Tobala in Bronx

Excellent restaurant - from food quality to aesthetic to attentive and warm staff. Fascinating flavors - a real dining adventure - way beyond just eating a delicious meal.

I made a reservation at Tobalá for 7 guest on the past 5 de mayo, excited by the impressive menu I saw online. However, upon arrival on 5 de Mayo, I was handed a short, fixed menu with very limited options. I was surprised by the difference, since my husband and I are vegetarians. I asked about it, only to be told it was a special menu for the holiday. The lack of transparency about the change left me disappointed, as I had looked forward to a broader selection. Our waitress sent her over her manager to talk to us after noticing I was upset but offered no alternatives or real solution, leaving us with no choice and little time to go elsewhere. I wish the restaurant had notified guests in advance about this change in menu to avoid the frustration.

An absolute gem of a restaurant in Riverdale. Exceptional cocktails, diverse wine list and incredible food. This has restored my faith in independently owned elevated cuisine. I can t wait to come back. Dietary restrictions: The entire menu is gluten free Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp and bathroom

Went here on a Sunday night. Parking was tough in the area. Really really really slow service, I ordered 5 items from the small plates menu and the server did not write anything down, or repeat the order back to me. My order came out wrong, I ordered the short rib and they brought the barbacoa and never brought the pork tacos. They later brought out the pork tacos but never replaced the short rib. At that point we didnt even want it anyway. The food that did come out was luke warm like it had been sitting for a while, which would make sense because it took forever to come out. Overall, didnt find anything particularly special about this place, and given the price and the Michelin star, I expected a lot more.

Food was underwhelming. Prices were too high for what they serve. Glenfiddish 14 years $60 for a double shot is abusive. Servers were pleasant but not knowledgable and not what I expected with these prices. The decor is beautiful! and the place tries to be a high-end place, but its really not. They dont have tacos anymore...fyi

Everything was excellent from cocktail to great desert. The only small issue was seat in booth was very very low for this short person. A minor detail in the experience which was excellent. I would definitely go again and also recommend to others ! Kid-friendliness: Not especially conducive to bringing kids.

First time going there for dinner and went with my sister. Because it was our first time we tried 4 different appetizers and Mexican beet. All were very delish. We then had desert, and they were amazing!! This is a once in awhile for me.

The waiter was friendly, polite and very helpful. The food was delicious. Thank you.

Top notch place. Its one of the best places with mexican food

I really enjoyed my time here tonight. Each of the staff members were very nice and attentive especially our waiter Franby. The restaurant is beautiful and the food was great. Will definitely be back.

It is so awesome to have an amazing restaurant in Riverdale. The food is amazing, great selection of tequila and mescal and great service.

Great food, NO better than great .used to be pretty high priced, but they have added more affordable options to the menu. Great place to hang, eat and super nice staff, from the bartender who is awesome to the wait staff who always remember us.

What an amazing space. Every single dish we ordered was imaginative, inspiring and a revelation.

It was magical, unique flavor in the food and the margaritas are very good. And since Im a coffee lover, they have a drink that includes coffee.

Truly a one of a kind experience - beautifully built, excellent food, and a kind and knowledgeable staff!

Love this place. The vibe was very tulum!! The drinks and food were 10/10. Very welcoming staff. Best staff was Andres he was amazing, kind and thoughtful. (Definitely thought he was the manager) for sure will be coming back !!

Tobala is a best experience you can ever have, service, food, drinks. It makes you fell like you are very important family member.

Love the minimalist style. The setting is classy but not boring. The food and drinks are very good with an upscale taste. This is not a typical Mexican restaurant that we see in NYC. Dont think of burritos and regular tacos. It is more fine dining with a laid-back feel.

Tobola is one of my favorite places. I ve definitely become a regular! The service is phenomenal. They are so personable and kind. Plus, the food is AMAZING. They are so thoughtful about how the food is made, where it comes from, and what it means to make traditional Oxacana food. A must go! Dietary restrictions: They are so good about adjusting to what you can have!

This is the best Mexican food I have had outside of Mexico for sure! The service was superb and the atmosphere is casual and relaxing. Every ingredient is imported from Mexico even the gin! Here are some highlights: guacamole and any of the mole: (chicken, duck or seafood). And make sure you get a delicious cocktail.

This place is such a gem. Absolutely delicious, creative, thoughtfully prepared food + drinks, knowledgeable and lovely staff- a wonderful atmosphere. So grateful for this addition to the neighborhood!

This may just be my favorite new restaurant! Fantastic all around and well worth a drive. Kudos to the owner/management bc it was obvious that the staff loves working there. Thank you Emily and Cindy for making it a very special evening!

Wow, delicious food and exquisite cocktails. Not to mention the service that was #1A

Nice restaurant but wasnt very impressed with the hovering servers or the exuberant prices

Unnecessary over price. $9 for agua de Jamaica. No thanks

Amazing food! Highly recommended! Perfect place for a date

Absolutely phenomenal on every dimension. The food, the vibe, the cocktails, the service everything. This place is worth a special trip.

I wanted to love it. You pass by and the ambience and the smells invite you in. Then youre greeted with unenthusiastic service and told you cant make substitutions or customize your meal. This is a rule that is employed by some restaurants as the presentation, chemistry, and flavor of the dishes are easily compromised by substitutions or improvisation. That is not the case for Tobala. Every dish could be easily tweaked to meet the needs of the patron, and yet, they arent. Have low expectations when you eat here.

Delicious food, excellent service. Highly recommended .

Food & Service are great. But this place is drastically overpriced.

This was the worst restaurant Ive ever been in. I would rather starve to death than eat there again. The chef is rude. The service is horrible. I asked for white rice as my stomach was on fire because the food was so spicy and they refused to give it to me. They dont want to accommodate they make you feel terrible. Do not eat there . I serve the public for a living in a retail business. I would never treat customers the way they treat them there. In addition the food is horrendous.

Friday night dinner with my mom at the new spot in #riverdale #tobalanyc. The #cornishhen dish was my favorite. #tobalányc is quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants in #riverdale #bronx. Cocktails as well made, innovative and strong, love the way their food and the different flavors I they have infused into each dish and the service is top notch!

We lucked into this amazing restaurant, not knowing how fantastic the food was going to be. My friend lives nearby and I wanted a very good meal. We got a great meal! The dishes were each distinctive and delicious. The scallops with green mole were perfectly cooked; the green mole was superlative. The huitlacoche quesadilla was a new taste treat for both of us. I dont normally order desert, but why stop now? The flan de elote was not too sweet and paired with an ice cream sitting on a bed of raspberries with a sesame crunch. Ill be back if I can! Vegetarian options: Enough veggie options to satisfy me but plenty of meat and fish/seafood on the menu to satisfy others.

Upscale Mexican . Delicious! The full bar is Mexican based spirits. I had the duck enmolada- wonderful.

Place is on. Mikayla & Eric are awesome. Great ambiance. to tobola

Their 3 course brunch service with drink pairings is very good. The food is tasty and the drinks are strong. My only complaint is that half of our group was getting their orders much quicker than the other half, but Ill attribute that to there being a lot of us. Would definitely go back.

Amazing service good and location!!

Very over priced. Mediocre food. The place is beautiful but that s about it. I left as hungry as I came in. I do not recommend this place. The manager walks around with an iPad and definitely cherry picks for reviews. I can not understand the high reviews with such bad food. Ambiance was nice. Overall I only give it 1 star because it is a beauty place.

Incredible food. Great service. Beautiful restaurant.

Clearly the kitchen was overwhelmed, because it took over an hour for entrees to come out. Then what we got was the blandest, most inedible Mexican food Ive ever had. Their Tlayuda was chewy and impossible to eat. Im shocked at how much we spent for what we got. I will definitely never go back. The only reason for two stars is the wait staff were really friendly and clearly just as frustrated.

Simply awesome!!!! It far exceeds my expectations.

Amazing food and drinks

I feel taken advantage of, robbed even. My friend and I went to Tobalá to have the Valentine prefixe menu. We reserved our table via Resy, and paid a non-refundable deposit of $50 EACH, which they stated would go towards the overall tab at the end of the night. Our reservation was for 7pm, yet we were seated at a bit after 7:30pm, and did not receive our first course until 8:30. The wait time in-between courses was ridiculous and every dish was more mediocre than the last. The staff was pretty nice whenever they stopped by our table, but that was a rare occurrence in itself. When it was time to pay, they did not include the $100 we had already put towards the bill until we informed them. And when asked to split the bill in half between two cards, they ended up putting 1/3 on one card and 2/3 of the bill on the other. I would not come back, and definitely not recommend. I was looking forward to visiting this new addition to the Riverdale area, and really sad that this was the experience we got. Truly baffled. Overall we spent $300 on an unimaginative and tasteless meal.

Much more than Mexican food - a treat for your all your senses! All the dishes taste of new, intense flavors that are magnificent. Fabulous and knowledgeable staff - a truly wonderful experience. Totally unique flavors - cant wait to go back! And those cocktails!!!

Ive been to Tobalá a couple of times since they opened, and their food, drinks, and service have always been great. But last night, they were absolutely stunning. I tried a few dishes (Memelas de Wagyu and Enmoladas de Pato) for the first time, and I was in shock, super delicious!! I want to congratulate their staff and owners for their constant effort to elevate the experience at Tobalá and improve every day, bringing this beautiful concept to the community. Definitely my favorite restaurant in the area.

Omg John Piazza makes the best drinks ever! Love this place

The food was creative, inventive and beyond delicious. I will return! The drinks were equally creative. I loved the carajillo (espresso shot. ) Food

Very noisy!

The service here is top notch. My wife and I sat at the bar. We werent that hungry so the portions here were perfect and I was way more interested in the bar. We sat at the bar and our servers were very gracious. They created a mezcal flight for me based on my little knowledge of mezcal, my alcoholic preferences, and what dishes we ordered. $48 for a mezcal flight, 3 servings from 3 different bottles. Each one was very different from the last. My wife had a non alcoholic drink, La Orgua. I took a sip. It was a very mild flavored drink. Looked beautiful but tasted watered down. We ordered the guacamole which came from cotija cheese on top. The guac serving was generous and delicious. The aguachiles were Oaxacan style. Ive had aguachiles in Mexico City so I was foolishly expecting a different flavor so I did not enjoy that much. Nothing wrong with the dish but I felt the seasoning was lacking. Still a generous portion. Both dishes served with tostadas. Ill definitely be back for mezcal and to try cocktails.

Everything excellent. I recommend it

The food is DELICIOUS! Wow! We had all the appetizers. The guacamole is perfect, the Esquitas are surprisingly amazing, tostadas de pulpo are addicting! Everything else was good, but these, in my opinion, were exceptional! Oh and the Vegetales had an interesting twist! The mango margarita was mind blowing! I wanted to drink it like juice! (And I did ) The service was friendly and welcoming. We were a party of 7 on a Friday night, full house and they were able to accommodate us. Highly recommend!

Beautiful atmosphere, food was good. We had reservation , but even though we told them the rest of the family was parking, they didnt allow us to sit in our table, instead they asked us to wait at the bar. Also we brought a small bday cake, and was until we received the check that we were informed about a cake fee which its okay, but why charge $35, thats a little pricey.

I was there for brunch and my experience was amazing. The food is more than 5 stars and the service as well. This restaurant is in the bronx and it matches any restaurant in manhattan, Paris , or London. Great restaurant!! Thank you Tobala team.

Overall pretty great experience! The vibes and aesthetic of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous!! Service was great, they treated us really well and even gave us complimentary champagne. Food was decent, had the short rib tacos and those were really good! The fingerling roasted potatoes didn t have much flavor unless dipped in sauce.

A great place if youre looking for a special experience. Vegetarian options: The roasted cabbage, esquites, and guac were delicious Dietary restrictions: We were asked right away if there were any dietary restrictions.

The hibiscus margarita was very good.

Atrocious experience here, though I can t decide whether the service or the food was worse. The tetela tasted like nothing. It was a tiny portion for $20. Seriously one of the worst dishes I ve seen in recent memory. The tacos de barbacoa were also bad - somewhat reminiscent of wet cardboard, though at least they were edible. A complete stain on the food I ve enjoyed throughout Mexico. Our waitress never came back throughout the entire meal to check on the food. A random runner who dropped food at a different table didn t understand that the person I was dining with didn t enjoy her tetela and instead brought it back in a to-go bag. After finishing eating, we waited nearly 20 minutes for our check. Inexplicably bad service - it felt almost intentional.

Not Tex Mex at all, but very interesting food

There is a very respectable grilled branzino, butterflied and sprinkled with fresh and ground chiles, ready to be flaked and folded into a steaming-hot tortilla. These are pressed and griddled throughout the night by a dedicated tortilla cook, and they are one reason Tobalá s tacos are so good. The tacos de barbacoa in particular are little marvels, packed with juicy shreds of lamb that taste of fire and oranges.

Came for a belated vday s dinner and it was lovely. Eric was amazing, the food was really good and drinks were honestly phenomenal. Must try: la guelaguetza and the pulpo de puerto

Awesome ambiance and food! This is truly a culinary and cultural experience! What a delight!

From the atmosphere, the warm welcome from everyone , the high quality and expertise in the drinks and of course the explosion of flavors in every dish, esquites, black mole, fish tacos etc Me encanta Food

Aesthetic location. Food was plated nicely. Loved the esquites expected more from a place named by Michelin but overall 4/5

Unique and wonderful!

I come here all the time and all the staff, manager, everybody is very welcoming and have great service ! I love this place and the drinks are really good as well. The place is very aesthetically pleasing for photos as well! I recommend to try it

I never traveled to Mexico but after a dinner at Tobala, I have. An example of perfect Atmosphere, Service and Food, all in beautiful balance to offer a unique experience. I believe we can evaluate a restaurant by its simplest meal. At Tobala, for example the kids menu, rice and beans, is a haven of flavor and nutrition. No need to mention the level of the other meals. In another register, the refresh room, while it is usually the neglect place in many restaurants is, at Tobala open and in communication with the restaurant, a real pleasure to use. Thank you, dearly, for offering such delites in Riverdale Neighborhood, and to believe in its great future.

Great cocktails and food

Every aspect of sophisticated Mexican cuisine exists at Tobala. We had an unparalleled fine dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere with exquisite attention given to detail and customer comfort. The best restaurant this side of the Hudson river.

It was great. Good food and good service at a reasonable price.

Great food, great drinks, the best service!

All staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is sophisticated and warm.

This was a nice surprise. Riverdale Av. has some nice dinning options, but this is something completely different. Amazing decor and architecture, good food, nice drinks and reasonably priced.

Best staff in Riverdale!

I liked it. Had a good margarita. The desert decor is nice, but also its a little L.A. for my taste... especially given the predominantly upper-middle-aged crowd. Great spot for empty nesters pretending to reclaim their youth, maybe a bit out-of-step for 20 or 30-somethings.

Hi guys! Well, I want to give you my review of this new Mexican restaurant called Tobala, it is in the Riverdale neighborhood, Bronx. The first time we went with my wife, we really liked the very air-conditioned atmosphere and the attention, above all, with the people at the entrance and the bartender at the bar. The second time, the service was also very good, guys. The meals are more gourmet than a high-end restaurant, rather than a regular restaurant. The meals are very good, from the Octopus, the Guacamole very different from the traditional and the other things we tried in general...! I recommend it, go and enjoy this new restaurant very much. Hi guys! Well, I want to give you my review of this new Mexican restaurant called Tobala, it is in the Riverdale neighborhood, Bronx. The first time we went with my wife, we really liked the very air-conditioned environment and the attention, above all, with the people at the entrance and the bartender at the bar. The second time, the service was also very good, guys. The meals are more of a gourmet than an upscale restaurant, than a regular restaurant. The meals are very good, from the Octopus, the Guacamole very different from the traditional and the other things we tried in general...! I recommend it, go and enjoy this new restaurant a lot.

One of the best Mexican cuisine I ever had. The lamb tacos were delicious, the Cochinita for share was really something, best Mexican pork I ever had. The Pollito with milk, was amazing with the mole. and really enjoyed the tamale dessert with coconut and pineapple. Great food, nicely decorated and good drinks.

This space is beautiful! The service was great and the drinks were delicious. Can t wait to go back for dinner!

The only reason this isn t 5 stars is because the portions were so small that we left still hungry (and if you re going to pay more for a nice place we d expect a bit more!) the flavors were delicious and everything was cooked perfectly. Cocktails were great too. A nice addition to riverdale

Great place to try different a very distinct taste of food. Food is amazing. Drinks no words to describe it. Dessert have to try all of them. Staff top of the line, very professional, friendly and knowledgeable.

I was eager to learn about their food, I had high expectations of the place. Unfortunately it wasnt even close. The friendliness of the staff is 10/10.

Great place

Outstanding place to be. Great atmosphere, great place to relax your anxiety. Food with great taste and amazing drinks.

Amazing upscale Mexican restaurant. Food was delicious, service was amazing specially our server Steven, he was very friendly & attentive. His food recommendation was on point and so was his drink suggestions. Every staff member was lovely and friendly as well. The decor was also beautiful. Highly recommend this place.

Brunch was amazing , the egg and chorizo tlacoyos was delicious,I will definitely get same thing on my next visit, more than a restaurant is an experience Parking: Easy street parking

Loved the service with Ines, the food as just as good as the service. 10/10 will recommend

Went for a special event with Gin Condesa from Mexico, the ambiance was beautiful, simple yet elegant. The service was great, very educational. I tried the octopus which has these ants that surface twice a year in a red sauce, delicious, couldn t notice any distinct taste. The drinks (mariposa) and their spicy margaritas were also great, just wish the block of ice wasn t so big. We tried the fish tacos and guacamole both delish. The music married everything together nicely. The Dj had great hits and the staff was adding to the wonderful energy by dancing. Loved it!

Amazing service, the food was delicious also the environment and decorations so exquisite. The waitresses Juliette so servisial and diligence.

We had a family gathering, and everything was excellent. We ordered an array of platters, and everyone had plenty to eat. The attention from the staff was exceptional. I highly recommend it. Wheelchair accessibility: Street entrance is easily accessible With outdoor/indoor seating.

Amazing Oaxacan food, I dont usually leave reviews but this place truly blew me away with the amazing food, friendly staff, and great atmosphere.

Staff is friendly, great smiles, decorations are awesome soft music, theyre also educate you on Oxaca cuisine, the drinks are excellent I will definitely come back, my husband and I had a great experience there!! Food

Was a fabulous meal last night. We had the guacamole, the tacos Dorado, and the absolutely stunning lamb Barbacoa tacos, and duck enchiladas with mole. Cocktails were also wonderful. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were friendly, and the drinks perfectly made. The restaurant was packed due to the recent Nyt rave and the staff was a bit overwhelmed at times. But it was a great evening. My only complaint would be to have more options for vegans and vegetarians. Many of the dishes could be adjusted to accommodate them.

From the Oaxaca region in Mexico is a restaurant in Riverdale Bronx that has unique food. I had corn and octopus dishes that had ants Im them. It was delicious and a first time trying it

After much anticipation, (been following their IG page for a while) we finally decided to make the trek out there from Queens. We visited on a Monday evening and the place was busy and lively but my reservation for a party of 2 was honored (despite a 40 min delay). We were greeted by warm smiles and attentive service. What we ordered: Tacos de barbacoa Tostada de Camaron Pulpo Dish Guava/mango mexcal margaritas. Piña tamal. The barbacoa was excellent. Very flavorful and generous portion. The tostada was also flavorful, shrimp was plump and the sauce they used on it was just sooo good. My favorite was the pulpo. I scraped that plate! Everything about it was just delicious. The texture of the pearl onions mixed with the texture of octopus and potatoes. Just delicious. Finally, the piña tamal was the perfect amount of sweet, tangy and creamy. Im usually not one who cares for sweet tamales, but this masa was light and airy. I wish we would have had more to time to spend and try more items, but we will be back! Highly recommend.

My wife and I ate here last night for the first time, probably like many people this week because of the glowing NY Times restaurant review. We were not disappointed. In our 21 years living in Marble Hill we have been continually underwhelmed by almost all the local dining in our area, with a few exceptions. But this is the first truly excellent restaurant weve found, in terms of vibe, friendliness, ambience and of course the food. I see some other reviews complaining about the price. But if you want to get a few run of the mill tacos for $12, then there are plenty of other places to go. If you want a couple of incredibly delicious tacos with subtle sauces, then go here. We are going to put this restaurant in regular rotation. Although, perhaps not *too* regular, because it definitely does add up. But its worth it!

Came here for dinner with the family and was extremely impressed with the service, the food and the drinks. The staff was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and patient (we had a toddler with us) We started off with the guacamole, esquite and lamb tacos. Everything was nicely portioned and flavorful. We ordered the fish tacos and shrimp tostadas and very delighted with both. The fish tasted fresh and the shrimps had a nice kick to them. We finished off with the pollito de leche (the hen) and it was perfect! We ordered tortillas and made more tacos. The drinks were great as well! I had el mero mero which was great, spicy and refreshing. I also had the spicy margarita which was amazing as well. I was able to try the guava Margarita and recommend that too!

place is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, lovely staff, amazing food, delicious drinks. i love it here and love to come for dinner with family and friends or just for a drink at the bar. 10/10 every time.

Been coming to this neighborhood gem since it s soft opening. Menu is limited to few items which are prepared and served with understated elegance. The spicy margarita is amazing and if you want to kick it up a notch have them with mezcal. The service is very friendly and upscale. Today I came in to try the famous Carajillo. Read a review in the New York Times about Tobala in which this cocktail is mentioned. It really had never called my attention and I thought I tried it. Extremely please. It was prepared by Adolfo my favorite bar tender at the place and boy did he deliver. This place is worth the trip to Riverdale and this drink is a definite must. While you are at it have a few tacos.

Delicious but overpriced for pretty basic foods. Starter portions were enormous.

My husband and I ate outdoors at Tobala a few nights ago. The inside is very lovely, as is the outdoor area. In terms of the food, we were disappointed. The guacamole is the best Ive ever had and the dry beef tacos were great. However, the branzino was overcooked and cost $55. This was very puzzling, as our usual, excellent, spots charge about 34 bucks for branzino that is much better. I only ordered it because I suspected it would somehow be spectacular for that price! I only ate a quarter of it. We were stunned. The servers were lovely but were way beyond what they could manage due to the NYT review. My husband got the duck entree. He liked it. All I can say is this is a great place to go for a drink, guacamole, and some tacos. It is overpriced and only fair in terms of the entrees.

Everything was great! We had esquites, guacamole and 2 cocktails my favorite was LA POSADA, warm mezcal -hibiscus tea cocktail. Food is delicious, fresh,tasty Service is TOP, I mean 100/10. Will come back

I was really excited to try this place. But couldn t get passed the flavorless appetizers. I had octopus and guacamole. The guacamole look like it had been seating and was not fresh. The octopus appetizer was bland and the portion invisible barely noticeable. The drinks took over 15 minutes to arrive. The drinks were the only thing that I could recommend. I really wanted to like this place. But since they didn t get appetizers right we decided not to proceed with the main dishes. For me it was overpriced for the value and quality. Very instagramable place but I want to be equally impressed with their food.

They will be in the Michelin guide and possibly a star on ,every level a 5/5. No need to go to Manhattan for dinner or drinks again. Food

Dayton is super hospitable and one ofnthe best bartender I have ever met Je was able to recommend to right drinks to my palet and connects well with everyone

I went to this place for brunch on a Sunday and it was amazing. I can see why they were nominated for a Michelin star, the food was amazing from The appetizer to the entree and dessert. I definitely will be going back. A hidden gem at the heart of Riverdale! Nico the server was fantastic and very knowledgeable and patient.

Tobala is excellent all around. Go on a nice evening and sit in the front where the front doors open to the sidewalk. We had the guacamole, cochinita, a few drinks (mole negroni and michelada), and a tamal de piña - all were fantastic. The service was flawless. Given the pricepoint it is more of a special occasion meal for us, but we will be back. This place is a NYT critics pick and up for a Michelin star. Go!

Came here for brunch first and thought it was good, but nothing great (had the Tlacoyos, Guac, and Corn Cakes), but came back for dinner and the Tacos de Barbacoa and the Cochinita (especially the latter) blew me away! Looking forward to returning. Amazing service btw - shout out to Adhaly!

We love this place and are so happy it opened in our corner of NYC. The food is very unique and everything we have tried has been so enjoyable we are trying to work our way through the whole menu. The drinks are exquisite as well. Definitely worth a visit. Kid-friendliness: Kids are welcome but the menu options are unique so there may not be a large choice of menu options.

Nice and chilled. Great service

Great upscale Mexican place in the heart of Riverdale. Simple and rustic vibe, amazing food, and great service. Lamb and wagyu tacos, roasted corn, and duck enmoladas were all delicious but the highlight was the octopus in chicatana sauce (giant red leaf-cutter ants, blended into a sauce). Yes, ants. And yes, you absolutely should try it.

Great gem of a high end restaurant in Riverdale. The food and drinks are impeccable!

Tobalá is a trendy and chic destination for inventive Oaxacan cuisine with a twist. We loved the open air concept, modern and minimalist design concept and creative menu. Dishes can be shared and it s a great way to experience multiple menu items. Not your typical Mexican restaurant, for sure! P.S. The Tobalá mezcal was beyond delicious!

First time there a couple nights ago, even though theyve been in business for nearly a year. We had the Guacamole (Oaxacan-style) to start, and then a couple more appetizer/ tapas style dishes, the Octopus on a black bean molé and the Scallops on a sauce (or really another molé) that has 20 ingredients that went into making it! Everything was just fantastic, including our server, Victor, who went out of his way to make sure we were well taken care of. He had a rather large section of the restaurant that night, but he was so helpful! And yes, even though the prices were more like Manhattan eatery prices, we will be back!

Tobalá is a Mexican restaurant in Riverdale that specializes in authentic Oaxacan cuisine. The menu features a wide variety of dishes, including guacamole, tacos, enchiladas, and moles. The ingredients are all sourced locally, and the flavors are bold and delicious. One of the highlights of the menu is the guacamole. Its made with fresh, ripe avocados, smoked corn, and queso fresco. The smoke from the corn gives the guacamole a unique flavor thats both smoky and creamy. Another must-try dish is the tacos dorados. These crispy tacos are filled with potatoes, salsa verde, and caramelized onions. Theyre topped with avocado cream, which adds a delicious richness. If youre looking for something more substantial, the carne asada is a great option. The steak is cooked to perfection and served with chilatole, nopal, chimichurri, and corn tortillas. Tobalá also has a great selection of cocktails. The margaritas are made with fresh lime juice and top-shelf tequila. The mezcal flights are a great way to try a variety of different mezcals. The service at Tobalá is excellent. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and theyre always happy to make recommendations. Overall, Tobalá is a great restaurant for authentic Oaxacan cuisine. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is lively. I highly recommend it. Here are some additional thoughts on the restaurant: The prices are reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. The restaurant is located in a convenient spot in Riverdale. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, making it a great place to go for a casual meal with friends or family. I would definitely recommend Tobalá to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Oaxacan meal in Riverdale.

Im glad this restaurant is in the neighborhood. The food is delicious, the service is very good, and so is the atmosphere. I liked how the hostess was burning palo santo, it made the restaurant smell good and contributed to the atmosphere. The mariposa cocktail tasted as good as it looked (its the color purple), and I enjoyed the flavors of the enmoladas de pato, tacos de barbacoa, guacamole, and ensalada de mercado. I would eat here again.

It s a try hard food place. They attempt to be too complex but the food is just bad. Excellent ingredientes, fresh but nevertheless bad. The guac is really bad which says it all. Wanted to try a new place but I ll never come back .

Such a creative take on oxacan cuisine! We love how the traditional seasoning mixes with the seafood and pork. Excellent! Dietary restrictions: They asked about allergies.

Elevated Oaxacan food with a sticker shock. The service was outstanding and the menu interesting, ant Mayo and all, but I certainly was not expecting an entree to be as high as $60. The fact that there are no prices online and no menu on the window should have been a warning.

Delicious food and the Best cocktails in the Bronx !

I highly recommend coming here as the ambiance and service is unmatched. Ines, our server was so kind and empathetic. She gracefully attended to us and shared her recommendations. We felt at home here and never felt rushed. We loved the spicy margaritas with Tajín spice on the rim. The guacamole was rich and flavorful. The mushroom and eggplant dish was delectable and beautifully presented. Watch out, the spicy sauce was indeed spicy! It adds so much vibrancy to the food! It leaves you craving more!

Its a Mexican Restaurant in Riverdale and not in Midtown Manhattan. Prices are high for the area. Food is good but not the value you would expect at the price point. Major issue with our experience was we ordered Rice and Beans for the kids but asked for the rice to be separate since they dont like beans. The kitchen refused to put the rice on a separate plate even though its a scoop of white rice and a scoop of black beans with 3 slices of avocado that make up the dish. We ordered one and separated it ourselves. We asked again if we could order the rice separate and once again was denied. The second order we received had less rice and more beans. I dont believe in Google reviews but if the chef wants to be petty.....no problem

The esquites tasted like frozen or from a can, not fresh, small portions and pricey in general but a good experience. Not coming back definitely.

We had a girls night during the collaboration night with Chef Bricia Lopez and it was such an amazing night. The food quality and taste was so amazing, reminded me of my bbq at home in California. The restaurant itself is a show stopper, thought I was in Manhattan or Brooklyn. So chic. So happy a place like this opened up in the Bronx!

Whoaaa!! This place was absolutely amazing. From the ambiance to the food to the way you are instantly intoxicated by the smell of Palo Santo. Please open up a restaurant on the Hudson River. NJ side. You guys would KILL IT! Because honestly it felt like I should be seeing the view of the water when I walked out. Kudos to the chef because WOW!!!

Really great Mexican food with superb service.

Delicious beautifully presented food, served with understandable pride by the waitstaff. I especially liked the glassware.

Food

Incredible experience that I wish I could afford every week Nico was an amazing host!

Best restaurant in Riverdale.

Great mocktails and cocktails. Our waiter was also very knowledgeable about the menu and was able to accommodate my gluten allergy!

It was a pretty good place. Wouldve liked to see more variety in their drink menus and they also only had 1 desert available. It has to taken into consideration that this place doesnt even have a year yet. But overall the experience was good. Definitely recomendable.

First; you should know that if Niko is your host; I highly recommend you ask him for wine pairings to go with each dish, his recommendations were on point and amazing . I highly recommend you try the mushroom Picaditas, it was phenomenal and I will be ordering it every time I come here. I had the most incredibly tasty cocktails ever, not a single one disappointed , I tried 5, this place has the most amazing mixologist outside of Porterhouse on Columbus Circle. Finally; the food, drinks, service and ambiance of this place is truly an experience. If you been to a Mexican high end resort like Xcaret, then you ll know what I mean. All of the food tasted as if the ingredients were freshly picked that day. This place is unpretentious yet elevated and the music is nice, you can hear it, but you can have a conversation without having to raise your voice if your counterpart is in front of you. Also; I don t think they use onions in their guacamole, which I absolutely love. Vegetarian options: They have non-locomotive dishes. Dietary restrictions: If you let your host know of any restrictions they ll do everything they can Gladly to accommodate your needs, they take great pride on pleasing their Guests. Parking: It s a high density suburb area, but street parking is somewhat available.

The place was absolutely beautiful The service was refreshing All in all I really enjoyed the food, The drinks and the amazing service that we received. The scallops were delicious!! Food : 5/5

Excelente service, food, drink & atmosphere Two observations from my part, I feel like the chairs were a bit too low (I have long legs) and I was a bit uncomfortable And the other one was that the tortilla on my dish was a bit too crispy (that s just me) but overall it was a fantastic experience

Rain or shine a beautiful spot in Riverdale. Amazing food great addition to the neighborhood! Must come if you haven t been here. Evelyn

The food is delicious here. The service has a whole lot of room for improvement. Came here after hearing about the Michelin rating stuff. It was my birthday dinner & the AC started leaking on me. Let the waitress know what s going on & was given a response that sometimes it does that. A few minutes after, it starts leaking on me even heavier. Let the waitress know again, no apologies or one offer to even have my table moved. I ve been to restaurants with much less hype & have been offered a different table let alone sincere apologies at the very least. Hopefully they work out their hospitality issues.

The brunch menu was familiar yet featured unusual and interesting ingredients. Presentation was artistic and portions were satisfying. Ill definitely return next time Im in the area. Wheelchair accessibility: Theres a short ramp for a wheelchair or walker.

I love it here! The food is delicious, but the drinks keep bringing me back. I have tried everything on the drink and the food menu and there is nothing you could go wrong with. I am also excited to see that they now have a brunch options and have expanded their menu. Also, must mention that the service is outstanding! Its become my favorite restaurant in Riverdale.

I was fascinated, the food is very exquisite and sophisticated.Amazing!!!

This has been on my list for a while. It was underwhelming. The service, staff and atmosphere is amazing. The food was flavorless, I had their appetizer special, it was a tuna tartare on a tortilla. It was described as herby, fresh etc, not at all. For my entree, the chicken with the mole. The most flavorless mole I ve had. Not a hint of spice anywhere. The watercress salad didn t make sense with it either. They recommended tortillas with my meal they were moist and soggy.

Excellent traditional Mexican restaurant to go with your friends.

Adolfo and Jesus made the night even better with their attention, jokes, and great vibes! Indeed a very cool and elegant place!

Excellent food and cocktails Great atmosphere. Super helpful staff. My vegan requirements were easily catered for. Food

We ordered the lamb tacos, pork tacos, fish tacos, guacamole (memorable), duck entree and the octopus entree. Octopus entree sauce is made with crushed chicacantes.

10/10 I came to celebrate my 8th year anniversary with my sweetheart and I must say I was highly impressed with the food service and atmosphere. The food is great with so many authentic flavors of Mexico. Not your average Mexican dish but unique and tasty. I had the tlacoyo with beans and chorizo, the salad was beyond amazing and the pairing with the fried egg made it better. My partner had the memelita with the waygu and it was great as well. THE DRINKS were beyoooooond amazing. 10/10 CARAJILLO, ever had an espresso martini? This drink is 10x better than your average espresso martini. The flavor is so rich that it leaves you wanting more. If you are looking for a spicy but yet refreshing drink get El Mero Mero . Our lovely server Ines was kind and sweet. She gave excellent hospitality and service. She recommended the best dishes and on top of that made our anniversary date special the way it should be. Thank you! We will be back soon :)

Some dishes are pricey, but their food are tasteful and flavorsome.

We can walk here but I would drive an hour for food this good. Everything was the highest quality and prepared like a Michelin star restaurant.

Love the entire menu here! Favorites are Tacos de Barbacoa and Ensalada de Mercado. Ambience is beautiful, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian options to choose from in both appetizer and entree sections. Dietary restrictions: Gluten free-friendly options available.

Tobala is an incredible addition to the Restaurant Row of Riverdale! The food is absolutely delicious, staff are engaging and incredibly knowledgeable. If you havent experienced Mezcal, approach with an open mind and your tastebuds will be forever grateful. A beautiful, warm and inviting Manhattan vibe! A must experience!

Great Mexican food!

Food here is very tasty

Overpriced. Been coming here since it was opened, two weeks after opening to be exact and it has seriously gone down hill. Service is unapologetically slower than the DMV.

My congratulations to the chef El Pulpo al Puerto, incredible excellent treatment by Oscar Perea and Juliet, very successful and in fact I recommend this place to you....

Great food and staff

They advertise it as a Oaxaca cuisine restaurant it s not. We had the aguachile and vegan aguachile and both were completely underwhelming, soulless; no salt, no spice, nothing at all. Where s Oaxaca on it? Where s at least a hint of Mexican pizzazz? However, everybody spoke Spanish and the place is decorated as a Yucatán hacienda henequenera.

Amazing time. Congratulations! Tamal de piña

Absolutely beautiful restaurant with amazing drinks and food

Great drinks, nice bartenders. Only had a few apps (terrible) guacamole was bland, the tostadas with it were stale, the corn side is (little corns like from a can) not edible, the only tacos on the menu Barbacoa were good but the tortilla was falling apart. So sad their old restaurant was so good I went all the time. They need to fix the menu.

Great aesthetic but not worth the $$. The guacamole was not even enough to suffice a small child. Also the menu is extremely limited.No dessert menu either. Good but not great.

Excellent Service and very good food

Everything we had was delicious! The guacamole was fresh and so tasty. Vegan ceviche with coconut was very nice. The barbacoa lamb tacos- delish! The octopus was perfect- served with a few tiny roasted potatoes and the sauce .The sweet tamal with pineapple compote for dessert was something new- house made and really good. Drinks were very yummy too. The Paloma The service was also great- everyone was very attentive. The place has a sexy Tulum vibe, the design and lighting one of the cutest I ve seen in this area. Can t say enough on how it exceeded all expectations

New Neighborhood Restaurant.. Simple Decor love the high wood beam ceiling. The food speaks for itself honestly High Class Cuisine. Really enjoyed every bite. Guacamole a musssssssttt Please try the Aquachile Camarones such a beautiful dish but the flavors are so goood. We had the pork for two honestly was a great choice I do say so myself lol. So wait back to the meal O M G the flavor profile on that pig was so succulent and the Blue corn tortillas. All I can say is presentation on point. Flavor profile is unique, ambiance classy yet simple and my spicy mango margarita EVERYTHING!!

I experienced Oaxaca cuisine in Oaxaca and never thought some thing of that level could be replicated in NY. Fortunately I was wrong. Experiencing Tobala is like experiencing Oaxaca. Highly recommend this place to true Mexican cuisine lovers

just starting out and this place will persevere, for its family purpose and authenticity in food, i look forward to the years ahead and all the satisfied, well nourished patrons

We loved the mezcal cocktails, duck mole and lamb tacos, the pineapple tamale dessert was amazing!! Julia was kind and helpful. So nice to have a unique place like this in Riverdale now!

I didnt like the service. They rush people to order and leave the restaurant quickly.

Has lots of potential, great location, beautiful decor. Its obvious love and care was put into the deco..Food was flavorful & service good. I must say the employees, servers & host all seem to be unhappy or trying not to be on bad side of management. As if afraid to smile. The energy was palpable a bit uncomfortable. Like when mom has scolded all the children right before company arrived.

Staff is friendly, great smiles, decorations are awesome, soft music, family friendly, they also educate you on Oaxaca cuisine, ingredients use and special of the day. Portions are great, drinks amazing. Kitchen is open you can see chef and assistants preparing the food. We requested to see the chef and thank him for a delightful meal and dessert, also took a picture. Guacamole was amazing,

If you are looking for an authentic restaurant, with impecable service and food that will transport you back to Oaxaca this is your place. Inviting atmosphere, good music, the cocktails (I cannot say enough about the cocktails). For a moment I thought I was back in Tulum and the warm breeze of the ocean was going to hit me any moment. Superb! Will def. Come back very soon

Exquisite food and service! Guava Margarita is amazing. The mero mero cocktail is delicious. The guacamole, lamb tacos and dessert I m not even a dessert person but 3 of us shared one and loved it. We couldn t leave without taking home a salsa Macha. You ll enjoy your time and meal there.

Excellent from start to finish: delicious margaritas, guacamole, tacos and first class service. We will be coming back again and again! Vegetarian options: Delicious mushroom tacos!

Outstanding service The food presentation is very creative One of the few places I have found that is close to authentic Mexican cuisine I will definitely be going back

This place is a vibe. It s beautifully decorated, clean, the food was delicious, the servers were friendly and kind. We went for a bday dinner although we didn t announce it we just wanted to enjoy the food. The mariposa drink was so good! Only con/negative I would say is the services seemed a little slow but can t knock them for that, it happens. Overall great place, great music. I would come back for a little date night.

Its a cute place with a great atmosphere but the menu is a bit a limited and the food itself isnt worth how expensive and how little you get. I do recommend the barbacoa it was good.

This spot is a gem. Phenomenal food and service. The menu is tight and well thought-out. Wait staff took their time to talk through dishes and were both attentive and friendly. Cant recommend Tobala more!

Wow impressed at the quality of food and drinks. Its creative and delicious go check it out. Not to mention excellent service!!