El Parador Cafe

Since 1959, El Parador Café has been serving high quality Mexican food. Join us for our $20 Pre-Fixe Lunch Special.

(347) 836-4267

325 E 34th St (Between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
New York, NY 10016 40.744401 -73.974972

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Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Midtown

elparadorcafe.com/

Hours:

Mon-Sat 12pm-12am

Sun 1pm-10pm

Last updated 10.29.11

Category:

Restaurants

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Happy Hour, Fine Dining, Private Rooms

Cuisine:

Mexican

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What People Are Saying About El Parador Cafe

The Owner

El Parador Cafe

Owner

El Parador Café was established in 1959 and is the oldest Mexican restaurant in New York City. Respected as having the best Margaritas by The New York Press and the best Ceviche by The New York Times, we welcome you to join us for lunch, dinner or tasting hour in Midtown East today. At El Parador, we offer an excellent menu, world class bar & lounge and a warm atmosphere. El Parador is dedicated to culture, care, and warmth. Many of our customers met each other and have held their most intimate gatherings here. We'd love to help you host a great event, for either personal or business groups. The main restaurant can accommodate up to 120 people. We also have one of the best party spaces in NY, La Cueva (The Cave). La Cueva can comfortably accommodate up to 40 people. We're El Parador, the most accommodating restaurant in New York. The answer is yes. What's your question?

CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Upscale Mexican eatery offers authentic family recipes in Murray Hill's posh neighborhood.

ambiance
75.56000232696533% positive
  1. “Great friendly service, nice ambience, nice bar, all around great dining experience.”
  2. “just visited this restaurant and found it to be very cordial, quiet atmosphere & the food was great.”
  3. “the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is lovely, and the service is excellent.”
  4. “Guaranteed to please is you want, great food, great atmosphere and service without attitude!”
  5. “Terrible atmosphere for couples.”
  6. “The decor isn't terrific, but you won't find a better vibe at any of the other higher end mexican restaurants.”
  7. “to this day I return with my wife, friends and family for the following reasons: 1)I have NEVER had a bad meal, in fact the food is OUTSTANDING--Nachos like none you've ever had, the BEST salsa and chips around, great guacamole, FANTASTIC frozen margarita”
  8. “great atmosphere and service”
  9. “The food was very very good, the margaritas were great, and the atmosphere and service were just lovely.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Main suggestions: the chicken parador is excellent (order early, can take awhile) - also suggested, the shrimp quesadilla, lava cake, and the jalapenos filled with peanut butter may sound odd, but I prefer this over the cheese ones now.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The drinks are excellent, especially the tamarind margaritas and the mojitos.”
  2. “Great friendly service, nice ambience, nice bar, all around great dining experience.”
food quality
92.41000175476074% positive
  1. “Main suggestions: the chicken parador is excellent (order early, can take awhile) - also suggested, the shrimp quesadilla, lava cake, and the jalapenos filled with peanut butter may sound odd, but I prefer this over the cheese ones now.”
  2. “the food and service were great.”
  3. “The food is creative, interesting and always very well prepared.”
  4. “If you like Mexican food, this is the place.”
  5. “just visited this restaurant and found it to be very cordial, quiet atmosphere & the food was great.”
  6. “little spendy, but the food was definitely worth it and the service was excellent.”
  7. “Guaranteed to please is you want, great food, great atmosphere and service without attitude!”
  8. “to this day I return with my wife, friends and family for the following reasons: 1)I have NEVER had a bad meal, in fact the food is OUTSTANDING--Nachos like none you've ever had, the BEST salsa and chips around, great guacamole, FANTASTIC frozen margarita”
  9. “told him I liked fish tacos and he added them to the menu!”
  10. “The fish tacos are excellent with tomatillo salsa with avacado in it and the pulled pork in the burritos is great too.”
  11. “As an entree, I had the chicken enchilada, which was very filling.”
  12. “The pork chops were also great.”
  13. “would recommend this place to anyone who made an inquiry for great Mexican food.”
  14. “The salsa is excellent.”
  15. “The food did not dissapoint us, although two items on the menu were out that evening - one of them the restaurant's signature dish, which is unacceptable.”
  16. “The food was very very good, the margaritas were great, and the atmosphere and service were just lovely.”
  17. “It is expensive for no reason, chips was greasy and salsa was luke warm with indian spices inside, food was just ok.”
  18. “the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is lovely, and the service is excellent.”
  19. “Not only is the food excellent, but the presentation and service is excellent, and Alex is one of the most amiable and funny Maitre Ds in the City.”
  20. “Also, they serve a delicious sangria, full of fruit flavor and a nice punch.”
  21. “THe chicken liver appetizer was great and the cerviche was wonderful.”
  22. “excellent authentic mexican cuisine with great selection of every tequila you can want.”
  23. “For dinner, I had the famous "el parador chicken" which was one of the best chicken dishes I have ever eaten.”
  24. “One of the best dishes is their chicken chilaqilles (sp?)”
  25. “I've been there and had decent food but most of the time the food is just bad.”
  26. “El Parador is absolutely amazing- from the service to the salsa to the entrees, they have NEVER disappointed.”
  27. “The mood and food are always perfect, the staff are overly friendly and will do anything to make your meal more pleasant.”
  28. “When we needed anything whether it was music or more food it was done quickly and efficently I strongly recommend El Parador whether you just want to go out and have a great meal or throw an awesome party!”
  29. “the food is always wonderful.”
menu variety
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The food did not dissapoint us, although two items on the menu were out that evening - one of them the restaurant's signature dish, which is unacceptable.”
  2. “However one day three of us went for dinner on a weekday night and found the place very much alive with a nice crowd, professional service, promising menu.”
  3. “The sangaria is excellent as well as the tequila selection.”
  4. “excellent authentic mexican cuisine with great selection of every tequila you can want.”
  5. “the menu is great overall.”
  6. “told him I liked fish tacos and he added them to the menu!”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It is the best mexican restaurant i have ever been to.”
  2. “There are so many great places to eat in the city, I wonder why would someone wannna spend their money at this place”
return potential
40.0% positive
  1. “to this day I return with my wife, friends and family for the following reasons: 1)I have NEVER had a bad meal, in fact the food is OUTSTANDING--Nachos like none you've ever had, the BEST salsa and chips around, great guacamole, FANTASTIC frozen margarita”
  2. “With this terrible experience, I doubt I will ever bring myself to go back.”
service
85.0% positive
  1. “Guaranteed to please is you want, great food, great atmosphere and service without attitude!”
  2. “it maybe crowded and busy aka slow service but overall very worth going to.”
  3. “The mood and food are always perfect, the staff are overly friendly and will do anything to make your meal more pleasant.”
  4. “the food and service were great.”
  5. “Alex the owner was very friendly and accomodating.”
  6. “The waiters and staff are rude as well as the owner.”
  7. “The food was very very good, the margaritas were great, and the atmosphere and service were just lovely.”
  8. “Not only is the food excellent, but the presentation and service is excellent, and Alex is one of the most amiable and funny Maitre Ds in the City.”
  9. “Great friendly service, nice ambience, nice bar, all around great dining experience.”
  10. “El Parador is absolutely amazing- from the service to the salsa to the entrees, they have NEVER disappointed.”
  11. “great atmosphere and service”
  12. “Food was good, service was good but a modicum of consideration needs to be given to seating arrangements.”
  13. “when we walked in the manager greeted us so warmly i couldn't tell if he remembered us from previous times or if he was just being an excellent host.”
  14. “However one day three of us went for dinner on a weekday night and found the place very much alive with a nice crowd, professional service, promising menu.”
  15. “the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is lovely, and the service is excellent.”
  16. “little spendy, but the food was definitely worth it and the service was excellent.”
  17. “to this day I return with my wife, friends and family for the following reasons: 1)I have NEVER had a bad meal, in fact the food is OUTSTANDING--Nachos like none you've ever had, the BEST salsa and chips around, great guacamole, FANTASTIC frozen margarita”
  18. “The guac is good too, but the portions are a little stingy (maybe that's why people weren't so fat in the 60's) Stick to the straight Mexican fare and you woun't be disappointed.”
value
80.0% positive
  1. “There are so many great places to eat in the city, I wonder why would someone wannna spend their money at this place”
  2. “The guac is good too, but the portions are a little stingy (maybe that's why people weren't so fat in the 60's) Stick to the straight Mexican fare and you woun't be disappointed.”
  3. “It is expensive for no reason, chips was greasy and salsa was luke warm with indian spices inside, food was just ok.”
  4. “it maybe crowded and busy aka slow service but overall very worth going to.”
  5. “little spendy, but the food was definitely worth it and the service was excellent.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “it maybe crowded and busy aka slow service but overall very worth going to.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/17/12

A Mexican Oasis!

by crdog

This is the best Mexican in NYC. My friend and I were tipped off a few years ago about this place. It is right near the midtown tunnel so it's not in a pretty spot, but when you walk in the door you feel as if you've been transported to Mexico. The restaurant is authentically, but nicely, decorated and is warm and welcoming. It's usually packed but that just means you have time for an extra margarita which are delicious! Both meals I've had there were fantastic. They serve 'nacho's that are individually topped instead of the usual pile of garbage you get at a sports bar that usually ends up being soggy at the bottom. Great place!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/02/12

Best Mexican Food in Midtown East!

by Jwilkey1

El Parador Cafe has some of the best Mexican food I have eaten in Manhattan. No wonder it's been around for so many years! I've dined in the restaurant as well as had delivery and I have to say that when my friend and I ordered the taco plate to share one night, we a. couldn't believe that it travelled so well and b. couldn't believe HOW MUCH food the dish came with! What a steal!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/17/10

MUY BIEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by jpaserman

excellent authentic mexican cuisine with great selection of every tequila you can want. Im on my way there now. and you should be to.

  • Pros: great happy hour, friendly staff
  • Cons: none
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/14/08

great dining expereince

by jaereagan

i had a great dining experience here...a little spendy, but the food was definitely worth it and the service was excellent.I recommend to anyone or everyone.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/07/08

chips,salsa,food,drinks.....muy bueno

by critic17

every year my family takes me to this restaurant for my birthday. the food is always wonderful. it maybe crowded and busy aka slow service but overall very worth going to. the salsa that they always on the table warm and read for you is to die for. the menu is great overall. some of my favorites that i would recommend are the enchilada, ropa vieja, pollo parador, and Costillas D'Cordero al Chipotle. so though there are some bad reviews on this site i would definitely recommend this place.

  • Pros: great food
  • Cons: always busy

The Details on El Parador Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great mexican food
  • great friendly service
  • recommend mexican place
  • best fantastic frozen margaritas
  • bad meal
  • great dining experience
  • wonderful mexican restaurant
  • most amiable maitre ds
  • great quiet atmosphere
  • liked fish tacos
  • unpleasant experience
  • accomodating alex
  • rude staff
  • best chicken dishes
  • absolutely amazing el parador
  • excellent salsa
  • authentic mexican cuisine
  • nice nieghborhood
  • delicious jalepenos
  • very filling chicken enchilada
  • not terrific decor
  • disappointed never
  • delicious sangria
  • great guacamole
  • excellent drinks

Message from El Parador Cafe

  • Pre-Fixe Lunch Menu
  • Tasting Hour Specials
  • Private Party Rooms Available

El Parador Café was established in 1959 and is the oldest Mexican restaurant in New York City. Respected as having the best Margaritas by The New York Press and the best Ceviche by The New York Times, we welcome you to join us for lunch, dinner or tasting hour in Midtown East today. At El Parador, we offer an excellent menu, world class bar & lounge and a warm atmosphere. El Parador is dedicated to culture, care, and warmth. Many of our customers met each other and have held their most intimate gatherings here. We'd love to help you host a great event, for either personal or business groups. The main restaurant can accommodate up to 120 people. We also have one of the best party spaces in NY, La Cueva (The Cave). La Cueva can comfortably accommodate up to 40 people. We're El Parador, the most accommodating restaurant in New York. The answer is yes. What's your question?

El Parador Cafe

New Evening Tasting Hour 10PM-Midnight, Monday-Saturday

Beer, red or white sangria and/or house margaritas only $5. Select appetizers 1/2 price.

El Parador Cafe - 325 E 34th StNew York, NY10016 - (347) 836-4267

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