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    Espiritu

    4.5 (238 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    ESPIRITU ATMOSPHERE

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    Loud
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    Recommended Reviews - Espiritu

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    Pork chop
    Stephen L.

    Came here for a birthday celebration and the food did not disappoint especially the pork chop. The meat was juicy and well seasoned. Additionally it came with shishito peppers marinated with some buttery sauce and little charred topped with some cheese. 5/5 We also ordered the fundido which was good, but felt the tomatillo sauce overpowered the cheese, so it's just a personal preference. Others in my group did enjoy it. 4/5 Drinks- I don't recall what it was called, but it was a Japanese old fashion and it was a great compliment to my pork chop As for the server- 5/5, he was attentive and knowledgeable with the menu and drink from start to finish. Only caveat- a good portion of their menu is market value, so no clue how much things are. So ask in advance or don't be surprised when it comes out.

    Cut of the day
    Kayla L.

    Wow 10/10 experience!!!!! First- drinks. They had an elaborate drink menu! Any kind of cocktail you could imagine. All very creative so give them a try! The waitress made me a great mocktail as well. Oysters- amazing!! They were unique with a pickled onion, lime garnish, and a chili oil I believe. Try them! My husband and I split the cut of the day. Expensive but WORTH IT!!!! Enough for both of us plus leftovers. My husband is a self-claimed steak connoisseur and he said it's probably the best steak he has ever had. They had homemade tortillas, a carmalized onion aioli, two different homemade salsas and pinto beans to accompany it. Unreal! I have thought about this steak so many times since LOL. We also tried the birria dumplings. Also amazing but I did not get a picture. I was too excited to eat The ambiance is great. It seems like it's a tiny spot but the restaurant is long and skinny. They also expanded into the space next door so they have more tables now. Great for a celebration, date night or girls night! We will definitely be back :)

    Specialty cocktail and Queso Fundido.
    Korey S.

    Ambiance, service, and drinks are all 10/10. I even asked the mixologist to craft a cocktail from Fernet but themed as a Zombie and it came out as a top 5 all time best in my book! The food is an 8/10. Very tasty and has a good element of creativity, but every dish was either too heavy on the salt or too heavy on the citrus. My date and I will be back to try more! Food eaten was the Queso Fundido, Birria Dumplings, Dry Aged Burger, and Drum.

    Mai Tai
    Ariel S.

    Espiritu has a *very* cool ambience--dark, moody, and dimly lit in a way that makes the whole place feel intimate and stylish without trying too hard. The servers and bartender were incredibly friendly and helpful, which really elevated the experience. I ordered the Mai Tai, and while it was definitely good, it was probably the strongest one I've ever had. A bit too strong for my personal taste, but still well-made. To eat, we shared the queso fundido, which was delicious--especially with the crispy shoestring potatoes on top. That added texture really made the dish stand out. Overall, it was a great experience. I'd absolutely come back, though next time I'll probably try a different cocktail.

    Pajarito (middle), Me Llama Rosa (right), and White Sangria (left!!
    Mike D.

    I have been to Espiritu three or four times now... and each visit is better than the last! Their cocktail list is fun to explore... and I love how they list the specs for each drink (bitterness, booziness, sweetness, sourness, etc.)! The Pajarito is my favorite on the menu and I will keep ordering that because it is just so dang delicious!! Their food menu is also a great read... and most everything they offer looks and sounds amazing! Being celiac, my options are somewhat limited... but I have my regular go-tos! Papas Tacos - potato tacos on a crispy corn tortilla! Pure, unadulterated beauty and taste! Chayote Salad - I could literally eat this incredible salad every single day - it's light, refreshing, and healthy, yet packed with flavor! Service always comes with a smile and it's impressive how efficient they are - moving around from table to table and getting your orders in... and then out to your table so quickly! PRO TIP: On weekends, they are always busy, so make a reservation so you don't have to wait for a table (or get turned away)! Overall rating: *****FIVE STARS***** Gluten-free rating: ***THREE STARS***

    Queso fundido
    Scott L.

    Met some friends here for drinks and snacks. Well worth the drive! The place is dark and moody as soon as you walk in. The cocktail menu was extensive and detailed making it easy to find something unique and fun. The phoenix cocktail was perfectly balanced and had a fun fiery presentation. Ordered the queso fundido and was blown away by the flavors and texture. Service was a bit slow at times but was generally friendly and attentive. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a cocktail bar with some seriously good food.

    Papas Tacos, $15.
    Joyce W.

    Espíritu is a Spanish word that translates to "spirit" in English, but it can also mean "ghost," "soul," or "essence." I had such a great time on my first visit that I dragged the gals back for a second visit the following weekend. I made reservations online, which you're required to leave a credit card on file with OpenTable. Get reservations. Espiritu is an intimate and cozy place so you're taking a gamble if you don't make reservations, although we did walk-in on the first visit and got lucky. First visit: - Me Llama Rosa ($16): A great sweet drink with rum. - Sticky Pork Belly ($23 - Burnt lemon grass piloncillo glaze, Beeler's pork belly, fennel salad, and a fried egg): A truly stand-out dish. You get two pieces of an amazingly braised pork belly with a fresh salad that helps cut the richness. Could be the Asian in me but rice would have been nice, haha! Second visit: - Espresso Martini ($18): The most balanced espresso martini I've had in a looong while. Not too vodka forward, smooth, and the cold brew they used is insanely smooth. It's like velvet in a glass. Easily in my top two favorite espresso martinis in the valley! - Papas Tacos ($15 - Chilaquiles rojo potatoes, lettuce slaw, and queso fresco): One of my friends had actually ordered these on my first visit and they looked so good that I had already decided I'd order them at ladies night the following weekend. Beware, vegetarians and vegans, the potatoes are cooked in chicken broth. I'm honestly still daydreaming about these potato tacos. Love. This. Place. It's moody, cozy, and definitely a vibe! Don't overthink it. Whether it's for date night or you're catching up with friends, come here! I will warn you that this is not the place to go to if you have a large party.

    Espiritu Bar in Mesa, AZ
    Larissa R.

    Drinks are incredible here and love the chill vibes. Decor is really unique!! Ordered the Tio Victors Old Fashioned. Cool that they have a black and white film showing too

    Lisa J.

    Really cool ambiance inside. The food was unique and delicious. The staff were super friendly.

    Kira D.

    I never knew potato tacos could taste soooooo good! The flavor combination blew me away! The crispy golden shells were perfectly crunchy, while the inner seasoned potato filling was pure comfort in every bite. The texture contrast was incredible -- soft and fluffy on the inside, crisp and toasty on the outside. What really made them stand out was the balance of flavors: a hint of smoky spice, just enough salt, and a touch of whatever magic zing the chef added to make each bite addictive. Topped with fresh shredded lettuce, tangy salsa, and a drizzle of sum-in sum-in, they hit every note -- crunchy, savory, creamy, and delish! Whether you're vegetarian or not, this is one dish that will win you over instantly. Service was fantastic at this cozy and intimate eatery! Remember to make reservations on Fridays and the weekends!

    Dry aged burger.
    Michael W.

    Sangrias + burgers = Friday night vibes Got the $10 white wine sangria since they ran out of red but I didn't mind. I ordered their $20 Dry Aged Burger (K4 beef, bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, chiltepin aioli, brioche bun, papas al disco, side of spicy ketchup) and it was the best burger I've had in a while. It was juicy and perfectly cooked. No notes and no complaints. Make sure you make reservations here. It's dimly lit and cozy but it's comfortable and the atmosphere is nice.

    Omari D.

    I had this place on my radar for quite some time, as I frequent downtown Mesa at least twice a week during lunch. They open at 5 PM Tues through Sat with cocktails and the kitchen. I would highly recommend making reservations to secure your spot. We were fortunate to get a table as walk-ins, and I noticed a few other couples after us ended up at the bar. We had our sights set on the kitchen and wanted to branch out with something new. The cocktail menu is set up like a book with about 5 or 6 different chapters. They have a chapter for Classics, Flights & spotlights, and a very interesting one called "Meet the Team". Basically, a bio of what the barentenders favor. First thing I did was ask "who's on deck," and our server let us know. I started off with the Phoenix, which is one of their signature cocktails with a take on the margarita with hot honey syrup, prickly pear and my favorite, Reposado Tequila. The drink was presented well and very good. It said it was a Sour with a bit less sweet & bitter. I found it to be the opposite, more sweet than sour. The other cocktail to start was the Pajarito... great presentation, but it kinda felt like it too was the opposite as far as the flavor profile. To start, we had to try the Birria Dumplings. Gotta admit, the flavor was off the hook and the portion was just right for 2. We also had the Queso Fundido. It was super busy on the plate, and the one downside was that it was very salty. We let the server know, as we worried about our mains coming out heavy on the salt. Great flavor profile, just overpowering with salt. Glad the management team was receptive to feedback as we let them know. For the main, we had the Potato Tacos, Chef Seasonal Tostada & the Skirt Steak along with a classic Reposado Cadillac margarita. All 3 plates were good. Steak was cooked as expected and the tacos were a good mix as we shared. The Seasonal Tostada with shrimp was full of flavor and very good. It's a bit on the high end, but honestly, the food flavor, ambiance, and staff were really great. Look forward to returning again as I'm anxious to do the Snapper Fish... Whole. Ideal for date night, but make sure you really like them before going!!!!

    Grilled oysters
    Erica S.

    I've been wanting to check this place out for so long! It was as amazing as I expected it to be. I was surprised to see how small the menu was, but everything we ordered was fabulous. The drinks were great too! My favorite was the ceviche, which they switch up often. Our server was prompt and you could tell was a great advocate for the brand and really loves the food they serve. The decor inside too is so cool!! Definitely the coolest place in downtown Mesa I've been to so far. Nice little patio for outdoor dining too.

    Ribeye Steak (Cut of the day)

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    27 days ago

    The food was so flavorful. I loved the queso fundido appetizer and the drinks were great too. Wes was a great server and very attentive!

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Espiritu

    Does it have a bar to dine and drink at?

    Yes it does!

    Do they offer a kids menu?

    They didn't when I was there a couple months ago. Honestly, I wouldn't call it a kid-friendly restaurant. Sort of dark inside, small, cozy, vibrant bar scene...

    Do they offer gluten free?

    They do, just ask for rice only.

    Do they have happy hour? if so what are the days/hours?

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes- on Toasttab. Go to the restaurant website and it'll navigate you there.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes- on Toasttab. Go to the restaurant website and it'll navigate you there.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Il Vinaio

    Il Vinaio

    3.9
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    0.2 mi
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    We visited the Natural History Museum and needed a gluten free lunch option. Il Vinaio is about 1/2…read moremile away from the museum. The owner greeted us warmly and spoke passionately about the menu. We enjoyed interacting with her. We ordered an antelope burger (med rare) with side salad and a gluten free grilled cheese and tomato soup. Both were incredibly satisfying. The food was perfectly prepared and we finished every bite! With such delicious food and wonderfully friendly owner, I was surprised more people weren't beating down the doors to eat at this restaurant! But it does have a dated "old school steakhouse" vibe inside, which isn't exactly the ambiance preferred by our younger generations. We thought it was great, though. Give Il Vinaio a chance! You won't regret it.

    We were immediately greeted and seated by Cindy, who I found out was one of the owners. It's kind…read moreof an old school vibe/atmosphere ambience. Kevin was our server and he was fantastic. (I also have a Chihuahua named Kevin, which is besides the point) They source their meat ethically, and the salmon was wild, the salmon is one of the best. I've had --simple grilled perfection. My friend got the pasta Bolognese, which was delicious with tons of meat Next time I come, I want to try the antelope burger, which the owners great care in sourcing as well This is really a surprising gem in Mesa, as I do not come here since I stay in my 5 mile radius of North Scottsdale. Delicious and friendly, I really enjoyed this dinner

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    4.7
    (209 reviews)
    9.0 mi
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    I've been wanting to stop by Garage-East after sampling their wine at an event I had went to. It's…read morefamily owned & their vineyards are in Arizona! I'm def a wine enthusiast & enjoyed many wineries while living in CA so I am excited to explore the AZ scene. Staff was helpful in choosing some wines and answering any questions on the wine. We were helped by the lovely Danielle & Sarah which were super personable our whole visit. We started with a board and a bottle The board was so yummy & perfect for 2 for sharing, the cheeses on this board went well together and I think my favorite item on the board were the pickles they were unlike any other pickles I've ever tasted before really tickled my tastebuds. I was able to sample the rose & the Pinot noir & ended up ordering a glass of that as well. It was the last night for live music & im glad we were able to experience it because it will not be back till September due to the weather! They have indoor & outdoor seating, we started inside & ended outside. I will def be back to try their other wines! Thanks for such a fun time.

    I visited garage East on a stroll around Agritopia one weekday morning. What a beautiful…read morerestaurant! This spot has some seating inside and a spacious patio. It was a gorgeous day, so the indoor outdoor ambience was nice. I ordered an iced Matcha with salted maple. It was delicious! I've really come to appreciate a matcha lightly sweetened instead of extra flavors every time so the maple was super yummy! The barista and all other staff I interacted with were kind, calm, and accommodating. I can't wait to return and try some food and coffee :-)

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    Hawaiian latte
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    Iced Lavender Latte w/ Oatmilk & Banana Bread.

    Espiritu - seafood - Updated July 2026

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