Bronx Restaurants Bring Community and Global Flavors to NYC Restaurant Week

From plant-based dishes to Puerto Rican-inspired cuisine, Bronx eateries showcase the borough's diverse culinary landscape.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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New York City Restaurant Week may be wrapping up, but the Bronx restaurants that participated are not slowing down. Only eight Bronx restaurants took part this time, but the borough's lineup offered something for everyone - from plant-based dishes and Mexican-French fusion in Mott Haven to Puerto Rican-inspired dishes in Castle Hill. These restaurants highlight the culture of the Bronx and how their menus have evolved to reflect the tastes, needs and character of their local communities.

Why it matters

The Bronx's participation in NYC Restaurant Week showcases the diverse culinary offerings and community-driven nature of the borough's restaurant scene. As the city's only borough to see an increase in the number of restaurants during the pandemic, the Bronx is emerging as a dining destination that celebrates global flavors and neighborhood connections.

The details

The article profiles three Bronx restaurants that participated in NYC Restaurant Week - Barrio BX in Castle Hill, Maisonetta and Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop in Mott Haven. Barrio BX is a Puerto Rican restaurant and cultural hub that highlights the borough's Puerto Rican heritage through its food, murals and community events. Maisonetta blends Mexican and French cuisines, adjusting its menu to better serve the local neighborhood. Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop is a plant-based restaurant and community space that sources produce from the company's organic farm.

  • New York City Restaurant Week recently wrapped up.
  • Barrio BX opened its Castle Hill location two years ago after outgrowing its original Throggs Neck space.
  • Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop was founded in 2021.

The players

Barrio BX

A Puerto Rican restaurant and cultural hub in Castle Hill that celebrates the borough's Puerto Rican heritage through its food, murals and community events.

Maisonetta

A restaurant in Mott Haven that blends Mexican and French cuisines, adjusting its menu to better serve the local neighborhood.

Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop

A plant-based restaurant and community space in Mott Haven that sources produce from the company's 60-acre organic farm in Kinderhook, New York.

Tony Martinez

One of the owners of Barrio BX.

Liz Neumark

The founder and CEO of Great Performances, the hospitality group that created Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop.

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What they’re saying

“You can get rice and beans anywhere. We want to be known as a community hub to celebrate culture.”

— Tony Martinez, Owner, Barrio BX (bxtimes.com)

“We came to Mott Haven and I felt like I was home. I fell in love with the building. I fell in love with Mott Haven. I fell in love with the Bronx, and we put down roots.”

— Liz Neumark, Founder and CEO, Great Performances and Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop (bxtimes.com)

“Each taco has its own unique identity. Once they try it, they fall in love with it.”

— Sonya Calixto, General Manager, Maisonetta (bxtimes.com)

What’s next

The Bronx restaurants that participated in NYC Restaurant Week will continue to serve their communities with their unique culinary offerings and community-focused initiatives.

The takeaway

The Bronx's diverse restaurant scene, highlighted by its participation in NYC Restaurant Week, showcases how local eateries can reflect and celebrate the culture and character of their neighborhoods. These Bronx restaurants are not just serving food, but also fostering community connections and preserving cultural traditions.