Palo Santo Reviews

We were staying right across the street and didn't even see this place. After reading some reviews, we decided to try it and we were not disappointed. We had a wonderfully fresh salad with water cress, chayote squash and grapefruit with a lime dressing. Delicious. Our entrees were wonderful too. It was our last night in NYC, so we were a bit rushed, as we had to catch a plane right after dinner, but we loved the atmosphere. We sat outside under the stairway. Our waiter was friendly - the service was great, but not intrusive. I will definitely go back on my next trip to Brooklyn.

too much belly and not enough pork (on the pork belly) is the reason i'm giving 4 stars instead of 5. but everthing was delicious.

This is my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn for so many reasons. First off, the food is spectacular and done with such care, every plate you can feel is made with love and expertise. The flavors and combinations are divine, sometimes subtle and other times bold. Also the menu can vary from week to week so I’m always in store for a nice surprise. The ambiance is also great. I had birthday dinner there last night, 7 courses with wine pairings. In addition to the wine and food being absolutely delicious, we were taken care of like royalty. The staff and chef let us relax and enjoy, never rushing us and making us feel at home and extremely special. I can’t say enough good things about the people who work there. You can feel that they are happy and they really care about guest experience. I brought friends who had never been here before and all they kept texting me today was how they have to come back here as soon as possible. A true gem. Thank you Palo Santo.

There are not enough words to describe how much we love this restaurant. We reserved the entire restaurant for our son's Bar Mitzvah last December during the height of Omicron. Jacques was so helpful and easy to work with. I was so nervous because of COVID that we would get a lot of cancellations and he was so understanding and answered all of our questions promptly with such patience. The food was OUTSTANDING! The service was above and beyond and such good vibes. Everyone at the party had a wonderful time and loved the food and the service, Do not hesitate to book a party or dine at this amazing restaurant. It is now our go to place or all our parties. My friend at the party was so impressed with Palo Santo that she is having her daughter's graduation party there in June.

My daughter was married on the steps of the restaurant and a party followed. The facility was ours from 10 AM until 5 PM. The staff was so gracious, the food was delicious and the venue was equal to being in your own home. I would recommend the Palo Alto without any hesitation for any type of gathering you are planning. I cannot say enough about the how the entire staff worked to make everything flow so smoothly.

I have been to Palo Santo for dinner on a few occasions. The atmosphere is cozy, the food is amazing and the wine is wonderful. On my last visit, my party of eight had a reservation for 8 PM. We were seated late due to the party before us taking longer than expected to finish up. While we are all easy going and hadn't said a word, the staff took it upon themselves to bring us a round of champagne to enjoy while we waited and they apologized. This type of service is hard to come by these days but reflects the excellence at this establishment. Of course, the staff is attentive during the entire meal as well. The sangria is notable and the wines from Uruguay are unique and tasty. All around, wonderful.

food has been exquisite. and the tasting menus as well as the wine pairings...yum yum. I'd watch for the Uruguayan wine dinner.

Wandered in at 12:30 when there were several people already waiting outside, and asked how long a wait. Lucky us....a table for two coming right up. So lucky...we had a table at the very back overlooking a 'garden' area. I had a delicious fish and grits dish and my boyfriend had squash tacos. Sangria and a chocolate porter to drink. BTW....great thanks to our waitress whose name I never did ask.....great suggestions and terrific service.

Terrific restaurant serving superb cooked meals. Good for gluten free if that's what you need. Friendly and helpful service. Very nice atmosphere. Highly recommend. On a tree lined street in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn very close to the Union Street subway.

I chose Palo Santo for our son's rehearsal dinner based on the beauty and occupancy of the private room. Gonzalo is wonderful and he was so helpful as I was planning from NC and had never been to Park Slope. The food was wonderful! Everyone loved the family style service (35 of us) and the unlimited wine, beer, coffee, as well as the highly attentive service we received from all of the staff. We decided to buy out the back room for the evening, which ended up being extremely important , as a number of our invitees were unable to arrive until 6:30 or 7 pm. If you buy out, you have the room from 5PM to 11PM and is was only slightly more that the cost of feeding 35 people. The drinks flowed until right before 11. My son was so pleased with the service that he gave them extra gratuity out of his pocket even though I did as well. Call Gonzalo, he's the best! Thanks to everyone at Palo for a memorable evening!!

I was invited to a family gathering (about 50 people) this weekend at Palo Santo and it was fabulous! This was a private event and it fit our family perfectly, with a warm and friendly atmosphere. The food was a taco bar with the choice of pulled pork, spicey chicken and fish with each one being delicious. The food was hot and tasty during the entire event. All of the servers were attentive and friendly.

We really enjoyed brunch here. We started with the cheese grits, which were very good. We also tried the breakfast tacos, which were also great. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. Worth a stop for brunch if you are in the area.

We really enjoyed our meal here. The vibe is really intimate and the homemade corn tortillas are delicious. There are many gluten free options as well!

Hosted a Sunday brunch there. Staff was very attentive. Food delicious. Made to feel at home. All requests were promptly attended. Try their taco restaurant across the street also. You may not find the location easily as it is hidden in with housing.

Very tasty South American food and wines; atmosphere's a winner and the staff is great.

Eggs, rice and beans you cant go wrong with that, I will be coming back when I'm in NY. The staff were very friendly too.

Beautiful decor - calm and so organic. The food is very tasty and the drinks very good.

Went here recently after reading positive reviews on TA. No specials were offered the night we were there. Started with the avocado appetizer, followed by the pork tacos. Flavorful, filling, and delicious. Would probably eat here again when visiting Brooklyn

I live in the DC Metro area and was coming up to Brooklyn for a photo shoot with my cat and was staying at the Holiday Inn Express on Union St. I googled 'Pet Friendly Restaurants in Brooklyn' and found Palo Santo and was so excited as I love Latin food. And to top it off, it was one block from the hotel! Even better! When I called to make reservations, I confirmed that they were still pet friendly and yes, they said many diners bring their pets for the Sunday brunch especially. Our reservations were at 7:30 and we got a small table on the patio out in front of the restaurant, under the stairs and very cozy. I don't think many people, other than our waitress and other waitstaff, even knew my cat was there. Her rolling carrier fits on a chair and she spend most of the time sitting in my lap or curled up in the carrier but able to see everything without being intrusive. We started our meal with a carafe of white sangria, and it was perfect and refreshing. For an appetizer we had Tacos and Avocados, not really know what to expect, but our waitress described the appetizer and it was tasty! Small, handmade corn tortillas about the size of your palm, with thick slices of avocado and marinated onions and peppers. My Chayote Salad was crisp and flavorful and something out of the ordinary when it comes to most salads. And the Tacos Surtidos? Succulent and crispy pork, truly delightful! I didn't save room for dessert, but one of my dinner companions had the Prix Fixe dinner and she shared her cake, not sure what it was called, but similar to a spice cake and very moist and fragrant. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We didn't go inside, so I can't report on the bar scene or inside dining, but the small patio was a nice spot and the weather was perfect.

The coconut french toast with strawberry compote is AMAZING! Nice little spot in the Park Slope neighbourhood, within walking distance of shoppes, caffes, bars, and general strolling.

Taco bar, ceviche, nopales, shrimp, had my wife's birthday party at Palo Santo - food was outstanding, the space, the service allwere excellent

I booked this restaurant for 5 couples for New Year's Eve. I can't recall the menu, it was a 7-course meal that included fish, pork, chicken and some other things, including dessert. Everything was very tasty although with so many courses the portions were small. The food was rich so everyone was full. The wines that accompanied the courses was not as good as the food. Service was good, then seemed to fall off near the end but on the whole it was a nice experience. They were easy to work with when one of our party didn't want the wine tasting but wanted beer. I would go back again for a regular meal.

I had the opportunity to enjoy a meal while traveling for business. Zak was as advertised friendly, helpful and a pleasure to be around. The Korean tacos were insane, the quesadillas were also paired with grilled onions and jalapeño. You’ll do yourself a favor by enjoying a meal here, beer was ice cold, wines were crisp and recommendations on pairings by Zac were spot on. Don’t forget dessert they do a great job.

The latin american vibe of the place is nice and the quality of the food was excellent, with a charming staff. It was way too loud for an evening though, but would definitely recommend !

We had a wonderful dinner. Especially liked the tuna entree. The meal and service were great from start to finish. Handled our party of 7 on a Saturday evening very well.

I booked this back in November for myself and my boyfriend (visiting from overseas) for my birthday. From initial enquiries through to the event the staff were super helpful and accommodating, including a food allergy. We sat at the bar looking into the kitchen and the head chef/owner talked us through each dish, while Gonzalo brought and discussed each wine pairing. Looking into the kitchen was fascinating to see the chefs preparing different dishes and how ours came together. We had 8 fabulous courses, each paired with a wine.. Salad, fish, duck, beef and dessert were all covered and the wine went from sparkling whites through to rich dessert. $125 each including wine or beer pairings, less without. For us this was a very special experience dinner, rather than a regular meal out, but if their a la carte menu is anything like the food we tasted I have no qualms recommending this place to anyone. Thanks for a wonderful evening!

We come to NYC twice a year and we always make room for a fantastic meal at Palo Santo! I love the menu, the wine, and the great atmosphere.

Tremendous. Staff. Design. Menu. Wine List.

We hosted our son's rehearsal dinner here in late August in the back room. They were attentive to every detail both in the planning and the day of. The food was excellent and plentiful (served family style); everyone raved about it! The wine and sangria were wonderful and they served continuously throughout our event. And the service was personal, attentive and excellent. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a delightful small event and for dinner on your own. Gonzalo and the rest of the staff were all wonderful!

We enjoyed the food (I had the watermelon salad and the skirt steak) and the wine list had some great selections (we liked the Wollfer rose). My hsuband had some tacos he really liked. But the service seemed off - the restaurant had only two other couples dining when we walked in, and no-one came over to our table until we waved at them.

This place is very cool looking from the outside. It has a heavy cozy vibe. The food is ok, but that's about it. Don't waste your money. Go somewhere else. This place is in decline. I'd rather take out at Chipotle.

We are from New Orleans and have a high opinion of our hometown cuisine. We are picky when it comes to out-of-town restaurants. Palo Santo is a small restaurant in Brooklyn with a unique menu that matches our favorite dining spots in New Orleans. On our most recent visit, we had an appetizer that was out of this world! We highly recommend the avocado with the small pile of hot corn tortillas. If you are in Manhattan, it is not that long of a train ride to the Union Street station in Brooklyn. Palo Santo is just a block away from the station.

Attended a wedding here and it could not have been better. The man who ran the party for us, Gonzalo, was courteous, helpful and expert in keeping everything running smoothly. The food is outstanding. Would definitely like to return as a customer.

I was there this past Saturday night. Most of the reviews that I had read gave Palo Santo great comments. The dinner ended up being just o.k. The glasses of wine were small. The appetizers [tortillas and quesadiila] were fair at best. The main dishes both came out cold. The waiter took them back immediately. The service was fine,and the place is really nice. It just didn't live up to my expectations.If I was giving it a report card, I would grade it a C+ to B-

I have been to this restaurant several times over the past year, and I've always been satisfied with the quality of the food. The menu changes frequently which is a good thing to look forward not knowing what's being served but the satisfaction received from feasting on a tasty meal. My last visit on Oct 22, 2011 was not as great as previous visits because of the service. Food was on point but the server was dreadful and spent more time chatting at the bar than checking that our food was done as ordered. The person assigned to cleaning the tables was who came by to see that all was to our satisfaction. What an awful server!!

My daughter recommended us to try this restaurant.We were a family group and were made very welcome.The food was delicious-my steak and eggs were truly fantastic.Beverages were excellent-great wines.The restaurant team were exceptional and the whole atmosphere was buzzy.

Nestled in the garden level of an unassuming brownstone, this place is easy to miss. But that's just part of it's charm. Both outside and inside, it doesn't entirely feel like a restaurant, but rather a cozy home dining room with an open kitchen. The menu is short but diverse, with a good mix of seafood and meat options. Since the menu changes on a daily basis, it's hard to make specific suggestions. However, their seafood preparations really stand out overall. Our waitress was friendly and very knowledgeable about both the food and wine. Since the menu is always new, don't be afraid to ask for clarification or suggestions.

Didn’t find that the dishes are interesting enough. Being a fusion restaurant does not mean you just mix ingredients and serve, but also create a new sophisticated one.

While staying in Brooklyn I frequented this restaurant quite a few times. Naturally this was due to the lovely food but also because of the very friendly and excellent service that I was given here every time I came in. The two servers that I mostly dealt with were Emily and Phil. Charming people who knew their stuff. I tried several very tasty dishes, like the tortillas, the grilled cows heart, the avocado prepared in such a way that I`ll never forget how that dish tasted, the shaved chayote and my last meal here, the calamari salad.

Sunday brunch was delicious. Interesting food with a latin bent. Loved the french toast and the plantains. The eggs Benedict was interesting and different.

This is the second time I visit this restaurant. The first time I thought the food was just ok, but the service was terrible. At my spouse's insistence, we went back yesterday. The service was terrible beyond belief. We were sat at a table near the door, and then asked to move to another table to accommodate other patrons. We agreed and were generously offered a glass of sparkling sangria. We placed our order and waited for 50 minutes. During the wait time, we didn't get utensils or dishes. When we asked our waiter why we weren't getting utensils, he sneered. When we called the maitre to ask about our food, we were invited to leave if we couldn't be patient. We were very polite about the whole thing and left. Must say, why come to this restaurant to be mistreated? There are many good restaurants in Park Slope with better service.

Very tasty and fresh. However, the portions were sssooo small.

When I lived in Park Slope this was like our nice destination restaurant. We would love to do the chef's tasting menu sitting at the counter. Jacques was so warm and friendly; I hope he remembers us if we stop in again.

the food will surprise you! the tortilla of the quesadilla is home made and delicious.

Recently ate here with friends, delicious food, good atmosphere

The restaurant is on the ground floor of a typical Park Slope brownstone You could walk right by it if you did not know it was there. The menu is impressive with many unique choices. The low celings, open kitchen and friendly service give a cozy feel to the restaurant The restaurant has a nice brunch menu complete with mimosas and sangria. I would suggerst the pupusas with a glass of the red wine sangria. The poached eggs and french toast looked amazing as they went by . I will return to try the dinner menu

Had a great dinner here. Very interesting choices on the menu, and great drink selection as well. Food was fresh and we had very good service. Would recommend

Nice vibe, interesting food. Menu was a little short on imagination. Food was pretty good. No line on a Saturday night.

This is a fairly small restaurant, so I'm guessing that reservations are a must. Service was friendly and attentive when my party and I dined at the restaurant recently. The restaurant does tend to get pretty noisy; there's little to muffle sound, so it can be hard to hear your dining companions. Entrees and appetizers were prepared well, although I found the roasted potatoes to be overly salty. Hibiscus sparkling wine was offered the night that my party and I dined at the restaurant, and that was a refreshing change from typical restaurant offerings.

My family has had Thanksgiving dinner at Palo Santo three out of the last four years ... we like it very much, and we had an exceptionally good dinner this time on November 28. I unequivocally recommend Palo Santo!

We were taken to Palo Santo by friends who live nearby and because I like Mexican food my expectations were really high, and I can say, I was not disappointed! In addition to the menu they had a number of specials including a veg option. We were a group of six, but were accommodated with no fuss, sat up at the bar until a table became available, great service, great food, washed down with a winter ale!

Visiting relatives in NYC, this restaurant was suggested as it was close by in the neighborhood. We dined late (8pm) but found the food there to be fresh and inventive. Cornflake crusted chicken was moist and flavorful accompanied by a nicely seasoned kale and sweet potato salad. The corn and sweet cream soup had a appropriately spicy kick. Great wine list and an interesting Agua Fresca non-alcoholic option with hibiscus juice.

I had 25 people gathering at P.S. they delivered beyond expectation. Pass hors d'oeuvre were delicious with chilled sparkling wine. We had chosen buffet style for a more relax feel, to follow the 1 hr drinks/ appetizer. The stars of the show were the oaxtails and the heritage porc., several sides provided. The staff kept the glasses full and was responsive. we had a lovely evening.

-Food: Caribbean and South American recipes, all made with fresh and organic ingredients. -Price: mediocre. -Chef: Extremely knowledgeable and kind. -Staff: very helpful and friendly. -Environment: feels homey and great setup. -My visit: was a family gathering nd reunion with young children. All went very well. -Location: great. -Parking: on street by your own. I've always had a hard time parking in NY in general. -Would I go there again and recommend o others: definitely.

Our friends are locals so they knew about this somewhat off the beaten path small restaurant in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. Lucky us! We got to enjoy some of the best tiny tortillas and avocado slices I've ever encountered, as well as fabulous fish, amazing pork, and really spicy duck. The wine was good as were the salads and desserts. They offer an excellent prix fixe deal on several items so you can get appetizer, main course, and dessert without breaking the bank. It's a charming, intimate-feeling spot, and there was no rush to get us out the door. The server was knowledgable and eager to answer any questions we had while the chef and / or owner also stopped by the table to make sure everything was okay. Really, a fabulous dining experience . . . and oh! those tiny fresh-made tortillas!

The staff members were great, the food was excellent. The setting is romantic, with dim lights and unique items inside. It's situated in a house on the ground level, you walk past it if you're not looking out for it

We just had a birthday party there this past weekend. Everything was unbelievable! The food was delicious. The staff was so attentive and went above and beyond to get us ANYTHING we needed. The chef, Jacques Gautier, came out of the kitchen a few times just to make sure we were happy. Who does that on a saturday evening when you have a packed restaurant!!!! The place is intimate, the location is accessible and convenient. I can't say enough good things about this place. ALL of my guest were so happy!! Thank you Jacques.

I don't live between Park Slope and the canal (nearish the Atlantic Ave subway hub) in Brooklyn (I live in a city that is not in New York at all), but if I did, and I had a foodie boss, I would definately take him or her to eat here. Why? Upon sampling 5 or so dishes (we had a few people, plus a baby, for brunch), everything, from the oysters to the tacos to the grits to the chilaqules was not just done right, it was so right as to be impressive.

Amazing Decor, creative food. Quality a bit variable.

The food was very good and the staff were a lot of fun. The only downside to this place is that it is very expensive. Carafes of sangria and taco happy hour are a winner.

Making a reservation is not the same as making a reservation for the tasting menu, but they don't tell you that on the phone.

In Brooklyn listening to music and needed food before heading back to Manhattan and found this delightful restaurant. Zach could not have been friendlier or more helpful. My son and I both had the tacos koreanos and my tongue was tickled with a plethora of spices, not too much, just enough to make you smile. Finished with a coconut tres leches cake which provided the perfect cooling. We found our best meal our last night this trip to NYC. Will definitely be back.

Looks like a little hole in the wall from the street, but the food and intimate ambiance were wonderful.

This experience started pleasant - our table reservation was ready and waiters were patient while we waited for our friends to join us. It quickly went downhill there from here. We placed our orders. Waitress came back and said there were no more potatoes in the kitchen (on a Sunday for brunch...no potatoes!). So we had to adjust our orders and we were given the option of yuca or rice & beans. Cool. Food arrived & it was a DISASTER! Steak & eggs = 5 thin slices of steak with eggs (one order actually came WITHOUT EGGS). Huevos Banados = ONE egg that was not poached. French Toast = decent size with syrup that poured out like WATER. Every single order was cold and had to be sent back to be warmed up. When we asked for ketchup, there was none. The waitress had to go buy some at the nearest store. This did not make any sense for a brunch spot. It is a shame that this place exist. The food nor the service are worth your time or money.

Delightful restaurant with good food and enchanting staff. We've been here twice and both times it was a delight being there. One time we choose the 3 course menu and the second time we enjoyed a variation of tapas.

Our party of seven had dinner Saturday night, It was a really nice dinner, everything was fresh and tasty. Service was good. Restaurant is cozy. Several ordered the pre-fixe, others ordered entrees. They are heavy with plantains.