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Candela Reviews List
Candela
Candela blends authentic Spanish, Italian and Cuban cuisines with inspiring results... Chef Armando Vega meticulously minds each dish, occasionally emerging from the kitchen to chat with his clientele... The pace of the service here is attentive but leisurely, geared toward a lengthy sit for wine and conversation.
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27 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 27 reviews
5 stars
(15)
4 stars
(9)
3 stars
(2)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(20)
- fit for foodies(16)
- romantic(9)
- special occasion(8)
- notable wine list(7)
- good for groups(4)
Candela Reviews List
Review 1 for Candela
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Worst dining experience in decades
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Simple restaurant in a strip shopping center with the worst Cuban fare we have ever experienced, worse even than the food served in Cuba. The bottle of wine was the only acceptable item on the table. Service was very nice, but not enough to save the unfortunate experience.."
Dined on 5/02/2013
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Review 2 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Never disappointed in the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Never disappointed in the food."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I have gone twice and both
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I have gone twice and both times the meal has been exquisite. Wonderful staff and interesting menu. It has quickly become my favorite restaurant in south Florida. Don't let the outside fool you!!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Candela
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Once again, the food was delicious!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Once again, the food was delicious! Service is a pleasure and ambiance is quite pleasant.
So happy to have found this place!"
So happy to have found this place!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Candela
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
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Review 6 for Candela
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Not to be missed in Fort Lauderdale
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Candela is a very special find in Fort Lauderdale! Located in a rather drab strip mall, that is the only mediocre aspect of this restaurant. The wait staff is warm and accommodating as is the chef. The menu is varied and exciting with about 5-6 entrees that I am still excited about returning and trying. When I mentioned that the pasta dish with shrimp, calamari, clams and mussels sounded interesting but that I wasn't fond of clams and mussels, the chef/owner volunteered to make the dish with shrimp and calamari only. It was delicious! Fellow diners had the beef, fresh fish and the chicken dishes and all were very pleased with their meals. It was an excellent dining experience that I cannot wait to revisit!"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Candela Can Do!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Don't be dissuaded by the location or outward appearance of Candela. Once you're in the door, you're in for a treat. The dining room is very attractive. The service is great. The food is excellent. The prices are reasonable. Our waiter suggested a great wine, we wouldn't have considered, at a great price. The water glasses were kept full. The food presentation was well paced."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We Need More Like this One!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"What a great find! I can't believe this restaurant has been around for more than five years and we just found it...Probably because of the strange location...But, it is that location that probably keeps the prices so moderate. Food was delicious. All four of us enjoyed our varied dishes. Interesting, Spanish-oriented wine list (appropriate for the food). They were out of the wine I initially chose and they actually suggested a wine that was $8.00 less. It was delicious! We shall return!!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 9 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Spanish Find
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The staff and owners treated us like royalty on our first visit. The food was very well thought out and the wine list impressive. Can't wait to go back when I'm next in Ft. Lauderdale."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 10 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Candella is a real find.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Candella is a real find. You would never expect such great food in a rather dismal strip mall. Going to Candella is one of the highlights of my winter vacations!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Candela
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The place is small and it's
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The place is small and it's in a small quiet plaza but food's flavor is huge! The place has a cozy feel to it, like if you were eating at your grandparent's house. The staff was very friendly and food was amazingly delicious! I will definitely be eating there again."
Dined on 01/28/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Candela
Based on the average of (16) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate