cocotazo is a small restaurant located in Manhattan East Harlem.cocotazo food ok if you're willing to spend $40 a plate. the owner was not friendly at all this person felt kind of entitled some staff members were nice others not so much. What I could say is try it for yourself and come to your own conclusion. once is enough for me being a small business owner myself I believe that being personable, humble and friendly overtakes all of the things. read more

If you want authentic, homemade Puerto Rican food - this is the place to be! I felt like I was at my tia's house, waiting for food to be prepared. Some of the dishes are named after family members, which I thought was lovely, and there are family portraits all over the restaurant. It really felt like we were transported to someone's living room! I was chatting with a fellow diner at the table next to me, and we were raving about how comfortable and at home we felt. The chef Frances Roman also took the time to check in on each table and the people waiting outside the restaurant to see how they were enjoying the food and if they had any questions. The hospitality here is top tier! I ordered the bacalitos to start, which are cod fish fritters. They were nice and crispy. The sauce it came with really enhanced the flavor! I also ordered the guava and cheese pastelillos. Both pastelillos were also crisped to perfection. For my main dish, I had The Rican sandwich, which is a nice twist on the Cuban sandwich. The sandwich is made with pernil, Swiss, pickled onions, and the chef's own special garlic mayo sauce. It was absolutely delicious!! Cocotazo also has freshly, homemade juices. I recommend the Chi Chi Rodriguez, which is a mix of tamarind and passion fruit. It's not overly sweet. If you'd like to try the main dishes, I do recommend arriving hungry! The portions are super generous, and you will leave with happy and full bellies. read more

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Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for the host and the kitchen staff, who seemed almost annoyed that we had walked in and asked for a table???? Hopefully it was just an off day. The food was okay, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The arroz con gandules was on the dry side, and the meat could have used more seasoning, particularly salt, to bring out the flavor. Overall, it wasn't a bad meal, but it wasn't memorable enough for me to make the trip again. While I'd like to believe this was an off day, based on this experience I probably wouldn't go out of my way to return. Super excited to try the food but did not meet expectations. Restaurant itself is small and cute. Sounds of coqui in the bathroom. read more

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I've been contemplating writing this review for actually a few months now because I wasn't sure if I really wanted to review Cocotazo again knowing that I didn't have the best experience since she opened her restaurant. However I think it's important to be truthful about the positives and negatives about dining at cocotazo. The positives- My family and I went on a Sunday afternoon in March without a reservation. It's a small place so it was packed out! The owners wife said there would be a wait and would accommodate us when she could which was 100% fine with us. She seated us about 30 mins later and we were thrilled. We have been supporting Cocotazo since she was in La Marqueta. The atmosphere was culturally decorated and paying true homage to Puerto Rico. A loving memory of our homeland in its simplicity and strength. The restaurant itself is dedicated to good food and its rich history. The wife of the owner is so sweet and the staff were welcoming. We ordered alcapurria, a coki bowl, la gallina and pastelon. The food took a bit long to come out but we were not complaining because the food has always been fresh! The negatives- The alcapurria was literally so small on this big plate that it was kind of comical. It tasted good but left more to be desired. They ran out of La Gallina but said they could substitute it with fried chicken and my friend was okay with that. She tried the chicken and saw it was a little pink close to the bone and she was uncomfortable with the cooking done on it and politely told the waitress that she thought it was raw. The chef came out and seemed pretty frustrated. She came out with the chicken torn apart to show my friend the chickens doneness. The chef then asked her how she liked it cooked and left. The interaction felt frustrated and defensive to me as well. I was actually pretty surprised given previous experiences were always nice. We appreciated her coming out to address the concern but we just wanted to make sure the food was safe to eat. We were hoping for something more reassuring. The interaction left us feeling disappointed. Now I have no issue paying for quality food but I do feel like the prices are a bit steep. The coki bowl by itself is almost $30. The economy is horrible right now and inflation is at an all time high for sure. Someone's gotta pay the overhead at the restaurant and the staff etc so I understand but we are all feeling the same pain. It would be hard to dine here often and they do not offer lunch specials to my knowledge. Also PR food at its core is simple, amazing, flavorful and not typically expensive. It's humble food and that is not an insult. Being Puerto Rican myself I truly appreciate the intention and thoughtfulness put into the restaurant and menu. Its authenticity shines bright and puts a spotlight on the culture. The music was good and reminded me of home. The diners were playing dominos. It's traditional. The real downside was the interaction with the chef and the prices. For myself I would try it again once I saved up a little bit more coin lol. Otherwise take my interaction with a grain of salt and let it be information or knowledge for you. I encourage you to try it for yourself and taste Puerto Rico. read more

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Had a great dinner here. We made reservations ahead of time. We did sit at the community table since we were a party of two. We started with the bacalaito, it was so good! For the entree I went with the Coki, tasted just like how my mom made it. My daughter had the Rican, which she devoured. To drink, I started with a Parcha and finished with a Kola champagne. We were too stuffed for a dessert. Would definitely be back to try something else. read more

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I ordered the Blackened Salmon , it was delicious and refreshing with salad & tostones. The taramindo beverage so good. Must check this place out. read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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I was missioned to check out the new Puerto Rican restaurants location. Happy to see chef Frances on premise totally with pride cooking her favorites. The staff was amazing and helpful in making my visit welcoming and the vibe in the restaurant was authentic and pure. The food hit the omg taste bud with reminiscent of my mom's cooking and home cooked taste. Did not have time for a meal but the bacaloaito and Alcapuria were excellent. Tamarino and coco Lima drinks were great. Other persons dishes looked amazing. This place is cozy and certainly will be packed during prime time so reserve! Looking forward to seeing the restaurant thrive. read more

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First thing first, if you're lost (like we were) due to Google Maps and Yelp misdirecting you, then please note that Cocotazo is INSIDE the nearby La Marqueta, which hosts a few boutique shops and other food stands, such as a Filipino food place (Mama T, which I also recommend), a vegan soul food place, and an afro-Caribbean eatery. Seating inside La Marqueta is plentiful and it's quiet and temperature controlled inside, with security guard for safety, and bathrooms. Staff at Cocotazo itself was very pleasant and our order was ready in about 6-8 minutes. Prices are fair, about $16-32 per entree. We ordered the Rican sandwich and the Coki bowl, both containing pulled pork. Both were quite good. I enjoyed the softness of the tender pork compared to the crunchy texture of the bread, and the flavor was delicious (especially the Coki rice). I'd happily return here again. read more

Cocotazo - The Rican Sandwich - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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The food was so good and the service was excellent. I love the way the place looks, it's like being in someone's home. I definitely would be going back again and again. The chef is good people. read more

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I'm always looking for good Puerto Rican food. Growing up in PR during my younger yrs., it is nostalgic when you eat food that tastes and reminds you of home. The place is cute, a little small, but the decor is spot on with nice little touches of PR which make you reminisce. It was the counter for me made of decorative blocks like the typical porches (balcon) of homes in PR, loved it. Let's get into the food. We started with the Bacalaitos and Alcapurrias ( beef n crab)... Delicious, especially the crab Alcapurrias which are my favorite but can only get in PR. It was on point. Disappointed that they didn't have the Relleno De Papa. We tried the Coki n the Gallina. Both plates were good but I expected more flavor especially the pernil. Pernil was tender, wish it had more of a garlic flavor, the arroz con gandules n potatoe salad was good, nice pairing. The rice and beans were good wish we would have asked for chicken breast, we got dark meat, not the best. The juices were 10/10 the jugo de Parcha n Coco Limon were refreshing. The portions were generous. The table next to us ordered the ceviche which was a special, which the gentleman who served us didn't tell us, it was plated so beautifully. Hope to try next time. Serves was a bit slow. I didn't realize that the to go orders closed early... want to order a Tripleta to go for later. Prices were reasonable. I loved the salsa playing in the background. It was nice to see Chef Francese front and center, wish her much success. Nice experience, would recommend n hope to have the opportunity to return. read more

Cocotazo - Bacalaitos n Alcapurrias - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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I love having Cocotazo in the neighborhood. They were great when they were at La Marqueta, but somehow it's even better now in their own space. We've tried a variety of items on the menu and honestly you can't really go wrong. We've had la gallina many times and it's always excellent. My kids love the rice and beans, and the pastelón and the coki are both standouts as well. Everything feels flavorful, comforting, and well made. The vibe is also great. There's salsa music playing and the whole place has a warm, welcoming energy. It's the kind of environment where you can just relax, bop your head to the music, and maybe even do a little step while you wait for your food. Really happy to have a place like this in the neighborhood. read more

Love there food great place. I'm at the shop and all the staff tried different stuff. Really good food.

Cute restaurant where the food is average and somewhat overpriced. The staff the we interacted with was pleasant albeit, untrained and unengaged. The owner was rude and full of herself. Her response to critical reviews is always defensive and dismissive. I can't imagine them being in business very long. read more

Sadly, Cocotazo did not meet expectations. The food was average at best, the space is extremely small and crowded, and the customer service left a lot to be desired. I felt that concerns were met with an attitude rather than professionalism. There are many restaurants that offer better food and a more welcoming experience. I won't be returning. read more

Amazing food . And the staff very friendly and amazing. Definitely a spot to stop by and try some great Puerto Rican food. read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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Was in the neighborhood and decided that I had to go and finally try Cocotazo. Cocotazo being one of my fave words growing up and I earned my few shares of them lol. Anyways on to the business. The chef and owner Frances is a sweet heart. She's friendly and just gives you that homey vibe. She runs the restaurant with her wife. I loved the decor! The food was gooood. We got the gallina plate, the tripleta, alcapurrias, beef pastelito and a chicken pastelito. The rice and beans were bomb! My daughter ate them up, the chicken pastelito had sooo much flavor. The tripleta is delicious it was messy to eat but that made the sandwich even better. The alcapurria was sooo good. Definitely come here try the food especially if you need that homey comfort vibe. read more

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When we first arrived around 3:30pm, they had sold out of food. We came back at 4pm and there was already a line outside, but the wait to be seated wasn't long at all. Cocotazo never misses when it comes to bold Caribbean flavors. I ordered the Coki Bowl with bistec and chi chi Rodriguez, and everything was on point. The bistec was tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, cooked medium just right. The rice was perfectly cooked and soaked up all the flavors, while the sauces tied everything together without overpowering the dish. Portions were generous, ingredients tasted fresh, and every bite was satisfying. If you're looking for real Caribbean comfort food done right, Cocotazo is absolutely worth it. read more

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Thank you to Chef Francis and her staff for making our mother's 93rd birthday so special. We first reached out by text to see if we could get in, and they were wonderful in accommodating us on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Not only did they accommodate us, but they also sang "Happy Birthday" to her and gave us delicious pastries. Chef Francis then quieted the restaurant to give a special shout-out to our mother for turning 93. The amazing food and warm atmosphere made us feel like family. Thank you all for a truly memorable evening. read more

I got there before it opened on Saturday, they sat down multiple tables of 2 ahead of me and because I was a table of 3 made me wait even longer, there was a single person that wanted to go but they don't serve to go on weekends which made no sense to me ! They took my # and said they were gonna call me when the table was available and they never did, if the take your # y do I need to wait standing outside of the restaurant! read more

I stumbled to this small restaurant earlier this year and it caught my eye that it looked very authentic Puerto Rican food. I honestly did not have the time to sit down and try a main plain so I ordered the alcapurria to see how their seasoning is. The staff is very friendly and the spot was very relaxing and welcoming. The alcapurria was great will be coming back to try out the rest of the menu. read more

Authentic PR food. The service and ambiance is great! Home away from home meal. The Chef greets you and ensures that you enjoy your meal. read more

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I hear nothing but great things about this restaurant. Food is authentic and it feeds your soul beside your stomach.

Good delicious authentic puertorican food at affordable prices Love the rice con gandules, potato salad, and maduros . The peril nice and moist the way is cooked at home. The portions enough to satisfy your hunger and bring home. I'm happy it's closer to home so I can visit more often The alcapurrias so flavorful read more

CHEF FRANCES created her gallina bowl with the most delicate seasoning for her delicious chicken, arroz con guandules, and Bacalaito. Authentic Puerto Rican food. The vibes made me feel like I was in PR. Can't wait to go back! read more

My spouse and I patronized this business twice in one day. On our second visit, we arrived on time for our scheduled reservation, but we still had to wait over 30 minutes for a table. While ordering, we asked the waiter if the kitchen was able to provide a particular food item, and the waiter said yes. When the food came out, the requested food item was burnt and blackened. First of all, blackened food should never be served to a paying customer. The waiter was informed and we requested that the blackened food item be replaced, and the waiter agreed. However, a replacement was never served. The owner was informed, and we suggested a concession, but she said that since the kitchen was closed, she would not provide what we requested. Nothing was offered as a symbol of goodwill. i.e., a complimentary beverage or dessert. We were disappointed with the dismissive attitude of the owner, and we were treated like our patronage didn't matter. Dining out is not free. Customers spend their hard-earned money for good service and deserve care and consideration with respect to the service they're paying for. Unfortunately, this standard was not met here. We were also disappointed to find that this restaurant has a pattern of complaints from darker-skinned people....perhaps something unspeakable is going on here. Not only did they take our review off of social media, but the next day, I got harassed by one of their workers with nasty text messages on my cell phone. read more

Well I've read some of the reviews before posting my review , just to confirm I'm not the only one that had an unfavorable experience . Let's start with the positive I had this place on my bucket list, and was so excited to be able to visit the city and eat yum food. I'm Puerto Rican and I can cook all that food my self. So with that said the food was good. My sister and I had the Steak which was yum!! I give the food 4. My Grandmother never served cafe w COLD MILK just saying. Now getting to the Owner those LOW rating are for her. I live 2hours away my choice, had family biz to attend and this was my chance to take it off my bucket list lol. So getting to the Cocotazo (OWNER) the way she portrays herself on Social Media is NOT the person I encountered yesterday. Very unwelcoming and somewhat. PRUDE. Will not RETURN!! Even though the food we got was good, there are other places that have food just as good and are very welcoming. My sister and I dropped a lot of money in there, which was not the point. It's the principal God bless. also no need to text me back Cocotas the owner I couldn't care less what you had to say damage is done. read more

Wow, great pork guava ribs and empanadas. The tamarindo water is good too. Its a beautiful place with great atmosphere. Im so glad we came here. I didn't eat this good when I went to Puerto Rico lol this is better than anything I had read more

Cocotazo - Guava ribs - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Coming all the way from Miami ... I felt like i was in my grandma house in PR. The food was so delicious and the service was to die for. The passion fruit juice was literally the best things i've ever had i would buy it buy the gallon if i could and bring it home Next time im in the city and im definitely bringing everybody with me !! read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

The food was great and tasted like home cooking!! The service was prompt. Seeing the housecoat hung in the bathroom made you feel like you were visiting grandma's house. read more

Happened to stumble across this place, and I'm so glad I didn't miss it--the food was delicious and the customer service was warm and welcoming. I'll definitely be coming back to try the rest of the menu! read more

Cocotazo - Alcapurrias - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing food Chef Frances did her thing... great new place. On 109 and 1st Ave. Salmon amazing, steak outstanding juices parcha, tamarindo... omg! Absolutely amazing food great prices as well! The atmosphere and service friendly, attentive!! read more

Food was great, the service was also great ,the server was fantastic,she was very friendly knew her menus well explained dishes and specials well. The whole experience for since I was alone my husband could not attend was great ,I felt at home in the surroundings made a few friends ,atmosphere was cozy and family oriented. read more

Came here during the 116th Festival. Here goes my venting.... 1. There should be a separate To Go line, in addition to a line for quick bites and dine ins for more efficiency. 2. Get rid of that table that you have on the side of the register and get more Steam Tables to store more food. After what felt like an eternity, (an hour and a half on line to be exact,) I'd finally reached the register. $65 for two Coki plates, 2 alcapurrias, and 2 jugo de parcha. When I pay my food, they tell us it's another 15 minutes for your food to arrive to your table. Please make it make sense! What broke the Camels back for me was that my husband who had been waiting for about an hour on line, and who had taken a seat right next to the register which I suggested be removed was ask to move because the owners family had arrived. Now mind you, didn't ask if he was with a party, if he was ordering, etc... nada!!! And get this, they had food within minutes of getting there. I even heard one family member say order the alcapurria and just take them home. Like seriously, you have ppl waiting on line, who are eager to be on their merry way and enjoy festivities outside. Where is the Customer appreciation in this? I finally eat my food and guess what? Its not all that! Im not sure if it was because I had just arrived from the Island just days prior and still had the taste of the Guavate Lechón in my mouth, but COCOTAZO WAS MEDIOCRE at best! . It's not a restaurant im eager to get back to. In fact, I highly doubt I'll ever be returning . It was a one and done for me! Efficiency gets a 0 Service gets a 0 Food 1 Ambiance 1 Creativity with a Puerto Rican bodega feel, = 1 Total 3 stars read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Omg! Delicious... Puerto Rican girl from California working in Ny and needed a home cooked meal from my homeland and this warmed my heart... and belly. You can taste the love in the food and feels like family the second you walk in the door. Thank you Cocotazo for bringing me home. read more

I finally had the chance to visit this restaurant. I don't understand the hype. Our food had no flavor whatsoever. Very disappointed.

Food and service is not good. Does not taste like authentic Puerto rican food. Very small portions, not very friendly, one of the owner claimed she didn't speak spanish. read more

If you're craving Puerto Rican flavors done right, Cocotazo is absolutely worth the stop. It was cozy and inviting. The Guava BBQ Ribs, were tender, flavorful, and coated in the guava BBQ sauce that hits the perfect balance of sweet and tangy without being overwhelming. Cocotazo did not disappoint. The service was genuinely amazing. The staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive without feeling rushed. read more

Cocotazo - Guava BBQ Ribs - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Cute place and very clean behind the counter where food is plated. My friends and I tried almost everything on the menu. Food is well cooked. The pernil was tender and skin super crunchy. The guava ribs and homemade sauce was delicious. The pastels were worth the trip. Service was fast, friendly and they made us feel like family. read more

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Came on a friend's recommendation. The Puerto Rican flavors here remind me of food I ate as a kid. I ordered the Coki, rice beans, roast pork, tostones, and their Alcalpuria! Man is it hard to find some good Puerto Rican Alcalpurias! They serve them here and they don't disappoint. Enjoyed the Spanish Harlem Vibe, while I ate food that took me back in time... a good time. read more

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I would like to start off by saying how disappointed our experience was here! First off I decided to treat my mother to a nice home style dinner after her doctor's appointment because of her on going health issues she's been dealing with. She was extremely excited to go and has been wanting to for a while now. The food was underwhelming lacking seasoning/taste. When my mom spotted the owner she stopped her to say how excited she was to finally be able to visit her restaurant it's been on her list for a while. The owner barely acknowledge her and brushed her off. This was my mother's one outing in a while. It was disappointing to be met with a pretty careless attitude. Not to mention my mom even had her portable oxygen tank with her as well. The service was good, the ambiance was as expected. However, we WILL NOT BE RETURNING. It's unfortunate especially when you want to support local Spanish women run restaurants. Towards the end she finally did acknowledge my mother but to me the damage was done by her earlier brush off. It turned out to be an underwhelming experience. I would like to add the rest of the staff including our server was great. However, being humble and welcoming not knowing what someone may be experiencing goes a long way. Do better please! read more

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