Maize Cocina & Cocktails

“Had an amazing time, the staff and manager were fantastic and the food was incredibly fresh. The flavors blended beautifully, especially in the octopus dish; the seasoning was spot‑on and the plantain added a perfect touch of sweetness. The pork quesadilla was another standout. Props to the chefs. Drinks were crafted really well too, big props to the bartenders. Margarita was on point.”

“I would say the service was excellent. The food was good. Some dishes, better than others. The steak and fries was delicious. Really enjoyed the grouper tacos. The Peruvian pulled pork was a little bit too greasy and salty. The cornmeal ice cream with blueberry compote was good. Cocktails were good. I would say it is on the expensive side but still reasonable.”

“Beautiful restaurant with a lot of potential, but the service experience unfortunately did not match the quality of the food or atmosphere. Maize is conveniently located right next to the Westfield train station, and the first impression is genuinely impressive. The exterior has this historic, old-world architectural charm, while the interior feels modern, upscale, and thoughtfully designed without being pretentious. It seemed like the perfect spot for a relaxed Mother’s Day weekend brunch. Food-wise, they absolutely delivered. The nachos were a great appetizer to share, the blueberry pistachio pancakes were the standout dish of the table, and the steak and eggs were flavorful and satisfying. The red sangria and mango mojito were also very good once they finally arrived. Our server, Luis, was polite and kind throughout the experience, but service noticeably declined once a bridal party of around 12 guests arrived. From that point forward, it became very obvious that larger parties were being prioritized over smaller tables. Some of the issues: - Our water glasses were never refilled a single time - My modified steak and eggs order was sent out incorrectly twice: - first with regular scrambled eggs - then with scrambled egg whites without the cheese that was supposed to be incorporated into the eggs (which was eventually brought out on the side) - Our mango mojito order appeared to be forgotten entirely by the bar while newer tables and the bridal party received their drinks first To the restaurant’s credit, the mojito was comped once they realized the mistake. Still, the overall flow of service became disorganized once the restaurant got busy. By the end of the meal, someone who may have been a manager stepped in to close us out because our server seemed completely tied up handling the large party. She was efficient, but never introduced herself. Overall, I’d absolutely come back for happy hour or drinks at the bar because the ambiance, cocktails, and some of the food items were genuinely enjoyable. But for brunch or dinner, I’d be cautious during peak times or if large parties are being accommodated, since smaller tables may end up feeling overlooked.”

“Overall, the experience was just okay. Our waitress was very nice and attentive, consistently checking in on us and making sure we were taken care of. The vibe and atmosphere were definitely a highlight and created a great setting for the night. However, we were a bit disappointed with the food, especially for a Mexican restaurant. The guacamole was really good, but the rest of our order didn’t live up to expectations. We tried the Steak and Maize Fries, which we didn’t enjoy at all—and to be honest, they weren’t even really fries. We also ordered the churros for dessert, and they tasted off and didn’t resemble a typical churro. While the service and ambiance were great, the food unfortunately fell short.”

“We visited Maize Cocina & Cocktails in Westfield, NJ for their Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu. We were seated quickly and welcomed warmly, and the atmosphere was absolutely beautiful , definitely one of the highlights of the night. The cocktails were also excellent and well-crafted. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t match the ambiance. While the staff was friendly, the service was extremely slow, drinks took about 20–30 minutes to arrive, which made the overall experience feel dragged out. As for the food, some items felt underwhelming and not very fresh. The tortilla chips tasted like they came from fryer oil that needed changing. The guacamole was very good, but the clear standout of the night was the mushroom empanadas , absolutely delicious and the most memorable dish we had. The steak, however, had a noticeable gamey taste and seemed under-cleaned and under-seasoned (mostly salt), which made it hard to enjoy. The “maize” fries were also very dry , definitely something you’d want a drink for, though getting one took a while. Overall, I’d rate the food around 3.5/5. The experience didn’t feel particularly Mexican-inspired in flavor, and there’s room for improvement in both seasoning and freshness. With such a great atmosphere and strong cocktail program, this place has a lot of potential ,but the kitchen and service consistency could really use refinement. Me and my husband both are now experiencing stomach discomfort the next day after having dined here. I unfortunately will not be coming back .”