I love when a place graduates from their hype era and settles into a reliable local spot that you can return to again and again. I also love a restaurant that does lunch on a weekday, something that I’ve learned not to take for granted in New York City’s dinner-forward restaurant scene. ATLA checks both of these boxes, and more (we LOVE a restaurant open 7 days a week). When it first opened in 2017 as a casual spinoff of the highly acclaimed Pujol by chef Enrique Olvera in CDMX, it was very much hyped. These days, ATLA is a tried and true spot for a guaranteed excellent lunch or dinner, with minimal wait for walk ins and easy last minute tables for reservations.

It hits the sweet spot. An unpretentious atmosphere but serious culinary finesse. Against a minimalist, contemporary backdrop, the food takes center stage. A tight menu that evolves with the seasons, from chilaquiles and huevos rancheros for brunch, to large format al pastor and carne asada and pescado a la talla for dinner, to fish tostadas and a curated selection of fancy tacos that work all day. Everything on the menu is beautifully crafted and layered with flavors and textures that delight. And to have easy access to this without playing the reservation game, it’s a genuine treat for the NYC dining scene.