Rooted in the Northern Mexican Asador, with Prime Steaks, Live-Fire Cooking, and Warm Hospitality at Its Core
NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 29, the spirit and culinary traditions of northern Mexico will arrive in Manhattan's Flatiron District with the opening of Norte, a new neighborhood Mexican steakhouse from restaurateur Alberto Martínez. Located at 39 West 19th Street in a beautifully restored 1910 landmark building, Norte draws inspiration from the asador de barrio – the northern Mexican tradition of gathering around carne asada, a communal ritual of grilling meat over live fire and sharing meals around the table. Anchored by a Josper charcoal oven, Norte combines prime steaks and open-fire cooking with the warmth and familiarity of a classic neighborhood bistro.

Norte marks the latest U.S. venture from Martínez and his second restaurant in New York City, following the 2025 opening of Cuerno New York at Rockefeller Center. Building on decades of hospitality experience and a portfolio of restaurants across Mexico and the U.S., Martínez continues to introduce authentic northern Mexican foodways and culture to a global audience.
"For generations, Mexican cooks have shaped how New York eats. Norte is our way of honoring that legacy by bringing northern Mexican cooking and hospitality to the heart of the city," said Martínez. "Northern Mexican cuisine has a depth, history, and craft that deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with the American, Chinese, Italian, and French culinary giants that have defined New York dining."
Led by Executive Chef Oriol Mendívil and Chef of Culinary Innovation Jaime Cavazos, Norte's menu traces the traditional progression of a northern Mexican meal – moving from botanas and tacos to vibrant vegetables, carne asada, and slow-cooked house specialties designed for sharing. Each section – Botanas, Tacos, Vegetales, La Carne Asada, Especiales de la Casa, and Sides – honors regional traditions through premium ingredients and precise techniques.
"In building the menu at Norte, we wanted to create something deeply rooted in our traditions while offering a fresh perspective on a side of Mexican cuisine we're proud to introduce to New York," said Executive Chef Oriol Mendívil. "We let the quality of the ingredients and the depth of the flavors speak for themselves, creating a menu that feels authentic to our roots yet distinctly Norte."
Botanas: A selection of small plates designed for sharing, including a tableside chicharrón cart serving freshly fried pork skin alongside handmade tortillas, house-made salsas and accompaniments for guests to assemble their own tacos. Highlights include:
Tacos: The taco program explores the range of meats and preparations central to northern Mexican cooking, from spit-roasted pork to slow-braised beef and crispy beef cheek. The trompo is a centerpiece, with marinated pork slowly roasted on a vertical spit and carved to order onto handmade tortillas, accompanied by house-made salsas. Highlights include:
Vegetables: Familiar Mexican ingredients are reimagined through a contemporary lens, pairing classic flavors with unexpected preparations and rich savory accents. Highlights include:
La Carne Asada: Norte's kitchen centers on a Josper charcoal oven, where cooking over natural charcoal imparts the signature char and subtle smokiness that defines the restaurant's fire-driven approach. USDA Prime steaks take center stage, elevated by northern Mexican flavor profiles. Highlights include:
Especialidades de la Casa: Bridging classic New York steakhouse staples with the vibrant flavors of northern Mexico, Norte's house specialties honor recipes passed down through generations, cooked with the same precision and patience as the steaks. Highlights include:
Sides: Bringing the communal ritual of shared sides to the table, Norte reimagines familiar favorites with a gentle northern heat. Highlights include:
Complementing the main menu, Bar de Mar is Norte's dedicated raw bar and seafood menu, celebrating the coastal traditions of northern Mexico through tostadas, aguachiles, ceviches, and fresh oysters, with select preparations finished over the fire. It can be enjoyed at its own chef's counter, at the bar, and throughout the restaurant. Highlights include:
Norte's beverage program mirrors the kitchen's philosophy, pairing native Mexican flavors and spirits with globally renowned selections. The cocktail menu features fresh, citrus-forward drinks, a curated trio of margaritas, signature cocktails highlighting spirits from northern Mexico, and updated classic cocktails. The wine list showcases over 40 Mexican labels across eight winemaking states alongside benchmark bottles from Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Napa Valley, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Ribera del Duero. At the bar, tequila and mezcal take center stage alongside curated selections of sotol and raicilla. The beer list pairs local New York craft brews with traditional Mexican staples, including Carta Blanca and Tecate.
Designed by Mexican firm A de Arquitectos inside a landmark 1910 building, Norte has an old New York soul and a northern Mexican heart. Honoring the history of the Flatiron District, the design draws inspiration from the city's classic bistros and grand dining rooms, creating a space that feels as though it has always belonged to the neighborhood. Noble materials, distressed brick, aged timber, metallic ceilings, and antique furnishings create an atmosphere that feels timeless, authentic, and lived-in. The 150-seat interior features a 16-seat central bar, a Bar de Mar chef's counter, and a private dining room – thoughtfully crafted to bring classic New York spirit together with the joy and personality of Mexican hospitality. The goal is to create a lasting neighborhood institution, rooted in the belief that trends pass, but places with soul remain.
"We want Norte to feel like an essential New York bistro and a seamless part of everyday life, all while staying deeply rooted in the traditions and hospitality of northern Mexico," added Martínez. "Where we grew up, you feed guests in your home before they even ask – that is the warmth we want every guest to experience, whether stopping in for a quick taco at the bar or settling in for a long dinner with friends."
Norte is located at 39 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011, and will be open nightly for dinner (Sunday–Wednesday from 5:00 PM–11:00 PM; Thursday–Saturday from 5:00 PM–12:00 AM). The music program, curated by Rulo, seamlessly evolves from ambient soul-jazz early in the evening to an energetic tempo after 10:00 PM. Reservations are available via Resy, and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit nortenyc.com.

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