The details of the restaurant, car, seating picture stop, paintings, music, free parking and best of all great food, which is not common in all Cuban places and spots as there is a Union, NJ on Rt. 22 location as a 1st location established which does not have the same details, or food quality as I have experienced and glad that I am now living in Harrison and no longer in Union and have been able to experience the difference. Although, staff, lacks the want to be there as I noticed on Mother's Day and facial expressions were noticed. Love the new place and bringing it out to Harrison. Great addition to the town for many. Support staff and workers should be better chosen to create a better experience to return to. Older Spanish people are difficult and younger staff don't always adapt to old folks and I felt my mom was uncomfortable when asking for service on Mother's Day. The food was amazing, no lie and the place was a blessing to have experienced with my mom here in Harrison. Plenty of times in Union on RT. 22 but better in Harrison honestly. Bar table staff and young ladies not as pleasant, and I was with my mom and brother and the guys were nice but the girls by the bar and tables, well one, not all very worthy of having on staff. Mother's Day at 2 pm to 5 pm working the tables closet to the bar and bar was very unpleasant and someone I would review and as an owner of a Great place and establishment. Name not recalled or remembered but definite a downfall for the place. Figure it out. Young, Black hair, spanish, between 2 and 4 pm, mothers day on the bar tables and bar took care of me on the first table by the bathroom area. Blessings to your place. My Birthday is June 12th....would love to come back if you send an invite. vgrovira@gmail.com read more

First thing to do, I suggest request to be seated in Rolando's section, best server experience out of all my eating out places. The place has a beach dining experience when sitting to opposite HOSTESS STATION in far back area. I believe it is the windows in this area including natural wood. Ropa Vieja with plantains after MAMBO COMBO PLATTER was sooo good. forgot picture taking. Comida Cubana como mi madre hacia años atraz. Happy hour is good including Mojitos and pitcher of Sangria, white or red. Dale, se que la curiosidad te llama aqui. Parking next to entrance to your left looking at it. PARKING TICKET VALIDATED. Precios rasonable para la aparencia que da. COMES BIEN AQUI. read more

I always walk by this from the PATH station and it's definitely a vibe inside! It is nicely decorated with lots of wait staff. I wasn't a fan of being seated next to a traffic heavy door, which didn't make my experience all too great. - Bistec Salteado, (3.5/5): nice and tomato-y, and the portion sizes are huge! It comes with a side too - I just chose 2 medium done eggs. I think this dish pairs well with rice though. The beef pieces were quite fatty and sliced into strips. I got a lot of tendon pieces so it wasn't that fun to chew through. Regardless, the fries were nice and crispy- it gave it a nice touch. And again- I like that sour kick! - Bistec Empanizado, (2.5/5): so dry :(( the crust with very thick and I did not taste too much of the beef. It was also not that flavorful and the hot sauce didn't really save it. - Empanadas + Cuban Flatbread: friends got this order and I did not try. They said it was just ok Going here satisfied my initial curiosity. Glad I tried it at least once. read more

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I'd been to the Union location twice, but this was my first time at the Harrison location. I was glad to learn they validate parking for four hours at the Element Hotel. We arrived for a late lunch. The space is colorfully decorated, both inside and out, with a Cuban aesthetic. My friend and I opted to share appetizers and cocktails. I had a passion fruit margarita, while my friend tried the Amor y Amargo cocktail, a grapefruit vodka-based drink. Both were refreshing and well made. For food, we started with croquetas (ham), chorizo al vino (sausage in wine sauce), and fried calamari. Everything was quite tasty and fairly priced. Later, we split a delicious Cuban sandwich with fries. Having grown up in Hudson County, we know a good Cuban sandwich and this one delivered. At one point, we noticed a margarita tower pass by and decided to order one with passion fruit, coconut, and original flavors. Needless to say, it was delicious and beautifully presented. We ended up staying for almost five hours. By the time we left, the place was packed and music was playing; vibrant and exactly what you'd expect on a Saturday evening. Whether for a full meal, appetizers, or cocktails, this place works for it all. The staff is friendly and never rushes you. I'll be back! read more

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Went here on a double date and it was a fantastic time! It was busy because it was a Saturday night so I definitely recommend making a reservation if you can (ironically even with a reservation we had to wait about 20 minutes) but I'm sure you'll still get a table without a reservation, it may be a bit of a wait. I was able to find parking on the road but I learned once I entered the restaurant that they do validate parking at a nearby garage for up to 4 hours! The atmosphere was very pleasant, lighting was a bit dim and music could get loud but overall the mood is set so that you enjoy your dining experience. The drinks were good, and the coconut drink that my friend got was very strong in her opinion but I tried the mojito and mule which were great to me. The food was very good, everything came to the table hot and/or fresh. The chorizo appetizer was amazing, I LOVED the red wine sauce they cooked it in. I also think the red beans and rice tasted better than black beans but to each their own. The waiter was good with explaining the menu too since it was our first time there and he had no problem altering cocktails as needed (for example removing one ingredient we didn't care for). Again, it was busy so there was a bit of wait time when we ordered drinks or needed some more water but even with that I would still rate this place 5 stars. I highly recommend you visit and try it out if you're in the area! read more

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Best Cuban place I ever been too. The food the service was excellent. The only negative thing is the lack of parking and heavy traffic. Make it very difficult for a handicapped person to get in. read more

This was one of my favorite Cuban restaurants :( I tell everyone to go here, and I'd say still take your chances as you will most likely have a great experience. I went here last weekend, and within 30 minutes after leaving I experienced chronic food poisoning. Something went horribly wrong with either the mango salad (I suspect this), black beans, tostones, white rice, or cassava. I didn't even order meat so idk what it was. My friend ordered some egg steak dish and he was fine. I literally vomited four times within that same night. My date was ruined, it was so awful. I've never had this experience before, and I don't think it is common because I've come here dozens of times. It was very odd. Sad :( read more

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This place is great. This is where I often meet my ex-wife , who is now one of my dearest friends. Is where I go when I need someone to talk some sense into me! Oh, the restaurant.... Everything is always fantastic-the food, the drinks and the staff it are great-and accommodating. I have a thick skull, and they've never made me feel like they wanted us out, and it takes a few hours (easily) for my ex to get ne back in check. read more

¡Viva Cuba! Mambo is a lively Cuban restaurant and lounge with two locations in North Jersey. We visited the Harrison location on a Thursday evening for dinner & drinks. There's a parking garage nearby as well as metered street parking. Before you enter the restaurant, you'll notice the lush and tropical greenery that surrounds the outdoor dining area. The interior captures the vibrant culture of Cuba perfectly - colorful accents, large murals showcasing the deep history, bongo drums, vintage cars, old Hollywood glamour, etc. They have a beautiful bar, ample seating in their dining and lounge rooms, and a private event space. There's a touch of elegance, but it's not too upscale. The restaurant is suitable for both casual and special occasions like celebrations and date nights. The atmosphere is festive with dim lighting and Latin music playing in the background. We were seated immediately as a party of 2 without any reservations. It wasn't a busy night. The staff was welcoming and friendly. The menu offers traditional Cuban dishes like ropa vieja, vaca frita, and bistec de pollo a la plancha alongside a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, and soups. They have daily lunch specials from 11:30am-3pm Mon-Fri. The drink menu is extensive and includes cocktails, wine, beer, shakes, etc. Happy Hour is Mon-Fri 4-7pm. I ordered... *Mojito $11.95 (Bacardi Superior Rum, lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, soda) - Refreshing, tart, and sweet. One of my favorite cocktails! *Ropa Vieja $16.95 (shredded beef, pepper, onions, cilantro, Cuban Creole sauce) - A classic & comforting dish with savory and tangy flavors. The tomato-based sauce was perfectly seasoned. The beef was tender and absorbed the rich flavors of the sauce well. My only complaint is that the portion size was a bit small for the price. *Pechuga De Pollo Empanizada $16.95 (breaded fried chicken marinated with lemon & garlic) - The chicken breast was HUGE, but I didn't enjoy this dish. The breading was crispy, but the meat wasn't too juicy. It was dry and hard to cut through. I really wish they put a sauce on top to add more flavor. Each entree includes one side. I ordered the tostones (fried plantains) and arroz blanco (white rice) with frijoles negros (black beans). The tostones were decent - definitely could've been crispier on the outside and more tender on the inside. I really enjoyed the garlic mojo sauce on the side. The black beans were delicious and packed with tons of sabor (flavor)! The rice was soft, fluffy, and perfectly complemented the rich sauces of the black beans & ropa vieja. Did the food blow me away? No. Was it one of the more memorable Cuban restaurants I've dined in? No. I've had better food with bigger portions and/or lower prices. Would I be open to visiting again if I'm in the area? Yes, but most likely only for Happy Hour drinks or small bites. read more

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I went here after work one day. Conveniently located right off the path train in Harrison NJ. Great place to dine in at affordable prices and high quality food. Our waitress was so friendly and they recommend several drinks for us to try. The inside has a nice ambiance feeling- cool spot for a date for sure. Parking is a little tricky, but they have ParkMobile so payment is straight forward. read more

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Such a cute spot with strong Cuban, latin vibes. It really feels like a little slice of Havana right in Harrison, NJ. The service is consistently great. Even the manager makes a point to stop by and check on tables, which is always appreciated. The food is very good overall. The plantain boat is a must, and the calamari has a nice kick from the peppers. The shrimp in olive oil missed the mark for me. It's definitely not comparable to what you'd get in Madrid. The oil tasted off and left an unpleasant aftertaste. On the other hand, the rice and black beans were delicious, though sometimes just a bit too salty, and the maduros were spot on. I've also tried the crab-stuffed fish and absolutely loved it; the sauce underneath is rich and succulent. One visit I ordered a variety of sides and ended up with the perfect meal. Add a piña colada, great music, and a lively atmosphere, and it's an easy place to love. Bonus points for covering a few hours of garage parking. Always happy to come back. Great addition to the area. read more

Came here for Lunch one day and it was okay. It wasn't packed for lunch. They have daily ten dollar lunch specials throughout the week. I ordered the chicken empanadas. They were okay but a little on the dry side. The service was good; there wasn't a wait. They inside was decorated nice read more

I had a reservation for two at 6:30pm on a Friday. I parked in the nearby Harrison parking lot (the restaurant has parking validation so be sure to show your ticket to the host before leaving). I was seated at a booth. Several servers came by as I waited for my friend to take my drink order and to make sure I was being assisted. Once my friend arrived, we put in our drink orders. I had a strawberry Margarita with casamigos tequila. Once our drinks came out a server stopped and asked if he could offer a suggestion. He told me they have mezcal tequila which would be great in a spicy Margarita and I thought this was a great touch. Customer service and attention was 10/10! The margarita was decent, not great. I was not a fan of the strawberry purée which tasted overwhelmingly artificial. Otherwise, well-made margarita. As appetizers we ordered the chicken empanadas and yuca wrapped in bacon. Both came out quickly and hot. Very good. Nice touch that you can choose the number of empanadas you would like to order which provides flexibility when ordering. As an entree I ordered the fish stuffed with crab meat and shrimp. The sauce of the entree was delicious but the fish on the inside seemed a bit undercooked. I also thought wrapping the fish and not having it all in the sauce made it a bit bland. This and the margarita is where they lost 1 star. The outside area was full and they had music playing. It seems like a great place to catch up with friends or go for a date night. I would return... just not for my dish. I would go with the fried snapper next time and a different drink. Highlight: customer service and ambiance! Thank you for a great time!! Management is doing a great job! read more

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A great little Cuban style cuisine shop - very loud music, but they have a room to the side for big parties, an outdoor dining space, and they take custom orders even off a price fix menu for the big groups. The paella was too soggy for me (I like crispy but others really liked it), but the churrasco salteado was fantastic - peppers, onions, fries, and skirt steak. Appetizers were family style, main was chose a few and shared. Flan was ok - I've had better, but overall a great place to share foods and try new dishes. Cool mural. Great staff - very helpful! Parking in the back - you can get 2hr validated for free with the meal. read more

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We had an amazing dining experience at Mambo Cuban Restaurant in Union, NJ, made even better by the live music. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was lively, fun, and full of energy, creating a perfect setting for a memorable night out. The food was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared, with generous portions that really hit the spot. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the music added an extra layer to the experience, making the evening feel special and authentic. The service was friendly and attentive, striking a great balance between being helpful and letting us enjoy the moment. Between the great food, live music, and welcoming vibe, Mambo Cuban Restaurant delivered a fantastic dining experience and is definitely a place we'd love to return to. read more

Our waiter Wilson was amazing ! Food music and ambience was excellent! We will be back again ! read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Pescado filete relleno de cangrejo y camaron - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

I really like this place. I'm giving it 4 stars because I ordered the Mofongo and felt it could have been done a bit better, but everything else was great. The location is fantastic -- right near the PATH station in Harrison -- and as someone who loves Cuban food, I was excited to try it. The décor is on point, the service is excellent, and the music is at a perfect volume so you can actually have a conversation. The drinks are spot‑on too. I'd definitely recommend this spot for lunch, dinner, or even brunch. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Mofongo - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

Had a great dining experience here! Our server, Rodrigo, was fantastic--friendly, attentive, and spot-on with his recommendations. We tried the empanadas (the chicken ones were our favorite) and the pernil flatbread, which was absolutely delicious. The sides alone were tempting enough to make a meal, but we went with entrees. I had the snapper, which was good, along with a side of veggies. My only suggestion would be to offer a sauce for the snapper, as it was a bit dry on its own. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and would gladly dine here again! read more

My sister had been here a few times and had enjoyed the food so I figured we would give it a try for Mother's Day. Well, of course the place was filled to capacity and initially quite loud. Luckily, they lowered the music slightly and we were able to have somewhat of a conversation. The restaurant has many Instagramable spots and a very convivial, Latin ambiance. Repeat, it can get loud, especially by the bar. Appetizers Mambo Sampler Beef empanadas Stuffed Plantain canoe Entrees Mar y tierra Churrasco Lobster enchilado- to much onion/pepper Dessert Coconut flan Churros Tres Leche cake I will cut them some slack since it was Mother's Day and quite busy. The churrasco and lobster came out on the raw side. Had to be sent back. Food was good overall. A cute spot for a Cuban/latin experience. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

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A friend of mine and I got together for happy hour. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked in and found my friend at the bar. We ordered with great bartenders! I only had the drinks of the sangria and wine and it was good! My friend had the Mambo platter and she enjoyed. The ambiance was good as well! Had a good experience! read more

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I reallyyy love the food here! It's my second time coming here We ordered the Appetizer: Cheese Empanadas 4/10 Beef empanadas 8/10 Chicken empanadas 7/10 Fried cheese - ehh worth trying for yourself not bad. I'm not in love with the sauce they drench it in lol Entree: Bandeja Cubana 11/10 - only thing that sucked was that the portion has gotten smaller in comparison to when we came here for the first time last year. It comes with pork, beef, chicken, plantains, rice, egg, avocado Drink: Corona Rita / Mambarita 11/10 Drink: Mango smoothie without the milk 11/10 refreshing Ropa Veja with added shrimp - 6/10 The price wasn't worth it. The portions were super tiny and you only get a choice of one side. Also the shrimp was bland! Don't pay the extra for the shrimp. Overall this is a new spot. The ambiance is amazing, the service was fairly good, reservations weren't needed, but we put our names down just in case. I would come back for sure! read more

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Pre and post game go to place ! Mofongo and Paella are the best ! Service and experience amazing! Their birthday day singing is another level ! Overall ***** read more

I love this place so much. I've tried a number of items off the menu. So far I've like majority of what I've had enough to keep going back. Because this place is soo good I'll just mention the few things I did not care for. The flat bread - it just wasnt for me but maybe its for you. Vaca Frita - I wanted to love this I really did. I don't know what I was expecting because fried beef is the name but it was tough to chew. And coming in absolute last - Bistec Empanizado. Maybe its because I ordered this for take out and not sit down but other than breaded well this had 0 flavor. It had me thinking I had covid it was the blandest thing and the description said Lemon and Garlic.... Unless it was a sauce that was missed during packaging there wasnt any lemon or garlic on this. I didn't even eat it. The review on the Bistec Empanizado was harsh, but I have come here minimally 5 times since Jan and will die on the hill this place is soo good. The ambiance is nice for a party of two or group. Service is wonderful and hosts are welcoming. Food and drinks 10/10. read more

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Great and consistent service, fun environment and easy to bring kids. They cater to gluten sensitivity, which is always a plus.

Food was fun and the service was great! Empanadas and skirt steak were perfect! Will for sure return!

A++++++**+++++++ music food service very good can't complain at all honestly good very read more

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Staff: Amazing - He made several recommendations and check on us several times- Unlimited Mojitos (You can choose all the flavors) I only had two. Food tasted hot & fresh And the vibe was great- they played Cuban music and it was a great experience read more

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I tried really hard to find something wrong with this place. After dinner I'm frankly stunned there isn't a line out the door every night. I was one of maybe 3 tables being served in the whole place. The service was outstanding. The food was great. The prices were cheap for the quality and quantity. I even love the vibe. Absolutely perfect date night spot for a quiet drink. I had a Cuban iced tea that was strong! Great run mixer, light, refreshing, and delicious. Not too sweet. For dinner I had a lemon and garlic fried chicken, rice and beans and all was perfect. Chicken was juicy, nice crisp to the fry, really lemony and with the rice and beans a big flavor punch. Super filling! Parking was close and free, plenty on the street. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

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The food is ok good. The staff is nice but there were to many so they were chatting and not being helpful. The cuban sandwich was tasty. Not to much meat, fresh bread, needed more mustard. Empanada were only half filled and a little over fried. The potatoe balls were not worth it. They were soggy and hardly stuffed. The place does have a cool vibe and I liked the decor read more

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This restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were visiting from Long Island and googled this restaurant and we're not disappointed. The hostess was amazing, the servers were great, but our waiter, victor, was phenomenal. Friendly, helpful, courteous and suggested great food options. We were here to have dinner with our son and we had a great time totally recommend coming here. The next time we are in New Jersey we will visit again! read more

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Great restaurant, nice servers, very good food. Dish ceviche, paella was juicy not dry, shrimps and lobster really fresh. Steak appetizer great. read more

Great proximity to Red Bulls Stadium. Good place to have dinner before a match. I went there with 2 other friends. Food was very good, all three of us were very pleased with our selections. Service was a bit slow, especially when ordering drinks from the bar. It has a very nice atmosphere and the staff is very friendly, I do think it's expensive given the location, but I will say it doesn't seem to matter as the restaurant was full the night I went. read more

Incredible service with Jonathan. He recommended amazing ceviche and crab stuffed sea bass. Side of tostones rounded out a great meal. read more

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Went to Mambo in Harrison, NJ last night to celebrate a special birthday and was pleasantly surprised with the food and drinks. Everything from the appetizers, entrees and drinks was delicious! Our waiter Jonathan was very attentive, friendly and took very good care of us. Plus the ambiance was fun and lively. I look forward to going back soon! read more

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Dinner at Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison. I've been hearing some great things about this place, and since my friends were treating me to a very belated birthday dinner I suggested we give it a try. Located in the newly revitalized south end of town, across from the PATH Station, and in close proximity to Red Bull Stadium, Mambo is one of Harrison's newer restaurants (formerly Vanguard). It turned out to be a great stop. As soon as you walked in you felt the energy in the room. The bar was packed, music filled the interior, the dining room section was full of groups clearly enjoying their food and their friends. Lively, vibrant, energized atmosphere that set the mood for a fun time. The cuisine was delicious. We ordered four appetizers, and some sangria, to share as a group, and each one was a home run. The menu was full of tantalizing choices and it was not easy making a choice. I settled on the Churrasco (Skirt steak with Shrimp & chimichurri sauce), with a side of rice and black beans, and it was perfectly prepared and filling. I have to say the most interesting entree was the fried red snapper, which came mounted on a display stand. I guess Gus enjoyed it as the skeletal remains of this large fish was the only thing left. LOL All in all, a fun venue, cool decor, great vibe, and very importantly delicious food and a full bar. My recommendation-go there. 04/17/2025 read more

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Great drinks! Great atmosphere! Authentic Cuban cuisine mixed with live music. I ordered the Arroz Chino Cubano which exceeded my expectations portion-wise and good for the price. I would definitely go back when I'm back in town. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

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I dined here because I was in the mood for latin food. I had a few of the Mojito Mambo cocktails which were very good. My meal consisted of Empanadas and the Masitas de Puerco. I enjoyed both very much. The service was good once I was seated. The ambiance was very comfortable. read more

Came here for an impromptu lunch with my mom. We were a little hesitant initially because my mom can be quite picky but we decided to since we were in the area. I had the mofongo with shrimp and chicharron and my mom had the masitas de puerco with a side of tostones. We were both blown away with our food. The flavor was amazing and the service was great. Wilson was very attentive and made sure to check in on us along with other staff members. I used to come to this restaurant when it was the vanguard, but I'm glad a nice restaurant has taken its place. I look forward to coming back in the future. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Shrimp mofongo with added chicharron - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

Wow, I was absolutely impressed! The food was amazing! The appetizers were delicious! I had the papa rellena, chicken and beef empanada and the queso frito in the guava sauce! They were all so delicious. The only one I wasn't too much of a fan of was was the beef empanada. Everything else was amazing. So flavorful. I had the plate that had moro, pernil, ropa vieja, sweet plantains, two eggs and avocado! Delicious and so well priced! The service was impeccable! Plates were being removed at timely manner, new silverware given after clean ups, the manager Alex very attentive! I was in love with the setting. The lighting was all warm lighting. Comfortable chairs. I really liked the palm prints on the booths, the doors. The place is very spacious. High ceilings so it feels very open. I can't wait to come back with more friends! read more

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Incredible food!!!! The best paella we had. The mofongo was better than any mofongo we had in Puerto rico. The service is really great too. Very friendly servers. The ambience was nice. Lots of space to sit comfortably and beautifully decorated read more