We had a fantastic dining experience! Our server greeted us promptly and didn’t rush us through our meal. We ordered a couple rounds of food and drinks and had just enough time in between portions to slowly enjoy and allow things to settle. We got oysters, shrimp buns, a tuna tartare thing (my partner convinced me we should share it and I was shocked to have thoroughly enjoyed it- it may have been my favorite) & the drunken mussels which came with nori fries!? At the end of our meal we were surprised with mochi & shots on the house! 10/10 would go back again and will be sharing this place with friends.

Loved this place! It was great value for happy hour and I liked the Asian twist on the cocktails! Oysters were delicious too.

Went for happy hour and it was fantastic! Sherry took great care of us. Amazing oysters and drink options included with the hh specials. We’ll definitely be back!

We went to Ama during Happy Hour (ends at 7), and had a lovely meal. Overall, it is an asian-themed raw bar with several dishes featuring mussels. The staff was friendly and efficient. The cocktails (Lycee martini, Yuzu lemon drop) were tasty and fun. We tried everything on the happy hour snacks menu, and it was all delicious. We had a dozen oysters, which were reasonably priced and came with three good sauces. It wasn't crowded. It was quiet enough that we could talk and hear each other easily. We will be back.

So yummy!!! The octopus with chili oil was amazing and the cocktails delish! Also the shrimp bao buns! So many good things I look forward to coming back soon!

My girlfriend and I came on a Saturday night because we wanted oysters. We’re glad we found Ama raw bar. Amazing ambiance, quick service and hospitality, and the freshest oysters. Couldn’t ask for more. Our bartender makes the best drinks (Spicy Palawan is what we ordered, similar to a spicy margarita), our server Carlos and manager Brandon made us feel like home. Will definitely come back!!

OMG. This place is INCREDIBLE. Okay yes, the food is also so, so very good but what really makes this place is the service. Faith, Carmen and Brandon very work hard to take care of you! fave thing on the menu is the mushroom udon, but really you can’t go wrong. Happy hour is also solid, so bring as many friends as you can!!! 😋

The cocktails are the best ! Their jalapeño rice and tuna omg ! Perfect combo

Friendly, knowledgeable and attentive service without being pretentious. The food is delicious and the wine and cocktail selection is fantastic. My friend and I enjoy the tail end of happy hour leading into dinner often and it never disappoints.

I have been coming here for a few years now. The food and the service is impeccable. Truly it is rare these days to find such both. If you have the rare opportunity they have the hamachi collar it is a great treat. The drinks are also amazing. If you haven't it is a must try. One taste and you will be hooked.

Amazing atmosphere!!! I can't thank Brandon their GM for hosting me and friends/coworkers. The food is amazing from the wasbi deviled eggs to the mushroom udon. My to go drink was always a whiskey sour and AMA have their own version (AMA Sour) which I can probably down like 4 haha! Faith was a amazing bartender making sure all her guest at the bar was taken care of. Coming from a hospitality back ground service was on point! See you guys soon!!!

Faith and Carmen are the best bartenders I’ve have the pleasure of being served from. The owner Brandon is such a sweetheart and makes you fell welcomed. Just great vibes all around. Drinks and food are amazing too btw ;).

Always a great experience coming here! Shoutout to Brandon their GM, and their amazing servers for always going above and beyond. Food Recommendation: - Crispy Rice Tuna - Miso Glazed Salmon - Wild Mushroom Fried Rice Drink Recommendation: - Lychee Martini - Yuzu Lemondrop Street Parking is hard to find, more luck if you park a block away on Varick St.

Amazing cocktail & seafood bar! Mussels, Oysters and Tuna are a must try! Highly recommend

I regret not taking any pictures, because Ama was a really great experience. This place seems to be a bit of a hidden gem. It was easy to get a reservation on a Saturday night and the ambiance was cozy, sexy, and chic. The happy hour is a really great deal and is all night long if you sit at the bar. Any place that retains happy hour on the weekend wins a point for me. Food (happy hour snacks): The oysters were delicious, although they don’t have crackers. We were able to get 24 oysters for only $30. The Yuzu Pepper Shrimp was nicely coated in sauce but still crunchy. The Miso Cod Cakes exceeded expectations and I would say are a must order. Drinks: The Spicy Palawan was delicious. Great amount of heat without being overpowering. Only $11 during the happy hour, which I consider a steal for a Saturday night. Service: Our server was super attentive and made great—but not annoying— conversation with us. They made sure to check in before the happy hour was over to see if we wanted any additional items. Overall, highly recommend if you are looking for a sleek raw bar to enjoy seafood and drinks. Easy to get a table, great happy hour deal, and awesome location.

Amazing oysters, amazing drinks & amazing service. Shout out to Carlos and Brandon! They definitely make you want to come back!

Wonderful service. Great cocktail. Great oyster and mussels. But, the small plates are a bit too salty. Overall, it was still a five star experience. The food feedbacks are just for the management to maybe go easier on the salt and sauces a little bit.

This is the best bar in the west village and perhaps manhattan. The staff is just amazing. Food is awesome, happy hour top notch and the drinks are great. Could not recommend more.

The food and drinks were very delicious, I liked the experience in the restaurant, they are very friendly. :)

1.25 oysters and 10 dollar lychee martinis in the West Village!!! You can’t beat that! The happy hour at Ama Raw Bar is on point. The food and service is excellent!

+1

You really can't argue with a $1 fresh oysters for happy hour deal at a hip West Village restaurant, with great sake and cocktails to boot. The icing on the case was the amazing hamachi collar we ordered for our main after the happy hour was done - recommended by our server, it was seared but tender, and flavored in a broth of light soy and spring onions. Highly recommend this for sharing if you're having a meal here.

Came for happy hour on a lovely Sunday afternoon, and were able to be seated right away. We got two dozen oysters and some bubbly white wine! The oysters were fresh and had a lot of meat. While I cannot speak for their regular menu, I definitely enjoyed happy hour, and will be returning!

Stopped by here for oyster happy hour, turns out the manager Brandon is also a local kid from hawaii! (Kid being generous as we both went mid pac, just a few* years apart 😂😜) nah but for real Brandon brought the aloha spirit and hospitality to nyc. Went here with 2 of my Hawaii friends and we felt transported back to home, even met another aunty from Hawaii that ended up knowing my friends mom! Lol. So small world. Thank you Brandon and ama for making us feel at home. If you want to experience the aloha spirit and hospitality in nyc, come here! We even did a celebratory chee hoo LOL 😂 10/10 shakas for ama raw bar!

I had great experience here ambiance was perfect I came here on a Monday night so service was spectacular the oysters were fresh with three different sauces

+1

This restaurant is so slammin. The food is amazing and the menu is well thought out. The drinks are lovely. The service is godly. I will try to go here as much as I can.

Really good happy hour oysters! Also got an order of the cod cakes and a couple beers and it was an enjoyable meal on a rainy day! The staff was very attentive and helpful. The restaurant felt comfortable and was full but not crowded. If you're around the area, i'd recommend stopping in!

I’ve been to the East Village location before and was so excited to see them open a West Village location. My favorite cocktail is the Spicy Palawan with Mezcal. I had the Salmon ceviche tacos, and the Shrimp buns which were so good I forgot to take a pic. I think the thing that really makes Ama special is the staff’s attention to detail. They always make sure to take really good care of you! If you are passing by, you should def stop in.

Tasty food and drinks. Great happy hour. Friendly staff. Came in without reservation so we sat at bar. Had a great night of food and conversation.

+6

Great fusion restaurant! We love the chili oil octopus and the pork ribs! The mussel, however, can have more of a fusion flavor in it.

AMA is situated in a beautiful setting with a vast and diverse menu of mostly seafood. The atmosphere is sophisticated and our dinner was delicious. I found it difficult to understand why the restaurant wasn’t more crowded.

This place is great! I came here on a Tuesday as a precursor for another event I was going to in the neighborhood. I wanted some oysters. They had two kinds on the menu and I got half and half, both from the east coast. The oysters were fresh and shucked well! They had a nice lager on tap that paired well with the oysters. One of the best parts of the place is the bartender I had, Faith. She’s very friendly and efficient. I will definitely be back!

my favorite spot in the entire city !!!!!! vibes here are always the best :-) super friendly staff - ive been here a million times & they’re always SO kind drink menu is amazing with lots of fusion cocktails to try!! my top is the lychee martini the food is so yummy- fresh/modern asian with super high quality ingredients & lots of seafood!

Cool spot with a community meeting room/spy rendezvous atmosphere. I had a fifthed piece of corn with butter and other stuff on it that was really good. Partner had oysters. She said they were good. She also had a margarita and said that was good too.

I LOVE AMA WEST VILLAGE!!!!!! They have the best food and even better staff. Timmi and Faith are amazing and are part of the reason I always come back, and Carlos behind the bar is entertaining and makes a great espresso martini! I celebrated a birthday here and have been back multiple times since- to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions or grab a bite to eat and drink with friends. It’s also my favorite place in the city to impress any visitors from out of town. Everything on the menu is great, but my favorites are the tuna crispy rice and the mushroom fried rice!! You also can’t skip the Ube Tres Leches for dessert. It’s one of my favorite desserts in the city and is made in house. I would give this place 10 stars if I could!!!

My husband and I stumbled up Ama Raw Bar West Village in search for raw oysters. We enjoyed the oysters, the drinks and other happy hour menu items very much. It was a great ambience. The service was quick and attentive and the owner was very nice and accommodating. We’ll be back!

Came in for dinner and drinks with my good friend and had such an incredible time. Oysters? Divine!! Crispy tuna? So delicious! Bao buns? Still thinking about them!! Most importantly. THE BEST LYCHEE MARTINI IN THE CITY. (And I don’t say that lightly.) Brandon the manager was incredibly kind/gracious to us and ensured we had a fabulous evening. Such a West Village gem! I cannot wait to return! Xoxo.

Love the Filipino accents in the cocktails and menu. Whiskey calamansi, yes please!

+2

Go here and ask for Brandon, he’s the sweetest and most thoughtful restaurant owner you could ever ask for. We went when they were opening at the tail end of the pandemic and were served by him, he remembered us each and every time we went back too (only ever couple of months). The food is incredible, a perfect fusion of Korean and “NYC Raw Bar” styles. I recommend the Oysters and Bao Buns and their signature cocktails but really you can’t go wrong with anything you order there

Great seafood and oyster spot. Definitely going back for happy hour 5-7pm. Highly recommend!

IN LOVE. With the food, the staff and the conversational atmosphere. Also the cocktails are phenomenal. Great happy hour deals as well!!!

The oysters are very fresh and sweet, the atmosphere is very nice to hang out with friends or even go on a date.

Brunch was fantastic here. Really interesting menu items, GREAT service and ambiance. The owner, Will, is engaging, attentive and an overall hospitality shining star. And Carlos makes delicious cocktails (Bloody Mary mix is on point!) Some stand out menu selections pictured here - Beef Kim chi fried rice, eggs and miso glazed bacon (to die for), matcha waffles with accoutrement (fruit quality was also exceptional), rum espresso martini (YUM!) and the Palawan (great riff on a spicy margarita with togarashi rim), and the award winning uní deviled eggs👏🏼. Not pictured, but not to be missed, the crispy rice tuna appetizer. Everything was SO GOOD! Thank you so much for an amazing experience, Ama! Can’t wait to come back.

Absolutely love this place! Their happy hour deals are amazing. Highly recommend the tuna crispy rice and lobster bao buns. The staff is extremely friendly! The manager, Brandon, is so attentive. Overall amazing experience!!

I could not be happier with our evening at AMA. Wife and I commented during our meal how impressed we were with everything: the people, the spot, the drinks, and the food! The service and people were personable, and attentive. The drink selection for happy hour was great, full of flavor and tasty. Every dish we tried, I'd order again... particularly the nori fries, crispy rice, and the shrimp bao! BTW, oysters with ponzu is a game changer and might be my new favorite. We were here to have a nice happy hour meal, and it was such a great experience, a real highlight during our trip. Hope to visit again during our next trip.

I think we got the yuzu pepper shrimp and the oysters. The shrimps were great, spicy but really flavorful. LOVED the oysters the dipping sauce amazing. The mussels were also really good as well good date night atmo

+1

The mussels and the octopus- you cannot go wrong. The green curry flavor was the best mussels experience I've ever had. I recommend the chocolate lava cake.

The best after work spot on WEST the village. Brandon, Faith, Ashley & Carmen! Amazing staff. Always pleasant and great hospitality every visit. Drinks are amazing. Vibes are great. Food is to die for. If you come alone it’s ok- you will meet great people lol.

Service was a bit slow to start, but we came during HH and there seemed to be only one server in our area. However, the place itself looks and feels trendy. The food is amazing and they have a great collection of wine and drinks to go w. Their food menu. If you come for HH, you get $1 oysters - which amazing! The mussels are a must try and the portion is great! As are there bao buns. Also, try their Ave B location - just as good :)

+2

Just happen to be in the neighborhood and found a true gem 💎 🙌🏾 👌🏾...from the service, food, and a great lychee martini 🍸I learned that Ama In Japanese, (海女) refers to female free divers who collect seafood, particularly shellfish and seaweed, without using modern diving equipment...which is so dope after returning from my 2nd trip to Japan...maybe it's fate, but please check them out!!!

+6

Awesome seafood centric place with Asian flavors. My waiter was very attentive and nice without being too annoying like in some places. They have plenty of bar seating next to the bar and window and several tables inside and outside. The interior is very cute and tasteful. I went for 1$ happy hour and had a dozen of oysters + seaweed salad and 2 drink which came around $50 total. It was very delicious and great quality.

We had a fabulous meal here, the best food and cocktails we have had during our trip to New York. The service, the food, the atmosphere was 10/10. Harvey and Brandon looked after us all night and made sure we had a great meal.

Food and drinks were really good, the crispy rice is a must have. Our server was kind and attentive. Restaurant has a nice cozy vibe, will definitely be back!

+1

Not sure why it took me so long to find this place. Food is very good and the menu selection is totally up my alley - all seafood-based but ranges from fried snacks to udons to large plates. Happy hour til 7pm is also a huge plus! Will definitely be going back.

I don’t usually leave reviews but this time I just have to. Amazing food! Superb service! Will definitely go back for their crispy rice tuna. It’s a 10/10. If you love spicy drinks then their Spicy Palawan is a must try. The whole experience was delightful. Will recommend to friends.

This is one of my favorite spots in the West Village! First of all, service here is impeccable. Every time I come back, I feel like I’m spending time with family. From a warm greeting by Brandon, to exceptional drinks made by Carmen, and of course, great service from Carlos! This place has happy hour seven days a week… And on the weekends it’s from 3 PM to 6 PM which makes a really great midday stop.

Incredible food, vibes, and service!!! Definitely get the mussels—they were incredible (and comes with fries). Our server Faith was kind and sooo funny; I would go back just to hang out with her again lol

Ian Lester Manalang

This place has truly become my go-to spot. I absolutely love the food — it’s always delicious and consistent. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. But what really sets it apart is the staff Ley, Faith and Brandon; they’re friendly, attentive, and make every visit feel special. It’s a place that keeps me coming back again and again.

Emily Min

Ama Raw Bar provided us with a wonderful experience in their West Wing room. We reserved the private space for a birthday (around 25 people), and the staff and owners were nothing but welcoming and accommodating to our group. Not only that, but they were genuinely nice and fun to talk to. Communication when it came to reserving the space was prompt and clear, and they even adjusted the room layout to better accommodate our party. A few of us ate at the restaurant before the reservation, and the food, drinks, and ambiance were lovely. I will definitely recommend this spot to those around me, for both a great dinner experience and private events, and am looking forward to visiting again.

Alexis J

I hosted a private event here & had an amazing experience from start to finish. The event coordinator, Carly was incredibly responsive and accommodating, making the planning process completely seamless. Brandon, the general manager, and the staff — including Faith and Joshua & others, were wonderful. The service, food, and overall vibe were exceptional, and our guests kept commenting on how great everything was. Thank you all!! We’ll definitely be recommending AMA for private events and look forward to continuing to support the restaurant.

Jaida Foreman

First things first, the food here is ABSOLUTELY impeccable, exceptionally top notch (apparently when I went with my date, the food inspector showed so they were being extra thorough in the kitchen that night). My date and I split the Octopus, Roasted oysters, Lobster boa buns and a round Raw oysters. The chili sauce the octopus came in was a beautiful blend of spices with a touch of garlic, highlighting the rich tenderness of the cephalopod 🐙 The roasted oysters came in this pretty silver shell dish and had this gorgeous creamy texture that was only highlighted by the sauce it came with. All in all, all of the seafood was super fresh, tender and extremely well prepared. The ambience of the restaurant itself felt very classy and sensual, with it’s dark mood lighting and framed black and white photos. The serving staff was quick, efficient and attentive; even with the inspector being there which I’m sure was an added stressor. Definitely recommend this place for a great date night, birthday celebration or if you just happen to really love well made seafood 🦞 also for fans of Pinot Grigio, try the Muscadet! It’s super similar but with a crisper feel 🥂

L P

If you’re looking for a bar experience that feels like your favorite margarita and sushi had a baby, then let me introduce you to the bartender at AMA. This guy doesn’t just mix drinks—he mixes magic. First off, his margarita game? Absolute next level. He doesn’t just shake the ingredients, he shakes them like he’s trying to get them to tell him their deepest secrets. The result? A margarita so refreshing, it could make a cactus do a happy dance. It’s like if your tongue went on a tropical vacation—only you don’t have to pay for a flight. And sushi? Forget everything you thought you knew. This bartender isn’t just slinging cocktails; he’s slinging seriously good sushi recommendations. I asked for something spicy, and he came back with a sushi roll so hot, it might as well have been a Tinder date. One bite, and my taste buds were in a full-on relationship with this roll. It was spicy, it was sweet, it was everything you need in a sushi and margarita affair. But the real MVP? The crispy tuna bites. These little nuggets of joy arrived on a plate like they were sent straight from the sushi gods. Imagine perfectly seared tuna wrapped in crispy, golden goodness, with a bite that’s crunchy enough to make you question why every meal isn’t deep-fried. And the sauce? Oh, it’s the kind of sauce that makes you do a little happy dance in your seat. It’s like the tuna bites got invited to a fancy party, but they showed up with an entourage of flavor. And it’s not just the food that’s a winner—this bartender has personality for days. He’s like that friend who knows everyone, makes everyone laugh, and still somehow has the time to make you feel like you’re the most important person in the room. When he handed me my drink, he said, “This margarita is like your spirit animal—strong, a little zesty, and always ready to party.” My soul left my body for a second. So, if you’re looking for a bar that serves margaritas with a side of sass, crispy tuna bites that change your life, and sushi with a side of soul, get to Margarita Sushi Bar. You won’t regret it… unless you hate fun, in which case, you might want to stay home with your sad, flavorless bottled water. Would I go again? Absolutely. Would I bring my friends? You bet. Would I trust this bartender with my drink order? Let’s just say, if he told me to drink a margarita with wasabi, I’d probably do it—and love it. A+ service, A+ drinks, A++ crispy tuna bites, and a legendary bartender.

Dacia P

While unable to make it during Happy Hour, I still think the regular menu is pretty well priced for the amount of seafood you get! Lychee martini was really good, and the oysters and mussels come with various sauces and bread buns. Both were great. The oysters were raw not cooked, for anyone wondering, and the mussles weren't rubbery and came in a great sake broth. Made a reservation so there was no wait time but it still wasn't overwhelmingly crowded and the atmosphere is chill, servers were super nice and accommodating to any allergies.

Sanna Kalika

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ AMA on Downing Raw Bar absolutely blew us away. Every single dish we tried was exceptional. The sashimi salad was so fresh and vibrant, and the oysters tasted like they came straight from the ocean. The yellowtail jalapeño was hands-down the best we’ve ever had anywhere—perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor. The surprises didn’t stop there. The mushroom fried rice was unlike anything we’ve had before—deep, earthy, and completely addictive. The chicken wings and chicken quesadillas were creative and so satisfying, while the cod cakes were out of this world, crispy on the outside and tender and fluffy inside. To top it all off, the lychee martini was fantastic—not overly sweet like many places make it, but smooth, refreshing, and delightfully potent. The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. Service-top notch! We can’t wait to be back!

+2

Shari Dongallo

One of my favorite spots in West V. Their food was amazingingly Fresh in terms of shellfish and the mix Japanese cuisin was just chef’s kiss. Luis was our server that night and he did an amazing job suggesting which food suits our needs and btw, the drinks are good too i got the Ama Sour! Will definitely come back ❤️💯

Zen

Went for the oyster happy hour! Each person can get 24 oysters at $1.25. Wish it was more but they were good! Great service and atmosphere.

Tayang

My Honey found the gem 💎 for me. He surprises me with his research and I surprised him with back to back oyster intake🤣🤣🤣 Next new restaurant for my seafood adventures. I must say fabulous food and good services. Firstly As soon as we entered ,a great welcome by hostess… followed by very enthusiastic and great server named LOUIS. Who helped us on menu and on my seafood adventures. Happy hour and drinks menu were good. For drink we had SPICY PALAWAN PEAR PRESSURE MATCH PARADAISU Unfortunately I didn’t get any drink picture 🤪 But trust me over all drinks,foods and service were 10 out of 10… 100% recommended Being new to seafood and new to oyster craze. We ended up getting 3 rounds of oyster from happy hour. ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you AMA for delicious dinner. Going back soon 😘

+3

John Senior

Our third place This is our favorite bar in the city and we always have a great time there. The drinks are great (the Mezcal Palawan is great in the winter and in the summer). The oysters are delicious, with the best condiments (scallion ponzu, gochujang cocktail and lemongrass mignonnette) — with one of the best raw bar happy hours you can find. The rest of the menu is delicious: a true feast for seafood lovers (from the raw bar to the warm dishes), with great options too if that’s not what you love (don’t sleep on the rich Mushroom Udon). Above all the team is so kind and friendly: they truly embody the meaning of hospitality, and you’ll want to come back just to feel a warm welcome that’s so rare in big cities. This is the place you wished you had discovered sooner.

Christina Boateng

found this place on a quick google search for a happy hour in the area and this spot didn’t disappoint!! the service was lovely!! our server was super attentive and thoughtful after i had concerns about the spice level of one of the dishes. the oysters and the sauces were incredible. the octopus was one of the best cooked octopus i’ve ever had and the surprise roasted tarro root was a lovely play w texture. so happy to have stumbled upon this spot and can’t wait to go back!!!

Briana

Came here for Happy Hour and it was AMAZING. The oysters were super fresh, and I absolutely loved the spicy popcorn shrimp and crispy salmon rice. We also tried the nori fries and charred octopus bao buns. Everything was absolute delicious. I had the lychee martini and it was perfect. Such a cute place on a quiet street. Can’t wait to come back.

Natalie

This place was so good and fresh. I went with my siblings for happy hour and we shared the angry mussels (a MUST) and a bunch of oysters (you couldn’t beat that happy hour price.) Everything was so fresh and delicious. The service was great and so were the drinks. We all said we’ll be back!

+6

Michelle

Loved if here and will have to come again. Love myself a seafood/oyster happy hour and I think they’ve mastered it. The oysters, though on the smaller side, are $1-2 and come with a variety of sauces. The rice paper chicken quesadillas, though a little thin, were savory and especially well paired with the sauce. The stars of the meal were the miso cod cakes and the lychee martinis. I could eat 10 more of the cod cakes right now. They were perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, savory, umami, and a little sweet all over. The lychee martinis were so strong but not in a bad way. The service was also great. Staff were so friendly and quick. Great vibes as well with a little bit of a darker atmosphere. Good for date night! Will be here again!

Jazlyn Ponce

I didn’t catch our waiters name we just remember he was Filipino due to our conversation we had with him, but he was great to us the whole night, amazing service; the food was amazing, I had a lychee lemonade and it was amazing, everything was so flavorful and also not crazy expensive! Our bill was like $130 and we went during happy hour for the oysters, they were delicious! Recommend coming here because of the food and amazing staff!

So far the best lychee martini I’ve ever had. The subtle sweetness makes it hard to taste the alcohol in the drink. The bloody orange was great too of course. It was interesting that the frozen lychee colada was very strong in alcohol - my friend was feeling tipsy so that would be great value! Glad we came here for happy hour!

We came here for the first time last night and had a very enjoyable meal. Ama has a great vibe, very vibrant and cozy. The menu was also unique, with Asian influenced drinks and food. Drinks: - Lychee Martini (vodka, lychee purée): I loved, especially since it was with lychee purée - Matcha Paradaisu (tequila, matcha, elderflower, lemon): Not my favorite combination - Spicy Palawan (tequila, jalapeno, calamansi, lime, spicy sesame salt): I just had a sip, but it was definitely spicy Food: - Oysters (6 St. Simon from VA and 6 Bacat from Canada): They were fresh and the Bacat was so nice and smooth. - Toro & Tobiko: I liked the yuzu flavor. Could’ve been better with more toro—the crispy rice was a little too overpowering. - Sashimi Salad: Nice salad. The dressing tasted like ponzu and I couldn’t taste the wasabi at all—which was perfect for me since I don’t love wasabi. - Nori Fries: Very flavorful and addictive. Couldn’t stop eating them! - Wild Mushroom Fried Rice: Too much sauce—would have preferred lighter. It can get quite loud depending on where you’re sitting. So it may not be the best place for an intimate conversation, but it was still nice for couples, especially since they have small dishes and you can try many things. We’d ordered too much food for 2 people, though, and ended up taking some home.

+1

3 plates of dozen oysters (happy hours 1.25 local & 2.25 canadian ) says it all. Mushroom fried rice is good so as the yuzu shrimp. Can skip the rice paper quesadilla and cod cakes. I would love to like this place but it gets so loud ~ ~ ~ !

+6

Nawh

Had a good late sunday lunch for their happy hour. Restaurant was empty i guess at an odd hour but the food and service was great. The roasted oysters for the specials the server recommend were amazing. Oysters were fresh and the sauces complemented well.

+2

Angela Peng

We came for the happy hour deal and it was great! The drinks were good for the price. I loved the frozen lychee lemonade! The happy hour food were ok, personally I think they could be better. We didn't get the oysters bc none of us likes raw seafood. Overall, pretty decent experience and I would definitely recommend coming here during happy hour

A local place for us that has very good reviews which is why we wanted to try it. Sadly expectations were disappointed. Happy hour drinks were a little pricey but ok on cocktails. Beer so so and wine disappointing — the Chilean Pinot noir had clearly been open a while and oxidized. Pour was small by most standards but given quality of wine maybe a blessing. Meanwhile food was mixed. The oysters were ok but as usual the cheaper ones from Virginia and small and the more expensive from Canada but also very small and not worth the difference in price. The Sichuan chicken was over cooked Ie reheated in microwave so dried out. Yuzu shrimp was good though. There are a lot of these kinds of places in the village and no doubt many like Ama are run of the mill but we will keep experimenting as I am sure there are better options. The main issue with Ama is that the reviews are too generous in our view.

Too loud, food is hit and miss, and the service could be better. I enjoyed the oysters but i was particularly disappointed in the lobster and uni udon, there was barely any lobster and the uni was a joke.

+2

Atmosphere was mediocre. I felt like it was supposed to be this classy fancy place but there were a lot of not so classy elements. No coat check, paper napkins, pop music. The food was pretty solid, not ridiculously overpriced and the service was okay. But the oysters were the best I’d ever had. Wouldn’t go back unless I really wanted oysters.

I really wanted to love this place because of all the great reviews and the dollar oyster happy hour. Dollar oysters are hard to come by these days, especially in a post-Covid world. Unfortunately, everything was just okay. I made a reservation via Resy for our party of 3 on a Friday at 6:30. At first we had a fourth person coming but there wasn't anything available on the app, even though the table we were seated at was for four people..weird. We made it in time for happy hour, which ends at 7. Also appreciated that happy hour was available at the table. For happy hour drinks, cocktails and wines range from $9-$12 and the house lager is $6. I had the Miho (vodka, yuzu - I love yuzu, lemon, berry, sparkling wine). This was very refreshing but one was my max since it does get kind of sweet overtime. My next drink was the Aperol Spritz, which was fine. We started off with a dozen oysters each. The taste was not bad but a lot of them weren't shucked properly, so I felt like I was constantly picking out bits. I also wish there was a sauce more innovative than the standard cocktail sauce/red wine mignonette, especially with such an Asian-inspired menu. For the main, we decided to just share a bunch of dishes: Crispy rice tuna (spicy mayo, scallions, spiced sesame, sweet soy) - I hardly meet a crispy rice tuna (or crispy rice anything, for that matter) that I don't like but this was a little soggy. I think it was because it came out pretty much the same time as our oysters, and we were busy trying to clear that first since it was a massive plate that pretty much took up the entire table. The flavor of it was good though. This comes with 6 pieces so it was a perfect split for the three of us Steak tartare (sirloin, Japanese mustard, pear, pickled shimeji, egg yolk sauce, wonton chips) - our bad for ordering this at a seafood restaurant. That was our mistake. It was a weird texture, like they added cornstarch to it Chili oil charred octopus (poached and charred octopus, house vinegar, chili oil, taro, scallion) - this was mostly taro and had very few pieces of octopus in it. At least the octopus wasn't chewy though Nori fries - these fries were soo good. They might have been the best part of the meal. They're shoestring, reminiscent of McDonald's fries, topped with Nori - so it was a nice twist Angry mussels (spicy kimchi broth, chili pepper, garlic, with nori fries) - these were good. It wasn't too spicy and the broth was great, especially for dipping the fries in. I only wish we read that this came with fries before ordering an extra side of nori fries. But we still ended up eating most of the fries. Overall, I would say to just get the crispy tuna rice (but make sure you eat it as soon as it comes out), and the mussels with fries. Those were the best dishes. However, I'm not sure I would come back just for that.

+5

I’ve had inconsistent experiences here. The first time I came here, I came in a group with people who go often and know people there so of course the service was impeccable. Decided to come again alone since the first time was so great and it was the complete opposite. I sat at the bar and the bartender seemed annoyed of my presence. I came after work where I do a lot of physical labor so I’m not looking fancy at all and I guess that’s what they didn’t like. The host looked like a Trader Joe’s manager in a Hawaiian floral shirt (There is a Trader Joe’s close by so maybe that’s the vibe?) so I’m not sure why my fit got checked. I brushed that aside because I wanted to really try new things on the menu. The more I ordered, the friendlier they got which only proves my gut feeling. After ordering the shrimp, the bartender perked up and started to try to have small talk with me or get me to crack a smile. I was unamused as I find it really distasteful when energy changes like that. I wasn’t expecting the same amount of service I received the first time without my connections but I at least expected to not be dismissed unless I spend more money. It feels like such a 90’s thing to do. Anyways, the food was good and oysters were okay. It’s a cute space on the inside, the food is good and priced well but the service depends on who you know and how you look I guess. All in all, I feel that 3 out of 5 is fair.

Derry Li

Mediocre and kinda overpriced. Happy hour prices are ok but that’s about it. Service messed up our order, and was surprisingly hard to flag down to get the check. They were also out of a couple of the happy hour items… 30 minutes into happy hour.

Jia Sun

Don't know if it was early in the season or bad batch, the oyster meat was tiny. Have had better happy hour versions else where, also waited for entire table to order before bringing out first made 25 minutes ago. Yuzu shrimp was pretty good along with lychee martini. Overall music was too high and other patron had to talk loud to facilitate good conversation. Bulgulgi buns were juicy and tuna crodo refreshing.

+7

The atmosphere outside is very nice, the inside has dozens of flies everywhere. The shrimp cocktail was not fresh and the food preparation, generally, was not up to par. We went there because of the good rating and reviews, perhaps today was an off day because of the holiday weekend, but otherwise, sadly, I would really recommend going anywhere else unless you just want to grab a drink outside on a nice day.

Really good service, but food & drinks weren't great. Went here for happy hour and oysters were average. Lychee Martini was way too sweet and almost undrinkable for both of us.

Came here for happy hour on a Tuesday. Place was cute inside but super loud. There’s no noise dampening at all so if you’re seated next to a loud table you will struggle to hear the other people at your table speak. Ordered the $1.25 oysters and they were not good. It’s the kind of oyster that you need to smother in sauce to mask the taste so I was very disappointed, especially since this restaurant is supposed to be a “raw bar”. The lychee martini was similarly disappointing. Imagine a glass of svedka mixed with some juice from a can of lychee. That’s exactly what this tasted like, no flavor balance whatsoever and the aftertaste of cheap vodka. The one redeeming factor was that the service was good.

If you want to scream while eating, you can go here. There were people next to us screaming their heads off and I couldn’t even hear myself talking. There were only two waiters and they barely came to us. Every time we wanted to order they’ll be like “what? Oh okay.” Asking for the check took them nearly ten minutes to get it.

Walked into Ama Raw Bar with my party and another couple—both invited to sit at the bar by the bartender. Minutes later, the host told us we couldn’t sit there due to a “waitlist,” yet the other couple (who also had no reservation) was allowed to stay. When we pointed this out, we were ignored. No explanation, no fairness—just selective enforcement of “rules” that felt clearly discriminatory. If you're expecting equal treatment and basic respect, look elsewhere. This place made it clear who they do and don’t welcome.

Walked in without a rezzie because we wanted to sit at the bar for happy hour. Bar was full so I asked if putting my name down was an option. Host or whoever took my number and confirmed it was me thru the system then said the wait was about an hour which we were fine with. We walked out to find somewhere to wait and never got a text or call back even after the host said we were the only ones on that waitlist. Not sure what that was about. Open to changing this review in the future.