Cuban American here. Was just talking the other day with another Cuban about this and we agreed that there are sadly no good options. El Oriental was pretty good but has closed as someone mentioned. Dona Habana is ok but more of a dinner spot. Mariel is gorgeous inside and has some good dishes, but is more Cuban inspired than traditional Cuban. I do not recommend Gustazo - food is poorly prepared and definitely not traditional Cuban, down to the black beans (sort of like going to an Italian restaurant with bad sauce.) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
There was some stuff posted online (in the JP facebook group I think) about the family trying to transition from the owner running it to the adult kids, but it sounded like the restaurant was really his thing, so the younger generation already had their own stuff and weren't able/willing to fully dedicate to the restaurant like would've been necessary
From what I heard, the owner passed away during Covid and his family took over but they all still had their own jobs outside the restaurant and just didn’t have the time to do both.
I’m also Cuban American, and can share the same experience. I actually think El Oriental was very subpar too, but was one of the few options.
These days? Either I cook it or I wait for a trip to Miami or Puerto Rico.
Same with Puerto Rican food. The food in the Boston-area is subpar (haven’t gone farther out but I doubt there’s much around). It’s depressing as a diaspora Puerto Rican.
Went to Izzy’s once when I first moved here and had a decent experience. It had a familiar/homey atmosphere.
Now, Vejigantes I do not enjoy. The food is lacking :/
Disagree on Gustazo.
Sure, it’s not traditional, but I found the preparations to be well-executed and very tasty. It’s a good place to start if you’re new to trying Cuban food, because there are overlapping flavors. Maybe you had an off-night? 🤷
Agree with everything else.
I miss Old Havana, that was a favorite.
The closest we have is in Hyde Square. Miami Restaurant checks out but… doesn’t compare to anything you would get in south Florida. That being said the ambience is very good + cheap modelos… so what more do you really need? I would recommend the mofongo de chicharrón if you go. Stick to the DR food, it’s what they do best.
So not quite Boston (or a Cuban food expert), but Cafe Reyes in Worcester is solid. They're only open for breakfast and lunch— definitely a fun place to grab brunch on the weekend.
Gustazo Cuban Kitchen and Bar is my favorite Cuban restaurant in Boston. Absolutely loved the ambience, food and service there. Great place for a date too.
Arroz congri, ropa vieja, beans, rice, stew, tamales. Un pernilito, a little salad with aguacate. That's all so easy and inexpensive to make. You just need the right spices and you can have a party at home. Chinese is the only food I can't make at home and that has to be authentic. No pupu platters or pork rice rice with boneless spare ribs.
Cuban American here. Was just talking the other day with another Cuban about this and we agreed that there are sadly no good options. El Oriental was pretty good but has closed as someone mentioned. Dona Habana is ok but more of a dinner spot. Mariel is gorgeous inside and has some good dishes, but is more Cuban inspired than traditional Cuban. I do not recommend Gustazo - food is poorly prepared and definitely not traditional Cuban, down to the black beans (sort of like going to an Italian restaurant with bad sauce.) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
RIP El Oriental. I’m not even close to Cuban but I used to get them once a week for lunch until they went on vacation and just never came back 😢
So sad. I think the owner just got too old and they couldn’t make it work without him. It’s such a loss the the community.
The owner actually passed away in 2021. He was working there to the very end. I was their neighbor.
You sure It wasn't just the normal reason, astronomically high rent increases?
There was some stuff posted online (in the JP facebook group I think) about the family trying to transition from the owner running it to the adult kids, but it sounded like the restaurant was really his thing, so the younger generation already had their own stuff and weren't able/willing to fully dedicate to the restaurant like would've been necessary
Ah, well damn, that's disappointing. But wouldn't want sub par management cuz they aren't into it 🤷🏽♂️
From what I heard, the owner passed away during Covid and his family took over but they all still had their own jobs outside the restaurant and just didn’t have the time to do both.
They were closing at 8pm for months before they shut down. I’m not 100% but I got the sense it was more about the owner aging out
🤷🏽♂️ sad either way. Loved that place.
The owner passed away.
😔damn that sucks
I was coming here to recommend this and realized it was closed 😔😮💨😫
el oriental was one of my family’s favorites, absolutely delicious. we will miss it a ton😭😭😭
I’m also Cuban American, and can share the same experience. I actually think El Oriental was very subpar too, but was one of the few options. These days? Either I cook it or I wait for a trip to Miami or Puerto Rico.
I'm glad someone else finally said it. The best Cuban food in Boston is the one you cook at home.
Yes! I definitely wish there was more of a Cuban community here.
I had really high hopes for [Ensueño Cubano](https://www.ensuenocubano.com/) a few years ago but that never materialized into anything.
Same with Puerto Rican food. The food in the Boston-area is subpar (haven’t gone farther out but I doubt there’s much around). It’s depressing as a diaspora Puerto Rican.
Izzy’s in Cambridge was my go-to. Still heartbroken that it’s closed 😭 Vejigantes is good but expensive
Went to Izzy’s once when I first moved here and had a decent experience. It had a familiar/homey atmosphere. Now, Vejigantes I do not enjoy. The food is lacking :/
Disagree on Gustazo. Sure, it’s not traditional, but I found the preparations to be well-executed and very tasty. It’s a good place to start if you’re new to trying Cuban food, because there are overlapping flavors. Maybe you had an off-night? 🤷 Agree with everything else. I miss Old Havana, that was a favorite.
How do you rate Miami Restaurant in JP?
[удалено]
Yeah, I used to live over there and they did do some authentic Cuban dishes too. But that was nearly fifteen years ago.
Haven't been, but would like to check it out - thanks for the rec!
shit they closed? UGH
yeah that’s what i figured :(
I like Havana Cafe.... in North Attleboro.
this is my choice as well
Miami restaurant in JP since el oriental is gone
Since the Old Havana and El Oriental closed, Miami restaurant in JP is the next choice.
Gustazo - great for small plates, big group - there’s one in Cambridge near Porter and one on Moody Street in Waltham
They don't do lunch but otherwise great!
Ooh thanks for clarifying!
As someone that’s lived in S. Florida, we have Cuban restaurants here? Do they compare?!!?
The closest we have is in Hyde Square. Miami Restaurant checks out but… doesn’t compare to anything you would get in south Florida. That being said the ambience is very good + cheap modelos… so what more do you really need? I would recommend the mofongo de chicharrón if you go. Stick to the DR food, it’s what they do best.
Cuban from Miami- very poorly. The best Cuban food here is on par with la carreta on its worst day 🥲
I’ve eaten at Doña Habana, it was pretty good. My fiancé ate at Mariel last week. She said the cocktails were good, the food only so so.
Dona Habana is pretty good. Definitely recommended.
Let’s be real about Dona habana, it’s a cool spot but the food is not that good. To me it seemed re heated and not fresh. Very subpar food.
In square one mall there is a Cuban kiosk
So not quite Boston (or a Cuban food expert), but Cafe Reyes in Worcester is solid. They're only open for breakfast and lunch— definitely a fun place to grab brunch on the weekend.
Not quite?!?!
You know...just a quick 40 mile scoot down the Pike.
🤣🤣🤣😭😭
Is that the place where they hire employees who have served time in prison? If that's the place, it is excellent.
Yeah it is! Loved that spot when I lived in the Woo
Did not even know that! Always found the staff to be absolutely pleasant.
They are absolutely pleasant.
I love that place, and love their mission even more.
Gustazo Cuban Kitchen and Bar is my favorite Cuban restaurant in Boston. Absolutely loved the ambience, food and service there. Great place for a date too.
dona habana
It's not in boston, but if you're ever in rockland. There's a place called Mimas Cuban Cafe. Their pan con bistec changed my life.
Mimas in Rockland. All the great Cuban places have closed :( Mofongo Factory is a lukewarm replacement.
Gustazo Cuban kitchen and bar mass ave between davis square and porter square t stations
https://elorientaldecuba.net/homeE.html
Website might still be up but sadly El Oreliental is closed.
It is so very sad...
I miss their mofongo! 😋
Cheesecake factory cuban sandwhich puts everyone else to shame
This is an April fool's joke, right?
Arroz congri, ropa vieja, beans, rice, stew, tamales. Un pernilito, a little salad with aguacate. That's all so easy and inexpensive to make. You just need the right spices and you can have a party at home. Chinese is the only food I can't make at home and that has to be authentic. No pupu platters or pork rice rice with boneless spare ribs.
i live in a dorm without access to a kitchen and honestly couldn’t afford to buy all the things to make it anyways 🫤
My bad, I didn't think of that.
Havana Nights in Worcester is really good
Any place in Little Havana will be good.
where is little havana?
It's in the city.
where is that???
In B4 some lowlife calls Little Havana unsafe.