The Black Ant

Name: The Black Ant
Address: 60 2nd Avenue, New York, NY, United States, 10003
Telephone: (212) 598-0300
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

539 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Top Tags:

The Black Ant, a modern Mexican restaurant focusing on the traditional and uniquely sourced ingredients of Mexico in a contemporary, “Cocina de Autor” from Chef Eduardo Santos in Manhattan’s East Village.
Contemporary Latin Cuisine, harmoniously paired with our innovative handcrafted cocktails. Come on in and enjoy yourselves.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Mar 27, 2023

8:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Mexican
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:30 pm Bar Fri 4:00 pm–2:00 am Sat 11:00 am–2:00 am Dinner Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 4:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(212) 598-0300
Website
http://www.theblackantnyc.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
We offer a full range of catering options:<br /> Buffet stations, prix fixe menus, family style menus, passed hors d'ouvres, etc.<br /> For Large Party Reservations, please call at the restaurant 212 598 0300 or email: Reservations@Theblackantnyc.com
Private party facilities
Family Style Dinner.Cocktail Receptions.Private Dinning Room.Indoor Garden

Location
60 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood
East Village
Cross street
Between 3rd & 4th St
Parking details
None
Public transit
Take the F train to Second Ave.
Entertainment
On special occasions, mariachis present to heighten the festive atmosphere. Please contact the restaurant directly with questions.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch

Black Ant Guacamole$18.00
Avocado, onion, cilantro, serrano, lime, pickled jalapeño, chili oil, black ant salt. May contain: sesame seeds, seaweed. Allergens: Gluten, Nuts
Esquites$16.00
Corn off the cob, cream corn stew, lime aioli, queso Cotija. May contain: sesame seeds, seaweed. Allergens: Eggs, Dairy
Tuna Sandía$18.00
Crispy Corn tortilla, yellow fin tuna, watermelon, avocado cream, chili oil. May contain: sesame seeds, avocado. Allergens: Nuts, Gluten
Croquetas$18.00
Manchego grasshopper fried croquettes, salsa tatemada, black garlic aioli. May contain: sesame seeds. Allergens: Eggs, Dairy, Gluten
Ensalada$16.00
Endive, caesar dressing, queso fresco, anchovy crumble. Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Eggs
Tlayuda$21.00
Grasshopper aciento, bean puree, Oaxaca cheese, quelites, chili oil, grasshoppers. Allergens: Dairy, Pork, Gluten, Nuts
Buñuelo de Rabo$21.00
Oxtail dumplings, Mole negro, queso fresco. Allergens: Dairy, Nuts, Gluten, Eggs

Tacos

Taco de Pescado$18.00
Baja style fried fish, cabbage slaw, jalapeño aioli, salsa morita. Allergens: Gluten, Shelfish
Pollo al Pastor$18.00
Roasted chicken pastor, pineapple, pickled onion, guacachile
Tacos de Hongos$16.00
Mushrooms, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, salsa verde. Allergen: Dairy
Carnitas de Pato$19.00
Duck carnitas confit, Mango-habanero salsa, pickled onion, chicharrón. Allergens: Pork, Gluten

Platos Fuertes

Enchiladas de Conejo Option (Mushrooms)$26.00
Braised rabbit, oaxaca cheese, chileajo, quelites. May contain: sesame seeds. Allergens: Dairy, Gluten
Pollo en Mole$28.00
Roasted chicken breast, mole Oaxaqueño, Aji risotto, tortillas. May contain: sesame seeds. Allergens: Dairy, Nuts
Pipian Rojo$20.00
Pipian rojo, roasted zucchini, macha crumble. May contain: seeds. Allergen: Nuts
Pescado a la Diabla$30.00
Red snapper, salsa diabla, celery root puree. Allergens: Dairy, Shelfish
Carne Asada$32.00
Skirt steak tampiqueña style, cheese enchilada, bean-pasilla sauce, guacamole. Allergen: Dairy

Sides

Arroz & Frijol$10.00
Yellow creamy rice, pinto pasilla beans. Allergen: Dairy
Shishitos$10.00
Shishito toreados, lime aioli. Allergen: Eggs
Chicharrones$10.00
Pork cracklings, salsa tatemada, cotija cheese. Allergens: Pork, Dairy

What 539 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 recent ratings

4.5Food
4.3Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

GM
GabrielleM
New York Area
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great restaurant with great service. Sit in the patio it’s gorgeous
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Just had some apps and drinks, margaritas were amazing!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food Friendly service Definetely will come back
K
Kenbo
New York Area
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food! The garden is a little loud, but only because it was a bunch of young men. But it was very pretty! And our server was excellent, even during a busy time!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a last minute reservation for a friend’s birthday with 10 people and they were super accommodating! The food, drinks, music and staff were amazing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fuimos para celebrar cumpleaños. Tuvimos la suerte de estar en el Happy Hour. La comida buenísima, en especial los tacos de pollo al pastor, y los margaritas “lo más “. Muy recomendable
R
Robyn
New York Area
101 reviews
vip
5.0
101 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I stumbled upon this restaurant about a month ago and I've eaten there three times since. The food is great, the service is fantastic, the ambiance is beautiful. I would highly recommend ordering the sangria!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exceptional different level Mexican food ….. defo worth a try - really impressed
R
Robyn
New York Area
101 reviews
vip
5.0
101 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Stumbled upon this fantastic Mexican restaurant while strolling through the east village. Both the food and the service was incredible. Definitely go for the happy hour.
SW
ShilaW
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Just a good place that’s fun with amazing food!
d
dcnolabch
Washington DC
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience3
Good Smokey margaritas Good food Waiter (think her name was Dagmar) was super efficient and nice
TR
TimothyR
Los Angeles
10 reviews
vip
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience2
The food was good, but the $18 burrito was tiny. Also - I get that its a brunch scene, but thumping club music at 11:45am when there were only one other party there? Moderate the sound system....
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great happy hour! The food is delicious
o
omercank
New England
26 reviews
vip
4.0
26 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
It was very good, but won’t say exceptional. The fact that tacos come in 2’s is weird. It’s a bit of a rip off for how much meat there was in a taco.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
2.0
1 review
Dined on July 28, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience1
The waitress was incredibly rude and never really checked on us. Furthermore they charged 20% for this service. The table we were at was under the HVAC which was dripping all over us and our food. We asked kindly to be moved and were told no when the restaurant was really empty. I have had amazing meals here previously but won’t be returning.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on July 17, 2022
overall1food1service4ambience1
The food was terrible. Not sure I have ever had bad tasting guacamole before. The decor on the patio is dirty and had cobwebs. Could not wait to get out.
DG
DeborahG
New York Area
35 reviews
vip
3.0
35 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
Extremely loud.
p
parkgrr
New York Area
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
excellent mexican food and drinks
JR
JacquelineR
New York Area
115 reviews
vip
4.0
115 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Service and food was good. Only issue I had was the rice and beans portion was a bit small. Otherwise it was a very nice lunch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall3food3service2ambience4
Limited menu, cocktails were fantastic food was good. Service was poor. We felt rushed and the staff kind of hovered over our table. Entrees came out immediately after appetizer, no break in between. The restaurant was not even busy while we were there. Came over MULTIPLE times and tried to clear our appetizer plates, they eventually cleared one off when one of us got up to use the restroom.
V
Valientdiner
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2022
overall3food3service2ambience4
The server rushed us a lot!!! When we got there they were eager to keep reservations moving which was understandable but it was done with rudeness. Additionally the food is just super spicy not very flavorful and made two diners sick after!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Seattle
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on February 27, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience2
Tortilla chips were so crispy they were hard to chew. Guac and margs were delicious. Music was kind of obnoxious. Service was decent.
KS
KelseyS
Philadelphia
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience2
Our group was sat in the back room which made sense because we were a large party but the noise back there was incredible. It was impossible to hear one another across the table and made it very difficult to communicate with our server as well. The food was very good! I had the breakfast burrito and it was great.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 26, 2022
overall4food3service3ambience5
Good food just know there are REAL ants in it
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and great cocktails!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 21, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
I had high hopes, but they were out of at least four items on the menu and the heirloom tomatoes were tasteless. Otherwise, fun premise and lively atmosphere.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, drinks, and service. This is my 3rd visit enjoying delicious and fun brunch, noting that the menu is always slightly updated. I enjoyed the music they played while sipping on the traditional margarita which is always perfect and potent. Thanked the bartender on my way out. The guacamole, enchiladas suizas, plantains, egg burrito with delicious green sauce, and the crickets were delicious and definitely recommend. The crickets are crispy and crunchy, adding a nutty flavor when sprinkled on the food.
K
Kaypur
New York Area
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience3
We have celebrated special occasions at the Black Ant for years. So glad they have reopened and are thriving. The noise level last night was overwhelming and the music being pumped in so loudly along with some very noisy large parties made it almost unbearable. If this had not been the choice of our birthday celebrant, I would have suggested we leave. I could not hear our wonderful waiter very well, and I doubt if he could hear us. Having to wear masks makes it doubly hard, but we are appreciative that most of the staff is masked -- why not all of them? The food remains exceptional -- although the portions are quite small, and seem to be getting smaller over the years. Still love this place and will continue to come, but so wish the music could be tempered and that large parties put in other areas.
CW
CraigW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was awesome and the service was great with great recommendations, definitely going t visit them again next time we are in NYC
s
sundaybrunch
New York Area
2 reviews
vip
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2021
overall2food3service2ambience3
Had a pulsd voucher, which included 4 drinks (2 per person) which was fine. My friend and I considered opting for bottomless once we had finished the 2 drinks but good thing we didn't because the service was super slow and probably would not have been worth it. Food was okay, small but decent brunch menu. Ended up going somewhere else for drinks.
KP
KimP
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 17, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent brunch!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had friends from out of town for brunch! Service is fast and the back garden is really cute. The staff is always super nice and welcoming.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
4 reviews
vip
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2021
overall1food1service1ambience1
One of the worst experiences I have ever had at a Mexican restaurant. I’m Mexican, myself, and have never felt so unwelcome by a waitress at a restaurant. I had to ask the manager for a different waitress given her behavior. The manager did his best in mediating the situation and while I appreciated it, I will not be returning. Honestly a shame that we were a party of 6 and had to give 20% tip because that is definitely not what would have happened otherwise. Aside from the service, the food was relatively good.
B
50thBirthday
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on August 21, 2021
overall3food3service3ambience3
The brunch food was standard and the service was nice but super slow. Not sure if the bottomless tables got more frequent attention but it was a lot of waiting for someone to take our order.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love the Black Ant! Food is phenomenal, the chefs obviously take a lot of care in pairing flavor profiles and sourcing fresh ingredients, even for dishes as seemingly simple as chips & guacamole or the maduros. The cocktails are just as good, if not better! And the staff is very kind and attentive as well. Always, always enjoy coming here!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 15, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great time
S
Steve
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 13, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience4
The food was pretty nice there. The service is also good. However, I hope the music could be a little me lower. I can barely talk to my fiend, and everyone else seemed to enlarge their voice to talk which made the restaurant even more noisy.
G
Gera
New York Area
29 reviews
vip
2.0
29 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2021
overall2food2service1ambience2
I attempted to dine at the black ant for a date. It was really embarrasing to take someone to a restaurant to try chapulines and that day they were not available. Although I understand that these things happen sometimes, I would have expected the server or the waitress to inform us that any dishes containing chapulines were not available except for the croquetas. We order the croquetas and they were not even as good as other dishes that I have tried. Drinks were better when McSon used to be the bartender. We ended up having one drink each and the croquetas and we left to another restaurant. A real inconvenience during a date.
EG
ElizabethG
New York Area
86 reviews
vip
4.0
86 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience4
Fun spot for a date! Small portions but delicious food! Get the guac and fish tacos!
C
Calvin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 17, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
great food, great drinks, great staff. would definitely recommend it to anyone.

FAQs

The Black Ant is rated 4.5 stars by 539 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Mar 27, 2023

8:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

60 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Between 3rd & 4th St
Neighborhood
East Village
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:30 pm Bar Fri 4:00 pm–2:00 am Sat 11:00 am–2:00 am Dinner Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 4:00 pm–7:00 pm
Cuisines
Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Public transit
Take the F train to Second Ave.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Entertainment
On special occasions, mariachis present to heighten the festive atmosphere. Please contact the restaurant directly with questions.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch

Website
http://www.theblackantnyc.com/
Phone number
(212) 598-0300
Catering
We offer a full range of catering options:<br /> Buffet stations, prix fixe menus, family style menus, passed hors d'ouvres, etc.<br /> For Large Party Reservations, please call at the restaurant 212 598 0300 or email: Reservations@Theblackantnyc.com
Private party facilities
Family Style Dinner.Cocktail Receptions.Private Dinning Room.Indoor Garden

The Black Ant

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

Para Compartir

Black Ant Guacamole$18.00

Esquites$16.00

Tuna Sandía$18.00

Croquetas$18.00

Ensalada$16.00

Tlayuda$21.00

Buñuelo de Rabo$21.00

Tacos

Taco de Pescado$18.00

Pollo al Pastor$18.00

Tacos de Hongos$16.00

Carnitas de Pato$19.00

Platos Fuertes

Enchiladas de Conejo Option (Mushrooms)$26.00

Pollo en Mole$28.00

Pipian Rojo$20.00

Pescado a la Diabla$30.00

Carne Asada$32.00

Sides

Arroz & Frijol$10.00

Shishitos$10.00

Chicharrones$10.00

What 539 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

How is The Black Ant restaurant rated?

Is The Black Ant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information