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    Mariel

    3.9 (712 reviews)
    PriceyCuban
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    MARIEL ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Mariel

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    Reviews With Photos

    Almira F.

    I came back again but this time for drinks at the bar . There were about 8 of us and sat in one of the round tables by the bar which was awesome ! We got to see people come in and out throughout the evening . We stared past 4 and stayed for nearly 4 hours , that's how much fun we had ! The drinks specialties are quite innovative and delicious , the food was equally as good - we got the empanadas , crudo, hummus , steak and fries . We passed on the dessert but would love to try them the next time I come back . I cant stop raving about how amazing the venue is , the high ceiling , the way it's designed and decorated , impressive . When in Boston, it's high recommended but ensure to book a table especially on the weekends as it got pretty crowded from 7 ish on ( Thursday night )

    Blackened Shrimp
    Vidhi S.

    One of the best spots in Boston that I have been to. They have some amazing cocktails and absolutely delicious food. They have several small plates that are easy to share, but I do want to call out their empanadas and also their flatbreads. They also have amazing music playing in the background and it's a very lively atmosphere. The service is excellent and they accommodate all your requests.

    Steak Churrasco
    Samira C.

    The food was delicious and the drinks were very yummy. The waiter was not as attentive as I would like and the restaurant itself was a little bit too loud for my liking. The interior, however is very pretty and the seats are comfortable. Wish the service was a bit better, but that's the only thing I'd change.

    Meg C.

    Came here for a brunch with a group of 7 and while I love the ambiance, both the food and service has gone down hill, which is a bit of deal breaker with this being a more expensive place. We ordered a bunch of apps, and all of those were pretty good, but the arepas, which I've had twice before, had overcooked rubbery eggs and burnt arepas. My friend also got the arepas, which I had hyped up, and her plate was also overdone/burnt. Really bummed me out. Didn't finish half of it. Service was polite but incredibly slow given there were only two large groups and maybe one or two other 2-tops. We were there for over 2 hours and much of that time was spent waiting for the server to come by. Place was dead for a reason, not sure I'll be back.

    Broken Eggs
    Ellie C.

    Had a great brunch here as a party of 2! The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the decor was beautiful. I got the Broken Eggs, which was a delicious dish of sunny-side up eggs on a bed of shoestring potato fries. I would come here again for dinner or to try more of their brunch items!

    Attiya K.

    This spot was 10/10!! Highly recommend. Everything we ate was amazing!! Drinks were great as well. Great for an individual moment , date night, or big group. They have live music on the weekend as well. Our server was AWESOME! We celebrated a girlfriend's birthday !

    View from the bar to the dining room...
    Mark D.

    Stopped in for a drink and a snack at the bar and WOW! Will definitely be back. The classic daiquiri was delish. The empanadas are like an entire gourmet meal full of flavor in every bite! Great bartender. Old-school Havana atmosphere at the bar only topped by the draw of the upscale art-deco dining room. Lovely.

    Lisa M.

    Visited Boston from Miami and walking in Mariel-- felt right at home! This establishment is beautifully designed and so much to take in! I grabbed a seat at the bar on a Friday night and ordered drinks, they were handcrafted and absolutely delicious with many options to choose from! I also ordered an appetizer. The DJ was amazing, the aesthetics were on point and on a busy night, the bartenders attentive. I visited late July and the club downstairs was closed for renovation but definitely would have checked it out if it was open! Highly recommend!!!

    John H.

    Mariel is a great choice for a special night out for a big group. A high energy environment that feels like a you're at a trendy restaurant in Miami or Cuba welcomes you. The menu is tapas style and features a fusion of Mexican and American dishes. The food itself is solid. The empanadas are well seasoned and perfectly fried. The cheese puffs are also a nice combination of soft melty cheese and a crispy fried exterior. The steak and fufu gnocchi were also among my favorites. I didn't care much for the pizzas though. Yes they are pricey and you'll need several plates per person so keep that in mind. They also had a number of creative cocktails that everyone enjoyed. Inside is beautiful - huge ceilings and lots of old furnishings in a dimly lit setting. The DJ is spinning and getting you pumped up for the night ahead. It's loud, everyone is well dressed, and a lighting system will occasionally get triggered. Service was solid for a busy night and our table of 11 was well taken care of. Definitely worth checking out.

    Marissa N.

    This place is good. I came here Saturday night to celebrate a friend birthday together. We ordered the yucca cheese puffs, the mushroom empanadas, the guava lamb, and hamachi Crudo. For drinks, I had the la Chula and an aval cider. Later, all of us had our own thing and I ended up having the chorizo pizza. Finally we all had dessert. We had mango tartlet and the Cuban lunch. Cuban lunch did not sit well with us unlike the mango tartlet. Our waitress was really kind and very thoughtful of us, especially noticing how two of our party did not receive their individual meals as quickly as the rest of us the ambience is very nice however I don't really like it dim lit, but of course that's my personal preference. I enjoy the Christmas decorations as well as The open space. I think for a party of five the round table for all of us was a bit too cramped on the side. Nevertheless, a night was hard and that I say thank you for celebrating our friends birthday here.

    Jess C.

    Food was good. We tried a variety of things -- crab arepas, steak churrasco, fufu gnocchi, calamari frito, shrimp blanco pizza, etc. -- satisfied with everything! Will definitely come back. But they don't have a big menu. The dining environment is good too. Liked the interior decoration a lot.

    Linh T.

    The vibe here is effortlessly chic -- moody lighting, stylish decor, and a great music playlist that really sets the scene. We honestly expected the food to be just okay (as it often is at places like this), but it genuinely surprised us! Portions are perfect for sharing and munching while enjoying the atmosphere. A great spot for a night out that delivers both style and substance

    Pollo Pizza Cubano Pizza Calamari Frito
    Tracy C.

    I visited Mariel on a Friday night with high expectations given its reputation and location, but I was pretty taken aback by the hostess experience right at the start. The two white lady hostesses at the front were extremely awkward and unwelcoming. One of them just stood there holding the menus, waiting for us to take them, while awkwardly looking around the room without making any eye contact or smiling. It felt really uncomfortable and impersonal, which was totally unexpected for a place like this that prides itself on atmosphere and service. Thankfully, once we were seated, our server was sweet, kind, and very attentive. She checked in regularly and made sure we had what we needed, which helped salvage the evening. The food itself was just okay. I was not surprised that nothing stood out as exceptional because people come more for the ambience rather than food. If you're thinking about coming here, I'd say Mariel is best suited for special celebrations or if you want a pretty backdrop for pictures, because the ambiance is lovely and the space looks great. However, the front-of-house service definitely needs work to feel as welcoming and polished as the rest of the restaurant. It is way more worth it making a reservation in the main dining hall if you do decide to come!

    Jennings

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    1 month ago

    Steven was unreal--best hospitality and he even remembered us from Valentine's Day. Made the whole experience 10x better!

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    2 months ago

    Everything was good. Plates are big. You can share them. Service was perfect. Great ambiance. We will be back for sure.

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    1 month ago

    Great ambience though tables way too close and hosts could be more welcoming. Mahi mahi bowl easy and good for a quick business lunch.

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    Mariel Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mariel

    Is this the kinda place you could bring family for dinner that is visiting? or is it more of a date/romantic spot

    It may feel different depending on what time of the day. But it was definitely More of a date/romantic spot or dinner with friends!

    Is there outdoor seating?

    No- inside dining room and bar area.

    Are there any vegan options for dinner or brunch? To be clear, no GF, vegetarian, etc. thanks!!

    The dinner menu has a good amount of gluten free options. But they use the same fryer so cross contamination is possible. The staff if very knowledgeable and accommodating.

    Is this restaurant kid friendly?

    This isn't a kid friendly restaurant. Mostly couples and ladies brunching. That's not to say kids can't go.

    Do they have gluten free options?

    I don't remember seeing any notations of gluten free options on the menu. I could be wrong though - I would say call and ask

    Is there good spanish music being played? Is there an age limit? What days are most fun?

    They play Spanish/Cuban music in the restaurant. I think they get a dj in the evenings. It becomes 21+ after 8 or 9pm I think. Just a great vibe & feels like upscale Cuban.

    Do you need a reservation?

    Is there street parking?

    There is

    View All 13 Questions

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - Spinach empanada

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge

    4.3(454 reviews)
    4.1 miPorter Square, North Cambridge

    My wife and I were born in Cuba and moved to the United States when we were very young. We've…read morecherished Cuban cuisine throughout our lives, prepared by our parents and grandparents. Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Gustazo Cuban Kitchen in Cambridge for the first time, and it was an exceptional experience. Our server, Sandeep, was delightful and provided excellent suggestions and recommendations. We began with three small plates: Croquetas de Jamón, Garbanzos con Espinaca (a Spanish-style dish with chickpeas and spinach in a smoky almond sofrito), and Tortilla Española (a traditional Spanish egg frittata with layered potatoes and caramelized onions). Each dish was incredibly delicious. We also sampled the Congrí Rice & Beans to see if it would be suitable for our holiday catering needs, and it exceeded our expectations. For our main course, we enjoyed the Ropa Vieja, served traditionally with white rice, black beans, and maduros. We ended with a delicious flan to share. Having dined at many Cuban and Spanish restaurants in Massachusetts, we can confidently say that Gustazo is the most authentic Cuban restaurant we've experienced. The flavors were truly delightful. Highly Recommended! Ray & Luisa Gonzalez

    Fun little spot! They've got a rotating menu, handcrafted cocktails, and a fun, lively atmosphere…read more It does get a little cramped inside, but the energy adds to the experience. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great recommendations throughout the meal. We tried a few different dishes and honestly loved everything. The standouts were definitely the mussels and the ribs. The mussels were huge, fresh, and packed with flavor, while the ribs were coated in a tangy-sweet sauce and literally fell right off the bone. Would absolutely come back to try more of the menu!

    Photos
    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - Bar or open kitchen at the lower level

    Bar or open kitchen at the lower level

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - WHOLE TRES LECHES CAKE

    WHOLE TRES LECHES CAKE

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - Beet salad

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    Beet salad

    Mariel - cuban - Updated May 2026

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