What a great first experience at La Contenta. I sat at the bar and watched the bartenders make great cocktails, including my two, the Pulque de Guayaba and The Mayan. They were both excellent. My entree was the Chile Relleno y Succotash and it too was excellent. I'll be back. read more

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Dark, fun little Mexican spot with a great drink menu. We had a great experience the night we went and we will definitely be back. My friend was late arriving to dinner and I was fortunate enough to have the lovely hostess put a reserve sign on a bar seat next to me as I awaited. Since the place was empty at 6:15pm I was surprised she did that. But 10 minutes later the place was packed!!! While I waited I tried more than one of their specialty margaritas ranging from coconut infused to jalapeño spiked and liked each one. And I almost got full on the chips and salsa before we ordered dinner. In the end, the Ceviche was fresh, the tacos were great, and the rice and beans were delicious. We loved every plate and drink. Arrive there early as the seats go fast! But if you have to wait, it's worth it. read more

La Contenta Les - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent happy hour 7 days a week! Fabulous food and drink specials. Particularly loved the tacos de carnitas! chef's kiss :-* read more

La Contenta Les - La Contenta Nachos - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

Decided to come here as it was one of the few places open late on a Sunday night and I am so glad with that decision. The ambience was nice with the music playing loudly, the candles lit, and the heat nice and warm on a cold night. The food was absolutely delicious. I devoured my Pollo en Mole which had great flavor and amazing tenderness and really just exceeded my expectations overall. The enchiladas were also delicious and I definitely plan to come back and try more things. read more

La Contenta Les - Pollo en mole - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

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Pretty decent spot for mexican food with a great drinks menu. They have a happy hour but it seems like it ends at 6. Long story short, their food is really great but it's a little pricier than i would have preferred. We tried: - the mayan (drink) 9/10: it was an excellent mix of slightly sour and alcohol, wish there was a little more liquid..the drink was pretty small - la contenta nachos 8/10: nachos were pretty good and i liked the abundance and variety of toppings; but ultimately thought the price to portion ratio could have been better - tacos de carne asada 7/10: also quite yummy and the meat was incredibly tender -- but i'm personally not a fan of really expensive "premium" tacos - pollo en mole 9/10: i'm always on the lookout for mole dishes delicious mole and the chicken was surprisingly very juicy! only downside is the price read more

La Contenta Les - pollo en mole 9/10 - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

First day I had tacos. Was perfectly cooked meat. Perfectly made sauce and the perfect amount of it to complement the beef without making the tortilla soggy. The tortilla is fresh. The food temperature is just perfect. We were party of 3 and we all were impressed with the flavor and quality. The service was good. The ambiance is casual great place to get together and enjoy good food and good time. The place is too small only one person can move at a time. We had such a great experience that we went next day for brunch. That is when we had different experiences one of us got the safe choice and order the amazing tacos, the other two of us ordered the toast with avocado tomato and eggs came with side of arugula salad. My friend thought everything tastes good. I thought the avocado was too spicy , I couldn't enjoy the sandwich, so I eat only the eggs and tomatoes on the top. the arugula salad was salty and had too much dressing but I still eat it all because I was hungry. Definitely a lunch or dinner type of restaurant for me not sure about breakfast. The food was definitely fresh at all times and service is good. read more

La Contenta is an absolutely fabulous Mexican joint and one of the few Mexican restaurants in New York that I really love. It's a tiny little space inside but with amazing food! My friend and I split the queso fundido to start which was soooo good. For my entree I got the shrimp enchiladas (per a recommendation from a friend) and they did not let me down. The tortilla, sauce, filling - everything was delicious. I really look forward to coming back and trying more on the menu here! read more

The happy hour is on point! $10 apps and cocktails that can't be beat! The space is tight and full by 6pm, so get in early if you want a seat. We ended up squeezing into the outdoor enclosure during a winter storm, but they made it tolerable with a space heater to keep us warm despite the weather. Service was always around when we needed them, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back again! read more

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Firstly, I would like to start off by saying that when we had walked in and kept asking to switch our seating between outdoors and indoors, considering that there had been a slight breeze, the girl who seated us was very patient and attentive. Our server was very friendly and thoroughly explained each menu item when we asked him what they consisted of, and overall answered our questions informatively and kindly. Our food was pleasantly flavorful, and was moderately filling. The ambiance is comfortable and diverse, despite the building being rather small. Ultimately, this restaurant is an amazing place for a simple and portioned Mexican meal, and I would gladly come back. read more

Loved the tacos and service was good. It's a cute small restaurant. The drinks are a must try as well. read more

La Contenta Les - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

I am a Texas native who has lived in NYC for 22 years. Mexican-American (distinct from Tex-Mex) food is a particular interest of mine. I long ago gave up on trying to find an authentic Mexican-American dining experience in NYC. The places where the food is good enough are pretentious and pricey (which is inauthentic alone). The places priced within my usual reach, while competent enough, still disappoint, usually because they have adjusted the seasoning to accommodate the northeastern palate (which I can hardly blame them for). La Contenta provides the Mexican-American dining experience I miss. I've been twice, both for weekend brunch. On the first visit I didn't make my usual Mexican breakfast choice, Huevos Rancheros, because I have been so often disappointed by what people north of Dallas/Fort Worth believe this dish to be. I ordered Chilaquiles instead, because that's a dish that doesn't really have a standard form, it's a bit different everywhere it is made, even in Mexico. I like what they do with Chilaquiles, and that was what encouraged me to make a return visit. On the second visit, I had the Huevos Rancheros, and when I tasted guajillo peppers in the ranchero sauce I was transported to my favorite haunts back home. They get it, they know this dish, they get it right. That's a first in this part of the country for me in two decades of being disappointed time after time. The dish was assembled correctly, the layers went on in the right order, and accordingly served upon fried (but not fried hard) corn tortillas. To celebrate this moment of reunion with a favored staple, I didn't even turn to look at the bar to survey the selection of tequila, because after sampling the Heuvos Rancheros I knew they would have my choice, Clase Azul Reposado. They do, and I finshed off the meal with a shot neat. I almost expected to wander outside and see piñatas available for parents to take home to the kids. From the music, to the menu, to the servers, to the rhythm of the service, to the cocktail menu, to the food choices available, to the selection at the bar, to the mindful attention to the house-made salsas, La Contenta delivers a truly authentic (to this Texan) Mexican-American dining experience. read more

Really not great, overpriced, and mediocre. The ceviche was strange. The quesadilla felt microwaved and soggy. Everything just didn't look right. The tequila was great though! read more

Good food and I loved my Michelada with Tamrind! However, it was a bit pricey for the fact that it wasn't show stopping. The shrimp enchiladas and steak fajitas were both solid and yummy, but the fajitas were a little too oily. read more

worst tacos ive ever had in my life by far, service was fine but the tacos were like microwaved and bland

Extremely overpriced for food. The drinks are excellent. Worth visiting if you wanna pay $25 for like two tacos. Otherwise there are better places in the city read more

Decent Mexican food. Chips and guac were good but could have used some more seasoning. The fish tacos were also ok, but it was mostly batter with a tiny bit of fish. read more

La Contenta Les - Guacamole Tradicional - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

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Warm atmosphere and good guacamole. Solid catfish or carne asada tacos. Didn't try the chicken, but I'd bet it's good. Everything is fresh and served quickly. There isn't much seating in the place, but I can't speak to how crowded it gets as we came in at off-peak hours, around 2:30 in the afternoon. There were a few empty tables. Overall a positive experience and all left full and satisfied. read more

The food is really terrific here. I love coming to get the catfish tacos, guacamole, or any of the shrimp dishes. The cocktails are so delicious that you can't just have one. Besides the comfortable outdoor seating in little booths, with radiators, and sliding barn doors, the waiter service is really wonderful. Mario was constantly checking up on us outside and he was so friendly, as well as polite. Having fantastic service on top of amazing food really makes for a wonderful evening. read more

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Bros pay attention, major key alert: This one single city block will create the most painless, thoughtful, date options for you. 1. Thierry Goldberg Gallery (directly across the street) 2. La Contenta (top Mexican with intimate chill vibes) 3. The Back Room (sketchy but solid speakeasy next door). The food here was really good with hearty helpings and the mezcal was delish according to my date. Normal Mexican beer options which will put out any fires that might ignite on your palate. I'll definitely be back. Pro tip: they don't take reservations and make sure your at the right location in LES (they have another location in west village that does take reservations) read more

La Contenta Les - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

This place lived up to their name. I was definitely content with this little restaurant. You walk in and you already feel like you're in Mexico. It has a bunch of cute artifacts and decorations that expresses halloween or day of dead. However this place is pretty small - this might just be a NY thing where all their restaurants are small. The waitress was super excited to help with our orders. She was a very cute lady who tried to help us choose our drinks. One time we kept ordering Mirosa and thought they meant mimosa but she corrected us but after awhile she kept saying mimosa too. The mirosa drink was not bad if you like something light. If you wanted something stronger you can get the Mayan. The food was on spot. I never had Huevos rancheros like this. Every bite was super flavorful. I can't compare these meals to Mexico but compared to North Carolina they made them look bad. I guess you can say I won't be going to another Mexican place in NC. Must warn you that if you are sensitive to spicy food you might want to be careful in which dishes you get. I LOVE SPICY. So this was the place for me but my friend who loves spicy but can't handle it was sweating up a storm. Honestly it wasn't that spicy but I guess we'll never know. read more

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Great place for Mexican cuisine and cocktails! I got the spicy margarita, and chicken tacos - loved all of them. Staff was friendly too. read more

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La Contenta is a casual, tiny Mexican spot on the Lower East Side popular for both dinner and brunch. Most offerings are familiar and well-executed-- think trusty margaritas, guac, and enchiladas-- but this is more authentic than your average New York Tex-Mex joint, with huitlacoche and Oaxacan cheese topping dishes alongside the usual shredded jack. I came with my boyfriend a couple months ago for Saturday brunch, and we were one of their first parties of the day around 11:30. Service was prompt and polite. Decor is simple, with the bold wall illustrations and a large bar dominating. No boozy brunch for us, despite the intriguing tequila-based cocktail list, though he had some hot and strong coffee. I went for camarones al ajillo ($15), plump shrimp doused with a slightly spicy and garlicky sauce. That sauce was definitely the highlight, rich with butter. The accompaniments were simple; a couple of tortillas, a little over-peppered salad, and Spanish rice. My boyfriend went for the huevos rancheros ($15), an impressive mountain of beans, tortilla chips, and salsa topped with two sunny side up eggs. Good stuff. This is some of the better Mexican I've had in New York, though I don't think it would stand out much in Houston (or anywhere else with a strong Mexican scene). If you're looking for a cute and reasonably priced spot to meet up with a friend or three, this will fit the bill. read more

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We came to La Contenta with our dog and luckily they had two tables outside (it's a small area, but still cute!) We got there during happy hour, which was great to see on a Saturday. We ordered Paloma's and nachos with chorizo to start. The Paloma's were really good and the nachos were huge for us to share! (Both the Paloma's and the nachos were on happy hour) The hostess told us that they could make something for our dog, so we ordered him some plain chicken and potatoes, because why not!? We were honestly a little full from the nachos, but decided to grab something else to share since we just ordered our dog food (crazy dog mom over here) We ordered the carne asada tacos which were really good, and they came with plenty of fillings (also on the happy hour menu!) Our dog LOVED the chicken and potatoes, honestly it was like Christmas all over for him. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Tiny little taco shop downtown on Norfolk Street. Great vibe here. Lots of people waiting for food. And the tacos are REALLY great. Friendly service and the prices are reasonable. Also, the restaurant is very clean so that's worth mentioning. read more

This is a Small, cozy, tight spot for some solid brunch and drinks. Reservations for 4 during Sunday brunch 12:30p. My table ordered: Apps: Guac. and chips - Get a pretty big bowl of guac to share among 4 people per order. Mains 1. Tacos - Fresh and filling. You get your normal salsa and guac fixings on the side to dress it up. 2. Chorizo with eggs - Big breakfast/brunch dish. Good to pair it with a drink. 3. French toast - looked horrible and bread looked super soggy. No complaints to the taste, however it was heavy and sweet. 4. Enchilada- Pretty well made and flavorful, filling and wholesome. Drinks: Sangria, Mirosa, and Mojito. Drinks were pretty good. The glasses were a bit small and the ice took up a lot of space. Net liquid gold is on the low side. So after finishing the drinks I felt like they could've been bigger and a little stronger. Service was super attentive. Our water was always filled. If you have dietary restrictions, it's best to tell them in advanced. Reservations for brunch is highly recommended. Street parking can be hard to find on the weekends. read more

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I came here for afternoon drinks after a stroll in the LES. This location is cozy and intimate. The cocktail menu is phenomenal and really detailed. You can tell the mixologist here really makes an effort to construct delicious yet eclectic drinks. I appreciate the professionalism and attentiveness of all the workers here. We ordered the The Mayan, Pulque de Guayaba, Oaxaca express, cocktail contenta, el diablo , and el mixteco read more

La Contenta Les - The Mayan, Pulque de Guayaba, and Oaxaca express - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

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Eladio is one of the waiters and he is one of the best by far. He went over and beyond to accommodate me and my guests for a last minute bday celebration. I've been at this location many times and Eladio is extremely polite, knowledgable and very friendly and never forgets my favorite drink. He is always welcoming and always makes sure all of our dining needs are met. He exceeds our expectations time & time again. This is such a lovely stylish restaurant. The Mexican food is amazing the Chef is a magician I can't forget to mention the margaritas. Oh my goodness those margaritas, they are absolutely divine!! Everyone is friendly, hospitable and well trained! Always A Wonderful Experience!! read more

La Contenta Les - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

Please go support this restaurant! They have covered safe outdoor dining (partitions up) with heaters during covid outdoor dining only (writing this in January 2021). Even though it was busy we were not near anyone else. Food was great and drinks are fun and different. The service was also THE BEST! Super attentive, friendly and just all around made the dining experience even better. Will definitely come back again. read more

La Contenta Les - Cocktails! - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

Tiny, but super authentic Mexican spot. My friend and I stopped by for happy hour. We ended up sitting a table, but were still offered the great happy hour menu. We shared some margaritas, guac, chicken tacos, and fish tacos. Reasonably sized portions considering the price. I would come back when I have a craving for traditional Mexican food :) read more

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The food was excellent! The service was great and the ambiance was very quaint. Would definitely recommend! read more

La Contenta Les - Hanger Steak, double baked potato, spinach. Hanger Steak a La Parrilla - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

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I don't know why there's so many positive reviews... these were the nastiest tacos I've ever had. Their presentation is terrible and did not make me want to eat it. But whatever I tried it and let me tell you.. they were so gross. The staff however was attentive and constantly refilled our water glasses so that's a positive ? read more

La Contenta Les - Tacos de Pollo - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

La Contenta is one of the top Mexican restaurants on Yelp in Manhattan - and for good reason! Everything about La Contenta is a good time, from the food and drinks to the service and atmosphere. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, so we've never had any trouble getting seated for 2 or 3 during dinnertime. We love getting a few cocktails, the fancy nachos, and the shrimp enchiladas here. They do have a bit of a kick - but they are so delicious. I usually don't like going to the same restaurant twice in New York City, but La Contenta is definitely an exception! read more

Amazing food! Queso was delicious. Even the water tasted good and refreshing. Cocktails were made wonderfully. The staff were polite and attentive. Lively atmosphere. read more

Lol this place sat us really quick and that was really nice. The guacamole was good but there was 4 pieces of tortilla chips. We had to get extra tortilla chips on the side. The tacos...... were so bad that we didn't even eat the second taco lol I had chicken skin inside my taco. It was disgusting. The drinks and service was amazing but I will not be going back unfortunately because of the food read more

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I LOVED my quesadilla - although it was quite messy to eat. It came with lots of toppings and was very flavorful. I requested that they add black beans to the quesadilla, which they did (some places say no!), and it was great. I picked up my food to go, but I saw that the restaurant was very busy, and people's drinks looked REALLY good. read more

La Contenta Les - Grilled Quesadilla with one piece missing oops - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

This place was an unexpected gem in the LES. Around the corner from The Delancey, this tiny Mexican fonda prepares authentic Mexican food and other twists at pretty decent prices. I had a Hanger steak that was amazing; juicy and flavorful. It came with the most amazing cheese-loaded baked potato and baby spinach with a light and tangy dressing. I couldn't resist ordering the queso fundido. It was a dream. It comes with a lining of savory huitlacoche, making it a type of QF that you just can't find anywhere else. Oh, and their red salsa that comes with totopos is amazing. I hope you check out this place and I hope Oscar helps you. He is amazing, knowledgeable about the restaurant's plates and a lot of fun. read more

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Best Mexican food we both have ever had in NY. We felt bad ordering the house margarita but our server did not care- we really just wanted something basic. He was great, very attentive- helping us decide what to get for dinner since everything sounded so good. The restaurant is tiny! They had to move the table just so one of us could squeeze in (not to mention we were wearing coats and I am a small girl). So it was very intimate sitting next to other diners and you could hear every bit of the conversation. The restaurant was full and lucky us, we snagged the last table. We started with the margaritas of course, they were just as we like them- nice and strong. Literally one and we were buzzed. We also got the guacamole which was so good (perfect mix of flavor) and had a artistic appearance. The chips were thick, warm and crunchy. I ordered the grilled chicken quesadilla which was so filling I could not even eat half. It was a mixture of three cheeses, I added the chicken to it then it was smothered in some sauce (or maybe more cheese). It had a little kick to it was man was it so good. I was very full but could not stop picking at it I did not want it to go to waste. My boyfriend got the carne asada tacos and said they were really really good. They are small but also filling. We cannot wait to visit again! read more

La Contenta Les - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

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Happy hour deals are great! $10 apps/tacos and $10 cocktails. Guacamole and chips are a must! It comes with a little side of chili chipotle sauce, and it was amazing with the fresh guacamole. I read that the fish tacos were to die for here but I found them to be average. A little too much fried batter on the fish and nothing really special. The tacos that wowed me were the carne asada tacos! Meat was so tender, juicy, and medium-rare. I loved it! I wish they offered a burrito bowl with that carne asada. Definitely recommend these tacos. The la contenta cocktail was my favorite, refreshing grapefruit flavor and they were not cheap with the tequila! We had the chocolate soufflé for dessert and it was delicious. Cinnamon ice cream topped onto soft chocolate soufflé. Unfortunately I found a red lipstick stain on my water glass so I took off a star. It was concerning that the cleanliness wasn't up to par given the risky times right now and with their good reviews. read more

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Let me just start off by saying that La Contenta is a gem, but a very tiny gem. Even as a petite woman, I felt pretty uncomfortable throughout our meal, due to the fact that the tables are very tightly squeezed together and you are almost rubbing elbows with your neighbors. Avoid if you have claustrophobic tendencies or tend to gesture animatedly when you talk. The bathroom is also one of the most minuscule I have ever seen. I would recommend using the bathroom elsewhere if you can. Other than that, I had a good time at La Contenta. The menu items all sound delicious and I settled for the fish tacos. These are catfish tacos with avocado, cole slaw, and chipotle aioli. They came with some recooked beans and rice with veggies. It looked like quite the spread and I started off tackling the beans and rice. After a few minutes of eating, I went to pick up a taco and noticed a long, straggly, black hair wedged deep into the middle of my taco. I was horrified. It couldn't have been mine because it was so deeply embedded into the taco. I told the waitress and she apologized and offered to bring me a new dish. I chose to have another plate of fish tacos , which was hair free. The tacos were delicious and I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered a complimentary flan as an apology. That definitely soothed my disgust. I'm glad they were just as horrified as I was The food at La Contenta is delicious and worth a visit if you don't mind tight spacing! read more

La Contenta Les - Fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

The food was really tasty! The fish tacos are amazing and the drinks are refreshing and strong . The nachos were also good, highly recommend. read more

La Contenta Les - Menu - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York