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    Cantina Cubana

    4.7 (46 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Cantina Cubana Takeout or Delivery

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    CANTINA CUBANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cantina Cubana

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    I don't write many reviews, but all in all this place was amazing! The atmosphere was great. I couldn't stop moving to the beat of the music. It was loud enough to enjoy, yet still perfect for conversation with the people I was with. The food and drinks were divine. And don't listen to any other reviews about the tres leches. It is amazing. So good! After having theirs, I think I've found a new favorite dessert. The service was attentive and friendly, and I can't wait to go back!

    Maduros
    Delilah E.

    Food was amazing & so was the ambiance. The stuffed plátanos with shrimp were delicious!

    Menu
    Lisa H.

    We needed some dinner after checking out an art exhibit on Avenue B, and Yelp presented me with Cantina Cubana. While there was only one [positive] review available, I went over the menu on their website and it seemed promising. Due to the mild weather, we elected to sit outside though the inside looked appealing as well. Being on a corner and the weekend before Halloween meant prime people watching. I was learning towards the ropa vieja ($22.95) but I went with the vaca frita ($23.95) and a side of maduros ($5.95) to share. The server said that the vaca frita ("pan-fried shredded skirt steak flavored with mojo criollo sauce") came with rice and beans, works for me. I also made sure that it didn't contain cilantro.  The vaca frita portion was quite generous and tasty, and I found myself rapidly becoming full. The white rice was also of a plentiful nature though the beans were in a small cup which I initially mistook for a sauce. The maduros came out hot, tender, sweet, and nicely caramelized on the sides, yum!  Service could've been somewhat more attentive, but it was polite and helpful overall. The tables were pretty wobbly though. Due to being limited on time, I wasn't able to scope out the desserts but going by dinner, I'm sure they were quality. Do check out Cantina Cubana if you find yourself in Alphabet City!

    Burger
    Shyanne B.

    Came in on July 5th and they were just opening. It is a cute restaurant and the music playlist was wonderful. We ordered mimosas and they were yummy. I had the Chicken over rice with beans and an egg. I try to stay away from beans for dietary reasons but they were irresistible. They were buttery and not dry and I think about those beans often. The chicken was tender, and had a great grill taste that made it a simple but delicious meal on a stupid hot day. I really enjoyed myself and the servers were super nice and quick. 10/10 would return no question.

    Lechon
    Fred L.

    A Latin jewel in the middle of LES. Among all the bars and lounges, you have a cozy dinner spot to meet with friends or a date. The food is very tasty and the service is amazing. I had the Lechon special (roasted pork). It didn't feel greasy, yet it was succulent and juicy. Topped off with maduros (fried sweet plantains) rice and beans. And yes, the maduros had crispy edges, just like I like them.

    Angelica F.

    DELICIOSO TODO!! Sin palabras. Se nota que hacen la comida con calidad y amor!! Muy bien servicio

    Filetillo Salteado

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    2 months ago

    Good food but I find it overpriced for the amount of food (examples tacos come with no rice, beans, etc.). Cute patio and nice vibe.

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    8 months ago

    Food, ambience and service were all above and beyond....I had the snapper, it was excellent

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    7 months ago

    The ambiance was warm and inviting. The service was excellent. The food and drinks were delicious.

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    1 year ago

    Shrimp quesadilla was very good. Good drinks, music, ambience, and service too. Great for a happy hour or pregame.

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    1 year ago

    Incredible and reasonably priced. I would recommend the cubano and the strawberry margaritas.

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    2 years ago

    Highly recommend. We really enjoyed our meal. Great food and nice atmosphere. Good service.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Such an amazing restaurant with delicious food and fabulous owners. I love this restaurant and go back here every time.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Cantina Cubana Reviews in Other Languages

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Came for Brunch on a Sunday . Great food (try the shrimp &…read moreGrits- different but really good). Live music is fabulous (Danny Lipsitz) and the drinks are perfect. Of all the places to go In New York, Glad we stopped here . The attentive service (Bar and Restaurant) made the experience even better. Great job Valerie's !!

    Came here for a slightly early dinner after a Broadway show with a party of 4 on a Sunday evening…read more We had a reservation, but it didn't seem like we would have needed one, but I suppose better safe than sorry. The ambiance feels straight of the golden age, which is an aesthetic I'm certainly a sucker for. Even their robust cocktail menu fits the bill and is one of the prettiest menus I've ever had the joy of perusing. Staff was able to sit us a little bit ahead of our reservation which was also much appreciated. Wait staff was also very helpful and attentive, I don't think I've ever had my water glass so topped off! Starting off with cocktails, this place is a gin bar through and through and you'd be making a mistake if you didn't try one of their many options. I went with the 10,000 words, which you simply just give a spirit of your choice (I picked gin of course) and whether you antes) wanted your drink shaken or stirred and the bartender does the rest, so a bit of a surprise! I wound up with their version of The Last Word which was delightfully citrusy but I was hoping I'd wind up with something a little more adventurous app things considered. My girlfriend got the blackberry G&T, which was not only very pleasing to look at but delicious to boot. For food, we started with splitting some zucchini blossoms and beef cheek bao buns (both come in portions of 3). Both were tasty, but I love a good bao bun and these were so light and pillowy, I could have just went for an order of those for my main course. For the entree I went for the roasted half chicken, perhaps the most unassuming choice on the menu but this was maybe the best roast chicken I've ever had. Prepared perfectly, cooked to perfection, excellent portion size, and the kicker of it all was the stunning gravy that I was tempted to lick my plate for. Chicken is very easy to screw up, and they nailed it on all fronts here. My girlfriend went for the Valerie Signature burger with white cheddar and this thing did not mess around! A very rich patty, cooked to her temperature of choice served alongside some garlic truffle fries that made an American classic feel just a little more elevated. Our experience was delightful and I'd love to comeback here again, especially to check out more of the cocktail menu and soak in more of that golden age aura the place gives.

    Photos
    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (116 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

    Photos
    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

    Photos
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Attaboy

    Attaboy

    4.1
    (874 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Have I found a new favorite bar?! I've heard nothing but good things about this place, and it still…read moreexceeded my expectations. The vibe is super chill, fun, and welcoming. The concept is simple: tell the bartenders what type of liquor and flavors you enjoy, and they create a custom cocktail just for you. I think it helps to go in with a few ideas, but if you give them some creative freedom, they can really surprise you. I honestly cannot remember all the ingredients in my drinks, but I do remember loving every sip. Such a unique spot and a fun experience. Definitely small inside so you may have to wait awhile. I only wish I lived closer!

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    Photos
    Small space but good vibes
    Small space but good vibes
    Paper plane
    Paper plane
    Interior bar seat

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    Interior bar seat
    Steight

    Steight

    4.6
    (42 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Very cute speakeasy hidden behind an empty hair salon. The decor was very fun, and I couldn't quite…read moretell what the theme was. It's a very small space, so it may be a bit of a wait for a seat. We came around 8:45 PM, and got a spot at the bar after about 20 minutes. We tried the yuzu contact and the ma-chet baker, and the ma-chet baker was definitely our favorite. It tasted just like a matcha latte, and I liked the bits of gen maicha in it. It wasn't very strong however. The yuzu contact was also very light and citrusy.

    yuzu highball mt highball…read more- highball was nice, basic, and refreshing; nothing much to note about but ive definitely had better - i liked the yuzu a bit more because the mt highball was a bit too alcoholic hojicha colada - hojicha is their seasonal menu and it also is my favorite! The tea was strong and fragrant - it is on the sweeter side, a bit like dessert, so i had to pair it with water, but it was still yummy and would recommend yuzu contact - this was alright! Typical yuzu but ive had better ones - personally feel like the yuzu can be brighter and a bit sweeter rating: 4/5 - the drinks were all good but nothing particularly stood out except for the hojicha colada - the vibe and the music really brought up my rating though! It was such a cute, cozy, intimate spot for dates - small speakeasy with only a few seats, similar to bars in japan; it's one of those japanese listening bars and i love it - there was light jazz in the background, not too loud that i had to shout - the mood was perfect; I couldn't stop staring at the interior decor and immerse myself in this little cozy corner - service was super quick, nothing much to note IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Oolong Punch
    Oolong Punch
    Sake Flight.
    Sake Flight.
    Steight

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    Apotheke

    Apotheke

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it…read morestill remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke!

    Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites!…read more You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place!

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Live Band
    Live Band
    Beautiful bar

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    Beautiful bar

    Cantina Cubana - cuban - Updated July 2026

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