
Casa Enrique
NYC's sole Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, offering refined regional classics and creative cocktails in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Casa Enrique

Highlights
Must-see attractions
NYC's sole Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, offering refined regional classics and creative cocktails in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Reservations Recommended
Book ahead, especially for weekends or peak times, as this popular spot fills up quickly.
Share Generous Portions
Consider ordering family-style; dishes are generously portioned and perfect for sharing.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Michelin-Starred Mexican Excellence
NYC's only Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, serving authentic dishes inspired by regional Mexican cuisine.

Authentic Flavors and Bold Tastes
Experience a culinary journey through Mexico with house-made tortillas, flavorful sauces, and unique regional specialties.

Creative Cocktails and Ambiance
Savor expertly crafted cocktails, like the seasonal watermelon margarita, in a warm, welcoming, and refined setting.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Book ahead, especially for weekends or peak times, as this popular spot fills up quickly.
Share Generous Portions
Consider ordering family-style; dishes are generously portioned and perfect for sharing.
Request Quieter Seating
For a more intimate experience, ask for a table away from potentially lively open areas.
Don't Miss Frozen Margaritas
Try seasonal specials like the frozen watermelon margarita, a reviewer favorite.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Book ahead, especially for weekends or peak times, as this popular spot fills up quickly.
Share Generous Portions
Consider ordering family-style; dishes are generously portioned and perfect for sharing.
Request Quieter Seating
For a more intimate experience, ask for a table away from potentially lively open areas.
Don't Miss Frozen Margaritas
Try seasonal specials like the frozen watermelon margarita, a reviewer favorite.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Casa Enrique is widely praised for its authentic, elevated Mexican cuisine and consistently earning its Michelin star. Diners rave about the flavorful dishes, expertly crafted cocktails, and warm service, making it a highly sought-after dining destination. While some find it a bit pricey, the quality and taste generally justify the cost for a memorable experience.
"This is a terrific Mexican restaurant with some of the most delightful dishes. Steak is super tender, perfectly cooked at medium raw, juicy and melts in your mouth. Tacos come with fresh corn tortillas. The meat is fresh, sweet and savory. Fish ceviche is tangy, spicy.
The restaurant is right off of Vernon, slightly more secluded being next to a children park/playground. Outdoor seatings are available. Service is quick. We were able to get a table on a Saturday afternoon for an early dinner without a reservation. The price is on the higher end for mexican food but I still recommend for occasional treat for anyone to try."
Linh Pham
"Went on a Sunday evening without a reservation and was warmly welcomed. The service was attentive and kind throughout. The guacamole was excellent—creamy and full of flavor—and the fresh chips were a perfect match. I also tried the spicy margarita, which was satisfying, though just a bit too spicy for my taste.
The mole chicken was something new for me—rich and interesting, though I personally missed a touch of fresh herbs to round it out. The tortillas were fantastic, though—fresh and full of flavor. And whatever those crunchy little things they bring out before the meal are—totally addictive. Yum!"
Y R
"Fantastic. The roasted poblano peppers with cream was my favorite dish — and the crab tostadas… and the beet & jicama salad. There were so many memorable dishes. The weather was cool and breezy so it was perfect eating outside. They were also doing a special frozen watermelon margarita with fresh watermelon. Delicious!"
Bailey Kirkpatrick
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Casa Enrique holds the distinction of being the first and only Mexican restaurant in Queens, NYC, to earn a Michelin star, which it has maintained for multiple years.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is very popular and can be difficult to get into without prior booking.
Standout dishes include the Mole Poblano, lamb shank (Chamorro de borrego), Tacos de Carne Asada, and various ceviches and tostadas. The Tres Leches cake is a popular dessert.
Yes, the restaurant is known for its expertly crafted cocktails, with the seasonal watermelon margarita and spicy margaritas being frequently mentioned as highlights.
While it's an upscale dining experience, families are welcome. Some reviews mention enjoying meals with family, and the atmosphere can be accommodating.
The restaurant offers a warm, inviting, and relaxed atmosphere, described as a cozy cantina with modern decor, suitable for both casual dates and family gatherings.
Chef Cosme Aguilar draws inspiration from his roots in Chiapas, Mexico, and his extensive experience to create authentic and refined regional Mexican dishes.
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Great Brunches in Queens
Holding the title for the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the borough, Casa Enrique is one of the best restaurants in Queens. When it comes to the food, "One can literally taste the regions and cities that chef Cosme Aguilar’s amazingly complex menu explores—including his own childhood recipes to honor his mother’s memory," according to inspectors. "Start your meal with hearty rajas con crema, combining none-too-spicy poblanos with sweet, fresh corn, Mexican sour cream and cheese served alongside a stack of fresh and slightly toasty tortillas." Then move on to options like huevos con chorizo, which features scrambled eggs with homemade chorizo, beans, queso, potatoes and roasted poblano peppers.
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Since claiming its Michelin star, Casa Enrique has seen droves make the pilgrimage to Long Island City for the chef’s Mexican cooking. The casual, warm restaurant quickly wins over stomachs with house-made pucks of corn crowned with tumbles of chorizo, fragrant ceviche steeped in lime, and tender chicken cloaked in chocolate-stained mole. Wash it all down with tequila and mezcal, and then tenderly spoon at the tres leches cake, a squat sponge infused with three kinds of milk and drizzled with goat’s milk caramel.
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Taco trucks line Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights as the 7 train rumbles overhead, so it’s fitting to find New York City’s sole Michelin-starred Mexican spot at the International Express’ first stop outside Manhattan. Cosme Aguilar’s menu includes such favorites as the earthy pork and hominy soup pozole and enchiladas de pollo en salsa verde. Chamorro de borrego al huaxamole—tender lamb shank braised in ruddy sauce of chili pulla, huajes and epazote—eats like South of the Border ossobuco.
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Casa Enrique is a Queens institution, and their crunchy fish tacos, spicy ceviche, and rich mole de Piaxtla are essential whenever you're in the mood for unfussy Mexican dishes. They also have seasonal watermelon margaritas, which you can drink around a big bar while watching soccer on TV. For a casual date night, sit at one of the white cafe tables in the spacious dining room.
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Even before it got a flashy new Michelin star, Casa Enrique was putting out excellent regional Mexican cuisine from the state of Chiapas. And it keeps getting better and better, if that’s even possible. The go-to order is cochinito Chiapaneco (roasted pork ribs marinated in guajillo chiles) and a margarita (the red pepper one is particularly interesting).
Hungry City: Casa Enrique in Long Island City, Queens
The first plate to land on the table at Casa Enrique is a bowl of what looks like fossilized macaroni and cheese. It turns out to be chicharrines, a Mexican street snack, squiggles of wheat flour deep-fried until they puff up like pork cracklings.
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Raised in Chiapas, Mexico, Chef Cosme Aguilar spent more than a decade working in French cuisine before reconnecting with his Mexican roots and opening Casa Enrique in 2012. In the years since, his restaurant has firmly cemented itself as a Long Island City favorite while making consistent appearances on the Michelin Guide. Alongside its extensive taco menu, which features tequila-marinated steak, mesquite chicken, cow tongue, and even a seasonal vegan option, Casa Enrique’s hefty entrees are also not to be missed.
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A fabled Long Island City cantina, Casa Enrique's unassuming front entrance conceals what goes on inside every night - that being tables full of people diving into the city's only Michelin-starred Mexican dishes. The menu comprises classic choices done well, such as market-fish tacos, chicken enchiladas with salsa verde and mole over chicken and rice (the restaurant's speciality). While we know that the term "authentic" is painfully overused, that's just what the food here is.
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If you’ve been searching for a Mexican restaurant in Park Slope that you can get excited about, you can stop. This Oaxacan spot has outstanding fried cod tacos and perfectly seasoned carne asada with a sauce that’s so good we would pour it on pretty much anything (edible or not). The dark, candle-lit room has huge booths with tall partitions that make you feel like there’s no one else in the restaurant, which makes Casa Azul an ideal spot for a casual date night.
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Casa Enrique, celebrated for its exquisite Mexican cuisine and prestigious Michelin star rating, has captivated Long Island City since its inception on March 15th, 2012. Rapidly ascending to local prominence, Casa Enrique proudly shares cherished family recipes with its patrons. Notably, it has amassed an additional six Michelin stars over the years, while Chef Cosme’s culinary prowess has earned him a James Beard award nomination in Mexican cuisine.
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Located in Queens, Casa Enrique is a gem among Mexican eateries, offering a modern twist to traditional dishes and craft cocktails in a casual setting. Celebrated by patrons for its refined classics, this cantina has become a must-visit spot for special occasions. Dishes like the Carnitas and Mole have left diners speechless with their depth of flavor and exquisite taste, while the Pastel de 3 leches has impressed even the most discerning bakers.
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5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101Phone: 347-448-6040 Visit Website. Casa Enrique is a Michelin-star winning Mexican food restaurant specializing in dishes from head Chef Cosme Aguilar’s home state of Chiapas. Chef Cosme’s climb from humble porter to Michelin-award-winning chef is truly the epitome of the American dream, and the opening of Casa Enrique is a family dream born of the partnership between Aguilar and his restauranter brother.
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Year after year, Casa Enrique receives a Michelin star for chef Cosme Aguilar’s stellar Mexican cuisine. (Don’t even think about wandering in without a reservation.) The modern, white-hued space has a boxy bar and a communal table up front, with more cozy tables in back. Here’s what to order: vibrant guacamole, rajas con crema, chicken enchiladas with sweet, rich mole and, for dessert, classic flan and caramel-covered tres leches sponge cake.
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Casa Enrique is a Michelin-star Mexican restaurant located in Long Island City, Queens. Once visited by the late and great Anthony Bourdain, Casa Enrique is not your average Mexican street food, but instead a place to dine on elevated traditional dishes. Despite being best known for their mole, this incredibly delicious establishment has no wrong answers when it comes to ordering UNLESS you decide to go here and not order a margarita.
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Casa Enrique, a cozy 40-seat Mexican eatery in Long Island City, is a hidden gem specializing in the regional cuisine of Cintalapa, Chiapas. What sets Casa Enrique apart is its deeply rooted family tradition and commitment to delivering Mexican flavors straight from the heart of the Aguilar family. Brothers Cosme and Luis Aguilar pay homage to their late mother by offering traditional plates based on her cherished recipes.
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Before New York experienced the current swell of top-class Mexican joints, there was Casa Enrique, the casual, regional Mexican eatery that has earned one Michelin star. In addition to excellent takes on ceviche and mole, grab a seat at the bar for a deep collection of agave spirits, with a focus on tequila. Don’t miss any of the fresh ingredient cocktails, from a classic salted margarita to a Paloma or Mezcal con Piña.
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You won't find it advertised on the menu as such, but Cosme Aguilar's Michelin-starred Casa Enrique features pig's head in the pozole de mi tia. "That's where the flavor comes from. It's very rich," Aguilar says of the ruddy pork and hominy soup that also includes succulent chunks of shoulder. The color comes from a septet of chili peppers: mulato, pasilla, guajillo, chile de arbol, chipotle, ancho, and cascabel.
Ask Khonsu
Mexican food enthusiasts know that any discussion about the best Mexican cuisine in NYC must include Casa Enrique in Long Island City. This renowned, first-come, first-served restaurant offers sidewalk seating and an exceptional dining experience. Explore their menu of exquisite dishes, including mouthwatering enchiladas, savory chicken with a rich, chocolate-y mole, and flavorful chile relleno in tomato sauce.
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Follow the Michelin star for an unforgettable night of Mexican fare, spearheaded by a James Beard award-nominated chef. Start your meal with classics like rajas con crema, sopecitos de chorizo or chipotle beef meatballs. Next, fish ceviche, crab tostadas and fried oysters with chili mayo will be great to share, followed by lengua or suadero tacos, guajillo-roasted ribs or branzino al pastor.
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Go to Casa Enrique for upscale Mexican: The sombrero-wearing maltese depicted on the window marks the spot. Here, chef Cosme Aguilar, who was born in Chiapas (southern Mexico), brings to life polished homeland classics without tampering with their core. Dishes like tongue tacos and fresh enchiladas have made Casa Enrique New York City’s first and only Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant.
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Casa Enrique is a popular restaurant in Long Island City, New York, that is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine. If you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Casa Enrique, you can expect to find a variety of delicious dishes on the menu, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more. The restaurant also offers a selection of cocktails and beers to complement your meal.
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It is a Mexican restaurant owned and run by brothers Cosme and Luis Aguila. The restaurant is a tribute to their late mother, and many of their traditional Mexican dishes are based on her recipes. Although they serve traditional Mexican cuisine, they have given their food a modern twist with their contemporary and visually appealing presentation of the dishes.
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Casa Enrique is an actual objective café, dependably stuffed since 2012 with clients willing to sit tight for knockout tacos al minister. Additionally, culinary specialist and co-proprietor Cosme Aguilar’s concocting stands to its numerous honours, for example, its Michelin star. It’s challenging to turn out badly; however, one champion is the mole de Piaxtla.
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Michelin-starred Casa Enrique draws diners in from all of the boroughs for its high-quality take on Mexican fare. First timers should consider the pollo con mole de piaxtla, which could be the restaurant’s unofficial signature dish: tortillas stuffed and rolled with chicken and then slathered in a delicious four-hour-simmered mole sauce from Puebla.
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This Michelin-starred LIC standout is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts. Casa Enrique is known for its wide range of exquisite and inventively presented Mexican dishes. The interior is elegant but understated, which isn’t to say this restaurant is in any way underrated: this is another hotspot you should plan on booking in advance.
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Address: 5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 Phone: (347) 448-6040. Casa Enrique has been one of Long Island City’s true destination restaurants, consistently packed with customers happy to wait for killer tacos al pastor since 2012. Cosme Aguilar’s cooking lives up to the restaurant’s many accolades, including a Michelin star.
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Casa Enrique made history when it became the first Mexican Restaurant in New York City to be awarded a Michelin star back in 2014. They certainly paved the way for fellow Mexican restauranteurs who now know that Mexican cuisine can stay true to its bold flavours and home-style cooking methods while earning a spot on the world’s ...
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Casa Enrique keeps things simple with its Mexican cuisine—there are no frills or out-there experimentations, but what they do, they do well. The best, some may argue. The menu consists of classics like guacamole, ceviche, and a variety of enchiladas and tacos—but its the fresh and seasonal ingredients that really pack a punch.
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—Casa Enrique, Sushi Noz and Bar Uchū to any out-of-towners visiting the five boroughs. And her favorite meal?. It’s a three-way tie between the smoked masala ribs at Junoon, Casa Mono’s pork sobresada with honeycomb and quince mermelada, and Thomas Keller’s famed Oysters and Pearls at Per Se, where she dined with her mother.
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🍽️ Mexican | ($$) | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 347-448-6040 | Neighborhood: Long Island City, Queens. Casa Enrique is a Michelin-star Mexican restaurant and one of the most famous restaurants in New York City. The restaurant opened in 2012 and serves traditional Mexican food from the chef’s home state of Chiapas, Mexico.
Best Taco in Queens
Casa Enrique 5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City (347) 448-6040 – casaenriquelic.com. Casa Enrique is no stranger to fame and recognition for their amazing tacos, so it’s no surprise that their tacos have been deemed the best in Queens. This Michelin recognized restaurant serves the best, most fresh ingredients around.
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Casa Enrique was first opened in 2012 by Chef Cosme Aguilar. Earlier he worked at a French restaurant but later he reconnected to Mexican flavors and ingredients from his childhood. Casa Enrique received its first Michelin Star in September 2014 by serving its family recipes to friends and customers.
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Casa Enrique: This Michelin-starred gem continues to be a favorite in LIC. Offering elevated Mexican cuisine in a cozy setting, Casa Enrique features dishes like ceviche, enchiladas, and mole poblano. The restaurant is known for its impeccable service and traditional flavors with a refined touch.
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Chef Cosme Aguilar and owner Winston Kulok earn a Michelin star for the fresh Mexican fare they bring to Long Island City, not far front their well loved French bistro Café Henri. Fresh ingredients, and dishes harken back to Aguilar’s childhood in Chiapas, Mexico’s Southern most ...
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Nestled in the heart of LIC, Casa Enrique stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican cuisine. Helmed by Chef Cosme Aguilar, this Michelin-starred restaurant has consistently impressed critics and diners alike with its refined yet rustic approach to traditional Mexican dishes.
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Casa Enrique 5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 is not just “good for the neighborhood”. It’s a Pueblan Mexican restaurant actually worth traveling for, for brunch or dinner!. (It’s only one stop from Manhattan on the 7-train.) Read the full review on this place!
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For 8 hours each day, the spices, chocolate, plantains, almonds, raisins, and sesame seeds that form the basis for Casa Enrique’s mole bubble and blend on the stove, creating one of the most complex, rich, not-too-sweet iterations of this dish that Gotham has to offer.
Long Island City Mexican Restaurant Listed Among Best In U.S.
Thrillist named Casa Enrique, located at 5-48 49th Ave., among "The 31 Best Mexican Restaurants in America." The site credits the eatery for turning Long Island City into "an essential destination for New Yorkers seeking the best Mexican cuisine the city has to offer.
coolstuff.nyc
Welcome to Queens’ only Michelin Star restaurant, and boy do they earn it!. Their mole is what they’re known for, so I usually go for mole enchiladas and whatever the specialty margarita is (watermelon and blueberry/coconut were options this summer and fall--YUM).
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Technically speaking, Mexican chef Cosme Aguilar's Casa Enrique isn't located in New York City. His largely humble but high-quality Michelin-starred restaurant is actually in Long Island, which is only an hour drive away, probably even less if you take
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Mexican food takes a deeper, more personal route at Casa Enrique in Long Island City. Chef Cosme mixes fine techniques with recipes passed down in his family. Six Michelin stars in six years say a lot, but locals praise it for feeling honest.
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Website: Casa EnriqueAddress:5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101. Casa Enrique is my top recommendation to anyone asking where to eat in Long Island City. The mole is incredible and the mezcal margaritas are perfectly balanced.
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Casa Enrique, a Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, offers a refined setting and a menu filled with culinary delights. Share flavorful dishes with your significant other and revel in the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Highest-rated Mexican Restaurants in New York City, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (272 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 548 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101-5611- Read more on Tripadvisor
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This LIC Mexican joint serves authentic Mexican cuisine from the Chiapas region, with dishes like home-cooked Pozole (Pork hominy stew) and various tortas (sandwiches). It's no frills but cozy and welcoming.
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This Long Island City gem consistently draws foodies out of the city and through its doors for its now-Micheline-starred Mexican cuisine. Try the lime-cured market fish Ceviche.
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This eatery, known for its gorgeous plating, is the go-to place for a taste of elevated Mexican cuisine served in a beautiful setting.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit