Yummy Cuban food, though the empanadas were very small (3"x2") and pretty salty. Service was good and ambiance was really nice.

Before coming here I read reviews and looked at the pictures and liked what I read and seen. Me and my girl was starving and decided to order a little bit of everything. We ordered the papaya salad it was dry and more cabbage then papaya. We ordered the chicken sliders they were good I liked them but my girl didn't. The Cuban sandwich was regular. Cubans are supposed to have some type of sweet element to them and they dropped the ball on that one forsure. The shrimp tacos were good but they only had them on one thin tortilla and was hard to eat because the tortilla broke. Idk how this place got four stars but maybe it's for the drinks? Customer service was alright and it was a good vibe when I went in there to order my food. Oh yeah and the empanada was flimsy and needed to cook longer. Empanadas are supposed to be flaky and there's was soggy. Like I said maybe it's best to just order drinks from here? For how much I spent ( $100) I was unsatisfied read more

Had one drink here but it was so good that I'd have to trust the rest of the menu as being up to snuff. The Red Wedding (GoT nerd alert) was perfectly made and presented. Such a fun spot and we ate a bunch of stuff here. Pineapple salsa was just ok but the chips are fantastic (although they could use a little bit of salt on them). My wife had a second chicken empanada she liked it so much. Pepperpot chicken was pretty solid. The stars were the rice and beans (dip chips into it - trust me) and the chicken sliders. Both were awesome. I'd give the drinks here 10/10 based on a very small sample size and the food an 8/10 based on a larger sample size. I would absolutely go back and it's especially a fun place to go with friends. read more

By far my favorite bar in Seattle! We have been coming here once a week for almost a year now. The ambience is really cool and the staff is what really makes the place enjoyable to come! Theyre very knowledgeable and always willing to answer our questions and explain how the different rums are made and what makes them unique. The drinks are refreshing and always well presented. My favorite is the Daiquiri #3. Food is also great - I recommend the empanadas or chicken sliders. :) read more

If you think of daiquiris and get excited as you think of fruitty bottled/pre-packaged drinks or even slushie margarita wannabes with wayyyy too much strawberry puree, bless your heart. I'm kiddingggg. That is one interpretation of a daiquiri. While it works for those who like the buzz of alcoholic drinks minus the taste of alcohol, it doesn't suit the other end of the drinking spectrum. The daiquiris at Rumba, however, are made to please the latter crowd. A daiquiri is one of the 6 classic drinks mentioned in David Embury's The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, a well-known book for toolish people who annoyingly look down on muddled cherries in their Old Fashioneds (see: all my other reviews where I AM that obnoxious person). That list includes Manhattans, Martinis and Old Fashioneds -- classic drinks that have seen quite the revival in recent years. And yet most cocktail bars have not highlighted a daiquiri. This place does and does it well. They practice restraint in the variations of daiquiris they offer. They don't meddle with the simple elegance of sweetness and citrus combined with the flavor of rum. If you come here expecting a cloyingly sweet fruity slushy drink, you will be disappointed. Come with a blank slate of expectations for what a daiquiri is and prepare to be schooled in an amazingly refreshing classic island drink. Their food options are also pretty damn good. I love their carnitas tacos. They're up there with some of the better street tacos I've had. Their happy hour is one of my favorites between the great classic daiquiris and the good food. Their empanadas have seasonal fillings that are always great. They're always exciting to try. Their yucca fries are perfectly light and crispy without extra amounts of grease on them. Overall, a place I'd keep coming back to! read more

This probably falls more into a 3.5 star range, but 3 isn't too far from accurate. Rumba has an extensive rum list and varying rum cocktails. As a lover of rum, and particularly mojitos, I was a little disappointed the menu seemed geared towards Caribbean/non-Puerto Rican rums and daiquiris. The other thing that seems somewhat trivial but was still annoying, was the music. The place feels like a Caribbean hole in the wall, but the music playing was some hodge-podge of American rock. It sounds so trivial but it brings down the ambiance. Service was pretty good tho our servers either changed mid-meal, or there aren't set servers. Our first drinks took a bit to come out, but our food and follow-up cocktails seemed to be much faster. I think our daiquiris were relatively slow since we got there right as happy hour was ending. Friends and I all past around the 4 main daiquiris which were pretty tasty, but plain. I later tried Outcast of the Islands which was delicious. Like drinking an apple pie. The veggie empanada and Cuban sandwich were also delish. read more

Rum lover's dream! This bar houses one of the LARGEST collections of rum. I love that you can learn all about the different rums here -- places of origin, how they are made, why they taste so dang good, where you can buy a bottle of your own... Their food is pretty tasty too! I fell in love with their freshly baked empanadas! They offer tortilla and plantain chips that you can dip in an AMAZING sweet and spicy verde salsa or a chunky guacamole with tomatoes. Definitely coming back here! read more

Very nice space, loved the happy hour! Great tacos and empanadas, also very good drinks! There are a variety of punches and daiquiris. Happy hour was only 5-6 pm, but I would definitely go again! read more

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I last came here two years ago, but we would definitely come again! This was one of the few places open near the Paramount on a Sunday that wasn't either expensive or serving raw fish. After browsing the menu I thought my husband would approve. We were not disappointed!!! The decor is awesome--it looks like you're in a rum library, and I want to say there were huge fans above us that I definitely need someday in a future, taller house. read more

Rumba is awesome simply because 1). the staff is lovely; 2). the food is fun and yummy; 3). the decor is clean and trendy (but not over the top). It is just a nice place to hang out with your friends over a rum cocktail and empanadas (or tacos). Four of us shared Flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus, red chard, onions, garlic), La Habana (Cuban style black beans, white rice, pico de gallo), 3 kinds (fish, pork, squash) of tacos, and 2 kinds (chorizo and vegetarian) of empanadas. I like how their tacos were not double-tortillaed and had lots of filling. The embanadas were baked, and the crust was buttery flaky. The Cuban beans and rice was pretty filling and perfect for sharing. Everything was awesome, and everything tasted great. However, the absolute best was the Flor de Jamaica. I've had hibiscus before, but nothing like this. It was basically stir-fried hibiscus. It was savory, chewy, slightly tangy, and fun to eat. Go Rumba! read more

This place is a treat, especially if you go on a non-weekend night and don't feel crammed in. Very knowledgeable and friendly stuff, and some good food to snack on as you drink from their impressively variety of rum offerings. The empanadas are buttery and tasty (I was shocked that I enjoyed the kale and mushroom as much as I did, and the chorizo was great as well) but skip the chicken. You'll be tempted to go for the cuban sandwhich, which is fine, but bhe wings and pepperpot chicken are the main attractions. For drinks, get nuts and tour the world with their fancy map. Mixed-wise, I love the balanced flavors in the sexy Old Fashioned and the Nui Nui. P.S. Don't worry, there's no Malibu in sight. read more

Sigh. It's always so hard when you're one of the only people that don't drink. However, this place was quite nice and had an excellent food selection, which is what really matters. What also matters is empanadas. Good empanadas. DAMN good empanadas. Do yourself a favor and get all three flavors. To be honest, they were all so good that I stopped caring what flavor I was monstrously devouring. I just wanted more. And I split three with the boyfriend, because we weren't all that hungry. Oh, I wish I were more hungry so I could have more empanadas. They also had yucca fries, which I will order pretty much anytime I see them on a menu, because yucca fries are like regular fries but with more strength. I can't really explain what I mean by that, but yucca fries...it's kind of like comparing a largely muscled person with a non-muscled one. One is softer, and one is definitely...well, not harder...heartier? I don't know, but yucca fries are awesome. Staff was nice at the beginning when we were one of the few in the lounge...but as soon as the dinner rush happened, we were kind of forgotten, and it was near impossible to track the staff down. Still, it was during PAX, so that must be forgiven. read more

According to Urban Dictionary, one of the funnier definitions of Rumba I thought was "an excellent start to a game of family scrabble." Although we did not play scrabble, I felt apart of the family when I was here! The people have such a kind soul. They are energetic, upbeat, and super excited to be there. Plus, they are really made me feel like a million bucks. Because it was a Wednesday, we had to get one of their famous tiki bowls (either made for 2 or 4 individuals) - also one of the best decisions I have ever made. We decided to try Painkiller and was not painful at all to drink. We chugged that shit like it was our job. However, it had a little too much ice in it which seemed to be the into downfall. My friends and I were lucky to have found some outside seating. Prime location to people watch and kick it. Overall, I loved the atmosphere here. There are some things I would want to have changed but that didn't stop me from having a good time! read more

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I go to Rumba more often than anyplace else in Seattle. The drinks are fantastic, the food is great, especially the pepper pot chicken and the spam sliders on tiki night. The only downside is that my all time favorite waitress Ali is leaving after her shift tonight to go bartend at another establishment. read more

Rumba - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is a great bar. When we first arrived I was expecting a light tiki bar, but this place has a great dark wood interior with these turquoise chairs. For some reason this décor made it hard for me to leave for our dinner reservations. The drinks were outstandingly simple. You really appreciate a daiquiri that is properly made. They are not a super sweet frozen concoction, but a nice balance of sweet, sour, and rum. We also enjoyed the empanadas on the Happy Hour menu. read more

Rums and cocktails are nice. We ordered bakery, one with kale and mushroom, one with beef, fairly good enough. Decoration is warm and nice. But service today is disappointing. When asking about the Rums, she did not give us any useful information, and the service is somewhat slow and cold. read more

Always yummy strong drinks. Happy hour menu is limited but quality. The last time we went we found a hair in our taco. They got us new ones quickly. Overall good experiences. read more

Rumba - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Rumba has their own vibe, their Jerk wings are one of a kind. There is nothing else like them here in Seattle! Their alcoholic beverages are uniquely made and delish! read more

Very cool atmosphere! Excellent mojito! Will be back next time we are in town. Sexy date night kind of place. Chicken empamadas...O..m..G...!!!! read more

Rumba - Co2 carbonated daiquiri & a classic mojito. Mmmm - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Food looks good, the menu is solid. It's a rum bar so be prepared for that. The main issue was service time. This place is awesome, unless you need to be somewhere. I came for a pre-reservation (at an adjacent restaurant) drink and it took over 20 minutes to get my drink. My groups drinks were all great, just might not be the best place to go if you're on a schedule. read more

Rumba - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I went there with 6 friends we purchased the Cuban Sandwich, chicken empanadas as well as beef. The drinks were fine. The empanadas were soft like tortillas and not crispy, the filling was, at best, luke warm and the flavor was lacking. I guess the heat lamps weren't dialed up enough on this night.. The Cuban sandwich and fries had one thing in common. They were both over salted. When I informed the server, we were told they were "seasoned"... This was the worst meal I've had in years. The Cuban sandwich was filled with pulled pork, some bbq sauce, thin slices of processed ham, like thick cut from the neighborhood deli, and did I mention salty as the pacific! Three of us had heartburn from this food. I'm considering opening a TUMS stand next door to make a million.....Seriously....I strongly recommend you keep searching if you are looking for good/decent/edible food. Being from the Caribbean, this was a true insult. Never again.... read more

I have a weakness for cocktail lounges and rumba has everything I want: Comfy chairs, very friendly staff, and a long list of rum cocktails,. Honestly, I have never been a HUGE rum fan, but rumba sure has one that you will like and enjoy. (Just ask the staff!) I sipped on "Pussers" rum, which was smooth and dark.....not bitter, sweet, or "painful" tasting. The daquiris were tasty, along with the homemade empanadas. YUM, I could go back just for the veggie empanadas! The lounge is larger than most cocktail spaces, which is a plus for large sized groups. I could imagine a fun birthday party happening here! read more

Decided to walk up here from Downtown to visit some old friends. This place has a great happy, and it just so happened to be their Anniversary! Their tacos and empenadas are to die for! Also, amazing daiquiris! Did I say they have an AMAZING selection of rum?! It ranges from $5 to $120!!! I will continue to go here from time to time when I visit Seattle, and would definitely recommend it to friends. read more

I went to Rumba, Seattle's first ever rum bar, last Tuesday with my girlfriend. We wanted to grab a bite before going to a lecture at Town Hall. The vibe was nice and fairly quiet since it was early in the week. The open space was dimly lit, warm, cozy and clean. The décor was classy and contemporary with dark woods throughout and had comfortable turquoise leather-like seating. We sat at the bar, and started with some lovely beverages. The bartender was pleasant but not overly friendly. My friend had a daiquiri and I tried the Painya kill-ada rum drink which took a long time to consume -- Was it was the large glass or the strong pour? The extensive cocktail menu made decisions difficult. The food menu was also sizeable with a Caribbean emphasis. We shared the scrumptious coconut breaded prawns while we waited for our food. She had the Ropa Vieja (marinated flank steak) and I had a little chicken empanada which was delicious. I look forward to trying more of the culinary delights from this little gem of a place. read more

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250 types of rum = Heaven. This was my favorite bar on our Seattle visit. Beautiful interior design. Excellent bartenders. Perfectly made daiquiris, old cubans, etc. Food is just average, but that's not what you're here for anyways... read more

Came here late on a Tuesday (around 9:45-10:00pm). Server seemed to have a bit of an attitude when we asked if the kitchen was still open, but she sat us anyways. Besides one other group, we were the only ones in there. Anyways, we had the wings and the Cuban sandwich. Wings were great, Cuban sandwich was alright. Husband had one of the "swizzle" drinks- pretty good too! read more

Rumba - Cuban sandwich and wings - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I came to check this place out because it reminded me of my favorite restaurant at home (Rumba in Hampton Bays NY) and it was super close to my hotel. Super pleased! My "Jungle Bird" island drink was very tasty - and strong! You get your money's worth for sure! I got 3/$12 chicken empanadas and I was in absolute heaven. Flaky, perfect crust and delicious flavoring. The wait staff is very kind and professional. This was a refreshing find and I'm almost sad to go back home to the east coast. I want to make this my regular, go-to spot! read more

Rumba - Wednesday's are Tiki Night! - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This was our last meal in Seattle and it was a good one. When we stepped into the restaurant, it kind felt like we had walked into old Havana! I loved everything about the kitchy decor and the plantation vibes in the space. We ordered Coconut Prawns with, Mango dipping sauce, Fish, Tilapia, mango salsa, chimichurri aioli, rice flour, and Portobello Mushroom, roasted corn salsa, chili mayo, cotija cheese and Portobello Mushroom, roasted corn salsa, chili mayo, cotija cheese. The coconut shrimp would have been just ok, but the mango dipping sauce took it to a whole new level. It might be one of the best condiments I have ever eaten. It was so good that my friend and I were trying to figure out what was in it! The portobello mushroom taco was also delicious. The accompanying ingredients in the filling were definitely a happy marriage of flavors. The only real disappointment was the fish taco. It was really boring and nothing memorable. We thought the chimichurri aioli would give it a nice brightness, but unfortunately, it fell flat. Rumba opened at 5 and by 5:10, there were plenty of partakers of the happy hour specials. The ambiance was bustling and cheerful. All in all, Rumba delivered. read more

If you're into rum then you must try this place. They have the second largest collection of Rums in the United States, first being Smugglers Cove in San Francisco. It's pretty small inside but it's nice because it has an intimate feel. The bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a daiquiri and another cocktail that I can't remember the name of, both of which were very good. We also ordered one of the chorizo empanadas and the chicken one. Both were very tasty, with a flaky, buttery crust and it was garnished with a nice pickley slaw. read more

Rumba - huge collection of rum - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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An exceptional addition to the already stellar Cap Hill neighborhood. And around the corner from one my other faves - Terra Plata? Um, score. Anyway, onto 'Rhum & Food' at Rumba. I was beyond impressed and here's why: Rumba pulls off Caribbean and tiki in a sophisticated yet cozy way, that works like a charm in Seattle (and on a rainy November night). Instantly struck by the decor and eclectic artifacts, I wanted to take the blue bar stools home. Warm atmosphere, great for a date or small group of friends. The food was the ideal combo of sweet and savory. We got the salsa trio (homemade tortilla chips and the pineapple salsa stuck out). Also the empanadas were very delicate and flakey, full of flavor. I'm always a coconut shrimp fan and these did not disappoint. Order them! Generous size portion too. Everything is great for sharing. Rum-glazed nuts, winner and almost like dessert. Their cocktail menu is expansive and forget the gross, sugary tropical drinks you might be thinking of - about a billion rum drink options and not too sweet. World class rum collection. The grand prize winner though??? Flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus, red chard, onions, garlic) - OMG. So good. Debatably the best and most unique vegetable dish I've ever had in a restaurant. And only $5....really? The prices were overall reasonable. I will be a regular here, officially on the rotation. And it's self-seating. Check it out before the crowds get out of control! A gem indeed. read more

Really good happy hour. The food is so cheap but still really tasty. Tacos are flavorful and the empanadas are flaky and delicious. The daiquiris are too sweet though. They played reggae the whole time I was in there and it went really well with the atmosphere. read more

This my favorite Tiki Bar in all of Seattle! On Tiki Wednesdays they have specialty concoctions in fun glasses like take Chinese take-out containers, fire lit tiki drinks, and unique bowls like shareable conch shells with long straws. They have unique, hard to find rums. In the winter, this place makes me feel like I'm in a restaurant right by the beach in Hawaii! read more

I expected a watered-down gentrified hipster tiki bar, but I was not expecting complete debasement of my favorite liquor cocktails. As a rum and tiki enthusiast, I had high hopes for Rumba. The interior is spacious and modern, with high ceilings and pleasant lighting. Decor is contrived and not cohesive. Sort of Urban Outfitters meets an Amazon.com search of "tiki bar". The rum list is remarkable, offering the largest variety of rums I have ever seen in a single bar. Their signature cocktail list is interesting, and even has a separate tiki section, including classics such as the Zombie, Scorpion, and Painkiller. Watching the gorgeous cocktails emerge from behind the bar, I was excited. Colorful drinks served in beautiful mugs and glasses with elegant metal straws, heavily decorated with flowers and fresh garnishes. However, the beauty of these drinks was diminished upon tasting them. My Three Dots and a Dash was strong, but poorly crafted-it tasted exactly like cherry cough syrup, and lacked any sort of dimension. My boyfriend got his favorite tiki drink, a Painkiller, which was undrinkable. As I took a photo of our drinks he said quietly, "Try that before you take a picture-you won't want to remember it." He was right. The cocktail tasted of sour milk, devoid of the sweet coconut and spicy nutmeg that one expects from a Painkiller. Our bartender noticed that we did not touch it, and he opted for a Mai Tai instead-a safe bet, especially at a rum bar (or so we thought). The Mai Tai was equally undrinkable, tasting of Lime Jarritos and a splash of light rum (no dark rum?!). It was such a far cry from a classic Mai Tai recipe that we asked the waiter again what was up. "We are a traditional rum bar", he replied. Disappointing that the staff here lack even basic rum cocktail knowledge. read more

Rumba - Three Dots and a Dash and Painkiller - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I was heading to Capital Hill for an event one night and wanted great food, I have to say based on the Yelp reviews for Rumba I was disappointed. The food was meh and had really tiny portions for the price you pay. We did try a sampler of rum which was cool (hadn't seen any other rum restaurants in the area so I was excited by that) but we wouldn't go back just for that. Atmosphere: Honestly we stayed outside with our dog but the place looked cute there was a huge wall of alcohol which was cool. Food: Meh, really small portions and over priced. Drinks: Rum options were really good, they also offered beer, wine and other hard liquor Dog friendly outdoor seating read more

My new favorite bar! Tropical drinks that make you feel like you stepped into an upscale bar at a Caribbean resort. This place is stellar. I ended up here on a date after my husband noted that when he was walking past it one day that Tango, which we had known about when we lived on Capitol Hill, was joined recently by Rumba - a rum bar. He likes puns, so we ended up here. Oh. My. God. This place is serious. Rum is a varied thing, and they have an endless amount to choose from, and various price-points. My first time here was a few cocktails and a flight. Second time, more cocktails, third time (and a day later), more cocktails and a bartender special recommendation. All delicious and well-worth it. Then there's the empanadas. They are delicious and not to be missed. You seriously can't go wrong. The plantain chips with guacamole are also exquisite. I could probably eat both of those things all day. I'll be back, again and again and again... read more

The Cuban sandwhich was delicious. The pulled pork was so moist and juicy and the ham was perfectly cooked as well. The aioli added a twist to the usual Cuban sandwhich. The empanadas were great as well with a perfect crispy crust. read more

Rumba - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Pros: Yummy food, decent drinks, fun décor. Cons: Pretentious, borderline rude staff. Slow service. read more

Needed a 3-1/2 Star option here. Wasn't average but it wasn't good either. Somewhere in between. Fried chicken was good but the rice and beans were only ok. Chicken wings were ok but lacked something, spoiler alert, it was flavor. Tacos looked good. Stop by if you're in the mood for something different read more

Amazing customer service! Our waiter was an angel - he got us everything, chatted with us, took pictures. The menu is amazing I was there with my friend who is from Jamaica. And she approves. I had the malibulovwho cocktail and also salt cod fritters - both amazing. The great place with amazing atmosphere you will not regret coming in here!!! Love it! read more

Best fish tacos I've had in Seattle so far. The cocktails are also great go during happy hour 5-6 every day