I stopped into this restaurant for dinner and when I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into a Dilly lit restaurant. I was greeted and sat and served by Carlos and he was nice! I ordered: Red Sangria Tostones Rellenos Pollo Al Mojo (chicken with garlic sauce) Rabo Encendido (oxtail with mashed sweet plaintains) The food was really delicious with my favorite being the Tostones Rellenos! It was a great experience all in all! read more

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We were invited as guests to eat at Guantanamera, especially since I grew up cooking authentic Cuban food, as well was Puerto Rican food. I can dissect every ingredient placed into a dish. I personally ordered the Cuban sandwich that cost $24. You heard that right, $24 for a sandwich, and expect it to be worthwhile for that price. I had to ask for mojo in order to eat the sandwich, and only able to eat 1/2 of it. All I have to say is, it tasted mediocre, and didn't have that expected Cuban sandwich flavor that a gastronomical Cuban cuisine expert would know right away. One of the person in my group, ordered the lechon asado plate, which comes with moro (congri), and yuca (cassava). The person who ordered this dish is diabetic, and cannot eat yuca that has 78 grams of carbohydrates. A substitution was requested, in which the waiter addressed the paying patron with a rude attitude that there is no substitution, either have it or omit it from the plate. He would not make an exception for another vegetable or food item. This lechon asado entree cost $30, and no substitution, if unable to eat such as starchy, extremely high carb vegetable. I didn't like the waiter's attitude. It was not welcoming nor prioritized our comfort throughout the meal. I wanted to walk out of the restaurant. Especially, since the waiter did not show any Cuban mannerism to the culture. The patron tolerated the incident, asked me to let's try their food and see how authentic and/or delicious it is. He gave me the yuca, even though he paid for this item, yet unable to eat it. A simple swap for another vegetable could have been accommodated. I ate the yuca, and noticed it was just boiled, and had no seasoning whatsoever. Cuban style yuca, should have that garlic mojo, or be seasoned with a little vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Not even mojo was given for this dish that should compliment it. I tasted the moro (at this restaurant it was known as congri). The flavoring did not taste Cuban style for this rice casserole. It was missing the savory sofrito of onions, garlic, pepper, cumin, and oregano seasonings. The lechon asado didn't have that expected flavor, either. Is this really a Cuban cuisine restaurant? For this place to be called a Cuban restaurant, is an overstatement. Whomever the chef is cooking in the kitchen, supposedly authentic Cuban dishes, needs a refresh course in how to season and properly prepare Cuban dishes. To be honest, the food had more of a Peruvian flavor than Cuban flavor. Very disappointed, since I was invited and eager to eat authentic Cuban food in which I didn't have to cook myself, that is a part of my everyday lifestyle. I have to say, the waiter from the get-go had an attitude with our group, and did not have proper etiquette to address us properly, as paying patrons, who spent over $300 at the dinner table. Secondly, the lechon asado entree, which comes with moro, and yuca (cassava), there is no food swap substitution, if unable to eat one of the items on the plate. If a patron is allergic to one of the items on the menu plate, such as yuca, it will become a too bad for you, situation. Thirdly, the ambiance, especially the lighting was very dark. There was a few artwork, but overall, the place needed some lighting at the table. You couldn't read the menu, unless you have a pocket flashlight. Overall, the food at Guantanamera was not up to par, nor authentic Cuban cuisine. Either this establishment changed ownership from the original Cuban cuisine owners, or are current owners (not of Cuban culture), who are oddly not well versed in Cuban cuisine. It may be that the chef cut corners to not make the effort to cook the food according to expected Cuban traditional ingredients. Maybe, the chef had a bad day and the food was not being prepared well, that was showing when we were eating it. When the bill was given, we were being rushed by the waiter who stand by our table and hovering throughout the entire time while trying to see and analyzed the amount charged. It was very uncomfortable and rude. He could have walked away for a moment while we settle what was being charged. In addition, the waiter never declared that there was an automatic gratuity before the order was placed or any time before that when we were seated. At the very end when he hand us the bill for us to pay, in which there were separate bills for each party, there was an automatic 20% gratuity added to each of the bills. The invited guests, and myself, have decided to NOT come to this restaurant ever again. read more

Guantanamera - This $30 dish was an extremely disappointing. The lechon asado miss the mark. The moro was bland, it didn't have expected Cuban seasonings. - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

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| Absolute Perfection - The Best Cuban Food Around! This was my first time visiting this restaurant, and I am completely blown away. I love Cuban food, but it can be hard to find a place that truly gets it right. This was easily the best food I've had in a long time. Everything about the experience was flawless. The service was excellent, the ambience was wonderful, and the live music created such a fantastic atmosphere. For dinner, I had a chicken dish that was absolutely to die for, and my husband's meal was equally excellent. I truly cannot say enough good things about this place. I love it here, will be coming back time and time again, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for phenomenal Cuban food. read more

Guantanamera - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

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Loved this place! If you're looking for a live salsa band and dancing, Guantanamera is the place to go to. The energy at this restaurant is amazing- you will definitely have a good time! As soon as we walked in, the staff greeted us- everyone was super friendly. We were lucky enough to get a table right in front of the band. Since it was late, my table only got drinks and empanadas. The empanadas are good, but definitely pricey- after all it is in the center of NYC. The mojito was highly recommend to me and it did not disappoint! I loved the mango one- it was not too sweet, not too strong tasted- it was perfect for me. Minty and refreshing! read more

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Tried the ropa vieja and the meat was a little dry. But it was still good with the rice and beans. Veggies helps cut into the saltiness of the meats. read more

A really good Cuban food place. We made reservations and were seated immediately. The restaurant was on the small side but it was cozy. They have a stage for live music, although there was no music because we were early. For or entrees I had the lechón asado with yucca and tostones and my girlfriend had the rabo encendido. Both meals were packed with flavor and were really good. I enjoyed the lechón which was so moist and tasty. The tostones came with a garlic mojo which was really good. My girlfriend really enjoyed her rabo, she said it was very tender. The service was excellent and to end the night we had the crepes de guayaba which was really good. I think we will definitely be back. read more

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We had the pleasure of visiting this establishment before going to see the lost boys at the palace theater . Great vibes, food and drinks for a good price at happy hour. The food is seasoned very well and flavorful, drinks are great, and the bartender helpful. Furthermore, the owner Patrick himself Is very personable and attentive and had us try a drink on the house. This is an environment you should definitely check out that you would enjoy from top to bottom. read more

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I feel like there's not a lot of Cuban food in NYC, especially in Midtown. I really liked the drinks and food here. The mojitos were sweet and had a good amount of liquor. I thought the passion fruit and guava taste was balanced well. I could snack on the Calamares Fritos all day. They were so crunchy and flavorful. The entrees I ordered was the Churrasco Con Chimichurri and Paella Marinera. The steak was tender and seasoned so good. It came with amazing rice and beans. But the paella stole the show for me; wow! It had so much fresh high quality seafood yall. Service was A+ all night and the Tres Leches dessert was the perfect finish. I gotta come for dinner someday to hear the live music on weekends too. read more

Guantanamera - Churrasco Con Chimichurri - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

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What a nice surprise to find this great Cuban restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. It's pretty popular and with good reason. We had 3 apps, 4 meals and 2 deserts along with 3 specialty drinks and a few Chardonnays - for a birthday celebration. We got there early to avoid the crowd and the service was excellent! All orders were correct and waitstaff was attentive. Standouts were: Appetizer - Tostones Rellenos with shrimp. And for the Main: Camerones A Ajillo (shrimp with a little heat). Passion fruit Mojito for the win! The deserts are small but authentic. Overall good experience and definitely coming back to try more things! read more

Guantanamera - Mojitos were slurped! - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

It's open late, so that was great. There was live music. Lots of drink options. The food tastes authentic, like going to your friend's house and their grandma is cooking. I loved the pollo papas rellenas. read more

Guantanamera - Ropa Vieja - DM - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

My go to Cuban restaurant, love this place. This was a neighborhood gem when I used to live in Midtown. Great ambiance, food and service are always topnotch. Vibrant spot with live music in the evenings and weekends. My favorite dish is the ropa vieja, a must order. They have the best mojitos, so delicious, my favorite is the passion fruit. My friend enjoyed the grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. She thought the steak was flavorful and tender. For dessert, we shared the flan de leche, we devoured that in one bite, so good. I've missed this place, always an amazing experience every time I visit. read more

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Overall, pleasant, attentive and quick service on a Tuesday evening (not full). Lovely live music and plenty of space....i must share that it was extremely hot indoors, even with the front door open. Not sure if management was running the heater but for being low 60s outdoor, the heater not necessary. Appetizers ham croquetas were very good, but the tostones rellenos were just ok. The shrimp didn't seem as fresh. The lechon was a generous portion, great flavor. The corvina a la Hemingway also was generously proportioned, however the sea bass seemed a bit dry, clams had a good flavor, heavy on the light tomato's sauce; rice cooked well. Loved the guava crepes! I feel like I don't see guava desserts enough in general (I personally love everything guava), so this was a no brainer to have! Lovely friendly crowd and staff. Would love to come back to drinks! read more

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My wife and I got settled in our hotel room & immediately wanted to find a place to have dinner. I'm so glad we stumbled upon Guantanamera. We had an absolutely wonderful experience. Honestly, there is really only 1 thing that is keeping this from being a 5 star review so I will get it out first: it's very loud in there. I love that they have a live brand and an area for people to dance in if they want to. However, when the band isn't performing, it feels like people are talking way too loud simply to be heard over the house music which is playing so loud so that it can be heard over the people talking. It just feels like a vicious cycle of noises battling against each other. But beyond that, this place is wonderful. You can instantly tell that this is a family run business and all generations are there to help out. You feel that you are enjoying family meals. The staff treat everyone with respect and offer wonderfully helpful opinions on dishes. They really helped my wife and I pick out fantastic meals. It was clear to me that the Ropa Vieja was the top seller. It felt like everyone was getting that. But I opted for the Bistec de Palomilla which was so perfectly cooked. It was an incredibly thin piece of meat so I was worried when I cut in to it but it was so tender and juicy inside. I loved every single bite. For dessert we tried the Torrejas. I'm not quite sure what it is, and the description of 'traditional Cuban dessert' wasn't too helpful either, but the waiter said it was delicious and he was absolutely right. In all, despite the noise, we had a wonderful dinner here and it was a perfect way to kick off our visit to New York City. We will absolutely be back next time we are in town. read more

Guantanamera - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. I had Lechon Asada. Prompt service I do wish they had their air conditioning on in June read more

Delicious food, kind people, and fun space. We ordered empanadas, papas fritas, cubano, and ropa vieja. Everything was delicious and filling. My boyfriend said his mojito was refreshing. I enjoyed trying the ropa vieja, a new food to me, since we don't have Cuban restaurants where I live. Wish we could have stayed longer to listen to the live music later in the evening! read more

Guantanamera - Cubano, Mojito, Papas Fritas, Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Visited around May. Exceptional mojitos and the ropa vieja was tasty. Quick service. Lively music at night.

Guantanamera 939 8th Ave. New York, NY 10019 Guajira I'm sorry to say this place wasn't a hit. The seating arrangement wasn't the greatest; we arrived when it was busy, so we were seated in the basement in less comfortable chairs away from the live music The sides did not have an appetizing look; I thought it was something that came out of a can. The sauce did not go well with the stuffed chicken breast. This is basically a wannabe version of chicken parmesan. ‍ This isn't the fault of the owners, but it doesn't help matters when there are several garbage bags outside the restaurant especially at a place where food is served. read more

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Good Afternoon the food was picked up at the restaurant and was simply delicious and the dessert PUDIN DE BANANA 11 Banana and guava bread pudding. was so DeVine I recommend to anyone looking for great taste and portions read more

Wow -- this restaurant is truly one of NYC's hidden gems and one of our absolute favorite places to go for a fantastic night out! The atmosphere is lively, warm, and full of energy, with wonderful live music, a fun crowd, and a vibe that makes you want to stay all night. It's perfect for groups of any size, and as a vegetarian, I'm always happy with the delicious rice and vegetables. The band is consistently excellent -- upbeat and entertaining, but never so loud that you can't enjoy the people you're with. What makes this place especially magical is the energy in the room. We always end up dancing, and before long, the tables around us are joining in too! It has that rare ability to turn a regular dinner into a memorable night. The Midtown West location is easy to get to, the manager is an exceptional host, and the entire experience is just pure fun. Don't miss this spot -- it's the kind of place you'll want to come back to again and again. Enjoy!!! read more

Came here with family to celebrate my wife's birthday. The staff were phenomenal. The food was great. My wife got the tres leches cake with a candle and birthday song. The steak here was amazing highly recommend. All the food we purchased was really good and a great experience. Live music if you stay later in the day, like after 8pm. Come here for a fun night and great experience. read more

My gosh, how are there any empty tables here. This place is so warm and welcoming. The cocktails are fresh and delicious. And I think the live music was so special it made my heart grow three times larger. I'm in love with a bar. read more

I ordered the ropa de vieja which was very small compared to what I was expecting. It was still very good. This itty bitty ropa vieja is also served with dried plantains. Honestly, I think that the rice and beans along with the plantains made up for the ropa vieja being small. Okay let's get to the drinks. The regular Mojito and the mango mojito. Nothing real special about the regular mojito; it's just a regular mojito. Now the mango mojito, that's the one that pops!!!! Tajin is on the rim and it's served with a generous mango slice. The mango mojito is both spicy and sweet. I recommend that over any mojito. The empanadas are a serving of two. Order one plate of beef and the other plate chicken. Trust me on this. I came back the next day on a crowded Valentine's day and the hostess was very sweet. The wait was projected to be 30 minutes but she got myself and my party of two others seated within 10 minutes. read more

I've been to this restaurant twice during conferences I've had in the midtown area and have loved both times. The atmosphere is very welcoming and you can tell a lot of thought was put into making the inside a space to have a great dining experience. On this visit, I had the steak sandwich which was SO good. The steak was juicy and warm. I also have tried a couple of their drinks were are high quality for the price! read more

Guantanamera - Pan con Bistec Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

TLDR: A good hole in the wall for midtown, with a loud ambiance, big portioned food for big parties. We came here for a friends birthday (6). We did reserve in advance which I would advise to do so as well because this place does get packed! Ordered: Seafood Paella - 5/5 I know, ordering Paella at a cuban spot seems a little like a disservice but I will be honest this hit the spot. At around $30ish dollars the portion for this was beyond reasonable. I've had less for twice the price: both in size and quality. It was piping hot, fresh and packed with flavor. It also came out relatively fast than paella typically normally takes? Perhaps that begs the question of how much this was frozen but frankly it hit all the notes so I am not complaining. Sangria: 3/5 I would say this was a little watered down to me so I didn't taste much? Service: - 5/5 Although I did not know who was our server plenty of people came around frequently to check in on us and. All of our meals came out relatively quickly despite it being peak dinner on a weekend. Feels like a family in there! Ambiance - 2/5 This is totally someone's vibe: the music, the live band that plays at certain times, the dimish lights but it was not several of ours. The stereo music was loud. Loud in a way that I can barely hear the person next to me let alone the rest of the table without hollering. If you are here for vibes this is it. But if you're trying to catch up and not want to be hollering across the table I would suggest elsewhere. It is good though they can accommodate for big parties! Transportation: 5/5 Not too far from the Columbus 59th station but it might be a tad of a walk from seeing a show in times square since its in the high 50's so just be mindful of time if you're coming from downtown! read more

Guantanamera - Paella - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Sólid Cuban spot! Came here for dinner before seeing Buena Vista Social Club. We had the Cuban Sandwich, ropa vieja, yuca frita and paella. A lil expensive but the food was good. Service could have been more attentive. Will definitely be back for the live music and dancing for sure read more

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Step inside Guantanamera, and suddenly, you're not just in a restaurant--you're in Havana. From the first beat of the live Cuban music, it's like reality melts away and you're transported to a vibrant street corner in Old Havana, where every note invites you to sway, sip, and smile. The musicians aren't just playing--they're storytelling, and you feel every rhythm in your bones. The ambiance is warm, sultry, and alive--dim lighting, rich colors, the scent of spices in the air, and the soft swirl of cigar smoke if you venture near the lounge. It's the kind of place where time slows down, laughter flows easily, and the world outside fades into the background. Now let's talk food--rich, bold Cuban flavors that dance just as much as the music. From tender ropa vieja to perfectly fried tostones, every bite felt like a celebration. And don't get me started on the mojitos... fresh, minty, and dangerously smooth. Guantanamera isn't just dinner--it's an escape. A little slice of Cuba in the heart of the city. I came for the food, but I stayed for the music that stole my stress and replaced it with joy. read more

Looks good ! Music is playing Salsa ! Happy hour is only at bar area ! Good selections of food and drinks for happy hour read more

Guantanamera - Happy hour ! Good options ! - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

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Nice ambiance, neat looking restaurant. The wall murals of Havana and menu cover gave it a nice touch of Cuba . The Argentinian flag hanging over the bar was a a bit confusing since it's a Cuban restaurant. We had fast and friendly service, oxtail dish was good and the portion was plentiful and the ropa vieja was tasty. The stuffed plantain appetizer was just perfect for 2. read more

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I've always enjoyed meals at Guantanamera. Their bar area is always full of happy customers, their decor gets everyone's attention, and the food is always on point. I started with a very enjoyable drink, the Coconut Mojito. Every sip of this drink was so good. The sweetness of the coconut was so good, that I made sure to make it last up until the last bite of my entree. For our appetizer, we shared the Ensalada de Piña y Aguacate (Avocado and pineapple in a mango vinaigrette). This was a fabulous selection and I enjoyed the presentation of this starter. Today, I wanted to visit, in order to enjoy.....for my first time...Vaca Frita (pan-seared shredded skirt steak with fresh mojo, onions, and lime). I loved the crispness of the meat, the amount of onions that were infused throughout the dish, and the lime/mojo were exquisite. The accompanying Congri (black beans mixed with white rice) and the side dish of Sweet Plantains made this a memorable meal. The other entree was the Cuban Sandwich (Classic pressed roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard). The portion was large and was accompanied by plantain chips. OMG.... THE DESSERT! We shared the Tres Leches (sponge cake soaked in three milks). At first, I thought it was a Flan, but their presentation was fabulous and...after taking the first spoonful, the flavors exploded and every bite was mouth-watering. Highly recommend this dessert. Guantanamera also has weekly Happy Hour specials. You will be very impressed with their selections and prices. Don't hesitate to enjoy a meal at Guantanamera. You'll be impressed, satisfied, and return for more. read more

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Great atmosphere, good service. We started with the pollo empanadas and they were good, not my favorite but my boyfriend loved them. The vaca frita plate was amazing, the steak was so juicy and flavorful and the onions and peppers enhanced it. The rice and beans were good as well. My favorite thing here were the maduros (fried plantains), they were sweet and savory and very filling. read more

Guantanamera - Vaca Frita - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

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I liked the dim environment during dinner and the staff were friendly and spoke Spanish. The only thing that takes away from the experience is that the food is slightly pricey at $30 for ropa vieja and it's not the biggest portion. That being said there's not many good Cuban places around here and it is midtown. Overall would come back again for a special occasion read more

Guantanamera - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

If NYC was made up of a lot more restaurants like this it would be so great for the fabric and culture of our city. Guantanamera is open late, with great music, fun vibes, and solid food. The room is alive when music is on, there's dancing and singing, and overall joy. The spot is open late which is great post show, or on the way home from wherever you were. The service is friendly, caring, and also a little fun as well. One thing I love is that you can choose to have a cubano or you can choose to have a full meal of steak and veggies and much more. Nobody appears to judge you, and all of it is good. None of it is great, but it matches the vibes of what you expect from cuba. We're here for good food and music, and the vibes make up for anything that's missing. I'll definitely be back to enjoy the music and a nice late night meal! read more

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Was here yesterday with a group of friends after a dance performance- as always, the food was good. The problem started when one of the women in our group was served a dish she didn't order. After the waiter took it back, we all waited patiently for the correct order to be brought out to her. Well we waited and waited. We even asked the waiter once again and he just nodded- we were all almost done with our meals before her dish arrived. No apologies, nothing- it was So disrespectful. No apologies, no offer of a discount. Terrible way to conduct business. read more

I use to love this place. I think it changed owners. The place leaves alot to be desired. There's a wet mop by the bathroom in plain sight. The garnishes are being picked up with the same hand they handle everything else. They advertise happy hour and about 7 drinks but our waiter said all they have is sangria. The food was ok but lacking some flavor. This use to be my go to but no longer. Need to find a cuban place. read more

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I came here for dinner with my fiancé and some family friends who were visiting from out of town. The experience for me was definitely a little mixed. We had a reservation for 6pm on a Saturday which felt like not a super busy time but this place was super crowded at this time. We arrived on time but were told our table was being occupied by a group that was paying and that it would be ready soon. We waited around the bar for a while and actually did not end up being seated until 6:43pm. While I understand wanting to respect parties and not kick them out from their table, I also think reservations exist for a reason and a ~ 45 min delay can really interfere with plans (especially with visitors from out of town). The place itself is super cute and I can see why people want to come here for the ambiance. Our waiter was nice and took our order soon after we sat down. We ordered some mojitos in the meantime which were a little on the sweeter side but still good. The food also took some time to be prepared and overall I was not very impressed by any of the dishes: -sopa de pollo: this was okay. Portion size appeared large but the soup itself was very light. The flavor was a little too salty and reminded me of those tomato soups that come in a can. It came with two very small pieces of chicken that barely had any meat in them. I thought this could be my main dish but this is probably more adequate as a side if you want to be full. The avocado was pretty delicious and perfectly ripe so that was my favorite part of the soup. Otherwise it did not quite hit that "homemade" comfort that I hope out of chicken soups from restaurants. Would probably not order again. - ensalada palma real: comes with lettuce, artichokes, avocado, and Parmesan. I was not a huge fan of the lemon dressing since it had a little bit of a strange aftertaste for me. The avocado was very good (again), but I did not feel like the quality of the artichokes or Parmesan was very high. This was also pretty pricey at almost $20 which just seems very high for what this was. Would skip next time. - pollo Guantanamera: my fiancé ordered this and he thought it was good but also nothing too mind blowing about it. It came with a half deboned chicken which consists of a thigh and a breast (we were also expecting a little bit of a bigger portion). The rice and beans on the side were good. The chicken itself was also a tiny bit too salty and the breast was a little dry. For dessert, the table split some crepes de Guayaba which looked good and were amongst the better things we tried. Overall, the ambiance is very lively and beautiful but the food alone and the wait times made this place more of a 3 to 3.5 stars for me (as a person who places a lot of weight on the food quality). If you are looking more for a fun place to have an okay meal and celebrate with a group-- there were several people celebrating their birthdays-- this is probably a decent option. There is also live music after a certain hour which may also be part of the appeal. read more

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Came here at 10PM on Thursday for an anniversary dinner after seeing a show nearby. We were quickly seated near the stage. It took a bit to flag down the waiter as it was a bit busy but once we ordered we got our food very quickly. We got the chorizo salteado to start which had the softest and most tender chorizo I've ever had. It was packed with flavor and paired well with the thin plantain chips provided. For our mains we got the churrasco and pollo guantanamera. The churrasco was cooked to perfection and came with two large slabs. It was sizzling when it came out and tasted so delicious. The pollo guantanamera was incredibly juicy and tender. They also came with a side of rice and beans and a salad, both of which were delicious. Definitely enough to fill two people up! We also got the passionfruit mojito pitcher which is DEFINITELY more than enough for two people. They do not skimp out on the alcohol as they are STRONG but dangerously delicious. The live band performed every 10-15 minutes or so for about 10-15 minutes each time. They had such great vibes and invited people to get up and dance along the aisles, which quite a few did. Super fun! Definitely recommend this spot if you're in the area. They seem to be pretty busy so try to get a reservation. read more

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In the middle of time square, the food was delicious and service was Family oriented!! 100% worth for the price read more

Guantanamera - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

This place has been on my list for quite a while and I'm happy I tried it! Immediately it was packed for a Saturday night (obviously) and everyone looked like they were having a great time. I will say, the one downside is we had a reservation, and didn't get seated for about half an hour. But the mojitos were great (I asked for mine not too sweet) and the ropa vieja was to die for. Plus, live music started a little after our entrees came out which was really nice. read more

Guantanamera - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Sat at the bar to get the happy hour prices. The mojito was okay! The fried mashed potato stuffed with beef was amazing! The steak sandwich was solid. The service was great and super accomodati. I don't think I would return as the music was a bit much for me but I'm also super sensitive. read more

Guantanamera - The spread - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

I think I would have enjoyed this spot more if I came during the evening, or one of the times they had a band playing. The ambiance was right. Bright, deep fonts and celebratory fonts on the walls. I did enjoy coming here, and I'm not against trying this place again, but I've had better Cuban. I came during lunch. I was the first person there. The service is awesome! Very attentive and welcoming. I started with the croquetas de jamon o pollo, which could be served with chicken or ham. I chose ham. And they were hot, and the spicy sauce was tasty, but the cold ham inside wasn't my thing. This is a ME thing, not a them thing. For my entree I had the cubano, which is served with plantains. I'm not a huge plantain fan, but these were crisp and sweet, and pretty good. I'm just more of a fry girl, which is why I ordered the papa fritas (fries, obvi). The fries were hot and wonderfully seasoned. The cubano itself had a great grilled bread with hot roasted pork and ham, accompanied by Swiss, pickles, and tangy mustard. Large portion that I couldn't finish. Loved the flavors. I had their mojito, their margarita, and another drink. This is really the reason I cam here--the drinks. Reviews said they were awesome and authentic. They weren't bad, but I've had much better. Overly heavy and sweet, resulting in me going back to my room and taking a long nap and taking some zofran and compazine (nausea meds). This restaurant has a lot of pork dishes, some beef/steak, salads, empanadas, oxtail, and a prix fixe/party menu. This was a nice outing. I enjoyed my time here and the service was wonderful. The sandwich was pretty tasty. I've had better Cuban, but I would recommend at least one go-round at this family-run Cuban spot to see how your fortunes fall. read more

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