Lunch date with some friends! But can't forget the cafecito. Food was delicious and fairly priced! There's a ton of appetizers and entrees on the menu. read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Such an odd experience. Restaurant was open, but empty. Lots of activity in the space next door but we ended up leaving after being ignored for 15 minutes. Their food is great and worth a visit. It maybe there was an event they were focusing on. read more

Food was great. Service was terrible. Waited an hour and a half to get our dinner. Was next door for a concert. Big crowd and they could not handle the rush. read more

They have a nice buffet menu. So good to eat and shipped for lunch I absolutely recommend this place. I'm happy

My Cuban-American wife and I decided to try out the Havana Jax Cafe for the first time. Having enjoyed the churrasco in different Cuban restaurants, she must admit that it's the worst one she had. It's so bad like chewing rubber that she had it brought back for the other one. The result was still the same. She decided to not eat it at all. As for me, the roast pork was not as juicy as it should have been. Too dry and salty. Be advised that you don't order churrasco nor roast pork at this restaurant. However, the server, Regla, was very cordial and understanding during the whole time. Richard read more

I had not been to Havana Jax in a while so I was really excited to go there today for lunch. I don't know if the restaurant has changed ownership, but my experience today was 180 degrees from what I've been accustomed to. I won't drone on about the lackluster service and get right to the convenience store quality Cuban Sandwich I had. Barely toasted, the cheese wasn't even melted. It tasted pre-packaged. The tostones were not fresh, and they had the taste of old cooking oil. The mojo sauce was straight out of the Goya bottle, not freshly prepared. 2 Cuban Sandwiches, 2 orders of tostones, 2 waters(the sweet tea I ordered wasn't palatable) and a $49 bill. I used to recommend HJ to friends and family. Sadly, I won't be doing so anymore. read more

Sylvia took my order yesterday for today. There eight co workers and two lawyers in our meeting today. I planned, took orders, and picked up the meals. The Cuban was good and hot. The plantains are delicious. I forgot to take pictures of my food. They also included chips with the sandwiches. All went very smooth. Pros:great sandwiches, salads and other. Nice owners and employees. Cons: it can be a little tricky getting in and out of the parking lot. Tip:Cuba Libre is nextdoor. Recommend:absolutely read more

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Very good Cuban restaurant. Surprisingly difficult to find a good Cuban place in Jacksonville, and we had a great experience here. Service was fantastic, and food was authentic. read more

First thing - food was great but what put our experience over the top was the service; the server and our host Miguel made this a memorable experience and we are definitely going back. Enjoy - we did. read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Mi hija y yo comimos aquí hoy. El especial del día era buenísima. Nos atendió Miguel. El es bien amable y no dio servicio estupendo. Por favor probarlo si nunca ha ido. También, Los precios son muy bien. My daughter and I ate here today. The special of the day was very good. We were attended by Miguel. He is very personal and the service was great!! Please give it a try if you haven't already. Great prices also! read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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It's not Cuban's food, all it's over price No flavor, portion is not for adults Nothing here it's Cuba only some time the night show read more

Owner, Silvia did a great job hosting myself and 54 friends for an amazing authentic Cuban cuisine dinner! We were setup in the Cuba Libre club side of the venue ... where the lounge becomes wall-to-wall dancing and clubbing around 11PM, so I hear! (smile) The servers were attentive and friendly; especially Sam! Would encourage anyone in the area to stop by. Our specialty menu: Passed around STARTER: -- Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche ~ Lime, Mango, Cilantro (GF) -- Vegetarian Empanada (Mushroom, Carrot, Broccoli, Celery) MAIN: - Picadillo ~ Extra Lean Sirloin braised on Sofrito (GF) - Roast Pork ~ Marinated & Slow-roasted (GF) - Chicken Fricassee ~ Silvia's Favorite - Yellow (non GF) or White Rice (GF) All SIDES Vegetarian: - Black Beans (GF) - Cuban Bread - Sweet Plantains (GF) Passed around DESSERTS: - Mini Tres Leche - Flan (GF) - Pio Quinto Brandy-soaked Cake & Custard. read more

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The food was fantastic! Soo good and healthy for you! I had the Bowl with black beans, yellow rice, a dollop of guac and Pico De guiyo. Sorry spelling for the Pico?!! Anyway the plaintans were excellent. Outstanding food assistance and the presentation was beautiful before I dove in. Took a good portion home for lunch tomorrow!! My friend had the rice, beans and the plaintans!!! So good! We were celebrating our b-days!! Can't wait to go back soon to Havana Jax!!! read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Entree' The Bowl with seasons and lightly broiled chicken!!! I mixed the beans and rice. Love this lil' Gem of a restaurant! - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Excellent, authentic Cuban food. Highly recommend! Saturday special Chicken dinner fantastic.

Havana Jax is a hidden gem! I went here for lunch the other day with a coworker and we were served by Miguel, who was extremely attentive and kind. I ordered a bowl with roasted pork, yellow rice, lettuce, and sweet plantains. Everything was seasoned well and had a good depth of flavor. I love supporting local restaurants in Jacksonville, so finding this through a coworker was a nice surprise! There's even a club attached to the restaurant side meant for dancing. I will say that being short (5'1) and a larger person proved to be a slight challenge in their booth seating, since they're close together and the booths sit very low compared to the table - my chin was above the table, but that was it. I would recommend asking for a table with chairs over the booth if this is something to consider! read more

My family and I always stop by around lunchtime on Saturdays, and their Chicken Fricassee is an absolute must-try! The food is consistently delicious, and the service never disappoints. The atmosphere is always welcoming--especially when Miguel is working. He truly goes above and beyond to ensure you have the best dining experience. read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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We had great service. She was friendly and attentive. The food was amazing! Will definitely come back next time I'm in town.

Food service and cleanliness is the best way to describe this place. 30 plus years in business and very authentic Cuban cuisine! We will be back! Ruby was our waitress and was outstanding! read more

First visit. Service was great. Had the Chicken Steak with black beans, rice and plantains and my husband, the Picadillo with black beans, rice and plantains. Will definitely visit again. read more

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By far impressed by this hidden gem ! Bam pow zing ! The iced coffee woke me up and hit the spot! The ropa vieja was so good my taste buds could tell the care and attention that went into making it! Definitely will be back I'll also see what the club is like on a Sat thank you for the wonderful experience and service. read more

amazing food, service and atmosphere! Miguel was awesome! We stopped in for a late lunch. Sampled the Havana platter, Cuban sandwich , black bean soup and Caribbean salad. All were authentic and fabulous. The sangria was oh so yummy! read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Midnights and cafe con leches for us both during a quick lunch while out running errands. Quick service on a quiet Monday afternoon, sandwiches and coffee both hit the spot. read more

This place is a gem! I loved it so much, the food was so fresh and came out quick. I found this location on yelp and decided to pop in before a conference I was attending in the city. I will most definitely find my way back here. I got the Churrasco streak and my mouth is watering just thinking about it right now! The waiter was friendly, the restrooms were spotless and clean. I had an overall GREAT experience. read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Churrasco Steak - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Went on Saturday night. Surprisingly it wasn't crowded at all and the food was GREAT! Our server Miguel was also wonderfully. The place was very clean and the decor reminded me of older Miami. The Cafe con'leche was the best I've had since living in S Fla. read more

Wow! Wow! Wow! Miguel is the epitome of a warm host. His warm welcome was a strong indication that it was going to be a wonderful experience and it was! We had the churrasco, ropa vieja bowl, empanadas, tostones and cheese and lastly Cuban coffee. We were all so pleased with the food, everything we ordered was phenomenal. And the Cuban coffee was incredible. Will be back every time we're in JAX! read more

Mambos is better, ( and my Cuban mother in law isn't a fan of them.) I ordered DD because I was craving Cuban food. Bland. If you can not season, at least add some salt. Im Sicilian and my husband is half Cuban. If you are used to hispanic foods, skip this one. If you're used to super bland food, you might like it. read more

I have been patronizing Havana Jax for as long as I can remember. I used to love their the #1 item, Arroz con Pollo. The last two times I've been there and ordered, they've come back to the table to tell me they're out. Last night, I ordered online, 2+ hours ahead of pickup time, just for them to call me as I pulled up in front to pickup our meals, to tell me they do not have any Arroz con Pollo prepared. It would take 45 minutes. They offered a (bland and tough) chicken breast instead. I would have appreciated a call within the 2 hours to let me know they would be unable to fill my order so I could have gotten a refund and gone elsewhere. The restaurant was empty. Poor customer service and lack of preparation! read more

For Cuban places, we're a little limited here in Jacksonville. I've been going to Havana Jax for years and have mostly have positive visits. I attended a function and ordered some appetizers at the bar. The chicken croquettes were nicely fried and the plantain chips were plentiful, crispy, and salted well. With a couple drinks, it was a great snack. Our most recent visit was for an early dinner. We were the only people in the restaurant when we arrived. We ordered a few appetizers - the papas rellenas, chicken croquettes, and beef empanada and chicharones de pollo for dinner. I tried to order plantain chips but was told it was not available on this menu. The croquettes were okay, they seemed not quite as crisp as last time. The papas rellenas was one large softball sized stuffed potato. The flavor was great, the outside coating nice and crispy, but the inside was cold. The empanada was great, no complaints there. As for the entree, the chicken was nice and crispy and my other half really enjoyed the sauce it came with. The yellow rice and black beans were the standard fare and done well. For dessert, we got a piece of tres leches cake to take home. And upon starting to have the cake later that evening, I found the bottom of the cake was burned. Service was quick and efficient but the food was definitely off. I can understand some mistakes when a place is packed, but when I'm one of 3 tables in an entire restaurant, there is no excuse for improperly executed food. read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Burned Tres Leches - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I am a regular customer of this gift of a Cuban restaurant. I love going to the San Marco Square, however when I can find Havana Jax... so good. Authentic Cuban food. They always treat everyone special care. It has a special Latin flair. I love this place. The Cuban coffee, will make you happy, as well as the happiness of Tres Leches or Flan for dessert. And the food... epic! read more

Miguel made this experience amazing! Starting with the Havana Mojito and papa rellenas, the delights did not stop. My wife had chicken fricasee and I had the Masitas De Puerco. We finished with cafe con leche and it topped off one the best Cuban meals I have had since Havana! read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Havana Mojito - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Miguel was awesome. He's the best The food was OUTSTANDING. The chimichurri sauce and the coffee very very good. We will be back. What else can I Say. read more

I have eaten here before and while the food was okay, it wasn't something that stood out in my mind. Forward to last week where I needed something to eat and this was along the way. We dropped in and it appeared that the interior had been remodeled. Like I said, nothing stood out before but on this visit, the place seemed brighter and more upbeat. We noticed there was a buffet and in the interest of time decided to ask about it. There weren't a ton of options on it but if was enough that could be enjoyed quickly with enough choices to make a lunch plate. To our surprise, the lunch buffet was $5. We asked if this was only on Fridays and the reply was that it was every weekday. I mean c'mon $5 for lunch? Crazy. Options today were chips and salsa, ground beef (probably for nachos), some fruit, yellow and white rice, red beans, roasted chicken, and roasted pork. The chicken and pork were your typical fare so well worth the price of admission. I did order a side of plantains $3 because I just wanted some. If you're in the area, Havana Jax is worth the stop for some good food. read more

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It's OK. I did not go for the night life, but for a meal. And it was really just... ok. I didn't love it, didn't hate it, prices are ok, presentation would make Gordon Ramsay gag (sorry), but the flavors were good. The bartender doesn't speak English (ok fine, it's a Latin place), but can't take an order for food. Had to place my order with someone else, who forgot to put it in. Then, by the time it was delivered, an entire half an hour went by. The onions promised were conspicuously absent. But the server who brought it to me was very nice though she quoted me the wrong price - verbally (odd). She said my dinner was supposed to be $26, when it was supposed to be $20. I asked, the bartender corrected it. Underwhelming, really. But certainly edible. Not sure I'd go back. If someone forced me to go, I wouldn't kick and scream. But I'd bring Google Translate, make sure they put my order in while I watched, and get more beans and plantains again (sides). Not sure what I would get for a main. I got steak that cut like a shoe, but did have flavor. Meh? So-so? Así-así? read more

Love this restaurant! Everyone is so friendly and the food is super fresh and delicious! I'm usually a glutton for their amazing Cuban Sandwich, but went with a Roasted Pork bowl today and OMG it is so flavorful- definitely will be a new favorite of mine. Great Cafe con leche as well! Dine in, pickup or order for delivery. I promise you can't go wrong here! Lovely restaurant and always great music playing. read more

Havana Jax Cafe - Roasted Pork Bowl - Cuban Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Ordered pork meal (black beans, yellow rice, and plantains. Also wanted to try their empanadas- They definitely understand the assignment- lol. Will definitely be back. read more

Great service from Miguel! Always love the Saturday special Chicken Fricasser plate and the Roja Vieja (not the special). Nice and clean place. If you're in the St. Nicholas area, stop by for a great meal and ser. read more

I'm so excited that I found this place! The food was so good! We had to wait a little, but it's definitely worth it! We also tried the drinks and dessert. All so yummy! I would absolutely recommend this place. I can't wait to bring my family next time. I only took one pic after cutting up my Churasco. Also, shout out to Cynthia. She took great care of us! read more

The food was okay. The empanadas and Cuban coffee was the best part of the experience. Cuban sloppy joe is the meat from the empanada. Expected something different. Cuban sandwich tasted okay. No one was there in the afternoon. I assume it's a Later crowd thing. read more

Huh, that wasn't at all what I expected. I've driven past this place a hundred times and it wasn't until moving day that I mustered up the courage to walk in. On a Saturday afternoon, around 1pm, I was the only customer in the joint. The space is filled with DOZENS of tables and booths and a long bar top. I instantly wondered why no one else was here. The maître d' (if you will) greeted me and I asked if take out was an option. He said yes and directed me to the bar. Well, it's called Havana-Jax, of course I'm ordering a Cuban and plantains! I went home and devoured the Cuban, which was pretty authentic in my opinion. Thinly pressed, solid balance from salty meat and sour pickles. However the plantains were flat out overcooked. I mean, those puppies were black, not a deep golden brown. Honestly, I'd eat another Cuban. However, those plantains, combined with the confusing vibe of the restaurant isn't enough for me to highly recommend. Attached is a club, which I hope is filled with happy customers on peak nights. read more

This was a great find. We were looking for a spot for a late lunch/early dinner and Havana Jax did not disappoint! For starters, we got the yucca fries, tostones, and ceviche. All three were DELICIOUS!! Seriously... I think I like Yucca fries better than regular french fries (woah!). For the entree, I got the "Havana Hero" which is advertised as a "Cuban Sloppy Joe". It was Ropa Vieja on Cuban Bread... such a huge sandwich! I took half home for leftovers. The space of the restaurant is nice and open, and it looked like they have a space to the left for special events. I think they were setting up for a graduation party as we were finishing up eating. If you are ever in JAX and want to try out some yummy Cuban food... come to Havana Jax! read more