Bar Los Ángeles

Bar Ama is everything I ever want it to be and more. Every single time I visit. New fave: Peel and eat chili lime shrimp and tortillas were outstanding! Was initially disappointed that I missed happy hour, but after that plate, I thought "happy who??". Margaritas always on point!

Tex Mex everyone will be proud of. I love the food here and the drinks are great as well. Price not too bad for a hip downtown spot. Make sure to try the birria sope!!!! It's the bomb!!

Incredible Mexican cuisine! The only thing we ordered that wasn't EXCEPTIONAL was the guacamole. The queso, hamachi ceviche (pictured), and entrees were absolutely delicious. They also carry Chef Josef's unique sodas which were delicious as well!

Al Wong (wcb79)

Came here on a recommendation from a friend, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The staff was super friendly. I asked them about portion sizes and any dishes they'd recommend. My favorite was the puffy shell shrimp taco.

Ian DSa

Nice place with some decent food, but nothing mind blowing. Considering the price paid, I've had better at food trucks and hole in the wall type of places. But it's a great place to bring people who are squeamish about eating at restaurants that might be far below their paygrade.

Sandra Simmons

A few months ago the Food 52 cookbook club on Facebook (around 35,000 members) cooked from the Bar Amá cookbook and everyone fell in love with Tex-Mex, Josef Centeno's family stories, the absolutely excellent recipes, and the alcohol section too. When I finally decided to fly after months and months of being at home during the pandemic, I came to see my daughter in Los Angeles and had literally only one food wish - to go to Bar Amá. I wasn't disappointed. They have the alley open for outdoor dining, our server was fantastic and she seemed to enjoy all my cookbook stories 😂, I mean, if she didn't, she hid it well lol! Everything we had was excellent, see the photos. If you haven't yet been you should go and don't forget the B side of the menu the blistered okra was stellar and so was the za'atar labneh & puffy bread. P.S. BUY THE COOKBOOK! I've made 40-50 of the recipes, they all are totally worth it!

Carey Smith

Awesome experience overall having dinner and cocktails here. The Amá margarita and the Negroni Mexico are especially good. And I’m not a huge dessert person but the rice pudding was unique and superb.

Jay Keyes

I came to Bar Amá for one thing: puffy tacos. Bar Amá's Mexican-American chef (and recent Michelin Star winner), Josef Centeno, is from San Antonio, the city that invented the puffy taco. The puffy taco, a Tex-Mex staple, has made a slow migration to Southern California, now with (at least) two restaurants that serve them in L.A. County: Bar Amá and Arturo's Puffy Tacos in Whittier. At Bar Amá, they're available to order off of a "secret menu," and different varieties are rotated daily. I ordered both available on the evening I was here, the "Puffy Shrimp Taco" and the "Puffy Cochinita Pibil Taco." Neither of the puffy tacos served to me here were particularly "challenging" and both mostly avoided fussy "chef treatments," instead coming across as straightforward rather than reinvented. That said, these are "designer" puffy tacos compared to what I ate and reviewed from Arturo's Puffy Tacos earlier this summer. Whereas Arturo's tacos evoked a Taco Bell Chalupa, Bar Amá's was lighter in weight and color, reminding me more of Indian fry bread. Yet, in both cases, it is masa and not wheat used to make these taco shells, a self-reminder that tastebuds aren't always reliable when coated in salt and oil. The process behind the puffy taco shell is that a corn tortilla is deep-fried for a very brief time so that it puffs up from air attempting to escape the masa, thus creating large air pockets, making the tortilla "puffy." Once the tortilla is "puffed," it is removed from the fryer, glistening with oil and similar in appearance to a fried dough shell, then stuffed like a normal taco and served. The "Shrimp Puffy Taco" consists of grilled butterflied shrimp that has been soaked in a sticky, spicy marinade. The edges of the shrimp are charred with a smoky crust of developed flavor, and these shrimp would be excellent on their own. Here they are covered with shredded red & white cabbage, with an airy avocado and chile mousse that channels Cielito Lindo's famous sauce (and indeed it is the sauce that Bar Amá uses on its own taquitos, according to my waiter), crispy fried parsley, a stewed tomato salsa, and a sprinkling of queso panela. This taco has so many things going on that could easily be overwhelming except that, in Centeno's skilled hands, you only get just enough of each flavor to derive what you need from it, and no component seems superfluous. I love how spicy and sassy this taco is, but that's not what is front and center: it is the tremendous grilled shrimp that you'll remember long after you've left here. I enjoy cochinita pibil when it's done correctly, when the grassy achiote and sour orange is discernible, when it is thick enough to be scooped into a tortilla. By those measures, Bar Amá's "Cochinita Pibil Puffy Taco" mostly does its job, even if my hands were slick with grease mixed with recaudo rojo after eating this. Visually this taco resembles the "Shrimp Puffy Taco" due to its small mound of cabbage and specks of queso, but it is a much different animal flavor-wise. For sweetening and texture, the cochinita pibil here is infused with pineapple. It's a tasty taco that I think would also have been excellent if served traditionally in a regular corn tortilla with marinated onions. To summarize, these tacos were excellent, service here was pretty good, and the place has an interesting menu. Will I be back? My current lifestyle doesn't really support the dietary demands of Tex-Mex, even as I have begun to acknowledge it as a legitimate regional Mexican cuisine. If you're the kind of person who can consume all things oily, salty, spicy, and cheesy, I can think of few better menus for you than Bar Amá's.

Brailey Simplican

This is the best DTLA happy hour deal I've found . Every component of these generous nachos ($10) is a step above, from the queso to the pickled jalapenos to the chips themselves. The margarita ($11) was strong but the Michelada ($8 x2 🤙) really stands out. Not busy yet but the bartender clearly knows what she's doing. Music is weirdly insistent on classic rock staples but the industrial chic/colors of oaxaca vibe is fun. This is a great post-museum drink and appetizer: this HH goes to 7 on Saturdays, and it's an easy downhill walk from the Broad/LACMA/museums.

Parker Green

Bar Ama was a blast! I had a wonderful and delicious lunch here! I was walking around downtown and came upon this place, and I decided to stop by since I had heard good things about it previously! I was promptly seated and engaged with very responsive and friendly waiters. The interior is very contemporary and aesthetic in its design, and the sign for the outdoor entrance is beautiful! Guacamole and other sauces for chips are extra, but I was able to get a complimentary basket of chips as well as a jug of water. I ordered the Mom's Green Enchiladas, and one of the rum sangria's. The enchiladas were some of the favorite enchiladas that I have ever had. It came in a very aesthetic skillet with a small oven mitt attached to it, and had cream and cheese all over the top, as well as the chicken I had ordered as a topping for it! Cutting into it with the fork, was a pleasure, watching it all melt together. It tasted absolutely incredible! Rich, thick, creamy deliciousness! I was very pleased. I also loved my rum sangria! It was a very unique but intriguing and exciting flavor! I had a wonderful lunchtime experience at Bar Ama. The staff were prompt, friendly and responsive, and the food tasted absolutely sublime. It was some of the best Tex-Mex that I've had. The prices were quite reasonable for DTLA as well. I'd love to come back!

Jesse G

The Puffy Tacos were the Bomb!! After watching Taco Chronicles on Netflix I was like ok I will head over to Amácita's give these Tex-Mex tacos a try. Last time in Texas, Mexican tacos and food tasted bland. Swore to never eat Tex-Mex again! After eating these Puffy Taco with cochinita pibil mmmmmm delicious!! This taco just melts in your mouth. Tex-Mex finally has a taco worth driving an hour to eat. The service was spectacular! Food got there as fast as possible and the drinks kept coming. I washed this taco down with a unique tasting Michelada. I am still trying to figure what spices they used it was that tasty, it definitely wasn't Tajin. You just have to get there and taste for yourself!

Ajay Parekh

Sensational. The best tex-mex cuisine I have ever tasted. We were seriously full. I had the vegetarian enchiladas, rice and beans, selection of starters, oh and I discovered tequila! Greeted with a smile, thanks Eddy.

M Jeero

Awesome happy hour food selections. Good service, cheap drinks and delicious small plates. What more can you ask for?

Lauren Scobel

Bar Ama is everything I ever want it to be and more. Every single time I visit. New fave: Peel and eat chili lime shrimp and tortillas were outstanding! Was initially disappointed that I missed happy hour, but after that plate, I thought "happy who??". Margaritas always on point!

Stephen Lee

Tex Mex everyone will be proud of. I love the food here and the drinks are great as well. Price not too bad for a hip downtown spot. Make sure to try the birria sope!!!! It's the bomb!!

Hit Bar AMA for the first time in a minute and it still slaps. Every dish we had was on point. We had three of the salads— our favorite was probably the Crispy Eggplant Salad, but the Brussel sprout Caesar and the Fig / Croquette salads were both hits. We also appreciated the throw back to Baco Mercat and enjoyed one of the updated Bacos. Finished it off with the albondigas and the spicy shrimp with tortillas.

We absolutely loved Bar Amá! This is one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in LA (and our three weeks trip through Southwest). The restaurant is stylish, with a warm, welcoming vibe. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, and you never feel rushed – it’s a place where you can truly enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace. The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented – clearly made with care. Excellent value for money, especially considering the quality. It felt much more like a European dining experience than the usual fast-paced American style. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a cozy, high-quality Tex-Mex spot in Downtown LA that values both food and atmosphere.

Consistently a good food experience! Great vegetarian options that are interesting and fun compared to most sit-down LA Mexican restaurants. You can tell the chef put thought into the vegan and vegetarian options.

Alexander Kargher

Hit Bar AMA for the first time in a minute and it still slaps. Every dish we had was on point. We had three of the salads— our favorite was probably the Crispy Eggplant Salad, but the Brussel sprout Caesar and the Fig / Croquette salads were both hits. We also appreciated the throw back to Baco Mercat and enjoyed one of the updated Bacos. Finished it off with the albondigas and the spicy shrimp with tortillas.

Hemal Patel

Consistently a good food experience! Great vegetarian options that are interesting and fun compared to most sit-down LA Mexican restaurants. You can tell the chef put thought into the vegan and vegetarian options.

Carl Trigilio

This is a place you take friends to (that you like). Treat the staff well and you'll have a great time. Food is like elevated Mexican cuisine with familiar and comforting flavors. Yay food, yay friendship. Props to the chef.

M P

We absolutely loved Bar Amá! This is one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in LA (and our three weeks trip through Southwest). The restaurant is stylish, with a warm, welcoming vibe. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, and you never feel rushed – it’s a place where you can truly enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace. The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented – clearly made with care. Excellent value for money, especially considering the quality. It felt much more like a European dining experience than the usual fast-paced American style. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a cozy, high-quality Tex-Mex spot in Downtown LA that values both food and atmosphere.

David Patino

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bar Ama in downtown LA was incredible! Zoe went above and beyond—she stayed a little late to make sure we were taken care of, even though we didn’t realize everything closes early. Truly amazing service. And the food? Next-level. Everything we ordered was delicious. Can’t wait to come back!

Amazing food! What a pleasant surprise. I had just gotten into town and stumbled upon this place in search of Mezcal in the area. While my drink was amazing, the food was the star! The only reason this isn’t a 5 star review is because our table was not ready, but we were offered to sit on the outside patio/alley for drinks until our table was available. We never got notification of our table as we wished to move inside as there was some sort of singles event going on outside. Possibly a missed communication. Would still highly recommend!

Topher B

Amazing food! What a pleasant surprise. I had just gotten into town and stumbled upon this place in search of Mezcal in the area. While my drink was amazing, the food was the star! The only reason this isn’t a 5 star review is because our table was not ready, but we were offered to sit on the outside patio/alley for drinks until our table was available. We never got notification of our table as we wished to move inside as there was some sort of singles event going on outside. Possibly a missed communication. Would still highly recommend!

First, the food is amazing. No complaints. This review is primarily about the dining experience. We visited for dinner twice in 2 weeks and had two very different experiences. The first night was a Thursday for 3, and upon arriving the restaurant was only half full. Moderately noisy, but nothing excessive. About 10 minutes after we ordered the place was packed, and it seemed as though the music was turned up to be heard over all the talking. We didn't think anything of the full tables, because we had already put in our order before most people had arrived. However most of these people began receiving their first plates before ours came out. Three times we had to ask our server about a missing dish, and we lost count of the number of times we asked about sparkling water refills. Eventually the server came back and explained that the kitchen was out of one of the first dishes we had ordered. It felt very much as though he had forgotten about us altogether, and was only being reminded by us or the kitchen. A different dish that had yet to arrive we cancelled and decided to go to dessert. A mistake, because we waited nearly 40 minutes for 2 desserts. When the check arrived, our cancelled dish was included; and when we pointed it out, it took another 30 minutes to receive the correct bill. We chalked all of this up to front of house mistakes, and returned two weeks later, on a Wednesday, party of 2 at about the same time. The service experience the second visit was much improved, the server was much more knowledgeable and prompt. The ambiance was much more comfortable and enjoyable, as the restaurant was quite busy but not nearly as loud. Not certain why there was such a stark difference in experiences, but that is what happened to be ours.

3,5 / 5 - Staff was super friendly, nice atmosphere, but the food we ordered didn’t impress. We got the Mushroom Birria, the stew was flavorful but the mushroom felt like it had been cooking for too long in it and lost its flavor. The pita bread was top notch, though. We also got the shrimp. It was pretty good, but not amazing. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes. On the other hand, the drink we got was pretty great. There’s an 18% required fee that is supposed to go towards the workers but that’s on top of tax and tip, so the total came out pretty high for the food we had. I admire the attempt but that might not be the best way to go.

Martina Mattar

3,5 / 5 - Staff was super friendly, nice atmosphere, but the food we ordered didn’t impress. We got the Mushroom Birria, the stew was flavorful but the mushroom felt like it had been cooking for too long in it and lost its flavor. The pita bread was top notch, though. We also got the shrimp. It was pretty good, but not amazing. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes. On the other hand, the drink we got was pretty great. There’s an 18% required fee that is supposed to go towards the workers but that’s on top of tax and tip, so the total came out pretty high for the food we had. I admire the attempt but that might not be the best way to go.

The place is fine, nothing stood out though. Looks nice, but generic. Service was friendly, but slow. Also, usually when I get a flight of alcohol, its described at least a little bit. Food was priced well.

Daniel G

The place is fine, nothing stood out though. Looks nice, but generic. Service was friendly, but slow. Also, usually when I get a flight of alcohol, its described at least a little bit. Food was priced well.