Opening hours
Closed · opens 11:30 AM
| Monday | 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
Local time in New York: 9:31 AM (EST). Holiday hours may differ – call (212) 255-9378 to confirm.
Location & directions
86 University PlaceNew York, NY 10003
About El Cantinero
Looking for a Mexican restaurant in New York? El Cantinero is at 86 University Place, New York, New York. Our New York guide covers 5,477 food and drink spots, and this is one of them.
El Cantinero is open 7 days a week, usually 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM. It stays open late, until 12:00 AM on most nights.
Service options include delivery and dine-in.
Payment methods accepted: credit cards and debit cards. You can reach the team at (212) 255-9378.
Quick facts
- Category
- Mexican Restaurant
- Address
- 86 University Place, New York, NY 10003
- Phone
- (212) 255-9378
- Hours
- Open 7 days a week, usually 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM
- Listing updated
- · Suggest an edit
Popular times
Usually busiest around 7 PM on Fridays; one of the quieter times is around 1 AM on weekdays.
Based on typical visit patterns for Mexican restaurants and this venue’s opening hours.
How the hours compare
We compared El Cantinero’s weekday schedule with 182 other Mexican restaurants in New York. On a typical weekday it opens at 11:30 AM, close to the local norm of 11:00 AM and closes at 12:00 AM, later than 81% of them (typical closing time: 10:00 PM).
In total it is open about 95.5 hours a week, 19 hours more than the local median of 77. 92% of Mexican restaurants in New York open on Sundays, and El Cantinero is one of them.
Compared with 182 other Mexican restaurants in New York that list their hours in our guide.
Typical prices for Mexican restaurants in New York
Based on 117 menus with 10,403 priced items from Mexican restaurants in New York, the median menu item costs $12.95, and half of all items are priced between $6.25 and $17.95.
We don’t have El Cantinero’s own menu on file yet, so use these figures as a guide to what Mexican restaurants in New York typically charge.
| Item | On menus | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Guacamole | 40% | $7.50 |
| Nachos | 34% | $13.43 |
| Pico de Gallo | 28% | $3.00 |
| Flan | 25% | $6.00 |
| Churros | 25% | $10.00 |
| Carne Asada | 24% | $20.99 |
| Taco Salad | 21% | $16.00 |
| Carnitas | 20% | $15.99 |
Calculated from 117 menus in our guide. Prices vary by location and change over time.
Features & amenities
Service options
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
The neighborhood
Within a 10-minute walk (half a mile) of El Cantinero there are 503 other places to eat and drink in our guide, and 1,767 within one mile. By type, the places within a mile include Cafes & Coffee (289), Bars & Pubs (230), Bakeries & Desserts (120), and Italian (102).
Competition is strong: 89 other Mexican restaurants are within a mile and 233 within three miles. The closest is Dorado, < 0.1 mi away.
751 places within a mile stay open until 10 PM or later on at least one night a week, so this is a good area for a late meal.
Nearest places of other kinds
- Bakeries & DessertsMimi's Frozen Yogurt< 0.1 mi
- ThaiPranakhon< 0.1 mi
- Sandwiches & DelisThe Grey Dog< 0.1 mi
- Mediterranean & Middle EasternVillage Taverna< 0.1 mi
- Latin American & CaribbeanSophie's Cuban Cuisine< 0.1 mi
What to expect at a Mexican restaurant
Mexican food is one of the most widely loved cuisines in the US, and it ranges from the taqueria with a handful of tables and a salsa bar to sit-down restaurants focused on a single region such as Oaxaca, Jalisco, Puebla or the Yucatán. Tex-Mex – with its combination plates, yellow cheese, fajitas and chili con carne – is its own distinct tradition born in Texas.
What to order
- Tacos al pastor or carne asada – the taqueria benchmark, usually on small corn tortillas
- Enchiladas or a mole dish – a good way to taste the kitchen’s sauces
- Burrito – a meal in itself, especially in California-style shops
- Tamales – often made in batches and sold out early
Good to know
- Chips and salsa are free at many sit-down restaurants but not at most taquerias.
- Weekend specials such as menudo, pozole or birria often sell out before evening.
- Ask how spicy a salsa is – heat levels vary hugely from one kitchen to the next.
Reviews
Write a reviewNo visitor reviews yet. Been to El Cantinero? Share your experience to help other diners.
Frequently asked questions
What are El Cantinero's opening hours?
Open 7 days a week, usually 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM. Monday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM; Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM; Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM; Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM; Friday: 11:30 AM – 4:00 AM; Saturday: 11:30 AM – 4:00 AM; Sunday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM.
Is El Cantinero open on Sunday?
Yes, El Cantinero is open on Sundays: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM.
Where is El Cantinero located?
El Cantinero is located at 86 University Place, New York, NY 10003.
What is the phone number of El Cantinero?
You can call El Cantinero at (212) 255-9378.
Does El Cantinero offer delivery or takeout?
Yes, El Cantinero offers delivery. Listed service options: delivery and dine-in.
Is El Cantinero open late?
Yes – El Cantinero is open until 10 PM or later on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
What else is near El Cantinero?
There are 1,767 other places to eat and drink within a mile of El Cantinero. Nearby options include Mimi's Frozen Yogurt (< 0.1 mi), Pranakhon (< 0.1 mi), and The Grey Dog (< 0.1 mi).
Are there other Mexican restaurants near El Cantinero?
89 other Mexican restaurants within a mile. The closest is Dorado, < 0.1 mi away.
How much do Mexican restaurants in New York cost?
Based on 117 menus with 10,403 priced items from Mexican restaurants in New York, the median menu item costs $12.95, and half of all items are priced between $6.25 and $17.95.
Nearby places
All in New York
Listing data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Details may have changed – please verify with the business.