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

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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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

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

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

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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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

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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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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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

Way overpriced for what you get. 2 people ordered full entries and we get one bowl of beans "to share" no bread with meal and minimum portions. Waiter had the nerve to highlight his 20% tip, which I did (Hey, we took up room at his table) If your not to hungry and like food that the chef spilt his salt container on then by all means.... Indulge read more

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

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

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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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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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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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

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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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 forgot to take pictures but this was a nice surprise. We ate at the bar and got in on the happy hour. Drinks were fast and the bartender was fun, quick and easy to talk to. We had the empanadas for an appetizer, then arroz con pollo and bistec encobollado. All of which were fantastic! If he had any room left, we would have tried some dessert. They have live music later at night, but we didn't stay. read more

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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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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Service was absolutely terrible! In the middle of me eating the waiter came by and said, this is not your dish, and in the middle of me eating, it literally took the dish away. Apparently another waiter served the dish, and it was not for my table. How was I suppose to know, the dish wasn't for my table? He didn't apologize or anything. I decided to get up and leave. I will never go back to that place. There are other thousands of restaurants in NYC i rather give my business to. read more

The service was good for the majority of our dinner; became slower towards the end of our meal. The sopa de pollo was good, different, but good. It was the 1st time we'd had this soup w/ a drummette in it. The avocado & cilantro helped bring the flavor to this broth-based soup. The lechon asado was tender, well-seasoned, & delicious! The congri was cooked well. The cassava was too much starch , but balanced the bold flavors of the pork meal well. The tres leches was decent. There's a place in Atlanta, Eclipse de Luna, whose version I prefer to this one. The cake holds the milks well. As soon as you put the spoon in, the milk gushes out; makes you wonder how it stays inside like that. Good, just not my favorite, or the best I've had before. We planned to listen to music elsewhere, but it was raining, so we came back & sat at the bar for drinks until the music started. We were told it would start in 30 minutes, a little before 8. It started at 8:30, as it indicates online. We were expecting a larger band w/ some horns or something. It was a little underwhelming for us & we left after the 2nd or 3rd song; but it could've been we were tired after waiting an hr or so for them to start. It wasn't bad, just not the music we expected. I had a mango mojito, which was a little too line forward for me. After some of the ice melted, it balanced out well. This was our 2nd visit. We were here while visiting NY a year or 2 ago. Tonight wasn't perfect, but the fact we returned, & will again speaks volumes. The ambience was more family & date vibes when we arrived for our 6:30 reservation. When we waited for the music to start, it was louder & livelier: read more

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Amazing mojitos and value lunch specials for nyc. Will def comeback when in the city read more

This place I felt is a hidden gem. Locals sorry but this out of state person is going to tell it! This place hands down is worth it all. We came in on a Monday night and it was happy hour all day. Every drink I had was strong and tasteful. Now the food. Every dish was tasty, zesty, spicy, and just hands down GOOD! I loved the garlic shrimp. I literally wanted to drink the sauce! I actually think I did.....ops. Cherry on top: they have live music some nights at 8:30pm read more

The food was excellent and I especially enjoyed the chicken and yellow rice. My husband, son, and cousin ordered the Cubano sandwiches; my spouse said it was the best he's ever had! We also ordered yuca con mojo, and that was delicious as well. We will definitely be back the next time we are in NYC. :) The only downside was it was sooooooo LOUD! Our waiter couldn't hear us while he was trying to take our order. Definitely can turn the music down a notch. read more

Cubanos were fantastic. Service excellent. And live music super awesome - loved that folks just started randomly dancing. read more

Guantanamera - Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

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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Expensive..pina colada out of a machine?? Terrible..food is okay..people are nice .however disappointed

Everything was excellent! The service was top notch. The cocktails (esp the various Mojitos) were delicious. We ordered almost everything from the beef section of the menu and enjoyed every dish. The vegetarian paella was also very good. We will be back! read more

I recommended eating here as my friends have not gone before. Having come with my familia pre-COVID and having had good experiences, I thought it would be good. Despite the wonderful decor, music and nice staff, the food was not what I recalled. The croquetas and yuca frita as apps were just okay. The yuca frita did not seem fresh and were disappointing. Main dishes --okay -- chicken dishes were tasty enough and fresh, but the tostones were sub par... sadly they felt recalentado --reheated --which is most annoying and disappointing. This is definitely a sour point for me when I expect fresh tostones!!! I won't be able to come back and that makes me sad. read more

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

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The food was amazing! Everything had so much flavor. The service was terrific and the live music was awesome. There was dancing to the live band and they party Friday nights. We made reservations just to be safe and I'm glad we diI can't wait to come back. read more

Guantanamera - BISTEC DE PALOMILLA - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Camarones al ajillo- OMG definitely the best I've ever had. I'm also a snob for seafood. So when I say it was good, it was amazing!! Also the ceviche mixto hit the spot. Sangra Live music was awesome too. I feel like you can't find restaurants that have live Salsa music. Definitely recommend coming here. I will be bring my family here. read more

It's more 3.5 stars. We had reservations at 6 PM on a Friday and the restaurant was pretty packed already. My friend arrived early and they seated her. They brought me to the table where she was seated when I arrived. The music was much too loud and everyone had to yell on top of it to speak to their dining companions. So, not the place for an intimate dinner. My friend ordered the ropa vieja and I ordered the arroz con pollo without the peas. They had to also remove the carrots since it's a combo. I really enjoyed my dish. It far exceeded my expectations. Cooked really well and flavorful. I wanted to try some apps, but my stomach was not feeling the best that night. I will def return to try more. I've wanted to try this place for many years but never got around to it. Glad I finally did. Service was just OK. read more

Guantanamera - Arroz con Pollo Criollo - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York