I've been going to Chaval for years now, and it's truly my favorite restaurant in Portland, Maine. If you want to eat where locals actually go, this is the place (to my fellow Portland residents, I apologize for sharing our secret with those from away, but sometimes secrets should be shared). I honestly can't think of a single bad meal I've had here. The regular menu is always solid and comforting, but what I really love is the fun and creativity they bring to their special events. Their May the 4th Star Wars dinners are among my favorite offerings. They are enjoyable without feeling cheesy, and the food is genuinely great. Another event I particularly loved was their Alsace night, inspired by the region on the border of France and Germany. Everything was rich, cozy, and expertly executed one of those meals you keep thinking about afterward. The drinks deserve a shoutout as well. Whether it's cocktails or wine, everything is thoughtfully balanced and curated instead of just randomly placed on a menu. The service is consistently excellent warm, knowledgeable, and never pretentious. You feel well taken care of without being hovered over. Portland is fortunate to have restaurants like Chaval. I'll continue to support and recommend them whenever I can. read more

I have been to Chaval a few times now and i can absolutely say i enjoy my experience everytime. I think the staff is absolutely incredible - attentive, knowledgeable, extremely friendly. They make you feel very welcome and will answer any questions you have. I have great beverages when I dine here as well, fantastic wines, they did well choosing the wine list and it's always delicious. I even enjoyed a fantastic cocktail this most recent time i went and I think it might have been my favorite cocktail i've ever had. The Ay Caramba! which was reminiscent of a dirty martini and spicy margarita - it was fantastic! Now for what has deemed this a 3 star instead of higher - the food and prices. The food is wonderful, i don't remember having a bad bite but for some of the pricing i would hope i wouldn't. I think the snacks and appetizers are more fairly priced for what they are considering portland in general but I was rather disappointed that the doses weren't more of a wow factor. My biggest concern was the paella night that they have every monday, i had been so excited to go and finally got the chance. I was disappointed to find out it is $28 a person and a minimum of two people so it's actually $56 total minimum. As a solo diner i couldn't justify that for myself and wish they would make that clear when they advertise it every Monday on instagram. I love Chaval but I don't think the dishes make sense all the time - i think it is in the eye of the beholder how you feel about this place! read more

Chaval - sitting at the bar - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

We stopped in for dinner at the bar and had a great time! The food and drinks were absolutely delicious but the service was what we were really impressed by. Asher and the rest of the team were knowledgeable, friendly and had great attention to the detail. Super cute and cozy ambiance. read more

Chaval - Strawberry dessert - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

Amazing date night spot. We decided to follow the specials and enjoyed every bite. We also opted for the drink specials and were blown away! Service was impeccable. read more

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Heard about this charming place and had to check it out. Easily made reservations within a few days of date and table was ready to roll upon arrival. Recommend incorporating in a little time for parking if going on a busy night as there is limited parking around this location. Staff quickly received us upon arrival and once seated explained the menu and recommended good pairings for meal. Warm olives were flavorful and always love a good beet salad as well. Both were delicious! The coq au vin was exquisite and had us craving for more. We were full by nights end and very thankful we decided to try Chaval for a quiet night out on the town! read more

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Outstanding service, and creative dishes. We sat at the bar and were able to watch them cook which was a nice added bonus. They have really good synergy in that kitchen and it's obvious by the food. The bartenders also put a lot of effort in and added up to a great experience. I ate myself right to the limit, if anything stood out if might be the mushroom toast with the frontage blanc, but every single bite was fantastic. Really great vibe too, you get the sense that a lot of people there are regulars. read more

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One of our favorite restaurants in Portland. Warm and welcoming, with dishes that are classic and well-prepared. Awesome bar program. We always get the amazing Jamon! And best kept secret in town: vermouth happy hour with flights of vermouth and sherry! Save room for dessert. You won't regret it. read more

Chaval - Jamon on iconic meat slicer - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

What was great: - The radishes (with cashew dijon butter, dulse, and sea salt) - the radishes were soft (in a good way; the butter tastes vaguely of wasabi [in a good way]) - Pan con Tomate (garlic-rubbed sourdough, diced tomatoes) - The ceviche special - The Day-o (a sweet cocktail) - The Asparagus ice cream () with capers and lemon, paired with vermouth Small, inventive, tapas-style plates, a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and friendly staff! read more

Chaval - Dayo cocktail - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

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The food is nice. Some of it is delicious. I found the steak frites and beet salad to be "as expected." Depending on who you are, that might be a good thing. Nothing we ate was as special as the menu made it sound. Also, the restaurant was extremely cold. Even with an open kitchen. So cold that my feet never warmed up. It's not me because we've been all over town on this freezing cold visit and no other place was like this on even colder evenings. It was unpleasant. And even more inhospitable was the server's insistence that we're order everything at once. She was pretty rigid about not bringing a few snacks to start while we perused the menu. The restaurant was half empty by the late hour that we finished our meal so I don't see traffic management as the reason. I think it's fine to state full ordering as a preference. But then you take care of your customer's needs. Otherwise-say it straight out on your website. So, our second courses came way too soon. I cannot say they are using the system well. OSS a nice space with a solid ambition that don't make it onto the plates or the service. C read more

This felt like a really nice elevated dining experience! The menu was innovative and interesting. Our server Jud was very personable and had great recommendations. We tried the fingerlings with caviar (first time trying!) it came together nicely with the crema and the brininess of the caviar. We also tried the pan con tomate which was good but not outstanding, and the head on shrimp special which was delish! We tried three desserts - a kind of berry trifle with a honey/pine meringue (very good and botanical!), the churros (classic, good vanilla curd), and the white asparagus ice cream because what? The first bite was weird - it's definitely asparagus, but as you go on it kind of mellows out and becomes surprisingly delicious? There are crunchy fennel and caper toppings which again sounds weird, but added so much! Would definitely be back to try more as it seems the menu changes frequently. They also are hosting cocktail classes this summer that look super fun! read more

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed Chaval until now TL;DR - everything on the menu is good so definitely over-order, leave room for dessert, and enjoy excellent service!! Chaval is absolutely one of the best restaurants in Portland (Leeward and Regards would be the others I'd put in the same category). The menu changes quite a bit, but you really can't go wrong with anything. Portions aren't huge, but it's fine since you'll want to try a few things. Cocktails and wine list are also excellent. Desserts are top notch and if you remember one thing it is that you absolutely need to save room for something sweet!!!! Service is impeccable. You'll interact with multiple people - all of whom can answer questions (or just share a nice convo with). If you haven't been yet this is your sign to make a reservation asap! read more

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Checked out Chaval for my first time! The staff were welcoming, funny and knowledgeable. We weren't too hungry so we picked the Potatoes and the Cheese plate, both 10/10. They threw in an off menu salad for us to share. How sweet! Can't wait to come back for more! Thanks Chaval xx read more

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the food here is great and it's a really nice spot. It is LOUD! We loved the deviled eggs and the caviar fingerlings so much we immediately ordered more of both. read more

Whenever we visit Portland we never miss Chaval. When weather permits they have a lovely, fenced outdoor seating area with electric heaters. Every single time I've gone we have had the Coq Au Vin for two and loved it. Just be careful because there's one night they don't have Coq Au Vin and they require a minimum of two orders. Reservations are a MUST. read more

Chaval is one of those rare spots that manages to feel both elevated and deeply cozy at the same time. You can settle in, breathe, and enjoy your meal. Service was warm, pacing was slow enough to savor, and the cocktails showed great balance not overly sweet, layered, and well-paired with food. A portland gem worth visiting ! read more

the food is bland and the service is slow. Spend your money elsewhere. It's $50.00 for a plate that Taco Bell could make better then this place. read more

Stellar food, great atmosphere, wonderful drinks. Service was amazing. A great meal with friends while visiting my old neighborhood.

For me the height of any meal is if after a bite having a moment of pause and mandatory "WTF!" aka "OMG" reflection. That was literally each of the 3 starters thru the 2 desserts.. Super friendly attentive service to boot. This s what I expect of a Michelin experience.. read more

Chaval - Wild Local Mushroom stew w poached egg starter - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

I've eaten here on all three of my trips to Portland now. The food is creative and unique (although the flavors can be hit or miss). The standout is the pan con tomate (basically the most delicious bruschetta on house made bread you will ever have). Service is always amazing - friendly and personal with great recommendations. Worth a visit for sure. read more

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Chaval. Amazing food and my favorite place to celebrate. I might go back again tomorrow for the melon dulse salad. perfect food was not my highlight. ?Ash? was wonderful! Always there when we needed with great food and wine recommendations. Attentive but not intrusive. Thank you Ash and Chaval! read more

Party with a vegan, two vegetarian's and an omnivorous. Service was knowledgeable and helpful. Our food was very good, portions were fine. Only complaint is the room was freezing. Non of us took our coats off the entire night, we were still cold when we got home, so bundle up if it's a cold night. read more

Just perfection from the beginning to the end. The only problem I have with Chaval is I never want to go anywhere else, because others pale in comparison. You'll leave feeling satiated and well taken care of. Truly the gem of the Westend read more

Excellent service for an engagement party. Delightful food, beautiful ambience, meticulous service. Ilma and Ryan truly understood what we needed and the plan was so well-executed. Scott looked after us really well. Friendly staff and atmosphere. Needless to say, we were delighted as Chaval exceeded our expectations. read more

Chaval - Menu designed for our special event - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

I'm thankful that Chaval was willing to accommodate us even though there weren't reservations online. When we went, the restaurant was only about 80% full, so that's either a lot of no-shows or they intentionally underbook. It was very nice that when we went, they already had our table and high chair set up! Our server was really nice, and we thought both of the "big" entrees were delicious. The squid ink pasta was flavorful and earthy, and the special of the day, the rainbow trout, was beautifully prepared with a nice pan fry and potatoes atop it. Yum. That's kind of where the positives end. We are happy to pay for good food (we went to Central Provisions the night before and didn't hold back), but some of the dishes were just not appropriately priced. For $16, we received a tiny portion of Maitake mushrooms. Probably one big bite worth. And none of the other appetizer dishes - from the deviled eggs, beets, brioche, figs, and melon (this one was plain bad - so bitter) were worth writing home about or worth the money. And the worst part of the meal was the 40+ minute wait between appetizers and the main courses, which was when our two year old who is usually patient and quiet, lost his mind and started asking to go home. As friendly as our server was, we definitely felt neglected. Similar pricing to Central Provisions, but not as good and without the same sense of urgency from the kitchen. read more

Had my first visit to Chaval with friends last weekend, and I'm delighted! I want more bistros in my life, always, and Chaval has that cozy neighborhood vibe and an assortment of delicious plates, both small and large, with a French and Spanish flair. The menu changes constantly (which I appreciate; it means the kitchen is looking to the seasons and seeing what's fresh). So while you won't necessarily find exactly what's on Chaval's online menu sample when you visit, you can be assured of a good selection of small, medium, and large plates--this is how they categorize the menu, and it's a great way to eat either with other diners or on your own! What we had to start: small appetizer plates of warm olives in herby oil and a wonderful melted Brie crostini with carmelized onion on top: both basic and also really really good. Next, some medium plates: a roasted and braised fennel in a rich sauce (seriously, this could have been a meal) and some beets that I wouldn't exactly call a salad--they came with crunchy little microgreens and some kind of yogurt sauce--but we ended up having bites of it after our other dishes as a way to digest and clean the palate. Larger plates were fantastic fish dishes, one a braised cod and the other a monkfish, both with different sauces and garnishes. By this time we all swore we were full (and two of us claimed to not even be into sweets, haha), but when the dessert list came around we succumbed to a pear Helene (this one in a cake or tartlet form, amazing) and what they referred to as their dessert specialty: it's ice cream, but with some chocolate cakey crumbles underneath and also a buried scoop of light whipped chocolate pudding, and jamon serrano caramel drizzled on top and lacey little bacon-y pieces you run into as a surprise. And it came in a cute little ceramic piggy dish. So much for being full--this was AMAZING. I can't recall the exact menu description, but it doesn't do it justice. Just get it! Also: terrific staff and service throughout to go with the welcoming vibe! I felt right at home at Chaval, and look forward to going back as soon as I can. read more

The plates are pretty small and expensive so I think this would be the sort of place you mostly go to get a drink and some snack? They were generally pretty tasty, but unfortunately the service was... strange. The waiter wouldn't tell us how much to order (even an approx number of dishes) and then was like the kitchen needs the entire order at once. (Weird for a small plates type place?) Well, how can we estimate if the food will be enough? Then, when it started pouring, the waiter said he had to move the drinks and I should not, so I left behind my drink. But then my drink was lost forever? And they gave me a fresh one which I didn't want? (Of course at the cost of another drink.) Just very strange for a restaurant that seemed to want to be ~fancy~. The drink I inadvertently got two of, the lemonade, was very sour. Of the dishes, each of them was really quite small, but I did really love the cheeses chosen for the cheese plate (only two kinds of cheese?)... The steak frites had nice, crisp fries. Otherwise, the other seven dishes were pretty unmemorable and tiny. read more

Fantastic spot. One of the highlights of a recent trip to Portland. The service was excellent from the moment we arrived. All the food we ordered was delicious and expertly prepared. The papitas bravas and the coq au vin in particular were worth the trip alone. Lovely drinks and a welcoming ambiance. Can't wait to get back! read more

Chaval - Coq Au Vin with toasted bread. - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I don't get this place. Strange menu. Strange service and pacing. The only restaurant I've ever sent back a dessert. Yes, you read that right -- the WORST churros I've ever ordered anywhere. Undercooked, raw dough flavor with some milky water as dipping sauce. Ew. The only place my partner who eats everything refused to eat a dish = cardoones. The Coq Au Vin was reheated and not fresh. Too expensive. Portions all over the place. Honestly, I don't get the hype of this place. They seemed to do a good brunch but stopped that a while ago (?). I miss Caola's and Aurora Provisions next door (**sigh**). read more

Chaval - Coq Au Vin. Pricey, dry and disappointing. - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

Do not bother. The majority of the staff there couldn't be less happy or engaged. Everything about our order was incorrect. Two breakfast plates (exact same order) came out more than 5 minutes from each other. No condiments offered or on the table. If we politely asked for jam the woman running for our server section acted imposed upon and couldn't be bothered. We were never checked on. When my partners order came out incorrect (simply scrambled eggs) we were ignored for another 5 minutes. Meanwhile my dish had been delivered more than 10 minutes before. Now sitting there stone cold. Once resolved, never checked on again. I mean. Do better. Why bother? I can make my own eggs at home and never come here again. read more

Don't accept reservations on a day you CLOSED your restaurant. Ridiculous lapse in customer service and communication.

Have to give Chaval props after they came in SO clutch this weekend accommodating our party of 9 with less than 2 hours notice and putting us in their lovely private room. Our server Scott was personable and knew the menu in and out. I got the winter salad (which was covered in manchego cheese) and thought it was great. Several members of our party were raving about the burgers, and the fries were a big hit. The mushroom Gruyère appetizer is a must-get. Cons: appetizer/tapas portions are small for the price. We got two orders of patatas bravas and two orders of the mushroom toast to start, and ended up having to order more to ensure everyone got to try them. It also took a while for us to get our cocktails, but given the size of the party, it was to be expected. Aside from that everything came out in a normal/reasonable timeframe. read more

Everything about this place is seriously great. Great neighbors, staff, food . Owners are lovely. You won't ever be disappointed here. It's really lovely! read more

Summer 2020 Review: If you want to have more of a local Maine experience paired with Spanish tapas, look no further than Chaval. Here's what you need to know: 1. Definitely make a reservation if you can. There is limited outdoor seating and long wait times. Chaval can be booked up for the night, so I would err on the side of safety to ensure you get a table. 2. Cute outdoor seating space with trees that makes you feel like you're in someone's backyard. 3. Dishes are well-priced for the portion size. You can get full fairly quickly. 4. The squid ink dishes and bravas are a must-get. 5. I was quite disappointed with the gin and tonic. I recommend going in on the wine. 6. I would also pass on the steak and creme brulee. While the goal was to be more inventive, it didn't live up to the other dishes. 7. Staff is very nice and attentive. Make a reservation if you really want to test out Chaval. read more

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Highly recommend this restaurant. Service was definitely outstanding -- our server was persistent in working with us to navigate taste preferences. Food was consistently tasty and interesting. This is the kind of place that has a relatively short menu to ensure that everything they do is fantastic, and it shows. Decor is a little rustic (most seats require you to walk through the kitchen!), but homey. But it means you can dine comfortably even if casually dressed. Drinks were particularly good, with excellent by-the-glass wine offerings. read more

Chaval is the kind of place where you can sit down and make friends with the people next to you, and we did! The vibe is joy, the food is joyful! We were literally licking our plates with our fingers. You can tastes every ingredient, and every ingredient is fresh, the flavors bright, it makes you smile! Can one describe food as cheerful? I can and it was! Come to Chaval, make new friends, leave joyful and wanting to come back. Magic. Thank you Kirby! S&T read more

Chaval - Ask for this dish, not on the menu but amazing! - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Just an overall underwhelming dining experience and with the price it took it from three stars to two. The service was very friendly and nice however we had an all around subpar meal. What we ordered: beat salad, patatas bravas, the salad, the wild mushrooms, the burger and the special that was scallops. The only dish I wanted more of was the beats, but it was nothing revolutionary. The mushroom dish had a fish chorizo that wasn't balanced in the dish and it came tepid to cold to the table. The salad was a true standout for its lack of balance, all citrus and no oil and salt. It was served on a mildly bitter green and with that much acidity it was verging on inedible. The patatas bravas were not prepared correctly. No crispy exterior and no heat. It was a scant portion of basically boiled potato's with what seemed to be a siracha aioli. The burger was very dry and the bun was burnt so the overriding flavor was burnt bun. The scallop special had a parsnip paste that truly had the texture of sludge paste. The scallops were well cooked but there was also a sprinkling of some grain that was incredibly chewy. The textures of this dish were so off that it kind of ruined the silkiness of the scallop. When you read the menu at Chaval it seems like it has all the right things but what seemed like a good theory did not come through in execution. read more

I was so excited to try this restaurant with spanish and french influences, having been to Spain a few months ago and France a couple years ago. Sadly I didn't feel it lived up to the hype. I will start with the restaurant itself, it is very small and cozy which was nice, however all the tables near the door (about half the restaurant) get blasted with cold air every time the door opens, which unfortunately it is often. Our party of 4 wore our coats for our entire dinner. We specifically ordered some dishes we had tried in Spain and France. We started with patatas bravas which we ate a lot of in Spain. The potatoes were soggy and my husband thought they were mashed, not at all what we were expecting. In Spain they are crispy potatoes on a plate with the sauce often on the side or lightly drizzled, the flavor was ok, but the texture wasn't great. I ordered the brie toast which was actually quite nice. For dinner we ordered the coq au vin, again we had it in France so we had an idea of what we were hoping for, I also ordered a side of french fries. We were very disappointed with the coq au vin, there was 4 chunks of cut up fingerling potato in the meal for 2 (luckily I had ordered the fries) and 1 piece of carrot. If you order this definitely order some additional sides! The chicken itself was a little dry, similar to when you leave chicken in a crockpot too long. Our server Eve however was absolutely fantastic! She was knowledgeable about the wines, the food, and had a great personality. She allowed plenty of time between apps and entrees, which was nice. Sadly we won't go there a second time, but luckily there are so many restaurants in the area we have yet to try! read more

Chaval - Brie Toast - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Great for groups - we reached out to reservations to do a large party of 9 on a Friday night for a bachelorette party and worked with them directly to put together a 3 course menu + dessert. All the courses were shared, drinks were delicious, service was attentive, and dessert was excellent. All around great time and great food! read more

The food at this restaurant is delicious! Small plates made for sharing! My friends took me here for a birthday celebration and the pastry chef outdid themselves with the most gorgeous and delicious gluten-free cake! The fish dish was outstanding! A blueberry wine was suggested to us, most of the people in our party did not care for it and the staff was so kind to offer something else. I really enjoy this restaurant and highly recommend it read more

Chaval - Gluten free cake - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Honestly pretty meh. There were a couple good dishes but service was weird -- table next to us got their food before us despite ordering at least ten minutes later, and our patatas braves were barely warm. Server seemed vaguely coked out and the beef tartare had olives in it, which he didn't mention. A -- who puts olives in a tartare? B -- who puts olives in a tartare and doesn't mention it? Portland has enough other excellent dining options (Leeward, Solo Italiano, Twelve) that this place is underwhelming. read more