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Cafe Español - Carmine St. Reviews List
Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Cozy, romantic, authentic Spanish tapas restaurant in the heart of the west village. Customers will be treated to a wonderful candlelight meal by our experienced and knowledgeable staff. Come join us for a taste of Spain.
See more Cafe Español - Carmine St. details
45 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 45 reviews
5 stars
(7)
4 stars
(26)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(15)
- romantic(13)
- good for groups(8)
- special occasion(8)
- fit for foodies(7)
- great for lunch(4)
Cafe Español - Carmine St. Reviews List
Review 1 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Paella, paella, paella
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Always good food. Have been there many times. Unfortunately this time the waiter misunderstood our order and left out one of the paellas. They were very apologetic and the missing paella was brough to us, as, promised, after 10 minutes. Do try the churros with chocolate sauce."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 2 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Pre-Mother's Day Tapas Spot!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife and I brought my Mom here for a tapas experience the Friday before Mother's Day.
The service was excellent - some of the best we've had in our 8 years in NY - and the tapas were great. The ambiance was also great, with all the doors opening to the street, and a classical guitar player picking Flamenco tunes in the background.
The location also lends itself to great post-dinner strolls through the West Village.
Definitely recommended."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: romantic
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Review 3 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Cafe Espagnol is a very lovely
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Cafe Espagnol is a very lovely restaurant with a nice atmosphere, Spanish music, good service and excellent food. Have been here many times and it is always good."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fine meal. Fine service.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fine meal. Fine service. Great location."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
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Review 5 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I love this place! Great food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I love this place! Great food and service. Love the Sangria."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good group party spot
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Excellent tapas that are easy to share and their sangrias are pretty good too, plenty of choices of flavors. I am not a vegetarian, but a friend in our party was and it was somewhat difficult to order, but that will largely be true at true Spanish restaurants as the food is typically dominated by seafood and/or ham/sausage/other meats."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, late-night find
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Review 7 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Weekend brunch to be forgotten
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were thinking of booking a table for 10 for a coming birthday brunch so decided to try it out first. Good thing we did because it was a mediocre experience to say the least. They give you the regular menu so you have to ask for the $14.95 weekend brunch menu. Omelettes, salad and potatoes were all on the greasy side. Brunch menu offers bloody mary, mimosa or sangria AND coffee or tea. However, the waiter told us it was one or the other. The waiter/host who seemed to be running the show had the personality of an undertaker/prison warden. Needless to say, we will not be returning. We wanted to like this place but could not."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2007
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Review 8 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I love Cafe Espanol its one
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I love Cafe Espanol its one of my favorite birthday resturant's where I eat the twin lobster special."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 9 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I didn't have huge expectations
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I didn't have huge expectations for this restaurant, but I was truly impressed by the staffs and the foods.
First of all, the atmosphere is very nice. Although I went there at night on weekdays, there was a man playing a Spanish guitar, which was very romantic. I've requested a good seat, and they have given me a perfect seat.
The staff was remembering my name as soon as I walked into the door, and greeted warmly.
The foods were very good indeed. I would recommend this place to my friends, and would definitely come back."
First of all, the atmosphere is very nice. Although I went there at night on weekdays, there was a man playing a Spanish guitar, which was very romantic. I've requested a good seat, and they have given me a perfect seat.
The staff was remembering my name as soon as I walked into the door, and greeted warmly.
The foods were very good indeed. I would recommend this place to my friends, and would definitely come back."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2010
Special Features: late-night find, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 10 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Busy but food below par
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"First and last visit. Saturday evening. Seemed busy and would be considered a $$ restaurant so have scored accordingly. Very disappointed with the food: Tortilla was very bland and patatas bravas tasted recooked. Prawns were very nice. Service on entering was good but at the table very slow and unattentive."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
Special Features: kid-friendly
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Review 11 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
tapas - good food - service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"tapas - good food - service needs 2 be better"
Dined on 03/05/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 12 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
There's nothing really *wrong*
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"There's nothing really *wrong* with Cafe Espanol; it would probably be the best Spanish restaurant in many cities. In New York, though, they're just not competitive. The food quality just isn't there. We had a shrimps with garlic dish with above-average but not great-quality shrimp and -- and this is the first time I've ever said this -- too much garlic. The stuffed mushrooms were OK but not distinguished. The patatas bravas was frankly bad -- under seasoned, not crispy and with a mediocre aioli."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2005
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Review 13 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This has become one of our
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This has become one of our favorite restaurants. The food is very good. Their garlic soup is outrageous as are their grilled pork chops. Things done on the grill are all done very well.
My only regret is that they have not had the "Three Milk Cake" for dessert the last several visits we have been there. This cake is so wonderful, that it makes you forget about your calorie control."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2011
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was very good although
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was very good although prices without a Groupon are high. Easy to get to via subway."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic
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Review 15 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good food at really good prices.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food at really good prices."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2012
Special Features: kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion
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Review 16 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Monday night is Lobster night,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Monday night is Lobster night, the lobster with green sauce is great!
Good Rioja too."
Good Rioja too."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 17 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food! Excellent wait
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great food! Excellent wait staff. Great value. It will be become a regular place to eat. Good wine."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The experience was quite nice
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The experience was quite nice and better then expected. They were very friendly. The only thing that I was not happy about was that they did not honore the Groupon that I brought for that night. It was not mentoined that they excluded the 14th Feb."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Casual dinning with a hint
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Casual dinning with a hint of foreign flavor. Amazing shrimps!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
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Review 20 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Had Spanish food many times
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Had Spanish food many times and many times in Spain. Some items were exceptionally good (seafood salad, recommended by our waiter)while others were not (tortilla espanola, bland, I have had much better before). Other items were not what I would consider typically Spanish, the baked stuffed clams were just that baked stuffed clams, whole topped with seasoned bread crumbs and a piece of bacon, nothing that really gave them a Spanish flair. Gambas Ajillo was good but came in a brown garlic sauce not what I was expecting. Maybe the food resembles a different area of Spain that I am not familar with. The staff was very nice however considering it was very quiet Thursday night I felt a little rushed but wasn't sure why."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2010
Special Features: romantic
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Review 21 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This place is small and cozy
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This place is small and cozy and has a sister restaurant a few blocks away. I definitely would return to try more dishes. The Tapas was amazing! We loved the shrimp and octopus. Service was well-timed and friendly, Sangria was good and affordable.""
Dined on 02/01/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 22 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Chose this place for a client
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Chose this place for a client lunch. ITs not a super fancy joint but, they have good service, nicem fairly priced lunch menu with LARGE portions. Plus the guacamole was really really good. Anyplace that has good fresh guac - is a gem in my book."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 23 for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great find, I like it better
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"Great find, I like it better than the other Cafe Espanol. All of the tapas were delicious, and the paela also was fantastic. Pablo was very nice and caring to our table."
Dined on 12/27/2012
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe Español - Carmine St.
Based on the average of (22) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic