Arco-Iris Restaurant

I am from Miami and this is not the best Cuban I’ve had. The food is a little bland, not my favorite.

A friend recommended this Cuban gem… very nice place! Food is delicious, affordable, friendly staff and easy to get to. My family and I will definitely come back.

We just moved to Tampa from Miami and were looking for good Cuban/​Spanish food similar to the one you can find in Calle 8.
This place is outstanding. We will definitely come back.
We ordered pan con lechon. It did not disappoint.
Oh, and they have cortaditos!

I’ve been to Acro Iris on many occasions, not once have they let me down. Immediately when you enter you feel the authenticity of the restaurant and feel right at home. Although it is not fancy and somewhat outdated, everything clean and very efficiently run. The yellow beans and rice are a must try. Our waitress was very friendly although I could have used another refill on my water. The pricing is very reasonable, we had two full dinner meals with an appetizer and soda, our total bill was $ 23. If your looking for an authentic Hispanic place that a spot for the locals give it a try.

A hidden gem — located off Columbus near Himes — I’ve driven by it so many times on my way to work but only came to «notice» it when a co-​worker brought attention to it. The food is pretty solid and reasonably priced. I am a big fan of Cuban Coffee and it’s pretty delicious here. The lunch crowd does get pretty busy but I haven’t had an issue finding a table as they’ve got expanded space, but you may have more of a difficult time finding a parking space. Good choices: Fried Rice, Bistec Empanizado.

Arco Iris is a Tampa tradition lo vaca frita is my favorite so its hard to get anything else. Every entrée comes with two sides. Black beans, french fries, bean soup and more. The cuban bread before the meal and espresso to cap it off completes this Cuban meal.

I’ve been coming here for years. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa. Prices are good and foods even better. Gets crowded sometimes but that’s to be expected when the foods as good as it is. Never really had a bad experience here. Love Arco Iris!

The place to be if you want Authentic Cuban eats! This place is very casual, service has been hit or miss in my experience, however the food is consistently great! I love the Pamillo steak and the Ropa Vieja with yellow rice and plantains — yum! For the amount of food, the meals are good value!

Nice to find a hole in the wall. The vaca Frita was very dry. Really dry and no flavor. Moros was good. Probably wouldn’t order again.

This place was great. Very casual. Very busy but the tables turn over quick.

Unless you want to have uncontrollable diarrhea from 1AM to 4AM like what happened to me 2 days ago after I ate here, I would avoid this place.

I walked in for lunch and this little place was packed. That is a great sign that I am going to enjoy this place. The servings are very large and the taste was equal as well. The fried pollo chichron was so good! Very crispy on outside but so juicy and flavorful on the inside. I could have made a meal of it along. I recommend this spot highly of you are on this side of town.

I’ll keep this short… I’ve been here three times and I still have yet to be disappointed in any way. This is one of the most authentic Cuban resturants in Tampa and I have brought every single one of my out-​of-​town friends here to try Cuban-​style food.
There’s something here for everyone, especially the plantains. Even typing this review is getting my hungry and craving for more… Try it!

In love. I can’t begin to express how good the food is here. Home cooked, authentic Cuban food at its best! It’s a little hole in the wall mom and pop place, but the food is so exquisite. I ordered the shrimp creole and yuca con mojo with the platanos. Ate everything! The spices and sauces they use are so warming and flavorful. And it’s so cheap! I’d go here again and again, if I lived in Tampa

Deliciosa cocina cubana. El lugar en su apariencia exterior no es atractivo pero la comida es sabrosa. El café es buenisimo, un cortadito servido en vaso delicioso! Y todo esto en unos precios economicos con un cosoto por plato por persona de algunos 9 o 10 dolares. Definitivamente el servicio rapido y atento. El postre de pudin de pan muy bueno.

Parking for this place is limited in the front but there is additional parking along the side of the building. I can see that possibly being a problem when they are busy.
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to find a great cuban restaurant. We weren’t sure what to expect. We weren’t greeted when we walked in so we had to ask if we sat ourselves or waited. FYI Gringos you seat yourself :)
The food was excellent. I had the ropa vieja with black beans and rice and a side of plantanos. I had café con leche for drink and it was good. Not the best, but it was still good. (The tampa sandwich shop still is my favorite)
My fiancé got Masas de puerco and we both agreed it was missing a mojo sauce or a lime to give it some kind of kick. Otherwise the meat was cooked perfectly but it was missing some flavor. The black beans were delicious!
Our waitress brought us our check and again we weren’t sure what we were supposed to do. Lack of communication (there wasn’t a language barrier to blame). I’m thinking it was just our server because the other servers were smiling and communicating. We took our check and paid in the front because we weren’t sure if our waitress was going to come back and take our money. That alone should lose a star but the food was amazing so we will have to see the next time around.
We will definitely be back to try more stuff on the menu.

I had mixed feelings about my first visit here. I think my expectations might have been a little high and I really wanted to give it more starts because I’d heard great things about it. Our server was extremely polite and friendly, our food was served in record time (maybe 5 – 7 minutes), and the food was good… but I’ve had much better Cuban food. Perhaps growing up in (very) south Florida has spoiled me.
My son had breaded chicken with yellow rice and French fries, I had the chicken Milanesa with white rice and red beans, and my companion enjoyed the palomilla steak with yellow rice, black beans, and yuca with mojo. Everything was enjoyable, but nothing stood out as fantastic (except maybe the flan. It was almost as good as mine).
Everything had flavor and was adequately prepared, so I think my issue may have been with the freshness and/​or quality of the product served (meat, poultry and produce). I’ve learned to appreciate higher quality foods that may be locally produced/​grown, or at the very least least fresh as opposed to packaged/​canned/​frozen. I read another review where some made a similar comment, and I agree and I think that’s where I was a little disappointed.
That said, we enjoyed our meals, and I will give this place another try in the near future.

This was my first time here. I was craving a Cuban sandwich so I thought, why not? Well I was not impressed and will most likely not be back. We ordered 2 Cubans — both the same way (no mustard, no pickles, all the way). We got one with only tomatoes and onions and the other one with tomatoes and lettuce no onions. Huh? Oh and you can’t fool me with that ham and turkey combo, a real Cuban sandwich has pernil in it not turkey. A real cuban also has a good amount of meat and these did not. We were really disappointed. I am not sure how the rest of their menu is but if you want a Cuban, go somewhere else. Total for 2 Cubans was $ 10 after tax.
Such a large community of Cubans in the Tampa Bay area yet finding good authentic Cuban food is so hard! Helpppppp!

I LOVE Arco Iris! I’ve gone here several times and the food is always fresh, authentic, and the best Cuban food in Tampa.
Hubs had the palomilla steak sandwich, his dad had a Cuban sandwich, his mom had a fish sandwich, and I had boiled Yuca and lentil soup. Everything was great even down to the cuban bread they serve prior to the meal!

While on a short vacation in Tampa we saw this little gem on Unilocal and we had to try it. When we got there I was a little discouraged by the shopping center, how it looked outside. And the fact that their sign said Cuban and Chinese cuisine… So confused. But we were already there and starving so why not give it a try. Let me start by saying there is no Chinese food on the menu or anywhere in sight! Thank heavens!
I ordered the churrasco steak made medium rare with yellow rice. It came out quickly and was super juicy and delicious! Thanks to this place I was on the hunt for a churrasco place in Maryland the minute I left the restaurant!
The service was good. It was a very friendly environment. Very clean. I have to come back here the next time I’m in Tampa!

What can I say? I have eaten at Arco Iris multiple times now, and tried almost every type of meat item on their menu. Not kidding at all— I have tried EVERYTHING on the menu. Even the «Chinese food» items. Everything tastes salty, or tastes like a can. Or tastes like a salty can.
Does everything here come out of a can???
There are other seasonings and spices than just salt and food coloring. But, just not at Arco Iris. I have had better food served at a cafeteria in an old folks home than here. The «Garlic Fish» does not even have garlic flavor. What the hell is going on?
The best thing that Arco Iris has going on is their atmosphere. People love eating there. I just have yet to figure out if they actually like the food or just spending time with friends and family in a fun environment.

By living in Miami for 11 year, it train you tongue for the Cuban food. We have been to this restaurant many time and we like the food here. Compare to other Cuban restaurant, this top of my list. I like to thank Steve E organize the UYE. This is the first time that I have come to this restaurant in large group. It poof the service can keep up with group.
Today I have order the Vaca Frita. Vaca Frita is flank steak in thin pieces. It is first deep fried and then hot plate grilled. I specifically ask them to make it crispy. Which mean make the outside burn a bit. The Vaca Frita is easily separate into shredded beef with folks. They usually top with grilled onion. A twist of lemon juice can be added to enhance the flavor. My dish comes with sweet plantain and I have added fried yucca.
I have been here many times but have not give a review. I like to give them 5 stars due to service, very affordable pricing (under $ 10 for my dish), and good cooking in Cuban style.

I’ve eaten at Arco-​Iris many times since posting my original review, and have hosted two different Latin Crawls at their restaurant in that time, so that sounds like a great reason to update my review.
Arco-​Iris (The Rainbow) is one of my two favorite Cuban restaurants in Tampa. I would describe their food as very basic and delicious Cuban comfort food — the type you would expect if your Grandmother was Cuban and she invited you over for a Sunday dinner.
The colonization of Cuba as well as it’s role as an important port of trade blended the cuisines of the Spanish, Caribbean, French, African, and even Chinese cultures into the wide variety of flavors that you’ll find in a Cuban restaurant. The menu at Arco-​Iris showcases that diversity with beef, chicken, pork, and seafood specialties, along with traditional Cuban sandwiches, and Chinese-​style fried rice (chaufa).
A couple of my favorite entrées from Arco-​Iris are roast pork (puerco asada), roast chicken and rice (arroz con pollo), eye round steak wrapped around Chorizo Spanish sausage (Boliche), shredded beef simmered in tomato-​based criollo sauce (ropa vieja), ground beef stew with vegetables (picadillo), and fried pork chucks (masas de puerco fritas) cooked in a mojo sauce made from oil, garlic, onion, oregano, and lime juice. These dishes are generally accompanied by rice and beans, yucca, and plantain chips for side items. Entrées run about $ 10, so you’ll get a great meal at a very reasonable price!
The wait staff at Arco-​Iris is very friendly, and they slip easily from speaking Spanish to English and back again. In addition to the printed menu, they have a Specials board, and everything is translated into English. If you’re not sure what to order just ask your server for some suggestions.
You’ll find Arco-​Iris along W. Columbus Drive, one block to the east of Himes. Parking is a bit tricky out front, but there is plenty of room behind the restaurant and throughout the little shopping plaza.
We’ve held two very successful Unofficial Unilocal Events at Arco-​Iris, and those in attendance have really enjoy the tastes of Cuban cuisine and the helpfulness of the staff. I hope that you’ll give this place a try real soon.

This is the place the locals, families, and Unilocalers-​in-​the-​know go. The parking can be challenging but kudos to whomever brought the immaculate Rolls Royce and parked it up front!
As for the food, it’s incredibly affordable and totally on point. I love the beans and rice, plantains, fried yuca with garlic sauce, and whatever Picadillo, roast or fried pork dish, or tasty steak we choose to order.
Top it off with a wonderful colada to share and you will be pleasantly stuffed and wide-​freaking-​awake for hours to come!
They are also excellent hosts for Steve’s legendary Latin Crawl unofficial Unilocal event. Separate checks, for example, for a party of 20 is no problem! Let’s do this again but I need to force myself to order less. Ok, that is never going to happen. Bring it on!

Ummm so yea… Arco-​Iris. Eating food this good is extremely hard to communicate through writing…
Just…
Everything was PERFECTION! For $ 10 dollars!!! You cannot beat that! As soon as we walked in, the aroma of fresh onions being grilled immediately convinced me that I was gonna get some good lovin’ from Arco. I already knew it was about to go down. I ordered Pollo a la Milanesa y Yuca AND sat down for THE most torturous 7 minutes of life. ERRRRRMUH GAWWWDDDD!!! Every plate of food looked like it’s own mini piece of heaven. Everything had GRILLED ONIONS! MAN LISTEN.
I was literally about to squeeze into someone’s table and DEBO a forkful of food just for a quick taste. That food couldn’t come fast enough. It was a busy little spot, too. I felt foolish for not trying it sooner.
My food was so freaking good! The cheese was melted perfectly, the chicken was cooked to perfection, the RICCEEEE had flavor (unlike yesterday)
EVERYTHANG WAS EVERYTHANG BABY! I sent my phone number back to the Chef… told him to call me so we can work out the details for our wedding and having these mini Arco chef babies. I’ll give up all this jet setting bachelorette freedom for him.
This is the first restaurant I’ve found that I know my parents will rave about when they come. I need to find something healthy here because the summertime gym turn up is ramping up. We’ll see how this goes! EAT HERE PEOPLE AND SOON!

I think this restaurant is good but I don’t think it is great. Definitely better than La Teresita up the street but nowhere as good as Las Margaritas off of Hillsborough. Part of my problem I think is that I am just not a fan of skirt steak. I ordered their premier item, the churassco steak and thought it was salty and chewy and just ok. My son got the chicharron de pollo which was very tasty. Nice garlicky flavor. However, if you have blood pressure issues, I would advise you to skip it since it has a ton of salt in it. The garbanzo soup was good and so was the Cuban bread. All in all good. The staff was nice but did not speak much English. Not really a problem because you can pretty much just point at a picture and get your food. I asked for my steak medium rare and got it medium. Oh well.
I would come here to pick up dinner to bring it home but I don’t think I would go out of my way to come here for a meal.

Arco-​Iris has a pretty big following in the Tampa area along with other Cuban places like La Teresita. They’re actually right near each other! So, having been to La Teresita, I decided to try Arco-​Iris since I was craving plantains and knew they had them.
The restaurant itself is not very big, which is to be expected with little Cuban places like these. I don’t think I’ve actually been to a really big Cuban restaurant before. Arco-​Iris always seems to be pretty busy too, which is a good sign.
My meal started out with some warm Cuban bread. Now, I don’t normally eat bread since it makes me sort of sleepy, but I did have some of this bread since it was buttered and looked amazing. Well, I was right — it was amazing. And it did make me sleepy because I took a nap after I left this place, but I digress. It was some of the better Cuban bread I’ve had.
I ordered the ropa vieja. It came out very quickly. The ropa vieja was tender and juicy — not too big of a portion either. I sort of wish the meat didn’t rely on the sauce so much, but it was still good ropa vieja. I prefer La Teresita’s over Arco-​Iris’ ropa vieja.
I got green beans and fried plantains as my sides. The green beans, unsurprisingly, were nothing to write home about. I think they probably came out of a can. The plantains were very good, though. Perfect portion size and not too fried. I left with a very happy tummy because this was the whole reason I came in here!
I’ll have to come back and try their bistec — I saw it at some other tables and it looked very delicious!

Good solid Cuban home-​style food. Excellent Caldo Gallego. Skip the Cuban sandwich.