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Name: Oba
Address: 555 NW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209
Telephone: (503) 228-6161
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.79

Oba

555 NW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209

(503) 228-6161
Store is closed

Oba Menu

Ensaladas y Sopa

Cesar

Lechuga de Granja

Sopa del Dia

Cesar

Lechuga de Granja

Sopa del Dia
Tapas y Pinchos

Ceviche Mixto

Tamales de Elote

Crudo de Atun

Vegetales Fritos

Yucatan Arepas

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos

Chipotle Calamari

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Ceviche Mixto

Tamales de Elote

Crudo de Atun

Vegetales Fritos

Yucatan Arepas

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos

Chipotle Calamari

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa
Platos

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Halibut al Horno

Paella de Oba

Carne Estilo Churrasco

Vaca Frita

8 oz. Carne Gordo

12 oz. Gaucho Style

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Halibut al Horno

Paella de Oba

Carne Estilo Churrasco

Vaca Frita

8 oz. Carne Gordo

12 oz. Gaucho Style
Platos Fuertes

Pollo Horneado

Pescado Entero

Chuleton de Res

Pollo Horneado

Pescado Entero

Chuleton de Res
Al Lado

Alcachofa

Esparragos

Col Rizado

Alcachofa

Esparragos

Col Rizado
Happy Hour Tapas

Caesar Salad

Papas Fritas

Ensalada Fresca

Yucca Frita

Papas Bravas

Vegetales Fritos

Arepas

Chilaquiles

Tacos de Tinga

Empanada

Hamburguesa

Crudo de Atun

Hamburguesa de Chorizo

Tacos de Cabrito

Tacos de Carne Asada

Tacos de Pescado

Queso Fundido

Quesadilla

Caesar Salad

Papas Fritas

Ensalada Fresca

Yucca Frita

Papas Bravas

Vegetales Fritos

Arepas

Chilaquiles

Tacos de Tinga

Empanada

Hamburguesa

Crudo de Atun

Hamburguesa de Chorizo

Tacos de Cabrito

Tacos de Carne Asada

Tacos de Pescado

Queso Fundido

Quesadilla
Happy Hour Tapas y Pinchos

Crudo de Atun

Chilaquiles

Vegetales Fritos

Yucatan Arepas

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos

Chipotle Calamari

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Beans & Rice

Pollo Tinga Tacos (2)

Tacos de Pescado (2)

Hamburguesa de

Crudo de Atun

Chilaquiles

Vegetales Fritos

Yucatan Arepas

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos

Chipotle Calamari

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Beans & Rice

Pollo Tinga Tacos (2)

Tacos de Pescado (2)

Hamburguesa de
Dairy Free Menu

Crudo de Atun

Vegetales Fritos

Ceviche en su Jugo

Mesquite-Grilled Fish of the Day

Pato Horneado

Carne Estilo Churrasco

Pollo Asado

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Crudo de Atun

Vegetales Fritos

Ceviche en su Jugo

Mesquite-Grilled Fish of the Day

Pato Horneado

Carne Estilo Churrasco

Pollo Asado

Enchiladas de Vegetales
Vegetarian Menu

Vegetales Fritos

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Lechuga de Granja

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Mesquite-Grilled Fresh Vegetable Platter

Vegetales Fritos

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Lechuga de Granja

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Mesquite-Grilled Fresh Vegetable Platter
Gluten Free Menu

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Cesar

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Pescado al Horno

Paella de Oba

Pato Horneado

Carne Estilo Churrasco

Vaca Frita

Camarones a la Parilla

8 oz. Carne Gordo

12 oz. Gaucho Style

Queso Fundido

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa

Cesar

Enchiladas de Vegetales

Pescado al Horno

Paella de Oba

Pato Horneado

Carne Estilo Churrasco

Vaca Frita

Camarones a la Parilla

8 oz. Carne Gordo

12 oz. Gaucho Style

Healthy Meal suggestions for Oba

Ensaladas y Sopa

Cesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lechuga de Granja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopa del Dia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lechuga de Granja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopa del Dia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tapas y Pinchos

Ceviche Mixto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamales de Elote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucatan Arepas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chipotle Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche Mixto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamales de Elote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucatan Arepas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chipotle Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platos

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Halibut al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paella de Oba [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Estilo Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vaca Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Carne Gordo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 oz. Gaucho Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Halibut al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paella de Oba [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Estilo Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vaca Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Carne Gordo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 oz. Gaucho Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platos Fuertes

Pollo Horneado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado Entero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chuleton de Res [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Horneado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado Entero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chuleton de Res [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Al Lado

Alcachofa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Esparragos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Col Rizado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alcachofa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Esparragos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Col Rizado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Happy Hour Tapas

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas Fritas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucca Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas Bravas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arepas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilaquiles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Tinga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburguesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburguesa de Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Cabrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas Fritas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucca Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas Bravas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arepas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilaquiles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Tinga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburguesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburguesa de Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Cabrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Happy Hour Tapas y Pinchos

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilaquiles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucatan Arepas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chipotle Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beans & Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Tinga Tacos (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Pescado (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburguesa de [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilaquiles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucatan Arepas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos Rellenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chipotle Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beans & Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Tinga Tacos (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos de Pescado (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburguesa de [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dairy Free Menu

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche en su Jugo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesquite-Grilled Fish of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pato Horneado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Estilo Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crudo de Atun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche en su Jugo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesquite-Grilled Fish of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pato Horneado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Estilo Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetarian Menu

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lechuga de Granja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesquite-Grilled Fresh Vegetable Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lechuga de Granja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesquite-Grilled Fresh Vegetable Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Gluten Free Menu

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paella de Oba [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pato Horneado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Estilo Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vaca Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones a la Parilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Carne Gordo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 oz. Gaucho Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Hecho en Mesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas de Vegetales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paella de Oba [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pato Horneado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Estilo Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vaca Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones a la Parilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Carne Gordo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 oz. Gaucho Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Siobhan B.

I loved it here, the food was fantastic. And it was very romantic. Would recommend this for a date or an anniversary.
(5)
Erin S.

I would say that my star rating would be right around a 3.5, but I'm rounding up. We were visiting Portland on vacation and ate here our first night in town. We sat at the bar and had a couple apps and drinks - they were decent. The food was good for bar food, especially the quesodillas which were delicious. I don't know how good this place is for dinner, but for a happy hour - it was perfect.
(4)
sm r.

Oh my gosh - now they have rye whiskey!
(5)
Josie V.

So I decided to try Oba out after all the great reviews from my friends. Unfortunately I wasn't wow'd like the rest of them. The taste of all the dishes was decent, but the presentation and the quantity left my boyfriend myself wanting more. He had a steak (bistek asada) that was prepared the way he ordered, but the quality of the beef was just okay. The accompaniments were much better than the steak itself. I the swordfish and it was good. Our drinks and dessert were tasty. Would I go to Oba again....maybe just for the bar and or happy hour.
(3)
Dave R.

Pretty cool place. Food good, drinks good, and service is good. No issues. Good work.
(4)
Mike D.

Went to dinner with a party of 4 after a wine tasting at nearby Cork. Atmosphere is nice, our waiter was humerous but I would say there is a staff problem. This was our first trip there, but the other couple had been quite a few times. They had many stories of service hiccups ... nothing huge, but enough to indicate service as an issue ... We order drinks and talk ... and talk ... the waiter comes back to get our food order and we remind him of our drinks (which he later comps). Our drinks arrive just moments before our entrees (no big deal for me, I'm having the house red with the cuban pulled flank steak. However, I don't think the rest of my party had in mind washing down pork ribs with gin. Dinner is munched, drinks not refilled ... its time to go ... our waiter is found once again. He offers to comp us a desert due to the "issues" .. so we take him up on it (foolishly) ... takes desert drinks (3 coffees and a coffee liquor drink). Desert appears, no coffees ... then the 3 coffees. They ran out of cream for the liquor drink. Our baked Argentina is not faring well during this delay, but like everything else ... tastes delicious once everyone has their drinks and manners allow the rest of the party to indulge. Our bill arrives (had asked to be split, was not) ... so the waiter does some crazy math and each couple is in for under $30. I know future trips will be service error prone, and likely not as cheap ... but if you aren't in a hurry and don't get hung up on minor staff issues ... the food is excellent!
(4)
Lorri E.

I strolled over to Oba last night after the wine/choc tasting event because I needed some vittles to slow down my racing "I've eaten nothing but dark chocolate today" heart. I'm actually glad I did. As many other reviewers have mentioned, Oba is primarily known for happy hour where you can get some nice drinkies, cheap, and some salty tasty appetizers in a big, loud, fun orangey-red room in the Pearl (the Pearl, conveniently located along the streetcar should you decide you want to carry onto other Pearly or Downtown venues). I had DINNER at Oba, and it has been some time since I've done so (making my way around all the portland restaurants takes time). I was very surprised by the warm and friendly greeting at the hostess stand--they were clearly busy and did not have an immediate table, but they hustled to find us one and apologized for the wait. Manners+smile wins a star in my book. Our waiter was phenomenal--super friendly, doting and efficient, yet not annoying. Another star. I told him I wasn't drinking and he recommended a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage which was very tasty. Onto the food. Normally would give Oba a 3+ in the food category, but I had the tenderloin....WOW, better steak flavor than I have had at some higher end places. I was totally surprised. Yes, I would say it was over priced, but that is because the restaurant dinner menu probably has to compensate for losing money on happy hour. An events space is available for rental. I think this would be a fun place to have a party. Open for happy hour and dinner only, seven days a week. Bar opens 4:00, dinner begins 5:00. Happy Hour is Every Day from 4:00-6:30. Special selection of tapas for $3-6. Now offering some menu options in vegeterian, dairy-free, and wheat-free.
(4)
Lenka B.

The only reason I really go to Oba is for the queso fundido. It is absolutely to die for. Other than that, most of their food is incredibly overpriced for what it is. Though the atun salteado is probably some of the best tuna I have ever had. Yet, if you are willing to splurge on dinner in Portland, there are many places where you can get more bang for your buck. I would recommend sticking to the happy hour menu at Oba and finding a better deal for dinner.
(3)
Jen E.

Eek, where to start! Perhaps my experience was just a fluke, I'd like to think so given the great ratings this establishment has. I will preface this by saying that I don't mind spending a sizable amount of money on an above average meal, and I always lean toward quality over quantity. Pricing wasn't necessarily the issue here. What I had an issue with was the price of the meal, combined with the fact that two out of the six dishes ordered were inedible. The remaining dishes were average at best. The salads were ordered came on a plate the size of a large saucer. The lettuce was chopped so finely.. I can't even describe it, it was rather odd. The chicken on top was overcooked and dry. We barely touched them. The corn we ordered was so overcooked, it basically felt like we were chewing on plastic. The fish was decent, but I was slightly shocked at the size given the pricing. Again, I believe in quality over quantity, but here I felt like I received low quality food for a very high price. The best part about our experience was the amazing waitress. She did everything should could to make us happy, but hey, she wasn't cooking so she could only do so much. She received a great tip for her efforts, but I doubt we will be back.
(2)
B C.

1. Overpriced. OVERPRICED! My Goodness, the prices here would curl your grandmother's hair! 2. Just a few blocks away you can get perfectly decent mexican food and margaritas at the Cha Cha Cha for a third the price. Minus the snooty attitudes. And! Cha Cha Cha is every bit as good, if not better, than Oba. If you want to drop 15$ for a decent margarita and rub elbows with wealthy 65-year-old snobs and working-lunch sales people, go to Oba. If you want to spend 6$ on the SAME margarita and hang out with actual human beings, go to Cha Cha Cha. 3. Yes, I realize I'm pushing Cha Cha Cha pretty hard here, but I'm trying to save you money and the bother of wasting it on crap you can find reasonably priced less than four (very short) blocks away. 4. I've gone here twice and regretted it both times, even the time I wasn't paying for anything. Why? Because you can't complain about free stuff, but I really wanted to. It wasn't good. It was friggin' FREE, and it still wasn't good. 5. They get a star for their decent, though by no means extraordinary, guacamole. I can make it better at home, but for restaurant guacamole it was fair.
(1)
Cameron C.

Excellent food, drinks and atmosphere. Service was excellent. My wife and I went for our anniversary, and we will definitely go again. We each had a well drink off the menu, we shared three vegetarian tapas, and our bill was less than $50 bucks. We left full (and happy) without room for dessert. We felt like it was well worth the price.
(5)
Jennifer M.

The food is absolutely delicious and drinks ate great! Love coming here with friends.
(5)
Tim O.

Yes, the wait staff is a little off, but they're pretty busy from what I've seen. Cuervo Black margaritas are great as well as their caipirinha. As far as their food goes, the salads are great, but I love the roasted butternut squash enchiladas with creamy toasted walnut sauce and quinoa salad. Perfectly done and nice and spicy. This place is slightly pricey (I should do HH sometime), but the portions are large.
(4)
Dee W.

Delicious meal at Oba tonight! It was recommended by a friend so we made reservations and gave it a shot. The atmosphere was very festive, live music playing, dim romantic lighting, good chatter going on throughout the dining room. We got a nice booth that had good people watching and settled in. I immediately knew I wanted the Tasting Menu: a glass of cava, fresh oysters, pan seared scallops, kobe beef entree and chocolate brownie. All for $45. Everything was exceptional but I was still a bit hungry when I got back to my hotel and ate some crackers. It wasn't skimpy by any means but I didn't leave feeling satisfied. My husband got the braised beef entree, a tangy caesar and the chocolate dessert. He very much enjoyed the guava agua fresca. Our server was attentive, polite and not too chatty. We would definitely return to try more!
(4)
Deanna B.

Last night we did a redo of my husbands birthday dinner. It was great and we will definately go back. The service went off without a hitch and were able to enjoy it with good friends.
(5)
Julia B.

it was ooookkkkkkaaaaayyyyyy. we arrived for happy hour and the drinks did nothing to impress me. I ordered the famous caeser salad from the happy hour menu while my fiancee ordered chicken tacos. He said they were good, but very small. my caeser salad was ok, but boring and very small. I cannot verify for items from the regular menu, but be prepared not to share from the happy hour menu. i should also mention, im not a super size me sorta person who thinks bigger food portions means better food portions. so, when i say its small, i mean small in the real sense of word. the atmosphere was pretty cool, but the bill made me think we did not get what we paid for, especially for happy hour. all in all, happy hour was more like "ok" hour.
(3)
Brandy S.

While I had heard of Oba, it was always referred to in those mythical terms, somehow out of reach. Probably because a meal for one comes out to $45. Myth finally became reality last Friday when I went here for a baby shower (one of those good ones, without the baby food tasting). First of all, the drink menu is larger than the food menu, so there were a lot of decisions to make. Only one vegetarian option (strange) and it was one of those few things I don't like (butternut squash) - so it was on to the seafood options. Overall: Very good drink, very good meal (although limited selection for non-beef eaters), and helpful staff. Nice place to go to be seen and do some seeing.
(4)
Luna J.

Walked in there just to have some appetizers and some drinks, the bar tables were full so we sat at the bar... we ordered almost all the appetizers they have on the menu and there were all so good! The tostones were so crunchy and tasty! the gambo langostino perfect flavors, the shrimp a la diabla... so spicy but delicious! Our drink were excellent too... Our bartender very gracious shaking the drinks! flipping the bottle like they do in mexico! we had an amazing time at Oba! highly recommended for any occasion! Can't wait to back again!
(4)
Julie M.

I had a marvelous catfish dinner here once... that made my friend from Arkasas FLIP. Dinner Tables are quiet enough for enjoyable conversation. I'm not wild about the wave of Wann-Be-Seen perfume-poser culture, so I tend to avoid OBA's bar. Will read more of the reviews and see if there's a strategy/day that can seem more inclusive for native Oregonians and folks like me too.
(4)
Nisha D.

Perhaps this review should not come after a week of eating Trader Joe burritos, but I cannot get over the quality of the food at this place. I practically cried when I saw that my meal came with a side of mashed potatoes. I love mashed potatoes! And they were delicious. The food was perfectly planned, executed, and presented. I loved all the little touches, including the corn salsa on my dish. Mm Mm good. I would highly recommend going with their "price-fix" menus if you are on a budget. You get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $28. Only downside was my mango sidecar; it was delicious but had no kick. :( Will be back! (When I can afford it).
(4)
Roxanne R.

A beautiful location, delicious food, and friendly staff. Nothing wrong about this place. My only experience with !Oba! was during my boyfriend's company holiday party. They were serving a meated buffet (we're vegan) and we were concerned about only abusing the open bar. We mentioned to the wait staff our concern, and they made special dishes for us which were spectacular. I never thought I would like pasta and red sauce so much! Back to the open bar, their cocktails are magnificent and their bartender heavy handed with the vodka.
(4)
Amy T.

Amazing service, drinks, and food! Great time last night, this may be my new favorite restaurant...my fiancÃ© and I had the banana cream puffs for dessert and they were incredible, try them.
(5)
Stephen Y.

Amazing bar and great food! Portions are oo, so the value is outstanding. A highly creative menu will have the pickiest eater happy. I will be back!
(4)
Sumner T.

Wow! Went here for the first time tonight and it was delicious. 4.5 stars because it took a couple minutes to get us going. I didn't really care because I was in good company. However, once we did get going it was non-stop tasty town. For starters, our waiter recommended a delicious wine which was half off because of the half off wine night (Sunday and Monday). We then ordered the shrimp cocktail appetizer, which was fantastic! Perfect spice and very nice with the tortilla chips that came with it. She had the ahi tuna entree, and I had the prime rib, which the waiter, again, had recommended. It was delicious, perfectly cooked with a delicious horseradish sauce. The dessert was another one that our waiter had recommended, and it was again, delicious. All in all, I would come back here. We had great service (ask for Andrew), great wine, and great food. It was a fantastic evening. Highly recommended!
(4)
A. M.

I love Oba! It is my favorite place to eat in Portland! I have never had a bad meal there and they have the best margaritas ever! They have a really good happy hour with discounts on appetizers and those awesome margaritas. Get there early if you want a seat! The Coconut Prawns are delicious and we get them every time. My husband loves their Ahi dinner and I love their "Baked Argentina" dessert. Great wine selection also. The service is always impeccable and the atmosphere is wonderful. I love sitting in one of their booths. Cozy and great for people watching. They always have a lovely display of flowers in the center of the room. Lighting is low to create a romantic ambiance in the dinning areas. I haven't ever sat outside, but lots of people do. The outdoor seating is on the sidewalk, which for me...I would rather enjoy their lovely restaurant then the street. Over all I would say everyone should eat here at least once. Very good! I always recommend it!
(5)
San J.

Maybe i'm spoiled being from the San Francisco Bay Area, land of great food, but this place was a disappointment. My friend wanted to take me to a good meal but we weren't terribly hungry after having happy hour at another restaurant. This also seems to be a place where people celebrate things, most tables were 4+ and our little 2 seater table in the back dining room only had 1 other 2 seater right next to it and sure enough we had the worst service of the time we were there w/ waits for everything including the first glass of water (we never got a refill). The waitress never apologized, only stating that the length of time for our drinks was evidence of how busy the bar was....how does that help us? We ended up ordering their signature mojito and sharing a few plates of tapas. The coconut fried shrimp was disgusting, fried and limp drowning in individual pools of the spicy jelly. Bleech. The rockfish ceviche w/ avocado was disappointing, there was no crunchy counterpoint to the lime cooked fish if you didn't count the 2 pieces of raddichio they stuck in there as garnish that I decided to eat. LOL and the rub they put on the seared Ahi tuna was too overpowering for the delicate flavor of the tuna. My friend seemed perfectly happy with her food but did mention that we should come back for dinner sometime because that is where they shine. To be honest, i've had better meals at Chevys...when you consider the lack of service it just isn't worth my time.
(2)
Jeff B.

Went to Oba on 8-5-11. Simply put, phenomenal food, atmosphere and service. I highly recommend Oba!
(5)
Dimitri S.

Great place for a happy hour. Unlikeost places, Oba has an extensive Happy Hour hours (all day Sunday) and a nice variety of items on their menu. Prime rib coyotas, coconut prawns and black bean hummus were delicious.
(5)
Joshua M.

I went here for happy hour not too long ago. Had a really good chorizo queso dip. Had a really not so good chicken taco. Overall it seemed like a pretty cool place, and I'd give it another shot.
(3)
Tim B.

eh. I've been here a handful of times, only the first time it was my idea. The happy hour has decent food and is pretty cheap. It's just a dressed up chain restaurant, but palatable. The happy hour beer seems to alway be coors light, and $3 for coors light doesn't seem like a happy price to me.
(3)
Elizabeth C.

My bf and I are from Los Angeles and every time we are in portland we make it a point to stop by Oba for dinner. We've have been coming here ever since, the staff at one of our hotels suggested this place to us years ago and we loved it ever since! This is a true authentic Mexican cuisine that sadly is very hard to find in Cali which has nothing but chain restaurants. Everything we have ever tried here is always better then the next and that includes cocktails as well. The staff is always friendly and very helpful explaining all ingredients in our meals and the preparation. Portions are decent size but very filling. We ordered table side guacamole (YUM!) Along with the cucumber margarita (bf favorite) and our entree was grilled salmon and steak with veggies and mashed potatoes. Everything was very delicious and full of flavor, I'm only mad now and wanna kick myself in the ass that I didn't take a to-go box to eat my left overs for later! It's kinda pricey but when you are going out for a special occasion or just visiting from out of town then by all means GO FOT IT! No seriously, what are you waiting for? GO! It's truly one our little traditions coming here and having a nice evening together and we surely will be back if in town again.
(5)
Animal K.

3.75 stars. Delicious cocktails. I had a virgin prickly pear and friends had alcoholic drinks. It was enjoyed by all. The grilled prawns were good except that the shell would not detach itself from the meat and it made for mouthfuls of shell and messy eating. I did love the side of stringbeans and corn mix. deliciously lilting. The lamb dish was disappointing. It tasted a bit gamey or too deep - perhaps due to the seasoning with a lot of cumin. But the dish was very heavy. The best dish that night was the butternut enchiladas and quinoa side. Soooo good. And the dessert of the mudslide tre leche was to die for. The service was a bit spotty. The service at the bar was excellent, the waiters at the restaurant were fine, but the hostess was not on the ball as she chatted with another restaurant employee. We waited a full minute or two for her to notice us when she had already called us over for our table. A little improvement and it can get kicked up to four stars.
(3)
Martin M.

Admittedly good (and popular, we were there on a Monday and it was packed) for Happy Hour, with above average drinks. Only gets 3 stars because the appetizers are really just a gussied up version of what you would find at a Chili's. There are many places in the Pearl (Andina, DF) that offer a much more interesting menu.
(3)
Chris M.

Food that literally brings a smile to your face. Oba is spendy but what else would you expect from the Pearl? Excellent food that brings so many different flavors together it is amazing. Will definitely be going for a return visit.
(5)
Tina T.

Great atmosphere, excellent appetizers, fantastic drinks and professional friendly staff. Definitely recommend!!!
(5)
Cyrus G.

i've been spending a lot of time in portland, and was told not to come back to california till i'd had oba - namely, their butternut squash enchiladas. incredible stuff. i think the big dining lesson i've learned in this city is that the vegetarian dishes almost always outdo the carnivorous ones, in both taste and style. my meal here was no exception - incredibly savory, unique, super filling. the sort of dish that looks so good upon arrival, it seems impossible that the taste could compare. but it did. great location - one block from the streetcar. and they have wifi, which is great - makes me look important when i'm eating alone (rather than lonely). i will say that it was a little pricey - nearly $20 per plate. as a jobless student that kinda sucks, so i felt shitty about that after ordering - but great after it arrived. it was that good. worth your wallet. just thinking about it makes me happy.
(4)
Sasha R.

Yup, it's a HH spot, I like the close proximity to work and that they are adventurous with their margarita flavors, prickly pear anyone. I'm still fresh of the SF Bay Area where under $4 is cheap for anything, but I get it that it's pricey for PDX. I'd say it's a fun place to play after work, but I wouldn't seek it out if not in the area.
(3)
Michelle H.

Bar -- Oh Oba you lovely, lovely place! Before Oba I was a happy hour virgin, Yelp gathering virgin, and Portland Streetcar virgin all rolled into one (it's rough being me, honest!). And Oba was the best place to be de-flowered! If you went to Wikipedia to search happy hour, I'm almost certain you'd find a picture of Oba's orange-ish walls (whose haphazard painting technique is a likeness of Laura N.'s own place), giant 16oz. margaritas, and gorgeous AND delicious appetizers. There is a reason this place is noted by most Yelpers as THE happy hour spot. It has everything you could want: a fun (albeit sometimes loud) atmosphere with super affordable drinks and appetizers ($4-6 anyone?). I couldn't have been happier. But what about that docked star? If you do plan on staying until the full happy hour is over, until 6:30pm, be warned. We spent almost an hour waiting to get our check paid. Everyone and their sister's cousin's friend decided to check out at the same time, and there is only one machine to run cards. It wasn't a huge issue though. No one needed to be anywhere, and I was surrounded by cool Yelpers. Would I go again? Sign me up! -------------------- Dinner -- Hello flavorful food. I think I died and went to heaven. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was amazing. The staff is very well versed in the food and drink, and you can't help but feel their passion for the restaurant right before your very eyes. They go out of their way to make sure you are happy and comfortable with every aspect of your meal. The menu is creative. There is nothing standard about it. They seem to lean towards steak and seafood, but there are a smattering of other offerings as well. Our party had zero complaints. The only thing that makes me sad is that I can't justify spending $30 on an entree very often, even though it is THAT good. How do people do it?! FUN FACT: Sunday's you can enjoy 1/2 off any bottle of wine!
(4)
Susan H.

Delicious dinner - I dream about the blood orange martini with a hot kick!
(4)
Shane K.

Great food and one of the better late-night atmospheres in the pearl
(4)
Rachael J.

I have been here several times and have always had great food and great service. Wonderful happy hour menu--but plan on being there early. But I also hear the prices have risen since my last visit so that sways my rating. The bar fills up fast. Try a Sunday--the happy hour menu is available all day. Dinner is also great, but it comes at a price you tend to find in the Pearl District. Recently I had my rehearsal dinner here in the private room and was a little disappointed. The room was beautiful, but the bathroom was a pain to access. Either you had to wade through the main restaurant or use an oddly placed one in the service area. The appetizers were great--we had cerviche, roasted veggies, etc. The main courses were a mixed bag. My ahi tuna was dreadfully overcooked. Fortunately I wasn't very hungry or I would have sent it back. In fact everyone who ordered the ahi mentioned it was overcooked. In my experience the standard preparation for ahi is for it to be on the rare side--never had to ask for it that way. My mother on the other hand said she salmon she ordered was one of the best she had ever tasted. I also tasted the beef which was outstanding. So I guess I just made the wrong menu selection, but I expect more from this restaurant based on reviews and previous experiences. The servers did a great job and were very attentive. Based on prior dining experiences I would give Oba a 4 or 5 star rating... but I have to lower it a bit for my private dining experience. I worry the kitchen may not be able a group of our size.
(3)
buggy b.

I've noticed that a lot of restaurants in Portland are about the fusion cuisine which is ideal for large groups but I'm starting to get a bit tired of it. Oba isn't quite your tapas restaurant despite the variety of dishes. It's a mix of Mexican, Latin American and Spanish - interpret it as you please. The food and service were standard. Nothing spectacular. Nothing horrible. Just standard. For groups, I found sharing appetizers a rather difficult task as the dishes are HUGE ... I mean HUGE! Portions are pretty generous here so if you have a large appetite, you will greatly appreciate it. The potato cakes, ceviche and cheese plate were not very good. The entrees were not bad. For the healthy-conscoius, they have a separate "healthy" menu that you need to ask the waiter to give to you. Selection is pretty decent.
(3)
Amanda K.

Oba was recommended to us by the concierge at the hotel we were staying. At first when I walked in, I noticed the atmosphere was a bit chic and there was an older crowd. We had a reservation and were seated within a couple of minutes. We decided to go with the tapas and each got a drink. The sangria and a cucumber mojito. My cucumber mojito was good, but did not taste like cucumber even a little bit. The tapas that we got were all very good, the ahi with mangos and avacado was my favorite. The meat coyotas thing, was not really my style, and everything else was pretty good. The waiter was excellent, so happy, and even gave us some directions to chill portland night life. Oohhh and the dessert a melting chocolate brownie was absolute yum.
(4)
Angela B.

As much as I like to shake things up and check out new spots, my friends and I always end up at Oba for happy hour (if you show up on Sunday you can feast on their happy hour specials all day long)! Not only does the menu offer incredible food and drink deals ($2-$5 large portion appetizers/$3 wine/$5 cocktails), but the ambience is festive and swanky no matter what time of day. It's one of those places that has the perfect music and mood lighting to make you feel absolutely sexy...or maybe that's the 3-buck wine talking???
(5)
Laura L.

Disclaimer: This review applies only to their happy hour, read on if that's what you're considering.... ...and if you are thinking of doing it, DON'T! This used to be one of my favorite places to grab a flavorful after-work marg with my friends until I experienced the last straw yesterday. Not only are the half-sized margaritas now a DOLLAR more (making them the same price as "any old hour" margaritas at most other restaurants), but "open seating" apparently has a subtext meaning "chum-up with the right waitress and she'll call savesies on a nice big booth for you." The waitress actually removed us from a booth in the OPEN SEATING area we'd been eyeing for 25 minutes saying there had been a group of five other girls who had "called it" already--even though she admitted out loud that this was an open-seating affair. So, only venture here if you like your drinks expensive and your happy hours standing up in an awkward circle by the bar (or just become besties with the right waitress...that apparently goes FAR). Poor form, Oba...will not be returning.
(1)
David B.

Aw man, it's not happy hour. I guess we can't go to Oba. YES YOU CAN. I was in Portland for all of 12 hours and I happened to choose Oba for dinner after a quick internet search. Yes, it's true. The decor is nice, the people are fancy, and apparently the happy hour specials are great. But, the unsung hero at Oba's is the "Roasted Butternut Squash Enchiladas." This may be one of my top 5 favorite dishes, ever! The subtleties of the flavors, the excitement of unexpected ingredients, the fact that the quinoa was not only edible but damn good. Now, just a side note, the Mojitos were the most awful concoctions this side of Mexican tap water. But, at least they had lots of alcohol.
(4)
B B.

Have eaten here for dinner a couple times and happy hour once. The last time we went, it was prom night. Blah.. the kiddies took all the parking spots in the area and made us feel old. Why aren't they going to places like Chart House or Jakes, like we did back in the day? Dinner has been decent, the place is really loud and trendy, but for a group of friends, it's a great place to have fun, drink and laugh. The staff are mostly friendly and patient with us. Noticed a male host spending a little too much time with what looked like to be an underaged female patron (maybe he was too, who knows these days?) and ignoring other guests. We were already seated though, so it didn't really bother us. Sangrias are pretty good, but why don't they sell them by the pitcher? Come on guys.. get with the program! Otherwise, we'll only order one glass. Note: Happy Hour is almost exactly the same dishes you see on the tapas section of the menu, but for half the price. So if that's what you're looking for, go in for an early dinner at 6pm for a much better deal. Ordered: crispy coconut prawns - semi-yum rockfish with avocado and tomato ceviche - yum quesadilla - semi-yum this corn fritter that was like mashed corn, shaped into a ball and deep fried - yuck. Even though it's not my favorite place in Portland, they were really good with us. Half our table was up to 45 min late (due to no parking), and our server was fantastic. All in all, another good Portland restaurant with a great happy hour. Will be back.
(4)
Tempe M.

Great happy hour (4:00 to 6:30 and 9:30 to close every day) and wonderful selection of creative cocktails. We had the mango margaritas for $4.50 a piece, calamari and coconut prawns ($4.50 are you crazy??). The atmosphere is very chic, bartenders are friendly and talkative and it seems like quite the place to be. We showed up around 4:15 and the place filled up quickly. I do have to say I haven't been there for regular dining, but why should I when the happy hour is SO great?
(5)
Bob M.

All I can vouch for is happy hour, which was nice. Really didnt seem like a tapas spot. But it did have really good fish tacos, burger, ceviche. Seemed pretty expensive if it werent happy hour.
(4)
Melissa E.

The time to hit up Oba is at happy hour. It gets packed for a good reason. Well-priced happy hour menu with yummy, good sized margaritas for great prices. Haven't ever eaten here for regular dinner cause I don't want to pay the prices, but I hear it's delicious. Definitely try this place!
(4)
Adam B.

What more can you say about a place that has 103 reviews other than 4 stars and try the Baked Argentina for dessert.
(4)
Ruby D.

Great place for a night out with friends. I have been twice (both for happy hour) and the second time there was live "salsa-ish" music playing which added a fun spice to the evening. Decent happy hour (fantastic food and drinks... slightly pricey but a nicer place so it was expected) Cucumber mojito= bomb.com (5$)
(5)
Cory S.

My boyfriend and I were visiting from out of town and as avid Latin food lovers were looking forward to Oba. We heard great things and read up about them but honestly speaking left disappointed. Upside, our waiter was friendly but we weren't even greeted by the host when we got there and waited a good 5 minutes to be seated. We ordered three tapas as recommended by the waiter. Food was too salty and just plain average for a place given a golden fork.
(3)
Star B.

Happy Hour is 4-6pm & understand why this place gets hype bc it's the only place that has ample outdoor seating. It's OK
(2)
K F.

Everything was fantastic - the service, the ambiance, and especially the food. We loved the Kobe steak but you can't go wring here!!
(5)
Becky P.

Eh, nothing too great about the food, prices, or decor. Service was good though.
(2)
Abbey M.

One of the best happy hours in Portland - After work or after 10 p.m.! Splurge and get the seared Ahi tuna. Try the sangria. People watch outside or in the bar. There's no smoking so feel free to put on your nicer duds. The bar can get noisy if it's busy, but at least they serve the full menu. Bring a group and dine in the restaurant, or meet a friend for some late night eats.
(5)
Cat C.

Had my bachelorette dinner party here. Bad food, worse service.
(1)
Tiffani D.

The food was pretty good but my waitress was lame. I ordered a drink during happy hour, 10 minutes later ordered food, 15 minutes later the food came (from a server in the kitchen, not my waitress), still no drink. The waitress pretty much ignored us until we were almost done with our food. Almost finished with our food, the waitress, "did you need anything else?". Me, "is my drink still in the works?". Waitress, "did you order a drink?". Wow, really? My order really wasn't that hard...
(2)
Keith C.

I actually heard about this place through some recommendations from the folks in the Willamette Valley wine country. By the way, you know that T-Mobile commercial with the guy who finds out that his roommate's got his girlfriend on his "five"? You know, the one with the "Secret Lovers" song? Well, that dude in the commercial has a doppelganger working the host stand at this restaurant, no joke. Food: 4 stars. Who can't resist nuevo latino cuisine? Everything was delicious, From the crispy coconut prawns to the citrus tart. The only knock were the weak cocktails. Service: 5 stars. The best service in Portland can be found here. The host (Mr. T-Mobile himself) went out of his way for us if even the slightest thing went wrong. The servers are all charming and attentive. Atmosphere: 4 stars. The space is fun and definitely epitomizes the latin theme. The crowd is mostly young and hot. Hits: Queso Fundido, Cuban Pulled Flank Steak Misses: Pomegranate Sangria If You Like This Place, You'd Probably Like: Andina
(4)
Dale S.

Another outstanding experience. Every dish we have tried has been exceptional. Service, perfect, no rushing here if you don't want it. Served our desert wine after we had scoffed down our chocolate empanada and they comped it! I used to use Zap hour coupons to eat here, now I pay full price because of their consistency. I would definitely ask for a booth cause the center tables seem loud to me.
(5)
deep r.

great service. yummy flan
(4)
Irene C.

With so many appealing items on the menu, we had 3 appetizers in addition to an entree each! We received recommendations to try the crispy coconut prawns, the ahi tuna, and the queso fundido, all of which were spot on! I think I could've just eaten from an assortment of small plates, as my entree was average. To finish off, we had the pear tart, which was very yummy! The place was pretty packed for a Friday night, obviously very popular with the locals. Service was rocky at first for us, but they made up for it in a big way. The waiter and host were very attentive, friendly and made sure to please us. If I'm ever in town again, I would definitely revisit to try the other small plates!
(4)
Melissa T.

My husband and I went for dinner last Saturday night. We didn't have a reservation so we sat in the bar, which was just fine, though a little loud thanks to a particularly loud patron a couple of tables away. We had a great dinner, though. The pomegranete sangria was fantastic, and so was the gaucho style prime rib and the macadamia encrusted swordfish. Our bill probably came out @$110, but for dinner, drinks, and appetizers, not too bad for Portland. My only real complaint was that our server asked if we wanted bread while we were waiting for our meal, and my husband said yes. I didn't realize we'd be charged $7 for it. Other than that, it was a great meal, and worth the price. And the Baked Argentina for dessert was fantastic too!
(4)
Carissa W.

Oba is a swanky Pearl district restaurant with a fabulous happy hour menu. The $3 happy hour margaritas are where it's at--try the prickly pear! Cheap happy hour plates are good too, especially the fries! This is more of a corporate after work place, and it's frequently packed with suits. But for happy hour it's buzzing with life, and with those drink prices everyone is in a good mood. Good for small groups, and a great spot to begin a girls night!
(4)
Krista T.

So, it sounds like happy hour is the time to go to this place. What does it say about a place when no one wants to go besides happy hour?? I have never been particularly impressed. Its a nice restaurant with lots of dressed up people roaming around. The word swanky has been tossed around WAY too much when people are talking about this place. Look up swanky at urbandictionary.com . Do you like what you see? Posh. Trendy?! No thanks! I am surprised that Yupster is not somehow involved in the definition. There are other places OUTSIDE of the pearl - gasp! - that have fantastic happy hours without the snobbery.
(2)
Erica S.

Oba has good food, great service, and a nice atmosphere...however it is overpriced. I can't help but feel that every item is priced about 20% too much. My husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary and I don't really reccomend for a romantic dinner. The food is very tasty, I especially loved their cesar salad, and everything is layered with flavor. I was dissapointed in the mojitos I ordered, there wasn't much kick.
(3)
mImi G.

Maybe you have to get drunk at happy hour here to enjoy the service and food. Sorry to say, I was sober and unhappy. First off, the place is located in the swanky Pearl District, and is pricey, so I expect great service and food. I didn't get either at my table. The oh so super sugary sweet waiter suggested the swordfish, a favorite supposedly of diners. So I ordered it. Apparently, Oba diners like their fish overcooked and dry, because that is what it was. After we were served our food, the waiter asked how the food was, and I said, "uh, it's okay I guess". He didn't say a word, just turned around and walked off. We never saw him again until he brought the dessert menu by, which he threw on the table as he was passing by, saying "The sorbet is berry". He didn't even stop. If you don't want to know how the food really is dude, don't ask!! Simple suggestion to all...save your money and don't go. I've had better service and food at McDonald's, and that isn't saying much!
(1)
Sabrina S.

My dining experiences here have been standard, not horrible nor terrific, but simply average. One dining experience here was uncomfortable because our waitress was sarcastic and somewhat awkward- enough to make a nice dinner unpleasing. However, the bar area is lively and I do have to say that they make one of the best Key Lime Pie martini's I've ever tasted.
(3)
Arvey S.

The food was "oba" the top. Good food for sure. The decor is nice and they serve food until late. A great place if you're bar hopping in a cool district of the city.
(4)
Lou P.

Secret, insider tip... don't base your opinion soley on the bar side; service and food offerings much better on restuarant side. Half price wine nights (Sun & Mon) rock!
(5)
Scott Z.

Oba has a nice atmosphere and a very welcoming staff. Unfortunately the prices show more pride in their food than it is worth. I can only speak for the quality of the happy hour menu but that was enough to not make me want to try a full meal. The fish taco was decent but it was one taco for 5 bucks, if you are going to charge 5 bucks for one taco you should at least be serving it on a handmade tortilla. Next was the black bean humus. This is exactly what you would expect, purÃ©ed black beans with some cumin. The price was reasonable but the dish itself was boring and there was too much cumin in the beans. Finally, prime rib coyotas. I was a bit surprised to see the prime rib shredded but none the less these were tasty and at 6 bucks for 4 pieces definitely worth it. Unfortunately 1 out of 3 is pretty bad odds. I also found drink prices to be less than amazing.
(2)
Stephanie P.

Excellent mojitos AND they come in lots of different flavors (including cucumber and mango!). We had tapas at the bar and they were very tasty. Didn't pay too much attention to the prices because I wasn't paying but I would probably go back again regardless of the cost.
(4)
L K.

We had reservations at 6:30 for a party of 4 and was told we had to wait about 10 minutes. We decided to wait in the very crowded bar area and get a cocktail. While waiting for our drinks the hostess informed us that they were "very" behind and that we may have to wait 30 minutes more or longer. She showed us another seating option which was in the bar area that we could get immediately, so we decided to take it. It was VERY NOISY in there but we tried to bear through it. The service was great! However, the food was good but not over the top good. For the prices we paid I would have expected better. After putting our order in it took just over 5 minutes for all of our entrees to arrive which shocked us all and made us wonder how they could have prepared it so fast! They had to have some of it pre-done or had separate chefs to prepare each dish. The dishes were pretty flavorful, except for the special that night which was I had. It was a fish dish that had all this fancy stuff on it, but the texture of the fish was very mushy! In fact no texture at all! That was the most disappointing thing about it all. Not very "special". The 3 stars is mostly because the service was great.
(3)
angie w.

I was very excited to try Oba, so was my husband. We've heard only good things about this place for a long time now, but walked away feeling rather disappointed after our meal. First of all, the place kind of had a strange smell to it and I am weird about that kind of thing, I like the places I eat at to smell good. As for the food, the salad was not good, the blue cheese was way too strong for my liking and the dressing odd in taste (I ended up not eating it). Our dinner orders turned out to be nasty, too -- I had the steak and it was extremely fatty, my husband had the shrimp tamale - and it was scary. It looked like a lump of corn meal with about 6 frozen bay shrimp (in some kind of sauce) drizzled over top. He explained it tasted much like a dense, rubbery corn lump with mushy bay shrimp sprinkled over top (yuck!) -- but, I wouldn't know, because I was too afraid to try it myself, though he did offer me a bite. Let me just say, we skipped dessert altogether opting instead to stop by the market on our way home for ice cream. Are you kidding me? This place is awful. And for the price? Please...
(1)
J B.

I'm tempted to give it a five except that the portions can, while remaining delightful, sometimes be rather small for the money. Also their Happy Hour offerings are ridiculous. Don't bother. All five items (OK so I'm exagerating, but there aren't many) aren't even that much of a deal so why bother? To me, a restaurant offers a happy hour to entice customers to venture further into its menu. Theirs doesn't even interest me. That being said, I've eaten off their standard faire menu many a great evening, and I have yet to be disappointed with their food or service. Oh and also, it might not be the quiet and quaint restaurant that you're accustomed to so I wouldn't likely take a date there. It's a bit too noisy and warehouse-ish to be "warming and cozy."
(4)
Patrick W.

Second visit in the same number of years (we come in from Seattle, this year for our anniversary). Food quality wasn't exceptional like it was a year ago. Our wait staff didn't seem to have time for us, and it was on a loud Thursday night. The acoustics don't do much to help with quiet conversations.
(2)
Dana C.

One of my faves! Great food, guacamole made table side and an ever changing menu. The service was super fast and the food was delish. Brought my out of town guest who travel the world and they loved it.
(5)
Heather B.

I sat outside on a warm summer night with the hubby and the baby, so I can't even begin to comment about the interior, except to say that they had a changing table in the bathroom, and that is always appreciated. The food was really good, but I would say a tad bit overpriced. Hubby had the macadamia-nut crusted pacific swordfish, which was so moist and flaky, I wouldn't have guessed it was swordfish. I had the rotisserie-roasted prime rib. Although they brought me medium well instead of medium rare like I asked, they did fix it and brought me some yummy sorbet to eat while I waited, which the baby loved. I love prime rib anyway, but the spices on this one kicked it up a notch! We also had some pomegranate sangria which was yummy, and a special appetizer, crab and goat cheese stuffed anaheim chile, which was different but very tasty. Kira was our server, she was very attentive and super nice about sending back the meat.... which I always hate having to do that, but if I'm paying 30+ bucks for meat, i want it the way I want it. I think next time we'll try again for happy hour and take advantage of the price specials and get some of the tapas that looked good on the menu.
(4)
Patrick A.

It's loud, has average margaritas & mojitos, and serves overpriced food. What's not to love?
(2)
David E.

We had an Awesome lunch at Oba, Today was our first visit to Oba. We got there at 11:30am just as they were opening for lunch, The atmosphere was really great, very hip feeling to the place with candles lit everywhere. The service was fabulous, the server was very friendly, helpful and fast. The food was fantastic, the presentation was beautiful. I highly recommend their specialty drink called "Burning Orange", fantastic, with a little jalapeno for a spicy zing! I highly recommend getting there right when they open because the place seems to fill up fast. There was a pretty good crowd by the time we left. I had the roasted chicken with Mole sauce, the crust on the chicken was so delicious. We will be visiting Oba often. Prices were good too.
(5)
P S.

Great for reception dinners. Prime rib was glorious. Very good service. Parking was okay due to a parking lot across the street, but it wasn't free. I guess that's to be expected.
(5)
Sarah F.

I LOVE Oba! One of my favorite resturants in Portland! Excellent mojittos, great late night happy hour, and you can get the whole menu in the bar if you didnt get a chance to make a reservation! If you have dietary prefrences or are on a "health kick" ask for the healthy menu which has dairy-free and wheat-free sections as well as "colin's menu" (a personal trainer who wrote a healther menu).
(5)
Anthony R.

Uber-trendified, but who cares? The happy hour menu is full of really tasty and really cheap Mexicanish-Latiny-Fusionish sorts of things. And three dollar fancy drinks. They used to serve three dollar fancy AND manly drinks--cosmos, margaritas, manhattans, and martinis. Now it's just the fruity drinks. But at that price, I'm not gonna complain.
(4)
Matthew Z.

My wife and I have a copy of the Happy Hour book for Portland and we get to try quite a few places and to be honest we didn't go in the resturant proper but did have happy hour in the bar area in the far corner away from the bar. I have noticed a theme with some other comments made here that the service was so-so and that was our experience as well. We were mostly left alone and any request was very slow in being filled. And I did get the feeling that since their were just 2 of us that we were not that important to the waitress. Their french fry ketchup was not just ketchup but a mix of something that was very bitter and hot. I had the angus burger with fries and my wife the chips with salsa. I had a Draft beer and she had a Marion berry margarita, both very good. The burger was fairly bland except the salsa that was on it had some heat but not alot of flavor. Wild Abandon on Division has the Red Velvet Burger that is organic beef and so thick and flavorful that I have taken at least 15 people there to try it and I have never had a better burger. So all in all I don't think I will go back. Prices were not bad overall, but it just didn't seem that special. mz
(2)
VeryBerry F.

I've only been here a few times - I only gave 4 stars cause the service has a tendency to be "short" with the customers when asking questions about the menu. But the food makes up for everything else... HOLY CRUD! Have you seen their happy hour?! I ate enough for the next 5 days and didn't break the bank! And it is delicious, sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy...all around a culinary delight! Maria Maria from Walnut Creek would definitely be competition for this wonderful restaurant.
(4)
Danielle H.

We've been to Oba several times and have never been disappointed. Knowledgeable servers, a long wine list, excellent food and a busy dining room (at least until 10pm). The menu changes often, but a couple of our current favorites are the pan-seared sea scallops with mushroom risotto and the mesquite-grilled beef tenderloin with guajillo demi-glaze. And the apple caramel bread pudding is ridiculously good. A great place for dinner in The Pearl.
(4)
Sepideh S.

we went to visit my uncle in Oregon and he decided to take us out here. It looks like a very nice restaurant, nice decor and nice bar area. However the food was a complete rip off, overpriced for what it was. Nothing we ordered was good, they had sangria which tasted like just wine and fruit chunks, and white wine at that. I ordered the lamb which was overcooked, hard and the olives took all the flavor away. My brother ordered the prawn plate which I don't think an infant could get full on. I definitely do not recommend this restaurant. What I do recommend is for the chef to get back in the kitchen and taste some of the food that he/she makes. I gave one extra star for decor.
(2)
Aaron V.

It's a shame that you can't break reviews down into categories for food, drinks, service, and atmosphere - my recent experience at Oba! showed how atmosphere can totally ruin a decent, if expensive, restaurant. I was there with several members of my college alumni club - we wanted to talk to each other, but the place was so loud (and *unnecessarily so*) that I had to yell to talk to people who were two seats away. I could not hear those people or the servers. The coconut shrimp was fairly good, and the prickly pear margaritas were quite delicious. Service was fairly attentive, although the I couldn't expect the waitress to be heard over the screeching of Pearl District yuppies screaming at each other. The bar needs some sound-absorbing material and fewer seats. If this is happy hour, I'd rather spend another 2 hours at work. It's more relaxing.
(1)
Tiffanie S.

I've eaten here a few times and each time it has been good. The salads and apps, I found, to be the best deal (esp that which you can get during happy hour). The entrees are ok and I didn't think were really good, but the salad and app made up for it. The portions are big enough you could make a meal out of those things. They also have some tasty drink concoctions.
(4)
Stacey W.

Without ever venturing into the restaurant we had the perfect lunch on a perfect day. We spent a couple of relaxing hours talking over a Cesar salad, fish tacos and wine. Could have used a bread basket but probably better off not going that route. The service was good: friendly and never made us feel like it was time to mosey on.
(4)
Sophie S.

It's rare that a place can pull off raucous happy hour and sophisticated dining in one space. Oba does. Prices are reasonable all around, but happy hour is a particularly killer deal. Food is lively and interesting, and so is your date...after your 3473th cocktail.
(4)
Hannah F.

My favorite place in Portland to get a Mojito. Excellent Cuban cuisine... Might love it so much since it holds a lot of fabulous Portland memories (i.e. my 21st birthday), but nonetheless, just as good as some of your other P.D. places.
(5)
Greg L.

Yesterday evening we ate at Oba. We started off by going to the bar to eat off the happy hour menu. We arrived around 5:30 pm and the bar area tables were nearly full. There were a few seats at the bar itself but those did not last long as the bar filled up quickly after we grabbed what I believe was the last table in the bar area. I ordered the Salmon Tostada. It tasted pretty good. It may be new to the happy hour menu because when I went to pull up their menu off of their website today it was not listed. For drinks I had a classic lime margarita and a guava margarita. Both were pretty good and even a little bit on the strong side. I'm normally not much of a restaurant margarita drinker because they tend to be watered down and not that good but I would have to admit that these were better than I expected. After appetizers, my girlfriend and I decided to stay for dinner. We thought we were moving out of the bar area when we went to the hostess area to get a table but ending up sitting back around at the north side of the bar area at some bar type tables that are used for dinner seatings. For dinner I had the bistek bondadoso. I had trouble pronouncing the bondadoso part :-). The bistek consisted of a 10 oz grilled Kobe sirloin with a gorgonzola crust, poblano mashed potatoes, tomato-basil salsa, and pear balsamic vinegar. Everything was delicious. One note to comment on was that I ordered the sirloin rare but it was cooked more like medium. I believe that some restaurants are a little shy serving meat rare due to the risk of customers getting sick by my preference is rare as I can legally have it served. This note aside everything that came with dinner was excellent and the service was pretty good tool. The environment in the restaurant was pretty good and upbeat. It was nearly full while we were there which is a good thing. Overall Oba is a pretty good slightly upscale mexican style restaurant. Only slight negative is that the happy hour prices are a little pricey and only reflect slight discounts off of the dinner menu. Not a big deal but something to note. Enjoy!
(4)
Megan M.

One of my favorite places in town. I love it for happy hour, drinks, yummy food in the bar. If you want to splurge head over to the restaurant for an amazing experience! Love the queso fundido and Mojitos!
(4)
j M.

We walk in and it took 10 minutes to get a glass of water. 10 more minutes of looking around for the waiter/-ress. Finally someone comes to take our order (20 minutes??). Another 10 minutes for 4 dirty plates to arrive which we promptly send back as, well, dirty. The four "replacement plates" that come another 10 minutes later are not much better, in fact one of them had a strand of old green food hanging from the bottom. You would think someone would be in charge of ensuring the plates sent to replace dirty plates would in fact be cleaner than the ones that were returned. Not at OBA's. By the way, we are now a half hour into our ice-water and still have not received our drinks! The food was okay (some of it, granted, was better than okay, though we were sufficienty annoyed by now). Order the rice and beans, but be sure to bring something to eat while you wait.
(2)
Brenna S.

Aside from their cheap margaritas offered at Happy Hour, Oba is yet another overpriced and overrated Pearl District restaurant. This South American inspired food would be just "alright" if it was priced at what it is worth, but the outlandish prices ruined the whole experience for me. The staff is nice, but a little OVERLY nice to where you just feel like they are kissing your ass for a good tip.
(2)
Izzy N.

My friend and I stopped by here for drinks on a friday evening. It was pretty busy and I started off with the Key Lime pie martini which tasted like sour poo. Nothing like a Key Lime pie. The bartender said he thought he added the wrong liquor and he'd make me a new one but too late I accidently already chugged it cuz I needed the alcohol. I also had a drink that started with a C and was spicy. I liked that one much better. The menu they give you at the bar sucked. I saw they had more.. better offerings on their online menu. If I knew.. I would of ordered something else to pick at like dessert. I had the calamari and it was ok. The pieces are pretty teeny tiny. My friend had the ceviche plate and he liked it. He's a regular though living in downtown by himself and all.. Service is nice, patrons are a mixed bag.. normal people, families on the other side, bimbos and there was an obnoxious group of frat-type guys sitting behind us being real loud like it was some 2 month frat reunion and I just wanted to turn and say SHAAAT UP.. Jesus I couldn't even hear myself think mean thoughts. Otherwise, not too bad.
(3)
Rae L.

Experiencing the warm sun on my face while sitting outdoors may very well be influencing my review but one fact is true...Oba has a good happy hour with cheap eats (from $3-4) and an interesting selection of margaritas. I took it upon myself to try every fresh fruit margarita they had to offer from blood orange to the Oregon marionberry. My friends and I shared the jerk fries and I devoured the chicken tacos...in which I would recommend both. I would definitely recommend Oba to anyone traveling to Portland (which I have) and I will make it point to hit the happy hour the next time I'm visiting.
(4)
Amy K.

A local friend included this on a list of recommended restuarants so we made a reservation and checked it out. Service was incredible and the food was all well executed. Margaritas were tasty, the calamari appetizer with two different dipping sauces was delicious and probably the best part of the meal (it was so light!). For my main course I opted just to do a caesar salad and the tuna tartare. The salad was a bit disappointing, but the tartare was excellent. My friend had the steak special that was featured as part of the regional cuisine they do monthly or quarterly and really enjoyed it....I couldn't get enough of the basil mashed potatoes on the plate, and I don't even usually like mashed potatoes! Restaurant was crowded, it was Saturday afterall, although there seemed to be a lot of large parties celebrating occasions. Definitely worth a stop if you are in Portland. I wished we had arrived earlier to take advantage of the great happy hour they offer...maybe next time!
(4)
Sav B.

Oba is one of your Pearl restaurants - already have a trendy label to their back. Not too much going on here though - except for standing in the line. Dont even think about it on First Thursday...but most days and all day Sunday, check out their happy hour. Its a great collection of cheap food and martinis. Gotta love that.
(3)
Larry H.

It's probably best to come during happy hour, since it can be a pretty pricey joint if you want it to be. Nestled in the Pearl District, the bar section is separate from the more relaxed it seems restaurant section. The music can be a bit too loud for my taste, I actually thought my ears were going to bleed for some reason. My eardrums actually popped like I'd just gotten off a plane. Service was pretty good and I did like the copper tabletops. The food wasn't bad for the price, but only during happy hour since it seems like it would be a huge ripoff to come here during regular hours, though I live by the philosophy that $30 for an 8oz steak tenderloin is no way to live when you can get a much more flavourful 8lb ribeye roast for the same price. The best thing I had here was the seared ahi, deliciously raw for the most part...the only thing to make it better would be to wrap it in seaweed and flash-fry it but I go to Hakatomon for Ahi Katsu goodness. The prime rib coyotas weren't that great, but I did enjoy the citric acid-cooked raw seafood sampler they had since they were all pretty well flavoured. The happy hour burger wasn't spectacular, but they did do an adequate job of it. The fries were fried properly but were grossly oversalted, although I'd imagine that'd be because management wanted you to slake your thirst with more of the sauce. Apparently the blood orange margaritas were 'to die for' but as someone who's trying to regulate alcohol consumption, I tend to drink liquour when I do imbibe my medicine of choice. Something about mixing juice and booze just doesn't do it for me anymore...I'd rather drink them separately and without the added simple syrup...which I'd also rather drink separately when the mood rarely hits me. A wise Taiwanese saying I've just made up states that cocktails were only made to dull the taste of alcohol, while a serious drinker will want to savour the subtle burning sensation with a tail that rises from the esophageal lining to curl on the end of his/her lips that can only come from drinking spirits unadulterated by extra sugars and fruity flavours. I miss alcoholism sometimes, not all the time, just sometimes. This place isn't bad for the most part, seems a little yuppified at times but you kind of expect that from the Pearl these days. Besides, variety is the spice of life and you would do well to inject new places into your destinations of choice. Make your own opinions after all...this is merely one from a random guy who's hungry all the time and has got friends who don't make a habit of eating well at home while maintaining a ridiculous bar incongruous with a light drinking lifestyle built up during a sober period in order to curb addictive impulses by surrounding oneself with temptation. Logic as you can imagine is the least of my worries, but filling my gullet is one of the biggest, as are capital and shelter. That being said the happy hour here isn't bad, but like every happy hour, it gets stale after a while since nothing on any happy hour menu ever is worth coming back for more than a couple times unless you know somebody who works there and you get stuff for free. Free food is always delicious, made even more so complemented by free booze.
(3)
Cristina K.

I am rather puzzled by so many under par reviews for a restaurant I have enjoyed for years. I may not be a foodie but I am a bit particular about the quality of restaurant food and how much value I get for my money. I do have to say that Oba has been a standby for me since 2004 when I first visited. Everyone's experiences and options vary but I have consistently been pleases by the service, food, portions and beverages for Happy Hour, Lunch and Dinner. Yes, the prices have increased, but have you noticed, most all non chain restaurants have raised their prices as well. The things that make Oba special are some the things other reviewers have complained about: the ketchup with a kick, the Caesar with a spicy bite vs. garlic/fish overload... not to mention the large slices of Mancheego Cheese. The drinks have been consistently fantastic and still are reasonably priced for few happy hours have discounted drinks only discounted food with purchase. Having eaten dinner and lunch there on several occasions as well, I can truthfully say the food and service by far exceeded that of dozens of Portland Restaurants I have visited. I do hope that Oba sticks around as it truly is a unique, consistent, quality restaurant in an area of town that few restaurants make it more than a year...they must be doing something right!
(5)
Vanessa G.

I'm gonna have to go ahead and 5th that this place has the best happy hour in the Pearl. Yeah it's trendy and crowded so you need to plan ahead and get there early and stick your cleavage out. One of the best things about this happy hour is that they have it 7 days a week, that makes me very happy indeed. The jerk fries, coconut prawns, chicken tacos, calamari, and beans and rice are some of my favorite on the menu and not a one of them is over $3. The margaritas are cheap and good but I always stray off the happy hour menu and get the El Diablo, which has pepper infused vodka and some sort of juice....it's good, trust me.
(5)
Lisa L.

this is an all-time fave in p-town. ask for a drink that's no longer on the menu - the sunsplash is like tang plus soda plus stoli vanil - yummy! the oba caesar, vaca frita, and squash enchiladas...a must!
(5)
Matt L.

Having two happy hours per day is always a good way to get my attention. Keeping my attention has to do with the quality, and Oba does a damn fine job. I order the nachos from the happy hour menu every time I go there, and I am never let down. They're huge. And cheap. And really, what else could you possibly want from a restaurant in the Pearl District? Oh, a margarita. That's right! And what do you know! Oba also has margaritas ... damn good margaritas. And they have multiple flavors, too. My favorite is the mango margarita. They don't come with salt on the rim, which makes me eternally grateful. I've never been able to understand why you would put salt around a drink that's meant to be sweet, but you know what. I don't care. Whatever your opinion on the whole salt/saltless margarita debate, you'll enjoy them at Oba. They're incredibly refreshing and light, while still packing the punch of any other margarita. Another go-to item to get if you're ordering from the happy hour menu is the fish tacos and the Caesar Salad. Pickled onion slices and corn atop this salad, you say? They sure do. And white you might initially scratch you head at the addition to the salad staple, you'll quickly stop and learn to love the your new friends at the table. It gets ridiculously busy during the early happy hour, so get there early. You can grab a seat in the bar and simply wait for the happy hour to commence before ordering. The wait staff is completely used to such an occurrence. But if you can wait for later, the ambiance is just as good, and you might actually be able to hear your friends as you chat across the table.
(3)
Cassandra C.

This restaurant is hands down the best restaurant I've ever been to. Our server, Sarah, was amazing. We wanted to get a margarita pitcher and she recommended the blood orange which was delicious. I ordered the Paella de Oba and oh my was it delicious! The portions are large and well worth the price you pay. There is nothing worse than going to a fancy restaurant and paying 40$ for your plate and still being hungry after eating it. You will NOT experience that here! Every single plate we had on that table was packed full of flavor and was so extremely delicious I will go to Portland just to go to this restaurant. I am praying they open one in Seattle!!
(5)
Chels J.

Returned for happy hour - the prickly pear margaritas are AMAZING! Discounted pitchers during happy hour too. I cannot say enough good things about this margarita. Sweet, but not too sweet... loaded up with limes to give it a little tartness. A great twist on a classic. Definitely coming back for a girls' night to have a liquid dinner consisting of only this! The fish tacos were good too, but who wants to hear about that when the margarita knocks it out of the park?! Apparently they include 20% gratuity for happy hour with large groups, FYI.
(5)
Brian F.

A little on the expensive side but currently this place is my favorite tapas on the planet. The food is bold and complex, and continually leaving you wanting more. And the large menu allows for lots of experimenting. Great date place.
(4)
Natalia H.

Oba transcends Latin food to an entirely different (heavenly) plane! I can't even fathom how they decided on some of the flavor combinations here, but whether they are doing intensive research or playing basketball with random ingredients directly into a mixing bowl, it sure is working! Their drinks are amazing. The mojitos are just perfect if you want something sweet, or try a glass of red wine (the Temperanillo is to die for) with your meal to take it over the top. If you get stuck in the bar (the place gets REALLY crowded on weekends) then please try the Patatas Bravas or the fire-roasted Corn dip. Last time I went, I had the guacamole, and I swear I had avocados dancing around my head instead of sugar plums. If you do manage to get into the dining area (make a reservation!!) then the aromas from the kitchen will call your name until you think you might go mad from it. If this food haunts your sleeping and waking hours, don't say I didn't warn you. There are several delicious vegetarian options including such delights as Roasted Butternut Squash Enchiladas with creamy toasted walnut sauce and quinoa salad. Looking for meat? Look no further than the Bife a Micalense: top sirloin with caramelized bananas, bacon, dijon cream and fingerling potatoes. Or try one of their delicious seafood options. You may cry, everything is so tasty.
(5)
Amy T.

This review is only for the happy hour at Oba. Do yourself a favor and go to Oba before hitting up the bars/lounges around the Pearl. The bar has a cool, dark atmosphere that's great for groups, and the clientele aren't too bad looking either. I love getting a few small plates to share like the nachos or the arrebas (sp?), while sipping on a fruity margarita. Oba's pitchers of mojitos and margaritas are perfect for girls (or guys) who prefer yummy "easy-to-sip" drinks. During their happy hour, you can get a regular pitcher for $30 or a fruity pitcher (blood orange, mango, etc) for $36. I usually share a pitcher with the girls and we're able to pour about 6 glasses.
(5)
Adam s.

Happy hour all day Sunday. Outdoor sidewalk seating on a balmy summer day is heaven!
(4)
Michael S.

We have yet to have a bad meal or bad service. Meats are great and my wife loves the tapas plates. She gets a couple for the meal. Try the Chef's margarita as well. Best we have had in Portland.
(5)
Alena H.

Had a lovely experience. The bartender could've been a little more present. Otherwise- it was great and we will be back!
(4)
Scarlett H.

OMFG. YOU GUYS. We just finished our dinner and it was insane. And by insane, I mean delicious. DELICIOUS. Just put on your fat pants, get like 4 of the chorizo fundido, the macadamia swordfish, and the Bife a Micalense and call it a day. Not even kidding.
(5)
Bryan A.

My wife and I received a gift card to Oba, and it might be our favorite restaurant we've been to even though we haven't ventured back yet. The food was sublime and the atmosphere was stylish.
(5)
Jason M.

We tried almost everything on the happy hour menu and it was nothing less than amazing. The octopus bruschetta sounded weird but it was outstanding. The price was very reasonable for the area. I can't wait to work my way through the dinner menu.
(5)
Jon S.

We came here for happy hour (so this review is only for the bar, not the restaurant). The food was good, though priced a little high (even with a happy hour discount). Our waitress was a little subpar though. If you try nothing else, make sure you get the blood orange mojito. Seriously amazing. One of the best mojitos I've ever had. It didn't just taste good, it was decently strong as well. For food, I tried the chicken fajita tacos and the caesar salad. The tacos were delicious and came with two salsas that added some extra spice, but the serving size was a little small. Overall, I thought the food was great, but on the expensive side. The waitress was my biggest complaint. She often disappeared for long periods of time, and never seemed to be around when we wanted her. Thanks to the rather small portion sizes, we wanted to order more food, but happy hour was ending soon. We flagged our waitress down to get another menu, and she warned us that happy hour was ending in a few minutes. In my opinion, a good waitress would have checked back a few minutes later to see if we wanted anything else. Our waitress, however, disappeared for ten minutes, but thankfully we flagged her down at 6:29, narrowly missing the 6:30 cutoff time. Bottom line: good (but expensive food), reasonably priced (and damn good) drinks, but expect to be looking around a lot for your waitress.
(4)
Keith F.

Can't want to go back.. Everything was amazing.!
(5)
Susan C.

Oba is a fun spot and delicious margaritas - blood orange! The food is average when compared with other establishments in town. I prefer Toro Bravo or Andina for an excellent dining experience. We have hosted Private events here and their service and selection is excellent.
(3)
P V.

Great bar scene, especially on a Friday night. We split a few appetizers: coconut shrimp, chicken wings and anticuchos (beef skewers) and table side guacamole. Their chicken tortilla soup ranks at the top of some of the best I've had. Great experience and will definitely be coming back.
(5)
sarah y.

The list of tapas is mouth-watering and makes me feel very indecisive, as (if I could afford it) I'd order one if everything. However, the bacon-wrapped, cream cheese filled jalapenos with sweet glaze? o.m.g. more please! And of course, a meal at oba is incomplete without a margarita or two. Or a pitcher. No judgement here.
(4)
Sarah C.

One word. Â¡Oba! Two words. Queso. Fundido. ($12) Best decision made after ordering our entrees. The mexican cheese is phenomenal. Warm, creamy, CHEESY. I want the recipe. Order this as a vegetarian with roasted peppers dip rather than chorizo. Chorizo, nay. Veggie, yay! You won't regret it. Promise. Next two words. Carne. Gordo. ($29) 8oz angus beef prime rib grilled to a delicious medium. Dip the beef in au jus &/or chipotle horseradish for tastier bites. The small scoop of mashed potatoes & side of mexicorn with fresh green beans compliment the prime rib nicely. Lastly, Pollo. Rotisserie-Asado. ($26) Incredibly, the most tender chicken I have eaten in a long time. Great flavor. Large portions. Plenty of leftovers. Service is alright but a bit slow. Nice ambiance. Lovely place for dinner. Outdoor seating. HH every night (next time!). So far I like it. Try the above & you'll like it, too. You'll see.
(4)
Michelle O.

The ONLY reason we gave two stars is because the server was very knowledgeable, patient and kind and the drinks were decent. Other than that the experience was not a pleasant one. It was simply too dark! Fellow diners were using their cell phones as flash lights to navigate their tables. It took far longer than it should have for our food to be served. The ceviche tasted like it was made with canned shrimp. You know, that canned food saltiness? It was served with cold semi stale yuca chips that were so greasy that they were shiny. For fifteen dollars we expected actual chips, not rolled up overcooked straw like crisps. My husband had a Denny's quality prime rib and I was served over cooked gritty shrimp. His plate was accompanied by coconut rice that was crunchy.....it should not have been crunchy. My dish included a cherry tomato salsa that was really more like a poor attempt at a garnish. I feel like I could have gotten better quality food at Red Lobster!
(2)
Ken W.

Excellent food and service at Oba! Dined on chipotle calamari and delicious ceviche before diving into main courses. Recommend the paella, a rich rice base with lots of seafood. We also tried the mahi, which was delicious. The highlight however may have been the mojito drinks. Definitely a destination to put on your date night rotation.
(4)
Rebecca L.

Great food! Great atmosphere! Slow service due to the business of the place. There were lots of great vegetarian dishes to choose from. Ask for the extra menu.
(4)
Erin C.

This review is strictly for the HH... and the Oba burger!! check out my mouth-watering burger picture and you'll see what i mean. you really can't beat the all day sunday HH there. Chilling under the shaded umbralla stand on the side walk in the pearl district and sip on a margarita === hmmm...... :D I'm usually not a burger person, but when I crave it, it has to be the OBA burger. the meat is so juicy. and they top some salsa on top of the tender meat. the buns are also glittering with butter it seems. If you want a little burger heaven, check out certified angus Â¡oba! burger!!
(5)
Tiffany M.

Whether it's happy hour with friends or dinner with some family, I'm always at home at Oba. They're HH isn't the cheapest in town, but it is one of the best. Every dish on the menu is delicious, and they don't skimp on the reasonably priced cocktails either. The service is always very good, it can be a little slow on the restaurant side but when you're spending that much on your meal you want to savor the experience anyway. My favorite dish by far is the pez espada, moist and tender macadamia nut crusted swordfish with a pesto puree and coconut rice. So good! I have also had the paella, it was quite good but too much was going on in the dish for my taste. At HH the queso fundido is great for the table to share, the black bean hummus is AMAZING, the fish tacos are great, ceviche is always flavorful. Pretty much everything is worth ordering, you can't go wrong.
(5)
Kim K.

Crispy coconut prawns are amazing! This place has a cool vibe and the bar is great for small groups. I haven't dined in the restauarant side but the whole space just feels good to me. I love the lights that decorate the tree. Bartenders are friendly and the food is yummy. I've only been to happy hour, so that's why 4 not 5 stars. I look forward to trying the dinner menu.
(4)
Jenni L.

I popped in here for girls night on St. Paddy's day. We weren't in the mood to battle the crowds at Kell's or other places that were going to be jam-packed that night so Oba fit the bill nicely. The place was fairly sparse so we had a pretty good pick of the bar area, and were able to grab a nice table in the back. Of course we ordered a round of margaritas in honor of St. Paddy's, and because we're women and margaritas are how we justify the conversations that we have. Two of us ordered the guava margaritas, which were so good; slightly sweet but not overpowering. I'm not huge on the frou frou sugary drinks, but I love tequila, so this was a nice option for me. My other friend ordered the marionberry margarita which we all decided was too sweet. She switched to the guava for her second round. We split the queso fundido dip with chorizo, coconut prawns with orange-coconut batter and jalapeÃ±o citrus marmalade, and the prime rib coyotas. One of my friends added on a Caesar salad which was probably one of the best I've ever sampled; a total surprise for a Spanish restaurant. The queso dip was pretty good, I would definitely order it again, and the coconut prawns were amazing. The marmalade that they come in is ridiculously tasy. We were all slightly disappointed in the coyotas, though. I had read about how good they were in several reviews, and ordered them specifically because of that. They were ok, but definitely not anything near what they were built up to be. Service was great, atmosphere was perfect and overall it was a successful girls night. I'll be dropping back in soon.
(5)
Adrianna C.

I love love love this place. A few weeks ago I went with my family for my grandmother's birthday. The food tasted amazing and the presentation was beautiful. I had the Paella de Oba. A lot of our group ordered Bife a Micalense, a top sirlion topped with carmelized bananas. It doesn't sound like it would work, but I stole a bite and it totally does! It doesn't seem possible to go wrong with any of the dinner menu items. Oba has an extensive drink menu & probably the best margarita in Portland. The wait staff was attentive and friendly. They made my grandma feel very special on her birthday. I especially liked that I didn't feel rushed by the staff. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing dinner. I'd reccommend calling ahead and making reservations, I know that the walk in wait time can be long. We made reservations and were seating upon our arrival. The food is on spendy side, but it's worth it for a special occasion or date night!
(5)
Gary W.

On one of my shopping trips to Portland, "home of no sales tax" and was in the Pearl District looking for a place for a snack before heading back to Seattle. I was heading for the freeway and noticed Oba with the outside seating and it looked to have a latin flair. So, we easily found some street parking and got a table outside. Very inviting and seemed to have that Miami Latin feeling from the start. The menu was filled with combinations of latin themed tapas and some larger plates. There was a large number of cocktails and I ended up getting the house margarita that was very tasty. We enjoyed some table side made guacamole along with some seared rare Ahi tuna, chips and shrimp ceviche. It was very good and relaxing afternoon at Oba. Lastly, I had to try the stuffed jalepenos wrapped with bacon and they were fantastic, if you like jalepenos and bacon that is. Nice place to relax and will be back next time I'm in Portland.
(4)
David W.

mango hisbiscus mai tai table side guacamole coconut prawn carne gordo 12 oz! YUMMY!!!
(4)
Vi B.

I'm always torn on how to rate a restaurant, and in how to weigh customer service against the quality of the food. The American in me says customer service should rank #1, while the Seinfeld lover in me says as long as the food makes me weak in the knees, I should be willing to take any kind of abuse ("no soup for you!!!") Oba's a cool place- it's dressy, and a nice place to take friends to have dinner. I made it here for happy hour, and was seated promptly and courteously. Our orders were taken quickly and so was the arrival of our food. So service: grrrreaat! Then food: not so much. I ordered a multitude of dishes (and everyone around the table shared their orders, too). Everything was... meh. As a matter of fact, I'll say it: the food was not good. The crab cakes tasted like potato/flour balls (and I couldn't even taste any crab), and the corn on the cob (Mestiza-style) barely had any flesh or flavor. Because the service (and ambiance) was good, I'll give Oba a solid 3 stars. I'll come back to visit, Oba, but only if you fatten up your crab cakes with some real stuff! Seriously!
(3)
Sylou T.

My husband took me there to celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary. And, I LOVED it. We had the ahi tuna tartare, bacon wrapped jalapeÃ±o, crab cakes, fried calamari and paella as an entree. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend!
(4)
Anna Y.

Been coming here for years and it's the only restaurant in Portland that has NEVER failed to produce amazing food and amazing service EVERY time. They're just consistently good all around. Fantastic place to bring out of towners. No surprises, off-nights, they just seem to know what they're doing
(5)
Jae K.

This is a pretty cool place. Received good service from the staff, but the food was not all that impressive. Everything seems to be too sweet, even the Mojito. Ordered four small Tapas, hoping that would be sufficient. But, it sure wasn't, so I ended up ordering another meal, Pollo Asado al Horno. The meal was much better. It took a while to get it. It was pretty and nicely decorated. But, it was also too sweet. They give you a lot of chips. Two tapas came with a LOT of chips, even the Ceviche. The Ceviche was tiny, but the majority of the plate was chips. We were all chipped out by then. I don't think they even make the chips from scratch as any "great" south American restaurants would. Our bill was over $100 for a bag of purchased chips put on a place, one beer, and one mojito pretty much. I gave 3 stars because the service was good. Probably an OK place for a happy hour (definitely not for Mojito) to hang with friends.
(3)
G F.

My boyfriend and I had a great dinner here on Friday night. We had a reservation and were seated promptly at 7:15 even with a packed house. The service was top notch and atmosphere is beautiful. We shared five tapas between the two of us which was the perfect amount of food - crab cakes, anticuchos, ceviche, calamari, arepas (my favorite). They were all delicious and I can't wait to come back and try more. The only thing that wasn't to my liking was the caipirinha, but the obatini was excellent!
(4)
Laura H.

This place was lovely - the only thing about the decor that I thought was overstated was the bright blue lights near the bar. A little distracting/blinding, and in my opinion not necessary. We visited Oba on a Wednesday evening, and it was pretty full in the bar area. The staff was very accommodating and friendly, we showed up around 9:30 hoping for a few delicious beverages and a good selection of tapas (or as they call it, "Latin street food"), and they didn't disappoint. Do yourself a favor and try the arepas (pork) and octopus bruchetta, for sure! They really do know what they're doing here, and they have a great location. If you're like me and don't like to commit to one large dish of the same flavors for dinner, this is your place. Add in a blood orange margarita.... perfecto.
(5)
Heather H.

How have I not reviewed Oba before?!?!?! This is one of my family's go to restaurants. The atmosphere is unbeatable, The service is always on point, and the food is always unbelievably delicious. There is not much else to say, except I highly recommend Oba.
(5)
Lisa M.

Love the ambiance and the food is fantastic. Beware of the mango martini it is hot!
(5)
Lauren S.

We had a really fun time here Saturday night. It may have been magnified by the large quantity of alcohol we consumed, but fun regardless. We tried about half their cocktails - all were delish. I esp enjoyed the mint ginger martini. We shared about half their small plates as well - the fiance's favorite was the bacon wrapped jalapenos. We both LOVED the queso fundido. Our waitress was great and made the night even better. She was very attentive, made great suggestions, and was just fun to talk to/interact with. Thanks Peggy!!!! We forgot it was our 8 year anniversary (Peggy actually reminded us by asking if we were celebrating something) and even brought us a little mini dessert at the end of our meal topped with candles.
(5)
Brian B.

An awesome place to eat. Atmosphere is up beat and the food is great. I recommend dining here!
(5)
Rick S.

Bottom Line - The value of the happy hour is 2 stars but the food is 3 stars. The hh menu has actually decreased in the number of items offered, and the price of the hh items isn't really that good of a deal. The food is not bad, but nothing about the hh food screams "omg I can't wait to come back." I came on Thursday, 23 December 2010 for happy hour with a friend and we ordered: Rock fish ceviche $7 - this wasn't bad. I would order it again. Queso Fondido $6.50 - I know it's melted cheese and all, but it was slightly too rich for me. I like the queso at other places where it's a little more runny. Oba Burger $7 - my friend and I shared this. The burger meat was actually pretty good. Along with my friend's blood orange margarita ($5.50) and my soda water ($2.50), our total came to $28.50 + 7.00 tip = $35.50 total.
(3)
Liz M.

This place has an excellent Sunday happy hour. It's only in the bar, but the bar area is enormous, well-lit, and comfortable. It wasn't at all crowded either. My marionberry mojito could've used a little more citrus to cut the sweet, but all in all was quite tasty and had enough of a kick to make me smile. I ordered the fish tacos which were all right, and the tacos dorados (braised pork) which were excellent! I wish I had someone else with me so I could've sampled a few more items but there was no way I could have eaten more on my own. Service was on top of things, making sure my water was full and I had everything I needed. My main waitress was adorable and friendly. The prices are quite good for happy hour as well, although a bit spendy in the dining room proper. This is a place I'd consider coming back to visit the next time I'm in town and I would have no hesitation recommending it to anyone who was going to be in the area.
(5)
terry r.

I love this restauarnt--at least the last bunch of times I've been, it's been spectacular. I used to go for the happy hours, which, while loud, are fun and really reasonable. The last few times, ate in the restaurant. I thought the service, food and ambiance all were really exceptional and didn't mind paying a bit more for food that was satisfying, well prepared, delicious and interesting. I luckily went the last time on Halloween, which meant the place was half full--so ahhhhhh, nice a quiet. It can get very loud there. Everything from the waiter to the specials to the music (not too loud in the restaurant) to the food were perfect. Will continue to try more at this great spot.
(4)
Ryan F.

Omg this place is amazing! I am gluten free so it is tough to find great restaurants with many GF options. They had an entire GF menu, and most things were naturally gluten free anyhow. I definitely recommend the queso fundido!
(5)
Susan K.

Dropped into Oba based on recommendations from locals. It was great to get into a restaurant on a Saturday night without a reservation. Everything was solid, and the table side guacamole and crab cake appetizer were excellent. The salads where good but not over the top.
(4)
Shay F.

The Queso Fundido Dip was awesome!...even though my roommate tried to poison me. Apparently they have a vegetarian one and a non-vegetarian one. She thought she ordered the vegetarian one for me, but there was meat chunks in it! LoL. The caesar salad was meh, and the fish tacos were ok.
(3)
Christine M.

I came here with friends for a girls' weekend/bachelorette party in my honor. We had just about everything on the small plates menu and some wonderful drinks. The marionberry margarita was a wonderful slice of Oregon and the guacamole made tableside was a blessing. My friends joked with the waitress (about to take what looked like a finished dish away) not to do so in the name of avoiding my disappointment and wrath. They were right, and I shamelessly dug in for whatever guac I could find in that molcajete bowl. Proudly. I am blanking on the plates we had but small bites, good ingredients, and a few drinks later and we were on our way. The ambiance is a bit dark, but as classy restaurants go, this is to be expected. Our server was prompt, helpful, and had a good time with us. The decor is attractive and I saw a mix of date night folks and families here which speaks to their quality of food and perhaps a lack of pretension. For a special occasion, this is a must try.
(4)
Alena C.

Happy hour in the bar all day Sunday. I feel like I have been to Oba ten thousands times when I was about 6years younger. I am not sure why I haven't been back since then. Granted, I have never been to the actual restaurant, but the HH is pretty great. Two fish tacos, the Oba Cesar and a Guava Margarita. Yummy!
(3)
Tray B.

Being out of Town for a few months and returning to my Condo in the Pearl, I went to Oba for Happy Hour with a few Friends, I don't know if the restaurant has been sold or they just made some bad choices in Kitchen help, the food was marginal at best, the Oba salad was warm and wilted, the queso watery, the drinks however were good, my Friend said his Scotch was pretty watered down, their were 5 of us and no one was Happy with their food, I've had happy hour their before and it was always pretty good, not the best Happy Hour in the Pearl but ok. The entry to the restaurant seemed different , Dark and depressing, I did notice the bar area seemed seemed different as well can't quite put my finger on it but seemed more like a seafood restaurant, without good seafood, some wierd fish painted on the wall, just a different vibe than before. Will give it another try, maybe just an off night but will continue to go to Andina for Happy Hour.
(2)
Alison V.

I've never been disappointed with this place. I think you're going to have a good experience here. Happy hour is the time to come. I got the fajita chicken tacos which were delicious and not too spicy. We got a pitcher of mango margaritas and I have to say it was too sweet for me. Once I added a bunch of water I could handle it. That was my only negative thing I could say. Everything else was great!
(4)
Dennis S.

Nice atmosphere, decent service and very good food. A little pricey but not unexpected. A great place to bring someone special.
(4)
Peter C.

Once our single spot for singles, as it is said in Portlandia, "it's so oba!" The ambience so 2000 late and plates vanilla, no banal-la. The killer was going through two drinks before getting appetizers and another two until our entrees. Sigh, oba-la veesta...
(2)
Sarah B.

Was excited to try this place out but the wait was horrible. The waiter had tables all over the place and our group of 7 waited nearly 50 mins before placing out order. They were out of the table guac and seemed rushed overall in their service. The prime rib was good but not great especially at $32. Won't be back here for a while. Fun to try though.
(2)
Marina P.

I loved their halibut. The flavors were right on. The coolest was the guacamole. They make it right infront of you. It's entertaining to watch and the taste is an explosion in the mouth. The chips that come with it are alright. Nothing special. I would want better quality chips to dip with.
(4)
Myra F.

Love Oba! Last night my daughter and I split....one order house made in front of you Guacamole! Best in town!!! A caesar salad (one of the best in town)!!! And butternut squash enchiladas!!! Wonderful!!! Great food, great service!
(4)
Melvin M.

Best margaritas in town!!!
(5)
Deston N.

You won't find chips and dip waiting at every table here. This classy, polished restaurant is located in the Northwest district, and is one of the city's more popular venues. The bar is usually crowded and full of energy, and its happy hour is very popular. The lighting is romantic and low, and we saw more than one patron reading it by iPhone light. They deserve credit for being inventive. The combination of bacon-wrapped jalapeÃ±os stuffed with cheese and sausage didn't meld as well as we hoped, and the caesar salad with corn in it was a bit of a surprise. The entrÃ©es were plentiful and tasty. The New York steak slathered in bleu cheese sauce was very rich and the butternut squash enchiladas were a hit. It's not the Mexican cuisine one might expect. Have the server describe the dish, although ours wasn't very attentive. We passed on the desserts Parking in the area can be a pain on weekend evenings, so we just spent the $5 to park in a lot.
(4)
Sarah S.

Every person I dined with loved their meal! The bacon wrapped jalapeÃ±os were delicious. I ordered an Oba! caesar salad and the Paella for my main entree. They were both very good. The Paella was milder in flavor but the seafood was fresh and tasty. Will go here again. The lighting was low and the decor was creative. Waitstaff was attentive and professional.
(5)
Raquel M.

Amazing service!! Great food. The staff is extremely friendly. Came here for the second time and loved it. I would definitely recommend this to anyone in Portland. Chicken fajita tacos were great!
(4)
Lo W.

So we finally ate here and boy were we disappointed. I got the roasted vegetable and tomato tacos - all it was was two small tacos with corn inside and one or two pieces of grilled onion and red pepper. So disappointing! My husband got the filet steak and ordered it medium. It was a shoe sole. It was less than a half inch thick and extremely well done. We will be back but only for margaritas and tapas.
(3)
Alexis C.

Great happy hour location and good biz dinner location. I've taken a number of customers here and all have enjoyed it. Order a few appetizers to share - they are good-sized. Favorites: fruit-margaritas (i don't typically like tequila, so this is a huge plus for me!), table-side guacamole, whatever fish special they are serving. the only downside for us was when we went back again this weekend, they had removed the baked argentina from the dessert menu - we missed that!
(4)
Ben M.

Used to love this place! But tonight we (a group of three) were all *mightily* disappointed with the changes. Cheap rum in the mojitos- didn't even taste like a real mojito. Even Henry's (here now) is able to make a decent, standard mojito. Worse, our first round of mojitos had TONIC and tasted even worse! It took the second round to learn their booze itself also tasted completely off. My friend's margarita also had a really bad, off-tasting tequila. Deduction: they are "featuring" someone's label brand that is quite funky. Add all this to the fact that they really hiked their prices and shrank their portions, and suddenly this group of three and our cascade of friends all agreed that there are too many great places to visit in Portland to bother returning to a place like Oba's that has cheapened its liquor and hiked its prices. Adios!
(2)
A R.

Awesome.............Table side guacamole was awesome as was the food. Awesome service too
(5)
Rylie W.

Service makes this place a zero, the food is the reason why I added two stars. We came in as a group of eight. We went to the bar as we waited for a table. The first order of eight margaritas was scoffed at by the bartender. When I ordered a second round of six margaritas and a water the bartender rolled her eyes. When we got to our table we received almost no service and then the waiter tried to add on automatic gratuity. The food is good, the service sucks.
(2)
Rachael S.

I've been to Oba twice. Once for happy hour, and once for an event. The food was similar both times, so that's definetly a plus. They make a great guac table side, like everyone said. But for me, the drinks were where it was. We ordered 5 or 6 different cocktails between the two visits, all were great. Service was good from the waitstaff to the guy making guac and bringing fresh chips. The ambiance is nice, not overly South American though. I would come back for drinks more than food.
(4)
Tony M.

OBAFLOW! We had a wonderful happy hour experience at Oba's as a result Trader Vic's stupid business practices. (see my one star Trader Vic's review). Outstanding food! Outstanding drinks! Outstanding service! We started with the Queso Fundido dip and then moved on to their famous Caesar salad and fish tacos. Our drinks of choice were the delicious classic, hand shaken margaritas. My wife had a spicy jalapeÃ±o infused vodka with pureed mango cocktail. It was amazing! We wholeheartedly recommend Oba's happy hour if you happen to be hood.
(5)
Valerie W.

Expensive....fairly. Good food, yes. Have come here on several occasions for both Happy Hour and dinner. Some of the highlights - they do have drink specials but they are limited for a handful of beers/liquor beverages. MEH. Also, the prices on the HH menu are so-so. $6.5 for one fish taco....hmm. I'd rather not. The highlight is always their habanero infused drinks. The Burning Orange and I forget the name of the other but it has mango puree? and cilantro...it is probably one of THE best drinks I have tasted. Hands down. Strong and delicious even if it costs me upwards of $10. Their Rockfish Ceviche is one of my faves. Always super fresh tasting and can nearly act as a meal even for the small size. Queso is always a hit, as is their Ahi Tuna. Cooked to perfection. I enjoy that this place is open late night especially since I am a late night eater at times due to schedule. However, on my latest venture for ahi, ceviche, and one drink....it cost around $40 including tip. OUCH!
(4)
Ace Q.

no story of my life and subsequent blurbs about my feelings backed up by fancy words. been here a few times, and a bit pricey, but the food is great and always liked the ambiance and location. good for groups, would be great for a date as well
(4)
Mark G.

Had a horrible experience at this restaurant. They shoved us at a table in a very high-traffic area, although other, better-placed tables were available (saw them seat others at those table, diners who came in after we did). The food was just ok, but the price was far too high for what we received. Thankfully there are a lot of options for dining in Portland.
(1)
Will R.

Friendly, prompt service, pleasant and quiet atmosphere, delicious, innovative food, awesome unique mixed drinks. somewhat pricey ($25 ea), but well worth it; particularly if you are aiming to impress. (I'm pretty sure your guaranteed to get some after a date here!) ;-)
(5)
Rick H.

There are essentially two Obas - The Bar, and the dining area. Happy Hour drinks are pretty good. They have some interesting flavor combinations that keep us coming back. Most of the food on the happy hour menu is decent but kind of blah when compared against the regular dinner menu. The Tacos, the Queso, and the corn on the cob are all excellent. But the bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos are amazing. They're stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked, then toped with some of the best mole sauce I've ever had. I could drink the mole sauce by itself. If you're lucky enough (or reserved ahead of time,) get the full dinner. At most places of Oba's quality (and price range,) I like about half the items on the dinner menu with the rest being "OK." I like everything on Oba's dinner menu that I've tried, even items that I'd normally turn my nose up at. Even more impressive to me is that Oba is Mexican food, but manages to break out of the mold in ways that other places can't seem to do so. Dishes are typical, but each have an original idea that transcends them beyond "Mexican Cuisine," to works of culinary art. Example: (directly from their menu,) "ancho-crusted ahi tuna pan-seared medium rare with mango-roasted red pepper sauce, coconut rice, diced avocado and tomato-mint salsa." Or "grilled portuguese-style kobe beef top sirloin topped with caramelized banana, bacon, dijon cream, accompanied by fingerling potatoes and fresh vegetables." When you first read the menu, you'll be "There is no way that combination of flavors is going to work well together. When you get the meal though, that combination of flavors works so well that you devour the entire dish before you can think about it. And then you want more. Final word of advice. Do not get the table-side made guacamole dip. Trust me. You'll end up getting a second and perhaps a third serving. (I LOATHE avocados, but I'll eat their guacamole.)
(4)
Clint W.

We walked in out of the pouring rain and decided the bar was more inviting than the dining room, which seemed a little stuffy. Albondigas (good but cold, with a distinct lamby taste) and the langostines (good but cold) started us out. We shared a bottle while waiting for our third and devoured a made at your table guac that we added later. Continuing my meat fest, I had another cut of beef, while of the rest of the table ordered swordfish and cod. My beef, not quite to temp, was good. I thought the fish was a little bit overcooked but still flavorful. It lost a star from me because the apps were cold when they were served to us and although we were ready to order dessert, the bill was delivered to the table.
(3)
Debbie L.

We have been going to Oba for almost two years. When we are cleaning our inn in Albany and we know we are heading to our loft in Portland, our mouths are watering for the table side guacamole, the delicious margaritas and my butternut squash enchiladas. Ray gets the chicken tacos every time. We have never been disappointed! We pretty much are there during Happy Hour but it truly doesn't matter. The food has tons of flavor, a little spice and we have never had anything but a great experience! We will go back over and over again!
(5)
Connie C.

This was the 3rd stop on my bff & my new year's eve happy hour hopping extravaganza. We stopped by here specifically because we were craving CS (aka: coconut shrimp). We had our order all planned out until the waitress told us they weren't doing happy hour right before we were going to order. We got the CS anyways along with a prickly pear & blackberry mojito. My bff's blackberry mojito was super strong. We think it was because they were trying to compensate for him ordering a girly drink (since it's a big tall guy). My prickly pear mojito was just right. Ironically we felt the drinks were "cheap" since they came in tall glasses. The coconut coating on the butterflied shrimp was not nearly crispy enough. It was more of a chewy coconut wrapping. They sat in a squiggle of jalepeno citrus marmalade that paired nicely with it. (See pics.) This may have gone over better at a happy hour price, but $11 for 6 pieces was definitely steep especially since we both make a better version. I will be back for a real happy hour next time, but I can't imagine the dishes being a good deal for full price.
(3)
Leah C.

Enjoyed the happy hour menu with a girlfriend. The service was great, food was fresh and flavorful. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes bursts of flavor with a little kick (but the bacon wrapped jalapenos have a hulk of a kick). We will definitely be going back!
(4)
Julie S.

Went here for hh and also had dinner reservation with a friend Promptly showed for 4pm happy hour. Great selection of things to chose from. What really stood out were the extremely steep prices for the food. Don't get me wrong, it was good food. I had the ceviche(rock fish) x2 and bacon wrapped jalapenos(shared), and two Margarita x 2. The total bill $46 not including tip. Yowza. After reading the yelp reviews I had every intention of having the guacamole, and then my eyeballs popped out and looked at the $17 price.. WTF.. I waited to see what this was all about... Okay people, hasn't anyone ever gotten good guac before? I watched the guy bring out the whole tray, 2 avocado, tomatoes, jalapenos, salt, maybe garlic, small tiny peppers, squeezed lime juice, that's it!!! I may have missed something , but its all mashed up and its about a cups worth....people... get on the bus... On to dinner. 5pm reservation Tomato soup, yum Beet salad, really good Butternut Squash enchilada (the more expensive one)..spicey hot.like cayenne The Mexican camarones aka shrimp (6 pieces) .. kinda salty Cinnamon bread pudding $55.00 with out tip ** Server was great My overall experience, if you know you're going there to spend $$ (I did) then you'll enjoy your experience, I left full, and with left overs.
(3)
Abe R.

I came here for a rehearsal dinner of a wedding that I was thankfully in, and thankful it wasn't my own. Anyhow, the food was a set menu but it was great all the same. It's a classy joint, so don't go wearing your Naots that you haven't washed since 93'... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)
Randy T.

We love this place and its always our favorite special night out. The other night my kids came down to hang out with us for the evening and it was unanimous that everyone wanted Oba! The place was full of excitement and everyone was having a great time. Our steaks were perfect - as usual. Thanks again, Oba!
(5)
Brooke D.

The food here is delicious, but super expensive! We went in with a living social deal. The appetizers were supposed to be the medium size. If they were, then it was $14 for 3 jalapenos or $14 for 4 prawns with about a 1/4 cup of coconut rice. I have a feeling they may have given us the small and not the medium . . . if not, the small must be REALLY small. Having said that, the stuffed jalapenos were delicious - bacon wrapped and stuffed with cream cheese, chorizo & drizzled with apple cider demi glaze. The prawns were pretty good too - in a chili garlic sauce w/ coconut rice. Salmon chowder was delicious and loaded with tons of salmon! For the main dish, hubby had the paella and I had the Portuguese steak with banana and fingerling potatoes. The paella was a little bland or just not the right mix of flavors for my taste. But the steak was perfect! The sweetness of the banana was a perfect compliment to the dish. Loved it!
(3)
Natalie W.

I haven't been to Oba all that much, but it's been one of my top "special occasion" restaurants for the past 7 years. I even brought my family here to celebrate my graduation. The food is unique and delicious, and I don't think I've ever had the same entree twice (although I had the paella last time, which was so incredible that it may need to be repeated). The tapas are good too, if you're looking for more variety. If you're going that route, I'd stick with small plates (more options, less to get tired of); but beware - that can add up $$ pretty quick. Service is friendly and usually pretty fast. I'm not totally sold on their cocktails, but they have enough choices in that department that most people should find something they enjoy.
(4)
Sara C.

We've been here twice now, and both times the food was outstanding. The last time we were here was in November with the Living Social Deal. We had a reservation but were seated a little late. It was a very busy Saturday night. We had some drinks at the bar, which were good. We got the cream cheese and chorizo stuffed jalepenos, queso fundido, and the tacos dorados. All were delicious, but extremely filling. My husband had the paella, and I had the steak with bananas. Only problem we had was that we were stuffed by time our entrees came out! Yes, the food is very pricey. Our experiences have been good enough that the food justifies the price. I hope to be able to eat here again sometime soon.
(5)
Katie F.

Atmosphere = 4 stars Food = 3 stars Service = 3.5 stars Great vibe and came here with one of my friends who's local when I was visiting. It was packed on a Saturday night and service was decent throught the evening, but a bit slow at times. Some delays with clearing the plates too, where our first course plates were still sitting at the table when our mains were brought out. The food varied in quality over the night, but overall it's about a 3 star. The menu looks awesome and I liked what they did to spice up the dishes for the Latin American influence. Had the clams to start which was OK. The salad course was excellent - loved the greens and the spicy dressing was perfect! My mains were scallops that were a bit overcooked and my dessert, which was their signature dessert, which is the Oba baked argentina... the concept of meringue, chocolate, bananas and ice cream was nicely presented, but the bananas were completely frozen still! Special menus available for gluten/dairy/veggie folks.
(3)
Laura S.

Had a dear foodie friend in town from Manhattan--when he comes to visit, I try to show him the best of what Portland has to offer. Oba did NOT disappoint. It's a great place for tourists and locals alike. Our server, Jamie, was AMAZING. Not only did she have great menu suggestions, but she was beyond attentive, very personable, and just adorably wonderful. The tableside guac is awesome, and the chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapeÃ±os are AMAZING--but really, the service was flawless. Good margs and after dinner drinkies, too. Thank you for a wonderful evening!
(5)
Jim N.

excellent paella , great appies and nice beers - would have been nice if yhey gave us a nice table but fun nonetheless
(4)
Jane B.

Good happy hour menu, the drinks are okay.
(3)
Mari T.

The hubs and I went here for a special dinner and we were not disappointed. The ambience was very hip, but unfortunately, it was also VERY loud. When we were being seated, the hostess offered us our choice of tables and we picked one that put a wall between the bar and our table - that helped a lot. The waitstaff was efficient and attentive without being pushy. The drinks we got were very good. The Tableside Guacamole was really, REALLY good. A friend told me to try the queso fundido, but I love guacamole, so I had to try theirs and it did not disappoint. I highly recommend 1 order for 2 people or 3 if you are feeling generous about sharing. I got the Tamales and the hubs got the Prime Rib. He really enjoyed his meal and the bites that I had were very good. The Tamales were really good as well. The texture was great and it reminded me of the Christmas tamales that my neighbors would make when I was growing up. The only disappointment was the rice. I am not a fan of coconut rice, but I never asked if it could be subbed out, so that might have been my fault. Dessert was the super fun and really delicious Baked Argentina. The presentation was nice and the dessert itself was the perfect sweet for after dinner. Overall, it was a great dinner and I would love to return - Maybe I will try the Queso Fundido next time :)
(4)
Nikki W.

Great food, ambiance and excellent service. We ordered a few different things to try out the menu and I"m glad we did because some were right on and some really needed some work. Excellent- warm banana-cream cheese malassadas (gooey, warm, delicious) bife a micalense (unique flavors that wrapped and excellent steak) Pretty Good- bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos (BBQ sauce on it? weird) carne gordo (Delicious flavor, large portion, wouldn't say it was the best cut of beef I've ever had) Needs Word- rockfish ceviche (bland, dry) I also tried the flight of Spanish red wines, pass on that. I think it might be a personal preference but compared to CA wines they were not good and the girl serving me had no idea what order I should be tasting the flight in! Prices were a bit high but we were on our mini-honeymoon so we didn't might splurging a little bit.
(4)
Rasaun R.

I was here on a groupon special. With the special, I 1) ate some incredible food, 2) had great service, and 3) still ended up with a decent bill. 4 stars, for the groupon deal you guys ran. And great drinks. Pork Arepas, and one of the best steaks ever. Great food, quality ingredients. I usually shy away from fancy mexican/ latin- influenced restaurants, but if you want a fancy night out, this one won't let you down.
(4)
Kedar D.

Oba is a really swanky place and definitely a great place to take a date. The bar is modern and funky, whereas the dining area is a bit more romantic. The service is top-notch and really friend, from the servers to the hosts. While the vegan options are limited here, Oba does have a separate vegetarian menu if you ask for it. I got the tacos dinner modified to be vegan ($12 or so): it was tasty, but really basic. Given that we're in Portland, I would have hoped for a vegan mole sauce, or maybe even just some grilled tofu and seitan. I also had their guacamole, which was decent, but could have been a bit more savory (I think it needed a bit of salt, and a little more lime). There are no vegan desserts (other than sorbet, which is so boring as to not warrant attention), sadly. On a whole, not a bad place. I'd come back for a drink, though the vegan food options aren't interesting enough for me to justify another full meal here.
(3)
Kristin K.

Back in the day when the Pearl District resembled a shipyard, Oba! was one of the first higher-end restaurants to take the risk on the location. After ten years, this Portland native (and now a Los Angeleno) has returned and I am thoroughly impressed. They've kept up their game and managed not to become stagnant. I've noticed that this place has a slightly different crowd now: lots of wedding rehearsal dinners and expense account diners, but you find that in restaurants that have stood the test of time. Also, they're one of the only joints in Portland that took reservations for 6 on a Friday night. Get the guacamole made at your table. One of our guests didn't like guacamole and loved it. The prime rib coyotas (flautas) are not to be missed. Any of the beef dishes are fantastic, and the butternut squash enchiladas are surprisingly addictive. If you can make a sirloin that tastes like beef tenderloin, it's worth a try. For those of you who complain about price: deal with it. Portland is a very affordable city that's growing, so prices are going to increase as rent and property values continue to rise. It's fairly basic economics. The great thing about Portland is that you can walk down the street and find an amazing place to eat almost anywhere, so try somewhere else if you think you're paying $1 too much for your entree!
(4)
Kristen M.

OOOOOOhhhhh - Baaaaah!!!! Looking for an upscale Latin cuisine that does HH well with food and drinks? I've been back a couple times since my first visit and have enjoyed their HH food and drink. I have also dined here for private events, which includes a set menu for the event and never disappoints! Recommendations: OBA! CAESAR SALAD: Their version comes with grilled corn and pickled red onions! Very delicious and the dressing is light and compliments the romaine lettuce! KOBE BEEF TOP SIRLOIN: 10 oz grilled steak served with a yummy glaze sauce, poblano flavored mashed potatoes and grilled veggies. Was cooked to perfection and definite favorite among the crowd. MACADAMIA NUT ENCRUSTED SWORDFISH: Cooked pan-seared and with a yummy pesto sauce and grilled tomatoes! Not a disappointment! Was also a crowd pleaser! Great LATE NIGHT HH Recommendations: MESQUITE GRILLED CORN CRISPY CHIPOTLE CALAMARI TABLESIDE GUACAMOLE (my personal favorite) FYI: - Located in the Pearl District - 2 private rooms for dining events - Parking on the metered street (Free after 7pm) - Accepts CC - Great place for a date or to hang with friends
(4)
Jon M.

Time and time again we are given great service, drinks and food.
(5)
Monica A.

This is one of my favorite restaurants and I'm always excited to eat here. I love their Certified Angus Burger (the salsa makes a world of difference) and their Rockfish Ceviche. Price is a little spendy but the food is worth it and consistent.
(5)
Kelly M.

Honestly, I don't see what the hype is about. I felt that they were trying to turn tables the entire time and was almost being rushed out of there. The service was excellent other than the "get in and get out" vibe. However, if you do find yourself in Oba, definitely try the blood orange margs - they're killer.
(2)
Laura C.

I know I give a lot of 5 stars, but its because we have soo much good food in Portland. I've been going to Oba! since it opened in the late 90's. Mostly, I go for happy hour - because I'm a woman and don't like to pay a lot for food. Oba! used to be the place to see and been seen (like the PCG) but now it's more the place you simply meet friends for wonderful food. As far as I'm concerned, the Queso Fundido (chorizo or veggies and peppers and tons of gooey hot Mexican cheese) and the Prime Rib Coyotas are the best items on the happy hour menu. You can share with friends are feel full when you leave. Okay, well, maybe not full - but sick with guilt because they fundido dip has got to be a 1,000 calories - yet is soo good you cannot stop eating it until the bowl is empty. The coyotas are deep fried so they're a guilty pleasure as well. However; the Grilled Baja Chicken Tacos are superb and are very guilt-free in comparison. Pare that with the Prickly Pear Margarita (no pun intended) and you have yourself a meal worth writing home about. The restaurant itself is really swanky, in a Mediterranean way. I have a thing for terracotta colored paint - because it reminds me of being on vacation somewhere where the rain isn't cold and the water isn't green/brown - so the decor (and exterior for that matter) is a hit with me. From the start - and now still - the atmosphere is inviting and warm. I'm also a big sucker for the window seats, where you can people watch. And the cute little mints at the hostess stand. There isn't anything that isn't great about this place as far as I am concerned. The food and decor are top notch. Street parking in the Pearl is always cumbersome, but there's a lot right next door and the restaurant has valet in the evenings.
(5)
Ron Y.

My experience/perception with the living social deal is different from Brandi's. And this 2 Stars rating is based on the Living Social deal that Oba seems to run quite regularly. 1. Entree selection is not the full menu. It is a custom Living Social menu with very small choices. I love some of the normal entree dishes on regular menu and they were great. But the Living Social menu's quality is not good. Steak is probably the only decent one and not everyone likes steak. 3. To Brandi's point. Oba automatically charge tips based on $100 value. After tips (base on the $100 value), ordering from normal menu would not be that much more expensive than total out of pocket from the living social deal. And you would have a much better selection.
(2)
Rebecca R.

Went in on a busy Saturday night and were excited to try it since we had heard great things about it. The food was great and was delivered fast. We had an assortment of tapas that tasted fresh and flavorful. I wish we could have tried all the offerings. For such a highly rated restaurant we received pretty lousy service. It took a while to be greeted but that is not my issue. Our server was non existent the entire meal. He delivered our meals and we did not see him again till our check was dropped. I saw he was serving table all over but we were ignored the whole night. Since it was hot outside we went through our drinks pretty quick and had no refills, not even an assistant stopped by. We will go back but hopefully not have the same experience.
(3)
Erin R.

I married a man of Cuban decent so have now inherited his snobby Cubano taste buds. The Cuban sandwich was done very well. The plantain croquettas were interesting (tasty, but not something I've experienced before). The pitcher of mojitos- light on the rum (so perhaps its better to order individually... unless you can convince your server to bring you an extra couple shots of rum!)
(4)
Anthony K.

High priced drinks... High priced happy hour... Nothing spectacular but they do offer nice birthday and anniversary specials. The coconut shrimp was too sweet and glazed over resembling that of what you would buy at panda express. The next time I go here I think I will skip the happy hour menu and just order from the big boys menu.
(3)
Jane C.

Fantastic mojito. Excellent Enchilada Calabaza. Generous size - boxed half to take home
(4)
Cheryll C.

Went here on a date after finding a deal on Living Social. We had the Yucatan Pork Arepas & the Ceviche of the day as appetizers. The Pork Arepas were fantastic, and we wish there were more than 2 of them. The Ceviche, on the other hand, left much to be desired. It wasn't horrible, it just 'was'. The multi-colored chips that they were served with felt like they belonged more on top of a tortilla soup at El Torito than somewhere with white tablecloths. We really enjoyed our waiter, who after hearing we recently visited Espana, talked to us about his experiences living there and some of his favorite cities. WE asked him if they served our favorite Spanish drink (Cava Sangria from Barcelona) and he said yes. We were skeptical that it would be like what we enjoyed overseas, even when he assured us it was the same drink. We were right...Oba's Cava Sangria was AWFUL. They made the huge mistake of dousing it with Guava juice. don't order it. However, since we were expecting it not to taste great. we didn't let it ruin our meal. We both had the Carne Gordo, as our main entree and were very happy with the quality and flavor. We'll both be visiting again, just avoiding their ceviche and white wine sangrias. :)
(3)
Nita M.

I came here for happy hour on Saturday & though I wouldn't return for dinner or lunch (simply because there is all of 1 vegetarian entree on the menu) the place is pretty cool. They have really great flavors for margaritas & mojitos. I tried the marionberry, blood orange, and prickly pear and all were quite good. They are a little sweet so I would hesitate ordering an entire pitcher for myself but really yummy and I have a soft spot in my heart for any restaurants that serves margaritas by the pitcher. I loved the vegetarian cheese dip stuff - super flavorful & gooey & warm & addicting and would highly recommend it as a starter. The interior is nice & fun - bright oranges and reds, a big bar, and it smells like fresh limes inside. Though Oba isn't particularly vegetarian friendly, the drinks & happy hour are :)
(3)
Kyle S.

We waited 20 minutes in the bar for table side guac and finally just left hungry and frustrated.
(2)
Jefff P.

I took my girlfriend here for Valentine's day last night, and while parts of the evening were great, others were disappointing. We had an 8:30 reservation, but arrived at around 7:30. The interior is amazing and we checked in with the hostess explaining that we would have a drink or two while we waited for our table. We were excited. The first round of drinks were great, and worth the $8-$10 each. I had the basil gimlet and she had the serrano chili caipirinha, which we each shared. As we still had a while before our reservation, we decided on a second round. I wanted the same caipirinha and she got the ginger Maker's. The drink I got just tasted like spicy club soda, not the delicious cocktail I was expecting after having tasted hers. I'm not one to unnecessarily criticize, but if you're a bartender at a relatively upscale restaurant, the drinks should be stiff enough to taste the alcohol. Admittedly I was unsure of how to tell the bartender I thought she had made a bad drink. Apparently our reservation had been forgotten about, so we were seated a while after I checked back in with the hostess. When seated I asked if I could get a new caipirinha as the one I had been made was tasteless and I hadn't consumed more than a sip or two. Our server was happy to do so and brought us a complimentary coconut shrimp tapa since we had been delayed/forgotten. Ok, the drink was just a speed bump, things were going to be good, right? And the praws were really tasty in a sweet and sour type sauce. We decided on several tapas for dinner. The rockfish ceviche was great. The corn pudding with seafood was also really good. I have only praise for those two. However, the tostones and coyotas were lukewarm at best, despite being on an incredibly hot plate. Additionally, the coyotas, while described as "crispy beef flautas" had the consistency of doughy pie crust; anything but "crispy." Basically our evening had started off well, but slowly deteriorated. The worst part is that when we got the bill (over $100), they had still charged me for the caipirinha that I had sent back. If I knew I was paying for it anyway, I would have drank it. We had been at Oba over two hours by that point, so I just paid for it so we could leave and go home. I imagine Oba would be great for happy hour on a less busy evening, but we won't be going back for dinner.
(2)
Cheryl F.

The absolute best Ribeye Steak I've ever had!! The flavor was delightful with a fresh chimichuri sauce! -it was cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The service was spot on! Our water took the time to let us enjoy our appetizer and drinks before bringing out our meal. The timing of the entire meal was perfect. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to all I know! -Excellent service, and wonderful food!!
(5)
Julie T.

The food here is pretty tasty. I was here for dinner and got to try some of their appetizers which I couldn't get enough of: the crispy coconut prawns with its dip was amazing. They also have a great dinner selection - all sounds good, but I selected a steak dinner (which I don't see in the current menu). I took my chocolate brownie dessert to-go and it totally hit the spot with a glass of milk. The worst part of this experience was the parking. I attempted to go here once and left because I couldn't find parking.
(4)
Setha N.

Just went on a date here on Saturday and had a great experience. Our waiter Lucas was detailed in his explanations and also really good at getting us jazzed up about the specials. The ambiance is perfect for a night out, and I know I scored some points for selecting this place. The food was great, really impressed me with the flavors and presentation, as I said before, great place to take a date. Also drinks were awesome, I had the mojito which was perfect on a warm evening.
(4)
N S.

Ok, I am convinced that people do not exercise for the love of sport, or for an adrenaline rush, or for good health (exclusively); they exercise to eat at Oba. I had a recent business trip to Portland, which fortunately fell during the city's dining month, where participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus for $29. I looked through the local restaurants' menus and Oba's spoke to me: First Course (choose one): Cup of daily soup -or-Â¡Oba! CÃ©sar - roasted corn and Manchego cheese Second Course Cuban chicken palomillo - tomato-basil-caper relish, basil mashed potatoes, Manchego bÃ©chamel and crispy onion strings Dessert Citrus flan - traditional Latin custard flavored with fresh lemon and lime, with fresh berries and Chantilly cream. I tell you the truth. Each course got impossibly better. Honestly, I shut my eyes while I ate--involuntarily! With a deft hand for balancing heat, salt and acid with the richest potatoes (oh c'mon, they were almost a veloutÃ©) and crisped onions, their chef just showed off all night. My only question dear reader is- Is it be wrong to order the same meal two nights in a row?
(5)
Patti F.

Probably one of my favorite happy hour spots in the Pearl. Two happy hours nightly (although pretty much everyone is doing that now). I've also eaten in the dining room, had the manager's tasting menu (which they happily made vegetarian for me) - whoa, not cheap, but very VERY good and worthy of Pearl District standards. My favorite item: Queso Fundido (vegetarian). This is like, well, food porn. The chips are hot, and multi-colored. The cheese is this amazing goo, with lime slices (make SURE to squeeze the lime over it), and then sauteed peppers on top. Admittedly, I have gone there for "dinner" and ordered, and ate, one all by myself. It's THAT good. Right up there with the Queso Fundido - is the Oba! Caesar salad. They add corn, and pickled red onions to theirs, and it's amazing. Get a teeny one for happy hour, or just get big huevos and order the larger size. Thing is, after the teeny one, you're wishing you could have just one more bite of that amazing salad...so get the bigger one and save yourself the worry.
(5)
Russ F.

I had a fantastic dinning experience at oba a few nights ago. I have moved out of Portland and used to visit here all the time when I lived here. I have been talking up the restaurant to my foodie family that just moved to PDX. I was worries that it wouldn't live up to the expectations that I set with them. Boy was I wrong. They knocked it out of the park. We had a great Temparnillo and sampled almost everything on the menu. All of the dished vegetarian or not were fantastic. Have to say that the jalapeÃ±os with bacon were my favorite. I eat out a lot and Andrew was one of the finest waiters I have ever had. His balance of knowledge, personality and humor was perfect. I would highly recommend oba for you and your friends.
(5)
Kristin J.

Started off a little rocky with waiting almost 45 minutes even though we had a reservation. However we enjoyed a good meal, with fine service here. I would go back, don't know if I'll make a reservation or wing it...
(3)
Flavia A.

I came here because I had a "buy one entree get one entree free" coupon, which they offer for people celebrating their birthday. That's the only way this dinner was even slightly worth it. Margarita: Tasty, but I would have had to drink four of them to get tipsy. And I'm a lightweight! I remember in the past, their happy hour cocktails were also really really weak. So, get beer if you come here. Apps: Lobster rolls: heavy on the jalapeno, light on the lobster. I wouldn't have known it had lobster had it not been for the menu. Main courses: -Steak medallions: too much pepper/spice on the exterior, and the temperature was cooler than room temp. -Seared Scallops: awesome!!!! In an impeccable beurre blanc sauce. the scallops were seared JUST right...tender, juicy, not overdone or hard. Very tasty. Deserts -- by far the best part of the meal -Chocolate Bombe: superior chocolate mousse covered in a layer of ganache. -Banana Cream Malasadas: warm on the inside, delectably delicious. The deserts were the perfect size, too. Small enough to get a taste, but no too large to gorge oneself. Service: friendly and attentive. Five stars. Ambiance: warm earth colors, candle flickers, and appropriate Latin/Cuban music. Overall, it was fine. If I had to recommend it to a friend, I'd tell them that if they could afford this place, to spend their money instead on Andina in the Pearl District. I might come back if someone else were paying.
(3)
Andrew S.

I have not been here for a few years. But I did like the Happy Hour fish taco. And I tried a Halibut special that was cooked to perfection. Not runny or undercooked inside. Which can be common at the upscale spots. Price is very good. Service is as well. And the food is fresh and clean. Kind of a South American/Island type cuisine.
(4)
Thomas I.

One of the best places to go eat in Portland. We started with crispy chipotle calamari as an appetizer and got the Atun Salteado which is the amazing pan seared ahi tuna and a Vaca Frita which is a pulled flank steak. I would highly recommend this place for anyone in the Pearl district or anyone visiting Portland Oregon. Make reservations if planning to go on a Friday or Saturday night. Only thing I wish was I hope someday that they bring back the Baked Argentina on to their dessert menu again, that was by far one of my favorite desserts and I do not have much of a sweet tooth.
(5)
C.W. J.

Never had a bad time there over many years. Great for drinks and bites or dinner If you come to the rainy city come to the Pearl and give it a try.
(4)
Maile K.

We only got take out dessert from here, which we got the malasadas with banana cream cheese. They weren't as amazing as I thought they were. But, the restaurant looked really fancy.
(2)
J. G.

Let me just say that from start to finish this restaurant was great even though our table was not in a location I loved. Started off with drinks which were excellent. Then the coconut prawns with a sweet and spicy sauce...mmmmm! Next entree's of the best prime rib ever and the butternut squash enchiladas. First the prime rib...cooked to perfection with a lovely salty taste from the preparation in sea salt that made a plain bite without sauce divine. I have never enjoyed plain prime rib before this. The butternut squash enchiladas were awesome. I couldn't have imagined them and was not sure when I ordered them but the waiter said these were a favorite and now I see why. Perfectly spiced, yummy each and every bite with a quinoa salad that had almost the flavor of black beans. Some say the service is slow. I guess but it wasn't the service per se as we were well attended to but the pace of the food order took some time but well worth it!
(5)
John L.

Been here a few times now. The ambiance and service were great but the food is just ok and overpriced. Probably would not go again except for a organized party or large group as happened both times in the past.
(3)
H. L.

Great food and service. We had a birthday party here for my husband. I had the steak special with gorgonzola. It was delish! The service was wonderful. We were in the private dining area which was great for socializing with our friends. We had a party of 13 and we all got our food fast. Their sangria is wonderful. We had many carafes of that.
(5)
Justus P.

Before I went to Oba, I considered it 'fancy mexican food'. I'm embarrassed to admit that I was wildly wrong. The food here is fantastic. The service is great. It's fun, classy, and casual at the same time. I've eaten here at least two dozen times. It is my primary go to place in Portland. Corn on the cob, delicious. Queso fundido, delicious. Roasted butternut squash enchiladas, delicious. Coconut rice, delicious. I could go on and on... The vegetarian options are abundant. The food is extremely well prepared and have been delicious every time. I am NOT a fan of Guacamole. However, after discovering their Tableside Guacamole, I order it every time. It is simply wonderful. Be sure to give this place a try. I'm sure you'll love it.
(5)
Lisa E.

First off, the food is WONDERFUL! We went here for happy hour and luckily we got 2 seats at the bar (it was pretty full). We had the fish tacos and the chips and queso. The fish tacos were probably the best I've had. They had a delicious smokey flavor and the salsa was yummy. The queso was really the show-stopped. LOVED IT! The only downside....their happy hour is pretty spendy! I don't recall seeing much on the menu under $10. In my opinion, 2 small dishes and 2 drinks for Happy Hour should not cost $40. But it was good food.
(4)
JR H.

We had a nice night out with friends. The food was great and the waiter was attentive. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because of the noise. It was really difficult for us to hear across the table. If you have a party of 4 or less, that probably won't be an issue.
(4)
Jennifer S.

My friends/co-workers had been encouraging me to go to this place for months. I hate to buy in to hype because I get overly excited, and then get disappointed when the reality doesn't totally match the fantasy. This isn't the restaurants' fault; rather, I blame my parents for encouraging me to embrace my active imagination. To this day I'm still convinced I can become a unicorn if I try hard enough. We had guests in from out of town who read up on this place, and wanted to try it while they were here. Upon arrival, we were promptly greeted and seated in the bar area. They wouldn't let us go back into the main restaurant because we had jeans on which was fine by us, but seemed to really tick our guests off. Apparently all of the research they had done on this place failed to include the suggested attire. Fail on their part. Our waitress was beyond helpful and friendly. She explained everything we inquired about on the menu, and made suggestions for some of their cocktails. Our table ordered an oba-tini and a couple of margaritas all of which were so good that even my non-drinker boyfriend enjoyed a few sips. I could definitely see happy hour being addictive here. I ordered the roasted butternut squash enchiladas, and was really surprised at how good they were. Even the other people in the party (who initially were making fun of me for ordering such an unusual item) ended up really liking it as well. We also ordered the Bistek Asado, Bife a Micalense and the Pollo Rotisserie-Asado; everyone was totally satisfied by their choices. Would I go back to Oba? Maybe for happy hour, or if we wanted to do a "fancier" dinner with friends. I don't know that it's the type of place we'd go to regularly because I just don't believe in paying that much for food I'm not over the moon about. Still, I think the ambience (upscale but not stuffy) and the customer service make this place worth a try.
(4)
Greg G.

Oba! Did not disappoint. Good, consistent, pan-Latin fare that has a little something for everyone, even the out of town vegan relative that has issues with gluten. Serious, all kidding aside, this restaurant is becoming a little too political for my money but their food is excellent, albeit more expensive each time. But, honestly, I don't need to hear about all of the organic, sustainable stuff, just fix me some grub and be done with it. This review was actually from 9/16/11, I just didn't get around to finishing it until now. Try the baked Argentina and the coconut shrimp, they're both quite nice!!
(3)
Ashley M.

Came here for my anniversary which happened to be on New Year's Eve as well. Was able to book a table through opentable for a late night dinner and arrived close to our reservation. Although we were not seated right away we were offered the bar option which helped pass the time and the host got us about 20 minutes later. We requested a booth and although busy they were able to accommodate this and even wished us a happy anniversary which I thought added a very personal touch. Got the swordfish which was amazing, all the food coming out around us looked amazing as well. Would definitely come back here!
(4)
Douglas G.

WOW, Great service and Great food, this is a rare find in Portland. This restaurant has an awesome happy hour, along with a simple but delicious dinner menu which meets the needs of all. They were very accommodating for a large group.
(5)
David W.

We find a deal on living social. The food was great, as was the atmosphere. Mike was our server and he described everything to a T! I would recommend if you're looking for a nice romantic spot for dinner. The food was amazing.
(5)
Jen L.

We dined here on Thurs using a Living Social deal and were so impressed with everything. The LS menu options were superb and our service was impeccable. I wish I could remember the name of our server because he was the right balance of informative/funny/chatty. I ordered a newer dessert item on the menu which was a Twinkie-like pastry paired with coconut ice cream. Twinkie was a bit dry and the filling a bit sugary/grainy for my liking but the ice cream was heavenly. I will definitely return!
(5)
Jenny S.

My friend and I used to come to Oba regularly for happy hour, but after last Friday, what a disappointment. The service is still great, as is the atmosphere and the mojitos, but Happy Hour value for money has gone way down. $5 for 1 small, average taco? How is this a happy hour deal? $6 for the fish taco! You can get 3, much better ones, for that price at Por Que No. The Happy Hour menu is not what it used to be when it comes to value. We had a total of 2 mojitos, 2 tacos and 1 order of coconut prawns. It was $38. For Happy Hour. We left hungry and went somewhere else to eat, which was not our plan. I don't know when Oba decided to short-change customers on the food side, but it was enough to make me never go back there for Happy Hour. There are much better deals for food that is just as good at many other places around Portland. So after about 4 years of going there regularly, I'm done. Disappointing. But in a town with so many options for great Latin American food at reasonable prices, why bother with Oba's Happy Hour anymore.
(2)
Duane P.

I consistently have had great meals and appetizers at Oba over the years. The queso fundido always has the right blend of Mexican cheese and chorizo. If you're not a meat eater then the ahi tuna and coconut prawns will not disappoint. I seem to be good with eating a few appetizers to try get more of the savory treats available on this menu.
(4)
K. S.

Fantastic experience, from making the reservation to reviewing the dessert menu. Great service. The guacamole was so good, we inhaled it and had room for only a couple tapas, the camarones and flautas, both exquisite. A perfect dinner, and the margaritas were delicious too. We will return for dessert sometime soon.
(5)
Martijn S.

Went here for new year's eve with my Brazilian wife and her brother. And according to us this place is way overpriced for what they offer. Food is fine, but combined with what they charge for it it's not worth it. Staff is hit and miss (our 'water boy' didn't say a word, but our waiter was fine). On top of that, they tried to charge us regular price for the caipirinhas that were on sale that night - on two occasions (first in the dining room, and then it happened again in the bar area for the NYE party). And at the end of the night, there was no one at the coat check so I had to - and more disturbingly, was ABLE to - walk right in there and just grab the coat I needed. Would definitely not repeat.
(2)
Megan L.

My birthday treat used to be coming to Oba! happy hour and indulging their signature mojitos. I used to only be able to afford happy hour, and eating "on the inside," was something I dreamed of when I would one day make it big. Well my friends, that day finally arrived. I got me a job, got married, and have been enjoying the double-income-no-kids lifestyle that merited a visit to Oba's *actual* restaurant. My dreaming did not disappoint. My husband and I opted for the $40 pp 3-course meal and we LOVED. EVERY. INCH. of it. I don't think I can remember a time where we literally licked our plate clean after eating time and time again. You would never think the flavor combinations they put together at Oba could produce such perfection, but the chefs have mastered it. We loved absolutely everything. Also, their house white was phenomenal. No need to venture any further from it-- it was a house riesling I believe and it was a great pairing. We really felt like we got our money's worth and Oba did not disappoint: quiet ambience, amazing food and wonderful service. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Kat ..

I'm not to sure about their happy hour..... 1 fish taco for $6 bucks... Yes 1 taco for $6 doesn't seem to Happy to me
(2)
Kara P.

"BAD FOOD & BAD SERVICE" This place reminds me of a cheesy place you find cheesy bachelorette parties going to where the bridesmaids want to match the bad food to the bad dresses they have to wear. I ate here on a Friday night WITH RESERVATIONS. I went here on the recommendation from the concierge at the nines hotel. I also had made a reservation via open table & when I arrived, the outside host failed to communicate that to the other host & I was over looked by walk-ins. When they finally realized this, I was seated with 2 toddlers under the no minors sign in the bar area. I should have walk out at that moment. The spinach salad was wilted. The coconut flavor on the rice with the rice & beans was awful ! The plantains needed salt & had to ask a bus boy for salt since my server was never around. The prime rib cayote flautas taste like something you sample at Costco. This seems like a place to go for drinks, but they have missed the mark on the Latin fusion. I was raised in NY & have had Cuban, Dominican, & Puerto Rican food all my life. This place seems like the restauranteurs wanted to try to create a niche & threw darts at at ingredient list to make it "Latin". My kids liked the cheesy noodles from kid's meal, but then again they love Kraft mac n cheese.
(1)
Todd P.

Company dinner at OBA. The servers were professional, polite and helpful. I do not drink so I cannot comment on the potent potables. We started off with some appetizers. I tried the quesadillas and the coyotas. Both were excellent. The only problem I had was the quantity. Maybe we ordered the small size. I tried the chicken tortilla soup. It was also very good. Just the right amount of spice, consistency and deliciousness. For the platos I chose the bife a micalense. Kobe beef top sirloin with bacon, banana, potatoes and green beans. Again: delicious. While the food quality deserves five stars, I am giving it four. I would not want to dine here very often if I were footing the bill. This is the sort of place that draws those people among us who would deny being rich, but are okay with dropping a couple bills on dinner twice a week. (Personally I was annoyed when Taco Bell moved their soft taco steadily up from 59 cents to over a buck.) I would save OBA for a very VERY special night with my sweetheart. 25th anniversary or something. Maybe again on our 50th.
(4)
Sandra W.

Heaven on a small plate. If only I could give you more than 5 stars, Oba! I always fret a little when we dine in a "semi-spendy" place; my fear being that we'll pay out of one nostril for a so-so meal. That was not the case with our experience at Oba tonight. It was worth every penny; and truly a "special occasion" place. The Hubs and I ordered a smattering of the small plates -- queso fundido. the Puerto Rican fried rice, the butternut squash enchiladas, coconut prawns, the tostones, and a Cesar salad. Everything was exquisite, fresh and flavorful. I would be hard pressed to come up with a single dish that was my favorite. The five small plates plus the salad was more than enough food for us. We topped off our meal by sharing the Baked Argentina, which is a dessert that I will drool and dream over for the next few weeks. It's one of those desserts that is almost too pretty to devour. I love caramel, and I slurped up the small chunks of guava and the paper-thin slices of pineapple like it was my last meal ever. Finally, a very special mention to the fabulous wait staff tonight. Although we had a very personable waiter that took our order and brought most of our plates and drinks, everyone on the floor pitched in to make sure we had everything we needed. Because the food comes out super-fast, I suggest ordering just one or two of the small plates at a time. That way, you'll end up with just the right amount of food -- it's a bit trickier to enjoy all the plates at once.
(5)
Jacob S.

Oba! has an excellent happy hour, and fresh guacamole made tableside to your liking. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, where you can order cocktails by the pitcher and gorge yourself on chips and guac. We ate in the dining room once, and it was pretty delicious, but pretty expensive. I'll be sticking to happy hour, which I highly recommend.
(4)
Wayne G.

Truly amazing prime rib, halibut and habanero infused Absolut vodka with mango puree! Excellent service! Wayne Gorsek
(5)
Jennifer S.

Great happy hour, especially in the summer. Be sure to get there early to get a table outside. The happy hour service is lacking, but the dinner service is fantastic. Make a reservation for weekends.
(4)
Heather M.

My friend and I went to Oba for happy hour and ended up paying way too much. Their menu is unclear about which items are discounted and which are not. Guacamole costs $14. The waiter tried and succeeded at up selling us on cocktails without mentioning the price difference. I'm unimpressed with the quality of the food too.
(2)
Kaitlin J.

Have to give major props to the customer service here!! We love Oba and bought a gift certificate for our sister in Dec 2011 for $20 for Christmas. We purchased so close to Christmas so we just wrote her an IOU and Oba was to ship the gift cert. Fast fwd a year. She tells us this December that she never received it. We completely forgot about it. Not sure if it got lost in mail or if we accidentally threw it away but I found the charge on my statement and called Oba. Alexander was able to look it up by our name and saw no one had used it. He re-sent the gift card to us 13 months later. This call took 4 minutes. Fantastic customer service Oba!!!!!! Thanks, Kaitlin
(5)
Taylor J.

Back when Oba was all the rage, the service was spot on, the happy hour was cheap, delicious, and the overall experience made me one happy girl. Unfortunately after the last three disappointing trips...I have to say: gone are the days. Lucky for me (and lucky for you!) we are ridiculously fortunate to have tons of amazing restaurant options here in Portland, so don't be sad that Oba is less than stellar nowadays. Cheers: - The sangria and mojitos are still quite tasty, but nothing to write home about. - Outdoor seating to Portland people watch (great people watching inside too). - The Ceviche is still quite wonderful. Jeers: - The outdoor seating was awful the hot day we were out there. It smelled like the streets of mexico. Tip: Mexico stench is less noticeable after a few Sangrias :) - I waited 30 minutes at a non peak time/day for my Sangria and it came out wrong (I had ordered the guava, not the traditional one). My friend's Jameson on the rocks came out watered down, clearly had been sitting for a while. Our server handled it with no apology but an excuse as he took away the Sangria and made me wait an additional 30 for the right one. Somehow it just didn't taste as good an hour later... - Finally our ceviche and queso fundido came out after 45 agonizing (and more importantly, drinkless) minutes. Why would food that requires such little prep take 45 minutes (when they aren't even busy)?! While we waited, our server didn't come back even once to recognize the fact that our simple dishes were taking forever and perhaps reassure us that they were coming soon. Moral of the story: Meh! Oba used to be great, they are less than impressive now. Try out one of the many fantastic spots around town. Be adventurous and try something new, there's a multitude to choose from.
(1)
Pam H.

Fabulous restaurant!! The guacamole made tableside is great. The desserts are heavenly. Highly recommend!
(5)
Phong D.

Yeah, that's right, 3 stars. We came for the evening happy hour and I was a bit disappointed. The waitress seemed tired and somewhat upset that we were a party of 7. The pomegranate sangria was expensive, too fizzy, and forgettable. The queso fundido dip was flavorful and addictive but ALONE could not carry Oba to 4 stars. In the end it was an expensive encounter and then we were smacked with a gratuity fee. Ugh.
(3)
Laura P.

Favorite happy hour spot! Dinner runs a little pricey, but overall, just love this place. Great drinks, delicious food and good service are all consistent.
(4)
Joie S.

Great service, great food. My sister and I went for dinner Monday night, we made reservations but didn't really need them. It was freezing outside so not a lot of people in the restaurant. We started with habanero mango martinis and the tableside guacamole - magnificent! We only wanted tapas, not entrees, although the description of "Platos" made them hard to pass up. The prime rib coyotas were incredible, the best dish we had. The bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos were a close second, though - the sweetish sauce with the heat of the jalapeno was a great combination. The crispy coconut prawns were also delicious. I was not a fan of the queso fundido (w/chorizo), it wasn't terrible but it wasn't up to the same standard as the rest of the tapas. We really wanted to try the Puerto Rico shrimp fried rice, the Argentinian crab cakes and the crispy chipotle calamari, but we ran out of room in the tummies. Oh well, next time . . .
(4)
Sharon M.

It is always nice to eat at Obama. I went there last night using a Living Social coupon, and didn't know what to expect from the menu, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had a beef top sirloin with fingerling potatoes and plantains, butter leaf lettuce salad and bacon wrapped jalapeÃ±os. It was all very good. I had an Oba-Tini to drink, and was very happy with that. My son had macadamia nut crusted halibut and he said it was one of his all time favorite dishes.
(4)
Orian I.

I've been coming here for awhile and seen their changes to their menu, style and staff. It's a great go to when you don't want any surprises. The happy hour is pretty decent although used to be much better. I love the edition of pitcher margaritas and mojitos. I've done HH and had dinner in their dining room. The decore is superb, the coloration makes everyone beautiful and soft. The staff is well trained and professional and friendly. The sister restaurant to hall street grill and the late Harrison's oba has been a reliable consistent Latin fusion dining. The happy hour menu is adequate from snacks to fairly generous portions on some of their items. I think $10 fish tacos goes over the limit of hh, but they were well executed. The queso fundido is always a popular choice, i mean it's chorizo and melty cheese..nothing is wrong with that. The dining room is beautiful the decor is comfortable and well designed. the servers are impeccable. My favorite and I've tried most of the items on their regular menu is still the prime rib. They do a very nice job. I do wish they would bring back their calamari onto their hh menu though.
(3)
Stanley T.

We've been walking past Oba for years saying "we have to go here". Finally did last night. My judgment: Atmosphere: close to 5* Service: 3* (maybe they were shorthanded?) Chef's Choice Margarita: 5* (and that's hard to find) Rioja and syrah by the glass: 2* (both tasted slightly of having been open too long) Seared Ahi appetizer: 4* Coconut Prawn appetizer: 2* (calling those little guys prawns is a stretch, and the whole thing was too sweet) Asparagus soup: 4* Mole Poblano Pork entre: 3* Coffee: 2* (bitter) I wanted to like this place more, but I had little better than a 3* experience. I'll return and try again though - the menu is diverse and intriguing.
(3)
Steve G.

I had dinner at Oba on New Years Eve and I was very impressed... Our server was one of the most professional servers I have had in a while... She did an excellent job talking about the menu, and helping use decide on a dish... The food was very good! For an appetizer I had the stuffed jalapeÃ±o peppers wrapped in bacon which I recommend trying... Then for the main entry, I had the macadamia nut crusted sword fish with sun dried tomatoes, a green pesto, and a sherry sauce... Which was very tasty... I was also impressed by Oba's flexibility for people with dietary restrictions. They have an excellent vegetarian menu, and gluten free menu and they went out of their way to make use a special gluten free desert. Overall it was a great dinner! I was very impressed and an the extremely good customer service unexpected surprise.
(5)
Laura N.

More like O-bummer. 4 years ago, I would have raised my hand high proclaiming yours the BEST happy hour in Portland. Over the last few years I've watched as the prices climbed...25 cents here, 50 cents there...and now I'm just not so happy. The caesar salad that I enjoyed for $2.50 is $4, the $3.50 prime rib coyotas that I raved about are now $5, and the amazing $5 burger is $6.50. Listen, I understand times are tough. I'm sure rent is high and the cost of food is through the roof. But when happy hour for two adds up to the same price I'd pay sitting on the other side of your bar, with portions that are half the size...I'm having trouble seeing exactly where the "happy" fits in to this picture.
(2)
Kyle K.

One of my new favorite spots, great bar scene and even better food. All the small bites are delicious some of the can't miss foods; fish tacos, coconut ship, ahi tuna wontons. I'll have to try the Ceviche next time. Drinks are well balance full of flavor with some unique concoctions on the menu.
(5)
John L.

Very enjoyable experience. Good food, good presentation, good service (Jamie). Expect to pay a bit more than some other restaurants. Portland has so many to choose from. If your budget allows, by all means go for it. Wife had the "banana steak" and I had the pork loin. Both choices were delicious.
(4)
Eve P.

Great drinks and happy hour in the Pearl!
(4)
Hui K.

"A Mexican restaurant that sounds and looks more like a Japanese restaurant." Background: - Mexican restaurant, really chill, really dark lighting. - Went there for happy hour, not knowing what to expect. Pros: - Great happy hour menu! - Good food - Good service - Good vibe - Great selection on regular menu Cons: - A little bit too dark... I don't know why they turn down the lights so much; it's a restaurant, not a club... I recommend: - Go for happy hour menu. - Eat dinner there. - Bring someone for a casual date.
(5)
Rebecca H.

Oba suckolas. Went during happy hour and it was less than stellar. The HH plates are around 4 to 6 dollars and none were very good. Only the rockfish ceviche was memorable, and we got the regular order, not the HH order. My stomach hurts now, and it's taking all my willpower to not throw up in my mouth a little. My husband actually stopped eating halfway through HH, which is incredibly rare. Whenever he stops eating it means his tapeworm is ill or sleeping, because he'll eat anything. He stopped because nothing tasted good or was worth eating there. The drinks were bad. How does one screw up a lemon drop? Oh yeah, by not putting any alcohol in it! It tasted like lemony water. The margaritas were not well mixed. Here are things not to get: fried plantains--fried dry tasteless chips of something that could be plantain tacquitos made with beef (they are called something else)-absolutely tasteless salmon quesedilla--very small and creamy in an overpowering way chicken quesedilla--larger but sort of sweet and weird ceaser salad--cheap lettuce and I never would have guessed there was dressing on it, it was so bland, but I know I saw something white there queso cheesy dipping thing--small, and again (guess the theme) tasteless coconut shrimp--fried sort of burnt shrimp with a gooey sweet sauce Does any of this sound appetizing? I didn't think so. For a place that should be bursting with tasty flavors, given the salsas and sauces, it was just so incredibly bland. The bright shining gold star on the evening was when they were trying to turn tables so they just picked up our plates and even picked up the cocktail napkins, bunched them up and threw them on the plate of food we were still eating from. We got the hint and got out of there. We wont be back.
(1)
Michael C.

The Good: Nice interior and good vibe. Most of the happy hour items are pretty good. The Bad: This is a pretty expensive happy hour. ($10 for 2 fish tacos, $5 for cocktails) Try: the queso fundido dip. Creamy and so yummy. Don't Try: the caesar salad. It's definitely not worth $4.
(3)
Dana K.

The happy hour food is the best, it is consistently good, has never failed us. Highly recommend the fish tacos, and the corn.
(5)
Lindsey M.

What I love most about Oba is there amazing happy hour. Although it can get a little loud in the lounge, the margaritas and tapas are outstanding. I highly recommend a pitcher of blood orange margaritas and queso fundido. Delicious!
(4)
Tasha D.

I love this happy hour. I genuinely expected a pitcher of margaritas ($20) to be 4 margaritas; it was on the larger side of 6. I had to try the Marion Berry margaritas for the local Oregonian flavor; they were excellent (but very sweet). The food was good, too -- but I'm focusing this review on what we came here for, and that involved tequila.
(4)
Ben J.

Great food and reasonable prices for happy hour. Food and drinks were delicious. Went for dinner on a separate occasion and found the food while a little pricey was outstanding.
(5)
S b.

Oba is a must each time I visit Portland. Their menu isn't expansive (just a one-pager), but its still hard to decide what to have. Their wait-staff are knowledgeable, and can help explain and recommend items. You could get away with just ordering a bunch of the small plates and not even bother with a main course. The crispy coconut prawns -- coconut battered prawns with jalapeÃ±o-citrus marmalade -- are a must try. So are the crispy chipotle calamari. But my all time favorite is their queso fundido. For $11, the roasted butternut squash enchiladas are truly worth every penny. I can't speak much to the rest of the menu, since I usually order the bife a micalense -- their 8 oz. grilled portuguese-style kobe beef top sirloin topped with caramelized banana, bacon, dijon cream, with fingerling potatoes and fresh vegetables. You have to like your red meat to really enjoy this dish. Great spot for a date, or for large groups (they've managed to seat up to 10 of us with no problem), though I do recommend a reservation since they can get busy in the evenings and on weekends.
(4)
Dana S.

So we did something we don't normally do & tried the living social special. Oba has been in the Pearl a long time and that means something right???? From start to finish it was a disappointment. They brought us the wrong plates and the choice of steak was tough and I mean tough enough to send back and wonder what was going on....at the end of the meal we were still obligated to tip the waitress 34.00 and it just felt like a giant rip off. We eat all over when we travel and know the difference between a good restaurant and a mediocre one. Oba is mediocre. We did like the atmosphere but hey that is minor as many a place in PDX have that going on. The mandatory tip on the crappy meal was insult but can't blame the wait staff. Never to return and probably never to do a living social deal again either.
(2)
Arabella A.

Pros: Elegant and modern decor Excellent service from hostess and waiters Waiting time for food to come out is good For happy hour, there is an area where you can sit with your kiddos. Cons: Ordered Paella, Vaca Frita and Macadamia crusted sword fish , everything was ok, nothing that I can say I want to come back and try especially considering the prices on the entrees. Reading some of the reviews, I really expected food to be amazing.
(3)
Padmashree K.

Classy service. Excellent appetizer and dinner selection. If you are vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free, they'll whip out a new menu for you! The dishes are super balanced in flavor, and bring out some pretty authentic Latin American tastes. Can't speak for dishes with meat, but absolutely loved their butternut squash enchiladas and their veggie platter. Appetizer and entrees came out at the same time, and when our waiter found out, he treated us with a free dessert (the chocolate mousse with almonds and caramel is quite divine!) It'll be a while before I go back to Oba because of the restaurant variety in PDX, but we totally dig this place.
(4)
Taylor L.

Went here a few months ago during happy hour. We had the Arepas with pork, the grilled corn and the Caesar salad which were all fantastic. The Arepas were by far my favorite. The pork was perfectly marinated and so flavorful. I also had a margarita that was freshly made (No sour mix included) that was great. The bartender was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and great customer service. Happy hour prices are extremely fair. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Michelle R.

Ok so the food is amazing! I am not at all impressed with the service. We sat in the practically empty bar on a Sunday night for at least 10 minutes before someone came over. They took our drink and 2 tapas orders to start. Never even got one of the tapas. Another 15 at least later they came by to check in... And this happened for over 1.5 hours. Non the less we got our food and yes while good, it's not even busy in here. Bad service. Someone teach these servers what their job is and how to do it!
(3)
Marianne S.

We came here upon buying a Livingsocial.com deal for a 3 course meal. I had been to Oba! a few times before but only for drinks and HH. We had reservations, so we're sitted quickly. The staff was extremely attentive and knowledgeable about the drink selection. We each had a couple of drinks. I had a lemon drop (I used to get them during HH and remember them being delicious) and they still are. My next drink was a habanero-mango martini and it was lovely. It complimented the steak and salmon nicely. Our appetizer was sautÃ©ed shrimp in a garlic cream sauce with arugula pesto and grilled crostinis. It was so delicious. The sauce had a little bit of a bite to it. I could have eaten the shrimp and sauce all day long! Next up was the soup and salad. We decided to get one of each and share. The soup was gazpacho and it was a world of flavors in one bowl. The salad was romaine with crispy quinoa, pickled carrots, and bing cherries with a manchego cheese dressing. All of it was amazing! And, then onto the main course. There were two options and we each got one to share. There was NY strip steak with Poblano mashed potatoes and bleu cheese and King salmon with crispy gruyere cheese and a vegetable ratatouille. It was some of the best food I've had and what huge portions! I wrote a lot about the food, but I'd like to reiterate how great the staff was. They were really on top of things. We enjoyed every bit of our experience there!
(5)
Winnie F.

I'm super upset. This place is struggling to keep repeating customers. Food quality went down. Their service sucks. We found a hair in our soup bowl at the bottom, told the server and he never did anything about it. Not even an apology and just took our bowl away, saying "oh that's not good". Uhh, what? He was also very slow and didn't bothering checking in. Our glasses were empty and did not get the warm fuzzy feeling that you should get in a fine dining restaurant. No plans on coming back here!
(1)
Bea H.

Excellent cocktails, quality ingredients, good for groups. Upscale latin american grub. Good mojitos!!! Slower service, but that was okay, so we could enjoy each other's company more. Also desserts we not the best, but the main course and drinks made up for it. Will definitely go again!
(4)
Frankie D.

I love good Mexican food ! Fresh upscale Mexican food! Great place for a few happy hour drinks and food ! The grilled corn was delicious ! It has a jalapeÃ±o glaze that makes it spicy and delicious ! If you want a fun experience with friends please order the group plate of guacamole!! Someone comes to your table with all of the ingredients and customizes your guacamole to your liking !! Love the location it's close to work and very large ! So you never feel like there are to many people ! Amazing service. They are fast and extremely polite !
(5)
James D.

We had a great meal. We built the meal with selections from the small plates list and the entire group got to taste a wonderful variety of excellent flavors and spices. Service was also very good.
(4)
Eric M.

Had a good night at oba with a few friends and a few beers. We also had a couple food items. Guacamole was bomb Caesar was good Calamari was great Coconut shrimp were over cooked All together fun night and about a 3.8 star experience
(4)
Brittany H.

I got excited to try this place as soon as I saw someone making guacamole table side. Unfortunately, that is where the excitement ended. Upon seating we (myself & 3 coworkers) ordered margaritas. When brought out, one ended up being the wrong flavor. The waitress said we could have the wrong one on the house and she would get the correct one. Not wanting to be difficult my friend said, "No big deal, I'll drink this one on the house. You don't have to get me another." Then we ordered appetizers. The guacamole mentioned above was $18!! You read that right, $18. So, we opted for the plain $8 guac with some salsa. We also wanted to place our meal order because we had been there for a while at this point. However, our waitress told us she had already taken too many orders at other tables and that we couldn't place ours yet. Ok?? Whatever. In the meantime, we got our guac, sans the salsa. We were completely finished with it when our waitress finally came back and when I told her about the salsa she stated, "Oh, you wanted salsa too?? I'm gonna have to charge you $5 extra for that." Forget it, can we just order now? One of us got a salad and we all laughed when it came out because of its size. It was 4 lettuce leaves, 4 chickpeas, and 2 oranges. That's it. $9. My friend was frustrated but was able to laugh it off. I ordered fish tacos and while they tasted fine, there were bones in my fish. And to me, that's just not ok. We also had to request silverware from a different waiter because we were never brought any. We received the check, paid, and were about to leave when we realized my friend was charged for the "free" margarita. When we questioned the waitress she stated, "Well, you said it was fine and you drank it so I charged you for it." My friend replies, "I didn't want 2 margaritas and I didn't want to be difficult so I kept it because you said it was free" Waitress reply, "Oh, just take it out of my tip." You have got to be kidding me!! Did she really just say that?! Sorry for the lengthy review but this place was SO BAD I wanted you to hear our full experience. The four of us will never be here again. Worst food experience in Portland yet.
(1)
Swapna M.

I love tapas so I was super excited when my friend told me she had made reservations here. We decided to share a few tapas and split an entree. Heres the rundown. Bacon-Wrapped JalapeÃ±os stffued with chorizo and cream cheese - Thought these were ok. I just found the amount of cheese and chorizo to be too much. Chips & Guacamole - This is made table-side and costs $18. I find this OUTRAGEOUS. $18 for an avocado! My friend REALLY wanted it so we got it. It was good, but NOT worth $18! Ceviche del DÃa - On the day we went, it was scallops. This dish was inedible! The scallops were doused in a sweet, syrupy sauce. We actually had to send this back because we simply could not eat it. We split the prime rib entree - It was ok. Idk how "Latin American" it was. It just tasted like any old steak you can get at an American restaurant. Dessert - Banana buÃ±uelos (mini donut holes stuffed with banana) - This was also just ehhh. They served it with some awfully tangy sorbet which was very off-putting. I wouldnt order this! Sangria is great, service is spot-on, ambiance and decor are wonderful. Too bad the menu isnt on par. I wouldn't go back here.
(2)
Richard H.

Great happy hour find on my way to Paragon which I never got to after looking at their HH menu and scoring a great outdoor seat during the recent warm spell in Portland this past week. Had the pollo tacos and Yucatan Arepas along with the local favorite Alameda Pilsner. Service was outstanding and kudos to my server Mary who was kind enough to trust me as I discovered midway through my noshing that I left my wallet in the hotel. After conferring with her manager along with a trusting personality that I displayed, she hailed me a cab and was back in no time to order another arepa and beer. Pollo tacos: I have had many "street tacos" in my travels but this was a cut above as care was taken by the individual making and plating this dish. I felt the quantity of ingredients were blended just right and for the HH price it was definitely a winner. Yucatan Arepas: I had never had Arepas which I discovered were corn cakes. Reading the description on the HH menu, it sounded tasty and not only were they a hit for me but I ended up ordering a second round. Loved loved this dish for the blending of the braised pork, pickled onions and cabbage. Sauces that were on this dish were a great compliment as well. Oba is a winner all around for this Happy Hour review of these two dishes and I will be returning again soon on my next sojourn to the Pearl District to hopefully have Mary as my server.
(5)
Ryan B.

I am going to side with some of the other Elite's on this one. Prices are ridiculous with respect to portion and quality. Three of us tried Oba for a company dinner one evening, service was on par as was the menu. Appetizer prices were way too steep for what we ate. "Let's order some chips and Guac." Okay, so 10 mins later a guy walks over and beats some avacados in front of you, hands you a few chips, $18. Whatever. We ordered another dip-themed appetizer, basically that Nacho cheese sauce put into a bowl/oven, that was also small, nothing exciting about it, $12. We had some drinks from the bar and I went with a local beer I had not previously tried, which everybody enjoyed. On to the Entree portion. Two of us ordered the Halibut ($34), and other went with the flank steak ($26). The fish was cooked to perfection and seasoned nicely, but it was a good thing I did some damage on the appetizers, because this is one of those places where portion size is not emphasized by the entree alone. If you are hungry and do not order an appetizer, expect to hit up Micky-D's golden arches sometime on the drive home. Overall, a fair experience, nothing to amazing or too dull. It's possible I'll be back, haven't decided. Cheers!
(3)
Sue R.

Top-notch ambience, delicious food, and excellent service! What's the best number, and my husbands steak was huge. The guacamole was amazing.
(5)
Michael S.

Good food, fast service, fresh ingredients, great selection of happy hour drinks which are well mixed. Not an over pour, good balance and proper tasting. I recommend the grapefruit mojito. Atmosphere is good for groups as well as intimate enough to hold a conversation. Sidewalk seating is available and there is ample seating at the bar or at high tops in the bar area. Good place to meet after work or for a night out.
(4)
Lisa T.

Went here for happy hour. It didn't say online or on the happy hour menu, but you need to buy a drink for happy hour. I got the cheeseburger with fries. The fries were crispy, I really liked it! The cheeseburger was pretty good, but a little dry. The margarita was very lime-y. The prices were great!
(4)
Julie M.

We took a party of seven adults to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Things started out well and we had a very nice waiter, but it went downhill quickly. To make a long story short, one of our guest's dinner arrived AFTER all of our dinner plates were cleared away. The manager brought his entrÃ©e (our waiter had forgotten to place the order), sat it down and walked away without saying a word. The poor guy felt obligated to scarf his dinner down while we all sat there watching. When the bill was brought to our table there was no adjustment made. I requested that the manager take it off the bill, which they did end up doing, but made it feel like it was a very grand gesture on their part. The food was "okay," not up to their standards in the past. It kind of feels like they are resting on the laurels of their acclaimed past.
(1)
Norman C.

No trip to the NorthWest is complete unless we dine at OBA and have the worlds best waitress Peggy tend to our culinary delights. Peggy has been a fixture here for over 14 years and we cannot wait to return on Wed Aug 5th.... You really get a double treat with their food and having the good fortune of having Peggy at our service...So get ready Peg we are heading North.
(5)
Meaghan F.

Great happy hour with a variety of options for everyone. I highly suggested their marionberry mojitos only $5!
(5)
Diana P.

Best dinner ever. Was not disappointed. Definitely will come back. We came for girls night and were very satisfied when we left. The salmon is on point. I recommend it if you want to feel like you are in paradise from the coconut rice 10/10 for sure !
(5)
John A.

Went in with some friends. Started off with a Solcistio drink which is made with new deal vodka, cucumber, lemon & Rosemary syrup. Then. We got the table side guacamole which we all love and get it majority of the time. Also got the coyotes appetizer which has prime rib and it was good. Kathy that bartender is awesome.
(4)
Fabian N.

I have eaten food in 35 countries and this is the best steak I have ever had. Get the Living Social deal it's the steak on that offer. Amazing. Super cute place and the staff was great. Go now.
(5)
Leslie W.

You know how sometimes you buy fresh fish and then leave it in the fridge too long and when you unwrap it, hoowhee--it smells bad. You keep sniffing, hoping maybe you are wrong and maybe it isn't that bad. You soak it in milk because you read that was one way to get rid of the superfish smell. You go back and forth thinking about whether to toss it or cook it, but in the end, you figure, what the hey? It cost ten bucks a pound and you're pretty sure the bad smell alone is not enough to kill you. So you cook it up and eat it because you paid for it. It's fishy but not the worst thing you've ever eaten. It's just old: senior citizen fish--not young, firm, whipper-red snapper. It's edible, but not something you'd want again. In any case, it's old enough you'd never serve it to guests and you sure as heck won't save the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. Well, that pretty much covers both my visits here.
(2)
J S.

I was expecting savory but ended up with something kind of sweet. I ordered the Trocha Arco which was Oregon steelhead salmon prepared with some sauce that had pineapple so I thought it was too sweet and didn't have any savor at all. Another thing was for $28 all you get is one small piece of salmon and a few pieces of vegetables that are under it. So all in all it's kind of like the price for a meal should be at least $75 per person because if you want a salad and anything else besides the entrÃ©e that's really what the price is going to end up being. But it looks like a great restaurant I'm sure they have some really good food there so maybe I'll have to try again but then you have to put out some serious Peso.
(3)
Pat M.

Oba... Sweet, sweet Oba... I'll get my one bad comment out of the way first. Over priced. $16 guacamole. Yeah. It's really good, but it's not $16 good! Now, I have nothing else but unicorn dreams and rainbow roads to say about Oba. Stellar food, stellar service, stellar drinks. For a special night out, Oba is a fantastic choice.
(4)
Abigail A.

Excelent service from Jeremy! He was great! Attentive creative and personable.
(5)
Sharon N.

This is a very good, authentic restaurant that serves Latin American cuisine. My husband & I were very impressed by the food, service & decor. !Oba! has an extensive wine, cocktail & specialty drinks. I had a red Argentinian wine that was very nice & smooth. Next came the tapas, the bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeÃ±os. Stuffed with chorizo, cream cheese that was served with an apple cider Demi-glaze. So good.... But then we tried the stuffed piquillo peppers! Excellent! They were stuffed with 7 month aged manchego, goat cheese, served with scallion-Moscatel vinaigrette. They were heated till the cheese just barely melted. For an entree we split the Vaca Frita. So glad we chose this entree. There are no words for how great this entree was, but I'll try. Vaca Frita is Cuban pulled flank steak, that's marinated for 48 hours, then braised slowly till the meat just pulls apart. We closed our mouths for the first bite and the juices just came out of the meat. I just had to close my eyes and pick out all the flavors in the meat. It's served with the most flavorful Spanish rice pilaf, corn salsa, ahi Amarillo vinaigrette & marinated onions. For dessert we had the dark chocolate semi-frado, served with a Patron XO caramel sauce & Chantilly cream. The whole dinner was so flavorful & so good, I woke up the following day, thinking about how excellent dinner was.
(5)
Loretta D.

I've only been here once but it's already a favorite of mine. We were there for hh then moved over to the dining room for dinner. Margaritas are just as awesome as advertised. We had the chips and guac as an app. Being from so cal, I'm a snob about guacamole and wasn't expecting much but holy crap! Best guacamole of my life. It's a bit spendy but worth every penny. For dinner I had the steak which was cooked to perfection. Tons of flavor. It melted in my mouth. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Hulk I.

Best guacamole we have ever had. They make it at the table. We think the roasted corn and the stone mortar was a key for the taste. The paella was too salty, but okay. The shredded beef was very tender. A bit pricey but a unique flavor.
(4)
Rebecca C.

This review is for happy hour. I am in love with the food but will pass on the drinks next time I go. Let's start with the only negative: the drinks. We all ordered drinks on happy hour, like margaritas and mojitos and we all were not so happy with them. Generous pours are usually something to get excited about but whatever off-brand well alcohol they use in their drinks is just too strong and it's gross. I took a few sips and that was it. Now onto the good: the food. I was not expecting anything fantastic from this place, and I'm not sure why. Maybe I just hadn't heard good things. But man, pretty much everything we ordered was amazing. The favorites by far were the arepas and stuffed peppers. The empanada was ok, and the regular tacos were good. The fish tacos were a little too fishy for my picky fish taste but my friend who loves all fish thought they were fine. I am very excited to go back for happy hour and try one or two more things, but I will definitely get the arepas and peppers again.
(4)
Sara P.

Amazing happy hour (all day on Sundays!!) and our server, Gretchen, was absolutely fantastic. I would go back again and again just to have her amazing, knowledgable, and gracious service. I could eat the mesquite corn on the cob everyday of my life. Great beer selection, tasty cocktails, and elegant atmosphere. Very satisfied!
(5)
Allegra P.

Go with a full wallet - you will NOT regret it! Incredible service, an ambiance that transports you, and a menu that is nearly impossible to pick from but you don't go wrong when you do!
(5)
Jeff S.

Wonderful restaurant! Decor was inviting and comfortable. drinks were great, even the "pitcher" of margaritas (which I never buy at most restaurants, because they are cheaply made). Not here, very good drinks. Outstanding use of latin fusion ingredients in fresh and creative ways. Tableside preparation of the guacamole for our appetizer was superb. A simple concept, but what a difference fresh made, in front of your eyes makes! The entrees were also outstanding. My wife and I shared the gaucho prepared prime rib (essentially cut and then fired over a wood fire). The flavors we so spot on, well balanced, just right. I am a rather accomplished cook myself and I almost found myself taking notes! I made mental notes for sure! We also had the ceviche special, the most creative use of ingredients in a ceviche dish I've ever had. Finally, the wait staff were perfect. Knowledgeable and professional. Leaving a healthy tip was a simple decision. A definite must if you're in Portland!
(5)
Mike G.

We had a business meeting here last night and I must say, I was impressed! The service was some of the best! I can not even name all of the dishes we had but everyone of them were very good! Portions are on the small side which is about the only thing negative I can say about this place.
(4)
Courtney S.

Oba is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. The staff is very professional and accommodating. I highly recommend their Tableside Guacamole. It is the best I have ever had. My favorite dish is Bife a Micalnese. The price is a bit high but it is worth every penny. If you are looking to save some money, check out their happy hour. They serve a delicious burger for only around $8.
(5)
Jason T.

Oba is definitively one of the big players in the Portland restaurant scene. With its beautiful decor, dim lighting, and great looking interior, it gives off a very positive first impression. For drinks, the mojitos are killer (mango and guava mojitos are a must!) and they have a great variety of mojitos, including mango, guava, cucumber, and lime. A pitcher is worth the money if people are feeling thirsty. Food wise, I thought most of the appetizers were incredible while only some of the entrees stood out to me. The desserts were quite unique too, and are bound to satisfy any palette. Here's the breakdown: Apps: 1) Coconut prawns (+++) - succulent, sweet, perfect for sharing 2) Octopus (+++) - really wonderful assortment of flavors and textures. 3) Queso Fundido (+) - tortilla chips with cheesy dip - good, but not special 4) Calamari (+) - good, but nothing special; good for sharing Entrees: 1) Rib eye (++) - thought this was amazing; very tender meat 2) Flank steak (++) - quite delicious and very well seasoned meat; the potatoes really bring the dish together 3) Paella (+) - good flavor, but expensive for the amount you get. I'm used to grand portions of paella so when I saw this dish come out I was quite surprised. Desserts: 1) Baked Argentina (+++) - sooo many things!! This is really sweet and comes in a fairly big portion, so it's perfect for sharing 2) Semifreddo (++) - good, but a bit too much coffee flavor for me. Very sweet as well. 3) Flan (+) - pretty good, but flan's already good! +++ - GO FOR IT!! ++ - Pretty good! + - Meh.
(4)
Aaron C.

Excellent service from the first greeting to the last goodbye. The food was fantastic and the steak was actually medium rare. We had a great dinner and would happily return.
(5)
Chris P.

The food is always phenomenal every time we swing by here, and the service is great. Trendy, yet classy and casual, it's great on a Friday and Saturday. Go here. It's a must.
(5)
Deb F.

Fantastic dinner! We had a great meal at Oba, and were taken care of by server Thaddeus. All the dishes we had were terrific. I tasted my in-law's meals, and hubby and I split a number of the tapas plates in order to try more things. I think my favorite items were the Columbian Chicken Empanada, the Arepas with Yucatan Pork, and the Puerto Rican Shrimp Fried Rice. The fried rice has a distinct coconut flavor, which I liked a lot. Not too many shimps in it though. Also really liked the coleslaw on the crab cake plate. My son had the Anticuchos, which is skewers of marinated flank steak. They were super-flavorful and he really liked them too. My sangria was fruity and refreshing, and not too strong. Overall, the food flavors and presentations are excellent, and portions are about right for the money. We left full but not stuffed, and even took home some leftovers. The space is decorated beautifully, and our server was attentive and helpful, even though it was only his second day. My only complaint is that it's a very loud restaurant. On a busy Saturday night, it was packed and extremely loud and hard to hear at our own table.
(4)
Kelsey H.

Always good drinks and food. Their tacos and mojitos are amazing. Good ambience and service! Great location to start at and then go to other places around there
(5)
Vivian W.

First experience at Oba... Service was great, 4/5. However, our food was pretty bad.. Here's the break down of what we got. Appetizers: Octopus and squid dish (forgot the name) Flavored was decent. But the dish was over cooked and the way to saucy. Presentation is zero. Yucatan Pork Arepas (braised pork dish) It sounded really great and was recommended by our waitress but the mixture was odd..not a personal favorite. My boyfriend liked it though, so it's just not for everyone! Main courses: Paella de oba This is what I ordered and I did enjoy it... It was very savory and the prawns were actually decent sized and tasty. However, I was disappointed at small potion, Which did not match its $29 price tag.. In terms of quality it's still too high for what you get. This is the only dish I liked but nothing I would go back for. Crusted Swordfish Boyfriends words "just horrible" I would have to agree... It was sour, tasteless, oily and just what the heck because it was another one of those sounded so good in writing. This was another recommendation, our waitress said the pesto and cilantro sauce was amazing...but our dish was bland and really lack the cilantro taste we hoped for. Even though, our experience was not the best, I would suggest everyone to try for themselves because I do think that Oba is a place you either don't like or love!
(1)
Brett P.

After reading all of the glowing reviews, my expectations were high. Maybe too high. Because Oba was pretty disappointing. The service was fine: pretty quick and friendly although we had to ask for something twice. The prices were good as they have Happy Hour all day on Sunday. But the food and margaritas were just sort of average. At a chain Mexican place, I wouldn't have even noticed. But I was expecting the really great flavors and presentation that makes the Portland food scene so great. There are worse choices out there, but with so many great places in the Pearl District, you'd be better off trying somewhere else.
(3)
Brian M.

Food was very good. Atmosphere was fun. Yes, it gets a little loud, but its not a fine dining, white cloth, quiet type of place to eat. Its fun and boisterous, with good cocktails. Seems like a good place to go with a group. Pretty extensive wine list.
(4)
Susie M.

We have been to this place about 4-5 times- always great food, great service, however, this evening was a disappointment. The server was not personable, and clearly wanted to just "turn" our table. The food quality was nothing close to what we had experienced in the past. Overall, with the choices in Portland, I will probably choose another venue for our next family dinner or birthday celebration.
(2)
Jay D.

OMG everything there is good and great staff!! Guacamole is made in front of you but everything there was nicely brought out and delicious
(5)
Amn C.

I'm not going to write the actual names of the items we ate because I can not remember what they were, I dont speak or write Spanish and the menu is not in front of me! (Get over it.) Lighting: I noticed the lighting because when the waiter is standing next to the table talking to you, you have to look up. It's an LED one. I just made my spouse look at what I am talking about and I got cussed at! SPOTS! Anyway, If my waiter had noticed I had put my hand up like a visor over my eyes to look at him as he is telling us about the menu, he might have noticed I had to stop because I was blinded! Kneel at the booths, come on down to table-side level please. It's ok. Really. Table-side Guacamole: I dont like spicy food, jalapeÃ±os were on the side. When I think of table-side, I think of an entertaining happy person whooping up conversation as they prepare the food. Today...not so much. Butter Lettuce Cara Cara Orange Salad: I missed the memo that this is spicy! But it was good! Who knew! 8oz Prime Rib. We had it grilled. If I was watching my cholesterol I'd be dead. Smothered in seasoned butteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer, mashed potatoes with cheeeeeeeeese and seasoned vegetables. Let's talk about the steak knives! Seriously the knife is made for a man's hand. It is heavy and by the way it was dull. There was a lot of sawing. There are two star look-a-likes! There is a woman who looks like Claire from House of Cards and a waiter who looks like Julian Assange! Yelp is now saying that I wrote the pants off this review and on that note, i bid you goodnight. he might have notice i had to stop because I
(4)
Rosarie L.

One STAR for the chef. The food was good but not great.. It's not worth the price. Service sucks! After our foods were served, we never saw your waitress. We have to ask for our waitress after we patiently waited for 30minutes. We had to wait anoth 20 minutes for our check. It's not worth to waste your time being here.
(1)
D T.

I've been here several times. The queso is sooo good!!! The Vaca Frita is by far the best entree I have tried here. Chicken is okay. The banana desert thing I could eat everyday!! I don't recommend the nachos, the "black beans" resemble more of a rubbery mystery paste than a bean. I even pulled a 3 inch long, skinny .. "Bean"off a chip like it was dried Elmer's glue. 3 stars because sometimes the service is lazy- Only restaurant I've been to that won't let you order dinner an hour before they close.... Happy hour menu only after 8:30/8:45pm??- things like nachos and tacos. I've gone at 8:45pm and was told I can't order from the dinner menu because they start closing the kitchen at 9pm....they officially close at 10pm.
(3)
Matthew C.

Overpriced, slow, but a very nice looking restaurant. I'm less than impressed after sampling their menu. The octopus was way too salty, the fundido cheese dip was separated and half oil but the jalapeÃ±o bacon wrapped appetizers were pretty good. Also we had tables side guacamole which was tasty, but not worth $18!? Come on its a couple avacados some garlic and spices. No one asked us for second drinks or water for 30 min. We just sat talking which was ok but sometimes you are hungry. That said, the food was not worth the excessive prices they were charging. I won't be coming back.
(2)
Lisa S.

Oba has been on my radar for awhile now since several people have recommended it to me. I was always hesitant though because it's a little pricey, but we decided to check it out after learning they have all-day happy hour on Sundays. They have a great food selection on their happy hour menu at different price points ranging from $4-$8 & it also includes $1 off drafts & $5 margaritas (I tried the guava & it was really well balanced & refreshing). We ordered quite a bit of food...Mesquite-Grilled Sweet Corn, Chicken Fajita Tacos, Arepas with Yucatan Pork, Colombian Chicken Empanada, Fish Tacos, Anticuchos (flank steak skewers), and the Queso Fundido with Chorizo (not on the happy hour menu, but melted cheese & chorizo?!? duh!). The food was awesome...great flavors & really well executed. The Anticuchos were a little on the bland side (especially in comparison to the other flavor-packed items) but perfectly cooked so totally forgiven. And it was only $50 for all that food plus 2 drinks! I docked a star for the service (we had to ask for everything) which was friendly but not very attentive. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Shannon S.

3.5! Solid choice for Happy Hour and some BOMB fish tacos! Our service was on point and the food was good. I didn't take advantage of the $5 mojitos, but if I had it probably would have pushed the rating to 4 Stars. Give it a try!
(3)
Irene S.

This place was really good. The guacamole was amazing!! They come and make it at your table. The only thing was the portions were kind of shall considering the price. This is a special occasion place.
(4)
Donna K.

Happy hour review: Oh oba, you disppointed me. The food was okay and the drinks are a bit watery. I was excited to come here to meet my friends and gab for hours about our recent trips around the world while drinking pitchers and pitchers of mojitos! We ordered a ton of food and a pitcher of mojito to start, I had a surprise glass piece that I sipped through a straw. I politely informed our waitress and she was responsive and asked if we wanted another pitcher. We said yes that would be safe. She took our four glasses and our pitcher and refilled it to the same amount minus our glasses that we had to dump. I would say that's a little cheap for having almost swallowed glass and it was way more watery. So we ended up paying for less then what we actually ordered. Needless to say we did not decide to order another mojito and decided to order drinks elsewhere.
(2)
Anna J.

Made reservations days in advance, waited half an hour past our reservation time for a table. Sat for almost 2 hours with just chips, entrees never arrived. Waiter was super nice and apologetic but the kitchen was clearly having problems. My party and I left after 2 hours of no food and walked across the street to another restaurant.
(1)
Julie C.

I had friends in town and wanted to dine in the Pearl with them. It had been several years since I had dined at Oba so thought I would give it a try and am so happy we did. I had forgotten how fabulous the food is. The service was exceptional as well. We had the swordfish, Paella de Oba and 2 other fabulous dishes. We will absolutely go back again soon.
(4)
Anita W.

My husband and I were walking in the Pearl District with a friend, and he mentioned how much he liked Oba. The restaurant was not open when we walked by, but a nice gentleman said we could come in and look around. He ended up being the owner, Steve McLain. It was about 20 minutes before Happy Hour, and he showed us the whole restaurant. We were very impressed with his pride in the restaurant, and he told us about each seating area. After our tour we left and walked around a little bit more, and then decided we wanted to go back for Happy Hour. When we walked in the restaurant Steve said hello, and we were seated immediately. The hostess and servers were lovely and attentive. While we were sitting there trying to decide on drinks and tapas, a server came up with some Arepas that Steve had sent to our table gratis. The Arepas with Yucatan Pork are amazing!! I could have eaten a large plate of that all by itself. Very yummy flavors...tender pork on a corn cake. Mmmmmmm. We ordered some other food and our drinks, and sat back to enjoy the great atmosphere and lively music. As we were sitting there chatting Steve came up, and talked with us for about 10 minutes. It was quite interesting to sit and hear about life in the Pearl District back when there weren't many restaurants. We noted to ourselves how likable Steve was and how his enthusiasm for his restaurant was evident to all of us. My husband and his best friend have been in the restaurant equipment business for many years, and as a result we have visited many restaurants. It was refreshing to see an owner that was so personable and visible. All of the food we ordered was good as were the drinks. We can't wait to go back when we are in Portland again! If you would like a lovely experience where the food is good, the atmosphere is beautiful, and the service is top notch...go to OBA! Thank you Steve and staff for giving us a wonderful experience.
(5)
Tanya Q.

This place confused me. The food was very good but was not Latin flavored at all. The carne asada was having an identity crisis and was just brisket and closer to BBQ. It was cooked well and the service was prompt and friendly. But overall it was overpriced and not what I expected for a Mexican or Latino themed restaurant.
(3)
Mark D.

Food was definitely very tasty if a bit pricey. I had the special Akaskan halibut, my companion had vaca frita, and both were delicious. We also each ordered beet salad, but only one was initially delivered, likely due to the noisy environment, and it was a bit difficult to attract the waiter's attention. The problem was quickly remedied and the overall experience was very good.
(4)
Aprameya R.

We visited Oba during Portland Dining Month. It's big. It's lively. It can seat quite a few people and it does a fine job of managing the crowd. The two of us were seated at a table for two and while the restaurant was crowded (on a Saturday night) we were able to carry on a conversation and have an enjoyable meal. The service was good, our server was courteous and professional. The food was delightful. The wife had the Mahi-Mahi which was nice. I liked my Salmon better, it was a good mix of tang and spice and went down well. The wife liked her vodka+ginger drink as well - it packed quite a punch she said. The menu looks very interesting, they have tapas that i would have loved to try. They also have guacamole made at the table which looked very cool - again something that would be easy to try in a group of people. Overall, Oba is 4 stars. Good food. Good service. Good for a group or just for a couple's night out.
(4)
TurtleHome T.

Came here with 3 friends (for a party of 4) on a Saturday night for happy hour. It is BUSY, so expect to wait, as the happy hour is only available in the bar area on the right of the hostess table. If you venture to the left, it's a full price menu. I was lucky enough that the table I was "stalking" didn't seem to mind (after I asked them of course), and even let me sit with them while they waited for their credit card to come back from the waitress. The food is terrific, especially for the price. I ordered the skirt steak skewers, and they were delicious! My husband chose the Oba burger, and he devoured that thing (it's surprisingly large for a happy hour burger). I also ordered a Prickly Pear Mojito, which was a little on the sweet side, but still refreshing and well sized. I really appreciate the speed that food came out, and the fact that our waitress gave us a happy hour last call. I'd definitely come back again for happy hour!
(5)
Meagan S.

Obama is one of my favorite places in Portland, but I've never made it past the bar. We always eat in the bar and go during happy hour. If the dining room is open then kids are allowed to sit in lounge area too and your whole family can have happy hour. Tacos here are awesome and so are the huge mojitos.
(5)
Kelly C.

When I was little I always thought that the pinnacle of adulthood would be to dine at a restaurant that serves tiny plates of pretentious food garnished with exotic plants and drizzles of unidentifiable sauces. Well it seems that I have arrived. Oba's portions are small, but the food is well made and beautifully presented. The servers are very professional, have extensive knowledge of the food and drink menu, and are more than happy to make recommendations. The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice; the tables are well spaced and the music is in keeping with the mood. I understand that the lighting is also for mood enhancing purposes, but it is SO DARK in there! The waiter did offer me a tiny flashlight when I jokingly complained about not being able to see the dessert menu, which was very nice of him. Tonight my party of 8 just got drinks and tapas and our bill was over $200-- pretty spendy. Nobody raved about their food, but nobody complained either. I think 75% of the experience is the atmosphere. It would be a fun place for a date or to celebrate a special occasion with the small group of friends, but probably not somewhere I would go every weekend. Be warned that groups of 7 or more will be on one check, and there is a $3 split plate charge. On the upside, you can make reservations online!
(3)
Jeff M.

A Haiku Review of Oba: Caught a happy hour. The Pearl District service stinks. Doubtful return here.
(2)
Arun R.

Delicious food. Tried the freshly made guacamole, pobalono peppers and the pineapple rum cake. All the food I tried was really good. The place is really spendy though. 3 courses came to about $35
(4)
Travis R.

I was dragged here after a concert by some friends under the pretense that it was a Cuban lounge / restaurant and that there would be salsa dancing. I was a little inebriated at the time, and I was sold at the word "salsa". We went to the bar (place was packed at 10:00 pm on a Saturday night) and found space. I figured since I was in a reputed "cuban" lounge, I would order a Mojito, shot of Patron, and inquire to the lovely bartender when and or where was said salsa dancing going down. She looked at me, you know, with that look. That (WTF?!?! Really, did he really just ask me that?!) look. She politely informed me salsa dancing was not prevalent at this establishment. This is what I get for relying on intel from people who lived in Salem. My mistake. On the plus side, she did make a damn good mojito. Prices here seemed a little high while I perused the menu. The women in our group were raving about a dessert called Baked Argentina, which in their defense was somewhat tasty. The wine list wasn't overly extensive, but they did have two malbecs on the list which are getting hard to find these days. I think I paid total about $10 for the Patron (which was a double) and the Mojito. Service at the bar was quick and everyone was content with their drink orders. I'll make another stop in a few weeks and report on the dinner quality. Until then, minus one star for no salsa dancing. Damnit.
(3)
Jeff V.

Great dinner, innovative take on Latin w/ fusion twist. Server was prompt, attentive but unobtrusive. Was there w/ business colleagues from out of town, great atmosphere for productive discussions.
(4)
Deepak S.

We are big fans of Oba ever since we moved to the neighborhood. We have never been disappointed by the food or the service. We love the happy hour maragaritas and the tableside guacamole. Other favorites include the butternut squash enchiladas and the corn on the cobb.
(5)
Michael B.

There ceviche is amazing. It is a fun place with good energy. A little spendy especially for drinks, but Happy Hour is awesome! Very crowded so go early or late.
(4)
Shelley M.

The food was good and the service was exceptional. There were a couple of snafus - my soup was taken to the wrong table - which the wait staff made up for with cups of another soup to tide me over. Staff was also very sensitive to my food allergies, and made sure there was no cross contamination in the kitchen. I was pleasantly surprised at how well children are accommodated. There's a dedicated child's menu with low cost (around $5) entrees, and crayons for coloring. (The kids' food was great, too.)
(4)
Wendy S.

Have been to Oba several times. Especially enjoy their late night happy hour. IF you live in The Pearl this place is so convenient. THey have great drinks, a reasonable wine selection and the food is always good. Nothing exceptional but its reliable, tasty and the service is always friendly.
(3)
Rachel H.

Sister-in-law on the malasadas at Oba: "These are yummy. Yummy in a way that makes me believe in God."
(5)
Seanna D.

We picked Oba for our rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding. If this was on the food alone... 5 stars all the way! Our guests LOVED every bite and so did I. Every meal I've had here has been outstanding! The service was exceptional as well. Each course came out with impeccable timing. We even had our own private bartender (for a fee of course) so none of our guests had to wait for a drink. The event coordinator, Galit, was fabulous. She was prompt with sending the menus to us and super easy to work with. I even gave her a budget that I could not go over and she help create a lovely 4 course meal that was to die for. The prices were very fair. The big bummer of the night was that we had paid a hefty fee to show a slideshow and their equipment was not compatible with Mac. I ended up spending over an hour of my night trying to send people across the river to the Mac store and even my husband ran down to Office Max to try and find the right cord... missing his sisters speech... none of which worked out. I didn't think I'd need to deal with making sure they had the right hook ups because of this $225 fee I was paying. I assumed they've dealt with all types of equipment including Macbooks.... but apparently not. Not that Mac is a popular brand or anything. Unfortunately, it's never wise to assume. If you plan on having an event at Oba where you will be using their equipment... make sure your computer is compatible! To be fair, maybe I should have asked if they would supply the right cord for my Macbook. Also, Oba did take off the fee since it slideshow didn't work.
(4)
Cindy A.

HAPPY HOUR LOVE IT! One of my first Happy Hours in Portland and years later, it still remains totally impressive and memorable. There's a 2-for-1 entree coupon in the Happy Hour Guidebook! AND 1/2 price wine on Sun-Mon with entree (can't combine with book coupon though). Food Deals $4.50-$7.00 Many muy delicioso items! Queso fundito, green chile mac & cheese, Puerto Rican fried rice, grilled Baja chicken tacos, burgers, fritters. Drink Specials $4.00 selected beer; $5.00 house wine $5.00 Margaritas; $4.75 cosmo or lemondrop Colorful, Latin American style with a festive and trendy scene; outdoor sidewalk dining. "The kind of place you need to hit before confession."
(5)
Anthony B.

Good food + Pitcher of Margarita + Good Service + Cool Atmosphere = I'm coming back for sure. We had happy hour food and it was all good.
(5)
Roger B.

What has happened here? ARROGANT, almost dismissive owner and hostess. Service was matter of fact. Food was much better on previous 5 or 6 visits but acceptable. I think its time to hyper-freshen or just retire this no-longer-Nuevo factory. Not going to wait for an attitude adjustment in this restaurant buzzing city. No longer on my recommendation list.
(1)
Sonya C.

I had a nudge to try this place and there is nothing, including the bread, that has touched my palate that isn't divine. Service is also excellent. I highly recommend the guava margarita. I had the tuna as my entree (on a Monday mind you) and was very please. I'm looking forward to trying one of their desserts.
(4)
Jeff M.

GOOD FOOD, PLEASANT SPACE, WAITER NEEDS RETRAINING Oba was among the "Pearls," from which the Pearl District earned its name. Back when Oba opened, the neighborhood had many more industrial blocks and few, if any, high rise condos. There just a few pearls: an art gallery here, a good restaurant there. With all the new restaurants that have sprung up all over town, we sometimes forget about Oba, but we wandered in last weekend for the first time in over three years. Oba has stood the test of time. We enjoyed the food, and the atmosphere was still good. My one gripe was that the waiter was too quick to pull our plates and move us along. I probably would have eaten more, but I did not object at the time (thinking of my waistline). "I see you're slowing down" is a phrase I'd expect at a lesser restaurant that thinks of a meal as mere refueling and not as an opportunity to relax and enjoy conversation. Although I want a restaurant to believe that their food is the most important thing in the world, it should know that, in truth, the food and ambience is only the Muzak for a pleasant interaction among its guests. Shoving a dessert menu in front of people who have "just slowed down" is not a way to sell a dessert, it is a way to complete the waiter's check list and open the table for the next tip. At least that's how it came off to me.
(3)
Emily H.

I dined here for a rehearsal dinner. The appetizers were delicious and plentiful. The salad we had for the meal was good and had well balanced flavors. I ordered the tuna off the menu and it was very over-cooked. There was another gentlemen in the group who also ordered the tuna and thought it was over-cooked. It didn't occur to me that I would have had to order it extra rare for it to turn out properly. Even though my one experience was not very favorable I have heard that Oba is a wonderful restaurant and would like to try it under different circumstances - that is, if I were in a smaller group when the protein is being cooked to order. The private room that was reserved was perfect for our size group and the servers were attentive but not overbearing.
(2)
Shannon F.

I came here for dinner a few nights ago with my parents and it was wonderful. They have true Latin cocktails which I love and a great bar, if not a bit loud, that you can wait in while you're waiting for your table. We decided to just do tapas for dinner and it was wonderful. I never would have thought to put butternut squash in an enchilada but I will now. The table side guacamole was good as well, but really who can turn down fresh made guacamole, I also liked that they made their own chips, nice touch. Overall, a great Restraunt for a dinner with the family or date, just be sure to make reservations as it can get quite busy.
(4)
Kat A.

Oba has an upscale feel mixed with some really exotic cuisine. The menu isn't crazy expansive, but every item on it was well planned out and oh so tasty. 3 Words: Shrimp Fried Rice. The Puerto Rican shrimp fried rice is a plate full of heaven. So damn good that every time I go and eat it I try to pick out each ingredient so I can attempt to recreate it at home. Jasmine rice with shrimp and spices, vegetables and the perfect amount of avocado and lime, there is nothing missing in this dish. Overall, really delicious and innovative food.
(4)
Mark P.

My wife and I stopped in at Oba for happy hour yesterday. We hadn't been to Oba in years (like 10), having written it off as too yuppy and snobby. We realized we'd been depriving ourselves. Or have we become the yuppy snobs? I prefer the former. We had fish tacos, ceviche and chicken tacos. The fish tacos were very good as was the ceviche. It had a little coconut milk that added a nice twist. The chicken tacos were unremarkable, but not bad for $6.50. Drinks and cocktails were very good. The martini I had was made exactly to specification and was very balanced and well mixed. They were very busy yesterday and the staff seemed stretched. We had a hard time flagging down our server a couple of times, but otherwise, service was good and food and drink orders came out fast.
(4)
Tom G.

What a wonderful dinner! The staff were exceedingly attentive, yet low key. The food, very tasty. Atmosphere, warm and inviting. A very memorable dinner all the way around, including the drinks. So why the 4 stars and not 5, you may ask? First, I had fruit flies bothering me the entire meal, I even had to fish one out of my wine! Not good, although not necessarily their fault. Second, the chef was too heavy on the salt, on everything. I am not salt-phobic by any means, but his was a heavy hand.... I hope it was not a ploy to increase sales of beverages, but honestly I don't think it was. Third, I was able to view the kitchen from my booth, and watched the chef repeatedly tast the food he was preparing by dipping his finger in the sauce and then sticking his finger directly in his mouth. Did he wash his hands after each test? I do not know, as I could only see but a slim window of the line, but that unsanitary practice I saw clearly. He should have a pocket full of tasting spoons just for that purpose, especially in this day of "swine flu" hype. I certainly don't wish to hurt their business, as they are truly wonderful, and would return in a moments notice, but I do have to note my observations so perhaps they can be addressed. Oba! you are loved, but you must correct the err of your ways!
(4)
George B.

Had a wonderful time in this restaurant. The food was delicious and the drinks were amazing. We were going to leave after dinner, but we saw how it was raining cats and dogs and decided to stay at the bar for a couple of more drinks. I had some sort of Mojito. Either way, this place sure made it a memorable night.
(5)
Michelle Z.

My friends and I heard about Oba via yelp, and had those positive reviews confirmed by a friend and Portland local. We made reservations on a Saturday night only a few hours before out seat-time, which was convenient being visitors in this city, and were seated at 8:30. Oba was definitely lively. Brightly colored walls, twinkling white lights, and a server who was oddly reminiscent of Jake the Bachelor in demeanor. They catered well to my friends food allergies and offered us much insight of what dishes to order and what perhaps sounded good but didn't offer that wow factor. Overall I was impressed, my swordfish was lovely, as were the other meals my friends ordered. The prices were a little on the expensive side, but this place did give off a special occasion vibe, so I can see it being a once-in-a-while night out location rather than a popular weekly hangout.
(4)
Porsha M.

I feel as though Oba is among the handful (teensy handful) of places to go for a festive, yet laid back happy hour. It's a fun place to be with a big group and I've never had a less-than-stellar server there . Try the jerk fries when you go. Think cut fries with a sweet and spicy seasoning sprinkles atop. Those paired with a spicy mojito=fire in your mouth. The good kind.
(5)
Tyler B.

I've a lot about Oba and been looking forward to stopping by. The Mrs. and I planned an evening out this weekend and we made reservations at Oba. I wish we picked something else. I had a Gaucho prime rib which was really good, but the side veggies looked like they came from a frozen bag. The Mrs had a flank steak that came highly recommended; it shouldn't have been. Our appetizer was way too salty and over all blah, especially for $11. I won't be back
(2)
Sabrina W.

Great service and food. However if you could work on your GF options for desserts that would be perfect!
(4)
Nic F.

For an above the cut tapas this place is great. Prices are a bit high but you can taste that in the product. Atmosphere is casual and the place is nice. The group I was with ordered a variety of items and everything was note worthy. There are other items beside tapas. Like most decent places the service was good as well. I would recommend this place if you're going with a group.
(4)
Frank C.

Service was great, food was a bit better than good, We left the restaurant after a nice evening made it back to the car, my cell went off, it was the girl at the front desk of the restaurant asking if my date had lost a bracelet, she had! what a gift.
(4)
Rissa V.

The food is amazing. I have been here for both happy hour and for my birthday dinner. The presentation as well as the taste is amazing here. I love it. Love the gourmet green mac n cheese, so good it's not necessary to add crumbled chicken on top. Black bean soup was so filling it's its own meal, so after a few bites, i opted to take home and savor the next day so I could enjoy the main course. and i'm so glad i did. shared about 3 different entrees, and they were all more awesome than the last. So get everything. It's all good. As are the pomegranate mojitos and local margarita flavors
(5)
David H.

Fantastic food and service is first rate. Prices a touch high, but for a special occasion, my wife and I agree, it is worth every penny. This is our new favorite restaurant. We particularly enjoyed the appetizers and cocktails.
(5)
Amy O.

Prices good. Menu clever and unique. Food was so-so, and almost too much flavor. I couldn't taste the chicken in the taco as it was layered in a chipotle sauce. The crab cakes were underwhelming, and the calamari was my favorite for sure. Ambiance is an A+.
(3)
Josh H.

Although tasty, the prices run high and I see this as more of a good place to go for happy hour. Plan for a noisy meal in the bar area with loud music and cackling Pearlites. For anyone with special dietary requirements ask for the special menu with wheat-free, dairy-free and vegetarian/vegan options. We were told there are only 2 vegan options on the vegetarian part of the menu now: mesquite-grilled fresh vegetable platter and the grilled vegetable and tomato tacos. I recommend getting the Puerto Rican-style fried rice (also vegan friendly) as a side if you are extra hungry! It was deeee-lish.
(3)
Timothy H.

Oba! was mostly a nice experience. To qualify, our bar experience was excellent and our dinner experience was excellent. What prevents me from giving 5 stars was that we waited an extra 20 minutes past the time of our reservation. We were in the area, browsing Powell's Books, and headed over early. They gave us a marker to give to the bartender to assist in moving our bar tab to our dinner tab, which went without a hitch when the bill came. The bar service was great; despite being packed and having just enough bartenders, they had time to often check in and have a friendly word. The quality of the specialty drinks was top notch and their prices for these drinks was not unreasonable relative to similar drinks at other locations. The transition was the frustrating part. They were polite about the situation and proactively found us before our reservation time to inform us that they were waiting for several tables to finish paying and leave. However, it is generally frustrating to have a reservation at a specific time and then wait 20 minutes before being seated. I understand the need to turn over tables and present a good experience, but this is supposed to be part of their process to prevent this. I am completely all right with 5 or 10 minutes, but this was almost to the point of having made the reservation a half hour later. In fact, this almost shaded my girlfriend's and my own opinions of the dining service; We were greeted promptly by our waitress, but the 30 seconds or so that we sat before she got to us felt way too long given the context and my girlfriend commented on this several times. However, this was turned around for us quickly. We recognized that the atmosphere and interactions were meant to be casual and relaxing and were able to judge the dinner experience separate from the wait after our reservation time. Our waitress was helpful, informative, and regularly checked in with us. Water was refilled by her or one of several water boys running around and I never found myself with an empty glass. Timing between the appetizer and dinner was excellent. Quality of the food was superb and the prices seemed appropriate for both the quality and quantity. I have seen reviews on here regarding smaller portion sizes and it appears to be primarily related to some of the appetizers where, depending on the type of dish, you may get more or less than you really expect. I would suggest asking the server about portion size depending on how hungry you find yourself, specifically in regard to the appetizers. That said, the appetizers come in multiple size options at the bar, but only the medium in the dinner area, though this seemed sized appropriately for sharing between 2 people. Overall, a very nice experience, top quality food, and a beautiful setting only hindered by waiting well past our reservation time.
(4)
Susan F.

we licked the plates clean
(5)
Ryan P.

Fabulous food and service. This could be my favorite restaurant in Portland.
(5)
Opinionated D.

Went here for Girls Night Out and had the best happy hour I have seen in a long time. The Prickley Pear Margarita was out of this world. The food is amazing and the interior is very fun and in keeping with the Latin Theme. I will bring my out of town clients for sure without fearing any lack of service or good food. OBA has it all, Ambiance, Great Service and many unique menu items to suit your palate and inventive drinks. You won't be disappointed. I wish there were more like this in Portland.
(5)
Nai S.

This place is nice and all but not my type. It is a fancy place, great for going out when you wanna dress up and look posh. Pros: Good food, Cons: Can be pricey,
(3)
Dave M.

I like what I like, and I tend to defend my likes with a fervor and passion that borders on irrational. Allow me to come right to the point and let you know what I think of Oba: Oba is one of the top 5 places to have dinner in the City of Portland. Oba is one of my top 5 places to go for happy hour in the City of Portland. here comes the sell. I was just there on Saturday night. After a day where my girlfriend and I spent the day sweating in the yard digging ditches, pouring concrete, and weeding, we decided we needed to get dressed up and eat someplace with style. The first place we both thought of was Oba. Chips and salsa with our first round of mango mojitos started the evening. I ordered the Cuban Pulled Flank Steak, and she the crab cake appetizer, shortly followed by the 2nd round of mango mojitos. I know it sounds totally chicky to order a mango mojito. Pretend like it will put hair on your chest, Man up and just order it. The Flank steak was fantastic. The corn chowder, fried onions and mash complimented the seasoned steak very well. Whomever the chef is at Oba knows how to combine flavors and textures to create culinary art. I sampled the crab cakes, and was equally impressed with their flavor and texture. I am not always a fan of crab cakes, but the Oba crab cakes are fantastic. We sat outside, and Caribbean themed music was lightly playing above us. With the exception of a stoned skateboarder wiping out 5 feet from our table (no fault of Oba's) dinner was flawless. For all of this, Oba ain't cheap. Dinner for two with drinks will easily run $80 to $100. That said, I can honestly say it was worth every penny. Oba at happy hour is a bit more affordable. The decor inside the bar is warm and the lay out is very conversation friendly. Same great food on the bar menu, just smaller portions. If you can't shell out for dinner, go have an app and a drink. It's worth trying at least once even if you call Vancouver home. In closing, if you have a palette that finds Taco Bell savory and delicious you probably won't find Oba worth it. If you've been around the block a few times, been disappointed by chains masquerading as unique dining experiences (read Palomino), and have an affinity for Cuban/Puerto Rican ambiance and flavor, you'd be hard pressed to find a better restaurant than Oba.
(5)
Kody L.

I find the happy hour and dinner experience to be much different here. The happy hour on the bar side has simpler dishes. The dishes are pretty straightforward. Just don't get the prime rib coyotas -- that's just a fancy term for "Taco Bell taquitos." As for the dinner side, they make an excellent pork and my shrimp and scallop tamales were excellent! I recommend their seafood options, such as the swordfish. Everything seems to have corn incorporated in to it. They're probably feeling the hurt with the current economy: they offer a special three-course menu, with the cheapest option being $28. It's quite a steal! At the risk of nobody taking any of my reviews seriously again, my favorite dish at Oba is the "Â¡Oba! Baked Argentina," which is basically marshmallow goo (err, escuse me, I mean it's toasted meringue) filled with chocolate, banana, caramel and vanilla ice creams. I know it sounds like the least-fancy thing you could get at a nice restaurant, but I have a hard time believing someone out there could resist it. You'll thank me and it can be our secret that we love marshmallow desserts.
(4)
Alethea S.

Finally went to Oba this past Saturday. Arrived at 5:30pm and there was only one table in the bar area unoccupied as well as a few bar stools. We opted for the table. Ordered a couple of margaritas (traditional lime, blood orange, and guava) off the happy hour menu (avg $5.50 each, normally $8+). They were delicious, especially the blood orange. Perfect combination of tart & barely sweet. They have a nice, varied food menu during HH as well. Even a couple of burgers for the non-fans of Mexican food. We ordered the salmon tostada ($6) and the chips & queso with chorizo ($6; both delicious and generous serving size). Despite the crowd, everything was served efficiently and fresh/hot from the oven. There was plenty of waitstaff to ensure our empty plates were picked up promptly and our water glasses were refilled consistently. After enjoying our second round of margaritas, we decided to move into the dining room to order an entree. Unfortunately there were no tables available in the more formal back dining room so they actually set us at the other end of the bar, in an slightly raised area with linen-covered tables. But the chairs were still hard wood (no cushions) paired with the smaller bar tables. We did have a nice window-side view of 12th Ave & Hoyt. Again, the service was prompt, friendly & efficient. As we had the 2-for-1 entree coupon from the Happy Hour Guidebook, we decided to splurge and order two steaks: the 10oz Kobe top sirloin & the 10oz prime rib (both $34 which is the average price of an entree at Oba). We asked for both cooked rare but noticed that the top sirloin in particular actually came medium. Still, the food was delicious and nicely paired with mashed potatoes & vegetables. The atmosphere in the bar area is pretty lively. Mexican music over the sound system, lots of people laughing & talking. But not so loud that we couldn't have a conversation using our normal speaking voices. As a side note, when we were escorted through the dining room back around to the other side of the bar to be seated for dinner, I noticed quite a few young children dining with their parents. If I had not seen them, I would have not characterized this restaurant as kid-friendly, just because it is an upscale experience. Similarly, the attire in both the bar & dining room ranged from cargo shorts & flip flops to formal wear and everything in between. We had a great first experience at Oba -- excellent food & service. I look forward to going back in the near future!
(4)
Nick D.

Appetizers: A Drinks: A Atmosphere: A- Service: C Main dish: C+ Value: C+
(3)
Carlene W.

Had dinner at Oba tonight - first time we've been there in a couple of years. The service was great, the drinks were good and the food was wonderful. I had the $28 fixed price meal which included (my selections from 2 choices of starter/entree/dessert) the Oba Cesar salad, Mesquite grilled chicken with BBQ sauce and the Chocolate Chimichanga. Everything was excellent and in my opinion at a more-than-fair price for the quality and quantity. My husband had the tortilla soup and the Jambon Serrano Roasted NW Halibut - also delicious. The tortilla soup is served "dry" - it comes to you as a hearty stack of tortilla strips, salsa and avacado in a bowl. The server then pours the hot flavorful soup around the stack of goodies. It's different than tortilla soup that you may have had in other restaurants, but, hey? Isn't there room enough in Portland for different presentations and/or different ways of making the soup? Sorry if your Oba experience wasn't as good as ours. We eat out a lot and this dining experience ranked among the best we've had in a while.
(5)
Erin M.

I went out to Oba with a group of out-of-towners last weekend, and they asked me "is this what all Portland bars are like?". I didn't know how to break it to them softly that this- Oba- was in the "pretentious Pearl", and the rest of Portland can be described as "pretentious hipster". I actually really loved Oba, to be honest. The dark, classy atmosphere, small tables and a large bar. Helpful waitresses, good drinks, and interesting clientele. I'd return with a small group for an intimate drink, but this is probably not your typical college hangout. We actually were a little too loud for Oba, and headed on over to Blitz.
(3)
Jeffrey B.

This restaurant was established in 1997; since it is not only surviving, but thriving, in 2013 in the Portland dining scene, alone speaks volumes about its quality. Ambience: Energetic and friendly. The noise level lets you know you're in a popular restaurant but doesn't impair any conversation at your table. Servers are attentive, timely, and knowledgeable. When there are multiple diners in your party, multiple servers will deliver the food, so everyone gets their dish simultaneously - it's impressive to see, and considerate. Food: Interesting Caribbean influence; excellent quality, perfectly prepared. Standards remain so because they are still interesting and the new dishes are adventuresome and creative. Drink: As with food, you can get a classic prepared to the highest standard or a new, imaginative creation. Value: As good a value as you'll get for a high-end dining experience in Portland. We first came here in 1998; we had my wife's 40th birthday in the main dining room and my parent's 50th anniversary in the adaptable and comfortable special events space. We've never had anything but complete satisfaction at Oba and will gladly return (multiple times, I'm certain).
(5)
Peter S.

I've been here several times and always enjoyed the food. -1 for spotty service on one occasion.
(4)
Eric L.

Quite frankly, way overrated! Oba is good, but not quite great. I set out to find a good steak, and by good, I mean GOOD. I wanted something different from the usual servings from Ruth's Chris, Morton's, and the likes. A friend of a friend told me the Kobe steak from this place was the absolute best steak he has ever eaten. So, me being the carnivore that I am, had to find out the truth. Well, my quest started out the week in which Valentine's day was to fall. What timing for me because they had no seats open except a Friday night at 9pm. Now who eats dinner at 9pm? Eric does. I tell you, I eat all day every day, and it seems like a never ending journey. I fill my belly up, and it exits the other end. I know, TMI for an online review site thingy, but who cares?! Getting back to Oba instead of focusing on bodily functions. It's in the Pearl district, and of course, me being new to OR had me listening for instructions from my GPS which got me there perfectly fine; however, parking was miserable. I drove 'round and 'round because they didn't have valet. I must've passed Palomino's about 7 times before I got lucky and saw a guy in my rearview entering his Jeep. So, Eric reversed his car about 2/3's of a block to snag the spot. The entrance and building in which Oba occupies looks pretty "ghetto" considering the type of restaurant and price range it is. As we enter, we were greeted by a hostess and what seemed to be the manager. We were quickly shuttled to our tables and given menus. I went straight for the wine menu and ended up ordering a bottle of some Sirah which I totally forgot the name to. Nice big wine selection with many different varietals. We ended up deciding on some potato cake thingy as an appetizer. It wasn't very good so skip this one if you're ever there. The thing was mushy and runny and was sitting on a bed of oil. There was no texture to it. It was almost like patty shaped mashed potato and nothing more. Horrible appetizer!! I got my Kobe rib-eye medium well since I don't like my meat beating while I'm eating it. The flavor was awesome but it was a bit dry. Totally expected being that it was medium well, so no complaints here. The garlic mash was to die for as far as flavor, but they were a bit runny. It's a shame that a good steak was preceded by such a horrible appetizer though. The other half I was dining with got the filet mignon which was cooked well at medium and tasted good. The mash which came with that entree had some southwest "mexi-cali" "carne asada" flavor which didn't bold very well with the steak. Horrible pairing of the two in my opinion. Steak good, mash bad. I believe Oba could be much better if they redid some of their menu items and rearranged their food pairings. Who in their right mind wants to eat an excellent, flavorful filet mignon with salsa flavored mash?! Surely not me and hopefully not you!
(3)
Chris S.

If the fish tacos I ordered had flavor and the margaritas weren't like the reviews and sour, this place would have got full stars. Love the place and area of town. Perfect service. Awesome girls night for the books. Perfect surrounding volume for private conversations. :)
(4)
Courtney D.

Oba offers a happy hour that offers yummy food AND cheap cocktails Most of our favorite happy hours offer gourmet nibbles for a few dollars. You can eat several appetizers, which will set you back $10 tops but there's a catch --- one specialty drink could cost just as much. And that can get expensive for my 30-something friends, who like our lemon drops. So that pushed us to find what has become a rarity amongst the Portland bar scene --- a happy hour that offers affordable cocktails too. We found the perfect mix of good cheap eats and cocktails at Oba, nestled right in the heart of the Pearl District. Happy Hour runs here from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily. Plan to get there by 5 p.m. at the latest to snatch a table with friends, as this trendy spot gets hopping with an upscale, attractive crowd. If you're alone or just with one person, a seat at the bar can be just as entertaining with good-looking bartenders, who mix up the charm almost as good as their cocktails. Cocktails cost a mere $3.75 and that price includes margaritas, cosmopolitans and lemon drops. Next to McMenamins, you'll find the best lemon drop in town here, made with just the right amount of sugar, fresh lemon and liquor. Where else can you get our generation's version of a great martini for less than $4? Now that we got the cocktails cover, let's dish out the menu. Nuevo Latino Cuisine is Oba's speciality and patrons can nibble on some tasty tapas ranging from $3 to $4. Items include ceaser salad, calamari, fish tacos and coconut shrimp. This is gourmet on a budget and right in the Pearl, where you'd expect prices to be the highest. But instead, it's one of Portland's best bargains. The service is not only fast at Oba, but the waitresses are some of the best I've had in recent years. They're right at the table, seemingly seconds after you finish your drink and always remind you that it's last call for happy hour. How often does that second drink come when you're almost ready to go? All of these reasons make Oba a favorite return spot for happy hour. Pace yourself, though, it's easy to down several cocktails fast here. Good thing the the street car is a few blocks away. Tip: Make sure you get there as close to 5 p.m. as possible. It's hard to even find a seat at the bar after that. Although the restaurant half has its own good repuation, it's the bar that brings in the happening crowd. After 6:30 p.m, the close of happy hour, the crowd quickly fizzles out.
(5)
Liz W.

Highly recommend their late night happy hour! Went here with 3 of my favorite ladies for a late night meal and after a pitcher of sangria we were all contemplating getting feathers in our hair. Luckily, the tasty (and HUGE) burgers arrived before we did anything rash. Definitely a great place.
(4)
Austin W.

Best food I've had in a while. Good wine..good steak, good dessert! Cheers!
(5)
Sian K.

Went for happy hour and liked it a lot., but it's not amazing. We came with a toddler and they were very accomodating, providing us with crayons, paper, and a kids' menu. The bar menu is small but well-rounded and very tasty. Most of the dishes were on the greasy side, especially the Coconut Prawns and the Calamari. The fish taco was so-so, but the crabcake was really delicious, and the queso fundido was insanely yummy but over the top fatty, and I had a massive food coma afterwards. The drinks available for happy hour are limited to just house wines (didn't bother), a few beers, and a couple of mixed drinks, including well made margaritas.
(3)
Cindy M.

We moved to PDX from Culinary Wasteland, Eastern WA. Since my birthday is on New Year's Day, it has been a LONG time since I have been able to dine out on my birthday. Looking about for a place to eat wasn't difficult. I actually based my choice of Oba on their dessert menu...shallow, I know, but hey, I have my priorities. I ordered the calamari to start - very good - well cooked - nice and tender - not rubber bands. It came with two sauces - didn't care for the brown sauce, but loved the white sauce. Had a mango mojito - very good. For dinner, I ordered the fish tacos, hubby and son both had the kobe (which was perfectly cooked and served with these AMAZING mashed potatoes) and daughter had the grilled fish of the day. All were excellent. The beans that were served with my tacos were a bit spicy, but I'm a wimp - most people would probably think they were perfect. We all ate off of each others plates and we all thought everything was good. Dessert was excellent. I ordered the Argentina Alaska, son ordered the banana cream filled puffs with the fancy name and daughter had the chocolate flan. Again, everything got passed around and the banana creme thingies were our favorite, although they were all good. The place is nicely decorated, salsa music is playing, staff was attentive without being annoying. We will definitely be back. Even better...I told my Mom she couldn't buy me a bread maker for my birthday...she called Oba and paid for our dinner - how cool is that!?
(5)
Sasha S.

If it weren't for the prices versus the amount of food... well, I'd be giving it the all. I had a giftcard to this place and so I invited a few friends for cocktails and some happy hour delights. Upon entry I noticed a few things: 1) There were some late 20's early 30's Pearl District men worker people who gawked and eyeballed. Bleh. Sharks. 2) There was an onslaught of highly made up women looking much like a bordel. 3) The cocktails were awesome and only $4.00 4) I didn't care if it was a mid-day meat market because I ordered something with crispy and carnitas, plus a lemon drop... and I was jussssttt fiiiine. All-in-all Oba! is definitely a place I'll be coming back. You'll see me, I'll be the one girl not sticking my butt out to get attention from the locals. I'll be instead shirked off into a corner with grease all over my mouth and swishing it down with a cocktail. Yes. You can call me Pirate Sasha at Oba!.
(4)
Rick D.

Oba boils down to one thing: It's a really good hangout. The crowd is friendly and fun to hang around and the wait staff is attentive and helpful. The food has some moments of sheer brilliance and the sliders are easily some of the best I've ever had. Which is saying a lot because my one goal in the world is to build a compendium of hamburger critiques. The sliders come in three forms and they're all super duper yummy. The bar is well stocked and their signature drinks will keep you happy. Definitely a solid stopping point in The Pearl.
(4)
Eileen S.

Very yummy! Oba offers some unusual dishes that are so good if your one to step out of your comfort zone. They also offer a Kobe steak that is not over priced and so tasty!
(4)
Michelle K.

Oooo, the service kind of made my cursor waver, but I had a damn good time with the company I keep. We were looking for a place to eat on a Friday night that we could roll into at 9:30 and enjoy a leisurely meal at, and my companion suggested this place as one of his favorites in town. Calling ahead, they take dining room reservations 'til 10:15 and keep a full kitchen open until 10:30. Excellent. Getting there at 9:30 was no problem... most people were finishing up their meals or else enjoying the front bar area. The service was definitely the most interesting part of the meal. He kept running off mid-interaction. For instance, we decided on the ceviche because hey, halibut's always a good choice. While deciding between a salad to split, the server excused himself and didn't show up again until after the ceviche had arrived -- we ended up placing the salad order with the person who brought out the ceviche. The fact that he didn't mention what it was plated with didn't cross our minds... until it arrived. It turned out to have strawberries in it, which a) was not mentioned at all by the server and b) is something that my dining companion is very allergic to. While it was fun for me to eat the whole thing, he was pretty bummed and described it as the best ceviche he had ever had half a bite of. When we were able to check in with our server, he poked around and let us know that, in fact, the listed ceviche special for the day was actually supposed to be made with papaya and mango -- NOT with strawberries. That was entirely out of left field. The Cesar Salad was great... the corn in it was a sweet touch and offset the general acidity of the salad. I ordered the scallop and shrimp tamale entree and my companion ordered the halibut. I found my tamale to be very well plated (with a nice, complementary roll of rice under the corn husk and generous amounts of seafood), and the plating on his halibut was far more fun than the menu description let on. The best part about going to the restaurant relatively late (probably left about a quarter to eleven) was that after the bottle of wine was finished off, it was empty enough in the dining room that I allowed myself to be caught up in an impromptu salsa lesson. I'm not quite ready for the dance floor, but the atmosphere in the restaurant certainly made me feel that way! In conclusion, I'd go back for the atmosphere and food... however, I'm not sure if it was a communications breakdown in the kitchen that made our first course so disastrously delicious (at least for me).
(3)
Leah B.

So we went to Oba last night for our Christmas Eve dinner, and I will say this: the food was yummy. Not amazing, and maybe we just didn't order the right things, but I was expecting just a liiiiittle bit more since a lot of the reviews are pretty glowing. Our first and last courses were by far the best part of the meal; queso fundido for an appetizer and warm banana cream malasadas for dessert. It was probably the best queso fundido I've ever had, so if you like cheese, GET IT. Also, the dessert was the perfect size and amount of sweetness to end the night--very delicious. The entrees, however, seemed lacking. But, we played it safe and cheap last night and opted for two different chicken dishes. The basil mashed potatoes and onion strings served on my husband's plate were very good. The meat portion on both dishes (chicken) was just chicken with stuff on top of it. Not to say it wasn't good, it just lacked creativity in seasoning. The waiter was nice enough, kind of snotty though--he chortled when my husband mispronounced a Spanish word, and only refilled our waters once. But he did recommend the malasadas, which were the highlight of the night, so good on him. Three stars across the board, food, service, atmosphere.
(3)
Sara B.

Not even that free round of Maker's Manhattans you forgot to charge us for can move you up to three stars, Oba. I mean, I was starving. Hot dog stand starving. Lean Cuisine starving. Taco Bell starving (maybe). And you know, I probably would have been more satisfied with any of those. And saved like $40, too. Seafoody queso = muy delicioso. Also muy caro for an appetizer. The quesadilla thingy = WTF Cheez Whiz??? How did that happen? Pork tenderloin = tender but booooring. And the accompanying rice, what was that? Uncle Ben's? Scallop tamales = pile of masa dough; two scallops; $20 (Note: I was drunk by this point and may be estimating prices and mixing up menu items. But if you can't satisfy me drunk...well, then you never will.) Ugh. The Pearl. You've lost your glow.
(2)
Amanda E.

The bar is fun and has a good happy hour. The restaurant food is decent, but certainly not the best option in the Pearl. The ambiance is intimate and upscale.
(3)
Jeff T.

My wife and I had some friends when to Oba this weekend. We'd all been there before and it had been my friends favorite place until this night. We had reservations and they did seat us quickly on a busy night, but then it went downhill. The food wasn't anything special at all. The ribeyes a couple of us got were very poor quality and could have been had at your Golden Corral for much less money. They tried to cover this up by drowning it in sauce. The server was basically non-existant, probably because we're not drinkers. They didn't really check on how the food was or fill our glasses during our time there. It's sad because we'd had very good experiences in the past, but I'll plan on spending my time and money at other places from now on.
(2)
Dani C.

OMG! Amazing food! We cleared every plate! We were visiting Portland for the weekend, knew nothing about this restaurant, decided to try it because the menu looked good by what we found on line and in the tourist mags. WOW! This place was outstanding! We ordered 5 tapas, a salad and the table side guacamole and chips. We started telling our friends about it immediately, it was THAT good! Cant wait to go back!!
(5)
Kitty P.

Years ago, I worked a block away and went to Oba when it was all the rage. It was like you'd save up just for a happy hour now and then at the "hot spot" (it was okay to talk like a dork in the 90's). Well, my friends, it hasn't changed a bit, but it has gotten tired. The idea is for a great Portland landmark like Oba to move from trendy to revitalized, for it to keep what works about it but freshened up now and then. Oba doesn't seem to have grown up, it just grew on my nerves. There was only one waitress for the (entire) (full) restaurant during happy hour and we eventually gave up on being served at a table and laid ourselves out at the bar, where we found a whole gaggle of staff clustered together yacking. The bartender tried to upsell us on a top shelf vodka, which truly isn't necessary in a Cosmo, for crying in the dark, and, in the end, billed us for a $7 drink we didn't order or receive. Holy annoyance. The six dollar burger was pretty tasty, but Mr. Kitty felt like that was kinda pricey for a happy hour. The coconut prawns aren't as crispy as I remember, just more coconutty. Really the most egregious offense was that they put some kind of jalapeno type spice in the ketchup. WHO DOES THAT? WHY? Ketchup has really been just fine as it always was. I found it, and the loud mariachi music just plain irritating.
(2)
Suzy L.

What happened, Oba? We miss you, and we want you back the way you used to be. OK, sad lament above aside, I'm still marginally a fan, even though Oba is far from the perfect ten (OK, 9) it used to be. I remember when you couldn't go wrong here, and it was the first stop for our out of town guests. Alas, into the nitty gritty of today's Oba. Upside: Coconut prawns; mojitos; beef dishes (finally a place that actually knows what rare means), particularly the prime rib; pork dishes; frequent updates of regional cuisine; good happy hour Downsides: Ceviche sampler, which used to be the best in the area, and now is absolutely god-awful bland and dreadful, slopped on a plate in four piles and hidden by chips; unforgivably dry and overcooked fish dishes (seriously, people, our whole table wanted to send their fish back); and... The service: Again, what a sad change from even a few years ago, when Oba had waitstaff that loved the wine and the food, and had informed opinions about the dishes. Now, for the last few Oba meals, the staff has been at worst neglectful and rude (young dude who works the back room, you know who you are, if you hate your job that much, work somewhere else) and otherwise just consistently ill-informed and indifferent about the food. To anyone who thinks service doesn't matter--I present Oba as Exhibit One. Everyone I've talked to feels like Oba's weak service hurts the experience, and makes us less likely to go back. Too bad, because the manager seems quite lively and eager to keep Oba thriving. I'll have to check back next month and see if they are doing any better. If they aren't, we'll wander elsewhere.
(3)
Brigitte S.

My disdain for Oba is almost enjoyable, as they now never seem to disappoint when I am expecting to have uninformed, disinterested service and so-so food for more money than it is worth. The enjoyable element comes in handy, as for reasons I don't understand, I seem to be friends with people who enjoy this place and insists that we frequent it with some regularity. What bothers me most, is that I have written two letters to their managers to tell them about my bad experiences, and they never wrote back. Spend your money somewhere else where your questions will be answered, your order will be correct, the food will arrive fresh and hot, and where they are willing to split the bill.
(1)
Katie M.

Had a fabulous dinner here with my sister. Their macadamia crusted swordfish is to die for. The service was terrific too! I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Ashley C.

At first glance it gives an appearance of a bar style setting, but further into the back of the restaurant, there are amble space for rooms of tables. They gave us a table near the window which was perfect. I went here for a family graduation dinner. We loved it! My niece was pleasantly surprised and was a little shy about being the center of attention. Their presentation was superb, food was fabulous, and the ambiance was beyond anyone's expectation. The restaurant was truly exceptional. We really enjoyed our server, he went the extra-mile on everything, but making it seem like a daily common task. It was noted.
(4)
Sita C.

We have always had good dining experiences here but this last time, we had so many problems with being served restricted ingredients that we we had specifically requested be omitted from our meals. In the end, I got very sick from receiving the wrong dessert--one that had gluten in it instead of the gluten-free dessert. I knew as soon as I took the first bite but by then it was too late as I am very sensitive to gluten. During the same meal, my child was served tacos we had requested to be "just the tortilla and the fish--nothing else" and it had dairy hidden under the fish. Fortunately he caught it before eating it. And our Caesar salad that we ordered gluten free arrived with the pickled onions which contain gluten and the server didn't know even though their menu clearly says. Serious issues with quality control and the making sure that ALL the employees know about their ingredients and food restrictions. They promote themselves as a place where those with food restrictions can eat safely but I do not think that they are taking all the necessary precautions to make sure their customers don't get sick. Other than that, I like the food and wine here but find that it is extremely expensive compared to other excellent restaurants in the area.
(1)
Samantha S.

New Year's Eve was my second visit to Oba and my first in their main dining room. Previous visits had been for Happy Hour- which is excellent. I'm not a huge martini drinker but their menu of inventive and innovative drinks peaked my curiosity. On the first occasion I had a mojito and my on my most recent visit I had the habanero-infused absolut. Oba creates their own vodka flavors by infusing them with various peppers, herbs and fruit. The habanero-infused absolut might sound like it would burn but in reality it is really tasty. The heat is balanced by a mango puree and house-made sour mix. My boyfriend had the burning orange: serrano chili, citrus, and Mandarin Absolut. It was also very tasty. Happy Hour features a list of tasty tapas that are easily shared with friends. For New Year's we started by enjoying our favorite cocktails and then moved into the dining room. The place was busy, but the dining room didn't feel that way. Even our table in the middle of the room and near a server's station felt cozy. For a busy night things seemed to moving smoothly. Our server was fantastic. She was happy to explain everything and answer any questions we had about the menu. Oba's corkage fee is reasonable ($15) so we brought our own wine, but their wine list is full of excellent wines from all over the world. They were offering a prix fixe menu for New Year's so my boyfriend ordered that. We also split a bowl of the lobster bisque. It was delicious in all the creamy, decadent ways that lobster bisque should be. I had the Bife a Micalense- Portuguese-style kobe beef topped with carmelized bananas and served with onions, peppers, veggies, and fingerling potatoes. I know, steak and bananas? But it was really good. And the deliciousness continued from there. Overall Oba! is a great place. The Happy Hour make an easy choice for a quick stop. The dining room is cozy and makes you want to linger in the dark places with the ones you love.
(4)
Mac M.

Not been a huge fan of OBA. I have been there several times and have not been wow'd by it. The food is good but not over the top. I also think the bar at happy hour seemed like a big meat market. I have found so many better places that I have not gone back here in awhile. I think it was probably "the place" to go years ago, but now the competition has just been elivated so high there has not been a reason for me to go back.
(2)
Alfred K.

My coworkers were unanimously impressed by this place, but it didn't quite do it for me. The chicken tortilla soup was all gimmick and lacked substance. Pouring the soup table-side helps keep the tortilla strips crispy, but the rest of it was so lukewarm that it somewhat defeated the purpose of having soup. And the soup itself was oddly sour... perhaps the result of excessive sour cream? Or lime juice? Not sure. It wasn't bad, but not great either. I've been craving prime rib so I shoved away my guilt and ordered the gaucho-style prime rib. I ordered it medium and it came medium well... very disappointing. Several others at my table ordered the same thing and theirs looked great, so maybe it just wasn't my night. Disappointing nonetheless. For $36 a piece I would hope that they could get the steak cooked right... apparently not. Didn't get desserts but someone ordered the Baked Argentine and it looked obnoxiously ginormous. The whipped cream was 3 times as big as the cake itself. Ick. The image of that dessert instantly destroyed any hip factor Oba had in my head. All I can say is I hope I don't come back again. True it's not horrible but why should I tolerate mediocrity when the city offers such greatness?
(2)
Nader A.

I brought My Lady to Oba for a birthday dinner, and while we enjoyed ourselves, there were enough flaws to make it hard for me to give them more than 3*s. We strolled up through the Pearl after watching a movie at the Living Room Theater and arrived about 30 mins before our reservations, so we decided to have a drink and appetizer in the bar before dinner. We checked in first with the maÃ®tre d', and I appreciate that they gave us a little card to give our server in the bar so they'd be able to transfer our bar tab and find us when our table was ready in the dining room. This was a very nice touch that many other fine dining restaurants would do well to copy. We ordered a couple cocktails and an order of coconut prawns off the Happy Hour menu; the drinks were nice, and reasonably strong - no point getting hooched at such a nice restaurant or you won't be able to savor the food you're going to pay so much for. The prawns were killer, with a nice chili marmalade that was tangy with a hint of kick. The service was a little poky though, which might have been a little more acceptable if it had been crowded - it wasn't. When we moved on to the dining room I ordered another drink, but they brought us a Manhattan...which is what My Lady had been drinking, not me. No bother though, I decided to just go with it and not send it back. The wine list is EXTENSIVE, and divided into a categories based on region and variety - though it can be overwhelming; prices seemed reasonable enough, ranging from about $28-$300 or so (someday, I'm gonna have to try a $300 bottle of wine). We settled on a nice mid-range Tempranillo, and it was really very good. The dinner menu appetizers mirror the HH menu closely, but not exactly, and of course are more expensive. I ordered a Cesar salad (albeit with a Raspberry vinegarette on the side) and My Lady chsoe a spinach salad, with the same dressing, but the server brought us BOTH Cesars, and gave me the Cesar dressing by mistake, so that was the 2nd and 3rd errors of the night. A point here, the server who brought out our salads was NOT the same waitress who took our order, which irritated me a tad. At a nicer restaurant like this I think it's important to have one server the entire night, so you can build a rapport and feel like you're being taken care of. Had our waitress brought out the wrong dressing, I wouldn't have felt like such a jerk sending it back. We both loved our salads though, and the salty-sharp manchego cheese was a really nice touch that I may start doing when I make salads at home. However, they committed what I consider a 4th service faux pas of the night by bringing out our entrees while I had only half-finished my salad. Again, at a lesser restaurant this could be overlooked, but I expect more at a nicer establishment; our waitress should have been monitoring our table, and our main dishes should have been held until we had finished our salads. For dinner I went with the Mole Poblano Rotisserie Pork Loin. It was absolutely cooked to perfection, and the rich, aromatic mole sauce had a nice sweet & nutty flavor that complemented the tender, salty pork to beautifully! I loved the coconut rice, but thought the braised greens were a bit overcooked and too wilty. My Lady had one of their Puerto Rican specialties, Northwest Halibut in Mojo IsleÃ±o. It too was delicious, in a robust sweet pepper & tomato sauce with olives and little roasted fingerling potatoes. If these dishes are any indication of the rest of the menu, then I can safely say you will have one of the best dinners available no matter what you choose. We finished our meal with a rich and decadent Cinnamon-Chocolate Volcano cake that was almost too good for words! Overall the food at Oba is fantastic, and the prices are reasonable if you're there for happy hour. A few cocktails, some tapas, and dessert in the stylish bar is the way to go in my opinion; it's a wonderful and relatively affordable way to get in the door if, like me, higher end dining is usually reserved for special occasions. Dinner is wonderful, but there's just not enough polish on the service to warrant the upscale prices in my book. If you do go, do yourself a BIG favor and buy yourself a gift cert at Restaurant.com ; during a recent promotion I gut a $50 gift cert for only $10 (normally it runs $20). It sure makes the prices easier to swallow...just not as easy as the fantastic dinner!
(3)
E W.

Rarely do I give 5 stars. The food was FANTASTIC. I had swordfish that flaked like halibut. Incredible. Great cocktail list, amazing dinner menu. If you go, ask for Andrew May to be your waiter. He has his wine degree and wine pairing degree, and knew more about the food on the menu than probably the chefs who made it. Oba is my #1 ranked restaurant in Portland. Like i said, make your reservation for Andrew May and get a booth. Have Andrew explain what he likes that night, or to describe an option you're considering. It's like listening to Robert Frost. Crazy good food.
(5)
Charles N.

Had a wonderful time here. Wonderful food. The tableside guacamole, while somewhat of a cliche, was some of the best I've had, and expertly made. Great drink selection.
(4)
Todd B.

We have been here many times, but used a Living Social tonight. I was shocked that they included an automatic 20%..outrageous. We will not be going back.
(3)
Sarah A.

Been here twice, both excellent experiences. We had the spicy chipotle calamari, seared ahi tuna and spicy shrimp as appetizers. Each one was outstanding in flavor (and I don't even like calamari). On our first visit, we shared the carne gordo, a steak that was cooked to perfection and with amazing flavors. On our second visit, we ordered the kobe steak prepared as the evening's special and again enjoyed every bite of a perfectly cooked steak with flavors to match. We ended the evening with the oba Argentina dessert. Chocolate cake layered with bananas, vanilla bean ice cream, light cream (caramelized exquisitely) surrounded by guavas and other fruits made this dessert one of a kind!
(5)
Raymond L.

After a terrific meal at Oba! a couple years ago, I looked forward to returning on a recent visit to Portland. The food, for the most part, was great! But other aspects of this visit left me saying "meh!" Despite being seated in the smaller, back room, the noise level was very high. Our server didn't help this situation by speaking softly- we frequently had to ask her to repeat herself and she didn't seem to get the message that she couldn't be heard over the ambient noise. The drinks were weak: one of their fancier margaritas (ordered by two of four people in our party) tasted like lemonade. When we re-ordered, one of us asked for "some alcohol in it this time." The server replied, "do you want a double?" The second round left both of us rather sober. Oba! excels in creative dishes. We mostly tried small plates: The crispy coconut prawns and ceviches were fabulous, as were the gazpacho (soup of the day) and prime rib coyotas (similar to flautas). The rotisserie-roasted prime rib made the grade. However, the special- scallops served over risotto- came with a bonus: several small pieces of metal were in the risotto! Perhaps from a scouring pad? Our server was appropriately horrified and apologetic. She offered to replace the dish, but instead my dinner companion just finished the scallops. The server comped the dish and a dessert as a result. I realize mistakes can occur anywhere, no matter the price of the meal, but it still rankles to think about my fellow diner finding metal in her mouth! Combined with the weak drinks and the noise factor, this will make me think twice about returning the next time I'm in PDX, despite the overall high quality of the food.
(2)
Matt J.

The ceviche was amazing, and the guacamole made table-side is a must. We ordered a dessert I didn't see on their online menu - some sort of pastry filled with banana and served with caramel and ice cream - that was literally the best dessert I've ever had at a restaurant.
(4)
Melissa S.

Great service and awesome Happy Hour deals. Order the butternut squash enchiladas - they're like fireworks in your mouth! Mix that with a mango margarita and you got the whole shibang!
(5)
Courtney M.

Oba is one of the top restaurants in Portland, in my opinion. We've always had really good service and the atmosphere is quite nice. The food is amazing - you definitely do pay the price for it, but I think it's completely worth it. I wish I could eat their Butternut Squash Enchiladas all the time instead of reserving it for very special occasions. Their wine selection is also very good and we've always had waiters who picked out excellent options for us.
(5)
Reba M.

Yummy HH. Regular dinner is ok. Good drinks.
(4)
Yee H.

So the majority of these reviews seem to be for happy hour. I've never been here for happy hour so I can't speak to that. However we have had dinner here a few times. The food is amazing and the service goes way above any expectations I had. I would recommend asking for Luke, Jeff or Erick. I have had all of their steak items as well as a pork chop special. My favorite by far has been their prime rib, best I have ever had. Their coconut shrimp appetizers and stuffed jalapenos also top my list of favorites. For drinks, definitely try the cucumber mojito. You cant go wrong here for dinner. Good luck and enjoy!
(5)
Tet W.

I came here during lunch and tried their taco and gringo burger. Both were excellent. The taco was a little small for the price but I loved their home made tortilla which was filled with juicy shredded beef which was dripping juice all over my hand as I bit into it. The Gringo burger was also excellent and cooked exactly how I like it, juicy, pink in the middle and full of flavor. Unlike the taco, the burger didn't drip much juice but nonetheless it was great! The price was set just right and was accompanied with fries. The environment fits its name as this is a popular place for friends to gather after hours for drinks and happy hour. They do have outdoor seating along the sidewalk to enjoy the outdoors when the weather cooperates. I had no problem getting seating here in the afternoon so I don't think reservations are really necessary here to get seating. I recommend this place if you're craving some Mexican food in a festive and friendly environment. Don't be surprised if a stranger come up to you and starts a conversation with you. Everyone is friendly here and a great place to gather with friends, family or if you're a single diner!
(4)
G H.

We had hoped to get a reservation at nearby Andina but couldn't... so, we decided to try Oba and what a nice surprise! Everything from the service, to the ambiance, to the appetizers, wine flights, salad, main course and desserts = amazing! When we were done we both said we'd love to have the exact dining experience again. Thanks Oba!
(5)
Bryan S.

Had a Big Night Out at Oba last night, and left a happy camper. Rock star parking on the street in front was a plus-- though, I can't give them credit for that. Food was delicious, and our waiter was a pro. I'd go 4.5 if I could. PROS: Service was great. The waiter was friendly and had nice, opinionated suggestions rather than the stock "everything's good" answer. Both the tostones (beef over plantains) and scallop ceviche were great starters. We split a beet salad that, while a bit light on the beet aspect, were tasty. Finally, we had a seafood special and the bife a micalense ($29) for main courses. Both were cooked perfectly and nicely balanced flavors. No complaints on the food, or (with the "specials" exception below) on the service. CONS: The prices are... Pearly. I ordered my date a chef's favorite margarita for $14, and it was... just a margarita. We expected something special, and just shaking the thing and pouring it at the table doesn't count. We kept laughing about how much it cost as she sipped on it. I also don't like when waiters describe specials and force you to ask how much they are. I've had very unpleasant surprises by not asking, and yes, I care how much I spend on dinner. We left nearly $200 lighter last night, albeit quite happily full. The other thing that took the shine off a bit was the noise. It feels (and costs) like an upscale, romantic restaurant, but the people in there were acting like they were at Chevy's. Really, REALLY loud. Drunk singing/cackling/swearing loud. I know that's not completely the restaurant's fault, but they should have some responsibility to tell drunk people to keep it down, I think, unless they're shooting for that Chevy's ambience. Contrary to what the size of the Pros and Cons up there might indicate, I'd definitely recommend the place if you have a lot of dough to spend on dinner and are looking for something with a Latin American vibe.
(4)
Erin C.

This is my go-to place for a girly happy hour- the mojitos and margaritas are fantastic! My personal favorite is the prickly pear marg.
(5)
ThomasE L.

I had been to happy hour here some time ago with some work friends and was pleasantly taken by this joint. So much so I decided Linda and I should check it out. Thanks to traffic in this wonderful town, she arrived late to see some friends of mine, so we decided instead to enjoy our time in town and ended up here. Not in the mood for a full on dinner, plus the bankroll was a little thin, we hit the bar for appetizers and near privacy. We sat at a little table by the window at the far (as in closest to the door) end of the bar. For the longest time, read: most of the time, we were alone. It was nice. Very nice in fact. We split the Queso Fundido and Ecuadorian Potato Cakes, not realizing there actually is a menu for those without the love of meat. But it was near divine. I'm a sucker for cheese. Especially for cheese with peppers and other fine additions. I wanted to take it home and slather it all over... I mean it was wonderful. Linda loved it as well. Washed it down with a beer and life was good. Service was, well, spotty. I think maybe because we were far away, or that our order was pretty plain, the waitress kind of ignored us. Not in a "you're not good enough way" but in a "you don't even register on my radar" sort of way. And to be fair, the isolation was nice - I hate it when servers are over your shoulder every 30 seconds, it annoys me. I think next time we'll come back to hit true happy hour...maybe even dinner. Time will tell.
(4)
Natalie R.

Great menu with good ideas, but quality was not very good. Everything was very salty and just O-K not very special as they make it sound. Also way way overpriced. $50 for one drink, one appetizer and side salad. Probably won't be back given there are so many other options in the area. Cool atmosphere though.
(3)
Chris B.

Good steak and interesting theme but the food is ok and atmosphere is to stuffy for my tastes. A place where people who don't really know better frequent Often.
(3)
Bryan J.

The food was horrible and bland. The service was on point, the waitress was very friendly and nice.
(1)
Jessica H.

I came here in hopes of a fun double-date happy hour night. My friends had told me that this place had great tapas and pitchers of mojitos. Sounds too good to be true, right? Right. The "pitchers" are half filled and $27 on happy hour. The waitress explained that they had ordered the wrong sized pitchers, but our pitcher had looked old and worn down... The food wasn't that bad though. We also felt extremely rushed to leave. The restaurant was a little empty, but the waitress made us feel like there was a line. She quickly hurried our plates away and gave us the check, but we had hardly finished our dinner and drinks. Rude! I don't think we'll be coming back.
(1)
Roger M.

Nuevo Latino! Ole! Fun, lively, upbeat music, cool place, romantic, and many infused mixed drinks to share with friends. Many small plates on the menu. I liked the fish tacos with cabbage, prime rib tapas with corn salsa and ahi tuna with mango-tomatillo salsa. Try the prickly pear margarita. Cool to sit on the sidewalk cafe, in the hip-hop bar or in the intimate dining room. Nice, popular drinking hole for "party-peeps" or an out-on-the town couple!
(3)
Michael M.

A wonderful food experience. Have been going to OBA for several years and have never been disappointed. The food is excellent and the service is top notch.
(5)
Laura P.

We've been to Oba 4 times and have never been disappointed. We've had long the lingering dinner experience where the server enjoyed helping us choose courses and pairing wine with each course. We've been there in a large group where tastes, likes and dislikes were all over the board, and everyone was satisfied with their meals. We ordered lots of appetizers like the Coconut Prawns, Ceviche del dia, table side guacamole and I liked that these appetizers came in different sizes. That was great for a group. The last two times we sat in the bar, more out of our own convenience than anything else. Oba has a nice happy hour with good drink prices and bar menu. One night we had the Table Side Guac, who could refuse, so good. We added the Ahi appetizer which was seared rare and was delicious. We were still a bit hungry so we shared the Ceviche, also marvelous. It rotates daily. Our servers have always been very good, whether is was the bar tender, a server in the bar or in the restaurant. Always friendly, courteous and wanted to get you want you want! They have outdoor seating once the weather gets nice, a bonus!
(5)
Prima B.

I would have given them 5 stars but they forgot my tea. The waitress said they were in the middle of service. She offered me my tea but it was too late. I was done eating. Food was good. I'll definitely comeback here.
(4)
Mark B.

i have only been here for happy hour so this review is only for that. The food is kind of expensive for the portion but this is the Pearl and every this I have had tasted amazing and presentation is spot on.
(4)
Don M.

Wow! Everything was top notch! Started with Brussel Sprout salad. We were making pleasure noises throughout. Next we had the Ahi Tuna w/ jicama, green apples and cilantro....Mmmmm! Finally the butternut squash w/Walnut sauce. Amazing sauce! Words are not good enough to describe it. My wife had the Huckleberry vodka.....only available in August. A little expensive but they deliver!!!
(5)
Moe P.

Mouthwatering fish tacos! The best in town by a good deal. The service is great like usual, pretty good deals on the H H menu. Get a pitcher of their Pomegranate Sangria, one glass isn't enough.
(5)
Jennifer A.

Our family favorite! The swordfish with the cilantro pesto is a must!
(5)
Tamara S.

We've never had a bad meal at Oba. I highly recommend the swordfish. There's just nothing like it. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's my favorite dish to have in all of Portland. Also, we love arriving a bit before our reservation and grabbing a drink first at their beautiful bar. The bar tender is always so nice.
(5)
Holy-foo' X.

Easily the best meal of 2014 ("So far!") for this kid and his reckless but oh-so merry band of miscreants. This place has been open since '97 and is two blocks from my gym. How is it that it's flown under the radar all that time? I suppose when your Yelp Bookmarks page is swollen to over 100 places you *still* have yet to try, you just need a little time, baby. That's all. It just takes time to work through all that mad-ness. De Locura! Speaking of madness, Los apertivos truly were oba-riffic, just such a direct hit! We loved the chipotle calamari, the Prime Rib coyotas (though we still have no idea what that word means, even though our group had a couple fairly proficient speakers/readers in Spanish) and especially, the Pork Arepas. They were so tiny, almost too adorable to disturb! Almost but not quite--- and they were, only naturally, tender and delicioso. Can we coin a new term here? --- Sliderepas? I had the oba paella for the main course, and though it looked like a smallish portion it was muy rico and chock full of sorpresas del mar and also chorizo slices as well. I shared it with my party, and it was gobbled up w/great haste by one and all. This was first class dining and a lovely dining experience all the way around. Off hand, I can't think of a single way it could have been improved---except of course, it was free! Next time we'll have to see what all the buzz is about for HH here, and oh yes, there most certainly will be a next time. Saludos, mis fieles compaÃ±eros.
(5)
Karey R.

I attended a professional event in the Havana Room. There were approximately 20 attendees who fit comfortably in the space, but not room for many more than that. I was very impressed with our waitress. The event had a fixed menu but when I asked her if any of the appetizers were vegetarian, she immediately replied no but she would be certain my 3-course meal was meatless. I really appreciated this. To be fair, she said she could get some meatless appetizers except it was quite close to the time for the event to begin. Totally understandable. Before I could even take in the room, there was a man at my side asking if I'd like wine. I asked for the white, and whatever it was it was delicious. I meant to ask what I'd had but forgot. It was a generous pour, too. One glass was plenty for this lightweight. The bread is sooo good, and it comes with a garlic butter spread. I had 3 slices! It was amazing. We had a salad that may have been tossed with a light guacamole?? I'm very bad at guessing flavors but it was delish. The veggie entree was butternut squash enchilada, with a side of seasoned red quinoa. The quinoa was fantastic -- I wish I knew what else was in it. The enchilada was good, but not great. I enjoyed it very much for being free to me, but if I had paid for it I would have been a bit disappointed. Dessert was 2 pastry balls with creamy centers with a spiced ice cream dollop. Loved it. The bathroom had amazing dÃ©cor -- dark and romantic and modern. Great little space. I would highly recommend the Havana room for a small-ish conference or private party. They were able to turn the music off so the speaker could be more easily heard, and we only heard the main restaurant din when the doors were opened by the waitstaff coming and going. Very impressive. Thanks for the great evening, Oba!
(5)
Sean I.

My girlfriend&I dined here for Valentine's Day... The appetizers&entire meal was DELICIOUS! Although not the cheapest in town it was worth it for the special occasion! Service was very fast&the waitress attentive, atmosphere was nice, other than it being a little noisy we were very pleased with our experience. Would most definitely recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Ruins ..

Oba started phoning it in years ago. I keep going back hoping that they'll change. The one thing that largely hasn't changed is the quality of the service in the dining room but the menu hasn't changed in years and the removal of the quarterly menu refreshes is a big turn off. Recently went and just had a couple things from the bar with cocktails. It was expensive and the bar service wasn't that great. The food was pretentious and unlikeable. I had a friend explain some of the back story so the mystery makes sense now but this restaurant should be brought back from the dead. It deserves to be resurrected to its former greatness.
(1)
Nina H.

We were here for the weekend and came here after we realized we booked our reservation at Andina for the wrong night. Rookie mistake. But anyway, I called ahead to make sure we weren't going to have to find another alternative, and they said there were open tables at the bar where we could order dinner. Sweet! We found ourselves a small table in the corner and quickly ordered the classic mojito and my girlfriend got the marionberry margarita. Who knew that marionberries were from Portland? I didn't. But apparently, they are known for their mojitos and margaritas, and it all makes sense. There was enough sweetness and sourness in my mojito and I enjoyed it a lot! Onto the tapas, we both weren't particularly hungry but knew we should eat something. We shared a spinach salad, grilled prawn skewers, the fried rice with plantains, and the calamari. We may have ordered another tapa but I can't remember it. My favorite was the fried rice, the small plates were good portions and decently priced. Prawns were good, but typical. The spinach salad tasted fresh and good with the goat cheese sprinkled. Overall the food was decent, but it was the atmosphere that added stars to my review. Though it was loud and dark, it had a fun, casual vibe to it, perfect for a girls' night out, family dinner (I noticed the party next to us shared desserts), and a casual date.
(4)
George A.

Great food! Wonderful service! Except... We felt very rushed at the end of our meal. They dropped the bill on the table as they served dessert. I get that for a regular small restaurant trying to maximize turn over, but this is a high end place (see the menu prices). The expectation is that you can relax and enjoy your meal. I asked the server, and she apologized, noting that this was a management policy on New Years Eve because "it is a busy night". That is certainly the case, but I would not take my in-laws there for a special night. They would be offended at being rushed like that, and rightfully so. I'd give 4.5 for the food and service, but knock off 1 for beinging rushed out on a special night and rounding down because Yelp doesn't allow halves, and damnit, we were on vacation. 3 stars.
(3)
Judi J.

Super crowded and failed to manage the circumstances of a busy night. Would expect more of a top ranked restaurant. Have high regard for the quality of the food but service is important and we didn't get it. Walked out after 2 hours with no entrees. Waiter was professional and apologetic. Even though the chef is awesome, I will never recommend to anyone because Portland has too many other good restaurants.
(1)
Maisie K.

I'm going to start by saying that I really like Oba. The food is great and the atmosphere is lively. I've been frequenting this place for probably 10 years or more and have a favorite server (Luke,) who's amazing. However, I have a serious issue with the approach in how they manage reservations. I eat out a lot and it's very commonplace that popular, finer restaurants place a time limit on your table to ensure they can adequately accommodate their reservations for the night. They are very clear that they need the table at a certain time to maintain smoothly running operations and an appropriate level of customer service (e.g. honoring one's reservation on time). At Oba, I've had several occasions where I've requested a table in my favorite server's section and have had to wait an inordinate amount of time... 30+ minutes with an Open Table reservation & notes with the specific request. If you cannot accommodate a party's specific request after about 10 to 15 minutes, then please offer an immediate alternative instead of assuming the earmarked table is going to leave. And if you already know in advance that a reservation is coming for a specific section, then level set expectations with the prior party on the time constraint, so it's fair to everyone. You are offering better customer service to all by being clear on your business needs vs. leaving a bad taste with long standing regulars and skewing your reservation timetable.
(4)
Tea Drinker K.

This is a favorite of mine for their happy hour. I typically get the $5 nanchos. The happy hour corn is also not to be missed. Their green salsa is overly salty, but I like it that way. Their guacamole typically needs some extra salt. Overall a yummi place.
(4)
Adam M.

Oba has been my favorite restaurant for years! I take my wife there on dates, company parties there, and meet there for drinks with friends. Great atmosphere, great drinks, and amazing food!
(5)
Ashley C.

We went there for medical education dinner. The staff was wonderful! And more importantly the food was amazing. The crabcakes are second to none! While I ordered the Filet Mignon, I should have ordered the scallops. (The filet was good, but the scallops were by far the best). I dont know what we had for dessert, but the chocolately, coffee goodness was sooo good, I think we we all wanted to lick the plate (I'm pretty sure we all looked around the room at each other to see if it was appropriate to do so.)
(5)
Dave B.

Great restaurant, from the moment that we walked in and all through dinner it was outstanding! Service was as always excellent! We were a party of 5 for my daughters birthday all had OBA Caesar, and different entrees and loved them all, we will be back!
(5)
Vida D.

Oba was the first stop on a long night of stops. We had a great bartender, look out for Amanda. Between us we tried the Chicken Tortilla soup, the shredded pork arepas, the calamari, and of course a few of the tequilas. We asked about them bringing back the flight, please ask if you go, this needs to happen. It had a great atmosphere where I was able to practice my wingwoman skills. The tequila makes the everyone a bit handsy, but it was a great start to the night.
(4)
Marta G.

came here for a reception/family luncheon. the food was good - I'll give them that, but when I looked at the prices, I wasn't all that impressed. for those prices, I'd expect mouth watering food, but it was just alright. it's also super dark in there. interesting lighting, that no pictures came out unless I had flash on - at 1 pm. it's a nice place, but it isn't "OH MY GOODNESS, I love it" type of place.
(3)
Teddy O.

I have returned here on many occasions and continue to be impressed with the food and experience. The owner is also a nice guy and make a point to ask customers about the food and experience.
(5)
Bradley B.

Been here twice now. The food is delicious and the service is good as well. Each time I went with a couple appetizers to start, and split those with my dining partner, followed by a main dish. We were able to enjoy our nights at Oba while keeping the cost around $50-60 w/tip. Come to Oba knowing that dinner for 2 will be around $100 when all is said and done. While the food and service is definitely good, I'm still not going to jump up and down about the total price but the portions are decent. There is a really neat interior, that offers booth seating providing privacy if you are aiming for that as well as outdoor seating on the sidewalk. I will definitely be back, as the Sunday Happy Hour sounds like a wonderful idea some summer afternoon.
(3)
Mike W.

One of my favorite happy hour spots in the Pearl. Solid menu of inexpensive and very tasty food. The service be lacking sometimes, however, the atmosphere is great and they make a delicious spicy margarita.
(4)
Michael R.

Good, but VERY spendy and probably bordering on overpriced! We went here with another couple. We had no problem getting a table on a Thursday night and everything was very tasty. The bacon wrapped jalapenos and crab cakes were stand outs. We ate in the main dining room, but in hindsight, I would come early again, but eat in the bar with the happy hour menu, which is more reasonably priced, the probably the way it should be throughout the restaurant.
(3)
Bonnie C.

1. Overpriced. OVERPRICED! My Goodness, the prices here would curl your grandmother's hair! 2. Just a few blocks away you can get perfectly decent mexican food and margaritas at the Cha Cha Cha for a third the price. Minus the snooty attitudes. And! Cha Cha Cha is every bit as good, if not better, than Oba. If you want to drop 15$ for a decent margarita and rub elbows with wealthy 65-year-old snobs and working-lunch sales people, go to Oba. If you want to spend 6$ on the SAME margarita and hang out with actual human beings, go to Cha Cha Cha. 3. Yes, I realize I'm pushing Cha Cha Cha pretty hard here, but I'm trying to save you money and the bother of wasting it on crap you can find reasonably priced less than four (very short) blocks away. 4. I've gone here twice and regretted it both times, even the time I wasn't paying for anything. Why? Because you can't complain about free stuff, but I really wanted to. It wasn't good. It was friggin' FREE, and it still wasn't good. 5. They get a star for their decent, though by no means extraordinary, guacamole. I can make it better at home, but for restaurant guacamole it was fair.
(1)
Megan W.

Super delicious! So many wonderful dinner options. Ambiance was perfect for our wedding anniversary.
(5)
Kathryn R.

One of my favorite spots in Portland for dinner or drinks. The food is great and so are the drinks, and the atmosphere is fun and lively. This is one of the few places where I feel the happy hour menu is actually robust, and you can generally find a table during happy hour (which I feel is usually impossible at many places!). I've gone here for several birthday dinners, on dates, with family, and big groups. The servers are incredibly knowledgable of the menu and very attentive.
(5)
Katherine V.

UFO... An Unidentified Food Object is what I found during my visit to Oba tonight. It was in my salad and resembled a very small, muddy rock. It was incredibly hard and my tooth still feels the pain from when I bit into it. The server was unable to identify what it could possible be. She brought a new salad, but that was all. Considering I almost broke my tooth on it I'm not sure a new salad was adequate. Yes, we used the Livingsocial deal ($59 plus automatic $20 gratuity), and as others on here have expressed, it was disappointing. The appetizers were good and I enjoyed the well balanced flavors. The salad was nothing special and small...even too salty for me (plus it had a freaking rock-like object in it!). The soup was good, but again, small. The entrees were not impressive for the expected quality and normal price of entrees here. The salmon was well cooked but not well flavored and the steak was decent but about on par with Outback. It seemed as though we were second class customers because of the Livingsocial deal and I was a little taken aback that 20% gratuity was automatically added. The Livingsocial deal stated nothing of this as I double checked the fine print after ordering and after noticing the statement about added gratuity on their separate 'Livingsocial' menu. Normally 20% would be an appropriate tip, but I really like to make my own decision on what I leave and after the 'thing' in my salad I would not have left that much. We had reservations and were seated right away. Can't say there were any other positive things. Oh, they kept our waters refilled, but besides that the service really felt subpar. Also, the tables were very close to dinner and I had to listen to some woman who really liked to hear her own voice talk about real estate and Facebook during my meal. Also, our table legs were uneven and started moving whenever you tried to cut whatever you were eating. Maybe that was the designated 'Livingsocial' table. Blah. For around the same price I could have purchased a dinner with a view at Portland City Grill, or H50 Bistro and Bar, or four meals at Jade, or a whole bunch of chocolate bars. Any one of those would have been a better option than spending the money here. IF I'm with people who want to try out their food and IF I'm already in the neighborhood and IF I can't succesfully suggest somewhere else to go I MIGHT try their happy hour...but those are a lot of ifs and I already know of a lot of other good Portland HH places that don't serve UFOs in their food.
(2)
Frank C.

Love it! Love it! Love it! What a treat to come here! We've been here for cocktails and appetizers and full dinner and loved both experiences. This is a wonderful place to come on a sunny day and eat outside. Had a magnificent Mai Tai outside one sunny day and I'm still raving about it. The flavors and quality of the meals, from appetizers to dinner are outstanding. I had never had Cuban food before and was a little apprehensive but (fortunately), I am learning to put my narrow-minded ways behind me and tried it. This is a terrific place to try something new and amazing.
(5)
Hayden N.

I needed a restaurant that could accommodate 18-20 people in the main dining room without having to pay an additional cost for private dining. After calling around to four other restaurants and being rejected, Oba was able to grant our requested day and time for the size of our party. Good deal! However, they do hold your credit card number and charge $20/person for any cancellations or no show after 4pm the day of the reservation--understandable. The menu is on the expensive side. The tapas seemed to be the price of a regular meal, yet are smaller plates. I opted for the Paella, it was tasty but not worth $29--a few of the mussel shell had no meat in it and one of the clams wasn't opened. I've had better Paella elsewhere for the same price. I had a bite of my friend's burger, delicious, and the shoestring fries were crunchy and satisfying, that was worth the $12. A friend's husband swears by their Mojitos and claims that it is the best in Portland. Service was top-notch! First, by being accommodating to a large party. My water was always being refilled, very important. The waiter did a wonderful job at splitting the bill and keeping track of everyone's order, making the payment very easy. On the way out, the hostess even took the time to take a picture of our large group. Great place for large parties!
(4)
Tanja I.

This place was a favorite but unfortunately after our most recent experience with Oba, I do not think my friends and I will be returning. We love the mojito and margarita pitchers that Oba serves but we got a surprise this evening. The prices of both pitchers have increased and the pitcher is filled only halfway. Had we known that our pitcher would be only half full we would not have come to Oba. After asking about why the pitcher was half way full, the waitress told us that this was a decision from the boss. After this conversation, we felt very rushed to leave and not very welcome. We have never had this experience with Oba before but this one made us uncomfortable enough to wish not to return to this establishment.
(1)
Dian C.

Oba is a cool restaurant, I wanted to try it for a long time and finally went for dinner on a Sunday evening. The food overall was good, but none of the dishes really impressed me; in my opinion Oba is a little overrated. What I tried: CHIPOTLE CALAMARI: the calamari is fried, it comes with two dipping sauces, spicy chipotle-honey glaze and ginger lime aioli. I really liked the ginger lime aioli, however the calamari was SO SALTY. My friend also thought it was salty so it's not just me. It left me so thirsty after dinner. ANTICUCHOS (Beef skewer): Bland, nothing special, I wasn't impressed with the flavoring. MANGO BRUSCHETTA: This dish is like putting mango salsa on a piece of toast. Looked delicious, sounded interested, but tasted bland. MESQUITE-GRILLED FRESH VEGETABLE PLATTER: this is on their vegetarian menu, it has grilled peppers, zucchini, mango, pineapple, avocado with chopped tomatoes & onions, red beans, coconut rice and corn. This dish was ok, it kept me full. I wasn't happy about the service, didn't have a pleasant dining experience. I probably won't go back in the future.
(3)
Jessica K.

After a bunch of strikes elsewhere for recent date nights, Oba knocked it out of the park. It's a good thing too because date night was about to be replaced by knitting and spray can cheese night because it would have been less depressing. We arrived before our reservation this week and they had us wait in the bar while they prepared our table. We were able to order our drinks ( I had the habanero mango martini which was outstanding). They were able to transfer our ticket to our table no problem. The bar area is a lot of fun and very classy, but the gorgeous dining room takes it up another notch. The music just added to the upbeat atmosphere and we spent a good amount of time checking the songs against our home collection. The food was innovative and every course we had was excellent. I had the prawns with chili garlic sauce and coconut to start and my Bird had the Tostones. Both were appreciatively inhaled and we were on to the next course. I seriously think their Caesar is one of the best I've had. The roasted corn and an abundance of cheese really stepped it up a notch. The Bird thoroughly enjoyed his perfectly cooked steak. I had the butternut squash enchiladas with the walnut sauce. They topped it with pomegranate seeds which provided a great brightness to the dish. Plus the portion size was big enough I had the best leftovers in the office the next day. Seriously I almost had to shank someone to keep them to myself! Every staff member was very gracious but the star was our server Jem. She was very helpful, very friendly and has mastered the art of the upsell which a lot of Portland servers seem to struggle with. Why of course I want some of your excellent wine with dinner, and thanks for pointing out the $25 bottle list on the back! Dessert? I'm full, but you made it sound delectable (the malasadas are the bees knees!). Awesome service. The happy hour is a great option here if you are wary on the prices, but I found our dinner to be a good value for the quality and experience as well. I had been here a few times before, but this dinner was really my favorite visit. Thanks Oba for not condemning me to a romantic life of knitting and cheese whiz! We'll be back!
(5)
Mark B.

My friends and I went there last week after work. We had such a great time and the drinks and apps were great and tasty. Very fun atmosphere as well.
(4)
Rachel K.

Had my wedding ceremony and reception here. Great service, food, and drinks. It made my wedding day such a fun and enjoyable experience. Galit was amazing to work with!
(5)
Elroy D.

So I Made reservations for 7:15 for a 30th bday. Did not get seated until 8pm. What's the point of making a reservation if it takes an hour to eat. So we order some food and was not impressed. The waiter was not bad but the food was expensive and for what we ate 4 tapas and about 6 drinks $140 later was so not worth it. Ceviche was better than others t I thought and the others were just OK. Nice ambience but could get better food,better service, better drinks, and better price anywhere else in the pearl. Over all BIG DISSAPOINTMENT! Would give it a star point not a full star it never lived up to the yelp hype!! Oh yea and not to forget I ordered kettle and water with lemon but it was missing the kettle . So I paid $9 for water. No joke my fiancÃ© who hates vodka tasted it and was like that is just water. OBA SUCKOOLLAAA...would never go back
(1)
Brandi F.

We visited Oba on a Tuesday at 5:30 pm and used a Living Social deal for the three course meal. Unlike other three course meal deals, we each got our own appetizer (vs only one to share at Hall Street Grill). If you use a Living Social three course meal deal, they will automatically charge a tip based on the "value price" of $100, not the $50 you paid for the voucher. I don't have a problem with tipping, but I didn't think the two small appetizers and salads warranted a "value price" of about $40. Appetizers: We got the calamari and the coconut prawns. Yay to both. The coconut prawns were so coconutty - they were perfect. They came with the jalapeÃ±o-citrus marmalade already on them, so it was a little difficult to keep things from getting messy. The calamari was crisp, not chewy, and paired well with the dipping sauces. We would order both of these appetizers again. EntrÃ©es: We both got the steak entrÃ©e. I got mine medium rare. My bf ordered his medium, but received a steak that was cooked just like mine. The steaks were very think, and they definitely cook the beef on the rarer side. That's something to consider when ordering how you want your steak prepared. After the three courses, we were too full to even think about getting a dessert. I loved our server - she was very enthusiastic and talkative. We received a lot of attention at first. But as the dining room filled up, the service was a little slower. We had to wait 20 minutes for our bill. If I were to go back, I'd choose a later dining time to see if I could dine and leave on a shorter/smoother timeline. I'd skip the three course meal deal, too. I'd rather have the option to choose an entrÃ©e from the full menu and skip the salad.
(4)
Daniel C.

Loved it! There was some slight confusion at first as to whether they would be able to accommodate our large group of 11, but they fixed it. Once inside we were all taken care of very quickly by staff. Some of our large group were strictly on a liquid diet, and some were eating, nonetheless the staff was very helpful and attentive. We had drinks in front of us quickly and food was out in within 15 minutes. If you come here you have to get a pitcher of mango margaritas! It was so fantastic, I can barely describe the orgasm my senses were having right there at the table. Some of our group had various plates of food and all were A-OK according to them. I had the fish tacos appetizer, which was small but settled my mid-day hunger. Although a little pricy for an appetizer, I'd probably do better just to get an entrÃ©e next time and split it with someone who shared my lack of appetite. We ended up falling in love with our server, who was so nice and prompt throughout our whole visit. The bartender was putting out nice drinks for everyone as well. This place has seating in the bar area that lets in nice light, and also more intimate tables in the back. They also have plenty of outside seating going all the way around the building for smaller groups. I would definitely come back here again to try some more food, if not just for the mango margaritas!
(4)
Ben K.

I went with my mom, dad, and sister. The food is creative, and exquisitely prepared. The ambiance is subtle, and elegant. The entire staff was friendly, welcoming, and unpretentious, and our waiter (chris) was quite excellent. Helpful, patient, and knowledgeable.. I would highly recommend Oba for people who like good things.
(5)
Matt F.

Love this place. Been there several times and everything I have tried is yummy and there service and atmosphere is good too.
(5)
Chrissy M.

We visited Oba for dinner on a Sunday night. They have a great deal for wines on Sundays, half off all bottles $65 and up. We opted for a pitcher of sangria. We started with the ceviche, arepas, and empanadas. Arepas were my favorite because they were full of flavor. Empanadas hit the spot, but I've had better in my travels. Ceviche was ok, The one item that brought down the review was the paella. There was no flavor or spice. Even the chorizo was bland. I would recommend skipping the paella. For dessert, we had the banana cheese malasadas. They were a great finish to dinner and just the right size. Service was great, but there are other good restaurants in Portland I would visit before I come back to Oba.
(3)
Michael W.

Fishmonger on site; whoever is cooking the fish is doing so perfectly! Awesome flavors. Excellent service, thanks Sara! These were some of the best tapas y pinchos I have had in this city! Well done. All the flavors, the cooking techniques, sauces, were so good!
(4)
Liz O.

My boyfriend found Oba on Yelp. We were visiting from San Francisco during Labor Day weekend. He booked a table for Sunday evening. The location and ambience of Oba are great - situated in the Pearl District with outdoor seating and good people watching. The service was impeccable and they make fresh guac right at your table. We ordered two apps, the chicken empanada and Yucatan Pork Arepas (corn cakes with braised pork) and both were delish! The carne gordo (prime rib) main was pretty bomb too. Also the mango habanero martini is the BEST cocktail I have ever tasted. I will definitely go back if I'm ever in Portland again!
(5)
Dick C.

Chef Scotty is best in the biz. The food remains the best in the pearl by far. We have spent many holidays and special occasions there and the place always is a great atmosphere. After all these years the bar is still a great place and classy place to meet someone in the evening. A must for visitors to PDX.
(5)
Maggy B.

Only had cocktails at happy hour... Dishes that went by looked great and atmosphere is young and fun! Would like to go back and eat there.
(3)
Rui Q.

What a bad restaurant! I couldn't believe anybody could give it good review. The environment is pretty Noisy! Yes!! I can't even hear what somebody said just sitting in front of me. The menu was Over Over Priced! For that price, they should provide high quality food. However in the seafood I ordered, nothing taste that fresh, especially the mussels. I can even taste the stink smell. Their waitress sucks too. If you don't order as many as they suggested, the unhappy was shown on their face immediately. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anybody.
(1)
Suzi G.

The paella was pleasantly single serving, without compromising any group size deliciousness. The guacamole was the best I've ever had, possibly because of the healthy amount of garlic and freshly fried chips. Our server was the best and the ambience is intimate, perfect for special dinners or dates.
(4)

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Address : 555 NW 12th Ave
Portland, OR, 97209
Phone (503) 228-6161
Website https://www.obarestaurant.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Oba

555 NW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209

Oba Menu

Ensaladas y Sopa

Tapas y Pinchos

Platos

Platos Fuertes

Al Lado

Happy Hour Tapas

Happy Hour Tapas y Pinchos

Dairy Free Menu

Vegetarian Menu

Gluten Free Menu

Healthy Meal suggestions for Oba

Ensaladas y Sopa

Tapas y Pinchos

Platos

Platos Fuertes

Al Lado

Happy Hour Tapas

Happy Hour Tapas y Pinchos

Dairy Free Menu

Vegetarian Menu

Gluten Free Menu

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