Inventive American bistro w/ Michelin star. Known for shareable plates & superb wine list. Lively, sometimes loud, NYC classic.
This lively SoHo spot, helmed by Chef Ignacio Mattos, consistently delivers inventive takes on classic dishes, making it a quintessential NYC dining experience. Known for its shareable plates and impressive wine list, Estela offers a vibrant atmosphere perfect for enjoying fresh ingredients and creative flavor combinations. While it garners praise for its innovative cuisine and top-notch wine pairings, some diners find the ambiance to be loud and cramped.
Estela offers a modern American cuisine with a focus on inventive, shareable plates using fresh ingredients. Dishes like ricotta dumplings and beef tartare receive significant acclaim. While many rave about the creative flavor combinations, a few find the food to be merely par or not living up to expectations for a Michelin-starred establishment. The wine list is consistently praised.
"The beef tartare at Estela is frequently highlighted as outstanding, with several commenters urging others to try it. The endive salad is also mentioned as a dish that warrants a return visit."
Customers generally praise the innovative and delicious food, particularly highlighting the wine pairings and creative dishes. However, some find the restaurant to be loud, cramped, and occasionally rushed.
Important Note
The restaurant can be very loud, especially during peak hours, due to poor acoustics. Some diners find the portions small and the overall experience cramped. Reservations can be difficult to secure for prime dining times.
"Estela was provided as a restaurant suggestion."
Neutral"The user recommends Estela."
Positive"The user recommends Estela."
Positive"Estela has "horrible acoustics" and is very loud unless visited during off-peak hours."
Negative"Estela has "horrible acoustics" and is very loud unless visited during off-peak hours."
Negative"This restaurant is listed as a recommendation."
Neutral"Estela was listed as a possible dining option."
Neutral"This commenter found Estela amazing, contrasting with their experience at Red Paper Clip, which they felt was hit or miss."
Positive"Estela is mentioned as a great meal that did not feel pretentious."
Positive"This commenter felt Estela's food was like something made by an alien, which they didn't consider a negative, but it wasn't what they envisioned for 'well-done classics'."
Neutral"This user disagreed with the negative review of Estela, finding Red Paper Clip underwhelming and overrated instead, while loving Estela."
Positive"This user enthusiastically seconded the recommendation for Estela, praising its excellent food, interesting yet not weird dishes, great vibe, service, and wine list."
Positive"This user found Estela overrated, with bland food not deserving of a Michelin star, and suggested Red Paper Clip as an alternative for Taiwanese cuisine."
Negative"This commenter suggested Estela as a perfect fit for the original poster's request for unpretentious yet interesting food."
Positive"This user recently had a very positive experience with the beef tartare at Estela, stating it blew them away."
Positive"This user recently had a very positive experience with the beef tartare at Estela, stating it blew them away."
Positive"This user recently had a very positive experience with the beef tartare at Estela, stating it blew them away."
Positive"This user recently had a very positive experience with the beef tartare at Estela, stating it blew them away."
Positive"This comment highlights Estela's beef tartare, describing the beef as 'jewels' with a contrasting texture from sunchokes."
Positive"This comment highlights Estela's beef tartare, describing the beef as 'jewels' with a contrasting texture from sunchokes."
Positive
