LUNA MAYA · YELP ASSISTANT
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Came here with a large group and had a mixed experience. The famous tamales truly live up to the hype, absolutely delicious and unlike anything else. I also ordered the Margatini Passion, which was refreshing and well made. The guac and chips were decent but a little too much salt on the chips. That said, service was where things fell short. We arrived right when the restaurant opened, yet it still took quite a while before our drink orders were even taken. Overall, everything moved very slowly. When the food finally came out, one person in our group didn't receive their dinner until the rest of us were already halfway through eating, which was pretty frustrating. The food was great, but the service timing made the experience less enjoyable, especially for a larger party.
We ordered take out for lunch. The restaurant is nice inside, but a little loud. We got the shrimp quesadilla, rice and beans, a burrito, and brisket tamales. What I will say is, this didn't feel like authentic Mexican food in any way. The chip were ok. The salsa reminded me of thick marinara sauce. The texture and the taste just didn't do it for me!! The shrimp quesadilla was good with the queso. That was the best thing I had!! It wasn't much filling inside, but what was there was tasty. The tamales were decent, but it did throw me off because there was a hint of cinnamon which I absolutely didn't expect. I thought they were ok, but probably wouldn't order them again. The burrito was ok also. It's not wrapped like a normal burrito, so that was a little different. It's like if the food was seasoned it could have been much better, but some of it was bland and just missed the bar. All in all it was ok!!
I had the Shrimp tacos, they serving size is huge and could be good for sharing. The way they serve is very unique, you make it your own. Our server was great and very friendly. The place is not a typical Mexican restaurant it is more of a different vibe.
It's been a hot minute since I have dined here, but we popped in on a lovely Saturday evening and they happened to not be slammed so we were seated immediately for a table for two. I had the Enchiladas de Queso while my husband had the Luna Maya salad with flank steak. He said the meat was marinated nicely but the salad itself was pretty benign. My enchiladas were flavorful. I opted to have the red sauce on one and the green sauce on the other; so just know that is an option per our server's suggestion. The ambiance was nice. I feel it can tend to get loud in there but so many guests were dining outside that it wasn't too loud inside. Still a favorite place for a nice vibe, consistent food, and good service.
Was immediately seated. Seats are modern and clean. I got corner seat, good view to the bar and other seating. Very loud. Server was friendly, she had several recommendations: I ordered the steak chimichurri, served with dipping sauce, no sides of even micro greens. Am giving 3 stars for the food. The dipping sauce was super salty! Almost inedible .
This is a really nice place to have an intimate date or dinner out with your partner. Great menu items for sharing too. My only qualm is that it gets ridiculously loud. The echo is crazy. Unluckily I also had a really loud table behind me and that was a mood killer. I still recommend it but you'll prob get a better spot if you reserve ahead. We just walked in. It's a really big space and a bit dark in the evening.
So about Luna Maya... This place gets 3 stars because the staff are all so nice and attentive to everything going on. The decor is beautiful, a little artsy/industrial vibe. It's pretty dim inside which sets the mood for an intimate dinner. There is also outside seating. The experience was well worth it. About the food, respectfully it wasn't bad. But was it better than going to your average Mexican restaurant and spending half the price? I honestly couldn't say it was. The carnitas had such a "different " taste to them than I'm used to. The meat wasn't shredded, all though tender it was still somewhat dry at the same time. I believe that is because they use a more lean cut of pork, but if you're getting authentic carnitas it's going to be fatty. It's not meant to be a healthy option lol. I tasted the carne asada, nothing really special in my opinion. One size margaritas that were way too sour. The chips and salsa are not complementary and the chips tasted like they came out of a bag. Maybe I was expecting more because of all I've heard about this place and I traveled from across the water. I hate to leave a review that doesn't shine the best light but people should know what to expect. I did enjoy my time here, with the company I had and the wonderful service. If I do come back maybe I'll try the brisket instead.
Luna Maya was pretty good. I enjoyed my meal, but it's not somewhere I'd go again. The tamales...hard pass. It said sweet & savory, but it was all sweet. The meat had a strong cinnamon taste, & it was sitting on a bed of sweet mashed corn (maybe a sort of cornbread situation?) I'm not entirely sure what it was, but it wasn't a tamale. The guac was delicious. I wish we'd gotten the guac for a crowd. Our server said the single portion would be enough for 4 people, but we all wanted more after we finished it. The enchiladas de queso were good as well, but I've had better. The flan was the highlight of the night. It was rich & creamy. I loved it. The tres leche just seemed like a vanilla Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes that sat in a pool of condensed milk. Overall, it was fine, but it was expensive for what you got. I'm glad I tried it, but once was enough for me.
Norfolk staple restaurant I recommend to all in and out of towners. Best skinny mojito and Bolivian inspired Tamales around; other faves are the chips/guac, chorizo queso, chimichurri steak app, and mushroom poblano quesadilla. Indoor and outdoor seating, open for dinner only, staple margarita/mojito menu and rotating beer taps (happy hour on select weeknights at the bar). On street parking, typical Ghent.
6 years ago
Just visited this evening after work and let me tell you, I WILL BE BACK! The food is super yummy (check out the pictures if you don't believe me) and the drinks are potent and help you relax after a long work week. I had the skinny mango mojito and it had a nice kick. The only cons are it's a little pricey--I went at 4:30 on a Friday. It would be nice to have a happy hour. Also, the service was just okay. We goofed and didn't realize the place didn't open until 4:30. We got there at 4:28 to try to open the door and it was locked. We waited outside and tried the door at 4:31 and like magic it was open. The ladies saw us by the door. It would have been nice if they let us know they unlocked it versus us standing outside in the chilly weather. Even with the okay service, I'll go back because the queso, jalapeno cornbread and lime chicken are worth it! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Food and drinks are phenomenal. Definitely recommend. Added the queso to the burrito and it was the right choice! Service and the setting was awesome for a quick date night. read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
5 years ago
I picked this place for a family graduation celebration. The staff was so super accommodating and placed us in the party room. We were able to bring our own decorations and they even refrigerated the dessert I brought. The tamales were delicious and the decor was delightful. read more
Very modern, industrial and hip atmosphere. Dim and ambient lighting with lots of candles. Street parking. Service is good, nothing spectacular. We started our dinner with cilantro lime chicken quesadillas. The tortilla and cheese itself is tasty, but the chicken was overcooked and tough. I ordered the chicken chorizo chipotle enchiladas. Typical enchiladas flavor. The chicken chorizo is an interesting twist. The chipotle sauce was good. The black beans were very yummy. Sadly the rice was bland and a little dried out, probably from being blasted under the broiler when melting the cheese on the enchiladas. This dish definitely needed some sort of acidic component to round out the richness. Hubby ordered the pique a la macho with medium cooked steak and shrimp. This dish was full of flavor! The spicy potatoes were amazing. The smothered habanero onions were legit. Shrimp was coated in this unique and tasty red sauce. The steak has great flavor but overcooked and chewy. The slaw rounded out the meal nicely, just what the dish needed, some brightness. This dish will set you back a hefty $27 bucks though. Yikes! Overall, both dishes were good with interesting spices/seasonings and a nice amount of heat. I would probably come back for happy hour or lunch. I can't quite distinguish the difference between Mexican and Bolivian flavors but I'm assuming it's the missing element of cumin. read more
3 years ago
Excellent Mexican restaurant in a fun part of Norfolk. I was here with a group of friends, and we had an amazing meal. We started with drinks, and the house cocktails are very tasty. I had the Luna Passion and one of the people in my party tried the Pisco Sour. We were very happy with our drinks. For dinner, I had the house special, Tamales Luna Maya, and they were delicious. The brisket with the sweet corn was a perfect combination of flavors. It was a very generous portion. Our server, Daniel, was very helpful with recommendations on the menu. It's a fun atmosphere--very festive. I definitely recommend going here read more
6 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
I met some friends here for dinner on a Friday evening. I must admit I passed right by the restaurant because the windows were completely blacked out. It was also located right next to the outdoor patio of the adjoining restaurant so it was easily overlooked. Anyway, they sat me down immediately even though the place was very busy. Right away I fell in love with the lighting and decor. The restaurant was very spacious. The lighting was dim enough to give off an intimate ambience yet light enough to be able to see the menu and other decor. All the employees were dressed up (Halloween was a week away). Our server was super friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu and their food. I ended up ordering a Luna Passion cocktail which was super delicious. It was a mix of Svedka clementine, passion fruit, and grenadine. Everything looked so good on the menu. I opted for their Luna Maya Salad. This was a salad like no other...a huge pile of house made slaw accompanied with tomatoes, spicy cilantro lime shrimp and deliciously seasoned sliced avocado. This was a meal that was both beautiful and delicious. I loved it! My friends ordered a burrito of sort and they really loved it (this wasn't their first time coming)! I was very impressed with their decor and lighting. I very much enjoyed their food and drinks. We didn't have to wait at all for a booth. I can't wait to bring the family here! YOU MUST COME NOW! read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
This place is pretty decent. They make great guacamole & chips. Real chunks of avocado and home made salsa. We ordered it twice. It was delicious. Their brisket is a bit salty,definitely order the side of veggies; mushrooms, peppers & onions with that. Order it in a bowl if you want to get more meat. They do offer vegetarian & vegan selections but they don't have vegan dairy options. I wish they offered vegan cheese & sour cream- this would've made the dishes more flavorful and authentic. read more
4 years ago
I've lived 5 blocks from the best Latin American contemporary restaurant and didn't even know it. Walking in you're surprised to reveal a very ambient and social eating area. Low music playing in the background send that chill mood through out the restaurant. We had the steak chimichurri, the sauce was very flavorful and the clarear was cooked to perfection. The guacamole wasn't very colorful, we ordered the spicy guac, it didn't have the regular tomato onions and lime juice. It also wasn't spicy (?) It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't order it next time. Our main courses were the vegan enchiladas I got one green and one red. The flavors were delicious, the rice and beans were seasoned on point. The Pique a la macho (spicy) version was filling, the heat was there but not miserably. The coleslaw deff balanced the spicy, so over all the main courses were a 9/10. They cook dishes from all over South America. read more
4 years ago
Delicious food and sensual atmosphere! It's a great place for a meal with friends, family, or a date. I came here with coworkers for a weeknight dinner and the service was just right. We had drinks, appetizers, and dinner in 1.5 hrs. I got the Tamales Luna Maya which is apparently a house specialty. The corn was sweet and delicious, and the brisket was super tender. It was a perfect combination of flavors in your mouth. The sides were simple rice and black beans, which weren't anything to brag about, but I wasn't there for rice and beans anyway. We also had guac and queso appetizers, which helped add flare to my rice and beans. Some of my coworkers got brisket burritos which looked pretty tasty (and massive) so I plan on trying that next time. One thing about this restaurant is that it is a bit hard to find. It's on the corner of Colley and 21st St in Ghent, and it sits adjacent to an Anytime Fitness center. But the front entrance looked like a back door, and without visible signs in the dusk, I walked past it twice before realizing it. They could probably put some sign out front especially on rainy days when there is nothing on the patio and things are a little harder to see. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
My husband went to Luna Maya for our anniversary, and sat outside on the patio. The seating was ok, very close to others, but it was nice to be outside. The guacamole appetizer was eh. I was disappointed that the guac didnt even taste salted or seasoned in the slightest. The carnitas burrito was delicious! It was HUGE, and they were gracious enough to split it. I enjoyed the sauce they topped it with immensely, and the picture I included is only HALF of the burrito. The meat was falling apart and incredibly moist. I would give Luna Maya another try, perhaps during happy hour on the patio again. read more
5 years ago
I used to live in Hampton Roads and would visit this place all the time! The ambiance was cool and lively for a Wednesday night. Our table of 6 was sat rather quickly. Our server wasn't the most attentive and left all of our dishes on the table. We had to stack them up ourselves to make room. The salsa was good, the spicy guacamole was delicious. A bit pricey for a small potion. We order three to cover the table. The regular house margarita with the chipotle salt rim was very tasty. A tad strong at first but once I stirred it up it was good. I ordered the lime chicken enchiladas. Huge let down. The chicken was tough and extremely dry. There was no chipotle red sauce inside or on top if it. A decent amount of of cheese with it. The rice was ok and so were the beans. It was a good potion but the enchiladas were a huge miss. It took about 5 mins for our server to come back by after our food was served. I asked the server for a side of sauce and was trying to kind of explain why. And she shouted back at me I can't hear you, what is it that you want? I was just trying to be discrete and provide some feedback. read more
5 years ago
Nice little establishment. Started with two mixed drinks (can't quite remember what they were called but one was mango). Tried the guac and that was flavorful and good- wasn't too spicy. We also got two dipping sauces to go with the salsa and guac and the habanero one was super spicy. The chipotle one was tasty. Chorizo burrito was huge and we ended up sharing it. Portions here are huge! Definitely a good place to check out when in Ghent! read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Hands down my favorite Mexican place in Norfolk! I've pretty much been through the entire menu with the many times I've been here and have loved almost everything I've tried. The burritos are huge, they have a great vegetarian friendly menu, and the flavors are impeccable. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
7 years ago
Overpriced for the "nothing to talk about" meal! I just spent $33.75 (without tip) for a little glass of sangria, rice and beans were bland, chips were cold, and a small amount of beans and guacamole. Most enjoyable part of the meal was listening to the awkward first date going on next to me (because seating is relatively close). Parking is limited. read more
Celebrated my cousin's bday dinner here on a Friday night and it was my first time. If I had to give a theme for this restaurant, I would say "industrialized romance". From floating bulb lighting to candle lit tables, from the masonry brick walls to the beautiful hanging mirror, and from the open ceiling vents to the fancy black ceiling tiles. Had reservations but wasnt able to sit everyone together, so the restaurant accommodated us with free Guacamole and Queso with chips for both sides of the table . Finally ordered their beef brisket burrito and topped it off with their homemade queso sauce. It was pretty good! Our waitress was attentive and delivered great service. I'm going to come back again and try out more entrees selections. read more
5 years ago
13 years ago
My second time here and it's still great as my first!! It gets pretty busy so be prepared to wait for about 30 minutes or so depending how big your party is. The wait isn't bad though considering the amazing food you are about to consume. While you wait you could always hang out by the bar area and grab a few drinks. The drinks are strong and awesome! I think I had two drinks while waiting and I enjoyed both of them. It is strong by the way so be careful in how much you drink. I ordered the Pique a Lo Macho for my meal. Beware! It is spicy for those that are sensitive to spicy foods. No worries though! They have a mild version of it as well to satisfy your taste buds. The steak was cooked to perfection!! It was cooked to my liking, and it was tender and juicy! Save room for dessert because you have to try the flan!! I'm picky with my flan and I love their version of it!!! It has the perfect consistency and it has a vanilla taste to it. It just melts in your mouth and I would honestly just come back to eat it. I would definitely come back and try their tomales next time or maybe something different. I could see myself coming back here again in the next few weeks again. read more
I am not a fan of Latin American / mexican cuisine, but I am a HUGE fan of Luna Maya! I came here with a group of 6 on a fri night, so naturally there was a wait. Surprisingly we only waited 30 mins, even though the hostess told us it would be around 45 minutes, which was nice! While waiting there is an awesome bar, in which their specialty drinks are really good, and really strong. I ordered the Pique a Lo macho, which was totally AMAZING! I would come back again, and again just to order this dish! One of the things I love about this dish is how they have a mild version of it! I am not a fan of spicy dishes, and was thrilled that they do have a mild version. Everything about it was delicious! I ordered the steak and it was cooked exactly the way I wanted it (medium rare). The potatoes, slaw, and sauce were all on point. No complaint about this dish, what-so-ever. If you're not a fan of spicy food, then this version is the meal for you! My boyfriend ordered the tamales, which was delicious! Another thing that was amazing, is the flan! Make sure you save room for it, you will not be disappointed! I don't think you can go wrong with anything here, and I can't wait to come back! :) read more
Love love love Luna Maya! After a return trip from Honduras, I never thought I would find a guacamole I would enjoy so much stateside. Forget about me sharing, I will eat a whole group serving all for myself because it is that good. Now I've tried a few things on the menu... my favorite is now what I tried last night: the tamales. I wasn't so hungry for the dinner entree, so I ordered the appetizer portion. It is the best like everyone else says. Why? It's got that combination of sweetness from the corn mix and the savory from the beef with a nice topping of sour cream. The happy hour is the best around here because my all time faves - margaritas and guacamole are even cheaper. The place itself is one of a kind. It's got a very open feeling, but the place still has distinct separation between the bar and dine in areas. I also like that extra room they have that they use for either private parties or to open up to larger groups. There's even a nice looking outdoor space for nicer weather that I have yet to enjoy. What's not to love about this place when there is great food and service at a great location. read more
14 years ago
This place is amazing on food and mediocre on service. I've eaten at Luna Maya a few times and each time it's a hit or miss with the quality of service. The food however, is phenomenal! It's also almost always packed inside and outside; however, they did manage to get us a table within 5-10mins upon arrival each time. If you do have to wait longer, they do have a pretty good bar. Apparently, Luna Maya is Bolivian, and since I have no idea what that culture is like or their food, I always assumed this place was just a fancy Mexican spot. So I stand corrected. Their food is amazingly geared to the vegan/vegetarians of the world. THANK YOU :) I love love love their Campesino with the cilantro-lime potatoes! Seriously, try it! I'm salivating just thinking about it. Their guacamole and chips for starters is also one of my favorite. Fair warning though, even if you think you can handle spices, make sure you try their mild because they can be really SPICY. Not that Thai spicy, but definitely a burn in your mouth after you take a spoonful of food. This is coming from someone that thinks wasabi is nothing and that hot sauce should be mandatory on all meals. As far as drinks goes, they do have a nice assortment. They can always make almost anything you want with a full bar. Their mojitos are awesome. Try the Mango Mojito. Come hungry, but rest assured that your tummy will be leaving uber happy! read more
13 years ago
My co-workers raaaave about this place back when our old office was within walking distance (unfortunately, before my time.) apparently they used to shut the place down, especially on trivia night. Well after all the stories about the drinks, the food, and the service I was so bummed that it took me years to check this place out. I passed by it ALL THE TIME when I was in college! My friends call it "grown and sexy." I guess I can agree. It was a hip experience and the decor met that standard like a glove. Everyone that worked there had an edge to them, too. Our server looked like robin thicke! The most memorable thing about this place was the drink menu. When I find a place that serves caipirinhas, I always order it. WOW! Their caipirinha took me back to my vacays in Costa Rica and the bahamas. I thought my co-workers and I weren't 'taste buds' but this place is a game changer. Moving on from the drinks...the food was good, too! My bf ordered enchiladas "to share" and what surprised us was that when our food came out everything was evenly split on two plates. Another win. No complaints about our entrees, either. Our friends ordered flan for dessert. Did I mention I never save room dessert? I guess it's clear I was searching for a flaw in my experience. This place deserves the 5 stars. Coming back soon! Anyone visiting I would totally recommend this place. read more
10 years ago
More info about Luna Maya
2010 Colley Ave
Norfolk, VA 23517
Directions
(757) 622-6986
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Visit Website
http://lunamayarestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Luna Maya
Are dogs allowed on the patio(outdoor seating)?
No - just called asking to bring my own dog and they said they don't allow dogs on the patio.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
31 reviews that are not currently recommended
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