Marisco Centro
“They also have FREE valet parking which is definitely a perk in Washington Heights.”
“We got it fried because that's how I remember enjoying it in Dominican Republic.”
“It wasn't the classiest place but the food was great and inexpensive I will be coming here again! :O)”
Marisco Centro
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
6 reviews
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It was spur of the moment decision to come here, my husband really wanted Dominican style red snapper, found parking really quick which is not easy in Washington heights! There was also no wait, which shocked me. When walking in, it kind of looks like a fish market in the front to your left, there is also a take out counter, walking to the back you will start to see the tables & booths. There is also a large bar all the way in the back, and projection screen, and a small area for a band, Sunday there was a singer, and he was really good, and entertaining, very funny, and engaged with the crowd, even having a child play his guitar, it was very cute. I must mention everything is spoken in Spanish, the entertainment, the waiters, the music, this isn't your yuppie hipster joint, it's straight Dominican! And I absolutely love it! Great to see a neighborhood that hasn't been fully effected by gentrification. The menu is mostly seafood, and we came for the red snapper, so that's what we ordered, it comes grilled, fried, or sautéed. We got it fried because that's how I remember enjoying it in Dominican Republic. I also had a side of rice & beans. The snapper wasn't as big as when I had it on the beach in DR, and wasn't as thick, but the flavor was delicious, and it was cooked perfectly! Besides having to pull a couple of bones out, I would most definitely have it again from here. The beans were very flavorful! And I regret not ordering tostones. For appetizer we had the calami (fried) it was great, and came with a nice red sauce, I also asked for mayo-ketchup (Puerto Rican) thing, thankfully they had it. The sangria (white) was very good, and strong, after three we were kind of tipsy. Service was just okay…..we sat a while before anyone took notice to us, I actually had to call the woman over, but once we finally got her attention everything was fine. I think she was more frazzled than rude.
Overall we had a great time, food was great, drinks were strong, and the music made you feel like you were back in DR.
I tried the chicken marsala and a shrimp dish. Both tasted good. The service was super slow, although the place was empty. The frozen drinks were not good.
There are a few locations including this one, one in the Dominican Republic and the Bronx. The front is a fish market and the back is a seafood restaurant. There are cocktails here so it's a good spot for celebrations, bdays and such. On the weekends there is valet service. There are so many choices on the menu including non sea items such as chicken, steak and pork for those that don't eat seafood.
They serve a complimentary fish soup which was excellent and fresh. They def do not skimp on the fish. All of their fishes can be ordered grilled, fried, with garlic sauce and a few other options I cannot recall. The red snapper is huge-it's the entire fish so note that there are bones. See photo. Dishes come with rice and beans which are very subpar, however the fish is so good, it doesn't matter.
The camaradongo which in essence is shrimp mofongo is excellent. Mofongo is a popular Caribbean dish made with smashed green plantains. The shrimp was not in the mofongo, rather on the side and was topped with an excellent sauce.
My friend who doesn't eat seafood ordered a chicken dish which was average. We also tasted some maduros which were $3.
You will leave here feeling very very full and with a doogie bag. I can't wait to come back and order all the other types of fish.
Thank you Marisco Centro for hosting my mom's birthday dinner. The Mgmt team did a wonderful job with providing us a private room with our own buffet – food options were skirt steak, grilled fish, shrimp and pasta, chofan, maduros filled with seafood, eggplant with seafood, green salad, bread, pretzels. They allowed me to bring in flowers to set as centerpieces. They held my cake in their fridge. Lastly, they allowed a photographer to capture all the wonderful moments. The waiters were attentive and nobody left hungry. The guests were able to take food home from the buffet in trays provided by the staff. My mother loved it and I am eternally grateful. Delicious seafood and wonderful Spanish music. I know it's located in the heights but it's definitely worth the trip!
This is the original Marisco Centro, other locations:
Castle Hill, the Bronx
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Sister Locations:
Boca Chica, Corona, NY
Boca Chica, Elmhurst, NY
Like all locations above, Marisco Centro in Washington Heights is family owned and they all offer complimentary fish soup as soon as your party sits. This location offers valet parking during the weekends. I usually get the same thing when I come here which are the shrimp scampi, casino clams and chofan (Dominican style Chinese rice), almost anything you order comes with lime even the complimentary fish soup. MC tends to get packed during the weekend but they still give you great service, food can take a while to get to your table but good food takes time to be cooked. They even offer a private room up to 32 people to be seated while you enjoy your seafood with your family and friends.
During the day it is a fish market and at night they cook the fish that dint sell during the day.. you pick the fish you want cooked and how you want it. great place, great food and very reasonable prices. I have been to the ones here and in the DR and they are pretty damn good. I think they have valet parking some nights, and that makes it worth my time, since parking in the heights is horrible