Important Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.La Esquina
Mexican Restaurant, Taco Restaurant, and Lounge$$$$
SoHo, New York
The experts at Serious Eats and Time Out New York recommend this place
"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)
693 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- tacos
- downstairs
- margaritas
- trendy
- tortas
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
LorenJuly 24, 2015Take your tacos to go to a bench in the pocket park across the street.Two excellent vegetarian taco options.Don't miss the popsicles in summer.My goto for fairly fast/cheap/healthy dinner in the hood.
Monika McMahonAugust 1, 2016Such a fun restaurant!! Love the speakeasy feel of walking through the kitchen to get to the bar and restaurant. The food, service and drinks were all fantastic! Get your reservations in early!
Bobby NooromidApril 29, 2013If you're pretty hungry and are getting tacos, be sure to order at least three of them as their portions are relatively smaller in size. And note: they'll charge extra for a mini cup of pico de gallo.
Getting a horchatta and waking around Soho art galleries is one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday. Start w/ Clic two block south, or Center of Art and Architecture just across the street.
Vanessa AlessandraJune 9, 2013The DJ spins great beats, lighting is dim & the décor is rustic & so sexy - making this underground lounge a perfect place for a fun gathering w/friends. The #TamarindoMargarita is fire. Must go back!
Sam SNovember 28, 2015Getting a seat can be hard, but well worth your time. Tacos, esquites, queso, and enchiladas are all delicious. The service is well-paced and great.
Rewan PartiNovember 5, 2015This is a hidden gem of Soho! I would consider it under a speakeasy, tucked below Corner Deli, this place has amazing tacos, corn and tequila. Make sure you have a reservation!
This place is too delicious! The steak tacos are so addictive! I love the tortilla soup. The salad is great too. I love that they have quick take away options, a cozy restaurant to stay in, and a bar.
Chophel NamgyalMay 19, 2018Bistec and DJ! Superior hip hop and spinning! Great scene for a little post dinner hangout and groove at the bar! Order the bistec, it’s stellar pic below - tartar is good too! Music is A+
If you order food and make it to-go, you can sit in the park nearby on the benches to enjoy! I recommend at least 2 tacos + something else for a fulfilling meal.
Many don't know, but you need reservations to pass the "bouncer" to go downstairs. Once you get in- blood orange margaritas and fish tacos are musts!
Chefs FeedAugust 2, 2016Tacos are one of those foods that are a) hard to mess up and b) hard to get tired of. Akhtar Nawab is an excellent cook no matter what he’s cooking, but these tongue tacos are my favorite here. Read more
Space CatAugust 16, 2020Awesome passion fruit cocktail and food. Only negative is that they serve the nachos, guaca, and water in plastic bags, cups etc. Not very sustainable. Will come back when they open indoors again
Sam PezzulloAugust 21, 2013Getting a table here is harder than getting citizenship, but if you manage to, it's worth the wait. It's a great underground dining experience. The décor is great, and so is the food.
Dan SohaydaAugust 13, 2018Looks like a regular taco stand from the street, but if you have a dinner reservation they take you into the basement and through the kitchen to a large seating area. Tacos are small, get multiple!
Salih Seckin SevincNovember 20, 2016The restaurant has two faces. One works as Mexican buffet/bar and the showroom, the other one is downstairs; fancy, locally known, dark atmospehered, hidden, Mexican based semi fusion food serviced.
Janneke van ScherpenzeelSeptember 18, 2018This is such a cool Mexican restaurant in an old Subway station. Super trendy, so get a reservation!
Jole PJune 18, 2017Definitely got speakeasy vibes as security led you in a roundabout way underground to the bar/ seating area. Delicious tacos and octopus ceviche and our waitress gave us so much free food it was great
Khaled AOctober 25, 2018Go through the kitchen following the black carpet to get to the show. Highlights: ensalada de la casa, bistec con queso, pollo rostizado, brisket taco, tinga de pollo. Reasonable @~$100/person.
Andrew CJanuary 18, 2020The queso fundido dip (with pumpkin seeds) was unexpectedly delicious!!! Main course menu section was smaller than expected, but the tacos were on point and meat was seasoned perfectly
Whether you sit in or takeout, whether you come to eat outside or inside, whether you come to chill or party, La Esquina does it all and is pretty much unbeatable in Soho/Nolita.
John AgapitosMarch 19, 2018A very trendy and cool place, with great service, margaritas, and guacamole! Fantastic tacos, especially the Rib Eye tacos. The Enchiladas was not that great.
HectorJune 26, 2016Ask for a seat at the bar downstairs if you didn't make a reservation. Go for the tinga de pollo and passion fruit margarita. Great music
Victoria GoulartJune 23, 2017Really cool spot in NYC. A nice option for partying with friends, having a drink, celebrating a birthday, but don't forget to make a reservation.
spoiled NYCOctober 31, 2015The tacos de pescado a las brasas (fish tacos) feature light, grilled fish with shredded cabbage, onions, salsa verde, and chipotle mayo– and they deservedly rank amongst the best in the city. Read more
Faith ZakiMarch 29, 2014I can't walk by this place and not stop, even just for an ear of corn. Bunch is amazing. There are no words to describe how good the tacos are. Oh yeah, get the corn. Seriously get the corn.
Polina WeitzSeptember 22, 2021Delicious food and superb margaritas. The ambiance at the basement is hip, with loud music and dark lighting. Loved the speakeasy entrance. Food came out quickly, but we waited forever for the check.
Victoria U.November 17, 2017The tortas here are filling and amazing. Do yourself a favor and get one with a coke to wash it down.
Diana ShvartsbergMarch 17, 2013I've never been here when it's busy but it's a cool place to have a coffee + a snack during the day when it's off peak. I've spoken to some interesting characters here & the grilled corn is a must.
Alexandros CMarch 29, 2014A great exclusive underground little Mexican with good food and fair pricing. Certainly worth visiting as the place has a great character and vibe combined with original good food and drinks.
MegDecember 14, 2017There is no real vegetarian food here. The waiter told us that there is cross contamination of meat in most of their “vegetarian” dishes. It was nice to him to disclose that as many restaurant don’t.
Ranu RajkarnikarJanuary 12, 2015Brunch was legit. The eggs on potato quinoa cake was amazing and filling. They nickel and dime you a bit on the guac, chips, etc. but at least it's all delicious.
Luis BastardoJuly 13, 2015The 'Queso Fundido' appetizer is out of this world, the pumpkin beans that brings on the top mix really well with the cheese.
Erika GrijalvaOctober 15, 2014The tacos are really great. My favorites are Lengua, Hongo con epazote, and Cochinita pibil. A corn on the cob is a great side. I would also recommend the tortas.
Rib eye tacos to go so you can eat them away from the heat of the kitchen or the outside seating that screws up the vibe here.- John AgapitosMarch 19, 2018As always, great tacos! Torta Pollo is a new plate I tried (like a chicken burger, but Mexican style), which was very very good!
- Lunch for 2? You should each pick 2 tacos and split one of the quesadillas. It's a perfect amount of food and you won't be stuffed. Don't forget drinks!
- Gennady BarskyFebruary 12, 2016Lengua, grilled corn and carnitas are the items I ordered when I went here with some friends. The service was pretty good, and everybody seemed to be friendly. I plan on going back soon.
Tiziana RMay 4, 2013Real authentic Mexican food...some of the best in the city! From the tacos, quesadillas, ceviche, pollo Asado, everything! Also love the brasserie downstairs (need to reserve weeks before).
Stribling & AssociatesMay 11, 2012This "takeout" place is anything but. Behind the employees only sign, the stairs lead to one of the best Mexican restaurants in town. It only seats 30 & you must make reservations months in advance.
JANICE💯October 30, 2014Everything is good here. Spanish chorizo, fish taco, and Cochinita Platter gets my approval. Sit outside and people watch while getting your late night munchies on.
Reagan BarbosaDecember 2, 2017The bistec tacos were out of this world. Best horchata I’ve ever had, and the salsa they bring out with the guacamole is very delicious and authentic.
Food RepublicJune 4, 2012One of our favorites. Grab a quick taco or two upstairs for lunch or settle into the cavernous basement space for a night of tequila. Don't forget the sweetbread tacos and tell Chef Akhtar we say "hi"
MashkaMay 11, 2014Fish tacos are shockingly better than the steak or pulled pork. Grilled corn is amazing. The street level sit down section is very cute. Cozy but airy. Friendly staff.
jennifer hanApril 22, 2017the brasserie is still one of my favorites. it's a sexy ass spot, but the food is really good -- i love the bistec tacos, octopus tostada, and plantains.
Johana TalbotSeptember 24, 2011Perfect place for a girls night out! Nice vibe, delish food. The corn in the cob yum, great quesadillas and the chocolate cake and tres leches dessert yummy! If you're into celebs u may get lucky too
ian rNovember 19, 2014'Harder to get into than Harvard' rings true in our case. But lunch upstairs at the cantina was tasty! Yum.
Anechka M.May 15, 2018Amazing authentic Mexican food! Try to get reservation for a secret underground part, you won’t regret it.
Elizabeth BursteinJune 25, 2018So good! Chicken tacos, guac tacos, and mahi mahi tacos! Nom. Want to try the quesadilla next time. Little confused about the table situation
Courtney LewisJuly 9, 2018Adorable little spot with sidewalk seating available. Chips and guacamole served with delicious salsa. Get the fish tacos and frozen margarita.
1,483 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 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
- 9.0
"Best cheesecake I've tasted! Very friendly staff that helped me to pack cheesecake for my airplane travel!"
DM - 8.4
"If you like veal and heavy cream, the Zurich Veal is somewhere beyond amazing. A must try."
Kim Luban - 8.8
"Veggie burger with waffle fries is amazing. Get a vodka cocktail and sit outside—it gets loud and packed in there real quick."
Margot Mazur
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
