Easy 10/10! Dropped by for lunch and loved everything about this spot! From the decor down to the service and of course the food. Everything hit! I'm def coming back! I came during happy hour so I got to try a few appetizers and they all hit. The music playing was on point too. Shoutout to Christian & Morgan, they were both super sweet and attentive. Christian's recs were spot on ! Apps I tried: Papa Rellena de Carne - dangerous for me bc I love these! perfectly fried, crispy outside, soft and creamy inside, super flavorful Croqueta de Pollo - soo good ! crispy and packed w/ flavor the sauces they give you all paired so well with each appetizer! Empanada la Cubanita - 1000/10. perfectly fried, crispy exterior, packed w/ juicy well seasoned pork! the mustard added the perf tangy kick Main dish: I ordered the Ropa Vieja and let me tell you, the meat was cooked to perfection. I'd def order this again! It was tender, juicy and sauced so well. The rice was soft and the beans were a bit simple, they paired well with everything. Drinks: I wanted to try something cultural, so I went with the Malta it's rich, slightly sweet & super unique. Also, threw in a Coco Rico, this was super refreshing. I asked Morgan to bring any coffee and it was smooth and bold such a good way to end my meal. And you have to try the desert ! I didn't catch the name but it was absolutely worth it. read more

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Solid 3.5 stars Too almost 15-20 mins to get our order in bc no one came to our table. Tbh the best part and reason I will be back are the complimentary chips and dip they provide. It's so good. I want a tub of those chips and dips. The chicken was okay rice was good and buttery, and the shredded beef was okay but kind of sweet. The chips? I'll be back for those. read more

Havana 1920 - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

Havana 1920 is a Cuban restaurant in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter known for its authentic cuisine, extensive rum selection, and vibrant atmosphere with live music! Made a quick stop before heading to the Padres game and ordered the Cubano sandwich, (2) birria empanadas, (1) papa rellena de queso, and (1) papa rellena de carne. The food was absolutely delicious! The Cubano sandwich was fire!!! A warm, pressed sandwich blending savory, smoky, and tangy flavors. It featured layered roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and yellow mustard, all served on crisp, buttered Cuban bread. The birria empanadas were packed with flavor! The consome was a nice accent to the dish. But the real highlight were the papa rellenas- fried, stuffed croquettes featuring a savory ground beef filling (picadillo) inside a mashed potato shell. They were crispy on the outside, and creamy on the inside! Ridiculously flavorful! Overall, service was excellent! Our server was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable! She made some excellent suggestions and recommendations! This place never disappoints! We will definitely be back for more! Psss... order the mojito with coconut puree! 10/10! read more

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The food was so delicious and authentic. The restaurant is so beautiful and takes me back to the 80's in Miami. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. If you're in the area, definitely check it out. read more

Havana 1920 - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

I've always loved the food here since the first time I tried it, which is why I decided to celebrate rate my Galentines Day here with a great friend of mine. I was so excited when the day came because I made a reservation. I do thank them for being patient since my friend and I were running late. My friend loved the ambiance when we walked in. They had live music playing and the lighting was great. Well, we were seated and the table was super dirty with no utensils for us. The drinks were super weak and watered down, outside of the Sangría. We got out food which eas really good but then at some point we saw a baby cockroach crawling on the mirror. Our waitress was super sweet and understanding. She also was very apologetic about our whole experience. I will say it was more than likely the fact that it was a busy weekend but the food here never misses. read more

Havana 1920 - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

While visiting San Diego for spring break, I had heard many good things about this place. Walking in, the ambiance was like a taste of Cuba. The lively music, decor, and food brought everything together. We ordered a Mojito and I was recommended a Princess Carrie by our server, and they did not disappoint! We also ordered the Cuabinta Empanada, as well as their Empanada de Carne which were bomb as well! read more

I'm a sucker for a Cubano sandwich and theirs did not disappoint. Pork was the star but all of the flavors pulled through. Perfectly toasted and crispy. Also tried the Mexican Cuban sandwich which replaced the pork with birria and the pickles with jalapenos. It was also quite tasty, especially dipped in the consommé. Two people had salads and said they were nothing special. El presidente is a rum based riff on a manhattan and it had a nice balance. Not as boozy as a traditional manhattan and the rum had a good contrast to the sweet vermouth. Rum old fashioned also worked. Definitely want to return and try some of the other things in the menu. read more

My sister took me for my birthday. My first time. We love good Cuban food. Service was amazing. Love this place. I will be back read more

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We loved our dinner at Havana 1920. Plantain chips come out immediately with two great dipping sauces. The bartender was helpful with both food and drink recommendations. I had the Princess Carrier, as I love Aperol. It was great. My husband tried the special of the day, which was a rum and banana liqueur old fashioned. Next level. For our appetizers we tried the Papa Rellena de Carne and Croquetta de Jamón y Queso. Both were excellent. My husband loved his classic Cubano, and I went for Mexican fusion with the Burrito Cubano. That thing was the size of a human child and TASTY. All in all, out the door for under a hundred bucks, we left super happy. read more

Havana 1920 - Princes Carrie and Special of the Day Cocktail - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

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My friend and I were going to a museum across the street and wanted some coffee. She is half Cuban so she was excited to see this Cuban inspired restaurant and to our surprised they served coffee. No one downstairs so we ventured upstairs and sat at a very cozy cute table facing the street. Nice view and that cool feeling of being at the historical building. We ordered a capuccino and Cuban coffee. My capuccino was good but was served in a mug, I was expecting a bit more style or Cuban flavor. The coffee of my friend was definitely not Cuban coffee they way is usually made so she requested to be redone and still she was not happy. We were pleased with the banana chips appetizer freebie, thanks for that. Good flavor! Nice atmosphere, just a bit too dark and a bit 'old building' smell. We will come back for food. read more

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Finally got to try this place passed by it so many times while hanging out in the gaslamp. Staff was very friendly and helpful in making food selections. I came twice haha last night for dinner. Got a great high table on the second floor with a live singer who was very good and great view. I got the ropa vieja which had nothing wrong with it but it wasn't anything I would rave about or highly recommend. My husband got the pan con bistec sandwich which he really loved and wants to reorder again! I took a bite of it, it was good but for me the meat was tough to chew through. 2nd visit for lunch took my review from a 4 star to a 5 star! Our waiter Danny recommended the 2 unique empanadas (cubano and birria). Soooo good! And he made an amazing mojito with coconut Milk! Must try these empanadas and Mojito! read more

I want to first say that I did come here during a very busy Comic Con week, so maybe other times they are not as bad. This is located in the GasLamp and we were given the option to sit inside out outside, so we chose outside. The table was covered in food pieces do she wiped it down quickly with a rag. We were just ordering drinks to kill some time, so didn't care too much. The table was pretty old looking as well. It did take them quite a while to come take our order, we got 2 cuban espresso martinis which were made with gin i believe. It took them an extremely long time to bring the drinks and in the mean time 2 other people, including the manager stopped to see if we were helped. We finally got our drinks, and the were ok, but not the best I've had. The server said they had to make some fresh cold brew and that's what took a while. I like mine darker and stronger, but these were lighter in color. I also think i prefer the vodka. They did bring a small bowl of plantain chips which were good. If i go back in definitely sitting inside next time, and trying the food read more

Havana 1920 - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

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Decided to come here on a Saturday night after a day at the zoo with the family. Highly recommend reservations, but there were definitely tables available for walk in. They take you to the second floor, and the restaurant was decorated incredibly well. You will truly enjoy the decor. The food was okay, but what you expect paying downtown prices. The service was sadly a little slow. The flan had the consistency of cheesecake. While a super cool concept, I wouldn't want to come back. read more

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Ordered the Cuban Sandwich. It was very delicious and tasty. Server was quick and fast in getting my drinks and sides. The place has two story, with the main seating area on the second floor. The ambiance is great with their salsa music playing on the background. Overall, great place to come if you're looking for Cuban sandwich! read more

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This place was a location on a food tour I was on. This was a cool location based on the décor and atmosphere. There were two floors and most of the tables were upstairs including the bar. It really did seem like old school Cuba. I had a beef empanada as well as a ham and cheese empanada. The beef was very flavorful and meaty. There were small pieces of carrot I believe too. The ham and cheese had plenty of ham and cheese. It was a great combination. The outer layer of both was crispy and flaky. There was also a sriracha, ketchup, and mayo sauce as well as a garlic sauce given. The mayo was okay, too much ketchup. The garlic sauce was good and paired well with both empanadas. Will I go back? Yes. read more

Havana 1920 - Beef Empanada - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

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The atmosphere and vibes were excellent. We really enjoyed the music and the service. The appetizers were so yummy and I would recommend the espresso martini! Will definitely come again, but most likely won't offer the flight of drinks again. I'll just still to the martini. read more

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The hostess was very accommodating at check-in, which made for a great first impression. As I walked up the stairs, there was live music playing--the performer was incredibly talented and really set the mood. I grabbed a seat by the window, which was perfect while I waited for my food. The ambiance was absolutely spot on! The food and drinks were AMAZING. We ordered a pitcher of coconut daiquiri, and it was delicious--not too sweet, just right. All of the appetizers were fantastic, but the croquettes were definitely the standout. For my entrée, I had the lechón asado and savored every bite. The lechón burrito was just as good, but if I had to choose, I'd go with the lechón asado. The waitress was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. I would absolutely come here again and highly recommend it! read more

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Went here with my wife and nephew and we sampled the menu. Great tasting food and nice atmosphere. The service was good. That said the food was the star. read more

Ever since I've been to Miami, I've been trying to hunt for a local Cuban restaurant to eat. When I saw the name Havana 1920, I thought it was the same chain as the one from Miami, but they are under totally different ownership. The food was overall decent, the chicken came out to be a little bit drier than I expected, however, the shrimp was absolutely delicious. Parking can't be difficult since you are in gaslamp downtown, but once you can find parking and you'll make it to the restaurant, the vibe of the restaurant is perfect. It seems very relaxing and down to earth but it has that nice flare where if you want to bring a date to dine, you will have your Privacy to chitchat and enjoy the food without being rushed. read more

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Great spot for Cuban food. I got the Empanada de Carne and it was delicious. Very nice service. Waitress had patience with my terrible attempt to pronounce Spanish words. Pretty ambiance and environment too. read more

Craving authentic Cuban? This is your spot. The restaurant was small and quaint, located in the center of the Gaslamp district. It's a two-story building with seating available on the second floor. We were greeted by friendly staff at the door who showed us our table. Once we were seated, they brought plantains with dips to the table. We ordered a pitcher of mojito (can't beat $38 for 8 glasses), a few empanadas, and lechón taquitos. The empanadas were okay - wasn't a fan of the Cubanita but the vegetarian was tasty. Meal was okay but nothing spectacular. Service was great. read more

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We had came to this spot on a Tuesday night and was surprised there was no one there. The service was awesome since we were the only ones there. Food was solid and extremely cheap during happy hour. We had bought an appetizer sampler that was only 12 bucks which was a killer deal since the portions were huge. Drinks were less than 10 bucks and the spot feels like you are in Cuba. It is a great date spot and has live music. read more

Havana 1920 - Empanada de Carne - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was outstanding! We were doing our own self-guided food tour of the Gaslamp so we stopped in for a cocktail and appetizer. The platter was a perfect choice to sample a bunch of different offerings. Everything was tasty. We especially loved the plantain chips and sauces they served as we sat down. The cocktails were delicious. We were there too early to hear the music, but I'm guessing that adds another wonderful dimension to the experience. This is a must stop when visiting the area. read more

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I visited with a large group and found them very easy to work with! Everybody enjoyed their meals and the live entertainment we had on the 2nd floor. Service was also good, and to my knowledge, no one in the group felt like things exceeded waited times for anything. My only disappointment was the strength of my cocktail. I ordered a pitcher of mojito which was over half full of ice. Unfortunately, the ice diluted the pitcher so much that it affected the flavor and quality of the drink. It started out good, but it didn't last long. Knowing that this is a Cuban restaurant, I fully understand the rum forward cocktails. I would like to have also seen a few more tequila options available. read more

Havana 1920 - Mojito pitcher and Painkiller shot - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is a very unique place . I will surely come back every time we come to SD . The ropa vieja burrito was fire. Service was great . My niece and her husband's first dinner as a married couple and it was a great one. Thank you read more

Quite a weird experience from start to finish. You go through a cafe upstairs to get to the restaurant, it was 100% empty around 6pm on a weekday. A small group of drunk girls came and cackled up a storm. A photographer (not sure if affiliated with the restaurant) took pictures of us and then came back with framed copies to see if we wanted to buy it. Apps were hit and miss but seemed like it was pretty traditional Cuban food. We did get a free cocktail because there was a bartender in training so that was nice. Food: 6/10 Service: 6/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 Value: 5/10 read more

Havana 1920 - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

Great Cuban restaurant. They have a great ambiance and had nice live music on a Friday night. We have empanadas and a Cuban sandwich with a Mexican twist. Both very good. They also gave us fried plantains which was a nice touch. I would recommend if you are in the area. Staff was very friendly. read more

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What a not so secret place to dine! Went to an Galentines event that was hosted here. My bff and I were completely surprised and ecstatic about our experience here. Not only do they have delicious food and cocktails, but the live music and vibe is EVERYTHING! During our Galentines event, we got to sample all their best food! The experience was so much fun because the servers and staff were also very welcoming and made our time here much more fun! If you were ever to come here I'd recommend: The plantains mariquitas Plantains muduros Picadillo Lechon asado And refresh with the pineapple soda! read more

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Food was good. I really enjoyed the tostones and yucca frita. I didn't enjoy the Mojito at all. I expected much better from a Cuban restaurant. Waitress was good, but not very friendly. I was expecting a Cuban friendly, joyous atmosphere. Overall, I think they could do better. read more

A group of eight of us stopped by Havana 1920 for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival we were quickly greeted and sat upstairs in a speakeasy type area near the back bar. The space is small but inviting, I've never been to Havana but I can image its filled with places like this. Our server Arturo was awesome! He was very attentive and was also our bartender. All the drinks were delicious and he overheard that we were celebrating a birthday and made us a round of shots that were really good! If I remember correctly it was the Hotel Nacional drink that he made into shots for us to celebrate. We ordered several different dishes and everyone loved the food. The Cubano was my personal favorite, I will definitely be ordering it again. They start you off with some fried plantains for the table with a couple different dipping sauces which is a nice touch. They offer several different coffees and after dinner drink options like the traditional Cuban Cortado which Arturo made custom for different tastes, lastly he also brought out a churro & ice cream dessert for the table to share which hit the spot! It was all of our first time visiting Havana 1920 but won't be the last! The service, food and ambiance was 10/10, thank you so much for a great experience it was great way to kick off our friend's Birthday in San Diego. read more

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Amazing! I wanted something different from the usual places I frequent. As I walked through the Gaslamp it was late and I heard several places tell people the kitchen was closed - although an hour from their close time. I found the Havana and Hannah was super chill and helpful. She had great recommendations, was friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend Havana 1920. Food was amazing, service was great and the atmosphere was great for any occasion. read more

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Great food , really nice live music , service was a little slow but they didn't have much staff. read more

Havana 1920 - Food Empanada de Carne - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

The ambiance is welcoming and warm and they play great music. Our server was really nice but we only saw him when he took our order, when he filled our empty waters, and when the check was dropped off. Felt like he was the only server for the entire dinning room. The food was good. My ropa vieja had a little too much cumin but I still enjoyed it. The portions are large and we left with full bellies. The plantains were sooo good. I could eat an entire plate of just that. FYI If you pay by credit card they'll add a 3.99% surcharge. Thankfully I had cash so I avoided paying the extra charge. read more

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Super cute Cuban restaurant right in the Gaslamp area of SD. We opted for indoor seating, which is upstairs. The outdoor area is right in the front, and quite small. Not sure if they have more purpose seating out back. They share a bathroom with the restaurant next door, so that is downstairs and through an employee area. Bathroom was very clean. The host was nice enough, our server was great and very attentive. They greet you with fresh plantain chips - SO GOOD! We had the papás rellenas, croquetas, and empanadas to start. The beef empanada had a great taste, as did the croquetas. The filling of the vegetarian empanada was not my favorite, but our vegetarian diner loved it. The ceviche was missing a little salt, but once you ate it with the tortilla chips, that helped out. The lechón was our favorite! Very good flavor and the portion was really good. Two of us shared it and we had plenty. The rice side is also plenty, I do wish I had ordered more beans. The bistec was tender, but it was missing a little seasoning for my taste. read more

The food and the service was excellent! I came here for lunch on the weekday and I was met with super nice staff and no line. The upstairs had a nice atmosphere and music playing in the background. Shoutout to my server Tonya who gave me suggestions on the menu! I got the Ropa Vieja which was very tender and the plantains were super delicious. I had a Jupina soda as a drink and it was a great sweet imported soda. Definitely will come back if I'm around again! read more

Havana 1920 - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

Fantastic authentic Cuban food and ambiance, along with excellent service. Free crispy and tasty plantain chips with two salsas to start. The Cubano sandwich is an excellent example of the classic, especially the delicious, perfectly seasoned pork. It's served with a few perfectly fried fat plaintain fries. The Camarones Al Ajillo appetizer was among the best appetizers I've had with succulent shrimp, mushrooms, and garlic in a white wine, capers, and lemon juice sauce. It's topped with hot red chile peppers that seep a subtle heat into the sauce when it's cooked. Toasted Cuban bread is included. I could make a meal of just this dish. read more

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Came here for a late lunch while on vacation with a friend. The flavoring of the food was great. Service was acceptable and our particular server was very sweet. I opted to go for a margarita flight because I was feeling a bit saucy on vacation. Those were really good. Nice and strong, which I liked. My only complaint is when I ordered my steak medium rare, it came to the table completely well done. I asked my server if we could have it fixed. She obliged, but when the platter came back the steak was cold in the middle and completely blue. By that point, I just wasn't feeling it anymore and asked to have the platter removed from our tab. Our server was incredibly apologetic and did as requested. She even offered us dessert after we had completed our meal. The decor of the restaurant was so fun! There is a lot to look at while you are dining with friends. On the day we dined here, there was a live band that set up and started playing in the middle of our meal. We stayed longer than it took to finish our meal so we could listen to the band. read more

Havana 1920 - Entrance - Cuban Near Me - San Diego, California

Came to this establishment on a whim and it was the best Sunday decision ever. I ordered 4 or the jamon y queso croquettes. Our server, Tonya, mentioned that they were about the length of her finger. They were about a similar size to a mozarella stick, so 2 of them were filling for me. They were even wonderful the next day in the air fryer. Drinks were tasty. The vibe was very cuban, obviously, and very quaint. I loved it. We were a group of 5 and sat closer to the bar on a high table, but there is a nice window with seats overlooking the gaslamp with windows that look like they open. The bathroom is shared with El Chingon, so it is a little weird to get to it. But, most importantly, our server was wonderful. Thank you Tonya!!! read more

Staff were friendly. Love the ambiance with live music. Ceviche was good and the shrimp salad were my favorites. Drinks were ok. read more

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Food was so delicious. 10/10 would get the empanadas & pollo again! The service was excellent & they had a live band but we unfortunately didn't stay long enough to get to see them play. I would highly recommend this place! read more

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