Gustazo Cuban Restaurant & Cafe - Waltham

Finally got to try this place on moody st. In Waltham. The tapas/small plates were excellent. I had the swordfish tacos and shared the yucca fries and corn fritters. All delicious with lots of flavor. The churros for dessert was a highly, yummy with chocolate and dulce de leche sauces for dipping. The sangria of the day was really good as well. I would definitely go back.

Tried this place for date night. Really good tapas options and tequila selection .

The food tasted great! The interior was a little bit dark for me but being seated next to the window was nice. For the price of the food, it was a little bit concerning to see a 4% appreciation charge for kitchen staff on the bill… however i didn’t mind too much as the food was good. The flavors were well balanced. I enjoyed the camarones a la plancha and the flan the most.

We love Gustazo! After years of enjoying the Cambridge location, we finally tried the Waltham spot. The food was excellent. We had 5 small plates, including the halibut stuffed peppers, the mahimahi tacos, the corn fritters, and the shitake mushroom croquettes. All of them were delicious and presented beautifully. My husband had the pork large plate and the pork was unbelievably tender and the portion was huge. I enjoyed the guava blossom cocktail. There were four of us for the meal and we split two desserts. I think the key lime pie is my favorite. Like their spot in Cambridge, this location also has bright decor with posters for Cuban films covering the walls. The staff was veey friendly.

After eating at this new location a couple of times since they moved I have been HIGHLY impressed. Changing my score to a 5 out of 5! The food is phenomenal and you can't beat the vibe. I really enjoyed the lambchops but almost every dish was perfect. They also have a variety of cocktails. I have had the sangria as well as the "Westerly Winds" and both were delicious and refreshing. Perfectly paired with their amazing tapas. Another thing to note is they have a beautiful and spacious patio area that is wonderful on warmer days. I can't wait to enjoy it in the summertime.

Have been here a couple of times and the tapas are really good. Thoughtfully executed menu with flavors of the Caribbean in a beautiful setting. Definitely worth the trip to Waltham.

Very well decorated dish. Perfectly cooked meat. Although reservation is recommended otherwise waiting time is 1 hr minimum. Slightly smaller quantity meal but worth the wait for the taste. Garlic Shrimps and chicken both had unique flavor.

Discovered Gustazo by accident and was very impressed. Although the store front looks old, our outdoor table was great with nicely decorated surroundings. Drinks were excellent, and food were tasty. Definitely thumbs up for the small plates: we tried many of them and all tasted great! Free parking in the back parking lot was a plus too.

Wow, where do I even begin? The vibe, the food, the drinks, the service – unmatchable. Literally the only complaint I have is that I was upset I got full so fast because I could have tried everything on the menu. The restaurant looks small from the outside but when you enter, you realize the place is huge. Not only was I looking for good Cuban food, but I was looking for a place with a sexy atmosphere and options for both indoor and outdoor dining. As one of the very few authentic Cuban restaurants in the Boston area, Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar in Waltham, MA didn’t disappoint. They offer Cuban food choices including vegetarian small plates, small plates with meat, small plates from the sea, and large plates.

Very very good Cuban food in a somewhat authentic but unpleasantly loud setting. We enjoyed all of the Small plates that we ordered the empanada as well as the taco seemed nice desert was spectacular. The churros were to die for and the tres leches cake which was served in a cocktail glass was by itself a stand out dish. The server was more than busy and turned up once every 15-20 minutes . The girls who delivered food were pleasant but did not seem to speak reasonable English. But in the end, the food triumphs and boy-o-boy.. wasn’t it spectacular. Would definitely go back as the tastes are authentic and the choices - diverse.

The food here was amazing. We had the Puerco Asado and the Ropa Vieja it was so good. I will definitely go back. Their was so much flavor in their food. It’s a nice restaurant the front part was packed. We sat in the back part and it wasn’t that packed yet. They put your bill inside the colorful card I thought that was pretty nice.👍

This place is absolutely amazing! I've been here several times and will come every time business brings me to Waltham. I walk in, Ted greets me by name and remembers what I had last time! That's service. Started with the Cuban Ribs appetizer, moved onto the Puerco Asado with Black Beans and extra Plantains... For dessert... The Flan of course plus my signature Cappuccino. This place rocks! Make sure to book your reservations because otherwise you're going to wait. Wow!

We went around 6 and it wasn't to full, parking was easily found in the back and free on the weekend. Food was fantastic as were the drinks. Highly recommend their mussels dish. The restaurant did fill up quick and get a bit noisy but I would definitely recommend. It is pricey so be prepared.

Probably the best Cuban restaurant in greater Boston area. The pork grill is the best I had for a while. Lamb chop is tender and tasty. Definitely will come back again.

Gustazo is a local favorite. We have been to their brunch on weekends and it is amazing. Especially their selection of coffees. We tried Cortado and cappuccinos and it was great. The restaurants has good vegetarian and vegan options and the Avocado toast is amazing. The restaurant has comforting and relaxing ambiance, and a good selection of rums.

Incredible, authentic dishes and drinks. Ambience is beautiful, although can get busy and noisy quickly. Worth it for the food.

Pros: The atmosphere was upscale, but not stuffy. High ceilings and interesting space. The food was fantastic. We ordered tapas, vegetarian entrees, and entrees. We didn’t have a single dish we didn’t like. Cons: The tapas were small even for tapas. Several of the tapas came with 2 of the item when I feel 3x is more standard. There was also an automatic 4% “Kitchen Appreciation Fee”. I know Gustazo is far from the only place to do this, but I hate it. Charge more for your food and pay your people properly. These separate charges always feel like posturing and grandstanding.

Awesome selection of vegan/ vegetarian food.. and I am not both of them 😄. Mussels were amazing so were corn fritters and most of the dishes we ordered. Drinks good too. We were sitting outside which has really good vibe. It's enclosed so you still get privacy from people walking around.

One of, if not the best restaurant in Boston. I do not say this lightly. After living in Boston for 10+ years, I’ve been able to visit many restaurants all over the city with a variety of food types. I could count on one hand the amount of restaurants I’ve wanted to tell all my friends and family about. I’ve been to Gustazo’s twice and each time, just blown away with the flavors, and service. Each dish being beautifully plated, delicious and delivered quickly. The menu offers such a variety that any tastebuds could find their preferred flavors. I don’t think I could recommend everyone to visit Gustazo’s more than I do now. You’ll thank me later.

First time here and we found the food to be creative and delicioso! Service is excelente. We especially liked the Maderos con Tocino and the Camarones de Plancha. Love the dining room with spacious tables and high ceilings.

This is by far my favorite restaurant in Boston, cannot say enough positive things about it. I do not understand why this restaurant does not have a Michellin star. The food is outstanding and the service impeccable.

Gustazo had pretty good Cuban food, it was just expensive for tapas portion sizes with the small plates. The service seemed new and still working out the kinks on making sure our glasses are full. Other than that, wonderful interior and Cuban music. Brought some dishes home for friends and they smelled and looked amazing.

Had a good experience overall. Went to dinner around 530pm on a Saturday. The place was pretty quiet and empty when we got there. The server was good and attentive. We ordered yuca fries for appetizers which were well seasoned and perfectly fried. I ordered the large pork roasted plate. I would say it was very good. The pork was well seasoned and the rice with beans was delicious. I would go back just for that plate. There were some misses which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. The tres leches cake did not taste that good for us although the presentation was 5 star. One of their espresso drinks with rum was not that great but they were awesome in asking us if we wanted to change for something else and took it off the bill. They even gave us a shot of espresso coffee and ice cream on the house. I thought that was very nice. By the time we left at 7 the place as packed and noisy. I would go back.

Good food and was even better ambience. We had four small plates / tapas and few cocktails. The cocktails were pretty good , the food was good and we had some favorites and some were okay. The roasted cauliflower , the pulpo aka the grilled octopus were our favorites. The camarones al ajillo aka the shrimp in a creamy polenta sauce was a second favorite. The jibarito was our least favorite, may be we expected too much but it was nothing to write home about. The cuban cigar cocktail was heavily recommended by my partner once he had it. I had the havana sling and the westerly winds, both were good. Finally glad to feel a great atmosphere despite covid 19 restrictions. The restaurant was really large and all tables were taken. Nice for people watching too. Service was good and not too intrusive like I like it. 4 stars because sweet basil nearby makes much better food, though I know comparing cuban to italian food is a bit unfair. But they need to make the food much better for me to prefer gustazo over sweet basil.

Had a great lunch, trying a couple sandwiches and salads. Salads could be dressed and seasoned a bit more aggressively, but we never crossed into blandness. Cubano was delicious with a nicely toasted (crispy) exterior. The chorizo sandwich was also nice, if only a bit awkward to eat; finely chopped toppings tended to fall out. Desserts were good, but bordered on being too sweet. Certainly would go back and try the dinner items.

One of many great restaurants on Moody St. Specialized in Cuban style tapas dishes, great to order small dishes and share. Yuca fries was good. Fried well, crispy exterior with soft buttery interior. Steak was also very good, well made with delicious refreshing chimichurri. Chicharrones was also very good, as it should be. Service was great and no issues. Personally think the food could be better in terms of flavor. Everything seems a bit...mono-toned.

The food taste very good, I like it, very nice. Service is great as well. But I don’t understand why there is a Kitchen appreciation fee and it is 4%, no one explain that to us.

Short version: great service, pretty decor, good tasting food (can’t speak to the authenticity) but slightly overpriced. Ideal spot if you’re trying to impress a client or a date! Long version: Our server was on point. He was attentive but not overbearing and took the time time to help us choose what we wanted. The food itself was delicious, definitely a little over priced. We got the chickpeas, ceviche, cauliflower, and fried plantains, which ended up being enough for both of us. I can’t speak to the authenticity but the flavors themselves in each dish were diverse, multidimensional in depth, and (most importantly) enjoyable. At the end of the day I would call it a good experience and while I might not be jumping through hoops to get back here ASAP I would go back for sure! It’s a spot worth checking out!

Dined at Gustazo Cuban Kitchen restaurant in Moody Street in Waltham,Ma. The tapas were great and I think all my co workers were satisfied with their choices . I ordered the tacos and I felt cheated when my plate arrived . A bit pricey !

I have been to the Cambridge location a few times, but came to the Waltham location for a work event and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. All the usual items ordered - lamb, beef, seafood, vegetarian - were of high quality. We also got a lot of desserts - the flan is amazing to try, as well as the churros. This location is far bigger than in Cambridge, so can accommodate larger groups. Excited that the team is expanding !

I recently visited Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar in Waltham and tried a variety of dishes. The cuisine was new for me, and overall, I had a good experience. The ambiance of the restaurant was great, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. For my meal, I tried the garbanzos con espinaca, ensalada de remolacha, hummus de frijoles negros, cazuela de coliflor asada, ajicitos, and churros con chocolate. While the food was good, I found it to be a little less flavorful than I had hoped. However, I still enjoyed trying new dishes and experiencing a different cuisine. One of my favorite dishes was the hummus de frijoles negros, which had a nice texture and a mild flavor. The cazuela de coliflor asada was also enjoyable, with tender roasted cauliflower and a flavorful sauce. The churros con chocolate were a nice way to end the meal, with crispy fried dough and a rich chocolate dipping sauce. One downside to my experience was that the quantity of food was quite small compared to the price. While the dishes were tasty, I didn't feel like I got a lot of food for the amount I spent. Overall, I would recommend Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar for those looking to try something new and enjoy a warm ambiance with great vibes. While the food was good but not extraordinary, the staff was nice, and the experience was enjoyable.

So this was my first time ever trying a Cuban restaurant around this area. It was actually pretty good the food itself was great service was excellent & the atmosphere felt pretty mellow & laid back kinda way. The restaurant itself is pretty small so it does get busy pretty quickly & you might have to make a reservation a day before. I had gotten the chicken fricassee.. the chicken was good the plantains were good & the asparagus was delicious. Now the only bad part was the red quinoa as it tasted super salty I’m not sure why but it ruined the rest of the plate as it was presented well.deserts are very good small portions but still pretty tasty. Overall would recommend trying it at least once in a while but not often.

The restaurant has a lively, energetic atmosphere, and our server was genuinely friendly and attentive. I also appreciated how seriously they handled my nut allergy, despite the menu’s blanket disclaimer about cross-contamination. The Croquetas de Hongos were easily the highlight: well-balanced, paired with a great sauce, and impressively light for a fried dish. Unfortunately, the rest didn’t live up to the promise, or the price tag. Charging Boston-level prices in the suburbs feels unjustified, especially when the main dishes lack depth. Both the Ropa Vieja and Puerco Asado were aggressively salty, to the point that flavor was flattened rather than enhanced. I kept wishing for more plantains just to counterbalance the salt. Overall, some bright spots, but not enough consistency to justify the cost.

Went to Gustazo with fairly high expectations. I made a reservation a week in advance yet we were made to wait about 25 mins along with a few other customers. The hostess also seemed very confused. Not sure what their reservation system is for if everyone’s made to wait over 15 mins to get a table! It was a very hot day so we opted for indoor seating but it made absolutely no difference, I highly doubt there was air conditioning. It was hot and sweltering and with food and drinks, it just wasn’t pleasant! Coming to the food, it was fairly decent. Liked everything that we ordered in terms of food. The yucca fries were brilliant. Drinks were all meh, they had tropical flavored cocktails but I couldn’t find those flavors in a single drink! Servers were ok-ok. Nothing to comment on. I’m willing to give this place another chance- given it’s food and ambience. But would I recommend? Doubt it.

Tapas are small and expensive. Got the yucca fries, ribs, and cauliflower. Yucca fries were the best, the sauce was phenomenal. Ribs was such a rip off— 3 small ribs for 18?? Make that make sense. Cauliflower was just ok and watery. I don’t think I’ll be coming again:(

Great food, attentive waiter. However, I was absolutely put off by the "Kitchen Appreciation Fee" that was tacked onto our bill. There was no warning on the menu. Our server noted it was from Covid times, but when I stated we are out of Covid, she shrugged her head. The manager offered to remove the charge, but it irks me to be nickeled and dimed. I told the manager that the great food experience is lost by these fees. I would have happily paid more for my meal, vs. being surprised by this fee.

We received many recommendations to dine at Gustazo and today we had brunch there. The visual aspect is amazing. Cuban photos and wallpaper plus lighting fixtures. The hot chocolate was to die for, my wife’s iced tea lemonade was also good. We ordered the side of yucca fries that were tasty but didn’t come with our meal but as an appetizer. Our meals were hot but my wife wasn’t overly happy with her cauliflower melt. The bread was burnt and didn’t have a lot of flavor. The Chocolate bread pudding cake with ice cream was delicious. The place also needs a through cleaning as dust and cobwebs were everywhere and table was sticky. If what customers see for dirty how dirty could the non customer area be? We had such high hopes for this place. PS. We have been to Havana twice so we was looking forward to having an amazing meal and experience. Can’t recommend unless some cleanliness issues are resolved. PSS all images captured with iPhone 11 Pro Max

We had one of the worst service experiences after we found a long hair in our rice bowl. My daughter almost ate the rice with it until I realized that there was a long piece of brown hair. It was really not a pleasant experience so we had informed the manager. She said she would provide us with complimentary dessert but it never came. In addition, the server asked that she would appreciate additional tip on top of the 20% automatic gratuity for a party size of four adults and four little kids. Lastly, the actual gratuity amount shown on receipt is a few dollars more than 20% so please check. FYI - I just read other reviews and apparently, other customers saw rats.

Let me preface this by saying I am a five-year loyalist of the Cambridge location, with a perfect record of five-star experiences. We recently moved to Waltham and were excited to try the sister location of one of our all-time favorite restaurants. We ordered the chicharrones, ceviche, croquettes, and yuca fries. The croquettes were excellent — no notes, as expected. Everything else, however, appeared to be marinated in the tears of a thousand vinegar bottles. The chicharrones arrived wrapped in lettuce and topped with a very enthusiastic vinegar coleslaw. The yuca fries came with a “garlic aioli” that I can only describe as a vinegar-forward sauce that once thought about garlic. And then there was the ceviche — served soup-style in a bowl of straight vinegar broth, featuring four lonely pieces of fish bravely trying to survive under a generous mound of fruit and vegetables. When we politely shared our feedback with our waiter (Diego), he responded by… saying nothing, returning moments later, placing the check on the table, and asking us to leave. A bold choice. Overall, this was an extremely off-putting experience and wildly inconsistent with the 10+ wonderful meals we’ve had at the Cambridge Gustazo. We won’t be returning — but if vinegar is your love language, this might just be the place for you. Here’s hoping others have a better experience than we did

Having recently moved here from Miami, I was looking forward to a delicious Cuban meal. This was one of the worst eating experiences that I've had. The food didn't measure up to mediocre. My friend and I, both senior women, were treated as the worst restaurants treat people in our demographic - we were largely ignored by our server while he was regaling with his friends at the next table. And we had to call him over. The chocolate drink was a watered down powder, which we returned and it was replaced. This is the first negative review that I've written. And it is well deserved. The only mistake I made was leaving a tip.