The Black Ant
Mexican Restaurant$$$$
East Village, New York
The experts at The New Yorker and Eater recommend this place
"Solid Mexican, great drinks and excellent grasshopper guac."(15 Tips)
"An appetizer of black ant guacamole, grasshopper-crusted shrimp."(3 Tips)
"Don't miss the unbelievable churros for dessert!"(5 Tips)
"Get the chorizo octopus taco, good micheladas and the nopal fries."(24 Tips)
94 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- Mexican food
- grasshopper
- churros
- margaritas
- de chapulines
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Nas BenaliFebruary 21, 2015Loved the ambiance. The music is not too loud, so it's great if you plan to talk to people! Great food and desserts (try the churros). Read the menu well, some dishes and drinks are made with insects.
Matt BressNovember 8, 2014One of the boldest Mexican menus in NYC taking a refined and super modern twist on Mexican cuisine. The cocktails are terrific and if you're feeling daring they'll bring you some fried grasshoppers!- Nikki BogopolskayaJuly 10, 2014One of the best guacamoles in the game, but it's served with soft tortillas instead of chips--make sure to ask for the latter and they'll bring it. Don't miss the unbelievable churros for dessert!
Amanda SchneiderOctober 23, 2014Start with the Black Ant Guacamole, Huarache de Nopal and shrimp tacos. Definitely order the rabbit enchiladas (best dish of the night), and wash it all down with a Climbing Ant.
Michelle AndoyNovember 12, 2017Tacos with grasshopper encrusted shrimp, avocado sauce and more. I️ cut the shrimp in half and put it on the side to eat since the tortillas were small. The tacos tasted great.
The New YorkerAugust 20, 2015Unless you know the Spanish word chapulín, you may not realize that the shrimp tacos are battered and fried in a crust of grasshoppers, creating a deliciously recursive arthropod. Read more
Meg FarmerJuly 14, 2015Creative menu & low key atmosphere. Guac was delish & a large serving so you get your $ worth. I had Tacos de lobo (wolf fish cheeks) & loved it - beware there's a bit of a kick w/ the chile salsa.
Ebrahim BandookwalaApril 5, 2018Huarache de Nopal Comprised of cactus pad, figs, asadero cheese, and marmalade, the dish is "crispy, fresh, light , spicy, sweet and salty." "All flavors that a chef strives for in a dish!”- Michael MosesMarch 1, 2016Food laden with insects. An appetizer of black ant guacamole, grasshopper-crusted shrimp. A cocktail-lounge atmosphere and a hip flair with warm wooden tables and bistro-tiled floors
- Christian Van Der Henst S.September 26, 2014Very rico tasty bueno taco. Get the chorizo octopus taco, good micheladas and the nopal fries. Great service.
Ms HeleneMarch 11, 2016Guac $13 if you like mix ins like tomato, crispy chickpeas, scallions, radish and orange. Add grasshoppers: $8 for an espresso sized cup of them. Novel but not amazing. Snapper entree $25
SparkieAugust 29, 2014upscale Mexican versions of standards like a burger (in this case lamb) and huevos rancheros, plus fish tacos and a roll stuff with grilled octopus and bacon.
Keren AtzlanMay 23, 2021Super fun for group. Good drinks. The crickets don’t taste very good. Octopus and shrimp salad was very good. Most of food was good enough.
Bitches Who BrunchApril 29, 2015We love the playful take on Mexican fare at the Black Ant, from churro pops to the cricket tacos. Trust us. Read more
Sean BolserMarch 7, 2015Great good. Amazing desserts. Weekend service though just aims to rush you out. Really bad. Friendly. But the obviously goal of management is to rush the guests out for the next set of guests.
Rachel L'HeureuxMay 23, 2015This place is incredible!!! The presentation is exquisite, and the food is superb. Try the smoky jalapeño Margarita and black ant guac!
Natalie LeMossJuly 18, 2022A great brunch! Lots of options you don’t see on the average brunch menu. The chilaquiles were great!
Caroline WuMarch 17, 2019The duck wontons covered in mole and the octopus we're absolutely amazing. And experiment with their tequila/mezcal selections!
Maria Camila Iannini M.November 18, 2017Food and service were great, make sure you make a reservation. Croquetas de Chapulines and Churros FTW. 👍👍
Sam WinnickMay 15, 2015Fun atmosphere, service is slow though. The guacamole is the best thing on the menu. The duck dumplings are too fried and the short rib is good but plain.
Dustin LeeAugust 4, 2023A solid happy hour with $10 Mezcalita and tacos for $10. The tacos dorados are excellent. Would be overpriced at other times
Matt www.Travelyaps.comJanuary 25, 2015Cool atmosphere. Rabbit enchiladas are indeed tasty. Drinks are strong. Avoid the smokey tequila.
Harry RaymondFebruary 10, 2016Makes a great date spot for the adventurous eater. Terrific cocktails, friendly bartenders and grasshoppers.
Rana RouhanaAugust 10, 2014shrimp tacos with aioli are terrific, mole cake dessert is now a favorite; cocktails are 'speakeasy'-good!
SunainaDecember 14, 2014Shrimp tacos hands down. Delish. Got the yum kaax cocktail(tequila based). Very refreshing. Date spot 😉
Gregory DominguezApril 19, 2015I love the Chapulines. The Black Ant is a truly remarkable culinary experience.- Public House WineSeptember 3, 2014Solid Mexican, great drinks and excellent grasshopper guac. Great date spot. Good service. Go here.
Tyler CaineAugust 9, 2015Excellent twist on Mexican dishes with high quality ingredients and fresh options to mix things up.
AmateurConciergeMarch 1, 2015At brunch, the lobster biscuits were pretty good. The scrambled egg tacos actually have an omelette inside (quite dry). A nice concept but execution doesn't really live up.
Gail SchoenbergMay 29, 2014OMG. Wow. Best Mexican I've had ever. Killer cocktails, too! Gorgeous spot!
Kathryn FreemanApril 22, 2016Fish tacos were fantastic and the guacamole with pomegranate seeds was delicious!
Leah HammerschlagOctober 18, 2014Duck & eggs is delicious, and a huge serving (3 eggs!) Huevos rancheros were tasty too
- Chad HornerDecember 28, 2016they find a way to work insects into a lot of their dishes, but don't worry - it's done thoughtfully
CassidySeptember 19, 2014cocktails and tacos seem to be their strength. entrees were not superb but also not terrible. if you're here during rush hour for dinner (8-9) be prepared to wait even after you sit.
Amanda KellyFebruary 20, 2015Very cool vibe at this place. Check out their virtual tour to see for yourself! Read more
Joanna LinMay 16, 2015Have the grasshoppers and guacamole (with ants)! It's better than it sounds, trust me.
Tom WolfsteinJune 26, 2015The grasshoppers on the menu are actual grasshoppers. And the black ant salt is actually made of black ants.
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Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Contemporary Mexican Restaurant and Bar with agave based spirits and outdoor seating in the East Village.
Closed until 4:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Wed
- 4:00 PM–Midnight
- Thu–Fri
- 4:00 PM–1:00 AM
- Sat
- 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
- 4:00 PM–1:00 AM
- Sun
- 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
- 4:00 PM–Midnight
(212) 598-0300
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 8.3
"Great brunch. Good spot for groups. Start with the Bourbon Spiked Mocha, guacamole + chips and the queso with sausage. For the main course I highly recommend the Chilaquiles with Cecina Beef."
Courtney Lewis - 6.9
"Loud lounge like scene with amazing tacos and tequila cocktails. The grilled fish taco steals the scene, quite the blend of flavors to intrigue you. The beef and shrimp tacos are also a must try."
Ernesto Gutierrez - 7.9
"the most casual of the Empellón empire, a great place to swing by for a couple of tacos and a drink"
Chad Horner
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John A - 7.5
"Really cool downtown spot, nice loungy vibe in an old school tavern setting. We had a birthday party here and the service was first class!"
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