The tortilla chips were a bit lacking; they may actually be Tostitos. The guac was kinda mediocre as well; it was reminiscent of the pre-prepared green goo from plastic bag, plus tomatoes. Otherwise, the carnitas and grilled chicken arepas were fresh and tasty, even as leftovers the next morning. The small, dimly lit environment was great for our low-key night out. The BYOB aspect is also a big plus, wish I knew ahead of time. read more

One word: Arepas. It's all I've ever had, and it's the reason I LOVE going back time and time again. They are SO GOOD. I love this place!

I was thrilled when they expanded into the space next door back in the spring, more seating was definitely welcome and necessary. However I was not so thrilled when their prices increased by over 50%! I completely expect to see price increases here and there, and I understand that they were priced well below most other restaurants in the area. I saw some sort of price increase coming from a mile away - their food is way too good and (was) way too inexpensive for them to not tack on a couple of bucks - but basically doubling your prices unannounced is just absolutely insane. I'll continue coming back here, because there's nothing that compares to their arepas, but we've definitely stopped coming here as much as we used to. I've also noticed that in general it seems quieter here, we've gone from almost always waiting for a table to sometimes being one of two or three tables in here, so it looks like everyone is somewhat taken aback by the dramatic price increase. It's not even that the prices are ridiculous, because they're not - but to see your bill literally double without warning was a bit unsettling. Anyway, on to the food. Their chips and salsa sucks, but it's free, so whatever. The salsa is almost always flavorless (which is odd, because the rest of their food is insanely flavorful) and always tastes different. I don't mean like, it's homemade so it tastes a little different each time..I mean like, completely different flavor, texture, etc. Whatever, again, it's free. Their arepas are so good that I've never strayed from them, but I have tried all of them except for the fish or veggie ones. The shrimp and chancho arepas are my favorite, followed closely by the carne and chicken. The arepas are so delicious..sweet and a little cheesy and grilled to perfection. The rice is good, and the sweet plantains are delicious. I put hot sauce on it..put I put hot sauce on everything, I don't think it necessarily needs it. Definitely not lacking in flavor! Service is fine, it's quick, they know that we're always there and they'll occasionally throw in free guac or a free drink or something which is nice but never expected. Overall, delicious food, solid service, consistent experience all around. Just irritated about the price hikes! Also, they don't serve alcohol but it is BYOB which is great if you want a drink or two! read more

Rubamba Restaurant - Camarón arepa - Latin American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

The Peruvian salad with quinoa was like a thick green delicious forest. Oh my goodness was it ever fresh and absolutely balanced with the perfect flavorful, but not overwhelming amount of dressing. Hands down one of the most beloved salads in my life. The arepa I had was delicious, though there could have been a bit more flavor to the plantains and rice; the rice drink I had was an interesting experience. Hubby had the corn on the cob and finished it off with typewriter gnawing motions. :D he also had a burrito which I thought was a bit bland as well. We shared a meat empanada and thought it was good but a bit lacking in flavor. All in all, the presentation is right on cue, the hominess of step inside broom closet decor was nice, the food was good but not blow you away good. I think my favorite Latin cuisine resides still in San Francisco at this time. read more

Went last night for first time. Small place, just about ten tables. Ceviche was absolutely delicious, best we've had anywhere. Another appetizer was chino Latino, a pulled pork egg roll type dish, also great. Main entree was pescado arepo, fish on a corn cake, etc. Again, terrific. Don't let the small size keep you away, it's a great find! read more

I love Latin food but Rubamba was unfortunately very disappointing. We were the only ones in the restaurant but the waiter was never around. We literally had to get up and look for him and ask him to take our orders! The guacamole tasted like it was made with old avocados, and my veggie empanada was not good at all... no flavor and basically just huge chunks of mushroom. The seats were also very uncomfortable. read more

Yummy, yummy, love in my tummy. I had the carne arepas. Tender delicious marinated beef with all of those fresh flavors=A+. My friends had the carne quesadilla. Holy portions. She is a woman who recenly moved here from Puerto Rico and she recommended this place as one of her favorite places. I have noticed a lot of people have negative comments about the prices, but a few things need to be kept in mind. 1. It is a very tiny place so I'm sure they can't afford to sell 2.00 tacos. 2. You get what you pay for. The quality of the food is great. 3. You get what you pay for, the portions are big enough to share with a friend. I would come back here and bring friends (that I like a lot). They have a really great special on Tamales on Saturdays that I can't wait to try! read more

This hidden treasure is a must. The food is great, the prices are probably lower than they should be, and there is an artist's touch to the plates when they arrive at your table. Get one of their fancy non-alcoholic drinks, too. You won't be disappointed. Very nice atmosphere! read more

went in around 8 on a friday night. not busy at all. had portobella mushroom quesadilla with oaxaca (?) cheese, and crab meat arepa. fried ice cream for dessert. one word: awesome. read more

See all

Nice presentation, but that was the best of it. Good was extremely salty. Everything was covered to the point that was all you could taste. Would not go back. read more

Rubamba Restaurant - Chino Latino- mediocre - Latin American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

I love their arepas! Any of the colombian arepas is good. The fried plantains are good too. Minus one star because when I asked about their empanadas- how many in an order- they told me 7 mini empanadas. It was a take out order and when I got home there's only 1 big empanada. read more

There are no words for how AMAZING this place is. AREPAS. Get an AREPA. They don't disappoint ever. And don't eat for about 6 hours before you go here. SO FILLING. read more

The food was both fresh and excellent-- my orange pulled pork arepa, was in fact to die for. A deliciously savory and sweet combination of flavors... Our server was also lovely. As a bonus, arepas served on Sunday's are currently 25% off. Definitely check this place out! read more

I went here for lunch with a couple co-workers. The service was great, the waitress very attentive. Another person and myself each got a salad and added grilled chicken. The salad was very fresh and crisp while the tender chicken made it even better. Another person got the Arepa and said it was very good. The plate presentation on all dishes was excellent. The prices made our lunch even better as they are extremely reasonable. Only critique would be to put the salads in bigger bowls because at times they were difficult to eat. I have high expectations when it comes to food and thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. read more

Rubamba is a neat place for some Latin American cuisine in New Haven. They have really delicious food and creative drinks. I come here often with my friends and have always ordered something different. I have been quite impressed by everything on the menu read more

To be honest, this is one of the best places to eat in New Haven. Many of their classics are great, and everything is always perfectly seasoned: fish tacos and pork arepas particularly come to mind as particularly well seasoned and flavorful. Many places would be happy to give you pork that tastes more like something done in the slow cooker with no seasoning and some salt added after: well, not here. Basically, everything is a classic Latin American dish, but done very well and attentively. The service is usually also great and attentive. read more

This is one of New Haven's greatest hidden treats. Wonderful food, beautifully presented; and friendly service. Ernesto, the owner, is amazing! Five stars! read more

I am a fan of this place!! Food is great, staff is good (make sure you are clear on what you would like to order). This is a BYOB (SWEET) Wine Thief down three blocks and worth the walk to and from if you park first. There is a fee (corking/glass) but reasonable. I would have given it 5 stars but Parking is urrhhhhh maybe they can make arrangement with the parking lot on the same street (HINT LOL) its a must try. I will be back and super happy they deliver. read more

It's almost a find. Very amiable service and the entrees, while promising, seem oddly sweet and to a strange extreme. Maybe it's the region where the owner hails from. read more

This place is really cramped up with tables being side to side. I felt like I had no personal space sitting there. Food wasn't bad but not particularly awesome either! I wasn't blown away by it, I had much better in less price from a place from my hometown. Service was excellent. Our server Yolanda was very polite and available. Overall an ok experience, definitely willing to try them again.? read more

See all

lovely place supe well grilled fish. i am fan. i love the use of arepas in their cooking. both colombian and venezuela style. lovely food. must say feels as close to authentic one can get. read more

Didn't have a whole lot of time for lunch and as I briskly walked around New Haven I stumbled across this joint. Stopped to check the name and outdoor menu and was drawn in by the aroma emanating from within. My waiter was prompt and polite. The complementary warm chips and salsa will rival most others. I ordered the Flounder burrito? Don't remember because I couldn't get the delicious-ness of it in my stomach fast enough. I plan to eat there again next Friday while I am down there and will probably bring friends to enjoy thier cuisine with. It is small inside so that may be a challenge but I was very satisfied with my experience. read more

Really good food but their food cart is much cheaper. They really should have a lunch menu with separate pricing for dinner.

My husband teases me that I have too many "favorites" but this is really my favorite restaurant in all of New Haven. More than any of the fancy joints, even more than Bar. The carne arepa is one of the only restaurant dishes I occasionally find myself craving - it's that good. For sides, the Mexican corn is awesome, and the salsa they serve with the free chips is good too. None of the apps have really stood out for me, not even the ceviche, so would pass on those. Downside is that they raised their prices last year as they expanded the restaurant so now it's a little pricey. The portions are so big though that we could easily share an arepa between the two of us, rather than taking home leftovers every time. Guess we just feel bad taking up a table and ordering one entree. I'm told you can get the same delicious arepa at lunchtime at the carts by the Yale hockey rink for just $6 though for those who work in the area! read more

The orange pulled pork arepa is amazing! The food is beautiful and delicious.

I would never recommend this place to even my worst enemy. The food was cold. The flavor was unimpressive. The prices were expensive for what you got. The tacos I got were soggy and the salsa underwelming. If I was the owner I would seriously consider firing people and rehiring new staff read more

We really enjoyed our lunch here. The place is small, cute and immaculately clean, and the service is cheerful. There is a great selection of interesting Latin American food and drink offerings beyond the usual burritos, etc.. They had a great selection of hot sauces for those who are very picky about that. read more

So delicious. Fresh, flavorful, simple, different. I love the steak arepa, and we've also tried shrimp and fish... both also great. Its a tiny place, so whenever we go it is on the early end in order to get a table. The arepas are better in the restaurant than at the Ay! Arepa truck. Do try it! Inexpensive too, for the amount of food you get. read more

I had been here several times and enjoyed the food, especially the torta. Unfortunately, when I went today, I found that Rubamba had raised all its prices (there were stickers covering the old ones all over the menu). I went with one of the cheaper options: a chicken burrito for $8.95. But once I received my food, I found that my burrito was almost all rice, with very little chicken. Disappointing. read more

Amazing salsa and chips. Excellent food with large portions for very reasonable prices. Definitely will be coming back in the future!

The arepas were delicious, softer and sweeter than other arepas I have tried. Also the presentation was great. Some of the arepas are bit pricy though for the amount of meat they have in comparison to the veggie ones. It is also a pity that this place does not serve alcohol. read more

Only table in the restaurant and can't serve us we asked for water 4 times before getting any and is greatly overpriced. Go to the food truck which is great but I wouldn't recommend here. read more

A small, friendly, QUIET place in a downtown location surrounded by crowded, noisy spots. A welcome change from the usual Latin offerings, with Colombia arepas (corn pancakes topped with veggie/meat/fish) the main attraction. No alcohol, so get a Latin soft drink. read more

I look my boyfriend here for his birthday with a large group of people. The service at Rubamba was beyond my expectations. Everyone was very friendly and attentive. Not to mention the food was absolutely delicious and had such a beautiful presentation. I'm definitely coming back here soon! Thank you again! read more

As many others have mentioned, the arepas are fantastic! And the pricing is just right, definitely better than most other New Haven restaurants. The seating/ambiance leaves a bit to be desired, but just fine for a casual dinner with friends. Definitely worth seeking this place out. read more

We went to Rubamba early evening after find a Living Social voucher for the business. My girlfriend and I ordered two arepas, one with braised lamb, the other with crab. I have never had arepas before, and I have to say they were delicious. The ingredients seemed to be very high quality and the dish itself was just beautiful. My only complaint is that the arepas are a bit expensive -- they are about $15-18, and I don't think the quantity of food is really enough to justify that price. Also, the two dishes we ordered came with yucca fries -- which although delicious -- were about five fries per dish. Mostly enjoyable though. read more

LOVED this place! I had the shrimp arepa and it was delicious! The place is small but they also do take out. They had such a variety on the menu it was hard to chose so I'll definitely have to come back and try something else! read more

This place is a little hole in the wall with great food. I have never had an arepa before I had it here, but it was fantastic. Definitely go with the sweet corn cake, it was delicious. Not too pricy but it was more than I expected. Definitely would go back. read more

Have always had a great experience at Rumbamba. My go to Latin food in New Haven, located conveniently downtown.

This place is just the Ay! Arepa food cart at 3 times the price. Amazing that they are trying to pass off literally the exact same food for $18 when served in this subpar atmosphere when you can get the exact same thing for $5 at the food cart. I'm not being hyperbolic, it is literally, in the literal sense of the word, the same. Service is slow and restaurant feels cheap. Super disappointing. The arepa truck used to be my favorite, but after feeling totally ripped off at this place I won't be going back to either. read more