Cocina Consuelo

Cocina Consuelo, located in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights, is a deeply personal and vibrant Mexican restaurant founded by chef Karina García and her husband, musician Lalo Rodríguez. The space evokes the warmth of a lived-in home, with a green door, blue façade, yellow walls, hanging masks, and a piano that add to its eclectic charm. Inside, the open kitchen and intimate layout reflect the couple’s original supper club, which began in their fifth-floor apartment during the pandemic. The restaurant’s design and atmosphere are a tribute to familial hospitality, where guests are treated more like friends than customers.

The menu is rooted in traditional Mexican flavors, elevated by García’s personal journey through culinary education and ancestral cooking. Dishes like birria-topped bone marrow, hibiscus quesadillas, masa pancakes with guajillo chile, and café de olla showcase her deep understanding of Mexican gastronomy. Cocina Consuelo has quickly garnered critical acclaim, earning a spot on The New York Times’ “100 Best Restaurants in NYC” list within months of opening.

The restaurant’s name honors both Lalo’s grandmother and Karina’s grandfather, symbolizing the fusion of heritage and heart that defines the experience. With its soulful food and community-driven ethos, Cocina Consuelo stands out as one of New York’s most exciting new culinary destinations.