Cubana

Oh Cubana, I love to hate you!! You're so funky but have consistently bad service, the worst I've come across... :( such a shame!

Check out my full review here: http://www.naomisnotes.co.uk/2013/03/cubana-waterloo.html

Good food and atmosphere.  Sadly we were kicked out of the place because we had "already been there for 1 1/2 hrs"!! Needless to say, I won't be returning!  

A drop of Havana in SE1. Cannot go wrong with the slow roasted pork with black beans, rice and plantains.... And don't forget to ask for the amazing sauces to go with it (the spicy orange one and the tasty green one). Chorizo and sweet potato croquettes also delicious and Cubana tropical smoothie is yum. Going back soon to check out happy hour mojitos!!

The foodI had here was amazing, for the price charged the quality of the meat was excellent. Wash that down with a Gingery Mojito and you're onto a winner.

The only slight problem was how busy it was, we were sitting up on one of the decks which meant we weren't in the staffs eye line, could have got more drinks a little quicker. Other than that the upstairs mezzanine was a great location, if a little hot before they turned the fans on.
I would recommend!

Cubana is a gem- definitely worth a visit! The menu was varied and scrumptious (everything was freshly made- we had traditional Cuban dishes Pollo Criollo and Ropa Vieja) and the cocktails and smoothies were delicious too! Friendly service and a fun, buzzing atmosphere made the whole experience extremely enjoyable. I’ve been introduced to a whole new food world and I’ll definitely come back again- a new favourite in London!

Bad bad bad mojito, lots of little pieces of broken up mint that I kept sucking up my straw so I had to drink it at a funny angle, luckily I was with an old friend who didn’t seem bothered by my strange behaviour and posture. Couldn’t taste the rum either, only more mint, very disappointing. We were told there were no tables (at 6 on a tuesday night) and the waitress walked off and left us to fend of ourselves and enquire with the bar staff if it was okay to have a drink standing at the bar.

Good atmosphere, and good food, reasonably priced. Great menu, though the kids menu is pretty weak, although the Tappas starters are a good alternative.

Meal slightly displaced by the kids food order not being put through, meaning their food finally arrived 25 mins after ours had, once I had advised them it hadn’t arrived. They hadn’t noticed. They didn’t seen unduly concerned to rush through the order ahead, once notified, either. Apart from that, a good place.

Went there mid April. Nice place, turned up without a prior booking on a Friday immediately after work so it was due to be busy. Got a table for two within 5 minutes. Waitreses were very pleasant and helped with suggestions on the Cuban food. It was happy hour, two cocktails for the price of one. So felt it was a great deal on the drinks. Food was fine too and all reasonably priced. I would go back there again for a more leisurely meal and experiment.

I've been a few times and the cocktails and smoothies are always great, but I think the food has improved a lot. It was always OK and not expensive, but I went with friends last week and we had a good selection. The tapas plates for sharing were really brilliant value and the chrozo croquttes and falafel were v nice. The best main, in my view, was the marinated sirloin steak - done perfectly and would cost you at least a fiver more in poncier places. We also went for the Catnina Lunch a couple of weeks ago - £4.95 for a main course was pretty good - very filling and quick service. Very good value for nice, fresh food.

Excellent fresh cocktails and superb passion fruit smoothie. We also had very substantial tapas sharing plates and a sesame tuna dish which was awesome. The aepas were not as good, though the lime meringue pie dessert was excellent. We did have to wait for a table as the place gets busy at night, but overall very good value, great staff and fantastic Cuban band later on.

We went at the weekend and has starters, mains, cocktails and a dessert. The cocktails were very good and fresh tasting and although the food was a bit slow, it was also very fresh - tuna cakes, sesame tuna and sirloin steaks - all excellent. The lime meringue pie dessert was good too. We paid around £30 a head all in with a couple of drinks each and with the live Latin band later on, it was a good night out which didn't cost as lot.

I'm not sure what I expected when I went to Cubana. It seems to be a cross between a live venue and restaurant, but the food certainly did not disappoint.

I'm not a big drinker, but tried a mojitos (I had a ginger one) which was great. I suspect

I had one of the best sirloin steak for the money I have eaten in a long time followed by lime cream meringue pie which (don't tell her) was better than the lemon variety that mother used to make. Overall a first class night.

Shared tapas with a pal which was superb. really fresh. Decor won't be to everyone's taste. Brilliant cocktails. Haven't tried their lunchtime menu which also looks tempting, though not sure I could cope with the cocktails at that time of the day.

Service took a while but worth the wait.

Check out the Cuban memorabilia on the walls... very cool!

Like the most colourful children's playground you can imagine, only with a lot more cocktails! Fast, friendly service in this lively bar/restaurant. The chargrilled Bistec is particularly delicious, and comes with these amazing plantain-cakes. Empanadas a bit tired, but the frozen cocktails will perk anyone up!

Best cocktails Ive had for quite a while. Great music, and fresh and tasty food. What is even better if they do a three course pre theatre menu for under £11. Can't complain about that in central London, and the venue was close enough for me to stagger back to Waterloo once Id enjoyed a jug of mojito's with my dining partner.

Great night out - will go again.

The cocktails were alright and decent value, but the food was pretty terrible. The chicken and chorizo stew had absolutely no chorizo in it and two piffling bits of chicken. I think they were trying to save money by palming off some potato and chickpeas for £10 a meal. The tuna was also overcooked and rubbish. We sent them both back and got no apology, but they seemed used to taking bad food back. The fact we were the only food reservation all night says it all really. I'd go there for a drink or two, but never eat there again.

Never eaten at the place but had many good nights at the place. Cocktails are the best in the area and friday and Saturday nights rock

Cubana,

right next to the place I live so I pass by quite often.
If you go there on weekends and there is live music you can have a great time. I expierenced that the quality of the mojito depends on the weekday and I did spot rotten limes in their lime juicer.

So be suspicious of funny tastes...

Oh deary me. I came here on Saturday and then found myself really rather tipsy after a group of us shared SIX pitchers of mojitos. SIX! There was only four of us, it wasn’t the cleverest thing I’ve ever done.

But it was fun. Even though the bouncers give you attitude (you can take your drinks outside, but you can’t drink out of them. Don’t dare try and do that.) The whole place smells of sweat and mojitos. I imagine if I’d found myself in here sober, I wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun.

But fun was had, mojitos were drunk, and I arrived home rather later than planned. Considering how busy it was in here, the service was good and the prices aren’t too bad. It’s a fiver in, but you get a £1 off voucher meaning our fist cocktail pitcher was just over a tenner, I think they’re about £14 otherwise.

It’s a lot of fun, the live music is a nice touch. Just don’t go expecting anything but a great big cocktaily mess.

I’ve never actually eaten here (though the food looks FAB), but the cocktails at Cubana are to die for. The best mojitos & sangria in town, easily. Large selection of tequilias on offer and generally a quite extensive cocktail list. Prices aren’t super cheap, but considering you’re in the heart of Waterloo, they aren’t half-bad either. Great for parties or just some fun times with a couple of friends. They offer theme nights and things like salsa-dancing lessons & real Cuban cigars for sale.