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    La Cocinita Cubana

    4.6 (41 reviews)
    InexpensiveCuban, Spanish
    Closed Closed

    Order La Cocinita Cubana Takeout or Delivery

    La Cocinita Cubana Photos

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    LA COCINITA CUBANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - La Cocinita Cubana

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    Menu
    Allison F.

    A very sweet woman owns this Cuban kitchen off Center Road. I do like her Cubans and love to eat them fresh at a table right there outside. I also love the small fried potato balls and plantains. The place can get busy around lunch time and there's super limited parking. I highly recommend calling your order on your way in, usually takes me about 20 mins. Give it a try!

    The Best Cafe con Leche in town! The restaurant even works with door dash and when my beverage arrived, it was still hot and delicious.
    Alex B.

    The best Cafe con Leche in town! I was in Brandon for a week and ordered the Cafe con Leche almost every day during the trip. It was delicious and I didn't even add my own fixings to it. The flavor was excellent. Want a breakfast sandwich? Then be sure to order the Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Breakfast sandwich. It comes in Cuban toast and the bread was actually toasted to perfection. This is a hidden gem. The best of the best!

    Menu
    Allie S.

    I was in the area and decided to try La Cocinita Cubana today due to some of the popular Yelp reviews. The worker (or owner) there was super sweet and accommodating. She even recommended and explained some of the menu items to me after I was indecisive what to get. Ultimately, I decided on some tamales, croquettes, and took a Cuban sandwich and devil crab home for the family. The food was made fresh (be prepared to wait a few minutes) and was still hot even after I got home (around 20 minutes). Overall, the food was alright. Maybe it was what I ordered, but I was not the biggest fan of the tamales here compared to some others elsewhere. The croquette was good though. My honest opinion? I might come back and try something different (I heard the sandwiches or empanadas were delicious!), but the food was nothing special this time around. Great service though.

    La Cocinita Cubana Menu
    Karen V.

    My only experience with La Cocinita Cubana was through a Mobile Meals delivery. I haven't actually been to this location as of yet. I loved everything that I ordered except the Pan con Bistec (unbreaded) sandwich. Unfortunately, it was overcooked which made it dry and chewy. Perhaps they can make it medium rare the next time I order it. I didn't specify how I wanted it cooked, so that's why I'm giving this place 4 stars instead of 3 stars. On a positive note, I loved the Croquetas, Empanadas, and Papa Rellenas that we ordered. I shared them with my mother. I think her favorite item was the empanada. I believe it was made with a mixture of meat. All I know is that it was the best empanada I've had in a while. It was very tasty! Also, everything we received was still hot at delivery. They made sure to keep everything wrapped up well to keep it that way. I'm looking forward to going there to see some of their daily specials, and to try their Cuban breakfast sandwiches. Everything I've tasted so far were very authentic. I may just get the Pan con Lèchon (instead of the Palomilla Steak) sandwich based on the wonderful reviews. It's definitely worth more visits.

    Cuban sandwich 1/2
    Thomas B.

    Enjoyed the best Cuban sandwich ever at this location today. The female owner engaged me in pleasant conversation while preparing my sandwich. The Cuban bread was excellent and meats were very tasty. Great value for the money as well. I will return to this place again.

    The perfect Cuban sandwich right here.  Easily one of the best in all of Tampa.
    Sam F.

    The best Cuban sandwich I've had in Brandon. Stopped here an a whim one day for lunch and got myself a Cuban and a deviled crab. Now I consider my a connoisseur of Cuban sandwiches and deviled crabs as I have tried them from various places all over Tampa. So believe me when I say this place is one of the best. The sandwich was perfect in every way, the roast pork was juicy and delicious, the bread was fresh, the meat to bread ratio was spot on. When it comes to a pressed Cuban sandwich this is about as good as it gets. The crab was delicious as well. I'll definitely be back for

    Amazing food for an amazing price. The only Cuban restaurant in the area that is authentic. Dorcas is amazing. She is so sweet and welcoming. I love coming for my lunch break

    William L.

    I heard about this little place a while back and couldn't wait to try it. Let me tell you that, in all aspects, it did not disappoint! The owner is very friendly and everything looked clean, from what I could see. I ordered 2 cuban, 1 pressed and one not pressed with lettuce and tomatoes (will save for later). Honestly one of the best Cubans I've ever had. The sandwich was full of flavor and not too heavy. The pork was delicious and didn't overtake the sandwich. Ididn't feel like I had to sleep for 3 hours after I ate it. Evidently they get their bread from la segunda bakery in Ybor city, which is the best Cuban bread in the Tampa Bay area, and it definitely serves the sandwich well! Great experience and I will definitely go back!

    Pan Con Lechon

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    1 year ago

    Great find! Authentic cuban food and coffee all cooked and served by a lovely lady (Owner)

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The food tastes amazing! Whenever I'm stumped for lunch I love stopping here for a sandwich. Highly recommend.

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great place to go. The lady running this is very sweet and efficient. Everything we got was great and will definitely be coming back.

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Service was as phenomenal as the food. Very fresh and delicious. Breakfast serviced all day and well worth it

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    quaint and delicious!!! Perfect little spot for some cuban food!! Come to get your cuban fix.

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    10 years ago

    Very good food and nice owner. It's a small stand with some tables outside to eat at.

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    It doesnt look like anything special from the outside, but the food is some of the best I've ever had!!!!

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    8 years ago

    Awesome and authentic Cuban sandwiches and the best cafe con leche around town. I would definitely recommend to my family and friends.

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    La Septima Cafe

    La Septima Cafe

    3.7
    (254 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Great Spanish restaurant. Good salad ! Deviled crabs are…read moregood also! Would definitely recommend!

    Amazing find -- found only because our first lunch choice in the same plaza was closed (despite…read moreon-line hours posted otherwise). Overall, this was definitely an excellent discovery even though it's been here awhile. Customer service friendly, courteous and patient, delicious food and great prices! Menus available on-line as well as on table upon entry and satisfies varieties of taste palates. Orders placed at counter for dining-in or take-out. If dining in, food is delivered to your table. Seating is spacious. Also noticed there appears to be another room on inside perhaps for private or larger parties. Parking is plentiful with ramp close to entrance. Ordered a bowl of Caldo Gallego (Spanish bean) soup -- it was delicious. Also ordered the lunch special Pescado a La Rusa which came with black beans and yellow rice (I requested sides of chopped onions & vinegar) - no up charge. The order came with cuban bread and olive butter. Lunch special is a very generous portion Spanish-style whitefish filet, yellow rice complemented by small cups of seasoned black beans (plus onions & vinegar as requested). Leftover portions of bread, fish, black beans and yellow rice placed in take-home two containers and enjoyed for breakfast. My guests each ordered the cuban sandwich (A La Pancha) hot pressed. Both orders were cut in half (thankfully) as each sandwich was large and also quite satisfying. One sandwich was completely devoured, the second guest needed a take-home container for the second half. Bottomline: La Septima is a Brandon gem. The menu, flavorful foods, customer service and comfortable setting, location and costs are very competitive. Other than water, beverage options include Coke products, coffee plus sweet/unsweet tea or Spirits. La Septima is located at 702 W Lumsden Rd in the Via Viva Plaza on the northwest corner of Lumsden Rd and Kings Ave intersection. Special offers also include catering packages for large and small events, parties and various festivities or special occasions. Desserts also available. Hours are Monday - Saturday from 11:00am - 8:00pm; (813) 685-0502

    Photos
    La Septima Cafe
    Picadilla & yellow rice w/ black beans and Cuban bread.
    Picadilla & yellow rice w/ black beans and Cuban bread.
    Cuban sandwich

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    Cuban sandwich
    El Cuba Cafe

    El Cuba Cafe

    4.8
    (16 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    I didn't know about this place until my Yelp friend Tim wrote an awesome detailed review about it…read more It took me a while to try it, but I finally did last year. He was very right. Naida makes some tasty Cuban sandwiches here for a good price. The star of the sandwich is Naida's roast pork. It's well seasoned and it totally makes this sandwich shine. I usually get it with everything, but I keep forgetting that they'll include onions if you ask for it "all the way." It's good with or without it, but I prefer it without. Just keep that in mind and be specific if you don't want onions on your sandwich. Naida also makes the best café con leche. I sometimes go there just for Cuban toast and that awesome coffee. It gives me energy! They have a small hot bar area of daily offerings with some kind of rice and beans. It may change daily. I haven't ordered a platter, but I will one day. They do have a tasty arroz con salchichas side item. My mom used to make it sometimes with those little canned Vienna sausages. Yeah, it's a comfort thing for me. They also make wonderful breakfast sandwiches and ham croquettes. El Cuba Cafe is hidden inside of a Circle K convenience store on Bell Shoals Road. It's directly across the street from Publix at Bloomingdale Square. I know it has Cuba in the name, but their is a lot of Puerto Rican representation here. That may also be why I'm so fond of it. It's also super convenient, and the service is great. I usually drive in the back way to avoid all the construction nearby. There's no dining area. You just order your meal and take it with you. It's a no frills kind of place. A real hidden gem!

    Great Cuban Sandwiches. Fast Service. Felt confused when I pulled up the lot, but it's inside the…read moreCircle K.

    Photos
    El Cuba Cafe
    View of El Cafe Cuba from the outside.  Yes, El Cafe Cuba is inside CIRCLE K.
    View of El Cafe Cuba from the outside. Yes, El Cafe Cuba is inside CIRCLE K.
    El Cuba Cafe

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    Columbia Restaurant

    Columbia Restaurant

    4.0
    (4.5k reviews)
    8.8 mi
    $$

    From the moment I walked in, it resembled a little piece of old Cuba or Spain! The history,…read morearchitecture, and cuisine celebrated here, along with the family warmth of the place, certainly caught my attention!! The wait staff were very friendly, Mark my waiter, has worked here for over 20 year! Speaks volumes about how they run this place! The service was chill, and the food was 1000% full of delicious flavor. I tried their classic famous salad, the seafood paella, and the flan! Absolutely hit the spot!! Visiting here on a Sunday evening was a totally different experience! It felt less like dining out and more like sharing a family meal in a much-loved, historic home. I'll definitely be returning and will bring friends and family with me next time I visit Tampa!

    Recommended by our friends, we made a reservation at Columbia Restaurant during our visit to Ybor…read moreCity on Friday. As the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, we felt it was a must-visit to experience its rich history and unique atmosphere. We also reserved seats for the Flamenco dance show, which had a $10 cover charge per person. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and enormous, with so many different dining rooms. You could probably get lost trying to find your friends inside, just kidding! We were lucky enough to get a table near the stage, so we could enjoy the Flamenco performance while having dinner. For our meal, we started with the Caldo Gallego "Giant Soup" ($10), which was hearty, flavorful, and incredibly comforting. We also ordered Columbia's Original "1905" Salad ($18). Made with crisp iceberg lettuce, julienned baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomatoes, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins® Worcestershire sauce, and their famous garlic dressing, it was fresh, light, and absolutely delicious. Our main dish was the Mojito Chicken ($25). The chicken was very flavorful, especially with its delicious citrus-garlic sauce. Although the chicken itself was just a little on the dry side in my opinion, the flavorful sauce made up for it, and the dish was still very enjoyable. We also had the Paella "a la Valenciana" ($40), which was loaded with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, calamari, chicken, and pork, along with green peppers, Spanish onions, ripe tomatoes, garlic, and a splash of white wine. It was a generous portion packed with fresh seafood and rich Spanish flavors. The New York Strip Sirloin "The Bambino" ($53) was another excellent choice. The 14 oz. USDA Choice wet-aged boneless strip steak was tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly. To finish our meal, we ordered the Flan ($8). It was smooth, creamy, and absolutely delicious, a perfect ending to a wonderful dinner. The Flamenco dance show was fantastic! The dancers were energetic and passionate, making the entire dining experience even more lively and memorable. Combined with the excellent service, it made for a truly enjoyable evening. Overall, Columbia Restaurant is much more than just a place to eat, it's a historic landmark and an unforgettable dining experience. Between the beautiful Spanish architecture, rich history, delicious food, outstanding service, and exciting Flamenco performance, it's definitely worth visiting when you're in Ybor City.

    Photos
    A dining room
    A dining room
    Crab bites (appetizer)
    Crab bites (appetizer)
    Gem of the ocean cocktail. Yes!

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    Gem of the ocean cocktail. Yes!
    Box Of Cubans

    Box Of Cubans

    4.8
    (420 reviews)
    6.3 mi
    $$

    Love this place! I came in with my team of teachers on our last day of school for lunch. One of the…read moregentlemen working behind the counter noticed we were teachers and gave my team of 6 of us Cafe con Leches on the house, congratulating us on our last day of school. We are so grateful for this gesture and will definitely be back. The food and coffee was amazing as well!

    Alright y'all, here we go with the official review for Box of Cubans - 10451 Gibsonton Dr…read more First things first -- the customer service? Absolutely loved it The guy at the front was on point the whole time. Even coming in right after the lunch rush, he made sure everything stayed clean and organized while still taking care of customers. That kind of attention to detail does not go unnoticed They were out of the sweet teas (I was hurt a little bit ), but overall the experience was still really good. Now let's get into the food because you already know that's what we're here for The chicken empanadas? Delicious. No complaints. The Cuban sandwich? It was good... but I'm gonna keep it real like I always do. The meat was flavorful, but it could've been more evenly distributed, and it didn't have that crispy bread texture I look for. Overall, it just didn't hit that top-tier level for me. So for this location: 8/10 Still a solid experience, still worth the visit -- but as of right now, the Wesley Chapel location is still holding that 10/10 crown And you already know I'm not done... Valrico, I'm coming next. That's Just How Life Goes... and of course, Just How Food Goes

    Photos
    Box Of Cubans
    Empanada Beef & Cheese
    Empanada Beef & Cheese
    Banana/Nutella Empanada

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    Banana/Nutella Empanada

    La Cocinita Cubana - cuban - Updated July 2026

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