Alma Café - Bywater

4.6

92 Reviews

$30 and under

Spanish

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 28, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

Great for brunch
Neighborhood gem
Charming

Owner and Executive Chef Melissa Araujo is a 2024 James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southeast Semifinalist. Alma is an award winning Honduran restaurant located in the historic New Orleans Bywater, just outside the French Quarter.

Alma means soul in Spanish. The menu showcases Chef Melissa Araujo's Honduran heritage and takes each guest on a journey through food and culture. The Soul has many stories to tell; Alma's tale is shared through it's dining experience. From Pollo Chuco, to Bloody Mary's and avocado toast, Alma offers an extensive array of dishes focusing on Honduran Food.

Chef Araujo’s Father was Born in La Ceiba, Honduras and her memories of her childhood are centered around this particular view of the city. The mountains in the back, the ocean, the cool air in my face, my best memories were made in this city. Alma has given me the opportunity to recreate these memories and share them with our guests.

Reservations available Monday- Thursday, Waitlist only on Weekends.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Spanish, Latin / Spanish, Latin American
Hours of operation
Breakfast Daily 8:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Daily 8:00 am–3:00 pm Brunch Daily 8:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–9:45 pm
Phone number
(504) 381-5877
Website
http://www.eatalmanola.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Melissa Araujo

Location
800 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117-6737
Neighborhood
Bywater
Cross street
Dauphine St.
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 92 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New Orleans / Louisiana
Great for brunch
New Orleans
Great for brunch

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Alma Café in Bywater offers an exceptional dining experience with "truly amazing food" and a "unique menu." The restaurant features beautifully plated dishes, accommodating staff, and a charming atmosphere. Diners enjoy the "best tortillas in the city," flavorful cocktails, and delightful brunch options. While service can be inconsistent, the culinary delights are consistently praised.

92 Reviews

j
javonda
New Orleans
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food is perfect every time. Perfect cocktails. Flavorful food. All around, my favorite place to eat.
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B
Baldwin
New Orleans
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
very delicious food. the seafood omelette, french toast, potatoes and the plantains were all fire. service could’ve been more timely and my tiny table in particular next to a 7 top with kids was a bit noisy for my liking but other than that, great first-time experience. the watermelon acqua fresca goes hard as f*** btw
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N
Noelle
New Orleans
80 reviews
3.0
80 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Good food but the service was terrible. Over 30 minutes for our drinks is unacceptable. I had to ask for a water refill and she refilled the other glass but not mine. I had to re-request mine to be filled. Nice waitress but not good. Had the crab omelette and French toast. And a mocktail margarita - wouldn’t get that again. I’ve had far better elsewhere.
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J
Jeff
Portland
43 reviews
3.0
43 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
We sat for 15 minutes after receiving menus without anyone coming to offer us coffee or water or anything,. The restaurant was well staffed and it wasn't busy. We were finally able to attract someone's attention and they went in search of our server. Aside from the inattentiveness of the staff, the food was excellent.
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V
Vanessa
VIP
New Orleans
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Tortillas are the best in the city. Large portions.
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M
Marcela
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always delicious. Moved out of town, first spot I go to when I’m in town.
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M
Maria
Austin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everyone loved their food & drinks… they were very nice to our group of 10! 10/10 recommend!
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A
Abbey
New Orleans
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Went for brunch with friends. Cocktails are great. Food was beautifully plated.
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V
Vanessa
VIP
New Orleans
43 reviews
5.0
43 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The staff is so accommodating and extremely knowledgeable. The food was absolutely amazing. Thank you for a great experience. Made reservations again before we left.
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B
Barbara
New Orleans
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on January 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food, beautifully plated with quietly efficient service. Warm welcome by the hostess. Will definitely return.
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FAQs

Alma Café - Bywater offers delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Alma Café - Bywater also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (504) 381-5877.

Alma Café - Bywater is rated 4.6 stars by 92 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 28, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

Order delivery or takeout

800 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117-6737

Additional information

Cross street
Dauphine St.
Neighborhood
Bywater
Hours of operation
Breakfast Daily 8:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Daily 8:00 am–3:00 pm Brunch Daily 8:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–9:45 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Spanish, Latin / Spanish, Latin American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Melissa Araujo
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.eatalmanola.com/
Phone number
(504) 381-5877

Alma Café - Bywater

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

What 92 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Alma Café - Bywater offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Alma Café - Bywater restaurant rated?

Is Alma Café - Bywater currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information