La Bodeguita De Mima — Restaurant in Louisville

An Unforgettable Cuban Experience in the Heart of Louisville, KY. La Bodeguita de Mima is an absolute gem and a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Cuba in Louisville. From the moment you step through the doors, you're transported to Old time Havana — not only by the beautifully curated décor, but by the warmth and hospitality that only a family-owned restaurant can deliver. Walls are decorated with pictures of the greatest people that made Cuba one of the most important country in Latin America before the Communist coup d'état in 1959. Also, there's pictures of the restaurant owners' ancestors, a tribute to their cuban legacy. The food is outstanding; each dish bursts with flavor and showcases traditional Cuban recipes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The ropa vieja was perfectly seasoned, the lechón asado was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the tostones were crisp and golden. You can tell that every plate is prepared with care and pride. However, the chef has to pay close attention to flavor detail in some plates as some dishes were unacceptably salty (also, there some 1-2 stars reviews are highlighting the same issue: some salty plates). The service was equally impressive — attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about both the menu and the history behind it. It's clear the staff takes great pride in sharing their culture and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by for a casual lunch, a romantic dinner, or celebrating a special occasion, La Bodeguita de Mima delivers on all fronts. It’s more than just a meal — it’s a rich cultural experience that leaves you planning your next visit before you’ve even finished. This is an unforgettable charming Cuban restaurant in Louisville, KY, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The warm, inviting atmosphere immediately makes you feel at home, with vibrant decor that reflects the rich Cuban culture. The staff’s genuine hospitality and passion for their craft truly set this place apart. The menu is a delightful celebration of authentic Cuban cuisine, with every dish bursting with flavor and made with the freshest ingredients. The Ropa Vieja was tender, savory, and perfectly seasoned, while the Tostones were crispy and paired beautifully with their house-made dipping sauce. Don’t miss the Cuban sandwich—it’s a masterpiece of balance and taste! The portions are generous, and the presentation showcases the care put into every plate. The family behind La Bodeguita de Mima clearly pours their heart into this restaurant, creating a welcoming environment that feels like dining at a loved one’s home. The service was attentive yet unobtrusive, and the staff was eager to share stories about the dishes and their Cuban heritage, which added a personal touch to the experience. To top it all off, the flan, tres leches and the tobacco shape desserts was an absolute must-try—creamy, caramel-rich, and the perfect sweet ending to an incredible meal. Again, la Bodeguita de Mima is a gem in Louisville’s dining scene, offering authentic cuisine, heartfelt service, and an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a taste of Cuba with a side of family warmth. Four stars (minus 1 star due to salty plates), but without a doubt HIGHLY...

¿Que bola, acere?! Let me start by shouting out YAIMA S. She is the bomb!! She is super super nice and made sure our order was spot on. She was there as soon as they sat us down, brought us water and the complementary bread (which was delicious!), our Mimas Swirl Daiquiris came out to us in just a few minutes from when we ordered them. She kept us informed on our food telling us that they were working in it and it was almost ready. Even though we didn’t need anything (water was filled, food at our table, napkins, silverware), she was there making sure we were taken care of, she definitely sets the standard for good customer service. The food - Tostones Rellenos, Congris, and the Yucca con Mojo - was at our table in like 5-10 minutes and still hot. Not only was the customer service amazing, but just the food made me feel like was in Cuba. I have lots of Cuban friends who cooked traditional meals for us and let me tell you, this is identical, the proportions, a healthy amount. Definitely feels like mima cooked for me. Now don’t get me started on the atmosphere, you got your typical salsa (Elvis Crespo, etc) and salsa covers (Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars covered by Tony Succar feat. Jean Rodriguez, etc), you got the bright Cuban colors and energy from all the employees (another shout out to Yaima✊🏻), decor, furniture, and again, it definitely made me feel like I was out of country. The inside seating is beautiful, but on a hot breezy day, the outside seating is where it’s at, you got lots of space, whether it’s a party or just for 2, it is truly a wonderful and beautiful place to get a good dinner. For the third time, I’d like to shout out Yaima for making this dinner with my wife a special moment, we are from Chattanooga, TN and we are staying up here in Frankfort for our 1 year anniversary and this is the first place that gave us something for free😂, Yaima was such a sweetheart and she brought us a chocolate cake in the shape of a domino (see the pictures), told us that it was a gift from “La Bodeguita De Mima Cuban Restaurant,” one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever had (and I have tried lots of chocolate cakes😂). This wonderful señorita deserves a raise or a GOOD bonus.

Again, thank you for serving us and if we’re are ever in the area again (or an hour away), I will definitely be dropping by for more...

While venturing through the bluegrass, Fat Man Reviews found its way to La Bodeguita De Mima Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar in Louisville, KY. La Bodeguita De Mima serves classic Cuban cuisine & cocktails in a family friendly atmosphere.

We started off with the Cubanchos with Beef Ropa Vieja(Lechon Asado and Chicken Ropa Vieja optional). This dish comes on plantain chips topped with black beans, pico, queso, guacamole, cilantro aioli and mojo onions. The flavor explosion of this dish is phenomenal. The beef is cooked in this delicate velvety tomato sauce and once you bite into the chip, the entire dish just melts into your mouth. The pico is fresh, the beans and aioli add a sublime creaminess. This alone is worth the price of admission and is one of the best dishes I have ever had in my life.

My finance tried the Arroz Imperial. This is a classic Cuban rice dish layered with chicken ropa vieja, manchego cheese, peas and roasted peppers then topped with pan roasted airline chicken, sweet plantains and cilantro aioli. The chicken was cooked well and very flavorful. The vegetables are perfect. The sweet plantain cuts throw the salt and the aioli adds a creamy finish.

I tried Arroz con Pollo à la Chorrera. This is Cuban chicken and drunk rice(both are cooked in beer) with sofrito, peas, green olives, roasted peppers served with tostones and chives. The chicken is cooked perfect. The sofrito and vegetables have a porridge like texture and is very tasty. The olives add a briny saltiness to the dish. The tostones were a little tough and chewy, the garlic aioli was great, but the rice was a little underdone. I also tried a Watermelon Mojito, it is fresh and refreshing.

We finished the meal with the Tres Leches Cake. This is white cake soaked in 3 milks, meringue and a brulee banana. The cake is moist, sweet and delicate. The meringue is toasted like a marshmallow. We did not care for the banana.

La Bodeguita De Mima Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar has a large beer selection and a full bar. The service is wonderful and very informative. The Fat Man says that La Bodeguita De Mima Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar is Fat Man Approved and Highly...