El Lugar Cantina

Located in New York City, El Lugar is a cultural first for IGC Hospitality, known for its award-winning concepts in design, food, and approach. The restaurant encapsulates Mexican heritage in dishes from regions where executive chef Alex Mixcoatl and his culinary team hail from, including sweet mole from Náhuatl, Oaxaca’s beloved Tlayudas, and birria variations from the state of Jalisco.

El Lugar, meaning “the place” in Spanish, delivers an authentic culinary experience with a focus on approachability, community, and customer service. The food menu, broken into traditional share plates and wood-fired shareable entrees, is wisely accompanied by an extensive agave spirit program. Mixcoatl prioritizes ingredients and recipes from his and his team’s lives growing up in Mexico, using traditional chamoy and grasshopper salt to add unique flavors to the menu. His homemade mole recipe, sweeter coming from his region and incorporating animal crackers, is a must-try for any diner.

The venue is intimate and cozy, lined with leather booths and large black and white photos of travels in Mexico. Candlelight and industrial pendants bathe the venue in warm light, and dramatically lit shelves line the entire wall behind the distressed wooden bar with seating for 20 guests. The private dining space, El Cuarto, features a vintage wooden fireplace and beautiful chandelier style lights, with space to host up to 20 guests seated and 30 standing. The full restaurant can seat up to 60, and hold up to 125 for a cocktail event.