Check out the updated Acamaya menu with prices, last verified in September 2026, for Mexican mariscos (seafood) in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. Acamaya opened in July 2024, led by chef Ana Castro and her sister Lydia Castro, and quickly became one of the city’s most talked-about restaurants, earning a spot on the New York Times’ Restaurant List and a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand distinction in its first year.
This guide covers Acamaya’s dinner menu, from cold and hot seafood starters to mains and dessert, along with current pricing, so you know what to order before you go.
Acamaya Menu With Prices
Starters
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Wheat Tortilla | $8.00 |
| Bluefin Tuna Tostada | $20.00 |
| Crab Sope (chiltepín mayo, avocado, cucumber) | $18.00-$22.00 |
| Hamachi “Al Pastor” Tostada | $18.00 |
| Steak Tartare Salpicón | $18.00 |
| Potato Flautas | $16.00 |
| Shrimp Costra (flour tortilla, cheese chicharrón, chipotle) | $16.00 |
| Octopus (walnut salsa negra, sunchoke escabeche, tortillas) | $21.00 |
Vegetables & Sides
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Sweet Potato (peanut mole, turmeric, lime) | $8.00 |
| Ayocote Beans (crema, queso fresco) | $10.00 |
| Charred Okra (poppyseed sikil p’aak, oregano, bottarga) | $12.00 |
Larger Plates
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Chochoyotes (Higgins crab, sungold tomato, sweet corn, chanterelle) | $28.00-$32.00 |
| Blackened Drum/Flounder “Veracruz Style” (gordal olive, stewed tomato, pepperoncini) | $26.00-$30.00 |
| Carne Asada | $35.00 |
| Denver Steak (huarache, farm peppers, guaca salsa, nasturtium) | $45.00 |
| Arroz Negro / Arroz “a la Tumbada” (huitlacoche, mussels, squid, shrimp) | $40.00-$48.00 |
| Pescado del Día (chileatole, tortillas) | $50.00 |
Desserts
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Flan (tonka bean, sea salt) | $10.00 |
| Masa Tres Leches | Price varies |
Note: Acamaya’s menu changes seasonally, and some dishes appear at slightly different prices across sources (likely reflecting menu updates over time). Confirm current dishes and pricing on Acamaya’s official website before booking. Wine list pricing runs roughly $12-15 per glass for standard selections.
Disclaimer: Menu items and prices are for reference only and may not reflect current offerings. Please check the official Acamaya website or call ahead for the latest updates.
Best Value Picks on the Menu
If you’re watching your budget, here’s where Acamaya gives you the most for your money:
Sweet Potato ($8.00). The cheapest dish on the menu and a standout vegetable side according to reviews.
Sonoran Wheat Tortilla ($8.00). A cheap way to add something to the table while sharing other dishes.
Ayocote Beans ($10.00). An affordable side that pairs well with the seafood-heavy larger plates.
Shrimp Costra ($16.00). One of the most talked-about dishes on the menu, and reasonably priced compared to the crab and steak options.
How Acamaya Compares
Acamaya’s small plates and mains are priced in line with other upscale-casual restaurants in New Orleans, generally more affordable than a traditional fine dining tasting menu while still using high-end ingredients like Higgins crab and huitlacoche. Its Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction specifically recognizes it as a place delivering high-quality cooking without fine-dining-level prices, which sets it apart from pricier seafood-focused competitors in the city.
About Acamaya
Acamaya was founded by chef Ana Castro and her sister Lydia Castro, along with business partner Zachary Wool, opening on July 5, 2024, in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. Ana Castro, born in Brownsville, Texas, and raised in Mexico City, trained at Le Cordon Bleu and worked at Biko in Mexico City, Coquette in New Orleans, and Relæ in Copenhagen before returning to New Orleans to open her first restaurant, Lengua Madre, a five-course tasting menu concept focused on regional Mexican home cooking.
After Lengua Madre closed at the end of 2023, Castro and her sister built Acamaya as a more casual, seafood-focused concept centered on Mexican mariscos, mixing coastal Mexican traditions with Gulf Coast ingredients. The restaurant’s name comes from the Spanish word for a crustacean similar to a crawfish, though there’s no crawfish on the actual menu. Within its first year and a half, Acamaya was named to the New York Times’ Restaurant List, recognized as one of Esquire’s and Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants in America, received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand distinction, and Castro was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South.
Why Acamaya Is Getting Attention
A different take on Gulf seafood. Rather than the deep-fried, butter-and-cream style common in New Orleans seafood, Acamaya leans into lime, chilis, and Mexican technique.
Rare, hard-to-source ingredients. Dishes incorporate items like huitlacoche (a corn fungus) flown in weekly, alongside local Gulf seafood.
A design rooted in Mexico City. Terracotta lattice walls, warm wood ceilings, and Mexico-sourced tableware set the restaurant’s look apart from typical New Orleans dining rooms.
Rapid critical recognition. In under two years, Acamaya has picked up national “best new restaurant” nods, a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a James Beard semifinalist nomination for its chef.
FAQ
Acamaya specializes in Mexican mariscos, or seafood, served both hot and cold, blending Mexico City-influenced cooking with Gulf Coast ingredients from the New Orleans area.
Reservations are recommended, though some seats are typically held for walk-ins. The restaurant has been in high demand since opening, so booking ahead is the safer option.
The crab soup, shrimp costra, and blackened drum or flounder are consistently mentioned as standouts by reviewers, along with the tuna tostada and octopus.
Yes, Acamaya received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand distinction in the inaugural Southern US selections, was named to the New York Times’ Restaurant List, and chef Ana Castro was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South.
Acamaya is located at 3070 Dauphine Street, at the corner of Dauphine and Clouet, in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood.
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Official Links
- Acamaya Official Website
- Find a Location
- Address: 3070 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
- Phone: +1 (504) 299-3477
Follow Acamaya: Instagram
Have you dined at Acamaya recently? Menus and pricing can change seasonally, so let us know in the comments if you spotted something different, and we’ll update this page.
My name is Lucky Sharma, a B.A. graduate with a strong passion for food, travel, and discovering new experiences. I enjoy exploring unique dishes, street food, and culinary traditions from around the world. Sharing these adventures through writing allows me to connect with fellow food enthusiasts and inspire others to try new flavors and destinations. Whether I’m tasting something new or traveling to a different corner of the globe, I’m always on the lookout for exciting stories to share. Join me on this flavorful journey and let’s explore the world one dish at a time.