50 Best Latin American Restaurants in New York

“We went there for the first time yesterday. Pros: The food was amazing. Loved every bite. I think the Colombian soup was my favorite but honestly everything was delicious. I am a picky eater and I ate everything. The drinks were simply divine. Hats off to the bartender. Just Wow! The server (Borjas) was equally exceptional. He only had 4 days on the job but executed like a pro. He was also funny and just kind. Just one con: The suited host that took a bit to greet us at the door was off. He also sat us at the very front of the restaurant. Mind you it was practically empty and never really filled up. I think that this was due to the holiday weekend. Anyway, he did not give us an option like another host did for a later couple. I also noted in my reservation that this was my fiancé's birthday and requested if anything special could be done. There was no choice of table and no candle in the cake. Usually how many other restaurants would have handled. Anyways, I will definitely go back due to the food, drinks and server but will hope for a better host.“

“Endroit magnifique, décoré avec beaucoup de goût ! Les plats sont aussi beaux que bons, une cuisine travaillée et raffinée.. Le personnel accueillant et très professionnel ! Nous recommandons largement ! Allez-y les yeux fermés et les papilles ouvertes! 🌺“

“Really hyped, and with a lot of reviews, the expectations were high.

What was good?
When for starters the chicken was indeed quite good. But in the context of other Peruvian chicken I’ve had in the past, it was not extraordinary. Yes the skin was crispy and the meat was juicy. The arroz chaufa hit all the savory notes that I was looking for too. The sangria didn’t disappoint either.

What was bad?
Overall, not too much other than the sporadic and slightly chaotic service. Not necessarily any marks against Pio Pio for this, I think it was just a busy night.

The main issue I had was the frozen chicken used in the arroz chaufa. In a restaurant that is known for its chicken, you wouldn’t think they would cheap out on it at any point. But, this was simply not the case. It was dry, chewy, and clearly not as fresh as their rotisserie chicken.

It didn’t scare me off entirely from going back, but I was disappointed to say the least. Most people have extremely low bars for chicken as a meat they would spend money on at a restaurant. Don’t give people a reason to complain I just don’t get it. Looking back on it, I would have said something or sent the dish back, not because I’m an asshole, but because I know they can do better.“

“Had a wonderful evening with my aunt. The service, food and drinks was excellent.“

“Gorgeous ambiance! They have lovely decor and you can tell that they had a great interior designer. Service was great. Our waitress Manuela was really nice and very knowledgeable about the menu and was kind enough to provide several suggestions. All staff were very professional and helpful. Drinks were very tasty, especially the “electríco!”. I loved the presentation. The chicharron tapas were the best chicharron I ever had—perfectly crispy, juicy and tender without being dry or too fatty. The garlic shrimp saffron tapa with the tostones were amazing—I’d come back just for that. As for the mains—the chicken was good, a little overpriced in my opinion, as it was regular chicken with no special marinade and was a little dry. I asked for my steak to be medium well but it was definitely under, and was red, chewy and a little tough with no seasoning. The saving grace was the delicious chimichurri sauce it came with and the yummy shisito peppers. Overall, I still recommend and plan to come back. Next time I plan on trying more tapas and possibly the whole fried fish entree! Check this place out.“

“alot of food great staff food seasoned very well!!!!“

“Went on a Saturday night and they had a guitarist which created such a great vibe. The drinks were amazing as well as the food. Had the ceviche and steak nachos which was perfect for two people. The staff and bartender were attentive and friendly. Will definitely come back.“

“An amazing place yo share with your loves one and have a good talk and share a delicious bottle of wine, food it’s amaze ! Really tasty and flavorful l, 10/10“

“Crazy good empanadas - my partner and I shared the empanada flight as a takeout order, and I'll be thinking about these for a while. Nice variety of fillings, crusts, and sauces - definitely recommend ordering the flight to get acquainted with everything Titi's has to offer. In particular the puff pastry crusts were so flaky and buttery, but the corn and platano shells are great too. So glad to have this place in the neighborhood and can't wait to return.“

“Amazing food, drinks and atmosphere!“

“I enjoy tasting empanadas from all types of places. Empanada Mama is by far the best of any place I’ve ever tasted!! The portions were stunning, the food was full of flavor, the menu is large, and the dessert empanadas are just as amazing as the savory ones! Definitely some comfort food right here ❤️ Amazing delivery as well“

“Delicious Peruvian and Chinese food. The service is very attentive.“

“Desde Puerto Rico PAL mundo …el mejor bistec encebollado y mejor pollo desde NY a China“

“Great place to eat - we need to support our mom and pop restaurants!“

“I don't understand why this place has a 3.7, it's my favorite Spanish restaurant! The rice is so flavorful, not like any other place I've had before. Their empanadas are amazing! It has the perfect texture, flavor, and price at only $2.50! They have always given me great service even when I first came here. This place is so underrated. Definitely give it a try when you can!“

“The French toast stuffed with cream cheese and berries was fabulous!“

“I was disappointed to be seated upstairs, but more disappointed to see that the upstairs needs to be upgraded. For such a busy area, I imagine Havana gets lots of customers. They need to make the place look better. It could use some updating.“

“the rotisserie chicken is grestrice a peas nice my favorite spot 😋“

“Food is always good! Going there for years“

“Excelent!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time“

“Spanish Harlem is what it is but this place wants to upscale what is in the area rather than replacing. There are locals there AND the beauty of a restaurant trying to stand out.

I hope this will become a destination while hiring staff locally.

Hiccups? Sure.“

“Solid rooftop bar in Kips Bay. There are beer and cocktail options as well as nonalcoholic options. When I went they were sold out of some n/a beers so I got an n/a cocktail. I don’t recommend the imitation gin cocktail I got because it drank watery and like tar but I look forward to returning for hopefully better alcoholic cocktails. The outside is nice and the inside has some seating.“

“Omg,!! Delicious delicious delicious, I love LOOOOOVE the spicy chicken red tamales, the masa, meat flavor amazing, and my fav fav the strawberry tamales, omg great customer service, and call ahead to order they will honor call aheads for orders, love this place it taste authentic and homemade“

“The fried chicken tastes delicious and you actually get meat with your order. Not just fried bones with little to no meat like some places around there. You can taste the seasoning on the chicken and even the fries (I assume they cook it all in the same oil). It’s a staple in the neighborhood. They also sell other types of meats and sides like rice and beans, plantains, spaghetti, fish, you name it they have it! And it’s delicious too. Definitely going back whenever I’m around that area.“

“The vibe is electric. Great drinks, food & staff. Fun place to watch the game. I'll be back.“

“Pio Pio sauce and the mystery of it“

“I enjoyed everything about this place...a fantastic place to chill, listen to good music, eat and drink..Bathrooms are clean in which I liked...Bartender that works on Mondays is awesome. She and I guess Jason is her supervisor they are very patient when being undecided about ordering due to the food is so good. You just dont know what to order. NUMBER 1“

“Three different excellent entrees preceded by the freshest guacamole 🥑. Outstanding dinner and very professional service.“

“Great food and drinks Great atmosphere. Professional staff.“

“Great food. The lady making the pupusas is amazing. The flavors haven’t change in years. It’s not a fancy place but if you want great Salvadian food this is the place to go in nyc.

Vegetarian options: Sea food, cheese and beans pupusas and much more

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“A Delightful Evening at María Mulata
My wife and I recently had the pleasure of dining at María Mulata, and it was an experience to remember. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by Ashley, whose exceptional service made us feel right at home. Her attentiveness and friendly demeanor truly set the tone for the evening.
We started with a bottle of wine, pleasantly surprised to find it cost less than what was listed on the menu—a delightful bonus! The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the rice, which was out of this world. Each bite was a burst of flavor, perfectly complementing our main dishes.
The ambiance of María Mulata is charming, with a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere that captures the essence of Colombia. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and a welcoming environment made our dinner truly special. We can’t wait to return and relive this fantastic experience!“

“the staff :kelvin, haydee and wendy, the servers, the chef, the music, the food and drinks are beyond your imagination 👌 great music that relax your mind and soul...that place is CanaveNYC!! 100% Recommended, the atmosphere it's beyond AMAZING 👏, I highly recommend CanaveNYC.“

“St. Mark’s Comedy Club in New York is a fantastic hidden gem in the East Village, offering an intimate setting, great vibes, and consistently strong stand-up lineups. During my recent visit, the highlight of the night was stand-up comedian Vishnu Vaka, who absolutely stole the show with his hilarious and relatable performance. His unique storytelling style, witty one-liners, and sharp observations about life, culture, and identity had the entire room laughing nonstop. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and solid food and drink options made the evening even more enjoyable. If you’re in NYC and looking for a great comedy night, St. Mark’s is a must — especially if Vishnu Vaka is on stage!“

“Great spot for lunch to dinner. Kind of a all-day, everyday spot. Serving from noon till late night. Great comfort Latin American cuisine. Full service restaurant and bar.“

“The overall experience was just okay. The food was good but the service could have been better. The lady was very disengaged and got our order wrong. The atmosphere was nice and I’m not going to knock the fact that it was a small space. They made good use of the space but I wish they had slightly larger tables for the size of plates that they bring out. The music was at a good volume since I could still carry conversations, which was nice.

I didn’t mind the wait for the food and again it was fine for the price point.

I would recommend and probably go again but for different reasons.“

“Amazing food, drinks and atmosphere!“

“This was my first time at this place, and it was actually quite pleasant inside. The decor and ambiance were quite classy and clean. I made reservations beforehand but it wasn’t necessary as It was empty when we arrived, just as they had opened. I’m not sure if you need one later on at night. The music was okay, depending on your preference for genre. I had hoped for a wider variety of music, including merengue, salsa, bachata, dembow, reggaeton, hip-hop, and R&B, but it was mostly salsa, merengue, and bachata, which is fine if that’s your preference.

The food was delicious! We ordered from their brunch menu. I had the churrasco with eggs and asparagus, which was tasty. The mimosas were also delicious, and the server kept them coming. The unlimited brunch lasted exactly two hours. We stayed a bit longer and ordered a pitcher of coconut margarita, which was also great. The hookah was $40 initially and $25 for each refill. The hookah was also great! Not harsh and lasted a long time.

This is a good place if you’re hosting a private event and want the place to yourself.“

“Delicious reasonably priced food and excellent service!“

“Let me say this and they don’t know ! Own my own food establishments and this place reminded me of the standard that I strive for. . 5 stars hand down . Took a party of eight out of DC and wow let me say . Thanks again for the great everything ❤️“

“A true authentic Dominican experience. This is the closest flavors to the food I grew up with, compared to what I've had at home and from visiting family in Dominican Republic. No gate-keeping! I want to make sure they get all the love and recognition they deserve. What incredible food, the options rotate daily, they don't have a menu. Not even sure if they have a phone, so just pop in and get your fix! The lady working the counter is incredibly sweet and you can tell cares for her patrons and the community.

Sin duda una de la mejores comida Dominicana en el alto Manhattan, y son bien amable.“

“Best food in the neighborhood. Been coming here for 4 years and have yet to be disappointed. You literally cannot go wrong, but my favorites are the oxtail, the pernil, and the stewed chicken. Don’t forgot to add either yellow rice or rice with black beans and some extra pinto beans to top it off.“

“They have good food, but I don’t speak spanish…so it’s usually very difficult for me to order. I usually get scared of coming in here due to the language barrier (sometimes there’s a customer that will help translate). I like to get white rice with this slow roasted chicken with sauce, beans, potatoes, and carrots. It’s about $10. The super old grandma is really mean - stay away from her. She won’t put it all in one tray, so she can upsell/upcharge you for each item as a small (a la carte).“

“The food is nothing short of exceptional, with ingredients that are remarkably fresh and flavors that truly stand out. Dining here is always a brilliant choice. The staff exudes positivity and warmth, consistently going above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience. Anna, in particular, is a standout—welcoming, attentive and helpful with explaining the menu and getting the right order. Highly highly recommend !!!“

“This little gem of a restaurant serves some of the best Dominican food I have eaten in my entire life.

Marinated grilled steak, roast chicken, fried plantains, Mofongo, fried Yucca… Everything is delicious, the restaurant is a beautiful little gem box, and the owner is elegant and wonderful.

The prices are modest we loved everything.“

“It was a slight language barrier cuz I don't really speak much Spanish but the food was amazing. I had the Dominican breakfast and everything was fresh and clean. The cashiers at the front were really sweet and nice and made great suggestions. My plate was $10 and had mongo, fried egg, fried cheese and salami. I ate twice from the same plate. Breakfast and they're back for lunch again. The food was absolutely a generous portions and tasty“

“Comida Buenisima... Lo único tienes que pedir los platos iguales como estan en la carta... Eramos 4 y nos cobraron 5 platos... Deberian de cambiar esto no todas las personas pueden comer el plato exacto como lo tienen... ppr un mofongo aparte nos cobraron el plato del mofongo completo...“

“Amazing place I’ve been eating there for 11 years!! Their staff is ever so kind to everyone. Food is affordable and delicious. The restaurant is in a good location near tons of apartments so it’s good to order food and good to go down there and dine!! 110% recommend food is fresh and cultural.kid friendly towards being treated and also with the food portions

Kid-friendliness: I’ve went there when I was really little not once have I ever gotten food I haven’t loved I used to go in there confident in what I wanted to get and the portions were just small enough for me to eat with barley and left overs“

“The food was very good. Our table ordered a sampling platter and everything on it was delicious. I also ordered a pollo monfango which was very filling and satisfying. However, despite the good food we were really the only people in the restaurant and our wait for our food was over an hour. We were a party of 5 which may have contributed to it, though.“

“The food was very flavorful. I would definitely recommend my friends to eat there and I will come back.“

“Staying at a hotel 2 minutes walk away from this great little gem of a restaurant!

Had a tasty breakfast with eggs, home fries and toast along with their brewed coffee.

Fast and very pleasant service and oodles of character/atmosphere coupled with low prices. Good selection of American and Latin American items on the menu along with daily specials featuring the latter cuisine.

Highly recommended for those that like little diner-type establishments!“