Pura Vida Tapas & Bar

we waited 30 minutes. Hungry and impatient, I was about to lose it. But it was worth it. Everything was terrific. Even the glass wines were quite good. Malanga chips with crimini dip is a great starts. The shrimp diablo blanco was delicious and delicate with just enough heat. The tuna ceviche was also quite good, though that it suffered from too small of a portion. The duck and carmelized plantains is an incredible combination of sweet and rich. Have a plate of crimini mushrooms with piquillo peppers. The potito palta is a great combination of pork and lime. For dessert, we sampled the flan and chocolate tart. Both interesting hits. Excellent cafe con leche. A pure hit. Even better the Fuegos, which is no slouch. $170 for 3 with 4 glasses of wine, 2 brandies. The service does miss sometimes, but the food is excellent. Pros: wide variety, reasonably priced, excellent food more

The food was fantastic. The problem, however- and for me this is a really big problem- was that most of the food arrived at once. With only two people at the table, we have four plates of tapas in front of us, and had to turn the other two back to the kitchen. We had asked our server to make sure that they were spaced out, but to no avail. Tapas are meant to be casual and fun- not hurried. Especially because the food is so good (and it really is), you really want the chance to savor and appreciate each dish. So my advice: UNLESS YOU WANT ALL OF YOUR FOOD AT ONCE, DO NOT ORDER MORE THAN ONE OR TWO ITEMS AT A TIME!!! more

Leslie and Hector Santiago do a great job with the delicioso food and caluroso service. Each night is special in it's own way. Located in a great part of town, it's intimate and unique. Even appropriate for the whole family! Pros: Inexpensive, Excellent Value, Variety more

I would not recommend going to Pura Vida with a large group, because we had reservations for 14 people at 8:00 on Saturday were still were not seated at 9:15, when hunger and frustration forced us to walk out and go to Manuel's. Another larger group with later reservations was seated before us, and the hostess was neither accommodating nor apologetic. Pros: great food, waiters, atmosphere Cons: hostess, reservations system more

Pura Vida is by far the best tapas restaurant in Atlanta. The chef is a genius, and the service is attentive and extremely well informed. The Hanger Steak Pinchos with the Montes Alpha Syrah was unbelievable. The originality and creativity of the tapa specials never cease to amaze me! Be sure to ask about the Cava bong. You won't find it anywhere else in Atlanta! more

This is hands down the best Tapas Restaurant I have ever been to. I eat here at least once a week. The ambiance is warm and mellow on a weeknight, lively and fun on the weekends. The hostesses and waitstaff are wonderful and thank goodness because some of the items on the menu are un-pronouncably creative! The service is promt and the mojitos and sangria are out of this world. Go to Pura Vida any night of the week and you'll be sure to have a great experience!!! Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Great Atmosphere more

On repeated visitings, I'm always please with service, ambience and most of the time - the food. Last time I went there, the head chef was not there. I'm not saying that he was the reason that the food can be better but the dishes lacked a little something. They were cold, lackluster in flavor, and overall flat. The mofongo, for instance, is usually something I order repeatedly and enjoy wholeheartedly. But this past time around it was just plain cold and flavorless. I'm still giving Pura Vida above average ratings but if the chef is gonna take a day off he needs to make sure his kitchen stays on it. Pros: Service, Ambience Cons: Consistency more

If you know what tapas should be like this is the place for you. After living in Spain for so many years I was very surprised to find such an authentic yet innovative tapas bar in Atlanta. I highly recommend this restaurant. To those who dont know, Tapas means: small plates. They are meant to be small. Pros: authentic taste, atmosfere, good service more

We went to two other Latin restaurants during our stay in Atlanta, but Pura Vida is the best. One spot was recommended by the concierge at the hotel we stayed at in Buckhead, but I found Pura Vida through Citysearch, and it was beyond worth it. The mojitos were great, and we fell in love with the Malanga Chips, the Duck-Maduros and the Coctel de Camarones, but I would almost have to list everything on the menu. Everything you could want is here, great food, great drinks, great atmosphere. Believe me, I have tried tapas in Vancouver, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Miami and more, and this restaurant ranks up there with the best. We told the concierge at the hotel that this was the place to recommend, and we have been singing there praises to everyone we know in Atlanta. Pros: Great food, inexpensive, great drinks more

Hats off to the folks at Pura Vida for providing the ultimate in dining. The atmosphere is highly charged and sets the stage for a wonderful experience for families and friends. It is a special place to gather and enjoy the wonderful tapas creations of Chef Hector Santiago. Chef Santiago and his wife Leslie have turned this restaurant into a favorite among true connoisseurs who enjoy the fine cuisines from Latin America. One of my favorite tapas is the Duck-Maduros Napoleon, which is duck layered with caramelized sweet plantains. It is simply outstanding! The staff are attentive and committed to providing the best service in the Highlands! more

I went to pura vida while vacationig in Atlanta, que buena vida! The cozy, latin eclectic bar was a lot of fun as we tried great drinks featuring pisco, cachaca, rums & tequilas, we were loving it as we enjoyed our pisco sours, sex in santiago(a latin cosmo)and the awesome mojitos while we play a few rounds of dominos. It was like being in a bar in a ""united latinoamerica"". This place reminds of Chicama & Pipa in NYC were I live, but here I feel more at home, since the menu is influence by the Puertorican chef. I loved the mofongo luau, empanadas, duck maduros and the flan. Next time I will eat first and play last! Pros: good value, free parking, unique food more

Good place to go for tapas and some drinks before heading out to the highlands. The service was not as good as it is expected from a restaurant of this caliber nor was the food or drinks. I am sure with time it will improve. more

Chef Hector has changed the menu! There are still some old favorites, like the beef hanger steak pinchos, chicken empanadas, and ceviche con leche, but much of the menu is brand new and well worth exploring. A couple of must-haves on the new menu include the Dorado Pinchos (Mahi mahi wrapped in chorizo, grilled to perfection and served with banana mustard sauce), the asparagus sandwich (grilled asparagus, fresh dill, and cheese baked into a homemade bread), Pato Frito (crispy duck leg served with whipped sweet potato and duck jus). Be sure to sample the new soup on the menu as well. A sweet-spicy combination of pureed squash, corn tortilla with a hint of habenero. Perfect comfort food for a cool night. Here is a tip--Don't see the cheese plate on the menu? Don't despair. It is still available, but is no longer printed on the tapas menu, just the dessert menu.\r \r And speaking of dessert, the dessert list hasn't changed, you can still get the amazing dark chocolate-ancho chile flan brulee and Hector's ice cream of the day to finish up your meal.\r \r Bring a couple of friends so you can sample everything on the menu, and when you're done, retire to the bar for a game of dominoes and a glass of port. (call ahead for reservations on thurs-sun, weekends can get very busy here) Pros: Free Parking, Inexpensive, good location more

This place has it going on... The signature drinks and bacardi-tini's are the best around. The mojito's hands down, the best in this city....Service is well informed, more than pleasant, and knows what you need before you do...The Tapas are some of the most well designed and tasting morsels of food and it doesn't stop there, don't miss the paella on sunday's, lots of wonderful wine choices, and the desserts, especially the flan with saffron. YUMMY!!!! My new favorite restaurant in the Highlands. Don't miss Friday nights with the Dj for Salsa Either. If you haven't been there, you better go quick!!! Pros: Service, Awesome Drinks, Great Value more

This place is good for tapas and possibly dessert but I wouldn't really recommend having dinner there since tapas are meant to be miniature dishes. However, for a snack, I think this is a great place to hang out. I loved the exotic paintings on the wall and the washroom. more

I love everything about this place.Location,FOOD,wine list,ambiance,quality of the food.The owner also is more than accomodating.We went not long ago with a very large group and they went out of their way to accomodate us all and make us feel like at home.The tapas are out of this world,and the desserts are to die for.Everything tastes like it is homemade.I'll be visiting this place over and over again! Pros: quality food, wine selection, consistency Cons: nada more

If you are looking for real Spanish/Latin flavors you just found it!!!!!! Pros: great location, real spanish flavor, great service Cons: none, none, none more

The food is not only pleasing to the senses, but quite well prepared and served. The atmosphere is great and friendly and the staff is always on hand for your every need. A must for anyone to try! Pros: Well priced, great staff, tasty and pleasant more

....each bit was more satisfying than the next. Just when one tapa was finished they were on the way out with the next culinary delight. Be sure not to miss the chips (forgot the actual name, but you won't miss 'em) or the shredded duck. The sangria could have been a bit sweeter, but that was rectified easily. We'll be back soon! more

Pura Vida is my favorite restaurant. I feel at home eating my mon's food. What else can you ask for? The tapas are from out of this world and the Paella on Sundays is to die for... more