Café Riazor in
New York (NY)

So weird. Never have I ever been to a restaurant that didn’t want to prepare food for customers?? My family’s from Spain and I tried this restaurant once before and did a takeout order to bring back home to Long Island. I wanted to try them again while I was in the city today so I walked in at 7:55 PM on a rainy Saturday hoping to order tortilla and chorizo to go. Was told the kitchen was “too busy” despite only two tables being served. I was told to “come back in hour” but then was told they weren’t doing takeout at all. So if someone dining in wanted food to go, they can’t do that? Señora, you’re a restaurant. On a Saturday night. With only two tables occupied. Over 2 hours before closing time. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to make money for your establishment? Don’t blame a mysteriously overwhelmed kitchen that no one can actually see working and refuse orders because you won’t typically get tipped from a takeout order

Excellent food. Came back after years and years (when I was in college) and it looks amazing, super clean and food amazing

Great Spanish family restaurant in Chelsea. Friendly staff and at times doesn't require reservations.

The food creates experiences worth repeating. Their food quality is remarkable & truthfully, all dishes I've ordered have been impressive. Café Riazor keeps costs reasonable for its neighborhood. The team provides service that's both fast and polite. All elements reflect quality.

The meal here changed what I think is possible in cooking. The atmosphere here is just right. Every person there treated my children respectfully. Each item sampled has been memorable. Test this restaurant - you'll become a regular.

All the food lovers I know recommend this spot highly. Workers here both welcome you and help you. The kitchen demonstrates professional dedication. Their staff showed remarkable attention. This spot delivers satisfaction.

The interior makes you want to take photos before eating. The flavors communicate directly. The aesthetic enhances the space perfectly. The worker was talkative with a wide range of guests. This restaurant is worth visiting.

I normally don’t write reviews, I’m so sorry but this Spanish food restaurant is not good. Last year I had a trip to Spain and I loved the food there. I was craving some Spanish and was extremely excited to try this place. The tortilla was extremely dry and lack flavor. The patatas bravas were extremely spicy, which they are not supposed to be this spicy. And the croquetas were just not good, and nothing like Spanish croquetas. Hopefully you’ll keep doing better, and improving because this food is nothing like authentic Spanish food. And I’m not a picky eater or a perfectionist when it comes to food.

One of the best experience for Spanish tapas. Very good service by owner and so much delicious food. Bread with tomato and garlic very very delicious including all tapas.

This place has the right mood for both everyday and special meals. Many diverse plates have met my expectations. The service quality is impressively consistent. All the food we tried left us happy. Visit for a good meal.

What a find this place is in the heart of Chelsea! Mom and Pop atmosphere charming staff and quite simply the best Arroz con Pollo ever, EVER. Slow cooked creamy delicious pieces of chicken on the bone, smokey savory sausage and the veggies and rice cooked to absolutely perfection. I took 1/2 home and put a couple of eggs on it for breakfast and it's even better. My friend had the veal and enjoyed his just as much. It's affordable, the cocktails are great and its quiet and cozy. A+

First impressions are everything, and this place failed right away. I walked in with my girlfriend to an almost empty restaurant (only two other small parties), and asked if we could sit in the back where it was quiet and empty. Instead, they told us no, but said we could sit at a larger table near the front—right next to another couple. To make it worse, when I tried to sit next to my girlfriend, the older lady who seated us told me not to because I might bump into someone behind me, and said it with an attitude. Honestly, that should’ve been our cue to leave, but we stayed. The food was just as disappointing. If you’re looking for a very light and bland dinner, this is your spot. My girlfriend ordered the garlic chicken, and I got the fish a la parilla. Both came with a sad scoop of rice—maybe 100 grams at most. The chicken was tasteless, the fish was forgettable, and nothing about the food made up for the service. What really sealed the deal for me was the staff. The son (I assume he was family) ignored us most of the time, and only came over when we asked for the check. Then, the cherry on top: they added a $10 tip without saying a word. I almost called them out, but my girlfriend didn’t want me to make a scene. Worst dining experience I’ve had in a long time. I will not be back. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place—honestly, you’d get more value and flavor from a fast food spot nearby.

Late afternoon lunch at Cafe Riazor in Chelsea, serving Spanish food since 1974. This family-owned restaurant is old-school New York and has a great retro feel to it! We started with some grilled chorizo and had shrimp in garlic sauce for our mains, along with their delicious homemade sangria. It was the perfect time of day for a long, leisurely lunch.

Yesterday I revisited Cafe Riazor as I have done many times in the last 50 years!! I met Don David in 1975 & I immediately fell in love with this fabulous location. After Don David passed away his Son David took over with the help of Miss Miriam, The Hostess. They all know me very well. I might even be a rare pioneer. The ambiance is cozy & welcoming. The place is clean. The music is very nice. The food is spectacular. These facts explain why I tell David & Miriam that Riazor is my second home. Yesterday I visited with my younger sister Maribel & her husband Juan. Like myself, they were left speechless after eating these entries: House Paella & Octopus Salad (my 2 favorites), clams & shrimp, Mar & Tierra, house salads, Estrella 0.0 Beer from Spain & natural juices. I lived in NYC 30 years, in South Florida 16 years & presently I reside in Costa Rica. Anytime I get a chance I turn to NYC & the delicious aromas of Cafe Riazor & the smiles of David & Miriam keep calling me here….!! & I am humbly ready to comply!! If you have never experienced heaven at this place hurry up….!! As you are very welcome..!! ????????????

Amazing dinner experience. It feels like traveling to Spain. Highly recommend the paella engraved, cooked with squid ink

I absolutely love this place. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for a little while now and finally went to Café Riazor for the first time tonight. The tapas were delicious and homey, I especially loved the chorizo and mushroom dishes our server recommended, and my boyfriend loved the tripe and chickpea stew. We had the Mariscos Riazor platter for our main and it got us both out of our late winter blues. My boyfriend and I agreed this is our new date spot. I will be coming back regularly with friends and family. Café Riazor is the kind of place that really makes you love New York City.

Café Riazor is an absolute gem in the heart of Chelsea, and it’s no wonder they’ve been a neighborhood favorite since 1974. This family-owned and operated Spanish restaurant combines decades of tradition with an inviting atmosphere, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic flavors and warm hospitality. From its beginnings as a cozy 9-table eatery, Café Riazor has grown while staying true to its roots. The Chef/Owner’s dedication shines through in every dish, with a menu that beautifully highlights the bold, rich flavors of Spain. Whether you’re enjoying their signature Camarones al Ajillo, savoring a plate of paella, or sipping on their incredible sangria, every bite is a journey to Spain. And here’s a fun fact: even Sarah Jessica Parker from the iconic TV shows Sex and the City and And Just Like That frequented this spot. It’s a true testament to how beloved Café Riazor is in New York’s dining scene! The service is top-notch, the ambiance is warm and inviting, and the food is nothing short of spectacular. Café Riazor has been a Chelsea staple for 50 years, and it’s clear why—they’ve mastered the art of creating unforgettable dining experiences. I can’t wait to return again for their delicious Camarones al Ajillo & Chorizo. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates authentic Spanish cuisine and a piece of NYC history.

This family-owned Spanish restaurant is a must-try! Everything we had was delicious and authentic. The sardines were perfectly grilled, the patatas bravas were crispy and flavorful, and the chorizo was flavorful. Don't miss the ham croquettes and the baked clams - they were incredible. The sangria was the perfect complement to our meal. Excellent service and a lively atmosphere, too. Highly recommend!

This place has been a family tradition for over 30 years. Always great food and the service is spot on. Always get the Paella De La Casa and the Riazor Clams, you won’t be disappointed! Enjoy!!

I love the interior of this place. A lot of decorations and nice traditional yet fun Spanish music in the background. I had the pork and rice which I'd put solidly in the good category. Maybe not unique enough to go in the fantastic category. The pork was delicious although I got a slight dry taste from it, although still very good. Rice was yellow rice and a little bland for me but I think that's how they do it in Spain.

Classic Spanish Tapas ? in Chelsea Ny. Ordered 5-6 Tapas for a variety of tastes. A glass of Rioja and a White Sangria. Next time we must try the Seafood Paella. Service was great.

I went on Saturday lunch hours and it was pretty empty. The lady waiter was friendly. Food was okay but nothing special. The Camarones al ajillo Tapas was too small. For me was pricey food and not tasty.

This is a cozy dining spanish food restaurant. It is family owned 50 years. Excellent Paella Marisco and Marisco Riazor. The female server has been here for 35 years. Great if you are concern about Covid they have partitions between tables, plexiglass. I would recommend ?. There are stairs to go down to the resturant.

Love this tapas spot! Great food that comes out very quickly, and the service is also very friendly. We got a whole bunch of tapas to share and enjoyed every one of them. Plus, the prices are decent and the drinks are good - can’t go wrong!

Been meaning to come here after Sarah Jessica Parker revealed this is one of her favorite spots in town. Did not disappoint. Loved the tapas especially the chorizo asado. The jamón Serrano was cut a tad bit thicker than usual but oh so decadent. We had the paella a la casa which was hearty. No soccarat though but feels like your gran made it, if she happens to be Spanish. The rioja house wine was also good. Lastly, had the chocolate cake for dessert which was a nice touch in the end. My only complaint is that the restaurant was grossly undermanned tonight, front & back of the house. Could be part of the massive workforce shortage at the moment. We had to wait for around 45 mins for the first round of food to arrive. Anyway, I hope this gets resolved as it affects the restaurant’s integrity which is a shame as the food is precious.

9/18/21 update: stopped in for a snack, I had stuffed mushrooms and mussels. Both were really good and just the right amount of food. Good service. 4/10/21: We stopped in for my late night snack. Sat in the special outdoor space, it was cozy but felt fine. I had the octopus tappas, yellow rice and a beer. All was very good. Service still great. Still want to come back and eat so much more. We went for dinner. Service was great! Had white sangria, (ok), pulpo and calamari for tapas (excellent) and paella de la casa for our meal. The paella was just ok, even with half a tiny lobster tail, it should have had more clams, mussels, sausage and better chicken. Two Clams & three Mussels doesn't cut it. Neither does two small bony pieces of chicken and one wing. A wing... Really? And about 5 microscopic pieces of sausage... That is the cheapest protein in the dish and there was barely any in there. That made it a bland dish. Such a bummer. The chef needs to step it up! We will return! For the tapas... Our octo and squid was amazing! And well worth it, so go there and try! All staff were very friendly and service was excellent. A welcoming atmosphere, we liked that very much. So, thanks for a nice time :)

Every bite is packed full of flavor. Food has homemade, authentic and wholesome feel to it. Their lunch specials are very reasonably priced, absolutely delicious and filling. This place might be the best tapas spot in the city. Service is very friendly. Highly recommend.