We've had plenty of tasty meals from this place in the past. We ordered take out the other night and we were extremely disappointed. The chicken tasted like they reheated it from two days ago and my pork just tasted old. Portions were much smaller than usual. Both of us ended up with an upset stomach from the small amount of food we tried to eat. Super disappointing since this place used to be an easy go to for us. Not sure what changed with their quality of food. read more

This place is the real deal. I was raised on Cuban and Dominican food and this is tasty stuff. I judge all Cuban food establishments by the Ropa Vieja and their rice. Both items here are excellent. The Lechon is one of the best I have had too. The yuca with mojo is good but there are a few places in Florida that I have had it better. The prices are a little high for most lunch places (especially Cuban) but the location and interior environment of the restaurant justifies the difference. read more

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Cuba's area code is 512 Do you remember Elian Gonzalez No cigar smoking Great meat Havana oooo nah nah read more

The food was really good! The prices are high for what they serve BUT the portions are huge so I guess it balances out. The service was very friendly, and slow. There weren't very much people in the restaurant when we were there so I was surprised at the slowness of things. We will come back! read more

This was my first experience trying out Cuban food in Austin and I am really glad I waited. The Staff was friendly and offered us off menu sauces too. We ended up ordering the Cuban loaded fries with lechon on top. It was packed with flavor, topped with cheese and guac. The Cubano sandwich was huge and delicious as well, there was extra lechon in the sandwich - usually it's just made with Cuban ham. The coffee infused with Kailua was a interesting pick me up. I thought the paella was a bit lack luster however the portion was pretty hefty. I just have a hard time feeling satisfied with seafood in central Texas so it really didn't take the cake. read more

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Bartender said they closed early...at 8:26pm. Door says 10pm. Boo. Super unfortunate! I loved this place the one time I came a while ago.

Mojo sauce was great, interesting place. I got the puercas fritas with congris. After eating very authentic Cuban food in Miami for years, this was reminiscent. Definitely worth a try, and I will be back for the ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. The place is rather expensive, but you do get extremely large portions. Absolutely shareable, but believe there is a $2 share fee, just FYI. Full bar as well, with indoor / outdoor seating. Not the most gorgeous setting for either, but gets the job done. Plenty of parking onsite. read more

Ok, listen up Austin. If you are cuban and have been in search of a good cuban restaurant, look no further. This place is authentic. I was born in Cuba and my mom had a restaurant in cuba and a small cuban establishment in New York. I've lived in Austin for 21 years. Every time someone mentioned a Cuban restaurant I would drag my American husband there. I've have always left disappointed; and I continued to made my yearly pilgrimage to Versailles in Miami for my cuban fix. I cook cuban at home, but it always taste best when someone else does the cooking. We drove 22 miles to this restaurant, it was Sunday afternoon, so the traffic was light. I wanted everything on this menu, from the fricase de pollo to the rabo. I went with the lechón asado, congri and maduros. I could taste the love and homeland in this dish. My husband had the Cuban sandwich which he enjoyed. The only reason for the 4 star is the room was warm and I was hoping for pastels de guayaba Guess I'll go to Versailles every other year for my full dose of cuban cuisine, mean while 512Cuba will fill my void for traditional cuban food. read more

Cuba 512 - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Stopped by for a bite after taking a look at the solid reviews. I've had Cuban food a few times, but it has been a while. Think I'm going to need to continue the search after this outing though. I ordered some plantain chips for an appetizer and the ropa vieja. The chips were... chips and the main dish was pretty disappointing. The best thing on the plate was the sweet plantains. The beans, rice, and meat were basically flavorless and the meat was not tender. I think i'm most upset because the entire meal was $20 and not with it at all. read more

Cuba 512 - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It was ok. No one really loved their dishes. Rice was undercooked. Pork was drenched in fat. Plantains were dry. Coming from NYC and philly not really up to standards. The nice thing was they had a kids area and our daughter loved the black bean soup. Mojito was solid read more

Eh, this place wasn't that great. I went with a friend to have a quick lunch. I got a watermelon cosmo and she got a strawberry margarita. They were alright. I forgot what she ordered but my friend didn't finish her food. I wasn't really that hungry so I ordered the loaded fries with shredded pork. They were good but man oh man. They were swimming in a tub of grease. It was really bad. The shredded pork was really good but that grease swimming pool wasn't cool. The interior of the restaurant needs some improving. We went during the day and the inside was dark. There was no hostess to greet us so we just sat wherever. There weren't many people at the time. Prices for this place we're a little too high for me hence why I only got the loaded fries. I doubt I'll be going back there. read more

I enjoyed the food, great friend plantains. I expected more of a bread salad from the pan con tomate, but it was just chunks of bread with tomato and avocado, meh. Our drinks were very good. read more

I've been here a few times. A couple of visits for happy hour and a couple of visits for lunch. On my first visit the space was very small, but they have since expanded to the space next door, making it much more comfortable and shortening the wait time. I used to live in Key West FL so some of the menu items seemed very familiar to me. But even for those people who aren't familiar with Cuban food, the wait staff will describe everything for you. The service is good, the food is good, and the atmosphere is good. All in all a safe bet in South Austin. read more

Very poor service, mediocre food I went for Saturday brunch with my son. We ordered off the brunch menu with no special requests or substitutions. We waited for 45 minutes, during which time the only time our server came by was once, fairly early on, to refill my son's water. After the long wait for the food, I tracked down a server who said she'd check on our order. A few minutes later we were told "3 more minutes", which wasn't too far off. I infer that our order was forgotten or lost, and reheated at the last moment, but who knows. Our server, when delivering the food, said "Sorry for the wait; we weren't expecting such a large crowd today." I looked around at the tables, which were *maybe* 40% full, tops. The food was okay, not good, not bad. Never been to Cuba, but I have eaten in Miami, fwiw. It was just okay. Then again, I was pretty steamed at this point, so grain of salt caveat applies. No comp of any kind was offered for the wait. I will not be returning. read more

It's definitely refreshing to have a gem like this located in South Austin. The location is amazing being at Westgate and William Cannon and you just can't overstate how cool it is having something exotic like a Cuban restaurant so close. The menu is very thorough and the plantains are always cooked to perfection. The drinks are uniquely made and I highly recommended Cuban 512! read more

We tried this spot because it had a good rating, but the food was really bland. We had high hopes and are disappointed that we didn't like it. We tried the Plantain disks - very dry NO flavor. Loaded fries w/veggies- they literally threw a can of the costeña jalapeños and veggies on top of the fries. Very soggy. The mozzarella cheese was the only plus. Fried Mushrooms- not crispy, no flavor, the mushroom pieces were huge. The drinks were decent, and our server was lovely. Don't remember her wearing gloves like the restaurant says they adapted. read more

I have since been back multiple times. The food is always good, the mojitos always good, and the specialty Cuban drinks even better. Still only 4 stars because I ordered espresso coffee (was supposed to be a mocha-type deal) here once that was both more expensive than it should have been for the amount and also just startlingly burnt. So that wasn't great, but just don't do espresso coffee and you should have a great meal. read more

Cuba 512 - Watermelon fruit smoothie. Very refreshing, a little sweet. - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cuban food has always owned a special part of my heart. There's so much flavor and authenticity that goes into the food that just can't be replicated by a chain restaurant. When you eat at Cuba 512 it feels like you're eating food at home. Our server was very friendly and attentive, they had a nice drink selection, and there were plenty of classic dishes on the menu. I gave 4 stars because although the food was delicious and fed my soul, I wasn't blown away by it. I understand the demographic they cater to doesn't allow for much more than light seasoning but that's what I love so much about Cuban food. I still say this place is worth a visit!! Check em out! read more

Cuba 512 - Classic Mojito - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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TL:DR - recommend cuban sandwich, perfect marks. This was a delivery lunch order so its only a review of the food. It was for sure one of my top 5 cuban sandwiches Ive ever had. I come from South Florida and grew up south of Ybor City Tampa (founded by Cubans making cigars pre-America colonization). The Cuban cultures are first and foremost in both locations and the Cuban sandwich you could say is a Cubans equivalent of an American's cheeseburger. Basically a staple. The sandwich came on a perfectly buttered toasted flattened paninni style french baguette. Only enough mayo to moisten your bite and not off put the flavor. The pork was tender to the bite thick in portion and the consistency of a well smoked marinated brisket. I tasted the cilantro and orange juice flavors from the mojo basting (could be injected or a spice but the flavors stand eitherway). The pickles had crunch as opposed to thin soggy afterthoughts some makers put on them bc they have to for authenticity. And, for the best of show, I could swear the cheese was an Irish Baby Swiss so creamy and melty it almost rivaled the green pork for top flavor billing. Not salted, not peppered, not drenched in vinegar or oil, not messed with. I was expecting a kitchy TexMex weirdo Austin BBQ pulled pork interpretation of a cuban sandwich and got a flashback of my childhood. Grab a coca-cola and bite into one of these and you'll need a napkin, a nap, and to skip dinner with a smile on your face. I definitely recommend. read more

Never knew this place was here but it was very good strong drinks and great food it's nothing special on the price side not high but not a cheap date. I will definitely be back again. read more

What an Experience! I've always had the taste for the Cubano all my life. This restaurant blew me away in quality service and excellent FOOD! Get the Fried Yucca as an appetizer and the El Cubano for the main dish! Can't go wrong! If u want a delicious Cuban meal, this is the Place!!! Will definitely be back! Thanks y'all read more

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon kinda in between the lunch and dinner hours. My husband has been here a couple times (when it was under the Guantanamera name. He ordered a sangria which I sampled and thought was pretty tasty. We shared the chicken wings. I hadn't tried wings with salsa, but the lemon pepper with the salsa was a match made in heaven. I had to try the classic El Cubano. I could only eat half of the sandwich as it was very filling. It was a solid Cuban sandwich, but since I love pickles and mustard, I think it could've benefited from more of both. My husband got the Lechon Asado and was very happy with his choice. The rice and beans were on point. We would definitely come back and bring the kid next time. read more

Cuba 512 - Chicken wings + salsa = yum! - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I was going in to my stylist (N' Style, right next door) to get my hair cut and noticed this place for the first time. Apparently they're less than six months old (I don't get my hair cut very often; it's the Hippie in me I guess). ;-) Great little neighborhood restaurant. Lots of Cuban specialties on the menu; I (surprise!) had the Cuban Sandwich, with a side of fried Plantains and garlic-infused Olive Oil. Very tasty indeed! I don't drink anymore but I used to and I can tell a good bar selection when I see one. About the only thing missing is the presence of any LIVE MUSIC, even though they're open until 10:00 PM every night. Other neighborhood eateries / bars in the general vicinity have live music, why not Guantanamera? I hope they maybe read this review and take the suggestion under consideration. I recommend this place and I'll definitely be back. larrythediner read more

Cuba 512 - Cuban Sandwich, Plantain Chips; GREAT! - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Awesome restaurant with a great atmosphere. Every meal has been delicious. Maduros are a treat, and the Cuban coffee is legit.

We're from South Florida, so we have been on the prowl for good Cuban food. This place was pretty good, but could use some improvement. Our waitress was nice but seemed like she was not happy to be there. I hate when that happens, cause it ruins the patron's experience and has nothing to do with the actual food. We started with empanadas and tostones, which were delicious! And that garlic sauce! Mmmmm... I got that Quimbobo, which was good, but tasted a little tart, as if the okra was canned. It was very flavorful and the rice (congris) more than made up for it. My honey got the Cuban sandwich, but the bread wasn't Cuban bread and they used what looks like a panini press to flatten the bread. Also, the boniato fries were not actual boniato, but sweet potatoes. Still, the flavors were there. I would go back again, but will stick to the classic Cuban dishes. Oh and the passion fruit juice with water is delicious! read more

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Missing great Cuban food in the Hill Country, visiting Austin on business and stumbled across this little gem! I had the pork in mojo! Yummy. read more

Delicious Cuban food and close to my family's home cooking!! Friendly staff, good variety of options, and everything is well priced. Ample parking available (it's located in a shopping center) and their plantains are wonderful! Good spot for a date night or a filling lunch that won't break the bank. read more

Hands down best Cuban food in Austin. I was born and raised in Miami. And if you've had a cafe con leche, colada, tostada, croquetas, media noches, etc...then you know there isn't ANYTHING like it. I've been in Austin for 2 years now and miss the food back home, but Cuba 512 provides the nostalgic comfort of being back home. Finally a place that does Cuban food justice. read more

Guys! Guys! I'm so glad this place popped up when I was searching for restaurants around this area. It's in a strip mall but it's so cute and inviting inside. The decor is great for a mid day lunch or a date night for sure! If you have the chance to come here please do. The food will not disappoint. I'm originally from South America. So Latin food is my jam. This is pretty authentic Cuban food for sure. We ordered a beef empanada and croquetas for an appetizer. The dough for the empanada was right on. Flaky, buttery, and delicious. The filling was seasoned really well too! The croquetas were also seasoned super well and had a crunchy outer skin! Yum! These two appetizers totally scratched my itch. For our entrees I had the masas fritas. They listed on the menu that they were juicy pork chunks. The pork did not disappoint. They were extremely juicy and had a nice fried outside. The boy ordered the bistec de pollo Uruguayo style, with ham and cheese. To die for! We both had the yellow rice, red beans, and the yuca. The only thing I didn't love were the yuca. The portions were a really good size! Cannot wait to come back and try more things off the menu. read more

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Just a quick review here: Service: Pretty good. Kind of hard to flag down the waitress, even though it wasn't that busy, but she was nice and helpful. Ambiance: Lots of traditional Cuban music, and the inside is reminiscent of a street café in Havana (I presume :), mixed with modern elements. Food: Portions were generous! Flavoring was good albeit not exactly memorable. Also, the food was more lukewarm by the time we received it, for some reason, but at least not cold. Drinks: The mojitos, daiquiris and other drinks looked great, but we opted to try a mamey smoothie to try out a new fruit (the mamey) we never had before. Pretty good! Very fresh, and tasted like vanilla and banana mixed together. The hubs got a Cubano, and said it was hot and tasty. Overall, not sure if we'd make a special effort to get out here again, but it quelled our craving for Cuban, so we liked it. read more

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Walked in and the waitress didn't even greet us. Just told us to put on a mask on in a very rude way. Walked right out and not coming back

Best Cuban handcrafted cocktails in town! The decor makes you feel like you are in different time and place. Bartenders are very savvy and informative about the ingredients in their cocktails. The servers are welcoming and made us feel right at home! Food is delicious! It's good to finally have an authentic Cuban restaurant/bar in South Austin! You will see me here at least once a week if not on weekends. read more

Cuba 512 - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I don't like to leave bad reviews but this place was really disappointing. The food is extremely extremely overpriced and lacks flavor. It honestly was disgusting. Paid $70 for $18 worth of food. read more

Love this place. Coffee is good. Good drink selection and an extra plus to allow your kids to play in there little play area read more

Cuba 512 - Kids play area or el circulo - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The food was very well seasoned. This is a place that I will visit again. The vibes in the restaurant were cool and the service was fast. As a first timer I had many questions and my server was very patient and knowledgable of the menu. And did I mentioned that the Mojo sauce is to die for. I had extra so I have been putting it on different things in my own fridge. Great job Cuba512. read more

The food is amazing! It is a little on the pricey side even during happy hour. But the food is great and the staff is friendly.

The food was okay but the service was nonexistent. One waitress cleaning tables, seating people, taking orders and working the bar all at once. I was hoping to get coffee to finish off my meal but waited 30 minutes for anyone to come by our table again. Decided to just pay and leave instead of ordering anything else. I feel bad for the one waitress but management needs to get it together, the service is unacceptable for the price. read more

Last Sunday I had a surprise birthday party for my husband at Cuba512 and hit a "home run". I know we overwhelmed the restaurant because they did not expect as many folks as I told them were coming. With that said they did a great job accommodating over 70 people. The food was tasty, the appetizers and drinks satisfied the masses until the birthday boy showed up. The items they could choose from were a hit, especially the Stuffed Zucchini, Pollo al Horno and Lechon Asado. But I have to admit, they have some of the best tasting Flan I've ever had and our daughter claims to be a flan aficionado (very picky about her flan) and gave it 5 stars! The party was supposed to end at 8:30 but we ended up closing the restaurant down. The manager, Omar said this was the largest event they catered to and he apologized for some of the 'delays' or 'waits' but we understood, we totally inundated them. Most of our guest's never heard of the restaurant and said they'd definitely be back. Couple folks said they knew of the place and LOVED it. I grabbed a TOGO menu for the restaurant to share with all our AirBnB guests. Great food, drinks, atmosphere and of course flan. They have a good HH everyday 4-7 and Sundays 4-close. Cuba512, wishing you the best and good luck on opening another location, which I will try, but I'm partial to this one; it's in the "hood". Great time had by all. Thanks again Iskander, Omar and all the staff. read more

Now, I haven't been to Cuba, but I conferred with my friend who lived in Cuba for 2 years and I was right. This is some of the best Cuban cuisine you can get in Austin - Authentic, Delicious, and Affordable. Quality meats, traditional plates can be found here and it's a place I will definitely return tl. read more

Not sure what happened here. It has ben a more then a few months since we last ate here and boy has it when down hill. We were not thrilled with the service but the food was worst. We has Ropa vieja and the lecho asados both were bad but the pork was dry and tasteless. This used to be an excellent restaurant that serves really good Cuban cuisine, now it is just a mediocre place waiting to die like the rest of the mediocrity. Sadly will not be back. read more

Cuba 512 - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas