I went to my friends campaign event at Cuba 512, known for traditional Cuban cuisine. They had a large room that was reserved for the event separate from the dining area. I started with the Margarita on the rocks from the happy hour menu. It was made from scratch with tequila, triple sec, fresh lime, and cane sugar. I added mango flavor and tajin. The event ordered the Tropical Ceviche for the table with fresh fish cured in lime, with cilantro, avocado and onions. It was served with plantain chips. The flavors in this ceviche were so balanced and light. I was blown away on how much I enjoyed this. For my entree, I ordered Lechón Asado the most traditional Cuban dish. It is pulled pork marinated with Cuban Mojo criollo and slowly oven roasted. It was served with your choice of beans, rice and plantain. I went with the black beans, white rice and Yucca con Mojo. You can taste the citrus, garlic, and slow-roasted depth in every bite. It was juicy without being heavy and felt authentically prepared. The portion was generous, and everything on the plate complemented the pork beautifully. It felt comforting, well balanced, and thoughtfully executed. I did have an issue with slow service as far as receiving my food and one margarita I ordered was never delivered and I had to follow up on. Also my food was added to another person's check instead of on a separate check. However, these issues can be expected with a large event. It was a great location to host an event. If you're craving real Cuban flavors, Cuba 512 is a great choice. read more

Cuba 512 - Margarita - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Had to ask for our food twice because the bartender just wouldn't acknowledge us. There was only 2 other tables in the entire place. What are we doing here? Didn't even eat my second round of cold food I had to ask for. Two items were also wrongly priced on our check. Overall bad service. read more

From the moment I walked in, Cuba512 captured everything I love about a great dining experience -- warm hospitality, bold flavors, and a vibe that feels both relaxed and special. Every dish we ordered was spot on -- rich, well-seasoned, and deeply satisfying. The Cuban classics on the menu are done with real care and authenticity, and you can taste the quality in every bite. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely happy to be there -- which made the experience even better. Whether you're stopping in for lunch, dinner, or just a quick bite, this place delivers on every level. Highly recommend the food, the atmosphere, and the overall experience. If you're in the mood for delicious Cuban cuisine in Austin, Cuba512 should be at the top of your list! read more

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Happy Halloween! Two goals on my day off - find my hubby a birthday gift (4 days left...technically 2 days since we are going out to dinner on Sunday to celebrate his birthday) and self-care. One of the lovely things about Yelp is developing Yelp friendships. I met a friend for lunch at Cuba 512, which comes highly recommended by her. I have never gone to Cuba, however, if food taste like they do at Cuba 512, I am totally ready to pack my bags. I ordered the Lechón Asado, a traditional Cuban dish. Pulled pork marinated with Cuban Mojo criollo and slowly oven roasted. It also came with sides of yellow rice, churro beans and monduros (plantains...one of my guilty pleasures.) Can you consider self-care eating something you really enjoy? I am going to go with, "yes". My Yelp friend ordered the Cuban Churrasco (Cuban-style, rubbed with traditional flavors, served with caramelized onions on top and a side of homemade chimichurri). She really enjoyed her meal. Our meals were exceptional - non-traditional seasoning, extra soft meats and sides that melded together seamlessly. We also ordered flan. I have to say I am flan connoisseur. One of my best friends makes the best homemade flan, so she's my golden standard. Do not tell her, but Cuba 512's flan is so much better - thick, creamy and smooth with chocolate drizzled over the top. I could easily drive back to the restaurant just for the flan. Excellent dining experience... read more

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After missing our Valentine's dinner reservation, we needed somewhere to eat in the area that didn't have a long wait. Found Cuba 512 in Open Table and quickly grabbed a reservation. When we got there the restaurant was fairly empty and we were promptly greeted. We ordered the Cuban tamal, a ham croqueta and two orders of the Cuban churrasco. Overall the food was solid. The ham croqueta and the beans were probably my favorite things I tried. The sweet plantains needed to be cooked a little bit more. The taste of the onions overpowered the skirt steak. The chimichurri was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and I've had my fair share. Not a bad option for a no frills dinner. Service was on point and there is plenty of parking. read more

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The food here is always outstanding, this time I had the Cuban churrasco and my friend had the lechón asado. I enjoyed a Cuban512 mojito and that was delicious as well! Now, we got the flan to go and that was a cherry on top! The service was great too, we were there early and we had the whole place to ourselves. The ambience is cool, there are 2 spaces available and a full bar, it's not noisy or dark inside. We will definitely be back! read more

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Visited Cuban 512 on a late Saturday afternoon after seeing a TikTok about their sampler, and it definitely lived up to the hype! When we arrived, the place was quiet, but the atmosphere was still lively thanks to the Cuban music playing in the background. It started picking up soon after we sat down, and a live band was setting up to play at 7 PM, which added even more to the vibe. We grabbed a spot in the "to-go pose" area and settled in. The sampler was the star of the show -- a little bit of everything and more than enough for two people. Each item brought unique flavors, and the dipping sauces added that extra pizazz to the experience. We also tried the Cuban sandwich, which was perfectly crisp -- the bread had that satisfying crunch with every bite, and it was also large enough to share. To drink, we had the watermelon and passion fruit mojitos -- super refreshing and the perfect pairing for the rich flavors of the food. After a meal that big, I needed a little boost, and the mochachino definitely packed a punch. It gave me the perfect jolt of energy right when I was about to slip into a food coma! Overall, Cuban 512 served up delicious food, good vibes, and a fun atmosphere that made the visit well worth it. Would definitely return -- especially to catch that live music next time! read more

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I'm a big fan of loaded fries, and an even bigger aficionado when a choice of Cuban toppings is involved. Their Cuban Loaded Fries included seasoned fries, melted mozzarella, guacamole. Now for the variations. Not being too familiar with Cuban cuisine, I had to ask for definitions, which are provided in parentheses: Choices of lechon asado (roast pork) ropa vieja (stewed beef in a sofrito base), picadillo (ground beef), chicken or veggies. Substitutions for fries included boniaco frita (sweet potato), Maraquita, or yucca fries. I chose the picadillo and yucca fries. Both were yummy, and a nice change of pace from regular loaded fries. The server gladly helped me with the ordering. The ambiance has hints of Cuban culture with photos on the walls, and they host various Cuban cultural entertainment throughout the month. read more

Cuba 512 - Cuban Loaded fries with picadillo and yucca fries - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Ordered the fried pork food was good flavor wise but I was served a bunch of rice and very little meat. Especially for that price they should have added way more meat. I was very disappointed ordered on Uber Eats read more

Cuba 512 - Masas Fritas - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

We joined a graduation dinner here with friends, one of whose son just graduated from UT Austin. It got pretty busy after we were seated, and we could tell our server was doing multiple jobs from taking orders, setting up tables, making drinks but she was very helpful and surprisingly attentive for all that she had going on last Friday evening! I've eaten here and had take home food from here in the past and the Cuban food has always been consistently good and authentic! They even had a happy hour so we were able to get a few apps and one drink on HH prices. We enjoyed the plantain chips, all sorts of pork items, buttered yellow rice, and deserts. Our vegetarian friend enjoyed his meals as well. I look forward to eating here again soon! read more

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Authentic Cuban cuisine with fried empanadas and just the music I wanted to hear. There's two areas for dining, one by the bar, and one on the other side of the wall. The bar has a great ambiance, so we choose to sit right next to it. I was ecstatic to find that they had fried empanadas. There's aren't many places that offer that. Everything was really good! Definitely recommend! read more

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If you're craving Cuban food (or something in the general Latin American comfort food realm), Cuba 512 hits the spot. It's not exactly elevated cuisine, but that's kind of the charm. It feels homey, generous, and made with love. We've been a few times now, and when you know what to order, it's a really satisfying experience. Standouts: - The Tostones Rellenos with Lechón Asado are a huge crowd favorite. The other protein options, like the chicken, are just okay. - The Pan con Tomate is a nice, fresh bite. - My friends really like the Bistec de Pollo and Ropa Vieja. - I personally love the vegetarian Quimbambo Criollo (sautéed okra). If you're an okra person, this preparation is special and seriously delicious. Portions are very generous. Every entrée comes with rice and beans and a side of your choice. Service is always super warm. You feel like you're being fed by family. The whole vibe is casual, welcoming, unpretentious. They often have live music or even salsa dancing nights! Why not five stars? A few things. - The second dining room can feel a little scattered when it's not in use. Kind of like an event space in between setups. - The menu is too ambitious, and they're often out of things, which is annoying. I'd rather see a tighter, more consistent menu. - Some dishes are real hits, others are kind of a miss. Once you know what to get, it's great, but if your first visit is one of the misses, you might not come back. Overall, this is becoming one of our favorite spots for a casual dinner. Definitely worth a visit... just order wisely. read more

Cuba 512 hit me right in the homesick spot. I'm Cuban, born and raised in Miami, and lately I've been missing home pretty hard. So my husband and I decided to give this place a shot, hoping for at least a little taste of the real thing, and yeah, it delivered. We started with drinks, a mojito for me and a cañita for him. Both were delicious, fresh, not watered down, just done right. The kids went for a Cuban sandwich and a beef empanada, and they cleaned their plates, which basically never happens unless it's actually good. For the main event, we shared the lechón asado and added sides of congri (white rice with black beans mixed in) and tostones (the flat fried bananas). The lechón was flavorful and super satisfying, the kind of plate that makes you slow down and stop talking for a second. We also ordered yuca fries and mariquitas. The mariquitas were the moment for me, they reminded me exactly of how my grandmother makes them, same crunch, same vibe, just instantly took me back. The yuca fries were a little different (in a good way). They had this slight Texas twist going on, and the sauce, I swear it had sriracha in it, and with paprika sprinkled over the yuca it turned into this over the top, unexpected surprise. I wasn't expecting to love that as much as I did, but here we are. We finished with flan, and it didn't disappoint either. Don't tell my abuela, but it might've been better than hers. Maybe. Depends on the day. Big shoutout to the owners and chef. This little joint pulls the best parts of Cuban cuisine and brings a taste of our island to life here in Austin, plus some American touches that actually work. One small thing, the children's menu has a misspelling of the word "Spanish", and I'd honestly take off the word "communist", especially on a kids menu. A lot of Cubans like us left the island and don't want that reminder when we're just trying to enjoy our food with our family. Keep it about the beautiful culture, the parts we carry with us, and the dreams we're trying to build here. Tip for locals: if you've ever wondered what a trip to Miami tastes like, come to Cuba 512 instead, no Florida plane ticket required. read more

Cuba 512 - El Cubano Sandwich - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

I Had lunch today at Cuba 512, here in Austin. The environment is very comfortable. They have booths, tables, outside seating and a bar, with full alcohol service. The service was exceptional. My server was knowledgeable, courteous, and kind. I had questions about the food and she answered without hesitation; she knew exactly what was in that food. The prices are not bad, between 10 and $20 a dish. They also have lunch specials for less money. We started out with plantain chips and guacamole for an appetizer. The plantain chips. Here are the best I've ever tasted. I have come here just for the plantain chips! I also got the chicken fricassee, my husband got empanadas. He loves their empanadas. He got both beef and cheese empanadas. I had a Topo Chico to drink and he had iced tea. This restaurant is just a few doors down from Legacy Chiropractic, so I came here right after my adjustment! I will definitely be back! read more

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I was really excited to stumble upon this restaurant because I love Cuban cuisine and it's only 12 minutes from me. I decided to give it a try with to basic items and ordered them for pick up: beef empanadas and flan. The empanadas were over fried and greasy plus it didn't come with any dipping sauce. The flan was a bit dry and had very little syrup. To be fair to them I plan on going back for a lunch or dinner plate and hopefully they will be better. read more

Had my graduation dinner here and the food was delicious as always!! Drinks were super yummy and service was impeccable. Lots of space for my party and somewhat dimly lit which is my vibe. I love Cuba 512! read more

I've been coming here with my wife over the last year after moving from Miami. In all honesty, as authentic and delicious as it gets. Couldn't recommend this place more. read more

Back in Austin and trying new things! According to my partner "everything on my plate was perfect...I wanna go hug the chef." Attentive and polite service, even close to closing. Lively music and cool Cuban decor - I like the cigar boxes holding condiments. Started with a guava mojito which was sweet and delicious. I ordered the carne con papas with yellow rice, black beans, and maduros; and my partner had the lechón asado with the same sides. Both meats were very tender and not too fatty, the beans were absolutely excellent - you can taste the flavors - and the yellow rice was delicious. Extra shout out to the maduros - ain't nothing tie a Cuban meal together better than fried plantains. Will definitely be coming back for more food and drinks! read more

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I've noticed this place for years and always said I'd go in one day. It took forever but that day finally came. I was actually at another store in the shopping center. My friend works there. But she said she was hungry but wasn't getting off for a few more hours. I asked if she wanted me to get her something but she declined. I told her I had to eat too but she still said it's ok. Walking out I was scouting what was around that I could pick up and that would be easy for her to eat at work. In my opinion there weren't many options but it hit me that Cuba 512 was right there and they had sandwiches. So I walked over and was met immediately by a lovely young lady who helped me decide what to get by showing me their specials. I just told her what I wanted and she relayed that to a gentleman who promptly rung it up and let me know it would be 5-10 minutes. Spoiler, it took a bit longer than that. But honestly it wasn't a big deal because this place is really cool inside. It wasn't packed for it being a Thursday afternoon. It was very tidy, the music that was playing wasn't loud at all. It pleasant background noise that allowed for easy conversation without having to contend with the noise. The few patrons that were there seemed to be regulars. The way they interacted with each other and the staff indicated they were all very familiar with one another. The decor isn't the most modern but it does stick with a cuba (think Havana) theme. But really does the decor matter when the the atmosphere is so inviting?! While I only picked up an order and left and I can't say anything about the food because I ended up not getting myself anything (I regret that because my friend's food smelled WONDERFUL); it did light a fire in me to make sure I come back and fully experience this place. It gives me the feeling that it's an "if you know, you know" kind of place...and I'm trying to FULLY find out! read more

Just discovered this gem over lunch! The lechon asado was amazing! Just melted in my mouth. The fried plantain (3 kinds!) was carmelized perfectly sweet. Can't wait to come back! Staff was pleasant and food served promptly. Nice ambiance with bar for mixed drinks for a little cafe in strip mall. read more

Cuba 512 - Lunch special, lechon asado and red beans. - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Had delivery and food very tasty with good size portions! Authentic cuisine...recommend you try it!

The service was good, and the ambience is giving hole in the wall of the cuban streets. The food tastes like it's home made, and no fancy frills, just some good cuban home cooking. The Chuletas were perfectly balanced of lime and salt, the black beans over the rice is soft and gives the right texture of warmth. Came for the oxtail dish, sad to find out they no longer serve it. Croquetas are a must have, so are the yucca fritas. read more

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The only genuine Cuban food in the Austin area, very comparable to good Cuban restaurants found in Miami. We've been here three times and the food has always been hot, delicious, and the service very attentive. Authentic ropa vieja, lechon asado, maduros, yuca con mojo and black rice and beans. The biggest negative is that we live 50 minutes north and can't eat here more often! read more

Great Cuban restaurant with many authentic dishes and drinks. My favorite dishes have been the beef empanadas, the Cuban sandwich, and "the Pork entree" (BOMB!!!) The portions are also pretty hefty which was nice. read more

Had dinner here on Saturday night and 2 days later, I'm still thinking about how much I enjoyed their El Cubano sandwich. Hubby ordered it and thankfully, he is always willing to share! I had the Mariscada Cubana and was slightly disappointed. The dish itself tasted a little bland to me. Instead of a paella feel, which is how the menu described it, we thought it resembled more of a fried rice dish. It had seafood, but was definitely rice heavy. We also ordered 3 starters and I thought the Tropical Cerviche was fresh and light tasting. The Tostones Rellenos were fine and I can't remember the Yuca Frita. Overall, the service was good and it felt like a family run business. The prices were reasonable. I would certainly go back for that sandwich and to support a local, well priced family business! read more

If you're in south Austin, do your tastebuds a favor and try this place. Great atmosphere. Love the attention to detail with the repurposed cigar boxes as condiment holders and serving trays for drinks. Super cute. Big portion sizes are great for sharing. And the drinks were very tasty. Oscar was our bartender/server and was very knowledgeable and friendly, as well as attentive. Looking forward to going back for the December Chawar tastings he told us about as well! read more

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I think this place was pretty good. I am not an expert in Cuban food but I found this place to be tasty. The fact that every dish comes with plantains is already a plus. They were so good and had some crispy caramelized bits. I'm not sure what makes the difference between who gets what kind of rice or beans for the different entrees. I got lechon and my sister got some type of wagyu. Her boyfriend who got another pork dish had the same kind of rice and beans as her and I was the only one with white rice and black beans. Her steak was a bit dry and overcooked but her rice and beans were delicious. My lechon was delicious but my side of rice and beans were meh. It wasn't super crowded when we went but it was nice and quiet. Mostly we were left alone but the food was not bad. I would probably come again if I was in the area read more

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I was really craving some Cuban food after my recent trip to Miami and stumbled upon Cuba 512. My husband and I split the Cubano sandwich and two beef empanadas. When we walked in, they told us we could sit anywhere as it wasn't crowded on a Wednesday evening. We had just missed happy hour, but it seems they have good happy hour discounts. They use cigar boxes at each table to store condiments, which was cool. I was a little surprised to see the higher prices, but everything we had was tasty. It was an extra $3.50 to add fries to the sandwich so keep that in mind. We easily split the sandwich and were both full. The empanadas were filled with beef and that was it...no other ingredients. Overall, a good experience. read more

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The food and the service was great and the Cuban tamales were to die for. I would definitely come back and eat again

Beef empanadas were delightful. Margarita was A1. If I ever find myself getting an oil change at that god awful Midas next door, I will definitely come back here and do it all again. I love you Cuba 512. read more

What a cute local spot - we only picked up appetizers and desserts but service was wonderful, decor was cheerful, and we hope to return.

It has been a while and I am glad I came back. The strawberry margaritas are delicious. I had the chicken horno, beans, yellow rice, and sweet plantains, and it was yummy. read more

I didn't think austin would have a authentic Cuban restaurant that was actually amazing. I have been here 4 times so I really waited to write this review. The food and the service are amazing I love the atmosphere of this place. I have recommended this place to all my friends and no one has came back with a negative review. You really have to this this place a shot and the drinks are fireeeee. I talked to the manager and she was so sweet and kind!!! read more

Food was pretty good! A tad under seasoned for my liking but overall I enjoyed it. Our server was very kind and they have live music on Friday's. read more

Cuba 512 - Bistec de pollo - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Met friends for lunch. It's located in a shopping center. There is alot of space for dining, bar and kids corner. They have a lunch and dinner menu. We ordered croquettes with pork, tostones rellano with beef and pork, all selections of their empanadas, ceviche, lechon asado, pollo fricase, black beans, yellow rice and maduras. The pork gave the croqueta flavor. It tasted like the base was made of yucca. I was not impressed with the tostones rellano. However I like the beef more than the pork. The lechon asado was delicious and moist. I love the yellow rice with black beans poured on top of it. The maduros was cut longer than I'm used to but the flavor was perfect. The pollo frisca was ok. I want to come back during happy hour and try the drinks. Very unique drinks with liquor that I love. Overall good Cuban food, excellent mix drinks and great service. read more

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I had not been here in a few years. Gave it another shot and feel it improved a lot. Had the El Cubano sandwich and it was great. Others in my party really liked their brunch and pork offerings. Vibe is good, very laid back and nice change of pace from most Austin restaurants. Service was friendly and attentive. read more

This place is awesome!! Over the last few months this has been my go to spot. The staff is always friendly, the food is great and the beer is cold. What more could you ask for? Did I mention the food is delicious?? My favorite so far is the fried chicken sandwich. They put just the right amount of sauce and melted cheese on it. The bread is toasted perfectly. The restaurant is always clean, their AC is great and the ambiance is welcoming, which makes it a nice place to cool off grab a beer and relax from this heat lol Thank you Cuba 512!! read more

The food was absolutely phenomenal! Our waitress was the sweetest woman in the world. Daniella made wonderful recommendations for our next visit. Service was very fast. The drinks were AMAZING, as well as the red wine from Spain (unsure of the exact name). The vibe was very calm and soothing, not overwhelming at all but there were tvs for entertainment! Cannot wait to return!!! read more

Cuba 512 - Bistec De Poilo Carne Con Papa House Salad - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

My most complete review didn't post. Great food, great service, prices 15% below what I would have expected. read more

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I went around 2 pm, so it wasn't a standard meal time. Service was a bit slow considering there was only one other couple in the section I sat at and they left a few minutes after I got there. I ordered the Cuban sandwich. I wasn't super hungry so I only ate half and didn't order any sides. It was really good. I did ask for more pickles on the side, which definitely made it a lot better. Would absolutely come here again for the Cuban sandwich! read more

Cuba 512 - Cuban sandwich - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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