I've been to Catalú a few times in the past, but only for dinner. I love the red sangria there! This time was different in a few ways. I went on a walk with my partner on Sunday morning to grab brunch. It was sunny and beautiful outside, but our hearts were heavy with the loss of our sweet Shih Tzu, Harpo, the night before. I couldn't keep the tears away no matter how hard I tried, and entered the restaurant with Kim Kardashian-level cry face. The hostess and the restaurant director, Alex, immediately empathized with us and shared stories of their own furry friends. I was definitely interested in the $1 mimosas they have on Sundays and Alex made sure we had one in our hands before we had the chance to review the menu. As a starter, we ordered las croquetas-- great flavor and creamy on the inside. We ordered the steak & eggs and the Spanish omelette. Both were delicious! I can always count on Catalú to serve some delicious potatoes. The sauce had a little bit of spice, but nothing too crazy for me. The team went out of their way with their generosity and gifted us the French toast, banana split, and a celebration toast for our sweet boy. The banana split was my favorite! I loved the ice cream and the crispy, brûléed bananas were amazing. Everyone showed us so much kindness and warmth during such a sad day. I really felt like our decision to stop in that morning was the universe reminding us that there is so much compassion and love in the world to go around-- even without our sweet boy beside us. Thank you so much to the entire Catalú team for making us feel loved and seen. I really cannot thank you all enough. read more

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Five star service at the bar with Mia. Great light airy ambiance with lots of natural light. Now for the best part of our first experience at Catalu. Tapas arrive quickly and they passed the test with flavorful calamar, charred broccolini, and paella for two! Pro-Tip Arrive between 4-6pm to experience half off tapas! One request from owners...larger portions on the calamari read more

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(From November 2025) In the mood for spanish/tapas-style eats, OpenTable brought us here. My Dad never had tapas-style dishes so this was a first for him. We got a table here on a Saturday evening in early November and had high expectations based on the ratings. The experience was fine but there was more to be desired. Our server Joseph was very attentive and made sure our waters were filled and gave excellent descriptions of the dishes along with a nice wine pairing for me. Starting with the marinara charcuterie, the spread looked appetizing although we were surprised the spanish tuna was served in a canister. Upon eating it, it wasn't anything to write home about although we liked the mushrooms that came with it. We also had the pan con tomate which is basically rustic bread with a tomato spread and olive oil and we added the ham (jamon) to it. Taste wise, it was alright; we felt it lacked some seasoning and the presentation was kind of plain. Other dishes we ordered were the broccolini, the beef empanadas, and the grilled steak. Those dishes were excellent and we should've ordered more of those. The broccolini had a nice char, the empanadas were flaky, and the steak was tender. The food menu is more condensed compared to other Tapas places I've been to. You'll get your traditional spanish eats such as the patatas bravas, abondigas, the pulpo a la gallega (octopus) and of course the paella. The menus have more focus on alcoholic beverages with a lot of wine options, cocktails, and sangrias. The sangria flight seems popular here and I probably should've gone with that instead of my glass of Bodgeas Rivera Tempranillo. But I enjoyed the wine as it paired well with most of the dishes. While there are plenty of other options in Charlotte, this spot is a favorite amongst Charlatans for Spanish/European eats. I wouldn't mind coming back next time I'm in Charlotte to try other dishes here and that Sangria flight. read more

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We came as a group of 9. Most of the menu is tapas. There are maybe 5 other full entrees to select from so not a large choice if you want your own meal. We ordered brussel sprouts as an appetizer and it came with the entrees we ordered. They were good. The charcuterie was also good. 2 of us ordered the paella for 2, and the waiter warned us it would take 1/2 hr to cook it so we needed to order right away, so we did. The paella was not edible. The rice was not cooked all the way and even the shrimp was raw in the middle. Both of us that ordered the paella for 2 asked for a box immediately so that we could take it home and cook it the rest of the way. We did mention it to the manager and he gave us some BS about it's supposed to be that way. The other person had been to Spain and I've had decent paella elsewhere and we both told him that's not true. He did take it off our bills. We then ordered the cheesecake. It was good. However, in addition to the raw and inedible food, the most disappointing thing we discovered is that they did not have a women's restroom. There were 2 nasty mixed use restrooms as if we were at a gas station in the middle of nowhere instead of a restaurant. Women deserve their own space and this lack of accommodation will prevent us from returning. Finally, they validate parking for 2 hours. They took so long to serve us, we ended up having to pay $10 in the attached parking garage. This was a horrible experience. We absolutely will not return. read more

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TLDR- would happily return with friends for the variety of dishes and the ability to split the cost (so it feels more worth it) but I would consider other restaurants before choosing this place first. Ambiance- upscale rustic yet modern style restaurant with dim lighting to create a relaxed and cozy dinner vibe. Perfect place for a big group of friends to share a bunch of plates. And bonus points for having plenty of explicitly marked gluten free items, particularly as someone with multiple friends with celiac. Service- server was attentive, timely, and very kind. Food- I went with a large group and we ordered many plates to share. But here's a quick rundown on the dishes I order again and what I'd pass. With 8 people, we all paid about $40 per person in total. Also note that not everything we ordered is discussed or photographed in my review. Order again- the paella, we ordered the Catalu with sirloin and the arroz negro with the squid ink rice and both were very delicious and they come with a generous portion. The proteins were cooked very well within both. The rice on the bottom has a nice crisp and it's clear by the flavor within that it took a long time to make (order this first upon arrival, it will take a long time to prepare!). Would consider ordering again- The spiced meatballs, patatas bravas, calamari, and grilled octopus were all good but nothing super memorable. All of these tasted great- don't get me wrong. but none of these dishes feel unique or special. For this price point and location, that is an important factor to consider. I think Yunta had better versions of the ceviche and the patatas bravas, and the grilled octopus. Pass on the grilled olives- small portion, nothing special, not worth it for the price in my opinion. read more

I've been wanting to check out Catalu for a while! I love Que Hospitality so much and this new concept did NOT disappoint. A fellow Yelp Elite went with me to indulge in a Saturday brunch!! We had a great time, helpful staff and fast service!! We made a reservation for 12pm and shockingly it wasn't busy at all. We started our meal with a sangria flight and the build your own mimosa with passionfruit juice. DELISH!!! We also loved that they didn't change the space too much. This is the same space as Eight and Sand, which we also really enjoyed. So, it was nice to see it looked pretty similar with the same kind of vibes, plants and all!! We order a few tapas: brussels, shrimp & grits, ceviche and empanadas. Wow, ALL of these were sooooo soooooo good!!!!! It was hard to save room for the main entree which was also incredible! We both ordered the braised beef cheeks and really enjoyed it. I literally didn't eat again that day, I was full all day lol. This was such a great brunch for me!!! I will be back again and again!! They also validate parking in the garage attached so parking was a breeze. Definitely recommend this spot!! read more

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I booked a table for 6 during their New Years Eve dinner special, which included welcome drinks, a midway champagne toast, and unlimited tapas for 2 hours. I thought this was a good deal considering all the various dishes we got to try while we were there! For drinks, I ordered the Devils Playground (spiced pear gin & tonic) it was light & refreshing. The espresso martini was a popular choice at our table as well. My favorites tapas included the braised beef empanadas and oxtail with mashed potatoes. Both were so tender and well seasoned. The paella was amazing, each couple split a plate. Though it's not my favorite, our table raved about the beet salad with goat cheese & pistachios. We also tried the spiced meat balls, brussel sprouts, and the fried calamari. Nothing stayed on the plate long enough for a picture. For dessert, we split the churros with chocolate sauce and the banana split with pistachio ice cream - the latter being the winner with its unique flavor profile. We would definitely try Catalú again! read more

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Great Spanish tapas restaurant in South End. The place is really pretty. I love all the decorations and Spanish art. Service was great! Our server was very helpful and friendly. My family ordered tapas to share and then we all shared a paella after. The tapas were all very tasty. The croquetas were creamy and flavorful. The beef empanadas were also good. They had a lot of shredded beef! We also tried patatas bravas, which had a nice spice to them. And the albondigas were also tasty, but not my favorite. We then had the catalu paella which had steak and chorizo in it. The steak was perfectly cooked with a nice char flavor. The paella itself was fine but I did love the chorizo. Overall, I had a nice experience at this restauant! read more

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We usually have our son choose restaurants and he chose this outstanding restaurant. We made reservations just in case it was busy. We able to be seated earlier than requested once we arrived. The atmosphere and ambiance is great for intimate settings or groups. They have a rather large drink menu compared to the food. This is a tapas style restaurant. We ordered several items from the menu. See the pics please. The main reason our son chose this restaurant was the paella. Our server was very good and not overly attentive. It was a great balance. He ensured our food was delivered promptly and he always kept our waters full. Every dish was prepared and presented well. The flavors of every plate were complex and robust. Not over powering, but balanced. The price was fine for the dining experience, the vibe, service, quality, and quantity. We would definitely dine here again. Highly recommend giving Catalú a try. read more

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We decided to try Catalu based on the great reviews but the experience was overall underwhelming. Nothing was terrible but nothing was amazing. We had reservations for 4 for 5:30. The restaurant was basically empty when we arrived and they said they had us at a high top if that was OK. As the restaurant was basically empty I said we preferred not. The manager at the front then took several minutes not saying anything to find us a table. It was long enough that other people came in and then went up and around us to be seated because nothing was happening. Finally we were seated. Service started out good, sangria samples were not great so we didn't order. We started with empanadas and brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were warmish but not hot but otherwise good. Empanadas were okay but not a lot of flavor. Meatballs were also warm but not hot. The restaurant got busy and service slowed down considerably. I wouldn't recommend or go back. It's okay but not great. read more

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Catalú is a true Charlotte gem! We started with the beet salad and piquillos peppers--both fresh, flavorful, and beautifully done. Then came the stars of the night: the Valenciana paella with tender chicken and rabbit, and the Arroz Negro del Mar loaded with fresh seafood and that rich, savory squid ink flavor. Both were absolutely outstanding! The oxtail was another highlight--melt-in-your-mouth tender with incredible depth of flavor. And for dessert? The Basque cheesecake was creamy and perfectly caramelized, while the churros were crisp, warm, and impossible to stop eating. Great service, cozy atmosphere, and dishes that transport you straight to Spain--Catalú is a must-try for any foodie in Charlotte! read more

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Menu...check. Food...check. Experience...check. We came on a Sat night around 6:30 and were seated immediately. They have a large outdoor patio, hightops, bar seating and traditional table. Lots of seating options. The atmosphere is very attractive or upscale, yet still casual and inviting. Beer menu was lacking local IPA's. This was a little disappointing. We spent some time looking over the menu as there were lots of attractive options. We started with the Beet Salad ($10) and it was really good! My bride ordered the Ceviche ($15) and Canelones ($12) and she cleaned her plates :) I went with the Gambas Al Ajillo ($13) and Piquillo Peppers ($11) and enjoyed them both....would order them again! Service from Alejo was great. I don't find many places like this in South End or Charlotte really....we will certainly come back again! read more

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Great happy hour, go on Tuesdays for half off cocktails too! The atmosphere here is one of my favorite. Decorated so clean and new. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. We will definitely be back! read more

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Charlotte's most slept on...by a mile. I don't know how to feel. On one hand I was absolutely thrilled to have experienced this place for the first time. On the other hand, how did I not know this place existed. I'm looking at you Axios/Charlotte foodie influencers (also side eyeing Yelp top restaurant list). Okay about Catalú Exceptional customer service. The food is delectable, but I was thoroughly impressed by the staff. Olivia and Joseph made my visit so comfortable. Olivia was incredibly attentive, and knowledgeable. And Joseph would appear, addressing any issue I had. But also immediately applying some sort of solution/remedy. The mimosa wasn't hiting that day. Joseph immediately was aware of the issue, and swept the drinks away. He inquired about anything else we were interested in, and insisted he'd make it right. Easily a 10/10 customer service experience. Now the food I decided on the Torrija French Toast, and Rabo de Toro hash. Both were delicious, and were a perfect salty/sweet combo. The oxtail were plentiful and tender. The eggs were cooked perfectly on top of these savory chunks of potato. The french toast was different from any I've had. It was "Spanish style" so the toast was baked in, with a guava filling. The cream cheese melting in your mouth, with the crunch of the pistachio dust layer on top is next level. Pro tip: Park on the street if you don't live in South End and can't walk over. The deck closes to the the restaurant charges 11.00 an hour. read more

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It's been a while since I've been to Catalu but when they announced a new brunch menu with $1 mimosas to kick it off we had to go. Still delicious and the vibes are still high. The DJ could've been a little less loud but it was still fun. We had the chicken and waffles and breakfast club. The waffle was perfectly done and chicken crispy. The bread on the club was like something I've never had. So impressed with the new menu. read more

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Visited for brunch at 12. Make reservations as they kept tables full during our time. They also had a dj bringing a great vibe. They had a $1 mimosa special and they were legit regular $3. We tried the hash 4.3/5, bravas potatoes 5/5, chicken and waffles 4.3/5. EVERYTHING has flavor! The hash I wish had more potatoes. The chicken was so juicy and crunchy and the waffle was sweet but more dense than I would prefer but still very solid. The service was great thanks to Mario! Also had a classic mojito which very good ! Def recommend. read more

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Dishes we got that we loved: beef cheek, calamari and Brussels sprouts were excellent! What we did not love was the Negro (squid ink) Paella for two. It was supposed to come with head on shrimp and octopus. It had only 4-5 regular small shrimp and about 4 tiny tentacles, with some small chopped octopus in the center. Which was a let down for $32 price point. It was also almost too salty to eat. Our server was GREAT, and multiple people were running plates out to our table. Service was spot on. Will we be back? Absolutely. But won't order the Paellas again. That's sad, because it's hard to find good Spanish food in Charlotte. FYI they have 1/2 off tapas during happy hour, think it was 4-6pm. And the have a nice outdoor seating area that is covered. read more

I had a wonderful experience eating here with friends. I went on a Sunday for the $1 mimosas. The service was amazing. The ambiance was so refreshing. The food was good, I would have wanted a bit more flavor. The vibe was there so I will definitely be back. read more

Solid restaurant. We ate too much. I love the price compared to the value. All the dishes were the right size and flavorful. While it's not a buffet, I love buffets bc you can try a lot of different foods in case something isn't good. Well i bought like 9 different things and not a single one missed. Service was prompt and upscale so overall great vibe. read more

We got on late Friday night after 10 pm and thankfully they were able to still serve food We the bravas , gambas among other items . And glad to have my Estrella damn the one I miss from Barcelona . The servers were super nice and even gave us some tips on falls to Visit on our trip thru the Smokey mountains read more

Catalú - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

It was okay. This is the old Eight & Sand space. They didn't do much to change the space. So if you think that is what it is that's what it is. Garlic shrimp not as garlicky as we'd have liked. There wasn't that much flavor for having f garlic and a dusting of chili powder. The shrimp were tasty on their own. Also had the seafood paella - absolutely no flavor and the rice was crunchy. Not sure where the aioli was but it certainly did not add any flavor. Once the mussels and shrimp were tackled, it was difficult to find those calamari. Olive oil cake may be traditional but it's olive oil. If you love olive oil, you'll enjoy this cake. If you don't and are expecting chocolate- don't do it. The service was okay. Not outstanding, not bad just meh. We'd try again different dishes. read more

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I've been wanting to try this spot out since it opened. My boyfriend and I went this past weekend for his birthday. The service was great. Our server was very attentive, recommended great items, and was very friendly. He event surprised us with free dessert for his birthday. I love tapas - style restaurants, because it gives you a chance to try a variety of different items. I highly recommend the piquillo peppers, the potatoes bravas, and the oxtail. It was all SO delicious. The bread with the manchego and tomate at the beginning was also a good place to start. The espresso martini was also a hit! We went with the steak paella for our main dish that we ordered right when we sat down since it can take up to 45 min to make. Ours came out pretty quick though, probably only 20 min or so. I did not like the smokiness flavor of this dish, however, I think I'm just not used to paella style cooking. Everything else was great. Will definitely be back to try other dishes soon! read more

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Met a friend here to catch up and honestly it was a little disappointing. I started to order the oxtail but then I saw they had grilled steak and I was in the mood for steak. The waiter said it was good so I went with that. The cut was supposed to be center cut sirloin but it was probably the fattiest slice I have ever had. I let my waiter know and she looked at it and said yea that is really fatty then proceeded to explain that sometimes the cuts come out fatty. It was so fatty I almost chocked trying to get it down. On top of that the waiter never refilled our water pitcher so I stopped eating the steak with nothing available to wash it down. Still hungry, I ended up ordering the oxtail (which were delicious, highly recommend) to take home and then when my check came she had charged me for 2 orders of oxtail and the steak. When I asked her why I was charged for two oxtails she proceeded to tell me I had eaten a plate of oxtails already and ordered one to go. I told her no, I did not... I had the one plate of fatty steak I couldn't eat and ordered the oxtail to go since I was obviously still hungry. If she had come back to the table enough she might have known that. The ambiance in the restaurant was nice but given my experience I'm not intrigued to return especially when Barcelona Wine Bar is not that far away. Also, finding parking sucked. I would however return for the oxtails to go... but make sure you order them in and then box them up yourself. When I got home and opened my box, I only had 3 tiny oxtails when my friend was given 5 in the restaurant earlier. read more

Catalú - To go order of oxtails - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I've always been curious about the hype, so in my quest for something new and flavorful, but not too far from our usual spots, I decided to give Catalú a try. Now, I honestly kick myself for not coming here sooner! We started with a couple of tapas, and the first to arrive was the Pulpo--absolutely superb, served on a layer of crispy papas bravas! Then came the Gambas al Ajillo, which was equally delicious and beautifully presented. I swear, just typing this is making my mouth water! Next up, my wife's all-time favorite dish--Paella. No matter where we go, she always orders it to compare, and let me tell you, Catalú did not disappoint. I don't want to upset our go-to spots, but I have to admit, the flavors took me straight to the heart of Barcelona, Spain. It was an unforgettable experience! Special thanks to Jesse our server and Erick one of the managers that was absolutely fantastic! You have convinced me to be a regular! read more

Catalú - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The BEST tapas!! While I enjoy the location/atmosphere of a nearby tapas spot slightly more, I found the menu options at Catalú superior. There were so many vegetarian options and each one I tried was fabulous (no misses!). The presentation of my cocktail was beautiful (frozen ice in the rose) and the flavors were great. The restaurant is eclectic and a bit moody at nighttime which I enjoy. Service was average/satisfactory. Normally they validate parking at the nearby garage, but it happened to be out of service this night which was a bummer. Planning to come back soon though, especially for the stuffed peppers! read more

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LOVE!!! New favorite restaurant in charlotte. Went with friends for charlotte restaurant week, so glad we did! I am going to come back for my birthday next month, that's how much I loved it. Drinks were great. Cute presentation on the three we had at the table and all tasted great. We did not have a single thing we didn't like. Everything was so good! I love Barcelona wine bar, but now that I've tried Catalu, Catalu is much better. read more

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This is going to become a "usual" for us. We ordered several different topics and each one of them were excellent. The octopus and potatoes were my favorite. I loved the red sangria and the crema Catalana was delicious. It was not what I expected, but I loved how light and fluffy it was. The service was excellent and the outdoor seating was great! Very pleased with this restaurant. read more

We kicked things off at Catalú with their Sangria Flight -- 4 samples of sangrias that were all spot on. My favorite ended up being the classic red (easy choice since I wasn't drinking alone, we were a group of four ). Then came the tapas: the pulpo a la gallega was delicious -- flavorful with a generous portion and tasty sauce -- though the octopus pieces were a bit too thin for my taste (I usually prefer chunkier bites ). The patatas bravas had just the right kick, and the jamón croquettes were crispy outside, creamy inside, and vanished way too quickly. For mains, we went all in with paellas: the black seafood rice and the Valenciana. Both were packed with flavor, and the cherry on top -- they were half price . To finish, I ordered a cappuccino with desserts: churros, Basque cheesecake, and crema catalana. The churros were softer than I'd like and the cheesecake was on the dry side, but the crema catalana was spot on. The vibe? Modern, lively, and perfect for sharing with friends. Prices were super fair, and the service -- led by the manager -- was quick and efficient. Overall, Catalú is a spot I'd gladly come back to for tapas, paella, and definitely another round of sangria . read more

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Excellent service. Great wine list. Loved the food. They take reservations. They have great happy hour deals. read more

My boyfriend and I came here as we were craving some paella. They have lots of different tapas options and a handful of paella options. The tapas being tapas were very small portions and kinda pricy for how small they are. Also, the paella takes 40 mins to make and they recommend it for 2 people but we weren't full after eating the whole paella and 2 tapas. Overall, the price doesn't match the portion of the food and honestly wasn't the best paella I've had read more

Catalú - The Valenciana Dinner - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

First time here and I liked it. The food was good and so were the drinks. Wasn't the biggest fan of the paella as it was salty. The service was good, attentive and informative. The ambiance is a chill girls night out. They are pretty spacious so lots of seating options. You'll have to park in the parking garage though and they validate it for the first two hours. Don't get towed or get a ticket. read more

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This was our first visit. Ever was friendly and extremely accommodating. Our waiter took the time to answer our questions and explain the menu. We started out with the. PULPO A LA GALLEGA Grilled Spanish octopus, crispy potato, spicy aioli, extra virgin olive oil. This dish was well seasoned and tasty. Our only issue is the Octopus was some of the chewiest we've ever had. It usually almost melts in your mouth, but not this. Second we had the CANELONES Crepes stuffed with chicken and spinach, bechamel sauce, Manchego cheese The Crepes were nice and thin and the Chicken bety tender. The Bechamel Sauce was very tasty. The Crispy Manchego Cheese made for a great presentation. Finally we had the GAMBAS AL AJILLO Sautéed shrimp, garlic olive oil, brandy, garlic chips, chile de arbol dust, toast This best version of this dish we've ever had was in St Louis, until NOW! The Shrimp were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I should have asked for more bread to soak up the Garlic Olive Oil, Brandy and Garlic Chips. We'll definitely be back to try a few more Tapas. read more

Catalú - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Drinks were fantastic! I love that they actually have weekly specials that involve drinks. I had the old fashion and loved it - it's a little on the sweeter side but that's my preference. Our waiter was nice but I felt fumbled the menu just a little. I'm currently dairy free and found majority of the menu I couldn't have. I will be back to try more of the menu read more

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Great spot for tapas. Love the idea of a flight of sangria- my favorite was the frozen one. Best tapa- the oxtail. Croquetas needed more ham taste- too much bechamel taste. read more

Catalú - Crema catalana - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I have to give a one star rating because they charged me 40 extra dollars for a dish that I didn't order and when I contacted them about it, they gave me an email to contact and nobody responded to the email. Make sure you check your receipts. read more

Good, but a little overpriced for what it is. Biggest complaint is most of our dishes came out lukewarm, nothing was actually hot. Kind of brought everything down a notch. Our waiter was super nice. They do have specials like half off tapas and drinks certain days, so would likely return for half off versus regular price. read more

Catalú - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Sangria flight was great. Tried the calamari and te paella. Decor is very nice. Eating outside is lovely just a warning. Patella takes about 40 minutes to make . read more

Catalú - Sangria Flight - Spanish Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Great new spot on rail trail in South End! Specializing in Spanish tapas with a menu that should change with the seasons. The service and ambiance are worth 4 stars on their own! Such friendly people who care and know the menu extensively. The food was fantastic as well. Their patatas bravas are full of flavor while the pinchitos bring a great snap with some heat. Their charcuterie is also fantastic with great options to choose from. I do believe they validate parking, but I would double check. read more

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Paella was excellent and the flan with orange topping refreshing and rich. Excellent service and trendy atmosphere.

Dinner with friends on Friday night. Reservation recommended - the restaurant was completely full when we were there. Casual. Tapa style food - food selection was limited but alcohol list was rather comprehensive. Flavorful except the market fish (NC trout) was pretty plain. Paella was great. Charcuterie board was served with the wrong selection and our server helped correct it. The restaurant seemed to be a bit understaffed as our server also had to take care of the guests standing at the bar so I had to go to the bar to ask for dessert and check. She was being helpful but just too busy to check in with us. Parking validation for 2 hours; definitely a plus given the south end location. read more

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