Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Birmingham

I have a medical condition and my doctor gave me a special mask to wear that is made of a special material but also allows me to breathe. Soma, the hospitality manager (I think that is what she claimed she was), told me I was not allowed to wear a “lace” mask. My mask is not lace. I tried to explain to her that this is from my doctor and I have a medical condition. Soma would not even listen to me or let me explain. She was extremely rude, cut me off and treated me like I had done something extremely wrong. I was embarrassed and horrified. I have a medical condition and could go into respiratory distress. Not only is this a HIPPA violation, but it was made even worse that this was supposedly by the “hospitality manager.” My friends and I have frequented this restaurant and I can honestly say I will never return due to her rudeness. I understand complying with mandates, but she went above and beyond to be rude, cut me off and did not care about my medical condition or the HIPPA law. And just to say, our waitress accidentally delivered the wrong drinks to our table. My sister picked hers up before the waitress realized. Then the waitress took the drinks, which were handled by our table, and walked them to the table next to us and handed them to the couple sitting there. If a restaurant is going to be rude to customers and violate HIPPA then I would expect for them to follow ALL mandates... not just pick and choose which ones to abide by.

Edited to add: While I admire you standing behind your staff, it appears that other patrons at your restaurant have also felt that your staff is rude and have expressed that in previous reviews. It seems to be a reoccurring problem within your restaurant. As a former waitress through college and previous business owner myself, I would be appalled to have the face of my business treating customers in such a way. Obviously you must be doing so well that things like being polite do not matter. It has nothing to do with my “views”... a law was broken by your staff as well as mandates. It is interesting how wearing a “hostess approved mask“ is necessary to protect other patrons, yet placing drinks on one table to be handled by that table and then removing them and giving them to another table is just fine. I would be more concerned about those policies if you are truly concerned about the health of your patrons. But like I said, I admire you standing behind your staff. And after how I was treated, I thought it best to return the restaurants mask that was so kindly loaned to me. Petty??... perhaps. Deserved?... absolutely. As I previously stated in my review, I have no desire to be treated this way again so I am glad we can agree on one thing... that I would not support this restaurant if it was the last one...

This place was exceptional. I was truly impressed with the way everything was presented. I was made some recommendations by the bartender when I first arrived, and it was awesome. The food was amazing, the rum selections were out of this world. I went on my birthday and the server was most attentive to my needs as well as my friend's needs as well. The first dish we had was a small plate of grilled octopus. The sauce was well blended, the flavors and texture were very well matched with the vegetables as well with a myriad of contrast. The main course I ordered was the duroc pork porterhouse. The flavor was spot on and the texture and juiciness of the pork was great. Pork is a hard venture and it was nailed. Also, loved the sauce and the seared poblano pepper. The chef also came to us with about 4 in house hot sauces to try as well. They were amazing and unique in their own right. If you have the chance, ask for the hot sauces. They do not cause extreme palette fatigue. They are strong as being natural peppers, but the flavor is more pepper and not vinegar. It was also nice to be able to chat with the chef since it was not too busy. We also took a flight of rum that was very carefully curated. This was an overall amazing experience and such interaction with us as well as all the attention to detail in relation to us, the food, and the drink left me feeling great, esp. on my birthday. Trent, thank you for all your hard work and creativity. I appreciate the place as interesting rum is somewhat hard to find. I hope this place build momentum and continues to grow. Everyone is kind here, and that is a rarity in and of itself. Thank you again for an amazing birthday and such a wonderful experience. I will continue to speak nothing but praise about this place. I will be back and will be looking forward to that...

Listen, if you’re ever in Birmingham and don’t pull up to Cayo Coco Rum Bar, you’re seriously missing out. I was in town for work and decided to skip the typical corporate gala scene for something more my speed—a solo dinner with good food and good vibes. Let me tell you, Cayo Coco is it. This place? It’s a whole experience.

From the moment I walked in, the ambiance struck the perfect balance between laid-back charm and polished sophistication. The vibe was warm, authentic, and buzzing just enough to feel alive without being overwhelming. The thoughtfully curated menu was a feast for the senses—every dish more enticing than the last. Collectively, my meal here ranks as one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, showcasing a level of care and creativity that made each bite unforgettable.

And then, there was Ashley, my amazing waitress. If I lived in Birmingham, I’d absolutely be friends with her. She was personable, warm, and fully engaged, turning what could have been just another solo meal into a vibrant and memorable evening. We swapped stories of travel, shared favorite bands, and geeked out over her top menu picks (she was spot on, by the way). Her service was the epitome of southern hospitality and truly elevated the experience.

Cayo Coco is legendary in my book. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a place that etches core memories. If you find yourself in Birmingham, whether alone or with friends, this is a spot you simply cannot miss. Top-tier food, incredible vibes, and a team that knows how to make every guest feel like family. Birmingham, you’ve outdone yourself...