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    Catalú

    4.3 (137 reviews)
    ModerateSpanish, Tapas Bars
    Closed 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Catalú Takeout or Delivery

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    CATALÚ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Catalú

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    Reviews With Photos

    Drink menu
    Victor H.

    (From November 2025) In the mood for spanish/tapas-style eats, OpenTable brought us here. My Dad never had tapas-style dishes so this was a first for him. We got a table here on a Saturday evening in early November and had high expectations based on the ratings. The experience was fine but there was more to be desired. Our server Joseph was very attentive and made sure our waters were filled and gave excellent descriptions of the dishes along with a nice wine pairing for me. Starting with the marinara charcuterie, the spread looked appetizing although we were surprised the spanish tuna was served in a canister. Upon eating it, it wasn't anything to write home about although we liked the mushrooms that came with it. We also had the pan con tomate which is basically rustic bread with a tomato spread and olive oil and we added the ham (jamon) to it. Taste wise, it was alright; we felt it lacked some seasoning and the presentation was kind of plain. Other dishes we ordered were the broccolini, the beef empanadas, and the grilled steak. Those dishes were excellent and we should've ordered more of those. The broccolini had a nice char, the empanadas were flaky, and the steak was tender. The food menu is more condensed compared to other Tapas places I've been to. You'll get your traditional spanish eats such as the patatas bravas, abondigas, the pulpo a la gallega (octopus) and of course the paella. The menus have more focus on alcoholic beverages with a lot of wine options, cocktails, and sangrias. The sangria flight seems popular here and I probably should've gone with that instead of my glass of Bodgeas Rivera Tempranillo. But I enjoyed the wine as it paired well with most of the dishes. While there are plenty of other options in Charlotte, this spot is a favorite amongst Charlatans for Spanish/European eats. I wouldn't mind coming back next time I'm in Charlotte to try other dishes here and that Sangria flight.

    Drew A.

    Visiting Charlotte and stopped in this place. Great flavorful food and super friendly and attentive staff. It's a great space and decor. Had the pulpo, broccolini and albondigas and all 3 were tasty.

    Raw paella.... do NOT get this
    Dawn R.

    We came as a group of 9. Most of the menu is tapas. There are maybe 5 other full entrees to select from so not a large choice if you want your own meal. We ordered brussel sprouts as an appetizer and it came with the entrees we ordered. They were good. The charcuterie was also good. 2 of us ordered the paella for 2, and the waiter warned us it would take 1/2 hr to cook it so we needed to order right away, so we did. The paella was not edible. The rice was not cooked all the way and even the shrimp was raw in the middle. Both of us that ordered the paella for 2 asked for a box immediately so that we could take it home and cook it the rest of the way. We did mention it to the manager and he gave us some BS about it's supposed to be that way. The other person had been to Spain and I've had decent paella elsewhere and we both told him that's not true. He did take it off our bills. We then ordered the cheesecake. It was good. However, in addition to the raw and inedible food, the most disappointing thing we discovered is that they did not have a women's restroom. There were 2 nasty mixed use restrooms as if we were at a gas station in the middle of nowhere instead of a restaurant. Women deserve their own space and this lack of accommodation will prevent us from returning. Finally, they validate parking for 2 hours. They took so long to serve us, we ended up having to pay $10 in the attached parking garage. This was a horrible experience. We absolutely will not return.

    Ashley F.

    I've been wanting to check out Catalu for a while! I love Que Hospitality so much and this new concept did NOT disappoint. A fellow Yelp Elite went with me to indulge in a Saturday brunch!! We had a great time, helpful staff and fast service!! We made a reservation for 12pm and shockingly it wasn't busy at all. We started our meal with a sangria flight and the build your own mimosa with passionfruit juice. DELISH!!! We also loved that they didn't change the space too much. This is the same space as Eight and Sand, which we also really enjoyed. So, it was nice to see it looked pretty similar with the same kind of vibes, plants and all!! We order a few tapas: brussels, shrimp & grits, ceviche and empanadas. Wow, ALL of these were sooooo soooooo good!!!!! It was hard to save room for the main entree which was also incredible! We both ordered the braised beef cheeks and really enjoyed it. I literally didn't eat again that day, I was full all day lol. This was such a great brunch for me!!! I will be back again and again!! They also validate parking in the garage attached so parking was a breeze. Definitely recommend this spot!!

    Oxtail
    Cortney B.

    I booked a table for 6 during their New Years Eve dinner special, which included welcome drinks, a midway champagne toast, and unlimited tapas for 2 hours. I thought this was a good deal considering all the various dishes we got to try while we were there! For drinks, I ordered the Devils Playground (spiced pear gin & tonic) it was light & refreshing. The espresso martini was a popular choice at our table as well. My favorites tapas included the braised beef empanadas and oxtail with mashed potatoes. Both were so tender and well seasoned. The paella was amazing, each couple split a plate. Though it's not my favorite, our table raved about the beet salad with goat cheese & pistachios. We also tried the spiced meat balls, brussel sprouts, and the fried calamari. Nothing stayed on the plate long enough for a picture. For dessert, we split the churros with chocolate sauce and the banana split with pistachio ice cream - the latter being the winner with its unique flavor profile. We would definitely try Catalú again!

    Croquetas
    Juliana D.

    Great Spanish tapas restaurant in South End. The place is really pretty. I love all the decorations and Spanish art. Service was great! Our server was very helpful and friendly. My family ordered tapas to share and then we all shared a paella after. The tapas were all very tasty. The croquetas were creamy and flavorful. The beef empanadas were also good. They had a lot of shredded beef! We also tried patatas bravas, which had a nice spice to them. And the albondigas were also tasty, but not my favorite. We then had the catalu paella which had steak and chorizo in it. The steak was perfectly cooked with a nice char flavor. The paella itself was fine but I did love the chorizo. Overall, I had a nice experience at this restauant!

    Food portion of the menu.
    Dan M.

    We usually have our son choose restaurants and he chose this outstanding restaurant. We made reservations just in case it was busy. We able to be seated earlier than requested once we arrived. The atmosphere and ambiance is great for intimate settings or groups. They have a rather large drink menu compared to the food. This is a tapas style restaurant. We ordered several items from the menu. See the pics please. The main reason our son chose this restaurant was the paella. Our server was very good and not overly attentive. It was a great balance. He ensured our food was delivered promptly and he always kept our waters full. Every dish was prepared and presented well. The flavors of every plate were complex and robust. Not over powering, but balanced. The price was fine for the dining experience, the vibe, service, quality, and quantity. We would definitely dine here again. Highly recommend giving Catalú a try.

    Meatballs
    Charlotte W.

    We decided to try Catalu based on the great reviews but the experience was overall underwhelming. Nothing was terrible but nothing was amazing. We had reservations for 4 for 5:30. The restaurant was basically empty when we arrived and they said they had us at a high top if that was OK. As the restaurant was basically empty I said we preferred not. The manager at the front then took several minutes not saying anything to find us a table. It was long enough that other people came in and then went up and around us to be seated because nothing was happening. Finally we were seated. Service started out good, sangria samples were not great so we didn't order. We started with empanadas and brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were warmish but not hot but otherwise good. Empanadas were okay but not a lot of flavor. Meatballs were also warm but not hot. The restaurant got busy and service slowed down considerably. I wouldn't recommend or go back. It's okay but not great.

    Valenciana and Del Mar Paellas
    Justin S.

    Catalú is a true Charlotte gem! We started with the beet salad and piquillos peppers--both fresh, flavorful, and beautifully done. Then came the stars of the night: the Valenciana paella with tender chicken and rabbit, and the Arroz Negro del Mar loaded with fresh seafood and that rich, savory squid ink flavor. Both were absolutely outstanding! The oxtail was another highlight--melt-in-your-mouth tender with incredible depth of flavor. And for dessert? The Basque cheesecake was creamy and perfectly caramelized, while the churros were crisp, warm, and impossible to stop eating. Great service, cozy atmosphere, and dishes that transport you straight to Spain--Catalú is a must-try for any foodie in Charlotte!

    Streetview
    John H.

    Menu...check. Food...check. Experience...check. We came on a Sat night around 6:30 and were seated immediately. They have a large outdoor patio, hightops, bar seating and traditional table. Lots of seating options. The atmosphere is very attractive or upscale, yet still casual and inviting. Beer menu was lacking local IPA's. This was a little disappointing. We spent some time looking over the menu as there were lots of attractive options. We started with the Beet Salad ($10) and it was really good! My bride ordered the Ceviche ($15) and Canelones ($12) and she cleaned her plates :) I went with the Gambas Al Ajillo ($13) and Piquillo Peppers ($11) and enjoyed them both....would order them again! Service from Alejo was great. I don't find many places like this in South End or Charlotte really....we will certainly come back again!

    Tiffany K.

    Great happy hour, go on Tuesdays for half off cocktails too! The atmosphere here is one of my favorite. Decorated so clean and new. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. We will definitely be back!

    Brunch menu
    Rob Snow S.

    Charlotte's most slept on...by a mile. I don't know how to feel. On one hand I was absolutely thrilled to have experienced this place for the first time. On the other hand, how did I not know this place existed. I'm looking at you Axios/Charlotte foodie influencers (also side eyeing Yelp top restaurant list). Okay about Catalú Exceptional customer service. The food is delectable, but I was thoroughly impressed by the staff. Olivia and Joseph made my visit so comfortable. Olivia was incredibly attentive, and knowledgeable. And Joseph would appear, addressing any issue I had. But also immediately applying some sort of solution/remedy. The mimosa wasn't hiting that day. Joseph immediately was aware of the issue, and swept the drinks away. He inquired about anything else we were interested in, and insisted he'd make it right. Easily a 10/10 customer service experience. Now the food I decided on the Torrija French Toast, and Rabo de Toro hash. Both were delicious, and were a perfect salty/sweet combo. The oxtail were plentiful and tender. The eggs were cooked perfectly on top of these savory chunks of potato. The french toast was different from any I've had. It was "Spanish style" so the toast was baked in, with a guava filling. The cream cheese melting in your mouth, with the crunch of the pistachio dust layer on top is next level. Pro tip: Park on the street if you don't live in South End and can't walk over. The deck closes to the the restaurant charges 11.00 an hour.

    Breakfast club
    Nikki C.

    It's been a while since I've been to Catalu but when they announced a new brunch menu with $1 mimosas to kick it off we had to go. Still delicious and the vibes are still high. The DJ could've been a little less loud but it was still fun. We had the chicken and waffles and breakfast club. The waffle was perfectly done and chicken crispy. The bread on the club was like something I've never had. So impressed with the new menu.

    Chicken and waffle

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    Catalú Reviews in Other Languages

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    4.3(428 reviews)
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    My family had a really nice experience at Miró! We came in on a Monday with a reservation, but it…read morewasn't packed so probably not needed. We came with our toddler, and they were very accommodating, asking if we preferred a booth or a table since we'd be clipping her high chair onto the table. Mood inside is dimly lit with Miró prints on the walls. A number of groups there that night were celebrating birthdays, so it was definitely a good vibe! We all ordered sangrias, 2 of the Miró (red) sangrias and 2 of the passion fruit (white, sparkling) sangrias. All were so delicious! Amongst the 4 of us, we split the paella de carne, gambas al ajillo, mejillones, and pulpo gallego - this was the perfect amount of food! The warm rolls they provided were so good on their own and even more amazing when dipped in the shrimp and mussel sauces. We ended the night with a flan, which was nice and caramel-y. Service was friendly, and they did speak Spanish, which was a bonus for us. I'll definitely be returning and recommending to others!

    Had a great dinner here:…read more Appetizers/Tapas - Patatas bravas: not crispy enough - Mussels: good but not a must do - croquetas: delicious, would get again - calamari: good as well - Shrimp al Pil Pil: good too - piquillos: good Pork chop: the chef apparently recommends it medium but I thought it was too dry; I would get something else next time Grouper special: this was better although the flavor was a little egg but I attribute it to the grouper Passionfruit sangria: this was refreshing and flavorful Dessert - Flan: homemade and would get again - Tiramisu: too much cream - Coconut cake: this was good, and I'd get this over the tiramisu - Flourless chocolate cake: this was good too

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    Pio Pio - Chicken & Beef Empanadas |Instagram @restaurant_aholic

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    Everything about Pio Pio is a 10 out of 10! The service was beyond lovely - friendly, super…read moreattentive, and service was fast. Restaurant was beautifully decorated and clean. Everything we ate was incredibly delicious and so authentic. We ordered a ton of food for our table (most not pictured here because we ate so fast!). Notable the tostones, calamari, the chicken, and yuca...all absolutely amazing. We also ordered pollos soltado to go for a family member who raved it was the best they had since moving to this area.

    Pio's restaurant has gotten a facelift and it's even better than it was in the past! The score has…read moreincreased to 99, the seating has been updated and the food is still delicious--maybe even better! We went on a Saturday afternoon and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and attentive service. Our meal was excellent as it has consistently been, especially since the changes have been made to the restaurant. I want to make sure that I mention the cleanliness of the women's bathroom. This is the second time in a row that I've used it and it is very well maintained. It's large, clean and odorless. It gives me an overall positive feeling about the restaurant, which adds to my comfort when we eat here. We love coming here. The prices are reasonable, the portion sizes are just right, and the servers are attentive and friendly. A great experience!!

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    El Puro Cuban Restaurant - Cuban Sandwich

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    you're looking for an authentic Cuban dining experience with energy, flavor, and atmosphere, El…read morePuro Cuban Restaurant absolutely delivers. From the moment you walk in, you feel it -- the music, the vibe, the warmth. The live band sets the tone with classic Cuban rhythms that make the entire place feel alive. It's not just background music -- it's part of the experience. The sound fills the room without overpowering conversation, creating that perfect balance between lively and intimate. Now let's talk about the food -- because it's outstanding. I ordered a plate featuring tender, slow-braised shredded beef in a rich, savory tomato-based sauce. The meat was incredibly flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and fall-apart tender -- you can tell it's been cooked low and slow the right way. The sauce had depth, with hints of garlic, peppers, and warm spices that tied everything together beautifully. It was served alongside perfectly cooked rice (dark and flavorful, likely infused with beans and seasoning), sweet fried plantains that were caramelized just right -- crispy edges, soft centers -- and a fresh, crisp salad to balance the richness. Every component on the plate complemented the other. Nothing felt like an afterthought. The presentation was generous and rustic, exactly what you want from authentic Cuban comfort food. The service was welcoming and attentive, and the overall ambiance makes it a great spot for: * Date nights * Celebrations * Dinner with friends * Or just a night out where you want great food and live music El Puro isn't just a restaurant -- it's an experience. Great food, great atmosphere, and great live music. I'll absolutely be back.

    I was raving about this place to a friend from past experiences so we went to check it out. It was…read morea Saturday night and the stage was packed as they had live music and most people (a mature crowd) were on stage dancing. Most people were either celebrating a birthday or out for date night. However, the music was so loud it didn't allow for much conversation. It had been some time since I've been back to El Puro since giving up pork- it made the food options a bit limited. The food was a little subpar especially at the price point. My friend was underwhelmed but the atmosphere and ambiance is and still remains great. Moving forward I'd probably just stop by for drinks if anything.

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    Barcelona Wine Bar Charlotte - Spinach and mushroom benedict

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    Tried some new tapas again this time…read more Brussel Sprouts (5/5): Well cooked brussels with a very tasty, sweet/tangy vinaigrette sauce. Bacon Wrapped Dates (4/5): These all pretty much taste the same but the blue cheese sauce/spread paired nicely with the sweetness of the dates. Gambas Al Ajillo (4/5): The shrimp was good and I liked how much garlic there was. Some sort of added sweetness would've been nice. Potato Tortilla (3/5): Kind of like an eggy potato quiche. I really liked the crust, but there was too much egg. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

    Stumbled in close to 11pm on a Friday after striking out finding wine elsewhere. Barcelona was the…read moreright call, mostly. The bar area was busy but we managed to snag two seats on the side without too much trouble -- seat yourself setup. Here's where it gets a little mixed. My partner stepped away to use the restroom and I sat there for a while while one of the bartenders walked back and forth past me, clearly focused on closing duties, without so much as a glance or a menu in my direction. Not the worst thing in the world but when you're sitting at a bar alone it's hard not to notice. Fortunately another bartender came over, clocked that I was just sitting there unattended, and immediately smiled and handed me a menu before taking both of our orders. She turned it around quickly and that kind of awareness goes a long way. Shoutout to her. I ordered a 3oz pour of Syrah -- pretty decent, did the job. We didn't order food so I can't speak to that. The overall vibe was chill and low key for a late Friday night, which was exactly what we needed. Would come back for a proper visit earlier in the evening and give the food menu a real shot.

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