The chicharrones here are heavenly! Came here around 5 on a weekday with a friend and it was not very crowded, which was great because the place definitely filled up near the end of our time here. Our waitress was awesome as I couldn't choose which cider to try and she brought me something local to try before I decided. Their menu was nice because they had a lot of local beers and ciders. I ordered the chicharrones and el dorado to share and the portion sizes really blew me away. My friend and I were very hungry and we still had leftovers after just those two dishes. I would highly recommend both dishes but the chicharrones really stood out to me because I didn't realize the pork belly slices would be so big. Had lots of fun here and wished I lived nearby so that I could try all the dishes. Next time I'm in town, I'd like to stop by to try their desserts or their cocktails. read more

Gustazo - Chicharrones - Cuban Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Great romantic restaurant with good drinks and food. Recommend making reservations Parking: mostly street (pay meter) or nearby parking lots. If going during normal dinner times especially on weekends plan to come early for Parking. It gets hectic. Food: lots of tapas (small plates to share). A few entrees offered. Drinks were creative and good. Must get dishes in my opinion: pork belly, ribs, and yucca. Dishes I have had better somewhere else (but still decent here): octopus, flan, empanadas Service: was amazing but the night I went was quite busy and one of my tapas did not arrive. We ordered way too many anyway so we were ok with it being canceled. Ambiance: dim lit and well decorated. Able to accommodate groups. Attire: dressy. I didn't see anyone in sweatpants but also not formal like a suit. read more

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Literally the Best Pl., I've been since Covid began. Their outdoor seating? Stellar. The ambience? Stellar. The wait staff? Stellar. Social distancing? Perfect. I can't say enough about this place. The drinks were great, we got a few small plates and two of our friends actually got me nails as well. Nobody left hungry. Every item was better than the next. Like it was a build up to the amazing desert of churros with hot dip chocolate. You have to try this place. Seriously. read more

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Hadn't been back to this restaurant in over 2 years and the menu has been significantly cut with many of my favorites removed. The entrée options were very limited and my go to roasted pork was dry & saltly. The Tapas menu was also reduced and unremarkable. Aside from the black beans and mojitos it didn't taste or feel like a Cuban restaurant at all. I was incredibly disappointed, as were the other 3 ppl in my party. They've also added of 4% kitchen appreciation fee and tip calculations based on the extra charge, which I think is in poor taste. This used to be one of the best Cuban restaurants in the area but I wont be making another trip back, sorry. ~ A local Cuban read more

From Best to Worst: Stay Away! Gustazo's in Waltham was always worth the 7-mile trek to get the best Cubano sandwich anywhere in the Boston area, and we made that trek multiple times a year. As recently as January, it was the same old great Cubano: 8 inches long, full of plenty of all the ingredients, making it an unctuous, delicious, and immensely satisfying experience. No longer. Yesterday, we went again, and what did we find when we got our sandwiches home: 6 inches long and less than half as much filling, making is a dry, much less tasty, very pour cousin of what it used to be. 25% smaller, more than 50% less filling. And to top it off, since January they increased the price from $14 to $16 for the sandwich, so 2 sandwiches plus tax and fees and minimum 18% tip you are pressured into adding in the online take-out order checkout cost $42 and a few cents. What a crime! What a ripoff! Never again. read more

This will be one of my rare reviews where the photos will say it all. I researched 27 restaurants to find a good fit for our anniversary dinner. Gustazo Waltham did not disappoint. read more

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I WENT BACK THE VERY NEXT DAY CUS IT WAS SO GOOD!!! Wow Can we talk about how this is the absolute BEST octopus I've ever had the joy of eating??? I never knew grilled octopus could be so tender and melt in you mouth like that. So often you get a rubbery texture from overcooking but this is an experience into how it can be done right. Empanadas of the day were packed with filling and flavor, outer shell is is beautiful bake with lovely textured garnish. Sauce is delish. Cubano sandwich was amazing. Brought home a bite as leftovers for my brother and after a single bite he was tempted to drive 2hrs round trip just to grab a full sandwich himself. I think I'm in love with this restaurant. Everyone please go and support this amazing place. read more

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Huge dining room with a large, partially covered outdoor area which is quite pleasant. Mixed drinks were awesome (I had the Elder Blossoms, others at my table had the mojito). Great for groups, we were a table of 5. Food was also excellent. Nice twist to the guac, using plantain chips instead of regular chips. read more

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Dine in with mice running between your legs!!! I have dine at Gustazo Cuban 3 times and though the food was very good. But last night while dining we spotted mice running in the dining room. We reached out to a hostess who seem not to be bothered by this event. It seems like this is a normal instance in the restaurant since I have read a couple of other reviews of similar events recently at this restaurant. Honestly no matter how good the food and service, I will never return to this restaurant. Poor response from hostess and mice while dining is not worth the food. read more

The food was very tasty. Service was great, attentive, and considerate of food sensitivities. Cocktails were amazing! The nuances of their cocktails were fantastic, kudos to the mixologist! read more

My friends and I have eaten here now three times and have not been disappointed! Prompt service, cozy atmosphere and tasty food. read more

Gustazo - Ceviche - Cuban Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

First time eating at Gustazo even though I've lived in Waltham for 30+ years. Boy was I missing out. Unassuming front entrance until you go inside and I was transported to another place. The space is really nice with super high, tin lined ceilings. It's also a huge space! Very warm and friendly atmosphere. My friend and I sat at the bar and Mike and Claire were our bartenders / servers. They were both top notch all the way! We ordered some cocktails and started with some small plates, the CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN, Yucca Fries, and the Chicharrones. We were going to split a large plate but decided that the small plates were so awesome, we got two other... Jibarito and Costillias a la Guayaba. Honestly neither one of us could decide which we liked better. We will be back for sure! This is now in my top two restaurants on Moody Street! Can't wait to go back and try some other dishes... read more

You wouldn't believe you're in Waltham, or even around Boston, when eating at this joint. The atmosphere truly takes you to another place. Tapas are meant to be enjoyed, which means taking your time, and service truly gets this. They don't rush you, which gives you ample time to sit back and relax. It's quite a nice change in pace. The variety is enough to give you ample choices whether you're their for a snack, a date, or a drink. The mussels were great. The drinks were good too. But, little did we know, we ordered several rich items, which quickly defined the enjoyment of the food: ham croquettes, served with a black garlic aeoli yuca fries with truffle oil mussels with chorizo in a red sauce pork belly over an avocado spread Like I said, the mussels were great. The fries weren't bad either. But the pork belly was undercooked and chewy, and the croquettes could have been a bit crisper. It was not a terrible experience, but we should've asked for suggestions since it was our first time there, and first time with Cuban cuisine. The balance of flavors might have been better if we'd asked for help. If you're in a rush, don't come here. But if you're just looking for a leisurely experience, to drink, chat and enjoy the music, certainly, this is your place! read more

Usually love this place not sure if they have all new staff/chef. Cocktail sub par as well as food. Service super slow which I am usually ok with but bar wasn't even busy. read more

I ate at the Cambridge restaurant and really loved the seafood tapas. Went to Waltham this past weekend. I'm hearing impaired and went with two hearing people. None of us could hear a thing. It was deafening and we had to go someplace else to eat. It was really disappointing, though the staff was understanding, I think. I couldn't hear them... Maybe some noise dampening is in order? Energy and ambiance are nice. But it can exclude those of us with hearing challenges. read more

Varied menu with many options. If you're looking for something a little different, I highly recommend Gustazo. The service is attentive and helped my wife avoid her food allergy. The decor is very cool and the restaurant has good energy without being too loud. read more

Ehh it was ok. I remember the food being much much better. Ambiance was fun, service was nice but the food was just ok which was a disappointment given what I was expecting. read more

went here because i was in the area and needed a bite. the place was loud because it was packed. had to sit at the bar because we didn't make reservations. the workers were kind and the food came out fairly quickly the yuca was so good im craving some more as i type this! the large plate we got was great. meat was really tender and flavorful, beans and rice were cooked well. i just wish the dish wasn't put together in one plate (personal preference). food presentation was amazing too. will definitely be making reservations next time i go!! read more

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Wooowww! This was my first time trying Gustazo and I was so impressed! I will say one caveat is the length of time everything took -- we were seated quickly but waited 10 minutes for water, and our waiter didn't come check back much. I attribute this to the fact that the place was packed and there weren't enough people working, but it was a bit disappointing. I would have at least appreciated water quickly. That said, the food was SO GOOD I am still giving 5 stars. If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will. I came with my sister so we shared a number of small plates. Everything came out as it was ready, and it seemed there were plenty of people bringing food to tables (our server didn't bring us the food). The empanadas were hot and flavorful (they were beef). The guacamole was really yummy, and the plantain strips were creative and paired really nicely. The beet salad had a lot of unique flavors that mixed really well together, with some more creamy and savory and some more sour elements. The crab tacos were extraordinary. They came in some sort of tostone shell which was really delicious with the flavors in the taco. Finally, the ceviche was extremely fresh and paired with some lime and radish for a mix of flavors and textures. It came with some other yummy, thin chips. Our drinks were great as well, although I will also note we were never asked if we wanted more drinks once we finished. Fine for me, but could be an annoyance if you're waiting for someone to come back and ask! I will absolutely return to enjoy this food instead and hope the server experience might be a little more streamlined, but greatly appreciate everyone continuing to work through the pandemic! read more

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We always enjoyed eating here but, the service and food have gone down. Wouldn't rush back.

What a great place for tapas! The Corn (Mais) fritters were amazing! As were the Yucca fries, Beet salad and Cazuela of Cauliflower. Classic Margaritas were delicious. A somewhat loud but vibrant atmosphere. Will definitely return! read more

Grabbed brunch here a few weeks ago and loved it. The brunch menu has a unique variety of dishes and cocktails. My friend and I started off with the mango and guava mimosas, which were super tasty and refreshing. For my dish I decided to try the french toast and I substituted the coconut syrup for maple syrup. It was delicious and delightful. Only downside is that this dish only comes with one toast and no sides. My friend got the chicken and waffles, which he enjoyed. We ended our meal off with some churros which we were not too fond of. They unfortunately tasted like sugar and dough, and didn't have that authentic churro flavor. Overall, this place is super cute, spacious, and has a lovely ambience. Our waitress was friendly and the service fast. I definitely plan on coming back. read more

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This was my first time dining in for brunch. Favorite dishes were the churros and shrimp polenta. Churros were perfectly light and crispy even when dipped into their chocolate ganache. Shrimp and polenta was creamy and hearty. Chicken and waffles was a miss for me. The fried chicken didn't have a crispy crust and you couldn't really taste the spicy guava syrup or much heat. The pao de queijo waffle was also a bit heavy so the texture did little to complement the already soggy chicken. The Spanish frittata was over laden with the potatoes so not my favorite. The complementary salad brought some much needed freshness and crunch. Service was warm and attentive. Overall, this is a solid spot in Waltham and I plan on coming back to try their dinner and drinks menu. Definitely recommend checking the place out for brunch or casual date or if the traffic into Boston isn't looking too great. read more

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My first time here, I went with a couple of friends for a birthday dinner; one of them was Cuban! The restaurant's decor is fantastic, especially with the large windows open! It gives a vibe of Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale. Their menu is somewhat limited, and two items I wanted were out of! Overall the service was quick and prompt! Their cocktail was good, but one stood out, which was the Guava Blossom. I probably would go for drinks again, but not for the food! read more

The food, service, and ambiance are all wonderful. You can't go wrong with any menu item, it's all solid and delicious! Absolutely nothing to complain about other than the parking but that's what you get if you want to eat in Waltham. I even liked the hot chocolate and I never like warm drinks! read more

The tapas were all great. Staff was attentive. We had a large group but they were able to find us space. It's a bit pricey for the portion size. read more

Many selections for tapas, service was good, this restaurant is big, the food we ordered were good but a bit on the salty side. Their ingredients taste fresh, I would recommend to use less sauce. read more

Omg! I am so glad I found this place. I already have a reservation to go back. The patio alone is probably 5 stars. So pretty and peaceful. Just what I needed. Along with the mojito? Perfection! And our waitress was great - so friendly, patient and funny. Almost everything we ate (and drank) was fantastic. The empanadas were a bit of a letdown, but the Yuca Frita was AMAZING, as was the Puerco Asado. They were unfortunately out of the Croquetas de Jamon, so we got the Guacamole Cubano instead. It was good, but not mind-blowing. The churros were delicious. I was so sad I was too full to finish them! I can't wait to go back and try more (or the same stuff). All the drinks look great, but I'll probably get another mojito, because it was perfection. read more

I came here with a large group for a birthday dinner and the whole group was thoroughly impressed with the level of service and quality of food. Their dinner menu excels over their brunch offerings. read more

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This place is so confusing, but I do love it. Here's where we're at: Ambiance: 5/5 for dates, friends, bringing your mom. They really did such a great job with the interior and also have a charming and large outdoor space surrounded by fresh herbs. Brunch: 5/5. I came with a group of six and we ordered one of everything and everything was AMAZING, no I'm not exaggerating Cocktails: 5/5 especially the bloody Marys!!! Service: 4/5 could be a little friendlier and faster but overall good Takeout: 5/5 especially the cubanos!!!! Churros: 3/5 Good but inconsistent, we've had some that were uncooked inside And then there's the dinner menu. I just don't get how a restaurant that does everything SO WELL has gotten this meal so completely wrong. Nearly everything on there is inedible. It is oily, unnecessarily heavy, and puts everyone to sleep with a heavy stomach after a few small bites. They put a Cubano sandwich in between two oily plantain tostadas instead of bread (why???) and refuse to make you a classic one for dinner. The cauliflower is swimming in a roux so rich that just the smell is overpowering. The friend pork belly is dripping in oil to the point that a table of four couldn't finish the one small plate. The yuca fries that are visual delights are oily on the outside and hard on the inside. So dinner for me is a 0/5, but count me in for brunch at least 2x a month. read more

I absolutely loved this place!! It was so beautiful inside and reminded me of an old Catholic Church. There are a lot of different spaces which would be great for functions/events. I had one classic mojito and one guava ... DEFINITELY get the guava. My favorite dish was the MEJILLONES CON CHORIZO (Local mussels, creamy Spanish chorizo sauce, scallions, grilled bread). I'd say skip the ceviche. read more

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Excellent food. Decent ambience and plenty of places to sit. Lots of good choices and generous plates. Very understaffed, service is considered poor. read more

I went for my birthday and the food was perfect! I wish the portions were bigger but that's tapas for you. Everything went well and I'm so excited to go back! read more

From service to food, both was outstanding. Very loud as the night goes by. Does get busy fairly quickly so you should make reservations ahead of time. Food were amazing. I loved everything except for the beet salad and the questo frito (fried cheese). Everything else I would get again. But if I had to pick one that was my ultimate favorite it would be the Maduros con tocino and yuca fritas! Can't wait to try out their other dishes. read more

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Mussels were perfectly cooked, the sauce was a bit too salty. 3 small toasted slices of bread was not sufficient for the amount of sauce that accompanied the dish. Octopus was in a yogurt based sauce. I wish there was a bit more char. The flavors worked well, but not the best octopus I've had. Lamb chops were the best dish. It came on a bed of greens with vinegar based dressing. Perfect acidity that the dish needed. Steak on rice & beans with plantains: asked for medium rare, got medium well done. It was not served with a steak knife because it was precut. Because the steak was medium well done, we couldn't cut it with a butter knife & had to ask for a steak knife. Rice & beans were super greasy but cooked perfectly. Portions were generous for tapas. The entree portion was very generous & we took leftovers. Service was quick & courteous. Ambiance: nicely decorated restaurant with good music & definitely a place I would visit again. Expect a wait on weekends and after 6pm. Street parking is free at 6pm. read more

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Our first stop here was 6 years ago when it was a small restaurant in a suburb of Boston we did not know (even after going to school here for several years) and we went on the suggestion of our friend Enrique who told us that "There is Cuban food and then there is Gustazo!" - he was right and the food plus the welcoming attitude of the couple who started the small restaurant made it one of our best dining experiences in Boston. Moving on up! This weekend we returned to a totally upgraded location with a large outdoor space with a view of all the people exercising and biking while you are working on your second "Tres Leches" and feeling good about it. At first, we were worried that the tasteful food and friendly atmosphere might have changed with the upscale move, but after tasting the largest "Lechon Asado" portion in the USA with flavors that take you back to Havana on the first bite - our worries were gone But if some of our foodie friends who joined us for this return had any doubts - their total cleaning of the "Tres Leches" large bowl - made it clear - they wanted another 3 leches for their trip back home The one suggestion for the restaurant as they start to reopen fully is to add new creations/versions of their dishes using plant based / impossible. The owners are still as welcoming as they were in their early small restaurant and like every restaurant is experiencing - due to covid, they are a bit short on staff so if you are in a hurry - this is not for you at the moment and besides - the whole experience of Cuban food in the USA must include a long conversation on when Biden will reopen Cuba again - so we can visit the largest island in the Caribbean with the most beautiful beaches / fine sand and clear blue waters. So to sum up our return, treat yourself to a well deserved post-covid "food spa" at Gustazo And while there checkout all that is happening at Waltham. read more

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One of the best ceviches! Second time already at the restaurant and never fails to disappoint . Also got the Palomilla great steak cut so much flavor ! read more

Gustazo - Palomilla - Cuban Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Food tasted really good, but for the price the portions were really small. Service was good.

We've only come here during weekend brunch/lunch so I cannot talk about their dinner menu but I've heard good things. Coming back to brunch. Their menu is innovative, you can see the Cuban influence. While I love standard brunch fare, I also enjoy it with a spin. And that's what you would get at Gustazo. My favorite is the Cuban Whim. It's a sandwich mainly with plantains, spicy aioli and a fried egg and wow, is it delicious. The aioli gives it a kick, egg = brunch and the sweet taste of plantain. Gustazo has me convinced that sweet plantains and a fried egg belong together! However, the last time we came here, it wasn't on the brunch menu but our server was kind enough to check with the chef who agreed to make it for us. Aw! We've also tried the chicken quesadilla which was tasty but a little spicy. The empanadas were just okay, nothing special. Their Spanish Latte is also delicious. It's on the sweeter side, and that's fine by me! Parking is street only and there's a garage a couple blocks down too. The inside is a little dim. I generally like my brunch places to be sunny and airy but the food makes up for it, haha! read more

Gustazo - Empanadas, tostones, Spanish latte - Cuban Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

This was my first time trying Gustazo.. Wasn't totally sure what to expect, but I was pretty satisfied! I don't eat seafood or pork, so the meat options were pretty limited for me (There is only one chicken option, I believe).. this wasn't a deal-breaker though, as the vegetable options were incredible! I am a very picky eater, and I easily would give the food a 5-star rating. I had the fritura de maíz & the yuca frita, which were both SO good. The atmosphere & experience bumped the experience down a star for us. We were put in the back-room where it was incredibly dark & smokey at the time. Those seats are definitely not meant for long periods of sitting & ended up getting pretty uncomfortable after about an hour. The food came out fast (10-15 mins after ordering), but our dessert took about 35-40 minutes to come out. Our waitress & the servers were awesome & handled this right away once we let them know, but it took a while to get anyone's attention. Will definitely be coming back & I look forward to trying other options! read more

Gustazo - Fritura de Maíz - Cuban Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts