Ryan P.

Two words: California Huevos. The Cafe Leche, tostones and tres leches cake are all amazing too. You will smell like cuban bread, or tostones, or somethign fried when you leave though. The place does have a great ambiance too.

Bianca C.

Really enjoyed my roast pork mojo but my husband said his paella was bland. Best flan I've ever had. Huge portions. Fun, lively atmosphere and great prices. Will definitely return for more.

Pat J.

Probably in my top 5 restaurants in Richmond. The food here is delicious, fresh, and very Cuban. The food is much better than the Havana 59. I've had the cuban pulled pork and the various types of paella -both excellent. I also love anywhere that I'm able to get fried plantains. The service is also very friendly. I recommend getting there on a weeknight or early as it's small and there tends to be a wait.

Chris L.

Ordered the antipasti app and the Cuban pulled pork while my wife ordered the pork tenderloin special. All were outstanding. Small place with outstanding service and exceptional food. The ambiance is part hole in the wall, part Cuban-retro and part eccentric/eclectic. But the look belies the food and service. Great presentation, nicely prepared food and ample portions.

Alan H.

Well well well where to start with Kuba Kuba. Fresh ingredients, huge portions, excellent Cuban food! What more can you ask for? Although, I can't say that I am a Cuban food connoisseur, I believe that this is the closest I've had to authentic Cuban food. They really know how to blend the flavors of the ingredients in such a simple way that hits the spot every time I visit. I've tried the pork and rice, paella, chicken and rice, another pork entrée, bbq Cuban, sloppy jose, and the huevos ranchers. All dishes were very tasty but if I had to pick a favorite, I'd pick one of the pork dishes. The pork is so tender and moist that it always leaves me wanting more! Out of the sandwiches, both were good but I'd have to give the trophy to the sloppy jose. It pretty much reminded me of a Cuban French dip sandwich. The pork was so tender and the bun was moist with an au jois sauce. I'm salivating just thinking about it! The only caveat is that it was a special so keep your fingers crosses that it's there when you visit. There is one thing I've been dying to try and it's the tres leche cake! It was featured on the food network and unfortunately the past two times they ran out of cake. =( sad day. But that means it's legit. I'll be back! The one knock I have is that the service is slow. The place itself is small but I like that aspect of the restaurant. It gives a little Richmond culture to the atmosphere. When you come here, make sure you have time so you can just enjoy your meal. Good food takes time to prepare and it's definitely worth the wait!

Zipporah S.

Have enjoyed breakfast here a few times, and LOVE the Cafe Con Leche coffee. Ive heard lunch and dinner is great, but haven't tried that yet. THe atmosphere is entertaining and waitresses have been great.

Kelly H.

I was talking to a friend from Richmond and realized that I never reviewed this place - so, here is my belated Yelp... The overall look of this place is total dive - in a very cool way. Very informal but with really good Cuban food, In fact I will go so far as to say that it serves the best Cuban sandwich I have ever eaten. Like heaven served on a Krispy Kream. Killer black bean soup. And the Cuban Antipasto salad - excellent and can easily feed say, 3 people. The Cuban Coffee - very strong and mixed with sweetened condensed milk is the closest thing to true Cafe Du Monde coffee available outside of NOLA. All I can say is Kuba Kuba - miss ya babe. Sorry it took me so long to write about you....

Bryan B.

Waited 40 minutes but it was worth the wait! The food was delicious! We had empanadas for an appetizer which were really good. I had guava ginger shrimp with asparagus, black beans and rice - it was fantastic! Save room for Tres Leches cake - the chocolate and vanilla are both fantastic! On the negative side, I wish they served mojitos and cocktails or had a broader selection of light beer. Also their system of taking names when you get there is that there is no system so don't wait meekly by the door.

Steven T.

I was in the area for business and heard some good things about this place. I was not disappointed. I got the kubana sandwich which was very good. The service was just a tad slow which why I gave it four stars.

Robert T.

It seems odd to write a review for a place I eat so often; sort of like rating your family's dinner, or gauging Grandma's cookies with a star rating. Nevertheless. The fact that I eat here as much as I do gives confidence to each of the five stars this place so richly deserves. The food is always phenomenal (including cornbread that may very well include crack as a seminal ingredient- addictive barely begins to cover it) Manny Mendez, the owner, takes great care in selecting quality ingredients for his specials and daily items alike. For example, I have learned a great deal about what fish is safe to serve or not at various times of year and why from the chefs here. The desserts are handmade by Manny's mother, and who could ask for more than that? If you havent been to this Fan landmark, treat yourself and go!

Guy C.

Always great! The Kubanaso is one if my favorite sandwiches and never disappoints. The food and the service continue to be fantastic.

Adelina B.

Great food- Kubanaso and tres leches. Great service too. It was super busy but we were well attended.

Mos D.

It's been about a year since the last time I was hear but coming back for brunch reminded me EXACTLY why I love this place. We came in without a wait on a Saturday just before noon and went straight for the Cafe con leche. This is without a doubt the best coffee in Richmond. I'm sad that I forgot about it for so long, but thrilled to have stumbled back upon it. For brunch we had the Chorizo Tortilla (Cuban Omellete) and the California Huevos. I don't like thick egg dishes so I didn't even bother trying that dish but the corn bread it came with was perfectly moist and sweet. I did however eat every scrap of my California Huevos. All the cheesy, beany, tomatoey, bready, gooey goodness was devoured. Anyways I love this place... you should too.

Thomas B.

Blackbean Soup with lime sour cream is excellent!

Micah P.

This place isn't fancy, but I like the local-business feel to it. If you like avocados and a slightly hearty salad, try their avocado salad! It also comes with Kuban toast which is absolutely delicious! I'm a big fan of their chicken and pineapple sandwich as well. The chicken is grilled and marinated. Also, most of their food comes with some fried plantains which are really yummy. It's a good place to go to if you're entertaining friends from out of the area.

Conner W.

This was my second time being here and it was unmemorable once again. I got arroz con pollo and the service was okay

Christian B.

I love this place. I want to bring anyone and everyone who visits from out of town to experience all that is KubaKuba. California huevos & tostones are spectacular. Freshly made limeade. Great flavor, atmosphere, service and prices. Kuba Kuba is a must!

Nary S.

Delicious. Especially after a rough night with too much to drink. The place is always packed from the time it opens on the weekends. I usually get the Huevos Kuba which are eggs served over Kuban beef hash with rice and Kuban cornbread (which I don't prefer because it's a tad too dry for my taste) with a cup of black freshly brewed Kuban coffee. My friends usually get the Huevos Rancheros which are eggs over red beans and Kuban bread, topped with Monterey Jack cheese, enchilada sauce and a lime sour cream. Or the classic Kuban. I hear that the Tortilla con Langostino which is a Spanish style omelet with crawfish, potatos, green peppers and onions is also good. Something I should try next time. I prefer brunch over dinner. Something about the comfort of the food early on in the day to soak up the aftermath of the prior night works like a charm.

Andy L.

I've only been to this place 3-4 times even though i live 4 doors down from it. I usually get the paninis. The food here is good but its not the greatest. I would recommend to people that want some cuban food. Compared to others cubans places i have eaten, this is your best bet for Richmond. The place can get pretty busy on the weekend so arrive early with your full party because they dont seat you till everyone is there.

Stephanie G.

*4.5 Stars* The weekend brunch is SO. GOOD. Get the tortilla con langostino or huevos rancheros. And you can still get the Cuban sandwich. The Kubanaso (Cuban with chorizo) is also excellent. The bread it comes on is very tasty. They also serve sweet tea, which I very much miss now that I live a little farther north. Oh, and don't forget the tres leches cake for dessert. Apparently it is so good that they often run out of it before lunch time is even finished. I haven't had anything here that wasn't very very good. It's a must try.

Cynthia Z.

Drove through Virginia and heard about this place. I dunno, the food was disappointing. My guess this is the best around this town, but if you have experienced delicious Cuban food, this place will leave you disappointed.

P R.

This place is busy and for good reason - food is tasty and plentiful. Our group ordered paella vegetarian, salmon and spinach tortilla (omelete), salmon special, coconut risotto cakes, and avocado salad. Everyone enjoyed their meal. We arrived before 7 pm on a Friday night, and we waited 30 minutes for our group of 6. My only complaint was that the place was slammed and there were a few empty tables but the hostess was also the waitress and several people like ourselves were waiting much longer than necessary. Definitely worth the wait and coming back. Keep in mind - No liquor, just beer and wine.

Kara W.

The food is great, but the real gem is the tres leches cake. Try vanilla and chocolate (vanilla is my favorite).

Megan G.

Five words: Tomato Pesto Jack Melt, please? I can always depend on the Kubes for a solid meal, even if I do always get the same thing. If you're looking for a quick meal, avoid going during peak lunch and breakfast hours and try for an early dinner. If you do end up having to wait, order a lemonade at the bar and all will seem right with the world. On a side note, I once saw the owner hauling stacks upon stacks of toilet paper out of Kroger, so you know the bathroom will always be stocked. Enjoy!

Joseph W.

I'm tired of living the lie. Everyone I know talks about how awesome Kuba Kuba is. Yelp has a giant boner for the place. I've never left disappointed, but man, it's not that awesome. It's just pretty good. Dry and bland. Those are the faults I would generalize, though I'm kind of nitpicking. Again, I've generally enjoyed every meal I've had there, but it's just "A-OK". It's definitely far short of the Cuban food I became familiar with during my extended stay in Miami. And, the service consistently sucks, as is true with pretty much all restaurants in Richmond. And you know what? A CORTADITO IS NOT A MACCHIATO! Kuba Kuba sells you the cortadito, but serves the macchiato. Major difference. On a sidenote, I cannot trust a review from anyone who drowns everything they eat in Sriracha.

Kristel P.

This is the first place I ever ate in Richmond and I became a regular on day 1! It is so good! I religiously order the California Huevos which is so flavorful and full of the perfect mix of textures. The tostones are great and so are the empanadas. I love the Portabella Press and the Cuban sandwich is a common entree. Even the ceviche is good. The coffee is SO good and they make their own lemon and lime-ade. Keep the sriracha handy as it is good on everything they make. Order the Tres Leches cake for dessert (vanilla is better than chocolate!) and you will be transported to heaven. Fun, kitschy atmosphere only adds to the awesome flair of this iconic Richmond restaurant. FYI: Only seated when your whole party is present.

Nguyen V.

Amazing coffee. Get the coffee with condensed milk, so good you'd almost believe you were in New Orleans sipping on a cup of Cafe Du Monde coffee. The dinner is generally very tasty and the rotating specials are always a welcomed sight. Brunch is amazing so get there at 9 AM or else you won't get a seat.

Cynthia M.

Always of fan of Kuba Kuba...the servers are hit or miss. Last time there I had the California Huevos...eggs over easy, beans, red sauce, sour cream, cheese, & avocados...deliciousness! My dining partner has the cuban sandwich and seemed to like it as well...nice little place in Richmond

Elle M.

drooling as I write...Cuban food, in itself, is amazing, but this place just feels amazing. Parking can prove somewhat of a hassle, but go on a nice day if you aren't used to the parking, and walk a block or two, your stomach will love you for it. Try: Avocado Salad, Empanadas (beef and veggie are TAN DELICIOSOS), black bean soup, ropa vieja, tostones, red beans + rice plus cornbread...forget it, try anything on the menu and you'll die happy. If you try nothing at all...and you love (or even like) chocolate GET THE TRES LECHES chocolate!!! You will fall into a self-induced coma of happiness and joy and will be completely at peace for the rest of your days as long as Kuba Kuba never stops serving this slice of heaven. *note to recession: please don't cause KubaKuba to have to downsize on the slice of this cake...

Lenny C.

I had heard a lot of good things about this restaurant from my Richmond friends, so a while back, while delivering some artwork to a local collector, I dropped by and had dinner. The atmosphere is very trendy and somewhat hip, which is something different from most Cuban restaurants outside of NYC. It looked like a very cool restaurant which happened to serve (I was told) great Cuban food. I knew that something was wrong when I was served a basket of chips and salsa while I ordered my food. I rationalized it as the fact that in Richmond, even a Cuban restaurant has to "normalize" and come down to the fact that a lot of people think that Mexico starts south of the border and there are no other culinary traditions elsewhere in the twenty-something other nations in the Americas. Notice to Kuba Kuba: Cuban food does not include chips and salsa... perhaps a serving of mariquitas (fried, thin chips made out of plantains), but not Mexican tortilla chips - in a Cuban cuisine, a tortilla is an omelette. I ordered the most basic of Cuban dishes, which of course, came with the staple of Cuban food: white rice and black beans. There is a long cultural tradition assigned to this dish, and even its Cuban Spanish name (moros y cristianos or "moors and christians") tell you something about the dish (rumored to honor the 100th anniversary in 1592 of Queen Isabella's final victory over the Moors in 1492). I was horrified when my moros y cristianos was brought to me with the black beans piled atop the white rice. HUGE cultural gaffe! These two parts of this key Cuban dish are always, always, always served in separate dishes and only the eater can mix them, if he/she desires to mix it. When cooked together, a different dish, called "congri" is the star. Overall, the food was acceptable, but far from stellar or memorable, although it is probably one of the few variants of Latin American food available to Richmonders... too bad the owners (I am willing to bet they're not of Cuban ancestry) miss the rich cultural tradition that goes along with Cuban food. Fail!

Christin D.

Awesome! I had black bean soup and empanadillas, the food came out super fast and was really tasty. I had one of each variety of empanadilla, the cornbread that came with the soup was also great. Oh and the Tres leches cake... whoa. It's really sweet and I could almost do without the icing on top, but still definitely a great item to share. Get the limeaide too.

James H.

By far my favorite place in Richmond. Avocado salad, Kubanaso, and Tres Leches cake with a cafe con leche is my idea of the perfect 3-course meal. Love this place!

Jeremy W.

Enjoyed a great brunch at Kuba Kuba, food was great as usual. The portions are a good size and the food is delicious. I had the egg, chorizo and swiss sandwich and sampled the huevos rancheros and the salmon omelet. We also got an extra side of the fried plantains. The cuban sandwiches and tres leche cake are amazing too. The only reason they are getting four stars instead of five is because of their seating policy (all members of your party must be present to be seated) and the waitress was slow on the refills. I'm sure we will be back soon though.

Katie J.

This is another place that sometimes I can't believe that I only started eating here within the past year or 2. While I primarily go here for brunch, I must say the dinner menu is amazing as well. But I'm going to stick with what I know best: brunch. I don't eat dairy & I am VERY picky when it comes to brunch....and by picky, I mean boring. Scrambled eggs + toast + hash browns is probably the greatest hangover food ever created. And during brunch I'm typically, well, hungover. Kuba Kuba not only met my scrambled-eggs-and-toast mandate, they actually got me out of my hangover-food rut & I ordered their california huevos. And it was (gasp!) delicious! I think what's most noteworthy about their food is they way it's prepared. Typically I crave scrambled-eggs-and-toast b/c I need greasy comfort food to wash down whatever damage I did to myself the night before by inflicting MORE damage onto my digestive system. It's almost like indigestion can cure they symptoms of psoriasis of the liver*. However: to this Kuba Kuba says "no! We will not inflict indigestion onto our unsuspecting hungover patrons!". Their eggs are so light & fluffy that you can actually eat & digest them and not go home & immediately face-plant back into your pillow from food coma. Same with their toast, which is served grilled & very lightly buttered a la panini. Delicious! Whatever they cook their eggs/food in must be a healthier, lighter oil than usual because I always leave brunch feeling full, yet.....good! Amazing! The California Huevos are spectacular, which is tough to say when you have to order this dish without cheese/sour cream such as I. The ability to serve such a cheese-heavy dish WITHOUT the cheese, and yet still have me coming back for more, speaks volumes in my book. Even the oh-so-typical huevos with toast that I still order (some habits die hard) still comes served with sliced avocado, tomatoes & peppers & is simple, yet so well-prepared that it really doesn't require much else. Sometimes simplicity really is best, when you've got good ingredients at hand. Sorry that this review is so egg-centric (ha), I guess I'm just a girl who really loves a simple, straightforward brunch. However I will say: Kuba Kuba is a place where I can go with my friends who crave more intricate brunches (I'm looking at you, Salmon & spinach tortilla omlet!), and I can settle for my standard fare of scrambled-eggs-and-toast, and not feel like I'm "settling". Love this place! Now: if they did something about their ventilation issues (yes, sorry I'm such a freak about smells) & maybe replaced the wicker chairs with something that doesn't cause tears & runs in my tights (again, I'm funny about things like that...ladies, if you're wearing tights, opt for a booth), then they'd be a "5" for sure! In short, the atmosphere is great (think Havana sans cockroaches, fortunately), the wait staff always quick and/or friendly (hey, we can't have it all!), and the wait isn't TOO bad.....as long as you get there before the rest of the zombie post-bar crowd does (aka, noon). Just get there early if you're attempting to seat a big group, because most of the tables are 2-4 tops...and booths are coveted space. And are currently occupied by me in my tights, of course. *Not to be taken seriously. Kuba Kuba does not cure psoriasis of the liver, nor do I claim to know what actually does. I just know that it's caused from too much drinking, and I fear that I will one day meet my untimely demise from said disease. Until then, I will continue to eat Kuba Kuba for brunch with my fingers crossed.

Shelly H.

First timer at Kuba Kuba. Got there around 6 pm on a Friday night with no wait but we were lucky. Pros: Food comes fast and fresh. Tasty with good strong flavors but none that overwhelm each other. We started out wth the empanadilla which were good enough to eat by themselves. I finished off with the Mozz, Spin, Basil, and Tomato sandwich. I licked my fingers afterwards. Husband had the roast pork...he cleaned his plate. Dessert: Tres Leches: Take off the icing and it is great. Cons: I understand why they do this but it still irks me. If you are only a party of two, you must wait for a small table. They won't seat you at the booths. Next time in the area, we will be back.

Derrick C.

We should've come here for brunch rather than dinner but it was still good (but not great). First, the food took too long to come out. I expect the opposite in the "diner"-like environment they created. I had the ropa vieja which though really flavorful was also salty. I also ordered the asparagus to be added to my dish but they botched that part of my order up. The good thing though was that the portions were huge and made for a more than adequate breakfast. Overall, I thought the prices were a little higher than what I would've expected for a place that gives a Cuban diner vibe. Again, it's probably more fitting for a brunch setting...

hobo s.

Up front, the cuban sandwich looked really good and I'd like to go back and try it to better round out my review. But until then, it is based on an appetizer of tostones, some veggie paella that came with bread and more tostones, and lemonade. The tostones were fine, but the appetizer was a plateful, and not a small plate either. (This lesson would be repeated.) Some were crispy, others a little thick, but they were super hot (i.e. fresh) and tasty. I just don't know how anyone is supposed to eat a plateful of fried starch and then eat a (gigantic) meal. The veggie "paella" was not paella. It was (a ton) of long grain rice, that wasn't cooked on a hot pan (i.e. no crispy bits) served with a lot of veg. The veg were fine, but not super flavorful, and the rice was similar. Also, they had stirred it up so that I could barely get a forkful of rice to taste it separately. Maybe it would have been better if I had gotten the seafood or mixed proteins (chicken, chorizo, seafood) but I was trying to eat a lighter meal. It came with more tostones, which I couldn't look at after the appetizer, and a piece of bread that was delicious (hello cubano?). The "paella" was disappointing and when I was full, it looked as though I hadn't eaten any, even though I had done as much damage as I dared. I realize that a single visit may skew a review one way or the other, but I'm being honest based on that one visit. I would change the name of the rice dish that is not paella, and I would make a note on the menu that portion sizes are HUGE. On the plus side, if you are a fan, as many people are, you get a lot for your money. I almost forgot the lemonade. It is billed as fresh and it sure tastes like it. Sour and a bit sweet with just a hint of bitter from the fresh lemon. Definitely worth getting. I bet the lemonade and cubano would have given this place 3+ stars.

Hanna S.

After recommendations from 3 friends, I made sure to stop at Kuba Kuba during my quick trip to Richmond. I was not disappointed! The place was packed for brunch on Sunday - some people waited half and hour. I was alone, so I dined at the bar. I had no idea what to order, so when the staff recommended an egg dish with house-smoked salmon, I jumped on it! I also had cafe con leche. Everything was fantastic! Amazing how much big flavor comes out of such a small kitchen!

Chuck G.

This is one of the ten best meals I have had in my life--no kidding. We came in off-hours (Saturday afternoon at 4 something) and had the Latin antipasto (Extremes) which is made up of Chorizo, queso blanco, scallop ceviche, Tasso ham, marintated olives, roasted garlic, asparagus, vegetables, greens, Kuban toast--and Empanadillas, pastries stuffed with spinach and ricotta and picadillo. Hard to call what makes something so simple and seemingly inconsequential as a meal so memorable--an inspired chef, perfect ingredients, the ideal afternoon--I don't know. But this is the reason searching out new experiences in life can be such a great joy--on very rare occasions you have an experience such as this.

Zaynah A.

Might be on the expensive side, but a far as entrees go, you can't regret spending that much on such a huge amount of food. I never leave without knowing what I'm going to be eating for the next few days. I wish that the empanadas (the little pastries with spinach and cheese or meats in them) weren't as expensive, or that they gave us more, because I honestly could just eat those for a meal. If you're a black bean soup connoisseur you probably know that it's supposed to be basically just a can of black beans for you to eat, so don't expect anything different from that here. Drink cafe con leche, sweetened. You'll never want to drink anything else ever again. Also, if you're meeting people there you must all be present before any of you will be seated. It's weird and kind of annoying, but still really worth it. They also say that they won't split checks, but I've had them do it before so you should probably try to have cash just in case.

William D.

Service is really sub-par, but the food is so good I just keep coming back. My mom is Cuban, so this is food I can relate to when I'm away from home. Any of the pork sandwiches are good. They also have a Pork Shank occasionally that is AMAZING. The best pork I've had in Richmond. Nice spot with cool decor in a quiet neighborhood. Prices are reasonable. Coffee is delicious, too. Just, like I said, dont' expect excellent service.

Jessie P.

The entrees are great and reasonably priced, but the prize? The Tres Leches cake. There is an elderly woman slaving away over her oven at home so I can enjoy a slice of this cake. (You can order a whole one of this homemade masterpiece as well with a 3 day notice.) The service is friendly and attentive. Once we even came 15 minutes after closing for a coffee (do you know how impossible it is to find coffee at 9pm on a Sunday?) and she whipped one up for us -- which reminds me, try the Cafe con Leche.

Rosquete B.

"Gigantic Portions of Cuban Food" Looks like a hole-in-the-wall in the Virginia Commonwealth University area Turns out to be a cool and funky old-fashioned diner The beef and spinach empanadas were tasty The avocado salad was huge and delicious Loved the roast pork with tostones, moros, and cristianos (also huge helping) You can decent wines for $25-30 a bottle Delish chocolate cake Efficient food service Good cortado for $1.50!

Charlie Z.

This restaurant lends an aura of Cuban authenticity in a pleasant corner of the Fan. Stick with the Cuban fare as the fideuá, a Spanish paella dish that uses noodles instead of rice, is AWFUL. It's tasteless and bland and unworthy of the name. I wouldn't touch the paella with a 10-foot pole. Cubans don't do Paella, and they certainly don't do fideuá. The tres leches cake is very good despite being a bit drier than I am accustomed to. I prefer the Mexican variety. The staff are surly and rude to a point and make it their mission to stress that booths are for 4... even when you show up with four or more. The sandwiches are all dry and pretty much all taste the same. You'll leave smelling like a panini. Totally overrated.

John E.

Everything has been said by this point. The straight-up Cuban sandwich is my favorite.

Maggie N.

I had high expectations for Kuba Kuba. People rave about it. I ordered the Pork Sandwich, I simple signature dish that was reflective of the quality of the rest of the food I would presume. It was average. Not mouthwatering, flavorful, tender as I had hoped. I'm not an expert on Cuban food or anything but I thought that since Dexter liked to eat those sandwiches, I might too. Maybe I would be better off just going to Miami, but I'm a bit disappointed if this is Richmond's best offering in Cuban food, and it is nonetheless proud of itself. I love Tres Leches and so I ordered theirs, even though I guess I should have known better. That is not tres leches cake. It just isn't. I had two bites and the waitress kindly removed it from the check. That was the first kind thing that she did, because overall the service was terrible. I'm very confused. Was this the same restaurant that everyone else is reviewing? They don't even have MOJITOS. What kind of Cuban restaurant doesn't have mojitos?

Nick D.

Been here a few times, but the last time I went I had the pork shank and oh God was it awesome. I'm not easily blown away, but when I was done eating this thing I was actually sad. It was that good. I also had the lentil soup which was pretty good. On previous trips I've had paella and some egg dishes, all were very good.

Amanda M.

Love love love this place. My boyfriend who lives out of town demands that we eat here when he visits, because he craves it when he's back home.

Katie C.

Their pork is amazing. I crave it. I have had it in the cuban sandwhich and in an omelet from their Sunday Brunch menu. Definitely a great place with great food and atmosphere.

mike p.

Authentic Cuban with flair, a must visit in Richmond, definitely go for the brunch menu

Julie B.

The food was okay, mine might have been a little bland. The service was subpar and it was crazy crowded.

M M.

My 19 year old daughter, wife and I ate there two nights ago. I have to say, the consistency of this place is remarkable and their pork shank, served with a delicious veal based sauce, mashed potatos, and asparagus spears is one one of the signature dishes in Richmond. Manny, the celebrated chef/owner, was not there, but the cook that night--an experienced veteran--was great. My family shared the avocado salad, black bean soup, and cubano. All were excellent. This place never misses a beat in Manny's absence. For those who wonder about what to order, I advise anything with pork, a mainstay of Cuban cooking. Oh eyah,we also had a nice white Rioja at 25/bottle.

Jennifer H.

Pass the salt. Echo-ing Joseph W here. Some dishes here are just missing something. But in the end. I've come back here time and time again. Good job Kuba Kuba. Loving the GIANT bottle of rooster sauce on each table.

Danny L.

I'd like to give 4.5 stars. First, really great food, nothing more can be said. The seating is not the best, but that is part of the charm. I need to go there again soon.

Lydia H.

California Huevos Rancheros = my last meal on earth. There are very few places that I will endure I-95 traffic for, and this is one of them. Love: Handwritten specials on the board How out of place Kuba Kuba is in this residential neighborhood Reading the newspaper at the counter Cafe con leche Waiting outside for a table in the Summer Don't Love: Nothing

Amanda K.

I love the inside! Cute bar with stools, lots of cool cuban stuff on the walls, and a little "store" with cuban food for purchase. The food was a bit "meh". I was excited to try the plantains but they were just ok compared to others that I've had. I got the Cuban sandwich, which was good, but I like the way I make them at home better and started to wish I had ordered some huevos. Tres leches cake was moist and yummy. Overall, not impressed but maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. I'd be willing to give it another try.

Whitney A.

I love Kuba Kuba. When I'm back in Richmond I make it a point to grab a meal there. My favorite menu item is the sandwich with Pesto-Tomato-Jack Melt. YUM. The fried plantains are also delicious - personally I prefer it when they're salty, but sometimes their a bit too sweet for my taste. The other item on the menu, which is great to go, is the cafe con leche. Completely worth swinging by and grabbing a cup to go, or settling in for a conversation with a friend. Delicious.

Tiffany D.

I absolutely love Kuba Kuba! Every time I've been, they've always been crowded but the food is worth it. A great freshly made limeade with a Cuban sandwich and fried plantains is my favorite meal to get but I've had their salads and some of their specials and it just doesn't get any better. Go here now!

Amanda M.

I love you, Kuba Kuba. You know I do. I am w you almost once a week.

Tracy L.

I don't really know what Cuban food is supposed to taste like but I know this place is AWESOME! Wish they could transport this place to San Diego. It's been years since I was in RVA and I'm still missing the rice! :'(

Rachel P.

You know I feel as if I love the sammies, starters, salads and desserts but I have found that some of the traditional entree dishes lacked a little something for me. Obviously James G. doesn't know that there aren't too many Cuban places around here, and that this is definitely the best you are gonna get here in Richmond. Considering we aren't too close to Cuba (or Florida for that matter), this is pretty good Cuban food, and even if every single ingredient isn't entirely authentic they certainly do try. One star? Really? Mexicali, Cuban, who gives a F if it's good. PS these prices are cheap when compared to big cities. I wanna give big ups to being consistent and trying to do something different.

Alexander D.

Kuba Kuba is a quirky little place. There are times when the combination of southern comfort and Cuban is exactly what I want, and I'd give the place five stars in a heartbeat, and there are others when my reaction has been more along the lines of 'meh'. It's very popular with the college crowd, so I wind up going with my friends pretty often, but I've never felt any need to go there of my own volition. Kuba Kuba is plunked down in the middle of a residential neighborhood, making parking a chore, but it's well lit and marked, so there's no trouble finding it. The furnishings are folk-art inspired, with an assortment of murals, vases, and Barbie doll wall lamps, which have to be seen to be believed. The food is consistently filling, and tastes very good, but I wouldn't use superlatives under any situation. The portions are large, and the atmosphere is homey. I've had very good luck with the sandwiches, although I may have been spoiled from years in Florida. It's consistent, inexpensive, and pretty unique for the Richmond area, so Kuba Kuba is easily worth a try.

Anne Marie D.

The service really was not that great and it's pretty cramped in there, but the food made up for it completely. The limeade is awesome and the California huevos are incredible!

Kathy S.

One of the most memorable dining experiences I had in RVA. I had the barbecued shrimp with ginger mango sauce, savored every spicy bite, and went back for more a week later! Also enjoyed the coconut risotto cakes (under the salmon). This is a hot spot so get there early! Be prepare for noise! But so worth it!

choochoo t.

Hubby and I really wanted to like this place. We both ordered the cuban sandwich. It was good but it needed a lot more flavor. Like salt. I added so much salt to the sandwich. Can't give a place five stars if we needed to add all that salt! Other than that, the ingredients were fine. Good bread. We liked the plantains. The service was friendly. Unfortunately, the cuban sandwich won't bring us back. If we lived closer, we'd probably come back and try something different. But we don't live that close so we probably won't. Limeade was great but how much more spectacular can limeade get? We were there around 3pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. Parking wasn't too bad. We're willing to walk as long as there isn't much trouble parking.

Simon B.

It's okay; that's it...just OK. The set-up, design and art were the stand-out things. Decent seafood soup. Pretty decent coffee.

Joseph G.

Kuba Kuba is solid Richmond restaurant. You walk in and you feel like you've stepped out of the fan and into Cuba. It's a tiny place and the tables are crammed together, but everyone loves it and you never feel overcrowded. I love the breakfast food. It's a great selection, though I usually just go with eggs, avocado and toast. I mainly eat lunch there. The Cuban pressed sandwiches hit the spot. They are big and lately I usually share them. I've really only been to dinner a few times in all my years here. The dinner menu doesn't really excite me, and the portions are friggin huge. And I don't like huge portions, but that's just me. Some total favorites on the menu - cafe con leche, cafe con leche, cafe con leche. Try it hot, try it iced, try it to go (it's twice as big) - and get it sweetened! The fresh lime-ade hits the spot, oh so good. The tres leche cake looks like an average white cake, but it is so moist! Be sure to bug them about the frozen chocolate mousse that they stopped serving. When tropical storm Gaston hit and we were out of power, I heard Kuba was brewing up coffee with their gas heat and giving it free to the neighbors. How great is that! Plus, they almost got run out of the fan. I'm glad to see this place is still shining. Dinner isn't my favorite, but how can I not give this slammin place 5 stars? ...one last tip - you will smell like Kuba Kuba when you leave!

Roger Y.

What a great Cuban restaurant! Manny is the best at what he does! Make sure to save room for the Tres Leches cake!

Randy D.

Great place loved the chorizo egg and Swiss delicious great atmosphere the limeade is the nectar of the gods. The guy who met me at the Door was very friendly and happy to see my girlfriend and I would highly recommend to people who enjoy Cuban cuisine in my opinion it is 100 times better the Havana '59 down the street, it has the mom and pop feel where Havana has the franchise feel about it

James G.

IF YOU WANT CUBAN THIS ISNT IT!! Went for breakfast, seemed more Mexicali than Cuban, I never had anything this bad, in any Bodega in Tampa, Miami, or anywhere else. The bill was screwy too, we were charged an extra .50 for milk, for a cafe con leche, excuse me if my Spanish is rough but doesn't that mean coffee with milk? Eggs were overcooked and they used red beans that were so tough that they had to have been cooked in salt (shame on whoever the prep cook was) The flavors were Mexican, Cuban food is spiced more sublime, subtle, and savory. I have never seen salsa like that used in anything associated with cuban, no Roast pork, or savory ham, No mention of Manchego Cheese, nor a Media Noche. They couldn't even get the bread right, no small air pockets, seemed like the cheap Italian bread from Sysco provides.

Julie D.

One of my favorite restuarants in Richmond, hands down. I don't live in Richmond anymore and I crave Kuba Kuba about once a week. Everything I have tried here is delicious. The Cuban with plantains are yum yum yum. The vegetarian paella is enough for 3 with the ripest half avocado placed on top. Breakfast is amazing too, especially heuvos rancheros. I honestly cannot say one bad thing about the place. The atmosphere is cute but small so you usually have to wait, but well worth the wait.

Shelly V.

Kuba Kuba is one of the best brunch places in Richmond as per a vote of my acquaintances. This is obvious as every time we get together, they insist on going to Kuba Kuba for brunch on Sunday. However, I don't mind. This restaurant is great because they really incorporate the Cuban tastes into all of their food. Even their omelets are not just plain run-of-the-mill omelets but are a bit spicy and have a punch of the Cuban flair. Yum Yum. The only reason they are missing a star is because there is ALWAYS a wait. I know that is a sign of a good restaurant but the place is so small that you see the people waiting and although the waiters don't make you feel pressured to leave, the people staring at you do make you want to vacate.

Leah F.

Not impressed. I'd heard about Kuba Kuba from a lot of people. So my boyfriend and I tried it. The wait was short (about the only plus), the service was terrible. We waited 30 minutes for our food. The plantains were less than good and the empanadillas were interesting. I had the chicken pineapple sandwich, which was alright. My boyfriend had the pork tenderloin special, which he said was good but not worth the price. We both agreed that we had hoped it would have been better and were both disappointed.

Sherri W.

Imagine, if you will, a plate full of heaven served piping hot in a homey little bodega... Dinner at the Kuba Kuba was JUST LIKE THAT! The Huevos California I tried may be one of the finest meals I've ever eaten. Two eggs over read beans with Kuban bread with tons of jack cheese, enchilada sauce, lime sour cream, and sliced avacado. The portion size was so generous, that even with my nephews help we couldn't finish it, which made me want to weep as it was so delicious! The meal was accompanied with cafe con leche with sweetened condensed milk. I don't think I need to even tell you how good that was. I am not sure words can describe the experience!

Jeff T.

The atmosphere in this place is very laid back. The place is relatively small but they seem to move people really fast. The paella is more than enough to split. Good stuff.

Josh J.

Food was great staff is great music is great definitely will be back

L C.

we got a cuban sandwich and it was wonderful. the tostones were perfect!!! very fun restaurant, great food, great atmosphere, great location. totally recommend.

kelley s.

What can I say, I love places that are small, quaint and super friendly. And well, Kuba Kuba are these things AND they have great food!!! Went here for breakfast on a chilly Richmond morning and I'm so glad that we did. Our bellies were filled with warm, cheesy, flavorful food. I had the california huevoes rancheros. DELICIOUS and hearty!!! I couldn't finish it, but that's all good cause every bite I had was amazing and I left satisfied...every girls dream! ;) They also have a great lunch menu and tons of choices. Beer and wine as well and frothy yummy coffees....oh...I could go for some now! So if you're in the area of this gem, definetly stop by and have yourself a great feast at a great price with great atmosphere!

Ed M.

* Love that chorizo and egg panini they have for breakfast...I drive all the way into town just for that! * Huevos California is probably the best known dish here...it is really awesome. * At lunch, try the "lunch pork" plate. I used to go there for lunch once a week.

Samantha Y.

Kuba Kuba is a small hole in the wall type of restaurant that you wouldn't think much of from the outside, but the food is ridiculously good and the atmosphere is very cozy. I was recommended to come here by my sister and really didn't know too much about Cuban food or what to expect. I've been here 3 times and have tried the empanadillas (I like the beef better than the ricotta and spinach), arroz con pollo, omelette with sausage and potatoes, and you cannot leave without trying the tres leches. It's not as moist as other tres leches but the icing definitely makes up for it. The vieja ropa and the shredded pork are also good, which my boyfriend ordered. The servings are large and very tasty. My recent visit (last night) the server forgot to give us our appetizer but apologized and instead gave me a slice of cake to make up for the mistake. Overall, I'll definitely be coming back and will try a sandwich.

JEWELe M.

So I have to agree this place has awesome cuban food. The tostones, cuban sandwich, and plaintains were yummy! And the paella was deliciously HUGE (and heard the veggie paella is the best!) HOWEVER, the waiter was horrible. After we got seated in a booth (6 of us) it took almost 2 hours to get our food. There was some mixup w/ our orders so.....good thing the waiter gave us free wine, beer, & tres leches (which EACH of us brought home!!!) Despite that lil' boo boo...I give this wellknown spot 4 stars! I believe if I come back to Richmond, this will be another dinner or brunch spot!!!!

Traci W.

So amazingly delicious. Lots of vegetarian and vegan entrees. The vegetarian Paella is amazing and the portion is so huge that I usually split it with my husband (we both get the fabulous avocado salad or soup) and we still have a enough for both of us to each lunch the next day.

Tammy A.

First time here, out of town visiting. Based on the reviews couldn't wait to try the cuban pork sandwich, was disappointed. The meat was so dry. I also had the black bean soup and fresh lemonade, both ok.

Tor B.

Kuba Kuba is a Fan favorite. Kuba Kuba is a great place to grab some grub...if you're into grubbing! Food at Kuba Kuba straight-forward Cuban food always satisfies. Cuban Sandwiches, Handmade Limeade, Tostinos! (Fried Plantains), Torte Tres Leches, and Cafe con Leche top the list of my favorites. The egg dishes look good too! I love the Tostinos with some hot red sauce! They're soooo good. Hasta siempre!

Kristin A.

Although I have since moved to Los Angeles, I still salivate when I think of their delicious Cuban sandwich. Perfectly salty pork and ham with cheese, pickles, and spicy mustard. And I don't even tend to like pork! Although I like their fried plantains, they don't really hold a candle to what you get in Latin America, but that's okay. I can forgive if you bring me some limeade and mouth orgasmic tres leche cake!

Timothy G.

For Cuban food outside of Miami I was impressed. Fresh, flavorful and the menu is packed with traditional favorites.

Ashley D.

Went back again while back in Richmond. Got the paella. The most amazing meal ever! I wish I could have licked the bowl :). A must visit if you are in the Richmond area especially near The Fan district.

Long L.

Came to Richmond for work and pickings for a place to eat was slim. Hopped on Yelp and found this little gem. Never had Cuban food before but this being my first experience, I really enjoyed the food. I had one of there Paella dishes. Large serving, perfect after a hard days work :)

Ruthie A.

Although not even close to the first time I've been here, this is a restaurant that never lets me down. Tonight was a paella mariscos with a glass of Sauvignon blanc from Spain. My mother who is from out of town and remembered coming here two years ago was the one to request this evenings trip, ordered the roasted pork with rice and beans. Both meals were FABULOUS and fairly priced especially for the massive portions we both had to take home! (I will thank the kuba kuba leftover gods tomorrow around lunch time when everyone else goes for their hot pockets!) the service was as always laid back and friendly, attentive and able to keep up with the turnover without excessive waits or feelings of being rushed out. Although this is my first review here, tonight's visit was yet another reaffirmation of my love for this Richmond gem. Food, service, and ambience were on par and consistent with those kuba qualities which 5 years in Richmond has made me grow so fond of.

Virginia B.

Everything is delicious but I can't go and not get the roasted pork entree - one of my all time favorite restaurant meals that never disappoints! Don't even get me started on the deliciousness of their tres leches - I want it to be my wedding cake! The only con is that you always walk out smelling like cuban food for the rest of the night.

Goldie M.

I have been to Kuba Kuba many times and although it is a wonderful restaurant overall, I feel like the food is overrated. If you are visiting Richmond, this is one of the places that you have to go to because it reflects the Richmond culture and community extremely well. Kuba Kuba is a small place that is always packed. It definitely has the feel of a cuban/spanish (always buzzing with sound and life) restaurant which I love. My biggest issue with Kuba Kuba is the food. I have to say after eating there so many times, the food is just not all that cracked up to be. The portions are great and the prices are reasonable but the quality of the food is not something to rave about. They really skimp out on the seafood in the paella. The sandwiches are fine (it's hard to mess up a sandwich). Their best food is served during brunch. They do have some great cornbread but the omelette's are nothing special. I had the Tortilla Con Langostino once and it was bad. I have yet to try the tres leche cake which is apparently extremely delicious. You might ask why I return to Kuba Kuba: well, it's because of the atmosphere. It's a wonderful place to meet with friends and just enjoy yourself.

Alison P.

My husband and I went here for our anniversary because we wanted a nice walk through the neighborhood and a smaller place to eat. We were really impressed with the whole look of the place, the staff and the food. From the moment we walked in, the staff was welcoming and helpful. I ordered one of the specials and was really surprised by how much I liked it. We both had to take food home with us because the portions were huge! (it warms up again really well, though) Their coffee was also pretty good.

Sarah C.

My cousin lives in the Fan District, so every time I visit her, I put in my request to go to Kuba Kuba too! The restaurant is within walking distance of her house, so getting there is never a problem. If we did have to drive and park, I'd suspect it would be a little difficult given its vicinity to VCU student housing. My favorite dishes - in this order - are: 1) The Avocado Salad - sounds lame, but the amount of salad you get for under $7 is incredible! A whole avocado, giant beautiful tomatoes, finely diced red onion and peppers, a beautiful bed of leafy greens, and a delicious and light dressing (never too much) make this a perfect lunch or dinner on its own. I generally order it to split because there is so much of it. 2) The black bean soup - could not be any fresher or any better. It is never too salty and for $4 could be a meal unto itself as well. 3) The Cuban Sandwich - It's a little odd that it looks like it has been pressed in a panini press, but I guess I just don't imagine many panini presses in Cuba. That said, the sandwich, whether it is authentic or not, is quite yummy and is an excellent choice for the lunch crowd. It comes with tasty fried plantains as well. 4) The shredded pork is out of this world good if you want a really big meal. In all, I don't think one can go wrong at Kuba Kuba! I also love the authentic feel of the place. The tables, the bar stools, the art deco front doors. Don't listen to those who think the wait staff sucks, they just aren't accustomed to dining Cuban style. It takes longer - it's supposed to. Things not to miss - Tres Leches Cake - oh oh oh! so good! Take it home with you if you're too stuffed to have it at the table - seriously - you don't want to miss it! The limeade - perfectly sweetened, perfectly tart, perfectly light. If you get there during the rush, be prepared to wait. And also... please be courteous and don't linger when you've finished your meal if you see the line out the door. This is a tiny place to go for excellent food - enjoy it, and then let others do the same. S~

Karman L.

I LOVE KUBA KUBA !!! Came to Richmond for business, and this was one of the place I had to visit (cuz of Yelp!!!) Location : Easy parking off the street... Seat : May not be great for too big of a group...it's a hole in a wall...family oriented setting...no A/C tho, but its all good!!! We got there around 6:30pm, got seats almost right away (they only sit ya when whole party is there)...line started to form around 7 and 7:30pm Service : okay ... waitress was too busy with all the patrons at the restaurant Food : GREAT!!! I had the Pork Shank (special on the board!) I inhaled that whole thing in like .5 sec!!! Others had the roast pork and the seafood pasta (w/ mussel and shrimp) They all loved it!!! Dessert was yummy...i had the flan w/ yellow cake!!! SO FULLL!!!! Can't wait to come back!

Christa H.

I went here with my friend after hearing her rave about their day and night pie. The pie was amazing, but my dinner was horrible. I won't be going back.

Christopher H.

Food: The food here is really, really good. Heaping portions and everything I've had is delicious. You've got to try the Cafe con Leche if you're a coffee drinker (and like sweet beverages). Service: At the opposite extreme. The same waiters have been working every time I've gone, and it's the worst team I've seen assembled. It always takes FOREVER to get the check and to pay. As great as the food is, I always leave this place irritated because of the terrible service. The service is so bad that I would have given this place 5 stars otherwise. Atmosphere: Great atmosphere, clean, almost feels like you've left Richmond for a bit. Prices: Incredibly reasonable. I took a friend there for lunch once and got the check--it was about $16 total. That's significantly less than I would spend for just myself at most places.

Mike L.

I don't really have much more to add to other reviews for Kuba Kuba, they are dead on with my experience. I took my girlfriend there for dinner for our anniversary. We love that area of Richmond, it's so nice to see things getting renovated and it has a nice, comfortable feel to it. I do wish there was more parking, but areas like that are not known for having parking lots, etc. The atmosphere is terrific! It really did feel as if we were having dinner in Havana. We were the lucky ones that got the church pew booth, but that was ok, the place was packed! Our server was wonderful, she helped us decide what to eat since this was all so new to the both of us. We had Empanadillas for starters which were amazing! Usually Janine and I are very sharing but we found ourselves fighting over the last bites. For our entrees, she selected the roast pork and I had the chicken and rice bowl. To say they were generous amounts of great food would be a big understatement! We then finished the evening off with their Kuban coffee and their Kafe con Leche which was rich but not overwhelming cake. We had the white, but agreed to the try the chocolate the next time we go. Which will be soon. Highly recommended!

Jon J.

Great little Cuban restaurant. I loved the avocado salad - the dressing was perfect, the greens were fresh, and the toast that they serve with it was delicious! The Cuban sandwich was similarly tasty. And the fried plantains that accompany the sandwiches were spectacular. Friendly staff, good prices, relaxed atmosphere, great food - that's a combination that can't be beat!

Rana S.

Very fun place with lots of personality! Great Cuban food, and interesting wall decor (I specifically remember part of a doll sticking out)!! Huge servings... I'm a big eater and I could barely make a dent in my rice dish.

Philippe F.

Sober or Hungover.....Kuba Kuba will do a little dance on your tongue that will make you feel better than when you first walked in. I have yet to try their dinner menu, but am quite content with their lunch selection of sandwiches and omelets. Regardless of what you order, be sure to add the fried plantains as an app....(unless it comes with your sandwich). Dip that in a lil Sirachi sauce, and you will be grinning while staring at your plate like you just smoked a fatty......

Kristin W.

I was driving through Richmond with my in laws the other night and every restaurant we tried to go to was a 1 to 2 hour wait. Although I had never been to Richmond before I went to Yelp on my iPhone and found this place in a hurry. I gave them a call and within 30 minutes all 8 of us were seated and ordering drinks. This was a great place and the atmosphere was great. The owner came over from Cuba as a child and his mom makes all the deserts. Being Cuban myself I've had a lot of experience with the cuisine, this wasn't the best I've had, but i'm sure it was great for the Richmond area. I had the roast portk dinner. I thought the meal I had was sort of sub-par, the pork wasn't seasoned enough and the tostones weren't as good as I hoped, but my husband got one of the specials. He got the garlic lime shrimp with coconut risotto cakes. It was great! I wished I had gotten that. Based on the reviews I also ordered the avocado salad. It was really good. I really recommend it. Another member of our party got the salmon and it was delicious. I was mostly excited about getting some dessert, but the owner's father was in the hospital and his mother didn't have time to make any desert. They sounded great though. Delicious!

Becca B.

This place is incredible -- period. The food was outstanding and the people who work there are great. Granted we waited for a loooooonnnng time, but it was well worth it. During the wait we sipped on wine and were treated to an appetizer by one of the guys cooking. Once we were seated, another round of appetizers -- fried plantains, ceviche, and the avacado salad were quickly inhaled. One of my friends and I split the paella and were left with another meal for the following day. Overall it was a great meal. Mmmm I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Can't wait to go back!

Kristie T.

All time, #1 favorite place to eat. I was told when taken there for the first time that "Anybody who is anybody goes to Kuba Kuba!" so true. I meet the coolest people there and am NEVER disappointed with the food. All time fav is the coconut risotto cakes. I would eat them every day if I could. My only complaint is their not open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Michael L.

I've only been there once. Ordered the paella and it wasn't a real paella. The rice wasn't cooked together with the rest of the ingredients. It was cooked separately and put back together so the flavor didn't marry together at all. Oh and there was a piece of hair (looks like beard) cooked into my plantain.

Julia B.

The place is in a great location in the Fan and has a very local feel. Delicious Cafe Con Leche to go, but the server looked at me like I was from Mars when I asked to get my cafecito 'oscuro' (dark) and wanted to charge me $4 for a regular size Cafe to go (in Miami the same thing would be $1.25 at most), making it more expensive than Starbucks. The whole experience definitely made me homesick for Miami, but on the bright side, the cafe - despite the price - is delish and they also serve a yummy brunch. Cozy atmosphere too!

Ken L.

Amazing hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It always surprises me when i talk to people who have lived in Richmond for a few years and never eaten here. The Kuban Pork entree is fantastic. Juicy and delicious. My first choice for a meal here. The arroz con pollo is also great. Keep in mind, the portions are enormous. My girlfriend takes what's left of her meals, takes them to work and spaces them out into two extra lunches! That is a great deal for a 13 dollar entree that you would easily pay twice as much for in a different city/restaurant. The area is small; it used to be a pharmacy before being converted to a restaurant. They also do not take reservations, as I found out one Valentine's day. Speaking of which, it makes a great date spot or restaurant for out-of-town visitors. Have a nice walk around the Fan and pop in for a meal. The only qualm I have is the Kuban sandwich I had for lunch. I've only ever had lunch here the one time but the sandwich was not impressive. It was large but tasted stale and flat. I've heard great things about it from others, so maybe I got a bad one. Either way, I'd stick to dinner here. It won't disappoint.

Geoffrey B.

I am sad to say I live 2 1/2 blocks from Kuba Kuba and went their for the first time recently. I do not eat red meat and was told, I would not find anything there. LIARS! You all lied! There are so many options other than meat, they even have a veggie dish or two. Fresh Seafood, tasty pressed sandwiches. You can go there and spend $10 on a meal or $20. Your choice. Just go already.

Mario D.

A Cuban sandwich and fried plantains. Simple and absolutely delicious. Funky, semi-grunge atmosphere. Parking can be a challenge but it's worth the effort.

Val P.

A great place to try any time of day. The food is consistently good. Sunday brunch may mean a wait, but it's worth it

T N.

Very good food, huge portions and reasonably priced.

K L.

The Kubanosa is really good. It is basically the roast pork Cuban sandwich with chorizo sausage added. Very nice addition. I also had half of a chicken and pineapple sandwich. In general the sandwich was very standard. No flavor to blow you away but it wasn't horrible either. It was just very plain. The chicken breast was at least tender. I still really like this place but would definitely go with the Kubanosa the next time around if I was going to go with a sandwich.

dawn m.

my husband and i love kuba kuba. we recently moved back to richmond from san francisco, where the culinary delights abound. every time we are trying to decide where to go it's always kuba. walking in the door is reminiscent of my own abuelas kitchen. you can't go wrong w/ the cuban sandwich and the tres leches cake, the cafe con leche dulce is a must to finish off the perfect lunch/dinner! we love you kuba kuba!

Ben l.

The location of Kuba Kuba gives you a good feel for Richmond's fan district. The cuban sandwiches are amazing, as well as everything else I've tried there. Haven't tried the brunch, but the cuban coffee alone makes me want to try it.

Drew K.

for brunch, kuba kuba is amaaazing. i'm a sucker for good huevos rancheros and they step it up a notch with the california huevos by adding avocado to the mix. the tostones are also yummy! although the brunch was good, my dinner there was underwhelming. i ordered the chicken-pineapple sandwich and it did not have much flavor. also, it only came with about three tostones which was disappointing. a friend ordered the cuban sandwich and seemed to enjoy it. the saving grace of my meal were the bites of scallop ceviche that i was able to sneak away from my friend's plate. all in all, go for brunch and if you go for dinner don't get the chicken-pineapple sandwich! ps. they also have this awesome sign on the wall that has a rooster and says "huevos" that i really want to take home with me...

Claudia L.

I was looking forward to eating at this place after having read so many reviews, but sadly, it did not live up to the hype. I'm not Cuban, but I'm Central American and I've eaten at very good Cuban restaurants in Miami and this place does not compare. Granted, I only had two items from their menu - the roasted pork entree and the tres leches - and was disappointed with both. I found the entree to be a bit bland and the tres leches was not what I would consider authentic, though the whipped icing was very good. There was a bit of a wait even on a Saturday afternoon. It seemed like the place only had one or two waitresses and ours was running all over the place trying to keep up with refills and orders. She even forgot to place the order for someone in our party! However, she was very apologetic and even offered a free meal on the house for our friend. The experience was not very memorable and I doubt I will be coming back.

nina h.

i was in richmond for the weekend and some bartender recommended kuba kuba to me on a friday afternoon. ended up eating there on sunday as well because we had to grab some huevos to cure our hangover. on friday i had a black bean soup and sunday i had huevos with avocado and toast. everything was awesome. the ambiance is super cute and the staff is friendly. i was psyched that there was a large bottle of sriracha on every table. i would eat here on a regular basis if i lived nearby.

Stephanie D.

kuba kuba is my only experience with cuban food, and if it's always like this....sweet, i'm a fan. the cuban sandwiches are all amazing, the bread is so crispy and delicious. the tres leches cake is an experience of it's own, you HAVE to try it. the wait staff SUCKS. always slow and rude, but the food definitely makes up for it. try to the limeade. it's incredibly refreshing. and they serve huevos all day, a great brunch spot!

julie t.

Awesome! One of my favorite brunch places. I recommend the California Rancheros, yummy goodness (especially for a hangover)! Basically anything on the menu is great: Cuban pannini, all the brunch items and the fried plantains. Don't forget the Cuban Coffee, sweet & delicious. this is a small place, good for 2 or 4 people; if there are 5 or 6 in your party be sure everyone is there at the same time or the staff will not seat you. I've never been there for dinner but i'm sure it's just a wonderful. The waitstaff is awesome too!

Danny K.

Go in, sit down, grab yourself the Kuban sandwich, drink yourself a cafe con leche, and call it a day.

H P.

After living blocks from Kuba Kuba for six years and then moving two hours away, I curse life. I have had pretty much every entree, destert and drink off this menu. I have loved them all. Start your lunch with the pesto/jack melt wash it down with a lime-aid. Then come for dinner and have the steak, or the pasta moving later to an expresso with the tres leches cake. The music is fun the wait staff is on their toes and you will leave full and smelling like food.

Laura S.

The latte is great, and the food is just ok. They do give very large portions, but the food just wasn't that memorable to me. If you like pork and brunchy type foods, you might want to try this place though. A lot of people I know like it.

Brandon L.

I got the pork tenderloin stuffed with chorizo special with mango & passion fruit salsa. Holy crap I don't think I've been that happy in a long time. Everything was perfect, the service, the food but avoid the tiny booth, it's cramped ;-)

Alexis Q.

Great place for brunch! Although an Americanized version of Cuban food most of the dishes are still great. Fun atmosphere and you must try the Tres Leches Cake...delicious!

Jonathan H.

As a lifelong resident of Virginia, I can claim no real expertise on Cuban food (save for my two trips to Key West while in college). With that disclosure in mind, I can't imagine how any restaurant north of Havana could prepare simple Cuban dishes as well as Kuba Kuba. For starters, the huevos rancheros are, without question, the best hangover cure that I've encountered. Paired with a cup of some of the best coffee in Richmond, the combination of eggs, beans, cheese, and Cuban bread have made many Sunday afternoons much more tolerable. An order of the delicious, perfectly cooked tostones (with a heavy side of Siracha) serves as both the perfect appetizer and side. As for the entrees, you can never go wrong with the Cuban sandwich. The bread is the star, perfectly crisp yet airy on the inside. Though they offer a version of the sandwich that includes chorizo, the standard pork/ham/cheese/pickle/mustard combination is by far the best bet. The vegetarian paella is both delicious and intimidatingly large, so much so that leftovers are a given for all but the hungriest diners. As my entire time in Richmond has been financed by student loans, I've only branched out to the chalkboard specials once. That one time, however, produced one of the best meals I've eaten in a long time. Perfectly seared tuna was served atop a bed of black beans and rice, with a colorful and fresh mango salsa scattered over the top. Absolutely nothing fancy, but absolutely incredible, and a giant portion for $20.

Ruby R.

i had lunch here today! i adore this place. the vegetarian paella is to die for, and they give you enough of it for three or four separate meals. the tostadas are delicious, the coffee is great, and the staff are friendly and helpful. there's a lot of cool murals on the walls, and also some authentic cuban and hispanic foods for sale, bodega style. a must-visit for anyone visiting richmond, and a must-frequent for people that live here.

Jeanette R.

I've been to this restaurant before and the food was just ok. I went back recently and it had changed. I don't know what they are serving but it is not Cuban food. (I am married to a Cuban so our visit was from a point of experience). I ordered arroz con pollo (chicken and rice). It came in a huge bowl. It is supposed to be made with chicken thighs (bone-in), but instead was made with chicken breast. This is a very different result than bone-in chicken and nothing about the taste was cuban. There were jalapenos in it!! Cubans do not use jalapenos in their food... That is mexican food. The only thing worse than the food was the service. The place was packed and I felt like we were being held hostage. We couldn't get our check, and our waiter was rude. He was insulted when I didn't want to haul the 10 lbs of food left in my bowl home. I can't believe there were people waiting to get into this place. It proves that people have no idea what they are eating. This could be re-heated frozen dinners and these people would have waited an hour to eat the authentic 'cuban food'. Ridiculous. Save time, save money, go to a real mexican restaurant where the food is probably better. If you are eating at this restaurant, you are not eating cuban food but something a non-Cuban cook made up in the kitchen as he was throwing it together. The only bright note was their lemonade. It is fantastic.

Kendra K.

It's a little cramped, but damn if you don't get rice bowls as big as a your head. Seriously, you'll have enough leftover for TWO extra meals, at the least.

Patrick H.

Although I've only ever had the Paella from Kuba Kuba, that is reason enough for me to keep coming back time after time. Cool atmosphere, sriracha sauce at every table (a must for spice lovers like myself), and portions big enough for 2. They are great for any meal and are worth trying

Megan T.

I heart Kuba Kuba. It is one of my favorite places to go when I'm back in Richmond. I love the fact that it is family owned and the market items inside the store remind me of my childhood and brings my mom back to Cuba. My must order there is empanadas and fried plantains.

local R.

Really good! Best cuban sandwiches in Richmond! The empanadas are practically authentic to the ones I use to have as a child in Costa Rica! The plaintains are more of a fried potato style vs a sweet style-- just FYI. I've been going there for 6 years and still love it!

dan c.

Pretty good. Not the best cuban that I have had, but decent. The coffee here was excellent, but the food was just ok. Hard to find a place to park, and not a ton of seating. I could see this place getting very crowded and people waiting a long time for a seat.

Shannan S.

tried the [scallop ceviche - delicious!] ... [salmon with coconut risotto cakes, asparagus, rice and beans - also awesome] ... [Cuban sandwich with fried plantains - sandwich was great but I've had much better plantains]. service was not great, but sufficient. it's a very unique place with a diverse audience and a lot of character!

Andy B.

Food Road Trip: Richmond, VA Day 7 3.5 stars Best Cuban food for me, but that's not really saying much since I've only been to two other Cuban restaurants. With that in mind, here's my take on this place: This was the last meal I had in Richmond, Va as part of my Food Road Trip. We had just come back from sight seeing and museum hopping in DC. This place was on Chris K's list, so we decided to check it out since we decided that the last meal should be a local place and be a different type of food than what we have had so far in Richmond. I ordered the Entremes (missing a few accent marks) which was like an appetizer sampler: scallop ceviche, chorizo, pork, olives, roasted garlic, cheese, bread, asparagus and lettuce mixed with a balsamic vinaigrette. The vinaigrette was on the upper range of my sour taste buds but the saltiness of the other items helped to balance it out. The roasted garlic, chorizo and asparagus were the memorable ones from this dish. I got the codfish cake sandwich, which was underwhelming. The fish was broken down pretty thoroughly and mixed with seasoned bread crumbs which made the texture akin to crab cakes. I guess that is what the chef was going for but it didn't do it for me. I also wished that the bread had been toasted. The plantains were awesome though. Sweet and soft, it added a nice touch texture and flavor to the dish as a side. I also got to try two other dishes since my friends and I like to share so Chris K. had the Cuban roast pork over rice. The pork was tender and juicy with a nice salty flavor that went well with the plantains. The other friend had a Kubanso sandwich which was roast pork with chorizo. The bread was grilled like a panini, and it was very good with the melted cheese and pickles. The portions were robust so we could not get dessert. Service was fast if not overly friendly, but very attentive. The waitress came by 2 times to take refills on sodas and another 2 times for filing up water. The best thing was the price: $57 incl. tax for 5 items and 2 sodas with two taken home as left-overs (which we finished later). If you are in Richmond, I would recommend this place.

Patrick M.

This place has a fun, authentic Cuban atmosphere. The decorations remind me of my days in good old Havana. OK, I've really never been there, but I imagine Kuba Kuba captures it spot on if I had. There is generally a wait since there's no reservations, which is a bummer. The food is warm, plentiful and solid. The Cuban Pork is tender and moist, but not too spicy. There's Vietnamese Siracha sauce on the table to spice it up. The fried plantains are good and the bread is perfectly oiled. You get a ridiculous amount of yummy rice and beans. The only potential downfall is how cozy you have to get with your neighbors. But, they're all cool people, so enjoy it.

Monty C.

I think Kuba Kuba is awesome, but what kind of sadist puts asparagus in paella? I would go five stars if they used green beans instead. Asparagus is just disgusting.

Arthur F.

After reading reviews here, we decided to give it a try. The last good Cuban restaurant was in Puerto Rico, many years ago. So was praying the wait was over, alas we'll need to await another move. Before getting to point taking, I will mention the highlights. It is located on a street corner in the fan. Finding a parking space, given its residential surroundings proved somewhat challenging. Once parking is secured, you walk into a place that in many respects looks and feels like a coffee shop. It has a counter, with what appears to be a small kitchen up front and a larger kitchen in the back. I liked the feel of the place. From our order, we received the Tostones first. Wasn't sure what to expect, as in my experience, Tostones are non-ripened fried plantains. What was delivered was ripe fried plantains (maduras), further sweetened with sugar. While not the best I've had, these were very high on the list. Also good was the Limeaid. The star reducers were pretty much everything else. The Cuban sandwich (pressed pork, ham, cheese and pickles), which should be a mainstay in any Cuban restaurant and should have distinct if muted flavors, was overwhelmed by the taste of pork. My wife had the Arroz con Pollo, something we make often at home. The rice and underlying flavors were more towards that found in a paella as opposed to this dish. Another surprising, and in this case undesired, element to the flavor was that it was somewhat picante, hot/spicy. This mix of flavors just didn't work. My son had the Chicken Pinapple sandwich. The chicken was overcooked and without flavor. The wait staff was agreeable, but slow. If the bill of 40 was based on quantity, it would come close to being ok. If the bill was based on the quality of the food, we paid too much. We might go back there again in the future, but it will be because we are in the neighborhood and hungry.

Jacob K.

At the risk of putting blood in the water, I'm going to buck the trend and say that Kuba Kuba's not my fave restaurant. It's been a long time since I ate there, but I didn't feel any particular urge to come back. The portions were great, and the food was pretty good, but I just wasn't overwhelmed. Everything was pretty prompt, and it is always packed.

Ciara L.

Kuba Kuba is amazing. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Richmond. The food, service, and atmosphere are all impeccable! The portions are huge. I always end up getting something from the "Specials" menu and is never short of making my tastebuds dance.

Yipin G.

After hearing rave reviews, I was extremely excited to try Kuba Kuba. The food wasn't bad, it just wasn't great either. We started with gazpacho soup, which was fine (in my opinion, hard to screw up.) We got a Cuban and another sandwich, neither of which were tasty. The paella was OK, but once again not spiced like I would have expected. I really liked the appetizer platter that I got (cheese, sausage, roasted garlic, peppers, bread, salad, and other small things. It came with scallop ceviche, which I love!! Unfortunately, the first bite I took tasted like ammonia. My brother told me that the scallops had been in citrus too long. All in all the food was fine, but the scallop ceviche was a huge disappointment. Would go if I was in the neighborhood, but not make a special trip. I loved the quirky, functional decor that gave it a neighborhood feel. Our waitress was lovely (I guess you can say people are friendlier in the South). She gave us a delicious dessert (free!!), which was the best part of the meal.

Angela P.

My personal favorite for several reasons: 1- atmosphere- you look around and do not feel like you are in Richmond. 2 - Price - the price is right! With sandwiches, huevos and plenty other menu items priced at $8, you cant complain about the cost here! 3- Last but not least - the FOOD! Now, I am not cuban and have never lived in an area where Cuban food is endemic (if you will) but i LOVE the food at this place for it's flavor and freshness. I don't think anywhere can beat their Huevos Rancheros (or the California Huevos, which is the same as above but with avocado- YUM!). The Kubanoso sandwich is tasty as well, lots of pickles and mustard and served with fried plantains which aren't that common in Richmond. I have had the carrot/ginger soup which wasn't quite what I was expecting, it was almost even better! The salmon/spinach "tortilla" is rather like an omlette but they do not gyp you on salmon and it's almost smoky, it's an excellent combination of flavors with the fish, spinach, potatoes, onions and peppers, it's my top choice frequently. Their coffee is exquisite and I do love their tres leches cake (I have been told it's not what people are used to when it comes to tres leches, but not knowing what to expect I was not disappointed). I simply LOVE everything about this place, and will continue to visit often and to continue exploring the menu!

Robin M.

Not sure where all these great ratings come from. Maybe desert is delicious? After a long wait, I ordered the seafood paella. It was completely flavorless and the veggies tasted like they came from a freezer bag.

Christine E.

Maybe lunch isn't their best suit, but I tried their beef sandwich (not recalling the exact name), and there wasn't anything special about it. The only thing I actually enjoyed their was their leche cake. Other than that, overpriced items for average tasting food. I'll probably give them a second chance for their dinner entrees.

Jenna G.

I miss this place!!! I moved to San Diego almost 4 years ago and I have not found any Cuban food that compares! Brunch is the best here! Good prices and delicious food. My favorite thing about eating here is the plantains with hot sauce and honey mixed! I could go for that right now! Good soups, sandwiches and fun atmospere. Go Kuba Kuba!

L M.

Mmm, we tried this place while visiting Richmond, would definately go back. Generous servings, tasty food and a good atmosphere and waitstaff all combined to bring us an enjoyable dinner. We had the entremes appetizer and had to take most of our entree's back to the hotel where they were appreciated the next day.

Rebecca M.

I was expecting the world of Kuba Kuba and I can't say that it was able to meet my expectations. I've gone a number of times and haven't been blown away by any of their dishes, not even their tres leche which was average. Paella was fine, sandwiches were fine, dessert was fine. It's a gorgeous atmosphere, the food is just limited.

amy w.

I miss Kuba Kuba so much now that my boyfriend doesn't live in Richmond anymore. It took us a while to venture into this restaurant, it looks like a seedy bar from the outside, but once we tried it, we kept coming back. Great affordable food, the cuban sandwich is a favorite, but their black bean soup is very good, and the paella is huge (I'd recommend that you share). For dessert, the luz del sol is a yummy cake and flan combo. But, I'd go here just for the limeade. They have the best limeade. If you go during off-dining hours, there isn't a wait.

J R.

Great neighborhood spot! I started with empanadas and the crust was flaky and filling full of flavor. It came with some spicy but tasty salsa. The arroz con pollo was amazing!!! Very authentic and the portions are huge!

Emily P.

Awesome brunch! Good dinner too, just too many things in the paella -- overkill.

Sarah B.

Best lemonade and/or limeade of my life! The tres leche cake, there aren't words! I heart Kuba Kuba.

Dae-su Oh _.

Best hangover breakfast ever! Crowded on sunday mornings. Large dishes for the price you pay. Original menu... I always bring out of town guests to eat at this location, and they always leave satisfied with their meals.

Vicki C.

I gotta agree with Jake K. This place is fine, portions are good (and therefore prices as good), it's a decent place for a casual dinner... but I wouldn't go any further than that.

C H.

this and 8 1/2 are the two places i absolutely have to hit up if i've been out of town for awhile. the huevos rancheros and cuban sandwiches are my go-to orders. the coffee is also great, as are the $1 miller high life ponies

Autumn C.

fantastic food!! always a wait but always worth it!

Theresa K.

Hole in the wall restaurant with a very cozy feel inside. We got here Sunday night around 530 and got sat right away because it was just the two of us. They have a pretty big menu with lots of appetizing entrees it was hard for us to pick what to order. We decided to get the Cuban sandwich obviously and then the Seafood Sofrito because the guy next to us had ordered it and it looked amazingly delicious. The food came out pretty quick and piping hot. The Cuban sandwich was crisp and the meat was super tender. It also came with a side of sweet fried plantains that paired well with the mango carrot habanero sauce we dipped the sandwich in. The Seafood Sofrito was ginormous!!! It had tons of mussels and shrimp and the angel hair pasta was cooked perfectly. The broth had so much depth in flavor and the loads of veggies made us feel good about devouring the entire dish! Definitely a must try when you visit Richmond. We were sad because we decided to save most of our Cuban sandwich for later so we could finish the Sofrito but ended up forgetting to eat the rest of the sandwich. Will have to come back to try other stuff when we visit Richmond again!

Joaquin X.

I need to preface the review by saying that I was a guest of the restaurant and was able to eat for free. But what a very cool spot! This was my first time in Richmond and Kuba Kuba was on my list. I had breakfast and the Huevos Rancheros were not only filling but extremely tasty, with some serious flavor. The lime sour cream was a nice touch. I usually like tortilla chips with my huevos but the house bread was just a suitable for me. The decor was very tropical and the service was efficient, yet relaxed. A very good vibe in this place. And they even have a few CDs of local bands available. (Check out Bio Ritmo!). I left this place with a very good and satisfied feeling.

Rebekah K.

This is one of the first restaurants I went to after moving to Richmond and I've been back several times. RVA is sorely lacking in good Mexican food, but at least they have solid Cuban. I always get the roast pork--either the entrée or pork omelet. It's well seasoned and cooked until it falls apart tender. I could make an entire meal out of the black beans and rice, cornbread and toasted Cuban bread. Their cornbread is quite possibly the best in Richmond. Cons: seating is limited and there's always a wait (so it goes in RVA), the fried plantains were advertised as "tostones," which they most certainly were not. I believe they have since corrected that to just "platanos:" plantains fried in whatever state of ripeness they happen to be.

Chris S.

I can see why Kuba Kuba is regularly named one of Richmond's best restaurants because the food is amazing. The place is small and is often packed as I had to wait quite a while for a table during my visit. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait during most visits, I was there around 3 in the afternoon and it was basically standing room only. The service is quite good, while the staff is a bit eccentric, they are beyond friendly and go out of their way to make your visit special. Food was fantastic. I started with spinach and beef empanadillas, you get two with your order so I highly recommend getting one of each. Patty was cooked perfectly and both the spinach and beef while different texture are flavorful and satisfying. Went with the roast pork lunch which for less than 9 dollars is a huge portion and full of flavor. The roasted pork was tender and flavorful with a nice kick. Accompanying white rice and beans were a great addition and also prepared very well. One small negative was the cornbread, it was too dense and doesn't come out hot. That was but a small miscue of a great meal. Must visit if you enjoy Cuban food and are in the Richmond area, I look forward to return visits to try the other delicious sounding menu items.

Customer X.

Average and bland black bean soup and California huevos with an efficient service despite the Food Network's recommendation of this place....The clean bathroom had a changing table. It was easy to park on the street nearby.

Ellen H.

The world has fallen. I am crushed to the core. I thought I found THE place, it was all perfect in my dream-my new Cubano spot. I loved that this place was nestled (really, nestled is THE perfect word to describe this location) in such a nondescript place. People live next door and people walk here from homes. At lunch, professionals seem to make up about half of the dining population. Young and old, families, co-workers, and just plain ole friends made up the spot. I was the only girl in there by herself. I just couldn't pass up the chance to try this place out. The aroma of delish food always made my nose wiggle- and I don't know how to wiggle my nose. The place inside is slightly dimly lit, but it's all open space. There are a couple booths reserved for parties of 4 or more. The bar has a diner feel to it, which I loved, and the grill was out in the open. I ordered the Cubano because that's like the Pho of a vietnamese restaurant- you have to get the Cubano right to be legit. Sadly, they missed out on true cubanos. The bread was hard, slightly burnt on one end. It didn't seem like they had brushed any oil on the outside. There were pickles but just a smidge too thin to really add much flavor. There wasn't quite enough sauce, and the beef was not deep at all, although it made up in volume. Each bite felt like a mouth full of just meat with almost no seasoning. The platanos on the side, however, was just delish. Normally, I wouldn't like sweet with my meal, but these were perfection. GET. THE. PLATANOS. I had also ordered the empanadillas, beef and spinach. The sour cream enhanced the empanadillas and I am forever grateful that I tried their emapanadillas. The beef was very well seasoned but the spinach empanadilla stole the plate. A little crispier than I like, and I like crispy, but still good enough to forgive the over-fried empanadilla. I might come back to try something else, but my hope of having an authentic Cubano is still unfulfilled.

Tony H.

I was back again, still my favorite place for breakfast. See my other reviews. 5 stars. The coffee....oh! Wow!

Trang H.

Portions are HUGE. I got the California Huevos Rancheros and it was yum! You can definitely get two meals out of each dish.

Sam L.

Walking into Kuba Kuba feels a bit like walking on to a movie set. The atmosphere and setting feel authentically Cuban, and the wait staff and cooks talk in quick Spanish in between tables. My meal, a Cuban sandwich, left me wanting more. More flavor. More tangy mustard. More of the fresh salsa that is portioned out on top. A sandwich that sits in the press too long makes for a very dry meal, and I think that was the case here. It was almost as if all the life had been sucked out between the pressed bread. The fried potatoes on the side suffered from the same issue. Too dry. Tasted like they had been left under a heat lamp for too long. This meal could have been so much more, with just a little more effort. I hope that I can make it back to Kuba Kuba. Their menu is authentically Cuban, and I'm sure they have other options that I would like better than what I had for lunch today. A good, but disappointing Wednesday afternoon lunch in the Fan.

Stephanie B.

Geez louise..Kuba Kuba's food was...deliciousness. We were visiting only for the day and had a really hard time choosing a restaurant from Richmond's food scene. I kept scanning Yelp reviews and finally went with Kuba Kuba after a few locals confirmed our inklings. The wait was a little lengthy because the waitress working the bar was swamped with phone orders but once we got our coconut risotto patties and arroz con pollo, I almost cried happy tears. We took the massive amount of leftovers and had them for breakfast. The gift that kept giving..

Barry P.

Yes, we've lived in Downtown Richmond for 3 years and never been to Kuba Kuba, until last night. Not sure if it's the fan parking issue, or just plain old laziness that has kept us away so long, but I am glad we finally got a chance to try this place. Casual and Artistic inside, with great murals on the wall by Ed Trask. The server was bearded and sarcastic, obviously a true veteran server, and made for a lot of fun. The only negative thing I would say is this: if you're looking for a nice first date night place, this may not be it. Fairly loud and tight, informal service, I think Kuba Kuba is better suited for a dinner with a group of friends, which is what we did. I had the Veggie Paella and Scallop Ceviche. This may be some of the best Ceviche in Richmond!! The scallops were mid sized - not U-10s, but not those little tiny ones either. They had a wonderful citrus flavor (grapefruit?), and were served whole, on a bed of greens with a pepper salsa on top which I enjoyed. Like a Ceviche Salad, this was probably a meal on it's own. The order of Paella was enormous and delicious. Literally after eating to capacity, the bowl looked to be barely touched. And at $11 and $9 respectively, a whole lot of bang for your buck. Friends ordered the Cuban Sandwich (looked amazing, also huge), and the Roast Pork Entree (looked amazing, also huge -- do you see the pattern here?). Got to go back and try each of those. Another huge highlight here: The have Pony Miller High-Lifes at a $1 each. What's more fun than miniature beer bottles? Don't wait 3 years to try this place, do it now! You will not be disappointed.

Robert C.

Was looking for a nice unique place to take my family and Kuba Kuba did not disappoint. My first experience with Cuban food and I can say it was delicious. I would like to say the place had an authentic feel to it. Never been to Cuba so cannot confirm that ;) The art work that was displayed on the walls was very interesting and enjoyable. The wait for our table wasn't too long. We were able to get a booth meant for three even though we had four. Our kids are young and we were able to fit. The service at Kuba Kuba was right spot with what I was expecting. It is a casual restaurant and the service fit the bill. Not pushy but attentive enough to satisfy our needs. Dinner was a meal that was quite an adventure. Having young kids its is sometimes hard to find a meal that fits with their taste buds. They had a coco rico for beverages which was new to them and luckily they enjoyed it. We ordered two black bean soups to share which I knew my wife and I would enjoy and surprisingly enough the kids did too. Not to spicy and garnished with a nice lime sour cream. For our entree I had the seafood sofrito and my wife had the Kuban roast pork. My seafood dish was not what I expected but in a good way. I am not a big shrimp fan but the mussels over the angle hair were spot on. Roast pork was good not great. The kids split the penne pasta which once again they enjoyed. It is very hard to please these two but props to the chef for doing it again. Favorite part of our night was the tres leches! Amazing dinner with a bill under $60.

Gigi T.

We went for breakfast and fell in love with the place! Loved the staff and the food was outstanding. Not that I am an expert in Cuban food but Huevos California were really good and I loved the café con leche, not too sweet. Kids both got the huevos cuba and joined the clean plate club! Great value for the amount of food. I would love to go back for dinner!

Priya A.

I had heard great things about the Tres Leches Cake and I was not disappointed!! We had the portobello pressed sandwich which was good but the highlight was the cake!!Their fried plaintains was good too. The place was crowded and there was a waiting. We had come early on the weekend, so we got the seat, but you can see that this is a popular place.. It is small, fun place!!!

Jeff Y.

I came here when some friends called for a spontaneous Sunday brunch. I really liked the atmosphere and decoration of this place! I haven't had much Cuban food in the past though, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the food. Nevertheless, I ordered the Paella Valenciana (which admittedly is a Spanish dish) that came out piping hot in a HUGE bowl. I tend to eat a lot, so the fact that I was quite full after finishing this dish says a lot! xD But based on all the other dishes my companions ordered, the portion size at Kuba Kuba is quite generous. =) It's not exactly an inexpensive place, but there are definitely dishes under $10 that are more than satisfying. I look forward to coming back to try more of their food, perhaps some of the specials on the blackboard or their desserts! =D

Myriah H.

Love this place! Large portions of delicious food! Get there early though, it's a small place

Aaron W.

Okay... First of all, I have to start off by saying that there are those in an uproar about this place not being completely "authentic Cuban food" and that the food is inconsistent. As far as the inconsistency goes, I have no logical argument with which to dispute such claims, yet, I have not had either poor food or service here; rather, both have been wonderful. As for the authenticity of the food, I wish to point out one thing: this is a business. Despite whatever you feel should or should not be done, and regardless of any single person's opinion as to what constitutes authenticity or not, a business will do what is necessary to stay...in...business. Admittedly, New York has better Cuban food, and Miami (Little Cuba) is home to what is arguably the best Cuban food you will get in the U.S., but that is due to the high concentration of Cubans! Here in Richmond, VA, Kuba Kuba is still in business, therefore, they must be doing something right. Keep in mind as well that businesses only survive as long as they are progressive and willing to change. No place is this rule more necessary than in the culinary world. The menu has items on it that are classically progressive, however, some items are still done the old fashioned way, as it has been proven to be the best way. The sandwiches are good, the entrees are ample, and everything else I've had is, well...quite tasty. My wife (who is Latina and a native of Miami) has thoroughly enjoyed everything that she has ordered as well. The service has always been good, if not great, and the owner makes you feel very welcome. The spot is intimate, like a lot of Richmond locations, but there are several booths and a bar in addition to tables. The parking is...well, it's the city. Expect to walk. Oh, and in closing, there is one additional note. In America, respect is thought to be earned, not given. In Latin culture, it is the other way around. Hospitality, as well, is a way of life. You may find that you will get better service if you keep these things in mind, as you will have shown your hosts that you respect them, and appreciate their hospitality. In the end, if you are looking for a recommendation, you've got it. I believe this place is a hit.

Carlos V.

Small, bodega-style restaurant in the fan that offers great Cuban food. The traditional entrees are better than their sandwiches, but the sandwiches aren't bad either.

Holly P.

Two words: tres leches! Do not leave here without ordering this desert. We had to get it to go because we were super full from our amazing brunch (huevos california and chorizo tortilla). But a couple hours later, we were home, fighting over this huge piece of cake, we should have ordered two! About my Huevos California, its my new guilty pleasure: black beans, salsa, avocado, eggs, all over cuban bread covered with mexican cheese, with a dollop of their lime flavored crema. Hello tummy ache! But totally worth it. Negativos: Service was not so hot, in fact there was lipstick on my glass, and I sat thirsty until my food came because that was the next time we saw our server. Also, my chair was uncomfortable because it was some type of unsupportive wicker on bottom and then the back was like wrought iron or something. Charming to look at, but ouch.

Whitney S.

Fried plantains and black soup wi the sour cream that has lime mixed in it.... Yummy! You can splurge at this place or eat cheap and well. Great place for hanging out!

Susan S.

This is a hit or miss restaurant. If you're there on a good day, the food is AMAZING. For food talk, check out the other reviews, the dulce de leche desert is a personal fave and the coffee is excellent. In years past when the restaurant was consistently great, I used to bring my friends and family visiting from out of town. But.... if you are there on a bad day then you will discover that the quality of the food preparation has remarkably degraded in the last five years. The service is atrocious. Be careful about making sure everyone in your party is on time or you will not be seated until everyone arrives. And while I understand rules are rules, standing around the front door on a winter's day with 4 people waiting for a friend who was running 15 minutes late was ridiculous when the restaurant was EMPTY with only two tables occupied. The other horrible experience we had was an occasion where they had overbooked what the kitchen could handle due to a catering obligation. We waited over an hour for our appetizer to arrive, which came back to back with our lunch entrees. Three of us had ordered the same thing with different side dishes and our server tossed the plates onto the table and left because he couldn't be bothered take the 15 seconds needed to figure out who had ordered what. I know they were understaffed, the server was super stressed out, but bad management can take a great restaurant into the gutter. I used to love this restaurant, but having a plate tossed onto the table with enough force that food falls off without an apology means I won't be going back.

Flora W.

Penne pasta + Tres leches cake = heaven. Those are definitely must try's!!! Their service is friendly and warm. Sometimes the food takes a long time, but it's worth the wait! Just be patient :)

Ken T.

had a local friend recommend us to go here, HE WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS. lol he was really hyped about this place and yelp had good reviews kubanaso - 2.5 star - tasted good, little dry, nothing special Kuban Roast Pork - 2 star - flavor was there, but pork was WAY TOO DRIED Seafood Sofrito - 2.5 star - cooked well, sauce not incorporated well, boring I've definitely had better Cuban food / Spanish food. NEXT PLEASE.

Ray S.

This is a cool place. I got the cuban sandwich and it was really good! my wife had a big bowl of seafood stew that was unreal. go for the food for sure.

JM S.

For me this is a Richmond staple; a colorful and bustling-go-to for breakfast. Get a cafe con leche (I always ask for it lightly sweetened and they always do it perfectly). I Each time I can count on everything being just as good as the last time I was there, I really appreciate the consistently good food. DO NOT pass up the leche cake, I go in just for it sometimes.

Kevin S.

I haven't been near a Cuban restaurant for years, so I jumped at the prospect of some tostones with a cubano y café con leche. The sandwich was great but for one thing: I couldn't get the staff's attention long enough to get a bottle of mustard to perfect the delectable, fatty, delicate pork & everything else that makes a cubano a cubano. The price was reasonable for the sandwich & it's run by a Cuban expat, but the food panders to gringo tastes, down to the presentation. My café con leche tasted like instant; for $2.50, I expect a cup of coffee to taste like real coffee. What I got - had I known, I could have bought a tin of flavored instant coffee & asked for some hot water, & had leftovers to spare. A Cuban place that can't make a con leche properly iskitsch. The tostones (fried plantains) that accompanied the sandwich were soggy and old; this gringo has made better tostones on his kitchen stove. The service was good; attentive, prompt - my water glass never went empty, which earned a 3rd star in and of itself - and muy gringo. I was hoping for a real Cuban sandwich joint; what I got was a nearly-great sandwich, excellent service, & food otherwise as genuinely Cuban as a sombrero. I enjoyed the gringified approximation of Cuban food, but the experience was a disappointment overall, especially that International Foods "café con leche". That alone is inexcusable, but the service was excellent - a rarity in that price bracket - & my friends love the place. The Cuban that operates the restauraunt usually makes rounds through the dining area, I had heard, but I never saw him. The only Spanish I heard the whole night came out of my own mouth. You take what you can get, though. I'd go back if I couldn't find a more Cuban take on Cuban food in Richmond, because at least the cubano was exquisite, & there's nowhere else to go.

Rita J.

My choices were limited since I can't have any gluten so I ordered the red beans and rice. Totally flavorless. Really??!! No spices at all??!! I was very disappointed. My friend ate the cornbread and said it was ok, nothing special. Everyone else at my table had Cuban sandwiches and no one raved about them.

Jessica L.

Great local place, but pretty packed! I stopped by here with with a couple girlfriends in the afternoon just to catch up, so the three of us just shared an appetizer sampler - I believe it was called the Entremes. This was a while ago but from what I remember it was delicious. The olives and artichoke hearts were great and the ceviche was incredible! I would like to come back to try their entrees!

Dominic B.

I've been to Kuba Kuba occasionally over the years. I come to Kuba Kuba for the Cuban/Kubanaso Sandwich(added chorizo) and the Cuban soda. I havent eaten nothing but the Cuban sandwich at Kuba Kuba.Next time, I will try something different.Today, I had the taste for a Cuban sandwich and Kuba Kuba came to mind. I hadn't been to Kuba Kuba in a while, so I decided to order lunch to go during my break at work. When I opened the container, the smell brought back memories of me eating lunch at Kuba Kuba during breaks at VCU.The Cuban sandwich is delicious. The sandwich is always hot off the panini press. The meats, cheese,chorizo, and mustard blend very well together. The fried plantains are tasty. My favorite is the Coco Rico soda. If you like coconut, you must try the Coco Rico soda. The flavor is amazing. The staff is frendly.The service was pretty fast.Kuba Kuba has a nice social atmosphere. Good thing I ordered to go because I couldnt find parking. The parking is a hassle around Kuba Kuba. Parallel parking is a good talent to have if you are eating at Kuba Kuba .If you want a good Cuban sandwich, Kuba Kuba is a good choice!

Bob B.

Have been there before for dinner and always loved it. Food is rich and spicy, portions huge, and the staff are friendly and efficient. Lots of wine specials by the glass as well as by the bottle. Only drawback is they don't take reservations, and it's not very big - so go early or plan to wait. Most nights they close at 9. This time we went for breakfast around 9:30 am and loved it! No wait at all on a weekday. Huevos Rancheros with great salsa and fresh cuban bread. California huevos with avacodoes and fried chorizo. American or cuban coffee, both great. Definitely don't miss Kuba kuba while in Richmond!

Rick G.

Fantastic Cuban hole-in-the-wall... if you like Cuban Food, don't miss it.

Erica W.

One of my favorite hole-in-the-wall places in Richmond...lots of character! Great place for brunch - Cuban sandwiches and Huevos Rancheros with avocado. HANDS DOWN, the most AMAZING TRES LECHES CAKE I have ever had. I dream about this cake in my sleep.

D B.

While I was in town recently on business my coworker suggested we go to Kuba Kuba for dinner. We arrived around 7pm on a Wednesday to a pretty full house, so I imagine things get fairly packed on the weekends. Fortunately there was just two of us though, and we were able to be seated after just a couple minutes of waiting. Perhaps my fondness for this place was influenced by the fact that Maine is lacking in decent Cuban and other ethic food, but I thought Kuba Kuba was fantastic. All of the staff were friendly and engaging and our service was prompt throughout the evening. My thoughts on the Kuban roast pork can be summed up with just a few words: big and scrumptious. Tender pork, beans, rice and other goodness left me more than satisfied. The place also had an ample amount of decent beers to choose from, so I did not leave thirsty either. Save your appetite as the portions were quite large. I would not hesitate to eat here again or recommend to others.

Harry G.

Its great to see an immigrant success story. The restaurant is busy and unpretentious. We had great expectations for our Kuban roast pork and paella de fiedos. Unfortunately the shredded pork was lean and dry. The paella could have served two persons. Despite an abundance of fresh mussels, clams and shrimps sitting on a bed of penne and light broth of peas, tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, peas and garlic, the pasta was bland and the sauce was unable to infuse or enhance the flavors.

Dan H.

Stopped for lunch in Richmond and had a great lunch with family. The Cuban sandwiches were fantastic, the wait staff attentive, and the atmosphere comfortable. I would definitely return.

Chantelle A.

Drove by here on Saturday evening with a heavy Cuban meal on my mind! My friend and I waited for a table at this cute spot for abt 30 min. Not too bad because there was so much activity among the staff and patrons and so much beautiful art on the walls...the minutes just kinda flew by. We were finally seated and had the opportunity to study the menu...ooh and dont forget to look up...they have some pretty amazing dinner specials on the chalkboards. For some reason, I craved coffee so my friend and I ordered Cafe con Leche with sweetened condensed milk (50 cent extra)...it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made.. EVER. I ordered the dinner special Roja Vieja..(for those of you who didnt take Spanish 1 in High School..that is basically stewed and pulled flank steak with rice) along with blanco queso (...paying attention? That's white cheese) and a side of fried plantains. The beef was so tender and so flavorful....and the rice was perfectly prepared. Unfortunately, that meal left absolutely no room for dessert :( awww...but, please note that there will be a next time :( Well boys and girls, I hope you enjoyed reading my review and little Spanish lesson. Now log off and visit Kuba Kuba :)

K D.

Kuba Kuba is without a doubt my favorite place to eat in Richmond. Not only does it have a great vibe, a killer location, and great food, it's consistently the cheapest meal I get in RVA. Their chorizo is sublime, the fried plantains tasty, and it's the best cup of coffee in town. When I feel like being a diva and dropping a bunch of money on a delicious brunch I go to Can Can. When I feel like saving that money and having an equally delicious brunch, I come here and get the California Huevos. To be fair I've never come here for dinner, only breakfast and lunch, but I'd been eyeing that Ropa Vieja they have on their dinner chalkboard for months and am super bummed that I never got to try it before I moved to DC. I've gotten or tried just about everything on their breakfast and lunch menu, and it doesn't disappoint. I suppose the only complaints I have is that the waitstaff is only so so (they're super nice, when you can actually get their attention), and I wish I could get a Bloody Mary there. Somehow doesn't seem very Cuban, I know, but what's a brunch without a Bloody Mary eh?

Trupti T.

Wonderful place, the food is made to order. It comes nice and hot and you can see the individual attention that has been paid to your food. There are a lot of vegetarian options here. I would highly recommend this place, the food here is delicious and the people are nice and friendly.

Barry S.

Very good service...my mango pork tenderloin was one of my favorite dishes of the year...great fried smashed yuca as well

joe w.

Recommend the panella, black bean soup and portobello mushroom sandwich.

Lisa G.

I love the IDEA of this hole in the wall more than I love it in actuality. Love the atmosphere (don't even mind waiting in the line out the door or grabbing a seat at the bar), love that it's always bustling, love the decor, love the tres leches cake... I just don't love the food. My Cuban sandwich was dry. The plantains were not very flavorful. The pan seared salmon is just okay. Service is not exactly friendly, but they don't mean any harm. They're just always so damned busy. That said, I know I'll be back.

Miriam W.

Kuba Kuba is not at all what I expected to find in Richmond, Virginia. This lively, Cuban-inspired restaurant in The Fan serves up serious portions at very fair prices. It's the sort of neighborhood restaurant I wish I had nearby. Were that the case, I'd be in there three times a week. At least. The picadillo stuffed empanadillas are not to be missed. The pastries arrive in a pair topped with sour cream and diced onions. Entrees are large enough to share (and you should so that you won't be too full to sample dessert!) We had the Kuban Roast Pork which came with rice, beans and tostones. The chalk board lists the available specials, which by my observation are worth considering as looking at them caused me more than a little food envy. Still, our roast pork was tender in a way only slow-roasting can impart. The tres leches cake was a perfect end to the meal. The best part? Our meal, plus a beer and a coffee was under $40, tax and tip included! Do not go to Richmond without stopping for a meal at Kuba Kuba.

Jordan N.

Have been here once before and it was pretty decent. Holy crap have they gone way down hill! I would have given this a 3 star because the food was embarrassingly bland given the price, but our service was horrible! It took them 30 minutes just to take our drink order, but then she got even the drinks wrong because she didn't bother to write the order down. It took well over 45 minutes for our food to come out and it was NOT worth the wait. Trust a poor college kid to recognize microwaved frozen rice anywhere. The paella mariscos was 90% rice and you could easily tell it was frozen and microwaved, all 3 college kids agreed. In a bowl the size of your head there was only 11 shells of seafood and maybe 2 shrimp. NOT WORTH $20. Even worse I came here with full blooded Cubans and they also agreed it was a joke. The food was bland but the service was the absolute worst. Seriously they need to fire the lazy, rude, inconsiderate wait staff. Never coming back.

Meredith E.

My husband took me here for my birthday. For starters we had pulpo and coconut risotto cakes which are our staple appetizers now. We both had the Kuban roast pork. This was definitively The. Best. Barbecue. Ever. It's noisy and crowded and the service is wanting, but the food makes up for it all, and we would come back here repeatedly.

Gilline S.

I lived two blocks away from Kuba Kuba for thee years of my undergrad years at VCU and I have never ever been disappointed. My go-to, whether it be brunch, lunch, or dinner, is definitely the Huevos California. For $8.95, it filled me up and I always had leftovers for the next day (which is a saving grace when you're a college kid. Seriously, what a deal!) My most current visit was two weeks ago. I have a special place in my heart for banh mis, so I tried their special - the Cubanh mi - and oh boy, was it special. I am seriously getting Pavlov's dog syndrome just thinking about how to describe this magnificent combo. The Cubanh mi is undeniably the child of an intelligent, humorous, and bighearted banh mi and a tall, dark, and handsome Cuban sandwich. To summarize: I would marry the Cubanh mi. As for dessert, get the café con leche and/or a slice of tres leches cake. I would go to Kuba Kuba just for these two items alone. The café con leche is the perfect blend of coffee and milk. The tres leches is flawlessly moist and fluffy and definitely serves two. I have always loved the cozy, knick knacky atmosphere of Kuba Kuba. Fair warning: this place gets packed on the weekends, specifically for Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch. They do not take reservations and there is only one bench outside while you wait for a table to open up. Unlike a lot of the other reviews, I've never really had bad service here. I remember specifically one blazing summer afternoon our waiter offered us to-go waters - which was very thoughtful and undeniably grade A service. Overall, I suggest you take your friends, family, and first dates to Kuba Kuba.

CC V.

Absolutely delicious. Went for dinner, and for the price you pay (around $15 for an entree) it's so huge and massive that it's practically a 2nd meal the next day. Definitely recommend the Kuban Roast Pork and Vegetarian Penne!

Christie C.

The feel of this place screams Cuban heritage. Music was at an appropriate level, and my family and I were able to relax to the tunes. We came here to celebrate the life of my mother who passed away a few days ago. This was the restaurant my father would take her every week. This was the closest to her Brazilian heritage, and she always enjoyed the delicious food. I began with a black bean soup which was fantastic and decided to do the penne pasta (the portobello mushrooms were sooooooo good!!) I also decided to pair everything with the Wild Wolf Blonde Hunny Drought. The food was incredible, only wish that the service was a little bit more attentive.

Blair W.

Good casual restaurant, but small so be prepared to wait. Our table shared the coconut risotto cakes as an appetizer and it was very uniquely flavored. Good to split this since it was very rich. The entrees were tasty but not super authentic. The ropa vieja wasn't very flavorful and the Kuban pork wasn't as tender as I'm used to. Plus where was the picadillo on the menu? I asked for sweet plantains/maduros instead of tostones and were told they are one in the same, which of course is not true. My plate ended up coming out with platanos maduros which I was happy about. Tried the tres leches vanilla cake and café con leche, both were sweet and delicious. Portions are huge so it would be very easy to split a dinner entree. All in all, I'd definitely return but lower my standards for an authentic Cuban experience.

Tony B.

Good place to eat out. Close by to VCU Monroe campus.

Erin J.

Love love love Kuba Kuba! Black bean soup always hits the spot. Avocado salad is one of the best around. If you love hot sauce try the homemade sauce! Waits can be long and service seems slow sometimes during busy hours, but the food is always worth the wait. This restaurant is truly the heart of the fan.

Courtney F.

Delicious!! Had the crab cake and the Cuban...both were phenomenal. Definitely don't miss the plantanos; the beans and rice needed a kick, but the mango habanero sauce on the table gave them that! Finished with the chocolate tres leche and a sweet cafe con leche...save room for both...I'll be craving those for some time now! Come early, 7PM on a Wednesday and we waited -0 minutes...can't imagine a weekend. Definitely don't miss this joint!

Johanna T.

As a frequent visitor of Miami and lover of Cuban food and coffee- I have to give it to Kuba Kuba, this place has hands down some of the best coffee in Richmond- their cafe con leche is exactly what good Spanish style coffee is. Their food portions for the price are absolutely phenomenal and wouldn't ask for more or less. The decor is that of a bodega in Havana or Miami - I felt like I was in Miami all I was missing was the beautiful beach. I recommend the tres leches as well- moist and perfectly baked. If you're in RVA and have not gone to Kuba Kuba I suggest you do yourself a favor and get there, fast!

Alexandra O.

Rating is for service and a bad experience not for the food. Stopped here on our way back to DC and were very excited to have a Cubano sandwich and cafe con leche for lunch (I grew up on both). Arrived and the place was packed and mind you, there were only TWO people as waiters for the entire place which is a great deal for the owner not so much for clients. After a 20 minute wait we were seated and very excited for our sandwiches. When we ordered our Cubanos the waiter basically told us "We ran out of pork" "Actually we have pork left but not for the sandwich we are selling it for the roast pork lunch (which is a little more expensive) so if you want pork you have to order the platter". Really? What kind of place tells you they have the product but wont give it to you in the form you want it. Heck, what kind of Cuban place runs out of pork by 11am?!!! I will say we were REALLY disaapointed and had to settle for a sliced turkey sandwich and an egg and chorizo sandwich. The food was good but between porkgate, slow service and attitude we did not have a pleasant experience at Kuba Kuba.

Crystal M.

Arriving into Richmond, I decided that trying a place off the food network would be fun. Came across the review for Kuba Kuba (from the show: best thing I ever ate) The atmospheres is quaint and busy, as there were a lot of people moving about. The food was EXCELLENT, we ordered shrimp and mussels ($10.95 worth it, shrimp, mussels, ham and a delicious broth with bread on the side) as the appetizer and paella valencia ($17.95, also worth it, it had a lot of vegtables, mussels, shrimp and clams) for entree. The portion size was large and we left with enoguh for lunch the next day. Since we enjoyed the food so much we ordered desert, tres leches, which was sweet so we ordered a cup of coffee ($3) con leche with condensed milk (¢.50 charge) The unfortunate thing was the service, it seems they didn't have enough waiters to cover everbody. You have to be very attentive to get one of the waiters attention. One point we had to go up to the bar to order the coffee since no one would come back to the table.

Kaitlyn F.

Very good. Ordered takeout and was quite pleased. I was having someone else pick up the food and the person on the phone was accommodating and able to take my card info during the phonecall for payment. I ordered the cuban and the codfish cake sandwiches. Let me start by saying the platanos that come with it are amazing. The cuban was quite good but I felt like there wasn't enough pickle or mustard. Could have used more for my tastes. The codfish cake sandwich was also very good though there was a little too much bread for how much fish there was. The bread was also a touch soggy. They didn't ruin the food by any means but were noticeable. All in all the meal was very satisfactory and I would order from them again.

Meredith B.

I am... relieved that I returned to this restaurant after a disastrous initial visit years ago. Thankfully, the second visit has eradicated the memories of the terrible decor and the argument with the waitress about shellfish that had plagued me after the first attempt. Honestly, it's like a whole new restaurant, and I could not be happier. The day was drizzly and icky, and the parking was not exactly close by, but lunch was a pleasant, lazy affair with a good friend, with good food and several cups of coffee. We both ordered the cafe con leche- he with the traditional sweetened condensed milk, out of nostalgia, and i unsweetened. Neither of us was disappointed with the choice. I ordered the entremés, which was well worth its price despite being a little more than the rest of the menu and resulted in my having leftovers to take home after we were done eating.

Renée G.

Tasty food, generous portions, but the last time I came here for a workday lunch I was absolutely appalled by the slow service. It took nearly half an hour for someone to take our order and another half hour for our food to arrive (with no updates or apologies from our server, who I'm pretty sure was the only one for the entire restaurant). Sorry, guys, I really can't take 2 hours off from work to come eat here, so you'll be relegated to weekends from now on.

Tom H.

Truly an awesome little place. A 'hole in the wall' in one of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods in Richmond. The decor is perfect for the restaurant, eclectically decorated to where one could picture it being on a side street in Havana, sans dirt, hot humidity, and the quintessential dog soaking up the chill of the tile floor. The menu is expansive yet offers enough difference between dishes to accommodate most palates. Being that it was still morning, I opted for some empanadas, vegetarian at the request of my fellow patron. Excellent. The cheese and spinach inside or perfect temperature but the kicker was definitely the crust. As a main I opted for their breakfast burrito and added in some chorizo sausage. Good quality ingredients between the veggies, eggs, and black beans. The chorizo was good for not being local and frozen. The dish could have been a full 5 of it had fresh chorizo and the pico de gallo was swapped out for a mango habanero salsa. Overall a 4.5/5

Alexis K.

My boyfriend and I dined at Kuba Kuba for Valentine's Day during our undergrad years, so it holds a pretty special place in my heart. This is my second visit to Kuba Kuba, and it wasn't quite as good as my first. Service was slow and a little sloppy as it was quite difficult to flag down our server. She dropped the check off at our table without even asking us if we wanted/needed anything else and disappeared. We had to flag her down again just to order dessert. FYI - Kuba Kuba does not take reservations, so on a busy weekend you'll most likely be waiting for a seat. The ambiance at Kuba Kuba is fun, loud, and inviting. Overall, it's a good place to take someone that's visiting the VCU campus. My boyfriend had the Ropa Vieja; I had the Paella Valenciana (paella w/ chorizo, clams, mussels, and shrimp). The paella is very generously portioned (probably good enough for two people) and I appreciate the fact that they do not skimp of the seafood and chorizo. However, I found the paella to be a little too salty for my liking. I know paella is traditionally on the buttery/salty side, but I had to down many, many glasses of water after my meal. We concluded our meal with their famous tres leches cake, and I found it to be on the drier side (as far as tres leches goes). One slice of cake costs about $6, a pretty heavy penny for just one slice! Despite my pretty mediocre second experience, I won't rule out Kuba Kuba completely. Until next time...

Will C.

When I lived in RVA and attended VCU my gf and I had Valentines day dinner here one year and it was excellent! Recently we decided to go visit RVA and we stopped by for dinner. My gf, friend and I visited at 8 and the dinner was rush was still in progress so we waited approximately 20 minutes, not too bad honestly. Two orders of the ropa vieja and paella valenciana were ordered and the food came out quickly. The ropa vieja was decent. I recall that this dish was much more memorable a couple years ago on Valentines day. This time I felt like the rice was soaked in too much broth so the rice became a bit too soft for my liking. It also lost some of the unique flavor it had the last time I had this dish. The paella was my gf's dish and I wasn't a big fan of it. It wasn't too flavorful but to balance that they included a lot of seafood in her dish. There was a decent amount of mussels, clams, and shrimp in her bowl. Their portions are very good here, they give you a good amount to fill you up, my gf had leftovers. For dessert we had a slice of tres leches cake. This left a lasting impression on my gf last time and I have to say this time it was very good but it wasn't the same. Last time it was not too sweet and very moist, this time it was also not too sweet but it wasn't as moist. With that being said it is still one of the better tres leches I have had. The night I visited service wasn't good. It seemed like there was only two waitresses working the whole restaurant, definitely understaffed. After finishing the meal the waitress quickly gave us the bill and left. Usually out of courtesy they will ask if you wanted something else like dessert but she never did that. After about 5 minutes I saw her again and flagged her down to order our dessert. Overall, I am a bit disappointed that the quality of the food has dropped a bit but it is not enough for me not to revisit. If I am ever in RVA and want Cuban food I would be sure to give them another chance.

Mary S.

Always reliably delicious food. I love their omelettes. Sometimes the service is slow and there is a wait, but try the Tres Leches or homemade limeade and you will completely understand.

Benslie B.

I'm lucky enough to live only a couple blocks from Kuba Kuba! We've been here a few times (for brunch and dinner) and really enjoy the food, the prices, and the atmosphere. First off, we definitely, definitely recommend the cafe con leche! For brunch, the huevos California is a big, messy bowl of deliciousness. For lunch/dinner, the Cuban sandwich is a good take on the classic. It's a good value too, at less than $8 for the sandwich and a side of fried plantains. We've also tried one of the specials- the Cubahn-mi sandwich- and although we love both Cuban sandwiches and bahn mis, the compilation of the two was not particularly great. Overall, this is a great local spot with good Cuban food and coffee at a great value. I'm looking forward to trying more of the menu!

Mirasol C.

I had been here once before and I loved it. Unfortunately I had gone last week and it was a terrible experience. It was me and another friend and we walked in and the sign says wait to be seated so we waited about 10 minutes to be seated and it wasn't even busy inside. There were only 6 tables occupied and a few people at the bar. So my friend asked one of the bar serves if someone would help us and he said someone will come soon. I saw 2 servers stare at us and walk to the back to talk to the other servers. The guy behind the bar said since it's only us 2 we can sit down. We sat and waited another 5-10 minutes and more servers passed us and waited on other tables that already had food so that's when we decided to walk out. I'll give it another try because I love this place but if this happens again I'll have to go somewhere else...

Mitch C.

Authentic and Delicious some of the best cuban food i've had outside of Miami, do yourself a favor and get there quick.

Bryon N.

The food was amazing. The atmosphere was very cool. I would not pass this place up for a unique experience. This is more of what I would consider a "dive" that would be appropriate for most social situations. We started with the Empanadillas (the Cuban's are way better than the ricotta and spinach). For dinner I had the crab cake special, and it was great with the Mango, Carrot and Habanero sauce. All in all, a very unique place which turned into a great dining experience. I will definitely return if/when I have the opportunity.

Erin M.

Kuba Kuba is hands down one of my favorite places to dine in Richmond. From sandwiches, to salads, to breakfast bowls this place has it all, each dish with a Cuban flair to it. And for those who can't eat gluten, they are more than happy to substitute rice for bread in dishes that are served on toast! I always get the huevos California with rice instead of bread, which is rice, eggs, fresh veggies and avocados. It's heavenly! Everything that I've tried there has been fresh and delicious. Get the fried plantains! It's a small but cozy spot and usually the wait isn't very long. It's reasonably priced and definitely worth a try!

Arden G.

Delicious, amazing, fresh Cuban food. One of my favorite places -- fun atmosphere and great food!!!

Alex G.

If you want to EAT, Kuba Kuba is the place to go. Their breakfast and dinner is great with huge portions. The place itself is a little tight and there's always a good amount of people there. Service is alright but other than that all around a solid place to eat. Here are a few recommendations: -For Breakfast, the "Huevos Kuba" -For an Appetizer, the "Platanos" and if you're not picky the "Scallop Ceviche" as well as the "Camaraones Y Mejillones" -For Dinner, go with "Arroz con pollo" trust me you'll get your money's worth. Protein protein protein!

Emery M.

Out of towner, stopped in to try the cafe con leche, and ended up grabbing a slice of flan too. It was delicious! The cafe con leche was made with sweetened condensed milk! This made is oh so delicious! The atmosphere was very eclectic and the place was booming! Not an empty seat in the house except for bar seating. The aroma was so enticing. I wish i wouldn't have already ate supper! As I was waiting for my coffee to be made I enjoyed watching the chef prepare customers orders. Cuban sandwiches being grilled on the panini press! When I return to Richmond dinner here will definitely be on my list!

Brett B.

I've been temporarily living in Richmond and have been out every single night the past month. Low and behold I have found my absolute favorite spot. kuba kuba is authentic as it can get with one of the best Cuban sandwiches I've ever had. I would highly highly recommend this place if you are a Cuban sandwich fan.

Richie W.

I heard about this place and have been wanting to go for a while. I finally went earlier today. The place was so-so. I ordered the spanish tortilla and it was kind of dry. My coworker got the Cuban sandwich which he said was good. The service wasn't that great. Our server wasn't friendly and we had to wait a good 20+ minutes to get our check. Which was surprising considering there were a lot of people waiting to be seated. Not sure if I will go back, I was expecting more and was underwhelmed.

Taylor S.

This place never disappoints! I've been here twice and it has become my favorite spot. Inside is small but I've never had to wait to long for a table. Their Cuban sandwiches are amazing, their pork is so tender and juicy. Plus their portions are huge! Plus their tres leches cake is amazing. The best cake I have ever tasted. It's very sweet and the cake itself is just so moist and milky. I definitely would recommend this place. Yeah they don't take reservations and its small, but the food is great and the service is always fast.

Amy T.

Love this place....Awesome cuban food and drinks and great service!!!

Christina S.

Kuba Kuba is Richmond's best Cuban offering. Housed in a just slightly too dark restaurant, with lackluster service and long waits for your food, it's almost not worth it. But the food makes any visit to Kuba Kuba very worth it. I pretty much always get the Cuban, which comes on this great bread, tender meat, delicious plantains, and a artful scattering of onions across your plate. It's lip smacking good, and it makes you forgive Kuba Kuba for anything lacking on their part. Their coffee with condensed milk is also awesome. If I lived closer, this would be my morning joe.

Carolyn D.

Kuba Kuba is a very lively place and always busy when I come. It's located at the corner of a neighborhood. The dishes are huge, but I love their empanadillas and the tres leches! The empanadillas come in either ricotta and spinach or the kuban beef version. I've only had the ricotta version and I love it, very creamy and so good. They top it off with lime sour cream and veggies which are a nice compliment. The tres leches cake is not like the normal version. It's not as drenched in milk, which I like! It's the right amount of moistness and sweetness.

Sybil S.

Great atmosphere. It feels like a Miami restaurant. Prices were good.server quick. I got sausage and pulled pork panini.....it was good.I'll go again.

Beth S.

highly recommend. food is delicious, cool vibe. paella valenciana was amazing, my daughter loves seafood and this came with a variety and chorizo. her boyfriend got crab cakes sandwich and devoured in minutes. I got the cuban, very nicely done. the entradas appetizer is a must try, a little bit of everything and absolutely delicious!

Kat M.

Yes, please! Happy to say that the search for Richmonds best Cuban food is over. This place is great. And lunch menu was so reasonably priced. Add avocado to the Cuban pork with rice and black beans and you will get what I'm talking about. And great Cuban coffee too.

Bull P.

I always get terrible service here n the food is made with lower quality ingredients... I will say they have very good uevos rancheros... But it's not worth the bull

Connor B.

The food here at Kuba Kuba is very good Cuban food. It lacks in flavor occasionally, but most of the time it is spot on. The real reason to go here though is for dessert. Outstanding Tre Leche Cake. It is the most moist dessert I have ever eaten. I could come to Kuba Kuba every day to taste the cake and it would never get old.

Christina D.

The tres leches cake is basically why I come here...it is delicious and moist, not soggy like many tres leches cakes tend to be. It's perfect!! The ricotta and spinach empanandas and salads are my go to menu items. Dinner specials never disappoint and are around $20, which is not bad for the huge plate that you get. One of my favorite places to dine in Richmond!!

Jesse B.

It can be tough at times to find good ethnic food in Richmond, but Kuba Kuba is one of the best restaurants hands down in the RVA area. The ambience and coziness of the restaurant makes you feel immediately at home. The staff is friendly and engaging. My girlfriend, my family and I came here for dinner. We shared the paella valencenia and the cubano sandwich. The paella was excellent with a good mix of sausage, clams and mussels, while the cubano sandwich was extremely filling and delicious. For desert we had the tres leches cake, which put the meal over the top. Be sure to visit if you're ever in the fan.

GregMatt A.

Greg: Our spur of the moment, Tuesday instead of Wednesday night, post gym review this week was held at Kuba Kuba in the Fan. When we showed up there were a couple of people waiting out front for a table. A few more groups showed up and I didn't notice anyone taking names or even really trying to keep track of a "line". I went in and told the waitress that two guys up front were here before us but we wanted to put our name down so we didn't get skipped. She came up and took our name (as well as other groups; I'm basically a hostess facilitator). When a table opened up, the two original guys had left and the waitress sat a group of two that had come after us (I imagine she thought those were the two guys I was speaking of). For dinner I ordered paella valenciana which consisted of rice, veggies, shrimp, clams, mussels, and chorizo. They were out of mussels so I got more of the other proteins. For $17, I received three meals worth of this hearty and very savory paella. It came with these two little pieces of grilled bread for sopping up the broth at the bottom of the bowl. Paella: flavor overload. I ordered the iced cafe con leche and it was also very good. While I was very disappointed with the lack of a hostess or any form of organization during the wait, I wasn't shocked or disappointed with the slow and uninvolved waitress. This restaurant reminded more of a deli than anything else. It struck me as one of those places where you place your order at the counter and they bring you your food, until I finally saw a waitress. So when she wasn't the "how is everything" style of waitress that comes to your table every 4 minutes, I wasn't bothered. The food here is fantastic. I'll definitely take Matt's mom there on a date. OHHHHHH snap Matt-choooo (bless you): Sorry for Greg's lameness. We watched the roast of Justin Beiber last night and he is trying to be funny but fell short. This little corner cafe style Cuban restaurant is very quaint and comfortable. For my meal, I ordered the shrimp enchilado. My ignorance led me to believe that it would be an enchilada so I was slightly surprised to have a bowl of cuban food placed in front of me. I wasn't too dissapointed, because when I took my first bite I knew instantly that I had made a good choice. The shrimp enchilado is basically sautéed shrimp in a tomato based sauce with capers, served over white rice, with Cuban bread, asparagus and plantains. The decor seemed very authentic and the only thing that creeped me out a little bit was the naked barbie dolls that were strung from the recessed lighting. I'm also surprised Greg didn't mention the fact that he also got dessert and let me have a few bites. He got flan I believe, and it was my first time having it (this seems to be a recurring theme in these reviews) . It had a very interesting texture, but was very flavorful and I enjoyed it. All in all, if you can get into Kuba Kuba without having to wait too long, it's a very enjoyable experience, with a great atmosphere, at a great price.

Jay Rand B.

Not much to look at but they serve generous portions of good tasting food. If you're hungry for Cuban fare, this is surely the place to go.

Erin K.

I could enjoy California huevos and café con leches all day long! This is a staple brunch or dinner place anytime we have friends in from out of town... They usually request it!!

Bree P.

I finally went to check out what all the hype was about with this little hole in the wall that everyone talked about. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed by my meal. I ordered the Cubano and was disappointed by how burnt and crunchy the bread was while the filling of meat, pickles and cheese was lackluster at best. When the waitress asked if I enjoyed my meal and I shared with her my dismay she dismissed me by saying I was a "picky eater" and I would still have to pay for the food left on my plate instead of replacing it with another menu item. I have never been to a restaurant like this but hey, there's a first for everything. I don't believe I will be returning due to the waitress' dismissive attitude alone.

Kaitlin W.

My go-to: California Huevos. MmmmmmMmmmmmmmMm! Warning! This delicious mid-morning feast will clean your @$$ out, so be close to the john. Your welcome. :*

Angie W.

This restaurant got a lot of great reviews. We enjoyed it over all and loved the small feel and atmosphere. One thing I don't like- the vents, walls and ceiling fans were covered in hanging dirt, dust and greasy/moldy looking dripage of something. We had portobello sandwich and the cuban. Both served with plantains. The bread was good but I still picked the bread off...well I am Angie. The mushroom caps were really well cooked and my friend loved the pork on the Cuban. Cafe con leche (expresso) with sweetened evaporated milk was delicious. Shared a tres leches (vanilla cake) will leave you in a diabetic coma with a smile on your face.

Tasha D.

Food was good, especially the tres leches cake. The service however, leaves much to be desired. Don't go here with a group unless you bring cash or one person is treating the whole group as they do not split your tab. This means that you and your party are responsible for figuring out what you each owe individually plus tax. This was very inconvenient for myself and my party. Also, their tortillas aren't necessarily a tortilla shell. My "tortilla" was actually an omelet. A very large omelet.

Bethany F.

Love the food - cheap and extensive sandwich menu (if all fails, order the Cuban) and crazy good tres leches. However, the servers and staff here we're quite rude to other patrons (and one another). Our server was horribly annoyed with our group at first but came to warm up later. It's a shame but [unfortunately] something becoming quite the norm in the Richmond restaurant industry. Go for the food.

Suzanne R.

The food is great, service friendly and accommodating. It's a tiny place so do be prepared to wait on weekend mornings and evenings.

Britt D.

The service isn't exceptional, but the food and drinks are awesome. I got the Portabello Press and it was great.

David H.

First off, the food was good. I really liked the antipasto plate, although the lime flavor in the scallop ceviche was overpowering. The mussels in the appetizer with shrimp were tiny, but the broth was delicious. The paella was delicious, except it was riddled with capers (menu leaves this little bit out) While I liked the food, the service was pretty bad. Very infrequent checkups, we waited almost an hour after finishing our appetizers for our entrees to come (we ordered entrees a few minutes after the apps), not personable or friendly. To top off the poor service and wait inside, I came outside to a parking ticket that could've been avoided had I gotten my entree in a reasonable amount of time. Needless to say, I'm in no rush to return here.

John Paul C.

Delicious as it gets. I always order the Kubanaso sandwich (pork, chorizo, cheese, and pickles) and it never disappoints. The sandwich comes with fried plantains as well. A super tasty and authentic meal for $10! The sandwich is big enough (for me) to eat half for lunch and the other half for another meal. It even tastes great right out of the refrigerator the following day. Make sure you try it with siracha. I typically order my sandwich and pick it up, rather than eat there. The ambiance is very cool, but 95% I'm getting take out and carrying it home. I have not had to wait for more than 20 minutes for my sandwich to be ready. I have had a few instances that the girl behind the bar/counter is rude and inattentive, but I smile and move on because I have a great sandwich to go eat!

Neil B.

I went to Kuba Kuba with some Richmond family, on the Sunday afternoon after Valentine's Day. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a booth. The fact that everyone waited so patiently got my hopes up. The Cubanos were a B+ solid, if not weighed more towards the smoked pork, and less towards the lunch-meat ham and Swiss. Ask for extra pickles to put on it. Maybe ask for extra Swiss cheese too. The fact remains... until a great Cuban bakery opens nearby, it's never going to rise above a B+. The CubanoQue, or whatever it is that they call it there, isn't what you want. I know they are trying to do a southern Q type thing, but it doesn't come together. The sauce is too sweet for that good pork, and it just doesn't work. The plantains that come with everything were simple and perfect. The beans -and-rice side dish fed four. My double espresso would hold a teaspoon upright. For some reason, they put Sriracha sauce on the tables, but keep the Yucantano sauce in reserve. Ask for the good stuff. The servers were scamblin'. They just were. It was busy. But they made a good account of themselves, and water and coffee cups were kept full. We had a shaved headed fellow, and a curly brunette who took fine care of us. I could care less about ambiance, but there is some strange leftover Greek diner feel going on there.

Damaris V.

We live about an hour away but had dinner here tonight after touring Richmond. Sooooooo glad we stopped here. We had the paella valencia, ropa vieja and roast pork. Everything was delicious in supremely oversized servings that we all ate, were stuffed and brought home enough leftovers for tomorrow night's dinner. I also had the café con leche, which was so good it reminded me of my mom's café. We clearly arrived early enough to avoid any wait, as we were quickly seated and there was a pretty decent line waiting to get in as we were on our way out. And our server, so polite and attentive. We will definitely be back!

Behshad T.

OMG the service is shitty here I sat here for an hr for the food to get here. The waitress stepped on my shoes 3 times She didn't knew the menu well and it's not even that long Good was good but dear lord they need to fire their waitresses and hire new ones

Greg L.

The place is packed for a Sunday brunch/lunch. Intim ate very casual setting with music in the background making you feel like the life of Cuba is a few bites away.

Andrew C.

Love the atmosphere here! The music, the art, the decor.. the whole set up is very charming and entertaining. Kuba Kuba has a wonderful staff and dedicated owners who are all so welcoming and humble. I make a stop here almost every time I visit Richmond and I aways leave feeling satisfied. The restaurant isn't huge so it can get packed and the wait could take a while, so know what you're going into. Kuba Kuba serves breakfast, lunch & dinner with tasty authentic desserts & coffees. So I felt compelled to review my meal today.. The Huevos California! Just the cure I needed after a long night this hot dish is served with a deep layer of black beans, two fried eggs, topped with a freshly chopped salsa, drizzled with a lime sour cream, & garnished with avocado. Oh yeah, add 3 hunks of bread to soak it all up! Heavy but healthy. Cheap but filling. This place is everything I look for in a restaurant! ¡¡Muchas Gracias Kuba Kuba!!

Peter F.

We dropped into Kuba Kuba at 9:15 PM on a Friday night around the time that the dinner rush is wrapping up and tables should be opening up. When we arrived we expected a few minutes of waiting as Kuba Kuba's food is fantastic and worthy of a minor inconvenience. We asked the floor manager for a wine menu and wished to order a nice bottle to enjoy while we waited but unfortunately it was another 10 minutes before he checked on the door again to take our wine order. While we sat and waited we watched several parties get up and depart to free up booths. Rather than seat waiting patrons at these three open booths the floor manager at Kuba Kuba felt it more important to reserve them on the offchance that several parties of 4-6 were going to show up at 9:30 for dinner. Eventually we were seated, our table service was fine and our meals met and exceeded all of the expectations one has for dining at Kuba Kuba. I do wish that they did a better job at managing their dining area because had we been seated sooner we might have had time to enjoy our meal, bottle of wine and even dessert and not feel rushed by the restaurant while they closed up.

April H.

I was a bit hesitant at first because it appeared to be a very small space. However, once inside we were greeted very warmly and seated quickly (always a plus for me ).the service was wonderful (Amanda/server), food was fabulous, one entrée could feed 2 people and price was decent.A must try

K S.

My daughter moved to the Fan and we walked to restaurant. We must have gone at the right time because there was a line out the door when we left. The food was wonderful, very flavorful and portions huge (order included Ropa Vieja, empanadas, bbq pork sandwich, and salmon dinner) salmon was the best....it was perfectly cooked. We got the cafe con leche and OMG every sip was wonderful. The only con.....the place was busy and waitress was in responsible for every table it seemed....service was slow (had to ask AND wait a while just to get water refills) she didn't go over menu or ask if we had ever been there before no recommendations nothing...would have been nice if we had some help on picking food but it seemed like everything is great. Note to owners....looks like your place is really popular and your food is great...invest in more staff and train them not to assume people know anything about restaurant. We will return because the food is so good :)

Josh P.

Great food. Really liked the arroz con pollo. Also enjoyed the traditional cuban sandwich and the tres leeches cake. Really good stuff.

Yvonne M.

I have to agree, parking sucks, and the place is small, but the food was ok.

Katie S.

Classic Cuban Brunch, there's fun music when you walk in and you can smell the delicious a block away. Crowded but worth it - expect a wait. California huevos are as good as they say. Cafe con Leche is excellent and the espresso is flavorful. Platanos are good, try with maple and siracha. Ropa Viejo was flavorful but didn't have juice - the only dissapointment.

Corrin H.

I had been wanting to try Kuba Kuba since I moved to Richmond and finally got the chance for brunch the other week! Wow this place was great! Unfortunately the kitchen staff forgot our order and my friend and I waited for almost an hour for our food. As soon as we notified our server, the owner came over and was extremely apologetic and said the food was on the house (we even got cake!) Both myself and my friend got the Juevos California! Soooo delicious! I have a feeling I will become a regular at this place!

Kaitlin R.

Absolutely delicious food. I had the roast pork and couldn't get enough. Especially with the hot sauce. Loved it. Casual, diner feel. Could work on their beer list.

The Y.

Fantastic Cuban Food! I'll start with the food this time; I had a seafood paella and it was on point. Fresh ingredients, flavor was through the roof and authentic flavors. There was pretty quick turn around from ordering to getting our food even though the restaurant was PACKED which was nice and for the food to still be well prepared and delicious. Everyone at the table was more than pleased with their meals and I was even happier when I got the bill and I didn't see the standard mark up just for being in the city of Richmond lol...(no but seriously even mediocre food is $5 more per plate just because you're within city limits) And now the only reason it gets a 4 star instead of a five. The location is less than ideal for parking and the spot is TINY so showing up with a party of 5 like we did was sketchy because they don't RSVP. Other than those two gripes this place is on point and I will definitely be back as often as I'm up there

Eric S.

The ultimate in neighborhood joints with great food. Portions are substantial, service is friendly and efficient and the food is distinct. They serve breakfast early and late. Anything with pork or seafood is a must.

Ashley M.

Kuba Kuba wasn't as good as I hoped. It was okay, but not super good. The fried plantains were so-so. The huevos rancheros was ok, but the bread was soggy with black bean juice when it arrived and it was kind of gross.

Shanon J.

Fun little spot but I wasn't impressed with the food. My ceviche came out as a salad and my pork was dry. Lots of my co-workers enjoy this spot so maybe they were having an off day. The tres leche cake was delicious!!!!

EM M.

Just went today, not a good impression, BAD ATTITUDE. The cortadito was really good. We ordered 3 cuban sandwiches and kid's quesadilla. The cuban meat flavor was ok (dry), but the bread was extremely! hard. I couldn't enjoy it. Told the waitress about it, but there was no response. I asked for the supervisor and a hispanic guy came to the table. I told him that the bread was hard (I was knocking on it), that I couldn't eat it, and that the cheese in the quesadilla tasted weird. His response was, "it's just toasted" and he had a bad attitude, he didn't liked what I told him. I told him that it wasn't toasted it was extremely hard. He responded that the cheese in the quesadilla was fine and that he wasn't going to charge me for my cuban with a bad attitude. Really!!! First, it's not about the $$, it's about the service. I was expecting more options, a new sandwich, or a better attitude towards the customer. I will never come back, or recommend this place!!!

Sarah J.

Service was excellent but food was lackluster. We had the Paella Mariscos and Tres Leches cake. The paella was ok but I've had much better. The rice was cooked well but the seafood didn't taste very fresh and there wasn't much flavor. There was enough for 3 people though. Thank goodness for the habanero sauce! The tres leches was ok as well but nothing special. I would come again if there were other dish recommendations.

Brandon E.

I can't get enough of this place. By far the best Cuban I've ever had. The risotto cakes are out of this world. Great atmosphere, good price, high quality food. Manny Mendez has such an awesome restaurant, is very talented at food, and he's such a nice guy!

Marbles L.

Really liked those plantains! The kuban roast pork entre was very good. The pork was tender, and it fell apart in your mouth (in a good way). It was so flavorful! Strongly recommend the paella mariscos. The portion was generous, with plenty of mussels, clams, and shrimps. This is a dish ideal to share among friends. Be warned, they do not take reservations. But it's totally worth the wait.

Steven W.

This place has a great menue and the service was good.

Blue B.

I have had the Cuban sandwich as well as the pineapple chicken. Both are delicious. If you have room for dessert try the tres leches cake.

Aubrey H.

My boyfriend and I popped in for lunch while we were in Richmond apartment shopping one Sunday based off of others' yelp reviews. The atmosphere is great - it's a hole in the wall that feels cozy and straight out of Havana, and the Cuban music really helps! Despite being a beautiful afternoon and prime lunch hour, we snagged the last available table right away. I ordered a beer, and we started with an order of the beef empanadillas. The server brought my beer out, and five minutes later brought me a fresh beer with a lime in it, apologizing and explaining that he forgot the lime the first time. I told him he actually didn't, but that we would definitely drink the beer, and he said he wouldn't charge us for his mistake, although I told him it was no problem if we paid. The beef empanadillas were delicious, and for lunch I ordered the huevos California and my boyfriend ordered the special Cubahn-mi. When the food came out, my boyfriend's sandwich had no pork on it even though it was supposed to. When we pointed it out to the server, he apologized and offered to put it in an order for anything else and comp the sandwich. He put it in an order for the lunch pork, and it came out in minutes. Both the huevos California and the lunch pork had excellent flavor and were extremely filling! We still opted for dessert, ordering a slice of the tres leches, which was huge, super moist, and delicious. When our server brought our bill, he had comped the second beer and BOTH of my boyfriend's entrees. All in all, the food was excellent, the atmosphere was fun, and even though there were hiccups in service, we understand that during busy hours mistakes happen, and our server more than made up for it - he was awesome!! We will definitely be making Kuba Kuba a regular spot when we move to Richmond!

Don W.

My wife and I went there for lunch today .. Valentines day! I thought about going at 1pm, but glad we got there by 12:30. At 1pm it was packed to the gills and about 15 people were waiting for tables. The place was hoping and food was coming out fast and furious, but the tables were moving. After we were seating it wasn't long before we were waited on. The drinks came out quickly. I ordered the roast pork omelet and my wife ordered the tortilla con chorizo. I will have the say, the waitress that waited on us. I forgot her name. Dark, long hair, slender figure. She was working her tail off this day! She was organizing the list of new people that came in, seating people and waiting tables. She had more energy than 3x of the usual waitresses I am used to seeing. She never slowed down once the entire time we were there and never did we want for anything. Drinks were refreshed by her without asking and meals and deserts delivered promptly. She knew her job to a tee. We were totally impressed. Both meals were huge, delicious and the price was extremely reasonable. The only problem I had with the place is it IS NOT CLOSER TO WHERE I LIVE! :-) We will definitely be going back again and trying more of the menu.

Virginia P.

I keep trying to love Kuba Kuba but it's not happening. The space is adorable and the coffee is amazing, but I'm just not crazy about the food.

Julian E.

We can't get enough of this place! The food is on point-- one thing drives at me, however-- isn't the Seafood Sofrito a little overpriced for what you get? Really, I counted three shrimp the other day...three! You just hit me up for 18 large? Where's the love?

Edwin P.

Wow wow wowwie! Kuba Kuba is good for desayuno (breakfast), almuerzo (lunch), y conversación (conversation). I lived in the Caribe (Caribbean) for many years and have never come across a better representation of the regional cuisine tucked away in a small U.S. city like Kuba Kuba. Richmond should be proud. RVA: Stand up and support this small restaurant. I even saw a man with a belt over his oversized waist depicting every version of the Confederate flag; he was dining here! Kuba Kuba: Food so good, even overt racists approve! Go way out of your way to come here. The prices are ridiculously low for the quality/quantity produced at this restaurant. And, you might get to chat with an artist/waiter if you come during a slow period when they are just opening up shop. Finally, get the tres leches. If you got it, you might be a Type-II now, but who gives a fuck! Viva Kuba (Cuba)!

Trinh V.

This is my third time here. What i got is da paella (muscles, clams, shrimps with rice and mix vegetables). It was ssoooo salty. I feel like da only flavor i taste is salt salt. I also got the cafe leche with condense milk. That was good. Service was slow. Took forever to get our bill and da waiter excuse is "sorry there was something wrong with our computer"

Hobey J.

Great atmosphere, not going to lie, i was a bit disappointed by the Cuban sandwich but the tres leches cake was dank af

Max T.

My first experience here was okay. I was impressed by the atmosphere, which was lively and casual. The biggest thing was the time; too long of a wait to be put on the list, too long of a wait for service, too long for a lot of things. I feel as though the limited number of servers was the actual cause of the lag instead of what servers were available. The paella valenciana was delicious, Cuban sandwich was a bit dry. I'm also not a big fan of coffee but the Cafe Con Leche with sweetened milk was actually pretty good. Overall, it was a good experience and is worth the wait if you're craving some good food at reasonable prices.

Lauren L.

Amazing breakfast and tons of food! Got the Huevos California- delicious and the coffee with the condensed milk.

Katy P.

Loved. Will go again anytime we are passing through. The entre mes appetizer platter was enough for two meals!!

Binh N.

While the food here is decent, the fact that they don't do separate check is just horrible, we were a group of 8 and it was a nightmare. Oh and their portion size is huge, enough to feed the whole village like some of the other reviewers said.

David L.

I thought the food was very bland. Mine and my three companions meals were only okay. However, $1 Miller High Life ponies are very redeeming feature of this place!

Dan S.

I love the plantains everything else was just average.

Shalini H.

I wish I lived in the same neighborhood as Kuba Kuba!! My husband and I decided to try out their brunch this past Sunday. We arrived around 1:30 and there was about a 5-10 minute wait. I noticed the bar had two open seats so we grabbed those seats instead of waiting. I think we got the best seats in the house. They were right by kitchen so we saw all the different plates of food. The waitress was also the hostess so we waited a few minutes until we got our menus. I ordered the cafe con leche with sweet condensed milk. It had the perfect amount of coffee and the perfect amount of sweetness. It really reminded me of the cafe con leche I used to get back home in Miami. For my meal I ordered the California Huevos and my husband ordered the Tortillo con Chorizo. I have never seen or had anything like the California Huevos. I devoured it... I managed to offer a bite to my husband and spared a piece of bread for him too. :) He offered me a bite of his but i refused. The California Huevos has everything but the kitchen sink... eggs, beans, tomatoes, onions, cheese, enchilado sauce, lime sour cream and bread. Oh the bread.... the bread soaked up ALL those mouth watering ingredients. The prices were very reasonable for the amount of food served. We were definitely pleased with the service, food and prices! The restaurant is not huge but the flavors make up for that!

Amie L.

We visited Kuba Kuba this weekend for lunch. I enjoyed the cozy feel of the place and loved the music that was playing. I had a really hard time deciding to rate between a 2 or a 3. I went with a 2 because I don't see us coming back to dine here, at a 3 I would try it again. If I was rating on the Cafe con leche alone it would be a 5 star, damn that stuff was good!!! Cuban Sandwich - The pork completely ruined this sandwich, the meat was very very dry and didn't have much flavor except for the distinct flavor of reheated leftover meat. uck I enjoyed the mild taste of what seemed to be homemade pickles. The pork had such a terrible flavor I actually could not bring myself to take anpother bite. Luckily this dish wasn't mine :/ The tostones served with the sandwich were good. They were served hot and fresh but they were not too flavorful and I felt like I wanted to be dipping them in something creamy & spicy. Huevos ranchers were ok but nothing to write home about. I would have expected black beans in the dish but it seems quite a few of the dishes with beans were made with red beans instead. The empanadillas were very tasty, we ordered one of each, The spinach one was very good, nice and creamy & cheesy. The beef was pretty good as well, it had a different flavor that seemed almost savory and sweet at the same time. Service was quite slow, it took me literally choking on a bite that took a wrong turn to have the waitstaff finally refill our drinks. Although slow they were friendly except for the older gentleman who may have been the owner. He seemed awfully perturbed when we nonchalantly grabbed a napkin and swept the crumbs and leftover food debris on the counter from the prior patrons into a neat little pile out of our way. If I was in the area I might stop in for a cafe con leche to go but I wouldn't bother eating a meal here again.

Sokha A.

Cozy decor, cramped for space, but the food is pretty good for a decent price. I loved the scallop ceviche; it had a fresh, light, refreshing taste good for a summer day. The California Huevos was good and the Paella Valenciana was huge; it lasted both of us another meal! The flan was a nice end of meal dessert. Service was prompt and courteous, despite the place being packed on a Saturday night for dinner.

Orlando G.

As the name suggests, this is a variation on Cuban cuisine, not like you would find in Miami, New York or Tampa, but we will get to that in a few minutes. First I have to start with the service, which by many reviews, it is lacking. The waiter which attended us was very rude and had an attitude of "I could care less that you are here". There was no introduction or greeting, but a "What do you want to drink?" When we ordered Mojitos we were scolded for not knowing that they only served wine and beer. When it came to food, the waiter's rudeness increased when asking what we wanted to eat. He gave us a sense that we were there and therefore we were going to order something to eat no matter what. I can go on and on about his attitude, but the bottom line is this has been the worst experience we've ever had at an eating establishment including any of the fast food establishments. Let's get to the food. I will start by saying that I am Cuban and have eaten in numerous restaurants serving Cuban food and will say that this was not as savory as other restaurants. We had the roast pork, black beans and rice and platanos (these were supposed to be tostones, but I was served maduros instead). The black beans had no flavor and a little watery; I've gotten the same flavor from a can of Goya black beans. The roast pork, while tender and pulled apart easily, did not have any flavor either. One of the key measure of a Cuban restaurant is their beans and pork. These two did not meet the standards. In addition, any Cuban restaurant serves plantains, either tostones or maduros. Tostones are made with green plantains and maduros are made from sweet plantains. The waiter's response when I notified him that I was given maduros instead of tostones was "you get what we have!" There was no apology or anything of a sort. Finally, if you are at a Cuban restaurant, then it stands to reason that you serve Cuban coffee. This is not the case here as we soon found out when we ordered it. The waiter once again was rude and gave us a touching story of why they don't serve Cuban coffee due to health issues of the owners relatives, but they serve espresso. He apparently forgot all the other foods they have that are loaded with sugar and fat. Based on the horrible service we received on this visit and the food we had, we will not be coming back here next time we are in town.

Alok S.

The food variety is limited, items are expensive and service indifferent. On my last visit I ordered a rice based dish. The rice was stale, hard & completely spoiled the dish.

Hart G.

Cuban sandwich was a little dry but great just the same. The staff was very nice and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. I will be back. Also I was watching the food coming out of the kitchen and I look forward to returning to try everything.

Alex M.

the atmosphere was great and the food was really good. im glad that i decided to go there and i will for sure go back

Ariel S.

My parents are Cuban, and I was raised in Miami, so that's my qualifier for making the following statement. The food at Kuba Kuba is atrocious! I ordered the most common Cuban dish that there is. White rice, black beans and steak with fried plantains. Also called arroz blanco con frijoles negro, palomilla de bistec y tostones. What I received was a bowl, not plate, with under cooked rice and beans and what appeared to be a stew that had collected at the bottom of the bowl making the rice and beans soggy. So, under cooked broth rice and beans stew, with an overcooked piece of steak. Finally the fried plantains are supposed to be flattened down to the point that the circumference is at least twice the size of the cut slice of plantain, in order to ensure that the green plantain is crisp and thoroughly cooked. All they did was cut the slice of plantain and fry it, it wasn't even cooked all the way?! It's so hard for me to understand why this place has such great reviews when the food is nothing remotely similar to real Cuban food..which I've been eating my whole life. It's obvious to me that the people who own this place are not Cuban, and I take serious offense to their butcher of my culture. What's the deal?!

Sam G.

AMAZING! Best brunch in Richmond! The morning quesadilla is out of this world but you can't go wrong with anything you order here. If you love in Richmond and haven't been you need to go ASAP!

Andrew U.

I love this place. It looks like something from Cuba, but the food is fantastic. Every time I go to Richmond I will go to Kuba Kuba. Make sure you have the tres leches cake for dessert, top notch.

Ryan C.

Went here a while ago with my wife on a date night. I believe it was a Friday, and the place was slammed. We had a short wait and were eventually sat at a small, two person table floating in the middle of the seating area. It didn't bother me, someone has to sit there, but I could see some of the more "particular" element of the public getting pissy about being on a small table surrounded by other tables and waiters. Service was attentive and the food was excellent. It's worth noting that, on my visit, the portions were pretty big. I ordered the scallop ceviche and my wife ordered the empanadillas, then for dinner I had the paella mariscos. All of the seafood was seasoned very well and very tender. Which is good, since I was full by the time my entree arrived and I ended up eating it for the next couple of meals. All said, I'm very much looking forward to my next visit.

James C.

Ehh. Mediocre at best. This is Americanized Cuban food. Dry, no flavor, average service. The Cuban sandwich was a joke. Won't becoming back.

Emma P.

We like it a lot! Our favorite item is veggie paella and avocado salad. The place is really busy, so I highly recommend take out, especially if you have kids with you. Pretty fast service, prices reasonable.

Danica U.

If you get ANYTHING, you have to get their tres leches cake. It was amazing. I also had the paella, which was also good and surprisingly a big portion size, which is always a good thing. One thing that did catch me off guard was the fact that you cannot split the bill between people at your table.

Jessica S.

You haven't done RVA until you've done Kuba Kuba. Period, end of story. This family owned Cuban-style diner is everything you could ever want and more. Flavorful, authentic (ish) food, hearty portions, and a homey atmosphere. If you're not sure of what you're getting into the barbie doll sconce lights, cramped quarters, and overall dated/aged appearance might put you off, but do yourself a favor and give it a chance. You won't just be impressed, you'll be addicted. Don't go in only kind of hungry, go in starving, the plates are giant. Get a plate of plantanos and empanadillas (2 each kind) even though you won't have room for apps and an entree. The huevos rancheros are so good I've never been able to enjoy them anywhere else since. Do you normally go to Waffle House for a hangover? Knock it off, go to Kuba Kuba instead, you'll feel a thousand times better. The sandwiches are stuffed to overflowing with tender, dripping juicy meat. Easily a lunch and dinner's worth of food. I've heard the paella is to die for but haven't had the pleasure (yet) myself. Take dessert home. DO IT.

Han V.

--Plantains-- $3 Pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/kuba… We didn't know that other dishes would include their fried plantains so we ordered the appetizer portion and it was huge! They weren't all good though---we got a mix of fresh and old ones and the fresh pie

Alanna B.

Located in a nice, safe area of Richmond....or so I was told by the locals. Street parking only - check the signs on street for hourly parking. Expect to wait, but get your name on the list. Highly recommend: Cafe con leche with sweetened condensed milk, plantains, empanadillas, Tres Leche Cake, California Huevos, the Cuban sandwich with Chorizo (I forget the name). Nightly specials, reasonably priced. This is THE place to go in the area. Alcohol/bar available. Take out available for both food and drink. Will definitely be back when in Richmond again. No reservations and closes at 9pm during weekdays and 10pm on weekends.

Paul L.

I would give this place three-and-a-half stars, but I cannot bring myself to give it four. I was in Richmond to argue a case about the First Amendment right of those Yelp reviewers who post under pseudonyms to keep their names private, citizen.org/litigation/f… , and this was my one dinner in Richmond. There is much to like here -- nice murals and other decorations, and a very welcoming atmosphere, including a waiter who actually stepped outside to see whether tires were being marked so that we could stay past the the one-hour parking limit for cars in the Fan District. And the place is plainly popular; we arrived at about 7 on a Monday evening and had no trouble getting a table, but when we leftat about 8:15 there were people waiting for our table. The portions were large, so much so that my doggie-dish was large enough for dinner the following night. But the food was only so-so. A nice thing about the Paella Valenciana was the VERY large number of clams and mussels in the shell. but it was so salty as to be barely tolerable. The special soup-of-the-day, served with a reasonable hunk of cornbread, was OK, and the roast pork that my dining companion has was pretty good. I wished I could have tried the interesting sounding desserts, but having left half of my main course to be eaten the next day, I felt I could not justify stuffing myself with sweets.

Casey D.

I just finished explaining to my boyfriend how good this place was, and that I've been there 2 previous times and it was somewhere he definitely had to try. But this time was just not so good... The entremes is always good, but the scallop ceviche was over done and tasted of nothing but lime. We ordered the Paella Mariscos. Which is really where I have the problem. It was disgusting. It tasted like, and looked like, a giant bowl full of microwave steamed veggies and rice, with some seafood on top. The shrimp were cooked but they looked gray, so I avoided them entirely. But after trying to enjoy the paella, I really had to return it. There was a puddle of water in the bottom of the bowl, the veggies were absolutely mush and tasteless, the rice was bland, and paella is defined by crispy rice, and there was none of that. I hope it isn't, but it tastes microwaved. . . When I told the waiter that I wanted to send it back, he interrogated me about it. "Why didn't you like it?" "What do you mean the veggies are mush?" "How does it taste microwaved" and more questions. He never ever ever offered even a small appology, or anything. I even appologized to HIM because I felt bad, and didn't want to be rude. I really hate returning a dish, but it was just awful and I could have done better at home. He just said he would 'let the chef know' and never offered an appology, or a replacement, or anything. In fact, there was no more mention of it at all, but at least it got taken off of our bill. The 'Tostones' were soft, thick, and dry. I don't know proper terminology when it comes to fried plantains vs tostones (one is crispy and thin and one is thick and fried?) but these were neither. They were thick, dry, not crispy, not salted, not good. They tasted like they were put under a heat lamp for a few hours before they were served to us. And there were barely enough on the plate (for something SO cheap!) to call it a side. The roast pork is sad. If you're going to be a cuban restaurant, then roast pork is important, in my opinion. And it was watery, bland, and soft. More like boiled pulled pork. I had to smother it in chili sauce to give it any flavor at all. Over-all, this really turned me off of this restaurant. I've been here twice before, and haven't had a problem. Though, the 'no sitting at booths unless you have 4 or more people' rule being enforced severely even when nobody else is there is a bit annoying. ESPECIALLY since the couple that walked in after us, was OFFERED a booth. That really ticked me off, after specifically being told we could not have a booth.

Isabelle A.

Had heard amazing reviews from friends about this establishment from the day we moved to Richmond, so we decided to stop by one day for lunch only to be completely disappointed. The service was incredibly prompt and welcoming, but the food was dry, like it had been sitting out all day! We 100% plan on returning soon as we hope this was just a one time fluke.

Stephanie K.

I ate there for my early dinner today... did not check in, but I have a crappy phone. Believe what you read about the cafe con leche. When the warmth of the cafe swirls in your mouth with the cool icy creaminess of the sweetened condensed milk- you will forget who you are for a moment. I have eaten here before. I am really rating this one experience I had today. It was 4 pm. The place was completely empty. I was that one customer. I had my heart set on the Scallop Ceviche, but thankfully, they were out of it. I am glad because I had already savored the Ceviche on prior visits. I was 'forced' to try the next seafood selection that was on the lighter side- the Camarones y Mejillones De Kuba Kuba. Mejillones are mussels and camarones are shrimp. This dish is a seafood soup with a pork broth base. It comes with toast and a grilled lime for $10.95. I raved about the dish THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS EATING IT. I WILL DEFINITELY ORDER IT AGAIN. The service was good. Both servers and the cook who made my meal took the time to talk to me. I can be somewhat of a bratty attention seeking customer, especially when there is no one else around. Yes, I need the love. I was offered extra toast by the cook- much appreciated.

Michael F.

consistently good cuban food, rocking cuban coffee

Nicole L.

This place was pretty good. It's not in the bet part of town, but it was a perfect "whole in the wall " Cuban place. The Cuban sandwich was similar to the one I had in little Havana in Miami. The tres Leches was good too. I like how smalland intimate it was. It felt real.

Jen Z.

Good food, the fried plantains were delicious.

Jay R.

Fried plantains so good I got someone who hates bananas to eat them! Also great cuban sandwiches - and cuban's with chorizo. I prefer the beef empanadas to the spinach ones but they're all pretty good. A solid place to grab a quick meal if you can get a seat.

Matt S.

I am not a food critic by any means but I will say this, being half cuban I have been spoiled by good home cooked cuban food. This place is as good as it gets folks. Its as close as your going to get to cuban food without needing a passport and (sorry mom) but the pork is dare I say... better than home cooked! Eat it, love it, repeat as necessary. Just one thing... bring your appetite because the portions are huge. The tres leches cake is AMAZING to say the least and was even featured on best thing I ever ate ( meantioned by chef duff). Go now and see for yourself... no really go

James T.

Food = 4 Price = 3 (a little high) Experience = 5 (cool spot with nice service)

Parth J.

This place feels pretty authentic and has a lot of vegetarian options. I had the black bean soup and a veggie sandwhich with plantains. The food was delicious and healthy and the server was very friendly and helpful in making suggestions. The service seems a little bit slow but that is to be given as the place seems like it is always packed! Nice atomsphere and seems like a nice place to go with friends.

Elise G.

I went here several years ago, but it was so amazing that I still remember what I got- a pesto, tomato, jack melt. It was like pure ecstasy in my mouth. I need to go back here soon, because I have since then started eating meat again and I would love to explore their other menu options. If you live in Richmond and you have not been here, you are missing out!

Derick K.

Guess who is never coming back into this place. This guy here. Substandard service, food that is "m'eh" OK. The girl serving my friend and I put me in such a mood that actually laser beams shot from my eyes and split the table in two. Well not really, but if I had such abilities, she would have sparked them. My friend and I sat down at an open table. Well actually all of them were open, so we sat at what looked to be the most comfortable of all the tables, the booth. She snaps at us that we aren't allowed to sit there, those tables are reserved for parties of 3+ (nowhere was this posted), and that we had sit in the middle of the dining room at one of the tables. It was actually like she was saying, "how dare you sit here in this NOT BUSY restaurant and take up tables that aren't in use, and only might be in use." I was ready to leave but I was assured that the food is amazing and blah blah blah. So I ordered Huevos Rancheros and a Cafe con Leche. I can't lie, the coffee was uh-mazingly delicious. I love a strong cup of coffee and this was definitely IT. The food, however, were overcooked eggs. And I already had inherited a pretty stank attitude from my server. A lot of my friends swear this place is delicious and probably the best Cuban food that they've ever had. Methinks not.

Julianne D.

I love Kuba Kuba! Haven't had a bad meal yet, and I've now experienced KK three ways: catering, take-out, and dinner (in house). As a vegetarian, I love the fact that not only can I eat here, but I can eat freakin' delicious food. I'm guessing the spinach and ricotta empanadillas aren't exactly authentic Cuban cuisine...but, hey. I can put away too many for my own good. The black bean soup is served with a big hunk of cornbread (not too moist so that it tastes like cake, not too dry so that it tastes old; i.e.-perfect). I ate one of the veg sandwiches (pesto). It was ok; a little too much bread. Did I really just write that--too much bread is a bad thing? Stick with those black beans, man. Tasty and full of protein. The hubs enjoyed the "Kuban" roast pork and preferred it over the traditional Cuban sandwich (he claims NYC's Cuban sandwiches cannot be topped). Prices: Decent. In the middle. Service: Ours was great. It seems like other Yelpers have had issues, but I have no complaints. Waiter was observant but not overbearing. Atmosphere: Fun. Expect a wait if you have a party of 4+. There are several signs that read: "Booths only for parties of 4 or more"....so....bring a book and try not to stare or drool at other customers' food.

juan g.

Where the fuck are the black beans? The GF and I made a visit to Kuba Kuba with pretty high expectations given our fellow Yelpers' reviews. Fail, Kuba Kuba, fail. The stupid chair I sat in was wobbly, the stupid table was wobbly, the stupid waitress kept bumping into me every time she would pass by because it was so cramped. I felt bad for the people waiting in the entry way because I knew one of them would share my wobbly fate as well. Anyways, onto the food. My biggest issue was the moros and cristianos. They are supposed to be fucking black beans. That right there cost them a star, folks. I am not sure why it is such a big deal, but it is. Moros and cristianos are meant to be rice and black beans. It is the equivalent of ordering buffalo wings with ranch and getting buffalo wings with a vinaigrette. Close, but not really. You can do a lot better than this place. If you really are in the mood for some Cuban I guess you have to bite the bullet. If you are considering your options, look elsewhere. Oh, and the spoiled cherry on top, parking is a bitch.

Thuy V.

I really like Kuba Kuba for some reason. I'm never blown away by the food but I enjoy the atmosphere even with the not-super friendly wait staff. Always end up eating at the bar because I hate to wait. Still haven't tried the brunch yet, but I look forward to it. I like taking friends here because it's a little different.

Ray B.

I'm giving Kuba Kuba 2 stars, one for the Tres Leches cake, and one for the empanadas. In my opinion the service and the food was not what I expected based on the raving reviews. Obviously the people that gave this place high marks have never been to an authentic Cuban restaurant before. For my entrée I had the arroz con pollo, a basic Cuban dish that couldnt be messed up right? wrong. The rice had no flavor and the chicken was dry. The place wasn't that crowed yet our server took forever to bring our appetizers and she seemed overwhelmed. I was just visiting VA and wanted to stop by because I saw the piece on the food network. The cake was delicious but not worth a repeat. bb

Joe B.

I am a Cuban transplant from Miami now living in Alexandria.. I came to take a class at the University of Richmond and I found Kuba Kuba.. I can honestly say the food was fantastic. The service was great and the meals tasted very authentic. I was very impressed and the roast pork is a must. I will defiantly be coming back soon..

Bev G.

So Kuba Kuba is on-again, off-again for us...but after the service I got the last time....I'm off! GET RID OF THE BIG-BEARDED WAITER! he was rude and looked like he was straight in from dumpster-diving. He should have had a hairnet on his face. I love the cake, I love the Con Leche Coffee - both indulgent treats, but we literally felt guilty after ordering them from him with the disdainful look and attitude we got. Our bill was over $50 for 2 people and I left 20%, but wish I'd left 12 so he realized he was awful. IF I go back and if he's there - I will walk right out. It was a terrible experience and took away from the mediocre food that night. The cake was awesome as always, but his coffee was lacking in the "con leche"....he obviously didn't like making them, it showed in his attitude and in the product we were served.

Cj A.

After not being 100% impressed with Kuba Kuba when I visited over a year ago, I decided to give it another shot while I was in the neighborhood. Last time, my complaint was that the poor service did not match the great food. This time, it was the opposite. The service was friendly and efficient, although the "no separate checks" rule (for ANY size party, not just large parties) is a bit ridiculous. In my opinion, it was the food that left something to be desired. I ordered the "portobello press" sandwich and was severely underwhelmed. The bread was fine I guess (tasted a little stale to be honest, but maybe it's just the type of bread), but the fillings of the sandwich tasted entirely too much of balsamic. The 'bello caps they used were gigantic -- and you'd think that would be a good thing, but it wasn't. It made the sandwich difficult to eat as the mushrooms kept sliding from between the slices of bread and onto my plate every time I bit in, and I could barely taste anything but the vinegar -- especially not the cheese, which was a shame, because I was hoping for melty, cheesy goodness on a cold, rainy afternoon. The plantains that came with it --- and I *love* fried plantains! -- were completely bland and a tad dry, although a large portion. My date, however, raved about his Cuban sandwich, so maybe I should go back and try something else. The service though was a lot better than last time, as I already mentioned. The server was incredibly friendly yet sincere. In typical form, I spilled an entire pint glass of soda all over the table and floor. Our server was at my side within seconds to make me feel at ease although I was mortified and to clean up the mess for me instead of leaving me to mop it up with the napkin from my lap, as I've had to do at restaurants before upon making a similar gaffe. Yes, I'm clumsy. So, thanks to that guy for being cool with it. If I could bump the rating up to 3.5 stars, I would, but I won't round up because 4 stars are too high. For now, Kuba Kuba keeps its 3-star ranking based on two experiences. I'll try one more time. If I don't find both the service and the food passable, I'll have to write this one off as lots of hype and little delivery -- which, given that this is Richmond, after all, would come as no surprise. (See: Mekong)

Kendra F.

Just recently I heard that Kuba Kuba celebrated its 16th year in business. I started frequenting here after college and for all these years it has been a warm loving place to go. Its cheerful with wonderful music and even if its raining outside its always sunny inside Kuba. Some of the best details are the really reasonable wine list and how the food always hits the table steaming hot. Delicious!

Arsene V.

Disclaimer here: I live very close and am there every weekend for breakfast. Personifies the Richmond local bar. Friendly staff, when you get to know them. Hidden gems within the menu and beverage pricing, when you know to ask and explore. Easy to get in and get out, when you figure out the timing. Don't really like to play around with ingredients but will help you out from time to time. Good people own it, good people work there, good vibe with or without kids. It will be over the top if Manny ever severs the really good beer he is serving at The Galley. Favorite Breakfast: Chorizo Tortilla with unsweetened Con Leche (run through twice, ask Rey) Favorite Lunch Sandwich: Chicken and Pineapple on pressed bread Favorite App: Camarones Y Mejilones (Shrimp and Ham in broth) Favorite Dinner (when I'm not ordering breakfast): Seafood Sofrito or Lamb Shank.

Michelle A.

I'm a fan of Kuba Kuba, though honestly I prefer to go on a weeknight because I hate long waits and this restaurant is really well-known, and really small... so sometimes the wait is lengthy, and you end up literally squashed next to a table of dining patrons because there really isnt room for people to be waiting in the front.... However, for being small the restaurant is definitely interesting and the ambiance is unique. They have some booths (for 3 or more guests only, particularly when it's packed) as well as smaller tables, and they have coffee cans and other Cuban cultural items (including candles with saints on them) on the walls... they also have their menu on a chalkboard, and part of their kitchen is open, so you can see your sandwich being made. And you might not guess, but the same folks who own 3 Monkeys and Kitchen 64 have a hand in Kuba Kuba. Anyway, once you sit down, it all gets better. The Cuban sandwich with ham and pickles and cheese is awesome and I love the generous portion of fried plantains it comes with, but I usually splurge and spend the $17 to get the seafood paella. It's a huge serving of fragrant rice with seafood and veggies... it can be a little dry sometimes, but overall it's flavorful and something you can't get anywhere else in Richmond. They also have dinner specials which usually look unique and tasty, but they are almost always around $19-$22, and that is more than I want to pay...

Michelle S.

The breakfast quesadilla needed more vegetables and flavor. The waitress didn't write down the order for our table of six and, whoala, she messed it up. Mine had sauces mixed up and one order was left off entirely. Good tres leches cake and coffee but you can find better.

Carina D.

Let me start off by saying that I have never felt compelled to write a review for a restaurant but this experience was so disheartening that I just had to say something, and I apologize in advance for the length of this review. I grew up and lived most of my life (23 of my 29 years) in the Spanish Caribbean. I am Puerto Rican, and even though I cannot say I am Cuban, I can say that we share a very similar culture, language, and of course, cuisine. There is a huge Cuban population in Puerto Rico, and consequently, I grew up spoiled with the ability to visit corner bakeries at the drop of a hat and get the most scrumptious and amazing Cubano sandwiches that are laden with heaps of savory "pernil" (roast pork shoulder), ham, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. They are always served on freshly baked "pan de agua" (what they might call French bread here, but is nothing like a baguette). A plate of white rice never goes without a side of "frijoles" (stewed black beans), and most of their dishes are accompanied by "maduros" (fried sweet, ripe plantains; we call them "amarilos" in PR). Let me also say that I visited this place twice. The first time out of hope that I might be able to enjoy some of the food that I dearly miss from home, and the second time to give it another chance. Both times, the service, as well as the food, were absolutely terrible. Sure, they have a nice location and cute place. They've got the right look and the right music. But I shudder to think that Richmonders actually think that this is what Cuban food is supposed to be like. This is no Miami, people! The waitress, who barely paid us any attention to start with, had no idea what the difference between "tostones" and "maduros" is. "Tostones" are a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine, and if you google the word, you'll come up with thousands of entries describing them as twice fried ,*GREEN* (i.e. unripe) plantains. They are crunchy, and don't have a lot of flavor to them, but are great when they are fresh, with a good dose of salt (think of the Caribbean version of Fries). Although they are used in Cuban cuisine, they are nowhere near as common as "maduros", fried *RIPE* plantains, which offer a lovely sweetness to balance out the savory flavors of "comida cubana". When I asked if I could get my "Ropa Vieja" with a side of "maduros" instead of tostones (I had just made tostones at home a few days prior), she said they only made plantains one way and stared at me blankly, clearly having no idea that there even were different ways to prepare plantains. I gave her the benefit of the doubt thinking she was just the American waitress at a Cuban place, and said it was fine (turns out she is related to the owners and pretended to speak a little Spanish but couldn't even get a single intelligible word out. I was even more disappointed that she didn't know these things if she was supposedly "Cuban"). What came with our orders were neither "tostones" nor "maduros". They were somewhat sweet, but not-quite-ripe-yet deep fried plantains with some salt over them. I then remembered that I had been just as unimpressed with them the first time I'd visited. My "Ropa Vieja" had decent flavor, but the rice was totally instant rice tasting. Not at all the rice I grew up eating my entire life. There were no "frijoles" to pour over the lackluster rice. My friend's chorizo in his Kubanazo sandwich was light years away from the slightly spicy and always intensely savory red Spanish chorizo they use at the "Panaderías" (bakeries) at home. It was almost hot-dog-like in texture. Spanish chorizo is supposed to be a hard sausage! He also said the pickles were dry, and that in general the sandwich was just plain nasty, that it tasted like it had been made the night before, pickles and all, and left out to get stale. He lived in PR for 3 years and has had his share of EXCELLENT Cubanos, and normally, absolutely drools over them. Not the case here. There was *SODA* water in what was supposed to be the fresh squeezed limeade! It tasted like somebody served us 2 glasses of Sprite and threw half a lime into each glass. That is NOT how ANYONE makes limeade in the Caribbean. Why would you ruin fresh lime juice like that?! I could write so many more things about how this place is just an utter disappointment, but I think I've already gone into enough detail. People of Richmond, don't be fooled by this place just because it's cute and trendy. The food is entirely poor, the service is even worse, and it is as far from Cuban cuisine as the North Pole is to the Caribbean Sea. Don't waste your time or money.

Gunther W.

I only came here with some coworkers for some tres-leches cake and coffee. It was phenomenal. I found this on an app on my phone which was food tv maps. I had the coffee with the sweetened milk. I would say that this is one of the best desserts I have ever had. The cake was nice and moist and the coffee was the perfect creaminess. The place is a little hard to find but is well worth the trip. I took a 2 hr trip from Norfolk just for this, so I would do it again if I had the chance.

Erin L.

great food and lots of it!!

Jess H.

Like other reviewers have said, this place is small and completely unpretentious, which I love. They could stand to have bigger (and less wobbly) tables, though. We got here at about 6 pm on a Friday night...PERFECT TIMING because a couple minutes later the waiting area was completely full. Street parking is 1 hour only unless you have a permit, so just be aware of your time! We started with the empanadillas (one beef, one spinach), tostones, and moros y cristianos. The empanadillas were amazing. The beef is so savory and the spinach and cheese extra creamy. The tostones (fried plantains) were cooked very well, but tasted a bit dry just served on their own...I kept wanting to dip them in something. I could have done without the moros y cristianos (beans and rice). First of all, I thought it was supposed to be black beans? Not red? And the rice was yummy but a little too soggy. It was a humongous serving for a starter plate. For the entree we shared a ropa vieja. Again with the soggy rice! And no black beans! I was really disappointed, I'd been looking forward to black beans :( The pulled pork was absolutely delicious, though.

Vikas P.

I really like this place. I used to live in Portland, OR and miss the hole-in-the-wall, great menu, kind of restaurants. This place has great food, decent service, items are reasonably priced and they have a funky atmosphere. I lived relatively close by, I'd make a trip out here every week. My favorite dish is the pulled pork with the plantains and beans

Emily K.

Dear Kuba Kuba, you are delicious. I am not a huge fan of Cuban food, nor have I had it too often, but I must say that the few times I have eaten here, it has proven to be a quaint, friendly, neighborhood restaurant with an awesome waitstaff. I have had the pleasure of eating salmon on coconut risotto cakes, a chicken pineapple sandwich, and a portobello press, all of which have been quite good. My least favorite among the three dishes I mentioned was the chicken pineapple sandwich. Though it was fresh and the pineapple grilled to a crispy sweetness, the chicken was thick-cut and perhaps a little dry, making the sandwich a little hard to eat. It probably would have benefitted from some sort of dipping sauce or dressing, imparting some much needed moisture. My favorite was the salmon dinner special with those amazing coconut risotto cakes. Rich flavors, varied textures, and that hint of coconut sweetness from the risotto and the corn salsa made it an amazing meal. The vanilla tres leches cake was incredible, as well. I usually steer far away from anything even slightly resembling a cake as I find the dessert to be starchy, dry, and lacking in flavor. Tres leches was such an exception to all of the above. Spongy in the best way, with a milky vanilla flavor that was rich and absolutely wonderful, it surprised me. The prices here are so reasonable, and the service is fast and friendly. The atmosphere is another unexpected perk, as the restaurant seems a bit randomly placed, on the corner of Lombardy and Park, and in the middle of the Fan. I will be back, probably soon!

Jeremy S.

Thought it was very overrated but willng to try again to give it another shot.

Greg U.

Be prepared to do a few laps looking for parking. And the restaurant could be a little cleaner. But the food AND service were superb on the busy sunday we went. Empanadillas, tostones, and tres leches cake were all five-stars. We have another trip to Virginia upcoming and were looking at the map to see if we could justify another detour to Richmond!

James M.

Went on a Monday night so they weren't busy. the food was fine, but nothing over-the-top good. i had the roasted pulled pork. the portion was huge, but after a bite or two the flavor kind of disappeared. Cuban food is spicy with vibrant flavors. this was not. others ordered a chicken and pineapple sandwich and the paellla. both were deemed good but lacking any real distinguishing character. The chicken sandwich was dry and would've been difficult to eat were it not for the moisture of the pineapple. The service was fine. No one would have to twist my arm to return, but it's certainly not a place I would suggest on my own. kuba kuba seems to be to Cuban food what olive garden is to Italian cuisine.

Sylvia A.

I went to Kuba Kuba today with a couple friends. One friend and I split the black bean soup and the arroz con pollo. The black bean soup was pretty good but nothing out of this world. However they seem to be favoring quantity over quality with the arroz con pollo. We got a giant bowl filled with enough food to feed a family of four for only $13.95. Definitely a good bang for your buck but I found that it was pretty bland. The chicken didn't seem to be seasoned at all either, just thrown on top of the rice. The plantains were just ok as well. Usually fried plantains are fried up when they're either very green for a more savory dish (tostones) or really brown for a sweet taste (maduros), however their "tostones" were kind of in between the two flavors. I can't really comment on what my friends ate but before we went one of them had said she had been once before and didn't think her sandwich was that great. I don't live in Richmond but if I do go back I don't imagine I'd go back to Kuba Kuba.

Anna P.

Kuba Kuba is amazing. Every time I go I'm extremely satisfied. If you haven't been yet, definitely check it out. Their fried plantains are a must try. Ask for a side of honey and lime sour cream to dip them in. At first I was skeptical since it seems like such a strange mixture but it's surprisingly fantastic.

Greg S.

Cool little casual Cuban restaurant. We had the sampler appetizer which was excellent. The paella was very nice, a little heavy on the capers, but very good. The pork loin stuffed with chorizo special was excellent! Served on a bed of black beans and rice with mango salsa. The mango salsa was great. It seemed to be made from fresh ripe mangos and balanced the pork and chirizo perfectly. Finished off with an espesso and tres leches cake. The cake was very nice, but the frosting could have used a little more flavor. All this served in a casual, friendly, and cozy room. The service was quick and efficient. If you haven't been there, go!

Chunnu B.

Kuba Kuba, I *heart* you (even though my ginger ale sucked and our waiter's friendly switch turned on when it came time to pay the bill.) I haven't had much Cuban food and before Kuba Kuba, I don't think I was all that impressed. This place though, changed the way I felt about it all. You must have the Black Bean Soup with cornbread - absolutely delicious. It's garnished with onions, peppers, and a dollop of sour cream and just has amazing flavor. The cornbread is a great medium of sweet and salty that goes pretty darn well with that soup. Avocado salad was alright, plantain chips = awesome. I think everyone was pleased with whatever they ordered for dinner.The dessert menu had some delicious looking options but my friends and I decided to split the tres leche cake (which gets an "alright" in my book.) This place has a lot of character: small open kitchen where the cooks talk to you while you wait, decapitated barbie dolls hanging from the lights, family pictures, tons of interesting decor. There is also Siracha sauce on every table to kick up your food. I found this to be random considering that hot sauce is not Cuban but, that's cool. I like Siracha. Expect to wait for a table, even on a weeknight. Also expect to leave here happily satisfied with your meal.

John S.

Friendly staff, reasonable prices and solid tasting Cuban cuisine. We walked in around early dinner and chose the Paella Valenciana and the Ropa Vieja. Since we parked in a 1 hour limit space, we were hoping for an in and out dining experience. The food was on our tables pretty quickly. The Ropa Vieja consisted of shredded beef, rice and an assortment of peppers n' onions. The serving was hugenormous but the meat was sort of tough and the rice was pretty soupy. We both thought the dish was a little bland but it still satisfied our taste buds. I got the Paella, which was an even larger dish than the Ropa. It was very flavorful and well balanced between the seafood and rice. I enjoyed it at the restaurant and later that night at home. Overall, we both left satisfied. We will probably try Kuba again but select different dishes. Definitely worth a trip!

Sarah B.

I've eaten here many times while I've lived in Richmond. My husband loves the food but it's definitely not a good option if you are a vegetarian, like myself. We won't return after our most recent experience. A waitress seated my husband, infant, and me in a booth. After we were settled (which is no small task with a baby) a different waitress told (not asked, told) us that there weren't enough members in our party for a booth. I explained to her that we had been seated there, but politely gathered our things. We were moved to a ridiculously small cafe table for two. After fumbling around trying to fit everyone, we left. I prefer not to pay for a cramped seat and poor service.

Billy D.

The inside is really small, and the table arrangement capability pretty limited to a max of 4 per table. Although tight, it has a real homey feel; the fact that it's well decorated doesn't hurt. The food is really good. I can't remember specifics, but I was impressed. They also have daily specials on the chalkboard to watch out for. If you can't get to the real Havana - get here.

Ellery R. A.

I have an intense love affair with Cuban cuisine, and ever since my first bite I have sought out the best Cuban food I could find. Kuba Kuba fits all my wants and needs from the warm embrace of the food of Cuba. I highly recommend going, if you've never been (or going again, if you have). The ownership and staff are so friendly and welcoming. The place can get busy but if phenomenal Cuban food is what you're craving, it is well worth the wait.

Arlene S.

Tried it for the second time today. Took my MIL, husband, and son. Definitely not kid-friendly as none of the high chairs have safety straps (is this a restaurant regulation violation?), and the booster seat we were given was FILTHY. The service was as good as it could be considering how busy it was, and they were trying; the waiter did give us tips on what to order based on popularity and authenticity. The food tasted great, and my MIL and I are both now huge fans of the café con leche (SO NEED TO BE ORDERED BY EVERYONE!!!!). The only downside? After each visit, every person I know has to make a critical visit to the bathroom about an hour after ... pretty much in an emergency-clean-up-in-aisle-7 fashion. Eat the food bc it tastes good. Just go home or somewhere you feel safe and comfortable afterwards.

Ed L.

Decent food. They treat you like crap. They won some awards so I think it went to their head.

Rob M.

I've lived in Richmond for 20 years and for the past 10, Kuba Kuba has been one of my favorite places. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner that you're looking for, they have it down. The Kubanaso is my go-to sandwich and the California Huevos are my go-to breakfast. In my opinion, the prices are on point too.

Dayna D.

Great food! Great atmosphere! Absolutely horrible service! You would think that on a Friday night they would have a table of four out in less than two hours! Nope. Definitely not the case. However, I would definitely try it out on a weekday.

Brian M.

After much time on my bookmark list I finally got over to Kuba Kuba. Showed up on Saturday around 11:00 am - I really liked how their menu stays the same until dinner time! Parking is street parking and very easy to find a spot. The place itself was shockingly busy, but we got a table within 5 minutes which was very quick. Once we sat down the place got even busier to the point people were waiting outside. Their coffee was very strong, dark and delicious! Drinks came very quickly and within 5-10 minutes our waitress was ready to take our order. Here is where I believe I made a mistake. I initially had a craving for Tortilla Espanola and I allowed my server to sway me towards the Huevos Rancheros. The Huevos Rancheros comes out all you see it a beautiful color of red, yellow and green from the salsa on top of what looked like 2-3 different types of cheese. Right under the cheese is a fried egg that is on a bed of black beans. On the side sticking out from the bottom are three pieces of soft and thick bread (which was amazing). Mixing everything created a rich and creamy bite of beans, egg, cheese and salsa! It was a very solid Huevos Rancheros and very different from any Huevos that I have had anywhere else (including when I lived in NorCal). I definitely need to come back again and order what I was craving. I will make sure to do an update once that happens.

Elijah C.

I come here on occasion for lunch --- their turkey panini is pretty darn spot-on! :-)

Matt R.

The food and atmosphere are amazing! The empanadillas (both kinds) were light and delicious. The camaraones y mejillones was an amazing dish, and even though it's an appetizer, it could easily be an entree! We shared among the four of us! I had the seafood sofrito and was blown away! The Mrs had the crab cake special, and our friends had huevos rancheros and the paella mariscos all of which were superb! Perfectly prepared and a very pleasing presentation. The only reason it's not 5 stars was dessert. The tres leches cake.... It was not tres leches cake. It was yellow cake topped with whipped cream and sugar. I doubt it was made in house, but that doesn't bother me as much as the cake itself. Seriously, I don't know if they ran out and this was an emergency replacement, but it tasted like a Ukrops sheet cake with whipped cream on top... Dry and without flavor or sweetness. Very disappointing after such an amazingly authentic Cuban dinner!!!! But we will be back! And due to it relatively small size I would recommend keeping your party size to 4 or less...

Laura M.

Holy delicious braised pork. Go there, order this and thank me later. I actually ordered the seafood sofrita (sp?) and it was delicious, but in the battle if the dinner off the boy most certainly won with his pork! And yes we had the tres leches too and yes it was super tasty and still not too heavy. Portions are large at this Richmond institution and this dinner was a great reminder why I should keep coming back.

Natalia V.

The food is great but the customer service could use some improvement. Its a cozy restaurant. The seating arrangement is weird and the 2 person tables are tiny! Bright side is their food is so good it makes up for everything else. You also have to try and Cafe con leche it is phenomenal.

Fifi V.

This is five-star for what it is, a cheap local cafe. Service is spotty, it's true, but the food and prices are great, and the ambience is nice. Lovely interior and a very local, friendly feel. A dog is usually tied up outside, and many people know the staff. If you want a low-key, very Richmond experience, this is your place. Out of town guests are always impressed with the food, especially the buenos rancheros and tres leches cake. (Nothing like Central American tres leches, by the way)

M C.

Went here last weekend for the first time. Cute, funky little place. I'm a bit spoiled by having had some awesome Cubans at various places over the years. So the Cuban Banh-Mi didn't make me swoon, but the Tres Leche cake? To. Die. For. Best I've ever had.

Carlos A.

Be ready to wait for a long time, not because is packed, but it says wait to be seated and nobody seats you!! The food takes forever, there is no ventilation... When you leave you wil smell like deep fried! The food is really good, but it's not worth it for the bad service. I had the famous tres leches dessert and it tasted like a dry cake from a box. So BAD!

Josselinne U.

Had an amazing Cuban sandwich as well as an avocado salad for lunch. The place was busy and the service a little slow but it was expected since it was lunch time. Regardless our waitress was very friendly and funny. prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. One huge salad and two very big sandwiches came out to $31 including a 20% tip. Will be back!

Shanelle C.

This is a good place to come when you have some time to eat. I usually come alone and sit at the bar. I recommend the empanadillas. For brunch try the huevos rancheros. For lunch try a vegi q or codfish sandwich or the black bean soup. They offer meat and vegetable empanadillas and I get the spinach ricotta. If you have a sweet tooth try the tres leches cake with cafe con leche and condensed milk.

Kira H.

My boyfriend LOVES this place. He loves the roasted pork and all of the peppers and cheese on his dishes for brunch. Whatever you get make sure you have a side of the cornbread to go with it. I love the cafe with sweetener and the tres leche cake. I'd say this is another hidden gem in the neighborhood.

Bruce U.

Original, original !! My goodness I wish I lived in Richmond !! I'd be here every day. The only problem was deciding what to get!! The coffee con leche is awesome, huevos rancheros was a perfect compliment. I can't wait to get back here again and have dinner !!

Audra N.

Kuba Kuba is a tiny, hectic place and we loved it. The food is amazing. I had a pork omelet, which came with black beans and rice, cornbread, and some platanos. Everything was so tasty, but that pork was especially good. My boyfriend got a Kubanaso sandwich, which was essentially a Cuban with chorizo, and it was delicious as well. We were able to sit right away, but everyone who came after us did have to wait for a table. The food is fast, though, so no one waited very long.

Mike W.

Kuba Kuba is a Richmond staple. Not only are the prices reasonable but you get a ton of food. On busy nights you usually have to wait a while to get a spot but I went on Halloween night so we were seated right away. They have a lot of enticing appetizers to choose from, a good amount of egg dishes, sandwiches, main courses, and, of course, paella. Being a bit of a paella snob, I have to say their paella is sub-par in my book. It's decent but it lacks that bit of umami I usually crave with paella and doesn't have socarrat (that crispy goodness at the bottom of the pan) that is a necessity. But becing Cuban and not Spanish, I can forgive them. That's not to say that the rest of their food isn't great. Their fried plantains are the perfect mix of salty and sweet. The California huevos (huevos rancheros with avocado on top) is a giant mingling of eggs, salsa, beans, rice, and goodness. I will definitely be back to Kuba Kuba. Hell, I bought one of their mugs and I use it everyday. I love the place.

Na Lee K.

My favorite place for cafe con leche! I'm not one of those girls who hits up Starbucks everyday, but if this place was around my house I would definitely be getting my coffee fix from here. It's always super fresh, nice and hot, and super sweet. The Cuban sandwich with the fried plantains are my go to here. This place has a casual, laid back atmosphere and I love stopping in whenever I'm around the VCU area. Really random but their lemonade is bomb diggity too. It's fresh squeezed and made in front of you and is a nice little treat when it's too warm for coffee. This place is a hidden gem that everyone should try!

Brandi O.

I've been to Kuba Kuba on multiple occasions throughout the years and it really has left no lasting impression on me. This place is just overhyped. The food is decent at best. I've gotten a range of things, from jack melts to chorizo egg sandwiches, and none have really blew me away. Yes, they were good, but most of the dishes I've tried are bland. It seems to me that they top literally every one of their dishes with the same vegetables. So even though the menu seems to be diverse, it certainly doesn't feel like it. Or taste like it either. I understand that Cuban food is pretty novel to Virginia, so the uniqueness factor confuses people in to thinking it's phenomenal when it's really just average. And can we stop with the praise of the tres leches cake? It's really not that great. It tastes like a plain vanilla cake. Last time I visited, they didn't even have any and it was 11 am. Okay, go make more then? You've got a full day ahead of you. Service is slow and the restaurant feels a little grimy. And as a warning, they don't split checks. We had a party of 12 or so and they wouldn't split our check. So my $6 meal turned in to me paying $15 for things I didn't even eat. Really really stupid. This is not meant to be a bash on Kuba Kuba, but it's important to weigh both sides of a place before labeling it as a Richmond staple.

Mark M.

Kuba Kuba is a cool spot to grab lunch. The food is always fresh and has great flavors. I usually walk over alone for lunch, and it isn't the fastest place, but I still feel like it fits into a lunch break pretty well. I especially like the Huevos Rancheros, but have tried a few different sandwiches as well--have not been disappointed in anything I ordered.

Jeremy S.

Food was excellent...until I found a long black curly hair in my food. I pointed this out to our server (an efficient, unfriendly man) and told him that it wasn't a big deal, but maybe the line cook needed to put a hat on. He simply said, "I'll get you another one" and walked away. An apology would've been nice, but what would've been even better was if my girlfriend's meal was free of hair. It was not. While I appreciate the chef's innovative use of truly local ingredients, it just didn't come together on the plate for me. Great food, both dishes slightly hairy, rude server that could've prevented this negative review by saying, "sorry about that".

Andrew M.

A delightful Cuban sandwich along with an order of red beans and rice. I'll take it again and again. Perfect for carry out.

Brandon H.

Great place to go for the atmosphere alone but this is as good as Cuban food gets for Virginia. By far the best Cuban Sandwich I've ever had and the black bean soup is amazing. I must say I ventured from this combo once and wasn't as impressed.

Angel O.

No traditional cuban pastries -_- Cubans don't eat burritos. Definitely not traditional Cuban. If anything it's a Mexican restaurant with attempted Cuban/tropical dishes. Sincerely, A Puerto Rican raised in Miami.

Daniela C.

I love love love Kuba Kuba! Great atmosphere and Food!! Been there 4 times, never disappointed! Serving are huge and delicious! Go there hungry you will leave full! I like the dinners the best, the fish cooked to perfection! The sandwiches were a bit on the greasy side for my taste so I had to only eat one half and save the other for later--I'm kinda neurotic when it come down to that. The black beans have that homemade taste that reminds me of my abulelita's!!! Be back anytime for more!

Patrick R.

I've been coming here for eight years now and this place is the tits Positives: The food is some of the best in Richmond and definitely a staple in the City I love pretty much everything from the breakfast items, to sandwiches, and main courses. It is great because they have a variety of prices on their menu that can fit what you are looking for. Dessert is also amazing as well as the coffee! Wait staff is usually great and friendly (we only had one bad experience but I think our server was new because we were certainly forgotten having to grab our own silverware) Negatives: This place is popular so if you want to go and sit down I would recommend going before the dinner rush (do not roll in there at 7-8 expecting to not wait) but many times we will grab a seat at the bar if we go during dinner rush. Sometimes if you go with a large party they make it a hassle to split the cost but that can occur in many places. Also after you eat your clothes will have a food smell to them but it isn't the end of the world.

Kelsey L.

Finally went here the other day after hearing so many good things. Cubahn-mi was a roller coaster of flavor in my mouth. This place is the tits

VA W.

No need to know spanish, just come pick your seat and eat.

Kelly S.

True authentic cuban food. I'm a huge fan.

Christina O.

After another boho cycle workout we headed to KK for some brunch. The mimosas...well, let's just say they don't hold back on the champagne so the $7.00 wasn't too bad. The food was pretty good. The omelets are a good size and the corn bread was okay. Mine was little crispy but it still got ate. Overall, a pretty good first time dining experience.

Matt D.

Staff was super friendly. Food was bangin' flavorful. Prices were very reasonable. Portions generous. Kuban Roast Pork and Scallop Ceviches. Do it. I cannot speak highly enough of this place. I grew up in Richmond, but was vegan for much of the time I could've enjoyed Kuba Kuba's sublime concoctions. After moving away nine years ago, I managed to get my head on straight and now realize what I was missing all these years.

Julia R.

Exactly what I wanted! Black beans rice with fresh onion and a tremendous heaping of slow cooked pork...just a little vinegar tang. All I added was a couple of splashes of hot sauce. So yummy. The only tragedy was I left my leftovers in my friends car and now I can stop thinking about going back for more. Bowl of deliciousness! I wish that they had Palomilla Steak on their menu...and I didn't see plaintains? But that's okay. Lots of things I will try next time. If you are craving inexpensive casual cuban this is very good.

Amy S.

The fried plantains... delectable! I've had the paella vegetarian, penne pasta, and the pesto tomato jack melt. The paella vegetarian is my favorite of the three. It is reasonably priced, and big enough for three people to split. The penne pasta is pretty good, maybe a tad bit bland, but is also large enough for three. The tomato jack melt was very good, but also one of those meals that you could easily make at home. Overall, I like Kuba Kuba, and I will definitely be back in the future.

Dennis B.

Wow, what a great experience! Our family ended up here quite by chance. Our daughter had a Spanish class assignment to eat some authentic food. The teacher listed several spots in Richmond. When we arrived at the one we initially picked (yes, it had a coupon), it was closed for renovations. Our next choice was Kuba Kuba because ratings were good, and it was only a mile away from our failed attempt. Our server, Amanda was great. Very friendly, attentive and knowledgable. They were serving Brunch at the time. My wife played it safe with a Cheese Omelet and lemonade with seltzer. I had the Kubanaso - tasty mix of pork, spicy sausage and pickle. One daughter had the Chorizo Swiss Sandwich which tasted almost like mine. Our other daughter had the Huevos Rancheros. It was probably the most flavorful of our meals, especially the cheese and beans. Some of our meals included the fried plantains, our first time trying them. Very interesting, kind of a cross between potatoes and bananas. All portions were generous, especially given the reasonable prices. We are looking forward to reheating the leftovers for dinner tonight. We finished the meal with their Tres Leches cake because so many reviews recommended it. We were not disappointed. It tasted like a fine moist wedding cake (which they also sell). They had a chocolate version made with cocoa in the batter, but we stuck with the traditional recipe with no regrets. In summary, great choice, good aromas and tastes, good value, easy to get to (some challenges parking), and we'll be back for the $19.95 dinner specials!

Kate M.

Very good! Kuba Kuba is one of Richmond's best ethnic restaurants. However, don't let the word "ethnic" deter you--they also have more Americanized choices. Even my picky younger brother can find something to eat. Only downside is that it is pretty small, so it can be hard to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night at dinner rush hour. I would suggest going on a weeknight. Another note, it is in the city so parking can be tricky. Be prepared to parallel park.

Praveen P.

Roasted pork was really sour Food was insipid and a bit expensive Would not recommend this place to folks who have had cuban food before

Kathryn M.

As a former Floridian, I have eaten my fair share of Cuban food (and probably your's too). My family and I really enjoy Kuba Kuba. It's the closest that we've come to a true Cuban sandwich since leaving the sunshine state. Come for the food, but don't forget a limeade to wash it down.

Elizabeth S.

Went here for dinner Saturday with friends while we were visiting Richmond. Note the neighborhood location - plan to either walk or search for a street parking spot. Once inside (on a very cold night) we had to wait 30+ minutes. It is a small restaurant with a fun neighborhood feel (and a delicious smell of garlic). We all enjoyed our meals - 2 had the vegetarian paella (this is a HUGE size - they agreed in hindsight that splitting would have made more sense than each taking most of it home), and the other 2 had sandwiches. We thoroughly enjoyed our order of tostones. The sandwiches weren't anything special. To finish the night, we all enjoyed cuban coffee au lait with sweetened condensed milk. Deeelicious!

Alyx F.

The food is spectacular, the service is poor. That's what it honestly comes down to. It's not that their staff is unfriendly or unprofessional, it just takes much longer than it should to even get someone's attention or water. The last two times that I visited it took 30 minutes for a waitress/waiter to visit our table. That rant aside, their food is spectacular. Some of the items that I am particularly obsessed with: Cuban Sandwich, Black Bean Soup, Limeade and Cafe con Leche (with condensed milk) I am absolutely obsessed with their cuisine which is why I return. The owner is also super friendly!

Daniel B.

We came all the way from Southern Maryland to eat here for my birthday. This place is always good. The tres leches cake is amazing too! I have never had anything here that was less than awesome!

Andrea P.

I flew in yesterday from Cali. I am working in the Richmond area. I had a taste for Puerto Rican cuisine. I order the smeared chicken with spanish rice and a side order of the roasted pork. I chose this restaurant because of its reviews. What I ordered was NOT good! The pork was decent but everything else was flavorless.

Alida H.

Cheap, quick and quality delicious food. But beware, they are busy for a fairly small restaurant. I have had the Kubanaso Sandwich (cuban sandwich with chorizo), which is pretty good, but the fried plantains that come with it are subpar. The BEST dish to get here in my opinion is the California Huevos. It is described as a dish with two eggs over red beans and cuban bread topped with monterey jack cheese, lime sour cream, and enchilado sauce. It tastes even better than it sounds, YUM, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! The Empanadillas are a popular appetizer, and for a good reason. They're bomb! BUT, the spinach and ricotta is ten times better than the picadillo (kuban beef hash) in my opinion. During one visit, I ended my meal with their Cafe Con leche with condensed milk and vanilla tres leches cake. The cafe con leche was quite possibly the smoothest coffee I've ever had, and is very delicious. The Tres Leches Cake however, was just okay in my opinion. It wasn't moist enough, and the frosting was too thick and overwhelmingly sweet. All and All, a great restaurant, but you just have to order the right things to have a good experience ;P

Jonah P.

Brunch: no reservations, so get there early to wait for a table. Not much atmosphere and wait staff is short., but those aren't the reasons to come. Food is delicious with huge portions. Dishes range from fresh and simple to bold and hearty. Lunch: Same general deal as brunch. We split the Kuban Roast Pork, which was stellar and more than enough for 2 people. Ask for the house hot sauce in the large jugs (it's mild but the acid balances the inherent richness of the dish).

Kelly C.

My boyfriend and I stopped by here for brunch during the week and the service was phenomenal. We both got Huevos California and it was amazing. There weren't a lot of people in the restaurant since it was during a work day, but the workers all made us feel very welcome. The owner of the restaurant talked and joked with us, and then gave us free dessert that was homemade by his mother. And to top it all off we got a free cafe con leche to go! Overall amazing experience and service. Kuba Kuba is truly the essence of an astounding hole in the wall!

Allison T.

Great food, atmosphere is unique and intriguing, reasonable prices, generous portions. Cafe con leche is a must.

Jesse M.

Short review. The food is great as the egg dish was full of vegetables and meat. My only knock of the place is maybe the sanitation because the cook behind the bar does not wear gloves, and seems his hands sweats a lot. Could definitely turn some people off when ordering food from here.

Lucas R.

Food is amazing, get way too much for the price you pay. I have been going to this restaurant for 8 years and the food has always been the same amazing quality. The pork is always tender. Brunch is amazing, and sandwiches are delicious and cheap. Their specials are always delicious. Great place for a date.

Troy S.

This place is one that I hope to go to a lot more often. Any Cuban sandwich is pretty good, but this place puts them on a higher level. Last time I went for dinner. Got the pork stuffed with chorizo. Not bad, but the pork was a little dry. The mango salsa helped though!

Courtney R.

Best food in Richmond by far. So much flavor in the food that you want to keep eating! California Huevos are so tasty!!! I haven't had a bad meal here.

Mark N.

Very cool Cuban restaurant with a laid back diner feel. Reasonable prices, great food. can be hard to get a seat sometimes .. I used to live in Florida I love Cuban food and culture. very friendly staff. I don't think any of them outside of the owner are Cuban, but they do a great job . the menu seems to have some mix of mildly Americanized Cuban food with other things that an American clientele would likely go for (understandable since I don't see many Cubans around RVA, the market here is very different than in Miami).. my opinion of RVA went way up when I discovered this place. they have beer, rum drinks, mojitos, etc..

Callie B.

I just had dinner with my family at this lovely restaurant! It was an amazing place with a nice, friendly staff that was very on top of their game. The guy that served my family took the time to tell us everything we wanted to know! He told us that he's friends with the owner and kinda how he opened the store. The food was excellent and totally worth every dime and all the wait; however, I am very inpatient so the wait was a little annoying but when we got the food it was totally worth it! Also, the service could not have been more spot on. So. That's why I didn't hesitate giving 5 stars. I would recommend going to this restaurant... And to be quite honest if you give this place anything less than 4 stars you must be a very unhappy person! Ha, jk but this place is to die for. I could talk all day about my first visit here tonight! Also, you HAVE TO TRY THE TRES LECHES AND CHOCOLATE MOUSE! so delicious!

Jamie U.

The best corner surprise, hidden away off VCUs campus this little 'Havana Nights' joint is a perfect lunch or dinner spot. Highly recommend the fried plantains for an appetizer, one if their infamous Cuban sandwiches or rice bowls, followed with cafe con sweet leche or tres leches cake. Thank you Kuba Kuba for excellent service and a great hole in the wall atmosphere!

Kelly L.

Charming if a bit tight but lively and bustling.On the loud side but contributed to the atmosphere. Service was timely and attentive and there is a decent wine selection. I had the ropa vieja which was good- moist, tender and tasty. My husband ordered the roast pork which was great-flavorful, tender and well spiced. The tres leches cake was a really nice ending to the evening.

Mike S.

I've heard people say that this isn't real Cuban. Well, I've never been to Cuba, so I can't say, but I can tell you that every time I've eaten here, I've left super happy. The food here is amazing, and I've never had something I didn't like. My go-to is the Kuban sandwich, but seriously, it's all good. I've gotten paella to go before and had enough to eat for three days. Prices are good. Portions are decent. Food is great. Probably my favorite restaurant... Too bad the service isn't anything worth jumping up and down over. I know the place is small, but the inattentiveness is a trend... Busy or not. Save room for tres leches cake!!

Lily L.

A cute little restaurant, that wasn't full during my lunch time visit, but I can see how it can fill up quickly! The food was delicious and a bargain for the portions that were dished out! I had the Tortilla con Chorizo which was seasoned very nicely, and looked like it probably took 8 eggs to make. I also got an order of the Tostones (fried plantains) for our table, which for $2.99 was a ridiculous amount that the 5 of us couldn't even finish!

Benny C.

Food was great, service however was terrible. They weren't slammed at all. The runner who also works at Stella's was a jerk.

Leticia L.

This place is fantastic! I travel to Richmond a lot and always have to stop here. Their rice & beans and platanos fabulous!

Amanda P.

Kuba Kuba is the coolest. Seriously an impeccable Cuban restaurant found by Cuban immigrant Manny Mendez, tucked away on a cute little corner on Park Avenue. The food is always delicious, consistent in quality, and generally excellent. From the espresso, to the paella, plantains and Cuban sandwiches, this place is as good as it gets. I have eaten at other Cuban restaurants in Richmond and nothing compares to the quality and quantity at Kuba Kuba. The portion sizes for literally everything are heaping. The staff is friendly, which makes for a good meal with the atmosphere also being comfortably appealing. The prices are excellent for what you get, and there is always plenty to take home with you. If you are looking for an authentic Cuban meal this is the place to go. Make room for the coffee, you won't be let down.

D R.

In a nutshell: Poor service and mediocre food. We arrived around 6:30ish and they told us they could only seat us when our whole party arrived (Although we later heard the server ask an already seated table if they were expecting anyone else??) Then we sat down they only gave us the food menu, not the bar menu. They came by pretty quick to take our orders but then it took OVER AN HOUR for our food to arrive. Absolutely ridiculous. No one even stopped to by to check in on us or let us know the status of our food in that entire one hour. If they were super busy they could have at least warned us that our food may take longer than usual. The food itself was good, but not anything memorable. I had the lamb chops with mashed potatoes. I've definitely had better lamb dishes in RVA. They do give really big portion sizes, so at least you are getting some bang for your buck. Then when the check came he initially gave us the wrong check. Had to wait several more minutes for the right one. And of course, this place doesn't split checks. The dessert was pretty good though - I had the tres leches cake. But overall, I don't think the quality of the food is worth having to endure the poor service so I probably own't be returning here. Also be warned that it is a very small cramped restaurant and it gets HOT in there quick.

Sarah B.

Love this place. So far my dish of choice is the Huevos Rancheros; great flavor, and a lot of good protein at a decent price. The ingredients are always fresh and very flavorful. I've never had a problem with something being over or underdone, and have loved everything I've gotten there thus far. My only gripe is the space; the tables are a little close together, and sometimes it can be difficult to maneuver. If you have a party of two, your only option for seating is a little two-top table which can quickly run out of room if you are ordering multiple dishes. The tables are a little wobbly, but nothing unbearable. It can also get a little loud at peak hours, but that's just the nature of the space - narrow, high-ceiling rooms will do that. Their Tres Leches cake is also not as authentic as I would like it to be. Don't get me wrong - it's still wonderful. However, most Tres Leches cakes are not overly sweet; they are generally a white or vanilla cake that get most of their sweetness from the icing. The cake at Kuba Kuba tastes like a yellow box-mix cake, and looks like it as well. It's not quite as dense as the traditional style, and also not as wet as it needs to be. The original is dense, rather flat, and almost puddinglike in texture, whereas this feels a bit like a glorified Duncan Hines cake with some evaporated milk poured over it. There is certainly a place for that, and I ate it and enjoyed it! However, if you're expecting the dense, wet, less sweet traditional cake, you should perhaps look elsewhere. Despite that, every time I've gone, the service has been great and the food has been wonderful. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone who is hoping to get an interesting, fresh meal!

Cara M.

This is one of those restaurants you will wonder why it took you so long to try. From the very small hole-in-the-wall atmosphere with friendly service to the delicious food, I couldn't ask for better! Great place! Only reason why 4 stars instead of 5 is because it is so small, it's hard to get a table :(

Carol S.

Every time I go to Kuba Kuba, I leave happy! The specials on the chalkboard are absolutely phenomenal. I wasn't super hungry during my last visit so I got plantains and then Avacado Salad - both delicious.

Ruby S.

One of the best restaurants in Richmond. No doubt about it. Food is amazing, portions on the large side and very friendly staff. Save room for dessert or take something home. My favorite for lunch is the cod fish cakes with side of black beans and for dinner you can't beat any of the chalkboard specials. Authentic cuban? who knows and who cares, it's great food and the atmosphere is very homey and comfortable. A true gem.

Michael G.

1. Greeting and Atmosphere: The moment we entered we were immediately greeted and directed to choose our own seating. . The staff was friendly and the atmosphere felt authentic. 2. Food: I personally had the salmon and egg tortilla which was okay in my opinion. It didn't wow me but also was tasty enough to where I finished it all! (W/ ketchup) My wife had the beef and spinach empanadas which were delicious. Overall it was a good experience and the price was reasonable. I would certainly stop by again and have dinner or lunch.

Emily L.

We found this place in the New York Times' "36 Hours" feature, and we were SO glad we did! I haven't had Cuban food like this since we visited Miami a few years ago. In my opinion, breakfast is where it's at, so we moseyed over around 10 AM. Cafe con leche: ay caramba (maybe? I don't know Spanish but I'm looking for a superlative.) The rich, dark coffee was perfectly lightened and sweetened. I wanted six more, but didn't want to inflict that kind of pain on our friends. All the entrees were spectacular, but mine (I'm happy to say) was the best: when in doubt, I get the one with the restaurant's name in the title. Huevos Kuba was two eggs floating in a sea of beef stew and rice, served with a big chunk of buttered corn bread. I love sharing, but did so with reluctance this time! The omelets and black beans were also fantastic. This amazing meal was complemented by a friendly, fun server and the awesome addition of a Spanish-food shop right in the restaurant. We left with raw apple-cider vinegar and guava paste, in addition to full bellies, and I would love to return to sample their paella for dinner!

Sara M.

I think i need to try more food here. I only got their portobello press which is a balsamic-marinated and grilled mushrooms with swiss cheese, spinach & tomato sandwich. It was unflavorful and disappointing. I will try their cuban sometime and maybe leave a better review but for now this is what i think.

Brian W.

Update: Bumped this place down a peg because it gets out of control when the crowds hit. There is little to no order, hosts are short-tempered etc. The food is still delicious, but I definitely recommend going at off times to avoid the madness.

Carla R.

NEW: Visited like 4 times now and my review stays the same. I'm not a dessert person, but after seeing their tres leches on the food network I had to try it. It is really good!! OLD PART: The food is good and tasty... The place is small, looks clean and speed of service is reasonable. I felt a bit of an attitude from servers both of the times I visited. Coffee is great!!!

Whitney R.

Cool spot. Large menu with abundant choices. Portions are large. Food is solid and definitely a change from the norm.

Sandra S.

I like the food paella specially , it is enough for two people. It is not the typical cuban food it has a little other touch but still good food.The cafe con Leche is teh best.

Jodi C.

Pretty bad ass little spot in Downtown! The wait can be a little excessive, but the place is small, and with so few tables a wait is bound to happen. Think about it though, if people actually wait... the food has to be pretty good, right? I won't lie, it's cramped in there. The tables are right on top of one another, the booths are small, they probably fit about four people, but the staff will certainly shove six in there without a second thought. Service was pleasant. Nothing spectacular but by no means was it poor. I had the roasted pork with mojo sauce, black beans, and rice, yummtastick! Very flavorful and dare I use the dreaded word, moist? Ugh, no, there is no away around that nasty word, so we'll go with juicy! My little sister got the Cuban sandwich, which of course I HAD to take a bite of, really good, one of the best I've ever had. The tres leches cake is pretty amazing too. That seems to be what they are famous for, do yourself a favor, order it at least once, you'll thank me!

Brad E.

I was trying to avoid this review, but given a lack of response to my email to management about a bad experience, I feel like I should write it here. The Good... First of all, as everybody has said, the food is really nicely done, and the portions allow you to eat for a week (well, maybe for my wife, I usually get two solid meals out of one). The overall atmosphere is interesting. It's definitely casual diner-esque, but it works well. Now on to the bad... Our server was probably the rudest person I have ever met. The funny thing is that he got us everything we asked for, and on-time. But everything was done as if we were greatly inconveniencing him. If it was such an inconvenience, then I do not know how he could have succeeded in getting us everything we asked for in a timely manner. It started by his saying that he is "really not allowed" to seat a table of 6 before all parties are there. I do understand this policy, particularly in the middle of a city when it's busy. However, we arrived on a Sunday afternoon, and the place was only half-full. I have no problem with somebody telling me the policy, but it would really be better if they said "sometimes we won't be able to seat parties that are not all here, but right now it's not a big deal." Next, with everything we ordered or asked for, our server gave a careless half-nod with a frown to communicate that he understood what we asked for. This was during the entire service. He really made us feel uncomfortable, and not wanting to go back. Lastly, and this is more of a restaurant policy problem, but they need to be able to split up checks for tables. Having worked in restaurants with horrible systems for splitting checks (yes, we had an OLD computer system that took like 30 minutes to split), and restaurants with modern systems (as most restaurants have now), new systems take all of 2-3 minutes to split, and that's if you're slow. We had to manually do the math for each couple who was there, and since we all got different things, and some folks got alcohol and others didn't, we didn't want to just split by the number of people there, so it took us a while to do. They can take separate payments, they just don't want to put the effort into splitting checks. I wrote an email to the management, directly to the email that's on their webpage, and never received a response. The things I would like to be improved are so simple and easy to do, and they are pro-customer. Don't be a jerk while seating a table where not all members are present yet, but it's a slow time; serve customers with a smile; and split the darn check. Making great food should be the hard part, and that's already done. The rest is easy! Thanks.

Alice C.

I have been here a few times before and had the sandwich or one of the pork entrees, but was excited to try the paella. We ordered the seafood paella and the Kuban roast pork. They were both below our expectations. The paella wasn't even in a pot; it looked like they just scooped some rice in a bowl and added some stuff on top. Every other time I have had paella at other restaurants, it takes at least 20 minutes because the restaurant makes it from scratch and needs to bake the rice to infuse the flavor. I don't know what happened here. The pork was dry and not that tender. It wasn't that expensive, but I definitely expected better from all the reviews for this place. Service was fine; it's not that fancy of a place. Good crowd.

I Eatz All Da Foo D.

I go for sunday brunch and order 2 shot of cuban coffee and california huevos, delicious food and great place inside

Stacey L.

All my family members raved about this place so we figured we'd try it out. I'm not sure I'd rave about it like them but it was edible. I had a cup of the black bean soup and the spinach ricotta empanadillas. Soup was very good and came with some cornbread. Coming from the south its a very different cornbread than what I'm used to (not as sweet and way more dry). I wished the empanadillas had more spinach, but they weren't bad. My boyfriend had the Kubanaso sandwich which is a cuban with chorizo added. I didn't try it, but he said it was bland and he wasn't a fan. His sandwich came with the plantains which neither of us liked. We also had the bread pudding and the tres leche cake. The cake was good but I personally did not like the bread pudding, but that's not the restauranst fault, I'm just not a fan in general. We also tried the risotto cakes which were pretty tasty.

Andrew L.

I stopped in here for a beer and a sandwich when I was last in town and am SO glad I did. Both the cuban sandwich and the plantain chips lived up to the hype, and even with two beers, the meal was reasonably priced. Service was attentive, and I liked the atmosphere (somewhere between a diner and casual dining). Definitely will stop back in next time I'm in Richmond.

Shan R.

Food is amazing, service is mediocre and the seating is adequate. Great place to take people who are new to Richmond, very colorful atmosphere. If you go during a busy eating time (lunch or dinner rush/weekends), be prepared to wait.

Sheena May M.

Ahhh the plantains!!!! So good!!

Robert P.

This place has been in my top five restaurants in Richmond for years. Love the atmosphere and history of the place and the neighborhood. I always get a salad and huervos rancheros. Very consistent every time. Staff can sometimes be "in their own world" and not very observant but I do not come here for them. It's a good place to relax.

A H.

Just had my second meal here. It is OK, but I'm not sure I would go back again. The plantains and bread are delicious. Yay! Both paellas were really poor. I was thanking little baby Jesus for the capers (which are not, but should be, listed on the menu description) in the vegetarian because it had NO flavor otherwise. It honestly had all of the characteristics of leftover microwaved Uncle Ben's with some mushy vegetables. Super underseasoned. It is huge, though. I haven't tried the sandwiches but my friends seemed to like theirs more than the paella, so a star for those. Since their bread is good that might be a safer, and cheaper, bet than the rice dishes. Service is fast. The first time I was here I ordered a side of plantains and wish our server had told us that all of our meals already came with them! It is marked on the menu with the sandwiches, but not the paella. We ended up paying extra for waaay too many plantains. Servers just seemed cold and disinterested. I spent enough years waiting tables to be pretty sympathetic, but a bit more effort would have been nice. It was kind of diner style service in a restaurant where many dinner entrees are ~$20, which is not ideal (to me). Parking is not good. Hope no one in your party has mobility limitations! Everything within 4+ blocks is 1 hour parking on weekdays...until 9:00pm!! I saw parking patrols at least 3 times while walking to and from my car. There is unrestricted parking around Rowland and Grove but the folks that live on those blocks will probably hunt me down for disclosing that. Beautiful neighborhood with lots of friendly neighbors and adorable dogs, though!

Sarah Anne S.

Easily one of my absolute favorite restaurants! The coconut risotto cakes, vegetarian paella, and tres leches cake are delicious. It can be tough getting a table, but the fun upbeat atmosphere is worth the wait!

Sarah G.

Kuba Kuba, what happened?! I traveled 3,000 miles with a main goal of eating at one of my favorite restaurants of all time...only to find that it's not longer as good as I remember. I thought, well maybe my palate is more sophisticated since the last time I've been here. But that's just not the case, as the people in my dinner party were also aghast at how things have slipped. The plantains were dry and overcooked, the arroz con pollo was sloppy and the empenadillas were over-fried. Perhaps it was a bad night? The only fare that was good were my friend's sandwiches, which are pretty hard to mess up. The worst part was the service. Our waiter was the only one on duty and he looked a little scrambled. He kept forgetting things and walking around looking a little harried. It was also unbelievably hot inside the restaurant, and during a typical east coast summer night that's a no-no. Well, Kuba Kuba, it looks like this will be the last time I see you since I don't want to waste a perfectly good trip to Richmond eating here. There's better elsewhere.

BA E.

Love the salmon and black bean soup! Their tres leches cake is out of this world!

Allison R.

Really loved this place! Went on a Saturday night with four and only had a 40ish minute wait - but larger parties could definitely pose a problem. Lots of specials, beers are cheap ($3.50 each), and the food was pretty good. Three of us got specials, and one got the paella vegitariana which was a HUGE portion of rice, artichokes, asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes, etc. I had the BBQ shrimp, which came with rice and black beans. I liked it, but as my husband said, the dishes were the same flavor throughout the entire meal. Also - specials were a little on the pricey end - $19.99 each. As others have mentioned - parking can be hard. Overall, I think we will come back! I'm eager to try some other things on the menu.

True F.

Delicious huevos rancheros. Perpetually curious about what's in that cardboard box behind the counter that's radioactive, flammable, etc. But the server wouldn't tell me. Maybe you should ask.

Alyson W.

Halfway between work and home, so I should probably eat here more often than I do. It's a decent Cuban sandwich, but the long wait and slow service often deters me from what would otherwise be a great weekday lunch spot.

Kathy I.

The sandwiches and plantains are pretty good. You can never go wrong with the Cuban but the other ones are just as good :) I've had a Cuban Sandwich at another place and this one isnt as authentic but I still enjoy it here.

Lauren B.

In the time I lived in the fan I had never gotten around to eating here. Now, I live further away and I find myself disappointed that I had not gone until now. Def enjoyed the artistic vibe inside. This spot is great for a date night and has a lot of great seating for a small party as well. Parking is a bit rough- street parking in the fan always is- but come a bit early before main meal rush or plan to walk. Do not miss the opportunity to have one of their killer desserts- it's a local favorite!!! Prices are reasonable and service is with a smile. It is a tad loud typically, but if you are not going during a big dinner rush, it's fairly quiet.

Sandra S.

Great service, food, and atmosphere what more can you ask for. Their paella can feed you all week. Portions are huge and priced well for Richmond. My wife has been coming to this place for 13 years and it has never been disappointed. Must visit if you are from out of town.

Victor D.

Its my first time in Kuba Kuba. I came her specting real cuban food. All they have are sandwiches and a few diferentes plates. -The "tostones" are nooooot tostones. -The beens don't taste good. -The real Cuban food its suppose to have a lot of flavor.... An the meaning that your serving cuban food , its not the same as mexican or spain food. - the price are to expensive. The only good thing i saw in the place was the decoration...

Chris M.

When I remember my time living and eating in The Fan, Kuba Kuba definitely stands out. Not only is the food fantastic, but the atmosphere complements it perfectly.

Jamaal C.

An RVA classic. Great pork and great tres leche cake.

Steve A.

Great place. Ben was our server. Surprised by the 4 and 5 star ratings for a place without a full service bar. This is more of a Cuban diner. The food was great. Ate the pork with two large appetizers split between four of us.

Jenny B.

Seriously? I gave this place a second chance and went for brunch since brunch is REALLY hard to mess up. I took my Cuban friend which was a huge risk. Turns out, you CAN mess up brunch and Kuba Kuba did it. I had the California Huevos and had the same problem. Bland. seriously?! I appreciate a little change in texture and everything was soft. I felt that I didn't need teeth to eat this meal. I could have choked it down. My friend also didn't like it only validating my thoughts. The ONLY saving grace was the tostones, so if you want some Deep Friend Plantains, then this is your place, otherwise, thumbs down. It pains me that their menu is so mixed up. Cuban food and Spanish food are NOT the same. I lived in Spain for a long time and the food was incredible (tortilla, paella, etc) . Based on the rest of my experience here, I can only imagine how awful their Spanish dishes will end up and Kuba Kuba will ruin people's perception of Spanish food. They need to pick a continent and STAY on it. Next thing you know they are going to try and do tapas. I.just.can't.

Jeff E.

Great little local dive joint, its longevity is a testament. Authentic Cuban influences with interesting variations. Fair prices for good food. Service is efficient if not friendliest. Beer list could be more extensive. Small place, don't ask for a booth if you're only two (I missed the sign on the wall), reserved for larger parties. Overall, highly recommend, great at what they do.

Evangeline R.

one of my go to places in Richmond. the food is fast and delicious. i recommend the California huevos, fried plantains, and cafe con leche.

Alexis M.

This place is amazing. I went for my birthday dinner and I loved it. It's small, but it has a homie fell to it, and the portions are really big, and the food is authentic. I had the Paella Valenciana and it was wonderful. I will be coming back

David D.

Pork Roast is to die for.... To Go is super fast and me and my girlfriend love doing that for dinner sometimes. It is my favorite place in Richmond by far. Food is delicious with fast service can't ask for much more! Defiantly earned 5 stars.

Roy B.

Good food at fair prices Physical space limited, they do not accept reservations. Service decent. Desert cake pretty good and worth trying.

Taylor T.

A must-try in Richmond. Definitely try the pulled pork, and the risotto balls, oh and the tres leche cake. Go early on the weekends, they fill up and don't take reservations. But the wait is worth it!

Julianne L.

I've lived in and around richmond my whole life and been to Kuba Kuba thousands of times, now only a few blocks away I go all the time! I've never had something on the menu that I didn't like, from the tres leche cake to the California huevos rancheros to the cafe con leche all delicious and consistent. Always fresh and always delicious an satisfying!

Anita C.

I hate to be the one to do this. I know everyone loves this place, I know the fried plantains are amazing - they really are. If you go to Kuba Kuba you have to order them. BUT... The special fella in my life had been wanting to take me to this restaurant since we moved to Richmond in 2012. I was really looking forward to experiencing what everyone seems to love about the place. We showed up on Friday night and only had to wait about ten minutes for a table. Not too bad, nothing to complain about there. We are seated at a two-top in the middle of the room. The dining room is not what you may expect, don't expect much privacy or chance for small talk with your date. It wasn't awful, just loud. It was Friday though, so really no one can really complain about that either. Our server was awful. Right off the bat. He rushed us, offered no greeting or information about the food or drinks. He took our appetizer and drink order. We ordered fried plantains. Our drinks came fairly quickly. And then the wait began. After about 10 minutes, the server took our dinner order. Somewhere around 40 minutes later, the bartender comes over with our dinner. No plantains. Our server never checked on us during this wait, so we had not had the chance to ask about the appetizer. So we very politely (almost apologetically) ask the bartender about them. She brings them over right away. So now we have plantains and two bowls of paella. The paella? No. No. No. I'm sorry but, just no. In my bowl was four pounds of overcooked rice completely devoid of seasoning mixed with some fairly delicious vegetables, topped with incredibly overcooked shrimp and mussels. All I could think to myself was "what is happening?!" It was awful. Dreadful. It was the largest bowl of food I have been served in a restaurant in quite some time and it was just the blandest mix of complete misses ever. I was sad! So, after the 40-50 minute wait for even an appetizer, with the exception of one very speedy "check-in," our server (who clearly had forgotten our order, considering half the restaurant turned over while we were still waiting to eat - they weren't that busy) NEVER came back. He had another server drop our check and yet another bring it back after we paid. I really REALLY wanted to love Kuba Kuba. But I can't. I can't even imagine ever going back. Not even for those plantains. Forget my order? No problem. That is a forgivable mistake. Completely ignore us for the rest of the evening? No, sir. That is just bad form. Lousy service + tasteless food served by the pound = no thank you.

Devon C.

I absolutely love this place! I would give them 5 stars, but their seating always puts my panties in a wad. They only have a few booths and if you come in with 2 people they will stick you at one of their tiny two top tables in the middle of the floor. Their avocado salad and tres leches cake are my go to items. And you cannot beat the price! A little slice of heaven in the Fan!

Catherine A.

It is a small place, so it get crowded quickly. The food and the atmosphere is fantastic.

Stephanie M.

This was one of THE places to be I feel like when I was at VCU. Yet, I NEVER WENT! Probably since I was a poor college student, and who isn't, and I think most people I knew went there to drink. But I could be totally wrong. June 2013 was my first time here after living only blocks away for 5 years in college. The food portions are huge. I think each of the four of us left something on our plates when we were done. I made sure to save room for dessert. Try the Del Sol. Flan on top of a layer of Tres Leche cake. mmmmmm, genius! My entree was Paella Mariscos, very good. I had food envy when my friend's Pork Shank arrived. He said it was delicious and I'd love to go back and try it for myself.

Jocelyn E.

A great city place to eat. Favorites are any pork dish and huevos rancheros.

Winston C.

Had an excellent meal at Kuba Kuba last night. My girlfriend and I were running a little late for a concert but decided we would try to eat here as it's close to the venue. The service was super fast and friendly despite the restaurant being busy. Our meals arrived after about 10 minutes. The food was fantastic. I ordered the kuban pulled pork with rice, black beans, plantains, and bread. My girlfriend had the chicken and rice dish. Everything was delicious and the portions were HUGE! Highly recommended!

Gerry F.

Tastes like nothing else! Atmosphere is fun, everyone is happy and the food is excellent! First time going and will definitely return.

Monica V.

A great local restaurant. The food presentation and taste is pretty outstanding quality. Make sure to ALWAYS leave room for dessert. Their version of the tres leches cake is a good one. Some may say it's not the traditional style, but being the cake-lover that I am, it's pretty darn good. The atmosphere is very intimate and definitely a great place to try....over and over again. :) A couple cons: 1) No reservations...I know they are a small joint, but I've just become so accustomed to that feature and am not a fan of waiting, especially when so many other restaurants are nearby with no wait. (Not to mention, non-Fan residents are on the parking clock!) 2) No Separate checks....again, fault of a small restaurant, but it's those tiny details that make a difference in my dining experience. Nonetheless, food is legit and I'll be coming back for more!

Megan W.

The food was really good. I got the Pesto Tomato Jack Melt, and it was delicious. I highly recommend it. Also, it comes with a side of plantains. Although my friend and I got our food really quickly, it felt like we were rushed out of the restaurant. We wanted to sit there for a while longer to catch up and chit chat. Also, they split the check right down the middle and couldn't give us separate checks. I thought at was kinda strange, but it wasn't a huge deal.

Amanda M.

Really enjoyed Kuba Kuba. I had a portabella sandwich with tostones - it was really good. They had a large menu of heuvos Rancheros - I probably should have gone with that, as the portabella sandwich just seemed like a item they added to the menu to satisfy vegetarians (which is appreciated but didn't seem too original). They only have beer and wine, which was a little disappointing because I always look forward to a mojito with cuban food. Bottom line: the food was good but not amazing. I would go again but there are better places in RVA.

Anna C.

I've lived in RVA a long time and had NEVER been to Kuba Kuba. People had RAVED about it, so I excited when I finally decided to go. There was a LONG wait- it's not a huge location. When we finally got seated the waiter did not have a great knowledge of the wine. Not a big deal. We ordered empanadillas and they were pretty good. But- anything fried is hard to dislike! I was super excited for the Paella Vegetarian. I love Paella. What I got was sub-par greasy rice with out much flavor. It wasn't paella at all. It did not even have the crispy layer of rice- a key part to paella. I was super sad. And disappointed. According to the other reviews on here it is a "hit & miss" place. I guess I went on a miss night. But I doubt I will be back any time soon.

Hungry I.

WOW! Words can not do justice to the flavor explosions that await you here! **Make sure you save room for the Tres Leche cake!** (home made by the owners Mother)

Donna Y.

I ordered the vegetable paella enough to feed a family of four.... literally it was huge! Kuba Kuba gives you a lot of food... at such a low price.. can't be beat

Amelia D.

I always get the Cuban sandwich which is amazing.

Philip H.

not only is the food great and priced well, but the staff is great, and the owner is a great guy. he hit me on my bike (my fault) and he did everything he could to help make sure i was okay health-wise and financially. try their breakfast, presses, cafe con leche, and deserts. mm

Andrew G.

Pretty expensive, and the portions weren't particularly big. I've had better cuban before, but as far as Richmond goes, this is probably the best option. I had a salad, some shredded pork dish, empanadas, and flan. Everything was very good except the pork dish which was just alright.

Don N.

Back in the days, when I was in undergrad I was a frequent customer. For some reason, I always got their Cuban sandwich. I was not adventurous, I did not like change, I wanted to stick to what I knew was good. My brother once got the Paella valenciana and gave me his left overs after it was refrigerated overnight. I was not particularly impressed by it. Plus he ate all the seafood so it was pretty much just rice and a stale garlic bread. Fast forward 4 years later, my friend and I decided to get some Cuban. I try to avoid undergrad campus because it makes me feel old, but my friend was persistent. While skimming the menu, I was thinking about getting the Cuban sandwich again when I saw two orders of the Paella valenciana walk by me. I decided to give it another chance and I was glad I did. Everything about the meal was perfect from the chorizio, shrimp, mussels, garlic bread, yellow rice, down to the broth. Hands down my favorite dish here. We also got the les treches for dessert which was not good-- plain and dry, but I didn't care because I was too happy over my Paella valenciana. There's also been complaints about the service, which I can see. They don't seem too friendly, but as long as they continue to serve good Paella valenciana I won't care.

Lisa H.

I must've passed this place a hundred times on bike or while walking to campus... one night, for dinner, I decided to give it a whirl. I enjoyed the decor; this quaint little restaurant has a lot of personality. The atmosphere almost makes it feel like you're taking a vacation from Richmond, VA. Cafe con leche was delicious! I was very pleasantly surprised at the smooth and rich milky texture. So much better than Starbucks; I would go back to Kuba Kuba just to have another cup. As for my actual meal, Huevos Rancheros, I was very satisifed. The gooey egg mixed with the delicious Kuban bread and cheeses combined wonderfully to create a dish unlike anything I've ever tasted before. I even had leftovers (which was easy to heat up, i just popped it in the oven). It's been awhile since I last ate here, but I'd definitely like to go back and try some of their other menu items.

Amy B.

Went to Richmond for the weekend and ate here twice. I couldn't get am enough. Very slow service but would come back again because the food was so good. Huevos Rancheros 5 was the best I've had. Empandillas were a 4.5 Really very good. Plantains were ok 3.5 I prefer my plantains sweeter and not deep fried but they were still decent. Cornbread 3 was dry and slightly burnt. Tres leches was a 4 very good but not the traditional tres leches. Cafe con leche with condensed milk 4.5 soooo good but fattening.

Tripti S.

Spanikopita - 5/5 Vegiie paella - 4 /5 Ambiance - 5/5

Ashley S.

Food was great but service was horrific. We sat for 90 minutes before receiving our appetizer.

Kevin T.

Every time I go here the food is amazing. Consistency is the biggest quality I look at when continuing my patronage at any business. The server seemed like she had several tables that night and everyone at my table was asked for their drink order and given silverware, except me. I ordered a Pork Tenderloin that was on the special that night. It came with pan fried asparagus, beans rice and mango mixture that accompanies many of the dishes and a Pork tenderloin that was stuffed with a sausage. That's right, meat stuffed with meat. I overlooked this when reading the special, but I was completely surprised with this. The meat was cooked to perfection and juicy. I think someone ordered tres leches cake - we had 2 slices for about 8 people. It's super creamy and rich, but worth having a bite if you have room.

Lilly H.

Wonderful casual and authentic ambience. By far the best Cuban food I've had outside of south Florida, plus they play great music. I highly recommend the coconut risotto cakes and plantains. They're extremely reasonably priced considering the ample portion sizes. Their customer service is consistently amazing, even on a busy day.

Sean R.

Great food, but not worth the incredibly rude waiter you may get. Arguably the rudest member of a waitstaff I've ever encountered.

Craig B.

I just cannot get enough of this restaurant. There are only a few places that can actually take you away and make you think you are indeed in a whole different country. This is one of those great places. Sounds, smells, tastes and the overall ambience is truly authentic Cuban. Manny has the magic combination of menu, food, drink, staff, regulars and 'grime' to keep the magic alive and show tourists you don't have to have safe & boring to make a mark. I have seen so many folks come in, sit down, look around and say, 'Oh my God, this place is amazing!' 5 stars Kuba Kuba. Bueno, Bueno!!

Eunice W.

An eclectic place, reserved for an acquired pallet.

Renita W.

I went with the highly recommended cuban sandwich and was highly disappointed. The ham lacked flavor and the cheese and mustard failed to overcome the bread's drying effect. I think the bread was too thick? Not sure. My husband tried the California Huevos and it was just bland. With so much going on (avocado, beans, enchilada sauce ...) no single flavor stood out. Weak food, very crowded and sloppy service = I wouldn't go out of my way to come back.

Clara D.

the food here is incredible! and the cooks are always so welcoming and polite. the one downfall is the wait staff. they have a tendency to be quite rude and standoffish and have HORRIBLE customer service when trying to place a take out order (whether in restaurant or over the phone). should probably have more than one waitress working at a time to decrease the workload and increase the customer service. definitely worth dining in though. the food is impeccable.

Dorsey M.

Having wanted to experience Kuba Kuba for quite some time based on rave reviews of friends, I'm happy to say it's definitely worth all the praise! There wasn't a free table when we got there so we waited on small benches next to the door savoring the tantalizing smells of the kitchen. Our fantastic waitress brought us drinks to ease the wait, which wasn't more than ten minutes. The dining area has that amazing communal feel which Cuban restaurants have so well perfected. I almost felt I was at a big family dinner. Loved it! On to the food. I got the Kuban Roast Pork and it was amazing! Tender, flavorful and plentiful it was perfection! The best part may just have been having my left overs for breakfast the next day. My friend got the salmon special with coconut risotto cakes, equally de-lish! Highly recommend the risotto cakes app. For dessert we went with Kuba Kuba's notorious Tres Leches cake. Damn it was good. Typically I'm a chocolate fan but this cake in vanilla is to die for. In short delicious food, terrific atmosphere and delightful service!

Mia W.

So kuba kuba is another one of those places you have to hunt down in richmond! The scene: I've only been during lunch and the crowd is business folk on lunch break or stay at home moms with strollers blocking the door lol ( okay so that was just once but it annoyed me lol) The food: I love the paella mariscos! The food was fresh... I do feel like they cheat you on the amount of seafood compare to rice...usually when I order paella at other places in jersey or out of the states- you have more than enough meat - but not here! I had so much rice left it was horrible! I have also had the pineapple chicken sandwich and I have to say I was highly disappointed in it! I got it to go and although it smelled and looked good... There was no kind of condiment on it- so it was chicken, tomatoes, bread...obviously I raided the fridge for something to add to it so I wasn't eating a dry sandwich... Overall I wouldn't recommend that sandwich unless maybe they forgot to add sauce to mine! My favorite: I am obsessed with the warm toast they serve with your meal! FYI it's $1 for a side if 3 pieces if you just crave more ...also the traditional tres leche cake is pure sex! Lol it's so good and I do not eat sweets a lot ... They have a chocolate version but I don't like screwing with the traditional so I'll stick to vanilla! All in all I like kuba kuba and everyone should frequent here for something different!

Doris F.

THE place to go for Cuban food. Everything has so much color and flavor! This place truly feels authentic. I usually order the California Huevos Rancheros. Its so cheesy, spicy, and filling. Their sandwiches are hearty, meaty, and awesome, all are served with their delicious fried plantains. Their sweetened Cuban coffee is very tasty. You can also purchase a loaf of their bread for around 3 dollars (they bake it there!). Definitely a place to take your foodie friends. I've never been disappointed by this place. Only downside is the place is quite small and the booths are reserved for parties of 3 or more, so sometimes there is a wait around dinner time.

Mark R.

I love the Cuban Sandwich

Matt G.

Delicious Richmond staple. Huge portions, usually split the roast pork.. Don't forget the tostones and sriracha!

Christie C.

The feel of this place screams Cuban heritage. Music was at an appropriate level, and my family and I were able to relax to the tunes. We came here to celebrate the life of my mother who passed away a few days ago. This was the restaurant my father would take her every week. This was the closest to her Brazilian heritage, and she always enjoyed the delicious food. I began with a black bean soup which was fantastic and decided to do the penne pasta (the portobello mushrooms were sooooooo good!!) I also decided to pair everything with the Wild Wolf Blonde Hunny Drought. The food was incredible, only wish that the service was a little bit more attentive.

Theresa K.

Hole in the wall restaurant with a very cozy feel inside. We got here Sunday night around 530 and got sat right away because it was just the two of us. They have a pretty big menu with lots of appetizing entrees it was hard for us to pick what to order. We decided to get the Cuban sandwich obviously and then the Seafood Sofrito because the guy next to us had ordered it and it looked amazingly delicious. The food came out pretty quick and piping hot. The Cuban sandwich was crisp and the meat was super tender. It also came with a side of sweet fried plantains that paired well with the mango carrot habanero sauce we dipped the sandwich in. The Seafood Sofrito was ginormous!!! It had tons of mussels and shrimp and the angel hair pasta was cooked perfectly. The broth had so much depth in flavor and the loads of veggies made us feel good about devouring the entire dish! Definitely a must try when you visit Richmond. We were sad because we decided to save most of our Cuban sandwich for later so we could finish the Sofrito but ended up forgetting to eat the rest of the sandwich. Will have to come back to try other stuff when we visit Richmond again!

Joaquin X.

I need to preface the review by saying that I was a guest of the restaurant and was able to eat for free. But what a very cool spot! This was my first time in Richmond and Kuba Kuba was on my list. I had breakfast and the Huevos Rancheros were not only filling but extremely tasty, with some serious flavor. The lime sour cream was a nice touch. I usually like tortilla chips with my huevos but the house bread was just a suitable for me. The decor was very tropical and the service was efficient, yet relaxed. A very good vibe in this place. And they even have a few CDs of local bands available. (Check out Bio Ritmo!). I left this place with a very good and satisfied feeling.

Rebekah K.

This is one of the first restaurants I went to after moving to Richmond and I've been back several times. RVA is sorely lacking in good Mexican food, but at least they have solid Cuban. I always get the roast pork--either the entrée or pork omelet. It's well seasoned and cooked until it falls apart tender. I could make an entire meal out of the black beans and rice, cornbread and toasted Cuban bread. Their cornbread is quite possibly the best in Richmond. Cons: seating is limited and there's always a wait (so it goes in RVA), the fried plantains were advertised as "tostones," which they most certainly were not. I believe they have since corrected that to just "platanos:" plantains fried in whatever state of ripeness they happen to be.

Chris S.

I can see why Kuba Kuba is regularly named one of Richmond's best restaurants because the food is amazing. The place is small and is often packed as I had to wait quite a while for a table during my visit. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait during most visits, I was there around 3 in the afternoon and it was basically standing room only. The service is quite good, while the staff is a bit eccentric, they are beyond friendly and go out of their way to make your visit special. Food was fantastic. I started with spinach and beef empanadillas, you get two with your order so I highly recommend getting one of each. Patty was cooked perfectly and both the spinach and beef while different texture are flavorful and satisfying. Went with the roast pork lunch which for less than 9 dollars is a huge portion and full of flavor. The roasted pork was tender and flavorful with a nice kick. Accompanying white rice and beans were a great addition and also prepared very well. One small negative was the cornbread, it was too dense and doesn't come out hot. That was but a small miscue of a great meal. Must visit if you enjoy Cuban food and are in the Richmond area, I look forward to return visits to try the other delicious sounding menu items.

Customer X.

Average and bland black bean soup and California huevos with an efficient service despite the Food Network's recommendation of this place....The clean bathroom had a changing table. It was easy to park on the street nearby.

Stephanie B.

Geez louise..Kuba Kuba's food was...deliciousness. We were visiting only for the day and had a really hard time choosing a restaurant from Richmond's food scene. I kept scanning Yelp reviews and finally went with Kuba Kuba after a few locals confirmed our inklings. The wait was a little lengthy because the waitress working the bar was swamped with phone orders but once we got our coconut risotto patties and arroz con pollo, I almost cried happy tears. We took the massive amount of leftovers and had them for breakfast. The gift that kept giving..

Ellen H.

The world has fallen. I am crushed to the core. I thought I found THE place, it was all perfect in my dream-my new Cubano spot. I loved that this place was nestled (really, nestled is THE perfect word to describe this location) in such a nondescript place. People live next door and people walk here from homes. At lunch, professionals seem to make up about half of the dining population. Young and old, families, co-workers, and just plain ole friends made up the spot. I was the only girl in there by herself. I just couldn't pass up the chance to try this place out. The aroma of delish food always made my nose wiggle- and I don't know how to wiggle my nose. The place inside is slightly dimly lit, but it's all open space. There are a couple booths reserved for parties of 4 or more. The bar has a diner feel to it, which I loved, and the grill was out in the open. I ordered the Cubano because that's like the Pho of a vietnamese restaurant- you have to get the Cubano right to be legit. Sadly, they missed out on true cubanos. The bread was hard, slightly burnt on one end. It didn't seem like they had brushed any oil on the outside. There were pickles but just a smidge too thin to really add much flavor. There wasn't quite enough sauce, and the beef was not deep at all, although it made up in volume. Each bite felt like a mouth full of just meat with almost no seasoning. The platanos on the side, however, was just delish. Normally, I wouldn't like sweet with my meal, but these were perfection. GET. THE. PLATANOS. I had also ordered the empanadillas, beef and spinach. The sour cream enhanced the empanadillas and I am forever grateful that I tried their emapanadillas. The beef was very well seasoned but the spinach empanadilla stole the plate. A little crispier than I like, and I like crispy, but still good enough to forgive the over-fried empanadilla. I might come back to try something else, but my hope of having an authentic Cubano is still unfulfilled.

Tony H.

I was back again, still my favorite place for breakfast. See my other reviews. 5 stars. The coffee....oh! Wow!

Trang H.

Portions are HUGE. I got the California Huevos Rancheros and it was yum! You can definitely get two meals out of each dish.

Sam L.

Walking into Kuba Kuba feels a bit like walking on to a movie set. The atmosphere and setting feel authentically Cuban, and the wait staff and cooks talk in quick Spanish in between tables. My meal, a Cuban sandwich, left me wanting more. More flavor. More tangy mustard. More of the fresh salsa that is portioned out on top. A sandwich that sits in the press too long makes for a very dry meal, and I think that was the case here. It was almost as if all the life had been sucked out between the pressed bread. The fried potatoes on the side suffered from the same issue. Too dry. Tasted like they had been left under a heat lamp for too long. This meal could have been so much more, with just a little more effort. I hope that I can make it back to Kuba Kuba. Their menu is authentically Cuban, and I'm sure they have other options that I would like better than what I had for lunch today. A good, but disappointing Wednesday afternoon lunch in the Fan.

Jordan N.

Have been here once before and it was pretty decent. Holy crap have they gone way down hill! I would have given this a 3 star because the food was embarrassingly bland given the price, but our service was horrible! It took them 30 minutes just to take our drink order, but then she got even the drinks wrong because she didn't bother to write the order down. It took well over 45 minutes for our food to come out and it was NOT worth the wait. Trust a poor college kid to recognize microwaved frozen rice anywhere. The paella mariscos was 90% rice and you could easily tell it was frozen and microwaved, all 3 college kids agreed. In a bowl the size of your head there was only 11 shells of seafood and maybe 2 shrimp. NOT WORTH $20. Even worse I came here with full blooded Cubans and they also agreed it was a joke. The food was bland but the service was the absolute worst. Seriously they need to fire the lazy, rude, inconsiderate wait staff. Never coming back.

Meredith E.

My husband took me here for my birthday. For starters we had pulpo and coconut risotto cakes which are our staple appetizers now. We both had the Kuban roast pork. This was definitively The. Best. Barbecue. Ever. It's noisy and crowded and the service is wanting, but the food makes up for it all, and we would come back here repeatedly.

Gilline S.

I lived two blocks away from Kuba Kuba for thee years of my undergrad years at VCU and I have never ever been disappointed. My go-to, whether it be brunch, lunch, or dinner, is definitely the Huevos California. For $8.95, it filled me up and I always had leftovers for the next day (which is a saving grace when you're a college kid. Seriously, what a deal!) My most current visit was two weeks ago. I have a special place in my heart for banh mis, so I tried their special - the Cubanh mi - and oh boy, was it special. I am seriously getting Pavlov's dog syndrome just thinking about how to describe this magnificent combo. The Cubanh mi is undeniably the child of an intelligent, humorous, and bighearted banh mi and a tall, dark, and handsome Cuban sandwich. To summarize: I would marry the Cubanh mi. As for dessert, get the café con leche and/or a slice of tres leches cake. I would go to Kuba Kuba just for these two items alone. The café con leche is the perfect blend of coffee and milk. The tres leches is flawlessly moist and fluffy and definitely serves two. I have always loved the cozy, knick knacky atmosphere of Kuba Kuba. Fair warning: this place gets packed on the weekends, specifically for Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch. They do not take reservations and there is only one bench outside while you wait for a table to open up. Unlike a lot of the other reviews, I've never really had bad service here. I remember specifically one blazing summer afternoon our waiter offered us to-go waters - which was very thoughtful and undeniably grade A service. Overall, I suggest you take your friends, family, and first dates to Kuba Kuba.

CC V.

Absolutely delicious. Went for dinner, and for the price you pay (around $15 for an entree) it's so huge and massive that it's practically a 2nd meal the next day. Definitely recommend the Kuban Roast Pork and Vegetarian Penne!

Blair W.

Good casual restaurant, but small so be prepared to wait. Our table shared the coconut risotto cakes as an appetizer and it was very uniquely flavored. Good to split this since it was very rich. The entrees were tasty but not super authentic. The ropa vieja wasn't very flavorful and the Kuban pork wasn't as tender as I'm used to. Plus where was the picadillo on the menu? I asked for sweet plantains/maduros instead of tostones and were told they are one in the same, which of course is not true. My plate ended up coming out with platanos maduros which I was happy about. Tried the tres leches vanilla cake and café con leche, both were sweet and delicious. Portions are huge so it would be very easy to split a dinner entree. All in all, I'd definitely return but lower my standards for an authentic Cuban experience.

Tony B.

Good place to eat out. Close by to VCU Monroe campus.

Erin J.

Love love love Kuba Kuba! Black bean soup always hits the spot. Avocado salad is one of the best around. If you love hot sauce try the homemade sauce! Waits can be long and service seems slow sometimes during busy hours, but the food is always worth the wait. This restaurant is truly the heart of the fan.

Courtney F.

Delicious!! Had the crab cake and the Cuban...both were phenomenal. Definitely don't miss the plantanos; the beans and rice needed a kick, but the mango habanero sauce on the table gave them that! Finished with the chocolate tres leche and a sweet cafe con leche...save room for both...I'll be craving those for some time now! Come early, 7PM on a Wednesday and we waited -0 minutes...can't imagine a weekend. Definitely don't miss this joint!

Johanna T.

As a frequent visitor of Miami and lover of Cuban food and coffee- I have to give it to Kuba Kuba, this place has hands down some of the best coffee in Richmond- their cafe con leche is exactly what good Spanish style coffee is. Their food portions for the price are absolutely phenomenal and wouldn't ask for more or less. The decor is that of a bodega in Havana or Miami - I felt like I was in Miami all I was missing was the beautiful beach. I recommend the tres leches as well- moist and perfectly baked. If you're in RVA and have not gone to Kuba Kuba I suggest you do yourself a favor and get there, fast!

Alexandra O.

Rating is for service and a bad experience not for the food. Stopped here on our way back to DC and were very excited to have a Cubano sandwich and cafe con leche for lunch (I grew up on both). Arrived and the place was packed and mind you, there were only TWO people as waiters for the entire place which is a great deal for the owner not so much for clients. After a 20 minute wait we were seated and very excited for our sandwiches. When we ordered our Cubanos the waiter basically told us "We ran out of pork" "Actually we have pork left but not for the sandwich we are selling it for the roast pork lunch (which is a little more expensive) so if you want pork you have to order the platter". Really? What kind of place tells you they have the product but wont give it to you in the form you want it. Heck, what kind of Cuban place runs out of pork by 11am?!!! I will say we were REALLY disaapointed and had to settle for a sliced turkey sandwich and an egg and chorizo sandwich. The food was good but between porkgate, slow service and attitude we did not have a pleasant experience at Kuba Kuba.

Crystal M.

Arriving into Richmond, I decided that trying a place off the food network would be fun. Came across the review for Kuba Kuba (from the show: best thing I ever ate) The atmospheres is quaint and busy, as there were a lot of people moving about. The food was EXCELLENT, we ordered shrimp and mussels ($10.95 worth it, shrimp, mussels, ham and a delicious broth with bread on the side) as the appetizer and paella valencia ($17.95, also worth it, it had a lot of vegtables, mussels, shrimp and clams) for entree. The portion size was large and we left with enoguh for lunch the next day. Since we enjoyed the food so much we ordered desert, tres leches, which was sweet so we ordered a cup of coffee ($3) con leche with condensed milk (¢.50 charge) The unfortunate thing was the service, it seems they didn't have enough waiters to cover everbody. You have to be very attentive to get one of the waiters attention. One point we had to go up to the bar to order the coffee since no one would come back to the table.

Kaitlyn F.

Very good. Ordered takeout and was quite pleased. I was having someone else pick up the food and the person on the phone was accommodating and able to take my card info during the phonecall for payment. I ordered the cuban and the codfish cake sandwiches. Let me start by saying the platanos that come with it are amazing. The cuban was quite good but I felt like there wasn't enough pickle or mustard. Could have used more for my tastes. The codfish cake sandwich was also very good though there was a little too much bread for how much fish there was. The bread was also a touch soggy. They didn't ruin the food by any means but were noticeable. All in all the meal was very satisfactory and I would order from them again.

Meredith B.

I am... relieved that I returned to this restaurant after a disastrous initial visit years ago. Thankfully, the second visit has eradicated the memories of the terrible decor and the argument with the waitress about shellfish that had plagued me after the first attempt. Honestly, it's like a whole new restaurant, and I could not be happier. The day was drizzly and icky, and the parking was not exactly close by, but lunch was a pleasant, lazy affair with a good friend, with good food and several cups of coffee. We both ordered the cafe con leche- he with the traditional sweetened condensed milk, out of nostalgia, and i unsweetened. Neither of us was disappointed with the choice. I ordered the entremés, which was well worth its price despite being a little more than the rest of the menu and resulted in my having leftovers to take home after we were done eating.

Renée G.

Tasty food, generous portions, but the last time I came here for a workday lunch I was absolutely appalled by the slow service. It took nearly half an hour for someone to take our order and another half hour for our food to arrive (with no updates or apologies from our server, who I'm pretty sure was the only one for the entire restaurant). Sorry, guys, I really can't take 2 hours off from work to come eat here, so you'll be relegated to weekends from now on.

Tom H.

Truly an awesome little place. A 'hole in the wall' in one of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods in Richmond. The decor is perfect for the restaurant, eclectically decorated to where one could picture it being on a side street in Havana, sans dirt, hot humidity, and the quintessential dog soaking up the chill of the tile floor. The menu is expansive yet offers enough difference between dishes to accommodate most palates. Being that it was still morning, I opted for some empanadas, vegetarian at the request of my fellow patron. Excellent. The cheese and spinach inside or perfect temperature but the kicker was definitely the crust. As a main I opted for their breakfast burrito and added in some chorizo sausage. Good quality ingredients between the veggies, eggs, and black beans. The chorizo was good for not being local and frozen. The dish could have been a full 5 of it had fresh chorizo and the pico de gallo was swapped out for a mango habanero salsa. Overall a 4.5/5

Alexis K.

My boyfriend and I dined at Kuba Kuba for Valentine's Day during our undergrad years, so it holds a pretty special place in my heart. This is my second visit to Kuba Kuba, and it wasn't quite as good as my first. Service was slow and a little sloppy as it was quite difficult to flag down our server. She dropped the check off at our table without even asking us if we wanted/needed anything else and disappeared. We had to flag her down again just to order dessert. FYI - Kuba Kuba does not take reservations, so on a busy weekend you'll most likely be waiting for a seat. The ambiance at Kuba Kuba is fun, loud, and inviting. Overall, it's a good place to take someone that's visiting the VCU campus. My boyfriend had the Ropa Vieja; I had the Paella Valenciana (paella w/ chorizo, clams, mussels, and shrimp). The paella is very generously portioned (probably good enough for two people) and I appreciate the fact that they do not skimp of the seafood and chorizo. However, I found the paella to be a little too salty for my liking. I know paella is traditionally on the buttery/salty side, but I had to down many, many glasses of water after my meal. We concluded our meal with their famous tres leches cake, and I found it to be on the drier side (as far as tres leches goes). One slice of cake costs about $6, a pretty heavy penny for just one slice! Despite my pretty mediocre second experience, I won't rule out Kuba Kuba completely. Until next time...

Emery M.

Out of towner, stopped in to try the cafe con leche, and ended up grabbing a slice of flan too. It was delicious! The cafe con leche was made with sweetened condensed milk! This made is oh so delicious! The atmosphere was very eclectic and the place was booming! Not an empty seat in the house except for bar seating. The aroma was so enticing. I wish i wouldn't have already ate supper! As I was waiting for my coffee to be made I enjoyed watching the chef prepare customers orders. Cuban sandwiches being grilled on the panini press! When I return to Richmond dinner here will definitely be on my list!

Brett B.

I've been temporarily living in Richmond and have been out every single night the past month. Low and behold I have found my absolute favorite spot. kuba kuba is authentic as it can get with one of the best Cuban sandwiches I've ever had. I would highly highly recommend this place if you are a Cuban sandwich fan.

Will C.

When I lived in RVA and attended VCU my gf and I had Valentines day dinner here one year and it was excellent! Recently we decided to go visit RVA and we stopped by for dinner. My gf, friend and I visited at 8 and the dinner was rush was still in progress so we waited approximately 20 minutes, not too bad honestly. Two orders of the ropa vieja and paella valenciana were ordered and the food came out quickly. The ropa vieja was decent. I recall that this dish was much more memorable a couple years ago on Valentines day. This time I felt like the rice was soaked in too much broth so the rice became a bit too soft for my liking. It also lost some of the unique flavor it had the last time I had this dish. The paella was my gf's dish and I wasn't a big fan of it. It wasn't too flavorful but to balance that they included a lot of seafood in her dish. There was a decent amount of mussels, clams, and shrimp in her bowl. Their portions are very good here, they give you a good amount to fill you up, my gf had leftovers. For dessert we had a slice of tres leches cake. This left a lasting impression on my gf last time and I have to say this time it was very good but it wasn't the same. Last time it was not too sweet and very moist, this time it was also not too sweet but it wasn't as moist. With that being said it is still one of the better tres leches I have had. The night I visited service wasn't good. It seemed like there was only two waitresses working the whole restaurant, definitely understaffed. After finishing the meal the waitress quickly gave us the bill and left. Usually out of courtesy they will ask if you wanted something else like dessert but she never did that. After about 5 minutes I saw her again and flagged her down to order our dessert. Overall, I am a bit disappointed that the quality of the food has dropped a bit but it is not enough for me not to revisit. If I am ever in RVA and want Cuban food I would be sure to give them another chance.

Mary S.

Always reliably delicious food. I love their omelettes. Sometimes the service is slow and there is a wait, but try the Tres Leches or homemade limeade and you will completely understand.

Benslie B.

I'm lucky enough to live only a couple blocks from Kuba Kuba! We've been here a few times (for brunch and dinner) and really enjoy the food, the prices, and the atmosphere. First off, we definitely, definitely recommend the cafe con leche! For brunch, the huevos California is a big, messy bowl of deliciousness. For lunch/dinner, the Cuban sandwich is a good take on the classic. It's a good value too, at less than $8 for the sandwich and a side of fried plantains. We've also tried one of the specials- the Cubahn-mi sandwich- and although we love both Cuban sandwiches and bahn mis, the compilation of the two was not particularly great. Overall, this is a great local spot with good Cuban food and coffee at a great value. I'm looking forward to trying more of the menu!

Mirasol C.

I had been here once before and I loved it. Unfortunately I had gone last week and it was a terrible experience. It was me and another friend and we walked in and the sign says wait to be seated so we waited about 10 minutes to be seated and it wasn't even busy inside. There were only 6 tables occupied and a few people at the bar. So my friend asked one of the bar serves if someone would help us and he said someone will come soon. I saw 2 servers stare at us and walk to the back to talk to the other servers. The guy behind the bar said since it's only us 2 we can sit down. We sat and waited another 5-10 minutes and more servers passed us and waited on other tables that already had food so that's when we decided to walk out. I'll give it another try because I love this place but if this happens again I'll have to go somewhere else...

Mitch C.

Authentic and Delicious some of the best cuban food i've had outside of Miami, do yourself a favor and get there quick.

Bryon N.

The food was amazing. The atmosphere was very cool. I would not pass this place up for a unique experience. This is more of what I would consider a "dive" that would be appropriate for most social situations. We started with the Empanadillas (the Cuban's are way better than the ricotta and spinach). For dinner I had the crab cake special, and it was great with the Mango, Carrot and Habanero sauce. All in all, a very unique place which turned into a great dining experience. I will definitely return if/when I have the opportunity.

Erin M.

Kuba Kuba is hands down one of my favorite places to dine in Richmond. From sandwiches, to salads, to breakfast bowls this place has it all, each dish with a Cuban flair to it. And for those who can't eat gluten, they are more than happy to substitute rice for bread in dishes that are served on toast! I always get the huevos California with rice instead of bread, which is rice, eggs, fresh veggies and avocados. It's heavenly! Everything that I've tried there has been fresh and delicious. Get the fried plantains! It's a small but cozy spot and usually the wait isn't very long. It's reasonably priced and definitely worth a try!

Arden G.

Delicious, amazing, fresh Cuban food. One of my favorite places -- fun atmosphere and great food!!!

Alex G.

If you want to EAT, Kuba Kuba is the place to go. Their breakfast and dinner is great with huge portions. The place itself is a little tight and there's always a good amount of people there. Service is alright but other than that all around a solid place to eat. Here are a few recommendations: -For Breakfast, the "Huevos Kuba" -For an Appetizer, the "Platanos" and if you're not picky the "Scallop Ceviche" as well as the "Camaraones Y Mejillones" -For Dinner, go with "Arroz con pollo" trust me you'll get your money's worth. Protein protein protein!

Richie W.

I heard about this place and have been wanting to go for a while. I finally went earlier today. The place was so-so. I ordered the spanish tortilla and it was kind of dry. My coworker got the Cuban sandwich which he said was good. The service wasn't that great. Our server wasn't friendly and we had to wait a good 20+ minutes to get our check. Which was surprising considering there were a lot of people waiting to be seated. Not sure if I will go back, I was expecting more and was underwhelmed.

Taylor S.

This place never disappoints! I've been here twice and it has become my favorite spot. Inside is small but I've never had to wait to long for a table. Their Cuban sandwiches are amazing, their pork is so tender and juicy. Plus their portions are huge! Plus their tres leches cake is amazing. The best cake I have ever tasted. It's very sweet and the cake itself is just so moist and milky. I definitely would recommend this place. Yeah they don't take reservations and its small, but the food is great and the service is always fast.

Amy T.

Love this place....Awesome cuban food and drinks and great service!!!

Christina S.

Kuba Kuba is Richmond's best Cuban offering. Housed in a just slightly too dark restaurant, with lackluster service and long waits for your food, it's almost not worth it. But the food makes any visit to Kuba Kuba very worth it. I pretty much always get the Cuban, which comes on this great bread, tender meat, delicious plantains, and a artful scattering of onions across your plate. It's lip smacking good, and it makes you forgive Kuba Kuba for anything lacking on their part. Their coffee with condensed milk is also awesome. If I lived closer, this would be my morning joe.

Jesse B.

It can be tough at times to find good ethnic food in Richmond, but Kuba Kuba is one of the best restaurants hands down in the RVA area. The ambience and coziness of the restaurant makes you feel immediately at home. The staff is friendly and engaging. My girlfriend, my family and I came here for dinner. We shared the paella valencenia and the cubano sandwich. The paella was excellent with a good mix of sausage, clams and mussels, while the cubano sandwich was extremely filling and delicious. For desert we had the tres leches cake, which put the meal over the top. Be sure to visit if you're ever in the fan.

Bree P.

I finally went to check out what all the hype was about with this little hole in the wall that everyone talked about. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed by my meal. I ordered the Cubano and was disappointed by how burnt and crunchy the bread was while the filling of meat, pickles and cheese was lackluster at best. When the waitress asked if I enjoyed my meal and I shared with her my dismay she dismissed me by saying I was a "picky eater" and I would still have to pay for the food left on my plate instead of replacing it with another menu item. I have never been to a restaurant like this but hey, there's a first for everything. I don't believe I will be returning due to the waitress' dismissive attitude alone.

Kaitlin W.

My go-to: California Huevos. MmmmmmMmmmmmmmMm! Warning! This delicious mid-morning feast will clean your @$$ out, so be close to the john. Your welcome. :*

Angie W.

This restaurant got a lot of great reviews. We enjoyed it over all and loved the small feel and atmosphere. One thing I don't like- the vents, walls and ceiling fans were covered in hanging dirt, dust and greasy/moldy looking dripage of something. We had portobello sandwich and the cuban. Both served with plantains. The bread was good but I still picked the bread off...well I am Angie. The mushroom caps were really well cooked and my friend loved the pork on the Cuban. Cafe con leche (expresso) with sweetened evaporated milk was delicious. Shared a tres leches (vanilla cake) will leave you in a diabetic coma with a smile on your face.

Tasha D.

Food was good, especially the tres leches cake. The service however, leaves much to be desired. Don't go here with a group unless you bring cash or one person is treating the whole group as they do not split your tab. This means that you and your party are responsible for figuring out what you each owe individually plus tax. This was very inconvenient for myself and my party. Also, their tortillas aren't necessarily a tortilla shell. My "tortilla" was actually an omelet. A very large omelet.

Bethany F.

Love the food - cheap and extensive sandwich menu (if all fails, order the Cuban) and crazy good tres leches. However, the servers and staff here we're quite rude to other patrons (and one another). Our server was horribly annoyed with our group at first but came to warm up later. It's a shame but [unfortunately] something becoming quite the norm in the Richmond restaurant industry. Go for the food.

Suzanne R.

The food is great, service friendly and accommodating. It's a tiny place so do be prepared to wait on weekend mornings and evenings.

Britt D.

The service isn't exceptional, but the food and drinks are awesome. I got the Portabello Press and it was great.

David H.

First off, the food was good. I really liked the antipasto plate, although the lime flavor in the scallop ceviche was overpowering. The mussels in the appetizer with shrimp were tiny, but the broth was delicious. The paella was delicious, except it was riddled with capers (menu leaves this little bit out) While I liked the food, the service was pretty bad. Very infrequent checkups, we waited almost an hour after finishing our appetizers for our entrees to come (we ordered entrees a few minutes after the apps), not personable or friendly. To top off the poor service and wait inside, I came outside to a parking ticket that could've been avoided had I gotten my entree in a reasonable amount of time. Needless to say, I'm in no rush to return here.

Josh P.

Great food. Really liked the arroz con pollo. Also enjoyed the traditional cuban sandwich and the tres leeches cake. Really good stuff.

Yvonne M.

I have to agree, parking sucks, and the place is small, but the food was ok.

John Paul C.

Delicious as it gets. I always order the Kubanaso sandwich (pork, chorizo, cheese, and pickles) and it never disappoints. The sandwich comes with fried plantains as well. A super tasty and authentic meal for $10! The sandwich is big enough (for me) to eat half for lunch and the other half for another meal. It even tastes great right out of the refrigerator the following day. Make sure you try it with siracha. I typically order my sandwich and pick it up, rather than eat there. The ambiance is very cool, but 95% I'm getting take out and carrying it home. I have not had to wait for more than 20 minutes for my sandwich to be ready. I have had a few instances that the girl behind the bar/counter is rude and inattentive, but I smile and move on because I have a great sandwich to go eat!

Neil B.

I went to Kuba Kuba with some Richmond family, on the Sunday afternoon after Valentine's Day. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a booth. The fact that everyone waited so patiently got my hopes up. The Cubanos were a B+ solid, if not weighed more towards the smoked pork, and less towards the lunch-meat ham and Swiss. Ask for extra pickles to put on it. Maybe ask for extra Swiss cheese too. The fact remains... until a great Cuban bakery opens nearby, it's never going to rise above a B+. The CubanoQue, or whatever it is that they call it there, isn't what you want. I know they are trying to do a southern Q type thing, but it doesn't come together. The sauce is too sweet for that good pork, and it just doesn't work. The plantains that come with everything were simple and perfect. The beans -and-rice side dish fed four. My double espresso would hold a teaspoon upright. For some reason, they put Sriracha sauce on the tables, but keep the Yucantano sauce in reserve. Ask for the good stuff. The servers were scamblin'. They just were. It was busy. But they made a good account of themselves, and water and coffee cups were kept full. We had a shaved headed fellow, and a curly brunette who took fine care of us. I could care less about ambiance, but there is some strange leftover Greek diner feel going on there.

Damaris V.

We live about an hour away but had dinner here tonight after touring Richmond. Sooooooo glad we stopped here. We had the paella valencia, ropa vieja and roast pork. Everything was delicious in supremely oversized servings that we all ate, were stuffed and brought home enough leftovers for tomorrow night's dinner. I also had the café con leche, which was so good it reminded me of my mom's café. We clearly arrived early enough to avoid any wait, as we were quickly seated and there was a pretty decent line waiting to get in as we were on our way out. And our server, so polite and attentive. We will definitely be back!

Behshad T.

OMG the service is shitty here I sat here for an hr for the food to get here. The waitress stepped on my shoes 3 times She didn't knew the menu well and it's not even that long Good was good but dear lord they need to fire their waitresses and hire new ones

Greg L.

The place is packed for a Sunday brunch/lunch. Intim ate very casual setting with music in the background making you feel like the life of Cuba is a few bites away.

Andrew C.

Love the atmosphere here! The music, the art, the decor.. the whole set up is very charming and entertaining. Kuba Kuba has a wonderful staff and dedicated owners who are all so welcoming and humble. I make a stop here almost every time I visit Richmond and I aways leave feeling satisfied. The restaurant isn't huge so it can get packed and the wait could take a while, so know what you're going into. Kuba Kuba serves breakfast, lunch & dinner with tasty authentic desserts & coffees. So I felt compelled to review my meal today.. The Huevos California! Just the cure I needed after a long night this hot dish is served with a deep layer of black beans, two fried eggs, topped with a freshly chopped salsa, drizzled with a lime sour cream, & garnished with avocado. Oh yeah, add 3 hunks of bread to soak it all up! Heavy but healthy. Cheap but filling. This place is everything I look for in a restaurant! ¡¡Muchas Gracias Kuba Kuba!!

Peter F.

We dropped into Kuba Kuba at 9:15 PM on a Friday night around the time that the dinner rush is wrapping up and tables should be opening up. When we arrived we expected a few minutes of waiting as Kuba Kuba's food is fantastic and worthy of a minor inconvenience. We asked the floor manager for a wine menu and wished to order a nice bottle to enjoy while we waited but unfortunately it was another 10 minutes before he checked on the door again to take our wine order. While we sat and waited we watched several parties get up and depart to free up booths. Rather than seat waiting patrons at these three open booths the floor manager at Kuba Kuba felt it more important to reserve them on the offchance that several parties of 4-6 were going to show up at 9:30 for dinner. Eventually we were seated, our table service was fine and our meals met and exceeded all of the expectations one has for dining at Kuba Kuba. I do wish that they did a better job at managing their dining area because had we been seated sooner we might have had time to enjoy our meal, bottle of wine and even dessert and not feel rushed by the restaurant while they closed up.

April H.

I was a bit hesitant at first because it appeared to be a very small space. However, once inside we were greeted very warmly and seated quickly (always a plus for me ).the service was wonderful (Amanda/server), food was fabulous, one entrée could feed 2 people and price was decent.A must try

K S.

My daughter moved to the Fan and we walked to restaurant. We must have gone at the right time because there was a line out the door when we left. The food was wonderful, very flavorful and portions huge (order included Ropa Vieja, empanadas, bbq pork sandwich, and salmon dinner) salmon was the best....it was perfectly cooked. We got the cafe con leche and OMG every sip was wonderful. The only con.....the place was busy and waitress was in responsible for every table it seemed....service was slow (had to ask AND wait a while just to get water refills) she didn't go over menu or ask if we had ever been there before no recommendations nothing...would have been nice if we had some help on picking food but it seemed like everything is great. Note to owners....looks like your place is really popular and your food is great...invest in more staff and train them not to assume people know anything about restaurant. We will return because the food is so good :)

Katie S.

Classic Cuban Brunch, there's fun music when you walk in and you can smell the delicious a block away. Crowded but worth it - expect a wait. California huevos are as good as they say. Cafe con Leche is excellent and the espresso is flavorful. Platanos are good, try with maple and siracha. Ropa Viejo was flavorful but didn't have juice - the only dissapointment.

Corrin H.

I had been wanting to try Kuba Kuba since I moved to Richmond and finally got the chance for brunch the other week! Wow this place was great! Unfortunately the kitchen staff forgot our order and my friend and I waited for almost an hour for our food. As soon as we notified our server, the owner came over and was extremely apologetic and said the food was on the house (we even got cake!) Both myself and my friend got the Juevos California! Soooo delicious! I have a feeling I will become a regular at this place!

Kaitlin R.

Absolutely delicious food. I had the roast pork and couldn't get enough. Especially with the hot sauce. Loved it. Casual, diner feel. Could work on their beer list.

The Y.

Fantastic Cuban Food! I'll start with the food this time; I had a seafood paella and it was on point. Fresh ingredients, flavor was through the roof and authentic flavors. There was pretty quick turn around from ordering to getting our food even though the restaurant was PACKED which was nice and for the food to still be well prepared and delicious. Everyone at the table was more than pleased with their meals and I was even happier when I got the bill and I didn't see the standard mark up just for being in the city of Richmond lol...(no but seriously even mediocre food is $5 more per plate just because you're within city limits) And now the only reason it gets a 4 star instead of a five. The location is less than ideal for parking and the spot is TINY so showing up with a party of 5 like we did was sketchy because they don't RSVP. Other than those two gripes this place is on point and I will definitely be back as often as I'm up there

Eric S.

The ultimate in neighborhood joints with great food. Portions are substantial, service is friendly and efficient and the food is distinct. They serve breakfast early and late. Anything with pork or seafood is a must.

Ashley M.

Kuba Kuba wasn't as good as I hoped. It was okay, but not super good. The fried plantains were so-so. The huevos rancheros was ok, but the bread was soggy with black bean juice when it arrived and it was kind of gross.

Shanon J.

Fun little spot but I wasn't impressed with the food. My ceviche came out as a salad and my pork was dry. Lots of my co-workers enjoy this spot so maybe they were having an off day. The tres leche cake was delicious!!!!

EM M.

Just went today, not a good impression, BAD ATTITUDE. The cortadito was really good. We ordered 3 cuban sandwiches and kid's quesadilla. The cuban meat flavor was ok (dry), but the bread was extremely! hard. I couldn't enjoy it. Told the waitress about it, but there was no response. I asked for the supervisor and a hispanic guy came to the table. I told him that the bread was hard (I was knocking on it), that I couldn't eat it, and that the cheese in the quesadilla tasted weird. His response was, "it's just toasted" and he had a bad attitude, he didn't liked what I told him. I told him that it wasn't toasted it was extremely hard. He responded that the cheese in the quesadilla was fine and that he wasn't going to charge me for my cuban with a bad attitude. Really!!! First, it's not about the $$, it's about the service. I was expecting more options, a new sandwich, or a better attitude towards the customer. I will never come back, or recommend this place!!!

Sarah J.

Service was excellent but food was lackluster. We had the Paella Mariscos and Tres Leches cake. The paella was ok but I've had much better. The rice was cooked well but the seafood didn't taste very fresh and there wasn't much flavor. There was enough for 3 people though. Thank goodness for the habanero sauce! The tres leches was ok as well but nothing special. I would come again if there were other dish recommendations.

Aubrey H.

My boyfriend and I popped in for lunch while we were in Richmond apartment shopping one Sunday based off of others' yelp reviews. The atmosphere is great - it's a hole in the wall that feels cozy and straight out of Havana, and the Cuban music really helps! Despite being a beautiful afternoon and prime lunch hour, we snagged the last available table right away. I ordered a beer, and we started with an order of the beef empanadillas. The server brought my beer out, and five minutes later brought me a fresh beer with a lime in it, apologizing and explaining that he forgot the lime the first time. I told him he actually didn't, but that we would definitely drink the beer, and he said he wouldn't charge us for his mistake, although I told him it was no problem if we paid. The beef empanadillas were delicious, and for lunch I ordered the huevos California and my boyfriend ordered the special Cubahn-mi. When the food came out, my boyfriend's sandwich had no pork on it even though it was supposed to. When we pointed it out to the server, he apologized and offered to put it in an order for anything else and comp the sandwich. He put it in an order for the lunch pork, and it came out in minutes. Both the huevos California and the lunch pork had excellent flavor and were extremely filling! We still opted for dessert, ordering a slice of the tres leches, which was huge, super moist, and delicious. When our server brought our bill, he had comped the second beer and BOTH of my boyfriend's entrees. All in all, the food was excellent, the atmosphere was fun, and even though there were hiccups in service, we understand that during busy hours mistakes happen, and our server more than made up for it - he was awesome!! We will definitely be making Kuba Kuba a regular spot when we move to Richmond!

Don W.

My wife and I went there for lunch today .. Valentines day! I thought about going at 1pm, but glad we got there by 12:30. At 1pm it was packed to the gills and about 15 people were waiting for tables. The place was hoping and food was coming out fast and furious, but the tables were moving. After we were seating it wasn't long before we were waited on. The drinks came out quickly. I ordered the roast pork omelet and my wife ordered the tortilla con chorizo. I will have the say, the waitress that waited on us. I forgot her name. Dark, long hair, slender figure. She was working her tail off this day! She was organizing the list of new people that came in, seating people and waiting tables. She had more energy than 3x of the usual waitresses I am used to seeing. She never slowed down once the entire time we were there and never did we want for anything. Drinks were refreshed by her without asking and meals and deserts delivered promptly. She knew her job to a tee. We were totally impressed. Both meals were huge, delicious and the price was extremely reasonable. The only problem I had with the place is it IS NOT CLOSER TO WHERE I LIVE! :-) We will definitely be going back again and trying more of the menu.

Virginia P.

I keep trying to love Kuba Kuba but it's not happening. The space is adorable and the coffee is amazing, but I'm just not crazy about the food.

Julian E.

We can't get enough of this place! The food is on point-- one thing drives at me, however-- isn't the Seafood Sofrito a little overpriced for what you get? Really, I counted three shrimp the other day...three! You just hit me up for 18 large? Where's the love?

Brandon E.

I can't get enough of this place. By far the best Cuban I've ever had. The risotto cakes are out of this world. Great atmosphere, good price, high quality food. Manny Mendez has such an awesome restaurant, is very talented at food, and he's such a nice guy!

Marbles L.

Really liked those plantains! The kuban roast pork entre was very good. The pork was tender, and it fell apart in your mouth (in a good way). It was so flavorful! Strongly recommend the paella mariscos. The portion was generous, with plenty of mussels, clams, and shrimps. This is a dish ideal to share among friends. Be warned, they do not take reservations. But it's totally worth the wait.

Steven W.

This place has a great menue and the service was good.

Blue B.

I have had the Cuban sandwich as well as the pineapple chicken. Both are delicious. If you have room for dessert try the tres leches cake.

Edwin P.

Wow wow wowwie! Kuba Kuba is good for desayuno (breakfast), almuerzo (lunch), y conversación (conversation). I lived in the Caribe (Caribbean) for many years and have never come across a better representation of the regional cuisine tucked away in a small U.S. city like Kuba Kuba. Richmond should be proud. RVA: Stand up and support this small restaurant. I even saw a man with a belt over his oversized waist depicting every version of the Confederate flag; he was dining here! Kuba Kuba: Food so good, even overt racists approve! Go way out of your way to come here. The prices are ridiculously low for the quality/quantity produced at this restaurant. And, you might get to chat with an artist/waiter if you come during a slow period when they are just opening up shop. Finally, get the tres leches. If you got it, you might be a Type-II now, but who gives a fuck! Viva Kuba (Cuba)!

Trinh V.

This is my third time here. What i got is da paella (muscles, clams, shrimps with rice and mix vegetables). It was ssoooo salty. I feel like da only flavor i taste is salt salt. I also got the cafe leche with condense milk. That was good. Service was slow. Took forever to get our bill and da waiter excuse is "sorry there was something wrong with our computer"

Hobey J.

Great atmosphere, not going to lie, i was a bit disappointed by the Cuban sandwich but the tres leches cake was dank af

Max T.

My first experience here was okay. I was impressed by the atmosphere, which was lively and casual. The biggest thing was the time; too long of a wait to be put on the list, too long of a wait for service, too long for a lot of things. I feel as though the limited number of servers was the actual cause of the lag instead of what servers were available. The paella valenciana was delicious, Cuban sandwich was a bit dry. I'm also not a big fan of coffee but the Cafe Con Leche with sweetened milk was actually pretty good. Overall, it was a good experience and is worth the wait if you're craving some good food at reasonable prices.

Lauren L.

Amazing breakfast and tons of food! Got the Huevos California- delicious and the coffee with the condensed milk.

Katy P.

Loved. Will go again anytime we are passing through. The entre mes appetizer platter was enough for two meals!!

Binh N.

While the food here is decent, the fact that they don't do separate check is just horrible, we were a group of 8 and it was a nightmare. Oh and their portion size is huge, enough to feed the whole village like some of the other reviewers said.

David L.

I thought the food was very bland. Mine and my three companions meals were only okay. However, $1 Miller High Life ponies are very redeeming feature of this place!

Ariel S.

My parents are Cuban, and I was raised in Miami, so that's my qualifier for making the following statement. The food at Kuba Kuba is atrocious! I ordered the most common Cuban dish that there is. White rice, black beans and steak with fried plantains. Also called arroz blanco con frijoles negro, palomilla de bistec y tostones. What I received was a bowl, not plate, with under cooked rice and beans and what appeared to be a stew that had collected at the bottom of the bowl making the rice and beans soggy. So, under cooked broth rice and beans stew, with an overcooked piece of steak. Finally the fried plantains are supposed to be flattened down to the point that the circumference is at least twice the size of the cut slice of plantain, in order to ensure that the green plantain is crisp and thoroughly cooked. All they did was cut the slice of plantain and fry it, it wasn't even cooked all the way?! It's so hard for me to understand why this place has such great reviews when the food is nothing remotely similar to real Cuban food..which I've been eating my whole life. It's obvious to me that the people who own this place are not Cuban, and I take serious offense to their butcher of my culture. What's the deal?!

Sam G.

AMAZING! Best brunch in Richmond! The morning quesadilla is out of this world but you can't go wrong with anything you order here. If you love in Richmond and haven't been you need to go ASAP!

Andrew U.

I love this place. It looks like something from Cuba, but the food is fantastic. Every time I go to Richmond I will go to Kuba Kuba. Make sure you have the tres leches cake for dessert, top notch.

Ryan C.

Went here a while ago with my wife on a date night. I believe it was a Friday, and the place was slammed. We had a short wait and were eventually sat at a small, two person table floating in the middle of the seating area. It didn't bother me, someone has to sit there, but I could see some of the more "particular" element of the public getting pissy about being on a small table surrounded by other tables and waiters. Service was attentive and the food was excellent. It's worth noting that, on my visit, the portions were pretty big. I ordered the scallop ceviche and my wife ordered the empanadillas, then for dinner I had the paella mariscos. All of the seafood was seasoned very well and very tender. Which is good, since I was full by the time my entree arrived and I ended up eating it for the next couple of meals. All said, I'm very much looking forward to my next visit.

James C.

Ehh. Mediocre at best. This is Americanized Cuban food. Dry, no flavor, average service. The Cuban sandwich was a joke. Won't becoming back.

Carolyn D.

Kuba Kuba is a very lively place and always busy when I come. It's located at the corner of a neighborhood. The dishes are huge, but I love their empanadillas and the tres leches! The empanadillas come in either ricotta and spinach or the kuban beef version. I've only had the ricotta version and I love it, very creamy and so good. They top it off with lime sour cream and veggies which are a nice compliment. The tres leches cake is not like the normal version. It's not as drenched in milk, which I like! It's the right amount of moistness and sweetness.

Sybil S.

Great atmosphere. It feels like a Miami restaurant. Prices were good.server quick. I got sausage and pulled pork panini.....it was good.I'll go again.

Beth S.

highly recommend. food is delicious, cool vibe. paella valenciana was amazing, my daughter loves seafood and this came with a variety and chorizo. her boyfriend got crab cakes sandwich and devoured in minutes. I got the cuban, very nicely done. the entradas appetizer is a must try, a little bit of everything and absolutely delicious!

Kat M.

Yes, please! Happy to say that the search for Richmonds best Cuban food is over. This place is great. And lunch menu was so reasonably priced. Add avocado to the Cuban pork with rice and black beans and you will get what I'm talking about. And great Cuban coffee too.

Bull P.

I always get terrible service here n the food is made with lower quality ingredients... I will say they have very good uevos rancheros... But it's not worth the bull

Connor B.

The food here at Kuba Kuba is very good Cuban food. It lacks in flavor occasionally, but most of the time it is spot on. The real reason to go here though is for dessert. Outstanding Tre Leche Cake. It is the most moist dessert I have ever eaten. I could come to Kuba Kuba every day to taste the cake and it would never get old.

Christina D.

The tres leches cake is basically why I come here...it is delicious and moist, not soggy like many tres leches cakes tend to be. It's perfect!! The ricotta and spinach empanandas and salads are my go to menu items. Dinner specials never disappoint and are around $20, which is not bad for the huge plate that you get. One of my favorite places to dine in Richmond!!

Rob M.

I've lived in Richmond for 20 years and for the past 10, Kuba Kuba has been one of my favorite places. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner that you're looking for, they have it down. The Kubanaso is my go-to sandwich and the California Huevos are my go-to breakfast. In my opinion, the prices are on point too.

Dayna D.

Great food! Great atmosphere! Absolutely horrible service! You would think that on a Friday night they would have a table of four out in less than two hours! Nope. Definitely not the case. However, I would definitely try it out on a weekday.

Natalia V.

The food is great but the customer service could use some improvement. Its a cozy restaurant. The seating arrangement is weird and the 2 person tables are tiny! Bright side is their food is so good it makes up for everything else. You also have to try and Cafe con leche it is phenomenal.

GregMatt A.

Greg: Our spur of the moment, Tuesday instead of Wednesday night, post gym review this week was held at Kuba Kuba in the Fan. When we showed up there were a couple of people waiting out front for a table. A few more groups showed up and I didn't notice anyone taking names or even really trying to keep track of a "line". I went in and told the waitress that two guys up front were here before us but we wanted to put our name down so we didn't get skipped. She came up and took our name (as well as other groups; I'm basically a hostess facilitator). When a table opened up, the two original guys had left and the waitress sat a group of two that had come after us (I imagine she thought those were the two guys I was speaking of). For dinner I ordered paella valenciana which consisted of rice, veggies, shrimp, clams, mussels, and chorizo. They were out of mussels so I got more of the other proteins. For $17, I received three meals worth of this hearty and very savory paella. It came with these two little pieces of grilled bread for sopping up the broth at the bottom of the bowl. Paella: flavor overload. I ordered the iced cafe con leche and it was also very good. While I was very disappointed with the lack of a hostess or any form of organization during the wait, I wasn't shocked or disappointed with the slow and uninvolved waitress. This restaurant reminded more of a deli than anything else. It struck me as one of those places where you place your order at the counter and they bring you your food, until I finally saw a waitress. So when she wasn't the "how is everything" style of waitress that comes to your table every 4 minutes, I wasn't bothered. The food here is fantastic. I'll definitely take Matt's mom there on a date. OHHHHHH snap Matt-choooo (bless you): Sorry for Greg's lameness. We watched the roast of Justin Beiber last night and he is trying to be funny but fell short. This little corner cafe style Cuban restaurant is very quaint and comfortable. For my meal, I ordered the shrimp enchilado. My ignorance led me to believe that it would be an enchilada so I was slightly surprised to have a bowl of cuban food placed in front of me. I wasn't too dissapointed, because when I took my first bite I knew instantly that I had made a good choice. The shrimp enchilado is basically sautéed shrimp in a tomato based sauce with capers, served over white rice, with Cuban bread, asparagus and plantains. The decor seemed very authentic and the only thing that creeped me out a little bit was the naked barbie dolls that were strung from the recessed lighting. I'm also surprised Greg didn't mention the fact that he also got dessert and let me have a few bites. He got flan I believe, and it was my first time having it (this seems to be a recurring theme in these reviews) . It had a very interesting texture, but was very flavorful and I enjoyed it. All in all, if you can get into Kuba Kuba without having to wait too long, it's a very enjoyable experience, with a great atmosphere, at a great price.

Jay Rand B.

Not much to look at but they serve generous portions of good tasting food. If you're hungry for Cuban fare, this is surely the place to go.

Erin K.

I could enjoy California huevos and café con leches all day long! This is a staple brunch or dinner place anytime we have friends in from out of town... They usually request it!!

Brian M.

After much time on my bookmark list I finally got over to Kuba Kuba. Showed up on Saturday around 11:00 am - I really liked how their menu stays the same until dinner time! Parking is street parking and very easy to find a spot. The place itself was shockingly busy, but we got a table within 5 minutes which was very quick. Once we sat down the place got even busier to the point people were waiting outside. Their coffee was very strong, dark and delicious! Drinks came very quickly and within 5-10 minutes our waitress was ready to take our order. Here is where I believe I made a mistake. I initially had a craving for Tortilla Espanola and I allowed my server to sway me towards the Huevos Rancheros. The Huevos Rancheros comes out all you see it a beautiful color of red, yellow and green from the salsa on top of what looked like 2-3 different types of cheese. Right under the cheese is a fried egg that is on a bed of black beans. On the side sticking out from the bottom are three pieces of soft and thick bread (which was amazing). Mixing everything created a rich and creamy bite of beans, egg, cheese and salsa! It was a very solid Huevos Rancheros and very different from any Huevos that I have had anywhere else (including when I lived in NorCal). I definitely need to come back again and order what I was craving. I will make sure to do an update once that happens.

Elijah C.

I come here on occasion for lunch --- their turkey panini is pretty darn spot-on! :-)

Ellery R. A.

I have an intense love affair with Cuban cuisine, and ever since my first bite I have sought out the best Cuban food I could find. Kuba Kuba fits all my wants and needs from the warm embrace of the food of Cuba. I highly recommend going, if you've never been (or going again, if you have). The ownership and staff are so friendly and welcoming. The place can get busy but if phenomenal Cuban food is what you're craving, it is well worth the wait.

Matt R.

The food and atmosphere are amazing! The empanadillas (both kinds) were light and delicious. The camaraones y mejillones was an amazing dish, and even though it's an appetizer, it could easily be an entree! We shared among the four of us! I had the seafood sofrito and was blown away! The Mrs had the crab cake special, and our friends had huevos rancheros and the paella mariscos all of which were superb! Perfectly prepared and a very pleasing presentation. The only reason it's not 5 stars was dessert. The tres leches cake.... It was not tres leches cake. It was yellow cake topped with whipped cream and sugar. I doubt it was made in house, but that doesn't bother me as much as the cake itself. Seriously, I don't know if they ran out and this was an emergency replacement, but it tasted like a Ukrops sheet cake with whipped cream on top... Dry and without flavor or sweetness. Very disappointing after such an amazingly authentic Cuban dinner!!!! But we will be back! And due to it relatively small size I would recommend keeping your party size to 4 or less...

Laura M.

Holy delicious braised pork. Go there, order this and thank me later. I actually ordered the seafood sofrita (sp?) and it was delicious, but in the battle if the dinner off the boy most certainly won with his pork! And yes we had the tres leches too and yes it was super tasty and still not too heavy. Portions are large at this Richmond institution and this dinner was a great reminder why I should keep coming back.

Fifi V.

This is five-star for what it is, a cheap local cafe. Service is spotty, it's true, but the food and prices are great, and the ambience is nice. Lovely interior and a very local, friendly feel. A dog is usually tied up outside, and many people know the staff. If you want a low-key, very Richmond experience, this is your place. Out of town guests are always impressed with the food, especially the buenos rancheros and tres leches cake. (Nothing like Central American tres leches, by the way)

M C.

Went here last weekend for the first time. Cute, funky little place. I'm a bit spoiled by having had some awesome Cubans at various places over the years. So the Cuban Banh-Mi didn't make me swoon, but the Tres Leche cake? To. Die. For. Best I've ever had.

Carlos A.

Be ready to wait for a long time, not because is packed, but it says wait to be seated and nobody seats you!! The food takes forever, there is no ventilation... When you leave you wil smell like deep fried! The food is really good, but it's not worth it for the bad service. I had the famous tres leches dessert and it tasted like a dry cake from a box. So BAD!

Josselinne U.

Had an amazing Cuban sandwich as well as an avocado salad for lunch. The place was busy and the service a little slow but it was expected since it was lunch time. Regardless our waitress was very friendly and funny. prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. One huge salad and two very big sandwiches came out to $31 including a 20% tip. Will be back!

Shanelle C.

This is a good place to come when you have some time to eat. I usually come alone and sit at the bar. I recommend the empanadillas. For brunch try the huevos rancheros. For lunch try a vegi q or codfish sandwich or the black bean soup. They offer meat and vegetable empanadillas and I get the spinach ricotta. If you have a sweet tooth try the tres leches cake with cafe con leche and condensed milk.

Kira H.

My boyfriend LOVES this place. He loves the roasted pork and all of the peppers and cheese on his dishes for brunch. Whatever you get make sure you have a side of the cornbread to go with it. I love the cafe with sweetener and the tres leche cake. I'd say this is another hidden gem in the neighborhood.

Bruce U.

Original, original !! My goodness I wish I lived in Richmond !! I'd be here every day. The only problem was deciding what to get!! The coffee con leche is awesome, huevos rancheros was a perfect compliment. I can't wait to get back here again and have dinner !!

Audra N.

Kuba Kuba is a tiny, hectic place and we loved it. The food is amazing. I had a pork omelet, which came with black beans and rice, cornbread, and some platanos. Everything was so tasty, but that pork was especially good. My boyfriend got a Kubanaso sandwich, which was essentially a Cuban with chorizo, and it was delicious as well. We were able to sit right away, but everyone who came after us did have to wait for a table. The food is fast, though, so no one waited very long.

Mike W.

Kuba Kuba is a Richmond staple. Not only are the prices reasonable but you get a ton of food. On busy nights you usually have to wait a while to get a spot but I went on Halloween night so we were seated right away. They have a lot of enticing appetizers to choose from, a good amount of egg dishes, sandwiches, main courses, and, of course, paella. Being a bit of a paella snob, I have to say their paella is sub-par in my book. It's decent but it lacks that bit of umami I usually crave with paella and doesn't have socarrat (that crispy goodness at the bottom of the pan) that is a necessity. But becing Cuban and not Spanish, I can forgive them. That's not to say that the rest of their food isn't great. Their fried plantains are the perfect mix of salty and sweet. The California huevos (huevos rancheros with avocado on top) is a giant mingling of eggs, salsa, beans, rice, and goodness. I will definitely be back to Kuba Kuba. Hell, I bought one of their mugs and I use it everyday. I love the place.

Na Lee K.

My favorite place for cafe con leche! I'm not one of those girls who hits up Starbucks everyday, but if this place was around my house I would definitely be getting my coffee fix from here. It's always super fresh, nice and hot, and super sweet. The Cuban sandwich with the fried plantains are my go to here. This place has a casual, laid back atmosphere and I love stopping in whenever I'm around the VCU area. Really random but their lemonade is bomb diggity too. It's fresh squeezed and made in front of you and is a nice little treat when it's too warm for coffee. This place is a hidden gem that everyone should try!

Brandi O.

I've been to Kuba Kuba on multiple occasions throughout the years and it really has left no lasting impression on me. This place is just overhyped. The food is decent at best. I've gotten a range of things, from jack melts to chorizo egg sandwiches, and none have really blew me away. Yes, they were good, but most of the dishes I've tried are bland. It seems to me that they top literally every one of their dishes with the same vegetables. So even though the menu seems to be diverse, it certainly doesn't feel like it. Or taste like it either. I understand that Cuban food is pretty novel to Virginia, so the uniqueness factor confuses people in to thinking it's phenomenal when it's really just average. And can we stop with the praise of the tres leches cake? It's really not that great. It tastes like a plain vanilla cake. Last time I visited, they didn't even have any and it was 11 am. Okay, go make more then? You've got a full day ahead of you. Service is slow and the restaurant feels a little grimy. And as a warning, they don't split checks. We had a party of 12 or so and they wouldn't split our check. So my $6 meal turned in to me paying $15 for things I didn't even eat. Really really stupid. This is not meant to be a bash on Kuba Kuba, but it's important to weigh both sides of a place before labeling it as a Richmond staple.

Mark M.

Kuba Kuba is a cool spot to grab lunch. The food is always fresh and has great flavors. I usually walk over alone for lunch, and it isn't the fastest place, but I still feel like it fits into a lunch break pretty well. I especially like the Huevos Rancheros, but have tried a few different sandwiches as well--have not been disappointed in anything I ordered.

Jeremy S.

Food was excellent...until I found a long black curly hair in my food. I pointed this out to our server (an efficient, unfriendly man) and told him that it wasn't a big deal, but maybe the line cook needed to put a hat on. He simply said, "I'll get you another one" and walked away. An apology would've been nice, but what would've been even better was if my girlfriend's meal was free of hair. It was not. While I appreciate the chef's innovative use of truly local ingredients, it just didn't come together on the plate for me. Great food, both dishes slightly hairy, rude server that could've prevented this negative review by saying, "sorry about that".

Andrew M.

A delightful Cuban sandwich along with an order of red beans and rice. I'll take it again and again. Perfect for carry out.

Brandon H.

Great place to go for the atmosphere alone but this is as good as Cuban food gets for Virginia. By far the best Cuban Sandwich I've ever had and the black bean soup is amazing. I must say I ventured from this combo once and wasn't as impressed.

Angel O.

No traditional cuban pastries -_- Cubans don't eat burritos. Definitely not traditional Cuban. If anything it's a Mexican restaurant with attempted Cuban/tropical dishes. Sincerely, A Puerto Rican raised in Miami.

Daniela C.

I love love love Kuba Kuba! Great atmosphere and Food!! Been there 4 times, never disappointed! Serving are huge and delicious! Go there hungry you will leave full! I like the dinners the best, the fish cooked to perfection! The sandwiches were a bit on the greasy side for my taste so I had to only eat one half and save the other for later--I'm kinda neurotic when it come down to that. The black beans have that homemade taste that reminds me of my abulelita's!!! Be back anytime for more!

Patrick R.

I've been coming here for eight years now and this place is the tits Positives: The food is some of the best in Richmond and definitely a staple in the City I love pretty much everything from the breakfast items, to sandwiches, and main courses. It is great because they have a variety of prices on their menu that can fit what you are looking for. Dessert is also amazing as well as the coffee! Wait staff is usually great and friendly (we only had one bad experience but I think our server was new because we were certainly forgotten having to grab our own silverware) Negatives: This place is popular so if you want to go and sit down I would recommend going before the dinner rush (do not roll in there at 7-8 expecting to not wait) but many times we will grab a seat at the bar if we go during dinner rush. Sometimes if you go with a large party they make it a hassle to split the cost but that can occur in many places. Also after you eat your clothes will have a food smell to them but it isn't the end of the world.

Kelsey L.

Finally went here the other day after hearing so many good things. Cubahn-mi was a roller coaster of flavor in my mouth. This place is the tits

VA W.

No need to know spanish, just come pick your seat and eat.

Kelly S.

True authentic cuban food. I'm a huge fan.

Christina O.

After another boho cycle workout we headed to KK for some brunch. The mimosas...well, let's just say they don't hold back on the champagne so the $7.00 wasn't too bad. The food was pretty good. The omelets are a good size and the corn bread was okay. Mine was little crispy but it still got ate. Overall, a pretty good first time dining experience.

Matt D.

Staff was super friendly. Food was bangin' flavorful. Prices were very reasonable. Portions generous. Kuban Roast Pork and Scallop Ceviches. Do it. I cannot speak highly enough of this place. I grew up in Richmond, but was vegan for much of the time I could've enjoyed Kuba Kuba's sublime concoctions. After moving away nine years ago, I managed to get my head on straight and now realize what I was missing all these years.

Julia R.

Exactly what I wanted! Black beans rice with fresh onion and a tremendous heaping of slow cooked pork...just a little vinegar tang. All I added was a couple of splashes of hot sauce. So yummy. The only tragedy was I left my leftovers in my friends car and now I can stop thinking about going back for more. Bowl of deliciousness! I wish that they had Palomilla Steak on their menu...and I didn't see plaintains? But that's okay. Lots of things I will try next time. If you are craving inexpensive casual cuban this is very good.

Amy S.

The fried plantains... delectable! I've had the paella vegetarian, penne pasta, and the pesto tomato jack melt. The paella vegetarian is my favorite of the three. It is reasonably priced, and big enough for three people to split. The penne pasta is pretty good, maybe a tad bit bland, but is also large enough for three. The tomato jack melt was very good, but also one of those meals that you could easily make at home. Overall, I like Kuba Kuba, and I will definitely be back in the future.

Dennis B.

Wow, what a great experience! Our family ended up here quite by chance. Our daughter had a Spanish class assignment to eat some authentic food. The teacher listed several spots in Richmond. When we arrived at the one we initially picked (yes, it had a coupon), it was closed for renovations. Our next choice was Kuba Kuba because ratings were good, and it was only a mile away from our failed attempt. Our server, Amanda was great. Very friendly, attentive and knowledgable. They were serving Brunch at the time. My wife played it safe with a Cheese Omelet and lemonade with seltzer. I had the Kubanaso - tasty mix of pork, spicy sausage and pickle. One daughter had the Chorizo Swiss Sandwich which tasted almost like mine. Our other daughter had the Huevos Rancheros. It was probably the most flavorful of our meals, especially the cheese and beans. Some of our meals included the fried plantains, our first time trying them. Very interesting, kind of a cross between potatoes and bananas. All portions were generous, especially given the reasonable prices. We are looking forward to reheating the leftovers for dinner tonight. We finished the meal with their Tres Leches cake because so many reviews recommended it. We were not disappointed. It tasted like a fine moist wedding cake (which they also sell). They had a chocolate version made with cocoa in the batter, but we stuck with the traditional recipe with no regrets. In summary, great choice, good aromas and tastes, good value, easy to get to (some challenges parking), and we'll be back for the $19.95 dinner specials!

Kate M.

Very good! Kuba Kuba is one of Richmond's best ethnic restaurants. However, don't let the word "ethnic" deter you--they also have more Americanized choices. Even my picky younger brother can find something to eat. Only downside is that it is pretty small, so it can be hard to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night at dinner rush hour. I would suggest going on a weeknight. Another note, it is in the city so parking can be tricky. Be prepared to parallel park.

Praveen P.

Roasted pork was really sour Food was insipid and a bit expensive Would not recommend this place to folks who have had cuban food before

Kathryn M.

As a former Floridian, I have eaten my fair share of Cuban food (and probably your's too). My family and I really enjoy Kuba Kuba. It's the closest that we've come to a true Cuban sandwich since leaving the sunshine state. Come for the food, but don't forget a limeade to wash it down.

Elizabeth S.

Went here for dinner Saturday with friends while we were visiting Richmond. Note the neighborhood location - plan to either walk or search for a street parking spot. Once inside (on a very cold night) we had to wait 30+ minutes. It is a small restaurant with a fun neighborhood feel (and a delicious smell of garlic). We all enjoyed our meals - 2 had the vegetarian paella (this is a HUGE size - they agreed in hindsight that splitting would have made more sense than each taking most of it home), and the other 2 had sandwiches. We thoroughly enjoyed our order of tostones. The sandwiches weren't anything special. To finish the night, we all enjoyed cuban coffee au lait with sweetened condensed milk. Deeelicious!

Alyx F.

The food is spectacular, the service is poor. That's what it honestly comes down to. It's not that their staff is unfriendly or unprofessional, it just takes much longer than it should to even get someone's attention or water. The last two times that I visited it took 30 minutes for a waitress/waiter to visit our table. That rant aside, their food is spectacular. Some of the items that I am particularly obsessed with: Cuban Sandwich, Black Bean Soup, Limeade and Cafe con Leche (with condensed milk) I am absolutely obsessed with their cuisine which is why I return. The owner is also super friendly!

Daniel B.

We came all the way from Southern Maryland to eat here for my birthday. This place is always good. The tres leches cake is amazing too! I have never had anything here that was less than awesome!

Andrea P.

I flew in yesterday from Cali. I am working in the Richmond area. I had a taste for Puerto Rican cuisine. I order the smeared chicken with spanish rice and a side order of the roasted pork. I chose this restaurant because of its reviews. What I ordered was NOT good! The pork was decent but everything else was flavorless.

Alida H.

Cheap, quick and quality delicious food. But beware, they are busy for a fairly small restaurant. I have had the Kubanaso Sandwich (cuban sandwich with chorizo), which is pretty good, but the fried plantains that come with it are subpar. The BEST dish to get here in my opinion is the California Huevos. It is described as a dish with two eggs over red beans and cuban bread topped with monterey jack cheese, lime sour cream, and enchilado sauce. It tastes even better than it sounds, YUM, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! The Empanadillas are a popular appetizer, and for a good reason. They're bomb! BUT, the spinach and ricotta is ten times better than the picadillo (kuban beef hash) in my opinion. During one visit, I ended my meal with their Cafe Con leche with condensed milk and vanilla tres leches cake. The cafe con leche was quite possibly the smoothest coffee I've ever had, and is very delicious. The Tres Leches Cake however, was just okay in my opinion. It wasn't moist enough, and the frosting was too thick and overwhelmingly sweet. All and All, a great restaurant, but you just have to order the right things to have a good experience ;P

Jonah P.

Brunch: no reservations, so get there early to wait for a table. Not much atmosphere and wait staff is short., but those aren't the reasons to come. Food is delicious with huge portions. Dishes range from fresh and simple to bold and hearty. Lunch: Same general deal as brunch. We split the Kuban Roast Pork, which was stellar and more than enough for 2 people. Ask for the house hot sauce in the large jugs (it's mild but the acid balances the inherent richness of the dish).

Kelly C.

My boyfriend and I stopped by here for brunch during the week and the service was phenomenal. We both got Huevos California and it was amazing. There weren't a lot of people in the restaurant since it was during a work day, but the workers all made us feel very welcome. The owner of the restaurant talked and joked with us, and then gave us free dessert that was homemade by his mother. And to top it all off we got a free cafe con leche to go! Overall amazing experience and service. Kuba Kuba is truly the essence of an astounding hole in the wall!

Allison T.

Great food, atmosphere is unique and intriguing, reasonable prices, generous portions. Cafe con leche is a must.

Jesse M.

Short review. The food is great as the egg dish was full of vegetables and meat. My only knock of the place is maybe the sanitation because the cook behind the bar does not wear gloves, and seems his hands sweats a lot. Could definitely turn some people off when ordering food from here.

Lucas R.

Food is amazing, get way too much for the price you pay. I have been going to this restaurant for 8 years and the food has always been the same amazing quality. The pork is always tender. Brunch is amazing, and sandwiches are delicious and cheap. Their specials are always delicious. Great place for a date.

Troy S.

This place is one that I hope to go to a lot more often. Any Cuban sandwich is pretty good, but this place puts them on a higher level. Last time I went for dinner. Got the pork stuffed with chorizo. Not bad, but the pork was a little dry. The mango salsa helped though!

Jessica S.

You haven't done RVA until you've done Kuba Kuba. Period, end of story. This family owned Cuban-style diner is everything you could ever want and more. Flavorful, authentic (ish) food, hearty portions, and a homey atmosphere. If you're not sure of what you're getting into the barbie doll sconce lights, cramped quarters, and overall dated/aged appearance might put you off, but do yourself a favor and give it a chance. You won't just be impressed, you'll be addicted. Don't go in only kind of hungry, go in starving, the plates are giant. Get a plate of plantanos and empanadillas (2 each kind) even though you won't have room for apps and an entree. The huevos rancheros are so good I've never been able to enjoy them anywhere else since. Do you normally go to Waffle House for a hangover? Knock it off, go to Kuba Kuba instead, you'll feel a thousand times better. The sandwiches are stuffed to overflowing with tender, dripping juicy meat. Easily a lunch and dinner's worth of food. I've heard the paella is to die for but haven't had the pleasure (yet) myself. Take dessert home. DO IT.

Han V.

--Plantains-- $3 Pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/kuba… We didn't know that other dishes would include their fried plantains so we ordered the appetizer portion and it was huge! They weren't all good though---we got a mix of fresh and old ones and the fresh pie

Alanna B.

Located in a nice, safe area of Richmond....or so I was told by the locals. Street parking only - check the signs on street for hourly parking. Expect to wait, but get your name on the list. Highly recommend: Cafe con leche with sweetened condensed milk, plantains, empanadillas, Tres Leche Cake, California Huevos, the Cuban sandwich with Chorizo (I forget the name). Nightly specials, reasonably priced. This is THE place to go in the area. Alcohol/bar available. Take out available for both food and drink. Will definitely be back when in Richmond again. No reservations and closes at 9pm during weekdays and 10pm on weekends.

Paul L.

I would give this place three-and-a-half stars, but I cannot bring myself to give it four. I was in Richmond to argue a case about the First Amendment right of those Yelp reviewers who post under pseudonyms to keep their names private, citizen.org/litigation/f… , and this was my one dinner in Richmond. There is much to like here -- nice murals and other decorations, and a very welcoming atmosphere, including a waiter who actually stepped outside to see whether tires were being marked so that we could stay past the the one-hour parking limit for cars in the Fan District. And the place is plainly popular; we arrived at about 7 on a Monday evening and had no trouble getting a table, but when we leftat about 8:15 there were people waiting for our table. The portions were large, so much so that my doggie-dish was large enough for dinner the following night. But the food was only so-so. A nice thing about the Paella Valenciana was the VERY large number of clams and mussels in the shell. but it was so salty as to be barely tolerable. The special soup-of-the-day, served with a reasonable hunk of cornbread, was OK, and the roast pork that my dining companion has was pretty good. I wished I could have tried the interesting sounding desserts, but having left half of my main course to be eaten the next day, I felt I could not justify stuffing myself with sweets.

Emma P.

We like it a lot! Our favorite item is veggie paella and avocado salad. The place is really busy, so I highly recommend take out, especially if you have kids with you. Pretty fast service, prices reasonable.

Danica U.

If you get ANYTHING, you have to get their tres leches cake. It was amazing. I also had the paella, which was also good and surprisingly a big portion size, which is always a good thing. One thing that did catch me off guard was the fact that you cannot split the bill between people at your table.

Casey D.

I just finished explaining to my boyfriend how good this place was, and that I've been there 2 previous times and it was somewhere he definitely had to try. But this time was just not so good... The entremes is always good, but the scallop ceviche was over done and tasted of nothing but lime. We ordered the Paella Mariscos. Which is really where I have the problem. It was disgusting. It tasted like, and looked like, a giant bowl full of microwave steamed veggies and rice, with some seafood on top. The shrimp were cooked but they looked gray, so I avoided them entirely. But after trying to enjoy the paella, I really had to return it. There was a puddle of water in the bottom of the bowl, the veggies were absolutely mush and tasteless, the rice was bland, and paella is defined by crispy rice, and there was none of that. I hope it isn't, but it tastes microwaved. . . When I told the waiter that I wanted to send it back, he interrogated me about it. "Why didn't you like it?" "What do you mean the veggies are mush?" "How does it taste microwaved" and more questions. He never ever ever offered even a small appology, or anything. I even appologized to HIM because I felt bad, and didn't want to be rude. I really hate returning a dish, but it was just awful and I could have done better at home. He just said he would 'let the chef know' and never offered an appology, or a replacement, or anything. In fact, there was no more mention of it at all, but at least it got taken off of our bill. The 'Tostones' were soft, thick, and dry. I don't know proper terminology when it comes to fried plantains vs tostones (one is crispy and thin and one is thick and fried?) but these were neither. They were thick, dry, not crispy, not salted, not good. They tasted like they were put under a heat lamp for a few hours before they were served to us. And there were barely enough on the plate (for something SO cheap!) to call it a side. The roast pork is sad. If you're going to be a cuban restaurant, then roast pork is important, in my opinion. And it was watery, bland, and soft. More like boiled pulled pork. I had to smother it in chili sauce to give it any flavor at all. Over-all, this really turned me off of this restaurant. I've been here twice before, and haven't had a problem. Though, the 'no sitting at booths unless you have 4 or more people' rule being enforced severely even when nobody else is there is a bit annoying. ESPECIALLY since the couple that walked in after us, was OFFERED a booth. That really ticked me off, after specifically being told we could not have a booth.

Isabelle A.

Had heard amazing reviews from friends about this establishment from the day we moved to Richmond, so we decided to stop by one day for lunch only to be completely disappointed. The service was incredibly prompt and welcoming, but the food was dry, like it had been sitting out all day! We 100% plan on returning soon as we hope this was just a one time fluke.

Arlene S.

Tried it for the second time today. Took my MIL, husband, and son. Definitely not kid-friendly as none of the high chairs have safety straps (is this a restaurant regulation violation?), and the booster seat we were given was FILTHY. The service was as good as it could be considering how busy it was, and they were trying; the waiter did give us tips on what to order based on popularity and authenticity. The food tasted great, and my MIL and I are both now huge fans of the café con leche (SO NEED TO BE ORDERED BY EVERYONE!!!!). The only downside? After each visit, every person I know has to make a critical visit to the bathroom about an hour after ... pretty much in an emergency-clean-up-in-aisle-7 fashion. Eat the food bc it tastes good. Just go home or somewhere you feel safe and comfortable afterwards.

Ed L.

Decent food. They treat you like crap. They won some awards so I think it went to their head.

Courtney R.

Best food in Richmond by far. So much flavor in the food that you want to keep eating! California Huevos are so tasty!!! I haven't had a bad meal here.

Mark N.

Very cool Cuban restaurant with a laid back diner feel. Reasonable prices, great food. can be hard to get a seat sometimes .. I used to live in Florida I love Cuban food and culture. very friendly staff. I don't think any of them outside of the owner are Cuban, but they do a great job . the menu seems to have some mix of mildly Americanized Cuban food with other things that an American clientele would likely go for (understandable since I don't see many Cubans around RVA, the market here is very different than in Miami).. my opinion of RVA went way up when I discovered this place. they have beer, rum drinks, mojitos, etc..

Callie B.

I just had dinner with my family at this lovely restaurant! It was an amazing place with a nice, friendly staff that was very on top of their game. The guy that served my family took the time to tell us everything we wanted to know! He told us that he's friends with the owner and kinda how he opened the store. The food was excellent and totally worth every dime and all the wait; however, I am very inpatient so the wait was a little annoying but when we got the food it was totally worth it! Also, the service could not have been more spot on. So. That's why I didn't hesitate giving 5 stars. I would recommend going to this restaurant... And to be quite honest if you give this place anything less than 4 stars you must be a very unhappy person! Ha, jk but this place is to die for. I could talk all day about my first visit here tonight! Also, you HAVE TO TRY THE TRES LECHES AND CHOCOLATE MOUSE! so delicious!

Jamie U.

The best corner surprise, hidden away off VCUs campus this little 'Havana Nights' joint is a perfect lunch or dinner spot. Highly recommend the fried plantains for an appetizer, one if their infamous Cuban sandwiches or rice bowls, followed with cafe con sweet leche or tres leches cake. Thank you Kuba Kuba for excellent service and a great hole in the wall atmosphere!

Kelly L.

Charming if a bit tight but lively and bustling.On the loud side but contributed to the atmosphere. Service was timely and attentive and there is a decent wine selection. I had the ropa vieja which was good- moist, tender and tasty. My husband ordered the roast pork which was great-flavorful, tender and well spiced. The tres leches cake was a really nice ending to the evening.

Mike S.

I've heard people say that this isn't real Cuban. Well, I've never been to Cuba, so I can't say, but I can tell you that every time I've eaten here, I've left super happy. The food here is amazing, and I've never had something I didn't like. My go-to is the Kuban sandwich, but seriously, it's all good. I've gotten paella to go before and had enough to eat for three days. Prices are good. Portions are decent. Food is great. Probably my favorite restaurant... Too bad the service isn't anything worth jumping up and down over. I know the place is small, but the inattentiveness is a trend... Busy or not. Save room for tres leches cake!!

Lily L.

A cute little restaurant, that wasn't full during my lunch time visit, but I can see how it can fill up quickly! The food was delicious and a bargain for the portions that were dished out! I had the Tortilla con Chorizo which was seasoned very nicely, and looked like it probably took 8 eggs to make. I also got an order of the Tostones (fried plantains) for our table, which for $2.99 was a ridiculous amount that the 5 of us couldn't even finish!

Benny C.

Food was great, service however was terrible. They weren't slammed at all. The runner who also works at Stella's was a jerk.

Leticia L.

This place is fantastic! I travel to Richmond a lot and always have to stop here. Their rice & beans and platanos fabulous!

Amanda P.

Kuba Kuba is the coolest. Seriously an impeccable Cuban restaurant found by Cuban immigrant Manny Mendez, tucked away on a cute little corner on Park Avenue. The food is always delicious, consistent in quality, and generally excellent. From the espresso, to the paella, plantains and Cuban sandwiches, this place is as good as it gets. I have eaten at other Cuban restaurants in Richmond and nothing compares to the quality and quantity at Kuba Kuba. The portion sizes for literally everything are heaping. The staff is friendly, which makes for a good meal with the atmosphere also being comfortably appealing. The prices are excellent for what you get, and there is always plenty to take home with you. If you are looking for an authentic Cuban meal this is the place to go. Make room for the coffee, you won't be let down.

D R.

In a nutshell: Poor service and mediocre food. We arrived around 6:30ish and they told us they could only seat us when our whole party arrived (Although we later heard the server ask an already seated table if they were expecting anyone else??) Then we sat down they only gave us the food menu, not the bar menu. They came by pretty quick to take our orders but then it took OVER AN HOUR for our food to arrive. Absolutely ridiculous. No one even stopped to by to check in on us or let us know the status of our food in that entire one hour. If they were super busy they could have at least warned us that our food may take longer than usual. The food itself was good, but not anything memorable. I had the lamb chops with mashed potatoes. I've definitely had better lamb dishes in RVA. They do give really big portion sizes, so at least you are getting some bang for your buck. Then when the check came he initially gave us the wrong check. Had to wait several more minutes for the right one. And of course, this place doesn't split checks. The dessert was pretty good though - I had the tres leches cake. But overall, I don't think the quality of the food is worth having to endure the poor service so I probably own't be returning here. Also be warned that it is a very small cramped restaurant and it gets HOT in there quick.

Sarah B.

Love this place. So far my dish of choice is the Huevos Rancheros; great flavor, and a lot of good protein at a decent price. The ingredients are always fresh and very flavorful. I've never had a problem with something being over or underdone, and have loved everything I've gotten there thus far. My only gripe is the space; the tables are a little close together, and sometimes it can be difficult to maneuver. If you have a party of two, your only option for seating is a little two-top table which can quickly run out of room if you are ordering multiple dishes. The tables are a little wobbly, but nothing unbearable. It can also get a little loud at peak hours, but that's just the nature of the space - narrow, high-ceiling rooms will do that. Their Tres Leches cake is also not as authentic as I would like it to be. Don't get me wrong - it's still wonderful. However, most Tres Leches cakes are not overly sweet; they are generally a white or vanilla cake that get most of their sweetness from the icing. The cake at Kuba Kuba tastes like a yellow box-mix cake, and looks like it as well. It's not quite as dense as the traditional style, and also not as wet as it needs to be. The original is dense, rather flat, and almost puddinglike in texture, whereas this feels a bit like a glorified Duncan Hines cake with some evaporated milk poured over it. There is certainly a place for that, and I ate it and enjoyed it! However, if you're expecting the dense, wet, less sweet traditional cake, you should perhaps look elsewhere. Despite that, every time I've gone, the service has been great and the food has been wonderful. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone who is hoping to get an interesting, fresh meal!

Cara M.

This is one of those restaurants you will wonder why it took you so long to try. From the very small hole-in-the-wall atmosphere with friendly service to the delicious food, I couldn't ask for better! Great place! Only reason why 4 stars instead of 5 is because it is so small, it's hard to get a table :(

Carol S.