Following the elections in Spain’s Catalan region, and the possibility – however slight – of an independent Catalan state, there’s been a lot of Spanish culture in the news recently. The United States, though, is no stranger to Spanish influence.
Spanish is commonly considered the second language of the U.S., and this is certainly easy to observe in New York City. What many may not realize is that there is a large Spanish speaking community in NYC which is not related to South America. There are a number of international citizens from Spain who have crossed the Atlantic to live in New York. There are currently over 100,000 Spaniards living in the United States and many of these individuals have found themselves in New York due to its friendliness towards the immigrant population. While the Spanish population alone does not amount to a large percentage in New York, the number of other Hispanic cultures creates a population that is largely Spanish speaking and familiar with Spanish culture.
While there is no official Spanish New York neighborhood, there are a number of ways to get in touch with Spaniards in New York and appreciate the culture. Many New York City organizations and restaurants celebrate Spanish culture through events and cuisine on a daily basis.
Spanish Organizations in NYC
The organizations which are focused on bringing together the Spaniard population in New York range from government sponsored cultural communities to circulos for networking events. These organizations connect Spaniards with each other, promote cultural events, and keep Spanish culture alive in NYC.
Instituto Cervantes
El Instituto Cervantes was founded in 1991 by the Spanish government to promote Spanish and Hispanic culture in New York City. This international organization operates in a number of countries offering Spanish culture and language classes and support to the Hispanic population in all of their activities. El Instituto Cervantes also collaborates with other organizations to promote cultural events and activities.
Spain Culture New York
This cultural mission run by the Spanish Consulate in New York City aims to create links between the creative sectors in both Spain and the United States. There are a variety of art programs presented including visual arts, dance, music, literature, architecture, and design. These programs take place in venues all over New York City in collaboration with other cultural organizations.
Into Spain
Into Spain, part of Spanish Culture New York, arranges networking events which connect Spaniards living in New York City and people who have an affinity to Spanish language and culture. These events often bring a large crowd and offer a great way to meet people involved with or interested in the culture of Spain.
Spanish Food in NYC
A great part of Spanish culture is the fantastic food and wine from all over the diverse country. There are a number of Spanish restaurants offering traditional Spanish cuisine from tapas to paella and everything in between.
Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY
Casa Mono is a Spanish restaurant which is highly accredited by the New York Times and has been awarded a Michelin Star after being open only two years. The cuisine offered includes Catalan specialties with a twist from Chef Andy Nusser, who lived off Spain’s Costa Brava. Be sure to check out their impressive – and critically acclaimed – Spanish wine list.
Socarrat Paella Bar
953 2nd Avenue, New York, NY
If you’re looking for some Spanish comfort food, look no further than Socarrat Paella Bar on 2nd Avenue. Chef Lolo Manso from Valladolid, Spain embraces food as a passion, which is clearly evident in the caliber of food presented at Socarrat. Be it tapas or the crispy bits of socarrat at the bottom of the paella pan, this cozy restaurant is sure to please those looking for a traditional Spanish meal. Be sure to check out the excellently curated, all-Spanish wine list. This great restaurant also has locations in Chelsea and Nolita.
Txikito
240 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY
If you are looking for a combination of simplicity and excellence in both ingredients and techniques, look no further than the Basque restaurant Txikito. At this acclaimed restaurant in Chelsea, simple ingredients like beans and peppers are handled with the same care as aged cheeses and unique breeds of lamb and cattle. Txicito also prides itself in using locally sourced products to create dishes with the inspiration of the Basque country.
Tía Pol
205 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY
Tía Pol offers a broad approach to Spanish cuisine with food from Galacia, Andalucía, Cataluña, Basque Country, and everywhere in between. The primary dishes offered are tapas, and there is a diverse all-Spanish wine list to accompany any of your selections.
Tertulia
359 6th Avenue, New York, NY
Chef Seamus Mullen modeled Tertulia after sidrerias – the cider houses found in the Asturias region of Spain. This casual gastropub offers New Yorkers a fine selection of Spanish foods from tapas to platos familiares in Washington Square.
Spanish Holidays
The main Spanish holiday that is recognized in the United States is Día de la Hispanidad, or Fiesta Nacional on October 12. It is the same day as the U.S. holiday of Columbus Day. While there are no parades or big celebrations specifically for the Spanish event, Spaniards can expect the day to be a national holiday in the United States and can certainly find events going on through the Spanish cultural organizations and communities listed above.
While Spain may not have the biggest Hispanic population in New York City, there are a number of fantastic restaurants and cultural organizations to help you connect with other Spaniards and keep you in touch with Spanish culture. Be sure to sign up for the necessary newsletters that will keep you informed on all the events going on related to Spanish culture in NYC.
Article updated: December 4, 2014