Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita

    4.8 (16 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita Photos

    Business Info

    THE GNARLY CUBAN- LA VENTANITA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita

    Recommended Reviews - The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    JJ J.

    I wish I had pictures from La Ventanita from my many previous visits but this is the first time I've sampled a bunch of food so you'll just have to take my word for it, but the window is cute even if it feels sketchy driving up to this area like maybe you're in the wrong place--I promise you're not, and I promise you're gonna love the food! The owners are so friendly they always chat and say hello. Today I wasn't able to get over there so I used DoorDash and everything was perfectly packaged. My best advice--if you get the gnarly Cuban empanada make sure to bite a small tip off first to let the insides cool so you don't burn your mouth. You'll want to scarf it down, but don't-- you can thank me for saving the roof of your mouth and your tastebuds from burning off! They also have bottled iced cafecito, and you should definitely grab a pastelito, too!

    Rachel T.

    Stopped by for a quick snack and coffee. Ordered a Gnarly Cuban and Po-yo empanada. Both came out piping hot and so fresh. While both were good my favorite was the chicken- it was flavorful. To drink, I got the bottled cafecito which was good, but I think I would opt for a hot version next time. Service wasn't the fastest, but I appreciate the time that went in so we got the fresh empanadas. A bowl will be on the list for next time! Super cool to see more industrial spaces being used for local spots.

    Ropa Vieja Lil Havana Bowl
    Elizabeth M.

    Finally had a chance to stop by the Ventanita during my lunch break at work. I ordered the ropa vieja bowl and a side of croquetas. The bowl was a good portion size but I should've asked for it without the pico (which isn't traditionally found in Cuban dishes anyway). Also, I found the ropa vieja to be very dry and, without the sauce (that you have to pay extra for if you want more than that single tiny serving), wouldn't have been enjoyable. The flavor was good but the execution was poor. The croquetas were ham and they came as a set of 2 small little balls (the equivalent to one actual croqueta) for $6. No "ventanita" would charge $6 per croqueta. I'm all for supporting small businesses but the pricing here was astronomical and not justifiable.

    Breakfast
    Lisa S.

    I'm so happy to have them in the neighborhood! I placed my pickup order online a few minutes before they opened. Ordering was very easy. I set out for my morning walk around the neighborhood. My order was ready on time. I picked up my food and was met with a friendly, smiling face. The owners are lovely. She saw that I was wearing a running shirt and invited me to an upcoming running event. It's nice that they're not just a business, they are creating a sense of community. I took my food and walked back home. My cafe con leche was nice and hot and tasted so good. I got a breakfast empanada which was delicious. The crust was perfect and I loved the garlic cilantro sauce. I will definitely be back!

    Exterior
    Jenn M.

    I was so excited to check out this new Cuban takeout window located off the beaten path in College Park. The online ordering system was super simple and I was notified when my food was ready via text.. I arrived at the walk up counter and they open the window and greeted me by name. The food was prepared perfectly and packaged in relatively environmentally friendly packaging (limited plastic). Most importantly, it was delicious! The croquettes were super moist and crispy and my chicken bowl was excellent. Loved the sweet plantain bits. I found there wasn't enough of the garlic sauce, but know that I can order extra containers next time for $.50 each. The only reason I can't give them five stars is because the hours are difficult for a working family. They're currently only open until 2 PM Wednesday through Sunday. I wish that they would add a few evenings too. Can't comment on ambience as I didn't go inside... I don't even know if you can. But the order window was clean and quick. Service was super fast and super kind and I was very impressed. I will be back to try other items from the menu!

    Andi P.

    Wow- 5 Stars for my favorite Cuban food in Orlando, now with an IRL location. The Gnarly Cuban has been a favorite pop-up and catering option for me for a while, but I had to try their new "ventanita" (little window) location in College Park. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. This Latin-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+ owned biz is one I inherently want to support, because the owners are so wonderful, but luckily for me, their Cuban food rivals my favorite food growing up in Miami. I got the Lil Havana Bowl with ropa vieja as my protein and my husband did the same but with jack fruit ropa vieja (veg). This bowl comes with white rice, black beans, sweet plantain bits, pico, cotija cheese, potato stix, and a garlic cilantro sauce. You can let them know if you want anything taken off as they build your bowl to order. The bowls were ON POINT. The flavors were savory, with sweet bursts coming from the plantain bits and acidic bites with the pico. And don't get me started on how much my Miami heart loved the potato stix. We also got two guava and cheese pastelitos (they're small, so this is the standard order, but you can order more) and the budín de pan (bread pudding). All were devoured in seconds. Truly delicious. They have convenient parking out front, a window where you order, and plenty of picnic table seating with Cuban music serenading you from speakers. This is minutes from the heart of College Park, and right by my favorite local vintage furniture shop, Warehaus, as well as Good Fills next door (where you can get environmentally friendly, locally-made detergents, cleaners, etc.

    La ventana
    Torquiose W.

    Our run club meets at The Gnarly Cuban and it's become our little post-run ritual. The coffee is strong (but smooth). Good food, good vibes, good people!

    Rum cake, with light pumpkin spice, delicious.
    Deborah B.

    I'm so happy I found this ventanita, small window, with their delicious treats. I ordered a Cuban empanada with the lightest crust that mysteriously was firm enough to hold all the delicious fillings, while still being tender. How do they do that?!? My favorite empanada crust ever. Light & lets the fillings shine. The Jupiña pineapple soda is always a treat for me. I enjoyed the rum cake, cupcake sized but with better presentation, cute paper container (fancy) & crumbled topping garnish. Take out quick food with a gourmet touch. Minimal plastic, I saw a lot of natural paper containers. Friendliest ambience. I could talk by that window all day. Across the street in that quiet corner is good fills (low waste essentials). Look for both of them at community markets around Audubon Park.

    Walk up window.

    See all

    2 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andi P.
    4563
    1373
    7352

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Great food! Loved the ham/egg/cheese empanadas! Super friendly, and excellent customer service! Highly recommend!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Finally a great Cuban spot in Orlando! Service and food were excellent. Will definitely be back

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Cuban 4,556 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Parlor Doughnuts - Bright and open interior

    Parlor Doughnuts

    4.4(165 reviews)
    0.8 miCollege Park, Horizons West / West Orlando
    $$

    The short and sweet (yes, pun intended): Parlor is a unique 5.0 doughnut shop…read more Extended version: The crown jewel is the uniquely textured doughnuts. Another reviewer accurately described it as a "cronut", or a mash-up of a croissant and a doughnut. The texture is different but the sweet factor is intact! We chose a Saturday morning to visit because our son was available and wanted to check out Parlor, since he is a doughnut aficionado. We found plenty of available parking spots. The bright interior with east-facing windows and white and blue tile made for a cheery atmosphere. Of course the doughnuts and good service add to the brightness. A French Toast doughnut, Spinach Pesto Breakfast Sandwich (a lovely savory and served in a ciabatta roll), and Proper Coffee (drip) were ordered on this visit and throughly enjoyed while sitting on comfy chairs. The laid-back, family-friendly character of the shop was a welcome change. I'd like to return in the near future after 11 am when the Savory Layered Doughnuts are being served!

    My husband and I had been wanting to try Parlor Doughnuts for a while, and we finally made it in on…read morea Saturday around 3pm. The Vibe: The interior is super cute and inviting, and the staff was friendly. The parking lot is on the smaller side, but we got lucky and found a spot easily since it wasn't too busy when we arrived. What We Ordered: * Raspberry Filled Donut * "Sandy Beach" (cinnamon roll-style) * Two Cold Brews They still had a great variety of donuts available, even later in the afternoon, which was a nice surprise. The Donuts: Here's where it comes down to personal preference. These are not your traditional donuts--they're more like a croissant-donut hybrid (think cronut) with a layered, slightly brioche-like texture. Flaky, layered--not your classic donut. If you love that style, you may really enjoy these. For us, we were expecting a more traditional donut, and unfortunately the texture just wasn't our favorite. The Sandy Beach had great flavor, but the texture didn't quite land for me. The raspberry filled had a very standard berry filling that leaned a bit artificial. Drinks: The cold brew was also a miss for us--a bit too acidic and not as smooth as we'd hoped. Overall: While the flavors and textures weren't quite what we were looking for, I can definitely see the appeal for those who enjoy a cronut-style donut. Friendly service and a cute space made for a pleasant visit overall. One thing that did catch our eye is that they offer savory donuts, which sounded really interesting--we'd definitely come back to give those a try. Pro tip: Go in knowing these are croissant-style donuts, not traditional cake or yeast donuts--it makes all the difference.

    Photos
    Parlor Doughnuts - Lemon ,  honey glazed,  regular classic glazed, s'more,  churro and turtle cheesecake

    Lemon , honey glazed, regular classic glazed, s'more, churro and turtle cheesecake

    Parlor Doughnuts - Inside

    Inside

    Parlor Doughnuts - Raspberry pistachio

    See all

    Raspberry pistachio

    Zayn & Co - Pistachio Latte

    Zayn & Co

    5.0(9 reviews)
    1.1 miCollege Park, Horizons West / West Orlando

    Service Coffee…read more Vibes/ambiance Zayn & Co is the definition of culture, family and community! The owners have taken such thought and care into their business and really bring the College Park neighborhood to life. They are SO friendly and so passionate with what they do. All of their food/ coffee syrups are homemade- They are very intentional with the types of ingredients they use ensuring that everything is fresh and not processed. Truly a family-run business because the owner's parents bake all the goodies the night before! They even make healthy dog treats for your coffee loving pup!

    If I see the Zayn & Co Coffee Truck around town, I'm stopping!…read more I've had the chance to try their Pistachio Latte and Baklava Latte. Both are exceptional. They use a walnut milk in the baklava that really comes through in the drink in the best way. The pistachio is the way to go if you want one not as sweet. These are best and genuinely unique specialty lattes I've had in Orlando in a long time. They have seasonal flavors too! If you anything with Orange Cardamom in the winter, you have to order it. They are popped up multiple days a week at Digress Wine in College Park, and can be found at markets, events and other locations on the other days. Their Instagram is best way to stay up to date on their schedule. There team is extremely personable and remembered me after just one visit. Make sure to chat with them, they are lovely!

    Photos
    Zayn & Co
    Zayn & Co
    Zayn & Co - Baklava latte

    See all

    Baklava latte

    Dr Drips Coffee Lounge - Pumpkin hazelnut latte (medium size)

    Dr Drips Coffee Lounge

    4.4(59 reviews)
    1.9 miIvanhoe, North Orange

    Vintage decoration. Diverse and fun, dressed patronage. Think Grandma-core but make it Gen Z…read more The interior is loaded with carefully chosen thrifted and vintage pieces. So far I've tried the hot chocolate, the iced matcha with coconut milk and the pistachio iced matcha, all solid. The pistachio is the standout though, especially with the pistachio butter around the rim. There is a pool table in the back, a small stage, community tables, cozy couches, and outlets if you need to get some work done. It's coffee shop by day, kava bar by night, and they stay open late on weekends. I heard that they also host karaoke. What makes this place genuinely different from the vast majority of coffee shops in FL is the combination of the retro decor, the super sweet and attentive service that makes you feel like you're at your new Gen Z friend's house, and the crowd it pulls.

    I went to check out this coffee shop right after it opened and I'm so glad I did. Dr.Drips has such…read morea cool vibe/ look too it. The entire place is fillled with vintage furniture that comes from the antique shop down the street. A big pool table is in the back so you can even play a round. There's really unique art on the walls and lava lamps everywhere which are so cute! The menu has a lot of different drinks from smoothies, kava and specialty coffees. They have a lot of flavors I haven't really seen before at coffee shops like ube lattes and blue matcha. They also have do events like game and open mic nights, so I'll definitely check that out at some point. I would definitely recommend this place is for your looking for a unique drink or a really cool place to work from.

    Photos
    Dr Drips Coffee Lounge - Oatmilk iced matcha with macadamia cold foam

    Oatmilk iced matcha with macadamia cold foam

    Dr Drips Coffee Lounge - Entrance with vibes

    Entrance with vibes

    Dr Drips Coffee Lounge - Beautiful inside decor

    See all

    Beautiful inside decor

    Foxtail Coffee Express

    Foxtail Coffee Express

    3.5(56 reviews)
    2.5 miLee Road, Horizons West / West Orlando
    $

    I visit this location daily and have always been patient and respectful. Today's experience,…read morehowever, was unacceptable. I was standing at the express checkout while there was only one employee assisting customers. While I waited, three vehicles were serviced, then two more, and then a third round of cars -- all while I was still standing there. After ringing the bell once, I was told to "wait," which I did. Instead of being helped, I was eventually approached and spoken to aggressively and told to "go The fuck somewhere else," which was both unprofessional and unnecessary. What makes this more concerning is the inconsistency I've experienced over time. One employee repeatedly tells me the store did not receive a shipment of cups needed to serve hot water, while another employee provides the same item without issue the very next day. This contradiction happens regularly and suggests either poor internal communication or selective service. I come here every day for the same simple request -- hot water -- and I have never caused a problem or been disrespectful. Being skipped repeatedly, then spoken to in a hostile and dismissive manner, is not acceptable under any circumstances. Whether the issue was frustration, mismanagement, or employee behavior, customers should not be treated this way. I hope management takes this seriously, addresses staff conduct, and ensures consistent, respectful service for everyone. Walked next door for my hot water instead. It's okay I'll file a complaint. Bad day or not. Instead of me responding in a negative manner I'll take the professional route.. steam coming from my head right now. How'd you guys feel to wait patient for as long as I did then get cussed out window slammed in your face.

    They have improved so much since the last time I was here. The service has always been good, this…read moretime there is more variety of food and the quality of the coffee has definitely gotten better. You can tell they've put effort into improving the overall experience. Really happy to see the progress, five stars this time

    Photos
    Foxtail Coffee Express - Order window

    Order window

    Foxtail Coffee Express - Walking up entrance

    Walking up entrance

    Foxtail Coffee Express

    See all

    Qreate Coffee + Studio - Cold Brew!

    Qreate Coffee + Studio

    4.7(406 reviews)
    2.7 miMills50, Colonialtown North
    $$

    what a cool cafe spot in orlando i stumbled into !! once you come inside you're greeted by a big…read morespace. it doubles as a studio for any photographers/artists to use for about $75/hr w/ additional options. the barista was very sweet & answered any and all questions i had. i ordered the egg sandwich which was delicious, it is a straight up egg sandwich (no onions) on a fluffy bread. the viet coffee was perfect & comes w/ 4 shots of espresso - count me in !! again the wifi was great - SO important to me. I came in super early before going to teach and by the time i left it was packed w/ supporters - but thank goodness for the spacious inside & lots of seating. thank you for holding space, i'll def be back !!

    If you're looking for a coffee shop with great energy and community vibes, Qreate Coffee + Studio…read moreis the place to be. I recently went for one of their house music events, and it was such a fun experience. The event was a morning/day party with DJs spinning house music, which created the perfect upbeat atmosphere to start the day. The check-in process was super easy and organized, so we were able to get right in and enjoy the vibe. Of course, I had to grab a coffee while I was there, and it was great. There's something special about sipping good coffee while music is playing and everyone around you is dancing and enjoying themselves. Between the music, the coffee, and the crowd, the energy in the room was amazing. I had such a great time dancing, drinking great coffee, and just vibing with everyone. Overall, it was an incredible experience and a really unique way to enjoy a coffee shop. If you ever get the chance to check out one of their events, I highly recommend it. I had an amazing time!

    Photos
    Qreate Coffee + Studio - Key lime caffeinated goodness!

    Key lime caffeinated goodness!

    Qreate Coffee + Studio - Pumpkin muffin. ube latte

    Pumpkin muffin. ube latte

    Qreate Coffee + Studio - Lavender latte

    See all

    Lavender latte

    The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita - cuban - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...