Xixa

Xixa

Latin American Restaurant, Mexican Restaurant, and Tapas Restaurant$$$$
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
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9.1/10
497
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  • Stars
  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from Serious Eats and Gothamist
    • Serious Eats
    • Gothamist
  • Tips
    David C.
    "You should also get the foie gras al pastor and grilled carrots."(7 Tips)
    Adrienne S.
    "Ask about the tasting menu, one of the best values I've come across."(28 Tips)
    Marina B.
    "So good, it's bone marrow and steak tar tar!"(9 Tips)
    Lauren F.
    "Had some fantastic cocktails and Mezcal too!"(11 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon134 Tips and reviews
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  • good for dates
  • foie gras
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  • Lori L.
    Lori LuoAugust 10, 2014
    The sister restaurant to Traif, Xixa (shik-sa) has a number of excellent dishes, such as the foie gras al pastor and skirt steak. Come with a group if possible to get the tasting menu.
  • Chad H.heart icon on user image
    Chad HornerSeptember 20, 2017
    do the tasting menu (a great deal at $55); you'll leave stuffed and it'll spare you the agony of deciding which dishes to try
  • Mariya F.heart icon on user image
    Mariya FedDecember 20, 2015
    Delicious food and a great staff. The carrot dish is very good but sweet. You can skip the pasta dish, it was definitely not the highlight of the meal but still pretty good. The corn was spectacular.
  • Gothamist
    GothamistJune 27, 2016
    The menu consists of classic Mexican dishes with a twist. Highlights include Mexican staples as well as more experimental dishes, like grilled octopus and Mayan hummus. Read more
  • Nicole F.heart icon on user image
    Nicole FormicaJuly 7, 2016
    Insanely delicious food. Lean on the amazing wait staff to give you great rec's as you sip on a deconstructed cube cocktail made in house.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsApril 17, 2013
    While the long menu is a little hit-or-miss, the good dishes on this loosely Mexican menu -- like the "fricco-dilla" and Thai esquites -- are superb. Wine and agave spirits to drink.
  • Polina W.heart icon on user image
    Polina WeitzMay 6, 2018
    What a jem! Great atmosphere, with delicious food. The Arctic char tartar, grilled octopus and fish tacos were incredible. The guac and roasted carrots are also great. Well definitely come back.
  • 7th.List
    7th.ListDecember 8, 2012
    Just Opened. Pronounced “shiksa”. Taste: B.E.C Quesadillas, smoked pork belly, blue cheese, bearnaise, pasilla-prune-pulque or Foie gras al pastor, roasted pineapple, torrejas, chipotle, ancho honey Read more
  • Adrienne S.
    Adrienne SmithDecember 21, 2013
    Ask about the tasting menu, one of the best values I've come across. You get 9+ courses, with dessert, for $40. The fois gras with roasted pineapple & a riff on "french toast" was especially amazing.
  • Michele K.heart icon on user image
    Michele KimJuly 19, 2015
    The 8-10 course tasting menu for around $50 is absolutely worth it. You get nervous you won't be full around meal 5 but by meal 8 you're stuffed. The tequila cube are novel but not that great imo.
  • Matt R.
    Matt RaoulSeptember 6, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Go tasting menu and settle in for an amazing meal. Request either the foie gras al pastor or the steak tartar & marrow tacos. Sip on a old fashioned cube that's actually made with mezcal & enjoy.
  • Jen L.
    Jen LindbergFebruary 15, 2014
    Menu can be a little hit or miss but the perfect amount. The grilled carrots, the salmon and corn, and the red velvet cake (especially the cake) were absolutely amazing and make it worth it.
  • AmateurConciergeheart icon on user image
    AmateurConciergeAugust 6, 2018
    Very good modernized Mexican. Not $$$$, more like $$$. Cocktails are great. Must orders: fish tacos, garlic shrimp, carrots elote
  • Ana P.heart icon on user image
    Ana PatriciaMay 7, 2015
    Always on the lookout for unique cocktails.. This little hidden gem of a place serves amongst its curiosities- "deconstructed" drinks made of ice cubed cocktails topped with your choice of shot!
  • Jen C.heart icon on user image
    Jen ChnJune 29, 2014
    This is one of the best reataurant in Williamsburg! They serve reinvented Mexican tapas. Everything was delicious, especially the duck lettuce wraps, the ceviche and the tacos. Service is excellent!
  • Rory P.heart icon on user image
    Rory ParnessJuly 25, 2015
    We had 10 dishes for 4 people. Rolled away way too stuffed but it was worth it! Fav dishes were the duck wraps (love the banana) and the short ribs (insane)
  • Daniela A.heart icon on user image
    Daniela AsaroFebruary 10, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    One of the best meals of my life. Do your own tasting (bigger portions/slightly less $). Highlights: Drunken Shrimp, Foie gras al pastor, Baby Octopus, Grilled carrots elote, Guacamole of artichokes
  • Chelsea B.
    Chelsea BalkanMay 10, 2015
    #DubiDO #FabuLIST 5 plates for two was perfect. Get spicy shrimp tostada, roasted burrata, fried brussel sprouts, carnitas, and pork belly sliders. One of my all time fav meals!
  • Leah S.heart icon on user image
    Leah SchallerMarch 29, 2015
    Yes! Some of the better Mexican tapas I've ever had. And some seriously strong drinks (that look badass!). Next time I'll come really hungry and do the chef's tasting menu!
  • Kate S.
    Kate SinnottSeptember 2, 2013
    Delicious and very creative food with a cool yet comfortable ambiance. The "rice and beans" and carnitas were incredible, as was the spicy shrimp "gorditas" which had a wonderful Japanese flair. Yum!
  • C R.heart icon on user image
    C RJanuary 3, 2016
    Not as popular as Traif (it's sister restaurant). but just as tasty! Food skews greasy and salty, but it's well balanced and the flavors are focused. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
  • J R.heart icon on user image
    J RoSeptember 16, 2013
    get the tasting menu if you're with a group of ppl. order a la carte or the tasting menu with a date. the servers are very helpful if you have questions. this place is bomb!
  • Alyssa B.heart icon on user image
    Alyssa B.June 7, 2022
    Possibly one of the best mesican restos in the city. All the drinks and food were delicious. Highly recommended.
  • Raquelle J.heart icon on user image
    Raquelle JessieAugust 4, 2016
    the carrot elote is SO SO SO necessary!!!!!!!! the octopus and chorizo es bomb as well. Get a deconstructed cocktail
  • Dorothy M.
    Dorothy McGivneySeptember 22, 2013
    If you are here with 3 or more people, get the tasting menu. At $40 it's a great value and takes the guesswork out of ordering tapas-style plates from such an extensive menu.
  • Matt B.
    Matt BurtonJuly 31, 2016
    Tasting menu is the way to go. One of the best meals of my life. Can't miss the Barbacoa, bone marrow, and churros. Well done Xixa!
  • Roniel T.heart icon on user image
    Roniel TesslerApril 10, 2016
    Xixa and Traif are two of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn. The foi gras is delicious, the service is excellent. Can't say enough nice things.
  • Leah O.heart icon on user image
    Leah OzJuly 2, 2017
    Best restaurant in Williamsburg! Can't go wrong with a big plate to share (especially the short rib) and make sure to try a deconstructed cocktail.
  • Ana P.heart icon on user image
    Ana PatriciaNovember 14, 2015
    Can't say enough good things! Unique tapas and the service is always excellent! Little extras at the start and finish of the meal are great treats.
  • Chloe R.
    Chloe ReinJuly 26, 2014
    So many good vegetarian dishes (carrots and the polenta were my favs) plus super unique deconstructed cocktails. Additionally, the jalapeno ice cream, spicy! Love.
  • Nora A.heart icon on user image
    Nora AbousteitApril 10, 2013
    Both guacamoles are amazing. Same counts for short ribs, rice with beans, and the whipped ricotta and fruits dessert. It is quite possible that every dish is delicious.
  • Rei W.
    Rei WangJanuary 13, 2013
    Came to try the Foie Gras Al Pastor but was absolutely blown away by the Grilled Carrots Elote. Inventive and delicious.
  • Nina N.heart icon on user image
    Nina NiremaNovember 30, 2013
    Fun, interesting, and flavorful tapas. Try either guacamole and the crab tamale. Gotta add that they play great music, intimate vibe - perfect for date night.
  • JAMESON P.
    JAMESON PINEOctober 19, 2013
    Tasting menu = outstanding. Venison osso bucco, brussel sprouts, fried octopus pasta and dessert spread are top picks. Excellent tequila menu. Attractive wait staff.
  • Chris D.heart icon on user image
    Chris DignesApril 5, 2019
    Been here 25+ times
    Thursday night’s cantina night: buy a drink, soak it up with a chef’s choice of complimentary small plate. It made me fall back in love with food all over again
  • Holly S.heart icon on user image
    Holly StairJuly 19, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    I'm shocked that this place isn't slammed every time I go, yet I am glad it's not. Everything here is spectacular. All the mezcal.
  • David C.
    David ChenMarch 9, 2013
    Steak tacos with bone marrow steak tar tar. You should also get the foie gras al pastor and grilled carrots.
  • Olivia P.heart icon on user image
    Olivia PMarch 8, 2015
    Must have: Roasted Burrata, Tuna Tostada, and the Carrots - won't be disappoint! Dessert: Passion Fruit Churros - Muy Deliciouso!!!!
  • Hannah Z.heart icon on user image
    Hannah ZilkaSeptember 14, 2014
    Everything is amazing here. Go for the chef selection, best way to explore the menu. The cocktail cubes are pretty awesome too.
  • AmateurConciergeheart icon on user image
    AmateurConciergeJanuary 5, 2019
    Yes: winter guacamole, vegetable fajitas. Chicken wing confit has good flavor but the double wings are kinda inefficient
  • Olivia P.heart icon on user image
    Olivia PMarch 8, 2015
    Tip for couples: 5 dishes, a drink each and dessert will cost you a lot less than the Chef's tasting menu and it will be enough food.
  • Scy D.heart icon on user image
    Scy DVApril 17, 2022
    Highly recommend the tasting menu. Dish highlights: fish tacos, foie gras Pastor, bone marrow, cheese fonita, churros
  • Damon L.heart icon on user image
    Damon LindsayJune 17, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    I love the deconstructed margaritas, grilled carrot dish, bacon and date tapas, along with the pork belly tapas.
  • Dustinheart icon on user image
    DustinFebruary 12, 2017
    Butter garlic shrimp and osso bucco are standout dishes. But really, after 11 different items, everything was great.
  • Manolo A.heart icon on user image
    Manolo AglardMarch 10, 2017
    Amazing American-Mexican Fusion food, really impressive the new flavors they have created. It's like discovering a new type of food.
  • Elvis R.
    Elvis RodricksJune 5, 2014
    Do the chef tasting and the mezcal and anejo flights. A great food experience for something tucked away in a corner of williburg.
  • Lauren F.heart icon on user image
    Lauren FurgasonJanuary 25, 2015
    Tasting menu is out of this world, a perfect group dinner out. Had some fantastic cocktails and Mezcal too!
  • Vincent F.
    Vincent FrissoraJune 21, 2014
    If you're with a few people get the tasting menu. It was about 12 plates which were all unique and delicious.
  • Valentin G.heart icon on user image
    Valentin GuerinSeptember 10, 2016
    Great tapas (try the filet mignon tartare and the carrots), creative cocktails but the place is loud...
  • Tanya P.heart icon on user image
    Tanya PanaFebruary 17, 2018
    Chef tasting menu , best way to go. Cocktails Are amazing! Cannot go wrong with anything U order !
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