Fine Dining · McAllen, TX · $$$
Ambra
Charcoal fire cuisine — redefining the art of grilling
- Charcoal-fire grill
- 4.8★ from 2,500+ Google reviews
- Chic lounge & mezcal cocktails
- Private dining 15–200+ guests
- Smart dress code enforced
- Reservations on OpenTable
Ambra is the flagship of Altura Concepts, the McAllen group behind Il Forno Alegna, Bond, Prime, Pluma Rotisserie and Farina. It combines a globally inspired steakhouse with a chic lounge in one dark, slatted-wood room on Auburn Avenue — backlit bar, outdoor patio, a private dining room that seats a long table, and a guest rating that makes it, by the numbers, the best-reviewed fine-dining restaurant in the city.
Everything important touches the charcoal grill: tomahawks and prime cuts, grilled lamb lollipops, mollejas, oysters roasted under a herb crust, a cauliflower steak finished with the house makhni sauce. Around them sit the crowd favorites — lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries, beef tartare with brioche, torched nigiri, scallops and a burnt Basque cheesecake stamped with the Ambra medallion — and a bar built on mezcal cocktails and a serious wine list.
Reservations run through OpenTable and the dress code is real: no athletic apparel, caps, casual shorts or open-toed sandals for men. Private events are handled for 15 to 200-plus guests. Book it for the anniversary, the closing dinner or the night the whole group wants to feel like the headliner.
Plan your visit
- Dining hours shown are from the restaurant's OpenTable listing; the bar may remain open later.
- Dress for the occasion: the published dress code excludes athletic apparel and asks gentlemen to avoid caps, casual shorts, and open-toed sandals.
Ambra is part of DTXENT's curated Rio Grande Valley dining guide — the tables we recommend when someone asks where the night should start. DTXENT curates this listing; menus, hours, and reservations are handled directly by the restaurant.
Want dinner here wrapped into a full night — show, ride, VIP, stay? Build your night and our concierge team will time everything around your reservation.
The Table
Inside Ambra
Photos courtesy of Ambra / Altura Concepts.
Word of Mouth
What guests say
-
“This experience was exceptional. Everything from the food, the service, everything. Our server was the absolute best and made us feel welcome and taken care of.”
Mariana G. · Google -
“The place has a very nice atmosphere, almost luxurious. The food is good and presented in a very gourmet style, and there is a variety of cocktails.”
Ven T. · Google -
“It was our first time here for a date night — my wife and I really enjoyed ourselves. Our server went above and beyond to make us comfortable.”
Arian M. · Google
Quotes are excerpted from public guest reviews; DTXENT does not edit or solicit them.
FAQs
What are Ambra's hours?
Ambra's hours are Monday: Closed; Tuesday – Thursday: 5 PM – 12 AM; Friday – Saturday: 5 PM – 1 AM; Sunday: 5 PM – 10 PM. Hours can change on show nights — confirm with the restaurant.
Does Ambra have a dress code?
Reservations run through OpenTable and the dress code is real: no athletic apparel, caps, casual shorts or open-toed sandals for men. Private events are handled for 15 to 200-plus guests. Book it for the anniversary, the closing dinner or the night the whole group wants to feel like the headliner.
Does Ambra take reservations?
Yes, Ambra accepts reservations online.
Where can I see Ambra's menu?
Ambra's current menu is posted on its own website.
Where is Ambra located?
Ambra is located at 1200 Auburn Ave, Suite 200, McAllen, TX 78504 in McAllen, TX.