We tried this unusual Mexican restaurant Friday night. It's a beautiful spot, as Riverdale gentrifies around us. It's walking distance from our apartment. All fresh and new. As is our custom, we sat at the bar, which was about half full. Julie had a Prosecco and I had a terrific Mezcal margarita. We shared a superior guacamole to start. Julie had way over spicy tacos and I had what turned out to be mega spicy lime cured shrimp. The helpings were minuscule and way over priced. The food was not nearly as good as it should have been. Maybe we'll stop in for drinks and guacamole before going to another new walking distance restaurant. read more

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Came here for Riverdale Restaurant Week on a Friday night. The place was already bumping at 5:30 (happy hour starts at 5). The special was an app, entree & dessert for $50. I went with the tacos, pulpo, and the tamal de piña. The tacos were soooo good but my favorite dish was def the dessert. It was amazing, the pineapple compote and dulce de coco were out of this world. I also tried the guac which was delicious. We also had a few rounds of margaritas, I especially liked the hibiscus and the spicy mango. The service was absolutely perfecttttt the whole night, and everyone was so sweet. I will definitely be coming back here! read more

Tobalá - Pulpo - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

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I had a dinner not long ago. The service does not exist. Food quality is below zero. We were served 2-3 days old potatoes with some store purchased tasteless "avocado" sauce. The beverage consisted of 1/2 glass ice with some orange juice, sold as a cocktail... The prices are a rip off. read more

Food was great. The pulpo was my favorite, the sauce really made the plate. Pork and chicken were great as well, but did not get to try the duck. The tamal de piña was interesting if you like corn tamales. The waiter was very friendly and knowledge, and taught us all about mezcal. Owners seem to really put their creativity and passion into the restaurant. Decor was nice and simple, an aesthetic minimal place. Would definitely come again for a nice dinner. Overall great experience learning and eating! read more

Tobalá - Pulpo, pork, guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

This is my fourth time visiting Tobala. It's definitely a hidden gem in Riverdale (BX). Once you enter you notice the beautiful and simplistic design. It gives villa, old, and luxury. The staff here are really kind, thoughtful, and always open to answering any questions and give recommendations. As mentioned on their website Tobala's concept is to introduce and serve Oaxacan- inspired food and hand crafted cocktails. If only for the latter this place is definitely worth a visit! They have a wealth of tequila and mezcal drinks and shots. My go to order for drinks is the LA GUELAGUETZA, which includes charanda uruapan, mezcal, coconut, pineapple, almond liqueur, hoja santa,*milk clarification. Their food menu is much smaller than their bar menu. If you're adventurous I recommend their Esquites which has crushed ants included in the mayo. Their Tacos De Barbacoa is juicy, umami, and spicy. This visit I tried their Enmoladas De Pato. Its mole sauce is sweet and savory. I was a little sad that the duck was a bit dry. All in all I would say this place is worth a visit. read more

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Everything about Tobala was wonderful, the food, atmosphere and drinks were all excellent but the highlight of our evening by far was the service from our server Cindy R. Cindy showed such an impressive and expansive knowledge of the menu that went beyond the line of duty. Her passion for the food and the culture behind it made our evening all the more remarkable and memorable. It is somewhat rare to have such an incredible server. She had so much love for the restaurant and it really shined through in our experience. My boyfriend and I have backgrounds in the food industry so we know how toxic it can be behind the scenes so it was extra wonderful to be dining at a place that seemed to cultivate such a warm atmosphere for their staff making it possible for them to bring such amazing service to guests. I really cannot say enough about how skilled Cindy was and what a pleasure it was to be served by her. Her part in making our dinner special was rivaled only by the zapote ice cream we had at dessert, I will be thinking about that for a long long time. read more

The food was amazing! We had brunch for my birthday and it was excellent. The stand out dishes were the Corn Hot Cakes, Enmoladas de Pato, and the Buñuelo de Viento for dessert. These were simply devine. But everything delicious - including the the tacos de barbacoa and the tamales. Our waiter was outstanding and the entire wait staff were attentive and on top of everything! read more

Food and service are terrific. Food is imaginative Mexican. Cocktails are the best in the neighborhood.

Found this little new spot online and decide to check it out. Super cute simplicity from the outdoor. We didn't have reservations but they were able to accommodate us to dine in. They provided us with the menu along with the restaurant week menu which we didn't know was happening. We got the lamb tacos and ceviche de camarones. The tacos barbacoa were so delicious 8.5/10. Very tasty. The best I had there tonight. The aguachile camarones was good. A little too lemony for me. For entree we had the pollo de leche. So good 8.5/10. Great taste. Pulpo de puerto was good as well. 7.5/10. I was expecting a filler octopus not cut up from what I seen on pictures but it tasted very good. I think the sides for the entrees could be slighter bigger or other options for it. But other than that everything else was amazing. The desserts were different to me. We had the tamal de chocolate and another of mango. Overall, loved the place. Great ambiance. The staff is great. A little pricey for what is worth but great time. read more

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I stumbled into Tobala while waiting for a seat at Cocina Chente and it was a total treat. Arianny was at the bar and gave me the scoop on the mission and vision of Tobala - how they sourced and mindfully picked their tequilas and other options available, how the buyers there had hosted events featuring speakers that came from reputable tequila and mezcal makers in Mexico, and they were women! I gave Arianny creative freedom to bring me a drink and appetizers, and all of it was mesmerizing. I had a cocktail with mezcal and cucumber, and oysters topped with caviar. Tobala is a luxury experience from beginning to end if you're interested in interesting food, captivating information, thoughtful hospitality, and mellow vibes. I can't wait to return. read more

Love this place. My husband and I will be coming back. Service is amazing. The food is delicious. Drinks are fantastic read more

Tobalá - Wagyu beef tacos - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

New Neighborhood Restaurant.. Simple Decor love the high wood beam ceiling. The food speaks for itself honestly High Class Cuisine. Really enjoyed every bite. Guacamole a musssssssttt...... Please try the Aquachile Camarones such a beautiful dish but the flavors are so goood. We had the pork for two honestly was a great choice I do say so myself lol. So wait back to the meal O M G the flavor profile on that pig was so succulent and the Blue corn tortillas. All I can say is presentation on point. Flavor profile is unique, ambiance classy yet simple and my spicy mango margarita EVERYTHING!! read more

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Best in Riverdale. Best Service too. They have a great menu that is well executed. I've been to two of their special events with guest chefs, and both experiences were well done. Mezcal! They do well with their selection here. read more

Went there once near closing time and they've only been open for less than a quarter. Depending where you sit, you might get to see your meal being prepared. Everyone at this place takes great pride in their work. They're very passionate about their food. I can't wait to have another meal there. It's highly elevated authentic Mexican food. Food here is what I imagine top 1% restaurant fare is. The cocktails are at the same level as the food. Prices are expensive, but I believe it to be reasonable or at least worth it for the quality and experience you're getting. Won't soon forget this place if ever. Top 5 on my list. read more

My friend brought me here for an early dinner . It's a local riverdale spot with a very aesthetic vibe . Lots of neutral tones and vacation feel . The drinks were strong and authentic Mexican . Typical flavors like tamarind. Although the portions appear to be small everything was super tasty and very picturesque in presentation. We shared everything and we were satisfied . The must try is all the different salsas they had Very authentic Mexican ! Will visit again read more

Tobalá - Shredding beef tacos and various salsas - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

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The ambience was beautiful with the waiter genuinely making you feel at home. The guacamole was the best I have ever had, garnished with roasted corn and cojito. My entree of duck tacos with tasty mole was scrumptious. Chocolate ice cream will never taste the same as their bunelo read more

Food is exquisite, along with a pleasurable presentation. Service is extraordinarily friendly and professional. Ambience very enjoyable together with Decor. Went once and returned with friends. Always trying different plates and all delicious. Highly recommend! read more

Tobalá - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

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The Carajillo is my favourite espresso based cocktail, it's very hard to find, and Adolfo makes it out of this world when he makes it. A great ambiance, immense agave spirit options, excellent service; all of this is offered by the establishmentz read more

In my opinion, the BEST margaritas in the city. They use agave syrup instead of the other cheap alternative and it shows. My favorite (and probably everyone agrees) is the hibiscus margarita. I usually just go to sit at the bar and enjoy a couple. The food is interesting but a bit overpriced in my opinion. The people who work here are such a pleasure and always inviting and warm. Now let's talk about the main character: the AMBIANCE and decor. Wow, wow, wow! So minimalist but impactful. You deff feel like you're in Tulum or a nice boho rest in Mexico. Tobala is a total gem! read more

Tobalá - Hibiscus Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

I took my family to this restaurant for Mother's Day. They offered a Prix Fixe dinner for $85 per person. It was pre-paid via Resy. I prepaid the bill (excluding additional bar tab but including gratuity) for three of us. I am a deep appreciator of good food, art, culture, etc. I don't mind paying for quality food and service. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. My family is also in the food service business for generations. Tobalá did not hit the mark today given the price point. As I describe our experience, please keep in mind that this is a high price-point Michelin star establishment. We arrived promptly for our reservation time of 5pm. The restaurant was not particularly busy at this time. We ordered cocktails within 5-10 minutes of being seated. The banquettes for seating toward the back of the room were visibly soiled. The banquette seat was much too low for the height of the table. When I sat in the banquette, the desk of the table was above my sternum. It took more than 20 minutes before the cocktails arrived at our table. We ordered a glass of Rosé, a standard Old Fashioned cocktail, and one of their non-alcoholic mocktail options. Despite the long wait, the quality of the Old Fashioned was great. However, when I ordered a second one of the same, it tasted like a completely different cocktail - perhaps even different bourbon than I had ordered in the first one. The Prix Fixe Menu offered a choice of 4 or 5 options for a starter, 4 or 5 options for a main, and dessert - though we were told that it was not "one dessert per person" but that we had to share 2 desserts between the three of us. I wish this had been clearer when we booked on Resy (which says "Four Course Curated Tasting Menu"). The positives: - The sauces were absolutely wonderful. The layers of flavor were so well-considered and the Molé was particularly memorable. - Even the garnishes were integral parts of the flavor profile - layered flavors that developed as you ate them. - The quality of the ingredients used was very high. - The plating was absolutely beautiful. - The overall environment was modern, calm, and full of light in all good ways. Room for improvement: - The service was slow through the evening. - The banquette fabric was visibly stained in many places. - The corn tamals that I ate during both the appetizer course and the main course were tough, chewy, and hard on the edges; not tender at all. - The lobster in my main course was chewy at the finish of each bite. - The plates seemed to favor the accompanying ingredients over the principal ones (i.e.) not very much lobster, but more corn tamal and black beans - this felt incongruent with the price point. - The portion sizes overall, tbh, felt stingy for the price point. I had an overwhelming sense that I had pre-paid for this and was trapped and "stuck with what I got." - My two Old Fashioned cocktails were wildly different from one another in their recipes and served in two completely different kinds of glasses. - The description on Resy of what you get for the Prix Fixe is misleading. Unfortunately, I'm not sure we will return to Tobalá. I truly understand and appreciate how difficult and complicated it is to run a fine dining establishment and I so wanted this experience to be better than it was for my Mom on Mother's Day. Perhaps they just had a bad day? read more

Ambiance is on point. Beautiful, simple, and leaves you wanting more. Definitely a date spot with a special someone. Food & drink was exquisite. Each dish had layers and depth. Loved the scallop dish, eggplant, pulled pork. Wow wow wow. Price range was reasonable. Service was friendly and impeccable. What a hidden gem. read more

Went here to grab drinks and some small bites with my coworker and it was better than expected. The drinks were delicious and the food hit the spot. My favorite was the vegan ceviche. read more

WOW, WOW, WOW... this was our second visit to Tobalá since their opening, and we are so glad we returned. And this time we did with our baby girl. From the attention and welcoming energy we received at the door, we automatically felt invited into an amazing experience. Every single person within this establishment was cordial, inviting, knowledgeable, and attentive. As first time parents, who are also foodies, one of the qualities we always love in restaurants we visit, is to feel welcomed with our daughter. And they truly welcomed us and accommodated us as best they could. Now, the food, drinks, ambiance, and remaining table service... STELLAR! I have never wanted to explore a menu more than I did here. Also, we contemplated on ordering seconds many times because the food was just that good! Our servers periodically would check in on us and mostly our baby girl to ensure everything was comfortable for her. The decor just perfectly matches the menu and just the esthetic "vibe" of where you'd be eating such delicious food. They nailed this. We will be back for a proper date for 2 read more

Had a delicious meal there the other night. Highlights were the ensalada de mercado: super fresh, with tomato, onion, avocado and cotija cheese, pumpkin seeds and a tangy and bracing tomatillo dressing. The sauteed scallops were tender and sweet, in a green mole sauce that was hearty and light at the same time. We also got the enmolada de pato, vegan version (with mushrooms instead of duck). The mole negro was rich and slightly sweet, earthy and satisfying. Since we weren't drinking that night, we enjoyed the El Mero mocktail, which tasted like a tart combo of cucumber, citrus, mint and serrano chiles in the very best way possible. Not too sweet and positively addictive. The one gripe I had was the price of the branzino. $55?? I've been eating around NYC quite a bit recently and branzino is a favorite. The price range I've seen is anywhere from $29 - 42. $55 seemed extortionate, so we didn't order it. Other than that, Tobalá was a standout, with professional, friendly, yet low-key service. read more

This was miserable. There's no excuse for slow service on a slow day. While I don't recommend at all, if you must go, save yourself and sit at the bar! Do NOT sit at a table!! If sitting at a table, make sure you have three days to spare as you'll be greeted on Monday, order on Tuesday, and get your check on Wednesday. Also not 1 but 2 dirty serviette's - wiping your mouth or hands on a not correctly cleaned, dirty folded napkin is so disgusting. Maybe they need to change their serving staff AND their laundry service. (maybe give the hostess a shot at serving, because she was efficient, friendly and pleasant the entire time!) Had to GO TO THE BAR to close out after asking for the check and just waiting and waiting and waiting. (Which we did the whole time there). Felt bad for the bartender, tipped her $5 just for closing me out and allowing me to finally leave. 1 beer, 1 cocktail, chips and guacamole, $50 - Rather than sitting at a table here, I'd recommend having a beer on the couch, a bag of Doritos and throwing $50 out the window for a better experience! What a shame. (Also been here multiple times, done giving them chances). Bar Service or No Service - thank me later! read more

Incredible food!!! Very friendly staff and beautifully decorated restaurant. We went for brunch and started off with the guac, it was super fresh and creamy. The 'enmolado de pato' and 'pollito de leche' are must tries - they really know how to do mole here, and it is not an easy prep. The drinks were delicious too, and very nicely priced which is always a pleasant thing ;) To finish it off, we had the "carajillo", an espresso on the rocks with Liquor 43 (vanilla) mixed in - delish. read more

Tobalá - Enmolado de pato, pollito de leche, chorizo and egg tlacoyos - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

Pretty presentation but it's a hard NO! Everything drenched in lime. No to the guac and esquites. If you're familiar with Mexican cuisine, this is not it!!! Service was subpar. I had to ask the server to tell me about the menu. read more

Enjoyed the drinks here. They put alot of effort in the presentation and taste of every drink. Would highly recommend this place.

Tobala goes well beyond the standard Tex-Mex fare by presenting authentic Oaxacan cuisine in a bright, cheery modern setting. Beautiful handmade Mexican stoneware adds to the ambience. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Tobola makes its own corn tortillas and fills them with such things as shredded lamb, shredded duck, chicken tinga and chunks of grilled octopus. All delicious. Their guacamole is different than the standard fare, with a touch of smoked corn and Mexican cheese. Very good. A whole Cornish hen was covered in a sweet/spicy dark mole, obviously home made and authentic. Hard to get good mole outside Mexico and the Southwest. They have a nice selection of Mexican beers and tequilas. Worth a trip from Harlem, the Upper West Side (or even the Lower East Side). read more

The good: Beautiful space, very atmospheric, and good, strong and unusual cocktails. The not-so-great: Portion size for the price. Absolutely shocking a standard plate of basically Carnita pork with four corn tacos and three salsas was $60. And when we asked for more tortillas because the dish was slated "To share" they charged us $8. You get a way better deal and flavor/quality at spots in the city like Empellon where a Carnitas platter is less than $40 and far more flavorful (and unlimited tortillas because....they're part of the dish.) Not sure we'd be back unless pricing and portion size were greatly adjusted to match what you get for what you pay for. read more

Inez was an absolute pleasure and this restaurant is everything I've been looking for. Very authentic menu and interesting choices, and they were incredibly accommodating to vegetarian and made mushroom enmoladas that were to die for! I'm obsessed with the decor, and the cocktails were insanely unique and amazing. *get the Mole Negroni and you will NOT be disappointed. Please go support this incredible place. read more

Tobalá - Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

Delicious. I had the Picadita de Pulpo and I could've eaten three more, easily. Unfortunately, at eighteen dollars a pop - no thanks. I also had the guacamole and it was amazingly average. I did enjoy the addition of roasted corn but that wasn't enough to make it memorable. This is a nice place. it has a light, clean, rustic feel that I appreciate. The seating is aesthetically appealing but not comfortable. I think there's a trend to make restaurant seating somewhat hostile to help turnover tables more quickly. If so, this place has done it masterfully. All in all, I'd return. Yes, it's a little pricey and not so comfortable but there are several more things on the (expensive) menu I'd like to explore. read more

Top Mexican restaurant! Excellent food, drinks and ambiance. Service is also always great. Have been several times with my wife and have brought many family members, and this one is always a guaranteed nice meal. Even celebrated my 30 bday here ! I do think they can re consider pricing of some small items and be a little bit more flexible. Don't think the restaurant is overpriced given its quality, but certainly feels they are nickle and diming on the side salsa, which in Mexico is always part of the meal. On the flexibility front, my wife is pregnant and we had to ask more than once for them to remove the sprinkled queso cotija from an app (which they wouldn't simply bring on the side) read more

This is my most favorite place in Riverdale. When I go there it's like a little vacation. It's such a warm vibe there. Great ambiance too. The food is delicious. The staff is super friendly and amazing. The drinks are an experience as well in the best way possible. so glad this is here local to me. read more

Tobalá - My go to margarita - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

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This review is strictly on the drinks and service. I came in with my best friend for "happy hour drinks" as that was advertised. So there is no happy hour, it's actually a sad hour. I can't believe the specifics but not worth coming here for happy hour.......on another note since the happy hour was a joke, we ordered cocktails. They were so good. The bar tender was knowledgeable and super nice. He is the main reason we would come back!! Can't remember his name but he was of Mexican decent and handsome. We didn't eat here, primarily because the menu looked skimpy. I may try the tacos at a later point but today i didn't feel compelled to try it, read more

If you're looking for a nice & dim lit ambience with great Mexican food and a particular taste in drinks then this is the spot that you're looking for. You'll notice that everything is about quality & if you prefer quality over quantity, once again this is the spot. Spectacular food, very familiar vibe from everyone working the restaurant. 10/10 in my eyes and perfect for a dinner outing. read more

Once again, Riverdale is so fortunate to have Chef Moisés López, regale us with his culinary expertise. Tobalá, his latest creation, a beautifully serene oasis that can only be outshined by the absolute masterpiece of its dishes. Are you a fan of fine dining, presentation, and taste? Then Tobalá offers all 3 and an excellent staff as well. I enjoyed the guacamole with cortija cheese, smoked corn, and tortilla chips as my appetizer. The creaminess of the guacamole opened my palate. I can not drink tequila, much to my chagrin, but Tobalá offers La Mariposa, pictured in this review, made of gin, sake, butterfly pea tea and lemon juice. Light, not overly sweet and so refreshing. I wanted to drink 2 more. My main course was Pulpo de Puerto, also pictured in this review. Words can not describe the heartiness of the grilled octopus coupled with potatoes, chicatana sauce, pearl onions, and chile powder accompanied by warm corn tortillas. I am a foodie. This dish was sex on a plate. I ate it slowly, savoring each piece of perfectly cooked octopus that melted in my mouth. I used my spoon to finish every little bit of the chicatana sauce. We ended this beautiful experience with a buñuelo with Chef's homemade chocolate ice cream sprinkled with a dusting of nuts. I never got to take a picture of this dessert, as my friend and I quickly devoured the light pastry and delicious ice cream. Thank you to our wonderful server Victor, who complimented the evening with his description of the dishes, his attentiveness, and his charm. Chef, you are an artist, and I am so grateful that you chose Riverdale as Tobalá's home. read more

Tobalá - La Mariposa - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

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Warning! This restaurant burns 1 inch by 3 inch wood pieces in a little pot, with a flame going, in the dining area while people are eating. The smell is gross, very strong and intense. Who burns stuff while people want to enjoy their food? One of us got dizzy from the stench and another shortness of breath. We asked them to stop and they refused. They said they have to burn this. We had to leave with our meal unfinished. No refund. Manager was rude. This is insane. This video shows how quickly the air quality declines when this is burnt. Levels quickly reach over 600, 60 x over the WHO recommended levels, exposing customers to the equivalent to many cigarettes. Summary (link below, at end): Palo Santo will degrade your indoor air to the point that it will impact your health negatively. World Health Organisation levels for PM2.5 are 10 µg/m3 over a 24 hour period so a level of 600 is far worse than smoking a cigarette..... VOC's also rocket when you burn Palo Santo Research indicates this activity also has a negative environmental impact, potentially these trees are very limited in supply and you need to educate yourself before you jump on the latest trend. From an air quality point of view it is highly recommend not to burn Palo Santo in your house. The drop in air quality is extreme and lingers for many hours after the activity. Further to this, if you decide to burn Palo Santo then research would indicate the increased PM2.5 can last for several hours afterwards https://youtu.be/b0ZlLW1wyEM https://yourair.co.uk/3-reasons-not-to-burn-palo-santo/ read more

Tobalá - Palo Santo degrades indoor air & impacts health negatively. It's like smoking several cigarettes. We got dizzy & had to leave mid-meal. - Mexican Near Me - Bronx, New York

Fantastic brunch. I can't wait to go back for dinner. Server was knowledgeable and helpful, food was delicious. Chilaquiles highly recommended. read more

Food service and ambiance is amazing!! At first I thought this restaurant would be slightly pretentious but the staff is so welcoming and knowledgable about the customs of Mexico providing you with an authentic experience. The food is top of the line and the drinks... wow! Great spot! read more