Alma Restaurant Avalon Beach
By Lisa Nguyen | Published 26 October 2022
Does this spot match the hype?
TL; DR | Summary
A taste of coastal Mexican cuisine on our very own shores. At Alma, you'll experience a fine selection of locally street food-inspired dishes that are perfect for sharing. From handcrafted tacos and ceviche to short ribs and salads, you can expect a crowd-pleasing experience. In addition, the menu is seasonal, meaning you'll only get the freshest produce Mexican cuisine has to offer.
Alma Avalon Review
@bestspots.com.au A taste of coastal Mexican cuisine on our very own shores. ⬇️ At Alma, you'll experience a fine selection of locally street food-inspired dishes that are perfect for sharing 🤗. From handcrafted tacos and ceviche to short ribs and salads, you can expect a crowd-pleasing experience. In addition, the menu is seasonal, meaning you'll only get the freshest produce Mexican cuisine has to offer 🌮. ✅ For the FULL review go to bestspots.com.au #sydneyfoodblog #sydneyfoodbloggers #sydneysiders #foodiesydney #sydneyfooddiary ♬ original sound - bestspots.com.au
Alma is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The food here is inspired by the coastal dishes of Mexico, along with a touch of the fine dining experience. It's a classy yet relaxing experience, making it perfect for a night out for a large group - if spicy food entertainment is called for.
Most dishes are meant to be shared, so you can order a large variety of tasty Mexicana and mix and match. Every menu item we had was impressive and stood out in one way or another.
The place de tacos (taco plates) were some of the best we've ever had, and Alma cooked every main dish to perfection. The salads were also fresh and had zest enough to entertain your taste buds.
Alma is worthy of an exploratory visit when you're in the Northern Beaches area. I'll be sure to return and introduce this place to others!
Alma Mexican Restaurant Food & Service
The menu features traditional Mexican classics like tacos, empanadas and enchiladas and dishes like roasted cauliflower and short ribs. The atmosphere definitely has classy vibes, so feel free to dress up - just remember to avoid the white!
Service of the staff is quite friendly and attentive while I was there. You can tell that the owners are lovely people passionate about providing the best Mexican food experience possible.
On top of this, the food is unique and memorable and will leave a lasting impression. Don't come here to expect the old overly plain burrito or corn chip heavy nachos of other Mexican restaurants; rejoice in the flavour of maple duck or the texture of the crab tostadas.
The food menu has been well thought out and executed flawlessly. Each dish our group ordered was unique and flavourful, and there wasn't even a single letdown (and we are quite picky.) It was either generally fantastic or intriguing and complex.
Hard Shell Sashimi Tacos
Salmon sashimi in a crispy wonton taco with avocado, pico de gallo, black sesame seeds, jalapeño & lime dressing
Fresh, juicy and full of the right components, these sashimi tacos were a crowd favourite. With the tangy and refreshing aroma that entails after each crispy bite, I don't recommend sharing. One bite might suffice but it's one of the tacos that's perfect on the palate.
The salmon paired perfectly with the creamy avocado, the freshness of the pico de gallo, the kick of the jalapeno, the crunch of the fried wonton skin, and the tanginess of the lime dressing. A 10/10 sashimi taco, I don't think there's any room for improvement required.
Crab Tostadas
Salt & pepper soft shell crab, avocado mousse, crispy bacon, truffle oil
If you enjoy soft shell crab, these tostadas are definitely for you. The crab was tender, and the batter was light and not overly greasy. The rest of the avocado mousse, crispy bacon, and truffle oil each made this dish a delightful success. The mousse added a smooth and creamy texture, the bacon was a nice salty crunch, and the truffle oil brought out a subtle earthy flavour.
Guacachile, Smoky Chipotle & Spicy Habanero Sauce
These are free optional sauces that you can use to dip with anything and everything. Each has a varying level of chilli, which are superb and a must-have. The smoky chipotle had a kick, while the habanero was significantly spicier. Or if you're not a chilli fan, then the mild guacamole is your best friend. Make sure you opt for these selction of sauces - they add that extra flavour kick while not cheapening the experience.
Empanadas
With the right amount of crisp along with a delicate batter, these empanadas are much better than the standard ones you're likely to come across. They also come with a dipping sauce, depending on your order. It was challenging to decide whether the chicken or duck was a better filling, both were amazing. Highly recommending trying out at least one empanada entree because they are in their own league. Can confirm the two listed below were spectacular.
- Chicken Tinga Empanadas – Shredded chicken, molcajete salsa, pickled onions
- Maple Duck – Braised duck, peanut maple salsa macha
Tacos (Types listed below)
Do not skimp out on the tacos, as they are Alma's specialty. There are a variety of different tacos to order, and we literally tried all that was on the menu at the time. Listed below are the tacos we have tried:
Chicken Rancheros
Achiote chicken, salsa cruda, diced avocado & coriander
I guarantee chicken lovers will need to jump on this one. The achiote marinade, combined with the fresh salsa cruda, diced avocado and coriander, makes this a robust taco that will leave you wanting more.
Pulled Jackfruit
Marinated jackfruit, charred tomatillo & jalapeno crema, hazelnuts, pickled celery, serrano chillies
I wouldn't say I like jackfruit, but this was too intriguing for me to pass on. The textures worked well together, and it was overall a pleasant experience. It's a taco combination you won't find elsewhere. If you enjoy the fruit, you will enjoy the meaty texture with the various surfaces of the spice and veg.
Al Pastor Pork Belly
Pork belly cooked slowly, al pastor sauce, grilled pineapple, watermelon radish, pico de gallo
Another interesting combo with the addition of pineapple and watermelon radish with the addition of authentic Mexican al pastor sauce and pico de gallo. The pork belly was juicy, the pico de gallo added freshness, and the sweetness of the pineapple brought everything together. I'm not fond of pineapple, but I could see how it would work for others.
Tecate Battered Fish
Oregano dry rubbed fish, red cabbage slaw, chipotle aioli.
For fried food lovers, this battered fish taco is a must. The dry oregano rub gives the Tecate battered fish an extra zing. You generally can't go wrong with a good hit of chipotle. The red cabbage slaw brought some crunch to the taco as well.
Viri's Grilled Fish Taco
Grilled ling, citrus cabbage, pineapple & cucumber salsa, jalapeno mayo
If you're looking for a healthier taco option, the grilled ling is a refreshing take on the humble taco. The fish is grilled to perfection and it's an unusual fish not often seen on the menu. The taco also includes citrus cabbage, pineapple & cucumber salsa, and a jalapeno mayo which brought all the flavours together.
Manzana's Duck Taco
Pulled duck, apple slaw, fermented blueberry sauce, crispy duck skin
The duck was definitely a top taco and I hope it becomes a regular on the menu. The ingredients in combination make for a superb taco! In addition to the well-cooked duck, the apples provided the crunch, the blueberry sauce added a tart sweetness, and the duck skin gave an extra textural element.
Roasted Whole Cauliflower
Whole cauliflower cooked twice, marinated in salsa verde, topped with tomato crema, walnut and pumpkin seed granola.
The cauliflower doesn't get any more tender, with it being twice cooked for the perfect texture. It begins with the cauliflower being marinated in salsa verde and then parboiled to ensure the midsection is cooked. The cauliflower is then roasted to perfection and finished with tomato crema, walnuts and pumpkin seed granola.
Manzana Salad
Green apple, baby spinach, candied walnuts, sweet pickled radish, fresh avocado, pico de gallo, jalapeño & honey dressing
A beautifully crafted salad with a fresh mix of thoughtfully prepared ingredients. The sweetness of the apples, pickled radish and candied walnuts were balanced well by the new baby spinach and pico de gallo. The avocado was smooth and creamy whilst the jalapeno and honey dressing brought a lovely zest. It's a wonderfully captured salad that keeps your mouth entertained.
Agave Short Ribs
Beef ribs, agave glaze, grilled cos lettuce, pickled Dutch carrots, handmade corn tortillas
Whilst, not the grandest dish out there, it's a very tender and flavoursome short rib that falls off the bone upon the first touch. The agave glaze gives the ribs a lovely sweetness, whilst the pickled Dutch carrots provide a satisfying level of acidity. The handmade corn tortillas were a great addition to the taco-like experience. All in all, a simple but delightful dish.
RECOMMENDED (if available)
- Any standard taco of your preference
- Sashimi tacos
- Crab Tostadas
- Opting for the hot sauces
- Whole roasted cauliflower
- Marzana Salad
- Agave Short Ribs
Final Words
Kudos to the chefs for cooking every protein to perfection and coming up with the entire menu. I was blown away by how each dish had its unique flavour, yet they all worked in harmony. The menu is ever-changing, so there's always something new to try, and I can't wait to come back and check out what else Alma has in store.
Where To Find Alma in Avalon Beach
Address
Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5:00 – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Website
Phone
+61 414 379 158
https://www.instagram.com/alma_avalon/
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