CHELSEA, MANHATTAN
El Quijote
The Hotel Chelsea's Spanish dining room since 1930 — paella, murals and a glass Don Quijote at the bar.
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IllustrationEl Quijote has been serving Spanish food inside the Hotel Chelsea since 1930. A careful renovation reopened it in 2022 with its old murals scrubbed clean, a sandblasted-glass Don Quijote by the bar and the same sense of a room that has seen everything.
Start with pan con tomate and patatas bravas, then gambas al ajillo and the confit artichokes with anchovies and jammy egg. The seasonal paella, crusted with socarrat, is the centerpiece, and the Basque cheesecake with boozy fruit compote is the close.
Editor’s tip
Ask for a seat at the bar if the dining room is booked, and save room for the Basque cheesecake.
Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby
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Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 14, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.