Covacha Introduce
In the bustling heart of New York City, finding a truly authentic and memorable dining experience can feel like a quest. For residents and visitors alike, the search for genuine flavors, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service often leads to a few hidden gems. Among these is Covacha, a standout Mexican restaurant that has quickly become a local favorite on the Upper West Side. Located just a short stroll from Central Park, Covacha is more than just a place to eat; it's a destination that celebrates the rich, vibrant culinary traditions of Mexico with a modern, sophisticated twist. This women-owned establishment prides itself on offering a menu that goes beyond the usual fare, featuring dishes that are both deeply rooted in tradition and creatively presented. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a casual, cozy, and trendy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The restaurant is popular for its delicious lunch and dinner options, and it’s a perfect spot for solo diners, groups, and families. Whether you're craving a quick bite, a leisurely meal, or a vibrant happy hour with friends, Covacha promises a dining experience that is both satisfying and unforgettable. Its commitment to quality ingredients, innovative cocktails, and a warm, inviting environment sets it apart, making it a must-visit spot for anyone in the New York City area.
Covacha's prime location at 368 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024, USA, places it at the center of one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. Situated on the Upper West Side, the restaurant is easily accessible for both locals and tourists exploring the area. Its proximity to Central Park makes it a convenient and ideal stop after a day of sightseeing or a stroll through the park. For those traveling by public transit, the restaurant is well-served by nearby subway stations, making it a breeze to get to from almost anywhere in the city. The neighborhood is known for its beautiful brownstones, cultural institutions, and lively street life, and Covacha fits perfectly into this dynamic landscape. While street parking is available, it is paid and can be limited, so many visitors prefer to use public transportation or ride-sharing services. The restaurant itself is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a meal comfortably. This thoughtful approach to accessibility is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming space for all members of the community.
Covacha offers a comprehensive array of services designed to accommodate a variety of dining preferences and needs. The restaurant provides a range of options that cater to the modern diner, from in-person dining to convenient takeout and delivery. Each service is executed with the same attention to detail and quality that defines the Covacha experience. The following is a breakdown of the services you can expect:
- Dine-in: Enjoy your meal in the cozy and trendy atmosphere of the restaurant, complete with table service and a bar onsite. It’s an ideal setting for a casual lunch, a romantic dinner, or a fun night out with friends.
- Outdoor seating: When the weather is nice, you can take advantage of the outdoor seating area, which provides a lovely al fresco dining option.
- Takeout: For those on the go, the restaurant offers a seamless takeout service, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Mexican dishes from the comfort of your own home or office.
- Delivery & No-contact delivery: Covacha provides both standard and no-contact delivery options, ensuring you can get their delicious food delivered right to your doorstep safely and conveniently.
- Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, making it easy to plan ahead, especially for larger groups or during peak dining hours.
Covacha stands out in the crowded New York City restaurant scene for a number of key features and highlights that contribute to its unique appeal. These attributes, from the quality of the food to the welcoming ambiance, make it a top choice for discerning diners. Here are some of the most notable highlights:
- Fast service: Customers consistently praise the restaurant for its prompt and efficient service, ensuring a smooth and pleasant dining experience.
- Great cocktails: The bar at Covacha is a highlight, known for crafting innovative and delicious cocktails. The happy hour, in particular, is celebrated for its fantastic drink specials, including margaritas and mojitos.
- Authentic Mexican flavors: Patrons rave about the authentic taste of the food, noting that it avoids the Americanized versions often found elsewhere. The menu features traditional dishes like Birria and Mole, along with popular favorites like tacos and enchiladas.
- Women-owned: This establishment proudly identifies as women-owned, contributing to a sense of community and empowerment.
- Diverse offerings: The menu caters to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences, offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as organic dishes and comfort food.
- Family-friendly and inclusive atmosphere: With high chairs and a kids' menu, the restaurant is great for kids and families. It is also noted as being LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space, creating a welcoming environment for all.
For inquiries, reservations, or to place an order, you can contact Covacha directly. The restaurant is located at 368 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024, USA. You can reach them by phone at (212) 712-2929. They are always ready to assist you with your dining needs and provide any information you might require.
Choosing Covacha is about more than just finding a good Mexican restaurant; it's about opting for an experience that combines authentic flavor, a vibrant atmosphere, and exceptional service. What makes it particularly worth choosing is its ability to deliver on multiple fronts. The food, a blend of traditional recipes and modern creativity, is consistently praised for its freshness and rich flavor profiles. From starters like GUACAMOLE ASHES and ESQUITES to the hearty main courses like BIRRIA and MOLE DULCE, every dish is crafted with care. The restaurant’s commitment to authenticity is evident in customer reviews, which highlight the "best tacos" and "authentic Mexican flavors, not the Americanized version."
Furthermore, the ambiance is a significant draw. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy a meal in a casual yet trendy setting, with great music playing in the background. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch special—available Monday to Friday until 4 pm—or enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch with dishes like HUEVOS RANCHEROS, the experience is consistently top-notch. The presence of a lively happy hour from 4-6 pm every day, featuring great deals on drinks like the MEZCALITA and a variety of happy hour foods like TACO CHIPOTLE SHRIMP, makes it a popular destination for after-work gatherings and social outings.
Beyond the food and atmosphere, the service at Covacha receives high praise. Reviews often mention friendly and attentive staff who "kept everything running smoothly" and made guests "feel well taken care of." This dedication to customer satisfaction, combined with the restaurant's inclusive and welcoming nature—being family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a transgender safe space—makes it a truly special place. The availability of diverse menu options, including vegan and vegetarian choices, ensures that there's something for everyone. All these elements combined make Covacha a standout destination for anyone in New York seeking a genuine, high-quality Mexican dining experience. It's a place that lives up to its reputation and is a true gem in the heart of the city.
Covacha Menu
STARTERS
- GUACAMOLE ASHES $16.00
blackened tortilla and chile ashes, smokey and full of flavor but mild in heat
- ESQUITES $13.00
these elotitos are grilled slathered corn kernels cooked with tequesquite, a natural mineral salt used by our pre-hispanic ancestors, with chipotle mayo, lime juice, tajin, crumbly cotija cheese, fresh epazote, morita oil
- QUESADILLA NEGRA $18.00
a mighty fine crunchy black bean empanada filled with wild ‘shrooms, cheese and corn truffle “Huitlacoche”, served over black Huitlacoche sauce, onion and radish in tomatillo salsa, crema, cotija cheese, and tortilla ashes
- SOPA $9.00
is one of mi abuelita’s favorite recipes, and it comes with a touch of crema; avocado, crispy tortilla, and chile ancho garnish Cup 9 / Bowl 14
- CEASAR SALAD $16.00
With romaine hearts, aged cotija cheese & panko crumbs.
- CRUDO OF THE DAY $22.00
made fresh with today’s catch, and seasonal selections
COVACHAS
- ENCHILADAS $25.00
bien requete sabrosas chick-filled with roasted tomato and morita sauce, cheese, crema, avo puree, radish, and cilantro;Don’t worry VEG friends, we also make them with wild mushrooms tinga and veg crema
- QUESABIRRIAS $26.00
the iconic traditional dish from Jalisco is served in artisanal tortillas with birria broth on the side, to deep-in your quesadillasChick (’en) 22 / ‘Shroom 22 / Beef 25
- FLAUTAS $23.00
these rolled crunchy tacos are also called ‘tacos dorados’, they come over two mouthwatering salsas: guajillo and tomatillo; topped with crema, cotija cheese, fresh radish, cilantro. Chicken 22 / Cauli Florets 22
DINNER PLATOS
- BIRRIA $34.00
the ICONIC traditional dish from Jalisco is a heavenly broth made of a blend of spices, and served with a variety of protein slow-cooked in their own jus; onion and cilantro. Rice on the side Market ‘Shrooms 28 Chicken 28 Beef 34
- ZARANDEADO $45.00
this is our memory from the sunsets of the Mexican Pacific ocean, a whole charred red snapper, butterfly split, rubbed with achiote adobo; heirloom cucumber, purslane, pickled onion. rice and beans on the side
- BARBACOA TAPATÍA $34.00
this very soft, over-night roasted beef shank is a staple from the streets of Guadalajara, with radish, and jalapeño; brothy beans on the side. Get dirty, make your own taco with your lovely hands
- MOLE DULCE $34.00
Tía Felix always makes us happy with this sweet mole aged for 30 days, over a free-range half roasted chicken marinated in dry chiles, and cooked to-perfection, roasted baby carrtos, pickled radish, cambray petals, and sesame seeds, rice on the side
- PEPIAN $27.00
a vegan delicacy from our ancestors, this pumpkin seed mole is served over a feast of seasonal roasted squashes; house-pickled scallion, radish, carrot & cauliflower
BURRITOS & CHILAQUILES- Served every day until 4:00 pm
- YAKA-TINGA BURRITO $19.00
pulled jackfruit tinga cooked with caramelized onion, tomato, and chipotle; fresh radish, red onion, jalapeño, and avocado, rice and beans
- CHICKEN BURRITO $19.00
this tender free-range chick is slowly cooked with spices and smoked chiles, with purslane, onion, pickled carrot, morita sauce red bell pepper and chile toreado, rice and beans
- CHILAQUILES ROJOS $18.00
tronadores como en mi pueblo!crunchy totopos bathed in chile de arbol sauce; refried red beans, crema, cotija cheese, cilantro, onion, avocado, and chile ashes. you can add: two eggs (your style) + 3.5chicken birria +6 - beef barbacoa +8
LUNCH SPECIAL Served from Monday to Friday 12pm-4pm
- BIRRIA $23.00
Our iconic birria broth from Jalisco served the traditional way with onion and cilantro; comes with rice and black beans ~ choose: beef (+$6) or our wild mushroom delicacy
BRUNCH Served Saturday 12pm to 4pm | Sunday 11am to 4pm
- HUEVOS RANCHEROS $21.00
two eggs sunny side up, over crunchy tortillas, refried beans, covered with red OR green salsa or Divorciados with both salsas; avocado
- HUEVOS CON CHORIZO $19.00
a mighty egg burrito made with spicy chorizo and avocado; served with bravas machas and morita sauce
- BENEDICTINOS $21.00
two poached eggs over black ashes sope, avocado, watercress, morita hollandaise; papas machas. add chorizo +4
SIDES
- PAPAS MACHAS $8.00
Crispy baby potatoes tossed with spicy salsa macha
- CAULI CHICHARRON $9.00
Crispy cauliflower with parmesan, evoo, limonetta, and toasted sunflower seeds
- ARROZ $5.00
White rice
- REFRIED BAYO BEANS $6.00
Soft and creamy, sparkled with cotija cheese
- BROTHY BLACK BEANS $6.00
Hard and nutty, and vegan
- HEIRLOOM CORN TORTILLAS $4.00
- SALSA MEXICANA & CHIPS $8.00
AKA: Pico de Gallo
- SALSA DE AMOR $2.00
(de amor-didas) aguales! these chilitos ‘tan echilosos. hot roasted serranos to bite with your food for an enhancing rancho experience
- PICKLED VEGGIES $7.00
house-pickled seasonals with HojaSanta oil
HAPPY HOUR - Every day 4-6pm
- THE MULE $12.00
- MOJITO $12.00
- HIBISCUS JAMAICON $12.00
- FROZEN MARGARITA $12.00
- MEZCALITA $12.00
- HOUSE SPRITZ $12.00
- DRAFT BEER $6.00
- NATURAL WINE $10.00
- CHIPS AND SALSA $7.00
Corn tostadas and Pico de Gallo
- TOSTADITA $8.00
Crispy corn tostada, crudo of the day
- FLAUTAS $7.00
Chicken filled, salsa verde, crema, cotija cheese
- QUESO FUNDIDO $10.00
Mexican-style melted cheese, Toppings: chorizo or pico de gallo, artisanal tortillas
- TACO CAULI CHICHARRON $6.00
Chipotle cabbage slaw, onion, cilantro, salsa taquera, touch of macha
- TACO CHIPOTLE SHRIMP $7.00
Marinated in chile morita, red cabbage relish, chipotle aioli, cilantro
- TACO PORK BELLY CARNITAS $7.00
Salsa verde, fresh radish, cilantro
- TACO CATCH OF THE DAY $7.00
Hoja Santa marinated Fish of the day, roasted tomatillo salsa, chayote, watercress, and pickled onions
- TACO YAKA TINGA $6.00
Pulled jackfruit cooked with caramelized onion, tomato, and chipotle, cured red onion, pickled veggies, cilantro, salsa
- HOUSE PICKLED VEGGIES $6.00
house-pickled seasonals with HojaSanta oil
DESSERTS
- AVO MOUSSE $13.00
with ginger shaved ice, and achiote merengue
- CHOCOLATE $13.00
Spicy bitter chocolate mousse, with pumpkin seeds crumbs, and wheat rainbow ‘oblea’
- Buñuelo $13.00
cinnamon-sugar dusted dough fritter; vanilla ice cream, milk caramel
- Tres leches $13.00
a deconstructed version with marscapone cheese, milk caramel cajeta, wheaped cream, pumpkin seed crumbs
Covacha Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Paid street parking
Covacha Photos










Covacha Location
Covacha Reviews
natural history museumveganbrunchhappy hourmezcaltepachetomato soupmichelinmocktailspork belly
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This place serves some of the best tacos, authentic Mexican flavors, not the Americanized version. We also loved the tres leches, which was rich and delicious. The service was excellent, and we discovered this gem while strolling through Central Park..
September 08 · Maneesh JHad a great experience at Covacha! The food was delicious - fresh, flavorful, and with great vegetarian options. Good music in the background - a perfect night out with friends was icing on the cake. Shout out to Gloria, our friendly and attentive server, and to Nicholas, who kept everything running smoothly. We felt well taken care of. Highly recommend Covacha - you won’t be disappointed!
July 08 · Nancy CWe had a nice morning in the American Museum of Natural history and got caught in a storm on the way out. Took shelter in this mexican restaurant which ended up being a nice surprice. Good portions and quality plates. Al pastor tacos were banging and the chicken burrito was plentiful, we also had this filled pepper that was on the specials and was really good.
September 10 · Omar RodríguezThis is a great spot for lunch right behind the museum of natural history. Everything was very tasty and the staff were very attentive. They have a lunch special that is a sample of a few items but a normal entree is just as good.
August 15 · Zachary MartzAbsolutely loved my experience at Covacha! The pulled pork tacos were packed with flavor—perfectly tender and topped with just the right amount of fresh garnish. The chicken flauta was beautifully presented and tasted incredible, with the vibrant sauces adding a delicious touch. The margaritas were spot on—balanced, refreshing, and the ideal complement to the meal. Service was solid throughout, attentive without being overbearing. Highly recommend if you’re looking for elevated Mexican cuisine in a fun, colorful setting. Will definitely be back!
March 22 · Jeff Scott
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