Amá has officially made the list of the country’s greatest Mexican restaurants, according to the New York Times. The restaurant, located on the Fishtown-Kensington border, is the only Philadelphia spot included among the 41 restaurants featured in the publication’s national list.
The recognition puts chef Frankie Ramirez’s approach to regional Mexican cooking in the national spotlight. Rather than focusing on the Pueblan-style cooking that has long been associated with Philadelphia’s Mexican food scene, Ramirez’s menu explores the diverse culinary traditions found throughout Mexico.
Amá is showcasing Mexico’s regional diversity
Ramirez’s menu draws inspiration from Mexico’s six major culinary regions, including the Yucatán Peninsula, Pacific coast, northern Mexico, central Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, and Baja. The seasonal menu includes dishes such as tacos, tostadas, curds, aguachiles, and wood-fired proteins, with much of the food designed for sharing.
One of Amá’s signature dishes is its chips-and-salsas course, which replaces the typical chips-and-salsa starter with heirloom corn tostadas accompanied by six regional salsas. The New York Times specifically highlighted the dish in its feature on the restaurant.
A win for Philly’s Mexican food scene
Amá opened in May 2025 at 101 W. Oxford St., at the corner of Front and Oxford Street. In fact, it is Chef Ramirez’s first restaurant as an owner. The Mexico City-born chef previously worked in Philadelphia kitchens including Morimoto, Parc, Enoteca Tredici, and LMNO.
The restaurant’s recognition comes as Ramirez continues to build a reputation for bringing a broader representation of Mexican cuisine to Philadelphia.
Being the city’s sole representative on a national list of 41 restaurants makes the New York Times nod particularly notable—putting Amá among a select group of restaurants recognized for their contributions to Mexican dining in the United States.
Visit one of America’s best Mexican restaurants
Get a taste of one of America’s greatest Mexican restaurants at Amá, a contemporary gem on the Fishtown-Kensington border. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. Reservations are available through Resy, with delivery also available through DoorDash.
