The Big Apple is the world’s famous melting pot, so it’s no surprise that there are many ethnic restaurants in New York City. No matter what nationality of food you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. Mexican restaurants, in particular, are so commonplace that it’s difficult to imagine a time when they weren’t all over the country. It was actually a relatively short time ago when the first Mexican restaurant in New York opened up, though! El Parador Cafe has been delighting New Yorkers with across-the-border food since 1959. 

In today's multicultural world, it's amazing to think that it wasn't that long ago we didn't have Mexican restaurants here on the east coast. El Parador Cafe was one of the first few Mexican restaurants in New York City.
El Parador Cafe/Facebook
The restaurant is fairly small, seating around 120. Of course, there's a bar serving classics like tequila and margaritas!
El Parador Cafe/Facebook
El Parador Cafe focuses on serving traditional Mexican dishes using old-style cooking methods.
El Parador Cafe

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While there's something to be said for culinary experimentation, the vibe here is definitely more old-school. The dishes here are made the same way they have been for the last 50 years.
El Parador Cafe/Facebook
The mole recipe actually comes from one of the oldest Mexican cookbooks in existence, written back in the 1800s!
The restaurant doesn't publicize its status as the oldest surviving Mexican restaurant in NYC. The chef wants it to be known for the quality of its food, and not only its longevity.
El Parador Cafe/Facebook
Many of the regular diners have been eating here for years, or are the children of those who came back in the 1960s when it was a novel idea to have Mexican food in New York.
El Parador Cafe/Facebook

For more information about El Parador Cafe in New York, check out their website.

We love to learn about new eateries to check out: share your favorite Mexican restaurant in New York in the comments!

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El Parador Cafe, 325 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, USA