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Bar Amá, Los Angeles, CA

Bar Amá

4.7
4.7
453 Reviews
$30 and under
Tex-Mex

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2 people
19:00
Booked 9 times today
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
Bar Amá is a Tex-Mex restaurant located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Our outdoor patio is available only on Friday & Saturday evenings (weather permitting). If you have any questions, please e-mail us at info@bar-ama.com or visit bar-ama.com.

"Fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly simmering on the stove, the spicy warmth of menudo every Christmas and New Year’s, egg salad with a fried egg between a butter toasted bolillo, and puffy tacos stuffed with lengua carnitas and crushed avocado and doused with pequin chile vinegar salsa. These are just some of the dishes that have inspired me – the food that I was nurtured with by the women who raised me. Bar Amá is my interpretation of their Tex-Mex." – Chef Josef Centeno

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tex-Mex, Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (213) 687-8002
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Josef Centeno
  • Catering
    Email info@bar-ama.com for info about catering.
  • Private party facilities
    Email info@bar-ama.com for info about private events.
Gift card

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What 453 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Los Angeles

    Best Service

  • Los Angeles

    Lively

  • Downtown

    Best Overall

  • Downtown

    Best Food

  • Downtown

    Best Service

  • Downtown

    Best Value

  • Downtown

    Innovative

  • Downtown

    Good for groups

  • Downtown

    Healthy

  • Downtown

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Downtown

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Amá consistently delivers a "magical evening" with its exceptional food and service. Fans rave about the "glorious" BBQ chicken ribs and "sophisticated" dishes. Known for its "amazing" vegetarian and vegan options, this cozy spot also boasts the "best margaritas in town." Highly recommended for a delightful dining experience.

453 Reviews
  1. David

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, the food was interesting and delicious.

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  2. Octavio

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    The Bar Amá menu looks better on paper than in execution. Our group tried a bit of everything and were excited by the interesting and seemingly innovative ingredients and the tex-mex style. The food was way underseasoned. For reference we had the queso, guacamole, and hamachi crudo to start. For our mains, we ordered the kanpachi collar, mushroom birria (way underseasoned, borderline flavorless), crab baco. TLDR: Menu looks great, execution lacking in flavor. Finally, the drinks: our waiter was not very familiar with tequila and mezcal, which is understandable and an easy fix for the restaurant. But what was awkward was receiving our mezcal with wedges of lime and on the rocks (when they were ordered neat and with sal de gusano and oranges). After our first rounds of mezcal, the bartender started getting our drinks right and our second round of mezcal came with the appropriate orange and sal de gusano on the side, and neat (like we ordered). Small details, but really made us raise an eyebrow, especially when we're paying for quality food and drink. All of the above is an easy fix, but I'd have to say this place is overrated and not good value for the food and the experience.

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  3. Donald

    VIP

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Bar Amá, and eat there often when we are downtown. Four of us were there on a Tuesday night, so they were not very crowded, and we told the server we were attending a performance at Disney Hall at 8, but we still had trouble getting our meal served promptly so we could enjoy it. Don't know if the issue was the kitchen or the server, but the server should have been pushing the kitchen.

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  4. Robyn

    VIP

    New Mexico

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 6 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Bar Ama was fabulous. We shared several small plates so that we could taste more choices. The persimmon salad was tangy and fresh. The sweet potato mole tacos were rich and earthy. The bass collars were best of all with a tangy salsa verde and fresh tortillas. All for a reasonable price in a lovely space with excellent service.

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  5. Nicole

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great dinner! The drinks and food were great. We had amazing service and really enjoyed the ambiance. Would definitely love to go back!

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  6. MissDTLA

    VIP

    Las Vegas

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great date night at Bar Ama! Can't wait to go back🤌🏾

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  7. Ian

    Los Angeles

    46 reviews

    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on 3 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As we were leaving after another delectable meal, a couple of folx were about to enter the restaurant. One of them turned to us and asked, how is the food here? My partner and I said in unison, amazing! Bar Ama remains a favorite, easily among our favorite restaurants anywhere. We appreciate especially the number of vegan/vegetarian options.

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  8. Susan

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 21 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a great spot! The food plentiful and delicious and very fresh. The staff and service was exceptional. We will be back for sure

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  9. Maya

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 30 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was fantastic. Puffy tacos were out of this world. Cool vibe, great staff. Will return!

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  10. Hugo

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 September 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    The music needs to be turned down so guests can talk!!!

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FAQs

Bar Amá offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (213) 687-8002.

Bar Amá is rated 4.7 stars by 453 OpenTable diners.

Bar Amá does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 9 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Bar Amá

118 W 4th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Spring
  • Area
    Downtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tex-Mex, Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Ample street parking and non-affiliated lots also available.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Josef Centeno
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options
  • Phone number
    (213) 687-8002
  • Catering
    Email info@bar-ama.com for info about catering.
  • Private party facilities
    Email info@bar-ama.com for info about private events.
Gift card

Gift card

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