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El Criollo, Van Nuys, CA

El Criollo

3.9
3.9
44 Reviews
$30 and under
Cuban
6622 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91405

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Romantic
  • Good for special occasions
El Criollo has established itself as a freshly modern, yet still traditional full-service restaurant in the bustling downtown Van Nuys area. We of El Criollo are driven by the genuine aim to provide excellent, personable service complemented by the finest, most flavorful Cuban cuisine.


El Criollo's interior includes classic exposed brick walls, a high open ceiling, beautifully soft serenading Cuban music and poster-size images of vintage magazine covers and print ads. The restaurant offers deliciously delectable food with an updated, though still very classic look and feel – so much like a bodega in Old Havana. Our spacious dining room seats 60-plus with a bar offering fabulous wine, beer and cocktails.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Cuban
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Wed 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Thu–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Niurca Sera
  • Catering
    El Criollo offers catering for all types of occasions. Whether your hosting a small gathering or a large event, we can accommodate you.
  • Private party facilities
    We offer the restaurant for private events and gatherings.
  • Neighborhood
    Van Nuys
  • Cross street
    Kittridge St.
  • Parking details
    There is a private lot behind the restaurant that is accessible via an alley that can be entered from Kittridge St. or Vanowen St. Parking is allowed on the restaurant and dental office sides.
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Takeout, Wheelchair Access

What 44 people are saying

El Criollo reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

3.9
3.9 based on all time ratings
  • 4Food
  • 4Service
  • 3.5Ambience
  • 1.3Value

NoiseModerate

44 Reviews
  1. Sharibaby

    Los Angeles171 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 19, 2019

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was good, but not enough to stand out from other restaurants. Maybe we will come back months down the line to see if anything changes.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Ticky777666

    Los Angeles15 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 2, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This place never disappoints. Friendly staff and good tasting food with hardly any wait.

    Is this helpful?

  3. judyp

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on January 6, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been eating at el criollo for over 30 years. Beat Cuban food around!

    Is this helpful?

  4. AlexisR VIP

    Los Angeles11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 29, 2018

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Solid Cuban food. Nicely done interior. Plenty of street parking.

    Is this helpful?

  5. EvelynG

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 21, 2018

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My friends and I had a really good time. Food was great and the staff was very efficient and kind. We loved it!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Miami1 review

    1.0

    Dined on September 29, 2018

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    Nothing to see with Cuban cuisine! Avoid it

    Is this helpful?

  7. Cary

    Los Angeles1 review

    4.0

    Dined on September 15, 2018

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Was disappointed because they did not serve us bread it strange that a restaurant runs out of it I think they should of offered us something else

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  8. RobnRonnie

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on August 17, 2018

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Authentic Cuban food as opposed to Cuban-American Owners are still the cooks

    Is this helpful?

  9. DavidB

    Los Angeles12 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 31, 2018

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Chicken was tough Overcooked

    1 person found this helpful

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2018

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We have been coming to El Criollo for many years and the foo and service is always great. My wife, kids and I very much like coming over.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Criollo offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (818) 785-8625.

El Criollo is rated 3.9 stars by 44 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for El Criollo

6622 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91405

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Kittridge St.
  • Neighborhood
    Van Nuys
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Wed 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Thu–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Cuban
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    There is a private lot behind the restaurant that is accessible via an alley that can be entered from Kittridge St. or Vanowen St. Parking is allowed on the restaurant and dental office sides.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Niurca Sera
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Takeout, Wheelchair Access
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    El Criollo offers catering for all types of occasions. Whether your hosting a small gathering or a large event, we can accommodate you.
  • Private party facilities
    We offer the restaurant for private events and gatherings.
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