The restaurant was easy to find coming from NJ. The bar was very intimate & allowed the 6 of us to enjoy some very nice drinks and banter before dinner. The appetizers were outstanding and the service was spot-on timely. As soon as one plate was empty it was quietly removed from the table. The water glasses never got empty, as the servers were on top of everything. All 6 entrees came out at the same time & were great. I had the paella and it was absolutely fantastic. No chance was I going to finish the dish with so much seafood & Spanish rice, finished with the best seafood broth. Just as desserts were served we were joined by the owner, Joe. What a friendly & enjoyable person. We spent the next 30 minutes talking about our food, family & great memories. La Candela Espanola should be on your “Bucket-List”. You can thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mike sannito
La Candela Española in Staten Island is the kind of place you go to once—and then immediately start planning your next visit. The filet mignon is the star of the show: perfectly cooked, fork-tender, and bursting with flavor. It’s clear the chef knows how to treat a cut of meat with the respect it deserves.
But don’t stop there. The paella is loaded with fresh seafood and rich, saffron-infused rice that tastes like it came straight from the coast of Spain. The empanadas? Golden, crispy, and packed with seasoned goodness. And if you’re into tapas, their garlic shrimp and chorizo are an absolute knockout—flavorful, bold, and perfect for sharing (or not, no judgment).
The staff is friendly and attentive, the vibe is warm and welcoming, and everything feels just a little bit special without being over the top. Staten Island’s got a real gem in La Candela Española. Highly recommend it for date night, family dinners, or just when you’re craving something really good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Francis Rivera
The food is a third class, ( I told the waiter that I wanted a wet rice paella) and brought me a dry rice with a bunch of unseasoned tasteless seafood. The fries were soggy and a one dressing salad. I waste my money
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Krystal Gill
La Candela is a Staten Island gem for Spanish and Mexican food. The portions are generous, and everything tastes fresh and flavorful. We ordered and I highly recommend the Paella Valenciana (for two), the Filet Mignon 10oz, and the Skirt Steak Castillo. Their Sangria is also a must-try. My husband and I always order a pitcher when we go there. This place is a solid choice for a satisfying meal with great taste. We love the owner Joe and the bartender Frank. They are awesome! FYI the Paella Valenciana showed in my pictures is split for 2 people already. If you order solo it will be served in a pot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Irina Bravo
Everything well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J B
The reason we come here is because we have never been to a restaurant with better service than here!!! Impeccable service and food is delicious!!! A great place to come try if you have not been and a reason we come so often! The staff is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph Iacono
The atmosphere was absolutely amazing. It’s my perfect choice. The staff was extremely friendly and the food was very fresh and well prepared. We enjoyed ourselves greatly as it was our first time here have lived in the area for many years, but never really got to this restaurant. The ingredients were all fresh and the dishes were 100% freshly made and not frozen. They have an extensive menu from Spanish to Mexican cuisines and a few Italian type dishes as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salss, Jalapeno Poppers, Enchiladas and Tacos, Fried Calamari
Angelo Coniglione
La Candela was always very good but we went last night and the food was not good at all. I got a chicken dish that was extremely overcooked and had no taste at all . We will not return. Very dissapointed!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Frank Castellano
Food was very good. Ribeye steak was huge and my pork chop was very tasty. The paella was a big hit with my son and daughter in law, as was the sangria. Didn't have my phone to take pics, sorry for that!
Parking: Parking lot is small at the restaurant but there is a municipal lot across the street and paid street parking is free after 7pm and all day on Sunday
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Paella Valenciana, Chicken Ajillo, Enchiladas and Tacos
James Lundgren
Amazing food, great service, the best Sangria on Staten island
Service is great. But food wasn’t the best. The rice from paella is kind of hard to eat. It’s too dark inside and little lighting for dinner time.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Christine Ortiz Cortes
We have been dining at La Candela for as long as I can remember. The food is always great, and the staff is courteous, efficient and professional. I make Spanish food at home, so I am extra critical of this type of food. La Candela beats my expectations every single time. They also have the best sangria in Staten Island!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mariscada in Gambas Sauce, Chips and Salss, Salad Dressing, Paella Valenciana, Jalapeño Poppers 6, Paella Marinera, Pork Chop Empanizado, Chicken Ajillo, Fried Calamari, Clams, Flan, Peach, Baked Clams, White
Maria Cajero
The service is excellent, the staff is very friendly and helpful, but we definitely didn't like the food. My daughter ordered shrimp and they didn't have any flavor or salt. My cousin ordered paella and it didn't have any flavor. I ordered ribay. The cooking was perfect, but it wasn't. It had no flavor or salt.
The restaurant was easy to find coming from NJ.
The bar was very intimate & allowed the 6 of us to enjoy some very nice drinks and banter before dinner.
The appetizers were outstanding and the service was spot-on timely.
As soon as one plate was empty it was quietly removed from the table.
The water glasses never got empty, as the servers were on top of everything.
All 6 entrees came out at the same time & were great.
I had the paella and it was absolutely fantastic.
No chance was I going to finish the dish with so much seafood & Spanish rice, finished with the best seafood broth.
Just as desserts were served we were joined by the owner, Joe.
What a friendly & enjoyable person.
We spent the next 30 minutes talking about our food, family & great memories.
La Candela Espanola should be on your “Bucket-List”.
You can thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
La Candela Española in Staten Island is the kind of place you go to once—and then immediately start planning your next visit. The filet mignon is the star of the show: perfectly cooked, fork-tender, and bursting with flavor. It’s clear the chef knows how to treat a cut of meat with the respect it deserves.
But don’t stop there. The paella is loaded with fresh seafood and rich, saffron-infused rice that tastes like it came straight from the coast of Spain. The empanadas? Golden, crispy, and packed with seasoned goodness. And if you’re into tapas, their garlic shrimp and chorizo are an absolute knockout—flavorful, bold, and perfect for sharing (or not, no judgment).
The staff is friendly and attentive, the vibe is warm and welcoming, and everything feels just a little bit special without being over the top. Staten Island’s got a real gem in La Candela Española. Highly recommend it for date night, family dinners, or just when you’re craving something really good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
The food is a third class, ( I told the waiter that I wanted a wet rice paella) and brought me a dry rice with a bunch of unseasoned tasteless seafood. The fries were soggy and a one dressing salad. I waste my money
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
La Candela is a Staten Island gem for Spanish and Mexican food. The portions are generous, and everything tastes fresh and flavorful. We ordered and I highly recommend the Paella Valenciana (for two), the Filet Mignon 10oz, and the Skirt Steak Castillo. Their Sangria is also a must-try. My husband and I always order a pitcher when we go there. This place is a solid choice for a satisfying meal with great taste. We love the owner Joe and the bartender Frank. They are awesome!
FYI the Paella Valenciana showed in my pictures is split for 2 people already. If you order solo it will be served in a pot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Everything well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The reason we come here is because we have never been to a restaurant with better service than here!!! Impeccable service and food is delicious!!! A great place to come try if you have not been and a reason we come so often! The staff is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere was absolutely amazing. It’s my perfect choice. The staff was extremely friendly and the food was very fresh and well prepared. We enjoyed ourselves greatly as it was our first time here have lived in the area for many years, but never really got to this restaurant. The ingredients were all fresh and the dishes were 100% freshly made and not frozen. They have an extensive menu from Spanish to Mexican cuisines and a few Italian type dishes as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salss, Jalapeno Poppers, Enchiladas and Tacos, Fried Calamari
La Candela was always very good but we went last night and the food was not good at all. I got a chicken dish that was extremely overcooked and had no taste at all . We will not return. Very dissapointed!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Food was very good. Ribeye steak was huge and my pork chop was very tasty. The paella was a big hit with my son and daughter in law, as was the sangria.
Didn't have my phone to take pics, sorry for that!
Parking: Parking lot is small at the restaurant but there is a municipal lot across the street and paid street parking is free after 7pm and all day on Sunday
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Paella Valenciana, Chicken Ajillo, Enchiladas and Tacos
Amazing food, great service, the best Sangria on Staten island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Paella Valenciana, Chicken Ajillo
Restaurantji Recommends
Just ordered for pick up and the rice is hard and undercooked and the scallops are not good.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Everything was delicious and fresh. I enjoyed dining with my sons..great waitstaff and very welcoming..
Parking: Parking is in rear of the restaurant..
Recommended dishes: Paella Valenciana, Chicken Ajillo, Baked Clams
Service is great. But food wasn’t the best. The rice from paella is kind of hard to eat. It’s too dark inside and little lighting for dinner time.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
We have been dining at La Candela for as long as I can remember. The food is always great, and the staff is courteous, efficient and professional. I make Spanish food at home, so I am extra critical of this type of food. La Candela beats my expectations every single time. They also have the best sangria in Staten Island!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mariscada in Gambas Sauce, Chips and Salss, Salad Dressing, Paella Valenciana, Jalapeño Poppers 6, Paella Marinera, Pork Chop Empanizado, Chicken Ajillo, Fried Calamari, Clams, Flan, Peach, Baked Clams, White
The service is excellent, the staff is very friendly and helpful, but we definitely didn't like the food. My daughter ordered shrimp and they didn't have any flavor or salt. My cousin ordered paella and it didn't have any flavor. I ordered ribay. The cooking was perfect, but it wasn't. It had no flavor or salt.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
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