My wife and I took her mom here for her birthday at her request because her friend had recommended it to her. So we went with slightly high expectations. I like to begin a review with the positives. The prices were reasonable and the food was okay. Otherwise my rating would have been just 2 stars because I'm sorry to say the negatives are going to be longer. I think the "Enigma" moniker suits this restaurant because it is puzzling. The sign outside bills itself as a Cuban restaurant but the menu is so diverse it suggests a cuisine identity crisis. For example it has Bahamian conch chowder and fritters on the appetizer menu, and Italian style veal chop on the main. As much as I love Cuban I was intrigued so I ordered each of the above. All were just ok as I said but I didn't understand why they were on a Cuban menu. Probably our biggest complaint on which we all agreed but annoyed my mother in law so much that she complained-to the owner, was that we really felt rushed through our dinners. The courses came out rapid fire and there was just a sense that they wanted to turnover the table. My final issue was that the men's room has been neglected. IMO You can get a good sense of management pride and overall cleanliness by a well maintained restroom. Take a look at the photos and judge for yourselves. Needless to say I don't recommend and won't return. If this review was helpful please vote for it or leave a comment. read more

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A secret amongst locals. So many wonderful choices. Bring your appetite. Great food and ambiance.

Great spot... don't drive too fast or you will miss it. Absolutely huge menu with a mix of traditional and modern Cuban and Italian dishes. Excellent fresh seafood, amazing fresh homemade bread. read more

Food, service, and atmosphere was fabulous! We had a wonderful who took great care of us.

Whenever we go to Florida, dining in Enigma is a must. They have a lovely outdoor dining area, pretty and spacious. The food is delicious; Ny favorite is the grouper accompanied by potatoes and vegetables. Prices are reasonable . I would highly recommend. read more

Had dinner outside there on Sat night. Was so not impressed. The white sangria tasted like OJ with a few pieces of apple and orange. Really poor. The salads that came with the dinner looked old with barely any lettuce. My seafood broth seemed like they threw a package of frozen peas and carrots into it. Nothing came hot. The rice was dry crunchy and cold. I think the waitress forgot our dinners were ready. We had eaten there before the pandemic and it was always good read more

Table cloths filthy; food tasteless with the exception of extra spice to hide flavor!

Great food & service. The restaurant is cozy and inviting. I would recommend giving it a try.

Excellent menu selection and the food is so good. The service is very attentive and friendly.

Such a treat of a place. The BEST Paella. Supporting local!! Worth going off the avenue for

Great restaurant. Had the Cuban snapper. Excellent. Another go to restaurant for us. Have been back twice since this review was posted.

I think I just had the worst steak ever. Went for dinner tonight and ordered surf and turf. Got for pieces of very peppery shrimp and the worst steak ever. Ordered my steak medium-well and got close to rare. The person I was with ordered their steak medium and got closer to well done. My steak was nothing but fat and grisel. I could hardly cut it, spent $22 on a steak I couldn't eat. I wouldn't have given that steak to my dog. A few people at the table had french fries as a side and there was no ketchup. As nice as the server was she was hardly around, never came around to see how the meal was or how we were doing. How this place is crowded is beyond me, but most of the people tonight seemed to much older. The table and people I was with all agreed that we were never going back. What a shame, because I am not a fan of writing negative reviews, but I hate getting ripped off more. If you do go, don't order the steak. read more

We had a party at the Enigma Bistro Tuesday night and it was wonderful. They were so accommodating because we had to change the date because of flight delays. The food was fabulous and everyone had a delicious meal. I recommended the coconut crusted grouper which is my favorite. Homemade sangria and flan were a big hit. Their prices are reasonable and the food is top notch. read more

This review is hard for me because I really wanted to like Enigma. I was going to award 2 stars but I waited, and the more I think about it, the more I realize our experience really was *that* low. I take my reviews and my online credibility seriously, one of my harshest reviews, meant constructively: Enigma is outright disappointing, and barely Cuban. The menu is all over the place, bouncing from Italian pasta dishes through a range of other unrelated cultures, and glossing over the fact that Caribbean food isn't all the same across the islands. And to my great surprise, missing some iconic Cuban dishes. My father is Cuban with strong cooking, restaurant and bakery traditions in the family. I could go on at length, but will just say I was eating black beans, picadillo and rice as a baby, with cafe con leche in my bottle. I learned how to cook a variety of homestyle, traditionally Cuban dishes from memory. So my standards are high, but not impossible. There are many Cuban-style restaurants that my wife and I enjoy. Good Cuban food is a staple at our family gatherings, and I had high hopes as we arrived. Enigma was packed, a narrow entry, with the bar just a few feet inside. We didn't realize that reservations might be needed, so we waited a couple of minutes before the hostess found us a table just inside the passage to the dining room. This was near the hallway leading to the restrooms. Not the best table given the volume of traffic, but we were happy to get any table with such a short wait. A mixed blessing, with wafting bathroom smells (cheap air freshener) coming up the hall every time a patron went to freshen up. Service was good. The staff was stationed less than ten feet away, friendly and quick to clear plates and ask howiseverything? They were well prepared to turn the table as soon as we were done, which worked to our benefit. My wife ordered baked chicken that came with vegetables, rice and black beans. I asked about Picadillo; I didn't see it on the menu. This is a ground beef dish (even if only as a side) that's on the menu at every other Cuban restaurant I've ever patronized. It's more Cuban than Cohiba. I was told instead they had Ropa Vieja *little shrug*; I said ok, but definitely was disappointed. They are not even close to being the same dish, though both are made with beef. The White Sangria comes off as an inexpensive party punch or a hangover breakfast drink, but either of those would have had at least a tinge more alcohol than theirs. I ordered a carafe after the waiter said it was 'the best in town.' Its flavor was orange juice with white wine, though I can't prove there was much wine in it. Sangria usually has a mix of complementary fruit, and I did find one chunk, possibly apple, floating in the carafe. There may have been other flavors, but they were overpowered by OJ. We also ordered an overpriced, mostly soggy 'Tasting Plate' appetizer, with one soggy yuca croquette cut in half, a couple large tostones that were strangely soggy in the middle while the outside was just crispy enough but no more, and a few chunks of maduros (fried, ripe plantains). The sweet plantains were normal, unremarkable and barely warm. The cilantro dipping sauce was good, but not really different from what you can get at some fast food chains. Without the sauce, the tostones and the croquettes would have been very boring indeed. My wife's chicken was average at best, dry, nothing remarkable, hard to identify why it would be particularly Cuban or even hispanic in its preparation, presentation or spices. The roasted, mixed veggies didn't really have much flavor, and they weren't seasoned or presented in any particularly Cuban fashion; they were undercooked and tough. As I looked across the table at all the broccoli on her plate along with the dated interior of the crowded dining room, I had the feeling she had just been served chicken off the menu at Denny's. My order of Ropa Vieja was so difficult to chew that I gave up after a few bites. The flavor was pretty standard, but not good enough to induce me to continue. The usual cut for Ropa Vieja is flank steak, which can be a tough cut of beef and requires long cook times to come out tender enough to eat. This was cooked, but definitely not tender. Seems like they cut corners in the cooking time. My plate had the same kind of veggies my wife had been served, and they were no better. The rice. The rice really threw me off because it was orange, colored with annatto and spiced as if it were served with Arroz con Pollo, but I noticed every plate in the room was laced with the same. Worse, it was parboiled instead of using regular, unprocessed white rice. This results in a firm, unopened grain that doesn't hold flavor well and is chewy. Too many corners cut, we checked out with a seventy dollar check, I did leave a tip and all the leftovers stayed on the plates. Radio Bemba: If you want the best Cuban food in the area, it's definitely elsewhere. read more

Noticed Enigma as We were driving down Federal highway and decided to check out their website. Menu looked amazing so we decided to try it. Sangria was homemade, cold and refreshing. Yucca croquettes came out crispy and we're nothing like we have had before. Based on the everything so far we were excited for our entrees to arrive. The macadamia encrusted grouper was prepared to perfection, the Seafood in green sauce was plentiful, delicious and fresh. We ended our meal with an espresso, cappuccino and a piece of homemade Tres leches which was to die for. Service was attentive and You were made to feel welcome and not rushed. Anita and Nas, the owners were pleasant and take pride in their establishment. We will definitely return and tell friends about this hidden gem. read more

This little gem is hidden in plain sight on Federal Highway in Boyton and is totally worth checking out. My partner and I went for dinner on a busy Friday night. We sat at the "bar" and were tended to by the very kind and accommodating staff. We had the fried calamari which was good and the onion soup which was perfect for a rainy night! The bread is fresh and tastes home made, try not to fill up on the bread, lol. I had the shrimp in green sauce, it was perfectly spicy and full of flavor. My love had the skirt steak which was unfortunately a little under cooked but also full of flavor. The service was a little slow, but not surprisingly so because it was a fully packed house. People kept pouring in. The menu is very multicultural and I'm sure you could go with a picky group and there would be something for everyone! We will most definitely be back! read more

Good meal at a very fair price in a clean environment served by happy people. Is it fancy.. nope. Was it delicious, yes. We will be back

We were in the area of Delray Beach this past weekend and decided to seek out a Cuban restaurant. The Enigma Bistro was close by and the reviews were fairly good. As others have mentioned, it doesn't look like much from the exterior. It is an older building with a covered patio and it doesn't appear as though much effort is dedicated to the up-keep. The parking lot was less than half filled, so we decided to give it a try. As we entered, we were met by a waiter who asked if we would like inside or outside seating and if we had a reservation, which we did not. Due to the 92 degree weather, we opted to eat inside. The waiter said he would get the hostess, who arrived shortly thereafter and said if we did not have a reservation we would have to eat outside. There were plenty of empty tables, but she said they were reserved. Since they had no inside seating available, I told her we would have to decline the patio seating due to the heat. She became very nasty and stated "good leave, we didn't want you anyway". Not sure if she was an owner, but definitely not a way to treat potential customers. Will not be returning. read more

I went to Enigma last night with my husband and three other couples. We all loved our dinners and the service was excellent. We all thought the meals were a great value in comparison to other restaurants we've patronized recently that have raised their prices excessively. I am looking forward to a return visit. read more

Very good meals at a reasonable price. The portions a very generous. I order the paella and it was very good I would highly recommend it. Also the skirt steak is excellent. E-Z Parking in their parking lot highly recommended read more

Who knew this place existed? Obviously a lot of people since it was packed the night we ate there. But it was delicious. The service was great, very attentive. We all got fish and there was a great variety, grouper, snapper, tuna (rare) salmon, each had at least 3 different styles and options on how you like it cooked. Portions were huge, substitutions were allowed and pricing was great. I had the coconut grouper with a spicy sweet chili sauce on the side. Hub had provincial snapper, our companions had the grilled salmon and rare tuna. Everyone loved the food. Didn't have room for dessert. Only thing I didn't like was the Cuban coffee, I had at the end. It was seriously bitter and they only had sweet and low or straight sugar, no other sweetener. The staff let us sit and talk almost until close. Definitely recommend this Enigma! read more

Delicious food. Good service. Unassuming place that sports terrific food. The drinks are good too!

Wanted to like this restaurant, reviews were so good. Had Chicken Marsala, so salty I could hardly eat it. Came with side salad that was tiny, hardly any greens at all and dressing was store bought Italian that seemed to be loaded with sugar. Won't return, sorry! read more

We have been eating here for years. The people who run the restaurant are friendly, helpful and are always trying to please. The food is tasty, appealing to the eye, nose and mouth. The menu has something for everyone. We particularly love the Cuban food. When last there, I had the Cuban style pork chops. They were thick, jucy and delicious. My wife had a whole Snapper, perfectly grilled, seasoned and delicious. I had a cup of Bahamian Conch soup. Hot and just the right amount of spice, just delicious. A small green salad comes with the entree. We washed it all down with great red Sangria, and Cuban Flan for dessert. Not only is the food excellent, but it's also not a wallet buster! They also have a lovely, covered outdoor space in front of the restaurant. read more

Every time I visit family in West Palm we eat here. Usually I order either the Cuban sandwich or the pork rice and beans. The owners and staff are genuinely nice people who care about their food and making you happy. Definitely give this restaurant a chance you will be pleased. read more

Absolute surprise, the outside does not reflect the charm of the inside. Food was fabulous and awesome service. They've been here for 16 yrs and never heard of them. Glad I found this place in yelp we will definitely be coming back often and have a variety of things to eat. read more

No frills restaurant with delicious food. Huge portions of delicious perfectly cooked fresh fish. Little variety in sides but always delicious and fresh vegetables. I can eat here once a week. For $19 you get a delicious plate of food with a piece of fish much larger then the piece you get at the pricier joint on the water at Woolbright. You get some dinner rolls and butter. A nice house salad and entrees can come with rice or linguine plantains etc. Most pics are of the food here on yelp. but all 4 plates were empty and that says it all. Also love the homemade sangria. So delish and alcoholic made by Attia who also gives great service. read more

I don't review often but when I do it's for am amazing restaurant. The husband and wife duo really seem to put their hear and soul into each dish. I had the veal marsala and honestly they nailed it. The sauce was in point and the pasta was cooked perfectly. It's a very special restaurant to take the family to our what not. The husband took our order and let us order the dishes to our preferences. The only thing you should be aware of its that the service might take a hair longer because the couple is running everything, but it's WORTH it. read more

This review is for Phyllis G's, or just Enigma, that I believe deserves more recognition. I've been here only once, but being a few months since my only visit, I'd been thinking about this place and am anxious to return for a 2nd time. Here's why... Although I ate here when it was "out of season" for South Florida, this restaurant is pretty hidden, both in location and in word of mouth. It's located on Federal Hwy/US1 in Delray. This area is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Atlantic Ave. When you arrive, there's plenty of spaces to park unlike the traffic you fight through downtown. Although I made a reservation for being my first time, it was not necessary. And mentioning to all my friends I was coming here, no one had heard of the place. My first impressions walking inside the restaurant were...cozy and quaint with a touch of family love. I'm more of a quiet, laid back person so the atmosphere was ideal for me. The less people, the better! Enigma, in my opinion, is a fusion of Cuban - Italian - Spanish - European influenced cuisines all rolled into one. I felt like the menu was pretty diversified with something offered for everyone. From an extensive choices of seafood dishes, to beef and pork, chicken and veal, pasta and vegetables, it's hard not to find something . All entrees are served with salad to start, and bread is brought to your table as well. They did have a limited menu for alcoholic beverages, but when I saw sangria as an option, my eyes lit up and thought it would be a great accompaniment to my meal. And yes, the sangria was delicious. For entrees, we had the Macadamia Crusted Grouper and Snapper Havana. Both dishes were flavorful and I'd recommend them. Besides the vibe being real mellow and relaxed, the staff were extremely welcoming and genuine. Our server also assisted us with what options to choose from with the menu. And the prices were reasonable for everything you received. Compared to dining on Atlantic Avenue, this spot is good value for your money. So yes, I am ready to return to Enigma. From the rustic ambiance to the diversified flare in their menu...this restaurant is a hidden gem that warrants greater notoriety. read more

One star is for being fair- I didn't experience the sit down experience. As far as the food goes, not a fan for the items I got. Listed under their specialties- lechon asado- was pretty underwhelming. The price is just under $20 for this plate. Not a lot of rice (kinda seasoned, not a lot), and the a afterthought amount of beans- maybe a 1/4 cup if that. There's a lot of pork, which helps, but the flavors are off. They added a dollop of roasted red peppers on top. Beef empanadas- these things are big. They come with a green dipping sauce.... pretty sure it's just mayo with coloring. These are pretty good. Traditional enough to be an empanada but with an original spin on it. Overall- I wish the word Cuban wasn't in the name. Most of the menu is Italian it seems, and the feeling of good homemade Cuban food- like $6 plate and warms you- just never comes. And for $19...... please get the order right. That's right- after I decided to just stop crying and eat, the order wasn't even complete and correct. Go to Havana read more

The enigma as others have indicated is the menu including seafood Cuban and Italian. Our group of 8 was mostly disappointed but I think it stemmed mostly from the service. Yes, they were full on a Saturday night but waiting for water, bread and basics was unacceptable. Delivery of appetizers and salads was not only slow but wrong items came with slow replacement. I had French onion soup to start which was excellent. The salad was nice and my entire of spaghetti with meat sauce was nicely prepared and had a nice spice to it. My wife had the Cuban skirt steak which I finished for lunch the day after and it also was very good. Staff tried to make amends for the slow service by bringing more sangria and beers. Instead of more booze a few desserts would have been more appropriate for all to share and by that time the crowd had dissipated. The check came to $50 per couple without tip and quite reasonable. We've been to Phyllis G a number of times over the past 7 years but not for at least 2 years. I would return and expect to find the service better. However just to be safe I'd hedge my recommendation by suggesting you plan to be patient and then enjoy good food at reasonable price. Also, the atmosphere is an enigma. Don't expect anything more than a remodeled gas station and you'll be ok. read more

very disappointed. Cuban inspired is stretching it a bit. It is a cute little restaurant. but as with all businesses suffering from staff shortages I thought to give them a break on service. Water replenished regularly. never asked if I wanted refill on soda or bread. Ordered Lechon with Moro and yucca. Was told we don't have yucca. so got dry pulled pork with cold yellow rice with no real taste and boiled vegetables also cold. the black beans were hot so I poured them on rice. Would not return . read more

I agree with most posts, the menu is all over the place, it's Cuban, American, Italian...but what they do serve even though it's all over the place is great and great portions! The service is good, can be hectic at times but still never bad service. I say, come here when you're not rushing, sit outside (when the weather permits) and enjoy. read more

Enigma Bistro - Lobster - Cuban Near Me - Delray Beach, Florida

LOVE this place! Great food, service, and atmosphere! Jazz and Latin music add a wonderful touch.

This place is a hidden gem, off the beaten path, but oh so good. Have been there twice. Some of the best Cuban around. Everyone in my party was very happy with there choices. The prices are reasonable, the food outstanding., cant wait to go back read more

Best Cuban. Steak was amazing and tender. Taste was explosive. Beans were rich and fries were so perfectly cooked. It's by far the best quality Cuban. Fast and great service read more

Fantastic experience love the fish !!the service is very good to I go there every Sunday!!

We tried this tonight and maybe my new favorite restaurant. Had Snapper Havana and simply delicious. Comes with salad and bread. Pitcher of Sangria added to the delight. Owners so attentive. Cute and cozy inside and out. When riding by do not be deceived as it's a must try. read more

We've lived in the Delray Beach area for 10 years. Never heard of Enigma. What a pleasant discovery. We went on Saturday night at 6:00 PM with a reservation which was a very good idea as the place was nearly full. They have a mix of tables for four and several round tables for 10-12 and at least one rectangular table for 12-16. By the time we left at 7:15 or so every table and seat was occupied and people were waiting in the crowded hallway leading to the main room. For good reason. The food was very good. I am no expert on Cuban food so I cannot give a professional critique as to how certain items on the plate should have been prepared (soft / hard / crunchy / etc.). But I can tell you that I absolutely loved everything that was brought out. Starting with the bread (excellent) ; the Sangria by the glass at around $5.50 (quite good and fruity) ;the salad (small but tasty) ; the main entrée (excellent and large portions). I ordered the Snapper Havana with plantains and rice and beans. Everything was served warm, the portions were large. My wife ordered the Cuban Skirt Steak with onion ring, black beans and rice. She said is was better than any skirt steak at any Cuban restaurant in Palm Beach County. Our companions ordered the Seafood Paella and Pecan Snapper. They wolfed it down.....they liked it a lot. Service was good. It was fast but not to the point of being rushed. Since we did not order appetizers (next time) or dessert we were out in about 1hr 15 minutes which is just about right considering we only ordered entrees. I did have to ask for water refills once and two requests for more bread. But otherwise we were treated very well with friendly servers. Most entrees were priced at $19, the Paella was $23. For in-season it could have been considerably higher. I was surprised to see Italian entrees (parmigiana dishes, picata dishes, etc. ) and they had ribs on the menu as well. We stuck with Cuban and we will be going back a few times per year. We're looking forward to showing our friends some good Cuban food. Parking in back on the side was barely adequate. Considering that the place was packed we did manage to get into the only tight spot available. Not sure if there is overflow parking . read more

Fabulous food Good prices Falafel tasty Seafood in a spicy sauce with delivery rice. Try it You'll like it read more