Juan David Figueroa

3/27/2024, 12:06:51 AM

5/5 for the mole and the homemade conchas. As for the atmosphere, it’s colorful and lively, the staff is happy to be there and they demonstrate it with their warmth and friendliness. Now the food was not Mexico City standards, but it was probably the best Mexican food anywhere on this side of Brooklyn. I highly recommend the chicken mole which has a velvety chocolate and nutty taste.

maureen guerin

11/26/2024, 1:04:06 PM

So happy to have discovered Chavelas last night. Met up with a friend for dinner and was warmly greeted at the door by the hostess. The decor, lighting and music (overall vibe) made me feel instantly happy to be there. It's walk-in only but was fortunate to get a table at 6:15 because the place was full (on a Monday night) when we left. Alan, our server was wonderful and took great care of us. The spicy margarita was delicious and actually very spicy, which I appreciated. We absolutely loved the special short rib tacos and empanadas. So flavorful. We shared the Aurelia's mole and enjoyed the flavors but thought the chicken was a bit dry. That's the only slight criticism we had. Absolutely recommend this restaurant and I look forward to my next visit.

Roxana Guerra

5/7/2025, 4:21:02 PM

Nice cocktail bar with great drinks. I had the Jungle Bird and a plate of French fries. The indoors has nice ample seating. Will be back.

Bilqees Laghari

12/20/2024, 10:15:58 PM

Please do yourself a favor and try the crab tostada because that was the best crab dish I may have ever had in my life. Be sure to try the guacamole as well - it’s extremely fresh! I can’t remember my server’s name unfortunately (I think Cassandra? Taller with long hair), but she was so amazing. Very attentive and hospitable, as were the other staff. Definitely will be back with friends. Lucky to have this in Crown Heights!

Andre Olivier

3/25/2024, 3:41:41 PM

Had a great time at Altar, got some quick bites and a couple of cocktails and a mocktail. The Nada Colada was more strawberry than coconut in my opinion but still quite tasty. The fried chicken was delicious and the restaurant made sure to remove the sesame seed topping from the dish. Seems like it would be a nice date spot with the lighting and ambience.

Peter Hill

4/27/2025, 9:27:34 PM

Chavela's is a lovely restaurant which checks many of the boxes. The servers were professional and excellent. The food was quick in coming and tasted amazing. The music in the background was loud enough to hear but not drown conversations. Went on a Sunday around noon, the place was busy but thankfully as a party of two we did not have to wait. I recommend Chavela's.

Ash N. Patel

1/5/2025, 4:02:09 AM

Wonderful cozy Mexican eatery in the heart of Brooklyn. The menu is extensive with some great seafood options. Definitely will try the micheladas next time !

Catherine Woodin

7/25/2024, 3:46:59 AM

My family and I had such a wonderful experience when we all stopped by for some delicious tacos! It was the best New York taco I’ve ever had! (And I just moved here from Houston TX so I know my tacos)! The waiter literally made our day. He wasn’t rushed and made us just feel really taken care of which is something we all needed to feel as a family as all of our family who would normally be helping right now is back in Texas. My husband Ken just finished his last chemotherapy treatment two days ago, and he has been in unimaginable pain on and off for months. I’d have to say the atmosphere, the food and most importantly, the service made him feel so loved. We will be back!

Joshua Dyer

1/21/2025, 8:54:53 PM

Spanish restaurant offering delicious food and great service. Had the flank steak, it was perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy. The avocado salsa verde paired well for flavoring. The Sopa Azteca is a must try, it’s so flavorful, bursting with rich, vibrant spices. Greta dining experience!

Abby Oldham

1/29/2025, 7:42:37 PM

Exactly the best Mexican Restaurant in New York, maybe in United States!! Tacos is good, tortillias are good, cocktails are also amazing. If you want to eat tasty and not gonna leave one million dollars in the restaurant, it is the best choice. Some pics of the food also)

Yoni Cohen

3/23/2025, 7:15:36 PM

Me and some friends went to the place on Saturday night to have a drink and catch up. There were 5 of us. We ordered drinks that were good, but I've had better things. Prices are affordable for every budget. The atmosphere in the place is a little strange because they try to catch all types of customers, whether it's the European design, the Brooklyn songs, or the luxurious service. Everything was very nice until the bill came and they charged us 20% for a large party. There were 5 of us on an order of $80. Of course we added a tip, but it's not cool to charge 20% for a large party, which is why the rating is 3 stars.

Tiffany Jae

3/1/2025, 1:02:51 AM

I just searched for a place with mocktails and this popped up as the best mocktails ever! I just wanted to be outside and clear my thoughts. I ended up actually drinking a few cocktails. The bartender was very attentive as soon as I sat down he poured me a glass of water. The vibe was definitely there. It wasn’t super packed. I arrived at 12:10am ish. People were in and out. Some celebrating birthdays, Some stopping by for a night cap, some catching up with friends and others (me) drinking solo at the bar and writing in her journal. I enjoyed my short lived time here and the menu, music, vibe. For any occasion Altar seems to be the go to. I definitely will be back. I only came for a drink and a vibe but the menu definitely tempted me to get an appetizer. Chai Tai is strong but definitely a show stopper. I was later joined + broke my solitude & the apps were enjoyable. If you like tin-fish try the Boquerones.

Nidhi

5/4/2025, 3:15:05 PM

Good drinks, ok mocktails, great neighborhood bar type of atmosphere. Our server was attentive and nice and the chai tai was too fun!

Finn Duggan

1/19/2025, 5:06:08 AM

One of the best experiences I have had in NYC. Food was exquisite, staff and service were 10/10, drinks were amazing and everything was very very well priced. Had the chicken quesadillas as well as chicken tacos were delicious. But best part was, on my way out one of the great gentlemans working their pull me aside for a shot of tequila with him on the house… how good! Would recommend to everyone local or tourist!

Jerelle Reverack

7/29/2024, 2:39:02 PM

This was my first time and when I left, I could not stop talking about this place. ABSOLUTELY delish!! The atmosphere is beautiful, I went with a friend but it can definitely make for a nice date night! I had a variety of fish and shrimp tacos, chips with guacamole, and a really strong margarita! Can't wait to go again once I'm back in NY!!

Filippo Gentile

5/2/2024, 12:18:25 PM

Excellent food and atmosphere. Really high quality Mexican food with great staff. The guacamole is served in a traditional lava bowl with house made tortilla ‘chips’ and the tacos are next level. Neighborhood gem. Highly recommended.

Tameka

3/29/2025, 11:54:41 AM

The food was ok, but it was missing the authentic Mexican flavors. I read the reviews, and it was mentioned that “this is the best Mexican food in the city.”……I guess people don’t get out much. The biggest disappointment was the churros; I was distraught. I am an eat dessert first kind of gal, but if I had eaten these churros first, I would have left right after. There was NO crunch, and the middle was oily and soft, two things that are big no-nos when we are talking about churros. I could have cried on the spot, and no, I’m not being dramatic; dessert is my thing. Check out my review before this one if uou want to try an amazing Mexican restaurant, they are my favorite, from start to finish! 🙌🏾 As for service, I felt rushed. When I put down my fork, they grabbed it IMMEDIATELY. I didn’t get the “hey stay have another drink vibe,” instead it’s been 30 minutes you had ONE drink and some food, byeeeee. It's not the place where I want to have a pitcher of sangria and hang out. I won't be back.

Howard “Howie” Tran

4/17/2025, 6:25:14 PM

The food we ordered was disappointing. We love Mexican food & I have made multiple trips to Mexico, but this food was blah. The Huevos Rancheros were inedible, and the tacos also tasted off. The best things were the guacamole & homemade tortilla chips, and the quesadillas, but even these were just okay, not great, just okay. Also, the food was overpriced for the area and what you get. Perhaps this place used to be better, or this was an off day. We’ve eaten much better Mexican food in the East Village, our neighborhood. On our way out we noticed they have a “B” sanitary rating, this may explain part of the problem. The plates & glasses were a bit dirty.

Ray Gonzalez

2/24/2025, 5:14:35 PM

- Yo NYC+ how we doing?! I’m back w/ another review, on this evening joined by my partner we celebrate our anniversary at a completely new restaurant to us, spontaneous much. This place had an energetic vibe to it off the jump, we definitely did not reserve b/c we didn’t think that far ahead but we highly recommend it! It’s very lively & we were met w/ a short line & a 10 min wait time for a walk in(honestly great turnover rate). The staff was super generous & flowed like water through the night; super attentive & helpful. The food was absolutely flavorful & good portions for the price ! The drinks were well balanced & crafted w/ love & the desserts topped off the sequence perfectly! Pay these folks a visit on your free time if you in the area, ya heard?!

Patrick No

4/28/2025, 2:21:32 AM

A nice elevated Mexican neighborhood restaurant in the crown heights / prospect heights area. As we walked in, this place immediately got a line out the door, it gets packed on the weekends! The food was solid. The Plato don Carne was quite good, the chicken imo was better than the steak. The enchiladas mariscos was okay. The shrimp and crabmeat were good. Salmon was an odd choice for a filling. Mole was standard mole, nothing too insane. The pozole was one of the better pozoles I’ve had. The ceviche was fresh and delicious! Salsas were fine and the guacamole was fresh. Overall, I think I would come back and try some different stuff.

Rami Abukalam

6/18/2024, 1:43:23 AM

Been here multiple times, brunch and dinner. The atmosphere is always banging and yet the wait is almost never an issue - non-existent most times. I honestly don't understand how this place works, it is so well managed. Staff are 100%, vibes are 100%, food is always great. 5*, one of Crown Heights' best spots, without a doubt.

JP Shelton

3/19/2025, 9:01:35 PM

Came for hour happy hour. Good option, not a stellar option. A busy place, good for family or large groups. Interior is fun.