Restaurang Che — Restaurant in Uppsala kommun

A long-awaited visit with mixed feelings

I’ve been looking forward to trying this place for a while—being Latina, I’m always excited to see South American food on the map, especially in a city where the only Latin options are usually taco spots.

Here’s my take, broken down by category:

Ambiance & Decor: The decor felt a bit mismatched and not very true to a Latin American vibe. The red napkins, the table patterns, and the entrance curtain didn’t quite come together—it almost felt like leftover decor from a previous place. With a bit more thought and some authentic touches, it could feel warmer and more inviting.

The Food: The food was okay, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. It reminded me of someone trying to cook Cuban food without having experienced the culture or its sazón firsthand.

I had the shrimp on a “toasted” arepa (which sadly wasn’t toasted). The shrimp were well cooked, but the avocado cream was a bit brown—not super fresh. I think using actual arepas or patacones could elevate the dish.

The yuca croquetas were tasty though—probably the highlight of the meal—and I’d order them again. The ropa vieja was decent but needed a bit more time on the stove. Serving it with rice and beans like moros or coconut rice would bring it closer to its roots. I imagine the white rice is meant to appeal to local palates, but it misses an opportunity to showcase more flavor.

Service & Staff: The staff were friendly and service was quick, but a few details stood out. One waiter had noticeable food stains on his shirt, which made a rough first impression. The formal dress code (tie, white shirt, black pants) felt a bit stiff and out of place for a Latin American-inspired restaurant, which usually leans toward more relaxed and vibrant energy.

Also, I didn’t see any South American staff, which was a personal letdown—it’s always nice when someone from the culture is part of the experience.

Drinks: The drinks were excellent—creative, well-balanced, and worth coming back for. Definitely a strong point!

Overall: This place has great potential. I think it would shine more as a cocktail and snack bar, especially with that lovely sun-soaked terrace—perfect for a late afternoon trio cubano concert and a couple of drinks.

I’ll be back for the drinks, but not sure about the food yet. Hoping for some improvements...

Was very disappointed with my experience here after months of wanting to try the place again for their food. Had drinks here before and can now say that they do drinks better- don't stay for the subpar and overpriced food however! Our Jamaican grilled jerk chicken was overcooked and dry, and tasted nothing like a jerk chicken at all. The other meal we ordered was the mini eggplants - which tasted more like a Findus ready-made meal.. For the price you pay and the long wait you'd expect the food to be good. Not even the good location and seemingly nice atmosphere would tempt me to eat here again. Also, there is a really strong smell of plumbing/toilet the moment you enter this place. Didn't mind it on my first visit as they just recently opened, but months after they obviously haven't...

Well… what can I say?, lovely building, excellent location, I had the notion that this place was gonna be expensive, and you could say it is, unfortunately the food fell short, lacking authenticity or imagination. Basic flavors, and portion were very small (you expect that in a fancy please of course) but non fancy ingredients like: cassava fries (10$) they were just too small, like 4 sticks. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the place and the staff was nice, but the food was just sad for the price, go there and get cocktail and enjoy the venue, the food was neither impressive, authentic or...