Zapata Introduce
For nearly two decades, **Zapata Mexican Restaurant** in Palisades, NY, has stood as a beloved fixture and a culinary sanctuary for authentic Mexican cuisine. Established in 2004 by Adolfo and Angelica Godinez, the restaurant’s core mission has always been to serve fresh, made-from-scratch dishes while cultivating a warm, vibrant atmosphere. It’s more than just a place to eat; it is a cherished tradition for celebrations and a go-to spot for an exceptional gastronomic journey that transports patrons straight to the heart of Mexico.
As a family-owned business with a long history of serving the region, Zapata has successfully carved out a reputation as one of the best Mexican food destinations in Rockland County, New York, and a popular choice for diners traveling from nearby Bergen County, New Jersey. The menu is a testament to the richness and diversity of Mexican gastronomy, featuring everything from traditional comfort food to innovative seafood preparations. Whether you are looking for a quick and satisfying lunch, a lively dinner with friends, or a memorable family gathering, Zapata is committed to providing an experience where every detail—from the ambiance to the attentive service—is handled with genuine care.
Patrons consistently highlight the restaurant's dedication to bold, honest Mexican cooking. Reviewers often praise the "pure comfort" of dishes like the chicken enchiladas and the impressive quality of their signature cocktails, noting the commitment to flavor and potency. The ambiance is vibrant, cozy, and casual, creating a perfect backdrop for groups, solo diners, and families alike. With its full bar, on-site parking, and flexible dining options, Zapata is designed for the convenience and enjoyment of its loyal New York and New Jersey customer base.
Zapata Mexican Restaurant is conveniently situated at **779 NY-340, Palisades, NY 10964, USA**. This prime location places it near the border of New York and New Jersey, making it a highly accessible dining destination for residents across Rockland and Bergen counties. Its presence on a main roadway ensures easy navigation for both local and visiting patrons.
Accessibility is a priority for the establishment, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests:
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Restroom, and Seating: The venue is fully equipped to accommodate guests with mobility needs.
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Convenient, designated parking is available.
- Ample Parking: Patrons benefit from both a **free parking lot** and **free street parking** directly on-site, a significant convenience in the New York area.
The casual and cozy atmosphere, coupled with the lively ambiance of a Mexican fiesta, ensures a welcoming setting for any occasion.
Zapata prides itself on providing comprehensive dining services that cater to various customer needs, from a quick meal to a large-scale celebration.
- Dining Options: Available for lunch, dinner, and dessert, with comfortable seating and dedicated table service.
- Service Flexibility: Guests can enjoy the meal via **Dine-in** at the welcoming restaurant or opt for efficient **Takeout** service.
- Reservations: The restaurant **accepts reservations**, making it easy for groups and families to plan their visits, especially during peak dining hours.
- Catering and Private Events: Zapata is a "cherished tradition for celebrations" and offers **catering expertise** to transform large events into memorable fiestas, suggesting their ability to handle large orders and gatherings.
- Payment Convenience: A wide array of payment methods are accepted, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.
Zapata is celebrated for several distinctive features that elevate the dining experience beyond the typical Mexican restaurant.
- **Outstanding Bar Program:** The bar is a "spirited sanctuary" boasting an impressive collection of **more than 20 tequila brands**. This extensive collection supports the creation of bespoke and traditional Mexican cocktails.
- **Signature Cocktails:** The restaurant is highly rated for its "Great cocktails" and offers a wide array of specialty margaritas, including the acclaimed **Horni Margarita**, **Jalapeño Margarita**, **Habanero Margarita**, and a wide selection of frozen margaritas and various **Sangrias** (Red, White, Mango, Peach).
- **Authentic and Diverse Menu:** The menu "dances with a symphony of flavors" and includes a variety of traditional and unique dishes, from classic combinations and savory **Pollo Mole Poblano** to exciting seafood appetizers like **Ceviche Zapata** and **Pulpo En Salsa Verde**.
- **Fast and Friendly Service:** The service is consistently highlighted as "fast and friendly," creating a professional and welcoming experience that encourages repeat visits.
- **Family-Friendly Environment:** The restaurant is **Good for kids** and provides essential amenities like **High chairs** and a dedicated **Kids' menu**, ensuring a pleasant experience for the whole family.
- **Vegetarian and Vegan Options:** The menu is designed to cater to "every palate," including devoted vegetarians and eager omnivores, with specific options like the **Vegetarian Plate** prominently featured.
To book a table, place a takeout order, or inquire about catering services for your next event, please use the following contact details:
Address: 779 NY-340, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Phone: (845) 359-8700
For the New York and Rockland County diner seeking a truly authentic, high-quality Mexican experience, Zapata is worth choosing for three primary reasons: flavor, hospitality, and celebration.
First, the **uncompromising focus on fresh, made-from-scratch cuisine** ensures authentic and vibrant flavors in every dish. Many patrons laud their exceptional mole sauce, a complicated and slow-cooked staple of Mexican cuisine, as the best in Rockland. We recommend diving into one of the comprehensive **Combinations** plates for a full-spectrum experience, such as the **Taco, Burrito And Enchilada**, or trying a specialty like the **Enchiladas Suizas**—a "pure comfort" dish described by reviewers as tender, flavorful, and perfectly sauced. Seafood lovers should explore the specialty menu for options like **Camarones Al Diablo** or the impressive **Mariscada** (a seafood medley).
Second, the bar experience is a major draw. The legendary **Horni Margarita** and the massive tequila list ensure the bar is truly a "spirited sanctuary" for social gatherings. For those who appreciate expertly crafted drinks alongside their meal, Zapata stands out as a top contender in the region.
Finally, as a family-owned establishment in operation since 2004, Zapata has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to warm hospitality. It has become a **"beloved choice of Rockland and Bergen counties"** for joyous festivities, reflecting a genuine connection with the local community. The combination of its consistently good food, acclaimed cocktails, and lively, casual atmosphere makes Zapata the ideal choice for any lunch, dinner, or special occasion in the New York metropolitan area.
Zapata Menu
Appetizers
- Guacamole $7.95
mashed avacado, chopped tomatoes, onions and spices
- Queso Con Chorizo $7.95
melted cheese with mexican sausage
- Nopalitos $6.95
young tender cactus salad with chopped onions, tomatoes and herbs
- Enfrijoladas $6.95
soft tortillas with refried beans, cheese and sour cream
- Tamalas (2) $7.95
corn meal stuffed with beef or chicken, topped with melted cheese and sour cream
- Chilaquiles $7.95
tortilla chips topped with chicken, beef or chorizo, cheese and sour cream
- Zapata Mixtas $17.95
mini flautas, mini chimichangas, nachos and guacamole
Seafood Appetizers
- Ceviche Zapata $9.95
shrimp and crabmeat salad
- Ceviche Puerto Vallarta $9.95
shrimp, octopus and crabmeat with pico de gallo and red sauce
- Aquacate Relleno $9.95
avocado stuffed with seafood salad
- Coctel De Camarones $9.95
shrimp cocktail
- Pulpo En Salsa Verde $10.95
octopus in green sauce
Soups
- Sopa Negra $4.95
shrimp and crabmeat salad
- Sopa De Pollo $4.95
chicken soup with vegetables
- Sopa De Albondigas $5.95
mexican meatballs in a homemade and mildly spiced red sauce
Combinations
- Vegetarian Plate $12.95
cheese enchilada, bean burrito and guacamole tostada
- Tostada, Chile Relleno And Enchilada $12.95
- Taco, Enchilada And Tostada $12.95
- Flauta, Burrito And Enchilada $12.95
- Chile Relleno, Flauta, And Enchilada $12.95
- Taco, Burrito And Enchilada $12.95
- Flautas $12.95
crisp rolled tortillas stuffed with shredded beef, topped with guacamole and sour cream
- Burritos $12.95
rolled flour tortillas stuffed with shredded beef and beans, topped with cheese and sauce
- Enchiladas Suizas $12.95
chicken enchiladas with green sauce, cheese and sour cream
- Enchiladas Con Mole Poblano $12.95
tortilla stuffed with chicken and covered with mole sauc
- Enchiladas $12.95
tortillas stuffed with beef, chicken or cheese filling and a mild red sauce
- Chilies Rellenos $13.95
peppers stuffed with beef, chicken or cheese
- Chimichangas $12.95
crisp flour rolled tortillas stuffed with beef or chicken, topped with guacamole and sour cream
- Tostada $12.95
open crisp tortilla topped with beans and beef or chicken, cheese and sauce
- Tacos $12.95
folded crisp tortilla stuffed with beef or chicken
Seafood
- Camarones Al Diablo $17.95
shrimp in chipotle sauce
- Camarones Al Alambre $17.95
shrimp brochette with mushrooms, onions, peppers and tomatoes
- Camarones Zapata $17.95
shrimp and crab meat sauteed in a creamy garlic sauce
- Camarones Mi Pueblo (flameados Con Tequila) $22.95
shrimp sauteed with butter, herbs, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro
- Mariscada $24.95
clams, shrimp, crab meat and baby lobster tail sauteed in your choice of red, green or garlic sauce
- Enchiladas Veracruz $17.95
tortilla stuffed with crab meat or shrimp topped with cheese and sauce
- Huachinango Al Mojo De Ajo $16.95
fish fillet in garlic sauce.
- Camarones Rellenos $17.95
broiled stuffed shrimp with cheese rolled up in bacon
- Camarones Empanizados $17.95
breaded shrimp
- Fajitas De Camaron $17.95
marinated shrimp grilled with onions, peppers and tomatoes. served with guacamole and pico de gallo
- Camarones A La Mexicana $17.95
shrimp in mexican sauce, garlic, tomatoes onions and spices
- Fiesta De Pancho $17.95
shrimp in white sauce, breaded shrimp, shrimp on a skewer, shrimp mexicana with mexican salad and rice
- Lobster Tail With Fish Fillet $24.95
in a creamy garlic sauce with fish fillet in red or green sauce
- Fish Tacos $16.95
soft shell tacos filled with fish and sauteed pico de gallo
- Fish Filet $16.95
sauteed in garlic, served with green or red sauce
- Fish Fajitas $16.95
marinated fish grilled with onions, peppers and tomatoes. served with guacamole and pico de gallo.
Chicken
(may Substitute With Steak Or Shrimp. Shrimp Is $2.00 Extra)
- Pollo Mole Poblano $15.95
chicken in mole sauce
- Pollo Ranchero $15.95
chicken cooked with fresh tomatoes, onions and peppers
- Pollo Laredo $15.95
stuffed chicken with poblano pepper and cheese
- Pechuga Empanizada $15.95
breaded chicken breast
- Pollo Mole Verde $15.95
chicken with green sauce
- Fajitas De Pollo $16.95
marinated chicken breast grilled with onions, peppers and tomatoes. served with guacamole and pico de gallo.
- Pollo Zapata $15.95
sauteed in garlic sauce, chipotle and poblano peppers
- Pollo Jalisco $16.95
chicken breast cooked with sweet peppers, mushrooms and onions. served with refried beans, rice and salad.
Beef
- Fajitas $16.95
marinated shell steak grilled with onions, peppers and tomatoes. served with guacamole and pico de gallo
- Tacos Al Carbon $16.95
3 soft tacos with grilled tomato, onion, mushrooms, green peppers, herbs and chopped steak. served with refried beans and guacamole.
- Steak Monterrey $17.95
shell steak stuffed with cheese and covered with special sauce
- Carne Empanizada $17.95
breaded shell steak served with salad
- Carne Asada $17.95
broiled shell steak with tampico style
- Sarape $17.95
open shell steak sauteed with garlic, topped with refried beans and green sauce
- Steak Zapata $18.95
sauteed with spices, sliced onions and poblano peppers, seasoned with herbs and served with black beans
- Steak La Bamba $17.95
steak stuffed with cheese, sauteed with onions and mushrooms in chipotle sauce
- Steak Ala Mexicana $17.95
sliced steak sauteed with tomatoes, onions, green peppers and jalapeno and tomato juice
- Special Breaded Steak $19.95
with shrimp in creamy garlic sauce
- Steak And Lobster $24.95
1/2 steak in tampico sauce served with 3 baby lobster tails in a creamy garlic sauce
- Steak Acapulco $18.95
rolled steak stuffed with cheese and bacon. prepared with white sauce. served with beans and salad.
- Steak Guadalajara $18.95
open shell steak wrapped with bacon and a sweet and mild spice sauce. served with melted cheese, salad, rice or refried beans.
- Steak Ranchero $18.95
open steak sauteed in olive oil with sliced onion, garlic, green toamatoes and chipotle pepper. served with beans and flour tortillas.
Other Choices
- Chuletas $16.95
broiled pork chops topped with mole or green sauce, sauteed with onions
- Alambre Mixto $17.95
shrimp and chicken, grilled brochette with onions, mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes
- Chalupas $15.95
soft tortilla quick fried in hot oil, with steak or chicken, chopped onions, green sauce and avocado
Desserts
- Flan $4.50
caramel custard.
- 3 Charras $4.50
vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream with homemade cinnamon chips topped with whipped cream and honey.
- Bunelo $4.50
fried tortilla topper with vanilla ice cream, whiped cream and honey.
- Helado Frito $5.50
fried ice cream flamed with rum.
- Bananita Zapata $4.95
banana cut in half topped with melted sugar and flamed in rum.
- Tartufo $5.50
zapata's famous tartufo.
- Chimichanga Dulce $3.50
fried flour tortilla rolled in banana topped with whipped cream and honey and our special sauce.
- Sweet Redonda $5.95
sweet chimichanga with homemade cinnamon chips and ice cream topped with our special sauce.
- La Manzanita $3.50
peeled apple topped with melted surgar and cinnimon.
- Kerrepas Zapata $4.95
zapata's famous crepes with sweet cream.
Zapata Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Parking
Zapata Photos










Zapata Location
Zapata Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Zapata is a hidden gem that doesn’t rely on flash or gimmicks—just bold, honest Mexican cooking that hits where it counts. The chicken enchiladas? Pure comfort. Tender, flavorful, smothered in just the right amount of sauce with enough heat to remind you you’re alive. They don’t overdo it—they nail it.And the Horni Margarita… good lord. That thing packs a punch. Smooth, citrusy, just the right amount of tequila-fueled danger in a salted glass. It’s not just a drink—it’s a declaration.Service is fast and friendly, like they actually care you showed up. No frills, no fluff—just damn good food and drinks made with soul. Zapata is the kind of place you come back to, again and again. Five stars, easy.
July 01 · Bill HornsteinProbably the worst Mexican restaurant I've ever eaten at. The food was bland and flavorless. I had enchiladas, the cheese one was cold with the cheese a solid mass. Our waiter was basically inept. After telling him I wanted 2 beef enchiladas twice, he goes to write it down while saying "2 chicken". My margarita was watered down and there was no taste of tequila at all. When leaving, I was asked "how was your food"?. I told about the lack of flavor. The waiter waved his arm across the dinning area and said, "look at all the people eating here". My son said, "There isn't a Latin person in this restaurant" .When eating ethnic food, you can always tell how authentic and flavorful by the number of that ethnicity. As I said, there wasn't anyone of Latin descent in the entire restaurant except for the staff. Never going back.
August 20 · Harry VederciI arrived for my reservation at 7:30pm on a Saturday. There was no wait, even though the restaurant seemed pretty crowded. We were instantly given chips and salsa and a free quesadilla. Throughout the night the wait staff was incredibly attentive and kind.However the food and drinks were lacking a bit. I ordered a Cadillac margarita (which is generally higher quality) but it was absolutely horrible. It tasted unauthentic and a little freezer burnt somehow? I’m not sure.The food also came out about 5 mins after ordering. I ordered guacamole and chicken fajitas. Clearly everything is already made in the back which was a little bit disappointing.The whole experience lasted a half hour.Food tasted okay, but I probably won’t be coming back.
November 08 · Dana SalvatoreMy husband and I went to Zapata's today for lunch/ dinner. Everything was delicious. I had a classic margarita so good and he had white sangria. Followed by the ceviche Zapata and for the main course lobster tail with fish fillet. For dessert we had tres leches cake and ice cream with cinnamon tortilla chips.Everything was outstanding from the food to the waiters to the staff. We even got complimentary cheese quesadillas while waiting for our main course. The atmosphere is so nice it reminds me of Mexico at Epcot.We definitely will be going.back. I can highly recommend this to anyone who loves Mexican food.
July 21 · cheryl lautoAs I pulled up to the place I saw a twinkle of light pulling me in and I somehow spawned into the parking lot of the restaurant. The glittery lights I saw rested my head into my palm because of how amazing the ambience was. I took one step into the restaurant and a powerful blow of food and cheerful workers were coming up to greet me. I was looking around the walls and saw a mythical being shining at me like I ascended into the Mexican dimension. The being dragged me in but the staff took the warm welcome. They took me to my table and I sat down—feeling the warm, comforting chair around my tooshie. The waiter came up and greeted us and asked for our drinks, personally, I prefer a coke, so I got one. I could feel the presence of the Mexican being once again. I got my drink and we ordered our food. The food… IT WAS AMAZING, I think I went into another dimension cuz I saw the being in front of me, reaching out to me. He said “Welcome I hope it’s enjoyable,” and I spawned into a follower of this restaurant when I stepped out. Please worship this amazing food and always remember this is the originator.
August 09 · Chelsea Smith
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