Rocking Horse Cafe

Message from Rocking Horse Cafe

Tex-Mex veteran churns out variations of everyone's favorite party food.
  • Mexican inspired dishes
  • Delivery
  • Full bar

Rocking Horse Cafe is a uniquely elegant voice of New York with a warm Mexican accent and offers serious food in a casual environment. Designed to evoke the spirit of Rocking Horse's contemporary menu, the restaurant's modern sleekness and bold blocks of color are warmed by Mexican-inspired works of art. Delightful innovative dishes as well as contemporary treatments of the classics are the basis for the pre-Columbian inspired menu. The lively, seductively lit bar features signature margaritas made with the finest artisan-produced tequilas in Mexico. A retractable front wall allows for open-air dining and a prime view of the happenings on Eighth Avenue, Chelsea's energetic "Main Street".

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

Marker Rocking Horse Cafe

(347) 482-1398

182 8th Ave New York, NY 10011
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Editorial Description by Citysearch
The Scene
The bright mix of colors painted on the cafe's walls matches the vivid margaritas that sit on nearly every table and litter the sceney bar. The strong, fruity concoctions come with punchy flavors like passion fruit, strawberry and blood orange and draw a casual but fashion-forward crowd.

The Food
This Chelsea favorite is known for its creative Mexican cuisine. The citrus-habanero marinated shrimp atop a mango and corn salsa could benefit from a bit more heat, but otherwise the starter pleases. From the "street food" menu, try the carnitas--the tender organic pork is complimented by tortillas and fresh guacamole--or the reliable burrito. The skillet of shrimp with papaya works as a kind of upscale fajita; its chipotle tomato puree nicely marries the caramelized papaya to the shrimp. The wild mushroom chile relleno gets overwhelmed, however, by its creamy sauce. End with tres leches, imaginatively topped with banana cream.
Rated 7.0 out of 10 by Citysearch.

87 Reviews of Rocking Horse Cafe in New York

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Really Terrific Food  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Wendy S. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 8,108

I'm from California, and I'm pretty picky about Mexican food. I've always liked the Rocking Horse Cafe. The salsa and chips are excellent, the guac and handmade tortillas are amazing, and the menu is varied and very fresh. It's not cheap... entrees are in the $20 range, but it's a great place for a fun night out with friends, think birthday, promotion, graduation, etc. Service was good.

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Fresh Mexican Authenic  5 Star Rating - World class

By Ian K. | insider_guru Insider Guru | Rank: 1,435

When you see the woman during the day in the front window handmaking the corn tortillas you know this place is fresh. The best fresh salsa and homemade guacomole and huge tortilla chips. The margaritas here are amazing and the tequilla options are endless. Authentic margaritas with fresh lime no sweet and sour and fresh fruit purees. The food itself was amazing. Mixiote was slow cooked pork with plantain puree - incredible. Pairs well with their wine list as well. I will definitely go back and I highly recommend this restaurant!!! Lunch or dinner.

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Latest reviews by Citysearch: (read all 85 reviews on Citysearch)

Always a great choice 5 Star Rating - World class

By tryeverythingonce

This is my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. It's cute, the food is a little more gourmet than your typical Mexican, and the duck crepes are one of the best dishes anywhere in the city. Great for takeout too. I highly recommend it!

Posted 03/01/09

Worst delivery wait 1 Star Rating - Unsatisfactory

By Kalbertio

Do not ever make a delivery order here. I've been waiting for an hour and a half and my food is still not here. I live in Chelsea

Pros: don't know yet
Cons: delivery wait
Posted 02/04/09

Wow...Wow...Wow Great food and drinks 5 Star Rating - World class

By CookThis

This place is soooooo good. Drinks are wonderful, I got the frozen mango margarita and loved it. The food is mexican elegance, the combinations are excellent. It is very small so if you dont like sitting very close to your nearby diners, dont go.

Pros: Food and drink are amazing
Cons: small place, cramped seating
Posted 01/23/09

perfect for special occasions 4 Star Rating - Very good

By morgann11

YUM YUM YUM. Had a delicious meal here for my best friend's graduation. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience from start to end. The menu was very thoughtful and the food very very good. The service was also very attentive, but not the in "Hows everything going over here?" every two minuets kind of way. The wait staff was knowledgeable and able to tell us a lot about the menu. I would recommend this place for a special occasion because it is pricey.

Pros: food,friendly service
Posted 11/24/08

awesome 5 Star Rating - World class

By wadinglove

great food and service. awesome pineapple mojitos and chicken crepes... even better margaritas and guacamole... fast service... great for lunch or dinner...
we had an overall amazing experience

Pros: great food
Cons: none
Posted 08/25/08