Food: Excellent Service: Well paced and very pleasant Ambiance: Inviting, pleasant read more

Victor's Cafe - Fried Sweet Plantains* (gf/v) - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Stumbled upon Victor's after the matinee showing of Great Gatsby and was surprised at how upscale it was. By the unassuming entrance you'd never guess this was a fine dining restaurant. The decor is absolutely gorgeous and you feel transported away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You definitely need to make reservations as it gets booked up, but walk-ins are welcome to eat in the bar where they have a few cafe tables. Service was very friendly and prompt. And the food was delicious! I'm definitely coming back the next time I visit NYC. read more

See all

Beautiful decor, ambience is impeccable. My friends & I loved the food . No one complained. Great customer service & wait staff. Only issue was I went to the restroom, and drink was on table when I returned out of my view. Bartender or waiter should never serve a drink not in the customers presence. We live in different times today. It's a great restaurant for friends & family meetups you can actually hear each other talk w/ out yelling. Cozy spot, mostly locals , but tourist also before shows. Lots of Celebrities photos on lower level to view. I recommend this spot! read more

See all

My affection for Victor's Café goes way, way back. I first visited on Christmas Eve in 1979 with an old boyfriend, and whenever I'm in the Theater District, I try to stop in. This visit was a no-brainer since it was directly across the street from the theater where my daughter and I were seeing Dog Day Afternoon. We only had time for a sangria and an appetizer, but that was all we needed. The bar area is cozy and charming, with an old-world feel. The vintage photos of the restaurant through the years add so much character and remind you of its long history. Their sangria definitely packs a punch! Since I don't drink gin, I asked the bartender if he could make mine without it, and he was more than happy to accommodate. It turned out to be delicious. My daughter ordered the coconut mojito and loved it. We shared an order of ham croquetas--six generously sized croquetas that were crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and perfect for sharing. Victor's Café continues to be one of those special New York places that never loses its charm. read more

Victor's Cafe - Croquetas - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

In the mood for classy Cuban feels? Then Victor's is where it's at. You'll be transported to a time where white glove service and attention to detail were the standard. My date and I went for the traditional standouts of Ropa Vieja and their Lechon...obviously paired with mojitos. Our server brought over a special accompaniment to complement our meal and made funny little "tio" comments as he passed our table to check on us. How can I not go back? read more

Walked by (pre-theater) and was intrigued having recently been in Havana. Was greeted at the door by a hostess and Sam. They invited me to have a look around. The space is romantic and absolutely beautiful. I sat at the bar and had a Campari & soda and ordered shrimp on a bed of creamy polenta with a tasty red sauce (delicious and not spicy). Jose at the bar was helpful with my options. The only negative is an overpowering! fragrance as you walk in which gave me an instant headache. I don't know WHY a place with beautiful and delicious food would do this. Please let me experience your exotic cooking smells and not a toxic plug-in. read more

Victor's Cafe - A great show - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Ambiance- initially you will pass through the fancy looking dining area to get to the middle area where the brunch location is. Brunch location is brighter with the sunlight shining down on you and brighter blue decor. In my opinion, I kind of didn't think they go together, but whatever. Service was great. Very attentive and on point. Food: Tostones con masitas de puerco - these were SO salty it was like accidentally taking a sip from the salty sea. French toast - amazing! Tres leches pancakes - very moist but the flavoring was just too much. We shared between four people and even eating a fourth was too much. Vaca frita hash bowl - very good. Tasty and delicious. Ceviche de Salmon - this was also amazing. Tasted refreshing. We shared this too and now I wished it was shared only amongst two people instead of four. We didn't know it was going to be small Cortadito - sweet and strong. I didn't think it was overly sweet. Just the right amount. read more

See all

So be ready for high prices, but you are getting large portions, tasty dishes, and amazing Ambiance! The place is ideal for groups for dinner. The front bar area and dining area can be loud if there is live music (you can't hear your partner). But the back dining area is beautiful! read more

See all

I have been to NY many times. This is by far the best food I have had. Service was good We sat in the bar area and Jose was our awesome waiter. Thanks Victors read more

Enjoyed a group Valentines dinner here. The service was very good. The ambiance has an elegant Cuban flare with dim lamp light and some cozy corner seating. I was craving shrimp so I had the shrimp dish which was flavorful, a little too overcooked. My husband had the shredded beef which was a bit salty, and the rest of our table ordered skirt steak, which everyone loved. The rice and beans on the side were very good and the plantain and avocado appetizer was yummy!! Drinks were muddled well but the sugar canes were a bit brown so not the prettiest garnish in our mojitos. The tres leche cake stole the show. Delicious. That cake is worth it. read more

See all

We stoped in to celebrate my daughter's bday after seeing Buena Vista, Our server was amazing. The starters, we had the salmon Ceviche, the bartolitos, and the guacamole and Chips. Amazing! Drinks my sangria was room temperature. No good. When it got to the food.....our ropa vieja was cold, and the oxtail, aside from it being like fridge cold, I'm still sick, it was cold and it had such a strong taste to fish. We could not eat it. It was disgusting. O stars on the food. The only reason why this place got 1 star from me is because the shareable were amazing. I re looked at the menu to see if the oxtail had like some sort of fish sauce that I was not aware, and no, no fish sauce. But it was so bad I am still nauseous. And it was not even my dish. My son said it takes like fish so when I tasted it, I could not even enjoy the Ropa Vieja because the taste was in my mouth until I got home and had to brush my teeth. Sorry Victor's cafe but you lost a customer after that food service. read more

Amazing Cuban food with Great ambiance. They have a Cuban themed bar connected. Delicious sweet plantain croquettes on a beam pure reduction. Try the frita. The Cuban style slider burger with tiny fries read more

See all

I'm a huge fan of this place! It was a wonderful spot for high end Cuban food and the cocktails were great. The Roja vieja was perfectly cooked and my favorite dish we ordered. Highly recommend trying their dessert menu at the end. The guayabitas and flan are a must try! read more

See all

Went to what is my favorite restaurant in the City and took a couple of friends who had never had Cuban food before. All came out raving about the meal; especially the newbies who found it different, exotic, but amazingly tasty. read more

A Mixed Brunch Experience -- Great Food, But Far Too Long a Wait I was excited for my girlfriend and me to have brunch at Victor's Cafe, especially since it was her first time. I had dined here twice before and had enjoyed my previous experiences. We went during Restaurant Week, so the only menu options available were the Restaurant Week menu and the regular dinner menu. For drinks, I ordered the red sangria. Unfortunately, it was just okay. It wasn't sweet, had a bitter taste, and at $19 a glass, I didn't feel it was worth the price. The food was a mix of hits and misses. The chicken empanadas were delicious--the pastry was fluffy, the shredded chicken was tasty, and the accompanying sauce complemented them well. The tostones with garlic sauce were excellent. I ordered the ropa vieja, and the beef was tender and flavorful. The black beans were also very tasty. My girlfriend had the arroz con pollo, which she found just okay. Unfortunately, the leftovers were even more disappointing when reheated later. The biggest issue, though, was the service timing. Our reservation was at 1:00 PM, but our food didn't arrive until approximately 2:30 PM. That's a very long wait for brunch and unfortunately had a significant impact on the overall dining experience. There were definitely some standout dishes, and I still appreciate the flavors and quality of several items. However, the extremely long wait for our food made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. I hope this was an isolated issue because my previous visits had been better. read more

My husband and I have been going to Victor's for about thirty years. It's an upscale restaurant that serves Cuban food and has a very pleasant atmosphere. The servers seem to be well trained and ensure that the diners have an enjoyable dining experience. Yesterday we went for an early dinner and ordered our usual. Everything was delicious, including the pre-dinner cocktails. Our server, Gabriel, was very attentive and competent. The host was very welcoming. We look forward to our next visit. read more

See all

If you haven't had much Cuban food like us, Victor's Cafe is the place to go. For over half a century, it has been a fixture for modern Cuban cuisine in NYC since 1963. We were captivated by the unique dishes that reflect a fusion of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. As a family-owned restaurant, you can feel the warmth in both the service and the food. It's right in the Theater District, making it perfect for grabbing dinner and drinks before or after a Broadway show, with its inviting atmosphere and even live music. ＊Havana Guac $19 ＊Croquetas Corral $16 The Havana guac was aesthetically arranged with tropical root chips and queso frito. The chips were light and not greasy, making them a perfect match for the fresh guac. We also enjoyed the croquettes, which were filled with Berkshire ham and served with a tomato dip. ＊Paella de Mariscos $45 *** We got two of their signature main dishes: paella was my fav while my friend enjoyed vaca frita more. The paella was brimming with shrimps, mussels, squid and clams. I loved how fresh all the seafood tasted. My friend found it too salty while I thought it was perfectly seasoned. ＊Vaca Frita Al Mojo Agrio $36 * The vaca frita came with a pan of shredded beef, accompanied by a side of rice and black beans. The meat had those crispy edges that added a crunch to every bite. It was a little too dry for my liking but my friend loved it. It was a classic Cuban combo if you wanna try something new! ＊Tres Leches $14 *** ＊Flan $11 Pro tip: Save room for dessert. We both agreed the tres leche was the best we've ever had. Topped with torched meringue and berries, the sponge soaked in three milks was incredibly moist. The flan was good too with a light caramel syrup. ＊Cafe Cubano $5 It was rich, aromatic and sweet. I would've had more if I went for brunch or lunch :P read more

See all

Beautiful restaurant, very clean, bright and airy. Super attentive and friendly servers! Food was plated beautifully and delicious. Some of the food could have bumped up the spice and flavor a bit, but it was all cooked well and fresh and tasty. Also, the coconut mojitos are killer! read more

See all

My husband and I went here for an early dinner before a show. We did not have a reservation but they had space available in the lounge area so we were seated at a cozy booth in a dimly lit, intimate room with a bar. I ordered a strawberry refresher mojito which was truly refreshing and not too sweet, which I prefer. We shared the Barbolito appetizer (sweet plantain croquettes stuffed with pork, goat cheese, and black bean puree) and the red snapper ceviche which were both amazing! My husband had the Lechon Asado as an entree, which was roasted pig marinated in mojo, served with garlic yucca and black beans and rice on the side. The pork was moist and flavorful, and he especially enjoyed the garlic yucca. I had the Sandwich Cubano that came with yucca and plantain chips, and it was delicious! Warm, crispy, and very tasty. My husband's Guayabitas de Maria, (warm guava cobbler with vanilla gelato) was so good that upon trying a bite, I had a bit of remorse that I didn't order it myself. My dessert however, Pastelitos de Guayaba con Queso crema, was also very good. They were like small, crispy pastry dumplings filled with cream cheese and guava. The service was also very good. If you find yourself in the Theater District and like Cuban food, you should definitely try this place. I can't wait to go back! read more

See all

I've been here a couple of times and found the food to be decent but not amazing. It's conveniently located to eat before seeing a broadway show. This most recent time my rice did not come out hot at all. It didn't taste fresh at all. The lechon was good and the waiter brought chimichurri sauce to go with it and it was a good pair. The yuca that came with it was cooked well but small portion. I do think it's over priced for the portion and quality. The atmosphere is nice and they have live music on some nights! It would be nice if they offered a happy hour but unfortunately do not. read more

Victor's Cafe - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Came here for restaurant week restaurant is very cute. They have live music. The staff was very pleasant. Service was excellent order.The ropa vieja had a slight burn taste it. The ceviche was very good. I wish they had like some sort of chips to go with that. No deal and the beans had no flavor. The rice was whatever things I didn't really had a good flavor to it read more

See all

This was an amazing restaurant in the heart of the theater district in the city. My friends and I decided to go here for a birthday brunch. The food was delicious. The drinks were great. The ambiance was one point & such a vibe. The waitstaff, as well as the chef came over and entertained us, spoke to us, and gave us some great suggestions on menu options. Definitely will visit again read more

See all

First time here. The place is very nice the atmosphere is pretty chill. I came during restaurant week and their prefix menu is very limited so keep that in mind. Also be prepared to pay more since you are dining in downtown area. The restaurant is conveniently located near the E-C subway station and also the orange lines on 6th avenue. read more

See all

Pro Tip: The Cubano Coffee (with whipped sugar) is more like a sweetened espresso. Espresso size, despite being $5+. Yes, it's NYC, meaning prices will be higher no matter the quality. The interior is quite beautiful, with a very natural appeal. While the plants are fake, you do feel like your somewhere other than the city. The menu offers a great variety of Cuban dishes, withost dishes offering a side of rice and beans. The menu reads well! Our mouths were watering. However, I wouldn't say that the actual tastes matched what we expected. Both the lechón asado and tostones con puerco were mostly bland and dry; the arroz con pollo had very little chicken; lastly, we had two orders of camarones enchilados and they awkwardly came out with different portions...despite charged the same price. Staff was attentive. read more

See all

Came here for a friend's celebration. It offers space for bigger parties-we were like 14 people. It looks and is high end dinning-The ambiance is very classy and you will be welcomed by nice decor. Loved their food too. We ordered couple of appetizers and then for main course their seafood dishes were the best. We also tried some chicken dishes which were great too. Overall loved the experience and their service is top notch! read more

See all

Excellent food, atmosphere and service. Loved the Vaca Frita. Can't wait to come back. read more

See all

The food, service and atmosphere were all top notch. I can't wait to return. Our party of six shared our plates which included Ropa Veig, Pollo Camestre, black beans, plantains, ceviche and Zuly's Tres Leches for dessert. We could easily converse and did dot feel rushed. Also, the drinks were fabulous. read more

This is a really nice place to get some authentic Cuban food in New York City near Time Square. The ambience is pretty nice and fits the theme of the Restaurant. I love the live music whenever someone is playing live music near the bar. Food is amazing and reasonably priced. Service is not that bad and food is prepared and delivered within an expected timeframe. read more

This was our first visit and we found much to like. The location is convenient to Broadway theaters and transportation. The ambience was quite pleasant, seating comfortable, and the tables were not too close to each other. We were treated to a small band performing covers of Latin inspired music (e.g., Santana and The Girl From Ipanema). Service was prompt. The food was quite good though not good enough to justify the above moderate pricing. The highlight of our dishes was the octopus appetizer. The octopus was quite tender, not rubbery and definitely flavorful! Among the entrees, The HAVANA GUAC was tasty but the serving size was too small. The POLLO MANIGUA was delicious and we also enjoyed the LECHÓN ASADO. read more

See all

Victors's cafe is the epitome of fine Cuban cuisine dining. The atmosphere, the service, the drinks, and of course, the food are all top notch. We had the oxtail and rope vieja entrees, along with various sides, which were delicious. For dessert we had tres leches cake and cafe con leche. The location is perfect for walking to theater district after dinner. read more

This is our go to place for dinner and drinks, after viewing the xmas , food is always on point. Service is fantastic and ambiance is great as well. read more

See all

I'm Cuban and it's hard to find food from a restaurant that reminds you of home. Victor's is one that my family has always enjoyed. Now, it has been years since I went to Victor's, and the food was even better than how we remembered ! Here's what our group ordered: Croquetas de jamón Yuca fries Tostones with mojo Cuban sandwich Paella de mariscos Lechón asado Churrasco with chimichurri Pollo campestre Camarones enchilados The food came with black beans and rice Pastelitos de guayaba y queso Churros Everything was fabulous ! The ambience was as it should be in a Cuban restaurant-lively and with live music. Service was great. I will definitely be coming back. It's incredible to see a restaurant that's been around for so long to be doing so well! read more

Ambiance is upscale. Stopped in before a show at Gershwin theater. Great service and our server was very cognizant of the show time. Get the plantains! I've never been one who likes plantains but Victor's has converted me. The texture of them was perfection. A lovely chewy fried exterior with caramelized edges and the soft inside was to die for. We also got the Ropa vieja and split the entree since we weren't that hungry. Beans were excellent. Definitely recommend and will be back next time I'm in town. read more

Victor's Cafe - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - New York, New York

Sunday night 6:30-8:15 and most tables were surprisingly unoccupied (for a well-known Cuban restaurant). Classy atmosphere upstairs and photo-worthy autographed photos downstairs near the bathrooms. Food ran from good-better-best, and all dishes were nicely presented. Some drinks (sangria, mojito, etc.) looked better than they tasted and were overpriced. Service was attentive. The hanger steaks ("ropa vieja") were served warm, not hot, and ditto for the shrimp dish, which was sent back twice and was ultimately a do-over ... third time was the charm. I was full by the time everyone else enjoyed dessert. The guacamole dip and chips were exceptional, but when we needed more chips, they asked for $8.00 (which we declined). read more

See all

What happened to you Victor's Cafe? Dry, no flavor croquetas with McDonald's sweet n sour sauce on the side. Wtf is that. Congri was so dry. The yuca should be more garlicy and lemony. No purple pickled onion crap. And you're price point noooooooooooooo. But you can't have Sophie's Cuban (Peruvian owners, Dominican cooks) beating you on quality, taste and price point. Sure you are not a take out joint but bruh, Victor's Cafe, what happened to you? Service was great. Pull yourself up from the boot straps. read more

Cubano sandwich, breakfast steak bowl, and guava French toast. Had a show to get to and they got us comfortably in and out in 40 minutes. Wonderful food and service. read more

I often search for good Cuban food when I'm traveling. Victor's Cafe more than meets the mail. It's a fantastic place that does some innovative stuff with Cuban food, but keeps its authenticity intact. The staff was amazing; every one that I interacted with was helpful, kind, and friendly. The decor inside the surprisingly large restaurant is classic Cuban. Beautiful murals and artwork, Cuban artifacts, fans wave overhead, and lush greenery. We tried a number of things from the menu; every thing that came from the kitchen was perfect. The appetizer platter gave us a taste of a number of classic apps. The combo vaca frita/ropa vieja plate was just right. The snapper ceviche was perfect. The lechon was cooked to melt-in-your-mouth goodness. And we closed with churros. Just plain fantastic! read more

See all

The food is fantastic, the service is the best and the decorum is beautiful. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone

Everything I tried here was genuinely so delicious. Hardly any misses, each dish was flavor-packed and had something going for it. The beans and rice combo was actually addicting. Dessert did not disappoint, as their flan was some of the best I've had. Pretty pricey but very much worth it. Favorite dishes: Enchiladas, oxtail, tres leches, flan read more

See all

We went for a pre-matinee brunch. We had the Restaurant Week menu. Eggs benedict and empanadas and flan. A deal. The service was smooth and responsive. The room was noisy but not too noisy and the music was perfect. read more

See all