Florida Restaurant

My family has been coming to Tropicana for over 20 years--honestly, it might be closer to 30! I'm…read morefirst generation, and my family is from Cuba, so Cuban food is very close to our hearts. We absolutely LOVE this place. And yes, I'm going to say it... wayyyy better than Porto's! Our favorites are the rabo encendido, ropa vieja, papa rellena, and vaca frita. Everything is full of flavor and tastes like the Cuban food I grew up around. And I can never leave without bringing home some galletas to have with my coffee. Tropicana has been a family favorite for decades, and we'll definitely keep coming back.

unique cuban bakery large bakery displays with separate…read moredining room attached they offer catering and custom cakes great place to grab a light bite or a full meal

Inside

Lemon Berry cake

See all

Cake display

Isla Cuban-Latín Kitchen & Rum Bar

4.5(2.7k reviews)

7.8 mi

Really good food, even better people. Everyone was so kind and welcoming from the moment I walked…read morein. Reymundo especially made sure I was taken care of and made the whole experience feel easy. Great service, great energy, and the food did not disappoint. Definitely coming back.

Recently visited Isla because I was craving some Ropa Vieja and thats exactly what I had!…read more Been here a few times and other than the place being noticeably not crowded, all is great just as I had remember. The whole vibe is on point with a great wait staff and delicious food. Had reservations for 7:15 pm and was immediately seated. Waiter stop by to introduce himself and took our drink order for 2 old fashioned cocktails. Started off with the chicken empanadas and for the main Ropa Vieja of course. My guest went with the Ranchera Asada, which I was able to sample. Another delicious dish but my favorite still stands. For dessert the flan. Made fresh daily. Can't go wrong here. No complaints and no regrets. I will be back again soon. On to the next....

Seating area

ROPA VIEJA

See all

A very dry and bland Cubano Sandwich and limp fries

My Havana Vieja

4.0(1.3k reviews)

13.6 mi•Harbor Gateway

Food is sooo good. The service was great too. I had the churrasco and mom my had the pollo w/ yuca…read morefries. Their cortadito was also very good, it was my first time having one thanks to the waitress who recommended it.

I drive by this place all the time on my way to the Del Amo Fashion Center and always wondered…read moreabout it. One day I was really hungry after the lunch rush, so I decided to give it a try--and I'm glad I did. The place was quiet, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious. Portions are just right--not too big, not too small--and they have a great variety of fresh juices that are super refreshing. I also loved the music--very Latin/Caribbean, which adds a really nice vibe to the experience. Prices are reasonable too. I've been back a couple of times since then. Definitely a great spot if you enjoy or want to try Caribbean food.

Inside

Rabo encendido(oxtail)

See all

Passion Fruit Mojito

Havana Club Restaurant & Bar

4.1(391 reviews)

10.3 mi

I come here pretty often. I love the fresh bread they give you, perfectly buttered and so so nicely…read morecrunchy and chewy at the same time. I love the fried pork and plantains, and the beans and rice. I mix the rice into the beans and add a little hot sauce. The pork is crunchy on the outside but tender inside and not greasy at all for something deep fried. The service is attentive although they can get busy sometimes. Lots of parking in their lot or park on the street in front.

I forget this place is here!…read more I absolutely love the Cuban food here. The taste is pretty authentic and you get big portions. Service was also great. The staff were extremely friendly and gave fast service. Restaurant is pretty clean and great ambiance.

So good! flavorful!

See all

Entrance

Kiki's Cuban

4.1(59 reviews)

6.1 mi

First time trying Kiki's was at a farmer market tule event in La Mirada…read more I ordered a Cuban coffee (I think.. café cubano?) it was TINY and cost about $6. It was about the size of an espresso. I do think that is too expensive, however, it really was delicious and strong. It was a bit too sweet. Se pasaron con la azúcar, but it was tolerable. The flavor of the coffee was so good I kept drinking it. If it was less sweet, it would be perfect. I ordered the fried plantains and they were easily the best I've had. They were perfectly sweet, and perfectly cooked through. They had some caramelized sugar parts around the surface that was especially yummy. I also tried the ham croquets, and a lechón sandwich. The ham cróquets were also very small, but they packed great flavor and texture. They were satisfyingly cheesy, hammy, and crunchy. The lechón sandwich was very, very good. At first, when I opened the wrapping, I was disappointed because it looked so plain and dry. After my first bite, I thought, okay, it tastes good, but it is a little dry. Then I kept eating, and it started growing on me more and more until I realized I loved it. The seasoning on the pork was great. I actually ended up really appreciating it being just the shredded pork and bun. I added some of that hot sauce they have by the pick up window, and it was bomb bomb bomb. I'd say that their prices are up there. HOWEVER, I have been to other trucks (and other restaurants in general) that are also pricy, and they suck. This food is not that. This food is made with love. It's delicious. It's worth the cost. If the coffee wasn't so sweet, my whole experience would be 10/10.

Had a craving for a Cuban sandwich. Looked up this place and wanted to try it. Place is in a liquor…read morestore and was welcoming and friendly. Ordered the Cuban sandwich and it did not disappoint bread very very soft and delicious. Definitely will be coming

Yuca fries; there were more, but I was hungry

Cubano Sandwich

See all

Pan con lechon

El Nuevo Mundo Market, Bakery & Cafe

3.9(132 reviews)

4.6 mi

Family-owned & operated

Catering service

Coming here to try a new workout and the experience was pretty awesome. There are several choice…read moreitems on the menu. We practice with variety of food and excel in variety in strength. The food was also nice.

I purchased two meals. Pernil and rabo. Pernil plate , Yuca…read morewas extremely salty and the mojo had way too much oil. Rabo, was only served one piece, two plantains, white rice and a very small cup of black beans. Unacceptable!!!!! For the price I paid, it was NOT enough food. $40 lunch on two meals. I will NOT be returning or ordering food any time soon.

Saturday's are the best because I get to stop by El Nuevo Mundo for some fresh bread and lechon!

El Nuevo Mundo Market, Bakery & Cafe - Menu

See all

Fresh guanaba (Soursop) is in season and available at El Nuevo Mundo market.

Cuban Buffet

1.0(1 review)

0.7 mi

Reality is this is not a buffet the food is really greasy and everything has the same type of…read moreflavor the place is not clean and the service is not that great 30 minutes sitting down and eating food and they forgot my family's drinks. Honestly any food place is better. Horrible Experience, Ambiance is not healthy and my family wanted to go the second we walked in.

From the owner: Cuban Buffet te ofrece el autentico sabor de comida Cubanaread more

See all

Pollos A La Brasas

3.5(114 reviews)

1.8 mi

This place was delicious! It's a little hole in the wall. Very tiny not very much seating…read moreavailable. However this little place is very clean and the food was absolutely delicious! I had the chicken lomo saltado and to drink I had the chicha morada. My friend and I loved it.

Love the rotisserie chicken with the rice and beans. Love the ceviche mixto and the tallarin and…read morethe lomo saltado. I think I've tried it all here lol. The lady in the front is super nice. And the place is a small hole in the wall but clean.

Menu @ the front reception, ordering area.

Lomo saltado

See all

Menu from March 2025

El Floridita

3.7(567 reviews)

15.7 mi•Hollywood

La reseña en español se encuentra al final de la siguiente en inglés…read more What a night El Floridita offered 3 generations of my group of 15 this last Monday! Grandparents, grandchildren and parents all delighted in the scrumptious food and live music. We all vowed to return! A shout out to Albert and Gustavo: tireless and super kind hosts. Everything was PERFECT! Thank you! Oh, and let me just say, the guests that attend El Floridita are just another level, just an awesome clientele. But wait, I must mention the musicians: AMAZING! And the MC? He was right. In under 10 minutes we learned to dance with his free salsa lessons. He too was AMAZING! *** Me fue de maravilla éste pasado lunes en El Floridita por motivo del festejo de mi hija, quien cumpló años. Fuimos un grupo de 15 personas y nos atendieron a cuerpo de rey. La comida estuvo exquisita y la música, ni se diga: de primera! Un saludo para Gustavo y para Alberto: incansables y amabilísimos. Gracias, Floridita, hemos de regresar!

The entertainment was absolutely amazing, and the food was delicious. The atmosphere and overall…read moreexperience had a lot going for it, and we genuinely enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunately, our experience was somewhat overshadowed by the way our waitress explained the pricing. She made it sound as though the full meal was included in the price of admission, which was not the case. We felt that the way it was presented was misleading and left us feeling deceived when we received the bill. I have no problem paying for a meal when the pricing is clearly explained. What bothered me was the way the information was communicated. Customers should be given an accurate and straightforward explanation of what is included with admission and what costs extra. The entertainment and food were both excellent, but the misleading explanation about the meal took away from what otherwise could have been a fantastic experience. I hope management addresses this because the restaurant has a lot to offer, and clear, honest communication about pricing would make a big difference

Bar

Churrasco

See all

Mojito

Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse

Top notch service, bomb drinks and great ambiance. Reasonable prices and good portions really worth…read moreit! Our server Matias was excellent and recommended the empanadas to start which are really good!

Patricia had the best personality and was very sweet and attentive. Food was also amazing and…read moredrinks are a 10/10.

See more unrecommended reviews

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

22 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Omar V.

1 year ago

I had high hopes for this place despite the negative reviews and wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. To be fair, the food was good--flavorful and enjoyable. However, the service was absolutely unacceptable. We watched two different servers check on nearby tables multiple times with smiles, asking if everything was okay. Meanwhile, not once did anyone come by to check on us or ask if we needed anything. After our food was dropped off, we were essentially left on our own. The restaurant was not even busy, with at least 4-6 servers on the floor, yet not a single one offered help. We waited and waited just to see how long it would take before anyone acknowledged us. Eventually, we had to wave someone down just to get our check. That alone speaks volumes about the lack of attention and care for paying customers. To make matters worse, the prices listed on the menu did not match the prices charged on the final bill. This kind of inconsistency is misleading and frustrating for customers. Good food cannot make up for poor service and unclear pricing. Dining out should be an experience that combines both, and in this case, the service was disappointing enough that I would not return. I hope management takes this feedback seriously, as attentive service and honest pricing are just as important as the quality of the food. read more

Isis L.

11 years ago

I've been coming to this restaurant for the past 4 years. This place underwent remodeling not too long ago. Place is never really full anytime and you can always find a free table. Anyways, prior to coming here I used to go to Tropicana's,also a Cuban restaurant in the city of Downey. Since trying both local places, I think Floridas is quite good for the price, portion size and service. I usually order the bistec de pollo and the rabo encendido. Both are really good. I've also ordered take out a few times. My order is usually well presented and warm, except when they forgot my plantains. I recommend this place if you want to eat average, tasty Cuban food and want better customer service than Tropicanas. FYI: I think that the majority of the pictures posted for this restaurant were uploaded by someone involved with this restaurant. Don't let that fool you. read more

L P.

9 years ago

Love the food here! So authentic and delicious. The staff is so nice too. They literally cater to you and make sure everything comes out perfect. Good amount of parking too which I always a good thing. If you love great home style Cuban food this is the place for you! read more

Jen F.

6 years ago

One of my favorite restaurants for Cuban food!!! My go to is the ropa veja, plate they never fail to make it perfect. It's a must try if you're in the area! read more

Eduardo C.

11 years ago

Yesterday I was there and eat camagueyana shrimps and the price and the service was nice and the food delicius nice place to go for dinner

Haley B.

162

6 years ago

The food was great. As usual. Love coming here, the staff makes you feel like family. It's home for many customers. I love it.

Ariel G.

7 years ago

Buen servicio, y el sabor de la comida cubana original. Me siento en Cuba cuando voy al este restaurante. Lo recomiendo

Nena F.

129

4 years ago

love this restaurant! will you be opening again soon???? please update. we call every week and the same message plays.

Raquel M.

7 years ago

I love this place ... the food is delicious and the prices are good . I have been coming here for years love it .

David M.

9 years ago

I've been coming to this place for years now, food is really good and the staff is really nice and friendly

Yuri M.

12 years ago

My first time here and I have to say, Great food, great portions for the price! Great customer service!

Veronica S.

7 years ago

Love the lunch specials! We come here quiet a bit. My kids love it too. The black beans are delicious.

Liz T.

6 years ago

It was my first time visiting. The food was good, but needed a lot more flavor, for my taste.

Danielle M.

3 years ago

our favorite cuban restaurant is coming back guys!!! can't wait, hopefully they'll open soon read more

Andrew T.

7 years ago

Great authentic food. Ordered for take out. Great portions. Not fast food but good food.

C L.

713

460

10 years ago

Meh, I've had better Cuban food. It was mediocre. Porto's has better food.

Peter M.

11 years ago

Great Cuban food! Gloria is the best waitress! Their pork is astounding.

Bev L.

488

16 years ago

It was okay I would have been better off just going to Portos instead.

Walter L.

755

13 years ago

I had the Oxtail!! very soft and tasty..

Jeanette S.

14 years ago

Good food, excellent customer service!

Florida Restaurant - cuban - Updated October 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Downey, California Coffee near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Desserts near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Restaurants near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Things to Do near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Parking near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Cocktail Bars near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Puerto Rican Food near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Latin Food near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Salsa Dancing near Florida Restaurant

BEST of Downey, California Cigar Shop near Florida Restaurant

Best of Downey

Things to do in Downey

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Florida Restaurant also viewed

El Salto Del Fraile

3.5

(245 reviews)

The food here at the salto del fraile at Downey, is absolutely delicious and always fresh And good…read moreportion.The owner Flor, is kind and welcoming and makes every customer appreciated, the ambiance was really friendly I went with my 2 teenagers and they absolutely loved it too which is isn't always easy . I definitely be coming back. I also feel the need to mention that my experience at salto del fraile #2 (mi patria) at pico rivera, was completely different. It doesn't compare to the Downey location.The food was not fresh and the customer service was very disappointing and made the experience unpleasant and honestly I didn't want to try a second time at this restaurants but I took my chances trying at Downey and I don't regret it., That's why I highly recommend the Downey location.

Amazing hidden mom & pop gem in Downey! First time having…read morePeruvian food and it did not disappoint! Cute, clean atmosphere - the owner was nice enough to chat with us and introduce us to some menu items. Highly recommend the Ceviche Mixto to start, and the Lomo Saltado to share all around. We also got the Tallarín Verde con Pechuga which was a cleaner dish. I recommend the Maracuya (passion fruit) drink. For dessert, I loved the Lucuma fruit based ice cream which kinda had a light but sweet maple-butterscotch flavor. Would come back again!

Parrilla's Cholito

3.9

(249 reviews)

The lomo was amazzziinnggg! The ladies working when I went were so nice! Definitely coming backread more

Stumbled upon this place when deciding what type of cuisine my coworkers and I wanted to eat. We…read moreeventually decided with Peruvian food. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a lady and had us choose a table to sit at. She took our drink order and served us some table bread and brought out 2 different sauces: green (had a little kick) & white (creamy & no spice). We then proceeded ordering our entrees and most of us ordered "saltados". The food came out and proportions were pretty big filled with flavor and tenderness. This hole in the wall spot was well worth it and would come again. Entree pricing was average, although soft drinks in a can were pretty pricey ($4-4.50)

El Sushi Loco Sushi & Mariscos Downey

3.4

(862 reviews)

Food was great, and serving was very generous. There was another table of patrons when we arrived,…read morebut it took awhile to receive our food. Service was good and attentive.

We went this past Sunday around 5pm and were told the wait time would be about 5 minutes. The lady…read moreat the front with the red hair looked like she did not want to be there and was not welcoming at all. While we were waiting, two parties arrived after us and were seated before us. After waiting about 20 minutes, we went back to ask what was going on and were only told, "sorry about the wait." I don't think it was professional to seat other parties before us when we had been waiting longer. On top of that, the quality of the food has significantly gone down. The food did not taste fresh, and as shown in the picture, the seafood was not cleaned properly. Overall, this was a disappointing experience compared to previous visits.

Pollos A La Brasas

3.5

(114 reviews)

El Cafetalito

4.7

(21 reviews)

So underrated! Delicious Salvadorean and Mexican food!!…read more They first served chips with salsa, which was good and not too spicy. Later they also brought big fluffy tortillas, which I believe are the Salvadorean style tortillas. They are super soft, so fresh and fluffy. Pupusas They were huge!!! So flavorful and tasty. I tried the revueltas (cheese, fried pork, and beans) and the queso con jalapeno (cheese with jalapeno). Everything just melted in my mouth. I didn't expect the jalapeno one to have so much flavor too. The pupusas are my favorites out of everything I tried. Beef taco I tried this à la carte with the crunchy taco shell and shredded beef. There is a lot of filling (lettuce, tomato, and cheese) and the beef is tender. Not too greasy, not too dry. Love the crunchiness of the taco shell. The tacos are usually sold in twos with rice and beans. Carne Asada Plate The carne asada was very tender. Also comes with beans, simple salad, rice, and lemon wedge. There was no wait to get seated. Lots of seats and tables. They also have a TV with a movie playing. Service was good! Glad the server also has a sense of humor haha. The food took 15-20 minutes, which isn't too bad. The interior has a traditional Mexican aesthetic. Feels homey. The parking lot is not super big, but I had no problems parking on a Sunday. I would come back and recommend!

Came to this restaurant me and the family were craving pupusa, found this little restaurant on yelp…read morenot too far from home went to check it out drove up. There is parking space in front not a lot. It is kind of tough to get to since it's in a main street area, but there is parking inside restaurant is really comfortable very clean. Customer service was amazingly friendly helpful. Patient order some pupusa's to go. The food was really great. Very delicious. You can tell they take their time making their food. Will definitely come back and try something else next time if you're in town or looking for some good pupusa, I would recommend this place.

La Hacienda Peruvian Food

3.9

(115 reviews)

Best costumer service we have received. Me and my boyfriend called, they were closed but they…read morestill went in to cook for us. First time eating Peruvian food, it was delicious we will be back but this time to eat inside. We got the lomo saltado and the jaleada.

Ordered over the phone 25 min was my eta got there paid and waited 29 minutes. When I got home I…read moreopened the lomo saltado & there was no meat what so ever it was so sad I have ate here before many times never had this issue & literally no meat on the plate very very disappointed drove 30 min specifically for this spot for this

Las Chinampas

4.5

(350 reviews)

This place is conveniently located by the 605 fwy. They offer a few parking spots right at front…read moreand some available near the other shopping section. As we walked in we were greeted by a nice lady, she offered us to seat wherever we liked and the menus are already on the table between the glass. They have fresh flavored waters, we got melón (cantaloupe) and horchata, not too sweet just right. The mole came with two pieces of chicken, or shredded chicken, we opted for the entire pieces. The chile relleno plate cam with two pieces, with lots of cheese inside. The sauce with it, was not spicy more like tomato sauce. Lastly, the huarache, was underwhelming for the price point. Credit card payments adds a 4% charge.

I was looking for some good traditional Mexican food and found this spot in Whittier, right near…read morePico Rivera and conveniently close to the 605 freeway. It's located in a small strip center, so parking was easy. From the outside it has that hole-in-the-wall vibe, but the inside is a little nicer than expected. The service was friendly, and I asked for a few recommendations. I ordered the asada quesadilla because they use handmade corn tortillas for it. My boyfriend got the carnitas plate and asked for handmade tortillas too, but they had run out and only had them available for the quesadilla. I also ordered the chicken enchiladas with red sauce. We didn't wait too long, and they brought out hot chips and salsa while we waited. Let me tell you, I really enjoyed the food here. It's been a while since I've gone to a Mexican spot that tasted like true homestyle cooking instead of corporate/commercial food. I even tried the carnitas, and they were moist and flavorful. Everything was really good. Now I want to come back and try more dishes like the tortas and burritos. I'll definitely be back!

El Pescador - Pico Rivera

3.6

(139 reviews)

I love this place because they serve breakfast all day! I've tried several of their dishes, but my…read morefavorite are the Chilaquiles. They have a good selection. I personally love their spicy Chilaquiles a la Diabla, but you can choose from verdes, rojos (mild), and con mole (which are my second favorite). Their Oaxacan mole is delicious. I also like that they have the perfect crunch to them. Maybe due to the way the chilaquiles are cut in small squares. I specifically like that they hold up a better crunch than other places. Also, their thinly sliced side of potatoes have a nice O'Brien taste while still tasting Mexican. My mom loves their fish soup. The soup comes with all the garnish on the side that allows you to really find your personal taste. It never gets too busy, but don't let that get you thinking that it's because of the food. Parking is plenty and service is always good.

Nice Lil mom and pop sister establishment to a nice place in La Mirada…read more This is become a after church brunch for 2 for me. My go to at the moment is the salmon well cooked served with your choice of Tortillas. Salad and veggies on the plate. My wife is the cevieche fish nice spread on a long bowl style plate. Lemony like she likes it also served with Tortilla and corn chips. Had coffee this time instead or soda. Coffee was good good blend clean taste. Place is clean and busy has three TVs sports streaming. Watching the food they serve and the smell or authentic Mexican food. Wait staff so welcoming and friendly like coming to your aunts or uncles place. Been coming a few times now. Decor rustic with music streaming in the surround. Food = 9 Customer service =9 Atmosphere = 7 Cleanliness = 8 Menu = 7 Plan on trying other menu items soon I recommend this mom and pop

The Palms Steak and Seafood

3.2

(81 reviews)

The Palms has some interesting things going for it although I do have some quibbles both in terms…read moreof as a restaurant and for dancing at. Pros: +Love the atmosphere. Definitely a retro vibe once you step in that resonated throughout the entire place. +Loved the band that was playing (they played twice - once around 10 and once around midnight). Salsa and cumbia the night I went and they were fun and a quality band. +They have a full bar and their margaritas are pretty big. Also, they have a private lot on the back. Cons: -Service was a bit all over. We were warned beforehand but even ordering early before the big party came, we waited nearly an hour and a half for our food as well as super infrequent checks on water or anything else. Be warned that if you do come on 'entertainment' nights and are eating/wanting a table, there is a minimum charge. -Be aware the dance floor is pretty small. Nothing flashy and having the bar on the limited dance floor makes it even tinier. -When the band wasn't playing, there was a DJ. We experienced mostly reggaeton, merengue, some salsa and very limited bachata. Expect more classic tunes than modern stuff as well (other than the reggaeton). -The food was a bit eh - at least with my plate being the steak as it was fairly dry. Much better was the shrimp. Notes: ~Would advise to make a reservation. This place does seem popular for parties of all sorts. We were lucky to get a table for four although YMMV.

The palms is a nice place to have a good time locally. It's not extraordinary or too expensive but…read moreit's a place to swing by from time to time.

El 7 Mares Express

3.7

(131 reviews)