Mexican restaurant on the Upper West Side, inspired by the traditions of Jalisco

Steps from the American Museum of Natural History, Covacha brings the traditions of Western Mexico to the Upper West Side — Join us for lunch, brunch, dinner, and happy hour.

Walk-ins and reservations welcome. For groups of 8 or more, please call (212) 712-2929

Covacha brings together over two decades of experience from Café Frida, El Mitote, and Ella Social into a restaurant rooted in the cooking traditions of Western Mexico.

Inspired by the food of Jalisco and the milpa culture, our approach honors ingredients, process, and time — working with small producers and traditional methods while shaping a menu that feels both grounded and current.

More than a restaurant, Covacha is built as a neighborhood table on the Upper West Side — a place to return to, to gather, and to share in a way that feels natural and lasting.

Where Western Mexico meets the Upper West Side

At Covacha, the cooking of Western Mexico comes to the Upper West Side through a kitchen shaped by tradition, technique, and time. The menu moves beyond the expected, with dishes rooted in Jalisco and the milpa — from complex preparations like mole dulce to seasonal expressions built around corn, chiles, and native ingredients.

Alongside this, plant-based dishes are part of the same approach, not set apart, and the kitchen works with a sense of responsibility toward ingredients, sourcing, and how each dish is brought to the table.

Lunch near the American Museum of Natural History

A few steps from the American Museum of Natural History, Covacha serves weekday lunch on Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side, rooted in the cooking of Western Mexico. Tacos, chilaquiles, and seasonal dishes inspired by Jalisco shape a menu built with care, attention, and a clear sense of the kitchen behind it.

A place to come in between museum visits or for lunch on the Upper West Side.

Crafted cocktails on Columbus Avenue

At Covacha, our cocktail program is rooted in quality over quantity. Juices are squeezed fresh daily, infusions are made in-house, and every garnish is prepared with intention — dehydrated, toasted, roasted, ground, pickled, or candied as part of a zero-waste approach.

The result is a selection of crafted cocktails on the Upper West Side that feel balanced, thoughtful, and connected to the ingredients behind each drink.

Agave selection in New York City

Covacha presents a curated selection of agave spirits on the Upper West Side, including small-batch tequilas, mezcals, and regional expressions sourced from independent producers across Mexico. The program highlights traditional methods, distinct terroirs, and the diversity of agave — from highland tequilas to artisanal mezcal and lesser-known regional spirits.

Built with a focus on origin, craftsmanship, and depth, our agave selection offers a more thoughtful way to explore tequila and mezcal in New York City.

Happy Hour Upper West Side

Happy hour at Covacha runs daily from 4 to 6 PM on Columbus Avenue, with cocktails, wine, tacos, queso fundido, and tostaditas with the crudo of the day. Ingredients are prepared in-house, and the menu reflects the same approach as the rest of the kitchen.

Just steps from the American Museum of Natural History, it’s a place to come in after the museum or to meet for a drink on the Upper West Side.

Covacha hosts private events and group dining on the Upper West Side, on Columbus Avenue, just steps from the American Museum of Natural History. The space works for both smaller gatherings and larger groups, whether seated dinners or more flexible formats.

Menus are built around the kitchen, with dishes rooted in Western Mexico and options that can be adapted depending on the group and the occasion.