Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar
2210 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY, 40205
Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar Menu
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Address :
2210 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY, 40205 - Phone (502) 749-4600
- Website https://www.havanarumbaonline.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Steve A.
Went last night for dinner. Guacamole with plantains it's a must. Cocktails were great too. Live music last night was nice and the artist was including all the little kids getting them to play instruments. Made for a great atmosphere. Dinner was amazing. We had Masas De Puerco and the Cuban sandwich. Meat was very tender, and the rice was amazing too.
(4)Mini D.
Great food! Great service! Loved the civeche! The mohitos were amazing! The slow-cooked pork melted in your mouth! Worth a try!
(5)Carly S.
I'm not going to blame my entire bad experience on Havana Rumba, but they certainly played a part in it. I went on one of the worst dates of my life at Havana Rumba a few months ago. Part one: I ordered one of the "legendary mojitos" from the so-called bartender. I think maybe the bartender called in sick and the manager or the busser was mixing drinks that night. This drink was, well, gross. I thought maybe there was a wonky ingredient, so I asked him politely to retry. I watched him the next time. There was no muddling...he just stuck an entire mint plant in this one. Just as yucky. It was fine. I ordered a glass of wine. No problem. Part two: While all of the yucky drink - ness was happening this man who I had met ten minutes prior (gotta love a blind date!) kept getting ruder and ruder to the poor guy trying to bartend. He even shouted "CHECK" At him! I was mortified. I don't care if a person can't make a drink well, there is no reason to be rude. Part three: the food was meh, and the dbag didn't get a kiss goodnight. I suppose this review is a bit of an apology to that poor guy nervously trying to tend bar. I hope you learned how to make a mojito, sir. I am willing to give you and Havana Rumba another shot. I'll be sure to keep all you yelpers posted. :)
(2)Steve W.
We ate at 6:30 on a Monday evening. The restaurant was steady, but not overly busy. The service was prompt and courteous (thanks, Alex!), and the food was excellent. Will return!
(5)Patty F.
Great food. Awesome service! Guacamole is delicious! We went our first time on Fathers Day and had the Steak Chimichurri and the Cubano Sandwich with the sweet potato fries, it was all very good!
(5)Cecilia C.
Really great Cuban flaire and huge menu. So many choices....the only challenge could be understanding what certain foods were if you aren't familiar with this type of food. I knew more of the options than some though still could have used a picture. Overall a really nice fun dining experience with great Cuban food. I tried a friends pork dish and that was great. Plaintains were prepared very well and they served up good Sangria at great happy hour prices too. I would certainly recommend and go back in the future.
(4)Jessica L.
Muy delicioso! Me gusta este resturante. La comida y la musica fueron muy bien. The food was delicious, the service was great and the live music was fantastic. I love Caribbean food from the island (D.R., Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Cuba, etc) and this didn't disappoint. La yuca frita was really good, especially the mayoketchup (which was good except it could have used a little less mayo and a little more garlic, but it was pretty good). Loved the empenadas and the tostones. Everything I tried was awesome. Good spot I definitely recommend it.
(5)Zain K.
Working at Bellarmine, Havana Rumba is a convenient option for a decent sit-down lunch. It's pretty typical Cuban fare, well prepared in a comfortable setting. My go-to is the pescado a la parilla (grilled fish, served with rice, beans, and plantain for around $11), though I'm curious to try the lechon asado that everyone speaks of highly.
(4)Mel G.
The locations great! The prices are good! The food was served warm, not hot. But, flavor was good and variety was OK. When you walk in, you get in line like at QDoba or Subway or Chipotle... Then you have to yell over a windowed barricade to place your order. The "empanadas" are to be ordered at the cash register as is guacamole and/or chips. The preparers will get very angry and tell you that they do not take the empanadas order. Be prepared for some unspoken "soup nazi" type rules for placing order. There is a drink station with silverware, napkins, etc. next to cash register and in a doorway that serves as the entrance to the Tapas Bar. If you want Mojito, then you can go order at bar and bring back to "express" side. There are plenty of tables on the express side. Many are placed very close to and along the route of the order placing line. While people wait to place their order, they can get a good look at what there is to have. Given the location, it is common to help each other out and ask/answer questions about menu and restaurant. Expect such exchanges as the staff is not very pleasant or welcoming. The loop attitude luckily compensates well for this. That is the basic info. That you will need. The food has potential for 4 stars. Feels and functions like a food court. Service needs to be more pleasant. There were many workers in the way of "worker bee-like" diners, preventing access to necessities such as napkins, plastic silverware, drinks, etc. Food court set up is bad enough. We waited 5 minutes for three workers to finish their conversation with fourth worker who was filling the napkin dispenser. The hot topic was gossip. I am all for connecting and gossiping. But, either that long line of dummies waiting to fill their soda cup should be included or you should take the chit chat to the side so that the unfortunates can carry on with their chores as "express" diner. "¿Verdad? Since family cannot go into Tapas bar, it would be best to make the experience good for all. For example, the set up is confusing. While we can easily spot a bar that will serve us a drink (the sodas mentioned earlier were for young and old in party-we went straight for bar) we had many others ask us how the place worked and where we got that "drink"!? You can have family order and sit on express side and go to bar side to order drinks to bring over to table with family in "express" area. The bar has full service. The "express" experience with family visiting from out of town was not good. It would rate a 1.5 star for causing added stress which is the opposite goal for a family when venturing out after a long day. I hope that the place improves to meet its potential. This is second visit and when experience maintained if not worsened, this review was conceived. The Tapas Bar has full service and we will try that next with hopes that it is a better experience. Review will follow.
(2)Glenn K.
This is our 5th time here and each time has been fantastic. We were at the tapas bar tonight but the express side is a hit with our family as well. This is a great local restaurant in a great local neighborhood!
(5)Milos M.
Went on a Friday night to try out this new spot as wife and I are huge fans of the other locations. The food was delicious and staff was very friendly. I had lechon asado (pork), sweet plantains, and grilled vegetables. Wife had cubano sandwich, fried yuca, and sweet plantains. With 2 beverages, bill was $20. If you like delicious food at inexpensive prices, I would highly recommend.
(5)Patricia O.
Really good tapas, we went with 3 people and ordered a lot of tapas! We ordered the queso fundido, chorizo and bacon, papas bravas (kinda spicy), crab cakes (outstanding), and tostones con pollo (Kinda bland), all dishes delicious. The bread comes warm and the butter is really nice with herbs. Good service and good music! If you wanna spice up your day/night with something different, this is a cool spot.
(4)Nicole S.
Such a great place to dine with friends and family! I go here whenever I am in the area. The dining room is greatly decorated and clean, the staff is friendly, and the food is great for a decent price! I tend to always get the Fricasa de Pollo (basically chicken in a nice stew with rice,beans, and plantanes). It's great! It's thanks to Havanna that I am willing to try new things! The only problem I've ever had is the staff sometimes having very thick accents haha
(5)Ashley I.
I went here tonight, and LOVED it! First of all, happy hour on Monday and Tuesday is 5PM until close with $2 off mojitos, margaritas, and sangria. I had the peach sangria, which was as delicious as it sounds, and perfect for a summer night. Then we ordered the guac and plantain chips for a starter... DELICIOUS! If you've never had plantain chips you will love them. If you have, they pair amazingly with guacamole. For my meal I ordered two hot tapas: the chicken empanadas and tostones con pollo. Both were amazing. I love empanadas and these ones were perfect: not too flaky and the chicken was seasoned well. The sauce accompanying the empanadas was not necessary but a great add. The tostones was great as well, but again you can't go wrong with that: essentially a bed of cheese and salsa on top of chicken and plantains--if you haven't noticed yet, I love plantains. However, it was a lot of food, and I ended up bringing a lot of it home. My friends loved their sandwiches, the Cuban and the Havana Rumba, as well as the sweet potato fries that came with. They said the ceviche was also great here! I'm so excited to come back. I want to try the Pollo al Mojo.
(5)Y C.
The best Cuban cuisine in Kentucky!!!! I am Cuban, I live in Lexington and travel to Louisville just to remember and enjoy the flavor of my country!!! La mejor comida Cubana en Kentucky!!!! Soy cubano vivo en Lexington y viajo hasta Lousville solo para recordar y disfrutar el sazón de mi paÃs!!!!
(5)Jeroam Z.
The vibe just keeps getting better and better here. Havana Rumba is my all time favorite restaurant in the Louisville area and probably of anywhere. I have taken so many people here and feel as if I'm family. I've had so many birthdays here with various friends and children. I have 5 daughters and whenever they are in town this is their first request! The food, awesome! The staff, awesome! The owners, awesome! The value, beyond awesome!
(5)Staci W.
The banana pina coladas with rum are refreshing and so yummy! I ambiance is upbeat with live music playing. The plantain chips with guacamole is my favorite appetizer. The food is also very tasty! I ordered the chicken dish loaded with cheese and salsa. The plate was huge! I've had 4 meals out of this dish. I like to come here with to celebrate birthdays and dine with good friends.
(4)Sara C.
Lovely little Cuban restaurant that serves the best fish tacos and guacamole. The servers were on point with fantastic service. The beers were cold and food was hot. Lovely atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. My husband ordered the crab cakes and they were full crab and he said they were very good.
(4)Sarah C.
I remember being so happy when this location opened in the Highlands. I was living very near there at the time and have always loved eating at Havana Rumba (in st matthews). I will say that this place has gone through some changes since it first opened in the neighborhood. I am glad that they have settled in their spot and have consistency now. The tapas menu is separate from the regular menu. You will see the same options on the regular menu as you would at the other locations...the tapas is an extra plus exclusive to this location! I love the vegetarian empanadas and the guacamole. I was sad on my last visit to see the hummus trio off the menu. It was fantastic! I almost always order a side of the congris, which is a mixture of rice and black beans. So yummy! They also have great happy hour deals through the week. Mondays and Tuesdays is $5 margaritas, mojitos and sangria all day. Wednesday and Thursday (don't think Friday and Saturday are included) is $5 for the above mentioned drinks from 5p-7p. They also have beer specials as well, though I cannot remember them off the top of my head. This place has one of the best margaritas in town (same ones as their other restaurant, Mojito as well). Order the original on the rocks and you will be blown away. Good stuff! Service is always friendly at Havana Rumba too. If you have somehow never dined here...go now. And have a drink during happy hour! :)
(4)Shawn N.
Kapasa mi amigos/amigas! Being that I'm from the capital of cubano food (Tampa, Florida) I was really dying for some good authentic Cuban food, this place did not disappoint! I had the cubano sandwich which had the right amount of crisp, perfectly seasoned pork and just enough cheese to tie it together perfectly! The yuca frites were delish and they made this green sauce which was amazing! Maduros were perfectly sweet. I wish I had room for dessert! Hasta Luego!
(5)Nadine S.
Another business meal out while visiting Louisville. We decided to try a Cuban restaurant and once seated we saw a 2 page tapas menu and decided to order multiple items for our table of 6. Everything came out about 2 at a time allowing us to try some before the next item served but before we knew it we had no space on the table. We tried 2 types of salad, and several other dishes unfortunately I cannot remember the names but one was meatballs soaked in a delicious thick sauce, fried plantains with guacamole which was my absolute favorite. We had vegetable and chicken empanadas and fried green tomatoes with an amazing cheese topping. All the food was very fresh and pleasing to the eye, nose, and palate. My hips aren't happy but my stomach was. The group ordered 2 dessert which I did not try but they said were delicious. Great food with excellent service. The 4 stars are because the restaurant was so cold you had to wear your coat during your meal to be comfortable. In fairness to the restaurant Louisville had record lows tonight so may be out of their control but it did detract a little from the overall dining experience.
(4)Christy M.
The guac and plantains were SO good! Crispy and perfectly done! The salad was fine, nothing notable. The chicken comes in long thin strands so that was a bit odd... It seemed very processed. I don't know any chicken breast that is as long as those strips... Those would be some odd chickens! The service was good.
(3)Andrea B.
This is a great cuban place in the Highlands. My favorite picks are: *Drink - Margarita *Appetizer - Guacamole (comes with plantain chips...yum!) *Salad - Ensalada Tropical *Entree - Vaca Frita - If you like beef If you go for just tapas, I really don't think you can go wrong. I've had several tapas here and liked all of them. Also, I've had great customer service. During one visit the Vaca Frita, which I get every time I go, didn't taste right. When I asked the waiter if they changed the recipe or something, he said that they must have just not made it quite right. Not only did they bring me a new entree, they also made a second one for me to take home and didn't charge us for my meal at all. Can't get much better than that!
(4)Kristin G.
There are several great things about this place. The first is that kids' meals are only $4, and are really great. My picky child requests to go here all the time, and loves the grilled chicken with beans and rice. The waitstaff are always above and beyond how nice you'd expect servers to be to a 4 year old. The other best thing is the steak chimichurri. We go here a lot so I don't always order the steak, but when I do I always think it's the best meal I've ordered out in months.
(5)Emily H.
Tasty. Fast. Friendly. Margarita. Full. After my dinner at Havana Rumba Express, those are the words that come to mind. Similar to my experiences at the other restaurants under the same owners (El Taco Luchador, Havana Rumba I, Mussel and Burger Bar, Guacamole), my time at Havana Rumba was very pleasant and very flavorful. I got the house margarita, guacamole and plantain chips and lecho asado, which is slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus juices, garlic and spices with congri (black beans and rice) and yuca con mojo (boiled casava in sauce). I'll start with my drink. For a house margarita, it was larger than I expected. It came in one of those larger, flashy bowl-glasses. And they weren't stingy with the salt, which I like. Similarly, the plantain chips were overflowing. I can't believe more places don't serve plantain chips with guac. They're salty with a hit of sweet -- a great guac counterpart. Plus they are shaped like scoops. But there wasn't enough guac -- some of the best I've had -- to go with the chips. We could have eaten two of the mini bowls that come with this app, and we weren't gluttons with it. OK, the main dish. I had asked our waiter for recommendations, and he pointed to this one, as my meal counterparts had already chosen his other two faves. And I'm glad I got this. The pork was tender, falling off the fork. The waiter brought me a few lemon wedges and suggested that I squeeze a little on the pork with some salt, which tasted great. The congri was also great. Black beans and rice can be bland; these weren't. But the yuca was. I think that's just how yuca normally tastes, but you get a lot of it with your dish. I could have done with just a couple pieces. Maybe next time I'll swap it out for fried plantains. The waiter, who I mentioned, was the pinnacle of professionalism. He was so friendly and responsive. And the food came out QUICK. We came in shortly before closing, but still, it was only 5-10 minutes between ordering and eating. I'll be back!
(4)Leigh W.
Love it. This is the perfect place for a vegetarian mother to take her small children to dinner. The kids' menu is great - lots of options, huge portions and reasonable prices. One of my daughters had the grilled chicken which was served with an adult portion of rice, beans and fried plantains. She wouldn't try the plantains, but she gobbled up the rice and beans and was too full to eat much of the chicken. My other daughter had the cheese quesadilla and fries. Again, the portion was so large that my hearty eater couldn't finish it. But my meal wins the prize. I ordered the cubano vegetariano which included a perfectly fried cheese, pepper and spinach filled empanada and some delightfully creamy sauce on the side, fried plantains, yuca topped with pickled onions, rice and beans. Every part of the entree was equally delicious. And this reviewer, normally always a member of the clean-plate club, couldn't finish it all. We all took home a nice box of leftovers. The service was quick as the name "express" implies. The restaurant is spacious and conveniently located in the heart of the Highlands. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Charlotte F.
Overall, tasty tapas and interesting drinks. Specifically, bacon wrapped chorizo and fried green mashed plantains with chicken were delicious. Anything involving the plantains- chips with guacamole, grilled etc. were very good and balanced. Crab cakes... meeh not so much. I took a risk and tried the sangria + margarita drink and was surprised to enjoy it so much. It wasn't as sweet as you'd expect from the combination, balancing the tartness of the margarita with some bold red wine. I was expecting it to be fruitier and ordered it mostly for the novelty, so I was pleasantly surprised. The servers seemed a little confused/forgetful, but they reacted apologetically to correct errors.
(4)Emily W.
Absolutely delicious food and an excellent location, if I do say so myself. If you're a fan of the other two locations, you won't be disappointed by the Highlands location of Havana Rumba. I have to admit that the service is hit or miss here, but you can't go wrong with the food. Some of my favorites are the guacamole with plantain chips, empanadas, and Fricase Pollo. And you can't miss the combination of black beans and rice!
(4)Mark C.
Service was excellent. Started with fried plantains and guacamole which was so good. Next up black bean soup followed by the Cubano! Wife had the fish tacos and they were excellent! Definitely a must visit if you like Cuban food.
(5)Priscilla D.
Love this place. Everytime we come to Louisville we go here. Great food and drinks. I love their plantains with avocado. Great appetizer. Also I love the sangria and margaritas mixed together. Yummy yummy. Great staff, very friendly.
(5)Kevin O.
Okay, so don't let the name on here fool you. It's not so much express any more and they've adopted the menu from the other locations. The food is bar none the best Cuban food in town at any of their locations. I really like the roasted chicken and the vaca frita. Also, you can't go wrong with the rum drinks. The Hemingway is probably the closest thing you'll get to what a daquiri originally was in town. Rum, lime, and sugar. It's strong, but definitely done well. Have one too many and suddenly salsa doesn't seem as daunting as it once did. No, you still can't dance, but it just seems like a better idea than when you walked in. It can take a bit if time, so order the guacamole and plantains for while you wait. Otherwise, buen provecho y salud!
(4)Jason G.
Love the original location and was slightly confused by the "express" in the name. Fortunately, I don't think that means anything anymore as my mother and I enjoyed an amazing lunch just as good as at the main location. Gabi was our server and made us feel welcome and appreciated. Food was, as usual, extraordinary, and thanks to that plus the service and location, I know I'll be back many, many times!
(5)Ashlee K.
Okay, if you haven't been in a while they've changed from the cafeteria style, to full waiter service w/ real silverware and dishes. The decor is great! While not necessarily the fault of the owners, the only thing i hate about this location is that the walls and walls of windows make the place continuously cold. Not mentioned enough is the drinks at this location. The margs and mojitos are amazing, and comparably priced with other places on Bardstown Road. I've never had a problem with the food either. The Ropa Veija, Polo and Lechon Asado, etc are all as good as the St. Matthews or Middletown location. The tapas? I can't think of a single thing I've had there that I don't like. Croquettes and Queso Fundido is great, and just as tasty as Mojitos. They also have Lobster Quesadillas and Crab Cakes that are not available at their other locations. We've driven out of our way for the Lobster Quesadillas, passing both Mojitos and the St. Matthews Havana Rumba on our way. I've never had bad service here. If anything, it's been great and what's more is that this location is consistently good at great service even when it's busy. I love that the manager is always walking around saying hello to everyone. We'll be back! And if you're a lover of tapas you should check it out.
(4)Brian H.
Had the Vaca Frita at lunch (in photo - bottom) while my friend had the empanadas with sweet potato fries. What a terrific meal this was! The veggies were fresh, the meal seasoned and well cooked, the rice was fluffy and moist, the plantains were the best I've ever had and the black beans had a slight sweetness - very good. The service was fast and friendly and the atmosphere was fun and welcoming. Just a great dining experience. We'll be back.
(5)Michael M.
Authentic is what comes to mind first. The Cuban sandwich is simply the best I've ever had!, It makes everyone else's taste bad. I like the fried plantains, sweet potato frys, dipping sauces have a nice balance between sweet, spicy, and smoky. I've liked everything I've tried here. It's one of the few places I would eat at every week if I lived closer. We have tried some of the other places they own and like them too.
(5)Sam B.
My wife, 1.5 year old, and I stopped here for dinner while visiting Louisville. We absolutely loved this place. It was our best meal of the trip. They have a fun atmosphere, delicious margaritas, and unbelievable food. I'd recommend this place up and down to anybody looking for a remarkable meal in Louisville.
(5)Tracey K.
Holy mole, I'm in heaven! The yucca "croutons" on the caesar salad were killer, the fried plantains were as good as any I had in Costa Rica, and the tres leeches cake was damn near a religious experience. I can't wait to come back to Louisville if only to eat here again. Yuuuuuummy!!!
(4)Christina D.
I go to Havana Rumba every time I am in Louisville. They have the best mojitos I have ever had. I ordered the Cubanos Vegetarian. The spinach empanadas were delicious as was everything else . I brought friends here on two different occasions and they loved their food. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Ravi C.
Food and service were excellent! I had the vegetarian entree and everything tasted slow cooked and delicious. Best plantains I've ever had and the empanadas were wonderful.
(5)Bryan H.
My buddy and I went here after hearing good things about it. We got the guacamole and plantains as an appetizer. It was delicious but we felt they screwed us on the guac. They served it in one of those bowls that was half filled by design. As an entree I got the skirt steak and my buddy got the lechon asado. Both dishes were tasty but nothing to write home about. The service was sub par as we got our cups refilled once and the restaurant wasn't even busy Overall, good food that's a bit over priced.
(3)Daina S.
I am a Highland "in the hood" diner, and if you haven't gone to this Havana Rumba, you're missing something special! They not only have the VERY best margarita in Louisville, which in my mind once belonged to the former Alameda, but the food and staff are amazing. I'm not sure who "Oscar" is, assuming either an owner or the restaurant manager, but the man knows how to take care of his customers, the key word being "care". I have watched him with a watchful eye the last 15 times I was there, making sure everyone is being taken care of. Never disappointed with this place. They need to advertise!! I can't say how many people I know that I have told they opened a new place in this location that had no idea they were there!! Mr. Oscar, you now know why I just asked what your name was, thank you so much for our evening! We will be back again and again!
(5)Raymond B.
An excellent spot for a Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries. This restaurant is perfectly situated on the Douglass loop in Bardstown rd. The service was friendly and quick and food was very good.
(4)Allison S.
This place is so FINE! We love it - the Mojito's are totally perfect. The vegetarian dishes are a total joy to eat here. We love to sit outside, honestly. The customer service is always super nice, very accommodating. You can't go wrong with this place. So many choices, so filling, tasty good. Enjoy!
(5)Noah H.
Great food and a great atmosphere. Love the little tapas and drinks. Get the chorizo that's wrapped in bacon! Wait staff is very friendly and helpful. Good margaritas. A tad expensive but it makes for a nice night out.
(4)Seema K.
I was so glad when Havana Rumba opened a location on Bardstown Road, just a few minutes from where I live. I haven't tried too many menu items (because I stick with what I like when I'm here) but what I've had is consistently good: 1. Appetizers: The patatas bravas always hit the spot -- they're diced potatoes topped with a spicy tomato-y/vinegar-y sauce. Guacamole is also good. 2. Entrees: I usually go with the empanada appetizer -- since I haven't found another empanada place in town -- and a salad for my entree. There are two empanada options: chicken and spinach & cheese. The chicken is a ground chicken that is well-seasoned without being spicy, and the spinach and cheese, while pretty simple is delicious. The dough comes out nice and flaky. I also really like the Rumba Caesar -- again, pretty simple -- romaine, manchego cheese and yuca croutons (!) with a Caesar dressing. The other entree I've enjoyed here is camarones al ajillo which is shrimp in olive oil, garlic and lime juice -- sort of like scampi. 3. Sides: the yuca con mojo (loved the pickled onions they top this with), congri, tostones and plaintains are all good options. HR also has great happy hour specials M-Th and the drinks are well made (and generally on the stronger side!). Lastly, the Bardstown Road has a separate Tapas bar. We've only tried that section once, but the tapas were all quite tasty. Definitely check out HR especially if you like Cuban food. It's tasty, comforting and reasonably priced.
(4)Jim S.
I went for lunch and had an excellent lamb combo with black beans and rice. I ordered the Cuban tamale just to try and I was not disappointed. The service was friendly and fast. You can tell a lot of time went into the decor and decorations. I can't wait to go back and sample more of the menu!
(4)Christopher P.
This may be one of the top 10 restuarants I've ever been too. The food was incredible. To top it all off, the wait staff were great. Awesome food and great service = winning combination.
(5)Travone T.
I have had the pleasure of going to Spain and the menu is very reminiscent of the cuisine that you could order at a tapas bar in Madrid, Sevilla, or Malaga. The translations are true and the recipes are not watered down to suit most American opinions of Latin/Hispanic cuisine. I've been back twice in less than 7 days if that gives you any hint. The chicken and fish tacos are impeccable, with an amazing, zesty sauce and pico de gallo to die for. I for see Havana Rumba being a go to. Especially with a nice line house margarita!
(4)Michelle L.
This was a great meal! Loved the plantain chips and my husband and I shared the sampler platter of tapas and it was plenty. Yummy mojitos too!
(5)KeiKei B.
Still three stars. Had the garlic lime shrimp & it was great. Bread was oh so awesome as well. My partner had an entree & we both had water. I had two mixed drinks. Service was wonderful! Solid three with leanings to four. Parking bites.
(3)Amy G.
Came in tonight on a whim...refused to wait 2 hours at Mussels Burger Bar. What a pleasant surprise! We are so glad we took a second chance on this Havana. The first time was "Express" and we were really underwhelmed. Huge improvement! We had the guacamole which was far better than last time. Full of flavor and chips were crunchy and delightful! Hubs had a kebab veggie plate that he said was good. I had the steak chimichurri. I asked for medium and it was more med rare, which was okay. Straightforward flavors, and along with a couple glasses of red sangria made it pretty close to perfect. The table split the tres leches cake. Pretty good. Not the best I've had, but tasty nonetheless. Our server was delightful and service, overall, was attentive and good. They had a Casio keyboard conga drum guy playing...felt like I should've been in some bad Adam Sandler Cruise ship kinda situation. Happy when he took a break...it was weird. But, dinner company was great and food was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(4)Stacey N.
The guacamole with plantain chips is the best! The margaritas are delicious and sizes are great. We will defiantly be back as regulars to have this wonderful food with a great atmosphere and wonderful service!
(5)Jayke W.
Had the best meal of my life here! Masa de puerco. Incredibly tender and tasty fried pork. The fat was like butter. Pickled red onions on top, black beans and rice. Plantains were unbelievable good too. Everything in one bite was heaven. Had the guac and plantain chips for appetizer and it was killer.
(5)Abby T.
The vaca frita was spot on delicious!!!! Plantains were cooked perfectly. Portions are large. We went for lunch and took half home and round 2 for dinner was just as yummy! The house margarita was delicious. Not overally sweet just great flavor.
(4)Lena R.
I rely heavily on my fellow Yelpers comments and reviews on great eats; however, this place....I'm not feeling it! It was so bad, that I cannot even remember what I ordered because I tried to forget all about the experience. I did enjoy the plantains but I believe that's because you can't really mess plantains up too bad. Anyway, I don't think I'll be returning but if you like I love it honey....go for it....it's just not for me!
(1)Michelle S.
The C on their front door for their cleanliness should have been our first sign. Fruit flies everywhere and overcooked flank steak.
(2)Megan F.
Maybe not having the hassle of driving all the way to St. Matthews plays a role in this 5 star review, but I like this Havana Rumba location better than the original. Ok, really it boils down to the concept and if there's one thing that's the perfect fit with my busy on-the-go lifestyle it's an express line version of a stellar local restaurant. And I have a serious thing for tapas. Give me both in one restaurant and I'm ecstatic. Totally different menu and everything but this HR location fills a similar purpose niche as Heart & Soy / Roots. But honestly the other reason this concept rocks is that it's accessible to a total Cuban food rookie (and/or beans and rice hater) like myself. The meats, sides and salads are all affordably priced a la carte and I loved not having to try and sub out beans and rice that comes as a side on so many of the entrees at the St. Matts HR. As many times as I've gone to the St. Matts Havana Rumba with groups and enjoyed it I'm never itching to go back. However, one trip to this location and I'm already craving more. Highlights from my meal: the lomo saltado, the orange vinaigrette (on the salad and its great for dipping the meat too) and the cheese and spinach empanada all hit the spot. The Yerba Mate soda, which they obviously don't make, is a total let down though...waaaayyy too sweet with not only sugar as a top ingredient but also corn sweeteners. The tapas bar / express line split is a little tricky to navigate since there's no host stand or anything (that I could tell, at least). There were no empty tables in the tapas bar when we went (which was the side we were originally interested in). According to the staff I eventually talked to in the express line the deal is you just go grab a seat at the tapas bar and a server will come take your order.
(5)Clifford H.
The Douglas Loop location has a great selection of tapas if you aren't in the mood for something heavy. Can't go wrong with the steak tacos.
(4)Marilin C.
Awesome food, great services, and the best sangria! Def recommend the pork, lobster quesadilla, and the Havana Rumba.
(5)Leslie S.
Since our 1st visit they have changed their concept from express to the traditional restaurant. It is exceptional! You must try the guac and any of the frozen drinks. The portions are large and good for sharing especially if you get an app. The Lechon Asado and the Vacca Frita are the best dishes ever!! I also recommend the chicken club sandwich or the Cuban. Delicious!!
(5)Captain P.
I had the steak chimichurri cooked medium. It was cooked perfectly. Good food, I would definitely go back. Great service, food came out on a timely manor.
(4)Jill B.
Excellent food and ambience. Even have live music and very vivacious! The wait was terrible. It's the longest I've ever waited to eat somewhere, around 1 hour 10 minutes but was quoted 45 min. Besides that the food was quick tasty and authentic!
(5)Alec P.
I was really excited when I first heard about this. I love both Havana Rumba and Mojitos, so having a place so close to where I live was awesome to think about it. I finally got to go try it out recently and I was not let down. I went in around lunch time and it was mostly empty. I opted for the express line and got the Ropa Vieja. This is the same dish I usually get at Mojitos (except I typically get chicken instead of beef), and it was just slighter less good here but that's expected with 'buffet-style' serving. It was still really excellent, you could just tell that it was prepared in bulk. For a quick and convenient lunch this is a nonissue. The price was also slightly higher, but considering how much time and gas this location saves me I don't mind paying a bit extra. All in all I was very pleased with the experience. The food was great and reasonably priced. I'm really glad to finally have a Cuban/Tapas place close by, especially one that lives up to both the original Havana Rumba and Mojitos. It's bound to become a place I regularly visit for a quick and awesome lunch.
(4)Alyssa C.
The food is delicious! I went last night and sat outside. The service was a little big slow but I'm guessing it was because of the outside seating situation. Although we had a 2 hour dinner... I would still recommend this establishment because the food is great and the drinks are strong!
(4)Joe T.
I could eat here every day. The carne asada, the cuban sandwiches, the guacamole - all spectacular. And on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can get their margaritas (also very good) for 5$. And not a reduced size because it's on sale margarita - no, a 16 ounce one. But make sure you don't have more than 2 if you plan to drive!
(5)Kelly T.
Sigh. it pains me to review this newly opened sister-restaurant to the Havana Rumba in St. Matthew's in the way i am. Lunch date with the girls on friday and we decided to try it. As far as authenticity...spot on. many of the workers are hispanic and helpful in explaining the food. Like other reviews i've read already, we didn't know there was full service on the bar side. No big deal. The plastic-ware? eh, i'm not going to complain about it because it's an "express" type service. The menu is awesome and CHEAP. my entire entree with a drink was only about 10 bucks. So, to the food. i had pork, rice and a salad. i don't know if it was because of how much my plate spent waiting to catch up to me at the register but by the time i sat down...it was barely hot. sad day. the taste of everything was wonderful, though. i think Katie finished her plate in about 2.5 seconds. She had high regards for the empanadas. Every time she took a bite, her eyes rolled back in joy, lol. Our other girlfriend, Sammi, adored her mashed potatoes (we all LOVED them and took major forkfuls from her; Sorry, Sammi!) except for the fact that, again, they were barely hot. Overall, we enjoyed it and we will make this a regular place for us. The location is perfect for everyone to meet at. i'm going to chalk all the negative remarks up to the newness. i'm sure this slice of Cuban heaven (since my regular Cuban heaven, Cubana, is closed. major major sad face over here!!) will work out the kinks and become better with time.
(3)Mozil L.
I gotta tell ya, I stopped in about 3 weeks ago ( before the 'C' rating which has now been upgraded to an 'A') and I was very disappointed in what I encountered. Look, I get the fact it is supposed to be an express eatery, but tapas as a cuisine nor Spanish nor Cuban food is anything about express -- it's about taking your time, enjoying your surroundings and your table mates and relaxing. It's not about eating quickly and haphazardly. Taco Bell is an American invention, not a Latino way off life... Anyways the whole express atmosphere -- forcing patrons both in the bar and the restaurant to eat off plastic cutlery is ridiculous. That's not how I want enjoy and evening out. The tapas selection was just....meh. I mean forget about trying to find an authentic Spanish tapas bar here in Louisville, folks it just doesn't exist. And I really have tried to like all the other so-called "tapas" bars in the Highlands, Frankfort Ave., and Shelbyville Rd areas over the years. Everyone tries too dang hard to add glitz and glamour to what has always been simple savory snacks to be eaten with draft beer or red wine. Nothing more or else needed. No need for pretension or over the top 'Iron Chef'-type plates. Tapas are: black olives soaked in garlic brine WITH the pits. Tapas are a simple plate of roasted, shelled peanuts. Tapas are slices of baguette bread toasted slightly and smeared with the juice of red ripened Roma tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil ('pan con tomate'). Tapas are Jamon Serrano served with slices of that very same baguette. Tapas mean cold draft SPANISH BEER, that means Estrella, Aguila, etc -- NOT Tecate! This Louisville where folks have gotten used to a pretty extensive and eclectic beer selection while dining. HRExpress: step up your game. But the real clincher was at the end of my so-so dinner at the bar, when I wanted to order flan as dessert , they would not bring it to me! No, I had to actually get up, walk to the other portion of the restaurant that had the express line, wait in line, order my flan, pay for my flan and then bring it back to my bar stool on the other side. Of course all in a plastic to-go box and plastic fork..... Sheesh! Like I said--- big disappointment all around. Considering that their other new restaurant entry, Burger and Mussel Bar in jeffersontown was such a delight. I certainly hope they re-think this express restaurant concept. Hate to see a great location be wasted on the wrong focus of enjoying Iberian and Caribbean cuisine.
(1)Joe D.
I have always given Havana Rumba (St. Matthews) high marks but while the food was tasty (as always) plastic plates, forks and knives? Com'on, you can do better than that!!
(3)Renee V.
I really enjoyed myself here. The restaurant is divided into two areas: tapas and Havana Rumba express which gives versions of its regular meals. We went to the tapas area where I ordered a wonderful margarita made by Alexandro. A bit pricey but worth it. Lobster Quesadilla: Full of cheese. Didn't skimp on the lobster. Good portion. Smoked Wings: Fall off the bone awesome. Highly recommend. Papatas Bravas: Plenty of potatoes. Slightly spicy due to the sauce. Chicken Empanadas: Best of the bunch. Wonderful texture and filling. Sweet Potato Fries: Served with smoked honey. Don't pass these up. Pintxo de Morcilla: Sweet and indulgent. Service was great and I would go back.
(5)S C.
First off, during my visit today, the health inspector came and replaced all the signs on the door with an "A" (they scored a 97). So no more worries about the "C". Overall, this place is like Chipotle or Subway, only it's Cuban. You pick what you want while moving down the line and you pay for it (it's technically Havana Rumba Express, but the title on here doesn't say it). The food is just as good as the other regular Havana Rumba locations, though there appear to be some location exclusive items. Also, some of the old standbys have changed slightly. For instance the yuca is fried here...but no complaints from me as it still tastes delicious. That said, this place needs to work on its execution. They line bogged down once I got to the salad area. Granted, the lady in front of us was being ridiculously picky and complicated. But I don't see why they couldn't leapfrog some of us while they dealt with the lady's issues. I enjoyed this place a lot, and hope the prices stay the same- I felt like I got a lot of food for $7. Definitely pulling for this place to be a success!
(4)Amanda L.
I love Havana Rumba. I think they have consistently great food. However, this new location has a lot of kinks that need to be worked out for it to compare to the other two locations. We walked in at 5pm when they were scheduled to open. We walked up to the counter and were told that we'd have to wait a few minutes as they weren't ready yet. One of the employees approached us and explained how everything worked. All of the other employees seemed inconvenienced that we were there and seemed even more upset as a steady stream of other customers came in. The one girl who'd told us what was going on had gone to the back leaving us to explain how things worked to the other customers who had just arrived. Basically there are two restaurants in one. There's the tapas side where you can sit at cocktail tables and a server comes to take your drink and tapas orders. The other side features entrees, sandwiches, empanadas, etc. It's set up sort of like Qdoba or Subway. You go up to the counter and pick your meat of choice, sides, desserts, etc. It's a really cool concept, it's inexpensive and the food is great. However for an express restaurant you do kind of expect to get your meal relatively quickly. We waited until 5:20 to even be able to place our orders as the line wasn't set up (even though they opened at 5). Then they were still not ready with half of the food we wanted. Plus the employees had no idea about portion size and had to go get the manager to ask her how much of each thing to give customers. We ended up getting all of our food at about 5:45 pm. It was a really frustrating experience. I'll definitely come back after they've had a chance to train all of the employees and get everything up to speed. The food is fantastic and I really do love this company.
(3)Amanda L.
I love Havana Rumba. I think they have consistently great food. However, this new location has a lot of kinks that need to be worked out for it to compare to the other two locations. We walked in at 5pm when they were scheduled to open. We walked up to the counter and were told that we'd have to wait a few minutes as they weren't ready yet. One of the employees approached us and explained how everything worked. All of the other employees seemed inconvenienced that we were there and seemed even more upset as a steady stream of other customers came in. The one girl who'd told us what was going on had gone to the back leaving us to explain how things worked to the other customers who had just arrived. Basically there are two restaurants in one. There's the tapas side where you can sit at cocktail tables and a server comes to take your drink and tapas orders. The other side features entrees, sandwiches, empanadas, etc. It's set up sort of like Qdoba or Subway. You go up to the counter and pick your meat of choice, sides, desserts, etc. It's a really cool concept, it's inexpensive and the food is great. However for an express restaurant you do kind of expect to get your meal relatively quickly. We waited until 5:20 to even be able to place our orders as the line wasn't set up (even though they opened at 5). Then they were still not ready with half of the food we wanted. Plus the employees had no idea about portion size and had to go get the manager to ask her how much of each thing to give customers. We ended up getting all of our food at about 5:45 pm. It was a really frustrating experience. I'll definitely come back after they've had a chance to train all of the employees and get everything up to speed. The food is fantastic and I really do love this company.
(3)Ashlee K.
Okay, if you haven't been in a while they've changed from the cafeteria style, to full waiter service w/ real silverware and dishes. The decor is great! While not necessarily the fault of the owners, the only thing i hate about this location is that the walls and walls of windows make the place continuously cold. Not mentioned enough is the drinks at this location. The margs and mojitos are amazing, and comparably priced with other places on Bardstown Road. I've never had a problem with the food either. The Ropa Veija, Polo and Lechon Asado, etc are all as good as the St. Matthews or Middletown location. The tapas? I can't think of a single thing I've had there that I don't like. Croquettes and Queso Fundido is great, and just as tasty as Mojitos. They also have Lobster Quesadillas and Crab Cakes that are not available at their other locations. We've driven out of our way for the Lobster Quesadillas, passing both Mojitos and the St. Matthews Havana Rumba on our way. I've never had bad service here. If anything, it's been great and what's more is that this location is consistently good at great service even when it's busy. I love that the manager is always walking around saying hello to everyone. We'll be back! And if you're a lover of tapas you should check it out.
(4)Brian H.
Had the Vaca Frita at lunch (in photo - bottom) while my friend had the empanadas with sweet potato fries. What a terrific meal this was! The veggies were fresh, the meal seasoned and well cooked, the rice was fluffy and moist, the plantains were the best I've ever had and the black beans had a slight sweetness - very good. The service was fast and friendly and the atmosphere was fun and welcoming. Just a great dining experience. We'll be back.
(5)Michael M.
Authentic is what comes to mind first. The Cuban sandwich is simply the best I've ever had!, It makes everyone else's taste bad. I like the fried plantains, sweet potato frys, dipping sauces have a nice balance between sweet, spicy, and smoky. I've liked everything I've tried here. It's one of the few places I would eat at every week if I lived closer. We have tried some of the other places they own and like them too.
(5)Sam B.
My wife, 1.5 year old, and I stopped here for dinner while visiting Louisville. We absolutely loved this place. It was our best meal of the trip. They have a fun atmosphere, delicious margaritas, and unbelievable food. I'd recommend this place up and down to anybody looking for a remarkable meal in Louisville.
(5)Tracey K.
Holy mole, I'm in heaven! The yucca "croutons" on the caesar salad were killer, the fried plantains were as good as any I had in Costa Rica, and the tres leeches cake was damn near a religious experience. I can't wait to come back to Louisville if only to eat here again. Yuuuuuummy!!!
(4)Christina D.
I go to Havana Rumba every time I am in Louisville. They have the best mojitos I have ever had. I ordered the Cubanos Vegetarian. The spinach empanadas were delicious as was everything else . I brought friends here on two different occasions and they loved their food. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Ravi C.
Food and service were excellent! I had the vegetarian entree and everything tasted slow cooked and delicious. Best plantains I've ever had and the empanadas were wonderful.
(5)Bryan H.
My buddy and I went here after hearing good things about it. We got the guacamole and plantains as an appetizer. It was delicious but we felt they screwed us on the guac. They served it in one of those bowls that was half filled by design. As an entree I got the skirt steak and my buddy got the lechon asado. Both dishes were tasty but nothing to write home about. The service was sub par as we got our cups refilled once and the restaurant wasn't even busy Overall, good food that's a bit over priced.
(3)Daina S.
I am a Highland "in the hood" diner, and if you haven't gone to this Havana Rumba, you're missing something special! They not only have the VERY best margarita in Louisville, which in my mind once belonged to the former Alameda, but the food and staff are amazing. I'm not sure who "Oscar" is, assuming either an owner or the restaurant manager, but the man knows how to take care of his customers, the key word being "care". I have watched him with a watchful eye the last 15 times I was there, making sure everyone is being taken care of. Never disappointed with this place. They need to advertise!! I can't say how many people I know that I have told they opened a new place in this location that had no idea they were there!! Mr. Oscar, you now know why I just asked what your name was, thank you so much for our evening! We will be back again and again!
(5)Raymond B.
An excellent spot for a Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries. This restaurant is perfectly situated on the Douglass loop in Bardstown rd. The service was friendly and quick and food was very good.
(4)Allison S.
This place is so FINE! We love it - the Mojito's are totally perfect. The vegetarian dishes are a total joy to eat here. We love to sit outside, honestly. The customer service is always super nice, very accommodating. You can't go wrong with this place. So many choices, so filling, tasty good. Enjoy!
(5)Noah H.
Great food and a great atmosphere. Love the little tapas and drinks. Get the chorizo that's wrapped in bacon! Wait staff is very friendly and helpful. Good margaritas. A tad expensive but it makes for a nice night out.
(4)Joe T.
I could eat here every day. The carne asada, the cuban sandwiches, the guacamole - all spectacular. And on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can get their margaritas (also very good) for 5$. And not a reduced size because it's on sale margarita - no, a 16 ounce one. But make sure you don't have more than 2 if you plan to drive!
(5)Seema K.
I was so glad when Havana Rumba opened a location on Bardstown Road, just a few minutes from where I live. I haven't tried too many menu items (because I stick with what I like when I'm here) but what I've had is consistently good: 1. Appetizers: The patatas bravas always hit the spot -- they're diced potatoes topped with a spicy tomato-y/vinegar-y sauce. Guacamole is also good. 2. Entrees: I usually go with the empanada appetizer -- since I haven't found another empanada place in town -- and a salad for my entree. There are two empanada options: chicken and spinach & cheese. The chicken is a ground chicken that is well-seasoned without being spicy, and the spinach and cheese, while pretty simple is delicious. The dough comes out nice and flaky. I also really like the Rumba Caesar -- again, pretty simple -- romaine, manchego cheese and yuca croutons (!) with a Caesar dressing. The other entree I've enjoyed here is camarones al ajillo which is shrimp in olive oil, garlic and lime juice -- sort of like scampi. 3. Sides: the yuca con mojo (loved the pickled onions they top this with), congri, tostones and plaintains are all good options. HR also has great happy hour specials M-Th and the drinks are well made (and generally on the stronger side!). Lastly, the Bardstown Road has a separate Tapas bar. We've only tried that section once, but the tapas were all quite tasty. Definitely check out HR especially if you like Cuban food. It's tasty, comforting and reasonably priced.
(4)Jim S.
I went for lunch and had an excellent lamb combo with black beans and rice. I ordered the Cuban tamale just to try and I was not disappointed. The service was friendly and fast. You can tell a lot of time went into the decor and decorations. I can't wait to go back and sample more of the menu!
(4)Christopher P.
This may be one of the top 10 restuarants I've ever been too. The food was incredible. To top it all off, the wait staff were great. Awesome food and great service = winning combination.
(5)Travone T.
I have had the pleasure of going to Spain and the menu is very reminiscent of the cuisine that you could order at a tapas bar in Madrid, Sevilla, or Malaga. The translations are true and the recipes are not watered down to suit most American opinions of Latin/Hispanic cuisine. I've been back twice in less than 7 days if that gives you any hint. The chicken and fish tacos are impeccable, with an amazing, zesty sauce and pico de gallo to die for. I for see Havana Rumba being a go to. Especially with a nice line house margarita!
(4)Michelle L.
This was a great meal! Loved the plantain chips and my husband and I shared the sampler platter of tapas and it was plenty. Yummy mojitos too!
(5)KeiKei B.
Still three stars. Had the garlic lime shrimp & it was great. Bread was oh so awesome as well. My partner had an entree & we both had water. I had two mixed drinks. Service was wonderful! Solid three with leanings to four. Parking bites.
(3)Amy G.
Came in tonight on a whim...refused to wait 2 hours at Mussels Burger Bar. What a pleasant surprise! We are so glad we took a second chance on this Havana. The first time was "Express" and we were really underwhelmed. Huge improvement! We had the guacamole which was far better than last time. Full of flavor and chips were crunchy and delightful! Hubs had a kebab veggie plate that he said was good. I had the steak chimichurri. I asked for medium and it was more med rare, which was okay. Straightforward flavors, and along with a couple glasses of red sangria made it pretty close to perfect. The table split the tres leches cake. Pretty good. Not the best I've had, but tasty nonetheless. Our server was delightful and service, overall, was attentive and good. They had a Casio keyboard conga drum guy playing...felt like I should've been in some bad Adam Sandler Cruise ship kinda situation. Happy when he took a break...it was weird. But, dinner company was great and food was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(4)Stacey N.
The guacamole with plantain chips is the best! The margaritas are delicious and sizes are great. We will defiantly be back as regulars to have this wonderful food with a great atmosphere and wonderful service!
(5)Jayke W.
Had the best meal of my life here! Masa de puerco. Incredibly tender and tasty fried pork. The fat was like butter. Pickled red onions on top, black beans and rice. Plantains were unbelievable good too. Everything in one bite was heaven. Had the guac and plantain chips for appetizer and it was killer.
(5)Abby T.
The vaca frita was spot on delicious!!!! Plantains were cooked perfectly. Portions are large. We went for lunch and took half home and round 2 for dinner was just as yummy! The house margarita was delicious. Not overally sweet just great flavor.
(4)Lena R.
I rely heavily on my fellow Yelpers comments and reviews on great eats; however, this place....I'm not feeling it! It was so bad, that I cannot even remember what I ordered because I tried to forget all about the experience. I did enjoy the plantains but I believe that's because you can't really mess plantains up too bad. Anyway, I don't think I'll be returning but if you like I love it honey....go for it....it's just not for me!
(1)Michelle S.
The C on their front door for their cleanliness should have been our first sign. Fruit flies everywhere and overcooked flank steak.
(2)Megan F.
Maybe not having the hassle of driving all the way to St. Matthews plays a role in this 5 star review, but I like this Havana Rumba location better than the original. Ok, really it boils down to the concept and if there's one thing that's the perfect fit with my busy on-the-go lifestyle it's an express line version of a stellar local restaurant. And I have a serious thing for tapas. Give me both in one restaurant and I'm ecstatic. Totally different menu and everything but this HR location fills a similar purpose niche as Heart & Soy / Roots. But honestly the other reason this concept rocks is that it's accessible to a total Cuban food rookie (and/or beans and rice hater) like myself. The meats, sides and salads are all affordably priced a la carte and I loved not having to try and sub out beans and rice that comes as a side on so many of the entrees at the St. Matts HR. As many times as I've gone to the St. Matts Havana Rumba with groups and enjoyed it I'm never itching to go back. However, one trip to this location and I'm already craving more. Highlights from my meal: the lomo saltado, the orange vinaigrette (on the salad and its great for dipping the meat too) and the cheese and spinach empanada all hit the spot. The Yerba Mate soda, which they obviously don't make, is a total let down though...waaaayyy too sweet with not only sugar as a top ingredient but also corn sweeteners. The tapas bar / express line split is a little tricky to navigate since there's no host stand or anything (that I could tell, at least). There were no empty tables in the tapas bar when we went (which was the side we were originally interested in). According to the staff I eventually talked to in the express line the deal is you just go grab a seat at the tapas bar and a server will come take your order.
(5)Clifford H.
The Douglas Loop location has a great selection of tapas if you aren't in the mood for something heavy. Can't go wrong with the steak tacos.
(4)Alec P.
I was really excited when I first heard about this. I love both Havana Rumba and Mojitos, so having a place so close to where I live was awesome to think about it. I finally got to go try it out recently and I was not let down. I went in around lunch time and it was mostly empty. I opted for the express line and got the Ropa Vieja. This is the same dish I usually get at Mojitos (except I typically get chicken instead of beef), and it was just slighter less good here but that's expected with 'buffet-style' serving. It was still really excellent, you could just tell that it was prepared in bulk. For a quick and convenient lunch this is a nonissue. The price was also slightly higher, but considering how much time and gas this location saves me I don't mind paying a bit extra. All in all I was very pleased with the experience. The food was great and reasonably priced. I'm really glad to finally have a Cuban/Tapas place close by, especially one that lives up to both the original Havana Rumba and Mojitos. It's bound to become a place I regularly visit for a quick and awesome lunch.
(4)Alyssa C.
The food is delicious! I went last night and sat outside. The service was a little big slow but I'm guessing it was because of the outside seating situation. Although we had a 2 hour dinner... I would still recommend this establishment because the food is great and the drinks are strong!
(4)Kelly T.
Sigh. it pains me to review this newly opened sister-restaurant to the Havana Rumba in St. Matthew's in the way i am. Lunch date with the girls on friday and we decided to try it. As far as authenticity...spot on. many of the workers are hispanic and helpful in explaining the food. Like other reviews i've read already, we didn't know there was full service on the bar side. No big deal. The plastic-ware? eh, i'm not going to complain about it because it's an "express" type service. The menu is awesome and CHEAP. my entire entree with a drink was only about 10 bucks. So, to the food. i had pork, rice and a salad. i don't know if it was because of how much my plate spent waiting to catch up to me at the register but by the time i sat down...it was barely hot. sad day. the taste of everything was wonderful, though. i think Katie finished her plate in about 2.5 seconds. She had high regards for the empanadas. Every time she took a bite, her eyes rolled back in joy, lol. Our other girlfriend, Sammi, adored her mashed potatoes (we all LOVED them and took major forkfuls from her; Sorry, Sammi!) except for the fact that, again, they were barely hot. Overall, we enjoyed it and we will make this a regular place for us. The location is perfect for everyone to meet at. i'm going to chalk all the negative remarks up to the newness. i'm sure this slice of Cuban heaven (since my regular Cuban heaven, Cubana, is closed. major major sad face over here!!) will work out the kinks and become better with time.
(3)Marilin C.
Awesome food, great services, and the best sangria! Def recommend the pork, lobster quesadilla, and the Havana Rumba.
(5)Leslie S.
Since our 1st visit they have changed their concept from express to the traditional restaurant. It is exceptional! You must try the guac and any of the frozen drinks. The portions are large and good for sharing especially if you get an app. The Lechon Asado and the Vacca Frita are the best dishes ever!! I also recommend the chicken club sandwich or the Cuban. Delicious!!
(5)Captain P.
I had the steak chimichurri cooked medium. It was cooked perfectly. Good food, I would definitely go back. Great service, food came out on a timely manor.
(4)Jill B.
Excellent food and ambience. Even have live music and very vivacious! The wait was terrible. It's the longest I've ever waited to eat somewhere, around 1 hour 10 minutes but was quoted 45 min. Besides that the food was quick tasty and authentic!
(5)Mozil L.
I gotta tell ya, I stopped in about 3 weeks ago ( before the 'C' rating which has now been upgraded to an 'A') and I was very disappointed in what I encountered. Look, I get the fact it is supposed to be an express eatery, but tapas as a cuisine nor Spanish nor Cuban food is anything about express -- it's about taking your time, enjoying your surroundings and your table mates and relaxing. It's not about eating quickly and haphazardly. Taco Bell is an American invention, not a Latino way off life... Anyways the whole express atmosphere -- forcing patrons both in the bar and the restaurant to eat off plastic cutlery is ridiculous. That's not how I want enjoy and evening out. The tapas selection was just....meh. I mean forget about trying to find an authentic Spanish tapas bar here in Louisville, folks it just doesn't exist. And I really have tried to like all the other so-called "tapas" bars in the Highlands, Frankfort Ave., and Shelbyville Rd areas over the years. Everyone tries too dang hard to add glitz and glamour to what has always been simple savory snacks to be eaten with draft beer or red wine. Nothing more or else needed. No need for pretension or over the top 'Iron Chef'-type plates. Tapas are: black olives soaked in garlic brine WITH the pits. Tapas are a simple plate of roasted, shelled peanuts. Tapas are slices of baguette bread toasted slightly and smeared with the juice of red ripened Roma tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil ('pan con tomate'). Tapas are Jamon Serrano served with slices of that very same baguette. Tapas mean cold draft SPANISH BEER, that means Estrella, Aguila, etc -- NOT Tecate! This Louisville where folks have gotten used to a pretty extensive and eclectic beer selection while dining. HRExpress: step up your game. But the real clincher was at the end of my so-so dinner at the bar, when I wanted to order flan as dessert , they would not bring it to me! No, I had to actually get up, walk to the other portion of the restaurant that had the express line, wait in line, order my flan, pay for my flan and then bring it back to my bar stool on the other side. Of course all in a plastic to-go box and plastic fork..... Sheesh! Like I said--- big disappointment all around. Considering that their other new restaurant entry, Burger and Mussel Bar in jeffersontown was such a delight. I certainly hope they re-think this express restaurant concept. Hate to see a great location be wasted on the wrong focus of enjoying Iberian and Caribbean cuisine.
(1)Joe D.
I have always given Havana Rumba (St. Matthews) high marks but while the food was tasty (as always) plastic plates, forks and knives? Com'on, you can do better than that!!
(3)Renee V.
I really enjoyed myself here. The restaurant is divided into two areas: tapas and Havana Rumba express which gives versions of its regular meals. We went to the tapas area where I ordered a wonderful margarita made by Alexandro. A bit pricey but worth it. Lobster Quesadilla: Full of cheese. Didn't skimp on the lobster. Good portion. Smoked Wings: Fall off the bone awesome. Highly recommend. Papatas Bravas: Plenty of potatoes. Slightly spicy due to the sauce. Chicken Empanadas: Best of the bunch. Wonderful texture and filling. Sweet Potato Fries: Served with smoked honey. Don't pass these up. Pintxo de Morcilla: Sweet and indulgent. Service was great and I would go back.
(5)S C.
First off, during my visit today, the health inspector came and replaced all the signs on the door with an "A" (they scored a 97). So no more worries about the "C". Overall, this place is like Chipotle or Subway, only it's Cuban. You pick what you want while moving down the line and you pay for it (it's technically Havana Rumba Express, but the title on here doesn't say it). The food is just as good as the other regular Havana Rumba locations, though there appear to be some location exclusive items. Also, some of the old standbys have changed slightly. For instance the yuca is fried here...but no complaints from me as it still tastes delicious. That said, this place needs to work on its execution. They line bogged down once I got to the salad area. Granted, the lady in front of us was being ridiculously picky and complicated. But I don't see why they couldn't leapfrog some of us while they dealt with the lady's issues. I enjoyed this place a lot, and hope the prices stay the same- I felt like I got a lot of food for $7. Definitely pulling for this place to be a success!
(4)Mel G.
The locations great! The prices are good! The food was served warm, not hot. But, flavor was good and variety was OK. When you walk in, you get in line like at QDoba or Subway or Chipotle... Then you have to yell over a windowed barricade to place your order. The "empanadas" are to be ordered at the cash register as is guacamole and/or chips. The preparers will get very angry and tell you that they do not take the empanadas order. Be prepared for some unspoken "soup nazi" type rules for placing order. There is a drink station with silverware, napkins, etc. next to cash register and in a doorway that serves as the entrance to the Tapas Bar. If you want Mojito, then you can go order at bar and bring back to "express" side. There are plenty of tables on the express side. Many are placed very close to and along the route of the order placing line. While people wait to place their order, they can get a good look at what there is to have. Given the location, it is common to help each other out and ask/answer questions about menu and restaurant. Expect such exchanges as the staff is not very pleasant or welcoming. The loop attitude luckily compensates well for this. That is the basic info. That you will need. The food has potential for 4 stars. Feels and functions like a food court. Service needs to be more pleasant. There were many workers in the way of "worker bee-like" diners, preventing access to necessities such as napkins, plastic silverware, drinks, etc. Food court set up is bad enough. We waited 5 minutes for three workers to finish their conversation with fourth worker who was filling the napkin dispenser. The hot topic was gossip. I am all for connecting and gossiping. But, either that long line of dummies waiting to fill their soda cup should be included or you should take the chit chat to the side so that the unfortunates can carry on with their chores as "express" diner. "¿Verdad? Since family cannot go into Tapas bar, it would be best to make the experience good for all. For example, the set up is confusing. While we can easily spot a bar that will serve us a drink (the sodas mentioned earlier were for young and old in party-we went straight for bar) we had many others ask us how the place worked and where we got that "drink"!? You can have family order and sit on express side and go to bar side to order drinks to bring over to table with family in "express" area. The bar has full service. The "express" experience with family visiting from out of town was not good. It would rate a 1.5 star for causing added stress which is the opposite goal for a family when venturing out after a long day. I hope that the place improves to meet its potential. This is second visit and when experience maintained if not worsened, this review was conceived. The Tapas Bar has full service and we will try that next with hopes that it is a better experience. Review will follow.
(2)Glenn K.
This is our 5th time here and each time has been fantastic. We were at the tapas bar tonight but the express side is a hit with our family as well. This is a great local restaurant in a great local neighborhood!
(5)Milos M.
Went on a Friday night to try out this new spot as wife and I are huge fans of the other locations. The food was delicious and staff was very friendly. I had lechon asado (pork), sweet plantains, and grilled vegetables. Wife had cubano sandwich, fried yuca, and sweet plantains. With 2 beverages, bill was $20. If you like delicious food at inexpensive prices, I would highly recommend.
(5)Steve A.
Went last night for dinner. Guacamole with plantains it's a must. Cocktails were great too. Live music last night was nice and the artist was including all the little kids getting them to play instruments. Made for a great atmosphere. Dinner was amazing. We had Masas De Puerco and the Cuban sandwich. Meat was very tender, and the rice was amazing too.
(4)Mini D.
Great food! Great service! Loved the civeche! The mohitos were amazing! The slow-cooked pork melted in your mouth! Worth a try!
(5)Priscilla D.
Love this place. Everytime we come to Louisville we go here. Great food and drinks. I love their plantains with avocado. Great appetizer. Also I love the sangria and margaritas mixed together. Yummy yummy. Great staff, very friendly.
(5)Nicole S.
Such a great place to dine with friends and family! I go here whenever I am in the area. The dining room is greatly decorated and clean, the staff is friendly, and the food is great for a decent price! I tend to always get the Fricasa de Pollo (basically chicken in a nice stew with rice,beans, and plantanes). It's great! It's thanks to Havanna that I am willing to try new things! The only problem I've ever had is the staff sometimes having very thick accents haha
(5)Ashley I.
I went here tonight, and LOVED it! First of all, happy hour on Monday and Tuesday is 5PM until close with $2 off mojitos, margaritas, and sangria. I had the peach sangria, which was as delicious as it sounds, and perfect for a summer night. Then we ordered the guac and plantain chips for a starter... DELICIOUS! If you've never had plantain chips you will love them. If you have, they pair amazingly with guacamole. For my meal I ordered two hot tapas: the chicken empanadas and tostones con pollo. Both were amazing. I love empanadas and these ones were perfect: not too flaky and the chicken was seasoned well. The sauce accompanying the empanadas was not necessary but a great add. The tostones was great as well, but again you can't go wrong with that: essentially a bed of cheese and salsa on top of chicken and plantains--if you haven't noticed yet, I love plantains. However, it was a lot of food, and I ended up bringing a lot of it home. My friends loved their sandwiches, the Cuban and the Havana Rumba, as well as the sweet potato fries that came with. They said the ceviche was also great here! I'm so excited to come back. I want to try the Pollo al Mojo.
(5)Y C.
The best Cuban cuisine in Kentucky!!!! I am Cuban, I live in Lexington and travel to Louisville just to remember and enjoy the flavor of my country!!! La mejor comida Cubana en Kentucky!!!! Soy cubano vivo en Lexington y viajo hasta Lousville solo para recordar y disfrutar el sazón de mi paÃs!!!!
(5)Jeroam Z.
The vibe just keeps getting better and better here. Havana Rumba is my all time favorite restaurant in the Louisville area and probably of anywhere. I have taken so many people here and feel as if I'm family. I've had so many birthdays here with various friends and children. I have 5 daughters and whenever they are in town this is their first request! The food, awesome! The staff, awesome! The owners, awesome! The value, beyond awesome!
(5)Staci W.
The banana pina coladas with rum are refreshing and so yummy! I ambiance is upbeat with live music playing. The plantain chips with guacamole is my favorite appetizer. The food is also very tasty! I ordered the chicken dish loaded with cheese and salsa. The plate was huge! I've had 4 meals out of this dish. I like to come here with to celebrate birthdays and dine with good friends.
(4)Sara C.
Lovely little Cuban restaurant that serves the best fish tacos and guacamole. The servers were on point with fantastic service. The beers were cold and food was hot. Lovely atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. My husband ordered the crab cakes and they were full crab and he said they were very good.
(4)Sarah C.
I remember being so happy when this location opened in the Highlands. I was living very near there at the time and have always loved eating at Havana Rumba (in st matthews). I will say that this place has gone through some changes since it first opened in the neighborhood. I am glad that they have settled in their spot and have consistency now. The tapas menu is separate from the regular menu. You will see the same options on the regular menu as you would at the other locations...the tapas is an extra plus exclusive to this location! I love the vegetarian empanadas and the guacamole. I was sad on my last visit to see the hummus trio off the menu. It was fantastic! I almost always order a side of the congris, which is a mixture of rice and black beans. So yummy! They also have great happy hour deals through the week. Mondays and Tuesdays is $5 margaritas, mojitos and sangria all day. Wednesday and Thursday (don't think Friday and Saturday are included) is $5 for the above mentioned drinks from 5p-7p. They also have beer specials as well, though I cannot remember them off the top of my head. This place has one of the best margaritas in town (same ones as their other restaurant, Mojito as well). Order the original on the rocks and you will be blown away. Good stuff! Service is always friendly at Havana Rumba too. If you have somehow never dined here...go now. And have a drink during happy hour! :)
(4)Shawn N.
Kapasa mi amigos/amigas! Being that I'm from the capital of cubano food (Tampa, Florida) I was really dying for some good authentic Cuban food, this place did not disappoint! I had the cubano sandwich which had the right amount of crisp, perfectly seasoned pork and just enough cheese to tie it together perfectly! The yuca frites were delish and they made this green sauce which was amazing! Maduros were perfectly sweet. I wish I had room for dessert! Hasta Luego!
(5)Nadine S.
Another business meal out while visiting Louisville. We decided to try a Cuban restaurant and once seated we saw a 2 page tapas menu and decided to order multiple items for our table of 6. Everything came out about 2 at a time allowing us to try some before the next item served but before we knew it we had no space on the table. We tried 2 types of salad, and several other dishes unfortunately I cannot remember the names but one was meatballs soaked in a delicious thick sauce, fried plantains with guacamole which was my absolute favorite. We had vegetable and chicken empanadas and fried green tomatoes with an amazing cheese topping. All the food was very fresh and pleasing to the eye, nose, and palate. My hips aren't happy but my stomach was. The group ordered 2 dessert which I did not try but they said were delicious. Great food with excellent service. The 4 stars are because the restaurant was so cold you had to wear your coat during your meal to be comfortable. In fairness to the restaurant Louisville had record lows tonight so may be out of their control but it did detract a little from the overall dining experience.
(4)Christy M.
The guac and plantains were SO good! Crispy and perfectly done! The salad was fine, nothing notable. The chicken comes in long thin strands so that was a bit odd... It seemed very processed. I don't know any chicken breast that is as long as those strips... Those would be some odd chickens! The service was good.
(3)Andrea B.
This is a great cuban place in the Highlands. My favorite picks are: *Drink - Margarita *Appetizer - Guacamole (comes with plantain chips...yum!) *Salad - Ensalada Tropical *Entree - Vaca Frita - If you like beef If you go for just tapas, I really don't think you can go wrong. I've had several tapas here and liked all of them. Also, I've had great customer service. During one visit the Vaca Frita, which I get every time I go, didn't taste right. When I asked the waiter if they changed the recipe or something, he said that they must have just not made it quite right. Not only did they bring me a new entree, they also made a second one for me to take home and didn't charge us for my meal at all. Can't get much better than that!
(4)Kristin G.
There are several great things about this place. The first is that kids' meals are only $4, and are really great. My picky child requests to go here all the time, and loves the grilled chicken with beans and rice. The waitstaff are always above and beyond how nice you'd expect servers to be to a 4 year old. The other best thing is the steak chimichurri. We go here a lot so I don't always order the steak, but when I do I always think it's the best meal I've ordered out in months.
(5)Emily H.
Tasty. Fast. Friendly. Margarita. Full. After my dinner at Havana Rumba Express, those are the words that come to mind. Similar to my experiences at the other restaurants under the same owners (El Taco Luchador, Havana Rumba I, Mussel and Burger Bar, Guacamole), my time at Havana Rumba was very pleasant and very flavorful. I got the house margarita, guacamole and plantain chips and lecho asado, which is slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus juices, garlic and spices with congri (black beans and rice) and yuca con mojo (boiled casava in sauce). I'll start with my drink. For a house margarita, it was larger than I expected. It came in one of those larger, flashy bowl-glasses. And they weren't stingy with the salt, which I like. Similarly, the plantain chips were overflowing. I can't believe more places don't serve plantain chips with guac. They're salty with a hit of sweet -- a great guac counterpart. Plus they are shaped like scoops. But there wasn't enough guac -- some of the best I've had -- to go with the chips. We could have eaten two of the mini bowls that come with this app, and we weren't gluttons with it. OK, the main dish. I had asked our waiter for recommendations, and he pointed to this one, as my meal counterparts had already chosen his other two faves. And I'm glad I got this. The pork was tender, falling off the fork. The waiter brought me a few lemon wedges and suggested that I squeeze a little on the pork with some salt, which tasted great. The congri was also great. Black beans and rice can be bland; these weren't. But the yuca was. I think that's just how yuca normally tastes, but you get a lot of it with your dish. I could have done with just a couple pieces. Maybe next time I'll swap it out for fried plantains. The waiter, who I mentioned, was the pinnacle of professionalism. He was so friendly and responsive. And the food came out QUICK. We came in shortly before closing, but still, it was only 5-10 minutes between ordering and eating. I'll be back!
(4)Leigh W.
Love it. This is the perfect place for a vegetarian mother to take her small children to dinner. The kids' menu is great - lots of options, huge portions and reasonable prices. One of my daughters had the grilled chicken which was served with an adult portion of rice, beans and fried plantains. She wouldn't try the plantains, but she gobbled up the rice and beans and was too full to eat much of the chicken. My other daughter had the cheese quesadilla and fries. Again, the portion was so large that my hearty eater couldn't finish it. But my meal wins the prize. I ordered the cubano vegetariano which included a perfectly fried cheese, pepper and spinach filled empanada and some delightfully creamy sauce on the side, fried plantains, yuca topped with pickled onions, rice and beans. Every part of the entree was equally delicious. And this reviewer, normally always a member of the clean-plate club, couldn't finish it all. We all took home a nice box of leftovers. The service was quick as the name "express" implies. The restaurant is spacious and conveniently located in the heart of the Highlands. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Charlotte F.
Overall, tasty tapas and interesting drinks. Specifically, bacon wrapped chorizo and fried green mashed plantains with chicken were delicious. Anything involving the plantains- chips with guacamole, grilled etc. were very good and balanced. Crab cakes... meeh not so much. I took a risk and tried the sangria + margarita drink and was surprised to enjoy it so much. It wasn't as sweet as you'd expect from the combination, balancing the tartness of the margarita with some bold red wine. I was expecting it to be fruitier and ordered it mostly for the novelty, so I was pleasantly surprised. The servers seemed a little confused/forgetful, but they reacted apologetically to correct errors.
(4)Emily W.
Absolutely delicious food and an excellent location, if I do say so myself. If you're a fan of the other two locations, you won't be disappointed by the Highlands location of Havana Rumba. I have to admit that the service is hit or miss here, but you can't go wrong with the food. Some of my favorites are the guacamole with plantain chips, empanadas, and Fricase Pollo. And you can't miss the combination of black beans and rice!
(4)Mark C.
Service was excellent. Started with fried plantains and guacamole which was so good. Next up black bean soup followed by the Cubano! Wife had the fish tacos and they were excellent! Definitely a must visit if you like Cuban food.
(5)Patricia O.
Really good tapas, we went with 3 people and ordered a lot of tapas! We ordered the queso fundido, chorizo and bacon, papas bravas (kinda spicy), crab cakes (outstanding), and tostones con pollo (Kinda bland), all dishes delicious. The bread comes warm and the butter is really nice with herbs. Good service and good music! If you wanna spice up your day/night with something different, this is a cool spot.
(4)Carly S.
I'm not going to blame my entire bad experience on Havana Rumba, but they certainly played a part in it. I went on one of the worst dates of my life at Havana Rumba a few months ago. Part one: I ordered one of the "legendary mojitos" from the so-called bartender. I think maybe the bartender called in sick and the manager or the busser was mixing drinks that night. This drink was, well, gross. I thought maybe there was a wonky ingredient, so I asked him politely to retry. I watched him the next time. There was no muddling...he just stuck an entire mint plant in this one. Just as yucky. It was fine. I ordered a glass of wine. No problem. Part two: While all of the yucky drink - ness was happening this man who I had met ten minutes prior (gotta love a blind date!) kept getting ruder and ruder to the poor guy trying to bartend. He even shouted "CHECK" At him! I was mortified. I don't care if a person can't make a drink well, there is no reason to be rude. Part three: the food was meh, and the dbag didn't get a kiss goodnight. I suppose this review is a bit of an apology to that poor guy nervously trying to tend bar. I hope you learned how to make a mojito, sir. I am willing to give you and Havana Rumba another shot. I'll be sure to keep all you yelpers posted. :)
(2)Steve W.
We ate at 6:30 on a Monday evening. The restaurant was steady, but not overly busy. The service was prompt and courteous (thanks, Alex!), and the food was excellent. Will return!
(5)Patty F.
Great food. Awesome service! Guacamole is delicious! We went our first time on Fathers Day and had the Steak Chimichurri and the Cubano Sandwich with the sweet potato fries, it was all very good!
(5)Cecilia C.
Really great Cuban flaire and huge menu. So many choices....the only challenge could be understanding what certain foods were if you aren't familiar with this type of food. I knew more of the options than some though still could have used a picture. Overall a really nice fun dining experience with great Cuban food. I tried a friends pork dish and that was great. Plaintains were prepared very well and they served up good Sangria at great happy hour prices too. I would certainly recommend and go back in the future.
(4)Jessica L.
Muy delicioso! Me gusta este resturante. La comida y la musica fueron muy bien. The food was delicious, the service was great and the live music was fantastic. I love Caribbean food from the island (D.R., Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Cuba, etc) and this didn't disappoint. La yuca frita was really good, especially the mayoketchup (which was good except it could have used a little less mayo and a little more garlic, but it was pretty good). Loved the empenadas and the tostones. Everything I tried was awesome. Good spot I definitely recommend it.
(5)Zain K.
Working at Bellarmine, Havana Rumba is a convenient option for a decent sit-down lunch. It's pretty typical Cuban fare, well prepared in a comfortable setting. My go-to is the pescado a la parilla (grilled fish, served with rice, beans, and plantain for around $11), though I'm curious to try the lechon asado that everyone speaks of highly.
(4)Kevin O.
Okay, so don't let the name on here fool you. It's not so much express any more and they've adopted the menu from the other locations. The food is bar none the best Cuban food in town at any of their locations. I really like the roasted chicken and the vaca frita. Also, you can't go wrong with the rum drinks. The Hemingway is probably the closest thing you'll get to what a daquiri originally was in town. Rum, lime, and sugar. It's strong, but definitely done well. Have one too many and suddenly salsa doesn't seem as daunting as it once did. No, you still can't dance, but it just seems like a better idea than when you walked in. It can take a bit if time, so order the guacamole and plantains for while you wait. Otherwise, buen provecho y salud!
(4)Jason G.
Love the original location and was slightly confused by the "express" in the name. Fortunately, I don't think that means anything anymore as my mother and I enjoyed an amazing lunch just as good as at the main location. Gabi was our server and made us feel welcome and appreciated. Food was, as usual, extraordinary, and thanks to that plus the service and location, I know I'll be back many, many times!
(5)