A lively Hell's Kitchen Mexican restaurant with standout margaritas, generous menu breadth, and generally warm service, but inconsistent food and several serious reports of pricing transparency and host-service failures.
Arriba Arriba delivers strong food quality with standout tacos, guacamole, and margaritas that earn consistent praise, but inconsistent execution in seasoning and portions prevents a higher grade. The Hell's Kitchen location and vibrant outdoor setting appeal to pre-theater crowds, though uneven service knowledge and occasional host rudeness create friction that holds it back from excellence.
Arriba Arriba is a compact, high-energy Hell's Kitchen Mexican restaurant that works especially well before a show, for a lively group meal, or for margaritas and people-watching outside. The atmosphere is frequently described as warm, loud, colorful, and unmistakably New York; one recurring sentiment is that the patio lets diners feel the city's pulse. Reservations are sensible on busy nights, and the restaurant can move food quickly when the operation is running smoothly. The cooking is broad, accessible Mexican with some Tex-Mex influence rather than a narrowly regional or technique-driven menu. Guacamole, elote, tacos, mole, fajitas, and churros attract the most enthusiasm, while the current menu also offers seafood, steak, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. The main caveat is inconsistency: many diners find the food flavorful and generous, but others report bland seasoning, small taco portions, cold or poorly executed dishes, and pricing that feels hard to justify. Margaritas are arguably the star attraction, though tequila or mezcal upgrades should be confirmed before ordering. Families can do well here, particularly outdoors: a review specifically praises spacious seating away from traffic for a toddler. The menu has approachable choices such as quesadillas, chicken tacos, burritos, rice and beans, churros, and fried ice cream, alongside more adventurous octopus, mole, seafood, and spicy preparations. It is family-friendly in atmosphere, but the loud energy and occasional service unevenness may not suit every young child.
Area vibe: Lively, restaurant-heavy midtown West neighborhood popular for dining and theatre crowds.
Safety: Generally safe with busy streets and good evening foot traffic near Broadway and restaurants.
What's nearby: Close to Times Square, Broadway theatres, Midtown offices, and Hudson Yards transit links.
Plan for a lively and sometimes noisy meal, uneven execution, peak-time waits, and two-taco portions that may feel modest for the price.
Expect colorful Hell's Kitchen energy, city-facing outdoor seating, and a lively soundtrack that can overwhelm quiet conversation.