Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar

Pros: The atmosphere is fun & inviting. The waitstaff was really nice. The bartender welcomed us when we sat down at our table; so nice & inviting. Also, my drinks were great! I had two Dark n’ Stormies, which were delicious. I would definitely return here for happy hour.
Unfortunately, we weren’t impressed with the food. We tried vegetable empanadas for an appetizer. They were really greasy and the empanada dough was so sweet, like a dessert. Not good.
For entrees, my husband had the Cuban sandwich, which he expected to be delicious. Sadly, he found it had very little meat on it, and the meat was fatty. I had the platano rellano, which is supposed to be available in a vegetarian style, with avocado, black beans, and cheese. Mine had no avocado, instead it had tomatoes and cucumbers, which I found to be an odd choice. It was served with white rice, which I personally think is one of the most boring foods ever, and a few black beans in some black bean water. Also, it was lukewarm when it was served to me. Nice try, but not worth the price.
We’d definitely be back for happy hour, but we really felt that the food was overpriced for what we got. Nothing special here.

Came here for my birthday. Very nice space. They had a mojito special going on so we went that for the night. I’m not sure how much alcohol come in them but I am not a big drinker and had four of them and did not even have a buzz. So I believe that they are watered down or they really skimp on the rum. Our food was very delicious but the portions are very small. Our appetizer had more plastic decorative crap on it then food. Like I said it was all very delicious just not very good value for you dollar.

Food and ambiance is great! Small restaurant with great atmosphere and food! Great for a first date

Had the Cuban Sandwich. Although I ordered it without the pickles and mustard, which made it not a Cuban, it was still fantastic. Great atmosphere, will be back.

In my humble opinion, this place is good but not great.
The drink was tasty, the service was reasonable.
However, whilst reasonably tender, the pulled pork lacked flavour/​seasoning, meaning each mouthful felt more like a chore or perhaps even sacrifice so your partner wasn’t having to eat it!
We weren’t feeling particularly adventurous so we also ended up going for the marinated chicken. Glad we did, as this was the dish where there was an abundance of flavour and plenty made up for the porks shortfalls.
The portions are reasonable and the atmosphere is romantic. Would I come back or remember to recommend it to a friend? Possibly not! However, I’m glad we came and tried it out.

Came here for a late lunch today & everything was delicious! Loved my Piña colada martini, the Havana sampler & the pork lunch special! Café con leche and the warm rum cake is an absolute must!!! Service was great as well! We will definitely be coming back!

Very good very fresh cuban food. As someone who is Hispanic and makes these comfort dishes there is a lot to be said about that. The pernil was perfect… maduros spot on and cafesito a welcome finish.

This is the best restaurant on earth. I use Unilocal all the time (basically religiously) and base my important life choices (food) on what the Unilocal community has to say but for some reason never made and account. Anyhow back to food… Plantano Rellena is so good. Wow. It’s like how vegans feel about being vegan, is how I feel about Plantano Rellena.
Ordered Togo so sat at the bar and waited. Hostess/​waitress/​bartender/​every single other position (front on the house) was very attentive and made the most delicious Café Cubano I have ever had. Tbh it’s the only one I’ve ever had but it was life changing.
Hope to return ASAP — frequent diner cards?!

I had the pleasure of dining here last month with a group of at least 15 people on a Wednesday night as a get together the night before my wedding. Yes, we got married on a Thursday.
It’s been over a month later & all of our guests are still raving about how fantastic it was! The place wasn’t very full when we arrived but that was perfect for our loud group. Every drink came to our tables perfectly, delicious, & quick. And then the food. Wow! My husband doesn’t even like Cuban food & he happily finished that meal. Most of us each got something different & every plate was raved as amazing. If we weren’t so full we would’ve ordered seconds or asked about dessert. The whole staff treated us so well & really did their best being attentive the entire time we were there. They even split up 15 different checks!
100% would go back again.
Tied with my favorite restaurant: Soul de Cuba.

Dinner was very good at Zafra’s. We had a Havana Sampler for appetizer, Churrasco Steak, and a Sandwich Cubano. The Sampler had a pork dumpling, a beef empanada, and a few other items. All were very good and seemed «authentic» (I’m not an expert on Cuban cuisine). The steak was cut strips of flank steak marinated in chimichurri sauce; excellent. The Sandwich Cubano was very, very good.
My wife had a coconut mojito that she really liked. I had the Tempranillo. The wine list wasn’t very large or fancy, but the wines were very well priced. The «house» varietals were only $ 6/​glass. The rum-​based drinks were where all the fancy was! If you like super premium rums, than this is your place.
The layout was small and trendy. Cuban culturally themed paintings and wall hangings were abound. The background music seemed authentically Cuban. Bottom line: this is a pretty cool little place with great food. It also provides for a culturally unique dining experience which is a welcome break from the overly prosaic themes that seem to popping up everywhere.

Basic Cuban cuisine
Fun and quirky décor and a relaxed staff
I wouldn’t rush back but if in New Haven-​may consider dropping by for a margarita

Came here for a date night a month ago, and was impressed by the service and the entire experience. Portions are large, and we had leftovers to take home. I would recommend the nachos with pork-​the sweet salsa was delicious! Drinks were excellent, I had the best coconut mojito and my boyfriend’s espresso martini was also great. The waitress brought us the tres leches cake which was a perfect end to a perfect night. Highly recommended.

Meeehhhhh… not a huge fan of this place. I went with my boyfriend. I got the cubano sandwich with plantains and he got something else, I forget what exactly. My sandwich was okay, not great. My boyfriend didn’t enjoy any component of his meal. I thought the sandwich was average/​not great. I don’t think we’ll be back although we live close.

UPDATE:
I enjoyed my experience the first time during restaurant week, so when I was looking for a place for my anniversary dinner I didn’t even give it a second thought. I wanted to come back and try another meal from the regular menu.
Parking was a little difficult this time. (WEDNESDAY EVENING) There are lots nearby but they are unattended one of the machines where you can pay didn’t work so we ended up finding a spot on the street right across from the restaurant.
We were seated right away. There was about 8 people in there. We were seated at a high two top near the back of the restaurant near the kitchen. Our waitress seemed a little off and wasn’t very friendly.
I ordered a mango mojito because I enjoyed mine the last time. This time not so much. My boyfriend got a soda which was fine. For our appetizer we order the empandas (two ground beef and one spinach and jack cheese). They were unbelievably dry and had no flavor.
For dinner I had the Ropa Vieja– cold and no flavor. I’m no chef but my steak comes out better that what I received. My boyfriend had the Lechon Asado which he could barely eat. His also was cold. We could hardly believe this because we were the only ones ordering food smh.
For as much as I boasted about this place I was was so embarrassed at the end of our meal. We did not even get dessert. For what we paid and the half hour ride, this trip was definitely not worth it. I doubt I’ll ever go back.

Did not understand the Castro picture but you think of Cuba, you think him. or Tony Montana! Any who, the shrimp was awesome and the rice was da bomb. This was better than the last time.

I like it, a lot.
The food is always good. The service is always friendly. The drinks are plentiful. The bartender is a sweetie. And the cake– terrific.
Any time I want to go with friends to somewhere I know everyone will love this is the place. Never disappoints and very consistent.

Everything tasted great here. The service was also on point. The only thing I can complain about was the rice it did tasted good but it reminded me of sticky Chinese rice I think it needed to be cooked a little bit longer.

The food is terrific and the staff welcoming.
I’ve been here a number of times and tried several dishes from the menu. While each has been good and worth getting again, I’d suggest to inquire about the specials. The head chef is very creative and talented.
This place also introduced me to the notion of sipping rum. I now have several favorites. Who knew rum wasn’t just for Piña Coladas? Also a good selection of microbrews on tap.

I visited this venue with friends following a Yale Men’s Hockey game against Clarkson. It was bustling with people — but for a Friday night, I feel the sound level was good and they had adequate seating. Zafras has a complete menu that offers many Cuban and Cuban-​inspired appetizers and entrées. Our waitress was very attentive and pleasant. We didn’t stay too long, but I would absolutely return.
Verdict:
I was very pleased with this establishment and the service.

They stole my heart with two words: Tostones. Rellenos.
I don’t know which genius thought of taking a fried green plantain, forming it into a cup, and filling it with Creole shrimp, but on behalf of plantain lovers everywhere, I’d like to kiss them.
Zafra also has the best Mojito in New Haven. No joke! I challenge you to find me a better Mojito.
Happy hour is a must. Select drinks (including Mojitos) and appetizers (including Tostones Rellenos) are 5 bucks. **Happy Dance**
The place is tiny, so you better be friendly because personal space is at a minimum. Lucky for me, after some tostones and a few Mojitos, I’m happy enough to be anybodies new BFF.