HAVAN-A-MAZING LUNCH If a top-tier Cuban sandwich is what you seek, look no further than Guava's. Located a mile northwest of Minneapolis Int'l Airport, this quaint Cuban restaurant was highly recommended to us by a friend.  We stopped here after visiting Como Park Zoo and enjoyed a great lunch as well as some A+ plane-watching, since Guava's is directly in the flightpath of landing jets. I started with a Bent Paddle pilsner ($6.50), and my wife got a michelada ($8) which she said was a good value and "made the right way".  There's a decent amount of seating inside as well as tables outside, although it can get noisy at times due to the nearby airport. The Cubano ($18) was one of the best either of us has ever tried: pulled pork, ham, salami, pickles, mustard, mayo, and Swiss cheese on grilled panini bread.  It came with lightly salted plantain chips and a small cup of house hot sauce.  Amazing, no notes.   5/5 The lechon asado rice bowl ($16) was equally terrific.  Delicious roasted pork - including some magical burnt ends that had me in ASMR heaven - came with black beans and maduros (sweet plantains) over cilantro rice.  Fabulous mingling of flavors and textures.  5/5 We got a side of Yuca frita ($7) w/cilantro aioli but these were almost an afterthought; my wife and I were too obsessed with our entreés to pay much attention to these lil' starchy sticks.  They have tres leches cake for dessert but we opted for a flan ($7) instead, and it was OK. * TL;DR * I'm glad that Guava's didn't try anything too clever with the Cubano, preferring to keep it classic and focus on quality. The aesthetics inside are charming, soft mint green walls with a mix of white counters and darker wood.  Staff were friendly and the food came out relatively fast.  They have a nice selection of local draft beers and plenty of great Cuban coffee. I would absolutely recommend Guava's to anyone in the Minneapolis-St Paul area, especially if they're interested in trying one of the best Cuban sandwiches of their lives. read more

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Good - the food is good. Special praise to the Cubano sandwich. Atmosphere - not the most comfortable - old dexor. Service - really poor. Person entering our order had zero knowledge of the food and appeared to have no interest to learn. The food ia giving this restaurant three stars, everything else is less than desired. Also wish the juice was fresh fruit juice, not a blend. As a Cubano man, I was not impressed. However for foos, I would give it another go, but not for the service or ambiance. read more

Visiting family in Minneapolis who weren't able to venture out for dinner so we were relegated to doing take out all weekend. For one meal we decided to try Guava's based on the Yelp reviews and we were not disappointed While not a "knock you socks off" experience - three of the four dishes we tried were solid representations of Cuban food: the two Vaca Freitas breakfast bowls were quite well received, as was the Chicken bowl. Unfortunately, the Paella Valencia (seafood) wasn't quite up to snuff / while it had plenty of seafood, the rice was more risotto than paella. That won't deter me from giving a solid 4 stars One thing to watch for, should you do takeout, the drinks probably come from the bar, not the kitchen. We grabbed the bag when it was ready and failed to check on the beverages - which unfortunately we didn't note until we arrived home. Not a huge issue / but a cautionary pint for others. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - A plain exterior - but lovely inside - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I had a very nice dinner at Guava's. The food was very good and fresh. Overall the service was good. My only comment is about the band and dancer playing inside the restaurant. It was very challenging to have a conversation and we were there to discuss business. read more

Decided to order delivery for lunch from here and was pretty excited to try a new restaurant, everything on the menu looks amazing and fresh! Looks wise it didn't look the best compared to the photos on the menu. It tasted okay but it seems like a lot less food than the menu photos. It didn't seem like the burger and sandwich had the shoestring potatoes on them. I believe the zesty mayo has horseradish in it which I wish it listed that on the menu because I really don't like horseradish. I wasn't expecting that at all. We asked for beans in the shrimp bowl and also didn't get that. The side of chips for the steak sandwich was also missing. It wasn't a terrible experience but not sure I'd go back again. read more

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Amazing Cubano!!' This place is legit. I've only been once but I'm definitely going to be back. The Cubano was super delicious and came with home made plantain chips. The pork in the sandwich was super flavorful and had a perfect blend of cheese and mustard spread. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I LOVE this place!! One of my staple go-tos in the Cities! Breakfast-perfect-two eggs, potato's cooked perfectly and Cuban toast. Lunch and dinner I always go for the sweet plantains and any slow roasted meat option. I love the rice and beans and they have a mean happy hour. The Wednesday night paella special is also superb! So delicious and fresh!! read more

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One of our family favorites. We love Cuban food, and whether it's a family birthday or a group event, Guava's always delivers. The space has this quaint, relaxed vibe that just invites you to slow down and enjoy the moment, and when there's live music, it makes a cold state feel warmer. You can swing in for a quick cortado and a guava pastry, or grab a table and settle in with some incredible dishes, cubanos, ropa vieja, pollo a la plancha, chicharrón de pollo, all served with black beans and rice. And don't skip the yuca fries with aoli and chimichurri... they're a must and my favorite. Park on the street and enjoy outside dining in the summer, you wont be disappointed! For desert, go to Pump house creamery up the street, one of MN best!!! read more

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I really enjoyed my experience at this restaurant. You first order your food at the counter and then choose your table. Overall it is a somewhat casual dining experience and small enough that is not at all overwhelming. I decided on a steak sandwich and I also tried their sangria. They happened to run out of bread for the sandwich but somehow were able to acquire some so I think my sandwich was on a different kind than is typical. Nonetheless it was super tasty and I really enjoyed the sangria. I would enjoy coming again! read more

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I really had high hopes and expectations for this Cuban restaurant, but it fell a tad short. That could have also been my meal choice, maybe I didn't choose wisely. My friends all loved their meals, so it made me think twice about it. I was feeling fishy, so I went with the Pescado Frito. The rice and beans were really good, and the plantains were also tasty, but the fish was not very good at all. Over fried, more batter than actual fish, and kind of bland. The actual restaurant was very cozy, not a lot of seating, but they do have a nice patio, which I am sure is packed in better weather. It's a self service counter, which is nice and they bring your meal when it's ready. I will be going back again for sure, just trying something else! read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Pescado Frito - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Parking is limited as there is only street parking, but we were able to find a spot quickly. I would have otherwise missed this restaurant if I wasn't looking for it because it's nestled in between several businesses. The food was great, with some vegetarian and vegan options. I loved the cilantro aioli and asked for an extra side for my beef hash. The service style is seat yourself and order at the counter, but you can also make a reservation ahead of time. Service was friendly and prompt, including the kitchen staff who had our orders out right away. The ambiance reflects a quaint local business. read more

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Took my momma here for Mother's Day. They were super busy but still tried to get us seated and served. Everyone enjoyed the meal they ordered, everything was seasoned to perfection. Top dishes were the Ropa Vieja Bowl, Cubano Burger, and guava cheesecake. The restaurant was colorfully decorated and there were patio seating at the front read more

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Although I really wanted to love this place, after visiting a few times, I had to conclude that the food quality here was not spectacular. Depending on the item, some items were amazing, while others needed improvement. Regardless, I do think that people that live in the Twin Cities should at least pay this place a visit. My favorite dishes were all the sandwiches, including the Cubano and the Pan Con Chicken, both of which made with all the key ingredients I could think of in a Cuban sandwich. The pulled pork, ham, and salami, along with the smashed buttery top, worked very well with the mayo and mustard seeds. The chicken one had cilantro aioli in there, which worked very well with the marinated chicken. My friend got the pollo a la plancha rice bowl, and was given a significant amount of food. I thought it was very generous because there was a lot of chicken. Both the tres leches and the arroz con leche were very well-decorated. The tres leches had less of a milk taste and wasn't very sweet, which could be an advantage for some and disadvantage for others. My partner had very positive things to say about the arroz con leche, calling it an amazing dessert. The dish that I was the most critical about was the paella, which honestly seemed very sloppily made. I couldn't really taste the saffron. There was very little chorizo, chicken, and shrimp, and three pieces of mussels & clams. Also, the rice was all clumped together and clearly not evenly cooked, and it was more evident as I ate the rice more. I think that if the dishes were consistent in terms of quality, I would love this establishment a lot more. But even with that said, I still think this is a gem of a spot in South Minneapolis and recommend people visiting. read more

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Brought the family out to Guavas Cuban Cafe and man, was it worth it. Everything we ordered was incredibly flavorful, tasty, and literally finger licking good. We tried a bit of everything: the Pollo a la Plancha Bowl, Vaca Frita, and the Corvina al Aji. The staff was incredibly nice and made us feel right at home. Also, a pro tip: if you like hot sauce, you HAVE to try theirs, it's got a great kick and serious flavor. We finished off with the Flan, Arroz Con Leche, and Tres Leches, and they were all spot on. We walked out with plenty of leftovers, and I can tell you first hand they were just as good the next day. This place is the real deal! read more

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This afternoon I was craving breakfast and passed this place. Awesome cozy feel, great customer service, reasonable street parking. I ordered two guava and cheese pastries, a tres leches latte, mango juice and a simple breakfast sub tostada for rice and beans. The breakfast was very average lacking flavor/seasoning. I added lots of their delicious hot sauce. Rice was fluffy. My juice was very watery. Gonna return for a dinner experience soon read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Tres leches Latte - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Love the cubano Coffee is amazing and so is the atmosphere Pastelitos are amazing too!! read more

I'm a huge fan of cafe con leche & Cuban toast' it's a match made in heaven. When I came across this place on yelp, and saw it was only a few minutes away from our hotel I immediately made reservations! It's such a cute little cafe, nicely decorated. You order up front, pick a table, and they bring the food to you! We obviously started with a cafe con leche, it was SO good, my husband even asked one to go. We ordered the guava pastry which was good, but could've used more filling. For our main entrees I ordered the Cuban hash which came with rice, picadillo, eggs & my husband had the veggie hash! Both were extremely flavorful! read more

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It's tasty neighborhood spots. Very mom and pop. Foods are great. Yuca fritas are crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth inside Tostones - crispy and the aioli you just can not miss Pollo ala plancha. This is the juiciest chicken I've had. It is definitely fool proof read more

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What a hidden gem, I've had this place on our to visit list forever and we finally made it here! This café is tucked away and can be missed if you aren't looking for it but it is definitely worth a stop! We liked that your ordered at the counter and could sit wherever. We made reservations and I'm thankful we did because it was busy. The atmosphere is so cute and the food was delicious. If you're in the area, you need to check this place out. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Tres Leches Latte and fruit frescas - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Delicious! Very pleased. I ordered on grubhub- the cubano sandwich came fast and warm! Definitely ordering online again read more

I met up with some coworkers for dinner at this neighborhood restaurant. A Cuban family owns and runs this restaurant, I can see the love and support the guests gives to the staff. Small restaurant, yesterday cozy. We weren't able to make reservations but they were busy for a week night. Food was delicious, very fresh and flavorful. read more

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I've dined here several times now, and I enjoy coming back. Starting off with the Cuban sampler is the move, although I also like their ceviche, and I have to make sure I get a side of their sweet plantains. Last time I had their steak & shrimp al ajillo and it was decent, and all their drinks are great. The indoor dining is charming and cozy & they do make the best of the street side patio. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Steak & Shrimp al Ajillo, Cuban Sampler - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The best Cuban food in Minnesota! They even have a cute stage with our Cuban flag! They seem a bit understaffed but they are very kind and the food is worth the wait. read more

Great spot with great food! Upon entering, we were greeted and seated. Going in for the first time, I wanted to try a variety of dishes and proteins. It was a nice day outside, so we sat outside and enjoyed the outdoor decor. The Cuban Sampler was excellent! Everything was prepared and cooked well! The croquettes are outstanding, great texture and crunch! The potato was delicious, as was the tamal. The Ropa Vieja was stellar - the meat was fork-tender and the meat seasoned throughout (not just relying on the sauce). The Paella Valenciana was also delicious-- both the rice and proteins cooked and seasoned well. Highly recommend and will definitely come back! read more

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I really enjoyed the food here! The cubano was delicious and the garlic sauce that it came with went well with the other entree ms. You can't go wrong with garlic. The pork was really crispy on the outside. It tender and juicy on the inside. Super good. The beans were really flavorful so I just poured it on the rice. The plantains were also delicious. The tres leches was out of this world. It was so moist and truly drenched in milk. Most tres leches I've had in the past are just super dense and only the outside is covered in milk but in this cake, it seeped through the entire thing. It was pretty empty when I ate here but it seems like there's a little stage for live music and a patio outside. You order at the counter and bring the food to your table. read more

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Was in the area and just happened to see Cuban food in my lunch search. Decided to give it a try. I'm always up for a good Cubano. The interior ambiance was nice and casual. Order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. The Cubano was middle of the road at best. Opening up the sandwich I was met with spare and randomly put together ingredients. I've never had a Cubano in my life that used Italian salami. The ham that was used was the cheapest paper thin processed kind you can buy in a store. Not a lot of quality and attention to detail in the sandwich build. If the Cubano knocked it out of the park I would mark this restaurant to come back to. Unfortunately this is a one and done. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - :-/ Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Great food and ambiance! Appreciate the vegetarian options. I recommend the veggie hash and veggie bowl. Yucca was delicious.

Stopped here for their date night paella special. Had a reservation and we were seated right away. Parking is not too bad to find and the place was popping. We had called earlier to see if they could do the seafood paella without the chorizo (since we don't eat pork) and they said that wouldn't be a problem. We ordered their special, lobster bisque and yuca fries for apps, mushroom and Valencia paella for entrees and a white and red sangria for the drinks. The bisque was good and the yuca fries were great with a nice sauce to go with it. The sangrias were great and refreshing. The mushroom paella was really tasty and had a nice little spice to it. Unfortunately they couldn't do the other paella without the chorizo but they were able to substitute it. So I chose the picadillo which was quite tasty with the ground beef and black beans cooked well. The flavors melded well together. The ambience of great with very cool vibes. They had a live flamenco music and a dancer. It was warm and cozy with a festive atmosphere. We will be going there again. read more

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I took my brother here for a brunch while he was in town, and this spot blew us away! The inside is so cozy and cute - perfect cafe vibes or get dinner/drinks with a friend. Service is at the counter and was very friendly and quick. We opted to sit outside on their patio in the summer sun. The umbrellas have seen better days, but it's a great little patio! I went with the breakfast menu and did the vaca frita hash - so rich and meaty and delicious, very filling. My brother got the Cuban - a no brainer at a Cuban cafe! - and he raved about it. We split their Tres Leches Latte and that was spot on for flavor. Highly recommend for a drink or bite in the area! read more

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I think the owner knows his biz better than me, he has been top of his game and after the past six years in mpls to still be open is amazing time for another location like muddies on lyndale only one close after nine years because of covid a great bar with big profit to keep the food as great as it is authentic cuban and evan a small cuban coffee bar to sit in or out in a private patio cuban music and not trafic noise and fumes, thanks Frank cuba is hot news we love you!! cuba read more

The food was great, but my friend who had the ropa vieja got food poisoning. He was totally fine, then 20 minutes after we ate, very much NOT fine :( read more

While the food here has never blown me away, the natilla de chocolate is good enough to keep me coming back! Just took a friend here tonight for her first time and she completely agrees that it was worth it. I'm not even much of a chocolate person, but it is very delicious. The chocolate pearls add a very nice texture. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Natilla de Chocolate - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cute spot! Parked at the grocery store next door and walked over, they have patio seating and some indoor seating. Order at the counter and seat yourself. Great Cuban coffee, the food tasted really authentic with good portions. We were accidentally charged extra but the girl at the front caught it, informed us and remedied it pretty quickly. We'll definitely be back! read more

Great food, fun neighborhood ambiance...lots of Spanish spoken. The menus are almost impossible to read...lettering is so faded. We'll go again! read more

WOW! Went here for the first time yesterday and inhaled the food because it was so delicious, that I decided to order it again today to take photos lol service was great, I got a cafe con leche and the barista came over to make sure it was to my liking! So kind! The style and the music of the restaurant made me feel like I was transported to a tropical place! It was great! Will definitely become a regular! Also, I highly recommend the rotating juices they have as well! read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Vaca Frita Hash - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cuban Soul Doing the Cha-Cha on My Taste Buds This tiny Cuban spot has a menu as short and bold as an old-school love letter--straight to the point, no nonsense. But every dish tastes like it was made by someone's abuela who doesn't mess around in the kitchen. One bite and you'll start reminiscing about a Havana childhood you never even had. I have a small suggestion, the coffee here is very special and can be matched with exquisite and special antique coffee cups, each one is different (it can really be more thoughtful) This isn't just a meal--it's a flavor-fueled smuggle into Cuba. Next time, I'm showing up in sunglasses and a floral shirt, just to match the vibe. read more

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This was so close to a 5 star for me! My friend and I went here for my birthday dinner and we got: Cuban sampler Chicharron de pollo Steak and shrimp Al Ajillo White sangria The sampler was absolutely delicious. My friend and I loved the croquettes. she said that was her favorite. It was crispy on the outside and creamy inside. The pork belly was so yummy too. The sauces they gave were all very tasty and perfect for what we had. My friends chicharron de pollo was delicious. Flash fried chicken was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Highly recommend. My shrimp and steak however needed more seasoning. I'm not sure what was up with that but the sauce and the steak both needed more seasoning. It was a bit bland. I also wish I had more rice but that's just a personal amount preference since I looooove rice! The plantains and shrimp were my favorite part about this dish. Plantains were perfectly caramelized and the shrimp was seasoned well and wasn't over cooked. The white sangria was delicious though! Not too sweet which can happen easily with white wine. The service was great. They were busier when we arrived but the food arrived at a decent time. I would love to go back and give them another chance because there was more pros than cons. read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Steak & Shrimp al Ajillo - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Guava's Cuban Cafe is a cozy, welcoming restaurant that is typically first-come for tables. We were able to make a reservation for our larger group, which was nice, but we were asked to leave after 1 hour when another group with a reservation came in. It was unclear if there should have been multiple reserved tables vs just one, or if we missed the memo that we only had an hour for our group. The food was delicious and I love knowing there is somewhere I can get my tostones fix! read more

Guava's Cuban Cafe - Pan con chicken - Cuban Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Really easy counter service, and a large menu that leaves options for everyone. I love the Aqua Frescas!! The appetizers and desserts were excellent as well. For the entrees Everything at the table was consistent and well made, though not particularly stand out. I would love to go sometime when they live have music in the stage!! read more

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Excellent food. Cuban was really good. Chicken sandwich had so much flavor. Good beer on tap as well. Friendly service.