Rubamba Restaurant — Restaurant in New Haven

I have to say that the Yale localized “ fusion restaurants” are a facade. It’s listed as an arepas restaurant with authentic dishes. Firstly, when referring to any country that does arepas. They should use correct ingredients. A Venezuelan arepa gets paisa or llanero ( queso blancos) white cheeses not mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese. The “ brisket “ was fatty and greasy unflavored and the cheese said to be mozzarella/ Monterey Jack cheese tasted Vegan or imitation as it was hard plastically. The sauces weren’t cilantro or aji based but rather a watery Mexican watered down nacho sauce. Food was not good at all. To top it off ordered a virgin colada, needless to say these frozen drinks were not blended! A large watered down pineapple juice with large ice blocks and covered in whip cream no cherry. It was the worst pina colada I ever had. My husband and I have decided not to try another restuarant in this area as the reality is that these businesses aren’t authentic at all. When you walk into an establishment for Latino food, sorry but that specific delicacy should feel, look and taste authentic. This area is better for their...

For starters, they do not have a liquor license yet so don’t come if you want drinks. What called my attention was the cumbia music as we walked up. Restaurant not Latino run even tho they sell food from latin America. That should’ve been a red flag for me that the food wouldn’t taste authentic. I ordered the street corn 🌽 which was decent. My partner ordered tacos and they came out really greasy and not very flavorful. The chips and salsa made both of our stomachs hurt. What really threw us off was wha he dropped off the check and immediately asked “how will you pay”? And put the card machine in our face. We said we’d pay with the QR code on the bill, he then proceeded to stand there and watch is as if we were going to take off and not pay! I had to signal to him that we were all set to he could leave. There was no “thank you for coming, how was everything, please come back soon”. No customer service skills. Also, entrance needs serious renovations- not clean looking...

First let me say I love Downtown New Haven

Nestled in the heart of downtown New Haven, Rubamba offers a vibrant and authentic taste of Latin American cuisine. My recent visit was highlighted by their standout birria tacos, which were nothing short of spectacular. Each taco was packed with juicy, flavorful beef, making every bite a delightful experience. The tenderness of the meat combined with the rich, savory spices created a perfect harmony of flavors.

To complement the meal, I indulged in their horchata and Jamaica (red hibiscus tea) beverages. The horchata was refreshingly creamy with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, while the Jamaica offered a tangy, floral burst that was both invigorating and satisfying.

Rubamba's welcoming atmosphere and attentive service only added to the dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this gem in downtown New Haven is definitely worth a visit for anyone craving a delicious and authentic Latin...