Third location is the charm for Cuban restaurant in Marion County

Andy Fillmore
Updated ·2 min read

BELLEVIEW — Welcome to Paradise.

That’s the greeting you’ll hear when you enter family owned and operated Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food in the old Publix Plaza on U.S 441 just north of Belleview.

“This is a great place for Cuban food,” said customer Tommy Tieche as he picked up a takeout order recently.

Tieche, who operates Recovery In Christ Ministries in Silver Springs, said the offerings at Paradise are on a par with similar dishes he has had in the Ybor City area, which is known for Cuban food.

Chef Janela Acosta makes a Cuban sandwich for a customer on July 12 at Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food.
Chef Janela Acosta makes a Cuban sandwich for a customer on July 12 at Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food.

A post on the eatery’s Facebook page states that the Cuban sandwiches at Paradise Bakery & Cuban Foods are “riquisimo y biem echo,” which translates to “delicious and well done.”

Paradise also offers sweet treats like decorated and multilayer cakes and Cuban pastries, including their signature pastry, a guava and cream cheese turnover.

Also on the menu: freshly prepared Cuban cuisine like roasted pork, black beans and yellow and white rice; Cuban bread; and beverages such as cafe con leche, milk shakes and cortadito.

The story behind Paradise

Roberto and Carolina Caparros along with their daughter Monica, 19, divide duties in the restaurant and bakery. Yanela Acosta serves as the primary Cuban foods chef.

Roberto and Carolina Caparros, natives of the Miami area, moved to Marion County in 2006 and opened a restaurant and bakery in Jasmine Plaza on Southwest State Road 200. They moved their operation to Southeast Maricamp Road in 2013.

Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food co-owner Roberto Caparros, center, talks with customers Elba Reyes, left, and Jorge Castaneda, right, as they enjoyed their lunch on July 12.
Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food co-owner Roberto Caparros, center, talks with customers Elba Reyes, left, and Jorge Castaneda, right, as they enjoyed their lunch on July 12.

In August 2022 the family moved the shop to the current location, and Carolina Caparros reports customer traffic has been increasing since they settled in.

The walls feature inspirational messages including the scripture verse from Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”) and the Serenity Prayer.

Happy customers

Merry Hanley is a regular customer who has known some members of the family for many years. She said she likes everything at the eatery and pointed out items including bread pudding and the “seniorita” pastry.

Customer Moises Gonzalez remarked on the eatery’s chicken while Elba Reyes and Jorge Castaneda looked over the hot foods selection. Reyes selected yuca and fried fish with rice while Castaneda chose tamal and white rice and black beans.

Dr. Gene Zanetti and Julio Travieso came to Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food recently to enjoy a sit down brunch at one of the dozen dine-in tables. Zanetti had a dish with black beans and Travieso, an educator who moved here from Miami, had chicken and rice.

Customer Ken Vilanova said the foods made at the Belleview eatery, like pork, are prepared to cater to those who enjoy Cuban cuisine.

Major news: Huge restaurant/bar complex being developed in midtown Ocala

Paradise Bakery & Cuban Foods offers Door Dash food delivery and pickup service.

Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food, 10133 SE U.S. 441, Belleview; (352) 693-3587

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Paradise Bakery & Cuban Food loves new Belleview location