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Havana Rumba

4.4 (596 reviews)
ModerateCuban
Open • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated a few days ago

Order Havana Rumba Takeout or Delivery

Havana Rumba Photos

Business Info

HAVANA RUMBA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Havana Rumba

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Nachos
Robyn P.

On 7/16/2026 Havana Rumba welcomed 27 excited Residents from Swan Pointe HOA and showed them where to be seated. Our servers were Anna and Maria. We ate in the large dining room, where they usually seat large parties. It does get loud in the room. The servers were worked very hard collecting orders and quickly returned with the appetizers and drinks for the group. I think a lot of our friends must have already decided what they were having for dinner, I know that I had. As soon as Anna and Maria had everyone's order, it was a short wait of about 15 -20 minutes and through the door came the most colorful and aromatic food. Anna and Maria were really good at knowing which plate went to each guest. They helped the bussers pass out the rest of the dinners. We suddenly all got quiet while we ate. The food was so good. My husband decided since it was Burger Week, he would order the Frita Cubana, or to translate, Cuban Spiced Burger and Sweet Potato Fries. He liked it even though it was a little spicey. I chose an Apetizer, an Empanada, Flaky pastries stuffed with your choice of: chicken, ground beef, or cheese & spinach; served with roasted pepper sour cream. I chose the Chicken and Cheese & Spinach, but I think the next time I will get 2 Cheese Empanadas. We had a fantastic meal. We want to thank Byron, their GM and their Owner, Marcos. They have a great staff. As we were leaving, the prettiest woman came up to me, out in front of the Havana Rumba and she told me that she remembered me from when I was teaching, many years ago. It almost makes me cry when that happens. Thank you Tracy for bringing back such sweet memories.

VACA FRITA - BEEF
Katie B.

Love this spot and location. Plenty of parking and large inside. Seated promptly. Service was friendly and efficient throughout the night. Love the swirl margarita and vaca frita. They had lively music during our dining experience which was nice.

My half eaten food....Fricase de pollo
Wakeelah F.

The place has a great decor. Our server Orlis was wonderful. We ordered Fricasé de Pollo, Pollo con Champiñones, Papas Rellano, and Tostones con Pollo. Everything tasted amazing!!

The fish is light and tender.
Joe B.

Meeting family and friends from out of town we picked Havana Rumba. The food was good as usual, however, the music was somewhat loud and made conversation difficult. Overall it was a good experience as my sister hasn't found any Cuban places in Cincinnati that she likes.

Chimichurri Steak, as it comes.
Christian N.

Enjoyed the chimichurri steak tremendously. The waitress was incredibly prompt, professional, and polite. She apologized profusely for my "wait" but I didn't notice! Apparently there was a party of 30; I'm impressed by the kitchen that my food came out fast and delicious. There was live music and outdoor seating - with ample heaters all around for this brisk evening. The singer was great and allowed some small kiddos to dance and even hold a mic. Will definitely be back. PS, the cafe cubano was top notch.

Cary M.

Like usual the food was great!! The empanadas were good. The tostones with vaca (beef) with melted cheese were great. I got the Ceasar salad with the yucca croutons and enjoyed it. My main meal was the masas de Puerco (fried pork chunks) with tostones and yucca. All delicious! My wife ordered the pollp empanazado which is a flattened, fried chicken breast. She enjoyed it. Dad ordered the service with banana chips. He seemed to enjoy it. He also enjoyed the lobster bisque. My mom ordered the shrimp dish but said the oil upset her stomach. My son ordered the vaca frita(fried beef). He liked it; one of his favorites. It was my son's birthday so they played the saxophone for him and gave him a free dessert. They gave me a military discount. Great place and will return.

Blackberry Mojito
Nathan T.

Live music, and some of the best mojitos you can buy. Tried the blackberry and the guava one and left happy. They sneak up on you, don't have more than 3 if you want to drive home immediately. My dish and appetizers didn't disappoint. This place gets packed at early dinner time between 5-7. If you want to guarantee a spot without a wait, I'd make a reservation. Service is efficient, take your time and decide what you want. I'd maybe consider looking at the menu before you come to save a little more time. Lots of options

Yochanan H.

We had finished up for the week, and I had promised the Capt. and the staff that we would have dinner and discuss our approach for the other locations. We all decided on Havana Rumba, which I had visited before because folks have issues with spicey foods. I advised them that it was Cuban, not Mexican. They enjoyed the setup and the live music for the evening. Our food was freshly prepared and not spicy, and the restrooms were clean. The only issue we had was the lack of parking because it does so well, so there aren't many parking spaces available. Still, everyone in our party mentioned that they'll likely return.

Shrimp tacos
Harriotte D.

All the food was so delicious and huge portions! Menu had so many options I wanted to try it all! Everyone's food looked fabulous. Will definitely be back

Empanadas
Lorie L.

Fantastic lunch today and it provided exactly what I was craving. Guacamole and plantains - yes, all day! They were kind enough to bring out nacho chips for my husband because of his allergies. I also ordered a side salad and empanadas. The only item I wouldn't recommend is the queso. It was thin and watery. Lots of seating inside and out plus a party room for rental. Everyone that helped us was friendly and helpful. Service was attentive. I'm already planning another pick up of guacamole and plantains!

Pescado a la Parrilla
MaryCarol K.

Havana Rumba. You know her and you love her. But last time I went boy was I blown out of the water with the Pescado a la Parrilla! DELICIOUS fish fillet with a cilantro and garlic rub. I fear from now on I will have trouble trying anything else on the menu after having this yummy of a meal. Inside the ambiance is a little loud with live music but it's worth it. In order to set a seat outside most nights I would recommend calling ahead of time. Of course the service is steady, quick & kind. We love Havana Rumba and always will.

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Reviews are largely positive. Diners highlight the flavorful Cuban food, friendly and attentive service, and a lively atmosphere and music.

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6 days ago

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Alejandro P.

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2 months ago

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5 months ago

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4 months ago

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Alejandro P.

Thanks for choosing us!

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4 months ago

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Alejandro P.

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6 months ago

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1 month ago

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Alejandro P.

Thanks, Joe! We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!

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6 months ago

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Alejandro P.

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1 month ago

Celebrated with a friend for their birthday and the food was great! Great service! Fun festive atmosphere! Love the Shelbyville location!

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Alejandro P.

Love that you enjoyed the vibe! Our team will be thrilled to hear it.

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5 months ago

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Alejandro P.

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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5 months ago

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Alejandro P.

That’s music to our ears! Thanks for making us part of your night out.

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3 months ago

Fun place. Live music outdoors. Reasonable prices. Sandwiches excellent. Kids' menu. Go early if you want to eat outside

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Alejandro P.

That’s music to our ears! Thanks for making us part of your night out.

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8 months ago

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Alejandro P.

So glad you enjoyed it! We’ll be ready with another mojito next visit.

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3 months ago

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2 years ago

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Alejandro P.

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3 months ago

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Alejandro P.

Thanks for your feedback, Brian.

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2 months ago

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Alejandro P.

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2 years ago

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Alejandro P.

Thank you for continuing to choose us and for your support!

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2 years ago

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Alejandro P.

Thank you so much, Melissa! We are so glad you chose us!

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2 months ago

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Alejandro P.

Love that you enjoyed the vibe! Our team will be thrilled to hear it.

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2 years ago

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Alejandro P.

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3 months ago

Absolutely amazing! The food was incredible--fresh, flavorful, and everything we ordered was delicious

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Alejandro P.

So glad you enjoyed it! We’ll be ready with another mojito next visit.

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1 year ago

Lively, outstanding restaurant. Excellent food, drinks, and service. Live music. A great place to go with friends and all around experience!

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Alejandro P.

Thank you, Elizabeth!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

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Alejandro P.

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3 years ago

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Alejandro P.

Thanks, Lisa! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit!

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4 months ago

One of our favorite spots in Louisville. Nice live latin music on the covered patio, good food snd service.

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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Alejandro P.

Thank you so much for giving us a try!

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5 months ago

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Alejandro P.

Thank you for choosing us, Buddy!

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4 months ago

Great food with a variety of different flavors and good prices and portions. Will definitely be back to try more options

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2 years ago

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Alejandro P.

Thank you, Kelly! We are so glad you chose us!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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Alejandro P.

Thank you so much, Clay! We appreciate you choosing us!

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3 years ago

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Thanks so much for this compliment - we appreciate you choosing us!

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Page 1 of 15

Havana Rumba Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Havana Rumba

Can you dine outside?

Yes you can

Is it open for dine in?

Yes. They have a couple options. There is an open air section where they roll up the large windows and they also have a more enclosed dining area.

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Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar - Empanadas

Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar

4.5(523 reviews)
8.8 mi•Bardstown Road
•$$

I mean, I have certainly been more times than my last review suggests. In fact, I definitely…read moresupported them with take out during COVID on more than one occasion. But I felt it was important to keep the reviews fresh and poppin, ya know? Anyway I tried the Chorizo con Bacon for the first time and it was really good, my only recommendation is to cook them just a tiny bit more, because i dont know about you but I cant handle undercooked bacon. My go to, the Cubano sandwich with sweet potato fries, is stellar as ever. You can never go wrong with this pick. Of course everything else is great, service, atmosphere, this is a jewel of the highlands neighborhood.

A longtime staple that continues to deliver!…read more The staff is always friendly, and that was especially evident during this visit when there was an issue with my dish. My wife and I ordered the same steak, prepared the same way--medium rare--but hers was incredibly tender while mine was unusually tough, sinewy, and difficult to cut, let alone chew. (those were my em dashes btw) After cutting into both steaks, it was clear they had been cooked properly, so this wasn't a kitchen issue. Sometimes a supplier simply sends an inconsistent cut of meat. What mattered was how the restaurant responded. The staff immediately offered several options: remove it from the bill, replace it, prepare another one to take home, or do whatever else was necessary to make sure I still had a great experience. That is the mark of a restaurant group that consistently "gets it" and truly understands its customers and community. The mezcal Old Fashioned is definitely worth trying if you enjoy a smoky drink. It isn't nearly as aggressively smoke-flavored as some of the "smoke box" Old Fashioneds served elsewhere. The mezcal gives it just the right amount of character and fits the restaurant's atmosphere perfectly. The beans, rice, and sauces were all excellent. The guacamole with plantain chips is practically a must-have. At this point, I've tried nearly the entire menu and have never regretted stepping outside my comfort zone. The next time you visit, try something you might not normally order and you may discover a new favorite. Kudos to the entire staff, especially Lisandra. And be sure to finish with the chocolate cake and ice cream!

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Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar - Salsa dancing

Salsa dancing

Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar - Camarones

Camarones

Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar - Papas Fritas

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Papas Fritas

Chacabanas - Beef empanada and croquette

Chacabanas

4.9(38 reviews)
81.1 mi•Over-the-Rhine
•$$

Chacabanas was excellent from start to finish! Great spot for Cuban cuisine…read more I had both beef and chicken empanadas. The pastry was very flaky and crispy. Between the savory beef and chicken, I could not pick my favorite. The Yuca fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, creating a great texture combination. They were seasoned with garlic oil and sprinkled with shredded cheese. After these, I had to try the El Cubano. It was a home run, a really delicious and well made sandwich. And everyone has a little room for dessert. Both the Flan and Tres Leches were the perfect was to cap off this outstanding meal. Chacabanas is

In Cincinnati, while visiting Findlay Market, a friend said I should hit up this Cuban place for a…read moregood sandwich. I heard positive things about the food and the owner from two people who live here. There is not much seating here. There are a few stools, but they are not that comfortable. My older mother couldn't sit on them. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside. Luckily, it was nice and we were able to eat across the street outside the market and grab a beer at the external bar. We grabbed a mix of food items. The El Cubano was delicious and filling! I couldn't taste the mustard too much, but the meat was well seasoned. The bread is crispy and soft all at the same time! I would definitely get another one. The empanadas exceeded expectations. We had one chicken and one beef. The chicken was so flavorful and juicy! The crust on the empanadas is flaky but soft, very well done. The beef was more savory and a little less juicy than the chicken. They both tasted great. We had green sauce, which helped make both even better. The yuca fries were the best I've ever had. Skinny enough to not be too gummy or dense. I only wish I got more. They were delicious in the green sauce. I'm not sure if the sauce was for the yuca or the empanadas, but it was phenomenal on both. Prices were decent. Staff was friendly. The food didn't take long. I'm not sure about other Cuban food in Cincy, but this is pretty solid.

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Chacabanas
Chacabanas
Chacabanas

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Havana Rumba - cuban - Updated October 2026

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