June 6, 2025
El Cerro Restaurant Celebrates Two Decades of Caribbean Flavor in Clermont
By Kyle Coppola
El Cerro Restaurant Celebrates Two Decades of Caribbean Flavor in Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. — For two decades, El Cerro Restaurant has been a flavorful fixture in Clermont, serving up Caribbean dishes made with heart, heritage, and a whole lot of love. El Cerro Restaurant isn’t just a place to eat — it’s a place to feel at home. Run by Henry and Cristal Cerro, this family-owned gem is the kind of spot where every dish tells a story, and every bite is a page from the family cookbook.
(El Cerro Restaurant in Clermont has been run by the Cerro family for two decades and continues to be one of the top Carribean restaurants in Lake County. Photo Credit – El Cerro Restaurant.)
Started over 20 years ago by Henry’s parents, El Cerro has always been rooted in tradition, flavor, and community. Today, each family member continues to play a unique role in the restaurant’s success. “From Dad’s pernil to Grandma’s special recipes, everyone brings something special to the table,” Henry says with a proud smile. “It’s not just food. It’s love on a plate.”
(The Cubano Sandwich brings the flavors of Miami right to Clermont. This sandwich is packed with all the flavors you would come to expect and even more. Photo Credit – El Cerro Restaurant.)
Step inside and you’re greeted by the aromas of slow-roasted pork, simmering stews, and golden-fried plantains a culinary tour of Latin America with heavy Dominican and Puerto Rican influences.
Guests rave about the Cubano sandwich which includes layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, all pressed to perfection. Other favorites include empanadas, mofongo, tostones, and a rich lineup of authentic entrées like chuletas, pechugas, and carne frita. The Bistec Encebollado is packed with bold, savory flavor, while the Sancocho offers the kind of comfort only a slow-cooked stew can deliver.
(The Cheluta is savory with bold flavors that keep you wanting more. Photo Credit – El Cerro Restaurant.)
Craving breakfast with a Dominican twist? Try the Tres Golpes, a hearty combination of fried cheese, eggs, salami, and mangu (mashed plantains) a staple that’s as soulful as it is satisfying. For those with a taste for the crispy and indulgent, the chicharrones are golden, crunchy, and unforgettable. Egg sandwiches and other breakfast items are offered and believe us when we say breakfast is just as good as the lunch and late afternoon menu.
(El Campeón ! Puerto Rican champion boxer Subriel Matias “right” enjoys stopping by El Cerro Restaurant when he is in Clermont. Photo – El Cerro Restaurant.)
(El Cerro is now serving breakfast along with lunch. They are open 7am-7pm Tuesday-Saturday. Photo Credit – El Cerro Restaurant.)
What sets El Cerro apart isn’t just the food, it’s the feeling. The care behind each dish is unmistakable. Every recipe is made from scratch, every ingredient chosen with purpose, and every plate served with the warmth only a family kitchen can offer.
“We’re not just cooking meals here,” Henry says. “We’re sharing who we are.”
(The taste of the Carribean right in Lake County. So many amazing flavors and dishes to try. El Cerro is a great experience. El Cerro Restaurant.)
El Cerro Restaurant is located at 811 West Highway 50, Clermont, FL 34711. To place an order or learn more, call 352-242-5669 or email elcerrorest@gmail.com.
Whether you’re stopping in for the first time or you’ve been dining here for years, one thing is certain: at El Cerro, you’ll always be treated like family.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
