Cliché comment, but going to say, 10/10! Honestly love, walking in and making my own little cup of coffee while I wait to be seated instead of standing there awkwardly. Fun vibe without being overstimulated. Happy I looked at the menu the day before so I could narrow it down, it's not a huge menu, but everything sounds fantastic. Ended up at the mercy of the waitress making my final decision. Was delivered the breakfast hash with Carnitas because that's how she orders hers. My extremely picky 16 year-old had her own breakfast but ended up polishing off half of mine on top of her own. Not wait to go back! I've heard they do events and I will be keeping that in mind. read more

Bar Carlo - Spicy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My date got the elote hash and I had the plato gordo and the food was phenomenal! the dish had so much flavor and they were both such hearty portions- the elite hash easily enough to fill two people. The service was perfect, the staff was attentive and was consistently checking to see if we needed more water and to take the order and the interior is so cute. its surprisingly colorful and has a very modern look. I sat on the couch and loved it - ample seating. this is a spot worth a check read more

What a fun experience! Bar Carlo is a fantastic brunch spot! Everything we ordered was delicious, the staff was warm and welcoming, and they went above and beyond to accommodate our very large party without any issues. We all left happy and full--highly recommend! read more

Bar Carlo - Drag show brunch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Very satisfying brunch. We went on a Sunday at 10:30 and we were seated right away. Bright, clean and large interior. Friendly service. I had the breakfast burrito which was large, full of eggs, potatoes and chorizo and topped with a delicious salsa verde. My vegetarian and vegan friends dining with me were also happy with their meals. Also tried the big jar of iced tea, which is just that. read more

Bar Carlo - Breakfast La Frontera Burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Always my go to spot, absolutely love the food! Updated menu photos! They changed seating a bit and I was a tank for one on a Saturday and I ended up waiting for over a half hour! read more

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Unique! Eclectic! Fun! Clean! Fresh! Whimsical! Delightful! And even a little otherworldly! Not to mention tasty! All the elements are quintessential in making a great and superb Resto in my book! Wow! This expansive and roomy locale takes up what almost seems like a half city block and part of an old theatre whose structure was built in 1922 make this edifice apropos for Bar Carlo. It appears that since 2008 when Bar Carlo first opened, Melinda Archuleta, the chef and owner has been striving for not only excellence in her quality offerings but projecting her eclectic and distinctive philosophy to its delighted customers since. Ever since she's apparently successfully combined the extraordinary flavors of her Mexican American growing up, her obvious culinary abilities along with some international flair! Her eclectic flair is not so subtly represented in her design, layout and her in-your-face and hilarious and joyful restaurant setting that strikes you the moment you walk in the door! I might even say I felt I walked into a work of art which I became a part of. Extraordinary! I don't know how we've missed Bar Carlo over the years of visiting Portland. I regret not having discovered it much sooner! Now, as for the eats! Bar Carlo is a no holds barred superb eats joint! From their comfortable seating, tables and wide-open areas, next to the incredibly varied, diverse and extensive menu - it is difficult to decide on your selection... not to mention the scents and aromas wafting from the kitchen do not help in your selection process. Eventually we were able to decide, and the group went for the diverse directions in their selections as wide as Bar Carlo's menu. As our first visit was timed perfectly for brunch (which they are renown for), the ladies started with a flight of incredible Mimosas which allowed for a selection of either orange, grapefruit or hibiscus juices. But I went for a fabulous Tamarind Margarita perfectly concocted from Habanero tequila and mezcal, a dash of cinnamon, just the right amounts of orange liqueur, lime, tamarind along with bitters, salt and chili! Yummy! And then, of course the ubiquitous Chips and Salsa... both chips and salsa are freshly made, and the salsa being astonishingly excellent - perfectly chunky, the right amount of spice and not to mention its perfect seasoning! From there we went on to gorge ourselves with mains everyone was speaking about for days after our visit. The four of us tried the gamut on their menu including: El Plato Gordo comprised of some very crispy yet tender pork carnitas topped with over-medium eggs alongside perfect Mexican rice, delectable and tender black beans, exquisite and tangy salsa verde along with escabeche along with excellent nixtamal corn tortillas. The Huevos a la Mexicana were fab with just the right amount of spicy peppers, tomato, onion and queso fresco turned under into nicely scrambled eggs and served with Mexican rice, black beans and corn tortillas. I went for a unique take on the world-famous Monte Cristo... the Monte Carlo of Bar Carlo... a perfectly prepared French Toast rendition of thinly shaved ham, Chihuahua cheese, the right amount of blackberry mustard along with an apropos amount of delectable organic maple syrup. Last, but not least, final mention is their simply incredible rendition of Eggs Benedict served with Mexican Rice, Beans and a Tortilla. Just because they have such a great selection and huge following for their brunch does not mean they don't offer some incredible meals throughout the day such as Tuna Melts, Carne Asadas, Vegan Bowls, Burritos, Ensaladas Verde, Totopos, and much, much more. Not to mention their assorted bar with every kind of beverage one can wish for from Micheladas, Margaritas and Mojitos. When visiting, just be ready to be overwhelmed! Congratulations Chef Archuleta for inventing, establishing, operating and giving us patrons the opportunity of enjoying your whimsical and imaginative yet delicious and superbly extraordinary extravaganzas you've been prepping at Bar Carlo! Cheers, bien hecho y buen provecho! read more

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Adore the ambience in the space. Food was absolutely delicious, and the staff was really attentive and kind.

Once again, nothing changes. We love this place so much but as always the service is always lackluster. Like the food is so good and we love to support a place that has conviction and highlights LGBTQ and immigrant rights etc etc. Maybe we have the worst luck ever and it only happens to us (highly doubt it) but every time we come in something happens. The food takes forever, our order is wrong, or just like the server is nowhere. I used to serve and bartend for 15+ years and so did my partner, we aren't blowing smoke. Maybe use the check back rule, after you drop the food, check back in like a couple mins, like heck, check back once if ever. Cause then you can figure out if you entered the order wrong, or if the kitchen serves a heaping pile of potatoes with the smallest smidge of ketchup ever. Maybe your guests need another drink, water refill, more napkins or anything. Blarg. read more

cute little cafe/restaurant, i ordered the elote hash with steak bites!! so yummy, a MUST try!! good service :)) read more

Bar Carlo - Elote Hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

First time here. I came for the Corned Beef Hash but they don't have it anymore. Had the Eloise Hash with carne asada. Hash has many different variations. Grew up on East Coast where Hash is finely shredded and cooked together. It was ok but not what I was expecting. Great, bright, clean, interior. Server was the typical Portland perfunctory hospitality. Not truly interested in my having a good experience. Yup....oh well. read more

We absolutely loved having our 55-person wedding at Bar Carlo. The owner Mel is at the same time very supportive and very low-key, which made for a smooth planning process and day-of event. The space is gorgeous, and has multiple connected wings, which allowed for the the party to morph seamlessly over the night from barside cocktail hour to outdoor patio ceremony to dinner buffet to dance floor. The space is already a beautifully decorated artwork, and Mel lets you decide how to arrange the space for your event, but you can also bring your own decorations/sound system/llama and she can handle those additions easily. The food and drinks were delicious too, and Mel was able to accommodate our entirely vegan and gluten-free menu without hesitation. Overall we loved the unique-ness, flexibility and good vibes of the space and the people of Bar Carlo, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a cute and fun space for their wedding or other event. -Nicola & Lou read more

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We come here ALL the time and bring everyone we know. Inevitably after bringing someone, the following weekend we are told THEY took someone. Reading reviews about the QR code being dehumanizing and not getting to speak to someone about substitutions is odd since every time we've ordered via QR, they've come out and clarified something we've left off. The customer service is always amazing. They aren't over the top every two seconds, asking how it's going while you have their amazing food in your mouth. I don't want someone at the table all the time. We come here to support local, knowing they support LGBTQIA+, eat fantastic food and enjoy the adorable decor while speaking to the people we came with. We will continue to show up for this place and all they stand for. So glad we found them. Side note: can't go wrong with any of the food, but our faves are the Shift Meal and the Huevos a la Mexicana. And the giant vat of iced tea! Disappointed has never been a feeling when leaving Bar Carlo. read more

We've wanted to try Bar Carlo for a while and decided to get takeout brunch today. For $16 the portion size of the Chilaquiles Verde is ridiculously small. Would have been $21 with added meat. I've never received anything other than an appetizer or side in this size of takeout container. I'm unsure if portions are different when dining in? The flavors are good, but the price is just not justifiable for what it is. read more

Bar Carlo - Takeout Chilaquiles Verde - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is THE best place in Portland to host a party. I spent about 6 months searching for a place that was available and affordable. Bar Carlo was absolutely perfect for everything we needed! Rather than renting a hall and hiring bartenders, or trying to buy out an entire bar or restaurant, they have all the infrastructure in place to host a great party without the cost of a buyout since they're only open for brunch. Mel was a great communicator from start to finish and was ready to accommodate my requests, and suggest alternatives when appropriate. The party itself was PERFECT! The bar staff were so lovely, competent, and fast. The cocktails we had requested were batched and ready and tasted amazing. The venue is adorable and offers plenty of space for socializing, snacking, and as it turns out, line dancing! I'm so grateful I found this place and could throw the party I was hoping for. Highly recommended! read more

Food and service was awesome! The carnitas omelet was one of the best I've had!!! Delish!

Friendly service, delicious food, and a funky space with great vibes. We love breakfast here - the shift meal is simple yet I crave it regularly! Yeah, service is not fast, however I don't mind waiting a little extra time for an overall delightful experience. read more

Good food with gluten free and vegan options and Nossa Familia coffee plus no brunch line! read more

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Atmosphere was awesome, probably the best thing about this place. Good music and decor! Good outdoor and indoor seating options. Food was just ok, it's not authentic Mexican. We tried the chilaquiles and breakfast burrito. The chilaquiles were just eggs, beans, and a side of chips; also separate. There was no cohesion. The breakfast burrito was tasty, good size, and good flavors. The service was poor unfortunately. Maybe they were understaffed? The place wasn't very busy when we were there, yet staff were frantic and rude. read more

Bar Carlo - Chilaquiles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I came in during low traffic hours and got a table right away, and they showed me where to pour my own coffee (which was still good even though there weren't a lot of people there to drink it.) I was able to find a vegan option and I liked it. It was a little lonely - I'll have to come back when it's hopping. read more

I have not been here in around 10 yrs. I did not used to like it but thought I would try again. My friend wanted to try it. Their menu has changed quite a bit. Their portions are smaller than my other favorite brunch places. Brunch is $18-20 a plate. $3.00 for you to get your own drip coffee. I am not a fan of get your own coffee. I went to get my own coffee and the coffee pot was empty. They should be checking it when working brunch. I was a brunch server. That is brunch service 101. It was a 10 am on a Monday. Had to wait 5 mins for them to replace it. Was not busy. They did not bring me a coffee due to their mistake or even tell me they were done switching out the coffee pots. I had to interrupt my dinning experince again. I was a server for many yrs and this get your own coffee thing is a bummer for me. The food is fair to midland. I found my dish to be quite salty. Not cravable or delicous for me. It was not flavorful or well balanced. Street parking. Server was nice. Service is average overall. There is just nothing special about this place for me and the prices are up there. I do not get to go out for brunch often. So when I do, I want it to be a yummy cravable brunch. This does not fit the bill. read more

Phenomenal service but the food left me unsatisfied. We came here on Easter Sunday for brunch and found it surprisingly open, we didn't have to wait for a table and since they have the cute covered patio with propane fires, we opted to eat outside. The ambiance is that of a typical hipster spot in PDX, quaint, homey and laid back. I ordered the Mexican hot chocolate with the corned beef hash. My fiancé got the cheeseburger with a Bloody Mary. The Mexican hot chocolate was absolutely delicious! The waitress teased me a bit about not ordering alcohol and brought me a peep in good spirit (loved the jokey, lighthearted vibes). The corned beef hash was almost inedible. On the menu it mentions the horseradish sour cream. I'm not huge on horseradish but I'm not absolutely against it. The dish had so much horseradish in it that it was giving me a headache and making my eyes and nose water. It was on almost every bite of the dish and made it nearly inedible. There was also very little corned beef on the dish. I did appreciate the perfectly runny egg on top though. My fiancé enjoyed her burger but found the Bloody Mary to be too spicy for her taste. Granted, she is very sensitive to spice but she specifically ordered a non-spicy Bloody Mary so I think it took her by surprise. I think I would come back here again. It's a cute local spot with great drinks and a fun vibe but you'll never catch me getting the corned beef hash again... also probably never going near horseradish again either. read more

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Just visited Bar Carlo for the first time today and WOW, what a great experience! My partner got the Gordo Plato and a Bloody Mary and I had the French Toast with eggs and carnitas and their coffee cocktail. Everything was absolutely delicious! A note about the French Toast: I asked about how they prepare it because I only like it if it's very eggy and custardy. The staff said that the kitchen used to prepare it that way and has since changed their recipe to something drier, but that they would be happy to prepare it the old way for me and holy cow, I'm so grateful because it was EPIC. Soooo perfect! And the side of carnitas was huge and so dang good; very tender with great crispy edges. I had to give my partner at least half of it because there was no way I could eat all of it. He loved his meal too. I think that my side of carnitas was more plentiful than in his meal. We went at about 2:00 on Sunday (they close at 3:00) and got a table immediately. The service was impeccable; plenty of attention without being smothered. The ambiance was pleasant. Lots of plants around but strangely very little art on the big empty walls; still a lovely place and very clean and comfortable. We will definitely be back. Thanks for a great visit! read more

Food is amazing, every time. Staff & Owner are fantastic! They're friendly, attentive & welcoming. Great atmosphere as well. Bar Carlo is a true gem of Portland. read more

I was completely impressed with their professionalism and customer service but the food is not good. Read the bio of the owner and honestly I had high hopes for the food. I was kinda disappointed. Prices are high and servings are small. I'm from Michoacán, Morelia and the wife and I wanted to try this place from seeing it on Instagram. Other than that very cutesy place. Not authentic Mexican food . Para los güeros read more

I hyped myself up for a breakfast here, for awhile. So I was ready for a Sunday brunch. Had a five minute wait , no problem. I noticed that were not too many tables together. Vacant spaces seemed odd and out of place. OK. Friendliest of staff. But...........I ordered the "Huevos a la Mexicana"..........aaand , not the heartiest of meals I have laid my eyes upon. It took me 5 , maybe 8 minutes to finish my meal. Did I tell you that the staff is super friendly ?? I just didn't fit , I guess. read more

Bar Carlo - Huevos a la Mexicana - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Sunday Brunch at Bar Carlo and this is my take away; Pros - *Space is fun and tables are perfectly distanced for privacy. *Carnitas omelet is a must order *Service is professional, generous and totally cool. *Potatoes are addicting *Easy parking *Outdoor seating *Restrooms are clean and well stocked *Coffee (serve yourself) big plus Cons - *Bar orders are a bit on the slow side *Food was a tad on the salty side *Bloody Mary was not very good *Very loud due to the high ceilings All & All - I will return for sure, I feel with a couple of updates in check out options (paperless) would free up time for not only the customer but the staff even more, and it's much needed here. The food seemed to me to be a tad on the salty side, but one can ask to go lite on the added salt I guess. Adding a virgin cocktail option wouldn't be a bad idea as well. The Mexican Flag on Mexican dishes is awesome - Loved that. read more

Really good food, nice outdoor seating, friendly staff, and lots of nice menu options. I had brunch there twice this week and both times were great! I had the carnitas omelette or hash the first time and the Salmon Benedict the second time. Both were awesome! I had one week here and ate there twice if that says anything. read more

Bar Carlo - Salmon Eggs Benedict and a fresh Jamaica juice. They also brought out a locally made hot sauce to go with it. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is where we had our first meal the day we got to PDX. It's also when I realized that SE is the area I prefer. The food choices in this area is definitely way more diverse. Not surprisingly, it was drizzling the day we landed. It was way too cold for this SoCal girl. I'm not sure how many times I complained about the low temp, but it got to the point where I wanted to smack myself. My friend who I was visiting comes here often. He hadn't been in a while so it's where he decided to take us. It was definitely our lucky day because the guy working the front said they finally opened the sit down area. Talk about luck! We placed our order at the front then found a table out back. Our orders: Eldelflower Fizz (mines) Bloody Mary (Jon's) Paloma (Yan's) Melwich (mines) French Toast (Yan's) Breakfast burrito (Jon's) I loved what I got. Yan took the other half of my sandwich like a savage. She didn't finish her french toast so we ended up taking the rest to go. The leftovers came in handy later in the day. The service was top notch. Apologies for not remembering the name of the guy who helped us, but boy was he a good time. I'll definitely be dropping by the next time I'm in town. read more

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Wall to awesomeness! What a great team. Amazing carnitas omelette. Mmmmmm! It was about noon so I had an incredible tamarind margarita. Oh it was the best I have ever had. So I had another! This is my favorite type of margarita and I have tried it from Baja to Seattle and this one was THE best! When I first walked in and several people standing around the entrance and it took me about 15 seconds to see the self check-in stand with a big chalk board that tells you to sign up on the wait list. I mean it's 11:30 am on a Sunday, so there was a short wait. I could see for some folks if your off your game or having an off day you might not notice the wait list, but the quality of the clientele or friendly staff would likely point you in the right direction. All the food and beverage coming out looked amaze balls. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in PDX. Rock Stars all around read more

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What can I say? Waking up late and grabbing brunch near cut off time was exactly how we started our day (2:30ishpm to be exact!) All 6 of us managed to get a table inside where we could enjoy fresh air, great music, and be right next to the bar. What was cool about our experience was that there was a pop-up artisan get together going on the other side of the space where you could see all sorts of creations! Our server was amazing with getting our order in before brunch cut off - we got so lucky! Everyone knew what they wanted to eat, which made the process easier but we'd never inconvenience the staff again like that. I ordered the vegan bowl and it was delightful and flavorful! It was simple black beans, rice, seeds, and veggies, but altogether it was filling and had a nice flavor profile. I managed to share some of the French toast and oh man, it was like heaven! So beautiful and soft with just the right amount of sweetness from the coconut cream and syrup - this was an absolute must order. Everyone ordered mimosas and I got the homemade orange juice which was perfectly fresh with no pulp! It seemed like everyone had a meal to their liking, and I really appreciated how attentive the staff was with any changes or accommodations when it came to food. Not to mention, whoever is in charge of music has such a great assortment of taste. The music alone was enough to hang out and wait to hear what was to come. Overall, this spot was so great, and it was our first time here with everyone unanimously wanting to return. Thanks for a great space and service! This place has great energy. read more

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Visit March 2025. Ambiance was fun, server was kind, and the food was delicious. Only downside is for anyone new, it's hard to know that you need to sign yourself on a wait list. There are three different entrances/exits and we were a little confused about where to go. Also the prices listed here on Yelp are very inaccurate so I included a page of the current menu. read more

Bar Carlo - Menu March 2025 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Service is the worst. Takes forever to even take your order. Then another extremely long wait for food to come out. And it's not like I ordered something extremely complicated (Chilaquiles, they're obviously not made in the moment). Honestly had I known I would've chosen any of the other options in the area. If you want good Mexican food, go to Mole Mole, prices there are much better and food is immensely better. Generic and overpriced. read more

Stellar food for both brunch and dinner. I've never had a bad item on the menu but some favorites are the Tuna melt, French toast, and carnitas omelette. Very casual and comfortable interior. Some reviewers have commented that the service is on the slow side, which I agree with, but view it as a feature rather than down-side. Awesome place for casual brunch with consistently delish food. read more

From the absolutely delicious brunch, to the yummy cocktails in they're swanky lounge we loved everything about this experience. This is definitely a destination! read more

Bar Carlo - Swanky lounge area - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I wanted to comment on Bar Carlo's service. Some reviewers have rated it poor. Bar Carlo is a neighborhood restaurant. It has a relaxed and unrushed culture. You can linger with your friends and not be rushed out. Its a great place to chill with great food. It can get busy and its not a drive thru. Grap a cup of self serve coffee and chill. If you want great food eat here. If you want to be pampered, go to a spa. Mark read more

We're regulars on the whole FoPo scene, but had yet to stop into Bar Carlo. Amazing brunch here today. Although all of the tables were taken outside, we were able to get a seat inside right away - no wait. Great vibe and playlist. Coffee was self-serve and delicious. I had the carnitas omelette which was a solid 5/5. Potatoes were crispy and delicious. My wife had the Eggs Benedict and absolutely loved it. As with many Portland spots, they seemed a bit understaffed, so wait times were long. All good though, the staff was hustling. We will definitely be back to explore this menu! read more

Bar Carlo - Carnitas Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food and drinks were all one note and that note was salt -- double up on your hypertension Rx. Service somehow managed to be both fussy and unhelpful, just tone deaf. It's like, brunch shouldn't be this difficult. I mean, how do you burn one half of each bacon slice and leave the other half undercooked? The michelada is listed as "light ice" but arrives in a pint glass with 12 oz of ice, 4 oz of oversalted bloody mix, and a 12 oz can of beer on the side because with all that "light" ice, there's no room for the other half of the michelada. Adios fake Mexican place. read more

If the words "concha bread pudding" or "tamarind margarita" do anything for you - and I assume that they do - you've got to get over to Bar Carlo! The restaurant has an inventive menu and a ton of space, with a very relaxed vibe & arguably the best home fries in Portland. Can't wait to come back for brunch! read more

This is my new favorite brunch spot. The food is super yummy and affordable. Customer service was great as well! read more

Bar Carlo - Flan French toast, the shift meal, hibiscus mimosas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great food, friendly service, and very reasonably priced! Delicious cocktails on the happy hour menu. Will be back to try their breakfast! 4.5 stars read more