As soon as you walk into this inviting Mexican restaurant, your ears are flooded with lively music. We came on a Saturday around 7pm and sat near the front window. Our table had a few stains on it, but our waitress kindly wiped it down for us. To drink, I had a spicy margarita. It was refreshing and not too sweet. My partner got a white wine sangria and enjoyed it. To start, we shared the nachitos. It was made with thick, homestyle tortilla chips, which held all the ingredients well. It was tasty. We also go the elote. It was served on the cob, which is a little cumbersome, but I enjoyed the flavors, especially when topped with a generous squeeze of lime. For my main, I had the nopales tacos. An order came with three. I was expecting the tacos to have some toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, or rice, but they were literally just cactus and tortillas. Still, they were light and flavorful. The cactus was well seasoned. Overall, it was a great neighborhood stop for authentic food. read more

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It was such a great intimate restaurant that served authentic delicious Mexican food and made magnificent margaritas. My friends and I got a $40 taco entree to share. A total of 10 tacos and 3 different meats/veggies. We got shrimp, chicken and nopales (cactus). Everything tasted sooo good even the nopales. I loved how the tortillas were also flavored, either made of black bean or blue corn. It really added to the intricate flavors of each taco. Service was extremely friendly and welcoming as well. I loved how patient they were and allowed us to really savor our meal. 10/10 experience. read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Taco Platter: shrimp, chicken, nopales (left to right) - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The hostess was unfriendly and disengaged when dealing with us. She was far more pleasant with other customers. Not sure why but I have my suspicions. Took a long time to take our drink orders and get them. Then there was only one person handling everything for a while, guess the hostess went on break. The food was mediocre, taking approximately 19 minutes after placing the order. The decor was pleasant, but the table was sticky and small. The seating was comfortable, except for the large plant that encroached on one of our seats. The drinks were strong, perhaps to compensate for the subpar service. To add insult to injury they overcharged us and had to reprint our receipt. Overall, this place is not worth revisiting for us. read more

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Excellent Mexican spot! Attentive and friendly service, and food was just really great. We inhaled the queso dip before I remembered to take a photo. Get it added with the mushrooms, as they added a nice woodsy flavor and more texture to it! I had the carnitas tacos, very flavorful, huge portions in each of the three tacos. My partner's octopus was so good! Perfectly charred with great flavor, and the empanadas were an amazing side. I will order this for myself next time! read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Octopus and empanadas meal - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Our stomachs were growling after finishing up a viewing party (~10:45 PM), and were deciding between two spots -- this one had higher ratings, so we swung by and they were able to accommodate our group of 5 immediately, which was amazing. The walls are white but the decorations fill up the place with some of the colours and decor you'd expect from most typical Mexican restaurants (papel picado, paintings of calacas, etc.). They had a full bar, which was perfect for what we needed. Our initial service was good -- the waitress took down our appetisers and drinks; my friends went for the margarita while I tried out the chamoyada. They didn't comment on the quality of their drink, but mine was really sweet and tangy, so this might not be great for those who are avoiding sugar (I ended up getting a hangover from the excess azucar). We got an order of nachitos and guacamole for the table to start, and three of us tried entrees: steak fajitas, tacos birrias, and quesdailly huitlacoche (corn smut; don't rag it until you try it!). Our first order of guacamole/chips came quickly -- the flavour and quality was legit. It tasted super fresh, showing that the stone mortar (bowl) was not just for show. But then...something strange happened and the nachitos didn't come...and 20 minutes passed by without entrees, but the wait staff came by, checked, and asked us if anything was missing. We confirmed that the nachitos and entrees were, so she said she'd be back. Quickly, the manager came back around with another round of guacamole/chips on the house as an apology, and then our entrees came shortly after...but still no nachitos. So then a different waiter came by and asked again. Same thing -- we told them the nachitos were missing, and she went behind. Then the manager came 2 minutes later and asked us again...same thing. Not sure what was going on, but there was definitely a communication issue. Eventually it did come, but a ways after the entree, which wasn't a big deal, but confusing. The birria tacos had good flavour, but were a bit dry and didn't come with consomme, which was a bit odd. I didn't get to try the quesadilla huitlacoche, but my friend is a picky eater and he didn't say anything bad about it, so I think it was good. The steak fajitas were sizzling, as you'd expect, but the beef was a bit tough. Overall, fine experience, but the service was hit/miss and the food was fine. read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Stopped in for a quick dinner before a show down the street. Service is efficient, friendly, and welcoming. The pozole is delicious!!!! The way they served it is different from the usual Mexican places. They put all the topping together like a tostada then you ate it that way with the pozole. The broth was so flavorful. You have to try this pozole!!! The cocktail was good but too sweet for my liking. Aside from that I genuinely enjoyed the food. read more

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Visited this spot on Sunday for brunch after we discovered the Cuban spot we usually go to on Bedford was shut down :( We were able to walk in without a wait for a table for 3. The restaurant had table that could fit large parties, seats at the bar and outside seating. Service was also very good as we had to wait a while for our food and were accommodated by the waiter (dang it, I forgot his name!) with chips and the best salsa/pico I ever tasted. So when the simple apps were good, I knew that I was in for a treat. We had the octopus, the steak and huevos divorcio (sp) and let's not forget the churros for dessert. Go here!!! read more

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My godfather called me up and said let's do Mexican and I said to myself it's going to be salty brace yourself... but if the man wants Mexican for dinner, Mexican it is. Upon entry I was warmly greeted by the host who seated me and immediately served the menu. She explained what the specials were for the day and informed me about happy hour cocktails. Given that wasn't drinking alcohol I ordered a guava Agua Fresca, shrimp fajita and shrimp cocktail (which is nothing like the shrimp cocktail you're accustomed to. This was a melody of avocado, onions, peppers, lime juice, tomatoes and an overload of shrimp... You must get this!) My godfather orderedpan roasted chicken with mole. Both meals came with perfectly cooked yellow rice and black bean stew. To my surprise EVERYTHING was deliciously perfect without the high sodium content as I first predicted. I couldn't praise my godfather enough for choosing Mariha's Cocina Mexicana. Can't wait to share this wonderful experience with friends. In summary 5 stars for food, service and cleanliness. It's a definite must! read more

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I am forever grateful for Martha's Cocina Mexicana. They hold such a special place in my heart now and will be my favorite neighborhood local Mexican restaurant for good food drink time and service. I did a reservation here for my mothers 59th birthday we had such a beautiful time. The waitresses were so kind welcoming and attentive love them both for giving my family and I a beautiful experience. We started off with the tamarindo margarita which was delicious so tasty great amount of tequila and just delicious I got the mocktail piña colada because I was driving so no drinking for me but it was so delicious we got two rounds of these. Started off with the nachos with steak, so good loved every bite it had everything nachos need with not being too much the beans on the nachos 10/10. I got the pozole rojo. Pozole is my favorite Mexican soup ever and they nailed it to the tea ! So delicious flavorful great kick to it and such a god portion and felt amazing on a cold winter day with the side of tostadas was just chefs kiss. My mom got the octopus which was not super chewy so cooked to perfection and such a light dish with filling amount of deliciousness in every bite. My dad wanted the branzino but they were all out so he got salmon instead he loved it, nice char to it and was just the perfect dinner dish. In the end they brought a slice of flan for my mother with a candle and sang to her which I did not expect on the flan and it was so beautiful for them to play las mañanitas and sing to her with me it really made my family feel loved seen and just gave us such a beautiful experience we never had. I cannot wait to come back and try all of their are plenty of dishes they have and drinks love you guys read more

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The food here and drinks were good, I think the service was lacking. Our server got a couple of things incorrect such as: espresso coffee and then sending espresso martinis...then when we asked for spicy margaritas, a normal one came and she incorrectly said it was spicy and did not fix it. The taco platter was a good deal, we had a group of 4 and the 8 tacos were enough. read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Los Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The food was great, but tasted different from a few months ago. The huevos divorciados were simple and delicious. The octopus was ordered by my mom, she found it super spicy. I ended up having a taste- I found it to have a little kick, but too salty. I had the cafe de olla which was great. The staff was super friendly and the space was beautiful, bright and clean. Will definitely visit again. read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Huevos Divorciados - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This place was outstanding! The energy, the staff and the owner make me want to come back again and again. Definitely recommend. We had the al pastor, carnitas and fish tacos. I also have to go back for the Pozole soup because it smelled absolutely decadent. And don't miss out on the spicy margaritas. 10 out of 10. read more

Came for the 10$ happy hour drinks! The servers were super friendly. Got here at 5ish by the time 6 rolled around their was a line and the place was full! I'm pretty sure they just opened so they are still getting the hang of everything. It's super chill and casual on the inside. lots of people sitting at the bar. Nice addition to the neighborhood. There is an option for outdoor seating but there are only 2 tables. Had a few rounds of drinks, some apps and tacos. Birria was good, a little dry, because it didn't come with consome. The servers kept changing every-time someone came to check on us but both were very lovely. The pina colada was very sweet... not sure if there was alcohol in it to be honest ..... my friend ordered a custom drink but turns out there wasn't alcohol in it. lol! they do seem pretty overwhelmed so benefit of the doubt there. Drinks came out pretty slow but there's only one bartender, who is also very nice! Will definitely be back for happy hour & to try some other menu items. Guac was yummy with a little kick to it. Queso was also yummy but cooled off and hardened pretty fast which was sad. def worth the try! read more

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Pros to our server "Leilanny", this was a great place to visit, their service top 5! GREAT, and the Food EVEN BETTER!!! Very traditional and authentic. The group also shared some Chorizo Nachitos and some Guacamole (Sorry no pic) and these appetizers were also GREAT!! Overall, Very gooooood portions, and very tasty in the best way!! Wish to come back read more

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The food and drinks here are great. They make their tortillas in house and I suspect that their chips are homemade as well. It's Mexican owned, so it's pretty legit in terms of quality. I have been here for brunch (definitely more gringo fusion menu) and I've been here many times for lunch on weekdays (more traditional menu). The margaritas and flan are delicious, I just wish they were a bit more affordable! I haven't had anything here that I didn't devour. The guacamole is so tasty and I love their mole enchiladas and their tacos. The restaurant staff are fine, they just aren't super personable or friendly. My only annoyance with this place besides being a bit pricey, is that they don't accept credit cards. It's very weird, they've been open for months and I'm still having to pay with Zelle every time I go there. If you want a coffee or a sandwich, they also own a little cafe on Bedford & Jefferson that has really good burgers and fries, they have quesadillas, salads, and other sandwiches too. Things are much more affordable here vs the restaurant, but that's to be expected, you're not getting table service. I haven't been impressed with the dessert items there, that's my only complaint regarding the cafe. The staff is friendlier at the cafe, there is a very nice Colombian girl on weekdays and a very friendly cook that go out of their way to make you feel welcome. read more

Amazing food, great service and reasonable portions my favorite new spot Friday nights

Delicious, authentic to my Mexican American palette, best I've found in Bed-Stuy so far. Enchiladas Suizas were great, as were the agua frescas. I asked for my Jamaica at half sweetness and they nailed it. Excellent service, friendly people, full marks all around. read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Hibiscus Agua Fresca - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Very friendly staff and the food always good. My granddaughter feels as home and she loves the girls there who always take good care of her food. read more

Very, very sweet servers. I usually dine in alone. The food was good, tacos weren't very authentic but I wouldn't expect it from a spot like this so it's okay. I enjoyed their margs a lot tho! Will definitely stop by here again. read more

The staff were super welcoming and friendly! They recently opened like 4 weeks ago and it seems to be a hot spot for people in the neighborhood! Met a really nice neighbor and they recommended many dishes! I love Mexican food and this was a new kind of Mexican I would say I've never really had ! Def will be coming back ! nachitos - 10/10 They were super filling and they gave a lot! The cheese was really good and the jalapeños were fresh! Enchiladas de Mole - 9/10 I've don't usually order this dish so this was really good! They gave a lot of mole and was sweet and yummy! I am more of a spicy food person so I wanted a bit of a kick in the dish but overall was really good! Tacos - 9/10 The pork was cooked really well and I don't like dill but it worked well with the tacos. I looooved their spicy red salsa because it truly was spicy! The pork could be seasoned a bit more but it def hit the spot Not pictured: can't remember with margarita my friend got but it was really good ! read more

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This is our favorite Mexican Restaurant in Brooklyn. Great for kids, good cocktails and the food is amazing. The kids menu quesadilla is unbelievable - Oaxaca cheese and a very generous amount of chicken. For the adults basically everything on the menu is delicious. The staff is so nice and friendly, our daughter feels like a guest of honor whenever we go! read more

I've been here a few times and it's always been super enjoyable but when I ate here today with my bf we had the absolute best meal. we started w/ the queso fundido and literally left the cast iron spotless. then we both got quesadillas (I don't remember the name but the second quesadilla out of the 2 w/out the cactus blossoms) and holy *** it was the most savory/authentic/delicious meal I've had in so long. we added steak to one & chorizo to the other. we also got mezcalrita & the watermelon juice and it was just actually good heaven. All of the waitresses were soo kind and helpful--specifically our server kenia who was so attentive and sweet she had the best energy and recommendations. love it here read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - lotería artwork inside the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

1000/5 stars. Bestie & I went for dinner and drinks on a Friday and it was a whole vibe. We sat outside (it didn't feel like you're on the street, rather just an extension of the restaurant). They have an incredible drink selection, with your margs frozen or on the rocks, with a number of different flavors: we got frozen Cucumber lime (my fav), Mango, & a spicy marg. So good. The taquitos and elote had great flavors. We also got the vegetarian tacos; not pictured because we ate those immediately. Next time, we're getting the nachitos -- we'll definitely be coming back & want to try the entire menu! Staff is incredibly friendly & the owner, Francisco, makes you feel SO welcomed. It's a great spot for a date or a casual OR fun night out. read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Elote (comes in two halves) & Taquitos de Papa - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Love love love! Drinks are amazing, the apps are delicious and the service is astounding. The only thing that makes me a bit hesitant is that their lights are way too bright after dark, I've come several times with different people and they all mention the same thing and don't want to come back because of it. Heard other guests say the same thing. Dimming the lights a bit would give it a more relaxing ambience. Besides that I love this place. Try the Birria Pizza and the Al Pastor Tacos. read more

You want the best Mexican food in NYC? You've got the place!! Martha's Cocina assures that your experience is smooth, flavor-filled, and joyous as you enjoy delicacies from Mexico at a low cost! read more

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Food : 4/5 Tacos Were Great and the guacamole . Service 6/5: I couldn't ask for a better time there. I exchanged something with no problem too. Ambiance: Me personality I wish a little more fun and warm in there but for a taco spot what am I really asking for? Lol Drinks: 4/5 creative wording on a drink menu and they also came through and didn't disappoint. This is my new tacos Tuesday spot for sure. It's tough to get all three read more

Solid brunch for an affordable price! My friend and I got the huevos divorciados (red and green sauce) and the huevos con chorizo, both around $12-13. The dishes were filling, but if you love salt like me, they definitely needed some more salt and flavor (ask for the hot sauce!). The interior is decently spacious and cute, and they also have gender neutral bathrooms! read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Huevos Divorciados - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Service was good, atmosphere clean and friendly. However the food was just meh. The ingredients were of high quality, but flavor was lacking with no depth. The mole sauce was flat. The rice and beans were decent. A local food truck would have been a better bet. read more

After a few months living in Clinton Hill, we may have just found our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Most places nearby are a little overdesigned, a little precious, a little too pricy, a little too cool. I go to those spots and have a good time, but, but, but. Now we have Martha's. Martha's is a breath of fresh cucumber lime air, and it's my new response to the adage that NYC doesn't have any good Mexican food. I haven't been to Puebla, Mexico, which bears the roots of this restaurant and its chef, so forgive me if my comparisons are a little gringa. We started with the aguachile, which to my mouth was like a shrimp ceviche made with jicama, red onion, a little habanero for color and kick, cucumber slices, and avocado, with sturdy homemade chips al lado. It would be perfect but for the omission of a shot glass to drink the leftover liquid like leche de tigre. The birria is made with love and time. It's just what you were hoping for, and the serving size is meaningfully more than you'd expect for $12. I'll heed my sweet server Jorge's recommendation and get the dulce de leche pastel next time. Hold me to it, Jorge! read more

Came here for dinner with some friends. It's really fast and tasty! It's a very aesthetic cute spot.

The food was mid.. it lacked flavor and the drinks were definitely water down.Basically this restaurant is for the whites.

Great enchiladas and margaritas! I have celiac disease and they are always super accommodating and knowledgeable, which I really appreciate. Great little neighborhood spot. read more

Best authentic Mexican food in Brooklyn, everything is delicious and fresh. Great customer service and atmosphere. Definitely recommend! read more

Penelope's Mexican Bistro - Clearly very good, I forgot to take a photo before I started eating - Mexican Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The most authentic Mexican food you'll ever eat outside of Mexico. Everything was fresh and made to order including the tortilla chips. Service was excellent. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Really good food. Best churros around. Didn't like the tres leches as much. Drinks are good. I like the cucumber margarita.

Stellar spot! The espresso martinez was killer. All the food was delish, special shout out to the Quesadilla huitlacoche. Our server Jorge was incredibly knowledgeable and warm. The owner and chef stopped by for a chat as well, everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Will be back soon! read more

Where have you been all my life Martha's? The food is fantastic, happy hour is great, and staff is phenomenal. I think they have the best tacos in the neighborhood BY FAR. The al pastor ones are so good that I have ordered them 5+ times. (Pro tip: get a side of queso fresca if you're a cheese fiend like me.) I'm writing this review while drinking a margarita and waiting for my first non-taco order, the chicken enchiladas, with baited breath. My only note is that they serve their (fantastic) margaritas in high-ball glasses, which makes it difficult to drink from a salted rim, as a highball glass basically requires a straw. Not an issue by any means, but I wish they were served in a wider glass for ease of sipping. Either way, you won't go wrong here! read more

Wanted to update because I saw that there are lower-star reviews here and I'm sorry, I believe they're totally unwarranted. I've been back several times with my bf and with friends, and everyone loves this restaurant. In addition to the food being *amazing,* the margaritas are excellent, as is the service. It's a small-ish place that's just getting it's footing, so I advise going with patience and a friendly attitude. You won't be disappointed. read more

Martha's is a fabulous addition to the Bed-Stuy neighborhood! The food is so delicious- tons of taste- and the portions are very generous! Had the best huitlacoche quesadilla and a mouth watering mango and jicama salad with a jalapeño dressing! And the best all -dressed nachos in town! It's a lovely atmosphere and the owner Paco is super friendly, experienced in the foodie world, and committed. The servers (ex. Enrique and Jorge) are equally friendly and generous. Definitely go check it out! Patrick read more

A+++++++ food and service are awesome. I love this spot. They're always good and you'll leave happy. Taco Tuesday deals on Tues are solid too read more