I always have to get some Cuban pastelitos when I come home to south Florida! I miss having good bakeries on every corner. I came in with my MIL and we ordered almost everything! We split a Cuban sandwich that I ate with my cafe con leche. I also had a pastelito de carne (meat pastry), guava pastelito, and a pastelito de queso (cheese pastry). All of it was delicious! The pastries were fresh and flaky. The wait, however, on a Sunday morning is long! The line was from the counter to the door! It's always a good sign when they are that busy, but then you have to wait a while. We were in there for about 45 min to order and get our food to go. But no complaints once I got my food and enjoyed it! read more

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This is a cute little bakery! Only 4 tables. There are a number of pastries and treats, but a few sansandwich choices. I had a Cuban sandwich with my favorite Cuban soda, Marerva. I'd say 5 star rating based on what the place is, a small bakery with a few sandwiches. Service was friendly and attentive. Food was served in 4 minutes. Great service, ambiance and a delicious Cuban sandwich. read more

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Went here recently. Mediocre pastires. Small. Overcrowded on the weekends. Its like a walk up place. Prices were decent

This was an okay lunch in a small place that's mainly takeout. They do have a few tables, but it's limited. We decided to eat in anyway. We both ordered sandwiches. I got a media noche and he got a Cuban sandwich. Even though we'd told them we were dining in, they wrapped them to go -- then took them back. Ten minutes later we got them again, but in open containers. I'm assuming they were heating them? Again, they were ok, but we've had much better. They also have croquettas and empanadas plus a few guava and fruit pastries that look in-house made. Then there's a whole counter section with pre-wrapped/pre-made coconut candies, cake squares, etc., etc. The lady at the counter was very nice. It helps to speak Spanish, but it's not necessary. I'm glad we tried them. Now we know. read more

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In the mood for a Cuban sandwich and my wife found this little Cuban Bakery. I ordered a regular Cuban sandwich and my wife had her favorite Media Noche. Of course I had to have my Materva to drink. In a short time our sandwiches were ready and we sat at one of the four high top tables inside. They have croquettes of various types along with pastelles. The sandwiches were good and we opted to take the other halves "para llevar" (to go). Friendly service and a little spanish speeds up the ordering process. read more

El Recreo Bakery - a view of a bakery counter - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

LOVE my local cafeteria!! Coffee always hit the spot! My ladies taking the orders and just lovely! And you are always in and out great prices too !!! read more

Food, Beverage and Service 10/10 I have been trying to find a good Cuban bakery since moving up from Miami and I finally found it. The vibes here were great, even when busy the staff was nice and efficient. I don't speak Spanish and some places make you feel awkward for it, not here. The croquettas, wowwwww. Perfectly crispy and I got the last two of the batch and they were still hot. So you know they are pumping them out. I LOVED the empanadas, the filling was yummy and plentiful. The cafe con leche was perfection. I only have good things to say. If you're looking for a traditional Cuban bakery, this is it. read more

Walked in a few minutes after them opening on Sunday morning to already find several people, but line went quickly. Lady took orders to get line down and then her and two other people started working on the orders. Simple, but efficient system for small mom and pop type bakery. Took about 8 minutes to get my order ready and then the owner rang me up. 10 minutes total wait after ordering and spent about 3-4 in line. Not bad at all for a busy shop. Ordered tostada, ham croquettes, Cafe con leche (latte), guava pastel, cheese pastel, and a fried stuffed potato w/ yuca. First time here so we wanted to taste a variety of their offerings. All for $14.35 seems like a great deal. Almost Like Calle Ocho Miami prices. Cafe con leche was perfect and the way I ordered it (light & sweet), served pipping hot. Tostada could have been a bit hotter, but still warm. Ham croquettes we're delicious, and the pastels were tasty, too. Wanted to take sandwich home for lunch, but remembered already have brunch plans so maybe in a couple days I'll swing around again. read more

El Recreo Bakery - Tostada (pressed Cuban bread with lots of melted butter) YUM - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

Thank GOD for Cuban food and Cuban bakery items close to us! I moved to PB from Miami and it's hard to find authentic Cuban food even from only less than an hour north! Service is nice, the space is small and I believe take out only. read more

Best croquetas ever! I have been trying out from places but they never hit the spot. This seems like a hole in the walls type of cafeteria. It's very small and outdated but it does not disappoint read more

I've been going to this place for over a decade now and it's been my go to place for Cuban breakfast sandwiches I'm there almost every weekend thanks to my daughter who loves breakfast sandwiches just as much as I do ‍. It's a small place and gets very busy on weekends especially in the morning. I suggest ordering over the phone and if they say to pick up 15 minutes, give them 30 it gets crazy. I've only had their breakfast egg sandwich with ham and cheese or chorizo and cheese and some pastries. The sandwiches are big and pretty decent. Try them out if you're in the area read more

I have a Cuban friend from Miami who lives in Nashville. He asked me to bring him pastelitos when I visited recently. El Recreo is not too far from my home so it was easy to get there on a busy travel day. The bakery was busy, but service was quick, and since I'd called ahead, they had my order ready to go. My friend was so excited to get their pastelitos and declared the food genuine and delicious! This is a clean, pleasant little shop that really hops. The ladies who are taking orders respond pleasantly to kindness which is refreshing in SFL. Overall my experience was good, and I'll go back for more pastelitos and maybe breakfast. Certainly for Cuban coffee! read more

I called and ordered a Sandwich de Lechón (pork sandwich) and it was ready in ten minutes. I wish I took a picture of the sandwich, but the smell was killing me and I devoured it. The woman working seemed nice and I'm glad with the service. read more

El Recreo Bakery - Menu - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

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Been ordering from this wonderful Cuban bakery for over 20 plus years. Same consistency and same faces behind the counter. I love the breakfast omelet sandwich with egg/cheese/ham and a Cafe con Leche. The cuban sandwich and steak sandwich are excellent lunch options. This place is always a win! read more

No visiten a este lugar. El dueño de este lugar es una persona baja y analfabeta. Mi esposa presenció como sacó a una señora porque su nieta porque le molestaba los niños gritones. Esto fue delante de todo lo que estaban ahí presente. Los empleados discuten con él y viceversa. Pésima actitud y la comida malísima. Nos trajeron una papa rellena que tenía un trozo de hielo adentro. Yo no sé cómo este tipo de negocios existen con gentes salvajes como esta. Qué falta de respeto al cliente si usted se respeta usted mismo, busque otro lugar para gastar su dinero. Yo no sé como estas personas analfabetas, vienen a nuestro país a hacer negocios de esta manera. Qué pena este es un país para educarse y respetar para que usted lo respeten. read more

El Recreo Bakery - a box of food - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

I was so excited to see a real Cuban bakery in the area, but no. It's not clean. Food is old. My mom and I ordered some chicken and some ham croquetas. They were greasy and cold. The pastelitos were cold and soggy. We took some Cuban bread to go and it was not fresh. The doors to the kitchen are filthy and counters are dirty. You can tell someone cared about this place at one time, but those days are long gone. Que pena... read more

El Recreo Bakery - The only Cuban bakery in the area - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

Oh my goodness, this place is good. Sure, it's tucked in a less then attractive shopping strip center... driving by, you might think you are going to a place that isn't right. But's it's okay, because this place is where you want to be. I love a good sandwich, a good Cuban is something which I love too, it's like the right meat combination, and if the bread is great, then you just won something that you didn't deserve. Here, the bread they use really sets it off. The bread holds the juices of the meat, but the crust is just that perfect, crunch, without the need for munching down. This is a quick review, but look, this is a SERIOUS HIDDEN GEM, go here and eat it, because you will be pleased with the simple, but honest food here. read more

El Recreo Bakery - Sandwich Cubano - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

Such nice people. I had the sandwich Cubano, which in my humble opinion was the best version of this sandwich that I've ever eaten. The pastries look delicious. Will have to go back and try them. The place does get busy during lunch, so call ahead if you need to get in and get out. read more

The food is amazing but the fact that there is no organization to ordering and picking up food makes visits here a lot less frequent. They need to have a line to take orders, a line to pay, and a line to pick up food. It's way too chaotic all the time. read more

I literally cried the last time I picked up breakfast there because it was our last time before moving out of state. Wonderful food! Miss those old ladies! read more

Cuban sandwiches were good, though could have been toasted just a bit longer. Disappointed there were no sides of black beans and rice, or maduros or plantains. Guava and cheese pastries good as well. read more

Great Cuban bakery. Authentic Cuban coffee was awesome. Perfect for a quick stop, thoughts I was in the islands....

I come here once a week to get breakfast or lunch. Sandwiches are amazing and fresh. Always packed so I have to time when I go or else I will be there for a long time waiting on my food. Other then that there food is good. read more

The best Cuban sandwich and "Pan con Bistec" in all of Florida. I am a Cuban sandwich fan and had dozens of different ones, trust me on this one. They also have the best "Cortado". A Mini Latte with high quality coffee and the perfect proportion of sugar (you can ask for No sugar). I have been going here for years and remember my early stops on my way to work and having 2 huge Cuban toasts and 2 coffees for like less than $8 dollars (prices could be different today) and that was the highlight of the day every time. I would also bring coffee to the office and the staff loved it. They staff is the same family and they are hard working, courteous and just always great. The place is small and usually packed...get there and just enjoy all of it, is all worth it. read more

this is definitely one of those little hidden gem places... when you go there you'd see mostly latinos in this tiny little bakery then you'd think to yourself ,"YES I HIT THE FOOD JACKPOT" It's got the most amazing cuban sandwich which is a must try!!!!!! Next time i go there I am going to try their Media Noche. I also recommend their coffee and guava cheese pastry! P.S. $10 minimum for credit card charges so make sure you bring some cash just in case. read more

Without repeating what others have said about the Cafe con Leche or the breakfast sandwiches, let me just add that not only can you get a Cuban sandwich at 9am but it will be the best Cuban sandwich you've had in a long time. From breakfast items, to just about anything else you could want, this little restaurant is the real deal for anyone seeking authentic Cuban food. The staff are extremely friendly to non-Spanish speakers and they go out of their way to make sure you receive exactly what you want. My son loved the pastries, before he demolished a Cuban sandwich at 9am. The best he's "had in Broward", which tells you something. We went early, when there were customers, but not a crowd. By 10 am on a Saturday, they were BUSY. Highly recommended. read more

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I LOVE THIS PLACE. I have been coming here for yeaaaars with my parents and I just recently came back this morning for a great breakfast sandwich before going to the beach. first off the location of this place is so odd, you might feel like your going thru a very sketchy plaza down 441 but this store is a hidden gem in there. sometimes on weekends it can get very very packed in there to the point where the line is literally to the door, which can take probably about 20 min for you to get to the front. but on any other day it can be fairly easy to be in and out. one thing I never really realized until today is that they close very very early. I think on weekdays its as early as 4 o'clock that they close so if you want to check this place out you might want to make sure you go before noon or right after just to be safe. the service is very good, its ran by two hispanic ladies that are on their feet non stop (I give it to them) they have a great range of all kinds of food, drinks, and pastries. and they even offer cakes as well! I always get the same thing with is the pan con tortilla (egg omelette sandwich) and holy cow. first off for the price its freaking huge so your going to be super full after eating it for sure. second its like this crazy blend of all types of things (eggs, butter, cheese, onion, peppers) so your taste buds are in heaven. I might sound super exaggerating but honestly that sandwich is so freaking good! I wish there was a way for me to be able to make that for myself but I doubt I could make it as good as they do. but anyways please guys, if you want some crazy awesome cuban food, check this place out!!! read more

So yummy! I'm from Miami but moved to Broward and have been dying to find a Cuban Bakery around me. This place is small, quaint and just what I expected. Yummy food and sweet employees. Definitely my new breakfast spot. Que rico! read more

Great service very very friendly they make the best cafe con lech the Cuban toast is out of this world.

If you're black you should probably avoid this place at all cost. Its a Cuban bakery and the repulsive discriminatory actions of the people who work there is horrendous. Stood in front of the counter to order for 15 minutes (timed) and not even an acknowledgement by the two women or gentleman that worked there. They just kept staring at me and moving along--but make no mistake, their fellow Hispanics were served with no hesitation in front of my face. Disgusting. read more

Not exactly thrilled to stand in line for 20 minutes to order, and then wait 15 minutes for three tostadas and one cafe con leche to have burned, inedible tostada. I took it to go, so I couldn't do much about it by the time I found it was burned. I won't be back for the long lines and burnt food. read more

El Recreo Bakery - Burnt tostada. Not good - Bakeries Near Me - Margate, Florida

Not so amazing. Tiny little place with ok coffee and food. Went in last weekend and the line was to the door. Since I've been before I knew it would take an hour just to get up to the counter. Which either says there is something special I don't understand or people don't care to search for something better. 5 minutes north is Latin café. Go there instead. read more

I grew up in Key West eating Cuban food all my life and loving Cuban sandwiches. El Recreo has by far THE BEST Cuban sandwich in Dade or Broward County hands down! The cafe conleche is great too. Give it a try! read more

We are returning customer from 3 years ago. We loved their Cuban coffee also the Cuban sandwiches also please don't forget the guava pastries was the bomb. We will return again if we're in Miami again. read more

We had lunch at El Recreo, first time there, a really delicious sandwich cubano (assorted meats on a grilled roll), absolutely delicious, and also huge for around $5. Also cortaditos = caffe macchiato. The coffee was also delicious, but note, it is pre-sweetened. if you don't want sugar, say so in advance. There are also many other sandwiches and Cuban snacks of various types. Our sandwich was definitely NOT burnt (a problem noted by some other reviewers). This is a very simple place for coffee and snacks, completely authentic, run by two middle aged Cuban women, with a Spanish speaking clientele. It gets high ratings for authenticity, and we found the food delicious. Closes early, maybe around 4 PM. read more

Great Cuban food, pastries and bread always on point. Great cafe con leche! Highly recommended if you are looking to try delicious Cuban delicacies. read more

Love this place. We happened in to it since it was right around the corner from our RV park, and have been back fairly regularly since. The one star they get docked is because it always really, really long time to get in and out. The ladies who work the front are the sweetest things and are busting their tails, but between the line out the door and the call-in orders, they are always outnumbered. It usually takes us 10-15 minutes to get in and out for a cafe con leche and some pastelitos. Aside from planning the time to get in and out, we have loved everything we have tried so far- the cafes, pastries, and sandwiches. My Spanish is weak enough that I tend to hesitate working my way through the menu, but the ladies are always friendly (and their English is MUCH better than my Spanish), and I haven't had any surprises yet. As others have mentioned, it is really tiny inside, maybe 3 hightop tables that seat 2-3 people each, and you will have the line right up against your back. So don't plan a big group lunch to eat in, but definitely call in a big order and pick it up. read more

I was so happy to have been told about this place! I was raised in Miami and NJ/NY and my entire life have had easy access to delicious baked goods and delicious sandwiches from Cuban Bakeries UNTIL I moved back to FL (Sunrise, FL). Sunrise has a few bakeries but NONE are CUBAN or atleast Puerto Rican...El Recreo is THEE BEST! Customer service is so sweet and they know spanish and english and great prices. I highly recommend them! read more

Monday morning pastelitos crave lead us to El Recreo Bakery. While the tostada was good, the pastelitos were less than desirable. They seemed old in texture and flavor. We had to throw them out. The cafe con leche was ok...made fresh. read more

The only place in broward I go for amazing Cuban Sandwich's and pastries. Gets packed for a reason The staff is amazing, consistent prices and the cafe con leche is of the charts read more