Basque & Southern French-inspired LES spot w/ creative pintxos & fried mussels. Known for cool vibe & extensive wine/vermouth list.
Eel Bar, a sister restaurant to Hart's, The Fly, and Cervo's, offers pintxos and fried mussels in a cool, basement-like setting on the Lower East Side.
This Basque and Southern French-inspired eatery offers a unique dining experience with its creative pintxos and standout fried mussels. The restaurant boasts a cool, basement-like ambiance with a strong emphasis on woods, mirrors, and neon lighting. It's also recognized for its extensive vermouth and wine selection, complemented by knowledgeable staff.
The cuisine features Basque and Southern French influences, with highly recommended dishes like pintxos and fried mussels. Standouts include the Bomba rice appetizer with raw red shrimp, and generally, all dishes are reported to be very good with no misses. The orange wine and caneles are also frequently mentioned as excellent. However, one reviewer advised against the burger.
"Standout dishes include the Bomba rice appetizer with raw red shrimp, fried mussels, bay scallop skewers, mandarins with grilled squid, and the caneles. The orange wine and dirty martinis are also highly recommended."
Customers overwhelmingly praise the restaurant, highlighting its exceptional food, great ambiance, and knowledgeable staff, with many considering it a top dining experience.
Important Note
One reviewer specifically advised against ordering the burger.
"This user mentioned Eel Bar as a potential place to visit."
Neutral"This user stated they had a really good canele at Eel Bar."
Positive"This user mentioned Eel Bar as another good option alongside Wabi Nori."
Neutral"This user recommended Eel Bar as a dope restaurant with delicious and innovative food, in response to a comment criticizing the NYC food scene."
Positive"This commenter recommended Eel Bar, stating it offers a vibe where one can dress up a bit more."
Positive"The original poster secured a reservation at The Eel, which is related to Cervo's, after Cervo's was fully booked."
Neutral"Eel Bar is suggested as a fitting choice for the user's situation."
Positive"Eel bar is listed as a recommended restaurant."
Positive"The user mentioned they have been really into Eel Bar lately."
Positive"Eel Bar is suggested as a potential dining option."
Neutral"Eel bar is mentioned as a place for 'elevated seafood'."
Positive"Eel Bar, a sister restaurant to Cervo's, has a chilled vibe and good drink selection. Many dishes have Southern French or Basque influences, and they offer great steak and burger options."
Positive"The commenter had a positive solo dining experience at the bar at eel bar."
Positive"Eel Bar in LES is recommended for its great bar seating, underrated food and drinks, and good atmosphere for solo diners."
Positive"Eel Bar is described as a 'good time'."
Positive"The author declared Eel Bar as their favorite Spanish restaurant in NYC, stating everything is excellent ('slaps'), particularly praising its Basque classics and dirty martinis but advising against the burger."
Positive"The commenter lists Eel bar as a recommendation."
Neutral"Listed as a restaurant suggestion."
Neutral"The caneles were very good, better than bouloud cafe, served with poached pairs."
Positive"It was so good that I ended up drinking the orange wine by myself haha, all the dishes were great."
Positive
