Puya Urban Cantina — Restaurant in Dania Beach

Over the past five weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Puya Urban Cantina regularly, and each visit has deepened my appreciation for this extraordinary restaurant. As an entrepreneur and restaurateur myself, I understand how rare it is to find a place where passion, professionalism, and culinary excellence come together so seamlessly—especially in today’s fast-paced world.

From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed like family. Irfan and Misshy, two of the most charismatic and genuinely warm bartenders I’ve ever encountered, set the tone for the entire experience. Their energy, charm, and attentiveness elevate the atmosphere and make every visit feel like a celebration.

The food? Absolutely exceptional. Chef Oscar’s culinary creations are a testament to his deep understanding of Central American flavors. Having traveled extensively through the region, I can say with confidence that his dishes are not only authentic but innovative—crafted with heart and artistry. Each plate reflects a love for quality ingredients and bold, satisfying flavors.

The environment is equally impressive. The space is immaculately clean—including the restrooms, which I always see as a reflection of the overall attention to detail. The entire staff is courteous, professional, and clearly takes pride in what they do.

Yuval, the manager, deserves special mention. His graciousness, sincerity, and radiant smile make you feel instantly at home. It’s clear his leadership inspires the team and infuses the restaurant with a spirit of joy and excellence. I was also fortunate to meet the assistant manager, Elijah, whose warm energy and thoughtful presence in the dining room made an already great night even better.

From the dishwasher to the kitchen staff, from the front of house to the management, Puya is a true team—a unified, passionate group that takes pride in serving not only great food, but also genuine hospitality. There’s a palpable joy among the staff that translates into every interaction and every bite.

I give Puya Urban Cantina a well-deserved five out of five stars—not just because I’m notoriously hard to please, but because they consistently exceed expectations. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a refined, elevated dining experience. To my Jewish friends and family: this is a place where our community is celebrated with love and respect.

Just remember—they’re closed for Shabbat, so plan accordingly. Don’t miss the opportunity to treat yourself to an unforgettable evening at Puya Cantina. It’s more than a meal—it’s...

Came in to celebrate my aunt's birthday on Cinco de Mayo, which is probably where we went wrong. Reservation was at 7:45 pm. We arrived on time and were promptly seated. First impression: the place is very cute. Loud, but it's Cinco de Mayo, so I get it. Very hot and humid, like they decided not to waste their money turning on the A/C. The menu is expensive, but looked pretty good. We ordered a round of drinks, which we waited for for over 30 minutes, and a couple of appetizers. Before the drinks arrived, we were asked if we were ready to order our entrees. We told the waitress we were hoping to get our drinks first. The drinks arrived about 10 minutes later. The margaritas were not good and we were surprised there wasn't even salt on the rim. The appetizers were okay. The amount of chips served with the $19 La Bandera appetizer was sad, but the guacamole and salsas were tasty. We then had an opportunity to order our entrees. My husband and I shared the ribeye, while the rest of our party had different orders of tacos (which by the way are considered appetizers - I assume that's based on size, because each set of 2 tacos was at least $18). Everyone got and finished their tacos before our steak arrived, which probably took a bit longer than the first round of drinks. I will say the steak ($58) was quite good and cooked perfectly, but it was maybe 20 minutes after getting the steak that one of the managers asked us to leave as we had exceeded the 2 hour limit (at about 9:25 pm...20 minutes or so before the 2 hour limit ended). They even tried to take away our unfinished steak twice. They refused to sing my aunt happy birthday as they had done for at least 4 other tables while we were there. My husband spoke to the manager who agreed to comp the steak and one margarita for the delays on their part, but that's not enough to clear the bad taste they left in my mouth. We will...

DO NOT GO HERE. I came here on Sunday night for dinner and have family members who need to park in the handicap spots. After circling many times, the parking lot was full and they needed to park outside of the lot by the houses. Once walking towards the restaurant, we noticed that 3 of the cars in the handicap spots did not have a handicap tag. The police were called and they went into the restaurant and asked if the owner of the cars were in the restaurant. Guess whose cars were in the handicap spots. 2 workers and the owner of the restaurant. There is no excuse to park in the handicap spot if you do not need it. The owner of all people should be the last one to park in the handicap spot all the way in front. He should be parking in the back and allowing his customers to get the front spots and allowing his handicapable customers get the spots they deserve. I then returned last night (Wednesday) and guess who was in the handicap spot, the owner in his BMW. This is horrible and so disrespectful. The owner sits on his high horse and thinks he is better than everyone else. I will not be returning and giving money to an institution who has this type of mindset and I don't think others...