Absolutely outstanding upscale Mexican restaurant. We started with the tamales, which came like wonderful corn ravioli, with a crema sauce. Then the enchiladas (pictured). All was made with very fresh ingredients and real care. Server kindly helped us navigate (one of us is celiac), and didn't hesitate with the deets on the terrific cocktail they have (mariposa margarita). This place deserves a Michelin mention, at least. [Update: best flan we've ever had. Truly outstanding. ] read more

Came in about 6P without a reservation. I walked into a big group hanging at the bar and was almost deterred for a minute. Snagged the last bar seat and I'm glad I did. Wanted tacos and the bartender recommended one carne asada, one tinga, and one al pastor. Surprised the pastor came with fresh pineapple. It was really tasty though. The tinga also was something to write home about. Tried both salsas - the red was decently hot and the green was tangy. Rice was a little more bland than I expect but the frijoles de olla were good. Solid option if you're looking for some good tacos. Desserts looked good walking past but I got too full to try any. Would go back to check those out another time. read more

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I finally contacted the restaurant and we dined there before attending an event at the theater nearby. I am glad that we did. The place was lively and noisy with patrons and an enthusiastic staff. We shared a Quesadilla de champinon, an Arrachara campesina and Split Plis. Drinks included the Casa Mahon and Mariposa-partida blanco. All the food tasted authentic and better than most such places in the city. We liked our server, Cielito, who bustled around attentively. The check for the two of us came to $ 79 (which included a somewhat unusual credit card 3% surcharge). I recommend the place to those who enjoy Mexican food. read more

Had a lovely lunch at Cielito. Love the ambiance and how on nice days they have the windows open. Lunch specials were around $25, but did appreciate additional options beyond the dinner menu. I got the birria tacos which were quite good, also loved how they came with a huge potion of rice and beans. Service was friendly and efficient. read more

I'm from LA and my Mexican roots are from Michoacán and this food is the closest food to what I grew up eating!!! The champurrado was like a warm hug from my grandma on a cold winter, the guacamole was perfectly made and delicious! The al pastor taco was my favorite out of the 2 tacos I tried. My pozole was also delicious but I prefer mine with a lot of lime ‍ juice in it so I asked for extra limes. My husband said his steak was the best he's had in Rhode Island. My husband ended his meal with cafe de la Hoya which is always good no matter what time of day! Very chill environment with a great view of the dog park! One block away from the Providence Performing Arts theatre so I recommend you eat before or after your show! read more

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What a find! I am always hesitant when trying Mexican restaurants. This place was close to my hotel on a business trip so I figured I'd try it since it had good reviews. I was greeted immediately upon entering by the friendly gentleman behind the bar which is right as you walk in. I grabbed a seat at the bar and everything exceeded my expectations. The food was unbelievable, it reminded me of my visits to Mexico. The whole family works there. I watched them cooking as I sat there in a very clean kitchen, and they all laughed and were enjoying themselves. Truly authentic experience. I cannot wait to come back! read more

Cielito - Empanadas - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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First Look at Cielito -- A Welcome Newcomer to the PVD Food Scene Finally, some truly exciting Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine is showing up in Rhode Island, and Cielito is leading the way. Focused on the flavors of Michoacán--a region in west-central Mexico known for its corn-based dishes, slow-cooked meats, freshwater fish, and street food--this spot is a fantastic addition to the Providence dining scene. The space is welcoming and stylish, and the service was excellent from start to finish. Our visit started with drinks: a Mariposa Reposado margarita (fantastic) and a non-alcoholic Jamaica hibiscus drink, which was also refreshing. We split an order of guacamole and tostadas--fresh, chunky guac paired with crisp, deep-fried tostadas. My only minor quibble was the green salsa, which lacked spice. Next time, I'll ask if they have a hotter option. For mains, we had the quesadilla de campo and three tacos--all served on corn tortillas: al pastor, carnitas, and chicken tinga. The tacos looked small at first glance, and at $5.50 each, I initially thought they were pricey--but I was wrong. Each taco came generously stuffed with well-seasoned meat, finished with simple toppings of onion and cilantro. Everything we had was downright delicious. Total damage (with tip) came to $95, and honestly, it felt well worth it. read more

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Very cute place, and our waitress was nice, however we didn't really enjoy the food. The presentation was nice but the food itself was on the bland side. The options for our vegan friend were slim to none. Enchiladas verdes and quesadillas de campos pictured. read more

Cielito - Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Cielito Mexican Kitchen in Downtown RI was such a yummy experience! Super down to earth but also elegantly elevated, this restaurant balanced the home good feel of traditional Mexican food with their own modern twist. The only complaint I have is that we felt the salsa verde and general seasoning would have been even more delicious if it had a bit more of a kick! Staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend the following- Tres Leches with Abuelita Mexican Chocolate Chilaquiles Rojas Shrimp Stuffed Empanada ***if you had to choose, YES Gordita Eqsuites *if you had to choose, YES Guac & tortilla chips Quesadilla champion (cheese & local mushrooms) Traditional Horchata read more

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I would give it 3.5 stars but not 4. In our quest to try more restaurants in Providence, we tried Cielito. It was a pretty good experience. The ambiance was nice. Lots of differently sized tables that were comfortable. Lots of glass for a nice bright space. Our hostess and servers were good. We were seated right away, and the waiter explained the drinks and the menu. They had a pretty eclectic menu. We started with drinks. My wife and her friend, who was visiting from SoCal, ordered some type of margarita, and they enjoyed them. My wife said nothing special, but OK. I had a Manhattan, which was made reasonably well, but it was a bit small for what they charged compared to other Providence restaurants. I had the Carne Asada with a Mexican Salad and refried beans, which was pretty good. I have had better. My wife and her friend both had enchiladas, and both said they were OK. The general opinion was that it was a pretty good meal, but for the price, it was just OK. read more

Cielito - Carne Asada with a salad and refried beans - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I ordered a burrito it supposed to have cotija cheese, refried beans,onions, cilantro and guacamole.. I ordered carne asada which means grill steak. Well as you guys see in the picture the burrito is in the smaller side, I did not taste the beans the onions, cheese or the guacamole, I did state to the server there's no guacamole in this lol he stated it is probably really mixed in lol ummmm didn't see it didn't taste it. The meat had fatty parts that I had to take out of my mouth (don't judge me, I couldn't swallow it) the bar tender was nice. Ambiance was good the place is very pleasant and colorful. Over all, just based on the burrito I gave it 2 stars, I don't think I'll come back here, but hey guys don't nock it till you try it. Maybe there's other dishes that are better. read more

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We went on Cinco de Mayo, and it was delicious! The chicken taquitos and salsa were so good and the margaritas were even better. Our waiter was super nice, we'd definitely come back! read more

Cielito - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

My friend and I tried Cielito tonight. The restaurant wasn't busy, but we made a reservation just in case. I started with the Mariposa margarita, which was pretty good! We shared the guacamole and tostadas -- the guac could've used a bit more flavor (tasted mostly like salt), but the tostadas were good. We also tried the al pastor and chicken tinga tacos. They were okay -- the al pastor had pineapple infused instead of chunks on top, which was interesting but not my favorite. For my entrée, I had the halibut with Mexican rice risotto. It was tasty, but not really worth the $45 price tag. Overall, the food was just okay -- nothing bad, but nothing super memorable either. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, though, with beautiful decor, friendly staff, and fast service. Not sure if I'd go back, but it's a nice spot if you're looking for great ambiance. read more

Cielito has very friendly staff and nice decor, making for a pleasant atmosphere despite the small space. It's cold by the door so keep that in mind. The cocktails were a highlight--both the margarita and Paloma were flavorful and well-balanced. We started with the shrimp empanada, which was tasty and cooked well, but the filling was sparse. For the price, we expected it to be more generous. For dinner, we tried the pork entrée and the prime rib, each priced at $35. While the food was good, it didn't feel worth the high price. Way too expensive. The short rib, in particular, was very fatty, which was disappointing. Overall, it was an average experience. While the drinks were great, the food and prices didn't live up to expectations. read more

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In the former Oberlin space, Cielito has quickly become a must-visit spot for Mexican cuisine enthusiasts in Providence. Brought to life by the owners behind Central Falls' beloved James Beard-nominated Tuxpan, Cielito brings the same authentic flavors with a refreshing, elevated twist to each dish. The restaurant's intimate ambiance combines cozy lighting and thoughtfully designed decor, giving it a warm, modern vibe that feels both vibrant and inviting. Much like Tuxpan, the menu at Cielito is deeply rooted in authentic Mexican cooking but with refined touches and creative presentation. Cielito's starters impress right from the beginning. The house margarita: Mariposa is gorgeous with its magenta hue from the butterfly pea flower powder & packs a punch! The Esquites bring street-style corn to a whole new level. The Empanadas de Camarón were perfection in three bites. Our server split the main course of Enchiladas Verdes so you are seeing a half portion. You can add chicken but this was a beautiful & tasty veggie option. Cielito is the perfect addition to Providence's dining scene for both longtime fans of Mexican food and newcomers alike. We had to run but we'll be back for a Tres Leches very soon! NOM NOM NOM #YUM read more

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A really delicious experience! I can't wait to go back! It's definitely more of a high end Mexican restaurant and the prices reflect that. I really loved the mariposa margarita, chicken mole, and chocolate tres leches. I want to try many more things so I will definitely be back! The ambiance and decor is nice. I love the tiles on the front of the bar and the gorgeous colorful painting above it. Service was good but not overly personal or warm. Just efficient which is fine. This will definitely become one of my go to Mexican spots in Providence. read more

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Service was not great, menu isn't great, food is just okay. Vibe is not great. Have been twice but won't be back.

One of the tastiest burritos I've ever had. Perfect size not too big not too small and full of flavor. Went with a large group for lunch and service was a little slow, to be expected. Will definitely go back. read more

Cielito - Chipotle chicken burrito - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I walked by Cielito on its opening day, and was immediately intrigued. I made sure to come back as soon as I could to try it out. I was a bit nervous at first that the food wouldn't taste very authentic, especially given the lack of reviews and photos since it was new. My friends decided to try it anyways because it still looked very interesting. Cielito is where Oberlin used to be, and I think they've done a great job at decorating since it doesn't even remind me of Oberlin anymore! It felt very homey inside, so we were even more excited to try the food. I particularly enjoyed their dishware! I got a margarita with jamaica to start off, which was delicious. For food, I ordered enchiladas, which I didn't realize didn't have meat until I ate it. However, it was still delicious, especially the sauce. My friends also got the stews to share and the shrimp quesadilla. They were both good, but the chicken tinga was particularly yummy to me. We also got tres leches, which was the perfect ending to our delicious meal. l would definitely go again to try more dishes and desserts, and also would like to go during the day since they're bringing more street food during certain hours! read more

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Great Mexican spot in downtown Providence. It was pretty crowded on a Friday night--maybe a bit too much for my liking--but we snagged seats outside. Despite the chill, it ended up being a nicer option. For drinks, we had the Michoacan Margarita and the Cielito Cantarito, both of which were excellent. As for the food, we tried the pozolito, tuxpan chicken mole, and Arrachara Campesina. The pozolito, made with pork, was a little greasy but still delicious. The chicken was fantastic--tender and juicy, with amazing mole flavors. The steak was decent, but not particularly stand-out. For dessert, the chocolate tres leche cake was really good. Overall, it was a very good experience, though on the pricier side. Service was excellent. read more

Came in with a couple girlfriends for dinner and drinks. The inside is beautifully decorated. However, we made the mistake of sitting near the door and I was freezing the entire time. The door kept getting stuck open and no one was closing it, even the staff that was in and out. We ordered a couple apps and entrees. Overall, the food was good. I wouldn't say it was great, especially for the prices. The guacamole we ordered was pretty bland and a very small portion. My entree, a roasted chicken, was good and I was full afterwards. I did really enjoy the drinks. Service was a little slow...it took a while to get anyone's attention for refills of water and our drinks. I ended up going to the bar at one point to get a carafe of water. I'd go back for the drinks and sit at the bar. read more

Wonderful food, very kind, personable staff. Interior is very clean and designed well, intimate at night. Great cocktails as well highly recommend the Mariposa Margarita. read more

The food was delicious. The service was friendly and quick. They have outdoor seating and a good space for families. There's a nice view to downtown. read more

Cielito - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Favorites included: pozolito soup was so tasty and had awesome flavors, esquites/street corn for obvious reasons, chiles anchos rellenos- a pepper stuffed with juicy meat, and don't miss out on authentic mole, we got the chicken mole rojo. read more

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Cielito is a new Tuxpan, Michoacán family owned/operated Mexican kitchen that opened in August 2024. This spot in downtown Providence used to be home of Oberlin before they moved to Westminster Street. Cielito has a similar feel, but the table layout is different and the walls have lotería cards framed. Cielito is open for lunch Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and for dinner Monday-Thursday 4pm-9pm and Friday-Saturday 4pm-10pm. Closed on Sunday. I came to Cielito for the first time on a Saturday at 4pm. Since they had just opened for dinner, we were seated right away and then a few minutes later there were guests at the bar and all the tables next to us were occupied. The menu offers appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails, wine, and agua frescas. I started with the agua de Jamaica, hibiscus flower, and it was very good. I would definitely get this again. My husband had the agua de tamarindo. He enjoyed it, but it was a bit too tart and tangy for me. For appetizers, we got the empanadas de camarón. This came with 2 pieces. The shell of the empanadas was crunchy and the filling was very good. Dipping them in the pickle slaw and chipotle aioli was delicious. For entrees, I had the mole de olla, which was 12 oz braised short rib in guajillo pepper broth, chayote, local potato, corn and green beans. The braised short rib was so tender that a knife wasn't needed at all to cut it. It separated on its own. The broth was also very tasty and I enjoyed dipping the homemade tortillas in it. A wonderful and tasty dish. My husband had the tuxpan mole rojo, which is 10 oz free range chicken statlar covered in tuxpan mole. He enjoyed my dish more than his. Our dishes also came with a side of Mexican rice, beans, and fresh homemade tortillas. The sides were very good as well. Lastly, for dessert I had the tres leches, which is house made vanilla sponge cake with two choices of milk-elote milk and abuelita chocolate milk. I chose elote milk which has elote diplomat cream, cajeta, edible flowers, tulle crumb, and powder sugar. I like my tres leches to be more creamy and this was one wasn't as milky. My husband had the housemade conchitas with hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was in a huge mug. He enjoyed this dessert. All the dishes were flavorful, tasty, and came out steaming hot. Jaime was our server and he was very pleasant. My husband really liked the music playing in the restaurant. It reminded him of his childhood. The meal was on the pricier side, but it is worth it for a nice night out. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try Chef Diego Alcantar's restaurant and he is also the owner and chef behind Central Fall's popular Tuxpan Taqueria nominated as a semifinalist for "Best New Restaurant" by the James Beard Foundation. read more

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Fantastic fresh authentic food. Crazy good drinks. And a delightfully nice team! Thank you! read more

Cielito - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

The food and drinks were delicious!! Jaime was super helpful and made us wonderful drinks. read more

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Boujee Mexican - don't try to compare this place to a favorite local spot, it's great in its own way! The homemade tortillas, service, and overall aesthetic of the food and restaurant were on point! The only con was the chips and salsa (no flavor) - I'd stick to the guacamole which comes with a small side of salsa. Table runners were constantly coming to the table to refill water and our waitress did a great job of checking in on us, even while we were sitting outside. The agua de Jamaica was also amazing, it reminded me of cranberry juice. read more

Cielito - Chips and salsa ($8) , guacamole and tostadas ($14) - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Wife and I had an amazing Friday night date-night dinner here! Chef Diego, recently nominated as a James Beard chef, sent out a complimentary Esquites to start us off as we sipped on a Cielito Cantarito and a Oaxacan Old Fashioned. Both wonderful and tasty. We proceeded to eat like puercos and enjoyed the appetizers of Empanadas de Camarones and Corundas (w Carnitas). We then split the Mole de Olla for dinner. Everything was delicious! Save room for dessert because the Tres Leches con elote milk and Helado de Horchata were fabuloso. Truth be told, I might come back to just start with the desserts! Ambience was great. We struck up conversations with neighboring tables. Service was top notch. You can tell that it is a family owned small business and that they care about every detail! Vamos a volver! read more

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Cielito, owned by the passionate and welcoming Diego, is a standout spot for truly authentic Mexican cuisine. There is nothing else like it in the City of Providence. From the vibrant décor to the rich flavors of every dish, this restaurant feels like a celebration of Mexican culture. The Arrachara Campesina and Enchiladas Verdes were perfectly seasoned. The guacamole is fresh and delicious; portions were large! It is the owners personal touch, that makes Cielito's so special. He visited our table personally to check on us. This is a true family business, and you can taste the heart and soul in the food itself. read more

Cielito - Arrachara Campesina - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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this is mexican fine dining, so let's be clear before we start roasting the $6 tacos lol. which i also have a hard time with $6 tacos but still, came here because my friends were in town and said it's delicious. the space decor is a vibe and they kept it cool on a 90 degree day. our server was prompt and minimal in conversation which worked for us doing a quick meal in between meal times. the tortillas for me were the highlight because they make them. even the tostadas that came with the nopales were their house made tortillas then fried. also the nopales were so delicious, i am used to them being a little less salty but i enjoyed them none the less. the carne asada meat was a bit flat for me, i wanted more seasoning or lime or oil or something. my friends enjoyed their gorditas and tacos and hibiscus. nice spot in downtown providence and easy to accommodate if you have people with dietary restrictions. read more

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Delicious, fresh Mexican cuisine with a gorgeous presentation. Personally, the star of the show was the Chiles Anchos Rellenos. Excellent, friendly service. Had no problem getting a seat on a Saturday afternoon. Happy to welcome this new restaurant to the neighborhood! Excited to visit again and try the rest of the menu. ¡Muchas gracias! read more

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Service was not good. Sat at 725 and we were not greeted until around 745. We immediately ordered drinks and apps however, our drinks were "sent to the wrong table" and our apps came out 10-15 minutes after we ordered. I am a pretty patient person but I wasn't going to wait another 30 minutes before I actually got my drink or even placed an entree, so we paid our tab and left. Side note: Apps were very okay lol read more

Jamie was an excellent bartender. Their house margarita is delicious as was the burrito he recommended. Highly suggest! read more

Cielito - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Jamie is an amazing bartender. His smile was as sweet as the pineapple burrito we shared oh, and the house Margarita was to die for! read more

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The serving of soup and salad was the smallest I've ever seen in my life. The salad was the size of a meatball and the soup was in a normal size bowl but only half full and the service was painfully slow. On the positive side, the drinks were delicious. Unfortunately, I do not recommend. read more

I've been wanting to give this restaurant a try since it opened, and we finally made it there this past Thursday after being shut out on a Saturday by eager diners wanting to try this new spot. The atmosphere is lovely with both indoor and outdoor tables and a bar. Be aware that the inside can get pretty loud. We had to shout to be heard a few times. The tables are close together and we struck up conversations with neighbors on both sides. Our server was friendly and offered helpful suggestions on drinks and dishes. Now on to the important stuff -- the food and drink. I tried two cocktails the Cantarito, a refreshing citrus forward drink served in a clay cup, and a margarita with blue flower that made it a beautiful lilac color. Definitely sample the cocktails! We started with the shrimp empanadas which were cheesy and tasty, but for me the star of the show was the enchiladas verde with a vegetable filling. The homemade tortillas were outstanding as was the sauce. Simple but perfectly prepared. A great addition to downtown opened by James Beard nominated chef, Diego Alcantar! read more

It was somewhat busy on Saturday night when we went to try this spot. We were sat right away. It's a comfortable spot, smelled amazing with its open kitchen. Our waiter was very good, attentive and thoughtful. Brought us extra tortillas. Love that! We tried the pozolito and corundas, both were very good. Well balanced flavors, and very hearty and warm. I had the arracharra campesina. The steak was tender, well spiced, and came with homemade blue corn tortillas. The homemade salsa was very good, medium spicy. We had a hard time deciding what to order. Everything seemed delicious. Will definitely be back to try more delicious things! read more

Our meal at Cielitos can be summed up in three words: Authentic, Mouthwatering, and Dynamic! I hardly give 5 star reviews, but we were wow'd with this family-run restaurant and have to give it the highest praise. We started with basic beers and margaritas, each beautifully garnished with limes and fresh flowers--an unexpected touch that immediately set the tone. For lunch, we ordered a burrito and a quesadilla, going in with modest expectations (we just hoped it would beat Chipotle). But wow, were we blown away! The flavors in each dish were absolutely next level. The rice and beans were savory, hearty, and undeniably authentic. The sauces were vibrant, flavorful, and had a heat that builds gradually, keeping every bite exciting. The mushroom quesadilla was a standout--it was made with a homemade corn tortilla that transported me straight to the papusa dishes of El Salvador. Authentic, authentic, authentic! No store-bought flour tortillas here. If you're looking for a meal that exceeds expectations, packs in bold, authentic flavors, and comes at a very fair price, Cielitos is the place to go. Highly recommend read more

Cielito - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Everything about Cielito is incredible. The food is amazing, the dish ware, tables, and vibes are immaculate, and the staff are so warm and welcoming. What a gem in downtown Providence. read more

Cielito - Bar area - Mexican Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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