner after the theater. The chicken enchiladas with mole were very good. Home made guac + tasty cocktails completed the picture. However, don't expect the place to be on the quiet side. At times it sounded like a train station at rush hour. Bring pens & paper to communicate with your dining companion.

Great Party Dinner

By Efranz |

The vibe is fun, loud and easy. From the hostess to the servers and bus boys, Tacuba's staff added to the party atmosphere. The food which included octopus tacos, branzino and shrimp dishes was delicious. I only wish that sides were included, but we had plenty to eat. More than enough. But the stars of the evening were the frozen margaritas. So velvety-smooth and fruity, but not sickly sweet, I would have liked to have several. We were also persuaded to get tequila shots in lieu of dessert---great idea. They were fantastic too. It lived up to the hype I'd been hearing for a while from co-workers. I'll be back!

Latin food on 9th Avenue

By AirSchis |

Visited with a friend for dinner based on his recommendations of a great Latin cuisine restaurant. Mixed reviews though. We absolutely loved the food; taste and quality. Three different dishes and guacamole with chips and all were delicious. A really great meal with excellent service from our server. The server was friendly and efficient. Our chips/guacamole took some time to arrive although it was pretty busy in the restaurant. Our food order came at a reasonable pace and definitely top caliber. The place was super noisy and very difficult to carry on conversations without leaning in. The music in the background was excellent, but the level was far too high which just made it more difficult to converse. When ordering you will need to use your cellphone lamp as it is fairly dark at the table although this was no big deal. The place has an energetic vibe with everyone enjoying the food and company.

Wanted to like it more than I did

By rageisman |

Came here for lunch first day in NYC. Margaritas were good, guacamole was bland, carne asada tacos tasted good but so very small. So many choices in this area, would try something else.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

By Harvey M |

I will be brief. Everything I had was very enjoyable which included the appetizer called Tacos de Suadero and the main course of Carnitas (the best that I have ever had). Be aware that your waiter/waitress may add a 20% tip to your printed bill. If you object to that percentage, do what I did successfully, tell that person to remove that tip and then give a tip of your choice.

Loud environs and okay food ...

By NYGoogleQueen |

Went here with out of town guests who wanted Mexican food. We were fortunate to get a table on a Friday night without a reservation. While my friends enjoyed their meals, the food was not outstanding - the tacos are listed as "appetizer size" and they weren't lying - they're the size of silver dollar pancakes. The worst part of the evening, though, was the blaring music and the fact that we had to shout quite loudly to speak; it was impossible to hear one another. Even the waitstaff had to scream at us - which makes no sense. There is plenty of cool, upbeat atmosphere about the place without having to get fitted for a hearing aid at the end of the evening. I wouldn't go back. It's clearly a 'scene' but it's not mine.

Delicious traditional Mexican

By budget_traveller59 |

Simple, traditional flavours presented well and taste delicious. Add this to a fun, vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff. Good value for money and really tasty!! The brisket tacos were a highlight

11 days new York

By Rob L |

Came here after the theatre one night. We had been to a show and found this gem of a place. Staff friendly, efficient. We got share platters and this way got to sample more of the menu. Loved it and was perfect after the show

Outstanding! Not your "typical" tacos and cerviche ...

By Lipstick Warriors |

Outstanding! The Aguachile Cerviche* (lobster, shrimp, cucumber-lime agua, jalapeño avocado, red onion, cilantro) was exceptional! The house made tortillas for the Bohemia Tacos - braised brisket, avocado, red onions, cilantro were fantastic as well as the carna asada - Skirt steak adobado, huitlacoche fried rice, cucumber-cactus salad, avocado, salsa verdetomatillo salsa, horseradish crema. *Since we were sharing - thankful that our server suggested that the cerviche be served by itself since it's a cold dish. Oh, the drinks were great too as well as the chips, guacamole with unusual "salsa." Perfecto!! Be well! Lipstick Warriors

Good Find

By Bentley_C33 |

Decided to try this place out after reading some reviews. It has a good atmosphere although the acoustics are bad as it was hard to hear those at our table talking. Good came out quick and met expectations. Staff was great!

wonderfully different menu of Mexican

By Louis G |

One of the more interestring menu selections of Mexican and Cuban food. Excellent guac, great shell steak, nice sangria, and wonderful service

Excellent, creative Mexican cuisine but very noisy

By S E |

If you're up for a party mood and love creative, delicious Mexican food and drink, THIS IS YOUR PLACE!!! However, if you want a quiet, romantic environment or want to discuss business, you are likely not going to enjoy dining here: it is EXTREMELY NOISY!!! But if you're willing to sacrifice quiet to excellent food, don't look any farther.

Fantastic food and drinks

By Kjell E |

We came to Tacuba with no expectations at all. This was a Sunday around 08 00 PM. A lot of people in the restaurant and we didn’t have a booking. We were asked to wait for 10 minutes to get a table. Luckily we decided to wait. All of the staff were extremely friendly and smiling. The athmosphere in the back of the restaurant was very nice and cosy. The frozen Strawberry Margaria we started with, was outstanding. We also shared a perfect Guacomole, dip and taco chips. The main course was two different kind of tacos. Steak and chicken, in addition to black bean and rice. This was Mexican food at its very best. Thank’s a lot to all of you at Tacuba for making this a perfect dinner experience for us. We will for sure be back next time we are in NYC.

A little slice of Mexico

By Travelling Canuck |

We stumbled on this spot completely by accident but so glad we did! First off, this place is clean, inviting and comfortable. We just wanted a quick snack so we opted for the chips and guacamole washed down with some margaritas. I had that house special of the night which was a margarita with jalapeños and a spicy salt rim. With no sweetener added I was worried but it tasted absolutely amazing! My date had the strawberry margarita and she raved about it all night. This place does not cheap out on the tequila that's for sure. Drinks were strong but well balanced. The atmosphere was nothing short of amazing, the staff made us feel welcomed, we had a ton of laughs and enjoyed every minute of it. You have to check this place out if you're in the area.

Loved it

By darbyvan |

The mango margaritas are the real deal with spicy salt rims. Loved the ceviche, guacamole, tacos, Brussel sprouts, avocado fries, and quesadillas!

Extremely noisy

By Dobridin |

We booked a table for 5 and were seated upon arrival. It was so noisy that you could hardly understand each other without shouting. I was not really impressed by the food and the portions were small. Prices are ok for NY but high for what you get.

Excellent

By DRTYA |

Very good food. Prompt service. Wonderful atmosphere. Outstanding service from everyone who works there. Overall a wonderful experience.

Great place

By Milan K |

Great place, good food! Service was extremely friendly! Wish everyone in NYC is like that! Can recommend beef/cheese taco’s and crepes as dessert. @tacuba, we will be back!

Great food and service

By mo71ey |

While in NY recently we stopped in here on a Sunday night for dinner. We did not have a booking but had no issues getting a table. Our waiter was lovely and very attentive. The food was amazing! Personally we were not expecting the price it came to (expensive) but it was worth it.

Lively Atmosphere

By Tom L |

This places hums with activity. The night we were there it was packed. We were walk-ins yet they found us a table right away. It looks like the kind of place where there are a lot of regulars. We had a glass of rose wine and a Negro Modelo beer while we looked at the menu. We started off with a bowl of guacamole and some avocado fries. Both were full of flavour. Our mains were chicken enchiladas with mole plus a shrimp and rice dish. Not fancy food but satisfying and filling. This is honest, basic Mexican food. We took our time over our meal and did not feel rushed. Music was good and lights were low. Service by Maria was top notch. The location in Hell's Kitchen is perfect for your Broadway night. Lots of lounges and bars to go to after your meal. Along with a bottle of Albarino wine our tab was $111 before tip. It's a fun night out with tasty food in a lively atmosphere.

Good Mexican food can be hard to find in NYC - this place helps

By collinstw |

I had a great lunch at Tacuba yesterday, liked it so much I'm going back again today. Good location, comfortable, filled with light because of a large skylight in the back of the restaurant. Service was friendly and accommodating. The food was also very good.

Excellent Mexican Food in Hell's Kitchen - Beyond Tacos and Enchiladas

By BrooklineTraveler3 |

There are a number of good Mexican restaurants on Ninth Avenue. Tacuba is the place to go if you want more than just tacos and enchiladas. We have been there twice and every single dish was excellent. For entrees, I recommend the braised short ribs, the branzino, the enchiladas de pollo en mole, and the tlayuda de camarones. The margaritas and guacamole were also excellent. It is a loud, busy room but the service is attentive and the food came out quickly. It would probably be a good choice pre-theater. We really enjoyed Tacuba. It is a great neighborhood spot.

Flavoursome food and friendly helpful service

By highburychampion |

Everything we tried here was delicious and accompanied by friendly service. We tried the tacos with grasshoppers and they were tasty and the grasshoppers are much smaller than you imagine they will be ! Main meals are generous portions and we left very satisfied. Good selection of drinks.

Fresh food with lots to choose from

By TravelLovers1234 |

We were looking for a family spot for dinner and had walked by this place so decided to give it a try. We are glad that we did! Something for everyone, fresh and tasty food. We will go back there again soon.

Great food

By marield1990 |

We came here around 5 as a group of 6 with no reservations on a Saturday. Thankfully they were nice enough to accommodate us so long as we were out by 6:30 for another reservation and we had no problem with that. My cousin got a Margarita and it was delicious. We got the guac to start and we asked for it to be mild. It had no spice, however for the price the bowl was small and the basket of chips was also small. For our entrees we got the tacos, carnitas entree and I got the enchiladas de pollo en mole. The pork in the carnitas was delicious. My enchiladas were also delicious. The chicken was moist and the mole was tasty with a kick you kept wanting to come back to. We also ordered a side of plantains, brussel sprouts, avocado fries and rice and beans. Everyone loved the tacos and the sides. No one had leftovers. We definitely want to go back. The restaurant was also very pretty and had a great vibe. Service was good and food came out quick and hot.

Amazing food, wonderful ambiance and excellent service

By G S |

The food was truly an amazing experience. One of the most impressive tequila selection and a fantastic ambiance. The service was excellent. We were there for brunch but equally amazing, if not even better would be dinner.

Great ambiance!

By lucy s |

The food here was amazing and we had an amazing server. I was there on a birthday dinner and they had some of the staff sing happy birthday. I loved the experience at Tacuba.

Busy, noisy and not for Mexican conissours

By Adriandcass |

This was a nice enough place. It came recommended and is pretty Central. Gets busy. And noisy. Service was fine. Disappointed with the good though, it was very bland. I like my Mexican a little spicy!

Friends and family in New York for my 50th Birthday

By Lynn S |

I had a great time here. It was conveniently situated in between where we were all staying so we walked and met in the middle. As soon as we walked in the music and atmosphere got us in the mood for a good night. A few margaritas and some really good food and we were very satisfied. Some dishes on the menu were things we’ve never seen in the uk which was nice for a change. If you want s fun night with good food then give this a go. It wasn’t cheap but it wasn’t overly expensive either.

Too loud and Kale has never appeared on a Mexican menu

By Mark B |

Went there with friends. WE HAD TO SCREAM TO BE HEARD BY THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO US. Won’t go back for that reason. That said, the menu was interesting but not particularly authentic.

Never disappoints

By Mzdsny |

Tacuba is our go to brunch spot when in NYC. It never disappoints. We always start with guacamole & chips. They make it to your spiciness request. The Benedictino is very good; the Chile Colorado sauce is so good. The Carnitas & Chilaquiles are also a favorite. Cocktails are also tasty. Service is always attentive & friendly.

Decent food and service

By J.J. K |

Sat at the bar for a quick meal and drink on a Monday night. Decent food and service, but a little pricey for the entrees. Very good portion of rice and beans as a side, though. El Centro, a block away on 9th, is a much better bet for Mexican. I only went to Tacuba because El Centro (which is considerably smaller) was full.

A modern twist on traditional Mexican

By Penboy7 |

Our friends were visiting from out of town and we wanted to take them to a pan-Latin restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. We selected Tacuba based on the review and weren't disappointed. The menu is somewhat limited, but everything we had was fresh, had great flavor and nice presentation. We shared a plate of Chapuline (cricket) tacos and guacamole, but each got our own dish. The drinks were a nice complement and we rounded out the meal with "mini" churros. Our sever was very helpful and sweet and the place had a great energery. We are already planning when we will return.

Amazing atmospere, food and service!

By AJSchofield |

We were greeted and seated with a warm welcome....two adults and two children....at 7:30pm. Drinks and guacamole to start were perfect...special thanks for the assurances all evening for our daughter’s dairy allergy. Tacos were amazing....we had chicken, beef and fish...wow! Ceviche was stunning... We love that our children were treated like adults...they ate adult food and adult portions and loved it, we had a brilliant family night out. Fresh food, tasty food, made and served with love. Thank you for taking our children along for a super authentic experience. Cant recommend high enough....this is a fantastic place to eat and experience.

Very Enjoyable Mexican Dining Experience

By bbbob84 |

We selected this establishment based upon the reviews. It did not disappoint. We had some margaritas and shared some nachos to start. Nachos were very good. For entrees I had some of their tacos and my wife had Chicken Enchiladas with a Mole Sauce. Also really good. Surprised there were no rice and beans. These seem to be staples on all Mexican entrees. Not here. Nice atmosphere. Loud patrons, but it is NYC. Easily found. There were outdoor seating, but it was raining this particular day. Very attentive staff. Water kept full, promptly clearing table and asking if there were anything you may need repeatedly. We will be back when in the area.

Good Mexican food

By alanroytbak |

This is my third visit here for lunch. I think the food here is spot on, always fresh and tastes delicious. The burritos are not humongous and just the right portion. Good flavors, you can also ask them for their extra spicy sauce! Friendly service, but the price is a bit high.

Unexpected bonus

By Misselbrook |

We found this place just down the road from the restaurant we had planned to eat at but was already full, but we are not disappointed at all. Atmosphere was Great, very lively with a nice buzz (if a little difficult to have a conversation!). Food was good, three if us just had the tacos rather than main meal and pancake desert delicious. Staff were really attentive and friendly.

Not what I expected

By TravelingBlondita |

Went to Tacuba for a Cinco de Mayo celebration however I was disappointed. The restaurant has a great decor and it looks cool on the outside. We were a large group but our server seemed very frantic and was rude to one of the girls in the group. Food was okay. Everyone’s drinks seemed good, I enjoyed my michelada.

Recommended

By Peggy |

Delicious food! Kinds of spicy. The guacamole was wonderful. Also recommend the Mexican corn. I had the carne asada taco and they were very good.

Don't Get It

By orbiter22 |

Recently tried Tacuba, which is in my neighborhood. For me this was the most overpriced, low quality, tasteless Mexican food I've had in New York. However, the atmosphere is very young, lively and fun.

Amazing margs and guac

By Megan F |

Came here after seeing Kinky Boots and loved the guacamole, frozen and on the rocks margs and quesadilla. Can't wait to visit again!

Innovative and Inspired Mexican Food

By SS |

Wow, I wasn't expecting what I discovered art Tacuba. A relative from out of town wanted go out and we were walking in nearby Hell's Kitchen and she decided she wanted to try the place. We split a bunch of dishes, including the CALABACITA CON JAMAICA tacos with crispy hibiscus flowers that MADE OUR DAY! We also had the PESCADO A LA TALLA tacos, not as good, and the SUADERO tacos (brisket) that were fabulous. We also had sweet plantains and fried Brussel sprouts with cheese. Everything was wonderland the service was effluence and pleasant as well. We didn't have drinks, but they looked good and reasonably priced at Happy Hour.

Tasty but Pricey

By traveldancers |

Great food, good drinks and friendly service but portions are small for the price. Nice atmosphere. Had several appetizers but still not much food.

Great service and food

By Roberta H |

We came for Sunday brunch and were pleased with the hospitality and service. I ordered Huevos Divorciada (sorry for the spelling) and it was delicious. Hubby enjoyed his Chillequelles with steak. A good addition to Hell’s Kitchen.

Nice brunch!!

By drjeff77 |

Went for Sunday brunch with family and the food and service were very good, but nothing exceptional. Burrito's were tasty as were benedictinos, and drinks were also good. They forgot to bring out one side order and later comped it. Prices pretty reasonable for the city.

Everything just Great

By karicjones |

Busy Saturday night, but got seat at the bar without reservation. Service was good from the beginning. I had tamarind margarita and freshly prepared guacamole for a starter and both were very very good as it was the chicken tacos and the flan later on. Good atmosphere, good service and great food. One more jewel at the Hell's kitchen!

Excellent food and service...

By lagomez75 |

A great place to eat and if traveling "solo" highly recommended. The tacos were delicious, as well as the salads and the guacamole was freshly made. The atmosphere is very welcoming, with a mixed of locals and those visiting the city. The staff is friendly and I want to thank Danny for making me feel that i was not alone. Service was very timely for a busy restaurant. I however like to suggest a more diverse variety of music. If visiting Hell's Kitchen going to Tacuba is a MUST....

Excellent food - chocolate cake to die for!!

By drcarrera |

We dropped in here on spec and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere was perfect. The food was exceptional - really authentic mexican food. Every course was excellent and the service was spot on. My wife love the chocolate cake which was the best she had ever tasted. You will not be disappointed with this restaurant.

What a great accidental find!

By WI Weezie |

A wrong way on the subway trip allowed us to find this gem in Hell’s Kitchen. For lunch, my friend and I split an appetizer of queso & tortillas; and entree of shrimp tacos and a margarita! Food was excellent and the service was even more amazing!! Highly recommend!

Great breakfast, great service

By Tone and Paulette |

My friend and I had breakfast / brunch here. The service was friendly. Food was delicious as were the cocktails. If we're ever in New York again we'd eat there again.