We report a rare case of acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) arising from heterotopic salivary gland tissue within intra-parotid lymph node. Case summary: The patient underwent superficial parotidectomy for acinar cell rich lesion. On histopathology it was difficult to determine whether it was a primary tumor from intra-parotid lymph node or metastatic from the parotid. Subsequently she underwent total parotidectomy. The parotid was negative for ACC, implying that it was a primary neoplasm arising from ectopic salivary gland tissue within the lymph node. Conclusion: ACC primarily arising in ectopic parotid gland tissue is a rare presentation that physicians should be aware of.