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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).

Cuban bread and pastries from Buena Gente cuban cafe.
Buena Gente Cuban Cafe – Cuban Bread and Pasteries | Photo: Instagram/buenagenteatl

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.

Arroz and seafood from Cafe Dominicano.
Cafe Dominicano – Seafood Arroz | Photo: Instagram/wooksahennyhead

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!

Cubanos ATL - Sandwich | Photo: cuabnosatl.com
Cubanos ATL – Cuban Sandwich | Photo: cuabnosatl.com

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.

Puerto Rican food from El Super Pan in Ponce City Market.
El Super Pan | Photo: Instagram/elsuperpan_pcm

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.

Appetizer platter from K. Bueno Latin Cafe.
K Bueno Latin Cafe – Appetizer Platter | Photo: Instagram/jimiphotog

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!

Ropa Vieja from mami's cuban
Mami’s La Cubana Cuban Restaurant – Ropa Vieja | Photo: Yelp

6. Mami’s La Cubana Cuban Restaurant

579 N Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 3035

Located right down the road from the airport, this hidden gem truly does not play when it comes to Cuban cuisine. We love the ropa vieja plate and their Cuban sandwiches are soft and oh-so flavorful! Regardless of what you get, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant will surely become your new obsession. If you want to enjoy some of the A’s most delicious, authentic Cuban food, this is a spot you need to add to your list. 
Cuban food from Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Grill.
Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill | Photo: Instagram/papisgrill

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.

Arroz con pollo from Sabor Dominicano.
Sabor Dominicano – Arroz Con Pollo | Photo: Instagram/chefvharper

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.

Fried plantains and chicken from Versace Dominican Restaurant.
Versace Dominican Restaurant – Fried Plantains and Chicken | Photo: Instagram/versacedominicanrestaurant

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.

Mi casita boricua
Photo: Facebook/ Mi Casita Boricua Restaurant
El Super Pan
Cubano's ATL
Buena Gente Cuban Cafe
Papi's Cuban Cafe
Versace Dominican Restaurant
Sabor Dominicano
Cafe Dominicano
K Bueno Latin Cafe
Mami's La Cubana Cuban Restaurant
El Super Pan

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.

Cubano's ATL

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.

Buena Gente Cuban Cafe

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.

Papi's Cuban Cafe

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.

Versace Dominican Restaurant

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.

Sabor Dominicano

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.

Cafe Dominicano

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!

K Bueno Latin Cafe

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!

Mami's La Cubana Cuban Restaurant
Located right down the road from the airport, this hidden gem truly does not play when it comes to Cuban cuisine. We love the Ropa Vieja plate and their Cuban sandwiches are soft and oh-so flavorful! Regardless of what you get, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant will surely become your new obsession. If you want to enjoy some of the A’s most delicious, authentic Cuban food, this is a spot you need to add to your list.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published April 26, 2021 and last updated October 2, 2023.

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