Place Category: Caribbean, Latin American, Outside Dining, Private Dining, Seafood, Small Plates, and Weekend BrunchPlace Tags: Chef Owned and Operated, Dog Friendly Patio, and Warehouse Guide
We are a Latin style tapas restaurant located in the heart of the Arts District in Downtown New Orleans right across from The Saenger Theater. Bésame combines the fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico with Latin and Caribbean flavors from Mexico and South America.
Every plate achieves that elusive, cuisine-defining balance of sweet, salty, and sour – dessert. Our bar program explores unique wines and spirits from Latin America like, Pisco, Brandy, Mezcal and Rum
We accept a limited number of reservations up to one month in advance for parties of up to 8 guests.
Besame Menu - New Orleans Updated 6/23/23
Menu and prices subject to changeCEVICHES
PERUVIAN
Gulf Fish, Aji Amarillo, Leche de Tigre, Sweet potato, crispy corn
$15OAXACAN
Gulf Fish, Mezcal, Roasted Guajillo, Cucumber, Tomato
$15SALMON
Passion fruit, Avocado, Chili oil
$14TUNA TIRADITO
Aji Amarillo, ginger, Mango salsa, avocado
$15
TAPAS
GUACAMOLE
Lime, serrano, pico,
$11
Add pork chicharron $1WATERMELON SALAD
Tamarind vinaigrette, Queso fresco, pepitas, arugula
$9CRAWFISH QUESO
Crawfish,Roasted poblano, sour cream, pico
$12FISH DIP
Smoked Gulf Fish, chipotle mayo, chips
$9CRISPY CAULIFLOWER
Tempura, Cashew Habanero Crema, garbanzo hash, chimichurri
$13PORK AREPAS
Braised pork, cheese, avocado crema, pickled cabbage.
$13VEGETARIAN EMPANADAS
Sweet potato, beans, soy, curtido, cheese
$11CHICKEN EMPANADAS
Roasted peppers, Tomato, Olives, chimichurri
$12
PLATOS
CHURRASCO
Marinated Steak, Papas Bravas, Chimichurri
$25FISH & GRITS
Pan seared Gulf fish, Tomatillo-avocado sauce, Poblano grits, cherry tomatoes
$22PAELLA MIXTA
LA Shrimp, Chicken, Smoked sausage, Mussels, Saffron Rice, Garbanzos
$26COCHINITA
Yucatan style pork, pickled cabbage, tortillas
$21SHRIMP MOFONGO
Plantain cake, jerk sauted shrimp, onions, peppers
$22STEAK MOFONGO
Plantain cake, jerk sauted beef tips, onions, peppers
$24Besame Brunch Menu - New Orleans Updated 6/23/23
Menu and prices subject to changeSAT & SUN 11-2
CEVICHE
PERUVIAN CEVICHE
Gulf Fish, Aji Amarillo, Leche de Tigre, Sweet potato, crispy corn
$15OAXACAN CEVICHE
Gulf Fish, Mezcal, Roasted Guajillo, Cucumber, Tomato
$15SALMON CEVICHE
Passion fruit, Avocado, Chili oil
$14
TAPAS
GUACAMOLE
Lime, serrano, pico
$11CRAWFISH QUESO
Crawfish, roasted poblanos, sour cream, pico
$12CRISPY CAULIFLOWER
Tempura, Cashew Habanero Crema, garbanzo hash, chimichurri
$13WATERMELON SALAD
Tamarind vinaigrette, Queso fresco, pepitas, arugula
$12PICADILLO EMPANADAS
Sweet potato, beans, soy, curtido, cheese
$11CHICKEN EMPANADAS
Roasted peppers, Tomato, Olives, chimichurri
$12
EGGS
CHURRASCO
Marinated Steak, Papas Bravas, Chimichurri
$24BREAKFAST MOFONGO
Mashed plantain cake, Sauted flank steak, Fried egg, jerk glaze
$22SOPES
Cornmeal cake, braised pork, poached eggs, achiote glaze
$16CHILAQUILES
Tortilla chips in tomatillo salsa verde, 2 fried eggs, pico, crema
$14TORTILLA ESPANOLA
Baked omelette, chorizo, potatoes, pico, chipotle mayo
$15BREAKFAST TACOS
Scrambled eggs, chorizo, pico, avocado crema
$15HUEVOS RANCHEROS
Charro beans, fried eggs, guajillo sauce, avocado crema
$15CHEF NANYO DOMINGUEZ: EXECUTIVE CHEF AND OWNER AT BÉSAME
Nanyo Dominguez, grew up in Puebla, Mexico, where he started cooking at age ten. He specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine from across the country as well as Latin American flavor influenced by his travels and 16 years living in New York where a wide variety of Latin cuisines are available.
Chef Dominguez has created a fun menu of the most recognized Latin dishes, adding his own twist at Bésame, right here en Nueva Orleans. His dishes are from all over Latin America, including Argentina, Peru, Honduras, Yucatan, Oaxaca and Mexico City.
From fresh salsas and ceviches, guacamole, jicama salad, empanadas, tacos and specialty dishes like paella, he uses the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients.
Dominguez also spent time cooking in California and New York before working for Chef Aarón Sánchez at Paloma in Connecticut. He then helped open “Johnny Sanchez” in New Orleans.
He was the Chef de Cuisine at the Peruvian restaurant “Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco” before joining Espíritu. Chef Nanyo was named as the “New Orleans Chef to Watch” in 2018 by The Times-Picayune.
SPECIAL EVENTS & PRIVATE PARTIES
Our Dining room can be divided for private parties or events with a minimum of 20 guests
THE PRIVATE ROOM
Seats up to 20A blend of lounge and dinning room this intimate space is the perfect space for any occasion including business meeting with on-site projector
FULL RESTAURANT BUY OUT
Seats up to 40Celebrate that special occasion for up to 40 guest, our restaurant can comfortably accommodate your guests. includes bar, lounge and dinning room areas. Available on closed nights
DESSERT MENU - Updated 6/23/2023
Subject to change
MADUROS
Fried sweet plantains, Dulce de Leche gelato, Mint Crema, Strawberries
$10TRES LECHES
Rum & milk soaked cake, citrus-mint crema, strawberries
$8PICCOLA GELATERIA GELATO
Chili Mango, Dulce de Leche, Roasted Plantain, Guava
$7FRENCH PRESS
Congregation Coffee Roasters
Events and Specials
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Downtown / CBDThursday, December 5, 2024, 2:00 pm-5:00 pmWEEKDAYS 2 – 5 PM BICICLETA CONO SUR Pinot Noir or Chardonnay $5 SEASONAL SANGRIA Rosé, Havana Club, Strawberry $5 CHIPOTLE MARGARITA Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Pineapple, Tajin, Read more...
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Downtown / CBDFriday, December 6, 2024, 2:00 pm-5:00 pmWEEKDAYS 2 – 5 PM BICICLETA CONO SUR Pinot Noir or Chardonnay $5 SEASONAL SANGRIA Rosé, Havana Club, Strawberry $5 CHIPOTLE MARGARITA Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Pineapple, Tajin, Read more...
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Downtown / CBDMonday, December 9, 2024, 2:00 pm-5:00 pmWEEKDAYS 2 – 5 PM BICICLETA CONO SUR Pinot Noir or Chardonnay $5 SEASONAL SANGRIA Rosé, Havana Club, Strawberry $5 CHIPOTLE MARGARITA Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Pineapple, Tajin, Read more...
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Downtown / CBDThursday, December 12, 2024, 2:00 pm-5:00 pmWEEKDAYS 2 – 5 PM BICICLETA CONO SUR Pinot Noir or Chardonnay $5 SEASONAL SANGRIA Rosé, Havana Club, Strawberry $5 CHIPOTLE MARGARITA Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Pineapple, Tajin, Read more...