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    Cibao Restaurant

    3.7 (137 reviews)
    InexpensiveDominican
    Open 7:00 am - 11:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Cibao Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

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    CIBAO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    A decent sized delicious plate of tostones
    Alan C.

    I was just walking by the place, and I liked what I saw so I went in. I have a feeling I was the only person in there who was not speaking any Spanish, but everybody was cool. It's just a simple restaurant. I decided to go with two things that I absolutely love. The Cubano, and an order of tostones. The food did take a little while to get to me, but they were busy as it was lunchtime. The portions were huge! It was a very large plate of tostones, and they were soft, had just the right amount of salt, and not greasy at all. The Cubano was a traditional Cubano, the bread had that great "crunch", and while I thought that the pork was just a little bit tough, it, just like everything else in the sandwich was very delicious. I ended up taking half of my sandwich and half of the Tostones with me. Price for the meal, plus a Snapple, tax and tip was very reasonable. They have so many other great looking things on the menu, I want to come back. Thank you.

    Cuban Sandwich
    Nathaliah S.

    My parents were coming here long before I was born, and they introduced me to what is still the best Cuban sandwich I've ever had. This easily trumps the ones I've had from some of the most famous spots in Miami. My go-to order is always the Cuban sandwich, but I've also switched it up and tried their shrimp salad and soup on occasion. I get my Cuban with added mayo, and it never disappoints, the meat is juicy and tender, there's a perfect cheese pull, and the bread is soft yet flaky on the outside. I usually grab and go, and only sit down while I wait for my food. The wait is typically around 15 minutes, but it's always worth it!

    two plates of food on a table
    Ade S.

    Cibao Restaurant is a Dominican restaurant located on Clinton Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I visited Cibao Restaurant with a friend visiting the US from the DR and ordered the Dominican favorite Pollo Guisado con Moro. This dish is made with stewed chicken, black beans, and rice and served with fried plantains. West African and Dominican cuisines share similarities in using rice, beans, and plantains, which are fundamental components of their traditional dishes. And so this made it an easy go-to meal to order. The Pollo Guisado con Moro was delicious! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the black beans and rice were flavorful and well-seasoned. The fried plantains were also a great addition to the dish. The service at Cibao Restaurant was also excellent. The owner was friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed. Overall, I had a good experience at Cibao Restaurant. The food was delicious, the service was amazing, and the prices were very reasonable. I absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in authentic Dominican/Caribbean cuisine. Pros: Authentic Dominican cuisine Delicious food Outstanding service Reasonable prices Cons: The restaurant can be crowded Seating is limited

    Chicharon de Pollo
    Enrique O.

    Dominican cuisine as it should be, authentic. This definitely isn't the fanciest nor is it high end looking, what it has is the most delicious authentic Dominican food you're going to find on the LES (Lower East Side) and probably in this part of Manhattan. Everything I had was incredibly seasoned criollo food, and it was all incredibly fresh. I had the Chicharon de Pollo and Arroz Blanco, and Sopa de Pollo (fried chicken chunks, white rice and chicken soup) Everything we had totaled less than $30.00 and the portions were ridiculously huge. If you're in the area and looking to eat tasty delicious and fresh latin food then you've got to stop here.

    Katie T.

    Came in for a late night dinner. A lot of places in the area were closing kitchen at the time, so it was nice to find one with later hours. Got a chicken salad and it was phenomenal. Chicken cooked properly, not sure what the dressing was but there was just the right amount of it, making the salad taste delicious while still being light and filling. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive. I took half of the salad home and she brought me a container, utensils, napkins and a bag. Very simply decorated, might not look like much on the inside, but good food, nice staff and they played music at the end, making it an enjoyable experience.

    Dessert. Tres leches cake and a chocolate cake.
    Cynthia R.

    My review is based on a grubhub order that was late so I had to reheat my food... if/when I go in person I will edit this review. Ordered: Chicharon Mofongo. Fried half chicken with rice and beans. Small Chicken sancocho. ChicAron Mofongo was pretty good, the gravy was really savory. The pork skin chicharones weren't crunchy enough so it was hard to chew a bunch of pieces. Even so it was a good Mofongo, I'll probably get the pernil or chicken next time. The fried half chicken was DRY! They didn't even add Mojo or lime to help break the dryness. I didn't realize I had to ask for Mojo (mojito, aijito) which is an oil/garlic drizzle that we use to put on tostones or chicken. It just gives the flavor and extra kick. So we were missing that here. Rice and beans were bland, the beans was mostly gravy and wasn't enough to cover the flavorless white rice. Sancocho was tasty. There was one chicken thigh in there and some shreds but it was mostly carrots and tasty broth. I would try them again, but in person, and I'd ask for some mojo and roasted chicken next time.

    menu
    Alan N.

    I really like this place a lot. This restaurant has been here since I was a kid and last Saturday night was my first time coming for a visit. My roommate comes here often and raves them for their $5 dinner platter. Choice options of chicken, pork or beef stew. A lot of food fits in that platter so I think thats definitely a good deal. We sat down here for dinner. $11 a platter (which is probably twice the size of the $5 special). It came with a massive plate of white rice, side bowl of beans and a nice bowl of beef stew. While this meal isn't fit for a fancy night out, this is food made by locals and for locals. Yes some of the meat is a bit overcooked, and certain parts of the chicken can be a bit dry. But this is a great value meal for what you're getting. This is a family ran shop and it is true to the traditions of DR. You can tell the regulars love it here. The staff was great when I was here so I have no complaints. Looking at all the food around us, I think I will definitely come back to try other food on the menu! Tip: Fried Plantains $4.50. Hot and sweet! Fresh out of the fryer

    Breaded chicken with rice and beans
    Nancy M.

    Started going to Cibao prior to the pandemic. It's a small restaurant, not fancy. But the food is delicious. My family and I enjoyed a Friday or weekend meal there regularly. The service is friendly. During the pandemic it never closed. I was still able to pick up food for the family on Fridays. It has recently opened for sit down meals. The food is consistently good, definitely recommend.

    Beef stew (had more on the side) they give a lot of food & beef stew/ beans were really flavorful

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    1 month ago

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    2 months ago

    Me encanta la mejor atencion y mi comida Dominicana como me gusta asi mismo es como debe ser

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    2 months ago

    What a charming restaurant. Stumbled in by accident and was welcomed with nothing but incredible food filled with love and warm smiles.

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Food got me sick the next day. Enough for me to write this review. Absolutely grossed out. Service is alright.

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Best baked chicken ever , super fast delivery time , if this place ever closed down I would cry

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    William A.

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    5 years ago

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    William A.

    thanks for improvement

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    2 years ago

    Mofongo is sooo good! I ate here w my bestie zoe and we devoured the mofongo. so im back again for some more! and it's soooo good again!

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    7 years ago

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    Margon

    Margon

    4.2
    (904 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Sometimes you don't need a fancy reservation... you just need a tiny spot, loud kitchen, and food…read morethat hits like a heavyweight champ. Walked into Margon Restaurant in Midtown and instantly felt like I found one of NYC's secret cheat codes. Small space, big flavors, zero nonsense. The kind of place where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers but everyone's united by one thing... serious hunger. Ordered the Cuban sandwich -- pressed, crispy, loaded with roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard. One bite in and I stopped talking... which never happens. This thing didn't just deliver... it showed up early and over-prepared. Then came La Bandera Dominicana Braised beef swimming in savory gravy, yellow rice piled like a mountain, black beans doing their thing, and sweet maduros sitting on top like the victory flag. Simple. Comforting. Dangerous... because now I want it every week. Place gets busy, gets loud, gets chaotic... but it moves like a well-oiled machine. Years of experience and zero attitude. Just good people making great food. In a neighborhood full of tourist traps, this hole-in-the-wall is throwing haymakers. Sometimes the best escape in NYC isn't a rooftop... It's a Cuban sandwich and a plastic tray. And honestly... I'd pick that every time. #nycfood #hiddennyc #midtowneats

    Got here just before the lunch crowd - this place is a hole in the wall in the middle of Times…read moreSquare. There were lots of choices available - we chose the fried chicken chunks and the Cuban sandwich. All were very tasty - would have been awesome if the chicken pieces were boneless but it was still good regardless. We were able to sit down and ate the food there to keep it nice and fresh.

    Photos
    Margon
    Maybe mold on corner piece of Flan. Something go me ill an hour later.
    Maybe mold on corner piece of Flan. Something go me ill an hour later.
    Closeup of the Cuban Sandwich.

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    Closeup of the Cuban Sandwich.
    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar

    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar

    4.6
    (493 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    What a delightful evening!!!! We came here by chance, as we checked in to our hotel and were a…read morebit hungry. Everyone agreed with my suggestion to eat Latin American food and we made a reservation at Buena Vista, not far away from our hotel and also not far from the theater. We came over a bit early, around 5:15 and were immediately seated. We were immediately impressed by the business model. It is a melange of Latin American and Iberian faire with exquisite curation. Their cocktails were absolutely delightful, I had a Pantalones en Fuego, others had an exquisite margarita with passion fruit flavor and a Daiquirí de Fresa, just amazing. Then we ordered interminable Hors d'oeuvres. Their ham croquetas and mushroom croquetas were the rage, as well as the tostoncillos ibéricos and ceviche limeño, The main courses followed, a paella valenciana for two, the magret de pato, a delicious duck dish, and a grilled Argentine parrilla. Not bad for four people. Dessert included churros and tres leches. And of course, a bottle of a great Verdejo. Service was just flawless. We had several staff members all contributing to making our Father's Day evening special. All around us it was festive, with plenty of well dressed Spanish speakers in several tables, and the accents of a half a dozen Spanish speaking countries. Plenty of gringoes too. A beautiful collection of diversity. We left happy, ready to see "Oh Mary" and wanting to return

    This restaurant is hidden in the middle of the block on 9th Ave. The staff is always friendly and…read moreservice is always stellar. Today we had the pleasure of having Wagner waiting on us. Wagner was great a wonderful personality and he made sure everything was to our liking checking on us periodically. I have been here before (the first time we did assorted appetizers) so but this time I dove into the dinner menu. The oxtail pasta was absolutely lovely, the meat was tender and delicately seasoned. I had the steak (I prefer my steak more on the well side) and the chef managed to keep it positively tender and juicy. Perched on top of a few slices of fried casava slices and a small side salad. You can never leave without trying the flan it's one of the best I have ever had. Service was quick and food was bought to us piping hot. The only down side is they oddly don't make pina coladas (it's the only thing I drink) and the restaurant was a bit too cold but other than that it was a lovely birthday dinner for my friend. Buena Vista is small and popular so I strongly suggest you make reservations if you plan on eating here.

    Photos
    Looking toward front
    Looking toward front
    Plantains were delicious!
    Plantains were delicious!
    Empanadas

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    Empanadas
    Que Rico

    Que Rico

    4.6
    (13 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I was craving Dominican food but didn't want to travel all the way uptown, so I was genuinely…read moreshocked to find this gem so close to my hotel. The food was absolutely amazing so good that I came back three days in a row! I ordered the baked chicken with rice and beans, and everything was phenomenal. The chicken was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the rice and beans were just as delicious. The customer service was also incredible; she was so warm, welcoming, and kind every time I visited. I highly recommend this place. Please support this wonderful local gem.. you will not be disappointed! sorry the food photo isn't perfect. i was hungry!

    $10 lunch special?! In THIS economy?!?! From 12pm-3pm, this…read moreunassuming establishment right by SVA has a hearty lunch waiting for you! I was walking by and the sign noting their lunch special caught my eye- the lunch special consists of rice, beans, some plantains and a protein. They were offering pernil, baked chicken, chicken stew the day I went in. I got the pernil (roast pork) with yellow rice and black beans, and also chicken stew with yellow rice and black beans. Both the pork and chicken were so tender and flavorful, the chicken meat was basically falling off the bone. Extra points for adding some juicy pork skin along with the meat! Very satisfying food, you can easily get 2 meals out of it (they are very generous when packing the food!) Will definitely be back to check out their other offerings, especially the mofongo!

    Photos
    Que Rico
    White rice with red beans, pork shoulder and some yellow plantains.
    White rice with red beans, pork shoulder and some yellow plantains.
    Que Rico

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    Cibao Restaurant - dominican - Updated July 2026

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