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Fonda Chelsea, New York, NY

Fonda Chelsea

4.4
4.4
956 Reviews
$31 to $50
Mexican
Now serving Lunch, Dinner and Brunch on weekends!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:30 PM


Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (917) 525-5252
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Roberto Santibanez
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a sit-down business dinner, a birthday cocktail party, or a holiday celebration, Fonda offers an array of delicious menus served in our comfortable, festive ambiance with stellar service from start to finish.
  • Private party contact
    Erika Hebbezni: (917) 822-5882
  • Neighborhood
    Chelsea
  • Cross street
    21st St & 22nd St
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Delivery, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
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What 956 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

956 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Not sure why but it’s quite smelly inside the restaurant. Some of us was not happy with foods cause the dish was cold. We had to wave a few times to get waiter’s attention.

    Is this helpful?

  2. RickP

    New York Area

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience2
    Really nice brunch menu. The food and drinks here are always supurb. It was unusually loud on the first floor. Large group in the window, plus one individual at the table next to us that decided that the entire restaurant needed to hear what he had to say. Kind of ruined the ambiance.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always amazing at how consistently great the food is here.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We come to town about 3 times a year from the south. Fonda is always an easy choice for dinner as it never disappoints. Goes way beyond expectations.

    Is this helpful?

  5. William

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The best, most authentic Mexican culinary experience in NYC!

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  6. Cris

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best guacamole in town! As well as the margaritas! The service is stunning.

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  7. Angie

    Minneapolis

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Mexican food like you've never had before! We both had the ensalada fresca -- spicy fresh fruit! I had the vegetarian enchiladas. Spicy and so delicious! My husband had the Camarones Mosquito. Another spicy dish and so good. Service was great, too.

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  8. Ethel

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall1food4service4ambience1
    The positive is that the food and service are good. The negative is that the hostess is rude, argumentative and marked me as missing my resv. when I was there and paid in full. This restaurant is too hot and has very little air conditioning. The same is true of their Park Slope location. The owners clearly place profit above customer and staff comfort. They should be ashamed of themselves for making their workers suffer under these deplorable conditions.

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  9. DonnaP

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent, attentive service. Great food and drinks.

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  10. fdc40

    New York Area

    29 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience2
    Noise was so loud, I couldn’t hear my dinner companions, even though we were seated close together in a booth. My friends love this restaurant, and I used to, but if it’s up to me, we won’t be eating there again.

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  11. fifthhigh

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I am traveling from West Harlem to Fonda in Chelsea for the best Mole in Manhattan.... The first time I was there they had a special Short rib with Mole... which was incredible... In the 3 times I've been back we've had the Enchilades en mole, which is wonderful. I would add more mole dishes to the menu. Chef knows what he's doing! And the Blood Orange Spicy Margareta is excellent! LOve this place!

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  12. diner112

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Manager was rude on 8/26 so we left after having gone there for years, so we won’t be back

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  13. JKS29

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Fonda staff is always welcoming. I love the food. They cook salmon perfectly. Fonda makes great margaritas. The guacamole is very good as well.

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  14. dgmom

    Las Vegas

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The guac and the queso are instant hits. Very nice waitstaff.

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  15. ArleneD

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My daughter and I had a great experience at Fonda in Chelsea! Our server, Augusto, was attentive and made some great suggestions on what to order. The drinks were creative and had a little “kick” to them which we loved. The guacamole we had for an appetizer was fresh and enough for four people. Our dinners were delicious and filling. We will definitely be coming back!

    Is this helpful?

  16. Ephrem

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    The experience disappointing. The service was inattentive and painfully slow. We needed to ask for menus, then for our drinks, then entrées arrived before appetizers were done, then we needed to ask for the check twice... The food and the ambiance were OK, but overall, overpriced for what it was.

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  17. Discerning

    New York Area

    52 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    It's a good place, but it could be better if: - the "outdoor" is described as actually in a completely enclosed shed on the street, with air conditioning; - the dishes description includes all major ingredients (especially when dairy is involved). Also a bit more light on the tables would enhance the food appearance. It looked like the chef created a beautiful presentation, but it was lost with such low light. Servers were nice, but it was very hard to hear them. Front staff was not very friendly, probably just too stressed.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Been here a few times already and each time me and my boyfriend have a lovely time and experience.

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  19. Foodie

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    We loved Fonda, it was our first time there and we will definitely be back. We sat in their covered outside area which was perfect and less noisy than inside. The only reason I did not give it a full five stars is that they did not have everything on the menu so we had a couple of disappointments.

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  20. WendyI

    Las Vegas

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a nice experience, great food, service and ambiance. They made our dinner special.

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  21. RyanDavid

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was a great place for a date night. The bartender was extra kind while I waited for my guest to arrive. Thanks for an awesome meal.

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic service!!! We enjoyed our food and drinks 🥂My toddler was uneasy but the manager came over and brought him ice cream and made us feel at home thank you to the Fonda team you guys Rock!

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  23. Molelover

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 20, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    We got sat in a corner which may account for the inattentive service and our inability to get water refills. Both entrees were too salty and while I still somewhat enjoyed the mole sauce it just was too salty too enjoy thoroughly. I have been there in the past and hadn't been in a while and won't be returning.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food & drinks were great. Nice restaurant. We were seated upstairs. Everyone was very.

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  25. Desiree

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The hostess and servers were amazing and very accommodating. The food was extremely delicious. I would definitely recommend this place to family and friends!

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  26. NYCFOODIE

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Took a friend for the second time in two weeks. The food was even better this time. We ordered guacamole that was absolutely perfect- creamy, full of flavor, well seasoned- worth the price tag. Mole didn’t disappoint. Everything sooo fresh and tasty. Service was spot on. Sat inside this time and the atmosphere was cozy and friendly. The bar was lively and the bartenders put on a terrific performance of their skills. Good place to hang out whenever one wants to relax with an excellent tequila. I wish they had beer on tap- the only complaint.

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  27. bdaygirl

    New York Area

    40 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on June 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    love the black mole dish.....this time the portion was smaller and maybe cost more than before???? glad they make skinny margaritas but why more $$$ than regular? love the dish... just feels pricey .

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  28. sharonp

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Special food, really great service. We had a salmon special and a skirt steak, both were really good. Drinks were also above the rest. Highly recommend!

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  29. TomF

    New Orleans

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience3
    The Cadillac margaritas were almost undrinkable. Lots of tequila and lime but not a $18 margarita. The worst mole’ sauce ever - ruined what appeared to be fully loaded with chicken enchiladas. The carna asada sauce was very bad - again ruining what might have been good cuts of skirt steak. Will not be back

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  30. NYCFOODIE

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on June 15, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Went for the food, of course, which didn’t disappoint. Sat outside so there was little to no ambiance, which is fine. But inside wasn’t a draw anyway. So let’s talk about the food. Chicken molé enchiladas were excellent. Truly tasted authentic. The chicken cheese with serrano pepper salsa was very flavorful but didn’t hold my attention; after several bites, the entree was a bit monotonous. Very good service. Reservations were not needed but I made them anyway.

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  31. RobertP

    Denver

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    The food quality was reasonable - the drink (marg) quality was poor. The lime mix was over-powering. The tequila, if any, could not be tasted due to strength of the mix. Overall - $200 for 5 with 2 alcoholic drinks so value is certainly 3 stars. Major issue however was that the wait staff was not fully aware of what could / could not be done gluten free for a someone with celiac. This created some confusion and concern.

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  32. Superior

    New York Area

    226 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    226 reviews

    Dined on June 9, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience2
    The food and service at Fonda are always excellent, but the experience last night was ruined by a screaming group of young women who had no concern or respect for the people around them. They screamed throughout the meal and those of us upstairs could not even have a conversation. The waiters/hosts would not ask them to tone it down a bit. The evening was really ruined. We quickly paid cash after our last bite although we'd have liked to have stayed for dessert; then we fled. Regretfully, I don't think we'll be back.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    I had a past great experience here but was so disappointed this time. The food was terrible and caused me to be ill.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    The brunch food menu can be revisited from time to time to keep it updated! The brunch menu currently is too limited in selection.

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  35. Lara

    Orlando

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The staff at Fonda is friendly and professional. The drinks are well-made and the food is just right.

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  36. MarioK

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good food 🥘 we can always eat something else and drink ii

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  37. mhgp

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always a great meal at our neighborhood place. So reliable, consistent, delicious food!

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  38. JenniferC

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Food was subpar. Ambience was nice and music was good

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  39. Smooshie

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was absolutely outstanding and the food was delicious as usual.

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  40. JazzDr104

    New York Area

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Service and food were excellent. A tad on the expensive side. I had the salmon and my spouse a short ribs w/mole special. A bit noisy inside, so we sat in the shed.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Fonda Chelsea using the Order Online button. Fonda Chelsea also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Fonda Chelsea also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (917) 525-5252.

Fonda Chelsea is rated 4.4 stars by 956 OpenTable diners.

Fonda Chelsea does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:30 PM


Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Fonda Chelsea

189 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    21st St & 22nd St
  • Neighborhood
    Chelsea
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Roberto Santibanez
  • Additional
    Delivery, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
  • Phone number
    (917) 525-5252
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a sit-down business dinner, a birthday cocktail party, or a holiday celebration, Fonda offers an array of delicious menus served in our comfortable, festive ambiance with stellar service from start to finish.
  • Private party contact
    Erika Hebbezni: (917) 822-5882
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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