Socarrat Paella Bar - Chelsea

Socarrat is the kind of restaurant that pulls you in for the food but keeps you long after the last bite. I stopped in during a weekend trip to NYC, drawn by curiosity about the B.E.C. Paella, and left feeling like I'd found a neighborhood spot I don't even live close enough to claim. I started with Patatas Bravas and a glass of Sangria Roja, both exactly right, before the paella arrived. It was genuinely delicious, the kind of dish that earns its reputation. But what made the meal was the atmosphere the owner, Lolo, and his bartender created at the bar. Warm, genuine. The kind of hospitality that's harder to pull off than it looks. If you're visiting NYC and want Spanish cuisine that delivers on both the food and the experience, Socarrat is worth going out of your way for. And if you're lucky enough to live nearby, I'm a little envious.

We came to Socarrat Chelsea with friends and everything we ordered was so good. The calamar a la plancha was really tender and flavorful, not rubbery at all. The croquetas were perfectly crispy and addictive. We also had the tuna tartare, which tasted super fresh and well-balanced. The highlight of the night was the paella. We tried both the Socarrat paella and the arroz negro, and honestly, this is the best paella I’ve had so far. The rice had that perfect crispy bottom and the seafood was fresh and cooked just right. The service was very welcoming and attentive, and to top it off, our server surprised us with free churros at the end, which was such a nice touch. Our server was really great and made the whole experience even better. Such a great spot for sharing plates with friends. Would definitely come back.

We dropped by for restaurant week. The venue was a darker than what I would have liked and the tables are a bit switched squished - so some had to share tables. I enjoyed their sizzling shrimp with garlic chips. The sausages were decent - was expecting someone spicier based on the server recommendation. The fish was crisp We received the wrong paella, but it was still nice

Our tapas were delicious—everything was fantastic! We tried both the vegetarian and shrimp paellas, and both were incredible. We finished the night with some excellent churros! To top it off, the service was a perfect 10/10

I went to dinner for restaurant week with my parents and we had a delightful evening! Delicious tapas, and the paella was delicious! My mom and I couldn’t eat shrimp and the staff was nice enough to keep the shrimp on the side and make a separate broth to cook the paella so that my mom and I can enjoy it and my dad was able to eat the shrimp! He said it was spectacular! We definitely would love to come again and try something else on the menu next time!

This place never disappoints. From delicious tapas to one of the best paellas you will ever have, everything is consistently excellent. The service is amazing and always friendly and attentive.

Last night, we had a fantastic dinner at Socarrat Paella Bar. The service was impeccable~ timely, friendly, and accommodating. Our server, Jose H, was attentive and polite throughout the meal. The communal table setup can be a bit cramped, especially if the restaurant is full. But that’s just part of the experience. The star of the show was the seafood paella. It was flavorful, hot, and the best part was scraping the crunchy bits off the pan. We even received a complimentary dessert to celebrate our anniversary ~Thanks, Jose!

Undoubtedly the best paella and Spanish food in the United States, with excellent color, texture, and flavor. Moises provided excellent service, and the prices are perfectly reasonable for what you get. As they say, it's a hidden gem.