(212) 677-5856

438 E 9th St (Avenue A)
New York, NY 10009 40.72744 -73.9831

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Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown

www.ItzocanRestaurant.com

Hours:

7 Days 12pm-12am, Brunch Sat & Sun 12-4pm

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Casual Date Spot, Brunch, Carry Out

Cuisine:

Mexican

Special Offers

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Itzocan Cafe

Featured Review

Justin Hartung

Contributor

Past the purple exterior are a handful of tables amidst the slightly shabby decor--a mock temple created through intricate, 3D-patterned faux-stone walls and colorful bric-a-brac. The Central Mexican cuisine is more intriguing than the usual taco-and-enchiladas fare. Though guacamole zips with tart lime, and salsa bursts with fresh tomato, it's silky corn and mushroom souffle with a trace of truffle oil that best highlights Bello's gift. Knives are rendered irrelevant with hearty, brisket-like flank steak and moist bass encrusted with smokey, charred pumpkin seeds.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Itzocan is cash only, and you won't have much time between courses to run to the ATM.
What to Drink:
The restaurant has a small selection of red and white wines available by the glass or bottle, plus house sangria and Mexican beers.
The Extras:
The restaurant can be rented out for private parties.
ambiance
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “All in all great ambiance.”
  2. “There is no decor - old wooden tables that are so close together there is no privacy and not in a kitschy, clever way - and the lighting is yellowed and looks like it's from a bad E. Village apt.”
  3. “Decor was interesting and cozy.”
  4. “The atmosphere even though it's small great enviroment makes you feel at home.”
  5. “The atmosphere is warm and cozy (only 6 tables) the service is great (all the staff is friendly and welcoming).”
  6. “Wonderful atmosphere and food”
  7. “If you are looking for a comfortable restaurant to meet friends, try someplace else.”
  8. “However, what it lacks is decent Mexican cuisine, any semblance of decor, sound quality, internal cooling and comfort.”
  9. “Seats about 20 people but provides a cozy atmosphere.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “most memorable dessert - pumpkin creme brulee.”
food quality
92.41999626159668% positive
  1. “not really this place has great food and just the right amount of selection.”
  2. “Excellent meal, and a very good portion.”
  3. “My friend is from Mexico City so after reading the reviews on Citysearch, this sounded like a great hole in the wall spot to take him for authentic Mexican.”
  4. “great food, great value”
  5. “personally know a bit about food myself and I can tell you this much this small neighborhood restaurant is one of the best Mexican/French restaurants I have ever been too.”
  6. “Flavor was good in the guacamoleeeeeee and the chicken stuff with goat cheese.”
  7. “Try the seafood soup (6 muscles, 4 shrimp & a huge salmon fillet) & be taken away.”
  8. “If you are looking for authentic mexican, try someplace else.”
  9. “The restaurant was incredibly overpriced, the food was bland, the presentation was mediocre (they had a souffle which turned out to be a grey flan).”
  10. “The food is out of this world, the service is friendly, and the sangria is the best I've EVER had - and I've sampled quite a few.”
  11. “The food for dinner was totally interesting and absolutely delicious.”
  12. “Wonderful atmosphere and food”
  13. “However, what it lacks is decent Mexican cuisine, any semblance of decor, sound quality, internal cooling and comfort.”
  14. “This is a shame since the food was terrific.”
  15. “Such great people, great food and great service.”
  16. “went to Itzocan Cafe recently this past friday with a couple of friends and me and my friends have tried one of the best steaks in months.”
  17. “Food was delicious.”
  18. “Every dish is so flavorful and amazing.”
  19. “recently tried this place - they have amazing mexican food, but it's not your standard fare.”
  20. “For the dinner menu to start off as a appetizer I would recommend Huitlacoche Souffle really delicious Yum!”
  21. “Great Mexican food, it has a french twist to it.”
  22. “Tiny place with great food”
  23. “Menu is a little small and it's south american food with unique dishes.”
  24. “But, as someone who lived in Mexico for a year (and who is a frequent cook of authentic interior Mexican food at home) I assure you that this is not authentic at all.”
  25. “If you're looking for quality Mexican, check out Mexicana Mama, Rosa Mexicana (commercial, but excellent food) or Barrio Chino.”
  26. “what can i tell you the food is just amazing the best i ever tasted the guacamole is so fresh made when you order the place is small but a great enviorment the staff is just amazing super kind ijust dont get tired of going back to itzocan cafe everything ”
  27. “Great food.”
  28. “Creative food, warm & lovely service & the lowest prices in Manhattan--4 star dining @ fast foos prices!”
  29. “I've eatten in this resturant a couple of times, I've enjoyed every dish on the menu but my favorite in the lunch menu is burrito verde.”
  30. “The flank steak was highly recommended by other posters, and I'd agree, as it was so tender I didn't need to use my knife.”
  31. “love Mexican food and it's right on my very favorite block in the entire city.”
  32. “The food was tasty - guacamole in particular - but was totally overpowered by the presence of so many bugs.”
  33. “most memorable dessert - pumpkin creme brulee.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “For the dinner menu to start off as a appetizer I would recommend Huitlacoche Souffle really delicious Yum!”
  2. “not really this place has great food and just the right amount of selection.”
  3. “They were inflexible about the menu, which was very limited, and on which there were lunch options that seemed much more tempting and reasonable than those on the dinner menu.”
  4. “I've eatten in this resturant a couple of times, I've enjoyed every dish on the menu but my favorite in the lunch menu is burrito verde.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “what can i tell you the food is just amazing the best i ever tasted the guacamole is so fresh made when you order the place is small but a great enviorment the staff is just amazing super kind ijust dont get tired of going back to itzocan cafe everything ”
service
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “what can i tell you the food is just amazing the best i ever tasted the guacamole is so fresh made when you order the place is small but a great enviorment the staff is just amazing super kind ijust dont get tired of going back to itzocan cafe everything ”
  2. “The chef and waiters are great.”
  3. “Terrible service.”
  4. “The waitress and chef were great people it made me feel like I was right at home.”
  5. “The atmosphere is warm and cozy (only 6 tables) the service is great (all the staff is friendly and welcoming).”
  6. “Creative food, warm & lovely service & the lowest prices in Manhattan--4 star dining @ fast foos prices!”
  7. “Such great people, great food and great service.”
  8. “recommended people to try this restaurant and try out the specials they are to die for.”
  9. “The food is out of this world, the service is friendly, and the sangria is the best I've EVER had - and I've sampled quite a few.”
  10. “Seats about 20 people but provides a cozy atmosphere.”
  11. “Even the staff is so unique because they are actually friendly.”
  12. “They also server some of the best guacamole we've had in NYC.”
value
80.0% positive
  1. “Creative food, warm & lovely service & the lowest prices in Manhattan--4 star dining @ fast foos prices!”
  2. “Try the seafood soup (6 muscles, 4 shrimp & a huge salmon fillet) & be taken away.”
  3. “If you are looking for an affordable restaurant, try someplace else.”
  4. “great food, great value”
  5. “The restaurant was incredibly overpriced, the food was bland, the presentation was mediocre (they had a souffle which turned out to be a grey flan).”
3 Star Rating: Average

03/08/10

Great food. Terrible service.

by jbz121

From the time I arrived with a reservation I was told that my party of three would have to sit at a table for 2.

When we were finally given a table for 4 we were pressured to order main courses immediately. One in our party was late but we ordered drinks and appetizers immediately. The harassment continued. The wait person was very agressive and very unprofessional. This is a shame since the food was terrific.

  • Pros: The food is fabulous.
  • Cons: Service was nasty and unprofessional.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/29/09

Highly recomend this place

by Luisthegreat

WOOOOW!!!!! what can i tell you the food is just amazing the best i ever tasted the guacamole is so fresh made when you order the place is small but a great enviorment the staff is just amazing super kind ijust dont get tired of going back to itzocan cafe everything is so delicious i just cant choose my favorite dish it was all just amazing im speachless when it comes to talking about this place my respects to this place wow best food in new york i recomend the sangria.

  • Pros: The best mex-french restaurant
  • Cons: nothing at all
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/12/09

Unique Mexican

by guess328

recently tried this place - they have amazing mexican food, but it's not your standard fare. Every dish is so flavorful and amazing. I loved it here - will be back soon!

  • Pros: delicious food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/14/09

Best Mexican Food in NYC

by AlicaNYC123

My friend and I were looking for something different for dinner (and I was craving Mexican food). Well, what a find we found…Itzocan is a phenomenal. The French touch on the Mexican cuisine is so unique. We were impressed by the service and the price is right! It is not BYOB – however, you must try the Sangria – and they have a nice selection of Mexican beers. I have been back for brunch and dinner…both are delicious. I am going to be returning, frequently! GO!

  • Pros: tasty!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/21/09

Great Taste Makes You Keep Coming Back For More!!!

by ska62491

I've eatten in this resturant a couple of times, I've enjoyed every dish on the menu but my favorite in the lunch menu is burrito verde. For the dinner menu to start off as a appetizer I would recommend Huitlacoche Souffle really delicious Yum!! We ate Filet Mignon which was done really good. I enjoyed every taste of it. The atmosphere even though it's small great enviroment makes you feel at home. The chef and waiters are great. They are very are out going. People complain about price but the price is right! ^-^

  • Cons: Parking

The Details on Itzocan Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great interior mexican food
  • great service
  • favorite dish
  • cozy atmosphere
  • great people
  • affordable small neighborhood restaurant
  • authentic mexican
  • recommend nice wild mushroom ragout
  • totally overpowered food
  • very cool flavor
  • much more tempting lunch options
  • recommend duck
  • big portion
  • fresh guacamole
  • warm lowest prices
  • worst sound quality
  • incredibly overpriced restaurant
  • favorite burrito verde
  • order queso fundido
  • very cool ingredients
  • best sangria
  • best mexicanfrench restaurants
  • welcoming staff
  • cozy decor
  • overwhelming heat

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