(678) 904-4584

905 Juniper St
Atlanta, GA 30309 33.7791 -84.3825

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Neighborhoods: Midtown, Northeast, Northeast

Years in business

Established in 2008

Price:

$$

Last updated 12.06.09

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Tapas / Small Plates

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails

Notable Chef:

Riccardo Ullio

What People Are Saying About CUERNO

Featured Review

Jonathan Baker

Contributor

In Short – Cuerno's dining room spirals around a giant steel bull, and fittingly encompasses a slightly arrogant but spirited Barcelonian attitude. On busy nights it might be tough to land a table in reasonable time, but the experience quickly makes you forget about the lackadaisical beginning. Croquetas de jamon arrive resembling cordon bleu poppers while skillets of paella come built for two, piled with crustaceans and saffron-laced rice. A crispy caramelized rim hides the moist meat of a suckling pig--a heavenly barbecue nibble paired with a tart apple and pistachios. An on-again,…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
For those steering away from the cava, pitchers of sangria are heavy on the fruit, and much easier to pour.
Know Before You Go:
The restaurant has a rep of a long and scattered wait. Make the most of it--get reservations, then head next door to Beleza for a refreshing pre-dinner cocktail.
Look Good:
With its boisterous and almost sporadic atmosphere, bring along interesting peeps to enhance the experience.
Parking:
Parking can be tough. Hunt for spots on neighborhood side streets of Midtown.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Great food, cool atmosphere
  2. Excellent food & great ambience
  3. The wine list was good. The tapas (despite their pre-packaged origins) were authentic and tasty. The chicken in the paella was good, tender. Our waitress very personable and did a good job. Cool decor (in spite of having to perch like a bird during the wh
  4. The ambiance is warm and eclectic.
  5. The food was good and the decor was unique.
  6. Once we moved to our table (next to the buII; great people-watching location) our experience only improved.
  7. cozy and hip atmosphere, good wine and cava, excellent charcuterie plate.
  8. suppose focusing on interior decoration, which is nice in its way, may provide the ability of some customers to overlook the quality of food.
  9. love the decor as well specially ''El Toro", it is a unique piece of art.
  10. All complemented by a one of a kind cocktail menu, excellent ambiance and attentive service.
  11. Service was excellent and atmosphere was nice.
  12. And not the most comfortable seating, especially in Midtown.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. We shared a dessert - a tart topped with brandied cherries - that was the perfect topper to the meal.
  2. highly recommend the green salad (ensalada verde) and the monkfish with ham, and the almond cake for dessert-yummy!
drinks
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. The service was friendly and efficient and the wine list top rate.
  2. our server was no help with the (all spanish=cool) wine list, it was a good thing i knew what we were looking for.
  3. Everytime I have enjoyed the authenticity and fresheness of the food as well as the wonderful wine selection.
  4. When we finally got a table, and a complimentary glass of wine (nice gesture), which I didn't need after 2 other glasses of wine with no food, we waited 10 more minutes had to ask for menus.
  5. Paella Valencia was way too dry-- not a lick of moisture in it and I had to choke it down. I'll come back for wine and a few tapas.
  6. cozy and hip atmosphere, good wine and cava, excellent charcuterie plate.
  7. wonderful drinks!
  8. We started at the bar, where the cheerful bartender offered to pick my drink ("Holy Water" - it was delicious!)
  9. after reading some of the other reviews, the overall feel that i got from the restaurant is that it really has potential to be a great spot: the menu is honestly fabulous, the cocktails are innovative and the wine list is authentic.
  10. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the wine selection.
  11. The wine list was good. The tapas (despite their pre-packaged origins) were authentic and tasty. The chicken in the paella was good, tender. Our waitress very personable and did a good job. Cool decor (in spite of having to perch like a bird during the wh
  12. It does help that they have a great sommelier who has helped me more than once to pick out some great wines to go with our food.
  13. I'm currently pregnant so I cannot comment on the wine selection; however, when we went next door to Beleza, they accomodated me by making some of their fabulous fresh cocktails virgin-style.
food quality
86.89999580383301% positive
  1. Salads and soups were good.
  2. The food reminds me of my favorite restaurant in Barcelona, La Fonda.
  3. Also, I had a great grilled veal loin with sweetbreads, and loved the grilled lamb my wife ordered.
  4. The food on the other hand is just plain bad.
  5. This is unfortunate since the owner's Sotto-Sotto restaurant seems to consistently deliver great food within the same price range.
  6. Ok food & bad service
  7. admit I don't love spains cuisine (spent a week south of malaga a few years ago) but the food is just weak.
  8. The paellas are just like I had on my vacation, rich seafood flavor with a nice carmelized crust, and great tapas as well.
  9. highly recommend the green salad (ensalada verde) and the monkfish with ham, and the almond cake for dessert-yummy!
  10. after reading some of the other reviews, the overall feel that i got from the restaurant is that it really has potential to be a great spot: the menu is honestly fabulous, the cocktails are innovative and the wine list is authentic.
  11. suppose focusing on interior decoration, which is nice in its way, may provide the ability of some customers to overlook the quality of food.
  12. I'm currently pregnant so I cannot comment on the wine selection; however, when we went next door to Beleza, they accomodated me by making some of their fabulous fresh cocktails virgin-style.
  13. Started with a bunch of tapas- excellent spinach salad with orange and pistachios, cheesy ham croquettes, mussels, clams, huge prawns, all served in this addictive garlic broth that is great for soaking up with good bread.
  14. Americans in general (more then 70% )do not like any kind of texture in the food, so mean that if you want to be successful here you need to change the "real thing" , so i got the paella and to me was to soggy
  15. some of the most authentic spanish food i've ever eaten, it's almost not worth going back because of how sloppy and ignorant the servers are.
  16. Authentic Spanish food
  17. When we finally got a table, and a complimentary glass of wine (nice gesture), which I didn't need after 2 other glasses of wine with no food, we waited 10 more minutes had to ask for menus.
  18. overall, my spanish friends love the food and since Cuerno passes this tough test it must be excellent.
  19. Everytime I have enjoyed the authenticity and fresheness of the food as well as the wonderful wine selection.
  20. The food was very good to great; paella was huge and very tasty.
  21. It does help that they have a great sommelier who has helped me more than once to pick out some great wines to go with our food.
  22. flavour. You can find a good selection of main dishes from the Spanish cuisine; the fabada asturiana is excellent, the boquerones are superb and the croquetas are really good.
  23. Traditional paella's to share with the table, great Spanish meat dishes and a selection of creative appetizers.
  24. The dinner was amazing - fresh ingredients, perfectly prepared.
  25. At Cuerno everything is delicious, every time.
  26. We started at the bar, where the cheerful bartender offered to pick my drink ("Holy Water" - it was delicious!)
  27. We shared a dessert - a tart topped with brandied cherries - that was the perfect topper to the meal.
  28. The sangria was delicious, we went with a big group and everyone raved about the sangria and the mojito's.
  29. The whole dish just smelled like bad fish.
  30. The food was good and the decor was unique.
  31. The food was great and the menu was unique and unlike anything else I have had in the city.
  32. The wine list was good. The tapas (despite their pre-packaged origins) were authentic and tasty. The chicken in the paella was good, tender. Our waitress very personable and did a good job. Cool decor (in spite of having to perch like a bird during the wh
  33. Excellent food & great ambience
  34. is really hard to fin any kind of authentic food from Spain in here because "American do not like really really the flavor of other cultures
  35. platter of spanish meats and cheeses was great as well, especially the Iberico ham we also ordered that literally melts on your tounge.
  36. The food was delicious!
  37. good food
  38. The socarrat (caramelized rice) on the snail and rabbit paella was as good as any I have had in cooked over fire in Valencia.
  39. Great food, great service
  40. had high hopes, as I love Spanish food and the other restaurants owned by the same group (Fritti, Sotto Sotto).
  41. Great food, cool atmosphere
  42. We had a great server that helped us navigate the menu, and the monkfish entree he suggested was the highlight of my meal, wrapped in serrano ham and served with a creamy eggplant puree.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. flavour. You can find a good selection of main dishes from the Spanish cuisine; the fabada asturiana is excellent, the boquerones are superb and the croquetas are really good.
  2. after reading some of the other reviews, the overall feel that i got from the restaurant is that it really has potential to be a great spot: the menu is honestly fabulous, the cocktails are innovative and the wine list is authentic.
  3. All complemented by a one of a kind cocktail menu, excellent ambiance and attentive service.
  4. The food was great and the menu was unique and unlike anything else I have had in the city.
  5. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the wine selection.
  6. I'm currently pregnant so I cannot comment on the wine selection; however, when we went next door to Beleza, they accomodated me by making some of their fabulous fresh cocktails virgin-style.
  7. Traditional paella's to share with the table, great Spanish meat dishes and a selection of creative appetizers.
  8. Everytime I have enjoyed the authenticity and fresheness of the food as well as the wonderful wine selection.
  9. When we finally got a table, and a complimentary glass of wine (nice gesture), which I didn't need after 2 other glasses of wine with no food, we waited 10 more minutes had to ask for menus.
  10. We recommend both selections.
  11. We had a great server that helped us navigate the menu, and the monkfish entree he suggested was the highlight of my meal, wrapped in serrano ham and served with a creamy eggplant puree.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. The food reminds me of my favorite restaurant in Barcelona, La Fonda.
  2. It's my new favorite restaurant.
  3. This place is GREAT, my new favorite restaurant in Atlanta!
  4. best spanish restaurant in town
return potential
50.0% positive
  1. We will NEVER go there again, and advise anyone considering going there to choose someplace else among the many wonderful restaurants that Atlanta has to offer.
  2. Paella Valencia was way too dry-- not a lick of moisture in it and I had to choke it down. I'll come back for wine and a few tapas.
service
70.0% positive
  1. Ok food & bad service
  2. Our server this past Saturday night was horrible.
  3. Ambience is appealing, but the poor service and lack of flavor, ruined out twice-out experience here.
  4. The wine list was good. The tapas (despite their pre-packaged origins) were authentic and tasty. The chicken in the paella was good, tender. Our waitress very personable and did a good job. Cool decor (in spite of having to perch like a bird during the wh
  5. We generally had very poor service.
  6. Once we moved to our table (next to the buII; great people-watching location) our experience only improved.
  7. All complemented by a one of a kind cocktail menu, excellent ambiance and attentive service.
  8. worst customer service ever!
  9. The place was full of people, full of energy but a bit too loud.
  10. The service was friendly and efficient and the wine list top rate.
  11. Great food, great service
  12. always had excellent service (friendly & knowledgeable)
  13. As a starter we have waited 45 minutes for our table even we had a reservation and talked to the manager about ''what's the point of making a reservation' and he said they would take good care of us.
  14. our server was no help with the (all spanish=cool) wine list, it was a good thing i knew what we were looking for.
  15. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the wine selection.
  16. The service also passes as average, though there are missteps (e.g., crash landing a scorching hot iron skillet with paella in the wrong place and accidentally locking out patrons without realizing it) that are minor and make for good story fodder.
  17. We had a great server that helped us navigate the menu, and the monkfish entree he suggested was the highlight of my meal, wrapped in serrano ham and served with a creamy eggplant puree.
  18. some of the most authentic spanish food i've ever eaten, it's almost not worth going back because of how sloppy and ignorant the servers are.
  19. We started at the bar, where the cheerful bartender offered to pick my drink ("Holy Water" - it was delicious!)
  20. in/out. We had great service by our waiter and the manager was extremely friendly too.
value
100.0% positive
  1. This is unfortunate since the owner's Sotto-Sotto restaurant seems to consistently deliver great food within the same price range.
  2. Started with a bunch of tapas- excellent spinach salad with orange and pistachios, cheesy ham croquettes, mussels, clams, huge prawns, all served in this addictive garlic broth that is great for soaking up with good bread.
  3. some of the most authentic spanish food i've ever eaten, it's almost not worth going back because of how sloppy and ignorant the servers are.
  4. The food was very good to great; paella was huge and very tasty.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. When we finally got a table, and a complimentary glass of wine (nice gesture), which I didn't need after 2 other glasses of wine with no food, we waited 10 more minutes had to ask for menus.
  2. As a starter we have waited 45 minutes for our table even we had a reservation and talked to the manager about ''what's the point of making a reservation' and he said they would take good care of us.
2 Star Rating: Below Average

05/15/09

Way too loud, expensive & so-so food, ok service

by mclanta

The food is ok but not great - the tapas, entrees, meat and cheese boards, and paella are serviceable but are indistinguishable from those served at other local restaurants. The service also passes as average, though there are missteps (e.g., crash landing a scorching hot iron skillet with paella in the wrong place and accidentally locking out patrons without realizing it) that are minor and make for good story fodder.

Cuerno's biggest problem is the volume of the entertainment - I couldn't hear what my friends in front of me and to the side of me were saying. Cuerno's dining room is relatively small, but the singing, guitar playing, and dancers are loud enough for a room 4 times the size. It's also positioned in the middle of the restaurant but is obscured by a big metal cow, which means that half the restaurant gets a show and the other half just gets blasted.

If Cuerno drops prices 15-20% (since $40 for paella is way too high) and lowers the volume, then I could give the restaurant 3.5 - 4 stars.

  • Pros: Ok service, passable food
  • Cons: Expensive, too loud
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/11/09

Horrid Service

by atlgator75

Our server this past Saturday night was horrible. She disappeared multiple times during the ordering process. Nobody at the table could understand what she was saying. Our appetizers arrived and were delivered to the wrong people without communicating what they were. The food was average but nothing special. A very poor experience. Spend your money elsewhere.

  • Pros: Decent Sangria
  • Cons: Horrid Service paired with overpriced food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/09/09

Great food, great service

by claudia374

We started at the bar, where the cheerful bartender offered to pick my drink ("Holy Water" - it was delicious!), which was on the house when he found out it was my birthday. Once we moved to our table (next to the buII; great people-watching location) our experience only improved. The staff truly works together, so in addition to our waiter, anyone that walked by kept our water and cocktail glasses full all night.

The dinner was amazing - fresh ingredients, perfectly prepared. We had the gambas al ajillo, croquetas, goat cheese fondue, and a chorizo special...all of it phenomenal. We shared a dessert - a tart topped with brandied cherries - that was the perfect topper to the meal.

We ended up staying a couple of hours, chatting and having more drinks, and never felt like they were trying to get us out. On the contrary, this is the friendliest restaurant staff I've encountered in recent memory.

I love Spanish and tapas restaurants, and have been to many in different cities over the years, and Cuerno now definitely ranks in my Top 3.

  • Pros: Fresh & delicious food, amazing staff
2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/06/09

Ok food & bad service

by CSMobileUser2

We were so excited to go to this restaurant after reading reviews but were so dissapointed after all. Food is just ok, not anything amazing. It is one of those restaurant that are very trendy but not focused on what's important

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/22/09

Great Food, Atmosphere and Drinks

by rph54321

I went to Cuerno a few weeks back and had a fantastic time. This is located in a great part of town for going out. The food was great and the menu was unique and unlike anything else I have had in the city. Traditional paella's to share with the table, great Spanish meat dishes and a selection of creative appetizers. All complemented by a one of a kind cocktail menu, excellent ambiance and attentive service. Will definitely be back.

The Details on CUERNO

Place Categories:

  • great spanish food
  • great service
  • best paella
  • favorite spanish restaurant
  • bad restaurant experience
  • great appetizers
  • great drinks
  • worst customer service
  • nice hip atmosphere
  • eclectic ambiance
  • fantastic experience
  • authentic tapas
  • not like american
  • fabulous fresh cocktails virginstyle
  • full place
  • great server
  • unique decor
  • very friendly staff
  • great spot
  • unique menu
  • favorite spanish meat dishes
  • great addictive garlic broth
  • really great everything
  • great wine
  • rich seafood flavor
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