My husband and I have been customers of La Palapa for years, but this was the first time we were ever there for brunch (on 6/20). The food was very good, but, admittedly, we had been looking forward to the lunch/dinner menu (our fault; we didn't check what time brunch runs until). The service was, and it gives me no pleasure to say this, terrible. The waiter was quite young, and frankly, his attitude seemed to suggest that he didn't want to be there, and that we were bothering him. After we placed our food order, we never saw him again; he never even came and asked how our food was, or if we needed anything else. The restaurant was nearly empty during the majority of our meal too; if it had been busy, we would've understood. Overall, the food was very good, and very fresh, as always, but the service left so very much to be desired, which has never happened to us there before. read more

My friend and I came for brunch on a Saturday in early June. We both enjoyed our food and we were definitely a fan of the bottomless margs! You can get them on the rocks or frozen. However, if you're planning on coming here in the peak of summertime, their A/C barely reaches the tables, even the ones closest to the A/C unit. Several people, including myself, were trying to fan themselves with their hands or menus. read more

Back for a n adventurous evening. Started with Queso fundido con chorizo which was so huge for an appetizer. The meat was lean and not greasy like usual chorizo and the flavor was great perfect size for two with enough tortillas for both. Then let's not forget happy hour margaritas. Watermelon is to die for. Then guac and salsa with the famous three salsas that range from a delicious Smokey chipotle to a verde that will appeal to the weak of heart for spiciness. The fajitas that were amazing moist and juicy and not overcooked like most places. So many peppers and tomatoes made it a feast. Absolutely love the feel of this place. Great atmosphere at the open air section by the street. People watch and eat. Love it. And the service was perfect-not pushy and not needing to be reminded of needs. One of our favorite restaurants. read more

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Grade is pending but still it's worth the visit. Walked in from the rain for drinks ended up ordering food and was NOT disappointed. The shredded beef (barbacoa ) was on the drier side but still was tasty and with the tortillas on the side I was able to keep my food off my clothes. The happy hour is the star off the show with the frozen margs being a favorite. Server was nice and attentive like I like them and again the margs were marginggggg lol. And the decor was super cozy I look forward to them getting their grade, I mean either way I'm coming back but still lol read more

La Palapa - Barbados Burrito Bowl + passion fruit & watermelon margs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

My friends and I stopped by La Palapa for brunch before seeing a show in the East Village and had a positive experience overall. The food was pretty tasty, albeit somewhat pricey given what we ordered ($21.50 for breakfast tacos or a breakfast burrito, $16.50 for a BEC with avocado, $16 for guacamole, and $8 for esquites). No sides included. The cocktails were good but seemed to be somewhat weak. The service was great--very attentive, friendly, and welcoming. I would come back for dinner or for brunch again if I am in the area. read more

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Found my way into La Palapa on a Friday night after getting tipsy for hours at another spot nearby. We stopped in for a few light bites after one in our trio raved about the tacos. We were seated in this cute and busy place right away. We ordered tacos and a quesadilla. I was immediately disappointed in my shrimp tacos. They were prepared with those tiny, little, canned looking things. Everything else was perfect. The accompanying yellow rice and black beans were well done and flavorful. The dipping sauces were all delicious. The ice water even tasted extra clean and clear. Those toddler shrimp though-gotta go! I would definitely revisit La Palapa and I'm drinking next time for sure. Every other table was joyful and shaking with boozy laughter. I like that. read more

La Palapa - Tacos with teenie weenie shrimps. Quesadilla in the background. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Always love it here. Not sure why it's so quiet for brunch as it's a fab deal. Good food, lovely staff and tasty food. I have been going here for years and I'll keep going! read more

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Went there on Halloween night. I had a passion fruit margarita. It was really good, the drinks came out looking very cute. We had the chips and queso, I liked it. Nothing special tbh. Tacos were just tortillas and chopped up shrimp. Personally, not worth 7-7.50 per taco. The price of what you're paying, for me, doesn't really matched the quality I was receiving. Our server was awesome though! Very attentive. read more

La Palapa - Chips, Queso w/ salsa (pico de gallo) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Chicken very dry, Guac ok. Drinks are weak. Fun place if you do not care about food. Will not go back!

delicious mexican spot with a great variety of vegan options and cozy ambiance! i got the vegan taco platter which came with 3 tacos with black beans, corn, avocado, a side of beans & pico and two delicious salsas. we also had chips & salsa and a mango happy hour margarita which were great as well. good price for this area! my only critique is that the menu is a little confusingly worded, but not a huge problem since the server cleared it up for us. just something to possibly tweak for clarity read more

La Palapa - dining area - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Went with my sister for brunch before heading to an event nearby. The staff was super welcoming and warm. We ended up sitting in the seats in the indoor patio which was a really cute vibe. We ordered the huevos rancheros which came quickly! I'd never seen them with so much sauce but I love sauce so I was content. My sister, on the other hand, did not however she did acknowledge that this is the more authentic preparation. I would've taken the sauce to go if I could've :). We also opted for bottomless drinks which included margs, mimosas, and bloody's. We tried the hibiscus margarita and were totally unimpressed however, the mimosas did the job. The service and deals alone are enough to bring me back. read more

La Palapa - Huevos rancheros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Two words: food poisoning. Really, really bad food poisoning. My husband got us takeout from La Palapa on NYE : bistec tacos, chips, Guac, queso. Pros: staff. He mentioned how friendly and awesome the staff were. Con: Food poisoning. First warning sign -- they got our order wrong. We ordered Al pastor; got bistec. We shrugged this off -- given it was NYE, things can get busy and mistakes happen. Second warning sign: The meat on the tacos looked grey -- no char or sear to show it had touched a hot cooking surface recently, just lumpy, cold and grey. But - Looks aren't everything; it could be good, right? Nope. Grey, hard and tough (third warning sign), but being hungry, I ate it. That was a bad call. I've spent new years vomiting from food poisoning -- two days before I have been strong enough to walk again. Still sick as I write this. (Note: my friend, who also ate some of the food, was also sick. My husband, who luckily didn't have any of the food, was fine.) Didn't want to leave a bad review because of how nice the staff were but no one else should go through food poisoning for new year's, even if staff are great. Please be careful. read more

Ashley and Jose were the absolute best!! The food is soooo amazing and staff is so caring. 10/10 recommend Shoutout to Judy the manager! Best place ever read more

La Palapa - Burrito Bowl, one steak one Barbacoa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

My friends and I were looking for a place to grab drinks, and I have always wanted to try this place out. We walked in and one of the workers who was a male kept saying "no outside food allowed". I had two containers in hand that were empty from lunch at work, and they were empty. Plus I would not have whipped out food to eat it. This is an obvious etiquette. This Asian or Filipino woman asked us how many and I said four for drinks. Immediately dismissed us and said we're fully booked. There was a table of four available and I pointed at it saying that the table was available, and the woman dismissed us again saying it was "reserved" which it definitely was not. The dismissiveness and rudeness was absolutely uncalled for. I do not recommend because the service is disgusting and to be turned away like that was distasteful. read more

I came here with a friend around 7 PM on a Tuesday evening. We just wanted to find a place to sit down and read our books and we walked by here and it looked really cute inside. The inside is very dim and has a nice intimate experience and the patio seating feels great when the weather is nice. We were lucky and we didn't have to wait for a seat at all. We got the guacamole and vegetarian enchiladas to share. The food was delicious and fresh! The mango aqua fresca was not that great. It wasn't sweet and didn't really have much flavor. It also watered down very quickly so maybe try a different drink. I would definitely come here again for the food and maybe happy hour drinks. read more

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Not bad! Good deal for a pitcher of margaritas. You can get on the rocks or frozen for $34. And there are different flavors! I've had the classic and the mango and both are good. I got the brisket and skirt streak tacos, which were good but a little dry. Also I think maybe a little expensive.. 2 tacos for $14. The guac and salsas were fine. Good devices, cute ambiance. read more

La Palapa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

There is a shortage of great Mexican places in NYC, but La Palapa is pretty decent. I hadn't been in over 10 years but was happy to see they're still in business. I met a friend for lunch and we got the made to order guac, potato fajitas, calamari and quesadilla. The calamari was just ok, but everything else was good. The server was great and very attentive. read more

Solid spot for Mexican food in the East Village! I've been coming here since moving to NYC in 2005 and the food and margs have been consistently good. Lately I've been enjoying their boozy brunch! Mimosas can be hit or miss but margs are always strong and tasty! My fav brunch entrees are the breakfast tacos, breakfast burrito and the barbacoa bowl. They also start you off with assorted fruit. Staff are always friendly and don't rush us! read more

La Palapa serves average food for a high price! I came here on a Friday night and I do agree with other reviews that it has a lively atmosphere. It was absolutely packed when I went, but you can get more private/intimate seating if you sit all the way in the back of the restaurant. The vibes weren't the problem, but the food just fell short for the price point in my opinion! I guess this stems from my personal pet peeve of spending a lot of money for average quality food. It's $11 for chips and salsa, but you get a very minimal serving of salsa with kinda stale chips. We did get a pitcher of Margaritas and I think that was actually tasty. It's also $7 per taco, which is not reasonable to me given that they're not the most authentic Mexican tacos. It ended up being $22 for 3 tacos... Our chicken enchiladas were great, but then it's $3 for the smallest side order of sour cream. Other than this, the service was quick and friendly and restaurant is cute!! I just don't think the quality of the food is worth it or justifiable for price. I think La Palapa is fine if you don't really care about the food and just want to go out for a margarita. However if you're looking for authentic Mexican food in NYC, I would look elsewhere. It's cute tho :) read more

The bartender Karissa was great! Drinks were deliciou! Food was also good. Had the chimi chim.

Food here is authentic Mexican well prepared and presented. This is my second time to come here. Each time is excellent! Everything they serve is homemade including the dips for the chips - green and red salsa pus some spicy one. The tacos are very authentic. One is made with beef that is simmered a long time and shredded. They serve interesting drinks I would not have combined but taste fabulous. This was a special event with a menu. read more

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I've tried my fair share of Mexican places and this is definitely the best !! Soo many delicious choices but definitely recommend the Birria flautas they were PHENOMENAL!!! And the guacamole which you can customize the spice level !! You have the option of either tortilla chips or veggies to dip and I loveeed having that option. The drinks here are also really good especially during their happy hour such a great deal and soo many flavor options to choose from. Definitely had a great time here and it's super affordable read more

La Palapa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Please avoid the gazpacho! On paper this place has the maki solid neighborhood Mexican restaurant. read more

Good Mexican spot in the east village. Lively atmosphere with colorful tabletops and decor. Good service with pretty good food. Great for groups! read more

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Great bottomless brunch spot, they serve your drink in these cute little pitchers and everyone's friendly. Brunch is til 4pm so you don't feel rushed and they have a nice mix of traditional/ethnic brunch plates that are all delicious. It's a very laid back roomy atmosphere. Definitely would recommend! read more

I guess a lot has changed in 8 years! We had tacos, a burrito bowl, and fresh guacamole today - everything was 5/5. Will definitely be back. Very glad we rediscovered this spot. read more

Eat here! Best tacos, salsa, and margaritas...still! And generous, lovely owners. I recently popped in on a recent trip back to NYC, after having moved away 15 years ago. La Palapa was one of my regular eateries when I lived in the east village. I chatted with the owners as they were opening up and they were so lovely and offered us all (70 year old mother and 11year old son) water as relief from the summer heat. They were so sweet about me just wanting to pop my head in to see one of my old haunts, and lovely to chat with. I had forgotten one of the owners was from Mexico City, but made her home in NYC. After walking around the east village we went back in for dinner. The food was just a delicious as I remembered - amazing salsas and there were a few new items - more vegan tacos - on the menu. I had a few of those and they were incredible! The margaritas were as amazing as they were years ago. This is a local spot that you should absolutely eat at. Theres a reason they've become a neighbourhood mainstay for almost 20 years... still so consistent and delicious. read more

La Palapa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Five stars for the ALWAYS amazing staff, especially Christian behind the bar! Four stars for the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food has never hit for me. It's just not tasty and reflective of the amazing flavors of Mexican cuisine. Too, sometimes the ingredients don't seem the freshest; salad ingredients are often wilted and soggy. Nonetheless, it's always a good time here. read more

I had a good share or Mexican food in my life but nothing as authentic and delicious like this! The hanger steak sandwich and the shrimp and rice sauteed with garlic with a hint of lime bursted a new flavor into my mouth. The lime and hisbicus margaritas were strong and refreshing. Of course, don't forget the finishing touch of piping hot crispy sweet churros melted in my mouth. The ambiance was lively with a really cute exterior decor (a little colorful house with lights located at the bustling East Village in NYC) read more

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The food is amazing. I came in with the intention of brunch for my partner for his birthday and it exceeded my expectations. The service was more than incredible with the waiters being very attentive, kind, and respectful. When we first came in they had just opened and as our brunch went on it seemed like a very popular spot to the locals in the area. I'd recommend this place a thousand times over to friends and family. read more

La Palapa - B Burrito Bowl - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Food poisoning for so long horrible. I've been watching the other people I was there with drop like flies. Food wasn't even that bad it's deceptive. Be careful. :( read more

Came here on a rainy day. Not too many people. What a cute place! Pros - lots of booth - delicious aguas frescas- identical to those found in Mexico - charming and intimate aesthetics - appetizing food - fast service - friendly and engaging staff - an array of early 2000's to current music - $5 Tuesday margaritas specials - images of Lady Guadalupe. - beautiful mirrors everywhere Cons - not happy hours - red rice lacked the tomato sauce that gives it its delicious flavor read more

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If you're looking for a good happy hour spot in the city, this is your place, especially on Tuesdays! They have $5 frozen margaritas all day on Tuesday. I'm not a huge fan of the OG lime flavor and recommend spending the extra $1 for a flavor. On all the other days of the week, they also have happy hour from 4-7 offering Fresh Lime Frozen & Rocks Margaritas for $10. The service is great with attentive servers that are happy to accommodate the customers needs. I love the different atmospheres of La Palapa. They have different dining rooms, that each have their own vibe. read more

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This place is definitely a 4/5 on Tuesdays (because of their $5 frozen margaritas) but 3/5 every other day of the week. Came here on a chilly Tuesday because of their frozen margarita special. Damn are the margaritas /so/ good! You can add a flavor to your glass for only $1! They have an abundance of options, but my favorite flavors of the night were watermelon and passionfruit. The amount of flavor they put into each glass was pretty inconsistent. We shared an order of guacamole and chips. The guac was pretty good, but I thought the chips were just okay. I really just treated them as a vehicle for the guac haha. For my meal, I ordered an Al Pastor Taco and a Mushroom Taco. The tortillas weren't strong and would start breaking toward the middle of the taco. The al pastor taco was pretty generic, and the mushroom taco barely had any flavoring. $7 for a mid taco is pretty expensive and definitely not worth it. My friends also weren't satisfied with their respective meals. Overall, I loved their special and the general vibes of the restaurant but was disappointed by everything else. Come here if you're out and about on a Tuesday and just want to drink and snack! read more

La Palapa - Al Pastor Pork Taco & Hongos (Mushroom) Taco - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I were wandering around looking to discover a new happy hour deal in the East Village and saw a sign out in front of La Palapa for $5 frozen margaritas... needless to say we knew right away this would be our place! At other places frozen margaritas can be really sweet, but this one was strong and tasted like it was made fresh (not from a machine). The Pacifico my friend ordered came with a chilled glass and a lime (it's the little things!). If you're looking for a casual happy hour I highly recommend La Palapa! read more

La Palapa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

This has been our go-to spot for decades. My kids were basically raised in these booths. It's family friendly for sure BUT I have also spent countless evenings at the bar for happy hour and especially margarita tuesdays! We spend every birthday at La Palapa and always bring our out of town guests. Our family has vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores and La Palapa has menu items that not only satisfy but excite us, every time. The fall special pumpkin/squash soup is honestly the best thing I have ever eaten. The margaritas are divine (be careful! They're stronger than they seem!) and the desserts are wonderful, too. I can't believe after all of these years I've never reviewed this restaurant, but I it's like an old friend -- easy to rely on! A lot of the servers have been around for years, which to me is always a good sign. I always try to make reservations even though earlier in the day it's easy to get a table. Sometimes (weekends and Tuesdays for margarita night) it can be tricky to get seated immediately, so to be safe I always book online -- even just a couple of hours in advance can help me know what time I should plan on going, because I can see where the openings are in the schedule. Favorites: taquitos, quesadillas, and all varieties of street tacos-- the entrees (burritos!) are gigantic! read more

Food is consistently out of the park. Imaginative and authentic. Great for a first date or a group.

Great coffee, good atmosphere, and service. My latte was perfectly made, and the pastries were fresh and delicious. A perfect spot to get a quick bite or get some work done. read more

La Palapa is a popular spot on St. Marks that serves a variety of Mexican dishes, and my friends and I were craving some Mexican food so we decided to check this spot out. I got two of their quesadillas: bistec (steak) and camarones (shrimp). Each quesadilla comes cut into quarters which made it convenient to eat. I liked the shrimp one more than the steak; the shrimp had good seasoning while the steak was a bit tough. Both quesadillas were very oily but had a lot of flavor. Each quesadilla costed $7 which honestly was pretty cheap compared to most of their entrees on the menu. Two quesadillas were pretty filling for me, but I'll have to come back next time to try their margaritas and other entrees! 3.75/5 read more

La Palapa - Steak Quesadilla - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Service was average-good. They sat us in the back, super cute ambiance. Fantastic chips and guac, soup, beans, and tacos. We ordered their ceviche, though, and that's where things started getting weird. The mango salmon ceviche was fine. Too sweet but perfectly good. BUT. The shrimp and olive and capers ceviche was weirddddd. I can't even describe it more than just not correct. Everything else great. Don't get the shrimp ceviche and you're in the clear. read more

La Palapa - Shrump ceviche - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York