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Socarrat Paella Bar - Midtown East
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Socarrat Paella Bar - Midtown East
8.6
Long-running Midtown East Spanish spot focused on deeply flavored paellas, from socarrat-crusted house specials to inky arroz negro. Tapas like croquetas, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas make it a go-to for groups looking to share plates and sangria near the office core.
Must-Try Dishes:
Socarrat Paella, Arroz Negro, Patatas Bravas
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Specializes in paellas with true socarrat, backed by a deep tapas menu and years of Midtown East regulars.
Who should go: Groups and paella lovers wanting lively Midtown East Spanish
When to visit: Evenings for paella with friends; weekends for long celebratory dinners
What to order: Socarrat or Arroz Negro paella, patatas bravas, croquetas.
Insider tip: Reserve the balcony or sidewalk seats for a quieter experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East, especially evenings. Expect metered spots to be scarce; nearby public garages on 2nd & 3rd Ave typically run $25–$45.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished—button-downs, blouses, and casual dresses fit the room.
Noise level: Moderate–lively during peak hours. You can talk without shouting, but it’s energetic when the dining room fills.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups or paella orders.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait; the bar area is usually open for walk-ins.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several solid options including patatas bravas, pan con tomate, salads, and select vegetable tapas.
Vegan options: Limited; a couple of plant-based small plates can be adapted, but paellas and most tapas skew non-vegan.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility—paellas are naturally gluten-free, and many tapas can be prepared GF with guidance from the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, warm Spanish décor, and shareable tapas make it relaxed but still special. It’s lively rather than hushed, ideal for an easy, conversational first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Typically yes on weekdays, especially before 7pm. On weekends or for groups, walk-ins may face a wait; the bar is a good backup for tapas and drinks while you wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids (8+) who enjoy shared plates and seafood. No dedicated kids’ menu, and the room can get lively, but families are not out of place.
Best For
Better for: Deeply flavored, traditional-style paellas—especially socarrat-rich pans—and group-friendly tapas spreads that outperform many nearby Spanish options.
Skip if: You want ultra-quiet dining, strictly vegan options, or rapid-fire service; paellas take time and the room gets lively.
Socarrat Paella Bar - Midtown East
8.2
Socarrat Midtown East is a certified Spanish restaurant specializing in deeply flavored paellas served in shareable pans, plus classic tapas and sangria. The narrow, two-story space is cozy and buzzing, making it a strong pick for convivial group celebrations that don’t require white tablecloths.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Socarrat paella with crispy rice crust, Arroz Negro (black paella with squid ink and seafood), Gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas to start
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Lively Spanish spot where big, well-executed paellas anchor the celebration.
Who should go: Groups that want shared plates, sangria and conversation.
When to visit: Prime-time dinner on weekends or post-work weeknights.
What to order: Socarrat or Arroz Negro paella, croquetas, gambas al ajillo.
Insider tip: Book upstairs for slightly more breathing room; downstairs gets tight and loud.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East, especially after 6pm; expect metered spots to be scarce. Closest reliable option is nearby paid garages along 2nd & 3rd Ave.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for night outings.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours—conversation is possible but raised voices are common, especially downstairs.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, depending on party size.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait; often seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection—several tapas and at least one paella can be adapted.
Vegan options: Limited—expect 1–2 clearly vegan-friendly small plates; paellas are not strong fits.
Gluten-free options: Good options—many tapas are naturally gluten-free and paellas can often be prepared safely, but always confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want a lively, energetic setting with shareable dishes that break the ice; less ideal if you prefer quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, but timing matters. Walk-ins are feasible early evenings on weekdays; for weekends, expect to wait or sit at the bar.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who enjoy bold flavors and shared dishes; the tight space and noise level may be challenging for toddlers or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Group celebrations centered around paella, lively atmospheres, and Spanish classics without fine-dining formality.
Skip if: You need a quiet room, expansive vegan options, or a spacious layout—other Midtown spots may suit those needs better.
Socarrat Paella Bar - Midtown East
8.4
Socarrat’s Midtown East outpost focuses on shareable Spanish tapas and deeply caramelized paellas in a narrow, lively room. With strong review volume and a long run in the city, it’s a reliable choice for groups craving chorizo, croquettes, and big-format pans of rice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Arroz Negro paella, Paella Valenciana, Churros con chocolate
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Paellas with real socarrat and boisterous tapas-bar energy in Midtown.
Who should go: Paella seekers, small groups, casual celebrations with sangria.
When to visit: Evenings, especially weekends, for peak Spanish-bar atmosphere.
What to order: Arroz Negro, one mixed paella, croquettes, churros to finish.
Insider tip: Share fewer, larger paellas—they arrive better-textured than many small pans.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be scarce after 6pm. Nearby garages along 2nd & 3rd Ave are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for group dinners and celebrations.
Noise level: Lively. Conversations are possible at close range, but the room runs energetic during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 25–45 minutes without a reservation, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait; flow is moderate.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good options—several tapas and at least one vegetable-forward paella can be adapted.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable tapas may be modified, but true vegan entrées are few.
Gluten-free options: Several paellas are naturally gluten-free, and many tapas can be made GF on request. No dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want energy over intimacy. The lively room and shareable tapas create a natural conversation flow, but it’s not ideal for a very quiet or romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes—early evenings and weeknights are easiest. For weekends or groups, booking ahead is strongly advised.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who enjoy family-style dining. No dedicated children’s menu, and the room can be loud for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Consistently caramelized socarrat, shareable group dining, and a lively Spanish-bar feel that rivals larger-format paella spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, extensive vegan choices, or ultra-refined Spanish fine dining.
Socarrat Paella Bar - Midtown East
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
Socarrat Midtown East specializes in shareable Spanish tapas and paellas, with a dedicated weekday lunch prix-fixe that plays well for business. The room balances bar energy with enough structure for group conversations around large pans of rice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Arroz Negro Paella, Patatas Bravas, Pan con Tomate
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Tapas and paella built for sharing, with a structured business-lunch prix-fixe.
Who should go: Teams entertaining clients who enjoy sharing plates
When to visit: Weekday lunch for prix-fixe; early evening for tapas
What to order: Arroz Negro, patatas bravas, pan con tomate
Insider tip: Preorder paella when booking to shorten time-to-table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be scarce during business hours. Paid garages within a 2–3 block radius are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual. Button-downs and polished workwear fit the business-lunch crowd; jeans are acceptable if neat.
Noise level: Moderate. There's steady bar energy, but group conversations remain comfortably audible at lunch.
Weekend wait: Typically 20–40 minutes without a reservation, depending on group size.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, especially with the prix-fixe—walk-ins usually seated promptly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options—patatas bravas, pan con tomate, grilled vegetables, manchego, and select paellas without meat.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly vegetable-forward tapas; verify broths on paellas as many contain seafood or meat bases.
Gluten-free options: Several tapas and paellas are naturally gluten-free; staff is accustomed to flagging items, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Reasonably—if you want a lively, shareable format. It’s not intimate, but the energy and tapas-style ordering can keep conversation flowing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, particularly at lunch. Evenings can fill up, so walk-ins should expect a short wait or bar seating if arriving after 6:30pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids (8+) who can share tapas and try new flavors. No dedicated kids’ menu, but the space is accommodating during earlier hours.
Best For
Better for: Shareable paellas, business-lunch structure, and group-friendly seating make it stronger than nearby tapas spots that lean bar-first or lack large-format options.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate meal; need extensive vegan choices; or prefer rapid in-and-out dining—paella prep times can run longer even when preordered.