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EMILIA by Nai, New York, NY

EMILIA by Nai

4.5
4.5
46 Reviews
$30 and under
Farm-to-table
Chef Ruben Rodriguez pays homage to his Grandmother Emilia, but most importantly, to his home roots.

It has a unique simplicity to its culture and the seasonality, and this is exuded through the cuisine at Emilia.

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Tapas / Small Plates, Vegetarian
  • Hours of operation
    Thu, Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (212) 677-1030
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    East Village
  • Cross street
    1st Ave between 10th St and 11th St
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Nearest Subways:<br />–1st Avenue Station (L) <br />–8th Street Station (N,Q,R,W)<br />–Astor Place Station (4,6)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch

What 46 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

46 Reviews
  1. Juan

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great food and service. We also saw a flamenco show. I'd definitely go back.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Came in for a Bachelorette party. Staff was super attentive (multiple people checked on our table and made sure our experience was top notch). The flamenco show was impressive and the paella and sangria were delicious!

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  3. AngelL

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Made a dinner reservation for two w/ the flamenco experience. The food was excellent, flavorful and the menu is very interesting. The atmosphere of the restaurant is extremely pleasant, low lighting and has a great aesthetic. Tried the Sangria, a little on the light side but decided to get a glass of Pinot and it was much better. The flamenco show was amazing, it transports you to another dimension. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and knowledgeable, gave us great recommendations. I will be coming back in the near future!

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  4. JasonM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    The food was good. The service was great. The entertainment was intriguing. All in all had a nice time. Only wish the menu had more gluten free friendly options, and a couple more seafood options that didn't involve shellfish. Unfortunately, shellfish allergies extend to octopus, but not calamari. A nice calamari tapas would be good. GF batters taste better and hold up better in presentation anyway and for the prices charged, they'd still make money.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was absolutely superb and the tapas-sized portions allow you to order ALL the things. The flamenco (on Saturdays only) is such a special treat. Emilia is a must-try!

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  6. MartinaD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff was great. The spanish music was perfect and the food was amazing

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  7. JinnyC

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We arrived early for a 6pm reservation. The restaurant was very quiet. We ordered wine and food. The manager offered us an upgrade on the wine at no extra cost because they ran out of the one we wanted. The calamar stew was delicious, served with fresh toasted bread and chick peas. However not stew-like, the sauce was tasty. Grilled octopus was crunchy on the outside, tender and savory when you bite into it, served over flavorful mash potatoes. If you want something a little more filling, the shitake with brioche is good. We stayed to watch the Flamenco dancers who were energetic and skillful. We enjoyed a leisurely meal at Emilia by Nai. At no time did we feel rushed even though we were there for a little over 2 hours.

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  8. RuthS

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    Open Table’s website listed a totally different menu and had few items we could actually order. The food was disappointing. Will not be returning.

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  9. JudyT

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I just returned from Basque area and this just brought me back. I don’t get why they are not more crowded. The food and service was excellent. Food was perfectly balanced and the space is super cute and has great light with an open kitchen area.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was impeccable. Every bite of every order was filled with flavor. It’s clear that the chef/owner takes great care in maintaining a exceptionally high degree of quality in both the cuisine and the service. Absolutely no complaints. A perfect meal.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Obsessed! Will def come back for mussels and croquettes

    Is this helpful?

  12. JONATHANH

    Phoenix

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Ought to be harder to get a table but I’m glad it isn’t!

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  13. BarbaraB

    New York Area

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every dish was great. Great for sharing. Wonderful variety of offerings.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The waiters were super friendly, knowledgeable and sweet! They also went out of their way to alter dishes to satisfy dietary restrictions. Highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  15. PatK

    Kansas City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful food and service. Don’t skip the brulee semifredo for dessert.

    Is this helpful?

  16. Ghamsusupdates

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Amazing prawn croquettes! Great atmosphere and friendly service. I was so impressed by all the dishes but I’ll say it again…the prawn croquettes were AMAZING

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a lovely place. Everyone was genuinely so kind and the food was very unique and delicious. Everything was perfect. I would highly recommend this place.

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  18. noms4jon

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The food, service, and overall ambiance was pleasant. My biggest critique, however, were the cocktails. I think they were unique in the ingredients they used, but ultimately don't taste very good. Going back, I would stick to a wine.

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  19. SriR

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    overpriced Tapas restaurant. Not much for vegetarians. I saw their vegetarian menu which had about 5 plates and thought to try it. When we got there we were told some of the dishes were not available. So even though they recommended 5-6 plates between two people they didn’t even have that many options. The food is delicious and flavors are great and unique. But still overpriced for the portions. This is a new trend of nyc restaurants fleecing customers with full portion pricing for tapas sized dishes. We spent almost $175 in toto including wines. Too expensive to return even though food was good.

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  20. Michael

    Baltimore

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Really a gem. Tapas with an oriental touch. The shiitake "sandwiches" were among the best things I've eaten

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  21. JosephK

    Chicago

    39 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Nothing wonderful but safe and fine.

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Emilia provides very comfortable seating for small groups, perfect for conversation. The service was excellent and the food was delicious.

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  23. MyPointBeing

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Beautiful room, delicious food, great music. Serene Scandinavian vibe that's a nice respite from noisy East Village. Attentive service, but maybe a bit pushy? It's a "small plates" menu, and small they are! If you are say, an adult male, you might want to snack at home beforehand.

    Is this helpful?

  24. Zzzz

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very cute little place! Food is great! It’s by a busy street so it can be loud just because of outside noise.

    Is this helpful?

  25. JohnS

    Toronto

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall5food1service4ambience3
    Mediocre food

    Is this helpful?

  26. VincentD

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Excellent, creative dishes!

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  27. CindyW

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We ordered 6 dishes, the fish liver mousse, red snapper crudo, shiitake mushroom katzu, Black rice, suckling pig and a semifreddo. Every dish was good. The crudo was cut into small pieces, with a nice flavored shaved ice on it, very refreshing. The mushroom dish was a sandwich, and the Katzu crunch and the union with it were great. The rice was perfectly made and the crispy skin on the suckling pig covered with some disced apple was tasty. We finished with a citrus semifreddo, with a burn brown sugar on top, so it's a cross between a creme brûlée and a semifreddo. The service was great; the price was reasonable, the food was inventive. A great addition to the East Village!

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  28. Yankster23

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food Was great. The flavors in the food were outstanding. Really enjoyed and will definitely come back

    Is this helpful?

  29. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love all Nai restaurants. Emilia by Nai was amazing and we can’t wait to come back! The shiitake sandwich was out of this world. Very happy to live in EV to have cuisine like this around the corner. Try tapas by Nai and Amigo by Nai as well!

    Is this helpful?

  30. Charlotte

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing. I loved the different blends of flavors and textures both within the dishes and throughout the meals. The red snapper and maitake were the highlights. The cocktail list is very intriguing and super original. Raul and his team were extremely welcoming, doing everything to accommodate our constraints and eager to provide recommendations. We will definitely go back!

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love all the toasts, especially the egg salad and peach toast. Delicious and well presented! Thank you again to gave us a knife to cut the bread its more than thoughtful.

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience2
    Little expensive, small plate pop-up style in a coffee shop by day. Food was fantastic, unusual pairing of flavors. Highly recommend for adventurous eaters

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  33. TordeFam

    Greater Boston

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing!!!! The Nai family are always so welcoming and I absolutely loved everything I had. Ham, Onion Puff Pastry, Red Snapper (a must) and cocktails - I can’t wait to go back and try more items!

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Felt very at home fun place to start your night or end it. Good wine.good food

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic experience on many levels. The service was impeccable. The food was beyond delightful. The flavors and combinations were next level. If you are comfortable sharing small plates, take some friends and explore this new treasure. Be mindful, if you are famished, youre looking at three or four plates per person for dinner. These are european size portions (ie: not the “fat pants” experience) The bar is limited to wine sake and beer but ask for something creative (you wont be disappointed!!) As for dessert - if they have the semifredo dont pass on it… delicious!!!

    1 person found this helpful

  36. petera

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had an amazing dinner. Food was unique and beyond tasty. Service was great and they even brought out some of their cocktails for us at no charge!

    1 person found this helpful

  37. EdenN

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff were very kind and personable, clearly knew and cared a lot about the menu and offered us free tastings of wine. The food was also excellent, including the desserts which may change regularly as I could not find them listed on any menus. Would definitely go again.

    1 person found this helpful

  38. Cash

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    went for my girlfriend's birthday. was treated great by staff. food was incredible. absolutely will come back again.

    1 person found this helpful

  39. CaroleL

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another delicious restaurant by the Nai group. The food was very delicious and great and unique combination of fresh in-season ingredients. The staff was helpful and friendly and fun. I don't know which I like better - the original Nai or now a new favorite, Emilia.

    1 person found this helpful

  40. AmyA

    London

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a lovely dinner. Excellent service and welcoming vibe. Would recommend. Great addition to the neighborhood!

    1 person found this helpful

FAQs

EMILIA by Nai is rated 4.5 stars by 46 OpenTable diners.

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

Google Map for EMILIA by Nai

174 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009-4506

Additional information

  • Cross street
    1st Ave between 10th St and 11th St
  • Neighborhood
    East Village
  • Hours of operation
    Thu, Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Tapas / Small Plates, Vegetarian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Nearest Subways:–1st Avenue Station (L) –8th Street Station (N,Q,R,W)–Astor Place Station (4,6)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch
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