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El Pote Español
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Albee Square

El Pote Español

★★★★ 4.4 · 101 reseñas

At El Pote Español, we bring the vibrant flavors of Spain straight to Albee Square in New York City. Nestled at 718 2nd Ave, our charming restaurant offers a delightful dining experience that has earned us a well-deserved rating of 4.4/5 based on 456 reviews. We specialize in aut...

El Pote Español

Spanish · Albee Square

Savor Spanish flavors in NYC's heart

4.4 · 456 reviews Google

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elpoterestaurant.com

About El Pote Español

At El Pote Español, we bring the vibrant flavors of Spain straight to Albee Square in New York City. Nestled at 718 2nd Ave, our charming restaurant offers a delightful dining experience that has earned us a well-deserved rating of 4.4/5 based on 456 reviews. We specialize in authentic Spanish cuisi...

At El Pote Español, we bring the vibrant flavors of Spain straight to Albee Square in New York City. Nestled at 718 2nd Ave, our charming restaurant offers a delightful dining experience that has earned us a well-deserved rating of 4.4/5 based on 456 reviews. We specialize in authentic Spanish cuisine, from hearty paella and tender tapas to fresh seafood and bold pintxos. Our diverse menu caters to various tastes and preferences, ensuring there's something for everyone. Whether you're seeking a casual lunch or a special dinner, our friendly staff is here to make your experience memorable. Join us at El Pote Español and discover the warmth of Spain in every bite.

What Customers Say About El Pote Español

El Pote Español is praised for its delicious Spanish cuisine, especially the paella and mushroom croquettes. Customers consistently highlight the friendly and attentive service, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Some find it pricey with smaller portions.

Popular Dishes

mushroom croquettes squid ink paella Paella Valencia lemon marinated artichoke hearts marina paella Arroz con Pollo pork cheek caldo gallego soup

Best For

Groups Locals Celebrations

Tip: The sangria is really good but strong, so be cautious. Friday lunch special is a great value.

Features

📶 WiFi 🅿️ Parking 🚗 Delivery Accessible 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 👥 Groups

What to see nearby

Highpoint Condominiums
A 106m

Highpoint Condominiums

edificio

View details
325 East 38th Street
A 112m

325 East 38th Street

edificio

View details
Iglesia de San Gabriel (Manhattan)
A 141m

Iglesia de San Gabriel (Manhattan)

iglesia

View details
East Side Airline Terminal
A 145m

East Side Airline Terminal

edificio

View details
333 East 38th Street
A 160m

333 East 38th Street

edificio

View details
600 Third Avenue
A 174m

600 Third Avenue

edificio

View details

Data from Wikidata

Explore the area around El Pote Español

El Pote Español is located in Albee Square, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.

Religious Buildings

  • Iglesia de San Gabriel (Manhattan) (A 141m) — former church building in Manhattan, United States of America

Parks & Gardens

  • Saint Vartan Park (A 253m) — park in Manhattan, New York City, United States of America

Other Points of Interest

  • Highpoint Condominiums (A 106m) — apartment building in Manhattan, New York, New York, USA
  • 325 East 38th Street (A 112m) — commercial building in Manhattan, New York
  • East Side Airline Terminal (A 145m) — former New York City multi-airport terminal
  • 333 East 38th Street (A 160m) — commercial building in Manhattan, New York
  • 600 Third Avenue (A 174m)
  • Windsor Tower (A 234m) — building in New York City, United States of America
  • Bush Terminal Company Building (A 238m)
  • 207 East 36th Street (A 246m) — commercial building in Manhattan, New York

Data from Wikidata

Frequently asked questions about El Pote Español

El Pote Español is located at 718 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016, Albee Square.
Near El Pote Español you can find points of interest such as Highpoint Condominiums, 325 East 38th Street, Iglesia de San Gabriel (Manhattan), East Side Airline Terminal.
El Pote Español offers spanish cuisine.
El Pote Español has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
El Pote Español offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway, delivery.
The most recommended dishes at El Pote Español based on customer reviews are: mushroom croquettes, squid ink paella, Paella Valencia, lemon marinated artichoke hearts, marina paella.
El Pote Español is ideal for groups, locals, celebrations.
El Pote Español is praised for its delicious Spanish cuisine, especially the paella and mushroom croquettes. Customers consistently highlight the friendly and attentive service, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Some find it pricey with smaller portions.
The sangria is really good but strong, so be cautious. Friday lunch special is a great value.
456
Reviews

El Pote Español Albee Square Reviews

4.4
456
5★
66%
4★
20%
3★
7%
2★
3%
1★
4%
Reviews (101)
A
Aridia Martin

I've been coming to El Pote for years and even post Covid the excellent service and delicious food remains outstanding. For seafood lovers their Paella is a must have.

E
Enrique Cisneros

I have been visiting this restaurant for a few years and they have always been very nice and friendly. The spectacular and delicious food whenever friends and family come from my country I take them to eat at this restaurant.

S
Sam Streeter

Amazing tapas and sangria (try the artichokes!) great atmosphere, and wonderful service! Will be going back for the paella that is assembled table side!

N
Nicole Aigner

Excellent food and service 👌

j
jeff fitzgerald

Small but attractive space. Good service and great food. Paella wonderful. Arroz con Pollo outstanding. Shrimp in garlic sauce fantastico!

S
Stephanie

Love this food, it's so delicious. My mother used to work at the U.N and she brought me her as a little girl im now 36. As long as they're in business I'm there.

m
maria sanz

I have been a patron of this restaurant almost since opening day along with many of my family and friends. Used to bring my kids there when he was still a baby and today he's celebrating his 29th birthday there. I can say that the food as well as the service is FANTASTIC. I'm from Spain and can tell you the food is authentic. Love the owners Enrique and Pepe and love the staff.

F
Francisco Martin

My daughter made the great choice of taking me to El Pote for Father’s Day. What a great place! Food great, service fantastic and profesional. I can’t wait to go back.

S
Steve Vera

The food was amazing. Rum & coke special was smooth and did not taste over poured. Salad items such as apples, mango and chicken were all fresh. The Huevos Flamenco wow.......

D
David Krivit

Great place for classics like pulpo (octopus) as well as calamari, shrimps in verde, classic tortilla and all your Spanish faves. Lots of wines and beers and well-staffed to keep it moving.

E
Eric Helque

They'll never get a Michelin star, and who cares? This is old school at its best. I went there last week after a year of staying away because of Covid, and it felt like a reunion with old friends. The waiters have been there forever, they know their stuff inside out and they really want you to feel at home and have a good time. The food is solid and very tasty, the portions are generous and the prices are right. If you are really hungry, do try the porc osso bucco! This is one of the very few restaurants in New York where you can almost feel old Europe in the air. And their backyard for outdoor dining is a great addition. Quite simply a Midtown gem.

H
Holy Moly B.

The food is amazing. Small place but the atmosphere was beautiful. This is my second time going and I brought couple new friends this time, they also enjoyed it. Service was good too.

D
Denise Diego

I grew up coming to this little gem. It is hidden but it has a home feeling to it. The food is amazing. Spanish food that brings you back home to Spain. Exquisite tastes, friendly faces, and just a pleasure to continue visiting! A MUST!

P
Pedro Alonso

If you are looking for real spanish food in nyc, this is the best place by far!! I'm originally from Spain and believe me, this is the best spanish restaurant I've had so far in the US. I've been living in nyc for over two years now, and had given up on finding a good spanish restaurant. All other places in the city I've been to are overly expensive, with small portions, and taste just good but not great. So you cannot even believe how happy I was when the other day I finally found a good spanish place I can go to whenever I miss home! Seriously, I was so happy, I had given up already on finding a good spanish restaurant here, which was surprising given how good nyc is for dinning out. El Pote is delicious, taste really similar than what you find in Spain, and the portions are very generous, similar to how they are in Spain. Also, the price is really afordable for nyc standards, which I really appreciate as a student :). I went the other day and tried: Paella Valenciana, Paella de Marisco, squid (calamares en su tinta), and scallops (caracoles). Everything was delicious, but the Paella Valenciana and the Squid were specially amazing! It's a must to order them at least once if you go. I'll definitely be coming back many more times and update the review with everything I try!

M
Marilyn Kane

This is a lovely neighborhood gem. We love the backyard patio space for outdoor dining. The waiters are wonderful. The food is excellent authentic Spanish cuisine.

B
Bassam Marzooq

One of the most authentic restaurant in ny, great food and place , recommend the paellas dishes.

L
Laura Gale

This is an excellent neighborhood restaurant. The Gamba is the best - flavorful and great for dunking the delicious bread in! The paella is the best I have had in ages - try the combo with shrimp, sausage, chicken and scallops. Yum!

F
Frank Fernandez

Must try octopus galician style ,escargot ,jamón serrano w/manchego platter to start. Main dishes from osobuco/ vealchops to paellas my favorite paella negra made with squid ink, nice selection of spanishwines . Finish off with flan or tres leches cortado and orujo de yerbas.

V
Vibezz

Got 2 flans and they were amazing. The people there were so nice

A
Alex Berry

Our family has been going to this restaurant for forty years. It was a fixture in my grandparents' social circle and remains one for my family today. The food is amazing but the service, wait staffs and owners are even better

B
Betty Smith

We have been to this restaurant for over 20 years. The food always excellent and the waiters are always welcoming and attentive. Red Sangria always is our choice 🤤

A
Aracelys

If you want amazing food,drinks,great staff, ambiance and clean ,this is the restaurant. We truly enjoy, feel relax and feel great the moment we enter and leave happy with the satisfaction of great service and more.......

T
Traci

Love this old school Spanish restaurant in a sea of pretty lackluster options. The staff was super friendly and warm to me, dining alone before a nearby appointment. I loved the Spanish omelette which could have fed two people easily. The decor is definitely old world with wood throughout and the servers dress professionally. Would definitely come back!

J
Juhee Pae

So good!!! We got the octopus appetizer, seafood paella, veal chop, and flan to-go. I would recommend every one of these dishes, as they were all very delicious, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The portion was very generous and enough to share. Compliments to the chef!

T
Tom Brondolo

Classic local place. Good Spanish cuisine.

J
Josh Carty

I’ve eaten at many places across the country. I have to say, this place was perfect. The food is a definite must. And hands down, the BEST service I’ve experienced. The attention to detail, promptness, and care is absolutely unmatched! Thank you for a wonderful experience El Pote Español!

A
Andrea N

The Black Rice with Seafood is a must! Marciscada was excellent. Chicken Sauteed with Lemon and Garlic was delicious. Can't decided which was better! Service was friendly and efficient. We will be back.

A
Auntie Alex

Delicious! We ate here today for the first time, my uncle had the seafood paella, which he said was great, and I had two appetizers instead of a main course: spinach bacalhau and rice bacalhau, both quite yummy, especially the spinach. Service was just right (although we were there at a dead hour halfway between lunch and dinner, so it was pretty empty). Will definitely be returning!

V
V. Cowan

My husband's family has been going to El Pote since they opened a log time ago. We have had many meals and celebrations there over the years. The food is delicious! The paella is the best - though my favorite is the stuffed lobster. Their chips, gazpacho, garlic soup, shrimp in garlic sauce, tortilla espanol, paella negra and chorizo are all outstanding. It is our go-to place to meet friends for dinner. One friend loved it so much he went back for lunch the next day. I remember when the current waiters were busboys. They keep their staff. We are always warmly welcomed when we arrive and get a warm goodnight when we close the place down. I hope they are around for another forty years!

A
Acgutman

This is a good restaurant that is run and owned by Spaniards. Food is good and prices are very fair, will go back soon

H
Henry Tavarez

Nice spot for some paella. Great spot . I enjoyed the service. They were very attentive. Also described the difference between 2 types of paella for me. Loved the atmosphere will be going there soon.

N
Nancy Vasquez

Very good food, great price point. Attentive staff. Becoming a regular

H
Henry Torres

My wife and I finally ate here during the Lunch Specials time and were not disappointed, I had the Paella Valenciana which was extremely flavorful and enough to take a dogey bag home. My wife had the Chicken Milanese appetizer and enjoyed it immensely. We had a half carafe of red sangria which met our expectations. The service was very cordial and warm. Prices were on target. My espresso was exceptional, and this was lunch. We had after lunch drinks at the bar and felt the intimacy of the small bar. We will be back.

A
Ana Hilda Medina Camilo

Today I was celebrating my husband's birthday and the service was excellent. The food is incredible. Everyone working at the restaurant is friendly and very attentive. Thank you for everything! 😃

j
j handy (Handyman review)

Great Spanish food. The chorizo was super, arroz con pollo, pallea was delicious. Prices good. The best part was the outdoor room in the back. Find this gem and enjoy! Update 7/21/22 gazpacho was very good however main courses took a step down from last year. Maybe not the place to go on a Wednesday?

M
Melissa W.

El Pote is delicious and authentic. Really flavorful paella. We tried only two types and they were both wonderful. The paella Negra and paella Valencia were very well made. Rice not too dry or too wet. Like Goldilocks it was just right!

J
Jim Ryder

Service was amazing!! Shared 2 appetizers and a paella that was EXACTLY the right amount of food, and was utterly DELICIOUS! Then HAD to try the chocolate bread pudding that was so dense that it bent light more than a black hole. Absolutely amazing dinner. The house red is delicious, and the staff is super attentive and courteous. I will be back!!

D
Doug Mead

Come here ever time I come to NYC to see the Mets play. The seafood paella is my favorite. The waiters are kind enough to allow me to practice my bad Spanish with them. But remember, this is a Spanish restaurant. Not Mexican.

N
Nelly Godoy

We where in the neighborhood and came upon this restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised to find the food delicious. We order the vegetable paella so for those vegetarians definitely recommend. My daughter had the calamari and back so coquettes and enjoyed her appetizer’s that became her dinner. We also ordered the garlic chicken dish and lastly Garlic soup this was a first for me and I definitely recommend the soup it was different and just has a wonderful creamy garlic and egg taste and ended the evening with cappuccinos and a hot chocolate. As for the service 10 STARS everyone was professional, helpful and kind to us. We could not had asked for a better experience. As for the prices it maybe little pricey but the food was delicious and again service was excellent. We will be coming back with friends and family in the near future. Enjoy / Buen Provecho

J
Jeanette Garcia

Always a delight to eat at El Pote Espanola. Have been going there for about thirty three yrs or more and I've never had a bad meal. The best Paella I've had. The waiters are the same ones from the time I've been visiting. They are very attentive. They work together to create a wonderful experience for their customers. I highly recommend it. My husbands favorite place for a great meal on special occasions or not so special ones.

R
Reid G.

Just happenstance to stop for a quick lunch at this excellent and authentic Spanish restaurant. The lightly battered egg-dipped shrimp with perfect black beans and rice was as good as it gets!

K
Kassandra F

We celebrated Valentine's Day here in style. Caracoles. Paella Valencia (lobster added). Sangria. The ambiance. Service and food were just perfect for our night. We are so lucky to have them in our neighborhood. They have great happy hour specials too.

C
Christina Rhode

The food is excellent and the seafood paella is mine and my husband's favorite. We also love to get a pitcher of the white sangria, so refreshing. The service is always excellent as well, and somehow it is never too crowded to seat us. This is our favorite paella place in NYC. Highly recommend. I also just tried their Tartufo the other night and it was made extra special.

M
Mattie Uban

Sunday 7/25/21 have not been to this restaurant for over 15 years. Food, Service, Deco music are still great! Tonight our servers Francisco and Damian (new employee) were exceptional. They now have a backyard which of course I had to dine in. Very nice and cozy. Yes! a must go to visit and yes! Recommendable!

H
Hector Cordero

Great Spanish Restaurant. We went there to try "Caldo Gallego" but was run out after a few servings. The alternatives were good though. For dessert, we tried chocolate pudding and 'flan de tres leches" (see the photos). Both were delicious.

I
I'm Thanos.

I had the best octopus that had been pounded and softened, shrimp ajillo, and squid ink paella. This is one of those places you will want to go back to again and again. Closing time is 9pm, so be sure to get there early.

S
Sayward Mazur

Three of us for dinner and we all had different dishes. Excellent. I had a great paella Valencia large enough for two, a delicious gazpacho and a taste of the squid in its own ink. Tasted the excellent mariscada as well. Service was very good and attentive. A foodie's place a bit off the beaten path. And its fair prices make it just about perfect. Ambience good but not quite romantic.

L
Linus Lainez

The food is exquisite and The workers there make you feel like family.

Y
Yvonne C.

Small, quaint, attentive staff, great food! Miscada with lobster, green sauce was delicious!

a
adolfo vargas

my father who worked in the UN (not a diplomat fat cat, but an engineer and economist from a hard working family), he would take me here on my birthday. what a man. i adored him, and still do even though he’s passed so long ago. i come here now and then with my mom and family. one of the waiters was able to buy the business and persevered through good and bad years. that’s the way it’s supposed to be. it’s been there since the 1970’s? 1980’s? no small feat for a nyc restaurant. the food is delicious. the atmosphere is so pleasant, real, and very new york. nothing fancy, just a place for a good, honest paella and sangria. not cheap but not expensive. love this place.

P
Paul BinCT

My girlfriend and I have made this part of our ritual whenever we're in NYC. Have been here probably 10 times in the last two years and have never been disappointed in any way. It's "old school" but in the most charming way. The staff is friendly but utterly professional, and very efficient in a polished way. And the food is amazing. Have never had a bad dish. Absolutely try the squid in ink sauce. Sounds odd but it's incredible. The paella is world class. And the prices are very reasonable. Oh yeah... the sangria. I don't even like sangria, theirs must have crack in it, it's that addictive. Actually... forget everything I said. Stay away. It's perfect just as it is, and I don't want to have trouble getting a table.

S
Santa Fe Blue

The most authentic , consistent and friendly Spanish restaurant in town . Galicia and Spain at their culinary best. Excellent service , charming setting . Going strong for decades ! A true favorite

F
Freda Lee

We ordered the Veal with Almond Sauce and the Paella Valencia, and everything was excellent. My husband enjoyed his mimosas, and even the complimentary bread was delicious. The service staff were outstanding—very friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Our server went above and beyond by suggesting that he split the rice onto our plates, which made the meal much more convenient. He even offered to replace the extra rice with spinach, and it ended up complementing the entire dish perfectly. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be coming back.

J
Joe Restivo

A friend and I decided to eat at this place when we travelled to NYC for work. MAN, what an awesome spot! There was no wait, the server was incredibly kind, and the food was top notch. I personally leaned into lots of seafood but my friend got the veal cordon bleu that was just as delicious as the seafood. We finished out the meal with a tres leches flan and homemade tiramisu - for me, the tiramisu was some of the best I’ve ever had. The place closed at 9 and the staff and server let us order dessert and coffee at 8:55 and let us stay to finish up eating and pay. We were shocked that the place wasn’t packed because it deserves to be!

David M
David M

Friday lunch special was great. It is a wonderful, quiet place with attentive waiters and reasonable prices.

Kiril Kuzmin
Kiril Kuzmin

This places serves real Spanish food, which does not happen too often in the United States, unfortunately. Lovely. The only thing that I would change is that majority of tables are in the open area, I would prefer a bit more intimate atmosphere.

C B (CB)
C B (CB)

Muchísimas gracias por todos los años de excelente servicio y deliciosa comida! Y por celebrar conmigo un año mas! I work in the area and I have been a loyal customer for almost 15 years and although many things have changed food quality and excellent service haven’t! Staff is attentive and knowledgeable, I always feel welcomed there! Whether you want a solo lunch at the bar or come with a happy group of friends for yheir delicious sangria and paella you won’t be disappointed!! Lunch specials are great, so is the paella, solomillo, bacalao and pollo al ajillo. Desserts are delicious! tres leches flan was a chef’s kiss! Come for the sangria stay for the service!! Thank you guys for all the years of service and good memories!

Ignace Manoury
Ignace Manoury

The vibe here completes the package of a good dining experience. They focus on quality ingredients and satisfying amounts. El Pote Español masters both flavor and presentation. The staff displays sincere hospitality. This restaurant delivers quality that appeals to all.

Patrick Lopez
Patrick Lopez

I have been going to El Pote since I was a baby and while I don’t remember those early visits I remember the recent ones with fondness. The staff is excellent. They have always been friendly and accommodating, but beyond that they are remarkably good at their job. The food has always been delicious and the portions are usually more than my family and I can handle, leading to the arguments of who gets to eat the leftovers. The red sangria is a staple for my family followed by some combination of paella and most recently the fideua. El Pote is an establishment of New York and should be revered amongst New Yorkers who enjoy quality.

Dianne Simmons
Dianne Simmons

This spot makes food that changes your standards. Words seem inadequate to describe such taste. The team handled requests with remarkable skill. The kitchen knows its craft and the servers are kind. This restaurant welcomes all types.

Terixo Smitix
Terixo Smitix

Yelp reviewers were right about how good this place is. The team here offers thoughtful service. The food is absolutely magnificent. Positive atmosphere that works. Stop in and test the quality yourself.

D Ritch
D Ritch

This place has been around forever, probably for a reason. It has the best paella I know of in manhattan. The manager (is he the proprietor?) is often around at dinner and stops by each table - it’s always nice to see that. Warning: the sangria is really good and it’ll hit you before you know it.

Zorica "Zora" Poljak, eXp Realty
Zorica "Zora" Poljak, eXp Realty

The food at El Pote Español was absolutely delicious! The staff was friendly, welcoming, and made the experience feel warm and personal.

Vergie Javier
Vergie Javier

Dishes are good portion, flavorful and tasted fresh. Positive vibe , staff are effecient and friendly.Restroom clean.

Mike Miguel
Mike Miguel

El Pote Español offers a delightful dining experience with a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The service was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, making for a pleasant evening. We had a great time! Staff is very friendly and the food is exquisite! Highly recommended! Thank you!

Jessica Ruiz cardona
Jessica Ruiz cardona

It is a Spanish restaurant, with some Asturia classic food and Spanish food in general. Small place, elegant, good service, varied kind of wine, the door it is closed, but they are open from 12. The restrooms always clean. I recommend it.

Khang Tran
Khang Tran

My group ordered the squid ink calamari, chicken liver, and the Paella Valencia. I rate the value of this place extremely well. You get a large amount of food for the mains and the cost is surprisingly decent for a place in Manhattan nowadays. The constant flow of toasted bread was very appreciated to mop up the delicious sauces. All the food tasted very good and it would take me forever to describe each dish. The service was amazing, I could literally not drink my cup of water even a tiny bit past half the glass before it would be filled up. I assume that I would need to chug it in 1 gulp in order to not half it full for a second. The atmosphere is intimate and good for dates, while also being chill for groups of friends or family. It has an old school vibe with its decor. The worker are friendly and warm. I highly recommend everyone try this amazing old school restaurant out.

stan yu
stan yu

Incredible! We had a party of 10 and the service was very accommodative on a short notice. The mushroom croquettes was a super delicious appetizer and highly recommend. Also highly recommend the squid ink paella. Very rich in flavor and lots of seafood.

Mark Shehata
Mark Shehata

For a place that doesn’t look so appealing from the outside, well worth the visit for what’s in the inside! Absolutely delicious plates to share, great desserts, and very friendly staff! We tried the lemon marinated artichoke hearts and marina paella, both were well seasoned and delicious. Taramiso cake slices were great as well!

L
Lisa Benke

hands down the best spanish restaurant in the city. just try to compete with their sangria roja or mariscada en salsa verde! this family run hidden gem is always packed with older regulars from the neighborhood, who know where to find exceptional cuisine!

d
david dweck

Great find! On the hunt for authentic gazpacho and that brought me to El Pote. Great old school service, plentiful portions and delicious! The Friday fish lunch special is bursting with flavor and the homemade sangria is a perfect accompaniment. Salud!

P
Pei-Cen Lin

A cozy quint Spanish restaurant that has been around for ages. The servers have also been there for ages. I highly recommend the paella and they would also make vegetarian paella upon request. Other favorites are the sangria and the desserts.

D
Danny Littwin

Great service. Good food. I found the Sangria to be too sugary and yet bitter from citrus peel. But the Crianza from 2018 was stellar.

D
Douglas Blake

I went in thinking it wasn’t going to be my place. As the @eater article I read said it’s been in the neighborhood for over 30 years and nothing has changed. Not the menu, the decor or the waiters. The service was lazy but the food really surprised me. Very solid and a worthy place for a meal.

P
Paul R

We liked this restaurant very much except it was very noisy. Not the crowd so much as the music. It made conversation difficult. But the food and service were both very good.

C
Christina Chao

I am surprised that such a great restaurant only gets this much rating? It is my favorite place in the hood, and my family's go to place. Love the lobster and sea food. The inside decoration is also very welcome and homy.

A
Adam Georgiou

Go to this place for paella. Both their fish and meat versions are out of this world. Service is top-notch, too. They make me feel like a regular in here every time I go. It has a kind of mob-boss feel to it. You'll feel more comfortable in a button up shirt, but there's no real hard formality to the place. Good stuff.

R
Roberto Figueroa

Great food, great staff cozy place warm atmosphere. I highly recommend it for traditional Spanish restaurant

E
Ellen

Seafood and chicken paella was good but not the most authentic looking or tasting. Their white sangria was tasty! Casual and unassuming restaurant where I can see people being regulars.

i
indah nuria Savitri

Coming back here again for the paella! Always love the seafood one and it’s sooo delicious. Plus it comes in a big portion, so I can have some for take-away. The fried calamari is good and the black ink rice is also lovely. Don’t forget to the deserts as well! Profiteroles are the best! Staff is friendly, the service is good and the price is reasonable

J
Jim Blinn

Homey neighborhood restaurant with a comfortable but a bit tired feel. Spanish dishes are executed well but could stand to be refreshed a bit.

E
Ellen

Split a paella negra between 2 people, and it was enough to fill both of us. The restaurant was very nice about it, and they served us two identical paella portions on separate plates, making sure we each got some pieces of clam, scallop, shrimp, etc. I liked the flavours in the paella, and there was a decent amount of seafood, but I wish it came with more veggies.

N
Narod Haroutunian

Cosy place! Had the paella lunch special and a glass of sangria. Paid 22$ total. They were both absolutely delicious!!!!! The only problem is that after leaving, we all smelled like fried food. Clothes, hair everything. Was really weird..

J
Jill Gerard

Cozy and sweet place. You might consider a reservation. Prices were pretty reasonable. Food was good. Cod with spinach and Manchego was really good. Order a side of rice though as it is rich and comes just as stated--fish, greens, creamy cheese sauce. More saucy as fish is shredded. Garlic shrimp yummy. chicken Milanese, boring.

G
G C

Food was good 5 plates we try. Stuffed mushrooms , snails ,beef really good. artichokes and pork chops was not good. Cocktails was not good. Service was attentive and fast.

Christine
Christine

This is a neighborhood place with classic Spanish decor and cuisine. We stumbled into little gem on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed delicious gambas allijo, paella valencia (full of flavor infused into the rice), chicken milanese and flan con tres leche. Of course, we had a bottle of Spanish wine and Sangria….took a nap afterwards 😊

ben l
ben l

Last time I ate here must have been almost 30 years ago. This mainstay is just as good as I remember albeit pricier and with smaller portions. We had the catch of the day which happened to be cod, paella Negra, Arroz con Pollo, and pork cheek! Appetizers were pulpo estilo feria & mussels! The dishes were full of flavor, fresh and distinctly El pote! Do try out this spot that's a bit out of the way but worth the trek!

J
Juan Pablo Sarmiento Parcha

Waiters are kind and affable and the place looks nice but the food is from “meh” to bad. The paella was poor; not very good rice and poor presentation. The “veal del chef” was just a greasy flat concoction. I lived in Spain for many years and honestly never saw anything like it (it felt more like a take on Italian cheesy chicken). The rice that accompanied it (instant!) was also very bland. Would not come again.

G
G&L Motors

Other staff was very attentive and Friendly. The ambiance was nice but not special. I had chicken cutlets with rice. I found this to be very ordinary. The couple I was with at osso buco, and found that to be very tasty. I don't believe I will be very interested in patronizing this restaurant again.

R
Richard McTaggart

While the staff service was excellent at this establishment, I found the main course a bit bland, not at all you would expect from a Spanish restaurant. However, the appetizers were tasty. Should I ever go back, I will stick to the Tapas menu.

J
Jaye Aster Broder

El Pote is a nice old-time family style Spanish restaurant in Murray Hill with old world charm. The quality of food is hi. Staff are friendly. It is quiet enough to talk. The paella is served from a larger pot onto a plate for you to eat but they will refill the paella on your plate and pack what you didn’t eat in the pot. The paella is tasty but you lose the visual ahhh moment when it is served this way and need to wait for the server to refill. The chicken milanese was okay but not as thin as I normally like and had less green veggies.

David Halpern
David Halpern

Food was ok at best. A little cheaper than newer downtown places and some good old school atmosphere, but the food didn’t hold up

D
D. M.

Two stars because I don't hate it. It was nothing special. It is fake spanish food, not Spaniard more like salty over cooked burn latin food. The paella had no saffron which is one of the main ingredients and the rice was not paella rice. they gave me burnt chorizo and the waiter had a nasty atittute. This place is for someone who does know anything about Spanish food. I lived there in 2010.

J
JENITZA CENTENO

the service was excellent the food was disappointing low portion the chicken cutlass had a very odd taste and hardly no Seasoning the rice tasted like it came out of a Goya Spanish yellow rice box the atmosphere was ok except the other customers at the bar gives you the look like you don't belong there

K
Kimberly Grove

I must say eating here was disappointing. We had the garlic shrimp appetizer which was nothing special, gazpacho which was a cream based soup and was the best thing we ate. We got scallops which were ok and I got shrimp in green sauce which was terrible and had no taste. Even added fresh lemon juice and still no flavor.

Carlos Crespo
Carlos Crespo

On Tuesday, we ordered paella & 4 orders of caldo gallego soup for the New year eve dinner at home. Upon arriving I was told that they didn't have any caldo gallego! How is it that we can order ahead and they didn't have or make more? The paella wasn't up to their standards. Very disappointed!

N
N P

Key take away: Never go back, we live in the building and I adore Spanish food but I would never set my foot in there again Let's start with the good points: seated immediately upon arrival, linen napkins, fish was not overcooked Now we get to the bad points which unfortunately was most of the visit: Timing: Despite ordering off the lunch menu we waited 45-50min for our food, when asked they said there had been a mistake but no clarification was provided Food: Everything can be forgiven for good food but this was terrible. I grew up in Spain and this is neither Spanish nor well cooked under any definition beyond the fish not being overcooked. To start, they serve bread rolls (the cheap ones you get in any 3 dollar deli breakfast sandwich) with cold butter (for those not aware you would never encounter this in Spain, not the type of bread nor the lack of olive oil), after waiting for over 45min we finally get our main dish, fish in salsa verde (green sauce). I had asked what it was served with and told it was served with spinach, let's just say the spinach never appeared. The potatoes I had requested were over fried thin slices, something that clearly had attempted to become chips but were too thick, imagine a sometimes crunchy, sometimes soggy mess. Lets discuss the main point of the dish, fish in salsa verde, the fish was cooked, but the sauce.... someone should have translated for the cook as no where did it say thickened soup with dried parsley on top. It was a goopy yellow mess with zero flavor except salt and sprinkled with dried parsley on top Service: Not once were we asked how the food was, not once were we informed of the delay, we literally had to wave them down for any interaction yet somehow once we asked for the bill two waiters wanted us to look at the desserts

R
Rocco Govas

I just left the restaurant and it was the worst experience that I had with food. It does not taste anything like Spanish food. The paella was too salty and it didn’t even taste authentic.not sure what part of Spain but certainly is not Spanish. Not even the tapas tasted like they are supposed to.

Y
Yair Aviner

Mediocre. Service was brusque and impersonal. Food was disappointing, especially at these prices. Paella was underspiced and the meats in it were overcooked. Shrimp in wine dish was bland as well, and the accompanying rice was a mushed mess. Supposedly they have an extended wine menu but I was never offered it. At a place like this you expect classic dishes done impeccably; sadly, I'd recommend you look elsewhere.

A
Adriana de Wit

Worst experience EVER! I have been there before but we have never been treated so bad by the owner and staff. We were a group of 12 and when we made the reservation asked if we could have separate checks. Some of us never drink, others never have dessert and many of us always drink and have dessert. We were told that yes, we could have separate checks. When we arrived and were seated the owner came and told us we could not have separate accounts and we insisted that that was the first thing we asked before making the reservations. He started swearing at us and the nightmare began. The waiters were terrible and had a very rude attitude. After we ordered the owner came back and told us that why had we requested separate checks if we had all ordered the same. False! Some had the daily special, some had other dishes, some requested a large sangria, others wine or soda, etc. He even dared to say that it was our fault that he had to spare 2 waiters to our table. We were 12!!!! and it was after 2.00 pm. The sangria was the worst I had in my life and the paella was only ok. The almond cake was lemon flavored and could not taste the almond at all. They charged things we did not have and we had to dispute several of the checks. Some of us did not even had silverware and had to request it several times. The servers were awful, treated us disrespectfully and at the end complained that some left only 15% tip. We regret not leaving the restaurant when we were treated as third class citizens by the owner when requested separate checks. And to end this review I have to add that out of the 12, 4 of us got sick. I thought I was dying last night with heart palpitations and indigestion. Checking with my friends, three had the same symptoms. I had been there and feel real bad with my friends because I suggested the restaurant. La peor experiencia en un restaurant. Nunca más!

Di Dote
Di Dote

Bad quality of food, very salty. Slow service, is not Spanish food is more like Latin. Expensive for the quality of food. The black paella (calamari ink) was first yellow, I am pretty sure they only add the calamari ink, it was disgusting 🫣, the rice was like a rice pudding. THIS IS NOT SPANISH RESTAURANT. It taste more like latin flavors.

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About El Pote Español

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718 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Albee Square, NY 10016

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Highlights

Good Rating
4.4/5 stars
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Many Reviews
456 reviews
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Moderate Price
Price level
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spanish
Cuisine type

Services

🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

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Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
12-10PM
Rating
4.4/5
💬 Reviews
456
💰 Price Level
$$
📞 Phone
+1 212-889-6680
🌐 Website
elpoterestaurant.com
📋 Menu
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Amenities

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Wheelchair Accessible
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718 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Albee Square, NY 10016

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