La Palapa Rockola

In Short – This sizzling Sixth Avenue spot takes its name from Mexico's open-sided beach huts. And though West Villagers may be many miles from Mexico, they do their best to create a beachy vibe as they sip margaritas under the restauraurant's thatched roof. A mural of the horizon on the back wall enhances the south-of-the-border ambiance--as does a menu brimming with tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tres leches.

Editor's Tips

Save Money:: Visit Sunday through Friday from 5pm to 7pm for happy-hour specials on margaritas, sangria, beer and well drinks (prices available only at the bar).
Where to Sit:: La Palapa opens its patio in the front during the summer months. Reserve the room in back for a private party.
The Extras:: Try the original La Palapa in the East Village.

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User Reviews (14)

ambiance	83.33000183105469% positive	“This restaurant has the best mexican food in the city, the drinks are great and the ambience and service is absolutely fabulous.” “The ambiance is cool, margaritas are okay, but the service is awful!” “was surprised the place wasn't more full, but we'll certainly be back the next time we want a reasonably priced, delicious Mexican meal, and a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy it!”
drinks	100.0% positive	“We had several excellent drinks and the food was even better - The staff made us feel at home and as a result we have found our favorite Mexican food in NYC!” “This restaurant has the best mexican food in the city, the drinks are great and the ambience and service is absolutely fabulous.” “Most memorable drink: the funky, bloody Maryish beer and tamarind concoction.”
food quality	81.57999992370605% positive	“Incredible customer service and food, and great group/party venue!” “Worst service ever, overpriced for crappy food” “This restaurant has the best mexican food in the city, the drinks are great and the ambience and service is absolutely fabulous.” “We were there for brunch and the huevos rancheros verdes and the Mexican style French toast were excellent!” “live closer to the East Village La Palapa, but he said that this one had a slightly different vibe, and that the food was just as good.” “the food is reaaaaally good, amazing fish tacos, a diverse and traditional menu with great mexican entrees that you don't easily find anywhere else in the city.” “It was delicious and the portion was huge.” “was surprised the place wasn't more full, but we'll certainly be back the next time we want a reasonably priced, delicious Mexican meal, and a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy it!” “We had several excellent drinks and the food was even better - The staff made us feel at home and as a result we have found our favorite Mexican food in NYC!” “Everything was fresh and delicious!” “Everything is great here, and this really is the best mexican food I have ever had in my life.” “was not that impressed with the food either but it was the rude service that is making me give them a bad rating!” “The staff seemed confident that the food was good enough to speak for itself, but they were right there with advice and descriptions and didn't seem desperate to sell the most expensive items or the most expensive tequila (though the tequila list is ce” “We had the choriza appetizer on little boats of masa with creme fraiche, pork soft tacos with chile and pineapple rub, and the chiken breast with an amazing sauce that came with an amazing fried plantain.” “had the best meal with my wife at La Palapa - This place rocks, make sure you check it out asap!” “We had a great meal and lovely server.” “The sauce was bad.” “Great food and the service was fine.” “The food was terrific, the value was unbelievable (especially for Manhattan), the wait staff were excellent, and the space was absolutely perfect (the back garden area, which we had all to ourselves).”
menu variety	66.66999816894531% positive	“Our waiter was very good about recommending items from the menu.” “the food is reaaaaally good, amazing fish tacos, a diverse and traditional menu with great mexican entrees that you don't easily find anywhere else in the city.” “Our waitress was not friendly at all and then she tipped herself 20% (okay so it was 5 of us) but still, she got angry and was rude when we asked questions about the menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“had the best meal with my wife at La Palapa - This place rocks, make sure you check it out asap!”
return potential	100.0% positive	“was surprised the place wasn't more full, but we'll certainly be back the next time we want a reasonably priced, delicious Mexican meal, and a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy it!”
service	68.75% positive	“Our waiter was very good about recommending items from the menu.” “Never have I experienced or witnessed such rude service.” “Worst service ever, overpriced for crappy food” “The food was terrific, the value was unbelievable (especially for Manhattan), the wait staff were excellent, and the space was absolutely perfect (the back garden area, which we had all to ourselves).” “Incredible customer service and food, and great group/party venue!” “was not that impressed with the food either but it was the rude service that is making me give them a bad rating!” “The jukebox plays awesome music and the service is very god and attentive.” “best bartender in ages” “The ambiance is cool, margaritas are okay, but the service is awful!” “When we arrived we were greeted by the bartender with a warm smile.” “Great food and the service was fine.” “The staff seemed confident that the food was good enough to speak for itself, but they were right there with advice and descriptions and didn't seem desperate to sell the most expensive items or the most expensive tequila (though the tequila list is ce” “We had several excellent drinks and the food was even better - The staff made us feel at home and as a result we have found our favorite Mexican food in NYC!” “Our waitress was not friendly at all and then she tipped herself 20% (okay so it was 5 of us) but still, she got angry and was rude when we asked questions about the menu.” “This restaurant has the best mexican food in the city, the drinks are great and the ambience and service is absolutely fabulous.” “We had a great meal and lovely server.”
value	60.0% positive	“The food was terrific, the value was unbelievable (especially for Manhattan), the wait staff were excellent, and the space was absolutely perfect (the back garden area, which we had all to ourselves).” “The restaurant is a bit pricey for mexican, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice.” “Worst service ever, overpriced for crappy food” “The staff seemed confident that the food was good enough to speak for itself, but they were right there with advice and descriptions and didn't seem desperate to sell the most expensive items or the most expensive tequila (though the tequila list is ce” “It was delicious and the portion was huge.”

02/16/10

Avoid at all costs

by moviegoer10034

My friend and I tried this place before a movie. I was on the verge of asking the waitress to LEAVE US ALONE [she would stop by every 2 minutes to try to get us to spend more $$] when, 30 MINUTES AFTER WE ORDERED, she informed me that they couldn't make my entree! We finally got some food 5 minutes before we had to leave. When I complained to the manager, he offered us a coupon for NEXT TIME! When I said we'd never be back, he simply WALKED AWAY. And after it all, the food was average at best.

Pros: Close to IFC
Cons: horrid service

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11/04/09

Awesome Food, Great Drinks! Love this place!!!!!

by NYCfloyd

I had the best meal with my wife at La Palapa - This place rocks, make sure you check it out asap! We had several excellent drinks and the food was even better - The staff made us feel at home and as a result we have found our favorite Mexican food in NYC!!!!! Great job La Palapa Rockola!!!!!!

Pros: Great crowd, awesome Mexican food
Cons: NONE

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01/12/09

The best in "classy-casual" dining!

by jgourmet

I decided to check out La Palapa Rockola after hearing about it from a co-worker who had thrown a birthday party there in November. I live closer to the East Village La Palapa, but he said that this one had a slightly different vibe, and that the food was just as good.

When we arrived we were greeted by the bartender with a warm smile. It was happy hour, so we sat at the bar for a frozen margarita (the ginger flavored one is awesome) and we soon realized that almost everyone at the bar knew the bartender's name. This was like a "happy-hour family"! Happy hour ended and we were shown to a cozy table in the back. The decor was warm and featured lots of stills from old Mexican movies that I've never seen. Candles everywhere!

Our waiter was very good about recommending items from the menu. He said he personally loved to mix the spicy mushroom appetizer with the pinto bean side, so we tried it, and it was delish. Very fresh and flavorful. Spicy, but not of the "burn a hole in your tongue" variety. My boryfriend then ordered the garlic shrimp and I had the tequila steak and they were both so good, we couldn't stop eating off each others' plates.

The main thing that struck me about the place is that it felt very relaxed and casual, but not sloppy. It's what I would call "classy-casual". The staff seemed confident that the food was good enough to speak for itself, but they were right there with advice and descriptions and didn't seem desperate to sell the most expensive items or the most expensive tequila (though the tequila list is certainly impressive.) We wound up having a great time, and ordering dessert, mainly because we didn't feel like going back out into the cold. It was just right inside, where we were! I was surprised the place wasn't more full, but we'll certainly be back the next time we want a reasonably priced, delicious Mexican meal, and a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy it!!

Pros: Atmosphere, great food, classy service
Cons: not in my neighborhood!

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08/19/08

Incredible customer service and food, and great group/party venue!

by cinsummers

I just hosted a baby shower here for a good friend of mine, and Margaritte was incredibly helpful and accommodating. The food was terrific, the value was unbelievable (especially for Manhattan), the wait staff were excellent, and the space was absolutely perfect (the back garden area, which we had all to ourselves). We were there for brunch and the huevos rancheros verdes and the Mexican style French toast were excellent! (So were the margaritas...)

Pros: Great space for groups, good value, really good food, and nice wait staff

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10/31/07

Great Huevos Rancheros Brunch

by krcartist

Had brunch last Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the huevos rancheros. I had been there last year for a pta meeting but didn't know they had brunch too. It was delicious and the portion was huge. It was so reasonably priced for the amount of food and had a really spicy bloody maria made with tequila included in the prix fixe. Great food and the service was fine.

La Palapa Rockola

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What People Are Saying About La Palapa Rockola

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Editor's Tips

02/16/10

Avoid at all costs

by moviegoer10034

11/04/09

Awesome Food, Great Drinks! Love this place!!!!!

by NYCfloyd

01/12/09

The best in "classy-casual" dining!

by jgourmet

08/19/08

Incredible customer service and food, and great group/party venue!

by cinsummers

10/31/07

Great Huevos Rancheros Brunch

by krcartist

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