our server Marcos was absolutely incredible. He helped us understand the menu as first timers, and he gave us the best recommendations. We will definitely be back and will be definitely requesting Marcos as our server time and time again. his energy and vibes are amazing and honestly just let him order for you because he knows what's up!!! read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

I had brunch with my friends, and it was an amazing experience! La comida estaba deliciosa!!!!!! Everything was amazing, I would definitely come again again and recommend it to other people. Marcos was our server for the day and he provided us with exceptional service :) read more

See all

First time at this place and it was amazing! The service was great and the food was delicious. Our server Tony recommends the churrasco stl. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

One of my favorite brunch spots, hands down. From the complimentary champagne to the guava cream cheese waffles, to the ... I can continue to go on but the place is just amazing, hands down. The bottomless mimosas and Bellinis are worth the price, IMO. Come hungry though because there's always a great selection and they have delicious carving stations with diverse offerings and the servers are awesome! read more

Habana is a vibe. From wicker chairs, fancy cups, to servers dressed in Cuban inspired attire, Habana is a whole experience. Ambiance-wise, the music was a bit loud for my liking and caused some of my group to yell across the table. The restaurant is quite spacious, so it works well with a group outing. The bathrooms were also nicely decorated, and parking was ample. Our group was welcomed with champagne shots, a nice touch. The server gave us suggestions and successfully upsold me on the Celia Cruz mocktail, a creamy coconut based drink. I ordered a short rib picadillo dish. The meat was a pulled pork texture and quite flavorful. Small bits of pepper and yucca appeared alongside a fried egg, toasted bread, beans, and an accompaniment of sauces. Everything I tried was delicious, albeit oily. Both the price and food richness feels like a "treat yourself" moment. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

I originally went here because it has a ton of influence on yelp- hundreds of reviews! I've never had Cuban food before so I can't speak to the authenticity however there were a few things that weren't all that flavorful and had a very interesting texture. We ordered the shrimp empanadas and it tasted like chicken pot pie! It was really nice to walk in to a complementary small champagne toast! El Tarasco entrée was just okay. The rice was fluffy, but it would've been nice if the corn was not on the cob. The plantains was the best part of the entire order! The ambience is great- very vibey and I would say it's good for a date night spot! My theory is that this location has a ton of reviews because there's a ton of foot traffic because it's located in an outdoor mall. I would get the service is 5 of 10 because we ordered three menu items and we only got two because the server forgot the third one so we just checked out! read more

See all

We came here for a Mother's Day brunch, which it was about 60 per person. It wasn't too busy when we came, so there were a good amount of seating left around. Still busy enough! They offer you a glass of champagne as you enter the restaurant. We were seated in the patio, which was neat that they were able to cover the roof of the patio to make it shady. It was an all you can eat buffet and they definitely have a good variety of brunch items to choose from. I liked how there were even little stations for the chef to slice or cook in front of you fresh. The most delicious items i've tried here were the French toast, paella, and this one Cuban (?) sandwich. Everything else was pretty good, but the French toast was my favorite here. I should've passed on the salmon bagel, but I am a sucker for a smoked salmon bagel. Overall, there's a great selection here and everything was pretty good. I was only able to eat about two plates and that's all I can eat lol not so much worth for 60 Buffet, but it's also the nice ambiance and attentive service that you're paying for here. read more

See all

My first time at a Cuban restaurant ; exceeded expectations to the fullest. Went here for a pre birthday celebration and had the best time. The culture, flavor was top tier. When my friends and I first arrived we were greeted with a small glass of champagne which was soo nice. The interior was beautiful and intimate ; takes you to another place. I tried a cocorico which is a coconut flavored soda and that was amazing. I didn't get a photo cause they were eaten so quickly but ham croquette 10/10 recommend. For my entree I got filet mignon con papas. Steak was cooked medium ; so flavorful and juicy with a side of chimichurri and spicy aïoli sauce. And the potatoes were served French fry style. Seasoned with garlic and onions. Everything was amazing can't wait to go back. read more

See all

Nicely decorated, easy close parking and tasty food. Service is fine, the music is fun, but too loud for a good conversation. The food is good and they have great unique flavors. read more

See all

I came here for happy hour with a few friends the other day. The menu was relatively extensive with a large variety of drinks and appetizers. You could also make any drink a mocktail if you would like. The restaurant itself is very nicely decorated and does make you believe you're in another country for just a moment. We ordered one of everything on the menu and they brought out an extra dish that wasn't even on the menu (chicharron). I thought the cheese empanadas, the loaded fries and pork sliders were good. The texture of the calamari was good but could use some salt. My friends liked the croquettes but I thought it was too gooey inside. The beef empanadas were off that day. It had a strange spice that I couldn't quite put my finger on it that made it seem like the meat tasted spoiled. The chicharron to me was not edible. It was really hard like you could almost crack a tooth by eating them. They should be puffy and crunchy. Prices were reasonable for the food. Drinks were on the expensive side - happy hour prices were $14-15. Drinks cost more than the food. This restaurant is one of the only ones in the Spectrum that has happy hour until 6. read more

See all

This restaurant is well reviewed on Yelp with thousands of high ratings. We were greeted with small complimentary champagne shots, which was a nice welcome. The shrimp empanadas tasted like chicken pot pie but were still pretty good. The churrasco steak was chewy and hard to cut with the dull steak knife they gave us. The plantains and corn were the best part of our meal. The waiter also forgot our third order, which was the gambas al ajillo, but we decided to go without it after eating our first two dishes. This place is likely very popular due to its location in a highly trafficked area in the Irvine Spectrum Mall, and it definitely would be a vibey date night spot, but I likely wouldn't come back here. read more

See all

Sunday brunch is where the party is at! Such good Cuban food here omgggg The banana foster with ice cream was so good. Very friendly service and the vibes were immaculate. I'm coming here again and again. One of the best AYCE buffets in So Cal for sure! read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

Had a great time the first time that I had to take my parents here. Everything was great until I was walking out and the waitress stop me cause I didn't pay my bill, turned out when wife asked for milk and water for child , she brought us 3 bottles waters which in short cost us $30!! Wife said I thought you paid already when I told about the waters we were not told it we would be charged. The first time we came they advised us if certain charges but for water !!! I u destined if it's bottled but at least Inform the guest. Not sure if we will be back after that to be honest. And I met the owner and thanked him before I left read more

+5/5 Sunday Brunch Wow what an experience. Everything was absolutely fresh and restocked frequently. Staff at the buffet were all super friendly and courteous . Lots of options from both sweet and savory . Some highlights for me were the deviled eggs (add smoked salmon on top), empanadas. The carved beef at the station was also delicious. Lots of pork in the offerings which is traditional for the cuisine - I don't eat pork but found there to be plenty of options. Also lots of options for vegetarians and pescatarians. Dessert section was decadent with wooden drawers filled with freshly baked cookies. Outdoor area has a full grill with meats, ceviche/fresh seafood stall and a omelette/pancake station . Also had a station for a fried sweet plantain Soft drinks, water, coffee/tea are included in the price . Nice outdoor patio seating. Ask for a booth . Music and ambiance on point. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained . Appreciated the attention to detail - even the napkins in the bathroom had classic Cuban designs . The Sunday brunch is about $85/pp including tax/tip. I felt the value was there and the price was fair. Will definitely be back . read more

See all

I love the vibe at Habana. My friend & I randomly decided to hangout & have a bite/drinks here. We expected to wait being it a Saturday night, but was seated right away. They have complimentary champagne before you even get seated. Our server was able to recommend some good drinks. Seriously love the drinks. Food here is consistent. I love having the steamers with clams, mussels and sausage. Plantain was perfectly cook and it's the right sweetness. This place can accommodate big groups. They sometimes have live band performing. Can't wait to try their Sunday Brunch. read more

See all

Excellent ambience, very delicious food and waiter Tony was very wonderful and attentive! read more

Habana - El Churrasco plater - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

Habana has a great tropical restaurant vibe inside. You walk through a smaller entrance, but then you discover and beautifully decorated restaurant that's super lively inside! On a Friday night, it was quite busy, which also does make it quite loud inside. On a busy night, be prepared to have to talk a bit louder than usual. The service was very good here - she explained the menu items and helped us (party of 4) finalize our order which was well suited for us. We started with two appetizers. The plantains were so delicious. It's one of my favorite Cuban food items and it was nice and sweet. The sampler (The Taste of Habana) had different empanadas with a side of habanero sauce and croquettas in a red sauce. The empanadas featured: cheese, chicken, and vegetable. My favorite was the chicken - it was moist inside and the habanero sauce is really good with it. For dinner, we had the Churrasco and Tamal En Cazuela. The Churrasco was ordered medium rare and it was cooked properly. If anything, slightly under which is fine by me. It was nice and flavorful. It was accompanied by rice, beans, plantains, and they cut the corn off for us which we didn't know was an option. Everything was very good. The Tamal is a different twist on a tamale. While the server did say it was a departure from what we would normally expect, we decided to try it. For us, the consensus was it was OK only. It's more like a casserole mushy type of texture. It's exactly what the server said - not your typical tamale. All in all, a solid experience with very friendly server and solid food. read more

See all

My friends & I came here for Happy Hour before heading back home to San Diego. At the entrance to the restaurant, there was a barrel with chilled sparkling rose bottled and glasses on a cart that were complimentary. This was a very nice way to welcome guests and the hostess was also very pleasant. We ordered the following to share: - pulled pork sliders x2 - fried calamari x2 - croquetas - cheese empanadas - chicken empanadas - fried sweet plantains All of the appetizers were $12 each, which was great and the portions were quite generous. Among the items ordered, our favorites were the pulled pork sliders and the fried calamari. The empanadas were ok, and the croquetas were salty. We also ordered the fried sweet plantains that was piping hot and delicious! The restaurant was beautiful and service was very friendly. We really enjoyed our visit. read more

See all

This spot is a MUST! From the complementary bubbles at the door to the live music and dancing, this restaurant lights up my heart. You are so immersed in Latin culture with amazing cuisine to follow. The plantains are easily my favorite side to compliment every dish. Haven't had an entree that hasn't sent me into a state of bliss yet. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

When I'm in search of a fun place to hang out with friends, let loose for GNO, or a romantic date night, I automatically think of Habana. It's especially a double win, if you happen to a schedule an outing during OC restaurant week..cuz who doesn't love good food for a good price (you get eat a 3 course dinner meal, for only $45), good vibes and great company. This particular Habana location is located in Irvine, at The Irvine Spectrum Center. My only complaint is that the parking situation can be a bit of a nightmare..IYKYK, so be forewarned. Not that their other location at The Lab in the Anti-Mall would be that much better. Parking aside, I do love Habana for their yummy Cuban dishes, specially drinks ~ Pĩna Coladas & mojitos and fun, vibrant atmosphere. It's a chic, uber stylish restaurant with authentic Cuban decor in a candlelit space indoors & or tented/heated garden patio. I always make rezos on OpenTable in advance, as the wait times can be hours+ if you walk-in. The staff is always super friendly, very attentive and overall helpful in providing food and drink recs. I'd have to say that the ceviche, chicken and cheese empanadas appetizers are some my favs. The plantain-crusted avocado frito with the Caribbean aioli is also quite refreshing. For my main entree, I always love the el churrasco. You just can't go wrong with a perfectly grilled skirt steak (medium-rare), their deelish chimichurri sauce, carmelized onions, buttered white rice & corn on the cob. I'm not a huge fan of the sofrito black beans and sweet plantains, but I do sneak a taste. For dessert, my ultimate fav is always, hands down their Caribbean flan. The egg custard is so perfectly creamy, covered in their Añejo rum and caramelized sugar & topped with fresh strawberries. I could totally eat a few of them. Lol Even though I'm not much of a drinker, I still kick-back and enjoy a yummy pĩna colada or mint mojito here and there (sans alcohol obvi). All in all, core memories are always made and fun times had here!!! So, if you are looking for a cute, chill vibe kinda of place to hang out, wine & dine..then Habana is your place. RxFoodie recommended! read more

See all

Habana never misses. I get the same thing every time because it's just so good. Empanadas for appetizers and roasted chicken for my entree. Tonight's experience was fantastic. Israel, thank you for the top notch service. We dined on the patio and it's so pretty at sunset. read more

Habana - Roasted Chicken plate. Very good - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

first time here! I will be coming back. came during happy hour! MUST SIT AT BAR FOR HAPPY HOUR!! ** * CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN: 4/5, if you like ham & cheese you'll like this! the dipping sauce that comes with it taste great. * LECHON SLIDERS: 5/5, pickled onions, yummy tangy sauce, everything about this was perfect. I would order just this next time. * CHICKEN EMPANADAS: 2/5, not the best flavor & a little spicy too service: Very nice service at the bar! however, the host (might be new) needs to be more professional. flirting with customers should not be allowed. ambiance: LOVED the ambiance here. Cuban music playing in the back. all the decor makes you feel like you're in Cuba! they served us complimentary champagne on the way in! read more

See all

Came for lunch on a Saturday for OC Restaurant Week. We were seated immediately, plenty of open tables. The ambiance makes you feel like you've been transported to another time, in another country. They have a bunch of antique looking things as you walk in. The food came out quite quickly, and everything was really flavorful. Definitely one of our highlights for OC Restaurant Week this year. read more

See all

I tried the ropa vieja at Habana during OC Restaurant Week. Ropa vieja is my favorite Cuban dish, so I'm always curious to see how different places prepare it. The shredded beef was tender and flavorful, and the seasoning reminded me of the ropa vieja I've had in a famous restaurant in Miami. The Restaurant Week menu also included dessert, and I chose the flan. It was very rich and creamy with a deep caramel flavor. The small size was a perfect way to finish the meal. I also liked the theming inside the restaurant. The warm colors and tropical touches fit the Cuban theme well and make the space feel lively. read more

Habana - Flan. Very rich. - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Food, service and ambience all reasons to go back! We were seated right away and greeted almost immediately with water. We then ordered wine and for dinner split the chopped salad, vegetable empanadas and pork croquettes. The croquettes were 2 round balls, served in sauce with toasted bread and onions. Delicious bites with pork & cheese. The salad had many different tastes and textures and plenty to split between 2 people. vegetable empanadas were the highlight, asked for the jalapeño cream which added a little kick. Sat on the patio which was very comfortable! read more

Habana - Our table outside - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

After my original review, the management team reached out and invited us back to experience Habana on a regular evening and I'm genuinely glad we took them up on it. The difference in pacing and overall service was noticeable right away. Our server, Abel, was fantastic! Attentive, personable, and gave great recommendations throughout the night. He consistently checked in without being intrusive and made sure we were taken care of from start to finish. Midway through dinner, management stopped by to ensure everything was going smoothly, and at the end made sure we left happy. That level of attentiveness really stood out. The food and drinks were excellent! Flavorful, well portioned, and beautifully presented. The entire evening felt much more aligned with the hospitality and execution they strive to provide. I truly respect when a restaurant takes feedback seriously and goes above and beyond to make things right. This visit absolutely reflected that, and we will definitely be coming back. read more

See all

Such a fun chill vibe here. Came here with some coworkers and had a great time during happy hour. We had a larger group sitting around the bar area, but service was great. The drinks were great too! It's located in Irvine Spectrum with nearby parking structures. read more

This is our second time coming to Habana. I'm bummed I didn't leave a review the first time because it would have been five stars. This time was more like a three star visit mainly because of service so we are settling with a 4 star review. The ambiance and vibes are fun. You really feel like you're in an upscale Cuban restaurant. The food is amazing even if the menu is a bit small. They have options for many diets. The drink selection is also great. As a Cuban bar they tend to focus more on Cuban style drinks and have a large rum selection. The sever we had our first time was in the outside bar just past the host stand. It was phenomenal service. The second time we came we were sat in the main dining area and had a sub par server. She did what she needed but it was nothing stand out and service was slow. I don't want to completely blame her cause her section did seem busy but if that's the case management needs to do either a better job scheduling or the hosts need to be better at spacing out the seatings. read more

See all

I recently celebrated my birthday for the weekend buffet and I was not disappointed. Before the pandemic, the buffet was a long waitlist. I was very excited to see that you could book reservations at least one week in advance and still have a spot. Imagine the dinner menu and more on top including breakfast and more desserts. I absolutely loved that oysters were offered. I went back over and over. The servers are always great and helpful especially with bottomless drinks. read more

Habana - Tamal en cazuela - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Came here for Brunch and hands down this is THE BEST BRUNCH IN OC!!! Emmanuel and Rey were super duper awesome and helpful. Music is right on and decor transports you to sexy swanky paradise. The food is AMAZING! I love this place for lunch and dinner, but oh my word brunch has EVERYTHING- made to order omelets, fresh served bananas flambe (foster) seafood, meats of all kinds, dishes, fresh fruit and dessert! Plus a wide selection of cold plates AND hot dishes including their famous dishes , the fresh roast pig. The drink options are on point with tradition and taste! You must come here!!! I'm bringing everybody, I'm in love with this place!! read more

See all

I had an early lunch here with my wife. The space is incredible -- large, open, ornate, and jungly. Latin music fills the restaurant , but it wasn't too loud. My wife and I split the ropa vieja and lechon asado. The ropa vieja was the clear winner of the two, much to our surprise as we both wanted to order the lechon asado. Lechon asado is usually fork tender and juicy, with raw white onions on top. This was more like a pork chop that was resting in a garlic sauce. If that were the case, ours missed out on the soaking... a solid half of the pot chop was dry as a bone. Maybe this was an off experience or the meat gets better across the day? Otherwise the plantains were excellent. Rice and beans are good, but the congri (mixed rice and beans) was very bacon forward. If you love bacon, then go with the congri! They offer an AYCE brunch on weekends but is roughly $50 (prices are lower if you go after 2p) and champagne was another $12. A nice place overall -- 5-star ambiance with 4-star food. This would a be nice place to have a group dinner. read more

See all

Went to brunch for a girls outing and had a good time! Emmanuel our server was great and accommodating. Recommend coming if you want oysters and a big variety of Cuban foods. read more

Funny that Habana has this dynamic pricing model, if you arrive by 9:45 am or if you arrive at 2 pm you get a $10 discount ($48 vs. $58). We def don't wanna eat that early, or late so we chose 11 am. Habana is all about making customers feel welcome and comfy, hence the complimentary beverage and pastries at the check-in area. What a nice touch! Unlimited mimosas with orange juice only is $18. Unlimited Bellini with Guava or another juice is $20. We had a party of 10 and sat at a nice big table near the bar. This was our 2nd time having brunch at Habana and food was great as usual. I was surprised to see fresh oysters and ceviche - I must have missed it last time! Our server was just ok, he took about one hour to refill my Bellini, which I thought was a little crazy and we had to keep asking for water. After we were there over an hour, he did start to come around more with a pitcher of Bellini refill. Food was always being replaced at the buffet, there was never a long line and everything I had was pretty tasty for a buffet. read more

See all

This is a beautiful space with such character but the service ruins the experience. We have gone twice in the last couple months and both times the service was slow. We should not have to be asking for our waiter multiple times, and wondering who our waiter is, while being charged $17 for a glass of wine. I hope they fix their act up, but we will not be back to this location. read more

What a gorgeous restaurant! My husband and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary here, and it was such a special experience. You're welcomed with a drink as soon as you walk in, which sets the tone right away. The staff is incredibly kind, and their uniforms are amazing, it really makes you feel like you're in Havana. The drinks and food were excellent. If you're ever at the Irvine Spectrum, definitely stop by and enjoy this gem of a restaurant! read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

I've been to Habana multiple times and I love everything about the establishment-- the food, service, and ambiance are all impeccable. I love the complimentary drink as you walk in through the door, the decor and uniforms of the staff, everything feels like you are entering Cuba. The medianoche is so good, I have to get it every time, and this time my friend had the filet mignon, which was also pretty good, if a bit less tender than she'd like. The Caribbean fries are always addictive, and overall had a great experience. We shared the mariscos fritos which was so delicious and surprisingly flavorful from all the spices. I've had the brunch here before too, and the food stations were well worth the price if you are good with buffets. Altogether, can't recommend this place enough. read more

See all

Our server Emanuel was super friendly and attentive! Just for that our party shall return!

OMG, why haven't I come here for the Sunday brunch buffet before?!? Granted, it was Mother's Day and the spread was redonkulous! So many offerings and a difficult decision you'll make in terms of what to put on your plate and what to make room for. The food was really good, the service was great, and the the ambiance was so beautiful. You will be in a good mood here with the catchy music and vibe. Such a great spot for groups or an intimate meal. read more

Had a great time at Habana The food was flavorful and vibrant, with a nice mix of savory and slightly sweet Cuban flavors. Everything felt well-seasoned and satisfying. The ambience is definitely a highlight -- lush, tropical, and super aesthetic. It really feels like a mini getaway, perfect for brunch or a night out. Service was friendly and attentive, which made the whole experience even better. Definitely a spot I'd come back to for both the food and the vibe read more

See all

Just had a great birthday meal at Habana. Meal and drinks were superb and most importantly Tony took amazing care of the entire family. Truly a wonderful evening. Good food is important for any night out but in the end the people make the real difference and Tony made this evening truly special! Highly recommend and we'll be back!!! read more