Beautiful ambiance and amazing food. The flavors and textures are perfectly balanced. We tried the Octopus Manzanilla, Congri rice and beans, kale ensalada with avocado crema, areputas with surimi, and long bone ribeye. All of the courses were excellent and service was great. Be sure to book a reservation and come early as it can get packed at peak dinner hours and late night as well. The drinks are great as well and be sure to try the namesake Mariel which is their version of a mint mojito. Definitely worth a visit. It's another fantastic venue from the Coje group that blends excellent fare with an amazing ambiance topped with great service.

Flavors - 3.8/5 Textures - 4/5 Presentation - 4.5/5 Value for Money - 3.8/5 Would return? Yes Must-try: Hot Buñuelos Review of the brunch menu! - Hot Buñuelos: the best thing I had! Perfectly soft buñuelos with a deliciously tangy passion fruit sauce. An absolute must. 4.5/5 - Pork Empanadas: not great. Very little filling and overpowering sauce. I'd skip these. 2/5 - Cheese puffs: Nice and crispy on the outside with a soft inside and garlicky sauce. Nothing special but good. 4/5 - Duck Picadillo: I liked the combination of duck with sweet potato. I wish the potatoes were crispy for more flavor and texture contrast. Yolk nice and runny. Cheese on top was overpowering and made the dish a bit too salty. The dish felt incomplete, maybe a side would help. 3.8/5 - El Bayamo Sandwich: the flavors here were nice and I was a fan of the bread, but they could've elevated this a bit more. Runny eggs instead of hard yolks would've been more satisfying. The slices of chorizo were, but I was picturing ground chorizo cooked from raw. I didn't think the sweet potato chips or the sauce matched the flavors of the sandwich. 3.8/5

Food: I felt that the food was delicious. We ordered a fish plate, a steak plate, empanadas for appetizers, and for dessert was donuts. I believe everything was delicious and dessert was a nice treat. I guess I was thinking for something different, as the plates were very small, and I had to remind myself that this was not traditional Cuban food, rather, it was the modern contemporary version of Cuban food. Still nice, I just had to trick myself into it. Service: Between the host, waitress, and other assistance, our drinks were refilled quickly, our waitress was pleasant and attentive, and the host was very helpful. The foods came out to the table in great timing. Ambiance: I like the decor, but I thought it would be a lot more high class. We got in at around 5:30 PM. It seemed like an Instagram influencer Paradise, as there were ring, lights, and people walking everywhere, flashing photos with their cameras and phones. I had to request a different spot in the restaurant as it was becoming overwhelming. But other than that, it was cool. We ultimately sat by the window.

Beautiful decor and ambiance. Absolutely enjoyed our experience here. Mariel was such a delight. I ordered a glass of Pinot noir and some small plates - the Octopus Manzanillo, the blackened shrimp, the pork empanadas and the corn in oysters. We also ordered spicy feta, chorizo, pollo pizza. Food was amazing and so delicious. Service was also stellar. We had such a lovely time here.

I came here with a girlfriend the other night. I made a reservation for 8:30 because we wanted to stay for drinks after dinner. When I came in there was a coat check which is always nice. Even though we had a reservation for 8:30 they didn't seat us till 9 which was a bit frustrating. However once we were seated they promptly took our drink order. I had 4 different drinks here all of which were outstanding. Definitely the highlight of the night. We ordered a few small and medium plates. The best dishes were the chicken rots and the plantain gnocchi. The crab dish was also really good. I think the guac and empanadas were good but nothing to write home about. The ambiance inside is very up beat, as the night goes on the place turns more into a bar with the club downstairs so it's a perfect place for a girls night out.

Great ambiance and food quality! I came here with a large party, and no issue making a reservation. This place is gorgeous and feels elegant without the price tag. I think the average menu price was comparable, if not lower, than most places in back bay. I got the huevos habanero and was a big fan. It's filling without being greasy, and there's a nice mix of cheese, eggs, and veggies.

Step back in time at Mariel, where the faded beauty of the historic Atlantic National Bank meets modern elegance, creating a captivating ambiance that transports visitors to a bygone era in Cuba's rich history. Mariel isn't just a restaurant; it's a nostalgic journey that encapsulates the moments when time seemed to stand still. Its decayed elegance sets the stage for a highly curated, modern rendition of an elegant restaurant, classic cocktail bar, and vibrant lounge. The menu at Mariel is a testament to the spirit of Cuba and its people, showcasing how they've evolved, reimagined, and adapted their culinary traditions over the years. The restaurant celebrates the cultural influences brought by those who migrated to Cuba from faraway lands like Asia and Africa, infusing a melting pot of island flavors throughout its offerings. From the sour orange and lulo fruits to white sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas, from bijol spices to fufu dough, Mariel pays homage to the country's diverse culinary heritage. Visitors to Mariel can expect an unforgettable dining experience that bridges the past and present, a new generation of social dining that promises unforgettable. FOLLOW @zackaryeats on Instagram for more foodie finds!