Papi’s Cantina — Restaurant in Ucluelet

Papi’s Cantina, located in the spectacular ocean village of Ucluelet, has created an excitement since recently opening — attracting guests from a number of demographics — which keeps it busy from the time it opens at 4 pm until it closes at 12 pm. The first wave of guests come around opening to sit outside in its charming patio, or inside, keen to order from its Mexican food and drink menus, both of which offer many tasty options, with its last wave made up of people who are delighted Ucluelet now has an eatery, which stays open past 10 pm and where they can unwind and relax after a night of hard work. Ukee, as the ocean village is know as to locals, now has an extended culinary life and the buzz around Papi’s indicates locals are delighted by this addition. Visitors too like the flexible hours. Ukee is a tourist magnate with its natural surrounds, where one can surf, hike, kayak, etc. and thus has a community of people who work in the hospitality industry who’s afterwork drink comes later at night and until now it has not really had a place to go. Now it has! I have been to Papi’s Cantina on three occasions and caught all three waves. I had a delicous dish of raw tuna on a in- house made tortilla style base with a very tasty crema. The portion was good and was enough for a meal and was nicely below 20$ The second time I went in I ordered from its mains and again was more than satisfied with the Mexican meatball & Mexican rice I had. It was 23$. On the third occasion I had a shrimp cocktail Mexican style, which was amazing.The ingredients were super fresh with lots of shrimp and avocado and more in a tomato sauce. Yum. It , too, was below 20$. It came with in-house tortilla chips. On each occasion I paired my food with an IPA, which are 8$ Papi’s Cantina checks all the boxes. Its service is fabulous under the helm of owner Ryan Torres, who hails from Toronto. His father is Mexican so he is rooted in Mexican food & its traditions. It shows!. Its food is authentic & of high quality — and its hours are...

I was really excited to try this place out, although there is a lot of tacos in the area, none that are worth the hype or cost.

I hope the owner thoughtfully takes notes from the other reviews and is able to improve upon.

Service was a 1 start unfortunately. There were only 2 other tables but it took 10 minutes to get the server to come over and offer water or drinks. Food took 60 minutes once we had our order taken (at this point there were 5-6 tables). We ended up dining for 2.5 hours when it could have been a quick 45-60 minute stop. Server forgot to bring our next round of drinks and it just felt like they would rather give their attention to their friends that were dining rather strangers.

Food was fine, but lacking salt, acid, fat, mainly salt and depth of flavour. We tried the tacos + the aguachile. The spicy taco was just spicy, one note and lacking any depth of flavour to the spice. The aguachile was lacking experienced flavours and salt. The dessert was tasty, just a simple pudding.

The papa margarita was fine, but not restaurant quality margarita. The ratio of sweetness to sour to tequila was not right.

The renovations looked great and their concept is great, there is absolutely a market for it.

I hope to try this place again in the future and hoping once they have a season under their belt things will improve ! Best of luck to the owners and management, it's a hard job and I hope you find...

If you’re looking for a warm, inviting spot that delivers both outstanding food and expertly crafted drinks, Papi’s is an absolute must-visit!!

From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed with friendly service and an atmosphere that feels both cozy and vibrant —a true reflection of the care that goes into every dish and drink.

The menu is clearly well thought out, with each item showcasing high-quality ingredients and bold, authentic flavors. The birria tacos were nothing short of phenomenal—rich, tender, and packed with deep, savory goodness. Pairing them with the elote corn, which was perfectly seasoned and bursting with fresh, sweet, and smoky flavors, made for an unforgettable meal.

But what really sets this place apart is the creativity and effort that goes into their drinks. Each one was beautifully presented and just as delicious as it looked, offering unique flavors that complemented the food perfectly. It’s clear the owner takes great pride in both the artistry and balance of each cocktail, making the drink menu just as exciting as the food.

This restaurant is a true hidden gem in Ukee, blending traditional Mexican flavors with innovation and heart. Whether you’re stopping in for a casual dinner or looking for a new favorite go-to spot, you won’t be disappointed....