Colada Cuban Cafe - Fort Lauderdale — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

As part of my Yelp's first 10 list I had Colada. Some of my friends have told me how amazing this place is, then the reviews and pictures on Yelp, prove them right.

I admit, I did not finish my list this year, but I was determined to try this one. It's a bit of a drive for me but, since the Holidays come with days off, I took advantage of this and made my way down on a Friday.

They have parking garage right behind the restaurant - very convenient.

I got there a bit before my friend so got us a table and waited a bit. Once she arrived, we went up to the counter to order. Honestly I wanted to try everything but, we all know what happens when you eat with your eyes... so I decided to be rational and only ordered what I could eat. Which means I have to go back to try more.

This time I had their Café con Leche (no sugar). So good! They have some flavors to add, but really I don't think they're necessary. I also ordered a croqueta and a Media Noche.

The Media Noche is perfect! Sweet Bread, generous amount of meat, pickles inside the sandwich and on the side. Portion is BIG! Enough for two, especially if you want to try other things on the menu. I was only able to eat half, and the one croqueta which was also delicious!

The day before, and on my friend's IG, I had seen pictures of their Flan Cheescake. Since it was during the Holidays, and I have family visiting I purchased one whole one to go. When I ordered it the guy told me, in a joking voice, "people are going to hate you, you just got the last one!". I said "hide it, and I'll get it on my way out". He asked me to put my name on a piece of paper, and taped it to the last Flan so no one would take it from me. Really appreciated him doing that, especially when that night, at home, with my family they all were LOVING, the dessert I had brought them. Way to make me look good!! ;) This flan is amazing! Reminds me of the Cheese flan I make but without the process of baking it myself :p How perfect is that?!!?

Service can be a little slow, they forgot part of my order and I had to go twice to the counter to remind them but still really liked this place and, even though is a drive for me, I'm already looking...

3/21/25—-I woke up today with a strong craving for a good Cuban café con leche and a crispy tostada. Google told me the closest spot near my hotel, so I followed the map like a hungry explorer. My husband had a business lunch, but he kindly dropped me off and even shared a quick coffee with me before rushing off to talk numbers and shake hands.

So there I was—alone but not lonely—ready to enjoy my Cuban breakfast adventure. The place was buzzing with people when I arrived. Parking is in the back, and there are a few chairs and tables outside. Dogs are allowed too, but only the well-behaved, non-service ones get the VIP sidewalk seating.

This café is not your grandma’s Cuban corner restaurant. It’s like if a Cuban abuela met Starbucks and they opened a place together. Very modern, very "Café Havana meets trendy brunch spot." I asked for scrambled eggs and tostadas, but somehow I ended up with a sandwich. Did I complain? No. I'm too wise for that. I simply took it apart like a sandwich surgeon and ate my eggs and tostada separately. Sandwiches just don’t speak to my soul.

Still, everything I ordered was delicious—the croquetas, the empanadas, and even the rice pudding I took to-go. Oh, and the orange juice? So fresh it probably had dreams of being an orange just five minutes before.

The vibe? Think less salsa, more jazzy-pop fusion. It’s Cuban, but it’s also... eclectic. It’s got that "Starbucksy" feel, but with way better food. I did wonder for a second, “Is this one of those Americanized Cuban spots?” But it’s not trying too hard. It’s walking the line, and I respect that.

I sat outside, ordered my Lyft, and waited 18 minutes—just enough time to soak in the vibe, people-watch, and pretend I’m a mysterious local on a breakfast mission. My only suggestion? During the busy hours, a second register would help move things along. But hey, they’re not Dunkin’.

Final word: Good food. Good vibe. Worth the visit. Would recommend—especially if you're okay eating a sandwich......

Pre -Covid, I have always had a great experience at Colada. Great portions for the colada bowls, service was fine...it was always very slow but it's nice inside so it was worth the wait. As of the last few months, it has gone dramatically down hill.

Experience 1 - A few months ago I ordered food for "pickup", through their website. I believe it was postmates? I waited in the restaurant for an hour and 45 minutes to get my food. It said on my email that the food was ready, so I walked over. It was not. I was not happy so I asked for a refund or for a partial refund. Nothing. The customer service was awful. There were no apologies...I had to go up to the counter a few times to ask where my food was, and she kept saying "working on it".

Experience 2 - I wanted to use my visa virtual gift card/credit card to place an order. So I called Colada, and she said she cant take the gift credit card number over the phone so I have to come in and pay for it and to just bring the virtual gift card to show them over my email. I drove there, and when I got there, she then told me they can't manually put in credit card numbers. The only reason I ordered food from there was because I had the visa gift credit card. I then told them they should have said this prior to telling me to come into the store. Never did. She didn't take accountability whatsoever. When I got my food by the time I got home, there was hardly ANY lettuce in my "veggie bowl" which I ordered my base as lettuce. I called to tell them. Nothing. She said "ok". No apology, no refund, literally nothing. The customer service was awful. I asked if I could receive a partial refund and she said no.

I've never even worked in the food industry, but wouldn't the proper customer service response to that be "Oh no, I'm so sorry! Would you want to come back so we can add more lettuce?"

It's a shame because I do very much enjoy their coffee, and the flan looks good. That's why I gave...