Award-Winning Spirits: Maine’s Papi Recognized Among Top U.S. Cocktail Restaurants

It’s easy to call the Old Port one of Portland’s premier locations.

The neighborhood is a hub for dining, nightlife, brewpubs, hotels, local shops, and galleries—all situated within a compact area filled with charming historic buildings and cobblestone streets.

Portland, Maine's Old Port Neighborhood is a Thriving Food Community

When it comes to food, the scene is truly unmatched. There’s something for everyone in the Old Port, from fine dining to hot dog carts. Award-winning restaurants sit right next to timeworn dive bars. It’s an eclectic mix that beautifully showcases the city’s culinary diversity.

This includes the extremely popular Papi restaurant on Exchange Street. This Puerto Rican-inspired spot has been a huge hit with both locals and tourists since opening in March 2023.

And now, like many of its Old Port restaurant brethren, Papi can officially call itself award-winning.

Papi Restaurant in Portland Has Won a 2025 Spirited Award

One of the premier honors in the culinary industry is a Spirited Award. Presented annually since 2007 by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, the Spirited Awards recognize "outstanding individuals, establishments, products, media, and leaders who continue to inspire the global cocktail community."

This year, one of the winners was Papi, taking home the award for Best East Coast Restaurant Bar, a very worthy selection, if I do say so myself. Papi boasts one of the most impressive cocktail menus in the city.

Papi Has One of the Most Creative Cocktail Menus in Portland

Creative takes on the mojito, martini, and coffee colada can be found on the menu, along with a wealth of delicious concoctions that truly highlight vibrant Hispanic flavors. Every single option also pairs incredibly well with a thoughtfully curated food menu featuring favorites like empanadas, tostones, and the Puerto Rican classic pork dish, pernil.

Papi also boasts an impressive selection of spirits, including nearly an entire page dedicated to rum and agave-based options. Honestly, I don’t even know how they fit all the bottles in the restaurant.

Read More: Portland, Maine’s 20 Best Eateries Based on TripAdvisor Reviews

This is a great selection by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. If there were ever a restaurant in Portland that deserved a Spirited Award, it was Papi. If you’re a spirits connoisseur, then Papi absolutely needs to be on your list. You’ll no doubt be inspired by the bar’s innovation and genuine passion for crafting the perfect cocktail.

Congrats to Papi on this well-earned recognition. It’s wonderful to see another Maine restaurant get the praise it truly deserves.