Zero complaints, I came here for dinner before a show at the met with a friend. I had the lobster pasta and the grilled oysters. The ambiance is dimly lit and cozy, customer service was great. The pasta dish threw me off at first when I spotted avocado but it was delicious together, very heavy on the lobster. The grilled oysters were very citrusy. I highly recommend and will definitely return when I'm in the area. read more

Awesome spot. Great service. Fabulous food and drink. This place is special. All kinds of fish beautifully prepared. read more

My family lives in the neighborhood and so we were eager to try El Fish. It is truly a unique and thoughtful restaurant. I was especially happy with the care they showed to the older clientele. We will all be there before too long! As one might expect from the name, this is a fine seafood restaurant with a Spanish flair. And flair is the right word. The spicing and presentation is very spicy and flamboyant! Fun indeed. At the same time, the pepper-based spice is very low-key. My Midwest conditioned mother loved it and claims not to like hot things! The ambience is peaceful, and upscale. We will be back... read more

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Had an awesome dinner here! Surprised it wasn't more crowded early but will definitely get more packed as people find out about it. Really fresh seafood done well. Favorite was the octopus! read more

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Good dinner. I joined the waitlist and got an immediate call that 2 seats were available at the bar. Steak fajitas were really good as well as the salmon. Bar service was wonderful as was the company. Nice ambiance in the small contemporary restaurant. We enjoyed our meal. read more

El Fish Marisquería - Last minute bar seats - Seafood Near Me - New York, New York

Great all around. We have been a return customer. Not your typical run-of-the-mill Mexican food. Good raw oyster bar. read more

El Fish Marisquería - Seafood Near Me - New York, New York

Great food. Definitely different than the traditional seafood. Service was wonderful. Ambiance is ok. Just looks bigger in the pictures. Prices are okay but portions need to be larger for side dishes. read more

Really solid place in the Lincoln Center area with nice upscale ambiance and interior. Service was good and attentive. Food was decent but pricey which is to be expected for a place like this in this location. Would recommend if you need something that fits this bill in the area but nothing extraordinary to write home about. read more

El Fish Marisquería - Strip Steak Fajitas - not the type of cut I would pair with Fajitas IMO - Seafood Near Me - New York, New York

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Worst experience in UWS ever, DO NOT BRING YOUR FAMILY HERE. COME IF YOU LOVE TO BE ABUSED. As soon as we entered we asked for a table with our two year old, they told us we can be seated, only if we "keep the stroller and the kid downstairs in the basement" we laughed thinking it was a joke. When we were getting seated, they said you have to "keep the baby quiet, otherwise it will affect other customers" we politely responded our child is a two year old, you can't "keep the child quiet". Then we were told you have to. We got up and left. Does this place realize they are in UWS? Is that how you treat your customers and young parents? AVOID AT ALL COST. read more

El Fish Marisquería is a whisper of a restaurant. It often tries to tell you what sort of restaurant it is but you can't hear it. Tuna Caritas Taco--Mexican? Fideos with Uni and Lobster--Spanish? Lobster with fried rice--Chino-Caribbean? The flavors try to make a statement, but often lack enough salt and acid. Even the spice fades lazily in and out. EFM is a low talker. It's bland, inoffensive food. One can't help but feel there's more of a focus group behind the menu than an actual culinary mind. Service is adequate. Atmosphere and space are pleasant enough. Not Recommended. read more

We noticed upon entering this bustling establishment that it was extremely warm inside and it was definitely a fish restaurant. Once seated, we ordered a round of top tier priced cocktails from the menu, the Paloma, Pear Mezcalita, and El Fish Cosmo. We later tried the Chef's Margarita which tops the menu at $22. The place was very busy at 6:30 on a Saturday evening with a crowd that appeared to be of the pre theater Lincoln Center demographic. We enjoyed our cocktails while catching up with the gals and we never felt rushed as we took our time throughout the evening. After mentioning the temperature to our server Ernesto, who was amazing, things seemed to cool off. We ordered our starters which were fine (nothing noteworthy) and we thought the mains outshone them by far. The dishes are presented with a flair and the whole fishes are dramatic in nature. We enjoyed the Salmon Skewers with the creamy Mexican rice the most and the fried fish was really just that with a delicious garlic chili sauce. The corn esquite was a great side as well. Ernesto convinced us to try some dessert because they have a new pastry chef so we did. The crepes were light and the avocado ice cream seemed to work somehow. We all agreed we liked the vibe of the place especially as it got later in the evening and the crowd's median age fell. The beau and I have had this place on our list for a while now and we are glad we finally tried it. It's definitely a nice addition to the neighborhood. read more

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This place explores beyond the traditional Mexican dishes. My girlfriend and I were able to get a reservation on the opening weekend. We were seated right away and were greeted with great attention by the staff. We ordered a little bit of everything from the menu. We got a half dozen east coast and a half dozen west coast oysters. I personally preferred the east coast, and it was cheaper too. We then ordered a few appetizers, including the Tacos de Carnitas de Atun, the Yucatan Fish Dip, and a side of Corn Esquite (very good). For our main course, we split the Fideo Seco. This was unlike anything we'd ever tasted before. By looking at the description, combining lobster, truffle, and a chipotle-tomato sauce does not sound like it should go together. But it did! Surprisingly, the truffle was just enough and not too overpowering. The sauce provided and little heat, and the lobster was nice and tender. I would mostly recommend this place if you want tapas and shareables. The entree items are pretty expensive. But the appetizers are great and definitely enough to share with 3-4 people. read more

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Stylish with a creative take on Mexican food, but a little too loud. It's so busy that we had trouble getting a reservation, luckily we were able to get a table as a walk-in late one night. We'd go back, if just to have the Tostada Ensenada - it was so delicious. The Brochetas de Salmon Kung Pao was beautifully presented and tasted fine; the Kung Pao just referred to the peanuts, it wasn't spicey at all. For dessert we had a meringue, strawberry shortcake concoction - also delicious. Tea service was surprisingly good - we each got our own pot (as it should be). read more

El Fish Marisquería - Strawberry dessert - Seafood Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious! We love the "fish hash", the tuna tartar taquitos, the salmon kebabs. Gracious service. Cozy brick wall ambience, and gracious service. Our favorite pre-theater spot near Lincoln Center! (Good cocktails too) read more

We loved El Fish! It was our favorite restaurant experience on our trip. Our server was excellent. The food was outstanding. The fish, oysters were excellent! It was a little loud as they were quite busy but we enjoyed the environment. It was very energetic. Highly recommend. read more

A wonderful relaxed space that feels human and intimate, El Fish specialises flavourful Mexican seafood that is creative and fortified with high quality ingredients. Wish I had tried it all but the toro taquitos, tuna tacos, lump crab salad, fideo seco with lobster and salmon skewers were all outstanding. The grilled oysters were fantastic. Service is warm from the moment you are greeted at the door. Water was regularly refilled. This is a great addition to the upper west side. Perfect pre- theater event at Lincoln Center. read more

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I remember when this place used to be a supermarket. So glad they turned this into an awesome new restaurant. We came here for a Galentine's dinner last week and I was wowed! The restaurant was packed (as usual) but we were seated promptly for our reservation. The dining room is on the smaller side but well-lit and beautifully decorated. Feels almost like you're being transported somewhere tropical after escaping the NYC streets. Our server Ivan was great! He gave us great drink recommendations and checked in on us frequently. We started with passion fruit margaritas- didn't love them as they weren't very passion fruit forward but the tequila was good quality. Ivan recommended another drink that I cannot remember the name of but it had tequila, hibiscus, and rose in it. It was beautiful and delicious! To eat we had: Ostiones a las brasas: So flavorful! The oysters were grilled perfectly and the soy-ginger butter sauce was good enough to drink. I did in fact slurp these. They were also plated beautifully on little clouds of salt. Jalea: Fried shrimp and calamari platter with yucca fries. I can't speak for the shrimp but the calamari were breaded and fried well and tasted nice and fresh. Loved the pairing of this with the aji verde aioli. I wouldn't say it was the best calamari I've had but it was pretty great! Fideo Seco: This was the star of the night for me. I wasn't sure what to expect with a lobster pasta but the lobster was tender, the tomato-chipotle sauce was sweet with the perfect amount of heat (and I hate spicy food), and the noodles were the perfect vehicle to tie this all together! I liked the each bite was a little different with avocados to temper the heat, black truffle to add umami, and queso fresco to add creaminess. All that said, I could eat this again and again. Branzino A las Brasas: I don't have a lot to say about this. It was solid. Branzino was cooked well. I didn't love the salsa on top. Honestly would skip this. Mango (?) Tres Leches: I don't think this is on the menu so maybe it was a special but Ivan recommended this for us. This was the perfect cap to a delicious meal. The tres leches was sweet and not overly soggy and the mango topping was refreshing and added some acidity to counter the sweetness. It was paired with a strawberry ice cream which was also tasty. TLDR: Overall, an excellent dinner and I will definitely be returning. Definitely order the grilled oysters and the fideo seco. Might be nice to just sit at the bar and order drinks and apps. There were so many other things on the menu so lots to try! Rating: 4.5/5 stars. read more

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What a beautiful little place! It's hard to spot because the sign is sort of hidden, but once you come inside is like a different world. Very elegant, minimalist and several allusion to the sea. The servers were nice but I'd say some too quick in the attention. I ordered the Ensenada tostada, and was brought the tuna one instead. It looked good so we decided to keep it and it was a great call because it was really tasty. We enjoyed all we ate, my partner still thinks of the fish schnitzel! Be watchful of the desserts - the chocolate mousse is for dark chocolate lovers only. The churro was my absolute favorite! We will def go back. read more

El Fish Marisquería - Tuna tostada, octopus and fish dip - Seafood Near Me - New York, New York

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I've been to lots of restaurants in NYC that say they are this, or that. But they're always just what New Yorkers think they should be, or even worse, just what the decor resembles. (Seriously looking for a real Cuban place in NYC pls help!) Well, all that said, El Fish is EXACTLY what my favorite places in Ensenada and across Baja are all about. Loved it!!!! read more

The ambiance is pretty and not too loud; nice diverse crowd and good service. However the drinks were weak and the food was nothing to write home about. read more

Great neighborhood vibe but hard to get a reservations. Finally got one and it live up to the hype. Amazing food and great service. We started with baked clams and mini tuna tacos. Both were amazing and thought our main dish would disappoint. But not here the fried Black Sea bass was crazy good. Everything we ate they did it right and did it well. We will be back. (If we can get reservations). read more

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Great location for Lincoln Center. Wonderful lunch options. Meal was well paced. Great service.

Had dinner with an old friend here Friday night and I absolutely loved it! Service was attentive and the food was amazing. Definitely recommend the lobster tacos and the tuna taquitos! Those were the best dishes and we tried a bunch of things. Guac was good but it was def a very large portion. Also the churro dessert is worth mentioning, it's a small churro cake with ice cream. read more

Written by my daughter (but I agree with her review): This place is great we ordered branzeno and steak fajitas. delicious chips they fried great place. The service was good lots of people there ready for you. small yet stylish and festive.. read more

Wow, another surprisingly good meal! The Mexican/Seafood theme sounded like a gimmick but they deliver the goods. I think the Langosta Ensenada (lobster with fried rice) is their best dish, but also great was the Brochetas de Salmon Kung Pao and Baked Clams, which tasted more like a delicious soup with clam and chorizo. Great meal and we'll be back! read more

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It feels like a downtown hotspot, with decor, food, and service to match...and then you notice the many large tables of gray-haired intellectuals and you realize you are, indeed, on the Upper West Side =) Fideo seco is the ultimate comfort food, and the version here doesn't disappoint. In fact all the sides are incredible (except for the greasy fried rice, not a huge fan) and the mains are impeccable combinations of flavors and textures, highly satisfying. The wines by the glass aren't so interesting; thankfully the cocktails and ales are terrific. It's a different direction to walk from Lincoln Center than the usual pre-theater options, but worth it for the more stylish and fun ambience - my new go-to! read more

Very rude. The waiter warned us that if our 2-year old kid gets loud, other customers will be upset when we just sat down. I think the waiter is not a native speaker and so he couldn't communicate well, but neither he nor other staff apologized after that. read more

Service and food were great . We ordered the tuna tartare tacos, lobster tacos, and the octopus. All were amazing !

This is a surprisingly interesting Mexican fusion, there were some dishes with an asian twist and some with a Jewish twist. However, everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. Service was very attentive and the place has a good vibe. read more

This has been Ana amazing experience. 5 star food and service. Attentive staff and mouth watering food. read more

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I couldn't be happier that this amazing seafood restaurant with a Mexican style flair just opened up in my neighborhood, UWS. Every single seafood and vegetarian dish I ordered (and my table of 5 friends ordered a wide variety of dishes) was excellent and the service from start to finish is what you want when dining out! Starting by the specialty drinks (I made an exception to have one drink because the drinks had interesting combinations) then the oysters which were super fresh, the truffle lobster tartar was to die for, followed by the best guacamole and tortilla chips I have ever tried before. One of the nice things about this place is that their vegetarian options had very special flavors - they weren't just steamed veggies with garlic and butter, no. They had some special twist with the ingredients- for example their butternut squash and eggplant dish tasted so divine that even those who aren't much of veggie eaters would chow down every last. For the main dish, I ordered the Branzino and shared it with my cousin - which was simply made grilled with capers and tomatoes, just the way I like it and something you could eat every single day if you could. My friend and his gf ordered the surf and turf -I tried a piece of the steak and it was made at the perfect temperature. Lastly, we ordered almost all the deserts on the menu! The desserts had a very pretty presentation. I got the non-dairy avocado ice-cream option which I was happy about because it wasn't anything I had ever tried. I always appreciate this from restaurants as opposed to only offering a traditional "sorbet" as a vegan option. They truly came up with a special desert for the lactose intolerant or plant based people. The ambience: beautiful, cozy, low lights, elegant enough where you you could dress up fashionable for a date, yet hip and cool enough where you can get away with dressing down a bit. From the outside, this restaurant looks like it would be perfect for a movie shoot! read more

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Despite being in an area lacking in spots to eat, El Fish almost makes up for it. The service is decent, the dishes are comforting and filling, and their cocktails and desserts leave me satisfied. read more

Excellent food, service, drinks and ambience. Very personable service. Creative menu.

Great food & service , delicious and great atmosphere. Close to home too. You have to try it. The smoke fish dip, whole fish and drinks top rated. read more

This restaurant is elevating the dining experience on the Upper Westside. The staff is incredible and the food is perfect. We tried 80 percent of the menu: oysters, clams, shrimp, lobster, fish, octopus, spinach salad and more - every dish is a winner. The owner is an amazing chef and the food is fresh with hints of Japanese flavors and Mexican heritage. Run, don't walk - you will not be disappointed !!! And the bar is wonderful as well - try the chef's margarita, yet another winner. read more

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On a recent snowy Sunday afternoon, I suggested to a friend that we try this place out for brunch since the original restaurant that we were going to had a long wait. I didn't know anything about this place, but it was the design and ambience that caught my eye whenever I rode by on the bus. I didn't even know that it was a Mexican inspired seafood restaurant. Although I am allergic to fish and gluten, I scanned the menu and found something that I could eat...a trusty hamburger, no bun. Let me say, I haven't had a more tasty burger anywhere ever! It was so delicious. My friend had a lobster breakfast burro and the corn esquite and loved them both. The staff was very attentive and Norma, our waitress was very sweet. The interior of the restaurant did not disappoint with its ambient lighting and great music. I would highly recommend to anyone in the area looking for a good local restaurant. read more

General: It is not clear from the menu which items are to be shared, which are individual portions, etc. Service: We arrived for a 6:15 reservation, NOT headed for the theater, and felt rushed. Most restaurants ask when you arrive if you have a theater-imposed time limit - they didn't. Instead just after we got water they asked if we were ready to order. We ordered a cocktail. When the server returned, we ordered salads and entree, and a bottle of wine. The cocktails came quickly, then salads came and were finished, and the wine was nowhere in sight. When the entrees arrived, we had to ask for our wine and they hurried to bring it. We felt rushed - their intentions were probably good. Food: The salads were good. The branzino was good. The salmon skewers were disappointing The kung pao sauce was like that of a bad Chinese restaurant, and did not go well with the creamy Mexican rice. Unfortunate, because the salmon, which I had ordered "medium rare" was perfectly cooked (though someone forgot to salt it). read more

I walked in and was told only be able to offered the spots in the corner at the oyster bar. Given the facts that there were tables and other spots available and not reserved. The owner apparently didn't manage his reservations and walk-ins well and blamed for the other guest coming in late and wanted to take my chair? (How terrible, I've never came across a restaurant owner treat the guests in that way). Service is terrible and it made the guests totally not welcomed at all. Don't recommend at all! read more

The food was amazing but the manager is terrible. The way he treats his staff is horrible, he sits down at the bar and micromanages the staff while eating a whole lobster at 7pm when the restaurant is full. I've been there three times now, and each time I'm shocked at how horrible this manager is. The way he speaks to everyone working is disgraceful and I cannot believe he still works there. He's annoying, and clearly has no idea how to run a restaurant. I will not support a place that doesn't treat their staff well. read more

One of our go-tos! Nice ambiance and the fish dip is an absolute must. The staff are attentive and helpful as well! They always bring us extra salsa macha when we ask :) read more