Best Mexican restaurant ever.this place was more than I possibly imagined.this place is the pinnacle of culinary creation.love and passion served on a plate.as a sous chef this place motivated and inspired me,food can be so much more than just something you eat.its and experience,an adventure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wine Pairing
Jennifer Theusch
One of the most memorable meals I have ever had. It was exceptional!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yoshinobu I.
My best restaurant ever!! Food, drink, service, presentation and atmosphere are incredibly sophisticated. Thank you so much.
Rin Kim
A lovely restaurant offering delicious dishes and captivating storytelling + explanation. I appreciate how this ethnic-based establishment embodies cultural depth through its soulful cuisine. I was very ignorant about Mexican cuisine and feel like I learned so much through this dinner. Oh their desserts were incredibly tasty with full of different textures and flavors.Despite minor hiccups, the majority of their services were commendable. Upon booking the chef's counter, I anticipated a typical counter dining experience, but it was more like tables closer to the kitchen with a view, which I liked it more than what I imagined as a counter seating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yvonne Muir
Great experience with elevated food. Great service and ambiance. The suggestion for a big bold red was spot-on. Thank you for a beautiful night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sharon Harms
Classic fine dining experience. The 10 course was perfectly portioned and the stories to go along with the plates varied nicely. We loved the little surprise at the end and how promptly the next dish came out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marc B.
Having a dinner experience at Republica is unlike any other. You experience the food of Chef Jose Camerena through storytelling, with each dish curated and inspired by Mexican history. Given that it is tasting menu, each dish builds on the last dish, and the intention of flavors is deeply routed in Mexican ingredients. On a recent trip to Portland, I surprised my partner with a birthday dinner to Republica. Given that we had reservations, we were seated at a table, and we were quick to notice that all of the tables and chairs faced the kitchen, giving the feel that you were experiencing your own chef's table. Watching the kitchen, it was clear that all of the chefs were working in tandem, and it was a beautiful thing to see. The restaurant offers a wide range of unique cocktails and wine selections. On the night that we were dining, they had an option to participate in a wine pairing with dinner that featured Mexican vineyards that also were women-owned. Given that we wanted to try some of the cocktails, we opted out of the wine pairing, but it was amazing to hear that they were featuring women-owned vineyards. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and were able to guide us to cocktail selections that we would like, and they were amazing! As for the food, I don't think my partner and I have experienced anything like it. Everything was elevated, intentional, and again, rooted in Mexican history storytelling. As our server brought out a dish, they would indicate the inspiration behind it through Mexican history, and they delivered each dish with such passion and excitement. Some of my highlights were the stuffed quail with a tomatillo and leek salsa, a cured salmon with hibiscus water, and the puffed blue corn tortilla with vegetables and goat cheese. There was also a salsa verde to begin the dinner that I wish they sold because I would have purchased 10 cans of it. Overall, this was an incredible experience with a unique flair to it. If you are in the Portland area, I highly suggest you try it out!
fastslarti
My dining companion and I found República's tasting menu to be a remarkable and engaging experience. The courses are well planned and executed in terms of both sequence and timing, resulting in an absorbing journey that managed to feel both wide-ranging and cozy. The plating was beautiful and precise, with bold colors in delicate arrangements on lovely hand-made ceramics that were well matched to their contents. The dishes had intricately layered and interwoven flavors that ranged from subtle to striking, familiar to exotic, and comfortable to challenging. They were memorable and creative, each dish leaving us talking excitedly about what we'd just experienced and eagerly anticipating whatever came next. The cocktail program was very well executed. The cocktails on offer seemed quite diverse, but all we tried matched and accentuated one or another aspect of the menu remarkably well. The service was excellent. The staff were extremely attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. They were adaptable to our needs even as they executed complex and carefully timed presentations. Further; Every staff member we interacted seemed engaged and excited by their work, and genuinely happy to be there. While the expense was, at least for us, significant enough to make this only an occasional indulgence, we felt the value was still quite high given the quality of the experience. We'll certainly return, and we will definitely recommend República to friends & family.
Billie Jo Thomas
Great food, service, and experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bonnie Matosich
We absolutely loved our experience at Republica! So original and delicious. And so attentive!
Half the fun in venturing to fine dining restaurants in general is pretending that I know the least bit about the time, effort, and planning that goes into any of these plates. From my perspective, this restaurant deserves a Michelin star without doubt. The only reason I can conclude it has not achieved that is out of its control; being located in an often overlooked city of dismal Portland. Cooking Italian or French foods is as it is expected and quite frankly redundant. However the challenge of cooking a more rustic, often stereotyped style of food nonetheless gives the customer a taste of uniqueness and humbleness. Where else can you find plates with such influences?Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Di Wu
Experienced a 7-course dinner here. We had great expectations because we loved Lilia which is related to Republica. Unfortunately it didn’t measure up. The creativity of the dishes, staff and service were appreciated. The tastes of the food are a mixed bag. Considering the cost of the ingredients which 1/3 are beans and tortillas, and the tiny portion size, $300+ (with tips) for two was not worth it at all. That amount doesn’t include alcohol, although the drinks were good. This is the 1st tasting menu restaurant we left feeling dissatisfied. They should either lower the price or add more value in each dish whether it’s the ingredients or portion size.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Been to a lot of fine dining chef tasting dinners and Michelle star restaurants so I got to share this was definitely one of the blandest food I have tasted, out of the 7 course meal that we had only two were thought out and had good flavor and presentation. The rest was cold and lacking flavor. The service was really good, they did good on that.
BonnieM
Republica KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!! We have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world. Republica is right up there on taste, authenticity to Mexico, creativity, presentation, and service!
misterlazy
We chose the 7 course menu. By the end we regretted not choosing the 10 course menu. Every part of the meal was clearly well thought out. Imagine a beautiful dream of Mexico's history expressed via local and seasonal PNW ingredients. Wine pairings were outstanding.
Best Mexican restaurant ever.this place was more than I possibly imagined.this place is the pinnacle of culinary creation.love and passion served on a plate.as a sous chef this place motivated and inspired me,food can be so much more than just something you eat.its and experience,an adventure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wine Pairing
One of the most memorable meals I have ever had. It was exceptional!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My best restaurant ever!! Food, drink, service, presentation and atmosphere are incredibly sophisticated. Thank you so much.
A lovely restaurant offering delicious dishes and captivating storytelling + explanation. I appreciate how this ethnic-based establishment embodies cultural depth through its soulful cuisine. I was very ignorant about Mexican cuisine and feel like I learned so much through this dinner. Oh their desserts were incredibly tasty with full of different textures and flavors.Despite minor hiccups, the majority of their services were commendable. Upon booking the chef's counter, I anticipated a typical counter dining experience, but it was more like tables closer to the kitchen with a view, which I liked it more than what I imagined as a counter seating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience with elevated food. Great service and ambiance. The suggestion for a big bold red was spot-on. Thank you for a beautiful night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Classic fine dining experience. The 10 course was perfectly portioned and the stories to go along with the plates varied nicely. We loved the little surprise at the end and how promptly the next dish came out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Having a dinner experience at Republica is unlike any other. You experience the food of Chef Jose Camerena through storytelling, with each dish curated and inspired by Mexican history. Given that it is tasting menu, each dish builds on the last dish, and the intention of flavors is deeply routed in Mexican ingredients. On a recent trip to Portland, I surprised my partner with a birthday dinner to Republica. Given that we had reservations, we were seated at a table, and we were quick to notice that all of the tables and chairs faced the kitchen, giving the feel that you were experiencing your own chef's table. Watching the kitchen, it was clear that all of the chefs were working in tandem, and it was a beautiful thing to see. The restaurant offers a wide range of unique cocktails and wine selections. On the night that we were dining, they had an option to participate in a wine pairing with dinner that featured Mexican vineyards that also were women-owned. Given that we wanted to try some of the cocktails, we opted out of the wine pairing, but it was amazing to hear that they were featuring women-owned vineyards. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and were able to guide us to cocktail selections that we would like, and they were amazing! As for the food, I don't think my partner and I have experienced anything like it. Everything was elevated, intentional, and again, rooted in Mexican history storytelling. As our server brought out a dish, they would indicate the inspiration behind it through Mexican history, and they delivered each dish with such passion and excitement. Some of my highlights were the stuffed quail with a tomatillo and leek salsa, a cured salmon with hibiscus water, and the puffed blue corn tortilla with vegetables and goat cheese. There was also a salsa verde to begin the dinner that I wish they sold because I would have purchased 10 cans of it. Overall, this was an incredible experience with a unique flair to it. If you are in the Portland area, I highly suggest you try it out!
My dining companion and I found República's tasting menu to be a remarkable and engaging experience. The courses are well planned and executed in terms of both sequence and timing, resulting in an absorbing journey that managed to feel both wide-ranging and cozy. The plating was beautiful and precise, with bold colors in delicate arrangements on lovely hand-made ceramics that were well matched to their contents. The dishes had intricately layered and interwoven flavors that ranged from subtle to striking, familiar to exotic, and comfortable to challenging. They were memorable and creative, each dish leaving us talking excitedly about what we'd just experienced and eagerly anticipating whatever came next. The cocktail program was very well executed. The cocktails on offer seemed quite diverse, but all we tried matched and accentuated one or another aspect of the menu remarkably well. The service was excellent. The staff were extremely attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. They were adaptable to our needs even as they executed complex and carefully timed presentations. Further; Every staff member we interacted seemed engaged and excited by their work, and genuinely happy to be there. While the expense was, at least for us, significant enough to make this only an occasional indulgence, we felt the value was still quite high given the quality of the experience. We'll certainly return, and we will definitely recommend República to friends & family.
Great food, service, and experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We absolutely loved our experience at Republica! So original and delicious. And so attentive!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Half the fun in venturing to fine dining restaurants in general is pretending that I know the least bit about the time, effort, and planning that goes into any of these plates. From my perspective, this restaurant deserves a Michelin star without doubt. The only reason I can conclude it has not achieved that is out of its control; being located in an often overlooked city of dismal Portland. Cooking Italian or French foods is as it is expected and quite frankly redundant. However the challenge of cooking a more rustic, often stereotyped style of food nonetheless gives the customer a taste of uniqueness and humbleness. Where else can you find plates with such influences?Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Experienced a 7-course dinner here. We had great expectations because we loved Lilia which is related to Republica. Unfortunately it didn’t measure up. The creativity of the dishes, staff and service were appreciated. The tastes of the food are a mixed bag. Considering the cost of the ingredients which 1/3 are beans and tortillas, and the tiny portion size, $300+ (with tips) for two was not worth it at all. That amount doesn’t include alcohol, although the drinks were good. This is the 1st tasting menu restaurant we left feeling dissatisfied. They should either lower the price or add more value in each dish whether it’s the ingredients or portion size.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Been to a lot of fine dining chef tasting dinners and Michelle star restaurants so I got to share this was definitely one of the blandest food I have tasted, out of the 7 course meal that we had only two were thought out and had good flavor and presentation. The rest was cold and lacking flavor. The service was really good, they did good on that.
Republica KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!! We have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world. Republica is right up there on taste, authenticity to Mexico, creativity, presentation, and service!
We chose the 7 course menu. By the end we regretted not choosing the 10 course menu. Every part of the meal was clearly well thought out. Imagine a beautiful dream of Mexico's history expressed via local and seasonal PNW ingredients. Wine pairings were outstanding.