Outdoor seating
Yes
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Philadelphia in Philadelphia
Categories
Location on the map
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, US
Service options
No-contact delivery
Yes
Delivery
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Great cocktails
Yes
Great coffee
Yes
Great dessert
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Cocktails
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Happy-hour drinks
Yes
Happy-hour food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Late-night food
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Spirits
Yes
Vegetarian options
Yes
Wine
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Bar on site
Yes
Gender-neutral toilets
Yes
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Romantic
Yes
Upmarket
Yes
Crowd
Family friendly
Yes
Groups
Yes
LGBTQ+ friendly
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Transgender safe space
Yes
University students
Yes
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Yes
Dinner reservations recommended
Yes
Accepts reservations
Yes
Payments
Debit cards
Yes
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Phone: +1 215-627-0666
Site: http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.c...
Site: http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.c...
Opening hours
- Monday:4–10PM
- Tuesday:4–10PM
- Wednesday:4–10PM
- Thursday:4–10PM
- Friday:4PM–2AM
- Saturday:12PM–2AM
- Sunday:12–10PM
Comments (199)
EXCELLENT RESTAURANT! Delicious (mostly) authentic Cuban food and Drinks! Me and my wife visit Cuba and this was the closest weve had stateside. Bravo! Also, if you go, ASK FOR ALEX! He was a wonderful server and really made our experience top notch!
Encanto from Cuba! The Mango Butter on pressed bread tastes like heaven. It melts in your mouth and has a sweet flavor. At first you might not taste the cinnamon, after a few bites you feel the savory flavor of cinnamon. It is made in house. The Passion Fruit Mojito tastes amazing! The Masitas de Puerco Fritas was extraordinary the meat crunchy on the outside soft and juicy on the inside. You can taste the mojito flavor in it. But the best thing of my experience was the GREAT Customer Service I was provided by waiter Alex! Also how quick the food arrives to the table!
A wonderful Cuban atmospheric restaurant :)All as if you were really there ! Cuba Libre is a masterpiece:)A very nice selection of beverages, desserts, and Spanish music in the background complete the experienceI would like to also thank the warm, attentive service staff !Beautiful, atmospheric, and great establishment:)10 out of 10:)Gacias 🇨🇺 :)
The food was outstanding, drinks were delicious and the service was terrific! Our waitress Hannan M. was fantastic! We would definitely go back!
I can’t praise this restaurant enough. My family has been eating here since we moved to Delaware over 10 years ago.The food is delicious and there are a wide variety of selections that engage the senses. One of my favorites is the pineapple guacamole. You could make a meal of the appetizers alone.FOLLOWING DINNER ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, they FEATURE DJS SPINNING LATIN DANCE MUSIC, A DAZZLING LIGHT SHOW, SPECIAL EFFECTS AND LIVE SPECIALTY ACTS TILL 2AM.
The place is pretty cozy and the foods are smell good. If you are trying to find any cuba related food or culture, you definitely should consider this place.
I t was a while ago we were here for lunch while visiting Philadelphia and still have the memories of being here cause of how unique and different this restaurant is. We all enjoyed our food here and I would come back here again if I am back in the area again and I would recommend that you at least experience this restaurant once for your self
Raphael was an awesome waiter - perfect timing - fun - a pleasure to have him service and recommendations- very accommodating- me and my fiancé haven’t had great Cuban food in a long time!! I personally haven’t been there since 2008 - it was better than before!!! Because of Raphael - he deserves some kind of accolade- from drinks to appetizers to main course to the accompaniment to the breads and to the dessert - a meal finally worth the money… our favorites were the Churasco a La Cubana and Pez Cobia with a side of mango & spice sauce mixed in with the soup made it that much better
I was so excited to eat here unfortunately it wasnt great. The food was good but not great and the service was very slow. Took almost 30 min to get a drink. Our server kept disappearing. One time my husband looked over to see her on her cell phone. He had the ropa veija and I had the pez cobia. We didnt like the spinach appetizer we got and they had a special mojito that was awful. I dont think we will be returning
The food was exceptional, the decor was fitting and beautiful tfil, and the wait staff (especially Nina) was very attentive and wonderful. Would highly recommend to anyone and will definitely return, for the sweet plantains and mojitos.
This food was so yummy that I didnt even take a picture of the main entrée because I was stuffing my face!! Lol-The vibe was right 🙌🏾- The decor was on point 😍- Our waiter Chris did his thang 💪🏾- Gerald the GM deserves all the blessings he made my first experience a good one with his genuine demeanor and love for this establishmentIm definitely coming back!!
I was extremely happy to get reservations online for this restaurant (there were 7 of us, so I was worried for Sunday lunch rush). We were promptly seated and met by our amazing server. She was friendly, informative, and attentive. Our drinks were amazing. They do not compromise the quality of the drink with overpowering juices, water, ice, etc. So. Good. And the food... The flavors were on-point, servings were generous, and we were able to enjoy the food again later, because we packed all the leftovers to-go. Thankfully it was a beautiful day, so we strolled around the city for a bit to let our amazing dining experience settle in.Everyone, even our 2 children (10 and 12), had a great time. We will be going back again.
Truly a slice of Cuba in Philadelphia! One of the best culinary experiences in the area. As soon as you set foot inside, you are greeted by an airy atmosphere, the vibe takes you to the streets of Havana and for a second the hustle and bustle of the city fades. Our server Nina had impeccable recommendations and she made the already 10/10 experience 20/10! The appetizers were on point; We got the fresh pineapple guacamole Cubano with plantain chips, and Tuna Ceviche Nikkie with fresh bread and a sweet butter spread. The main course was probably the best seafood dish I had in a long time! The Pez Cobia; Pan roasted Black Kingfish, sweet shrimp, Baja bay scallops, crabmeat, mussels, coconut milk Chino-Cubano broth, green mango escabeche, served with white rice. The rich taste and the sweetness of the coconut milk makes the world of a difference. The paella vegetariana with two slices of lemons and plate full of veggies and mushrooms left us craving for more. For our zero proof fans, their Nojitos were out of this world good. Lastly to top it all off, churros filled with caramel and dipping chocolate sauce. All in all, was an amazing night and everyone especially Nina made it even more special! Excellent service, great food great vibes. What more can you ask for!
The ropa vieja was good and paired nicely with the Malbec I was drinking. The guac was average. The bread and mango butter tho made my carb loving heart happy. Def make a reservation tho. I stopped by on a Tuesday without one and had to sit at the bar (closer to that Malbec tho so not bad for me).
It was very cute and quaint..my son wanted to treat us while he was in town visiting and we picked a place that was budget friendly for him..yet we still got a little of the high end feel we are used to when dining out in the city
Phenomenal night! Got there just when the kitchen had closed but had the chance to have some drinks at the upstairs bar. Great staff, Alex and Dilery where very kind and informative on what drinks they offer and how Cuba Libre prepares to provide exceptional drinks. Mango margarita has become a new favorite for me! Music was great too! Danced all night.
The mojitos were great!! I ordered the seafood paella came out hot and delicious. The appetizers were also delicious.
We loved this restaurant! The ambiance and decoration are superb. The food is delicious. Service is amazing. We were seated upstairs and had a terrific view of the ground floor. From appetizers to cocktails to dessert, everything was top class. It was not cheap, but it was definitely worth it. If you are in Philadelphia, you cant miss.
Absolutely LOVED this restaurant! What you see in the photos is what you get when you get AND MORE! The colors, the art, and the people (customers and staff) are wonderful. My partner and I felt welcomed from the time we left through our entire visit. We were beyond happy with the hospitality, by everyone. Our waiter was awesome! He was so cool and attentive. He made sure we were good all night and there was no rush for us to leave after we had eaten our meals, which by the way, were DELICIOUS! The food was fresh and full of explosive flavors. I am a vegan and I did not have a hard time picking multiple items from the menu to eat. This was my favorite restaurant during our four day stay in Philly. I would highly recommend Cuba Libre for the food, hospitality and overall feel good vibe. We will be back! Thank you Cuba Libre for a wonderful experience!!!!!
A little bit pricy to me, the atmosphere is great. Ordered skirt steak and the steak is great but the sauce is too sour.
Its only fair to say that its not really fair to review a restaurant after a single visit, but thats how it goes these days... Cuba Libre is in a very touristy part of town and the ambience has a slightly run-down once-vibrant quality. Ordered the crab and avocado appetizer. Its twice the size it should be, and is bristling with thinly sliced crisp plantains that stand upright around the periphery like sentries. In the center is an overly generous helping of mediocre crab — not lump crab meat, certainly — blended with avocado and studded, if I remember correctly, with a dismal thick-sliced ice-cold cherry tomato or two. The crab mixture, too, was far too well-chilled. As a main dish I had shrimp in a tomato sauce. The shrimp had been overcooked and as a result were rubbery, and the tails were left on, I have no idea why restaurants do that. Its just tiresome; you have to fish them out and eat them with your fingers, with sauce dripping on the table. The sparkling water I wanted was not available; I had to make do with club soda that came out of one of those siphon-guns and had a metallic flavor. The ice water we were given tasted of chlorine... The server left our plates on the table long after we had finished, was quite informal (although certainly friendly enough) and seemed rather disengaged. Ive had so many badly executed meals in this city; why must the lowest common denominator predominate?
We went on Friday for my sister’s birthday & the atmosphere was amazing. Vanessa was our server and she was sweet & made our experience great. The food was cooked perfectly & the drinks had a perfect balance. The manager came by & checked on us as well which was a great touch. Definitely showed they care for their customer’s experience. I would recommend them for sure!
Amazing Cuban sandwich perfectly done! I loved the sides of black bean soup, plantain chips and a fresh salad. I enjoyed my meal with the grilled pineapple mojito that was both sweet and strong. Ended the meal with the churros and chocolate that were so good I didnt manage to get a photo before they were gone. Our waitress Nelly was fantastic!
Although we got there and it started off rocky, we still enjoyed the staff and drinks. The unfortunately was a disaster (they had a busy day) but the bartender still took care of us once she came. Loved the blanco sangria and the empanadas were to die for especially with the side dip sauce. The bread and mango butter also is a cheat day delicacy 😂. Would come back to try more food.
Sooo good! Everything I ordered here was delicious. I started with a white wine sangria and some maduros. Both were very flavorful and came out quick. I ordered the Paella Marinera for dinner and OMG my mouth was in heaven!!! I ate the whole entire thing just to myself. I could have eaten another meal of it if I wasn’t so full. Highly recommend!
Came to Philadelphia with my fiancé for a Rocky tour for our anniversary and we found this Cuban place right by the hotel. Cuba Libre restaurant! The food was so delicious! The service was friendly and fast. We started with fun drinks like a pineapple mojito and a flight of rum. Luckily we were walking distance from the hotel. We both got the churrasco with garlic mash and a side of yuca fries. They also brought out their Cuban bread with the most delicious cinnamon mango butter I ever had. I would love to come here again when ever I visit Philadelphia.
The host, the waiter, and the bussers were so friendly and engaging. Our waiter gave excellent recommendations which we followed and were not disappointed!! Pictured below is the Blue Crab Guacamole that was amazing. We ate it so fast that our waiter came to check on us to see if our appetizer had come out, it had. lol
My wife and I had dinner here before a concert at the Foundry and it was an AMAZING experience. The place looks like youre walking into a little slice of Cuba.The staff was super friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, very fresh and seasoned to perfection.I had the Crab Guacamole thats served with fresh fried plantains. It was the most unique guacamole Ive ever tasted. I also had the chicken wings and Yucca fries. Both were full of flavor, and perfectly crispy.I highly recommend Cuba Libre for your dining experience xoxo.
Decent place. I got the grilled chicken and vegetables. The chicken was a bit dry but good. Rice & vegetables are good also. My biggest gripe was that the food was a cold (pickup order) If it was fresher it would likely have gotten 5 stars. Would go back to try more.
The decoration is incredibly lovely. The food varieties were so great. The principal round mango spread with squeezed bread is on the house. That mango spread was genuinely delectable. Likewise got the crab guacamole. We additionally had sweets and a Mimosa. The food was scrumptious, fitting temp, and lovely. We loved for the Toasted Bread and, surprisingly, more noteworthy. Its a piece dim during the evening time, so I would like to go there before the evening to see the spot with a characteristic light.
Delicious food, great menu selection, decent ambiance, drinks are good & prices are reasonable for portions. Friendly staff & short wait times. Overall good dining experience
The Ropa vieja was delicious ! The drinks always hit as well and I liked the setting.Will be back !
Eric was a wonderful waiter he gave us an experience of a lifetime. He took the time to explain to us the delicious meals on the menu. I have to say he chose the best meal for us. He was attentive but not overbearing. He was very polite and had a great smile. He gave us the feeling of being with family. The meal was almost like being in heaven every spoonful had a different flavor to me I will never forget the experience. I will recommen this restaurant to anyone. I have been on a lot of cruises in the Caribbean it took me away from Philadelphia for an hour which made me feel so warm so far away. You guys are the best and I will return very soon to taste the warmth flavor and the freshness of your wonderful meals love you guys take care. Eric thank you so very much. Lem
We celebrated our anniversary here. We had a wonderful experience. The food was great, especially the seafood soup and empanadas. The staff was nice enough to have champagne, dessert, and cocktail on the house for us to celebrate the special occasion! Thank you Cuba Libre for being a part of our celebration!
Such a beautiful atmosphere inside!!! Our server Vanessa was AMAZING and extremely helpful. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because the hostess, Nikki, seemed as if she had an attitude and was not welcoming whatsoever. She gave us a small table way in the back for 2 when there was 3 of us. When she saw our faces she then said hold on. She came back a few minutes later and moved us outside and told us to use our phones for the menu and walked off. When she seated another group next to us she gave them menus and the whole works. Therefore, 1 star was lost because of her. The manager was very friendly, he came over and apologized. Overall, I would come here again!!!
Some friends and I went to Cuba Libre last night, and I can’t say enough.Primarily though the reason I am here writing this, is that our server Alex was absolutely phenomenal. He really really took care of us and walked us through each dish, recommended some great options and was very patient with our group’s attempts at reading the menu items (I’m the only one who can roll r’s off the tongue in the group) and made sure we had what we wanted before we even knew we wanted it.Alex, if you read this keep keeping on my brother, you are a good person with a great attitude and work ethic!We will definitely be back
Beautiful atmosphere and the best mojitos Ive ever had!I had the paella mixta and my husband had the churrasco. Both were fantastic, but I wish I had also ordered the churrasco. SO good.We will definitely return when we venture to Philly again.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is everything you could want in a Cuban restaurant.The food is not only delicious but the ambiance and decor are unlike any other Ive ever seen. Its beautiful, its authentic, its unique.They have wonderful hosts and servers with great customer service skills. They make you feel like family when you walk through the door!
One of our favorite places in Philly! China Libre is a Latin restaurant that has delicious food and drink. The inside of the restaurant is designed like part of a Cuban city block. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. There are a variety of cocktails but the mojitos are their speciality. The Passion Fruit Mojito is our favorite. The Red Sangria is also good. The entrees are excellent as well. Everything thing we had was delicious. The Paella is my favorite. If you want a sweet addition to your meal, dont miss the Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains), they are delicious! Overall this is just a really fun place to come for an evening. We highly recommend it!
We went to Cuba Lubre to celebrate our sons college graduation. It was the perfect place! We loved the authentic dishes. We loved everything we ate! The atmosphere is unique and festive, the food is delicious and the servers were really friendly and efficient. We highly recommend it!!
I must say I really enjoyed my time here the decor and ambience of it all was just beautiful you felt transported to Cuba. The food and drinks were amazing. Friendly staff they were attentive and very professional. If your looking to switch it up this is a great place.
Look at this Cuban restaurant!I love the vibe! Plantain chips jeez must try!And don’t forget to drink something…
Our experience here was not favorable. The food came out half dry and very bland. Our waitress Giana was very good as well as the staff. I will say that two managers came to the table to rectify our experience, but the food was bland and not flavorful. I will say my drink was good. Very disappointed in the food. The setting is great I wish the food had been the same.
Was there for a private event. Service and food was spectacular. Love the decor. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. No complaints. Just a really great experience.
My first time here and will not be my last. My cousin and I came here to try authentic Cuban food for an extra credit assignment and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. The staff respected the fact that we do not consume pork, so they arranged alternate cooking methods. We were beyond grateful for this. The food was excellent and felt very homey. The flavor combinations in the Picadillo La Cubana and the bread with mango cinnamon butter were fresh and very new to us. And to top it off, we had the Café Cuba Libre, which was not too strong for us since were Arab, with sugar and milk. We will be returning to this respectable establishment.
Nice atmosphere cuban music and server nice suggestions love cuban food and nice find first time to philadelphia will return great tasting traditional shredded beef dish with steam rice / sangria red is very tasty
Food was very flavorful. We came for brunch, but when we weren’t feeling anything on the brunch menu, we ended up ordering from entrees. We got the grill platter for two. The lobster tail was small and overcooked despite taking it off the steaming platter immediately. The rest of the food was good. Portions small. While we did not leave hungry, for the price we expected more food. The sides were probably my favorite, as was the bread with mango butter. Service was slow and we were not checked on despite being some of the only people in the restaurant at first. Overall, 3.5 stars and would give it another chance.
The mojitos were delicious (especially the mango), the food was very good, and the waitstaff are amazing and super helpful!!
Took my best friend here for her birthday. The food was amazing! I am definitely obsessed with their chicken empanadas!! I also got the raspberry mojito but forgot to take a picture. I only gave it 4 stars because my friends food came out cold, other than that I have no complaints.
The atmosphere and waitstaff were amazing. However, the food was lacking in terms of flavor. I got the ropa vieja and was underwhelmed at the taste especially at the price and the smaller portion size. Philly is a city of good food, good prices, and good portion sizes and this just didn’t live up to it. Nice establishment though.
Beautiful place, food was good, service nice too. I just wished the manager (a woman on dark who didn’t give us her name) was more straight forward with us as we wanted a different table and she told us it was reserved but no one showed up until the end of our lunch….
Cuban food at its finest. Everything was amazing. The empanadas had a sweeter taste to them and the steak was cooked exactly how I wanted it. Yuca fries had to be double fried to get such a great crunch. The wings were interesting. They were super super crunchy and the sauce was interesting. They also had a nice selection of creative drinks.
The food is high priced and overrated. Was so excited to go back for the second time after previous visit last year. The food and drinks were exceptional but today I was highly disappointed. The food increase in cost and it was half the amount of food that I received from a previous visit. Safe to say I would not go back. The waitress was fantastic but she is not the reason I was extremely unhappy. Meh, at its best!
Great service. Excellent mojitos! Paella was really tasty. A lot of variety. The ambience is very nice. The inside decor steals the show. Highly recommend.
The food was extremely underwhelming. I ordered the Pollo Asado and it was dry. The emapanda appetizers saved the dinner. Our server was very nice and accommodating and ensured we had a positive dining experience. After dinner we enjoyed music and dancing in the main dining area. It was a good time! Id go back for drinks and dancing only.
GREAT EXPERIENCE! Celebrated grad dinner here and the staff is so welcoming and sweet. Absolutely great food, insane prices however worth the ambience and experience.Personal fav are the PINEAPPLE GUACAMOLE CUBANO and TRES LECHES CAKE!
Incredible...That is the first thing that comes to mind. From the coconut mojitos to the empanadas. This place is incredible. Service is always great and the flavor of the dishes is really done perfectly. If you’ve never been you need to go. You won’t regret it.
The drinks were really good. They are supposedly recognized for their mojitos, which were really good. They rated their mimosas on a scale from sweetest to tart. Id say it was kind of off. I had a mango mojito, which was delicious but the grilled pineapple mojito which was supposed to be sweeter was not sweet at all. The portion sizes were small for the prices, but the taste was really good. They bring a delicious bread and mango butter to the table to start you off and they 1st round is free, THAT WAS GREAT ! The appetizer we ordered was nasty though, if you like Taro, which is a root vegetable, you might like it but it tasted of loud mushrooms. It wasnt seasoned much to cover up the taste but the person I was with enjoyed it. I would do again for the drinks and bread.
I love the vibe and Aura of this place. Gives a real Cuba feel and the food is good. I felt like the food was better 3 years ago when I visited. Overall the food is good and the service is great. In my opinion the prices are reasonable. Not too expensive.
If you have time this should be an everyday meal. The best Cuban I have had in my life and the best sandwich in the USA. They are worth the wait and Alex is phenomenal!!!
Well...the 3 stars (not 5 starts) goes for the following 3 reasons:1. Beautiful place indoors,, but the atmosphere should have been friendly...and it was not!2. Good tasting food(but not to come.back again to taste place)...some food was average...3. Amazing host, but unfortunately Unattentive waitress(maybe it was our luck?)I recommend to skip this restaurant and find better ones.
The Ambience and interior decor was great!! Food, amazing!!Service was first class!
What a blast! Here in downtown Philly; Step into a Havana eatery with an abeyance of CUBA 🇨🇺 wall decorations, big fans, Latin music! The Mojitos are spot-on. The appetizers delicious; crisp plantains, guac 🥑, & cinnamon infused butter for bread. Entrees were beautifully plated & tasted amazing. Raphael did a superb job! Plenty of gluten-free items to pick from.
Came here for a friends bday dinner. The service was great but the food does take a while. It was a Monday night and did not look too busy. The food was ok I did not like the paella but the skirt steak was great. I also saw our sides be given to the table in front of us and later be taken away. I hope they remade it because 5 minutes later our food was brought out. We did not question it but at the end of our meal our server brought out two orders of churros. I am not sure if he knew it was my friends bday celebration because no one mentioned it or he felt bad for the wait but we greatly appreciated it!
Amazing food and Amazing service! Liza and Griselle are truly amazing! Make your reservation immediately! Its worth it!
The ambience was awesome and the food was excellent. We had a very nice waiter named Jay who recommended we share a plate for 2 and that was perfect .
The staff here are amazing. Sit at the bar and they’ll be so helpful and talkative! The decor is amazing, I’d highly recommend. Get the yuca fries as your side as they are so tasty. Great place in old city!
Very nice spot. Good food and drinks and service. Although, I very nearly had to arm wrestle the server for my last plantain. Jk. She was quick, I was quicker. Lol. We all really enjoyed her. Ill def go back! 🤗
Wow, Wow and WOW!Okay, I have never had cuban food before. And to be honest, this place wasnt even on our radar during our visit to Philadelphia during the 2022 Presidents Holiday weekend.However, after seeing one long line after another at famous cheesesteak places and their very short operating hours, we were in need to find some place just to sit down and eat.Cuba Libre came up in a nearby restaurant search. On a Saturday night close to 5pm we called hoping there was an open reservation. Indeed there was, and we were told it would be available in the 15 minutes it would take for us to walk there.Upon arrival we received a very warm greeting from the front desk staff. We walked into the main dining area and were seduced by the festive interior and lively cuban music that played over the speakers. Our waitress, Myleishka, was beyond excellent. She helped me make my entree choice which turned out to be exceptional......but before I get to that, let me start off with the bread. Its the first thing that comes to your table and youll marvel at its presentation. Lightly toasted, its wonderfully warm and soft and once you pair it with the included mango butter, you wont stop eating it. If you run out, they bring more.My girlfriend and I started with a shrimp cocktail. it was the most unbelievable cocktail of its kind I ever had. It had a terrific, zingy citrus kick to it. Just incredibly, incredibly delicious and I highly recommend you try it here.For entrees, my GF had the Picadillo a la Cubana which she loved. I was going to go for the roasted chicken but Myleishka warned me that it was a citrus dish and if I never had it before I might be turned off by it. She recommended the VISIT TO HAVANA, a pressed sandwich with all different kinds of meats and Swiss cheese. She said it was her favorite. So taking her advice, that is what I ordered, and true to her word -- it was delicious!The portions of food were quite large. If you are hungry and in the mood for a satisfying meal, you wont walk away hungry.However, what really impressed me the most here besides the excellent food we ate, was the dining experience in general. Everyone was so nice to us. The service was as good as the food. It was a fun environment and I walked away with a first-rate appreciation for cuban food which I had never tried before.Its rare that you try something new and enjoy it so much that you are determined to return upon your next visit to the city. Such is the case with Cuba Libre. This will be our first dining spot when we return to the Philadelphia area. Thanks, Myleishka for making our evening so enjoyable.
Fantastic! We were in Philly for a couple of days and this restaurant showed up on several lists of suggestions. We tried to go on Friday night and they were completely full so, we made a reservation for Saturday (the latest available was 3:30pm). The atmosphere inside was vibrant and relaxing. The host and the wait staff were patient, attentive, and helpful. The food was phenomenal! We had the Pineapple Guacamole Cubano and Barrio Chino Chicken Wings as appetizers and the Paella Mixta and Ropa Vieja for our mains. Along with the complimentary bread with mango butter, we left very full and very happy. Every fish was very well executed. I would have liked a bit more spice in my paella but, it was delicious and fresh. I will definitely be back next time Im in Philly.
First, I must say the food is delicious here.But, I also feel like its worth mentioning this place kind of gives the vibe of a themed chain. Id say its due to their decorations appear to try to emulate Cuba. But having so many decorations means the space looks cluttered. That being said I dont hate, I just feel its worth knowing its that kinda of place in case thats not what you expected :)
Little disappointed with the service. My son and I sat for quite a while watching people who came in after us being helped first. I actually had to ask for our server. He had passed us several times without a word or greeting. Now to the food. The wings and empanadas were EXCELLENT. The drinks were also DELICIOUS.We ordered Mojitos ofcourse and Rum Punch. However we were very disappointed with the crab guacamole. It was lacking flavor and I think they used canned crab. It was terrible. For the price I expected much more. So I only give this place three stars due to the service and the crab guacamole. This was our first time and I might try it again.. Not sure.
Muy excelente. Got the coconut mojito and veggie paella. The atmosphere was chill, the wait staff was very nice as well. The price was a tad more than I expected so treat this as a special occasion or a good drink spot for a weekend.
We had an AMAZING time doing my best friends bachelorette party dinner here! The service was phenomenal, food & drinks delish. They went above and beyond for us! Five stars all the way 💗💗💗💗💗
Food was excellent. Service was poor. We were a Table of 6, we ordered drinks, appetizers and meals. We got our meals, no drinks. We informed the waiter and eventually got our drinks just in time to enjoy our appetizers that arrived after our meal.
Service was great. Food was great. Decor was awesome. It’s a bit pricey but comparable to other restaurants in the area. Nothing to complain about here.
Way too packed - cant really dance. The cocktails are not made like before - likely because theyre all rushed. And a silly cover. Good music is the only thing Ill give this place credit for
Love this place. Everything I’ve ever had is fresh, prompt and delicious. I always request Alex or Raphael and both are simply excellent. I try something different each time and am never disappointed.
I love this place so much! The food and service are always excellent. The decor is beautiful. Patiently waiting for agua fresca to come back!! A little on the expensive side (~$30 an entree) but otherwise a great place to spend a special occasion! Ive also come at night for when they convert into a club and its super fun, but be aware theres usually an expensive cover (~$20) and a dress code to enter. If you want a similar vibe without the frills, youre better off going around the corner to Lucha Cartel.
Came here during the restaurant week and it did not disappoint. Great Cuban tasty cuisine. The service was very welcoming and observant. The bill was expected for what you get. Great service, great food, likely to be back.
It’s the second time I’ve gone on a date there, and it was great! The ambiance feels very romantic and it’s nice to step into a restaurant that feels like it transports you out of Philadelphia.
Arrived early for reservation but stuck in back table and smug hostess would not move us. Go elsewhere where you are appreciated.
Went here for the first time with my Mom. The food was delicious! I ordered the empanadas with white rice. The mango bread was amazing too..I will definitely be back!
We had a really nice time here! The food was delicious and the ambiance was nice. We had the seafood paella and salad—would definitely recommend.
Yummy, but felt rushed. We know it was a Saturday night, but wish we felt we could stay for another drink!
As a Philly blogger I eat at many of the city’s top restaurants and I do not say this lightly when I say Cubs Libre is my absolute favorite! The food is always amazing, the cocktails are delicious, the customer service is always fantastic, and the ambiance is always full of good energy! Cuba Libre is perfect for lunch, brunch, happy hour, or dinner.PS I’d recommend ordering the crab guacamole and chicken empanadas for an appetizer and the Plato Gaucho Mixed Grill as your entree! Thank me later.
Really cool place! The hostesses seemed cold and aloof, but the wait staff was SO wonderful they more than made up for it! Great food !
It’s a small, chain restaurant but I have to admit it was absolutely delightful. The decor and ambience were great, the cocktails fun and yummy, and the staff from start to finish were welcoming and attentive.
The food was wonderful and the wait staff was just perfect. The hostesses however could actually smile and be friendly. But everything else was just wonderful
Unique cuisine. A bit pricey but the seasoning is real good. Rice was a bit mushy for an Asians standard and dessert was just ok.
The staff was super friendly and very well prepared to serve their customers. What a great experience last night.....Food was yummy, fresh and flavorful. Drinks were delish, thanks to Bacardi for sponsoring the street food fest!!Our waiter, a young 22yr old, was soo attentive, a great communicator and enhanced our visit. Cant wait to return ..
Excellent food, beautiful, authentic atmosphere! Best Mojito ever! The mango butter is exquisite! I ordered camarones enchilado... it was perfect!
One rating, everyone knows the rules: 8.5Take one step into their dining area and it seriously feels like youre in Cuba. They have an outrageously good happy hour (5-7pm at the bar). Qaaim was our server/bartender was excellent and made and outstanding, refreshing Mojito. I rarely like mojitos but this one I loved making me think all the ones in the past just werent made well, but this one clearly was. Happy hour menu has a bunch of different interesting and tasty options. We loved the Fritters (have to dip it in the salsa it comes with, it is to die for) and the slider. I liked but did not love the chicken empañada, but would be willing to try one of their other fillings. Qaaim also brought some fresh homemade bread, which was so good it made me want to try their Cubano.I absolutely will be back to try more off their happy hour and full menu, and suggest to anyone who reads this give it a try too!
Enjoyed the food and the vibes here very much!
Loved it!!! Everything we ate was delicious.
Fun Cuban spot with great rum options and surprisingly good seafood dishes. The homemade bread is also delicious. It is fairly pricey however, Id definitely call it $$$, instead of the $$ Google lists currently.
Pretty cool atmosphere, good vibes. We both really liked the food, tasty and plenty. Good spot!
I really want to like this place...My the first time i visited was for my birthday. The food was great but the service was no good. The second time i visited the Empanadas were fried too hard boarding on burnt and the steak was too chewy and tough but the service was great. The steak pictured below was from my seoncd visit and the dish with the mashed yucca and black bean broth was from my first visit on my birthday.I will attempt one more visit before i make my final rating.
Wonderful service & food. So many choices made it hard to decide. Really enjoyed the pineapple guacamole & plaintains!
Food was good but overpriced. Vista Peru restaurant next door has food just as good but prices are more reasonable
Always wanted to go finally got to experience it with my spouse and holy Tolito food was amazing the barrio Chino wings were BOMB great portion for an app the waiter recommended the caipirinha which was a great drink also tried the aged reserve top flight which was some of the best rum I’ve had. The ropa veija was perfectly cooked great time definitely will be back
Had a birthday lunch with some co-workers, they were ordering from the lunch menu and i saw another customers order and asked what it was. I was told (i forget the name of the dish) what it was and that it was on the diner menu, and i was happy that i was able to order it also. All the food looks to pretty to eat, its a must to take a photo before digging in. Every thing was great and i will be back soon.
One of the best restaurants Ive eaten at in years. Great food & atmosphere with a very friendly and attentive staff.
Didn’t let my group in because of our “outfits” even though we didn’t break any code. There were people inside wearing less professional outfits than us. Don’t come here if you’re white. Racist people.
Rating Cuba Libre is hard bcos of the hostess welcome (Or lack of) we received which would have been a 1* vs the awesome server we had who should be the benchmark of all servers. Im giving a higher rating than Cuba Libre even deserves.The hostess actually told us to just order our dessert at the bar and refused to seat us in the dining area despite how empty they were at 10pm bcos we were there just for dessert. We were totally treated like we were an inconvenience. She even tried to get people at the bar moved around instead of giving us a table when we just wanted a real table. I dont even know what to say honestly.Anyhow, finally when we got a table by the door (how generous) we were served by the most wonderful server who took the time to offer suggestions and made accomodation for our dairy allergies.It was an absolutely night of decadence with our teas, hot chocolates and desserts.
The food was delicious and the waitress was friendly. It was easy to make a reservation for two on a Friday night, and our food came out very quickly. This was our first time here and we were looking forward to the dancing, but even being seated at 8, they informed us the dancing wouldn’t really start until 11 since it was a slow night. We didn’t end up dancing, but enjoyed the food and vibe of the restaurant overall. I’m curious to visit on a Saturday night next time.
Was visiting from out of town and stopped here for dinner. Everything was delicious. Do yourself a favor and get the Mango Mojito, you wont be disappointed.
Excellent food, drinks, and atmosphere. I have done Sunday brunch there twice now once doing that $25/head thing and another time where everyone ordered their own meal. Last time I was there I got the pollo con waffle which was an amazing dish. While the food is excellent, the portions are a bit on the small side for the price. Their drink concoctions are phenomenal and worth the price.
This is now one of my favorite restaurants in center city! The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous, the food was delicious and close to authentic Cuban food. The staff are very attentive, and the food came out very quickly after ordering. FYI If you plan on going during happy hour, the happy hour menu is only available at the bar.
I passed this place for years, always envisioning it as this cheap imitation of Mangos in South Beach. However after eating there a couple times Im hooked. It was really pleasant and I enjoyed what was not only the best Cuban sandwich Ive had in years, it was the best looking one Ive ever had. The others at my table raved about the burgers.
Simply An Amazing dinning. The food, drinks are amazing and the servers managers and staff members are always making sure you have a 5 star experience. If you are visiting the city of Philadelphia you have to visit this restaurant/ nightclub you wouldnt regret a bit.
Cuba Libre kills it for restaurant week lunch! The menu was amazing. Great drinks and service too. Will definitely return!
Loving Cuba Libre! I’ve dined here for lunch and dinner!! Make sure you get the octopus, pineapple guacamole with plantain chips(faves)!! And their chicken empanada (crust is so flaky and buttery it’s sooooo yummy!!) #TravelwithChefCherryl
Great happy hour! Get here early since bar space goes fast. They offer 7 tapas for $35 and lots of drink specials including their amazing mojitos and sangrias. I enjoyed the chicken empanada and yellowfin ceviche although I liked the old traditional ceviche they had better. The downstairs bar was packed. The upstairs bar was very busy but the bar back jumped in and took our order to ensure we still got fast service. This place is always a great choice for happy hour!
So much to love about this place! First and foremost, the food is delicious. The restaurant has an unbeatable ambiance, such nice decor and nice, high ceilings for that open space feeling. We had a pitcher of their coconut mojito and couldn’t even finish it between the two of us. Well worth the price! Then we came back around 11:30 because it turns into a nightclub and wow, such an amazing vibe! So cultured, great music, and strong drinks. Employees are super friendly, and definitely made sure everyone was taken care of. The restaurant manager, Gerald, really runs a well oiled machine over there. Definitely recommend
Im visiting from New Jersey for the weekend and chose this spot based on the reviews and the proximity. No regrets on my part or for my compadres. I personally had the special of the night, the Peking chicken which was flavorful and tender. For my people, the color on the chicken was on the pinkish side, but I trust that it was cooked to the BBC appropriate temperature. Tomorrow will tell lol🤣My pals went with the empanadas and claimed it was the best theyve ever had (chicken bested the pork). The bread combined with the mango cinnamon butter was a nice touch, damn near a dessert in itself lol.The ambiance of the joint was appeasing to the senses. Unfortunately we didnt get the chance to experience the club portion. Two levels of seating and well equipped bars.
Delicious food. Awesome complimentary bread with mango butter. Definitely get the pineapple guacamole, chocolate torte, and the flan.
Maggie was amazing. First time here. She made sure we were good at all times, offered the best drinks/food, and was such a lovely person. Ask for Maggie when you go in for the best service!!
I came here on a Friday Night around 12-1AM with my girlfriend(Interactial FF Couple) we do not come to Philly oftenQuick entrance, no wait, $5.00 cover charge, no coat check(to my knowledge), stamp on wrist, I would suggest nice casual attire, but I saw people with sneakers and t-shirts(bit of a turn off for me)Interior: Well ventilated, beautiful decor, clean, plenty of space to dance, pretty room in the back, upstairs floor availableAtmosphere: Energetic atmosphere, I did not feel self conscious about dancing, great music choice, nice lighting for clubs(where I dont feel sick with flashing lights)Staff: Friendly staff, I felt safe with the adequate security, slight wait at the bar - but it was a busy night and they were quick and professional, they continued to remove any empty glasses laying around so there was no clutter and it wasnt disgusting (big plus!)Overall: I had a great time as my first clubbing experience in Philly, I highly recommend this place, there was a comfortable crowd, and good prices on the drinksHope you enjoy it too!Insta: @datasianjan
We visited for my birthday, we have been to the AC location quite a few times and our experiences have always been great. Coming to the original was a fantastic experience. The food amazing, service top class. The staff took time to sit down and chat with us which we more than welcomed. We will be back. Thank you again for the amazing experience
Food is delicious atmosphere really nice. Service was great. Drink are so good
Husband and I went to Cuba Libre for date night and it couldn’t have been better! First, the manager Gerald was very polite, hospitable and personable. All of the staff that we encountered, to include our server Gianna, were friendly and personable! The drinks were tasty and the avocado lump crab meat appetizer was indescribably delicious! Our entrees were “particularly the skirt steak” melted in your mouth! We highly recommend Cuba Libre and will definitely be back!
Ok soooo lets start off good! The service was good very friendly staff, shout out to the manger who knew what he was talking about and helping with accommodations. The DRINKSSSSS😁😁 they were definitely the best part would recommend 💯 the bread and butter amazing and fresh. Its pricy, and the food not so good at all went with a group of about 20 5 were children 11 complained the food had no seasoning 2 sent food back and 2 didnt eat anything at all it was hot though 😩 its just nothing had flavor now if you dont mind bland and hot then this is the spot other then that stick to the drinks
The food was so delicious... I had the Paellas Marinara ❤... Bacardi Rum Punch and the crab guacamole.... Everything was truly delicious and our waiter Eric was so awesome
This is probably my favorite Cuban restaurant ever! It is so delicious. All the food is top Notch. The drinks are the best. This is on the pricey side but man, if you want the most satisfying meal. Here is the place.The atmosphere is unique and the service is quick. Totally worth a try.
Delicious delicious paella. Crazy amazing ambience. Didnt ever think it was this good. Totally agree with the 2k reviews and in love with cuban food.Ps: vegetarians in the group: I promise you - youre in for a treat
Amazing service - Prompt, attentive and warm/welcoming......... Food was equally good..... It was worth travelling for an hour to Philly......They made our evening special!!The place was extremely busy when we arrived but Francesca was able to get us a perfect table at our request. She was warm, quick and showed a genuine interest to help. Our waitress was equally sweet, warm, quick and very accommodating and professional yet friendly....... There is lot to learn from her :)...... And the best part was at 2 other people came by just to check if everything was fine as we were seated outside in the corner (no other restaurant has ever done this)......As we sat down and ordered our drinks, they got us the bread basket (warm butter-toasted bread and mango-cinnamon butter)...... heaven in a basket!!!The service was extremely quick even though they were so busy and the food was super yummy! Food orders were coming in at a very good pace. we didnt have to wait much after every course and their seafood paella is one of the best i have eaten in this side of the area......Overall..... great place, food and service...... a definite place to visit again!
Im in Philly for work I and get a per diem of $77. I always spend every bit of it when I go to Cuba Libre. No regrets. Great food, great atmosphere, and great wait staff. I had Rafael for my waiter again. Hes fantastic! You can really tell that he knows the food, enjoys it thoroughly, and cares whether or not you enjoy it too. Always a pleasure.
Food was great, the aesthetic of the restaurant is amazing. Service was good but even though food came out rather quick for a party of 9 after food was dropped off we waited a long time to get additional drinks and check. Food prices are extremely high but i guess you are paying for the atmosphere. Overall it was good but pricey.
Thank you the service and the food was awesome excellent..Millie was our server she is the best. Everyone there very polite and well manored. We recommend 100% We will return. Try the mango butter.... delicious
Fantastic, authentic Cuban fare. Beautiful decor that makes you feel like you’re in Havana. Excellent service. Mouth watering apps and mains. The margaritas are made with agave and not simple syrup which I loved. The pineapple guac -divine. Chicken wings, churrasco, ropa vieja - all so flavourful, rich and high quality ingredients. You MUST get the beef empanadas- omg! I’m only visiting so I couldn’t stay for Saturday salsa night! Would 100% recommend.
I went to dinner here about 3 weeks ago and it was absolutely amazing! The food was to die for! We had the passion fruit mojitos! Amazingggg! The service was phenomenal! I will definitely go back and is highly recommended!!!
Been here about seven times and each time the food, the service, everything is great!!!
Awesome!!!i love Cuban sandwiches. Next time I’d only ask for extra pickle mustard sauce. Other than that it was great!! The LECHÓN ASADO was another great hit!! The original mojitos are perfect! Highly recommend you give it a try! Ask for Becca she was great with the recommendations
Went for my partners birthday and the staff was so welcoming and attentive from the moment we walked in. Music was great and it looks amazing inside. Food was amazing, the table all enjoyed our emails with no complaints. We had the ropa vieja, tuna ceviche, empanadas, arroz con pollo, churros, and the flan, all of which tasted incredible. Definitely coming back!
Atmosphere was the best. Service (Alex) is one of a kind! Seriously, have never met a better server. Food was/is delectable.Thank you Alex!
I liked this place a lot. They have a nice system where if you make a reservation through their site you can check in via text to avoid crowding the host station. I love it when places make an effort to be efficient.We were here for restaurant week and every course was very good. My date had the black bean soup which was her favorite part of the meal and I had the tuna crudo which was quite tasty. We split a half pitcher of sangria which was delicious and a great value. Our brisket and paella entrees were both tasty and well portioned. I look forward to coming back here
The food was good, but I wanted to give a special shoutout to the waitress Myleishka! She was the absolute sweetest, gave incredible recommendations, and made the overall dining experience incredible.
Excellent everything. Food is amazing. Service is incredible!
The food was excellent I taste and temperature. The server was attentive, Only order the wings if you LIKE EXTRA CRISPY!Great flavor, Great environment...
Here for brunch but ordered from dinner menu. First time since covid restrictions but experience was good - staff including s server were conscientious of masks and distancing. Food was good - had special menu of salmon and empanadas - empanadas were delicious - has beef and chicken but beef definitely had better flavor. Loved passion fruit mojito.
The table they sat us swerved from left to right. The waitress wasn’t hospitable at all. The food was a 4 rating and expensive for the amount of food they gave. The lobster in the paella was overcooked. Won’t come back.
This place was pretty good but I do not think it was a great value. Entrees and apps were great, but I wasnt a fan of the dessert. Service was fine but nothing spectacular. I suggest the fish.
This place was decent. The ambiance and decor was amazing. The good was good, but the portion sizes were very small. I got the Cuban sandwich and it was small and the meat was a little chewy. The mojitos were awesome and we went on Wednesday and got half off a pitcher which was well needed because the prices are very high. 60 dollars for a pitcher and the good wasnt very much lower. Service was good, but just like everywhere in Philly there seems to be difficulty in splitting checks before asking.
We came here for restaurant week and really enjoyed our food. We started with the malanga fritters and the pineapple guacamole. The malanga fritters were really good and different from anything I havent had before. The pineapple guacamole was good too but the only problem was that it felt like it just came out of the fridge. My fiances teeth a very sensitive to temperature so it was hard for her to eat and really enjoy the guacamole even though the flavor was really good. For our entrees I had the lechon asado which was delicious as well. The only problem I had with that was with my very first bite, I but into a big hunk of fat. That was a bad way to start but the rest of the dish did not have any fat and tasted amazing. My fiance had the steak Argentino which was cooked to perfection and came with a delicious side of rice and beans and (unfortunately) a somewhat dry side of tostones. Probably the best part of the meal was the tres leches which was one of the best either of us have ever had! We would definitely go back and recommend anyone to go to this restaurant.
The service was great. The waitress was welcoming and acknowledgeable . She checked to make sure everything was ok while dining, multiple times. The atmosphere is very relaxing.
First time having Cuban food & it was amazing! Highly recommend this restaurant for their food & especially drinks!! Delicious
Awesome ambience and food. I went during restaurant week and started out with a tuna ceviche that was to die for. My main course was a king fish with mussels and shrimp and a side of fried yuka. You have to go to this restaurant I am going back. My server Philip was exceptional!! His recommendations were right on point. Thanks!!
Fantastic upscale Cuban cuisine! The service was wonderful! Everyone made sure our needs were met, our food was delicious and we enjoyed our visit. The menu has a full coverage of the wonderful variety of Cuban fare. The decor puts you right in the middle of La Havana. Attention to detail down to delivering your check in a Cuban cigar box. Truly the best night out in years! They have Two unisex bathrooms. Right around the corner from the subway. They also have outdoor seating.
Actions speak louder than words. In response to your claim of not favoring white people over Hispanic people, It remains to be seen whether those are empty words or meaningful words because it is so easy to say the right things on the internet. However, it’s much harder to do the right thing in the moment in real life when the situation arises. Your apology is very politically correct, but everyone knows the most important thing is always how you treat people and not what you say.
I only came for drinks, but they were delicious and the bartenders were very charming!
The only good thing is the mojitos. If planning to go during happy hour make sure you state it because if not you’ll be paying full price. The food lacks flavor.
The have a really good atmosphere. Their food is sweet tangy and flavorful. The also have bread with mango butter that will leave you wanting more ans also wonder what the entrée would taste like. This place really gave a meaning for appetizer to the entrée.
Awesome atmosphere! Outstanding customer service! The food was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Ive lived in Philadelphia for 4 years and FINALLY ate here!
The chicken empanadas were to die for!!!! I am only sorry I did not take some home!!! Everything was delicious....from the mojitos to the birthday flan!!!! And Alex, our mersedo, was wonderful and very attentive!!!!Will be back soon!!!!
The food and drinks were delicious! We sampled several dishes, which were all tasty. The menu is extensive, with a lot to choose from. My mojito was superb! Our server was polite and attentive.
The food was delicious. The service was very good. The food came on time. Be aware it was a weekday and the restaurant was not full. Our choices were the Crab guacamole, as starter for two and the Lechón asado and Shrimp with mojo as mains. The Crab guacamole was enough for two people, it has real crab meat and the tostones (fried green plantains) it comes with, are great. As per our mains, the Lechón asado particularly is a delish and we highly recommend it; and the sauce of the Shrimps (el mojo) was yummy.We are staying few days longer nearby and we can’t wait to go back.If you’re in Philadelphia this is one place you shouldn’t miss. The area is beautiful and buzzing with lots of young and older people alike. There is a place for everyone in this part of the city.
Ive been to the one in NJ, DC and now Philly and they never disappoint...i love this place...the food...the staff....ALWAYS nice no matter which city...love it.
*Update - Your hostess blamed OpenTable, not me. See image, I did have a reservation.Had a reservation. Called me the day before, the hostess was so so rude. Blamed OpenTable. That they couldn’t block out reservations, which is an absolute lie. Customer relations need a lot of work.
Worst dining experience I’ve ever had. Slow servers, rude hostess, lopsided teeter totter table and overpriced menu. Kudos to the manager for personally trying to counter all of those shortcomings.
Alana was a wonderful waitress. My daughter loved her as she engaged with her. Beautiful experience in Philly.
I was there for brunch. Great drinks and good, but heavy, food. My options were limited due to my restrictions but the menu selections were quite interesting. I have also been there in the evening for dancing and I had a great time. It can get quite crowded but the music is fantastic.
The chicken empanadas are to die for!! The mojitos are also really good! All the food we ordered was great. The ambience was all so good.
The food was delicious, the ambience was awesome and the service was great. I cant wait to go back!
Great experience, happy vibes and good food! I would go back for sure !
Cant say enough about the Sunday unlimited tapas brunch!! Worth every penny. Possibly the best brunch I ever had! Try the crabcake Benedict and fed a watermelon guava mimosa!
We went for restaurant week. The special menu was diverse. The food was delicious and the service excellent, as usual.
Live their civechie and sangria. However, the paella is not enough for 2 people and the portion is small. Normally the paella should cook as crispy or dry, but their paella is watery.
Cool, fun vibe. Great food AND THS BEST CLASSIC MOJITO IVE EVER HAD. Theyve gone to great lengths to make their customers feel safe despite the pandemic.
You gotta try the blue crab, pineapple guac, it was delicious!Service was amazing, our food arrived quickly, food was all delicious it came in very generous servings. Seriously, we were stuffed halfway through the meal.Black bean soup was surprisingly flavorful and their cuban coffee was full of deep flavor.
Nice waitress and good sea food - but vastly overpriced. For the very small bowl in the photo (see fork for comparison) they charged $ 23.- which definetely wasn‘t worth it. And NO salad, bread or anything else was included.
Its a vibe yall. The food was finger licking. The mojitos were on point. Great date night spot.
Great place to have good food. Brunch is served until 2ish if you want dinner go after 3. Brunch special is good option.
Fantastic food and great service, a winning combo! Mojitos galore and nice mocktail selection too.
The food here is out of this world! The atmosphere is something out of a movie. So comfortable and worth every penny.
The BEST atmosphere and mojitos!! And their food is also amazing! Always a fun time for lunch, or dinner and dancing! Thank you Cuba Libre!
The food was amazing I always want to go here and for my first time there I had a great experience and the food was amazing to
Staff was very friendly and the food was fresh and delicious. The restaurant turns into a night club at 2300(11pm) so the latest reservation is at 2230(1030pm) salsa club to be exact.
Every time we go there the food is always good and the service is also great highly recommend
So much fun, had a great night out with work colleagues, we had a great and knowledgeable server, the food was fantastic! I hope to go back!
Excellent food, great staff, super friendly and knowledgeable. Atmosphere was phenomenal!
I love this place. It’s a cute place with friendly staff. Today was my second time visiting. Food was better than last time. Maybe what I got this time tasted better but I would recommend the skirt steak with the mashed potato and watercress salad. It was so good! I had a three course meal dessert was not my favorite because of personal issues with texture but other than that it was good.
Food was ok but last time we ate there was better. At 11 pm they make it a night club, move every chair and table out of the place, I guess young people enjoy standing up and holding their drinks the whole time, but not for us, so after dinner (around 1030 pm they told us we could stay but they had to move the table) we had to leave and look for another place to have some drinks before go back to the hotel.
In short, whatever the occasion: private catered party, group lunch, or table for two; this place is great. My co-workers and I come here annually around the holidays for lunch. My wife also loves it, we had rehearsal brunch here after our wedding rehearsal.
Food was great, service even better.
Great ambiance, cheerful and polite staff, and last but not least there food is amazing!
Cuba Libre is one of my favorite spots to go to in Philly. The manager Greg is AMAZING. He delivers great customer service, an exceptional experience, and is present every time Ive dined here. I recommend sitting in Alexs section because he will not disappoint and has great knowledge of the menu so his recommendations are on point. The food is AWESOME! From any of the appetizers (the empanadas are my fav) to the entrees, down to the Tres Leches cake for dessert. This place does NOT disappoint! Mojito Mondays make it even sweeter!
I am so glad I stopped in for dinner. The atmosphere is amazing and the staff are extremely friendly. Try their Cuban sandwich as it was divine.
The food was AMAZING!! The pricing was tad on the expensive side but definitely worth it. Im not a flan person but omg theirs was devine and so creamy, made me want to give it another try lol.Perfect for date night, the decor and vibes was lovely! And the staff are super sweet and efficient! Will most definitely be coming back ❤
Total reviews rating 4.4
199 Reviews for Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Philadelphia 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-20I had a lot of Cuban food in my life and this was probably the best one yet! The food is pricey, but the vibe is perfect for a couple or a group. They bring you some bread with an amazing mango cinnamon butter at the beginning. The hostess were super nice and amazing as well. All the food selection was gourmet, fresh, and not one single item was bad. I was full for dessert, but I went for the flan and it was so rich and flavorful, I m glad that I went of it. The cocktail drinks are also good! This place is 10/10.
Review №2
2022-02-21I’m Cuban from Old Havana, so the decor of this place brought back great memories. I wasn’t crowded for lunch which we loved it. We tried the paella mixta, and it was sooo good!!! 100% recommended. Photos below for your reference. Enjoy!
Review №3
2022-06-21It’s now one of my favorite restaurants! The decor is amazingly beautiful. Like a slice of Havana in Philly! Foods were so good. The first round mango butter with pressed bread is on the house. That mango butter was seriously delicious. Also got the crab guacamole. I couldn’t really taste the crab but it also has strong pineapple flavor just FYI. The paella marinera was to die for - the saffron rice was very flavorful. And the seafood: whole Maine lobster tail, shrimps, mussels, crab meat… just so good. The paella is meant for one person so it’s not like you have to share with others. (And trust me you dont wanna share)Waitress Nina was lovely and sweet. A great dining experience. I’ll definitely come back!
Review №4
2022-02-11Celebrated my Daughters 15th Bday, along with her Brother during Pandemic restrictions. Our meals were Paella (w/Shrimp, Chicken & Chorizo); Roasted Chicken w/Rice & Blk Beans (+Side of Tostones); Cubano w/Side Salad & Cup of Blk Bean Soup (incl. Crispy Platano Chips). We also had an appetizer, desserts to go, NoJitos (2) and a Mimosa. Food was delicious, appropriate temp and beautiful presentations. We were crazy for the Toasted Bread and even more impressive (secret recipe house-made)😋🤤🤗 butter. (I would enjoy both forever if I could!)Great atmosphere to celebrate good times while savoring Cuba thru your tastebuds!🏝🥘🍹💒
Review №5
2022-05-15The ambience and decor is unlike any other Ive ever seen. Its beautiful, its authentic, its unique.Our server- Hannah, was a real sweetheart. She directed us to a great ice cream place tooWonderful experience.Food couldve been better
Review №6
2022-05-08Cuba Libre was an overall great experience. They have wonderful host and servers with great customer service skills. The food was delicious and came out HOT! The appetizers.. FN amazing! I got an order to go.. and the ambiance and decor was nice. I would go back and recommend. And no I dont just give out 5star reviews unless its earned... 5 ⭐
Review №7
2022-07-01Absolutely beautiful place! People walking by in the sidewalk literally stopped and took pics. Drinks were tremendous (rum punch and mojito) and the food was just as good! We got ropa veija and paellas., along with the three dip appetizer. Recommended to my local friends who hadn’t been there yet and will certainly return.
Review №8
2022-02-03*HIGHLY RECOMMEND**4.5 Stars*I went to Cuba Libre during restaurant week and loved majority of everything we got. The two story restaurant is a restaurant during the day and a club during the night. I loved the decor of the place, vibrant, colorful, and full of cultural flare. The menu has a good amount of options as well as drinks. The mojito was sooo good!!! We ordered the guava one and you can barely taste the alcohol. The food was delicious as well, exceeded my expectation. Price was fair as well, especially for the amount of food. Philly doesnt have many cuban restaurants but this place is by far my favorite cuban place thus far.*DINNER*Pineapple guacamole cuban - This guac is soo good, savory and sweet. I love the plantain chips it comes with, crunchy.*Chicken Empanadas - GET THIS! Hands down the highlight of dinner. The empanadas was so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I did not expect the chicken one to be better than the beef one but it was.Ropa Vieja - tradition stewed brisket dish with sweet plantain. The brisket pulls apart very easily and the stew rich in flavor. Very balanced ingredients and flavorsPez Cobia - If you love seafood like I do, definitely try this dish. Fish was sooo tender and seasoned well. The coconut broth reminds me of thai curry.Flan - light dessert, a bit dense compared to other flans Ive hadTres Leches Cake - a bit too soggy for my liking. Very creamy and rich*VERDICT*Would definitely go again. Underrated
Review №9
2022-02-02Very atmospheric and romantic place to have a dinner! Its a bit dark during the night time, so I recommend coming before the sunset to see the place with a natural light. Good menu with a lot of choices; loved their mojito variety.
Review №10
2022-01-26The bartender was very nice and the drinks were on point. Liked the ambience. The only reason for 4 stars is bc the hostess could not sit us in the main hall for not reserving although there were plenty of tables until we left. Do understand but always find this a bit petty when staff are not flexible depending on the availability esp when we visited around 4 when it is normally not so crowded. Anyone wants to sit in the hall, be sure to reserve.