Acamaya: Ana Castro’s Vibrant Ode to Mexican Seafood in New Orleans

May 30, 2025

By The Bayou Insider Staff

In the eclectic Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, where murals grace historic buildings and jazz seeps through the cracks of every corner café, a culinary experience unlike any other has taken root. Acamaya, the latest creation from chef Ana Castro and her sister Lydia Castro, is not just making waves in the city’s food scene—it’s redefining what Mexican cuisine can look and feel like in the American South.

Opened in July 2024, Acamaya has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative and heartfelt dining experiences in the country, marrying coastal Mexican seafood traditions with the local ingredients and rhythm of the Crescent City. With national accolades already stacking up and diners flocking to experience its signature flavors, Acamaya is more than a restaurant—it’s a cultural bridge between two deeply rooted food traditions.

A Culinary Journey Rooted in Heritage

Chef Ana Castro’s story is steeped in resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering love for the flavors of her childhood. Born in Brownsville, Texas and raised in the heart of Mexico City, Ana was surrounded by strong women and soulful cooking from a young age. Her grandmother’s kitchen was her classroom, and it was there that Ana first understood the power of food—not just to nourish, but to tell stories, pass down legacy, and foster community.

Her professional journey took her far from home, beginning with training at Le Cordon Bleu and later working in internationally renowned restaurants: Biko in Mexico City, the inventive Coquette in New Orleans, and Relæ in Copenhagen, where the focus on sustainability and simplicity left a lasting mark.

Ana eventually made her way back to New Orleans, where she debuted Lengua Madre, a five-course tasting menu concept centered on the regional home cooking of Mexico. That project earned her national attention and cemented her as a rising star in American cuisine. But Acamaya represents something even more personal—it is her return to the soul of her upbringing, with her sister Lydia by her side, bringing warmth, polish, and partnership to the dining room.

Together, they’ve created a space where family and flavor meet—where memory is plated with elegance, and every bite honors those who came before.

Acamaya: A Celebration of Mariscos

The name Acamaya refers to a freshwater crustacean native to Mexico, similar to Louisiana’s own crawfish—a symbolic nod to the restaurant’s roots and regional blend. True to its name, the restaurant’s menu focuses on mariscos, or Mexican seafood dishes, built around Gulf Coast ingredients and the complex techniques of Oaxacan cooking.

Rather than leaning into clichés or Tex-Mex familiarity, Acamaya offers diners an exploration of authentic coastal fare: sophisticated, earthy, spicy, and bright. The menu is seasonal and rotating, but several standout dishes have captured the imagination of New Orleans diners:

Arroz Negro – This rich, jet-black rice dish is infused with squid ink and studded with mussels, calamari, and huitlacoche (also known as corn truffle). It’s earthy, deeply savory, and utterly transportive—reminiscent of paella but layered with ancestral Mexican flavors.
Bass Ceviche – Light, playful, and perfectly balanced. Cherries, jicama, and chamoy add texture and tartness, enhancing the clean flavors of the Gulf bass in an artful presentation.
Hamachi Tostada – Hamachi is marinated in al pastor spices, evoking the grilled meat flavors of Mexican taco stands, and topped with pineapple and tepache (a fermented pineapple drink). The result is a dish that feels both familiar and new—a street food classic elevated to fine-dining form.
Chochoyotes – Soft, pillowy masa dumplings floating in a buttery corn broth, with lump crabmeat and chanterelle mushrooms. It's comfort food with finesse, and a beautiful marriage of Southern ingredients and Mexican technique.

The Castros have even included a printed glossary with the menu, helping guests understand indigenous ingredients and culinary terms that may be unfamiliar. It’s a gesture that reflects the restaurant’s spirit: welcoming, educational, and full of cultural pride.

A Space that Feels Like Home

Dining at Acamaya isn’t just about the food—it’s an experience. The physical space is as intentional as the menu, designed by the award-winning firm Farouki Farouki. Inspired by Mexico City’s blend of tradition and modernity, the restaurant features handcrafted breeze blocks, locally sourced stone, organic tones, and natural wood accents that speak softly but confidently to the soul.

The lighting is warm and intimate, the seating comfortable without feeling crowded, and the open kitchen allows glimpses of the team at work, bringing transparency and energy to the space. You’ll find subtle nods to the sisters’ heritage in the design: framed family photos, Mexican pottery, and playlists filled with Spanish-language classics that make the dining room feel more like a celebration than a performance.

The environment tells its own story—a story of two women reclaiming their roots and sharing them with a city known for embracing bold flavors and layered history.

National Praise and Rising Recognition

In just its first year, Acamaya has become a fixture on the national culinary stage. It’s rare for a restaurant to achieve such wide recognition so quickly, but Castro’s deep sense of purpose and her culinary precision have made Acamaya a magnet for critics and food lovers alike.

Some of the recent honors include:

🏆 The New York Times named Acamaya one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America in 2024.
🏆 Eater National included it on their 14 Best New Restaurants in the U.S. list.
🏆 Eater New Orleans crowned it Best New Restaurant in their 2024 local awards.
🏆 Ana Castro was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South in 2025.

These recognitions are more than just trophies—they affirm that Acamaya is something special, not just for New Orleans, but for the entire culinary world. It also affirms that the American food landscape has space—finally—for authentic, regional, and diverse Mexican voices.

The Sisters Behind the Vision

The heart of Acamaya is its sisterhood. Ana and Lydia Castro are partners in every sense of the word, complementing each other’s strengths with respect and shared vision.

Ana leads the kitchen with thoughtful creativity and quiet authority. Her dishes are bold, yet grounded. Lydia, meanwhile, runs the front of house with charm, attentiveness, and grace, ensuring each guest is treated like family. Together, they are creating something rare: a restaurant where excellence and hospitality are inseparable.

Their partnership is not a gimmick—it’s the foundation. They are proud Mexican women sharing something real, personal, and sacred. In a male-dominated industry, their leadership is also an inspiring model for the next generation of chefs and entrepreneurs.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re a curious local or a traveler seeking New Orleans’ next great dining destination, Acamaya is well worth the reservation.

📍 Location: 3070 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA 70117 (Bywater)
🕔 Hours: Thursday through Monday, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
📲 Reservations: Book on Resy
🌐 Website: www.acamayanola.com
📸 Instagram: @acamayanola

Walk-ins are rare due to high demand, so booking in advance is highly recommended. The restaurant offers a thoughtfully curated wine and cocktail list, and dietary accommodations can be made with notice.

Final Reflection: A Cultural Bridge in Every Bite

Acamaya is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a place where past and present collide in the best way possible—on the plate, in the music, through the atmosphere, and in the people who bring it all to life.

In a state rich in culinary tradition, Ana and Lydia Castro have carved out a new kind of legacy—one that honors their roots while embracing the spirit of innovation. Their story is about more than food. It’s about family, womanhood, cultural pride, and the sacred role that meals play in shaping memory and identity.

Acamaya reminds us that great food is always personal. And when it’s made with love, it becomes unforgettable.

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Acamaya is more than a meal — it’s a story of heritage, family, and fearless creativity told through every dish. If you’re in New Orleans or planning a visit, make your reservation and experience what happens when Gulf Coast ingredients meet the soul of Mexico.

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