Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ama

    4.6 (36 reviews)
    Closed • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Ama Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ama

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Gildas (Boqerones)
    Dan N.

    Last night was Friday Night Date Night, the night of the week where Wife N. and I practice the date night state-of-mind, even if it means staying home and cooking in. But tonight, we gave a second visit to Restaurant Ama, which at the moment is the west 'burbs closest legit tapas bar. This review is an amalgam of two visits; one about three weeks back, and last night. Both Friday nights. The cool thing about tapas bars is that each time you go (up to a point anyway) you get to sample a variety of different bite-size Pinxtos ("pinchos") and Tapas (small plate) dishes. It's also one of the problems: I keep wanting to order that delicious plate I had last time, instead of being focused on the goal of trying something new every time I visit. In the end, this second visit overlapped the first only in that Pork Belly, which won out over my ultimate goal. Delicious as it was last visit, the perfectly-seared pork belly was a delicious bite of an umami-bomb. The tangy salsa verde and the crunch of a crostini base augmented the meat while the baby shishito peppers lifted everything with their off-bitter bite. Gildas: bite-sized skewers of almost-creamy marinated sardine, green olive and two tiny banana peppers (think mild pepperoncini) all in one bite. It's two briny, creamy, fishy, tangy-yet-smooth bites of heaven. Papas Bravas: Delightfully-crisp fried potato wedges with a warmly-spiced bravas sauce, and a cooling beef fat aioli made for a lovely second. Grilled octopus: four bite-sized skewers with tenderly-grilled octopus cube, and roughly equal portions of confit potato and chorizo-stuffed green olive. Salsa verde. Wow. Queso Quemado: Baguette slices on which to spread the deeply-flavored and bitter-leaning salvitxada ("the orange colored sauce") and honey. Each element had a purpose, but the proportions were off-kilter. We felt there was way too much of the salvitxada, and not enough honey to balance it. The plate would have been better with half the sauce, but otherwise it was a good dish and the one dish we wished we'd eaten earlier in the course. The cheese, a half-inch-thick slice, hits the table hot and melty. 8 minutes (getting through the plates) later it's firm and doesn't spread and gets that "I used to be a hot cheese" cold cheese texture. Goes from a 4* dish to a 2* once it congeals. Best scarf down this one the moment it's brought to the table. Grilled Broccolini: great flavor combinations on this plate. It's a decent grilled veg to begin with, but then they add this ajo blanco (white, creamy sauce that tastes of almonds--think something along the lines of a soupy nutty Peruvian hummus), a quick drizzle of mild chili oil, and shaved garlic chips on top and this plate becomes a complex interweaving of flavors and textures. Grilled Endive: Nicely grilled, very flavorful, but could have used more restraint with the saucing. Half the amount would have been perfect. Rabas: think fried calamari rings. Great, good texture, but...probably about average. They were fine. Mussels: perfectly acceptable, great even, but nothing to write home about. Tastes just like white wine and chorizo mussels, which is what it is. Bone Marrow: west of the hill? Say whuuuuutt? As perfect as we'd hoped it would be. We shared the Txuleton (chu-le-tone) steak, rare. It came with fries, more of that salvitxada, and lemon wedges. The steak was flavorful, if a tad closer to mid-rare than rare (which wasn't really an issue, we were aiming for mid-rare anyway, but any time we order mid-rare we always get medium so we tend to order towards the rare side). Meat itself had been well-seasoned. We're not 100% sold on the salvitxada (though, traditionally, we do understand it's what one serves at a barbecue) but we found those lemon wedges brought the entire plate together. Get some lemon juice all over that orange sauce, and oddly, almost like miracle fruit, the bitterness of the salvitxada greatly diminishes and all the other flavors in the beef come alive as well. The lemon unlocks the flavors! Cocktails: * Flower Garden: much more floral than sweet herbal/floral drink. Delicious. * Birds of Paradise: Oh man I could not get enough of this drink (but alas, I was the driver, so one was enough, even though I'd otherwise want another). * Good Ol' Fashioned: Pretty typical, decent. Our overall cocktail impression: their in-house recipes are fabulous. Repeats of "every bar has one of these" are average to a tick above. You can get the same Old Fashioned everywhere--come here for the cool house recipes. Succumbed to the desire to cap it off with dessert. Had the Creme Catalina. Think "a creme brulee and orangy-citrus curd had a baby." Creamy not-quite custard interior, torch brulee on top. We've never had its equal. Guys, Ama nails it for anyone within a reasonable distance of downtown Hillsboro who has anything from the munchies on up and for whom tapas sounds good.

    Bar
    Cynthia G.

    They lean towards Spanish fresh with great small bite options. I ordered the traditional eggs Benedict that came on a crusty bread and was delicious. We had a fresh fruit plate which also tasted really good. It's a beautiful space and easy to relax and have a conversation. The staff were attentive and helpful. They knew the menu and offered recommendations it was a lovely brunch experience

    Mussels
    Katie B.

    Ama is a fantastic addition to downtown Hillsboro. I've been in once every few months since they opened and every time walk away having had a great meal. The broccolini is simple but hands down probably the best item they have. The charred vegetable pairs so well with the white sauce. I also like the mussels, octopus and anything with olives - can't go wrong there! The cocktails are good and I do like the fun options on the HH menu that come with a bite sized snack garnish. Service has always been great and their rooftop bar is great in the summer.

    Pilsner
    Courtny M.

    Went on Saturday mor ing,they had brunch but I just wanted to sit in the patio and enjoy the sun. Had a few beers, and ordered the octopus app. Such a pleasant day.

    Best Cheesecake with Fig Jam
    David P.

    Our second visit was amazing! We really enjoyed the selections we made and shared. The wine was just right with the food. Dessert was a cheesecake with fig jam . I think it could win best cheesecake in Hillsboro! Great atmosphere, music was not too loud, attentive server. Service was very well organized. Very informative and helped us make informed choices.

    James D.

    Our son and his wife recommended this place. We met up with them, their children and his wife's parents. We came in with a large party, so we made reservations. Very nice, modern ,casual seating, friendly staff and a generally comfortable place to dine with a large adventurous group. Look, I love myself a tapas joint and it had been awhile. I didn't even pick up a menu, simply allowing everyone to pick for me. We received plate after plate of delicious, interesting and maybe a challenge or two dishes. A totally fun, tasty and satisfying experience. Worth a try...if only for a bite. I've included some but not all dishes we shared:)

    Stephanie S.

    Welcome to Downtown Hillsboro! Nice selection of drinks, wine and small tasting plates. (Tapas) Nice informative service. Upstairs roof seating where dogs are allowed. Great addition to the neighborhood. We will definitely be back.

    See all

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Katie B.
    100
    1155
    1085

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David P.
    6
    102
    40

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Rob B.
    16
    11
    0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hash S.
    3
    283
    15

    1 year ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 1
    Love this 9
    Oh no 4

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K S.
    0
    3
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J G.
    73
    18
    2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa S.
    0
    59
    15

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Amazing food, service, & atmosphere! Their portions and unique dishes are a treat! I highly highly recommend Ama!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    Ask the Community - Ama

    Is there happy hour here?

    $2 off food and drinks from 4-6pm

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Tapas/Small Plates 514 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Fat Baby x Blue Ox - Weekly Special

    Fat Baby x Blue Ox

    4.7(28 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This is a long overdue review of Fat Baby barbecue. They recently catered my son's wedding in the…read morebeginning of July and nobody could stop talking about how wonderful the food was. It is obvious that the owners put their heart and soul into this. The little touches like the extra barbecue sauceAnd amazing pickles just brought the meal to the next level. They were also thoughtful enough to bring to go containers in case any of the guest wanted to bring some of the extra food home.

    Came here last month to attend a "team outing" for work, and I gotta say the experience of axe…read morethrowing here was way better than other places I have thrown at. But I'll go into more about that later. Here's why I would choose Blue Ox for entertainment versus the others: First of all, the bar/restaurant is located in the heart of old school downtown Hillsboro. It's mostly street parking, but there is a parking lot and garage nearby. I'll just say, I've always been lucky finding parking next to the place. Upon entering, you'll notice they've got a dining area well large enough to accompany and entertain big groups. Past that is an open area for cornhole and couches for lounging, and a lovely bar after that. It's surprisingly huge! I mean, I haven't even mentioned the throwing lanes yet lol. But yeah, just past the bar area, they've got about 8 or 10 throwing lanes. Here's why Blue Ox stands out to me... ~ We met up with manager (possibly owner), Lonnie, who first took our food order and he explained a bit about Fat Baby Barbecue that provides the food for the space they share. The Q was really tasty and worth a try if you're hungry for some smoky-meaty goodness. ~ After eating, over at the lanes area, Lonnie discussed the rules and showed my team the basics on how to throw. But here's the cool part... Each lane had a remote control to choose what games you want to play. It's not just a big red and white target you throw at, but the targets are projected onto the board and it keeps score for you. I'm sure it's not a new concept, but this I've never done a other axe throwing places. ~ But here's the best kicker of all! They let us try their fancy throwing knives and ninja stars. Again, another feature I've never done at others. We all had a blast using these. So overall, in short, if you need an entertaining date night. Or need a spacious venue that provides decent barbecue and bar food for your family or workmates, then this is your place. Come check it out!

    Photos
    Fat Baby x Blue Ox - The bar

    The bar

    Fat Baby x Blue Ox - Cornhole

    Cornhole

    Fat Baby x Blue Ox - Lonnie helping us get started

    See all

    Lonnie helping us get started

    Hillsboro Bar and Grill - Specialty Cocktails

    Hillsboro Bar and Grill

    3.6(99 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$

    This was our first time at Hillsboro Bar and Grill, and we absolutely loved it! The atmosphere is…read moreamazing--super chill, relaxed, and the Halloween decor gave it such a fun vibe. At first, we weren't sure about the setup--whether to wait for a table or order at the bar--but it was so laid-back that we just found a seat and settled in. One of the things I loved was all the TVs on the walls--there were so many showing different games and the news. I'm not a huge sports fan, but it was really nice having that entertainment in the background while my fiancé enjoyed it too. We came mainly for the gambling machines, but everything else exceeded our expectations. My fiancé ordered our drinks at the bar--he got a Modelo and I had a Boneyard--and they were both excellent. For food, we tried the Cowboy Burger with fries, and wow... it was incredible. I was honestly in awe--it was that good! The service was also fantastic. The staff checked in on us without being intrusive, making sure we were comfortable and happy with our food. Overall, it was a relaxed, fun experience, and we left wanting to come back. We'd definitely recommend Hillsboro Bar and Grill to anyone looking for great drinks, amazing food, plenty of entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere!

    I have dropped by this quaint and rustic bar in downtown twice now. The drink I had was fantastic,…read moreI wish someone had come take another order as I would have happily spent more money. I was disappointed by some of the conversation going on between some of the regulars and the bar staff. Comments made about the LGBTQ+ community, comments about transgender people, very disheartening. Obviously customers will be customers. I guess as a gay human, I expected or at least had hoped, that a place with BLM signs and pride flags hanging up to maintain a healthier environment for all it's guests. I ended up leaving and heading to Noble Hop. I am not saying I will not be back but I certainly do not plan to anytime soon.

    Photos
    Hillsboro Bar and Grill - Worthy Vanilla Stout

    Worthy Vanilla Stout

    Hillsboro Bar and Grill
    Hillsboro Bar and Grill - Feb specials

    See all

    Feb specials

    Top Burmese Ambassador

    Top Burmese Ambassador

    4.4(113 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$

    A Flavorful Escape in Hillsboro! If you haven't made the…read moretrip to Top Burmese Ambassador on Main Street, you are missing out on one of the most unique and soulful dining experiences in the Portland area. While the original NW 21st location is a classic, the "Ambassador" location in Hillsboro feels like a true elevation of the brand, combining incredible hospitality with a menu that is a masterclass in Burmese flavors. Here is why this spot is an absolute 5-star gem: The Tea Leaf Salad (Laphet Thoke): You cannot visit a Top Burmese location without ordering this. It is the gold standard--fermented tea leaves mixed with crunchy peanuts, toasted sesame, fried garlic, and fresh lime. It's a texture and flavor explosion that is unlike anything else in Southeast Asian cuisine. The Golden Samosas: These are a "super duper" must-order. They are flaky, perfectly spiced, and served with a house-made sauce that provides the perfect tangy kick. If you want something even more comforting, their Samosa Soup is the ultimate rainy-day cure. Standout Mains: The Coconut Noodle Soup (Khao Soi) is incredibly rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of creaminess. For a more savory, hearty option, the Beef Curry with Pan-Toasted Paratha is spectacular--the beef is fork-tender and the paratha is buttery and crisp. The Service: The "Ambassador" name is fitting because the staff truly acts as ambassadors for their culture. They are incredibly patient in explaining the menu to newcomers and make excellent recommendations based on your spice tolerance. Atmosphere: The interior is beautifully designed--vibrant, warm, and upscale without being stuffy. It feels like a "mini-vacation" right in the heart of Hillsboro. Pro Tip: This location is incredibly vegan-friendly (about 70% of the menu can be made plant-based!), so it's the perfect spot for a group with diverse dietary needs. Don't leave without trying the Burma Blue cocktail--it's as beautiful as it is delicious!

    4.5 stars!! This restaurant is a gem. This was my first experience with Burmese food and I must say…read morethat they did a very good job of showing their cuisine off. We ordered the green tea leaf salad, the turmeric fries, the chicken curry with paratha, the all-star okra curry, the coconut noodle soup, and the kheema paratha. I also tried the grass jelly drink. I can't choose my top favorite among everything that we tried. The green tea salad was very unique and I would never have ordered it myself. Now, I'm a fan. The turmeric fries were so delicious too! The chicken curry with the paratha was very Desi and excellent tasting. The okra had a homemade feel to it. I would've liked a side of paratha with it, rather than rice. The kheema paratha was excellent. The coconut noodle soup was like a nice warming/satisfying coconut curry with noodles. The grass jelly was interesting and I know that most of the jelly was left in the can, so while it is nice tasting, I wouldn't recommend drinking it in a can. The Hillsboro location is a little small but this restaurant and the server helping out are both an absolute delight and I highly recommend coming here!!

    Photos
    Top Burmese Ambassador - Tea leaf salad #burmese #elegant #beautiful #date #birthday #anniversary #holidays #family #friends #cocktail #exotic #tropical

    Tea leaf salad #burmese #elegant #beautiful #date #birthday #anniversary #holidays #family #friends #cocktail #exotic #tropical

    Top Burmese Ambassador - Coconut noodle soup #burmese #elegant #beautiful #date #birthday #anniversary #holidays #family #friends #cocktail #exotic #tropical

    Coconut noodle soup #burmese #elegant #beautiful #date #birthday #anniversary #holidays #family #friends #cocktail #exotic #tropical

    Top Burmese Ambassador - Vegan Khao Soi Coconut Noodle Soup #burmese #elegant #beautiful #date #birthday #anniversary #holidays #family #friends #cocktail #exotic

    See all

    Vegan Khao Soi Coconut Noodle Soup #burmese #elegant #beautiful #date #birthday #anniversary #holidays #family #friends #cocktail #exotic

    Pizzario - Vegan Pizza

    Pizzario

    4.1(258 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$

    Enjoyed the pizza, beer and live band. The high light of the evening was the wedge salad. We shared…read morethe wedge salad and thought it was a great value.

    I'm giving them the missing star. Nothing has really changed: The pizza remains about as good or…read morepassable as you're going to get West of Beaverton, the cocktail menu is still the best kept secret in town, and the live music makes it clear that any band that has a night off from the low-rollers' lounge at Spirit Mountain or Ilanai will always have a home... and that any plumber in this town can play Mustang Sally for an evening if they have a Home Depot bucket and no inhibitions. So what's the extra star for? For putting up with what we're going to call "The Downtown Hillsboro Clientele." This isn't everyone who shows up for a meal or a drink in Downtown Hillsboro, mind you, but everyone who makes that experience seem like their personal cross to bear. The Downtown Hillsboro Clientele starts the evening by complaining that they had to park half a block away from the restaurant when, just 10 years ago, they could park directly in front of it. The Downtown Hillsboro Clientele is shocked when it has to wait more than two minutes for a table. The Downtown Hillsboro Clientele is regularly baffled by a restaurant's core menu items. It recoils when seeing Spanish words used in tapas dishes. It asks if the sweet mango wings are spicy. It wonders if your well-reviewed izakaya has teriyaki dishes like the place in the strip mall. It asks for six different beer tasters, but never a flight. It complains that you put a sandwich on a bagel, then complains when that sandwich leaves the menu. It spits out garlic on a Margherita pizza. That last bit of tourist classism I just won't abide. It's one thing when some tronfio northerner looks down on a southern pizza eater for indulging in some garlic... it's another when some borioso 'medigan who took one cruise around the boot decides that makes them the Barefoot Contessa of Forest Grove. Unfortunately for your delicate little white-bread-and-ranch palate, not only will that offending garlic frequently make its way onto Pizza Marinara, but pizziolos who've actually eaten pizza in southern Italy at establishments devoid of tablecloths will tell you that garlic finds its way onto Pizza Margherita either in the sauce, in infused olive oil, or--gasp--in garlic powder. And this is really going to knock you on your ass, but East of the Mississippi? East of the Tualatin? Yeah, folks throw garlic on Margherita pies constantly. And you're going to knock points off because the basil's burnt? On a brick oven pizza? I'm attaching a photo of a margherita pizza upon which the basil is so scorched that it's basically chips. The place that pizza came from? Ken's Artisan: The best pizza in this entire state. That may be the last time you see me compare Pizzario to them, but if you're going to knock the place for what the best pizzamakers in the region regularly do... then I'm sorry, but just start ordering from Papa Murphy's. The Downtown Hillsboro Clientele will not be satisfied until there are a maximum of three restaurants downtown, each of those restaurants serves a menu out of a 1950s luncheonette, all of them close promptly at 8 p.m., and they're surrounded by no fewer than eight antique stores, 10 barber shops with owners over 80, and two mortuaries to shuffle those barbers and luncheonette regulars off this mortal coil. Downtown Hillsboro's biggest obstacle to growth isn't foot traffic, parking, or diversity of offerings--its an obstinate core of old cranks that refuses to learn anything modestly new even if staff holds their hand throughout the entire process. I credit Pizzario for doing the slow, patient work of converting the willing one new pizza, cocktail menu, and local band at a time. Downtown Hillsboro is changing adimirably in spite of the toddler palates and temperaments of its most thick-skulled Clientele.

    Photos
    Pizzario - The Bar, staffed by some top shelf tenders too

    The Bar, staffed by some top shelf tenders too

    Pizzario
    Pizzario - Dinner area with Live Music feet away from you every single night!

    See all

    Dinner area with Live Music feet away from you every single night!

    Ama - tapasmallplates - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...