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    Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

    4.0 (255 reviews)
    ModerateCuban, Desserts, Soup
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Takeout or Delivery

    Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Photos

    MAMBO CUBAN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

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    Damiano D.

    Another great experience. Good food , great service and cozy ambiance! The perfect combo!

    Empanada Duo
    Tay W.

    The ambiance is amazing! The space is huge, with private booths, regular seating, and a separate bar area, so there's a spot for every vibe. The food was good overall, though I wish the snapper had a little more seasoning. The guava and cheese empanadas were absolutely delicious and easily my favorite item. The service was excellent...the staff was attentive, friendly, and checked on us throughout our meal. I'll definitely be back soon!

    Interior
    Yaz E.

    After leaving Barcode, I was hosted by Eddie at Mambo's Cuban Restaurant in Union, NJ, and what a fantastic way to end the evening. (I've eaten at the Harrison location multiple times and have always enjoyed my experience there, but this Union location is noticeably larger while delivering the same great food and hospitality. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either location.) The moment you walk in, you're greeted by a colorful, lively atmosphere that immediately sets the tone. The centerpiece of the entryway is a rare 1920s classic blue automobile that commands attention and makes for a memorable first impression. The restaurant buzzes with energy, and despite how busy it can get, the service is friendly, attentive, and incredibly efficient. We started with several appetizers, and every one of them was a hit! The Canoas de Plátano featured sweet plantains stuffed with flavorful Creole ground beef and topped with perfectly caramelized cheese, creating an excellent balance of sweet and savory. The Tostones Montaditos were equally impressive. I tried both the skirt steak and smoked salmon versions, each served on crispy plantains with cilantro crema and fresh cilantro. Both were outstanding, but each offered its own unique flavor profile. The Queso Frito con Salsa de Guayaba was another standout, with the salty, crispy fried cheese pairing beautifully with the sweet guava sauce. For my entrée, I ordered the Ropa Vieja, a classic Cuban dish featuring tender shredded beef simmered in a rich Cuban Creole sauce. The beef was incredibly flavorful and comforting, exactly what you'd hope for from a traditional preparation. Alongside it, I enjoyed maduros, which were perfectly sweet and caramelized, as well as white rice and black beans that tied the entire meal together. From the vibrant atmosphere and impressive décor to the excellent food and top-notch service, Mambo's continues to prove why it's one of my favorite Cuban restaurants in New Jersey. If you're wondering if I'll be back? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

    Pictures of what is was in Cuba.
    Angel L.

    RED SNAPPER dish a must. 2 1/2 lbs with Shrimp on tostones and a slice of Avocado. Good for two. Cooked well keeping juice inside. CHORIZO with vino was different, good tasting too Service was kind and could tell trying to please, it worked. Environment was with eye pleasures and a 1920 Vehicle that is parked on restaurant entryway. I will return.

    Mojito cheers
    Alexandra P.

    Ended up in the Harrison, NJ area with a family member before a show and randomly found Mambo. Cool Cuban spot with nice vibes and decor. The restaurant was clean and spacious. It was around 5pm on a Friday, starting to fill up but not packed yet. We were first seated at a small table for two, but since there were plenty of open tables, we asked for a bigger one and they happily moved us. Service was solid and everyone was friendly. We had an assigned waiter, but the whole team seemed to pitch in, which was nice to see. They had happy hour, so we tried the mojito (really good) and the sangria (just okay). The food came out fresh and nicely presented. The salmon was delicious, and the Mambo platter was a good option for trying a a few finger-sized specialties. I enjoyed the croquettes which comes in the patter and my cousin the ropa vieja which she said was a good version of the staple cuban cuisine. Convenient location by the NJ PATH train, with paid parking nearby. We later found out they validate parking at the hotel next door, definitely good to know for next time.

    Dry cubano and stale plantains
    Lindy Z.

    So... where do I begin? I give this place 2 stars for the decor and the guava marmalade fried cheese, which was creative but ok. The Cuban sandwich was subpar...literally no flavor, lacked meat and even the bread was dry and flavorless as well. The side of fried plantains were not fresh at all...who gets that wrong??The place was all glitz but definitely fell way short of the authenticity of a Cuban cuisine. The staff were ok but they lacked realistic recommendations on their menu items. Also, the place is, in my opinion, too cramped for the vibe it's trying to give. Too many tables and chairs to comfortably move around in. Parking is Valet only. Overall, I'm certain that I won't return.

    Mamey Shake.
    Jose P.

    Had another memorable meal at Mambo. When you arrive, don't look anywhere else for parking. Just use their valet service, because the surrounding businesses have even made signs clearly stating, if you park here for Mambo, your car will be towed. Upon entering, you'll take in the high ceilings, the festive lighting, a complete Model-T Ford, and lots of happy staff members. Our Server, Valentina, was outstanding. If she wasn't pleasantly tending to us, she was part of the team, that constantly sang happy birthday wishes to celebrating customers. I started with my ever favorite Mamey Shake. It was served in a tall glass, with milk, and I enjoyed every drop. The other celebrated drinks were a traditional Margarita and a Piña Colada. Both were perfectly crafted and nicely presented. I ordered the Palomilla (Sirloin) Steak, medium, with Congri (dirty rice) and sweet plantains. The steak was juicy, a thin piece of happiness, and the plantains were.....well, just look at the photo. Each and every one was delicious. Mambo also completed their downstairs area, where they can sit other customers, have private functions, and it has a full bar.

    Yuca con Bacon
    Emily W.

    Found this place while in town for a concert. It is on a very busy strip of town, with a difficult to navigate parking lot, but they do offer free valet parking (at least on the weekends) which was an unexpected bonus. Inside, the restaurant is lively and dimly lit, but there are lamps on the table to be able to see the menu. The food was good, and they have plenty of options on the menu. The service was a touch slow at times, I think because they do a lot of celebrations and the whole staff gets involved in singing and clapping for guests. Overall, it was a good meal, so I would go back.

    Mofongo Chicharon and ropa vieja
    Jenny R.

    It was a busy night, very crowded. We were able to drive up and get a seat at the bar. A bar side table opened up and they offered it to us. My tostones were dry and not flavorful, and a tad bit cold. This is usually my favorite appetizer here. The appetizer platter cost more with lechon. I feel like it could have had a tad bit more lechon on it. The seafood platter - the calamari look dry. So overall an ok experience. I'm hoping this was because it was a Saturday night.

    Rob B.

    What a great find! New Jersey is loaded with so many great Cuban restaurants especially in the Edgewater area so I was pleasantly surprised that we found this place while staying in the area. My gf found it for us while looking for a place to grab a drink and appetizer. We got there just in time to enjoy their happy hour menu. We ordered: - Mambo Platter 4/5 - Croquetes 4/5 - Mojito 4/5 - Presidente 4/5 I asked the bartender if there was any pork in the platter as the items specifics weren't listed on the happy hour menu and she informed me that three of the items had pork in them and I asked if she could put them on a separate plate since my gf is Muslim and can't eat pork, but she said let me ask the cook and then she informed us that he couldn't because of the presentation. What??? We are eating it not him. That made zero sense to us, but whatever. We made it work. The platter consisted of: - Pork crackling 2/5 - Ham croquets 3/5 - Stuffed potato 5/5 - Corn fritters 5/5 - Beef empanadas 4/5 - Cuban tamale 4/5 - Spicy mambo sauce 5/5 I really like this place. The atmosphere is what makes it so special. It's very open and spacious and the vibes are great. The bartenders were very nice and friendly. They also have valet parking which is free but make sure to tip your valet attendants. I was happy with our decision to come here and we'll definitely stop back in the next time we are in the area. Recommended :)

    Pretty atmosphere with good relaxing vibes!
    Chris H.

    Amazing atmosphere and good was delicious! Cant express how tasty and delicious the Pina colata in the coconut is!! A bit on the expensive side but definitely a must try!! It's all worth it! Staff were very attentive and friendly!! Parking was very convenient and reservations are a must!

    Cuban sandwich and mofongo
    Ivette M.

    Great atmosphere, great drinks! The food was amazing. Full of flavor and authentic. Definitely coming back!!

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    3 months ago

    it's OK. Nothing special the food is regular. That drinks are overpriced and are just regular. Nothing really stands out.

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    4 months ago

    Anytime we go everything has been up to par the food, service and ambiance is lively.

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    10 months ago

    Food is just ok, service was quick for a super busy night. I love the decor and the music, but they close early. Not sure to return.

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    Love this cafe. The girls are always very friendly and helpful with any questions one may have…read moreabout the menu. Got a blueberry scone that tasted nice and fresh. The drinks are fully customizable with different milk options, great for those with dietary restrictions. I got an Ube latte with oat milk and my daughter got a hot chocolate with oat milk, both very delicious. Cozy, chill place for a coffee.

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    Nice variety of desserts. We got the sundae in a mason jar. This thing was loaded with good stuff…read moreand you get to keep it. Service was attentive. Ambiance is what you would expect from an ice cream shop.

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    I saw a few posts on IG and decided to check it out with the kids. Sweets from A to Z is exactly…read morewhat I don't need this time of year while trying to get in shape -- but everything is seriously good. So good that we went on a Thursday and came back two days later. The kids begged to return, and who am I to deny them? The first visit, there was only one person in line. The second time, the line was around the block -- and rightfully so. The service is top notch. The owner talks to you like a childhood friend, and you instantly feel at home while ordering. Highly recommend if you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth or cool off on a hot day.

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    Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge - cuban - Updated September 2026

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