Reviews of La Esquina - SoHo (Restaurant)

Mireia Piqué

Nice and quiet mexican restaurant, very good carnitas. Staff also very nice

Alexandra Yusufov

Always a good idea! It’s a hidden gem in the city. (Well not so hidden anymore) . Food is tasty and drinks are great. Make a reservation in advance if you want to stay for dinner. Otherwise it’s nice to hang out by the bar. Food is available at the bar as well. Took a few friends there who were visiting. It was a success every time

Dennis Löfvenborg

Don’t let the outside of the restaurant trick you. After a short walk down the stairs and trough the kitchen a fantastic restaurant and bar opens up! The food is really good and the service is impeccable! You can split the “mains” for two and have some tacos by the side! The frozen margaritas is to die for!

Brad P

La Esquina was the best Mexican food I've ever eaten in a very unsuspecting location. Truly unique experience. Had a shared multiple course meal that was too much food for everyone to eat. Apparently lots of famous people love to frequent this location as well.

Guillermo Larrucea

Totally love this place for the atmosphere it has. The food and drinks are also good. I’d strongly recommend it!

Sidalia Aguilar

Consistently a great experience! Love coming here for an extra special date night. V cool vibes.

Jordan Ott

Swanky Mexican place with a “secret” entrance to the downstairs restaurant. The atmosphere is cool but it is very loud and difficult to hear conversation. You are also packed in very tightly which isn’t comfortable. Food is great but pricey. Service is below average but this isn’t uncommon in NYC.

Katie Gold

Will not be returning. We came into the restaurant expecting to have a nice dinner. Was greeted with the N- word being dropped left and right over the speakers. When I asked our waiter if they’d be able to change the music and they told us no because they “don't control the music”. Trying to endure the music, it got to a point where I had to address a group of employees directly. The second time I addressed them, then the music changed. But I thought they couldn’t change the music? When going into a restaurant that charges upwards of $10 for 2 tacos, I expect to hear music that makes everyone feel comfortable. Especially when I was the only black person in the establishment. Also, the food was beyond average. Very plain flavors and the corn in the Elote was old.

Steven Omelan

An unforgettable experience for sure! Don't think I've ever seen such a lively atmosphere for an underground restaurant. The vibe and decor can't be beat. I would say this is a must visit on any trip for at least a cocktail or two. There is a dance floor, but literally no room to move or dance. It's pretty much a stand only bar area to grab a couple drinks and enjoy the DJ. That being said, my whole group found the food pretty average. I wouldn't return for food. The large portion meals were solid, but on the dryer side. The lamb made much more sense than the pork belly did as far as make-your-own-tacos go, but were still a tad disappointing. The other taco and ceviche dishes were ok, but very forgettable.

Falk Uebernickel

This place is a secret! In the basement of the building is a fantastic bar located. The bar keeper are very friendly and the cocktails are tasty. Only complain is, that you still have to wait quite a long time even with a reservation.

Corinne Becker

We stayed upstairs by choice and it was the Best best best best tacos I ever eaten! I would definitely go back! No pretention and all flavours!The basement is such a NY thing (like in movies) very hip and a surprise when u unaware of it(bookings essential for the basement bar)!

Niccolò C.

La Esquina is a very cool place ... not a typical Mexican restaurant, is like a secret club. You have to access a staff only door go down for the steps and after passing the kitchen, suddenly you will be inside a marvelous place with low light ambient atmosphere, good music, good food and good cocktails too.

Ariel Shtauber

The guy don’t let in people he don’t feel like. I’m not a rude person, I was in a taxi from Brooklyn here sitting in traffic and needed bathroom. The guy just practice his power on me. He let me wait for my friends to come down just to say no. While I wasn’t maybe a sweetheart to him, I wasn’t rude. All I said is that my friends are upstairs when he asked for reservations. Un called for!

Bernardo Villela

Place is a classic in Soho! But it is more beautiful/unique than delicious! Food is ok, and overpriced for that they offer!

David Lincoln

Place has been the decline the last eight years. Smaller portions, higher prices, and unreliable accuracy of takeout/delivery orders.

Brianna Espinoza

You can either stand and eat your food or ask to eat at the back which is where they have seating available. We didn’t know this until we were told by staff. The guac was really good and the tacos were alright.

Tahli Langdon

Upon entering we were ushered to a waiting area near the bar. It was in the walkway of where the kitchen and restaurant is so therefore we felt like a nuisance to the staff as we kept getting in the way. There didn't seem to be a host informing guests on what was happening. After about 10min we had to find a staff member to ask about our table. We had a reservation for 8:15pm. She told us to get a drink at the bar and wait. We didn't get seated at our table till 8:50pm. So my initial experience with this restaurant was dissatisfaction. Once served, we had the fish tacos which didn't have much flavour, and the lamb which was chewy and not tender enough. I did enjoy the string beans and the huarache dona emi. The music is soo loud that the wait staff don't tell you what they are serving. It's just put on the table. Besides that, the decor and atmosphere is cool. But don't expect anything amazing.

Jorgina Marzan

Delicious food, but a little pricey.

Dj Funky

Make your reservations time, the food and atmosphere is so chill. I love that the place has a youthful vibe with a vlassic deli and bar style. Worth the wait when reserving my time slots weeks in advance.

Sasha Feather

This was one of the best experiences I've ever had! You enter through what looks like a service entrance, go down the back stairs, through the kitchen and every into an open space that houses a bar and is bumping. Beyond that is the quaint dining area which is delightful as well. The food and the staff are all amazing! You must go. You must also make a reservation I believe!

joey rehavi

Love this place. Downside is you usually need about three weeks to make reservations. Great food, cool bar, and the biggest variety of tequila that I’ve ever seen. AND their corn on the cob is AMAZING. Very cool “secret” entrance to the restaurant that walks you on a red carpet through the kitchen!

Efrat Petel

The place is amazing great music but need to know it is very hard to speak but its fun!!! Food was good! Service was not so good and slow and we had to wait more than 45 min for our food.

Roxana Perez Pineiro

Very nice food. We eat outside as the their downstairs restaurant is only on reservation.

Sean Golding

Tacos up stairs are better than the restaurant downstairs. Heaving energy in the place.

Jan Willem den Daas

We are from the Netherlands, and there we hardly have any good Mexican restaurants, so it was great to go to La esquina to finally have some amazing food! The queso fundido really did it for us, as it's so cheesy and the tortilla chips were …

Marie Thelusma

Love this place. Been my favorite

Jacob Yamine

One of my favorite places in Soho, and which has been around for years and years.

Karen Ng

Amazing atmosphere and food! Tacos and cheese were absolutely amazing. Will definitely come back again.

Mella Pesonen

So good. Pretty small portions though (at least tacos). Friendly service

Michael Gasi

Had the chicken enchiladas with mole and really enjoyed it. The cocktails are pretty tasty as well. Ambience was very chill and hip. Service was good. I'd go again.

Justin Carrillo

One, single taco is $4.50 but it was so good I bought two more.

Jeremy Andra

Good food, but the real party is in the basement! That is where the real fun begins. Great speak easy club. If you found this review helpful, please like it. Thanks

Daria Millman

Great guac. Rest is a good easy staple..

Carlos SP

Excellent place for a date for two, with friends, or after work, it doesn't look kid-friendly, so you might want to leave them at home for this one. Authentic Mexican character and food. The service is what you would expect from a well run Mexican restaurant/ Bar/ Nightclub. Good ambiance, music, and decoration. Tables are very close to each other, but in this place, it adds to the experience, we didn't mind other patrons from neighboring tables.

Dan Milano

I'd heard years ago that there was a bar under the taco shop. Walking in on a Thursday night, there was someone leaning in the inner doorway above the stairs talking to a girl, they looked like a taco shop patron just hanging around. I went to enter and they swiftly turned and grabbed me by the arm and asked if I had a reservation. I haven't been grabbed by a stranger ever in my life and this was harrowing, why did they have permission to touch me? They didn't look like an employee in any sort of dress code, in the moment it felt like a random customer decided to accost me. Disturbed, I said no and they moved to block my entrance, laying down that anyone without reservations was not welcome to visit the bar. Freaked out, I left.

Gal Somekh

Food was good, portions were small, service was good, but it took over an hout for us to get our food

Michael Tcheyan

Besides the charming location and how good the food taste this is a moment like no other to visit la esquina because there is a fabulous art show buy a very talented artist currently installed on the walls. The artist I'm talking about is named Ro Login and she works in an extremely beautiful pointillist style with wonderful colors and energy. If you have a chance to stop by at La Esquina while these works are on display I highly recommend it.

Karl Ross

Amazing mexican restaurant in the heart of SoHo! Very delicious food and always served fresh! The atmosphere is so cozy! All the food looks so fancy and good! I will definetly recommend to check their Quasadillas and stuffed guacamole! Very nice staff as well friendly and fast!

Ingrid Colonna

I totally recommend the place, there is an amazing environment, the food is amazingly delicious! and the service of Franco was the best. Me and my family are very satisfied, La Esquina just made our holiday much better!

Warren Tate Speaker Coach

Love this place. Cool speakeasy underground bar restaurant with a great atmosphere and food. Make sure you book and then enter the corner deli and see the waiter at the door inside. You walk downstairs and through the kitchen to the bar and restaurant. The food is fabulous and the service is very efficient. Expect to be sitting g close to other tables as they do squeeze you in.

Sandro Ivanor

Best drinks ever, price is too cheap for the quality of the service and the food. If you go please ask to be served by Franco, warmest server in NY.

Patrina Huff

A new arrival in my time there. Good eats and good for a quick bite. Near several major subway lines.

Alisande

I lost the pictures I had to this place but can confirm it has been a staple in my city visits for a great night out with friends. Very trendy and good eats ! The cocktails at bar downstairs make the wait worth it as does the music being played by DJ.

Brandon Kuni

Ring the alarm! Hot fire alert! Make reservations for underground, you won't be disappointed. But you can't go wrong with curbside seating and the freshest tacos ever. Solid margs. You will be happy

Lev Wilke

What can I say? This food was perfect. Delicious, yummy and all around and amazing experience. You need to find the entrance through the Tacoria, but that is actually fun. Service was great, too.

Thaiza Melo

Super trendy, food delicious, service really attentive. It is pricey, but good value for money if you can afford it.

Olivia Trueman

Incredible food and a super fun atmosphere.

Name Missing

Great atmosphere, decent price. It's worth to go here just for the atmosphere. The food was good, but we have had better.

tanya soto

I can say that it was my favorite place until yesterday. After dinner I decided to go to this place for a couple drinks with my friends, the doorman asked us if we had a reservation and said no, he said then they cannot enter. Many times we insist on giving us the opportunity and he said no. We stayed in the place and let everyone in the line enter without reservation, that was a totally racist and inhuman act.

Margie Kuras

Shrimp tacos so good they'll make you cry!! So glad we found this place when visiting! Great spot with a seating outside or inside just around the corner. Great variety and for the quality the price is perfect. Everything was absolutely delicious. We had various tacos, elotes for the table (on the cob too my favorite!), and a bunch of margaritas in various styles. As prefaced, the shrimp tacos were the absolute best [thing I've ever had]. Staff and service was attentive ans friendly. I can't wait to come back!

Omar Hussein

Eh. I don't know what else to say. Crowd is fashionable. Good for bar/drinks. As a restaurant, pretty mediocre. Service, food, ambiance. All mediocre. It's a bar with food.

Carolina Carvajal

Delicious fast tacos. We also loved the guacamole with chips!

wilson arenillas

There are like four sections. Ate at the cafe, drinks were more of a soft drink than a cocktail. The ceviche was not something I would recommend.

Abell Kendrix

Would absolutely recommend eating here. Exceptional mood, yummy dishes, excellent customer service. 5 stars.

Marcus Gilbert

Very nice! Enviroment is very good and the food also. Elote is magical.

Ochieng Okeyo

As you approach, you see what looks like a traditional US diner. Neon lights and all. Get to what looks like a service entrance, knock on the door and a doorman answers. Takes your details and disappears returning seconds later with a smile to welcome you in. This place is awesome. Great food. Even greater vibe. Nice contemporary setting. Not cheap. Hard to find a place with more vibe. I can see why it is difficult to get into. Superb! Make a booking well in advance!

Mark from NYC

I really like this place. The food is good, the atmosphere is fun and the service is friendly. I have to stop coming though because quite frankly, it is too expensive for lunch. The tacos, after tax, are at least $5 each. The tortilla soup is $8 but they just cut the size in half. I will miss you La Esquina. Good bye.

James Francis

Great little lively speakeasy styled Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar hidden behind a secret door. Im a big fan of tacos and these guys over delivered. Even catered for my dairy free partner. Margaritas were pretty great too. A little loud for a date night but a great evening for a group. Will be back soon!

James O'Donnell

Great vibe there. Even on a Monday night. Food was pretty good. The melted cheese dish was delicious. Same with the fish tacos. Very friendly and polite service. Food comes out pretty quickly.

Gabriela C.

Really good restaurant with great food. 2tacos for $10 which is not the best but they are good tacos. Would recommend to try at least once.

andrew arsan

Warm service, beautiful food, and a banging mix. The torta de carnitas has the most amazing depth of flavour. Only slight low point was the fish taco. But I stress slight.

M Todd

This place never fails to impress. They have good dishes for convenient prices, there are no long waits even when the spot is busy.

Jaime Angarita

We had an early reservation, so we were the 2nd couple there. Turns out the hostess had a plan for all the reservations and literally placed us and the only other couple immediately next to each other in a completely vacant room. When I requested a different table, the hostess was extremely bothered by this and said there are no other tables available. We spent the first half of our dinner awkwardly sitting next to the only other people, then when people showed up, the next couple Sat by themselves in another part of the room for 30 mins. This hostess clearly doesn't know what stacking reservations is, very terrible service overall including the waitress who said fish is the best thing on the menu and later revealed she is a pescatarian and only eats fish.

basheer bergus

Fantastic food. Can never go wrong with their tacos (I love the barbacoa) - if you're dining in, the mole enchiladas are worthwhile. They should bring back negra Modelo, though. Downstairs at night there's a club type of situation..too …

Shirley Matthews

Always the best. I just want to try everything on the menu. I tried the corn on the cob... Omg it was the best. If to get 2 the next time.

sse1378

Stick to drinks and the guac and chips if you come here. The portobello torta was ok and nothing amazing. Fries were good and hot as they should be. The Plata Julio with grilled fish was also ok. The fish didn't have that grilled texture and no seasoning, so skip it! The rice was hard and chewy and overall it was underwhelming. Service was meh, no water refills or checking in on our dishes. If you get Medicore service and food don't be tempted to tip more than 15% most!

V. Sala

Food was disappointing and really expensive -12 dollars for two tiny tacos? Tables are too close together, impossible to have a private conversation. We heard all the conversations of the two tables next to ours, so much so that it felt like we were a party of six instead of two. Our waitress was great, though.

Scotch

Used to be a good spot but when you have tacky stuck up seaters telling you you're late for your reservation when you've been at the location and checked in with the doorman and need to make a call, leaves a bad taste in your mouth just …