Alma Café - Bywater

Name: Alma Café - Bywater
Address: 800 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA, United States, 70117-6737
Telephone: (504) 381-5877
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

111 Reviews

$30 and under

Spanish

800 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117-6737

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Great for brunch
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.

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
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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 111 people are saying

Alma Café - Bywater reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
4.3Value

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 - Bywater is a delightful gem offering a vibrant atmosphere and a unique menu. Guests rave about the "best virgin bloody Mary," "extraordinary meat pies," and "perfect red beans and rice." With standout dishes and "beautifully plated" meals, it's a must-visit for those seeking "delicious food and well-crafted drinks."

111 Reviews

J
Jessica VIP
New York City38 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
After reduscovering Alma at lunch today, it has moved way up on my neighborhood favorites list. The food was exceptional! I’ve already booked a return.
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G
Gerald VIP
New Orleans41 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Honduran / Central American cuisine, open only for breakfast and lunch. Modest interior with tables and central bar with seating as well. Outdoor seating also available. Breakfast and lunch items available all day. Lots of variety and choices, including different proteins to have with your meal.
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B
Beth
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All around fantastic! Highly recommend!! Can’t wait to go back.
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C
Cathy VIP
New Orleans17 reviews
3.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
We had high hopes for a nice dining experience at Cafe Alma - Bywater. Unfortunately, the restaurant did not live up to our expectations. While the food was tasty, the noise level inside of the restaurant was through the roof. Almost impossible to carry on a conversation. Secondly, the coffee service and nickel and diming on our receipt left a bad taste in our mouth. We ordered a cup of coffee and after receiving it and tracking down the server several minutes later, we asked for cream to go with the coffee. We were told that our order for cream would have to be put back in line with the busy coffee barista. Fifteen to twenty minutes later, our cream arrived for the coffee which was now cold. We stirred some in with our fork as no spoon was provided. While we could have lived with this, when we saw the additional charge for half and half on our bill, we were surprised. We have never been charged at any restaurant in the world for cream for our coffee. Glad we didn't ask for sugar!
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J
Jonathan
San Francisco4 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The menu was very unique and the presentation was attractive. Food and service was outstanding. Can’t wait to give their breakfast a try one day!
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S
Sue
New Orleans18 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always enjoy going to Alma Café. Service was excellent and vibe always so cool. We loved our meals and I had the best virgin bloody Mary ever. Thank you always.
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R
Richard
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on April 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lives up to its positive reputation! Meat pies….extraordinary Red beans and rice….perfect! Ranchos nuevos….best we’ve ever had. Tomatoes….perfect, great pesto…
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S
Shannon
Philadelphia1 review
5.0
Dined on March 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food and well-crafted drinks. Best experience in NOLA so far. Highly recommend!
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m
marcy
New York City6 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food! Great service. We had a great breakfast!
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W
Walter VIP
New Orleans2 reviews
1.0
Dined on March 22, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
We waited 20 minutes to get a glass of wine and a shot of bourbon. It never came so we left. Terrible service and an indifferent server. Wish we had a chance to try the food but I fear it would have taken an eternity to ever experience it.
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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 111 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

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
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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

Alma Café - Bywater

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Menu

What 111 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

Additional information