NYC's 7 Best Guacamole Spots
The Mexican specialty isn't hard to come by in New York City - but we've weeded through the imitators to bring you our picks for the best guacamole in town. By Valerie Stivers.
See Also: NYC's 5 Best Plates Of Nachos
Dos Caminos
The elegant East Midtown location is where office-job Manhattanites hide out for long, boozy lunches. The main courses can be hit or miss, but a tableside preparation of guacamole in a giant mortar steals the show.
Hecho en Dumbo
354 Bowery
New York, NY 10003
212-937-4245
hechoendumbo.com
No longer in Dumbo, this outpost of "contemporary Mexico City cuisine" serves a classic spicy, pico de gallo–dressed fresh guacamole accompanied by house-made chips. Ingredients are often organic and ethically sourced.
Mercadito
179 Ave B between 11th and 12th Sts, (212) 529-6490
172 Ave B between 10th and 11th Sts, (212) 388-1750
100 Seventh Ave South at Grove St, 212-647-0830
mercaditorestaurants.com
Purists might scoff, but these party-friendly downtown joints serve a variety of creative guacs such as a chipotle variation with pineapple, a camote with cinnamon-spiced sweet potato and a dusting of toasted pumpkin seeds, and a spicy mole with plantain. Menus vary between the three venues.
Rosa Mexicano
61 Columbus Ave at 62nd St, (212) 977-7700
1063 First Ave at 58th St, (212) 753-7407
9 East 18th St between Fifth Ave and Broadway, (212) 533-3350
rosamexicano.com
Rosa Mexicano's three large, colorful New York locations are known for their theatrical, tableside preparation of the green gold. First your server grinds onion, chilis and cilantro in the traditional stone mortar and pestle (molcajete), then tosses the spicy paste with cubes of fresh avocado.
Tehuitzingo
695 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
(212) 397-5956
This small, cheap, cult taco joint hidden in the back of a Mexican bodega has little in the way of ambiance (paper decorations, mirrored walls) but fans freak out for the authentic Mexican cuisine, served on paper plates. The traditional, guacamole gets especially enthusiastic raves.
Toloache
251 West 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 581-1818
toloachenyc.com
This high-class nuevo Mexicana eatery does a three-guac tasting. There's the traditional, mild cilantro-spiked version, a frutas variation with pomegranate, peach and Thai basil, and a spicy chipolte-infused rojo. Tasters say it's the best in the city.
Chipotle
Locations throughout New York
www.chipotle.com
Sometime in the mid-2000s it seemed like every third storefront in Manhattan became a Chipotle. This is good news for guacamole fanatics, because the dense, creamy tomato-flecked spread is arguably one of the best in the city, and comes with plenty of lime-salt–dusted chips.
