Paladar Cuban Eatery & Bakery — Restaurant in Saint Augustine

A Culinary Time Machine to Havana: Paladar Cuban Eatery is Pure Magic in St. Augustine Beach! Oh, where do I even begin? If you’re anywhere near St. Augustine Beach and your taste buds are craving a passport-free trip to Cuba, drop everything and head straight to Paladar Cuban Eatery & Bakery. This hidden gem at 5575 A1A South isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a love letter to Cuban heritage, wrapped in the warmest hospitality Florida has to offer. As someone who’s chased authentic Cuban flavors from Miami to Key West, I can confidently say Paladar doesn’t just nail it; it redefines it. Five stars aren’t enough—let’s make it ten! From the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere transported me. The cozy interior buzzes with nostalgic charm: vibrant colors, subtle nods to Cuban culture, and that irresistible aroma of fresh-baked pastelitos wafting from the bakery counter. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast on the patio (their “Terraza” is perfect for people-watching with a café con leche) or settling in for a leisurely dinner, it feels like you’re dining at a family’s home in Havana. Owners Nelly Santiago and Isela Gonzalez, proud Cuban-American entrepreneurs, have infused every corner with heart—it’s not corporate; it’s personal, and it shows. Now, the food—good lord, the food! Let’s start with breakfast, since they’ve been voted the Best Breakfast in St. Augustine (and rightfully so). I devoured the Traditional Cuban Breakfast: perfectly scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and buttery Cuban tostada that crunches just right. Paired with their café con leche? Heavenly. But if you’re feeling adventurous, go for the Cuban Breakfast Sandwich—juicy roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and a fried egg on homemade bread. It’s like a Cubano decided to wake up early and conquer the morning. Lunch and dinner? Prepare for liftoff. The Cubano sandwich is legendary: layers of succulent roast pork, ham, melty Swiss, tangy pickles, and mustard pressed between golden, toasted bread that’s baked in-house daily. It’s crispy on the outside, tender inside, and bursts with flavor that screams authenticity. But the real showstopper for me was the Frita burger—a Miami-Cuban classic with a seasoned beef-pork-chorizo patty topped with shoestring potatoes for that addictive crunch. I added a side of abuela’s famous black beans, which are hands-down the best I’ve ever tasted: rich, velvety, and seasoned to perfection with hints of garlic and cumin that linger like a warm hug. Don’t skip the Ropa Vieja either—shredded beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce, served over fluffy rice with plantains. It’s hearty, comforting, and tastes like it simmered for hours in a grandmother’s kitchen. And the bakery? A dangerous paradise. Fresh pastelitos filled with guava and cream cheese that melt in your mouth, flaky empanadas stuffed with picadillo, and silky flan for dessert—everything’s made from scratch with ingredients sourced for true Cuban flair. Pro tip: Grab a box of pastries to go; they’ll vanish before you hit the beach. Service-wise, the team is phenomenal—fast, friendly, and genuinely passionate. Our server chatted about the family recipes behind each dish, making us feel like regulars on our first visit. Even during a busy lunch rush, everything arrived hot and with a smile. Portions are generous, prices are fair (especially for the quality—two sandwiches, coffees, and pastries for around $50 felt like a steal), and they cater to gluten-free folks with care, which is a huge plus. Paladar isn’t just eating out; it’s an experience that blends indigenous, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences into something magical. In a sea of tourist traps, this spot stands out as a beacon of real, soulful cuisine. Whether you’re a local or vacationing in St. Augustine Beach, make Paladar your must-visit. I’ve been back three times in a week, and it’s only getting better. ¡Que rico! Run, don’t walk—your taste buds will thank you...

Hello Paladar, I've vacationed in St. Augustine for 24 years now and have always said that there was a lack of Cuban cuisine that was desperately needed in the area. You can imagine my joy when I saw Paladar Cuban Eatery off A1A. I decided to give you a trial run for breakfast on 8/17. The restaurant itself is very nicely done, the decor very chic and upscale and the patio area is beautiful but I did find the ordering process confusing. The main glass door where you would think is the entrance and where the line starts, is actually the exit and opens into what is the pickup area of the food counter. The actual entrance to the "ORDER HERE" is thru the patio glass door. I had to fight the waiting customers to get to the order here and cash register.

I decided that I would order an array of Cuban pastries and empanadas in order to try to them all, and of course, the creme de la creme of Cuban cuisine, some Cuban Toast, or tostasda.

I ordered one pastelito de carne, one empanada carne, three croquetas de jamon, one pastelito de guava and queso, one order of Cuban toast and one large Cafe con leche, one tostada. I almost had a stroke when I saw that my bill rang up at $34+ dollars. The coffee was a standard 8-10oz cup and was very overpriced at $6 for a large. Starbucks sells a coffee with cream, venti (20oz) for $5.25. That cafe con leche is just too pricy. That wasn't a large, sorry. Empanadas at $6/each? Pastelitos $3.50? Sorry, but the prices in Miami Dade County at any bodegita or dulceria are literally half for what you are charging. I will attribute the mark up to the fact that you are conducting business in a tourist trap town. With that being said, the flavors for all the pastelitos and empanadas were impeccable and on point. Kudos to you. But Paladar, you dropped the ball big time on the most basic of Cuban Staples. The TOSTADA. Your version of tostada was AWFUL. Cuban toast is supposed to be crisp, crunchy, lightly buttered, with a nice golden yellow hue of toastiness. What I received was a dark burned serving of a sloppy buttered (since when is cuban bread slathered with butter on the outside prior to putting it into the press), soft mush bread that resembled tire treads more than Cuban toast. I WAS CRUSHED. My order was to go....the toast was initially wrapped in white paper, and then placed in a second brown paper taped shut. You do realize that now you have double sealed the bread in an airless manner where it is just steaming in it's own heat and getting soft and mushy. Cuban toast basics....slip it into a paper bag after toasting and leave it open ended to air itself out. It was a young guy behind the toaster. I thought, maybe he had a bad day, we all have them. I'll try again tomorrow. But when I came back the next morning to try the bread alone again....it was the same guy, the same mess, the same soft mushy steamed bread. I didn't have the heart to say anything because you were all so nice to talk to and so friendly, but honestly, if you're going to call yourself a Cuban eatery, you've got to master the art of making Cuban toast. To these other non-Cuban customers who don't know any better....you got them fooled, but when the real Cubanaso Papis come in, like me, you need to serve us good toast. I wish you the best of luck and hope your still there in 2024.

For reference, checkout Miapa Latin Cafe in Gainesville florida, my home town. The have 3 locations. Here are their prices:

Cafe con leche, 10oz cup: $2.50 Empanadas: $3.50 Croquetas: $1.00 Croquetas large (these are jumbo, half hot dog size):$2.00 Cuban Sandwich w/ plaintain chips: $9.50 Ropa vieja...

I am shooting myself in the foot here with this review, but it has to be done (yes I am being selfish because I love this little spot and don't want to mess it up by blowing it up - going to happen anyway). Had dinner here with my wife the other day and it was really great. This is a family run restaurant with pride taken in all they do. From matching plate decor with the wall tile, furniture, cutlery, glassware, decor, etc.... This place is well done. The staff are super pleasant too. Just a great experience all around. Clean, clean clean, and unique. Now to the food. Very good quality. Very unique selection of bakery items that don't blast you with sugar. I had the steak with Cuban beans. Was fantastic. Full of flavor. My wife is gluten free and she had a pulled chicken dish. Was amazing. Just unique and well prepared. Other dishes ordered by surrounding customers all looked amazing too. You can tell pride was taken in these dishes. On to desert. I am not much of a desert person. I ordered a Cuban latte with oat milk. Best coffee in St. Augustine. And I do not say this lightly. So I will say it again. Best coffee here hands down. Yes I am a kook fan, but this takes the crown. My wife ordered flan. I took a bite. There was no overpowering presence of sugar which turns me off with desserts. This was made from scratch and very rich. The sweetness came from the sauce on the plate. So I was able to control the level of sweetness desired. It was fantastic. Big kudos to this place. I am afraid it will be standing room only very soon. They even have outside seating with cigars and live Cuban music in the evening. Just well done all around. Had to write this review even though I know what's going to happen. Word is going to get out. It's inevitable. So go enjoy this great spot while you can still get in. It was a wonderful evening for...