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    Papi

    4.4 (112 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Papi Photos

    PAPI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Papi

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    Reviews With Photos

    Yeimi D.

    As a latina visiting Portland, I searched for Spanish food in the area and this place came up! I was pleasantly surprised and did not expect to eat at a Puerto Rican restaurant. I Gotta say it smelled soo good. Just like my mommas kitchen. The atmosphere was incredible, it was upscale yet cozy. The food was really good too.. The empanadas were very tasty and in also ordered tacos and corn fritters that were delicious as well. Only thing i didnt like is that their rice had an insane amount of olives for the serving size. I counted 18 olives in a small serving. I mean I dont mind olives but not that much. I ordered rice with guandules and I feel I got rice with olives. I honestly had a very good experience here and would definately come back if im ever in the area again.

    Are Colada - vanilla vodka, and rum, but with coconut and pineapple flavors - didn't sound like it would be delicious, but it was
    Greg L.

    Date night at one of our favorite bars - the changing bar menu helps every visit be its own special event. The small tables help keep it from being overcrowded with big groups. The cocktails are unique and delicious rather than unique and weirdest happens at some places. If you want to try something different, this is a great place to start. The small plates were very good, but a bit small for the price.

    Emily B.

    What an unexpected delight. And by unexpected, I mean I didn't have expectations. It's been a hot minute since I've partaken in the downtown culinary scene, but Papi might have the best cocktail menu in Portland. It's short, but every single one hit the mark. Add that to the pork tacos, sauce plate, fried plantains, and empanadas, and it's the best dining experience I've had in a while. And our server was personable and funny without being intrusive. Highly recommend!

    Street Tacos
    James H.

    Papi has an appealing and inviting allure to it's bar and dining area. They also have an outside section (small but functional, for sure). We ordered a couple drinks and some small bites to get us through the afternoon walking around the Old Port. The fried plantains were disappointing. Far too thin. It was essentially eating a fried batter with some delicious dipping sauce. I also have to criticize the street tacos a bit -- the ratios were off (too much meat and a lack of sauce for my liking). The taste of the tacos was quite good though. And the prices were fair for the portions of food.

    Cuban sliders on grilled bao buns
    Melissa P.

    What a gem in Portland. A little piece of Puerto Rico has found its way here. The food was fantastic, and the vibes were on point - we walked in and scored great seats by the window bar. The lighting is low and sultry, with Latin music setting the mood. The staff truly works as a team, and the owner is charismatic--he even came out to greet guests. We'll definitely be back.

    Outdoor seating
    Tyra P.

    I love coming to Papi when the weather is nice to grab a cocktail and hangout. They have really great small Puerto Rican bites. Piña Colada: the best nugget ice, refreshing Boriken Gold: delicious coco cold foam on top, sweeter cocktail

    Amaury J.

    Ayyyyy Papi! Not gonna lie -- when I first heard a Puerto Rican bar was opening in Portland and that it was named Papi, I rolled my eyes so hard. I assumed it was going to be another one of those "Latin-inspired" spots that leans heavy on the branding without any of the actual culture or heart. So I ignored it. For months. Wouldn't even consider stepping inside. Yeah... I was wrong. I don't even remember what made me finally go, but I do know I've been back close to a dozen times since. Friends nights, date nights, rainy days, hot summer afternoons, and every single visit has been incredible. The first time I walked into Papi, I literally sighed out loud. As a Cuban living in Maine, I don't often walk into places that feel like home -- that remind me of my childhood, my family, my roots. But Papi did. From the prints on the wall to the smells coming from the kitchen to the drinks on the menu -- guava, guanábana, mango, Malta, Goya cans stacked like back home -- it felt like someone got it. It was honestly a liiiiittle emotional. And I have to shout out Lyanna, the head mixologist. Watching her command the bar while having real conversations with guests is just insane -- she'll be deep in making ten cocktails at once and still make you feel like you're the only person there. She's gotten so much well-deserved recognition recently, and still manages to stay humble and always present. It's always like catching up with a friend. Not, onto the drinks. Papi is doing things that no one else in Portland is doing -- both in flavor and presentation. These are cocktails you remember. And at $14-$16 each, they're priced the same as other bars around here, while (in my opinion) being a top player when it comes to creativity and ingredients. My all-time favorite is the Boriken Gold; guava, gold rum, lime, queso and coconut foam. I don't even have the words. It's magic in a glass (and comes with this edible glitter that makes for quite a pretty drink!). We mostly go for the cocktails, but we've had their food too. The tostones are my personal favorite. Always perfectly crispy, garlicky, salty, and way too addicting. Papi, I didn't believe in you at first, but now I just hope you stick around para siempre.

    Plantain chips
    Jennifer O.

    I had the pleasure of visiting Papi on Valentine's Day and we were very pleased. They were entirely booked & somehow they were able to squeeze us in which I appreciated it. The vibes were on point they had Bad Bunny playing which was a super plus. The people were friendly and the food was good. The plantain chips were good but the tostones too tier. Had the right amount of garlic. The pork was really good & the pollo guisado was too. I had a caribeño drink which was really good too. If you're in Portland I would recommend.

    Crystal C.

    What a vibe here! As soon as we entered, it was like we went through a portal and traveled to Puerto Rico. The hostess and waitress were filled with positive energy. They were inviting, made you feel like you were family they were happy to see, and offered helpful suggestions while you navigated the menu. We settled on the tostones al ajillo (fried plantains), street tacos, beef empanadas, and rum cake for dessert. The beef empanada filling was different than any others I've had. I'd dare to describe them closer to the consistency of a sloppy joe. They were good, but saucier than expected. The fried plantains were HUGE and the garlic was prominent (yay!). I could eat just about anything dipped in that sauce. The street tacos were my favorite, hands down. The pork was AMAZING- so tender, juicy, and flavorful... a must get! The rum cake was a perfect ending to this meal. The pineapple compote and the coconut ice cream played perfectly off of each other. Loved our time at Papi and can't wait to return!

    Cocoa colada
    Ellen B.

    Came to Papi for first time and mixed reviews. Cute, little space with limited table seating but a big bar to sit at. The drink menu was impressive with some interesting cocktails. I had the cafe colada which was delicious. As far as dinner, I was disappointed in my meal. I had the short rib over yucca mash and corn salsa. Very nice presentation with a 3" square of short rib, but once I started breaking it up to eat, found that about half of it was pure fat and gristle. I salvaged what little actual meat there was and ate the sides. Fortunately this was our second stop of the evening so I wasn't starving, but would have been but for that fact. When you are paying $30 for an entree, you expect to be able to eat more than half your protein. Flavors were very good, but not one of the more memorable short ribs I've had. Server was friendly and helpful with the menu. Not sure I will be back to try again.

    Robert H.

    A stellar dinner out at this Puerto Rican restaurant in Old Town. The vibe is electric - very cool bar and lighting, tin ceiling tiles, photos of prominent Puerto Ricans along the back wall, and fun regional music loud and proud. The food was superb. We loved the empanadas, the sorullo, the street tacos, the tostones, and the main plates. Papi can be a family/tapas kind of experience. The desert was a lot of fun - guava and cheese empanadas with powdered sugar, anyone? My cocktails were very good as well, really liked the Burden in My Hand and the Grito de Lares. My wife enjoyed Goodfire beer on tap. Our server was incredibly helpful. The kitchen is fast so it is easy to order as you go. Honestly this is one of the most fun restaurants I have experienced in the last few years. Highly recommended even with all the other great spots in Portland. We'll be back!!!! :)

    Got very cool tasty drinks, empandas ( not pictured but amazing) , and chimichurri steak. Would not have changed a thing!

    Amazing food, ambiance, and service. Left feeling very satisfied. Would highly recommend.

    laser cut ice cream- nice touch
    Melanie B.

    My husband and I had dinner reservations somewhere else, but we decided to come here and have a few cocktails first. We were able to get two seats at the bar a few minutes after we arrived. We met some people and had some interesting conversations. We did enjoy the cocktails as well!! The vibe was nice. It was noisy, but not crazy loud. The bartenders were kept busy but remained friendly. The food we saw looked great and people said it really was good. It was a nice place to spend a few hours on a Wednesday evening!

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    Had such a great time here! Food tasted great, service was fast and the team was so amazing and welcoming!

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    Ask the Community - Papi

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    Central Provisions

    Central Provisions

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    Great tapas spot in the downtown area! Had such a lovely waiter too during our visit. Liked all the…read moresavory dishes too, each with its own distinct taste! Ranking: 1) Spicy beef salad 2) Suckling pig 3) Pinkytoe crab 4) Lobster pasta 5) Bone marrow toast The desserts were nothing special but I did like the strawberry white chocolate one. The rhubarb one was meh personally; tasted like yogurt I could eat from the grocery store.

    We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

    Photos
    Open kitchen
    Open kitchen
    CP Frites
    CP Frites
    Cold Fashioned

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    Cold Fashioned

    Papi - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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