Skip to main content
0 Followers

Free analytics & customer insights

tán

209 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017
$$$
Mexican

Vibe Check this spot

Rate this spot and tag the vibes that fit

Log In to Add Vibe Check

Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)

tán 8.0
Midtown East
A seafood-leaning, Tulum-inspired Mexican dining room where the draw is the modern coastal direction—bright acids, richer add-ons, and a cocktail-driven pace that reads as a night-out spot. It lands best when you treat it like a curated progression: one standout taco, one bold share plate, then a clean finish.
Must-Try Dishes: Lobster Tacos, Quesabirria, Bone Marrow (with adobo octopus)
Scores:
Value: 7 Service: 7.7 Consistency: 7.8 Food Quality: 8.3 Atmosphere: 8.6 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Coastal Mexican, nightlife-leaning menu built around premium tacos and share plates.
Who should go: Couples and friends who want a scene
When to visit: Friday or Saturday night for full energy
What to order: Lobster tacos, quesabirria, bone marrow
Insider tip: Pick two big dishes and stop—this is a pacing restaurant.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited street parking. Nearby commercial garages are the most reliable option in Midtown East, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine, but this is a heels-and-collared-shirt room at night.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak dinner hours; conversation is possible, but expect a lively, music-forward room.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak Friday–Saturday hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait; easier walk-in window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable-driven tacos and share plates are available, though not the menu’s main focus.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable dishes can work, but options are not clearly marked.
Gluten-free options: Partial—corn-based tacos and select plates are naturally gluten-free; cross-contact precautions are not explicitly highlighted.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want energy and atmosphere. It’s a strong pick for chemistry and cocktails, less ideal if you want a quiet, talk-heavy evening.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings, but weekends are competitive—bar seating or a short wait is more realistic without a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. The menu, pacing, and nightlife energy skew adult; better suited for teens than young children, and even then mainly earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Modern coastal Mexican with a scene—cocktails, premium tacos, and a nightlife-leaning dining rhythm that feels like a night out.
Skip if: You want traditional Mexican comfort food, quieter conversation, or value-driven portions over atmosphere.
tán 8.7
Midtown East – Turtle Bay
Tulum-inspired tán brings coastal Mexican seafood and mezcal-forward cocktails to a sleek Midtown East townhouse, with a room that feels more like a beach club than an office district dining room. The kitchen leans into bold flavors—think bone marrow, ceviches and masa-driven plates—backed by a strong brunch and a late-running bar that makes it one of the few genuinely late-night Mexican options in 10017.
Must-Try Dishes: Bone marrow with blue corn tortillas, Ceviche amarillo, Octopus maya
Scores:
Value: 7.1 Service: 8.7 Consistency: 8.6 Food Quality: 9.1 Atmosphere: 9.3 Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Coastal Mexican plates in a Tulum-styled room with late-night bar hours.
Who should go: Date nights and small groups chasing sceney modern Mexican.
When to visit: Primetime Friday or Saturday for full bar energy.
What to order: Bone marrow, ceviche amarillo, octopus maya.
Insider tip: Book a later seating to linger at the bar until 1am on weekends.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on weeknights and difficult after 6pm; nearby paid garages on E 48th–50th Streets are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual with a stylish lean—think elevated denim, button-downs, dresses, and statement pieces that match the Tulum-inspired setting.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively; conversation is doable at tables but bar-adjacent seating trends loud after 9pm.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for walk-ins depending on party size; the bar fills early.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; early weekday dinners typically have minimal wait before 6:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid coverage with masa dishes, vegetable-forward ceviches, and sides; staff can suggest modifications.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes can be made vegan, but menu leans seafood-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Many items are naturally gluten-free due to masa and seafood focus; note possible cross-contact in the kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, tropical design cues, and strong cocktails create a stylish, intimate atmosphere ideal for a first date, especially if you want a buzzy but not overwhelming scene.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes for early seatings or smaller parties; expect waits on Friday and Saturday. The bar is a solid fallback for cocktails and select plates while you wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly—the vibe skews adult, cocktails-forward, and late-night; best suited for teens at minimum, with no dedicated kids’ menu or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Late-night modern Mexican with a polished, beach-club aesthetic and seafood-driven plates you won’t find at the more traditional taquerias nearby.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, family-friendly service, or a menu anchored in classic Tex-Mex—other Midtown options will fit better.
tán 8.2
Midtown East – 49th Street Corridor
Tán brings a Tulum-inspired, coastal Mexican menu and agave-heavy cocktail list to a sleek bi-level space just east of Third Avenue, with a focused weekday happy hour that draws both neighborhood regulars and destination diners. Expect crudo-style starters, seafood-forward tacos, and $10 agave cocktails between 5–7pm that soften the sting of otherwise nightlife-level pricing.
Must-Try Dishes: Grilled octopus with chile-lime glaze, Crispy fish tacos, Tuna crudo tostada
Scores:
Value: 7 Service: 8 Consistency: 7.8 Food Quality: 8.7 Atmosphere: 9.2 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A Tulum-style coastal Mexican room with serious cocktails and a tightly timed happy hour.
Who should go: Agave lovers and date-night diners chasing scene-y Mexican.
When to visit: Weekdays 5–7pm to pair $10 cocktails with bar snacks.
What to order: Tuna crudo tostada, grilled octopus, crispy fish tacos.
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat right at 5pm to hit the full happy hour window before the after-work rush fills the room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on 49th Street; rely on nearby garages along Third Avenue (typically $25–$35 for evening parking). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning trendy—think elevated jeans, boots, and date-night tops; many guests dress fashion-forward.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours—conversation is possible at two-tops but bar area can get lively.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—primarily a dinner and happy-hour destination; no lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including vegetable-forward tostadas, salads, and meatless tacos; staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 naturally vegan items; some dishes can be modified but not all sauces are vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility—many crudo and taco options are naturally gluten-free; corn tortillas available, but no dedicated GF prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, stylish decor, and a strong cocktail program create an intimate but energetic atmosphere ideal for a first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes for early happy hour if you arrive at 5pm; after 6:30pm, the bar area fills quickly and walk-in waits of 20–45 minutes are common.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly—it's more of a cocktail-driven, date-night environment with no kids’ menu or stroller-friendly layout; suitable for teens but not younger children.
Best For
Better for: Coastal-style Mexican, scene-driven ambiance, and a stronger agave cocktail program than most Midtown East competitors.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, large group seating without planning, or budget-friendly pricing outside the happy hour window.
tán 8.4
Midtown East – 49th Street Corridor
Tán turns a bi-level Midtown townhouse into a Tulum-inspired room for coastal Mexican plates, agave cocktails, and a focused early-evening happy hour. Lobster tacos, crudo-style bites, and well-priced happy hour drinks make the bar a draw for date nights and stylish after-work meetups.
Must-Try Dishes: Lobster Tacos, Short Rib Al Carbon, Ceviche Tulum
Scores:
Value: 6.9 Service: 8.4 Consistency: 7.9 Food Quality: 8.7 Atmosphere: 9.1 Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A Tulum-style coastal Mexican dining room where seafood tacos and agave cocktails meet a polished weekday happy hour.
Who should go: Cocktail-focused diners wanting stylish tacos and a scene.
When to visit: Monday–Friday 5–7pm for happy hour cocktails and bites.
What to order: Lobster tacos, short rib al carbon, ceviche Tulum.
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat right at 5pm to enjoy happy hour pricing before the post-office crowd fills the lounge.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on 49th Street; rely on nearby garages along Lexington/Third Avenue ($25–$40 evenings). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning stylish — polished denim ok, but most guests dress for a night out.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively; bar area is energetic, but tables allow normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes at peak if walking in; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — lunch service is limited; early-evening walk-ins may wait 10–20 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several meat-free tacos, vegetable sides, and crudo alternatives (ask for modifications).
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but menu leans seafood-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Good options — many tacos use corn tortillas and several dishes are naturally gluten-free; confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, coastal décor, and elevated cocktails create a stylish, intimate atmosphere that works well for early relationship dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — show up right at happy hour or after 8pm for the best chance. Bar seats fill first but flip quickly. Prime 6–7pm windows are tougher for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the space and menu skew adult, with a cocktail-forward crowd. Older teens are fine, but younger children may feel out of place.
Best For
Better for: Scene-forward Mexican dining, polished seafood tacos, and agave-heavy cocktails in a more stylish setting than most Midtown happy hour spots.
Skip if: You want quick counter-service tacos, low noise, or budget-friendly pricing — nearby taquerias or casual cantinas may serve you better.