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Food - Alcala, New York, NY

Alcala

4.3 (620)
$31 to $50
Spanish
246 East 44th Street, New York, NY 10017

Make a reservation

A photo of Alcala restaurant

Alcala

4.3
$31 to $50
Spanish
Midtown East

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Good for groups
Alcala is a smaller, more intimate restaurant near the U.N. which serves food from the Basque region of Spain. Alcala creates an elegant and romantic setting while still maintaining an overall casual atmosphere.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Latin / Spanish, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–4:30 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:30 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Jesus Martinez
  • Catering
    Inquire about catering options at www.alcalarestaurantnyc.com/contact
  • Private party facilities
    Inquire about hosting a private event at Alcala at www.alcalarestaurantnyc.com/contact
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Midtown East
  • Cross street
    2nd Avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking and a nearby Parking Lot are available.
  • Public transit
    Subways: 4, 5, 6 or 7 train to Grand Central
  • Additional
    Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    thehungrysw

    📍Alcala (246 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017). Looking for authentic Spanish cuisine in NYC? 🇪🇸 I stopped by @alcala_nyc , a family-owned restaurant serving traditional Spanish dishes made with fresh ingredients and plenty of passion. One of my favorite starters was the Chorizo en Cazuelita- flavorful Spanish chorizo served sizzling and packed with rich flavor. Their selection of tapas is perfect for sharing, but if you’re coming hungry, don’t skip the paella and arroz dishes. 🥘 Pair your meal with one of their exclusive wines imported from Spain 🍷 for the full experience. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, dinner, or a relaxing meal with friends, Alcala brings a taste of Spain right to Midtown Manhattan. 🪭Follow @TheHungrySW for more NJ/NYC finds! • • • #nj #newjersey #delicious #foodie #food

  • Profile image

    spinx17

    @alcala_nyc delivers a true taste of Spain with soulful tapas, comforting plates, and a wine list that feels deeply personal (yes, the chef even makes his own wine 🍷). Every dish reflects Chef Jesús’ Galician heritage — thoughtful, heartfelt, and full of flavor. The space feels warm and inviting, like being welcomed into a family meal rather than just another dinner reservation. From the bold garlic shrimp and perfectly cooked Swordfish to tender grilled tuna and baby squid, every bite is worth savoring. Cozy vibes, kind service, and food that makes you want to book a trip to Spain immediately — or at least plan your next visit back here.  Featuring⤵️ Tortilla de Patatas Liescas Catalanas Gambas al Ajillo Chipirones en su Tinta Canelones Abondigas Chorizo en Cazuelita Sardinas a la Parrilla con Ensalada Atun Encebollado 📍246 E 44th St, NY Follow @spinx17 for more NYC food recs! #alcalanyc #spainfood #spanisheats #tapasbar #goldentastyfoodie

  • Profile image

    smooreinthecity

    🇪🇸 🇵🇹 amazing restaurant that’s filled with delicious tapas, & perfect for your next date night! 🥘 @alcala_nyc | 📍Midtown East 🙋🏻‍♀️ @smooreinthecity #spanishfood #portugesefood #portugesecuisine #tapas #paellademarisco #paellaespañola #paellalovers #paellatime #nycfood #nycrestaurant #nycfoodgals #nycdatenight #nyceeeeeats #portugalfood

  • Profile image

    bonapetit_kelly

    @alcala_nyc is a hidden gem for anyone who appreciates refined Spanish cuisine without pretense. It's a perfect spot for a date night, a celebration, or just a dinner where food truly takes center stage. Sardinas a la Parilla were a standout. Fresh, simply prepared with just the right amount of char from the grill. The skin was crisp, the flesh delicate with a clean, briny flavor and taste of pimenton oil. Paella with seafood : The rice was perfectly cooked—al dente with a subtle saffron aroma—layered with fresh mussels, clams, shrimp, and squid. The flavors were rich and balanced, with just enough socarrat (that crispy bottom layer) to make it extra satisfying. Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp in a sizzling garlic sauce), the shrimp arrive bathed in a fragrant garlic-infused olive oil with just the right touch of heat from sliced red chili. The aroma alone is enough to transport you to a seaside taverna. The shrimp were plump, perfectly cooked—tender yet with a satisfying bite—and absorbed the bold, garlicky essence beautifully. I love to come back to this restaurant again if I'm craving for Spanish food. 📍Alcala Restaurant 246 E. 44th Street New York, NY #spanishfood #spanishrestaurant #paella #paellas #seafood #sardines #sardine #nyceats #nycrestaurants #diningexperience #finedining #Finedininegexperience #tapasbar #spanishdiningexperience #authenticspanishcuisine #foodie #nycfoodie #foodiesinternationalchat

  • Profile image

    wineanddine.nyc

    If you’re looking for authentic spanish tapas in NYC 🇪🇸💃🏻🌃, @alcala_nyc in Midtown has an expansive menu that will satisfy all of your Spanish cravings. Our favorite dishes were the garlic shrimp, chorizo, patatas bravas, grilled lamb chops, and seafood paella. I was also so excited when I saw Tres Leches on the dessert menu as I have never tried it and we literally finished it in seconds. Our Favorites: → Gambas Al Ajillo → Chorizo → Patatas Bravas → Grilled Lamb Chops → Seafood Paella → Tres Leches #wineanddinenyc #nycthingstodo #nyceats #nycfood #foodieztm #foodiezinternationalchat #welove2eat #internationalfoodiesunite #spanish #tapas #tapasnyc

  • Profile image

    medesoo0

    Definitely save and go! -follow @medestaste for more food content and restaurant recommendations #medestaste Thank you for the invite and an amazing service @alcala_nyc -“ • • • #tapas #spanishtapas #spanishfood #familyowned #familybusiness #familyownedbusiness #spanishrestaurant #smallplates #food #foodie #foodblogger #spanish #hiddengem #midtownmanhattan #nycfood #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #impossible #affordable #visitnyc #travelnyc #authenticfood #pov #nycfoodblogger #nycfoodie #spanishwine

  • Profile image

    princesa_wolf_eats

    POV: Best Spanish tapas in NYC! Y’all I really don’t say “best” for what I write but I was absolutely blown away by this Spanish tapas restaurant! Alcala NYC is a hidden gem in the heart of midtown east. When you step inside you’ll see the decor of Spain and feel right at home in this family run and owned restaurant. The food did not disappoint, my favorites were: - Garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo) - homemade Sangria (could have had 10 glasses of this) - Lamb chops (chuletitas de Cordero a la parilla) - Filet mignon (solomillo de busy con pimentos asados) - Homemade almond and hazelnut ice cream (semifrio de almendras) Hurry up and get here, I promise you’ll love it! 📍Alcala NYC | 246 E 44th Street New York, NY @alcala_nyc . . . . . . . #spanishtapas #spanishtapasnyc #tapasnyc #midtowneats #ilovefood #thingstodonyc #nyctourist #nyceeeeeats #nyceeeats #nycfoodie #nycfoodies #explorenyc #eeeeeats #foodblogger #foodstagram #eatingnyc #phoneeatsfirst #timeoutnewyork #infatuationnyc #secretnyc

  • Profile image

    madhungrygirls

    This family owned Spanish restaurant in the heart of Midtown is giving New Yorkers the culinary experience of Spain without leaving! 🇪🇸🍷 @alcala_nyc provides an incredible dining experience with a menu inspired by the distinctive culinary-rich regions of Spain such as Galicia and Madrid. At Alcala, they have a menu full of classic Spanish favorites from tapas to paella. They source the most fresh and high quality ingredients to create the most flavorful and authentic dishes. The service was phenomenal, and the staff was passionate about the menu and their food. Our order: Red sangria Tomato bread Paella de Mariscos Gambas al Ajillo Patatas bravas Meatballs Grilled lamb chops Chorizo en Cazuelita Flan Semifrio de Almendras Leche frita

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Alcala.

4.3

4.3
(620)
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.0Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Alcala Restaurant is a "little gem" near Grand Central, offering authentic Basque cuisine with a "lovely old world ambiance." Known for its "personal service," it's praised for "delicious" seafood tapas and a "very good" wine list. The "homemade" dishes are crafted with pride, providing a satisfying dining experience.
620 Reviews
  1. Kathy Gold

    New York City76 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Alcala is a little gem; family run, authentic, personal and satisfying. Just a few blocks from Grand Central, its easy to reach and relatively easy to find parking if you drive. It’s a classic neighborhood spot, with a homey feel - run by a group of brothers who take this place to heart. Has a decent following of regulars, nothing flashy or “cookie cutter” about it, but you will get a white tablecloth and a proper glass for wine. Recommended are any of their soups, have tried almost all seafood tapas - delicious - Highly recommend canelones with shrimp and spinach in beschamel, a specialty of the chef, not to be missed! Everything they serve is made on premises with pride. Worth visiting.

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  2. James Gold

    New York City11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 8, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great, personal service and great ambience.  always a pleasure to be there.

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  3. Howard Gold

    Greater Boston73 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I’ve loved this place and eaten here for years in this and the previous location. Excellent Basque menu, lovely old world ambiance, reasonable prices

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  4. Lea

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 9, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I really like this place. Tasty, different dishes, and the staff were great! Pricing is very reasonable. Will go back.

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  5. Chris Gold

    New York State6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Authentic, creative, and delicious dishes. We tried all tapas dishes for dinner and were very happy with each one. The seafood stuffed mini peppers were a standout dish. The wine list was very good, with affordable and ready to drink offerings. The service was attentive, but not rushed. We hope to return soon.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kathryn Gold

    Greater Boston7 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on August 21, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good food. Not all servers speak English. Would have liked to see more cold tapas and/or veggies on the menu.

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  7. Alice Gold

    Cambridge3 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on July 19, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    It took over one hour to get the food we ordered. The excuse was that because Spain won the world cup they didn't expect many people and were understaffed.

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  8. Di

    New York City4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on July 13, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Great food, authentic. But servers are not very attentive, especially on a Monday night.

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  9. David Gold

    New York City13 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on July 4, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    There are moments that make you appreciate good food. This was one of them. Run don’t walk run away from this spot. My partner and I both got immediately sick. It’s upsetting that there are few good options in midtown east. Tried this one and it was a fail.

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  10. Maria

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was superb from start to finish. Typical Spain and the staff and food were unbelievable. It was a quite night most likely due to the World Cup game and Father’s Day Friday!! We stayed 2 1/2 hours.. no rushing!!!

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Latin / Spanish, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–4:30 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:30 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Jesus Martinez
  • Catering
    Inquire about catering options at www.alcalarestaurantnyc.com/contact
  • Private party facilities
    Inquire about hosting a private event at Alcala at www.alcalarestaurantnyc.com/contact
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Midtown East
  • Cross street
    2nd Avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking and a nearby Parking Lot are available.
  • Public transit
    Subways: 4, 5, 6 or 7 train to Grand Central
  • Additional
    Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Alcala tends to be busiest on mid‑week evenings and when large parties take big tables, while late lunches, late Tuesday evenings and some holiday/game nights have been reported as quiet and relaxed.

Sunday evenings are a lovely pick, guests specifically call out a great Sunday evening visit with excellent paellas and friendly, conversational service.

Yes, Alcala's cozy, intimate atmosphere and authentic Spanish dishes make it a popular choice for date night, with multiple guests calling it perfect for couples.

Casual dress, Alcala welcomes neat, comfortable clothing; its intimate, slightly elegant yet relaxed setting means nothing formal is required.

Alcala feels like a cozy, intimate, family‑run Spanish spot, warm, slightly romantic yet relaxed, with candlelit tables and an authentic European, homey dining experience.

Paella portions are generous, guests describe the paella as a large, seafood-loaded serving that often leaves diners happily full.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York City
  4. Manhattan
  5. Midtown East

Make a reservation

A photo of Alcala restaurant

Alcala

4.3
$31 to $50
Spanish
Midtown East

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
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