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    Empellón

    3.9 (487 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Empellón Photos

    Business Info

    EMPELLÓN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Empellón

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    Citrus Flan
    Vishnu G.

    This was a decent three course lunch for $45. I chose the carrots for my first course - a cold dish topped with a herb, crunchy salsa matcha, and a subtle coconut crema. This was light but flavorful. The second course was some crispy flautas filled with beans, wrapped in lettuce. I thought the flautas were nice, but the lettuce felt like a bit much. The flan had really distinct citrus flavor with a nice texture. It's not a typical flavor for the dish, so I appreciated trying something new.

    Strawberry dessert, corn tacos, rum ice cream, and "avocado"
    Helen S.

    Yes, this place can be pretty corporate. BUT, the food is genuinely quite good, service is fairly quick despite how very VERY busy and loud it is. The "avocado" dessert is my favourite.

    Astonishing crab nachos
    Joel S.

    Met a friend here for an early dinner. The outdoor bar was packed and the indoor bar was busy. The restaurant is modern looking and very echoic. We were seated upstairs and it was a lot quieter. The staff were very nice. Cocktails were very good. Extra credit for having an overproof gin. The food was simply fabulous. We shared the guacamole with 7 salsas- excellent! The chips were off the charts. I was blown away by their crab nachos. We also had excellent fish tempura tacos and astonishingly good pastrami tacos. The shishito peppers were really good too. It's easy to spend a lot of money here. There were a lot of specials, all expensive. I couldn't do $80 steak fajitas either. The $26 hot dog at Mischa now makes sense. We were too full to try the avocado ice cream. I came to this restaurant expecting to be disappointed or ripped off. We had a fabulous meal. I loved sharing a bunch of small plates.

    Rib steak fajitas
    Alan T.

    I got the crab nachos, rib steak fajitas, and corn ice cream taco. I especially liked the fajitas - though it took me a really long time to realize there's additional things under the steak! I enjoyed trying the taco, though I must admit, it was smaller than expected. What stood out to me the most this visit was that the bartender offered me a free drink for the waiter serving the app and entree together rather than seperate (even though I didn't mind that they came together)!

    Wonderful taste of several different salsas with their chips and guacamole!!!
    Vaishali D.

    Good ambience!! Energetic vibe!! and delicious guacamole!! One of the best places to dine after a hard works day and relax!

    Christina Z.

    This was my first time here, and I will be going back many more times. We ate at the bar. The spicy cucumber margarita is delicious. I highly recommend it. I ordered the cheeseburger tacos, the grilled fish tacos, and my husband and I shared the guacamole and salsa flight. I can't say enough about their food. It's an upscale, Mexican dining experience. Before we left, I had to ask the manager how they kept their corn tortillas so soft and so fresh without tearing. It's truly an art.

    Steak
    Katie C.

    Have heard amazing things about this restaurant and came here for dinner last week and was extremely disappointed. We ordered a bunch of different things and there wasn't one that l would recommend. The steak lacked seasoning, and the salsa covering the bone marrow overpowered its flavor completely. The tuna tartare was not fresh and the sweet potato side seemed like was just thrown together and heated up. The server was suggesting us to order more and there was just way too much food on the table (probably trying to make more tips) Would not recommend!

    Bill S.

    We ran through a Yelp list of the best Mexican restaurants in NYC recently, and Empellon didn't show up among the first 150. While we haven't tried many of those restaurants, we have been here and believe it should rank much higher. The cuisine is Mexican-inspired, as the hosts say, but it is imaginative and well done, and we thought the service was especially sharp. The highlight? Well, the margaritas were good-sized and delicious, and the specialty margaritas featuring some very high-end tequilas were really outstanding. And we loved the fresh guacamole and the "seven salsas,"a small dish a serving of these treats arranged from mild to spicy which made devouring them something of an adventure. Excellent. The steak fajitas were prepared to our liking -- a little less than medium -- and while we liked the lobster tacos (?), the lobster bits turned out a bit chewy. Far better was the tuna tartare, an item we hadn't expected at this restaurant. The restaurant has some tasty and fancy desserts, but we opted for -- wait for it -- the chocolate ice cream sandwich! Yep, ultra-simple and ultra-yummy, a perfect finish to the meal for us and highly recommended. A good restaurant, then, if a bit on the noisy side when crowded. We sat in the large upstairs section where noise levels were better than in the bar and the seating areas below. As noted, the service was excellent. The prices here are, let's be honest, on the high side. It's not a Taco Bell, rather a destination for an upscale Mexican night out.

    Avocado dessert
    Laura O.

    Like many before me, I came to Empellon primarily for the dessert and didn't give too much advance thought to the rest of the menu, but I ended up liking everything I tried. The guacamole was pretty standard in terms of the actual guac, but the addition of the "seven salsas", which sounds vaguely mythic, turns the act of eating an appetizer into an event. Everyone tries all of them at least once and comments on their favorites, least favorites, etc. They range in order from least spicy to spiciest. I liked them all, but the most memorable to me was a creamy, smoky dip. I also ordered the maitake mushroom tacos, which were served on a soft tortilla and topped with quesillo and cilantro. The mushrooms were drenched in a delicious piquant sauce; I loved each savory bite. My favorite part of the taco might've actually been the soft, immensely chewy, slightly oily tortilla. Empellon is also known for its margaritas, and I couldn't resist trying the saffron-infused version, which came with a saffron salt rim. The saffron flavor wasn't too strong or subtle and the drink was obviously made with high-quality ingredients. For some reason, the drink didn't totally blow me away; I was more of a fan of the spicy cucumber margarita that my friend ordered. Obviously go for this if you're a big saffron fan. Last but certainty not least, we ordered the famed avocado dessert, which - as you've probably heard - looks exactly like an avocado but remarkably tastes like a silky key lime pie custard. The "salt" is super citrusy raspado (Mexican shaved ice). It's just a really impressive dessert. Tastes great, but surely what makes the dish unique its masterful, playful construction. Empellon is in the heart of midtown (53rd off of Madison), which can always feel like a questionable choice for a Saturday night meal, but honestly, the crowd was lively, and there's something to be said for the almost grandiose feel afforded to the restaurant by the spacious, bi-level, interior. I was happy to be there.

    Mushroom Tacos
    John W.

    Here, innovation is only surpassed by amazing flavor. After seeing what a viral sensation the avocado dessert had become, we made a beeline over there as soon as we could. The hosts were welcoming, even though we were within 45 minutes of close. This might sound like something you'd expect, but that's not always the case. Because we were a little bit more peckish than dessert can satisfy, we tried the mushroom tacos first. They are the best soft mushroom tacos I've ever had. Then, for the avocado dessert. Do yourself a favor, and Google this. There are food writers that will do much better job describing it than I will. I'll simply call it a flavor fiesta. Ok that sounds really dumb, but I'm going with it because I'm that kind of person. Additionally, this place does an amazing job of deadening, the sounds of a restaurant. We had no trouble having an easy-going conversation without competing against the din of clacking plates and ongoing discussion. Just a great environment to have a meal in.

    7 Salsas and Chips, and Rib Steak Fajitas
    Eva B.

    I've been here twice and this place is fantastic. The food is unmatched, especially the wagyu tacos, which, despite being pricey, are life-changing. Their salsa sampler is also so fun and unique, and provides such a diverse selection of salsas to try. The waiters are super kind and great about making recommendations, and even comped a dessert for us the first time I was here just because they loosely knew the person I was with. The space is also beautiful, especially the upper level. Super romantic, great lighting, and a perfect date night spot.

    Brussel sprouts
    David R.

    When visiting NYC a few years ago, we visited a sister restaurant so we decided we wanted to try the original one while in town. We started the meal with the guacamole which comes with seven different salsas! So fun and tasty! Our favorite salsa was the chile de arbol and salsa verde. Guacamole was excellent. We shared the pastrami tacos and BLT sopes as our mains. The pastrami was delicious and the sopes were clever. We had the side of Brussel sprouts which were amazing. The service was OK. The waiter was not terribly attentive but was pleasant. The expediters and bus staff were very attentive and helpful. The restaurant is decorated very nicely, fun environment. We would certainly go back.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Empellón

    Is there a corkage fee?

    Not sure .

    Going here tmr! What are a few things one must try here?

    The seven salsas and guac dish is pretty much a must try for the table. Also the corn entree is great if you love corn and/or are vegetarian (it's also quite filling). The margaritas are great as well!

    View All 4 Questions

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    I'd give this place 6 stars if I could. It's my favorite speakeasy in the city by far…read more The drinks are absolutely phenomenal. They're experimental, whimsical, delicious, and worth every penny. My absolute favorite is Child of Light, and my BF's was High Frequency Device. The interior was dimly lit, with a couple of candles per table or counter. It's a perfect place for a date night. And while there may be a wait on busier nights, it's always worth the wait. We were sat at the bar once and were very well taken care of by our bartender, Nikola. It was a Sunday night, so it wasn't terribly busy. We chatted up a storm and he was able to create some drinks off the menu just for fun (on request). He also made my BF and me a couple of drinks to celebrate our anniversary too. Wonderful people and wonderful service. Needless to say, we will be back as frequently as we can!

    One of my friends and I were looking to grab a drink before calling it a night. She had been to…read morePatent Pending before and had good things to say, and since it wasn't too far from us we decided to head over. Patent Pending is a speakeasy, located behind Patent Coffee. It was dark when we entered the coffee shop but an ajar door gave way to the bar. The decor is a homage to the works of Nikola Tesla, which can be seen in the subtle electric theme throughout the space and the naming of the cocktails. The space isn't too large - the bar and stools take up most of the space but they also have some booths/tables. The place looks great. The cocktail menu is very creative - I got one of their seasonal mixes that was actually two drinks in one. The main cocktail was meant to be sipped first and they provided a small glass of beer to be sipped after. The name escapes me but it was very good. Since we had cocktails at dinner, we only stayed for one round. Service was good, and overall I enjoyed my time at Patent Pending. I would definitely return to explore more of their menu.

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    Come to Little Ned for fantastic cocktails in an intimate setting, you won't be disappointed…read more The space is gorgeous, with bar and table seating on the main floor, as well as some standing tables next to the bar if you can't find a seat right away. There's also seating on the second floor, perfect for couples or small groups. I tried two of their cocktails when I went. The first was the Eastern Julep, a delicious twist on a classic. The mint Moroccan tea gave the drink a cool, refreshing taste on every sip. I also tried the Silver Screen, the closest drink I could find to an old fashioned. It was interesting, there was definitely a hint of a buttery taste. Overall a really balanced bourbon drink. I walked in and found room at the standing tables. A bar seat eventually opened up but I was already on my second drink by then. Definitely make reservations if you're planning a visit!

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    The Tusk Bar
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    I stopped by Clemente Bar with a friend who was staying at a nearby hotel. I had never been to…read moreEleven Madison Park before and wanted to check it out, not realizing at first that Clemente Bar is a separate concept from the restaurant. We walked in without a reservation around 6:20 p.m., and they were able to accommodate us at a shared table until 7:15. The menu surprised me a bit. Since I associated the address with Eleven Madison Park, I wasn't expecting to see items like wings stuffed with sausage, which were done in partnership with Jungsik. We ordered those along with the mushroom burger and asked them to cut the burger in half for us. The cocktail menu was creative and a little intimidating, with unconventional ingredients like cream cheese and green curry. I went with a fruity Hendrick's-based drink, and my friend ordered the spicy green curry martini. Both were good. Mine didn't taste very strong, but it also wasn't overly sweet because there was enough bitterness to balance it out. The green curry martini was more adventurous but still worked. Service was mixed. There was a woman standing near us, so we tried ordering food with her, but she seemed hesitant to come over. Maybe she wasn't a server or was newer. For drinks, she brought over someone more seasoned, who quickly helped guide us based on our preferred taste profiles. Her suggestions were very good. The mushroom burger was the highlight for me. It was a little salty, but the crispy mushroom and soft bun were a great combination. I honestly wished I had more than half. The wings were okay. They were crispy on the outside and juicy inside, but coated in a Dorito-like powder that made them very messy. Overall, it was a good experience, and I'd come back, especially for the mushroom burger.

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    Empellón - mexican - Updated July 2026

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