Atlanta’s Best Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican Restaurants
Atlanta’s best Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican food can be tough to define. The approach to cooking for all three of these come from the same history – a mash up of the native cultures that lived on each island, along with flavors from the colonizers’ native Spain, and the West African traditions of the enslaved who were brought to those Islands by traders. This cultural alchemy results in a cuisine focused on island starches like plantains and yucca, native proteins like pork and shellfish, and seasonings like Cumen, Tumeric and garlic. We’ve explored Atlanta to look for restaurants that completely embrace these flavors and deliver incredible, Latin-island traditions to first time customers (and those who keep coming back for more).
1. Buena Gente Cuban Cafe
1365 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
These guys make the best Cuban, Puerto Rican or Dominican pastries in the City – hands down. Called pastelitos, their sweet pastries are puffed pastries filled with guava, cream cheese or both together. They also make savory ones with beef, delicious cuban sandwiches, tropical milkshakes, and much more. Formerly a food truck, you can now find them in Decatur.
2. Cafe Dominican
4650 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093
Located up the road on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Cafe Dominicano is modest looking on the outside, but the flavors are powerful. We loved the Bistec Encebollado – basically a cube steak marinated with extremely flavorful elements like onions, sofrito and vinegar. They also make the hard to find quipes – delicious, deep fried beef and bulgur meatballs!
3. Cubanos ATL
6450 Roswell Rd C, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
The legend of the Cuban sandwich was not that it started in Cuba, but here in the United States. Cigar factory workers in the Tampa area were always looking for a good nearby lunch option, and using local ingredients with Cuban culinary history, the Cubano was born. Cubanos ATL keeps that tradition going with their mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches like El Tampa and El Miami, along with their chicken option El Pollo. They also have a DELICIOUS flan along with incredible cuban coffee.
4. El Super Pan
Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
As a native Puerto Rican, Chef Hector Santiago grew up on the delicious pressed sandwiches you can find at roadside delis and stands throughout the island. So when he was considering concepts for his new Puerto Rican restaurant when Ponce City Market opened, there was only one hero for the job – El Super Pan. Making sandwiches like the Cuban Mix, Farm Cubanos and Medio Dia, they also make excellent tostones, yucca fries and madras if you’re looking for something sweet.
5. K Bueno Latin Cafe
847 GA-138, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Taking a more pan-latin approach to everything they do at K Bueno Latin Cafe, this modest Jonesboro restaurant they make incredible, hard to make appetizers like Alcapurria – mashed platings or yucca stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat or pork and boiled in plantain leaf. They also make a picador dish for a big group of carnivores visiting – fried cracklings chicken, steak, pork, salami, cheese, tostones and Dominican sausage!
6. Mami’s La Cubana Cuban Restaurant
579 N Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 3035
7. Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill
216 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
The big boys when it comes to Caribbean cuisine, Papi’s Cuban Cafe has 6 locations and growing – everywhere from Midtown ATL to Emory Point to Stockbridge and the Airport, there’s a Papi’s Cuban Cafe near you. We loved the ropa vieja when we were last there – savory shredded beef with peppers and onions.
8. Sabor Dominicano
4186 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
We couldn’t create a Latino focused restaurant list without having at least one Buford Highway restaurant on there. Sabor Dominicano is more than worthy of being on this list though. We love their traditional Dominican breakfast options, like mangu (see above for description) with cheese, eggs and salami. But we keep coming back for the arroz con pollo – one of the most accessible, delicious Caribbean dishes.
9. Versace Dominican
510 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047
The A’s best mofongo (mouthwatering plantain mash) may be in…Lilburn? At Versace Dominican Restaurant, they make their mofongos fresh, with incredible protein options like rope vieja, shrimp, steak, stewed chicken and more. They also have mangu, a mofongo variant with butter that is INCREDIBLE. Order one with a Presidente for the ultimate Santo Domingo experience.
10. Mi Casita Boricua Restaurant
550 Pleasant Hill Rd Suite A205, Lilburn, GA 30047
Another must-try restaurant on our list is Mi Casita Boricua. If you’re looking for a piece of Puerto Rico in Georgia, this place is the way to go. Their recipes will surely transport you to the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine. From Mofongo to Arroz con Pollo, their menu is a tantalizing journey for your taste buds. The warm and friendly atmosphere at Mi Casita Boricua will make you feel right at home as you enjoy their delicious dishes. Be sure to save room for their incredible desserts like Tres Leches Cake or Flan. You won’t be able to resist coming back for more of these mouthwatering creations.
11. Mojito Cuban American Bistro
5161 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 630, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Mojitos, a family-owned Cuban American restaurant with over 15 years in Atlanta, offers a vibrant dining experience that combines authentic family recipes with expertly crafted mojito cocktails. What truly sets Mojitos apart is the lively atmosphere on weekends at The Forum in Peachtree Corners, where live music and dancing transport guests straight to the heart of Cuban culture. Each Friday and Saturday, you’re not just dining—you’re part of a celebration, enjoying the warmth and hospitality of a home away from home.
As a native Puerto Rican, Chef Hector Santiago grew up on the delicious pressed sandwiches you can find at roadside delis and stands throughout the island. So when he was considering concepts for his new Puerto Rican restaurant when Ponce City Market opened, there was only one hero for the job – El Super Pan. Making sandwiches like the Cuban Mix, Farm Cubanos and Medio Dia, they also make excellent tostones, yucca fries and madras if you’re looking for something sweet.
The legend of the Cuban sandwich was not that it started in Cuba, but here in the United States. Cigar factory workers in the Tampa area were always looking for a good nearby lunch option, and using local ingredients with Cuban culinary history, the Cubano was born. Cubanos ATL keeps that tradition going with their mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches like El Tampa and El Miami, along with their chicken option El Pollo. They also have a DELICIOUS flan along with incredible cuban coffee.
These guys make the best Cuban, Puerto Rican or Dominican pastries in the City – hands down. Called pastelitos, their sweet pastries are puffed pastries filled with guava, cream cheese or both together. They also make savory ones with beef, delicious cuban sandwiches, tropical milkshakes, and much more. Formerly a food truck, you can now find them in Decatur.
The big boys when it comes to Caribbean cuisine, Papi’s Cuban Cafe has 6 locations and growing – everywhere from Midtown ATL to Emory Point to Stockbridge and the Airport, there’s a Papi’s Cuban Cafe near you. We loved the rope vieja when we were last their – savory shredded beef with peppers and onions.
The A’s best mofongo (mouthwatering plantain mash) may be in…Lilburn? At Versace Dominican Restaurant, they make their mofongos fresh, with incredible protein options like rope Vieja, shrimp, steak, stewed chicken and more. They also have mangu, a mofongo variant with butter that is INCREDIBLE. Order one with a Presidente for the ultimate Santo Domingo experience.
We couldn’t create a Latino focused restaurant list without having at least one Buford Highway restaurant on there. Sabor Dominicano is more than worthy of being on this list though. We love their traditional Dominican breakfast options, like mangu (see above for description) with cheese, eggs and salami. But we keep coming back for the arroz con pollo – one of the most accessible, delicious Caribbean dishes.
Located up the road on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Cafe Dominicano is modest looking on the outside, but the flavors are powerful. We loved the Bistec Encebollado – basically a cube steak marinated with extremely flavorful elements like onions, sofrito and vinegar. They also make the hard to find quipes – delicious, deep fried beef and bulgur meatballs!
Taking a more pan-latin approach to everything they do at K Bueno Latin Cafe, this modest Jonesboro restaurant they make incredible, hard to make appetizers like Alcapurria – mashed platings or yucca stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat or pork and boiled in plantain leaf. They also make a picador dish for a big group of carnivores visiting – fried cracklings chicken, steak, pork, salami, cheese, tostones and Dominican sausage!
Mojitos, a family-owned Cuban American restaurant with over 15 years in Atlanta, offers a vibrant dining experience that combines authentic family recipes with expertly crafted mojito cocktails. What truly sets Mojitos apart is the lively atmosphere on weekends at The Forum in Peachtree Corners, where live music and dancing transport guests straight to the heart of Cuban culture. Each Friday and Saturday, you’re not just dining—you’re part of a celebration, enjoying the warmth and hospitality of a home away from home.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on April 18, 2023 and last updated on August 22, 2024. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
