What do Jeff Bezos, Amy Schumer, and Hailey Bieber have in common? They’ve all dined at El Quijote in the infamous Chelsea Hotel. You have to respect a place that retains that 1990s authentic dive vibe, even though it’s relatively new. But how’s the food at this Spanish restaurant in NYC? This is the review of an undoubtedly cool spot in NYC.
Overview
There are some places that are classic New York, and the Hotel Chelsea is one of them. The Hotel Chelsea started welcoming guests in 1885. Since then, poets, writers, actors, musicians, vagrants, and everyone in between, have come through the Hotel Chelsea. So its dining option, El Quijote, which is the classic Spanish restaurant in NYC, has a story or two to tell. The restaurant opened in 1930. It closed for renovations from 2018 to 2022. It’s been a neighborhood staple and since reopening, it’s trendier than ever.
Atmosphere
It’s pretty amazing that the complete renovation of Hotel Chelsea and El Quijote retained the original gritty and edgy, Victorian-meets-bordello decor. I think they would have had a mutiny on their hands though if they tried to change the vibe. After nearly 90 years, as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That must be why the likes of Derek Blasberg had their 40th birthday here, where everyone from Karlie Kloss to Jeff Bezos was in the house.
The crowd though is eclectic and is more than just supermodels and billionaires. There are neighborhood locals who have been coming here for decades and are just “normal” New Yorkers. If you’re ever looking for a Spanish restaurant in NYC with an effortlessly cool vibe, El Quijote is your spot.
Food
If you’re here to look for the best Spanish restaurant in NYC in terms of food, you’re in the wrong spot. Nowadays, we have Casa Dani and the incredible tortillas at Jose Andres’s Spanish diner. That’s not to say that the food at El Quijote isn’t good, because it is. But it’s just classic Spanish food, with no frills. There’s of course the classic gambas al ajillo, a rendition of croquettes and pan con tomate. Essentially the menu has every dish you would expect from a Spanish restaurant in NYC. They do stand out though in the quality of their ingredients and their understanding that you don’t need to fuss with Spanish food too much. The lobster and paella are quite decent and prepared traditionally. The latter also has rabbit in the paella, so it can be challenging for vegetarians and pescatarians on the menu. However, for pescatarians, you do have more choices and work arounds than those who don’t eat meat or fish.
Service
For a place this cool, you would think they would have a holier-than-thou host stand to accompany the vibe. That’s actually not the case at all. From the moment you arrive, and till you leave, their team just keeps it real. It’s not like you can easily walk off the street and ask for a table without a reservation, but they’re not going to make you feel bad if you give it a shot. Service can sometimes be a bit slow especially since tables are always packed, but everyone tries their best. There’s a reason why this is a neighborhood spot that has been around for nearly 90 years. The service won’t win any awards but it’s still quite good.
Overall: 7/10. Betting it’s around for another 90.
Related Articles
The Review: Spanish Diner
A First Look: Casa Dani
Where to Eat in Madrid
FAQ’s
Q: What is the address of El Quijote?
A: 226 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
Q: Do you need a reservation at El Quijote?
A: During prime dinner hours, the answer is yes, especially if you want to eat that evening. El Quijote is a staple favorite of many, so yes you can roll the dice or come at off-peak hours without a reservation. However, it’s best to have a table arranged.
Q: What type of food does El Quijote serve?
A: El Quijote is classic Spanish food.
