Drinks and tacos are fantastic. I had the la Santa Margarita and al pastor tacos which were both great. The none meat options are not fantastic though so if you don't eat meat then I would not eat here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor Asada Fries Esquite, Mexican Fries
Ari Simmons
Really enjoy their birria dish and guacamole. I have gone multiple times and will continue to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
akhil tej
The service is not great ?, and not many options for vegetarians
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Joshua Bedick
Best ceviche I've had even.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ninibe Maldonado
We were there on Sunday and had a very bad experience with the attention of the waiter who served us very rudely, very poorly behaved and does not know the menu. We will not return to that place.
John S
Found this spot just walking around waiting for a show at DPAC.Food & drinks were very good, service was excellent.Had the Shrimp & Pastor tacos,The spicy watermelon margarita & the bad bunny were delicious and you can actually taste the tequila.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fiona Shockey
Absolutely delicious!! From the food to the drinks, everything was well done, balanced and tasty! Generous portions for a small plates eatery and incredibly friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C. Redwood Hill
It's a dangerous game to have "La Mala" in your name and then show up with mediocre to "bad" everything.The food is overpriced and underwhelming, and the service while attentive is also, oddly, punitive.Had plans for a sweet post brunch lunch with a cutie who digs the ceviche. We both had one round of $15 cocktails, then, feeling loose, ordered another. I'd barely taken a sip before a fellow patron asked me a question distracting me from placing the drink down properly.Naturally, it spilled a d while the staff was on cue to clean it up, no one made a move nor mention that another wasnt to be prepared. About 12 mins after the spill and cleanup, I asked the nearest bartender would they mind replacing the drink, I'd had wo little of it. He said, "we dont do that here". I asked whether the full and spilled drink was to end up on the check. He said, "yes." Restating that it is their policy not to replace spilled drinks before reluctantly making another, setting it before me then disappearing.You're a bar/ restaurant open to three public, you dont replace spilled drinks?I'm confused. But downtown Durham is a confusing place. La Mala is a confused restaurant. You don't punish paying customers. Unless they're being racist, phobic, weird.The shining reprieve was the Male bodied bartender with his hair in the bun.He seemed to understand how to steward a bar with careful service and suave compassion.Sadly, I will not recommend this place to anyone.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dylan Chavez Martinez
Absolutely fantastic! The flavors explode with every bite. The ambiance is delightful, and the service impeccable. A must-visit for anyone craving an unforgettable dining experience! Been here for dinner and brunch and would stop by again anytime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor Asada Fries Esquite, Mexican Fries, Aguachiles, Guacamole Fresco
sergio smith
Ask for Tomas for sure as your bartender. He orders for me and ask if I like spicy not spicy etc… he will take care of you!!!! His drinks are on point and very great tasting. If you come ask for Tomas !!!!
My fiancé and I came into town for a couple days and ended up going here twice for dinner because it was so good. The tacos (especially the birria!) are delicious and served quickly. They have a really fun variety of cocktails and they’re delicious. Our favorite was the La Cachonda, a slightly spicy Margarita. We sat at the bar and had excellent service both times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Elotes
tequila kearney
The service was amazing. The atmosphere was awesome and the food presentation was fabulous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Luis Acosta
As a bar, the place is good. There are plenty of drinks choices for different palates.The food is not great. The choices are very limited and can not accommodate customer requests or food restrictions.The service was good except for the limitations mentioned above.For social time, the place is good. That was my experience as a first-time customer.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor Asada Fries Esquite
Tomas the bartender and Andrea our server were both amazing. Attentive and delivered amazing products for our consumption. Would definitely return to this
Drinks and tacos are fantastic. I had the la Santa Margarita and al pastor tacos which were both great. The none meat options are not fantastic though so if you don't eat meat then I would not eat here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor Asada Fries Esquite, Mexican Fries
Really enjoy their birria dish and guacamole. I have gone multiple times and will continue to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service is not great ?, and not many options for vegetarians
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Best ceviche I've had even.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were there on Sunday and had a very bad experience with the attention of the waiter who served us very rudely, very poorly behaved and does not know the menu. We will not return to that place.
Found this spot just walking around waiting for a show at DPAC.Food & drinks were very good, service was excellent.Had the Shrimp & Pastor tacos,The spicy watermelon margarita & the bad bunny were delicious and you can actually taste the tequila.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely delicious!! From the food to the drinks, everything was well done, balanced and tasty! Generous portions for a small plates eatery and incredibly friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's a dangerous game to have "La Mala" in your name and then show up with mediocre to "bad" everything.The food is overpriced and underwhelming, and the service while attentive is also, oddly, punitive.Had plans for a sweet post brunch lunch with a cutie who digs the ceviche. We both had one round of $15 cocktails, then, feeling loose, ordered another. I'd barely taken a sip before a fellow patron asked me a question distracting me from placing the drink down properly.Naturally, it spilled a d while the staff was on cue to clean it up, no one made a move nor mention that another wasnt to be prepared. About 12 mins after the spill and cleanup, I asked the nearest bartender would they mind replacing the drink, I'd had wo little of it. He said, "we dont do that here". I asked whether the full and spilled drink was to end up on the check. He said, "yes." Restating that it is their policy not to replace spilled drinks before reluctantly making another, setting it before me then disappearing.You're a bar/ restaurant open to three public, you dont replace spilled drinks?I'm confused. But downtown Durham is a confusing place. La Mala is a confused restaurant. You don't punish paying customers. Unless they're being racist, phobic, weird.The shining reprieve was the Male bodied bartender with his hair in the bun.He seemed to understand how to steward a bar with careful service and suave compassion.Sadly, I will not recommend this place to anyone.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Absolutely fantastic! The flavors explode with every bite. The ambiance is delightful, and the service impeccable. A must-visit for anyone craving an unforgettable dining experience! Been here for dinner and brunch and would stop by again anytime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor Asada Fries Esquite, Mexican Fries, Aguachiles, Guacamole Fresco
Ask for Tomas for sure as your bartender. He orders for me and ask if I like spicy not spicy etc… he will take care of you!!!! His drinks are on point and very great tasting. If you come ask for Tomas !!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
My fiancé and I came into town for a couple days and ended up going here twice for dinner because it was so good. The tacos (especially the birria!) are delicious and served quickly. They have a really fun variety of cocktails and they’re delicious. Our favorite was the La Cachonda, a slightly spicy Margarita. We sat at the bar and had excellent service both times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Elotes
The service was amazing. The atmosphere was awesome and the food presentation was fabulous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
As a bar, the place is good. There are plenty of drinks choices for different palates.The food is not great. The choices are very limited and can not accommodate customer requests or food restrictions.The service was good except for the limitations mentioned above.For social time, the place is good. That was my experience as a first-time customer.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tacos Al Pastor Asada Fries Esquite
Drinks were fantastic and the vibes were good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Quesadilla, Mexican Fries, Churros
Tomas the bartender and Andrea our server were both amazing. Attentive and delivered amazing products for our consumption. Would definitely return to this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5