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    La Mala

    4.5 (24 reviews)
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    LA MALA ATMOSPHERE

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    Anna W.

    Super pretty vibes, amazing drinks and food. Wonderful attentive friendly service. We got four different dishes to share. Everything was delicious but the loaded fries were absolutely outstanding.

    Steak quesadilla
    Markie'Sha J.

    Everything was AMAZING!! The customer service was great. Our waitress was hands-on and consistent with making us feel welcome. I will be back to try brunch.

    Watermelon Margarita
    Sahib G.

    Great place to get some good craft cocktail. I got the watermelon margarita and it was refreshing and delicious. I also got the tilapia civche which was pretty decent. I would definitely go back for the cocktails. They have a drink which is served in a barrel glass and it looks really good.

    Churros
    Samantha R.

    I walked into La Santa at almost 10pm on a Thursday night and their kitchen was closed. But, the staff quickly suggested a quick 4 minute walk to their sister restaurant, La Mala, which was still open. 4 minutes later, I was hands deep into some authentic Mexican tacos. We shared the carnitas and asada tacos, both outstanding. Since we were celebrating a birthday, they treated us to churros but we also had the option of birthday shots. The churros came with caramel, chocolate, and dulce de leche, and were perfectly crispy and sugary. The ambiance, a little sexy and a little dim, a great spot for a late night adventure or a romantic date night!

    Eviee R.

    Jeff was amazing, he is a great security guard. They also played all my fav sonf on Saturday night. Leo is an amazing owner, he always take care of all his customers & is always attentive. This was a great place to have a girls night

    Nicole L.

    The food and drinks were soo good and worth going but it is definitely on the more expensive side. They also have very cool displays for drinks and food so it made for a fun environment. The server was very attentive, a Thursday night and there were about 3 other tables eating dinner. Worth trying for the amazing food!

    All the vibes
    Marissa M.

    La Mala is a beautiful Tulum inspired trendy cocktail bar and Mexican restaurant with a new sister location Downtown Raleigh. It offers a chic ambiance with mood lighting, ideal for an intimate dinner or date night. While in the area attending an event, I stumbled upon its new location on N West St. I found convenient street parking nearby. I dined with an acquaintance after having drinks at Killjoy next door arriving prior to closing, at 10. Famished, we decided to try tacos for our meal. Service was excellent. Staff were very welcoming and helpful with recommendations. We ordered the steak and carnitas tacos. Both were very flavorful. We did not try any of the craft cocktails. Expect price points of $16-20 per cocktail. I plan to return for brunch this fall to sample the Margaritas. The ambiance here is desirable and they have a lovely patio. They also have a beautiful private dining room with a sliding door for special occasions. The pink mood lighting is so beautiful!

    La Mala
    Kellie D.

    Started with the La Mala margarita. On point -- worth the steep $20 price point. Then we shared the Vallatarso ceviche with shrimp and octopus. Very flavorful with homemade tortillas and mixed with salsa. Lastly I tried the La Enomorafa margarita wihiich was beautiful but sadly not as delicious as the La Mala. Too sweet. Overall a great spot with excellent service, lovely tables nicely placed apart (too close together is my pet peeve.). Look forward to going back.

    Ron W.

    La Mala Raleigh is now open in Glenwood South! This sister bar/restaurant/lounge from the folks at La Santa offers a large and sultry space with a nice list of cocktails, beer and small plates. The space used to be Clouds Brewing but you wouldn't recognize it at all. La Mala offers a lot of seating options along with a large U-shaped bar and side patio. Overall it's quite nice and will be back to try some food but a good option off the beaten path for a drink and a snack.

    Filipp N.

    Checked out La Mala in Raleigh over the weekend and had a really great experience. We're actually big fans of the La Mala in Durham and have been there a bunch of times--even hit up La Santa, their sister restaurant. So we were excited to finally try the Raleigh location. The place is beautiful--way more spacious than the one in Durham. The outdoor area is especially nice, with some cool, Tulum-style tables that give it a really chill vibe. Menu-wise, it's the same as the Durham spot, so nothing new there. For drinks, we ordered the Gold Digger and the Old Fashioned Mexican. In Durham, the Old Fashioned usually comes with one big ice cube, but here it was more like crushed ice. Honestly, it made the drink feel a little watered down--just didn't hit as hard as it normally does. But overall, it was a great visit, and I'd definitely recommend checking it out!

    La Mala Margarita

    Atmosphere is really nice. Decorated nicely and welcoming. The food was pretty good. I had the octopus tacos with chorizo. Wish it had more octopus in it but they were tasty. I asked for the hot sauce which was slapping. The guacamole and tostada were average and could have used more flavor. The bartender was very friendly and very helpful. Definitely worth checking out and looks like a good date spot.

    Max G.

    Max with Offline - All I can say is... WOW. As one of the first 1,000 members of Offline Raleigh, I had the chance to attend a private try-before-they-open event at Lamala (from the amazing folks behind La Santa), and let me tell you--it did not disappoint! The service? Impeccable. The food? I gotta say it... so effin' good! The drinks? Whew! Get the signature "La Mala" -- trust me, it'll get the job done with just one. Here's what we tried: * Quesobirria Tacos - You get three with consomé, and the FLAVOR was hitting. * Mexican Fries - Absolutely incredible. Honestly, they could be a full meal by themselves. * Mexican Pizza - My friend raved about it, especially the sauce that took it to another level. * Carne Tacos - Packed with flavor, tender, and juicy. The ambiance is perfect -- super cute with both indoor and outdoor seating. The food came out fast, and our server Cindy was fantastic -- quick, personable, and on top of everything. Long story short: Lamala is going to be a HIT in Raleigh. I'm already planning my next visit. If you're looking for great vibes, killer drinks, and tapas that deliver serious flavor -- run, don't walk.

    Christopher A.

    La mala has always been one of my favorite resrutrantes weather im eating with my family or by myself this place does not miss 10/10

    Chipotle chilaquiles

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    10 months ago

    Nice restaurant with one of the best quesadillas I've had. Server could have been better but I would go back just for that quesadilla.

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    FOUNDATION

    FOUNDATION

    4.5
    (332 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    This is a whiskey lover's dream and one of Raleigh's most unique drinking destinations. It's quite…read moreliterally underground as it's in a basement. With little signage the space feels like a natural speakeasy. It's unpolished enough to feel a little sleazy, yet polished enough to never feel dirty. In other words, it has character, and plenty of it. The bartenders were fantastic: knowledgeable, talented, and happy to chat about the spirits behind the bar. Whether you're a serious whiskey enthusiast or just looking for a well-made cocktail, you're in good hands. Being open later than most Raleigh bars makes Foundation one of the city's go-to late-night options, but that shouldn't overshadow what it really is........a great bar at any hour. The atmosphere, the drinks, and the people behind the bar make this a place worth seeking out whether it's your first stop of the evening or your last.

    Came here before dinner and had a great time. Even though it's a speakeasy, it was pretty easy to…read morefind. The menu leans heavily toward whiskey and bourbon, with lots of solid options. I had their basil smash, which was refreshing, and the Manhattan--bold with a warm, spicy profile. Pleasant surprise to see Michter's as the special of the night, and it was excellent with smooth caramel and vanilla notes. Service started off a little hands-off since we ordered at the bar, but picked up toward the end when staff came by to check in. Drinks were high quality without being overpriced, and the vibe is relaxed--not at all pretentious. You can definitely come casual. If we had more time, we would've stayed longer or come back for another round.

    Photos
    South side
    South side
    Foundation old fashioned
    Foundation old fashioned
    Bar

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    Bar
    Bittersweet

    Bittersweet

    4.4
    (481 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Bittersweet has amazing desserts and drinks. I've been several times and each time I enjoy what…read moreI've had. A solid go-to is their s'mores sundae which is sooo good! The chocolate brownie is thick and rich, but not too sweet, and the marshmallow cream is divine, especially with the ice cream. A lot of their drinks and gin based, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but I always find something I can enjoy. The service is great and relatively quick, and everyone I've met there is kind and willing to help. The inside is a bit small, so smaller crowds are better and it does tend to get crowded later in the evening and on weekends. The outside street sitting area is nice too and hopefully will be fully fixed soon. Overall a great places to stop for drinks and desserts after a nice meal! And the menu rotates seasonally so you'll always have the chance to try something new!

    My wife and I stopped into Bittersweet last night for dessert, and the whole experience was…read moreexcellent. As soon as we walked in, we met Brandon, and he immediately made the night better. We were honestly a little overwhelmed by all the options, but he gave us an extremely thoughtful and knowledgeable walk-through of the menu, helped us narrow down drinks, and absolutely crushed the recommendations. The desserts were great, the drinks were even better, but Brandon was easily the highlight of our experience. He was kind, helpful, sharp, and clearly knew exactly what he was talking about. Five stars all around. We'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Chai espresso martini
    Chai espresso martini
    Derby Pie and Gin n Tonic
    Derby Pie and Gin n Tonic
    Pecan pie

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    Pecan pie
    Cuya

    Cuya

    4.5
    (28 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I've driven past Cuya Cafe more times than I can count, and now I'm wondering why it took me so…read morelong to go inside. The vibe? 10/10. The drinks? 10/10. The food? Unlike anything I've had before. And somehow they managed to be stylish, delicious, AND fast. The only thing that took some time was us deciding what to order because there were so many amazing things on the menu! Raleigh, add this one to your list immediately & honestly...this may be the best fried chicken in Raleigh! CUYA Cafe

    This place was absolutely amazing. All I can say is, we made a lot of happy noises while eating,…read moreand there were plenty of "oh my God" moments at the table. From the staff to the manager to the food, everything was on point. The food truly speaks for itself. They serve small plates, which we love because it gives you the chance to try different things and experience a variety of flavors. We started with the fried pork belly on tostones. It was perfectly seasoned, topped with avocado, and every bite just melted in your mouth. Next, we had the tamarind sticky ribs with a tamarind mango barbecue sauce. This was a perfect example of how simplicity can create complex flavors. The ribs were cooked just right -- not completely falling off the bone, but tender enough that when you bit into them, the meat pulled apart so easily. They were juicy, full of flavor, and had just the right touch of spice from the chili flakes. Then we moved on to the mini arepas, and oh my God. They had slow-cooked pork, guava barbecue sauce, and fried papas on top. The arepa itself was crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. The savory pork paired with the sweetness of the guava barbecue sauce was incredible, and the crunch from the fried papas took it to another level. Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but my wife does not. I wanted dessert, and we were leaning toward the tres leches, but our waitress highly recommended the bread pudding. I am not usually a fan of bread pudding at all, but her recommendations had been on point all night, so I decided to trust her. I am so glad we did. They take a Mexican bolillo, soak it overnight in tres leches, then pan-sear it to create this crispy caramelized outside while keeping the inside warm, soft, and sweet. It is topped with crema and toasted coconut, then they pour warm guava syrup over it and serve it with a scoop of coconut sorbet. The layers of flavor in that dessert were unreal. Honestly, it may have been the best dessert we have ever had. And remember, my wife is not big on sweets -- she usually only takes one bite of dessert, but this time she tried to eat over half of it. Lol. I highly recommend this place. The food, the service, the drinks, and the atmosphere were all amazing. And after dinner, you can even head upstairs to work off the food with salsa lessons and a dance club. This is definitely a spot worth checking out! Este lugar fue absolutamente increíble. Lo único que puedo decir es que hicimos muchos sonidos de felicidad mientras comíamos, y hubo muchos momentos de "¡Dios mío!" en la mesa. Desde el personal, hasta el gerente, hasta la comida, todo estuvo excelente. La comida realmente habla por sí sola. Sirven platos pequeños, algo que nos encanta porque te da la oportunidad de probar diferentes cosas y experimentar una variedad de sabores. Comenzamos con el pork belly frito sobre tostones. Estaba perfectamente sazonado, cubierto con aguacate, y cada bocado simplemente se derretía en la boca. Después probamos las costillitas pegajosas de tamarindo con una salsa barbecue de tamarindo y mango. Este plato fue un ejemplo perfecto de cómo la simplicidad puede crear sabores complejos. Las costillas estaban cocinadas en su punto: no se caían completamente del hueso, pero estaban tan tiernas que al morderlas, la carne se desprendía fácilmente. Estaban jugosas, llenas de sabor y con el toque perfecto de picante gracias a las hojuelas de chile. Luego pasamos a las mini arepas, y ¡Dios mío! Tenían cerdo cocinado lentamente, salsa barbecue de guayaba y papitas fritas encima. La arepa estaba crujiente por fuera, calientita y esponjosa por dentro. El sabor salado del cerdo combinado con la dulzura de la salsa barbecue de guayaba fue increíble, y el crujiente de las papitas fritas lo llevó a otro nivel. Ahora, a mí me gustan mucho los dulces, pero a mi esposa no tanto. Yo quería pedir postre, y estábamos pensando en el tres leches, pero nuestra mesera nos recomendó mucho el budín de pan. Normalmente no soy fanático del budín de pan, pero sus recomendaciones habían sido excelentes toda la noche, así que decidí confiar en ella. Me alegra muchísimo haberlo hecho. Toman un bolillo mexicano, lo remojan durante la noche en tres leches y luego lo sellan en sartén para crear una capa exterior crujiente y caramelizada, mientras que el interior se mantiene calientito, suave y dulce. Lo sirven con crema y coco tostado, luego le vierten encima un jarabe tibio de guayaba y lo acompañan con una bola de sorbete de coco. Las capas de sabor en ese postre fueron irreales. Honestamente, puede que haya sido el mejor postre que hemos probado en nuestra vida. Y recuerden, mi esposa no es muy amante de los dulces; normalmente solo prueba un bocado del postre, pero esta vez intentó comerse más de la mitad. Jajaja.

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    Cuya
    Très lèche
    Très lèche
    Seasonal cocktail

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    Seasonal cocktail
    Whiskey Kitchen

    Whiskey Kitchen

    4.0
    (789 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    If bourbon and whiskey choices were a personality trait, The Whiskey Kitchen would definitely have…read morecommitment issues...because the selection is massive. Seriously, if you can't find a pour you like here, you may just need water instead. Started with the biscuits topped with crackling and house-made preserves, and honestly, that combo alone made me question why I don't eat more biscuits in life. Sweet, salty, buttery chaos in the best way. For the main, I went with the pork chop and greens. The chop leaned a little overcooked for me personally, but the sauce helped bring things back together and added good flavor. The greens had a nice little kick of heat, but I kept waiting for that deep smoky ham hock flavor to show up like an old Southern grandma entering the kitchen... and it never quite arrived. Overall though? Still a solid meal, strong whiskey program, cool atmosphere, and definitely worth checking out if you're in Raleigh looking for a bourbon-forward dinner spot. Travelin_Broke approved with a slight side-eye from the greens.

    I like the environment and the wait staff is always phenomenal, however this last time I couldn't…read moreeat my favorite thing on the menu (lamb burger) like so many other they amped the spice up. I originally thought it was the sauce which the waitress voluntarily remade but no the current chef is apparently fallen into the current dining trope of spicy is better to the point. I gave my burger to someone else at the table to eat. That said everyone else enjoyed their meals and as always, no complaints on the drinks but... I won't be the one selecting/suggesting it when we're going out to each going forward.

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    Whiskey Flights
    Whiskey Flights
    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken
    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken
    The Botanist and Paper Plane

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    The Botanist and Paper Plane

    La Mala - pizza - Updated June 2026

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