I've visited Celia's Cuban Cuisine a few times now, and after a few happy hours there, I can say I'm genuinely impressed. The food and the atmosphere both stand out in a really great way. Starting with the food, I've tried a range of their empanadas chicken, beef, and even the oxtail empanadas, which aren't on the main menu but are definitely a must-try if they're available. They come with some really tasty sauces that elevate the whole experience. I've also explored their sandwich selection ... the Pan con Pollo (the chicken sandwich), the roasted pork sandwich, and the Cubano are all solid choices. Now I'm not Cuban but I did find it better than my Miami experiences (just me). Surprisingly, they have a chopped cheese sandwich on the menu, which adds a nice, unexpected twist. It's quickly become one of my go-to items to mix in along with whatever else I get. Balance of trying something new and keeping a personal staple. On the drink side, their rum punch is nicely balanced and flavorful, and the margaritas are also really well done. The bartenders are super accommodating and happy to whip up any specialty drink you might want, which is always a plus. Such as my bourbon margarita request. All in all, it's a spot that combines great flavors with a welcoming vibe. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a mix of Cuban staples and a few fun surprises! Such as stumbling into one of their First Friday events where they had a DJ. It added a whole new layer of fun and created such a great atmosphere. If you happen to go on a night like that, you're in for a treat. read more

Amazing food! The menu is a great selection of Cuban cuisine from Ropa vieja, picadillo, and ox tail. I really enjoyed their happy hour menu as well we tried the beef empanadas and the sliders. The cocktails on happy hour were also yummy. Getting seated can be a bit of a wait so go early. My only complaint was how loud it was. Could barely hear my dinner companions over the din. But a fun vibe with Cuban music and lots of energy. The highlight was the free hot coco at the end. Wow! So good. read more

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Amazing and delicious food !!!! We came for happy hour and started with a couple of margaritas. For apps, chicken & beef empanadas - very tasty! They came with a creamy dipping sauce which made them even better We also tried the Cubano . It was a little better than average. The main menu had so many delicious looking choices and we had a hard time choosing but we decided to split a red snapper. So happy with our choice! The fish was fresh, perfectly fried in a yummy sauce that was supposed to be spicy but was not but did not overwhelm the delicate fish. It was topped with some veggies, kinda reminiscent of a Filipino Escabeche . The size was perfect for two. It also came with two sides - we had rice & plantains which went well together. We were full but wanted to try the Tembleque which is actually a Puerto Rican dessert aka coconut pudding. It was delicious! They also gave us hot chocolate on the house to thank us for dining there Service is attentive but we felt rushed It's a small cozy restaurant and it gets really loud from other peoples' conversations so it was a bit difficult to have a decent conversation We're still coming back though sometime because we want to try the rest of the menu read more

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This is a cute, quaint establishment with friendly staff, there's limited seating. The food is prepared well with some additional vegetarian sides such as cauliflower rice. The ropa Viejas was tender but the sauce was a bit tangy, like too much vinegar. The pork steak was flavorful and tender. The sides are standard but the cabbage has pork for a different flavor. The chicken and beef empanadas are good. I prefer beef for a little extra flavor and spice. Overall an enjoyable experience. read more

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Great restaurant! This was my first time dinning at this restaurant for a date and the food didn't disappoint. I had an empanada and pollo guisado. The food was very flavorful and consisted of a good portion sizes. My date had the snapper and I had a piece, delicious. The service and ambiance were both excellent. I am looking forward to returning especially for another piece of tres Leche cake. read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Red Snapper - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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We stopped by for a late lunch and got the only table left open (1:30+-). The service took some time considering the volume that we caught at the end of the rush. We had the lunch three course special and a Media Noche sandwich with tostones. Having lived in Miami for ten years, we are pretty familiar with Cuban food. I liked the seasoning on the Pernil and the Maduros were excellent. We thought the food was a bit more from the DR as it was more highly seasoned than many Cuban dishes which we were happy with. The guayaba cheesecake was fantastic. Reasonable prices and very delicious. read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Pernil and chicken empanada. - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Restaurant week AND happy hour on a Saturday - what a steal! We loved the beef empanadas- such chefs kiss! The Cuban slider also was tasty. For just $20 for RW, we got yucca fries, ropa vieja, and tres leches. Everything was seasoned well and the meats were so flavorful. We just wish our dessert came bigger! We also had a mojito and margarita. Both tasty, we enjoyed the mojito more. read more

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Azúcar!!! A word popularized by the late and great Celia Cruz! This establishment is named after her!! I was excited to see a Cuban restaurant open in Howard County, as I often enjoy the one in Burtonsville. Unfortunately, this visit fell short on flavor and authenticity. According to our waiter, the recipes are from his grandmother but if I had to be honest they could use some fine tuning. Coming from New York and growing up on authentic Spanish flavors, I know the power of sofrito, garlic, and very well seasoned dishes and I must admit I missed that here. The ropa vieja was lacking taste, the beans were overly salty, and the empanadas were overcooked and dry. Again where's the flavor Latinos are known for? The mojito was just okay. That said, the ambience and service were excellent (5/5), and I loved seeing the face of my favorite late singer (Celia Cruz) gracing the walls, what a beautiful touch. Azucar Parking is also a solid 5/5. I truly wish this restaurant the best and hope to see progress with the recipes. I'll give it another try in the future, as I'd love to see a Cuban spot thrive in the heart of such a diverse county. read more

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Found this spot during RW. It is tucked away in a small shopping center. It has a nice vibe to it. The service was great. We ordered beef empanadas which are really really good. We also had Pollo Guisado with rice and plantains, Picadillo with rice and black beans. Both dishes were hot(temp) and plentiful. The Polo had a nice and mild flavor to it. Picadillo wasn't my first choice, I went there to try the Ropa Vieja, but they were out of it. It was my first time trying it, so it was Okay. The Tres Leches cake was really good. All this was only $20. I will return to try the Ropa Vieja and get more beef empanadas. If you are in the area, give them a try. read more

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First Cuban restaurant in town that I know of. I had to check it out. First impression was that it's very welcoming feels like home. Employees were very friendly and helpful. I decided to go with the Cuban classics like ropa vieja and lechón. Food was flavorful and it was a large meal. Our server was top notch. Definitely pleased with my first visit. read more

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A Hispanic themed restaurant in my backyard? Sign me up! I decided to stop by Celia's for some dinner. I ordered a Cuban staple, the Ropa vieja with rice and beans, 2 pastelitos 1 chicken & 1 beef, and a order of tostones(fried plantain chips). I also ordered a Tres leches cake. The pastelitos were the star of the meal if you were to ask me. They were delicious and filled to the max with meat and packed with flavor I regret only ordering 2! Maybe they should offer a sauce to elevate them to the next level. The main course was a little bit of a let down. The portion was on the smaller side, the rice had a good cook on it and the meat was tender and flavorful. The tostones was a let down they were not fried hard like they normal are so they were soggy. The dessert was the biggest letdown for a piece of cake to cost almost $10. I expected a very delicious juicy piece of cake. It was not. It was your typical sponge cake with some frosting and some milk surrounding it, I'm not sure how it is prepared but it seemed like just a refrigerated piece of cake that had the milk added before purchase so it really was not spongy. I would give this place another chance. Try other things on their menu. Maybe a different type of dessert. Pastelitos 10/10 Ropa vieja alone without sides 7.5/10 Tres leches cake 1/10 read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Welcome to the neighborhood, Celias!! I was super excited to see that they were open for business, even though operating with limited hours and menu options. I think that's a great way to introduce a business to the public and work out any kinks. I loved everything about my experience. Service, food, and the ambiance. The staff was super friendly and efficient. The food...omg!! Packed with so much flavor and cooked to perfection. I ordered the Pernil, which is slow roasted pork. I've had this from many restaurants and this may have been one of my favorites. My sides were red beans and white rice. The sides paired perfectly with the pork. You have to make sure to grab the green sauce. It's so good. I plan to try as many items as I can from the limited menu to determine my favorites! The space is well decorated with a good amount of seating and a bar. It's definitely a vibe. I'm looking forward to the experience once they have everything in place. I'm thrilled to have an authentic Cuban restaurant in the area!! read more

Tried Celias for the first time recently and really enjoyed my experience! The restaurant is bustling and warm, the servers are attentive and friendly, and the music is a vibe. My party and I tried the empanadas, a few different drinks, and a few different entrees. Everything tasted amazing! The empanadas were so flavorful and crispy - and the green sauce can't be beat. My guava mojito was also delicious, and my entree of pernil with two sides was generous! Don't skip the Mac and cheese, because it was surprisingly amazing. read more

want to start by saying I'm very familiar with authentic Cuban food. My friend and I decided to give this a try. Our experience wasn't what we had hoped it would be. First, it was the village's trick or treating event. Although we loved seeing the kids and their customers it was very loud and cold because they had them come inside for their treat instead of having someone stand outside the door to pass out the treats. The service started out terribly. We waited 20mins for our drinks and empanadas to then find out that the young man forgot and decided to give us the last one in the warmer which wasn't warm. We returned it for two fresh ones. We were told that the boiled yuca came with grilled onions which they did not. Our food wasn't very warm. The yuca was dry and hard in texture. The black beans were flavorful. The nice touch was at the end of the meal they brought out mini spiked hot chocolates which were delicious. We were surprised that there was a 3% upcharge. May we missed the fine print. Although the food was completely terrible it could have been better; we will continue to support other cuban restaurants in the area read more

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Our first visit here and we already have plans to come back... ASAP! The margaritas are some of the best we've ever had. Totally reasonable prices, especially on happy hour. Chicken Empanada is obviously made from scratch- no frozen products here. Definitely a really tasty and great value. There are tons of options in this area for dining. This is a family purveyor, and the lovely atmosphere, great service and top quality fresh ingredients in both food and drinks - they've earned my support!! read more

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Excellent food, drinks, and service. I especially enjoyed the agua fresca, ceviche & the tres leches cake.

Met my friend and she's such a regular we got a nicer table ;) She warned me that as they are so short-staffed, it's not super fast. She was right, BUT if you aren't on the clock it's well worth taking your time! I haven't had pernil for a couple of years, and theirs was delectable. Perfectly seasoned, moist and tender, with a few of the pork bits slightly crisp. Black beans were pretty standard, nothing special. Riced cauliflower was outstanding! You don't find that in many restaurants but it was wonderful. I had iced tea and without tip, my check was just under $22. For the heaping plate (I couldn't eat it all but believe me, I finished the pork & cauli) that is a very reasonable price. Music was a bit too loud. Restroom was not just clean, it was spotless - and roomy enough that a wheelchair could easily navigate it. I don't recall that it specified that, but it's true. Parking is ample and free. Too far for me to go often, but I do want to go back for their Friday special: osso buco! I've never had a Cuban preparation of that and I'll bet it's delicious. read more

Discovered this wonderful gem the other night! I never knew this even existed but came to check it out and I was not disappointed! We happen to come for happy hour which is rare that a restaurant offers happy hour on saturdays - and the happy hour items are actually worth it! We got one of all the appetizers and they were so delicious! I thought the chicken empanada was so delicious and flavorful but hubby liked the beef better- seasoning just right and the fry on it was perfect ! Also got the guava and cheese which is a little sweet so would work well as dessert - I loved it! Also got Cuban slider and pernil slider as well as pan con pollo- they also were flavored well and cute little sandwiches! Got the burger on tostone-also seasoned so well - not your typical ground beef patty-served on a tostone instead of bun and the crisp was so heavenly! I was absolutely stuffed for a fraction of the cost -I did not even get to eat any entree but I did try the yucca fries which were fried to perfection-crispy in the outside and soft on the inside- the service was so friendly and attentive- we even got free Cuban hot chocolate for free for dessert! Ambience is fine- great for informal dining but delicious food but I loved that there was enough seating and room for people read more

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The food was delicious! The service was great and the environment was lively. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back! read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Pollo Guisado (stew chicken) - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Tucked away in a forgotten shopping plaza, Celia's is a place worth a try! The food is comforting, like a home cooked meal. The drinks are delicious as well - but if you're looking to save calories, they might not be the best options. We had the Coquito and Brazlian Lemonade. The flavors are refreshing but the creaminess of the drinks are what packs on the calories. The Lemonade is made with fresh limes and condensed milk. The Coquito is traditionally made with coconut cream - which is delicious. Partner ordered the Pernil. The pork was very tender and flavorful. The side of cabbage complemented the meat entree. I had the Ropa Vieja. Very tender beef and flavorful sauce. My favorite part of my entree was the Arroz Gandules - well seasoned rice with peas. Everything was great. Service was friendly and efficient. read more

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I'm going to say it, Celias is better than Cuba de Ayer. Cuba De Ayer is always been my go to for Cuban cuisine, but it's sort of feels like it's missing something. Celias on the other hand is a lot more flavorful! The crispy yet juicy and flavorful Masitas was amazing. The service was quick and the owner checked on us multiple times. The rice was also great, it's not just beans slap together with rice like other Cuban places. The restaurant is very cozy, I'd come back again and would also recommend it all my friends. read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Masitas de Puerco - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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We started with empanadas of beef, chicken and guayaba with cheese. My meal. I had the sancoho which is a beef and chicken stew with vegetable root such as taro and casava with green bananas and plantain with corn. It was delicious. The ambiance was nice and the people super nice. However, chef and owner Reynoso was incredibly warm and friendly. He has opened a little over a year in Colombia, MD. If you have not been, you don't know what you are missing. So come to Celia'! Azúcar!!! read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Sancoho - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Had lunch with my family, the service was Great, the food was delicious and reasonable prices. read more

I've been here twice now and both times were such a great experience. The owner, James, is an absolute delight and really sets the tone for the whole place. The first time I came was on a random Saturday and I lucked out because it was happy hour from about 4:30-6:30. I ordered the empanadas chicken, beef, and oxtail. The oxtail isn't part of happy hour, but it is 100% worth it. Every single one was juicy and full of flavor. Back to back hits. And plot twist... even the house margarita was delicious. After inhaling the empanadas, I moved on to a chicken sandwich. I can't remember the exact name, but it came with a cute little flag on top. I almost didn't order it because it had pickles and I do not like pickles. But when in Rome. Turns out, I loved it. Pickles and all. Then I tried the chopped cheese and fries. Easy 10/10. Highly recommend. The staff and family are so attentive and caring, which is probably why I went back again. On First Fridays they have a DJ and salsa dancing. I missed the salsa dancing because it was past my nap time lol but the DJ? He was not trying to let anybody go home. Jam after jam. Between the food, the vibes, and the family atmosphere, they really had my heart. I definitely encourage everyone to give this place a try read more

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I found this place while in the Columbia area and decided to give it a try. This was a good choice because the food was amazing. When I approached the building and I saw a live band playing, that's always a good sign. The arroz con gandules, Vieja are amazing. The mac & cheese was good as well. I'll go. I would have preferred some more cheese overall this place is a hit. I will definitely be back and highly recommend if you want some Cuban food. read more

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The food was tasty. For a Cuban restaurant, I didn't see a lot of my favorite Cuban dishes on the menu but the dishes I did order turned out well. My only complaint is if you're going to call yourself a mojito bar, the mojitos need to be authentic and not from a mix. As a Miami native this was disappointing, sacrilegious if you will. As a mojito snob, I need cane sugar (simple syrup if you must), fresh limes, fresh mint, all muddled together. Add Bacardi white (no mix), ice and shake vigorously. Pour in a glass, fill with club soda. THIS is a mojito. Edited to add: The owner is completely unhinged and if you leave a review with the slightest critique, he will find issue with it. Just read his comments. He is very sensitive. And if you want to get sassy, I saw the Bacardi mojito mix on the bar. I don't lie. I'm a native Miami resident and I know what a mojito tastes like. I've been drinking them for decades. I was willing to come back to this establishment because as I said in my review the food was tasty but the owners responses leave a bad taste in my mouth. read more

We went to Celia's Cubano Cuisine for HoCo Restaurant Week and man do I regret not checking it out sooner. We got the Picadillo and Ropa Vieja (both pictured) and empanadas. The green sauce that comes with the empanadas is made in house and is so good we were literally fighting over it. You cannot beat the $20 restaurant week price for a 3 course meal (must get the Tres Leches) and complimentary hot chocolate at the end which the kids enjoyed. If you haven't been yet, now is the time to go! read more

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I've already praised this wonderful place to the skies, but I have to say, if you love a rum old fashioned, COME HERE. If he's there, ask for Declan to make you an old fashioned -- it's the best old fashioned of my life, and he gave it his own special recipe. Much love to this place, my favorite restaurant in Columbia, MD. read more

Everything single thing we had was a 10/10!!!! Highly recommend this place! From the Mac n cheese, empanadas, plantains, rice, and pork entrees are so good! read more

The pollo guisado and the masitas were great! Music and service was also pretty good. read more

Super fun restaurant! Salmon and stewed chicken top notch. Some food temp issues but very friendly service and good vibes! read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Salmon - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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We were only here for a happy hour snack before our dinner reservation and we were very happy and will definitely return. The empanadas with the sauce were on point but my mojito didn't really have my lychee flavor I was expecting. It's small so this will be a spot where hubby and I come solo until our kids are older. We had the opportunity to meet one of the owners and he was very friendly. I just wish they were opened a little later, but it seems most businesses in that shopping center shut down early. read more

This place is like eating at a grandma's house! The food is so authentic and delicious, with flavors that bring memories of home-cooked meals from childhood. James & Ed owners of the establishment were friendly and talked about the meaning behind the name. If you are in Columbia you must try this place. read more

I can't say enough about this place---My partner (who is a foodie) and I rave about this place---First off, the food is exceptional--we experienced several dishes and appetizers, and all were fantastic! Two of the appetizers were on the happy hour menu! The staff was sooooo friendly--both Declan, the bartender and Ethan our waiter! Both of the pork dishes were over the top!! So happy we have this great place in Columbia! read more

Not terrible but terribly overpriced. Some dishes are okay, others are tasteless. Beware they allow smoking in the outdoor area. Hahaha! Look at the response by the manager! He just confirmed that his restaurant is not worth visiting. Do not worry Ed R, I will never set my feet again in your poorly managed kitchen with bad attitude. If you cannot provide food and experience that matches the price, it shows lack of hospitality skills. No wonder if the business owner spends his time on being rude to the customers, instead of thinking how to improve the quality of the food and enhance the overall experience. Ed R forgot one important thing. He is not doing me a favor to the customers, on the contrary, customers are honoring you by attending to your business. Eating tasteless empanadas at your place is not an honor at all. There are numerous restaurants that serve delicious foods and act professionally otherwise. read more

We were a party of 6 on a Friday night and expected to wait for our table. The waiter put cushions out for us in their outdoor dining area and took our appetizer and drink orders promptly. The outdoor space is very nice and we really enjoyed the 20 minutes- less than expected! The empanadas, sliders, and mojitos were perfect. Inside, everyone loved their meal- pernil, masitas, cubano, pan con lechon, and more empanadas. I liked the mirrors in the wall since my seat was facing the wall-- and I could still see the rest of the restaurant; I hate facing a boring wall, so the mirrors are perfect! The music was a little loud, but they turned it down at some point and we enjoyed the rest of our time. Def recommend! read more

Love this restaurant! Clean! People are friendly and foods are very good, ambiance is also very nice.

Fantastic first experience at Celia's. Wonderful service. Nice atmosphere. Had the media noche and margarita. Both were excellent. Loved the bread. Looking forward to returning for entrees and mac n cheese! read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Media noche and margarita. - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

A delightful gem with attentive service and wonderful food. From the exterior, we are greeted with festive upbeat music. Our table for 12 was set up along the window, staff was friendly and service was great. A table favorite was the pollo guisado, tender chicken stewed. I enjoyed my entree with sides of rice and peas, and sautéed cabbage. Flavors are fresh and savory. Please check out this neighborhood gem! read more

Celias Cuban Cuisine - Pollo Guisado - Cuban Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Love the food and the service. All are friendly and the food is authentic to the dish I had growingup in Florida.