Okay, so the AV isn't the most culturally diverse place in SoCal, so when I pass by a place with a pop-art lion, accompanied by the words, "Cuban Wine Bar", I'm going to investigate the place with unfettered vigor. Bottom line, I adored this place and it lived up to my (very high) expectations. 1. LOOK: Upon entering, the cushy leather couches and the dim, yellow mood lighting did a lot to create a suitable lounge atmosphere. Although a somewhat small place, there was also places at the bar, restaurant tables, and tall/bar stool tables. It already felt like we were at least an hour out of the AV in terms of ambience. 2. SERVICE: While I would have liked to have parked my ass down on a comfy couch, there was exactly one person working at the bar and serving as the singular waitstaff (which was understandable since it was a Thursday night), meaning faster service would come at the bar, which my party of three quickly availed ourselves to. Despite the small staff, the service was pretty good. Although marginally slow, the barman dutifully chatted with us, entertaining our slightly tipsy opinions, and suggesting menu items with genuine enthusiasm. His wine pours (especially for our 2oz flights) were generous. Having been shafted on prices at "The Boulevard's" Pour d'Vino, I can fully appreciate the experience I was getting at this unique little place off of Auto Center Way. I had complained aloud about a milky, chocolate port I had received at Pour d'Vino and the barman had happily poured me another generous sample of a Chocolat Rouge, along with my glass of dessert port for the sake of comparison. I was very pleased with the port (which is a part of one of the flights) and enjoyed the taste of the dark red chocolate flavoured wine, which I definitely would have fancied with some kind of dessert or cookie. 3. FOOD: phenomenal. We got the Cuban entre sampler with the beef, pork, and two sides, which for us, was the black beans and rice (dirty rice) and fried plantains. All of it was tender, well seasoned, and perfectly cooked. The dirty rice was absolutely fine and fairly tasty and although it was apparently missing a key ingredient, we hadn't noticed the absence of it in the least, though we look forward to trying in future. 4. ESPRESSO: This last detail totally sold me on the place. I, an espresso snob, had bought a cuban espresso for myself and a Starbucks employee, of whom was in my party, to end the night with (which was a bit after their advertised closing time, although they hadn't rushed us at all). It was good. Dark, as is wont for Cuban beans, but blissfully smooth. Mine came with a shot of the chocolate/milk port wine which I had purported to hate, on the house. And, the barman and his compatriot (perhaps the co-owner or manager, as I had observed him making rounds throughout the night) made it to our exact specifications--sugar, shot, strength, whatever. 5. SUGGESTIONS: Take recs from the servers, barmen, or specials board. I started with a lovely, non-acidic rosé that was on offer and my companions shared the Napa flight, the first of which was commented by the barman as trendy and turned out to be slightly spicy and quite light (ie, the perfect starting wine). The sangria is also definitely a must try. IN CONCLUSION: My friends and I had a great time. We love this place and I urge anyone in the the AV to hurry over and become a patron. I really hope it will last in the AV and hopefully expand to have some outdoor seating, perhaps with a firepit to enhance the thoroughly pleasurable Latin flavour. But for now, it's perfect for almost every occasion and is a relief from the chain restaurant scene at the mall or the over-priced or dive places on The Boulevard. read more

I love this place! The food & drinks are great. I love the RED SANGRIA & Their coconut mojitos. My favorites are tour of Cuba,Vaca frita And ropa vieja with maduros! Oh, and the ceviche it's sooo delicious. When it's busy yes of course the food may take longer but who cares enjoy a glass of sangria in the mean time. It amazes me how people compliant about the sitting and the non availability of high chairs. If you're looking for Booths, chairs, tables and high chairs for kids I would recommend a family restaurant or McDonalds (with play area) not a Lounge & wine bar because that's what this place is! A LOUNGE & WINE BAR!!! Thank you! read more

Some of the best accommodations in town. The staff is friendly and on point. The meals may take some time to prepare but the food is certainly worth the wait. People have to remember this is not a "fast food" joint. The prices are reasonable and you get more then you pay for. By far one of the best meals in town. And for the ladies that care. The Restrooms are very clean. read more

Limited vegetarian options. I ordered the congri and the fried plantains, both were blanned and lacked salt. The service was wonderful. Our server had good knowledge about the menu and was eager to answer any questions. read more

Good food, small and cozy, very warm and friendly. But it's a bit pricey, I'm Puerto Rican and make similar food so I know that papa rellena and empanadas are easy to make and shouldn't cost but a couple of dollars. However, it's a nice place, and I'd go there again, and do recommend it. read more

Here with my bf right now and it's a bit too small but tasteful for Palmdale.. : / I love the music but just wish it was a tad bit louder. The food we ordered (papas rellenas) is good. The strawberry mojito was a pleasant surprise. read more

Really great service, server was quick and paid attention. Chef Arturo came out and made sure our food was good. The food was delicious and full of flavor, and they followed the hygienic protocol! Definitely recommend the papas rellenas and Bistek de pollo. read more

Tried this place for the first time Friday night. We are in town for the weekend and this was our first spot to try in the Lancaster/Palmdale area. We ordered the Sandwich de Pollo with mojo fries and the Vaca Frita entree. The sandwich the pollo was incredible! The chicken was nicely seasoned and the sandwich bread was toasted nicely, the peppers and onions blended very well with the sauce spread. The mojo fries were deliciously crispy and the seasoning was tasty. Also, the Vaca Frita was very flavorful. The meat was nice and crispy. We also got a complimentary slice of flan for my birthday! Our server, David, was very attentive and gave us suggestions on their local beers as well as the entree. We would like to give extra stars to David for going above and beyond the scope of serving us our dinner! He also made us a personalized list of things/places to try in the area. We are very grateful for that, as we did visit Charlie Brown Farms the next day! We probably wouldn't have found out about that place otherwise, so thank you David! read more

Have been going to BARACOA since they opened. The food is exquisite And don't have any complaints. Love the food and the service. read more

AMAZING CUBAN FOOD! Before this spot I had tried one in the Valley, nope! It completely ruined my view on Cuban food. Then, my boss took me and other co-workers here, yea, I fell in love! I cant count the times that I have been here! I loved it so much that I brought my kids, brother, sister and friends here too! The outcome? THEY LOVED IT TOO!!!!!! Looking forward to going at night. I've only been here fore lunch and dinner. read more

Finally made it back to this place. Second time was definitely a charm, and I got to try the food this time. The Medianoche sandwich was delish. The red Sangria was tasty and not to sweet. The service was great. I'm excited to go back and try the rest of menu. read more

Baracoa Cuban Restaurant - The Medianoche is a must get... - Cuban Near Me - Palmdale, California

Great place, I'm from Florida, south Florida is where I've spent most of my adult life. While there I've got to experience the Latin culture and food to fall in love with the those flavors. I've even roasted a whole pig, the way the Cubans do it. I was yelping for dinner ideas and I came across this place. There is a lot of choices for Mexican fare around the Palmdale /Lancaster area. But to have a choice like this!, and have it be authentic was a true experience that brought me back to my times in Miami, from the food choices to the Cuban music playing int the background. I loved my dish the Roasted pork. Wow. Great flavor! The service was 100% on point with a genuine warm smile and attitude. Kayleen thank you for a fantastic expertise for a first timer in the restaurant. I'll be back. !!! You may ask if everything was so great how come not five stars??? Maybe it was my eyes.. But i felt it was a little to dark for me. Maybe just a touch up on the lights. Other than that, Rick and team keep up the great work! read more

Baracoa Cuban Restaurant - Seasoned beef - Cuban Near Me - Palmdale, California

I'm addicted to this place. Everything I've tried is so good. Loving the peach sangria! read more

Baracoa Cuban Restaurant - Peach sangria, avocado with crab, tour de cuba - Cuban Near Me - Palmdale, California

Do the residents of the AV truly believe this is what Cuban food is? Sadly yes. That's the only reason this place is open. This is nothing cultural from cuban cuisine; flavors, execution, vibes, it's all sadly missing. This review is 4 years in the making. Been 5 times and sadly it's strikes out each and every time. My wife and I have had cuban food in California, Miami, and all over Cuba. This hasn't stood up to one single place. Tonight hit the nail on the head. We decided to try it one final time. We ordered one Cuban sandwich, one order of papa rellanas and one order of empanadas. Let's start off with the price, $40 for this is insane compared to places that are of better quality;ex Porto's bakery. All of this would've been maybe $30 with drinks and another sandwich. Secondly the flavor falls off as if the earth was flat and we found the end. It's bland and boring. The papa rellanas were cold at the core and seemed to have a dog food like consistency to the picadillo that was inside. The empanadas were the only decent part of the meal. It's extremely sad that nothing has changed at this establishment. Glad people of the AV can enjoy such mediocre cuban food. Take my word for it. Don't waste your time or money here. This is one couple that will not be back again. Good luck. read more

Love love love this place! Guys its a lounge so the atmosphere was awesome! the food was delicious would def come back. read more

Whether you live in Palmdale, are visiting for a few days for business, or just plain passing through, you owe it to yourself to stop in and try this place! Let me break it down for you. First and foremost, the food. The lechon asado (which is roasted pork flavored with garlic lime) is fantastic. Literally melts in your mouth and has the perfect balance of lime/garlic flavor. Most places the sides can be...well sides...just there to accompany the meal. Not this place. The black beans are legit. The rice has just the right taste and texture. And then there's the plantains. Do yourself a favor and save those for last. Since the portions are good sized you may not have rooms for dessert, but those three little perfectly fried medallions of caramelized goodness will sit patiently while you finish off everything else to help you satisfy that sweet craving at the end of a great meal. Drinks? Wine list is decent sized and the two reds I tried were very good. They also have some homemade cocktails (spiked punches) that were trying to entice me the entire time I was perched at the bar. Decor/ambiance? Great fit for this restaurant. Trendy but unpretentious. Music is great but not so loud you can't carry on a conversation. They also have live music on the weekends (alas its Tuesday). Staff? Very friendly and accommodating. They go out of their way to check in on you and how you're doing. The bartender Melissa made some great food recommendations and kept my glasses (water and wine) full throughout my entire meal. Location? You'd drive right by it if it weren't for Yelp, but since you're here reading this review, go ahead and map it and go visit these guys. I guarantee you will not be disappointed! read more

This place is small. Service was lousy. Never ask if all ok or refills. Arroz con pollo. I didn't care for my honey and I arrived. No seating there were 2 tables with reserve signs and no one arrived. Then 2 parties arrived after us they where going to seat them. I had to ask why if we arrive first. Then they oops apologize. read more

My husband and I just had lunch at Baracoa today and it was outstanding. The waiter explained the different meats to us and was so friendly and helpful. We had sandwiches: the Cubana and the Ropa Vieja. Both were extremely flavorful, the meat was excellent and the crusty pressed bread was so good. We also had the tostones which were good but would be better with a salsa, ceviche or some of the ropa vieja on top. We loved it and are taking friends for dinner tomorrow night. Oh and the sandwiches are served with plantain chips that were great and the sandwiches are big enough to share. read more

My g/f and I had dinner and desert here 12/17 and had a great time. Our server Kayleen was very nice and helpful suggesting different options we were looking for. The food, service, and ambiance was great. The only catch is the place is small and fills up quick, so call ahead. read more

Great food. Needs to expand! Not enough room for their guests. Love the music when there's live music.

My first time coming here was for a work lunch. The food is authentic and the service was incredible, can't wait to come back!

I've been wanting to try this place for months and finally the husband and I got to drop in for lunch today. First impressions, the place itself is small but clean. We were greeted and told to sit anywhere we liked. We started off with the ropa vieja tapas cubanas. The meat was cooked perfectly however I didn't really care for the fried plantain on which it was placed. Later the owner informed us that we could ask for bread instead of plantains the next time we visit. For our entrees we shared the Tour de Cuba (ropa vieja, lechon asado, vaca frita, platanos fritos) and the Bistec Empanizado (fried milanesa) The ropa vieja was definitely my favorite and wish it came with a little more of this and less of the other two. The vaca frita was my least favorite as I didn't care for the crispy meat. My husband loved the Bistec and devoured it, some of the best he has ever had. I really liked the crispy breading. The platanos fritos were tasty and sweet. The beans and rice were just average. Overall, this place was a nice surprise. The customer service really stood out. Since we went in for lunch I didn't try the Sangria but looking forward to it next time. This is a small business worth supporting. read more

Absolutely love this place, great wait staff and the manager is Awesome. The food is delcious. My favorite has to be the Ropa Vieja with that Sinful Red Sangria with the occasional Mojito, mmm mmm. I totally reccomend eating and of course sampling the fine wines, but it's a first come first serve seating *they do get busy*.. I suggest the earlier the better. This is not your bring your kids kind of place it's meant to be a elegant scenery, HELLO it's a LOUNGE! read more

My friend suggested we try the place especially since she wanted my stamp of approval. We both loved it soooooo much. I ordered the ropa vieja sandwich with the fries and she chose the bistec de pollo sandwich also with fries. Our meal was absolutely 100% perfect and the service was superb. The whole staff was friendly, accommodating and went out of their way to make our meal experience fantastic and I truly believe they succeeded. We were both extremely satisfied and couldn't wait to tell our friends about it. I enjoyed my experience so much that a few days later when another friend asked me where we should go, I immediately thought of going back. She also loved it as much as me and my original friend did. That alone should tell you just how excellent this restaurant is - and not just the food but the entire experience. I highly recommend trying it ASAP. That's how impressed I've been and it doesn't happen often. read more

We ate here for Mother's Day, I order the lechón asado that came with white rice, two fry banana and black bean, Mami had fricase de camarón that came with the same side dishes, wife had pan con lechón and the kids had Medianoche all three sandwich came with fries we also order Mojito and 2 potato balls. The sandwich, fries and potato balls were okay but over price at $10 each sandwich and $8 for 2 potato balls, the Mojito was very bitter and tasted like lemonade for $9 a small glass and the mint leaves were turning brown, el lechon did not have any flavor and was burned also in the sandwich, even tho the waiter said the don't put chili on the fricase el fricase the camaron was very spicy HOT, the rice was very sticky "AMOGOLLAO" the fry banana were from a frozen box "PRODUCTOS GOYA", the black beans were okay. I won't eat here again I'll drive to Portos next time. read more

Food was absolutely delicious. The staff was friendly and very attentive. I would definitely try the rabo plate and the guava and cheese empanadas. read more

My goodness the food at this restaurant was delicious! I enjoyed every moment and the atmosphere is refreshing! We celebrated Mothers Day there and just happened to meet the owner! We were treated to red velvet cupcakes and fresh made chocolates! The pineapple soda was a hit with my daughter! My husband plate of black beans, and caramelized chicken with onions was great! Loved the Yucca!!! Great food!!!!!!!! You won't be disappointed.... read more

Came in for dinner with the hubby. Neither of us are wine drinkers nor had we tried Cuban food so we went for it. JJ was our waiter he paired some good wines for us. The food was really good.our daughter 18 months old loved the plantain chips. We did too. We will go back to try some more food. read more

They will get there, but not quite yet. The Baracoa Lounge is a perfect addition to the Antelope Valley. I just hope it survives. The Antelope Valley does not know how to treat nice things. I went there in April 2014. I do not think it had been open for more than a few months. The restaurant has a lot of potential. The food itself was nothing spectacular (the rice was undercooked and crunchy), but the menu shows promise, decor and setting are elegant, and service was perfect. We went for dinner and had the ceviche, Tour de Cuba and Ropa Vieja. All good, but not memorable. They just need to work on execution, which I think will come in time. Small, new restaurants always need time to mature. I look forward to going to this restaurant again. They premise is great. The Antelope Valley could definitely use some culture and class. read more

Ambiance: Great for date night! Surrounded by businesses in a business plaza, the restaurant seems out of place. The façade is very humble and unassuming, but once you walk inside, it's like you've been transported to a posh lounge in Hollywood or LA. Dimly lit with an attractive dark wood interior and a wall lined with bottles of wine, the overall vibe of the restaurant is very classy and lounge-y. If this place really was in Hollywood or LA, it would definitely seem a lot more romantic, but alas, we are in the AV and no amount of wonderful ambiance-creation can shuck the ghetto image that is so firmly associated with it. But I digress.. Food: Found a deal on Groupon and snagged it for our first time here. (YAY!!!) We ordered Papa Rellena for appetizers. If you've ever tried the potato balls from Porto's bakery, you know what to expect. Ask for a side of Tapatio to add some heat. We also got a plate of tiny garlic toast slices to start off. Delicious! For the entree, we got the Tour de Cuba (Ropa Vieja, Lechon, and Vaca Frita, plantanos fritos, arroz and fritoles) and Pollo al Mojo (Half chicken topped with with our special garlic lime mojo). The Vaca Frita was my favorite of the trio but I know there are very mixed reviews on that dish. Ours happened to be very yummy that day. The plantains are the best and sweetest I've ever had, and it wasn't dry or chalky, either. Now for the dish that is making me drool all over my keyboard; Pollo al Mojo. I didn't think I'd like a chicken dish this much, but OMG, the skin on the chicken was so good I felt like I was gonna get in trouble. By my mom. Cuz she is vehemently anti-chicken-skin-consumption. But let me tell you, it was worth the pimples I got later as a result. Although I did mention Baracoa Lounge is great for date nights, the food will leave you feeling bloated and gassy. (Read: the food is VERY filling and quite oily. BEANS GALORE!) Depending on how comfortable you are with your body's activities and noise levels, your date here will be either a disaster or an amusing success. As for me, I was farting up a massive storm for the rest of the night. read more

I have long intended to go to this restaurant and finally I did with my son, grandson, daughter in law and my grandson's best girlfriend. Boy am I glad I finally did get there and do I ever regret not doing so earlier than I did!!! This restaurant is an absolute gem, the food is outstanding and though small, it is very well attended and did I mention that the food is outstanding? The wait staff was very pleasant and quite helpful when it became clear to her that she was dealing with an old billygoat that couldn't hear worth a darn. The noise level is higher and of course that was a part of why I couldn't hear very well, but she was very gracious and helpful even if I did take longer than it probably should have to get my order. The great news is that she did, and the food was done exactly the way I asked for it, and did I mention that it was delicious!!! I also have a box that will probably feed me for another two days, and I am also happy about that! I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant, if you haven't tried it yet for heaves sake don't wait as long as I did, it is an absolute top pick in the Antelope Valley bar none! read more

Hidden gem! Heard great things about Baracoa so finally decided to try it out. Location doesn't seem like it would be for a restaurant but i love that it's quaint and intimate. Great for a date night or night with friends. Love that it's not to loud and you can converse over the amazing food. The waitress was very helpful recommending items to try. We started with empanadas and the fried potatoes balls. Both were equally delicious full of bursting flavors. Would highly recommend both. The red snapper Tapas was decent. They were pretty bland and could of used a sauce to liven them up. Cuban sandwich was enough for two and the fries are perfectly seasoned! Can't wait to come back and try more! read more

I am new to the A.V and trying to find a good spot to eat. A couple of months ago, I took my family out to eat here.. The food here is mostly bland and overpriced. We ordered the sampler and ended up just getting the food boxed up so we could leave. The outside sitting area service was also a bit slow before we ordered. Nice looking spot, but the food quality was not impressive compared to other Cuban restaurants we've gone to in the past. read more

I adore Cuban food, and was really excited to find this place in the AV. Sadly, the food wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be. We started with the Papas Rellenas, which were quite tasty. For an entree, my boyfriend tried the Vaca Frita, which was a on the dry side. I had the Lechon, which was moist and flavorful. We both had the congri, which I found to be dry and flavorless, such that I gave up on it after a few bites. The tostones were average, but didn't compare to what my Equadorian host mom used to make. The platanos maduros were easily the best part of the meal, which is sad, because they really are the easiest thing to cook. I had the white sangria, which was merely okay. I would have hoped to see more than just apple bits and a few (very few) tiny bits of peach floating about in a sangria. I should have just had a glass of wine, but once I'd sipped my way through the disappointing sangria, I wasn't in the mood for anything else. I would give them another try, and next time probably go with a sandwich, just to see how those are. read more

This place just gets better and better....it is 4.5 stars for cool atmosphere and culture. Food is good, wine is awesome ( try the malbec) and atmosphere rocks....friday music, cool people...what a hidden gem in the A.V. Christina our server is great. Keep it up Baracoa ;) read more

Baracoa Cuban Restaurant - A great place to enjoy good food, good music, yummy wine and my man. Yea for date nights! - Cuban Near Me - Palmdale, California

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Very small but amazing place to have dinner or drinks. We went when there was a band playing which I loved and made our girls night out more festive. The food was cooked right and had so much flavor. The sangria is delicious as well. I'm so glad my friend referred me to here. Can't wait to go again. read more

We drove all the way up from Anaheim CA because we heard the food was awesome and it did not disappoint! Not only was the food excellent, but the atmosphere and service was an A+. read more

Baracoa Cuban Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Palmdale, California

Best Cuban cuisine in the AV. Never disappointed with their customer service and delicious plates. On busy days make sure to make a reservation. read more

The Picadillo was absolutely delicious, try it with a Hazy Double IPA. Tonight I tried the Picadillo (1/26/2020). On the surface it appears to be a simple dish; after all it's just Ground Beef in a sauce served with White Rice, Beans, and Plantains. However, once you taste it you realize that it has received as much care, layered flavors, and well balanced spices as everything else on the menu. Chef Blake always checks in with me to ensure I've had a good meal and a good experience. Another fabulous dinner! I think I only have one Chicken entree left to try, before I have had them all. I pass through Palmdale about ever 2 or 3 weeks on business travel. Since I discovered Baracoa, it has been the only restaurant that I've eaten at on my evening in Palmdale. I'm working my way through the menu one dinner at a time. So far I've had their signature Roja Vieja with Contri, Baracoa Cubano, and the Seafood Ceviche. Everything has been terrific. The Service and Cuban ambiance/music are great as well! On 7/28/19, I had the Pardo al Mojo that Chef Blake recommended, with the Tangent Albariño. Everyone at Baracoa cares about your dinner experience from the youngest Server to Chef Blake. read more

The food is awesome! Recommend the sangria and ANY of the sandwiches. The slow roasted pulled pork is delicious! read more

Baracoa Cuban Restaurant - Pan de Lechon after I has eaten half of it - Cuban Near Me - Palmdale, California

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