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La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.4
A long-running St. Mark’s institution, La Palapa delivers Mexico City–leaning home cooking alongside a deep margarita and mezcal bench. The menu reads classic but lands with confidence: hearty stews, expertly grilled proteins, and salsas that taste made, not scooped. It’s the kind of reliable, full-service dinner you bring out-of-towners to without overthinking it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole poblano chicken, Cochinita pibil tacos, House margarita flight
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A veteran East Village kitchen for Mexico City–style classics.
Who should go: Friends doing a sit-down taco night.
When to visit: Early evening for quieter tables.
What to order: Mole chicken, cochinita pibil tacos, margarita flight.
Insider tip: Order one tamal as a starter if available.
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.3
A long-running East Village cantina focused on Mexico City-style tacos and quesadillas, with a lively bar to match. Tortillas stay soft and warm, and fillings like al pastor and tinga keep things grounded and familiar. It’s a dependable sit-down option when you want tacos plus margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos al pastor, Chicken tinga tacos, Handmade quesadillas (choice of filling)
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Classic CDMX taco cooking paired with a festive neighborhood bar.
Who should go: Friends groups, casual dates, margarita fans.
When to visit: Late afternoon into happy hour.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, tinga tacos, quesadillas.
Insider tip: Frozen margaritas are the move—order with tacos to unlock them.
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.2
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Chef Barbara Sibley’s East Village flagship with private-party hosting and a deep Mexico City-leaning menu. The vibe is colorful and easygoing, and dishes like tamales, tacos, and mole keep locals coming back in groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck enchiladas with mole, Carnitas tacos, House tamales
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A long-running Mexican kitchen with private-party flexibility and real depth.
Who should go: Groups chasing margaritas and bold Mexican comfort.
When to visit: Weekend dinner before bars.
What to order: Duck enchiladas, carnitas tacos, tamales.
Insider tip: Ask for family-style platters for private groups.
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.2
Chef Barbara Sibley’s Mexico City–leaning flagship balances home-cooking comfort with a lively dining room. The tacos are excellent, but the bigger wins are the regional plates and tamales that feel lived-in rather than touristy. A solid sit-down choice that still lands in budget-friendly territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos al pastor, Mole negro Oaxaqueño, House tamales
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Mexico City–style cooking from a longtime neighborhood institution.
Who should go: Friends who want a sit-down Mexican meal.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner when the room is buzzing.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, mole plate, tamales sampler.
Insider tip: Their margarita variations are worth a look if you’re dining in.
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.3
A St. Marks classic that runs a boisterous, margarita-forward happy hour backed by Mexico City-style tacos and shareable plates. Loud, kinetic, and reliably fun, it’s a go-to for casual groups that want flavor without fuss.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Guacamole, House margarita
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Half-price house margs plus a menu built for sharing.
Who should go: Friends chasing a loud, affordable taco-and-marg run.
When to visit: Early happy hour before the St. Marks rush.
What to order: House margarita, al pastor tacos, guacamole.
Insider tip: Ask for the day’s off-menu taco if they’re running one.
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.3
Chef Barbara Sibley’s East Village flagship delivers Mexico City–leaning tacos and regional plates in a lively, pint-sized space. The daily happy hour is a neighborhood ritual for half-price margaritas and easy-to-share starters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos al Pastor, Mole Enchiladas, House Margarita
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Mexico City–style tacos matched with a classic East Village happy hour.
Who should go: Margarita fans and taco regulars.
When to visit: Daily 4–7pm for happy hour.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, mole enchiladas, house margarita.
Insider tip: Arrive early for bar seats—space fills fast.
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
8.4
A long-running East Village cantina known for Mexico City–style tacos and a margarita program that keeps the happy hour crowd coming back. The al pastor and mole-driven plates are the steady standouts, backed by upbeat, slightly rowdy energy that fits St. Marks perfectly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos al Pastor, Mole Negro Oaxaqueño, Handmade Guacamole with Chips
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Mexico City–style tacos plus a proven happy-hour margarita ritual.
Who should go: After-work crews and taco-first East Village regulars.
When to visit: Weekdays 4–7pm for peak happy hour buzz.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, mole negro, house margarita.
Insider tip: Grab a sidewalk table early—happy hour fills fast.