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Excellent Cuban restaurant in the Ballantyne area. They have specials every day. On the day I went, the mixed drinks were half price. I ordered a couple variations of Mojitos and they were outstanding! The waitress also told me that they have a sangria special and a wine special day. I have spent quite a bit of time in the Tampa area, which has a very large Cuban population so I am very familiar with Cuban food and the way it's supposed to be. Well, let me tell you, this place doesn't disappoint! I haven't had Picadio in years so I ordered that and it was delicious! Their Ropa Vieja is very authentic as well. What's really amazing is that they have a lunch menu that they serve until 3 PM. The prices are great especially for lunch! The atmosphere feels authentic with giant murals, old photos and a huge Cuban Flag painted on looks to be driftwood. The place also has an authentic Cabana feel to it. Overall, I consider this the best Cuban restaurant in the entire Charlotte Metro Area! Cheers!
Nice little Miami Cuban vibe! Food was on point. Tastes like real Cuban food The service was great as well. Probably the best spot in this shopping plaza.
Azucar is a gem! I came here with 8 other ladies on a Saturday in August. I made a reservation given our group size, and even added another seat the day of and they could accommodate. The outside looks unassuming but the first thing you'll notice upon entrance is the incredible smell. It smelled absolutely delicious! We were immediately sat. While we waited for the entire group to arrive, our server made contact and we ordered drinks. I had two cocktails in mind to try- Cienfuegos and Pina Con Fuego. I asked our server which between the two should I try and on beat said the latter. It was delicious! Not too spicy. A little on the sweet side but not too over powering, and the presentation was lovely. Naturally, I wanted to try the other and it was good too! But I preferred the Pina Con Fuego. One of the ladies from the group suggested the yuka as an appi and it was insanely good. Made from the a root of either cassava or manioc, it's a starchy, tuber that when fried has a potato-y type texture. It comes with a fantastic aioli and is set off my the Chimichurri and the slivers of pickled red onion. Drool worthy! For my main I had trouble picking because I was starving but also, everything sounded good. Sidebar: I had never been to a cuban restaurant before. I needed to look up certain ingredients and dishes because of that fact, but I was not intimidated by the unfamiliarity. I went with the Paella. It was ridiculous--so flavorful. It was peas, carrots, chorizo and shrimp, muscles and clams over an outrageously good saffron rice. Overall, the experience was a great one. Savory food, nice atmosphere and good wait staff. I will say this though. The seafood in my paella was over cooked and a little chewy. However, I will take over cooked before under cooked any day. Also, they don't allow substitutions. But I liked that. I assume it's because things like rice etc. are made in batches so they would have to literally pick out items you don't want. It forces you to taste the dishes as they are intended to be eaten in Cuban style. And if you remove certain ingredients you miss out on the fullness off the flavors. I can't wait to take my hubby here for our next date night.
As you know, this location creates an authentic Cuban ambiance. The staff is incredibly attentive and the service is great. I've been here several times and they don't disappoint. There is now a lunch special for $10 which I just can't believe. There is also an option to add an appetizer making lunch a $17 meal. See for yourself why people are dining at Azucar for lunch Monday through Friday. Special thanks to Caroline for providing top tier service. Pro Tip: the parking can be crowded during rush-hour, but be patient because there's always someone leaving.
Azucar was such a fun experience. I had the Cuban, plantains, and a mojito, everything was delicious and full of flavor. The Cuban was very authentic and the plantains were so good. They also had a live jazz player, which made the whole vibe feel really special. Definitely a great spot for food and atmosphere.
I only came here for their delicious lunch with reasonable price. The ambiance and service are great as well. I surely recommend this place for yummy Cuban dishes
Came by to dine and have a drink while I was in the area for the weekend for a work-related event. Went with a mojito, yuca fries and the palomilla. Lucky me, I came during live music and open mic night as well. Loved the food, drinks, ambiance, music and service. Will def come back here the next time I'm in the area.
Very stylish restaurant looks like stepping into a black and white movie which is set in Havana. Definitely seems a great place to take a date. The waitstaff are all very friendly. The front of house, who I assume is also the manager, checked on us regularly and was quick to provide accurate descriptions of the dishes on the menu. She even advised us that we could add an appetizer to our lunch special for a small charge. Also she shared that on Mondays Azucar offers discount mojitos. Can't go wrong with that! Ice cold water is provided in a carafe which is attentively refilled as needed. I ordered the Camaron Enchilados lunch special with Yucas on the side. Everything was well-plated and delicious to match. You can bet I will come back again and did I mention discount mojitos on Monday? Loved it!
I went to this restaurant against others recommendarions. Sadly I wish I had listened. The staff was super nice and the reviews were very good. Unfortunately the restaurant was underwhelming. I ordered Ropa Vieja a short rib dinner plate. The waiter said "this meal will take 20-25 minutes" and I said no worries I am in no rush. Well food showed up not even 7 minutes late, I should have gone with my instincts cause it did not sit well with me. I was sick from the meal before I even left the restaurant. The meal arrived and it look more like carnitas than short rib. The black beans were over salted and the rice was overcooked. The best part of the dish was the plantains. They offered live music which I would have loved to stay for. As well as they have all gender bathrooms. The restaurant offers a quick checkout through the toast app; you can close your bill either on your phone or by tapping.
Azucar is one of the most unique places I've visited in Charlotte. The Cuban food is authentic, and the bottomless sangrias during brunch are unreal. There are 6 types of sangria to choose from -or- regular mimosas. Sometimes, they even have live music! The atmosphere is also laid back and casual, and they don't try to rush you through the meal or push you out. I live in Texas, but the past 2 NC trips to see my family have included a visit to Azucar. Overall, we enjoyed our savory dishes the most. The sweet dishes are tasty, like the Guava French Toast, but it's can be a lot of sweetness when paired with the sangria. The Cuban Sandwich Egg Rolls are delicious! We've also been pleased with all our entrees, so you can't really go wrong. I haven't tried any of the lunch/dinner entrees, but I definitely plan to when I visit next.
The best place to be on a Saturday morning/early afternoon! The food is so amazing. The executive chef is friendly and you can tell he loves food. The staff is happy to be at work, and happy to take care of you. The ambiance is incredible. Latin music, mojitos, good food, and great staff ..... seriously, what more do you need. Go early, grab a coffee and a pastry, stay and eat lunch. You will have no regrets .... I promise.
A couple of weeks ago, I took my mom to Azucar after church. We always enjoy a Cuban breakfast, and this place is a winner every time. Excellent food and service. Great specials. Relaxed atmosphere. I'll be back!
We went here for a special date night dinner. Attentive service, nice menu, noisy but nice atmosphere. Food plated nicely, reasonable portions. I ordered the chicken thighs, my dining mate ordered the chicken stew. The stew really wasn't stew like but tasty. Both came with white rice, black beans and plantains. Everything very good.. Dessert was flan and tre leches cake. Also good. I would certainly come back and order from the regular menu.
2 years ago
Great lunch at Azucar! Love everything Cuban food and finally got a chance to try and it did not disappoint. Not only was the food hot and delicious, it was quick and a great value too. I got the ropa vieja lunch special which came with a scoop of white rice, beans two maduros, and small salad and a good portion of ropa for $10! Also had two delicious mojitos which were on special for $5 each. My friend got the lunch vegetarian special and she said it was really good too. Will definitely be back and try some other options! read more
We came for lunch. Our service was excellent. The food was also very good and the $5 margarita was so good I had a second one ! (Recommend going ahead and getting the pitcher for $15) We were served the sampler appetizers and enjoyed them. The croquettas were potatoes and cheese. They also had small round croquettas filled with beef or cheese. There were mustard and goddess dip included for all the fried appetizers. There were chicken and beef empanadas. The beef one tasted like it was filled with meat similar to the taste of sloppy joes. The fried yuca sticks were thick. The best item wasn't even Cuban. It was a Cuban eggroll. Think Cuban sandwich inside an eggroll. This was fabulous! They have lunch specials for $10. This was a very nice portion for lunch and, for this price, a much better option for healthier food than fast food. I got the fried tilapia with chimichurri sauce. It was moist and very tastey. The salad that came with it was very delicious, I love the dressing. It came with maduros, which make a nice little dessert at the end. The picadillo came with cranberries in it, which seemed odd. However, the person ordering it enjoyed it. We were told the most "authentic" Cuban dishes were the Vaca Frita and the Palomilla. Both folks ordering these had hispanic origin and said these dishes were very good. One person at the table ordered the clams with lobster broth and chorizo. They loved this so much they have been back regularly to get it. I put this as a 4 star because this restaurant is mostly a fusion restaurant. There are a few items that are authentic. However, most items are a blend of other countries and not specifically Cuban... and the black beans need some work. They were lacking the awesome flavor Cuban beans are known for. The beans had a "it's just a side" effort put to them. Finally was the fabulous dessert. I shared the tres leches and kinda regretted not getting my own :) This was luscious and sooooo good. They also added housemade dulce de leche blossoms on top, which was a delicious touch. You could definately taste the creamiest of this caramel made from scratch. Overall, I'd definately come back because the food is very good. Just don't expect authentic. read more
2 years ago
Best Cuban food I've ever had (including from Miami). The food was so fresh! I will definitely be back! I love how close this place is. The staff was friendly. Thank you!! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Tried Azucar for dinner after work. It's small, cozy, and the staff are incredibly friendly but professional. The decor is such a fun vibe but just a touch upscale, however we weren't uncomfortable in our jeans. We skipped appetizers this time, I had Vaca Frita and oh my was it so very tasty. I changed out the sides for Moro rice and really enjoyed it. He had Tampa Cubano with fries and he raved on the flavor. He also tried the House Rice and just loved it. I think he could eaten an entire bowl of the rice alone! We both asked for boxes to bring some of our meal home and still felt full. We will definitely be back- it's the winning combination of great food, amazing service and interesting atmosphere. read more
2 years ago
I had the appetizers - pollo croquetas and Cuban rolls. Both were perfectly cooked - not greasy fried at all. Even though we showed up with 12 of us for lunch without a reservation, they accommodated us right away and were very attentive and food came out quick! read more
2 years ago
Nice restaurant and good service. Food was tasty and the portions are enough for 1-2 people depending on how many appetizers you order before the main course. We went on a Saturday night and there was live music. We ordered the Chicken and the Picadillo Empanadas, Bistec Relleno, Masas and Cubano Sandwich. This is another alternative to have good Cuban food. read more
2 years ago
We just tried this restaurant for the first time, and it did not disappoint. The service was absolutely impeccable. We never waited for anything and the pace of the meal was perfect. We both had cocktails and they were expertly mixed and delicious. We shared the Croquetas Pollo, they were so yummy and the sauce was a great pairing. My husband ordered the Masas. The pork was tender and crispy, and the yuca fries and rice were a perfect complement. I had the branzino with chipotle potatoes and veggies with chimichurri. Delicious. The churros are miniature, filled with warm caramel and come with three dipping sauces. We could not have asked for a better dining experience and can't wait to go back! read more
1 year ago
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1 year ago
Had dinner with a girlfriend and we had an amazing time. The food was well seasoned and came out pretty promptly. The server was very attentive and everything was reasonably priced. The restaurant has a very authentic cuban feel which I can appreciate. read more
wow this place was great! i got the chicken soup which was super flavorful. we started with the patatas bravas which were warm and just the right hint of spice. my gf got the steak eggs and potatoes which was excellent. the dressing on the salad was light and flavorful as well. read more
1 year ago
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2 years ago
Food tasted very burnt and oily. Server told me that it would be crunchy and that was the style of the dish, but it had no taste or flavor to it either. May have other good dishes and it's in a great area, so I would still say try it out yourself. Sweet plantains were great and my girlfriend loved her food. read more
8 months ago
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2 years ago
I couldn't wait for this place to open! It's about time we had Cuban food in this area! Came for their lunch special, M-F 11am-3pm, $10 per dish and comes with black beans, rice, salad, and plantains, which is a lot more affordable than their dinner prices. I've tried their Pollo Guisado (Stewed Chicken, Olives, Capers, Tomato Sauce), Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef, Onion, Bell Pepper, Tomato Sauce), and Pezcado Empanadas ($14 for 2 pieces). They come on a plate that looks like a cafeteria plate. Still, not a bad deal for the variety that you get. I was not too impressed with the rice and found the chicken was dry, but otherwise, the plantains were great, and I would order the Ropa Vieja dish again. I was immensely disappointed that the empanadas only come with 2 pieces, especially for the whopping price of $14. They were a little spicy, and the skin was perfectly cooked. They tasted great, but not $14 great. Service was good, though we also ate early so they were not busy yet. It's a small venue with nice Cuban vibes with the decor. They also do online orders. read more
1 year ago
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2 years ago
Wife and I went to Azucar for lunch/brunch on a Saturday. Did not know what to expect but were pleasantly surprised! Was suspect about "bottomless" mimosa but watched the bartender pour it (in a large martini glass) and it was like most of you pour at home - 90% bubbles. The shrimp empanadas came out quickly and were stuffed with shrimp and larger than I was expecting. The dipping sauce (like a chimichurri) was tasty. I had the Con Todos de Hierros- large fluffy frittata with plenty of extra protein. The house made hot sauce was delicious. Wife had the Aguacate y Prosciutto. Huge! Two pieces of thin toast (thank you!!!) with guacamole and topped with prosciutto. Salami, slice manchego, cherry tomatoes, And pickled pearl onions. Beautiful presentation! We were too full to try dessert. Definitely will be back! read more
2 years ago
I didn't get to take a photo of the Cuban coffee and Azucar sampler that we ordered. I had scheduled for a meditation class across the street and since we had a little bit of extra time we decided to stop by at Azucar. I am so GLAD that I made that call because their AZUCAR SAMPLER was to die for. The empanadas were soooo good. The croquetas were crispy on the outside but really soft and tasty on the inside. My first thought when I had my first bite of the beef empanada was "what kind of sorcery is this? This is sooooo good." My best friend and I were literally so mind-blown. The staff were so kind and welcoming too. The inside of the restaurant gives you Havana vibes. For someone who's been to Cuba... this place is authentically Cuban. read more
Very good food and service! The empanadas, Cubano rolls, veggie wings (cauliflower) were very good. The Cuban Paella was ok - the mussels were dry and the shrimp were small. Will definitely go back and try other dishes. read more
2 years ago
Fried Duroc pork chunks, yuca fries and plantains. Fantastic! The pork was crisp on the outside & tender inside. Yuca fries & plantains were also on point. Very nice people too! read more
2 years ago
Strolling by this hidden gem and a couple sitting outside said the food was good so I decided to stop and what a great decision. I had the steak and eggs and the steak was cooked perfectly. The eggs and potatoes could have used a little salt but everything went well together. I tried some of my sons French toast and OMG was it good. The staff was nice and checked on us often. The restaurant was cozy and welcoming and I will be back read more
3 years ago
Food was delicious and authentic. We started with the ham croquetas and toston in a bowl topped with shrimp. Both appetizers were delicious. Our main entrees were rabo and masas. The flavors were authentic- a true party in my mouth! I had a Cienfuegos drink and my husband had an Old Fashioned. I loved my drink! Lastly, we ordered flan for dessert. It was the only thing we weren't impressed with; it seemed over cooked and was missing the caramelo which is clutch. We will definitely come back. Next time we plan to try the Timba for dessert. read more
3 years ago
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2 years ago
This was definitely a memorable brunch, that did not disappoint anyone in our party. If you are craving good food with a friendly and beautiful ambiance don't look any further than Azucar Cuban restaurant in Ballantyne Village. The Paella was amazing and the Kid Chocolate French Toast OMG! Don't forget to order a cortadito. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable and always checking on us. We will definitely be back! read more
1 year ago
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2 years ago
My husband and I attended for restaurant week. The food and drinks were delicious and service was great. I ordered the oxtails and piña colada. Totally recommend! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
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