Celebrated my partner's birthday here and overall it was a great experience! The ambiance was very romantic and I loved the arrangement of our menus and atmosphere of the place. Our server was attentive and kind. We did not have the chance to respond to the birthday question she gave us, so if you're reading this, my partner's response is "The best thing I've discovered this year is revisiting my old childhood hobbies/interests!" We shared five items in total, which was enough to fill us both. Overall, Acamaya's food was fairly tasty, but I think some flavors were a little too much. Crab Sope: 10/10. Crab was abundant and fresh. Shrimp Costra: 10/10. I wasn't sure how the cheese would pair well with the shrimp, but it was one of our favorites of the night! Perfect flavor and loved the green sauce on top; it was a great spice! Arroz Negro: 9/10 My personal favorite simply for the seafood. I've never had mussels so soft yet not overcooked/gummy. Even eaten alone there was such a nice flavor to them! It was a little bit too sour but I would order again. Sweet Potato: 3/10 This was the only dish we both did not like. Having made and eaten mole several times in the past, we were taken aback by how inaccurate the flavor was. It was very sour, and after removing the seeds on top that held the heavy lime flavor, there was really no distinguishing difference between the potato and the sauce. It smelled authentic, but the flavor did not carry over much at all. Flan: 100/10. Y'all. This dessert erased my disappointment in the potato afterwards. It is perfect. I don't particularly go for flan much, but this is the best I've ever had. Pair it with a Carajillo!!!!!! Drinks: They were all great (and strong). If you like dirty martini's get the Coctel de Tomate! Acamaya overall was a great experience and we plan to return again. They are heavy on the lime in some dishes, but I am definitely planning to try more of their menu options in the future! read more

See all

Life changing meal. Also the most beautiful interior I've ever seen in a restaurant possibly. Ordered the Senor Chilton cocktail and I can't lie it was underwhelming. Super cute presentation, though. $17 (sheesh) Was with friends so we ordered the Crab Sope, Shrimp Costra, Chochoyotes, sweet potato side, and the blackened drum. You can tell this place is intentional with what they're creating and uses the highest quality ingredients. Crab sope was so unique and good. Really large chunks of crab on a sweet tasting tostado. Could be wrong that's what it tasted like. $18 The shrimp costra was the belle of the ball. The star of the show. Light of my life. If you order one thing at Acamaya, let it be this. Fancy version of when you melt cheese on a plate in the microwave with shrimp tied in. Would order again and again and again. $16 Sweet potato side. So delicious. Peanut mole, turmeric and lime. Such an amazing pairing. I am a huge fan of mole so glad I ordered this. $8 Blackened drum "Veracruz style" was probably my least favorite. The cook on the fish was flawless. Sat in a blend of stewed tomatoes which was the only lackluster item I had here. $30 The Chochoyotes were the unexpected standout of the meal. Like chicken and dumpling but so much more creative. Great blend of flavors. Order this for sure. $32 Our server Caelan was exception and only added to a great experience. read more

See all

Meh. I was underwhelmed by the cocktail menu and the seven or eight dishes on the dining menu and certainly by the two options on the dessert menu. Their octopus taco dish was great. Flavorful. Everything else was underwhelming in particular, a $50 fish of the day plate with three small pieces of fish into tomato sauce with no sides. Wouldn't go back and wouldn't recommend anyone go here when there's so many other beautiful, lovely, delicious succulent options to choose from.... read more

Great for date night. Quiet gem in the Marigny. Food was good too. Sorry don't get pics this time.

September 2026; we heard about this place through magazine reviews and word of mouth. Would not go back. Service was GREAT! Ambiance was lovely! Loved watching the chefs place food on the plates. Lovely plating. Food taste was average. read more

See all

I loved this place! The food was delicious like Mexican and Creole mix, creative dishes and overall great ambiance in the restaurant. We got some cocktails, crab claws, beans, cheese covered taco and the oysters with rice (so perfect- also I don't remember exact names cause this review is posted a little late). I would love to come back to this place! So good! Service was fine. read more

See all

In the heart of New Orleans' Bywater neighborhood, sisters Ana & Lydia Castro offer up fantastic Mexican coastal cuisine and seafood with delicious New Orleans (and many other) accents. As I sat down as a solo diner, with a full view of the open kitchen filled with smiling faces, I immediately saw this was my kind of menu: lots of small plates, seafood, and acidic dishes, shining with brightness from herbs, chiles, and heat. I believe it's called "mariscos", as a sort of catch-all term for dishes including aguachiles, ceviches, shrimp cocktails, tostadas, and more. (I might be wrong here... I'm no Mexican cuisine expert). But I AM definitely certain that I loved every bite I tasted, including... Hamachi "Al Pastor" Tostada - Pineapple * Cilantro * Shallot * Tepache Half Dozen Brightsides Oysters - Lime * Salsa Veneno * Chiltepín Vinegar Aguachile Verde - Gulf Shrimp * Cucumber * Tomatillo * Serrano Ceviche - Red Snapper Onion Ash * Serrano * Avocado * Jicama Octopus - Morita Chile * Anchovy * Sunchoke Escabeche * Tortillas Margarita - Siembra Alteño Blanco Tequila * Lime * Salt What a lineup, what an evening! Acamaya appeared on the 2024 NYT Best Restaurant List and received a 2025 Bib Michelin Gourmand distinction, among many other accolades. And after gobbling up a nice sampling of the menu, I can see why! There's no doubt I will be looking to return ASAP to Acamaya in New Orleans. Thanks to Ana, Lydia, and their entire terrific team. read more

See all

What a stunning dinner! I stopped in with a friend during carnival and had the best low key meal! We shared 6 dishes which were all delicious but the outstanding ones (to me) were the shrimp costra (that cheese chicharron ) and the tuna tostada. But really it was all tasty. My friend had a cocktail and said it was good. I had a refreshing glass of wine, also tasty. And of course, we had flan for dessert. Service was great especially at a time of year when we're all just way too tired to function. Space is somehow both moody and welcoming. read more

See all

Very cool, unique spot in the Bywater. We got the himachi (Al pastor) tostada, tuna tostada, sweet potato, black beans, Denver steak, and drum. All the food was pretty good but nothing incredible. Overall 6/10 on the food, but 8/10 on service, and 9/10 on ambiance. Unfortunately we spent about $170 for 3 people and all left hungry. Portion size leaves a bit to be desired. read more

We had aqua frescas, a cold chili sopa with shrimp, hangar steak, a mussels dish, the crema beans, and both desserts. The service was a 10/10. The vibe was modern and sheik with a nose to Mexican culture. Some high notes: the hangar steak and the sauce, the mussels, and the flan. The tres lèche had a lemon sauce on top that was off-putting, the aqua Fresca was over powered by the ginger, and I did not care for the sweet in the beans. I felt from the description that it may not be my thing, so that was on me. read more

See all

This place is amazing!!!! The food and drinks are a work of art. The menu is so creative. Must go read more

Acamaya - Drinks - Mexican Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The interior is simple with small dining tables and a small bar. There were large windows in the area I was seated in and l enjoyed watching people walking their dogs while I was dining. The ceviche was made with Amber Jack, unusual sweet/spicy marinade and julienned jicama. The julienned jicama was difficult to maneuver into my mouth, and they did not offer tortilla chips or anything on which I could place the ceviche. I ordered the Carne Asada (4 blue corn tortillas included) and it was beautifully plated. The beef was perfectly cooked for me as I like very rare, but the sauce was very bland in my opinion. I asked my server if they had any side salsa, and apparently the chef only wants what he/she chooses on the plate. I did not push further for salsa. I prefer my Carne Asada with more flavorful sauce and spiciness. The side of Ayocote beans was the tastiest dish I ordered, but I still would like to have had a little spiciness to it or a side of some kind of house made salsa. I think I will keep searching for a restaurant that is more willing to accommodate side salsas. read more

See all

What a wonderful experience dining at Acamaya. We made a reservation, upon arrival we were greeted and seated promptly. Our server was outstanding. Attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. We had numerous dishes. Each one distinct in flavor profile. Not a single bad bite. Three dishes that were outstanding were Aguachili Verde, Shrimp Costra, and the Carne Asada. The house made tortillas perfection. I highly recommend this dining experience. read more

A solid place to experience an innovative spin on elevated Mexican food in New Orleans. Ambience is hip and modern. I did find some of the dishes to be a bit messy / clunky (tostadas, I'm looking at you! I think the portions could have been sliced and served differently), but the flavors were solid enough to get away with it. I also really enjoyed the wine selection as well--we ordered a nice bottle of orange wine to share with the table. A fun experience to visit with friends, and definitely different than your typical New Orleans-style restaurant selection. read more

See all

Had a great meal at Acamaya. The Tuna Tostada, Hamachi Al Pastor, Sweet Potato, Shrimp Costra, and Denver Steak were all fantastic, and the wine recommendations were spot on. What really impressed me was how nice everyone was. Olivia behind the bar was great, the manager took time to talk with us, and the owner Ana came by to check on us and make sure everything was perfect. You can find great food in a lot of places, but the combination of amazing food, wine, and genuinely good people makes Acamaya special. Easy 5 stars. I'd recommend it to anyone. read more

Acamaya delivers a new exciting meal in the city. Bold, modern Mexican coastal flavors meet pristine seafood, layered with smoke, and heat in dishes that demand attention. Every plate is confident, intentional, and impeccably executed. A must try! read more

See all

Let's start with the good part! I absolutely loved the location, tucked away in a charming, very New Orleans residential neighborhood. It was a peaceful and pleasant break from the noisy, touristy, and often grimy downtown area. The restaurant itself was beautiful and definitely worth visiting. The hostess was friendly, and our server was courteous and prompt, great service all around. Now, on to the food. I had a feeling it was going to be a mess when the server described the menu as a "food glossary." A what now? Child, just hand me the menu so I can order! I went with the fish of the day, and honestly, I don't think they have a grain of salt in the whole kitchen. I don't even remember what kind of fish it was because it was just flavorless. Everything was overpriced and bland. After dinner, our server brought out the dessert menu and it had two options. TWO. She could've sent that in a text! But I will say, the tres leches cake was delicious and almost made up for the underwhelming dinner. Would I go back? Probably. The atmosphere, service, and location are worth another visit. I'll just be sure to bring some Tony's in my purse next time! read more

See all

Delectable!!! My gosh-this is bite after bite of the most inventive and yet simple perfection when it comes to seafood!

They have wonderful service and the food is always amazing. I definitely recommend the tres leches cake, crab sope, and chochoyotes. Tried the hamachi al pastor tostada for the first time, and it was delicious. read more

See all

With so many great restaurants in New Orleans, it's hard to pick just one during a visit. In town for a quick trip, the one restaurant that I was fortunately able to book on a late Saturday night was Acamaya. CNNTraveler had just listed Acamaya as one of the world's best new restaurants and after dining there, it was worth the pick. Acamaya was dimly lit with a large center prep area, bar to the left, and more intimate seating. Despite having a reservation, I still waited nearly 30 minutes to be seated. The staff was apologetic and did try to keep things moving. Once seated, service was quick and the staff at the bar did a great job making sure you were taken care of. The food was flavorful and overall phenomenal! The Bluefish Tuna Tostada was really good and after eating the Hamachi - I immediately ordered another one. It was such a mix of flavors and had a little kick that made it a dish that I needed to have again. The crawfish costra was also really good. Prices were very reasonable for such a good restaurant and I'm already thinking about the next time I can come back for the Hamachi and to try other items on the menu. read more

See all

Sensational. If you live in town, you're missing out if you haven't already added Acamaya to your regular rotation. If you're visiting, do yourself a favor and put Acamaya on your list of must-visit restaurants. It's that special. It's hard to describe what you're in for. Yelp and others categorize it as Mexican, but it's nowhere near what most Americans would expect from a typical Mexican restaurant. Their website describes it as 'The best of Mexico City, Gulf of Mexico seafood, and New Orleans.' While that's accurate, it can't adequately describe the unique flavors and textures that each dish delivers. Every dish we had was a surprise, each with a different flavor profile, all eliciting a 'Wow, that's amazing!' response. We loved everything we ordered (and we order a lot), so I won't spend paragraphs describing each dish in detail. I'll just say that there was a common profile across the entire menu--a purity of traditional ingredients and techniques amplified by an inventive use of unexpected elements. Never too much, always just right. Chef Ana reminds me of the way great guitar players are often distinguished by their unique tones. There are dozens of fantastic chefs in New Orleans, but Chef Ana's tone is truly unique and wonderful. read more

This place has a cool ambiance. We really liked most of the food we tried but didn't care much for one item. Great = Chochoyotes - great flavor combination. Fish of the day which was Flounder on the bone and the belly on the side - perfectly done, a great dish. Octopus - the right texture and sauce. Sweet potato is a side dish and has a peanut mole, tumeric, and lime - it was another great flavor combination. Good = Ceviche which was snapper this time - the jicama is a nice touch and it was a good dish but just really unusually heavy on the citrus flavor. Carne Asada - cooked well and tasty it just wasn't anything special especially for $35. Bad = Tuna Tostado. Connective tissue on every bit of it and the nori gave it a fishy flavor. Service - she seemed bored. We mentioned to the server that we liked everything but the tuna tostado and got an "Oh well" look. She didn't seem interested in us or being there. This meal was close to $300 before tip. We had some drinks so that was about $60 of it. If you like bubbles, would recommend the gruner. El Chamuco was tasty. I asked the server to pick me out one of the Spanish reds for the carne asade but she didn't tell me which one it was which in hindsight isn't surprising. read more

See all

Loved our experience! The food is so fantastic, unique, great options, and delicious cocktails. We even got dessert and there's a reason there are only 2 because they are divine. Highly recommend especially for special occasions and bringing out Of town guests. Killer ambiance and service. We will be back! read more

See all

We received AMAZING service from the time arrived, seated, and left. The hostess quickly greeted us and was a nice warm and familiar face. We had reservations and were quickly seated. The waiter was waiting in is as we were indecisive in our meal selections. He was kind, patient, and very helpful. The shared small plate style was great as we often like to share. It was or anniversary so we were greeted with a glass of champagne to celebrate the moment. The food was very tasty and the dim lit romantic environment helped to set the tone for the evening. It was nice to be able to have a conversation without a lot of loud noise around us. I'm sure we'll be back again! read more

See all

Was excited to try after all the hype. The food was good but not what I would say is Michelin recommended. The small plates were very good with the shrimp costa being the star. The main dishes were fine. Arrow negro was over salted and the steak lacked flavor. Service was inconsistent with main dishes arriving at different times read more

Fresh seafood and deliciously distinct flavors come together in a cool (almost too cool... bordering on pretentious) modern Mexican setting. The tuna tostado and seafood tomato dip melt in your mouth. The carne asada is beefy and tender. But, as mentioned above, there is an undercurrent of pretentiousness. The lack of any kind of simple, familiar (& filling) appetizer offering leaves a lonely feeling. No tortilla chips, no pico de gallo and no guacamole in this establishment. It's hard to tell what's driving this... a commitment to authenticity or a desire to keep all apps in the profitable $20+ range. The service is solid but workman-like... our server didn't break a smile even once. Maybe she (like us) was missing the guac & chips. Final note... we were a table of 5...when the bill came... it included a "mandatory large group tip" of 22%. 5 people = large group? Smells like pretentiousness! read more

Food needs more salt and flavor. Ambiance is regular and dark and rustic, very nice, but the chairs are not super comfortable. The service was excellent and the drinks were TERRIFIC. read more

A surprisingly excellent upscale restaurant in New Orleans. The octopus and the fish were just excellent. The shrimp contra was reordered twice! The carne asada and the rest of the food we ordered was also excellent and so we're the drinks. Ambience is cozy modern and the service was impeccable! read more

See all

Look this place is good, REALLY GOOD! If you don't believe me just go ask Esquire, The New York Times, Eater, Gordon Ramsay, the list goes on and on folks! So let's just give Ana, Lydia and the whole Acamaya team their well deserved crowns! My favorites: Shrimp Costra Pulpo/Octopus Both of the Tostadas read more

See all

I was surprised to see Acamaya receive a Michelin star. Out of the three cocktails I ordered, none were enjoyable. The octopus was cooked properly, but the flavors did not complement each other well at all. The aguachile was acceptable, but a tiny portion. The oysters--typically a favorite of mine--had an unusual and off-putting taste, I don't add anything usually and I couldn't eat more than two in fear something was actually wrong with them. The arroz negro, however, was quite good, with a pleasant and unexpected crunch in each bite. Overall, the service also fell below expectations. It was the end of the night and appeared to be rather slow but it took over 20 minutes to get our first cocktail and 30 before she actually asked if we were ready to order and then stated we had to place the entire order at once.. Disappointing to say the least. read more

We were told this is a great restaurant. We went, the ambiance is fine, service is ok. The food quality is ok, the quantity is very small. The fish of the day is grouper, only one small piece of fish without any additional ingredients. We totally ordered 7 dishes for three of us and the cost was $270 including tax and tips. Both my husband and I were not full at all. There are so many other restaurants that are in similar charge with much better food. read more

There are many incredible, mind blowing, and life changing places to eat in New Orleans. Acamaya is without a doubt, one of them. This isn't the kind of food you'd find at a national chain. You are not getting massive plates of food that leave you unable to safely walk. Acamaya is the kind of place where you get the cocktail, you order multiple things, and you essentially end up creating your own multi-course dining experience. My girl and I love to order as many small plates as we can when we visit for the first time. We like to get the essence of the restaurant, and try as many things as we can, so we don't end up judging a place based on two dishes. If we end up enjoying the place, we typically return and complete the menu, and find our favorite things along the way. I recommend you order as many dishes as your party can handle, and share, SHARE DAMN YOU! We had a lot of items, and let me just say, they season the food. There isn't a bland thing. It's not over salted, but there is salt, so if you're sensitive to it, you might want to watch out for the Flounder (which was unbelievably terrific!). The beans will seem bland in comparison to other dishes, but if you get them early, they're beautiful, and even better when paired with the tortilla. This is the place that will be added to the "friends are visiting" recommendation list. Acamaya would fit in any of the food capitals of the world, fortunately for me, it lives in the city that I do. read more

See all

Food was good Service was another question. The female server came back after the order and asked if I had wanted a drink. I told her" I had placed it with her. The Spanish white". She proceeds to say she can only remember so much or something to that extent. After that she never came to check up on us. At the end of the night, she came up to me and "suggested" that I change my tone, it would go a long way as hospitality is a big thing here. We had tried to let the manager know about this incident. We were given the response of we stand behind our staff and their actions. We are not looking for discounts nor any comps. Just a simple acknowledgement from the establishment that no other customers would be disrespected from the wait would have made the night better. Restaurants are there to offer hospitality and food. Hence the industry is called hospitality. It was extremely rude for the server to take a customers response to her forgetting to write down the order personal. read more

For the people who expect a taco / enchilada / a burrito or a typical "gringo" style dinner at a Mexican restaurant , please keep your remarks for yourself and just try and enrich your senses by Acamayas food or even enrich the cultural experience you get thru chefs dishes ! I left full and happy ! But mostly full on the "wow"factor that every dish we had, gave me ( 4apps or small plates and 3entrees ending up with a dessert) .. I still think about the ceviche, the "el pastor" tostada , the fish of day and the tuna tostada!!And also thinking about my future dish at this nice , clean , amazing restaurant that we have in New Orleans ! Thank you chef and hope you had a great bday while doing what you love and know best! read more

See all

Wow! What a let down!!! Hyped up by my friends to be so let down. Hope they get it together.

Acamaya is an absolute standout. From the moody aesthetic to the open layout, this place just feels different. Service is fantastic; the hostess is friendly and engaging, the servers incredibly knowledgeable and professional. But the true standout here is the food. This is far from your traditional Mexican restaurant as far as Mexican restaurants in the US go. The menu is a love letter to Mexico, with a creative use of ingredients that turn your expectations of Mexican food on its head. Highlights: - The chochoyote was a showstopper - so much so that it is the reason I came back a second time for dinner. Be sure to look at the back of the menu for the glossary as it'll explain chochoyote far better than I could. - Hamachi "Al Pastor" Tostada was delicious; a blue tortilla topped with thinly sliced and layered pork and pineapple. - The Crab Sope was phenomenal. The sope was fluffy, and the crab generous. - The Sweet Potato is not to be missed. I am not typically a big sweet potato fan, but this is absolutely incredible. The peanut mole, lime and turmeric, along with the textures, are a gift to the palate. Also enjoyed the Al Pastor Swizzle cocktail. I've yet to save enough space for dessert, but imagine it'll be as impressive as everything else in this hotel. read more

Food: mediocre at best and far less tasty than any taco truck in the city. Not even close to worth the price. Service: okay. Ambiance was nice read more

I wasn't sure what to expect. My friends and I landed here on a Monday after lots of City flooding and many places were closed or didnt have staff. It was a pleasant surprise. Food delicious, staff friendly and knowledgeable, and the place was really nice. I didn't feel like I was in New Orleans. Had more of a Cali feel. Definitely a different take on any Mexican I've had in a great way. I loved each item I had. read more

See all

I visited Acamaya with a group of 6 over the weekend to celebrate my brother's bday. The space is beautiful and dimly lit for a romantic feel. We were about 5 minutes behind our reservation and had no issues being seated when we arrived. Our waitress who's name I don't remember was neither pleasant nor unpleasant but she was patient and attentive. I know that waiting on a large table could be cumbersome but she did it without flinching. My brother is the type to order everything on the menu so that's basically what he did. We tried the octopus, aguachile, the hamachi & tuna tostadas, the oysters, charred okra, heirloom tomato salad, crab claws, sunburst trout, carne asada, chochoyotes, shrimp costra and tres leches for dessert. My favorites include the oysters which were very fresh, the heirloom tomatoes which had an amazing flavor, octopus which was perfectly charred, perfectly cooked carne asada and the chochoyotes...the flavors were unique and took us on a journey through Mexico City. Bro also ordered a bottle of sparkling Rosè and most everyone ordered a cocktail as well. I do think the pricing is unnecessary considering that even though all together dinner was well over $600 some of us were still a bit hungry. read more

See all

Acamaya came highly recommended from multiple sources. Came here with a large group and we tried a LOT of different dishes. As a group we came to the consensus 75% of them were amazingly fantastic, while the remaining 25% were just fine (and maybe even slightly underwhelming) and pricing in general was pricey but that was expected. This is the sort of spot I'd recommend eating family style, which sometimes means you have to place multiple orders of an item or try less things depending on the number of people in your party. Service was fantastic the whole time, both with our server and bar staff. This is definitely a great place for a business dinner or celebrating a special occasion. read more

See all