El Puro Cuban Restaurant

Fun Saturday night with a Latin band and lively atmosphere. Celebrated a birthday, but giving 2 stars since they don’t offer a complimentary cake slice. Feels profit-driven and unappreciative for special occasions

I fell in love with Cuban food in Salisbury but the place is open odd hours and limited days so it's hard to get food from there. It was a necessary date night. I loved the look and feel of the restaurant. The mix of live music and DJ was top tier. The band sounded beautiful and they kept people on their feet dancing. My only issue why I didn't give it 5 stars is the fact that our reservation was at 8:45, we got there at 8:41. We'd been sitting for 14 minutes before our waitress (Laura G) came to our table. She walked past us several times before even speaking to us and throughout our time there, she checked on everyone else but us. My boyfriend had to flag her down for the check. So we never got a refill on our sodas. She didn't seem friendly or cared. My boyfriend doesn't care to try new things so he didn't care for his food but I loved mine! I had the maricadas and it was flavorful and the presentation was great. Had the service been top notch, it would have been a better experience. I don't see myself coming back just because of the service unfortunately. She made it feel uninviting.

This was our first time here and the place has a nice relaxing atmosphere love the ambient! Kelly was our server she took the time to go over the menu with us and recommend dishes! Food Was good! We went with the empanadas for appetizer and the tees leches for brunch. She was very sweet and friendly also kept checking in on us to make sure we were good! The place looks like it has live music which we will definitely be checking out next time! Muchas gracias Kelly La pasamos bien!

We came to brunch and the food was delicious . The flavor and presentation excellent! Kelly was our server and she was awesome! Very attentive and helpful. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable. The live music is always a plus! I will definitely come back again!

Ana is very friendly and attentive. She always greats me with a warm smile. Everything I had was great. Especially the El Puro old fashion. It paired well with my cigar. Then the coffee was a perfect way to cap the evening out. This place is definitely one of my go to spots.

Amazing service! The staff was so pleasant and truly made our first time, memorable. We are celebrating a birthday and wedding anniversary. At the end, they came out and did a birthday song, complimentary champagne, and anniversary cards. We will be back. Thank you so much

We enjoyed our meal and loved our server. She was very knowledgeable and gave very good recommendations. Great atmosphere.

2nd time eating here & the food was good. Never had oxtails like that before. Big shout out to the beautiful waitress, Yissel. She was big help with the menu. I’ll be back probably Sunday to try the fried red snapper..

Since traveling to Cuba I've been on a search for great Cuban cuisine and the verdict is...I love this restaurant! I enjoy the vibe, the music, and the service. According to the website a reservation is required. We were able to get a day of reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. This is my second time here and each time the waiter has been a huge help in explaining the menu. We ordered mojitos (one virgin...one regular) guava and cheese empanadas as an appetizer, followed by pancakes, and the arroz imperial. Everything was prepared pretty quickly and everything was deliciously made. The waiter recommended I return when there's a band, after 7. I look forward to enjoying this restaurant outside of brunch hours.

Brunch at El Puro was fabulous!! We loved the food, service & ambience! Can't wait to return to try other items on the menu. We drove almost 2 hours to try the food and we weren't disappointed. Delicious!!

This little Cuban restaurant ... El Puro ... was a delight. Really nice to find this cuisine available in a family friendly local place. Kids in strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome in the outdoor door dining area, kids also welcome inside. The outdoor space is very nice and sheltered from the elements, and it is essentially open all year with outdoor lights, fans, and heaters when needed. For meals we had two Cuban sandwiches ... one without the pickles (5 stars for each); another in our party had the empanadas ... one beef and one chicken (3 stars only because they skimped on the fillings); and the last in our party had the Costilla De Res (a 4 star offering that was a bit overpriced at $39 for essentially a meal of short ribs). Drinks were very nice ... a Pina Colada, a house Margarita, and a Hotel Nacional (4 stars for the generally overpriced drinks that were a bit on the small side). So in sum, the place was overpriced for what you received but we couldn't let that change the fact that the food and drinks were good, and the overall vibe of the place was 5 stars.

I'll start with ambiance since that's the first thing I noticed. They have both inside and outside seating areas. The outside area is well covered for hot sunny days. The inside is spacious with a stage that also has seating. Went on a Sunday for brunch around 1230pm. There was not much of a crowd sitting inside and they had a live band (they were great!). Our waitress was attentive and gave us plenty recommendations. I got the red snapper which was HUGE! It was 5/5. Recommend giving a try!

What an awesome experience. Live music, awesome food, and unique cocktails made this father day brunch extra special!

First time visit and it was on a Saturday for brunch. It was a hard choice to decide rather to sit outside on the front patio or inside because both were well decorated and beautiful. Inside was very loud, but fun and lively. We had a great waitress, but I could barely hear her because the music was so loud. I think they may have turned it down after that, but not sure. The cuban sandwich was disappointing because it was so thin and dry. I opted for yuca fries for my side and they were great! My husband had the breakfast frita and loved it, came with fries. I had sweet tea and again was disappointed because it was in a bottle for $4, no refill. Yikes! He had a mule and liked it. We will go back for the great service and atmosphere! I highly recommend you try it if you're looking to get out of your normal restaurant bubble.

The place itself is sooo nice ! I really want to try them for dinner instead of brunch however. They seemed to have more to offer that I would eat for lunch/dinner. What stole the show however were the empanadas !!! Omg they were sooooo good !!! Our friend got them there and to go. Our server was really helpful !! Thank you Grace !

We sat at the bar and ordered our drinks while we scanned the menu. The bartender suggested we order the Tapa Cubana, an appetizer sampler not listed on the menu. The trio of empanadas, croquetas, bolas de la vecina, and malanga fritters were packed with flavor. One drawback was it was all fried food. Another was the $48 price tag came as a shocker. While the Tapa Cubana was pricey and heavy on fried food, the exceptional service and flavors more than make up for it.

Came for Sunday brunch with a friend and overall we enjoyed the experience. Great ambiance and patio area. The food was tasty, but the entrees took a little long to come out and my dish could have been a bit hotter (it wasn't cold, just not quite hot enough for me). They were pretty busy. The cocktails were also good. I would visit again, maybe during a time when they have live music.

I had come here back in July 2023 and had a much better experience. In fact, I couldn't wait to get back and completely indulge. Last night we dined here to celebrate my birthday. As always, the vibe and ambiance were great. The service is awesome. However, the food wasn't what I'd expected. Starting with the beef empanadas, it came out very shortly after we put our order in. I went to cut into it, and it was very soft and not at all crispy. This would only be due to a reheat where it lost its crunch. The beef filling was not for me. The Bolas were fine, better with the sauce. I ordered the Masitas de la Loma. I should note I ordered this back in July and was obsessed. This time, it was really dry and over cooked. It's a shame because it did still have great flavor. I also got a salad at $14 and it was served in a medium sized flat plate. It was the smallest salad I'd ever gotten at a restaurant, and it was OK. I'm really sad because I loved this place the first time, but I can't justify the bill with our experience. Maybe it was just an off night. I would always encourage people to try at least once for themselves!

This place has the coolest atmosphere even when it's not busy so I can't imagine during peak times how fun it can be... with a stage for live music and dancing and a super fun outdoor patio El Puro stands out for sure in the area . We came at the tail end of Sunday brunch but managed to get it in. Still a good steady flow of foodies came in and out while we were there so that's probably why they stay open all day. Their bar is amazingly stocked and looked like a fun place to hang out. The patio is all dressed up with heaters, palm trees and a fun Cuban style open top car. Still a tad cool out for that the day we went but I'd definitely love to sit out there in the tight season. Inside the music plays all the Latin tunes and the vibe and decor is upbeat. Hitting the afternoon slump I ordered their espresso martini . Yes rich Cuban espresso !! Perfect brew and strength with a little salted caramel this hit the spot and woke me up. The Cubano was a popular choice in our table..3 orders! I got the breakfast Frita. The cubano is a full on meat sandwich dripping with juices and cheese and served with fries. I tried it and yes this is as Cuban as it gets. Delicious. My breakfast frita was good just a little heavy for my taste. Two big pepitas ,Swiss cheese , caramelized onions and mojo ketchup on a brioche bun. It was messy and good sandwich with fries which were crispy good! My only thing with the menu would be that there aren't many lighter fare options, everything is heavy food. Having said that it's all good food. If you're hungry you won't when you leave. The service is fine, they run around and get it done. Looks like it's all in the family . Enjoyed finally trying it and checking it off my Charlotte list.

Been here a couple times, the last occasion was for a birthday in November and it was great! Everything was so good! Stopped by last night and was a little disappointed. They changed their menu and got rid of a lot of variety. It was either a light appetizer or large entree. I was looking forward to getting their empanadas and Cuban fried rice. I ordered the chicken empanadas It seemed like they changed how they make their empanadas, they weren't as good as I remember and they took the Cuban fried rice off the menu. I did get the Congi which was good as a side. I haven't completely lost hope for El Puro but would probably only come for drinks and apps moving forward. No complaints with the service though, there was live music which was good as always. They bring in great people!

It was a birthday celebration that made us decide to dine here. There's a lot of seating inside but it seems to be the outdoor seating that people really enjoy. It gave me a Miami or Orlando, FL vibe. The menu was Spanish with Cuban flair. Good music. Good drinks. Hospitable staff. They came out and sang happy birthday in Spanish and we loved it. There was a live band and the party was just getting started around 8. The meals were all good. We got The frittas (burger) with fries. The tuna tartare was plentiful and the beef empanadas were hot and crispy. They also came with a dipping sauce. The Piña Colada was icy, sweet, alcohol loaded, cold, frothy and good. The pricing was a little higher than expected and they automatically added 20% gratuity because we had a party of 5.

I wish I could rate higher!, 1st visit, 1st night for a new chef, new menu... The place is beautiful, the staff is wonderful... every single one including the manager and owner, our server Maria, was sweet, helpful & efficient. Drinks were good (a bit pricey) For apps we had empanadas, malangas Freitas, bolas de la veins & tuna crudo, everyone was a 10! For dinners we had Ropa vieja, arroz imperial, costilla estofado & rebo encendido, once again all were a solid 10! Desserts we had Quattro leches & flan... keep going.... Yes another solid 10! Nope, not done yet,,,, Had a cafe Cubano & a cortadito coffee... both a 10..., They knocked it out of the park in every category! This is a MUST try!

We made reservations online for 12:15 on Sunday morning, got there maybe 15-20 mins early and were seated immediately. The place is dim, but vibrant in decor. Music was playing but also wasn't loud enough to enjoy or really hear. Drinks and food were amazing. Top notch. Service was quick. Honestly, I think we were in and out in an hour. Empanadas (not pictured) were DELISH! Drinks were really good. If brunch was this good, I could only image their lunch and dinner. I'm sure it gets packed for dinner with the amount of outdoor seating they have but I'm sure it's worth it. We'd definitely be back.

The food had a lot of flavor. The servers were very polite and patient.The decor inside was awesome.

WHAT A VIBE! We went when there was live music and it was popping! Definitely make reservations ahead of time. The staff was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable of the menu. We ordered a little of everything and our entire party was satisfied.

I'd been seeing great things about this spot so gave it a try. This spot was packed! Reservations are highly recommended, so I'm thankful we planned ahead. The ambiance on a Friday night was festive and lively. We sat outside on the patio and I was actually glad we did because it was a nice night and the music inside was extremely loud. It would have been difficult to talk over. For my drink, I ordered a mojito. The drinks are pretty good and the presentation is lovely. For appetizers, my friends and I shared croquetas and empanadas. I ordered the arroz frito cubano with shrimp for my entree but also tried my friend's beef brisket. Everything was good but I wouldn't say amazing. The service was a bit slow but I think it was just really busy. Overall, 4 stars. Fun place for friends.

This place was everything I wanted and more! The food was AMAZING Rice, beans, SHREDDED BEEF and TAJADAS (Fried plantains) What else do you want? Good cocktails? They got them! The live band is pretty good to dance to also! If you're going for a first date kinda deal, seat a little far from the band though.

As I said during my check-in, this place was amazing.. Live music was terrific, the food flavor was stellar and the atmosphere was awesome. We came for Charlotte Restaurant Week but will definitely come back! Muy Delicioso!

If I were to rate this place purely on vibes it would get 5 stars. I came here on a galentine date on a Tuesday at 7:15 for the half off mojitos. The mojitos were tasty, though not sure they had much alcohol. There was a live band so the vibes were high. Our server was very friendly but not around a ton. It took a while to place our order but as soon as we had the food we had probably 4 people ask to clear our plates before we were done, which was strange. We ordered the ceviche and tuna crudo. The ceviche was excellent. The tuna had great flavor but had some chewy pieces. For our entree we shared the oxtail. It was very good. Our checks came without the mojito discount apply so we had to ask for it. So service was a little awkward, food was pretty good, and vibes were high. Would definitely come back to try more on the menu, this place is very fun!

Food was so fresh and delicious. I ordered the lunch special which is appetizer, entree, and dessert. Very good portions. The restaurant is beautiful too. Our waitress Dana was very attentive, she did a wonderful job. If I'm ever in Charlotte again I would definitely come back.

Everything was amazing ! We went during lunch and they have a lunch special for $20 that includes appetizer, entree, and dessert! I got the beef empanadas for my appetizer , ROPA VIEJA for entree, and flan for dessert! Also ordered plantains on the side and two drinks ! Everything was 10/10! Kelly was our waiter and was very knowledgeable on the food. Her service was impeccable ! She was so nice and made our experience ever better ! Thank you Kelly !

Ya'll know what it is! Solid 4 stars for my first time out. We'll be back in the future. For this brunch affair we dined inside. The decor is a whole vibe. There was a live musician. Totally unexpected but added to the experience. Not too terribly loud to speak over unless you were seated next to the performance area. We began with a round of drinks. My coconut mojito was tasty. Wasn't too sure of how I would feel about coconut cream in my drink but it worked. I would have liked my drink touch stronger though. The garnish was pretty to look at but a lot going on. I get why the drink I has all the garnishes but a bushel of mint and a toasted coconut rim was a touch extra. I chewed on the sugar cane stick. Cute concept. I can't forget the pineapple wedge. See? A lot. Bae ordered a beer. Nothing on draft if I am not mistaken. Such a disappointment as he prefers draft beer. He found a bottled beer he liked and it was accompanied by a chilled glass! Score! Niecy-poo had a Bellini. She was well pleased. Appetizers - Croquetas and Brunch Empanadas. Both were equally as tasty. Croquetas have a ham based filling. Sorry for my non-pork eaters. The outside has a little crunch (think mozzarella cheesestick) with a soft middle. Any softer and the texture would have turned me off. The cilantro aioli dipping sauce was to die for! Note: there are only four in the basket. You'll definitely eat two. Niece didn't want to try one so me & Bae scarfed they down. The empanadas were fried to crispy perfection and filled to capacity no air pockets with what seemed to me 1/3 guava and 2/3 cream cheese. Delicious! You really could have these for dessert! Also a great time to try guava if you haven't before. Mains: Cubans sandwich with fried yucca and lechon asado. Our niece ordered a side of yucca plantain hash as her main. That sandwich had to be bussin'! Before Bae started I let him know I wanted to try it. After a couple bites he placed a piece on my plate and devoured the rest. While I didn't get the full out flavor experience (I got a piece from the corner and not the middle) it was a flavorful bite and I would order. I sampled the fried yucca to say I tried it. Bae was excited to get fried yucca and he is a hard core French fries as a side guy. None were left on his plate. I didn't not like yucca but I'd order fries with my sandwich. He also sampled the hash and said it was really good and better than expected. Said he would order that the next time. I had my face buried in my plate and never reached a fork over to the hash. The lechon asado is presented in a bowl. Doesn't seem like a lot at first but it almost becomes a bottomless bowl of tender flavorful pork. Oooh wee! I had black beans and rice as sides. Nothing special to write about. It is what it is. FYI, for my southerners, especially my NC folks it looks like pulled pork but with a flavor all its own. It's not BBQ! Lol! Pro tip #1 I barely squeezed in the booth. Do yourself a favor if you are not a size 32 waist; sit at a table with chairs or the bar. Pro tip #2 if you enjoy patio seating their patio is all that perfect for photo ops and being seen. You can't help but see the patio when you walk in. It's not hidden behind the building. I don't like "the hot" or bugs so we sat inside with the AC.

we enjoyed our delicious dinner at El Puro and the wonderful music that kept us dancing in our seats. but above all the customer service was wonderful from the moment we walked in they created us with a happy anniversar. Kelly was super sweat and helpful. she gave us great recommendations for our meal and drinks. Thank you for making our anniversary very special.

Finally got a chance to check out this Cuban spot during my birthday month binge. They were pretty empty for lunch which I appreciated as it is a pretty spacious restaurant. I had the coconut mojito, empanada, arroz frito, and congris to go. I enjoyed thoroughly everything and the service was superb!

Kelly was an amazing server! The food was delicious and the music was on point. The mojito was prepared just right.

The food fell short of expectations, particularly the new menu. My experience left me disappointed; however, the tree lech cake for my birthday, drinks, and rice & beans stood out positively. Unfortunately, the steak was dry, and my plate lacked sauce. Despite this, I would still recommend it to those curious about Cuban food. This was a brunch experience; perhaps dinner could offer a better impression. Give it a try.

One of my favorite places!! The food is amazing, the ambiance is nice and great customer service.

Loved this spot! Went here for brunch after a workout with some friends and the staff were very friendly and everyone enjoyed their food! They also have live music in the evening so I will definitely be coming back!

Great food, atmosphere and service by Kelly! We really enjoyed the chicken empanadas and ropa vieja with plantains! The mojitos on Tuesday are 50% off and the passionfruit ones are amazing!! Definitely worth the trip:)

Came on Thursday night for my fathers birthday and was very surprised how delicious the food was, how incredible the service was from our waitress Kelly. And the ambiance was immaculate, the music was amazing and it was the perfect vibe for a birthday dinner.

Kelly was amazing! We came for my 33rd birthday and had such a fantastic time! Delicious food, amazing drinks, fun vibes. Absolutely will come back!

Date Night at El Puro was a hit! The food, service and ambience were all great. We loved the live music! We ordered the empanadas for an appetizer and I am still thinking about them. They came out fast and were hot and super flavorful. The sauce that came with it had honey mustard vibes but was absolutely delicious on both the beef and the chicken empanadas. My boyfriend ordered the brisket with rice and beans and corn. I had the whole snapper with rice and beans and plantain and Everything we ate was seasoned and cooked so well!!!! I ordered 2 of their signature cocktails, El Pescador and Hotel Nacional which was my favorite! I'd definitely visit again! You should too!!!

The ambiance is beautiful; there's an old fashioned car out front that reminds you of a Cuban setting. When we walked in the staff was very pleasant and our waitress offered several suggestions from the menu. For dinner I had the Costello Estofada and eat bite melted in my mouth. Simply delightful. The empanadas were also very delicious. The waitress suggested the El Jíbarro cocktail and she deserves a hug!!! Hands down the drink was everything and more. This is my new FAVORITE Cuban cuisine restaurant in Charlotte!!!

Probably one of the best brunch places in Charlotte. If you love live music good food and GREAT COFFEE, go here! The service is amazing and the waiters are handsome

Solid food, great atmosphere, and great service. Easy 5 stars. This is one of the best places I've ate at in Charlotte.

Cool vibe, great cocktails, ok food. The coconut mojito was excellent but very sweet. The Cuban sandwich was just ok because the pork was very dry. Live music is an added bonus! Located in a busy strip mall so there is a big parking lot but can be difficult to find a parking spot at peak times.

We came here for Father's Day. The service was excellent and the food was even better. The snapper was seasoned to perfection. There was a little bit of a wait for our food but it was well worth it.

We tried it out for restaurant week and were not disappointed. I ordered the empanadas (they let me mix and match two different flavors), the Ropa Vieja, and the Flan. The empanadas were flaky and delicious; both the chicken and beef went well with the sauce. The Ropa Vieja was very good and enough food that I took half home. The only options for restaurant week dessert was the flan but everyone at the table enjoyed it, even those we didn't think they liked flan. It was a very fun atmosphere with live music. We didn't expect this so we weren't able to talk over dinner like we expected, but it was fun. I wish I looked into the restaurant at all before so I would've expected it. Our server was very nice and good.

Our first time at El Puro. Overall a great experience Kelly was our amazing server very knowledgable and extremely attentive overall. The food came very quick. The food was good, the drinks were great. We will come back.

Delicious! After a mani and pedi date with my friend we decided to spot at El Puro Cuba for lunch. Omg so good and the staff were super helpful. The chicken empanadas were so good. I also got some type of seafood rice meal. I can't remember the name of it. I apologize, but it was recommended by our server 10 out of 10 large portion size I was able to take some home as leftovers.

I went to El Puro for the first time last night and was super impressed. The ambiance was very low key. They even had a band performing. The servers checked in on us multiple times and gave great recommendations. But, the best part about this place was the food! We tried and split many different dishes from the menu. The chicken empanadas and sweet plantains were hands down my favorite thing I tasted. We also ordered the vegetarian rice and paella (which was exceptional). The paella had a bunch of different seafood inside which really elevated the meal. I will absolutely be back.

If you are in Charlotte or anywhere in the vicinity, you absolutely MUST dine at El Puro!! Wow. This is one of my top dining experiences -- ever. This is no fine-dining establishment, but it's not no-frills either. The ambiance was so perfectly curated, and all the staff were friendly and helpful. I love the blasting Cuban music and all the decor. My friends and I chose to sit in the patio because it was a lovely day. There are beautiful plant adornments lacing the patio/gazebo-like ceiling that make for a scenic place to enjoy the meal. I ordered the drink called El Jíbaro -- it has Cayenne syrup (and let me tell you it's *actually* spicy). The drink itself was not something I took to, however, I give it an A because of the presentation and what I know was a careful, thoughtful choice of ingredient pairings--that's characteristic of the entire menu, really. I ordered the empanadas with my table -- the chicken empanada was so divine, especially with the sauce it came with. A perfectly flaky dough. Finally, my arroz frito Cubano w/chicken was the most excellently cooked and seasoned rice dish. No room for dessert today but that part of the menu was definitely calling my name!! Next time, FOR SURE!

Great experience on a Wednesday night with girl friends! The live band and dance show made the dinner wonderful. Food was tasty as well. I was hesitating with the paella, since it's Cuban style - with infused white wine. It turned out pretty good (definitely different from Spanish paella). The pork shoulder was cooked to be soft in the middle and a bit crispy outer side. Server was friendly and patient. We did wait a bit. He recommended the sides to us which were great.

We stopped here while visiting from out of town specifically to get Cuban sandwiches, but unfortunately we didn't know that their kitchen shuts down between lunch and dinner. However we were able to sit at the bar and enjoyed a drink, empanadas, and croquetas. Service was good. This looks like a cool place to have dinner though. They have a stage for live music, and the decor all around was awesome. There's covered outdoor seating as well.

El Puro is good, however after only two visits, it's not our preferred place for Cuban food in Charlotte. They charge fine dining prices, and although it's a super fun ambiance and the food is pretty good, it's not worth the price. The coffee Cubano was worth coming back for as would be the music, though we wish it started earlier only because we have little kids to keep in mind.

We arrived around 9 and we had a 45-minute wait for inside. It was a bit chilly but we decided to sit outside (they had the heaters on) Our server was very sweet and did a good job. We started with beef empanadas, ham croquetas and tostones. The empanadas were okay nothing to write home about. The croquetas were delish. The tostones had no flavor and the dipping sauce they give out is basically oil and minced garlic. It was not good. We ordered the skirt steak and that was very tasty. It did not come with chimichurri sauce so i had to order it and it was okay. For dessert we ordered flan and it was amazing!. The price for the skirt steak was $40! I think for a skirt steak with a few small potatoes it is way over priced. For a vodka and cranberry it was $18 (one shot!) This place is in a shopping center not a rooftop bar in Uptown. For the price, ambiance and food we will for sure not be back.

I went there for lunch today to join in with the EAL lunch bunch. We had a great time sitting on the patio, even though it was near 90 degrees, it was as nice and cool In the shade. There were close to 20 of us so our server was very busy but she did a great job of keeping it all together, I had the Cuban sandwich which was just OK, the bread which is all Important for a Cuban just wasn't very fresh.

Came here on a Friday without reservations and sat at the bar. Laura and Stephanie were amazing bartenders and so attentive. There was live music which made the atmosphere so fun, we even got up and danced! Cocktails and food are so tasty. Highly recommend!