I ate at Acamaya last night and given it was a Friday night it was pretty crowded and as the evening wore on it got very noisy. Like difficult to hear the convo amongst my tablemates noisy. Our server was great (unfortunately I cannot remember his name) and very knowledgeable of the menu. We had a party of four and ordered 11 dishes and 2 desserts. I really enjoyed the ceviche, crab sobe, shrimp costra, chochoyotes and hamachi tostada. They were all small plates that the 4 of us shared and enjoyed. Reviews were mixed on the larger plates. We had the "veracruz" style flounder which everyone in the party found overly salted and actually sent back. I was disappointed because that was the dish I was most looking forward to trying. There was also arroz negro which was a rice with squid ink and mussels. I did not care it but others in the party enjoyed it. I found the flavors lacking in the rice after trying so many other flavorful dishes. We completed the meal with the vanilla soft serve with chicory caramel and the masa tres leches for dessert. I really enjoyed the vanilla soft serve, the caramel was sweet, salty and perfect topping for the ice cream. I didn't care for the tres leches but I dont typically enjoy tres leches cake however my friend who loves tres leches thought it was great so definitely give it a try if that's your thing. All in all I enjoyed 8-9 of the 11 dishes we ordered so I'd say that's a win. I do find it to be quite pricey for the quantity of food received, so while I would return it would not first on my list. read more

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Being a Hispanic woman I was expecting a completely different type of taste from this restaurant. I read an article about this place and how it had been in the same sentence as " Michelin star" I was humbled as soon as I ate my dinner. I ordered almost everything on the menu and the portions are very small. The best thing on the menu is THE DAMN SWEET POTATO !!!!!!. The drinks are honestly what I what I would visit for. Love the architecture and vibe. The service is great! Very attentive and she thoroughly explained the menu and each course. Definitely feel like it's over priced considering how small the portions are. I would overall give this place a 4/10. Please try the sweet potato and the drinks! Also the desert was okay! read more

Overall an amazing place based on the food and service experience. Showed up with a reservation for the next day and they were still happy to accommodate us. The cocktails were great, and the food absolutely superb - but the service is what made the night for us. read more

It was ok. Nothing spectacular. I love the layout & design but the food was nothing to write home about. The oysters were very good & the eye dropper of hot sauce was grea The Carne Asada needed more seasoning on the meat itself. Definitely not worth the price. read more

Everything was perfect! The welcome, the service, the food!! Staff seems to genuinely enjoy being part of something special!

After having tried another restaurant from Ana Castro, I was excited to check out her new place. We started off with drinks that were expertly crafted and well balanced. All the dishes we sampled had complex flavor profiles and the ingredients complemented each other very well. The staff was very friendly and open to answer questions or provide suggestions. This spot would be perfect for a date with its chill and romantic vibes. read more

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If Ana Castro has a million fans, I'm one of them. If Ana Castro has 5 fans, I'm one of them. If Ana Castro has 1 fan, that one is me. If Ana Castro has no fans, I'm no longer alive. If the world is against Ana Castro I'm against the entire world. Till my last breath, I'l support Ana Castro. Chef of former Lengua Madre does it again! Every dish we ordered was so perfectly curated and beautiful. The servers went above and beyond for us! As expected, the space had great vibes. This might be a contender for my new favorite restaurant. We had 5 people at our table and we ordered about 8 dishes to share along with dessert and it was a perfect amount of food. If you're looking for Mexican food that isn't just tacos and fajitas, you're in for a treat. read more

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The food is delectable. Simple yet elegant in the best way. Unique flavor combinations that make sense and are absolutely mouthwatering with bright, fresh ingredients. My favorite is the tuna tostada - I could have a whole meal of just tuna tostadas. I also love the crab sope and the shrimp costra. The ceviche is also amazing - when we went this past week it was flavored with passion fruit. The sweet potato is wonderful. The larger plates are delicious too, but my favorites are the small plates. read more

GREAT amaibance - minimulist and clean. Drinks left a lot to be desired unfortunately. Olivia our server was great. My favorite dish by far, and one I would go back for again and again were the oysters. The salsa verde dressing made it an exceptional dish. I also enjoyed the crab sopa. read more

Food was okay. Service was bad too. None of the staff were professional. Would never return here or recommend this place to anyone.

Food was good but unremarkable. A very pretty interior. Service was poor, slow, unresponsive and lacking any personality. Very disappointing after hearing good things in the past. No need to return. read more

Never had a more delectable meal....fantastic flavors and fresh, bright food. Will come back for sure!!

I have heard all kinds of great compliments about this restaurant . I went to the restaurant last night, 11-2-2024 with 3 friends. The hostess was really nice. On the other hand our server was not so friendly. He did not welcome us, introduce himself or even ask how we were doing ... no greeting. He just came up To the table and asked if we would Like anything else to drink besides water . We all had several cocktails and 2 of our group had wine with their entrees. All 4 of us had an appetizer and an entree. Flavors for all our our dishes were awesome! My only complaint is of the portions sizes as Compated to the prices . Way to small Portions and way to big prices !! This place must have a very low food cost !! The food was good but not filling. I am a chef and love to try new places . I would return to Acamaya when I am not really hungry. read more

Had a really great experience and amazing meal here. The drinks were amazing, the tuna tostada was so good!

What a wonderful evening and exceptional dinner! From the cocktails to the dessert, everything was delicious! Olivia's hospitality was fantastic. She was kind and answered all of our questions. Her recommendations were spot on! What a special evening and we highly recommend it. read more

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We came here as a party of ten and Hallie was very prompt and accommodating. We had a private table. This restaurant is listed as one of the best in the country. I have dined at Michelin and James Beard restaurants around the world and the venue is nice, the food is average, the dessert course was memorable, a delightful, Masa Tres Leches with peach. The service was below average, no explanation of the dishes that were provided. No recommendations on wine pairings. If you do have a large party and have to make the $1400 minimum please ensure you look at the bill carefully before you leave. There was no communication that we had not met the minimum so charged an extra $378 which we probably would have used towards food and beverage. Lots of potential here but left a negative impression overall especially with how expensive this restaurant was without the quality of food, service, and communication. read more

Acamaya - But the bill :(, would have been happy to order more food, I was still hungry after leaving. - Mexican Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I absolutely love Acamaya. If you loved Ana's former restaurant Lengua Madre you won't be disappointed. The food was amazing. The octopus was tender and spiced perfectly. We ordered several plates and were pleased with the flavors of each one. We are going back next week and bringing friends. I have no doubts they love it. read more

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Food is good, staff unfriendly as hell. Southern hospitality does not extend to this part of the Bywater.

Solid 4 star. Great bartenders, great drinks, cool vibe. Food was great, just not outstanding. Generally expensive for what it is.

Interesting new addition to Bywater dining focusing on Mexico City-style seafood. The space is posh but the layout has a small bar that is unavailable to walk-ins, leaving floating central communal tables which I do not love especially as a solo diner. Paladar 511 tried similar before switching them to more banquette tables (for the better). The dishes are novel to New Orleans but you will pay for that, including $25 for half a dozen Louisiana oysters and the $32 Chochoyotes app (dumpling stew with crab). $20 Octopus app was the star dish, but the Carne Asada ($35) was classically good. Cocktails are $15-16. Closing out with the Tres Leches did not disappoint, their version is perfection. Service was attentive and the hostess friendly. read more

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We had eaten at Lengua Madre in the past and our party of 6 was excited to try Acamaya. We tried every item on the menu (except for the caviar and the grouper) and while we enjoyed trying all the dishes (especially the hamachi tostada, shrimp costa, crab sope, crab claws, and octopus), we would not return. Our visit started off with being welcomed and told we were 7 minutes late by the hostess and that a party would be seated at our table by 8pm. We were seated by staff that treated us an inconvenience and rarely checked on our table. When we asked the hostess to please get us our waitress so we could be timely, we were told "I'm sure she will be back soon." We spent $900 for 3 couples to try some interesting food, but I would not return nor recommend this restaurant due to rude, entitled service. read more

Excellent food, beautiful space, and the nicest people! Acamaya is definitely a spot worth visiting.

This was our first visit to Acamaya, and as people who consider themselves well-versed in Mexican cuisine--from home-cooked family meals to street food and high-end spots in both the U.S. and Mexico--we had high expectations. Acamaya didn't disappoint. The decor has a hip, modern vibe, with a cohesive color scheme that sets the tone (no pun intended). It reminded us of the buzzy, contemporary restaurants in Mexico City. Food-wise, we appreciated the familiar flavors of Mexico, thoughtfully elevated without straying too far from beloved traditional fare--our personal preference when trying buzzed-about chefs tackling food from the homeland. We started with the tuna tostada, a beautifully plated dish featuring a thinly sliced, well-prepared piece of tuna on a crisp, 5-inch tostada. 9/10. Next up was the crab sope, which was an absolute standout--delicious and well-balanced. 10/10. The blue corn base was a nice surprise, adding depth to the dish. For our hot dishes, we began with the octopus, served as a single, decently sized piece with two blue corn tortillas. It was cooked to perfection, tender with well-balanced seasoning. 8/10. Next, we had the arroz negro with huitlacoche, mussels, and squid. It was well-prepared, with crispy rice adding great texture. 8/10. The Al Pastor Swizzle cocktail was a highlight--10/10. Creative, balanced, and a must-try. Beyond the food, the staff was great--attentive and welcoming. We'd absolutely return next time we're in town. read more

Maybe I'm biased, but Acamaya is stunning and unique! It's not a traditional Mexican place. And it's not Tex-mex. The service is wonderful but not stuffy. The restaurant is stunning but not uncomfortably formal. And the food is nothing like you could Make yourself at home. The freshest of fresh seafood isn't cheap, so don't expect 4 pounds of shrimp, beans and rice for $12.95. Get a few small plates and a marg at the bar or communal table, or stop by with all of your friends and have some fun. I've done both! read more

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Don't know what all the fuss is about this restaurant. Finally was able to get a reservation, restaurant was beautiful, had 2 servers,one was great,the other one not so much. It's Mexican food, very inexpensive to make, so why does it cost eight dollars for a sweet potato the size of a baby's fist,that probably cost the restaurant no more than fifty cents. I also had a sixteen dollar taco on a burnt flour tortilla. My husband had the carne asada ,he said was good, but for thirty five dollars should have been a better cut of meat, it was flank steak. I have had better food of a food truck. At the end we spent one hundred dollars for a meal that cost on more than fifteen dollars to prepare including labor. I am all for restaurants to turn a profit, but this was a joke. We live in a city full of great restaurants, with excellent food. This is not one of them. I have talked to friends that have eaten there to, they agreed with me but didn't leave a review. I felt I needed to, this restaurants is getting a lot of great reviews, I just don't get it. read more

Food was fair, but definitely not remarkable. Better on the first visit. The evening was ruined by the server who was negligent, unfriendly and she was argumentative (go figure). My guests were not impressed and would not return, sadly neither will I. read more

Strange to be told in a primarily empty restaurant that there is no room for one person to sit. A woman at the hostess stand told me I could sit at the communal table, with a sneezing child, then 15 minutes later proceeded to seat a male at the bar after telling me that the bar was reserved / unavailable. She stated that reservations were coming for the two spots at the bar - in the hour that I was there - they never came. Magically for this male a seat at the end of the bar became available. And no, he was not a reservation- I heard him exclaim that he hadn't made a reservation and was simply was walking in like myself. Interesting Poor customer service - Terrible hostess - great music - average to bland food Food was watery and virtually flavorless. You're better off supporting businesses that don't hire scum. The hostess needs to be fired. read more

Food was phenomenal! We stopped in without a reservation and they accommodated us. Server was friendly and paid attention to us without being intrusive. Drinks were great, but the food is the real star. We had the crab claws in a verde salsa to start. Crab was incredibly fresh and the verde had just a slight smokiness but did not overpower the crab. Husband had the carne asada, high quality cut and preparation. I had the Veracruz fish, which was also excellent. read more

Please be advised that due to the nature and essence of the restaurant, the menu is likely to change to what I had when I went. The food was absolutely incredible, you can taste the love and thought put in each dish. I love to see a chef represent the Mexican culture so well in such delicate dishes. I would have had three more servings of the tres leches cake had I not eaten so many amazing things before it. As someone who grew up with arroz a la tumbada, it is too dry as it was served but it was still magnificent in flavor. The carajillo could have also used a little bit more magic but not a sad ending at all. No gun to the head needed, this place is incredible. The service was very attentive from start to finish. The restaurant's ambience makes you feel so seen and welcomed with their all surrounding windows and elegant minimalistic interior design. This place was already reviewed by the New York Times, what else can I say! Make a reservation and go experience heaven on earth. read more

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Amazing ambiance and service with a great cocktail menu. The dishes are artfully presented and plated. The actual flavors I experienced on the food were lackluster, lacking seasoning and mostly devoid of any excitement. It's kinda surprising. read more

Huge disappointment. Definitely doesn't live up to the hype or the price. I'll never understand how this place has been grouped with the likes of Mosquito Supper Club and Compère Lapin--two exceptional restaurants. It's basic at best, overpriced, with subpar drinks, and completely fails to live up to its press. Service was fine, the place was practically empty apart from a camera crew, and it felt overly pretentious for the quality of food. Not going back. read more

Had a reservation for 18. Separated us instead of putting us in the room together. Walked in and everyone was trying to figure out where to go. Hostess yells just sit down now! Later a drink was knocked over and someone next to me put her napkin over it until it could be cleaned up so no one would slip. Same rude hostess ran over, grabbed up napkin and said Don't do that! 3 of us were staring in the hall waiting on bathrooms and again the same rude lady comes by and says Move, this is where we need to come through. I'm not done.... I got up at one point to walk over to the other table to check on them and had to walk behind hostess stand and she goes over to my table and tells them to tell me not to do that anymore. Like i'm a grown ass woman, you can tell me. The amount of money we spent in there probably made her week but we will never go back, we will also tell anyone not to go back. The food wasn't all that anyway. Do yourself a favor and dine elsewhere. read more

Gave me food poisoning for three days why would they serve completely raw shrimp and why did I eat it. It wasn't a mistake either that's how they serve it. Other than that, the food wasnt good with their weird bowl of lukewarm green crab soup with zero flavor or the 5 muscles placed on black dry chewy rice or the underwhelming cucumber salad with my soda water margarita bleh. The only good thing I had (and we had just about the entire menu) was a crawfish cheese rollup I could've made at my house. I left hungry and then got food poisoning so what's left to say really. The place was truly horrible and if they are going to serve raw shrimp 'Aguachile' then they need to make sure it's properly stored and not rotten. Sorry for the bad review but I couldn't eat for 3 days!! read more

Phenomenal meal at Acamaya a week ago. Inventive, bright and soulful food in a modern yet warm setting. We had the oysters, the gorditas w/ caviar, shrimp costra and the blackened flounder and a delicious mezcal we'd never tasted before. Helpful service. Not cheap but very much worth it. Standout in a city of excellent restaurants. read more

My husband and I stopped by to check the place out. We asked to sit at the bar. They said it would be about 30 mins wait. We couldn't wait that long, so I asked if I could get a drink to go. Hostess said the bar was busy. I asked again: "So I cannot get a drink to go?" The woman standing next to the hosted plain out said "NO!" In 20 yrs living in New Orleans I have never been to a place that would not serve a drink to go. Unbelievable! Ambiance seemed nice. Thats only reason Im giving it two stars. But the very unpleasant service has overpowered the experience read more

we just loved this place! Especially the CHOCHOYOTES ! So interesting and savory! We went for our anniversary dinner and the food was surprisingly delicious and the service prompt and attentive ! we will go back there soon! read more

Food and services were excellent. Despite a scheduling glitch management accommodated us We had a great experience and ordered almost everything on the menu! Delicious cocktails are tasty too read more

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here, and it was absolutely amazing! We made 5 PM reservations on a Sunday and that worked well for us. Plenty of street parking was available and aside from navigating the atrocious streets in New Orleans, it was easy to find. The restaurant itself is styled in a modern/contemporary vibe. Solid wood tables, wire-backed chairs, a few booths, and plenty of windows letting in natural light and the opportunity to people-watch the Bywater's eccletic population. The bathrooms are unisex and are darkly lit with neon lights. Aside from the back of the toilet there was no place to set down my clutch. I also didn't care for the communal sinks outside the bathroom. I felt very exposed as I reapplied my lipstick and subtly adjusted my shapewear as 2 younger girls took selfies in the bright pink neon lighting a few steps behind me. I wish more thought to privacy would have been considered in this area. Service was prompt and attentive but not overbearing. The hostess greeted us with "happy anniversary" and led us to a 2-seater table by one of the big windows looking out to the side street. Another bummer, though, as there was no place to put my clutch, so I had to hold it in my lap the entire meal. I did not catch our server's name but she was professional. Actually, there really is a strong teamwork vibe here, as more than one person brought us cocktails, food, refilled our beverages, cleared plates, etc. Everyone worked together for a seamless service experience. The food! Ohmygosh. We took a chance because we are TexMex fanatics and we knew this was NOT THAT. But we are so glad we tried something new because everything we had was delicious. Perfect flavors, temperatures, textures- just WOW! We both agreed that it has been a long time since we've eaten at a new restaurant and EVERYTHING was good. Cocktails- hubby got the margarita and I got the El Chamuco. Both expertly crafted and prepared. He stuck with the margarita for the night (I think he got 4 total throughout our 2 hour meal) but I got a rose wine after my cocktail that was nice. Appetizers- crab claws and seafood coctel (both cold) and the shrimp costra (hot). The chilled items were bright with flavor and just the right amount of spice. Portion size was appropriate. The costra was amazing- I'd eat more than one if I would have had room. Mains and sides- carne asada and flounder Vera Cruz with sweet potato and beans. Sweet potato had some heat to it but was delicious. Beans were rich with almost a lightly sweet nuttiness to them. The fish was beautifully presented, cooked well, and played nicely with the tomatoes, peppers, and olives. But the carne asada- y'all. Hands down, the absolute best carne asada I've EVER HAD! Perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. The sauce that comes with it is awesome but you almost don't even need it because that piece of meat was close-your-eyes-while-you-just-savor-that-flavor GOOD. Dessert and coffee- we ordered the masa tres leches, the flan, and the vanilla soft serve, and I had the specialty coffee (I forget what it was called.) I'm not a personal fan of tres leches, but it was unique and my husband loved the whipped topping. The flan was one of the creamiest I've ever had with a subtle flavor that just rolled around on your tongue. The vanilla soft serve was delightful and had these yummy crunchy bits on top that I could see myself munching on alone while binge-watching my shows- seriously, package that stuff and sell it. Christmas is coming! "You get crunchy bits and you get crunchy bits! Crunchy bits for everyone!" The specialty coffee caught me off guard because I asked for sweeteners and she told me it's already sweetened. I was a bit skeptical but dumped the creamer in and took a sip and YUM! Even my hubby who doesn't like coffee admitted it was different but good. Ok, so after ordering anniversary style, the total after tip was almost $350. We would likely not spend that much on future visits as this was a celebration occasion as well as our first time there, BUT we will absolutely be back. Mind-blowingly good food. Well done to Chef Castro and all of her team for one of the greatest meals we've had in a long time! read more

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The food is interesting and good. The atmosphere is loud and uninviting. Definitely not a place you want to enjoy conversation with your table mates. Prices are high for small plates. Poorly described dishes. Small selection of choices. We left with the definite sense that they are up on themselves and are clearly believing the over the top reviews they are getting. As I said, the food is good. But servers that make you feel dumb and a hostess who is passive aggressive truly have a way of dimming your experience. We won't be going back. read more

Maybe if they change the manager(s) at this restaurant they could change the customer service. I came to the bar and had the same experience some of the reviewers here hinted. The vibe and the food are exotic. But businesses have to be more friendly and welcoming if they really want people's return business. read more