The brainchild of Gloria Estefan, Bongos Cuban Café is another themed restaurant in Downtown Disney that offers a chance to disappear from Florida and traverse the world instead. The tropical theme at Bongos captures some of South Beach and is a great place to enjoy a classic taste of Cuba-no cigar necessary.
Bongos Cuban Café: What to Expect
You can’t miss the giant pineapple sitting next to the AMC theatres in downtown Disney, and may need to fight the crowds on a weekend night when the dome gets packed with salsa and meringue fans of all ages. You’ll walk into a spacious 550-seat dining and entertainment space, and the best seats can be found near the bar. These give you a great view of the arena, and make it much easier to move around if you’re with a large group.
The splashes of vibrant color decking the walls and bongo drum shaped bar are also found in the menu; you’ll catch a glimpse of creative concoctions beautifully presented on large white platters during your dining experience, and you can find a cozy seat inside the small coves surrounding the bar area. The menu offers a range of spicy entrees, a complete sangria list, frozen desserts, and even a specialty kids menu.
Menu Highlights at Bongos Cuban Cafe
For appetizers, don’t pass up the chance to sample anassortment by ordering the Tostones Rellenos con Camarones plate. This is a mix of shrimp creole, splantain cups stuffed with beef, and a few miniature enchiladas. The menu features chicken, meat, and fish dishes as well as a line of sandwiches if you prefer something lighter (served until 5 p.m.) This is the place to enjoy a classic Sandwich Cubano; it’s made with authentic Cuban bread and stuffed with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles. The Vaca Frita is also a restaurant favorite, a large flank steak marinated with Cuban Mojo for a zesty kick to the traditional dish.
It’s wise to plan ahead and save room for dessert; Bongos is one of the few places where you can enjoy a traditional Tresleche dessert, as well as a rich rice pudding or Chocolate Flan. Mango sorbet is a great pick to cool off with as the night heats up with dancing and entertainment.
Bongos Cuban Café: Know Before You Go
Bongos is a great place to enjoy your taste of Cuba without visiting the parks or Epcot. Downtown Disney features a range of attractive restaurant and entertainment options, and parking is free. Bongos does draw large crowds on the weekends, so expect a wait of at least 45 minutes to an hour if you don’t have a reservation. There’s a second location inside the Walt Disney World Resort, and both locations offer a similar experience. Prices range from $15 to $29 per person. Menu specials are available Monday through Thursday.
Bongos Cuban Café is located in Downtown Disney and is open seven days per week. You’ll find it at 1498 East Buena Vista Drive, and can call (407) 828-0999 for reservations and specials.
