The gluten-and-soy-free Latin American (or pan-Latin)[1] restaurant Mestizo operates on Division Street in southeast Portland's Richmond neighborhood. Brooke Jackson-Glidden of Eater Portland wrote, "Inside, the space feels summery, with pops of oceanic blue tile, raw stone work throughout the space, and a large blue, grey, and orange mural incorporating design elements of Portland and Latin America."[2] The website has also described Mestizo as a pescatarian and "red-meat-free" restaurant with a "cool, breezy" interior.[3][4][5]
The business started as a pop-up restaurant.[12] In September 2019, Jackson-Glidden described plans for Mestizo to open on November 15.[13] The restaurant opened in November 30.[2] Ketsuda "Nan" Chaison is a co-founder and an owner.[14][15] Mestizo has hosted various pop-ups,[16] including Chelo,[17]HeyDay, Kumare, Mitate,[18][19] Plant Based Papi, Tikim, and Tume.[9][20]
Like many restaurants, the business faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] In 2022, Mestizo was featured in Yelp's "Turn the Tables" campaign,[22] which highlighted "businesses that pivoted to face the newfound challenges" of the pandemic, according to the Portland Business Journal.[23]
Libre, Norah, and Phaya have been described as sibling establishments to Mestizo.[24]
Reception
Jenni Moore included Mestizo in Eater Portland's 2020 overview of thirteen "standout" vegetarian meals in the city.[3] She also included the business in a 2022 overview of the metropolitan area's best fish tacos.[4] Waz Wu included Mestizo in the website's 2023 list of the city's "primo special occasion" restaurants for vegetarians and vegans.[5] Maya MacEvoy and Nathan Williams included the business in Eater Portland's 2023 overview of the city's best ceviche.[25] The website's Zoe Baillargeon included Mestizo in a 2025 list of the best restaurants along Division Street.[10] Sararosa Davies included the business in the website's 2025 overview of the city's best gluten-free bakeries and restaurants.[7]
Mestizo placed second in the Best Gluten-Free Restaurant category of Willamette Week's annual 'Best of Portland' readers' poll in 2024.[26] The restaurant was a finalist in the same category in 2025.[27]
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