Nai is one of 4 restaurants by the same chef, Ruben Rodriguez. I'm not sure how long they've been in the 2nd Ave location. We were seated more towards the back of the restaurant. The space is no frills and the focus is on the food. If the lighting were a bit cozier I would recommend for a date night. We ordered the chicken liver mousse, Gambas, and sea bass. The mouse was good, exactly what you'd expect of a chicken liver mouse. From my understanding it's more of a French dish so I was surprised to see it on the menu but never the less I order it whenever I see it. The gambas were covered in garlic and something that resembled chili oil which made for a tasty delight. The real star though was the sea bass, wrapped in what makes it out to look almost like an egg roll of sorts and topped with tobiko. I'd never seen it don't that way. The crispness of the outer layer, the internal flaky white fish, and the salty roe atop all made for a delicious flavor combo. We finished with the steak tartar and the portobello. Again the tartar was exactly what you'd expect, sans bread in favor of a top layer of chips. The portobello was magnificent. Sliced thin like a carpaccio, topped with truffle and a hefty serving of manchegp cheese. All of this was surprisingly filling and we declined dessert or coffee. I'd like to return and check out the other restaurants in the collection. Would only ask for better lighting to truly bask in my dining experience at nai! read more

Nai - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

NAI restaurant, a Spanish tapas cuisine in the East Village, has become a favorite spot of mine. Not only are the tapas scrumptious, but the ambiance in the restaurant is an equal pleasure. It features high ceilings, various table arrangements- allowing seating preferences, including a small number of side tables for children, away from adults. That way, customers are not bombarded by noise or misbehavior. NAI's classy music selection is also kept at a decimal level where conversation is actually possible. Whether I'm alone or part of a group, I've always received a warm and friendly welcome from NAI's manager Raul and have gotten excellent service from waitstaff Carlos, Sebastian & others. Exquisite tapas that I've thoroughly enjoyed are marinated sardines & charred avocado / butternut squash & kale / spinach chickpea/ garlic shrimp / fideua, mussel escabeche / Beet Salmorejo / Braised Lamb in garlic oil / brava patata. Be adventurous and explore other tapas as well, and their wonderful wine list. Oh yes! You must taste the outstanding creamy vanilla sherbet dessert. Visit NAI restaurant for an overall memorable experience! Reviewed by Magdalena read more

Nai knows how to do tapas!! Delicious food and wine and cool sweet real Spanish ppl. I came with my dad and we ordered the pinxtos with chorizo and egg on top- it was so well done and prepared. We got the manchego cheese and meat board, which was just ok tbh the ham lacked some flavor. But the CROQUETAS if you have to eat one thing before you die it's the serrano ham and cheese croquetas at Nai because they are to DIE. The Rioja wines were delish and the waitress even let me taste the two types before choosing. Tapas should be brought out carefully and timing is everything which is something they could use to work on. All our food came out at pretty much the same time but i can overlook it. Overall very good and nice atmosphere in the village, would bring my friends! read more

Nai - Tabla De Jamon Serrano, croquetas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Cute corner spot serving fab tapas and sangria. Try the Gambas al Ajillo for something traditional, the Coles de Bruselas con Lacon for something fusion-y, and the Cauliflower with Curry Sauce special for something seasonal. Definitely try to sit outdoors in the lovely bamboo-fence-enclosed patio, if possible. read more

The PERFECT foodie journey in one sitting! I recommend eating downs stairs, or at the bar. My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of getting to know the chef's passion behind the ingredients that made up his family's legacy! The flavors dances on your palette telling a story of the chef's upbringings, like an autobiography foodie experience! Their seabass was so intricately crafted and by God was it the best item on their menu!!! The iberico jamon was heavenly, truly melts in your mouth... It's a Must savor! The Alhambra cerveza paired well with everything we had on the menu. Never had i ever had croquettes that blew my mind like theirs, and their version of chimichurri coupled with spicy pepper slices over the skirt steaks truly hit the spot! Can't wait to come back and try the other half of the menu!!! read more

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Excellent spanish food! Perhaps on the pricier side, but the tapas are excellent, would go again!

holy crap, that was a really good meal. here's what we got: * ny strip w garlic-panko crust - the seasoning & crust on this was wildd. it was a bit overcooked for our liking but the overall dish was v good * katsu (45 dry aged prime ribeye, milk bread, aioli) - AMAZING, a must get here * lubina (sea bass, toast, black tobiko, orange) - never had anything like this! it was so crispy and the sea bass was so softt; loved this one * bravas (potatoes, tomato, paprika, chipotle aioli) - i get these at every spanish restaurants & they never disappoint * pulpo - it was cooked so well (v tender & soft) but we thought it lacked some seasoning or flavor * jamon (iberico ham) - my bf and i love iberico jamon but this wasn't the best version we've had, we also had to ask for bread on the side lol * crème brûlée semifreddo - we got this as a surprise from the restaurant for our anniversary this was amazingg, super refreshing & lemon-y read more

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My spouse and I enjoyed Nai. Great service and the food was good. We ordered 6 items but canceled 1 because we were full. Of the 5 we ate, we both found 1 unpleasant, although they were different. Overall, it was a good experience. read more

I booked Nai for my wife's birthday and it was just excellent. Easily the best tapas restaurant we've ever been to (and we love tapas). The food was super tasty and so unique. Service was brilliant and friendly. 10/10. read more

UPDATE UPDATE READ ALL ABOUT IT! I decided to attend Nai Tapas again because the food, ambience and vibe was truly amazing. I wondered if I had the experience outside of a group dinner would that change how I felt and honestly....IT 100% DID. OH.EM.GEE. Like. Probably one of the BEST meals I have EVER had. Drinks. My friend and I decided to try a handful of drinks and split them all. Service was STUPENDOUS as they offered recommendations on wines we would like based on our personal taste. They also offered history lessons on where the wine and liquors came from and everything is FRESH AF. Like, the men and women make fresh fruit juice EVERYDAY! Cocktails you must try--Fun Aunt From Madrid. That cucumber and mint OH MY MAMA IT WAS SO GOOD! If you like spicy drinks I highly recommend the Crazy Godfather. That kick was POTENT. If you like a dessert cocktail, chile that Horchata is BUSINESS. Baby, you literally can't go wrong with any cocktail or wine. You're getting the best of the best. Food. Honey. Listen. Presentation is 10/10. I'm talking fire torches on the salmon pieces over sticky rice. Geometric shapes and symmetry and words I don't even know because it was all so eclectic. We tried the Bocados de Salmon, Salmoreja Canaria, Pinxto de Chistarra Con Huevoz de Cadarniz, Castilla Tempura, Carpaccio de Portobella, Tostada De Lubina and Creme Brulee. Listen up. I don't even eat mushrooms and the Carpaccio de Portobella was FIRE. I don't even eat eggs in ANY capacity and the Pinxto de Chistarra Con Huevoz de Cadarniz had me eating a sunny side up egg and LOVING IT. I was able to step outside my comfort zone and try some authentic, and fun food. Praise him. If you aren't convinced by now, I HIGHLY recommend. Raul is an absolute pleasure and if you ever have any questions, comments or concerns he will answer them tenfold. A wonderful gentlemen, serving amazing food and high quality ingredients. You won't be disappointed. read more

FTS - I came here for my 29th birthday with 3 friends, one of whom is vegan. Our waiter was extremely unhelpful and refused to ask the chef to modify the vegetarian options to make them vegan. Apparently the kitchen doesn't like to accommodate it's customers. It's 2023... are there really still restaurants without vegan options? Hard pass on this place. read more

Our party of 6 had a great time at Nai Tapas. Although not every dish was exceptional, out of the 12 that we ordered, at least half were quite enjoyable. For tapas, that's not the best ratio, but not the worst. We had dragged our friend to one too many seafood restaurants, so today we indulged him and only ordered from the land portion of their menu (and appetizers). For appetizers we got the bread with queso, jamon de iberico, and bravas. The bread with queso was nothing special, just manchego and jam. The jamon de iberico was pretty bad, but then again I hate jamon de iberico. The bravas were fantastic -for a lot of us, the best dish of the night. Nicely fried with the right amount of cheese. We got every item on the land portion of the menu. Some were exceptional (ribs, egg toast) but most were just okay (skirt steak, oxtail) and tasted like a decently cooked version of themselves that I could get anywhere. I was not a fan of the tartare or the katsu. I don't understand why places insist on this katsu fad -I personally hate katsu, but even my companions who love katsu agreed that it was not worth the hefty price tag. The croquettes also tasted quite average. Overall, Nai Tapas had a lot of tasty food that wasn't crazy expensive. The major ding for me was that one of the dishes we ordered did not come, and our server never realized. read more

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What a great place! The restaurant is a cute east village location. The windows are floor to ceiling so.they open up . The most important is the food and drinks. Great cocktails, i had a spicy cocktail with whiskey yummy!(sorry don't remember name) Also had the octopus and lamb shank. Both were delicious but the lamb ! was one of the best in the city yes ! It us a must try . Great service. read more

Nai - Octopus cooked perfectly! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Great tapas and unique drinks! Loved all the food that we got and the portion sizes are pretty big. Can't really go wrong but would recommend the paella and patatas bravas! read more

A knockout. This place makes dreams come true. I celebrated my birthday here. Coming in with a big group, the first thing you have to decide is whether you want to do the pre frix menu or not. We went with the latter but our waiter was getting a bit impatient with us. Ordering off the menu was def the way to go and cut down costs. Can't even remember what we ordered but the octopus was def the highlight. Also, you have to do the tropical sangria!!! Plus our waiter eventually made our night and timed my bday cake to come out at the right time with candles and all. They also have live music and dancing but beware it's quite loud and also if they know your birthday, they will urge you to come dance. It's great energy even if you and crowd both know dancing ain't your thing. read more

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Litterally one of my favorite restaurants in New York. Service is amazing. Each and every one of the waiters are extremely kind and profession. The owner, Raul is also one of a kind! Such a nice guy and always giving complimentary dishes to his loyal customers! So much respect for him, his team and all of his restaurants. My ultimate favorite dishes are the katsu sandwich, the seared salmon bites, the croquetas and fideua! Can never go wrong with those. Also the sangria is to die for! Highly recommend!!! read more

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This was amazing! I was very picky about the place, and this one looked so good from the outside, that we picked it! Honestly, we had zero expectations, this was so delicious that we had our minds blown away!! Service, food, presentation all of it was amazing! Definitely recommending!!! You will be happy read more

Nai - Sea bass - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

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Nai is one of those places that catches your eye from across the street because it has two floors, big windows that can open as well as nice greenery and lighting. When we happened upon this place one night, there was a flamenco music and dancing show scheduled for the second floor which really added to our dinner experience! This place is definitely under the ruse of a tapas place because the plates are quite large - makes sense too when you see the prices ~$20 per plate We got 5 plates to share between two people as well as a half pitcher of blueberry pomegranate sangria. Though we were really hungry, we totally over-ordered and should've gotten ~3 plates instead! Highly recommend everything I ordered. The sangria had champagne in it and the bubbles added a great texture. It wasn't too sweet which was important to me. Paella - a must get for me as they use more noodles than rice? Idk it was something with a chewier than normal texture and I really enjoyed that! Portobello mushrooms - served cold with some cheese and I think hazelnuts. Might be biased bc I LOVE mushrooms but I thought the textures and flavors were excellent. I normally don't love cold dishes, but it worked well for this Little clams - I was a bit disappointed when it wasn't served in sauce but this was super tasty! Very well cooked Lamb shank - very tender and flavorful! Also large portion! read more

We came in around 8pm on a Sunday night and there was no wait but the restaurant was pretty crowded. The red sangria was really great and pretty reasonably priced and our favorites of the tapas were the katsu, the chicken liver mousse and the beet salad. The fusion menu is super creative and really works well! read more

This place was amazing! I've had tapas in Barcelona and these were definitely way better! They were authentic, delicious, and the portion sizes were bigger. Usually on a tapas menu there's only a few items I get excited about but this place had so many good options I will have to come back to try them all. We started with the cauliflower which was topped with an avocado chimichurri (yum)! This is a great way to start but also hearty enough to be a meal on its own. The patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy Mayo sauce) were classic and came in a large portion. For the mains we got the marinated chicken, the ribs (big enough to be a brontosaurus rib) and the skirt streak (so juicy!). The service was excellent the waitress always came back to check if we needed anything, had our drinks ready right away, and cleaned the table quickly so we could get more food. My only regret was not coming with a big enough group to try one of everything! read more

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Perfect spot for a date. The food is delicious and the service is also very attentive.

My friend and I had a reservation but got seated semi-outdoor (it was a very hot and humid day) when there were seats available inside. They switched us inside after we asked. The environment and service were 5/5, The food portion was very small but prices were still $$$. The taste was just standard, but they had a pretty decent selection of wine! read more

Nai - Sea bass - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

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Nai Tapas is a great Spanish tapas spot. Two friends and I came here on a Monday night for dinner and started with three tapas and intended to get more. However, we were so full and had trouble finishing just three tapas. We had the squid in its own ink, patatas bravas, and toasted pasta paella. The squid in ink was delicious! It came in a rectangular can, which I thought was different and an interesting way of presenting it. The flavor of the squid was actually pretty subtle, but you know that it's not drenched in artificial flavoring or anything. It was very good. The patatas bravas was my least favorite of the three tapas. I've had patatas bravas a few times before, and this one just did not meet expectations. I also didn't think the "spicy tomato sauce" went that well with the potatoes. And finally, the pasta paella, my favorite of the three. This was just amazing. First of all, it came in a cone, a seemingly endless one because we kept going back for more and there was always more. It was served with all the toppings still on top to be mixed in with the pasta paella. The flavors were fantastic and I loved the texture of the pasta paella. I still can't stop thinking about this dish! Loved the Spanish music they were playing in the restaurant! I used SoundHound to discover one of the songs and couldn't stop listening to it for days. Taste | 4-4.5 Atmosphere | 4 Presentation | 4 Service | 3.5 OVERALL | 4 read more

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A beautiful venue with excellent service. The food presentation was top notch, but at the end it didn't raise the bar, but rather sat at the line without distinguishing itself. It was, in all sense of the word, average. read more

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Ribs were tremendous. Endive salad was great. The staff was fantastic and got us in w/o a reservation. It was all great and a good selection of wine. We'll be back. read more

Nai holds a special place in my heart. For no substantial reason, really. When I joined Yelp a year ago, I was a mere plebeian who had no idea how to navigate the endlessly complex waters of the New York food/drink scene. What does one do in this situation? Bookmark. Hyperventilate due to option overload. Bookmark some more. One of the first places I landed on--and forgot about not long after--was Nai Tapas Bar. So when I came here on Thursday night, I worried that my expectations were far too high. But they weren't. Tabula Rasa Molly has some sense in her. First: the space. Basement-level venue (needs to be given the flamenco!), not as much room as you'd initially think. The food, drinks, service and flamenco were all noteworthy--my only real qualm here is the very real potential for claustrophobia. As in, I learned way too much about the lives of the couple sitting next to us. You'd also be wise to make a reservation--at least on Thursdays/Saturdays (flamenco nights). Now onto what y'all really care about: ingestibles. To start, we ordered a half pitcher of the Blueberry Pomegranate Champagne Sangria. They were unfortunately out of the mango (our first choice), but this was a damn good second. Almost too good. In other words, be careful. You can hardly taste the alcohol. You may be inclined to drink it quickly. Don't (but do order it!). Quick note about the food before listing the damage: one simple but brilliant feature on the menu here is the small/large option (with corresponding prices, obviously). I've been to a number of tapas bars at this point, and I don't think I had ever seen this before my visit to Nai. If you're like me and want to try as much as is humanly (and fiscally) possible, opt for the small--this is possible with most plates, just a few exceptions--and order a wider variety. You may be thinking that this is a trap: yet another frightening high tapas bill may ensue. But fear not! Not only was this some of the best Spanish food I've had in NYC, but our bill was $70 for a half pitcher of sangria and five plates. For tapas in New York, that is a DEAL. Now for that damage I mentioned: -Aguacates Rellenos (A++) Holy guacamole. More like a whole(y) avocado. This was easily my favorite dish of the night. Far more flavorful than I ever could have imagined. This is real, delicious lump crab, prepared with corn and a few other minor players. Overall, the texture is more creamy than anything else, but the corn (and something else I couldn't discern) gave the whole thing a subtle crunch which wasn't necessary but was certainly appreciated. My only complaint: I wanted more crab meat. And more avocado. Okay, I just wanted this dish x2. -Croquetas de Jamon (A+) Again, the flavors were standout. Given that it's all one big mixture inside of a croquette, it's hard to go into detail. But it's one big mixture of yummy goodness and I'm not going to question why and how these unassuming bites became so tasty. Note: this type of thing could easily go waaaay overboard on the salt. Not that case here. Well. Freakin. Done. -Gambas al Ajillo (A) Standard for tapas. Sorry for the redundancy here, but again, these were seasoned beautifully. I was wary given a few negative reviews that highlighted excessive salt, but this wasn't my experience. Six shrimp for the small option. Left me wanting more but that's the literal price we paid for going with the small option. -Albondiguillas Estofadas (combo of pork/beef I think, served in brandy sauce) (A) I would never seek this kind of thing out on my own. But when I'm out to eat, I like to live a little. The meatballs were--surprise, surprise--cooked perfectly. But the real star of this dish was the brandy sauce. It managed to strike a perfect balance between sweet and savory, which paired wonderfully with the inherent salty quality of the meat (can't really avoid that when pork is involved). This is the kind of sauce that you'll want to ladle onto your plate so you can douse every last morsel in it. That good, folks. -Salted cod w/ chickpea puree (A-/A) The cod is one of the few dishes here that only comes in one size. But for just $15, you pretty much get an entree-sized plate of fish. No question, other restaurants in the city could easily offer this same portion for twice the price. Pretty simple dish--not much flair to it despite how aesthetically pleasing it is. Between being quite full when it arrived and the fact that all prior dishes had been bursting with flavor, this one didn't wow me as much. It was still yummy (especially the chickpea puree) but not quite at the level of the others. Lastly, the flamenco: Fun, festive, loaded with talent and LOUD. The musician had a soulful, raspy voice and was quite the whiz on the guitar. The dancers were even more passionate--quintessential flamenco. I've seen flamenco five or six times in my life, and this seemed pretty authentic to me. Reminded me of Spain (never a bad thing). read more

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We came here for a special occasion and absolutely loved it! I chose here because I wanted make sure everyone get to choose something of their liking and I am so glad I did. Our waiter was so nice to us! He was good with making recommendations based on our preferences and also making sure we were good with the portions we were getting. I had a reservation here and they originally put us in a small table next to the window but we requested to be moved to a more spacious area next to the bar. At some point during dinner, it felt more so like a dive bar because the TV was on. But it was good nonetheless. They gave us a lot of bread and good olive oil to go with it. The bacalao frito was not bad. My favorite was its grilled shrimp in garlic sauce. So good! I was convinced to try caracoles...and I was right to be skeptical. I didn't like it. The beef stew was the best though! Must try! I also tried the sangria and it was HH price. All in all, I had a blast! By the time we departed around 9pm, there was a line waiting outside. This place is good for couples or small groups. I highly recommend this place! read more

Nai - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

I was visiting New York when my friends and I found this place. They were able to accommodate a group of 12 right away which was already great, but the quality of the food and the service is what really impressed me. The waiters were all very patient and explained the eating style of the restaurant well and explained how tapas are different from most restaurants. The food was excellent, and we were really impressed by all the vegetarian options. They shined on their own instead of trying to be foods that aren't vegetables. The restaurant also was very affordable for the quality of food we got. Overall, I would definitely come here again when I visit New York. read more

Can't see the sign when you come in, but the vibes were very cute and unique! Our favorite was def the Katsu, would def recommend this dish for sure, even though the tapas was kind of small. The steak was a little flavorless. The octopus was very soft and had not too much flavor. I loved the paella because of the Mexican and asian fusion flavor!!! The bravas (potato's) were also really well cooked. read more

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This is definitely the hidden gem in the city! I don't normally write an review but this restaurant is just too good! Staffs are super friendly, we were greeted once we arrived. Started off with the Sangria drinks, they offer more than the traditional wine flavour, but also mango, tropical flavours etc. We were told that the dishes are small plates thus for 2 people we ordered 5 dishes and it was perfect! Have to point out the short rib tempura, and sea bass! These are the MUST when you visit here! The taste is so much different than any other foods that I had before! The just perfectly cooked sea bass is wrapped in a crunchy toasted skin, topped with asparagus and Serrano ham. Completely in love with the spicy avocado sauce that was paired with the braised short rib tempura!! The pork belly looks to be one of their most popular dishes, I personally think the meat was cooked a little bit too much as it tasted a bit dry (not the belly bit), but overall it worked out great together with the pecans! Worth a try. The octopus was softly boiled, the texture is not chewy but soft, I guess not everyone can accept this but I like it! After that we had their dessert of the day, a pudding tasted like creme brûlée. Overall this is definitely one of my favourite restaurants in the city and will for sure visit again! read more

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I had one of the most pleasant dining experiences at Nai Tapas Bar. First off, let me rave about how awesome it is that a Tapas Bar in New York actually takes reservations.. (GASP! Unheard of! Do you know how many times I've waited 1 hour plus because tapas restaurants are usually super small and super happening?) Then, a couple days before, I called to see if I could update my reservation from 8 to 10. The person who answered the phone was so nice, friendly, and accommodating, it was refreshing to talk to them. Then, on the day of, the same person called me to confirm, but he did so in a very friendly and welcoming way. I already felt like I was going to like this place a lot. And, it didn't disappoint. The whole staff at Nai's was amazing. They were patient with our huge group, and brought us drinks, bread, and really took good care of us. We had an all ice cream cake, and although they didn't have a freezer, they were able to ask the bakery next door if they could use theirs. We showed our appreciation by sharing some of our Chinatown Ice Cream Factory Lychee, Mango, and Black Sesame ice cream cake with them. The food was so good. I highly recommend the ham croquettas, the mussels ( that sauce was amazing with bread), the steak, the heart of palm salad, the octopus (which had a creamy texture), chicken with potatoes, the sausage wrapped with potato, and the fried cod. ( YUMMMM ) For drinks, we had 2 pitchers of the Red Sangria, which was delicious. They also had some drinks I had never tried before like beer with seven up, and red wine with coke. Pretty interesting. On top of it, on Wed and Saturdays they have a guitarist playing Spanish music and a live Flamenco Show. It was really entertaining and really added to the whole experience that night. The dancers were passionate and it was a beautiful, emotional performance that we all really enjoyed. The restaurant itself is small, but I didn't feel cramped or crowded. It was just loud enough to have a good ambiance, but not so loud that I couldn't hear my friends. I highly recommend this place if you like Tapas. read more

Nai - sausage wrapped with a crispy potato, steak with mango sauce, grilled octopus, chicken with potatoes @ Nai Tapas Bar - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

Why didn't I come here sooner?! Nai Tapas Bar was a suggestion from a friend and fellow Yelper and I'm so glad she shared this wonderful spot with me. This location is set to move soon so be on the lookout for their new location. You don't want to miss out on this delicious food. The menu is unique and fun to look at. It's hand written by the chef with side notes about each dish. Read the notes! They will guide you through the menu. Our group ordered a little bit of everything to get a taste of what Nai had to offer and we were not disappointed. We came in at a good time when the place wasn't packed so service was quick. Our waitress took our order promptly and had our our first order of tapas within 20-25min. I love that the bring out the food as each order is made so you can eat a little at a time and enjoy it while it's super hot and fresh. The happy hour Sangria is a must try. They have different flavors I have never heard of anywhere else like Blueberry Pomegranate Champagne! This flavor was my favorite! For food choice, I recommend the beef empanadas. They are served in portions of 4 or 6. Each one has a nice thick crust and is stuffed with the perfect amount of flavorful beef. Drizzled with a little sauce from the shrimp platter we ordered - it was perfection. I ate more than I should have but I could not let any go to waste. Be sure to order some of the croquettes as well. They are served with some kind of amazing sauce that was so good! I really should have asked more questions about what I was eating but I was enjoying myself too much to stop and do the research. At least I have an excuse to go back again and get more info. Overall, great food and a great dining experience. Thank you Nai staff for your friendly and quick service! read more

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Great service, delicious food and the sangria was perfect, not too much ice and just enough fruit! You MUST order: Gambas A La Plancha Aceitunas Rellenas Croquetas De Bacalao Croquetas De Jamón Salpicón De Marisco Pulpo Vinagreta Tabla De Quesos Y Embutidos Chorizo A La Plancha Tortilla Española Pinchos Morunos read more

Nai - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New York, New York

First off.... Let me just say I had a rough day and the Storm didn't make it any better. I stumbled across this cute and stylish place on my way home. I said.... let me give this a try. The music was perfection, just the right tone and very relaxing. I ordered Gambas Al Ajillo, Chorizo Salteado, and Tortilla Española (my tortilla came with pieces of jamon serrano) simply the perfect touch. The portions are just the right amount too. The staff was very attentive and recommended great dishes. The bartender greeted me with Sangria which felt like I was in Spain and it was delicious. They were all extremely friendly and polite. This is my new favorite Tapas Bar. Yes!!!!!!!! VIVA ESPAÑA!!! They've moved!!! Came back to their new place on 5th Street and 2nd Avenue. Not the decor I was expecting. Cement walls is all you have. It looks dark and gloomy in here. Sat by the window. The mantle was super dusty. I like the old place better. Service is still just as good if not better. The waitress was super friendly. The food here is still delicious. I had the Brussels with bacon, delicious, and pulpo a la gallega. The pulpo seemed rubbery. Ive had better. Overall it was a nice experience. Will definitely be back. read more

Food had SO MUCH potential but the Carpaccio COLD as a first dish fell so far short that we we're immediately disappointed. We let the waitress know and she removed it but when our second dish came she never even asked us how it was. She came twice to the table to clear dishes and NEVER asked how the second dish - that left us stunned!! How do you not ask if the next dish is ok especially Shrimp (Gambas) was delicious. The shrimp was so amazingly flavorful that was we got the Pulpo it tastes like nothing!! How can this restaurant not KNOW to serve the Pulpo before the Gambas??? I also think the Pulpo could have been cooked a little more. Unfortunately, we will not be coming back. Ohh forgot to mention that the Sea Bass (Lubina) was really great! Ok so there you have it Lucina & Gambas but we will not be back soon! read more

Love this place! We came for Saturday dinner and were seated right away without a reservation. We started off with a half pitcher of the mango sangria, which is refreshing and absolutely bomb. Thing is, it's not weak either so don't drink it too quickly even though you'll want to! Rundown of our tapas picks: - Carpaccio de portobello: definitely my favorite of the night. Thinly sliced and drizzled liberally with truffle oil and manchego, topped with almonds - I'm usually so over the whole truffle oil thing but this was so well done and delicious that I ended up eating most of it - Crujiente de rabo y trucha: oxtail toast. Presentation was completely unexpected but despite the toast being fried, it was very light and the oxtail very beefy - Pollo a la brasa: what a presentation! The 3-minute creation was interesting to watch, though I was kind of on edge the whole time because it didn't look fun for the waiter, having to precariously balance everything in his left hand while putting together the dish with his right. I would've felt a lot more relieved if he'd just brought a small portable stand or something where he could rest everything and focus on making the dish. But the chicken and sauces were good, if not incredible - this dish is more about the presentation than the sheer flavours - Beet rice: very cheesy, beet seems to be more for color than taste but very well done risotto - Bacalao: salted cod over cabbage and potato. Was as expected. Quality again was very good, even if the flavours weren't my personal favorite, but I enjoyed it nonetheless Halfway through we also ordered a half pitcher of the blueberry pomegranate sangria. Their sangrias are top notch. Nai seems to be relatively unknown despite the quality, which I'm both totally fine with and also hoping they get more visibility because they really deserve it. All in all, the food is 4 stars for me but there's just something about this place that's so feel good and homey it makes me bump it up to 5 stars and excited to come back. read more

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I can not express how truly amazed and grateful to have experienced Nai. Chef Ruben and Sommelier Raul have truly invested time and patience into developing the quality assurance of all guest experience. We held an amazing birthday dinner for my sister that went off without a hitch and the staff was so accommodating and knowledgeable about each dish for our guest. Nai is the THEE go to in New York City and I am extremely excited to try out Chef Ruben's many other projects in the city and to refer friends for an amazing night out with quality food, beverage and hospitality. Cheers to Team Nai!Chilean Sea Bass read more

Super delicious food and great drinks combined with excellent service from our waiter Ben. The food is amazing, tapas are very unique and super tasty, drinks are great as well. The restaurant has very nice atmosphere and the owner makes you feel welcomed and explained every dish and the process of making it. It's pricey but well worth it. You will never find anything like this anywhere else! read more

I went here with friends prior to covid and had an amazing experience. The flamenco dancers were incredible and it was a great add to the night. Overall food is delicious patatas bravas are a must and sangria is great as well . There as so many great options on the menu and the hospitality at this restaurant is fantastic. read more

This place is outstanding - my friend and I were very impressed! Service was excellent and the food was even better Patatas bravas were so good - chock full of flavor and cooked in a unique spicy tomato sauce! empanadillas de carne were cooked to perfection - crispy outer pastry and marinated beef with olives in the inside. The octopus was delicious...but warning it is a bit slimy(?) in texture, kind of in between raw and lightly sauteed. The chilean sea bass is definitely a must - not only do you get the natural fats and flavor of the fish, but it is also wrapped in toasted and topped off with ham and asparagus....it was a wonderful harmony. The pork belly likewise was amazing - melts in your mouth and the candied pecans were a nice pairing without making the dish sweet. Would definitely come back to try some more! read more

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