Our Story

Welcome to El Criollo Cuban Bar & Grill, family-run for over 40 years. We of El Criollo are driven by the genuine aim to provide excellent, personable service complemented by the finest, most flavorful Cuban cuisine.

Opened in 1982, El Criollo was initially one of only a handful of Cuban restaurants in Los Angeles at the time. Founders Niurca and William Sera were eager to bring their culinary roots here, especially the San Fernando Valley. Guided by a lifetime of tradition and experience, not much would change from the way the Seras’ parents had prepared dishes back in the province of Oriente, Cuba. Over the next 20-plus years, the Sera family would provide the best in Cuban dining via El Criollo’s homely, tropical-themed setting in North Hollywood, Ca.

Now located in Burbank, Ca. El Criollo offers the same deliciously delectable food with an updated, though still very classic look and feel – so much like a bodega in Old Havana. Comfortably situated and centralized at the intersection of Victory and Burbank Blvd., El Criollo’s interior includes beautifully soft serenading Cuban music and poster-size images of vintage magazine covers and print ads from when Niurca and William were kids in Cuba. Our main dining room seats 50+ with a full bar offering select wine, beer and specialty cocktails. There is a separate banquet room that seats 50 guests that can be rented for private events.

So, be sure to come by soon and join us for L.A.’s best in authentic Cuban cooking and atmosphere, we’ll be happy to have you.