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Nuevo Mexico Restaurant & Bar
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Nuevo Mexico Restaurant & Bar
7.8
Nuevo Mexico is a classic 5th Avenue Mexican restaurant and bar where fajitas, shrimp tacos, and combo plates fuel late dinners and tequila rounds. Hours often extend to 11pm or later on weekends, making it a sit-down option when you want tacos with margaritas and table service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp tacos, Chicken flautas, Tamales
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 6.4
Consistency: 6.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A long-running neighborhood Mexican bar and grill where shrimp tacos share space with sizzling fajitas and strong margaritas.
Who should go: Groups and families wanting sit-down Mexican with late hours.
When to visit: Weekend nights before midnight for a lively but manageable scene.
What to order: Shrimp tacos, chicken flautas, a side of tamales.
Insider tip: Order tacos and snacks at the bar if the dining room is backed up—the drinks come quicker and you still get the full menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 5th Avenue and nearby side streets; generally manageable before 7pm but tight later at night.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed attire are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate; lively bar energy but you can still hold a conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes, especially after 8pm when groups arrive.
Weekday lunch: No wait—service is immediate or within a few minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including veggie tacos, cheese enchiladas, and sides; easy to build a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—bean tacos, rice, salsa, guacamole, and some veggie plates; confirm no dairy when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available and many dishes are naturally gluten-free, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Decent for a casual, low-pressure date thanks to friendly service and reliable food, but not ideal if you're looking for a quieter or more intimate atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. Expect a short wait on weekends, but weeknights are usually easy.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—high chairs, booster seats, and a menu of familiar dishes make it comfortable for families with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down Mexican with margaritas, group dinners, and late-but-not-rowdy service—more comfortable than taco trucks when you want table seating.
Skip if: You want refined tacos, chef-driven plates, or a quieter date-night environment—other South Slope and Gowanus spots deliver more polish.
Nuevo Mexico Restaurant & Bar
8.0
Family-owned since the early 1990s, Nuevo Mexico is a longstanding Fifth Avenue restaurant and bar where shrimp tacos, combo plates, and nachos share space with big margaritas and nightly happy hour deals. Tacos here are slightly pricier than the trucks but come with table service, a full bar, and a broad menu of Poblano-leaning dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp tacos, Tamales, Quesadillas
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A long-running Mexican restaurant and bar where tacos, fajitas, and margaritas have anchored South Slope nights for decades.
Who should go: Groups wanting sit-down tacos with a full bar and TVs
When to visit: Weekday happy hour or early weekend evenings for deals
What to order: Shrimp tacos, tamales, chicken or steak quesadillas
Insider tip: Use happy hour to build a taco-and-margarita spread at significantly better value than à la carte dinners.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 5th Avenue and nearby side streets; generally manageable before 6pm but can be tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual to casual-nice; jeans and sweaters are the norm, but groups often dress up slightly for evenings.
Noise level: Moderate—lively bar energy but still possible to hold a normal conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes for small groups; larger groups may wait longer without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk-ins seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several options including veggie tacos, quesadillas, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited—can customize some tacos and plates, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Partial—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but the kitchen does not operate a separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid for a casual first date if you're aiming for approachable food, margaritas, and a relaxed room; less ideal if you want something intimate or quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are common, especially early evenings and weekday nights. Large groups should call ahead to avoid waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—family-friendly with high chairs, spacious booths, and a menu suited for kids who like quesadillas, rice, and mild tacos.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down meals with margaritas and broad combo-plate options, especially for groups who prefer table service over taco trucks.
Skip if: You want the lowest-price tacos in the neighborhood or a quieter, more intimate dining experience.
Nuevo Mexico Restaurant & Bar
7.6
Family-owned for decades, Nuevo Mexico is a Fifth Avenue standby for big margaritas, combo plates, and happy hour tacos that run into the evening. The room is more bar-forward than polished, but portions are large and the daily drink specials keep it busy with regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria tacos, Shrimp tacos, House nachos
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 6.8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A long-running neighborhood Mexican bar-restaurant with everyday happy hour, $5-style margaritas, and taco specials.
Who should go: Groups wanting big margaritas, TVs, and hearty plates
When to visit: Late afternoon through early evening when happy hour runs
What to order: Birria or shrimp tacos, house nachos, frozen margarita
Insider tip: Taco Tuesday during happy hour is the best value—stack discounted tacos with the drink specials at the bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on 5th Ave before 6pm but can be tight during peak dinner and game nights.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, tees, and sneakers are fully appropriate given the bar-forward vibe.
Noise level: Loud during happy hour and when sports are on; conversations are possible but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes for small groups; larger parties may wait longer if the bar is full.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait — service is immediate or within a few minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian-friendly plates like veggie tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be modified, but the menu isn’t built around vegan preparations.
Gluten-free options: Partial — tacos on corn tortillas and some combo plates work, but cross-contact is likely in a small kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and lively — the TVs, loud bar energy, and big portions make it better for low-pressure hangouts than romantic dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — most guests walk in. Arriving before 7pm boosts your chances of immediate seating, especially during happy hour.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — families do come early, and portions work for sharing, but the bar-centric layout and noise make it best for kids 8+ and earlier dining hours.
Best For
Better for: Large portions, everyday drink specials, and a casual sports-bar atmosphere where groups can watch a game over tacos and margaritas.
Skip if: You want refined cocktails, quieter dining rooms, or modern Mexican menus — nearby polished spots or newer taquerias will be stronger fits.