Tokal is an adorable Guatemalan restaurant on the upper east side that can be easy to miss walking past it but you'll be glad you didn't. Tikal holds a special place in my heart because of my Guatemalan heritage and how close the flavors get to feeling like I'm enjoying my family's cooking. I've been to Tikal on two separate occasions, once in the winter and again in the summer. Both experiences have been consistent with how the staff treat their customers and how flavorful the food is. In the winter the Atol de elote is warm and comforting. A recommendation I would give especially in the colder months. In the summer, try the Jamaica. Refreshing and the perfect amount of sweetness. If you want authentic flavors, the majority of the things on the menu will give you a Guatemalan experience, all the way down to the tortillas. I'd love to go back and try more menu items but for now the pepian and chile relleno are solid choices. If you have room for dessert, definitely get the the rellenito! read more

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Really great authentic food! There aren't many Guatemalan food spots in Manhattan so Tikal is definitely a gem. Yummy, home cooked, family vibes is how I would describe the food and the restaurant. The owner is also very friendly and service is speedy! We had the chicken en pulique and the chicken was so incredibly moist and fall of the bone tender. The tortillas also seem fresh and handmade which is amazing as well. I loved the cuchito. The empanada is very nice in that it's different from the typical wheat empanadas you see in NYC since it is made of corn. The loroco pupusa is something I would definitely come back for too. Essentially, everything was delicious! read more

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New to the competitive restaurant neighborhood of Lenox Hill, Tikal is a welcome edition. We picked up food the last night and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We ordered tacos with beef and some with pork. They were delicious! The grilled skirt steak was fine if you like your steak well done. For those, like myself, who prefer steak medium rare, it was a disappointment. The chicken entrée in a creamy sauce was a highlight. The mixed green salad was unfortunately mostly iceberg lettuce. The sweet plantains were exceptionally tasty, and despite being fried, they were not too greasy. The black beans were prepared differently than we expected in that they were sort of mashed up and very thick rather than whole beans served in a bit of sauce. Nevertheless they weren't bad. The shrimp ceviche was outstanding! Try Tikal - you'll like it! read more

Tikal - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

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Sigh I have been trying to support them more because they're family run but it just is so skimpy on protein, sides, salsa even. I ordered three chicharron pupusas (we've had them before and loved them) and there was yet again no customers inside. I wait 10 minutes for my to-go order, which was perfectly fine, but when I open up my box... there was a little bit of meat in one pupusa and the rest were just cheese? There was also the same portion of slaw/salad that there would be for one pupusa order and I ran out of salsa after 1.5 pupusas. I'm partial to pupusas from El Salvadoran restaurants generally so that could be why I'm disappointed... but I'm disappointed that this simple order was somehow so wrong. Will maybe try to support them again but this just doesn't bode well. read more

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Going to take a star off from my first visit here. In contrast to the chicken-- deeply marinated at a level to add to the flavor--this time the spices and salt in the skirt steak marinade overpowered the steak's natural flavor. (That said, it was tender.) While the cooked beans that came with the chicken were delicious, the pureed beans that accompanied the steak were, again salty and overly spiced. Rice still was delicious, as were the cooked shallots and the 2 soft warm corn tamales. Guacamole was a pleasant mix of avocado, onion and tomato. read more

Tikal - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

Giving it 5 stars for taste. PUPUSAS DE CHICHARRON - Corn flatbread stuffed with pork belly and cheese. Picture shows 2 but it came with 1. Very good. Could have eaten another one. 5/5 Tacos. Mixed and matched. Birria - best birria I've had Carnitas - tied with The birria Carne Asada - good as well Overall 5/5 ESTOFADO DE RES - Beef stew, blending of chiles, tomato, and tomatillo, achiote. This flavor is new to me and so good. Best thing we ate. Highly recommend 5/5 This place is no frills when it comes to ambiance but the food is solid. The kitchen knows what it's doing. I would suggest that management work on the ambiance because I'm not sure if food alone can keep this place in business. Hire an interior designer, dim the lights, and have some music read more

Tikal - ESTOFADO DE RES - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

Every time I'm on the m15 bus going down second Ave I like to look at new spots to try. I saw the front of this restaurant and it was nice, on top of that I'm Guatemalan myself so wanted to go try and show some love for the Chapins. The experience was alright, the staff were nice, food came out in decent time and was alright. I'll come by once again to try out other Guatemalan food. read more

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Food is amazing, service is warm and helpful, the music transport you to the mainland of Guatemala (it is truly a piece of Guatemala in Manhattan). I highly recommend this magical place. read more

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Love the experience and food! It's so homey especially for Manhattan. The pupusas are delicious and my fiance loved his pepian!

First time trying Mayan flavors and it was quite interesting! Sounds like they have other locations in Brooklyn but this might be their first Manhattan one? Started off with the plantains which were very nicely fried and the chicharron pupusas which was packed with well-seasoned pork. Just wish there was more cheese. For entrees, my favorite was the Cordero en Barbacoa. The lamb pieces were generally tender and came with a semi-spicy mole-like sauce. Pepian de res featured beef in a blended pumpkin and chili sauce. The chicken en pulique, a traditional Mayan dish, was their chicken stew. Overall the flavors felt familiar to other Latin American cuisine I've had but also had something new that I couldn't put my finger on. The tortillas were thicker and had more of that corn flavor which I enjoyed and served as a good vehicle for the sauces. The prices are good but you also don't get too much meat. It was very sauce-heavy meal, because besides the protein and sauce, I felt like something was missing. Either way, excited for UES folks to have another food option with unique flavors! read more

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Awesome unique spot in the neighborhood. The homemade corn tortillas are breathtaking. The black beans were simple and delicious. The guacamole and green salsa were also excellent. We're looking forward to them adding more vegan options, but we were able to put together a great meal comprised of sides. read more

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Excellent service, food delicious, nice place clean Will come back again. I ordered different plates and everything was really good. read more

Ok, I've lived in the USA for more than 40 years both in the east coast and west coast. I've never had good Guatemalan food at a restaurant since then. The only place I could get good Guatemalan food was either at my mom's or grandma's house, until now that I discovered Tikal. The food is authentic, delicious, and service is very good. I ran into Tikal while I was visiting NYC from Washington, DC and next time I come to NYC, it'll be in my to-do list. I strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in having good, homemade food. read more

This new restaurant has absolutely delicious fresh food, prepared really well. The tastes were all clean and bright. The food is well-spiced but with not much heat ( there's a hot green sauce that is wonderful, though). Staff is pleasant and responsive. read more

Tikal - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

I decided to check this place out once I heard about it, and I'm so glad I did! I don't know any other Guatemalan in Manhattan, and I love that it's so close to me. They have all the traditional plates I'm familiar with through my family and others I will want to try. I ordered takeout and got the tamale (it's chicken), Kaq'ik de Pavo (a savory stew with turkey), and a side of Frijoles Volteados. FYI, entrees come with rice and tortillas. The horchata was also on point! Everything was delicious, and I can't wait to bring friends and family. I wish them all the best! read more

Tikal - Kaq'ik de Pavo (comes with rice and tortillas) and frijoles volteados - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

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The restaurant was almost empty but it was casual and clean. The waiter was very nice and attentive. The food was good but the amount of meet verses the amount of sauce was off. Each fish has a unique flavor which I appreciated. read more

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Beyond delicious. We had SO much food and with a hefty tip only paid $90 for the two of us. Shrimp ceviche, carne asada tacos, the #19 chicken in pumpkin chile sauce, two orders of plantains...everything was phenomenal. A completely no frills place with no liquor license, but asked and they said you can BYO! Now we know for next time. Need to come back asap to try more on the menu! Loved it. read more

Tikal - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

Tikal is really new, which is why it doesn't have very many reviews, but don't let that stop you from doing. This place is amazing. My husband loves Mexican, and I love Peruvian. This is the one restaurant we can both enjoy. I've been there three times over the past couple of weeks, and it never disappoints. The guacamole is fantastic and fresh. Love the pupusas. Haven't tasted everything on the menu, but whatever we have had has been out of this world. The restaurant is very plainly decorated, which is a nice departure from the sometimes over the top decor in other establishments. It does not serve alcohol, so its only temptation is the food. The servers are very sweet and helpful. The prices are so reasonable that I wonder if the owner knows he's in Manhattan! read more

Tikal - Art from restaurant. - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

The photos don't do it justice - this food is 10/10. Every single dish was excellent. I literally can't wait to order again. Plus, all this food was only $35! Also, I called for delivery, and the food came piping hot in ~15 minutes!! Feeling very blessed for this new neighborhood gem. Dishes (every single one was excellent): 1. Chicken stew (either #17 or #19, I can't remember) 2. Pork Pupusas #34 3. Macaroni Salad #46 4. Fried Sweet Plantains #48 read more

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As a Guatemalan myself, I can confidently say this is the real deal. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was back home -- the warmth, the hospitality, and that unmistakable aroma of freshly made tortillas and grilled meats. The service was incredible -- everyone was so welcoming and kind, treating us like family rather than just customers. I ordered [insert your favorite dish, e.g. pepian de pollo or jocon], and it was absolutely delicious -- perfectly seasoned, rich, and comforting. The tamales tasted just like the ones my abuela used to make, and don't even get me started on the atol de elote -- pure nostalgia in a cup! You can tell every dish is made with love and pride in Guatemalan tradition. It's rare to find a place that captures both the flavor and the feeling of home, but this restaurant does it effortlessly. I left full, happy, and honestly a little emotional. If you're craving authentic Guatemalan food -- or just want to experience true flavor and hospitality -- this is the place. read more

The gentlemen Juan, there is not enough stars, Juan was pleasant, professional, the food was great. He made sure my group of guests were comfortable. Very attentive. Very cozy. Love it. We sure will be coming back. Great hospitality. Thank you. Ivette H read more

Delicious Guatemalan food in a no-nonsense atmosphere. Shrimp ceviche, red snapper and beef stew were all nicely prepared. Friendly service.

I haven't seen another spot like this. I appreciated the attention to detail. The team maintained a friendly presence. I plan to bring friends to Tikal on my next visit. This place brings contentment. read more

Delicious tacos! Big fans of the chicken tacos (pulled seasoned chicken) and the birreria tacos. Good portions and freshly made. It's turned into our weekly go to for healthy dinner options. read more

This restaurant offers something special in the neighborhood. We liked where it's located and enjoyed every moment there. Particularly cordial workers throughout! The food quality ensures customer satisfaction. This spot delivers on what it offers. read more

The beef tacos were excellent flavorful and have good portions I shared with my sister so 10/10 on food the service was great it was quick and the guy was super nice read more

This place is new and slept on! If you want a taste of South American (more specifically Guatemalan) cuisine, come here. They are very friendly and serve large portions. The mole was delicious and my friend had the turkey stew and she said it was fantastic. Give this place a try, its a gem hole in the wall! read more

Tikal - Chicken Mole - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

The pupusas were so good! Highly recommend. Family owned and operated. They were very nice. They had soccer game playing on Sunday.

Another great takeout meal from Tikal. Next time I'll eat there as the inside has gotten quite nice with new lighting!!!! 10/10 food once again. Delicious comforting meal that leaves you feeling great. read more

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Casual, well-priced spot for really delicious and authentic food. The pupusas, chicken and tacos were excellent. Really enjoyed our meal & liked supporting a local business - clearly really hard working folks running this place. read more

Tikal - Half chicken with fried plantains and refried beans. - Seafood Near Me - Manhanttan, New York

What an amazing addition to the UES! Entrees we had: beef stew and chicken with ancho chiles. The service was warm and friendly and we can't wait to return. read more

Was in the mood for rice and beans and some Latin American food and Tikal delivered a great dinner! The black beans were wonderful-good texture and flavor. The rice very flavorful and was a great addition to the meal. The 1/2 chicken was tasty and good portion to share. (Would definitely order again).The plantains were perfectly done-sweet with just the right amount of caramelization. The Pepian de res(beef )#20 was delicious. Had a nice heat -not overwhelming-nice balance. The lamb was good. As an appy the garnachas were very good way to start. Chuchitos were exceptional. We tried 3 drinks-they were all very good and enjoyable. Definitely want to go back! read more

The food was absolutely delicious. It is so fresh and has that wonderful homeade taste. Everything that I tried was fantastic. The ambiance is cafeteria-like and the service was okay. I was bothered by the fluorescent lighting and the lack of decor, but I assume it will change with time. The owner's young daughter sits at one of the best tables playing games on her tablet, II assume because she has nowhere else to be with her parents taking care of the business. It's not ideal, especially if you want to attract customers. I would still come back any day as it's far better than any Mexican food in the area and cheaper. This is real Guatemalan cuisine. read more

Food was absolutely amazing!! Shout out for the corn tortillas, tacos, and plantains. Can't wait to try the roast chicken. I highly recommend this new spot on the UES! read more

This is the only Guatemalan restaurant in the New York City area so we had to try it. We had Loroco pupusas, chicken empanadas, beef stew with chilis and tomatillos and chicken with sour cream and green peppers. We loved it all! The flavor combinations were fantastic. The freshly made tortillas were tasty. Our server Tina was helpful in telling us about Guatemalan cuisine and ordering. We can't wait to go back. The restaurant has an extensive menu that we want to try but we want to reorder the same items we loved the first time. read more