Cuba

Great food and drinks! Nice staff. Just a little tight. It’s good for big parties because they know how to handle but it’s really tight in there. If you and your party is okay with that, then you will have a good time here. Oh and they have a good happy hour, you just have to get there early (think it ends at 7).

I like to randomly stop into places while roaming the city. This place happened to be my Sunday night pop in.
Dim lit atmosphere, old world art on the walls. Nice brick walls, charming restroom.
OK NOW THE FOOD: the empanadas tasted authentic and were fairly good. The entrée i tried was the arroz con pollo cruillo, not terrible but not a fan of it. The desert i had was the torrejas… now that was AWESOME esp. when paired with their cortadito (cuban coffee… might have spelled that wrong lol).
The staff was amazingly polite. May come back for the empanadas and desert. Of course ill try another entrée next time!

I took my friend here for a belated birthday dinner. The place is cute and cozy.
When we sat down, the waitress came over and asked us if we wanted drinks since it was still happy hour but then it was 7 minutes after so she said nevermind and walked away. She didn’t come back for another 15 minutes or so. We wanted to order the Asian Sangria but she said they had run out… so we went with the Passion Fruit Sangria, which was OK (too sweet for me).
She took our orders and here it goes:
— Beef Empanadas: decent and flavorful
— Pork Belly: the chorizo around the pork belly tasted better than the actual pork belly, which in my opinion was bland
— Papas Rellenas: essentially potato ball stuffed with beef. I mean you can’t really go wrong
— Yuquita Frita: awful… lacked flavor and were super stringy. definitely not my thing
— Paella Valenciana: it was only OK… kinda of salty. I’ve had a lot better
Towards the end, I asked for my check and got acknowledgement from our waitress that it was on its way but didn’t get it for another 10 – 15 minutes until I asked again.
Overall, MEH. I feel like there are much better choices of Cuban restaurants around NYC.

This food was good! It wasn’t amazing though, it lacked a little something special to take it up into the great range.
We both ordered chicken. It was a little dry but the vegetables and accompanying rice helped make up for the dryness.
We were seated in the basement where the walls are all brick so it can be kind of echoey and loud down there. The atmosphere was pretty good and the live music was enjoyable. Small parties usually have an easier time being seated.

If you’re craving for something along the lines of Spanish food… then you have to come here! This is THE spot for Cuban food. My friend made a reservation for 7:00 PM on a Friday night and the place was already ¾ packed! We were seated quickly and was offer drinks right after! We ordered an Ultimate Mojito, Passion Fruit Sangria, Tostones Con Mojo, Choclo, Pollo Guajira, Paella Valenciana and Tamal Cubano.
Ultimate Mojito/​Passion Fruit Sangria — really good drinks! I highly recommend the passion fruit sangria if you’re a light drinker but wants something fruity.
Tostones Con Mojo — fried green plantains topped with garlic mojo. These were really good! The plantains were crispy but also chewy. The garlic went so well with the tostones!
Choclo — sauteed Peruvian corn. This is not your ordinary order of corn! These corns are a lot bigger than normal and a lot more chewy as well. Highly recommend this side dish!
Pollo Guajira — this dish consists of chicken breast, sweet plantain, mozzarella, mushrooms, zucchini, white wine sauce, rice and beans. The chicken breast I ate was one of the JUICEST! Seriously, one bite and it melts in your mouth!!! It is super hard to find a place that doesn’t make chicken dry but this spot really perfected it! I like how they give you a side of black beans as optional to pour over the rice!
Paella Valenciana — this dish consists of saffron rice, chicken, baby back ribs, shrimp, roasted red peppers, fava bean, sweet peas and artichokes. One of the best paella I have ever ate! The saffron rice was super flavorful and soft! The shrimp was SOOOO GOOD and I did not expect it to be! I was slightly disappointed at the baby back ribs though — it wasn’t too flavorful.
Tamal Cubano — roasted pork tamale with garlic mojo. One of the best tamale I have ever ate. The pork was super tender.
I wanted to mention the portions of all the food was very generous especially the Paella! We really couldn’t finish it so we took it to go. They give you a really nice take out box too! The service here was superb as well. Our waiter always made sure our table and utensils were clean and that our glass of water was never empty! The aura of this place was super romantic as well — candles on every table (dim lights) and a live band!
Overall, I am extremely happy with my experience at this restaurant and definitely recommend it to everyone looking at this page! I will be back!

If you dine in the basement, whose sole redeeming feature is a table that can comfortably seat a party of a dozen or more, you will have to shout if you want to speak to anyone seated next to you because you’d be competing with the blaring music, the sound coming through the open ceiling from the bar area upstairs and the clangor of the basement kitchen. This all probably won’t be of much concern if you’re indulging in the all-​you-​can-​drink brunch special ($ 14).
The festive island ambiance of the first floor does not carry through to the lower level, which I found dark and grimy. Finding broken glass under the table did little to improve that impression.
The restaurant probably could use more staff judging by the brusqueness of our waiter. Good luck catching his attention as he dashes off because your voice will be drowned out by all the noise.
I thought the food was just all right. I ordered the bistec a caballo, which I found as memorable as any steak-​eggs-​hash combo I might get at a typical diner. I can say that it filled my stomach.

Mission: Boozy Brunch
Location: Cuba (the restaurant, not the country)
Demographics: College age to young adults mostly.
Setting: Small main level and basement dining room.
Noise level: Shouting match if you’re siting in the basement.
Ambience: Not romantic, see above.
Service: Okay, initial drinks took a while to get to us.
Drinks: Unlimited for 1.5hrs at $ 14/​person.
1)Sparkling Mojito — essentially sweet sparkling wine
2)Mango Mimosa — sparkling wine with mango syrup (plain sparkling wine taste better), too sweet
3)Capirinha– strawberry flavor and way too sweet.
4)Red and White Sangria– delicious
5)Te Cabano — a little too sweet, but good tea and lime flavor.
Food: Good
Lechon Asado Con Mojo $ 14 — Portion was very generous. The chunks of semi shredded suckling pig were delicious and flavorful. Liked the garlic sauce. Loved the Moros-​black bean mixed with rice that was flavored with so much butter. Not exactly sure what vegetable the white stuff in the middle of the plate was; it had a bland flavor, was mushy and had too much veins.
My friends enjoyed their Huevous Rancheros and Benedict Habaneros.
Conclusion: Good but not good enough for me to crave. Drinks were sugary. Glad that unlimited drinks can be ordered separately so that people can opt out. Way too noisy in the basement as there was a large table of 12 in the room. We felt bad for the couple sitting near us. Oh, and the room was right across from the men’s room, we saw the handyman fixing the out of service bathroom. Will most likely not dine at Cuba again.

Came for a friends birthday dinner. We had a reservation and it felt like we were asked to wait quite some time still. Their space is quite crowded both upstairs and down so you can tell this is a popular spot but their staff has tight areas to work in.
The food was just okay. We got empanadas to share, some were better than others. Although we were confused about the quantity the server described and initially didn’t order enough. I got the ropa vieja to share and I didn’t really enjoy it. I thought our friends dishes were yummier. They had the churrasco steak and a seafood dish.
I wanted to like this place but it fell below my expectations. There was an instance when the staff dropped some plates. One broke and slid right under my chair. No one came by to apologize or remove it or check to see if pieces flew anywhere. No bueno.

Ok. What the hell! This place is advertising the best thing next to Havana in NYC from cigars to cuisine they advertise they are the authentic, the original, the Jefe of Cubano– well we discovered via text that this was all too false!
Let’s talk about the cigars… Ummm, what is there to talk about? The roller is not employed there tonight. Looks like he too had a better opportunity back in Havana! So no smokes, no cigars– none even to sell. We assume when he left he took three stash of authentic Cubans with him.
The cuisine: — ordered Sopa de calabaza — it was sweet not butter nut at all. Looks like the coin went back home as well. Black beans may be your best bet. They tasted like they came out of a can. 2 people ordered Pollo Manigua — well let’s just say «El Pollo» was on a «Dieto» skinny ass pieces of chicken medallions that were miss proportioned. Check the photos to be crystal clear. It’s a shame that you can’t trust what you ingest anymore.

If I called to make a reservation for a certain time, I don’t appreciate being told when I get there that my reservation was actually 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled time and you only hold tables for 15 minutes. Not only that, you’re better off telling me upfront that you can’t accommodate us because you screwed up the time rather than telling me that you’d be ready for us in 10 – 15 minutes and then not bothering to come get us after more than a half an hour. Thanks but no thanks, I’ll take my business elsewhere.

What a great time we had here… Service was great, drinks were on point and the food outrageous… Plus the music made you want to dance all night long… what a great time the girls and I had… coming back with the BF…

I visited Cuba this past weekend for brunch with my friends… And I VERY MIUCH DISLIKED the service. Our server completely got my order 100% wrong and then argued with me about what I ordered.
Honestly, I have no review regarding the food. It’s average.
Simply writing this review to say 1. Not good for a group of people and 2. its very tight and congested. and 3. the servers are rude and outright horrible.
Never visiting this restaurant ever again.

I got to sample a spread of Cuba’s food at a recent work lunch, and man was this a favorite. The empanadas with tomatillo sauce were a hit — not overly greasy (though a tad — I mean, they are empanadas): I had the ones with the delicious manchego cheese and spinach filling. Both the black beans and rice, and the creole chicken with rice, were fabulous: flavorful, rich without being oily, and beautifully colorful. They held up well after being delivered.
This totally hit the spot and I found myself going back for thirds, which in retrospect, was perhaps not the best thing before a long afternoon at work.

The night started out a little annoying. The website, Unilocal and take out menu all state «Happy Hour M-​F 4 – 7.» I enter at 6:30 and ask to see a drink menu. I asked the bartender if there are any specials and he points to some signature drinks, none of which I would enjoy. No mention of happy hour by him or anywhere, which annoyed me.
The place is two floors with an upstairs main dining area, and private-​ish dining area and a crowded bar, at which I could not sit, because I couldn’t physically fit. I’m not a twig, but I’m not My 600lb Life either. I can usually fit most places.
Food was mostly delicious! The calamari aka World’s Most Basic Appetizer was outstanding! It was so tender, perfectly breaded and dressed. Not chewy, so amazing. The empanadas were crispy and hot. The tostones are a side you must order. Must.
I had the spicy pork with moros and Pete had the ropa vieja with white rice and black beans. I liked the presentation of both. The sangria was kind of basic.
What really fun about this place, that gets 17 stars was definitely the atmosphere! Lively, Latin music, friendly hostesses and a cigar roller who will give you a free cigar, but you must tip him. He works hard and he’s giving you something, so please show appreciation.

Came here on a Saturday night around 9pm for my manfriend’s bday and it was on fiyah.
The place was totally packed, they have a bar upstairs (which also has an old cuban man rolling cigars and a live band) and a few rooms with tables and then a bar and some tables downstairs.
We were seated at the center table downstairs, but overall, the atmosphere, the drinks, the service, and the NoMmzzZz were on point.
No doubt the best red snapper dish I’ve ever had. It was encrusted with who knows what, on top of this sweet plaintain mashed potatoe-​esque thing and was some of the best food I’ve had in NY.
The cheese/​meatball fried ball things were great as well as the chocolate cake (which they put a candle in and sang Happy Birthday!!) was great!
All the drinks we had were great (and ~strong~), but you have to try the mojito and then move on from there. Don’t leave without the mojito. Our server was very nice and friendly and was really good at being a secret agent and allowing me to discreetly ask for a birthday candle and to put my credit card on the bill without my manfriend (I think) not suspecting a thing ;).

i came here on a saturday for a birthday brunch. part of the reason we chose cuba was for their bottomless option. for an additional $ 14 you get 1.5hrs of bottomless sangria (white or red), mimosas (mango or regular), sparkling mojito, or caipirinha. for me personally these options were all on the sweet side, couldve used an addition of bloody or even beer. and they were all just ok tasting, we primarily all ended up sticking to mimosas.
the food here was tasty. my entrée of lechon asado con mojo campestr was tender and full of flavor. others got the benedict with smoked salmon and some rope vieja. all were very good. the portions on the sandwiches were a bit underwhelming. in the shrimp wrap there were only a few pieces of shrimp.
reason for just 3 stars came down to the mediocre bottomless drinks and having to wait almost 30mins past our reservation time to get seated. i guess the table we were waiting for had been overserved and were not getting up. understand theres only so much the restaurant can do, but maybe monitor how much booze you are giving people? i really liked the food and would want to come back for dinner. it was pretty rowdy during brunch.

My experience at Cuba was 5 star. We came with five people although we had reservations for 4. They were able to seat us right away. The vibe is very laid back and the décor is very cute.
We were seated downstairs in a both by the bar. We ordered passionfruit mojitos and some other drinks. Everything that came out was great. The food was great as well. Some of the food we had was the fried calamari, empanadas, ropa vieja, steak and mashed potatoes, tostones and maduro. Like I said before everything that came out was tasty.
I will be back, soon!

Came with 3 girlfriends for Valentine’s Day brunch and it was lovely. Couldn’t have picked a better spot. It’s really adorable and nicely decorated. At first it looks like a small hole in the wall but once you enter you realize there’s actually multiple rooms upstairs and downstairs to accommodate a LOT of people.
We did the bottomless option and the mango mimosa was one of the best brunch cocktails I’ve had in a while — light and sweet but still generous with the alcohol.
The food was amazing. For appetizers, we had the tamal cubano and empanadas. I had the ropa vieja — *delicious* Everyone enjoyed their entrees and plates were cleaned. And for dessert we shared the maria cookie iceberg. Yummm.
Service was gracious but you could tell they were a little overwhelmed (probably because it was Valentine’s Day?) which was reflected in their attentiveness. We weren’t looking to drink too much at this boozy brunch so it ended up being okay but IF we wanted to get drunk I don’t think it would’ve been easy.
Regardless, I picked the place and my friends were pleased so will definitely hit it again (especially for that mango mimosa), AND because there are other cool places nearby that I want to check out.
ALSO, the bathroom was spotless (and beautiful) which means the kitchen’s clean as well.

We came here for drinks before a show so this review is solely based on drinks and interaction with the staff.
There are two eating and bar areas. One is upstairs, one downstairs. We sat at the bar downstairs. Both areas are intimate, this is not a large establishment. The downstairs has two rooms, one for dining and one with a bar and dining tables. It’s cosy is a good way. The staff is able to spend time and explain the different rums and cocktails available. As you may have guessed, this is a rum bar. We tried several drinks, the Old Cuban, Banana Boat, and mojitos were all superb. The Old Cuban is made with a Venezuelan rum whilst the Banana Boat is made with The Real McCoy Rum. The bartender (whose name I sadly don’t remember) was happy to explain the differences between the rums and recommend different drinks to try based on what you like. Sign of a good bartender!
I would have liked to try the food but we were short on time before our show. One table near us had paella which smelled and looked delicious. There is a cigar roller upstairs, not sure if he is there all the time or just on weekends. Fun to watch him practice his craft. They apparently also have live music often. We will be back to check this place out again!

Super cute ambiance– from the authentic live music, perfectly dimmed lights, to the gentlemen rolling cigars, undeniably great experience, quite romantic. Consistent w what you’d expect from a restaurant in the village, the tables are super close to each other so you’re pretty much sharing the experience with your fellow dining patrons– something I don’t necessarily mind.
Although the ambiance was super cute, and the drinks were strong and yummy (had the Ultimate Mojito), the food was sort of blah. We star Ed with the Ceviche, (which arrived before our drinks!) which was refreshingly zesty and absolutely delicious. BUT, it was tiny! We also shared the Ensalada de Cuba, which was a total disappointment. It was nothing but a house side salad, totally bland and unimpressive. The Ropa Vieja was presented beautifully but it wasn’t the most flavorful I’ve had. The plantains it was served with got soggy quickly and totally failed to deliver the contrast in textures. We also had a side of the Peruvian Corn which was very generously portioned but because the kernels were huge, the shells were also sort of tough, totally not my cup of tea. We also had a side of black beans which were nothing to write home about.
All in all, cute place but the food was unimpressing.

Pésima comida cubana, pena decir que este buena, cuando molesta hasta el volumen de la música,. Well what to say, called in and the gals upfront had no idea regarding a couple of typical dishes, ok lets move on. The music was soo loud, we’re litteraly a foot and a half away from each other and we Just become tired of yelling … the food presentation was nice but the flavors were soo off it left us confused and hungry. We decided collectivly to cut our losses and just enjoy our unlimited sangria hour, Which at this juncture drinking hour pain away is exactly what we needed.