Xicala Wine and Tapas Bar

(212) 219-0599

151B Elizabeth St (Kenmare Street)
New York, NY 10012 40.720377 -73.995059

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Neighborhoods: NoLita, Downtown

Hours:

Mon-Sun 5pm-2am

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.30.11

Category:

Wine Bars, Liquor Stores

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Xicala Wine and Tapas Bar

Featured Review

Melanie Berliet

Contributor

Red painted walls and a warm aura raise the coziness factor at this local spot, where both the plates and the space are on the small side. The wine list and tapas menu channel Spain in true spirit, with a focus on Spanish vineyards and chorizo, respectively. Wash your spicy sausage down with a glass of vino or try the strawberry sangria, prepared from a special in-house recipe that’s tasty without being overly sweet. Xicala is a perfect place for an impromptu drop-by when you’re in the neighborhood--but given its miniature size and major charm, don’t be surprised if it’s crowded.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Crowds tend to be smaller in the early evening on weekdays.
The Extras:
Tuesdays are all about Flamenco music while Wednesdays mean Cuban tunes.
Food Served:
The Bacadillos (grilled sandwiches on rosemary bread) are worth a try--especially one made with ham, fontina, tomatos and greens.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “love the ambience at Xicala - especially when they have live music Wednesday nights.”
  2. “love this tapas and wine bar because the atmosphere is conversational, energetic with music, but easy going and quaint at the same time.”
  3. “We both love sharing plates, so I thought tapas would be fun.”
  4. “This is a cute little place downtown with artsy decor and great food.”
  5. “The music is romantic as is the atmosphere.”
  6. “GREAT atmosphere.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “While this spot is very small, the service is warm and the wine quite good.”
  2. “love this tapas and wine bar because the atmosphere is conversational, energetic with music, but easy going and quaint at the same time.”
  3. “The option for a trio of wines was unique and much enjoyed.”
  4. “Xicala was nice and cute, with a great wine list.”
  5. “The wine choices are fabulous and the sangria is incredibly tasty!”
  6. “This may be the smallest restruant I have ever been in but they make up for it with great tapa's and wines.”
  7. “will eat the Chorizo and the Mushroom dish which is always delicious and I often ask the mind behind the bar for a hint of what is good for the day.”
  8. “This is a great little wine bar.”
  9. “Went on a weeknight and they were happy to let us close the place down and linger over our last glasses of wine.”
  10. “Server's were extremely nice, yet were socializing too much with friends that were having drinks at the bar and it was difficult to get their attention.”
  11. “It has good music, nice tapas, an interesting selection of wines (primarily Spanish) and a lowkey hip neighborhood clientele.”
  12. “There is a great wine list, great sangria and a very nice selection of tapas.”
  13. “Love wine and tapas and really enjoyed this place.”
  14. “Great wines, not pretentious.”
  15. “Our staff made great recommendations, knew a ton about wine and was happy to chat with us.”
  16. “Great people, beautifully made interior, I highly recommend for a nice light easy place to enjoy a chat and some wine!”
  17. “great tapas and wine”
food quality
84.61999893188477% positive
  1. “The meat and cheese plate we shared was delicious.”
  2. “And I had a salmon goat cheese sandwich thing, only it was on this amazing bread!”
  3. “will eat the Chorizo and the Mushroom dish which is always delicious and I often ask the mind behind the bar for a hint of what is good for the day.”
  4. “The service was rude, everyone seem to have an attitude and when the food finally arrived it was terrible.”
  5. “The wine choices are fabulous and the sangria is incredibly tasty!”
  6. “We ordered the tasting tray and everything we tasted was absolutely delicious.”
  7. “The food was decent, they have a great cheese plate, but I wish our server knew the cheeses, and had simply asked the kitchen what they were when I inquired.”
  8. “We walk into this place and got the worst service and the worst meal ever.”
  9. “am a huge fan of both of the chorizo dishes.”
  10. “We had a great meal and the sangria was terrific.”
  11. “The food was good.”
  12. “This is a cute little place downtown with artsy decor and great food.”
  13. “Great food and wonderful service”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “It has good music, nice tapas, an interesting selection of wines (primarily Spanish) and a lowkey hip neighborhood clientele.”
  2. “The wine choices are fabulous and the sangria is incredibly tasty!”
  3. “There is a great wine list, great sangria and a very nice selection of tapas.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Great people, beautifully made interior, I highly recommend for a nice light easy place to enjoy a chat and some wine!”
service
81.82000160217285% positive
  1. “The service was rude, everyone seem to have an attitude and when the food finally arrived it was terrible.”
  2. “Our staff made great recommendations, knew a ton about wine and was happy to chat with us.”
  3. “The staff are friendly and the service is good.”
  4. “usually wouldn't order it, but again, our staff recommended it.”
  5. “The service was amazing.”
  6. “Great food and wonderful service”
  7. “That person was attentive without being obtrusive and made for a delightful experience.”
  8. “We walk into this place and got the worst service and the worst meal ever.”
  9. “Great people, beautifully made interior, I highly recommend for a nice light easy place to enjoy a chat and some wine!”
  10. “The food was decent, they have a great cheese plate, but I wish our server knew the cheeses, and had simply asked the kitchen what they were when I inquired.”
  11. “While this spot is very small, the service is warm and the wine quite good.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “am a huge fan of both of the chorizo dishes.”
  2. “reasonable prices.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/05/09

BEST BRUNCH EVER!

by PennyLaneNYC at Citysearch

I went here about a year ago...wandering in the village with my honey, and stopped at a sign saying 2 free drinks & pri fixe brunch so I turned left and found the most adorable little tapas bar. Now I hope they still have brunch, because it was SO PLEASANT! It was just about noon and no one was there..so nice, my honey had the huevos rancheros and loved the mole! And I had a salmon goat cheese sandwich thing, only it was on this amazing bread!! Amazing, coffee, dessert- oh they were new so they brought out like a fondue strawberries and melting chocolate thing. Have been meaning to go back, but we live uptown...will have to as soon as it gets nice!! Hope they kept up with the brunch!

  • Pros: GREAT AMBIANCE, small, cozy toasty
  • Cons: size
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/18/08

No thanks.

by roseannej at Citysearch

This place was recommended by a co-worker and I will never listen to his advice again. The service was rude, everyone seem to have an attitude and when the food finally arrived it was terrible.

  • Pros: near other restaurants
  • Cons: bad food.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/17/08

great tapas and wine

by heatherkosch at Citysearch

I love this tapas and wine bar because the atmosphere is conversational, energetic with music, but easy going and quaint at the same time. There is a wide selection of wines, and the people that own and work at the bar know exactly what to recommend. I am a huge fan of both of the chorizo dishes...but you should try one of everything, if you have enough room in your stomach! Great people, beautifully made interior, I highly recommend for a nice light easy place to enjoy a chat and some wine!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/15/08

A spot to sit, sip and contemplate the things of bliss

by mangola at Citysearch

I have not lived in NYC for five years but I still consider this my local nightcap. Any day that I pass by I am guaranteed to see a good friend and meet someone new. I will eat the Chorizo and the Mushroom dish which is always delicious and I often ask the mind behind the bar for a hint of what is good for the day.

The owner is usually close by, which gives it the feel of a real establishment, not a nameless spot. And when the sun falls mid-week there is often a live cuban band or flamenco dance that plays notes which compliments a smooth Los Amantes as the perfect finish to the visit of my second home.

  • Pros: great food, great drinks and a wonderful atmosphere
  • Cons: it is hard to find behind the construction wall, But just look for the flashing red sign!
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/12/08

Recommended :)

by DavidHoww at Citysearch

The service was amazing. Really. Our staff made great recommendations, knew a ton about wine and was happy to chat with us. That person was attentive without being obtrusive and made for a delightful experience.

The food was good. I don't even know what tapas means anymore. But this small plates thing works for me. By far and away, the stand out dish was the sangria. I usually wouldn't order it, but again, our staff recommended it. It was AMAZING.

Went on a weeknight and they were happy to let us close the place down and linger over our last glasses of wine.I would recommend to anyone.

  • Pros: wine list ,friendly staff

The Details on Xicala Wine and Tapas Bar

Place Categories:

  • worst service
  • great wine
  • great tapas
  • great food
  • nice light easy place
  • extremely nice server
  • romantic music
  • much enjoyed option
  • nice xicala
  • great cheese plate
  • great little wine bar
  • delightful experience
  • nice little spot
  • worst meal
  • friendly staff
  • great people
  • absolutely delicious tasting tray
  • enjoy chat
  • always delicious mushroom dish
  • loved mole
  • otherwise horrible day right
  • great atmosphere
  • happy went
  • incredibly tasty sangria
  • best brunch
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