0 Followers
Papatzul
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Papatzul
7.6
A SoHo Mexican dining room with a more date-friendly, sit-down feel and a menu that leans into classic preparations rather than street-food minimalism. It’s a good pick when you want a longer meal with cocktails and shared plates, but the value proposition depends on ordering smart.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cochinita pibil, Guacamole, Happy hour oysters
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A SoHo sit-down Mexican room built for cocktails and shared plates.
Who should go: Dates who want Mexican without taqueria vibes
When to visit: Happy hour or early dinner for the best value
What to order: Cochinita pibil, guacamole, a mezcal drink
Insider tip: Use happy hour strategically, then split one main.
Papatzul
8.2
A long-running SoHo room where tacos work best as part of a drinks-forward night: lively energy, consistent execution, and a menu that leans into crowd-pleasing staples. Best for groups who want a festive late dinner that can roll into another round.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria taco, Carnitas taco, Octopus tostada
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A nightlife-friendly Mexican room where tacos and margaritas stay central.
Who should go: Friends who want tacos with a lively vibe
When to visit: Later dinner when the room picks up
What to order: Birria taco, carnitas taco, tostada
Insider tip: Start with tacos first, then add one shareable to round it out.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in SoHo; garages nearby are the most reliable option after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual to trendy—jeans are fine, but most guests lean dressy at night.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud—conversation is easy early, but you’ll raise your voice once the room fills.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak late hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute pause
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable tacos, sides, and customizable plates work well.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas and several naturally gluten-free dishes are available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a second or third date—lively energy and noise make it more fun than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially later at night, but expect a wait on weekends; bar seating can speed things up.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evening only—after dark it shifts firmly into an adult, nightlife-oriented vibe.
Best For
Better for: Group-friendly late dinners with margaritas and a festive, high-energy room.
Skip if: You want a quiet taco-focused meal or a more intimate, food-first experience.
Papatzul
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Grand Street Mexican sit-down that fits a reliable tacos-and-mains dinner without turning into a scene. It’s strongest when you want straightforward execution, steady pacing, and enough menu breadth for a mixed group to all find a lane.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cochinita pibil tacos, Carnitas tacos, Guacamole
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A steady Grand Street Mexican room that delivers a low-drama taco dinner.
Who should go: Groups who want dependable sit-down tacos
When to visit: Weeknights for easier tables and smoother pacing
What to order: Cochinita pibil tacos, carnitas tacos, guacamole
Insider tip: Start with one shareable, then go taco-heavy as the main.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Grand Street is limited; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but office-casual works well for lunch meetings.
Noise level: Moderate — easy conversation at lunch and early dinner, slightly louder with groups at peak hours.
Weekend wait: 20–30 minutes without a reservation during peak dinner hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian-friendly tacos, sides, and mains
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of plant-based options with simple modifications
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas and naturally gluten-free dishes available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something relaxed and low-pressure. It’s more about comfortable conversation than romance or buzz.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weeknights and at lunch. Weekends are easier if you arrive early or are flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — approachable flavors, simple dishes, and a calm enough room for school-age kids.
Best For
Better for: Reliable sit-down tacos with steady pacing and a menu broad enough for mixed tastes and business lunches.
Skip if: You’re looking for a high-energy scene, late-night vibes, or the city’s most creative taco experimentation.
Papatzul
8.0
A SoHo Mexican spot with an unusually long happy hour window that makes it easy to turn tacos into the main event. The bar area is the play—order a couple of tacos (fish and cochinita are strong bets) and let the room carry the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pescado Baja Tacos, Cochinita Pibil Tacos, Birria de Res Tacos
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A bar-area happy hour built around tacos with a long weekly window.
Who should go: Taco-and-cocktail people who like to linger
When to visit: Weekdays 2pm–7pm for happy hour
What to order: Pescado Baja tacos, cochinita pibil tacos, birria tacos
Insider tip: Ask for bar-area seating to guarantee happy hour eligibility.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in SoHo; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual to trendy—jeans are fine, but the room skews polished, especially in the evening.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy to hold a conversation at the bar, slightly louder during peak happy hour.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, shorter if you’re aiming for bar seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a very short one.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable-forward tacos and sides make it workable for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—some tacos can be modified, but it’s not a vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are available, though there’s some risk of cross-contact in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially during happy hour. The bar setup, tacos, and cocktails keep things relaxed without feeling casual or rushed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during happy hour if you’re flexible and open to bar seating; dinner hours are tougher without a booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults—kids are fine earlier in the day, but the vibe shifts toward dates and groups in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Long, flexible happy hour windows and tacos that can easily become the whole plan rather than a quick snack stop.
Skip if: You’re looking for ultra-casual street-style tacos or a fast in-and-out meal—this is more about lingering.