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    El Artesano Restaurant

    4.4 (292 reviews)
    InexpensiveCuban
    Closed 7:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    EL ARTESANO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Artesano Restaurant

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    Cuban Sandwich
    Natalie T.

    You MUST try their cortaditos. Such a delicious cup of coffee. The quality is incredible, service is on point. This is very authentic tasting Cuban food. We got the breaded fish - cooked perfectly with a nice crunch. The Cuban sandwich and avocado were so tasty. The churros are delicious - fresh and the perfect filling to dough ratio. A repeat spot and a personal favorite.

    El Artesano
    D C.

    Was driving by and had to stop at this legendary place that has been serving food since 1974. I've been coming here since early 80s and the food is still delicious, the service is on point and it's clean. Great nice place to sit and eat.

    Chicken Soup and Cuban Bread with Butter
    Amanda J.

    The empanadas at El Artesano are adorably labeled with the logo on the crust. It's this attention to detail that follows through to the staff and service. The waitresses are incredibly kind and multitasking the entire time. Locals sitting at the counter are caught up in conversations with them and yet nothing slows down. You've probably spotted this place for the churro window. I've never had one but they do draw people in. The cafe con leches turn out so quickly and the food is prepared and ready to eat when you walk in. This was the first time I tried the chicken soup and it was flavorful and fresh. There was a decent portion of chicken and some delicious noodles that could be a hearty meal. Most were eating the complementary toastada Cubana (pressed fresh bread with butter. This is perfect with their cafe con leches. The restaurant is adorned with vintage ads from Cuban products and artwork. The staff is kind and while Spanish is preferred, a handful of customers ordered in English. It's a very welcoming and non-intimidating environment for the non-locals. I do recommend bringing cash and tipping well. The service is worth it!

    It is my first time to try Cuban food, I think it is not so delicious as I wish, but the volume is okay!

    Caldo Gallego
    Josh B.

    While I certainly appreciated Covid-era Cuban sandwich deliveries, I was glad to have a more classic experience, with an excellent hot sandwich on a wooden board. There was a perfect ratio of meat, cheese and pickles. I also liked the pork-fueled Caldo Gallego.

    Jenn B.

    Came on a late Friday afternoon. Cute place. Staff was really nice and attentive. Loved the old Spanish music playing in the background. Reminds me of my grandma. Cuban Sandwich was delicious. Got some mojo sauce to dip it in- made it even more delicious. Loved the vibe here- customers coming in and out to pick up and dine. Would definitely return

    Ronald K.

    When in Union City, you gotta go Cuban! Super-friendly service, though our orders were all messed up but the food was solid so all was easily forgiven.

    Not the best representation of a Chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese in white wine but boy, was it delicious!
    Ivan V.

    To anyone who warned me that my weight would gain exponentially upon moving to Union City and finding this restaurant located in the heart of Havana on the Hudson, OMG, I hate you, and I mean this in the best of ways. And I ask myself: "Why? Why, since my first visit in July of this year, have I kept coming back to this unbelievable (yet not ostentatious) locale over and over like a Broadway fiend coming to see Cats for the 9,000th time?" Because, El Artesano is not just good. It is finger-licking good. It is lick the remainder off the plate good. Heck, if the plate were edible, I would murder my teeth and ruin my gums just to get that elusive taste of Cuban cuisine. What I love is that you walk in, you don't need to be dressed up (and with the way the weather was this summer shorts and a T were my go-to outfit), you immediately find a seat anyplace in the locale. You get a warm greeting from the owner, or any of his employees (thank you so much!) and already you feel special. You feel as though you belong. I feel right back home in Dominican Republic from where my heritage is from. The music is always soft, there is always an undercurrent of happy chatter among the patrons and the employ, and the food is ridiculous. I mean, just look at what I wrote on my short second paragraph. Yes. It is that divine. I haven't been there before noon so I can't judge on the breakfast menu but I am pretty confident that on the day I go, I am going to be hooked for good. I may even have to move closer. Probably even upstairs. Is there a second floor available? But I digress. I absolutely love El Artesano, and the owner, Felix, is super-friendly. There is never any rush to finish up like in many Manhattan restaurants who need to keep it going and gently remind you that after desert, there is the bill to pay. Not here! I have a book with me (as I said), I will often read a few pages whilst sipping a hot cafe con leche that again, brings me back to the Zona Colonial and old Gazcue (kudos to anyone recognizing the second Santo Domingo neighborhood I just mentioned, pre-gentrification), and feeling comfortable among the hustle and bustle. At the moment I don't have any pictures but my iPhone does. I'll be adding them later. If you don't come here, you haven't done Union City. That's all.

    cuban sandwich
    Christine E.

    Union City, Nj // Definitely a neighborhood staple! Husband and I have frequented this place for years and the quality and service never disappoints. Personal faves are the following: cuban sandwich, beef empanadas, guava & cheese empanadas, churros, media noche, and ropa vieja

    Mel T.

    I like to keep a list of bookmarks on the ready. That way, if I ever happen to be in a certain neighborhood/have a specific craving, I can pull out that list. This was one of those times. I was running some errands nearby and I also had a craving for a Cuban sammie. My list showed me that El Artesano was one of the restaurants I wanted to try. Hubby and I stopped in on the Sunday of President's Day Weekend at around 11 am. The restaurant is set up kind of like a diner. They have diner-style counter seating, and they also have two dining rooms. It was packed at that time but luckily, we only waited 5 minutes for a table. They have different specials each day of the week and one of the offerings on Sundays are Ajiaco Criollo, which is a Cuban-style stew. This one had potatoes, sweet potato (or maybe some kind of squash?), plantains, and super tender pieces of pork bone meat. It tasted more like a soup than it did a stew, but it was still delicious nonetheless. I ended up dipping my Cuban sammie in the stew, which sounds weird but don't knock until you've tried it. The Cuban was good but I felt like it could have been a bit toastier/hotter. It seems they pre make the sandwiches in the morning and have them ready to be heated up once ordered. Hubby had his go-to, the masitas (fried pork chunks). It comes with two sides. I don't really love this dish because the pork tends to be too dry, but he enjoyed it. For drinks, I had a cortadito and he had a fresh orange/carrot juice and both were a great addition to the meal. Tip - parking is a nightmare in that area. I'm not sure if it's a Sunday thing or an all the time thing. I would recommend parking a bit further and walking over. The time it'll take you to walk over will be shorter than the time you'll spend circling looking for a spot.

    Banana batido and bistec with salad and maduros

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    2 months ago

    Sandro was our server and he was so kind and helpful! The food was amazing!!! I would definitely be back

    Business owner information

    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    16 days ago

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    Felix A.

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    4 months ago

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    Felix A.

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    1 year ago

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    Felix A.

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    6 months ago

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    Felix A.

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    1 year ago

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    Felix A.

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

    People are always kind and nice even if I'm not a native Spanish speaker. The food comes really fast and is fresh!

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    1 year ago

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    Felix A.

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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

    Helpful 8
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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    Photo of Evie S.
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    9 months ago

    Been going here for years. I also order my lechon and Aroz con gris here for parties. Good stuff!

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    Photo of E F.
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    4 months ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    3 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    1 year ago

    My go to spot for Cuban food. Service is fast, prices are great & the staff is very friendly.

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    9 months ago

    The sandwiches are delicious and the churros as well...prices are good ... and the service is excellent. Friendly atmosphere

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    3 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    Photo of Ivan V.
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    3 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    3 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    Photo of Mel T.
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    3 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    3 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    1 year ago

    Great old school Cuban spot if you're in the mood for a Cuban sandwich. No frills service lol. Straight to the point.

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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    3 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    Photo of Juan C.
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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    4 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    4 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    Photo of Michael O.
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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    5 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    2 years ago

    My chicken sandwich was mostly bread and a ton of potato chips. If you're looking for just carbs this is your place.

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    5 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

    Helpful 5
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    5 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

    Helpful 2
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    5 years ago

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    Photo of Felix A.

    Felix A.

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    4 years ago

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    Felix A.

    Helpful 1
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    Photo of Muriel G.
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    4 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    2 years ago

    Union City's favorite for a reason! Great service and food is always great! Always stop in when I'm in town

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    Felix A.

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    Photo of Ava T.
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    2 years ago

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    Felix A.

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    3 years ago

    Really good Cuban sandwich, probably best in area. Also empanada have great texture... looks very clean and food has great presentation

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    Felix A.

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    Page 1 of 8

    El Artesano Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Artesano Restaurant

    Hola! I have not have [Cuban] buñuelos in years. Is this on your menu daily, or should I call ahead? Also, is the restaurant handicap accessible? I want to bring an elderly Cuban relative.

    Yes, we have Cuban buñuelos on our menu. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. We look forward to your visit.

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    The Cuban Restaurant and Bar

    The Cuban Restaurant and Bar

    4.0
    (12 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Thank you guys for the very pleasant experience. My daughter and I shared Parillada for Two, which…read morewas inexpensive and yummy. The dish had pork, steak, chicken & shrimp!! It also had yucca fries, rice & beans!! Even typing this I can't believe the deal, lol. The service was great. Our drinks took a while to come out but they recognized this without us saying a word and comped us empanadas for the wait. Love this type of awareness and care for your customers. Matteo was a great & attentive server & last, but not least, the place is super cute. PS - Nice vibe, could have varied the music, but we're Bad Bunny fans, which seemed to be the bulk of the songs. :)

    We walked in as it is a relatively new spot. There were three of us and we were sat in a high…read morechair table that only provides enough space for two people, so we were cramped the entire time. The empanada sampler was sooo good, they nailed the flavors for sure. The ropa vieja was not as savory as it typically is at other restaurants. The mojitos and wings were decent. This is a great spot for happy hours and small bites. This place is huge, three floors or something. But only the first floor is used for dining, I believe. The others are rented out for events. Even when not having an event, it's a missed opportunity to not utilize the other floors.

    Photos
    Tables set up for a party on our 3rd floor.
    Tables set up for a party on our 3rd floor.
    This was a delicious caipirinha.
    This was a delicious caipirinha.
    Window open drinking a mojito and a margarita.

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    Window open drinking a mojito and a margarita.
    The Cuban

    The Cuban

    4.1
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    For being a Monday night, I think I picked out the perfect spot while in Hoboken! The Cuban…read morerestaurant is certainly more spacious than meets the eye from street view. It has a very long bar with a half floor in the back for additional booth like seating and also a mezzanine for additional seating above. We were very attracted to the restaurant from the outside with their fun music playing from the speakers. We proceeded to have dinner and a couple drinks to end the first Monday of the year. My coworker and I shared the garlic shrimp with toast and the trio of empanadas (spinach, pork, chicken). We'd rate both dishes, a 9 out of 10 each. One point knocked off because the garlic shrimp was a bit oily and one point knocked off because the sauces were a bit too sweet. For dinner we ended up sharing Churrasco plate which is grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, yucca fries, and a watercress salad. We ordered additional side of rice and black beans to share. In addition to the appetizers, this was the perfect meal to feed us two. The steak was pretty good and the server even asked if we wanted the hot sauce which was so spicy but very delicious. I highly recommend getting some of it to pair with your steak. We did order a Mojito since the server said they make fresh in-househouse. It was in fact, so delicious and would highly recommend especially the guava flavor. For dessert, we decided to give the chocolate filled churros a try. It appeared with a raspberry sauce. That was a 7 out of 10 for us so I'd say skip on that. Romeo came out to about $140 for two including the Mojitos and dessert. I feel like it's pretty fair pricing. Otherwise, service throughout the night was amazing, staff was very attentive and server very polite to recommend a couple of dishes. We certainly appreciated being in an awesome booth in the back. Would likely return again for dinner!

    I don't take leaving negative reviews lightly. I would much rather support a local business than…read morebash one. However, after attempting to address this directly with management multiple times and being met with zero follow-up and continued avoidance of responsibility, I feel obligated to share our experience. What we dealt with went far beyond poor service. It was unsanitary, chaotic, and frankly a potential health hazard that warrants review by the health department. We arranged for a private loft space on Valentine's Day to host a surprise birthday dinner for 25 guests with a prepaid prix fixe menu. From start to finish, the night was a disaster: * We were promised a private loft space, yet two other couples were seated upstairs with us, leaving some of our guests without proper seating and creating an awkward, cramped setup. * From the moment we arrived, buckets were placed in the middle of the party area due to a leaking ceiling caused by overflowing toilet water from the bathroom above. Water dripped into the dining area all night -- onto guests, tables, and plates. There was one bucket gathering brown water from the ceiling when we arrived and at least three by the time we left. Food and drinks were carried directly beneath it and the floor was soaked. This is a serious health code concern, and notably, two guests became sick after the party. * We appeared to have one single server for 25 people, resulting in extremely slow service. For a 6:30 reservation, appetizers began arriving 90 minutes later -- one plate at a time -- some cold by the time others were served. * Dinner was not served until 9:30pm. After nearly three hours of waiting for entrees, some guests had to leave without ever receiving food. * The included coffee, tea, and dessert -- part of the prepaid package -- were never offered or served. * After requesting to speak with a manager about the experience and a possible partial refund, we were told we would receive a call. That call never came. This was not a matter of a busy holiday or a minor delay. It was a complete breakdown in cleanliness, staffing, communication, and accountability -- compounded by management's lack of professionalism and refusal to take responsibility afterward. I attached photos from the moment our guest of honor arrived at the surprise party, and an additional photo of what the additional buckets looked like at 8:43 PM while we were still waiting for our food to arrive. I genuinely hope ownership takes this seriously before anyone else books a party or chooses to dine here, because no one should have to experience what we did.

    Photos
    Nice bar
    Nice bar
    The Cuban
    Cheers!

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    Cheers!

    El Artesano Restaurant - cuban - Updated July 2026

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