Hellbender
Hellbender serves Modern Mexican-American cooking at 68-22 Forest Ave, with New York Times recognition in 2025 and a #58 placement in 2026.
Pearl is the En Primeur Club membership app — saves, bookings, and concierge access live there. Same editors, same standards.
- Address
- 68-22 Forest Ave, Queens, NY 11385
- Website
- hellbendernyc.com
Saves & bookings on Pearl
New York Times #58 in 2026
New York Times placed Hellbender at #58 in New York City in 2026, following recognition in 2025. Esquire also ranked it #25 among new restaurants in 2024.
Masa pancakes and crispy lamb tacos
Masa pancakes, crispy lamb tacos, fried Oaxacan cheese, and squash blossom quesadilla frame a Modern Mexican-American kitchen with local sourcing. Brunch, dinner, and late night service widen the ways to plan around it.
68-22 Forest Ave and craft cocktails
68-22 Forest Ave anchors an upscale casual, independent restaurant that pours craft cocktails. Casual dress and leisurely pacing suit a longer dinner or late-night stop.
Cuisine and Recognition
Comparable venues nearby, for context on price, style, and recognition.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellbender | Mexican-American | $$ | Ridgewood | |
| El Paso Taqueria | Authentic Mexican Taqueria | $$ | , | East Harlem (South) |
| Mole | Authentic Mexican Bar & Grill | $$ | , | Williamsburg |
| La Esquina | Modern Mexican Brasserie | $$ | , | Midtown-Times Square |
| Taqueria On Tenth | Upscale Mexican Taqueria | $$ | , | Chelsea-Hudson Yards |
| The Creek & The Cave | California-style Mexican | $$ | , | Long Island City-Hunters Point |
Recognition history
Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.
New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #58
New York Times
New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City
New York Times
Esquire Best New Restaurants #25
Esquire
Continue exploring
More in New York City
Restaurants in New York City
Browse all →
Bars in New York City
Browse all →
Hotels in New York City
Browse all →
At a Glance
- Lively
- Trendy
- Cozy
- Date Night
- Casual Hangout
- Brunch
- Open Kitchen
- Craft Cocktails
- Local Sourcing
Current opening hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 5–10 PM
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Hours can change for holidays and private events. Last verified .
Fun and lively atmosphere with louder than normal music, cozy corner setting, and lively energy ideal for dates or group hangouts.