La Esquina
Mexican Restaurant, Taco Restaurant, and Lounge$$$$
SoHo, New York
The folks at Time Out New York and Serious Eats like this place. Would you agree?
"Food is delicious / and has a really great vibe downstairs."(45 Tips)
"I had the Bistec tacos and the Elote and they were excellent."(16 Tips)
"Elotes aka grilled corn is amazing here ❤️ Definitely a must-get."(20 Tips)
"Must gets: lengua and carnitas tacos."(13 Tips)
691 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- tacos
- downstairs
- margaritas
- trendy
- tortas
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Jane KDecember 30, 2014ugh can't go wrong, but hands down in love with their fish and bistec tacos!!! tacos may seem small but they're surprisingly filling...
Ton LMay 13, 2017Holy cow the tacos are so good. Can't miss. But order 2. Each piece is about 3-4 bites.
Adam SchuitMarch 29, 2017Best Mexican tacos in NYC. Also check out the very cool tequila bar downstairs if you can get in.
Serious EatsJanuary 7, 2014Divey-looking taco and sandwich spot popular with a hipster crowd. Go for super-porky carnitas.
Zach MOctober 24, 2014Favorite taco place in New York, lots of patio tables, great quick service, great street side atmosphere. Happening.
BollareSeptember 30, 2011Skip the downstairs restaurant and eat at the side café instead — much cozier and you don’t need a reservation. Go with friends, get a big booth, and order Mexican corn and sangria! —Marina
Bevin StellaDecember 29, 2017Pork tacos were amazing! Also very cool ambiance but we were there on a freezing night and it was superrr drafty.
Kathryn DJuly 22, 2016Delicious food and a party vibe. Don't miss the queso and the cauliflower tacos for vegetarians.
Adam DJuly 23, 2016Short rib & coleslaw is killer. Also the chicken tostadas. All the tacos are the bomb. Ask for chips & pico to scoop everything up with.
Gabriel FeghaliMay 14, 2016Looks like random taco dive outside. Doorman lets you in to underground good music and dancing. We had private room table accessed via kitchen. Food was good.
Rishi SatsangiSeptember 11, 2014The food here is very high quality. Their mexican dishes are great, but definitely go for brunch if you can. And get a michelada.
Julie SosciaAugust 1, 2018Typical NYC experience - if not seated on the outdoor patio, make sure to grab a seat indoors (the entrance is down the stairs and through the kitchen).- Julie SosciaJuly 16, 2018Typical NYC experience - if not seated on the outdoor patio, make sure to grab a seat indoors (the entrance is down the stairs and through the kitchen).
My fav restaurant in NYC. The counter for a quick bite, the cafe for a fun lunch, and the secret basement for a swanky dinner.
Alejandro EstréllaMarch 9, 2015The cafe has some of the best service and food ever. Ask for Crystal as your waitress. The fish tacos are off the hook too, Bruh!
Lori LuoAugust 10, 2014Take a seat in the restaurant (with reservations, of course), and order the excellent elote, tacos, and queso fundido.
Lauren MacJanuary 31, 2016Spicy margaritas and carnitas tacos. Cozy and tucked away, love the classy underground vibe to this place.
Alex RobertsonFebruary 15, 2020It’s hilarious to sit eating delicious tacos in the li’l deli section watching people try to get into the clubby restaurant
Aileen OlmedoDecember 27, 2017They have a boozy brunch special but it’s not mentioned on the menu. You’re welcome!
Alex HunterFebruary 23, 2022Don’t expect to be able to hear the person next to you on a Friday or Saturday. That said, great food, drinks, and vibes for getting your night started.
Jenny JJanuary 9, 2014For a calm dinner, use the red entrance around the corner (service there is way friendlier as well). Grilled corn on the cob is fab, but not on a first date ;)- Steak Taco's... second only to Mexico City. Great for people watching, and being entertained as people get turned away from the downstairs seating area.
Jonathan MoroApril 8, 2017The shrimp tacos were amazing for $10 but very small portions. Come as a snack or order extra stuff.
Corey ManiconeJuly 23, 2014Trust me on this one and get the rice milk. It's great even in 90 degree weather.
Cordell LawrenceMay 12, 2015This place is a true gem. Fantastic cocktails. A hidden away speakeasy-feel that serves authentic Mexican cuisine.
Nadine BlakeAugust 16, 2012Pescado Tacos are a must. I wish the margaritas were better. Fun atmosphere -- small but packs a punch.
BoozeMenusJanuary 20, 2012Start in the Brasserie with a Pepino Diablo Cocktail and the Ceviche Acapolco. For the main, opt for Chile Relleno or Pollo Dominguero Tradicional. Spice up the night with the Mezcal flight Read more- Jasmine MehrabiAugust 3, 2019Flour tortillas are fresh and authentic. Pollo quesadilla 10/10. Guac is good but if you get chips then it’s in a bag.
Time Out New YorkAugust 1, 2011Try the Pescado a las Brasas taco, available at the sit-down café and takeout taqueria. It's one of NYC's 26 best tacos! Read more
Edomia zaide BereheAugust 9, 2018Food is great, drinks even better. You need a reservation unless you want to eat at the bar which is crowded.
Yasmina MikouSeptember 17, 2015The food wasn't that crazy but the corn with mexican sauce is delicious ! Good frozen margaritaaas and great ambiance 👍🏻
Jane BangAugust 25, 2012Chicken Tortilla Soup is amazing, don't overlook it! The corn is delicious and this place also has the best shrimp tacos in NY!
Varun ShettyMay 24, 2014The quesadilla is a nice little surprise. Also, if the weather is nice, eat outside on the benches across the street.
Princess Abigail BacaniJanuary 23, 2013Hidden under a corner roadside taqueria, The Corner. Go downstairs behind a door marked "employees only", sneak through the kitchen, then a sort of locker room, to get to this underground restaurant.
Try all their tacos and get the horchata to drink. If you can, go downstairs to the secret lounge-- they have wonderful drinks and chill music.
Ekaterina DanilovaDecember 1, 2012A great place to hang out! Try the corn, they make it in heaven ;) nice and friendly staff and crowd
Lindsey KimOctober 8, 2014Great place for New Yorkers to take their friends. Go downstairs and walk through the kitchen before being seated
Nathalie BosshardApril 6, 2015Order Family Style Tacos, keep the Orange margarithas coming & listento great Music.
- drew tarvinMay 19, 2015This place has tacos, tacos, tacos! And that's exactly what you should get 3 tacos so you feel full.
Stephanie GareriSeptember 3, 2014Great service. Delicious food. Fantastic margaritas!! Really great place for dinner with friends.
I like real Mexican foods and this place doesn't disappoint. From the carnitas to tongue tacos, real, gritty and delicious.- Annie HungAugust 18, 2017Sat downstairs (finally got a res!). Food was good, but prices were exorbitant (~$6/taco!!). When paying $12 min for tacos (2 small ones), throw us a 3rd one. Will get them from upstairs next time.
Alexandros PlexidasMay 4, 2016Masked behind the Mexican cantina, this speakeasy restaurant with loud music can be an excellent option to combine dinner & drinks. Fast served food was ok but not particularly gastronomic.
Mike SeilbackJanuary 27, 2013Walk through the diner-like upstairs to a trendy, underground hotspot. The grilled corn and bistec tacos are amazing.
Zaarly NYCSeptember 11, 2011Hands down closest thing to real Mexican food you'll get in NYC. Ask for a table downstairs in the back room. Trust me its worth the wait!
1,471 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Open until Midnight (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- Noon–Midnight
- Fri
- Noon–12:10 AM
- Sun
- 11:00 AM–Midnight
(646) 613-7100
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Parking
Street
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
You might also like
Places people like to go after La Esquina
- 8.8
"The original is so great. If you're a chocolate lover like me get the chocolate cheesecake - so good!! The Oreo one a third fave."
G - 8.4
"Ask to go to the back bar. Chill spot to grab excellent drinks in a beach bar ambiance."
Philip Soriano - 8.7
"Salads, grilled cheese, the slushy cocktail, ango shots. One of the best bars in town"
Doctore Aguacate
Appears on 4,847 lists
Hidden Bars & Restaurants in NYC
Created by Untapped Cities
43 items • 1,311 followers
Created by Time Out New York
28 items • 2,906 followers
Created by People
9 items • 1,188 followers
