The Cuban Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Union City

We came here on a Tuesday for an early dinner. The music was a bit loud for my taste because it was empty. We ordered the empanadas, and they brought out the wrong order, but we decided to stick with it and try the sampler dish. They were great.

As for the pork shank, yuca and morro were bland and absolutely flavorless, and I was beyond disappointed. They must season their food. I'm from Puerto Rico and love Latin food, but they need to up their food game. I didn't order any alcoholic beverages after trying the mojito and sangria. They need simple syrup and to have real fruit/purees to add to their drinks. Fresh ingredients win all the time. They also need to incorporate skinny/ sugar-free alternatives to cater to everyone. Espresso Martinis are trending again. Incorporate them into the menu- that is a Cuban staple (cafe). Add a better wine selection. The sangria was terrible, don't put sprite or gin in sangria. Try a simple recipe and do as the Spaniards do wine, brandy, fruit, and simple syrup. Serve over ice - you're welcome.

This place has so much potential. They must season the food (salt would be a great start). Perhaps this is a soft opening? Maybe they haven't done a friends and family night. These are important to bring attention to what can improve to truly make your establishment successful. I understand this is a second restaurant and have no input on the original location to compare. However, you're not in Hoboken anymore. The majority of residents around these parts are Latin and know what they like. There is a lot of competition in Union City. Every restaurant is serving Latin cuisine. Set yourselves apart with food and beverage. That is what will help you in the long run. I want to support this place so bad and look forward to some changes...

I wanted to leave a good review, but I just can't! The biggest disappointment was the service. Took a while to order and get the drinks that you ordered. Bartender didn't seem very knowledgeable or fast enough to handle a crowded bar on her own. She convinced us to try the dessert sampler tray, which was a taste of all desserts for $20. What a disappointment. I've never tasted drier, harder Tres Leche in my life. Flan was nothing special and the churros were hard and over cooked. But the biggest upset was how they tried to scam us. We were a group of 6 girls who ordered 8 apps, 2 dessert trays and maybe 20 drinks during 4-8 happy hour. The bill came to $580, with 20% tip and a cc fee included. I was surprised it was so much considering drinks were all $5 happy hour and the apps ranged from $9-$12. But we have a cc and paid the bill. When the cc receipt came back to be signed, all of a sudden the total was now $603! We gave a cc with the agreement of paying $580... where did $603 come from? Upon inspection of the original bill (which luckily someone took a pic of for credit on their fetch app) the only difference was an extra $23 in the tip amount! They fought with us, saying we ordered drinks after the 8 pm happy hour, which we 💯% did not. Upon further inspection of the original bill (they tried to pass of a new version as a copy) they charged us for 10 happy hour $5 mojitos (which I don't think we had that many of, but whatever we'll play along) and then ANOTHER 8 mojitos at $12 full price! That's an extra $96 on the bill plus the 20% of that for tip! What a scam!! I'll give them a chance to make this right before...

We came to The Cuban in Union City as a party of four for an after-work gathering, and it completely exceeded our expectations. From the moment we walked in, the tropical, laid-back vibe set the perfect tone for a fun night out. The space is beautiful—spread across multiple floors with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like a mini vacation in the middle of town.

We started with drinks and they were so GOOD. The Guava Mojito was refreshing and unique, the Margarita was perfectly balanced, and the Sangria was fruity and smooth.

To share, we ordered the Mambo appetizer platter, which was perfect for a group. It had guacamole, wings, empanadas, and croquetas—all fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

For mains, we tried the Churrasco, grilled to perfection with a yummy chimichurri sauce, the Pollo Criollo, which was rich and comforting, the Salmon was cooked just right, and the classic Ropa Vieja was full of flavor. Every dish came out hot and everyone enjoyed their meals.

We ended the night with their shared dessert platter, which offered just the right sweet touch to wrap things up. But the cherry on top? They surprised us with after-dinner shots served in a cigar box! A fun and creative touch that made the night even more memorable.

The service was attentive and friendly from start to finish. This spot is a true local gem—we had a blast and are already planning our next visit. Highly recommend for date night, group dinners, or just a relaxed evening with great food,...