Amaya

"Amaya does small, shareable plates and self-described “bizarre” natural wines from all over the world. The menu is compact and changes week to week, but there’s always a mix of seasonal seafood, pastas, and vegetable-heavy dishes, like a brussels sprout tostada we devoured as soon as it hit the table. Head here for a big, wine-fueled lunch against a backdrop of colorful Oaxacan tile and exposed brick, and get the panna cotta with rhubarb compote if you see it on the menu." - guillaume guevara

"Though Nazas shuttered during the onset of the pandemic, the hosts—Alonso Maldonado, owner of natural wine distributor, Fermentos; Jair Téllez and Milena Pezzi, proprietors of the restaurant, Amaya; and the founders of La Metropolitana design studio, where said garage was located—and their legacy continue." - Michaela Trimble

"Concrete columns, exposed ceiling ducts, and a colorful mural combine into an urban-chic look at Amaya, a natural wine–focused farm-to-table restaurant in Colonia Juarez . Start with something funky off the wine list before moving on to the meal. Fried soft shell crab, ricotta gnocchi, a few crudos and aguachiles, roasted rabbit for two—the menu here beautifully melds Mexican tropes and ingredients into a hyper-local, seasonal framework. The cooking style is relaxed and skillful, with surprising twists in every dish." - Naomi Tomky, Scarlett Lindeman

"The latest dining room by star chef Jair Téllez (of MeroToro fame), Amaya reflects its proprietor’s belief that quality ingredients speak for themselves, with little need for overdramatic presentations or reliance on technological gimmickry. This translates to scrumptious bistro classics, skewing Mediterranean perhaps, that are by no means afraid to go rich. Regulars order grilled seafood like grouper from the ever-changing menu, or heartier indulgences like slow-cooked lamb or a mammoth pork chop. The attractive dining room features huge casement windows that open to the street; inside, gorgeous tile floors and a bold, colorful mural warm the otherwise stark, industrial decor."