(212) 966-5366

110 Thompson St (Between Prince Street and Spring Street)
New York, NY 10012 40.7256 -74.0018

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

Years in business

Established in 2003

Hours:

Sun-Thu 11:30am-11pm

Fri-Sat 11:30am-12am

Price:

$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar, Cheap Eats

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Cuban

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Cubana Cafe

Featured Review

Melanie Berliet

Contributor

This Soho restaurant’s bright blue awning with large red letters heralds the cheery scene that awaits beyond its doors, despite being located below street level. A turquoise tiled bar in back and colorful, fruit-print plastic tablecloths complement the upbeat Cuban music that plays consistently in the background. In addition to its sunny vibe, customers are drawn to Cubana Cafe because of its seriously low prices. Platos grandes like roasted chicken served with rice and beans ($11) and pulled pork with yucca and red onion relish ($9.50) are sure to fill you up, as is the tasty the traditional…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Cubana Cafe is cash only, so be sure to hit up an ATM beforehand.
What to Drink:
Looking for a burst of energy? Get a Mexican coffee for a dose of alcohol-spiked caffeine.
The Extras:
Breakfast dishes like Cuban French toast (served with mango compote) and huevos rancheros are always available.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “We enjoyed good food and atmosphere, but after we paid our bill and walked outside the restaurant, the hostess came outside and stopped us to inquire about our tip.”
  2. “Cubana Cafe has great food and great atmosphere.”
  3. “The 1950s cuba decor is charming and the waitstaff was friendly--plucked right out of Iowa, perhaps.”
  4. “While the ambience & wait staff were both good, the food wasn't particularly Cuban or even an improvement on the classics.”
  5. “The place is small, but the atmosphere is very cozy and comfortable.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Dont think I would come back but at least their drinks were good.”
  2. “The drinks are cheap (wine for $3.50) and the food is great.”
food quality
94.44000244140625% positive
  1. “We enjoyed good food and atmosphere, but after we paid our bill and walked outside the restaurant, the hostess came outside and stopped us to inquire about our tip.”
  2. “love, love, love this place for food and price.”
  3. “The food is authentic, inexpensive, and great.”
  4. “Great food, good prices.”
  5. “Don't forget a cool glass of sangria to accompany the meal!”
  6. “Cubana Cafe has great food and great atmosphere.”
  7. “The drinks are cheap (wine for $3.50) and the food is great.”
  8. “And I was amazed at the low prices and great sangria food.”
  9. “The food is excellent, I really love the Avocado,Shimp& Mango Salad.”
  10. “Never a bad meal, ever.”
  11. “Anyway, my meal was soooo great!”
  12. “Had a great meal with a friend.”
  13. “had the mesculin salad with avocados,mangos and fresh shrimps.”
  14. “Had a great shrimp/mango salad that hit the spot for summer.”
  15. “While the ambience & wait staff were both good, the food wasn't particularly Cuban or even an improvement on the classics.”
  16. “Went for lunch during the week - food came out very quickly, server was great, food was really good, and it was about $20 for two of us to get stuffed.”
  17. “However, if you get a spot, you're in for a great meal.”
  18. “and I was amazed at the friendly staff and the surprisingly delicous food.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Dont think I would come back but at least their drinks were good.”
service
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “While the ambience & wait staff were both good, the food wasn't particularly Cuban or even an improvement on the classics.”
  2. “We enjoyed good food and atmosphere, but after we paid our bill and walked outside the restaurant, the hostess came outside and stopped us to inquire about our tip.”
  3. “The 1950s cuba decor is charming and the waitstaff was friendly--plucked right out of Iowa, perhaps.”
  4. “We met the minimum easily but the nature of the request was rude and added an unnecessary stress.”
  5. “The music is great and so is the service.”
  6. “The staff is friendly and great.”
  7. “The service was great- SO friendly.”
  8. “and I was amazed at the friendly staff and the surprisingly delicous food.”
  9. “Went for lunch during the week - food came out very quickly, server was great, food was really good, and it was about $20 for two of us to get stuffed.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “The food is authentic, inexpensive, and great.”
  2. “The drinks are cheap (wine for $3.50) and the food is great.”
  3. “prices were reasonable but the portions were really small.”
  4. “Great food, good prices.”
  5. “And I was amazed at the low prices and great sangria food.”
  6. “love, love, love this place for food and price.”
  7. “Highly recommended and inexpensive for Soho!”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/13/08

Cheap Good Cuban

by eatallthetime at Citysearch

I love, love, love this place for food and price. Can't go wrong with their cuban sandwich. The atmosphere is quaint and feels like Cuba. Not pretentious at all and the drinks are not bad either. Go for the simplicity and homestyle cooking and have a good time with friends or love ones. Never a bad meal, ever.

  • Pros: cheap/fresh/great sandwich among meals
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/19/07

Great Place

by antlooch at Citysearch

Cubana Cafe has great food and great atmosphere. Very casual and friendly. A great neighborhood spot.

  • Pros: nice, relaxing place
  • Cons: sometimes crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/19/07

Great spot for lunch or dinner in Soho

by nymark2 at Citysearch

I was with a friend on a Saturday wandering around Soho. We were looking for somewhere to eat and found this place. We were amazed at how inexpensive the prices are. We had a pitcher of Sangria that was full of apples. It was the best! At the waitresses suggestion, I had pounded chicken with mangoes. It was very flavorful and came with rice and beans for only $10. The place is small, but the atmosphere is very cozy and comfortable. Service was excellent! Highly recommended and inexpensive for Soho! I will definately go back.

  • Pros: Great Sangria, inexpensive
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/13/07

Such a cute, little place!

by prettyinpuma at Citysearch

I am so happy I found this place! I was wandering through SoHo on a Saturday afternoon, starving and looking for something other than the typical brunch options that seem to be offered by every single restaurant in the area. The restaurant is very tiny - can probably fit about 30 people MAX! However, if you get a spot, you're in for a great meal. I had a glass of sangria and the Picadillo Cubano - ground beef, green olives, raisins and something else I can't remember. My boyfriend had a mojito and one of the hanger steak sandwiches. The sangria was great (I'm very particular about my sangria!) and my boyfriend really enjoyed his mojito, although I thought it looked like it had way too much mint in it. It was pretty big though and only $6! Anyway, my meal was soooo great! I don't know what they used to spice the beef, but it was really flavorful. The atmosphere was great, too. The walls were brightly painted and, even though it's below the sidewalk, the sun came streaming in through the windows to really light the place up. The size of the place added to it because I felt like I was in someone's kitchen. The food is also really cheap - the Picadillo Cubano came with red beans and rice for only $10! The sandwiches are like $7 or $8, but they only come with a side of chickpeas, so you should order a side if you're really hungry. This place offers a great , relaxed alternative to the restaurants in the area.

  • Pros: Very cute, good food, good prices
  • Cons: Tables are very close together
2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/22/06

Poor Treatment

by washsqpark at Citysearch

I ordered in and the portions were tiny for the price. I called to nicely complain and they were rude. I was told that the owner would be back at 8:30 pm and when I called, a "man" told me the owner would return after New Years. Seriously dissapointed. I will stick with Cafe Habana. Not a smart way to treat a customer and a neighbor. I placed this same review on the Brooklyn location by accident. I don't know about that place, but the Manhattan one is bad. Read above.

  • Cons: Small portions and rude!

The Details on Cubana Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great good food
  • favorite place
  • comfortable atmosphere
  • friendly staff
  • very freindly service
  • great neighborhood spot
  • good prices
  • cramped everything
  • really love shrimpmango salad
  • recommend highly
  • great music
  • cool glass
  • good yucca
  • perfect mixture
  • friendly delicous food
  • full pitcher
  • fresh shrimps
  • really enjoyed mojito
  • rude nature
  • friendly waitstaff
  • charming cuba decor
  • good drinks
  • great meal
  • not rave bad place
  • great sangria food