Mi Luna Cuban Cafe — Restaurant in Olympia

Walking into Mi Luna Cuban Café, I felt an immediate wave of nostalgia wash over me—like stepping back into Little Havana, Miami, surrounded by the aroma of simmering ropa vieja, and the hum of true Cuban warmth. Even though I’m up in DuPont , this little gem in Olympia had me feeling like I was back in Miami, wrapped in the familiar embrace of home.

This isn’t just a restaurant it’s a preserved family story. Charming stained-glass windows, church benches, vintage photos, and newspaper clippings from the Herrera family’s migration all weave together a beautiful tapestry of memory and identity. The décor feels both intimate and rooted in genuine history the kind I miss from Miami’s Cuban enclaves, like the soul of Little Havana itself

The menu honors time-tested Cuban family recipes, each dish offering comfort, complexity, and authenticity. The ropa vieja stood out as not just a meal but a piece of home—one Redditor recalled moving from Miami and said: “Outside of Miami, this ropa vieja was some of the best I’ve had” Another highlighted the croquetas and frijoles with emphatic praise: “Frijoles insane too”—quoting their surprise at finding such authentic flavors so far from Florida

Mi Luna captures the essence beautifully: the restaurant was born from a migratory legacy—“a refuge for memories and Cuban flavors”—where patrons frequently say the food tastes like home That emotional resonance is rare and deeply touching.

From the savory lechón and ropa vieja to delightful pastelitos and pin-apple salsa with shrimp and plantain chips, each bite felt both familiar and lovingly curated

Despite being new and occasionally bustling, the service feels personal and attentive. From the humble beginnings at the soft opening to now lines out the door, it’s clear that word has spread fast Staff members seem to genuinely care, and many customers note the welcoming and familial atmosphere.

Mi Luna felt more than a restaurant, Mi Luna is a cultural beacon not just for Cuban or Latinx folks, but for anyone craving authenticity and connection. Founded by a family honoring its migratory roots, the restaurant has fast become a gathering place in Olympia, beloved for both its cuisine and its heart .

Living in DuPont, I thought I’d left behind more than just geography. But Mi Luna reminded me of the sticky warmth of Cuban coffee in winter, the bright kick of guava, the tang of ropa vieja—remastered with care and set in a new space that feels just as alive as any Miami corner café.

To the Herrera-Root family and the team at Mi Luna: gracias. You’ve created something more than a restaurant you’ve built a bridge between worlds, one plate at a time. You’re doing Miami and...

I was super excited to hear that there would be a Cuban restaurant opening in Olympia! Finally I can enjoy a taste from back home.

We were able to walk-in but were limited to time since most of the tables were reserved which is understandable. Upon walking in the vibe was great and the interior design was very cute and reminiscent of traditional Cuban restaurants in Miami. It featured a small bar in the corner to enjoy drinks and coffee with your breakfast bites. A selection of wine and various cocktails were offered.

The flavors and food were decent. They captured the traditional sofrito nicely. Unfortunately, their menu was very disappointing. Most of it is different renditions of ropa vieja which is simply shredded meat. You’re limited to veggies, pork or shredded meat as the protein choice to their three dishes. Their main choices were a bowl, sandwich, or plate. The bowl and the plate didn’t make sense as both contain beans, rice and the meat. No chicken or steak but I heard they were working on getting chicken onto their menu. It was a shame since my husband is Muslim and really only had the option of ropa vieja or veggies. The menu could’ve benefited from traditional side dishes such as tostones, croquetas, or plantain chips to snack on while waiting. Instead there were pastelitos of various kinds. While they were okay, the price was definitely outrageous. The pastelito was a bit smaller than my palm and went for $5.50 each. Usually pastelitos are breakfast items so I was surprised to see them on the early dinner menu. Bread and butter for the table that I requested was $4. The prices were definitely a little crazy for what you’re getting.

We placed our orders for the ropa vieja plate which came with rice, beans, and maduros. In less than 5 minutes the dishes were at our table. I was a bit puzzled by that. It appears they have everything prepped and ready to serve. They do not cook to order. The meat was tender and well seasoned. Rice and beans were good.

Nonetheless I do think this restaurant has a lot of potential if they beef up their menu a little and offer fair pricing. Customer service was good, no complaints there. Our server was pleasant and prompt. Looking forward to see how this...

This food is not authentic Cuban food. If you've gone here and like it, more power to you. Personal preferences are personal preferences. Truthfully, the black beans are not bad. They are lacking a lot of what makes Cuban black beans Cuban, but whatever. I won't take issue with recipes. What I will take issue with is QUALITY - of the food and the service. Firstly, the food that we were served was NOT hot, but lukewarm. Secondly, the "Cuban bread" is NOT Cuban bread - if the only Cuban bread you've ever had is from Mi Luna, you have never had Cuban bread. Further, the bread we were served along with our entrees, and as part of the pan con lechón sandwich was stale(!), as if it had been cut many hours before. The plantain chips that were part of our appetizer were also stale - I assume the restaurant pulled them out of a bag that had been left open for a long time. Further evidence that the chips were from a bag is that they were all the same size and shape. In addition to all of this is the fact that the white rice served with the beans was sticky - more like Japanese-style rice than Cuban style. The quality of the service was also lacking - although our waitress was friendly, it took a full hour to get our entrees, despite the fact that all of the dishes ordered were "slow cooked" dishes (except for a sandwich), meant to be simmered on a stove. There was no reason that the order should have taken an hour - especially considering how limited the menu is (only 2 or 3 entree choices are available). Additionally, a party of 2 (we were 5) that came in after us were served their meals at least 15 minutes before us despite the fact that they ordered the same dishes that we ordered. Further, the prices are too high for the amount and type of food being served (beans and rice and maybe 5 ounces of protein). For 5 entrees, 5 sodas, and 1 appetizer, the bill, with tip, was $200. The last thing I will say is that, although the restaurant is nicely furnished, the acoustics are HORRIBLE. We could not converse with others at our table because it was so loud. All in all, I'll continue to go to Miami...