Nuestra Cocina Reviews

Tonight was our third time here. The wait up at Pok Pok was two hours so we came here...and were reminded that this is one of Portland's great restaurants. Unique flavors. Fresh local ingredients. A knowledgeable staff delivering great service. And the inexpensive house margarita is better than most places top shelf version. Eat here. It's great.

Fresh hand made tortillas, freshly muddled creative drinks and the freshest ingredients. Nuestra Cocina folks are the friendliest restaurant in town. Be sure and get in line. Sit down enjoy a fabulous cocktail. This is our favorite restaurant in town.

My husband and I ate dinner at this little gem. We arrived at 5PM to find a line of people waiting for the doors to open. After being seated, we needed time to examine the menu and asked many questions because this is not a typical Mexican restaurant. The chef has mastered the "sauces" which bring the food to a higher level. We enjoyed the hand made tortillas with salsas and Margaritas while waiting for our meals. My husband had the pork chops with tomatillo and I had the fish special, sea bass. Our server was very attentive and informative.

What a wonderful little restaurant in the midst of a quaint neighborhood. This is not your big box Mexican food. The chef grew up eating Mom's Mexican cooking and he has not only duplicated it, but expanded it to all regions of Mexico. This is family owned and operated. 5 stars! *****

My husband and I wanted to try a new Mexican restaurant to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and we're so glad we did. We arrived around 5:45pm and the restaurant was packed with about a 1 hour wait so we ordered drinks at the bar. The drinks were delicious. I ordered the "Lime Drop" and my husband ordered the "Cocina Cadillac Margarita." When we were seated we ordered another round of drinks. I decided to try something different and go with the "Tequila Martini De Mango Y Habanero." I recommend this drink if you're a big tequila fan. We then ordered the Ceviche Rock Fish (Special) and guacamole to start. The Ceviche was AMAZING...very different...the rock fish was mixed with oranges, capers, chipotle and a sherry vinaigrette. For our main course we shared a couple of entrees...Pozole Rojo (Special) and the "Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo." The Pozole Rojo was to die for...brazed pork shank...meat fell right off the bone. At the end we were stuffed. We knew we would be back so we took a rain check on dessert.

Nuestra Cocina is a cool, little place tucked into NE Portland. An acquaintance sent us there as a cool, unique, tasty place to check out and we were not disappointed. Our most recent visit was actually our second time there. A Friday night, prime-time. For a party of two, we were told it would be 30-45 minutes by the friendly hostess. We squeezed our way up to the bar & ordered two of the house margaritas. I highly recommend them! The bartenders are the same two guys who were there last year at our inaugural visit. Both gentleman are friendly, attentive, and super-efficient. The bar area itself is super small and was extremely packed. I felt a little bad for the nearby diners, as the bar patron overflow seemed to intrude on their dining space. We were seated before we ordered our 2nd beverage. The server-dude was friendly & quick to respond. The handmade tortillas that arrive in place of a bread basket are wonderful. We first ordered the Ceviche and the Grilled Cactus Salad. Fresh & delicious! At the server's recommendation, we both ordered the special that evening which was a delectable and fabulously seasoned carne asada atop drunken beans. The beans were soaked in Modelo Negro beer. Muy Delicioso! We would definitely return to Nuestra Cocina. Looks like they are re-doing their outdoor seating area - perfect for summertime margaritas & outdoor dining when the weather dries up/warms up!

The food is excellent, the staff are all wonderful, you just can’t beat this place. This is a must for Mexican food lovers.

A hidden gem tucked away in a charming Portland neighborhood has become our favorite place for outstanding food with the freshest margaritas. If you have to wait a bit for table, all we can say is it will be worth it as it is not a big place. Don't tell too many people, we want to keep this one to ourselves!

This is not a fancy place, and you will be very comfortable in casual clothing. The food is excellent. Shredded beef taquitoes in avocado purée, tacos de puerco, grilled corn on the cob with chili, lime and cheese, grilled white prawns--everything was delicious! Just thinking about their food is making me hungry. There is a full-service bar, and there is a patio for outdoor eating. Service was excellent.

I was thrilled to have found this great Mexican restaurant in Portland! We had pork tacos, masa cake appetizer and grilled shrimp were all fabulous. The drinks were creative and delicious and service was upbeat and professional. Will return agai and again…if you can get in the door! Very small and crowded!

Craving Mexican food? Save up for this place. Nothing on the menu was a disappointment although I ended up eating guacamole and chips every other bite. Perfect. Delightful place.

The food was outstanding, with interesting and unusual options (in the best way). The service was top-notch and the prices were very reasonable. However, the place is very noisy; we had a lot of trouble hearing each other. If I lived near here I would be a regular.

EVERY dish i (& others) have ever ordered was just prepared very well and absolutely delicious! I would recommend this to anyone. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations..so, arrive early.

We ate here twice during our 4 night stay in Portland. Great choices in small plates. Our group of three was well satisfied with 5 small plates and the yummy tortillas. Dinner choices are varied and well priced. Good wine selection and crisp service.

You know it's great when everyone around you talking about their food and discussing it openly with other tables, people they don't even know! The waitress would serve a table, they would take a bite, there was a grunt or a mini (I better not say) and then a murmur envelopes the room until someone asks the waitress what they ordered. It was like they were chumming the water for sharks! There came a point when a neighbor ordered the Braised spiced Carlton pork and the waitress told them that they just sold out of it (my wife got the last one) and there was a sigh and another tables saying, "oh no, that is too bad..." I am sure that there is something that they make that is not excellent, we just did not have it that night, but we will be sure to go back and search it out. Springer out!

We had tocoe appetizers, pulled pork, excellent! Then chicken enchiladas, roast pork, lamb, a prawn dish, steak, and a vegetarian stuffed pepper. Every dish was excellent. Desserts were also excellent. The waitresses were upbeat and nice people. A small place, and we heard it was good so get there before it opens, which we did. That’s unusual for us. Parking is typical for this area of SE Division St. and some of the local characters are interesting, to say the least. Wish we’d taken a few pictures, but I doubt they’d be allowed. We recommend this place as one of the very best of this cuisine we’ve ever been to.

The service was great. The sangria, both white and red were flavorful and not too sweet. The chips and salsa were homemade as was the guacamole. The flavors were wonderful; the seasoning perfect. The "divorced " enchiladas were a bit dry, but the two sauces were very good. The pork was excellent! A bit salty by itself but in combination with the pickled onions and beans, perfect.

If you are looking for traditional Mexican food, this is NOT the place. This is a high end, creative take on traditional foods.Their take on tacos, burritos, salsa and chips is different. Although tasty, it wasn't my style. I was looking for everyday, maybe food truck home style. Had the 1/2 chicken (which was small) which was ok. Other guest had the cod special which he enjoyed. For dessert we had flan (average) and chocolate pound cake (scorched edges) Did not like the red sangria although the white was tasty. I must say that the waitress was awesome but the hostess could have been more professional especially when she was helping serve and spilled juice from our chicken dinner on one of our dinner guests. More apologetic and maybe offering to have her new jacket dry cleaned instead of offering soda water and a cloth would have been more appropriate.

Everything was perfect: the flavors were so fresh and full of nuance, the ingredient quality fantastic, the service was sweet and accommodating. I would absolutely recommend this place and visit again (the margaritas were SO good).

Petite housemade tortillas & sangrias set the tone for this Mexican dining destination in “hip” southeast Portland, Oregon. The style of cuisine is self-described as “old peasant style Mexican”. Recipes and flavors span from the high desert state of Zacatecas to the coast lines of Vera Cruz and Tampico. The menu includes items such as handmade tortillas, Cochinita Pibil, Gorditas, Camarones con Tamarindo. The bar menu is as expansive as the food menu with a wide selection of tequilas including house infused tequilas, Mezcal made in remote villages, house made sangria and a variety of Mexican beers. We had the CEVICHE DEL DIA (shrimp), CHILE RELLENO CON CALABAZITAS Y QUESO OAXACA, Poblano chile stuffed with braised squash & Oaxacan cheese, CAMARONES AL MOJO DE AJO, White prawns in garlic & chiles with plantains & refried black beans, PUNTITAS DE RES EN CHIPOTLE CON CHAYOTE Y FRIJOLES REFRITOS, Sautéed beef tips with chipotle mole, chayote squash & refried beans Local tip: go early they don’t take reservations for small groups. Summer is great for outdoor dining

Folks, from food to drinks this place a underpriced (NO don't raise your prices!) Ive eaten in 38 states, I believe, and lived a long time in highly Hispanic areas of Calif where little out of the way places would bring delightful surprises. This is not really a little out of the way place but was a big surprise to me. This may be in my top 5 or so fav places to eat in Portlandia. Its not a Michelin rated world class eatery but Ive paid ten times more for food not as good. Not a big menu but oh Lord its fits my taste buds perfectly. Oh golly Im going there again in a few days for more menu sampling. Again this site needs a more spread out rating system. The prices are not 'Cheap Eating' but they are not mid range. I call 'cheap eating' a kids meal chicken burger for a dollar at McDs I used mid range in this form though. Look up their website to make yourself drool and check the pricing.

Thank you to tripadvisor! I found a new gem in my own backyard. Great homemade tortillas, mango lemonade and sopes. And great service and great atmosphere, make this worth 5 stars and a repeat visit.

Went there influenced by reviews but fell short of expectation. Slow and impersonal service, more interested in getting the next order of drinks than in the actual satisfaction of the customer. Food fine but don't buy that of 'best Mexican food restaurant' in Portland. Weak favor to the excellence of Mexican word class service and exquisite gastronomy. In Mexico, this restaurant would be less than average.

We have eaten here many times, the food is great, service is friendly and fast. You can watch your meals being prepared at the tapas bar and watch fresh corn tortillas being made onsite. There is a large selection of small plates which is a good way to go, but the larger entrees are excellent as well, but a bit more expensive. The only criticism I could make is to change the menu a bit more as we have made repeated visits, and would like to try new menu items, I'd like to see what new items the chef that made the menu could come up with, I'm sure they would be great.

This restaurant has a pleasant open-air patio in which to enjoy the pleasant breezes while sipping one of many tasty margaritas on the menu. The server was polite, attentive and informative about the specials. The food was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the Chile replenish con picadillo. The flan was wonderful. We will enjoy returning to further explore the menu.

This restaurant was recently expanded and remodeled, and it looks great! We had a dinner party there last night, and the margaritas and mojitos were excellent. Best way to enjoy the food is with a lot of sharing, both small and larger dishes alike! Definitely get the pork tacos, and the prawns.

Super friendly service, great food and drinks, great experience. Need to arrive when they open to get a table for more than 2 people. They don't take reservations.

Absolutely love the atmosphere, drinks and foods at this place! Best things on the menu are the mango habanero martini and the cochinita pibil. Have two martinis and order that entree and make it a great evening!

This was one of the most wonderful culinary “treats” we’ve EVER had!! Something for EVERYONE…the flavors were AMAZING and we’re soooo glad that we saved room for their delightful dessert…Cinnamon Ice Cream over a delicious chocolate cake/brownie?!!! We WILL make the trip south from Seattle to dine there again!!

Very good food!!!! They are very kind. We arrived very late when the kitchen was almost closed and they cooked nevertheless. Furthermore after the dinner it was very late and the owner brought us to the hotel. He and the waitress are really kind!! Wonderful people.

Neustra Cocina breaks from the norm of Mexican restaurants in the US by not offering plates loaded with cheap "Mexican" rice and refried beans. The food is prepared to order in front of you in an open kitchen surrounded by bar stools. We had the sopa de lima, chicken stock loaded with pieces of chicken, delicately flavoured with lime and garnished with shredded tortillas. The dishes were all quite innovative, influenced by Oaxacan cooking style. We had the corn cakes with chorizo; they were stunning. Made as ordered, the cakes were crisp and delicate, almost pastry like. The other dishes were beef tacitos and chicken enchiladas with red mole. spicy and delicate but not fiery hot. The meat quality in all the dishes was very high, being fresh and tasty, not prepackaged shredded meat. Serving were nicely portioned and an incredible value for money. The mescal list is short but innovative with some single village mescals. The mescal I tried was smoky and complex, a far cry from commercial mescal, All together a very good experience.

We love Nuestra Cocina! Everything on the menu is fresh and succulent. The restaurant has a stable staff of cooks, bartenders and waiters that always remember you.

I say weird in the best Portland context. I have eaten lots of Mexican food and this was the most amazing. All I recognized was the Margaritas (one of the best) and the Tortillas, the rest was shear creativity from the chief. Combinations of ingredients that I could never imagine. And flavors that were terrific (did I say I liked this place). Very popular so be prepared for a wait. A good Margarita will help. Service excellent.

Great combination of taste and atmosphere. Drinks are good too, made with fresh squeezed juices. Tried most everything on the menu.

went by myself to restaurant after reading reviews, it certainly did not disappoint,food was great ,nice relaxed atmosphere,its not airconditioned so was a warm night,had the octopus appetizer,this was terrific,great taste, had chicken for main dish,also very very good,lovely seasoning used and a nice side rice dish,margaritas are also very tasty.overall a great first time visit,would definitely recommend. bob

The food at Nuestra is consistently excellent. Fresh ingredients creatively (but not weirdly) prepared, large portions. Don't think of it as Mexican food, because if you go expecting your standard cheese enchilada with rice and beans, you will be disappointed. Think of it as fresh and creative food with a Mexican influence. The pork taco appetizers are to die for. The margaritas, as well. You'll most likely have to wait for a table, but hey - those margaritas while you wait!

Arbol chile-infused tequila with muddled fruit...amazing. I loved this place. Take me back, quick.

I went to this restaurant on a Tuesday at 5:15, and it was fairly empty, so if you want to go, go during the off-peak hours to avoid a wait. The restaurant is fairly small and I could see how it could get crowded and loud. Everything is house made and tastes very fresh. The margarita was refreshing with the right amount of sweet and tart and didn't feel like a pre-mixed cocktail. I would definitely recommend this drink to accompany your meal. I really enjoyed the fresh, hot tortillas and fresh salsa, but may have missed the chips. The gorditas were fabulous as was the rice. Lastly, save room for dessert. The lemon empanada with the fresh, house made whipped cream was absolutely decadent. It smells like a county fair (in a good way) with the cinnamon, caramel sauce, and fried dough. The service was great on a Tuesday night. Some might consider it pricey, but it is very fresh and all ingredients were made and not just unwrapped and heated up. You definitely get quality.

Very good, authentic food. Always busy, a good sign.

We were excited to try Nuesta,Cocina. I can only describe it as disappointing. Service was mediocre at best, the food. -meh. Ceviche special was fresh, nothing to write home about. Elote (roasted corn on the cob) special was barely okay. I mean, it wasn't bad, just not too good. Had it been hot as it should have been, that would be an improvement. The chili relleno was spicy. That's the most remarkable thing about it. And I like spicy just fine. The salad was a little over-dressed. Fresh greens, but again, lacking the pizazz I was looking for. With all of the excellent choices in Portland, I recommend you pass this one by. Sorry.

Drove down here with my girlfriends for drinks and apps. Initially were told a 45 min wait so we sat at the bar, our table was ready in 15 so that was great. Good food, I could dine on their chips & guac alone. Good service too, always worth the 20 mile one way drive for us!

In a city with great food like Portland, it's still really hard to get something that is delicious, creative and authentic. Nuestra Cocina is such a welcome find and you will have a fun time, too.

The appetizer queso fondito was great. The fish, shrimp and encheladas were very tasty. We were concerned that there may have been a long wait as this is a well known place but there was no problem seating on a Tuesday evening. This is not Tex-Mex nor New Mexico Mex, more of the Cal-Mex variety ( or is there an Oregon-Mex?) Tortillas were small and hand made. Recommended.

We were a party of 4, showed up on a Saturday night at 7:45pm without reservations and waited 45 minutes for a table, which was fine. Across the street was a cozy bar and a perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail. When seated the service was prompt, but not pushy. We were in the back room which was not as loud and bustling as the front main room. Our waiter was helpful in offering up suggestions of his favorites. The handmade tortillas are delicious and we ate plenty of them. The margaritas were perfect. Authentic and flavorful. Must eat the flan for dessert. Cool open kitchen and big tiled counter. Great feel, excellent food.

Nuestra Cocina is located in inner Southeast Portland, on Division St. This is my "go to" restaurant anytime I am in the mood for real Mexican cuisine. Recently, I had the escolar fish special....fabulous!! The fish was moist, delicious, and smothered in a wonderful sauce......the service was excellent, margaritas made with fresh lime, and the staff is awesome....make sure you go if you are anywhere near S.E. PDX

This is where my husband and I always come for special occasions. Our favorite is to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders work their magic and then move over to the seating overlooking where the chefs concoct their amazing food. We never tire of this fabulous restaurant! Check it out!

Absolutely wonderful authentic style Mexican food. Loved everything and wish could have eaten more! Nice service and delicious food. No reservations taken, so you might have to wait for a table. You won’t mind the wait once you eat!

Coming from New Mexico, the home of the best "nuevo" Mexican food, I had limited expectations for this Portland restaurant. But I was so pleasantly surprised. The food (and margaritas) are delightful. Want to come back on my next visit to Portland.

Came on recommendation of a couple friends. Did not disappoint! Genuine Latin food. Maybe a bit pricey, although quality is excellent. Didn't have any drinks. However, there is a variety of sangria, margaritas, and other drinks that the other patrons seemed to enjoy.

I went with my daughter and her boyfriend. I sat at the bar while we waited. No reservations only downside so fairly long wait. I heard the food was amazing so we waited. It was; all freshly prepared, the bartenders are great and so was our person who took our order. Would definitely go back.

Fun spot! We ordered 9 small plates for a party of 4. Unique flavors, but very small portions. Hubby, daughter and son-in-law enjoyed their margaritas, but I did not care for the sangria. It tasted like inexpensive, straight red wine. 5 drinks, 9 small plates totaled $179 before tip. Service was wonderful.

Great margaritas, delicious spinach salad, and totally wonderful short ribs! My husband and I split the salad and the short ribs and had plenty for both of us...we also divided the flan for dessert and it was just the right light but sweet touch. We LOVED each person who waited on us, from the hostess to the bartenders to the waitress and even the busboy...all were delightful. Even the 30-minute wait on the outside patio was nice on a chilly evening with the heaters. Just about perfect :).

How often do you sit down, size up a place, and just stick with choices you know will be safe? Well we're light years from that dilemma at Nuestra Cocina. Three visits to this outstanding mezzo-Mexican in Portland's alternative Southeast Division neighborhood, and I could say anything on the menu will impress or please. In terms of the cooking, Nuestra Cocina is almost too refined to be categorized as essentially Mexican. I'm tempted to call it cuisine, not cocina, just so you get the idea. When a place can turn out the daily ceviche and margaritas this well - and this consistently - it's already exceptional. But any choice I've made here, from the camarones con tamarindo (white prawns in tamarind marinade), to achiote-rubbed half chicken over braised greens, to the squash and cheese Poblano stuffed chile, has been expertly prepared with the best ingredients. What about the beans and rice? Yeh and of course those are standard with several of the entrees - jut that you rarely taste beans, or rice, this well prepared. I almost forgot the fresh tortillas prepared right at the kitchen-bar as you eat. Get here early though. front room dining space is limited, and I'd say the back room is not a comparable ambient. Outdoor gas heated dining seems to be open all year but that too may be a bit challenging - and rustic - for all but the locals. Check this place out!

This place is the Real Deal, from the appetizers to the desert. The have at least three levels of salsas hottness. The Chicken with Mole sauce and mint rice was to die for. Its nice eating with our family as we shared 4 deserts and they were all winners. They have a real nice Drink list as well. I found that the Martini with Mango infused with Habanero was just right. This is deffently on my return list. Buy the way the service was top notch too!

I was staying in Ladd’s Addition on my holiday and this place was recommended. The Ceviche was delicious, as were the mushroom tacos. And I had a tasty Coco-Lime margarita. The service was exceptional and that’s always important as a solo traveler since we’re often overlooked. Definitely recommend.

Being in PDX for just a few days, there is SO much to choose from...but after looking through some TA reviews, we settled on Nuestra Cocina for a Thursday evening. There was a completely friendly vibe upon entering, and we could tell that everyone was having a good time. We were quoted 45 minutes for a table, so we found a spot near the bar and had one of the most delicious margaritas ever! I think that we were seated a tad ahead of the quite, which was great. Overall, our food was wonderful. The fundido with mushrooms, as recommended by our server, was AMAZING. the chile relleno, also delicious. For entrees, my husband's won the prize- the barbacoa, which was braised lamb in this case, was perfect. I had the prawns, also very good. Our server was great, and was enthusiastic to share recommendations when she learned that we were from out of town, and first-timers. (I personally appreciate this VERY much and grow weary of server annoyance when I ask!) Overall, a lovely evening and when back in PDX, we will likely return.

Have been going there about every other month for 5 years at least. Hint, we ALWAYS sit at the counter for a complete experience, and we have got to know the chefs Ben and Raymond as well as the rest of the staff. Always check the hanging SPECIALS board, and always get the ceviche.... Fresh fish item usually fabulous too. Food is fresh and good, you can watch it being prepared. Same people working there for years, must be a good place to work too. The margaritas (especially the one with infused serrano pepper tequila) are great, but I often opt for the pitcher of delicious sangria... good value, Dessert menu is fabulous if you remember to leave room (includes dessert tequila option). It is a TAPAS style place, so get several things and share. Tortillas are hand made in front of your eyes. Can get crowded, but just belly up to the bar, order a drink and the ceviche and be patient while your table is readied.

Amazing shrimp ceviche, homemade corn tortillas, interesting sangrias and margaritas. Overall very creative and tasty. Come early if you want a table. Friendly staff.

Okay, if you're judging a restaurant by it's name, you might think this to be your typical Mexican restaurant. But, let me tell you... this is as far removed from enchiladas, tacos, and refried beans as you could possibly get. The restaurant is a little on the smallish side and even with outside seating during nicer weather, can get a little crowded on the weekend. They don't take reservations, so it's not unusual to see a line waiting for the 5 o'clock opening. I think the best seats in the house are at the counter overlooking the open kitchen. You get a fine meal with a floor show and if you're undecided about which entree to order, linger over an appetizer and one of their signature hand-muddled margaritas. You'll get to see the dishes prepared and passed off to the servers. After all, you eat with your eyes also, and this can help in the decision making process. My wife and I have been to Nuestra Cocina numerous times and have never been disappointed. Their nightly specials usually include some sort of ceviche, a featured appetizer, a fish dish, and a meat dish. We started our last meal off with the albondigas (meatballs) appetizer. Made from beef and pork served in a delicious sauce accented with nopalitos (cactus) and a little fresh cilantro. I don't know what was in the sauce, but you could give it to me in a cup with a straw and I would have been happy! $7 For the main course, we chose the same entree, which we rarely do, but it sounded so good. Escolar is a fish that we've had many times in a sushi restaurant, but haven't seen anywhere else. It was offered grilled, served on a bed of wilted greens and a green mole sauce with white beans. To borrow a phrase from one of my grandkids...OMG! There was absolutely nothing that I could fault on this dish. The fish was grilled perfectly with a nice little crunch on the outside to complement the buttery smoothness on the inside. A minute more in either direction and it would have been underdone or overdone. The greens were not cooked to a soggy mess, but still had some body to them. The mole verde was outstanding and with a few white beans that didn't overshadow the sauce. $19 I was completely satisfied, so when our waitress asked about dessert, I declined. She insisted that we share just one scoop of their coconut sorbet. Wow! I'm glad we did...light refreshing, and a bit of lemon along with the coconut. I believe they make their own ice cream, also. With one glass of wine and an iced tea...we were out the door for $54, not counting the tip. The service was great in a casual, friendly atmosphere.

We came for a family celebration and were delighted at every round. A classic margarita with clearly fresh squeezed citrus followed by some delightful appetizers - queso fundido, spice rubbed prawns and absolutely perfectly grilled octopus (haven't had any octopus that good since a trip to Greece)! The entrees were again filled with incredible depth of flavor - the braised lamb with nopales and carrots were a treat, the pollo asado was incredibly moist with rich spices and perfectly crisped skin, and perhaps the star was their Pacific cod special served on an avocado puree. We could not resist dessert and shared the lemon curd empanada and the less exciting crepes. It was a great environment with excellent service and an enjoyable pace of eating. They dont take reservations so come on in and have a drink if you need to wait. I eagerly await a return trip!

Like many Portland restaurants, I found this one a bit over-hyped. The meals we had (sirloin tips, chicken and enchiladas) we satisfactory, if a bit pricey. The jalapeno salsa verde was quite good, as was the compote which accompanied the tortillas. But the salad and entrees left us asking, "What's all the hub-bub about?"

I have to agree with "Chuck&Susan". Their review was accurate. We did find the meal was overall on the bland side and lacked seasoning. But I did find the drinks to be fine, (but granted I was half in the bag by the time we got there) so I guess I didn't notice. We wished they offered flour tortilla's because we're not a fan of the corn one's. We didn't stay for dessert, because nothing appealed to us. The atmosphere was nice however. Our server was great. He really believed in the restaurant concept and was a great salesman.

You'd think I could find a favorite Mexican restaurant in Northern CA, but I just discovered my favorite place in Portland! I've always said the first thing I look for in a great Mexican restaurant is homemade tortillas. Check. I sat at the cook's bar and watched my corn tortillas being formed, pressed and grilled before my very eyes. They were delicious and even more so when covered with shredded pork, chopped onion and a sprinkle of cheese - I loved the pork tacos. My second requirement is chile rellenos. Check again. I tried the one stuffed with squash and cheese and the flavors were amazing. My third (sometimes it's my first) criteria is delicious margaritas made with fresh lime juice. Double check. Not only are the margaritas perfectly made - or as they say, muddled - they don't cost a fortune. I'm traveling to Portland again next week and I'm going back to Nuestra Cocina. I want to try some other items on the menu if I can keep myself from repeating the best Mexican meal I've had in a very long time. By the way, the service was also excellent and warm.

Can this place stand one more excellent review -- sure they can!!! It is my favorite Mexican on the east side -- non-traditional and upscale. I like to order small plates, to take in everything. Their Sangria is the best I've ever had with a very usual spicy flavor. I always try to get there early as there is a line and I don't much care for lines... however... if there's a line... you know it's worth it. Do not go there expecting overstuffed burritos. Go with time on your hands, an empty tummy, sit back and enjoy. One of my favorite things is to sit at the counter, which overlooks the prep area and you can watch all the dishes artfully styled as they go out....oh... I want that one!!

We had dinner here and were at in a booth table next to the kitchen. We had a margarita that was amazing and ordered some food. When our food arrived i happened to look in to the kitchen area. One of the cooks and a server were eating while plating food. Not just eating but stuffing there face and not washing afterwards. Kind of ruined the whole experience and for that reason I wont be back. If you are in a exposed kitchen the least you can do is be professional.

Our 2nd visit in April 2012 was as good as our first one in December 2012. Seating at the counter over-looking the cooking area is highly recommended. The servers can guide you through the entrie menu from "street tacos" to stuffed rellenos or grilled fresh fish. Truly an outstanding dining experience.

Great drinks and appetizers, personally I recommend trying the various appetizers vs. a single entree. Relaxed atmosphere - typically a wait for a table, but you can grab a drink and order appetizers at the bar and retire onto a nice sized covered patio (with heaters in winter) until your table is ready. This is one of my favorite local restaurants, Spanish Coffee's are even better than the other restaurant in town known for that very specialty drink!

We've been coming here since it opened and it's better than home! (I don't have to cook or do the dishes) Upscale and well researched Mexican food chock full of flavor. Ben and Shannon really want guests to enjoy every bite. Specials are always connected to what's seasonally available. Sometimes I do the full meal and sometimes just a couple of appetizers. It's always good. Best chips and guac in town by far!

I love this restaurant, my son did not care for it because he likes traditional US Mex food. The mole was so good, the flavors are subtle and many dishes are soft, this is more comfort Mexican.

Sat at the bar enjoyed watching handsome bartender muddle margaritas for an hour as we waited for our table. Ordered the guacamole and chips as we waited, best guacamole ever and the chips are thick stripes perfect for scooping. For dinner we shared the white prawns and a carne asada steak, very good. Will be back..

This is one of the best places to eat in Portland. Come early or be prepared to wait but you cannot go wrong here. Absolutely stellar food. We shared a number of plates and loved it all. Not your standard Mexi-American place. Great service, ask questions and you will be guided to a fantastic meal.

Have visited this establishment now thrice & the conclusion is: good food but steep prices. The kitchen is also quite slow. Not sure what all the hype is about as the overall flavor profile was nice I cannot say it was hugely memorable. Also the wait was quite long to get seated.

We used to come here regularly but haven't been for several months until Friday dinner. The food was as good or better than we remembered; we particularly like their mix of a relatively constant menu plus specials each night. Excellent mixed drinks here, with the expected light beers for Mexican food. We'd like to see them get more supportive of local Portland microbrews and heavier beers, still the restaurant is very enjoyable.

The cochinita pibil was the best thing ice ever eaten. I'm not joking. It was the bomb- diggity The margaritas and ice cream for dessert was also top notch.

Nuestra Cocina has good food, great drinks, and good atmosphere. Ask your waiter what is good that evening. The meat dishes and appetizers are almost always excellent.

I have been here many times and decided to take my youngest daughter out for a dad date night. The service was great as always and the food was really good. The chocolate cake was awesome Thanks Ben and Shannon Love your restaurant Ron

This neighborhood reataurant on Division was a wonderful surprise. Service was prompt and friendly, the menu was varied, and the food was delicious. Definitely a place we'll return to.

We've enjoyed dinner celebrations here and the food is spot on! Appetizers arrived promptly, with main courses a few minutes afterwards. Our server tonight was exceptional (Christina) being attentive to our needs. The serrano lime martini and Spanish coffee are amazing.

In my opinion, this is the best Mexican restaurant in Portland. What you get here is refined higher-end cuisine. Wonderful sauces, high quality ingredients, attractive presentation, and knowledgeable and helpful wait staff. If all you want is a good taco, this is not the place to go. On the other hand, if you want a nice meal, this is the best. This is the sort of cooking you will find in the better restaurants in Mexico City or in southern Mexico. On our most recent visit, we particularly liked the ribs, the cod special, the vegetarian chile relleno, and the drunken beans. Before going for the first time, I recommend checking out their menu on their website.

I absolutely love going to Nuestra Cocina!! It's a festive atmosphere; and the food is ALWAYS great!! I don't know exactly what you call it---Fresh Mex?? I just know the fish is always fresh and prepared in such creative ways. It's fun to sit a the counter and watch the chefs prepare the food too.

Had a great dinner last night at Nuestra Cocina on SE Division. If you are craving Mexican, this restaurant has delicious food. We thought the appetizers looked so interesting that the 2 of us made a meal of 4 of them, getting a nice variety of dishes, accompanied by Negro Modelo on tap. We were seated quickly (about 9 pm), and the service was prompt and knowledgeable. We will be going back.

We discovered this place thru Tripadvisor and then had to use Garmin to find it as we are not familiar with Portland. They open at 5pm but we arrived there at 4:30 and decided to just hang around until they opened, good job we did. People started lining up about 4:50pm and by 5pm there must have been 20 people in the line up. The food was good, inexpensive and the servers were friendly. The place was packed within 15 mins. of opening and others we waiting.

This is the best Authentic Mexican I've had in a long time (outside of Mexico/San Diego). Also, super service and super friendly! ...looking forward to going back soon.

The mixed greens salad with pumpkin seeds: perfectly balanced and delicious- and I have high standards. Lamb meatballs: fresh, flavorful with just the right amount of heat in the tomato sauce. Queso fundido: great combination of mushrooms and cheese...decadent. We sat at the bar and watched the chefs prepare everyone's meals...fun. Our waiter was personable and kind, but a bit forgetful. Not a deal breaker though. You're there for the food, and this place delivers.

This was my third visit to Nuestra Cocina in as many years. Seating continues to be tight, even at 6 PM on the dot. The restaurant shares the deplorable trend of declining to take reservations (except for LARGE groups), which makes it difficult for seniors, handicapped, and anyone who needs food at specific hours of the day to dine there. Our group of four did luck into a table at 6 PM, so no problem this Tuesday eve. The menu remains interesting--nothing like a run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant's fare--and diverse, with good choices for vegetarians, meat lovers, and seafood cravers. The special ceviche appetizer--halibut, I think--was only fair, tasting cooked and dressed more than marinated. The main dishes--barbecued lamb and beef tacos were good. Service was not so good. The waiter forgot to place or pick up the appetizer order, so we got it after the main courses were served, hence the "average" rating, which would have been "very good" otherwise. The various margaritas and draft beer were excellent. The back hallway to the additional dining space needs attention: major spiffing up and painting.

I have gone here on my last two birthdays with friends. First, you will have to wait unless you get there when they open. Second, it is worth the wait, and you can enjoy a cocktail and appetizer on the patio which is small, but you meet fun people that way. The margaritas are excellent…best I have ever had. You could just eat off the appetizer menu as it is that good. I recommend the corn cakes with chorizo. Anything off the dinner menu is excellent ; from the pork and beef dishes to the sea food, it is a fresh twist on Mexican cooking.

Thought I was going to a very casual place, but in fact it is a very cool, almost upscale place. Sat at the bar - friendly and helpful service from Kayla - and food comes out pretty quickly. Had a wonderful ceviche with plenty of fish and spice. Went with the Queso de Cabra (with grilled Spanish goat cheese in banana leaves & pumpkin seed salsa spicy and tasty); the Gorditas with chicken (stuffed tortillas, black beans, avocado, roasted Poblano chiles & cheese); and the Chile Relleno (with Shredded pork, almonds and raisins - really special flavor). This place is unique and worth visiting again.

I have visited this restaurant several times. Never disappointed. The Head Chef Benjamin is an Artist with his creativity. Working with different types of peppers and fresh vegetables from different regions of the planet is inspiring! From your first taste to the last bite, you know it is an mouthwatering experience you will not forget. If you like a nice spice this is the place you want to visit! Tonight I had the special which was a “Lingcod fish” served with squash and a Achiote pepper. Divine! There is a real truth about peppers releasing the good endorphins in some people. This was heaven!! Everything is fresh! Vegetarian dishes are scrumptious! Never had a bad meal! If in Portland, you should visit Nuestra Cocina!

We came here because of the reviews on Trip Advisor and we were not disappointed. We usually eat vegetarian and our server was happy to help us with menu items that did not have meat. The food had the flavor of mexican food but the variety and different ingredients made it special. The sauces had great flavor with not too much heat from peppers. They were happy to leave out ingredients that we did not want. I wish we had saved room for dessert because there were some very tempting options. Our server gave great service despite having to dash outside in a rain storm to get our food to the room we were sitting off the patio.

We ate for the first time based on a suggestion from our friends who live in the area. Had a cocktail while waiting for our table. Habanero Margarita was good. House rita was fine as well. Since there were only two of us, we opted to go the multi appetizer route so that we could try a cross section of the menu. Tacos were great. Camarones con tamarind were also very good. Chile Relleno w/ pork was outstanding. In all we had four which were great, three would have worked out well for us. Our server Michael did a outstanding job. Definitely will return.

Such attentive staff. Oh and the food and booze aren't bad either. Really creative, authentic menu. Literally tried about 25% of it in one visit. The tacos and lamb won though.

Simply AMAZING!!! This was unlike ANY dinning experience we’ve had before and we were VERY impressed!! GREAT service and Delicious food…from drinks, to appetizers and on to the main course. Can’t WAIT to go back again!!

Parking is on the street, so expect that it is not easy on a busy night. We arrived early on a week-night, and were seated immediately. Service was flawless. Chips and salsa not impressive. Entrees (pork) were good. A bit over-priced. Reminds me of a fancy Chipotle restaurant. When we departed every table was taken.

A girlfriend of mine has been nagging me to go here for some time....finally we did and will be coming back sooner than later. We went on a Saturday night before a concert. As directed we got there 10 minutes before they opened and our party of 7 ended up being the 5th group waiting. And by the time they promptly opened at 5pm, there were enough people waiting to fill nearly every seat in the house. The waitress we had was friendly and had great recommendations. I ordered the gorditas, another ordered the mole enchiladas and another got their ceviche special. Everything was mouth watering. You could even see them making the tortillas fresh to order!! The cocktails are delicious also. We tried all the margaritas on the menu plus the Spanish coffee and it was the best I've had in town (yes, even better than Huber's and Jake's). Portions are much larger than I expected for the very reasonable prices. By the time we left 1.5 hours later, there was a line around the corner to get in and about 30 people around he bar waiting for seating. My two tips are: 1. Arrive early if you don't want to wait 2. If possible don't sit near the bar because it was super crowded by those waiting for tables

I stayed at the Hotel Modera, attached to the restaurant. The restaurant was able to accommodate me and my husband late in the evening when we arrived on our evening flight. Sunday brunch and breakfast are also very good. They have a great outdoor patio with gas campfires...a wonderful place to sit in the evening for a drink.

If you're looking for the most exquisite Mexican cuisine in Oregon, stop in to Nuestra Cocina. Top-flight cocktails with spicy finishes, homemade tortillas and moles, and specials that innovate with local ingredients all make for a unique and satisfying experience. Vegetarian options are a bit limited, but pork and seafood lovers will be delighted by authentic dishes. There's a reason that Nuestra Cocina is consistently rated one of the best restaurants in Portland year-after-year. Consistency plus creativity is their brand.

Nuestra cocina remains our favorite Portland restaurant. Their smoked trout tostada is one of my crave worthy favorites. Try it. They do a great job with gluten free too!

You have to visit this place. The food is outstanding and the drinks are excellent!!! Belly up to the bar and try one of there very spicy house infused peppered cocktails, or watch them make up a margarita to perfection! Check them out!

The whole experience starts with watching the bartender muddle fruit for the drinks, of course, followed by drinking the special concoctions. We love to then move to the bar seating above the kitchen and watch the chefs work their magic. The food is uniquely spectacular. It's Mexican, but not what you typically think of as Mexican. Every sauce, every spice is a wonderful and unique experience. This is the place we come to for special events, over and over!

This was our first visit to Nuestra Cucina. We both had chili rellenos. Mine was vegetarian. It was very healthy and good. Not too much cheese. Hubby had the pork relleno which was delicious. I like that I could have mine ala carte. Excellent Cadillac margarita. Best I've had in a long time! We especially like Colleen, our server. She was close to us in age which we found refreshing. She took plenty of time to answer our questions in a friendly but not over the top way. Probably one of the best servers we've had for a long time in Portland and we eat out a lot! We are going back soon and try the enchiladas and shrimp tacos!

This isn't your americanized cheesy Mexican food. This is delicious authentic food, served in a hip bustling atmosphere. Love the margaritas and moles and ceviches. Definitely higher end Mexican, but a perfect spot to have a delicious meal if you don't mind waiting for a table ;)!

The entrees are great but I can’t get past the tacos, ceviche and sopes! And their spicy margaritas are delicious. I recommend to friends that you can get a truly great meal for cheap here by simply ordering multiple items off of the appetizer list.

My wife and I ate dinner here after exploring the area on foot for about an hour. The area is experiencing and renewal with many newer buildings in the area, including some other interesting looking restaurants and a very good looking food cart area just a few blocks from this restaurant. I had a steak and I can not recall what my wife had, but we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals - and we know Mexican food. Also, my margarita was made with high quality ingredients -- it was a *real* margy, not one made from the crappy mixes often used in lesser establishments. We will return. Both indoor and outdoor seating available. Make sure you arrive early. We were there at opening and the place filled within 20 minutes

Super restaurant and great service. The fish was fantastic. This is an under appreciated place and one of my faves in PDX

Three of us went there for dinner, but ended up sharing a variety of appetizers. As we ordered the waiter suggested that he bring them out in pairs that complimented one another and his choices were spot on: the Grilled Mexican white prawns marinated in tamarind with baked Oaxacan cheese, mushrooms and chile poblano; the crisp masa cakes filled with chorizo, black beans and chile with a mixed green salad of mango, jicama, pumpkin seeds and avocado vinaigrette; the Enchiladas Suizas De Pollo with Tacos De Puerco, and ending with my favorite, Chile Relleno Con Picadillo. I loved the relaxed atmosphere of an old house converted to a restaurant, but its the food that will bring me back every time.

Whenever we come to Portland we love to eat at Nuestra Cocina! The atmosphere is beautiful, the staff is very friendly and professional, and the food is delicious every time. This time, my husband had the carne asada con frijoles borrachos ( or something to tat effect) and I had sopes. I asked to substitute pork for the chorizo and add avocado, and that was no problem. Our dinner was delicious! By the way, this time we sat at the cook's bar, and I learned a few tricks through observation that I will try out when I get home. It was great to watch!

We're Chicago transplants, and have enjoyed the Rick Bayless "gourmet" nuevo Mexican food that he served. NC matches Topolobampo at a more affordable and accessible location than other top Portland restaurants. We thought the ceviche and fresh lime house margaritas were great.

Upon my partner's request, our waitperson talked us through his favorites, an octopus appetizer among them. Stunning. Deep. Delicious. Perfect. Everything else we ate (my fish, my partner's pork, the cheesecake we shared) was spectacular.

We visited after finding this resturant on this site. What a smart decision this was. It was our last night in Portland before flying home. The place was packed when we arrived but it had a couple of great waiting areas. It was well worth the 45 min wait. We had fresh margaritas while we waited. All the menu items are fresh made to order in an open kitchen. The taste of the food was beyond belief. We had 3 different entrees and every one was a "10". All between $15-$20 these plates were and excellent value. Our waiter was very personable and seemed quite interested in our visit and our vacation in oregon. We even had the pleasure of meeting the owner who stopped by for a moment. I love mexican food and have been to many many mexican resturants in 15-20 states. This is by far the best mexican food i have ever had in my life. I would fly back to portland just to visit this resturant. I was that good.

Very delicious and interesting Southern Mexico/Yucatan cuisine. Great cocktail bar too - superb Mescal Old Fashion cocktail. Friendly atmosphere, professional attentive staff: Colleen took good care of us. A refreshing change from typical Mexican fare. We will visit here again. Recommend.

Hand made tortillas and hand crafted cocktails. Always a wait, but it is well worth it. Tacos are to die for, as well as the camarones (shrimp) plates. Service is top notch too!

This is not a Tex-Mex dive, this is a real restaurant! The food is varied and very well prepared. They run the gamut from seafood to meat to veggies, and do it all well. Folks from outside of Portland, and that includes the suburbians, will find it hard to park and small in area, but they're used to eating at some national chain and patting themselves on the back for being diverse. This place is real. We had rellenos, sopas, civiche, gorditas, grilled fish, etc. and it was all delicious. Make the trip and enjoy - and understand that a lot of restaurant entrepreneurs are making a great food experience available in the buildings that are available in PDX.

This was the second time we’ve eaten here. The food is traditional, sort of home-style Mexican food. Braised meats, roasted veggies. Excellent, varied choices of both appetizers and entrees. The margarita choices are fabulous. Loved the ginger-pomegranate-lime and the blood orange varieties. The service was excellent (ask for Nikki) and the decor is fun and funky with beautiful tile. Owners Shannon and Ben Gonzalez are gracious hosts. You’ll see Ben hard at work if you sit at the stools surrounding the open kitchen. He is a fantastic chef!

Trendy, bustling, noise, and very busy evening although we arrived when they opened. Lucky for us we had a reservation. Margaritas were good, dinner seemed more like a selection of appetizers. Lots of other great Mexican restaurants in Portland still to explore.

Enjoyed the Enjoyed the POLLO EN MOLE NEGRO COSTENO Grilled half chicken Oaxacan mole negro & mint rice. I love mole and this was tasty good. They don't take reservations and the place was packed just after opening. Parking is hard to find, but the walk will only make it taste better!

Nuestra Cocina - "Our Kitchen" - is a wonderful go-to Mexican restaurant on SE Division in our neighborhood. There are choices in this little foodie spot on that street/good sushi across the street/a pizza joint for a slice or 3/or, a high-end spot directly across the street. One does have a different way of going/places to eat, if Nuestra is jammed - which it can be depending on the time. Last night a group of 8 ladies slipped with ease into a corner booth/table at 7:30 PM. Nice. This was my 3rd time at NC. Kayla was our server and she has been "shouted-out" in Yelp in the past I see. She is terrific. We drank the house margaritas/some w/ salt rims or no. We shared two apps- the ceviche, which was ok. Pretty w/ fresh avocado sliced on top: rock fish in chunks in red sauce. That was it. The APP special was pork and salsa verde on white corn tortillas. The apps were eaten. Some left-overs. My table mate and I grabbed the last 2 fish specials at $23/per. Grilled mahi mahi on a white plate w/ a beautiful avocado cream sauce, and a mole topped with bright yellow grilled corn. Gorgeous plate. The fish was crispy on the top and moist and delicious. Kudos. The only thing that was wrong with this dish and my experience at NC, was way too much added salt. I think in all the foods last night. The fish dish - especially, the mole and avo creme. Too bad. I forgot my normal "no added salt" saying, and I paid for it at 4 in the morning needing my 3rd glass of water. My bad. *I advise to order a nice tequila and sip it - the house margaritas were salty and sweet. The specials are the way to go. The fresh foods at NC are always local and lovely. The serving team is always kind. I will be back, and sit at the bar to watch the cooks NOT add salt. Thank you Neustra Cocina.

My fish was prepared perfectly and the combination of items served with it were unique and really worked together. Nice and knowledgeable servers too.

This is a great spot for a group of eight as long as you get there when the doors open at 5:00pm. We loved the small fresh corn tortillas they serve when you sit down. The drinks are really tasty and the food is great (though not your normal Mexican fare). We all had different dishes and everyone seemed to really enjoy what they ordered. Josh, our waiter, was great and very accommodating of the four year old in our party and served a "plain" quesadilla exactly as ordered for her along with fruit. The only negative I will say is that it is very noisy, at least it was back in the corner where we sat.

This place was amazing. Food was great (order lots of apps and try everything the first time you go). Atmosphere was great, service was friendly and welcoming. If you are considering this place, go! We loved it and will absolutely be back.

I have been to Nuestra Cocina 3 times, and have been delighted every time. The drinks are great, and the bartenders are always open to making specialty cocktails however you want them. All the food on the menu has been great. The only thing that was just ok rather than outstanding was the ceviche appetizer, and still, it was good. You are safe to order anything in the menu and walk away happy.

We took our nephew and his fiance there from out of town because they had read the reviews on Yelp. Nuestra Cocina delivered!!! Where do I start? The tortilla soup was amazing as was everything we ordered. The flavors are so rich and tantalizing. Truly everything was made to perfection. While they don't take reservations and it can be a wait to get in it is worth it. Our new favorite Mexican restaurant! I ordered off the appetizer menu as I wanted to try a number of dishes. Superb!

Came for dinner here 9/15/12. What a cute neighborhood restaurant! No reservations taken, but an enjoyable wait on the patio. Delicious margaritas, homemade corn tortillas, salsas and amazing guacamole! I ordered the trout special that was prepared with a chorizo stuffing and a pumpkin seed mole sauce. The trout was prepared to perfection! I look forward to going back on a return trip to Portland.

The food is delicious, the service is impeccable, the atmosphere pleasant, and the Martinis and Margaritas are the best.....one of my favorite places in Portland!

My wife and I love Tapas...Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and now...Portland! Started with Chili Relleno and Ceviche, both were excellent especially the relleno. Wonderful margaritas with both the appetizers and mains. For mains: braised pork and short ribs. Again both dishes were beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious! And the service! Everyone was friendly and totally on it but we had the best server; Colleen! She made the entire experience special with her sincere and fun manner. We will be back!!!

mexican like I've never had it. traditional and non-traditional but everything just great. the masa cakes were delicious starters. tortillas being made right in front of everyone. margaritas to die for. the flat iron steak cooked to perfection with a wonderful mole underneath. the escolar special was just moist and tender, had to lick the plate (hid under the table!). new menu items since last visit but still just a wonderful meal. had a long saturday nite wait of 1.5 hours but since we were only in town for the weekend, I wanted to stay. just a great meal everytime.

Impeccable food and service. 10/10 wonderful experience, highly recommend. A lovely local take on true Mexican flavors.

From the guava margaritas to the wonderful desserts (we tried them all) our friends were absolutely correct in recommending Nuestra Cocina. As a vegetarian I was a bit worried I might not find sufficient choices - but not to worry, there are plenty! Tasty and beautifully presented.

If yo are looking for standard Mexican food, this is not it. Very carefully prepared and served Central Mexican food, fresh ingredients, and served quite hot in temperature,. A neighborhood place, in an area of residences, there is pride and creativity throughout the staff and coming out of the kitchen

We tried this restaurant on a Friday night, not quite knowing what we would get in terms of a wait (they don't take reservations). We were told it would be about an hour, but there is seating at both the bar & out on the covered patio for waiting customers, where drinks & appetizers can be ordered. Bartenders were super friendly, and I was given a shot of the sangria to taste before ordering a full glass (on his suggestion). We tried the queso fundido, which was great- I just wasn't expecting to have such a large quantity of big mushrooms in it, but it tasted good nonetheless. We were surprised to be seated after about 30min. The staff there works so seamlessly and quickly in getting customers moving, but you don't feel rushed as a diner. My boyfriend & I both had the gorditas; he is vegetarian (not a ton of options on the menu), I added pork to mine. I also got a side of pino beans which they refried for me. We both agreed the food was amazing, and the pork (carnitas style) was some of the best I've ever had. Excellent food & service. If I'm ever back in Portland, I will go back.

Went here on a Friday night with girlfriends. It was busy and we waited, but not very long. We sat at the bar and had a few drinks, which were delicious. It got a little crowded near the bar with people waiting to be seated, but I think there is also a place outside to wait that is heated. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We ordered from the appetizer menu and shared everything. The ceviche was outstanding. I also ordered the sopes, and they were just ok, but everything else was fabulous! Would return for another visit.

We just ate appetizers, they were all good. The mezcal drinks were amazing. Service was excellent. We ate here with our one year old daughter, she also ate everything that wasn't spicy. (And I accidentally gave her some that was way too spicy for her. She let us know.) Fully expecting her to have an amazing food baby for us tomorrow.

Excellent meal! The service was outstanding to start with. Now for the food...it was so very good! We ended up ordering appetizers for our meal, and there were 4 of us so we shared almost every appetizer on the menu. There was not a single one that was not delicious! It was such a nice treat to have wonderful different goodies. I forgot to mention the handmade tortillas! And the desserts! We had the warm crepes and also the special ice cream (coconut lime sorbert) which were both outstanding. I'm not a margarita fan but their muddled one is delicious and refreshing. You really should give this place a try!

Wow! Delicious food and drinks. We ordered both off the menu and specials, all were fantastic. Wonderful flavor and presentation. Loved being able to watch them cook too. Service was great, definitely will go back.

We tried this popular restaurant twice. The food is interesting and unique. The spice is on the warm side, but there is something for all appetites. Our family has a variety of dietary restrictions and tastes; everyone found something to try and each dish was perfection. On the other hand, it was hard to have a conversation. No said that they were thrilled with the food or the atmosphere. We were seated both times in areas near loud conversations and music. I like to visit and talk when we go out to eat and we couldn't here. And there is always a wait.

We were really looking forward to finding a second really fine Mexican restaurant in town after many wonderful visits to the amazing Authentica. What a disappointment. Nuestra Cocina's cocktails were so weak we barely felt anything after two of them The meal was very bland, mediocre food lacking seasoning, and just a big let down overall. We'll have to feel good at least with one high level Mexican restaurant in Portland on the NE side of town.

We came in around 8:00pm, and got seated around 8:40pm. You can have a drink at the bar while you wait. We went on a walk around the nice neighborhood. The service was quick, friendly and knowledgeable. We had guacamole and homemade chips, ceviche, pork tacos, taquitos, and a salad. Everything was fresh and delicious. Especially the ceviche! I will definitely be back again.

I'm going to gush a little, okay maybe a lot! We had never visited this establishment before, therefore didn't know what to order, food or drink wise. Decided on the chipotle infused strawberry margarita. Not something I would usually order but was feeling adventurous. It was delicious and perfectly balanced. Not too sweet with the slow burn of chipotle warming down. Paired with the food, it was perfectly balanced. Mike was our server and he was wonderfully welcoming and provided excellent navigation through the small plates and entrees. We chose the goat cheese and green chilis wrapped in banana leaves with pepita salsa, Mesa corn cakes with chorizo and black bean filling, cactus and wild mushroom tacos, and a mixed green salad with jicama, mangos, avocado, and pepitas and today's special of grilled pork loin with fresh tomatillo salsa. To end the meal was a homemade caramel/almond ice cream that could rival any shop in town. With every bite came a sigh and a swoon! The flavors of each dish so perfectly interspersed. The freshness of each ingredient shining brightly through. This is the first time, (EVER), that I visited a restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed each and every sip and bite of the meal!

We were very impressed and would recommend this place to anyone! We went on a very busy night and had to wait over an hour for a table, AND it was worth it. The hand shaken margaritas were delicious and refreshing. The homemade tortillas melted in your mouth. All of our meals were flavorful and fresh. Even the dessert was fantastic. I only wish we had more room in our stomachs so we could have sampled the whole menu. One other positive, the food is fresh and healthy, so we didn't have much guilt after eating more than we should have. Also, had an excellent waitress on an extremely busy night. Can't wait to go back.

Went there with a group for dinner, the food was exceptional and the server knowledgeable and charming. Everyone at the table ordered something different and everyone loved their food. Very creative take on Mexican Food.

Spent about an hour searching through TripAdvisor before locating this restaurant. My spouse and I went there tonight during a trip to Portland. This food was to die for. There is a braised lamb dish that absolutely melts in the mouth. The enchiladas were light and flavorful. The chocolate pound cake with cinnamon ice cream and chocolate sauce was divine. The place was packed with locals. They are undoubtedly keeping this place secret for themselves. This is our new go to place in Portland. Previously we have focused on the top 10 restaurants in the area based on TripAdvisor ratings. I would put this place in the top 10 without a doubt!

Nuestra Cocina is located in a gentrifying neighborhood of Southeast Portland, far from the city's downtown. (It is, however, easily accessible from downtown directly on the #4 bus route which runs on Division Street.) It's got a "cozy" neighborhood feel, but it's large enough to accommodate quite a crowd. There are "main dishes" on the menu, but we stuck with several "small plates." We enjoyed chile relleno ($8), a nicely roasted pepper stuffed with mildly-spicy sausage, and beef "taquitos," small rolled, crispy tacos a bit like the Latin version of Asian spring rolls ($9). We also appreciated the flavorful grilled asparagus ($8) and lima bean soup ($7). Save room for dessert, especially if you like house-made "helados" (ice cream); two scoops ($4). House wine was $7. Service was prompt, very friendly and attentive. Nuestra Cocina is a winner.

This place is jumpin'! You may wait a while to get a seat. So, get there early and get your name on the waitin' list while you sample the mojitos and magaritas at the bar. Then sit down and get ready to tuck into some of the best Mexican around!! I had the mole chicken and it was so tender and juicy with a wonderful charred mole sauce on the outside. Incredible!! If you're looking for a quiet romantic getaway where you can whisper sweet nothin's in each others ears, this place is not for you. The atmosphere is much more "I'm servin' incredible food in my garage/patio so come on over EVERYBODY" type of vibe which is fun, but you can forget the sweet whispers. Can't wait to go back!

This is Mexican influenced food Portlandia. High prices, small plates, pretty tasty flavors. Disappointments were the drinks - $7.50 for a mulled margarita - nothing special but the price. The pork tacos were tasty but the grease levels were substantial and served on the tiny house tortillas that looked to be 3" in diameter so the generous dollop of meat likely 2" high made them hard to handle. The chile rellano was excellent and featured what tasted like a pickled chile pepper as garnish that was really a nice touch. Service was patient and not pushy for such a high volume restaurant. Ambiance is low maintenance concrete and noisy. Worth more trips but somehow did not measure quite up to hype. The competition however comes from the many carts which serve every bit as good of flavors at fractions of the price.

Went here on a sat night. Arrived at 6:30, was told 1-1/2 hr wait but it was just 45 min. Waited at the bar. Amazing and friendly bartender who was working at record speed. It was a great show. Margaritas were perfect - amazing how hard it is to find a good one that has the punch but does not taste like straight alcohol. Service was a 5 star all around, and appetizers were excellent. We should have just ordered more of those. Had the pork tacos and ceviche. Main courses were a bit disappointing with not a lot of flavor all around on all 4 of our dishes, but would return and just get appetizers and drinks. Fun atmosphere! Noisy but that is what you should expect.

My husband and I have been here twice. Appetizers super yummy. Sopes, enchiladas, and taquitos great starters. Ceviche was okay, not as exciting as hoped. There was a pork chop that our son loved. Great environment but the wait is long.

Just when we thought that we had experienced most of the great Mexican restaurants in the Portland area, we discovered Nuestra Cocina, What a treat to not only taste great food but to also watch the kitchen activity with Chef Benjamin as we were seated at the bar area overlooking the kitchen. While much as already been said about this place, you need to give it a try and trust me, you will not be disappointed. Below are listed some of the dinner items we tasted and although they are consider "small" plate food, it was enough to fill us both. From the great food to the excellent service, it was a excellent dining treat.

Excellent dinner right at the bar. The entertainment is the live cooking show, hot food coming and going as you watch the performance by the cooks and chef. I had some amazing brussel sprouts and excellent enchiladas. Will resist and bring friends next time we are in town.

I went here with a few friends and we all ordered two plates each to share. Everything had such incredible flavor and we enjoyed trying so many dishes. The bartender made me the best margarita I have ever had. Go here.

We waited over an hour for a table, and it was not worth the wait. The restaurant was loud and crowded, the food was overpriced and not as flavorful as I expected. Service was decent. The sangria was a disappointment. It's a local, NW take on Latin American food.

We had a couple of specials and chicken enchiladas, and 2 drinks. they added $5 for the rice and beans on my plate and charged extra for the splash of cranberry juice in the vodka and cranberry juice ! NO MENTION was made of these extra charges, and the manager was very nice, and admitted that the extra charges should have been mentioned, but didn't take it off the bill ! Wow ! Ripoff ! I feel cheated !

we love Mexican food - from texmex in the US to seafood in Cabo, the wonders of Mexico City, the Yucatan, Cancun and so on. This was the absolute BEST meal ever. The carne asada melted in your mouth, the flan was perfect, the cerviche special was perfect and the COCHINITA PIBIL that my daughter's boyfriend had has made him a convert to Mexican food. He is contemplating a move to Portland from Canada as I type just for the pork. The bartender mixed up a mean margarita and the mojitos looked great though we didn't partake. great service, great meal.

Love this restaurant! The food and drinks are all amazing. This is a great date spot, especially when getting a few things to share. Highly recommend!

First off the Margarita Traditional, made with fresh juice and muddled fruit, is a great reason to stop in at the bar but you will miss an opportunity if you don't stay for some great food. The menu contains several vegetarian items that should be recommended to carnivores as well since they have many small plate items to allow you to branch out. There are a range of salads and the best Chicken lime soup I have had since first trying it in the Yucatan. I probably should give 5* but a lot of the menu is taken up with dishes in various versions of mole sauce. They are executed well but I am not a fan of mole so for me this limited the menu. If you love mole this is the place for you, if not there are other excellent offerings, just not as many as I would like to see. Service was good despite the restaurant being full when we arrived. Recommended.

Excellent Yucatan food. Great margaritas too. It is on a street full of restaurants. Parking is in the parallel residential street.

We ate here on their 15 year anniversary and it was as delicious as the first many times we dined here. If you want a real tour of Mexican cuisine from The north to the eastern Yucatán, to the pacific, many culinary regions are represented well here. My favorites are the chile relleno on the appetizer menu filled with meats, almonds and raisins and the cauliflower roasted with pepitas and green chilis. The spicy margaritas are another delicious addition to the menu.

We had an amazing dinner here. The food was so fresh and homemade. We had an excellent dinner with my husband's cousin and family.

Our first date was here, and the lasting impression it made! We go here every year for our anniversary at minimum. Best to get there early, due to popularity, there is usually a wait, and reservations aren't an option. Sangria is made fresh and THE BEST in Portland.

This place has the BEST high end Mexican food. So many wonderful flavors and the best of ingrediants. It is a very busy place, so better go early and probably a regular weekday.

What a delight to find - Mexican food in Portland that reminded us of the Hacienda Resort Cocina in Cabo. I had one of the 5 specials - an adobo lamb stew perfectly spiced and tender. My partner had a red pozole that he really liked. With 2 margaritas each & the entrees, our bill came to less than $60.

New Years Eve Dinner for 2 - arrived at 7:30 and told 45 minute wait. Stood around the bar for 20 minutes before being able to order a drink because the bartender was slammed. Drinks were creative and tasty once we got them. Watching the staff work together was like watching an orchestra play! Fine tuned hard working easy going staff! Our table was ready in about 30 minutes and we had ordered our appetizer at the bar and it was delivered pretty quickly to our table after sitting down. Our server was Don and he was great! Friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Drinks took much longer to get because the bar was slammed! We enjoyed our Queso Fundido with Mushrooms. The house salad with jicama, mango and pepitas with avocado vinaigrette was wonderful. We ordered one salad and Don was smart enough to have it split without even asking! It was so good we actually ordered a second round. We ordered the fish special for the night and squash stuffed chile rellano. The flavors of everything were spot on! Spicy but not super hot. Kitchen forgot to send out the creme for the pepper and a side of beans we ordered. But Don more than made up for the slow bar and the forgotten food. He was excellent! We will definitely return!

Get off your backsides, shift out of downtown and head over here! An outstanding place to eat Mexican with a foodie twist. Anywhere that's been around for 10 years, has its owner at the service helm and has staff that have been there since day one should tell you that this place is doing something right. It has a really true 'family' feel. Just as Basie or Ellington had their 'family' and were tight as, so Chef has created something here. We sat at the chefs bar and watched a very tranquil Chef Ben (and his talented team) create some beautifully tasting food. The tacquitos were divine whilst the lamb in banana leaf was heavenly. Atmosphere was exceptionally welcoming and staff were knowledgable and passionate about chef's creations. Each plate that left service looked scrumptious. I would say this is all about honest, fresh, authentic food served and presented with passion. Nuestra cocina deserves to be higher ranked than it is and is worth the can ride out of town. We'll be back!!

Our first trip to this part of town in many years and we’re glad we researched the local restaurants and found this gem. We arrived right after they opened for dinner and the place filled up rapidly. That’s usually a good sign! Price wise, Cocina is at the top end for Mexico food, starting with $9 for their house margaritas. But they were delicious, some of the best we’ve ever had. We ordered the shrimp ceviche, chili rellenos, and fresh cod special (wonderfully prepared on a bed of mashed potatoes and chanterelle mushroom sauce). Food was absolutely outstanding. OK, a word about the service. Well several words. Friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable come to mind. I read in another review where Cocina has been in business 15 years. That’s awhile in the restaurant business and the reasons are obvious. They do an excellent job in all areas of the business.

This turned out to be our favorite restaurant in Portland. Our server, Kaylie, was super helpful in guiding us through the menu and margaritas. They are incredibly flexible and made minor tweaks to accommodate our tastes. The extra spicy margaritas were especially fantastic ! We really enjoyed the pork chile rellenos, the gorditas, corn on the cob, taquitos, and camarones. This may be our favorite Mexican restaurant in America.

We always drop by Nuestra Cocina when the whole family is in Portland. The menu is diverse (within the cuisine) and the margaritas are tasty. Service is prompt, knowledgable and welcoming. The house made tortillas and the Tacos de Puerco are favorites. Personally, I enjoy the MOLE DE OLLA CON ALCEGAS Y CHAYOTE ASADO. Don't miss this little gem when visiting Portland.

A very busy place, and there is a reason for it. hand made tortillas, a well rehearsed staff you will find if you sit at the bar and watch food go out. Quality and consistency are bench marks here. We had three Antojitos & Ensaladas and shared. The Enchiladas en mole puya con pollo y queso cotija, the carnitas de costillas con salsa verde and the Tacos de puerco. They were perfect. I wanted the ceviche but we were full. Next time we must try the pork chops and tomatillo and the gorditas rellanas.