Dominique (the owner) is a gracious unpretentious front of house. The relaxed vibe and warm lighting complement the casual but elevated Baja-California food and beverage offerings. Over a half dozen visits since opening, I've found the experience unique and satisfying in the crowded Portland foodscape. Don't miss the bluefin tuna aguachile, the fish tacos and the roasted half-chicken (which is more elevated in flavor than the name suggests!) read more

addicted to the fish tacos love coming here for happy hour on the patio in the summer and pozole on a snowy winter night Dominique and the staff are so sweet and attentive read more

Cantina Calafia - fish tacos, rolled beef tacos, margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

Caesar salad -- that's actually what keeps us going back to Cantina Calafia, and something I definitely didn't expect from a Mexican-style restaurant. We've been to Cantina Calafia a few times now (always for lunch; we still need to make it there for dinner) and have been really happy with our experience each time. The menu isn't huge, but it's the perfect size; a solid mix of salads, tacos, burritos, and other options. Everything we've tried has been really good. For us, the star of the show is that Caesar salad. It's so good we've gone back just for that and a cocktail. The anchovies, the cotija (which they do not skimp on), the lettuce, the dressing... it's all perfectly balanced. Honestly, it might be my favorite salad in all of Portland. Note to staff: please don't change the recipe. Their cocktail menu is also super impressive, mostly mezcal and tequila-forward, but with a few other spirits here and there too. And we love the ambiance inside. The space feels airy, open, and inviting. Service has always been great. The staff is kind and friendly, and while you could tell there were a few growing pains early on after they opened, they've worked those out, and it showssssss! read more

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I always appreciate tight menus. Easy to choose and not making me overwhelmed. I ordered broiled oyster, full of flavour and bring me back to how restaurant served oyster in my home country. Pozole rojo even though it's in appetizer category but it's actually a dinner size. Delicious and hearty Also got matcha tress leches. I think this is the first time I ever had it in a corn cake format. Made in house, not sweet and the corn cake give good texture. As for the drink I ordered pasionada, the combination of tequila and mezcal with passion fruit. I ordered everything based on the bartenders recommendation. Totally enjoy the dinner experience here read more

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My husband and I recently went to Cantina Calafia for dinner the other night and there were some great things and some just-ok things. The great parts-- Friendly host at the front door We got there early enough to get a table without a reservation They have VERY delicious mocktails-I ordered one with hibiscus and lime, and it was so so good! , The menu looked great (the food was great-we ordered fish tacos and the steak with corn tortillas-more on that below. Even though I typically don't like sitting at a high top, this one was ok and included a foot rest The just-ok-- The drinks came, and then it was about 30 minutes before someone took our order, no joke. There seemed to be confusion over who was covering what table Once we put in our order, our food did not come out for about another 30 minutes, and when it did come, it was not hot or even very warm, which made me think it had been ready for a while and was just sitting there. , read more

We ate off the happy hour menu since we sat at a high top in the bar area. We had made advanced reservations. Despite the fact that there were many empty booths available in the restaurant. That in itself was a disappointment!! The happy hour margarita consisted of mostly ice. We had about two or three sips at best. Service was fine and the food was okay. One thing that was challenging was that their street tacos only had one tortilla which immediately fell apart on the first bite. I don't think I'd go back anytime soon. There are better options in Portland. read more

Cantina Calafia - Bar area - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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There are certain restaurants in the world when you walk into, you're met with the feeling it was made for the locals in mind, and Cantina Calafia fits that bill. A a creative menu showcasing owner Dominique's Baja roots, a restaurant design that feels like you're in Brooklyn, and authentically friendly service - what more could you ask for? Honestly, you could just go for the cocktail menu, oysters asada and fluffy churros alone. But what you SHOULD go out of your way for, is the seasonal takes on tacos, huarache, tamales and ceviche. I deeply appreciate they try to source as many local items as possible. This is the ultimate spot to try a few dishes with a small group of friends. I've had the crispy beef tacos for lunch, which, side bar: their lunch menu is a SLEEPER hit. What the heck. I've found my new favorite local spot. See you there?? read more

We were not fans. We were seated at the entrance at like a coffee table. Very limited menu. None of us liked the food. It wasn't awful. There was nothing on the menu that any of us wish we had tried. It just wasn't for us. read more

I will start with, I NEVER LEAVE REVIEWS...not even when food is bad. I'm from Los Angeles, live in Phoenix, and I cannot believe I just ate the most AMAZING Mexican food in Portland, ME. Domique has brought authentic, fresh Mexican food to New England and I hope you guys are NOT sleeping on this GEM! The best fish tacos and broiled oysters that will leave you wanting more. I will be back every time I come to Portland, and I will tell everyone I know... And don't forget to order the chamoy mango mocktail! read more

Cantina Calafia - Broiled oysters and fish taco - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I lived on the Northshore of MA for many years visiting Portland throughout that time. Now in SW Florida I wanted to return to Portland to enjoy the weather, shopping and most of all the restaurants. I was tipped off to what was described as an "amazing" authentic Baja Mexican neighborhood restaurant, but how often have you gotten that "recommendation".....and it didn't live up to the recommendation. Well Cantina Calaia not only "lived up" but exceeded that in spades!!! It was truly a culinary adventure with one flavor better than the last from dish to dish! From the moment we walked towards the charming corner restaurant we could feel the cool vibe and that just continued when me and my girl sat at the end of the bar ready to explore the cocktails and menu! Amazing tequila's, unique wines, and great service from Alex the bartender, who was on the mark with every drink recommendation! Soon after settling into a phenomenal blanco neat, we were greeted with a bright , effervescent smile by the owner Dominique. A vibrant, gracious, woman originally from California. Instantly it all came together, the vibe, service, and feel all radiated from Dominique the owner! When you have experienced all this in the first few moments in a restaurant you had never been to, we just turned over all our dining decisions to Dominque! And again, like Alex she nailed each dish! We had the muscles and broiled oysters our apps.....these were some of the most delicious and unique flavors I have ever had and prepared in ways I have never even seen before! The flavors were even more amazing than the presentation.....I was blown away after the first bites of each!!! For entrees we had the steak and chicken dish (the menu changes frequently, but seems some staples like the oysters must remain). The steak cooked to perfection medium rare with succulent pepper spice and avocado tomatillos salsa. The chicken melted in your mouth with every juicy bite a new and unique flavor seemed to come through.....not sure how chef Kevin does that! We ended the culinary adventure with decadent tres leches ! Portions were plentiful and prices very reasonable. I am blessed to have eaten all around the world and can say I have never had a better meal and enjoyed myself more anywhere !!! Find your way to Cantina Calafia's you will be absolutely happy you did!!! read more

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I heard about this takeout window in the West End from one of my foodie links and was excited to try it--and when they posted a photo of carne asada fries, I made a beeline for the place and was soooooo happy I did. Fries covered with perfectly tender meat with that great char taste and crispy ends; avocado crema and salsa; cheese and fresh cilantro and jalapeños--yum! (And it doesn't hurt to add a dash of Cholula hot sauce either, just sayin'.) Everything else coming out of the window looked great and smelled amazing. The menu varies: chicken and beef tacos, potato tacos, posole. There's a little board hung up outside the window telling you what they have that day (and you can check their Instagram account too). There's also a selection of drinks, including Mexican Coke, which really hits the spot. They've only been open for a month or two but clearly folks are in the know: there was a small group waiting for their orders when I tooled up, and after I got my order the line got even longer. For a tiny window they're super efficient: my order took maybe 5 minutes. My understanding is that the owners are planning on opening a larger restaurant once they finish renovating--for now, just find the window on Pine Street around the corner from the old Bonobo Pizza, where you'll see happy diners waiting for their orders! read more

Cantina Calafia - Carne asada fries - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Cantina Calafia is such a gem! Modern Mexican tapas with bright flavors-- fresh fish, creamy avocado, tangy citrus. The charred oysters are a must, along with the tuna aguachile (5 stars). Same with the tres leches cake and flan. I switched it up this time and ordered the heirloom tomato salad and a spicy mango mocktail, which were refreshing but not my favorite. Definitely worth a try, though. The Todo Limon cocktail from my prior visit still stands out as the best drink on their menu. Service was great, cozy and modern spot, fantastic food. Will be returning here regularly! read more

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Sooo good! Such a cool, chill space. My Mexican aunt from SoCal said the carnitas tacos and flan were the best she'd ever tasted. I loved the ceviche and the fish tacos -- huge pieces of crispy fish and not greasy at all. I don't normally drink cocktails (usu too sweet -- I'm more of a straight booze and soda water kinda girl), but they looked so good I tried one... and then a few more. We spent a few weeks in Portland this summer and as a native Californian, I needed some spice after all the butter and lobster (and bread). Grumpy teen daughter loved the carnitas tacos so much she went back during the day for the fried tacos from the window. Then wanted to go every day (she's like that). Her fav: the potato taco, which I thought sounded weird, but was the sh**. It's like a crunchy taco with a creamy french fry filling. omg read more

Cantina Calafia - amazing flan and some sort of paloma - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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This is our new favorite spot in Portland! Went for my birthday last week and it was unbelievable - the food, the ambiance, EVERYTHING! We had the Charro Negro and Pasionada drinks to start, the mushroom enchilada and the fish tacos to eat, and finished with the tres leches. Service was fast and our waitress was super helpful and knowledgeable. Un. Real. read more

Four of us went for a birthday celebration as we had heard the food was exceptional...and we had heard correctly! We all shared some Botanas and most of the Aperitivos in addition to the Platos and most of the Postres. Each has an extraordinary flavor and perfect presentation. I wish I had the adjectives to describe the exquisite tastes! The cocktails met the same high standard and the beer, several on draft, was on point. All this was topped off in a beautifully remodeled space with perfect customer service. A must try. read more

This is a delightful place, a rare gem in today's generally underwhelming restaurant scene. Hip, casual atmosphere, friendly and efficient service. And the food! Fresh takes on Mexi-Cali dishes with delightful blends of savory, piquant and spicy -- all at a reasonable price. Muy delicioso! read more

Cantina Calafia - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

We took a chance on a Saturday night at this newly opened Baja Cali joint around 7:30pm and got a table! The west end is, of course, a bit sleepier than downtown and we were happy to get a warm greeting here on a chilly night. There are few other walkable options other than Chaval before you hit Longfellow Square. The space is snazzy, clean and too dark for good food pics. Cocktails interesting but loved the tequila and mezcal menu with a dynamite sotol, too. The hit of the evening were the Maine razor clams with ramps. While outstanding they were surprisingly expensive at $10 a clam, but worth it. The rest of the menu was reasonably priced including a large duck platter (breast, confit tamale, tortillas) for "2-4 people" at $50. It really was a large enough dish for 3. Mushroom refried bean dish was good and the tres leches a perfect end. read more

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Had an absolutely amazing dinner at the bar. Loved chatting with the owner, Dominique, who recommended a couple of excellent tequilas from her fantastic selection. Tuna aguachile was delicious. The broiled oysters with chile lime butter were incredible. And the lengua tacos were among the best I have ever eaten! Can't wait to go back! read more

Cantina Calafia - Lengua tacos with homemade tortillas! Lighting at the bar makes it look a bit wonky, but taste is off the charts! - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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the food and service are sub par. The menu is very limited and it's over priced. Very disappointed.

Service was very good. Ambiance was light and free. Not for large parties. 1, 2, 3, or 4 are a comfortable space. We did a mixture of items. In order of liking them. Starting with our least favorite. The refried beans. Nothing special. The tongue tacos. They were ok. But after having other flavors dance on our palettes, this was a simple walk across the stage. Hake tacos. Nicely prepared. You could taste the hake and the toppings that went with them. Would convert this to eating at the beginning. Tostados. I mean I did not expect to like the toasted sesame topping. We devoured it. The salsas were fresh and vibrant. Really good. The mussels were delicious. We split it and I wish I had a whole one to myself. What a great combination of flavors and creativity. Dance my friend dance. Our number one favorite item: those oysters! What happened? We ordered two each, which was enough to want more and be satiated at the same time. And now. I am ruined for everything else. So. Want to go back and try the rest of the menu. Plus points on having Greek wine on the menu! read more

We just serendipitously stopped in for lunch. It's a small venue but the service was excellent. The fact that the menu is not extensive means everything is done very very well. Our tacos were served with a delicious side of homemade roasted tomato salsa. I must say, the Maple Churro with Dolce de Leche on the side was probably the best Churro we've ever eaten! They've only recently been open for lunch, so we're eager to try them at dinner! read more

Cantina Calafia - Chicken Rolled Tacos and No es Pituko Orange Wine - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

Yummy taquitos! We enjoyed our lunch break here. I got the chicken and my partner got beef. Both were delicious.

Nothing better in a cold day than this hearty soup. Such a fun spot. I got an empanada also but not sure I can finish everything....i ordered too much. read more

Cantina Calafia - Pozole rojo...omg this is bursting with flavor. The best thing for a cold day. So friggin delicious. - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

Every single thing we ate was incredible. I had a cocktail whose name escapes me, but it was essentially a mezcal negroni -- mezcal, cynar, vermouth. The flavors were perfect & delicious. The Grilled Maine Oysters with Chili Lime Butter (pictured) had an awesome, unexpected kick of heat, $4 each. So good! The Aguachile Verde placed tender Maine scallops in a gorgeous array of green color, thinly sliced jalapeno. It was bright & fresh, served with lightly crispy corn tortillas. And the desserts!! Damn, the best tres leches & flan I have ever had! read more

Cantina Calafia - Maine Scallop Aguachile - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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This place is a jewel! It may be a hidden jewel, but if you want good food, quality ingredients, and good service, go here! Everything we tasted was amazing. We shared a number of apps - the squash salad, bluefin tuna, and the crab churros really stand out. The salad is one of the best I've had, and I don't say that lightly about a salad! For the mains, their fish taco is generous in portion and perfect. The carne asada steak was spectacular! Cocktails - well balanced, fun, and perfect. The flan for dessert was amazing! You can't go wrong with this place. Fun vibes and friendly staff! read more

Excellent meal and service. We made last minute reservations on a Friday and were very glad we did. The food is lighter fare than what people might assume with Mexican (this is not standard Mexican fare) We had the broiled oysters with lime chile butter -"super" . We also had the blu fin tuna aguachile amarillo which was super fresh with citrus and radishes. We would recommend multiple small plates for variety rather than the few larger plates. Decor very cool as well with modern aesthetic. A great local spot that may get more attention as a unique option despite being further from the Old Port or Munjoy Hill. Highly recommended. They have a takeout taco window that we haven't tried, but assume it is worth a try. read more

Cantina Calafia - Tres Leches - Corn Cake - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Last night, I went to Cantina Calafia--hands down, one of the best restaurants in town, in my opinion. I had their broiled oysters, posole, and tacos de pescado (fish tacos). Everything was delicious, and the flavors were unbelievable. I don't usually write reviews, but this place deserves it. I'm definitely going back to explore more of their menu. Highly recommended! read more

I can't say enough good things about this upscale Mexican restaurant. The owners have nailed it in their decor and even more so in their choice of small plates to serve. The ceviche was spicy and light and larger than expected. My friend got the muscles and they were served with the creamy side sauce. We both had tacos, one lingua, which was a great departure from the usual and the other fish which were crispy fried and light. Make sure you stop by and meet the owners. They are delightful! read more

Cantina Calafia - Bar area - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

This place is a hidden gem. Authentic and delicious dishes, approachable wine list, and very friendly owners/staff. We can't stop coming. Don't sleep on the huarache. Such a great addition to the West End. read more

Cantina Calafia - Tuna aguachile, salmon tostada - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

Amazing food and amazing service! The fish taco was the best I've ever had. Staff were very friendly and attentive, and the flan dessert with goat cheese was delicious. Everything we had was super fresh and had such good flavor, we'll definitely be back. read more

Cantina Calafia - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Maine

We went to Cantina Calafia to celebrate a family birthday recently. With 6 in our party we were able to sample a wide variety of dishes, and all were spectacular. Two members of our group have food allergies and the staff were very helpful in insuring the dishes were safe. All the dishes were gluten free except for the saltines. The flan was amazing! We are so happy to have this new addition to the Portland restaurant scene. Can't wait to return. read more

we had a birthday celebration so we made a reservation even though it was a Tuesday. Good thing we did! the place was crowded with an energetic vibe. Great cocktails and the grilled oysters were amazing! Around the table we had fish tacos, carne asada, mushroom empanadas and chicharonnes and no one was disappointed. Service is prompt and friendly and i have to say the flan is the best I have had anywhere! We had a great time, thank you Calafia! read more

Waited 30 minutes for drinks that didn't even come out. Left, only go if you have hours to wait

Five stars all the way! Delicious food. Unpretentious.. Modern design and contemporary lighting. A real gem in the West End! Can't wait to go back! read more

We just enjoyed one of the best dining experiences we've had in more than forty years of sampling the many delights of Portland's food scene! The dishes we ordered were imaginative, complex, intriguing, and without exception, DELICIOUS! The atmosphere is both sophisticated and friendly, and everyone who works there seems to be happy about it. There's so much love, great taste, passion, and vision packed into this new arrival in the West End -- don't miss it! read more

Just excellent! The decor is lovely, the service is efficient and friendly, and the food is fabulous. Elevated Mexican food - unlike anything I've had in Maine and beyond. Original, fresh and tasty. Smallish menu but done very well. The tres leches cake with matcha and habiscus was light and a prefect end to our meal. read more

charming staff, fun and colorful vibe, perfect place for date night or friend groups... best flan in town and creative drinks !!