The Bottom Line
Francisco's is the place to go for delicious lobster that doesn't break the bank. Kick back with some sangria and a lobster tail -- but be prepared to wait for a table.
Pros
- Lobster is delicious and surprisingly inexpensive.
- Sangria is top-notch.
- Portions are generous.
- Free bibs!
Cons
- Noisy and crowded.
- Often a long wait for a table.
Description
- Francisco's Centro Vasco: 159 West 23rd St. between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, 212-645-6224
- Getting There: Take the F or the 1,9 to 23rd St.
- Rated NYC's #1 Lobster House by Zagat's 2005
Guide Review - Francisco's -- Spanish Food and Top-Rated Lobster
Francisco's is serious about lobster -- you can tell by the neon lobster above the door to the giant claws mounted over the bar. They serve big, delicious lobsters for surprisingly small prices. Other specialties include the paella and the sangria (keep the pitchers coming).
The mood is lively and the service is friendly. The only real drawback is the wait for a table -- on weekend nights, you can wait for more than an hour to be seated. Francisco's doesn't take reservations, so get there early and stake out a spot at the bar to enjoy some sangria while you wait.
