Loved my experience here! Note they have changed the name to La Santa this week. Came here for early dinner and were pleasantly surprised. The ambiance and decor is so nice and sophisticated. Seating option were comfortable. Service was great! Server gave great recommendations and explained menu options when needed. Service was prompt and food served warm. Food was amazing! Everything we had was delicious! I had the Quesabirrias (loved that the meat was not fatty and sauce was crazy good), guacamole and flautas de papa. The sauces for all were to die for! Will definitely be back to try more tacos! read more

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Love the vibe! Food was great! Highly recommend the Camarones Chipotle! The Verde Vida drink was also great! For the skirt steak bowl, Ask for a side of sauce, I feel like it needed a sauce to go with it. But the service was great, quickly seated and served. Will be back! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Skirt Steak bowl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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We had a Mexican food craving and ended up here. Coming the the restaurant is a casual location. Our waitress was so nice and entertained me as I tried to order on Spanish. The drinks and food were amazing, slightly elevated Mexican. I would highly recommend for good date night. read more

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Pulpo tacos MP $19 . Absolutely delicious The octopus was cut into cubes inside. I do wish it was one full tentacle however, the flavor was absolutely amazing. I did ask for some red onion and cilantro because the taco didn't come with it, but even without that you would still enjoy all the flavors. read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Pulpo tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Stopped in to preview this spot for a meetup group. I arrived shortly after they opened, so was the only patron. I ordered my food from the host and it was out in just a few minutes. Despite being empty, Wendy kindly checked back several times to ensure I was doing ok. I had the Vallartaso Ceviche, a melange of shrimp, octopus, tomatoes, onion and peppers with plenty of crispy tostadas. It was delicious! I also had a Mezcalrita, which was a nice refreshment on a hot Tuesday afternoon. The music was a Spanish/Mexican mix of everything from El Juez to Bad Bunny - not overpowering but definitely present. I look forward to returning and sharing this place with my friends! read more

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This is one of my favorite bars to go to in Durham. It's super cute, clean, and the music is always great. The bartenders are so nice as well and after a few times of going they already knew my drink and food order. Please try the food here!! Specifically- the carne asada fries and shrimp quesadilla. It is SO good and I am constantly craving it and will stop here before a night out in Durham. Their drinks are great as well with a huge selection of fun cocktails. Don't miss this spot when you're out! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - carne asada fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

La Mala is a vibe. We visited for a second time, and had a good experience. The food is always tasty and fresh, and the service was helpful. We tried a few drinks this time, and we were pleasantly surprised. Many drinks at Mexican food places can be too sweet; these were really balanced. I'd like to try the new Raleigh location as well. read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We went here for dinner last night. We were in Durham visiting some friends and I always have to come here when I'm in Durham. The Tulum ceviche is my absolute favorite, and started with an order of guac, I'm not much of a drinker, but they have a large cocktail menu that can be ordered nonalcoholic as well. They offer outdoor and indoor seating. We chose to sit outside because it was nice outside and we brought our dog. The outside area is dog friendly! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Ceviche - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The food was delicious! My husband and I ordered the quesabirrias and the shrimp tacos and they were presented well and delicious! Our waitress was really sweet and made sure to keep our water refilled. The only complaint I would have would be that our drinks (a tamarind mojito and a La Enamorada) came out really late- we had finished our food by the time it came out. Also, the music was extra loud but I think it was maybe because it was around midnight when we got there. Otherwise, I loved everything about La Mala! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Tamarind mojito and La Enamorada- both perfectly crafted! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Pretty good Mexican food & margaritas. I ordered the guacamole with chips, street corn, quesadillas Mex, and steak tacos (on flour tortillas). The street corn was my favorite-with the mayo, queso fresco, and tajin. The margaritas were average, and had several flavors to choose from. Service was attentive, and friendly. I would comment that they play LOUD music- and this may not be the place for you if you're on a date or catching up with an old friend. Also, it smelled like straight up bleach (arrived when it first opened at 11 am); but I guess atleast you know it's clean. read more

While visiting Durham on business, I discovered La Mala was just a five minute walk from my hotel-- and what a fantastic discovery it was. A beautiful clean and spacious interior with a great view for people-watching foot traffic along Corcoran. The service was prompt, friendly and attentive without being intrusive. I ordered La Santa margarita and it was refreshing and delicious served in a Collins glass over ice. For starters, the guacamole fresco served with toasted whole tortillas was a steal at only $10, and enough for two (although I ate most of it myself). I ordered the quesabirrias, three full-sized tortillas stuffed with tender shredded slow-cooked beef served with a generous bowl of birria consommé and accompanied with fresh chopped cilantro and red onion and a hot sauce (smoky, perhaps tomatillo?) -- another steal at just $16. All in all, my experience here was perfecto. read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Quesabirrias, guacamole fresco and La Santa margarita -- delicioso! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I heard about La Mala from a friend and it did not disappoint! The ambiance and interior were great and it's a perfect, intimate date spot. I will say though, the portions are a little small but the flavor makes up for it. The meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the pastor sauce is so delicious. The tortilla was a little dry and not my favorite but overall the tacos were pretty flavorful. I would definitely come back to try some more dishes! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Tacos de pastor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

When going to DPAC, we parked in parking garage 1 block from La Mala. The guacamole and chips was a great starter and lasted through the meal. Had pork and beef taco, that we shared. They come in 3's and was plenty. Had the La Chingona cocktail which was excellent. read more

I came here Friday night with my family and had an awesome experience. We ordered guac and corn dip for the table and both were fantastic. The guac was chunky and flavorful. My entree was the Mexican pigs in a blanket and they were crispy and came with fries. To drink I had an ice cold tecate. Next time I'm in town I'll be back. read more

While they don't take online reservations or advance reservations, they were able to save us a table for dinner when I called the morning of! I really appreciate this as we were heading to a show at DPAC with limited time. The food was super tasty! Most of it had a good spicy kick to it! I like spicy though, so it was enjoyable for me. Drinks were so pretty and tasty! Service was great and fast! Their menu online doesn't list everything, we noticed some additional items on the menus in the restaurant. read more

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Great for a date night or ladies night. A really cool atmosphere. Good cocktails. Loved the tacos and the kind staff.

Mediocre at best. Service was subpar. Maybe best to sit at the bar. The drinks weren't anything special. Maybe a better place to go with a group of people to try the shots. Very minimal food options for vegetarian, which is fine but the options didn't have much flavor or spice to them. read more

I saw the pictures on instagram and the restaurant lived up to the hype. Best Mexican food I have ever had!!! Had the Mexican fries, pizza and a watermelon margarita! That drink tasted like juice. The restaurant nice and bathrooms nice and clean. Was downtown so you best be prepared to warm up your parallel park game. Good a little pricey but worth every penny!! read more

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This beautiful Mexican inspired restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Durham and features a number of carefully crafted cocktails made with fresh fruit (the buenos Dias sangria and Mexican Iced coffee were our favorites) and delicious dishes that will make any taste bud sing. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and the service was great. A few of our favorite dishes included: -the quesabirrias: 3 beef birria quesadillas with onions, cilantro, and lime with a savory birria consome. -the tres leches French toast was super thick and fluffy; topped with lechera, almonds, berries, this my favorite rite. - my friends and I are huge seafood lovers so the tangy shrimp ceviche was a crowd pleaser for us. - their cocktails were super tasty; I think my favorite one was the bueno Dias sangria which was full of peachy goodness. read more

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We stopped in to grab a cocktail here on a random date night. The cocktails were great. We hope to come back to try the food at some point, at which point I'd like to update this. The food looked great. Our server and the bartenders were very nice. read more

I'd recommend La Mala for cocktails and shareables, not if you are are looking for a heavier dinner option. Our table split an order of the guacamole fresco and esquite. For our meals and drinks it was the Tulum Vibes Ceviche with the La Santa then the El Chavo del Ocho (the barrel drink) for me and the Ceviche de la Jefa (Momma's Ceviche) with the La Bichota for my husband. The food was good but we really enjoyed the cocktails. read more

Such a vibe! Place is sexy & smells delicious upon entering. Drinks & food = perfectly crafted with a ton of flavor!! We ordered the Guac, tacos, and some spicy ceviche! Music, decor, staff = 10/10 read more

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Bad Bunny, 10/10. Huge glass, great flavor. Fresh quac was exactly as it sounds, super fresh. Very "limey" and flavorful. Steak fries had some fantastic queso, but the steak was so good. Can't recall having such great pieces of steak, all meat and no fat. They know how to cook their steak 10/10 read more

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Sooo good! We went on a Wednesday so were able to get in without a reservation. The drinks were fun and flavorful but the real MVP was their Mexican frites!!! We basically licked the plate clean they were so good. Looking forward to going back and trying more of their menu! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Mexican fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The ceviches!!! Those alone are both showing up for! Cocktails and brunch are amazing too!

Cocktails to try: I only came for a cocktail and to scope out the space. This is a collective review based on feedback from myself and someone who joined me for cocktails. I had the Lamante cocktail. This was Empress Gin, effen cucumber, fresh lime juice, organic agave, and nectar pea flower tea. La Mil Amores Spicy Watermelon is a winner. Bad Bunny came with a passion fruit. I was told this was also good. Skinny Margarita is very tart, with no flavor. Overall, La Malla is a nice space with friendly staff eager to wait on customers and make suggestions. read more

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Food was great ,not sure if we were that hungry or was it that good staff was very attentive and friendly place was spot on ,stopped in for a quick bite for lunch ,didn't disappoint read more

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The food was amazing! Not your full menu of a typical Mexican place but the ceviche was AMAZING. Our waitress, Alejandra, was so sweet and informative. She gave great recommendations and was a super good listener who cared about our experience. We told her we just got married and she was super excited for us. The restaurant was nice and set up well. We loved the art work, the candles, and just the general set up. read more

Recently, we visited La Mala La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails again. It was our second time, and once again, they impressed us. When we arrived, the place was fully booked. There were only two open seats at the bar, which we took. But after a few minutes, a table for two became available, and they immediately offered it to us. It was really nice that the staff thought of us. As we sat down, the same waitress who had served us a month ago came over. What amazed us was that she remembered our previous visit, including the drinks and food we had ordered, and even remembered where and when we had moved to North Carolina. We were shocked that she could recall all of this, given how busy the place is. We were very pleased with this kind of attention. At the end of our meal, she treated us to two shots of Mezcal tequila on the house. It was awesome that she even remembered we're big fans of Mezcal. It was such a kind and unexpected gesture from the restaurant and the bartender. This kind of attention and care from the staff and the restaurant as a whole is what makes you want to keep coming back. They make (in the best way possible) you want to do so, because when I think about where to spend an evening, La Mala, with two great experiences and fantastic customer service, immediately comes to mind. As for the atmosphere, it's definitely a great spot for a romantic dinner or an evening out with friends. They have a wide selection of drinks--perfect for sipping slowly and savoring each sip. At the same time, there's also a variety of fun drinks and cocktails that are served in a creative way and are great for sharing with friends. Now I want to bring my friends there and show them this wonderful place. read more

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A great Mexican spot in the heart of Durham downtown! Perfect place to grab a bite before a show at DPAC or the start of a night of bar hopping. Given how pretty the food looked online, I was a little skeptical at first about the taste. I'm glad I was proven wrong! We got a few of the ceviche to try, and the Mexican fries and birria tacos to share. The ceviche was extremely fresh and flavorful. Each option has a slightly different flavor profile. I would avoid the mango one if you don't like your ceviche sweet, because that one was definitely on the sweeter side. The fries and tacos were great flavor wise as well! Maybe not the most authentic Mexican food, but definitely delicious. They also have a huge cocktail selection with really beautiful looking drinks (dare I say perfect for social media?) I think the drinks are a hit/miss and alc content can taste a little different between drinks. Lastly, the entire staff was super attentive and nice. Food came out really quickly and they frequently came to check in on us. They even noticed it was my birthday recently from my ID and gave me a free tequila shot! read more

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Top notch place to dine Great for date night The food, service, and ambiance is five star read more

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We came in on a Thursday right as they opened and were the only people at the bar. We grabbed margaritas and some nibbles before the Bulls game and everything was amazing. The drinks were all beautiful and delicious (as well as strong) and the chips and guacamole were fresh and perfectly seasoned. We definitely got amazing service and attention, but not overly so which was appreciated. Next time we're in Durham, we'll definitely be stopping by again! read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Mezcalita and La Mala cocktails with chips and guacamole served at the bar. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Does Durham need another cocktail bar downtown where drinks cost $14? Probably not. But do I love that their concept is different than other places nearby? Absolutely! Yes, the cocktails are not cheap but they are well made and have fun details (like lighting up, fun glasses, etc.) And the food is my favorite kind of mix of Mexican street food meets bar food. Everything I have tried I loved especially the ceviche, esquites, and the Mexican pigs in a blanket. The vibe is classy with very low lighting and cool murals on the wall. I have only been in the early evening and I felt comfortable wearing jeans (but I do wonder if it gets fancier at night). Also, when I went the music was at a reasonable level for a conversation (but reading other reviews that might change as the night gets later). The staff have always been very friendly and quick, although one time there was a waitress who was pushing us to buy shots which was kind of uncomfortable. To add to my recommendation, my husband usually hates guacamole and any tequila based drinks, and he loved their guac and the spicy watermelon margarita! read more

La Mala is a new bar and bites spot in downtown Durham that's serving up some very cool, Mexican-inspired cocktails. Brought to you by the folks from La Santa in Raleigh, La Mala has a premium corner location and sultry ambiance inside. The space is large and open with a large bar and seating around the edges. The cocktails are not cheap but they are creative, I tried a margarita with marzipan foam which was excellent. The plates cover ceviche, guacamole, tacos and more. Curious to see where this concept goes since it is so new but I have high hopes. read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place has a great vibe, attentive servers, tasty food, and creative cocktails. Tuesday nights order a cocktail and get 1/2 off tacos. You will not be disappointed! read more

Came with a party of two without a reservation on a Friday evening. It took some time to find street parking given the restaurant's central location but it wasn't too bad. My wife got the Conejito mako (dragonfruit mocktail) and we ordered the street corn and quesabirrias. We had a lot of high expectations for the spot given some of the pictures of the interior and its central location Ambiance: 5/5 love the aesthetic and even the cups and plating Location: 5/5 super central location in downtown Durham Service: 4.5/5 Our waitress was great and attentive Food: 3/5 Unfortunately the food we got was not that great. The street corn lacked flavor and my wife asked for some extra cheese and spices that came with the street corn- feeling that they hadn't added enough to flavor the corn. When we got the bill we realized we had been charged $2 for the very small container (probably 2 tbsp) of cheese and spice even though neither the waitress mentioned there would be an extra charge nor did the menu indicate so. The quesabirrias was decent overall. What disappointed us was that our experience of the food itself didn't match our experience of the level and quality of everything else- especially the ambiance and service. The drink though was good and we enjoyed the presentation of the drink. Overall: I would recommend this spot more as a great place to get drinks than a meal, though maybe this was just an off day. I do look forward to coming back and trying more of their drink menu. read more

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Only open 3 weeks and the food, drinks and service were excellent! Will definitely be back.

I love the ambiance, it's small but super cute. I obviously have my fave here, but I enjoy trying a new drink every time. The service is always great as well and the music will definitely have you dancing while eating to some great food! I love it!!! The entire vibe is great for starting a night of fun downtown Durham! read more

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What makes a fun girls night? Answer: Creative Cocktails, Delicious Food, Great Service and Amazing Ambiance. Find it all at La Mala, located in Downtown Durham. It's a nice spot where the menu is more cocktail focused but the varitybof food items offered really balances it out. We met at 5:30 on a Sunday and was seated by the window, which offered great natural light. The modern decor helped set the mood and the server's upbeat mood set the vibe for good times. The cocktails are served in unique ways like in a barrel or ceramic vessel and garnished in such a way that it is an event when it arrives at the table! We paired our drinks with a variety of small bites and you can not leave without getting an order of churros for dessert. read more

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I love the vibe here. The food was delicious. I only had a shot but the drinks look tasty. The location is perfect as well. For a Wednesday, they were pretty lively too. I would definitely return for the tacos and quesadilla. we sat at the bar so service was fast and she was attentive. read more

La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails - Chicken Quesadilla - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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