Espíritu

Great service, always super quick and attentive. The food and drinks are great. I love the mezcal cocktails. Love that you can usually get in without a reservation with 2 people (if you have a bigger party, I would still get a reservation if possible). Only complaint is that you can't order the tacos individually anymore (you can order singles in addition to a plate).

Went here last night for a break from deep fried Cajun food. Nice looking spot. Was maybe half full at 7:00 on a Thursday in April. We ordered the Creole Queso dip for an appetizer. Very tasty. Not enough chips for the amount of dip. Asked for more chips - nothing. That was about the time that I used up the two street sized, thin corn tortillas came with the Mole and asked for a few more. The Lamb Mole was pretty generous for the two tortillas. My husband ordered the Chicken Tinga tacos. Three street sized tortillas with some Tonga. My husband is a big eater. I wish our waiter had mentioned that it was a light meal, so we would have ordered sides. Now, if you have read many of my reviews, you know that my restaurant mantras is: People do not eat out to get full, they eat out to have fun. Too bad our waiter was having an off night. My dinner was cold by the time the few extra chips and two more tiny tortillas arrived. His female college really saved the day for us and ran interference for us. Long story short- everything was tasty. Portions off. They said they had a new chef. Chef should figure out not to scrimp on the cheap stuff - tortillas and chips are on that list. Being short and then having to wait a long time for more kinda wrecked the evening for us.

This was the best dining and drinking experience we had on our 6 day trip. Adventure to this alley by the federal courthouse and have a great time! The place is unassuming from the outside but don't let it fool you! We went for happy hour on a Friday night. Our $4 tacos and $5 margs turned into a $100 bill because we realized how amazing the rest of the menu was! The elote alone is worth the stop. There is a video running on loop that shows the production of mezcal. I would have learned alot if I hadn't been laughing with the people next to Us. I would have told you before this afternoon that I didn't like mezcal. I said as much to the bartender when we were talking about what to order next. He proceeded to educate me about the finer points of the spirit and all of its varieties. I agreed to try a flight and was pleasantly surprised to find one that I liked. I still wouldn't order another one unless I had such an expert helping me make a choice. He was amazing! There were very few patrons so we had a lot of attention and good conversations with the staff. All were amazing.

This place is delicious and super celiac friendly. I would highly recommend it. The tacos come 6 to a plate and the Elote is to die for.

Food was good but not out of this world. Also the portions are very small for the price, I think you could go to a better Mexican restaurant with bigger portion sizes and prices. Though the service and ambiance was very good as well as the creole queso. The Birria tacos, and the flan (best thing on the menu outstanding) I would recommend going here just for the flan. Additionally, I thought that the strawberry soda was going to be amazing but it tasted like bath and body works (ifykyk)

Food and drinks were amazing!! The waitress was very friendly and attentive and overall this restaurant is very inviting. There was no wait at peak dinner on a Tuesday night, which could be because it is a hidden gem. I had the carne asada tacos, chips and salsa, a cocktail and flan. Everything was so delicious. Absolutely would recommend giving this place a try if you're in the mood for good tacos and ambiance.

Food was terrific! Service first rate. A wee bit pricy but still very enjoyable. Experience could be improved by more traditional Spanish or Mexican art. Also the music was not in keeping with the cuisine.

The food here seems to trend on the smaller size while the prices trend on the more expensive side. I found my food to be good while I didn't find the price to be in line with the portion of food I received on my plate. One of the biggest selling points of this spot is their specialization with Mezcal and they do offer a weekly presentation and education on Mezcal. Parking in this area is a bit challenging as most of the parking is reserved for people working in the Federal Building next door so you might have to park a bit further away. If you're in the mood for some high quality cocktails along with smaller portion food then this might be your spot. Overall this is a spot I enjoy occasionally but it isn't a regular standby type of joint for me.

I walk past this place at least once a week while catching the Magazine bus and I finally got around to trying it. The ambiance is homey and the staff are nice. The food came out at a reasonable pace, too, and the flavors were good. There were a few small things I thought could be improved. One: they don't offer mix and match tacos. I was assuming they would since the rum house has a similar selection, and they allow you to order what is basically a taco flight so that you get to try three different kinds. I had noticed several interesting kinds on the menu and it was difficult to choose just one. I realize this would be more work for the chef, but their prices also aren't super low for what you're getting. Which brings me to number two: the price to portion ratio wasn't very appealing. Basically, the trio of tacos is so small, you have to get a side if you want to leave even semi full, so you are going to be spending over 20 bucks after tax and tip. I got the Baja fish tacos for 15 dollars and a side of arroz Rojo, but the meat tacos are 18 and I bet they're the same tiny size as mine were. I mean, I'm not unfamiliar with street tacos; I know they're meant to be small, but they're also usually like 3 dollars each. But like I said, they had good flavor and texture--delicious mild breaded whitefish with fresh pico, crisp slaw, and a zesty cilantro lime aioli. The rice was good--different from the CA rice I grew up with, but moist and flavorful nonetheless. So overall not a bad experience--I'm glad I tried it--but probably won't go back since I'm a fan of places with bigger portions.

I immediately noticed this place was filled up with eccentric people. That weren't bothersome but still very awkward. Even the servers. But they were nice. The Birras tacos were okay, and the salsa sampler wasn't spicy at all. Overall I didn't think the flavor was there, however, the meats and products they used were soft and upscale. Just lacked flavor. The best part was the server recommended a mezcal sampler for $12. We said yes and after a bit of a wait we had the coolest tour. The bartender came over and we learned all about mezcal as we did the testers. This by far was the coolest part. I wouldn't expect that on busier nights but this was a Thursday early evening. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about Mezcal. So very cool! I don't think I would return but it's worth a shot if you're in the area!

$6 dollars per taco and this what yall giving people?! Oh no this is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE. They're not even crispy, I haven't ate them yet but I bet they probably nasty too. I will NEVER order here again, EVER. I've never sat inside the restaurant so I can't speak on ambiance but this food is terrible. DO BETTER. Worst food experience i've ever had for the price. The food was not good.

What a gem this place is hiding out in the shadow of the federal courthouse. Stepping out of the office and pulling a search for what's good nearby paid huge dividends again today when Espíritu Mescalaria popped up and off I went walking. Round the corner and follow the chalk board signs to delicious tacos in a great location run by friendly, passionate people. I grabbed a seat at the bar and unbelievably tender birria and lengua tacos were served along side a crash course in mescal for the previously uninitiated like myself. It was pretty empty room with just a few folks when I went in so it was quiet but I imagine it can get pretty loud with a crowded house but the place has a pretty, upscale vibe overall. I'll definitely be back when I'm in town!

We chose Espiritu for a birthday dinner on the fly and were impressed from start to finish. The restaurant's food, service, hospitality, cleanliness, and ambience all were exceptional. As far as the food, we discovered creative renditions of old favorites, new dishes we were excited to try, and varied heat and spice combinations to keep things interesting. Of particular note: the birria tacos (terrific color and texture) and the "soyrizo" tacos created for a local vegan food challenge. Hope those become a staple on the menu! We sat at the bar and were impressed with bartender James' knowledge and friendly service. Everyone seemed like an old friend. He treated us to an impromptu mezcal tasting that broadened our perspective on a less-than-favorite spirit and made a special night seem more special. The entire staff was flexible and accommodating. They made us feel like guests in their home and didn't mind making changes to meet our preferences and dietary restrictions. We can't wait to go back to what's now our favorite Mexican restaurant in New Orleans.

Quiet & cute Mexican restaurant tucked away from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans busy streets. The vibe is chill, the drinks are all amazing, and the food is beyond delicious! The owner is very friendly and personable. The staff is very knowledgeable of the menu and friendly. As I was newly diagnosed with celiac disease, it was so refreshing & comforting to find out most of their menu with the exception of their tortas are gluten-free. Definitely while in NOLA a must experience restaurant!

The service was really good here. The host was friendly and my service was nice and attentive. The ambience was really nice. Lots of live plants and cool art. I ordered a blackberry margarita and that was really good. I also got the salsa trio. It was unique but good. Each of the 3 salsas brought something different to my taste buds. One was spicy and sweet, another was smoky and another was tangy. I ordered the tacos and they were ok. My guest ordered the stuffed Chile and their dish looked really good and they enjoyed it. I'd order a different entree next time.

Food is not authentic and the women servers are really rude. I used to like this place a year ago I'm not sure what happened.

Overall displeased with the service at this restaurant. It was clear when our party entered the restaurant that they were short staffed, so we were understanding of delays in service, yet the unprofessionalism of the staff was inexcusable. First, a member of our party was served a flat beer. The waiter spilled two different dips while attempting to deliver the food, resulting in guacamole being spilled down the back of a party member. While these accidents were understandable since the server was working with a brace on his arm, what was not acceptable was that an apology was not issued by the waiter instead he mumbled an assortment of profanities to himself. The replacement dips were never delivered, and the guacamole that hit the floor was not cleaned up leading to having to walk around it several times to go to the restroom. The waiter then failed to return to the table for us to bring our issues up to him. Our check was also not brought to our table, and then when we went up to the bar to get the check they also attempted to give us a check for an order of chips and dips that we did not order. When bringing this to the attention of the manager, our party was told that since they were short staffed and there was a convention in town, they didn't have time to worry about the small things such as replacing the dips or bringing requested refills. The manager did take the dips and beer off our bill, but the unprofessionalism of the staff and manager were not acceptable. Along with the subpar service, the food portions were extremely small for their price even for appetizers. Overall, would not recommend this restaurant.

This place is cute and we had a great time, but service was slow and food left a bit to be desired for the price. Drinks were good, not great. For drinks, killer bee is a mezcal cocktail that's pretty good, nice smoke, and my husband loved his mezcal old fashioned. The espiritu and mezcal margaritas are good, slightly sweet. For food: The salsa trio was good, like the variety. The street corn was delicious!! We tried one of each of the tacos and I was just unfortunately not overly impressed with any of them, especially when they charge $4-5 per taco - they're on the smaller side and not super jazzed up with flavor/accoutrements. The carne asada torta may have been my favorite item we tried, very good and came with a nice serving of fries on the side. Overall, there are much better taco or margarita places in this city and for better pricing, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at returning for drinks and a few select menu items if a friend wanted to come back.

Amazing!!! Greeted and seated as soon as I walked in on a Thursday afternoon! The service my waiter provided was great. Checked up on me and asked if I needed anything else once I had already received my meal. But now let's talk about the food! When I said my shrimp tacos were amazing! The crunch to the shrimp and the right amount of "other toppings." Which included pickled onions and a mango habanero aioli! Great!!! Nothing was too over powering. The combo was great. The lemonade tasted fresh. Just delicious overall. I'm not from the area but if I was I'd be coming back for sure to try their cocktails. The restaurant was beautiful as you walk in. The plants that are at the door are such a beautiful touch.

Husband ordered the Yucatán pulled pork taco. No picture but I had AMAZING crispy shrimp tacos. Salsa was pretty good, chips though were awesome. It's difficult down here in NOLA to find somewhere local that isn't either a steakhouse or heavily seafood. Most people would love that, but my husband has full/all seafood iodine allergy so this was a great find and compromise so he didn't need to eat another steakhouse burger. We went at 4:30pm and there was no wait. Servers were friendly and the dining area was clean.

I came here for lunch during the weekday so we did not get to try those nice adult beverages they advertise. We walked in and it was short staffed, no was really there to greet us, so we walked up to the bar and sat there. She asked for our vax cards and we sat down. They have tables outside on the sidewalk if you don't have your card. She went over drink specials which was a mexican take on a French 75, which sounded good, but I was there for lunch at couldn't drink. I loved that the bar had some fresh ingredients that I know would have made those drinks taste amazingly fresh but oh well. Next time. And there will be a next time. I ordered the crawfish queso, it just sounded good and we are in the middle of crawfish season, so why not. It came out with a few chips, I wish there had been more chips. But tasted it and it was good. It had a spicy kick to it. But it wasn't the most greatest queso I have ever had. I then ordered the shrimp tacos and cauliflower tacos. I thought that sounded different, so I went with it. I did enjoy that flour tortilla. You could get the taste of it with the cauliflower but not as much with the shrimp because there were so many flavors going on in there, which was a good thing. Overall I liked the shrimp better, but I am not sure I loved the tempura batter, would have preferred a flour batter but I understand they are trying to keep things healthy and gluten free, the bartender mentioned that at one point. Each taco order comes with just one taco, so it is about $5 a taco. I think I would like to be back when I can drink some of their specials and try some more of those tacos. Also, loved the decor inside with the skeleton and the beautiful hanging baskets.

I would give this place 3.5 stars. Came in afternoon on Wednesday, pretty dead around 3pm. Ordered their happy hour tacos, adobo chicken and pulled pork. It was good but not a fan of raw onion on it. Was $2.5 each during happy hour. Also got the fried shrimp which was very good, the habanero aioli was not as spicy as I thought it would be as I asked for it on the side. Also got shaken margarita which tasted good as well. I did not try other food but I'm sure it was good too. A little pricey for tacos if not here during happy hour.

The place looks nice and cozy. I ordered the baja bruja cocktail which was really good! The tacos were just ok. Not sure where to put it but something was missing.

Stopped in for a nightcap on the way back to the hotel. Cocktails were excellent, as were the chips and flight of salsas. They even recommended a really tasty mezcal for me to try.

The worst service! We were told no food for 30 min and they said they only had drinks at the bar. We went to the bar area and sat down next to 2 tables that had patrons with drinks. We were told we couldn't sit there. We got up and waited at the bar next to 1 stool open (2 of us) to order. Finally, the bartender asked us what we wanted and we asked for 2 classic margaritas. He started to make the margaritas then said, "Sorry there's not enough seating" so he couldn't give us the drinks unless we wanted to take them to go. This was at 3:30pm. Waste of 20 min to try to get 2 drinks on Cinco De Mayo!

My partner and I are in New Orleans from abroad. We saw some signs across the street and decided to check it out. Got greeted by one of the waiters who while saying the restaurant wasn't open yet, let us take a look inside. When we asked what food they did, he said it was a style of Mexican food. When we asked him to explain what type of food they served, he said "Uh, it's Mexican. Like Mexico. You know? It's a country?" We were then practically ushered outside before we could ask anymore regarding the food. Thanks for not showing us the menu, insulting our intelligence and making us feel unwelcome

AMAZING! this place is so friendly and beautiful! the staff is very knowledgable about tequila especially mezcal's. they explain everything and help you find the right tequila, this place is honestly the best! definitely visit if you're ever in New Orleans!! we will be back :)

The tacos were very good. It is a little pricey. Small portions and they charge for salsa. However i would definitely eat the tacos again, wish they had some a la carte options or a option to mix tacos to try different ones.

Dinner party of six last night. We all love Mexican food. First thing to raise eyebrows was that they charged for a "flight of salsas." I don't believe I've ever paid for salsa in a restaurant before! The chips were ordinary and the habanero salsa wasn't the least bit spicy... very strange. Cadillac margaritas were overpriced, small, and average. We ordered two taco platters... $30 each for five tiny street tacos. Carne asada was cold and chewy. Also ordered a side of black beans so bitter that we couldn't eat them. Tried to do the right thing and spoke with the owner to describe our unpleasant experience. Although he listened politely, he still delivered the astronomical bill with no adjustment. Stay away from this place.

I've eaten here several times. In the early days (first year or so after they opened), I loved it. My co-worker and I would always have chips, guac, 3 very small tacos each, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Out the door, with tax and tip it was around $30. We went a couple of weeks ago and the same lunch, with tax and tip, was $55. This is not a fancy pants restaurant. In terms of their food, I recommend the asada tacos and the shrimp tacos. They are very small - 2-3 medium shrimp per taco, and 2-3 small chunks of asada per taco. Chips are decent. Salsa is quite boring, but definitely edible. Guacamole is very good. Unfortunately, I won't be going back because I cannot justify the high prices and small portions for a weekday lunch.

Very hip little taco/mezcal spot on Capdeville, in the space formerly occupied by a bar/restaurant by the same name. A couple tables outside, but you definitely need to step inside to appreciate the ambiance. I've had EM bookmarked for a year or two and finally made it in for lunch today. We were seated immediately at a table in the bar area (after vax verification, of course). The server did a great job. Started with a mezcal margarita and chips with two salsas. The drink was outstanding. The chips and salsa, were just okay IMO. Admittedly, I'm more of a fan of salsas with some texture... not necessarily chunky, but not the total liquid variety like their mild. The medium was a little better, but nothing to leave you wanting more. For entrees, I had a fish taco, a shrimp taco and elote. All three were very good, but that elote was amazing! My bride had the chicken adobo torta, which is served with fries. This is a very large sandwich, loaded with flavor. (They could get away with calling it a poboy, if only they used Leidenheimer bread). The fries were awesome. Dare I say probably the best I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant ;) In a town that has stepped up its Mexican food game considerably over the past few years, Espiritu Mezcaleria has established itself as a legit contender!

Over priced for terrible quality and taste. And the waitress was acknowledged of not really liking the food. She said that's how it comes which is not the way things should be done in the restaurant.

I've been here several times and I'm never let down. Best Guacamole, ceviche, street corn, tacos, COCKTAILS, and more. Friendly staff and good atmosphere as well!

Came to New Orleans for a family trip. was very excited to come for the historic background and great food. Got a lot of the New Orleans taste the last few days so me and my party decided to try something different. Saw this small spot and decided to give it a go. Hungry, we ordered the queso. Very weird and different to what we were expecting. The small menu didn't offer much besides tacos and two different dinner plates. We decided to try the tacos and the lamb mole. When the food came, we all looked at each other in disappointment and perplexion. The tacos were not only small, but also overpriced! Two biters, for $18! And the Lamb Mole was a scoop of rice and even less lamb. The mole was not up to par either. Very sweet and bitter at the same time? When the bill came we were stunned to find out our bill came out to over $200 for below than average taste and super small portions. Not very happy with the outcome of the meal and a bad way to end our trip.

It's a nice spot for the happy hour special, the tacos are small but the drinks are good. A little off the beaten path but still in the central mix of the city. The person I was with really enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars, I'd give it three. We had the classic margarita (nice and fresh) and Baja bruja (herbal and grassy). He did the 3 taco taco Tuesday special, ate it all and ordered more. I had the street corn, fish taco and carne asada. The street corn was good, my tacos were okay. He really enjoyed his tacos. We'd come back probably for happy hour.

The food, ambience and service were great. Our server, Anthony was very welcoming and attentive. I had the flight of 3 salsas which I loved as all three were very good and different from the other. The Crispy shrimp taco was my favorite. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and the flavor was great! The restaurant overall had a good vibe and is a great spot to hangout and have great food.

The service was great but tiny portions. I got the sweet potato tacos and my my partner got the Baja fish tacos. Both were tiny and had hardly any filling. For 3 of these tacos it was $15. The filling was tasty but not enough so for the price. Would not recommend. Our hostess and waiter were wonderful but the prices did not feel fair.

This spot is tucked away from the French Quarter crowds. You're definitely in the know if you find this spot. It's hidden on a quiet street. I enjoy going in evening for a light dinner before heading out to the bars in the area. It has a great deal for Taco Tuesday - 3 tacos with beans and rice. It's paired well with one of their margaritas. The cocktails are mixed with a deft hand - well balanced and smooth.

Love love love. They have some of the best Mezcal margaritas in New Orleans and their crawfish queso is delicious. Definitely need to try the crispy shrimp tacos when you go!

Drinks were good. Food/value veryyyy overpriced for Mexican food. Tacos were very small and underwhelming. The (not homemade) raw corn tortillas didn't hold up and fell apart. Very basic food; for example, was hoping for a nice piece of flank steak in the torta sandwich as it described but it was the diced meat for the steak tacos. Again, wasn't bad tasting, just very overpriced and not at the standard of the other many modern Mexican restaurants in the city. The first time we went we loved this place. It was pricey but they had such a good presentation with the food- the tacos were elaborate, interesting with quality food. The apps were delicious and unique- like the queso. However, they really do make good mezcal cocktails- one of my all time favorites drinks came from this place! Just wish they would put more quality, detail and love into the food again!

Firstly, I would like to start off with this: The aesthetics of the place were extremely pretty. Plants everywhere, cute tables and lights and some beautiful art work. My friend and I walked in and were obsessing over how pretty the place inside was. However, For some mid ass tacos this place is way too overpriced. Now personally, I'm pretty chill when it comes to food quality and also service. But my experience here was so overwhelmingly dissapointing I felt the need to be real. The tacos did not taste bad by any means but for something that is very simplistic, it could of been way better especially for how pricey everything was. With how pretty and scenic the place was, I was pretty dissapointed.

VERY expensive for very little food. Service was slow and we had to ask for sides, sauces, and drinks several times despite being very few other parties in the restaurant. Food came out cold as well. Adding a 20% plus tip to the check (even being a big party) was a ballsy move.

Found this place after a few other restaurants nearby had long waits. Turns out we loved it! Lucky enough to come during happy hour, we enjoyed $5 margaritas, chips and salsas and the $2 tacos! Also enjoyed the beer and mezcal pairing! The ambiance inside was lovely, the bar, art and plants are so beautiful!

Tacos where really good. The chips and salsa were homemade and delicious. I like the setting. Fun place to grab lunch!

Great place !! The Crispy Shrimp, Baja Fish and the Pork Tacos were all excellent. Each were distinctly different and very flavorful. Served on corn tortillas that were perfect, not soggy or falling apart. The big surprise was Daniels extensive Mezcal knowledge and selection. Great food along with a terrific owner and staff make this my new favorite place in New Orleans. Thank you !!

I came for lunch on cinco de Mayo and it was relatively quiet. The food and drinks were good. However the service was extremely slow. Lunch was an hour and a half for 3 people.

I am from Houston, TX.i may be a Mexican food expert??? Anyway, I wanted to try taco in NOLA.i was lucky to enjoy happy hours prices . The beer and tacos were only $2.The tacos were great.i would had paid more money, if I had had it in Houston,TX.Ususlly. I ate at Taco Bell.Here was super cozy place for me.lol.

Espiritu is located on a hidden side street. You wouldn't see it unless you are looking for it. I'm hoping that doesn't hurt their business because it was a decent experience. Happy hour is the draw here with $2 tacos and $5 margaritas. The tacos weren't your basic meat crumbs thrown into a plain shell either. The pork was overflowing and juicy. Definitely the best one. The sweet potato and black bean was a little lacking with the soyrizo being lost all together. Although the flavor was still delicious and even my meat eating friend liked it. The shrimp taco is not on happy hour sadly. $5 for a single taco is steep but it had good flavor and had enough shrimp. Tempura battered and tossed in a spicy aioli sauce. Margaritas are hand made and the bar staff was accommodating when I asked to reduce the sugar. I liked their margarita more than most in Nola. We never waited long for service but we were also one of the few in there. The bartender offered knowledgeable of spirits. The decor is basic with simple Hispanic touches added around the space. Some classic skeletons, cactus, and a hand painted wall. I would recommend espiritu if you're looking to avoid the crowds of most popular taco spots. And points for having taco deals not only on tuesdays.

Mexican food always catches my attention, and Espiritu was on my list of places to try for a long time. I finally came by and was not disappointed! My friend and I shared the Jicama Salad and Ceviche Campechano. I ordered a cauliflower taco and sweet potato taco, and she got a cauliflower and pork al pastor. We found the Jicama Salad, which was just big pieces of Jicama and cucumbers, to be quite sour. The ceviche with mixed seafood was delicious, and the sauce was very flavorful. We both enjoyed the Cauliflower Tacos a lot but thought they needed something extra to make the flavors pop (some cheese or a squeeze of lime, for example). I LOVED the sweet potato taco with black beans, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, and soyrizo. There was so much flavor in it. I plan on coming back again, again, and again for the ceviche and sweet potato taco! I can't wait to try other menu items as well.

Finally writing this review after my third visit. I have not been disappointed, at all! The crispy shrimp tacos and street corn side are my go to. Absolutely delicious! The service is on point, even while crowded the staff is attentive.