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Havana 1961

4.4 (77 reviews)
ModerateCuban, Bars, Sandwiches
Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Havana 1961 Photos

HAVANA 1961 ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Havana 1961

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Menu
Joshua D.

Was driving thru old St.Peter's and noticed a Cuban Restaurant that recently opened. Havana 1961. I'm not very familiar with Cuban food, but boy did Havana 1961 deliver an experience. Havana 1961 is a restaurant with a total home cooked meal vibe. Nicely decorated with Cuban fanfare as well as music to compliment the experience. Our server was quick to get drink orders while we reviewed the menu. We tried the Tostones a delicious fried plantain and was excellent. For our entrees we went with the cubano sandwich and ropa vieja a delicious pork dish served with black beans and white rice. Both dishes were served hot and perfectly seasoned. I will caution portions are large and easily able to serve two people. Service was awesome and very patient in answering questions about the menu. Prices were reasonable and so much more great food to try for our next visit. Highly recommend Havana 1961, give them a try.

Entry
Cassandra S.

We came on Saturday about 730 after they had been closed from storm damage and they were already out of food. The owner was super nice and apologetic. We will be returning. I think that says a lot and how great this place is!

Sheri B.

Selected this restaurant for a birthday celebration dinner. Slightly disappointed there were no alcohol drinks allowed to be ordered. This information would be most helpful on their website. Decided to stay and try the fare. Ordered two plantain appetizers, Cuban sandwich, beef oxtail entree and a cheese quesadilla for the young one that they happily made. Tostones were served and the "sauce" was smeared lightly underneath and very limited. Would possibly be better with a small container of sauce. The maduros were very tasty and flavorful. Cuban sandwich was also very tasty and a large serving. The beef quesadilla was ordered as tacos but clearly showed up as a quesadilla. The oxtail entree was very good. There were many tables and a bar area but no bar. Our table was close to the door and it was cold when the door opened. Our meal was ok but not sure we will return.

Front of menu
Nicole S.

I first want to say that this review comes with a bit of a heavy heart. I wanted so badly to love this place--it's charming and clearly a small family business. I ALWAYS want to support these kind of places, but unfortunately I just did not have a great experience. There was one other table when we arrived, and another couple came in by the time we were leaving (three tables in total). The couple sitting closest to us seemed to really enjoy their food, so I do want to preface with that! I got a sweet tea, which was served in a very small styrofoam cup. I could see that tables who had ordered from the cocktail menu had real glasses, so I did not understand why I did not. Same for my food, which as you can see in the photo, was served on a disposable plastic plate. For $17, I'd assume I would get a real dish... which again, I could see nearby tables had. If the food was amazing, I'd easily overlook this. We started with the empanadas, the order came with two. The flavor of the filling was very good, however the dough was raw inside. I ordered the tamale, nothing was hot--very slightly warm at best. I wasn't blown away by the flavor either--just okay. I would not order it again. My boyfriend's burrito looked and tasted amazing, however. Based on the neighboring table and how they liked their food, I'd definitely like to give this another try. A lot of the other food in the room certainly looked much better than what I received.

cuban style tamale
Lori W.

The drinks were good, if a bit pricey ($13). My cuban style tamale was described as an open face tamale, very soft rather than steamed until firm. The flavor was good but not much meat for $16. The side of rice and black beans paired nicely. Owner came over and chatted with us on the front patio. We talked about gf and she said she was thinking of adding corn tortillas - I know I'd like to try the pork tacos with gluten friendly tortillas! The pressed sandwiches looked amazing too (sigh, i miss being able to eat bread!) Would definitely go back again - the cuban tamale, on a cold night, seems like comfort food.

Cuban White Rice and Shrimp tacos. Photo does not do them justice.
Katie F.

This is such a cute restaurant. We were warmly welcomed by the owner (who is also the talented cook). The decor was fun, as was the music and the scenes from Cuba on the TV. After much debate, I had the shrimp tacos and they were delish and huge. I also ordered a small side of rice, which was flavorful and large enough for left overs. I sampled my friend's Cuban sandwich and you will not go wrong ordering that. The appetizer, Croquetas de Jamon were crispy and fantastic. We were disappointed that the Papa Rellena were not available, but maybe next time. I am looking forward to trying some dinner entrees!

Papu's Cuban Sub, beans & rice, and maduros (sweet plantains)  - delicious!
David B.

It's been years since I've had authentic Cuban food, and I'm not aware of any other Cuban restaurant in St. Charles County--so I was excited to see Havana 1961 open! My wife and I stopped in for lunch just five weeks after they opened, and we were impressed. The decor brings a Caribbean vibe that immediately sets the tone. We shared the Cuban sandwich, black beans and rice, and sweet plantains. Everything was delicious! The sandwich came beautifully plated, with spices artistically swirled around the edge--perfect for dipping into or mixing with the beans and rice. Service was quick and friendly, and we even had a chance to chat with the owner/chef when she stepped out of the kitchen. She was so kind, and we were glad to tell her how much we enjoyed everything. There are still plenty of dishes on the menu we'd love to try, so we're already looking forward to our next visit!

Drink menu
Chrissy E.

I've been seeing this appear on my feed so I knew it was worth checking out. I came today a little after 4 and walked in to all things Cuban! There was a huge Cuban flag draped on the wall in the back, Cafe bustelo cans on every table, the lovely aroma of spices, and best of all, Latin music playing in the background. It made me want to bust out dancing right there, but I remembered I was there to eat. I was greeted by one of the servers and she escorted me to the two-top by the window. The menu offers several dishes to choose from ranging from appetizers and sandwiches to full entrees. I chose the small maduros (comes in two sizes) for an app and got the mojo pescado for my main. Since the mojo pescado didn't have a description, the server said it came with rice and beans. Drink wise I chose to stick with water. They said they just got their license but still had a few alcoholic drinks on the menu. After a little wait my maduros arrived and I couldn't wait to dig in. The outside was perfectly crispy, while the inside was sweet and soft. Shortly after devouring my maduros, my main course arrived. The chef came and said I was the first person today to order it and asked that I tear open one of the pieces to ensure it was fully cooked since it was a thicker than the other one. I was surprised but def. appreciated her asking. I did as she asked and everything was fully cooked. The first bite was heaven. All the spices were packed in the fish AND the rice with each bite tasting better than the next. I noticed I didn't have any beans but I was enjoying my dish too much to say anything. I ate as much as I could and then settled for the check. The service was stellar, the ambience is relaxing, and the food was divine. I can't wait to come and try more dishes!

Toston Nachos
Noel F.

We ordered takeout, and it was delicious! As a tostone fan I had to have the tostone nachos, and they did not disappoint. Mounds of flavorful, tender pork, black beans, cheese and sauce on top of a crispy tostone. The tacos, 2 in a small order, were huge. They were very communicative and friendly. I ordered the Papa Rellena, but they were out. They called me almost immediately and asked if I wanted something else, so I opted for the Croquetas de Jamon, which were a fried appetizer filled with a creamy ham mixture. I wasn't disappointed!

Papu's Cuban Sub
Greg H.

I've heard a lot about Havana 1961 and wanted to give it a try. Cuban sandwiches are one of my favorites, so of course I had to try one.I also ordered Arroz de Papu. I was at a table of four. There were only about four other table while we were there. It was about 15 minutes until we were brought the Arroz de Papu. I waited for the others to get their food, but about 10 minutes later we were told that there was a photo shoot going on and that they were making dishes for them to photograph first, then they would get ours right out. Needless to say, the Arroz was finished before the others even got their food. That was disappointing. When I did finally get my Cuban, it was greasy and falling apart - when it was cut, the ham was hanging off one side and the pork off the other, so I had to re-stack the whole thing. The ham and pork had a good flavor, but it was so cheesy that it overpowered the whole sandwich. I couldn't taste the mustard tang at all. We'll have to give Havana 1961 another try, because obviously something happened this day.

Yucca Fries with Garlic Aioli.   If you like garlic this is a must (As you can tell I dove in before taking the picture.)
Clift K.

What are you waiting on???? You want flavorful Cuban food take yourself to 100 Main Street, St. Peter's and be prepared to immerse yourself with some of the most delicious and flavorful Cuban food found in Missouri! We stopped in about 1:30 on Saturday and were promptly seated. The restaurant is clean and colorful with the ambiance of Caribbean look. After looking over the menu we both decided upon ordering Papu's Cuban which comes with Cuban Black Beans & Rice. We also got an order of Yuca Fries and a side of Maduros. The sandwiches came out exactly as they promise : "Layers of slow-roasted mojo pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, crisp pickles, and their secret sauce are stacked inside fresh Cuban bread, then pressed to a golden perfection." As you bite into the sandwich your taste buds are greeted into a heavenly mixture of textures and tastes that explode in your mouth with the most gratifying pleasure. The Cuban Black Beans & Rice are flavorful and very authentic in their accompaniment with sandwich and worked well with it. The Yuca Fries were hot and Crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside served on top of their traditional and delicious Garlic Aioli with extra on the side to dip into for absolute garlic bliss! If you like garlic this side is a must! We also split a side of their Maduros which were pan fried. At first bite into the golden cooked plantains we both agreed we were both instantly transported back to 2017 when we were at a "Mom & Pop" restaurant in Havana Cuba having fried plantains! The sweetness, the richness, the texture, the flavor was just as amazing at Havana 1961 as it was at our stay while in Havana, Cuba. Also, let me say the play between the Maduros and the Yuca Fries with its Garlic Aioli played on each other that was so unexpected, yet so enjoyable and each added to the experience and flavor of the other, I highly recommend you try them together with your meal. Will we go back again? Yes! Again, just as the Cuban restaurant we went to in Cuba was a "Mom & Pop" , so is Havana 1961. We have always preferred going to these restaurants verse large chains due to the fact at the local restaurants you get real food cooked in real time verse the chains which ship in frozen and/or prepared meals. What amazes me how I will be sitting in a local restaurant with a wait people will come in but refuse to wait 20-30 minutes for home cooked food yet they will go to a chain restaurant and wait an hour for prepackaged food. Our biggest problem coming up? Trying to decide what we order on our next visit, for we will be back.

Ox Tails
Kim B.

Yummy! We can't wait to come back. I could live off the rice and beans...everything was delicious, and the service was exceptional!

Krista R.

One of the best Cuban sandwiches I've had! Authentic Cuban atmosphere and a charming location tucked into the historic part of St. Peter's. Great food.

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Thank you so much! Can’t wait for you to try the Cuban either!

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