If you have never tried Cuban food, you are missing out on a great experience. It is a delicious blend of Spanish and Carribean and the two blend very well together. The restaurants listed here are some of the best in Manhattan. Even though they are all Cuban, they have put their own feel into the menus with a combination of traditional and new dishes. A little bit of the Carribean on a cold New York evening is a very welcome thing. One of the greatest adventures in Manhattan is to explore and find a new restaurant and experience a new cuisine. The prices listed are from the dinner menu as that is usually the most expensive, so if you go for lunch, you might be paying less. They are entrees only. Appetizers, soups, deserts, drinks will be extra, unless it says other wise, but you should be able to get a good idea of what a meal will cost by comparing the entree prices. The prices are in effect as this is written, but they are subject to change at any time. Check with the restaurants about parking availability, but they are all convenient to transportation. And it is always wise to call and ask about reservations. The restaurants all have menus, so you will be able to get a sneak peak.
Cuban Restaurants on the Upper East Side Manhattan
Cabana Cuban Restaurant
http://cabanarestaurant.com/
1022 3rd Avenue
Between 60th & 61st Streets Manhattan, New York
Open Daily 11:30am-12:00am
Cabana is a small cozy restaurant offering traditional Cuban and Caribbean cuisine. They are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and have an extremely kid friendly atmosphere. They also welcome large groups and are one of the few restaurants that allow sharing of a dish. Check out their lunch specials. And here are some of the choices from their dinner menu.
Coco Cabana Pollo
Breast of chicken, broccoli, carrots, spinach and carribean root vegetables (yuca, calabana and yautla) simmered in coconut milk, flavored with curry and habanero peppers. $17.00 Churrasco Latin American style skirt steak marinated in garlic and fresh herbs accompanied by chimichurri and cebollitas. $22.00 Mariscadas Shrimps, clams, mussels, sea scallops and salmon simmered in a plum tomato garlic broth. $22.00
Cuban Restaurants on the Upper West Side Manhattan
Calle Ocho Cuban Restaurant
http://www.calleochonyc.com/
446 Columbus Ave, New York 10024
Between 81st & 82nd Streets
Calle Ocho serves brunch Sun: 12pm-3pm and dinner seven days a week 6pm-12am. They are not open for lunch. They are available for private parties. It is a very trendy, relaxing place to enjoy a good meal. The menu is a very ambitious one with their own variations on traditional recipes. They will make you feel welcome and have an excellent reputation. Here are some things from the dinner menu. The menu is not extensive, but offers something for everyone. They tend to lesser items, but are high on quality.
Bistec – Cuban Style Sirloin, Yuca Fries, Traditional Chimichurri 25
Vegetariano – Wild Mushroom Paella, Green Bean Salad, Sweet Pea Vinaigrette 19
Paella – Lobster, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Scallops, Chorizo, Chicken, Tomato-Calamari Salad 28
The deserts look all too tempting too.
Cuban Restaurants in Midtown Manhattan
Azucar Cuban Restaurant
http://www.azucarnyc.com
939 8th Ave, New York 10019
Between 55th & 56th Streets
Azucar is a traditional Cuban restaurant with all the feel of Havana. The dress is casual and the atmosphere is friendly. And there is music nightly, seven nights a week. They are open. They are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. They have a private party room available for parties of 45. Check with them about the details They will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Now for the dinner menu.
ARROZ CON POLLO CRIOLLO $14
Yellow rice with shredded chicken, red peppers and peas
ROPA VIEJA $16
Shredded skirt steak braised in a garlic sauce of fresh tomatoes, sliced onions and green peppers nested in a tropical plantain basket
PARGO CAMAGUEY $17
Sauteed filet of Red Snapper topped with cilantro sauce
Cuban restaurants in Gramercy Park Manhattan
Havana Central Cuban Restaurant
http://www.havanacentral.com/
22 E 17th St, New York 10003
Between Broadway & 5th Avenue
Havana Central is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The atmosphere is very up beat and kid friendly. They have an excellent reputation for food and for service. They do off site catering and are able to accommodate parties up to 400 at the restaurant. Here are a few tasty bits from the dinner menu.
Ropa Vieja – Beef, Peppers & Onions 16
The most classic of Cuban dishes made from an old family recipe
Arroz con Pollo – Chicken & Yellow Rice 12
Boneless, Skinless Chicken in savory Yellow Rice – a classic Cuban dish
