El Siboney Restaurant (Downtown) — Restaurant in Key West

In a town full of great places to eat, this hidden gem may be the best of them all. Hands-down, one of the best kept secrets in Key West! (And trust us, we ate our way around the island).

El Siboney is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, with just a few parking spaces. Very walkable, too. This is an unpretentious family restaurant for regular people who just want to hang out in a regular joint and stuff themselves with Abuela’s love-filled home cooking. We were immediately welcomed like longtime friends, with big smiles and genuine hospitality so unique to the Keys. The staff were just as enthusiastic to serve us this authentic Cuban food as we were to savor it. From our tiny table tucked in a warm corner, we thoroughly enjoyed watching the camaraderie unfold between longtime patrons and bustling servers, as we all broke bread together in one soul-satisfying feast.

Unbelievable taste, quality and authenticity. We made full use of their homemade signature hot sauces and piles of napkins, as we loaded forkfuls of moan-inducing bites into our mouths. Sweet plantains, saffron rice, Cuban black beans, tostones mix, Cuban buttered bread, roasted pulled pork, ropa vieja, tres leches cake and eye-popping cafe Cubano. (Beware, we didn’t listen to the waiter’s advice and ordered the big mugs…. Akin to 4 shots of Cuban espresso, drank gustily at nearly 9 pm and kept us vibrating til way up in the night! 🤣)

Did we rename the pulled pork “Marry Me Pork” for its power to induce marriage proposals to the chef, the manager and the waiter? Did we waddle home and unbutton our pants, moaning that we were never going to eat another a bite? Did we feast on the leftover tres leches cake at 1 am regardless? And did we take home a bottle of that signature hot sauce to dump on our bland Northern Michigan eggs as we recalled one of the best vacations of our lives? Yes. Yes, we did.

Muchas gracias, El Siboney....

El Siboney, Key West's Cuban Gem

Nestled in the charming neighborhood streets of Key West, El Siboney is a hidden gem that transports diners straight to the heart of Cuba. This unassuming Cuban restaurant captures the essence of the island's flavors in a cozy and authentic setting.

The moment you step into El Siboney, the aroma of Cuban spices fills the air, immediately igniting your appetite. The menu is a treasure trove of classic Cuban dishes, each prepared with love and attention to detail. The Asado is a standout, with its succulent roasted pork that practically melts in your mouth. Paired with fluffy white rice and a side of sweet plantains, every bite is a symphony of flavors.

The service at El Siboney is warm and welcoming, just like the food. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, happy to guide you through the menu and offer recommendations. Their passion for Cuban cuisine shines through, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

One mustn't forget to indulge in their famous Cuban sandwich, a masterpiece of layered flavors and textures. The bread is perfectly toasted, the roasted pork is tender, and the pickles add a delightful tang. It's a handheld delight that captures the essence of Cuban street food.

In conclusion, El Siboney is a culinary treasure in Key West. With its authentic Cuban dishes, friendly service, and inviting atmosphere, it's the ideal place to satisfy your cravings for traditional Cuban cuisine. Whether you're a local or a visitor, make sure to visit El Siboney and treat yourself to an unforgettable Cuban...

Terrible experience wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Unclean environment, bland food and worst service I've ever had. Firstly we walked in and was not greeted or spoken to at all, two staff standing there but too busy gossiping to a customer. We sat at the counter and was still not spoken to for 3 minutes before they asked if we were eating in. We got menus and sat there for 15 minutes ignored by 4 different members of staff before flagging someone down to order. We were brought old dry stale bread, burnt from the grill too. When ordering we were ID'd for alcohol which we found quiet ridiculous considering we are both 30 years old, we clearly look 30 years old and are English. Maybe use a bit of common sense that an English couple wouldn't be there if under 21 AND wouldn't ordering sangria. Our fault for not remembering ID but nowhere else has been asking. Anyway the guy that ordered the exact same order a few minutes after us got his food first, ridiculous. When we finally got our food which took 20 minutes for a sandwich it was poor. The sandwich was okay but has absolutely no salami, literally half of one slice in each piece. The black beans were bland, and the rice was even more bland absolutely no seasoning and dry. Onto the cleanliness, disgusting coffee area, sugar everywhere, spills everywhere and a foam wand that looks like it's never been cleaned. I dread to think what the kitchen would look like. Overall terrible place would never return nor...