Mi Cava & Cocina

Amazing food and you get good quality and a good quantity of food for what you're paying. Especially in the margarita sizes. The server had a busy dining room but was very sweet. 10/10 visit - can't wait to go back!

If you’re looking for your new favorite brunch spot in Portland, look no further than Mi Cava & Cocina. This place absolutely blew me away — from the food to the ambiance to the value, everything was on point. I went in on a weekend for brunch and left already planning my next visit. First off, the brunch offerings are INSANE (in the best way possible). I tried a variety of their brunch specials and every single dish was better than the last. The Sweet Plantain Pancakes were fluffy, golden, and had that perfect balance of sweetness from the plantains — truly unique and memorable. The Berries French Toast was another standout: thick slices of perfectly soaked bread topped with a mountain of fresh berries and a drizzle of syrup that made each bite a dream. But the chilaquiles… oh wow. If you’re a fan of bold, savory brunch, these are a must, it’s honestly my favorite And let’s not forget the mimosa flight — a super fun and delicious way to sample four different flavors. It’s the kind of brunch that makes you want to gather your friends and turn it into a weekly ritual. I also had the shrimp tacos (because why not keep the party going?) and they were phenomenal. The shrimp was grilled to perfection, tender and flavorful, and paired with vibrant toppings and house-made salsa. Every ingredient tasted freshly sourced and thoughtfully prepared, which really speaks to the quality and care that goes into their menu. What really sets Mi Cava & Cocina apart is the upscale yet welcoming atmosphere. Inside, it’s beautifully designed — chic decor, high ceilings, and a layout that feels both spacious and cozy. But it doesn’t stop there: the outdoor space is massive, with two large patios, full bar access, and heaters to keep things cozy even on chilly days. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, bachelorette party, or just a sunny weekend, this place is ideal. Another huge plus? They have a special every day of the week, which makes it even more tempting to keep coming back. And the best part? The prices are super reasonable — it feels upscale, but you won’t break the bank. It’s the rare kind of spot where you can treat yourself but still feel good about coming back again and again. In short, Mi Cava & Cocina is an absolute gem. Delicious food, excellent drinks, stylish atmosphere, and unbeatable value. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Portland, put this place at the top of your list — your weekend brunch game will never be the same.

I was expecting something decent. I love mexican food, but this place is not good at all. Our server wasn't that great, too. Is taking too much time to give you a table and to order our food after 30 minutes. It wasn't busy (Monday). Price and quality didn't match. Finger potatoes uncooked!!! I'll never be back. I wasted my time and money.

Saw they are open for brunch now and thought I’d give it a try. The Berry French Toast is so delicious!! My kids had breakfast burritos and Ranchero skillet. Definitely will be back again.

There were nine of us for Father's Day dinner at 7pm. We ordered soon after and the food didn't come out until 9pm! And the place had some large parties but overall was not that busy. Not once did the waiters come to let us know what was going on or to offer something while we waited (we don't know who our waiter was because they were all over the place). At about 8:40 the manager (I think) said it'd be another 15 minutes and if we wanted to wait otherwise he was sorry it didn't work out. Well, we waited that long already so we waited some more. Apparently some kitchen staff left. I can sympathize with that, but it's not our fault either. I expected more from a "nicer" restaurant. They brought the men some shots for Father's Day, but at that point, they should have offered everyone a shot. My husband's glass was broken from the rim and when we pointed it out, the manager just said "oh". That's a lawsuit waiting to happen, dude. No discounts, not much attention from them, no apology for the wait. The food wasn't super hot and the seasoning wasn't good. Maybe it was a bad night for them, and Father's Day if all days... but a little humility goes a long way.

I used to come to this location a lot when it was Newport Bay. They have improved the inside by opening up the middle and adding tables with chairs and booths. Much more size friendly now. They also have more reasonable prices now since they opened. The lunch menu is very reasonable. The ingredients are high quality as is presentation and service. Nice selection of mock tails.

The price is too high for the quantity of food as we can see on the photo, then the potatoes weren’t cooked seemed like a rock when I bit them. I hoped a better resolution for the inquiry, but just received a French fries order when I finished with my steak.

Great, authentic Mexican food. Everything was so delicious and the portions were a bit too big for one person, so you won't leave hungry! Margaritas were top notch as well. My friend and I enjoyed our early dinner very much. It was not busy, early dinner, about 4-5 is where it's at.

Food, service and ambience were amazing. Whether you are looking for a date night, family dinner with or without kids, professional or celebration outing, this place will not disappoint. Service was absolutely amazing. Margaritas: Out of both margaritas flights and the original we tried, my sister's favorite was the cucumber and we all agreed the passionfruit and the original were the best. The passionfruit and mango were the only flavored options I felt were not too sweet and had the best balance. When there was 1 margarita flavor none of us cared for, the server sweetly offered to bring us a different kind. Food: Chips and salsa- everyone loved! Aguachile tatemado- this is a MUST! Even my sister who doesn't like shrimp, just ate the rest of it and was so happy she was willing to try it- we all thought this was amazing. Carnitas- delicious! Chicken enchiladas verde- so flavorful! Chicken fajitas- really good! Kids meals- burgers with fries and with rice and beans. Neither of the kids cared for the burgers but the adults tried them and they were decent. They loved the fries and rice and beans. My family agreed there was nothing they wouldn't order again. Being from LA, we are very happy to have found delicious Mexican food and amazing service here in Portland. Whoever wrote that 1 star review a month ago has no idea what he's talking about lol

Overpriced, chintzy portions, poor service. Since it opened, Sweetie wanted to try this Mexican restaurant; we finally went. Her margarita was made with next-to-antifreeze Taquilla I could smell across the table. After ordering her beverage, the waiter took her menu and marched off. She had to chase him down in the bar to get a menu to look over. Really absent-minded service. The chips were great, the best part of the meal; the salsa was okay. Sweetie ordered Cava's Last Burrito, Shrimp. A large flour tortilla filled with beans, rice, guacamole sauce, sour cream, and pico de gallo and covered with extra gooey Red cheese sauce. But, it should have been called a "shrimp flavored burrito" because the shrimp flecks were hard to find. It was almost entirely beans and rice. I judge a Mexican restaurant on their Fajitas, in my case chicken. Again, this was "chicken-flavored fajitas". Doing a quick sort in the skillet, there was five small soup spoons (not tablespoons) of chicken shreds swimming in the grease; I'd estimate less than five ounces of meat. So, it was about 80% bell pepper and onions and 20% chicken. The black beans were pretty good, yet lacked seasoning (salt). The rice was flavorless. There was no salt on the table, so it was just bland. Sweetie wanted to take some her shrimp-flavored beans-and-rice burrito home; and again, we had to track down a server for a to-go container -- they were all in the bar. Then, time to pay the $60 bill for a forgetful meal, we again had to track down a server. The Gateway District needs a good, moderately priced Mexican restaurant. This is NOT it.

Don't let pulling up into the strip mall scare you, we def had 2nd thoughts especially with all the cute brunch places in Portland, but this one was cute inside and food was good. Only about 6 Mexican breakfast options so def go with a lunch or dinner mindset. They had a really good array of alcoholic beverages too. Their margaritas were massive and the spicy sweet flights super good. We got huevos rancheros which were good, shrimp enchiladas which were better and breakfast skillet which had a little kick to it but was pretty good too.

Great food and service. A little pricey depending on what you order but usually worth it. Only concern is our server Fatima was amazing, beautiful and made our night but her name wasn't on our ticket. Just want to make sure she got the tip we left. She was amazing and did a great job and my wife wanted to make sure she got our tip. Fatima was truly the best part of our night and my wife wanted to make sure she knew we appreciated her effort and service.

Great service. Very tasty food. Cavas Last Burrito was soooo good. Husband had the fish tacos and really enjoyed them. Large portions.

So much food.. it was all super good.. The service was perfect. They may have gone overboard when taking over the Newport Seafood Grill.. it's a huge space.

Despite its glamorous interior and upscale ambiance, this is a family-owned joint, or I'll eat my hat. It may feel more Masa and Pompette than Mom and Pop, but thankfully the prices, while a bit closer to the Michelin scale than I would like, are justified by an equivalent level of excellence in execution and edible enjoyment. My wife and I split the Pollo (con) Crema, a side of guac, two bowls of the obligatory chips and salsa, and a (small) watermelon margarita roomy enough for multiple goldfish. I've never had anything the like of our main entrée at a Mexican restaurant, as both its flavor and texture were seemingly more Italian-inspired, but it was still quite enjoyable: creamy, buttery, filling without being heavy. Scanning the menu, it was easily (in my humble opinion), the most "unusual" item on the menu, in comparison to the rest. It may not be what everyone is looking for when coming to a Mexican cocina, but we certainly enjoyed it. The salsa is a little on the watery side for my preference, but the flavor can't be argued with. And my wife's sizeable margarita lived up to expectations and its price tag. Service was as close to perfect as you can get: we were greeted by an eminently friendly, warm and welcoming older gentleman who I *assume* is the owner, as anyone still working at his age either has a passion, or personal investment, in their chosen career, or both; and our primary server, other than being a little difficult to track down at the end of the meal, couldn't have been better. Mi Cava & Cocina claims to be the end result of 30 years of family recipes, brought into the spotlight, and it certainly feels that way. It straddles the line between modern and matronly, familiar and fashionable, comforting and chic. On this first visit, my wife peeked behind the curtain into the kitchen, and sampled some of the chef's home-cooked classics. Next time, we'll have to give the more "traditional" cuisine a go as well, to see if it lives up to abuelita's standards and reputation. I have no doubt it will.

Delicious food & drinks and really fantastic service. Beautiful ambiance. Margaritas were fresh and great flavor. Will for sure be back.

Took our luncheon group here for lunch. The last time we were here, was when it was a seafood restaurant. One of my group members showed me a photo of the tacos that he ordered, the last time he was here, and right away, I wanted that! Other members ordered the Chicken Vegetable Soup, Chile Relleno, Shrimp Taco (they shared). We also ordered Black Beans. The Salsa with Chips, mentioned about the chips were a little bit salty for our taste (4 of us said so), but I was wiping the salt off before I dipped and it was OK to me, but the Salsa, was hot for my taste. They should have mild, also, but I didn't ask. (I should have). I didn't dip my chips again. One guy told us, the salsa was his favorite! I had the Pastor Tacos. (A bit disappointed, it didn't look as full as the photo of my friend's. To me, it looked more like a food cart version. He's been here before, but I'm the one doing the review, so . . . See photo. I like the avocado sauce and pineapples in my tacos. I've not had those 2 combinations before. The restrooms were very clean. Customer service was impeccable. The outside dining rooms were added, during the COVID, I was told by our friend, was very nice & cozy!

Drinks are super spendy. Mole was good but did not blow me away with a unique twist or hint of chocolate. Even as a leftover it was average. Service was good and if you are hungry the burrito is clearly the way to go.

The food is amazing, drinks are great. They have the best mojitos I've had since I moved to Portland. Adriana was an amazing server, amazing customer service. I'll definitely come back and ask for her service.

Love the service, and the food is so flavorful! If you love mariscos, and excellent presentation, this is your spot. I've never had a bad dish, but this spot is for folks that like strong flavors, and spice. If you can't handle some spice, go elsewhere. But I love the waitstaff, and the drinks!

The facility itself is pretty fresh and new. Not over the top Mexican decorations. The service is pretty good. It's the food choices on the menu, quality of ingredients and presentation that sets this place apart. We all know typical Mexican restaurants. However many people probably have not experienced good dining in Mexico like you would find in the bigger cities. This place has great cuts of meat and super variety of seafood presented in such a beautiful way.

Amazing food. El pulpo delicioso. Clean and a great place to get a drink also. Will def go back

First class Mexican restaurant with fantastic food. Place was absolutely spotless. My shrimp dish had just the right amount of heat. Beans came in a separate container. Not sure if I liked that arrangement! No rice??? My girlfriend had chicken in chocolate mole sauce. I tried it and was some of the best sauce I've ever eaten. Hers came with a side of rice and a small salad. Again the rice was a separate dish, she felt as I did, not crazy about that way of serving the rice, and no beans??? Tortillas were served with both meals and were warm. We didn't stay for desert as the meal and drink were a little expensive for Mexican cuisine. I'd have given the place 5 stars, but the server cleared her plate and left my dirty dish's in front of me, then 10 minutes later he arrived with the check. Went to Dairy Queen for desert, blizzards are the best.

What inspired me to write this was the food and service. Atmosphere was pretty upscale. Nice booths, tables, and fixtures. I ordered the Pollo Mole Negro. It arrived pretty quickly, but I was there on a Monday night. The side salad had sliced fennel and fresh small cubes of mango with baby romaine. So good! The mole was a little too Smokey on its own for my palate. I added the very flavorful rice and a healthy dose of their house salsa, and the dish bloomed into an incredibly delicious meal. They were even prompt on correcting their mistake on the tortillas they brought out. Overall, it was a great dining experience to enjoy after a week of ice.

Food was nothing worth posting about and I post all my food. We went for "happy hour" and my margarita was $19, mind you the prides weren't listed and it tasted like house tequila, I only drank it because once I got the bill I realized I was charged $19 so I finished it. The ambience is strange in here, can't really put my finger on it but definitely needs a makeover and they need to post drink prices. I feel like I was robbed.

This was $19. The price wasn't listed so didn't know until we got the bill. Thankfully only ordered one. I gave this place 2 stars for the potential it has that I'm sure it'll will never live up to.

This place is fantastico! Delicious food Friendly and great service! Drinks we're very good too! We will definitely be back with our friends.

Excellent food and great service! Seafood enchiladas and shrimp tacos. We will be back.

I think it's worth mentioning that this place is not your typical Mexican restaurant. Don't expect chips and salsa to come with your meal like Baja Fresh. This place is meant to be an upscale dining experience. With that being said, the food we had was phenomenal. We came during Happy Hour which had a very selected amount of options available. We ordered the queso fundido, steak bites and the pastor tacos with rice on the side. The queso fundido with chorizo was excellent! As some people mentioned, the ratio of cheese to chorizo was a little bit off.. lots of chorizo with minimal cheese. It was also very stringy melted cheese so it was hard to get a spoonful but the taste was delicious! It also came with a tasty chipotle salsa and warm soft tortillas. The steak bites were out of this world! They were cooked PERFECTLY. And were so tender and juicy it practically melted in our mouth. It came with a crema that was excellent as well but really wasn't needed on the dish. Lastly the tacos were top notch. The meat was tender and seasoned well and I appreciated the grilled pineapple in it to give the spicy sweet flavor explosion. Rice that we got on the side was great too. This place is excellent as long as you come with the mindset that it's NOT your typical Mexican restaurant and the prices reflect that. Not sure id come again but I do think it was worth the visit.

Let's start with the good. The staff was nice and pleasant. After that it's all downhill. I ordered chicken enchiladas. This is something that should be simple from a Mexican restaurant. Check the pic below. I received a couple of tortillas with swiss cheese in it and some chopped chicken on top. The black beans were straight out of a can and everything was bland. This is a new establishment and maybe they can turn it around, but I will not try it again. There are too many options for Mexican food in PDX where I'm not taking a gamble. Too bad, I had high hopes when I walked in.

We came during happy hour (Sunday through Thursday 3-5 pm and 9-close). They offer $2 off wines by the glass, $1 off draft beer, and $8 for the cocktail of the day. As for the HH food, they have a few options like queso fundito, aquachile tatemado, fresh black mussels or steamed clams as well as coconut shrimp. Their full menu has plenty of seafood dishes, steaks, and traditional dishes like enchiladas and moles. There are two seating areas - restaurant or bar side. We decided to sit near the bar because we mainly came for drinks but ended up sharing a few appetizers. We got the tostadas, mussels, and tacos de pastor. Everything was really good! I was a big fan of the mussels - which had shallots, dried chorizo, white wine, pickled jalapeños in a chipotle beurre blanc sauce... oh my gosh, I could have eaten multiple servings. Highly recommend getting those. The cocktails we ordered were beautiful presented and tasted great. I enjoyed the mezcal fresco and smokey mezcal Paloma, my husband had the hibiscus margarita (cocktail of the day) and a tamarindo mule. I would agree with that prices are a tad bit high. Our bill for 4 cocktails and 3 HH food items ended up being $91 (without tip). But they pride themselves with ingredients directly from the source to ensure freshness and sustainability, which we fully support and makes it totally worth it! Our waiter, Saul, was very friendly. He did a nice job checking up on us. They also have a covered + heated patio area that allows dogs! So we will definitely be back with our pup for some more margs :)

I've had lunch here a couple times and the enchiladas are tasty! It's not busy during the weekdays at lunch so it's easy to pop in and out. The vibes are good; I wish the music wasn't so loud.

Wowza. I don't even know how to approach this review except that we are taking bets on how long this place will last. For real. Worst meal we have had since moving here. I'll eat most anything even if it is meh and I could not...It wasn't even the prices that bothered us. We have no issue dropping money for a meal (we did last night for an AMAZING Italian supper) but paying these prices for underwhelming food, ugh. Environment was pretty cold and sterile. Not that it matters a lot to me as long as the food is good but a couple of areas had benches and furniture piled up. This was on the patio area which could be super nice. Take a few hours and clean it up. Make it presentable since this restaurant is trying to be upscale. We did not order any alcohol and only had water. The water or maybe it was the glasses had an odor. A very foul odor. My wife couldn't get past it. Appetizer Queso fundido. Super small portion and literally barely any cheese. We paid for a Luke warm pile of chorizo and three tiny store bought tortillas that were stale and tough. Appetizer guacamole. Actually very tasty with a little chili oil. Chips served with it were good also. We pretty much ate this for our meal. My wife ordered the Mole Amarillo and had two bites. It was cold, even the "mole" sauce that they poured on top once served. The sauce could not have tasted more like spaghetti sauce. No way this is a mole. We have eaten many meals with mole and this was not one. The dish was flavorless. I think 3 bites was all that was eaten. She asked for chicken on it and there wasn't any chicken. We told the waiter and he just said, "Oh Sorry." I had the steak enchiladas. I had asked for two steak and one chicken so I could try both and the waiter said yes. After the order was put in I was told the can only do one meat due to how the presentation of the food it. I don't agree with this being a good enough reason a customer can't get what they want, but I'm not the boss there so...steak it was. The presentation was more like a deconstructed taco. They had a "red" sauce for today. (They have daily sauces I guess since he said it's what it came with today) The 3 tortillas were flat with a layer of cheese inside which tasted just like a mozzarella stick with the red sauce all over it. It was not appetizing. The steak was rubbery, ZERO flavor, and was mayyyyybe a tad warm. Maybe. There was a couple of radish bits on top. Had a side of rice also. Just plain white rice. Add some paprika or something please...this all needed flavor. Will not return. Will not recommend. I don't understand the food not being hot. There were, I think, two other tables so I KNOW the kitchen was not in the weeds. The food seemed to have been pre-prepared and maybe warmed up?? Not sure but then maybe that's why it didn't hold heat?

Amazing! This was the best meal I've had in years. From the friendly and attentive front of the house staff to the food, it is obvious that everyone here cares and are sharing their love of food and good service. Everything was plated beautifully and tasted even better. The Coconut Shrimp were perfectly cooked and still plump. The coconut beading was a deep golden brown and crispy. They were more nutty than sweet. The Jamaican reduction that was brushed under the shrimp tasted a bit like a really good balsamic reduction, which with the little dollops of cream cheese foam, gave just the right hint of sweetness. Next was the Pork Belly with Mole Negro. The pork was nicely rendered, luscious and so tender that I literally cut it with my butter knife. The mole was deep, dark, complex and flavorsome. Today's seasonal vegetables were carrots and broccolini. The turned carrots were deeply roasted, tender and had a rich flavor. Usually when it comes to cooked carrots, I'm - meh - but these were perfect. The broccolini were a vibrant green and a perfect al dente. This was my first Mezcal Fresca, so I can't really compare it, but it was really good! An amazing meal and I will be back (there are still a lot of things on the menu that I have to try).

Fast service, great atmosphere and reasonable portions. The host was an older man that was so sweet and still made it a point to greet us (even though we went in the wrong entrance). The waitress was polite and prompt. The food came out quick and was quite appetizing. Would visit again!

Let's start with the good. Everyone working is friendly and nice. We loved both drinks, and I'd go back again just for the tamarind mule. The plating is nice across the board, and the idea of high end Mexican food is one I'm fully on board with. Really, the flavors were fine, as well. Nothing we ate was far above average, but nothing was bad. Like I said, I love the idea... But the execution isn't there. The menu leans heavily on seafood and steak dishes, which may be amazing, but weren't up our alley. We opted for the salsa flight, which was fun, but we were provided no explanation as to what the sauces even were (an added issue when one of us has a peanut allergy). Fun, but not worth the price. The basic enchilada dishes are just shells filled with cheese with different sauces. The verde was tasty, the bean sauce was bland. The protein is just cooked meat on the side and isn't incorporated. Rice and beans are an extra four bucks for bland rice and okay black beans. Neither item was worth the extra charge, at all. The place is huge, but lacking atmosphere. Seems like they should focus on either bar or restaurant and not have so much empty space. Love the idea, and the drinks were great. Maybe focus more on the cantina experience and accessible food without all the up sells. Not a bad experience but nowhere near the price of being asked.

I have been waiting so long for this place, I've drove past it continuously as it was being renovated into the current. The outside is brightly lit and inviting against the night, but I couldn't see anyone in the booths from the exterior. Seemed eerie, lol forgive me. I ordered the Paloma and the Northwest Fresh Black Mussels, alongside 1/2 dozen half shell oysters. I wanted to like it so bad. But things just didn't make sense to me. The oysters were served with a chili oil and peppercorn. Never had it served with those things, but I was open. I didn't like the taste so I asked for hot sauce and salt to try to remedy. The oil was bland and the peppercorn almost whole. The mussels were in a beurre blanc sauce that was sweet, creamy and then unfortunately extra extra salty. I don't remember it being THAT salty. I only ate half of that appetizer and then decided to skip an entree because not only was I turned off, it took the waiter almost 22 minutes from the time my appetizers got sat down to ask if I wanted to order a main. I didn't fee comfortable spending anymore at this point. Also thought it was ironic, all the TVs had a fireplace and crackling fire on them, and it was freezing! Just not my cup of tea. I will say, everyone was very polite, and welcoming regardless of my experience.

Again folks this restaurant has the best Mexican food in Portland! Service is awesome and every dish has so much flavor, that you will b back for more!! Ladies also tried the margaritas sample and that was so much fun and yummy!! The ambiance is beautiful inside, they have a outdoor covered patio which is huge and will b great to eat outside with nice weather.

Unique Mexican cuisine with fish as their speciality. All their sauces are made in house. Staff is super friendly & very accommodating. We had Bebe as our server & she is the best! They are working on a wonderful outdoor space for the spring & summer. Bar area is large, but cozy.

The service is fine. The food is no so great. I had shrimp fajitas and it looked like the shrimp was boiled. My rice and beans were cold. Not warm but cold. Considering how much I paid for the entree I couldn't get over my cold sides and how bland the dish was. This is my second shot at trying to like place but it simply isn't good. I won't be back.

Delicious and authentic flavors! The seafood in the enchilada was absolutely delicious. I hesitate to order seafood at a Mexican restaurant because it often comes out smelling fishy or the seafood is so disguised by the sauce that you cannot taste it. This enchilada was perfection! I ordered it with the side salad, which I would not do again. Discovered I am not a fan of fennel. (Not their fault.) But the lettuce was warm and therefore not as refreshing as it could be. My husband's shrimp dish was equally as delicious. The sauce was slightly sweet and so flavorful and the shrimp cooked perfectly! Service was attentive and helpful. The remodel of the building was done very well. Lovely outdoor sitting area with the option of opening the garage doors in the bar to maximize the space. Can't wait to go back for their happy hour.

I'd give it 5 stars but I need to try more. My parents, daughter and I visited today. We ordered the guacamole, steamer clams, chicken tacos, chicken enchiladas and shared it all. Next time I really want to try the fish tacos and the fajitas because I saw others being served and they smelled amazing! First off, service was really great and they were short staffed and had a large party that ordered before us. The chips, salas were perfect (hot but I like hot and even my 7 yr old loved it) and the guacamole was wonderful! The clams were fresh tasting and seasoned well. My sis is the expert at making clams but these were really good and my parents said they'd come back just for the clams. I'd order them again, too. We are crazy picky about our seafood so that's a major . The chicken tacos were wonderful! I don't always love them but it was my family's choice so I was surprised. Very tasty, great texture and had great seasoning. Now again, we got the chicken enchiladas with green sauce (to share) and the green sauce was exceptional. I prefer shredded beef or just basic cheese but I could have eaten the green sauce all day long. Not a complaint but I would have gone for a little less chicken inside. Just not my favorite choice but they were also really good. Again, I want to try some other things I usually prefer next time because this review could go up to a 5. Next time It's fish tacos and possibly crab enchiladas

Food was amazing! Service was good too. We had the catch of the day and the enchiladas plus some delicious margaritas. Lovely place, we'll be returning.

My partner and I ate here on Christmas Eve. The staff were extremely friendly and had amazing recommendations. The food was absolutely incredible. My partner even tried their special coffee after dinner, only the owner knows the recipe. Thank you for such an amazing meal! We will be back

WOW. We were not expecting this type of culinary journey! What an amazing place. First off, the drinks are spectacular - so inventive and so many choices. On the food front, I LOVE ceviche and they have at least 3 options to choose from. We got the Ceviche Mi Cava and found it to be not only a huge portion, but bright and delicious. Next we moved on to the shrimp tacos. I don't know how, but they're able to draw flavors out of those little shrimps I've never tasted before. Finally, we had the chicken enchiladas - I haven't seen the protein served outside the tortilla before - but I was all about it! The staff is super friendly and attentive. It wasn't too crowded and the space was nice and airy with big open spaces. We're so happy we discovered this place and it's definitely a staple when we're craving delish, locally sourced and Oaxacan-inspired Mexican food.

Fantastic drinks. We are experts! Ha. I loved the friendly staff. Servers knew their menu and were helpful. The ambience is great.. Beautiful decor. We ate in the bar. It is airy and tasteful. We will be back. Great local spot for Hazelwood and Montavilla. Ample parking. Easy access. I can't think of a more comfortable and hip Mexican restaurant in Portland and I have been too many. We will be back more for sure!

There are several aspects of this restaurant that I witnessed: the outdoor seating under a large fabric roof, hanging fuchsia for a more inviting atmosphere, the upbeat latin music. The hostess and waitstaff were attentive, but not hovering. When I had the salsa and fresh chips I hoped the meal would be a good. I was literally blown away by the ceviche. I've had ceviche in many places in Latin America and islands and I thought the best was at Copacabana in Seattle's Pike Street Market, but it packed in comparison to the perfection of MI Cava. Served on a long plate, best for sharing. It had slices of onions and octopus, cubed mango, cucumber, tuna, scallops with a garnish of radish(?) and fill sprigs. Don't worry about salt and pepper, or anything else because that would adulterate its refreshing flavor. I can only say "perfection"!!!! Sorry: I meant "paled" not packed and "dill sprigs".

Lovely place. Courteous and attentive staff. Fresh tortilla chips with the best salsa I ever had! Dinner was visually appealing and delicious. I wish I would have visited this restaurant a long time ago. I will be a frequent diner from now on. Family friendly, clean, and spacious. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed. Kathy G.

A huge thank you to the staff at Mi Cava! We had a funeral reception of about 150 on a Saturday night. The staff was amazing, the food is always fantastic, and the location was perfect for our grieving family and friends. I heard a lot of praise among our group and I have no doubt that they will be back, as of course we will be as well. One of our favorite restaurants in SE. Gratitude

I had the chicken fajitas. It was pretty good. I will go back and try another menu item to see if they can turn it into a 5 star review. I'm not sure if they are having a hard time getting workers, or if they were just short the night I went in. The menu they have is very interesting in a good way. I will update the review once I go again.

Great food, a different take on Mexican cuisine. Ambience and service is great, based on food quantity a bit pricey. I will try and revisit.

Great location and great service. The food is very seafood based. It was tasty but not mind blowing.

Visited for my mothers birthday. Excellent service by staff and the food was delicious. I can't get enough of this restaurant. Great ambiance too!

I'm really torn between a three and four star rating for this place. Although I LOVED the drinks, the food, at its' price point is plated beautifully but missed the mark for me in terms of flavor and texture. I really wanted to give the review based off of the drinks alone (because then it would be 5 STARS!), but because the food was really quite a letdown, it kind of dragged the experience. We got a Coconut Shrimp and Tacos de Pastor because it was past dinner time and we were looking for a lighter snack. The Shrimp exterior crunchy but was definitely over cooked because the shrimp itself was pretty rubbery. The tacos had chicken and the sauces that they paired with it were pretty good. They served it with grilled pineapple which offered some good acidity, but the taco really took a downturn when my sister bit into a chicken that had a big chunk of tendon that caused her to emit a very audible crunch when she hit down. It was definitely not a bit of chicken that should have belonged in that taco and really put a damper on the mood. I am pretty disappointed as both the proteins, the shrimp and the chicken, ended up bringing down the plate despite being the main focal point of the dish. Additionally, because the taco cost $12 even at happy hour, I was really expecting to be wowed, but sadly, I felt like I could make a better tasting one at home for a fraction of the cost. The one redeeming grace were the drinks. Once again, if you just come for the drinks it is ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. Definitely go for the drinks. I got the Mango Paradise and my sister got the cocktail of the day. Both were very well balanced and the bartender stated that most of the non-alcoholic components were all made in house. There was evidently a lot of love and care that went into the making of the drinks and I would come back for them, but likely not the food at this point.

This is the first time I've ever been to a Mexican restaurant that didn't serve chips and salsa. That's one of the reasons I eat Mexican. The atmosphere is kind of sterile and non inviting. When I asked for ice tea they said they didn't have any. Seriously...hot water and tea bag poured over some ice. The restaurant was basically empty at 11:40am. There were two people in the bar and it still took them 20 minutes to throw a few pieces of shrimp onto a corn tortilla for $16. Black beans were served on the side and they were barely warm. While I really want to see a new business survive, I doubt if this one will.

This place is amazing. Great family owned business that I would go back to tomorrow. We started with their fresh guacamole and it was simpler, more full of avocado, but also better than most other restaurants. It didn't even have much onion or tomato filler. We loved it!! For the entree I got their seafood enchiladas that were amazing. They bring the seafood in fresh multiple times a week and it shows. The sauce also tasted fresh or at least made from scratch because it tasted way better than any other place I have been. My wife got their sirloin steak and it was one of the best steaks we have had in Portland and we have been to every steakhouse downtown. It was cooked perfectly, so tender, and tasted incredible. If you are considering going here, just go. I will probably go back again this next week.

I was in the neighborhood and craving Mexican...stopped in and ordered a medium margareta. What came out was everyone else's large. Ordered the enchiladas and ta Quitos. Probably the best Mexican food I have ever had and my first job was at the Original Taco House over 3 decadesago. I love Mexicanfood. Everything is fresh made daily. Highly recommend this place.