The Cuban — Restaurant in Hoboken

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! It’s not worth the unpleasant experience!

Service: We entered and had asked to be seated in the back since it was very cold in the front. We were able to be moved which was great but when we did the waiters were changed. The first waiter we had was very understanding and welcoming. Then we had Enrique as a waiter. He is absolutely obnoxious and didn’t seem to be friendly with LGBTQ. We are Dominican, Hispanic and he was treating everyone around us with so much more respect even making conversation. We are from NYC where we are accustomed to different drinks and prices and since the minute we asked how much a drink would be because it wasn’t on the menu his demeanor changed. He never checked on us unless we waved our hand or made eye contact. My partner had a drink “Avenida Washington” which she didn’t like, it was honestly AWFUL. I don’t normally drink mojitos so when I asked for no mint he looked at us and walked away. I told him I know it sounds absurd but I don’t like mint. They accommodate flavors for mojitos but not margaritas. Everyone loves a good margarita. They were able to do a passion fruit mojito but not passion fruit margarita which is not that far off for someone who doesn’t like mint leaves in their drink. Honestly the passion fruit mojito was really good to my surprise that my partner and I had to share because she preferred to drink my drink than Hers. She didn’t even like it and we asked if it could be taken back and switched for something else that she may like. He told us no and laughed. Then we asked for the Vaca frita and Pollo Criollo and yuca fries. We had our main course served to us and waited 15 mins to receive our side after several attempts on asking and complaining.

Food: the vaca frita meat was dry with little to no seasoning for a “Cuban cuisine” and the Pollo Criollo that had fried rice was really good because of the rice. The chicken was very bland. The rice was absolutely fantastic. We both loved it. The yuca fries barely tasted like yuca fries and the sauce it came with had too much oil, we drained it out.

Check: We felt at this point we have a horrible service on such a “special day” and we come all this way to have such an amazing time but given such a discriminatory service and yet the waiter was still not humble to treat us with respect that we shouldn’t tip him at this point. I even wrote a note that you should be more kind to your own people (Hispanics). He literally followed us to the door and told us “we need to learn how to eat out” in our faces because we didn’t tip him and we left. We didn’t want the unpleasantries we experienced to be a scandal for everyone else and cause a scene and ruin everyone else’s night, so we left. We are used to spending twice as much in NYC, it wasn’t about the money it was about respect, service and courtesy. So this restaurant isn’t recommended. It really made us think we could of just dine in anywhere in NYC where we would of enjoyed our time a lot more and had much more of a romantic setting night. I called back and complained to the hostess that we wanted to speak to a manager to complain but she said she would handle it and that she knew what table we were sitting at. However, this is the...

My Wife and I used to love this place. They have great food, perfect setting, amazing drinks, the works. We've even celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and other life events at this place. We spend a lot of money every time we go. However this past weekend we had the worst experience of our lives.

We felt like we were discriminated against because of our sexuality. We always eat inside but on Saturday we had our dog with us and decided to try for the first time eating outside. My Wife asked the hostess how long would the wait be and she told us an hour. That answer didn't make sense to me since a table outside was available. I then went in and asked who I assume is the manager. This guy never likes it when we come in. He always gives us displeasing looks even though we are usually the first customers in there. So anyway, I asked him how long the wait would be for seating outside. He looked me up and down once I said it's for two and told me an hour and a half.

My Wife and I decided to stand there and wait to see just how long it would take. The manager kept staring at us through the door, checking to see if we were still there. My Wife then asked a waiter about the two empty tables since at this point they still were not filled. The waiter said he didn't know and he had to go and ask the manager. The waiter came back and said "He said he already talked to you." We then asked did he tell you how long it would be and the waiter went back and talked to the manager. Now the answer was about 5 minutes. He needed to call two people who made a reservation.

At this point we had only been waiting for 10 minutes. The manger then came out with an attitude and asked where we would like to sit. We picked our seats and sat down. We thought that would be the end of it. But things got worse. It was only around 5:35pm and My Wife and I just wanted to grab some drinks and maybe a small bite to eat before we headed back home. We ordered our drinks, and the waiter kept coming back to tell us about the dinner items. We put in an order for an appetizer because we felt we were being pressured to eat and once we said we won't be having any other food the waiter then said "The outside tables are for dinner only." When we challenged him and said that we hadn't been told that and that there was no sign he then replied "I'm just passing the message."

So, the manger told him to specifically come and tell us that we have to order dinner. We looked around, some people only had appetizers and the people who sat before us didn't seem like they had dinner. I told the waiter that this wasn't right. It wasn't even 6pm, why would we have dinner. And further more there should have been a sign put up. The hostess, the manger or the waiter, neither told us that we had to have dinner before we placed our name down and before we ordered our drinks. We paid for our drinks and appetizer which wasn't that great and went somewhere else, 5 blocks down on the same street and had JUST DRINKS outside.

This place has lost our business and it's really a shame because we love their food. But if you identify as an LGBT person, this same discrimination could...

If you’re looking for a place that instantly transports you to Havana through food, music, and atmosphere, The Cuban is a must-visit. I recently had dinner here, and I can honestly say the food was nothing short of amazing. From the moment you walk in, the vibrant décor and Latin beats set the mood, but it’s the flavors that make this restaurant truly unforgettable.

We started with the empanadas, and they were perfection: crispy on the outside with a rich, flavorful filling that felt both comforting and exciting. The plantains were another standout. Sweet, caramelized, and golden-brown, they hit that perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, tender centers. They’re the kind of starter you could happily order over and over again.

For the main course, I had the ropa vieja, and it absolutely blew me away. The beef was tender and juicy, cooked low and slow in a savory tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions. It paired perfectly with the rice and beans, which were seasoned just right. Every bite felt like home-style cooking, elevated by attention to detail and flavor. A friend at the table ordered the garlic shrimp, and I stole a bite. It was incredible. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, swimming in a garlicky butter sauce that was so good you wanted to mop it up with bread.

Of course, you can’t have a Cuban meal without a proper drink, and The Cuban did not disappoint. The mojito was refreshing and balanced, with fresh mint and lime giving it that burst of brightness without being overly sweet. It paired beautifully with the food and made the whole meal feel even more festive.

We ended with dessert, and the flan was smooth, creamy, and just the right level of sweet. The churros were also a hit: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, dusted with cinnamon sugar, and perfect for dipping. It was the kind of ending that leaves you smiling all the way home.

Beyond the food, the service deserves a shout-out. The staff were welcoming, attentive, and genuinely friendly. They checked in often enough to make sure we were taken care of, but never in a way that felt rushed. The atmosphere overall is lively but not overwhelming. It’s a spot where you can have fun with friends, enjoy a date night, or even bring family for a special meal.

Overall, The Cuban has everything you want in a restaurant: amazing food, great drinks, friendly service, and a fun, energetic vibe. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again because you know every visit will be as good as the last. If you’re craving authentic Cuban flavors in a vibrant setting, this place should be at the top...