La Contenta – Mexican
La Contenta unfolds as a vibrant, candlelit sanctuary where the rhythmic shake of artisanal cocktails harmonizes with the intoxicating aroma of toasted chilies and slow-simmered moles. This intimate escape captures the soul of Mexico through a kaleidoscope of bold flavors and hand-pressed textures, fostering a spirited atmosphere where every meal feels like a festive celebration of heritage.
+1-212-432-4180 https://lacontentanyc.comRating: 4.6/5 (1038 reviews)
Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, high-protein, pescatarian, diabetic, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-fat, sugar-free, paleo, anti-inflammatory, clean-eating, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, mayo-clinic
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Thursday
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Diners consistently praise La Contenta for its authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine and warm hospitality. Standout dishes include the passion fruit ceviche, shrimp enchiladas, and chile relleno with seafood, while the margaritas and micheladas are celebrated as top-notch drink options. Guests love the cozy, intimate atmosphere—often described as small but vibrant with great music—and frequently highlight the friendly, accommodating service that makes the experience memorable. While some note the higher price point and tight seating, most reviewers agree the flavorful food and inviting vibes ma
Menu
Dinner - Para Empezar
Appetizers
- GUACAMOLE TRADICIONAL - $18: mashed avocados, pico de gallo, served with housemade corn tortilla chips Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- SOPA DE TORTILLA - $14: shredded chicken, tomato, pasilla pepper, avocado, tortilla strips, queso fresco, chicken broth Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, Volumetrics
- VEGAN POZOLE VERDE - $15: hominy, oyster mushroom, chayote broth, traditional garnishes (shredded romaine lettuce, radish, avocado) Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- LA CONTENTA NACHOS - $19: corn tortilla chips, black beans, pico de gallo, pepper jack, oaxaca and cheddar cheese, avocado sauce, sour cream Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber
- GRILLED QUESADILLA - $19: pepper jack, oaxaca and cheddar cheese, huitlacoche, avocado sauce, sour cream, pico de gallo, flour tortilla Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- TETELA CON HONGOS - $17: corn masa dough, goat cheese, black beans, green peas, baby corn, salsa de molcajete
- CAESAR SALAD WITH GRILLED SHRIMP - $19: grilled shrimp, romaine, anchovy-mayonnaise dressing, garlic croutons
- TAQUITOS DE POLLO AHOGADOS - $16: shredded chicken, salsa verde-roja, sour cream, cotija cheese
- QUESO FUNDIDO - $20: pepper jack, cheddar, oaxaca and swiss cheese fondue, roasted poblano pepper, serrano sauce, flour tortillas
- TACOS DE PESCADO - $18: tempura cod fish, avocado sauce, cole slaw, chipotle aioli, sour cream (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE CARNE ASADA - $18: grilled hanger steak, guacamole, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE POLLO - $16: pan-roasted chicken, cole slaw, roasted tomatillo salsa, crema (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE CARNITAS - $17: pork confit, cilantro, onion, spicy serrano salsa (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE BIRRIA - $19: beef stew, chile de árbol salsa, cilantro, onion (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS VEGETARIANOS - $16: corn, calabacitas, poblano pepper, guacamole, cotija cheese, salsa verde (2 tacos/order)
Dinner - Plato Fuerte
Main Courses
- POLLO EN MOLE POBLANO - $26: braised chicken breast, mole sauce, wild rice chicken risotto, plantains
- ENCHILADAS SUIZAS - $27: braised chicken, tomatillo salsa, swiss cheese, rajas con crema
- ENCHILADAS DE CAMARÓN - $28: pan-roasted shrimp, oaxaca cheese, chipotle salsa, sour cream
- ENCHILADAS DE MOLE - $26: roasted chicken, mole sauce, pepper jack cheese, sour cream
- ENCHILADAS VEGETARIANAS - $24: mexican squash, corn, squash blossom, ricotta cheese, creamy poblano sauce
- CHILE RELLENO Y SUCCOTASH - $24: chile poblano, spinach, succotash, oaxaca cheese, chile ancho-guajillo salsa
- MOLE VERDE - $23: asparagus, cauliflower, haricot vert, chayote, huitlacoche, broccoli, mole verde sauce
- BACALAO VERACRUZ - $27: pan-roasted cod fish, tomatoes, olives, capers, jalapeño, vegetable rice, fried plantains
- SALMÓN A LA PLANCHA - $28: pan-roasted salmon, asparagus, mexican potatoes, pico de gallo, avocado salsa
- HANGER STEAK A LA PARRILLA - $34: potatoes dauphinoise, spinach, roasted salsa verde, chimichurri salsa
- STEAK FAJITAS - $31: sizzling hanger steak, bell pepper, onion, sour cream, molcajete salsa, flour tortillas
- BIRRIA DE RES - $31: braised short ribs, adobo, chickpeas, chile de árbol salsa, corn tortillas, traditional garnishes (cilantro, onion, lime)
Drinks - Los Cócteles de la Casa
House Cocktails
- SAKE-TO-ME - $18: nami mexican sake, oleo saccharum, fresh lemon juice, laurel leaf
- CACAO MEZCAL SOUR - $17: 400 conejos espadín mezcal, chile ancho-infused cacao liqueur, fresh lime juice, housemade pineapple purée
- TEQUILA ESPRESSO MARTINI - $17: tequila reposado 100% blue agave, licor 43, kahlúa coffee liqueur, café de olla, cinnamon
- RAICILLA DAIQUIRI - $18: estancia raicilla, mexican rum, housemade strawberry syrup, fresh lime juice, mint
- EL MANÍACO - $18: tequila reposado 100% blue agave, blood orange purée, fresh lime juice, black lava salt
- PRIMA ROSA NEGRONI - $20: prima rosa gin, campari, sweet vermouth, sotol
- ENSENADA OLD FASHIONED - $20: reves baja whisky, oaxacan whisky, piloncillo, chocolate bitters
- PORN STAR MARTINI - $17: vanilla-infused drako mexican vodka, passion fruit, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup
Drinks - Las Margaritas / Mezcalitas
- SMOKY & SPICY - $17: morita pepper-infused josé cuervo tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, organic agave nectar
- CLÁSICA - $17: josé cuervo tequila blanco 100% blue agave, combier, fresh lime juice, organic agave nectar
- POMEGRANATE - $17: josé cuervo tequila blanco 100% blue agave, pomegranate syrup, fresh lemon juice, angostura bitters
- MEZCALITA - $18: 400 conejos espadín mezcal, combier, fresh lime juice, organic agave nectar
- FLOR DE JAMAICA - $18: hibiscus-infused 400 conejos espadín mezcal, agavero liqueur, fresh lemon juice, organic agave nectar
- PEPINO MEZCALITA - $18: 400 conejos espadín mezcal, jalapeño liqueur, cucumber, basil, organic agave nectar
- MARGARITA / MEZCALITA CON SABOR - $18: passion fruit, mango, tamarind
Drinks - Las Palomas
- PLUM PALOMA - $18: don fulano tequila blanco 100% blue agave, ume plum liqueur, squirt (grapefruit) soda, fresh lime juice
- LA CHICA FRESA PALOMA - $18: tequila blanco 100% blue agave, rectified strawberries, topo chico
- PALOMA TRADICIONAL - $17: josé cuervo tequila blanco 100% blue agave, pink grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, squirt (grapefruit) soda
- PALOMO - $17: bushmills whiskey, fermented pineapple, sparkling wine
Drinks - Mocktails / Non-Alcoholic
- PALOMITA - $17: almave blue agave non-alcoholic spirit, citrus juice, grapefruit cordial, pink himalayan salt, topo chico
- MARGARITA - $17: almave blue agave non-alcoholic spirit, fresh lime juice, orange cordial, organic agave nectar
- FRENCH BLOOM SPRITZ - $18: seedlip garden non-alcoholic spirit, french bloom le blanc non-alcoholic french sparkling wine, fresh lemon juice, spiced agave syrup
Drinks - Las Cervezas
Bottles & Cans
- PACÍFICO - $8: pilsner-style beer, 4.4% abv, mazatlán, mx
- MODELO ESPECIAL - $8: pilsner-style lager, 4.4% abv, cdmx, mx
- TECATE - $8: full-bodied lager, 4.5% abv, tecate, mx
- VICTORIA - $8: vienna-style lager, 4% abv, toluca, mx
- NEGRA MODELO - $8: dunkel-style lager, 6% abv, cdmx, mx
- ATHLETIC - $8: non-alcoholic, milford, ct
Drinks - On Draft
- MONOPOLIO IPA: india pale ale, 6.2% abv, san luis potosí, mx
- BROOKLYN PILSNER: crisp pilsner, 5% abv, brooklyn, ny
- DOS EQUIS LAGER: pilsner-style lager, 4.2% abv, monterrey, mx
Drinks - Las Micheladas
- PEPINO - $10: modelo especial, cucumber, splash of orange juice, hot sauce, salt
- TAMARINDO - $10: modelo especial, housemade tamarind purée, orange juice, hot sauce
- CHAMOY - $10: modelo especial, passion fruit purée, chamoy, salsa negra de chiltepín
Drinks - Los Refrescos
Soft Drinks
- MEXICAN COKE - $5
- DIET COKE - $5
- SQUIRT - $5
- TOPO CHICO - $5
- SPRITE - $5
- GINGER ALE - $5
Happy Hour - Cócteles de la Casa
- SMOKY & SPICY - $12: morita pepper-infused cuervo tradicional tequila, fresh lime juice, organic agave nectar
- PALOMA - $12: cuervo tradicional 100% blue agave tequila, pink grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, squirt (mexican grapefruit soda)
- SMOKY PINEAPPLE DAIQUIRI - $12: 400 conejos mezcal, aperol, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup
- MISIÓN SOUR - $12: bushmills whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, red wine float
- MARTINI DE MAÍZ - $12: coconut-infused cuervo tradicional tequila, corn purée, fresh lime juice, chiltepín tincture, agave nectar
- PIÑA COLADA - $12: coconut cartel special rum, housemade pineapple purée, coco lópez cream of coconut, angostura bitters
Happy Hour - Las Micheladas
- LA OESTE MICHELADA - $8: modelo especial, cucumber juice purée, hot sauce, fresh lime juice, sea salt, splash of orange juice
- MICHELADA DE CHAMOY - $8: modelo especial, passion fruit purée, chamoy, salsa negra de chiltepín
- MICHELADA DE TAMARINDO - $8: modelo especial, housemade tamarind purée, fresh orange juice, hot sauce
Happy Hour - Beer & Wine
- DRAFT BEER - $6
- VINO (ROJO Y BLANCO) - $10
Happy Hour - Botanas
Food
- GUACAMOLE TRADICIONAL - $12: mashed avocados, pico de gallo, served with housemade tortilla chips
- LA CONTENTA NACHOS - $12: tortilla chips, black beans, pico de gallo, pepper jack , oaxaca and cheddar cheese, avocado sauce, sour cream
- TACOS DE PESCADO - $12: tempura cod fish, avocado sauce, cole slaw, chipotle aioli, sour cream (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE POLLO - $12: pan-roasted chicken, cole slaw, roasted tomatillo salsa, crema (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE CARNE ASADA - $12: grilled hanger steak, guacamole, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE CARNITAS - $12: pork confit, cilantro, onion, serrano salsa (very spicy) (2 tacos/order)
Brunch - Los Platillos
Brunch Dishes
- GUACAMOLE TRADICIONAL - $18: mashed avocados, pico de gallo, served with housemade tortilla chips
- SOPA DE POLLO - $17: traditional mexican chicken soup, braised chicken, carrots, chayote, calabacitas, corn tortillas
- LA CONTENTA NACHOS - $18: tortilla chips, black beans, pico de gallo, pepper jack and cheddar cheese, avocado sauce, sour cream
- MEXICAN OMELETTE - $18: avocado, pico de gallo, swiss cheese, home fries, salad
- HUEVOS RANCHEROS - $18: sunny-side up eggs, ranchero salsa, pepper jack cheese, black beans, home fries
- CHILAQUILES CON HUEVO - $20: tortilla casserole with oaxaca cheese, tomatillo chipotle salsa, sautéed onions, eggs any style
- BREAKFAST SANDWICH - $18: fried eggs, bacon, cheddar, chipotle mayo, served on brioche, home fries, salad
- EGGS ANY STYLE - $17: eggs any style, bacon, home fries, sourdough toast
- STEAK AND EGGS - $24: grilled hanger steak, eggs any style, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa verde, home fries, flour tortilla
- BREAKFAST BURRITO - $17: bacon, potatoes, onion, oaxaca cheese, egg, flour tortilla, salad
- TRES LECHES FRENCH TOAST - $17: berry compote, maple butter, brioche
- TORTA DE POLLO A LA MILANESA - $18: chicken breast, avocado, tomato, onion, chipotle mayonnaise on mexican bolillo, salad
- GRILLED QUESADILLA WITH RICE & BEANS - $18: pepper jack, oaxaca and cheddar cheese, huitlacoche, avocado sauce, sour cream, flour tortilla
- CAESAR SALAD WITH GRILLED SHRIMP - $18: grilled shrimp, romaine, anchovy-mayonnaise dressing, garlic croutons
- ENCHILADAS SUIZAS - $22: braised chicken, tomatillo salsa, swiss cheese, rice & beans
- TACOS DE CARNE ASADA - $18: grilled hanger steak, guacamole, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, rice & beans (2 tacos/order)
- TACOS DE PESCADO - $17: tempura cod fish, avocado sauce, cole slaw, chipotle aioli, sour cream, rice & beans (2 tacos/order)
- FRENCH ROAST HAMBURGER - $20: brioche bun, onions, lettuce, tomato, french fries
- CROQUE MONSIEUR SANDWICH - $20: black forest ham, gruyère cheese, beer, cream, served on sourdough bread, french fries or salad
Brunch - Los Cócteles
- TEQUILA SUNRISE MIMOSA - $12: cuervo tradicional 100% blue agave tequila, fresh orange juice, grenadine, sparkling wine
- JALISCO MULE - $12: cuervo tradicional 100% blue agave tequila, lejay crème de cassis, housemade ginger beer, fresh lime juice, topo chico
- SAKE-TO-ME - $12: nami mexican sake, oleo saccharum, fresh lemon juice, laurel leaf
- BLOODY MARÍA - $12: cuervo tradicional 100% blue agave tequila, tomato juice, fresh lime juice, spices
- RAICILLA DAIQUIRI - $12: estancia raicilla, pa’lante mexican rum, housemade strawberry syrup, fresh lime juice, mint
- MEXICAN COFFEE (SERVED HOT) - $12: cuervo tradicional 100% blue agave tequila, coffee liqueur, kobrick coffee, whipped cream
- CUCUMBER SMASH - $12: bushmills whiskey, cucumber, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, mint
- SIDECAR - $12: laird’s apple brandy, combier, lemon juice, sugar rim, lemon twist
Brunch - Micheladas + Sangría
- LA OESTE MICHELADA - $8: modelo especial, cucumber juice purée, hot sauce, fresh lime juice, sea salt, splash of fresh orange juice
- MICHELADA DE CHAMOY - $8: modelo especial, passion fruit purée, chamoy, salsa negra de chiltepín
- MICHELADA DE TAMARINDO - $8: modelo especial, housemade tamarind purée, fresh orange juice, hot sauce
- SANGRÍA - $8: choice of red, white or sparkling wine, seasonal fruits, combier, orange juice
Frequently Asked Questions about La Contenta
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided restaurant data does not contain information regarding the specific number of reviews received by La Contenta.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Customers praise the 4.6/5 rated authentic cuisine, passion fruit ceviche, top-notch margaritas, and the cozy, vibrant atmosphere with friendly service.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- La Contenta is special for its intimate, candlelit atmosphere, artisanal cocktails, and authentic Mexican dishes like passion fruit ceviche and shrimp enchiladas.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- La Contenta offers a vibrant, candlelit, and intimate atmosphere described as a small, cozy space with great music and warm hospitality.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- La Contenta specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, featuring traditional dishes like tacos, guacamole, pozole verde, and shrimp enchiladas.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features 15 highlighted items including various tacos and appetizers, accommodating 22 dietary categories such as vegan and gluten-free.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include passion fruit ceviche, shrimp enchiladas, and chile relleno with seafood, alongside menu highlights like guacamole tradicional and tacos.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- The price range at La Contenta is considered moderate, which is indicated by the price level symbol $$.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- Rated 4.6/5, guests love the cozy, intimate atmosphere, which is often described as small but vibrant with great music.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- La Contenta appears operational with an active website at https://lacontentanyc.com, though the provided data does not list specific hours.