El Colmao is one of those increasingly rare Los Angeles restaurants that feels like you stumbled onto a secret nobody bothered to ruin. It was a favorite of Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, which tells you something. Gold had an extraordinary eye for the soulful, unpretentious restaurants that make Los Angeles such a great food city, and El Colmao is exactly that kind of place. The Cuban food is terrific. Personally, we always get the pork, the pork ribs, the Caldo Gallego, avocado salad and the plantains, and we have never had a bad meal here. The staff is wonderful too. Lily and Eddie are especially great, so ask for them if they're there. They're warm, attentive, and take great care of you. And then there's the decor, which I love. El Colmao feels like a perfectly preserved Los Angeles time capsule. It just has character. Great food, lovely people, wonderfully old-school atmosphere. One of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles. read more

The 70's called... they said you should eat here because the dining room is what they loved the most. It's carpeted, but in a good way. We had the Cuban sandwich, rice and beans and pollo. It didn't blow us away, but the experience made up for it. Great room. Good service. Nice prices. I'm a Cuban sandwich connoisseur and I'm willing to give them a second chance. It might've been an off day? That said, this place is a blessing for the neighborhood. We will return there. read more

Food was cold! Steak was paper thin, tasted like it was cooked in old oil.. Macitas were pink inside, returned the food. They didn't even offer a discount or refund on the plate! Will NOT be returning any time soon. read more

Dude this is the OG Cuban spot--no joke. I've been coming here since I was little, and it is the best Cuban food. Don't believe me? Order their paella or Ropa Vieja. If you know Cuban food, you know this place. The platanitos are legit. The breaded steak is fire. The Cuban sandwiches are the best. They serve ice cold Iron Beer and Materva. If you smiled reading any if this-this place is for you. This spot has been holding it down for ever. Anytime my family comes to town, they ALWAYS ask so we going to Colmao? If you know anything about authentic Cuban food, you've already been here. If you've never had Cuban food, this is the perfect place to start. It's not fancy--but the food is rich! read more

Really good Cuban food and excellent service, Lily gave us good recommendations on the food and desserts.

Ordered the Paella. It was good and decent but they charged over $40. For the portion we got it was not worth it. If you don't care about price this is a good paella spot but don't waste your money thinking you'll get an actual paella sized dish for this price. Those who are Spanish know what paella is like and how big it is this was a joke for the price. read more

I first came to El Colmao for my kindergarten graduation many years ago, and it's still just as good today. The food is consistently delicious, the service is excellent, and it still has the same warm welcoming atmosphere. A true Los Angeles classic! read more

Fantastic cuban food. A little out of the way, but worth it. Lily & Eddie are great, they treat you like family

The food is amazing especially their black beans. I've been coming to this place since I was a little girl. My parents brought me here and I love their food. My favorite it's the chicken fajitas! The staff is amazing, they're very nice, friendly and they give good service! I highly recommend it!!! read more

The food was delicious! The service wonderful and quick! Never crowded. We highly recommend this amazing Cuban restaurant. Don't expect a fancy place but expect great and fast service and delicious food! read more

Ordered a tray of congri (black beans mixed with rice and pork) and a tray of maduros they were a hit at the party. Great portions, excellent service, very yummy food. We'll be back!! read more

3.5 stars I panned El Colmao a while back, but I'm happy to walk that back: their food has really improved, and the Cuban dishes I've tried have all been very, very good again. The avocado salad was generous and fresh, the roast pork delicious, the "maduros" were sweet and hot, and the black beans were really tasty. The bread is warm and the "arroz blanco" is just fine, too. Plating is a bit messy but who cares? The pacing of the meals is a bit off and wine by the glass is mingy but hey... The vibe and ambiance haven't changed much in almost 60 years and that's also a very cool thing; good authentic Cuban music plays in the room, too. Eddie (the owner) is cordial and the service is OK, too. As of this writing they're staying open until 8pm again, another real plus, as the previous 6pm closing time was a bummer. If you've got a jones for Cuban food and you're in the area I'm happy to be able to enthusiastically recommend El Colmao once again. read more

This place came highly recommended so I gave it a try for a weekday lunch and it did not disappoint. There is a big selection of items and the food was very good. I had the C11, sausage stuffed beef with sauce, rice, and black beans. They have lots of GF options. Definitely try the salsa provided in the side. The staff were great, the location is pretty standard for a stop mall restaurant. Free parking is available but there is not a lot of it. read more

El Colmao - C11. Boliche Mechado - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

A surprising gem for the neighborhood. A Cuban restaurant in a neighborhood that can seem a little "one-note." Service is friendly and food was good. The Ambiance reminds me of a neighborhood diner. If this place were hype or in a more robust food destination neighborhood, maybe it would've gotten a lower review, but for the neighborhood this place truly shines. I will be back to see what I've missed out on. read more

See all

Ordered picadillo....too salty and too much fat. Pap rellena good even though the same meat from Picadillo used at least it's well packed. They burned the fried plantains so I won't order that anymore. read more

El Colmao - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is a classic Cuban staple restaurant. I've been coming here for years and the food is always amazing. Their black beans are always so savory and their breaded Milanese is "chefs kiss" Service is always quick and the server is always courteous. Come here for a lunch date and watch your SO be impressed! read more

Had lunch here today after reading the reviews in the LA Times. The service was good and the restaraunt had a decent size dining room with around 20 tables. The ambience could have been better but someone in the kitchen was pounding on metal for nearly an hour straight! I could barely hear my guest talking when the pounding was going on. The noise was annoying. Make it worse this was happening during lunch time! Not good. I ordered the Cuban Sandwich and it was ok, not great. The meat was tender and the bread soft but it didn't have the other items I usually get on a Cubano, like mustard. It made the sandwich kind of dry. I ordered the green plantains like the LA Times suggested and they were very good. So with the noise coming from the kitchen and the dry Cuban Sandwich I can't give this place a great review. Sorry :( read more

Oh my goodness if you want delicious Cuban food this is the place to be! The atmosphere really sets the tone and makes you feel like you're Havana. The Cuban bread and empanadas to die for and the pork chop with rice and black beans to die for. I would eat here again went on a Wednesday not very crowded and the service was very friendly. I would recommend coming here if you want authentic Cuban food. read more

I had not been here for a few years and man it felts good to be back my daughter just loves this place and we're able to bring my granddaughter as well. I was worried that it had closed but so happy to see place still running and in my book serving the best of Cuban food we love this place and I have so many memories as a kid coming here with my parents I think I was 8 yrs old a time when things were simple love this place read more

A hidden gem in LA, been coming here since I was a child! My go to order is a #2 that comes with breaded steak, rice and beans! Not to mention the delicious house bread! Facility is clean and service is excellent! Give them a try, you won't regret it!! read more

This is a nice Cuban food place. I got ropa vieja for take out. It's beef with Cuban sauce. The waiter kindly asked me if I wanted both rice and black beans, and I told him I preferred to have 2 servings of white rice. They also included 1 roll. Food tastes great. The interior of the restaurant looks elegant. read more

El Colmao - Ropa vieja - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Found this spot after searching for a Cuban restaurant in the area of the convention center. Let me tell you, it's delicious! I ordered the picadillo and the flavor is amazing. The caldo gallego was soooo good! The service was excellent and the staff were all so friendly! Definitely coming back! read more

El Colmao - Picadillo with white rice, black beans and a side of platanos. - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place has been around for 54 years and the food is a big reason why, I ordered up the chicken breast plate with rice and beans , it was very good , very fresh and it had a good seasoning to it . We also ordered up five empanadas both beef and chicken, they were brought out very fast, they were tender and very good , the service here is very fast and attentive . The ambiance is family like this is a very old restaurant and there are a lot of people who have been coming here for the last 54 years . read more

See all

Amazing!!! Food is bomb pollo aljerez, bistec empanizado, rice and beans are delicious and had tostones. Food here is fire, been coming here since I was 2 years old.. read more

El Colmao - P1. Pollo al Jerez - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Amazing food!!! Their Cubano Sandwich, Ropa Vieja & Empanadas were absolutely amazing. read more

El Colmao - Sooo many good things to choose from so we chose a lot. - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great place for the family to experience cuban cuisine the old fashioned way. We enjoyed the special of the day, fish and I had the ox tail.

This is our go to place for Cuban food. So delicious and very friendly service, we drive over 25 miles to enjoy this food.

Stopped by on Mother's Day and the food was great as always. Been coming here since I was a kid and the food and service are always exceptional. I will definitely keep coming back anytime I'm in LA and get a craving for Cuban food. read more

Food here is so good! Server and service is awesome. My dad said he's been coming here for at least 30 years and we hope to be coming here for the next 30 years. We drive an hour away to eat Cuban food here and look forward to it every time. read more

"QUE RICO......" Delicious, home cooking and totally delish in ALL aspects. A staple of Cuban Food Here in Los Angeles......! Yummmmmm read more

A great vintage restaurant great Cuban food you feel like you're walking into a Miami Cuban diner. They've been there for over 50 years. I used to go there when I was a kid. read more

This place is very good. I love the music and the vibe here. I always have the breaded steak with rice and black beans. Definitely do recommend this restaurant to everyone I know. Please be sure to check it out soon. read more

El Colmao - Pepsi please. - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It was always my Go To place for roast chicken in rich wine and onion sauce. This time sauce was very bland and there was not much of it. Whoever the chef is needs to go back to the great cooking methods that made this a memorable meal. The dish is called Pollo de Juarez! read more

I was in LA to go to the LA Natural History Museum. We were hungry for Cuban food and thought we would give this place a try. Service was great. I ordered the 1/2 chicken with yuca and congri. It was great. read more

Delicious Cuban food, I had the oxtails and I would highly recommend them. The chicken steak is also very delicious. Make sure you taste the black beans! The service was outstanding. The prices are very reasonable. I will be returning often. read more

Came here with my boss and coworkers. The food was amazing! Everyone was so friendly. A big hug of an experience!

I've been coming here for 15 years. It always been great. The food is excellent. This is one of the best Cuban restaurants in LA

Been coming here since I was a little girl and now my older daughter takes her friends. The prices are way cheaper than any other Cuban restaurant around and the food is Great! I love that till this day they still have some of the same waitresses working there and even the new one was super sweet. This place is a no frills restaurant but what it lacks in decor it makes up on quality of food, for sure. read more

See all

This is the best Cuban Spot outside of Miami and Cuba itself. Their menu has not changed in decades because it's that delicious and good. The Queen herself (Celia) would come here when in LA read more

El Colmao - Yuca al mojo de ajo - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've been going here since I was a little girl, and this last time, I was so disappointed. Food just did t taste good. Black beans had no salt (what!!!), bistec empanizado was ok, rice was mediocre. I hope this was a one off and the main cook was sick or something. I had invited friend who had never eaten Cuban food and I was so sad they had this as their first experience. read more