The iconic Dominican restaurant is a joyful, loud and welcoming place. The line begins early but…read moremoves quickly. We ordered a lovely red wine and enjoyed our entrees: my friend had the half chicken; I ordered the calamari, which is house made. Although it stayed busy, we didn't feel rushed. We paid and headed across the street to the Imperial Palace to see Dudamel perform. It was a great meal followed by an amazing performance in a breathtaking setting.

11/10 Rotisserie chicken…read more I watched a Tik Tok recently talking about venturing out to find the best rotisserie chicken in NYC, and Malecon came in at 2nd/3rd. I had to try it out for myself since their #1 spot was really underwhelming. This spot really hit the spot and deserved to replace the #1 spot -- the chicken was moist, flavourful, and fresh. I could see why the lines to get in were so busy, so try to get here before noon, especially on a Saturday. The maduros and yucca fries were also special -- fried just enough to caramelise while also being crispy, my favourite. Affordable? Check. Good vibes? Check. Community staple? Check. Only come if you want to be part of the winning team.

Really enjoy La Barca! A sensational 24 hour spot to grab something to eat! For years, lived around…read morethe corner and it was my favorite place to grab a bite or a Café Con Leche any time, day or night. Stop by whenever back in the neighborhood. The staff is friendly, keeping it real, and can get a little crowded, given its authentic dishes, narrow space, and popularity. Still to this day, La Barca remains my favorite place for the best Cuban Sandwiches! (For some reason, the press seems to take some time to heat them up, but absolutely well worth it!) Love La Barca! There's a more on La Barca's menu, but recommend you check it out!

Not sure what happened to this spot. Used to be my go to after the club but lately they have been…read moreoff. The food is okay, staff take forever getting to you and too many people hanging out in there. It's a small spot and too cramped.

I came here on a Friday night for dinner with a Pulsd which I purchased. My dinner was good. I…read moreordered a couple of items. I ordered the tuna tartare which I really enjoyed. I also ordered the empanadas which had good dough but the filling was ok. I also had a mocktail which was alright. I had two main entrees one was the steak and shrimp and another was the brick chicken. For dessert, I had the crème brûlée and it was good. I would say the custard part should be thicker. The service was good; I went the day before Valentine's Day. The staff was friendly and I would definitely come back. I did want the burger but they didn't have it. The place is small but is a nice place for a dinner date or solo. Everyone looked like they were enjoying their food. I would come to try more items from their menu.

I'm visiting my mom from Los Angeles, and as we planned a night out together, I wanted to support a…read morelocal spot. There's always something new whenever I return home, and this time it was Chez Messy, just around the corner from the 157th Street train station. Perched up upon a small staircase, this two-floor restaurant is intimate, cozy, and deeply sultry. Nestled in the heart of Uptown New York City, a neighborhood known for its Dominican roots and growing diversity, Chez Messy shines as a Spanish Caribbean infused gem that took my breath away. The space feels both refined and familiar, elegant yet soulful. As I sat waiting for my mother, I opened the menu, and immediately everything called my name. Our server Joshua was an absolute delight, attentive, kind, and confident in every recommendation. Antonio, the owner and floor manager, greeted us with charm and poise. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded pride and grace, the embodiment of someone who deeply loves what he has created. What touched me most was realizing that this Spanish Caribbean dream of a restaurant is owned and operated by Dominicans. As someone who has traveled the world and eaten in countless hidden gems tucked along cobblestone streets, I can say this place holds its own among the best. We started with a crisp glass of Albariño and dove into the pulpo and mofonguitos filled with ropa vieja. Let me start by saying I'm not typically a red meat superfan, but that evening I was completely transformed. The ropa vieja was tender, savory, juicy, and full of flavor. The plantain cups that held it were subtly sweet, creating a beautiful harmony between bold and delicate notes. The pulpo was perfection, tender octopus paired with a light touch of vinegar and oil, thinly sliced onions, capers, and cherry tomatoes that burst like little jewels of freshness. It was bright, balanced, and refreshing, a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable meal. Then came a surprise from Antonio, the avocado salad and batatas bravas, further inviting us into the full Chez Messy experience. I've had batatas bravas in Spain and beyond, but these were divine. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, with seasoning that danced on the palate. The avocado salad was heaven itself, silky avocado paired with slivers of almonds and a hint of citrus, perhaps grapefruit, creating a beautifully layered bite that was both rich and refreshing. By the time our entrée arrived, filet mignon and shrimp in cream sauce, medium rare, we were already swept away. The filet was tender and bursting with flavor, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was so delicious that I found myself tempted to lick the plate. Everything about our experience at Chez Messy was divine, from the impeccable service to the romantic, dark, and dreamy ambiance, the vibrant music that moved through the air, and the drinks that sparkled as much as the conversation. Chez Messy is where you go when you want great food in a wonderful location, when you want to feel inspired, seen, and transported. It is a love letter to Spanish Caribbean flavor and Dominican pride, wrapped in elegance and joy. This place deserves to be full every night, though a part of me secretly wants to keep it all to myself.

I was walking with a friend from Inwood to Washington Heights, and I saw Tu Sonrisa featured in a…read moreTiktok the day before. We went a little out of our way to get the goat curry with rice and it was incredible. The goat fell off the bone, was so moist and tasted wonderful. I was worried it may be too oily but with the rice it was perfect. This was probably the best goat I've ever had. There's a couple of high top tables to sit at inside, and we chose to eat there so that the food was still hot. We paid in cash, and I believe there was an ATM inside too. I normally am in lower Manhattan when I'm in New York but I would come up here again in a heartbeat!

Great little grab and go Dominican place. The rice / beans were really tasty and their braised lamb…read moreand pork belly were bomb.

Never physically been here but I order from Uber eats pretty often…read more My usual order is a mofongo and depending on my mood is what protein I get with it. Ive tried the chicharron, chicken and cheese mofongo. The sauce that comes for the mofongo is absolutely delicious and flavorful, I cant get enough of it. In my opinion its actually what makes the dish. Its some kind of gravy. Each and every mofongo is delicious, you cant go wrong. Highly recommended!

that's just unacceptable. Isn't always like this but I hate when restaurants have off days…read more Consistency in the food would be nice.

Service here was friendly. I didn't catch her name but there was a lady from CDMX here I had the…read morepleasure of befriending. I felt like a regular in a single visit if that helps you understand how hospitable she was. Even if you don't speak Spanish, you'll receive the same level of care. Snacks are solid (get yourself a yaroa!) and my favorite thing about ordering smoothies here was that same lady letting me have a taste to see if she made them to my liking.

I absolutely love New San Francisco Restaurant. I have been a customer of theirs for several years…read moreand I've noticed many other hospital workers are frequent customers. I have to start with commending their outstanding hospitality. The ladies who work there make me feel like family whenever I come in and it's a nice, cozy environment when I dine in. I have tried many of their entrees such as stew chicken, pork guisado, oxtail stew, bacalao, chicken soup, plantains and sancocho. Everything is consistently flavorful and their portions are generous. I usually get their passion fruit juice which is refreshing. When I need a pick me up, I opt for a cafe con leche which is a nice strong Bustelo. Thank you, New SF, for being a neighborhood gem. My tummy and heart are always happy when I have their delicious meals.

First time here. Sat outside. Our waiter was very friendly and didn't hesitate to explain to us…read morecertain items on the menu. I appreciated that. We started with a a sangria witch was really good. No to sweet. Bacon wrapped dates were delicious. The bacon was cooked perfectly and the filling inside was enough to balance out the sweetness of the dates. A good sweet and salty tapas. Pulpo a fríe was delicious. Well seasoned with lemon and olive oil, diced up peppers and red onions. I loved it.

So cute and relaxing inside like you stepped out of NY and into Spain! Came for coffee (so good!)…read moreand desserts and was so impressed! Almond tart was delicious and not too sweet. Can't wait to come back for dinner! The paella looked amazing.

Wonderful food and service! Perfect vibe and atmosphere…read more Try their delicious pastries!

This small Colombian café was amazing!! From the food to the service to the ambiance, everything…read moreexceeded my expectations, so you won't be disappointed. this place felt like a true hidden gem in Washington Heights. The coffee is rich, flavorful, and extremely high quality. The food was just as impressive, from breakfast dishes to pastries and other delicious snacks on the menu. If you're a local or visiting and thinking about trying this spot, don't hesitate!

Imma keep this one short and sweet. This is an in and out place. There are some places that cater…read moreto you; and others where you are not 'La Reina' - they are. So here's what you do... You order CHICHARRÓN MOFONGO - extra sawce & lime. Then you get an order of chicharrón as an add on. They'll let you pick the one you want if you're nice (as you should be). You take that food baby to the privacy of your own home. Then you destroy it. I get it on thanksgiving every year and I put a cola in the freezer before I leave mi casa; so by the time I get to wash heights and back it's slushee like and can be enjoyed with my meal. Best mofongo you'll get in the city. Periodt.

El chicharrón aquí ta' bien duro. Súper crujiente por fuera, jugoso por dentro, con ese sazón…read moredominicano que se siente desde el primer bocado. Se nota que lo hacen fresco y sin inventos raros.

Back again and wanted to give a shout out to our server Ernesto. His knowledge and helpfulness on…read morethe wine menu was excellent and a perfect server. Started with the tuna tartare which I was so anxious to eat I forgot to get a picture. Perfect balance of portions of ingredients and sauces. Excellent sauce to compliment the t. Next the lamb chop special. Absolutely fantastic combination of lamb chops parsnip puree and asparagus. The three go together so well and were perfect together. And we so love this place because you can actually talk to the people you are with and be heard. Great atmosphere.

10/10: the paella was great and I would order it again but when I go back I will be ordering…read morenothing but multiple orders of the mussels. They were amazing! As far as drinks go: the Tinto sour was delicious. Advice: it is very small with only 11 tables "only 3 without reservations" they also have limited hours so plan ahead. Ernesto was great: very attentive, kind, and welcoming. Glad to have this tapas bar in the heights!