Looking for Places to Eat Near Chinatown? Try Galicia at Tomiño Taberna Gallega
- Tomiño NYC
- 3d
- 3 min read
You’re wandering through the narrow streets of Lower Manhattan, surrounded by the energy of New York City’s Chinatown red lanterns swaying, the scent of dumplings in the air, the buzz of conversation spilling from open doors.But suddenly, you’re craving something different. You’ve had dim sum, noodles, maybe even soup dumplings, and today, you want something unexpected.
So, you pull out your phone and type: “places to eat near Chinatown.”That’s when a name catches your attention,Tomiño Taberna Gallega.Spanish? Sure. But Galician? That’s something new.

From Chinatown to Galicia in a Few Steps
It’s hard to imagine that just a few blocks from the heart of Chinatown, you can step into the flavors of northwestern Spain as you walk down Grand Street, the smell of seafood and smoky olive oil replaces soy sauce and sesame. The door opens to a cozy space filled with wooden tables, warm lighting, and the hum of Spanish conversation.
Inside Tomiño Taberna Gallega, everything feels genuine, from the staff’s accents to the chalkboard menu filled with Galician specialties. This isn’t just another Spanish restaurant. It’s a window into Galicia, a coastal region known for seafood, wine, and comfort food that tastes like it came straight from a grandmother’s kitchen.

What You’ll Find on the Menu
You might start with Pulpo a Feira, the signature Galician octopus dish served with olive oil, paprika, and sea salt. The texture is tender, the flavor clean and smoky.Then maybe Piquillos Rellenos de Bacalao, roasted red peppers filled with salted cod and pepper cream sauce, topped with crispy San Simón cheese.
If you’re sharing plates, don’t skip the Croquetas, crispy on the outside and creamy inside, or the Patatas Bravas, that perfect balance of spicy tomato and cool alioli.For heartier dishes, the Presa Ibérica (grilled pork shoulder with sherry reduction) and the Arroz Caldoso (lobster, monkfish, and bomba rice in seafood broth) steal the show.
And if you came just for a drink and a bite, the bar is worth staying for. Try their Gin & Tonic Mondays, when the best Spanish gins are just $12, or sip on an Albariño from Rías Baixas, crisp and citrusy, made for pairing with seafood.

A Dessert You Won’t Expect
After your meal, ask for the Torrija de Bica, a Galician sponge cake with a crème brûlée top and house-made vanilla ice cream it is not just dessert; it’s the perfect ending to a meal that takes you from Lower Manhattan to Northern Spain in one bite.
The balance of warmth, sweetness, and cream is unforgettable, the kind of dish that quietly becomes your favorite without you realizing it.

Why Tomiño Stands Out Among Places to Eat Near Chinatown
Most people exploring Chinatown expect to find Chinese, Thai, or Vietnamese food, and rightly so. But Tomiño Taberna Gallega stands out because it offers something few expect: a full Spanish experience just steps away.
It’s a rare mix of authenticity and approachability. You don’t need to know Galician cuisine to enjoy it; you just need to love good food, thoughtful service, and wine that makes conversation last a little longer.
In a city where every corner offers a new flavor, Tomiño feels personal. You don’t rush here. You stay, share plates, and let the flavors unfold slowly.

A Local Secret Worth Sharing
Ask anyone who’s stumbled upon Tomiño by chance, and they’ll tell you the same thing, they weren’t looking for it, but now they can’t forget it, it’s that kind of place: warm, welcoming, and full of small surprises.
From the fresh seafood to the traditional Empanadillas de Atún and the smoky Chorizos al Infierno, each dish feels like a story.And while the menu celebrates Galicia, the restaurant fits perfectly into the rhythm of Manhattan, a place where cultures meet and share the table.
So next time you’re walking around Chinatown, looking for something new, look beyond the usual. You might just find yourself standing outside Tomiño Taberna Gallega, drawn in by the smell of grilled seafood and the sound of laughter spilling from inside.
When you sit down, the world slows down a bit, and you realize that this might just be one of the best places to eat near Chinatown.