Calle Sol is as dependable as a 1998 Toyota Camry—it’s the restaurant we turn to whenever we want a guaranteed excellent lunch or dinner. Start things off with any ceviche, then go for the vaca frita that’s fried on a griddle with garlic, onions, and lime juice (the braised beef paired with the crisp created by the griddle is a texture and flavor combo we can’t get out of our brains). For lunch, go with a Tampa- or Miami-style Cuban sandwich with a side of fried sweet plantains.

The Callie Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria is a very lively restaurant that provides both Cuban and Peruvian cuisine to the Charlotte area. The ambiance and décor of the restaurant imitate popular dining destinations throughout Tampa as well as Miami, the de facto birthplace of the beloved Cubano sandwich. After spending an evening at the Callie Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria, you will go home feeling like you spent the entire day along the shores of Miami Beach.

When we are craving Latin food, we head to Calle Sol for delicious flavors from everywhere from Peru to Cuba to South America that begins with a plate of Cuban bread and butter, a must-do when eating here. Visitors can try one of their four signature ceviche options or a plate of Chaufa, a unique Asian-Latin dish that pays homage to the Chinese workers who came to Latin America in the 19th century, along with a full bar and plenty of familiar entrée options.

Taqueria Mal Pan quietly opened in SouthPark’s Piedmont Row in November 2019 and gained steady momentum with the grab-and-go lunch crowd. Owner Andre Lomeli brings a Mexican and West Coast-inspired menu from his former restaurant in San Diego; his tacos, burritos, and enchiladas have the pizzazz of a food truck’s and the flavors of his native Yucatan Peninsula. The blue corn tortillas loaded with shredded chicken punch up a typical Taco Tuesday.

What to try: Calle Sol’s Spanish Bean Soup is packed with garbanzo beans, onions, garlic and roasted red peppers, along with Spanish chorizo, potatoes, chicken stock and smoked paprika (cup $4 and bowl $6). What to know: You can order online for pickup, get Door Dash delivery or make reservations. Calle Sol’s Spanish Bean Soup Calle Sol

At Calle Sol, kids can stretch their palates by trying plantains or salchipapa (Peruvian fries topped with crispy hot dog.) The kids menu also includes chicken fried rice, buttered noodles and chicken tenders with fries. We had the best luck on the brightly decorated dining room extension, where the decor and coloring pages held our son’s attention.

Latin café and cevicheria from restaurateur Frank Scibelli that opened last year in the old Penguin spot in Plaza Midwood. Must order: Shrimp tallerin — stir fried lo mein noodles cooked with snow peas, red peppers, onions, ginger, garlic, scallions, soy and garnished with toasted sesame seeds. Try their cafeteria option for $8.

Calle Sol is a Latin restaurant that is located in the bustling Plaza Midwood area. Plaza Midwood is a lively area with a large range of bars and restaurants that are popular with the younger crowd. While there are many restaurants in the Plaza Midwood area, there are not that many that offer safe gluten free options.

For a Latin-inspired birthday dinner in Charlotte, head on over to Calle Sol, a neighborhood mainstay that serves fresh Latin fare in a bright and airy space. With the feel of a neighborhood café but with plenty of pizzazz for a low-key birthday dinner, Calle Sol is as reliable as it gets.

Calle Sol is a combination of Cuban and Peruvian cuisine with a dash of Miami and Tampa flavors. They are best known for their delicious and fresh ceviches as well as their Cubano sandwiches. Chef Paul Cruz of Calle Sol draws upon El Salvadorian recipes he learned from his grandmother.

Frank Scibelli will introduce Calle Sol to Plaza Midwood this spring. Inspired by their love of traditional Latin food, Calle Sol aims to diversify the Latin food scene in Charlotte. It serves traditional food based on the Cuban and Peruvian neighborhoods in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.

1205 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205704-565-8291 Visit Website. This cevicheria in Plaza Midwood makes me feel like I flew to Miami on a whim. The decor furthers the Florida vibe, but the food makes this restaurant necessary every time I visit Charlotte.

1205 Thomas AvenueCharlotte, NC 28205(704) 565-8291 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Calle Sol is a quaint neighborhood cafe offering Latin American cuisine.