Tobala — Restaurant in New York

Tobalá is a Mexican restaurant in Riverdale that specializes in authentic Oaxacan cuisine. The menu features a wide variety of dishes, including guacamole, tacos, enchiladas, and moles. The ingredients are all sourced locally, and the flavors are bold and delicious.

One of the highlights of the menu is the guacamole. It's made with fresh, ripe avocados, smoked corn, and queso fresco. The smoke from the corn gives the guacamole a unique flavor that's both smoky and creamy.

Another must-try dish is the tacos dorados. These crispy tacos are filled with potatoes, salsa verde, and caramelized onions. They're topped with avocado cream, which adds a delicious richness.

If you're looking for something more substantial, the carne asada is a great option. The steak is cooked to perfection and served with chilatole, nopal, chimichurri, and corn tortillas.

Tobalá also has a great selection of cocktails. The margaritas are made with fresh lime juice and top-shelf tequila. The mezcal flights are a great way to try a variety of different mezcals.

The service at Tobalá is excellent. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they're always happy to make recommendations.

Overall, Tobalá is a great restaurant for authentic Oaxacan cuisine. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is lively. I highly recommend it.

Here are some additional thoughts on the restaurant:

The prices are reasonable, especially for the quality of the food.

The restaurant is located in a convenient spot in Riverdale.

The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, making it a great place to go for a casual meal with friends or family.

I would definitely recommend Tobalá to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Oaxacan meal...

I recently celebrated my father’s birthday at Tobala and from the very beginning, the experience was impressive. Booking the reservation was simple and stress-free—no credit card required. They even called ahead to ask for my father’s name and mine, which made it feel very personal. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised with a custom menu that said Happy Birthday with my father’s name printed on it. That thoughtful touch really stood out and showed they went above and beyond to make the celebration special.

The space itself is absolutely beautiful—elegant and stylish. For me, it was a little darker than I prefer, but the décor was gorgeous and clearly well thought out. The staff was another highlight: polished, professional, and organized. You can tell the owners have invested in building a strong team, and it shows in the level of service.

That being said, when it came to the food, it just wasn’t what we were expecting. If you’re looking for true, authentic Oaxacan or traditional Mexican flavors, this may not be the right spot. Most of our group felt the dishes leaned more toward American-Mexican cuisine, and unfortunately, none of us really enjoyed our meals.

Overall, Tobala shines in its service, atmosphere, and attention to detail. While I personally wouldn’t come back to dine, I truly appreciate the effort the team put into making our evening feel special. For anyone seeking a beautifully designed space with excellent hospitality, Tobala delivers. But if your priority is authentic Mexican cuisine, I’d recommend exploring...

Tobala was recommended to us by a Oaxacan friend when we visited Oaxaca City last month... and we finally tried it last night. The space is light, airy, open and lovely in its simplicity. The service is excellent. And the food was as delicious and as authentic as the meals we enjoyed in Oaxaca. We started with a mezcal-based cocktail, and small plates of grilled prawns in a mole rojo and a rich, butter-tender short rib memela. Both amazing. We moved on to a meal of pan-seared arctic char in a tangy mole verde with pureed pumpkin and pepitas, which was perfectly cooked and a generous portion. We had no room left for dessert, but I enjoyed some Amargo-Vallet (first time I tried Mexican bitters - aromatic and the perfect finish to a rich meal) and my husband had a beautifully presented flight of 3 pechuga mezcals; each one with a unique flavor profile. We had a wonderful time! Tips: if you dine early, you will avoid the crowds and noise of the after-7 crush (the restaurant is popular, and the bar is spacious but fills up!), do make reservations, and plan to take your time to really enjoy the food. Prices are high but reflect the quality and value of the food, ambiance, and service. Worth it. We are already planning our next visit. The menu changes seasonally, so we'll have new choices each time we dine. Highly...