Mi Cava & Cocina — Restaurant in Portland

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...

My son and I were in Portland around 3:30ish and decided to get some food to wait for a contact to get home so we wouldn't have to cross the bridge three more times. So glad we did. Great food and very filling. We spent as much here ($50 with hefty tip) as we did at Burgerville but the food was so much better here! I would choose this place every time over BV. It started, as you would expect in a Mexican restaurant, with chips and salsa. I am not an expert in "authentic Mexican" anything but I have been around the block a few times so it was a relief to see these were NOT store bought "chips" but real tortillas cut into wedges then fried to a light golden brown, crispy, light and NOT greasy. The salsa was super fresh, bursting with flavor and a bit thin, which is what happens when you use real, fresh ingredients. My son ordered the cava fish tacos and I ordered the birria beef cava burrito. WOW is all I can say. We were drinking water and this was one of the very few places I've been recently that still use a water carafe at your table instead of having a server fill your water. I like this and believe it's a better way as servers need to concentrate on the food not water and they already have enough to do, plus it's more convenient to the diners. The presentation was very good and picture perfect. Our food was served on two light blue stoneware platters that were very pleasing to the eye and evoked old world style. (will hopefully post pics soon) The food was superior in every way. It tasted as good as it looked, if the guacamole was any fresher it would still be an avocado, the pico de gallo was also very fresh tasting and flavorful. The fish tacos were so good! Fish was crisp and smoky and the other ingredients were top notch. The burrito had luscious chunks of tender beef (they need some kind of steak knives, hopefully with non serrated blades) that could have been shredded more but I'll deal with the chunks. It was juicy, tender enough to be cut (mostly) with a butter knife, and very flavorful. The rice was light and fluffy if a little bland (tip use the salsa that is left over from the chips to brighten it up) and the beans were excellent (they are NOT refried but whole simmered frijoles) quite tasty. Everything tasted very fresh and clean. Overall an excellent...

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...