The Yummiest Cuban in Orlando

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Service is doing the major lifting for this review. I must've changed the reservation a handful of times trying to figure out the numbers for our large party. They were very gracious. And then our server was hustling with our preorders and back and forth with boxes and water and more dishes. I think the food was just fine. But the service was amazing. It gets loud in there but it's a good atmosphere for large parties perfect for the conference crowd."

Havana Bistro & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (408) • $

"Coffee was mediocre. I guess I expected better pasties but was not the case. Cafe co leche lacked richness and flavor."

Café Pinar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (232) • $

"No matter where I am in the world, I just want a place like Cafe Pinar to be near me. But if Orlando is where I have to be to enjoy it, so be it. This is my kind of Cuban place: casual, delicious, affordable, and the kind of vibe I want in any neighborhood establishment.Located in the corner of a strip mall, Cafe Pinar is not the most obvious place for first-timers. There is plenty of parking and as I understand it is rarely busy during most days, save for the lunch hour. There's a good amount of seating for all sorts of groups and the takeout process is quite easy. I would highly recommend speaking Spanish if at all possible here and of course, come hungry.I had a number of items but there were a few that stood out. The ropa vieja is everything that it's been advertised to be, succulent and savory all throughout. The carne guisada is also quite nice with chunks of meat and potato, the pernil was wonderfully crispy and extremely abundant, thanks to a very packed box from my Chilean server, Lorena. I give big props to their maduros and the yuca was surprisingly very good. I would recommend any of their rice choices, especially the yellow rice and the mixed moros.It is without a doubt. I would come back here in a heartbeat. There is outdoor seating and so many amazing choices throughout their daily lunch line. Many of the patrons are also Cuban, which is always a good sign. They get a hard five stars."

College Park Café

★★★★☆ 4.1 (155) • $

"First time here & we live within walking distance. We will definitely be back. Maybe some more advertising would help. We only discovered this because they are opening another restaurant "The Counter" & we saw the advertisement for that. The homemade chicken noodle soup was delicious. And the fried chicken wrap was very good. Next time I will hold the honey mustard & only have ranch. Very friendly staff and very attentive."

Pollo D'oro

★★★★☆ 4.4 (44)

"Chicken cravings are real for a gal who cannot go a day without eating chicken. A friend recommended this family operated Mexican restaurant with the best chicken dish that came with white rice. House sauce and garlic sauce sets the bar. Heard the fried wings are pretty bomb too, so will order that next time. Therefore, a return will definitely be made to this family friendly owned restaurant."

Buchito

★★★★★ 4.6 (344) • $

"The Benny Cubano was so good that I came back after having it a year ago. I got the media noche which has sweeter bread and it was just as good. Enjoyed the cafe con leche as well!"

El Rapido Pizzas Cubanas

★★★★☆ 3.8 (9)

"I'm Hispanic and I have family in Cuba every time I am there I always get a pizza so let me tell you this pizza taste just like the ones in Cuba I came with my mother and she loved it as well we got the Napolitana pizza and it wa so good. Tienes que probar la pizza en este lugar es riquísimo"

Rincon Latino Restaurant & Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (38) • $

"Great for what it is. Quick food and very nice people. The food is tasty. I had the ropa vieja and it was very good. The arroz con gandules were better than most."

Cuban Sandwiches To Go

★★★★☆ 4.2 (115) • $

"The Best! Fast service and great food. Window style just like South Florida. Everything is good: Cafe Cubano, Media Noche, Croquetas, Quesitos - Everything is fresh and delicious - MUST TRY!"

Mi Pan Boricua

★★★★☆ 4 (25) • $

"Being from the island I both adore, and miss good authentic Puerto Rican food. I was in town visiting my in-laws and my fiancé told me about the spot that he used to go to when he was younger to pick up some soft Puerto Rican bread. So we stopped by for breakfast to get the egg and cheese pressed sandwich along with a passion fruit smoothie and it was absolutely amazing. I suggest bringing a friend along that speak Spanish as the two employees we encountered were true to their brand and spoke exclusively Spanish"

Havana Kiss Cuban Cafe & Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (185) • $$

"All entrees come with rice, beans, and plantains. The food was delicious and authenticly cuban. Had to add a touch of salt and hot suace for my taste but husband enjoyed just the was it was. Very flavorful, Very filling. Nice atmosphere with cuban music playing. Nice place to sit and relax after playing at the amusement park.Our server was very hospitable."

Heber's Cuban Café

★★★★☆ 3.8 (182) • $

"I was in the area and decided to stop in. I was craving some rice and beans so I decided to order their roja vieja which came with rice, beans and plantains as side items. They served a right amount of food and it was filling. The shredded beef was a little salty, but it had great flavor. I did like the plantains and the rice didn't seem dry. Decent pricing. I would order this dish again in the future. There are plenty of tables throughout the restaurant and the staff seemed friendly during my pick up to go order."

Dumpling Spot

★★★★☆ 4.3 (8)

"I just so happen came across this place what a hidden gem. with one sample of their curry chicken and I was hooked it's so good. I also received a free drink with my meal which was their one of a kind fruit tea it's so delicious I couldn't stop drinking it. The staff was very pleasant and helpful. I look forward to going back to try new dishes. They also cook to order seafood on Friday nights. Give this place a try you'll be happy you did."

A Lo Cubano Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.8 (20)

"Today I enjoyed some delicious cubano sandwiches w/ a side order of empanadas ( even though we ordered the croquettes) but either way they were amazing and filling. Looking forward to trying other stuff on there menu when I see them again."

The Gnarly Cuban

★★★★★ 4.8 (16)

"This is one of the best pop-ups in the city of Orlando! The Gnarly girls make the best empanadas around, and have options for the savory, and sweet, such as their new Ube flan! For Vegans they have the jackfruit ropa vieja which tasted great with their garlic sauce! They recently started with tamales, and they were selling those quickly. I went with two empanadas each, and my favorites were their signature gnarly Cuban empanada, the chop , and ube flan. The Gnarly Cuban is a Cuban sandwich stuffed in an empanada, and has as much flavor as a Cuban sandwich! The chop, had ground beef with swiss cheese, and onions. I also took some of their guava and cream cheese pastries, and these are a MUST to grab! If you're familiar with The Gnarly Cuba, but can't make a pop-up, head over to their website, and make an order to be delivered to you on Mondays!Make sure you follow their Instagram to find their pop-ups every month, and get gnarly!"

Black Bean Deli

★★★★☆ 4.2 (478) • $$

"Stopped by on a Friday night and wasn't very busy. There's a few parking spots right beside the restaurant so I was lucky to find a spot. I got the cuban frita burger (only available Friday-Sunday) and a tres leches for dessert. The burger was tasty and very flavorful though not super filling. Probably should have ordered the fried egg on top. The tres leches was quite small but absolutely delicious though. Quite a bit of seating inside and staff are attentive and helpful! Overall a nice place to grab a quick bite."

Estefan Kitchen Orlando

★★★★☆ 3.9 (347) • $$$

"We celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday at Estefan Kitchen with a huge party of 20, and the experience was a mix of highs and lows. The food was absolutely delicious, and the entertainment was so fun--it really made the evening feel festive and perfect for a birthday celebration. Keep in mind, though, it can get pretty loud during the performances, so if you're looking for a quiet dinner, this might not be the place.Service was a bit hit or miss. Half of our table had amazing service from start to finish, but the other half wasn't so lucky. Their server dropped the ball, bringing out wet naps instead of sugar packets for coffee, and making them wait nearly 30 minutes just to get the check. It was disappointing, especially since the rest of the service was so great. Overall, the food and fun atmosphere made it a memorable night, but the uneven service left something to be desired."

Black Bean Deli

★★★★☆ 4.4 (798) • $$

"Amazing and delicious Cuban sandwich, love it come with black bean and rice! Coffee is great and taste very good . Also the beef empanada is very delicious. They also have outdoor seating if you enjoy food outdoor. Try it when you are in the area , you will like it."

El Mambo

★★★★☆ 4.4 (25) • $$

"We were walking around downtown and came across this food truck. I'm so glad we did because they offered a great sandwich on sweet bun. I ordered the Mambo sandwich which was a nice juicy chicken sandwich.I made the sandwich a meal by ordering the garlic plaintains and rice as sides. I wish the plantains had real garlic on them instead of garlic salt. The rice was al dente but I prefer mine a little more cooked.Service was fast and friendly. A big plus is that they accept credit cards. The portions are definitely generous as I could have had this meal for both lunch and dinner."

A Lo Vegano

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"What a wonderful place to eat at! Walk into this beautiful, rustic inspired diner if you're looking for a vegan option with some spunk. A Lo Vegano brings veganism and spanish food together making mouth watering dishes bursting with flavor. Not only was the food amazing but the service was impeccable and the employees and owner were very personable. The food portions were huge and big enough to share. The "steak" was delicious and so was the yuca with mojo. I absolutely love a vegan spot and when infused with spanish inspiration it's lovely. This place was a great! We will definitely be coming back! 10/10"

Cuba Libre Camaguey

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Food was very good. The service was excellent. The owner came out to talk to us and was hospitable and welcoming. The restaurant is small but the atmosphere is quaint and authentic. The clay cups they use for drinks are cool and the owner even explained the history behind them. Worth checking out."

A Lo Cubano Kitchen

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Had lunch at A'Lo Cubano Kitchen located in the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall & Bar On N Orange Blossom Tr. Yojan & Yuniev were very friendly and accommodating.We had Pan con Lechon, Black Beans & Rice, Flan, Cafe con Leche. The food was good. The coffee was hot & sweet, delicioso!The restaurant is in an upscale food court in the packing district. There is an adjacent parking garage & outdoor eating areas in addition to indoor seating. Husband had draft of Broken Tree Ale from the bar. He liked it.We will return and look forward to seeing Yojan & Yuniev again. Next visit will be when they have live music & DJ. ¡Buen Provecho!"

Havana's Cuban Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"I am from San Diego so I was expecting more from a Cuban restaurant in Florida. Maybe I gotta go to Miami. The congris was dry and the Sangria was missing the typical fruit I am use to. It only had pieces of pineapple."

Columbia Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"By far the best restaurant in the Town of Celebration! The Columbia has great food, fast service, fresh made bread, a large selection of drinks and reservations that aren't too hard to grab. The food ranges from more authentic flavors to more kids or picky eater friendly. There is something for everyone."

Chicas Cuban Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (247) • $$

"Had some time to pass in such a historic site to experience, and was lunch time.Took the trust of my fellow Goggle peers suggestions, and gave Chicas a try. 1st thought, a bit confusing since it's a part of the Artisian Hotel. Once I figured out where the "Official" entrance to the restaurant was, upon entry, I was immediately greeted with a welcome ambiance of a Cuban feel & sense of love here. Nice, very nice I started with the Empanadas For 2, when actually, it was adequate for ONE, really. As you can see in the pictures & the video clips, it was very tasty, crisp outside, gooey filled centers with beef, and chicken in the other. I DESTROYED it, thank you!For lunch, I ordered 1/2 Cuban Sandwich, with Rice & Beans. Unfortunately, again, I savorly destroyed it, and completely forgot to captured the dish first. Ooops.....Intention was to end the lunch with the Cuban Flan, with a double shot of expresso, unfortunately, gonna have to save that as the starter for the next visit. And yes, there WILL be a next visit!! Thank you for such a delightful surprise experience, kudos to all"

El Ranchito Mexican-Cuban Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.8 (24)

"Food was excellent. Ordered the Chicken Fajitas for two and wow. Huge portions and tender pieces of chicken. Everything tasted fresh and delicious Phenomenal service and a very cute atmosphere. Love this new find. Excellent experience and worth every penny."

Numero Uno Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (199) • $$

"I did not know about Numero Uno Cuban in Orlando. Its Cuban flag in its signage caught my attention.I was hungry for something to eat at about dinnertime and figured I'd go to Jimmy John's to get the one sandwich I've ever ordered there - the #5 (the Vito)! Numero Uno Cuban is about a block before, going up Orange, so #1 (Numero Uno) overtook #5. I drove around the block to think about this and figured I could get Jimmy John's sandwiches just about anywhere.Numero Uno is small but cozy and clean. The air conditioning worked well. It has the typical colorful and cluttered décor found in some Latin American restaurants, the most noticeable of which are the tables filled with business cards under their glass tops.There was a platter I was looking at. It was a trio sampler. I was told you'd get a little of this and a little of that. I wasn't familiar with some of the items in it, so I shifted over to the ropa vieja, the classic Cuban shredded and stewed flank steak entree. I saw that some people are saying that the prices are reasonable. They're not bad, but possibly a little more than what you'd have in the Miami area with so many Cuban eateries competing with each other. I think that the lunch specials here are really nicely priced. I glanced at that menu, and they appear to be a good value. However, I was eating later than that.The platter I ordered was excellent. The ropa vieja tasted just right, and, for the accompaniment, I chose congri, rice and beans mixed together, which was also very good. The platter came with sliced yuca. I had the server put together a 50:50 Coke:Diet Coke since they don't yet have Coke Zero. The service was excellent - a 5!Numero Uno is on Orange Avenue, just slightly south of downtown and where Orlando transitions from being one tacky strip mall and big box store after another on 6 lane roadways to having a more cohesive identity in its center. I believe this area is called SoDo, as in South Downtown. They have a small parking lot. One can find more parking on side streets if need be.Numero Uno's food was good and the service was excellent, but I left a little hungry. I'd still go back. This place would be ideal with coworkers or friends when they are serving up their various Cuban lunch specials."

Zaza Cuban Comfort Food

★★★★☆ 4.2 (468) • $$

"Just in case you're looking for fresh and great quality empanadas, you have found it. I stopped by for a quick bite and enjoyed the friendliness of the staff. It was during their rush hour, and it was such a great experience. I even went ahead and grabbed a guava pastry just to give them a try. I will say that after trying the chicken empanada, I was amazed by how much flavor was within. I started to dance with each bite of it, the one I had. It was a nice crunch and hearty bite. The guava pastry was warm and flaky as it should be. Each bite had nice flakes of pastry all over my clothing. Lol If anyone knows the secret of eating them without the flake mess, let me know. Definitely would recommend this establishment."

Rey's Cuban Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (113) • $

"Great food good customer service no frills Cuban cafe!Usually get a cortado, egg and cheese on pan and quesitos and pasteles"

El Cubanito Subs

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (21) • $

"A few days ago I heard about this stand in the industrial area on Forsyth road between Colonial Drive and University. I went to check it out yesterday. El Cubanito food truck is owned and operated by a guy from Cuba, but surprisingly only being one guy he has a huge menu and many food options worth checking out. It's located in the dirt parking lot of an Wilson Auto Repair, look for the umbrella on the truck and the boat trailers all around the parking lot. Parking seems to be pretty random and no one seems to mind where you park in the lot. Often you have to stand up and eat at these food trucks but not here, he even has a tent covering the eating area. Luckily I got there when he wasn't busy and I was able to take a lot of photos and chat with him for a bit using a bit of my Spanglish and he his passable English, he's been open 6 months.One of my favorite things that people from PR and Cuba make is Lechon or Pernil which is roasted pork usually cooked with lots of garlic in a blood orange sauce. El Cubanito serves a Lechon Cuban sandwich and I almost ordered it but the Choripan sandwich($3.95) caught my eye. I asked him about it and he said it was real Cuban Chorizo which is different from the Mexican kind I'm used to, apparently it has a firmer texture and in this sandwich he had cut it up into curly strips and cooked it on his griddle. The sandwich itself was a little dry for my taste but you could easily alleviate that by putting some mustard on it or dipping it in his soup of the day. It came with my choice of cheese and potato sticks on it. To drink I had a super sweet can of Guava Nectar, he has other canned fruit drinks soda and water.Next I ordered some Platanos Maduros, the sweet fried plantains served at every Cuban restaurant. They were sweet and tender as expected. Although the menu described some desserts he was out of the Flan and the Cuban cupcake so this led me to explore the extensive menu a little more and ask him what Batitos were. Turns out they are the Cuban version of a milkshake or smoothie. They are made in a blender with a little milk and some frozen fruit. My options were Guava a few other tropical fruits but I ordered Passion Fruit(luckily I remembered the Spanish word for this, Parcha). It was real thick and tasty, while I was drinking it a couple groups of people showed up and ordered the Cuban Milkshakes as well.Overall a great experience and I hope to go back and explore the menu further especially the omelet sandwich which he has a picture of that looks amazing!He's open Mon-Sat 7am-7pm and also serves breakfast. Make sure you check out the pictures of the menu.2237 N Forsyth Rd Orlando, FL 32807-5351(305)305-7438"

Zaza Cuban Comfort Food

★★★★☆ 3.9 (46)

"I finally had some food from Zaza that I did *not* get from the Orlando airport for a change. Hahahaha. My partner and I shared their Cuban sandwich (fantastic), their croquettes (authentic), and one of their rice bowls. Everything honestly was really, really good. I'm definitely going to be grabbing more quick meals here."

Cindy's Café Authentic Cuban Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (111) • $

"I highly recommend Cindy's! I have had many Cuban sandwiches in Central Florida and these are the best! The pork is amazing as is the ham. Great pickles and the bread is so so good. Great service and Cindy is awesome. They are only open Monday through Friday but man the food is great as well as the at home feel. Don't forget the Cuban coffee. It's the real deal! If you are in that part of town it's well worth a visit. Tight parking but easily managed. I can't wait to go try other dishes."

Cuban Sandwiches On the Run

★★★★☆ 4.3 (435) • $

"I ordered from here and got some empanadas & Brenda's specialty sandwich. The sandwich was really delicious, with the addition of sweet plantains pairing well with the steak in the sandwich. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if it came with a sauce. The beef empanada's filling was delicious but the outside was a bit greasy for me."

Old Cuban Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (105) • $

"I drove about 45 minutes to eat this food, so was really bummed that the food was so disappointing. My pollo Milanesa was poorly packaged in a too small styrofoam box, and was over cooked and fairly certain that the tomato sauce used was just ketchup. I'm be been wanting to try their place for years, but oh well, just another Cuban place putting out really low quality food."

Socio

★★★★☆ 3.8 (32)

"Cute little bar restaurant in the lobby of the Gaylord Palms resort. On our visit the outer seating area was closed for a private party however there were a couple bar height tables inside but with one person in a wheelchair our only seating option was a tiny side table between 2 chairs but we made it work. The indoor bar area has 4 large screens playing different channels. The music threw me off. It was a mix of pop music and Christmas Carol's. I would have expected some fun salsa music playing in this Cuban themed salon. The service was immediate and friendly. The food was good. The black bean soup was phenomenal, the chicharrón was perfection and the ropa vieja was delicious. I will skip the wings the next time we eat here. They were really dry, almost burnt and lacked the tangy citrus mojo flavor I was hoping for. But I can't wait to come back for chicharrón and black bean soup."