Empellón Taqueria
Taco Restaurant and Mexican Restaurant$$$$
West Village, New York
The experts at Serious Eats and Time Out New York recommend this place
"Fish tacos & Brussels sprout tacos were my favorite!"(8 Tips)"👌🏼 Guacamole with smoked cashew salsa, 👍🏼 Red chili pork tacos"(5 Tips)
"Lobster Taco was fantastic!!! Drinks and Desserts are amazing too!!!"(11 Tips)
"Excellent tacos and great spicy cucumber margaritas"(4 Tips)
227 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Chefs FeedAugust 2, 2016Chef Alex Stupak is a genius with pastries, and now he is a genius with Mexican food. It is my go-to restaurant when I am in the West Village. Get the tongue taco with potatoes and arbol chile salsa. Read more
Rewan PartiSeptember 22, 2017They have hands down one of the best tacos. Order the guacamole, the 7 salsas, red snapper ceviche, sea bass taco, chili pork taco and skirt stake taco. They have some great vegetarian options also!
Tim SheaJune 8, 2017Get one of the melted cheeses, the chorizo one is especially good, but they're all good. The guac is delicious too! And great tacos!! Delicious food, a tad pricey, but worth it!
Roniel TesslerSeptember 17, 2017Might be my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. Pastrami, Lamb, and fried oysters tacos are amazing. That cashew sauce with the guac is incredible.
Elliot WehnerJuly 26, 2015Everything is good here. Love the chips + guac and the 7 or so salsas. Make sure to get extra chips bc they are so good they will go quick. Margaritas are well executed - I prefer the classic.
Jessica WickhamApril 18, 2017Great margaritas - Highly recommend the shishito peppers, sea bass taco and broccoli tacos. Friendly staff who rang to keep us updated on our table wait.
Madison EarlyAugust 18, 2018Tacos were the best I’ve ever had. Margaritas were amazing. they didn’t have the AC on so it was an unpleasant dining experience in the middle of August in humid manhattan but I will go back for sure.- Syd LeighMay 15, 2015Brussel sprout tacos are incredible. A must, even for meat eaters.Chicken tacos have great flavor. Get the salsa verde, it's creamy.The chocolate flan is so different-- save room for it. Great margs!
Jane KatzAugust 17, 2015spicy cucumber marg is the underdog of the drink menu. Make sure to eat fish tacos + shishito pepper queso. The best ceviche is the hamachi with shaved fennel and avocado. Sat night duck tacos=100- I MNovember 28, 2014Enjoy tiny but intensely flavorful & usually creative tacos. This place is perfect for a small group so that you can order every kind of taco and the salsa sampler, and try everything. Great service.
EdJuly 30, 2017First time here fantastic variety of drinks and mocktails and wonderful variety of tacos great friendly service looking forward to returning
Juan HernandezJuly 4, 2019Everything from the quail egg sopes, the queso fundido w/shishito peppers, the duck, and cochinita pibil tacos is top notch! -the mezcal grapefruit margarita is simply delicious!
Paige CSeptember 22, 2014The pork tacos with the grilled pineapple were truly amazing. We also loved their salsa sampler - each one bringing something different to the meal. They could use more dessert options.
Dan SohaydaApril 13, 2018Second room in back so don't get scared if the front is packed. Our server was incredibly friendly and helpful with food allergies. Drinks were good, and food was even better. Tacos are small go for 3
Mara LecocqNovember 18, 2014The chicken taco was good. Nice decor/bar vibe and sitting by the window gives a nice view on the street. Not cheap but you pay for the decor, location and view.
Guac is best I've had. Make sure you splurge for the extra sauces for your chips. For dessert, go around the corner and get a Salty Pimp at the Big Gay Ice Cream shop!
Courtney LewisJuly 2, 2018Chips and guacamole are a must! Plus it’s served with two delicious salsas...one smoky and the other spicy. Loved the classic margarita and fish tacos.
StayNYC RentalsOctober 17, 2018If ever there was a time for fancy tacos and fancy queso, it’s your birthday. Empellon Taqueria gets our approval for its somewhat upscale yet relaxed feel and great Mexican eats.
Nicolette RomeroNovember 1, 2015In the mood for tacos? Then this is your spot. Start with the guacamole - the jalapeños give it some kick! Go for the carne asada or fish tacos. Be sure to add verde!- Leisha MagsisiMay 27, 2015The margaritas and tacos were amazing! The passion fruit marg, spicy cucumber marg, or the classic were all amazing. Fish tacos & Brussels sprout tacos were my favorite!
Always a constant...it never fails to be delicious. The staff is awesome! Spent my birthday here and because we had to wait so long the manager gave us shots and free drinks. Love this place!
Jacqui B.October 6, 2018The spicy cucumber margaritas are legendary. The seven salsas are well-worth the train ticket to visit New York.
Ali WattsSeptember 22, 2012Tables by the windows are great for a group, summer squash salad & quest fundido w/ shishito peppers are amazing - margarita, lamb and fish tacos is we'e good...roosters claw (drink) is good but spicy
Kavita BabaMay 28, 2015For brunch: avoid the baked egg whites with chickpeas or the deviled egg tacos. Go for the Brussels sprouts tacos and about 20000 orders of the masa waffle
Erica BartAugust 9, 2012Man...the food is amazing! Queso fundido with green chorizo and tomato and corn salad are necessary. Sleeper item on the menu....chicken tacos! So simple but so good. Great date spot.
Raj S.August 16, 2012Two words: incredible flavor. Spicy but not overwhelming and supremely fresh. The cashew-based salsa, fish tempura and sweetbread tacos are all must-try. The Rooster's Claw is serious business.
Alexis BendjouiaAugust 10, 2014Had great cocktails, service and dinner at the bar. Must get guac(with salsas!) and corn. Great fish taco too.
- Eugene BDecember 16, 2014Chilaquiles verdes made for decent brunch fare - the braised bacon tacos not so much. But it was the short rib pastrami tacos with pickled cabbage and mustard seed salsa that stole the show.
Men's Health MagJuly 10, 2012The chefs take a 1½-pound lobster and heat it in cream flavored with epazote, roasted tomato, and green chile. They then pile it onto tortillas and top with field corn, epazote mayonnaise, and cotija.
Damian BayonaJanuary 30, 2016The fish taco is the way to go. Also, def get some salsa borracha on the side - it has a smoky mezcal kick. 💃🏻🌮
HOBNOB MagazineApril 6, 2015Do a taco tasting: 5 awesome and unusual tacos with surprising ingredients, and complimentary Margarita for $55. Sign up fast, these sell out quickly!
Chris EvansNovember 10, 2014Wow everything is so good. Just close your eyes and point to something. But if you have to choose, go with the pork shoulder. It's really unreal.
Staff PicksAugust 29, 2014Empellon's Lamb barbacoa tacos filled with smoked lamb, cucumber and orange sets new limits to how many tacos you can have on Taco Tuesday. Read more
Time Out New YorkAugust 1, 2011Try the beer-braised tongue taco here, the brined pork tongue is cooked with bacon, chorizo, onions and a slug of Negra Modelo. It's one of NYC's 26 best tacos! Read more
Kayleigh HarringtonAugust 28, 2017Drink the mezcal, eat the fish tacos, share the queso with chorizo.
Kevin CabralAugust 22, 2014You ordered the masa chips and guac, right? Now, order a second helping, ask for the extra hot spices and add a spicy tequila drink. Now that's living!
Cole KennedyDecember 11, 2016Stellar tacos and guacamole and margaritas and, well, everything. Not cheap though. Good for a date, first or otherwise.
Jess KonoMarch 26, 2017Their margaritas are fresh- no sour mix! Get the fried egg taco- the salsa is fantastic.
Anna RMay 5, 2015Great drinks and awesome food. Share with pals so you can try more than one. Tequila bottle at the table if you dare.
Lori LuoAugust 11, 2014Drop by on weekend afternoons for a quality Mexican-inspired brunch. Items like the Scrambled Egg Fundido and Buttermilk Pancakes are sure to please.- The Tastes that Make the CityJanuary 28, 2015The short rib pastrami taco with mustard seed salsa is the best taco in NYC, making our list of "The Tastes That Make the City: NYC Edition." Read more
MarcJune 12, 2014Tasting Table Top 10 Tacos: "Alex Stupak truly elevates the form, turning out complex & elegant beauties like the short rib pastrami taco with mustard seed salsa..."
Love this place. Happy Hour is an amazing deal. Bar staff are friendly and make some mean cocktails!
Carlyn LiviaApril 13, 2014Beer braised tongue was good but very spicy. Save that taco for the end. Lobster and duck confit tacos were delicious! Great service too!- Kavita BabaJanuary 13, 2015You can order a bottle of tequila for the table. Or enjoy the guac with salsa. The Brussels sprouts tacos were also delicious.
Serious EatsApril 22, 2013Smoked Banana-Mezcal Margarita: the fruit is caramelized, pureed, the puree is smoked, and used as the base with Fidencio Clasico.
Ana Marie 💃February 10, 2015Lamb taco is really good, queso fundidos are legit. Good place to grab dinner and kick off a night in the WV
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We think tacos are AWESOME. We opened Empellon with the intention of treating tacos with respect & serving them in an unpretentious way.
Closed until 5:30 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 5:30 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri
- 5:30 PM–Midnight
- Sat
- 11:45 AM–Midnight
- Sun
- 11:45 AM–11:00 PM
(212) 367-0999
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
No
Music
No
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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- 8.4
"Really enjoyed the 2nd & 2nd cocktail for brunch. Try the cheese chicharones to start and the the al pastor tacos"
Jason Brew - 8.4
"try as many things as possible! you really can't go wrong, from my experience (short rib tacos, crispy fish tacos, mezcal-cured salmon, ham and cheese croquettes...)"
Chad Horner
- 8.4
"Large private room in the back sat 14 easily. Loved the duck carnitas and merengue corn desert. Will definitely be back"
Micah Chiles
Appears on 1,379 lists
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