Last night I was in the Lehigh Valley and decided to dine at La Maya restaurant in Hellertown, PA. I was intrigued by reviews citing its tasty modern Mexican cuisine and excellent cocktails. La Maya did not disappoint! The ambience is dimly lit, and perfect for a romantic dinner. On the cocktails side, I tried "Señor Sal" - a dirty martini / Vesper riff featuring their proprietary gin and vodka, dry vermouth, pickled jalapeño, olive brine, and lemon infused olive oil. It was a visually attractive, delicious, and sturdy cocktail. Just what the doctor ordered! Later I tried the house margarita. It was balanced and refreshing. There are options to add flavorings to the house margarita spec for +$2 (e.g., Matcha Coconut, Spicy, Guava Mint, Caramelized Pineapple). My dinner companion tried the caramelized pineapple and loved it. On the culinary side, the guacamole was fresh and flavorful. For an entree, I selected the Carne Nortena - a tequila-marinated ribeye with sauteed scallions, shisito peppers. The steak was cooked perfectly to temperature (medium-rare) and amazingly juicy. The roasted sweet potato wedges (Camote) were also outstanding. Don't forget dessert - the coconut flan was to die for! Service - I believe our server's name was Alex, was on-point. He was knowledgeable about both the food and beverages, and did not rush us. Thank you La Maya for a great evening. I will definitely return. read more

La Maya - Carne Nortena ribeye steak - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Hellertown, Pennsylvania

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Absolutely fabulous dinner from start to finish I'm Latin American so I'm picky with certain foods having a daughter-in-law that's Mexican. Makes me pickier. The guacamole was to die for seems an easy thing to make, but it's not if it's not done properly. Their corn ribs were delicious. The espresso Horchata martini was amazing Bronzino perfect entrée and the staff was friendly and kind. Thank you so much. I ordered the Bartender special where he picks the drinks just asking what our preferences and he spot on hit it on the nose, beautiful location for any party getting together date night it's wonderfully decorated and what's not to love with Frida on the walls. Cannot say enough about this beautifully presented Mexican cuisine thank you. The night was wonderful. The company made it better but the food surely took it to a new level. read more

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I came here for a friends birthday recently. The atmosphere was really cool and modern we were seated promptly. The server came over and she served us at a very nice pace. If you're in a rush, this is not the restaurant for you. It's more about enjoying the ambience and the experience we ordered a few appetizers. The fresh guacamole was really good. I ordered the steak tacos. I thought they were really good for the real authentic taco vibe. I think I lean more towards American taco vibe so I don't know if I would order it again very great experience. I would recommend for a really nice little date night or friend date. read more

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I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. The atmosphere is upscale and classy and yet it also has a very casual, friendly, active vibe. The food is exceptional. This is not your rice and beans, Taco Bell. For those looking for a Mexican restaurant that everyone believes fast food really is, this is not the place. The meals are beautifully prepared and expertly cooked. You will want to take pictures of the as they are picture. Perfect. The restaurant blends spices and Latin influences into an exceptional dining experience. This is highly recommended, the service is great. The staff is wonderful and the drinks are awesome. read more

The storefront is very unassuming in the sense that you can tell something is there but can't tell exactly what it is. The parking situation is near non-existent so make sure you are ready to walk up or down if street parking is unavailable. The outdoor patio and the interior design is well thought out and gives off an unapologetic colonized mexican vibe. We were in the process of making a reservation using the restaurant's preferred method (lamayarestaurant.com) according to google; when we noticed that most of the time slots for a party of 3 were available on a Friday night so we figured the restaurant wouldn't be that busy and made our way there to find out we were wrong. We were told a table would become available in about 2hrs so we asked if bar seating was available and the lady at reception kindly led us to the general area where we should be seated. Upon taking our seats, the bartender gentleman at the counter begrudgingly told me to move down a seat as some of the bar seating seemed to be reserved (never have I encountered reserved bar seating before or attitude like that from an upscale restaurant) and my parents had to awkwardly get up after we were settling in and move down a seat which is hard to do as the seats were high-seats. Anyways, the most competent bartender lady introduced herself as our waitress with such a bright amicable gusto and handed us the drink and food menus and gave us ample time to decide. We opted for 3 cocktails and were mostly pleased with the quality and preparation of drinks. The matcha and lychee cocktails were a welcome surprise and are probably targeted more for the asian audience. The lychee fell a bit short as the ingredients did not mesh very well. The matcha cocktail was well balanced. As for my mezcal cocktail i knew what i was getting into and i got it (our waitress knew how to make a strong drink which suited my taste). The corn ribs were excellent and no do not take a bite of the whole thing thinking it will be soft like i did. It's very much similar to that of corn on the cob and should be treated as such. Very glad they used queso fresco and the chipotle mayo was very rich and helped the other ingredients stick to the surface. The chicken enfrijolada took saucy to the next level and immediately the bean purée, habenero crema and wild mushrooms stole the spotlight. Overall the umami factor was on the milder side and lacked true depth. The shredded chicken made the enchiladas an overly mushy dish with lackluster texture. The aguachile verde was fresh and the ingredients had good synergy but could have been great with some more sea salt and maybe one more tortilla circle chip because there were only 3 and there were 3 of us. The pork carnitas was near perfect with how well the beans turned out. I would give the pork itself a 7/10 as some bits were dry and chewy giving the diner some inconsistency and the same could be said about the lamb. The tortillas were nice and soft without falling apart; nailed it. I did not like the red salsa at all because i'm pretty sure it was mostly pizza sauce because i kid you not they have the same sauce at una mas locations here in the west coast. Some mexican rice would have completed the dish. The lamb... the sauce was way too overpowering that it was difficult to taste the pickled onions and garnish. I actually think the lamb birria was supposed to come with its own house-made tortillas but maybe due to limited space or something that was forgotten. The cuisine is not entirely authentic and can be confirmed by the majority demographic dining here. I think maybe due to this, a lot of the more authentic mexican spices are held back to accommodate. I see the progressive determination CJ has in mind for La Maya but for me as it is today sadly missed the mark. read more

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Came here for a weeknight dinner with a friend. The perfect girl dinner! We started with guac which was excellent. All the drinks are phenomenal. I recommend doing the "Bartender's Choice" where the bartender makes an original creation for you. I ordered 2 shareable plates and a side for dinner, and in hindsight I should have just picked one shareable. The portions are more gracious than I expected from such an upscale spot. The vibe is phenomenal. The giant Frida mural is mesmerizing and the whole place smells like palo santo. Extra bonus points for such a luxurious bathroom with real cloth hand drying towels! I will be back soon. read more

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We frequent La Kang up the street, but we'll absolutely be adding La Maya into our rotation. If you're looking for great Mexican food in a stylish setting, this is the spot. Perfect for a date night or a night out with friends. The interior is beautifully decorated, the cocktails are top-notch, and the food is absolutely delicious. We loved everything we ordered, but do yourself a favor and get the Aguachile - it might have been my favorite dish. Can't wait to go back! read more

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The food was excellent, service very friendly and knowledgeable. Atmosphere authentic, relaxed and charming. read more

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Excellent meal and service at La Maya! We shared several appetizers for our meal, ending with a superb coconut flan! Our server made sure we were doing well and the manager checked each table to be sure that we were satisfied. Ne sure to get a reservation for the weekends, it gets crowded but in a good way. We shall return! read more

La Maya is unlike any other mexican restaurant in the valley, the food and drinks are amazing. Not to mention the atmosphere is also fantastic. What CJ did with the place was great and what Jean is doing with the cocktails can only be mirrored by Presleys (also theirs) This has become a go to for my friends and I whenever possible. Servers are always friendly and attentive and the decor goes crazy. Get the corn ribs for sure. Not to mention the Aguachile read more

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Excellent all the way around ! Food was fantastic- service was friendly and attentive. The feel of the place only added to the evening. I will be returning. read more

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Very cute Mexican Restaurant right in the heart of Hellertown. It is not well marked. I happen to notice the outside dining area and walked over. Very glad I did. I had the Pollo Encahuatado. It was very different from anything I've ever had. The chicken was a little dry but the flavor of the dish made up for it. They have a full bar. I had the bartenders choice. It was very good. I definitely recommend this restaurant! read more

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Great cocktails, amazing service and delicious meals. The margaritas were excellent, made with tequila produced and bottled for the restaurant. Our server Lila was most attentive, offered great suggestions and provided us with samples to taste. The combination of flavors was outstanding with the branzino and sea scallop ceviche among my favorites. If you are looking for an elevated Mexican dining experience check out La Maya. read more

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My daughter took me here for Mother's Day. Service was great waitress was really nice. Food was great and the margarita was really good.

The ambiance was on point! Very hipster, felt like I was in NYC. However, my dish the garlic shrimp fideo was a a bit too spicy though I was having Indian food. I think the spice should be toned down a bit but other than that everything else including my margarita was great! read more

Stopped in for happy hour tacos. Very tasty. Parking is a challenge, but friendly staff and satisfying food make it worth the trip

Food was very good. Limited menu but the dishes we had were excellent. Enchiladas and the nachos were great. Some chips and salsa would have been nice but are not offered that we saw. It was very loud and hard to talk but that might just have been that night. We'd still return. Service was a bit slow but we were not in a rush. read more

La Maya - Chicken nachos - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Hellertown, Pennsylvania

First off I'd like to say I've seen both good and bad reviews of La Maya. That being said, I prefer to create my own opinion of the establishment as I have tried many times to work in a restaurant and those that do, well succeed where I lack at such skills. I was greeted right away upon entering during a torrential downpour Sunday afternoon. The host seemed to be a bit unsure as to where to seat me, but after spending some time there I realized that it was most likely because I didn't have a reservation as people started funneling in about 30 minutes after I arrived and were seated quickly. The ambiance was cozy and welcoming with natural wood soothing your eyes as you comfortably waited for your selection. For a drink, the "Dragon with Matches" caught my attention which consisted of; Bourbon, lemon, ginger, muddled mint, $15. It came in a standard Whiskey Rock Glass with flaming sugar cube. The drink was full of flavour, not too much ice (perfect) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Think I'll try to make it at home. Dinner. I went with the Enchiladas, Suiza. A hot skillet filled to the brim with; Garlic and arbol chile marinated chicken thighs, creamy tomatillo salsa, melted queso chihauhau, onions and cilantro, $19. Initially, as your typical American I was a bit surprised at the portion provided and the size of the skillet comparable to the price, however, upon finishing my meal and I mean every last bit of it (sauce included) I felt comfortably full and extremely satisfied. Each of the three Enchiladas were packed with chicken that was tender, flavorful and simply delicious. It was again another menu item with copious amounts of flavor, quality ingredients, and a satisfying zest of spicy goodness. My waiter checked with me a couple of times to ensure that my satisfaction with my meal was good as well as what I thought of the spicy flavor of the meal, and I appreciated his attentiveness. Speaking of the wait staff, my waiter was very knowledgeable in explaining my selection, he seemed to have a genuine zeal for the menu and the savoury selections . I overheard the waitress at the next table explaining that all of their alcoholic beverages have been sourced here in PA and she walked her guests through the entire selection. In conclusion, the big question, will I return. YES. I feel that any negative reviews La Maya has gotten where possibly unwarranted but again keeping in mind that this establishment just opened, and any new operation takes a little time to get up to speed. I feel that their prices are a little higher than expected, however when I left I felt extremely satisfied that I quelched my hunger, so the balance was obtained. read more

La Maya - Dragon with Matches drink and Enchiladas Suiza. - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Hellertown, Pennsylvania

Been there twice, once during soft opening. More upscale, intriguing dishes, professional servers, neat ambiance. Have tried both guacamole appetizers, grilled oysters, filleted Bronzino, Lamb Birria and Garlic Shrimp Fadeo. All excellent. Locally sourced spirits so drinks are very reasonable. First rate dirty martini:). Lila was our server both times and she was very attentive and helpful. Expect they will expand the menu with some time under their belt. Hellertown has some very good restaurant choices and LaMaya turns it up a notch. read more

The ambiance from the music to the portraits on the wall to the Freida table were intriguing and gave our table of three much to chat about. The wait staff was incredible! So attentive and thoughtful -- they even acknowledged our anniversary with a celebratory dessert -- sweet! And then there's the food and drinks -- all divine. It was more than other establishments we enjoy but the price was certainly worth a special occasion -- definitely!!! The oyster appetizer was epic - the best! The lamb and shrimp main courses our table got were delicious. The libations were lovely! All in all a fabulous night and anniversary dinner! read more

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The service was great The food was even better There were 3 of us Started with the oyster to die for Shrimp with pasta had flavor that didn't expect and had never had Mexican pasta And I had the ribs, I've never had such a sweet yet spicy sauce. If you could give six stars on a five star rating I would read more

This is a great new small restaurant in Hellertown. Good ambiance, good food. Two things I would absolutely change: 1) the tiny (yummy) glass of the house margarita is jam packed full of ice; a pitcher is also totally filled with ice so you barely get four glasses out of it....lighten up on the ice. 2) a table order of the great guacamole arrives with three large round discs of corn tortilla...you have to smash those up so that the 3-5 people at your table can have pieces to dip in the shared dish...just send a basket of tortilla chips instead please. This place is a winner but those are two turn-offs. Fix those and I'd give 5 stars. read more

Fancy Mexican food done right! This place has fun ambiance and cute decor. The food was delicious- we ordered corn ribs, chorizo fundido, short ribs, and shrimp fideo. Everything was a flavor explosion- especially the shrimp dish. Soooo good. Our bill for a soda, 2 entrees, a side, and appetizer, and a kids dish of cheese tacos was $114 with tax read more

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Excellent upscale Mexican Cuisine! Fabulous ambiance and attentive service. Cocktails were exquisite and cuisine features deliciously balanced flavors. read more

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My branzino was tasty. My friend ordered the flank steak fajitas. The meat was sliced too thick for flank steak so she had to eat it with a knife and fork. She ordered it anyway after the woman dining next to us said exactly that, LOL. House Margarita was good. I ordered this after my "specialty cocktail" had very little flavor including alcoholic flavor(avoid La Moda Mexicana). Service was good. Ambiance: It is a small restaurant so make reservations and expect to feel like the people at the table next to you are your dining companions if you are by the bar area. Bar was filled with diners as well. read more

Absolutely Incredible!!! Elevated Mexican! The corn ribs are a MUST TRY!! Go in with an open mind and don't make substitutions... everything is amazing as is. read more

Food was good, service was excellent, pricing is expensive. Cute restaurant, on the loud side, was cool ambiences

The food and ambiance were amazing all in all. The mushroom enchiladas were our favorite and of course the lamb birria! I would say that the oysters are okay maybe wouldn't order that again. Our server was also great the service was commendable! read more

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The good: -kind and attentive servers -beautiful decor and interior -food was tasty - good heat Things improve: -Timing between courses: we weren't finished with our appetizers before our mains came out. It felt rushed. -Put the sopa lima in a soup bowl. The width of the salad bowl, and little amount of broth, made eating the soup difficult. It cooled off quickly. It's a pricey place. I'll give it another try after a few more months of letting them get settled in. read more

Food was authentic yet modern and absolutely delicious. Ambiance was a feast for the eyes. Will def be back.

Great food, drinks and service! Highly recommended!! True Mexican food. Margaritas are made from scratch...

I hate leaving a negative review for this place because I really wanted it to be good. The food just really lacked flavor.. the queso fondido came with four soft small tortillas That Just doesn't work. It should've been served with a bowl of tortilla chips. We went through the four tortillas and we still had 3/4 of the appetizer left. The tortilla soup lacked lime flavor at all, which is in the description. Probably the worst tortilla soup I've ever had. My toasted shrimp pasta dish also lacked flavor.. i'll give it one more try. read more

Everything from start to finish was top notch. Amazing food, drinks and service! Such a cool spot. Can't wait to go back!

We went to this beautiful restaurant last night and had such a lovely experience! The decor is beautiful and the feel is very urban .The staff is excellent! They are well informed..efficient and very pleasant! The food is amazing! We had delicious cocktails(the margaritas are great!) The guacamole was incredible! The homemade tostadas that came with it were soo good! I had a lamb shank barria which was done perfectly w such a delicious well balanced sauce! The entrees are excellent and the tres leche cake was the best I've ever had! Can't wait to return to this lovely place! read more