5 Must-Try Hispanic & Latino-Owned Eateries In New York

Picture the perfect paella: the crisp crust of rice at the bottom of the pan, the rich meat, seafood, and/or vegetables mixed in, the warm and comforting taste of every bite. Now picture yourself sitting at Socarrat because, for the perfect paella, that’s where you need to be. 

Jesus “Lolo” Manso, the president and owner of Socarrat Restaurants, was born in Valladolid, Spain to parents who owned a small bar themselves. Manso, however, followed his adventurous spirit all the way to New York, where he opened Socarrat in 2008 as a way to share his love for the unique communal dining experience of eating authentic Spanish tapas and paellas. And, I can safely say, Manso has without a doubt succeeded. 

Socarrat’s menu offers a wide range of delicious Spanish dishes, from tapas - the short rib is a must - to traditional paella, to fideúa, paella with fried noodles instead of rice. Although the space itself offers you the rustic and family vibe Manso strived for, with communal style tables big enough to hold all the food you and friends will want to order, once you dig in, I can’t promise you’re going to want to share...

Socarrat Paella Bar, Multiple Locations