Amá was, start to finish, a beautifully executed and memorable experience. Aesthetic, drinks, food, service, and everything in between. I absolutely love Mexican food and will get excited as soon as I see a menu like the one at Amá, but ultimately tasting is believing and I can now report that my expectations were definitely met and perhaps even exceeded. I don't get to dine out in Philly that often. Though it's my hometown, I haven't lived here for some years now, but my foodie sensibility is the way that it is because of the culinary expertise coming out of the city. We came here at 8:15 on a Saturday night. Though this restaurant is wildly popular, I can see why it wasn't impossible to get a reservation here because it quite a large space. As others have said, the interior is gorgeous and chic, open concept, modern decor, tasteful use of lighting and decor elements that really punctuate the more minimalist backdrop. I started with the El Chapo (gin, sotol, verjus, aloe, clarified aguachile) which is the obvious choice for all of your martini lovers out there. At this point I never assume I've seen it all when it comes to garnishes, because they're getting more and more wacky and creative by the day. This one came donned with a tortilla chip atop which sat a delightful dollop of roe. I then got the Dixbee (mezcal, reposado, mole negro, totomoxtle) which gives more Old Fashioned than Negroni and is definitely more of a dessert or at least later-in-the-meal drink as it's richer with some chocolatey notes. I've had mole in mezcal drinks a good amount and there's something about the combo that just hits. Food-wise, though I go to Mexican restaurants a fair amount, there were quite a few ingredients I didn't recognize on the menu which was both disorienting and exciting. Amá showcases live fire technique which means you'll see (and smell) and lot of smoked, grilled, charred, etc., on the menu. Goes very well with the bountiful mezcal they offer. I don't need to do my typical grading system with this one because everything was an A+. I definitely looked at which dishes were praised most in reviews prior to ordering but it seems incredibly hard to go wrong here. Eats, below: Chips and Salsas w/ house guacamole, six variations of salsas, heirloom corn tostadas A salsa sampler is one of my favorite things. For one, I absolutely love salsa. All of the variations but the spicier the better. And second, my partner is not very into spice so we don't end up getting a lot of spicy dishes when we split things but such a sampler allows each person to try at their leisure and own risk. And even though I got it for the salsa, the guac was incredible too. Aguachile del Día (kampachi) Absolutely divine. Fresh, bright, with a little spice from some serranos and a little crunch from some corn nuts. Also served with some tortilla chips so you can get it all in one bite. Shrimp Ceviche Tostada w/ pico de gallo, burnt árbol, ancho chamoy There's a reason this one is being talked about. Another impeccably fresh dish, the shrimp and herbs combined with the creamy avo and crispy tostada all tied together with the bright, spicy chamoy. Wood Fire Caesar w/ little gem, pipicha, parm, crispy masa crunch We were between a few different veggie dishes and our server strongly encouraged use to get the Caesar. I think he said something along the lines of "a Caesar salad has no business being this good" and he was right on. Hard to say I've had a Caesar salad that competes with this because this is honestly in its own league. Pollo a la Leña w/ adobo, crispy potatoes, ají verde, atapakua sauce Though we don't usually get chicken for this we made an exception because of the hype around this dish. You can see how magnificent it is from the picture. Between the dusting on the skin and sauce and the juiciness of the chicken itself, this is really how a chicken entree changes minds and hearts. read more

Heard about Amá from social media, had to check it out! Yesterday I went with a friend of mine to Amá, about two hours after they opened for the day. We were sat essentially immediately, which was great. They asked if there were any allergies which I love taking that into account seriously. We ordered the Chips and Salsa 'flight' that recently went popular on social media to start, and then we decided on the Seasonal Tlayuda to share. We both got waters and I got a Mexican coke, and for dessert we shared their Churro. So here's how everything went: Positives: The Salsa flight was fun to experience, there were a lot of different levels of heat and flavor profiles. The avacado/guacamole it comes with as well is nice, it tasted of good quality ingredients and was fresh. Right now the Seasonal Tlayuda has squash blossom, epazote pesto, quesillo, and buffalo burrata. I was excited for this and it was really tasty. The salsa it comes with was very bright and had heat and citrus notes. The churro is the best churro I have ever had. Neutrals: The bottle of San Pellegrino and bottle of Acqua Panna are both $10 USD, but it was either that or tap water. The tortilla 'chips' the salsa flight comes with are huge and don't break well, and my friend said the ones she had were burned and didn't taste well; I used mine as a vehicle for the salsa so I didn't notice. Every time I would get comfortable during the meal, our server would pop back up suddenly (spooking me) and ask if we wanted to order more. Maybe because we technically didn't order anything that they considered an 'Entree'? The Tlayuda was big enough for us as an Entree though. When our food was boxed, they didn't box one of the salsas (that came with the Tlayuda) which was arguably our favorite. The dipping sauces the churro come with are just okay, the caramel my friend said tasted like alcohol, and the Mexican chocolate was too bitter for our tastes. And don't mix them, they do not taste well together in our opinion. And for some reason part of the churro was all salt- or a really salty spot? We notice they use pinto beans and dried corn to hold the components of the salsa and chips flight up, kinda worried about them reusing those for each table, but I don't want to slander if they don't, just a genuine concern from my friend. Negatives: They don't list their prices online, so you have to gamble with being okay with their price range. You shouldn't have to be blind about prices until you sit down. The napkins smell like mildew; I didn't notice until my friend pointed it out, but she was worried they were being reused- They're not, but I would suggest changing launders because BOY do they smell like mildew. My favorite of the Salsa flight had fruity notes so I asked our server if it was made with fruit, explaining the fruity sweetness I was getting, which they said I might be getting from garlic. Garlic is not fruity. At another point there was a runner bringing out part of our meal I asked them as well, to which they said they would ask; They said the only fruit 'if I count it' was tomato. Later I looked up what each of the salsas were and found out via google that the one I liked was 'Oaxacan Charred', and that the pepper Padilla de Oaxaca has fruity notes. Wish the servers could explain the peppers that make the appetizer so special, you know? Without being told garlic is fruity. I had seen a mention of a dessert on their social media, however on the menu they hand you they don't list any desserts. So during the tail end of our meal when we were both essentially done, I asked about it. There was an awkward moment after the server confirmed they had desserts where I asked if we could SEE the menu and they quickly interjected that I could... AFTER I was done eating. Well, if I wasn't done then I was done after that comment. We had asked to box up our food (there was miscommunication there too, we weren't asking them to box it up for us, we were just asking for a to go container to do it ourselves). We waited a while for them to come back with our food boxed for us to even get the dessert Menu and then waited a while to be able to order it. My friend said it took like 20 minutes for the churro to come out, which while I didn't time it, it did take a long time. All in all, it was an interesting restaurant to experience. Would we go back? No. For two people and essentially over $100 after tip, you could go to a hundred different restaurants and get more food and not have to wait as long. Was the food good? Decently so. We were not full and parts of the experience were off putting. Was it worth the price? No. Seeing as the cost of 2 waters and a coke is the same price as their Tlayuda ($26), the bill racks up fast. Fine dining prices at a place that is not fine dining level. If you're going to get alcohol, this place may be better for you, it had more drink options than food options actually. read more

AMA - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We went to AMA in Philadelphia and this place was great. The service was amazing, and since we went later in the evening it was nice and quiet. The restaurant also had a lot of beautiful artwork throughout the space which made the vibe even better. We had the shrimp ceviche tostada, seasonal tlayuda, woodfire Caesar, and the pollo a leña. Every single dish was fantastic. For drinks, I had the "Goes to Tulum Once" and she had the "Little Tokyo Margarita." Both were amazing. Definitely would recommend this spot and we'll absolutely be returning. read more

Amá offers Oaxacan cuisine on a unique and delicious menu, in an absolutely gorgeous interior and with amazing service. All around one of the best dining experiences I've ever had! We started with the milpa salad and the chips and salsa. Both were absolutely amazing; the corn chips were as large as our head and the salsa flight is arranged in 9 sauces arranged from mildest to spiciest. We loved the milpa salad as well - the crickets were a fun crunch on top! The shrimp ceviche tostada featured some of the softest shrimp I've ever had. Squeeze the lime on top, it really elevates the plate! We ate up every bit of this dish. We then got the seasonal tlayuda, which included a variety of greens with corn, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Definitely one of our favorite dishes of the night! Next we had the carne asada - now THIS was a stand out! Perfectly soft, juicy meat with a crispy seasoned crust, on a bed of spicy salsa. Absolutely divine, I still think about this carne. Unfortunately the side that came with it was a bit flavorless and mushy for my taste - it was a corn based gnocchi-like dough. Finally for dessert, we ordered the mezcal tres leches. When I say this is the best tres leches I've ever had, I'm not kidding - although it looks a bit like a towel on top, the cream is insanely rich and creamy. The cake also had a layer in the middle, which I'm not sure what it was, that added even more interest to each bite. Additionally, because we were there for a graduation, we received a free ice cream on a bed of toasted chocolate crumbles which was also incredible. This is definitely one of the best meals I've had, and I can't wait until I'm back in Philly to come back! read more

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This is one the best (the best?) Mexican restaurants in the city. Tried new things and was very impressed. Perfect service, tasty dishes, balanced drinks, nice interior and ambiance. Highly recommend. read more

From start to finish, Ama fully impressed and has made it to my top favorite restaurant list in the city. The ambiance is beautiful. Modern sleek meets warm adobe vibes. The staff? Incredible. Super knowledgeable on every single dish. Enthusiastic and service? 11 out of 10. Honestly some of the best table service I've ever had in my life. Now onto the menu... which is listed from smallest portions to largest portions and it's recommended (for 2) you grab an entree plus 2-3 small dishes. We decided on three small plates and the chicken for our entree: 1. Aguadechile del dia: This was a scallop dish that came with a habanero vanilla bean aguadechile that was poured overtop tableside, alongside shavings of rainbow carrots, sliced Persian cucumbers, and toasted peanuts for crunch. It came with corn tortilla crackers and was all in all solid but missing a little acid and sweetness. The scallops were melt in your mouth and succulent though. 2. Shrimp Ceviche Tostada: Literally crack. The best ceviche, let alone shrimp, I've had in my life. The shrimp tasted like it was literally just tossed in the acid right before being served on a perfectly fried tostada, schmeared with a crema and avocado sauces and topped with what looked like cherries. 20 out of 10. ORDER THIS. 3. Charred Cabbage: This was a wedge of perfectly cooked cabbage served atop of pippin verde and sprinkle with sprouts and almonds. All in all this was good but a likely pass the next time we go. It was missing some heat and again acid, and perhaps even some sweetness. Like candied pepitas to go along with the verde sauce instead of almonds. 4. Pollo a La Lena: SOLIDDDDD. The mole sauce was drinkable. The chicken? Perfectly cooked, tender and juicy and perfect by itself or rolled into the corn tortillas it came with. The side of roasted potatoes and aji verde sauce (CRACK) they came with? FANTASTIC. Better than the cabbage. Could've drank the sauce by itself and we were drizzling over the cabbage! 5. Tres Leches: Standard with a mango cream center. Pretty solid and beautifully presented but not a "wow" (although it's the chef's wife's favorite). The margaritas were fresh and the vibe and food made for a fantastic meal. Will absolutely be returning (and you should too!) read more

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The food is like art. It's beautiful and delicious. Everything was new to me. Service was excellent. I really enjoyed every bite and each course was unique. Be prepared to open your wallet though. Food as an art form doesn't come cheap. You order all courses at once, and the servers will stage them. Smaller portions come first and larger at the end. We had chips and salsas which included six different salsas which went from mild to spicy but also they had really interesting flavors. They do not come with enough chips to finish, and we were encouraged to use the salsas on upcoming plates. We had the Aguachile Del Dia (scallops I think), Milpa Salad, Charred Green Cabbage, Camarones, Carne Asada, and Pollo. (There were six of us). All were excellent. The chicken is a lot of food and we took about half home. The steak was tender and delicious (also very expensive). We also finished up with a tres leches cake, and churros with cheese gelato. Everything was incredibly delicious. I was in heaven. read more

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This was an amazing dining experience from start to finish. The restaurant itself is beautiful open and tranquil with natural tones and soft lighting. The staff was extremely professional, friendly and welcoming. They explained all of the dishes and explained all of the sauces and salsa that came with each dish. It was a great birthday dinner experience for myself and my son and I would definitely recommend it. We had the tasting of salsa which was delicious. We also had the zucchini, flour flatbread, sorry I can't remember the Mexican name, also amazingly good. For our entrées, we had the chicken and the Carne Asada. Wow so amazing. read more

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This was incredible -- probably will be one of my favorite meals of 2026. The chips and salsas were amazing, and both the shrimp and especially the tuna tostada were absolute perfection. The aguachile, tlayuda, and swordfish tacos were all excellent as well, although I'd love to try other mains. The chocolate tamal was great but I'd probably skip next time. read more

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Amá was a delicious, splurgy dinner outing. One of the first parties to the restaurant on a Friday evening, the greeting was warm and the space (which quickly filled) was low-lit modern. Our four-top shared: - Chips and Salsas (smashed avocado, six variations of salsas, heirloom corn tostadas)--we appreciated (1) that the waitstaff inquired about allergies as we had a diner allergic to avocado and she was able to enjoy the full meal and (2) that the salsas were organized from least to most spicy so diners could pick and choose easily. - Shrimp Ceviche Tostada (pico de gallo, burnt arbol, ancho chamoy)--one of my favorite ceviches to date! - Milpa Salad (huitlacoche, chapulines, cured nopal, heirloom beans, cumin dressing)--mix well and enjoy the wonderful dressing and varied textures of this grasshopper salad! - Lamb Neck Birria (consomme, black beans, salsa cascabel, salsa arbol)--incredibly tender and flavorful. - Wood Fire Pulpo (camote, salsa macha verde, meco sauce, black fried rice)--the octopus lovers in the group thought it was fantastic and appreciated the portion size for the price. I'll definitely return for that lamb and to try some more offerings! read more

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This might be the most attentive service I've ever gotten. Our server was fantastic, the ambience was busy but warm and very intimate. I'd say it's good for dates and also good for a smaller groups. The drinks are amazing and unique and the food is very tasty. The only negative was that the oysters were very small, but it might have something to do with the kind of oysters that are served. I'll definitely be back and definitely recommend it. read more

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Me and my partner loved it here. The floors were nice although the lamb does taste like beef it was truly 2.5 lbs. I enjoyed the salsa and chip combos and found the last one quite spicy even as a spice lover myself! I will return for the great service and intresting menu . I loved the drinks read more

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This place has some growing pains to figure out. Wasn't sure what to expect as it's a new place and their menu is a skosh scary. I'll start with the menu. It remains a skosh scary. I feel as if some things seem unapproachable and I wish that weren't the case, as I would be much more likely to experiment otherwise. This is particularly true of the drinks. I understood virtually 20% of the drink menu and I think that ultimately does a disservice to the place, as it made me now want to order any of them. Which is a shame because what we did order ultimately was great. The food also seems a bit overwhelming. The pulpo seems the most attractive but at the price point it was prohibitive. We started with the salsa that everyone seems to get. They were all super tasty but I can't imagine not ordering a second set of chips, which I think the restaurant realizes. The Caesar was fine, I didn't totally agree with the need to cut it with a steak knife but the overall flavoring was great. Seasonal tlayuda: This was always going to be my favorite dish and it was. Would have ordered at least two of these for the table. Entree wise: lamb neck birria and carne asada. We were actually advised that the birria would be super super heavy and advised away from this dish, but I'm glad we went with it. The meat was so tender, the seasoning divine. But the carne asada was definitely better. More interesting in flavor profile, tender meat, plentiful. All that said, the menu was just too expensive and the experience was a mess. At no point did I feel like a dish we ordered was worth the amount paid for. This could have been changed by the service, but this was also somewhat of a mess. Multiple times we were offered dishes we had already eaten, extra tortillas (not free) that we did not order, drinks we had already received, etc. This place truly needs to figure itself out before it becomes a contender in the area. read more

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AMA is incredible when it comes to both food and service. The lamb was absolutely fantastic--tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. I also highly recommend the Caesar salad and tuna tostada! The service was top-tier I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars only because of the vibe and drink menu. The restaurant layout felt a bit off to me--maybe not the best for a date night or intimate dinner--but it would be perfect for big groups or celebrations. The drinks didn't wow me, but they got the job done. Maybe a little too fussy read more

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Delicious and innovative Mexican food like I've never had before. Tried a variety of their classics including the chips and salsa, raw scallop, a squash blossom "pizza", and of course, their wood fire pulpo. The variety was great--salsas ranged from savory/mole-style to spicy and bright and the seafood was fresh. Their dishes generally lacked strong flavor to my preference, such as the chips being fresh but not salted, or the scallops just kinda there, but it was nice to sample. The star was the octopus--worth the splurge and it's been the best I've had in my life. Tender and savory, get it early in the night before they run out. The staff was suepr nice and helpful to give recommendations. The restaurant is beautiful also, nailing down a combo of traditional and modern vibes. Try their frozen margs also. read more

Whoa. There was a lotta noise around this opening but I didn't expect it to be THIS impressive. Ama may be chef's first place of his own, but it's not a small or even modest start. It's a *punch* smack at the top of the Philly restaurant scene, no doubt landing right there with Kalaya (the new version), Honeysuckle (v2), and Fri Sat Sunday (updated). We've eaten a lot of top notch Mexican food, high brow and low, across Philly, the U.S., and Mexico. Just over a year ago we did Pujol and Quintonil both within 48 hrs. Barely a month ago we hit Merida for the 2nd time, and Oaxaca was a massive highlight. But AMA- wow. Every single dish, I mean every single one, hit exactly on the nose. It's Contramar + Levadura de Olla vibes, right smack in Fishtown. Beef cheeks are unctuous, deeply sauced, the chicken breast was shockingly moist and that spicy sauce! The special tyaluda was a stunning array of flavors and so light! Milpia salad- yes yes yes! Yeah, it's pricey but look at all the technique and gorgeous ingredients- plus the incredible space, the unusual wood oven, and the top notch service. Carefully crafted cocktails and precisely delicious and beautiful dessert. All in all, a superb value. Plus, genuinely smart and nice folks are running the place. I walked out of the restroom and gazed on the kitchen only to be invited in by the owner, given a tour, met the chef, and took home a gift. Seriously. I literally can't wait to come back. Please, Ama, never change! read more

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Cute restaurant, amazing food and excellent drinks. Service was spectacular. Everything we had from appetizers to main dish to dessert was superb. Drinks were delicious and poured with a heavy hand. Only negative to this place is the loud noise from train going by that makes conversation difficult. In between the train passing, the ambience is laid back, but fun. As a random side note, I love the clean, cute private bathrooms. Also, no nearby parking lots so be prepared to circle around looking for street parking. read more

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Had an excellent time here a few weeks back. Nearly everything we tried was excellent with the exception of the steak. The stake was solid but didn't live up to expectation like the rest of the menu did Our server was outstanding and the restaurant is really clean and well decorated. Would highly recommend the salsa flight read more

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If you are looking for an elevated Mexican dining experience then look no further! AMA's food is packed with amazing flavors and served in such a beautiful way on the plate. I highly recommend the lamb birra, tuna toastado, and tres leches. read more

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Top-tier dining and an unforgettable experience. AMA transported me straight to Mexico City -- vibrant, bold, and full of heart. Every dish, from the tuna tostada to the ceviche and chicken, burst with flavor and creativity. I truly admire when chefs push boundaries, and Frankie Ramirez does exactly that. We ended with the best churro I've ever had (no exaggeration) and a cactus sorbet that, yes, sounds unusual -- but wow, it was unexpectedly amazing. Total chef's kiss to Frankie and the entire team -- beautiful concept, beautiful space. Pro tip: If you're expecting baskets of chips and bottomless tacos, this isn't your spot. AMA is an experience -- and if you're not ready for a flavor party in your mouth, kindly go elsewhere . read more

Amá is a unique experience. The place is beautiful, every detail has been carefully thought out and planned, the staff gave my friends and me the best service from the moment we walked in, they made us feel welcome. The food is absurdly delicious, there were things and flavors I had never tried before, and I loved that. My favorite was the shrimps zarandeados , something super tasty and different. The cocktails and desserts are not far behind. The work of chef Frankie and his team is impeccable. read more

Really impressed. Lamb, carne Asada, Tuna, elevated cocktails, top notch service. We really enjoyed everything about this meal. Restaurant vibes were on point. Great place for a celebration. They definitely didn't take themselves too seriously. Right up there with the best restaurants in the neighborhood. read more

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AMA is located in the Fishtown part of the city. This Mexican restaurant serves its courses as family styled shareable dishes. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the food was very flavorful for the items We've picked. Now I will also share what not to get from the menu. I've done you guys the favor. The service here is also great. The host , to the bartender to our servers. Now there may have been one in the beginning initially who didn't acknowledge my presence. However i simply switched my seating and the next person made up for it. I didn't share the details I assumed maybe there are territory rules. But to the reason why we are here the food! We did the shrimp that were more like grilled prawns and those were delicious. And we did the lamb tacos. The lamb was falling off the bone. We chose the charred cabbage and I will say you can definitely skip that. The drinks are pretty however it definitely felt more like mocktails in my opinion. My favorite drink on their menu was this mezcal old fashion with this cookie on top. The cookie isn't needed but it's pretty so 10/10 for me. I went on a Friday night and was able to be quickly seated too as they were also pretty busy and that was an additional plus! Definitely check the place out for a nice dinner out away from the hustle and bustle of the city. read more

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This review is from May: Tried out AMA last night for the first time with a group of 6. We were all super excited to try it since the pictures on their instagram looked great. Our server was really nice and knowledgeable and helped explain a lot of items on the menu. To start off the drinks were the highlight of this place. They were unique, flavorful and refreshing. Going into the food we started with the chips and salsa. We really enjoyed the salsas but were a bit thrown off by the chips as they very thin and only came with about 4 big ones that we had to break up. It also came with the world's smallest and blandest guacamole which was legit only about a half of an avocado. We then proceeded to ask for more chips because we still had a ton of salsa to finish. We ordered a few different appetizers and one main entree because we were all sharing. We ordered the tuna tostada but they were out. Instead we ordered the scallop dish which was very strange and acidic. Our group did not like it. We ordered the Caesar to try which was underwhelming which I figured it would be given it's a Mexican place (not my idea to order). We ordered the shrimp which was excellent but very messy as you had to de-shell them. Next we ordered the chile braised beef cheeks. We found these to be bland and lacking seasoning. Our final and biggest item was the lamb neck birria. Our waitress informed us this was shareable so it would be a great item for a big group like ours. She was correct in that it was a huge portion. They gave us 4 soft shell tacos and 5 slices of avocado. Let me remind you we are a table of 6. The point of the dish from my understanding was you made yourself a taco with the lamb meat and fixings they gave you. However, how is a table of 6 people supposed to make 6 tacos out of 4 taco shells?! I can't recall the price of this dish but I know it was very expensive and they are a silly restaurant that doesn't put the prices on their website menu. I proceed to ask our waitress or a runner for more taco shells and more avocado. They proceed to tell me that will be extra...I'm confused as to how this can be extra when we are paying $54 for this single dish and over $400 for our entire meal. They proceed to give us the extra taco shells and avocado which we then asked for more taco shells given this is an entire lambs' neck. Do you realize how large that is?! It's huge. After ordering dessert which was so lame and the worst churro I've experienced in my life we got the check. The bill, as I said, is over $400 which is expected at a restaurant like this but we see that we are charged extra for the taco shells and extra avocado. I proceed to pull a Karen because this is ridiculous. We are a 6 top table. I would understand paying extra if we were 8 or more people but it costs you nothing to throw in 2 extra tacos. You're also a brand new restaurant to the neighborhood so I would assume you're trying to impress people and get them to want to come back. We inform the waitress of the issue and she has the manager come over. He argues with us saying that that's just how it is. Keep in mind we are asking to get extra taco shells and the extra avocado slices off the bill which comes to less than like $6. It's not the cost to us but the principal. This manager is arguing with us over less than $10... we aren't asking to get an actual dish taken off. Overall, disappointed and underwhelmed by this restaurant. I've been to Mexico many times and this restaurant doesn't even come to close to reflect the incredible cuisine of Mexico. It's overpriced and trying to be something that it's not. read more

AMA - Scallops - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Some of the food was quite excellent, especially the Tlayuda and the sea bass a la veracruzana. the various salsas were fun and the churro was excellent for dessert. what wasn't great was that I felt like I was trapped in an infomercial. the server talked and talked and talked, kept dropping names of awards and other "elite" restaurants connected to the chef. To summarize one of my dining companions, mostly let the food and the experience speak for themselves. rescue this restaurant from the marketing people please! read more

The food was very very delicious but this restaurant left a meh experience and memory so I probably won't go back. First of all the place is LOUD. Like when it's half full you have to shout from all the echos and noise. It's hard to have a conversation and enjoy yourself. It also is harder to taste the food in my experience. The cocktails were delicious and fun. Really stand out. We tried almost all and there are no misses. Very on brand, beautifully balanced, and interesting. Food also great. We definitely don't know enough about Mexican food to know if it represented any one region well, or an actual perspective authentic to the chefs experiences. It seems slightly 'multi regional' which in Asian food is not always done well. But from my uneducated view everything we ate certainly tasted great and were things I've never tried before. Eye opening and delicious, not really any misses there either. The salsas with each course that came with one was unique and flavorful. This dinner made me want to learn more. The miss is the hospitality. Isn't there a saying that's like people come for the food but return because of the service? Well this is a service that is asking people to not return lol. One the nickel and diming is petty. How are you going to give ppl 4 small tortillas with a large entree a giant lamb bone for a part of 5 (already not the most thoughtful thing) and then charge extra for refills? And the chips. There is not enough chips for the six salsas they provide with their $18 chips and salsa. And yet again, add on for chips refill they offer to bring you that they don't tell you about It's a couple of bucks, so it's not even the price but more the feeling when you get the bill and you see the add on. Why even make your guests feel that way at the end? Service in general was fine, our server was helpful tho we could barely hear her and she seemed rushed. She coursed us well but left us with empty water for long periods. There was also long gaps between courses but that can't be helped sometimes. Then our server left in the middle bc her shift ended and handed all her tables to someone else like an hr before close? Never had that happen before, why staff your restaurant like that? and that server really left a bad taste in our mouth. She was largely absentee, even more rushed like she had no time for us, then implied we lied about their cake fee and our convo with the host the day prior, then made multiple snide remarks. One server does not represent the restaurant but we were up to that point complimenting the food and overlooking the issues, but left really focused on the shortcomings - the noise, the lack of thoughtful service details, the nickle and diming. For a place that has $60 entrees and $110 octopus I want to leave feeling like I was taken care of, not like they're doing us a favor by letting us eat there. Food: 4 stars, service and ambiance: 2 stars read more

Very fun vibe! They had all the windows open on a nice night which was fun. Service was good- we were seated right away and the wait staff was very knowledgeable. Food came out quick for each course. Everything was great! The octopus was cooked perfectly, the steak was tender and also cooked to perfection. I can't wait to go back and try more! read more

AMA - Tres leches cake - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

AMA is a very new restaurant in fish town bringing the best of Mexican City dishes to Philadelphia. Upon entering I noticed a big dining area with plenty of bar seating as well. A very modern setup the tables are a little small with all the amounts of food you are about to have. There still needs to be some work on the logistics and the placement of the dishes. The food was really delicious and flavorful. I highly recommend the chips and salsa you get six different kinds of salsas ranging in spice level. Everything on their menu is shareable and is recommended you make tacos out of them. Service was great and and the menu was unique a gem in fishtown and Philadelphia. read more

AMA - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

trendy new elevated mexican restaurant that lives up to the hype! first of all, this restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. the seating is spacious, the decor is elegant, and the open-air concept is perfect for spring/summer. the vibes here are immaculate. there were also multiple tables for larger parties (~6-10), making this a great spot for a bigger get together. we started with mocktails which were refreshing and unique. they also had a bunch of fun cocktail options, but my friends and i opted not to drink. the chips and salsa were beautiful in presentation but a little underwhelming. i enjoyed trying the various salsas, but it felt like something that should have been included (and they charged us for extra chips too lol). all of their raw appetizers were delicious. my personal favorite was the shrimp ceviche tostada which was bright and flavorful. for our mains, we shared the pollo a la leña and the lamb neck birria. everything was so flavorful and tender, and the lamb was massive! the meats were presented with tortillas which were a perfect vehicle that mellowed out the salt. we were so stuffed we skipped dessert, and we also had leftovers to take home. amá definitely deserves the buzz, i can't wait to come back to try more of their menu! read more

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This place is an absolute gem. From the service, decor, drinks, and food...Ama knocks it out the park. The dishes were all unique and the sauces were top notch. I can't even say what my favorite dish was....maybe a slighttt edge to the large grilled striped bass. It was perfectly cooked and the skin on it was delicious. It was on top of some red sauce that went great with it. All the main dishes are shareable and you're supposed to put the fish/steak inside their warm corn tortillas (which I highly recommend). The set of 6 salsas that came with the chips and guacamole were amazing, satisfied my taste buds and my ADHD. Def one of the top 3 Mexican restaurants in Philly. Highly recommend read more

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Tonight I had the most incredible experience!!! I had delicious cocktails that were made by the nicest mixologist I ever met. After listening to his recommendations I decided that I had to try the octopus, even though is a plate for 5 people. Well I was not disappointed, I had what I believe the best octopus I ever had. Crispy and tender, seasoned to perfection!!! Everything was so good and I felt like a king! Looking forward to have some octopus fried rice tomorrow. read more

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One of the best - if not THE best - meals i've ever had. Every part of the experience was next level: The ambiance is great The wait staff - and Ben, our server, specifically - were so welcoming and knew the menu inside and out. And the food and drinks? Couldn't have been better. My girlfriend and I tried a bunch of things we'd never had before and every single one left us saying "that was amazing." And specifically - the chicken la llena was legitimately the best chicken i've ever ordered from a restaurant. I would recommend AMA to everyone - and make sure you get the Chips and Salsa and churro to start/end your meal! read more

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Came for dinner for 5. Atmosphere, music, location and decoration are great, love the rustic but modern feel, you can even see the chefs cooking while you eat. Service was on point, server explained the menu and how they operate, we had our plates and silverware replaced a few times during our dinner, they're all very attentive, only thing I would point out from the service department is that this place looks and feel upscale but the servers were all wearing a t shirt and jeans with sneakers but then there were also a few others that had different attires it was confusing to know who's was what but then you look at the bartenders/ chefs and they're dress all nice to match what the restaurant felt like. Drinks were amazing, we all enjoyed what's we ordered, my old fashioned took me back to last time I visited Oaxaca. We had the chips and salsa, chicken with mole, sword fish tacos, tlayuda, milpa salad...they were all good but felt like needed a little bit more flavor, all the dishes were perfectly plated and look great just needed a little extra to make it perfect, they all had great texture, all the salsas were very authentic you could taste the freshness too. The pulpo dish sounded amazing but for the price($100+) it felt too much to try for the first time in this restaurant. Definitely have to come back and give it an other try. Very casual but mixed crowd, one thing I didn't like that it was loud and it's located right under the train tracks so every now & then you'll hear the train going by, I think 3.5 stars is more like it. read more

ambiance was spot on, very cozy feeling and aesthetic decor, felt intimate and upscale service was amazing, the waiters came and refilled out water and glasses every 15 min or so and refilled my napkin when i left to use the bathroom. i dropped a glass on accident and they quickly cleaned it up and assured me that it was okay! the aguachile (changes daily based on seasonal availability) was so good and refreshing, def highlight of the meal- very unique and i loved the octopus, also i identified cucumber, jicama, shrimp, some kind of raw fish, radish, onions. chicken was really yummy and huge portions actually i ate a whole pound apparently it was 2 pounds. yummy sauce charred cabbage was yummy im curious how they prepared it but texture was perfectly cooked all the way through and nice char on outside and the green sauce was good, pesto-adjacent, the almonds added good crunch and i ate garnish bc health read more

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Service was excellent. The lamb was scrumptious. Good cocktails. Perfect for a date night.

Àma is one of those rare spots that makes you forget where you are -- the atmosphere is transportive, evoking a breezy, coastal vibe that feels miles away from Philly. It's intimate without being cramped, and the setting is effortlessly stylish but still laid-back. The food is fresh, vibrant, and clearly made with care. Everything we tried was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor, but the salsa flight really stood out -- each one unique, balanced, and totally worth ordering (especially if you're a chips-and-salsa person like me). Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, adding to the relaxed, welcoming vibe of the entire experience. Àma feels special but unfussy -- the kind of place you could go for a date night, a catch-up with friends, or just a good meal when you want to feel like you've gotten away without leaving the city. read more

We wanted to like this place; the concept sounds great, and the drinks looked solid online, but the experience went downhill fast. Like many others, we were entranced by the Instagram buzz and sleek marketing. The photos looked incredible, and we were excited to try it. Instead, we ended up feeling completely scammed. Service was spotty and inconsistent all night. We waited forever for our drinks, and by the time they finally arrived, they were watery and underwhelming. The chips were disgustingly greasy, and the rest of the food was bland, one-note, and forgettable. The biggest letdown was the $120 octopus dish, which was borderline inedible. It tasted like it had been cooked on a filthy grill, smoky in the worst way, with a foul, dirty aftertaste. We sent it back after just a few bites leaving virtually the whole dish, and neither the dish nor even a fraction of it was not comped. When we told the manager it was disgusting, she blamed it on their "wood fire style." No- wood fire shouldn't taste like burnt grease and grime. In the end, they only comped the chips and guac. That's it. The total came to $160 per person. Won't be back. We walked out feeling completely ripped off. Plenty of other restaurants in Fishtown that know how to treat customers and prepare food properly. read more

Just went to this restaurant and it was amazing, must go to! Favorites were the tuna tostadas, the special pizza type flatbread and the chicken. We also really liked the swordfish tacos, next time I will skip the beef and get the sea bass fish. The drinks and service were great as well. Must try in the neighborhood read more

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One of the best restaurants in Fishtown. The service was outstanding, the atmosphere was warm, and the decor was one of my favorite parts. The cocktails were delicious, and the desserts were the perfect way to end the evening. My husband and I can't wait to go back! I highly recommend it. You're sure to have a great experience! read more

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If I had to sum up Ama in one line: creative menu, fun atmosphere... but the food didn't quite deliver on flavor. I appreciate the ambition -- some dishes were beautiful and inventive -- but at times it felt more gimmicky than satisfying. We shared: * Chips, guac & salsa (5/10) -- chips were unsalted and, in a moment straight out of a sitcom, our server accidentally dropped the whole display onto our table . * Grilled cabbage (6.5/10) -- lots of cabbage, not a lot of complexity. * Crab & heirloom tomato aguachile (9/10) -- this was the star of the night: bright, fresh, and perfectly balanced. * Swordfish taco (6/10) -- high-quality fish, but the sauce was so spicy I had to make my own milder taco with a fresh tortilla. * Grilled chicken with baby potatoes & tortillas (7/10) -- good chicken, but unclear "assembly instructions" from the server. Tortilla with just chicken? With potatoes? We were left guessing. Drinks were mixed: the wine was forgettable, but we loved their TEJUINO frozen 'signature cocktail' -- definitely a unique find. Good people-watching and a front-row seat to the MFL train rumbling by right on schedule added some unintentional entertainment. Overall: fun spot for the vibe and creativity, but if you're here for deep, well-seasoned flavor, you might leave wanting. read more

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