El Kallejon

1st of all, I recommend just walking in to view this place. They have decorations everywhere, and it works. They maximized the space to have a decent amount of seating plus tables, indoors and outdoors. Yes, they have a rear outdoor patio. The staff was very polite, greeting us as we entered and when exiting. I opted for the Salmon Ceviche on the menu as Tiradito de Salmon, which was very tasty, I definitely recommend it. Since the serving sizes were smaller fine dining portions, I ordered the hard shell fish taco, Tacos Dorados, which were decent, but the Ceviche was much better.

El Kallejon is cozy, but full of flavor and boldness. Nestor loves food, and surprised me with delicious handcrafted specialties like baby shark tostadas. He even has brains and escargot on his menu!The food and drinks here are spectacular. I can’t wait to go back.

Every time we dine at El Kallejon we are delighted with exquisite botanas from Mexico. The cocktails are great and the desserts too. The ambience is very cozy and decorated with art and colors from different places of Mexico.You can enjoy dinner with your friends and family. My son enjoys eating shrimp tacos, chilaquiles and churros. I enjoyed as well every signature dish from El Kallejon. Also, El Kallejon hosts every year a Day of the Death Event where you celebrate this tradition with music and folk dance. El Kallejon is a piece of Mexico in East Harlem. Nestor, chef, and owner is friendly and humorous. He describes his passion for his culture, food, music and traditions.

A special treat, tucked away downstairs in a mid-block building. When you walk in, youre transported to a magical Mexican place of fine food and drinks.This is not the standard generic Mexican menu but artistically created dishes that avoid the beans-rice-shredded lettuce cliches.It is worth the uptown journey to experience the restaurant.

Came here for some drinks. Loved the vibe, the customer service, the music, the decor. I will absolutely come here again with friends.

This place is amazing! Please go! The food was so well done and it’s cozy, with good drinks. Additionally, the owners were super sweet and genuinely enjoyed sharing their passion and work. I’ll be back ASAP!

This is one of the kind places in NYC. When I sit there I had a feeling if i was at the place on the beach. The owner is doing a great job with flavor profile of the mezcal. The tiny kitchen is making miracles! Guacamole is amazing. Love love love the food. The place is clean. There is a lot of attribute which makes the whole experience and NO dust at all! Once again. Great selection of the mezcal. Amazing! I tried 8 or 9 different mezcal. Amazin work! Thank you so much! I will be back.

Celebrated our anniversary here. Food is incredible and they had fantastic live music that night. Cozy spot with top-notch delicious fare

I can only speak for the cocktails that my friend and I had at the bar. They were very delicious and meticulously crafted. Loved the atmosphere, decor, and the overall place. Wish the outdoor area is open, would be nice to hang out in warm summer nights. My friend who has visited Mexico City a lot says it really feels like being out there while sitting at the bar.

Great service, kind bartenders and waiters/waitresses. The food tastes great! I got a free taco sampler that tasted great. Host was honest about food feedback and the best drinks to get. Drinks are strong! 1 was enough for me and I ordered a 2and one and felt the first one before the 2and one arrived in front of me. Will return

What a gem of a restaurant! so much character and a very unique spin on delicious mexican food. Do not expect traditional chicken enchiladas or ground beef tacos. instead embrace fantastic seafood forward dishes - the fish tacos are superb

Going back soon!! This Lil place is packed with the goodness. Whose know theyre life music on Wednesday at 6pm!!! Totally Hightly recommend 👌 👍 👏 🙌

This is the best Mexican restaurant I’ve been to in NYC... And I’m speaking as someone born and raised in NYC. Please don’t waste your time on places that serve inauthentic food. This place offers fresh and delicious dishes and incredible drinks. I have certain dietary restrictions and the chef crafted a meal specifically for me at a very fair price. Make an effort to come to this place! The vibe is impeccable. As a writer, I loved this spot for writing, drinking and eating absolutely delicious and healing food. Support this business. They are truly the best!

You must stop in El Kallejon! This unique gem is a hidden treasure you do not want to miss out on. The hand crafted cocktails made from scratch are absolutely Devine. Aside from the inviting environment the food is authentic and absolutely delicious. Will be back, new favorite spot!

Favorite spot in the neighborhood. Great cocktails, food is top notch even if its mostly bar snacks and plates, and guacamole is to die for. To drink try classic margarita or one of the signature mezcal cocktails. To eat try Maria Sabina and Tostaditas de Huitlacoche.

Its not often that I give a restaurant all five across the board but if anybody deserves it its this place. This non-traditional but super authentic Mexican restaurant is probably the best Mexican food Ive ever had in my life. Every single dish was delicious. The chef comes out and talks to you and is willing to make dishes to your liking. This place is so cute and fun and the atmosphere is so cozy you might never want to leave. If you go to one restaurant in 2024 this should be it.

Nestor makes everyone feel welcome and it’s a great addition to the neighborhood!

This place is a MUST GO! We heard about it from a chef who is obsessed and it was above and beyond our expectations. The owner and chef are super cool and extremely passionate about food, wine, tequila and mezcal. The drink menu is very creative and the food ranges from ceviche and empanadas to shark and pork brain. The atmosphere is the perfect combo of cozy, romantic and comfortable. They also do private parties. We will be back as much as possible!

After dining here, I must question the validity of the testimonies given in the other reviews raving about the food and service. Both fell far short from good during my experience. Food was bland and lacked seasoning, portions were absurdly small and were overpriced. Ive tasted better tacos 🌮 and quacomole for $2 at Fuel City gas station in Dallas. Service was slow 🐌 and our order had two errors, and my card was charged the wrong amount. Its safe to say that I wont be coming back and dont recommend you do either.

Genuinely the best food, atmosphere, and staff I’ve experienced in the city. Such a hidden gem

The service and atmosphere were nice! However, the food was 5/10 and way overpriced in my opinion. 3 appetizer like dishes and 2 happy hour drinks $95+.Waiter/owner asked if I wanted chips and guacamole dip as I sat down, which made me think it was complementary, however it is not. Be mindful of that!Overall, the owner/waiter was awesome! The restaurant is nice inside. Very authentic! The owner really enjoys cooking and takes pride in his dishes. I trusted his recommendations, however, I wasn’t too impressed with the food!

The food is extremely overpriced. Theres no AC. The house margarita was horrible. Tasted like water and tequila. Will not be going back.

The best Mexican food I have ever had - every time I’m in the city I just have to stop by! And the service is extraordinary, truly a hidden gem that I recommend to anyone in the area. Highly recommend their guacamole and the chef’s special but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

This place is amazing. Delicious food and cocktails and incredible service.

This is a Must Go To! We had the most sublime meal ever! From the Omakase selection we had a dish called Maria Sabina? The unctuous and umami flavors surround your senses and blow you away! Wild mushrooms, goat cheese, huitlacoche, shiitake mushrooms, and truffle oil on a flatbread.The Fantastic fish tacos were great! Little bites of crunchy yet tender fresh fish with fried beans, avocado, cabbage with a side helping of sauce whose heat sneaks up on you.As for the mains we had Huipil de Maiz -Soft corn tortilla, 4 cheeses, mild tomatillo sauce, greens, crema, with Huitlacoche Y Shiitake Mushrooms. The flavor of the corn popped, the unctuousness and umami huitlacoche and shiitake covers your mouth like a food of the Gods! The main I ordered was the protein of the day, a filet of fish smothered with a red sauce of olives, onions and magic!Accompanied by small purple potatoes, a fresh green onion and fries. This was also fantastic! If you want inventive cuisine that tantalizes your palate prepared with the freshest ingredients,then make your reservation to El Kallejon! The Chef/owner is a genius worthy of Michelin stars! Atmosphere- friendly and no pretentiousness. We can’t wait to go back!

The food is really good, sadly I cannot share the same opinion on the service, it always took so long to get something, even the check! We order guacamole especial with shrimp and beef, as a starter and it came after the main, we had to remind the waitress and even the owner about it and it came as a simple guacamole with chips. Not worth the $16… It could have been my new spot on the neighbourhood, but it will just be an unpleasant memory.

Absolutely in love with this treasure of a place! The inside is decorated wonderfully and the tequila bar is well stocked. Their elevated Mexican cuisine is delicious and their specials always spark curiosity. 10/10

I moved to kentucky to be closer to family, anytime I’m in the city I always stop by. Such a unique atmosphere, amazing food, and great experience with the staff. It never disappoints! We love you guys! I wish I would’ve discovered it sooner!

It was an amazing experience with authentic Mexican traditions and food. I would say it was one the best experience that I ever had. Food was so delicious, you can say that it was made with passion and knowledge. The cocktails were made with fresh fruits and good quality liquor, very delicious. Servers were so kind, explain everything and answer all our questions. In general a five stars experience, people and place look like you transport to México. We will be coming back soon!

Little slow on the service because the bar tender was working alone but the food and drinks were great!

Super cute tapas bar. I love a good cocktail. Pictured is the Suave Rico. The mushroom flatbread was also good

Awesome little spot. Great drinks and awesome food. I am kicking myself that I have lived here for 2 years and not found this spot.

The best Mexican food in New York, at least you have to try this restaurant. I love it .

Small Cozy Mexican bar in East Harlem. This place was very pleasing the the eye when you walk inside. The owner and the bartender were very pleasant and the drinks and food were delicious. Overall a pleasant lil spot where youll leave happy and drunk!

Love love love. Delicious drinks, guac, and ceviche. Truly a gem with authentic flavors and decor both outside and in. Support this local small business!

Really cute Mexican spot with delicious food and drinks. The service here is great!

Great cocktails. Food and Decor with family references makes El Kallejon stand out.

Fantastic food , great cocktails ! Delicious ceviches . Thank u for the hospitality Nestor !

I traveled to Mexico a few weeks ago and can attest to the authenticity of the meals in this restaurant. The establishment is quaint and decorated with fun Mexican artifacts. The food is phenomenal(we tried almost everything in the menu , great unique drinks and I had the pleasure of meeting/speaking with the owner who is the chef. Hes from the heart and welcoming. * note, if you have diet restrictions Nestor, chef, will gladly accommodate. My new go to place while visiting New York City!

Came here for a drink & some food after work. Great atmosphere. Nestor was amazing. Thank you for everything! Good luck :)

Drinks were very very good if a little on the expensive side for this island. They had two long lists of available mixology. Music was too loud. They said they turn it down but they didnt. Comfortable spacing so we werent near other people. Still could barely hear each other. Yeah, three 60-something dudes trying to talk. But my Hemingway diary was really good if a little small. The core is nice and for some reason they keep the door locked so everybody has to be buzzed in. Friday night or was it a Saturday, but it was on the empty side which was nice. On the way out I noticed that some people had ordered food but we were never offered a menu so there goes that sale. Next time.

Enjoyed the evening, but dissatisfied with the $16 chips & guac. Nothing was wrong with the flavor/seasoning, but the portion size left much to be desired (especially for the equivalent of a drink/order of tacos).This could be at the mercy of inflation, which is no fault of the restaurant.

This place was amazing. They are very unique and their food is incredible. They serve small portions but its all about the taste of the food and thats why its so important that is small plates, so youre willing to try more dishes. Their service was great! Oh and the drinks, most made from tequila but never had anything like it.. in a very good way! Their style and decor really made you feel like you were in Mexico and so did the food!

We had such a great time here! Came with a large party for a friends birthday and they were so friendly and accommodating. The place is small, so definitely call ahead for large groups. Sangria was delicious and the food was amazing - best fish tacos Ive ever had!

Cozy bar on a quiet street. This place was so homey and the owner was so welcoming. My friends and I decided to stop by to check out their cocktail menu and were not disappointed. We each had a few cocktails and I honestly thoroughly enjoyed all of the ones I tried, which is not very common. The owner was so hospitable, giving us samples of a few of their dishes and a shot of their infused tequila. If you are in the area or have a chance to stop by I would highly recommend ordering some small plates along with your cocktail. Fantastic place!

El Kallejon is awesome!!!! If I could go here every day for happy hour I would.The food is fantastic. Its like the perfect place for a date - romantic lighting, delicious cocktails, and delicately-sized portions (who wants to get all full and bloated on a date amirite?). Also great for happy hour or just lounging on a lazy early evening; its airy and cozy. Owner is also really nice! Highly recommend!

The owner was very kind here. I lover the decor of the restaurant. I had the el kallejon guacamole it was delicious! I never ate guacamole with shrimp and man was it the best. I also had the sofrito Pollo tacos which were flavorful and perfect. We had the tres leches cake which was drizzled with wine and that was the icing on the cake. I loved my experience here and would highly recommend checking them out. The portions are small and they are a bit pricey but it was worth it to try meals that other restaurants dont have.

A friend introduced me to this restaurant last night and I was blown away by the colorful/magical vibe! I felt like I was on vacation in Mexico! The food was outstanding! I will definitely return!

One of the best and authentic mexician places, from the time you walk in you know its going to be a good time. The ambience of the place is amazing. The service is adorable. Smiles and even get samples. The guac was super delicious and chips was frestly made. The food was just scrumptious, the only thing i didnt do was lick the extra sauce of the plate. Definitely a place ill recommend and be back to.

We had the most wonderful dinner here. We got drink specials and a whole bunch of different options off of the menu. Everything was super fresh and cooked to perfection. The salmon ceviche was the best I’ve ever had. I tried the baby shark, a first for me, and it was better than I could have ever imaged. We also tried the brains and were a little apprehensive at first but it was a phenomenal dish. You could taste the love they put into their food.We had a large party and our waiter was so attentive and kind. He let us know their kitchen was small since we were such a large group but the food came in a timely manner and our drinks were never empty. They also have a beautiful back yard we wish we got to enjoy but it was raining when we went. We will definitely be back to dine outside!

This place is so cute and cozy. The atmosphere is so unique and feels like you’re transported to Mexico. Perfect for a date with some drinks and dinner. We loved every thing we ordered: the tamarind mezcal cocktail, guacamole, ceviche, and pork chop. Will definitely be back! Thanks for such a great meal.

Love this place! Food is really tasty and the restaurant is designed so thoughtfully. The colors are gorgeous and there’s art everywhere. All of the staff were very sweet and accommodating.

Cute and unique decore, delicious drinks and AMAZING food! Also the owner is so gracious. He rearranged seating to accommodate 10 of us and was so nice about it.

New favorite spot in East Harlem! Food 5-stars, Drinks 5-star, Experience 5-star. The owner is so nice and sweet and recommends the best! Would definitely be going back. Did I mention the food is great!

One of my favorite places in the city, Nestor has crafted the most intentional and cozy space I have walked into in NYC, and the charm oozes off the walls. The drinks and tapas are to die for, and each time you come there is a fresh new twist to try out.

They treat you like family here ! The drinks are so strong, I will recommend this place to all my friends.

I have a hard time rating this place because it truly was a nice dinner, great atmosphere and unique experience. However, I cant help feeling a bit blindsided and overcharged for the omakase. The assortment consisted of some variation of the items already on the menu, he simply selected them for us. Charged $480 for 5 people to share maybe 10 small plates (would be considered appetizers in any other restaurant). We tried to ask more about it and were told there would be lots of food, family style but even getting extra chips seemed to be a big ask. The drinks seem interesting on paper, but the flavors are underwhelming and judging by how I felt after 3 of them, I am highly skeptical of the alcohol content. In the end, this is a no for me. Definitely bigger bangs for your buck in this neighborhood.

You have not had authentic Mexican food and atmosphere until youve had it here . Theres love, amazing seasoning & beautiful vibes .

I’ll give two starts just because the place looks amazing and all the Mexicans things around made you feel that you’re in Mexico. When I went there it wasn’t busy all but every person look busy in their own. I had to wait a least 10 minutes to get a table and more the 45 minutes for the food. It’s a nice place to grab a drink and have some snacks but no to go for dinner. Also, everything is overprice.

This was my secret spot to take friends and family while I lived in Spanish Harlem - Im so glad to see that its been discovered by more people. It deserves all the success it gets, and more. The food, service, location, and inventiveness of the menu are incredible. Do not pass this restaurant over!

My friend googled the nearest place with happy hours and El Kallejon came up as an option. We arrived to this House of hoarder and pretty much sat ourselves. We asked about the happy hours and they said they didnt have one. We were already seated so we gave it the benefit of a doubt and stayed. We order white sangria for starts, we were disappointed immediately by the presentation due to the fact it had a mint in and a slice of orange. We looked over the menu, everything was very different for this Mexican infusion ? but we still picked the most appealing to us. We asked about the specials and whatever she read off her personal handbook sounded like one long gibberish of just one special. We ordered La Gringa and Harlem Style in laymans terms tasteless shrimp, chorizo, pineapple, cheese something. Then when it came to our second round my friend got a whiskey n I wanted a margarita, I asked what other flavors and the waitress sounded unsure proceeded to read off the drunk menu (tamarindo, hibiscus flowers, herbs, rose petals, jalapeno, chilly peppers) to us still sounding unsure. For a place that isnt that big theyre attentiveness wasnt so great either. Finally got my margarita, and didnt get salt on the rim like a asked for. Right when we asked for the check they offered postre, my friend decided why not and got the arroz con leche. The look of confusion came over us by this what look like a small cup molding with sprinkles and green paste, my friend tasted it and was even more disappointed by the lack of taste, still dont know why it had sprinkles and once again an unnecessary mint paste at the bottom. When we finally got the bill we were appalled by how extremely expensive it was for tasteless, unsatisfying, unfilling, other than okay plate presentation it definitely wasnt worth the cost. I will never come back nor will I recommend this place to any one else.I dont normally do reviews but this place definitely called for a bad review!

I love this place and the food. Only complaint is that it can be a bit pricey. That being said, the atmosphere in El Kallejon is totally worth the extra dollars. Sit out back if its nice!

Amazing food, customer and atmosphere!

THIS IS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN! Food and drinks are amazing! The owner makes you feel so welcome and loved! Def come here!

The kind of place you wish exists --and here it is! The service is kindly and welcoming, the ambiance charming and artsy, and the food is disarmingly amazing! Their guacamole el Kallejon with bits of seafood and clam juice will make you never want for this appetizer any other way ever again. The delicate, yet pronounced fusion of flavors, the freshest/highest quality of ingredients, (the marlin melange could have been delivered more heated; it would have added to the enjoyment of the dish) includes not only the execution of the tapas, but to the cocktails and sangrias.

I love this place, the owner is sooo nice.The food and the drinks are freaking amazing!!

Fresh and tasty food. The owner is super nice. The service is slow but we didnt mind the atmosphere was very relaxed and cool. The decoration is also very authentic and welcoming!

Amazing food and ambience. Nestor is a great chef and host.

Delicious authentic Food!!!Amazing serviceAwesome cultural decorationPerfect place to have Drinks !

This place is such a gem !! Love it but I really wish the drinks werent so expensive. They use high quality ingredients which is amazing ! But the size of the drinks is too small for the prices they charge..... Makes me reconsider

If you are a fan of authentic Mexican craft food, this place is for you. Today was our first time and it was a very happy day. Fish tacos-sublime, ceviche-perfectly balanced, huipil de langosta- out of this world. Highly recommended!

Amazing food and service!! Sweet and lovely owner, everything on point. Food quality, flavor & service were all 10/10. Decorated so beautifully, especially now with the outdoor seating for Covid.

Great ambiance and food was outstanding. Will go again and again

This place is adorable! Tucked inside Harlem, El Kallejon is a unique Mexican bar with a modern fusion twist! We stopped by for a few drinks and to relax but ended up staying for the food. My favorite was the Burron drink and La Diablita plate which is a type of sope!In the back they have a patio with awesome decor! Definitely stop by!

Drinks great, but food is Delicious! I highly recommend this place. Decor is very unique.

Authentic and delicious!

Delicious margaritas. Awesome decor. Very relaxing and pleasant on a hot summer day. Great service.

Great space with creative and tasty dishes and cocktails. Portions are a little on the small side but they make up for it in flavor. Not pictured is the guacamole that comes with crab, shrimp and pomegranate, great.

Amazing, amazing, amazing food and a very good tequila selection.

Leo is a very attentive host and a very creative chef. He has been in the neighborhood for a long time and truly makes an effort to make his space unique.

Everything was delicious!! Authentic mexican food and cocktails! A good experience that makes us want to come back 😊

I love this place!! Don’t mind the prices because the food and drink are excepcional!!But I believe if it was a little bit less expensive we’ll be there more often!!You have to try the shark tostadas!! Are a delicatessen...

Absolutely loved this place! The decor is awesome, really chill vibes. They were genuinely happy we where there, which was nice.. the food was awesome, authentic Mexican, the sangria was delicious and the service was great too, a classic good New York hole in the wall..

Really kind owner and wonderful fresh margaritas and food.

Really delicious cocktails and super friendly! Really enjoyed our time here :)

This place is an absolute gem. The food and drinks are delicious and the service is spot on! Seriously great neighborhood spot!

Absolutely in love with this restaurant. Drawn in last week while exploring around Harlem — you can see their colorful exterior from 3rd Ave. Atmosphere is relaxed, familiar, and over-stuffed with the best kind of kitsch/camp decor. Visually intoxicating. The people are super friendly and engaging, the delicious food will blow you away. Great selection of Mezcal. Perfect spot for a date or small group. Go now! 10/10

Very surprising food, well made, high quality ingredients and taste combinations. Only minus is the price a bit high for very small dishes. Overall, recommend to try

Amazing food, atmosphere, and staff. Try the Oaxaca fundido and the goat cheese cake. Definitely my new favorite spot in the neighborhood!

I was a bit confused by the menu but Nestor made everything so easy. Food was amazing, the drinks amazing. Service perfect. 100% recommend.

Delicious, worth the trip from a other neighborhood. Love is in the details. Take your time though, as the service is very slow.

El Kallejon is delicious, unique, and authentic. You won’t find a truer New York City experience than in its realness and creativity. Everything from the shark, to the guacamole, to the ceviche takes you to Mexico in a way few others restaurants can. The drinks were delicious and well balanced. The service was friendly and prompt. The decor is very original and well done. I recommend El Kallejon to New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Amazing customer service,

A scam! They up charged like crazy and used the excuse that they’re a small business. The price on the menu was cheaper than what was charged for multiple items. You had to pay tip when your card was run even though tip wasn’t included on the bill. Nothing was easy. At all. Not worth it. Tons of other Mexican spots in Manhattan and Harlem. And I’m being very generous with this review. It’s not even the money. It’s the principle. Ruined our entire night.

Really cute interior! the food is small but very tasty and the drinks are also unique. great vibes

Great food. Fresh and delicious. Drinks are pretty good also and cool space. Back wasnt open but looks good

Always a safe bet. Excellent food (ingenious combinations) and a cool ambiance, makes it the place to be, when hanging out with friends (check out their unique mezcal menu) or on a date.

Everything was great. Good service. Nice interior. Wish they had bigger portions and more items on the menu. But overall good experience.

A real taste of Mexico. Amazing traditional dishes, tasty curated cocktails & an owner who truly loves his craft

Loved this place. Service is great and drinks are too. Try some of their flatbreads (the huitlacoche one is specially good).

The owner is passionate and so is the flavor in the amazing dishes he creates. Will return.

The drinks were amazing. The owner was super nice, and the vibe inside is 10/10.

I keep coming back here. I love the overall ambiance, the staff are wonderful to talk to, and the food and drinks are a delicious creative expression of the owner. Great neighborhood spot and certainly worth to travel for

Never ever disappoints.I have been here with friends and alone. About 6 times maybe 7. Yum yum 😋. Small portions of delightful foods to awaken the palate and senses. The sauces are decadent and pleasing to the tongue. Indulge!I really want to give 5 stars but .... There is always that one point and one thing that takes a thing over the top 👑.Amazing staff and eats always. I love going to a place and getting great care. El kallejon did that for me all 5 times. The owner is very personal inclined to help and serve you beautifully.Clean bathroom and space.Friendly service. Tapas menu. Fresh foods. Try the tuna tostadas or was it tacos...hmm?Guacamole with crab meat. Fish tacos🎉🎉. Bring a friend and enjoy Mexico right in El barrio east Harlem without a plane ticket.

Fantastic experience. The food was great and there’s a nice selection of Mezcal and tequila. I definitely recommend it

This is a must eat at place!!! The food is awesome and Nesto. the owner is so wonderful! It is a hidden gem, but so worth it!

A true gem. My friend & I just happened to find this place after work. We decided to sit outside and love the decor. The frozen dulce Kamila is a top pick and guacamole was fresh and tasty. I’ll be going back to try an actual dish

Great food, amazing place

I love this place, so cozy and great staff service not to mention the food and drinks are pretty good, as well. Recomended

A true hidden gem

First time here and Great costumer service. Not a cheap spot. Fish tacos are great. Small portions.

The food here is good but the portion sizes are tiny!

Food was AMAZING … same day cuts of meat and fish cooked fresh

Very différent Mexican expérience the decor, the service and of course the food all tie up to à very unique place.

One of the best places in Harlem! You feel that you are in Mexico. Great tapas and amazing cocktails!!!

Hidden gem in the neighborhood. Staffs are really nice and adorable and they have great cocktails as well as nice finger food. The interior is really cute.

Delicious food, great drinks, amazing service, great company. Just come check it out.

Best cocktails!! Such a cute, intimate spot and customer service and guac was 👌🏽

This place is a true gem in East Harlem! The owner is so pleasant and answers any and all questions you may have. Our food was yummy (got the chicken tacos and pomegranate guacamole!) we also ordered the berry margaritas which had a little kick!The decor is a bit cluttered- but the art work is beautiful!Was given a round of shots on the house at the end of our meal.

Such an amazing find in east harlem!! an intimate experience with amazing, food, drinks, and ambiance. one of my favorite places in all of new york!!

Fantastic atmosphere, great food, great service and lets not talk about the very affordable prices 5 starts to this raw diamond

This is a cool spot in Harlem with nice cocktails and cute little tapas.

WOW WOW WOW My husband, nephew and I had an exceptionally fabulous dinner at the El Kallejon. Everything was so fresh and delightfully delicious. The service was equally excellent at their lovely place. We will be recommending this place to all our friends. We will be back again🥰

Amazing tacos

Service was personalized and excellent. Felt well looked after and enjoyed my Sangria special and chicken tacos

Great drinks

Food was delicious and owner was super friendly! Would definitely recommend!

The drinks and food here are very good. Love the Dulce Kamila cocktail and have been impressed with the ceviche. The service is hit or miss — Ive been three times and its either been quite attentive or very slow/aloof/overwhelmed. Worth trying out!

Delicious food and drinks and great, friendly service! Such a great spot!

Just go. Great crew, amazing food and drinks. You won’t regret it.

Amazing costal Mexican. The fish is fresh fresh fresh!!!

Hands down some of the best Mexican food in all of nyc. Including outer Boros. Every dish was clearly thought out and packs so much flavor. I can’t get over how many different great dishes I got to try there. Have anything, the place is so good

Amazing food and service, a must visit for unique Mexican cuisine!

Its expensive but amazing, food is artistic and location is quaint...Its a real gem

Great vibe and excellent food! The mole sauce was to die for.

The food was good but overpriced for the portion size. Our server was alone but seemed very new. She didnt know the menu, said almost nothing, and had to ask the kitchen for any questions. We ordered our food as an appetizer and two entrees and the server said OK, but then an entree was brought first and we were given plates to share. The appetizer was delivered 5 minutes later, and the 2nd entree 15 minutes after that. Both times we asked about the order the food was coming out in, the waiter left without answering. The implication seems to be that it was a tapas restaurant, but this was never mentioned on the menu or by the server.The restaurant was entirely empty when we came in at 8pm on a Thursday, and we felt like we had to whisper it was so quiet inside. There was no music and the kitchen was silent. We could hear every word of the staff talking in the back.

Amazing food, service and ambience.

Ambiance Food Drinks Service Music = 5 star experience — I will be back

Amazon food, great vibe and the staff is super friendly!

I mean wow, when I tell you 5 stars. We came in a party of 4 and the nice lady who helped us, gave us amazing recommendations on all of our orders, she was so friendly! She brought out some amazing guacamole, we ordered the vegetarian special crispy tacos and chorizo flat bread. I wish I remembered her name 😅 she was awesome! Dessert was perfect amount of sweet (carrot cake) and our cocktails did not disappoint. Can we talk about the ambiance! So adorable 🥰 Would definitely 10/10 go back

The food always hits home....small but tasty. I give service one less because it was cinco de mayo and the place was bananas. Love Nesta....all good

The food was absolutely fantastic and Im definitely going back

The owners/staff are such wonderful people— i love this place and their food !!

What a find! Was not expecting this quality of food. Will return often.

Awesome house guacamole and coctails. Get the garlic shrimp flatbread!

Overpriced for really small portions and slow service.

The best Mexican restaurant I’ve ever been to. Nestor was awesome. He is so kind, and humble. He encouraged us to get authentic cuisines, instead of what we know, and that was the best suggestion made. I can’t tell you what our dishes were called, but let’s just say it wasn’t short from amazing. The drinks were great, the atmosphere is cozy, and the staff is very attentive.

Wow. Speakless. Its that good. On par with Michelin star spots in Guadalajara no questions asked. Discover this gem and be that friend that turns everyone onto the rareness.

Amazing food, super authentic and also fusion-y in a way thats authentic to its Mexico City roots.

Warm, welcoming, exceptional food, paired with delicious drinks

Bartender had a serious attitude and the drinks were too expensive for upper Manhattan.

Terrific guac and tacos and Margs. Great outside space

Incredibly friendly and welcoming owner! It is a magical place and everything was so flavorful and delicious ♡Ordered the Special huipil de maiz and fundingCocktails were so fresh - health tonic for the spirit :+)

Best spot in East Harlem! Drinks and food are amazing!

Amazing place ,food are delicious the server is very polite ,

I live in downtown Manhattan and only came up here to check out the furniture store nearby and stumbled upon this restaurant by accident because I was hungry, but let me tell you, this is some of best Mexican food I’ve had in New York so far. We just went with the chef’s recommended dish of the day and it was absolutely delicious, I definitely recommend coming to this place!

One of the best restaurants in not only the city, but anywhere Ive been to on this planet. Owner and staff are attentive and enthusiastic about the food they make. Theyre kind, talented, and honest. Theyre proud of the beautiful dishes and drinks they have to offer and Im always proud to support them.

Cool little spot tucked away on 117th Street. Nice for drinks.

Small place food was excellent Mexican culture.

Grate place and good food and drinks all the time magic place.

Wounderfu balance of traditional flavors and modern experimental boldness.

The owners are brilliant and their food is amazing. Yes, its a bar/restaurant, but emphatically gifted in the food arena. If you want a nice relaxed (and classy) vibe with quality food...try it out!

The food was phenomenal, every meal had me in awe of the details that went in every meal . Every dish left me surprised on how great they were. The server was attentive and the owner was very informative and attentive. The owner asked us for our food preferences and attended to our partys needs. If I can go over five stars I would. Definitely my new go to for Mexican drinks and plates. Owner even offered special made off menu items based on the ingredients we prefer best. The atmosphere is like a museum of Mexican culture and the music goes from indigenous atmospheric music to popular cumbia music. They sell cute merchandise and Mexican artisanal products and the restaurant is great for events and photo ops. Very instagram friendly. Leaving a great review for great service and quality delicious food.Definitely coming back soon!

Omg ! I JUST FOUND MY NEW FAV RESTAURANT 🤤🤤🤤

Nice service.Churros were really great.

Awesome vibe and decor + great mezcal, sangria, cocktails and tapas from the Kitchen. The tortilla and goat cheese in the quesadilla were fantastic. Berta the bartender was friendly and quick with the drinks!

Absolutely amazing. My favorite place to eat in Manhattan. The sangria is A1 and the food is literally to die for. I’m a vegetarian and don’t think any place has served me food this good in all of nyc. The people who own the spot treat you like family and there’s a beautiful homely vibe to the place. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

It doesn’t gets better than this.

Went here earlier with my friend to get drinks and food. It was delicious. The fish tacos, the drinks, everything was really good. Service was fast and 5 star. Would definitely return again.

Cute decor great service unique but food was neither exemplary nor on par for what the prices were. No Casa Enriquez

Was a favorite when I was practically living in this neighborhood. The backyard has a great vibe. Food was fantastic and affordably priced. 150% would recommend.

Went for a drink and I loved the atmosphere. I did not order any food but looking around at others orders the portions looked to be on the smaller side. I’d recommend grabbing a cocktail if you’re in the area.

When I first went I was pleased with this neighborhood gem. That place is beautiful with so many details. The New Yorker was not lying when they wrote an article about it in May, their guac is priceless and the drinks were well made. So I picked the place with a group of people for some birthday drinks a couple of weeks later and I got very disappointed. The waiter was incredible rude. For an upscale Mexican street food place/bar I expected more than a waiter that offended different people in our group. They also tried to charge us food that never came and my Margarita was not on the rocks but on an iceberg. I dont know what went wrong but I would not go there with a group of people again. The place has a lot of potential but service needs to be improved.

Really nice place and great happy hour

I NEVER DO REVIEWS....but I felt I needed to share our experience. This is without a doubt a hidden gem. The detailed decorations gave me LIFE!! The waiter, manager or owner?? I don’t know what he was.... was rude the instant I walked in. I asked if we can sit anywhere and he told me to wait that he would have to set it up and I replied to him not to trouble himself so much we can sit anywhere and he replied in Spanish “oh no I have my own style”, whatever that meant. He was more concerned about what the place looked like than actual customers that’s walked in. Which is understandable the place was impeccable I guess. He seemed to be the only one serving and decided to take pictures of a dish and of himself “eating and drinking” on a table(I’m assuming for advertising reasons) while customers were waiting for their orders.Before that he moved the customer that was sitting on that exact table across the room after the customer was already sitting there.Their signature sangria was watered down not worth $9 and the beer was warm borderline hot. Although the guacamole and flatbreads were good, there was no authenticity of cultures taste. Unfortunately I wouldn’t go back. :(

Great atmosphere & tasty food. Loved the fish tacos. Cocktails werent bad either...

Hidden gem of a tapas place - each dish is special and very tasty. The guacamole is very unique yet delicious, and I tend to not like anything different in a my guacamole. So nice to have this place is East Harlem.

Great drinks, the salsitas were amazing, atmosphere couldnt be better. We definitely will be back!

The cocktails are great! Definitely a great neighborhood place. A bit pricey, but worth it for a nice night out.

The food is incredible and the cocktails are heavenly. The family owned nature of this place means the love is so very felt in every aspect of the place. One of my favorite treats!

This place is amazing. Great vibe and a way to immerse yourself in all the homemade decor. Always worth a visit

Not located in super fancy east village or Soho but a must visit for all people who are up for a side trip to Harlem. Friendly service, fair prices and delicious Mexican food.Tip: try the El Kallejon Cocktail with self-made jam.

Good food, but portions were on the small side. The drinks are good. The service was okay, there were moments where the main server/bartender was a bit cold during our meal. Then we left and moments later my friend returned to use the restroom and the same server that had JUST taken our $100, refused to let my friend use the restroom. Dont make a mess in there. WTF? The food and drinks were good, but his reaction put a bad taste in our mouths. We wont be back.

This place is a hidden gem! If youre not looking, you could pass this little nook and miss out on a great food experience, as the outdoor display isnt noteworthy. While the spot is tiny, theres tons of cultural charm lining the walls and theres an outdoor space in the back, although it wasnt open when I went.This is a tapas spot, so dont look to be full after ordering an entree but be prepared for magic in your mouth. I tried to alter an item on the menu, to which I was promptly told no because it would change the flavor, and Im so happy I trusted the receipe design of each plate. I had the guacamole and chips for an appetizer, and the Chabela for my entree and every item I tasted was clearly made with love. Everything was so well seasoned!If I wasnt a believer in good things take time, I might have been a little annoyed at how long my food took to get to the table. But the food was so good though that it was worth the wait. If you are in a rush, this is not your place. But if you are looking for a meal your palate will undoubtedly enjoy, youll find it here.

Great little place for Mexican tapas. Excellent food from diverse roots. The seafood options here converted my brother (a perennial hater). This South Texas native cannot wait to return.

Beautiful place, friendly staff, great food and drinks. Will definitely be back. A neighborhood gem

Nice, friendly little place off Third Avenue. The food is quite good, but the best reason to go there for the mezcal. The owner is in charge of serving it and is quite knowledgeable; so, just let him select it for you, get a different kind each round.

Very. Pleasant experience here. Had a classic margarita, the house sangria, and a house mezcal cocktail. All were balanced and well crafted. Food is tapas modern Mexican. Good intentioned and well presented. Decor is very well done. Very cute and pleasant vibe. Great date spot. Tv was covered with a throw which was nice to see. Staff was very attentive and eager to help.

This why I complain old lady stay attention to when I ask for something I pay for it

This place is the cutest and their staff is the friendliest. Stop by and tell Nestor Michelle said hi!

The margaritas are delicious and the food is phenomenal. Anyone knocking this for the price has never been south of 96th.

My friends and I come here all the time to snag a couple of drinks. Its nice but the selection isnt always great. Still love it though

The cocktails were great and so was the service. I really would gice 4.5 stars as the only downside was how expensive the food was. Quality was great though.

We moved to the neighborhood 4 months ago and cant believe we just found this gem! Every dish was better than the last and the prices are very very reasonable for the quality of the food. Also, do not skip dessert - trust me its worth it. We will be back soon and apparently they are starting Sunday brunch service as well, so we are looking forward to it!

Beautifully decorated hole in the wall. Great service, food, and drinks!

Love this place! Good is great and owner is awesome!

The drinks were really not that good and we never got our food, even after we had asked about it multiple times. The guacamole was good though.

Great cocktails, really delicious food, and cute atmosphere with outdoor space front and back. Worth a detour.

Great atmosphere and drink selection. El Kallejon is a nice quiet spot to catch up with friends over sangria and ceviche 👌🏽