I think we sampled just about the whole menu and everything was fantastic!

Local 188 remains my favorite restaurant in Portland, and this visit was no exception. I am delighted I got my seating request, and the service was spot on, especially considering we ordered in courses, and were not rushed or pressured to place our whole order at once. This is challenging for both servers and the kitchen, but these guys are pros.

As always, the only downside is the noise level and I don’t think anything can be done about this...With free parking out back and an inspired menu that offers seasonal special, as well as age-old Staples (think House Paella).

This was a special, wonderful occasion! I 💜Local 188.

It was great!

Food was overly salty
They could have used more wait staff,, busy Friday but not crazy busy but wait staff seemed swamped and service level was just ok

The paella was way over cooked- seafood was dry and
The rice was burnt on the bottom. The waitress was great and she has to hurry the order up in the kitchen who I think forgot about the dish so it was over cooked. Really disappointing. It takes too long to cook to reorder it:-(

We had a great time as always!

Paella had no safron rice was wet like paste. Service was ok I expect after we get food to be asked if we need anything I expect to get water topped off so don't interrupt us when we are laughing sharing a story if I need anything I'll ask when you top off the water stop interruption l

We had fantastic service and everything was wonderful!

It was the first time going to Local 188. The atmosphere was very cool, cozy and trendy all at the same time - where you could have a special date or meet up with a group of friends and hang out on the sofas. The food was delicious and very affordable. We loved the Tapas and the beet salad - perfect amount! Our server wasn't as attentive but still did a good job. We will go back again for sure!

Disappointing. Was expecting more given the reviews. I think it was busier than expected for a Sunday night of a long holiday weekend. Had a 6:30 reservation. Waited 15 minutes after being seated for any one to approach our table. Generally speaking really slow service, pleasant but slow. Waited 20 minutes for first tapas to come out...a green salad and goat cheese with toast. Beef carpaccio was dry. Not even sure how that’s possible. Paella was just ok. A bit dry and salty. Did really enjoy the comfy corner seating with lots of pillows.

Must try when visiting Portland. We made a reservation and were sat upon walking in. We split a bunch of tapas and they were all flavorful in their own way. The gnocchi and the risotto will change your life for the better I promise.

I’d been to Local 188 for brunch in the past but never for dinner. We got a great corner seat and had a view over the whole restaurant. We ordered the smoked salmon and goat cheese appetizers and for the main course seafood paia and short ribs. Amazing! If you’re looking for cheap eats this isn’t the place, but for a nice dining experience with creative dishes you can’t go wrong here.

This my 2nd time there. The first time was a great experience. This 2nd time, however, I waited 1hr 30 min for my meal and had to take it to-go rather than eating it there, because we waited so long we were almost late for a Meetup we had planned. The restaurant did make it right by not charging for the meal. The food is always excellent!

Thank you to a gracious staff for accommodating our large party so late on a weeknight! It was a perfect evening between the food, drinks, and energetic and pleasant staff.

Service upon entering was very good. Staff was attentive but a little slower than necessary according to the crowd size. I had the duck and found the food very well prepared with excellent flavor. I found the entree to be a very interesting combination of flavors and fresh ingredients.

I've been for dinner a few times and brunch a lot. The food is delicious and always reliable. Service is excellent. You won't be disappointed coming here.

One of Portland's finest. Regular customer. Highly recommended.

The two paellas we had were both excellent and the service was great.

We had a wonderful meal on New Year's Eve and Local 188. Patates Bravas, gnocci and goat cheese gratin were all delicious. Mushroom risotto was tasty but a little heavy on the onions. Service was over the top good. Thanks for a great New Year's meal.

I have been here quite a few times. I like the open kitchen, the lighting, and location. The food was great, especially the risotto! The focaccia bread is always my fav here. My suggestion would be to consider broadening the appeal of the menu to include 1-2 healthy options, and a vegan option (considering that this is a total foodie town). I also missed the flatbread app that used to be on the menu. Keep up the good work!

Fantastic, creative food. Always friendly staff. Loved the New Years' Amuse Bouche!

Exceptional meal. Wait staff was perfect - very attentive yet not intrusive. One of my better dining experiences for some time.

Tapas was a bit pricey and options somewhat limited, but the food and cocktails were delicious. Service and ambiance were perfect as well. Thank you... We will return!

We have been before and we looked forward to going back. Great for a night with the family. Cocktails were good. Our server was great. The food was delicious.

Been to Local 188 many times, but this was the first time for a business meeting where we shared a few small plates versus getting a full meal. The plates all came out at different times which worked well since we were picking and sharing. The Hummus and flatbread was great -- the chicken skewers were moist and flavorful, with a nice sauce, and the roasted beet salad was perfectly dressed. On a regular visit i usually go for the paella, but sharing small plates worked great too... For the first hour our server was great about letting us just chat and take our time with our drinks and plates but during the second hour she kept asking if we were through but we weren't! Like 3 times she asked if we were done but we were still picking. A minor distraction only. Always a good meal at Local 188.

Had a great time and a great meal. The tapas we had were delightful and the paella was delicious. Extensive wine list. Tried a couple of local beers we hadn’t try tasted. Would definitely go back.

We've been fans of Local 188 for many years. The food is authentic Spanish cuisine with New England additions. The flavors are always excellent and this latest visit lived up to our previous experiences. We were on our way to an event nearby and our server was very helpful in getting our order to us in plenty of time to make the show.

Another delicious meal at Local 188! We were running late for a show, which was our fault, but even so when our order was a little bit slow and we started getting tight for time they were amazingly accommodating. We really appreciated the food and the service! We'll be back.

Excellent food, service, and Happy Hour wine. As usual. Love this place!

We love Local 188. Several small plates and cocktails - Exceptional!

My wife and I had a nice dinner here before going to a concert at the State Theater that is within easy walking distance. The small plates and the wine were excellent but the Paella was mediocre. It lacked the flavor that we have had with Paella in other restaurants and given the price, did not have the value that we expected. With so many other options in Portland, we most likely won't return.

This is a dependable place with good food and an impressive selection of beers. I usually have the house paella, which they warn you takes 30 minutes to prepare, but for a casual dining experience, who is in a rush? Big plus, especially for dark rainy evenings, is that they have off street parking behind the building. It is hard to see it from the street, but just believe that the narrow alley beside the building leads to it. The exit from the parking lot is separate from and larger than the entrance.

We love this restaunt as the food is creative and delicious. Unfortunately it is unbelievably loud, so bad that 3/4 of the way through the evening we couldn’t wait to get out of there. Put up some sound absorbing fabrics or something. Wish they would do something to deal with this. Don’t know if we’ll go back....too bad as we love the food!

My only complaint with ambiance was that it was cold in the restaurant. And I guess I'd add that the art isn't great - I've seen much better quality at 188!

I have been to local 188 several times. The food is creative and interesting, the cocktales were yummy as was the wine. The menu this time was not my favorite, but the other two times it was excellent so it may have just been the ingredients of the season. I would go again.

Went back for the chicken livers. Amazing...if they served a thicker bread for sopping up the incredible sauce, it was be perfect. Muscles were soooooo good.

Era fantastico

Lovely evening before our show in Portland. Wait staff was very consciencious about our show tomes. Delicious menu, cozy setting.

First time here. The waitress was good and service was prompt and attentive. We ordered a few tapas and two of the five were good. The gnocchi however was incredible. I would have liked everything to have been though... one tapas was cold in the middle.

superb paella, enough for 2 people, many other yummy dishes listed in their menu