Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Name: Soul de Cuba Cafe
Address: 1121 Bethel St, Honolulu, HI, 96813
Telephone: (808) 545-2822
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.62

Soul de Cuba Cafe

1121 Bethel St, Honolulu, HI, 96813

(808) 545-2822
Store is closed

Soul de Cuba Cafe Menu

Carnes - Beef and Pork

Bistec Palomilla

Picadillo

Black Bean Chili Con Pasta

Lechon Asado

Ropa Vieja

Rabo Encendido

Bistec Palomilla

Picadillo

Black Bean Chili Con Pasta

Lechon Asado

Ropa Vieja

Rabo Encendido
Mariscos - Seafood

Camarones Con Salsa

Pargo

Pargo Con Salsa De Mango

Crab Anchala

Camarones Con Salsa

Pargo

Pargo Con Salsa De Mango

Crab Anchala
Side Orders

Arroz Blanco - White Rice

Arroz Amarillo - Yellow Rice

Arroz Moro - Moro Rice

Steamed Vegetables

Platano Maduro - Sweet Plantain

Ensalada Tropicana

Arroz Blanco - White Rice

Arroz Amarillo - Yellow Rice

Arroz Moro - Moro Rice

Steamed Vegetables

Platano Maduro - Sweet Plantain

Ensalada Tropicana
Sandwiches

Cubano

Media Noche

Pan Con Bistec

Cubano

Media Noche

Pan Con Bistec
Aperitivos - Appetizers

Devil Crab

Empanadas

Camarones Bailando

Soul Sampler

Devil Crab

Empanadas

Camarones Bailando

Soul Sampler
Sopas - Soups

Sopa De Frijoles Negros

Black Bean Chili

Sopa De Garbanzo

Sopa De Frijoles Negros

Black Bean Chili

Sopa De Garbanzo
Ensalada - Salads

Ensalada De Louisa

Soul Salad

Ensalada De Louisa

Soul Salad

Healthy Meal suggestions for Soul de Cuba Cafe

Carnes - Beef and Pork

Bistec Palomilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picadillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Chili Con Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lechon Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ropa Vieja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rabo Encendido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec Palomilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picadillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Chili Con Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lechon Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ropa Vieja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rabo Encendido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mariscos - Seafood

Camarones Con Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pargo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pargo Con Salsa De Mango [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Anchala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Con Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pargo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pargo Con Salsa De Mango [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Anchala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Orders

Arroz Blanco - White Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Amarillo - Yellow Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Moro - Moro Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platano Maduro - Sweet Plantain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Tropicana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Blanco - White Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Amarillo - Yellow Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Moro - Moro Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platano Maduro - Sweet Plantain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Tropicana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Cubano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Media Noche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Con Bistec [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cubano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Media Noche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Con Bistec [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Aperitivos - Appetizers

Devil Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Bailando [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soul Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Devil Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Bailando [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soul Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sopas - Soups

Sopa De Frijoles Negros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopa De Garbanzo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopa De Frijoles Negros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopa De Garbanzo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ensalada - Salads

Ensalada De Louisa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soul Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Louisa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soul Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Honolulu for healthy meals suggestion.

Honolulu Coffee ( Ala Moana Shopping Center,1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Ste 3066 )

Honolulu Café ( 741 Bishop St )

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Julie E.

The husband and I grabbed a quick lunch here the other day and enjoyed it. We got in early, about 11AM when they open and were the first customers. Loved the decor and ambiance of the place. We got our order quick and thought everything was very tasty. I got the Soul Cubano and was only able to finish half! It was rich and delicious. Yes, rich and delicious....A bit pricey for a quick lunch out, I think with tip it came to about $50-60...not an everyday lunch spot for us.
(4)
Jerald C.

Amazing Cuban food that may be the only place in Hawaii! The Fricase de pollo, oxtail, and salmon are INCREDIBLE!!! The meat on the oxtail falls off the bone and the salmon is just delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant and Jesus the owner is very friendly and offers great customer service.
(5)
Beth I.

I finally had a chance to eat here at 9 on a Saturday night and I can't believe it's taken me so long to experience the food and ambiance. I love the decor and the cha cha music; it puts me in the mood -- to EAT! I had the eggplant milanese, and while it's not authenticly cuban, it has the flair on it and it was very well cooked. The tomato sauce was hearty and delicious. The bf had the ropa vieja. I highly recommend this if you enjoy tender shredded pork. It was really awesome. Top that all off with a corona and one of the best caipirinha's i've had in Hawaii and it was golden. Pure foodie heaven...cha cha cha.
(5)
Mich C.

Dishes took awhile to come out but worth the wait! Nicely seasoned and flavored! Everyone totally enjoyed their meals!
(4)
Arabel C.

Another wonderful lunch here in downtown Honolulu. Good people watching spot. Staff friendly, too. Thank goodness they pointed out I may have made a mistake by leaving a $3 tip. Blamed it on my "happy" pills. How embarrassing! I'll keep coming back here as often as I can and as long as you keep plantains on the menu. Yummy.
(5)
Scott D.

Restaurant is bistro style but it can get very crowded the tables are roughly a foot apart. Wen there for lunch today tried to have Rabo Encendido but they were out of it so settled on Picadillo Shredded beef was very tender and presentation of stewed meat, seasoned rice and black beans reminded me of Yucatecan Cuisine. Service was very attentive..one advantage to a small room is that your server is never far away. Service was quick and a great choice for a weekday lunch.
(3)
Fiona P.

Service was terrible and food was mediocre. I was the birthday girl and they forgot my food and by the time we figured they forgot it my whole party finished theirs. They barely gave our table attention. Not going back.
(2)
Mike And Leslie B.

We orderd papa rellena, black bean chili and pollo frito. The appetizer was ground beef wrapped in a layer of potatoes (fresh and mashed) and baked.... Really yummy. We shared a main course of sautÃ©ed chicken breast with onions on top with a spicy cream sauce.... Served with rice and black beans... Yummy We also shared a bowl of black bean chili... Yummy Two glasses of really fresh sangria.... Yummy The service was good, and they brought two plates for each of us to share everything.... That was cool We'll of course be back
(4)
Kirsten R.

This is the same, amazing restaurant I fell inn love with years ago. The staff is amazing and the food and drinks never disappoint (try the caipirinhas). A tip: wander over here for a Samba night to find some amazing entertainment and fun!
(5)
David C.

The best cuban sandwich i've ever eaten before. It was so fresh and crisp tasting and also very affordable. Only $10 with chips or a salad. I would definitely go here to eat the cuban sandwich.
(5)
Amanda K.

Phenomenal. I have had Cuban all along the east coast including neighborhoods in Miami where no one even speaks English. This place is authentic. Delicious food that us Hispanics would call "sabroso"! The mojitos are addictive. The empanadas were good. The Piccadillo was very flavorful with delicious rice and beans. But my favorite was the Lechon asado. SO GOOD!! I couldn't stop eating it. I already can't wait to go back. They have done an excellent job with this place!!!
(5)
Tabatha P.

I really love the service here and the live music. The place is very clean and rustic-feeling. Seems like a lot of nice people come here, we always meet people and have a nice conversation. As for the food, most is really good but it seemed somewhat plain. Very fresh but just plain. The spicier stuff may not be as such, but the mild foods seemed somewhat boring. It wasn't exactly inexpensive and was pretty much beans, rice, and beef. However, I enjoyed my Corona and listened to music and talked to all the nice and joyful people. I've been here more than once because I want to give the food more chance and I love the environment. Plus it is close by my house and sometimes not a lot of places are open, the hours of this place are good.
(4)
Lelabee D.

I wasn't to sure if the ladies there were expecting a tip when I picked up a phone order. Do we tip. That was weird.. anyways. Sandwich comes with fries or maui chips. Cubano sandwich was good. Bread was crispy and the meats inside is fair. Love their food. MOOD: Uncertain about tips for pick up orders..
(3)
ThemisOfJustic E.

Whoaaaaaa..... Let me start by saying that this review is strictly for the Soul de Cuba in Honolulu, and has no bearing on the New Haven location, which is phenomenal. Being from the NorthEast, I was ecstatic to see a little Latin influence here in Honolulu. The place was decorated EXACTLY like the one in New Haven but to my dismay, there was much discrepancy in the menu and recipes. The menu here was missing a few items, including my favorite 'Platano Relleno' (layered plantains, seasoned ground beef and swiss cheese baked like a lasagna = amazing!) So, I ordered the "Ropa Vieja, which was standard tasting but smaller than the portion size in NewHaven (this is my bf's fav dish there). I was also sad to see that Ceviche was not on the menu, then my bf spotted it on a chalkboard behind me as a special for the day. My excitement quickly peaked only to be deflated by another disappointing moment. The concoction that came to the table was so unrecognizable that I initially told the waiter "oh, we didn't order this" He said "yes, this is the ceviche.... with fried tofu" FRIED TOFU?!??!!? No, there is NOTHING Cuban about tofu. And ceviche definitely doesn't have the consistency of soup. It is similar to Poke and is served with nacho chips or sometimes sliced platanos, never tofu. I have included pics of real ceviche compared to the slop that was produced in the Honolulu Soul de Cuba. I tried to give it a chance but the flavor was horrible, like the chef threw a few shrimp in a blender with orange juice and ginger. Definitely not worth the price that every other restaurant charges for the authentic recipe of shrimp, scallops, and squid with cilantro, lime and red onions. I tried to ask the waiter if he had given us some optional flavored spinoff of the ceviche, if there was a traditional ceviche on the menu, had they run out of the proper ingredients... but he was confused. He could barely pronounce the dishes, definitely not at all Latin and he actually asked another waiter who seemed frustrated at the question. If you're gonna blast Cuban artifacts all over the walls, then you should at least have authentic staff and recipes... it looks real bad when I go in a Cuban restaurant and no one can take my order in Spanish. Also, if you're gonna open multiple restaurants of the same name and theme, at least have the same standards for the menu. Imagine how unsuccessful McDonald's would be if the burgers varied in quality and portion from location to location.
(1)
Mark W.

I've never had Cuban food before, besides the Cuban sandwich, and I was thoroughly pleased last night. I had the Rojo viejo and it was delicious. The flank steak was wonderfully cooked so well that I thought it had to be pulled pork. It had some Spice but not too much. Only reason I have it 4 stars was they would not serve their Cuban sandwiches at night and their beers were bottled and they still charged 6 dollars for one. Service was average. Food was delicious.
(4)
Lindsey S.

What can I say, food was great, service was terrible. The Spanish Tapas were amazing, I am not sure what they did to the fried garbanzo beans but the entire table was shocked with the amazing flavor and non-greasy crispiness! The hummus was the perfect spice and texture, an the crostini was perfect toastiness! The chicken and pulled pork didn't disappoint, but what was going on with the waiter! He was slow, inattentive, didn't put in our drink order an we went to the bar ourselves and got it, when waiting for check we watched him fiddling with menus and hanging out. He looked in no hurry ad our entire section was obviously having similar experiences with him an we overheard and saw. Very disappointing, and brought down the rating.
(3)
Tatiana W.

Always love this place. Great food and great service. Definitely worth the higher price tag. I recommend the mojito and sangria for drinks, lumpia or chicken empanadas for appetizers, and the ropa Vieja for dinner. YUM!
(5)
Lance T.

Very cozy joint. Checked in for lunch. Had a Fricase de pollo. Marinated chicken in Cuban spices. I was told its one of their popular entree and I could see why. Surprised with the fried ripe bananas. Juicy chicken. Added the table spice sauce and you're set to sprint. Fresh olives really add to the taste. You can substitute the rice with potatoes or brown. Would love to check this out during happy hour. Check it out when I'm downtown.
(4)
Kelly G.

They have a Happy Hour on Saturdays which is a nice touch. From 4-7, my friends and I had their 50% appetizers and 50% signature drinks. Their Cuban lumpia and calamari (both normally $12) appetizers were the half off ones. Both were deep fried goodness. The sauces were also delicious! Ordered both of these twice. Also ordered their Papa Rellena ($7, came with 3 pieces) - delicious. Had a couple of drinks at 50% off (varying from $4-6 ea) but somehow we still racked up a bill of $80 between 4 people. Decent price considering we were all full just from appetizers. Overall a good experience, especially during Happy Hour specials.
(4)
Amber-Lynn H.

Sangrias that go down waaaaaaaay too easily and food so good, I'm surprised I took the second to snap a photo before demolishing my entire plate of Ropa Vieja. :) I've come here several times and have never been disappointed. Some servers are better and more knowledgeable than others, but hey, where is that not the case? And if you're in the mood to put on your boogie shoes, there's latin dancing every Wednesday night, usually with Son Caribe playing live. Tons of fun!
(5)
Jessica H.

Great little place for lunch and flavorful Cuban food. The black bean chili was excellent and about the best chili I've ever tasted. The flavors were very rich with a hint of tang - I wish I knew how they did this. I will definitely get this on every visit. The Cuban sandwich was very good too. The bread was fresh and toasted perfectly. The salad was a little small compared to other plates I saw come out later, but that's pretty minor. A friend said their mojitos are really good, so I'll be back to try those at happy hour. All the tables in the front section were full when we left, a little before one, but I think they expanded recently to add more seating, as there was a blocked off section to the left. Nice place!
(4)
Jennifer C.

Let's be honest. Hawaii does not have good Spanish food. It's a never ending hunt! Soul de Cuba helped my belly fulfill that gap. The food here is pretty good. I have had better, back home in NY and in Miami, but it is still damn good. Most important part - it tastes legit. (My half Dominican friend vouches for this!) I've tried the seafood salad, and the soul salad with lechon (pork). Both of them were SO good - the house dressings are amazing. I try to eat healthier, so having the salad with pork was a nice balance. I love that they even have this option! I am not much of a drinker, but I love the drinks here. They are strong, but you don't get kicked in the face with alcohol. Personally, I always love a glass of sangria when having Spanish food. In my few visits here, the service is always wonderful. The waiters are really nice and are quite attentive. (Boost from 4 stars to 5 stars!) Tip: If you are going to order the empanadas for dessert, SHARE THEM. They are quite heavy. It's filled with fruit and cream cheese, AND it's fried. So deadly.
(5)
Dean P.

This restaurant is very good food Cuban the authentic prices was good it's Chinatown but its turned into a pretty artsy eatery environment I'm from the big city show this has a big city feel with Aloha status and Matthew was awesome as always
(5)
Yvette B.

Service is amazing the guy that works there makes some great drinks and is quick to serve. Howver, the food seems to be going downhill not nearly as great as it used to be. I am the least impressed we went Sunday afternoon wasn't our first choice but seemed to be the only place open. We may go back for drinks but not for food.
(2)
Rel M.

Came here for dinner, and was pretty much just looking forward to eating a good Cubano...(Watch the film "Chef" and you'll know why) Open the menu, BOOM "Soul Cubano" staring back at me...ready to place my order. "I'll have a Cuban....*server interrupts* "Oh I'm sorry we stopped serving that at 5pm...omggahsfasdfljwhatt. I look at the menu again, doesn't say anywhere that they stop serving at that time...Didn't make a fuss about it, but it would be a little helpful to list it there. Just saying. Ordered the: Milanesa De Pollo marinated chicken breast lightly breaded then fried served under smoked ham, grated parmesan and tomato sauce over arroz blanco with frijoles negros and platanos maduros Pretty much made up for the Cubano :) Will come back, this time BEFORE 5. With an updated review.
(3)
Ivy Lou H.

Oye! Papis and Mamis of Honolulu, get down to Chinatown and have a taste of Cuba. I'm guilty of passing Soul de Cuba too many times so we finally popped in there for dinner. First of all it's nice and cozy inside and you feel like you're in a cafe in Calle Ocho in Miami. The staff are very friendly and can help you navigate the dishes if you're not too familiar with Cuban food. I love Empanadas so I had them along with Cuban Lumpias. The mango habanero dip that came with the Empanadas was creamy, sweet, and spicy at the same time and I had to get an extra one to dip my Lumpias in. We also ordered the Lechon Asado and I was beginning to think I was in some sort of Cuban Heaven because the dishes were all so tasty and perfect. Had too many sojus the night before so I'm going to have to come back to try their Mojitos.
(4)
Travelmeister T.

Yummy! We lunched here a few months back while biking around downtown. The food was outstanding, as was the deal on a pitcher of sangria. Sadly, the sangria, while tasty, was not very high-octane. However, for the price it was fine.
(4)
Don G.

Best discovery on a Sunday evening! Popped in to find a Cuban Jewel here in China Town! Matthew the Bartender made me feel welcome an quickly made me feel at home with a Sunday Special glass of house made Sangria $5.00! Pitchers for $18.00 Sangria Sunday! The food was awesome! Only disappointment was they were sold out of Calamari! Tuesday's they have live music! Can't wait to check them out again then!
(5)
Paula H.

Went by Soul de Cuba last night to meet a friend for dinner. The place is completely shut down. No sign on the door. Yelp still had it listed as 'open' but after doing some research I found out they are moving to a new location (Hawaii Kai, I believe). A sign on the door would have been very helpful.
(4)
Shannon H.

Got lucky today! They had an incredible $10 special during lunch. A ropa vieja + lechon asado plate! For $10! I asked the waitress if it was a regular special and she said it wasn't and that specials come out on random days (good sign? bad sign? you be the judge). She also mentioned the special may have been because today was the last day of the living social deal--which we had, yay!--so my friend and I both ordered that. Plates are all served with white rice, black beans and fried banana. Most plates are in the $15-$20 range and come with only one meat option. Super lucky today, amirite??? With an additional $10 to spend from the voucher, we also opted for the lumpia cubano (a cuban version of filipino crispy spring roll filled with cured ham, swiss cheese and cuban roast pork) because they were out of the croquetas de jaiba. VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVE. They came with a chili mustard that was also very good. Though I had basically the same dish both times I was here, I'd highly recommend the plates over the sandwiches. Didn't get around to dessert but I've heard their drinks are good. Can't remember if I got one the first time I came but we passed on them today. I think they have happy hour and dancing in the eve too. If you're into that.. which I'm not really. Only thing, parking absolutely sucks. I hate going to downtown just because parking is so awful. We got lucky and found an open meter but I never count on being able to find street parking. Unfortunately, the municiple lot I usually park at was closed today.
(4)
John C.

I had heard a lot of good things about this place. I had Cuban food one other time and it was in another state. When I came here, I had really high expectations. I enjoyed the initial service that I got for ordering but they were a little slow with getting me the check. I ordered the Soul Sampler for an appetizer and then had the lechon asado and fricase de pollo. The sampler was okay. It was actually very filling. I think this is the reason why I wasn't too impressed overall (I didn't have much appetite for the other two). I really enjoyed the sweet bananas and that was what really stood out. I ate whatever I had left of the two entrees the next day and thought that it was pretty good. I'm a small eater but my date insisted on ordering a lot of food. If I had it my way, I probably would have only ordered one entree for us to share and would have been better satisfied. This is what I will do next time and I may change my rating.
(3)
Nicole K.

We look forward to trying all kinds of foods for date night and were really excited to try Cuban food for the first time. We made reservations (we learned to do this after several rejections from other restaurants) but ended up arriving a half hour early. We were welcomed and seated promptly. The atmosphere was nice. The walls were dotted with Cuban art and the music was low. There apparently is a section that they can open up to accommodate more patrons, where I assume they also set up for live music, but that was closed this Thursday night. The waitstaff were friendly and offered suggestions for our drinks. We had a DELICIOUS guava mojito and Dos Equis. Our appetizer was the papa rellenas. I was surprised at how small they were! I guess the pictures make them look bigger? They were nicely crisp on the outside, but had very little meat on the inside, and it needed SALT. I ordered the lechon (pulled pork) entree. It was served with white rice and black beans. I didn't eat the rice because I gave it up for lent. The pork needed salt as well. Our waitress brought out their habanero sauce. I practically drowned my food in it, wishing it to enhance my pork. Not spicy. No taste. My husband ordered the chicken fricase. He loved it. He said it was very flavorful. The dishes seemed small to me. And that is another reason for a lost star. We waited a long time for our dessert: Guava and cheese empanadas. We were told they were 'making them fresh' for us. When it came out, there was 1 empanada cut in half. It was served with fresh whipped cream and a strawberry. I loved the filling but the crust was doughy and limp. Let us review: - food needed salt - too small a serving for the price - took too long with dessert - would have liked louder music...oozing Cuban passion! We always go to a restaurant with a 5 star expectation. And are often saddened when they don't live up to our expectation. Soul de Cuba, here are some suggestions: - use more salt - drop the price of each dish by $3 - turn up the Cuban music to transport us out of Hawaii for the duration of our meal Would we return? Sure. Do we suggest you try it? Meh.
(3)
Anthony L.

Stumbled on this place on the way to redbox and thought a good Cuban would go well with the movie, I read a lot of the reviews so my review because of the day and time my view might be different. Saturday just after lunch. Place as a few customers. Waitress very nice, told her it was my first time she recommended a few things. Very prompt with food and return of check. 5 star Menu looked good and though there is only one mojito I commend any bar to make their own spin. They had ten, many I would like to try. Prices slightly high but their happy hour cuts it by 1/2 on about 8 drinks and one appetizer. Seems like a good deal for happy hour. 10 / 14 a little pricey for Cubans but this is Hawaii and coming from Southern California mexican food is really cheap, really cheap and you can't get the same quality or price on an island in the pacific. So I will give that to them, it might be hard to get fresh ingredients for Cuban food too. ONLY complaint is the pork was dry on my cuban thus three stars.
(3)
Christa B.

Maybe if I hadn't just been in Florida and ate so much excellent Cuban food there for dirt cheap a couple of weeks prior to coming here, I may have given this place a higher rating. However, the prices here were too high for small portions and good, not great Cuban cuisine. The mojito was really good, sweet and crisp, but I was surprised at the $10 price for the size of an ice filled low ball glass. The ambience is nice for a casual date night. The service was some what lacking, especially since the place only had three tables with small amount of people. I was there for about forty minutes and was never offered a refill. (I think there's one yelpers picture of his water that was only refilled half way. ) There is a paid parking garage nearby as well as metered street parking. The sampler was $18 for two small, barely filled empanadas, 2 crab cakes, and two potato filled balls. The chicken meat filling was dry and lacked flavor. I think the other empanada was supposed to be beef, but all I tasted was peppers and onions. The crab cakes were perfectly fried and were the best things of the meal. The plate the picadillo came on was 75% rice and the rest beans and meat which was unfortunate because the meat was excellent. I feel like I pretty much paid $15 for rice that probably costs less than a buck to cook and a half a can of $2 black beans. I decided to skip dessert because I was worried that the portion would have been small and that it would have taken too long. It's a good thing Cake Envy is next door.
(3)
Chris G.

It's a Saturday night, and we sat at the bar. Very understaffed. The bartender was not actually a bartender, so it took forever to get our drinks. After an hour, we still had not gotten the one appetizer and one entree we ordered. (The restaurant was not full). The three people next to us at the bar told us that they had been there for an hour and a half and only received two of their three entrees, and those took over an hour. They said the couple next to them had been there for two hours and walked out without receiving their food.
(1)
Alicia W.

The worst service EVER!!! From the bar tenders absence, slow staff and to the wompy food, it SUCKED!!! I ordered stale calamari and greasy flan. I will not be back and I'll never recommend this place to ANYONE. I wish we would've just walked out like the people seated next to us.
(1)
Kimoli T.

This place is amazing. The service was awesome, the waiter was a pleasant to have and the food was beyond expectations. It's good to have Cuban food in Hawaii, such a comfort food. The Oxtails plate was amazingly great--falling off the bone. And the sangria , was delicious and refreshing! Will definitely come back again
(5)
Liz C.

Being Cuban from Miami I was so excited to have found a Cuban restaurant in Honolulu & I really wanted to like this place but alas. The dishes were small & very pricey. (I know we are in Honolulu but this was ridiculous for the small amount of food). I found the black beans tasteless & so was my picadillo. Honestly, I make this dish so much better at home. Also I was only given 2 plantains?! 2?!!! Every good Cuban place will give you 3 or 4 greasy delicious fried plantains. Come on! The BF ordered a pan con bistec that looked more like a cheese steak on flatten Cuban bread. Not a real pan con bistec at all. The only thing I truly liked was the guava empanada. Seriously save your money & skip this place if you're hungry. If you want to get a nice buzz, I watched the bartender make a few mojitos & he looked like he knew what he was doing. I didn't have one though because I had to go to work after but I might come back to try one & have another guava empanada. No food for me though. Also, every traditional Cuban restaurant will always give you Cuban bread before your meal. Not here. What's up with that? Where's my extra carb?!
(2)
Christine K.

The food was really good. I can't remember the name of what I had for an appetizer, but it was mashed potato stuffed with beef, rolled into a ball and fried. It was fantastic. For an entree, I had picadillo. It was really good, lots of flavor and NOT heavy with salt (I'm not a huge salt fan)! The portion size was right. It came it fluffy rice and black beans and a couple fried plantains on the side. The beans were also good. For dessert I had the flan. I liked it, especially since it was very firm and not super jiggly. My only gripe was that the service was pretty disorganized and slow. Granted, I was with a group, but the lack of attention was kind of not awesome. And, with groups, they ought to write down the orders when they know ahead of time they are going to be making separate checks. I would go again because it was tasty though.
(4)
Danielle S.

Best mojitos on the island! (5 stars) The food is delicious. The only negative is that on a couple occasions my food has come out cold. (3 stars) Absolutely worth trying!
(4)
Kim K.

Food was super delicious and service was awesome I has a Sunday brunch special shrimp ceviche with a taro quiche ended it with a signature expresso perfect lunch
(4)
Lianid P.

Cubano w salami? Medianoche w onions??? And Where is the mustard!!! WTF!!! Ã‘OO! Very very disappointed! Le voy a dar una oportunidad mas.
(2)
BJ S.

If I could give ZERO stars I would. We waited over two hours for our food. Food that was specially advertised. The owner of the place didn't seem all that concerned as we had to walk to the bar to refill water as he sat schmoozing with his friends. They blamed it on a server quitting unexpectedly, but last time I checked, servers don't cook the food....so why did we wait two hours for our $15 taco plate that only came with two tacos? Here's the kicker...as soon as we were done eating, our plates were promptly cleared and we were presented with an apology for the server that quit. SERVERS DONT COOK FOOD! Horrible. Service. Don't. Come. Here.
(1)
Justin U.

Sad this is going on my F-Bombs list especially after giving it a good first review. I go here quite frequently for lunch. I usually call in an order, go there, pick up, pay, then head back to work to eat. I typically order one of their super good, under 10 dollar sandwiches. Today was different. For some reason, we decide to dine in and rather than ordering one of our traditional under 10 dollar sandwiches, we select meals in the 18-24 dollar range. Yea, we were ballin on this day. sike. We order at 12:10, our food comes out at 1pm! I'm a pretty patient person, but I started getting upset when the tables surrounding us that were seated 30 minutes after we were seated started getting their food first. We were seriously one second away from walking out of there. So we get our food, and I'm about 2 sips away from drinking all of my water. I'm weird, but I hate eating food knowing I might be out of something to drink. I like to ration sips, to the amount of food left over to eat so it's important that they match. haha. So as I'm eating, I keep one eyeball on my food, and one on my water. Finally, I couldn't take it, I ate half my meal without taking one sip of water. I was thirsty and needed to wash down my food. Finally, I take my last gulp. Hoping a refill would soon arrive, I eat, and eat, and keep eating until nothing else was on my plate. Still no water. After a few moments of waiting and with an empty plate of food, I finally get a refill. But it wasn't even a refill, my server only filled half my glass (see posted picture)! WTF. I certainly expected more from this place. I gave a star because the food was still good. But moving forward, I'm sticking to take-out.
(2)
Tameka J.

Stopped in for dinner after a long flight to Oahu. Decided to get our food to go and everything was delicious. We started with an appetizer that would remind you of a perfectly cooked spring roll filled with delicious pork and Swiss cheese accompanied by spicy mustard sauce, a simple dish but so flavorful. We shared the oxtails which were tender, nicely seasoned and in a delicious sauce. We also enjoyed sweet plantains and black beans and rice, traditional preparations for both and equally as delicious.
(4)
Tom B.

Soul de Cuba is excellent! Everything we ordered was delicious. My only complaint is that they gave us a lot more rice than beans; the beans were all gone before we even made a dent in the rice.
(5)
Christine E.

This place was very close to making me put my grumpy pants on. This is the second time I've been here for dinner and like the 5th or 6th time overall (I usually get their sandwiches for lunch). Although the food here is yummy, I'm never a huge fan of the service. First time I came here with my girlfriends, the mixed drinks sucked, the waiter seemed irritated and rushed us, we made reservations but were forced to squeeze in a smaller table because they didn't save a bigger space for us. Bleh. Then on other occasions when my office order lunches, once or twice they haven't been ready when they said it would. Double bleh. So basically, food here is good (obviously since I keep coming back for more punishment) but service, lacks. Last night was no exception. We had 7pm reservations for 6ppl. Because of the traffic fatality and what not, we don't get to the actual restaurant until 7:15. We go in and say we had reservations at 7, the waitress is like..."oh" (confused look, calls manager). Manager comes in and said "you had a reservation?" and we are like "yes, we called two days ago to confirm", he says "ooooh, ummm yea. 20-30 minute wait"....he looked completely caught off guard that there was a reservation for tonight and what's worse is that he made no apology, no explanation, NOTHING. Just..."probably 20-30 minutes". Well, what's the freaking point in making a reservation then? Oh well, I'm with good company, I'll try to relax about this. So we finally sit down around 7:40ish. Waitress is nice, but new so she couldn't help too much on recommendations. We order the Crab cake and Empendada appetizers (YUM!), and then for our entrees we had Lechon Asada (my favorite since I loooove lechon anything), Fricasse de Pollo, Pollo de ajo y Naranja, and the Bistec Palomilla. All the food is GREAT. Flavorful, large portions, delicious. But the whole night we're just wondering where the staff is? The place wasn't busy and yet no one checks up on us. We finished eating like 1/2 hour before anyone shows up, we actually have to flag them and be like...can we go home now?? After everything - our 2 hour dinner, PLUS 1/2 hour wait (so 2 1/2 hrs total) ordeal was over. Good times with good friends, but on a weeknight, after a long days work, I just need someone competent and nice to feed me and send me on my way. On the positive side, they allowed us to split our checks and the food is good. I truly think the staff here are nice people. They are just inadequate at serving/running a service business like this. I would recommend coming here when you are craving cuban food, don't have anywhere to be, and don't mind awkward service. Otherwise, avoid.
(2)
Quiana J.

My new favorite place! Went there on a Sunday and it was rather slow. Good came out and I fell in love. I actually saw others food so I'll be ordering something more things off the menu.
(5)
Mel L.

We live nearby and after passing this restaurant numerous times over the years, my wife and I finally decided to try it. We were looking for a nice treat but left extremely disappointed. The food was awful! There food was flat -- their fried calamares tasted like wet erasers, and my wife's salmon was equally unexciting. I noted the high prices on the menu and assumed they were that way because of the quality of the food. Absolutely no soul!
(1)
Myriellie W.

My very first one star. Satuday night out with friends in China Town - we were checking out a bar that we love oh so dearly that was closing - A French restaurant, Du Vins, you'll be missed. Ok anyways, moving forward, we decided to eat close by since Du Vins wasn't serving any food, soooo we went next door to Soul De Cuba, we were looking at the menu outside while waiting to get seated - and everything looked good! It was my first time here, but my girl said they have really good food that she would get from the NEX. We got seated, and im not even kidding, we got our water in about 20 minutes after. We were really hungry, this is a really small place (about 30 people max, and 5-7 tables, BUT the ambience takes you back you know?) ...and there was just one waiter.. yup! We understood he was busy and trying to accommodate everyone as much as possible.. 10 minutes pass by and we were ready to order - tips: MOJITOS are bomb, I got the mango! Ahh ok so I got the Empanadas A La Carte and my mojito, everyone went ahead and ordered, he came back and said my boyfriends order and another one of our friends order was sold out - so they ordered off again from the menu , I know this is long but I promise it's worth it.. 20-30 minutes still no drink, but our food came out, everyone except for one guy, he ordered the calamaris, waiter comes out... boom tells our friend calamaris is all out... oh and by the way we still never got our mojitos.. someone finally asked him about our drinks and he apologized and I guess he forgot cuz we got our drinks right away... BUTTTTTTT the food was actually really really really GOOD! Omg... I cant even explain it in detail, but please look at my pics ill be posting - so end of the night we got our bill, the waiter comes to our table and asked, so who ordered the calamaris (we were doing a split bill, and he wanted to know which orders was to whom) ---- and my friends and I all looked at each other and just couldn't believe this, we had to remind him that he told us it was sold out.. LOL. Seriously, Soul De Cuba, you're food is good, but please please PPPPLEASE work on your customer service. (ps - best dessert ever tasted, if you have enough patience, pls go ahead and order the Flan Soul de Cuba) Good luck!
(1)
Kara V.

Worst service ever. Waited over an hour, never received appetizers and had to leave due to starvation.
(1)
Cat P.

Food here was really good. I came here for dinner with my bf and I ordered the ropa vieja (yum!) and also the lumpia appetizer special. I swear my server was high though. He was really nice but was talkin about some weird stuff to me, lol. He messed up on one of our orders (small kine), but luckily the restaurant gave us a little discount to make up for it. I really want to check out their lunch menu b/c their sammies look really good! Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it out sometime soon!
(4)
Paul R.

Love love love!! I finally got a chance to eat a full meal here, and it was everything I expected!! We hand their sangria to start, and it was really tasty.. Never really enjoyed sangrias too much, but theirs really did it for me. For our appetizer we tried the soul sampler, y los platanitos estaban deliciosos!! The papa rellena were amazing as well!! Platanitos are lightly fried mini banana slices, and the papa rellena was this potatoe with beef in the middle. The third sample was this crab cake thing, and it was ok, but i let my girlfriend have those :p.. Devoured it before I remembered to take a pic. Our entrÃ©e was lechon asado, which is roast pork, and it came with black beans, white rice, and a few more of those platanitos. The pork was very tender and loaded with flavor. Beans and rice were beans and rice, but those little platanitos just make you want to cry. They mix well with the dish. Dessert!!! We had the flan ambiente. Its flan covered in a sweet sauce. Some strawberries and whipped cream on top, and then... Wait for it.. PLATANITOS on the bottom!!! I will continue to come here again and again and again!!
(5)
Jocelyn Z.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I have been to the Soul de Cuba in CT various times and loved it, but SDC of Honolulu is definitely the best! I had the salmon with potatoes and asparagus and literally finished everything on the plate. I had this with a perfectly made mango margarita and followed it all up with a delicious piece of plan! Loved the food and very attentive service. Can't wait to visit SDC again on my next trip to Hawaii!
(5)
Nikki H.

YUMMM this place! On a recent night out with the infamous Meals on Heels group, the hostess picked this delicious spot for us to gather and get our grub and gab on. It was perfect! Our table was big enough to accommodate all 9 of us, yet we were still close enough we could each talk with each other as a group and not yell. Good thing, cause the convos got pretty lewd as the mojitos went down. ;-) My kinda chatter. So, the food. I wanted to try the Soul Cubano sandwich, but since I didn't see it on the menu, know that you cannot order any of their sandwiches after 5PM. BOO! So I opted for one of the chicken dishes, and asked our adorable waiter to make it spicy. He smiled and said "oh, no problem!" I liked him. My dish was excellent, as were all of the appetizers I tried. Everyone raved about the Ropa Viejo and the picture of mojitos, as I said, made our conversations hilarious. So I give two thumbs WAY up for their food. As for the decor of the restaurant, I wanted to take all the art home and put it in my home. It's vibrate, culturally authentic & just interesting. There were a few photos of actual people that were seriously old, and so for that reason they were creepy, but I find that to be rad. The tables vary between counter height tops with bar stools, to lengthy tables with chairs and booth seating. I mentioned how it accommodated all of us really well. And the service was great, our waiter was attentive and there was only a MINOR issue when it came time to pay, but in his defense he was having to split up 8 different cards. I WILL be coming back here, because the food is worth it. I know my husband would really enjoy this place and I'm glad that a restaurant that has yummy Cuban food is on our island!
(4)
Jeff Z.

The food is great! But the service can be hit or missed. If you want to try Cuban food this is the place to go to.
(4)
Nic P.

I grew up in south Florida, I love Cuban food. This place served me COLD hamburger helper with green olives and called it Picadillo. Two lousy, soggy, cold platanos, with tasteless black beans. Abuela weeps as I write this. Our server was put off with the idea that my food should be served hot but did manage to get the kitchen to microwave it. He didn't feel that I needed a fork when he returned with the heated dish, but, details. My rum flight became a bit of a negotiation as they did not have the 10 year Cuban but were happy to sub it out with an unaged brand. After agreeing on a proper substitute, all three were presented in shot glasses. Apparently 10 and 15 year old rum does not deserve a small wine glass to enjoy the complex aromas at Soul. After waiting 20 minutes for the check I had to beg another server for the bill. The art on the walls was interesting but please, AVOID this place if you know anything about Cuban food. One star is too many.
(1)
Marjorie H.

Nice little Cuban Getaway in downtown Honolulu. The charming atmosphere filled with colorful artwork, and great music, had us time-traveling back to the Carribean for a couple of hours. Came for a dinner date after 6pm on a monday and street parking was FREE! Empanadas, which came in a serving of three flavors (all very different): beef, chicken, and veggie, were packed with flavor and half-price for happy hour (5pm-7pm). The Mojito's were so yummy and could be ordered by the pitcher...another PLUS! We ordered the Lechon Asado, cuban style pulled pork and the Fricase de pollo, cuban chicken. All entrees came with white rice, black beans, and a couple bites of fried bananas. The food was full of flavor and surprisingly tasted healthy (or not as greasy as I thought) at the same time. We ordered the Flan for dessert. It was very authentic. Don't leave the place without trying it!! Overall, a great place to enjoy Cuban food and a few drinks! I'm definitely going back.
(5)
Cindy L.

Yelp 31 days Challenge: 24/31 I've been coming here for lunch to have their sandwiches. I had the following: Cubano - $10 - baked ham, marinated roast pork, swiss cheese and pickled served on Cuban bread. The pork was juicy and the pickled gave it a good balance. Pescado de rio (catfish) - $10 - deep fried catfish in perfect batter, moist flakes of fish melts in your mouth good. Rabo encendido - $18 - slowed cooked ox tail stew, meat falls off the bone. But the flavor might be too strong for me. Great lunch place in downtown. Quick and friendly service.
(4)
Casey M.

Finally made it here and I gotta say the atmosphere is relaxing and the Cubano sandwich is delicious! I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)
Clarissa M.

After a film at the Hawaii Theatre we walked over to this restaurant which is right across the street. Convenient and tonight they close at 10pm. Got in few minutes before 9pm and their were only a table of four. Service was friendly and quick. We tried the appetizer platter and eggplant dish that came with rice, negros frijoles, and plantains. The plantains were moist with a hint of sweetness. Food was prepared well and tasty. The only downside was their diet coke tasted very flat. Dessert was also excellent had the flan which was thicker than the Filipino flan dessert and it came with plantains and strawberries. Cuban food here is worth a try.
(4)
E V.

This restaurant is across the street from a theater. We got there around 6:30 or 7 on a Sunday evening. We didn't have to wait for a table, but it filled up quickly when the theater let out. It is VERY small. While they weren't full, we were waited upon by at least two different people, maybe three. They seemed very rattled. I had the fricase de pollo, which was rather good. Not terribly exciting, but it was fine. I asked for no onions, but it came with them. The waitress apologized, but I know waitresses don't make the food. My friend had the appetizer sampler platter, which is supposed to feed two. She is very thin, but has a large appetite. As this was her dinner, it was no where near enough food for two people. But she said it tasted really good. The sangria was decent, but I've had better. Not sure we'd go back, but it was okay.
(3)
Mui K.

Randomly yelped this place because we were in Hawaii on vacation and looking for something besides Hawaiian food that also included some good vegetarian options. This place totally fit the bill. It also let us explore a different area since we hadn't really been in the downtown Honolulu area much. Word of caution, if you go there on a WEEKEND, everything is basically closed. So there's nothing to see or do in the area. Also there's one server there that had a very indifferent/flippant attitude that almost caused us to leave. Luckily the other two servers were great and we stayed and loved the food. Food: Veggie Empanadas - nice and crispy. Their homemade mango and habanero salsa is perfect. It's sweet but also sour and spicy so it cuts through the heaviness Eggplant Milanesa - tastes like eggplant Parmesan with white rice, plantains and black beans. Can't go wrong :) My vegetarian friend loved this. Salmon en Mojo y Miel - I thought this was okay but I'm not really into sweet glazes on fish. You can really taste the honey on the fish. My friend that ordered this thought it was delicious Pargo a la Cubana - Red snapper with onions and tomatoes on top. I ordered this and thought it was amazing. Very flavorful and very hearty with the rice and black beans. I would definitely order it again. Flan Soul de Cuba - disappointing. The flan was very thin and the caramel sauce was also thin. I don't know if this is how traditional Cuban style flan is but I was not impressed at all. Overall, worth checking out.
(4)
Ana R.

My friend has been scammed by this so called cuban restaurant so many times. She is located in a mountain close to Pali and orders food to go often. She gets home to find a huge amount of sticky nasty rice with beans and a SPOONFUL of meat. Google ROPAVIEJA so you can see that meal is all meat and few rice. Paparellena was good but burned inside and cold. I don't care if you offer a refund or an exchange on the phone,nobody wants to arrive home tired and hungry and find a meal like the one you sent her. Plus driving back takes traffic,time,gas,and time is money,right? She is so good and kind and suffered so much last time you fooled her because she was hungry and trusts in the quality of your food. The only thing I can do is to post a one star review on Yelp for making suffer mi amiga. And keep starving for the lack of authentic good latin food places,well,the lack of good food in general..... and ricorico closed (quiet sobbing) I was fooled too in Ala Moana yesterday with a "lechon" that turned out to be a pound of rice tasting like gas from the stove and some pieces of pork. Eeek Me thinks not!
(1)
Debbie R.

Enjoyed lunch here today. The food here is tasty, but kind of pricey for what you get. I had the pan con bistec thinly sliced mojo marinated steak with grilled onions served on pressed cuban bread with mayo, with a side of chips ($10). VERY little meat on the sandwich, mostly bread and onions, good thing I ordered a cup of the black bean soup ($5) on the side. My friend had the fricase de pollo, which was cuban chicken with olives on top of a bed of rice and beans ($18). Looked very tasty, but the 2 chicken thighs were kind of puny - not much food considering the price. The food is typical Cuban fare, which is a nice change of pace - not too many Cuban food places here in the Islands, so for the occasional treat, I don't mind parting with that kind of cash for something different. Cuban food is very flavorful - lots of spices without being "spicy". The service was great - very attentive. If you are in the market for a break from the ordinary, this is the place. Just be sure you bring a little extra dough.
(4)
Kevin W.

Awesome. I've had too much mediocre food in Honolulu.. Anyone comparing this place to what they've had in Miami should remember that they're not in Miami..
(5)
Taylor M.

Came to eat here for me and my fiancÃ©'s anniversary last night. Great drinks, food, and music :) we'll definitely be going again.
(5)
Steven B.

Definitely has to be one of the top restaurants in all of the island. The food is outstanding and the mojitos are unbelievable. Close to chinatown and first Fridays. They have live music weekly and open for first fridays for dancing. The atmosphere is still upscale and very convenient to all of the local bars to continue your night on to. Have been here about 20 times and will continue to go. Never a let down!!!
(5)
Aneisa D.

I really love this place ... This is my umpteen time coming here and I am never disappointed!!! This is however, my first time here for lunch :) I ordered the Soul Cubano ..... Yum yum yum!!!!! And I will keep coming back!!!
(5)
Jackie K.

Over priced but their sandwiches are delicious. Will go their to treat myself every so often.
(4)
Josh A.

Nice outing with friends and great food. The El Presedente was on special for drinks and it was good. Not overpowering but you knew there was some alcohol in there. I tried the pollo de ajo y naranja which was very, very good and well season. Ambiance was enjoyable but the service was slightly slow.
(4)
Victoria M.

Opening late? So, I work downtown, and had a business lunch planned that had to be between 11-1. As such, I called to make reservations the day before. I was told that they open at 11 am, and that I didn't need reservations, but I made them anyway. I got here a few minutes early, and have been standing outside. Someone who works there has been cleaning the windows with copious amounts of windex - inside and out. Five minutes after they are supposed to open, he finally acknowledges me to say that they'll open soon. This is a bit ridiculous. Some other patrons came up and just went inside. They let them in, but ignored me. I sort of jumped in, let them know I has a reservation, and after a little bit if confusion, was seated. --- They were very quick in bringing out waters for our party, which is a huge plus to me. Good job! Wait staff very nice so far. They even came to double check to make sure I really knew which coffee (espresso) I had ordered. I'm definitely getting happier. --- Ordered a few appetizers. My coffee just came and it smells awesome! --- Espresso is absolutely perfect. Also, they brought appetizer plates, and refilled my water. I asked if they would mind turning down the music a smidge, and they were like "of course!" And they did it. They are redeeming themselves now. :-) I'm pleased. --- Empanadas and tapa platter came, and everything was amazing. Loved the beef empanadas best, and the crunchy garbanzo beans on the tapa platter. ---- I ordered the soul Cubano, which I loved!! My husband got the chicken, and it was good, but I think my sandwich was better. Service was perfect, loved the food, and I'll be back. I just won't come right when they open. Ha! To sum it up, I definitely had a good experience, although the beginning was obnoxious. The servers were all awesome, and actively helped each other out. That's when you know it's a good place, when the servers are all on the same team! I will be back soon, I think... Maybe we could have a Yelp event there! :-D
(4)
Ben R.

Food isn't bad, servers are ok.... But the bartenders are extremely rude. Don't go here to drink!!
(2)
Chanel G.

Oh my Oh my. I have wanted to try this place for so long and I am so lucky to have been in invited out to dinner last night. First impression of the lumpia appetizer was ' Holy YuM , can I make these at home?! ' The answer is probably not as magical as they made it so just go back and get some more. My entree consisted of Chicken lightly breaded with a mango fruit salsa and black beans with plantains on the side. It is also going to be my lunch cause the portion was Sumo sized. If you go there for the first time just keep in mind Sharing is caring. Yum Yum Yum. I work out so I can eat out. So I better get more gym time in.
(5)
Lei T.

my husband and I had dinner there last night and it was delicious! we had the empenadas, soul salad, and freakas--(I don't remember the name of the dish) but it was chicken, rice, black beans, and sweet bananas. we will return for more date nights.
(5)
Brian B.

Working in downtown Honolulu provides me the great privilege to try out a variety of different cuisines that can't necessarily be had anywhere else. Soul de Cuba is a relatively decent eating spot, but unfortunately I can't recommend eating here if you're stopping by during a lunch break. Since this place has been around, I've had their food at least 4-5 times with 4 of those times being dine-in. The food here is Cuban and ranges from chicken & beef based entrees to good ol' sammiches. Out of the 4-5 times I've been here, I've had their sammiches each time because they are simple, tasty, decently priced and quick! With the sammiches you get a choice of chips or salad which makes for a well-rounded but filling meal, especially when you consider that the most expensive is $12. So far so good right? Weeeeeelll... As I mentioned earlier, if you're coming here on a lunch break, you're gonna wind up taking a little more than hour to get your food and eat depending on how busy the place is. If there's a large group anywhere in this restaurant, forget it, you're gonna be waiting a while and visits from your host/hostess will be in-frequent at best. In fact, the last 2 times I came here and had said sammiches, it took a while to get them. To make matters worse, the water refills were basically non-existant, and this is despite the host/hostess coming around and seeing that my glass is emptying... Seriously, WTF?!? So what's the verdict? Well, I'd say call-in your order if you're planning on having lunch from here whether or not you choose to eat at the restaurant itself. Unless you have time to wait and don't mind waiting a while, I'd strongly recommend calling the order in either way. I've heard the dinner service is much better and quicker than lunch but I rarely am in the area during that time so I can't comment on that. For a slightly different cuisine however, this is a decent place to come for a meal.
(2)
Chasity T.

Good food, nice place! Growing up eating Cuban food, this is the best this island has to offer! Love the lechon asado! Of course, it's not my abuela's Cuban food, but close enough!!
(5)
Chris A.

Disappointed with this return visit....... half the beers on the menu were not available, then when asking for red wine....... guess what nothing. No more red wine ! I wanted the pan con bistec.... (steak sandwich). Sorry no sandwiches after 5. Well here's an idea don't have them on the dinner menu, or better yet state that on the menu. I'm not sure if the prices went up but I don't remember the 3 empanadas appetizers being 17 bucks. They are really good but eh that's a bit steep. The waiter was terrible as well. Not a good Friday night for them
(2)
H P.

A little small but it's a good intimate setting. The food and service were great. Biggest downside is the parking, but I would go back for sure.
(4)
Chris M.

Went on First Friday, showed up around 9 PM. Crowd wasn't crazy, got a table, listened to some music that threw me right back to Miami. Food was delicious, the vibe was great.
(5)
Amber C.

Loved the food. Definitely know what they're doing in the kitchen. Only downside is it's downtown so parking is annoying and the plates are on the expensive side. My favorite was the lechon asado! Service was good too :)
(5)
Terry K.

Yelp Challenge 365 # 145/365 $55.00 lunch tab for 2. Okay, included in the tab is a beer and glass of wine. Here is my story: On weekdays, you may find street parking (limited to 1 hour) or you can park in the municipal lots. There's one on Bethel and another one on Bertania. The Beretania municipal parking is usually empty enough that parking is not a problem. Street parking may be a problem because you will have to feed the meter the second time. You won't be able to get in, order and eat, then get out in 1 hour. Highly unlikely Ensalada de Louisa was an ordinary salad with iceberg lettuce, tomato, avacado and a few other veggies. What was more than ordinary was their honey vinegarette dressing. The dressing was delicious. Sweet but not that sweet....know what I mean? Rabo Encendido was my entree. Red wine braised oxtail. I had to try it because I am a snob when it comes to braising...I think my braised meats are the best (but then, any one who cooks will agree with me that we all think our preparations are the best). The oxtail was braised to perfection, enough were the meat will slide off the bone but not too much where the meat would crumble off the bone... Didn't taste much of the wine braising but it did have a type of chili in the braising. The hint of the chili enhanced the meat flavor. (I still prefer my braising) My lunch partner had the picadillo; ground beef seasoned with latin spices. Don't know how it wa= my lunch partner is a person of few words so not much I can say on this one. Oh, both entrees served on a bed of rice topped with black beans and plantains. Overall? I guess okay. Not many cuban diners here in Honolulu so can't really compare. And it would be unfair for me to compare it with cuban eateries on the continent, LA, DFW, etc
(3)
Maria G.

My disclaimer is that I grew up in Spanish Harlem in NYC, surrounded by my step father's family cooking, who is puertorican/cuban. So I know good Cuban/Hispanic food. I tried this place out for the first time in birthday in 2009, and I was really not that impressed. I thought that the rice was lacking and the food itself, although decent tasting, was not really representative of Cuban/Latin food. Flash forward to 2013...I had a really bad hankering for Cuban food and was homesick so we decided to give this place another shot. Meh. My husband got the pollo frito with arroz moro and I got the asado. Again, all I can say is MEH. The pollo frito is essentially a mix between tokatsu/lemon chicken. My asado was something a little too reminiscent of kalua pig. And their platanos (plantains) are NOT plantains...they're freakin bananas. (The server even admitted it!) So while the food is ok tasting, it is NOT an authentic representation of the flavors that are distinct to cuban/latin food. Also, what is it with the white rice that they serve!?!?!? Any decent Hispanic person knows that good Hispanic food is served with Arroz Amarillo (yellow rice!) and gandulez (beans) I think I'll just go back to cooking my own puerto rican/cuban dishes at home, whenever I get home sick.
(2)
Haylee F.

Last night we decided to try something new and gave Soul de Cuba a shot. We went a little later in the evening so we were seated right away. I really wanted to get into the spirit of things so I ordered the Soul Mojito - their house take on the traditional drink. It was good! Definitely one of the better-made mojitos I've had, it wasn't too sweet and there were just enough muddled mint leaves for me to enjoy the flavor and not chew the garnish. As with all new places, we asked our waitress to help with some recommendations. She was so nice! It was very transparent that this was our first time and even though we wanted to try everything, she encouraged us to share plates. We decided to share the Soul Sampler which came with fried plantains, papa rellena, and croquetas de jaiba. The plantains are basically bananas and had a nice sweet taste to them. The papa rellena is like a mashed potato croquette stuffed with seasoned ground beef. The taste was pretty basic BUT the homemade salsa really kicked it up a notch! The croquetas de jaiba is basically a crab cake. It was a little dry but again, the home made salsa helped enhance the flavors of the onions and bell peppers. For an entree we decided to share the fricase de pollo, which I think was their house specialty chicken. The chicken was deliciously marinated and cooked to perfection - so tender and juicy it fell right off the bone. Our waitress checked in on us from time to time to see how we liked her suggestions and all we could manage to muster up was: "MMMMMM!" There was an older couple next to us who struck up a conversation about our dishes and were nice enough to share input on their choices, as well. They had what I think was a Cuban version of lettuce wraps and the milanesa de polla - both looked great and they confirmed! All in all I'm glad we ventured past our norm and tried something new. The atmosphere was nice, the food was tasty, and the staff were nice and courteous! We will definitely be back to try more of the menu!
(5)
RD T.

Most fantastic lunch ever!!!! Love the food and ambiance and the parking nearby is so convenient. Marks Garage is reasonably priced for a great lunch in downtown. This place fills up quick since its one of the best places for lunch in downtown.
(5)
Jordan O.

The food was good and what I expected. I can say that everything that we ate was good and flavorful fully living up to my expectations. I hade the Ropa Veja, and the rest of my group tried the Sandwiches. The Sandwich was was really good and the Ropa Veja was really tender. I wish they gave us more for our money. I mean the prices for the plates were a little steep for the amount of food, I was still hungry after I demolished my plate. I wish they gave more plantains as well. I think your best bet for "bang for your buck" are the sandwiches. Overall I would go back, but not as often as I would if the prices were lower.
(4)
Tammy O.

My favorite Cuban restaurant in my favorite part of Downtown. Atmosphere is glamorous with vigorous arts and soul lifting music. Should definitely check out Latin night on Wednesday as well!
(5)
Brandy W.

If you are looking for a unique dining experience downtown besides the asian fare, look no further! I haven't had Cuban food before, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but everything I've eaten here has been delicioso! Their empanadas (have a mojito with it!) are a must order. What a fantastic starter while waiting for your dish. For lunch, I've tried their soul cubano sandwich before. It was so delicious, but I could never finish one in one sitting (tiny woman, HELLO) I also feel pretty gross after because the sandwich is very heavy. For lunch and dinner I've ordered lechon asado and the pollo de ajo y naranja. The platos are, in my opinion, the way to go. They are a much lighter food choice than the heavy cubano breaded sandwiches. The portions, though, are still so large, you can split it up into 3 meals! The chicken is lightly marinaded, and the lechon reminds me of the lechon my family used to make. The beans and rice are nothing to write home about, probably prepackaged, but they complement the meat well. For dessert, the mango empanadas are to die for. Highly recommend you order. You can split it with a partner... or you can just keep them to yourself :) your choice. My only gripe, which has been mentioned in previous reviews, is the service. The waitresses seem to feel labored while they are doing their job, and are pretty slow to bringing out easy stuff like drinks, boxes, and checks. One of my friends complained that her soda hadn't come out AFTER everyone who ordered cocktails had received their drinks. Unfortunately for them, you have to walk by their soda station to get to the restroom and I overheard the waitresses bad-mouthing my friend for complaining! I don't know if these people still work at the restaurant, but that experience left a bad taste in my mouth. It doesn't keep me from coming back (the food's THAT good) but be warned these ladies have an attitude on them.
(4)
Joan P.

The four of us went in yesterday around 2:30 and were the only party in the place. The server came to take our drink order. I ordered a bloody mary. After cooling our heels for 10 minutes, he returns with my kids' two soft drinks, my husband's wine......but they were out of "bloody mary mix". It went downhill from there. In a nutshell, the food rated a Mediocre Minus and was extremely overpriced, to boot. My husband ordered the spicy shrimp with lump crabmeat over pasta for $26. The shrimp were prepared ok, but the crabmeat was literally invisible. It had been shredded to a fineness similar to if you took one of those net bags that grapes/lemons/limes come in at the grocery store and put it through your office paper shredder. The shredded "crab hairs" were then mixed into what must have been jarred red sauce and poured over the very underdone pasta. I suppose this was done to diguise how little "lump" crabmeat was included in the dish. Just awful. The two kids' reactions to their greasy food were "it's just ok" and "I don't like it." The server was the only person in the place....tripling as the waiter, bartender and food runner. I guess he could tell we were underwhelmed and took 20% off our check. So our LUNCH bill for four came to $110 instead of $130. He is the only reason I'm giving this place two stars instead of one. I recommend skipping this place altogether.
(2)
Karen M.

imminently forgettable. Went there for a special occasion...left without even finishing the appetizers. Waste of gas driving there, parking and cash for food.
(1)
Jenna D.

I'm not going to lie, I was a little bit skeptical about trying this place due to all the disappointing so called "Best Mexican on island" places I have been to so when someone told me that this was "The Best Cuban Food", I was really scared. As far as I know, this is the only Cuban place on island, so of course it's going to be overrated right? WRONG!!!! I'M SO GLAD I WAS WRONG TOO!! I'm originally from Fort Lauderdale Florida which is close to North Cuba aka Miami. Plus my whole other half of my family is Cuban so it's standard that Abuela's food is the best and it's true Cuban food. You can't Abuela's food,.....don't even try. HOWEVER, Soul de Cuba Cafe is pretty amazing! The atmosphere and music makes me feel like I'm right back at home. For an appetizer we ordered papa rellena. It was so good that I kept burning my mouth on them. I deserved it because I was being too greedy but I hold no regrets. For my main course, I ordered the ropa vieja and my husband got a Cuban sandwich. OMG!!! The ropa vieja was awesome!!! It was so juicy and tender. I thought the Cuban sandwich wasn't impressive in my opinion but the hubby said he would get it again. To finish off the meal, I ordered flan ambiente and I felt like I died and went to heaven! I definitely over ate and got a stomach ache but no cares were given. I wished I had a 2nd stomach just so I could order more. You will definitely be a sinner after eating here because it's almost impossible not to be a glutton. Summary: Food: Amazing! Drinks: Ordered a moijito and their drinks are great! Service: Was good Price: A little on the expensive side, but I don't mind to pay extra for fantastic food. Obviously it didn't bother me since we both had a 3 course meal. I spent $60 between two people but you get your money worth here. They do offer specials so it's worth it to call in advance if you are worried about money wise. Overall: You made this Florida girl's day and I grantee that I will be back. It's a great place if you are craving some Cuban food. Thank you so much for this place! I'll be back whenever I feel home sick. I can't wait to try something different!
(5)
David P.

I like pork duhh
(3)
Chris L.

Food was just ok, nothing impressive. A piece of chicken breast (dry with some kind of sauce on it), rice and black beans will run you 18 bucks. I shouldn't have to bus my own dishes. Seriously, I was stacking the dirty ap dishes to make room on the table for the entrÃ©es. And the service was SLOW, like OMG slow. They were turning people away at the door, and he service is this slow.?. Bad management. The 18% tip was included in the bill. I guess there is no need to work for the tip if it's already figured in.
(2)
EddieandLisa F.

My wife had Farcase de pollo she said very bland. I had sandwich Cubano did taste like the I had in Florida. They use shredded meat in Hawaii. Florida they use pork shoulder.
(2)
Tracy K.

Bienvenidos! I had the pleasure of dining at this eatery on Tuesday with a good friend after a long day of work. Oh how sweet it was to kick back, relax over hearty Cuban food, a glass of my favorite drink, and meaningful conversation. Soul offers traditional, home-cooked style dishes that have been passed down from generations. The authenticity of the food runs deep, and I had waited long enough to try this place to know what I wanted. The ambience is relaxed, casual, and low lit. When you enter, you'll notice a hodgepodge of framed paintings, a well stocked bar, and Latin music drawing you deeper into the main room. The Soul staff are all courteous and willing to help recommend a dish or two. They seem genuinely engaged in their customers, smiles shooting back and forth, and an all-around synergistically good vibe. The drinks are on the far end of my moderately-priced mental scale: my well vodka cran and my friend's Stella Artois each tipping at $6 a pop. We ordered the ceviche with (optional) crostini for appetizer which came swiftly to satisfy our munching urges. The ceviche stands proudly in a martini glass and the crostini were the perfect accompaniment to the rich garlic and cilantro notes. I ordered the Lechon Asada, or as the waiter aptly put it, a "Cuban style Kalua Pig" dish. The portions were huge! The first bite hits you like pure soul. The arroz moro (rice and beans) complimented the citric-marinated pork and onions nicely. And what Cuban dish wouldn't be complete without the platanos maduros (deep fried bananas)! I surrendered at mid-dish and had them doggybag my hefty leftovers for lunch tomorrow. The entire menu is a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it. Our Ceviche/Crostini appetizer ($17) was about the same price as the Lechon Asada ($19) and our bill came out to $68 ($80 with tip) including my friend's dish (the Motofu-$17). I could have spent another hour or two here chatting it up if I didn't have to wake up at 6am the next morning. Soul de Cuba is rich in heritage, food, and good service. Will deifnitely return!
(4)
Tessa M.

Coming from Miami we were more than excited to stumble across a Cuban restaurant. We decided to visit for lunch. The atmosphere and decor was cozy and comfortable and the servers were very pleasant and welcoming. We ordered the Cuban sandwich(white cheese, sweet ham and slices of roast pork)..we got pulled pork with way too much lime, a slice of salami, a slice of ham...clearly not a cubano. I ordered the Lechon Asado,( black beans, rice, plantains, and of course pulled pork). My dish tasted ok. Plantains were to very small pieces. To satisfy our curiosity we inquired of other traditional Cuban dishes, for each dish we asked about, we were told that they no longer have it. WHAT??? Please understand coming from Miami, I expected a bit more authenticity with the food.
(3)
Amy D.

The food here is quite good. I was prepared to be unimpressed, as I've had excellent Cuban food and thought it would be hard for this place to compete. I was wrong. I've now been here about four times and I'm always really pleased. I've had the Cubano, Media Noche Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, and Lechon Asado, and thought all were delicious and made with high quality ingredients. I've also enjoyed a few drinks here including the delicious Dark and Stormy. I knocked one star off because the service isn't always that great, but it's never been bad. I love that they opened up the room next door, since it was hard to get a table sometimes.
(4)
asia h.

So... let me start by saying, I used to love this place. There were times I'd be dining there weekly, their mojitos were splendid and all the foods were superb - cooked to perfection, nicely spiced up, full of flavor and melting in your mouth. I mean all the foods, from appetizers to desserts. Were. After a break I went there for lunch and had the first "meh, I've experience better" experience. My old time favorite ox tails were spicy. And I mean spicy, but not flavorful at all, not like they used to be. Disappointing, but everyone can have a worse day, so I didn't think much of it. Last night I went there with my husband for dinner and sadly the disappointment continued. The ox tails he had were cooked nice and soft, but totally bland. My chicken cutlet was dried and chewy, and the honey sauce on it was far from interesting. The beans tasted like a watery version of can beans. The rice was plain, no spices whatsoever in it anymore. The plantains were actually not plantains, but bananas (but at least these were tasty). The only thing good was the mojito, but even that didn't convince us to stay for desserts. Shame, it used to be my fav spot of all. I know I'll miss it, but now I'll think twice before deciding to give it a go again :(
(2)
Jason L.

Was dying for a Cuban sandwich and discovered this place across from the Hawaii Theater. The place is very well decorated in Cuban style, service was excellent and friendly. I am sure the other food is great but the Cuban was a lot of bread and not the best I've had. Maybe need to dry some other dishes. If you want a different cultural experience then I recommend.
(4)
Allison D.

Although this place is a little on the spendy side, it's worth it. The lechon asado, the ropa vieja, empanadas and papa rellenas are all enticing. For happy hour they have $4 sangria with yummy fruit chunks. The ambience is nice, dimly lit (giving it a romantic feel) and comfortable. They recently expanded so they have more seating. Service is friendly and prompt.
(4)
Kelly M.

Good food and cool decor. Service was attentive. All around solid showing. Had the ropa viejo - shredded beef and sweet peppers with a tomato sauce. Tasted great. Black beans are not my thing, but putting a heavy dose of the hot sauce really made my taste buds sit up.
(4)
Bethani E.

Finally got to try this place thanks to a Living Social Deal. My husband and I ate lunch here on Wednesday. He ordered a Soul Cubano sandwich and I got the Fricase de Pollo. Upon entering we were informed that they were short staffed in the kitchen and that food wouldn't be out for 30-40 minutes. We still really wanted to eat here, so we waited it out. The food was really great, and ended up being worth the delay. Even though our server was M.I.A., it was nice to see the chef or owner making their rounds to ensure everything was okay. The chicken was really moist and tasty. The entrÃ©e came with rice, beans and plantains. The Soul Cubano sandwich got rave reviews and it came with chips. All in all, a good meal, and we will be back to try this place for happy hour and to hear live music in the future.
(4)
Corin K.

First off the food is yummy! Empanadas are bomb! And my hubby loves the picadillo! This was the second time we came here and the first time was great! Good service and great food! Im only giving it 3 stars this time because of the service! We had reservations and when we came in and we told them our name the guy gave us a funny look?! Like maybe they forgot about us?! They gave us a small table in the side room where the band was setting up, felt a little weird awkward kinda but whatever! Gave us menus came back 10 minutes later for our drink order, 10 minutes later got some drinks and water finally. . Another 15 minutes later came to take our food order, wanted to order the cuban sandwich that they advertize for and apparentley that's only for lunch! Well maybe you should have something on the menu that says that? Or inform us when we sit down with the menu?! Waiter comes back 5 minutes later for the food order and what my husband was gonna order (the picadillo we came for) they ran out of?! Ok its only 7pm people, Seriously u ran out of ground beef?! Snd could you not have told us that at the beginning?! Anyways 45 minutes after sitting down we got our food order in, an hour or so later finally receiving our appetizer! Bottom line the food is good! But don't think we will be back! For the prices (kinda high) you expect good service! The waiters seemed very frazzled like they couldnt handle the amount of people that was there even tho the place is pretty small..owners get better servers and serve the cuban sandwiches for dinner please ;)
(3)
Chad A.

4.0 even I was going to give a perfect 5 stars for tasty food, and quick, attentive service with reasonably priced items. What stops me is: 1. I can not order a cubano sandwich after 5:00. 2. My wife and I both caught a case of Castro's revenge here, (when a Haole gets diarrhea after eating cuban food. Everything tasted awesome, and I am willing to "risk" going there again, but my wife and I had mirrored symptoms, it all most had to source from here.
(4)
Mik G.

Let me start by saying that I'm Cuban and from Miami. I LOVE Cuban food. When I found this place I was so excited to try it . Everywhere I travel I try to find a Cuban restaurant and see how it is. My expectations in this case however, were far too high. AS WAS THE PRICE. Honolulu I know, but this place was overpriced. Upon walking in you'll see some nice colors and paintings on the wall by famous Cuban artist Molina. It adds to the atmosphere. The tables themselves are painted as well however some with Santeria markings which is essentially Cuban voodoo. To the layperson this won't make a difference but to someone who knows about that it can be a bit strange. The colors are nice though. The owner is from Cuba by the way so he should know Cuban food. So the food. I initially ordered a 'palomilla' which is a FANTASTIC Cuban steak that I always eat. The guy tells me they sold the last one. A Cuban place without palomilla? Yikes. It is a STAPLE of any Cuban restaurant. There also wasn't any bread like in Cuban restaurants. So instead I got the 'pan con bistec' which is basically steak in between Cuban bread. Basically a Cuban steak sandwich. What I got was essentially cheesesteak meat all chopped up in between two slices of Cuban bread. It tasted pretty bad. I also had rice and black beans. This for me was the kicker. Cubans pride themselves on great black beans and rice. They use spices in the beans and make the rice salty and incredibly tasty. What I got was rice and beans served Mexican style( both separated on the plate) and tasted like NOTHING. When I say that I mean the rice and beans had NO FLAVOR WHATSOEVER. It was, for lack of a better word, disgusting. My soda was the best part of the meal. I will NEVER set foot in this restaurant again even if they paid me. It isn't Cuban food. It's Cuban names put on some kind of weird concoctions they call Cuban food. I would highly recommend you stay away from this place. Go to Miami and eat real Cuban food. A huge steak, bunch of rice and a cup of black beans for 12 dollars. Then die happy.
(1)
Barry W.

This is a small and simple restaurant in the downtown area that serves fine food. I had a flavorful boneless chicken dish that came w black beans and rice. The accompanying mojito was excellent. Why is it that only Cuban restaurants can make a decent mojito? The service was a friendly and attentive. I didn't have the guts to try the oxtail dish. Maybe next time...
(4)
Jason W.

I like the ambiance of this place. The food is reasonably priced for getting good service, taste, and portions. They also have some great drinks. It's a good spot for appetizers to start the night, great for a sit-down dinner, or to grab a drink to close out your evening Downtown. All-in-all, I recommend all of the above and to include this as one of your spots to visit if you're heading out for an all-nighter.
(4)
Foodie F.

This was our first time here. We went on a weekday at about 7 pm and it was drizzling rain. We were using a Groupon that we bought and this was our first time eating Cuban food other than at Portos in LA. We were very glad we had a groupon otherwise we would probably never have tried this restaurant. Parking: Difficult in Chinatown even on this day and time. Only street parking. We found parking about one block away. Atmosphere: It was casual,comfortable, and quaint. Very pleasant music was playing. It is not a very big restaurant. It is airconditioned but not cold enough to need a sweater. Food: We had the Fricase de pollo,Ensalada del mar, and the shredded beef with bell peppers and onions (I forgot the name). We absolutely loved and devoured the salad. It was iceberg lettuce topped with large shrimp marinated with a wonderful sauce, fried calamari rings (tneder) and a big piece of breaded catfish (very moist and perfectly cooked). The dressing was light and delightful. The habanero sauce our waitress brought on the side was perfect for us as it was not very hot but had just the right amount of kick. This way you could add more if you want. This was one of the best salads I have eaten. The chicken dish was also tasty, moist and oh sooo delicious. I don't know what fried plantains are like as this was our first time but it was sweet,very soft and went well with the spices in the dish. The rice was light and fluffy. The black beans were natural tasting,not overly seasoned. The beans are definitely good if you are on low salt diet. We liked it since it went well with the chicken. After eating all of this we only had room enough to taste the beef dish. From the little taste ( had it was spicier in a different way but also harder to chew even though it was shredded. My husband and I liked the chicken dish more. We would definitely come back again. Extra: They have salsa dancing on certain days and a brunch on Sunday I heard. The waitress was very nice. There were only about 10 people in the restaurant when we went.
(4)
Jeff C.

The food is not as flavorful as authentic Latino food and chicken was dry. Customer service was great but for the price the good just doesn't meet the expectations. You could get a better plate lunch and put it on a glass plate for half as much.
(2)
Tasha S.

Great food!!! The sampler was amazing! The next time we're in Honolulu, we'll be sure to stop in here. A hidden gem for sure!!!
(5)
Kat W.

The ox tail plate was delicious...I didn't like the sweet plantains (I think they use bananas ) and I wished they had yucca frita with garlic sauce
(3)
Lorna G.

I've been wanting to try this place for ever. Was excited for some Cuban flava. I'm still waiting! We went for lunch and figured on sticking with traditional Cuban dishes. The black bean soup tasted like they opened a can of black beans and nuked them. That's it. The Cuban sandwich was also a non event. Even the hot sauce just tasted like vinegar. Lunch just left me sad!
(1)
Kau'i R.

I'm a lover of all things Latin and tonight, Soul de Cuba did not disappoint. I would recommend making a reservation, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. It does get crowded. From the moment I walked in the door the music had me itching to dance and the smells from the kitchen immediately wet my appetite! When we sat down our server Orlando immediately took our drink order. I would recommend their Mojitos! I just got a glass but you can order them by the pitcher I think. I probably would have bit I was driving ;) We then ordered the Empanadas as an appetizer. Oh....my....gravy! Deeeeeelish! I was only able to try the Veggie and the Beef because my hubby and my dad scarfed the chicken. BUT, I'm taking that to be a good sign. Especially from two guys who are pretty apprehensive to trying certain new things. Our entrees consisted of the Fricasee de Pollo, the Ropa Vieja, and I had the Lechon Asado. So this is where Soul de Cuba lost a star, my hubs' Fricasee de Pollo was lukewarm, not that hot, and we needed to send it back. AGAIN, they promptly, and with a beautiful smile, happily took it back to warm it! When it came out it was piping hot and my hubs thoroughly enjoyed his dish! Very flavorful chicken with rice, black beans, and a fried plantain. My dad had the Ropa Vieja and we were told that it was one of their popular dishes, and boy were they right! If you love shredded beef with a light tomato flavor with rice and black beans, this is your go to. It does come with a fried plantain as well. I had the Lechon Asado. The best way to describe this is a sweet pork adobo flavor. It was deeeelish!! It had just a hint of vinegar and was moist and juicy. It was topped with some onions that were sautÃ©ed but not to the point of mush. It still had a nice little crunch to it. The sides were a red rice and fried plantain. I would recommend asking for their Habanero sauce if you want to spice it up a bit. It's a nice complement to all the dishes and it doesn't change the flavor at all! You'd think after all that we'd be done, and dad and the hubs actually told me no, but we ordered dessert :). I got their Flan and it was very tasty. Probably because Flan is one of my favorites and I haven't had it in a while. This is how I describe it...it was almost like a Carmel Custard Cheesecake. It had a very dense texture to it but it was surprisingly NOT heavy! It came with a sliced strawberry and was the perfect accompaniment. Especially since the guys devoured half of it willingly! Prices are pretty comparable for the food and the experience. All in all, i'll definitely be back for another experience and maybe, just maybe they can earn that one lonely star back ;). Thank you Joel, Orlando, and the rest of the awesome staff!!!
(4)
Marcia C.

Delicious food! Great amount for a great price too. I haven't gone when it was busy so my service was quick and I had no more trouble with parking then usual for Chinatown. Absolutely zero complaints. What more needs to be said?
(5)
Chris M.

I got a pork dish with some really unique flavors. It was quite tasty and made me want to come back and try more of their dishes.
(4)
Ka'imi L.

My initial take: Tasty ethnic food that comes with a high price tag. Cheapskates beware! I would not recommend this place to those on a strict budget. The food items are a bit pricey. Here's a full rundown... BILL: $97 (incl. tax and tip) for 2 people. Albeit we did have 2 beers and a glass of wine, but I still think that's a little high for what we ordered (an appetizer and 2 entrees). PROS: - Food was good! - Nice decor. - Friendly hostess. - Food was good! CONS: - We waited over an hour for a table. (But it was Friday night, what did I expect?) - When there was an opening, we were seated at a table that was literally crammed between two other tables. I remember the table to my right was just inches away from ours. Not very ideal for intimacy. - Service was mediocre. The waitress just seemed nonchalant about serving us. She did her job but I kind of expected a little more. - Pricey for what you get. I came. I saw. I conquered. I won't be back unless I'm forced to. I recommend trying this place once just to say you've tried it, and that's it.
(2)
Cely H.

Everything here is just so freakin' tasty! I always try something new and it is always orgasmic. Last visit my posse and I tried the alligator. Yum! Even though everything here is tasty, I do have a favorite dish: the oxtails. I don't know what it's Cuban fancy name is, but its delicious. My favorite part is sucking all cartilage off the bones. It's very feminine, really! (not). Their mojitos are awesome too. And three. And four. Thankfully, they make them virgin for gals like me too! We always make a reservation. Its always packed and the place is small so we always want to make sure that we're guaranteed a spot if we're driving all that way. Might want to do that too, if you're Leeward folk. I'm not a townie, so I rarely come here, mostly due to the parking situation. I don't understand one-way streets and non-existant parking in downtown Honolulu! Oh yeah... and plantains...drooooooool....
(5)
Ryan M.

Heard a lot of great things about this place prior to going. I never really tried Cuban food before but I know it was somewhat similar to Spanish/Mexican type food. I was very surprised at how good it turned out to be. Food - 5 Stars I tried the Lechon Asado based on the yelpers reviews. It was really good. The meat was tender and full of flavor and the rice was cooked perfect. Wife had the Ropa which was also good. I do however have to give the best dish to a dish that I should have ordered. It was the oxtail. I only was able to get one bite from a friend and after that bite I wanted to switch plates but he wouldn't do it. Now I have to go back again.. and soon so that I can order that dish. Service - 5 Stars They were very friendly and efficient with the handling of our food, drinks and check. However, the waitress did ask a question that I have never heard before. I noticed that their drink menu didn't have any domestic beer so I asked her what kind of domestic beer they had and she asked me what domestic beer was. I figured, if she didn't know what domestic beer was then more than likely they didn't have it. I can't dock them on that because they are after all in Chinatown and domestic beer is probably too boring for them. Environment - 5 Stars Very small place but I was impressed with the dÃ©cor. It totally matched the restaurant. Place is awesome. I would make reservations if you plan to go on a weekend though.
(5)
Jhoren C.

WOW! I cannot wait hit up this place up again! why must you only be located in downtown??? and our waitress Jamie was quite Enthusiastic while taking our order. starters: +CIVICHE was refreshingly good! though I had asked the waitress to not have it with cilantro (i hate!) it was not available w/out because it was already pre-made --- here I am thinking oh gosh now im gonna have to spend my sweet ass time picking each and every cilantro out. to my surprise there were hardly any! and the taste wasn't overpowering *whew!* main course: +Lechon Asado---oh my if I were to ever start eating pork more frequently it would have to be prepared this way. Succulent shreds of meat in your mouth and the black bean rice makes it a match made in heaven, though I could do without the sweet bananas they add on the side. dessert: +mango empanada, only thing I would change about this is that they should add vanila bean ice cream instead of whipped cream
(4)
George G.

I've eaten at Sol de Cuba many times, but this one might seal the deal for me to not return again. So we met some long time friends that were in town for a few days, my wife planned it out to meet there and have some good Cuban food. As I turned into the Chinatown district, I knew it was not a good sign when I saw the "First Friday crowds". I knew the crowds (drunks , freaks and the parking) is not something I wanted to deal with after a long day at work. So, we order our entrees (didn't order my usual) I wanted to try something different, after 15 minutes of waiting 3 of the 4 meals are brought out to the table. I told everyone to not wait for my food to dig in their food. After another 5-10 minutes, my dinner comes out. The waitress was nice and apologetic for me waiting. I started to eat the chicken breast, had the first 2 cut from the edge of the was ok and then as I had the 3rd piece. That's when I knew something want right, but couldn't figure it out what exactly was up with my food. Then my friend mentioned his chicken wasn't thoroughly cooked and he had his wife taste it. She said it was under cooked. At that time it hit me too, maybe my chicken may be not done either. So I flipped it over and then saw it (even in the dim dinner room lighting) that the chicken was not cooked on the other end at all, as I was placing the knife to the chicken, you could see the muscle fibers of the meat. It was cooked on one side only, that's the reason why the edges were ok, but once I got the the 3rd piece which was the interior of the meat it was gross! I told the waitress and she tried to apologize for the screw up and offer to redo the meal, my friend got his redone, but I wasn't going to take another chance to these incompetent cooks place my life in their hands. So I kindly declined her offer and told her I want feeling well. After several minutes my friend got his 2nd plate and I noticed the waitress was leaving. We was never told who our next waiter/waitress will be...until some guy stopped by to refill our drinks. Another bad sign that service is going down hill...the manager NEVER stopped by the table to apologize or provide a comp. Especially when your cook almost gave someone food poisoning, the right thing to do is damage control. I guess everyone was too busy focused on FF instead of providing quality customer service and a memorable experience for those that are paying you & your staff salary. So if you are planning to go there in the near future, be sure to inspect your food thoroughly before eating it. If YELP would allow 0 stars, this is definitely an experience ghat deserves it!!
(1)
Missy T.

No more alligator ceviche. ME SAD. Also, one Johnny Coolkid lookin waiter was a major dbag when two friends and I went; Totally gave us the cold shoulder when speaking to us - one word answers, snarky looks, but he warmed up very nicely to the cute, haole hipster at the table near us. I mean, girlie was cute, but he definitely missed out on any kind of tip from us. Pricey as a muuuuth - would only go back when I'm looking to splurge, and only if I see people being waited on attentively. Bartender was super nice and seemed to be the only one pulling his weight as far as addressing orders and being attentive to who needed what. Felt bad for him :( Tip for you, Bartender Guy!
(2)
Juliann C.

the GOOD * oxtail -- all the way * mojitos -- mmmmm the BAD * no parking chinatown the WEIRD * reading the history of the restaurant on the back, or was it front of the menu???
(4)
Steven U.

My first time here was a good experience. It is a cute place, not real big, but good music and comfy. It was more like a late lunch so the place wasn't too busy. There were two servers and they were in good spirits and happy to help. I had a rum punch and the wife had plantation iced tea. My punch was very good....I would get that drink again. We shared the empanada appetizer and the calamari. There was a veggie, chicken and beef empanada and they were all good. Believe it or not, I liked the veggie the best. I think it had plantains inside and this gave it a nice sweetness as you ate it. The chicken had a lot of flavor as well....there seemed to be green and red bell peppers mixed in with the chicken. The beef was good, but it didn't seem like it had as much flavor as the other too. The crust on all three was perfect....crispy and thick. The calamari was just ok.....but the sauces were good. The first was a honey mojo sauce and the second was a mayo mojo. They were both good, but I liked the honey better. I would come back for sure....I didn't get to try any of the sandwiches and entrees....and they looked good. It is a little pricey, but fun to try the food.
(4)
DeAngelo W.

The bathrooms: could be a little more pleasant to the eyes but so far the food looks awesome. The drinks are also nicely made.
(4)
Kimmy A.

Me&my coworker got done with work and wanted to try something new and we found this place. I loved the variety of food and the price was pretty decent. The service was fast when it was slow but started to get worse the busier they got. I can understand that especially since at the time, there was only 1 waitress
(4)
Roxanne R.

the chicken pollo is the best by far, but the food is pretty expensive
(3)
Sean M.

God. I really wanted this place to be good, but it fell very short! Went with 3 other couples. No one was that impressed. I ordered black bean soup and an entree that came with black beans (overkill on my part maybe) they brought the soup out at the exact same time as my dinner. The black bean soup is just a side of black beans. Thanks waiter for the heads up! It seemed like they were under staffed BC our waiter obviously didn't have much time for us.
(1)
Gemma R.

Horrible service. Standing by the door, and the waiters would just look in your direction but not one of them would come up to you. Not one. And they would walk right past you and you can tell we're about to ask for a table and they just walk past you. After going up to the bartender and waiting around, we were finally able to get a table. Ordered the Soul Sampler - 1 empanada (cut in half), 1/2 a plantain - not even kidding and it was soggy, 1 small crab cake (more flour than actual crab - cut in half) and a small side of salsa. Suppose to serve two people but it was the smallest portions. And, I've eaten here before so I really was not expecting this. Also ordered the lettuce wraps and it took forever to come out. And we had to ask for utensils. AND, each server came up and was like can I help you? I use to be a server. I understand how it feels to be busy and it wasn't busy. There's not that many tables in the main seating area. Just divide those tables up. Each server get a section. That's all you have to do?! That way, each worker isn't coming up to a table when they've already ordered. And, take the menu's away after they've ordered. I also ordered a glass of sangria that tasted like sugar water. This was the most disappointing trip here ever. We paid and practically ran out of there.
(2)
Hayato H.

Went here for lunch. The Cuban sandwich with catfish was something Ive never had for a long time. It was delicious!! I definitely recommend and wand to come again if I come to downtown.
(5)
Chris H.

Cubans make the best sandwiches, and this is the only place I know of to get Cubanos. So good!
(4)
Lachmin S.

I had gone over to the Hawaii Theatre to purchase my tix for the Gabriel Iglesias event. After coming out with my goodies I realized I was hungry but it wasn't quite dinner time yet, so I thought I'd come over to Cafe Soul de Cuba and have a drink n' appetizer. Good thing I did - the asst manager, Alex (Allen?) made me an amazing Rum Punch! Super delish and hit the spot. :) Also while hanging out at the bar I met another gal who also happened to walk in randomly - her, I and Sifu (our awesome bartender) had a nice long interesting conversation. Good times. :) I'll definitely be back again.
(4)
Maria S.

Being from miami I was a bit skeptical about this place, only been there once but I absolutely felt in love with the food, they must be doing something right because this place reminds me of home!! Food is good, drinks are strong .. Overall great place, a bit on the pricey side tho Will be returning soon!
(4)
Michael D.

Really good on spicy food if you love spice this is the place the food takes a while but the results of it shows that it's worth the wait
(5)
Rick S.

Bottom Line - I had a pretty ghastly first experience here due to the food being cold, but at least it was tasty. A local friend of mine says it was an off night, so I'd entertain the idea of coming back to give them another chance, but not before I try other places first because this place isn't cheap. I came on Sunday, 5 September 2010 with 3 friends and we ordered the following: Soul sampler ($15, papa rellena, devil crab, garlic citrus mojo seared shrimp) - The sampler was tasty. Everything but the shrimp was fried. The papa rellena would have been really good, but the inside had hot and cold spots, like what you'd get if it were microwaved. I'm on the fence on whether I'd order this again. The shrimp would be worth ordering on its own. Pollo soul de Cuba ($18, marinated chicken breast breaded and fried topped with salsa made with mango, guava, black beans, pineapple and rum. Served with white rice, black beans and plantains) This was my friend's dish. Everything was cold except the chicken itself. The rice, beans and plantains were cold. The dish was probably plated and sat there for a while before the chicken was cooked. Sopa de frijoles Negros ($5, black bean soup made with Mediterranean spices) - My friend who ordered this dish was sick and really enjoyed this soup. He'd order it again. Lechon asado ($15, roasted pulled pork and sautÃ©ed with onions. Served with white rice and plantains) - I had this dish and everything on it was cold except the pulled pork itself. The pork was tasty, but the cold rice actually dehanced the dish. I am totally against microwaves being used in restaurants, but I feel that if they would have stuck the entire dish into a microwave, it would have been better. Along with a ginger beer ($2) and a mojito ($8), the total for 2.5 of us (one of us only had soup) total came to $65.98 + 10.01 tip = 75.99. In summary, the seasoning of the dishes were good, but the cold of the dishes pretty much ruined the experience. On a side note, the service was not very attentive and it took an hour for our main dishes to arrive. Our waiter only checked on us when he brought us drinks and the main dishes... our water glasses went empty without being filled. (Disclaimer - my star rating is based solely on the food, and NOT the service. Though excruciatingly slow, the service did not affect the star rating.)
(2)
P K.

So-so food and not great service. Came in here at about 1:45pm on a Friday, and we were one of two tables in the place, yet service was so sloooooow. They were out of 4 of 5 sandwiches on the menu (really?!), so there wasn't much to choose from for lunch unless we wanted to order dinner entrees (which we did not). We ordered the ceviche, sampler, and steak sandwich. All were okay, but not great. Seemed like everything could use a little salt (and I am a limited salt eater). I won't go back and would recommend you try somewhere else.
(2)
Hillery P.

I've been coming here since they first opened. Throughout the past few years the food has been inconsistent, ranging from addictively tasty to bland and dull. I keep coming back on the chance it will be one of those great days where the lechon is juicy and full of that mojo flavor. The drinks, however, have always been great. You can never go wrong at Happy Hour with a 5$ mojito or rum punch. If you are hungry and feel lucky, give it a shot. Thirsty? Go for it?
(3)
Trish P.

i had such high hopes for this place..... THE GOOD: mostly nice servers. when seated, we were helped by a nice girl server, but for some reason, after we got our appetizers, she left work... with out telling us she was leaving. then we were assisted by the bartender, who was kind of grouchy, THEN, we were served by another guy, who didn't introduce himself, but was nice all the same..... wtf - confusing.... who the crap is our waiter?? ordered 2 appetizers: the devil crab croquette and the calamares fritos. the crab croquette itself was good, but was surrounded by a hot sauce that tasted very much like "Franks Hot" - weird, and the calamari was pretty standard.... its the same almost anywhere you go. THE BAD: my lunch consisted of the lechon asado, which is roasted pulled pork with black bean rice and fried plantains..... the pork was tender, but greasy, the majority of the plate is covered with black bean rice, which was very DRY and practically crunchy in parts, and the plate only comes with 3 small chunks of plantain. :( for dessert we ordered one of the flan's (the one with plantains and strawberries), and the mojito cheesecake. the flan came out with only plantains - the whole reason we ordered that flan, instead of the plain one, was b/c it had strawberries - asking the waiter, he then informed us that they ran out of strawberries.... isnt the waiter supposed to inform you BEFORE he brings out the dish?. also, this dessert had too much of an alcoholic flavored sauce, like they didnt bother to cook it down enough. the mojito cheesecake was ok..... the texture was not smooth, but crumbly, and had a faint citrus flavor, but "mojito" flavor was not really present. we went for lunch, during lunch time, and it was pretty much dead empty in there. i thought i read on here there was a wait?...... and, all these things went wrong (server switching, undercooked rice, under cooked dessert sauce), yet there was no one else in there. its not like they were rushing around...... one of my friends had the steak sandwich and said it was good, so MAYBE i'll go back to try that..... big maybe. other than that - i'll pass.....
(2)
Victor R.

Convieniently located across from the Hawaii Theater. The servers were all incredibly friendly. However I would not go here when it is even remotely busy unless I had a lot of spare time. I think they have a small kitchen staff because the meal I ordered took over 45 minutes to arrive. The food is fine, I was expecting it to be more flavorful since it is suppose to be authentic Cuban food, but I'm not a Cuban cuisine expert. The dining room set up is intimate and there are two bars but the vaulted ceilings make the acoustics horrendous. Portion size is good but for the taste I feel like it may be a little overpriced. The drink menu had a lot of enticing drinks but I didn't order any when I was there though I did see a lot of guests with mojito pitchers. With all the other places to eat in Chinatown I probably won't go back.
(3)
Greg C.

It was hot and sweaty in there, and the chair was hard and a little wobbly. The table too small and the room a little crowded. Yep, felt like CUBA! I loved Soul De Cuba (truthfully, I've eatin there several times before, but never taken the time to write about it). The food is oh so ono, and authentic to it's Cuban inspiration. I ordered the 'ropa vieja,' shredded beef with onions in a light tomato sauce served on a bed of white rice. Black beans and some cooked plantains on the side finish off the dish. You may not think you're getting a lot of food, but once you finish off the rice, beans and plantains (and iced tea), can you say 'B-L-O-A-T-E-D?' For dessert (almost never for lunch, but today, what the hell), I ordered the Lilikoi and chocolate sorbet. It tasted like it was over frozen, then defrosted - yep, just like CUBA! Somehow, it added to the atmosphere of the restaurant, and they gave me four (4) freakin' scoops - I'm not complaining. There's no parking unless you go over the Mark's Garage (that's the closest), or some other lot or garage in Chinatown, but it's a nice walk no matter the originating direction. The service is great and they always smile. Also, it appears they got the storefront that was adjacent to the restaurant (I think that was the improv comedy club before) and have lots more tables. Soul De Cuba is winna, winna, chicken dinna!
(5)
Brian N.

We were quite excited to come here after reading so many good reviews and it being recommended by friends. I don't know what happens though. The main dining room had one other couple in it and it appeared that they had been waiting for their food for a while. The back room was reserved for a special event, from watching people come in, it appeared to be a bar or restaurant hop. Sadly, the staff paid more attention to the back room than they did to the main room. We waited a bit after being sat to place our order. When the waiter came to take our order he actually asked if we had already ordered. Remember, only one other couple in the dining room, shouldn't be too hard. We ordered one mojito and eggplant milanesa to split. Our drink arrived after a wait of 15 minutes due to the bar tender focused on the restaurant hoppers. To give better perspective, our food arrived a minute after our drink. Now to the good. The flavor in the mojito was delightful! Perfectly mixed! The food was amazing! Now I know why it comes so highly recommended. The taste and texture were absolutley fantastic. I just wish there had been more of it because my girlfriend and I devoured it. Maybe this would have been a better experience if we had been "waited" on. Food was great but it's amazing what being neglected can do to your opinion of an establishment.
(2)
Derek n.

I particularly love Cuban food, and am happy to see the option to have it available here in Honolulu as there is a lack of ethnic food options in general in the city. The service and atmosphere here is great. Always friendly service. The bar has a pretty standard assortment of options and is pretty well stocked. The food is pretty good. I've had much better Cuban food on the mainland, but again this is Honolulu we are talking about. The reason I'm giving it 3 stars is that I feel the quality and portion size here has slipped over the last few years while the prices seem to have gone up. It is now a rather expensive place to have what is a small tick above a casual lunch. It is a fun place to have dinner with a group of friends, albeit a pricy one. Worth going to, but not often.
(3)
Li T.

STONED waiter - as in sniffing, picking his nose, hopping/dipping between the tables, getting multiple orders wrong wrong wrong. He told me that they were our of much of the bar list. They lost money on the tables he "served." tonight. It was frightening to watch him jittering around at the cash register while the other waiter and the waitress worked like crazy to serve up yummy-looking food. First Monday drummer was great, and an acquaintance really liked the salmon as she compared this place to a place in Portland....Plus one toilet was broken - the first one with no urinal. Sorry - this was an odd night. Oh, yes - and get your happy hour orders in by 7pm (they don't tell you this). BIG price difference on some items.
(2)
Crissy K.

When a restaurant is right in the heart of downtown, especially when it's just across the street from a live theater venue, it has little motivation to be extremely good -- it's already got you by the you-know-what. Fortunately, this is not the attitude adopted by the people who operate Soul de Cuba. Soul de Cuba has credibility. According to its website, the founders have backgrounds working in Cuban communities, so this is no Cuban version of Taco Bell. Soul de Cuba has fabulous-looking, delicious food. Everything that arrives on your plate is tasty, from the entree itself (I highly recommend the Pollo Soul de Cuba, their bestselling breaded chicken filet with mango salsa) to the arroz blanco (white rice) and frijoles negros (blackbeans) to the sweet plantains. My chicken was perfectly prepared and reminiscent of -- dare I say it -- the milanese pork I had at Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill in Chicago. Yes, it was that good. Unfortunately, what Soul de Cuba lacks is speed of service. The service itself isn't bad -- in fact, the people who work here couldn't be nicer. It's just slow. It took more than half an hour for us to get our food. I could see if this were a fine dining restaurant, but it's a cafe right across the street from a theater -- which means it has to deal with pre-show dinner crowds, which means the kitchen should move a little faster. Overall, a really great experience with lots of savory food. I'll definitely be back when I have time to spare!
(4)
D. F.

OK the food was on point but it was kinda weird eating Cuban food in Hawaii... I got this recommendation from a lady at the local shopping center and was pleasantly surprised to learn that downtown Honolulu, however small, is pretty active on a Monday night. I had the mango chicken while my guests had the eggplant and snapper...all of the dishes were very tasty and we topped it off with flan which was dead on. I added an espresso for good measure... Not sure I'll make it back to this spot before I leave the island but will definitely aim for it if I find myself here again anytime soon ( or in New Haven).
(3)
Andrea R.

Working nearby, this restaurant was my favorite lunch spot. Their bistec sandwich is simply unbelievable and they even have non-alcoholic cocktails for the workday refreshment! Of course, a cuban coffee is always a welcome pick-me-up during business hours as well. The atmosphere and cuban cuisine is worth your trip in for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Matthew T.

This is a review for the new stand in the Navy Exchange that opened this past Monday. Cuban food is a definite detour from the usual stable of fast food chains and I Love Country Cafe experiences the average NEX food court patron is used to by now. What Works: - Food is a pleasant deviation from what folks are used to in this food court. - Employees we're very willing to introduce any passerby with samples. - Information about the main restaurant on Bethel St. Was readily provided making for easy conversion of a new customer. Things to improve: - Pictures of their various entrees so people can match the awesome scent of the food with an image. - Advertise that patrons can put the various meats in a panini style sandwich. - Advertise that they take credit/debit card with a sign. Overall, a very pleasant experience that hit the spot of taste buds craving something new.
(4)
Cassie T.

This review is being written after we visited Soul De Cuba two days in a row for dinner! My first impression is that this place is a whole in the wall type restaurant. But, after reviewing the menu I noticed that this is actually a franchise. I would never have guessed this based on the Downtown location. The interior is nothing special and feels like a small business restaurant. On our first trip to Soul De Cuba we had the Alligator Ceviche, yes you read correctly Alligator! Hmmm...I was not brave enough to try this as this was my hubby's choice. He described it as being good and having good flavor. So, if alligator is your type of meat give it a try. For our main course we had the Fricase de pollo. This was tasty! This dish consisted on marinated chicken with onions and olives. It was serviced with rice and beans and little fried bananas. So, far this is my favorite dish at Soul De Cuba. The flavor of the chicken was sooo good. I also used a little bit of the Soul De Cuba hot sauce that is on every table. Not bad. On our second trip we strayed from the alligator, thank goodness and we tried the crab cakes or as they call them croquetas de jaiba. The crab cakes consisted more of the breading than pieces of crab meat. But, they weren't bad and had decent flavor. And for the main dish we had the ropa vieja which is shredded beef cooked with onions in a light tomato sauce served with rice and beans. This was also a tasty dish. You can really taste wine or beer in this dish and the meat was so tender! The highlight of this place is the cocktails. I love a good drink! I tried the Mojito and the Rum Punch. Both are very tasty but the Rum Punch takes the cake. You can't go wrong with either. I can't wait to go back to this place to have more delicious drinks and food!
(4)
Dennis P.

El renacimiento (renaissance) of my Hawaiian Cuban experience begins (empieza) with "Soul de Cuba CafÃ©"! Notablemente, their SOUL CUBANO SANDWICH... serrano ham, manchego cheese, tender roast pork and salami dressed in cilantro and roasted garlic aioli on pressed Cuban bread... The sliced thin Serrano ham (a Spanish ham that is aged and cured at a higher altitude than Prosciutto) creates a luxurious pleasure that is heightened by the "impossible dreaminess" of the Manchego cheese (The tastiest of the Spanish cheeses, made in the La Mancha region of Spain from the milk of the Manchega Sheep , you may be able to find this type of cheese with Don Quijote, the Man of La Mancha on the label). We listened to the music of Cuba in the cafe' as the songs of the island danced in the air... each delectable bite of this Caribbean delight ensured my presence in "Soul de Cuba" to be a permanent one. Nos vemos!
(4)
Ralph Y.

Let me add to cacophony of satisfied folks out there that are looking for something different. While somewhat Latin/Spanish in some respects on the menu, they have dishes that are uniquely Cuban and worth exploring. Nothing on the menu is extreme in terms of being spicy hot but you certainly can add to it. We only had lunch on a Sunday there but I can see why they are so busy during work day. I did indulge in their special Sunday Brunch omelet with pork asada and light cheese is perfect. They served that w/a cuban bread that had a light sweet syrup poured on top. It was a great foil to the omelet. Oh yeah, good Sangria although I opted for the Spicy Bloody Mary. Nice kick to it.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Came here while on a business trip to Downtown Oahu. Walking distance from our headquarters. There were about 9 of us, and one of our colleagues had eaten here the month before and RAVED about it. I've never had Cuban food before, and all I could think of was cuban cigars, or Cuenca-Equadorian food...not that I had Equadorian food before (I did not). I don't even know if "Equadorian" is the right word! But I knew it had to be somewhat slightly similar to Mexican food. And I love Mexican food. Anyway, It's such a quaint little place, and it looked like we wouldn't fit in that place. Then the waitress led us to the SECOND room where they set up a table that fit all of us! YAY! I thought I was going to have to sit on someone's lap, it was that crowded. The second room was a god-send. I had the Cat-Fish sandwich...I forgot what the Cuban name was. Actually, my colleague shared the sandwich with me, and I shared my super-huge salad with her (and another colleague). Each for about $10. The Salad dressing was delicious! It was a terrific paring. I tried to look at Yelp's photos of that catfish sandwich to see if anyone had the dish name on it, and the only other photo was captioned "Cat fish sandwich" - HAHA! or rather, "JAJA!" But I loved this place. The service was terrific. I like walking to this place during the day - but IDK if I would come here during the night. It's in the heart of Downtown Honolulu, and there are a lot of creepy drug addicts lurking around. I loved that while looking for this restaurant, that I stumbled upon CAKE ENVY which is a fabulous cheesecake place sort of next door. You must go there afterwards. Or after any place you go for lunch. I wouldn't know where to park to get here, except for the side street parallel parking which I just do not care for. Might be worth circling around the block a couple times just in case.
(4)
Nikki N.

The food wasn't mind blowing but the portions were large and the sangria was good. I should've took the cue from the couple across from us who shared a meal and dessert because it gets pricey.
(3)
Marley S.

The food is good, isn't the cuba I know from New York, but it's good and worth going to.
(4)
Talor M.

As I like to call it, a safe culinary adventure. It's some good food that's not weird or out there but still different then what we're used to on this island. Like most places in town finding parking sucks. We usually forget about street parking and go for the paid. Besides that the food is pretty good. If you've never been try the chicken dishes. Those always taste the best. The fish dishes are my least favorite. Try the dessert too! The flan is pretty awesome. One thing I've noticed about this place is the service can be hit or miss. Generally the staff is very warm and pleasant but some times the food takes a long time to come out on busy nights.
(4)
Glexi G.

This restaurant has a lot of great things going for it. Primarily, the food is very good. I grew up in Miami Florida, where Cuban food sat on my dinner plate at home every night, so I am always looking for a solid authentic Cuban restaurant. Soul de Cuba did not disappoint, the Lechon Asado and Ropa Vieja were pretty awesome. Juicy, tasty, all that good stuff. The food gets 5 stars, no doubt about it. The service is where they went south for me. I'm not a demanding customer by any means, but I walked out of this restaurant pretty annoyed at the end of my meal. Our server was more interested in conversing with her coworkers, she forgot parts of our order, ignored (or forgot) our simple requests for items like a salt and pepper shaker; and watched us physically get up, walk over to another table, and grab it ourselves. Completely indifferent. As a sidenote, we were only one of two tables eating lunch at the time, and the party seated at the second table was also very displeased with their service. I'd probably return to this restaurant to pick up a to-go order, though... can't deny the food is bomb.
(3)
Mary Elizabeth A.

Yummy
(5)
Sharon T.

Pitchers of Mohitos ... Delicious great food and lots of it!
(4)
Denby R.

Rounding up for 3.5 stars I was a huge fan before....and my enthusiasm is a little faded. The first time I went here the bartender made me one heck of a capirinha and I was hooked. I had the lechon asado and was wowed. I went last night with my family. They were not too quick to seat us, but it was ok (except my grandmother with her walker was a little tired). No problem, let's get to ordering. The waitress asked if we wanted any drinks, my mom said water all around, my dad started to order a beer and the waitress walked away before checking with teh rest of the table. A few minutes later another male waiter came by and my dad got to order his Pacifico, my husband ordered his Heineken and I ordered a Stella. He came back with their beers and told me the Stella was still warm, so can I change something else...no problem, I ordered Negro Modelo and was happy. We ordered the food: Calamari, Soul and Spanish Samplers, Pargo, Lechon Asado, Sopa de Frijoles Negros, and Ensalada del Mar. Everything tased pretty spot on and delicious, although the sopa de frijoles negros tasted like it had lost its zest and was now just a bowl of boiled black beans. We mixed it with the Pargo's rice and sauce and it was yummers. Water was refilled once. never offered another beer. (I don't think that I remember there being fantastic service here before either). The waitress was offering dessert and seemed genuinely disappointed when we declined. Total price as $160 before tip. The major bummer was that they charged us for the Stella...it took them 10 minutes to take it off the bill. But it worked out in the end. We will be back probably for the food and drinks....not a place to go often as it is pretty pricy and the service is mediocre but worth the experience if you have never been. Review # 9 of 31 Yelps challenge
(4)
Luis R.

So Soul de Cuba Cafe has a small kiosk stand at the NEX. While the mennu is limited I would recommend you go there instead of the downtown location. Why you ask? For starters the cost is about half. I paid $9.00 for Ropa Vieja with rice and beans. Second, the portion size warrants the price. Finally, the Ropa Vieja actually tasted good.
(3)
Faye A.

My mom and I came here for lunch after seeing and ad on a magazine that featured scrumptious Cuban food. We shared the trio of empanadas, bistec palomilla, and a flan and fruit dessert (all having an asterisk indicating it's a house special). The appetizer and dessert were definite winners, but the entree-- eh not so much. The empanadas were really good-- nice flaky crust, flavorful filling, and that mango salsa...Man oh man! We got the flan dessert with the fruits, whipped cream, and caramel. Serious mouth-gasm! The flan was creamy and not too sweet. Most of the sweetness came from the caramelized plantains and the sauce which had an oil-like consistency but tasted like caramel. Definitely a must try! The bistec was no bueno. It was one of the most expensive plates on the menu and the most disappointing. The steak was not seared properly and it was quite tough-- you really had to get in there with the knife and saw each piece. The meat had no color whatsoever and the side dishes that came with it were mediocre. I think they need to cut the price in half because no way am I going to pay $25 for such a small portion. The place is in Chinatown and street parking is quite difficult. Though there is the option of parking in one of the building garages. The service was good. The first waitress we had showed lack of experience especially when asked about the menu. Our second waitress, which replaced the first, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the food.
(3)
Johnny Z.

Great food. A bit on the pricier side, but totally worth it after a long day surviving the swamp romp. Went all out with alligator ceviche, fricase de pollo, flan soul de cuba, y soul mojito. Definitely food for the soul!
(4)
Lora H.

Saw a bottle of this weird "brown" liquid thing... without trying to be absolutely disgusting, the color of that thing was awful, it reminded me of "something." Having said that.... that was some good shiz-nat! So hey, looks can be deceiving. It was their homemade hot sauce! Note to restaurant... add food coloring or something to change the color - do do brown just doesn't go well on a restaurant table. Food - soooo good! I had their black bean chili, it's considered a soup. But be forwarned, it's chili. Nice, hearty, great flavor. And I ordered their lettuce wraps as my meal. Wow... now that is what I call lettuce wraps. Served with ground pork which has an amazing flavor, and chopped onions, carrots, to wrap in the lettuce and some sort of aioli type sauce. Sooo good! Filling and yet you don't feel disgusting and gross! And it had that homestyle flavor... Service - eh. I think I read some other reviews that said the same thing. Kind of slow, so for a downtown work lunch, not the best option if you have a time constraint. The waiter was nice, but unfortunately, ours had just started that week so when I asked him a question about the menu, his answer was "I don't know." Okay, well, to his credit, he went into the back to ask someone and came back with answers. I'm going to have to try something with the plaintains next!!
(4)
Diane K.

I'm from Miami and have been here for 4 months and was missing some Cuban food so we decided to give it a try. I ordered the ropa veija which in my opinion was right on point. The flavoring was perfect. The rice and beans though were lacking taste. Also they didn't have tostada. I had to ask for it and they just brought bread and butter. That was kinda disappointing. My husband had the eggplant and thought it was good .The mojitos and cafe con leche were good and the service was great. The reason I give it 4 stars is for the service. But for the food I will give it a 3.
(4)
Kit W.

My first taste of Soul De Cuba was from its street booth at Hallowbaloo and boy, was that pork slider DELICIOUS!!! The pork had the perfect balance of flavors and was so incredibly tender! My friend and I took one look at one another and an unspoken agreement was formed. We had to get our butts to Soul De Cuba for a full meal PRONTO! A few days later, we were happily seated in the actual restaurant. It's a good thing we called in for a reservation at 5 because they were booked solid from 5:30 on! After some pondering, we ordered the Calamares Fritos and Lechon Asado to share. The Calamares Fritos is basically breaded calamari and was served with mojo aioli and honey mojo dipping sauces. The whole thing was HUGE...my friend and I hardly made a dent in it xD. I would not order this again just because it wasn't exactly yummy and without the honey mojo sauce, would have been very bland. The Lechon Asado, on the other hand, was as delicious as ever. The pork in this dish is basically the same pork that was served on those pork sliders from Hallowbaloo. The dish also came with black bean rice and plantains and was the perfect size for sharing. For libations, my friend went with their rum punch and I went for their famous mojito. They were both good but the mojito was a winner! Both were incredibly strong though so we didn't end up trying the sangria that night. Maybe next time!
(4)
Annie W.

Going to Mardi Gras on an empty stomach was not a good idea. I had no patience for all the delicious food they had to offer at the event. We went straight for a highly recommended place to chow down and get on with enjoying the surrounding festivities. The place was tiny, but yet had a charm. I had the fricase de pollo, my hubby had the ropa vieja and our friend had the eggplant dish w/ calamaris as appetizers. Oh my soul is an understatement! This place was so authentic, you can taste it in every bite. The two pieces of plantains were oh so buttery and just worth the ranting and raving. My chicken just slid off the bone, paired with onions and their black beans mixed in with the rice just made my 'tiring day' turn into ' i heart soul de cuba' night. This place is just as good as Versailles in W LA, if I dare say possibly even better. Here's a cool fact that we found out: At least one of the chef is Cuban American and his recipes is passed down from generation of Cubanos =) The food says it all... I got a taste of the rum flan, served with plantains and a heaping size of whip cream in a presentable martini glass. Sugar rush, anyone?
(5)
Mr B.

This is a toughy as we're not big fans of Cuban food and Soul de Cuba didn't change our minds! Our server was very helpful and quite attentive and the cocktails were the highlight of the evening, closely followed by the black bean soup. The mains though - neither one thing nor the other. Not as spicy as Mex, not as tasty as kalua pig, fish I would have preferred in poke. But that's our taste buds rather than there fault - so 3*s from us. It's probably our propblem not theirs.
(3)
Ed L.

Thank you Yelpers for recommending this place to me. I was extremely interested in what Cuban food tasted like. Having only tasted majority of Asian cuisines all of my life, it was time to dip my hand into something new and experience something new. The location is great, being in the center of downtown Honolulu. The food is so delicious and there was a bit of a line, but it was worth the effort to wait a bit. The ambiance of the restaurant was fun and the bar was excellent. It's all about good food and good times, and Soul De Cuba delivers on that. I think I got a bit tipsy here, but that's alright. The prices are high, but you get quality food and reasonable portions. I would almost always come here again, but not everyday, since the food is delicious to be saved for a special events. Small dining area, but I guess that's how downtown is.
(4)
Jenel O.

Walked up here to meet a client one lunch. At the recommendation of my fellow helpers I had already pre decided on the lechon asado (that's how I roll when I am trying a new place). The food did not disappoint. The meat was so tender and tasty. The rice and plantains were a great compliment. I could probably eat more but wanted leftover to savor one more time. I forgot about my leftovers for about 4 days and decided to give it a try anyway. It was still absolutely great! Service was good. Could've got a water refill way sooner. And it's quite loud in the restaurant making it hard to hear normal conversation. Nothing that would stop me from returning.
(4)
Little D.

This is my one time lunch and one time dinner review. I like the food. They serve a lot of food. I had shared a lunch plate with GF, still a lot of food. I had a plate for myself for dinner. A lot of left over. Great Mohito! YELP 365 - 287/365
(4)
Will B.

Soul de Cuba was a disappointment. The service was slow, the food was average, and the place was loud. We saw our waiter exactly four times in over an hour-and-a-half-- taking our order, delivering the appetizer, and twice to handle the bill. They didn't come by to refill water glasses for almost an hour. Granted, this was a First Friday, so things were busy, but the restaurant is not that large. Four of us ordered and shared several dishes, and they were all fine, but that's it. The ceviche was pretty tasty, but came with not nearly enough bread. The beans and rice were bland, bland -- I could have made them myself. My favorite entree was the lechon asado -- nice sour marinade. I didn't drink there, and that could be a reason why I didn't think too much of the place. (Maybe also why the waiter didn't pay much attention to us.) The drink menu is as large as the food menu, emphasizing especially rum and mojitos. The half-dozen people sitting behind me were drinking a lot and sure seemed to be enjoying themselves (loudly). So this might score higher marks for a bar, but not for a restaurant. I'd heard a lot of good things about Soul de Cuba, so maybe I'm experiencing some letdown-following-overhype. But I wouldn't be very interested in going back unless someone else were paying.
(2)
Lei P.

Located in downtown Honolulu where the parking is bad and the surrounding areas are littered with homeless and etc...Soul De Cuba is a tasty treat for those who are looking for something flavorful to eat. I went with a group of friends and we shared the tapas style appetizer. Fresh meats, cheeses, olives, roasted garlic and bell peppers with two different dipping/spreadable sauces. Delicious. The roasted garlic was divine and didnt leave an offensive garlic taste in my mouth. I ordered the Fricase de Pollo - chicken entree, as did 3 others. It was moist, well seasoned and two generous portions of chicken breast with rice and beans. The service was good. The waitresses were attentive but not overly anxious. The value is good - for the quality. Prices are decent. Desserts are good. Nothing to write home about. Most are light and feature coffee. I would definitely go back. The dining room is small and it can get noisy.
(4)
Nicole K.

I went here with my mom one late afternoon after my class and before my night class. We decided against pizza (more like my mom decided against pizza), so we headed to Soul de Cuba. The owner was our server (because it was empty except for us and one other table). He was such a nice guy, and he explained the whole menu and told us his favorites. We had the soul sampler: papa rellena, devil crab and camarones en mojo. It was amazing. Loved all three of them. They were cooked so well. And it tasted amazing. I was just sad that I had to split it with my mom. Haha. I think it runs for about $15. For my entree I had this roasted pulled pork with onions and other goodies. I forgot what it's called :( But it was delicious. I tried this based on the owner's recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I know my mom did as well. I went to the bathroom, and when I got back I noticed a huge chunk of my pulled pork missing. But don't feel too bad for me. I stole some stuff off of my mom's plate, too. She had
(5)
Patrick G.

I went through many emotions while dining at Soul de Cuba Cafe this evening with my wife. Concerned - We walked in to find that we were the only ones in the restaurant. Were the good reviews on Yelp wrong, did we go on the wrong night of the week - Sunday, were we going to be alone for the entire meal? Relief - While we were ordering food, four other tables came in and the restaurant became a lot more lively. Joyful - The mojito was delicious! It was made fresh, contained good rum, and took me away to the Caribbean. Perplexed - Having only been in the restaurant for a little over 20 minutes, surely it was too early for the food to be coming out. No, the food was ours - fast! Ecstasy - The oxtail entree was prepared perfectly. Fall off the bone meat, great spices, rice and beans, and a tangy hot sauce made this meal extremely enjoyable. Satisfaction - The overall dining experience was great; the food was great, the drinks were great, the evening was a little rushed, but it didn't dampen the mood. I would definitely go back to Saul de Cuba Cafe. I'm looking forward to it.
(4)
Sara S.

Yay I'm so happy I FINALLY got to try this place!! Been bookmarked for awhile, it was on my bucket list in HI before I leave for a good 7 freaking months :( ANYWAYS, I would make reservations a day in advance for sure if you are going on a weekend. Tried to make reservations on the day of last weekend and it was FULL. Crazy. Rolled up to Soul de Cuba on a Saturday night- it's the place with the palm trees outside, you really can't miss it if you're on Bethel. OOOo and it's right by Fighting Eel!!! Let's not get distracted though. Thank you Yelpers for the recommendation of Ropa Vieja!!! It was delicious. Kind of like Carnitas but in a tomato stew sauce. These were accompanied by a bunch of Spanish lingo that we didn't know such as Arroro something something (rice) and frijoles negros (black beans)... yes we don't know these things. It also came with 2 little plantains which were pretty sweet, making me think they were just plain bananas. I had plantains in Honduras before and they were much more starchy and not as sweet. Anyways all that aside, I would definitely recommend this. The ropa vieja is such a flavorful comfort food dish. But in our humble opinions, the star of the show was actually the TAPAS SAMPLER!!!!!!! My friends and I split this bad boy and it was SO DELICIOUS!! Crispy chickpeas packed a spicy punch, stuffed olives nom nom nom, EGGPLANT CHUTNEY AND HUMMUS ON CROSTINI!!!! EEEP. Also Manchengo and Salami/Procuitto!! WIN WIN WIN So many exclamation marks to give for this platter. The service was a bit awkward... I mean our waiter was super awks, like he didn't know what recommendations to make when we asked him, and he seemed nervous. I think he was a newbie, but he was pleasant. Also what was kind of suspicious to me was that when we got there our table wasn't ready. We were 5 minutes late so we were a little worried but then even when we got there it wasn't ready!! Other tables had little "reserved" signs on them so did they forget our reservation!??! Regardless, I loved my meal and I will be back for some good cuban food! :D
(4)
Mari S.

I was first introduced to Cuban food in 2010 when my BF took me to Soul de Cuba. As far as I know, this is the only Cuban restaurant in Honolulu. We've been back at least 3 or 4 times since. The food here is DELICIOSO! Yes, I'm trying to spice things up with a little Spanish! =D My BF always orders the bistec palomilla. This has to be one of the best dishes on the menu. I sometimes will take a few picks at his plate (if there is any remaining) and it tastes gooooood! I've tried the black bean chili, empanadas a la carte and ropa vieja. The chili and empanadas are appetizers, but when ordering those two together, its just enough food for me! However, on our visit last week, I tried the ropa vieja and this dish has won me over! The shredded beef was excellent. I decided on a glass of the campo viejo reservation tempranillo. My BF and I came to a consensus that the wine was nothing impressive. Mines was alright, but his malbec was a bit of a disappointment. I guess you should stick with the mojitos here! The service is adequate. My one complaint would be that the waitress seemed quite unknowledgeable about the wine list. This was unfortunate for us, because had we been giving a little more information on the wine, we could have made a better decision when ordering. The dishes are a bit on the pricey end, but I guess they can get away with it being the only Cuban restaurant in Hawaii. =P
(4)
K G.

Absolutely awesome!!!! Still drooling over their habanero dip. It wasn't very spicy at all. We went on Sangria Sunday. $5 sangrias. They were great. Good was really good too.
(5)
Kelly T.

I saw a great Cuban joint on the show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Monday night, so my man treated me to this local Cuban joint in Chinatown over lunch yesterday. I have never experienced Cuban food before, but the Wiki page says it's a merge of Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines. Very interesting, and full of flavor. When I got there, he had already ordered and had just been served the Soul Sampler appetizer: Papas Rellenas on a plate with croquetas de jaiba and a little nibble of fried plantain, accompanied with homemade habanero/mango salsa. It was a party in my mouth. We got our Cubanos just as we were wrapping up the last few bites, and those were NOT a disappointment. Looked just like the ones on the show! I really liked the ingredient combo on that sandwich, which is probably why they're a classic staple in Cuban fare. This sandwich is no joke; a "Cubano" has baked ham, salami, marinated roast pork, swiss cheese and pickles and is served on pressed cuban bread with mayo and mustard. It was built. I had the second half cold for lunch today, as I type this, and it was just as good cold on it's second day. Feeling adventurous? The rest of their menu looks equally appealing. What an awesome treat! Lunch service was attentive and immediate, food was perfect. I'm told it books solid at night, so call ahead for reservations. Little high on the price tag, but you're not getting McDonalds. It's worth it, especially to impress a co-worker, boss, or hot date.
(4)
Mike B.

It pains me to give this place 3 stars, because when their game is on it is 5 star worthy. I've gone there about 10 times now and 70% of the time it's fucking fantastic, the other 30% have been disappointing, due to poor service and or inconsistent quality in the drinks or desserts. Their main entrees and apps are pretty consistent on quality. Their Mojitos are to die for when made on a good night. For apps the papas rellenas are pretty good softball sized fried potato balls with seasoned meat in them, I just wish they didn't garnish the plate with wilted lettuce. Favorite entrees have been the pollo miel y mojo and the vieja rope. As for dessert flan ambiente is excellent when done right; when done right the carmel is thick and gooey dark brown mess of awesomeness, when they are slacking the carmel is watery and clear. I love this place but they need to get their consistency and service in check.
(3)
Sherylynn S.

I like the restaurant and their service. The food melt my mouth so I would be brutal honest to say its a five!
(5)
Efrain P.

I stopped by after class one day and thought Id give this place a try. Coming from Miami where there are a bunch of places that offer Cuban food and know what to expect of well cooked Cuban food, I had very high hopes for this place from its 4 star rating I saw on Yelp. I really appreciated the Latin atmosphere via music and wall decorations and they had an inviting bar. There are high tables with stools also which I thought was cool. That day I ordered their Cubano sandwich and had potato chips on the side. I thought the sandwich was ok and nothing special and chips pfff. The steep price I paid for the meal made me question whether I would return or not. I think I will give them another chance in hopes that their other dishes are much better but as far as the Cubano sandwich, in my opinion it was meh. One of the downsides to this place is that it was sort of cramped and when the place gets filled it starts to get loud where your pretty much having to use your outside voice in order to be heard by your company or waiter/waitress. My table was also a bit wobbly. I always give every place a second go before I rule it out for good so I will definitely give there other dishes a chance plus I would like to try their famous margarita. Who knows I might change my mind about this place but one thing for sure is that the food here should be made more affordable and should not cost so much for food that is fairly cheap at local grocery stores.
(3)
Nathan N.

If you haven't eaten here in a year or two, go back and let me know what you think. I was there recently and ordered the Soul Sampler. First thing I noticed was "Wow, everything except the shrimp got bigger." Then the next thought I had was "Uh-oh, that's not a good sign." When a restaurant increases the portion size, that usually means the food quality has gone down. And sure enough, I think I was right. Can someone else who used to frequent Soul de Cuba, confirm this for me?
(4)
Jesse K.

Well we ordered 3 margaritas. That was 36.00! We ordered ceviche, which was not like the fresh ceviche I had had in Mexico. But my wife thought it was pretty good. We ordered some very fried heavy appetizer sampler thing that was pretty good, though the plantains NEED sour cream! Plantains with sour cream and black beans are DEEE LISH! (more of a Salvadorean style to serve it with sour cream, I guess.) We ordered the pork dish. 19.00!! I mean it was good, but not 100.00 good. For that, we'd go to 12th Avenue Grill. So the pork was good, looked like Kalua Pig but better, with deeper flavoring. So, good food, but not 100.00 good! our bill with 2 appetizers, 3 cocktails and 1 main dish was $110.00 with tip. OUCH!
(2)
Tracy M.

Giving it two stars since I don't have that much money to throw away. When entered the place and expected more people. There only three group of people who were there for lunch. I asked for the menu, then wallah! Bingo! The prices were far too high for lunch. A small fillet of salmon with string beans/sweet mashed potato for about $20.00??? $5.00 plantation without a free refill (with the ice it was only two shot glasses full?). Also the fish was sweet with a little spice, which I don't particularly care for. Unless they make it more affordable, I believe they won't see the high turn over for lunch that they desperately need to increase their revenue. Anyways, it's just my two cents worth!
(2)
Teresa V.

Currently at Soul de Cuba and we ordered the Ropa Vieja and Rabo Encendido. What a HUGE disappoinent. For starters, the rice and beans were cold, the rice was hard as if it was made yesterday. The Rabo (oxetail) had all the fat-they clearly didnt clean it prior to seasoning it. The fat has to be removed. Presentation sucks-for a meal so overpriced at least present it well-serve it separately bc honestly, if it doesnt look appetizing, what will prompt anyone to try it? So, we switched to Cuban sandwiches and it tasted sweet. If they want to fool the locals serving them "Cuban" food, well, they are getting away with it. But dont hope that the Spanish tourists will enjoy it. The place itself is cozy but overpriced for the quality and quantity of the food.
(2)
Lindsey S.

1st time here, I'll review three things: the food, the atmosphere, and the service. I'll start off by saying ill come back but not for the service. Loved that they had vegetarian and seafood options. Ordered the three tapas plater, spicy garbanzo beans and great cheese and meat selection. Wish they had a bit more cheese though, only had three slices. I ordered the honey salmon and my husband ordered the seafood salad. Great taste to the peppers that are served with it, had just the right amount of honey. Came with mashed sweet potato it's was all right complemented the salmon, didn't finish them though. My husbands seafood salad had a good fishy taste, looked cheap. It was served on romain lettuce, nothing special there. The fishy taste I mentioned was for the sardines on top of everything, overpowered a lot of the dish. Both dishes were petty good though. Nice ambiance. The dark colors and low lighting made it for a nice dinner with friends. The music selection was great, played Celia Cruz a lot, loved it. The lights from the theater across the street shinning through the windows was pretty cool. Okay, so coming here I was expecting waiters/waitresses who spoke just a bit (at least) of Spanish. I was so wrong. My waiter had to take back the plate he though I had ordered, and brought out the menu because he couldn't understand what I was ordering when I was pronouncing it exactly the way it's supposed to. And it was the EASIEST one on the menu, the Salmon! But I was saying it in Spanish.. Theres not much of a difference. After getting the order wrong, he would always glance over, making my husband and friends pretty annoyed. I can see why he got the order wrong, he did not write our orders down and only only had 3 word sentences at the most. Very rude. He practically threw the vinaigrette on the table for my husbands salad. and refilled everyone's water except for mine. Maybe he was having a bad day, who knows. If that's the case, personal life shouldn't bleed into your job performance. I did like this place, I'll come back but I'm in no rush to get treated like this anytime soon.
(3)
Jeanie A.

I went with my friend for a late bite to eat on a Saturday night. We had the empanadas with a side of beans and rice. The empanadas were filled with chicken beef and vegetables. 2 of each. The beef ones were my favorite. The crust on them were amazing so crispy. Definitely not loe calorie. We had a glass of New Age wine on ice with lime which was great!
(4)
Ashley B.

This place is really good!!! I have started a sangria Sunday with my friend since they have brunch on Sundays and a pitcher of sangria is only $18! If you want a glass it's only $5! Their Cuban lumpia is super good as well as their lechon omelette! I gave this place a 4 stars only because they are on the pricey side.
(4)
Sherry K.

We live close by, so this is a regular hangout for us. Salmon dinner was excellent. I love their salad and dressing, but the thing we come back for over and over is the Soul Cubano sandwich. An upscale Cuban with pork, Serrano ham and salami, cheese and a cilantro roasted garlic aoli. It comes with the side salad I love so much. Our Biggest COMPLAINT........PLEASE SERVE THE SANDWICH AFTER FIVE PM!! Looses one star because the sandwich contents amounts vary. We've had lots of meat and sometimes very little.
(4)
Tamika B.

This was my favorite place to eat here in Honolulu. What happened? Please tell me they're moving to another location!
(5)
Cody S.

I was taken here on a date this past Sunday and I have to say I was impressed. The service was amazing, the staff was friendly, the place was clean and perfect for a date. We ordered a pitcher of sangria that was amazing, and we had the sampler for an appetizer. I ordered the salmon dinner plate and my boyfriend ordered the ox tale plate. We both enjoyed dinner and we're satisfied with our choices. I can't wait to go back and bring friends! Delicious!
(5)
Kori T.

I've been to this restaurant quite a few times and loved it but this last visit left a very sour taste in my mouth. We were seated in a fairly empty restaurant. Drinks arrived quickly but then I was told they would let me order my regular sandwich since it was 5:07 and they stopped making it at 5:00. This was very upsetting so I ordered a steak it took them over 45mins to get the food us. And the the steak was dry and tasted like vinegar. The waiter never came back to check on us. I will not be ordering anything but my regular sandwich again.
(3)
Mikey H.

My cousin posted food pics on FB and was making me jealous. Fortunately, SdC is one of the few restaurants that stays open passed 2 pm in Chinatown. Friendly greeting when we walked in. Good AC! We ordered a bottle of wine to start... She: We might not have that one, let me see At first I thought that might not be a good sign, but come to find out, they're more known for their fun rum drinks. She came out with two bottle to choose from...and then I told her about some restaurants in Italy, "We have white or red" and that's was the only choices...LOL! We ordered the empanadas, chicken, beef, and vegetable. They cut them all in half so it was easy for us to share. All were delicious and each had a distinctive flavor! I ordered the fricase de pollo and the partner had the pollo de ajo y naranja. My chicken was moist and tender and came with a delicious sauce. The other chicken dish, was a grilled breast and was a little on the dry side. Loved the grilled plantains! I ordered the flan cause I needed something sweet....really good! This place has been open for quite some time and I must've walked by it at least once or twice when I've been out here. I'll definitely be back! Must come back for the Cubano!
(4)
Jozlyn H.

Another one off my bookmarked list. Came here for a late lunch. The place was nice and empty, I enjoy getting ALL the attention and service. So of course, the food came out fairly quick. I can't remember the name of the stuff we ordered... All I remembered it waS the staff favorite and the top of the menu... The marinated chicken... It came with some fried banana thingy... Beans and rice... I was sooooo full! It was delicious! The atmosphere and decor was beautiful.... It's lien stepping out of Chinatown.... Into a small little Cuban restaurant. Parking: street parking, although there are a few garages in the area that are fairly cheap. I paid $1.50 for 1 hour parking on Maunakea. Luckily the restaurant was empty because we didn't have to wait for anything.. Food: it was delicious and flavorful. Come here with an appetite because the plate was filling! Service: of course it was empty so service was quick. We didn't feel rushed and our server was super friendly. She gave great recommendations. I'll definitely visit this place again, I only gave it 4 starts because.... Something was missing.... I don't know what it is... But I'll update this once I figure it out ;)
(4)
Ashley V.

Soo.. I'm on my lunch break & while I have a few minutes to spare at Soul de Cuba Cafe; decided to begin my review (since I always procrastinate on them). 4 out of 5 stars! Service: 5 for 5 stars! *moment I walked in they greeted me & asked if I was taking out or dining in. *they automatically gave me water w/o asking. *a server asked if I wanted something else to drink besides water (btw, yes. I did want something other than water.) *waitress took the initiative to ask if the food/I was okay. Also asked politely to take my empty plate in a very timely matter. *asked for my tab & my waiter was on it! had my tab in less than a minute. *both bartender & waitress told me thank you & to have a good day. ^ honestly, it's the little things like that that make up a great service vending business. & I will gladly give 5 stars for their service. My total wait time from entering the little cafe, to being seated, to ordering & receiving my food, to eating & paying for my bill took less than 30 minutes. Good job! Also, the little restaurant in itself has a cozy, chill, authentic vibe. I can dig it (; Food quality; I'd give it a 4 star rating. I ordered the pan con bistec sandwich, which is made up of thinly sliced mojo marinated steak with grilled onions, & served on a pressed Cuban bread with mayo. It was rather good! & quite filling too (: It came with a little (& I do mean little) side salad with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. The sandwich & salad was $10. On top of my sandwich I ordered a Pacifico beer ($6) to wash down my grub, & it was a great choice for me. Pricing; 4 stars. I'd like to see beer & pupu's for a little cheaper, but so far the food quality matches the prices. & I guess there's always happy hour, right? (: Overall a 4 star experience. I will definitely be back again to try their platters!
(4)
Krysten I.

I heard on the radio that soul de Cuba was having a little Las Vegas giveaway, in which you can win a trip to Vegas if you fill up a Mojito stamp card by trying the ten different flavored mojitos. I like mojitos so I thought I'd give it a shot. Except mojitos are $10 each. With a 20% tip, that's a $120 entry ticket.... For something you probably won't win. Good marketing strategy! Soul de Cuba is located right across from the hawaii theater. They are the only place on the island that I can think of tht offers Cuban cuisine. Who knew Cuban food could be so expensive!! Entrees will run you $20 and a couple appetizers and mojitos on top of that makes it a pretty expensive dinner. I tried the appetizer sampler and don't recommend it. The crab cakes tasted like they were reheated and the empanadas were just ehhhh. The home made citrus chili pepper water definitely made it a little better though. The deep fried potato ball things were the only thing I would possibly get again. As an entree, I got the chicken. There were nice flavors and I liked the sweet bananas that came with it. The chicken itself was a little on the salty side though, and the next time I go, I'd want to try another of their offerings. I also liked that they happily subbed a side salad for beans. The waitstaff is pleasant and friendly, these or is nice, but they really need to refinish their tables. They feel sticky and it makes me think they weren't cleaned. At this rate, I don't think I'll get to try all the mojitos and fill up my vegas card. I wonder how many people have given up too haha.
(4)
Greg S.

My high hopes for this unique place were dashed by the terrible service and mediocre food. Two stars for the Cuban atmosphere and drinks. I tried ordering a sandwich off the menu they gave us at dinner. They said they did not serve sandwiches for dinner (though the menu did not indicate that). I had the waitress skip over me so I could scramble to find sow thing else on the menu. She forgot, which is partially understandable given the large party, so I had to go up to the register and ask that my order be added to the group. Sadly, the empanadas were not good. True empanadas should have a light flaky crust. These were the constancy of one of the crusts from a frozen pot pie - dry, hard, dense, and tasteless. Note: They do not split the check.
(2)
Mike N.

I had mixed feelings about this place. It was close to where I worked and served decent food depending on what you order. Some of the dishes were just down right cheap, slapped together, i don't care someone is going to eat this type quality. The Cuban sandwich was especially disappointing, realizing I could have made a better sandwich t home. It may not be Cuban, but it sure would be a heck a lot better than that !#$% they gave me.
(3)
Diane K.

This was an unexpected gem for Sunday Brunch. I've been to Soul de Cuba for dinner when it first opened and loved it. The ONLY reason it took me a few years to return is due to the parking (Street parking on Crown Street after 7PM and all day Sundays). However, I think it's worth the kerfufule to enjoy their unique version of sangria (sooo good!) and... oh dear, it's amazing: Tortilla de papa ($14): Spanish-style potato and onion frittata, roasted garlic aioli mojo, seared shrimp and crispy bruschetta. Sorry I didn't post any photos, I was inundated by the sheer pleasure of stuffing my face with pure magic. Sunday brunch: 11:30am - 3pm.
(5)
Kris B.

Never disappointed with the food... some of my favorites: Rabo Encendido (oxtail) and the Salmon en Mojo y Miel dish. The oxtail dish comes with a side of rice, and the salmon comes with this side of interesting (and delicious!) orange mashed potatoes. They also have tasty sandwiches which are only available for lunch. They come with side salad. My favorite sandwich is the Soul Cubano which comes with ham, roast pork, and salami. They have a Filipino-ish dish on the menu as well - the lumpia (which I love). They even have this great hot sauce they make themselves - I wanna drench all my food in it for days! It may not be strictly Cuban food in the traditional sense, but I think their style of fusion is just right! I tried their empanadas once and really liked it. Though it does get sweet after a while, so it's good to share. Service can be hit or miss, but honestly - their food is worth it to me. I often CRAVE Soul de Cuba, so I just need to eat there sometimes. Plus, cute bartender. Late night stuff: try some of their house drinks. Some of my favorites are the Caipirinha and the Dark & Stormy. Their mojitos can be ordered by pitchers, but those tend to be a little sweet for me. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Mark O.

You don't have a whole lot of choices on Oahu for Caribbean food much less Cuban food. So after finishing a meeting downtown today, I decided to get some take out from Soul de Cuba which had been sitting on my list for the past year. Located on Bethel across from the theater, this place has a decent amount of seating and a strange vibe to it. On the one hand, it has a fitting casual atmosphere with specials handwritten in on a chalkboard and a rather sad little half stocked bar. On the other hand they have a menu that seems to be more apt for an upscale restaurant with detailed exotic options and extremely high prices. Maybe the owners just couldn't decide which direction to take it. The oxtail dish I ordered was average. Braised in red wine, it didn't stand out much to me and personally I know I've made better braised oxtail than that. The appetizer empanadas were lackluster, although I suppose that was partially made up for with the aioli it came with. I did like the guava empanada somewhat. It could have used a bit more sweetness, maybe some powdered sugar or something but it was good nonetheless. Overall, the food was passable, but I wasn't overly impressed. If it had come at a reasonable price point I think it might have been a good fit, but unfortunately you simply do not get what you're paying for here.
(2)
Trisha G.

I guess I thought that Cuban food would be a little more exciting. The menu seems like a mix of Mexican, Filipino and Italian-ish dishes -- all things that I love -- but the flavors fell a bit short. The mojitos were so-so. I would have given it more of a chance if it wasn't so cramped. I get that they want to get as many people as possible in the smaller space, but worrying about bumping people at the next table with my butt and moving tables/chairs out of the way in order to leave is too much. The place was so cramped that it felt like we were on the same first date that the couple at the next table was on. Awkward.
(2)
Chris D.

Stay away, stay far far away. When my friend and I got to Soul de Cuba, we were seated right away. It took over 10 minutes for a server to contact us. I wanted something small since I wasn't too hungry, so I decided to get the black bean soup. It was soup. It was jut black beans placed in a bowl. This is factual for the following reasons: 1. My friend ordered a dish, she had a side of black beans. They looked the same. I tasted them and they tasted the same. 2. I asked the server. The server asked the chef. The server came back and told me that it was just the side of black beans that they include on all the entrees. They charged 8 dollars for flavorless beans. Quite possibly the most expensive bean on island, or on the planet for that matter. Skip this place. Junk service. Junk food. Go somewhere else. If I could give it no stars, I would.
(1)
Tyler K.

Good food for a good price. The best Cuban place downtown...actually I think it's the only Cuban place downtown Great place for lunch as the food comes out quickly.
(4)
Jermel-Lynn Q.

I love this place. Great place to experience a restaurant with a lot of culture. The place has prices that may be a little up there but trust me when I say that when they have cuban people working at the restaurant, this place is bomb. It is a perfect place to eat dinner before first friday. I love coming here to eat and then having the opportunity to galavant to drink later throughout the night. The drinks here are super strong, because that is how cuban people like it. :) and trust if you come here to start your night in Downtown, your night will end up with bomb! :)_
(4)
Rai A.

Great food and great service! Mojito was fresh and refreshing! Fricase de pollo was awesome!
(5)
Daniel B.

This review is for the NEX lunch place at the Navy Exchange food court. First I have never eaten at the main restaurant, I have lived in Miami and Puerto Rico and consumed many Cubano Sandwich's, First the bread was not even close to being a Cuban bread, Cuban bread is light with a thin crunchy crust. Second you do not use shredded pork, it makes the sandwich wet, you should be using thin slices of roast pork. The Beef Ropa I had was bland, the beans was just ok, it lacked good spanish flavor, the rice was terrible, it was like uncle bens rice, real spanish cooking uses a short grain rice that is rounder, it is not long loose grain. Plus the warmers they have does not keep the food hot at all, probably a food safety issue. I was looking forward to visiting the restaurant, but I think I will not now, very disappointing.
(2)
Grant S.

We came in on a Friday night with a party of 8. They generously allowed us to bump up our res from 6 to 8 on less than 24 hours notice. Props. This dining room is tiny! We could almost touch the bar and we were sitting at the picture window! But anyways, we got seated right away and the service was for the most part timely. I ordered a pineapple juice, soul sampler, and pollo soul de cuba. What a spread! Anywhere that serves pineapple juice is awesome. The soul sampler had 3 components, shrimp, croquet, and calamari. The shrimp was quite good, well cooked and seasoned, would order as an app. The croquet was alright, nothing special, seasoned ground beef in a potato croquet. The calamari was a nice touch, a little salty with ranch to dip. All in all a pretty decent appetizer tray. Pollo Soul de Cuba. On their menu it says its their most popular dish. I can see why! The chicken is moist and lightly breaded. The chicken was a little salty but the mango salsa on top really complimented the saltiness well. There is good balance here in the very fresh ingredients used. I would definitely order this again (for dinner, because I would HAVE TO TRY the cuban sandwich if I went in for lunch). The cheesecake my tablemate ordered was very good, smooth, rich, creamy, dreamy (like zac efron apparently...) Overall a positive experience. The food seemed a little Americanized but who can blame them. Good to the last spoonful. I will be coming back (for that cuban sandwich).
(4)
Ron S.

Best food I had in Hawaii. Pleasant ambiance. Great mojitos and a solid caiparinha. Head and shoulders above its competition. I had the lechon asado and really enjoyed it. If you are in downtown Honolulu this is your best bet for an enjoyable dining experience.
(5)
Jaynie K.

Pan con bistec (Thinly sliced mojo marinated steak with grilled onions served on pressed cuban bread with mayo): Oh wow that was one filling meal! Very juicy, well seasoned beef laying in a big slab of toasty bread. So good, kind of reminded me of bulgogi for some reason, but that's not a bad thing! The only thing is, it was so heavy in my belly for the rest of the day! Don't plan any strenuous activity after eating this! (The boy got nauseated and had a hard time at paddling practice!)
(4)
Samantha H.

Pros: Great atmosphere. Pitchers of mojitos which were very refreshing and delicious. Excellent service. Awesome food. The calamari was tender and our main authentic Cuban dishes were well cooked. All of our plates were cleaned. Cons: The restaurant left a slightly unpleasant kitchen odor on our clothes and hair.
(4)
Susan F.

My bf and I have been wanting to try this place for awhile, but every time we've gone, they were either having a private party or a crazy wait. So we were lucky enough to call on Friday afternoon to get a 6:30 reservation for the same night. Out table was ready for us when we arrived 10 minutes early, but my bf (being the picky ass that he is) didn't want to sit in the seats that were reserved for us. So we decided to wait for another table. They even let us walk around and gave us a call when the table was ready. That being said, the food here was nothing near what I was expecting. My bf ordered for us and besides the fact that he ordered a chicken dish with beans all over it (and I don't eat beans). The flavoring was bland for my liking. The chicken was VERY DRY (it reminded me of a chicken cutlet... But extremely dry) the crab croquet was ok... but nothing that gave it a wow factor. The shrimp was also very blah!!! I expected a lot more from soul de Cuba especially with the great reviews that it gets. On the plus side, the mojito was good. I don't think I'll be going back here.
(1)
Kristel Y.

Soul De Cuba is a cute, little African-Cuban (I'm assuming, from the little questionnaire I filled out after our meal) restaurant in downtown, across the street from the Hawaii Theater on Bethel street. From all the Yelp recommendations and raving reviews from my friends, I decided to give this place a try. We went during off-peak hours and the restaurant had a few patrons, but thankfully no wait. We ordered the Papa Rellena, which as Dev described, tastes like a ball of win. It has a seasoned ground beef center, wrapped with mashed potatoes, deep-fried so it has lightly breaded, almost flaky crust. The portion sizes are pretty big and we all had to take home our leftovers. My palate prefers simple tastes most times, but I appreciated the explosion of flavors from my dish (that I couldn't pronounce then, or now, and can't even spell out here). In each bite, I feel like there was a lot going on taste wise and that's definitely not a bad thing! The staff was extremely nice and I enjoyed the atmosphere in the restaurant. The restaurant itself really transports you elsewhere--the framed photographs on the wall were also a nice touch. Overall, I really enjoyed Soul De Cuba. My recommendation is to go during off-peak hours for a date. You'll score brownie points for appearing cultured...even if you heard about it via Yelp, like me.
(4)
Valerie R.

Considering it being Hawaii where local food is the norm and a person wants to try something different for a change. My daughter and I had a nice dinner at Soul de Cuba. We ordered Papa Relleno (Stuffed potatoe ball with ground beef), I had chicken in a sauce with black beans and rice. My daughter had a beef dish which was similar. What made it even better I was present for happy hour where drinks were half off and a majority of the appetizers were half off as well. The ambiance was nice and the service was great, no complaints. Yes, I am pretty sure in Florida and also where I am from in Los Angeles you can get maybe more authentic Cuban food. From me previously living in Hawaii and being a frequent returning visitor. The food at Soul de Cuba was good for Hawaii's standards and different. I will be definitely returning back to Soul de Cuba and would recommend it to others. The prices are average and its a nice place to have a good dinner whether it be with friends, family or even for a date.
(4)
Hannah K.

I had the fricasa de pollo and it was mediocre at best. The concept of this restaurant is good, but the food is not. I had the fricasa de pollo because it came highly recommended by the staff, but I ended up taking home leftovers. So sad as I had high hopes for this place. Only reason in giving this place 2 stars is because of the fried plantains. Mega good!
(2)
Aimee F.

Delicious!!! The food was amazing, drinks were kinda on the expensive side, but they give you soo much food and the drinks were perfection!!! I've been hunting for the perfect mojito and I found it here!! I had it twice and two different people made it, and they were both amazing, didnt skimp on the mint leaves and it was deceivingly smooth! My boyfriend and I had the fricase de pollo & the lechon asado. Both were delicious and it gave us a great first impression (first time diners here!). Definitely try those two dishes if its your first time! Filled with tons of flavor I don't even know how to describe, but my taste buds were so overwhemingly happy, that I forgot about how late my reservation was, how loud the restaurant was with all those people, or how the guys in the table next to me smelled like socks... hehe. I thought the dish was going to have plantains but they came with bananas instead, no biggy tho. Tip: Make a reservation in advance.. I tried to book the same night earlier in the day but they were already filled. So I sadly made a late reservation....I got there an hour early just in case, and luckily the server found us a seat right away! :) But if that fails, you can just have drinks at bambu 2 nearby while you wait for a seat (which was my initial back up plan). My boyfriend LOVED the margarita.. he said it was the best he ever had.. so don't be afraid to try their drinks.. I heard happy hour is 4-6pm Mon-Thurs! I'll deinitely be going back! :)
(5)
Darin O.

Great Food! Try different things like the empanadas- not even close to what they think of it at toco bell. They have shrimp that is just delish. The drinks are up scale top shelf quality- fresh Mojitos with fresh mint - it would make everyone from BURN NOTICE jealous. Hey - they need to do an episode here USA of Burn Notice- has a Miami/ Cuba tie in. Send Fi! Otherwise- it is a small cafe like place but has a great sound and vibe to it. Bring a few firends and the party has started.
(5)
Sheila Marie C.

I have been here twice already and I absolutely love it. I love Latin food! My fiance is Colombian and ever since we moved here it has been really hard to find Colombian food in Hawaii. The closest thing we found to Colombian food was this amazingly yummy Cuban restaurant. The food overall is very savory, and has amazing flavors. There rice and beans are really good as well...in fact, I think it's perfect for me. However, if you are a cheapskate I would not recommend you coming here. Food here is on the pricey side, but it is well worth it if you want to try authentic Latin food. Even though I think the majority of their food is super good...my main favorite thing about this place would be the empanadas. I think they have the best empanadas ever!! I would be happy just eating the empanadas from here because they are that freakin' delicious! Just typing about it makes my mouth water...mmmm.
(5)
Kimee B.

Meh. The food is good and the sangria is good too, but if you asked me they are way over priced for what they are serving. I get it, your rent is high and weekdays are slow..BUT if you are charging that much for a plate one of two things needs to happen: A) huge portions or B) the presentation is stellar....with the dishes we ordered none of these were true. Again...the food is DELICIOUS, but spending almost $100 for 2 when we had an appetizer platter, one main and 2 drinks seems off with normal portions, no presentations and no view. I wouldn't go back here for dinner, but pau hana drinks for sure. Our server and bartender that night were very good and nice...and that's always cool.
(3)
George T.

I finally tried this place after 5 months of being on island. Its the only Cuban joint I know on the island. I love cuban from my many days in Tampa. The family and I loved the quaint restaurant with its fine art work. I had a Mojito and it was very good but thought small for the $8.00 price. I had the Ropa Vieja and it was as good as any I've had to include Tampa, Vegas and Miami.My wife had the Pollo Milanesa which was excellent as well. My son had the Beef Empanada (appetizer) and he loved it. We ordered a side of the sweet Platanos. Oh so good. My daughter was lovin them. The service was good and the guy was courteous and attentive. The only thing I will say bad at all was I think all the food is overpriced in line with many restaurants in Hawaii. (Bill was $53 not including tips. The portions were small for the price. In Tampa the price would have been half but there is alot of competition there. Vegas was a few dollars less for about the same size portion. The restaurant does have great food so will be back just not as much as I'd like. Soul De Cuba needs a Happy Hour like Vegas had. It was 2 drinks including Cuba Libre and Mojitos for $7.50 from 4-9 PM 7 days. The food was at a reduced price to and helped there business. Try Soul De Cafe as I'm sure you'll like the food and maybe the price is OK with most!
(4)
Jillian P.

I'm a very big fan of this place! Whenever I think of going to dinner with friends, I immediately think of suggesting this place (if they haven't already eaten here). The first time I ate here, my friend and I were complete NEWBS. Our host, server, and bartender (LOL) helped us out the load! He was really kind and made friendly conversation with us each time he helped us! The only downfall is, that was the first and only time I've ever gotten EXCEPTIONAL or even DECENT service at this restaurant, hence the FOUR star review. Other times, most servers failed to provide us with water refills (HATE THAT). And took too long to check on us. Many times, it felt as if we were forgotten customers. :( Aside from that though, the food is AHH-MAZING! I mean, I've never had any other Cuban food in my life, but from what I've tasted of this place, it is PRIME TIME my friends! :) Another great PLUS? The atmosphere is just lovely. When I eat here, I kind of feel like I'm in Laguna Beach or The Hills, eating at some cute little cafe downtown! Haha. Definitely suggest this place. :) PS: My friend says they make a MEAN mojito. AND their ginger beer is quite tasty!
(4)
Darnell H.

One of the best meals that I have eaten on this island! We started off with Mojitos, which were just like the ones I remember drinking in Miami. They were strong, not too sweet and super refreshing. My husband and I shared a cup of the black bean chili. It was SOO good! It had a very earthy taste to it. I had the cubano sandwich with chips and I can't remember the name of the sandwich my husband got but it had shredded pork and grilled onions on sweet bread. Both sandwiches were amazing. The mojo sauce was perfect for the sandwiches and the chips. The entree prices were a bit pricey...mostly over $20 for lunch, but the sandwiches were only $10! I will definitely be back.
(5)
Gaelen L.

I can not talk more highly about this place. It's amazing! The staff is friendly and helpful, they opened a room next door so the restaurant isn't as cramped, and the food... oh the food... the food is amazing. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something they love here. From steak to chicken to seafood, they find a way to make everything great! It is, by far, one of the nicest places I have been on the island and will take everyone that visits here first.
(5)
Len L.

I came here one day for Happy Hour just walking around and stumbled acorss this place and decided to try it out. I was the only customer in this establishment. The food was delicious but I think it was overpriced even for "Happy Hour". I had more than a few margaritas and the service was pretty good. Im only giving 4 stars because I think the pricing could be better.
(4)
Gayle S.

I haven't tried them out enough to really form much of an opinion just yet... but the Mojito Cheesecake is SUPER AWESOME! I was worried when I ordered it, since I'd recently become spoiled to Otto Cake... Imagine my surprise when I took a couple bites and realized that Otto makes the exclusive flavor for the restaurant!! YAY, double bonus! Let you know about the rest of the menu when I can... but a place that serves Otto's cake is a good place by me!!
(3)
Vanessa B.

Great customer service, amazing food, and they have salsa nights!
(5)
Pari S.

Cuban cuisine in Honolulu? Que? We had read some great yelp reviews on this place so we decided to come here on a Friday night around 8:30pm after a long day of work. The neighborhood is near Chinatown, and there can be some very unique characters roaming around while you search out your restaurant of choice... My boo and I were very excited to enjoy our date night at a highly reviewed restaurant. I've had Cuban food once before in Miami, relatively authentic and absolutely delicious; I was looking forward to eating my heart out. The restaurant is split up into two rooms, and once we arrived, we were seated at a high table, one of two open tables. I was prepared to wait a decent amount of time to get our meal due to the crowded-ness of the spot. Our waitress was not friendly, and she didn't come and take our drink order for almost 10 minutes. I understand that she was one of the very few waitresses, but I'm not going to lie, we felt ignored, especially later after I had to pour half of my water cup into my boo's because we were sort of ignored............ The food menu all sounds absolutely mouth-watering, so we placed our orders and the wait began. I'm a nerd, so I actually did count how long it took. Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for our entrees to arrive. I didn't think it was that difficult of an order; I ordered the chicken and boo ordered shrimp. Geesh, we were STARVING by the time the food arrived! Generally, great menu and ambiance, good food (not incredible enough to wait 1hour15min in my mind), and very "cool" vibe. I really like culturally unique restaurants, and I would have given it a higher rating, but I quickly got the impression that they catered to the "cool" regulars, not really us first-timers looking for a great experience.
(3)
Amy K.

Soul De Cuba is small, cute and packed with a cuban culture influence...not only on the menu but on the walls, too. Definitely come here on an empty stomach because the portions are full and rich. Ive been here a few times and the wait is all about time. If you come on a first friday, or thursday through saturday night, forget about it unless you've made reservations in advanced...as in the day before. The service was never a dissapointment, so only good things can be said about that... And now for the best part--la comida! My boyfriend and I ordered mussles for an app one time--because he was trying to be romantic by ordering an aphrodesiac. Mussels aren't the first thing I would choose on any menu, just because I'm not that into them, and also because my ability to be romantic if far less than his...I think I may be the man in this relationship? BUT regardless, when the order came out, they were steamed in a garlic butter sauce and were very very good. You can't go wrong with any of their plates. I always get something different when I come, but I can never remember the names of the plates I ordered. The banana plantains are SOO WARM & GOOD! And of course, you have to get a mojito when you come here. I think they sell them by the pitcher? Now thats a recipe for a silly time. We went around late afternoon to get a bite and the bartender was teaching a newbie how to make drinks. The last time we went it was the day before my bf got deployed. We were talking to our waiter about that and misc things. He started giving us complimentary drinks that the new bartender was practicing. How cool is that? The staff here is so nice and the food is good...plus its right in Downtown so its convient if you live in the city or are in the area bar hopping.
(4)
Lauren G.

Not bad, but not quite as great as I had hoped. We went on a First Friday so of course it was packed but we had reservations so we were seated right away. I had a shrimp dish and my husband got the chicken recommended by our server. Both plates were more rice and beans than chicken or shrimp. I was a little disappointed that the spicy red sauce I was promised was more like a weak tomato sauce. But the dish wasn't bad. I felt a little rushed along at the end of the meal as another waitress came to our table about 4 times within 10 minutes to ask to take our plates and if we wanted dessert or not. A little annoying, but perhaps they wanted to turn our table quickly. Overall I probably wouldn't make a trip back, but perhaps I need to try something different to have a better experience there.
(3)
Mark J.

Absolutely Stunning food!!! This is a great restaurant for any type of gathering. I have used it for working lunches and dinner with my wife. The food is very consistent and the staff is very friendly. The gift cards are great as well. we have given many to our friends. If you are looking for a new place to grab some good food, definitely give it a shot.
(5)
Victoria C.

Went here tonight with my girlfriend since she was raving about the mojitos and she knows how much I love my mojitos. I always pass by this restaurant while I'm walking downtown on my lunch break but never took the chance to eat there. So finally after having a nice nabe dinner at Ichiriki, we headed to Soul De Cuba to have some drinks & dessert (even though we were super full and bloated). Surprisingly it was a slow night considering it was "I love Chinatown" weekend. We got seated right away by this huge big bouncer looking dude. We ordered 2 glasses of mojitos (although I think it's probably better to get the pitcher but it was just 2 of us) and then the mojito cheesecake and empanadas. I would say that the mojito was probably the best mojito I've ever drank. It has just the perfect amount of sweetness to me and it's very minty and fresh. You can't taste the alcohol in it so beware cause it's very easy to drink and the next thing you know you're drunk. But then again, I have low tolerance for alcohol. I really enjoyed the desserts. The mojito cheesecake was rich & creamy but didn't taste too much like mojito. It just had a *slight* taste of lime in it. But nonetheless it was delish and I'd go back again for more. The empanadas which is what is recommended on the menu was really sweet and oozing with sugary goodness. They put a lot of caramel on it. I liked it but I think I prefer the cheesecake. Haven't tried the food yet, but from what I've seen.. it definitely looks good. and will have to come back another time to try it. The only thing I didn't like was the big bouncer looking waiter dude wasn't very friendly. Although he did check up on our table every so often, he wasn't very personable. I think he even got irritated a little when we touched the menu on the other table since I wanted to look at what else they had. He came back and put the menu back to the position it was at before. Oh and another thing that bothered me was he brought our check without us asking for it and how did he know we were even done yet? He didn't even ask if we wanted another drink. Ugh. I got a bad vibe from him... not sure if he was having a bad day and just wanted everyone to leave early but that really annoyed me. I felt pressured to have to pay for our check right away.. like they were trying to kick us out. Oh well, dessert & drinks were great. I will be back to try the food! Btw, this is a great date night place or girls night dinner date :)
(4)
Denise K.

Just like it's hard to find quality Mexican food on island, it's even harder to find quality Cuban food. If you need a Cuban fix, this could satisfy you until you go find your way to LA or Florida. Mojitos are good here. The black beans were pretty good. Rice was a little dry. The pork was not too salty and not too oily (that's a good thing). Like I said, it'll satisfy you, but it won't wow you.
(3)
Tracy P.

So far, this is the best meal I have had while living in Honolulu and the best Cuban meal I have had ever in my life. I had the ropa vieja and two mojitos. The mojitos were the freshest and best ever. For appetizers we had empanadas. There were three served, one pork, chicken, and beef. Served with mango salsa and regular red salsa. The food was excellent, served on a bed of rice with black beans and fried bananas (it's hard to find plantains on the island). The meat was seasoned to perfection. Everything tasted superb. Me and my friend sat at the bar and the bartender, Wanda, was excellent service and was very friendly. Very much enjoyed my time there.
(5)
Christa B.

Maybe if I hadn't just been in Florida and ate so much excellent Cuban food there for dirt cheap a couple of weeks prior to coming here, I may have given this place a higher rating. However, the prices here were too high for small portions and good, not great Cuban cuisine. The mojito was really good, sweet and crisp, but I was surprised at the $10 price for the size of an ice filled low ball glass. The ambience is nice for a casual date night. The service was some what lacking, especially since the place only had three tables with small amount of people. I was there for about forty minutes and was never offered a refill. (I think there's one yelpers picture of his water that was only refilled half way. ) There is a paid parking garage nearby as well as metered street parking. The sampler was $18 for two small, barely filled empanadas, 2 crab cakes, and two potato filled balls. The chicken meat filling was dry and lacked flavor. I think the other empanada was supposed to be beef, but all I tasted was peppers and onions. The crab cakes were perfectly fried and were the best things of the meal. The plate the picadillo came on was 75% rice and the rest beans and meat which was unfortunate because the meat was excellent. I feel like I pretty much paid $15 for rice that probably costs less than a buck to cook and a half a can of $2 black beans. I decided to skip dessert because I was worried that the portion would have been small and that it would have taken too long. It's a good thing Cake Envy is next door.
(3)
Kirsten R.

This is the same, amazing restaurant I fell inn love with years ago. The staff is amazing and the food and drinks never disappoint (try the caipirinhas). A tip: wander over here for a Samba night to find some amazing entertainment and fun!
(5)
David C.

The best cuban sandwich i've ever eaten before. It was so fresh and crisp tasting and also very affordable. Only $10 with chips or a salad. I would definitely go here to eat the cuban sandwich.
(5)
Amanda K.

Phenomenal. I have had Cuban all along the east coast including neighborhoods in Miami where no one even speaks English. This place is authentic. Delicious food that us Hispanics would call "sabroso"! The mojitos are addictive. The empanadas were good. The Piccadillo was very flavorful with delicious rice and beans. But my favorite was the Lechon asado. SO GOOD!! I couldn't stop eating it. I already can't wait to go back. They have done an excellent job with this place!!!
(5)
Tabatha P.

I really love the service here and the live music. The place is very clean and rustic-feeling. Seems like a lot of nice people come here, we always meet people and have a nice conversation. As for the food, most is really good but it seemed somewhat plain. Very fresh but just plain. The spicier stuff may not be as such, but the mild foods seemed somewhat boring. It wasn't exactly inexpensive and was pretty much beans, rice, and beef. However, I enjoyed my Corona and listened to music and talked to all the nice and joyful people. I've been here more than once because I want to give the food more chance and I love the environment. Plus it is close by my house and sometimes not a lot of places are open, the hours of this place are good.
(4)
ThemisOfJustic E.

Whoaaaaaa..... Let me start by saying that this review is strictly for the Soul de Cuba in Honolulu, and has no bearing on the New Haven location, which is phenomenal. Being from the NorthEast, I was ecstatic to see a little Latin influence here in Honolulu. The place was decorated EXACTLY like the one in New Haven but to my dismay, there was much discrepancy in the menu and recipes. The menu here was missing a few items, including my favorite 'Platano Relleno' (layered plantains, seasoned ground beef and swiss cheese baked like a lasagna = amazing!) So, I ordered the "Ropa Vieja, which was standard tasting but smaller than the portion size in NewHaven (this is my bf's fav dish there). I was also sad to see that Ceviche was not on the menu, then my bf spotted it on a chalkboard behind me as a special for the day. My excitement quickly peaked only to be deflated by another disappointing moment. The concoction that came to the table was so unrecognizable that I initially told the waiter "oh, we didn't order this" He said "yes, this is the ceviche.... with fried tofu" FRIED TOFU?!??!!? No, there is NOTHING Cuban about tofu. And ceviche definitely doesn't have the consistency of soup. It is similar to Poke and is served with nacho chips or sometimes sliced platanos, never tofu. I have included pics of real ceviche compared to the slop that was produced in the Honolulu Soul de Cuba. I tried to give it a chance but the flavor was horrible, like the chef threw a few shrimp in a blender with orange juice and ginger. Definitely not worth the price that every other restaurant charges for the authentic recipe of shrimp, scallops, and squid with cilantro, lime and red onions. I tried to ask the waiter if he had given us some optional flavored spinoff of the ceviche, if there was a traditional ceviche on the menu, had they run out of the proper ingredients... but he was confused. He could barely pronounce the dishes, definitely not at all Latin and he actually asked another waiter who seemed frustrated at the question. If you're gonna blast Cuban artifacts all over the walls, then you should at least have authentic staff and recipes... it looks real bad when I go in a Cuban restaurant and no one can take my order in Spanish. Also, if you're gonna open multiple restaurants of the same name and theme, at least have the same standards for the menu. Imagine how unsuccessful McDonald's would be if the burgers varied in quality and portion from location to location.
(1)
Mark W.

I've never had Cuban food before, besides the Cuban sandwich, and I was thoroughly pleased last night. I had the Rojo viejo and it was delicious. The flank steak was wonderfully cooked so well that I thought it had to be pulled pork. It had some Spice but not too much. Only reason I have it 4 stars was they would not serve their Cuban sandwiches at night and their beers were bottled and they still charged 6 dollars for one. Service was average. Food was delicious.
(4)
Lindsey S.

What can I say, food was great, service was terrible. The Spanish Tapas were amazing, I am not sure what they did to the fried garbanzo beans but the entire table was shocked with the amazing flavor and non-greasy crispiness! The hummus was the perfect spice and texture, an the crostini was perfect toastiness! The chicken and pulled pork didn't disappoint, but what was going on with the waiter! He was slow, inattentive, didn't put in our drink order an we went to the bar ourselves and got it, when waiting for check we watched him fiddling with menus and hanging out. He looked in no hurry ad our entire section was obviously having similar experiences with him an we overheard and saw. Very disappointing, and brought down the rating.
(3)
Tatiana W.

Always love this place. Great food and great service. Definitely worth the higher price tag. I recommend the mojito and sangria for drinks, lumpia or chicken empanadas for appetizers, and the ropa Vieja for dinner. YUM!
(5)
Lance T.

Very cozy joint. Checked in for lunch. Had a Fricase de pollo. Marinated chicken in Cuban spices. I was told its one of their popular entree and I could see why. Surprised with the fried ripe bananas. Juicy chicken. Added the table spice sauce and you're set to sprint. Fresh olives really add to the taste. You can substitute the rice with potatoes or brown. Would love to check this out during happy hour. Check it out when I'm downtown.
(4)
Kelly G.

They have a Happy Hour on Saturdays which is a nice touch. From 4-7, my friends and I had their 50% appetizers and 50% signature drinks. Their Cuban lumpia and calamari (both normally $12) appetizers were the half off ones. Both were deep fried goodness. The sauces were also delicious! Ordered both of these twice. Also ordered their Papa Rellena ($7, came with 3 pieces) - delicious. Had a couple of drinks at 50% off (varying from $4-6 ea) but somehow we still racked up a bill of $80 between 4 people. Decent price considering we were all full just from appetizers. Overall a good experience, especially during Happy Hour specials.
(4)
Amber-Lynn H.

Sangrias that go down waaaaaaaay too easily and food so good, I'm surprised I took the second to snap a photo before demolishing my entire plate of Ropa Vieja. :) I've come here several times and have never been disappointed. Some servers are better and more knowledgeable than others, but hey, where is that not the case? And if you're in the mood to put on your boogie shoes, there's latin dancing every Wednesday night, usually with Son Caribe playing live. Tons of fun!
(5)
Jessica H.

Great little place for lunch and flavorful Cuban food. The black bean chili was excellent and about the best chili I've ever tasted. The flavors were very rich with a hint of tang - I wish I knew how they did this. I will definitely get this on every visit. The Cuban sandwich was very good too. The bread was fresh and toasted perfectly. The salad was a little small compared to other plates I saw come out later, but that's pretty minor. A friend said their mojitos are really good, so I'll be back to try those at happy hour. All the tables in the front section were full when we left, a little before one, but I think they expanded recently to add more seating, as there was a blocked off section to the left. Nice place!
(4)
Jennifer C.

Let's be honest. Hawaii does not have good Spanish food. It's a never ending hunt! Soul de Cuba helped my belly fulfill that gap. The food here is pretty good. I have had better, back home in NY and in Miami, but it is still damn good. Most important part - it tastes legit. (My half Dominican friend vouches for this!) I've tried the seafood salad, and the soul salad with lechon (pork). Both of them were SO good - the house dressings are amazing. I try to eat healthier, so having the salad with pork was a nice balance. I love that they even have this option! I am not much of a drinker, but I love the drinks here. They are strong, but you don't get kicked in the face with alcohol. Personally, I always love a glass of sangria when having Spanish food. In my few visits here, the service is always wonderful. The waiters are really nice and are quite attentive. (Boost from 4 stars to 5 stars!) Tip: If you are going to order the empanadas for dessert, SHARE THEM. They are quite heavy. It's filled with fruit and cream cheese, AND it's fried. So deadly.
(5)
Dean P.

This restaurant is very good food Cuban the authentic prices was good it's Chinatown but its turned into a pretty artsy eatery environment I'm from the big city show this has a big city feel with Aloha status and Matthew was awesome as always
(5)
Mikey H.

My cousin posted food pics on FB and was making me jealous. Fortunately, SdC is one of the few restaurants that stays open passed 2 pm in Chinatown. Friendly greeting when we walked in. Good AC! We ordered a bottle of wine to start... She: We might not have that one, let me see At first I thought that might not be a good sign, but come to find out, they're more known for their fun rum drinks. She came out with two bottle to choose from...and then I told her about some restaurants in Italy, "We have white or red" and that's was the only choices...LOL! We ordered the empanadas, chicken, beef, and vegetable. They cut them all in half so it was easy for us to share. All were delicious and each had a distinctive flavor! I ordered the fricase de pollo and the partner had the pollo de ajo y naranja. My chicken was moist and tender and came with a delicious sauce. The other chicken dish, was a grilled breast and was a little on the dry side. Loved the grilled plantains! I ordered the flan cause I needed something sweet....really good! This place has been open for quite some time and I must've walked by it at least once or twice when I've been out here. I'll definitely be back! Must come back for the Cubano!
(4)
Lelabee D.

I wasn't to sure if the ladies there were expecting a tip when I picked up a phone order. Do we tip. That was weird.. anyways. Sandwich comes with fries or maui chips. Cubano sandwich was good. Bread was crispy and the meats inside is fair. Love their food. MOOD: Uncertain about tips for pick up orders..
(3)
Mich C.

Dishes took awhile to come out but worth the wait! Nicely seasoned and flavored! Everyone totally enjoyed their meals!
(4)
Arabel C.

Another wonderful lunch here in downtown Honolulu. Good people watching spot. Staff friendly, too. Thank goodness they pointed out I may have made a mistake by leaving a $3 tip. Blamed it on my "happy" pills. How embarrassing! I'll keep coming back here as often as I can and as long as you keep plantains on the menu. Yummy.
(5)
Jozlyn H.

Another one off my bookmarked list. Came here for a late lunch. The place was nice and empty, I enjoy getting ALL the attention and service. So of course, the food came out fairly quick. I can't remember the name of the stuff we ordered... All I remembered it waS the staff favorite and the top of the menu... The marinated chicken... It came with some fried banana thingy... Beans and rice... I was sooooo full! It was delicious! The atmosphere and decor was beautiful.... It's lien stepping out of Chinatown.... Into a small little Cuban restaurant. Parking: street parking, although there are a few garages in the area that are fairly cheap. I paid $1.50 for 1 hour parking on Maunakea. Luckily the restaurant was empty because we didn't have to wait for anything.. Food: it was delicious and flavorful. Come here with an appetite because the plate was filling! Service: of course it was empty so service was quick. We didn't feel rushed and our server was super friendly. She gave great recommendations. I'll definitely visit this place again, I only gave it 4 starts because.... Something was missing.... I don't know what it is... But I'll update this once I figure it out ;)
(4)
Ashley V.

Soo.. I'm on my lunch break & while I have a few minutes to spare at Soul de Cuba Cafe; decided to begin my review (since I always procrastinate on them). 4 out of 5 stars! Service: 5 for 5 stars! *moment I walked in they greeted me & asked if I was taking out or dining in. *they automatically gave me water w/o asking. *a server asked if I wanted something else to drink besides water (btw, yes. I did want something other than water.) *waitress took the initiative to ask if the food/I was okay. Also asked politely to take my empty plate in a very timely matter. *asked for my tab & my waiter was on it! had my tab in less than a minute. *both bartender & waitress told me thank you & to have a good day. ^ honestly, it's the little things like that that make up a great service vending business. & I will gladly give 5 stars for their service. My total wait time from entering the little cafe, to being seated, to ordering & receiving my food, to eating & paying for my bill took less than 30 minutes. Good job! Also, the little restaurant in itself has a cozy, chill, authentic vibe. I can dig it (; Food quality; I'd give it a 4 star rating. I ordered the pan con bistec sandwich, which is made up of thinly sliced mojo marinated steak with grilled onions, & served on a pressed Cuban bread with mayo. It was rather good! & quite filling too (: It came with a little (& I do mean little) side salad with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. The sandwich & salad was $10. On top of my sandwich I ordered a Pacifico beer ($6) to wash down my grub, & it was a great choice for me. Pricing; 4 stars. I'd like to see beer & pupu's for a little cheaper, but so far the food quality matches the prices. & I guess there's always happy hour, right? (: Overall a 4 star experience. I will definitely be back again to try their platters!
(4)
Krysten I.

I heard on the radio that soul de Cuba was having a little Las Vegas giveaway, in which you can win a trip to Vegas if you fill up a Mojito stamp card by trying the ten different flavored mojitos. I like mojitos so I thought I'd give it a shot. Except mojitos are $10 each. With a 20% tip, that's a $120 entry ticket.... For something you probably won't win. Good marketing strategy! Soul de Cuba is located right across from the hawaii theater. They are the only place on the island that I can think of tht offers Cuban cuisine. Who knew Cuban food could be so expensive!! Entrees will run you $20 and a couple appetizers and mojitos on top of that makes it a pretty expensive dinner. I tried the appetizer sampler and don't recommend it. The crab cakes tasted like they were reheated and the empanadas were just ehhhh. The home made citrus chili pepper water definitely made it a little better though. The deep fried potato ball things were the only thing I would possibly get again. As an entree, I got the chicken. There were nice flavors and I liked the sweet bananas that came with it. The chicken itself was a little on the salty side though, and the next time I go, I'd want to try another of their offerings. I also liked that they happily subbed a side salad for beans. The waitstaff is pleasant and friendly, these or is nice, but they really need to refinish their tables. They feel sticky and it makes me think they weren't cleaned. At this rate, I don't think I'll get to try all the mojitos and fill up my vegas card. I wonder how many people have given up too haha.
(4)
Greg S.

My high hopes for this unique place were dashed by the terrible service and mediocre food. Two stars for the Cuban atmosphere and drinks. I tried ordering a sandwich off the menu they gave us at dinner. They said they did not serve sandwiches for dinner (though the menu did not indicate that). I had the waitress skip over me so I could scramble to find sow thing else on the menu. She forgot, which is partially understandable given the large party, so I had to go up to the register and ask that my order be added to the group. Sadly, the empanadas were not good. True empanadas should have a light flaky crust. These were the constancy of one of the crusts from a frozen pot pie - dry, hard, dense, and tasteless. Note: They do not split the check.
(2)
Mike N.

I had mixed feelings about this place. It was close to where I worked and served decent food depending on what you order. Some of the dishes were just down right cheap, slapped together, i don't care someone is going to eat this type quality. The Cuban sandwich was especially disappointing, realizing I could have made a better sandwich t home. It may not be Cuban, but it sure would be a heck a lot better than that !#$% they gave me.
(3)
Diane K.

This was an unexpected gem for Sunday Brunch. I've been to Soul de Cuba for dinner when it first opened and loved it. The ONLY reason it took me a few years to return is due to the parking (Street parking on Crown Street after 7PM and all day Sundays). However, I think it's worth the kerfufule to enjoy their unique version of sangria (sooo good!) and... oh dear, it's amazing: Tortilla de papa ($14): Spanish-style potato and onion frittata, roasted garlic aioli mojo, seared shrimp and crispy bruschetta. Sorry I didn't post any photos, I was inundated by the sheer pleasure of stuffing my face with pure magic. Sunday brunch: 11:30am - 3pm.
(5)
Kris B.

Never disappointed with the food... some of my favorites: Rabo Encendido (oxtail) and the Salmon en Mojo y Miel dish. The oxtail dish comes with a side of rice, and the salmon comes with this side of interesting (and delicious!) orange mashed potatoes. They also have tasty sandwiches which are only available for lunch. They come with side salad. My favorite sandwich is the Soul Cubano which comes with ham, roast pork, and salami. They have a Filipino-ish dish on the menu as well - the lumpia (which I love). They even have this great hot sauce they make themselves - I wanna drench all my food in it for days! It may not be strictly Cuban food in the traditional sense, but I think their style of fusion is just right! I tried their empanadas once and really liked it. Though it does get sweet after a while, so it's good to share. Service can be hit or miss, but honestly - their food is worth it to me. I often CRAVE Soul de Cuba, so I just need to eat there sometimes. Plus, cute bartender. Late night stuff: try some of their house drinks. Some of my favorites are the Caipirinha and the Dark & Stormy. Their mojitos can be ordered by pitchers, but those tend to be a little sweet for me. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Mark O.

You don't have a whole lot of choices on Oahu for Caribbean food much less Cuban food. So after finishing a meeting downtown today, I decided to get some take out from Soul de Cuba which had been sitting on my list for the past year. Located on Bethel across from the theater, this place has a decent amount of seating and a strange vibe to it. On the one hand, it has a fitting casual atmosphere with specials handwritten in on a chalkboard and a rather sad little half stocked bar. On the other hand they have a menu that seems to be more apt for an upscale restaurant with detailed exotic options and extremely high prices. Maybe the owners just couldn't decide which direction to take it. The oxtail dish I ordered was average. Braised in red wine, it didn't stand out much to me and personally I know I've made better braised oxtail than that. The appetizer empanadas were lackluster, although I suppose that was partially made up for with the aioli it came with. I did like the guava empanada somewhat. It could have used a bit more sweetness, maybe some powdered sugar or something but it was good nonetheless. Overall, the food was passable, but I wasn't overly impressed. If it had come at a reasonable price point I think it might have been a good fit, but unfortunately you simply do not get what you're paying for here.
(2)
Trisha G.

I guess I thought that Cuban food would be a little more exciting. The menu seems like a mix of Mexican, Filipino and Italian-ish dishes -- all things that I love -- but the flavors fell a bit short. The mojitos were so-so. I would have given it more of a chance if it wasn't so cramped. I get that they want to get as many people as possible in the smaller space, but worrying about bumping people at the next table with my butt and moving tables/chairs out of the way in order to leave is too much. The place was so cramped that it felt like we were on the same first date that the couple at the next table was on. Awkward.
(2)
Rel M.

Came here for dinner, and was pretty much just looking forward to eating a good Cubano...(Watch the film "Chef" and you'll know why) Open the menu, BOOM "Soul Cubano" staring back at me...ready to place my order. "I'll have a Cuban....*server interrupts* "Oh I'm sorry we stopped serving that at 5pm...omggahsfasdfljwhatt. I look at the menu again, doesn't say anywhere that they stop serving at that time...Didn't make a fuss about it, but it would be a little helpful to list it there. Just saying. Ordered the: Milanesa De Pollo marinated chicken breast lightly breaded then fried served under smoked ham, grated parmesan and tomato sauce over arroz blanco with frijoles negros and platanos maduros Pretty much made up for the Cubano :) Will come back, this time BEFORE 5. With an updated review.
(3)
Ivy Lou H.

Oye! Papis and Mamis of Honolulu, get down to Chinatown and have a taste of Cuba. I'm guilty of passing Soul de Cuba too many times so we finally popped in there for dinner. First of all it's nice and cozy inside and you feel like you're in a cafe in Calle Ocho in Miami. The staff are very friendly and can help you navigate the dishes if you're not too familiar with Cuban food. I love Empanadas so I had them along with Cuban Lumpias. The mango habanero dip that came with the Empanadas was creamy, sweet, and spicy at the same time and I had to get an extra one to dip my Lumpias in. We also ordered the Lechon Asado and I was beginning to think I was in some sort of Cuban Heaven because the dishes were all so tasty and perfect. Had too many sojus the night before so I'm going to have to come back to try their Mojitos.
(4)
Travelmeister T.

Yummy! We lunched here a few months back while biking around downtown. The food was outstanding, as was the deal on a pitcher of sangria. Sadly, the sangria, while tasty, was not very high-octane. However, for the price it was fine.
(4)
Don G.

Best discovery on a Sunday evening! Popped in to find a Cuban Jewel here in China Town! Matthew the Bartender made me feel welcome an quickly made me feel at home with a Sunday Special glass of house made Sangria $5.00! Pitchers for $18.00 Sangria Sunday! The food was awesome! Only disappointment was they were sold out of Calamari! Tuesday's they have live music! Can't wait to check them out again then!
(5)
Paula H.

Went by Soul de Cuba last night to meet a friend for dinner. The place is completely shut down. No sign on the door. Yelp still had it listed as 'open' but after doing some research I found out they are moving to a new location (Hawaii Kai, I believe). A sign on the door would have been very helpful.
(4)
Scott D.

Restaurant is bistro style but it can get very crowded the tables are roughly a foot apart. Wen there for lunch today tried to have Rabo Encendido but they were out of it so settled on Picadillo Shredded beef was very tender and presentation of stewed meat, seasoned rice and black beans reminded me of Yucatecan Cuisine. Service was very attentive..one advantage to a small room is that your server is never far away. Service was quick and a great choice for a weekday lunch.
(3)
Shannon H.

Got lucky today! They had an incredible $10 special during lunch. A ropa vieja + lechon asado plate! For $10! I asked the waitress if it was a regular special and she said it wasn't and that specials come out on random days (good sign? bad sign? you be the judge). She also mentioned the special may have been because today was the last day of the living social deal--which we had, yay!--so my friend and I both ordered that. Plates are all served with white rice, black beans and fried banana. Most plates are in the $15-$20 range and come with only one meat option. Super lucky today, amirite??? With an additional $10 to spend from the voucher, we also opted for the lumpia cubano (a cuban version of filipino crispy spring roll filled with cured ham, swiss cheese and cuban roast pork) because they were out of the croquetas de jaiba. VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVE. They came with a chili mustard that was also very good. Though I had basically the same dish both times I was here, I'd highly recommend the plates over the sandwiches. Didn't get around to dessert but I've heard their drinks are good. Can't remember if I got one the first time I came but we passed on them today. I think they have happy hour and dancing in the eve too. If you're into that.. which I'm not really. Only thing, parking absolutely sucks. I hate going to downtown just because parking is so awful. We got lucky and found an open meter but I never count on being able to find street parking. Unfortunately, the municiple lot I usually park at was closed today.
(4)
John C.

I had heard a lot of good things about this place. I had Cuban food one other time and it was in another state. When I came here, I had really high expectations. I enjoyed the initial service that I got for ordering but they were a little slow with getting me the check. I ordered the Soul Sampler for an appetizer and then had the lechon asado and fricase de pollo. The sampler was okay. It was actually very filling. I think this is the reason why I wasn't too impressed overall (I didn't have much appetite for the other two). I really enjoyed the sweet bananas and that was what really stood out. I ate whatever I had left of the two entrees the next day and thought that it was pretty good. I'm a small eater but my date insisted on ordering a lot of food. If I had it my way, I probably would have only ordered one entree for us to share and would have been better satisfied. This is what I will do next time and I may change my rating.
(3)
Fiona P.

Service was terrible and food was mediocre. I was the birthday girl and they forgot my food and by the time we figured they forgot it my whole party finished theirs. They barely gave our table attention. Not going back.
(2)
Mike And Leslie B.

We orderd papa rellena, black bean chili and pollo frito. The appetizer was ground beef wrapped in a layer of potatoes (fresh and mashed) and baked.... Really yummy. We shared a main course of sautÃ©ed chicken breast with onions on top with a spicy cream sauce.... Served with rice and black beans... Yummy We also shared a bowl of black bean chili... Yummy Two glasses of really fresh sangria.... Yummy The service was good, and they brought two plates for each of us to share everything.... That was cool We'll of course be back
(4)
Nicole K.

We look forward to trying all kinds of foods for date night and were really excited to try Cuban food for the first time. We made reservations (we learned to do this after several rejections from other restaurants) but ended up arriving a half hour early. We were welcomed and seated promptly. The atmosphere was nice. The walls were dotted with Cuban art and the music was low. There apparently is a section that they can open up to accommodate more patrons, where I assume they also set up for live music, but that was closed this Thursday night. The waitstaff were friendly and offered suggestions for our drinks. We had a DELICIOUS guava mojito and Dos Equis. Our appetizer was the papa rellenas. I was surprised at how small they were! I guess the pictures make them look bigger? They were nicely crisp on the outside, but had very little meat on the inside, and it needed SALT. I ordered the lechon (pulled pork) entree. It was served with white rice and black beans. I didn't eat the rice because I gave it up for lent. The pork needed salt as well. Our waitress brought out their habanero sauce. I practically drowned my food in it, wishing it to enhance my pork. Not spicy. No taste. My husband ordered the chicken fricase. He loved it. He said it was very flavorful. The dishes seemed small to me. And that is another reason for a lost star. We waited a long time for our dessert: Guava and cheese empanadas. We were told they were 'making them fresh' for us. When it came out, there was 1 empanada cut in half. It was served with fresh whipped cream and a strawberry. I loved the filling but the crust was doughy and limp. Let us review: - food needed salt - too small a serving for the price - took too long with dessert - would have liked louder music...oozing Cuban passion! We always go to a restaurant with a 5 star expectation. And are often saddened when they don't live up to our expectation. Soul de Cuba, here are some suggestions: - use more salt - drop the price of each dish by $3 - turn up the Cuban music to transport us out of Hawaii for the duration of our meal Would we return? Sure. Do we suggest you try it? Meh.
(3)
Anthony L.

Stumbled on this place on the way to redbox and thought a good Cuban would go well with the movie, I read a lot of the reviews so my review because of the day and time my view might be different. Saturday just after lunch. Place as a few customers. Waitress very nice, told her it was my first time she recommended a few things. Very prompt with food and return of check. 5 star Menu looked good and though there is only one mojito I commend any bar to make their own spin. They had ten, many I would like to try. Prices slightly high but their happy hour cuts it by 1/2 on about 8 drinks and one appetizer. Seems like a good deal for happy hour. 10 / 14 a little pricey for Cubans but this is Hawaii and coming from Southern California mexican food is really cheap, really cheap and you can't get the same quality or price on an island in the pacific. So I will give that to them, it might be hard to get fresh ingredients for Cuban food too. ONLY complaint is the pork was dry on my cuban thus three stars.
(3)
Chris G.

It's a Saturday night, and we sat at the bar. Very understaffed. The bartender was not actually a bartender, so it took forever to get our drinks. After an hour, we still had not gotten the one appetizer and one entree we ordered. (The restaurant was not full). The three people next to us at the bar told us that they had been there for an hour and a half and only received two of their three entrees, and those took over an hour. They said the couple next to them had been there for two hours and walked out without receiving their food.
(1)
Alicia W.

The worst service EVER!!! From the bar tenders absence, slow staff and to the wompy food, it SUCKED!!! I ordered stale calamari and greasy flan. I will not be back and I'll never recommend this place to ANYONE. I wish we would've just walked out like the people seated next to us.
(1)
Ashley B.

This place is really good!!! I have started a sangria Sunday with my friend since they have brunch on Sundays and a pitcher of sangria is only $18! If you want a glass it's only $5! Their Cuban lumpia is super good as well as their lechon omelette! I gave this place a 4 stars only because they are on the pricey side.
(4)
Sherry K.

We live close by, so this is a regular hangout for us. Salmon dinner was excellent. I love their salad and dressing, but the thing we come back for over and over is the Soul Cubano sandwich. An upscale Cuban with pork, Serrano ham and salami, cheese and a cilantro roasted garlic aoli. It comes with the side salad I love so much. Our Biggest COMPLAINT........PLEASE SERVE THE SANDWICH AFTER FIVE PM!! Looses one star because the sandwich contents amounts vary. We've had lots of meat and sometimes very little.
(4)
Tamika B.

This was my favorite place to eat here in Honolulu. What happened? Please tell me they're moving to another location!
(5)
Kimoli T.

This place is amazing. The service was awesome, the waiter was a pleasant to have and the food was beyond expectations. It's good to have Cuban food in Hawaii, such a comfort food. The Oxtails plate was amazingly great--falling off the bone. And the sangria , was delicious and refreshing! Will definitely come back again
(5)
Liz C.

Being Cuban from Miami I was so excited to have found a Cuban restaurant in Honolulu & I really wanted to like this place but alas. The dishes were small & very pricey. (I know we are in Honolulu but this was ridiculous for the small amount of food). I found the black beans tasteless & so was my picadillo. Honestly, I make this dish so much better at home. Also I was only given 2 plantains?! 2?!!! Every good Cuban place will give you 3 or 4 greasy delicious fried plantains. Come on! The BF ordered a pan con bistec that looked more like a cheese steak on flatten Cuban bread. Not a real pan con bistec at all. The only thing I truly liked was the guava empanada. Seriously save your money & skip this place if you're hungry. If you want to get a nice buzz, I watched the bartender make a few mojitos & he looked like he knew what he was doing. I didn't have one though because I had to go to work after but I might come back to try one & have another guava empanada. No food for me though. Also, every traditional Cuban restaurant will always give you Cuban bread before your meal. Not here. What's up with that? Where's my extra carb?!
(2)
Cody S.

I was taken here on a date this past Sunday and I have to say I was impressed. The service was amazing, the staff was friendly, the place was clean and perfect for a date. We ordered a pitcher of sangria that was amazing, and we had the sampler for an appetizer. I ordered the salmon dinner plate and my boyfriend ordered the ox tale plate. We both enjoyed dinner and we're satisfied with our choices. I can't wait to go back and bring friends! Delicious!
(5)
Yvette B.

Service is amazing the guy that works there makes some great drinks and is quick to serve. Howver, the food seems to be going downhill not nearly as great as it used to be. I am the least impressed we went Sunday afternoon wasn't our first choice but seemed to be the only place open. We may go back for drinks but not for food.
(2)
Christine K.

The food was really good. I can't remember the name of what I had for an appetizer, but it was mashed potato stuffed with beef, rolled into a ball and fried. It was fantastic. For an entree, I had picadillo. It was really good, lots of flavor and NOT heavy with salt (I'm not a huge salt fan)! The portion size was right. It came it fluffy rice and black beans and a couple fried plantains on the side. The beans were also good. For dessert I had the flan. I liked it, especially since it was very firm and not super jiggly. My only gripe was that the service was pretty disorganized and slow. Granted, I was with a group, but the lack of attention was kind of not awesome. And, with groups, they ought to write down the orders when they know ahead of time they are going to be making separate checks. I would go again because it was tasty though.
(4)
Danielle S.

Best mojitos on the island! (5 stars) The food is delicious. The only negative is that on a couple occasions my food has come out cold. (3 stars) Absolutely worth trying!
(4)
Kim K.

Food was super delicious and service was awesome I has a Sunday brunch special shrimp ceviche with a taro quiche ended it with a signature expresso perfect lunch
(4)
Lianid P.

Cubano w salami? Medianoche w onions??? And Where is the mustard!!! WTF!!! Ã‘OO! Very very disappointed! Le voy a dar una oportunidad mas.
(2)
BJ S.

If I could give ZERO stars I would. We waited over two hours for our food. Food that was specially advertised. The owner of the place didn't seem all that concerned as we had to walk to the bar to refill water as he sat schmoozing with his friends. They blamed it on a server quitting unexpectedly, but last time I checked, servers don't cook the food....so why did we wait two hours for our $15 taco plate that only came with two tacos? Here's the kicker...as soon as we were done eating, our plates were promptly cleared and we were presented with an apology for the server that quit. SERVERS DONT COOK FOOD! Horrible. Service. Don't. Come. Here.
(1)
Justin U.

Sad this is going on my F-Bombs list especially after giving it a good first review. I go here quite frequently for lunch. I usually call in an order, go there, pick up, pay, then head back to work to eat. I typically order one of their super good, under 10 dollar sandwiches. Today was different. For some reason, we decide to dine in and rather than ordering one of our traditional under 10 dollar sandwiches, we select meals in the 18-24 dollar range. Yea, we were ballin on this day. sike. We order at 12:10, our food comes out at 1pm! I'm a pretty patient person, but I started getting upset when the tables surrounding us that were seated 30 minutes after we were seated started getting their food first. We were seriously one second away from walking out of there. So we get our food, and I'm about 2 sips away from drinking all of my water. I'm weird, but I hate eating food knowing I might be out of something to drink. I like to ration sips, to the amount of food left over to eat so it's important that they match. haha. So as I'm eating, I keep one eyeball on my food, and one on my water. Finally, I couldn't take it, I ate half my meal without taking one sip of water. I was thirsty and needed to wash down my food. Finally, I take my last gulp. Hoping a refill would soon arrive, I eat, and eat, and keep eating until nothing else was on my plate. Still no water. After a few moments of waiting and with an empty plate of food, I finally get a refill. But it wasn't even a refill, my server only filled half my glass (see posted picture)! WTF. I certainly expected more from this place. I gave a star because the food was still good. But moving forward, I'm sticking to take-out.
(2)
Tameka J.

Stopped in for dinner after a long flight to Oahu. Decided to get our food to go and everything was delicious. We started with an appetizer that would remind you of a perfectly cooked spring roll filled with delicious pork and Swiss cheese accompanied by spicy mustard sauce, a simple dish but so flavorful. We shared the oxtails which were tender, nicely seasoned and in a delicious sauce. We also enjoyed sweet plantains and black beans and rice, traditional preparations for both and equally as delicious.
(4)
Tom B.

Soul de Cuba is excellent! Everything we ordered was delicious. My only complaint is that they gave us a lot more rice than beans; the beans were all gone before we even made a dent in the rice.
(5)
Julie E.

The husband and I grabbed a quick lunch here the other day and enjoyed it. We got in early, about 11AM when they open and were the first customers. Loved the decor and ambiance of the place. We got our order quick and thought everything was very tasty. I got the Soul Cubano and was only able to finish half! It was rich and delicious. Yes, rich and delicious....A bit pricey for a quick lunch out, I think with tip it came to about $50-60...not an everyday lunch spot for us.
(4)
Jerald C.

Amazing Cuban food that may be the only place in Hawaii! The Fricase de pollo, oxtail, and salmon are INCREDIBLE!!! The meat on the oxtail falls off the bone and the salmon is just delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant and Jesus the owner is very friendly and offers great customer service.
(5)
Christine E.

This place was very close to making me put my grumpy pants on. This is the second time I've been here for dinner and like the 5th or 6th time overall (I usually get their sandwiches for lunch). Although the food here is yummy, I'm never a huge fan of the service. First time I came here with my girlfriends, the mixed drinks sucked, the waiter seemed irritated and rushed us, we made reservations but were forced to squeeze in a smaller table because they didn't save a bigger space for us. Bleh. Then on other occasions when my office order lunches, once or twice they haven't been ready when they said it would. Double bleh. So basically, food here is good (obviously since I keep coming back for more punishment) but service, lacks. Last night was no exception. We had 7pm reservations for 6ppl. Because of the traffic fatality and what not, we don't get to the actual restaurant until 7:15. We go in and say we had reservations at 7, the waitress is like..."oh" (confused look, calls manager). Manager comes in and said "you had a reservation?" and we are like "yes, we called two days ago to confirm", he says "ooooh, ummm yea. 20-30 minute wait"....he looked completely caught off guard that there was a reservation for tonight and what's worse is that he made no apology, no explanation, NOTHING. Just..."probably 20-30 minutes". Well, what's the freaking point in making a reservation then? Oh well, I'm with good company, I'll try to relax about this. So we finally sit down around 7:40ish. Waitress is nice, but new so she couldn't help too much on recommendations. We order the Crab cake and Empendada appetizers (YUM!), and then for our entrees we had Lechon Asada (my favorite since I loooove lechon anything), Fricasse de Pollo, Pollo de ajo y Naranja, and the Bistec Palomilla. All the food is GREAT. Flavorful, large portions, delicious. But the whole night we're just wondering where the staff is? The place wasn't busy and yet no one checks up on us. We finished eating like 1/2 hour before anyone shows up, we actually have to flag them and be like...can we go home now?? After everything - our 2 hour dinner, PLUS 1/2 hour wait (so 2 1/2 hrs total) ordeal was over. Good times with good friends, but on a weeknight, after a long days work, I just need someone competent and nice to feed me and send me on my way. On the positive side, they allowed us to split our checks and the food is good. I truly think the staff here are nice people. They are just inadequate at serving/running a service business like this. I would recommend coming here when you are craving cuban food, don't have anywhere to be, and don't mind awkward service. Otherwise, avoid.
(2)
Quiana J.

My new favorite place! Went there on a Sunday and it was rather slow. Good came out and I fell in love. I actually saw others food so I'll be ordering something more things off the menu.
(5)
Mel L.

We live nearby and after passing this restaurant numerous times over the years, my wife and I finally decided to try it. We were looking for a nice treat but left extremely disappointed. The food was awful! There food was flat -- their fried calamares tasted like wet erasers, and my wife's salmon was equally unexciting. I noted the high prices on the menu and assumed they were that way because of the quality of the food. Absolutely no soul!
(1)
Myriellie W.

My very first one star. Satuday night out with friends in China Town - we were checking out a bar that we love oh so dearly that was closing - A French restaurant, Du Vins, you'll be missed. Ok anyways, moving forward, we decided to eat close by since Du Vins wasn't serving any food, soooo we went next door to Soul De Cuba, we were looking at the menu outside while waiting to get seated - and everything looked good! It was my first time here, but my girl said they have really good food that she would get from the NEX. We got seated, and im not even kidding, we got our water in about 20 minutes after. We were really hungry, this is a really small place (about 30 people max, and 5-7 tables, BUT the ambience takes you back you know?) ...and there was just one waiter.. yup! We understood he was busy and trying to accommodate everyone as much as possible.. 10 minutes pass by and we were ready to order - tips: MOJITOS are bomb, I got the mango! Ahh ok so I got the Empanadas A La Carte and my mojito, everyone went ahead and ordered, he came back and said my boyfriends order and another one of our friends order was sold out - so they ordered off again from the menu , I know this is long but I promise it's worth it.. 20-30 minutes still no drink, but our food came out, everyone except for one guy, he ordered the calamaris, waiter comes out... boom tells our friend calamaris is all out... oh and by the way we still never got our mojitos.. someone finally asked him about our drinks and he apologized and I guess he forgot cuz we got our drinks right away... BUTTTTTTT the food was actually really really really GOOD! Omg... I cant even explain it in detail, but please look at my pics ill be posting - so end of the night we got our bill, the waiter comes to our table and asked, so who ordered the calamaris (we were doing a split bill, and he wanted to know which orders was to whom) ---- and my friends and I all looked at each other and just couldn't believe this, we had to remind him that he told us it was sold out.. LOL. Seriously, Soul De Cuba, you're food is good, but please please PPPPLEASE work on your customer service. (ps - best dessert ever tasted, if you have enough patience, pls go ahead and order the Flan Soul de Cuba) Good luck!
(1)
Kara V.

Worst service ever. Waited over an hour, never received appetizers and had to leave due to starvation.
(1)
Cat P.

Food here was really good. I came here for dinner with my bf and I ordered the ropa vieja (yum!) and also the lumpia appetizer special. I swear my server was high though. He was really nice but was talkin about some weird stuff to me, lol. He messed up on one of our orders (small kine), but luckily the restaurant gave us a little discount to make up for it. I really want to check out their lunch menu b/c their sammies look really good! Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it out sometime soon!
(4)
Paul R.

Love love love!! I finally got a chance to eat a full meal here, and it was everything I expected!! We hand their sangria to start, and it was really tasty.. Never really enjoyed sangrias too much, but theirs really did it for me. For our appetizer we tried the soul sampler, y los platanitos estaban deliciosos!! The papa rellena were amazing as well!! Platanitos are lightly fried mini banana slices, and the papa rellena was this potatoe with beef in the middle. The third sample was this crab cake thing, and it was ok, but i let my girlfriend have those :p.. Devoured it before I remembered to take a pic. Our entrÃ©e was lechon asado, which is roast pork, and it came with black beans, white rice, and a few more of those platanitos. The pork was very tender and loaded with flavor. Beans and rice were beans and rice, but those little platanitos just make you want to cry. They mix well with the dish. Dessert!!! We had the flan ambiente. Its flan covered in a sweet sauce. Some strawberries and whipped cream on top, and then... Wait for it.. PLATANITOS on the bottom!!! I will continue to come here again and again and again!!
(5)
Jocelyn Z.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I have been to the Soul de Cuba in CT various times and loved it, but SDC of Honolulu is definitely the best! I had the salmon with potatoes and asparagus and literally finished everything on the plate. I had this with a perfectly made mango margarita and followed it all up with a delicious piece of plan! Loved the food and very attentive service. Can't wait to visit SDC again on my next trip to Hawaii!
(5)
Nikki H.

YUMMM this place! On a recent night out with the infamous Meals on Heels group, the hostess picked this delicious spot for us to gather and get our grub and gab on. It was perfect! Our table was big enough to accommodate all 9 of us, yet we were still close enough we could each talk with each other as a group and not yell. Good thing, cause the convos got pretty lewd as the mojitos went down. ;-) My kinda chatter. So, the food. I wanted to try the Soul Cubano sandwich, but since I didn't see it on the menu, know that you cannot order any of their sandwiches after 5PM. BOO! So I opted for one of the chicken dishes, and asked our adorable waiter to make it spicy. He smiled and said "oh, no problem!" I liked him. My dish was excellent, as were all of the appetizers I tried. Everyone raved about the Ropa Viejo and the picture of mojitos, as I said, made our conversations hilarious. So I give two thumbs WAY up for their food. As for the decor of the restaurant, I wanted to take all the art home and put it in my home. It's vibrate, culturally authentic & just interesting. There were a few photos of actual people that were seriously old, and so for that reason they were creepy, but I find that to be rad. The tables vary between counter height tops with bar stools, to lengthy tables with chairs and booth seating. I mentioned how it accommodated all of us really well. And the service was great, our waiter was attentive and there was only a MINOR issue when it came time to pay, but in his defense he was having to split up 8 different cards. I WILL be coming back here, because the food is worth it. I know my husband would really enjoy this place and I'm glad that a restaurant that has yummy Cuban food is on our island!
(4)
Jeff Z.

The food is great! But the service can be hit or missed. If you want to try Cuban food this is the place to go to.
(4)
Nic P.

I grew up in south Florida, I love Cuban food. This place served me COLD hamburger helper with green olives and called it Picadillo. Two lousy, soggy, cold platanos, with tasteless black beans. Abuela weeps as I write this. Our server was put off with the idea that my food should be served hot but did manage to get the kitchen to microwave it. He didn't feel that I needed a fork when he returned with the heated dish, but, details. My rum flight became a bit of a negotiation as they did not have the 10 year Cuban but were happy to sub it out with an unaged brand. After agreeing on a proper substitute, all three were presented in shot glasses. Apparently 10 and 15 year old rum does not deserve a small wine glass to enjoy the complex aromas at Soul. After waiting 20 minutes for the check I had to beg another server for the bill. The art on the walls was interesting but please, AVOID this place if you know anything about Cuban food. One star is too many.
(1)
Marjorie H.

Nice little Cuban Getaway in downtown Honolulu. The charming atmosphere filled with colorful artwork, and great music, had us time-traveling back to the Carribean for a couple of hours. Came for a dinner date after 6pm on a monday and street parking was FREE! Empanadas, which came in a serving of three flavors (all very different): beef, chicken, and veggie, were packed with flavor and half-price for happy hour (5pm-7pm). The Mojito's were so yummy and could be ordered by the pitcher...another PLUS! We ordered the Lechon Asado, cuban style pulled pork and the Fricase de pollo, cuban chicken. All entrees came with white rice, black beans, and a couple bites of fried bananas. The food was full of flavor and surprisingly tasted healthy (or not as greasy as I thought) at the same time. We ordered the Flan for dessert. It was very authentic. Don't leave the place without trying it!! Overall, a great place to enjoy Cuban food and a few drinks! I'm definitely going back.
(5)
Cindy L.

Yelp 31 days Challenge: 24/31 I've been coming here for lunch to have their sandwiches. I had the following: Cubano - $10 - baked ham, marinated roast pork, swiss cheese and pickled served on Cuban bread. The pork was juicy and the pickled gave it a good balance. Pescado de rio (catfish) - $10 - deep fried catfish in perfect batter, moist flakes of fish melts in your mouth good. Rabo encendido - $18 - slowed cooked ox tail stew, meat falls off the bone. But the flavor might be too strong for me. Great lunch place in downtown. Quick and friendly service.
(4)
Casey M.

Finally made it here and I gotta say the atmosphere is relaxing and the Cubano sandwich is delicious! I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)
Clarissa M.

After a film at the Hawaii Theatre we walked over to this restaurant which is right across the street. Convenient and tonight they close at 10pm. Got in few minutes before 9pm and their were only a table of four. Service was friendly and quick. We tried the appetizer platter and eggplant dish that came with rice, negros frijoles, and plantains. The plantains were moist with a hint of sweetness. Food was prepared well and tasty. The only downside was their diet coke tasted very flat. Dessert was also excellent had the flan which was thicker than the Filipino flan dessert and it came with plantains and strawberries. Cuban food here is worth a try.
(4)
E V.

This restaurant is across the street from a theater. We got there around 6:30 or 7 on a Sunday evening. We didn't have to wait for a table, but it filled up quickly when the theater let out. It is VERY small. While they weren't full, we were waited upon by at least two different people, maybe three. They seemed very rattled. I had the fricase de pollo, which was rather good. Not terribly exciting, but it was fine. I asked for no onions, but it came with them. The waitress apologized, but I know waitresses don't make the food. My friend had the appetizer sampler platter, which is supposed to feed two. She is very thin, but has a large appetite. As this was her dinner, it was no where near enough food for two people. But she said it tasted really good. The sangria was decent, but I've had better. Not sure we'd go back, but it was okay.
(3)
Mui K.

Randomly yelped this place because we were in Hawaii on vacation and looking for something besides Hawaiian food that also included some good vegetarian options. This place totally fit the bill. It also let us explore a different area since we hadn't really been in the downtown Honolulu area much. Word of caution, if you go there on a WEEKEND, everything is basically closed. So there's nothing to see or do in the area. Also there's one server there that had a very indifferent/flippant attitude that almost caused us to leave. Luckily the other two servers were great and we stayed and loved the food. Food: Veggie Empanadas - nice and crispy. Their homemade mango and habanero salsa is perfect. It's sweet but also sour and spicy so it cuts through the heaviness Eggplant Milanesa - tastes like eggplant Parmesan with white rice, plantains and black beans. Can't go wrong :) My vegetarian friend loved this. Salmon en Mojo y Miel - I thought this was okay but I'm not really into sweet glazes on fish. You can really taste the honey on the fish. My friend that ordered this thought it was delicious Pargo a la Cubana - Red snapper with onions and tomatoes on top. I ordered this and thought it was amazing. Very flavorful and very hearty with the rice and black beans. I would definitely order it again. Flan Soul de Cuba - disappointing. The flan was very thin and the caramel sauce was also thin. I don't know if this is how traditional Cuban style flan is but I was not impressed at all. Overall, worth checking out.
(4)
Ana R.

My friend has been scammed by this so called cuban restaurant so many times. She is located in a mountain close to Pali and orders food to go often. She gets home to find a huge amount of sticky nasty rice with beans and a SPOONFUL of meat. Google ROPAVIEJA so you can see that meal is all meat and few rice. Paparellena was good but burned inside and cold. I don't care if you offer a refund or an exchange on the phone,nobody wants to arrive home tired and hungry and find a meal like the one you sent her. Plus driving back takes traffic,time,gas,and time is money,right? She is so good and kind and suffered so much last time you fooled her because she was hungry and trusts in the quality of your food. The only thing I can do is to post a one star review on Yelp for making suffer mi amiga. And keep starving for the lack of authentic good latin food places,well,the lack of good food in general..... and ricorico closed (quiet sobbing) I was fooled too in Ala Moana yesterday with a "lechon" that turned out to be a pound of rice tasting like gas from the stove and some pieces of pork. Eeek Me thinks not!
(1)
Debbie R.

Enjoyed lunch here today. The food here is tasty, but kind of pricey for what you get. I had the pan con bistec thinly sliced mojo marinated steak with grilled onions served on pressed cuban bread with mayo, with a side of chips ($10). VERY little meat on the sandwich, mostly bread and onions, good thing I ordered a cup of the black bean soup ($5) on the side. My friend had the fricase de pollo, which was cuban chicken with olives on top of a bed of rice and beans ($18). Looked very tasty, but the 2 chicken thighs were kind of puny - not much food considering the price. The food is typical Cuban fare, which is a nice change of pace - not too many Cuban food places here in the Islands, so for the occasional treat, I don't mind parting with that kind of cash for something different. Cuban food is very flavorful - lots of spices without being "spicy". The service was great - very attentive. If you are in the market for a break from the ordinary, this is the place. Just be sure you bring a little extra dough.
(4)
Kevin W.

Awesome. I've had too much mediocre food in Honolulu.. Anyone comparing this place to what they've had in Miami should remember that they're not in Miami..
(5)
Taylor M.

Came to eat here for me and my fiancÃ©'s anniversary last night. Great drinks, food, and music :) we'll definitely be going again.
(5)
Steven B.

Definitely has to be one of the top restaurants in all of the island. The food is outstanding and the mojitos are unbelievable. Close to chinatown and first Fridays. They have live music weekly and open for first fridays for dancing. The atmosphere is still upscale and very convenient to all of the local bars to continue your night on to. Have been here about 20 times and will continue to go. Never a let down!!!
(5)
Aneisa D.

I really love this place ... This is my umpteen time coming here and I am never disappointed!!! This is however, my first time here for lunch :) I ordered the Soul Cubano ..... Yum yum yum!!!!! And I will keep coming back!!!
(5)
Jackie K.

Over priced but their sandwiches are delicious. Will go their to treat myself every so often.
(4)
Josh A.

Nice outing with friends and great food. The El Presedente was on special for drinks and it was good. Not overpowering but you knew there was some alcohol in there. I tried the pollo de ajo y naranja which was very, very good and well season. Ambiance was enjoyable but the service was slightly slow.
(4)
Beth I.

I finally had a chance to eat here at 9 on a Saturday night and I can't believe it's taken me so long to experience the food and ambiance. I love the decor and the cha cha music; it puts me in the mood -- to EAT! I had the eggplant milanese, and while it's not authenticly cuban, it has the flair on it and it was very well cooked. The tomato sauce was hearty and delicious. The bf had the ropa vieja. I highly recommend this if you enjoy tender shredded pork. It was really awesome. Top that all off with a corona and one of the best caipirinha's i've had in Hawaii and it was golden. Pure foodie heaven...cha cha cha.
(5)
Victoria M.

Opening late? So, I work downtown, and had a business lunch planned that had to be between 11-1. As such, I called to make reservations the day before. I was told that they open at 11 am, and that I didn't need reservations, but I made them anyway. I got here a few minutes early, and have been standing outside. Someone who works there has been cleaning the windows with copious amounts of windex - inside and out. Five minutes after they are supposed to open, he finally acknowledges me to say that they'll open soon. This is a bit ridiculous. Some other patrons came up and just went inside. They let them in, but ignored me. I sort of jumped in, let them know I has a reservation, and after a little bit if confusion, was seated. --- They were very quick in bringing out waters for our party, which is a huge plus to me. Good job! Wait staff very nice so far. They even came to double check to make sure I really knew which coffee (espresso) I had ordered. I'm definitely getting happier. --- Ordered a few appetizers. My coffee just came and it smells awesome! --- Espresso is absolutely perfect. Also, they brought appetizer plates, and refilled my water. I asked if they would mind turning down the music a smidge, and they were like "of course!" And they did it. They are redeeming themselves now. :-) I'm pleased. --- Empanadas and tapa platter came, and everything was amazing. Loved the beef empanadas best, and the crunchy garbanzo beans on the tapa platter. ---- I ordered the soul Cubano, which I loved!! My husband got the chicken, and it was good, but I think my sandwich was better. Service was perfect, loved the food, and I'll be back. I just won't come right when they open. Ha! To sum it up, I definitely had a good experience, although the beginning was obnoxious. The servers were all awesome, and actively helped each other out. That's when you know it's a good place, when the servers are all on the same team! I will be back soon, I think... Maybe we could have a Yelp event there! :-D
(4)
Ben R.

Food isn't bad, servers are ok.... But the bartenders are extremely rude. Don't go here to drink!!
(2)
Brian B.

Working in downtown Honolulu provides me the great privilege to try out a variety of different cuisines that can't necessarily be had anywhere else. Soul de Cuba is a relatively decent eating spot, but unfortunately I can't recommend eating here if you're stopping by during a lunch break. Since this place has been around, I've had their food at least 4-5 times with 4 of those times being dine-in. The food here is Cuban and ranges from chicken & beef based entrees to good ol' sammiches. Out of the 4-5 times I've been here, I've had their sammiches each time because they are simple, tasty, decently priced and quick! With the sammiches you get a choice of chips or salad which makes for a well-rounded but filling meal, especially when you consider that the most expensive is $12. So far so good right? Weeeeeelll... As I mentioned earlier, if you're coming here on a lunch break, you're gonna wind up taking a little more than hour to get your food and eat depending on how busy the place is. If there's a large group anywhere in this restaurant, forget it, you're gonna be waiting a while and visits from your host/hostess will be in-frequent at best. In fact, the last 2 times I came here and had said sammiches, it took a while to get them. To make matters worse, the water refills were basically non-existant, and this is despite the host/hostess coming around and seeing that my glass is emptying... Seriously, WTF?!? So what's the verdict? Well, I'd say call-in your order if you're planning on having lunch from here whether or not you choose to eat at the restaurant itself. Unless you have time to wait and don't mind waiting a while, I'd strongly recommend calling the order in either way. I've heard the dinner service is much better and quicker than lunch but I rarely am in the area during that time so I can't comment on that. For a slightly different cuisine however, this is a decent place to come for a meal.
(2)
Chasity T.

Good food, nice place! Growing up eating Cuban food, this is the best this island has to offer! Love the lechon asado! Of course, it's not my abuela's Cuban food, but close enough!!
(5)
Chris A.

Disappointed with this return visit....... half the beers on the menu were not available, then when asking for red wine....... guess what nothing. No more red wine ! I wanted the pan con bistec.... (steak sandwich). Sorry no sandwiches after 5. Well here's an idea don't have them on the dinner menu, or better yet state that on the menu. I'm not sure if the prices went up but I don't remember the 3 empanadas appetizers being 17 bucks. They are really good but eh that's a bit steep. The waiter was terrible as well. Not a good Friday night for them
(2)
H P.

A little small but it's a good intimate setting. The food and service were great. Biggest downside is the parking, but I would go back for sure.
(4)
Chris M.

Went on First Friday, showed up around 9 PM. Crowd wasn't crazy, got a table, listened to some music that threw me right back to Miami. Food was delicious, the vibe was great.
(5)
Amber C.

Loved the food. Definitely know what they're doing in the kitchen. Only downside is it's downtown so parking is annoying and the plates are on the expensive side. My favorite was the lechon asado! Service was good too :)
(5)
Terry K.

Yelp Challenge 365 # 145/365 $55.00 lunch tab for 2. Okay, included in the tab is a beer and glass of wine. Here is my story: On weekdays, you may find street parking (limited to 1 hour) or you can park in the municipal lots. There's one on Bethel and another one on Bertania. The Beretania municipal parking is usually empty enough that parking is not a problem. Street parking may be a problem because you will have to feed the meter the second time. You won't be able to get in, order and eat, then get out in 1 hour. Highly unlikely Ensalada de Louisa was an ordinary salad with iceberg lettuce, tomato, avacado and a few other veggies. What was more than ordinary was their honey vinegarette dressing. The dressing was delicious. Sweet but not that sweet....know what I mean? Rabo Encendido was my entree. Red wine braised oxtail. I had to try it because I am a snob when it comes to braising...I think my braised meats are the best (but then, any one who cooks will agree with me that we all think our preparations are the best). The oxtail was braised to perfection, enough were the meat will slide off the bone but not too much where the meat would crumble off the bone... Didn't taste much of the wine braising but it did have a type of chili in the braising. The hint of the chili enhanced the meat flavor. (I still prefer my braising) My lunch partner had the picadillo; ground beef seasoned with latin spices. Don't know how it wa= my lunch partner is a person of few words so not much I can say on this one. Oh, both entrees served on a bed of rice topped with black beans and plantains. Overall? I guess okay. Not many cuban diners here in Honolulu so can't really compare. And it would be unfair for me to compare it with cuban eateries on the continent, LA, DFW, etc
(3)
Maria G.

My disclaimer is that I grew up in Spanish Harlem in NYC, surrounded by my step father's family cooking, who is puertorican/cuban. So I know good Cuban/Hispanic food. I tried this place out for the first time in birthday in 2009, and I was really not that impressed. I thought that the rice was lacking and the food itself, although decent tasting, was not really representative of Cuban/Latin food. Flash forward to 2013...I had a really bad hankering for Cuban food and was homesick so we decided to give this place another shot. Meh. My husband got the pollo frito with arroz moro and I got the asado. Again, all I can say is MEH. The pollo frito is essentially a mix between tokatsu/lemon chicken. My asado was something a little too reminiscent of kalua pig. And their platanos (plantains) are NOT plantains...they're freakin bananas. (The server even admitted it!) So while the food is ok tasting, it is NOT an authentic representation of the flavors that are distinct to cuban/latin food. Also, what is it with the white rice that they serve!?!?!? Any decent Hispanic person knows that good Hispanic food is served with Arroz Amarillo (yellow rice!) and gandulez (beans) I think I'll just go back to cooking my own puerto rican/cuban dishes at home, whenever I get home sick.
(2)
Haylee F.

Last night we decided to try something new and gave Soul de Cuba a shot. We went a little later in the evening so we were seated right away. I really wanted to get into the spirit of things so I ordered the Soul Mojito - their house take on the traditional drink. It was good! Definitely one of the better-made mojitos I've had, it wasn't too sweet and there were just enough muddled mint leaves for me to enjoy the flavor and not chew the garnish. As with all new places, we asked our waitress to help with some recommendations. She was so nice! It was very transparent that this was our first time and even though we wanted to try everything, she encouraged us to share plates. We decided to share the Soul Sampler which came with fried plantains, papa rellena, and croquetas de jaiba. The plantains are basically bananas and had a nice sweet taste to them. The papa rellena is like a mashed potato croquette stuffed with seasoned ground beef. The taste was pretty basic BUT the homemade salsa really kicked it up a notch! The croquetas de jaiba is basically a crab cake. It was a little dry but again, the home made salsa helped enhance the flavors of the onions and bell peppers. For an entree we decided to share the fricase de pollo, which I think was their house specialty chicken. The chicken was deliciously marinated and cooked to perfection - so tender and juicy it fell right off the bone. Our waitress checked in on us from time to time to see how we liked her suggestions and all we could manage to muster up was: "MMMMMM!" There was an older couple next to us who struck up a conversation about our dishes and were nice enough to share input on their choices, as well. They had what I think was a Cuban version of lettuce wraps and the milanesa de polla - both looked great and they confirmed! All in all I'm glad we ventured past our norm and tried something new. The atmosphere was nice, the food was tasty, and the staff were nice and courteous! We will definitely be back to try more of the menu!
(5)
RD T.

Most fantastic lunch ever!!!! Love the food and ambiance and the parking nearby is so convenient. Marks Garage is reasonably priced for a great lunch in downtown. This place fills up quick since its one of the best places for lunch in downtown.
(5)
Jordan O.

The food was good and what I expected. I can say that everything that we ate was good and flavorful fully living up to my expectations. I hade the Ropa Veja, and the rest of my group tried the Sandwiches. The Sandwich was was really good and the Ropa Veja was really tender. I wish they gave us more for our money. I mean the prices for the plates were a little steep for the amount of food, I was still hungry after I demolished my plate. I wish they gave more plantains as well. I think your best bet for "bang for your buck" are the sandwiches. Overall I would go back, but not as often as I would if the prices were lower.
(4)
Tammy O.

My favorite Cuban restaurant in my favorite part of Downtown. Atmosphere is glamorous with vigorous arts and soul lifting music. Should definitely check out Latin night on Wednesday as well!
(5)
Brandy W.

If you are looking for a unique dining experience downtown besides the asian fare, look no further! I haven't had Cuban food before, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but everything I've eaten here has been delicioso! Their empanadas (have a mojito with it!) are a must order. What a fantastic starter while waiting for your dish. For lunch, I've tried their soul cubano sandwich before. It was so delicious, but I could never finish one in one sitting (tiny woman, HELLO) I also feel pretty gross after because the sandwich is very heavy. For lunch and dinner I've ordered lechon asado and the pollo de ajo y naranja. The platos are, in my opinion, the way to go. They are a much lighter food choice than the heavy cubano breaded sandwiches. The portions, though, are still so large, you can split it up into 3 meals! The chicken is lightly marinaded, and the lechon reminds me of the lechon my family used to make. The beans and rice are nothing to write home about, probably prepackaged, but they complement the meat well. For dessert, the mango empanadas are to die for. Highly recommend you order. You can split it with a partner... or you can just keep them to yourself :) your choice. My only gripe, which has been mentioned in previous reviews, is the service. The waitresses seem to feel labored while they are doing their job, and are pretty slow to bringing out easy stuff like drinks, boxes, and checks. One of my friends complained that her soda hadn't come out AFTER everyone who ordered cocktails had received their drinks. Unfortunately for them, you have to walk by their soda station to get to the restroom and I overheard the waitresses bad-mouthing my friend for complaining! I don't know if these people still work at the restaurant, but that experience left a bad taste in my mouth. It doesn't keep me from coming back (the food's THAT good) but be warned these ladies have an attitude on them.
(4)
Joan P.

The four of us went in yesterday around 2:30 and were the only party in the place. The server came to take our drink order. I ordered a bloody mary. After cooling our heels for 10 minutes, he returns with my kids' two soft drinks, my husband's wine......but they were out of "bloody mary mix". It went downhill from there. In a nutshell, the food rated a Mediocre Minus and was extremely overpriced, to boot. My husband ordered the spicy shrimp with lump crabmeat over pasta for $26. The shrimp were prepared ok, but the crabmeat was literally invisible. It had been shredded to a fineness similar to if you took one of those net bags that grapes/lemons/limes come in at the grocery store and put it through your office paper shredder. The shredded "crab hairs" were then mixed into what must have been jarred red sauce and poured over the very underdone pasta. I suppose this was done to diguise how little "lump" crabmeat was included in the dish. Just awful. The two kids' reactions to their greasy food were "it's just ok" and "I don't like it." The server was the only person in the place....tripling as the waiter, bartender and food runner. I guess he could tell we were underwhelmed and took 20% off our check. So our LUNCH bill for four came to $110 instead of $130. He is the only reason I'm giving this place two stars instead of one. I recommend skipping this place altogether.
(2)
Karen M.

imminently forgettable. Went there for a special occasion...left without even finishing the appetizers. Waste of gas driving there, parking and cash for food.
(1)
Jenna D.

I'm not going to lie, I was a little bit skeptical about trying this place due to all the disappointing so called "Best Mexican on island" places I have been to so when someone told me that this was "The Best Cuban Food", I was really scared. As far as I know, this is the only Cuban place on island, so of course it's going to be overrated right? WRONG!!!! I'M SO GLAD I WAS WRONG TOO!! I'm originally from Fort Lauderdale Florida which is close to North Cuba aka Miami. Plus my whole other half of my family is Cuban so it's standard that Abuela's food is the best and it's true Cuban food. You can't Abuela's food,.....don't even try. HOWEVER, Soul de Cuba Cafe is pretty amazing! The atmosphere and music makes me feel like I'm right back at home. For an appetizer we ordered papa rellena. It was so good that I kept burning my mouth on them. I deserved it because I was being too greedy but I hold no regrets. For my main course, I ordered the ropa vieja and my husband got a Cuban sandwich. OMG!!! The ropa vieja was awesome!!! It was so juicy and tender. I thought the Cuban sandwich wasn't impressive in my opinion but the hubby said he would get it again. To finish off the meal, I ordered flan ambiente and I felt like I died and went to heaven! I definitely over ate and got a stomach ache but no cares were given. I wished I had a 2nd stomach just so I could order more. You will definitely be a sinner after eating here because it's almost impossible not to be a glutton. Summary: Food: Amazing! Drinks: Ordered a moijito and their drinks are great! Service: Was good Price: A little on the expensive side, but I don't mind to pay extra for fantastic food. Obviously it didn't bother me since we both had a 3 course meal. I spent $60 between two people but you get your money worth here. They do offer specials so it's worth it to call in advance if you are worried about money wise. Overall: You made this Florida girl's day and I grantee that I will be back. It's a great place if you are craving some Cuban food. Thank you so much for this place! I'll be back whenever I feel home sick. I can't wait to try something different!
(5)
David P.

I like pork duhh
(3)
Chris L.

Food was just ok, nothing impressive. A piece of chicken breast (dry with some kind of sauce on it), rice and black beans will run you 18 bucks. I shouldn't have to bus my own dishes. Seriously, I was stacking the dirty ap dishes to make room on the table for the entrÃ©es. And the service was SLOW, like OMG slow. They were turning people away at the door, and he service is this slow.?. Bad management. The 18% tip was included in the bill. I guess there is no need to work for the tip if it's already figured in.
(2)
EddieandLisa F.

My wife had Farcase de pollo she said very bland. I had sandwich Cubano did taste like the I had in Florida. They use shredded meat in Hawaii. Florida they use pork shoulder.
(2)
Tracy K.

Bienvenidos! I had the pleasure of dining at this eatery on Tuesday with a good friend after a long day of work. Oh how sweet it was to kick back, relax over hearty Cuban food, a glass of my favorite drink, and meaningful conversation. Soul offers traditional, home-cooked style dishes that have been passed down from generations. The authenticity of the food runs deep, and I had waited long enough to try this place to know what I wanted. The ambience is relaxed, casual, and low lit. When you enter, you'll notice a hodgepodge of framed paintings, a well stocked bar, and Latin music drawing you deeper into the main room. The Soul staff are all courteous and willing to help recommend a dish or two. They seem genuinely engaged in their customers, smiles shooting back and forth, and an all-around synergistically good vibe. The drinks are on the far end of my moderately-priced mental scale: my well vodka cran and my friend's Stella Artois each tipping at $6 a pop. We ordered the ceviche with (optional) crostini for appetizer which came swiftly to satisfy our munching urges. The ceviche stands proudly in a martini glass and the crostini were the perfect accompaniment to the rich garlic and cilantro notes. I ordered the Lechon Asada, or as the waiter aptly put it, a "Cuban style Kalua Pig" dish. The portions were huge! The first bite hits you like pure soul. The arroz moro (rice and beans) complimented the citric-marinated pork and onions nicely. And what Cuban dish wouldn't be complete without the platanos maduros (deep fried bananas)! I surrendered at mid-dish and had them doggybag my hefty leftovers for lunch tomorrow. The entire menu is a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it. Our Ceviche/Crostini appetizer ($17) was about the same price as the Lechon Asada ($19) and our bill came out to $68 ($80 with tip) including my friend's dish (the Motofu-$17). I could have spent another hour or two here chatting it up if I didn't have to wake up at 6am the next morning. Soul de Cuba is rich in heritage, food, and good service. Will deifnitely return!
(4)
Tessa M.

Coming from Miami we were more than excited to stumble across a Cuban restaurant. We decided to visit for lunch. The atmosphere and decor was cozy and comfortable and the servers were very pleasant and welcoming. We ordered the Cuban sandwich(white cheese, sweet ham and slices of roast pork)..we got pulled pork with way too much lime, a slice of salami, a slice of ham...clearly not a cubano. I ordered the Lechon Asado,( black beans, rice, plantains, and of course pulled pork). My dish tasted ok. Plantains were to very small pieces. To satisfy our curiosity we inquired of other traditional Cuban dishes, for each dish we asked about, we were told that they no longer have it. WHAT??? Please understand coming from Miami, I expected a bit more authenticity with the food.
(3)
Amy D.

The food here is quite good. I was prepared to be unimpressed, as I've had excellent Cuban food and thought it would be hard for this place to compete. I was wrong. I've now been here about four times and I'm always really pleased. I've had the Cubano, Media Noche Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, and Lechon Asado, and thought all were delicious and made with high quality ingredients. I've also enjoyed a few drinks here including the delicious Dark and Stormy. I knocked one star off because the service isn't always that great, but it's never been bad. I love that they opened up the room next door, since it was hard to get a table sometimes.
(4)
Chanel G.

Oh my Oh my. I have wanted to try this place for so long and I am so lucky to have been in invited out to dinner last night. First impression of the lumpia appetizer was ' Holy YuM , can I make these at home?! ' The answer is probably not as magical as they made it so just go back and get some more. My entree consisted of Chicken lightly breaded with a mango fruit salsa and black beans with plantains on the side. It is also going to be my lunch cause the portion was Sumo sized. If you go there for the first time just keep in mind Sharing is caring. Yum Yum Yum. I work out so I can eat out. So I better get more gym time in.
(5)
asia h.

So... let me start by saying, I used to love this place. There were times I'd be dining there weekly, their mojitos were splendid and all the foods were superb - cooked to perfection, nicely spiced up, full of flavor and melting in your mouth. I mean all the foods, from appetizers to desserts. Were. After a break I went there for lunch and had the first "meh, I've experience better" experience. My old time favorite ox tails were spicy. And I mean spicy, but not flavorful at all, not like they used to be. Disappointing, but everyone can have a worse day, so I didn't think much of it. Last night I went there with my husband for dinner and sadly the disappointment continued. The ox tails he had were cooked nice and soft, but totally bland. My chicken cutlet was dried and chewy, and the honey sauce on it was far from interesting. The beans tasted like a watery version of can beans. The rice was plain, no spices whatsoever in it anymore. The plantains were actually not plantains, but bananas (but at least these were tasty). The only thing good was the mojito, but even that didn't convince us to stay for desserts. Shame, it used to be my fav spot of all. I know I'll miss it, but now I'll think twice before deciding to give it a go again :(
(2)
Jason L.

Was dying for a Cuban sandwich and discovered this place across from the Hawaii Theater. The place is very well decorated in Cuban style, service was excellent and friendly. I am sure the other food is great but the Cuban was a lot of bread and not the best I've had. Maybe need to dry some other dishes. If you want a different cultural experience then I recommend.
(4)
Allison D.

Although this place is a little on the spendy side, it's worth it. The lechon asado, the ropa vieja, empanadas and papa rellenas are all enticing. For happy hour they have $4 sangria with yummy fruit chunks. The ambience is nice, dimly lit (giving it a romantic feel) and comfortable. They recently expanded so they have more seating. Service is friendly and prompt.
(4)
Kelly M.

Good food and cool decor. Service was attentive. All around solid showing. Had the ropa viejo - shredded beef and sweet peppers with a tomato sauce. Tasted great. Black beans are not my thing, but putting a heavy dose of the hot sauce really made my taste buds sit up.
(4)
Bethani E.

Finally got to try this place thanks to a Living Social Deal. My husband and I ate lunch here on Wednesday. He ordered a Soul Cubano sandwich and I got the Fricase de Pollo. Upon entering we were informed that they were short staffed in the kitchen and that food wouldn't be out for 30-40 minutes. We still really wanted to eat here, so we waited it out. The food was really great, and ended up being worth the delay. Even though our server was M.I.A., it was nice to see the chef or owner making their rounds to ensure everything was okay. The chicken was really moist and tasty. The entrÃ©e came with rice, beans and plantains. The Soul Cubano sandwich got rave reviews and it came with chips. All in all, a good meal, and we will be back to try this place for happy hour and to hear live music in the future.
(4)
Lei T.

my husband and I had dinner there last night and it was delicious! we had the empenadas, soul salad, and freakas--(I don't remember the name of the dish) but it was chicken, rice, black beans, and sweet bananas. we will return for more date nights.
(5)
Kori T.

I've been to this restaurant quite a few times and loved it but this last visit left a very sour taste in my mouth. We were seated in a fairly empty restaurant. Drinks arrived quickly but then I was told they would let me order my regular sandwich since it was 5:07 and they stopped making it at 5:00. This was very upsetting so I ordered a steak it took them over 45mins to get the food us. And the the steak was dry and tasted like vinegar. The waiter never came back to check on us. I will not be ordering anything but my regular sandwich again.
(3)
Corin K.

First off the food is yummy! Empanadas are bomb! And my hubby loves the picadillo! This was the second time we came here and the first time was great! Good service and great food! Im only giving it 3 stars this time because of the service! We had reservations and when we came in and we told them our name the guy gave us a funny look?! Like maybe they forgot about us?! They gave us a small table in the side room where the band was setting up, felt a little weird awkward kinda but whatever! Gave us menus came back 10 minutes later for our drink order, 10 minutes later got some drinks and water finally. . Another 15 minutes later came to take our food order, wanted to order the cuban sandwich that they advertize for and apparentley that's only for lunch! Well maybe you should have something on the menu that says that? Or inform us when we sit down with the menu?! Waiter comes back 5 minutes later for the food order and what my husband was gonna order (the picadillo we came for) they ran out of?! Ok its only 7pm people, Seriously u ran out of ground beef?! Snd could you not have told us that at the beginning?! Anyways 45 minutes after sitting down we got our food order in, an hour or so later finally receiving our appetizer! Bottom line the food is good! But don't think we will be back! For the prices (kinda high) you expect good service! The waiters seemed very frazzled like they couldnt handle the amount of people that was there even tho the place is pretty small..owners get better servers and serve the cuban sandwiches for dinner please ;)
(3)
Chad A.

4.0 even I was going to give a perfect 5 stars for tasty food, and quick, attentive service with reasonably priced items. What stops me is: 1. I can not order a cubano sandwich after 5:00. 2. My wife and I both caught a case of Castro's revenge here, (when a Haole gets diarrhea after eating cuban food. Everything tasted awesome, and I am willing to "risk" going there again, but my wife and I had mirrored symptoms, it all most had to source from here.
(4)
Mik G.

Let me start by saying that I'm Cuban and from Miami. I LOVE Cuban food. When I found this place I was so excited to try it . Everywhere I travel I try to find a Cuban restaurant and see how it is. My expectations in this case however, were far too high. AS WAS THE PRICE. Honolulu I know, but this place was overpriced. Upon walking in you'll see some nice colors and paintings on the wall by famous Cuban artist Molina. It adds to the atmosphere. The tables themselves are painted as well however some with Santeria markings which is essentially Cuban voodoo. To the layperson this won't make a difference but to someone who knows about that it can be a bit strange. The colors are nice though. The owner is from Cuba by the way so he should know Cuban food. So the food. I initially ordered a 'palomilla' which is a FANTASTIC Cuban steak that I always eat. The guy tells me they sold the last one. A Cuban place without palomilla? Yikes. It is a STAPLE of any Cuban restaurant. There also wasn't any bread like in Cuban restaurants. So instead I got the 'pan con bistec' which is basically steak in between Cuban bread. Basically a Cuban steak sandwich. What I got was essentially cheesesteak meat all chopped up in between two slices of Cuban bread. It tasted pretty bad. I also had rice and black beans. This for me was the kicker. Cubans pride themselves on great black beans and rice. They use spices in the beans and make the rice salty and incredibly tasty. What I got was rice and beans served Mexican style( both separated on the plate) and tasted like NOTHING. When I say that I mean the rice and beans had NO FLAVOR WHATSOEVER. It was, for lack of a better word, disgusting. My soda was the best part of the meal. I will NEVER set foot in this restaurant again even if they paid me. It isn't Cuban food. It's Cuban names put on some kind of weird concoctions they call Cuban food. I would highly recommend you stay away from this place. Go to Miami and eat real Cuban food. A huge steak, bunch of rice and a cup of black beans for 12 dollars. Then die happy.
(1)
Barry W.

This is a small and simple restaurant in the downtown area that serves fine food. I had a flavorful boneless chicken dish that came w black beans and rice. The accompanying mojito was excellent. Why is it that only Cuban restaurants can make a decent mojito? The service was a friendly and attentive. I didn't have the guts to try the oxtail dish. Maybe next time...
(4)
Jason W.

I like the ambiance of this place. The food is reasonably priced for getting good service, taste, and portions. They also have some great drinks. It's a good spot for appetizers to start the night, great for a sit-down dinner, or to grab a drink to close out your evening Downtown. All-in-all, I recommend all of the above and to include this as one of your spots to visit if you're heading out for an all-nighter.
(4)
Foodie F.

This was our first time here. We went on a weekday at about 7 pm and it was drizzling rain. We were using a Groupon that we bought and this was our first time eating Cuban food other than at Portos in LA. We were very glad we had a groupon otherwise we would probably never have tried this restaurant. Parking: Difficult in Chinatown even on this day and time. Only street parking. We found parking about one block away. Atmosphere: It was casual,comfortable, and quaint. Very pleasant music was playing. It is not a very big restaurant. It is airconditioned but not cold enough to need a sweater. Food: We had the Fricase de pollo,Ensalada del mar, and the shredded beef with bell peppers and onions (I forgot the name). We absolutely loved and devoured the salad. It was iceberg lettuce topped with large shrimp marinated with a wonderful sauce, fried calamari rings (tneder) and a big piece of breaded catfish (very moist and perfectly cooked). The dressing was light and delightful. The habanero sauce our waitress brought on the side was perfect for us as it was not very hot but had just the right amount of kick. This way you could add more if you want. This was one of the best salads I have eaten. The chicken dish was also tasty, moist and oh sooo delicious. I don't know what fried plantains are like as this was our first time but it was sweet,very soft and went well with the spices in the dish. The rice was light and fluffy. The black beans were natural tasting,not overly seasoned. The beans are definitely good if you are on low salt diet. We liked it since it went well with the chicken. After eating all of this we only had room enough to taste the beef dish. From the little taste ( had it was spicier in a different way but also harder to chew even though it was shredded. My husband and I liked the chicken dish more. We would definitely come back again. Extra: They have salsa dancing on certain days and a brunch on Sunday I heard. The waitress was very nice. There were only about 10 people in the restaurant when we went.
(4)
Kau'i R.

I'm a lover of all things Latin and tonight, Soul de Cuba did not disappoint. I would recommend making a reservation, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. It does get crowded. From the moment I walked in the door the music had me itching to dance and the smells from the kitchen immediately wet my appetite! When we sat down our server Orlando immediately took our drink order. I would recommend their Mojitos! I just got a glass but you can order them by the pitcher I think. I probably would have bit I was driving ;) We then ordered the Empanadas as an appetizer. Oh....my....gravy! Deeeeeelish! I was only able to try the Veggie and the Beef because my hubby and my dad scarfed the chicken. BUT, I'm taking that to be a good sign. Especially from two guys who are pretty apprehensive to trying certain new things. Our entrees consisted of the Fricasee de Pollo, the Ropa Vieja, and I had the Lechon Asado. So this is where Soul de Cuba lost a star, my hubs' Fricasee de Pollo was lukewarm, not that hot, and we needed to send it back. AGAIN, they promptly, and with a beautiful smile, happily took it back to warm it! When it came out it was piping hot and my hubs thoroughly enjoyed his dish! Very flavorful chicken with rice, black beans, and a fried plantain. My dad had the Ropa Vieja and we were told that it was one of their popular dishes, and boy were they right! If you love shredded beef with a light tomato flavor with rice and black beans, this is your go to. It does come with a fried plantain as well. I had the Lechon Asado. The best way to describe this is a sweet pork adobo flavor. It was deeeelish!! It had just a hint of vinegar and was moist and juicy. It was topped with some onions that were sautÃ©ed but not to the point of mush. It still had a nice little crunch to it. The sides were a red rice and fried plantain. I would recommend asking for their Habanero sauce if you want to spice it up a bit. It's a nice complement to all the dishes and it doesn't change the flavor at all! You'd think after all that we'd be done, and dad and the hubs actually told me no, but we ordered dessert :). I got their Flan and it was very tasty. Probably because Flan is one of my favorites and I haven't had it in a while. This is how I describe it...it was almost like a Carmel Custard Cheesecake. It had a very dense texture to it but it was surprisingly NOT heavy! It came with a sliced strawberry and was the perfect accompaniment. Especially since the guys devoured half of it willingly! Prices are pretty comparable for the food and the experience. All in all, i'll definitely be back for another experience and maybe, just maybe they can earn that one lonely star back ;). Thank you Joel, Orlando, and the rest of the awesome staff!!!
(4)
Ka'imi L.

My initial take: Tasty ethnic food that comes with a high price tag. Cheapskates beware! I would not recommend this place to those on a strict budget. The food items are a bit pricey. Here's a full rundown... BILL: $97 (incl. tax and tip) for 2 people. Albeit we did have 2 beers and a glass of wine, but I still think that's a little high for what we ordered (an appetizer and 2 entrees). PROS: - Food was good! - Nice decor. - Friendly hostess. - Food was good! CONS: - We waited over an hour for a table. (But it was Friday night, what did I expect?) - When there was an opening, we were seated at a table that was literally crammed between two other tables. I remember the table to my right was just inches away from ours. Not very ideal for intimacy. - Service was mediocre. The waitress just seemed nonchalant about serving us. She did her job but I kind of expected a little more. - Pricey for what you get. I came. I saw. I conquered. I won't be back unless I'm forced to. I recommend trying this place once just to say you've tried it, and that's it.
(2)
Cely H.

Everything here is just so freakin' tasty! I always try something new and it is always orgasmic. Last visit my posse and I tried the alligator. Yum! Even though everything here is tasty, I do have a favorite dish: the oxtails. I don't know what it's Cuban fancy name is, but its delicious. My favorite part is sucking all cartilage off the bones. It's very feminine, really! (not). Their mojitos are awesome too. And three. And four. Thankfully, they make them virgin for gals like me too! We always make a reservation. Its always packed and the place is small so we always want to make sure that we're guaranteed a spot if we're driving all that way. Might want to do that too, if you're Leeward folk. I'm not a townie, so I rarely come here, mostly due to the parking situation. I don't understand one-way streets and non-existant parking in downtown Honolulu! Oh yeah... and plantains...drooooooool....
(5)
Ryan M.

Heard a lot of great things about this place prior to going. I never really tried Cuban food before but I know it was somewhat similar to Spanish/Mexican type food. I was very surprised at how good it turned out to be. Food - 5 Stars I tried the Lechon Asado based on the yelpers reviews. It was really good. The meat was tender and full of flavor and the rice was cooked perfect. Wife had the Ropa which was also good. I do however have to give the best dish to a dish that I should have ordered. It was the oxtail. I only was able to get one bite from a friend and after that bite I wanted to switch plates but he wouldn't do it. Now I have to go back again.. and soon so that I can order that dish. Service - 5 Stars They were very friendly and efficient with the handling of our food, drinks and check. However, the waitress did ask a question that I have never heard before. I noticed that their drink menu didn't have any domestic beer so I asked her what kind of domestic beer they had and she asked me what domestic beer was. I figured, if she didn't know what domestic beer was then more than likely they didn't have it. I can't dock them on that because they are after all in Chinatown and domestic beer is probably too boring for them. Environment - 5 Stars Very small place but I was impressed with the dÃ©cor. It totally matched the restaurant. Place is awesome. I would make reservations if you plan to go on a weekend though.
(5)
Steven U.

My first time here was a good experience. It is a cute place, not real big, but good music and comfy. It was more like a late lunch so the place wasn't too busy. There were two servers and they were in good spirits and happy to help. I had a rum punch and the wife had plantation iced tea. My punch was very good....I would get that drink again. We shared the empanada appetizer and the calamari. There was a veggie, chicken and beef empanada and they were all good. Believe it or not, I liked the veggie the best. I think it had plantains inside and this gave it a nice sweetness as you ate it. The chicken had a lot of flavor as well....there seemed to be green and red bell peppers mixed in with the chicken. The beef was good, but it didn't seem like it had as much flavor as the other too. The crust on all three was perfect....crispy and thick. The calamari was just ok.....but the sauces were good. The first was a honey mojo sauce and the second was a mayo mojo. They were both good, but I liked the honey better. I would come back for sure....I didn't get to try any of the sandwiches and entrees....and they looked good. It is a little pricey, but fun to try the food.
(4)
DeAngelo W.

The bathrooms: could be a little more pleasant to the eyes but so far the food looks awesome. The drinks are also nicely made.
(4)
Kimmy A.

Me&my coworker got done with work and wanted to try something new and we found this place. I loved the variety of food and the price was pretty decent. The service was fast when it was slow but started to get worse the busier they got. I can understand that especially since at the time, there was only 1 waitress
(4)
Roxanne R.

the chicken pollo is the best by far, but the food is pretty expensive
(3)
Sean M.

God. I really wanted this place to be good, but it fell very short! Went with 3 other couples. No one was that impressed. I ordered black bean soup and an entree that came with black beans (overkill on my part maybe) they brought the soup out at the exact same time as my dinner. The black bean soup is just a side of black beans. Thanks waiter for the heads up! It seemed like they were under staffed BC our waiter obviously didn't have much time for us.
(1)
Gemma R.

Horrible service. Standing by the door, and the waiters would just look in your direction but not one of them would come up to you. Not one. And they would walk right past you and you can tell we're about to ask for a table and they just walk past you. After going up to the bartender and waiting around, we were finally able to get a table. Ordered the Soul Sampler - 1 empanada (cut in half), 1/2 a plantain - not even kidding and it was soggy, 1 small crab cake (more flour than actual crab - cut in half) and a small side of salsa. Suppose to serve two people but it was the smallest portions. And, I've eaten here before so I really was not expecting this. Also ordered the lettuce wraps and it took forever to come out. And we had to ask for utensils. AND, each server came up and was like can I help you? I use to be a server. I understand how it feels to be busy and it wasn't busy. There's not that many tables in the main seating area. Just divide those tables up. Each server get a section. That's all you have to do?! That way, each worker isn't coming up to a table when they've already ordered. And, take the menu's away after they've ordered. I also ordered a glass of sangria that tasted like sugar water. This was the most disappointing trip here ever. We paid and practically ran out of there.
(2)
Hayato H.

Went here for lunch. The Cuban sandwich with catfish was something Ive never had for a long time. It was delicious!! I definitely recommend and wand to come again if I come to downtown.
(5)
Chris H.

Cubans make the best sandwiches, and this is the only place I know of to get Cubanos. So good!
(4)
Lachmin S.

I had gone over to the Hawaii Theatre to purchase my tix for the Gabriel Iglesias event. After coming out with my goodies I realized I was hungry but it wasn't quite dinner time yet, so I thought I'd come over to Cafe Soul de Cuba and have a drink n' appetizer. Good thing I did - the asst manager, Alex (Allen?) made me an amazing Rum Punch! Super delish and hit the spot. :) Also while hanging out at the bar I met another gal who also happened to walk in randomly - her, I and Sifu (our awesome bartender) had a nice long interesting conversation. Good times. :) I'll definitely be back again.
(4)
Rick S.

Bottom Line - I had a pretty ghastly first experience here due to the food being cold, but at least it was tasty. A local friend of mine says it was an off night, so I'd entertain the idea of coming back to give them another chance, but not before I try other places first because this place isn't cheap. I came on Sunday, 5 September 2010 with 3 friends and we ordered the following: Soul sampler ($15, papa rellena, devil crab, garlic citrus mojo seared shrimp) - The sampler was tasty. Everything but the shrimp was fried. The papa rellena would have been really good, but the inside had hot and cold spots, like what you'd get if it were microwaved. I'm on the fence on whether I'd order this again. The shrimp would be worth ordering on its own. Pollo soul de Cuba ($18, marinated chicken breast breaded and fried topped with salsa made with mango, guava, black beans, pineapple and rum. Served with white rice, black beans and plantains) This was my friend's dish. Everything was cold except the chicken itself. The rice, beans and plantains were cold. The dish was probably plated and sat there for a while before the chicken was cooked. Sopa de frijoles Negros ($5, black bean soup made with Mediterranean spices) - My friend who ordered this dish was sick and really enjoyed this soup. He'd order it again. Lechon asado ($15, roasted pulled pork and sautÃ©ed with onions. Served with white rice and plantains) - I had this dish and everything on it was cold except the pulled pork itself. The pork was tasty, but the cold rice actually dehanced the dish. I am totally against microwaves being used in restaurants, but I feel that if they would have stuck the entire dish into a microwave, it would have been better. Along with a ginger beer ($2) and a mojito ($8), the total for 2.5 of us (one of us only had soup) total came to $65.98 + 10.01 tip = 75.99. In summary, the seasoning of the dishes were good, but the cold of the dishes pretty much ruined the experience. On a side note, the service was not very attentive and it took an hour for our main dishes to arrive. Our waiter only checked on us when he brought us drinks and the main dishes... our water glasses went empty without being filled. (Disclaimer - my star rating is based solely on the food, and NOT the service. Though excruciatingly slow, the service did not affect the star rating.)
(2)
P K.

So-so food and not great service. Came in here at about 1:45pm on a Friday, and we were one of two tables in the place, yet service was so sloooooow. They were out of 4 of 5 sandwiches on the menu (really?!), so there wasn't much to choose from for lunch unless we wanted to order dinner entrees (which we did not). We ordered the ceviche, sampler, and steak sandwich. All were okay, but not great. Seemed like everything could use a little salt (and I am a limited salt eater). I won't go back and would recommend you try somewhere else.
(2)
Hillery P.

I've been coming here since they first opened. Throughout the past few years the food has been inconsistent, ranging from addictively tasty to bland and dull. I keep coming back on the chance it will be one of those great days where the lechon is juicy and full of that mojo flavor. The drinks, however, have always been great. You can never go wrong at Happy Hour with a 5$ mojito or rum punch. If you are hungry and feel lucky, give it a shot. Thirsty? Go for it?
(3)
Trish P.

i had such high hopes for this place..... THE GOOD: mostly nice servers. when seated, we were helped by a nice girl server, but for some reason, after we got our appetizers, she left work... with out telling us she was leaving. then we were assisted by the bartender, who was kind of grouchy, THEN, we were served by another guy, who didn't introduce himself, but was nice all the same..... wtf - confusing.... who the crap is our waiter?? ordered 2 appetizers: the devil crab croquette and the calamares fritos. the crab croquette itself was good, but was surrounded by a hot sauce that tasted very much like "Franks Hot" - weird, and the calamari was pretty standard.... its the same almost anywhere you go. THE BAD: my lunch consisted of the lechon asado, which is roasted pulled pork with black bean rice and fried plantains..... the pork was tender, but greasy, the majority of the plate is covered with black bean rice, which was very DRY and practically crunchy in parts, and the plate only comes with 3 small chunks of plantain. :( for dessert we ordered one of the flan's (the one with plantains and strawberries), and the mojito cheesecake. the flan came out with only plantains - the whole reason we ordered that flan, instead of the plain one, was b/c it had strawberries - asking the waiter, he then informed us that they ran out of strawberries.... isnt the waiter supposed to inform you BEFORE he brings out the dish?. also, this dessert had too much of an alcoholic flavored sauce, like they didnt bother to cook it down enough. the mojito cheesecake was ok..... the texture was not smooth, but crumbly, and had a faint citrus flavor, but "mojito" flavor was not really present. we went for lunch, during lunch time, and it was pretty much dead empty in there. i thought i read on here there was a wait?...... and, all these things went wrong (server switching, undercooked rice, under cooked dessert sauce), yet there was no one else in there. its not like they were rushing around...... one of my friends had the steak sandwich and said it was good, so MAYBE i'll go back to try that..... big maybe. other than that - i'll pass.....
(2)
Victor R.

Convieniently located across from the Hawaii Theater. The servers were all incredibly friendly. However I would not go here when it is even remotely busy unless I had a lot of spare time. I think they have a small kitchen staff because the meal I ordered took over 45 minutes to arrive. The food is fine, I was expecting it to be more flavorful since it is suppose to be authentic Cuban food, but I'm not a Cuban cuisine expert. The dining room set up is intimate and there are two bars but the vaulted ceilings make the acoustics horrendous. Portion size is good but for the taste I feel like it may be a little overpriced. The drink menu had a lot of enticing drinks but I didn't order any when I was there though I did see a lot of guests with mojito pitchers. With all the other places to eat in Chinatown I probably won't go back.
(3)
Maria S.

Being from miami I was a bit skeptical about this place, only been there once but I absolutely felt in love with the food, they must be doing something right because this place reminds me of home!! Food is good, drinks are strong .. Overall great place, a bit on the pricey side tho Will be returning soon!
(4)
Michael D.

Really good on spicy food if you love spice this is the place the food takes a while but the results of it shows that it's worth the wait
(5)
Greg C.

It was hot and sweaty in there, and the chair was hard and a little wobbly. The table too small and the room a little crowded. Yep, felt like CUBA! I loved Soul De Cuba (truthfully, I've eatin there several times before, but never taken the time to write about it). The food is oh so ono, and authentic to it's Cuban inspiration. I ordered the 'ropa vieja,' shredded beef with onions in a light tomato sauce served on a bed of white rice. Black beans and some cooked plantains on the side finish off the dish. You may not think you're getting a lot of food, but once you finish off the rice, beans and plantains (and iced tea), can you say 'B-L-O-A-T-E-D?' For dessert (almost never for lunch, but today, what the hell), I ordered the Lilikoi and chocolate sorbet. It tasted like it was over frozen, then defrosted - yep, just like CUBA! Somehow, it added to the atmosphere of the restaurant, and they gave me four (4) freakin' scoops - I'm not complaining. There's no parking unless you go over the Mark's Garage (that's the closest), or some other lot or garage in Chinatown, but it's a nice walk no matter the originating direction. The service is great and they always smile. Also, it appears they got the storefront that was adjacent to the restaurant (I think that was the improv comedy club before) and have lots more tables. Soul De Cuba is winna, winna, chicken dinna!
(5)
Brian N.

We were quite excited to come here after reading so many good reviews and it being recommended by friends. I don't know what happens though. The main dining room had one other couple in it and it appeared that they had been waiting for their food for a while. The back room was reserved for a special event, from watching people come in, it appeared to be a bar or restaurant hop. Sadly, the staff paid more attention to the back room than they did to the main room. We waited a bit after being sat to place our order. When the waiter came to take our order he actually asked if we had already ordered. Remember, only one other couple in the dining room, shouldn't be too hard. We ordered one mojito and eggplant milanesa to split. Our drink arrived after a wait of 15 minutes due to the bar tender focused on the restaurant hoppers. To give better perspective, our food arrived a minute after our drink. Now to the good. The flavor in the mojito was delightful! Perfectly mixed! The food was amazing! Now I know why it comes so highly recommended. The taste and texture were absolutley fantastic. I just wish there had been more of it because my girlfriend and I devoured it. Maybe this would have been a better experience if we had been "waited" on. Food was great but it's amazing what being neglected can do to your opinion of an establishment.
(2)
Derek n.

I particularly love Cuban food, and am happy to see the option to have it available here in Honolulu as there is a lack of ethnic food options in general in the city. The service and atmosphere here is great. Always friendly service. The bar has a pretty standard assortment of options and is pretty well stocked. The food is pretty good. I've had much better Cuban food on the mainland, but again this is Honolulu we are talking about. The reason I'm giving it 3 stars is that I feel the quality and portion size here has slipped over the last few years while the prices seem to have gone up. It is now a rather expensive place to have what is a small tick above a casual lunch. It is a fun place to have dinner with a group of friends, albeit a pricy one. Worth going to, but not often.
(3)
Li T.

STONED waiter - as in sniffing, picking his nose, hopping/dipping between the tables, getting multiple orders wrong wrong wrong. He told me that they were our of much of the bar list. They lost money on the tables he "served." tonight. It was frightening to watch him jittering around at the cash register while the other waiter and the waitress worked like crazy to serve up yummy-looking food. First Monday drummer was great, and an acquaintance really liked the salmon as she compared this place to a place in Portland....Plus one toilet was broken - the first one with no urinal. Sorry - this was an odd night. Oh, yes - and get your happy hour orders in by 7pm (they don't tell you this). BIG price difference on some items.
(2)
Crissy K.

When a restaurant is right in the heart of downtown, especially when it's just across the street from a live theater venue, it has little motivation to be extremely good -- it's already got you by the you-know-what. Fortunately, this is not the attitude adopted by the people who operate Soul de Cuba. Soul de Cuba has credibility. According to its website, the founders have backgrounds working in Cuban communities, so this is no Cuban version of Taco Bell. Soul de Cuba has fabulous-looking, delicious food. Everything that arrives on your plate is tasty, from the entree itself (I highly recommend the Pollo Soul de Cuba, their bestselling breaded chicken filet with mango salsa) to the arroz blanco (white rice) and frijoles negros (blackbeans) to the sweet plantains. My chicken was perfectly prepared and reminiscent of -- dare I say it -- the milanese pork I had at Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill in Chicago. Yes, it was that good. Unfortunately, what Soul de Cuba lacks is speed of service. The service itself isn't bad -- in fact, the people who work here couldn't be nicer. It's just slow. It took more than half an hour for us to get our food. I could see if this were a fine dining restaurant, but it's a cafe right across the street from a theater -- which means it has to deal with pre-show dinner crowds, which means the kitchen should move a little faster. Overall, a really great experience with lots of savory food. I'll definitely be back when I have time to spare!
(4)
D. F.

OK the food was on point but it was kinda weird eating Cuban food in Hawaii... I got this recommendation from a lady at the local shopping center and was pleasantly surprised to learn that downtown Honolulu, however small, is pretty active on a Monday night. I had the mango chicken while my guests had the eggplant and snapper...all of the dishes were very tasty and we topped it off with flan which was dead on. I added an espresso for good measure... Not sure I'll make it back to this spot before I leave the island but will definitely aim for it if I find myself here again anytime soon ( or in New Haven).
(3)
Andrea R.

Working nearby, this restaurant was my favorite lunch spot. Their bistec sandwich is simply unbelievable and they even have non-alcoholic cocktails for the workday refreshment! Of course, a cuban coffee is always a welcome pick-me-up during business hours as well. The atmosphere and cuban cuisine is worth your trip in for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Matthew T.

This is a review for the new stand in the Navy Exchange that opened this past Monday. Cuban food is a definite detour from the usual stable of fast food chains and I Love Country Cafe experiences the average NEX food court patron is used to by now. What Works: - Food is a pleasant deviation from what folks are used to in this food court. - Employees we're very willing to introduce any passerby with samples. - Information about the main restaurant on Bethel St. Was readily provided making for easy conversion of a new customer. Things to improve: - Pictures of their various entrees so people can match the awesome scent of the food with an image. - Advertise that patrons can put the various meats in a panini style sandwich. - Advertise that they take credit/debit card with a sign. Overall, a very pleasant experience that hit the spot of taste buds craving something new.
(4)
Cassie T.

This review is being written after we visited Soul De Cuba two days in a row for dinner! My first impression is that this place is a whole in the wall type restaurant. But, after reviewing the menu I noticed that this is actually a franchise. I would never have guessed this based on the Downtown location. The interior is nothing special and feels like a small business restaurant. On our first trip to Soul De Cuba we had the Alligator Ceviche, yes you read correctly Alligator! Hmmm...I was not brave enough to try this as this was my hubby's choice. He described it as being good and having good flavor. So, if alligator is your type of meat give it a try. For our main course we had the Fricase de pollo. This was tasty! This dish consisted on marinated chicken with onions and olives. It was serviced with rice and beans and little fried bananas. So, far this is my favorite dish at Soul De Cuba. The flavor of the chicken was sooo good. I also used a little bit of the Soul De Cuba hot sauce that is on every table. Not bad. On our second trip we strayed from the alligator, thank goodness and we tried the crab cakes or as they call them croquetas de jaiba. The crab cakes consisted more of the breading than pieces of crab meat. But, they weren't bad and had decent flavor. And for the main dish we had the ropa vieja which is shredded beef cooked with onions in a light tomato sauce served with rice and beans. This was also a tasty dish. You can really taste wine or beer in this dish and the meat was so tender! The highlight of this place is the cocktails. I love a good drink! I tried the Mojito and the Rum Punch. Both are very tasty but the Rum Punch takes the cake. You can't go wrong with either. I can't wait to go back to this place to have more delicious drinks and food!
(4)
Dennis P.

El renacimiento (renaissance) of my Hawaiian Cuban experience begins (empieza) with "Soul de Cuba CafÃ©"! Notablemente, their SOUL CUBANO SANDWICH... serrano ham, manchego cheese, tender roast pork and salami dressed in cilantro and roasted garlic aioli on pressed Cuban bread... The sliced thin Serrano ham (a Spanish ham that is aged and cured at a higher altitude than Prosciutto) creates a luxurious pleasure that is heightened by the "impossible dreaminess" of the Manchego cheese (The tastiest of the Spanish cheeses, made in the La Mancha region of Spain from the milk of the Manchega Sheep , you may be able to find this type of cheese with Don Quijote, the Man of La Mancha on the label). We listened to the music of Cuba in the cafe' as the songs of the island danced in the air... each delectable bite of this Caribbean delight ensured my presence in "Soul de Cuba" to be a permanent one. Nos vemos!
(4)
Ralph Y.

Let me add to cacophony of satisfied folks out there that are looking for something different. While somewhat Latin/Spanish in some respects on the menu, they have dishes that are uniquely Cuban and worth exploring. Nothing on the menu is extreme in terms of being spicy hot but you certainly can add to it. We only had lunch on a Sunday there but I can see why they are so busy during work day. I did indulge in their special Sunday Brunch omelet with pork asada and light cheese is perfect. They served that w/a cuban bread that had a light sweet syrup poured on top. It was a great foil to the omelet. Oh yeah, good Sangria although I opted for the Spicy Bloody Mary. Nice kick to it.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Came here while on a business trip to Downtown Oahu. Walking distance from our headquarters. There were about 9 of us, and one of our colleagues had eaten here the month before and RAVED about it. I've never had Cuban food before, and all I could think of was cuban cigars, or Cuenca-Equadorian food...not that I had Equadorian food before (I did not). I don't even know if "Equadorian" is the right word! But I knew it had to be somewhat slightly similar to Mexican food. And I love Mexican food. Anyway, It's such a quaint little place, and it looked like we wouldn't fit in that place. Then the waitress led us to the SECOND room where they set up a table that fit all of us! YAY! I thought I was going to have to sit on someone's lap, it was that crowded. The second room was a god-send. I had the Cat-Fish sandwich...I forgot what the Cuban name was. Actually, my colleague shared the sandwich with me, and I shared my super-huge salad with her (and another colleague). Each for about $10. The Salad dressing was delicious! It was a terrific paring. I tried to look at Yelp's photos of that catfish sandwich to see if anyone had the dish name on it, and the only other photo was captioned "Cat fish sandwich" - HAHA! or rather, "JAJA!" But I loved this place. The service was terrific. I like walking to this place during the day - but IDK if I would come here during the night. It's in the heart of Downtown Honolulu, and there are a lot of creepy drug addicts lurking around. I loved that while looking for this restaurant, that I stumbled upon CAKE ENVY which is a fabulous cheesecake place sort of next door. You must go there afterwards. Or after any place you go for lunch. I wouldn't know where to park to get here, except for the side street parallel parking which I just do not care for. Might be worth circling around the block a couple times just in case.
(4)
Nikki N.

The food wasn't mind blowing but the portions were large and the sangria was good. I should've took the cue from the couple across from us who shared a meal and dessert because it gets pricey.
(3)
Marley S.

The food is good, isn't the cuba I know from New York, but it's good and worth going to.
(4)
Talor M.

As I like to call it, a safe culinary adventure. It's some good food that's not weird or out there but still different then what we're used to on this island. Like most places in town finding parking sucks. We usually forget about street parking and go for the paid. Besides that the food is pretty good. If you've never been try the chicken dishes. Those always taste the best. The fish dishes are my least favorite. Try the dessert too! The flan is pretty awesome. One thing I've noticed about this place is the service can be hit or miss. Generally the staff is very warm and pleasant but some times the food takes a long time to come out on busy nights.
(4)
Glexi G.

This restaurant has a lot of great things going for it. Primarily, the food is very good. I grew up in Miami Florida, where Cuban food sat on my dinner plate at home every night, so I am always looking for a solid authentic Cuban restaurant. Soul de Cuba did not disappoint, the Lechon Asado and Ropa Vieja were pretty awesome. Juicy, tasty, all that good stuff. The food gets 5 stars, no doubt about it. The service is where they went south for me. I'm not a demanding customer by any means, but I walked out of this restaurant pretty annoyed at the end of my meal. Our server was more interested in conversing with her coworkers, she forgot parts of our order, ignored (or forgot) our simple requests for items like a salt and pepper shaker; and watched us physically get up, walk over to another table, and grab it ourselves. Completely indifferent. As a sidenote, we were only one of two tables eating lunch at the time, and the party seated at the second table was also very displeased with their service. I'd probably return to this restaurant to pick up a to-go order, though... can't deny the food is bomb.
(3)
Mary Elizabeth A.

Yummy
(5)
Sharon T.

Pitchers of Mohitos ... Delicious great food and lots of it!
(4)
Denby R.

Rounding up for 3.5 stars I was a huge fan before....and my enthusiasm is a little faded. The first time I went here the bartender made me one heck of a capirinha and I was hooked. I had the lechon asado and was wowed. I went last night with my family. They were not too quick to seat us, but it was ok (except my grandmother with her walker was a little tired). No problem, let's get to ordering. The waitress asked if we wanted any drinks, my mom said water all around, my dad started to order a beer and the waitress walked away before checking with teh rest of the table. A few minutes later another male waiter came by and my dad got to order his Pacifico, my husband ordered his Heineken and I ordered a Stella. He came back with their beers and told me the Stella was still warm, so can I change something else...no problem, I ordered Negro Modelo and was happy. We ordered the food: Calamari, Soul and Spanish Samplers, Pargo, Lechon Asado, Sopa de Frijoles Negros, and Ensalada del Mar. Everything tased pretty spot on and delicious, although the sopa de frijoles negros tasted like it had lost its zest and was now just a bowl of boiled black beans. We mixed it with the Pargo's rice and sauce and it was yummers. Water was refilled once. never offered another beer. (I don't think that I remember there being fantastic service here before either). The waitress was offering dessert and seemed genuinely disappointed when we declined. Total price as $160 before tip. The major bummer was that they charged us for the Stella...it took them 10 minutes to take it off the bill. But it worked out in the end. We will be back probably for the food and drinks....not a place to go often as it is pretty pricy and the service is mediocre but worth the experience if you have never been. Review # 9 of 31 Yelps challenge
(4)
Luis R.

So Soul de Cuba Cafe has a small kiosk stand at the NEX. While the mennu is limited I would recommend you go there instead of the downtown location. Why you ask? For starters the cost is about half. I paid $9.00 for Ropa Vieja with rice and beans. Second, the portion size warrants the price. Finally, the Ropa Vieja actually tasted good.
(3)
Faye A.

My mom and I came here for lunch after seeing and ad on a magazine that featured scrumptious Cuban food. We shared the trio of empanadas, bistec palomilla, and a flan and fruit dessert (all having an asterisk indicating it's a house special). The appetizer and dessert were definite winners, but the entree-- eh not so much. The empanadas were really good-- nice flaky crust, flavorful filling, and that mango salsa...Man oh man! We got the flan dessert with the fruits, whipped cream, and caramel. Serious mouth-gasm! The flan was creamy and not too sweet. Most of the sweetness came from the caramelized plantains and the sauce which had an oil-like consistency but tasted like caramel. Definitely a must try! The bistec was no bueno. It was one of the most expensive plates on the menu and the most disappointing. The steak was not seared properly and it was quite tough-- you really had to get in there with the knife and saw each piece. The meat had no color whatsoever and the side dishes that came with it were mediocre. I think they need to cut the price in half because no way am I going to pay $25 for such a small portion. The place is in Chinatown and street parking is quite difficult. Though there is the option of parking in one of the building garages. The service was good. The first waitress we had showed lack of experience especially when asked about the menu. Our second waitress, which replaced the first, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the food.
(3)
Johnny Z.

Great food. A bit on the pricier side, but totally worth it after a long day surviving the swamp romp. Went all out with alligator ceviche, fricase de pollo, flan soul de cuba, y soul mojito. Definitely food for the soul!
(4)
Lora H.

Saw a bottle of this weird "brown" liquid thing... without trying to be absolutely disgusting, the color of that thing was awful, it reminded me of "something." Having said that.... that was some good shiz-nat! So hey, looks can be deceiving. It was their homemade hot sauce! Note to restaurant... add food coloring or something to change the color - do do brown just doesn't go well on a restaurant table. Food - soooo good! I had their black bean chili, it's considered a soup. But be forwarned, it's chili. Nice, hearty, great flavor. And I ordered their lettuce wraps as my meal. Wow... now that is what I call lettuce wraps. Served with ground pork which has an amazing flavor, and chopped onions, carrots, to wrap in the lettuce and some sort of aioli type sauce. Sooo good! Filling and yet you don't feel disgusting and gross! And it had that homestyle flavor... Service - eh. I think I read some other reviews that said the same thing. Kind of slow, so for a downtown work lunch, not the best option if you have a time constraint. The waiter was nice, but unfortunately, ours had just started that week so when I asked him a question about the menu, his answer was "I don't know." Okay, well, to his credit, he went into the back to ask someone and came back with answers. I'm going to have to try something with the plaintains next!!
(4)
Diane K.

I'm from Miami and have been here for 4 months and was missing some Cuban food so we decided to give it a try. I ordered the ropa veija which in my opinion was right on point. The flavoring was perfect. The rice and beans though were lacking taste. Also they didn't have tostada. I had to ask for it and they just brought bread and butter. That was kinda disappointing. My husband had the eggplant and thought it was good .The mojitos and cafe con leche were good and the service was great. The reason I give it 4 stars is for the service. But for the food I will give it a 3.
(4)
Kit W.

My first taste of Soul De Cuba was from its street booth at Hallowbaloo and boy, was that pork slider DELICIOUS!!! The pork had the perfect balance of flavors and was so incredibly tender! My friend and I took one look at one another and an unspoken agreement was formed. We had to get our butts to Soul De Cuba for a full meal PRONTO! A few days later, we were happily seated in the actual restaurant. It's a good thing we called in for a reservation at 5 because they were booked solid from 5:30 on! After some pondering, we ordered the Calamares Fritos and Lechon Asado to share. The Calamares Fritos is basically breaded calamari and was served with mojo aioli and honey mojo dipping sauces. The whole thing was HUGE...my friend and I hardly made a dent in it xD. I would not order this again just because it wasn't exactly yummy and without the honey mojo sauce, would have been very bland. The Lechon Asado, on the other hand, was as delicious as ever. The pork in this dish is basically the same pork that was served on those pork sliders from Hallowbaloo. The dish also came with black bean rice and plantains and was the perfect size for sharing. For libations, my friend went with their rum punch and I went for their famous mojito. They were both good but the mojito was a winner! Both were incredibly strong though so we didn't end up trying the sangria that night. Maybe next time!
(4)
Annie W.

Going to Mardi Gras on an empty stomach was not a good idea. I had no patience for all the delicious food they had to offer at the event. We went straight for a highly recommended place to chow down and get on with enjoying the surrounding festivities. The place was tiny, but yet had a charm. I had the fricase de pollo, my hubby had the ropa vieja and our friend had the eggplant dish w/ calamaris as appetizers. Oh my soul is an understatement! This place was so authentic, you can taste it in every bite. The two pieces of plantains were oh so buttery and just worth the ranting and raving. My chicken just slid off the bone, paired with onions and their black beans mixed in with the rice just made my 'tiring day' turn into ' i heart soul de cuba' night. This place is just as good as Versailles in W LA, if I dare say possibly even better. Here's a cool fact that we found out: At least one of the chef is Cuban American and his recipes is passed down from generation of Cubanos =) The food says it all... I got a taste of the rum flan, served with plantains and a heaping size of whip cream in a presentable martini glass. Sugar rush, anyone?
(5)
Mr B.

This is a toughy as we're not big fans of Cuban food and Soul de Cuba didn't change our minds! Our server was very helpful and quite attentive and the cocktails were the highlight of the evening, closely followed by the black bean soup. The mains though - neither one thing nor the other. Not as spicy as Mex, not as tasty as kalua pig, fish I would have preferred in poke. But that's our taste buds rather than there fault - so 3*s from us. It's probably our propblem not theirs.
(3)
Ed L.

Thank you Yelpers for recommending this place to me. I was extremely interested in what Cuban food tasted like. Having only tasted majority of Asian cuisines all of my life, it was time to dip my hand into something new and experience something new. The location is great, being in the center of downtown Honolulu. The food is so delicious and there was a bit of a line, but it was worth the effort to wait a bit. The ambiance of the restaurant was fun and the bar was excellent. It's all about good food and good times, and Soul De Cuba delivers on that. I think I got a bit tipsy here, but that's alright. The prices are high, but you get quality food and reasonable portions. I would almost always come here again, but not everyday, since the food is delicious to be saved for a special events. Small dining area, but I guess that's how downtown is.
(4)
Jenel O.

Walked up here to meet a client one lunch. At the recommendation of my fellow helpers I had already pre decided on the lechon asado (that's how I roll when I am trying a new place). The food did not disappoint. The meat was so tender and tasty. The rice and plantains were a great compliment. I could probably eat more but wanted leftover to savor one more time. I forgot about my leftovers for about 4 days and decided to give it a try anyway. It was still absolutely great! Service was good. Could've got a water refill way sooner. And it's quite loud in the restaurant making it hard to hear normal conversation. Nothing that would stop me from returning.
(4)
Little D.

This is my one time lunch and one time dinner review. I like the food. They serve a lot of food. I had shared a lunch plate with GF, still a lot of food. I had a plate for myself for dinner. A lot of left over. Great Mohito! YELP 365 - 287/365
(4)
Missy T.

No more alligator ceviche. ME SAD. Also, one Johnny Coolkid lookin waiter was a major dbag when two friends and I went; Totally gave us the cold shoulder when speaking to us - one word answers, snarky looks, but he warmed up very nicely to the cute, haole hipster at the table near us. I mean, girlie was cute, but he definitely missed out on any kind of tip from us. Pricey as a muuuuth - would only go back when I'm looking to splurge, and only if I see people being waited on attentively. Bartender was super nice and seemed to be the only one pulling his weight as far as addressing orders and being attentive to who needed what. Felt bad for him :( Tip for you, Bartender Guy!
(2)
Juliann C.

the GOOD * oxtail -- all the way * mojitos -- mmmmm the BAD * no parking chinatown the WEIRD * reading the history of the restaurant on the back, or was it front of the menu???
(4)
Will B.

Soul de Cuba was a disappointment. The service was slow, the food was average, and the place was loud. We saw our waiter exactly four times in over an hour-and-a-half-- taking our order, delivering the appetizer, and twice to handle the bill. They didn't come by to refill water glasses for almost an hour. Granted, this was a First Friday, so things were busy, but the restaurant is not that large. Four of us ordered and shared several dishes, and they were all fine, but that's it. The ceviche was pretty tasty, but came with not nearly enough bread. The beans and rice were bland, bland -- I could have made them myself. My favorite entree was the lechon asado -- nice sour marinade. I didn't drink there, and that could be a reason why I didn't think too much of the place. (Maybe also why the waiter didn't pay much attention to us.) The drink menu is as large as the food menu, emphasizing especially rum and mojitos. The half-dozen people sitting behind me were drinking a lot and sure seemed to be enjoying themselves (loudly). So this might score higher marks for a bar, but not for a restaurant. I'd heard a lot of good things about Soul de Cuba, so maybe I'm experiencing some letdown-following-overhype. But I wouldn't be very interested in going back unless someone else were paying.
(2)
Lei P.

Located in downtown Honolulu where the parking is bad and the surrounding areas are littered with homeless and etc...Soul De Cuba is a tasty treat for those who are looking for something flavorful to eat. I went with a group of friends and we shared the tapas style appetizer. Fresh meats, cheeses, olives, roasted garlic and bell peppers with two different dipping/spreadable sauces. Delicious. The roasted garlic was divine and didnt leave an offensive garlic taste in my mouth. I ordered the Fricase de Pollo - chicken entree, as did 3 others. It was moist, well seasoned and two generous portions of chicken breast with rice and beans. The service was good. The waitresses were attentive but not overly anxious. The value is good - for the quality. Prices are decent. Desserts are good. Nothing to write home about. Most are light and feature coffee. I would definitely go back. The dining room is small and it can get noisy.
(4)
Nicole K.

I went here with my mom one late afternoon after my class and before my night class. We decided against pizza (more like my mom decided against pizza), so we headed to Soul de Cuba. The owner was our server (because it was empty except for us and one other table). He was such a nice guy, and he explained the whole menu and told us his favorites. We had the soul sampler: papa rellena, devil crab and camarones en mojo. It was amazing. Loved all three of them. They were cooked so well. And it tasted amazing. I was just sad that I had to split it with my mom. Haha. I think it runs for about $15. For my entree I had this roasted pulled pork with onions and other goodies. I forgot what it's called :( But it was delicious. I tried this based on the owner's recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I know my mom did as well. I went to the bathroom, and when I got back I noticed a huge chunk of my pulled pork missing. But don't feel too bad for me. I stole some stuff off of my mom's plate, too. She had
(5)
Patrick G.

I went through many emotions while dining at Soul de Cuba Cafe this evening with my wife. Concerned - We walked in to find that we were the only ones in the restaurant. Were the good reviews on Yelp wrong, did we go on the wrong night of the week - Sunday, were we going to be alone for the entire meal? Relief - While we were ordering food, four other tables came in and the restaurant became a lot more lively. Joyful - The mojito was delicious! It was made fresh, contained good rum, and took me away to the Caribbean. Perplexed - Having only been in the restaurant for a little over 20 minutes, surely it was too early for the food to be coming out. No, the food was ours - fast! Ecstasy - The oxtail entree was prepared perfectly. Fall off the bone meat, great spices, rice and beans, and a tangy hot sauce made this meal extremely enjoyable. Satisfaction - The overall dining experience was great; the food was great, the drinks were great, the evening was a little rushed, but it didn't dampen the mood. I would definitely go back to Saul de Cuba Cafe. I'm looking forward to it.
(4)
Jeff C.

The food is not as flavorful as authentic Latino food and chicken was dry. Customer service was great but for the price the good just doesn't meet the expectations. You could get a better plate lunch and put it on a glass plate for half as much.
(2)
Tasha S.

Great food!!! The sampler was amazing! The next time we're in Honolulu, we'll be sure to stop in here. A hidden gem for sure!!!
(5)
Kat W.

The ox tail plate was delicious...I didn't like the sweet plantains (I think they use bananas ) and I wished they had yucca frita with garlic sauce
(3)
Lorna G.

I've been wanting to try this place for ever. Was excited for some Cuban flava. I'm still waiting! We went for lunch and figured on sticking with traditional Cuban dishes. The black bean soup tasted like they opened a can of black beans and nuked them. That's it. The Cuban sandwich was also a non event. Even the hot sauce just tasted like vinegar. Lunch just left me sad!
(1)
Jhoren C.

WOW! I cannot wait hit up this place up again! why must you only be located in downtown??? and our waitress Jamie was quite Enthusiastic while taking our order. starters: +CIVICHE was refreshingly good! though I had asked the waitress to not have it with cilantro (i hate!) it was not available w/out because it was already pre-made --- here I am thinking oh gosh now im gonna have to spend my sweet ass time picking each and every cilantro out. to my surprise there were hardly any! and the taste wasn't overpowering *whew!* main course: +Lechon Asado---oh my if I were to ever start eating pork more frequently it would have to be prepared this way. Succulent shreds of meat in your mouth and the black bean rice makes it a match made in heaven, though I could do without the sweet bananas they add on the side. dessert: +mango empanada, only thing I would change about this is that they should add vanila bean ice cream instead of whipped cream
(4)
George G.

I've eaten at Sol de Cuba many times, but this one might seal the deal for me to not return again. So we met some long time friends that were in town for a few days, my wife planned it out to meet there and have some good Cuban food. As I turned into the Chinatown district, I knew it was not a good sign when I saw the "First Friday crowds". I knew the crowds (drunks , freaks and the parking) is not something I wanted to deal with after a long day at work. So, we order our entrees (didn't order my usual) I wanted to try something different, after 15 minutes of waiting 3 of the 4 meals are brought out to the table. I told everyone to not wait for my food to dig in their food. After another 5-10 minutes, my dinner comes out. The waitress was nice and apologetic for me waiting. I started to eat the chicken breast, had the first 2 cut from the edge of the was ok and then as I had the 3rd piece. That's when I knew something want right, but couldn't figure it out what exactly was up with my food. Then my friend mentioned his chicken wasn't thoroughly cooked and he had his wife taste it. She said it was under cooked. At that time it hit me too, maybe my chicken may be not done either. So I flipped it over and then saw it (even in the dim dinner room lighting) that the chicken was not cooked on the other end at all, as I was placing the knife to the chicken, you could see the muscle fibers of the meat. It was cooked on one side only, that's the reason why the edges were ok, but once I got the the 3rd piece which was the interior of the meat it was gross! I told the waitress and she tried to apologize for the screw up and offer to redo the meal, my friend got his redone, but I wasn't going to take another chance to these incompetent cooks place my life in their hands. So I kindly declined her offer and told her I want feeling well. After several minutes my friend got his 2nd plate and I noticed the waitress was leaving. We was never told who our next waiter/waitress will be...until some guy stopped by to refill our drinks. Another bad sign that service is going down hill...the manager NEVER stopped by the table to apologize or provide a comp. Especially when your cook almost gave someone food poisoning, the right thing to do is damage control. I guess everyone was too busy focused on FF instead of providing quality customer service and a memorable experience for those that are paying you & your staff salary. So if you are planning to go there in the near future, be sure to inspect your food thoroughly before eating it. If YELP would allow 0 stars, this is definitely an experience ghat deserves it!!
(1)
Marcia C.

Delicious food! Great amount for a great price too. I haven't gone when it was busy so my service was quick and I had no more trouble with parking then usual for Chinatown. Absolutely zero complaints. What more needs to be said?
(5)
Chris M.

I got a pork dish with some really unique flavors. It was quite tasty and made me want to come back and try more of their dishes.
(4)
Teresa V.

Currently at Soul de Cuba and we ordered the Ropa Vieja and Rabo Encendido. What a HUGE disappoinent. For starters, the rice and beans were cold, the rice was hard as if it was made yesterday. The Rabo (oxetail) had all the fat-they clearly didnt clean it prior to seasoning it. The fat has to be removed. Presentation sucks-for a meal so overpriced at least present it well-serve it separately bc honestly, if it doesnt look appetizing, what will prompt anyone to try it? So, we switched to Cuban sandwiches and it tasted sweet. If they want to fool the locals serving them "Cuban" food, well, they are getting away with it. But dont hope that the Spanish tourists will enjoy it. The place itself is cozy but overpriced for the quality and quantity of the food.
(2)
Lindsey S.

1st time here, I'll review three things: the food, the atmosphere, and the service. I'll start off by saying ill come back but not for the service. Loved that they had vegetarian and seafood options. Ordered the three tapas plater, spicy garbanzo beans and great cheese and meat selection. Wish they had a bit more cheese though, only had three slices. I ordered the honey salmon and my husband ordered the seafood salad. Great taste to the peppers that are served with it, had just the right amount of honey. Came with mashed sweet potato it's was all right complemented the salmon, didn't finish them though. My husbands seafood salad had a good fishy taste, looked cheap. It was served on romain lettuce, nothing special there. The fishy taste I mentioned was for the sardines on top of everything, overpowered a lot of the dish. Both dishes were petty good though. Nice ambiance. The dark colors and low lighting made it for a nice dinner with friends. The music selection was great, played Celia Cruz a lot, loved it. The lights from the theater across the street shinning through the windows was pretty cool. Okay, so coming here I was expecting waiters/waitresses who spoke just a bit (at least) of Spanish. I was so wrong. My waiter had to take back the plate he though I had ordered, and brought out the menu because he couldn't understand what I was ordering when I was pronouncing it exactly the way it's supposed to. And it was the EASIEST one on the menu, the Salmon! But I was saying it in Spanish.. Theres not much of a difference. After getting the order wrong, he would always glance over, making my husband and friends pretty annoyed. I can see why he got the order wrong, he did not write our orders down and only only had 3 word sentences at the most. Very rude. He practically threw the vinaigrette on the table for my husbands salad. and refilled everyone's water except for mine. Maybe he was having a bad day, who knows. If that's the case, personal life shouldn't bleed into your job performance. I did like this place, I'll come back but I'm in no rush to get treated like this anytime soon.
(3)
Jeanie A.

I went with my friend for a late bite to eat on a Saturday night. We had the empanadas with a side of beans and rice. The empanadas were filled with chicken beef and vegetables. 2 of each. The beef ones were my favorite. The crust on them were amazing so crispy. Definitely not loe calorie. We had a glass of New Age wine on ice with lime which was great!
(4)
Sara S.

Yay I'm so happy I FINALLY got to try this place!! Been bookmarked for awhile, it was on my bucket list in HI before I leave for a good 7 freaking months :( ANYWAYS, I would make reservations a day in advance for sure if you are going on a weekend. Tried to make reservations on the day of last weekend and it was FULL. Crazy. Rolled up to Soul de Cuba on a Saturday night- it's the place with the palm trees outside, you really can't miss it if you're on Bethel. OOOo and it's right by Fighting Eel!!! Let's not get distracted though. Thank you Yelpers for the recommendation of Ropa Vieja!!! It was delicious. Kind of like Carnitas but in a tomato stew sauce. These were accompanied by a bunch of Spanish lingo that we didn't know such as Arroro something something (rice) and frijoles negros (black beans)... yes we don't know these things. It also came with 2 little plantains which were pretty sweet, making me think they were just plain bananas. I had plantains in Honduras before and they were much more starchy and not as sweet. Anyways all that aside, I would definitely recommend this. The ropa vieja is such a flavorful comfort food dish. But in our humble opinions, the star of the show was actually the TAPAS SAMPLER!!!!!!! My friends and I split this bad boy and it was SO DELICIOUS!! Crispy chickpeas packed a spicy punch, stuffed olives nom nom nom, EGGPLANT CHUTNEY AND HUMMUS ON CROSTINI!!!! EEEP. Also Manchengo and Salami/Procuitto!! WIN WIN WIN So many exclamation marks to give for this platter. The service was a bit awkward... I mean our waiter was super awks, like he didn't know what recommendations to make when we asked him, and he seemed nervous. I think he was a newbie, but he was pleasant. Also what was kind of suspicious to me was that when we got there our table wasn't ready. We were 5 minutes late so we were a little worried but then even when we got there it wasn't ready!! Other tables had little "reserved" signs on them so did they forget our reservation!??! Regardless, I loved my meal and I will be back for some good cuban food! :D
(4)
Mari S.

I was first introduced to Cuban food in 2010 when my BF took me to Soul de Cuba. As far as I know, this is the only Cuban restaurant in Honolulu. We've been back at least 3 or 4 times since. The food here is DELICIOSO! Yes, I'm trying to spice things up with a little Spanish! =D My BF always orders the bistec palomilla. This has to be one of the best dishes on the menu. I sometimes will take a few picks at his plate (if there is any remaining) and it tastes gooooood! I've tried the black bean chili, empanadas a la carte and ropa vieja. The chili and empanadas are appetizers, but when ordering those two together, its just enough food for me! However, on our visit last week, I tried the ropa vieja and this dish has won me over! The shredded beef was excellent. I decided on a glass of the campo viejo reservation tempranillo. My BF and I came to a consensus that the wine was nothing impressive. Mines was alright, but his malbec was a bit of a disappointment. I guess you should stick with the mojitos here! The service is adequate. My one complaint would be that the waitress seemed quite unknowledgeable about the wine list. This was unfortunate for us, because had we been giving a little more information on the wine, we could have made a better decision when ordering. The dishes are a bit on the pricey end, but I guess they can get away with it being the only Cuban restaurant in Hawaii. =P
(4)
K G.

Absolutely awesome!!!! Still drooling over their habanero dip. It wasn't very spicy at all. We went on Sangria Sunday. $5 sangrias. They were great. Good was really good too.
(5)
Kelly T.

I saw a great Cuban joint on the show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Monday night, so my man treated me to this local Cuban joint in Chinatown over lunch yesterday. I have never experienced Cuban food before, but the Wiki page says it's a merge of Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines. Very interesting, and full of flavor. When I got there, he had already ordered and had just been served the Soul Sampler appetizer: Papas Rellenas on a plate with croquetas de jaiba and a little nibble of fried plantain, accompanied with homemade habanero/mango salsa. It was a party in my mouth. We got our Cubanos just as we were wrapping up the last few bites, and those were NOT a disappointment. Looked just like the ones on the show! I really liked the ingredient combo on that sandwich, which is probably why they're a classic staple in Cuban fare. This sandwich is no joke; a "Cubano" has baked ham, salami, marinated roast pork, swiss cheese and pickles and is served on pressed cuban bread with mayo and mustard. It was built. I had the second half cold for lunch today, as I type this, and it was just as good cold on it's second day. Feeling adventurous? The rest of their menu looks equally appealing. What an awesome treat! Lunch service was attentive and immediate, food was perfect. I'm told it books solid at night, so call ahead for reservations. Little high on the price tag, but you're not getting McDonalds. It's worth it, especially to impress a co-worker, boss, or hot date.
(4)
Mike B.

It pains me to give this place 3 stars, because when their game is on it is 5 star worthy. I've gone there about 10 times now and 70% of the time it's fucking fantastic, the other 30% have been disappointing, due to poor service and or inconsistent quality in the drinks or desserts. Their main entrees and apps are pretty consistent on quality. Their Mojitos are to die for when made on a good night. For apps the papas rellenas are pretty good softball sized fried potato balls with seasoned meat in them, I just wish they didn't garnish the plate with wilted lettuce. Favorite entrees have been the pollo miel y mojo and the vieja rope. As for dessert flan ambiente is excellent when done right; when done right the carmel is thick and gooey dark brown mess of awesomeness, when they are slacking the carmel is watery and clear. I love this place but they need to get their consistency and service in check.
(3)
Sherylynn S.

I like the restaurant and their service. The food melt my mouth so I would be brutal honest to say its a five!
(5)
Efrain P.

I stopped by after class one day and thought Id give this place a try. Coming from Miami where there are a bunch of places that offer Cuban food and know what to expect of well cooked Cuban food, I had very high hopes for this place from its 4 star rating I saw on Yelp. I really appreciated the Latin atmosphere via music and wall decorations and they had an inviting bar. There are high tables with stools also which I thought was cool. That day I ordered their Cubano sandwich and had potato chips on the side. I thought the sandwich was ok and nothing special and chips pfff. The steep price I paid for the meal made me question whether I would return or not. I think I will give them another chance in hopes that their other dishes are much better but as far as the Cubano sandwich, in my opinion it was meh. One of the downsides to this place is that it was sort of cramped and when the place gets filled it starts to get loud where your pretty much having to use your outside voice in order to be heard by your company or waiter/waitress. My table was also a bit wobbly. I always give every place a second go before I rule it out for good so I will definitely give there other dishes a chance plus I would like to try their famous margarita. Who knows I might change my mind about this place but one thing for sure is that the food here should be made more affordable and should not cost so much for food that is fairly cheap at local grocery stores.
(3)
Nathan N.

If you haven't eaten here in a year or two, go back and let me know what you think. I was there recently and ordered the Soul Sampler. First thing I noticed was "Wow, everything except the shrimp got bigger." Then the next thought I had was "Uh-oh, that's not a good sign." When a restaurant increases the portion size, that usually means the food quality has gone down. And sure enough, I think I was right. Can someone else who used to frequent Soul de Cuba, confirm this for me?
(4)
Jesse K.

Well we ordered 3 margaritas. That was 36.00! We ordered ceviche, which was not like the fresh ceviche I had had in Mexico. But my wife thought it was pretty good. We ordered some very fried heavy appetizer sampler thing that was pretty good, though the plantains NEED sour cream! Plantains with sour cream and black beans are DEEE LISH! (more of a Salvadorean style to serve it with sour cream, I guess.) We ordered the pork dish. 19.00!! I mean it was good, but not 100.00 good. For that, we'd go to 12th Avenue Grill. So the pork was good, looked like Kalua Pig but better, with deeper flavoring. So, good food, but not 100.00 good! our bill with 2 appetizers, 3 cocktails and 1 main dish was $110.00 with tip. OUCH!
(2)
Tracy M.

Giving it two stars since I don't have that much money to throw away. When entered the place and expected more people. There only three group of people who were there for lunch. I asked for the menu, then wallah! Bingo! The prices were far too high for lunch. A small fillet of salmon with string beans/sweet mashed potato for about $20.00??? $5.00 plantation without a free refill (with the ice it was only two shot glasses full?). Also the fish was sweet with a little spice, which I don't particularly care for. Unless they make it more affordable, I believe they won't see the high turn over for lunch that they desperately need to increase their revenue. Anyways, it's just my two cents worth!
(2)
David J.

My friend introduced me to this place and I've been here several times since. I ABSOLUTELY love this place and one of the better Mexican restaurants in Hawaii...oh wait...it's a Cuban restaurant. Crap....is that kind of the same food? Beans, rice, and meat? I apologize to all the Cubans and Mexicans in Hawaii for making this gross mistake and I didn't mean to offend anyone. Anyways, this is one of the nicest hispanic restaurants in Hawaii coupled with a very nice chill atmosphere. It really made me feel like I was in Cuba.....but that testament doesn't mean much since I've never been to Cuba. I would absolutely love to go to Cuba very soon. Can someone please lift the travel ban on Cuba? I had the Pollo de Moderno and my taste buds were sizzling with excitement. It was so good that I've only tried this dish. I'm sure the other dishes result in a similar experience. What's even better is that the price is very reasonable. They also have a pretty good selection of Cuban and other hispanic beers. Anyways, something this good is of course very popular and they unfortunately have a very limited seating capacity. Best to come here on a off day else expect to do some waiting. Waiting is definitely worth it for this restaurant. Anyways...this is a must try if you love Me...errrr Hispanic foods!
(5)
Jack C.

Mr. Smidgens is on the islands and when we come to Hawaii we always look for a new to us restaurant that will be the gathering place for that year. Ding ding ding!!! We have a winner and that winner is Soul De Cuba. My team started off with a picture of mojitos. That's right a wonderful elixir of muddled to perfection ingredients to prime us for the meal to come. We ordered a plate of empanadas that were melt in your mouth delicious. After a second pitcher of mojitos we received our food. I ordered the pollo soul de cuba and the combination of flavors from the chicken to the mango guava salsa was mouth watering. My teammates ordered the bistec palomilla and the picadillo. They both looked wonderfully tasty and I will have to try them when we go back. You can go to their website and drool over the menu before you go. The dining area is very small so if you have a large party I would recommend a reservation. I can't wait to go back to the gathering place. Mahalo
(4)
Florence K.

Soul de Cuba Cafe is definitely one of my favorites for lunch, because those plates are just packed with flavor. Fellow Yelper Jon P. was on his way to Korea and wanted to eat something he couldn't eat there, so we decided on Soul de Cuba Cafe. Again, parking is SO hard to find around here, especially since it's located downtown. I had to circle around the nearby streets, until I finally gave up and just parked on Nuuanu, closer to Longs and Safeway. Yeah, the parking meters here only go up to an hour, so if you plan to eat for a while, it'd suck to leave the restaurant and walk up (which I had to do) and go back. I finally decided to go against my rule that "only alcoholics drink before the sun goes down" and ordered a sangria. I blame Jon P. for this, since he's been an alky lately, and since he ordered a mojito...I HAD to get something. I liked the sangria, but I don't think I'd order it again here, before I tried something else. We decided to share plates so that he could try everything and got the Soul Sampler and the Bistec Palomilla (only because they were out of Ropa Vieja =[). The soul sampler was delicious. I especially love the papa rellena which is served with salsa. It's just fried potatoes wrapped marinated ground beef. Yummy, I tell ya. I also love the platanos. The crab cakes..I'm not the hugest fan of crab...so this was just BLEH to me. I was bummed that they were out of the Ropa Vieja, but the Bistec Palomilla was delicious as well, just not as good. It's a sirloin steak with onions on top of white rice and black beans. Full of flavor. I enjoyed my meal, and I'm sure Jon P. did as well. I'll have to wait for his review to see. Service here was good, as always. Even with a full restaurant and only two people working the front, they were attentive and kept themselves busy the entire time. Oh, Soul de Cuba, until we meet again!
(4)
A P.

Nice atmosphere - Cuban decor and music, servers were very nice, and the food was great. Went for lunch and it wasn't too busy. I got the steak sandwich which was excellent and tried my husbands catfish sandwich which was also good, but I preferred the steak. We got the empanadas for an appetizer which were good, but I wasn't a fan of the "vegetable" one which had plantains in it making it kind of sweet.
(5)
Anita C.

I've been here more than a few times and I wish there were more places like this on island! I miss spanish cookin! I usually stick to the oxtail because it is just so yummy! They even have virgin mojoitos! which is great for me since I don't drink. There has been a time or two that the rice was a little crunchy, but they were good and brought me out more edible rice. The problem with this place is that it is really small and it gets packed quick! So if can, make a reservation!!!! or get there super early.
(5)
Melissa K.

3.75 stars. Every Monday (and throughout the week), one of my favorite chicas and I impatiently wait for Friday, our weekly pau hana palooza day. Since Soul de Cuba is down the street from Du Vin, one of our favorite places, we were eager to try their Happy Hour, which we learned is held Monday to Thursday so Friday palooza was out and a rescheduling was deemed necessary. The cafe is cute and quaint, and is definitely one of the "better" pau hana places in terms of food quality and class in the Honolulu area. Chica and I loved the $4-5 drinks and the $6 appetizers. My sangria ($4) wasn't overly sweet but was tasty despite having limited alcohol. The calamari was ok but not spectacular, and I wasn't into the dipping sauces which felt overwhelming and too thick so instead I used the chili pepper water as a sauce. We also ordered the Louisa salad ($7) which had a good amount of avocado and just the right amount of dressing. It was definitely delicious and we really enjoyed it. Service was excellent. Chica and I will definitely be back.
(3)
Ji-hye Y.

I really love this place. Such a beautiful quaint restaurant in downtown. I have tried four entree and one salad and three appetizer. I just love their pollo soul de Cuba. I always ask extra mango salsa for more fruity and sweet taste. The chicken piece is .... I wish if it is a little bit bigger. Almost all of their entrees come with rice, hot black bean, fried banana. Their papa rellena is a good appetizer ( deep fried potato meatball) . When 2girls go there and do not want to eat too much, 1entree+papa rellena is enough. Their drink menu is all super good especially their mojito is outstanding. They have good sangria and cranberry juice too. Love their music, atmosphere, food. My friend who visited from another country told me she loved this place the most over all the restaurant she've tried in Hawaii. Please please give me more chicken katsu for my pollo soul de Cuba!!! -I tried their lunch. Love their salad but their sandwich was......nah...... We ordered the most expensive sandwich and the meat inside was too dry and really difficult to chew T.T I didn't like it at all. I am not sure if it is always like beef jerky or only that day.
(4)
Anne K.

I grew up in south Florida and Cuban food has always been among my favorite ethnic cuisines so when a co-worker told me about Soul de Cuba I knew I had to try it. It was serendipity that we got there early (6pm on a Friday evening) but now that I have ready some of these reviews I imagine early is best. We were only the second table to be seated but by the time we left, most of the tables were full. The atmosphere is great - lively Cuban music and lots of great pix on the walls making it feel like "old Havana." We had already made up our minds about dinner by the time we ordered drinks so we ordered it all at the same time. The meal arrived only a few minutes after the drinks and while it would have been nice to have enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail, I'd still rather have things move along than to wait forever. Sounds like some Yelpers had the latter experience instead :-( Both the Havana Cocktail and the Soul Margarita was delish! But I though they were a little on the small size. The meals were also delish and definitely on the larger size. Half of my lechon asado is beckoning from my fridge even as I type. My husband ordred the ropa vieja and ate it all. We didn't order dessert because we were trying to get to a movie so I can't provide any insight there, but I will definitely return to Soul de Cuba!
(4)
Nicole S.

THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE WORST SERVICE I HAVE EVER HAD AT A RESTAURANT OF THIS CALIBER. GREAT FOOD, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO TRAIN THEIR STAFF AS SERVICE PROFESSIONALS. Pros: Generous portions, nice atmosphere (music, decor), tasty food. Cons: Where do I start? 1. There were 8 of us eating. The first 5 dishes came out in a timely fashion. At least one item was cold, though. The others did not come out for 7 minutes, with no apologies or warning from the waitstaff. Even when called over, the staff did not apologize. 2 of the last 3 items came out after 7 minutes of waiting, and both were hot. The last item was 1 minute more. The server did not bring a soup spoon for someone with a soup entree. We had to ask him 3 times. 2. The lighting above our table went from pleasantly romantic and dim to fiercely bright during dinner, and when we asked the server/bartender to make it dim again, he acted like we were crazy. Very rude. Later in the evening the light above our table got bright again. Irritating. 3. Staff cleared some dishes at the table without asking if people were finished (food still on plate). Staff set the back of their hand down on the table and waited for person to turn around and respond to being finished. WTF. 4. Busser was overly dramatic about late food coming out and never apologized. When we asked about the food coming out, he rudely and loudly responded that it was coming soon. Made it seem like we were being rude for asking. 5. The check. THIS WAS THE WORST PART. Server brought the check. 7 of us had cash, and were passing around the table. I had a credit card. Asked if I could put my portion on the card (I had figured out the amount due). Server said he needed to wait for the others to pay. He also said "normally everyone has a card, and one has cash" I told him this was the opposite scenario. I told him we had it handled, everyone else had cash. HE STOOD NEXT TO THE TABLE AND WAITED AND WATCHED WHILE WE COUNTED THE CASH. I asked again, this time in a firm tone, to please run my card (I needed to leave immediately). He still waited and stared at those counting their money. I almost stood up and got in his face. I told him to run my card, NOW- we've got the bill taken care of. He finally walked away to run the card. Dear Sol de Cuba manager: You need to have a talk with the gentleman working as a bartender/server on Friday, Dec. 9. His service was rude and incredibly unprofessional. We really enjoyed the food (those dishes which were served hot), but I wouldn't consider coming back if the service remains the same. I've worked in restaurants for 12 years, from diners to fine dining. I have managed successful establishments in SF and Portland. I would consider myself a food service "professional".
(2)
Larry B.

Chinatown Dangerous Part II: After drinks at Bamboo 2.0, we walked the 1/2 block to Soul De Cuba, running into some friends going to Stomp along the way. That's the thing about living downtown, you never know who or what will come your way. This was just a random Wednesday night that started with Martinis and ended up landing us in Cuba...or Hawaii's version of it anyway. Upon entering, you are greeted with the sounds of Cuban jazz, and for some reason it was screaming at me to order a mohito! I did, and my girl decided on their sangria. Both were excellent and paired nicely with the fried options brought to us on the Soul Sampler. The papa rellena were light and fluffy bites of potato and hash, and the devil crab was like a cross between a corn dog and a crab cake taking me back to 9 year old memories on the boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland. For dinner we shared the Ropa Vieja; nicely seasoned pulled beef served with white rice and black beans, and we ordered a couple more glasses of the sangria, which was perfectly blended with fresh fruit, and a little sugar. Really good! Full to the brim, and pleasantly buzzed, we were convinced by our waiter to order the chocolate brownie dessert, with vanilla ice cream, and some fresh fruit, that looked a lot like the fruit from the sangria. It wasn't bad, I mean how's a hot brownie and ice cream ever bad! Overall, I loved the ambiance. So colorful and having the lights of Honolulu Theater shining in through the big glass windows, felt a little more New York and a little less Downtown. A nice evening to get away from the stresses of the work day, and the walk home wasn't bad either. Usually when locals use the phrase "lucky we live Hawaii" we are referring to the weather, the beaches, and the local food. I guess after living here for so long and going through the daily grind, that doesn't include the beach or the weather, my "lucky I live Hawaii moment" is finding the metropolitan lifestyle that I think 9 times out of 10 is lacking in this state. Surprisingly enough where I find my haven is a place where most people shy away from. A place that while growing up, my father told me not to go down to alone. There is one Sin City left in Hawaii, and its China town, my town, and I love her for it...
(4)
Janelle W.

Easily my favorite restaurant in Honolulu. I have yet to find anything on the menu that I don't love. I bring people here all the time because I know they won't be disappointed! Fantastic drinks (including some delicious concoctions with ginger) and well sized, tasty dishes. Favorite appetizer is their ceviche. My friend and I just ordered it for the first time recently and when it came out we were a little unsure since it doesn't look like all that much but one bite and we were in heaven. Favorite main dish is their ropa vieja but really give me anything with platanitos (plantains) and I am sold! My friend can't get enough of their oxtails. And of course leave room for dessert! Flan or fruit empanadas? Do what we usually do and go with both ;)
(5)
Ilene B.

When this quaint little place opened the food quality, service and atmosphere was awesome. Just went back recently and was really disappointed. They took over the space next door, so it's open and just appears hodge podge as far as tables and furniture. When the food came out it looked like it was slopped on the plate in a rushed manner. It didn't look appealing like it used too as well as lost some of its flavor. The wait staff is still friendly, but slow and not catering to us as much as they used to. Had to wait 10 minutes when I asked for a drink, and they weren't that busy. My 5 star rating definitely fell to a 3 star. Just hope that if they continue to expand that they will pay better attention to the food and customer service...since it takes away from the quaintness and atmosphere.
(3)
Dan T.

What respectable Cuban restaurant does not have churrasco? The service was acceptable, but they were out of ceviche due to the big Mardi Gras celebration (understandable). The restaurant was Cuban-like at most. They didn't even have the Cuban staple: arroz con pollo. I may be spoiled because I am from South Florida, but this place was dÃ©bil (weak).
(2)
Tiffany A.

Yummy!!! I love this place (-: The food is so delicious. I tried something new and went back to something I've had before. Decided to try the sangria. It was refreshingly fruity and sweet! According to the waiter has apples and cantaloupe but he didn't really want to say. LOL Then I got the Media Niche. Yum! Haven't had this in so long and it still taste the same (-: It's a big portion served with a salad or chips. The salad is good because the dressing is this honey balsamic flavor of goodness. The sandwich is so big I had some to take home (-: Although a little pricey it's well worth it!
(5)
Noelani C.

Great if you want big portions and nice cuban food in a small romantic restaurant ambiance, in addition with great mojitos! The downside of Soul de Cuba is being pricey and somewhat indifferent service. The wait staff has a tendency to disappear for long stretches of time if you do not place your order right away, especially when it's crowded on weekends.
(3)
Nanilei d.

Looking for a great Mojito? You've come to the right place mi amigo! Just get the pitcher--you'll thank me later...I promise! Now that you know what to drink--let's talk food. Empanadas are a must. The Ceviche a little sweet, but nothing a few limes can't fix. The Sampler Platter with the Fried Garbanzo beans are fab--but if you don't like spicy, then you can either drink more Mojitos or request for a mild version. Don't bother with any of the salads--not their forte. Chili--ask for extra bread and dunk it! My mouth is watering thinking about it! I love this place and will go back again and again and again!
(4)
Cintamani A.

The first two times I absolutely adored the place. I think the decor helped since it's very lively and eye catching. The sandwiches that are only available at lunchtime are really good though basically just stuffed to the gill with meat. The entrees can either be divine or utterly bland depending on who's cooking that night. Also, at this time I find the menu to be a bit dull and repetitive. Because of that I'm hesitant to go back besides the usual long wait. However, the rum they serve is the genuine article. That stuff will make boys into men if you get my drift. Speaking of boys some of the cooks like 14 year old Cuban boys which is a bit awkward and kind of funny. Also, one of the few places that has the presence of tv that is actually a nice experience since they showcase videos of Cuba and the culture. I am a big fan of their drinks so will bump it up a star. Strong flavorful rum, refreshing cold cocktail classics and nice fruity concoctions. Perfect drinks for the afternoon lush crowd. Next time in the area during a sunny afternoon I'm definitely stopping by for a mojito and an appetizer.
(3)
Dev C.

Off the starting line, the Papa Rellena is excellent. It's a ball of win with a spiced ground beef core, embraced on all sides by warm mashed potato, lightly breaded, then deep-fried. The Lechon Asado was good and well made, but it didn't rox0rz my socks in any crazy way. The only thing is, I can shove a ton of this stuff in my face and no doubt it'll still be good, but the entire journey will taste the same. For me it was a one-trick pony. The Pollo Soul De Cuba was refreshingly different. Picture a chicken katsu topped with a mango/onion/blackbean salsa. This dish affords you the option of changing flavors on each bite. Want more sweet? Add mango. More earthy tones? Add beans and so on. Or even chicken by itself... the mango and bean juices will flavor the breading on the chicken breast so it's still interesting when going commando.
(4)
Becky L.

I had dinner at Soul De Cuba, it was a good meal overall but I suppose I left wanting more....A meal for three, 3 drinks, and one appetizer came to just over 100 dollars before tip, in all honesty my shrimp with salsa were good, but not really worth 22 bucks. 6 shrimp...rice and beans...lets be fair, it was a bit much. Overall, the meal was good but not great. I would say the highlight of the meal was the empenadas .... They were amazing, light and perfectly cooked with well balanced veggie, chicken, or beef filling. The service was a bit sketchy, and at times clumsy. Overall we had a nice time, I might go back if the prices were adjusted a bit....or at least go back for a plate of the empenadas! :)
(3)
Nonya B.

I love food, tried this place once and i have to say i will come back, i had the ceviche for appetizer and crab cake, not bad not bad, and for my entree Rabo Encendido, OMG! broke your mouth good! and the rice that came with it was very flavorful, im just sad they forgot my wine i order and reminded them twice
(4)
Courtney B.

Soul de Cuba just saved my life. Going on the fourth day of a serious head cold, I decided it was time for some drastic measures. So for lunch today I stopped by Soul de Cuba for some of their chicken ginger soup. It's super rich clear broth loaded with vegetables and torn chunks of chicken breast. The ginger and pepper kicks were perfect, and exactly what I needed to clear up my non-functioning nasal cavities. Plus, the broth coated my sore throat as it was going down, to the point where I can now make the 16 phone calls I have been avoiding all day. I normally go to Soul de Cuba for their fun happy hour with great mojitos and pupus. While that's still good, as are the media noche and soul cubano sandwiches, I think Soul de Cuba is my new secret weapon against sniffles and coughing.
(4)
Tracy S.

"It's Mojito Monday!" exclaimed Chris, who appeared to be the manager that afternoon. We all raised our glasses, smiled at each other, and vibrantly agreed. Then, we all expressed in somewhat of a unison, "I love Soul de Cuba." My many, many delightful experiences at Soul de Cuba goes a lot like that Monday afternoon experience - + relatively large group + planned ahead and made a reservation to secure our spots for greatness + extremely happy with their specialty drinks (no shame drinking before noon at this haven or anywhere if you're anything like us!) + left begging for more after delicious appetizers (i.e. papa rellena for ~$5 each, cup of black bean chili for ~$3 [cheap!]) + mouth-watering main dishes that send us back to reality in a dream-state and so completely satisfied (some of our all-time favorites: ropa vieja for ~$14, fricase de pollo [aka fricken chicken] for ~$15, cubano sandwich with chips for ~$8, eggplant milanesa for ~$16) In my most recent Soul de Cuba stint, we made reservations for the same day and also put in our drink, appetizer, and main dish orders 15 minutes before our reservation time (thank you, Reynold!). We seriously wasted zero time. We try to use every and any reason to go to Soul de Cuba (i.e. "Birthday? Who's birthday? Soul de Cuba!", "Crappy day? Soul de Cuba!", "What? You've never been? Soul de Cuba!" etc.) The last time we were there, one of us picked up an informational brochure on renting out the entire restaurant for ~$20 per person for food and limited drinks. In case it wasn't horribly obvious, we love Soul de Cuba.
(5)
Teresa M.

We ordered take out so can't comment on service or ambiance. Although it did look like a cute place. One of us having grown up on Cuban food...it's not bad. But our Cuban options are limited here. The Lechon Asado was delicious, but not a traditional lechon.The ropa veija was good. The empanadas were "eh"...i wouldn't order it again. But the Guava empanada was excellent. We'll go back as it will fill the Cuban void until we head back to NY to our favorite Cuban restaurant Havana Alma De Cuba in NYC.
(4)
Lauren S.

SOOO BOOOMBB!!! Loved the plantains and shrimp ... And paintings of Orisha gods/goddesses everywhere. Great location/ambiance. Great drinks, love this spot.
(5)
Traci H.

I didn't expect to find cuban food in a cute little place but it's a cute little restaurant right across the Hawaii Theatre. The empanadas are pretty sizeable but it's mostly the breading and not too much filling. The filling tastes a little odd and is a little dry (chicken, beef and veggie). Not to hearty fillings and the veggie one seemed like mostly onion. But hey, they're still fun finger food but don't expect street food kind of empanadas from latin america... I had the fricase chicken with rice and beans and it was pretty good. The chicken has an unusual taste but enjoyable. I think it was two thighs though; I'd rather have had chicken breast but I don't know if they serve it. Enjoyable. The salads I saw were pretty sizeable as well. I think Salads were like $10-15 and the mains were $15-20+ (the plates like the chicken and rice dishes) They're friendly too and they take reservations! It's a little small so I'd recommend making reservations if you want to make sure you can sit. I think I'd be back but I don't know if I'd call this one of the better cuban restaurants I've been to. But then again, I wasn't sure Hawaii even had cuban restaurants, so it was a fun find.
(3)
Chris W.

Food was awesome. Service was great. We had the lechon asado and the fricase de pollo. Good stuff. Would get 5 stars but a little overpriced; even for hawaii.
(4)
Nell C.

This Cuban restaurant is the best to go to with a large group of friends. The server was friendly and amicable. This quaint restaurant is small inside but the plethora of appetizers and entrees are anything but small. Each dish is packed with flavor. It's great to go with friends because you are able to try each others dishes. I recommend the Rabo Encendido, lean oxtails seasoned and cooked in red wine sauce served with arroz blanco, frijoles negros and platanos. This dish is absolutely to die for.... LOVED EVERY BITE...Don't HATE. Other dishes to recommend are the ceviche, lechon asado and pollo soul de cuba. Don't miss the Flan soul de cuba and mojito cheesecake. Even though you think you've had enough at dinner, you'll be able to squeeze in the desert! Don't forget to order a pitcher of the Mojito!!!!
(5)
David B.

Ate here with some friends last week. It was the first time in many years and I had forgotten the place. My recollection was the food was not so interesting. This time, I found the food to be very good and I would go back again for the food had it not been for the service. We waited 10 or 15 minutes just to get water. It was about 20 minutes until our waiter finally came to get drinks for us. I think part of the problem is they have waiters serving both of the rooms, so what that means is that they don't have their eye on what's really going on on their station. If it was right there in front of them they could see everything at once at the service would probably be better. I'd like to go back there, but I won't go to any place that has lousy service. Service is part of the entire experience.
(2)
Jenni C.

This was my second visit to this restaurant, went with a friend for dinner. Service was great! Prompt, attentive staff, really nice people to be around. Being from NY I have had better cuban food, but to be in Hawaii I guess it works. I had the steak with black beans and rice, with plantain. Plantain was really good, I wish they would give more. The steak and rice was also good. Not sure if I would visit often but I may hit this spot again to try something different.
(3)
Bert M.

Finally, a Cuban restaurant I have found in Honolulu. All you need to know is that you want to eat here, you will eat here and it is awesome! I wasn't let down at all by this place. Loved it!
(5)
A F.

This place is small but awesome!! The food is so flavorful and delicious! We will definitely come back here again!! :)
(5)
Melissa A.

Went here with about 10 peeps, kinda late - we were the only ones left in the restaurant. It's a very small space, so be prepared to get close. The service was great, especially considering that it was late and they all probably wanted to go home - or at least close up and hit the bar. Loved loved loved the food. Seriously, everyone was happy with their food. I highly recommend the ropa vieja - super good. Large portions (took half of my dish home, and yeah baby, got it to eat it the next day!). Not too pricey, good drinks. Definitely had a good time.
(4)
Amy P.

Went back last month, service was great. Mojitos were yummy and food was good. Ok for being the only Cuban place on island.
(3)
Wanda D.

Skimpy portions, overpriced, tight quarters, small bar and I have experienced better taste Cuban dishes, nothing to brag about it, again is a Cuban Restaurant expect high prices for small portions. The service was excellent and the waiting for your food is reasonable. I would not recommend this place to my family, friends or enemies, not worth it for my hard earned money, try Coquito's in the West side of the island, a little hike, worth the trip!
(2)
Kristen W.

Came for lunch today. Incredible meal. Ordered a Dark and Stormy which was delicious and made you feel like you could fare the high seas after drinking it (ginger beer is one of the ingredients). Ordered the Media Noche which was savory and sweet. Sweet bread toasted, plenty of pulled pork pickles and mayo all making harmony in a sandwich. Salad on the side (generous portion) was simple in the good way, with a made vinegar dressing which blended perfectly with fresh herbs, red and green peppers, and Roma tomatoes which accompanied it. My friend ordered salmon with sweet potatoes with the perfect amount of garlic and seasonings. The salmon was cooked perfectly and caramelized. String peas roasted with Parmesan cheese also very nice accompaniment. Met the manager in person very professional and polite. For dessert the flan ambiente made the final tip in the cap of a delectable meal. Fresh whipped cream on top of flan floating in caramel and brown sugar with fresh strawberries and caramelized plantains underneath. Good job guys.
(5)
Erica U.

YUM YUM YUM!!! I can't say enough good things about this place! I recommend it to EVERYONE! Such a cute little place- and they expanded it within the last 6 months. The ambiance is great- and a wonderful place to take a date ( that's how I discovered it, and have since requested to go there for many a date-night). The service is wonderful. Midnight, the manager, is such a nice guy and always has helpful recommendations. Try this: -Fricase de Pollo (I have tried almost everything there and I still go back to this dish each time because it is sooo good!) -Oxtail (I don't even like weird meats but this was GOOD) -MOJITO's!!! The best I have tasted! How a mojito SHOULD taste! And you can get pitchers! :) -Empanada's for dessert- all tasty! -Papa Rellena (sp?-appetizer- YUM) Make sure to get a reservation- it fills up fast.
(5)
Monae W.

Ordered the Ceviche (little too much onion and not enough shrimp) the flavor was delicious!!! Mouth watering! But they need to serve it with chips! It is served in a bowl with a spoon! The trio of empanadas were amazing! Perfect size and cooked just right! Service was great and we even had a large group! Will definitely go back!
(4)
WonderWoman W.

Been here before. Even enjoyed it. But why, stopping for lunch around 1 pm one Friday, did the waitress serve me a drink at the table I was seated, ask if that's all I wanted, and when I said "No," she grabbed the menu and walked off! Did tutu think I was some lush who drank my lunch? And the place wasn't that crowded, busy or loud, either. Lots of empty tables. In the past, the male employees were much more attentive. As for the food, I've tried two of their versions of Cuban sandwiches, and while they are tasty and rather upscale, they don't come close to the Cuban sandwiches I recall from Little Havana in Miami in 1972. Spring Break, 4 of us invade Tio y Tia Martinez' small home, take over their kids' two twin beds, all because we had no money to go elsewhere. One day, Tio took us to the beach and then bought us all Cuban sandwiches, with layers of ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, onions, just about all the components of a meal, pressed flat in bread that resembled a baguette. Yum! Soul de Cuba Cuban sandwiches don't come close. But I digress. Most memorable of the items I've tried is the dessert flan. Such a great presentation, had to snap a pic! Delish, too. But that was long ago, before the rude treatment.
(2)
Annie S.

Great atmosphere and food. Welcoming staff. The BEST plantains ever!
(5)
Stephanie M.

I'm not an expert at Cuban food, but can say without hesitation that we LOVED Soul de Cuba. Were pleasantly surprised on a Friday evening to have several empty tables. Friendly, helpful service. Wonderful Food. Great drinks. The Mango Empanada for dessert, though not large, was DIVINE. A definite must. Great way to end the meal even though full to bursting. Loved that they also had a Virgin Mojito. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jeffery A.

Been here twice, first time with my friend Kana, and I think I can speak for her,"We loved it." We both enjoy our food with a little spice, Mexican good for both for the most part, Spanish rice not her thing, but she's Japanese, so hey, what you gonna do. More than just red beans and rice. Red Stripe beer and Panama hats for both? Hard to remember the food, cause atmosphere and decor/art were so nice. Only ones in for lunch at that time, didn't bother, was kinda nice. Last time, was me and all three of the girls, wife and twin, no big tortilla and bean fans, not sure what to make of plantaines, but I knew that goin' in, and that they didn't care for Mexican, have no idea why I thought they might like Cuban, that is a real head scratcher, but the fact that my little lovely bucked up and strapped on the ol' feed bag in a place where she knew she wasn't going to enjoy, shows you something... Love?!
(4)
AsianRunningDiva S.

This is my second time being here. I've heard so much about it and if this review was from my first experience, then it would have gotten 4 stars because the chicken and beef dish that we got last time was AMAZING! so tender, so flavorful! 2nd time around, NOT happy. We ordered the ceviche, black bean chili, and a ground meat dish. If this review was for the meat dish only, it would have gotten 4 stars. The ceviche had 3 small pieces of seafood and A LOT of mango, tomato, and onions. CEVICHE is supposed to be seafood marinated in lime juices, etc, right?????? THREE (3) SMALL PIECES OF SEAFOOD and it's called ceviche? AND for $13!!! NO WAY! The black bean chili was okay..black beans in a soupy like broth...nothing to dip into the chili..nothing that great...the cheesecake was very good, but still won't bump your count up since I am VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CEVICHE! DO NOT GET THAT! The empanadas that our friends got looked very very good! :)
(2)
Edmund L.

I forgot to mention as I came here today to get my favorite Cubano, they offer the sandwiches with chips or a green salad. I was reminded of how nice the salad is as it isn't the plain iceberg lettuce most places use but a good mixed mesclun greens, spinach, red onion, bell pepper, and kalamata olive mix. Good accompaniment with the sandwich
(5)
Jesse C.

Worse customer service ever. Two front end working. It took them 10 minutes to greet us. Only one other patron in the establishment. Then took another 20 minutes to get our food. Zzz. Oh, wait, I already did that one. Yeah, I ain't coming back here again.
(1)
Anthony N.

S upreme dining spot for both lunch and dinner O ut of all the restaurants in the Downtown area, this is my favorite U nbelievably flavorful and hearty entrees and appetizers L unch menu offers delicious sandwiches -- split with a friend! D on't forget to make reservations -- the place is quite small E xpect to go elsewhere if you don't, especially for lunch C atfish sandwich (Pescado Del Rio) is highly recommended U niquely breaded with panko, the fish is topped with a tasty slaw B est dinner option is the Pollo Soul De Cuba with its sweet mango salsa A nd for ox tail lovers, you must try the Rabo Encendido
(5)
Krissy K.

I shared the tapa sampler with a girlfriend a few weeks ago, and the spicy chickpeas alone warrant at least 4 stars. I am still thinking about them and would go back just to eat them again.
(4)
Cheri L.

As the daughter of a chef, and having spent most of my life visiting, hanging around, and later working in restaurants, I will admit that I have high standards. I am picky and opinionated, because I know what's good and what isn't. So when I write a positive review for a restaurant, I mean it. While I can't necessarily vouch for the authenticity of the Cuban food at Soul De Cuba (my experiences with Cuban food are limited, so I simply do not have the frame of reference, and I'd hate to misinform), their flavors and food quality are fantastic. As a budget-minded college kid, I often shy away from $15-20-something entrees. However, I asked the waiter/bartender what he suggested (for the record, I had the fricase de pollo), and his recommendation was dead-on. At $16, I had not a single regret (which is a feat, on an island full of expensive restaurants serving food that just isn't up to snuff). Flavorful, tender, and the sauce permeated the perfectly-cooked rice wonderfully. It was heaven. The chicken and sauce were rich in flavor, but not excessively heavy. The sweetness of the platanos maduros (fried bananas- don't knock it until you've tried it. I can't stand bananas and still really enjoyed these) was a nice contrast to the savory chicken, rice, and beans. The portions are generous, so be prepared to take home leftovers! I could only finish half of my entree, and I am thoroughly looking forward to leftovers for breakfast. A+ I had the rum punch (I've spoiled myself by learning to make awesome mojitos at home, so I decided to try something different), and it was definitely strong. Good, and very tasty, but I was glad to not be driving, even after one! A The service was outstanding. Perhaps it was because we had made a reservation in advance (while it was busy, it wasn't packed- there wasn't a line out the door, just plenty of people comfortably dining), but the staff was warm and friendly (in a genuine way that, while professional, was not the manufactured "Hi, welcome to Chain Restaurant, what can I get ya?" standard), helpful, sensitive to what our table needed, and attentive without being intrusive. A+ If you are looking for a restaurant that feels like an impersonal machine, as many of the Waikiki versions of mainland chains do, Soul De Cuba isn't it. It is small, intimate, cozy, and warm. It has the feel of a family restaurant, in many ways. I can't think of a single thing that could have been better at our dinner tonight, which is extremely uncommon for me. This place would be great for a special occasion, family dinner, dinner out with the girls (as I had), or a date. Or, hell, even just a treat.
(5)
Cynthia C.

I'm going to start this review with the knowledge my Tia in Miami cooks me "authentic" Cuban food so I've started out with the authentic original Cuban food. This in mind, their food is really not good, it's not bad -- yet, not good. The ceviche is alright, the empanadas aren't authentic. Again, I've actually BEEN to Cuba, I've spent a lot of time in Miami and also spent 10 months in Central America, so while they say they use "family" recipes ... they must be taking great liberty with that phrase or they need to go to my Tia's house in Miami to get some REAL Cuban recipes. I've had the authentic food and this is NOTHING even remotely close. Another jeer to this restaurant is their meat is tough, bad quality and has no flavor. The two stars for this restaurant come from their amazing bar. The handmade margarita (where they juice the actual lime) is worth a stop either before or after eating somewhere else. The mojito is good too and they have a great selection of rum, if you're not in the mood to head all the way out to RumFire. All in all, it's good for a drink or two or three ... But if you want real Cuban food, in Hawaii ... Order a cookbook and do it yourself.
(2)
Tammy T.

Aaron the server is an absolute sweet heart! If he's there you should totally stay. He took care of us, and gave us really helpful recommendations. Yes, the sangrias are good!. We got: - Devil Crab; 2 pieces. Though when you think about it, it's actually one piece cut in half. It was super yummy. Had a curry flavor to it. -Lencho Asado; Yo and I shared it. It's a VERY large portion for just 2 gals going out for lunch. Very tasty! but a bit salty (personally). -Cheesecake Mojito: Mmmmm I loves me some cheesecake, and I loved me a mojito. So together...fantastic! I read the reviews about the bad service, but I think after hiring Aaron back (even he heard about the bad service) it shouldn't be a problem anymore (so long he's on shift). I would totally go back for lunch. Just writing about this make me hungry.
(4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Address : 1121 Bethel St
Honolulu, HI, 96813
Phone (808) 545-2822
Website https://www.souldecuba.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Soul de Cuba Cafe

1121 Bethel St, Honolulu, HI, 96813

Soul de Cuba Cafe Menu

Carnes - Beef and Pork

Mariscos - Seafood

Side Orders

Sandwiches

Aperitivos - Appetizers

Sopas - Soups

Ensalada - Salads

Healthy Meal suggestions for Soul de Cuba Cafe

Carnes - Beef and Pork

Mariscos - Seafood

Side Orders

Sandwiches

Aperitivos - Appetizers

Sopas - Soups

Ensalada - Salads

Julie E.

Jerald C.

Beth I.

Mich C.

Arabel C.

Scott D.

Fiona P.

Mike And Leslie B.

Kirsten R.

David C.

Amanda K.

Tabatha P.

Lelabee D.

ThemisOfJustic E.

Mark W.

Lindsey S.

Tatiana W.

Lance T.

Kelly G.

Amber-Lynn H.

Jessica H.

Jennifer C.

Dean P.

Yvette B.

Rel M.

Ivy Lou H.

Travelmeister T.

Don G.

Paula H.

Shannon H.

John C.

Nicole K.

Anthony L.

Christa B.

Chris G.

Alicia W.

Kimoli T.

Liz C.

Christine K.

Danielle S.

Kim K.

Lianid P.

BJ S.

Justin U.

Tameka J.

Tom B.

Christine E.

Quiana J.

Mel L.

Myriellie W.

Kara V.

Cat P.

Paul R.

Jocelyn Z.

Nikki H.

Jeff Z.

Nic P.

Marjorie H.

Cindy L.

Casey M.

Clarissa M.