This viral all-day wine bar has injected some fresh energy into an increasingly buzzy Chinatown. Though it had big shoes to fill in the old Oriel digs, Café Tondo has become a destination in its own right thanks to its deft weekly programming including DJ sets, often complete with special celebrity guests, and bolero nights.
The vibe: The Mexico City influence is unmistakable while sitting at a scalloped table under neon lights as the A line whizzes over your head. In the daytime, the tempo is a bit slower, yet it still draws in a decent crowd for coffee, pastries, and light bites. As more and more people get off from work, the space can swell quickly to capacity, even on a weeknight.
The food: The overall menu slides between middling and good—nothing to be upset about, but also rarely memorable. It cracks the wine bar code of not overreaching on complexity, which allows for consistent service even on the busiest nights.
The drink: During the day, it’s easily one of the best stops for an espresso drink in the neighborhood, but at night, this is a wine bar for groups. You can stand around a stack of milk crates topped with a bucket of Modelo or a bottle of New World wine. By the glass, the rotating (and increasingly more dialed-in) wine list manages to cover its bases with a surprising amount of finesse at this price point.
Time Out tip: Make your first visit on a weeknight to test your mettle against the electric pulse of the Tondo crowd.
