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Frida Midtown
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Frida Midtown
8.1
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
This Midtown East outpost of Rosa Mexicano pairs a colorful, high-energy room with tableside guacamole, big-format margaritas, and familiar combo plates. It’s more about festive group outings than boundary-pushing cuisine, but remains a reliable option for crowd-pleasing Mexican in the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Guacamole en Molcajete, Enchiladas Roasted Chicken Suizas, Birria Quesatacos
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Long-running Rosa Mexicano location with signature tableside guacamole and festive energy.
Who should go: Office groups and families wanting familiar Mexican in a lively room.
When to visit: Early evenings for families; later weekends for louder celebrations.
What to order: Tableside guacamole, chicken suizas enchiladas, birria quesatacos.
Insider tip: Request a side room table if you want to cut the noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be limited. Most diners rely on nearby paid garages within a 2–3 block radius.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual. Office attire, neat jeans, and comfortable tops are all appropriate.
Noise level: High during peak hours, especially weekends; conversations require raised voices in the main room.
Weekend wait: Typically 30–60 minutes without a reservation, depending on group size.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait for small groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection—enchiladas, veggie tacos, salads, and sides can be adapted.
Vegan options: Limited—some salads and vegetable plates may be modified, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free dishes available; inform staff for guidance and substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for intimate conversation due to the lively, high-volume dining room. Better suited for casual dates or second/third outings where atmosphere matters less than fun energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or early evenings, but expect waits during prime weekend times and with larger groups. Walk-ins are common, though reservations are recommended for groups of 6+.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common, especially earlier in the evening. High chairs and kid-accommodating menu items are available, and the vibrant environment helps mask kid noise.
Best For
Better for: Festive group outings, crowd-pleasing Mexican standards, and tableside guacamole in a bright, energetic space.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, regional Mexican cooking with depth, or chef-driven dishes—several more refined or specialized Mexican restaurants in NYC will better suit those needs.
Frida Midtown
8.4
Frida Midtown blends Mexican and Peruvian influences in a colorful, cocktail-forward dining room just east of Third Avenue. Birria tacos, ceviches, and shareable plates skew more upscale, but the lively room and balanced flavors make it a strong value for a sit-down night out in Midtown East.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Ramen, Enchiladas, Ceviche Blanco
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Mexican-Peruvian plates, strong cocktails, and a vibrant, art-filled room.
Who should go: Date-night diners craving Mexican-Peruvian plates and strong cocktails.
When to visit: Evenings for cocktails; later weekends for louder, livelier energy.
What to order: Birria ramen, enchiladas, ceviche blanco with a margarita.
Insider tip: Look for bar seats; you’ll get faster drinks and menu guidance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Turtle Bay, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages on E 52nd–53rd St usually have space.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine but most guests lean slightly dressy for cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively; conversations are doable early evening, tougher during peak weekend hours.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, faster for bar seats.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; the restaurant is noticeably calmer.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — veggie enchiladas, salads, and several shareable sides.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 modifiable dishes; some ceviches and tacos rely on dairy-based sauces.
Gluten-free options: Decent flexibility — many tacos and ceviches can be prepared gluten-free if requested.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The colorful room, strong cocktails, and upbeat-but-not-chaotic atmosphere make it an easy first-date pick, especially if you want something fun without blowing the budget.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes. Expect a wait during prime weekend dinner hours, but the bar is your best bet for quicker seating and faster drinks.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat. Early evenings work for families with older kids (8+), but weekend nights get loud and are more adult-focused.
Best For
Better for: Cocktail-forward Mexican-Peruvian plates in a lively, stylish room—strong value for a more elevated Midtown East night out.
Skip if: You want fully traditional Mexican fare, a quiet meal, or strict vegan options.
Frida Midtown
8.4
Frida Midtown layers Mexican–Peruvian plates, polished cocktails, and live Latin music into a sleek Midtown East room that feels built for celebrations. Daily 4–6pm happy hour delivers aggressively priced margaritas and a tight menu of guac, flautas, and lomo saltado quesadillas before the space shifts into full-on dinner and music mode.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche Frida, Lomo Saltado Quesadillas, Churros
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Cocktail-driven Mexican–Peruvian cooking with daily happy hour and live Latin music.
Who should go: Date-night couples and groups wanting cocktails plus a scene
When to visit: Daily happy hour 4–6pm or Sunday evenings with live music
What to order: Ceviche Frida, lomo saltado quesadillas, churros with dipping sauces.
Insider tip: Book an early happy hour table, then stay through the transition into dinner and live music for a full evening without changing venues.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be scarce after 5pm. Closest reliable options are nearby garages on E 53rd and E 55th (typically $25–$35 for the evening). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—think polished jeans, blouses, button-downs, or casual-chic dresses. Most guests elevate slightly for evening music nights.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud. Early happy hour is conversational; once live music starts, expect energetic volume that’s lively but not overwhelming.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm when music programming starts.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; earliest seating begins at happy hour. For 4–6pm happy hour, expect little to no wait if you arrive on the early side.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—solid options such as guacamole, cheese flautas, mushroom-based plates, and several veg-friendly sides.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes can be modified vegan (e.g., guac, certain salads). Most mains rely on dairy or seafood.
Gluten-free options: Moderate—corn-forward items like ceviche and certain tacos are workable. Staff can guide substitutions, but no dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—early evening offers a relaxed, stylish setting with cocktails and shareable plates. Later hours are more energetic with live music, ideal if you want a fun, celebratory vibe rather than an intimate quiet dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually for happy hour if you arrive before 5pm. After 7pm—especially on weekends—walk-ins often face a wait, so reservations are strongly advised for dinner and live music nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The space skews adult with cocktails, louder music, and evening-focused dining. Older teens may be fine, but it’s not designed for young children and offers no kid-specific menu.
Best For
Better for: A more polished, nightlife-adjacent experience than typical Midtown Mexican spots—stronger cocktails, tighter happy hour pricing, and the added draw of live Latin music.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, expansive vegan choices, or budget-friendly portions. Also not ideal if you prefer traditional Mexican over fusion-driven plates.
Frida Midtown
8.0
Frida Midtown is a compact Mexican–Latin spot where happy hour margaritas meet birria, Baja fish, and other taco plates that feel more polished than pub grub. It draws a steady local crowd from nearby offices and apartments for strong drinks, shareable apps, and late-evening energy in a tight room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Tacos, Baja Fish Tacos, Frida Guacamole
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Intimate Latin-leaning bar-restaurant with serious birria and cocktail-focused happy hour.
Who should go: Couples and small groups wanting tacos with strong margaritas.
When to visit: Early evening happy hour before the room gets loud.
What to order: Birria tacos, Baja fish tacos, and guacamole to start.
Insider tip: Bar seats get the quickest service and the best view of cocktails being built.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Turtle Bay; expect metered spots to fill by early evening. Nearby garages on 2nd and 3rd Ave typically run $18–$28 for 1–2 hours.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly polished for post-work drinks and date nights.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during peak happy hour; conversation is doable early evening but becomes raised-voice territory later.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially 7–9pm when the room gets tight.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; weekday early-evening arrivals (5–6:30pm) usually have little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — expect veggie tacos, salads, and shareable starters that can be made meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of items can be adapted, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Several GF-friendly tacos and mains available; corn tortillas are standard, but cross-contact precautions vary, so sensitive diners should ask.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate room, polished cocktails, and shareable plates create easy momentum for a relaxed first date. It’s best earlier in the evening before the noise rises.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually — walk-ins are common, especially before 6:30pm. Bar seats are often easier to snag and receive faster service.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — the space is tight, and the energy leans adult with cocktails and happy-hour crowds. Older teens are fine early evening, but families may prefer roomier options nearby.
Best For
Better for: Stronger margaritas, more polished tacos, and a tighter, livelier atmosphere than many nearby happy-hour spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, large-group seating, or extensive dietary modifications — the room size and menu focus may feel limiting.