The food was very good, especially the Black Beans and Rice, and the Tostones. It takes a lot of work to present them like this! Service was efficient and responsive. Ambience had a Cuban accent. Servers spoke fluent Spanish, though not necessarily Cuban Spanish. The restaurant was packed! Saturday night in Times Square with a World Cup Watch Party half a block away. read more

Havana Central - Shrimp Tostones. Delicious! - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Came to Havana Central for dinner and had an enjoyable meal. This restaurant is ALWAYS packed, as soon as you enter, you're hit with sounds of happy customers, and the decor is elegantly tropical. Our Server, Ramon, did an exceptional job. The staff did a great job at clearing finished items and everyone's timing was spot on. We started with the Tostones Rellenos con picadillo (Green plantains stuffed with ground beef). This was a great starter. Large enough to share and I enjoyed the drizzled sweet sauce and whole olives. Our entrees were: Palomilla Steak Platter (thin cut sirloin steak) and the Ropa Vieja (shredded flank steak). Both dishes were accompanied by white rice and we chose black beans and a side salad. This was the first time that I've seen Palomilla Steak presented totally cut into strips and it was a welcomed sight. The Ropa Vieja was perfectly seasoned and the amount of meat was thoroughly enjoyed. I capped off the meal with a Cortadito (A cortado is a Spanish coffee beverage consisting of equal parts espresso and warm, lightly steamed milk. The name comes from the Spanish verb cortar (to cut), meaning the milk "cuts" the acidity and intensity of the espresso. I appreciated the cookie on the side and each sip was amazing. Havana Central has various choices, to accommodate your time of day: lunch specials, a pre-theater menu, and a Happy Hour. read more

See all

I love Havana Central! My favorite restaurant in the area because I love Cuban food so maybe I'm slightly biased but the service is fast, friendly, and efficient! The atmosphere and ambiance is so authentico! Can't wait to go back! It's a must in NYC! Shoutout to German, Carlos, Aaron, Jeremy and the fantastic staff! ¡Viva Cuba Libre! Cuba read more

Fast service in outdoor seating area . Fernando our waiter was excellent in hospitality and great service ! Hostess came after we sat to get our credit card to protect the restaurant in nyc people walk off with out paying bill. read more

See all

This place is cool. Margarita cool mojito cool. We got the appetizer sampler and the stuffed peppers both of which were overall good. In my sampler however, they gave me a lil chicken back which i did not appreciate haha. I'm sure someone would enjoy that but that one is not me. Unfortunately the service wasn't really there for our visit. There were so many workers moving around the restaurant it was like mi6 but it took our waiter a while to ever get to us. Another guy stepped in and brought us water before she got there and he was great not quite sure what the confusion was but i didnt like that. Probably would've had a better experience sitting at the bar for this particular visit. Overall though we enjoyed our food and the guy who came over or whatever happened was chill and ended up taking our order so it was fine. I also had to grab him to pay. Because my waiter was awol. 10 people standing there watching me eat but no waiter coming to check on us. nor with the check lol read more

Havana Central - strawberry marg mojito with fresh sugarcane - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

If you're looking for a great spot to enjoy Cuban food, great service AND really enjoy your meal before a Broadway show, without worry, this is the place!!!! We stopped in on a Tuesday, our party of five were able to be in and out in 1.5 hrs., with time to spare. Reservation highly recommended. Our server Jaime immediately set me as ease when he approached, as I'd worried about timing. He was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable on best menu options and sides. He buzzed around to many tables effortlessly, and was always nearby, and attentive. The manager also stopped at our table to ask how we were doing. They also have a photographer offering to take a free picture and more pictures for purchase, nice touch and not pushy. Among our selections were Garlic snapper, salmon&shrimp, shrimp and rice, and crispy shredded steak. Sides included fried calamari, avocado salad, garden salads, yellow rice, white rice and beans. Desserts shared were churros with dulcede leche, tres leches cake and flan. Everything was flavorful, well-seaoned and arrived hot. Large dining room includes several separated sections, very well designed to make you still feel cozy. Good noise level permits great conversations. Also loved that they offer a rewards club, be sure to sign up before you go, and advise your server of your membership # when you place your orders. Overall had a great time and look forward to our next visit. read more

See all

Always a great choice for a pre -theater meal. Their 49 dollar special is the move! Choice of a drink, then an app, then an entree, then dessert! Come hungry. My ultimate fave empanadas, so don't skip them!!! The service was so great yesterday too! I love the photos they take with option to buy! Of course I bought one. Such a great vibe and I love all the pictures and decor. Always will be back ! read more

Havana Central - Cheers - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I am Cuban and having been eating Cuban food for 65 years. The food here was as unexceptional as could be. Service was good

Staff was very friendly, prices were reasonable, and atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. With so many food options nearby I thought this was a great choice for something that wasn't overpriced and inauthentic. Flavors were pretty good read more

Havana Central - Cuban Sandwich Cubano Clasico with sweet potato fries - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Short Review: Cute touristy Cuban food spot right off Times Square. Go for the drinks! The food is just ok. Long Review: I've been frequenting Havana Central for about 10 years now, so this review is done with some experience at this restaurant under my belt. Every time I visit New York I do try and make it there. It's the best Cuban restaurant I can find right off the center of Times Square. The beehive of activity both outside and inside the restaurant is just exciting to me. Sometimes the restaurant features live music, and when they do the music is fantastic. However, you won't be able to hear yourself think, much less carry on a conversation, because it is so loud. But, really, you go there for the traditional food and drink. Let's start with the food. My favorite Cuban dish is Arros con Pollo. I get it at every Cuban restaurant I go to. The dish at Havana Central used to be the absolute best. The seasoning, the amount of rice and meat, all of it was so good. However, over the years, the rice has gotten drier and there is barely 2oz of chicken in the dish. I'm not sure if they're trying to save money but the value of the meal for what you pay is just atrocious, I'm sorry to say. The drinks on the other hand, yo, are amazing. In fact, I had set out to try and duplicate their "house" Sangria recipe because it's the absolute best I've ever had. I think I've done that and let me just say they are dangerously good! Dangerous in the sense that you can't just gave one! A high recommend that you go in and try one. I do have to give much respect to the management staff. On my last visit when I ponied up to the bar to have my glass of sangria, they did a great job a managing the crazies. I had a guy sit down next to me, clearly already inebriated before he got there and trying to pick me up. They politely got him to stop, and comped my meal when I asked leave. Kudos for that. read more

Havana Central - The red sangria is the best! - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Luiza provided awesome service! She did everything with a smile! We were at the bar originally but the cold air would come in every time the front door was opened, so we move into the dining room. You can still get happy hour prices on drinks but nothing the happy hour appetizers menu...we were cool with that. The chicken soup is always satisfying, seasoned and delicious! The avocado salad is also a favorite of mine! It's so refreshing! The friend that had the chicken cuban sandwich was happy as well as the other friend that had the lobster salad in the avocado! They also ordered the chocolate bread pudding; it is not my thing! Once again thanks to the great service from Luiza! read more

See all

Looking for pretty good Cuban food & even better cocktails before an evening at the theater? Havana Central may be for you. Nestled in the heart of Times Square, Havana provides a seemingly authentic experience through sights, sounds, & flavor. Boasting a menu of standard Cuban fare & beverages, I was pleased with my selected empanadas, tostones rellenos, & calamari. While it all was good--not excellent to my taste buds, but definitely good--the true star of the show for me was the Passion Fruit Mojito that complemented my meal. Perfectly balanced & beautifully presented--with a strip of pure sugar cane included for garnish--this beverage was IT. Pro Tip: Portion sizes are quite hearty; sharing with your party is highly recommended. Cheers! read more

See all

It was my bday and this was amazing. The food was very delicious. Friendly staff and when they wished me a happy bday they gave me a cool hat. It was a really good atmosphere to be in after seeing the buena vista social club musical. They know how to work with beef and mojitos. Definitely would come back there. read more

See all

I have always had a good experience at Havana Central any time I have visited over the years. The food is pretty consistent so you know what to expect. I definitely recommend a reservation especially with a bigger group. The staff is pleasant and prompt. This is one of the better choices in the neighborhood in my opinion, for the food quality and price. read more

I hate to write this, because I wanted this place to be so much better. My family took my mom here for her birthday dinner over the weekend. Despite having a 7pm reservation, we weren't seated until maybe 7:45-ish? Yes, it was a Saturday evening, so maybe that had something to do with it, but it also looked kind of chaotic at the hostess desk, with many staff members approaching the hostess to question her about discrepancies. I think in the end, they had to clear out a party room and seat folks in there (including us) to accommodate all the folks waiting. Our waiter, (I believe his name was Aldo) was great, but service was delayed. And then when we finally received our food, it was all lukewarm. Very strange. Our friend in the party also commented on how the rice was overcooked. At first I didn't notice, because I was still focused on the temperature of our food, but sure enough, the rice was kind of hard and grainy, while being semi-warm, as if it needed more time in the microwave or something. It took away from the flavor for sure. I did try my cousin's Chicharrones, which at least was pleasantly crispy on the outside, and the Pernil was tasty. Additionally, when we were seated, I initially felt the radiator was on and I thought, wonderful! But about 10 minutes in, it was no longer running, so it got quite chilly by the windows. I asked about it, and they said it was still "on", but the heat I felt directly coming from it in the beginning was no longer there. So...interesting. Overall, a disappointing experience, because the ambience was really cool and I like Cuban food, but this wasn't it. read more

Havana Central - I had high hopes But it was only decent. - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

If I'm in NYC, I'm dining at Havana! Great food, love the ambiance, great service. Oh, and good drinks too. Recommend.

Visited this restaurant after seeing a nearby Broadway show. I was immediately sat at a table and I decided to try their pre-theatre menu. This deal offers you a drink appetizer entrée and dessert for $49 per person. You definitely can't beat that in the city! Personally, I went with the avocado salad, garlic chicken and churros. Topped off with a passionfruit margarita. The salad was very light came with a vinaigrette and the perfect way to start off your meal. The garlic chicken came with the choice of rice and beans and salad. I got black beans with yellow rice. You can taste the fresh pieces of garlic throughout this meal. I do feel like the chicken was a little overcooked, but the portions for everything were great. Lastly, the churros came with a chocolate and caramel sauce. Both were really good, but I thoroughly enjoyed the caramel sauce. Coconut Mojito was also probably one of the best drinks I've ever had. The fresh sugarcane was a nice touch. The only thing that I didn't care for were you to is seemed extremely dried out and locked flavor would give it a four out of 10 . The waitress was very attentive. It was also very spacious not too packed and I love the touch of the live band that was on site. If you're ever in the area and you're looking for more of an affordable option make sure to stop here. read more

See all

First time here with family for my Mom's birthday. From the front entrance to the restaurant and restroom, the decor was beautiful. We arrived a bit early for our reservation but were seated immediately. Our server, Mayra was great. She was very attentive and informative. Unfortunately we did have a big menu issue. My mother is allergic to shellfish. We were informed that everything fried has cross contamination. Even down to the chips for guacamole and chips. The red snapper which is pan seared wasn't even a safe option because it is flavored with shrimp juice. Although her menu was now limited, my mother was able to enjoy a meal. The rest of the party enjoyed the empanada appetizer and guacamole and chips. I ordered the surf and turf skirt steak and shrimp with yellow rice and beans. The portions are very filling. We were about to enjoy happy hour as well. The table had rounds of different classic margaritas. I had the guava margarita, which was very good. The food was delicious. The servers sang Happy Birthday to my Mom and she even got a souvenir hat. The flan was very good too! Overall we had a good time. read more

See all

Went for my husband's birthday after an off broadway show. Food was delicious and the staff really made my husband feel special.

Simple review: food was delicious, service was very friendly and food came really fast! Loved the decor and music too. read more

Havana Central - Empanada sampler - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Went for lunch on a Thursday afternoon with a friend while we were in the Times Square area. We were seated promptly and our food came out quickly! It was restaurant week so we were able to get a 3 course lunch for $30 which is a steal especially in the Times Square midtown area. I do wish that I got the Cuban sandwich as I felt like the rice was a bit hard. The highlight was definitely the empanadas which I recommend. Overall I would recommend stopping by during restaurant week as the value is hard to beat. read more

See all

This place was AMAZING! Every dish was cooked to perfection and very flavorful! The plátanos were my favorite. The service was excellent as well the drinks came out so fast. The inside ambience was decorated nicely and clean. I will definitely return soon!! read more

Havana Central - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Well done. Nice interior. Service ok. Clearly designed well for financial efficiency. Efficient throughput. Food good. Well flavored but heat muted or non existent. Drinks were fine too. If this were a term paper, I would give it an A- (without grade inflation). Reservations advised at peak times. read more

I was craving some Cuban cuisine, and after doing a bit of Google searching and reading reviews, my wife and I decided to have dinner at Havana Central in Times Square and I'm so glad we did. When we arrived, the energy was incredible. There was a live band playing, which instantly set the tone for a fun and vibrant night. We had made reservations ahead of time, and it's a good thing we did because this restaurant was popping. There was a long line of customers waiting to be seated, but we were taken straight upstairs and shown to our table. Our server, Rafaela, was warm, attentive, and made our first visit feel extra welcoming. To start off the night, we ordered the Tostones Rellenos as an appetizer - three plantain baskets stuffed with chicken sofrito, beef picadillo, or shrimp sofrito, drizzled with a tomato garlic aioli. We chose two beef picadillo and one chicken sofrito. At $12.95, it was the perfect way to kick off the meal. For drinks, we each ordered the Ultimate Mojito. I went for the guava mojito ($16.00) and my wife had the classic ($15.00). Both were refreshing, flavorful, and strong enough to remind you you're on vacation even in Times Square. For our entrées: My wife ordered the Arroz con Pollo ($23.95) - boneless chicken thighs cooked in savory saffron rice with onions and peas, served with sweet plantains and topped with a chicharrón de pollo. She paired it with black beans. She absolutely loved it. I ordered the Churrasco a La Parrilla ($35.95) - a beautifully grilled center-cut skirt steak, served with crispy onions, mango salsita, and chimichurri sauce. I added sides of yellow rice, black beans, and maduros (fried sweet plantains). Everything was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. To end the night, we shared a classic Flan ($8) - a rich vanilla bean custard with caramel on top. Smooth, creamy, and the perfect sweet finish. Overall, Havana Central delivered on every level: food, service, ambiance, and energy. If you're craving Cuban food in NYC or looking for a lively dinner spot near Times Square, this is an excellent choice. read more

See all

Food: Lackluster, the quality has fallen drastically over the years; the beans were barely there, the salad was wilted and old; very oily vaca frita and lechon Service: inconsistent; some staff are good We used to frequent here but these recent visits were massively disappointing read more

Havana Central reminds me of a Cuban Applebees. Right off of Times Square, it's a convenient restaurant to visit right before a Broadway show. And that's exactly what we did this past weekend before our evening show. It wasn't my first time having Havana Central but it was my first time dining in. I've ordered delivery from here before. In the past I tried their ropa vieja and vaca frita, which are both Cuban classics. Unfortunately I didn't haven't a great experience with the delivery so they offered me a credit to come back and make it right (which is what brought me back this time). In general, I think the menu is a really good value in general. They have a a $49 pre theatre menu which comes with a few courses, lunch specials and rotating monthly specials. They also have lots of vegetarian and gluten free options. However, there were a few things I didn't like, chiefly the slow service. It took about 15 minutes just to get a waiter's attention to take our order (and that was just for drinks). We had two different waiters attending to us since it seemed to be a busy night at the restaurant (they had at least 3 birthdays going on while we were there). Once we finally did order though, we explained that we had a show to get to and they did their best to get us our food quickly. For my meal, I ordered the mango salmon and substituted the rice side for tostones. I didn't love that the substitution was only 2 tostones (seriously, who eats 2 tostones?!) but they explained you only get a half order. If I'm paying $3 for a substitution, I would expect to get the equivalent of a full side, not just half. I ended up paying for another half order, so it wasn't really a substitution. The salmon was actually really tasty, but the tostones were disappointing. They were crispy on the outside but they tasted undercooked on the inside so I didn't end up finishing them. My husband ordered the Cuban sandwich with fries, which he said was good. The portion was as expected. We also got a side of garlic broccoli, which we enjoyed. Overall, it was a good dinner but it felt more like chain than an authentic experience. If you like Latin food for reasonable prices though, this is a fine place for eating with a group or friends. read more

Havana Central - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

This place is always a good idea! The music is always on point, the drinks are amazing! I always get a Coconut Mojito and they have happy hour here daily! The service is fast and the staff is highly knowledgeable and attentive. I don't come here often enough since I live in Brooklyn and work from home, but any chance I get to have a meet up with friends, this is one of those places that never disappoints. read more

My husband and I arrived late to New York and stopped by Havana Central for dinner--it was conveniently located just a block from Times Square and our hotel, and what a great find! We both love Cuban food, and this restaurant truly delivered. The food was very good, full of flavor, and exactly what we were hoping for. The live band added such a fun and authentic touch--my husband even joined in for a second! I've visited New York several times and have always searched for great Cuban food, and this is definitely a spot I will return to on future trips. Highly recommended for delicious food, lively atmosphere, and a memorable experience. read more

See all

I can say that Havana's food need a real Cuban infusion, food was not bad but I don't think Cuba has culinary dinner or at least not what I tasted, excellent service, not ambience for a Sunday next to time square? This is where needs to work along side with food, I will recommend to switch to American with global influence food. As a chef I see this place can do way much better. read more

See all

The food is absolutely fantastic!! The street corn is one of the best I've ever had!! The Ropa Vieja is one of the best too!! The cocktails are a little too sweet but good. I've been more than once and each time the only issue is that its one of the loudest restaurants I've ever experienced in my life. Also, it was always adults being very loud. read more

See all

Excellent! I loved the vibe here and the food was amaze! I must say this is one of my fav restaurants in NYC! Intimate setting and overall great vibe with awesome service! read more

See all

For lunch we shared a Cubano sandwich with fries and some fried plantains and washed it down with Hatuey Cuban lager. We will dine there again read more

The Ropa Vieja Empanadas were the best thing we ate. EVERYTHING else, Chicharrones de Pollo, Masitas de Cerdo, and the Tostones were all overcooked and dry, really dry and nearly inedible. If we weren't in a hurry for a Broadway show, we would have sent it all back. The drinks and the empanadas kept me from giving a single star. read more

Great location in time square walking distance to the Shubert theater which is why I was in town. The service was quick and pleasant. I was seated without delay without a reservation for lunch on a Friday afternoon. The restaurant is nice in terms of appearance. The food came out fast and was good. Portion size was a lot. I definitely had a to go bag & ate the food the next day! read more

See all

The theatre dinner special had a diverse and delicious selection, Drink , Appy, entree , desert is unbeatable. Outstanding service, great food.. how can you beat that? read more

My coworkers decided a happy hour at havana central was necessary after wrapping up this huge project. Upon entering wes were met with some very welcoming hostesses and I think that's when I started yo really relax. We sat at the bar and a time was had. Chelsea the bartender was so nice and made the best drinks ever. We ordered empanadas, guac and chips, mojoitos and margaritas (lots) and some other happy hour bites. Everything was delicious. The atmosphere is a definite vibe for after work/ happy hour (ends at 7) by 8pm we were having shots..overall i give this restaurant a 10 out of 10. The staff, location and food..definately stop in you won't be disappointed read more

See all

Went for lunch with some friends. Server was friendly and helpful. I was not impressed with the chicken bowl. The grilled chicken was flavorless and cold. Basic yellow rice with some black beans. Now the drinks are a must, I had the watermelon margarita and the star of the show is the coconut like mojito. I would return and try something else. read more

See all

I came to Havana Central without knowing what to expect. I'm not originally from the area but I walked past this place and really liked the atmosphere. I came and sat at the bar while they were in happy hour and decided to try a few things. I started off with the tostones rellenos and they were amazing! The flavor was outstanding! I also got a lime margarita but ended up getting some mojitos and when I tell you the COCONUT MOJITO WAS AMAZING!!!!! IT WAS AMAZING !!! I've never had a different flavor of mojito other than just the classic but when I tell you I was blown away I was blown away. I ended up ordering 5 more coconut mojitos and am still currently ordering more as I type this. Aaron the bartender was such an amazing bartender definitely come and visit him and he'll be sure to get you right ! This place is a 10/10 for me. read more

Incredible food with amazing Cuban food especially with a wonderful band with Latin music. Mejito is a must order. read more

Havana Central - Mejito - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

First time here food was really good! Service was fast ,ambiance was definitely vibes.Celebrated my birthday I was given a delicious dessert and a fedora hat super cute. Tried their Mojitos, which were very fresh definitely worth the visit. our waiter was super nice attentive. read more