After several months with our doors closed due to an unexpected gas issue, we’re incredibly proud to share that Socarrat Chelsea is reopening this Friday, November 21st. And for us, this moment carries a weight and warmth that goes far beyond simply welcoming guests again. Chelsea was where everything started — our very first home in New York City back in 2008, the birthplace of what would later become the Socarrat family you know today.
Where Our Story Began
When Lolo opened Chelsea, he did it with the excitement (and the nerves) of someone who had already lived many lives in hospitality — but this time, he was bringing a piece of Spain to a city that never stops reinventing itself. It was a small space with big heart, created to share the comfort, flavor, and tradition of Spanish cuisine in the most authentic way possible.
And New York noticed. Not long after opening, The New York Times visited our humble Chelsea home — a moment that marked a turning point, not just for the restaurant, but for the dream behind it. Chelsea became the foundation on which Midtown, Nolita, and everything we’ve built since was born.
A Space Full of Soul
Chelsea has always been more than a restaurant — it’s a space with a soul of its own. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels like stepping into a small corner of Spain woven into the heart of New York. The walls tell stories: murals that echo Spain’s deep wine culture, artwork crafted by Spanish creators whose pieces carry tradition and character, and our iconic wall covered in authentic Spanish lottery tickets — a playful, nostalgic tribute to luck, hope, and the rituals that bind our culture together. Every detail was chosen with intention, creating a warm, lived-in charm that can only come from years of memories, laughter, and shared meals. That spirit, that unmistakable personality, is what makes Chelsea truly unique — and why its return feels so special.
Reopening with Gratitude — and with the Spirit of Supporting Local Business
These past months have been challenging, and we want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us from afar. Your messages, your warmth, and simply keeping Socarrat in your thoughts have meant more than you know.
As we reopen, we once again lean into the beautiful movement of supporting local business — a reminder that restaurants like ours exist thanks to the community around us. We hope to see you back at Chelsea, to reconnect, to share paella, and to continue building the story that started here 16 years ago.
A Special Reopening Promotion, Feeling Lucky to Serve You!
And because this comeback deserves something truly special, we’ve decided to take cards into the matter — or as we say in Spain, tomar cartas en el asunto — literally.
To celebrate our reopening, every guest who dines at Chelsea will receive five cards from our Spanish deck at the end of their meal. Only one card represents Chelsea. Pick it and win a Socarrat Gift Bag filled with Spanish goodies we love: wine, cheese, olive oil, turrón, olive oil toasts, and more… all imported from Spain, of course. Gift Bags will be available until Friday, December 5th— a little fun, a touch of luck, and a heartfelt thank you for helping us bring Chelsea back to life.
Chelsea, We’re Home Again
We can’t wait to welcome you back into the space that started it all — with the same warmth, the same paella simmering in the kitchen, and the same spirit of sharing Spanish culture that has guided us from day one.
Chelsea, nos vemos muy pronto.
We’ve missed you more than you know.
