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Best Spanish Restaurants in East Village (10009)

4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

Our Top Pick
Yuca Bar
A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.

Notable Picks

8.7
$$ East Village
A high-volume East Village institution where Spanish-language energy, cocktails, and shareable plates are the point—more night-out destination than quiet tapas bar. Come for a few Latin-leaning small plates and a strong drink order, then let the room’s nightlife momentum do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes: Tuna ceviche, Yuca fries, Churrasco steak
What makes it special: A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.
$$ Alphabet City
A Loisaida classic that delivers Puerto Rican home-cooking comfort with the kind of seasoned, stew-and-roast depth that keeps locals coming back. It’s not about polish—it’s about getting a table, ordering like you’re hungry, and leaving with the feeling you ate something real.
Must-Try Dishes: Pernil, Pollo guisado, Mofongo with shrimp
What makes it special: A since-1976 neighborhood institution serving Puerto Rican comfort staples.
$$ East Village
A neighborhood tapas-and-paella spot with a relaxed East Village rhythm—best when you order a few small plates, then anchor with a pan of paella or a pasta. The patio/backyard setup makes it feel like a longer hang, and the menu works well for sharing without turning dinner into a production.
Must-Try Dishes: Paella, Patatas bravas, Pulpo a la gallega
What makes it special: Tapas-plus-paella flexibility with an easy patio/backyard vibe.

Worthy Picks

$ Alphabet City
A small East Village dining room that leans Moorish-Spanish in spirit, running a tapas-style format that’s especially friendly to plant-forward eaters. It’s the kind of place where you stack a table with a handful of small plates, then finish with one more savory dish once you know what’s hitting.
Must-Try Dishes: Patatas bravas, Gambas-style tapas, Croquetas (house style)
What makes it special: Moorish-leaning tapas energy with a plant-forward comfort lane.