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Tapalaya Reviews List
Tapalaya
Tapalaya is the worlds first tapas (small-plates) restaurant serving Cajun/Creole cuisine.
Everything on our menu is made from scratch, with love. The plates of food are small (appetizer or side items size) and perfect for sharing and pairing. Menu items highlight New Orleans favorites: Jambalaya, Collard Greens, N"awlins BBQ Shrimp, Corn Bread and Po'Boys (just to name a few).
Join us for Live Music every Thursday and Happy Hour Every day (4:30-6:00pm).
See more Tapalaya details
31 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 31 reviews
5 stars
(11)
4 stars
(16)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(21)
- fit for foodies(16)
- good for groups(7)
- hot spot(6)
- romantic(4)
- special occasion(4)
Tapalaya Reviews List
Review 1 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Large Dinner Party
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had 12 people for Mothers Day, and despite the large count and the busy restaurant, our server Ryan managed to stay on top of things. The food is always fantastic, especially the Jambalaya and Blackened Catfish. The fried oysters are to die for. One of our guests, from Birmingham, AL., pressed Ryan as to just how good the Collard Greens were. After consuming two orders, he announced they were as goods as his mother's, but maybe not as good as his grandmother's:) The large selection of small dishes makes for a fun and enjoyable gastronomical outing. Oh, and the cocktail menu cannot be ignored!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"good food, good service and good music... what more can you ask for? love the fact that you can get a bunch of small plates to taste different things on the menu. we got way too much food, but the standouts were the mac & cheese and the pork medallions in blue cheese sauce. the music on a tuesday night was outstanding!"
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Southern Hospitality and Delicious!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great Food, Great Service, Great Find!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 4 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Happy Hour. Good food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great Happy Hour. Good food and good vibe."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 5 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food, and that's the
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food, and that's the main thing. Ambiance is very nice, and fits well in the neighborhood. Since it's tapas style, you can try many things and not get too full. If you love cajun food, nice people, and a good vibe, check this place out!"
Dined on 04/02/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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Review 6 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We ordered several dishes
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We ordered several dishes and we liked all of them. Drinks were just okay but that not why we went there. Service was great. Laura was great and made sure everyone had a great time. Stop in and have a great time."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
happy hour absolutely cannot
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"happy hour absolutely cannot be beat! Staff are charming and sweet, besides welcoming!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Threepeat customer
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been there three different times all for special occasions with group sizes ranging from 4-10 people. The food has always been outstanding, with slight menu changes each time allowing us to try new items. Service was always good by friendly knowledgable wait staff."
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 9 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Although the food was good,
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Although the food was good, a word of caution: If you want to eat slowly, order things one at a time. All our food came at one time, so some of it was cold when we finally ate it. So, pace yourself!!
We were seated next to a party of 10 so it was very noisy!! We should have been seated at the other end of the place-and we should have made sure to ask for this!! She really should have known better than putting 2 folks next to 10."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Amazing restaurant with exceptional
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Amazing restaurant with exceptional food. This was my second time there and I liked it even better than the first. The ambiance pairs with the food very well, with great energy and fun people."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot
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Review 11 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Save room for dessert if you can!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food, excellent pricing, portions that ride the fine line between too much and too little. Crisp fried chicken with maple bourbon syrup is definitely recommended! The okra is delivered hot and crunchy, the only bad thing about the cornbread is that you go through the honey butter too quickly, the fried oysters disappeared faster than I could sample them! Do save room for dessert...while the beignets weren't bad, the bread pudding is one of the very BEST; a blend of savory, sweet and mellowness that goes great with the restaurant brewed regular...very much recommended!"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My wife grew up in the New
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My wife grew up in the New Orleans area and after our first visit to Tapalaya, she rated it the number one Cajun restaurant in Portland."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 13 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Took my Mom and Dad for there
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Took my Mom and Dad for there Anniversary. We arrived and were seated immediately, within 30 minutes the place was packed, service was great and attentive despite the crowd, food arrived cooked to perfection, being from Louisiana it was on par with our home cooking , my dad had a Martini that was great, despite the overflow crowd we didnt feel rushed to eat and go,as they say there were people from 9 to 90 there and everyone was enjoying themselves, and the small staff was a pleasurable hard working bunch. Would recommend Tapalaya's to anyone who wants great food at a great price at a relaxed venue. The only draw back is the parking is a challenge to anyone in this area, but well worth the walk."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 14 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Reminds Me of Home
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Since moving 12 years ago to the Portland from New Orleans I have searched for a restaurant that even remotely reminded me of home. I am very glad to say that I have finally found such a place. Tapalaya is an amazing experience with amazing dishes. We tried about 70% of the menu and loved everything. (I even got an order of Jambalaya to go.)"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 15 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Inventive idea to take New
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Inventive idea to take New Orleans-inspired food to small plates. A place to eat rather than dine, our group of three enjoyed sharing a range of dishes. A nod to vegetarians, items are clearly labeled as veg-friendly. A rarity with Southern food and restaurants. Impressive selection of American whiskeys included many hard-to-find bottles. Will go back again."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 16 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Never disappointed with Tapalaya!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Never disappointed with Tapalaya!"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Tapalaya
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Went with a couple of girlfriends,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Went with a couple of girlfriends, and we loved it. Very reasonable prices, tasty food, and fun vibe. Apparently they have live jazz music on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Tapalaya
Based on the average of (14) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic