Man, we used to love this place. I wanted to go there tonight and come back with a review that brought up their star rating but I just can't. It's not just the prices - it's clear that costs have gone up for restaurants - but this was just somewhere we used to really like stopping by but won't go back. Drinks were strong but completely imbalanced and when you order off their cocktail menu, you'd expect better. The only highlight was the mariquitas, but the accompanying sauce wasn't adding to them at all. The Cubanos went WAY down in quality. The fish was SUPER fishy in the over salted seafood paella (and for $42, we do expect more from the dish) and the other appetizers and such were all below average. Service was prompt and efficient but probably because we were one of only three tables in the restaurant during prime dining time. Just sad, because I know this is yet another Austin jewel that isn't going to last. Way too many other places to spend nearly $300 on a meal for four in Austin that will blow your mind. This was just a disappointment. read more

I have been eating at Habana for over 35 years and I can't get enough of the maduros and mariquitas. (I could live on these dishes alone but there is so much more to rave about.) And my children would agree. The vibe of this restaurant is relaxed and tropical in appearance. The staff are friendly and none too intrusive. I have to bring all my out of town guests to this hotspot and this time they escaped with a cigar or two. Thanks for keeping it fresh and tasty. I can't wait to come back. read more

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Habana Soco is a very laid-back, casual cuban spot. There's outdoor seating, which is nice on a good weather day, and a free parking lot. The service was friendly but not as attentive. As for the food, it was okay but nothing particularly memorable. Everything was decent, just not great or especially flavorful compared to other options around town. It's also kinda pricey for what you get. read more

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Habana Austin absolutely knocked it out of the park! I ordered the vaca fritas with maduros, and it was phenomenal. The beef was perfectly shredded, tender, and packed with flavor, paired beautifully with rich, savory beans and sweet, delightful maduros that tied everything together. Every bite was satisfying. The staff was excellent--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made the experience even better. The ambiance deserves a special shoutout too: laid-back reggae music, a fun vibe, and the flamingos in the outdoor dining area give the place such a unique, relaxed charm. This is the kind of spot you want to come back to again and again. Highly recommend if you're looking for great food, great service, and a great atmosphere in Austin! read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Decor - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I started with a skinny margarita straight up. Thanks to the bartender for the heavy pour. We ordered the empanada sampler with one beef, one chicken and one queso empanada. I liked the queso empanada the most. It had the most flavor. The beef and chicken need more seasoning. I ordered the Cubano sandwich and it was delicious and huge. Great flavors! We sat outside in one of the cabanas. My shorts got caught on a couple of nail heads on the bench. read more

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Chill vibes Super yum All of the Empanadas were fantastic. The ceviche was light and delicious. read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Fricasee de Pollo - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

I'm from out of town and came here with a local who knows I love Latin culture food. This place was nice hole in the wall. There was not many people there when we went, which was suprising to my colleague but it could of just been a down time with so many local events going on. The service was good, We had to seek more then they sought, the food portion was huge flavor able minus the chicken in mine, it was very dry. Prices are a little high but today, mom & Pops gotta do what they can to keep pushing. I'd definately go back and try other menu options. read more

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Currently sitting at this restaurant eating and had to write this review because of how amazing everything has been. Everything is authentic and the portions are huge. Our server is on top of it. Making sure we have everything we need. I love the vibe and energy. Great music. We sat outside. I love all the plants! I'd tie this place more stars if I could! read more

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I visited Habana for dinner recently. They have plenty of indoor seating and two outdoor patios. At certain times, you can smoke their Cuban cigars on the patios, which sounds like a great experience for spring and summer evenings. The service was slow (a bit frustrating since there were only three tables), but the food arrived quickly--within five minutes. I ordered the Picadillo with yellow rice and black beans. The meat was well-seasoned, and I really enjoyed the sauce. My boyfriend tried the Masitas de Puerco with Yuca con Mojo. He mentioned the pork was slightly dry, but the sauce helped, and he thought the Yuca was the best he's ever had! For drinks, I had a mojito, and he ordered an Iron Beer, which tasted like a Cuban Root Beer with a hint of licorice to me. The mojito was small for the $20 price tag and not to my liking, which was disappointing. Overall, I enjoyed the meal and can't wait to return for a Cuban sandwich and cigars on the patio. read more

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I have now dined here several times. I cannot say enough about this restaraunt. The food was amazing, the service wonderful, the ambiance spectacular. The indoor area is cozy and comfortable. The outside is covered and pleasant. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and can't seem to draw myself away to order somethng else. The food is exquisit and sublime. There is usually enough for me to take home and have later. read more

Drinks are great, food is decent (albeit really salty), but prices are obnoxious. The portions are huge which makes up for it a bit, but if you want a modest dish with a modest price, you won't find it here. I'd still recommend checking Habana out if you like Cuban food, but prepare your wallet. read more

Just had lunch here because my brother who lives in Texas was craving Cuban food and wow I'm impressed! Our server was German, he greeted us right away & got our order of croquetas started. It was not busy when we were sat. Our food came out fairly quickly and my drink was made to perfection. The food was sooo delicious. The coconut rice was 10/10. The ropa vieja perfectly seasoned. The black beans were almost as good as my Cuban grandmother's. This was the perfect spot for lunch and they have outside seating as well. I highly recommend this place!!!! read more

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Ayer tuve la oportunidad de visitar Habana, en el sur de Austin, y la experiencia fue excelente de principio a fin. La comida tiene un sabor auténtico, bien elaborada y servida con una presentación impecable. Cada plato refleja calidad, tradición y cuidado en los detalles. El ambiente es muy agradable, acogedor y con una energía que invita a quedarse y disfrutar. El servicio fue atento, amable y profesional, siempre pendientes sin ser invasivos, lo que hizo que la experiencia fuera aún mejor. Definitivamente Habana es un lugar que destaca por su buena comida, su ambiente y su atención al cliente. Sin duda volveré y lo recomiendo totalmente para quienes buscan una experiencia gastronómica de calidad en Austin. read more

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¡Este Mexicano le encantó la comida Cubana y el trago de piña & mango fermentada! ¡Excelente servicio! read more

This place blew me away!! From the outside it doesn't look like much but the inside is super cozy and has a tropical modern vibe. The staff is quick and friendly. The food quality was top notch!! I can eat the plantain chips all day long!! read more

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Not good, barely edible, and extremely pricey. The empty restaurant should've been a clue! Never again! The chicken was terribly seasoned and the rice with pork bits was not tasty! No bueno! read more

We used to frequent this restaurant quite often before Covid, and the food and drinks were always delicious and reasonably priced. We were in the mood for mojitos so visited it before a movie last weekend. The good news, the Cuban sandwich is still delicious and huge! The mojito is smaller and was just okay. I got the Cuban bowl. It was good, with a lot of chicken, but very dry. The service is also good and the decor is still very Cuban. The bad news? It's very expensive now. Our two drinks, Cuban sandwich and the bowl came out to $96. My rice bowl alone was $25. That's too much and it wasn't worth it. The restaurant was only about 1/3 full and it was a Friday night. I don't think we'll be back. It's a shame. I really liked it back in the day! read more

Need catering for your company party ? I highly recommend Habana. I had Habana for a company dinner. They did a very good job. Everything was fresh and they kept it coming. They have so many options even for people who don't eat meat! Everything was so flavorful. The beef empanadas were a the star of th show! They also have an outdoor area with plenty of seating that is well lit! I had a mojito from the bar that was very refreshing. The staff was friendly! I will definitely come back on my personal time. read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Beef Empanada, pork, rice, and black beans - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Hidden gem in Austin. Establishment with island vibes and delicious Cuban food. Came during happy hour time on a Tuesday. Empanadas ($5 each) were fried crispy on the outside and full of filling. The beef, chicken, and cheese (super ooey gooey) were stuffed well and amazingly flavored. Awesome dipping sauces too. The Sandwich Cubano ($17) was humongous, stuffed full of pork, and amazing.(+$5) for Yuca Fries on the Side. Other people ordered the Pollo Salteado ($23), Masitas with Yuca con Mojo ($23), drinks, and Tres Leches ($9). Everything was hugely portioned. Service was a bit spotty given we were the only ones int he restaurant but alas. read more

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I love Habana! The food is absolutely delicious, the atmosphere is incredible & the service is friendly & attentive. Such a memorable experience. I highly recommend Habana to anyone who wants delicious food & to support a local Austin business! read more

Doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside the food is enormous and the vibes are great. The bar tender was our waiter and he was all around amazing. Everything we ordered was phenomenal and we will definitely be coming back whenever we are in the area! read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Half of my massive Sandwich Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a wonderful old-school Austin establishment. I swear I've driven by this restaurant many times and did not even notice it. Friends recommended that we meet here as they were craving a Cuban sandwich. This restaurant has been around for ever and it shows. Feel free to show up in shorts and a t-shirt. they do have a couple of patio dining options that would be nice if it wasn't 100 degrees. There is also bar area with a TV if you care to stop in for a cocktail or cold beer. I've had Cuban food many times while visiting Miami and Habana brings back a lot of great memories. They do offer several tropical rum-based cocktails. Their Paloma and Old Fashioned are top-notch. Be aware that others can be overly sweet. We began with their plantain nachos. Four people can share this App. Our dining companions ordered the lobster/crab cakes, which were hockey puck-sized. I have been jonesing for Oxtail and our server said I would not be disappointed. Spoiler alert I was not! This was meat fall-off-the-bone good. Their sandwiches are huge and it was reported that the Cuban and hot chicken sandwiches were Fab-U-Lous! Tres Leches for dessert completed our wonderful experience. Minor nit: Add lingua to your menu and this is a 5+ stars. read more

Habana on South Congress is a real South Austin gem. I've visited this Cuban restaurant many times and am always impressed. The service at Habana is quick and friendly, and their menu is varied with tons of fresh options. Their location on South Congress is convenient for anyone in South Austin, and they have parking in front, on the side of the restaurant, and out back. My go-to appetizers are their island style guacamole with plantain chips, or the three cheese and chicken empanadas. The three cheese empanada is like an explosion of delicious, gooey cheese. Pro tip, I like to order a side of their thin-cut fries and dip it in the cheese! My favorite entrees are their ropa vieja with maduros, Cuban sandwich, and Cuban empanada (which is just the empanada version of the sandwich). Habana's bar offers a range of unique cocktail options that are always a treat. Although their prices are on the higher end, the portion sizes -- especially the Cuban sandwich -- are usually pretty large. If you visit in Austin's warmer months with a group try to snap a cute cabana outside the restaurant (although don't do this if the mosquitos are out, I've made that mistake before). In my opinion, Habana is the best Cuban restaurant in Austin. The next time you're craving Cuban food, I'd recommend trying out this great spot. read more

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What a weird experience - came during dinner hour on a Tuesday and it was almost completely empty. Walked in and waited at the hostess stand for almost 10 minutes and no-one came so ultimately left. There were two patrons indoors that also looked really lost like they were waiting to make an order. The vibe looks pretty decent for a Cuban / Caribbean chill vibe but it's also not great for a restaurant to not be actively in the business of trying to serve food. read more

It's time to update my review. I can honestly say that each time I have been here, I have always been satisfied with the food, service, and look. It was my birthday and we had a slice of cake with our drinks. The drinks were strong but not overboard. The cake was so good too. A milk cake that was moist and sweet. The rustic look adds to the uniqueness of the ambiance. There is both indoor and outdoor seating with outstanding service. Parking is free when you park near the restaurant. So stop by and try it for yourself. I think you will like it! read more

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My fiancé & I ate here earlier today & enjoyed it. The bartender was very friendly and fun to interact with, and the environment of the restaurant was solid. It definitely felt like we were on island time while seated in the bar area; 5/5 for that. As for the food, it was pretty good. I've never had guacamole with Plaintain chips before, which is how it was served here. I personally probably prefer normal chips over Plantain chips for guacamole, but my fiancé actually preferred the Plantain chips over the normal ones. So to each their own for guacamole chips. Also, the seafood paella was solid as well, with fresh mussels & clams. It also had tilapia, shrimp & calamari. Overall, it was a fun time. read more

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The service here is excellent. This was our second time while in town visiting. They do not have a kid's menu but offered chicken tenders and fries. The chicken tenders were so delicious they rivaled anything from a chicken tender restaurant. The breading was phenomenal. We enjoyed all of the authentic food, too. My daughter had an ear infection and was weepy so our server brought her a fancy juice. The rice was cooked perfectly. We got the ropa vieja and loved it. Cuban rice was phenomenal. My brother got the pork and I actually preferred his but my husband loved our beef. Tostones were lovely, too. Highly recommend! read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Large RedBeans - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Adding a new review as I visited in person recently for the first time since covid started. While I very much enjoyed the food, I'd say the experience overall was negative and probably won't return unless I have a friend mention a more positive experience in the future The two negatives were the service and the price increases. On the service, it took more than 10m after we arrived for anyone to seat us. We approached workers at the bar, who were the only visible employees, and told to wait up front for someone to help us. After we were seated our server and the couple of others working would disappear for extended periods of time. There were only a couple of other tables with people, and what appeared to be a fair number of employees. I'm usually inclined to give the benefit of the doubt, but my experience seems to be in line with other reviews The price increases were very apparent upon looking at the entree portion of the menu. After tax/tip there's basically nothing you can order under $30. The portion sizes are sizable, but not much bigger than standard for comparable restaurants in the area, while the prices are considerably higher Since the entree prices had such a sticker shock, my friend and I decided to share a pork mofongo and the empanada sampler. The food was really good and saved the experience from being a super negative one. While I usually prefer a garlic sauce on my mofongo, the shredded beef stew was super flavorful and good enough that I could almost see justifying the entree equivalent The empanada sampler was a mixed bag, but mostly positive. The two beef ones were quite good, we couldn't agree on which was real beef, so make sure to ask if anyone in your brought is a vegetarian. The chicken one was solid, and I found the spicy/mushroom and cheese one's pretty skippable. The coconut empanada for dessert was the best part of the meal. My goodness the shredded coconut inside was to die for. I'm glad I tried the guava/cheese one first because it was good, but absolutely pales in comparison to the coconut one Overall, the food we had was quite good, but I can't recommend the overall experience. I'm sure with some digging you can find similar food at a lower price with better service around town read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Platano Loco - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I love this place! It's like a hidden soco treasure! The staff is always very nice and they have a covered patio. The food is soooo good! My husband always gets the pollo salteado and the rice with pork and beans in it. Last trip, I got the beef Ropa vieja and loved it so much! My dad got the lechon asado and I can't wait to go back to get that for myself! It was so tasty! Their plantains are also The portions are huge, so you can always take some home (which makes sense for the ~$20/entree). They have a large parking as well. And they sell Cuban cigars if you're feeling it. Their mojitos are also a must. read more

Habana Soco Restaurant - Pollo Salteado - Cuban Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Have been coming to this place for years and they neve disappoint ! Food is delicious! One of my favorite spots in Austin. My only complaint is that they don't have a second location in the Menchaca/William Cannon area where I live :( read more

Every time my family goes to Austin habanas is a must. The food is amazing and authentic. I haven't had something I don't like there. The service is great on the menu it says they try to hire a mix of Cuban and American which I think makes the experience more authentic. The ambiance is fun and the cabanas near the patio are fun to sit in and experience while eating. read more

Habana has come to be a frequent spot of ours to try and it never disappoints. I have a Puerto Rican partner and he also agrees that this is the best Caribbean food in Austin. The drinks are great and the electric lemonade is to die for. For the appetizer we decided to go for un poca de todo. Which is exactly what the name says, a little bit of everything. It came with tostones, alitas fritas, yuca frita, and a beef empanada. Everything that needed to be crispy was crispy and all the flavors were there. The star was the pork mojo sauce. The pork mojo sauce is what dreams are made of. For our entrees we ordered a classic Cuban and carne frita. I can honestly say it was the best Cuban I've ever had. Better than any Cuban I've had in Miami. The bread was toasted to perfection and the protein and cheese melted together seamlessly. The carne frita was tasty was a great portion. If you on the fence on going, this is your sign! My pics do not do much justice. We had half eaten everything when we remembered to snap pics. read more

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My husband and I tried Cuban food for the first time. I left with a very full stomach! the food is delicious and the wait staff are kind. definite yes!! read more

I agree with all the others saying this is a hidden gem in soco. You pass by it and think nothing of it without realizing what you're missing out on if you haven't been. I only came here because I was invited by some friends to come after volleyball on a Sunday. It was a hot summer day, but we opted to sit outside in one of their little cabanas/huts. We had a party of 5 and it was the perfect-sized seating for us. We each ordered a different drink and all of them were perfectly refreshing and boozy! The food - oh man...we started off with some appetizers: Maduros (fried plantains), Yuca Frita, and Island Style Guac. Then for the main course, we ordered some platters which were so delicious. I can't remember exactly which ones they were but one was a paella and the other was a dish with multiple types of meat and rice. Also, someone from our party had a Cuban sandwich and he said it was great! Our server was also super friendly and patient! I definitely recommend going here if you're craving some good Cuban food; for a second, I felt like I was in Miami ;) read more

Great service, very good food in a chill setting. Best place in Austin to enjoy a cigar.

I've been in austin for 9 years and I went here 3 years ago for the first time. I was livid that I had driven by so many times without coming here. It's my favorite spot in austin. It has my favorite cocktail (frozen mojito) and every pork dish sings. It looks like it'd be cheap, but it's not, because you get a silly amount of food which will be two meals, thus, it isn't expensive. If you and your partner are kinda hungry and want to have a perfect date - get the nachos with pork, order 4 of the mojitos and thanks me. Also, a lot of people are actually Cuban and are awesome servers. It has some of best funky vibes you'll find. read more

** Visited again recently and I was completely dissatisfied with how it went, we didn't even stay to eat. We were sat and waited at our table for 15+ minutes for anyone to even check on us, bring water or anything, but they were steady seating people around us so we decided to get up and go somewhere with a bit more awareness. The people that sat us happily watched us leave and didn't bother to ask if there was a problem. Or if they could help. Their online menus are also severely out of date and the prices in TWO places do not match. Definitely won't spend my time coming back*** read more

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The best tres leches in all of Austin! Their food is great, we always enjoy coming here to eat or grabbing sliders and plantains for parties we host. read more

Alright, alright, alright!! Finally a meal I didn't have to debate the amount of stars it was worth! 5 may not even be enough. I'm a picky scardy cat eater and my husband is adventurous and will eat anything. Let's start with my mojito- it was good...a splash more of soda water and it would've been excellent. My husband had the mai tai and he loved it. Me meh - only because it was coconut based. The ceviche- holy SHIT! I could have had just that for my meal it was so friggen great! The sauce they had with it was drinkable. The tostones were good, the sauce was THE BOMB!!! (We got extra sauces to go) I had the chicken that was deep fried and it was good, the beans the waiter highly recommended were AMAZING! I didn't even want beans and he convinced me and thank goodness I listened because DAAAAAMMMMMNNNN! I even got an extra serving to take home!! We will definitely be back as soon as possible! read more

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I have been looking for good cuban food in austin so I wanted to give this a try during happy hour. The drink were okay nothing special, I had a mojito and it could have been made better, The food was great fromthe starter of plantains, which were sweet and perfectly cooked, to standard cuban snadwich. The sandwich was full of flavor and I ended up getting out to take home. read more