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Cafe Español Reviews List
Cafe Español
Cafe Español has been a staple in Spanish food in Greenwich Village since 1976, Starting off as a tiny eatery. Gradually it has expanded to offer private dining areas as well as an outdoor garden. Our menu features freshly prepared traditional Spanish cuisine. We also offer an extensive Tapas menu as well as a full bar.
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55 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 55 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(18)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(26)
- good for groups(18)
- fit for foodies(14)
- great for outdoor dining(14)
- special occasion(9)
- great for lunch(8)
Cafe Español Reviews List
Review 1 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great food, large dish sizes, reasonably priced, excellent service. We will be returning often."
Dined on 6/13/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
great food!!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"loved the restaurant. Loved the food!"
Dined on 6/15/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic
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Review 3 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This place has been a solid favorite for over ten years now. Their food is always top notch and they have the best red sangria in any stateside restaurant by far. I'd recommend doing tapas if its your first time here as it allows you to try a bit of everything. The restaurant NEVER disappoints."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
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Review 4 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Walked past this place 100's of times and never walked in. Finally did. Sorry i didn't earlier. Tapas selection is quite large and food is flavorful because of food, not salt."
Dined on 6/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Ole'!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We started with a nice, sweet Passion Fruit Sangria. It was sweet and tasty but didn't really feel like Sangria, but what would I know anyway. We shared some GREAT grilled Octopus (a la Plancha) and tasty Chicken Enchiladas. We also split a Paella Valenciana which seemed to be enough for 2 people. Crema Calatalana was a perfect ending to a meal served in the outdoor rear garden area. It was a bit hot and muggy outside but definitely more spacious (and pleasant) than eating inside. I hope to return on a less balmy day to better enjoy my next meal outside again."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Lovely, long-time Spanish restaurant with wonderful extensive menu and neighborhood feel."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"heavy traffic delayed our arrival 40 minutes beyond our reservation, but they squeezed us in, and managed to wine & dine us before
our theater curtain"
our theater curtain"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 8 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Group of friends wanted to get together for Paella and friend suggested that we go to this place. This is more of an old school Paella place. It looked small but the restaurant actually extended all the way to the other side of the street with another entrance. It has open garden in the middle it could be nice when the weather is nice. One of our friends pointed out that the room we were in could be a nice space for a small private party for 20 people.
We had pitchers of Red Sangria to share which was a bit too sweet for my taste. We also had a pitcher of Passion Fruit Margarita which was a lot better as our friend requested for less sugar and extra booz ^^....
We ordered a number of tapas and 3 Paellas to share among 9. Food was ok."
We had pitchers of Red Sangria to share which was a bit too sweet for my taste. We also had a pitcher of Passion Fruit Margarita which was a lot better as our friend requested for less sugar and extra booz ^^....
We ordered a number of tapas and 3 Paellas to share among 9. Food was ok."
Dined on 5/01/2013
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Review 9 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Neglected and ignored
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food and great service after being seated. Getting to your table, however, is an annoying journey even if you make a reservation. We had a 7:30pm reservation. We had to talk to 3 different people before they even acknowledged the fact that we had a reservation and it took them 30 minutes to even ask us for the name that our reservation was made under. They just kept telling us to wait in the corner, while other groups our size were being seated. They completely neglected and forgot about us after a while. Had I not approached 3 different people on 4 separate occasions, I'd probably still be waiting for them to seat us right now."
Dined on 5/04/2013
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Review 10 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best food ever all the time
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had friends from calif ,Florida and DC and are still about the food. There were 10 of us and service was excellent thank you"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch
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Review 11 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
happy surprise
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Pleasant atmosphere and delicious tapas"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tapas, Sangria and Margaritas - fun
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a fun and tasty lunch here this week with some friends from out of town. The very large choice of tapas plates, along with the friendly and relaxed service (combined with the pitcher of margaritas, made for a lunch, and very enjoyable lunch. All of the choices were made were very nicely prepared and served on a steady basis. This is a fun place for a couple or a group. Will be back again soon."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 13 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A Home Run!!!!!!!!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was my first time at Cafe Espanol on Bleecker. I usually go to the one on Carmine,
but due to the poor reviews I decided against it. I was in charge of finding a restaurant for a friend's b'day celebration. The entire b'day crowd was pleased with this restaurant. The seafood was fresh, the drinks were delicious, and the overall menu had something for every plate. Home Run!!!!!!!!"
but due to the poor reviews I decided against it. I was in charge of finding a restaurant for a friend's b'day celebration. The entire b'day crowd was pleased with this restaurant. The seafood was fresh, the drinks were delicious, and the overall menu had something for every plate. Home Run!!!!!!!!"
Dined on 04/24/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 14 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
A Nice Meal
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Pulpo Alla gallega (octopus) from the tapas menu was terrific. Combination de Taverna from the Tapas menu had very good cheeses & sausages on it. Tres Leches cake was very moist & delicious."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Late reserved seating, but good
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I was surprised that, despite being a small and intimate space with tiled walls, it wasn't uncomfortably loud. I could hear my date. The overwhelming (and wonderful) smell of garlic hits you when you walk in.
We had reservations at 7:00 so we could view a 9:00 show. We were seated late, around 7:25 (subsequently, we were about 25 minutes late for our show).
Good food, good service. The setting was like a modest family European restaurant. Overall pleasant. I'd return."
We had reservations at 7:00 so we could view a 9:00 show. We were seated late, around 7:25 (subsequently, we were about 25 minutes late for our show).
Good food, good service. The setting was like a modest family European restaurant. Overall pleasant. I'd return."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2010
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Review 16 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
cheap and cheerful
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"sangria was great. potata bravas good but rest was very average and reflected the price point. cheap and cheerful apot but not particulary good tapas. on the bright side the dessert waitor was hilarious and made us laugh and buy some decent chocolate things."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: kid-friendly
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Review 17 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The best sangria in NY
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great place. Ive been coming here for years and nothing has changed. Great food, awesome service and exceptional red sangria."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 18 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Favorite Spanish restaurant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Favorite Spanish restaurant! Delicious !"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 19 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
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Review 20 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 21 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always great!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've been going there for over 10 years now...."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 22 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
For those who love to try new food!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My daughter lived in Spain for four years, so is very familiar with (and loves!) that cuisine. I visited her there twice and love the food, too! This restaurant epitomizes a sense of joy in eating. The presentation was lovely, the taste was exquisite, and the portions were perfect. If you love gazpacho, this is the place for you! If you love boguerones, this place is ambrosia! If you love chorizos, this place is perfect! I have never been successful at making alcachofas myself, but this place did a great job! We were not rushed at all, and were well taken care of. My daughter and would recommend this restaurant to everyone!"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 23 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I have been going to Cafe
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been going to Cafe Espanol for many years-- in fact, I set up our office party to have there a few years ago. I felt like this last meal, the food was particularly tasty. Good service."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 24 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The tapas were not impressive.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The tapas were not impressive. Jamon Serrano that was dry and tasteless; chorizos were uneventful. The grilled was octopus was good though"
Dined on 03/13/2013
2006
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Review 25 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was awesome, the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was awesome, the staff very pleasant and located in a very hip part of town. Didn't like the noise level, made it hard to have a conversation. Will definetly visit again though will try it at lunch, hopefully a little quieter. Great place and they honor reservations. Fantastic rating!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
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Review 26 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Cafe Espanol delivered delicious
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Cafe Espanol delivered delicious food at a great price in NYC. It had plenty of delicious things on the menu and catered to a variety of palettes. The sangria is delicious. However, we did wait an additional 35 minutes after our reservation time - probably due to the slower service. Plan to be here for a while."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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Review 27 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The food was not good. The
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was not good. The seafood dish that I and my friend received did not taste fresh. I usually do not rate restaurants so low but this is warranted. Also, I don't understand how this establishment received four stars. People were nice though. Just poor experience and food."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2006
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Review 28 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We loved it!! We were in Spain
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We loved it!! We were in Spain last summer, and the food was authentic!! We wanted to try everything!! We'll be back!!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 29 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Monday Lobster special beats
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Monday Lobster special beats anywhere else in all Manhattan"
Dined on 02/18/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 30 for Cafe Español
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always love going here...food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Always love going here...food is terrific and authentic, and the atmosphere is fun. Highly recommend. Be prepared to carry leftovers home; paellas are generous. Lobster night is a steal."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe Español
Based on the average of (25) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic