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    Costera

    4.4 (253 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Costera Photos

    Business Info

    COSTERA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Costera

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    Reviews With Photos

    Inside
    Liza A.

    Wow were we impressed and we just ordered from the bar off the happy hour menu. We've had tapas in Spain and around the world. It was a spin on traditional tapas. We ordered a variety of dishes based on the bartender recommendations: pan tomate, bombas, seared tuna, octopus, patatas bravas coupled with some cocktails and ending with tres leches cake. It was delicious from start to finish.

    Going Back to Kali, Marinated Olives, Pan Con Tomate, Papas Bravas, Bombas, Roasted Squash & Mixed Green Salad
    Ryan T.

    Costera is a Spanish-inspired restaurant with good food/drinks, excellent service, and an intimate yet lively atmosphere. I stopped by during their happy hour, which I highly recommend! HH cocktails and tapas were good. The standout dish was the Bombas, which had a great exterior crunch, tender beef shank filling, a tasty aioli, and acidity from the pickled chilies. Loved the concept of the Crispy Pork Belly with olive oil yogurt, apple and golden raisin mostarda, and hazelnuts. It was delightfully crispy and smoky but a tad too sweet.

    White beans, meatballs, and excellence
    Scott K.

    We went here for a reveillon dinner and absolutely LOVED it. Their take on the Reveillon dinner was different than a lot of the ones I have done, in that it was more of a chef's choice menu than the normal prix fixe menu. The online menu that we saw didn't make that clear, and I'm happy about that because I don't know that I would have tried it, since there were things on the menu I am allergic to and would have been worried about that. However, our server explained that if we had preferences or allergies they would accommodate those, and they absolutely did. It was supposed to be a four course family style menu, but I swear it was more like 7 courses. The two of us got four appetizers, and they were huge and delicious. I especially enjoyed the bombs,, olives, and white beans. The second course was a salad (that was bigger than some entree salads I have had) and another of the "sides" from the menu. I'm embarrassed that I can't remember exactly the order of food, but there was so much, both quantity and variety, that it is hard to keep it all straight. The bottom line is that everything was more amazing than what I had before, and it started at a high bar! For the main entree we had the gulf fish (which was sheepshead) and the hanger steak. The fish was fantastic (I don't usually eat or enjoy fish) and the hanger steak was to die for. Since it was a surprise what was coming from the kitchen, we didn't get asked for a temperature on the steak, but it was perfectly cooked. Desert was a hazelnut ice cream with peanuts and a berry compote, and even though I was hurting from so much amazing food, I managed to fit it in my body. There was one small mistake, and it wasn't a big deal, but we ordered a tempranillo from the list, something in the $60-70 range, but when the bill came it showed a price closer to $100. There was some miscommunication between us and the server or the server and the sommelier and we didn't notice that we got the wrong bottle. Not a huge deal at all, and both the server and sommelier apologized for the mix up, but we didn't check, so I'm not going to put that mistake on them. Plus, we had a delicious bottle of wine!

    Seafood Paella
    Camille G.

    Lovely service, beautiful ambiance, and VERY TASTY paella! Since dining here, I compare every paella I've had to Costera- they set the bar really high for me! I've yet to have a paella like theirs, which is sad because I don't live in New Orleans but that just gives me even more of a reason to visit I believe the paella is served on certain days, so go on one of those days and make sure you have a reservation.

    Happy Hour menu
    Lisa J.

    I went to Costera recently for a work related happy hour. One of the things I really enjoy about this place is at has really great vegan and gluten free options on the menu. I don't have any dietary restrictions but sometimes I want a lighter meal that's still satisfying. They have a great wine list and a killer espresso martini!

    Larry G.

    We had an awesome experience last night. What stands out most to me, was the service - Anika is among the very best server I have ever had! Her partner Jordan was excellent as well. And I have been eating out for a long long time. With family living in New Orleans, we get here once or twice a year. We never miss a visit to Costeira - the paella is that good. So too are the shared plates. We ordered several and they were excellent. I could not resist the beet salad and I'm glad I added that to our order. It was that good. In fact, I could very happily come here for cocktails, and starters in abundance. Now to the paella, it was delicious and very very generous. Would have preferred a few more mussels and clams in addition to the shrimp. And as a suggestion would love the option of adding more crabmeat. Lastly, be advised that corkage fee is $45 per bottle. Which is why we had two rounds of cocktails. We will be back! More props to Anika.

    Menu
    Nicoya W.

    What an excellent place!!!! Love this place! It was my first time here and I came with my best friend. Service was on point! We sat at the bar. I love the style of this place...the vibe is great. It's kinda intimate but not over the top. Still maintains its casualty. We both had drinks to start...she had wine, I had the On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink. It was so summery...watermelon and cava. Delicious! My other drink was the Strawberry Queen, also tasty and summery. For food we shared everything. We had the olives, octopus, gambas, crudo, roasted mushrooms, papas bravas & blistered shishito peppers. Everything was so good. We were so full at the end. I can't wait to get back!!! Check them out!

    a restaurant with tables and chairs
    Kara S.

    As a happy hour enthusiast, this place was right up my alley. Their happy hour is every day from 4-6 pm, with a wide selection of mazos and tapas under $6. I tried the Innocent and the Basque Terrace and the flavors were very unique. The atmosphere of this place was also very eclectic. The decorations were fun to look at and it just overall had a cool feel to it. I was here at 4:30pm so the place was pretty empty, but everyone working at the time was really nice and we had great service. Costera was a very pleasant surprise, and I plan to come back soon!

    Kimberly J.

    Great food and a good happy hour. Love the location and it's a great place to get together with friends, a date or take a small group. Intimate with a nice buzz in the air. Loved the happy hour martinis (delicious olives) and the boquerones. Looking forward to another trip.

    Pork belly
    Chuck A.

    Most important comment - if you've ever had tapas is Spain you know that the accompaniment of small pieces of fresh baguette is integral to the experience. Why do they not serve it here? (Disclosure - I worked in various regions of Spain for a while and enjoyed the food there immensely). Amazing shrimp in the most savory garlic sauce and nothing with which to sop it up. . Delicious albondigas with succulent sauce and nothing with which to sop it up. Well, I did resort to using my spoon but it's not the same. Wonderful, thinly sliced, perfect Jamon crying out for a foundation. . Please, please, please rethink this, Costera. The boquerones were served on a garlicky, pesto toast, which was yummy. But I need some plain, old sliced up Leidenheimer's or Dong Phoung or Gambino's. God knows we don't lack in this city for the right kind of bread to serve with tapas! The only dish I'd skip are the potatoes. The bravas sauce was just off. The place was bustling. The service was adequate - we waited too long for some dishes and then many came out at once. I like a nice rhythm to my meal. Those little plates add up quickly so this was not an inexpensive meal! Decor was pretty but clearly no thought given to acoustics. All hard surfaces and background music that couldn't really be heard but just upped the ambient noise level. Still, the dishes were delicious.

    Paella
    Stephanie W.

    Went for Valentine's Day. Paella was really good. Service was terrible which is why only 4 stars. The lady was so rude and didn't want to answer any questions about the menu. Place was nice as well

    Peach crumble thing
    Sierra J.

    My mom said she wanted paella for her birthday -- and originally we were going to go somewhere else that I had been but they happened to be closed for that week. So I said costera it is!! I had never been but heard great things. Our server was awesome! My mom doesn't normally drink but wanted a sweet wine and he helped us pick out the perfect glass for her. My husband and I also enjoyed our cocktails. For appetizers we got the crispy potatoes and the broccoli. The potatoes were amazing and the sauce was not too spicy for my mom we really enjoyed the broccoli as well it was well flavored and had a nice bite to it. Now on to the main event-- the paella. Oh my stars. It is amazing there is chorizo, shrimp, calamari, mussels and crab. It is so good I only want to go here for paella. My mom told everyone they have to taste it, and I recommended it to an old coworker for her birthday! Lastly we had a peach crumble type thing for dessert with ice cream and of course it came with a candle! My mom said it was the best birthday she has ever had! We can't wait to comeback!

    Paella
    Jessica O.

    Everything was ok with the exception of the paella, I did not care for the lima beans flavor, it is also pricey for the amount served. Octopus was a 10, the potatoes tasted just like potatoes. Overall was alright, nothing impressive.

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    1 year ago

    One of my top New Orleans restaurants. Love everything on the menu and service is great! Fun cocktails too.

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    9 months ago

    Excellent! Enjoyable experience. Food and drink well, well above average. Highly recommend.

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    2 years ago

    I love, love, love this place. The food is amazing. I would highly recommend the tasting menu. Ideally for 4.

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    Costera Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Costera

    Is paella on the menu nightly? I don't see it on the menu.

    Was reviewing this business and saw this old question. For anyone new... the paella is not always on the menu. Looks like it's a seasonal item.

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    Bésame - Tempura cauliflower- $12 DIVINE!

    Bésame

    (305 reviews)

    $$

    Central Business District

    A Latin style tapas place in the arts district boasting flavors from South America (Argentina,…read morePeru, Venezuela, Yucatan), Mexico (Oaxaca and Mexico City), and the Caribbean. Fresh seafood from the Gulf of MEXICO and a wicked drink menu. They offer several ceviches. Tapas include guacamole, empanadas, crawfish queso, fish dip and veggie salads like crispy cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. We had the crispy cauliflower served with tempura, cashew habanero crema, garbanzo hash, and chimichurri. Loads of flavor and just the right bite size for tapas/apps. Plates include churrasco, fish and grits, paella (can be served veggie or without shellfish if you're allergic), lamb, Yucatan style pork, shrimp or steak mofongo, and chicken poblano. I had the churrasco, served with papas bravas. Steak cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly. My husband had the steak mofongo and the beef tips, like the churrasco, were seasoned perfectly. The plantain mash was sweet and somehow savory at the same time. We loved both dishes. They make mean margaritas and caipirinhas hre, and also offer drinks like the paloma, the Bolivian sour, sangria, and specialty drinks. Service was amazing. She was so upbeat and helpful. This restaurant was a little slow when we went. It deserves a lot more love. It's so close to the touristy part of the French Quarter. Leave the gimmicky spots and come here, you won't regret it.

    Definitely worth trying. Cute restaurant. Nice ambiance and vice. Clean…read more The crawfish Queso is mild, not spicy at all. Good flavor. The shrimp ceviche is delicious. The sauce is spicy. If you like spicy- get this dish. Not your typical ceviche. The Mofongo is tasty. If you like Vinha D'Alhos. You'll like this dish. The steak had a marinated vinegar taste. The meat is also very tender. Service was good. Waitress was nice and welcoming.

    Plates Restaurant & Bar - Eggs Benedict

    Plates Restaurant & Bar

    (146 reviews)

    Warehouse District, Lower Garden District

    I saw Plates on Instagram advertising their Adult Happy Meal for happy hour and immediately knew I…read morehad to try it. For $20, you get two lamb sliders, fries, wings, and a glass of wine. Such a fun and creative concept. When we arrived, almost everyone there was ordering the Adult Happy Meal. Luckily, we were one of the first few people inside, so we didn't have to wait long before it started getting packed. The lamb sliders were surprisingly good. I'm not even a big lamb fan, but they were flavorful and balanced. The wings were the real standout for me. So good. The fries were solid, and the wine paired perfectly with everything. They were out of the souvenir wine glasses that you're supposed to take home, which is basically the "toy" in this adult happy meal idea. But I really appreciated how the waitresses handled it. They were so helpful and genuinely excited to give me a ticket for a free glass of wine and the take home souvenir glass on my next visit. Even once the place got crowded, they stayed attentive, kept checking on us, and made sure we were taken care of. They really made the experience great. I definitely want to come back and try more from their regular menu, but I would absolutely order the Adult Happy Meal again. Plates, please keep this happy hour going. I'll gladly keep spreading the word.

    Tre the bartender at the bar was AHHHHH MAZ ING!!!!!!!! The…read morefood was good and you can't beat the happy hour prices. Those fries, that lamb (babaaaaayyyyy), and the wings were meh. I like my wings fried a little harder, but they told me they were crispy another, for me I like them a little bit more crispy. Listen. This is the spot you and your girls are looking for after work, on the weekend, brunch whenever they are open to catch up. Trust me you'll love it.

    Barcelona Tapas - Patatas bravas

    Barcelona Tapas

    (161 reviews)

    $$

    Leonidas

    Spent my birthday here last year and it was a fantastic experience! I thought we were told that the…read moreplace would be shutting down, but glad to see it is still up and running. My entire family enjoyed this place, and the owner is a very kind man. I will try to be back soon again!

    A European experience. A long wait that may annoy Americans but is typical of Europe to allow for…read moremore conversation and a more casual dining experience. Once you start getting your order, the plates slowly come out two or so at a time. Each plate had different qualities and a completely different flavor profile so I will review them all separately. Service while European took some getting used to. The owner is the only waiter which causes some delays. It's probably for the best as it allows them time to create the meal for you, but I believe it is important to acknowledge this in a review. Olives were a 5/5, very soft and fleshy and delicious unlike other restaurants in the area. Nothing much more to say. Good olives. Patatas were a 5/5; they were pleasantly fried and had a nice alioli. Not traditional but still good. Desperately begged for a sprinkle of salt on top of them though Ceviche was a 4/5, good flavor and texture on the shrimp and fish but were a bit too vinigary for my liking. The salad was the best part of it and was balanced perfectly. Mushrooms were a 5/5, they were just crimini mushrooms but the sauce was perfect for them. I ended up using the cracker that came with the jamón to soak it up. Jamón and chorizo were a 5/5, the sheep's cheese was delicious and you can never go wrong with meat and cheese. I preferred removing the cracker that came with them, though. Calamari steak was a 5/5 and my personal favorite. I've never had just tender and delicious squid. The owner prides himself on simple recipes and I'd have to say that this really showcased that. I could taste (and identify) nearly every flavor present in the dish just on one bite. The best part of the meal. The tortilla was my least favorite part and was a 1/5. I hate to say it, but I believe it was bad. It just tastes like a latke, but is not crispy and is very thick causing a bland and boring sensation. I finished my meal with an espresso with a pour of brandy. Espresso was strong and lovely and was a nice way to end the meal. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you love food and don't mind a wait, because it is definitely worth it.

    Shaya - Delicious pita bread

    Shaya

    (1.8k reviews)

    $$

    Touro

    Went for Happy Hour from 4-6pm. Hummus was really smooth and the Pita bread was super fresh. They…read morealso have a great wine-list! Service was very friendly and the overall ambience of the restaurant is great!

    While I unfortunately don't live in New Orleans anymore, I'm disappointed it took me this long to…read moretry Shaya. We had a great experience and already have it on the list of go-tos when we are back in the city, as we return fairly often. First off, that bread. My gosh, I could have just sat for an hour and eaten it alone. I love that it just keeps coming too - we never once had to ask for more; by the time we were finishing up the pieces there, another set was delivered. Heaven. We had not one bad thing. The ikra was the surprise of the salatims/dips - so good - and the muhammara was excellent as well. That fried chicken hummus was perfect - so creamy and a bit of a different texture than most other hummus, but it worked. We tried the lamb kebabs and crispy halloumi - both of which were solid; however, when they say small plates, they mean small. I thought the serving sizes were a bit tiny. Nonetheless, we were full before even making it to the larger dinner plates and settled on the chocolate tart and knafeh cheesecake for dessert; honestly, I could have done without both. They weren't bad, but they weren't very flavorful to me. Definitely a 5-star, but if it wanted to be a 10-star, I would say a bit larger portions, better desserts, and more friendly service (he did his job but didn't really seem like he wanted to be there). Go now!

    Junebug - Crab fat popcorn

    Junebug

    (54 reviews)

    Warehouse District

    I ordered the focaccia bread and it came out hot and fresh. It was absolutely delicious and served…read morewith two dipping sauces that made it even better. Such a strong start to the meal. Next I tried the oysters. They were fried to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender inside. Each one had a little pickle on top and a sauce underneath that tied everything together. Excellent flavor and texture. Sadly my last oyster had some shells :( I also ordered the pork spare ribs and they did not disappoint. The meat fell right off the bone and was packed with flavor. Truly excellent. The cocktails were just as impressive. Delicious, well balanced, and the perfect complement to the food. Service was excellent even during a busy time. The host was amazing and kept everything running smoothly. I will absolutely be back. I'll be back ! Great vibe and cute bar. Small tables and high tops and brick walls. Romantic. Date night. Celebratory - local and special Can choose music too.

    Beautiful cocktail bar! We popped in for a round of drinks and a few bites before dinner at a…read morenearby spot. Cocktails were creative and pretty spirit forward, but very well balanced. They offer three styles of drink, A-side, B-side, and Sample. These represent cocktail profiles equating to normal, lower proof or shots. We tried A and Sample, and I'd suggest sticking with the normal drinks. The Samples were intense! Bites were great, we tried the cracklings, crab fat popcorn, and the warm olives. And then added the duck meatballs and crispy ribs. Highly recommend the meatballs and ribs, we raved about those. Service was warm and very friendly.

    The Tasting Room - Charcuterie

    The Tasting Room

    (335 reviews)

    $$

    Lower Garden District

    This place seems like a dive bar but trying hard to be up scale…read more The good: the cocktails were absolutely delicious. The seasonal cocktail were on point The drag show was entertaining. They were fabulous performers. The staff was fun and friendly, it wasn't really their fault with the problems that follow. The bad: For noon reservations for drag brunch, they were not ready at all. It was $35 a person for the reservation. It seems a bit steep, however the show was good. When I say they weren't ready, they really were on a struggle bus. We had a couple cocktails and I believe every one else had the $25 bottomless mimosas. However, they didn't have the champagne in stock so many people had to wait for a drink. And once they for them, it was hard to keep their glasses full with the lack of staff. We ordered food and it took FOREVER! I mean, we almost left because all we had in our stomach was coffee from the morning and a couple cocktails. Let me remind you that our reservation was for noon. We did not get our food until 2:30. I was getting quite nauseated. I ordered the chicken and French toast, I asked for no maple syrup but it was doused in it. It was ok. I ate the chicken. TL:DR- cocktails were good, the show was good. They needed more staff and the food was meh. EDIT: Our credit cards were charged and the money refunded and additional charges were placed on our card.

    Came for happy hour and got the $14 charcuterie board, $8 old fashioned and glass of wine. The…read morehappy hour wine was whatever is on tap. I was sad that they only had a rose available since I'm usually a red wine drinker. The charcuterie board was a good snacking size for two to three people and great for the price. It came with three kinds of cheese, bread, olives, mustard, pepper jam, pecans, tomatoes, blueberries and granola. Service was friendly but casual. The bartender had to check what wine was on tap when I asked and they were also testing out their old fashioned recipe.

    Costera - spanish - Updated May 2026

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