A familiar Midtown corner is getting a major glow-up just in time for outdoor dining season. NYC’s The Consulate is opening a massive new location in Murray Hill, taking over the longtime home of El Rio Grande with a sprawling terrace and a dual-concept setup designed to keep guests lingering well into the night.
Opening Friday, April 17, the restaurant lands on East 38th Street with more than 300 seats and one of the largest outdoor dining spaces in the neighborhood. For a stretch of Midtown that’s long leaned on reliable classics, this is a noticeable shift toward something bigger, more flexible and built for how New Yorkers eat now.
What Happened at NYC’s The Consulate
NYC’s The Consulate is expanding with its largest New York City location yet, replacing El Rio Grande, a Tex-Mex staple that occupied the space for more than 40 years.
The new venue introduces a 310-seat layout that blends indoor dining with a standout outdoor terrace that can accommodate over 200 guests. While the interior is designed for a seamless transition from cocktails to dinner, the outdoor space is expected to be the main attraction this spring and summer.
This marks a significant upgrade not just in size, but in concept. The brand is moving beyond its typical neighborhood footprint into something closer to a full-scale dining destination.
The Vision Behind NYC’s The Consulate
Founded by twin brothers Kiril and Metodija Mihajlov, The Consulate has built a reputation across NYC for blending elegance with an easygoing atmosphere.
At its core, the concept has always been flexible. Guests can drop in for oysters and martinis or stay for a full dinner without feeling out of place. That identity remains, but the Midtown location pushes it further with scale, energy and a broader audience in mind.
Compared to other locations, which tend to feel more intimate and neighborhood-driven, this new outpost is designed for volume, movement and longer nights out.
NYC’s The Consulate Menu Expands for Midtown Crowds
The menu at NYC’s The Consulate leans heavily into seafood while mixing French and New American influences.
A raw bar anchors the offerings, with oysters, shrimp cocktail, seafood towers and tuna tartare with yuzu. A dedicated sushi program adds another layer, featuring dishes like crispy rice with spicy tuna and yellowtail with jalapeño.
Beyond seafood, the menu branches into comfort-driven favorites. French staples like mussels in white wine and French onion soup sit alongside truffle mushroom flatbread and crab cakes.
Mains include steak frites, dry-aged ribeye, roasted chicken, miso-pomegranate salmon and short rib cavatelli. There’s also a signature burger topped with caramelized onions and goat cheese, clearly aimed at the after-work crowd.
The broader menu reflects the location’s goal: serve everything from quick bites to full group dinners without missing a beat.
NYC’s The Consulate Adds a Built-In Nightlife Option
What truly sets this location apart is its second concept.
“At the Office,” a high-end sports bar operating within the same space, brings a more casual, late-night energy with multiple screens and a separate vibe from the dining room.
The idea is simple but strategic. Guests can start with dinner and transition into drinks or a game without leaving the building. In a neighborhood where nightlife options can feel scattered, this creates a one-stop destination.
Photo: NYC’s The Consulate Official
Which NYC’s The Consulate Location Should You Choose?
With multiple locations across the city, not every NYC’s The Consulate offers the same experience and that’s intentional.
The new Midtown outpost is clearly the go-to for big groups, celebrations and outdoor dining. Its massive terrace and high-capacity layout make it ideal for birthdays, after-work meetups and summer hangouts.
Other locations serve different moods. The Upper West Side tends to feel quieter and more intimate, making it better suited for date nights or slower dinners. Meanwhile, the SoHo location leans trendier, attracting a social crowd looking for drinks and small plates in a stylish setting.
For diners who care most about the food itself, those smaller locations may offer a more focused experience. But for anyone looking for energy, space and flexibility, Midtown is now the standout.
How NYC’s The Consulate Is Changing Murray Hill
The arrival of NYC’s The Consulate marks a turning point for this stretch of Murray Hill.
El Rio Grande had been a fixture here for decades, serving generations of New Yorkers and anchoring the block as a casual, familiar dining option. Its closure leaves behind more than just an empty space. It signals a shift in what Midtown dining looks like today.
In its place is a concept built around scale, versatility and experience. Outdoor seating, extended stays and hybrid dining models are becoming increasingly common across the city, and this opening reflects that evolution.
For local residents and office workers, it means more options but also a different kind of energy. The block is no longer just a place to grab dinner. It’s becoming somewhere to spend the entire evening.
NYC’s The Consulate Reflects a Bigger Dining Trend
The opening of NYC’s The Consulate fits into a larger pattern reshaping New York City’s restaurant scene.
Operators are leaning into bigger spaces, outdoor dining and multi-purpose venues that keep customers in one place longer. The traditional model of dinner-only service is giving way to more fluid experiences that blend dining, drinking and socializing.
Midtown, in particular, is evolving quickly. Once dominated by office lunch spots and early dinners, it’s now pushing toward a more dynamic mix of nightlife and destination dining.
NYC’s The Consulate is part of that shift, offering a format that caters to both daytime crowds and late-night energy.
Photo: NYC’s The Consulate Official
What’s Next for NYC’s The Consulate
As NYC’s The Consulate opens its doors on April 17, expectations are already building around its terrace and high-capacity setup.
With warmer weather approaching, the outdoor space is likely to become one of the most in-demand spots in Murray Hill. Early visits will likely shape how the restaurant adapts its service, reservations and flow.
If successful, this location could signal more large-scale expansions for the brand across New York City. For now, it’s a clear sign that Midtown dining is entering a new phase.
What Readers Want to Know
When does NYC’s The Consulate open?
NYC’s The Consulate opens on April 17, just ahead of peak outdoor dining season.
Where is NYC’s The Consulate located?
It’s located on East 38th Street in Murray Hill, replacing El Rio Grande.
What makes this location different from others?
This Midtown location is significantly larger, features a massive terrace and includes a built-in sports bar for a full night-out experience.
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