Havana Bistro and Café

Amazing food! If you go to the quick serve side or the sit down menu order side of the restaurant you can’t go wrong! From the menu my favorite dish is the vaca Frita with mofungo and arroz moro. The beef is so tender and juicy, but crispy at the same time. Also, you cannot leave without looking at the dessert case. It’s very difficult to choose only one dessert, everything is delicious. I usually end up getting 2 or 3 desserts!

The food is great and so is the service! The best quesitos you’ll eat in town! Highly recommended place for a quick delicious meal.

It’s fast and delicious! Best Cuban food in Orlando! It’s also very affordable! I got a whole plate of food for 6 dollars!

I was passing by I wanted a dessert, so i decided to stop here which I did get desert my daughter order mango juice which she loved, it.. I will definitely be back.

Food was good. Sandwiches came out hot which I appreciate. A little confused on where to order but I would come back and eat here again.

My fiancé and I had lunch today at Havana Bistro café, we decided to go with the quick service due to being hungry. I had the mojo pork with congri. The customer service was great, and their pastry case made my mouth water. (they give big portions, so I didn’t have the appetite afterwards to get a desert) I’m glad to have found a Cuban restaurant nearby that was overall great including their low prices for lunch!!, we will be returning soon.

Delicious cuban food at great prices and a ton of food! Would have liked real plates and there is no table service, you have to go to the counter for everything, but I would go back if in the area.

I don’t make it out to the Florida Mall area very often, but when I do, I always try to grab some grub from Havana Bistro and Café. The Cuban food here is so awesome! I love Cuban sandwiches in particular, and the ones here are large, tasty, and pretty cheap. If you like Cuban food, this is the place to be.

We have only ever eaten on the quick service side — so bare that in mind for this review. Usually by the time we decide to eat, we are already hungry — so this place is perfect for us! When you walk in you can decide between sit down service with an in-​depth menu, or the quick, buffet-​style side that has food ready to dish up.
I love the stewed chicken here. I always go with yellow rice, since it’s a personal fave or mine. I would say that the plantains always seem a bit undercooked and a bit mushier than I like, but it’s totally a preference thing.
Staff is quick with a greeting, and to get you seated /​or serve your food. It’s clean and well kept inside, so seating is always ready.
Overall: A
A solid Latin food choice by the Florida Mall.

While visiting Orlando I got a craving for a tostada and café con leche so naturally I searched Unilocal for the closest Cuban bakery. The employees were courteous and food arrived timely. Good prices for basic fare.

I had the pork and it was good (a tad salty). The meal comes with choice of rice (white, Cuban, or yellow) and two sides. I asked for a double of maduros but didn’t get money’s worth.
I also ordered a midnight which was alright, the bread could’ve been softer.
As for dessert, I tried their cuatro leches (too sweet), bread pudding (average — good texture just lacking in flavor) and the guava and cheese pastry (that was good!).
Tried their natural juices — the parchita (passion fruit) was nice but I think I prefer it with less sugar.
This is my second time, but I prefer my first time’s service better. I didn’t know that I would be treated differently if I spoke Spanish (which I did the first time). It wouldn’t stop me from stopping by again because it’s so close to work, just a little disappointed.

I blitzed through this place in a frantic rush enroute to the airport. My hurried body language was met with patient yet efficient Spanish coming from an older lady. She hurried over a younger woman (who seemed to be a trainee). I said I needed a dinner plate and they immediately instructed me to pick a rice. Cuban rice. This black bean mixed starch + meat bits mixture had enough delishious for the entire meal! And that’s just the starch!
Pick a meat. Shredded pork. This was not carnitas, it was a stewed/​slowcooked pork that had a shredded consistency. Amazingly rich in flavor, and juicy.
Pick 2 sides. Plantains and yucca. Holy cow. I’ve had good Cuban food from NYC to Cali. These plantains were way richer in flavor than what I’ve had in the past.
The yucca was dumbfounding. Admittedly, I’ve never had yucca. But am going to get it every time it is offered from here on out.
This stewed potato-​like squishiness was explosive in garlic flavor and was excellent as a magnet for Cuban rice. For just $ 8, I got more taste sensation than I could finish in one flight.
…looking forward to another trip to MCO… if only for this joint.

The coffee is excellent. Make sure to try a cortadito if you like strong coffee. The pastries are worth while as well especially the twisted dessert with cheese on the inside. The staff is very friendly and accommodating as well.

I have been a customer of the Havana for years. The breakfast has never disappointed me. The coffee as well is outstanding with a bottomless feature. The people noise from customers has never been to a point to be annoying. One time a long time ago I had a bad waitress and mentioned it to who I took to be the boss. Everything went well after that and has never happened again. This all day breakfast with the diner surroundings makes for a fun event.

Café smelled of grilled meat, onions and garlic. But becuz of my disappointment at MB down the way, I only got 2 sweet pastries. I may go back. So they got 3 stars on smell alone and cozy, clean décor.

Ive Heard about this place but hadn’t been before. As soon as I walked in, I realized I was in Cuban Food heaven. I was greeted immediately with smiling faces and hellos. The food was right in front of you to choose from and looked very appetizing (ropa vieja, roasted pork, breaded chicken and breaded tilapia are some examples). After you choose your food and your sides you pass the pastry display case. The assortment is amazing. The pastries look very professionally done and very good. Once I paid I was surprised at how much I paid for so much food. I paid $ 8.75 for the plate. The food tasted great and was better than I expected being that we aren’t in S. Florida. This place is my new go to spot every time I come to Orlando.

I always do the order at the counter option for lunch. They give large portions and the price is low! My office likes to come here for lunch. I must have eaten here 10 or more times in the past year! The bakery options are delicious too!

Pretty much nothing to complain about the place. Clean and organized. Staff is very nice and efficient. Reasonable price.

It was our first time eating Cuban food. It was good, not amazing to my personal taste. I could be wrong.
We tried vaca frita, a cubana sandwich and a triplets sandwich. The vaca frita had a very good taste.
The service was very friendly.

Looks wise low key. Clean. Spanish music playing in the background. So the environment can fit a business meeting, a date, dinner with friends etc. I am Cuban and I live in Miami so I have a good understanding for Cuban food.
I will start off with the staff. They were friendly but need better training on serving customers. I was served by guy that was being «trained» by the waitress. I get the whole training thing, but when a customer puts down their menu, that is a sign their ready to order. So their conversation should have seized and took my order. I waited about 8 minutes or so. This is not a long time, BUT when you’re the only customer they are severing it actually is a long time.
I order a breaded steak. It came out in a fair time. BUT it came to my table not breaded. When I call them over to explain the «trainer» assured me she didn’t make the mistake, but the kitchen did. She wanted to leave my beans and plantains on the table while they cooked me the actual steak I ordered. Come on… really? I don’t know about everyone out there but I like my food hot. Not sitting around cooling while they fix their mistake.
The steak came out fairly quick. But the breading very dark as it was over cooked. At that time I ate it as I was very hungry and knew better to ask the kitchen to redo. I asked for lime and made it better. Judging by that experience I would not go back.

Delicious food! The paella havanera was amazing. So much seafood & meat. Cooked perfectly. Cuban sandwich was also delicious. Definitely recommend!

We were visiting from The Bay Area in CA, where it is very difficult to find delicious Cuban food.
We sat on the restaurant side.
Appetizer: fried plantain chips with garlic mojo. Yummy!
Entrees: I ordered the Lonjas de Cerdo (basically roasted pork loin) and my husband ordered the Masas de Puerco Fritas (fried pork chunks). You get two sides each for the entrees.
Sides: We ordered Cuban rice and beans, tostones and fried yucca.
Both entrees were delicious, but the Lonjas were BEYOND AMAZING! The meat was so tender you didn’t need a knife. It was tender, juicy, delicious perfection! I was soooooo happy!
The sides were DELISH, but next time I’ll do the fried yucca because it’s crispier than the tostones.
For dessert we ordered guava and cheese pastries. Crispy perfection. And for all of this, plus soda, we paid $ 34! Can’t beat that.
And the service was spectacular! Next time we’re in FL, we’ll be coming back to this place!

Awesome place and the food was delicious and great price!!! Check it out! Great for anyone looking low cost this won’t break your bank.

Incredibly food
We had the paella havanera, masitas de puerco, chicken and steak empanizado, lomo de cerdo asado, sopa de pollo, sopa de garbanzos, and empanadas de pollo y de carne, everything was fresh and made to order
We cannot say a single thing we didn’t like.
They have two sides in the restaurant, one is a buffet and the a la carte restaurant.
The food in the buffet looked great but we ate at the a la carte side.
I cannot say enough about how good the food and the service was.
I am hispanic and have eaten at many latin places but this one is definitely one of the best with gourmet quality.

Yum, Yum, Yum… Y U M! Is that enough?!
Can I just move in? No, seriously. This place is amazing! I am a big fan of latin food so the hunt for an authentic, or what I consider authentic, dish is always on my to-​do list. Havana Bistro is the place to go. A friend of mine was in-​town visiting and she picked Havana as a must-​have before she left. I hadn’t heard of them so I didn’t feel any specific way about it but from the looks of the menu it sounded tasty.
It is right across the street from the Florida Mall so I am very glad we went late evening and were able to avoid all of the traffic. The restaurant was mostly empty so seating and service was quick. The staff was super friendly and inviting. I ordered the Ropa Vieja, Tostones, and Arroz Moro…*insert drool*. The portion looks small but it is totally enough, omg it was so good. My plate came out hot, fresh and the presentation was very nice as well (see pictures).
I really like Havana, I just wish it wasn’t such drive from my house. It is certainly worth the trip though. I can’t wait to try some of their other menu items.
Side note, they are open late evening, so if the craving hits don’t fret! Get there asap!!!

Got there late last night. The ca

Got there late last night. The café part with «hot plate» selection was closed (it was about 8:20pm). We went on and sat in the sit down restaurant part of the establishment.
Service was immediate, as the waiter was the same guy that greeted us at the door. We immediately ordered from the menu. Waited about 10−15minutes for bread. Dinner came out about 15 minutes more. Portion size was just ok considering the dinner prices were substantially higher than the other side of the restaurant. You get your meat entrée with two sides. We paid $ 10-​$ 13 for each meal and $ 3 extra for sweet plantains (maduros).
Chicken milanesa was just ok. The sauce was sweet and more like ketchup. The cheese was cooked too long so it was kind of melted into the meat. Grilled chicken had a better flavor, though smaller piece of meat ($ 10).
The portions for the sides were kind of small.
We were the only customers on sit down service side. Waiter never checked on us until he came to clean table and offer dessert. Pastries were old and 50 cents higher than regular price (not worth $ 2 each).
I will stick to the other side for my BIG plate of food for about $ 6.
Cute place though. Tasty food in general. Quiet.

Still a great place for lunch. Hefty portions and fresh real food. The roasted pork is really tasty and the yucca is creamy and delicious. Ran in to a couple hard grains of rice that didn’t «mesh&mash «as the rest were doin.
Worthy of splitting the portion and having again tomorrow!

I am a big fan of Cuban food. Resturant with local presence, clean, good food and friendly. Thanks to Unilocal,I was guided to this stop.
I had the Midnight sandwich– bolo ham & pork w/​mustard, pickles on sweet bread. Also had a chance to taste the shredded beef with onions. Not to add the sweet plantain. Both dishes were excellent.
Interesting enough it is two restaurants in one… on one side a limited menu cafeteria style where you create your plate and the other side you is sit down full menu. Service was great!

Where still Owner Cuban lady enjoys making coffee for you! Let me tell you that I know she started from nothing to make this cute Café/​Bistro «A True inspirational achiever of many American Dreams provided by this Great Nation!
Daytime: The Café (order over the counter)
Cuban espresso, tres leches, crema catalana (kind of crème brûlée), cuban sandwich are amazing delicious and low cost.
Brunch: still The Café hours. I can eat 5 desserts instead of food with no regrets! Hell with the calories! I Love Sugar!
Nightime: The Bistro (table service)
Seafood paella, shrimp al ajillo, Ropa Vieja, wine, are still decent priced! OMG!!! You need to try yourself… Yummely EXQUISITE DELICIOUS!!!,
Havana Bistro is located infront of the Main entrance of Florida Mall (Sandlake Rd), next to Olive Garden and short distance from the Airport. There is plenty of Parking.

Definitely homemade.
This casual Cuban spot serves up great café con leche and offers very unique looking pastries.
I’m not sure what all the pastries were, but they looked amazing.
Breakfast and lunch items available. Makes me feel as if I am in someone’s house. Would definitely return for more.

OMG — this place was SOOO good. I had a plate of old clothes beef, yucca, plantains and Cuban rice. Didn’t come up for air the entire time.
Topped it off with some Cuban coffee and I was set.
What a gem!

El restaurante es buenisimo, servicio muy agradable, la comida deliciosa y a muy buenos precios. Ademas el local estaba muy limpio. Mis hijos encantados con los diferentes clases de bizcochos. Lo recomiendo a todos. Me encanto

Empanadillas de queso y jamón!!! Enough said!!!