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Seems like this is a delicious hidden gem in Torrey Pines that been around for a little over a year now. The small parking lot for this restaurant is shared with other business so I can see that could become an issue during peak times. Our first visit was on a lazy Sunday afternoon and we parked right in front of the entrance like a VIP. They have a row of barstools with a dining counter that runs the length of the windows outside along side the street, if that's your jam. Looks perfect to dine with your pup outside. Inside, there are plenty of tables with big windows facing the street that are perfect for people watching while you enjoy your meal. The staff are friendly. The food is yummy and served hot! The house coffee blend served here is awesome! I had an Americano and dropped in a bit of sugar, which all went down smooth and complemented my meal perfectly! We really liked the Loaded Yucca Fries that come topped with melted cheese, Roast Pork, aioli, Spicy Mojo & cilantro. I would come back just for these fries and their coffee honestly! The Ropa Vieja is decent here and so was the Cubano sandwich. I want to try their empanadas next visit. Overall, this restaurant is closer to my home than other Cuban restaurants and that convenience will bring me back for more soon!
Who knew Cuban food was this delicious?!? Stopped in for a late breakfast on a Saturday morning. The place was empty but as soon as we got our food the line grew. The space is large with plenty of seating. For food we had the: Original Cuban sandwich. So good!! the bread was toasted to perfection. It's the best combination of mustard, ham, swiss, pickles and pork. A good size, totally shareable but you won't want to! Trust me. Pork Benedict. Delicious Cuban roast pork with perfect poached eggs. The perfect bite with the best seasonings. The beans served on the side were really good as were the potatoes. Unfortunately I saved all my room for the Benedicts. Beef empanada. Ordered it to go. This was my least favorite. Unlike most empanadas the dough was fried like a chimichanga- american style. All in all a great delicious dining experience at Havana Kitchen. Nice friendly staff, happy to help you narrow down your options. Although it's in a odd like pocket of La Jolla it's totally worth it the stop.
Located in La Jolla, there's a large amount of indoor seating. We were greeted kindly by the employees working there. Cuban shredded beef (5/5): super flavorful. The beef was tender. The beans complimented the beef perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed the plantains. They were a bit on the sweet side but the crispy texture was so amazing. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Havana Kitchen is a spectacular place. Service was great as the employees checked in with our food and table.
So glad I found this spot because I'm always looking for a place that has some good plantains! I got the empanada combo and I loved this option because you get to try a few different empanada flavors but you still get the plantains, rice, and black beans as a side. There was plenty of seating and even a parking lot which feels rare for La Jolla.
This place is such a hidden gem. I'm so glad I went to this place. Ever since my partner and I have eaten here, we've been back so many times. This is probably the best Cuban food I've ever had. Every dish I've tried is so good. Their empanadas are so flavorful and the meat to pastry ratio is perfect. All their sauces for dipping are so good I can't even decide on which is my favorite. If you try this place I highly recommend the ropa vieja and some chicken empanadas. The parking lot is small, but everytime I've come by, there's always been a spot to park. The workers here are so nice. They gave me some sauces on the house even though it's supposed to be charged extra.
Very cute place decor wise and the staff is friendly. Their food left something to be desired, however. I tried their Loaded Yuca Fries (they don't give you much for the price, really enjoyed the first bite, but flavor went downhill with every bite), Veggie Empanada (my favorite thing I tried from here. I really enjoyed all the filling and the flavors paired very nicely together) and Chicken Cilantro Empanada (couldn't really taste the cilantro and the chicken was on the drier side. Should've been better). I wasn't a big fan of the dough they used for the empanada, but my friend enjoyed it. I'm not sure how their sammiches and other stuff are, but I probably won't be back to try out. 2.5 stars, but rounding to 3.
An excellent place to go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I feel like I could eat here for every meal, every day. We came for breakfast and my partner and I ended up getting the Benedict and the Empanada Combo. First, the Empanada Combo is sooo savory and comforting. I ordered beef, chicken, and the oscar. I initially wanted to try three different kinds so I could have some variety, but if I could time-travel back and do it all again I would definitely order three of the chicken. They are so so so so so good, and with the rice, beans, and plantains to go with it make it perfect. The Benedict was excellent. The egg, bread, and all the other ingredients blended together in one bite makes us happy. The poached egg with the creamy sauce was perfect! The flavors were all perfect!
I think after eating here every day for the past 3 weeks it warrants a review lol. Needless to say, this place is fire. The cubano, shrimp plate with mojochurri, and the roasted pork plate are my fav. The steak sandwich needed more steak. Owner/manager is super nice. Ambience is great and very clean. I love the music/vibes they've got going on!
Truly spectacular. This place definitely deserves more customers. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was extremely flavorful! We got 3 empanadas ($11.75) - my favorite was the beef! We also ordered the steak sandwich, which left me wanting more even though I was already so full. Free parking lot (which is so hard to find on La Jolla). 10/10 would come here again!
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the best Cuban food I've had. In my opinion it just wasn't authentic. I ordered a potato ball that I found under seasoned and honestly the potato texture was weird, thin and mushy. Just a suggestion ... get rid of that sauce you serve it with, it tastes ketchup based and a good potato ball doesn't need a sauce. I also ordered the Ropa Vieja. The serving size was good for the price. I loved the plantains and the blacks beans, but again the ropa vieja just was underwhelming and bland. Customer service was also a thumbs down for me. When I arrived the girl taking orders was on her phone. I got a hi and that was it, I felt rushed. I asked for water and she just pointed to where it was. It's decorated very nice with of course all Cuban pictures artifacts etc, very low salsa music playing, I don't if it's the location or what it was but it didn't do it for me. No fault of theirs but there was a very loud table in the back what appeared to be college kids, the sound just echoed throughout which did not make my dining experience pleasurable as well.
I came here with some coworkers on a Thursday for lunch. It was my first time trying Cuban food, and it definitely will not be my last! Free and plentiful parking in the lot. Small restaurant with a few tables inside. You order and pay at the register before taking a seat. I ordered a steak saute, medium rare, with cilantro sauce ($19) per Sarah's recommendation. The dish was seasoned perfectly and was so flavorful. I truly have nothing bad to say about it; everything from the sides (beans, plantains, rice) to the steak tasted delicious. Everyone in my party agreed that this place was a hit. Service was wonderful. Sarah and Alejandro were so hard working and kind. Definitely an unassuming, hidden gem that you should check out if you're in the mood for some Cuban food!!
This is the best Cuban food I've had in SD! I loved the indoor and outdoor seating. Super convenient location with spacious and clean interior. They also have a parking lot you don't need to pay for! The coffee machine set up looked very legit, I would love to come back to try their cafe and breakfast menu! The food itself was a very perfect portion, not too much and not too little justttt right. I really liked the sauté option on the menu as it makes your meal very customizable. I got the mojochurri, but will come back to try the other flavors. Great quality, warm and inviting ambiance, clean and new store, huge menu, and their own parking lot. What else could u want!!?? read more
My daughter picked this place out of the blue. The food was good, my hubby said it reminded him of his Cuban grandmother's cooking. It's a tiny place and most of the drinks are in cans. They were out of the item i ordered, so when I chose something more expensive I thought I'd have to pay the difference, but nope! Im not super familiar with cuban food, but we enjoyed our lunch. read more
1 year ago
We swung by Havana Kitchen for a weekday lunch and somehow had the whole place to ourselves, like our own private Cuban hideout. Chill vibes, no rush, just good foods. The waitress was super friendly and helpful. We kicked things off with three empanadas: chicken cilantro, beef, and pulled pork. The pulled pork was the MVP, crispy on the outside, packed with flavor inside. The potato balls? Creamy, crispy, and hiding a little pork surprise, total flavor bombs. The Cuban sandwich was a crispy, melty masterpiece with ham, cheese, pickles, mustard and that golden pressed bread. Perfection. The Chino Chick Curry was unexpectedly awesome, bold and full of flavor, and the saffron shrimp rice was fresh, aromatic, and a great finish. Super tasty, super chill, definitely coming back for round two. read more
Seems like this is a delicious hidden gem in Torrey Pines that been around for a little over a year now. The small parking lot for this restaurant is shared with other business so I can see that could become an issue during peak times. Our first visit was on a lazy Sunday afternoon and we parked right in front of the entrance like a VIP. They have a row of barstools with a dining counter that runs the length of the windows outside along side the street, if that's your jam. Looks perfect to dine with your pup outside. Inside, there are plenty of tables with big windows facing the street that are perfect for people watching while you enjoy your meal. The staff are friendly. The food is yummy and served hot! The house coffee blend served here is awesome! I had an Americano and dropped in a bit of sugar, which all went down smooth and complemented my meal perfectly! We really liked the Loaded Yucca Fries that come topped with melted cheese, Roast Pork, aioli, Spicy Mojo & cilantro. I would come back just for these fries and their coffee honestly! The Ropa Vieja is decent here and so was the Cubano sandwich. I want to try their empanadas next visit. Overall, this restaurant is closer to my home than other Cuban restaurants and that convenience will bring me back for more soon! read more
1 year ago
Who knew Cuban food was this delicious?!? Stopped in for a late breakfast on a Saturday morning. The place was empty but as soon as we got our food the line grew. The space is large with plenty of seating. For food we had the: Original Cuban sandwich. So good!! the bread was toasted to perfection. It's the best combination of mustard, ham, swiss, pickles and pork. A good size, totally shareable but you won't want to! Trust me. Pork Benedict. Delicious Cuban roast pork with perfect poached eggs. The perfect bite with the best seasonings. The beans served on the side were really good as were the potatoes. Unfortunately I saved all my room for the Benedicts. Beef empanada. Ordered it to go. This was my least favorite. Unlike most empanadas the dough was fried like a chimichanga- american style. All in all a great delicious dining experience at Havana Kitchen. Nice friendly staff, happy to help you narrow down your options. Although it's in a odd like pocket of La Jolla it's totally worth it the stop. read more
Great place to have a casual meal. Pros: -small, free parking lot next to the restaurant -friendly staff -they serve breakfast all day -the rice and beans were my favorite, even better the next day in my opinion -they make their own hot sauce -self serve water station is available Cons -n/a read more
Located in La Jolla, there's a large amount of indoor seating. We were greeted kindly by the employees working there. Cuban shredded beef (5/5): super flavorful. The beef was tender. The beans complimented the beef perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed the plantains. They were a bit on the sweet side but the crispy texture was so amazing. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Havana Kitchen is a spectacular place. Service was great as the employees checked in with our food and table. read more
So glad I found this spot because I'm always looking for a place that has some good plantains! I got the empanada combo and I loved this option because you get to try a few different empanada flavors but you still get the plantains, rice, and black beans as a side. There was plenty of seating and even a parking lot which feels rare for La Jolla. read more
1 year ago
This place is such a hidden gem. I'm so glad I went to this place. Ever since my partner and I have eaten here, we've been back so many times. This is probably the best Cuban food I've ever had. Every dish I've tried is so good. Their empanadas are so flavorful and the meat to pastry ratio is perfect. All their sauces for dipping are so good I can't even decide on which is my favorite. If you try this place I highly recommend the ropa vieja and some chicken empanadas. The parking lot is small, but everytime I've come by, there's always been a spot to park. The workers here are so nice. They gave me some sauces on the house even though it's supposed to be charged extra. read more
2 years ago
Very cute place decor wise and the staff is friendly. Their food left something to be desired, however. I tried their Loaded Yuca Fries (they don't give you much for the price, really enjoyed the first bite, but flavor went downhill with every bite), Veggie Empanada (my favorite thing I tried from here. I really enjoyed all the filling and the flavors paired very nicely together) and Chicken Cilantro Empanada (couldn't really taste the cilantro and the chicken was on the drier side. Should've been better). I wasn't a big fan of the dough they used for the empanada, but my friend enjoyed it. I'm not sure how their sammiches and other stuff are, but I probably won't be back to try out. 2.5 stars, but rounding to 3. read more
1 year ago
An excellent place to go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I feel like I could eat here for every meal, every day. We came for breakfast and my partner and I ended up getting the Benedict and the Empanada Combo. First, the Empanada Combo is sooo savory and comforting. I ordered beef, chicken, and the oscar. I initially wanted to try three different kinds so I could have some variety, but if I could time-travel back and do it all again I would definitely order three of the chicken. They are so so so so so good, and with the rice, beans, and plantains to go with it make it perfect. The Benedict was excellent. The egg, bread, and all the other ingredients blended together in one bite makes us happy. The poached egg with the creamy sauce was perfect! The flavors were all perfect! read more
2 years ago
Still a great spot to get breakfast or lunch while visiting San Diego. Always trying new items and they are all great! read more
1 year ago
I think after eating here every day for the past 3 weeks it warrants a review lol. Needless to say, this place is fire. The cubano, shrimp plate with mojochurri, and the roasted pork plate are my fav. The steak sandwich needed more steak. Owner/manager is super nice. Ambience is great and very clean. I love the music/vibes they've got going on! read more
Truly spectacular. This place definitely deserves more customers. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was extremely flavorful! We got 3 empanadas ($11.75) - my favorite was the beef! We also ordered the steak sandwich, which left me wanting more even though I was already so full. Free parking lot (which is so hard to find on La Jolla). 10/10 would come here again! read more
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the best Cuban food I've had. In my opinion it just wasn't authentic. I ordered a potato ball that I found under seasoned and honestly the potato texture was weird, thin and mushy. Just a suggestion ... get rid of that sauce you serve it with, it tastes ketchup based and a good potato ball doesn't need a sauce. I also ordered the Ropa Vieja. The serving size was good for the price. I loved the plantains and the blacks beans, but again the ropa vieja just was underwhelming and bland. Customer service was also a thumbs down for me. When I arrived the girl taking orders was on her phone. I got a hi and that was it, I felt rushed. I asked for water and she just pointed to where it was. It's decorated very nice with of course all Cuban pictures artifacts etc, very low salsa music playing, I don't if it's the location or what it was but it didn't do it for me. No fault of theirs but there was a very loud table in the back what appeared to be college kids, the sound just echoed throughout which did not make my dining experience pleasurable as well. read more
I came here with some coworkers on a Thursday for lunch. It was my first time trying Cuban food, and it definitely will not be my last! Free and plentiful parking in the lot. Small restaurant with a few tables inside. You order and pay at the register before taking a seat. I ordered a steak saute, medium rare, with cilantro sauce ($19) per Sarah's recommendation. The dish was seasoned perfectly and was so flavorful. I truly have nothing bad to say about it; everything from the sides (beans, plantains, rice) to the steak tasted delicious. Everyone in my party agreed that this place was a hit. Service was wonderful. Sarah and Alejandro were so hard working and kind. Definitely an unassuming, hidden gem that you should check out if you're in the mood for some Cuban food!! read more
Wow... Wow is all I could say. This place hits on every criteria, the inside was very nice, the food was probably the best Cuban food we've ever had and the service was spectacular. We got the super cubano, which was the best cubano we've had to date. We ordered the plate with the shredded chicken and it was packed with flavor. One of the ladies at the restaurant stopped by us and was so loving and nice, she felt like family to us. This restaurant will be part of our rotation and a must go for San Diego. read more
1 year ago
The food here was very delicious. Nice clean and casual place with quick service . Only has one cashier who served us the food too. She was Very nice and friendly. You order from the counter and the food is brought to your table. We ordered the original cubano sandwich, potato balls, beef empanada and the lechon plate . The pork in the cubano sanwich was tender and juicy. The potatoes balls were crispy on the outside but fluffy in the inside . The beef empanada was full of flavor. The crust was thin and crispy not doughy and the beef filling inside was so good. They also served it with a tangy garlicy sauce not the usual chimichurri sauce. And lastly the lechon plate was awesome. Juicy tender pork with rice , black beans and plantains. We loved this place. Also I have to give extra kudos for their women's restroom. They had 2 clean spacious stalls. Nice restroom completed the experience . LOL. read more
1 year ago
A long time ago this used to be a full-size Starbucks on Torrey Pines Rd. Since then, a Thai restaurant and a Mexican eatery have tried to do business here without any sustained success. Havana Kitchen has arrived via Old Town Temecula where they have an outpost. This location has a dedicated parking lot which is always a bonus. There was some outdoor seating on a patio along the front sidewalk. The inside had a capacity for about 50 customers. The soft opening period just concluded. They are now open on Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm and on Friday to Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. The menu was casual Cuban fare. Casa specialties and sautes made up the meals that were served with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. Plancha sandwiches, empanadas, and other small bites were the rest of the offerings. Breakfast/brunch items were not yet available during my visit. I ordered one Papa Rellena (Potato Ball), the Ropa Vieja (Cuban Shredded Beef), and some Cuban Flan for my meal. The lightly breaded fritter came with a dip of mojo which was fresh garlic, olive oil, onion, and lime. The inside contained creamy potato and picadillo beef. The entree had the above sides of rice, beans, and plantains. The shreds of beef were marinated in a sofrito of tomato, wine, onions, bell peppers, and garlic. While the potato ball was served quickly, the bowl of shredded beef took a long time for the kitchen to prepare. Shortly after I took a seat at a table, a worker approached me to double check what I had ordered which was strange. There were a few customers ahead in the queue, but I didn't think the volume of business was that strenuous. Less than half of the dining area was occupied near closing time. Other than that hiccup, the food was very tasty. The beef shreds were tender, and the sofrito made the beans and rice more enjoyable to eat with its added flavor. The flan was a creamy pudding that was a satisfying sweet treat to end dinner. Beer on tap along with Cuban coffee and tea were all available at the bar adjacent to the service counter. read more
1 year ago
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1 year ago
Delicious food! I had the Havana steak and it was very good! Music adds to the Cuban vibe! read more
2 years ago
Fairly new restaurant being 7 months old, Sarah and her staff were super friendly and provided excellent service. My gf and I decided to share one of the dishes , abuela's soup and they were nice to split it into two portions. abuela's soup was delicious and hearty with lots of chicken and vegetables with pieces of yummy toast and rice on the side! the chino chicken curry was deep in flavor and tender for being white meat with beans, rice, and a side of yummy plantains! for drinks, there is a full bar available and coffee! we opted for the cordito and cuco chai (a dirty chai) - both were rich in espresso taste and the right amount of sweetness ! Also, the interior is well decorated with authentic details coming straight from Cuba with interesting facts to read on the wall. there is free parking on the side! read more
2 years ago
Wow!! amazing Cuban restaurant in La Jolla . Price are reasonable food is tasty . Order ropa vieja plate and a Cuban sandwich both dishes with fried plantain . Inside the restaurant clean , comfortable tables . Will come back when we visit La Jolla again . read more
1 year ago
I really enjoy a good Cuban cuisine and I've had it at several places except in Cuba. Havana Kitchen is large open space where you can enjoy various Cuban cuisine. The server recommended to try one of their sauté dishes with cilantro sauce. The bold flavors with the black beans and rice were smoky and tangy. It is a hearty meal accompanied by tostones or platano machos. It filled my belly and my heart! The music is a Latin tropical vibe that makes you move your body as you enjoy your meal. They also offer Cuban coffee and tried their CuCu Cafe. This is a blend of almond milk, hazelnut. Kosher salt and other flavors that sends you to a warm tropical beach. I thoroughly enjoyed Havana Kitchen. read more
Stopped into Havana for lunch and left very satisfied. Four of us ordered sandwiches and everyone had the same review. The sandwich was a good value and size for lunch and it. Was phenomenal from its contents to the bread. I will definitely be returning to try some other things on the menu. read more
Homely spot in Torrey Pines with a warm, cozy interior. The service was super nice and friendly, and the food was even better! The plantains that came with the meals were roasted perfectly and the proteins were packed with flavor. I tried the sandwich too and it melted in my mouth! read more
1 year ago
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2 years ago
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2 years ago
Lunch Thursday. Not crowded. Pleasant atmosphere and service. Chicken Fricassee with rice and beans and fried plantain. Roast Pork with rice and beans and fried plantain. Good sized portion. Plenty of meat. Reasonable prices. Both options come not spicy but with plenty of flavor. You can always add spicy. They have pizza port beer which is always great and hard to find at restaurants. read more
2 years ago
This place was so good!!!! I'm definitely coming back and my son even enjoyed the pancakes!!! The service was great and the coffee nothing but good stuff to say! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Highly recommend! An underrated Cuban gem in San Diego. Outstanding quality authentic food for inexpensive prices. From the presentation to its rich flavors. Amazing service as well! I came here on my own but was frequently checked on by my server Diane, who made me feel very welcome & was conversational. This is a lovely local spot with such charming ambiance! Definitely will return & recommend to others. read more
1 year ago
This is such a cute little spot for a quick bite! The server Sara was so friendly from start to finish. My husband got the spicy Cuban and I got the chicken grill sandwich. They were both amazing! So much flavor! If you're in the area you should definitely stop by and check them out! read more
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More info about Havana Kitchen
1055 Torrey Pines Rd
Ste 101
La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla
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(858) 215-5848
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https://www.havanakitchenca.com
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Ask the Community - Havana Kitchen
Are reservations allowed for large groups?
Good day, appreciate your inquiry. yes we would take reservations for larger groups. Please contact Sara at 858-230-6424 and she will assist you. Thank you!
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Havana Kitchen - cuban - Updated August 2026
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