Candela Restaurant

Tapas restaurant · Wilton Manors

Candela Restaurant

Tapas restaurant · Wilton Manors

1

2909 NE 6th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33334

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Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by @TheInfatuation
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null
Candela Restaurant by null

Highlights

Nestled in a strip mall, this cozy eatery offers authentic Spanish dishes in a romantic ambiance, perfect for a delicious date night or celebration.  

Featured in The Infatuation
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2909 NE 6th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33334 Get directions

candelarestaurant.com
@candelarestaurantandtapas

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

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2909 NE 6th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33334 Get directions

+1 954 563 8088
candelarestaurant.com
@candelarestaurantandtapas

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@infatuation

"In Broward, “Spanish food” is a loaded term. Too often, it’s code for Cuban or Puerto Rican food—a relic from when Anglo-Americans referred to all Latinos as “Spanish.” But Candela is truly a Spanish restaurant, as in they serve food from Spain in an ambiance that reminds us of a taberna. Start with an order of croquetas, including some of our favorite cod croquetas in South Florida. Then get a cazuela of almejas—excellent clams cooked in a garlicky, spicy white wine broth. Or, you can simply order a bottle of wine and several platters of Spanish cheeses and embutidos, like manchego, tetilla (stop giggling), jamón serrano, and chorizo cantimpalo." - Carlos C Olaechea

Candela Restaurant Wilton Manors - Review - Wilton Manors - Miami - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Candela Restaurant

Nicole Russodivito

Google
This place is amazing! I’m so angry I didn’t find out about it sooner. It’s located across from the BLYSS apartments, very cozy inside. The skirt steak was so so good. Cooked exactly how I wanted and priced really fair. The paella was also great and also priced very fair. Good portions. I think we found our new spot!

Carolina P.

Google
We were the first ones in the restaurant. We came in for lunch and we were greeted at the door by the owner and Jorge. They sat us down, the owner let us know about other tapas that were not on the menu. The service that Jorge provided was amazing. He was very kind and checked in on us to make sure if we needed anything. every time we ordered a new beer, he would bring a cold glass with the beer! 10000/10. I love that. he would also take away plates/cups that we finished eating so that we wouldn’t have a mess of plates on the table. Now the food, AMAZING! they were so flavorful. I loved the sauces and the sides. We got baby lamb chops, and they were cooked to perfection. The cheesecake was so creamy. Definitely going back, probably during the happy hours special.

Frank Sach

Google
What an amazing first-time experience at Candela Restaurant - Wine Bar - Tapas! The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and full of Spanish charm — perfect for a casual night out. We tried the Paella and the Churrasco Skirt Steak, and both were absolutely excellent — packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The service was wonderful — friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. We also loved the beautiful surroundings that really capture the spirit of Spain. If you’re looking for delicious Spanish food in a laid-back, authentic setting, this is the place! I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend it to others.

Michelle Loccisano

Google
Candela Restaurant is a hidden gem for sure. I’ve been about 4 times now and it does not disappoint. Last time we went I ordered the steak with Chimichurri, fresh homemade bread for the table ; along with some delicious olives and peppers. We also ordered a paella and fresh charred octopus. In addition they have a wonderful happy hour.

Felipe Panama

Google
CANDELA is fantastic! Everything was a feast of flavor- cooked to perfection. It tasted homemade and rich but played were also presented beautifully. I wish I took photos of my food but I started eating as soon as they set it down 🤤

Tasha Ferrante

Google
What an amazing little hidden gem! The menu is fantastic, with specials menu changing often - I ordered one of the two octopus specials and the stuffed peppers, they were both delicious and beautifully prepared. Fresh bread on the side, and it was a PERFECT meal! (Photo doesn't do it justice)

Todd Fuller

Google
As only one of three dining parties, we felt more like family than customers. Chef came out personally and described all of his dishes with intricate detail clearly very proud of his work, as he should be! From the bread baked to order to the amazing paella we were thoroughly satisfied. Delicious! And the two of us ate for under 60 dollars, including a pitcher of yummy sangria. And I had enough leftover for a yummy breakfast treat the next morning. Top marks across the board for this place.

Andrea Leiva

Google
The perfect spot for an anniversary celebration! My husband surprised me with dinner at this charming, cozy restaurant, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The service was outstanding, and the food was absolutely AMAZING! We started with a charcuterie board that set the tone for the evening. For our main courses, my husband chose the paella campesina, while I opted for the lasagna. Both dishes were excellent, but mine was truly exceptional. To finish, we had a tarta Santiago, my favorite Spanish dessert, which was elevated with a cherry jam on top. This place is a true gem—100% recommended!

Babbs B.

Yelp
A little hole in the wall in an unassuming, little bit gritty strip mall. The food is authentically Spanish and the tapas are true Spanish tapas. Not the Americanized version you see on way too many menus around here. The food is absolutely delicious. The paellas are wonderful, the pan con tumaca and patatas bravas a favorite. The service is delightful and we absolutely adore this place. If you have travelled to Spain and enjoy authentic Spanish food, give this place a try. Don't be scared off by the location. It's really a wonderful little restaurant!

Gary F.

Yelp
A friend of mine picked this place. Some body from ware he worked recommend this place to him for lunch. He had the paella, and he really enjoyed it, so he talked us into going there for dinner. It turned out to be an excellent choice. We started with the house bread and the fried yucca. Both were fantastic. Then for diner we we had a few different dishes. My fried and I had zarzuela (seafood stew). Its kind of like paella but without any rice. My daughter and my friend's wife had the paella for two. They got it without the chorizo sausage. It also came with a half liter a sangria. My daughter did not drink that, but my wife did. My wife had Paella De Mar. Its paella with seafood only. I got to try it and it was very good. Actually everything was very good, especially the service. I'm looking forward to eating here again.

Roy F.

Yelp
Lunch with friends here today. Parking is tight in this busy strip center but you will find a spot nearby. After moving from our original table which was right under the speakers and they did not reduce the volume, we found a table where we could have a conversation and catch up on everything while enjoying a meal together. I had the Roast Pork with Morros, aka Lechon Asado con Black beans mixed with rice. My roast pork was very good, moist with plenty of flavor. I found the beans and rice dry but my "gringo" doctoring with some vinegar brought them up to acceptable. Good catching up with friends who enjoyed their dishes this afternoon.

Robert S.

Yelp
I had bookmarked this restaurant a while ago and finally got to try it for lunch. I made a reservation using Open Table and it was easy to park right in front of the restaurant around 1pm on a Wednesday. We had the restaurant mostly to ourselves, so we picked a table....soon after, they started playing music over the speakers and we had to move to a more quiet table. We had lunch with Roy and Julie...they had been here before. My husband and I picked from their lunch specials which were very fairly priced. I got the lamb shank which was very moist, well seasoned and big. My husband got the cerdo asado which was extremely salty...to the point that he could only eat less than half and had to get a box to bring home. The sides were good...I got the congri and ripe plantains and both were very well made. My husband's home fries were chunky and just average. Service was average, not overly attentive nor friendly, but not bad.

Michelle D.

Yelp
The food is excellent and super fresh. The service was also great and atmosphere is super cute. I understand why they get such good reviews. We will definitely be back and i highly recommend giving the spot a try. My favorite dish was the roasted artichokes but everything was good.

Robert C.

Yelp
We had dinner here at 6:15pm on a Friday night and it was totally empty until 6:45pm. Not sure why because the food was amazing, the service was great & the atmosphere was really really nice. They have some common tapas items and a bunch of not so common tapas items and some really interesting entrees to try in the future. The portions for tapas are a bit larger than other places. I thought the pricing was really really good. The Sangria was delicious. This is one of the better tapas restaurants I've been to in SFL. We had some delicious bread done with garlic & olive oil, Patatas Bravas, chrizo & salchichon, stuffed Piquillo peppers with spinach, goat cheese, almonds & raisins, bruschetta with roasted peppers, artichokes & goat cheese & cod croquettes. Everything was so delicious.

Yekaterina C.

Yelp
Amazing service , ppl are very vary nice, very cute inside, but the food is horrible!!!! HORRIBLE!!! They can't even make simple fries! It was the most disgusting fries in my entire life and im not kidding. I feel bad for this ppl who has to "sell" this food as good and tasty. The beans were just like from "el palacio del Los jugos" meaning literally reheated and served as they they were cold inside. Again, the atmosphere and staff are amazing , but food ‍ just expect everything reheated and full of fat with absolutely no flavor. The only dish that kinda made up a little was my bransino fish. It was crusty, again without salt, but this was the only thing I was able to eat. I hope this restaurant will improve and serve amazing food as this is the only thing that must be fixed in order to fill this place up with ppl on Saturday night.

Vicky J.

Yelp
It was our first time at Candela. The food was amazing. But most of all the service was incredible. We will definitely go back.

Robert W.

Yelp
This place is a treasure. We found it some two years ago and now it's a regular whenever we're in town. The owners are just wonderful folks, and take great pride in presenting the best quality of food and service to their guests. As we've been many times, we can praise the consistency of excellence in customer experience. We look forward to many future visits. If you are looking for one of the hidden gems of Fort Lauderdale cuisine, search no more. You've found it!

Eliannet C.

Yelp
This my partner's and i comfort restaurant. Not only is the restaurant beautifully decorated but the food is amazing. The house lemonade is delicious. The chef is so nice and loves to give recommendations. You can tell her loves what he does. The staff is so friendly. The appetizers, the rice platters, and their cheese platters are a must! I love going in the early afternoon as even then it can be very popular. For dinner def make A reservation!

Iris P.

Yelp
Great quiet spot for an intimate date night. Food is decent also. Service staff was very friendly.

Jeshua B.

Yelp
MUST EAT HERE!!! Authentic Spanish food....so so good! Armondo and Julie are THE BEST!!!

Mauricio P.

Yelp
Amazing food and even better service. The waiter went into detail regarding each dish. The chef even came out to see how we were enjoying his creations. Will go back!

Macoisinha M.

Yelp
Let's start by saying the place looks quite original. The negative points are for the following: Service was not great. Lady looked quite busy, what I understand, but a smile takes zero time specially if diapers are being nice. Food took forever, what was understandable since they cook the paella fresh. At some point looks like the place was on fire with so much smoke inside. So, in summary not a great experience. The paella grega was really good according to my husband and the vegetarian was ok for me.

Mark P.

Yelp
Very local! I think the chef/owner may be a mad genius. The service is decent, service is a bit slow and the ambiance may be lacking. But the steak I got was sensational!

Nemesio C.

Yelp
Worst paella ever tried.. impossible to eat .. wasn't cooked enough the rice and .. just one shrimp On start cause can't give zero

Terry H.

Yelp
Low key Spanish/Tapas restaurant - went for tapas all around - definitely will be back again. Never felt rushed, and wait staff was there when you wanted them but no pressure to order more or to turn the table. Great evening.

Ashley B.

Yelp
For starters, the entire staff is so kind and nice. The head chef/owner greets everyone at the door and to me that speaks volumes. Candela is a whirlwind of complex emotions which will drive your taste buds to a whole new level. The food here is cooked with passion and love. Tucked away at a small strip mall next to a quick in and out grocery store is a restaurant that will make you feel like you've traveled overseas; and I am all for it. The inside is small and quaint but the moment you step in those doors you feel like family. There is art on the walls, a big wine wall, and an area in the back fantastic for a company or family get together. (We know because we had a Christmas dinner here last year). Not to mention the lovely choice in music. As mentioned before, the food here is top tier. There is something about a made from scratch Tapas restaurant I just cant get enough of. The bread was fresh and warm, and you must try the fried potatoes to start. The spicy creamy almost hollandaise sauce is guaranteed to knock your socks off and asking for a spoon to scrape up every drop. We decided on the octopus special which did not disappoint and the presentation was gorgeous. It had multiple flavors that set off the perfectly tender tentacle which all paired beautifully together mixing in some heat with the red peppers and saltiness of the olives. A very delightful dinner special. Our main course was the Paella De Mar which was cooked perfectly, the rice was excellent and the seafood was just right. As usual they hit the nail on the head with the right touch of seasoning, all washed down with a bottle of Cabernet of course. Overall, we will be returning and bringing friends next time so they can appreciate the joy that Candela gives us. Keep up the good work and I am so glad to see business is booming. You deserve it!

Aaron B.

Yelp
I didn't dine in yet the place has a nice feel inside, decorated in wine boxes and other classic looking decor. The Service was prompt and quality of food was great.

S B S.

Yelp
Such quiet cozy out of the way spanish/Cuban restaurant. The owner/cook was very helpful and friendly. We had the beet salad, charcuterie board, Spanish bread (flown in from Spain), and 2 different Paellas. Everything was delicious. I don't know why there wasn't many ppl there, the food was fabulous!

Tracy N.

Yelp
When we travel we look for local restaurants. Today we were driving around Ft Lauderdale area and getting hungry and see Candela. Being a fan of Cuban cuisine we stopped. A great hidden gem and a local place that few tourists will dine. Authentic, great flavors , generous portions and good atmosphere. If your seeking a great local place this is it.

V B.

Yelp
The tapas we ordered were very good. The service was excellent. They made you feel welcomed and made sure all went well. Las tapas que ordenamos estaban ricas y el servicio muy bueno. Todos atentos q todo estuviera a nuestro gusto. Un ambiente bien familiar.

Jp S.

Yelp
Food was very good off the lunch menu. 2 Roast Pork platters, Cuban Sandwiches no alchohol. Pork was shredded and very crispy, Service was excellent but the place was nearly empty at lunch. Ambience is pub like and really interesting . Would love to come back for dinner. $65 inc Tip

Alice E.

Yelp
Amazing recipes. Place not big on appearance but great chef who cares about what YOU want.

Blue A.

Yelp
I dropped in to get a large order for takeout. The order took a little longer than expected, but I was picking up three different orders (for friends) since we were doing a socially distant bday dinner at a friends house. My order alone is below, and it was large as is haha....imagine three times this... Staff was super nice. The restaurant is super nice and cozy. There weren't doing dine in at the time, but I can see this being a great spot for a little date night. PAN TUMACA toasted bread, garlic, fresh grated tomato, evoo. On my last trip to Spain, pan con tomate was my jam, and this one brought back some fond memories of the super easy, yet not always executed flawlessly dish. It's crazy how some restaurants don't nail this - but luckily Candela does! PATATAS BRAVAS spicy potatoes. Delicious chunks of potatoes, fried and slathered in a spicy sauce. Get these! PAELLA DE MAR Calasparra rice & saffron broth, calamari, shrimps, clams, mussels and vegetables. This is the reason we ordered from here. I was dying for some Paella. Unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me. Maybe they were having an off night. It was good. But it wasn't great. RUSTICA Roasted beets, arugula, goat cheese, almonds, balsamic glaze, rosemary olive oil. This was really good! A nice mix of greens and veggies among the heavy dishes we ordered. CAMARONES CON TOSTONES Sweet & spicy creole shrimps and fried green plantains. This was super bomb also. The taste of the creole sauce the shrimps swam in, were delicious. The tostones held up great, even with takeout. MADUROS Deep fried, sweet plantains. I always order as a side. These were good! Overall it was a super solid meal. I will try the Paella again, but maybe not for takeout. Look forward to my next visit.

Mark M.

Yelp
On a week long business trip to the area, I enjoyed my best dinner at Candela. The food and atmosphere were spectacular. Armando kindly helped me select three complimentary dishes which all differed in acidity, texture, salt, heat and aromatics. On top of that he selected the perfect bottle of wine. I can't wait to return with my wife in 60 days!

Maria S.

Yelp
Love this place Best paella around Broward Loved everything we've tried paella salad appetizers wine beer deserts Inviting ambience, great food and excellent service

Angela E.

Yelp
I love this restaurant! So charming! Everything is delicious! Great wine selection! The paella and tumaca are wonderful!

Louis D.

Yelp
Had both lunch and evening tapas on a different evening. The food was outstanding. The staff was super friendly and helpful. I had a cuban sandwich for lunch and it was one of the best I've ever had. The restaurant itself has a very european (Spanish) vibe).

Daniel D.

Yelp
This hidden gem is located in Wilton Manors off the beaten path in a small strip mall and well set up just like in Spain. If you are in the mood and are looking for the atmosphere and vibe of a Madrid Spain Tapas Restaurant, look no further than Candela Restaurant. You walk in the front door and you have instantly whisked away to one of Spain's Best Tapas Cities. The combination of décor, sounds and aromas are unmistakably those of Seville, Granada, Barcelona, or San Sebastian. We were seated immediately as we had a reservation. We reviewed the diverse menu that spans more than just typical tapas and paella (which if I may add are also cooked to perfection) but unique dishes from Asturias, Galicia, and more -- all with carefully sourced ingredients and the richest of flavors to match. We ordered a pitcher of White Wine Sangria to complement our selections. It was delicate yet so very flavorful and most definitely a wonderful blending of flavors. Our server lovingly poured and placed the fruit in our glasses. We then awaited our tapas. The first was the Alcachofas (artichokes) with Serrano ham, sliced garlic, red crushed peppers, and finished in a light wine sauce. Next up was the Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) prepared with crushed red peppers and finished with a splash of wine and parsley. Lastly, we could not resist the Grilled Octopus Special of the night. Suffice it to say that it was cooked to perfection and artistically plated. Its beauty was rivaled only by its exquisite taste. Now for our entrée, we opted for the Paella Mixta for 2 which consists of chicken, sausage, calamari, shrimps, clams, mussels, garbanzos, artichokes, piquillos, green beans, Calasparra Rice, Saffron Broth and Pimenton de la Vera. This paella was by far one of the best that I have ever eaten. It was the perfect balance of all ingredients where no one single ingredient overpowered another proof of Chef Armando's Classic Culinary training. At this point, we were full and needed to take our leftover paella home with us. Armando the Chef/Owner came by our table and gave us instructions on how to reheat the paella once we were ready to eat it. For dessert, we had the Almond Cake that was truly out of this world delicious. From what I understand the Chef's Wife makes all the desserts in-house. DELICIOUS! This is definitely the perfect spot for dinner with friends, family, or a date. You will be able to enjoy great conversation, good wine, and great authentic Spanish Tapas all this topped off with excellent service. The atmosphere and vibe are truly laid back, relaxing, and conducive to talking and enjoying your company. Spend some time here, sit back, relax and enjoy your delicious food in the Spanish tradition and décor without leaving the country. Armando has been in this location for over 15 years. He and his staff are very friendly and accommodating. We have visited several Spanish restaurants in the South Florida area but this one is by far one of the best. https://soflodining.com/candela-restaurant/

Marilyn M.

Yelp
Such amazing Spanish tapas and cuisine hidden off of Oakland park. Better than Barcelona!! Even the garlic bread was very scrumptious!! Every dish is lovingly prepared by Chef husband and wife who have been cooking in Spain, Italy and Switzerland. This is a neighborhood gem whose cuisine belongs in a five star hotel!!

Layne H.

Yelp
The food and service and wine were absolutely perfect. But the service. THE SERVICE. We got a bottle of red, 4 tapas dishes, and a flan for our party of 3, and I am so thrilled with our experience. I loved the ladies that served us, the vibe of the dining room, and the stuffed peppers!

Julie F.

Yelp
After a few days of seafood and big meals. I was craving something different -- tapas or charcuterie. This small Spanish restaurant on a side street just south of Oakland Park Boulevard fit the bill. We had called and made a reservation, but it really wasn't necessary off season on a Sunday evening. There were only a few other tables filled. But there was a guitar player in the corner entertaining the sparse group. The menu has tapas, small plates, as well as regular entrees. One of their specialties is paella. We were only two people, but this is the kind of place to come with a crowd so you can share and try many different things. We tried a glass of their white sangria -- it was quite good. Very citrusy, light, and refreshing. Next time I'd like to try their red sangria. We shared a "tabla surtida" -- which was a large charcuterie board including manchego cheese, olives, Serrano (ham), chorizo and salchichon. The meats were all sliced paper thin. The summer sausage (salchichon) was seasoned with paprika. I thought it might be spicy, but it wasn't. The Serrano was melt in your mouth like a prosciutto. One meat was like a hard dried salami. The Spanish cheese was cut in small triangles. It was firm and nutty in flavor. Nothing comes with the board, so we ordered a loaf of their "pan gallego". This rustic bread was thickly sliced and had olive oil, herbs, and salt in it. It went well with all the meats. The board was surprisingly filling. We almost ordered some croquettes or another small dish, but decided to go right to dessert, instead. We shared a slice of their "almond cake" which I'd seen photos of online. The tarta de almendras was wondrous. It's topped with powdered sugar but isn't that sweet. If you like almonds or the Italian tarta de nonna, you will love this. They don't make this on site. It's actually imported from Spain and is a regional favorite of northern Spain. It was delicious.

Zoe C.

Yelp
Fantastic little restaurant. The Octopus, Paella Negra, and Fish Stew were incredible. The red sangria was just ok. I will definitely be back to try other dishes.

Shae S.

Yelp
Sooooooo delicious. Everything. We had claims, shrimp, chorizo, cheese, wine & tiramisu. I'd do it alllll over again. Next time I'm getting the paella de mar

Barbara Y.

Yelp
It was an amazing and delicious experience! Don't hesitate because the location is in a strip mall. The service, atmosphere and food are so good I wanted to come back the very next day!!! We loved the fried yucca, shrimp with olives & raisins, the chickpea dish and the flan for dessert. The plates were very artfully presented. I should have taken pictures!

James R.

Yelp
Within the same ugly strip store as a trashy convenience store you will find Candela. Once inside you are transported to Spain. The restaurant has a Spanish theme and a handsome design. I was also thrilled to find they offer Rioja wine from Spain. I ordered the garlic roast pork with rice and beans. The pork was tender and the flavors had baked in well and had a delightful flavor. Service was efficient. There were limited tables available outside. While this may be a restaurant that you may drive by it is worth the stop.

Natalie A.

Yelp
Candela is my newest obsession and best thing I've found during quarantine! My partner and I are doing weekly "date nights" to keep things interesting and try the restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. Candela is hands down my favourite restaurant we've found. The tapas/appetizers are perfect for splitting with friends. The flavours on all the shrimp dishes, the Gambas Al Ajillo are my favourite dish. The fresh broth, garlic and herbs in the dish make it a light dish to compliment a heavier, but still satisfying, camarones con tostones. The paella's are delicious! The fresh rice, large portions of proteins will leave you full and happy. I can't recommend them enough, the owners are so happy to serve also. Once COVID is over I will absolutely be back for tapas and wine at their restaurant. The decor and 'vibe' looks perfect for a fancy date night or night out with friends!

Glenn G.

Yelp
I uploaded a photo showing their OpenTable. The "Complimentary" is in a huge font and there is no "*" on the line to make you look further. This is immediatly followed by times. A reasonable person wouldn't look further down. I looked forward to trying this restaurant. When I placed my order I said I'll have the Complimentary Carafe of Sangria, as pictured. The waitress didn't correct me that it is only complimentary if I order a certain meal which would have been $50. Had she corrected me right then, I would have ordered something else. I enjoyed the food and was planning to come back another time to try some other meals. When the check came, it had $27 for a carafe of sangria. That is where the trouble began. A good manager tries to diffuse a situation, instead this manager/owner decided to take a hot headed escalatory approach which included insulting me, telling me to suck his d***, and calling me a lot of names and insults. Then he was surprised when I responded in kind to his terrible behavior. He said it was my fault for using the word complimentary which hardly anyone understands. His own web site and Open Table say complimentary. His staff should know that word. This is a common word. He said I should have said "Free" instead. He didn't want to listen or understand the problem. He was interested in cutting me off and going with his agenda. After multiple attempts to explain, and offered a compromise to split the $27 with him since the web site isn't obvious, the waitress didn't correct me when ordering, and I should have looked for and read the fine print. The bill was well over $100, so the $50 meal was met anyway. He just blew up at me and wouldn't shut up. I just wanted him to run my card and get out of there. Instead he kept the situation going in both the restaratunt and followed me out into the parking lot and continued his insults. It took 15-20 minutes of continuous abuse from this man to while waiting for the card to be run and leave. Then he was surprised when I responded to him in a similar way. This person is too hot headed and not customer oriented at all. He should not be in a business that deals with the public. I told him I was planning on returning, but not now. Based on this experience, I would give zero stars if I could.

Eddie C.

Yelp
Listen, I have to really control myself. This place is really inviting and delightfully savory. From the moment you we walked in, we were greeted and tended to our seats. The cozy atmosphere made it easier for us to quickly make our wine selections. Chef Armando and our server, Mariel, make this experience worthwhile. Hope everyone has the same experience. Truly a thumbs up

Lara L.

Yelp
Oh my this resturant has it all atmosphere, service and oh my goodness the food! We ordered the Spanish cheese plate, salad Rustica and the Mix Paella sooooo delicious!!!

Tiffany O.

Yelp
What a fantastic discovery!!! We've been there twice, the food is great to amazing and the people are wonderful. I'm so glad we're close enough so we can visit more often!

Paul S.

Yelp
Despite having my baby whining and complaining the entire time, one of the best meals of my life. Food is absolutely delicious! Every single dish that we ordered was cooked to perfection and seasoned beautifully. Normally when I go to a tapas spot, I'm usually going to get some great tapas and some not-so-good tapas. It's rare to not have any not-so-good ones. Even more rare to have each one so exceptionally good! Quiet restaurant, except for my baby wailing, great ambiance otherwise. For me, this is a must stop restaurant, on my next return trip to Ft lauderdale area.

Greshka P.

Yelp
Planning a Friday night with friends, where we could talk, eat and drink wine, I looked through my bookmarks on the Yelp App and got Candela. I remember marking this after seeing pictures from friends and reading their reviews and thinking this would be perfect for this group of friends. We have monthly outings, to catch up, and wind down from work, stress, life, etc. We all love trying different dishes and sharing, and love to pair what we eat with wine. Candela being a tapas place, and a wine bar, fit that description flawlessly. I made a reservation for 7 people, for Friday night at 7:30pm. Some of us got there early, and without a problem they prepared our table and allowed us to wait, sitting down for the rest of our party to arrive. This was good because, usually when early you just sit at the bar and wait but, this is a small place and without a bar. The entrance is the counter, where you can see some cheeses, meats, tortilla Española, and wines. To the back is the restaurant seating area, with a casual but very nice feel to it, with Spaniard accents, included a brick fireplace wall full of bottle of wines. While we waited we got waters and looked at the menu, while we listened to the live entertainer playing the guitar. This was a nice add on to the ambiance of the restaurant, and appreciated it that it wasn't loud to interfere with our conversation. Instead it was a nice background to enjoy the "silence" of the table while eating. As mentioned, we like trying many things so we ordered family style: Tabla Surtida (Charcuterie) - this came with Assorted meats, olives and manchego cheese. Very nice presentation and size for sharing. Pan Tumaca - I had seen pictures of it on Yelp and knew I needed to try it. This is Garlic Bread topped with tomato and olive oil. Very simple but delicious. Croquetas - you have the choice of cod fish, ham and/ or spinach. We went classic and got the ham croquetas in a creamy aioli. Garbanzos with Chorizo was a favorite among my friends... so much they ordered a second one. Very flavorful and hearty. This could easily be a meal on its own Gambas al Pil Pil (Garlic Shrimp) comes sizzling in a delicious garlic sauce and enough shrimp to share or to make it a meal Chuleton - This is one of their main dishes. Perfectly grilled (sliced) ribeye with rosemary potatoes on top. The chimichurri sauce is excellent. Paella - Being in a Spaniard restaurant we had to try it!! We had both the seafood and the chicken with sausage. Both were equally great! While we enjoyed our food, our server also recommended a wine for us, after the one we had chosen wasn't available. Excellent suggestion, we all liked it and asked him to keep the bottles coming, to pair with the food and keep the conversation at the table going. For dessert, we also shared: Flan - I know to some this is a plain dessert but it's one of my favorite desserts, and this one did not disappoint. Almond Cake - this was the least favorite at the table but honestly not bad Chocolate Mousse Cake - If you love chocolate you must try this! Creamy, rich, delicious. We spent about 3 hours there having a great time. The staff came over regularly with new plates, removing empty ones and making sure we were enjoying everything. This was a fantastic experience from beginning to end.

Ryan O.

Yelp
Wow. Wow wow wow. Not to exaggerate but this meal was one of the best I've ever had. Ever. The seafood paella was amazing but the Mediterranean Sea bass... insane, best seafood dish I've ever eaten. They also made a vegan paella for my husband, which was delicious also. Service was fantastic also. Would DEFINITELY come again! Edit... the dessert... wow... also amazing, almond cake/tart with the cortado... perfect.

Kelly W.

Yelp
Finally a True Spanish Find of Tasty Cuisine. Make reservations, because the small footprint of a restaurant serves not only the best sausage, tapas, wine and paella I have ever seen, they have amazing live music, played at just the perfect romantic levels. As a wine lover, the perfect grand Rioja was just spectacular. That was the manager pick and I can't thank him enough. My girl and I love sausage but it's so hard to find good sausage. This is imported from Spain and all my God it was delicious. We ordered the double cheese and sausage plate and we're not disappointed. Spicy shrimp and sausage in wine sauce was next. The table next to us had the Spanish paella it was served in a very nicely appointed serving dish. When I asked them if it was good, they said oh absolutely yes. This is an intimate setting, don't be afraid to talk to Couples next to you we met nice couples all that night. From the managers and the waiters I cannot say enough of how absolutely great night we had. We both love the music group they were so cool and played for hours I was amazed Wait why am I writing all this, I love this place I need it to myself. Please disregard all I said

Nancy M.

Yelp
What a wonderful hidden gem off oakland park blvd and 6th street! I had the pleasure of having a pre holiday dinner with Mike and Goldie C, Seeing that this was my first time Yves the owner was patient and helpful explaining items for us and suggesting dishes. Mike is the wine God so he chose a bottle and it was very full bodied and slightly fruity, it was a really great red from spain! We ordered two appetizers. The spinach stuffed peppers and the chartue board loaded with meats and cheese and olives. Those were winners for sure. Delicious and filling. I should have stopped there or not have eaten two slices of the delicious bread that they brought out. For our entrees we shared the steak and potatoes. My only complaint the steak wasnt tender at all. I think it was cut against the grain making it tough . I had two slices and a few potatoes. We also ordered a sausage that came in a skillet which was really good but a little oily. The beet arugula and goat cheese salad was excellent and has some kind of spice on it that made it fantastic. I think the spice was coriander..I never asked so thats just what I thought. Would I return?? Oh heck yeah I will return. I loved what I had and the dimly lit atmosphere and Yves and his wife (the owners) and especially the authentic delicious spanish cuisine. Lastly having such a strong connection with goldie and mike makes every time we get together very special. They are truly family to me and there is nothing family does better than enjoy food together! Happy Holidays and make sure to check out Candela...thank me later!

Sonia R.

Yelp
The food was outstanding and the service great. It was a pleasure dinning with family in such pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. It's a must for authentic Spanish Cuisine. Can't wait to visit again!

Nature L.

Yelp
FOOD: Everything tasted great, the speed of service was very good on a Saturday evening. Indoors was comfortable, not too loud so you can still converse with friends. SERVICE/STAFF: If you can overlook a general lack of friendly cheerful service you'll be fine. Nothing that resembled a warm welcome feeling was ever experienced despite a decent sized dinner order. Probably won't return based upon the overall lack of friendliness with staff (got the sense that behavior is acceptable to mgt). A nice hello and smile cost nothing to customers dropping $150 at your restaurant.