Getting seated here was disorganized and unpleasant. I had a reservation and was initially led to one table but then had to stand around while the waitstaff figured out the right table to seat us at. The space is also so cramped that getting into the inside seat is difficult and awkward. If you're in the outside seat, you may occasionally feel the waitstaff and fellow customers brush by your back. And when the food came, the staff seemed confused: 1) We almost got another table's order, 2) The server placed our orders in front of the wrong person. The fish tacos were probably the most flavorful that I've had. On the smaller end though. My partner said that there was too much green sauce on the steak tacos, which made them tangy. Overall, I probably won't come back for the dining in experience. May still give take out a chance though. read more

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

Came here on a Thursday night for a dinner date. Place wasn't busy but the vibe was great. Everything was incredible: the drinks, the food, the service -- our waiter was absolutely wonderful!! The best chicken mole I've ever tried! Will definitely be back again. read more

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

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I haven't been here in some time. It just never disappoints. The food, the service ,the ambiance , the music . Total vibes !!! Eladio (the bartender ) in the Vallarta side is unlike no other His drinks are spectacular and his attention to detail is amazing. I could watch him make drinks for hours He was so personable and knowledgeable about drinks . He could multitask and still deliver splendid drinks . The tacos are authentic Mexican food . Everything is meticulously curated and prepared. The guacamole is one of the best we have ever had . If you are ever in the LES area , please stop in for apps , drinks , lunch or dinner. All the staff were amazing ! Super kind , sweet and attentive Attention to detail was perfect . They sat us quickly without reservations at the bar and we had such a great time and experience with Eladio. Thank you Eladio for making our night so special. Thank you for great service and a wonderful time Can't wait to come back ! read more

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Incredible tequila bar with delicious Mexican food as well! Ask for Juan Manuel the bartender and he will make whatever cocktail you want! They have Clase Azul and a massive selection of tequilas & mezcal. Fun ambiance open from 4p onwards read more

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This spot makes good food in a setting that feels upbeat. This restaurant excels equally in kitchen and service. This place exceeds service norms. The team handled everything expertly. This place provides evident excellence. read more

During my time in NYC, my friend and I stopped in on a Saturday night for dinner as we were craving authentic Mexican food, and saw plenty of positive Yelp reviews for La Contenta. Upon arrival, it was packed! Unfortunately, we were unable to make a reservation ahead of time, but the staff was able to seat us at the bar which was perfectly fine. To start, I got a plum paloma from their cocktail list, which was delicious. Our bartender was very attentive, and was chatting with us about different tequila recommendations to try while we were sitting at the bar. My friend and I split the guacamole and chips as an appetizer, and the guac was great. For my main course, I ordered three of the carne asada tacos, and my friend got the enchiladas. Both were delicious! I especially liked the enchiladas, so I will have to get those the next time I am back. The restaurant itself is very small, and has limited seating. However, the food is delicious, so it's definitely worth checking out if you are doing a date night or just with another friend. It is a bit out of the way too compared to other restaurants in the area, but if you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this is the place to go. I would recommend it! read more

La Contenta Les - Carne asada tacos (left) and enchiladas (right) - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

I had the nachos, chile relleno, and the Oaxaca Express (cocktail). The food was phenomenal! The chips in nachos tasted freshly fried, and all the toppings were very flavorful. The chile relleno was filled with a nice variety of vegetables, and the rice and salsa that accompanied it were perfectly seasoned. My friends also enjoyed the pollo en mole and enchiladas suizas with succotash (the enchiladas normally come with chicken, but the staff was happy to make a modification to make it vegetarian). At $52 per person, this was certainly on the pricier side, but totally worth it. read more

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Came here with friends for dinner before our holiday party. Both sections of the restaurant were packed so definitely make a reservation. I ordered the enchilada suiza (shrimp enchiladas) recommended by our waitress...comes w/ 3 enchiladas, seasoned very well, but def has a spicy kick. Friends both ordered the hanger steak and substituted the twice baked potato for extra spinach. Both said it was seasoned well but would request the steak cooked a little more well done. The staff was really nice and they decorated really cute for the holidays. read more

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

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I ordered fish tacos to go because I was in a rush even though they was good and service was also nice. Don't think it was worth 20.00 plus tip. I found it too pricey. The restaurant itself was small. I might go back and try something else if I go back with a date read more

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

Could've been better. My friend and I came here Sunday evening and I guess we both ordered the wrong things off the menu? Maybe the chef had an off-day? I'm not sure. My friend ordered the Birria tacos - $17 for 2 which is a bit pricey - and then they were too spicy for her to eat. This was surprising because she has a high tolerance for spicy food. I ordered the chicken nachos - which looked appetizing - but the chicken tasted like it came out of a can. Not fresh, not good. Service was great and the guac was some of the best I've ever had!! I would definitely come again on a different day and order different food. Lovely outdoor seating! read more

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

Very friendly service and the food was top-notch! Not super expensive. Some of the best carne asada tacos I've had

We found this cozy little gem while looking for a dinner spot in NYC and I'm so glad we gave it a try from the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming, with colorful decor and a relaxed cantina-style vibe that made the space feel festive and intimate at the same time we started with the queso fundido and guacamole, both packed with flavor, the queso was rich and creamy while the guac was super fresh and came in a generous portion for our mains we ordered the chicken mole and the seafood chile relleno, and both were absolutely incredible, especially the mole which had deep, complex flavors that really stood out the tequila and mezcal cocktails were also a highlight and the staff helped us choose based on what we liked which made the whole experience even more enjoyable despite the small size of the restaurant we never felt rushed or crowded and the entire evening felt relaxed and thoughtful this is definitely one of those places we'll return to for both the food and the atmosphere and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone craving high-quality Mexican food in NYC. read more

I really enjoyed my dinner at La contenta! Not to be confused with Contenta next door... a ton of people walked in looking for the space next door and vice versa so check the sign upon arrival. La Contenta is teeny. I mean teeny weeny on the inside. With a bar to the left, tables to the right and the kitchen in the back. Makes for a very cozy authentic feel. I would suggest a party no larger than 4. My drink, the Oaxaca, was really good but I'm a huge fan of spicy tequila drinks. 2 of us shared the pescado tacos and carve asada tacos. They were the perfect size, not too filling but enough so that you weren't totally left hungry. Each taco order comes with 2, so we shared 1 each. I preferred the pescado tacos, the fish was so nicely breaded and the aoli was fire (but not spicy). The waitress was so kind and everyone at the bar looked to be chatting and having a great time. A group of 8 came in towards the end of our dinner and we were asked to move over so they could push tables together. I have no problem with this, makes sense! Just sharing to truly capture how small the space is. It's definitely worth a visit for good drinks and tacos in a cozy environment in LeS. read more

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Came here for dinner last Friday. There was an ample amount of seating available both indoor and outdoor at around 5:30pm. However by the time we left around 8ish, this place was packed! The service was excellent and they checked in on us frequently. Nacho Plate: A must order if you visit. It's delicious and beautifully presented. It came with fresh tortilla chips, MASHED black beans, pico de gallo, pepper jack and cheddar cheese, avocado sauce, sour cream, and topped with jalapeño peppers. Tacos de Pescado: I really enjoyed this taco. It was delicious and it came with catfish tempura, avocado sauce, cole slaw, chipotle aioli, and sour cream. Tacos de Pollo: This one was okay. I'm not a big fan of it. It came with pan-roasted chicken, cole slaw, roasted tomatillo salsa, and crema. Hardcore Lavender: I really enjoyed this drink. It's very floral with a subtle hint of lavender. It came with Botanist Islay dry gin, lavender bitters, lime juice, sugarcane syrup, and very very very tiny lavender flakes. Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita: It was good and refreshing. Definitely tasted the watermelon in this drink. It came with Hornitos tequila, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, watermelon, and jalapeño-infused cointreau. Oaxaca Express: This is their famous green drink but it tasted smokey from the mezcal. It came with 100% Espadin mezcal, jalapeño-infused agave nectar, cucumber, cointreau, and basil. Great food! Great drinks! Great ambience! Great service! Will be back! read more

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A lot has changed in the 4 years since we were last at La Contenta. They, take reservations now, although the hostess was unable to locate ours but "squeezed" us in anyway. The cocktails are okay, not the best but certainly not the worst. The food however, has gone majorly downhill. We ordered the Enchiladas Suizas, which were delicious. We also order the Chile Relleno which was inedible. The inside was still uncooked, all the veggies were still crunchy. We told 3 separate people who all in their various ways, just shrugged or said "oh really?" Not one apology, offer to remake, offer to replace, or even take it off the bill. We ended up sharing the enchiladas and left hungry after paying for 2 meals. I likely won't return and no longer recommend. read more

The drinks are incredible here (& strong!), the nachos are 100/10!! Sooo delicious. The chips are the perfect crispiness & the guacamole was so well seasoned. The steak tacos were so great, full of flavor & a little spicy. Service and vibes inside were great. read more

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some of the best food we have ever had- if someone is looking for a recommendation in the lower east side, we always suggest here. The cocktails are fantastic as well. The bartender and servers have always offered a suggestion when we wanted to explore a drink outside our favorites. read more

Love this place! It is one of our go-tia when we want to get great food and drinks in the LES. They have great staff who really go above and beyond. Because of this we have continued to come here. Not only is the service top notch and everything on the menu tasty, but the ambiance is authentic!! A great place to have a date or bring a group. All 5's!! read more

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

Delicious and authentic! Very small place but the food is so very good! Hand crafted cocktails and great personal service. A little expensive but worth it! read more

It's been hard to snag a dinner spot here given the limited seating and the inability to make a reservation. So we thought it was a better time to go for a weekday lunch during my staycation. The coffee was good and so were their cocktails, which were very cheap during the lunch hour for about 9 dollars a drink. We each ended up getting two. The pear one was delicious. I was less of a fan of my second drink, which was the mimosa mainly because it required serial dilutions of water to balance out the sweetness My friend got the french toast which started out delicious but did become a little soggy from being doused with syrup and whatever jam they put on it. My fish tacos were good, but nothing spectacular. I am afraid to admit and agree with the west coast folks that NYC's taco scene needs a reinvigoration. I would check this out again for brunch/lunch and happy hour but not sure if the food is worth the 30+ minute dinner wait. read more

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Round of applause for La Contenta! We stopped in for a late brunch on a rainy Saturday afternoon after reading such wonderful reviews. The restaurant is very small but they have made the space as festive and cute as possible. We didn't have a reservation but thankfully there was one table open. We started with a round of margaritas and they did not disappoint. Packed with fresh lime juice and also a punch! Coffee was great too. We split an order of nachos with chicken and an order of steak tacos. We were skeptical if that would be enough food but we ended up bringing one of the tacos home; if that gives you any idea of portion size! The tacos were jam packed with perfectly grilled steak with a delicious side of rice and beans. The nachos were the best we have ever had. Everything was perfectly proportioned and so flavorful. The sauces on top out of this world and the chips were so fresh and absolutely perfect. These are NOT your typical pub nachos with semi hardened cheese and tasteless chips. Do yourself a favor and order the nachos! Our server was so sweet and even though the restaurant was crowded they never made us feel rushed or like they were trying to turn over our table. I can't wait to come back. read more

Been craving Huevos Rancheros and Clinton Street stoped making them post COVID. Found this place on yelp, and Yelpers didn't disappoint. The red sauce is delicious and it's generous servings for $15. Outdoor seating and cocktails available too. Will be back to try the chilaquiles and tres leches French toast! read more

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

Great staff and great food. Amazing had some pasta with wine and shots. Will for sure come again :) read more

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

I'd been meaning to come here for a while, and I'm so glad I finally made the trip! I was a able to make a day-of reservation for Saturday at 6:30 - other indoor tables were booked through the next few hours, but there was space in the heated patio outside, which is bigger than the restaurant itself. My friend and I ordered enchiladas for our entrees - she got chicken and I got shrimp, and we both LOVED them. The salsa on top was delicious and rich, but didn't overwhelm the flavor of the the shrimp, which was super fresh and packed in generously so you got it in every bite. The brussels sprouts on top were an unexpectedly perfect garnish. We passed on dessert this time but I'm definitely coming back to try their tres leches bread pudding!! read more

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

Yelp says close at midnight. I came at 10:13 and they denied me. Came all the way across town on a freezing night. Do better

When I moved to NY I was already aware that there isn't good Mexican food in the city. It doesn't help that I'm also very picky because I grew up with authentic Mexican food. Ambiance: this place is pretty small but the moment you get in is like you have been transported to Mexico. The classic Spanish music, the wood, the color fullness and of course the smell of fresh tortillas and food. Service: the waiters here are amazing and even the bartender. They gave us a lot of recommendations on what drinks to get and even what were their popular dishes. Food: I ordered their carne asada tacos and the meat was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The rice and beans, just wow! I always say you can tell how good a place is going to be based on their rice and beans and they did not disappoint. All of their drinks were also incredible and they even had micheladas!! Those are my favorite haha. Since I've came here, I have not stopped raving about this place and recommending it to everyone I know who's on the hunt for authentic Mexican food. Btw, this review is for the lower east side location, I know they also have one in the west village which is great as well. read more

Came here for happy hour and had a great experience. The food and drinks were well-priced. I forgot to take a picture of my tacos because I devoured them so quickly. The tacos were dank, my drink was strong, and the guac was creamy. Can't ask for much more. 5 stars. read more

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

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Almost a 5, except they messed up our Fri night reservation a bit and we had to wait 30-45 minutes after our scheduled reservation time for a table :( Once seated though, the food was really good. We started off with some nachos, which was a hefty portion and great to share among the three of us. For the main, I got the enchiladas suizas (chicken w a green tomatillo sauce) and wow, I was really impressed. Super packed with flavor and the chicken was well cooked. I will definitely put this on my list for "places to go when you need a really good meal", maybe next time will just double check my reservation before i go :) Other notes- i would definitely recommend a reservation at least a couple days I'm advance. They still have outdoor seating too which is nice! read more

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

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Nice place, great vibe, amazing food. Will definitely come again and tell my friends. The service team was very friendly and nice. read more

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

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Service is friendly, with outdoor dining, perfect for sunny weekend afternoons. There's a bar inside. The restaurant is small in size, about seatings for 14 people, not including the bar seats. read more

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

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Update: Owner dm'd me. Screenshot attached. Idk why he's bringing my girl Tiny into this lol. Tony's Cantina doesn't miss. I'd pay $17 for their drinks anytime because they're *actually* good, as is their food, and the staff is always welcoming. Perhaps consider redirecting your energy to embracing feedback and making changes vs wasting time inboxing Yelp folks. For e.g I could give a sh*t less about the brand of drink ingredients, I just wanted a good drink for $17. That simple. Ijs. TLDR: nah. speakeasy priced drinks that aren't memorable, guacamole with no chips, not so friendly staff, disgruntled owner who will likely reply to this review with attitude. :) Super busy on Cinco de Mayo. They clearly did not prepare, and the staff looked exhausted. I get it. But as a result, our waiter was rude and very curt with us. We made a reservation with the intention of having dinner, but after the not so nice greeting from our waiter, our mediocre $17 "cinco de mayo special" drinks, and lackluster guacamole that came without enough chips, we decided to go elsewhere for dinner. We even asked for additional chips and that was met with attitude. As someone who eats Mexican food at least once a week, this is not a place I'd revisit or recommend to anyone. There are far better options with nicer staff, better drinks, and chips without attitude. read more

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I love this small Mexican spot tucked away on a quiet LES street. It's very cozy (aka tiny), but they do a solid job of laying out the tables efficiently to fit a decent amount of diners. It's great for brunch or dinner. I had the chilaquiles which were delicious. Chips maintained a slight crunch and the salsa verde was packed with flavor. Guac is also very well done and traditional. Margaritas and Micheladas are the way to go in terms of beverages. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. read more

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

Solid Mexican spot on the lower east side! They have indoor and outdoor dining. Indoor wise there's bar seating and about 6 tables. It's super cute inside with all the decorations and flowers. They gave us some chips to snack on. I got the chicken quesadilla and my boyfriend got the fish tacos. Both were super good. I really liked the rice and beans here and the portions were filling. Will come back to try a cocktail and get more quesadilla to munch on! read more

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

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La Contenta offers modern Mexican fare in a chic, hip setting. Vibes of the place were great--restaurant was nicely dimmed, music wasn't too loud yet still on point, and drinks were strong (we especially recommend the "maya" cocktail or frozen strawberry margarita). Location was ideal for starting the night (right in the heart of the lower east side) and we were able to snag a last minute reservation on a Saturday. Food-wise, we loved sharing the chips & guac and nachos, which were loaded with refried beans and tangy salsa. My girlfriend and I split the fish tacos and mole pollo for our mains. Honestly, the fish tacos may have been some of the best I've had in NYC. The fish was lightly fried and drenched in spicy chipotle mayo. The mole was good, too (not the most authentic but can't complain because it was a generous portion). Prices were around $15-$20 for drinks and same for meals. Service was friendly and attentive. Great spot if your looking for good Mexican food and drinks that feels upscale yet isn't pretentious. 5/5 stars! read more

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I absolutely loved this restaurant! We have gone to their sister restaurant, La Contenta Oeste, which was already really great but this location put it over the edge. I got nachos that were incredible and although considered an appetizer item, it led me feeling so full and content! My SO got the hanger steak that came with dressed spinach and a baked potato with this wonderful queso on top. And my friend got the enchiladas suizas which she said was incredible! (To give you a reference - not one speck was left on our plates! Haha) They also gave us chips and salsa while we waited for our dishes and the chips are wonderfully crunchy and the salsa was a perfect spice level. Our waiter was also so kind and helpful. He took out time to tell us which dishes he recommended and to make sure he got all our orders correct. All around incredible experience, will 100% be back!! read more

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

I came here specifically for the beautiful nachos I kept seeing on Yelp and they did not disappoint! The restaurant is tiny with only a few tables and some covered outdoor seating. Service was standard. We tried - Cocktail: el mixteco: this had a nice Smokey flavor from the mezcal and was not overly sweet or sour. Very well balanced Nachos- must try! They tasted as good as they looked, and there were very few "dry" chips with nothing on them. Chicken tacos- these were just okay in my opinion, there wasn't much to them besides shredded chicken and some salsa verde. I'd rather try something else on the menu I would come back to try some other things on the menu! read more

La Contenta Les - El mixteco and pulque de guayaba - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

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Fantastic Mexican restaurant! The food was great... Very authentic. My wife is from Guadalajara and very picky... She loved this place. The cocktails were creative and tasty and the bartenders were very friendly and talkative. The only thing to be aware of is that it is tiny... Like most places in Manhattan. Just go... You'll love it! read more

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

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I've since been invited back by Luis for brunch at their west village location in lieu of my experience at the Norfolk location. The team was very attentive and made sure to make our follow up visit a more plesant one. Thank you again, Luis! read more

La Contenta Les - 45 mins, no service or food, forced to pay for two nasty sangrias that we didn't even finish. Steer clear. - Mexican Near Me - New York, New York

This is a cute little restaurant in the LES. If you are like me, you will walk in and notice the flowers that hang from the ceiling, the wall art and how a hole in a wall is effortlessly converted into a beautiful restaurant including a nice bar. Chef Luis Arce Mota sure knows we eat with our eyes first. Looks can be deceiving but not in this case. The food and cocktails are creative and tasty. They don't skimp on ingredients, quality or quantity. The menu offers a little bit of something for everyone. The service is amazing! Our waitress knew the menu well, gave us great recommendations based on our flavor profiles and even connected another table to ours as the restaurant emptied out so we could have more room on our table. The cocktail competition is this neighborhood is pretty intense as the restaurant neighbors a well-known speakeasy (Good luck finding it) and an amazing bar, Nurse Bettie, and yet it can hold its own ground with their creative and well balanced cocktails. I can't wait to go back to try more dishes and cocktails !! read more

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I haven't been here 4 years. I think it's gotten better. Made reservations for 7, we were promptly seated on time. Had the guac and queso fundido appetizers. So yummy. We had various dishes and we were happy with all Of them. So full at the end we had to pass on dessert. Though I keep forgetting about this place I'm so glad to return as it seems to be improving on its already great dishes. Service was courteous, accurate and the server was so knowledgeable. You will not regret coming here if your in the area. Enjoy the atmosphere, drinks and service. read more

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