Havana's Cuisine is a quaint little restaurant in the CWE serving authentic Cuban cuisine. We had seen some reviews mentioning longer wait times, so we went in expecting things to take a while, but that wasn't our experience at all! We arrived around 5:30 on a Friday night, were seated right away, and our food came out surprisingly quickly. There were only a few tables occupied when we arrived, but by the time we left, the restaurant was packed with only one table still open! We started with the empanadas and tried the beef & cheese and chorizo. The beef & cheese empanadas were amazing -- perfectly crispy and crunchy on the outside with a delicious filling. The chorizo wasn't our favorite because it was very greasy, and unfortunately the grease overpowered most of the other flavors. We also tried the Tostones Salsosos, which were good and much larger than we expected! For our entrées, we ordered the Tampa Cuban sandwich with yucca, and we were blown away by the size of the sandwich! It was massive, flavorful, and definitely a generous portion. The yucca on the side was good as well. But the ropa vieja was the star of the show! Every bite was packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. We added a side of Congri rice, which was also incredibly flavorful and robust and paired perfectly with it. Overall, we had a great experience. Quick service, generous portions, authentic Cuban flavors, and several dishes we would absolutely order again. The ropa vieja and beef & cheese empanadas are must-tries! read more

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Havanas is in my top 5 best places in Stl. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and Havanas has the best Caribbean food in the Lou. Their lechón, ropa vieja and picadillo are amazing. The croquetas, empanadas and yuca frita are to die for. My secret is to order the veggie wrap but add picadillo to it. You'll thank me later!! I cannot recommend Havana's enough. Service is amazing and the owners are absolute sweathearts. read more

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We came here 2 separate times and this is a review of both times as the owner apologized the first time and asked us to come back again. For a quick summary: BE PREPARED TO WAIT FOR BOTH FOOD AND DRINKS. Order guava daquiri for drink, fried yucca or chorizo empanadas for appetizer, and ropa vieja or the Cuban for mains. We came here during happy hour both times. The restaurant itself is very small inside and this is a very small team of people working (as in one person is doing the bar and waitressing at the same time one time we came in and another time one person bartending and one doing the waitressing). With that said BE PREPARED TO WAIT and only come if you have time to spare as this is not a quick place to grab a bite. This is a place to hang around with friends while you wait for your food/drinks. During our first visit we ordered the jamon croqueticas, empanadas, and the papas rellenas del barrio. HIGHLY suggest the chorizo empanadas. We didn't like the 2 other items they were very bland and the sauce didn't go well with them. They could definitely benefit from seasoning the stuffing better, a quick taste test would confirm you can't taste any spices that are supposed to be in picadillo and these lacked even basic salt and the sauce did not help elevate the flavor. There was about a 20 minute wait before starting to get our food so we ordered our mains once the second appetizer came out. We ordered the ropa vieja and the Tampa Cuban. After about 50 minutes my ropa vieja came out. The beef & fried yucca were REALLY good but the rice and beans was once again flavorless. We asked the waitress where the other meal was and it took her a while to be able to check. In the mean time of being there for about 2 hours total we saw multiple food drivers come and pick up their food yet we still did not have our other order. When we finally got the waitress again we asked to cancel the other order as the food never came and expressed our disappointment that food delivery apps were getting their food while we were there in person waiting so long and never received ours. She told us it was the ticketing system that caused an error & apologized. The owner apologized and asked us to come back again. The second time we can during the start of happy hour with a group of 4. We ordered the guava daiquiris of course and the special appetizers (can't remember the name) which was a fried green plantain shell stuffed with meat and onion topped with cheese. THESE WERE SO GOOD we got 2 orders. We also had the chorizo empanadas again and the Cuban sandwiches and the Cuban goddess salad. These were great. Overall the food is good the wait time and not enough staff is what makes this unable to be a 5/5. Even with this issue this is a small business with a family trying to succeed and sometimes you can't afford to hire on more people which I understand. With that being said I will be returning but only when I have 2 hours or more to spend here. read more

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I ordered black bean soup and the Cuban sandwich. The black bean soup has rich flavor and creamy texture. It was delicious. The Cuban sandwich was incredible. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft underneath. The sweat ham and roast pork were delicious along with the melted Swiss cheese and the tangy mustard. Our server was friendly and very helpful. The vibe of this restaurant is authentic and friendly. Very enjoyable! read more

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I ended up going so long I thought maybe I should put a summary: - great local place run by family focused on food and hospitality - incredible empanadas (chorizo was my fave) - big servings, plates offering variety - loved ropa vieja & the salad with chimichurri feta A friend just introduced me to what is likely to be a new favorite go to place -- Havana on Euclid. I have seen it a few times but was always on the way somewhere else or some strange time of day. So glad Gabriela got me in the door. I should say I have a special place in my heart for Cuban food. As a kid a seminal food experience was a party at the home of an uncle's neighbor when I was 6. The neighbor invited our family to join a celebration of a child's birthday and I tasted new flavors the first time. As an adult I became close friends with someone who's a great cook and happens to be Cuban, we've even gone to incredible Cuban restaurants in NY, Miami, etc. Honestly, I worried Havana would not live up to my expectations HOWEVER that fear was unwarranted. Having dinner at the bar at Havana, felt like having dinner with friends. The kind of friends who check in to make sure you are happy but don't want you to feel rushed. The owner (Tamara) and family waited on us and made sure glasses didn't empty and that flavors and temps were on point. We decided to get the happy hour empanadas -- I love empanadas and similar foods from a wide range of cultures. There were three different ones we shared. They were all good but I really loved the chorizo one! The black bean one was really good too and the chicken one would have been great if I didn't have so many to compare with! Ropa vieja is a traditional Cuban dish and I decided to go with it for the down home comfort I know it to bring. The plate had that slow roasted beef, rice, black beans, yucca and plantains! I really wanted to eat it all but couldn't possibly. The black beans alone would be reason to return! It was all amazing. Gabriela had the Cuban Breeze Salad and says she has never gone wrong with that, or the Cuban sandwich or anything. Chimchurri infused feta was so intriguing and sounds so fresh that I have to go back. Besides that, I want to check in on the family.... Such good people! I left saying I will be back and the prices make it clear I should go sooner rather than later! read more

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Really solid food. I've enjoyed the Tampa Cuban, Cuban Frita Burger and Empanadas. Also like their Congi Rice and Madurai. Been here several times. Everyone I take there really enjoys it. Not only is it good food, but it's something relatively different in STL. The inside is nice and welcoming and has plenty of seating. The service is good (nice folks), but sometimes can be on the slower side. Small bar/drink menu, but it's serviceable. Major complaint: The website is poor and glitchy. Sometimes takes multiple attempts to place an order. They need to address that. read more

Flavor packed Cuban food! Anywhere that serves plantains and yucca has my heart bu at Havana's Everything was absolutely delightful. Definitely recommend the picadillo. Who knew olives in ground beef could be so tasty? Service was a bit slow but at a smaller, homey restaurant like this that usually means good food cooked with love. And I believe this to be true at Havana's Cuisine read more

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The food was delicious went for a lunch with a friend and was sat right away. The decor was also super cute. I have also ordered for take out for an office lunch before and it was also great. read more

Havana's Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

Wow this place was amazing! I came with some friends and was wowed by everything. We got drinks and food, the waitress was super helpful, and the service was nice and quick! All of the cocktails we got were so nice and fresh. Felt like they were super high quality and made with love. The food was all also super good and flavorful, I especially loved the sauces that they had. read more

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The most amazing Cuban food in St. Louis. Authentic food prepared by the owner. From Arroz Con Pollo, Tampa Cuban sandwich, Maduro's, Empanada's & the best Mojitos in town. Friendly service that will make you feel like family. read more

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This was my first Cuban food experience and it was great. The owner was in preparing the meals with fresh ingredients. The service was excellent. The food had great flavor and presentation. The coffee was rich. Would definitely recommend. read more

Havana's Cuisine - Coffee - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

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Love this spot! The picadillo is one of favorites and if you haven't tried the fried yucca, you really need to. Very yummy French fry like offering but with a bit more flavor. read more

What a gorgeous night. We headed to a fun area in St Louis and thought we needed to try some authentic Cuban cuisine. I got the Cuban sandwich with a side of Congri rice. My daughter got empanadas with white rice and my son had the Cuban Frita Burger with a side of yellow rice. Everything was excellent! We all enjoyed the food and since the weather was perfect, we sat outside. The wait staff were all friendly and helpful. And the food came in a good wait time. I'm very glad we went! read more

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Very cool and different spot. It was fun to get a bunch of plates to share. The server recommended our food options

Wow!!! At my old job we used Havana's for catering and I loved it. Realizing I hadn't yet been to the restaurant, I decided yesterday would be the day. Since I was in a pinch for time, I placed my order online (Ropa Vieja). When I arrived, I walked in to this aroma of spices, Latin music playing, and the ambiance of everyone enjoying themselves. I walked up to the bar and let them know I was here for my carryout. They gave me my food and off I went. I didn't even bother waiting until I got home because the smells coming from the bag were so enticing. First of all, kudos on the heavy duty to-go plate! When I took my dish out of the bag, I was blown away. It was full, fresh, hot, and I couldn't wait to dig in. I took a few bites of the yuca and was in heaven. It was crispy yet flavorful and the maduros matched. I decided it would probably be best for me to wait until I got home to finish eating my plate. Once I got home, that's when I finally got the full taste of Cuban food. The ropa vieja (shredded beef) was easily the best I've EVER had. It was incredibly tender, juicy, flavorful and paired well with the rice and black bean soup. I can tell the cooks who made it really knew what they were doing. Sadly, I woofed it down within a few minutes (yes, I was hungry but it was also THAT good!) The menu offers a ton of options and I can't wait to go back and dine in next time! read more

Havana's Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

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I apologize in advance for the harsh rating but it was not at all what I expected. We were only visiting St. Louis for a few days. When Cuban food popped up on our Google Maps, we had to give it a try. Unfortunately, the staff was overwhelmed, the wait for our food was very long and the food itself was subpar. Maybe we are biased because we come from "Havana on the Hudson" but the truth is, there was nothing about our visit that I was more pleased with. read more

First time trying Cuban food and will definitely be going back! Cute little restaurant with a very helpful staff! We were really impressed with everything we ordered and with their recommendations. The Mojitos are so fresh and crisp! Definitely try multiple of there house made sauces! read more

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Pretty amazing meal. Sat on the patio and had a lot of jealous eyes on our plates as people walked by. The Cuban was a mound of meat and delicious. Empanadas were solid. The mojo sauce is a must try. Service was moderately slow but sitting outside I didn't mind at all. Great visit! read more

Havana's Cuisine - Miami CUBAN EMPANADA FRIED YUCCA WITH MOJO - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

Solid and authentic tasting Cuban food. Food: I've gotten the chicken and the Cuban sandwich. They were a little dry but overall not bad. Their French fries are pretty good. Their portions are pretty big, especially of the sandwiches, so the value is pretty good. Service: always had very accommodating service when I've been here. The wait staff has always been nice. Ambiance: very cozy and unique atmosphere. You can really feel the Cuban influence. read more

One of my new favorite spots in stl. I don't think I can say enough amazing things about Havanas! I recently stopped by for lunch and treated myself to a Cuban sandwich and empanadas. The Cuban sandwich was INCREDIBLE. The pressed bread is such a great start (and it's from Tampa). The pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, mustard make this such a great flavor combo- and it's served with a Cuban flag! I love touches like that. The empanadas were mouth watering. They're made fresh, fluffy and crispy with cheese pulls for dreams. I got the beef and cheese, but they also have chorizo and black beans. Service was wonderful and it was such a treat to be here. I'll definitely return! read more

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I always get the Cuban (or Tampa Cuban) when I come here, but we were feeling a little guilty about not trying the other foods. This time, we decided to split a Cuban, but also split the "Signature Shreddable Feast: Cuban Food Lover's Plate". It was a lot of food (we ended up taking some home). The Food Lover's Plate consists of Ropa Vieja, Mojo Pork, Arroz con Pollo, Black Beans, Plantains. Every bit of it was delicious! The Mojo pork was pork and onions, the Ropa Vieja was shredded beef in tomato-based sauce with onions, bell peppers, garlic and a blend of spices, and the Arroz con Pollo was yellow rice, chicken, and a creamy sauce. I think the Ropa Vieja was my favorite because of the spices, but I enjoyed all of it (twice!). For desert, we got the Guava and Cream Cheese Pastries. There were two of them. The pastry was ridiculously flakey, and the Guava and cream cheese filling was sweet and tart, and just the right amount. You should definitely try these too. read more

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I recently moved here from Florida and I was missing the Cuban cuisine I can get everywhere in Florida. It's a cute little place but the food was 10/10! So flavorful. Service was a little slow 1 server but somehow it's still felt like being at my Cuban friends house. I'm so happy to have this in MO read more

When I went here I didn't know what to expect. I had Cuban food before and it was fine, but nothing special. One of my co-workers though raved about Havana's Cuisine so I decided to give it a try. Am I ever thankful that I listed to him! The restaurant sits on Euclid in the Central West end. Anyone who works in the area knows that there is a shortage of good restaurants to pop into for lunch. You can order food to go (I've done so) but I would recommend just going and sitting down in the restaurant. There isn't a ton of space inside, maybe a dozen tables or so. The service though was prompt and turnover was reasonable. Still, I wouldn't go with a large crowd, and think about going a bit early or late to dodge the rush. Every time I've been there has been a decent crowd although I've been able to get a table without a wait at lunch each time. There is a lot of variety on the menu but there are stables like plantains, beans and rice, and my personal favorite empanadas. Everything I've gotten has been outstanding. Not just good, but really fantastic. Even all of the sides have been mouth watering. On top of the quality of the food, I have to mention that the portions are large and the prices are reasonable. Just writing this review now makes me salivate thinking about stopping in for lechón asado or a cuban sandwich. read more

Service was slow but the food was worth the wait!! I brought my dog so we sat outside.

Always a fantastic meal here. One of our favorite places to go in St. Louis. Cuisine. They were having their anniversary specials going on so I decided to go ahead and try that. I ordered the Cuban Caldosa Soup and Chicken Croquettes. These were both delicious. The soup was nice and hearty. We noticed a couple other people at tables by us ordering the churro cake with Cuban style papaya syrup from the anniversary special menu. We had to try it. This did not disappoint! It was absolutely amazing. It was warm and cinnamon and papaya just perfect. I hope they add this to their normal menu because I would love to try it again. read more

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I'm not the biggest fan of pulled meat to be honest but these were large portions. Could use more sauce. I enjoyed the plantains read more

Havana's Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

Got the Ropa Viega Plate on a whim for takeout while in the area. It turned out to be one of the best things I've ever eaten! Ropa Viega apparently means "old clothes" in Spanish because of how soft the texture of the beef is. It's slow cooked beef in a savory tomato sauce with peppers, onions, and spices), which came with delicious flavored rice, baked beans, plantains, and yucca fries. Everything was INCREDIBLE. How have I never eaten this before??? Will be coming back for sure to eat in person. The interior is small but super cute and nicely decorated!!! Friendly staff! I'm now obsessed! Edit: came back to eat at Havanas the next day :) still so delicious. Fiance got the Cuban sandwich which was super cute (had a lil Cuban flag holding the bread together, nice sauce, sandwich played on Cuban newsprint -- an aesthetic touch!) I got a shredded pork plate that was marinated in citrus. I still think the Ropa Viega is my all time favorite but the other two were also great read more

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They refuse to accommodate for allergies and dietary restrictions in their online ordering process. Many other restaurants add checkboxes to leave off ingredients, or an instructions field, and Havanas refuses to do so even though it is well within their control, and has been brought to their attention several times. Because of their sheer carelessness, I strongly recommend against eating at their restaurant, especially if you have an allergy. read more

My experience at Havana's Cuisine Restaurant was 10/10. To drink, I ordered the Old Havana iced tea. It tasted like most iced teas you ordered at restaurants, but overall refreshing. For food, I started with the empanadas, one beef and cheese and one chorizo and cheese. Served with a sweet mayo dressing, these empanadas were some of the best I've had -- flavorful and perfectly completed by the dressing. For my entree, I ordered the Havana's Picadillo, which features seasoned ground beef, olives, and aromatic spices; it's paired with white rice, black beans soup, maduros (sweet plantains) and fried yucca. All components were wonderful. The beef, rice, and bean soup were warm, hearty, and comforting. The plantains offered a sweetness that cut the saltiness of the yucca. The food came out in less than 10 minutes and the wait staff was very kind. The ambiance inside features Cuban-themed decor with pops of red. It's a small interior and intimate. I will for sure be coming back, and bringing friends and family to enjoy the experience as well. read more

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First off let me state I spent 40 years in Florida and have eaten some amazing Cuban (mostly small places, not just Columbia House). Additionally, like many ethnic foods, taste is highly subjective (mainly, was it as good as mom use to make?). That being said, this place is just OK. Prices for food were fair, food was average, and service was subpar. The lechon was rather flavorless, but the bread, from Tampa, not surprisingly was great. They acted a bit confused when I asked for black beans and rice (not congri). Like I don't think it was a menu item. How? How is black beans and rice not a menu item at a Cuban restaurant? They did serve it to me and it was decent, but it was like it has to be made special, just weird. Finally, the iced tea was served in a tiny glass and there were no refills. As for the service, they are not what you would call attentive. It took a bit to get our menus and then water, but the food came fast. However, after that, we never saw a server and had to find someone to get our bill. A few tweaks and this might be a place I would go back to, but as it is I'll keep hoping St. Louis gets a Cuban restaurant that I want to go to. read more

Cute little restaurant with amazing Cuban food! I tried the ropa vieja and really enjoyed it.

First time here, and I already know I want to try EVERYTHING on the menu. My first order here had to be the lover's plate because I am indecisive and wanted to try all three entrees. It exceeded my expectations. The Ropa Vieja is my favorite. Everything is so flavorful and tasty!! I tried La Segunda's bread when we were in Tampa and am excited to see it on Havana's menu; must try next. Service was excellent and staff members were very kind. Till next time! read more

Havana's Cuisine - The Signature Shreddable Feast Cuban Food Lover Plate - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

If you're craving bold, bright, soul-warming Cuban flavors, look no further. From the moment you walk in, the ambience transports you straight to Havana, with vibrant energy, warm hospitality, and a rhythm that makes you want to linger long after the meal is over. The food? Incredible. Every dish bursts with layers of rich flavor, citrus-kissed marinades, perfectly seasoned meats, and sides that make you immediately think, I need more of this in my life. And the drinks deserve their own spotlight. Expertly mixed, refreshing, and balanced, they elevate the entire experience. A true destination restaurant that brings Cuba to the heart of the Midwest. Highly recommend! read more

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Here are our 5 STAR FAPS: Food (F): This was our first time trying Cuban food, and we are so glad it was at Havana's! The sandwiches had crisp and toasted bread, the right amount of juicy meat, and a taste that was delicious! The plantains were also a must eat side! Ambience (A): lots of families and friends enjoying bite that made the restaurant warm and inviting! Clean bathrooms and lots of indoor seating to get away from the summer humidity and heat! Parking (P): Unsure, we walked from our hotel. Service (S): Such kind and warm people! They were attentive and smiley! read more

Havana's Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

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One of my absolute favorites!!! If I could go everyday I would! Incredible staff with the most perfect food and drinks!!! read more

Havana's Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

If you're looking for a delicious, authentic Cuban meal, Havana's Cuisine at 12 S Euclid is it! It's in the CWE, so there's little to no parking, so if you order online for pickup, I'd take someone with you to run in to get the food while you circle the block. I pretty much got one of every appetizer and entree on the menu, there was nothing I didn't like. Well, there was one thing, the "Havana tea" was a big disappointment, it tastes like regular Lipton tea with no sugar, not special at all. read more

Havana's Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

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Food was really great, but the service was as bad as the food was good. Highly recommended for take out or delivery, but sitting around waiting to be ignored by the wait staff or having things forgotten was infuriating. I really wanted to order some drinks, but the waitress wouldn't ever come by, and the person at the bar would just look down when I went to order direct. At the end of the night an older woman I assume was the owner asked how things were, offered to bring some boxes, and just left out the front door and didn't come back. read more

Havana's Cuisine - Lechon Asado - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

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Service was excellent! Owner greeted us with a happy smile! Food was stellar. We ordered the Tampa Cuban sandwich and a Ropa Vieja. Would order again. read more

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If you went to Havanas on Wash Ave, this is a different experience. So many things have been upgraded, now you have wait service, a more robust menu, and alcohol. Fantastic food, huge portions and excellent service still remain! The ambience is casual, warm and inviting. Tamara also did some of the artwork herself! I loved the picadillo so much, I was saving part of it until the very end. I know this is silly, but I was kind of eating in a circle around the plate to absorb each flavor but not completely finishing a section until I was completely done. That being said, I also love a plate with different flavor experiences, from the black bean soup around to the picadillo, it was all fantastic. read more

Havana's Cuisine - Picadillo, also on the plate, yucca, maduros, black bean soup - Cuban Near Me - Central West, Missouri

Havana's Cuisine is definitely a solid spot, and is super unique for Missouri! I had the chorizo frita burger with yuca fries, and while the burger was a bit on the dry side, the yuca fries were absolutely fantastic--crispy and full of flavor. The rest of my group felt the same about their meals: pretty tasty but slightly dry overall. That said, the server was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the whole place had an authentic, laid-back vibe that added to the experience. I've had better Cuban food in Florida, so I'd rate this 3 stars by Florida standards, but for Missouri, it's closer to 5 stars. Splitting the difference at 4 stars feels about right. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! read more

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