Coabana | Cuban-Style Snacks & Cocktails

Met up with American friends for a weekend meal～ My friend chose Coabana in downtown Phoenix, a restaurant with a Cuban/Caribbean/Latin vibe. The moment I saw the storefront and menu, I got a little Miami vibe going on. 😎 Since we were mainly there to drink and chat, and weren’t very hungry, we just ordered a few signature snacks: Guava & Cheese Empanadas were quite distinctive, with a crispy exterior and a filling of cream cheese and guava . It had a nice tropical flavor. My American friend absolutely loved this. 🥳 Ham Croqueta are little deep-fried balls coated in breadcrumbs. They seem to be a must-order for every table. We were lucky to get the last serving (it was around 6:30 PM, so they sell pretty fast). They were delicious, though I wonder why we got 3 instead of the 4 shown in online photos. 😂 Arroz Con Leche is a Cuban-style rice pudding with coconut milk, cinnamon powder, and shredded coconut. But the rice in this pudding wasn’t very soft; it was a bit undercooked and the taste was ordinary. Not recommended. 🍚 The cocktails are the highlight of the place, with many creative options that seem to be thoughtfully designed. 🍸 My friend ordered the Chan Chan and loved it so much she had two! 🥳 I got the signature Mojito… but the non-alcoholic version 😂, and it was pretty good too! Cocktail enthusiasts will find many options worth trying out. 🍹 #AZRestaurantExploration #Phoenix #WeekendExploration #AZ #Phoenix #Arizona