La Nacional

I have actually been to this place twice and highly recommend it. The service is amazing. Everybody is so professional and so sweet. The food is excellent.

This place is amazing and an incredible find. The food, atmosphere and service are all outstanding. It feels a bit like Queens but in a positive way, like you’re dining with a family. The empanadas were the best I’ve ever eaten - and I’ve eaten a ton! The sizzling shrimp was incredible. The mini paella was sadly short on lobster but the rice, again, better than even what we had in Barcelona. An absolute must for the best authentic Spanish food! Love, love, love.

Overall rating: 4.6 Price: $14.15 w/ happy hour pricing (excluding tip) I went here a few years ago on a date and really loved the croquettes. I remember the polenta was just okay, but I wasn’t raving about it. What I loved were the croquettes that made me come back for more. Through out the years, the quality has decreased a tad but it’s still a favorite for a happy hour. I just learned recently that they have HH until 7pm and I was able to get a great deal! I got the mix but I think I liked the mushroom slightly more. The dip is sooo good and I definitely want to re-make at home. I also got the happy hour red sangria. It tasted like juice. Wish it had more oomph to it. Not sure if I’d get it again. It seems like a very local spot & definitely local owned. I recommend giving it a try but better off with a group of friends to sample versus going solo.

La Nacional has amazing spanish tapas, offering generous portions throughout each appetizer and entree! The service was also great! The staff was very accommodating and checked on us continually throughout the night. We went for a friend’s bday and they sang along with us and made it very special. The drinks were definitely not that strong, although we got the pitcher so maybe that’s why. So I recommend getting individual drinks. Out of all the dishes we tried the chicken was DIVINE. It was so succulent. The paella was fine but not amazing. I did enjoy the squid though, which wasn’t rubbery or chewy but extremely fresh.

We came back to La Nacional because the food is always amazing—especially the huevos rotos and the gambas al ajillo, my favorites! The staff is incredibly nice, attentive, and welcoming, and Katina, Carla, and Jorge went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Robert made the experience even more special by sharing the history of La Nacional. Truly one of the most authentic and heartwarming spots in NYC!

We sat outside and it was super noisy from cars but indoors seemed like the vibe. The staff was friendly and very welcoming but the food was not up to par. The paella was okay, def not the best but the selection for veggie tapas was very slim.

One of the best values in the city. This Valencia inspired restaurant features an amazing atmosphere, warm service and AMAZING FOOD. I’ve been meaning to try this place for a while, and, after randomly meeting Chef Paco, I decided it was time. I was not disappointed. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed. The tapas were tasty, the paella was on point and the mocktails were marvelous. The open kitchen and bar make the place look smaller than it is. Theres plenty of space for big parties upstairs and a private room in the back. The upstairs features amazing club like atmosphere and is big enough to have a wedding party of about 70 (I’m currently shopping a venue for a reception dinner so I asked). The most impressive thing was the tab- there were six of us and we went crazy on ordering: 5 mocktails, a beer or two, charcuterie plate, 6 tapas, 2 salads, a large seafood paella with chicken and chorizo (add on), and almost every dessert on the menu (I hate flan but this flan changed my mind- it’s a must try). The bill came to about $60 a person with tax and tip!!! No wonder the place is packed, this value is unparalleled in the city. 6 stars out of 5. Will be back often.

Fantastic authentic Spanish food. My wife and I ordered a few small plates to share in typical Spanish style. The wine list refreshing as everything was reasonably priced. The ambience is very hectic,crowded and loud as well as hot. Hence I took off 1 star. Will go again.