Diablo Royale Mexican Restaurant & Saloon

Without doubt in my humble opinion this has to be the best Mexican restaurant in Manhattan. The enchiladas were amazing.

Pros: fabulous tacos

Cons: none

Posted 10/23/09

Went to Diablo last night with some of my girlfriends, a friend had told me about the place.
Had so much fun, the Bartender suggested we get ricky's (beer and frozen margarita) so good, and after a couple was well buzzed!!
the bartenders were really cool, is so nice to go to a place in Manhattan where they are actually friendly!! (cute english accents as well!!)
had great night!!! will be back!

Pros: Ricky'sss and bartenders!!

Cons: none

Posted 07/10/09

Diablo Rickys are Lager beer with Margarita smoothie on the bottom. Pitchers of Margaritas are always good.

Pros: Good Drinks

Cons: Food isn't great

Posted 03/19/09

Must say I was disappointed, heard about this place for the food so I expected quality or something that would make me say "wow, this is SO good, you have to taste this!" That didn't happen.

However, ambiance is lovely - quiet, cozy, romantic.

Probably will not go back.

Posted 12/07/08

i've been coming back to diablo regularly over the last couple of years and it always hits the spot for great mexican food and a good time. i've tried quite a bit of the menu and always been satisfied but I have to say, the tacos are where it's at, it's hard to order anything else. I love the el pastor taco, and the fried fish tacos. also it's very hard to resist the diablo ricky (part frozen margarita, part beer).

Pros: diablo ricky, margaritas, tacos

Cons: can be a bit crowded

Posted 12/03/08

I threw one of my dearest friends her b day party here, she loves Mexican food. I had been here before and thought the food was phenomenal. it was a total of 5 of us and truth be told for some it may have been tight but for us it was great. Probably because of the excellent Margarita we were downing.
Service was excellent and they were stomped!!! The guacamole was finger licking good!!! And the tuna fajita were delicious, not too spicy just enough. And did I mention HUGE!!!
My friend was all smiles!!!
I defiantly recommend this place and advice to make reservations, they can have a massive wait list.

Posted 11/16/08

yes, it's true - diablo is a bit overpriced, but it's in the west village, what can you expect? i think the margaritas are fantastic as well as the salsa and guacamole. the salsa has just the right amount of cilantro and the guac the right amout of everything (including lime - it's an important ingredient). the food is mediocre. i go just for the margaritas and chips. yes, also overcrowded, but again, it's new york city folks, get used to it.

Posted 08/22/08

Diablo hits all the right notes: Very good food, very good drinks served by friendly people in a great spot in the West Village. Highly Recommended!

Pros: Food, Margaritas, Service

Posted 08/03/08

Chili's easily has better Southwestern fare. The corn was soggy like they boiled it first and then grilled it. The guacomole was extremely bland (asked for it spicy) and the tacos were decent. Service was suspect.....while the waiters were certainly friendly, there didn't appear to be any sense of urgency as we had to seek them out repeatedly. Decor was "Times Square themey". Place belongs in the burbs.

Pros: Nice, but slow waiters

Cons: Food

Posted 07/14/08

This spot is an old reliable for my wife and I since we live a block away. It's always crowded here and service is average at best. The food however is very good and ambiance is nice. Definately worth trying.

Pros: food and decor

Cons: service

Posted 05/16/08

I came across this place back on 06 before Halloween, and its been part of my nights out ever since. Not that i go there every week, but when i do, i've had some of the best nights out ever. When i have friends over, we always head there and the best comparison is a bar like Cheers. You can sit at the bar and meet someone at random and by the time you leave, you've made a new friend.

Those blessed bloody Rickys, my first visit i consumed 13 and had the hangover from hell the next day, but after developing a system on mixing, this seems to have made them alot better. The bar tenders all have their own charm and always ensure my glass is full. Then there's the music, always a good mix of stuff you like and stuff you've not heard and never even heard of before, its great.
I think people who expect this to be a civilized or a date restaurant need to look elsewhere, you're coming here for the experience, its rocky, loud with decent Mexican food, a quick turn around and then drinks at the bar.

Pros: Good mix of people.

Cons: Too busy sometimes, but that adds to the ambiance.

Posted 03/25/08

This place has a great vibe-one of the best in New York! Food and service are absolutely wonderful. It is comfortable and easily makes for a unique and friendly "hang-out" spot.

Posted 02/02/08

When Diablo Royale first opened, there was this hot chef with crazy hair and sideburns that cranked out the best tacos and Mexican in NYC. Where did he go? I've been back numerous times for drinks and wound up eating and it's never been the same since. Where are you superchef and when can I have the oyster taco again? Nothing ever like it. Oh, the owner Jason is kinda cute also....

Tush Lorraine

Pros: Drinks, food (still), great atmosphere, love jarret and jason

Cons: Original chef not there he's a demi-god

Posted 12/18/07

We had a reservation for 8 people at 7pm last Thursday night. The table was ready when we arrived, they brought chips and really good salsa and took drinks orders while we were looking through the menu. I ordered the shrimp enchilada - highly recommended!! The fajitas and burritos looked great too. The drinks were really good, especially the blood-orange margarita. My only complaint (which is standard for NYC restaurants) is that once we finished eating we were asked to move to the (very packed) bar as they had another group waiting to sit. This is a great spot for groups - lively, good & quick service, reasonable prices and very good margaritas.

Pros: Big tables for groups, good service, margaritas, yummy food

Cons: ...

Posted 11/09/07

I first discovered Diablo while strolling around that area with some friends about a month ago. We went in, the atmosphere is good and cute. We had so much fun. Food is great, especially the ribs and tacos. The al pastor and fish are to die for. Yum.....it's a must have. Margaritas are delicious but a bit pricey. Nonetheless, I told myself I have to bring more friends here next time.

So I went there again last week with some friends from out of town. What had happened? The food has gone downhill and so disappointing. The pork and fish tacos are tasteless, shrimp taco was way overcooked, and the ribs are dry. And my favourite grilled corn...........a let down. Gosh, it was so embarrassing cause I was raving about it to my friends.

Posted 10/17/07

I love Diablo. Their tacos (I like shrimp or fish) are absolutely delicious, and reasonably prcied for how good they are. I recommend coming here for either dinner or drinks. The margaritas are stiff and delicious and the queso fundido with chorizo is a good choice if you're just stopping in for a snack. The bartenders are really friendly as well. Also, the location can't be beat.

Pros: Tacos, queso fundido, drinks

Cons: Expect to wait for a table

Posted 07/30/07

I've been here several times now, and I enjoy it more each time I go. I highly recommend the fish tacos (grilled or fried are both pretty good - you can get a three taco sampler and try one of each). I also recommend drinking the "Michelada" - Negro Modelo beer poured into a salt-rimmed glass filled with lime juice, ice cubes and a couple dashes of hot sauce. It's oddly refreshing. The joint can get pretty crowded on weekends, and very noisy - but I've never had to wait that long for a table.

Pros: delicious tacos; fun and funky Village setting

Cons: pricier than your average Mexican place

Posted 07/22/07

The only thing desirable about this place is it's location. Besides that, it's cramped, over priced and short on the booze list. If you plan to go there to simply drink don't bother...if you don't eat they don't want you. We got appetizers and planned to tie one on, but I guess this wasn't suitable for these guys. They took our menu away with a huff, took out appetizer plates before we were finished and we had to wait 15 minutes in between drinks. The waitress and host were also condescending. Asswipes that work at these places need to realize there are 1000's of restaurant/bars in NYC and when you treat people poorly we won't come back.

Pros: Location

Cons: Everything but the location

Posted 07/17/07

I have lived in Southern Cali and Arizona long enough to know good Mexican food. This isn't it. And it is way over priced for below average food.

The Guac is almost laughable. I think they just take store bought bottles of guac and add chilli to it if you order it spicey. I know Canadians who make better guac. The food is flavorless and runny. I am not sure why it's so runny. It's not cheese or sauce. It's like grey matter.

On the other hand, the drinks are phenomenal. This is really the only reason to go to this place. They might have the best Margaritas in the West Village.

Pros: Great Drinks

Cons: Nasty Food

Posted 05/14/07

Wanted to give this restaurant a huge thumbs UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I came in over the weekend for a bike race and wanted to celebrate cinco at a mexican venue.

To my surprise I waled into a little piece of mexican heaven, w/ a touch of the devil.

I had a really great time.

I waited a bit, due to the cinco crowd, but the atmosphere, drinks, and door guy kept me laughing!!

Guac good, atmosphere awesome, chorizo and chicken tacos great!

i look 4ward to getting back before next may.

Pros: food, drinks, atmosphere

Posted 05/07/07

I frequent Diablo at least once a week and have nothing but great things to say about the Food, Staff, Service, and Drinks!!! Cinco was Awesome, one of the best experiences I've had outside of a private party I either planned or attended!!!
Come, and You'll understand exactly what I mean!!!

P.S. Great Fried Fish Tacos!!!!!

Pros: Great Atmosphere and Staff!!! Guy at door handled things beautifully!!

Posted 05/07/07

It was cinco de mayo. It was a sunny saturday afternoon. My friend and I arrived around 2:30 and waited nearly 1/2 an hour before anyone came by to take our drink order. Thereafter, we ordered new rounds every time our waiter came by and we also ordered meals. Our enjoyment of the food was brought to a screeching halt by the presence of a gigantic hair that made its way into my friend's mouth before she noticed it. We did not make a scene, but ditched our food and promptly ordered another round. By 4:30 we had had at least 6 rounds of drinks and our bill was well over $125. We were about half-way through round 7 when we were assaulted by the "manager" of the establishment who insisted that we needed to stand or move to the bar because our tab wasn't big enough. He returned 4 times in the span of 5 minutes rudely insisting that we were to pay the bill immediately. He did not apologize for his abruptness nor did he make any effort to smooth over the situation by, for example, offering to buy us a drink at the bar if we would be kind enough to move. When we indicated to him that we were not done, he did not allow us to finish our beverages, but instead he told us to "get the f*** out" and to never come back. As a self-proclaimed "part owner" of this establishment, he was atrocious. I know I am only one person, but I can't imagine a true owner of any business ever treating his or her customers in such a fashion. I appreciate the need to turn tables over in a busy restaurant, but I also know that we were not loitering at a table drinking tap water or asking for free chip refills. It is unfortunate that this otherwise fun atmosphere was spoiled by such a greedy and obnoxious management policy (i.e. if you aren't spending enough money we have the right to kick you out). As for me, I will take the manager's advise and never go back. They can keep their hair -- I have plenty of my own.

Pros: Fun crowd

Cons: Mean management who kicks people out for not spending enough money

Posted 05/06/07

I used to go to Diablo all the time, great food, killer Diablo Ricky's (frozen margy and dos equis in a pint glass), super nice cute staff, and a vibe that just kind of transports you to warm climate no matter what time of year. I moved!!! I used to live right around the corner... Well last Wednesday I was back in the neighborhood and you know what, Diablo hasnt changed one bit!!! It still rocks!!! and rocks hard!!! If you've never been, go get a Ricky a Baja Fried Fish Taco and some Guac, I promise you'll leave happy!

Pros: Diablo Ricky, Rockin Soundtrack, Cute Staff

Posted 04/19/07

I'm a native Texan, so I'm constantly looking for good Mexican food in the city. Diablo Royale definitely ranks up there. The Mahi Mahi tacos are amazing. Good guac and great margs. I wouldn't say this is the best Tex Mex I've ever had in NYC, but it's definitely satisfying. The drinks, atmosphere and service make up for it.

Pros: Atmosphere, Service

Cons: Average Mexican food

Posted 02/26/07

The food is outstanding. Some of the best Tex Mex I've ever had. Including restaurants in Texas. Cool atmosphere, too. Love the candles.

Posted 12/30/06

I had a very good time in this restaurant. I was with my girlfriend. sure thing it's not a romantic place but it's very agreable. We ate a good mexican food served by enjoyable and out going waitress and waiter. Just one thing: Music too loud.

Pros: ,

Cons: ,

Posted 12/12/06

The decor is unarguably very cool. The food is really good, too. The service, however, is very slow and the restaurant is too expensive for what you get. My main problem is that they charge $6.00 for chips and salsa after your first (small) bowl. I wouldn't have minded so much, but we waited over half an hour for our $25.00 tacos after the first bowl of chips was long gone. I guess that's how they get you to overpay for more.

Pros: Decor, Food

Cons: Slow Service, Overpriced

Posted 07/18/06

A wonderful place for a non-noisy, leisurely brunch. We have been a couple of times on Saturday mid-day and had an eclectic and delightful range of dishes, and were able to have a delightful conversation with out-of-town guests both times. We have not experienced other times, but our visits have been wonderful and is now our favorite place for brunch.

Posted 12/28/05

You might not expect to have an excellent sliced steak at a place that specializes in tacos but you will be surprised. Cooked a perfect medium-rare, the quality of the meat was high. That was also the case with the deliciously moist grilled fish special. The fries were top-notch too. The bottom line is that, no matter what comes out of the kitchen, this place takes it seriously. It's all in the details. Start with the small green salad with delicious Mexican cheese and walnuts and you will see. Wash it all down with a reasonablly priced ($32.) bottle of good Spanish plunck and you're in heaven. My only complaint is the noise level which, at some point in the evening, is obviously a plus.

Posted 12/15/05

This is a fun place to go for Margaritas and the place is great for drinks and snacks but I wouldn't go there if you want a really big, delicious mexican dinner. 4 Tacos and 3 margarita's later, the bill was $80. I left unfulfilled and disappointed that my tuna was bad. For great Mexican food go to Mexicana Mama, La Cucina or Agave.

Pros: good drinks, good salsa

Cons: strange sevice, bad fish, low quality/quantity

Posted 12/11/05

We just went to Diablo for brunch today and it was great. Normally I don't think Mexican for brunch, but at 2 PM it was more of a savory brunch that really hit the spot. They have these great cinnamon/sugar tortillas that are almost addictive. If you aren't full from those, we had the Huevos Rancheros and these shredded chicken chilaquiles that were really good. For $16 prefixe, you can get a great "bloody maria" and a mexican mocha, a large selection of entrees that includes either a side of caramelized onion and roasted potatoes or cheese grits. Overall a fun brunch with good food.

Pros: Bloody Maria's, Bacon, Mexican Burger!

Posted 12/03/05

finally something different then all the other "wanna-be" cool and different NYC restaurants...this one has hit the jack pot. Good for groups, good for a date, great place to meet for drinks, good for dinner and great for brunch. the service is freindly and fast. this is a local joint but also a hip joint. gotta check it out .with so many restaurant options in NYC i try to not go to the same place more then twice--but Diablo is a staple joint for any occasion. huge fan!

Pros: Service, Crowd, Atmosphere

Cons: Only one location

Posted 11/30/05

When you want to go out with your friends and drinking is your primary objective. And a sports bar just isn't the scene you're looking for. TEQUILA, they know what they're doing at DIABLO ROYALE. From the safe frozen versions to straight or sipping. One of the finest selections with no pretense. Ole!

Pros: selection, beatiful staff, reliable food

Cons: bring your own date, wish it was bigger

Posted 11/28/05

Love the food and the decor! great margartitas and awesome place to meet up with some friends for a fun and casual meal with delicious margaritas(try the frozen black cherry) and yummy fish tacos

and the brunch with a complimentary drink on the weekends is really a great deal- you must try it out

Posted 11/27/05

I can't say enough good things about the experience I had at Diablo Royale. This is the perfect place to come to after work for food and drinks or any other time for that matter. Normally, I'm a beer drinker, but after speaking to one of the owners, I was convinced to try a Diablo Rickey (Dos Equis & Margarita). It was great along with several other drinks we had that night. Not only were the drinks good, but if you're anywhere between the ages of 25-35, you will not be able to stop mouthing the words to the music they play. (It was similar to driving alone in my car and hitting the radio song jackpot). Later, I learned that the decor was all designed by the owners as well. Overall, I'd recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a good time with good friends.

Pros: Drinks, Music, Atmosphere

Cons: Parking

Posted 11/27/05

Good people running a fine mexican restaurant. Always an option, many times the choice. Relaxed enviroment, Great food and margaritas. You Must try the corn!

Pros: Close to My Apt, Corn, Margaritas

Cons: Close to MY Apt

Posted 11/25/05

I heard about this place a couple months ago and have been a regular ever since. The Margarita's a great, but you've gotta try the Diablo Ricky (beer and frozen margarita). So addictive! The tacos are fantastic and while some people complain about the price, the amount of food you get more than makes up for it. Best fish taco I've had - hands down. The place also just has a great vibe. Casual and fun. I went there for brunch the first time last week and everything was great. Bloody Maria's and awesome pancakes. Definetly worth checking out

Pros: Brunch, Drinks, Food

Posted 11/10/05

Went here with a bunch of friends after work after seeing it on Citysearch & hearing some good things. We only had drinks but we all liked the atmosphere and the various margaritas we tried were excellent. Nice location in the West Village and very friendly service. I look forward to heading back to try the food

Posted 09/12/05

After waiting for our waitress to come for at least 15 minutes, we finally had to call her over to take our orders. When our food came the bus boy brought two sauces. he explained that the one in the bear bottle was mild and the tall bottle was hot. I put some of the mild sauce on the first bite. As soon as I swallowed my tongue and mouth were on fire! Instead of apologizing, busboy took the sauces away and didnt come over again. I was coughing, my eyes were watering and I couldnt breathe but did the waitress ask if everything was okay? Nope. The whole place could tell I was in pain and no one apologized or helped. One busboy said that I should drink milk but didnt bring it until my friend had to ask for it and then he gave her an attitude!

Pros: ambience, margaritas

Cons: staff

Posted 08/31/05

As a neighbor, I've been there several times and enjoyed it every time. Inventive and unusual cuisine...freshly made guacamole and salsa, in fact everything is fresh...staff is really nice...table service is good ...i've tried several items on the menu and all are extraordinary. You can eat up at the bar too - great, friendly and attentive bartender. Try the shrimp tacos and the steak. I have absolutely no complaints about this new place. Pricing is typical for the neighborhood, and much cheaper than the 'hood's other good mexican - Mexicana Mama.

Pros: food food food

Posted 08/14/05

I agree with other reviewers, the food's good but their kind of stingy. You pay $15 for two tacos that just have meat in them, and a little bit of lettuce/radishes. Service was great but we went pretty late when it was thinning out.

Pros: Casual, Cool atmostphere, Good food

Cons: Expensive for Mexican

Posted 08/13/05

My friends and I loved the vibe, the food was really good, drinks as well. My only gripe is it is really pricey for Mexican food. The tacos do not come with any extras and they are pretty expensive. what is up with that? Service was ok, we felt a little rushed but no biggie still a nice evening.

Pros: food, cocktail list, cute place

Cons: overpriced, rushed service

Posted 08/07/05

I really like the energy of Diablo, the margarhitas are good, food is pretty good as well. However, 7 dollars for a taco minimum of 2 and the usual things that would come with are extra on top of that. If I'm paying 15 dollars for two tacos I expect some salsa or gauc to be included. The staff was a little rude. Too bad because the place is cute and I love my mexican.

Pros: atmosphere, margarhitas, food

Cons: overpriced, rude service

Posted 08/06/05

I've got a new neighborhood favorite! This place has the best margaritas and tacos. I've been back twice since... the service is friendly and quick... and the ambiance is great I felt like I was in Rosa Rita Mexico, except here it was clean and I could drink the water! I definately recomend this place for a fun date or a party with a few friends.

Pros: everything

Posted 08/01/05

I come from the home of Tex-Mex cooking, so my standards for Mexican food are very high. The food here is fresh and good, but I wouldn't say spectacular. What makes it worth its while is the fantastic Blood Orange Margarita which is honestly the best I have ever had - New York and Texas combined! Come here late for some drinks, guacamole, fresh chips, and a taco or two.

Posted 07/31/05

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I were seated at a table along the wall; bench on one side, chair on the other. As people began to sit on either side of us I realized I was sitting right on the middle of where two benches met and was constantly getting pinched throughout dinner. As if that wasn't fun enough, the second our plates were cleared the waitress put our bill down to return 5 minutes later and ask us to pay because she was leaving. Something I expect to hear in a diner but not a restaurant... 5 minutes later the same waitress came back to have us move to the next table so she could seat a party of 4. RUDE! Her excuse was "It's Saturday, you know". It's obvious they are only interested in how quickly they can turn tables, not if anyone ever returns...

Posted 07/30/05

If you want to pay $8 for a (1) toritilla the size of your palm, with three small pieces of cold, fatty steak, than this is the place for you. God forbid you get any of the normal accompaniments that normally come with a taco. If you do, you're looking at a below-average $12 taco. Oh, and the service is terrible.

Posted 07/26/05

This restaurant just opened this summer, and I've already been there twice. Both times, the food was fantastic. Creative tacos (you mix and match) and other Mexican fare. Unlike most Mexican restaurants in the city, everything tastes freshly made. Among the best guacamole's I've tasted...served with warmed fresh chips...good margaritas. Service was a bit more spotty...the busboys were fantastic -- very attentive when it came to replenishing chips, removing dishes, but I have to say the waitress service was not quite as good. Always pleasant when you find them, but I had a hard time finding the waitress and waving her over on both occasions. I'd say if they would add one more waitress to the staff, the place would be near perfect.

Pros: fantastic food, great guac

Posted 07/24/05

I should have known by the "666" t-shirts worn by the waiters that i was in for trouble. But against my better judgment, I entered - seduced by the pedigree of the chef.

This place was blatantly more concerned about maximizing profit than they were about my dining experience. First, my wife & I were greeted with the restaurant groundrules: $15 minimum per person if you want to eat at a table. Otherwise, you can eat at the bar (It was Saturday afternoon and the place was empty). Bending the rules for us, we were granted one of their tables. However, the owner asked that we both squeeze into an area barely large enough for one.

During our meal there were several more examples indicative of the same edict - maximize profit!

I guess it's just the price you pay for being tempted by the devil and his theme restaurant.

Pros: fairly good food

Cons: touristy, too many restrictions

Posted 07/10/05