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Tucked perfectly at the corner of 4th Ave and 12th Street in Park Slope, Alma Negra feels like a rare find that manages to be both a neighborhood secret and a standout destination. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by elegance without the fuss — earthy textures, warm lighting, and a layout that’s somehow both cozy and spacious. It’s the kind of place that invites you to settle in, maybe stay longer than you planned, and quickly start to feel like a regular. The staff are just as much a part of the charm as the decor — warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. They're the kind of people who remember your name, your favorite mezcal, and who make you feel like you're home — even if it's your first visit. And then there’s the food. Elevated takes on familiar Mexican classics, each dish treated with care and a clear respect for tradition — but with an edge that makes it unmistakably Alma Negra. We started with the guacamole and chips, which set the tone for the rest of the meal — fresh, vibrant, and likely the best version of a dish we’ve all had a hundred times. From there, we moved through fish tacos with perfectly crisped edges, a richly satisfying chicken quesadilla, deeply flavorful tamales, and a chorizo huarache that packed a subtle, lingering heat. We ended the night with a corn cake dessert, served alongside a cloud-like whipped white chocolate. I told myself I’d just try a bite — but couldn’t stop until the plate was wiped clean. Alma Negra isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience. One you’ll want to return to time and time again. This might just be one of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been to — and Brooklyn is lucky to have it.

+1

Johnleia Lambert

Alma Negra is a vibe. The restaurant’s decor isn’t your typical Mexican flare but instead is cozy with tons of plants and a clean aesthetic. The tacos were made with corn tortillas which were extra fresh and packed with flavor. Highly recommend starting with the guacamole and don’t skip dessert!

+2

Johnna Hayward

My friend and I popped in Alma Negra for a quick drink and appetizer - it was FANTASTIC! The cocktails were incredibly well made and the guacamole was delicious. Based on the full tables, this new restaurant is clearly a hit. I can’t wait to go back for dinner!

+3

Kou Leng Thao

A must try Mexican spot! Drinks were absolutely great, all the food we ordered were flavorful and delicious, the vibes were spot on, and the entire staff was super friendly. Jimmy was super attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drinks when we asked for his opinion. Give this place a try if you are in the neighborhood.

+4

Kirby Bywaters

Oh my. Alma Negra is fantastic at every level. I had 3 of the 4 cocktails and each was balanced, flavorful, and satisfying based on the style of drink. The tortillas are indeed made to order and wonderful. Fish taco was bomb, and the octopus!!! The octopus itself was perfectly cooked, flavorful and tender with none of the things that turn me off about octopus. Served with a great salad/veggies mix (incl nopales, cactus) and very flavorful sauce on the plate. It all went perfectly into the tortillas to make lovely lil tacos with great texture and flavor. I’m all about it. Can’t wait to come back for the rest of the menu. Also my dog got ice cubes in his water when sitting on the patio. Also, every staff member that interacted with me was friendly, personable, and genuinely interested in my experience. I’m all about it.

+1

The place has a dark, intimate atmosphere. The service was excellent, very attentive and fast. The guacamole was outstanding, creamy, acidic, and fresh homemade chips rounded out the experience. The aguachile de tuna didn't actually have tuna (I didn't find any), which was disappointing but the salsa Verde was incredibly flavorful and a little spicy and the cucumber was a unique refreshing addition. The carne asada was perfectly cooked, the sauce was delicious, and came with garnish but not really a side. The arroz verde had a bold cilantro and garlic flavor but I thought lacked texture. The calamari and shrimp were well cooked. The cocktails were creative and beautiful.

A X

WOW WOW WOW!!!! Hold on, I’m so speechless from Alma Negra tonight. What an amazing dinner!!! We ordered: mushroom quesadilla, fish tacos, duck tacos, branzino, carne asada, and a mojito. It was probably the best fried fish taco I’ve ever had- actually the best fried fish. It was so light, crispy, and moist. Today was my first time having duck taco!! YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT!! The Duck tacos were soooo tender and flavorful, but it’s a seasonal item so better hurry and come try. The mushroom quesadilla would be perfect for vegetarians because the oyster mushrooms tasted so meaty. I loved their salsa verde!!! ALL MADE WITH FRESH CORN TORTILLAS!!! Two entrees we order was the branzino (market fish) and carne asada. The branzino was cooed to perfection with super crispy skin, flakey meat, and a sweetish sauce. It was so good that we were trying to lick the plate up!!!! The carne asada lacked flavorful but the mole sauce helped carry it. It just needed more seasoning on the actual carne asada. Sadly, my mojito was on the weaker side and it was $18. The presentation was really cute though, it had a lot of mini ice cubes. Our amazing waitress Ashley was so attentive and friendly, she informed us about their seasonal menu so I would love to come back to try other seasonal foods. The interior is so cute and would be a perfect date night spot or a girls night out!! I’m def. Coming back so I can eat that duck taco one more time!!!

Javier Kohen

Good food, I liked the huaraches, tacos and vegetarian tostada above all, then the crab quesadilla, and I had mixed feelings about the chocolate cake: the fruits were good, but the cake itself was kinda bland. The mocktails are okay, a bit too sweet. The staff was friendly and the service was relatively quick. The nagging music was too much for me. I sat at the heated patio, but it was a bit cold on a relatively warm winter evening with temperatures above freezing. I'd recommend sitting inside.

Milena L

We had a very good experience. And probably, the place was opened by a person who used to work at the restaurant; because the place has an eye to the most tiny details :) * the place is pretty stylish and very cozy * tasty drinks especially if you appreciate cocktails * staff is very pleasant and professional * food not bad at all (a bit a room of improvement) We came for dinner, but we did not have a reservation. It was Sunday night and fully sold out. The manager was very welcoming and he helped us out. There were four of us, and we could have stayed at the bar or a covered patio. Very important: the patio is very warm and do not be opposed to sitting over there. The bartender was great, the drinks were tasty, balanced and with a hint to mixology. We ordered a lot of food, and we did enjoy most of it, but the tacos were a bit dry and they did not serve lime and salsa with tacos. Some of the dishes were missing something that would make them unforgettable, but all food was good. You have to try the corn (maíz) that they have -- it is really good! When we were sitting at the table, the drinks were coming not all together, but in a mixed order, and with a bit of delay. I give strong four stars ⭐️ , it really deserves it and I am sure the place will only improve! We certainly will be back for cocktails & corn! :) P.S. so sorry for my red-ish photos. It is because we had a heating lamp on.

+2

Jacqueline R

I’m still hungry. My partner and I came for dinner on a Tuesday, and ordered drinks, split an app, and had our own entrees. Drinks were good and staff was incredibly attentive—no notes. However, everything started to go down hill when we got to the guac. To start, I firmly believe that no guac is worth $19, but as a Latina myself, I believe a restaurant is only as good as its guac, so I had to try it. Guac was okay. It was missing salt and lime. I got none of the freshness that I expect from high quality guac, and the chips were few and greasy. Carne Asada was good, but not anything special. It wasn’t even hot. And it was certainly not enough; for $41 I’d expect more plentiful sides. Now where the real tragedy happened was the quesadilla. Cheese was not melted, and the amount of salad that came on the side was pitiful. For $30? I feel ill. I would like to reiterate that the staff was wonderful, but I would never return. Our entire experience was only 45 min long: from sitting, to ordering, to walking out the door. Looking back on it, it was clearly made to cater to white people. Had none of the authentic, Mexican feel you look for in a restaurant, even one serving a more elevated experience. This place is why Latinos are cautious of eating Mexican food in New York.

Janeth Rodriguez

Tbh, it’s overpriced. It’s expensive Mexican food. The quesadilla is like $20+ and it’s just too much cheese. I got the mole and fish and it was just fine. The non alcoholic drinks were good though. The lady who sells tamales with her cart makes them better and they’re $2. The aguachile wasn’t good either, no flavor. I’m also Mexican and grew up in Mexico so I have something to compare it to