La Palapa

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77 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003-7945 (at 1st Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

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(212) 777-2537
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La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
La Palapa - New York, NY
Reviews
( 29 )
( 24 )
( 8 )
( 12 )
( 11 )

Best

Best dinner I have had in NYC, the folks who own this place really know how to do Mexican the right way! We stopped in on a Friday night and we were treated to one of the best di...

Worst

After spending more money than intended, I felt even more disappointed in the food. The southwestern spices were more than overwhelming to the point where you couldn't taste the ...

Great Food + Service 3/4/2003

Went on a busy Fri nite and waited to be seated for 20 minutes or so. Other than that I have nothing but positive things to say. The food is tasty and served quickly. The service is prompt and professional. Our table happened to be near the liquor cabinet and when the owner needed to access the cabinet during our meal - which was hardly a major inconvenience - she removed the pitcher of Sangria we were drinking from our bill. An excellent alternative to your usual burrito and fajita Mexican place. Pros: Tasty Food, Great Service, Lively Cons: Hot, Crowded more
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Those hidden extra $$$. 2/14/2003

A small side of rice was $4 and a side of beans was also $4. Have chips and salsa at the bar. The same chips at your table and you'll be paying $5 for them (a NY mexican restaurant custom, it seems). Our waitress explained, ""we charge for them because we make the chips and salsa here at the restaurant."" The entrees are expensive enough. Don't nickel-and-dime the customer over the chips. Pros: Good lighting, Good salsa Cons: $4 rice, $4 beans more
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Authentic and delicious! 2/1/2003

Being from Texas and constantly in search of good Mexican food, I have finally found it at La Palapa! The margaritas, especially the frozen pomegranate, are huge and delicious. The chips are dusted with a mild chili powder and pair with the guacamole spectacularly. I have had the mole enchiladas 3 times and have to say that they are just as good as back home--sorry, Grandma! The green chicken enchiladas are mouth watering, as well. I am so glad La Palapa exists and highly recommend it. Pros: Food Cons: None whatsoever more
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Underrated 1/22/2003

One of the better authentic Mexican restaurants around. You get a great value for a great meal. Can't go wrong. more
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Holy Mole!! 1/20/2003

I have to disagree with that last ""rating""...I dined at La Palapa on Sunday night...I had the enchiladas in red mole...not only were they awesome..the serving was gigantic and the mole sauce was rich, thick and tasty..my mouth is watering just thinking of them...they are worth every penny! I also recently dined at Dos Caminos...where the enchiladas were 16.95..you get rice and beans but I would rather have La Palapas Enchiladas anyday!! Hands Down!! Pros: birthdays, Child friendly, Garden Cons: loud, Little Hot more
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""Would you also like salsa and chips?"" 1/16/2003

...asked my waitress after I placed my order. Of course, she didn't tell me I was going to get charged $3.95 for it. I had the Enchiladas de Pollo Verde, which was good, but not exactly worth $11.95. The chicken was a little dry. They didn't even have the decency to include rice and beans. Too bad. The atmosphere was wonderful, with its Mayan artwork, romantic lighting, and music that's not too loud or soft. The service was warm and friendly. Better to just go for drinks. Pros: Pleasant atmosphere, Fairly good food Cons: Way overpriced, $3.95 chips and salsa more
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Insert catchy title 1/2/2003

This place is strong. I find that Mexican food in the city is generally pretty weak, but I'll go here and be happy. Terrific Verdes sauce and nice margaritas. Service is a little naive, but pleasant enough. The seating is a little odd(I've been there several times and sat in differen sections, but always feel squeezed in and a little in the way more
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Viva Mexico! 12/16/2002

Amazing food, friendly service and a spacious dining area. (no bumping elbows and spilling your Tecate!) A great selection of Mexican beers and tequilas, not to mention margaritas in every flavor imaginable, accompany the mouth watering dishes. more
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Soooo yummy! 12/2/2002

I am surprised to see negative comments! I went for dinner this weekend and had a delcious meal. The food was great- not your basic taco/burrito Mexican. The dishes are really interesting and very flavorful. Large portions too! I have been before and have a similar experience. Prices are also very reasonable. My favorite Mexican in NYC! Pros: interesting food, sangria more
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Fun atmosphere, decent food 11/27/2002

Ate there the other night as part of a party of 10. The service was attentive, the atmosphere fun with interesting Mexican-ish decore, and the food was decent. Good margaritas, although I had around 6 and was still standing. We went for a birthday and there just happened to be 2 others in the same evening there. Pros: Fun, Cool Decore, Attentive Service Cons: Sort of plain food more
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Great Food, Small Portions 11/13/2002

The foode was delicious, however, portions are small and prices high. It also seemed as though the waiter was just tolerating us and completely ignored some of our requests. more
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What a Margarita! 11/13/2002

This place definately deserves to be on the best Mexican list (if not the best). Everytime I've been to La Palapa (10 times) the food and drinks have been fantasic and the service impeccable. I don't know what they'er doning to get it so right but it's working. And what a margarita!! I'm so happy I live right around the corner from this joint ,I'm trying to become a regular at the bar, but I keep sitting at a table to enjoy the food. Pros: Good staff, Back garden more
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THE VERY BEST 11/11/2002

The food is amazing, the service is prompt and friendly and the ambience keeps me coming back... and the drinks are superb! more
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Hidden gem in nutty St. Mark's pl. 10/12/2002

My first experience at La Palapa was disastrous. My blind date was ugly (not restaurant's fault), the beer was warm, and the food was so spicy it numbed my taste buds. However, I loved the ambience, and decided to give it another chance. I'm glad I did so, because all my gripes seemed to have been addressed. I've since been there many more times, and I would probably rate this restaurant as one of the top three Mexicans in the city. To top it all off, getting a table there is never a hassle. Pros: Friendly service, guacamole Cons: none, really more
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It would earn a 10 on a scale of 100! 10/7/2002

La Palapa makes Burritoville look like Daniel! Here are a few reasons: 1) The margaritas are overpriced, unpleasantly sour and weak. 2) When not otherwise unacceptable - blandness, dryness, etc. - the dishes are generally one-note disasters with the singular note being hotness. 2) The sauces they leave on the table are the same sauces they dump on the food, one of which rendered the enchiladas - which don't earn a positive numerical rating to begin with - bitter, overhot and totally inedible. 3) After biting into a piece of duck, I had to look at the menu again to see if I had, in fact, ordered the ""duck jerky special"". 4) In general, there is a lack of fundamental skills in the kitchen...culinary sins abound here, folks! La Palapa is a primer for how not to prepare Mexican food. 'Nuff said. Pros: Friendly waitstaff, Pleasant decor Cons: Awful food, Awful drinks more
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you won't find better 10/4/2002

If you are looking for refried beans, go elsewhere. This is modern regional Mexican cuisine. I have been to La Palapa several times with friends and each plate is always excellent. I don't know what other restaurant these folks are complaining about. I've had to push my plate away due to the large portions (the enchiladas are gigantic). Although, I have to admit that the mixed drinks are awful, stick with beer and wine. Pros: great setting, garden, real Mexican food Cons: slow service more
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Worst Dining Experience Ever 10/2/2002

Having ordered delivery from here, I decided to go and try out the restaurant with six friends. We ordered apps and main courses. 3 apps came 10 minutes into being there, the other 3 came 45 minutes later NO JOKE!...then 5 minutes later they brought out all the entrees. don't know about you--but mexican food is type of meal i need time in between courses. having a full plate of appetizers when the entrees were brought out did not allow me to enjoy my food at all. The waiters were rude, the place was empty (thus no justification for this type of service), and we were treated horribly. Guess that automatic 20% tip on parties of 6 really hinders their desire to give good service. Though the food was good, it is very pricey, and the service is awful. I will NEVER return (nor get takeout) again. Such a shame... Cons: service, service, service more
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all about the mole 9/11/2002

and the vibe. I had the Mole and a really cute waitress. Scene is a good one. I really dont know why everyone seems to be so nege about this place. kick back and relax! Pros: vibe, hot servers, mole Cons: pricey more
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avoid at all costs 8/27/2002

La POOPlapa is a more fitting name. Don't bother with this place more
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3 8/18/2002

This place was a huge disappointment. Starting off with having to pay for chips n salsa (isn't this against Mexican restaurant tradition??) the food was very, very spicy. This is good if you like spicy food, but it was just too much. I even like spicy food but this one was too rough on my stomach. It had a lot of fancy Mexican dishes (those of you looking for the basics, go elsewhere) and it was super loud, hence not very romantic. All in all, it is a great place to go if you like VERY spicy food and you have a large group. Otherwise, I would try a different restaurant. Cheers. Pros: fun for a group, friendly service Cons: expensive, spicy, food not tasty more
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Menu for La Palapa


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Bringing the zest of authentic Mexican food to the streets of New York since 2000

Editorial

  • The Scene
    Soothing lighting and casual decor combine to create a calm, low-key atmosphere, with a full bar and outdoor seating.

    The Food
    This is the kind of...

  • 7/21/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-12am Sat-Sun 11am-12am
  • Payments: Visa, American Express, Master Card, Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, East Village
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