0 Followers
El Parador Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
El Parador Cafe
8.7
El Parador Cafe is a white-stucco, low-lit Mexican dining room that has been serving mole, fajitas, and margaritas since 1959. Regulars treat it as a grown-up spot for sit-down dinners, strong drinks, and plates that lean more classic than trendy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole poblano de pollo, Grilled chicken fajitas, Baja fish tacos
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: NYC’s oldest continuously running Mexican restaurant, with classic mole and margaritas in a low-lit room.
Who should go: Couples and groups craving classic old-school Mexican with margaritas.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners and lingering weekend celebrations with margaritas.
What to order: Mole poblano chicken, sizzling fajitas, house guacamole with margaritas.
Insider tip: Ask for a quieter table toward the back if you want conversation-friendly volume.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual works well—jeans are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate and intimate—easy to hold a full conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait if dining early; light waits during peak office lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several classic vegetarian-friendly plates and customizable options.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable-based dishes can be modified, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn-based dishes, grilled proteins, and many sauces are naturally gluten-free with staff guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its low lighting, classic atmosphere, and strong margaritas make it intimate without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings, but weekend dinners are tough without booking ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Kids are welcome earlier in the evening, but the dim lighting and cocktail-first energy make it better for adults at night.
Best For
Better for: Classic sit-down Mexican with history, strong margaritas, and comfort-driven plates rather than flashy trends.
Skip if: You want trendy tacos, ultra-modern fusion, or a loud party scene—newer spots will suit that vibe better.
El Parador Cafe
8.7
El Parador Cafe is a longtime Murray Hill landmark for classic sit-down Mexican where strong margaritas and old-school plates come out of a cozy, low-lit dining room. Since 1959 it has built a loyal following for well-executed combos, fajitas, and tacos that feel more like a leisurely dinner than a quick bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken fajitas, Mole chicken enchiladas, Grilled double pork chop
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Decades-old Mexican dining room with strong margaritas and classic plates.
Who should go: Fans of sit-down Mexican with history and character.
When to visit: Weeknights or early weekends for relaxed, unhurried dinners.
What to order: Chicken fajitas, mole chicken enchiladas, frozen margarita.
Insider tip: Ask for a booth along the wall if you want a quieter, more intimate feel.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in Murray Hill; nearby parking garages on 33rd and 34th Streets typically run $18–$25 for the evening.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual — jeans are fine, but many guests come straight from work and lean dressy.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak dinner but still comfortable for conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially between 7–9pm
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetable-based tacos, enchiladas, and combo plates available.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable dishes can be modified, but cheese and crema are common.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas widely used; staff can guide you on safe plates.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the lighting is warm, margaritas ease the mood, and the sit-down pacing creates a more intimate, relaxed dinner than most taco spots.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights if you arrive early, but weekends and peak dinner hours are risky without a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy calmer sit-down dining; it’s not loud or chaotic, but there’s no kids menu or high-energy atmosphere.
Best For
Better for: Classic sit-down Mexican with strong cocktails, pacing for long dinners, and a nostalgic dining room — not street tacos or quick counter service.
Skip if: You want fast, cheap tacos, late-night counter food, or ultra-modern Mexican flavors.
El Parador Cafe
8.3
El Parador Cafe, established in 1959, is one of the city's longest-running Mexican restaurants, serving sit-down plates like burritos, chimichangas, and mole in an intimate dining room. Regulars treat it as a neighborhood institution for classic recipes, strong margaritas, and long dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrito or Chimichanga, Braised Chicken in Mole Poblano, Baja California Fish Tacos
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Old-school Mexican restaurant where burritos share the menu with long-running house classics.
Who should go: Diners wanting sit-down burritos with table service and margaritas.
When to visit: Evenings for relaxed dinners or small celebrations in the dining room.
What to order: Burrito or Chimichanga, Braised Chicken in Mole Poblano, Baja California Fish Tacos.
Insider tip: Ask about bar seating or the downstairs space if you want a quieter, more tucked-away burrito-and-margarita night.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots on nearby avenues with moderate difficulty after 6pm. Nearby paid garages within 2–3 blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy casual — jeans are fine, but many guests dress up for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate - lively dining room energy but still easy to hold a full conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min without reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically 5–15 min, sometimes no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple vegetarian burritos, enchiladas, and sides available
Vegan options: Limited - possible with bean, rice, veggie, and salsa-based custom orders
Gluten-free options: Partial - corn tortillas available, but shared kitchen limits full separation
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s intimate without being stuffy, with warm lighting, strong margaritas, and enough buzz to keep things relaxed but still conversational.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays and earlier evenings, but weekend nights are much easier with a reservation due to the smaller dining room.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-oriented than family-focused; older kids who enjoy Mexican food are fine, but it’s best suited for teens and up rather than small children.
Best For
Better for: Old-school sit-down Mexican dining with a romantic, neighborhood feel and classic recipes you won’t find at fast-casual burrito spots.
Skip if: You want super-fast, grab-and-go burritos, ultra-modern Mexican flavors, or loud party-bar energy.
El Parador Cafe
8.6
Open since 1959, El Parador Cafe is one of the city’s classic Mexican dining rooms, pairing strong margaritas and a long-running happy hour with old-school, chile-forward plates. Locals use it for dates, small celebrations, and bar snacks that feel more polished than the neighborhood’s casual cantinas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Mole Poblano, Steak or Shrimp Fajitas, Guacamole with House Salsa
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.1
What makes it special: A decades-old Mexican institution where serious margaritas meet white-tablecloth classics.
Who should go: Couples or coworkers wanting classic margaritas and full dinner.
When to visit: Tuesday–Saturday 4–7pm for bar happy-hour pricing.
What to order: Guacamole, chicken mole poblano, steak or shrimp fajitas.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for the best happy-hour value, then move to the dining room if you decide to stay for a full meal.
El Parador Cafe
8.3
Open since 1959, El Parador Cafe is one of the city’s classic sit-down Mexican dining rooms, known for strong margaritas, a daily cocktail hour, and chile-forward plates that include fish tacos alongside fajitas and enchiladas. Locals use the bar for a quieter, more grown-up happy hour before sliding into a full dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja California fish tacos, Fajitas, Tableside guacamole
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Since 1959, a landmark Mexican dining room where cocktail hour and tacos share space with chile-forward classics.
Who should go: Couples or coworkers wanting margaritas and a full sit-down dinner.
When to visit: Cocktail hour 4–6pm for drinks and bar bites before dinner.
What to order: Baja California fish tacos, fajitas, tableside guacamole.
Insider tip: Start with margaritas and tacos at the bar, then move to the dining room if you decide to stay for a longer meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in the evenings; nearby paid garages on East 33rd Street are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean a bit polished for dinner and date nights.
Noise level: Low to moderate — calm enough for clear conversation, especially in the dining room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetable-focused tacos, enchiladas, and sides work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — some dishes can be modified, but sauces and preparation often include dairy.
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes — corn-based tacos and grilled proteins are naturally gluten-free, but confirm sauce ingredients with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s one of the better first-date Mexican spots in the area thanks to its calm energy, low noise level, and strong cocktail program without feeling rowdy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? During cocktail hour you can often snag bar seats without trouble, but dinner service—especially on weekends—benefits from a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids — the menu is approachable, but the quiet, grown-up vibe is better suited to teens than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: A quieter, more refined Mexican happy hour with real cocktails and classic sit-down service rather than loud, margarita-driven party scenes.
Skip if: You’re looking for dirt-cheap tacos, late-night party energy, or a casual walk-up taqueria experience.