I had an extraordinarily good Cuban meal at Jazz Bistro! I had the Lechon Tender Pork and the flavors were amazing. It was way too much to eat but I did anyway. So tender and full of flavor. The owner even made it spicier for me and that made it even better. read more

Jazz Bistro - Lechon Tender Pork. Incredibly flavorful and tender. - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

My family and I decided to try this restaurant because of its high ratings and the fact that it's the only Cuban spot in Fairbanks. Unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing. We made a reservation for a larger group, yet the table wasn't ready when we arrived, and we ended up waiting much longer than expected. For a place that requires reservations, this was frustrating right from the start. The food was just okay--not terrible, but definitely not worth the price. Given our background and familiarity with Latin cuisine, we expected much more in terms of flavor and authenticity, especially considering the high cost of the dishes. The live music, which we were looking forward to, started about 30 minutes late. To make matters worse, when one of the band members didn't show up, the owner asked a member of our family--who happens to be a musician--to step in and play. Not only did this put us in an awkward position, but there was no acknowledgment or discount offered for his time, even though we had other plans to get to. Parking is also inconvenient, with only street parking or paid lot options available. The restaurant itself is very small, which does create a somewhat intimate atmosphere, but it also feels cramped for larger groups. While the owner comes across as friendly, it also felt like there was a strong focus on maximizing profit. There are multiple additional fees listed in very small print at the bottom of the menu--something that should be much more transparent or reconsidered altogether. Service overall was slow, and again, the pricing does not match the quality or experience provided. At this point, I wouldn't personally recommend this place unless there are significant improvements--better service, more consistent food quality, fairer pricing, clearer fee transparency, and better management of their live music arrangements. read more

We got a reservation via email and we had hoped for 6pm, but the reply back said for 6:30pm. We ended up getting there about 10 mins early and there were only 3 parties there so we were confused about the response. In any case, we had a great meal and the owners were so friendly. We had the churrasco steak and the halibut Cuban style. The steak sauce has a kick, while the halibut sauce was slightly creamy but also refreshing - olive and lime perhaps? I thought the halibut was overcooked at first but the bottom half was perfectly cooked, so it seem like just the seasoned top was cooked more so. They both came from vegetables and yellow rice that soaked up the sauces well. We also got the flan which is house-made. So good, even better than the entrees. It tasted so 'fresh', don't know how else to describe it. They also had the cheesecake that night and I wonder if that's housemade as well. Wife got the mango juice which is freshly squeezed it seems and I got a bottle of Alaskan white. I do like the arctic warrior draft better but this was decent too. read more

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Great atmosphere, music, and food! Stop in and enjoy! The owner stopped by and chatted with us. Super nice! read more

Jazz Bistro - Ribeye and salad - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

Cute Cuban restaurant with friendly staff. Not sure how they made their way from Cuba to Fairbanks Alaska but I had a wonderful meal! No live music tonight but enjoyed the salsa music playing in the background. Ordered the seafood pasta and it was AMAZING!!! Lemon garlic creamy sauce with a perfect balance of high end quality seafood. Generous portions of lobster, big shrimp, scallops, and octopus. Green, red peppers and onions and they did something to give it some spice (loved it). Combining all that seafood and making it work is not an easy task and they nailed it! Ordered the tres leches cake for dessert and enjoyed it as well. The cake could have used a little whipped cream on top, but was good just as it was. Thanks for the great meal! read more

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fantastic everything. Food, People, Vibe, Service, Music. Its Fairbanks downtowns finest read more

We were staying at the Westmark on the last day of a cruise tour and were looking for different food. TA highly recommended this place and I emailed for a 7:30PM reservation on a Wednesday night. It was a 15 minute walk from the Westmark. it is small, less than 10 tables and it was about 75% full. The proprietor welcomed us and seated us immediately. We ordered a salad to split and 2 Cuban dishes with chicken. Both were spicy, 7-8 on a scale of 10. If you don't like spice, you might want to try some other dish. Alaskan beer was $7 and most wines by the glass between $10-12. After we were finished and with only 3 couples in the place, the owner and his companion treated us to 2 Cuban jazz performances. read more

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We had dinner here with three adults. The food and service were excellent! Highly recommend you make reservations via email which appears to be the only way to make reservations. It's a small cozy restaurant where it feels like the staff takes a personal interest in the quality of the food. read more

These meals were absolutely delicious! Beautifully spiced. We both cleared our entire plates and left very full and happy. Nice ambiance inside. The chef was also very friendly and came up to our table and chatted with us. Highly recommend! read more

Jazz Bistro - bistec cubano and piri chicken - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

What a wonderful surprise to stumble upon a yummy Cuban restaurant with such helpful staff and a passionate and friendly owner. Food was delicious and they even had multiple vegetarian options for me to choose from. Definitely recommend :) read more

Food: 1)Salmon Cuban style ($39). I gotta say this dish really stood out mainly because of the sauce. The sauce was out of this world! The salmon was also fresh and delicious. 2)Lechon Boricua Tender Pork ($29). The meat was indeed tender. It was pretty good but a little bit more sauce would be perfect. Service: Okay. Felt like we weren't as welcome as we didn't make a reservation (the place is really popular). Ambiance: Dim and nice. Overall, I do find the price a little steep. It is worth trying if you don't have a tight budget for the trip. I do recommend to make reservation ahead if you can. read more

Jazz Bistro - Salmon Cuban style - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

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The atmosphere it's fantastic here, inviting and intimate, perfect for a date night or a nice evening. The waitstaff was attentive and punctual. The food was outstanding, I got the Steak Cuban Churrasco Style and loved every bite. The owner personally ran my check and was a delight to talk with. I sadly missed the live music when I went, maybe next time. read more

Jazz Bistro - Steak Cuban Churrasco Style - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

Jazz Bistro Cuban Cuisine did not disappoint! We stopped in on a whim and were granted a table. Would recommend making reservations. The executive chef waited on us for most of the night, and the food was divine. My dining partner had a delectable seafood pasta, and I had the traditional pork from Cuba. We had dessert too which was the Cuban flan and tres leche cake with Cuban coffee: 10/10 would recommend. read more

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We are so glad that we tried this place out! What a fun experience to have Cuban food in Fairbanks. There is one waiter in the whole restaurant and when we went they were pretty understaffed, so do expect to sit and enjoy your time there for like 2 hours. However, the waiter is the owner and he is so nice and clearly keeping up a very good business. We also like each other and were not bothered hanging out for a while (pro tip don't dine with people you don't like anyway). The food was fantastic, we all absolutely loved the fish and the drinks were good too! This was the place we had Alaskan salmon while in Alaska and it did not disappoint. The place is a bit small and only has so many tables, they are by reservation only so do plan ahead if you're planning on going here. Overall, very much so worth the hype! read more

Expect slow service with some attitude. So we walked in - no reservation. But the owner/server seated us promptly. Then the wait...after placing order for over 40 minutes - which seems to be expected by others. When a lady came and offered to refill water, we simply asked how much longer it would take. To our surprise, she said she was offended by the question. And added they were next in the queue, there were other tables and that she was working hard in the kitchen....that they were made to order and all other stuff. We walked out. read more

The service and the food were excellent! The halibut was absolutely perfect. We arrived without a reservation on a Monday evening and were genuinely surprised that they could accommodate our larger group with no notice. read more

The service was impeccable. They were very friendly and the owner went out of his way to play us a song - normally music is played only on weekends. We really enjoyed our salmon and vegetarian plates and the other guests enjoyed their beef dishes. We'd go back if we're ever in Fairbanks. read more

Jazz Bistro - Salmon Cuban Style - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

The food was incredible, and the service was even better. Everything we had was just delicious. We had Chicken, steak, the Cuban sandwich appetizer, and the Tres Leches cake for dessert. Everything was so good, I would imagine anything on their menu is delicious. All of their employees were incredibly friendly, making us feel welcome and at home. If you get the chance, try this place. read more

Jazz Bistro - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

Great food. Best salmon with incredible flavor. We also tried the media noche sandwich and the steak churrasco, they were exceptional. Great flavor. A true gem, friendly staff, and great music. We tried multiple highly rated restaurants in Fairbanks and this was the family favorite. read more

Such a gem! Staff was great and food was delicious. The staff played live music at the end of our meal and we're so happy we chose this place for a late dinner! The owner is very personable and checked on us often, he was also a great singer and piano player. We had a great experience! read more

Jazz Bistro - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

Fun locale with Cuban food. The service was great. The chef/owner, Rico, spent time with every patron.

Food | Hospitality | Vibes Food - hands down best food in Fairbanks. I had the Piri Piri chicken, which was amazing. Thebperfefr blend of flavor and spice. It came with a medley of veggies beautifully interwoven into the meal. Hospitality - the head chef and owner, Rico, is amazing and a bit of a celebrity. He's been on various shows across the food network and is cool with popular chefs like Guy Fieri. He greeted every table personally as soon as they walked in. He struck up a conversation and made the place feel like home. Vibes - the place has amazing vibes. From the classic salsa music that softly plays in the background. To the laughter that Rico elicits from his stories and guests. He and his restaurant have a very welcoming feel. Pro tip: there isn't a lot of parking - so add 5-8 minutes to your travel to find parking. Pro tip: they have salsa dancing every other Saturday night. Pro tip: they are live music every Saturday night. Pro Tip: checking in to Yelp gets you 10% off. read more

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Wonderful food, good service, so glad our tour director recommended this place, sorry to have missed the entertainment

I'm from Chicago moved to Colorado a few years ago and I've had Cuban food in both cities and I come to Fairbanks for work and wow this place blows any Cuban food I've had from either of the other 2 states. This place is a can't miss for anyone visiting or living in Fairbanks. The owner is awesome and he is always here. And they open late. The restaurant that is open the latest in all of Fairbanks. read more

We came to Jazz Bistro after a week of travel through Alaska and a day of coach bus and riverboat cruise traveling. What a perfect way to wrap up the day. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed so warmly, it felt like we were visiting old friends. The food was absolutely delicious. We had the Veggie Delight, and it truly lived up to its name--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly spiced to our preference. You can tell the kitchen puts real care into each dish. A highlight of our visit was chatting with the owner. The pride and passion for the restaurant came through in every interaction. It's rare to find a place that feels this personal and inviting. If you're in Fairbanks and craving something flavorful with heart behind it, don't miss Jazz Bistro. A highlight of our visit was chatting with the owner! read more

Amazing food, Rico and staff were wonderful!! Far exceeded expectations!! Love the jazz band too!!

Lovely quaint little restaurant. Pride of ownership most definitely. The bread was the best our group has ever had .. it was amazing. Worth the try. read more

Wonderful food and friendly service. We had a great meal and enjoyed chatting with Rico. The Tapas appetizer and the Halibut Cuban Style were fantastic, but the Lechon Tender Pork was my favorite thing from the evening. The portions were large enough that I ended up with a nice takeout meal. Highly recommended. :) read more

Jazz Bistro - Lechon Tender Pork. Those black beans are perfection! - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

Wife & I ate dinner here for the 1st time while on vacation. Simple, quiet ambiance with good jazz music in the background, but exceedingly slow service. Took about an hour to receive our food, & the wait was not worth it. Although my slow cooked pork entree was good, my Wife's flat iron steak was awful & basically uneatable. We complained & the proprietor, to his credit, did not charge us for the steak. Be forewarned that the live music does not start until 10:00 pm, & the bar only serves beer & wine. read more

What a charming place! The staff were friendly, fast (but not rushed) and attentive. The food was very tasty, fresh and hot. We were sorry to have missed the live entertainment, but we enjoyed the music that was playing! Would have loved some cocktails (mojitos or old cubans) but that was not a deal breaker! read more

What a wonderful evening meal and music experience. Every pork dish on the menu is amazing as was the seafood pasta. We also had 2 desserts - Tres Leches and the chocolate cake. They were both delicious too. We left just after the first song of the musical performance. You should try to stay and enjoy the music. The singer was wonderful. Highly recommend! read more

We had been wanting to try this place for a while, after seeing it on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives! Just when we had lost hope that there was anywhere delicious to go in Fairbanks for dinner, we gave this place a try! We're so glad we did! Thankfully we showed up before the dinner rush so we didn't have to wait for a table or very long for food! Our server was so kind and helpful and the food was absolutely delicious!! We had our baby with us and we're happy to be tucked away into a quiet side room but overall the place looked like a fun place to hang out and enjoy a meal! read more

Jazz Bistro - two plates of food on a table - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

The food was amazing, the service was amazing! I couldn't recommend this place enough. It's a small place but lovely at the same time. We brought our baby and she couldn't get enough of the food. Definitely order the tres leches!!! read more

Rico and his team made the most phenomenal Alaskan salmon dish I have ever had with an authentic Latin feel which remains rare within the Alaskan experience. I never would have thought I would have had so much fun. It's the perfect relaxing date night while being a classic spot for some of the highest quality custom dishes in the state of Alaska. Hometown feeling and the highest service that embodies genuine friendship over transactional relating. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area to stop by and experience this hidden gem. Tell Rico I sent you. read more

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Uncovered a hidden gem offering exquisite food and impeccable service Most definitely going back For more read more

We just arrived in Fairbanks today and couldn't wait to try this place. We read about it in several blogs and other forums (and it was on DDD!), but had to check it out for ourselves. This place is amazing. First let's start with the warm welcome. We loved talking with Chef Rico and his wife. They make a great team. They answered all of our questions and never made us feel rushed. They just make you feel like you have known them for a long time. Now the food. We started with the Tapas and fresh bread. The broth that the steak wrapped olives comes in is phenomenal. I could've made a meal with that broth and the bread. For the mains we had a combination of the Pasta con Camarones, Steak Cuban Churrasco Style, Piri Piri Chicken, and the Lechon Boricua Pork (there was 6 of us, so no judging). Every dish had amazing flavor. Each dish was fresh and tasted like it was prepared by someone who cares. Fantastic start to our stay in Fairbanks and the surrounding areas. read more

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We came here after seeing the positive reviews on yelp but were disappointed by the incredibly long wait. We were even more disspointed that we were charged a 4% credit card despite paying cash. read more

Jazz Bistro - credit card fee - Music Venues Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

Our first time here and first time to Alaska and we are glad we came! We first heard about this spot while in Fairbanks on diners, drivers and dives and knew we had to go. The owner was so friendly and helpful and busy lol but took time to help us when needed. For food we ordered the bistec Cubano and lechon asado and a side of bread. Everything was delicious and we loved the small but lively atmosphere. read more

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The food options in Fairbanks were not that great, but the Bazz bistro was absolutely delicious. The portions were big and very tasty. The owner/Chef/workers were very lovely and brought a lot of warmth to the place. There wasn't live music the night we went, but I'm sure that would also be pretty cool. The owner even helped us to find a good place to see the aurora borealis. He went above and beyond to help us. I really appreciate him and their wonderful restaurant. read more

Service was phenomenal! The waiter, which was the only one, was superb. The place isn't big, so there's not much room for a lot of people. But it makes it more intimate of a feel. The food left me wanting more... even after I finished my plate! I couldn't get enough. I was stunned at the flavors that they offered. For my main meal, I ordered Chef Rico's Pollo con Crema. I couldn't soak up enough flavor with the rice (What a beautiful problem to have!). read more