Viviana Z.

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!

Tiffani M.

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!

Ingrid C.

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.

Val E.

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 :(

It was my daughters birthday and the place we originally picked was 5 minutes away and it was closed for renovation- but when we walked in Mambo Cubano we were glad the way things worked out !! The ambience was beautiful the service was great from the moment we sat down served were attentive! It was fairly Close to closing to the entrees took a little time but that's fine because there was absolutely no rush between appetizers and chatting !! The food for me was great and the drinks ! My son enjoyed 2 virgin pina coladas actually wanted a 3rd lol - my daughter received a nice little table side drink service Will definitely return to celebrate my finances birthday next month !

Bea R.

¡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.

Amit P.

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.

Ivette V.

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!

Hank C.

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.

Norberto F.

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.

Idania D.

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.