The best experience in a long time. Jen is an utmost asset to this business. As a business and bar owner myself, I was so very impressed by all the welcoming staff, service and special attention to detail- we will be back!!!! read more

Rumba - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Being a fan of both rum bars and chicharrones, it's hard to find anything I didn't fully enjoy at Rumba. Smack dab in the middle of Capitol Hill, if you like rum-based libations you'll feel right at home. They feature a lot of the classic tiki style drinks you might expect along with some original wrinkles unique to Rumba. Daiquiris, punches, swizzles, and mai tais dot the menu with both traditional and non-traditional options to choose from. I landed on the Sexy Rum Old Fashioned which essentially replaces the whiskey with run and it was fantastic. If you're tired of your usual Old Fashioned, swap the base spirit for something new and exciting. Food wise they feature everything from tacos to Cuban sandwiches to fried Bananas Foster. Our table dipped into the ceviche, guacamole, chicharrones, tacos, and empanadas. All got passing grades and there wasn't a shred of food left on the table upon time to close up shop. With something to satisfy any eater and drinker, Rumba is a universally appealing bar and restaurant to all. read more

Feel the heat Seattlites! Get out of the rain and into this somehow both cozy AND tropical bar. It's super to find island style set up on Pike street-but this is a chicer experience than your average mini pink umbrella can deliver. I stopped in with friends to peruse the extensive rum list (I've heard it's the 2nd largest in the county with over 400 bottles) and totally felt like I was transported. If you're a group of 6 or more, you can make a reservation, and I suggest it. It's popularity is well deserved. The layout is pretty amazing, with a sunken area for the bar and tables strategically placed throughout the space. It was masterfully decorated and full on channeling a sexy Havana habitat. We sat around a table up against a bookcase filled with interesting paraphernalia and settled in over the candle light. The birthday boy literally lost it over finding a much sought after rare rum. He had a million memories associated with it and was seriously overjoyed at the chance to get to taste it again. I ordered and simple but so delicious Barbados Punch Barbados (simply rum, coconut water, lime) and the others in our group ranged from cocktails to tasting flights. We also tried the Banana's Foster: Sublime. ($8 coconut-battered bananas, rum caramel, toasted coconut ice cream, cocoa glazed Brazil nuts) There is an upcoming collaboration take-over between this bar and the famous and amazing Hale Pele in Portland on 3/18- a place I had JUST frequented a few nights prior. If you're into Tiki bars and Island drinks, this mash up is not to be missed! (From their facebook: "Some will perish into the fiery abyss, some will drown in overproof resolution, but those who remain will be immortalized #tikiasfuck") The service was sweet as well, and the prices we reasonable. I can't wait to come back for empanadas and ceviche and of course MORE RUM! read more

Rumba is a neighbborhood staple. I know them for good tiki drinks and fun ambience, so they would be four stars normally. But tonight was a quick dinner and Rumba was solid... not memorable though. The service was quick, but the major fopaux was the drinks were forgotten, and the waiter didn't recall till halfway through the main course with a gentle reminder. The guacamole was ok, not spicy, not tart but ok. The plantain chips were nice... perhaps a bit bland ( just a smidge more salt needed). Since I'm doing veganuary, i altered their eggplant taco... and it was good! Mike has the Cuban and it was good. Overall a solid place for a good bite but not for a special or memorable meal! read more

International travel is expensive. Cruises are overrated. But Latin American cuisine? It's unsurpassable. Lucky for you, you can discover the bold flavors and vibrant cultures of Latin America without leaving your comfort zone at Rumba. Rumba is my new favorite place for cocktails! It is a fresh, colorful and fun Rum Bar experience inspired by Cuban and the Latin Caribbean. The rhythm of Latin Music sets the tone of this unique rum bar with that offers four distinct daiquiris and moves on to rum classics, tiki concoctions, over 100 selections of Rum and plenty of punch. That, in and of itself, would not make it a great place. The food has to be good, and it is. I've tasted new flavors of food, and rum, that I have never tried before. Delightful flavors! Why You'll Love Rumba? -Lineup of more than 100 rums (Familiar names & new acquaintances) -Pastry Chef Joanna Chau (Tango) has created dessert menu (How many bars do you know has a pastry chef) -Vibrant bar scene + neighborhood gem (Rosenthal knows his neighborhood) -First rum-oriented bar in a bustling cocktail town Sample Fare: Empanadas soft tacos ceviche Jamaican pork mojito semifreddo Jasper's Rum Punch See you at Rumba! read more

Sexy. That about sums this place up in one word. Spicy food, well-crafted drinks, good lookin' people, intimate layout, upscale seafront writer's hideaway motif. This would be a great place for a first date. I was blown away by the black beans and rice. I mean, c'mon, that's about as basic as you get right? However, their seasonings and cooking were absolutely perfect. There are beans and rice and then there are BEANS AND RICE, SON. This is the latter. A huge portion that would serve as a meal especially with a side of stiff drink. I ordered the (exorbitantly expensive) guacamole and plantain strips as well because well I had to know what made their guacamole so much pricier than...any other guacamole. It was delicious. Fresh, chunky, simple. The plaintain crisps were also excellent -- not too greasy and not too starchy-thick. For my rum dish (let's be real - you must order at least one rum drink here), I had the Corn 'n' Oil. The name was too good to resist. It was barbados rum, falernum, bitters, and lime. It was aromatic and herbal without being medicinal, strong without being unbalanced. A treat. Our server was attentive, witty, and knowledgeable about the menu. Can't wait to rumba again! read more

Came here for drinks. They tasted really good but most of it was ice. When you charge 15+ I expect more volume. Otherwise the night gets super expensive. Not coming back any time soon read more

Enjoyed some happy hour appetizers and drinks here with my wife before catching a show at the Paramount. They've got more rum than you can shake a stick at and a mix of Caribbean/Cuban food that's not far from authentic, from what I can tell. We shared empanadas - I was partial to the chorizo one in terms of the spice and flavors. The vegetarian one was a little bland. We also shared some small street tacos and some pork rinds - all of which were delicious. I like that there's a lot of variety on the menu and many small items you can share. The Happy Hour pricing really couldn't be beat - the empanadas were like $3 each and the tacos $2 - who does that? It's a sister restaurant (apparently) to Tango a few doors down, but they don't really feel related except in the "Latin" roots. Only off note was that one of our servers seemed a little miffed that we didn't order all our food at once (we kind of grazed, ordered some more, grazed, etc). Sorry dude. read more

You don't really see rum too often in Chicago unless it's followed by Chata so I was pretty green to the goods when walking in here. Thanks to a bad ass bartender named Jim I've got a new appreciation for the sugarcane spirit and I'll forever be Jonesing for a drink he called the Sexy Old Fashion. My advice at Rumba...Order that drink and enjoy some friendly conversation if it's slow. If it's busy, bury your face in an array of awesome Caribbean food including Coconut Ceviche, Baked Empanadas, Jamaican Jerk Pork, and a killer Cuban Sandwich. Besides Richard Sherman Rumba's the best thing I know in Seattle that starts with an R. read more

Well this place was quite the pleasant surprise! My boyfriend's parents rented an airbnb on Capitol Hill while visiting from out of town. Thus it was the perfect opportunity for me/us to explore some new areas of Seattle and this hoppin' neighborhood. Our stroll and hop from Melrose Market to the Starbucks Roastery and drinks at the Six Arms landed us at Rumba for some tasty cuban food for dinner. The vibe of this place is really unique - it feels like you've been transported to a different country and yet isn't cheesy in the slightest. It's fun, vibrant, refreshing and a great place to go on a Friday night for food and drink. I'm not a rum drinker by any means but when you go to a restaurant that specializes in rum cocktails, you order the rum cocktail! My boyfriend and I each got the Corn 'n' Oil, a concoction with a house tiki rum blend, falernum, lime and bitters. Boy, was this a swift cocktail! But surprisingly, the strong flavors of rum and sweet falernum grew on me quite quickly and I guzzled it in a heartbeat. For food, we ordered the Rumba guacamole with mango served with plantain chips, a delectable and festive way to kickoff the experience. The plantain chips were thin, crisp, lightly salted and were perfect vehicles for a fresh, zesty guac. My boyfriend and I were pretty hungry so we also each ordered a Cuban sandwich with pulled pork, bacon, ham, swiss cheese and pickles on a toasted baguette. The sandwich was savory, juicy and was just the ticket to soaking up a strong drink. I especially loved the refreshing cucumber salad served on the salad that had a kick to it! All in all, it was a fun, delicious experience that made me want to return! read more

3.5 Stars I met a friend for food and drinks at Rumba back in August. I was most impressed with the decor/ambiance and service. This place is super cute, still clean and new, and manages to have a bit of an island feel in Seattle (it probably helped that it was warm out the night we went). Our server was friendly, helpful, and funny. I think my friend had a mojito. I had one rum drink... wasn't too impressed, and stuck with Red Stripe from then on. I'm not much of a rum drinker so I don't know if it was me or the drink. We shared some guacamole (served with plantains!) and empanadas. The guac was excellent, and you can hardly go wrong with plantain chips. We ordered three different empanadas (chicken, vege, and chorizo?) and liked them all. Can't remember a fav in particular. In fact it was a bit difficult to distinguish between them at the time. Not super wowed by the food or drink but I could see myself coming back when I visit Seattle. Rumba is next door to Tango. Clever. read more

My wife and I really enjoyed our late night snack at Rumba. The drinks are creative and I've never seen such an extensive rum list - the menu includes a page that can steer you towards certain types of rums if you're used to other spirits such as whisky, gin, etc. Also have to specifically call out Jen the GM and Katie our server. In Seattle it can be very difficult to get good service, and these too were a breath of fresh air. read more

I know pretty much nothing about rum. (It's fine, I have other redeeming qualities.) So when my buddy and I walked into Rumba, I knew I'd have to rely on the servers to guide me. I think they did a fine job. It was a Saturday night at 9pm and the place was packed. Literally every table was taken and there wasn't an empty seat at the bar. One soon opened up, and my friend and I sat at a (awkwardly romantic) table at the back. The whole room is dimly lit and decked out in dark woods - intimate but still appropriate for a group dinner. I didn't know they were a restaurant as much as they were a bar, but they do appear to have a decent menu. I considered getting the Cuban sandwich (because of course they have one), but I had already eaten dinner and stuck to drinks instead. I had three rum-centric drinks on recommendation from the server, and they were all great. My first and favorite, though, was the "Corn and Oil" which is kind of a gross name for a drink but was delicious. Each drink was flavorful but not not too much and the tastes all worked very well together. If you're not sure what to order, I'd trust the server to steer your decision. Aside from great drink recommendations, the service was alright. It alternated between attentive and kinda slow, even after a decent amount of the crowd had left. Overall though, not too bad. I liked my visit here I think it would be a great date spot or a good place to meet up with friends for cocktails and conversation. Maybe next time I'll get to that Cuban sandwich. read more

Came for happy hour and left happy. The $2 tacos were great. The tilapia was fried. A little unexpected, but very flavorful with fresh ingredients. Decor is super fun, fresh, teal green, and inviting. Love the natural light. Never been to Tango, but same owners. Service was friendly and fast. Our waitress had a great smile. read more

Rumba will shake your boots off! I think my review is rather important. Here's why: I'm Cuban. Being Cuban, I am very picky about Cuban food (and any Caribbean food in general). I've been to numerous other Cuban places that butchered simple Cuban recipes. However, Rumba blew me away! Their yuca fries are to die for! Their Cuban sandwich is also phenomenal! I was seriously surprised by their accuracy & taste! By far the only Cuban joint in Seattle doing it right! Great staff as well. read more

Came here for a light dinner/heavy snack. I happen to love the decor! The bookshelves of rum and crazy cool decor bits, paintings, books, and such are a nice Hemingway-esque touch. Service was exceptional - never invasive, but always there at the right time with the right need served. Food and drink were great. I had an Olde St. Tropez #2 while the husband had whatever the punch of the day was. Both were great - you could taste the absinthe in the Olde St Tropez without it being overwhelming. The punch was balanced, without any one flavor standing out. We had the guacamole with plantains - nice, the plantains are certainly a nice touch - but not exceptional. It felt more creamy than fresh (which I guess I estimate is chunky in my mind?) we also had all three of the empanadas - which were great! So tender and flaky and decadent. And finally we had the ropa vieja, which is beefy - there's a lot of meat on this plate! Tender, and the rice on the side is red and rich. I will definitely be back! read more

I came here recently for my company holiday party and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! I've never been here before, or Rumba's sister restaurant (Tango right next door) so I wasn't sure what to expect. But Caribbean food? All kinds of rum I didn't even know existed? I was already sold! We booked the second floor space well in advance (maybe about 2 months before?) and was very grateful we were able to book the space and not have to pay some kind of a fee for that, as long as we met the food and beverage limit (which we easily surpassed). When I say second floor, I mean just a ramp up to a slightly more elevated level. :) We had the full second floor space to ourselves, but because the bathrooms were on our level, other patrons would occasionally try to squeeze by us to make it to the bathroom. On to the food...I knew when we set up the menu beforehand, we most likely were ordering too much food, but we wanted to try as many of the dishes as possible since EVERYTHING on the menu sounded so good! We ended up ordering: 1) Rum-Glazed Nuts - a small bowl of these nuts were available with every table in our area. I couldn't stop munching on these during the evening! Very tasty indeed with a hint of rum flavor. 2) Yuca Fries - I personally wasn't a big fan of the fries, but then again I'm not a big fry-person. :) 3) Rumba Guacamole with plantain chips - okay, this was absolutely delicious. the plantain chips were nice and thin and perfectly crisp. The guacamole didn't taste like your average guacamole either. 4) Mixed Greens - it's salad, what do you expect? :) 5) Rice & Beans - when I started getting an appetite for something without meat, I would periodically get a scoop full of rice & beans. Yes, it is a very original and plain dish, but they had HUGE slices of avocado and pico de gallo in the rice & beans so it was a very tasty vegetarian dish! 6) Spam Sliders - I love spam ANYTHING so the spam sliders were bomb.com. 7) Tilapia Tacos - have you ever seen I Love You, Man? Do you remember the part where they went to a bar and ate fish tacos? Every time I see that movie, I always crave fish tacos but never found a place that cooked good fish tacos. Their fish tacos were delicious!! There was enough fish in each taco and all of the different ingredients were appropriately apportioned to each taco. 8) Carnitas Tacos - they also put a TON of carnitas meat inside each taco. So nice! 9) Kale & Mushroom Empanadas - this was strangely enough the most favorite food I ate that evening. Yes, it's another veggie dish but man, it is AMAZING. The cheese melts in your mouth, and the size of the empanadas themselves are so generous. Once you pick it up to eat it, you can tell it just came right out of the oven. The empanadas are to DIE for - seriously. Pick any of the flavors; you can't go wrong. 10) Chorizo Empanadas - ditto to above. 11) Chicken Empanadas - ditto to above. 12) Bananas Foster - I will start off by saying I do NOT like coconut. Coconut-flavored ANYTHING makes me cringe, so I didn't get a chance to try the bananas foster. HOWEVER, everyone else did and they all LOVED the dessert. They said the bananas were amazing, there was so much coconut flavor, and there was a generous portion of ice cream on the bottom. The other thing we also ordered were, of course, DRINKS! We had pre-ordered the Philadelphia Fish House Punch for everyone, and soft drinks/bottles of wine made to order if anyone needed that. Let me tell you though...the punch was STRONG! I was very surprised when I took my first sip because I was thinking it would just be like any rum punch drink - very fruity and not enough alcohol. This was definitely NOT the case. However, that is certainly not a bad thing! You definitely get your money's worth with all the (what seems like) extra alcohol they put in the drinks. :) I would love to come by Rumba again for a casual dinner. I don't think the food would've changed had we gone there for a holiday party or not. The service was great, fast, and attentive. We went on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed! I can't wait to go here again! read more

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For drinks: - Pineapple punch is fantastic. - ti' Punch is much more interactive, but quite rewarding - Six demon bag is the prince of all rhumba drinks and they bow in it's presence (this is strictly my opinion) For food: The tacos are fantastic. The fish tacos are especially good, while the carnitas are simply excellent (and messy) The empanadas are amazing. - The mushroom/quinoa are exquisite. - The chorizo are excellent. - The beef are delicious. For dessert: - The bananas foster is incredible. All of these delights are served by a knowledgeable staff who cares about your experience and are prepared to provide you the information required for you to make the most of it. I can't wait to return! read more

Yelp reported this place to open at 4pm. After walking a mile, we arrived at 4:30pm and were shooed out like a pack of dogs. Saying they open at 5.. Then why is there a sign by their door saying they open at 4 PM? They could have been nicer or offered to accommodate us for the error on Yelp and on their door We walked a few blocks down Pike and found a better spot, Sun Liquor, a local distillery that had been recommended by our uber driver.. Amazing drinks! read more

Rumba - Wrong advertising - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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If you're ever feeling like you need a broader variety of rum in your life, Rumba is the place to go. Try any number of the daiquiris, or keep it simple with the classic #1. You can't go wrong with any of the drinks here. If you're ever in doubt, talk with Colin, the resident rummelier. He can give you history, tasting notes and all sorts of recommendations. It's worth a visit to feel like you've been transported to a remote island without the three hour tour. The decor is reminiscent of a tropical hideaway (esp if you sit at the bar, or in a corner), and the nibbles are pretty tasty (plantain chips - yum!). But really, the star here is the rum. Bottoms up! read more

While the decor and ambiance was spot on everything else was somewhat lacking in the details. Ordered daiquiri #1 and Barbados punch. Our server seemed indifferent and didn't write anything we said down so we ended up with two daiquiris and no punch. We decided just to keep both drinks being as it was our first time in and it wasn't that big of a deal. With that said the drinks were so loaded with ice, it watered down the lime and liquor. I would say we got a couple ounces of liquid and the rest was huge pieces of "crushed" ice. Ordered two empanadas, one fish taco, and chips with salsa that had a 20 minute ticket time when there were not that many other patrons in the restaurant at the time, which I found odd. In the case of the empanadas, we ordered two chicken but I'm pretty sure we got two different ones. One was loaded with chicken and the other was almost all cheese and I'm not sure what else. I do not think they were cooked all the way through because the dough was still gooey in the middle. The taco was nothing to write home about but surprisingly the salsa was pretty good. Overall there was a lot to be desired, especially in the drink department. I hope to maybe go back on a better night to see if I can have the experience everyone else is raving about. read more

All hail Jenn!! She made us 1st timers feel oh so welcome, shared some insider knowledge on the best Mai Tai we ever had and dazzled us wIth her worldly knowledge or rum. You want rum??? Is over 700+ different runs enough for you??? This is a rum bar that serves up more than your average too sweet tiki drink. Food menu was good, but you come for the rum! It's a popular little hole in the wall in a busy neighborhood. Cheers!!! read more

We had some terrific cocktails here for happy hour, and just had to share! Well made and delicious. Our waiter was hilarious, articulate and cerebral. He made our night! Empanadas were ho hum, the only disappointing part of our experience. read more

Food: 3 out of 5 stars (Good) Drinks: 1 out of 5 stars (Terrible) Service: 3 out of 5 stars ( Friendly, but slow) I was in the mood for Caribbean food, and after a quick Yelp search decided to check out Rumba due to the high ratings. I had passed by quite a few times and never ventured in, so I was interested to see how the food/drinks tasted. Food (3 out of 5 stars): We ordered the Empanadas (chorizo, chicken, and veggie) which were really good. I had the Cuban sandwich which I'd say was also good and my boyfriend ordered the pepperpot chicken which is actually a chicken quarter (leg/thigh). He liked it. Drinks (1 out of 5 stars): We ordered the Barbados Punch, United Service Punch, and Jamaican Planters Punch. I was disappointed with all of the drinks. I had the Barbados Punch which was just "bleh"... decent enough to get down, but I would not recommend it nor order it again. My boyfriend ordered the Jamaican Planters Punch at first, but it was VERY watered down and lacked that rich, flavorful punch you'd expect with a Jamaican Rum Punch. Also note that the drink comes drowned in crushed ice, which I'd never seen before. My boyfriend isn't the type to send food/drinks back, but the punch was terrible. Hoping for something better, he chose the United Service Punch at the recommendation of our server. It was better than the Jamaican Planters Punch, but it was once again very bland. Nothing I'd recommend or order again. Overall, the service was good, but slow. The food good, not great... and the drinks left much to be desired. I was extremely disappointed that a restaurant that promotes rum being the center of its business and having such a vast selection fell SO short in the drink department. Even though the service was nice and the food good, the fact that all 3 drinks we tried (rum-based) were terrible, in addition to the service being slow when the restaurant wasn't yet full (weekend night at 8p, they told us they get busy around 10p) knocked the review down to 2 stars. Keep in mind that the menu is VERY small and I'd imagine intended to offer a few good things to compliment the drinks. The fact the drinks were all terrible was a huge deal breaker for me. read more

Rum Rum Rum Rum Rum!!! There is a hindi song with the word Rum repeating over and over and I just couldn't help singing it while being at this bar!!! I've been wanting to check out this place ever since it opened. So glad I finally made it! The ambience is beautiful and spacious. This would be a great place to hang out with friends over some drinks and appetizers. They have a very impressive and big bar. I ordereded the Barbados punch which was absolutely delicious. My husband got the Queens Park Sizzle with 151 in it. It was way too strong for me but grew on him. The bartender also made him another drink by his taste which he thought was ok. We split an order of chips and hot salsa. The hot salsa was addicting and fairly good. The only reason I gave the place 3 stars is because we didn't have a chance to try any other food or great drinks. The drink score was more like 1 out of 3 whereas they were out of the guac or cilantro salsa we asked for. Regardless customer service was excellent and I definetely have a reason to go back and try something new!!! read more

Prices have gone up since last visit a few months ago. Considering the cuban sandwich was lower quality this time, not sure if price increases are merited. Don't get me wrong though, the sandwich was still v good, just not as good as the last 3 times I had it. They changed the bread and meat ratio which resulted in a messier, slightly less flavorful meal. As always, I love the ambiance of the place. Great, low lighting. Drinks are great! Service this time was okay, other few times was better. Im guessing it was an anomaly. Never have had a server slap my card on my plate after paying. I tipped decently, so I don't know where that behavior came from. Left a sour taste in my mouth. Maybe the waiter was having a bad day? I'd come back, but probably not as frequently. read more

Rumba your way into get some Rum! I'm in love with their selection of rums Do: - try a new rum (I rec Don Q from Puerto Rico). They have an amazing supply of different types of premium rum from all over the world. - try the Daiquiri No. 2 or 3 - get the tacos: Puerco/Pork (my fav) 3 for $10. Single tortilla. - get the flor de Jamaica. - get the plantain chips - appreciate the amazing service. I think that the rest of the area's restaurants/bars need to take lessons from them - cuban sandwich. It was everything I wanted it to be. Juicy, great bread. Love - jerk chicken. Had a mild kick to it - chill at the bar in the cool, dim atmosphere/decor. - get a booth and play some dominos! Pass: - on the empanadas. I'm a super snob and have love them in S America, esp Argentina. They are way too expensive (3 for $12.50) and understuffed throwing off the pastry to innards ratio. If you are going to get them, try the chorizo. Not impressed by the others. - on the guacamole has too much acid and too much going on. I missed the pure, fresh, creamy flavor of the avocados, read more

I came in here during the soft opening and fell in love with the space and the vibe. I tried a few of the Daiquiris and loved that they aren't too sweet, good sized, and classic. Just like I like them. The waitress was really friendly and took the time to come and talk with us, check back a few times and just chat in general. The next few times I have come back I tried other drinks, but the Daiquiri #1 is still my favorite. I have to say don't do the crushed ice, it dilutes the drink and makes it feel like you are getting less drink. I finally tried food a few weeks ago, I shared the Mojito semifreddo and a few Empanadas. I thought the dessert was great, I ended up eating more than the bite or two I originally anticipated. I also think this is one of the few places on Pike/Pine with Empanadas, score. The newest bartender is one of my favorites from Canon. I will be in more often!! read more

Quite a spectacular place - the decor is warm and cozy and their selection of rum is quite impressive. Pluses: + server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful about the drink selection. I got the Moscow Mule and Corn 'n' Oil there. Both were delicious. + 'Flor de Jamaica' dish was unexpectedly toothsome. Hibiscus, onion and red chard had a welcome tang and chewiness. + Paired well with the hibiscus marinated chicken wings which came with yucca chips. The wings were meaty and came with chimichurri aioli on the side. Did not taste greasy or heavy at all. Minuses: - Was quite crowded read more

Dropped in on a quiet Monday night and what a great spot! I love how the entire space is set up with just enough bar and just enough dining. As a rum-loving Dominican girl myself, I knew I was sold the moment I spotted the bottle of Brugal on their shelf. The service was exceptional and we even had the pleasure of meeting the charming owner, Travis! Pours are heavy, heavy and it would have been a treat to taste more of the cocktail than the liquor - but realistically on the right night that would have been more of a pro than a con. I will definitely be back for a full dinner experience ASAP. read more

My husband was in Seattle for a conference and I joined him to do some sight seeing in the afternoons. We currently live in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the international cuisine scene there is limited. Having lived in NYC and Boston we missed having all types of ethnic restaurants at our finger tips. We were so excited about going to a Cuban restaurant. We were truly disappointed at the service that we received at Rumba. It seems that our waitress was to busy smoozing and chatting with people she knows than serving our table. After being seated for 20 minutes she finally came our way and asked us what we wanted to order to drink. We could not order anything because she never gave us a menu. When we told her that we weren't given a menu she dismissively said 'oh sorry' and left. We thought she was going to get us a menu, but she never came back. After 5 minutes of waiting for her to return with the menu, we walked out and went to Tango the restaurant next door. Surprisingly Tango was owned by the same guy. However our experience was 100% better. He needs to have his Tango staff retrain the Rumba staff. The waitress at Rumba acted she was too cool for school and maybe with that kind of attitude she needs to go back to school. read more

As a big rum fan myself, half of my vacations revolve around if the country I'm going to has good rum or not. So understandably, I've been anxiously awaiting Rumba's opening, and nervous about if it would stand up to my expectations or not. I finally got to go on their second night open, and happily, it exceeded my expectations! Bartender Connor suggested a few different rums, including one from Madagascar and Martinique- They were both great, and a thrill to try, as my usuals are from Barbados, Guatemala and Jamaica. Even though it was their second night, I didn't see any problems or bumps in the road with service. Well done, Rumba- I'll be back soon. Might be my new regular bar! Let's get a rum club going? read more

Fabulous drinks? Tasty noshes? Great service? Awesome atmosphere? You have it all at Rumba. This is totally my joint. The kind of place where you can hang for hours and never feel rushed. Lounge is the perfect description for it. I came in with a few fellow Yelpers after an event nearby and am so happy that we came here. I had a few amazing rum drinks and a perfect Cubano sandwich. I'll be back. read more

Rum is not my go-to liquor of choice, but the variety of different rums and what the bartenders do with them are well worth the visit here. Don't be afraid to ask your server for a recommendation... they are very knowledgeable about the drinks and are happy to help. For instance, I said I was interested in something along the lines of a Manhattan. My server suggested two drinks: "Corn 'n' Oil" (Plantation 5, house falernum, lime, bitters) and "Plaza Vieja" Old Overholt rye, Plantation 5 year, Amontillado sherry, Benedictine, bitters. Both were delicious! The menu items we tried included tasty empanadas, plantain chips and homemade guacamole, and tacos. I'll have to come back to try some of their larger plates like pan-friend trout and pepperpot chicken. This is a great place for medium sized groups, and a great location, if you're going to a show at ACT Theatre or the Paramount. read more

This was so good, we ate here for happy hour, and had one of the best daiquiris we've ever had, and the best empanadas and tacos. My son ate 3 chicken empanadas. They were so good they tasted like chicken pot pies. read more

Loved the decor ... pretty unique, esp liked the fans. The drinks were decent - though I had one (don't remember the name) that was a little weird. The food was good too, though the pork shank was just okay. The chicken wings are good and the plates are big for the price. read more

This is one of my top five favorite bars in Seattle. Happy hour is very short, but worth it; for an $8 daiquiri you can reach your happy place in two drinks. They boast an extensive rum collection. I don't typically get food here and I wish they brought back their live music....still a spiffy place to grab a few quality cocktails. read more

2.8 Stars... I came in at around 6pm on Tuesday and sat at the bar. I am vegetarian and I ordered a vegetarian baked empanada, a squash taco, and a hot buttered rum. Category Analysis: Food & Drink: 4 Stars. Food and beverage were both pretty tasty! Service: 3 Stars. The bartender didn't do much more or less than I would expect. He did not say anything other than just to take my order, deliver the food, and bring the bill. He wasn't rude. Timing: 2 Stars. It took a while for the small plate that I ordered to arrive. Price: 2 Stars. The food was priced appropriately for happy hour but my drink was $10. I ordered it without taking note of the price. Kind of steep for a drink, at least for me, cheapskate that I am. I always try and tip appropriately, however. Atmosphere: 3 Stars. Nice intimate atmosphere, but the music was R&B, which I don't like, and didn't expect in a "Caribbean/Cuban" theme restaurant. I liked the big booths. Were the music different and more theme appropriate I would have given it 4 stars. 14/ 5 = 2.8 Stars total - My experience was ever so slightly below average. I might come back as they have a couple other vegetarian options that I would like to try. I will probably order one of the less expensive drinks on the happy hour menu. Please turn off the R&B music and put on some "Juan Pablo Torres", or something. read more

Something special and unique about Rumba. I don't need to be the first to tell you to go. It is absolutely worth hitting up. read more

"Great food, small space" I thoroughly enjoyed my time in a private evening party at this place. The cocktails and starters had great variety. The staff was trained to entertain big parties. The space was small, though. Not enough for the people they permitted for. read more