The food was absolutely delicious the service was great people were so kind to me and my husband we're definitely going back

Still a fantastic spot for a Medianoche. I have not had a bad one in the 10 plus years I've visited. It has a great view from the patio area and is a long time staple of the downtown Melbourne area. Service and staff have always been friendly and fast. It's a must try when in the area. Note: You may hear and see the commuter train pass bye a little more often and cause a little unwanted noise, but it happens so fast, I don't think it will be a problem for you. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Medianoche! - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

The restaurant has a very nice, rustic atmosphere, and the staff is warm and welcoming. It was our first time visiting, and overall, everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. I ordered the picadillo, but unfortunately it was extremely salty--to the point that I had to send it back. The team was very kind and quickly offered to replace it with a churrasco. The steak was tender, which I appreciated, but it had a noticeable fish-like taste, possibly from being cooked on the same grill as seafood. It was also a bit salty, though not as much as the picadillo. One of my guests mentioned that his ropa vieja was also somewhat salty, although not as much as mine (he even tried my dish for comparison). The owner is a very kind and friendly gentleman, and the service overall was attentive and accommodating. However, they do need to watch their salt, as it affected several dishes. With some adjustments to seasoning, this place has great potential. read more

We visited El Ambia Cubano Restaurant in downtown Melbourne for the first time today. My husband and I are always on the hunt for authentic Cuban cuisine in the area, and this place definitely caught our eye. It's got a cute and quaint vibe. We decided to do takeout this time just to sample their menu. We ordered the grilled chicken breast with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains, the ropa vieja with the same sides, and I personally tried their traditional roast pork with congri and boiled yuca(I found the pork a bit too salty for my taste). We noticed they have live music in the evenings, which makes the atmosphere even livelier. We'll definitely be back to dine in and enjoy the full experience. If you're looking for a place to get some solid Cuban food, give El Ambia a try! read more

El Ambia Cubano - Menu - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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Great Cuban food in a really fun spot. The whole fried snapper is delicious. Get the mint lemonade - it's really good. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Whole fried snapper - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Great food, great service, live music, and pricing is extremely reasonable. This restaurant knows how to make a customer feel appreciated. Do yourself a favor and see for yourself. I had the Cuban sandwich with rice-n-beans. Wow! Fantastic. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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We found this place tucked away. From the outside it doesn't look like much. It was not what I expected and the decor was a hodgepodge of items. There is some outdoor seating and a small indoor space with about six tables. There is parking which is a plus. The staff is very nice and friendly. You could see into the kitchen as the chef cooks which I enjoy. Thankfully I was able to find something on the menu to accommodate my allergies. The food was well seasoned and enjoyable. The portions are a good size for the price. We were stuffed and had no space for coffee or dessert. The next time we come we will leave room for the coffee. Sometimes the holes in the wall surprise you. read more

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The pork dish I had was good, except the plantains were a little too mushy for my taste. The rice with black beans and bacon bits my sister ordered was a bit strange in taste. The Tostones were good but the yucca had little taste. The waiter was not attentive and would not tell us his name even after my sister asked. It is small inside, but had additional tables outside. Drinks were just okay. read more

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Hands down the best restaurant in Melbourne, FL. My husband and I stop here every time we travel to Florida. It has that "hole in the wall" vibe but really it's so much more than that. The outdoor ambiance cannot be beat. This time we had the pleasure of listening to a beautiful Cuban vocalist and several instrumentals. The service is always top notch, large portions, and affordable prices! We always get the Cuban style roasted pork with white rice, beans and fried plantains. It doesn't look fancy but wow is the flavor is amazing! This time my husband tried the Colada (Cuban coffee) which was small but super tasty. I got their famous mojito and to be honest it's the best one I've ever had. Then for desert we got Batido's (Cuban milkshakes). We picked Mamey and guava. Both were very refreshing and not overly sweet. It was fun to try a new fruit that I've never even heard of. We will forever go back to this restaurant whenever in town. read more

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Great authentic Cuban cuisine .. reasonably priced w amazing ambiance. Highly recommend

What a fun and delicous place to dine at. They do take. Reservations and have a cute outdoor area to sit in. The staff was super friendly and the food was unbelievably delicous. They have a variety of drinks from alchohol to coffee. We even were greeted with a sample of the most delicous blueberry smoothie. For foods there is a large list of traditional Cuban food. We had a few different items so we can try a lot. The black bean soup, empanadas, and cassava stuffed beef to start were just so so good. For an entrees we split a Cuban pork dish served with yucca and it was also unbelievably good. I wish we had room for dessert because everything was amazing! Also super reasonably priced! read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

perfect for sipping mojitos on the patio However, the service was disappointing. We were left waiting for a while before being acknowledged, it wasnt a great welcoming The food was good, but not great. I was disappointed to find out that they were out of chicken at 4 pm on a Friday, which is the main reason I wanted to go. I ended up ordering the ropa vieja, which was flavorful but not particularly memorable. My partner's Cuban sandwich, on the other hand, was delicious. Overall, this restaurant has potential, but they need to work on their service and inventory management. If you're in the area, it's worth stopping by for the atmosphere and a good Cuban sandwich. *Pros:* Lovely patio area, delicious Cuban sandwich *Cons:* Disappointing service, out of chicken at 4 pm on a Friday read more

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This was our first time eating here. The place was a little difficult to find, but we found it! The outside looks like someone's front porch, there is no open/closed signage. Upon entering, we were greeted and seated. Next, a guy decked out in Trump/MAGA gear came around to each table, begging for money for his church....this was unacceptable. I'm disappointed that this restaurant would allow someone to come in, make others uncomfortable, and then BEG for money while people are eating... Thankfully none of the tables gave this person any money. Each table had a look of disgust after he begged them for money. I took a star off for this. Anyway, I ordered the Ropa Vieja and it was so good! It had lots of flavor as well as the black beans. The service was rough. I took a star off simply for this part. I am not sure if I would go back? I mean, the food was amazing, but the experience itself was a bit uncomfortable for me. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Ropa vieja - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

I recently tried the Cuban sandwich at el ambia, and it was absolutely incredible! The bread was perfectly toasted--crispy on the outside with just the right amount of chewiness on the inside. The combination of savory, tender pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard was spot-on, delivering that perfect balance of flavors you expect from an authentic Cuban. Every bite was a little piece of heaven! Soo delicious especially after a long flight!! The ambiance is also super cute and eclectic with Cuban items. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Always see this parking lot full, good first sign. Seating choice inside or outside, always like that in FL. Service was quick, waitress was very friendly and food came fast. The Cuban sandwich was FULL of meat and the chicken was 'fall off the bone' succulent. Definitely a place to revisit. read more

Went for dinner on a Friday evening, the food was delicious. We sat inside because the only outdoor seating was behind the band. The live music sounded pretty good. The parking was limited. The service was ok. We got our food fairly quickly but the waitress didn't refill my water. read more

Small restaurant with big ambiance. Indoor dining has about 5 tables. Outside patio seating is simple but nice. . Stage for entertainment, which is always wonderful There are outdoor heaters for those cool Florida nights. Everything on menu is delicious Thw chicken croquetas are not my favorite, but I do recommend the ham ones. Generous portions and reasonable priced. Great service Won't dissapoint. read more

I thought the food was very yummy and fed the little group of people well. My dad enjoyed the Whole Snapper and ate the whole thing. My Contra Fidel was yummy as well. The foods I enjoyed the most were the plantains and the enchiladas. The crispy delicacy of the crust mixed with the meat in the middle was delectable. The sweet plantains were the needed sweetness to add to the dish. The service was very nice and the live music added a nice ambiance for the meal. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Whole Snapper - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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We have been to El Ambia several times and it never disappoints. It has a very eclectic atmosphere. The food and the drinks are always great. We lived in Miami for many years and have eaten at many Cuban restaurants. It's great to find one in Central Florida that is as good as what we've been used to in Miami. I highly recommend this restaurant read more

This is another excellent find in the dwindling retinue of excellent, true and authentic Cuban restos almost anywhere in the country. Don't get me wrong, there are some good ones out there, but they are becoming harder and harder to find. The El Ambia Cubano Cuban Restaurant in Melbourne stands up as one of the best Cuban Culinary traditionalists we've found in a very, very long time. Thanks to my daughter for turning us to this fascinating Cuban tour de force! As a family at the table, we were able to be able to savor quite a few items in their culinary repertoire, finding their dishes superbly prepared and presented. We made a point of starting up with the no brainer Mojitos for thirst quenchers. We then proceeded with appetizers of croquetas de jamon and empanadas - the croquetas were excellent, the empanadas were very OK! In the coming meal, we found how they extraordinarily mimic the genuineness in flavors, textures, aromas, style and presentation. It's been a long, long time since I've been able to discern and appreciate the most traditional of spices in Cuban cuisine like fresh garlic, aromatic cumin, delectable oregano, Bell pepper, Black pepper, Coriander, Onion, virgin Olive Oil and bay/laurel leaves, not to mention saffron (a little known but crucial spice in Cuban Cuisine) in differing quantities and combinations to render each separate dish its mouthwatering flavors. Our samplings included their house specialty, Ambia's Proprietor's fave, Hemingway Rice which is a Pearl of the Caribbean Cuban Seafood paella with a decent sized lobster tail on over the yellow rice, along with delicate and tender fish and shrimp prepared together along with sweet juicy plantains and a fresh salad. My Wife's Puerco Asado and congri and also with Plátanos maduros and salad was beyond excellent. Ambia's Flan is exquisite, and very Cuban, while wrapping the meal up with a few Cortaditos made the afternoon perfect. They've been around since 2009 apparently not only offering great food, but a Cuban atmosphere I've not experienced not years. Between their nostalgic décor, furnishings and overall welcoming attitude, excellent food and music, inside and outside seating in very Cuban-setting, Ambia is definitely A-1, 4-Star, y increible! El ambia (a Cuban slang for 'the friend') definitively makes them your 'CFFF's' - Cuban food friends forever! read more

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Food was good; server was friendly; enjoyed sitting outside for lunch. 3 year old grandson loved his cheese sticks. My mojito was delicious!

I expect Cuban food to be served as it was cooked with much love from a place that has the heart to call themselves "The Friend." For those who don't know "El Ambia" is Cuban slang for "The Friend." I am sure the "Cubano" is meant for the food they serve and not "The Cuban Friend." However, I sense the restaurant treats patrons here like the Irish treat everyone who is not Irish on St. Patty's Day: when you are here, everyone is a "Cuban Friend." El Ambia Cubano (which I will shorthand to El Ambia for the rest of this review) is one of the staple restaurants located in Historic Downtown Melbourne. What makes them unique is they are not located along the main road, but south of it, a stone's throw away from the river. This gives the restaurant a sense of independence yet is close enough to where all the action is happening. The restaurant also stands out for its vibrant "Floridian Cubano" style. You have a choice of sitting indoors our outdoors. On Friday and Saturday, you might also get some live music as entertainment. The service was very well. Very personable, like you are a "Cuban Friend." And if that doesn't top it off, the food will. I have to say this: this is the best Cuban food I have eaten anywhere so far. Trust me when I say that almost all the Cuban places I have eated are top notch and four-to-five star worthy. But this one tops them all. If there was a six-star review, I would give it to El Ambia on the food alone, I would. I had the tamal, ropa vieja, and flan. I have eaten many versions of all three, but whatever El Ambia did, either ingredients, cooking procedure, or whatever, it stands out. The only food item that another barely does better (for me) is the flan because I prefer Filipino style leche flan. However, that is more preference than "this flan is better than that one." Ultimately, I give El Ambia a five-out-of-five. I am unsure about restrooms because I did not have to use them, but my friend Ufredo used them and said they were stocked and clean. Question is will I come back here? Of course I will. I will even go as far as if my crew and I wanted to eat Cuban Food and we don't mind the classic sit-down restaurant, I would suggest El Ambia even if it is out of the way. I'll be back and I can't wait to try other dishes from El Ambia real soon. read more

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Here today on travel. We came to the historic downtown of Melbourne. And found this little gem of a restaurant. Today we had picadillo, the house special dish, pollo asado (chicken dish-huge dish) and Masco( not sure if the spelling, de peurco. The different flavors were wonderful. The service was good. The mojito was on tart aside, but tasty. Thank you for the fresh brewed ice tea. Overall, this was a great grind in our trip to Florida. Thanks for the good eats.... read more

A hidden gem! I have lived in Melbourne for 5 years and I never knew this Cuban restaurant was here! Got the Cuban sandwich, flan and a mojito which were all very good. This place definitely has a lot of personality (just reading the menu will make you laugh) and I liked the outdoor seating with a view of the canal. It was really busy when we went so the service was a bit slow, but that's just a sign that people like this place! read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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Great food, service and ambiance always! Outside seating is never too hot or cold. Nice views of Crane Creek. Friendly staff.

The food is amazing. This restaurant is a great place to eat if you are looking for outstanding Cuban food. This was my second visit and from what I remember, just as good as the first. This visit I went with the whole fried snapper and WOW, just fantastic. Crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside. Whole fried fish is one of my go to meals when offered and this is close to some of the best I have had the pleasure of eating. My lunch companion had the Cuban sandwich which was also very good. The service was very good. The restaurant filled up quickly just after 1100 so plan ahead. I wish that I lived closer as I would be a regular. read more

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Stopped here for dinner and music while staying in Melbourne. We had the tostones relleno , whole snapper, mojito , and the contra Fidel (surf and turf ) . The taste of all food was great . The surf and turf served up 'minute steak ' as the turf , not bad pretty good but don't expect a half inch cut of steak. My snapper was absolutely excellent . Great flavor and fried to perfection . Ambiance was nice , gentlemen playing an electric violin to some good Latin music. If o could I'd give it 4.5 stars . read more

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They have started breakfast service! Best way to start your day is at 8 am on their patio with views of the river and great coffee to go with your breakfast. If you just need a coffee, they now have a cart so you can stop and get one to go. read more

This place was fantastic in every way! We went for lunch and I had the roast chicken special (only about $15) - chicken was marinated and so flavorful and tender, served with rice, spicy black beans, and fried plantains. It was a half a chicken so I took a lot of it home. My husband had the Cuban sandwich and Cuban mango milkshake. Again, both were just delicious. The outdoor patio was cutely decorated, with a water view, and the servers were attentive (and attractive)! Highly, highly recommend. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Roast chicken lunch special - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

It was great! We were in town and decided to try it out. Really enjoyed ourselves and the sangria was awesome as well read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

No existe en todos los Estados Unidos un rincón como Mi Ambia restaurant, el ámbito es legitamente cubano, es un pedacito de mi tierra con la realidad típica cubana, como es en mi Cuba, con toda la historia de una persona luchadora por mantener sus raíces en otro sitio todo es típico aquí. Todo lo que rodea y se come en este sitio es CUBA, y la persona que dirige esto es lo más cordial y es el verdadero cubano que te abre los brazos para darle la hospitalidad a todo el que llega a su casa. Este s el verdadero Ambia.. El ambiente más cubano NUNCA lo vas a encontrar si no vienes aqui read more

El Ambia Cubano - MI AMBIA RESTAURANT. TOP CUBAN RESTAURANT. - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Best Cuban sandwich I've had in years!!! Nothing in Florida compares to the deliciousness of this perfectly crafted Cuban tradition. I wish Melbourne was closer to me and that they didn't shut down in the late afternoon, which seems to be when I'm somewhat in the vicinity. Oh well, I look forward to the next time. read more

My wife previewed EAC the week before--she and two girlfriends split the Hemingway Rice--so our expectations were high on a recent Friday night. El Ambia Cubano delivered--and then some! The front of the one-time cottage is a two-tier patio decorated with lights, artwork, a disco ball, and a pair of airline seats. We assumed that the seats pay homage to owner Alfredo Hernandez's 1994 flight from Cuba to Miami at the controls of a pirated airliner with 62 defecting passengers. The food was lovely. My wife had the whole snapper--it would have easily fed both of us--and I inhaled the masas de puerco frita, chunks of melt-in-your-mouth pork. Rice and beans and sweet plantains completed my entree. Cocktails--a mojito and a margarita--were the perfect accompaniment. We enjoyed the festive atmosphere nearly as much as the food. An accomplished guitarist/singer, Alfredo entertained the room while the very friendly wait staff tended to diners' needs. To quote Alberto, "Dios es Cubano." read more

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In town for work, I stopped in on a Monday night and ordered a Cuban and black beans. 100% satisfying! The food, service, ambience, really good. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Having lived in Miami for the last 6 years I've never had a Cuban sandwich this good. And I've been too all the top tier sandwich shops in Miami. Even reheated it had every little ounce of flavor it did while fresh. Highly recommend. read more

I actually like the ambiance & music a bit more than the food. Our waitress was friendly & attentive. Prices were good. No wait on Sat evening which was nice. I didn't like the boiled yuca, the texture wasn't right. The sauce was a bit much as well. The fried yuca was ok, typical. The shrimp app was good, nice portion. The rice dish was yummy, I did enjoy it. The bread pudding was delicious, again the sauce was a bit much I'm glad it was on the side. I didn't get to try the black beans bc they aren't vegetarian. I may give it one more try. read more

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The ambient and food was really good, the music the best , dancing if you'd like Was available, and the service was excellent, will definitely be back when in the Melbourne area read more

The cozy ambiance of this restaurant was really enjoyable. The food is great and the service was really nice and prompt. read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban Sandwich with Plaintains - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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really good Cuban food! The restaurant is kind of tucked away & off the beaten path. There's nothing fancy about the place, it's kind of dated & has a bit of character but the food is DELICIOUS. Definitely worth stopping by & trying something new! read more

El Ambia Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

We drove by this restaurant and knew we had to stop! Super fun beachy cuban vibe. We ate outside and loved the decorations. I had Hemingway rice which is this chefs version of paella with a lobster tail on top. Good presentation. His and had the cuban sandwich. He loved it. I saw other dishes that looked good. I will go back read more

El Ambia Cubano - outside seating area with stage - Cuban Near Me - Melbourne, Florida