Latin American Restaurants in Rhode Island

The menu of authentic Mexican dishes includes enchiladas verdes (center), corundas (corn tamales), and mole de olla (braised short rib in guajillo pepper broth with corn, potato and vegetables). Photography by Angel Tucker

Cielito

Cuisine: Mexican

Cielito in downtown Providence features a vibrant mural created by Greg Was Here. Photography by Angel Tucker

Diego Alcantar’s second restaurant is living up to expectations in downtown Providence, in addition to the beloved Tuxpan Taqueria in Central Falls. Cielito
is named after a song and Alcantar’s parents’ grocery store in Mexico. The menu represents the elevated Mexican cuisine of Michoacán, with choices like corundas, corn tamales wrapped in banana leaf with salsa, cotija cheese and sour cream, crispy shrimp empanadas, and your best bet, a sampler of meats including chicken tinga, chicharron with salsa verde, and barbacoa, served with fresh corn tortillas and salsa for DIY tacos. I also tried the chicken thighs with mole poblano, rice and refried beans, and carne asada (also served with fresh corn tortillas). Desserts include two versions of tres leches cake — “Abuelita chocolate milk” and “elote milk” — and housemade ice creams in flavors like avocado and horchata. For cocktails, I loved the mariposa margarita with tequila and butterfly pea flower. There are no reservations, but we had no problem walking right in at 7 p.m. on a Friday night. 186 Union St., Providence, 563-7026, cielitomexicankitchen.com

Dolores

Cuisine: Mexican

Escape to Mexico with just a few bites and sips at Dolores, born from an idea imagined by Joaquin Meza, who wanted
his family’s restaurant to represent real Mexican culture. His mother, Maria Meza — a James Beard Award 2024 finalist for Best Chef: Northeast — and family teach guests how corn is the basis of their cuisine, highlighting the Mixteca region of Puebla and Oaxaca. The restaurant imports Mexican heirloom corn varieties and practices nixtamalization, the process where corn kernels are cooked and soaked in an alkaline solution to soften the kernels and remove the outer layer, which creates the amazing flavors of the one-of-a-kind tortillas and tamales. For both dinner and Sunday brunch, the menu features all the best examples of ceviche, tacos and enchiladas. The house specialty of mole poblano is served with Baffoni’s Poultry Farm eggs for brunch or chicken thighs for dinner, with a stew-like sauce painstakingly simmered using eighteen different spices and served with housemade blue corn tortillas. If they have the octopus served over a pistachio mole, that’s the move. 100 Hope St., Providence, 409-2075, dolorespvd.com

La Casona

Cuisine: Colombian

A gleaming bar inside and an ample patio give diners multiple options for enjoying a traditional Colombian breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ambitious eaters can start the day off with calentado la casona, rice and beans with scrambled eggs, an arepa with cheese, and grilled beef, pork or chicken. Later in the day, bring a group and order the parrillada, a mixed platter of beef, pork, chicken sausages, chicharron, french fries, plantains, cassava and cheese. For a lighter option, dig into the Colombian ceviche, a refreshing combination of shrimp, citrus, tomato and cilantro. The atmosphere gets especially lively during soccer season when the Colombian national soccer team games are televised. If your schedule doesn’t permit a sit-down meal, head to the adjacent bakery for savory meat-filled empanadas or sweet dulce de leche–filled alfajores links of chorizo, ice cream and fresh juices. 768 Broad St., Central Falls, 727-0002, facebook.com/lacasonarestaurant.ri

Sombra Lounge

Cuisine: Mexican

Enjoy Mexican cuisine including corn ribs with cotija and chipotle crema, taquitos and tacos at Sombra Lounge in
East Greenwich. Photography courtesy of Linda Campos/Sombra Lounge.

Take a seat at one of the two bars — choose between the sophisticated counter and the mermaid-esque bar — or get comfy at one of the many booths. If you don’t know where to start with the Mexican-inspired menu, the flights will satisfy the whole table, from guacamole to papas fritas and four different types of dip. The soft corn tortilla tacos are also all the rage, paired perfectly with a margarita, sangria or a tequila flight. For the sweet and savory lovers, brunch options like the carne asada and eggs or the Belgian-style churro waffles adorned with icing, cinnamon sugar and pineapple pico de gallo help start the weekend off on a good note. The restaurant is owned by John Brito and his wife Shannon, the same entrepreneurs who own Wickford on the Water in North Kingstown, JB’s on the Water in Jamestown and River Falls in Woonsocket. 50 Main St., East Greenwich, 398-0623, sombralounge.com 

Sombra’s sprawling mermaid-like bar. Photography courtesy of Linda Campos/Sombra Lounge.

Brasa y Chifa

Cuisine: Peruvian and Chinese fusion

This more casual Peruvian rotisserie and Chinese fusion restaurant has been a long time coming from the Curi brothers of Los Andes fame. Preorder takeout on the website for pickup or order at the counter for a sit-down meal of heaping plates of twenty-four-hour marinated rotisserie chicken, Picana Black Angus steak marinated with Peruvian spices or a full or half-rack of ribs, each paired with three different sides of your choice. I love the fried yucca and chaufa rice, but you can also choose Chinese-style lo mein and wok-stir-fried vegetables, or more Latin-style fried plantains, beans, white rice and french fries. Fried churros for dessert are the sugar on top of an already outstanding experience. 712 Admiral St., Providence, 421-0440, brasaandchifa.com