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    Alcala Restaurant

    3.9 (228 reviews)
    PriceySpanish, Basque
    Open 12:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    ALCALA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Alcala Restaurant

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    Limited Edition Alcala Red Wine
    Emily G.

    My partner and I enjoyed a date night dinner here! I read through some of the reviews and although I can agree they may not have been the best about refilling waters every minute (I think that is a very American custom normalized in American restaurants; if you go to Europe, they are not like this), but then if you want it, make sure to ask for it. The tapas were really great and surprisingly our favorite was the lentil soup.... it was SO GOOD that was the first dish we finished! The paella comes in second. A large portion and great seafood flavor. Overall it's not the stereotypical Spanish food, may be because the owner is from a certain region of Spain. Nice experience and honestly the vibe reminded me of somewhere you'd find in Europe itself. The menu is quite large, so if you need pointers, ask the staff what they recommend (what we did). The meatballs are in a gravy sauce and actually reminded me of Swedish meatballs vs. the red sauce meatballs that can be found at Spanish restaurants like Boqueria. They were very good, just a different take so be aware of that!

    Kelly L.

    alcala_nyc is a hidden gem for anyone who appreciates refined Spanish cuisine without pretense. It's a perfect spot for a date night, a celebration, or just a dinner where food truly takes center stage. Sardinas a la Parilla were a standout. Fresh, simply prepared with just the right amount of char from the grill. The skin was crisp, the flesh delicate with a clean, briny flavor and taste of pimenton oil. Paella with seafood : The rice was perfectly cooked--al dente with a subtle saffron aroma--layered with fresh mussels, clams, shrimp, and squid. The flavors were rich and balanced, with just enough socarrat (that crispy bottom layer) to make it extra satisfying. Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp in a sizzling garlic sauce), the shrimp arrive bathed in a fragrant garlic-infused olive oil with just the right touch of heat from sliced red chili. The aroma alone is enough to transport you to a seaside taverna. The shrimp were plump, perfectly cooked--tender yet with a satisfying bite--and absorbed the bold, garlicky essence beautifully. I love to come back to this restaurant again if I'm craving for Spanish food.

    Sample platter dessert Variedad de Postres Espanoles
    Tammy S.

    Great food quality and great service. Cozy restaurant with Spanish food. Bread is served and it goes well with olive oil. Areoz Confotado was filled with ingredients, Chuletitas de Cordero a la Parrilla grilled lamb chops cooked medium was perfectly cooked and the most delicious lamb chops I've had. It was tender with a little bit of crispy areas. Pepito de Solomillo was like ground meat on garlic bread. It was good. Dessert plate, Variedad de Postres Espanoles had 4 types of dessert. Portion was on the small side, meant for 1 person, we each had a bite. Waiters were friendly. I recommend trying this place for good quality Spanish food.

    Sardinas a la Parrilla
    Pooja G.

    I'm so confused by these bad reviews! Our weekday lunch was amazing! We ordered quite a bit for two people and ended up packing some of the items at the end. The soups were a standout, as were the boquerones. A bit on the pricey side, $185 for two people, with the caveat that we did order a lot and had some wine and sherry. Would definitely come back!

    Sirloin Steak, with potatoes and Vegetables
    Eliu E.

    Overall great taste, flavor, service and experience. Service was great. On point ambiance.

    By far the best personal food experience for first time out of State visitors from Louisiana. Menu choice authentic and found the final product quality exceeded all expectations. Hats off to the cooking staff and mostly to our well knowledged waiter / host Samual for his superior service, 5/5 Stars. Hand Salute

    Very cozy place. A nice bottle of olive oil on each table.
    Karen N.

    We were a little bit disappointed there was no squid ink, but the dishes recommended by our server were pretty tasty. The restaurant is very cozy and the service is amazing. We will go back again, but need to call first to make sure they have the Arroz Negro!!

    Great tapas, amazing service. Best fresh sea food around.

    Amazing service , food is fresh ambiance is calm and refreshing. Recommend the sea food!

    Tasty Sangria - Salud!
    Linda K.

    Really wanted to love Alacala but unfortunately our experience fell short of expectations and the downsides outweighed the positives: First The Good: - Gambas Al Ajillo Appetizer was delicious, nicely spiced and buttery - Paella de Mariscos was good and a generous portion - We were seated promptly at a spacious outdoor table as per our online rez Then The Not so Good: - They were out of squid ink at 5:30PM on a Saturday night (said they didn't procure any squid ink at all that day) so we couldn't order Arroz Negro or Chipirones en su Tinta. This was a big disappointment as many of Alcala's good reviews are based on those dishes and we really wanted to try them. - They gave us stale bread slices with no dipping oil or butter - Sangria was potent but way too sweet - Rape Salsa Verde (Monkfish in Green Sauce) was bland and mushy - Dessert Sampler was overly sweet - Service was slow and brusque despite a small crowd, and we had to ask for water several times. Verdict: Maybe we hit a bad night, but sadly we weren't wowed by our experience at Alcala.

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    1 month ago

    Old school. White tablecloths. Good sangria, efficient service and very good food. Bonus: priced just right.

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    1 year ago

    Incredible wine, incredible food, incredible experience. Cannot recommend it enough. One of the best places in midtown

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    3 years ago

    Tapas in midtown? Warm atmosphere. Owners out front and visible. Put it on your list.

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    2 years ago

    Food was great - tapas were tasty - service was awesome - dessert ( Tres Leche cake) was the best i have ever had

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    Alcala Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

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    Ernesto’s - Fried red mullet & calamari

    Ernesto’s

    3.8(183 reviews)
    2.6 miLower East Side

    Side notes- Prices aren't online, and the menu changes frequently. In general, as of a few months…read moreago, the pintxos/bites are $14 to $16, the entradas/appetizers are mostly in the low or mid-$20s, and the platos/entrees are mostly in the $30s and $40s. Anyway, I was at this dimly lit Basque restaurant a while back with a small group. The place got pretty loud eventually, and the service was friendly. As we were waiting, I had some time to kill and ordered a tasty vermut. In this case, it was the Lustao Blanco for $16 on the rocks with an olive. In terms of small bites/Pintxos, someone ordered the Gildas for $14 while waiting, and another person enjoyed the similarly tiny Croquetas de Jamón for the same price point. Speaking of prices, I am unsure exactly how much everything cost, and I can't find descriptions of everything I ate, so I'm approximating, which is why you'll see the "~" before each price point. My entrada, or appetizer, was the Salmorejo de Atún for ~$25. Salmorejo is essentially a much thicker version of gazpacho, with olive oil, tomato, bread, and a few other ingredients. In this case, it was topped with plenty of raw tuna, cucumbers, and other greens. The cold soup worked surprisingly well with the high-quality fatty tuna, and I would order this again if I came back here. Another person ordered one of the appetizers as their entree, the Bikini Hemingway, which is a type of sandwich. In this case, it was ~$25 and was filled with txistorra, queso, shrimp, and pan de cristal. They seemed to like it but not love it. My main dish/plato was, unfortunately, the Magret de Pato for ~$40, with grilled magret duck breast, port and foie sauce, and pomme purée. Unfortunately, a few pieces of the duck were a little chewy, especially the ones with more fat. The sauce was alright, tasting like a slightly above-average red wine demi-glace with a touch more richness and sweetness than usual. The pomme purée was good, being rich with a nice texture. Overall, I think a bit of acid would have helped as well. This was alright, and I would have appreciated some bread to mop up the remaining sauce. Another person thought the Bacalao for ~$35, which was topped with two shrimp in this presentation, was pretty good. This place reminded me of Txikito in many ways. Both are a bit too pricey for the quality, with comparable food. For spending around $100, there are many other spots I would prefer, such as Casa Mono, El Pote, or a few others. If I were to go back, I'd probably just order appetizers. I'll leave the same score as the other restaurant, a bare 4/upper 3, and I would give a 3.5 if available.

    We didn't have a bad bite! Stand outs of the night include the bikini Hemingway, pinxtos…read morematrimonio, and basque cheesecake. We also got the chips with Iberico, ham croquettes, and arroz conjejo. Fun Spanish wine list to go with it!

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    Back dining room

    Ernesto’s - San Sebastián-style crab with grilled sourdough

    San Sebastián-style crab with grilled sourdough

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    El Pote Español Restaurant - Chicken and shrimp salad for Brunch

    El Pote Español Restaurant

    4.0(257 reviews)
    0.3 miMurray Hill, Midtown East
    $$
    Speaks Spanish
    Outdoor seating

    It's been awhile but this local place for Spanish cuisine is still here…read more PARKING - it's Manhattan by the tunnel but there is a garage on 39th available ENTRANCE - the bar maid greeted us with a smile and was extremely congenial. Checked our reservation and seated us promptly AMBIANCE - very rustic and Sevilla looking. They updated the decor a bit and it's nice. CAPACITY - the place is still small like 30 tables so a reservation will be needed for Friday night and weekends MENU - great choices and appetizers. You are covered for many authentic Spanish dishes SERVICE - great waiter and bus service. Never an empty glass and offered great suggestions for a few of us unfamiliar with Spanish cuisine APPETIZERS - the chorizo was fabulous. The octopus was cooked to perfection. And the shrimp and garlic sauce was amazing ENTREES - the paellas were very good. Many years ago they were a 9 out of 10 for me. I give it an 8 if 10 now. I tried the arroz con pollo which was very good as well. VINO - the Spanish wine by the bottle we tried was very good. They were out of the marquis rascal but the recommendation did not disappoint DESSERT - we had no room for more than coffee. However the list looked great. I'll try the flan next time RESTROOM - although very small, they were very clean and recently remodeled. PRICE - we had a party of 6 with 2 bottles of wine and the bill sans tip was $425. No awful at all.

    "Classic Old School Spanish"…read more O muse of garlic and gambas, hear my plea, For I have stumbled, hungry, down Murray Hill's gray sea, Where neon kingdoms rise and fall each week And found a stubborn, old-world tavern that still dares to speak. Inside, the air is thick with history and Rioja dreams, Wood paneling, tiled bar, low ceilings, strong beams. The kind of room where time slows down its trot, where you'd expect a Galician uncle to slide into your spot. Here, the paella arrives like a golden, rice-clad steed, Muscles, shrimp, chorizo make for a wealthy man's feed The socarrat at the bottom? Forged in flavor and flame, You scrape every last shard, unashamed without blame The waiters glide like seasoned squires of the court, Topping off sangria, trading banter, old-school in their sport. It's not rushed, not flashy, not angled for Instagram It's more sit down, relax and have more jamón, man.

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    Pulpo Estilo Feria

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    Toledo Restaurant - Spanish Cheese Manchego

    Toledo Restaurant

    3.4(72 reviews)
    0.6 miMidtown East
    $$$

    My cousin from out of town recently visited and we dined here at Toledo Spanish Restaurant and we…read morewere thoroughly impressed! The ambiance was beautiful, combining warm colors and elegant decor that created a welcoming atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Juan, who set a positive tone for the evening. Our server, Wilmer, was exceptionally attentive throughout our meal, ensuring we had everything we needed. We indulged in the fried calamari and escargot bourgogne for appetizers and the main meals were Paella A La Valencia's which had chicken and chorizos Paella A La Marinera with Saffron rice, lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams & mussels which was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The combination of saffron, fresh seafood, and tender chicken gave a delightful taste of Spain. We finished off with the Apple Tart and the Flan for desserts. Overall, our experience at Toledo was fantastic, and I can confidently say that I will be returning for more culinary delights. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine in a beautiful setting! Buen Provecho!

    Went to the place last night. It was terrible! We had to ask for everything several times When…read morewe asked to see cocktail list we were told they don't have one. We all had different sauces (according to the dish description ) but they all looked the same Also my dish came out last and as they plated food for everyone in my party they didn't plate mine. The food was not good and the service was not good

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    Toledo Restaurant - Filet Mignon Medallions with Truffle Tournedos Toledo

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    Darlene

    Darlene

    3.0(3 reviews)
    2.9 miTriBeCa

    Both the meals and the service exceed what you might expect. Workers elevate this restaurant to…read moreexceptional status. The meals are delicious and the environment enhances them. This place has a beautiful atmosphere. Remarkably content.

    Before I moved to NYC, I'd never heard people refer to "Spanish food". In Chicago there was…read more"Mexican" food, "Costa Rican" food, etc, etc., so I wondered if people talking about "Spanish food" was the equivalent of Dan Quayle saying a few years ago that people in Latin America spoke Latin, in other words terribly off the mark and vaguely offensive. This also gets us into this whole authentic food vs inauthentic discussion, but if a family has a Mexican Father and a Puerto Rican Mother, hey whatever the result is from a culinary perspective and otherwise is probably as legit as anything. Variety, you know, is the spice of life. Darlene is in that spirit. I've been there a couple of times, and found the various plates of meats and rice I tried to be tasty, but, truth be told, not as good as Sophie's. I sat down before, and realized this last time that this was for the best because take out service can be chaotic and slow and I'm sure you don't want to see the kitchen in action, if you know what I mean. This all being duly noted (see the mere three stars given), where the Carribean met Mexico on my last visit was a place called Fantasy Island. My favorite meat from the Islands (Pernil), met my favorite fast food from Mexico (the burrito) and it was magic! I've never seen this in a Mexican place, but my dreams were fulfilled in a place selling "Spanish Food". If my lunch was inauthentic, then let me be a fraud. Only in New York, kids. Only in New York.

    Sandy Restaurant

    Sandy Restaurant

    2.6(104 reviews)
    3.6 miEast Harlem
    $

    I called the place the night before and asked about the thanksgiving sale. I was told that I could…read morestill get it because the lady I spoke to got in contact with somebody for the morning shift she gave me the name of the person I could ask to. I went the next morning and the lady recognized me and asked me what time I wanted the order for. I told her 5pm and she told me that it would be best for me to order it at 4:30pm. When the time for me to order arrived, the person on the phone told me the sale was over. I tried to explain the person on phone what the other people told me and she put on hold. On and off I was on hold for ten minutes so I just decided order a combo. I was told it was a 35 min waiting for the chicken. I gave them 40-45 mins and the food was still not ready. In total I waited over an hour.

    My order 3 beef empanadas…read more 3 chicken empanadas! Came in for a quick bite after my examination malfunctioned (lost internet service). It was extremely busy when I walked in. But I was immediately greeted by the staff behind the counter. I definitely recommend stopping by this restaurant. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner! The food behind the glass (hot bar) looks extremely fresh. The staff works together and are very consistent when it comes to catering to their patrons. Family friendly, date worthy place. Please support this business for those days and nights you don't want to cook! They also have delivery as well. Plus I just tried JUGO DE COCO for the first time...i 100% recommend!!! This is a local staple for Harlem. Please support the locals!!!

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    Sandy Restaurant - The bar

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    Sandy Restaurant

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    Alcala Restaurant - spanish - Updated May 2026

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