When the wife wants dessert at 8 oclock at night the wife gets dessert. Lucky for us right across the street from where we were staying was Chaval. My rating is based solely on her dessert and the wait staff. Even though it was still fairly busy for the time of night we stopped by we got seated almost immediately and our waitress made sure we got the dessert menu and a drink menu for me. Within 15 minutes I had my drink and my wife had her dessert. We were in Portland 9 days and her chocolate dessert was one of the top 3 things she had all trip. Worth running across the street in the snow for that dessert. read more

Great wine list, and super delicious food, plus friendly staff and fun music (there was 90s pop playing when I was there!). There are a few different places to sit indoor and outdoor that have different vibes. read more

Chaval is a wonderful restaurant... we call it "our neighborhood resturaunt".... foodies come from all over to experience this marvelous resturaunt. There is something for everyone in the menu from fish to meat and even a scrumptious burger. The bar is always interesting with locals having dinner and always having interesting conversation. A must visit when in Portland! read more

True professionals, great food & service. Quality is top notch. Reasonable and varied wine list, desserts are off the charts. A true gem in the western prom... read more

We came here for the high reviews, but it was a huge disappointment overall. The servers were very hostile to little kid. We brought our 3 year old and sit outside in one of those 'igloo' and it was cold outside. Our 3 year old was crying and the server showed nothing but impatient to us. The food is mediocre and overpriced. And this place is definitely not family/kid friendly. I wouldn't recommend anyone come here. read more

solid neighborhood joint. half the time it knocks you out of the park, the other half, its just kind of alright. good wine options, friendly service, but staff seem uncomfortable with each other for some reason. the space feels like it could use some more decorating; it feels incomplete. Honestly, a really great burger. Avoid the coq au vin at all costs. I don't know how it can be dry if cooked in liquids, but it is. desserts are the saving grace here. each one is delicious. good cider options too which is nice. been a few times, and will go back again. read more

The food, as always, was fantastic. However, the service - sooooooo sloooooooow!! I understand that Covid is presenting many challenges, but for our party to wait 18 minutes at the host station before anyone came seems extraordinary. That same pace continued at the table, with lengthy wait periods between touchpoints from our waiter. We had many dishes from the menu - shareables, entrees, desserts. Every single dish was amazing! It's too bad that the lion's share of our conversation was about how slow it was. read more

We had a wonderful dinner at Chaval last Friday. The service was great, and the food was sublime. From cocktail to dessert we had a lovely time and enjoyed every bite and sip. The Coq Au Vin was a standout. read more

What a pleasant surprise. A friend told us it was wonderful and very hard to get a reservation. I went on Yelp and had no problem. It was a beautiful evening and we ate on the patio. The back of the building has a painting of flowers all over it and it sets a perfect mood. We started with a tomato and cucumber salad and went on to the braised chicken, Coq au Vin. It is made for 2 or more people. We weren't disappointed. The churros were the perfect way to end our evening. They were warm, crunchy on the outside and custard inside. Chocolate sauce to dip them in was heavenly. As we exited the restaurant, we noticed that it was full and everyone was having a good time. The front room was noisy, so we commented that we were glad we ate on the patio. read more

A real gem. Food is inventive and delicious. Charming set up for socially distanced outdoor dining. Single use menus. Will definitely be back the next time we visit Portland read more

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One of the best dining experiences in a long time and in Portland and that is saying a lot given the number of great restaurants in Portland. A must try when in Portland. Our server was excellent - knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. The food was excellently prepared and presented. Carrots tarte, serrano ham starters with venison and monkfish mains. Highly recommend. read more

Great restaurant! Portland is a friendly town and the staff at the Chaval are no exception. The food is excellent and not that expensive. The ambiance is excellent. We had the olives appetizer, Beet salad, and Coq Au Vin and couldn't have been more pleased. read more

We had a righteous, excellent, fabulous meal here on a November Friday evening. We made 545pm reservations and showed up promptly, and arrived just before the rush. They seated us in a neat quiet little area in the back next to a couple of other older early bird diners, and everything just rolled out from there. The server was prompt, professional, friendly and consistent throughout our meal. My gal is veggie, and I was on the hunt for serious seafood, and we each were amply satisfied by our options. My gal particularly dug the churros dessert - quite tasty and *just* enough :) Top marks on my end go for this fideo lobster dish, where bits of fideo pasta were toasted, then cooked in an insane shellfish stock and studded with lobster bits. It was an excellent way to try out this venerable Maine shellfish in a new light - not lost in cheese, not trapped in a shell (boiled is always better al fresco, IMHO) but set off with a good oil, some nice contrasting texture, and that stock...o man that stock. Top marks! The rest of our meal was just as excellent and we rolled out of here to catch the end of the Friday Art Night well fortified. A great little neighborhood spot executing at a high level - kudos! read more

AMAZING. I've had two excellent meals here, both have exceeded expectations. Great cocktails, patatas bravas and warmed olives on point, very creative and delicious salads with very fresh ingredients, and a phenomenal burger. The service is excellent, both times the servers were so knowledgeable and fun to just chat with too. They have succeeded and evolved during Covid and seem to have more great ideas to come. They currently have 2 outdoor patios (front and back) and greenhouse options with no indoor dining. They made the outdoor dining very cozy in the winter and the summer patio experience this weekend was great. Many yelp reviews have mentioned the desserts and 100% agree, got the peaches and churros dish and wanted to try more. Can't wait to come back. read more

Unbelievable is one of many ways to describe Chaval. The atmosphere is super laid back and the decor is simple, light, clean and modern. We arrived around 5.30 so managed to grab some drinks and small bites from the happy hour menu, everything we ordered was excellent. For drinks we were assisted by the bar manager who was polite and extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. I highly recommend the 'Veracruz'! As for food we ordered everything from the tapas side of the menu, being a group of six meant we went back for some dishes multiple times. I don't want to pull out any favorites because everything was fantastic but personally loved their take on Deviled Eggs. If you have the slightest amount of space for desert 'The Classic' was delicious and light. Enjoy! read more

Exceptional restaurant find. The food was excellent as a general course. I had the clams and pork belly which was great. Deserts were good too. I only take off a star due to the pricing. Family of four expect about $70 pp with drinks, appetizers and deserts. This price is comparable with Fore Street which sits alone at this price range. Would come again but likely only for special occasions read more

Chaval - Spanish Near Me - Portland, Maine

Fantastic food. The salads to start were beyond fresh and full of flavor. We had the slated cod on toast which is a must. The monk fish was cooked to perfection and had a great compliment of vegetables. The service is excellent and not suffocating. A bonus is that we were able to park in the lot adjacent to the restaurant. The food and service make this a must. The ambiance is nice but the food and service is why you are going. read more

I brought my boyfriend to Chaval for my birthday to taste the most wonderful swordfish I've ever had. However, this time it was not the most wonderful swordfish. It was undercooked and raw in the middle so I sent it back. The the server spitefully said that she would bring a well done one and I said no I don't want that. "Please cook it medium at the most but you have to cook it." 20 minutes later, someone else brought out a charred, dry piece of fish stating it was my Well done swordfish, in which I didn't eat and sent it back again and requested a manager. Our server happily told me that she was the manager. I said great, told her that I was really unhappy, underwhelmed with our experience and diaappointed in the quality of food. The service was poor, the plates are too expensive for their size and quality, they served me raw swordfish and seemed with just fine with it. I had frequented Chaval to the point of bringing other people there. Perhaps it was an off night and they seemed extrely overwhelmed and the kitchen especially. We ordered $9 deviled eggs and it was 1 egg split and deviled. ONE EGG FOR 9 DOLLARS. Could have been A Lot better in a lot of ways. I cannot recommend Chaval at this point. There are so many other places with nicer, less pretentious, staff trying to improve your dining experience. Stop using servers as managers and pay them a wage. I wamted to speak to a manager, not an overloaded server who didnt have time for us to start with. It is not very professional for my server to argue with me, say she's my manager after my second complaint and that is the end of the management chain. Terrible. read more

The noise level was off the charts!! It was difficult to converse with my dinner companion, my husband. Even the waitress stuggled to hear us and we her. The food however was very good, especially the steak tar - tar. I'd go back again , grab a seat at the bar and order it and a cocktail. read more

Food is stellar. Staff knows their stuff inside and out. A bit pricey fir portion but as expected. Bathroom line can be a little wait. But will certainly be back for another anniversary with empty bowels. Hoorah. read more

Another delightful culinary experience in Portland. Come for the sangria for two, stay for amazing local seafood and attentive service. Seriously, I love Maine's commitment to local and to fighting child hunger, which at least one meal at lots of venues will provide money for. We split a paella that was to die for, can highly recommend. read more

We loved the restaurant that preceded Chaval and were hesitant to check out it's replacement. When we finally went, despite our skepticism, it was wonderful. The food was great and the service was a spectacular. Highly recommend (plus parking is easier in the West End!) read more

Had dinner with my wife and in-laws. Started with a cheese plate, broccolini, and beets, and had steak frites, coq au vin, and vegetables for the main courses, and Madelines, snacks, and fluffernutter churros for dessert. Everything was amazing! So tasty, a few surprises, just so good! Our server Eve was knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. Could not have asked for more. A great evening! Thank you!!! read more

We had wanted to try Chaval since they opened and really enjoyed our food, but in hindsight I'm not entirely sure how to recommend it to other people, or what kind of restaurant I even want it to be. I should say that while I've lived in Portland for over a decade I never tried Caiola's, so I can't make many comparisons. We walked by Chaval a few times and it did look cozy from the outside like it's predecessor. We knew it was the hot new jam in the West End and Portland in general, so we picked a somewhat special occasion and made a reservation for a Friday night around 6:30. With visions of our romantic evening spent over wine and tapas, we were greeted by the wonderful hostess and seated... next to the one couple with children ages probably 2 and 5. Regardless of how long they had already been there, it was clear the kids had had enough and were squirming, climbing, circling the table, etc. The close proximity of what seems like 2-tops would have been no issue with another couple next to us, but with the older one running back and forth in between the small space in between our two tables, let's just say it took out a bit of the "intimacy" of the evening. Now, here is where I should say that I have plenty of friends with children of the same ages, and parents need to live too. I don't know that most would take them out for an evening of Spanish tapas, but the West End is a very family-oriented neighborhood. Also, I'm not sure that I even want Cheval to to be non-family friendly either, it just wasn't what we imagined it would be. Regardless, it had been a long week even before the wild childs and nothing was bringing us down on a Friday, so we went for the whole bottle of wine which was in the $45-50 range and delicious. There may have been only one bottle, if that, that came in under $40, but beyond that I thought the food prices were quite reasonable. The Tomato Bread ($5) was simple, but amazing. Fresh bread, fresher tomatoes with nice olive oil, salt and pepper was somewhat like a bruschetta but much better than I thought it would be. I know it sounds strange to say that my favorite dish of the evening was crushed tomatoes on toast, but such was the case. Our friendly and knowledgeable waitress (both in food and wine) mentioned that the freshness of the tomatoes was key here and thus it likely wouldn't be on the menu for much longer. We also had a dish that involved cuddlefish and a squid ink aioli that I was really happy my girlfriend talked me into. The balance of flavors was delightful and the aioli seemed to help the fish stay moist. The lettuce and nuts salad was not particularly mind-blowing, but big enough for us to split and $9. Rather than go for one of their more creative sounding entrees, we for some reason opted to split the steak frites, which was perfectly serviceable, cooked as requested, and the fries were excellent. In all, between the bottle of wine, two smaller dishes, the salad and splitting the entree and we came to about $105 or so before tip, which was less than I was expecting. I've had a few snacks and drinks at Terlingua add up to more than that. There are so many interesting dishes to dive into at Chaval and it seems pretty evident they'll be changing them based on what's fresh and available. I honestly cannot wait to go back and try more of the menu, we'll just set our expectations more as a weeknight dinner and less of a special occasion, and maybe that's exactly what they want at this little neighborhood spot. read more

We had the most wonderful evening last night on the back deck, it almost felt wrong to feel so right. The server, Nessa (sp) was just the best. She made us feel welcome, knew the menu and really made the evening. The food was beyond great (not just because my home cooking for a year sucks) and the robust/creative menu made it that much more fun. We cant wait to go back! read more

Excellent French style food Probably best restaurant in Portland Fish small portion but Amish chicken best Creme brûlée overloaded and bland Chef does nice platings Try it Warning a bit pricey read more

This year we decided to check out all new places in Portland. Chaval was excellent, a great find. They have seating in the front of the restaurant and additional seating in the back with the kitchen in between. We were seating in the back and got to walk through the kitchen and many of the staff stopped and say hello which was pretty cool. They offer a nice selection of French and Spanish wines along with several local brews. Our food was delicious? My steak was cooked perfectly and my wife's scallops were on point too. Service was great and upon leaving walked back through the kitchen and again the staff stopped and thanks us for coming. Would recommend checking out this place. Give yourself extra time to look for a parking spot as we had a tough time finding an empty spot. read more

YES. There's a lot of love in this cozy spot. The maître d'hôtel who greeted us was full of love. The bartender who carefully crafted an amazing martini was full of love. The kitchen staff I could see were filling plates with love. Every employee encounter we had here was bright and positive. But enough about the people. What about the food? I dined with a travel companion and we initially began piecing together an order of small plates. Then we spotted the coq au vin in the upper right corner of the menu. $24 per person and you don't really need to order anything more. It's a complete meal served in a lovely bright Le Creuset pot. So we went in for that instead. Word of caution: the coq au vin does take some time to prepare. It won't be a quick meal, therefore. But it's made from scratch for each order so you end up with probably the very best version of coq au vin you'll ever see this side of the Atlantic. It was rich but not heavy, bold but not overpowering, tender but veggies still had a good crunch. Perfectly seasoned and the grilled country bread helped mop up every drop of the sauce. On a rainy evening it was the perfect thing to full up my tummy. There isn't much I can say other than...just say yes. There is so much attention to detail here. Out of two dinners in Portland, the other at Cong Tu Bot, I would be hard-pressed to make a choice. Save room for both! read more

Love the decor and atmosphere - cozy, romantic, relaxed. Unfortunately, food was very middle of the road. Good, but not memorable. We ordered a few appetizers to share but I really wanted to try the Red Wine Braised Chicken. Spanish Tortilla - layers of fluffy light egg and potato slices. Classic dish, tasty, but nothing special. Octopus - Can't usually go wrong with an octopus appetizer. The octo was fresh, just a little chewy, and flavored well. The Red Wine Braised Chicken was A-OK, as Yelp puts it. The chicken and potatoes in the dish were very well cooked - almost a little overcooked. You can taste the wonderful red wine sauce, flavorful, salty, and very rich. If you enjoy heavier dishes (oily), you'll enjoy this one. For $20 a person, I didn't think there was quite enough food for the asking price. Don't think I'd be back here for a long while, but if you've never been, worth a try. read more

Having lived in Portland for 4 years and the west end for one, I felt that it was my duty to try out Chaval for the first time. We made reservations after the dinner rush and were seated in a quaint corner seat facing the entrance. Upon greeting us, the server suggested a few favorites from the menu to which we obliged. We started with the tomato/toast dish, then my boyfriend got the burger and I, the halibut. My dish was extremely delicious, full of flavor and the fish cooked to perfection. My only complaint is that I wish I had more and maybe the addition of another vegetable/or ingredient for volume, but I'm a big eater so that's my problem. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burger and the fry portion was ideal for his appetite, but we both agreed that the burger lacked a little flavor. Overall, we'd definitely go again, but make sure we ordered more/larger appetizers to start. read more

I love this place. I demand to go to it for every special occasion dinner (which in itself says a lot because Portland has so many amazing culinary options). Anyways, the cocktails are inventive, the food is delicious and the dessert is worth having even if you forgot to save room. Disclaimer: the one section of the menu I have no expertise on is the entree section...solely because their family style Coq Au Vin is so damn delicious that we get it every time we visit. Take my word, you don't want to miss out on this dish if you're with good company. If you're dining here solo, the local mushroom/duck egg/chorizo small plate is a match made in heaven when paired with a good glass of wine. The staff is knowledgeable, consistent and capable of truly fulfilling your dining experience at Chaval. This is one of the best (if not THE best) restaurants in Portland. read more

Our must-visit spot when we're in Portland. Best gin and tonic in New England and everything from the burger to the more sophisticated options are amazing. read more

Always stellar! We love the appetizers, the main courses and the desserts! Not to mention the wines!

Chaval is a neighborhood gem in the heart of the West End. The restaurant boasts a lovely back patio with views of a gorgeous mural. Everything is delicious but the small tapas plates (hello hand sliced Serrano ham plates and Brie toast) and brunch are my favorite. Brunch at the bar with Patrick is always a delight. He's a master of cocktails and hospitality. Brunch cocktails involving orange juice which is fresh squeezed into a fluffy liquid to orders are strongly recommended. The changing menu of house made pastries called trocaderos are not to be missed. The Parisian breakfast, Spanish breakfast, and avocado roasts are my favorites. Breakfast potatoes which are crisped to perfection and topped with onion jam are not to be missed. read more

Great spot for a date! Exciting menu that changes with the seasons, and amazing drinks. Love the atmosphere and the employees are very kind.

omfg absolute best brunch in Portland. We always stop here for a restorative before heading home. Sit at the bar and get whatever comes with jamón on it. read more

First time at Chaval: went for a birthday dinner for my BF. I had told several people that we were going and they all said that it was a great place. It did not disappoint. Our server was awesome and sold us on the special of "chicken scallops", which were pretty much the best taste of chicken we'd ever had. We shared the coq au vin, the chicken was falling off the bone, so juicy. I would recommend it for a special night out, as it can be a bit pricey if even if you get a few things to share, but worth it. read more

Loved the food, loved the outdoor seating, loved the service. Big 5 stars from me and would happily dine there again.

Nice flavorful and true to the recipe dishes. Not breaking any new ground but the dishes were well done and presented.

Chaval has a lovely atmosphere and you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. I love sitting on the back patio in the warmer months and cozying up in the warm atmosphere during colder weather. Be sure to check out Sunday brunch here- my mouth waters just thinking about it. read more