El Libre

El Libre has been on my «must try» list ever since they opened and man oh man, this place did not disappoint.
The restaurant is completely no frills: order at the counter and sit upstairs or downstairs to eat. I decided to get the Cubano (obviously) with a side of avocado salad. The Cubano is out of this world. I really think I have finally found the best Cuban sandwich in NOLA and I am not exaggerating. I know I’m not an expert, but I just loved that the sandwich was nicely pressed and the bread was tasty and flaky. It was really a «melt in your mouth» experience for me.
The avocado salad is BEYOND good. Fresh avocado, cilantro and corn mixed up into a bowl of yum! It was the perfect side and I am stealing this simple idea for a salad and I’m going to start making it at home. It was basically guacamole before it’s «mole’d» and I couldn’t get enough of it.
I also got a Cuban coffee, which was a small shot of tasty coffee that was strong without leaving me jittery. It had a lot of flavor and I didn’t need to add anything to it to make it enjoyable.
The staff here was super friendly and chatty, even though they were having a busy day. I will absolutely return!
Note to El Libre owners: PLEASE open one on the Westbank or Uptown!

Such a good sandwich! Really cool environment! And a great place to stop in real quick if you’re hungry and in the area.

Get a daiquiri here. Don’t think about it, just do it. Locally owned by some of the coolest people around, it’s a gem of the quarter and you’ll always have a great time. Amazing cocktails by friendly staff!

Favorite cubano. Amazing (and all day!!!) Breakfast sandwiches. Love the avocado and corn side dish. The drinks are superb. I had such a tasty daiquiri and then they made me a surprise off the menu cocktail that was made with a few traditional Cuban drink ingredients and it was off the chain. And everyone who works there is competent, cool and friendly.

I found out about this place on Eater and had to visit. I’m glad I did.
The place itself is not huge, the menu is small as well but the simple flavors and delivery are massive.
I ordered a Mojito, a Cuban sandwich and the drunk tres leches. While waiting for my order I had a very pleasant back and forth chat with the two co-​owners.
The sandwich was very good. Very tasty with the right amoint. of crunch agter being presed. The drink was made well and was had the right amount amount of alchol. The Tres Leches was FANTASTIC. Probably top three I’ve ever had.
I would recommend stopping in to show some love and definitely getting a piece of the Tres Leches cake.

So I’m not sure if it’s because I was HANGRY or not but this is the best vegetarian Cuban sandwich I have ever had. Ok it’s also the only vegetarian Cuban I have ever had but it was dam tastee. The place plays kewl vibe music and gets yah in the mood to chow. Small walk up style place with a counter and a few small tables if you want to eat in. Or take it to go. Top it off with a real Mexican Coke or a cocktail and you’ve got yourself a meal. Nice little find in the quarter when you want a tastee SAMMICH.

This is a great find! I ordered a café con Leche and it was amazing, seriously one of the best drinks I’ve had. I asked the lady to add sugar and she did the perfect amount. I also got a Mexican chocolate cookie, which was great. It was semi soft and delicious with a subtle spicy kick. They also serve food and alcoholic drinks. Highly recommend this café if you’re in the mood for something unique and off the beaten path.

Cute little place tucked away near Jackson Square. There is a small eating area on the first floor and a bar like area on the second floor. Very limited food menu. Cubanos, sides and dessert. I have to say they knocked it out of the park on the Cubanos! A nice size for the money. Full of meat, cheese, and pickles! Yum! One of the best I’ve had in years. The drink and Rum menu is very nice for such a small place. I got the signature Hemmigway daiquiri. Sweet and tart. Very well balanced. Would definitely get this again. We have put this on the go to again list and will be back.

Live right around the corner from this little spot, was hoping for good service, great food etc. Very disappointed with the guy with a black Justin Timberlake cap who overcharged my girlfriend for espresso. 5 bucks for a double shot of espresso!!! When she questioned him he was condescending and made her feel stupid. Save your money for Spitfire or Envie or at least duck in to make sure the strident hipster isn’t there. Beware.

Full disclosure: this review is based on the Cuban Sandwich and the Hemingway Daiquiri, I’ll be going back this weekend to make my way through the other cocktails and food options.
Absolutely delicious Cuban sandwich, in the top 3 I’ve had anywhere. The Hemingway was so perfect that I got two more in very rapid succession. The owner and his significant other are fantastic people who put a lot of passion put into this concept.
Stop in if you’re in the French Quarter and want a unique and not-​touristy experience.

It appears I am in the minority here, but I wasn’t blown away by El Libre. I appreciate the simple (but well done) menu. The sandwiches are very delicious — crispy on the outside, lots of good flavor inside. I also appreciate that they have a good cocktail selection. The only thing keeping me from coming back often is the price — when it was all said and done, it was $ 20 for a beer and a sandwich. I agree with Christopher W, a small side with the cuban would go a long way (instead of another $ 5 for beans and rice). That being said, if you find yourself in the quarter and craving a cuban, definitely check this place out.
Pro-​tip: If you have never had a hemmingway daquiri, you are missing out on a very good time.

Awesome staff and excellent cubano! We don’t get Cubans too much in SF so while visiting New Orleans we had to try this place. Very small quaint sandwich shop. Simple menu is simply delicious~!

This place save my life at 1:45 am on a Friday night… The Cuban sandwich is excellent. Pretty much what you would get if you were in Cuba.
It was one of the rare place you could have good food at 1:45 am and not being surrounded by drunk idiot.
The owner was a cool guy to have a smart conversation with… the food is good and the price is right…

Have been wanting to try this place out for a while and decided to stop in for a latte. It was excellent but they didn’t have any cuban inspired pastries left to go with it. I really wanted the platano bread. The cuban sandwich is a little on the small side with no side item at $ 10 is a little much but you are in the quarter. The business is owned by a guy from Miami and his wife and its very cool looking and a great stop especially if you are hungry late in the quarter. Would be better if they had fried plantains on the side but they don’t have a frier. Will be back.

Huge fan of the Cuban sandwich and the avocado salad I get from here. The portions and quality of ingredients are fantastic. I can not get enough and will be sending customers here to enjoy my little slice of heaven!

On a scale of 1 to holy shit this place is amazing, I’d give it a «I’m not even sure how to use words anymore.» I stopped in for a Daiquiri, and 3 hours later I’d eaten an amazing Cuban sandwich, and sucked down countless other amazing cocktails. Konrad is a fantastic bartender, and I can’t wait to get back to El Libre again.

The saying goes that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, I also have a theory that the way to a woman’s heart is to be decisive and make interesting, fun, and savvy choices. So, when the radiant woman I was enjoying my morning with mentioned that we ought to get a quick bite I immediately chose El Libre which had just opened two days before. I hadn’t yet been there, but I sure love it when my instincts are on point! She was as taken with this unique and friendly Cuban café’ and bar as I am. El Libre offers a simple yet perfect menu with well portioned servings, impeccable breakfast sandwiches, pressed sandwiches and sides. We ordered a breakfast sandwich and a classic Cubano, café con leche, and a Hemmingway Daquiri. All were prepared quickly and brought to us with a friendly smile. Everything was just perfect. We sat upstairs on the little balcony overlooking the space happy to have discovered a new go-​to spot for quick food and top notch cocktails with great ambiance just far enough away from Bourbon street. One of the partners, Konrad Kantor, has run the bars at Sobou in the W Hotel and Doris Metropolitan where he created incredible and unique cocktail lists. While El Libre has a full bar to meet any taste, he has purposefully simplified the drink menu to classic Cuban cocktails and they are not surprisingly amazing. They stay open until 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays so swing by late and you may meet me there enjoying a Cuba Libre or Mojito.

Great little place inspired by Ernest Hemingway in the French Quarter, seating is limited but quaint and the atmosphere is very chill. the Cubano was fantastic, just the perfect blend of pork, pickles, mustard, and Swiss cheese. Also had the Hemingway which is a craft cocktail, Rum based of course hand shaken by a very handsome bartender. Can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Definitely stop by and show them some love.

What a sweet local little gem of a sandwich shop. We breakfasted here on a bracing espresso-​like coffee Cubano, iced coffee, and a pressed breakfast sandwich of guava paste and cream cheese. Pleasant service, and tucked away in a quiet spot from hordes of tourists, yet only steps away from Decatur Street.

Full disclosure: I am a Cuban sandwich lover, and I don’t have many options in the French Quarter, so I was extremely excited for El Libre to open!
Started off with an absolutely perfect café con leche in the morning of their first day (had to check it out and get a menu!)
The décor is killer! The space is maximized and looks great, but the smell is captivating!
So, later on in the day we ordered the Cubano sandwich and the avocado salad… Freaking unbelievably good! The sandwich was crisp, fresh and delicious! The avocado salad (avocado, corn, maybe some lemon and cilantro) was absolutely unique, so very fresh, and was a huge hit! I’ve gotta go., time to order another lunch!
Update: day two was even better! Try the avocado salad people– you’re life will never be the same!
Update: um, yeah, three days in a row
Every time just as good if not better!