Rayuela
(Now Closed)Latin American Restaurant, Spanish Restaurant, and Cocktail Bar$$$$
Lower East Side, New York
The experts at Food & Wine and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
77 Tips and reviews
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The Corcoran GroupMarch 31, 2014This could definitely be our new favorite boozy brunch spot. Order the Arepa - easily one of the best brunch dishes we've had in a while. The $15 unlimited sangria can't be beat, get the passionfruit!
amNewYorkJune 27, 2013This cozy, freestyle Latino eatery aims to put a new twist on traditional dishes such as tapas and ceviche. The olive tree in the center — which extends to the second floor — adds an organic ambience.
Veronika SonsevNovember 10, 2013This place is amazing. Our favorites were the crab guacamole, octopus with potatoes and rabbit appitizer. 4 appitizers and a ceviche made a very nice meal for us, giving us an opportunity to sample.
Michelle SMarch 1, 2013I have been here so many times and am never disappointed. Had a group dinner here (yet again) and the service was terrific (as usual) - food & wine...fantastic (as usual). Love this place!
Vinti BhatnagarFebruary 2, 2013The Eggs Benedict is great, but if you're torn between savory/sweet the Ecuadorean Humita is it! The sweetness of the corn tamal paired with the flavorful kale and soft scramble w salmon is lovely.
Anna KhanJune 14, 2014Delicious tapas style restaurant with wonderful ambiance. Ask to be seated upstairs! Order the meatballs, kale salad and short rib sliders. Ask for hot sauce on the side. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Scott FriedbergMarch 10, 2013Had a mojito cubano to drink, ostras santiago for appetizer, vieras con calabaza ciitrica for entree, and chocolate cortazar for dessert. Despite the small portions everything was delicious.
Tavonna MillerDecember 23, 2013Took some friends here last week to celebrate and we had an AMAZING experience! It was sooo beautiful, the food, service, drinks, ambience was EVERYTHING I imagined!!
Claire SextonDecember 1, 2012Had a great brunch here with a large group. $11 all you can drink speciality sangria, but they didn't treat us or anyone else like cattle like some all-you-can drink brunch places. Food was very good
Elyse EstradaOctober 21, 2012Trio of ceviches never disappoints. Fish is prob the way to go because my medium rare skirt steak was well done. But the rye cocktail is legit and all alcoholic beverages are phenom.
** soulsinger**April 30, 2011Coming up roses drink is awsome rose water... .rose petals???? unbelievable. Try their shrimp guacamole, the beet rissotto is wonderful. Paella delish.....i can go on and on. I will def go back for m
Gabrielle TabakDecember 29, 2011Everything on the menu is amazing, from the amazing cocktails down to the avocado cream dessert....very romantic/whimsical atmosphere, make a reservation in advance!
Food & WineApril 20, 2011This pan-Latin spot serves traditional sangrias and mojitos as well as estilo libre ("freestyle") cocktails. These combine unexpected ingredients like ginger, jicama, pineapple and mezcal.
Andrew CerdaApril 9, 2012If you enjoy some brunch-time savory/sweet juxtapositions, order the arepa con huevo: pancake-style sweet corn, eggs sunny-side up, light chorizo, covered in deliciously melted manchego cheese
Rosario F.April 29, 2012fantastic food, the squid ink tamales, the avocado cream dessert and the mate icecream all delicious. The caipirinhas are pretty good too.
The Spark GroupMarch 27, 2012Gorgeous bar, superb atmosphere, funky cocktails, and creative (& extremely delicious food) put this place at the TOP of our list!
!:gem:!April 6, 2013A restaurant phenom. Sure to please my tastebuds every time. So what will it be tonight? White wine butter poached lobster or ribeye with chimichurri? Ahhhhhh
Elie KardousDecember 9, 2013The gnocchi and the grandma's rabbit were good! Great menu and service overall. the manager Joe is awesome!
Paella de Concha = delicious. The Paella de Coco (not currently on the menu) is also amazing. Love this place, have yet to have a bad dish here!
Cisco SanchezDecember 5, 2012Some of the best drinks around! Try the Rye and the Aguaardiente cocktails. Legend...wait for it, dary!
thmAugust 18, 2014The space is large and very beautiful. They need to work on their music selection and some snappy attitudes by one particular male waiter this past Saturday. No bueno.
Oscar DominguezMarch 9, 2013I recommend everything and starting with the lobster shrimp quac and spice margarita!! Place rocks!!- ** soulsinger**May 7, 2011The chilean bass ceviche with sweet potatoes is delish....i ordered the tuna ceviche as well and the lobster excellent!!!
Great happy hour !!!! Come see me at the bar Mondays n Tuesdays!!!
Food RepublicJune 4, 2012Spring for the paella, you've never seen so much beautiful seafood on perfectly al dente rice
Nik NadolskiOctober 5, 2013Decent food. Great atmosphere. Unlimited sangria. Definitely brunch-speed service.
Maya Jimenez 😬March 24, 2014The food is delicious here! Make sure you're not stuck with a bad waiter, though.
Must have apps: Guacamole, Salmon Rellano, Chicken & Chorizo
Amy LukesApril 18, 2014CAREFUL WITH ALLERGIES!Each person in my party ordered their dish without an ingredient (due to allergies, taste preference, etc) and each order came out with the ingredient we asked to have left out
Rob MAugust 4, 2013Nice place, music , ambiance , got it going on. Don't go early, they are not really open until noon ( we were here for 30 min before drinks) service could be much better.
Drink: Torrontes. Appetizer: Ceviche. Main course: Pato con Arepa, or Carne a la Parrilla. Dessert: Chocolate Cortazar.Congratulations. You've entered heaven.
Agent QJune 24, 2010Small menu...and EVERYTHING on it is incredible. When I first found Rayuela, I was there 6 times in three months.
Elena V.February 26, 2011Love the Rosasa sangria; peach/strawberry/mango in huckleberry vodka + cava rose!
Mucho von der GoltzApril 28, 2011Great ceviche. Red snapper with soy sauce is just great at all times.
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Rayuela: sp. Children's game, hopscotch.
Free-Style Latino Cuisine; infusing ingredients from Latin America, The Caribbean & Spain into each dish.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 5:30 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 5:30 PM–Midnight
- Sun
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
(212) 253-8840
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Free
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
Drinks
Wine, Cocktails
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Jan Cantor - 7.1
"SO good! Sangria, Nacho, Mojo Wings, Steak Quesadillas are all solid choices. Great atmosphere as well!"
Mark Sherman - 7.2
"Great customer service, open 24 hours. The Shrimp & Rice with Vegetables is fantastic."
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- 8.0
"Sloppy Joes are to die for! The Gruner Veltliner white wine is delicious too"
Joseph Quartana - 6.0
"Really fun great bar with weekly specials. Sit and watch sports or check out the beer pong table."
Esther Choi - 7.3
"Beautiful and friendly staff, nice crowd. Visited on a Saturday evening. Beautiful atmosphere and the food was good. Will be back."
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