Buena Vista Cuban Cafe

Review summary

1. c

   carole

   VIP

   Houston

   54 reviews

   3.0

   54 reviews

   Dined on 12 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   This restaurant has been here for a year and I am surprised at that. I did not know about it until recently and I live 2.5 miles away. It's in the same building as Miyako and a Thai restaurant. We were there on a Wednesday night. We avoid Houston restaurants on weekends and since we are both retired, every day is Saturday for us. The restaurant is cute and it was relatively empty on the night we went. There was one large party of youngish folks having dinner and drinks. It took more than 5 minutes for someone to come take our drink order. Not sure why since they have several waiters and other employees. The waiter was super friendly, telling us about live music on weekends etc. (not interested). We put our drink order in (glasses of wine, both reds) and waited another 7-8 minutes for that and an appetizer of plantains and some type of jalapeno ranch dip. It was supposed to also come with a garlic olive oil but did not arrive with sauce #2. Wine arrives and my wine is white. I specifically showed the waiter which one I wanted but apparently they were out so I guess the decision was made to give me a random white hoping I would not notice. I'm not that old yet! I sent it back and ordered another red, and the garlic oil dip. Another few minutes and both arrive. We then ordered another appetizer, octopus with quinoa, which was good if you like octopus. My husband does, I can take it or leave it. For dinner, hubs got the ropa vieja and mora (rice and black beans) and I ordered red snapper and mora. The ropa was good. Fish was dryish but not too bad. The mora was very bland and alas not hot sauce or salt/pepper on the tables. It also came with some sauteed veggies which were the standard squash, onions and bell peppers. very unmemorable. We ordered a bottle of Tempranillo which was nice. They did make up for the bad wine service by giving us a free dessert, kind of a bread pudding flan combo which was good. Mediocre experience. We likely won't be back.
   

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2. N

   Neysha

   Houston

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The service was good. The food was a bit bland. I was expecting more flavor as it is a Cuban restaurant.
   

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3. M

   Magno

   Houston

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 30 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My family and I celebrated my Dad’s birthday. Great experience, our server was amazing too ! Very kind , patient & helped us with the menu choices.
   

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4. C

   Christine

   San Antonio

   9 reviews

   4.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on 16 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Good food and good drinks! It will be on my list to return to when I’m in Houston.
   

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5. C

   Chantal

   Denver

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 8 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a wonderful time at Buena Vista Cuban Cafe. The food was delicious. The music was fabulous. We think we will put it into our regular rotation of fun restaurants to visit. Bravo!
   

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6. D

   Daisy

   VIP

   Miami

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on 27 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Nice place, live music; good food, gets pretty crowded so make reservations. Parking garage next door. View to music is blocked if you sit at booth. Photographer takes nice pics $20 each with frame. Recommended.
   

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7. H

   Heather

   VIP

   Houston

   27 reviews

   5.0

   27 reviews

   Dined on 25 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was my second time here. Excellent cocktail menu. Enjoyed the Cuba Libre, caramelo, and pineapple mojito. Started with the Cuban board. Great sampler, delivered super hot, and was very filling. We loved our entrees, too. Server was helpful, friendly, and very attentive. Can't wait to go back again.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Antonio

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 20 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food is incredible! We went there to try Cuban Food for a party we are having. We really didn’t have any expectations. We were simply blown away by the quality of the food. It was spectacular. We plan to frequent this place to keep them in business. Oh yes, the coconut mojito was to die for. They also have happy hour all week and live music on certain nights. It reminded us of being on vacation in Miami! Now we can have that feeling more often without leaving home!
   

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9. B

   Byron Jay

   VIP

   San Antonio

   21 reviews

   5.0

   21 reviews

   Dined on 19 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great atmosphere and service. Very nice for a low key dining experience.
   

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10. a

    alexander

    Houston

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 October 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4

    Atmosphere is cool, friendly staff. Food was ok, moros were barely warm but flavor was good, paella dish was dry but Cuban platter was a favorite for the table.
    

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