This was my favorite breakfast on my recent trip to NY. The patio was adorable and everything on the menu sounded great. We ultimately went with the pancake as an appetizer for the table which had plenty of delicious berry compote on top. I'm so happy I went with the shakshuka as my main as it was super flavorful and left me feeling full and satisfied. The chunks of fresh veggies in the sauce made each bite a little bit different. Will be dreaming about this dish for weeks to come! read more

Ella Social - Omelet, shakshuka, avo toast - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

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I ordered the burger to be cooked medium . The meat was juicy and The fries were very crunchy but not oily. I like the chipotle sauce on the side, it had a slight kick to it but not hot. We have to keep asking for water though. So I'm giving it a 4 star. They automatically added 20 %tip to the bill. read more

Ella Social - Burger - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Uniquely forgettable meal at Ella... Had the boquerones which were fine and a decent gazpacho but the disappointment of the night was the $26 MOAB burger, an under-seasoned lifeless thing with bland mozzarella and a sautéed vegetable overload. Service was indifferent but fine, the place is cute. Meh overall. read more

Ella Social has vibes and clearly so does everyone else, because it was absolutely packed on Thanksgiving Eve. The food was very good across the board, nicely cooked and thoughtfully plated, but I was expecting a bit more of that bold Spain-inspired flavor punch. Think "delicious" rather than "transported to Barcelona." Still, I enjoyed the meal and would happily come back. There were a couple of small mishaps with the bill/receipt situation (nothing dramatic, just a little confusing), but the staff handled it without killing the mood. Overall: solid food, energetic crowd, minor hiccups, and a fun night out just don't come starving and in a rush on a holiday-adjacent evening. read more

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Right out of the gate, I will tell you, Ella Social will be an experience you won't forget. Ella Social is just a few blocks away from Julie's Art and the world-famous Lincoln Center. Ella Social is perfectly positioned between 71st and 72nd Streets, right on Columbus Avenue. Although the Ella Social is a moderately sized restaurant, it's large enough to accommodate groups of different sizes. My party was a party of five, and we dined comfortably. I was more concerned for the wait staff who had to maneuver around tightly spaced tables, but clearly, they move and serve like a well-oiled machine. That being said, our waitress was outstanding. As we waited briefly for two more to join, we were updated on options and set the stage for our drinks. With precision and expertise, our waitress recommended that we order a bottle of prosecco for the table, and we greatly appreciated it. I could go on and on about the food, but needless to say, everyone enjoyed every bite. I chose Ella Social randomly, and I was pleased with the service, food, and overall ambiance. I'm looking forward to finding an excuse to return with one of my best friends over the holiday season. read more

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This place was excellent from start to finish. The seafood tapas was the star. Fresh, bright, and full of flavor, not that sad "seafood-ish" taste you get when a kitchen is phoning it in. Everything we tried felt well-executed and confidently seasoned. No gimmicks, no overcomplication, just really good food. Service deserves its own shoutout. The staff was genuinely friendly, helpful, and present without hovering or pushing extra items. You can tell they actually want you to have a good time, not just clear the table and flip it. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, perfect for a laid-back night with good drinks and small plates. If you're looking for a spot that feels easy but still delivers on the food, this is it. read more

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Food and drinks were delicious. The sunchoke purée with the crispy chicken was fire! White sangria and Amelia cocktail were refreshing as well! Loved the laid back vibes! read more

Excellent food. Great Ambiance and fantastic service. Definitely get the empanadas and ceviche. read more

Ella Social - All the menu is great. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Great burger. Daughter loves the pancakes. The omelettes were solid too. A tad too noisy, but what do you expect in the middle of Manhattan ‍ read more

Great place to stop by for lunch / dinner. I love their jazz music .. so cool and relaxing. Food was very good, I had avocado toast w French fries ! It was challenging to eat as it's pretty full, but once you get into it you can feel the texture and combos of different amazing flavors! Wine list? Excellent! Good price and good options to choose from. They have lunch menu with daily soup choice! I will definitely stop by again Thank you for amazing stuff who let me to try wine and help to choose favorite blends of Cabernet. read more

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I went to this place a good while back as per most of my recent reviews. The staff were good giving recommendations such as wine and stuff and some others had some wine but I didn't have anything to drink. The inside is nice and the seats were comfortable. I got the Coliflor Con Almendras for $15 with roasted cauliflower, parmesan, thyme, olive oil, white wine, and marcona almonds to start which was pretty good. I would have preferred the cauliflower be roasted a bit more to more texture as in general I prefer cauliflower to be roasted almost to a burnt like texture instead of very lightly like here. There was a lot of parmesan also so it was a tad salty as well. I was surprised how many almonds were mixed in which added a satisfying crunch. Others liked it also. As I was in a group where everyone ordered separately, we did not share the rest of the dishes which probably would have worked better here as it's a tapas place but people gave bites of their appetizers. I remember trying the (Patatas) Bravas which are $13 which had hand-cut potatoes, salsa brava, and smoked paprika which was pretty tasty and doused with said sauce which had a good kick as expected. Another person had the Pa Amb Tomàquet which is the Catalonian name for Pan Con Tomate for $13 with tomato, oregano, and olive oil on white baguette which they liked. As I wanted something more substantial, my main dish was The MOAB or Mother of All Burgers for $25 consisting of 100% organic grass-fed sirloin, sumac, grilled red onion, cognac sauteed mushrooms, beef steak tomato, mozzarella, B&B pickles, and chipotle aioli served with French Fries. The burger had a good sized patty (I would say half a pound or so) and the toppings were nice from the cheese to the excellent mushrooms as well as the thick piece of tomato. I remember asking for medium rare and unfortunately it was a bit more on the medium well side but the cheese helped make it juicier. The fries were fine as they could have been more crispy but were well salted and the aioli was nice to dip the fries in. We didn't bother with dessert as people had to go. The food was alright. Everything was good enough but had faults with the best dish being the bravas with the burger falling a bit behind. Mid/low 3. read more

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This is a very special place nestled close to Central Park. I went last night and I I have to say the food, ambience and service were exceptional. I had a couple of appetizers lamb sliders and a wonderful soup. It was hearty and savory (pictured paragraph here) Leonardo was such a wonderful server as well, warm and welcoming. I will definitely be back! read more

Ella Social - This was the garbanzo soup. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

8 years later and the food is still good. Though I have to say I forgot I came all those years ago. This time I came for lunch. They have lunch special for $23 where you can chose a soup/salad, two sides, and an entree. Note the skirt steak is a $8 add on. Entree options for the lunch special were - Lemon chicken - Agave Glazed Salmon - Albondigas - sliced beef-lam meatballs in marina sauce - Skirt Steak The place was empty when we showed up around noon but it was packed by the time we left! I'm wondering (and so are the other guests), how everyone is out to lunch! read more

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Came here on a Sunday for brunch with a large group. Got challah French toast, sangria, and the steak and eggs. The sangria was ok, a bit watered down; but tolerable. The steak and eggs were pretty good, the rosemary was a nice touch. I would skip the challah French toast as that was dry. Service wise-not good. They give you small water cups. I had to ask several times for a refill. I asked 3 times for ketchup for my eggs, which never came. Also, it gets loud. For the first hour I had no idea what my guests were saying read more

Ella Social - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

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Loved the food. Ambiance was nice and service was very good. Meatballs and fries were ok. Brussel sprouts were so great! And the empanadas were delicious. Definitely must orders! read more

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3.5 stars rounded down to 3. I frequent Columbus Avenue around 72nd street a lot and this restaurant always looked super crowded. I finally decided to satisfy my curiosity by coming here for brunch while I was in the area doing errands. I was able to get a table by myself immediately and ordered the Norwegians benedict. When it came out, I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the portion size for $23 in Manhattan. Like I was expecting it to be less food, but instead I felt like they gave more food than I was expecting, which I was so happy about. The dish itself tasted great, I loved the gooeyness of the poached eggs (I think I got mild food poisoning from this though so maybe it was too gooey lol). I liked that their ketchup bottles are kept refrigerated before use. Also, this restaurant has TWO bathrooms that have toilet seat covers! A rarity in NYC. Overall it has a great location and good bang for your buck in terms of quelling your hunger. However, I wasn't impressed enough to the point where I would be eager to come back anytime soon. But at the very least I am glad that I tried it to see what's up. read more

Ella Social - Norwegian Benedict - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

We had a wonderful evening at Ella. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. The evening was hot and humid so we asked to be seated inside. But I'll note outside seating at Ella looks more attractive than that of most NYC restaurants with sidewalk tables. The food was terrific, the empanadas were of a good size with authentic filling (the meat was coarsely ground not like supermarket ground beef), the bouquerones were on point (fresh, fishy, and vinegary) and the arroz was a healthy portion of paella with perfectly cooked shellfish and two large langoustines. Our server was Marta who was knowledgeable, friendly and happy. We will be back. read more

Great lunch specials here. Dishes were creatively prepared and plentifully plated. Very nice service too. read more

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I was searching for a place to hang out with friends " girls night out" type of thing and came across this place. The place was really cute, not too big but it was comfortable. We ordered the appetizer : boquerones (white sardines), croquetas as well as the burger for savory food and for dessert we tried the cream catalana and flourless chocolate cake. The food was ok in general with pretty presentation. I found that the price was a bit expensive considering the portion of the food. The service was good though, everyone was super nice and friendly. read more

Ella Social - Croquetas and boquerones - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Has good food and nice for a large group. We tried a lot of items but we really liked the brussel sprouts, octopus, tuna tartar, and the cauliflower. Not pictured, lamb meatballs, mushrooms, mussels, and chicken. The chicken strips were literally thin chicken cutlets cut into strips which we didn't mind, I liked how thin they were. But any kid looking for chicken tenders would be disappointed. The sangria was really good, recommend getting a pitcher for the table. Overall for the price, location and service, it was good. read more

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Our table of 5 started our midweek lunch with Brussels and sardines, very tasty appetizers. $18 lunch entrees included a starter and side. Lamb meatballs were nicely spiced paired well with cous cous. Salmon and garlic shrimp were good choices. Vibe was bustling but not too loud. Service was knowledgeable and efficient. Restrooms were down a steep stair case. read more

Ella Social - Garlic shrimp with cous cous - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Great service, warm environment, tasty brunch items and actually good coffee! Pleased with our experience here after AMNH, and best of all, it didn't break the bank. read more

Ella Social - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

It's a decent restaurant but nothing to write home about... We stopped by for a casual weekday lunch. Tried the $18 lunch special, which was a solid deal--portion was fair and the price is reasonable for the area. Service was friendly and attentive, which made the experience more pleasant. That said, the food itself was just okay. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either. Flavors were mild, and the dishes felt safe and a bit forgettable. My friend's lemon chicken was a bit dry, but the salmon was good. If you're in the neighborhood and need a reliable spot to grab a quick bite, it does the job--but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

Went to Ella Social after graduation. The service was excellent. The staff was very attentive, but not overbearing in the least. The food was delicious. The jamon, jamon was so yummy. The empanadas were a big hit at our table. I really enjoyed the chicken soup. It may be the best chicken soup I ever had. The chimichurri on the skirt steak was so good. We were here for a few hours and really enjoyed our meal as well as the friendly and happy staff. read more

Good place for tapas with friends, we were able to try various options. Also a cute dining area outside that's protected from the weather. The bravas were so good with the sauce over them, cauliflower was okay as it wasn't super flavorful. They also accidentally sent out two cauliflower when we only ordered one so I hope they didn't charge us extra but I didn't pay the bill. We also got the octopus which was cooked well. We were a group of 6 so most portions worked out for us. Drinks were quite strong with the espresso martini being a bit large volume. read more

Ella Social - Margarita - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Decent tapas if you are in the area. We came here prior to a show at the Beacon. We got several different tapas, none of it was bad - but nothing was memorable either. read more

Very good 10/10 Low-key weird mural in the back but no matter the food was really good read more

Ella Social was amazing! We had a quick bite to eat after the day in the park, and the food was very flavorful I must say. The plates were small, so expect delicious yet portioned amounts. Our waiter Gio made the evening really smooth and enjoyable with his suggestions on the specials, and for an evening meal before heading home or heading out to your next location, I would definitely recommend! :) read more

Ella Social - Night cap shots of tequila after dinner - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Ella is an amazing experience. It is a great place that does Tapas proper. We discovered Ella on accident but will return every trip to New York. The croquettes and Gambas Ajillio are in the top #3 we have had all over the world. We have been to hundreds of spots throughout Spain but Ella has some of the best we have experienced. The service was wonderful and we were well taken care of and the level was very attentive. Ella is a magical spot that does their quisine perfect. read more

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A little gem of a restaurant. Stopped in by chance. A great little tapas restaurant. Began w the empanadas, which are an absolute must-try. Lunch special includes choice of a salad or soup -- selected the chicken soup and two choices - cocucous, fries and mixed vegetables. Picked the lamb meatballs with chicken soup. couscous, and mixed vegetables. Couscous had a nutty flavor with a hint of cinnamon - so good. Portion sizes were generous. Soup looked bland, but was tasty. Meatballs were tender. Only complaint was that the water glasses are probably 7 oz. -- multiple times we had to ask for a refill only to wait and wait and wait. We finally picked up the pitcher from the hostess stand to refill our glasses. read more

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Had sangria and tapas yesterday. The cauliflower and lamb sliders were awesome. Had the arugula salad and loved it. Will go back and often.

We have been going to Ella Social for years and it has become one of our favorite spots in the neighborhood. The food actually keeps getting better each time we go back. Our favorites include the ham croquettes, smoky sprouts, crispy chicken, and empanadas. The Amelia makes for a refreshing cocktail as well. This is a great spot to sit outside watching the city perform while enjoying great food on a mild evening. read more

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Really great tapas place in Upper West Side. I came close to closing time since I was coming from the airport so the place was empty but the waiter was really nice about it. All the food we got was delicious. We got mostly a mix of seafood items, the arroz, shrimp, and octopus. The tomato bread was also good. The sangria was yummy too and not too sweet. read more

Very good lunch specials, thoughtful wait staff. Recommend lamb meatballs, fries, salmon. Coffee is very good. read more

There are plenty of places to get brunch on the UWS. This place seemed a bit better than most. The high ceilings and decor give the restaurant an airy and light feeling that was really nice and a surprisingly uncommon. The food was quite good with a Spanish flair to some of the egg dishes, but also including the classics. The staff was a bit overwhelmed while we were there, otherwise this would have been 5 stars. Hopefully they will be more on their game the next time we come by. read more

Ella's is within walking distance of Lincoln Center. Keep that in mind if you're attending a concert! If you're going at a busy time, get a reservation. The seating is comfortable, but it's not a large place. It's jumpin with the bar serving, waiters picking foodbup from the kitchen, people eating and plates being served and cleared. But you still can have a conversation and hear other people. The food is consistently first- rate. You have two options - all tapas or tapas and dinner. I've done both and both work, but, and here's an unusual problem for a NYC restaurant, the portions for the Tapas are to be shared, but they are surprisingly large, so there's a lot of food. It's easy to over order. Some items have been on the menu for years - the smoky sprouts, the roasted cauliflower, the wild market mushrooms, the Kofte sliders, the handcut French fries and the soups. All excellent. But for two people, three really suffice, four maybe if you don't have the soup, so bring more people. Since I tend to go "all tapas," I am not as familiar with the main courses, but the skirt steak, fried chicken and burgers are all very good. I just like the "tapas" experience. Great options, great good, great ambiance. read more

Me and my friends came here for a light dinner so we split the bravas and brussel sprouts. Both were super good but we all absolutely loved the bravas. The potatoes were so crispy and fluffy and the aioli drizzled on top had such a good flavor. We got cosmos and they were good but honestly overpriced. The restaurant was super cute and dimly lit, would be great for a date night and the service was great! read more

Ella Social - Bravas and Smoky Sprouts - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Ella is one of my favorite neighborhood spots in NYC. The food is always incredible. Arroz to batatas to pan con tomate - everything tastes fresh, authentic, and takes you right back to Spain. Their sangrias are balanced and never too sweet. The staff is warm and accommodating, and the service keeps me coming back. The staff is always friendly, accommodating, and attentive without being pushy. Gio went above and beyond - our family needed to sit outside for health reasons and even though they don't normally take outdoor reservations, Gio and the team made it happen. Between the food, ambiance, and service, Ella never disappoints. Highly recommend! read more

Only had happy hour drinks and a snack but enjoyed our experience! Monday afternoon & most places were closed or dead-Ella had some people so we popped in. Our bartertender, Rosie, was lovely and did a great job even though it was her very first day behind the bar! Want to come back again. They have a popular lunch special but no vegetarian options on the special. They do have quite a few vegetarian appetizers and a few entrees. read more

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I insisted on treating my friend out here for dinner, because he was hosting my boyfriend and me in his apartment while we were spending a week in NYC. Ella Social was a bit of a trek from his apartment from Upper West Side, but one thing that stood out to me immediately was their service. Our hostess was incredibly friendly and approachable, and she made sure we felt comfortable throughout the night. All 3 of us shared a charcuterie board, calamari and octopus, and arroz (rice). We were fans of all the dishes! The charcuterie board, which came first, was a nice start to our dinner to whet our appetites. Next was the calamari and octopus. I didn't expect the dish to be mixed in with seared lemon and diced avocado, but both these ingredients added a nice balance to the dish overall. Finally, the arroz was my highlight of the whole dinner. The rice was cooked beautifully, and we had generous portions of clam and prawn with this dish. While full of flavor, I thought the food at Ella Social was really satisfying. And there was just enough in my stomach after dinner for some Van Leeuwen next door! read more

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