A Latin style tapas place in the arts district boasting flavors from South America (Argentina, Peru, 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. read more

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Definitely worth trying. Cute restaurant. Nice ambiance and vice. Clean. 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. read more

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Unbelievable flavor ! First time having this in the big easy. Great flavor in the shrimp and grits. You truly can't mess up a classic .... Well maybe lol 10/10 highly recommend read more

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I came in on a Saturday for lunch at 12:30 and the place was completely dead and honestly I cannot for the life of me understand why! The food was delicious! read more

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I had a great experience last time, and today I was excited to go back but I was really underwhelmed with today's experience. I ordered the steak mofongo which I had before. Unfortunately, it was no where nearly as good as I remember it. The plantain was dry and the steak was drowned in Worcestershire sauce. I ate all the plantain but left most of the steak. I felt sick after and had to take some alka seltzer and my stomach was still upset. Aside from the food, it was also loud and I couldn't hear the other person at the table without yelling. For the price, I would expect some consistency in flavor and quality. Service was friendly which might be the only reason I give them another shot. read more

I dined solo at Bésame and had a great experience at the bar. The bartender was lovely and I'm grateful for her recommendation to try the seafood empanadas - they were outstanding. Highly recommend! read more

Bésame - Guacamole with chicharrones, seafood empanadas, spicy margarita - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Fantastic happy hour from 4-5 on weekdays! A few cocktails (get the Paloma) and wine are $5-6 each. And then the appetizers are less than $10. Highly recommend the crawfish queso, the flavor leads with the cheese and ends on a subtle fish note. The chips are also perfectly crispy and lightly salted. The chicken poblano is a true standout. Tender chunks of meat in a creamy and lightly spicy sauce that is rich and has a kick of flavor. Service was also top notch! Even with just one server working we were well taken care and everything moved along at a great pace. read more

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What a find! The food at Bésame was top-notch! Our party of four dined here mid-afternoon on a Sunday. We had pretty much the whole restaurant to ourselves. The service was prompt and friendly. There was something for everyone on our group, and we had some really specific dietary needs. My friend who was sticking to salads enjoyed hers, I loved my very tart and bright Peruvian Cevice and Queso. My other friend who eats pretty much soft foods enjoyed the queso and sorbet and my one formed who eats normal enjoyed her arepas. Something for everyone and we all raved! For me- the cevice was so delicious and fresh. The crawfish queso was dreamy and you could really taste the heavy cream. This was not your standard processed-cheese queso, it was so decadent and creamy. Very different than any queso I'd ever had. The atmosphere is bright and cheery. It really set the stage for a relaxing meal. Overall, Bésame is a true hidden gem. This was overall the best dining experience we had in NOLA. read more

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This was such a fun restaurant to visit. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was fun (especially with the World Cup game on). We have nothing even remotely negative to say about the food. The ceviche was so interesting with an ancho chile sauce that was so different compared to other ceviche dishes we have enjoyed. The mains were cooked perfectly and even the fish impressed me (I don't usually enjoy fish). This is close enough to walk to from most hotels near the riverfront and French quarter. read more

Bésame - Churrasco (top dish), fish & grits (bottom dish) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Was in town from Chicago and looking for a quiet date night spot. Besame came highly recommended and I'm glad I came in. The food was very good and decent portions. Service was good as well. read more

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This restaurant is a must. We came here as it was only a 8 minute walk from our hotel. Ambiance is super cute and cozy. Service was great. Our waitress was attentive and the drinks and food came out quickly. So to the yummy stuff. All that we preferred we loved. Churrasco with batata bravas Mofongo with steak The steak was so moist and tender For dessert because we came for my mom's birthday was the Coconut flan which was light and delicious. Highly recommend this spot. read more

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Goodness! Our waitress was amazing in working with me on the dairy allergy issue. The food was amazing: two of us split the Peruvian ceviche, tempura cauliflower and seafood empanadas. It was all very good, would happily order any of them again. read more

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My wife and i ordered the fish dip, tempura cauliflower, chicken poblano, and the churrasco. Everything we ordered was delicious! 10 out of 10 for us! read more

We visited for brunch toward the tail end of our time in Nola and had a lovely time. It was quiet and chill inside, with delicious latin american food. We gravitated toward the entrees and did less of the small plates, but everything was delicious. Service was friendly and helpful. read more

My honey and I had a date night at Bésame and my feelings are mixed. This restaurant is attached to a hotel in the heart of our most touristy area. It's cute, small, and was busy on the evening we visited. Paloma was our server and she was fantastic. Our meal: The tables are VERY close together. We could hear every word of every conversation around us. It was hard to get up to use the restroom because my chair and my neighbor's chair were almost touching. I think this is an aesthetic that some love, but unfortunately I don't. I had the mofongo and it was bland. I've had mofongo all over the world and was looking forward to the flavors of the plantains, garlic, onions, etc., but it reminded me of the flavor or plain potatoes. The steak on top was also very bland. My husband had the paella and again, it was so bland. The high of the experience was my cocktail. I had the Summer Sangria and loved it. I wanted to love it. read more

Bésame - Mofongo - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Just went here tonight and oh my God this place blew me away! We got the crawfish queso, the flavor of that was so incredible! Can't even describe it. We had guacamole, which was really good. My friend got the churrapas, the potatoes for that were so good. Other friend got the fish and grits, which were pretty tasty as well. I got the brussels sprouts salad. For dessert we got the plantains with the dual ice cream, it was so good and sweet and savory and incredible! We also had the flying, which is very rich and creamy.. can't wait to come back. Portions for tapas were rather small in my opinion but the food tasted really good so honestly, it's worth it. read more

Bésame - Flan and plantains with ice cream - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Is it worth the wait when you don't have a reservation? Yes. I've been wanting to try this place for a while and we had a free evening so we put our names on the waitlist and waited our turn. About an hour for two so I would recommend getting a reservation! The space is small but has a lot of character with beautiful artwork and a fun, quirky vibe. The staff are all very kind and provide excellent service. The food is spectacular. I'll say it again in caps this time: SPECTACULAR. We tried the tuna aguachile. The complex flavors and fresh ingredients are definitely something to write home about. We also shared the lamp lollipops which were divine! But the show stopper for us was the churrasco - perfectly cooked steak with chimichurri sauce and delicious potatoes? What more could you want!? To top it off, they have a great drink menu with many fun options. My date had the Queen Bee and he loved it and I went with the Gaia rose which was excellent. This place is top notch and we will definitely be back! read more

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We had a wonderful dinner at Besame! Everything was so good! I had the Paella. Yum! Sorry I did not get any photos. We had a group of six plus one infant. Service was great and the ambiance right on par! We loved that we were able to walk from our hotel. read more

We started with the Oaxacan ceviche, absolutely delicious. Came with chips. My main meal was the Churrasco which was even more amazing! Perfectly cooked. We'll never finished the review so I can't remember read more

This place is a hidden gem! You will not be disappointed dining here. We enjoyed the crawfish queso, tempura cauliflower, and the chicken poblano. The flavors were on point and delicious. The service was spectacular!! It is such a quaint little place with an intimate atmosphere. read more

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Long Overdue Review, But Worth the Hype--Bésame is awesome! I've been to Bésame at least 7-8 times over the past few years--safe to say, I'm a fan. I remember going not long after they first opened, and they already had their flow down. The food? Delicious. The service? Always great. And the ambiance? Love it. The paintings, the bar setup--everything about this place just works-- not too fancy, but not too casual. One thing I really appreciate is how accommodating they are. Whether it was letting me bring in a cake for my 30th birthday brunch or holding it for me afterward, they've always been kind and flexible--huge plus! Now, let's talk food. I've tried a lot of the menu (and quite a few cocktails), and nothing has ever disappointed. Some standouts: Drinks: Aztec Old Fashioned Passionate Llama Seasonal Sangria (yum--and a great price for the large portion!) Food: Peruvian Ceviche Crawfish Queso Churrasco Shrimp Mofongo Shrimp & Grits (*the grits are unique but so good!) Chilaquiles (very solid) Our personal fav: the seasonal watermelon salad-- 10/10!! It's usually easy to get a reservation, whether for a small group or a big one. The staff, the service, the way they run things--everything is top-tier. Very good price for the value as well. I'll definitely be back, definitely keep recommending it, and definitely continue loving this spot! read more

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Chill vibe, amazing food, warm friendly staff. I took Yelp's recommendation on this place and it did not disappoint. Friend pork rinds over fresh guac was incredible. Very fresh fish. They also catered to a gluten-free dairy free allergy with ease. read more

Bésame - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Service was amazing. We went right before a Broadway show, and they were so accommodating and speedy! The vibe is so cute inside. A great place to relax has some drinks and chat Pork Arepas Achiote braised Pork, Curtido, Avocado Crema, Pickled Onions, Cheese I loved these! The slaw and pork were sweet. I loved the crunch the arepas gave, but some didn't thought the arepas didn't have much flavor Cochinita Yucatan Style Pork, Pineapple-Habanero slaw, Flour tortillas Also loved! The pork was so tender and flavorful! I thought the slaw could've used a little more flavor, but still great read more

Bésame - Cochinitas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Food was outstanding. This is a Tapas restaurant in New Orleans with a Peruvian twist. The restaurant catered to my refined sugar free meal preferences with a wide variety of selections. Service was good and ambiance was upbeat, artsy and casual but very chic! read more

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Wow. Awesome experience if you're looking for a break from traditional Cajun food in New Orleans. Really incredible Spanish meal at this unassuming spot. I'm generally not a fan of shrimp ceviche - normally way too tough but the shrimp ceviche at Bésame was unbelievable. Recommended by the server and she was not wrong. Super tender shrimp in a delicious somewhat spicy sauce. Then, had the lamb lollipops, which were truly amazing. Really tender and delicious and with the pumpkin mole and MASA fritters the whole thing came together. So excellent. Even had a decent sangria. Six stars. read more

Bésame - Ceviche menu - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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A beautiful restaurant with plenty of seating. The waitress was very sweet and gave us some suggestions. The food was on point! We started off with the crawfish queso and pork arepas. The queso had great flavor, not very cheesy but the flavors all went well together. The pork arepas were amazing, the arepa was crispy on the outside, pork was tender and flavorful. For our entree we shared the churrasco, with perfectly cooked steak with a nice chimmi and crispy potatoes with a yummy cheesy sauce. We also had the shrimp mofongo and if you like plantines, this is must. Great flavor. We really enjoyed our meal and will def me a stop on our next stop in New Orleans read more

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Went to Besame for brunch. It's a nice little spot tucked back from the chaos of Canal Street downtown, but is accessible by streetcar. It was empty when we went at 1:30 on a Saturday. It got livelier and louder as the day progressed. I liked the monfongo; the plating was cute, but I was expecting more flavor. The tuna aguachile needed a splash of acid, but it was still refreshing. Our service was fine. Refills were steady. The table across from us had a really vibrant, energetic server, so that was interesting to watch. There's some decor on the back wall that I'm intrigued by, but didn't get a chance to investigate. It looks like a mural related to the Civil Rights Movement. read more

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Great food. Make a reservation. Had ceviche, guacamole, arepa, paella and the drinks were yummy as well

This place was delicious! I had their cauliflower tapas and it was great - there was so much flavors involved and there was a great crunch with the cauliflower and the chickpeas. I also tried some of their desserts and had their Maduros and it was my first time trying a Maduro and I loved it. I also shared a Chili Mango Gelato and it had great flavors. Presentation of the food and service was also great! read more

Bésame - Cauliflower Tapas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Food was Amazing !!! Staff were wonderful !!! Loved the vibe of the restaurant!!! Great place to have a meal before a show at the theatre read more

We came on a Thursday evening and were able to get seated within 20 minutes. The restaurant is cozy, trendy and fun, but a little loud. Overall good for groups or casual dinner if you don't mind it being a little loud. We ordered a Passionate Llama mocktail, Peruvian ceviche, pork arepas, steak mofongo, and coconut flan. All were amazing! Great distinct flavors all around- but the ceviche was a favorite. Portions are on the smaller side but quality was great! Would definitely recommend the flan as well if you like coconut. The chef was very friendly as well and we really enjoyed the experience! read more

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" Kiss me ".. The food truly does kiss my soul. Addicted! I am immensely addicted to their cauliflower and shrimp ceviche. It hits the spot every time and never disappoints. What I love the most is that it is consistent, thus why I've been a faithful customer. Drinks are delicious as well! This has become one of my favorite spots to dine + it's super close to my house. 10/10 recommend! read more

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I randomly picked this place when on vacation a few weeks ago and I'm so glad I did. The food was 10/10. The guacamole and chicharron were so good we order 2. I had the shrimp mofongo- wasn't how it's usually made but I'm not complaining 10/10. My friend had the fish and grits and she loved it. It will be one of my go to's when I visit my favorite city in the world read more

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Perfect for a group. We tried about 90% of menu and everything we tasted was excellent. I had no it west in the crawfish queso yet it had a flavor/seasoning that was memorable. Lamb lollipops were delicious and I thought 'I don't like lamb' It is a very relaxed place with attentive service. Slightly of the beaten path but very close to Canal street. Made for a great evening read more

I know it's maybe not the food you go to NOLA for but man oh man is this worth the stop. The ambience is fun although some sound dampening would work miracles in here. The ceviche was fantastic. I got the tuna and I wish I could eat that every day, it was that good. The other dishes are very nice but I can't stop thinking about the tuna ceviche. I ate it without taking a picture! The desserts were both fantastic. The tamale is a little awkward for sharing but the plantains were perfect. The cauliflower was the group's overall favorite! We went in completely blind and just asked the server to give us recommendations and we were not disappointed. read more

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Swell wonderful spot; not in the greatest loca but close to the action on Canal. Eclectic fusion of Latino tapas. High quality & tasty. Nice welcoming space but lacking diners. Enthusiastic knowledgable service. Check out the menu! read more

Bésame - Tapas de Nola el Sur del America - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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My coworkers and I dined here to celebrate our colleague's birthday. We made a reservation in advance and our table was ready and set when we arrived. The ambiance is dark and chill with a spacious interior. We enjoyed wonderful service throughout our meal. Our server had a bright smile and great energy the entire time. Our group tried a variety of dishes: - Peruvian Ceviche: Gulf Fish, Aji Amarillo, Leche de Tigre, Sweet potato, crispy corn - Ceviche Negro: LA shrimp, chile ancho, Soy Sauce, Avocado, Tomatoes - Tuna Aguachile: Spicy Tomatillo-cucumber broth, Avocado, Salsa macha, sesame - Guacamole: Lime, serrano, pico - Brussels salad: tamarind vinaigrette, queso fresco, pepitas - Crawfish Queso: Crawfish, Roasted poblano, sour cream, pico - Pork Arepas: Braised pork, cheese, avocado crema, pickled cabbage - Churrasco: Marinated Steak, Papas Bravas, Chimichurri - Seafood Paella: LA Shrimp, Fish, Mussels, Saffron Rice, Garbanzos - Lamb lollipops: Grilled lamb, pumpkin seed mole, masa fritters, sesame, chimichurri. - Cochinita: Yucatan style pork, tortillas, pineapple-habanero slaw As you can see, we ordered most everything on the menu. We ordered seconds of the queso, charrasco, and lamb lollipops. Everything was delicious, but I'd say the three that we ordered multiple rounds were the best dishes. The plates are all presented well and had great flavor. My main complaint about this place are the prices - at around $30 per meat tapas this is pretty expensive and each dish could only feed 4 people a sliver of meat or one lollipop. For our table, you're talking about $120 for those 4 plates of protein alone which seems to be incredibly pricey for what you're getting. Do some dishes stand out? Absolutely. Is it the best food I've ever had? Hardly. Would I go back? Debatable. read more

Nope. Was not the tits. Stand out was crawfish queso Service was v weird* * such a small restaurant; how do you lose a waiter? They disappeared into thin air when we were looking for another round of cocktails. The food was NOT GOOD. We got all the appetizers; only the crawfish queso is worth your money. Peruvian ceviche was decent. Paella was tragic. Uncooked rice, minuscule mussels and like 3 pieces of sausage. read more

Went there with my girlfriend for dinner had a reservation and still waited for them to even knowledge us, stand there for 5 minutes, the ambiente is more personal preference if you like somewhere where is loud as hell and can even heard each other then this is the place for you, now let me say the food was absolutely ASS the steak was chewy and there was 0 flavor had to chew for 10 minutes before you can actually swallow it, not just my opinion my girl also has the same opinion, the only good thing about the food was the potatoes à la diabla, most definitely not going back. read more

This was one of my favorite dining experiences in a while. Everything was spectacular!! Great location close to the theatre. I will be back often!! read more