What a hidden treasure You really walk into another place Through the tunnel you are transported to Havana Furnished with a variety of furniture just fits Homey and fresh. Relaxed The staff are warm and welcoming. Gladly explaining the menu and make suggestions. The ingredients are fresh and a delicious blend of flavors You can taste the layers Lovely mid of savory and sweet all together without the spice Items are beautifully plated and presented read more

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The staff were very friendly, and the outside seating was nice. But unfortunately, the food was very disappointing. Everything seemed either under-seasoned or over-seasoned. We ordered the mariscos fritos, ropa vieja, and filet mignon steak. The mariscos fritos only came with about 5-6 small seafood pieces, and for the price, I think they should include more seafood instead of mostly vegetables. The ropa vieja was extremely salty, while the filet mignon strangely had almost no seasoning at all. Even the corn on the cob on the side had no flavor. We came here to celebrate my daughter's birthday, so it was especially disappointing. Sadly, I don't think we'll be coming back. read more

What a huge difference from just a few months ago. The first clue was that it was empty at 6pm on a Sunday. 2nd was the notable price increase which is fine but the quality of the food was subpar. Steak was supposed to be medium and it came out bloody red and very tough. Waiter was good so that was an additional star. Another location off the list in what seems is a trend - pricier but less quality and portions. read more

Habana - Churrasco Style Grilled Skirt Steak - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. Parking is always tricky in the small lot for this complex, but after circling around someone left. We had a reservation for 6 people at 3PM so there was no wait. Our server was very friendly throughout the whole meal, and we were seated on the patio which had a very cool vibe, as if we were really in Havana/Havana. The menu is actually not that big, and prices were definitely on the pricier side. I ended up ordering a paella for 1 with a side of tostones. Fortunately, the paella portion was generous. I also enjoyed a tasty non-alcoholic piña colada. For dessert, I had their flan. The food was all very tasty and again the service and atmosphere were fantastic. Just be aware and prepared to spend a little more when dining here. read more

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Habana always takes a piece of my heart every time I visit. It has got to be one of my favorite OC restaurants. We've celebrated Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve, and many birthdays at both Habana locations. This is my first time visiting for brunch, and once again, my heart is full. If you are looking for the Brunch Buffet, Irvine is the location for it (found out today). This location offers a brunch menu, and I must say I was just as pleased. We ordered their short rib hash and leche french toast. Both were amazing. Plated beautifully, generously, and so flavorful. I've never disliked a dish from Habana. Outdoor patio is the perfect spot for weekend brunch! Such friendly, serene, yet hip vibes. Our service was great. Being greeted with complimentary champagne never gets old, even when I don't currently drink lol. It's always the small things. Half of my heart will always be at Habana. read more

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With its exotic Cuban cuisine and Latin-style ambiance, it's quite an experience. The filet mignon is the leanest and most tender cut of beef, with no overwhelming fattiness -- definitely the best dish I've had tonight. The thyme rests on the steak, adding a touch of visual elegance to the presentation, while the meat absorbs its distinctive aroma and develops a richer, more layered flavor. The Rum Pepper Shrimp features a sweet-and-spicy flavor profile and a rich, slightly sticky rice base. It reminds me of Sabrosada's shrimp burrito in Fountain Valley, but with a twist: this place adds mango cubes and jicama strips that offer a refreshing, water chestnut-like crunch. Apart from the food, the interior design is exceptionally well done. With its Latin-inspired décor and abundance of lamps and candles, the space strikes a beautiful balance -- dim enough to feel romantic, yet bright enough that you can still see everything clearly around you. The designer definitely deserves credit for such a masterful use of light and shadow. 異國風情古巴菜和拉丁風氛圍，不錯的體驗。 菲力牛排：最嫩的牛脊部位，無多餘膩味肥油，今晚最美味的一道。 點綴其上的百里香為擺盤增添幾分精緻感；牛排吸收其獨特香氣，入口時的風味更具層次感。 牙買加蘭姆酒椒香蝦奶油燉飯：微甜微辣兼燉煮至略帶粘稠的碎米飯，與Fountain Valley的Sabrosada墨西哥小吃店的蝦仁捲極其相似；差別在於，本店額外添加芒果丁和豆薯絲，帶來類似荸薺的爽脆感。 除了料理，本店的空間美學亦非常出色。拉丁風情裝潢，大量桌燈壁燭，營造出半明半暗的光影效果，既醞釀浪漫氣息，亦兼顧用餐便利性，不至昏暗看不清四周。設計師對於光影平衡的掌握，值得記上一功。 read more

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The food is average. Nothing really stood out, yet nothing was bad. Overall, a bit overpriced imo. Service is GREAT. All the staff are so friendly and kind. We sat outside so it felt like we were in Latin America, really nice vibes. Even though the food is average, the excellent service is enough to bring me back in the future. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Beautiful setting with indoor and outdoor seating in the Lab anti-mall. Broad menu with lots of Cuban inspired eats and cocktails. Happy hour prices are great. read more

Habana - El Benny cocktail - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Brought the kiddos to Habana for brunch and we all had a fantastic time. Atmosphere and decor was w 10/10 with good customer service to match. We weren't offered kids' menus so I am not sure if that was available, but we paid about $45 for the kids to eat Steak & Eggs and $25 for pancakes. The $19.99 unlimited Sangria (time limit of 90 mins) made up for the price so I definitely couldn't complain. I ordered a side of the Mac & Cheese and that was tasted amazing. Habana was overall, a 7/10. Will definitely be back! read more

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Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Parking: 3/5 I went there with friends to hang out and we ordered a lot of good food. I was busy eating so didn't have a chance to take all of the pictures. Everything tasted delicious. My favorite was flank steak dish and paella dish. Pork dish was also great. The only complaint was the parking. It was share with other businesses so parking could be hard. I was surprised to see this parking situation outside of downtown Los Angeles. read more

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Loved everything about Habana! From the service, ambiance and the food! We ordered Beef empanadas 5/5 Very moist but wish the croissant crust was more crispy Chicken empanadas 4/5 Perfectly moist but lacked flavor for me. The crust wasn't flakey enough Short rib picadillo hash 5/5 A must have! It's served with toast . All the flavors on this skillet married so well together. Just wish it had a few more potatoes on it tho. Banana brûlée 5/5 I'd come her just for this! Theeeeee best I've had in so long. If the fire brûlée's the banana enough you'll get an amazing lightly crispy bite with the vanilla icecream and ohhhhh that sauce ! Bellini flight 3/5 The tamarind was my fave . I could've done without the blueberry and pineapple ones. read more

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Habana in Costa Mesa was a mixed experience. The restaurant is pretty small, which could feel cozy, but the overall ambience didn't land for us mainly because the music was blasting at an unreal volume. It was so loud you could barely hold a conversation, and in a tight space that just made everything feel overwhelming rather than enjoyable. The food was decent, but for how pricey it is, I expected a lot more. On top of that, the host staff wasn't particularly friendly, which set the tone the wrong way from the start. I wanted to like it because the concept and energy is great, but between the cost, the noise level, and the less than welcoming front of house staff, it's hard to justify going back. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Our group came in here for a weekend brunch and were seated inside with a lovely view of their outdoor patio. It's beautiful decorated and service was great. They weren't busy yet so we had the place to ourselves for a little bit. The food and drinks was delicious and beautifully presented. The portions were good as well. We will definitely be back. read more

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EVERYTHING IS DAMN DELICIOUS HERE! EVERYTHINGGGgggGgg! Appetizers was chicken empanada, which unfortunately was the only dish I was able to take a picture of before we devoured everything. 3 people in our party ordered the churrasco steak; comes with plantains, beans, rice, and an elote style corn on the cob. The steak is heavenly, cooked medium well was perfection. I could do without the elote. I got to sample the steak. And that bite was SO GOOD!! We shared a plate of seafood paella, chefs kiss to that menu item. Came with generous portions of salmon, mussels, clams, and shrimp, and sausage. Also split the pork egg Benedict with my cousin, passed the test (how well an eggs Benedict platter is made is my usual litmus test for a breakfast place). Don't forget to order a mojito! They include a stick of sugar cane you can chew on, which is lovely. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

When my closest girlfriends wanted me to plan a GNO & pick a fun place to celebrate my birfday, I automatically thought of Habana. Our busy schedules happened to all sync perfectly during the same week as OC restaurant week, so a double win! Good food for a good price (you get eat a 3 course dinner meal, for only $45), good vibes and great company. This particular Habana location is located on Bristol Street, in The Lab Anti-Mall (in Costa Mesa). My only complaint/CON about this place is the HORRENDOUS parking situation. It's a bit of a nightmare..IYKYK, despite me lucking out and scoring a spot during my first drive around. I was instantly reminded of why I don't come here as often as I'd like, the second I turned into the plaza. Not that their other Irvine Spectrum location would be that much better, on a weekend. Parking aside, I do love Habana for their yummy Cuban dishes, specially drinks ~ Pĩna Coladas & mojitos and fun, vibrant atmosphere. It's a chic restaurant with authentic Cuban decor in a candlelit space indoors & or tented/heated garden patio. I made rezos on OpenTable in advance, as the wait times were looking at 1.5 hrs+, even eating early at 6 pm on a Saturday night. Our waiter was super friendly, very attentive throughout the night and overall helpful in providing food and drink recs. Since there were 4 of us girls, we each got a different appetizer to try & share ~ the avocado frito and 3 kinds of empanadas (vegetable, chicken and cheese). I'd have to say that the chicken and cheese empanadas were my fav. The plantain-crusted avocado with the Caribbean aioli was also quite refreshing. For my main entree, I always love the el churrasco. You just can't go wrong with a perfectly grilled skirt steak (medium-rare), their deelish chimichurri sauce, carmelized onions, buttered white rice & corn on the cob. I'm not a huge fan of the sofrito black beans and sweet plantains, but I do sneak a taste. For dessert, my ultimate fav is always, hands down their Caribbean flan. The egg custard is so perfectly creamy, covered in their Añejo rum and caramelized sugar & topped with fresh strawberries. I could totally eat a few of them. Lol Even though I'm not drinker, because it was our catch-up, GNO..I still got a yummy pĩna colada (sans alcohol) to cheers to our long-lasting friendship & my birthday. All in all, a core memory was made and fun times were had!!! If you are looking for a cute date night, GNO, chill vibes kinda of place to hang out, wine & dine..then Habana is your place. RxFoodie recommended! read more

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Reservations were made in advance due to Mother's Day. Although, I prefer to dine inside, and I told the host as she guided us to the table and sat us outside, the atmosphere is great! I don't know if there is any inside seating. The sever was friendly and courteous. My daughter ordered Ropa vieja and ordered lechón. The sides were ok, but the lechón meat was super dry. Never has tostones before, but I had heard that are intentionally firm and crispy on the outside, but they should not be hard or tough to eat. These tostones were hard. read more

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Back again, This time just bar hopping. Eric is Stellar! But damn I got curious with food again and ordered the ceviche. It comes with Plantains! What a cool twist for a shareable dish. Came for cocktails, stayed for an appetizer. read more

Habana - Ceviche - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Such a cute atmosphere, super yummy food and great service! Definitely recommend. They were out of a few desserts but that didn't bother me. I am planning on going back sometime! read more

First time here trying this restaurant. Everything that we ordered was delicious. Service was good and all the staff were attentive and friendly. But the parking was really really bad and small parking lot area for a lot of restaurants was not good at all. Both parking lots were full during lunch time on weekend. Parking rating: 1 out of 5. We ordered Paella and flavor was right on point with a lot of seafoods in there. Then we had Churrasco dish with plantains. It was good with tender medium skirt steak that was grilled to perfection. I also had guava smash drink with bourbon, guava, and mint flavors. It was refreshingly alcoholic drink which was good. This place was surrounded by other restaurants. Inside had nice decors with flowers for the holidays which was nice to look at. Spacious for group of friends and family. Good foods and good drinks here. read more

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Fine dining. Lots of parking in lot adjacent to restaurant. The menu is small, but the options are all great. Everyone was happy with their orders, especially the drink presentations. I was able to find something healthy on the menu for me which was great. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came to Cubana and had such a great experience! Our waiter was so nice and kept checking up on us, and they even gave us complimentary rosé. We were seated outdoors with dim lights which made the ambiance cozy and date like. What we ordered: - Chicken Empanada (9/10): Smaller than I expected, but so delicious. The sauce it came with was amazing. I read some Yelp reviews saying the chicken empanadas were dry, but they weren't dry at all. - Ropa Vieja (9/10): The beef was tender, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the rice, beans, and sweet plantains. - Medianoche Sandwich (8/10): Tasty, but nothing too special. The fries that came with it were really good though. Overall, great service, great food, and a really nice vibe! Even though it's a bit pricey with smaller portions, I'd still come back. read more

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Habana is the perfect mix of home and away. Dimly lit, nice music, and entry cocktail of bubbly- *chefs kiss. After a long day of shopping/walking in the mall, this meal was the only ending we could have asked for. I forget our waiter's name(i think it was Italian), but he was so kind. Explaining many things on the menu because it was our first time and we were from out of town. All of us ordered something different, from the empanadas, to the crab cakes, to the roasted chicken- it felt like this meal came straight from a family members kitchen. The manager came over and checked on us, not only the food but asking about our day/holiday w family/talked with us about her tenured experience at the restaurant. Finally, it was my Cousins birthday and although there was no birthday dessert, she was presented w a scoop of ice cream and fruit, WITH A SPARKLER. That was so nice and so appreciated. Definitely will come back here when in the area. read more

Habana - Marinated-Roasted Half Chicken - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food, great service and killer ambiance! A great date option! Drinks and food were creative, unique, hard to find, and super tasty!

We went here for an early lunch/dinner. We got seated right away and as a special treat they gave use a small flute of complimentary rosé, which was a nice surprise. We ordered the shrimp in wine sauce with toasted baguettes and it was delicious. Bursting with flavors and tasty. It was very garlicky the way I like my seafood. We both ordered the el churrasco skirt steak cooked medium rare. It was cooked perfectly and very tasty. Comes with rice, beans, plaintains, and roasted corn on the cob. Everything was awesome. Ambiance is nice, the decor and location was unique and well designed. Our server was amazing, he was very tentative, efficient, and friendly. read more

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I arrived at around 1pm and it was not busy but parking is a bit chaotic. There is only one entrance and one exit. Upon parking I saw a big sign for Habana but the entrance was around the back. I ordered the Taste of Habana which gave a sample of the pork croquettas, chicken empenadas and vegetable empenadas. From the reviews, this seemed to be a popular item. However, the empenadas were bland with no seasonings. Chicken was very dry and lacked flavor. The pork croquetta was the best, filled with cheese inside and covered in the fire roasted tomato sauce. I also ordered the Short Rib Picadillo Hash. It was rather wet at the bottom and the meat had a bit of a gamey taste. The green sauce improved the flavor a bit but it wasn't particularly enjoyable. Service was a bit dismissive. The server didn't provide any kind of explanation upon bringing the food out. Even though they checked on us twice and asked if they could help with anything, they didn't deliver what was requested like extra plates and utensils for sharing. The ambience is relaxing and the food presentation is beautiful but lacking in flavor. Not sure if I would return again for the food although it seems like it would potentially be a fun place to hang out during happy hour. read more

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A perfect 10/10!! Visited on a wednesday evening to celebrate my birthday and I loved everything about this experience. Food was amazing-- got the pork croqueta, streak frites, and el churrasco. The pink mojito was perfectly strong and sweet. I forgot his name but I believe he was a manager, he came up to our table and made us feel so welcome!! That alone was enough to make me want to come back. The restaurant was so cute with the lighting and overall vibe, definitely loved this for a date night. Will be back again! read more

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My family and I have been coming to Havana for several years. We have come with and without our kids and have found the food and ambience to be consistently good. The plates we usually get are the churrasco, the empanadas, and the chicken. As far as drinks I love the red sangria. I prefer the outside patio area although the interior is also very quaint and stylish. The staff has been helpful and service is generally good. A couple of cons are that Parking can be a little hard to find during peak times and that the restaurant does not have its own restrooms. The restrooms are public restrooms that are shared w the rest of the lab shopping center and there is a short walk outside the restaurant to get to them. read more

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We had dinner tonight with our toddler and almost 1 yr old and it was a good time. Habana has good music, good food, good service, and an overall nice feel dining in. We've been coming for a while so we have many experiences dining in just us two and when we were a family of 3. The food, service, and ambiance have been pretty consistent for us. I always order the roasted chicken and my toddler really likes it too, which is a plus. The tables do sit a little high so the high chairs end up feeling a little low for the babies and younger/smaller toddlers. It's not terrible but something to be aware of. The parking is difficult, so we always allow more time knowing it'll take a while. The restrooms are also in a different area and they're shared with the other establishments. If you have kids/ toddlers, this can be difficult because you have to leave the actual restaurant though it's not super far away. It's just a little annoying. read more

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My husband and I tried this restaurant after looking and searching through places I looked at on yelp. After seeing such great reviews of this place we just had to try it. It was fun trying such different food than what we're used to. And I must say....very tasty food. The service was very hospitable and attentive. Very nice ambiance. Not a big place so the tables are pretty close together. All in all it was an enjoyable time for us. read more

Came here for happy hour and it didn't disappoint! I got the piña colada with a floater and it was so tasty. It wasn't tooo sweet and the floater made it strong but not too strong. I was feelin pretty tipsy after one drink which was worth it. Def recommend happy hour here! read more

Habana - Pina colada - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here for the first time tonight and it was lovely! The food was delicious, the service was top notch and on top of it! And the restaurant indoors and outdoors is beautiful! Definitely a dreamy place to enjoy some yummy Cuban food! Great for a date night or business lunch/ dinner! Definitely check this place out! read more

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I can't speak highly enough about our group meal at Habana We had a large group dinner and all the items we ordered were a 10/10. The highlights for me were the empanadas, palella and tres leches cake. Presentation and portion sizes were great and our server Manny was awesome The ambiance of the outside patio was a huge plus and definitely set the mood for the entire meal. Highly recommend to go with a group so you can share more items. We definitelyedt with left overs and weren't mad about it. :) read more

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We were really feeling some Cuban cuisine Saturday night. We were created by the hostess with a glass of rosé as we were seated promptly to our table on the patio. Habana did not disappoint one bit! First of all the service is on point.. the flavors are all crazy good... it's an incredibly lively restaurant even though the patio portion of it is really in kind of the parking lot. You don't feel that way at all because of all of the lush trees, the beautiful lighting. It's a beautiful experience. We enjoyed the chicken empanadas which were packed with flavor and chicken , of course the fries were delectable. I enjoyed the Aji tuna with Yukon mash. The roasted chicken was delicious as well as their seafood paella good to the last bite. read more

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Dominic is wonderful! First time in costa mesa location and it was beautiful time! We had an awful experience at Benchmark in Santa Ana with our reservation giving no option but a lousy table they just set up in a corner right in front of kitchen, no heather in a cold night. We diverted to Habana and it was such a lovely experience! The host person was kind to let me check out the tables inside and outside. Dominic was amazing server. He took really good care of us making the dining comfortable. Great recommendations and attentiveness! Id love to be back! read more

This restaurant is true to its Cuban roots, offering an amazing setting in a romantic atmosphere. The menu is extensive, offering many delicious options for those seeking an authentic and traditional Cuban restaurant. The service is amazing and in point. From the hostess to the waiters/waitresses, and the kitchen staff, it is a terrific experience from start to finish. I would highly recommend this location for anyone wanting to embrace fantastic food and an authentic menu! read more

Habana - The outdoor patio at Habana. - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came for the happy hour! Drinks were delicious and so worth the price. Was greeted very friendly by the hosts and waiter was very attentive, will have to be back to try the food! read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great spot for a date night, but the food and service were lackluster. First of all, the drinks took forever to come out. We ordered the Taste of Habana appetizer, which was a combo of their different empanadas, the issue was that this app was not served with our drinks, it came out with the rest of the main dishes! It made it seem like they were really trying to rush our party of 4 out. Lastly the mains were average at best. I was surprised how quickly the paella came out -- there was no crusted bottom and the entire dish was very soggy. The El Churrasco was ordered medium but it came out more well done. The Lechon Asado was also dry. Best dish was their corn crème brûlée side...which was kind of sad for how much all the other dishes cost. read more

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Love the habana, I recommend the Pina Colada, probably the best I've ever had it's covered with a toasted coconut rim and has just enough alcohol to make your Friday night! The Ambiance is sweet toasty giving it that Cuba house feel. The service was great we had Maria she made sure our night was good and recommended a coupe Dishes. The ceviche was my favorite as the appetizer and can't go wrong with a New York steak ! Will be back soon read more

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Habana is a Cuban restaurant is located in The Lab which is a small outdoor mall in Costa Mesa which has a variety of small shops and places to get food and drink. The parking lot is a good size, but is usually very full. We managed to quickly find a spot in the early evening on a weeknight, but later in the evening and weekends it might be a little more of a challenge. The restaurant is on the east side of The Lab, so if this is your primary destination, park on the east side of the lot. All three areas of the restaurant are beautifully decorated. When you enter the restaurant, there is a horseshoe shaped bar with several tables around it. The main dining room has very high ceilings, colorful walls, and lots of light when the sun is out. The outdoor patio area is spacious with a lot of well spaced tables. The décor is great with lots of plants, candles, and tequila bottles. Looking at the pictures, the décor looks very busy but it totally works. We dined on the patio along the north wall, which is slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of the center of the patio area. There was Caribbean music playing in the background which was nice and not too loud. Our server Uriel greeted us with two small glasses of complementary rose which was a nice surprise. After we slowly sipped and finished them, he even poured us a second round. We started with the Avacado Frito appetizer which is fried plantain crusted avocado slices. Nice combination of creamy avocado with a little crunch from the fried plantain shell. The Caribbean aioli for dipping was good and had a little spice with no heat. The Rum Pepper Shrimp caught my eye on the menu, so I ordered that. What a colorful plate! The shrimp were on the bigger side, cooked perfectly, and there were a good portion of them. The dish had a great variety of texture with diced red and green peppers, chunks of mango, and a mango jicama slaw on top. The sauce is amazing with a lot of flavor and a light sweetness. There is a big bed of rice underneath to soak up and enjoy every last drop of the sauce. My girlfriend enjoyed the Tamal En Cazuela, a baked polenta dish with cheese and a tomato sauce. It is topped with a jalapeno cream and pickled onions. It is served in a small cast iron skillet which keeps it hot until the very last bite. It comes with a separate plate of rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. Uriel was very friendly and provided excellent service. A manager also stopped by our table a few times to make sure everything was good, and he thanked us for visiting when we were about to leave. Prices are a little on the expensive side, but we enjoyed our dinner and would definitely return again. read more

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Came here for our wedding anniversary! It was nice that they gave us complimentary champagne and rose petals on the table! Definitely a thoughtful touch. They don't have a lot of vegetarian options. I think it's only a handful of starters and 1 main. - Vegetarian empanadas (3/5): not super flavorful, mostly just cheesy and the empanadas themselves tasted underbaked. Dip also didn't really go well with it. Would skip next time. - Tamal en Cazuela (4/5): delicious and cheesy in a cast iron pan so there was a nice cheesy crust on the sides of the pan. The side of white rice and beans was only okay. Rice tasted unevenly cooked and the beans were a bit bland. Ambience outdoors is really superb! read more

Habana - Vegetarian Tamale Pie - Cuban Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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