Café de La Esquina

225 Wythe Avenue - Brooklyn, NY, NY 11249
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Retro Mexican in a Landmark Diner

Profile by: Dean Kurth
Photos shot on location by: Kirsten Kay Thoen

Highlights

  • Café de La Esquina Brooklyn prides itself on maintaining a separate identity from its Soho sibling. The staff regularly incorporates suggestions from neighborhood locals.
  • Seasonal changes are reflected in menu items available only at the Williamsburg location. Summer offerings include gazpacho and traditional Mexican paletas.
  • Your server will expertly inform you of several rotating cocktail specials. Drinks containing the popular house jalapeno-infused tequila can be made to order depending on your threshold for heat.

Good to Know

  • Adding to the local flavor, management books only local DJs to spin Wednesday to Saturday starting at 8:30pm.
  • A large outdoor patio garden, bar and taqueria is open in warmer months for al fresco dining and late-night drinking.
  • Extensive selection of tequilas, mezcals, wines, and locally sourced craft beers.
  • Reservations recommended for dinner and weekend brunch, though walk-ins are also accepted.
  • Happy Hour is 12-7pm Wednesday through Friday with $5 margaritas and sangria, $3 Tecate cans, and $6 Tecate cans with a shot. Tuesday is an all-day happy hour.
  • You'll have to speak a little louder to your date once the DJ starts spinning in the main dining room -- or sweep her outside for a beverage at the patio bar under strings of festive lights. Live music and bands also perform at the restaurant often.

Recommended Dishes

  • ·
    Chicken Enchilada with Pumpkin Seed Mole
  • ·
    Ceviche Acapulco with Market Fish, Shrimp, Tomato, Avocado, Jalapeno, and Lime

Must-Try Cocktails

  • ·
    Hemingway en Mexico: Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Luxardo, Blackberries,
  • ·
    Fresh Lemon Juice and Agave Nectar, $11.
  • ·
    Margarita de Verano: Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Watermelon Basil
  • ·
    Puree, Fresh Lime, and Agave Nectar, $11.

Full Overview

Walk five minutes off the main drag of Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood and you'll stumble upon the outpost of the trendy Soho Mexican spot Café de La Esquina.  And like the speakeasy nature of their Manhattan locale, Café de La Esquina Brooklyn might throw you off with the many nods to the Wythe Diner (the landmark's former resident) -- including its original neon sign out front. This Mexican eatery is more fifties retro than modern fiesta with its stainless steel exterior, white formica table tops and red vinyl booths.  The vibe conjures up simpler times when letterman jacket-wearing teens might roll in and order a milkshake.  But there are just enough touches of downtown cool throughout, including a moodier, back room for more intimate dining and private parties. If the atmosphere has you feeling nostalgic, order a spicy spin on the hamburger: the Hamburgesa is topped with jalapenos, avocado and chipotle mayo.  But first start off with an order of the crispy Flautas Taquitos. For your main, go straight for the Carne Asada, a generous portion of aged prime strip loin topped with a chimichurri sauce that doesn't upstage its plate partner.  Regulars go for the Pescado Guisado, fish of the day served with a pistachio mole verde.   Not to be missed cocktail-wise is the Pepino Diablo, a mix of jalapeno-infused tequila and just enough cucumber and agave nectar to tame the flames.  A rim of “tajin” chili lime salt tops it off.  A combination so good, you'll have another. 

Private Dining at Café de La Esquina

 

Housed in the former Wythe Diner space, Café de La Esquina's original iconic building is a landmark within the Williamsburg neighborhood and dates back to 1952. The space features refurbished original aspects as well as new, unique elements combined to create a casual, and transporting atmosphere. In keeping with the La Esquina style, Café de La Esquina at Wythe Diner offers four distinct spaces, each which offer their own distinct appeal and ambiance combined with tasty, market-fresh cuisine.

Our Private Dining Areas

Open for nightly dinner service, the Diner fuses together the unique classic diner feel along with modern elements to reinterpret the hip La Esquina vibe for the Williamsburg setting. Featuring nightly DJ's, the space captures a casual, lively atmosphere, making it an ideal setting to enjoy a cocktail at the bar or relax in the classic diner booths while sampling the restaurant's tasty, casual fare. Sample a variety of La Esquina favorites such as the Queso Fundito, Carnitas Taquitos and Sopa de Tortilla along with new innovative dishes crafted by Executive Chef Akhtar Nawab exclusively for the Williamsburg audience. Round off the evening with a Blood Orange Margarita, refreshing Pepino Diablo or another of Café de La Esquina's fresh, house made cocktails. Or, sample from the restaurant's expansive selection of premium tequilas and mescals, variety of old-world wines, juicy sangrias and locally sourced craft beers, all available throughout the Diner, Back Room and Taqueria.

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

 

Complete dark tones, original artwork and an expansive display of artisanal tequilas, the Back Room offers a more intimate experience while still keeping within the restaurant's overall casual vibe. ?Menu items offer a robust selection of small plates, Taquitoes, Tostados, and main plates. Created exclusively for the Back Room, a supplementary menu is also offered, which changes frequently, and offers a selection of unique, seasonal creations by Chef Akhtar, only available at the Williamsburg restaurant. ?Reservations are recommended and can be made 21 days to the calendar date.

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

 

Built as an extension to the original structure, the Taqueria offers a fun, light atmosphere, complete with a take-away counter and service window. A selection of tasty tacos, sandwiches and salads are offered for those on-the-go. In the warmer months, tap beer and shaved ices are available for guests to be enjoyed in the garden. ?Located just outside of the Taqueria, the garden features bistro-style seating and offers a place to relax and savor Taqueria offerings by day. At night, al fresco seating for the Diner is available, featuring table service and Diner menu offerings. ?Café de La Esquina is looking forward to sharing a new, exciting project for the garden, which will be unveiled to neighbors and guests this Fall, so stay tuned!

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

 

Extras:

 

Bartenders

DJ

Decorations

Staff

Chef

Mariachi Band

 

Inquire about pricing

(646) 613-7100

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

 

Extras:

 

Bartenders

DJ

Decorations

Staff

Chef

Mariachi Band

 

Inquire about pricing

(646) 613-7100

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

 

Extras:

 

Bartenders

DJ

Decorations

Staff

Chef

Mariachi Band

 

Inquire about pricing

(646) 613-7100

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

 

Extras:

 

Bartenders

DJ

Decorations

Staff

Chef

Mariachi Band

 

Inquire about pricing

(646) 613-7100

Capacity:
  • Minimum 9
  • Maximum 100

A reservation will now earn you: 200 Reward pts.

CityEats Rewards

For every reservation that you make and honor (you actually show up at the restaurant and have a meal) on CityEats.com, you will earn 200 CityEats Rewards points. If you then write a review of your dining experience, you will earn an additional 200 points. Once you have collected 2,500 points, you can redeem them for either a $25 gift certificate or a charitable donation in the amount of $25.