Alma Negra

What an absolute work of art ! The food is delicious , the drinks are artistically delicious and the food is curated like a fine delicacy!!! Yum yum yum ….

Love the place, decoration, cozy and elegant at the same time. Food was delicious I went for brunch but looking forward to go for dinner.. and don’t miss the tres leches dessert🌺💕💕♥️

We’ve been here a few times, and it has not disappointed. Fish tacos and corn tamale were highlights. Great cocktails too!!

This place is wonderful. Great cocktails, great food, great service. I've been here probably two dozen times in the last year. Their mission statement and commitment to Mexican communities making the best Mezcal that's out there is wild to me. If you have the money to go out and spend, doing so here is going to really great places. Also the owner is just the nicest person.

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!

Wow. Just wow. This is a great spot to go when you’re celebrating something because it feels really festive and is on the pricier side. All the dishes and drinks are expertly thought out. Definitely get a few things to share with the table. I think my favorite was the shrimp meatballs and the ribeye taco. Service was really attentive.

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.

We've been here several times and are always impressed. Everyone has gone above and beyond to make the experience great and that's ever since the very first time we went to the most recent time we went (shout out to Olivia!). The food is excellent, the vibe is cozy and feels like a nice night out, and the drinks are awesome.

Alma Negra consistently serves elegant and elevated but unfussy and authentic Mexican food. The vibe is casual and hip but welcoming to all. The service is informed and attentive. Also has a knockout cocktail menu. This is a place you want to return to again and again. The arroz verse and pulpo were standouts last night and our server Chris kept everything moving smoothly.

Delicious food and attentive service. Even with music playing you can actually hear yourself think and hear your dining partners as well. And all the food was superb. A real neighborhood gem. We will be back.

The food was so well executed! I don't think I have a single bad thing to say about the dish. My fish taco had buttery flaky fish and just the perfect crisp. The rib eye taco was juicy and it was so hard to pick a favorite out of the two so I would recommend you just order both. The tortillas were blue corn and absolute perfection. Dessert didn't disappoint either since the cake was moist but not mushy. Not overwhelmingly sweet either and had a nice creaminess to it from the sauce. The waitress was a little intense, where I wish she would give us some room to just catch up. We felt pressured to order instead of being able to focus on good food and company.

Amazing place on 4th avenue that's WELL worth the trip. Cute ambiance -- we arrived at 7pm on a Friday and saw the last of the family / kids crowd while the date night / friends crowd were starting to come in. Around 8pm they dimmed the lights, and that's when it really felt intimate and cozy. Food was amazing. We followed our waiter's recommendations all up and down the menu and he did not disappoint. The Corundas tamale dish was filling and super tasty. The tetela de pato was such a delicious, generous portion. We also tried the Pulpo -- perfectly cooked, though the sauce was too olive-y for me. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Great space, fantastic service. Can't wait to go again and try more off the menu.

I liked this place. Its a low key, beautifully decorated spot. The drinks were on point as was the service. The guac could have been a little more flavorful, but my fish tacos and rib eye tacos were outstanding. I would definitely recommend and will be back if I'm in the area

Short review/recommendations: Carne Asada and maybe the Costillas De Huaxmole as well as all cocktails and the Crema de Horchata for dessert. I'd skip the apps. A bit pricey but good. I went to this Mexican place with a few others a good while ago as per most of my other reviews. In general I would say that the food is definitely a bit overpriced and I would treat this more as a cocktail bar that happens to have a couple good food options rather than a place where you would only get food. As I got there early, I sat at the bar and perused through their excellent cocktail menu. The bartender was friendly. The service otherwise was friendly and the lighting was dim but well designed and would probably be a good date spot if you're both into cocktails. The first drink I had was El Nieto with Lalo Tequila, Faccia Brutto Nonno, and Fig Cordial, along with two Bitters, Orange and Angostura and it was $17. The other cocktail eventually for the same price was the La Güera with Mezcal, Faccia Brutto Centerbe, Combier Elixir, Dolin Blanc, Orange Bitters, and Citric Oils. There was a refreshing mix of bitter and sweetness in both of these with the latter being my favorite as the smokiness from the mezcal made it a bit more preferable but the first one especially for a tequila based cocktail was still excellent. We ordered a bunch of dishes though they were out of the Arroz Verde for that day which worked out for me. As we weren't getting that dish, the majority of us also got some tacos which consists of three options; Carnitas, Lengua, and Pescado with the former two being $6 and the fish one being $7. I went with the carnitas and lengua. The former has slow cooked pork, pickled onions, and salsa verde while the latter has the same pickled onions as well as cilantro and guacamole. I kind of wish they gave you the more traditional accompaniments for both of them but the onion being pickled is a fun touch. Of the two, my definite preference was the latter as the tongue was cooked perfectly with plenty of richness and a bit of fattiness. I think it just paired better with the onions. The carnitas was well cooked though but it's hard to justify spending that much for that taco in particular. The first dish that arrived otherwise was the Aguachile De Tuna for $19 with center cut loin tuna, cucumber, and aguachile verde. This was fine a little bit small/pricey. The tuna quality was excellent though the aguachile itself was definitely a bit less spicy than I would have expected. In terms of fancier Mexican spots, I'm used to ones that use habaneros or something like Claro. This paired well with their presumably homemade chips. There weas also the alright Tamal Negro for $17 with corn, epazote, and ha' sikil pak. This was artfully presented though I would say that the tamale itself was a little bit dry though I think this might have been because it was vegetarian from what I recall as usually there's a bit of pork fat or something. We also ordered a bunch of main dishes. My preference was the Carne Asada for $33 with cactus, rajas, and mole rojo del istmo. The steak was cooked perfectly and while I prefer mole negro, the mole rojo in this case paired quite well and was as good if not better than most mole rojos I have had. There was a bit of sourness from the nopales and a bit of earthiness from the roasted pepper. Would recommend. Also solid but different was the Costillas De Huaxmole for $33 had braised short ribs, white beans, green squash, huaxmole. This is an uncommon dish and traditionally made with goat. The meat was tender and the sauce had an interesting light sweetness and nuttiness. This was also tasty with the sauce being the most interesting part though there wasn't really that much meat and there was a bit too much unrendered fat on one of the pieces (if you're going to serve just a bit of short ribs, they better be excellent.) There was finally the Pollo Adobado for $28 with carrots, huazontle, sugar snap peas, morita sauce. The interesting ingredient in this case was the huazontle or rather huauzontle which is an ancient edible seed. The chicken was grilled; almost a bit too much; though I think this might have a bit on purpose as it had a slight smokiness (perhaps this was from the seeds.) It was different but probably not worth the price. We went with two desserts though I might have ordered the elote dessert as mentioned by others but it wasn't on the current menu. There was the Crema De Horchata for $12 with pineapple, raspberries, and buñelo crumble along with the Otro Rolo for $14 with rolled bread with strawberries, vanilla, and ice cream of the week. The former was my preference with it being a fun spin on the agua fresca. There was a bit of cinnamon/vanilla flavor from the cream with the crumble being a bit sweet and the berries had a good zing. The latter was okay. I believe the daily ice cream was blueberry which was nice though I found the cake a bit dry. Out of room. 3.6 bumped up.

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.

I always pass by this place On my way home from work. Unfortunately, the night I stopped in I just missed the happy hour, but since I was here, I had to try the rainfall cocktail. The bartender is friendly n courteous n makes excellent drinks. Very charming place. I love Rosemary infused water, very classy. I'll have to come back one day and try other things in the menu. Definitely recommend this place. Great drinks great ambience, great service.

Carne asada $32 5/5 Quesadilla (1) de pollo $25 2.5/5 Chocolate cake w apples and mixed berries $10 3.5/5 Mocktail "#1" w pineapple, vainilla, coconout, lemon juice, topo chico 5/5 I visited this spot with my cousin last summer. The highlight of the meal was the carne asada, along with the refreshing mocktail. The carne asada was juicy and savory. The chocolate cake had a unique sweet-tangy taste. I would have rated it higher, but it was too sweet for me. The quesadilla was a bit disappointing because it tasted bland. The provided salsa added some much-needed flavor. I would recommend this spot for couples or friends looking for a cozy date night. There was dimmed lighting, creating a warm and intimate ambiance. There is a good amount of seating, including bar seating. The staff was professional but not particularly friendly, only talked to us when taking our orders. There are also bathrooms available.

I strolled in here just walking in the neighborhood. The bartender is soooo nice and he can make a good drink! I'm at Happy Hour and he's just the sweetest. Jorge is his name. He made me a mojito and I have a little buzz from just one. Haven't tried the food. But I will return. It's dimly lit, intimate spot that I'm sure gets busy. Come check this place out.

Always get guacamole! Super spicy with extra chips! If you are octopus fan, you have to get the pulpo!! Amazing! I want to try another dish but too scared to! Lol

Alma Negra is straight fire. I started with the Gowell [$15] and it was everything - definitely one of the best cocktails I've had to date. All the cocktails on the drink menu are either tequila or mezcal based, of which this was the latter. It was well balanced - a little sweet, a little spicy, and despite its appearance, it did not taste like freshly mowed lawn. The main and most distinct ingredients are pineapple, ancho reyes [think chiles], and green herb juice. There's also a dusting of some chile on the rim of the glass. The drink is reminiscent of a margarita but 100x better. I was blown away by the food - each dish was so fresh and delicious and unique in its own way. I had two appetizers and a taco which was more than enough to fill me up. The guacamole [$15] was great, fresh and herbaceous, a step above an average guacamole. The corn chips, served on the side, are long and flat and were the perfect vessel for scooping. Two people could definitely share this dish. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fish taco [$6, one to an order]. Wrapped in a corn tortilla and drizzled with mayo, the outside of the fish was super crunchy while the inside was moist. This isn't your average sad sack of soggy cod and wilted greens. If you're very hungry, I'd order two but one is good if you want to try other things. The shrimp aguachile [$16] was a flavor and taste explosion. Wow. There might have been a little too much chile, but nonetheless, this dish was refreshing and excited my tastebuds with its robust flavors. Shrimp, watermelon, passion fruit, just what the doctor ordered during a heatwave. The corn chips made another appearance, again perfect for scooping. But in actuality, I could have tipped the bowl into my mouth and slurped the sauce that way. The only negative thing I would say was that I wasn't asked if I wanted dessert and was given the check pretty quickly. Otherwise, the service was great and everyone was friendly and welcoming. The space itself is very inviting, there's a booth in the back tucked away which would be nice for a group of friends. I sat at the bar which was long and beautiful, the bar stools had backs which I was grateful for. I didn't scope out the backyard but I'd like to. The bill came to $58 after tax, before tip. Hurry, bring friends. I'd love to come back and try some of the bigger dishes ...and dessert.

The food here is stellar, with fresh nixtamal used in the tamales, tetelas, and tortillas, and the very best ingredients in a wide variety of dishes in a menu that changes seasonally. Excellent selection of Tequila and Mezcal, some very good beers on tap, and decent wines.

A very pleasant dining experience at a newer restaurant in the neighborhood. Wasn't too difficult to get a last minute dinner reservation. The service was great and the food as well. The menu is concise and focuses on some key dishes. Ordered the two taco offerings - carnitas and pescado. The handmade corn tortillas were fresh and had great texture. The two main dishes that caught our eye were the chicken adobado and carne asada. The sauces on both dishes were amazing. We ordered a few extra corn tortillas to wipe our plates clean. Hopefully I didn't embarrass myself...

Had dinner at Alma Negra on Saturday night. An expensive meal to watch them experiment with limited success on upscale versions of dishes that need no improvement. Quality: Tried multiple drinks and food items and left disappointed by Alma Negra's offerings. I ordered the Go Well cocktail, which was okay, needed more heat, but an decent option. I also got a few sips of Mocktail #2, which was not for me. Our appetizers were the Guacamole and the Pork Tamal Rojo. The Guacamole was not particularly exciting and needed more chips. The Pork Tamal Rojo was the best food item we tried, thanks to the sauce. We ordered one of each taco, but ended up with just Taco De Pescado. I did not like the thick tortilla, felt there was too much breading on the fish, and believed it needed more to it that a few tiny squirts of mayo. The Cangrejo Quesadilla did not work for me either. Very small quantity of cheese, and the flavor pairings did not work at all. The decision to place bitter greens on the plate was very odd. Quantity: Small portions for everything. Value: $16-$17 for Cocktails. $10 for Mocktails. $16 for Guacamole. $18 for the Pork Tamal Rojo. $6-$7 for Tacos. $27 for the Cangrejo Quesadilla. Ambiance: Alma Negra is a newer upscale Mexican restaurant in Park Slope. The space is beautiful and probably the highlight of the experience. The lighting is well planned out, spotlighting key elements of decor. It feels lively while not feeling cramped, and the music was upbeat yet not so loud the volume of the entire restaurant increases. It feels like a cocktail bar space expanded, which adds to the style. They also have a small enclosed outdoor patio with heating lamps to expand the dining area as the weather gets warmer. Crowd: Reservations needed on the weekend, but was able to get one the day of. Service: Friendly service, but miscommunication led to delays in our food and we received an incorrect taco. Parking: Some street parking in the area.

Owners are inconsiderate to neighbors, blasting music with a band starting at 11 pm on a residential street!! Drunk patrons urinating and carrying on outside on sidewalk and street. Police had to be called multiple times! If you are going to play loud music start earlier and end by 10-11pm give us a break!!

Excellent food and service on a Thursday night. Larger portions than we suspected which is always nice. Everything was flavorful. We opted for the nonalcoholic drinks which were delightful. The price is the only thing to quibble about as this type of cuisine used to be much more affordable so for us it won't be a neighborhood dining experience as often as we might like.

Upon arrival, the dim lights were beautifully low. The flickering candles felt very romantic and intimate. The bar was beautiful to look at, and the selection of alcohol was pretty impressive. Especially the selection of tequila and mezcal. Our bartender (Jorge) was very kind and welcoming. His recommendations were great and his cocktails were amazing! Complex flavors and great presentation. The menu is quite unique and straightforward. The selection was small but good. We ordered 2 starters (tamales and aguachile) Two very traditional Latino dishes with a Alma Negra twist. The aguachile was not a traditional one: it contained pomegranate and made it light and a hint sweet. The tamale was beautifully dished. We also ordered carnitas tacos (pork tacos) and asked for a side of their hottest hot sauce and it just unified the entire experience. We then got dessert and ordered the Chocolate Cake, and wow... what an experience! Berries, chocolate and caramelized apple slices. A delightfully light and rich dessert. I would absolutely order again.

I went here for my birthday dinner this week and... let me tell you. Waste of money and time. 1 Big Thing: Service was absolutely terrible!!! 1. We got here in time for happy hour- and the restaurant was fairly empty. While we waited for the other person in our party to arrive- they told us we can't have happy hour at the table, and we have to eat at the bar to get happy hour drinks. 2. The waitress bought over a drink for my friend who specifically asked for no mezcal. Guess what was in it: mezcal. My friend told her there was mezcal in it and the waitress said: "no there isn't." "Yes there is..."- my friend. This went on for 5 mins, and then the waitress goes "Oh, ok. We were just testing you to see if you knew what mezcal tasted like...." LIKE HUH?!!! 3. My friend went to the bathroom - and politely explained to the waitress that situation was not great service, and in the future people could leave a bad tip for things like that; waitress goes "I DONT GIVE A F**K". 4. Food was good though. Elote was good, and crab quesadilla hit. Wasn't enough to offset the terrible service. My thought bubble: take the food to go, because the service is b a s u r a. I feel bad that my friends had to waste money for this experience.

Came here for dinner after reading all of the great reviews and craving Mexican food. The restaurant is very nice and I enjoy the vibe, perfect for a date, but the food was just okay for me. To start, I had the sunset cocktail which was actually very tasty and I can highly recommend. For food, my friend and I shared the crab quesadilla, the short rib entree, and the octopus. For the most part, everything was good, but not outstanding or stood out as something I have to come back for. I am not a Mexican food expert, but I was expecting more complex flavors and also a bit more spice to the food which I didn't taste too much of in any of our dishes. Overall, a good restaurant but I am not sure I'd go out of my way for considering it was quite expensive and portions were small.

After dining here, I thought this maybe was the BEST RESTAURANT IN NY! The decor, ambience, drinks/food, and service were all excellent. If you like a lowkey spot slinging incredible food and drinks, this is the place for you. The tacos I had were amazing. NOTE: be sure to ask for the spicy sauce which enriches any of the entrees - literally my favorites part of the restaurant. 11/10 - will be a repeat customer

Another stellar Mezcaleria in New York City. Superb mezcal selection with lots of small distillers produced outstanding handcrafted Mezcal. Their bartender was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Mezcal. He made our experience fantastic and recommend some incredible mezcals to us. I had a couple Tepezate mezcals which I greatly enjoyed. For was excellent too. We started with the aguachile and the tamal negra. The aguachile had a robust flavor. I tasted some sweet (possibly mango) flavor plus sourness, citrus, and a slight finish of spiciness. The tamal was delicious and I'd recommend it. Quite earthy. For the main course, we shared the roasted vegetables in a green mole and the braised short rib in black mole. Both were must orders. They were served with their house made tortillas. The moles were rich and packed with earthy flavors. Short rib was tender and succulent. For dessert, we shared a chocolate cake served in a citrusy sauce with berries. On the less sweet side as far as desserts go and more on the bitter side. Service was attentive and friendly throughout. Our waiter was excellent and it was wonderful to be around folks so enthusiastic about Mezcal.

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 a 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.

Best restaurant in the neighborhood! Finally have a place to brag about! My fiancé and I walked in on a Sunday night around 8. It was nearly full, but we were able to grab a table on their patio We received a warm welcome from the staff as we walked through the restaurant. We later learned from our server that 5 people jointly own and work at the restaurant- you can really tell that they've all put their hearts into it. We ordered several vegetarian dishes- tamale, the watermelon salad, and the vegetales entree. Everything was awesome! Beautifully plated, seasonal ingredients, and unique flavors. Everything is carefully crafted down to their fluffy homemade corn tortillas. For reference, we weren't that impressed by the renowned Claro and definitely preferred Alma Negra. We finished off with a delicious elote inspired dessert. Go support this new business- they're crushing it!!

Carnitas Tacos were something I'd never forget & mixed drinks were beyond superb. Bartenders were very polite and great at crafting. Went at night and loved the dim lighting to go with the cuisine and culture.

Alma Negra was such a pleasant surprise for me. It started off with an incredibly fresh aguachile de camerón, some of the best I've had. Love how the sweetness of the watermelon and passion fruit play balance out the spiciness, a great broth for the seafood. Almost the entire menu barring the dessert is gluten free, very considerate and amazing to achieve such a great crisp on their fish taco. They make their tortillas in house and it shows through the nuanced corn flavors. Next was the Pulpo, the octopus platter covered in an amazing and novel peanut mole, and turns out a great salad dressing for the greens on top. The octupus was cooked perfectly, quite a feat! It also comes with fresh tortillas, amazing to lap up the sauce for. You may be tempted to make tacos but the house suggests eating some octopus on its own to really appreciate the crispy exterior and tender interior. Lastly had the pan de elote, a Mexican style cornbread dessert with a nice mix of wetness and crumble. Filled with vanilla cream and topped with peaches, it was also dusted with a nice touch of cinnamon. Service was excellent, Miguel did an excellent job taking care of me. I'll be back with a whole crew to sample the entire menu, no doubt.

My boyfriend already knew Ace, the co-owner and bartender, he surprised us with amazing drinks, and the food is delicious too! We ordered a pollo quesadilla and the ribs with black mole omg!! Sooo good!! I'd call the place a Mexican craving... takes one to know one ‍ (local joke) Whenever we're in Brooklyn we'll go there for sure! Ask for Miguel or Ace and you'll be super well taken care of!!

Great drinks and great tacos! I don't recommend the quesadilla though, it was mostly tortilla and had like two strips of cheese. Besides that, I had a great experience.

This is a fantastic new restaurant - definitely one of the best Mexican I have ever been to - beautifully designed, with a menu that will delight and surprise you. I came with a group of friends and we decided to share several dishes - and I'm glad we did - as this allowed us to all really enjoy a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. This included their Shrimp Aguachile, Carne asada, Arroz negro, Chicken Adobado and Mole verde. Everything was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The staff were very attentive and willing to make thoughtful recommendations. Their drinks menu is also something very special - the bartenders really know how to create some smashing cocktails. I had several glasses of the Gowell - a Mezcal based drink with Pineapple and lime that was incredibly smooth. Another that our group ordered that was absolutely delicious was La Coqueta - a mixture containing Tequila, Hibiscus and garnished with lavender. Another thing worth pointing out is that the venue itself is extremely well decorated - with lights underneath the bar so that you can easily hang your jacket and even charge your phone! You can tell they've really thought about the small details. It's well located, a couple of blocks away from a main subway station and has al fresco dining available. I would definitely recommend coming to dine here before it gets too popular so you can get a good table!

We tried this place Friday. I will say the hostess seated us right away and then we had to wait like 5-6 mins for a server to show up and greet us. When he did though he was very nice! Drinks were good but took a long tike to come out initiallyZ the second round was faster. The guac and chicken were a but under salted I'd say for a Mexican place, or just in general. Maybe have some salt at the table. Cause it was under seasoned we asked for hot sauce, which they gave and was nice and spicy. My wife got the tortillas with her chicken. We were surprised when we got our bill that those were an additional $5 and the hot sauce was $2. I think they should let you know, that's all. Overall prices were not too bad!

Amazing and AUTHENTIC Mexican in the neighborhood. Great selection of tequilas and mezcals. Flavors for both food and drink are an experience, the decor is modern and clean, and service is great. Attentive wait staff that's also helpful in making decisions. Get the fish tacos (real corn tortillas!) and just say yes to whatever cocktail they suggest. Salud!

Delicious meal at Alma Negra! Guacamole was incredible, I LOVE micro cilantro and whatever other greens were on top. I am a pescatarian so I got one fish taco as I do whenever I see them on a menu, as well as the green veggie mole (I think that's what it was called) and both were great! Love a freshly made tortilla so that was a huge plus. The meat eating member of my party also loved the chicken (it did look really really good) Drinks were nice and strong and my cocktail was not sweet which is hugely important to me. 5 stars there! The one thing that was not my favorite was the chocolate cake for dessert, but I think that chocolate and citrus is just a taste that I never acquired. Not holding it against the restaurant at all, and I hope down the line they add another one 0:) Will be back the next time I find myself in that neck of the woods!

I do not normally bother to write reviews, so the fact that I am taking the time to do this should count for something! We loved Alma Negra. Take this from a couple that used to go to Casa Enrique weekly before it was awarded a Michelin star. Everything was perfection, and I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up becoming the next Mexican restaurant to earn a Michelin. In fact, I think this is better than Casa Enrique. I ordered the Go Well cocktail, which was essentially a beautiful herbaceous mezcal margarita - it was refreshing, lovely. My husband ordered a spicy mezcal margarita, which was well balanced and had a great kick to it. The guac was flavorful and perfectly salted, served with fresh warm gigantic tortilla chips. For our entree we had the pescado and carnitas tacos, which were absolutely delicious and well thought out, down to the garnish. The short rib entree was fall off the bone, succulent, rich, and served alongside fresh blue corn tortillas. The service was warm and prompt. Wonderful meal. Compliments to the chef. We will be back.

I hate to be bearer of bad news. I've lived here for 55 years and appreciate small business. The wait was ridiculous while the waiter was chatting away, we were famished and getting hangry. After 40 min they finally took orders. The small portions are not worth the $$$. And the food was not that great. Fish tacos had too much breading. The quesadillas were so small. No more Alma negra for me and I'm Latina.

Obnoxious neighbors! Started a private party with a large band/orchestra at 11pm. This restaurant is in a residential neighborhood. From 11pm through 11:30pm they warmed up on the sidewalk and now at 12:30am they are inside the restaurant but so loud they might as well be playing in my apartment.

Thoughtfully composed drinks, appetizers, and entrees can be found at this excellent addition to the Gowanus and South Slope neighborhoods. Attentive and friendly staff can make recommendations if you find yourself unsure where to begin. The menu is short but there is no filler- the crunchy tostada with a not-seen-often-enough salsa macha is a nutty, earthy, delight of both fresh and roasted vegetables. I assume the tortillas are made in house as they hum with flavor in every bite of the juicy, tangy pork tacos (which I thought were more similar to cochinita pibil than carnitas, as they're called). The rib quesadilla was likewise overstuffed with succulent porcine coupled with a beautifully creamy fresh queso. There is an abundance of great Mexican restaurants in this area that run from inexpensive to elevated, but Alma Negra may stand out for its vibe which is lively but intimate, excellent for a happy hour with snacks or a lingering date night.

This place is all around fantastic and 4th Avenue in Park Slope is in dire need of more quality restaurants, but as we were paying tonight we noticed the tax on our bill was unusually high (like 13%). When we asked the host why, he pointed to the fine print about a 4% surcharge for using a credit card - which was confusing to us because that kind of fee should be clearly itemized on the bill's total and not lumped in with sales tax. And it was already included in the bill before they even knew that we were paying w credit instead of cash. Left a really bad taste in our mouths and a lot of disappointment since we love this place. But we feel extremely taken advantage of as customers, not to mention price-gouged. Hence the one star review. Deceptive business practices have consequences - even if they're as small as this bitter one star reviewer who is not less inclined to return.

the food was so bad! literally bad. truly outrageous pricing as well. could probably be an okay cocktail bar but wow, hours later still just mad about how bad the food was.

Now this is an elevated dining experience. On a cold rainy night in December, we didn't want to cook and didn't want someone to brave the rain for delivery, so we looked for an appealing option within walkable distance from Park Slope. Alma Negra had availability on their patio, so we thought we would try to beg their kindness and ask for a warm seat inside. The patio proved to be pretty sturdy and warm after all, though the team was still extremely accommodating and allowed us to sit inside. First, the staff here is incredibly kind. The service was excellent, relaxed and attentive. Drinks were fantastic and clearly rotate seasonally. I'm not normally a mezcal fan but I was encouraged by our server to try one cocktail with the particular mezcal they use, and he was right: just the right level of funkiness paired in the refreshingly bright sunset cocktail. You could come here for a cozy happy hour 5-7 nightly for the bar alone ($11 margaritas? si, como no?), but then you'd miss the excellent food. Yes, the food is pricey, but everything was great and the ingredients were stunning. The quesadillas were stuffed to the hilt with fresh crab or chicken. The guacamole was ample and well seasoned. The chicken adobado was smokey grilled perfection, so aromatic and perfectly paired with piping hot house made corn tortillas. The short rib mole was a tad sweet for my taste but superbly cooked. Love Alma Negra and thrilled that they turned an otherwise cold and dreary night into something warm and wonderful. We will return, and we will recommend.

Some of the best latin american food in Brooklyn. Amazing selection of artisanal Mezcals that you won't find at your local liquor stores. With the right vibes- cozy, candle lit ambience that makes for a great evening. The service is also amazing. The folks here have had over 20 yrs of experience in the industry and decided to come together to make an authentic restaurant and it shows. FYI- the corn tortillas here are the juiciest you've ever had. Tacos have never tasted better.

The ambiance and servers were great. The place is low lit with beautiful tables and a charismatic atmosphere. However, the food was very expensive and just decent for that price-point. We got drinks and those were delicious and presented well, but I probably wouldn't return for a meal.

Stumbled upon this gem because of an event. Very cozy set up with a solid bar and excellent tequila and mezcal selections. They made some great cocktails too. Ordered a few things off the menu and wow! They put some love in their food. The pulpo was the best I've ever had. The owners are super friendly and involved. The bartenders/servers were knowledgeable and invested. I was so impressed that I even purchased a sweatshirt! This is a "must go to" if in the area.

Service was so-so, friendly but slow. Food was extremely underwhelming and EXPENSIVE! I got the crabmeat Quesadilla, and it was the size of my hand and $30. The mezcal margarita was delicious. I would not return.

Best new local spot in gowanus. Delicious authentic Mexican dishes. Flourless kitchen, so celiacs this spot is ideal for you. They ship their tortillas from Yucatán and you can tell. Will definitely be back often - also the gin and egg white cocktails were incredible. Don't miss the guac and the crab quesadilla. Braised short rib, arroz verde, and fish taco all slapped.

We've been a few times but we didn't get too deep into the menu. We've done the guacamole, pork and seafood tacos and the aguachil. All of them were solid. Based on what we have sampled, I would put in the same category as Fonda. I will also comment that the service is great and the ambiance is pleasant. If you sit at the bar, the bartender is truly a gem.

Wow. This place is far better than it needs to be but given the owner is a vet of many Mexican restaurants, and it's a labor of love-- maybe it's not that crazy that a random place in park slope is slinging tacos as good as cosme or casa Enrique. I'm throwing down the gauntlet but these fish tacos are the best fish tacos I've had in NYC. GAUNTLET THROWN. That's right party people, I've told you the best Al pastor tacos and now you will know about the best fish tacos. Plus the atmosphere is wayyyy less oppressive than the dark basic b infested fonda. And the staff is way friendlier. Anyhoo, it just opened, and i have kept dreaming about the fish taco i had two days ago.

OKOKOK this is my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn now. Everything is delicious, you can feel the passion in everything the chef puts out! The elote was out of this world and the carne asada is STEAKHOUSE quality, seriously, you can eat the fat. 10/10 best place!

Food was good, but nothing particularly special. I was disappointed that some of their seemingly more innovative dishes fell a bit flat. That said, the setting is lovely and the while a bit expensive for the portion size, the food tastes fresh and appears to be made to order. Although more elevated than some of the other Mexican options near by, I am not sure I would return based on cost relative to other spots in the area. It would have been helpful to have a waiter who could speak more towards the dishes, but I found the staff to be courteous. The cocktails were a highlight - both in taste and presentation. This would be more like 3.5 stars but closer to a 4 than a 3.

Poor host service, the hostess was super rude and have a non friendly face. The apps are bland and the agua chile is a joke, flavorless, swimming onion and jicama and shrimp was almost non existing! Literally 2 shrimps chopped for a price that is ridiculous. Their desserts are not good at all... not good! Main courses are good, but their quesadillas are $22!! Are you kidding me!!! Same thing that you can find anywhere for 7 dollars, I get it this is a Restaurant and you need to pay your bills, but $22 for a quesadilla? Built a menu that gives money and quality over looks and greedy. Their music taste is bad and loud. The problem with this restaurant is that they want to be upscale, why? A local, friendly and good food it's what this neighborhood deserves.