El Siboney Restaurant (Downtown)

Whew yall, where do I begin 😍 we pulled up to the address thanks to Google, and we were certainly confused by The Neighborhood surrounding this phenomenal Cuban restaurant. Parking was scares but you can always expect that at the beach. We were greeted kindly and our drinks order taken while we contemplated what amazingness we were going to taste for dinner. My husband chose the ham and cheese sandwich with a side of yucca fries. We also ordered a T-bone steak with a side of white rice which came topped with grilled onions and fried plantains. The third meal that was ordered was the Cuban mix sandwich complemented by an imported Palma Cuban beer. Other drinks at the table were their pink lemonade (UNIQUELY delicious), a can of Jupina (stunningly good), and cafe con leche (no words to describe the level of delicious this brings, make sure you get the sugar with it, The sugar gives it such a lift). We shared a slice of key lime pie (real whip cream on top and tangy in all the right bites). it was all beyond delicious, and theres many reasons why this icon of a restaurant has the reviews it does 👏👏👏👏 Our waitress was on point with how she showed up for our table. She was paitent, so very kind as we couldn't decide on what we each wanted. She gave us great advice on what dishes were and which, and what is the most authentic. Yall, Definitely put this on your list to visit because the atmosphere, the food and the people who work so hard to give each table the experience of Cuba, deserve your money 👏👏👏👏🥳🥳🥳

Visited November 2025. I always visit when I come down to Key West. This is a cuban staple. The service is fast, the food is fresh and tasty. I always order the #1 pork. They are consistent every time. The black beans are seasoned nicely. The flan is also delicious. I look forward to the next visit.

Authentic Cuban Cuisine! El Siboney Restaurant’s an absolute gem! Every bite was bursting with fresh, authentic Cuban flavors. The service was professional, friendly, and the ambience was relaxing. I would definitely recommend this well establishment for family and friends who’s visiting Key West! Samantha Li

I love local authentic foodie spots! This place is a highly recommended location and it sure delivered! The service was friendly, the food was served pretty quickly and the flavors were truly authentic.

Best Cuban food we've had in the Keys so far. The oxtails were like BUTTAH! Key lime pie was good, but I prefer a little more tart. Great staff!

You MUST go here if in key west. Hands down best dining experience I’ve ever had. Everything was delicious. I got the pulled pork which was amazing. The included rice, plantains, and black beans were even better. The servers were very kind and accommodating and seemed to have no issue with our party of 16. I got the canned horchata which the server advised against as he said it was too sweet, and I would have to agree, but it was still delicious.

I had the liver steak with onions and plantains. It was excellent. The black bean soup was very good. The service and atmosphere was great. The staff was pleasant, clean and well informed. I can't wait to try other items on the menu!

Whole dry fish is the best! Awesome flavor cooked right to the perfect degree. The crispness and freshness of the fish combined makes it a delicious meal—and for just above $32 at the current market price on Christmas Day! Will come again if I ever travel to Key West again. Highly recommend!

"El Siboney isn't trying to impress anyone--and that is exactly why it does". I could not have said it better myself. This place is truly authentic. Ordered the skirt steak to share and a side of fried plantains in addition to a sangria carafe to share among us at the table. For dessert we got flan and key lime pie. All solid dishes, great service - a must when you are in KW. I could do without dessert if you're full, the flan is good but not transcendent and the key lime pie is more like a lemony cheesecake consistency that is good but so far not Kermit's level of good key lime.

My group came here twice during our visit. One of my group members wanted a whole cooked fish, on an island surrounded by fertile fishing waters you'd think finding whole cooked/fried fish would be easy, you would be surprised. This restaurant had just what we were looking for. On our first visit, we ordered a whole fried fish at market price with the 3 sides rice, beans and plantain as well as the first item on the menu roast pork with the three sides. The second time we ordered the half roast chicken and the boliche sandwich. The fried fish was well appreciated by my company, and I enjoyed the roast pork. In terms of taste, the flavors were simple and clean. The pork tasted like savory pork, well seasoned, but without flavors one could expect from let's say a Mexican restaurant that served something similar and unlike the excessive fattiness or dryness that can come with American style pulled pork. The sides were similar, yellow rice was nice, well cooked and lightly flavored, beans were the same. Plantain was a nice addition. Our second round, the boliche was great, a nice thick meaty sandwich, I ordered fried yuca, not bad but they did get a bit soft once we got back with our take out order. My travel mate also really liked the half roast chicken and rice. Overall, if they weren't closed on Mondays, we would probably come back again to finish off our trip.

Excellent food and excellent service! The restaurant is in what was previously a house off the beaten path so you likely won't stumble upon this place by accident. It feels very traditionally cuban although this is coming from someone who has never been to Cuba. All the food that was delivered to each person looked very tasty. Can confirm the shredded beef is delicious. I'd be happy to come back here next time I'm in Key West.

So glad we gave this another try! Amazing Cuban food in key west! And I have eaten a lot of Cuban food in my life (live in Miami!) My last review was for takeout during covid so that probably impacted things. The Siboney steak was our favorite - Churrasco style with Chimichurri. We also tried the ropa vieja which had a nice tomato and wine sauce flavor. It was very tender. The vaca frita was also pretty good, more crispy on the shredded beef, though a little dry. Hot Cuban bread with butter is complimentary and tasty, and I don't usually like the Cuban bread! Yellow rice had nice flavor and the beans and plantains were well cooked. They offer you to switch the sides if you prefer, but these are our fave! You pay at the front when you're done. Overall very efficient and good service.

We came here for quick bite and was recommended by one of the locals and did not let me down!! We had the pulled pork with congri (rice and black beans) OH MY and side of Yucca frita with their house mojo on the side. TIP: you can share a dinner portion, they give plenty food for the price. Service is quick and very friendly. Atmosphere is family oriented and its pretty chill. Overall GREAT spot for a quick bite and keep on with your day. You get your check and pay up front. Awesome personal. Gracias

Delicious food, adorable ambiance and quick service! We had a great lunch here and would definitely recommend. Their black beans were incredible.

El Siboney is the place for amazing Cuban food! We asked several locals for recommendations for the best Cuban food and everyone said El Siboney.  These recommendations were right as this was some amazing Cuban food.  Service was prompt and friendly and the atmosphere/decor inside made it feel like you were dining in a family/friends house. Plan your visit because it gets packed! We arrived at 6:00PM and were seated, but by the time we left, there was a line of people waiting.   We started off with a pitcher of their house made sangria, which was delish. A basket of complementary warm buttery Cuban bread was served to the table.  The majority of our group ordered the roast pork with rice, beans, and sweet plantains. The pork was cooked perfectly and the accompaniments melted in your mouth. The vaca Frita was delicious also. Portions were large and the price was surprisingly low for KW.  This meal had the most food and the least cost as any meal we had in KW.  Step away from Duval Street and take a short walk to the local neighborhood for must eat Cuban food at El Siboney.

Wow just wow , the food here is stellar , now they have wine and beer no hard liquor . However we stopped in and got the whole yellow tail snapper which taste different than the red snapper I don't care for. The whole fish was flash fried topped with pickled onions served with your choice of side. I chose the black beans and yellow rice and it came with sweet fried plantains . My wife had the grouper filet with rice and beans as well. The food is amazing well flavored they did not skip on the portions which I liked . We definitely had plenty left over , hostels the whole fish can be a meal for two .

Big portions. Shrimp enchilado was too salty. Beautiful interior. Service was alright. Key lime ‍ pie is not the best. Pulled beef was delicious and rice with beans were good.

The food is wasn't what I expected visiting Spain where you have abundance of seafood. There is more yellow rice than any protein. The service and staff were fine. The indoor seating is a comfortable environment.

What a great find! The food is delicious especially the Ropa vieja and the shredded pork! Even the rice and beans taste like they were cooking all day. You also must try the sangria that comes with a lime on top! Staff is very helpful and the food came out fast!

El Siboney was recommended to us by a friend for dinner, so we gave it a try on our trip to Key West. Atmosphere: We walked here and thought it was closed at first, but thankfully it was open. We were seated right away. We came at around 5:30 and that's when it started to get busy. This is a true hole in the wall. It is simply decorated and you can tell the focus is good service and food. Restrooms: They had a single stall male and female restroom. The female restroom was nice and clean! Service: All the servers we encountered were so nice and friendly. The food came out quick and fresh! Food: The food was amazing! We're from Tampa, so we were excited to try a Cuban place in Key West. We tried their beef and cheese empanadas as an appetizer, they were both good but our favorite was the cheese empanada. YUM! We split a breaded palomilla. It was plenty for two to share. The portion was HUGE! The food was soooo good. My husband loved the pickled red onions it came with. Also, they welcome you with hot Cuban bread with butter when you sit down. This place was sooo good. You can tell locals like to come here. We loved our dinner here and will come back the next time we're in Key West. The food was soooo good and it felt homey inside!

So authentic, environment is very welcoming and homey, feels like eating in someone's home! We came in december (while ago yes) for a small bite since we had already been eating all day; 3 people 2 entrees. TV had some trivia playing so that was fun while waiting. They started off with complimentary bread, crispy and warm. Cuban tostada I think? Salad is cheap, fresh, basic (salads in CA are just insanely priced). Conch fritters were greasy but everything else made up for it. Never knew flank steak could be so delicious. Pulled pork was amazing even after we took it home and ate it cold; the onions soaked up all that meaty flavor. So many plantains everywhere and they were good tooo. Portions for everything were huge. Came in full and left overstuffed and with leftovers. So glad we came!

Some meals feel like a pit stop. El Siboney feels like a pilgrimage. Tucked a few blocks off the Duval Street chaos, this unassuming, family-owned Cuban spot has been a Key West institution since the late 1980s, and let me tell you -- if you skip it, you're doing this island wrong. No neon signs, no Instagram gimmicks, no overpriced "island fusion small plates." Just real Cuban food so good it'll make you rethink every sad "Cuban sandwich" you've ever had in your life. Walk inside and it's pure no-frills Key West: wood-paneled walls, locals chatting like they've been coming here since the Reagan years, the smell of garlic, citrus, and slow-roasted pork curling through the air like a promise. If Hemingway were alive, this is where he'd be -- hunched over a plate, sweating through his shirt, grinning like a man who just discovered religion. Here's what you order if you want to do it right: * Ropa Vieja - Tender, shredded beef stewed in tomatoes, peppers, and onions, served with rice and black beans. It's called "old clothes" in Spanish, but tastes like a hug from someone who loves you. * Lechón Asado - Marinated roast pork, slow-cooked until it practically apologizes for existing and falls apart on your fork. * Cuban Sandwich - The real deal: roasted pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard, perfectly pressed on Cuban bread that crackles when you bite it. * And for dessert? Flan. Don't negotiate. Just do it. The portions are generous, the prices are shockingly reasonable for Key West, and the service has that warm, efficient "you're family now" vibe that makes you want to move in next door. El Siboney isn't trying to impress anyone -- and that's exactly why it does. It's loud, casual, flavorful, and unapologetically authentic. Every bite tastes like somebody's grandmother has been guarding the recipe for generations, and the only thing missing is her yelling at you to eat more. El Siboney isn't just the best Cuban restaurant in Key West -- it's one of the best anywhere. Come hungry, bring cash, and be prepared to sit back afterward wondering how you'll ever eat Cuban food anywhere else again.

In Key West I made sure to visit El Siboney st lunchtime where, it seems, the locals eat. In a past year I recall a delicious chicken. I noticed two (2) types of chicken on their menu, one with garlic and the other roasted, according to menu. After being unable to get service at tge counter by woman working behind it (working behind counter) I moved to a small, cute table where a waiter with a good personality waited on me. At table, as I was ordering it, he said something about the Roast Half Chicken ... like "at the end we Fry it to make sure " I'm thinking "make sure what?" I did hope he did not mean the roast chicken, in addition to being roasted, would be fried. I kept ordering it and further hoped he was talking about a side. Not a lot of sides and- remember this is a Cuban restaurant- I was immediately asked whether I wanted "rice 'n beans" a prized Cuban side dish. I got them and also got plantains then prepared to feast as I had not eaten much that a.m. on our cruise ship. Yes, the 1/2 chicken had a White Piece and a Dark Piece. Had a nice flavor and I could tell it was indeed fried like he apparently explained. I enjoyed my meal and will try Half Garlic Chicken next time I am down in Old Key West!

I love Cuban food and it was one pf the major reasons to travel here on vacation. El Siboney was everything that I had hoped for -- cozy atmosphere, laid back vibes, and good food. I had the classic ropa vieja and it was excellent. My wife had shrimp enchilado (n.b. this is not a shrimp enchilada, but rather shrimp in a tomato sauce). My daughter had a grilled chicken dish that was delightful. The only complaint was the steak sandwich that had an off taste to the meat. Aside from this one miss, it was a great meal and I'd happily go back.

Make the walk off busy Duval for one of the most satisfying (and affordable) meals you can buy in Key West! We've visited every trip. Incredible Cuban food, history about the indigenous tribes of Cuba pre Spanish colonization, prompt service and prices for locals. Usually busy even on weeknights but the staff hustles and the patrons are so happy to be there! There is a second location on Stock Island but this one will always be my favorite.

the BEST meal we had all week. We ordered way too much food, but it was all fantastic. Sweet fried plantains, the steak, the empanadas. We even tried some Cuban beer. It took a while for the food to come out, but the place was packed, so I am not surprised. Our server made several suggestions and was honest about his own preferences which was very helpful. It's also reasonably priced. Please keep this place going strong.

Dined in for dinner on a Thursday and we were able to be seated immediately. Food came out fast and was delicious! One of our favorite restaurants during our 3-day trip to Key West!

Good ropa vieja, rice/beans/plantains you will murder for. Okay flank streak that had to substitute for oxtail that's only sold during lunch, knew how to med-rare articulately. Def missed out that big whole fish fry with the steak substitution. Wanted to revisit but other options in the area to venture out to.. Sangria that reminded you the old Cha Cha Cha @SF. Friendly, prompt waitstaff to top off.

We came here on a Saturday night around 8pm and there was no wait for our party of 4. Parking was easy in their small private lot. There was a good sized crowd and the trivia on the TV was fun while we waited for your food. The menu had so many good options in the main course section, but we started with the conch chowder. It was really good and had a nice kick to it, with many conch chunks. I went splurged on my entree and went for the Siboney steak and it did not disappoint. The size of it was large and the seasoning was on point. It came with 2 sides so I chose the yellow rice and fries. The rice was a good accompaniment. I also tried the beans and they were very good as well, not dry. The service was great as they kept our waters full. You get your check at the table and pay at the front when finished.

El Siboney was a welcome change from the hubbub of Duval Street, in a quieter part of Key West that seemed to cater more to locals. The Cuban dishes were great -- the Siboney steak was definitely the right order here, the meat was really well-prepared and full of flavor. Definitely a must-try if you come. The garlic shrimp was great, but the boat of melted butter that the shrimp came in made the dish feel a bit heavy (and no, I did not consume the butter itself). Just a touch too oily for my taste, but otherwise the dish was excellent. Great service in a more laid back atmosphere, El Siboney is a solid choice if you're looking to get off the beaten path.

You walk in and are welcomed to the table with warm Cuban bread with butter. Then the food comes and it's quick and delicious. Large portions with great prices. Very much enjoyed on our trip to Key West. Family friendly!

Without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Key West! The fried fish was delicious, and all the sides to go along with it were tasty. Plus, the prices are very reasonable. The service was also great. My server, along with other staff consistently checked up on me throughout my meal.

Tostones, fried pork, steak, plantains and tres leches were all excellent and very authentic. Very friendly and fast service. Busy place

Best authentic Cuban restaurant for cheap prices in Key West. It's no frills, not fancy, but the service is fast, so they must make their money on high turnover. So, eat quick and get out! Because I want this little hidden gem to keep their prices low so I will continue to keep eating here! As a local, it's hard to dine out in Key West a lot because you would just blow your budget. So I like places like this that have reasonable prices for locals to keep returning often. There is no liquor menu, but they do serve wine, beer, and sangria. My favorite is the pulled pork. It's so delicious and the fried steak. I love the plantains and the rice and beans and the yucca sides. I'll be back many more times!

This food was totally worth the hype!! When we checked into our hotel the first restaurant recommendation was to try El Siboney and they were right! Classic Cuban food that was absolutely delicious and tasted like a homemade meal cooked by an abuela! We had sangria, mix meat Cuban sandwich, and roasted pork meal. The service was excellent, everyone was so nice and patient. It was a cute little restaurant that I highly recommend everyone try while in key west!

While traveling in Key West and looking for a great restaurant for dinner, we came across an amazing Cuban restaurant! Now, my husband's grandmother was Cuban (God bless her!) and she cooked the most amazing Cuban food, with my favorite being Ropa Vieja. So when we say the food was on point... you should definitely head right now to this amazing restaurant! We also had the meatballs... so good! The service was outstanding and prompt! We got seated right away and our server was very pleasant. The restaurant made you feel at home, like you were in Cuba, and was very comfortable. We would highly recommend El Siboney to anyone, including Cubans! Well done, El Siboney!

Three of us went today for lunch on a rainy day and it was all fantastic! GO! Nice, clean restaurant. Service & food was great, for all 3 of us. Conch Fritters, Pork Chops, Shredded Pork and Yellow Rice with black beans and sweet platains and I got the lunch special BBQ Pork Ribs. A-Mazing! All of it. Just GO!

Superb Cuban food in a warmly knotty pine walled restaurant. Service is always good even when it's packed there, and they do get busy. For Key West, the prices are better than places near Duval St. We both had the grilled grouper dinner that you pick sides with. I had a salad and the black beans, my wife had the black beans and rice with plantain. Just excellent. Sangria and Yuengling to drink. All dinners get buttered cuban bread. Large # of choices to pick from on menu.

The pre-order seafood paella was fantastic and the sangria was amazing. Service was excellent and spot on.

Out of all the places we ate during our trip to Key West, this was BY FAR my favorite!! My sis and I both ordered the roasted pork and OH my Heavens it was so juicy and flavorful. The plate was generously accompanied with rice and beans and amazing fried plantains. The service was impeccable and everyone here was so very kind. Very impressed and looking forward to my next visit!

Food is authentic and reasonably priced. Family of four for 70$ is amazing! Would definitely come again

Great food, huge portions, excellent value. I get food every time I visit key west. Highly recommend.

Small mom and pop shop with an authentic homey vibe. The service was friendly and fast. But the food! Omg! The food.. so flavorful, so delicious... we left so satisfied and with leftovers. Highly recommended!

Another stop in my quest to not eat anything chain or tourist trap-y brought me to El Siboney and my goodness was this delicious. Service was on the spot and my food was out quickly soon after I sat down which is fantastic because I was starving. It was excellent the juices blended everything and the inside was really unique. Loved it!

Great customer service. Quality of food was ok just seem to lack flavor. Ambiance laid back reminds me of mom and pops local restaurant.

I don't know if I've ever gotten as much food in a dish. The food was delicious and the portions gigantic. Great food, great company and value. Def recommend a visit!

We were biking around Key West for the day and wanted some authentic Cuban food. El Siboney did not disappoint- every bite was delicious! My husband and I shared an order of the roast pork and side of tostones. The pork also came with black beans and rice so it was the perfect amount of food for both of us. The house sangria was also refreshing. We went right when they opened at 11am and were promptly seated. Service was attentive and our food came out quickly. Location is slightly out of the way from the main drag, but not too bad and worth it for the food. Highly recommended!

This Cuban food was good and authentic. I was very happy with it. The service was fantastic. This is my first time trying Cortado and it was hands-down better than any American coffee and an amazing reason to go back anytime!

Great food and amazing service! I came here after an afternoon at Dry Tortugas National Park and was craving Cuban food. El Siboney did not disappoint! There is a small lot at the front and I was able to get a parking spot instantly on a Friday afternoon. I also was seated quickly and given water as soon as I sat down. I ordered the Cheese Empanadas to start and then the Cuban Mix Sandwich for my meal The Cheese Empanada was pretty good. Fried on the outside, gooey cheese on the inside. The Cuban Mix Sandwich was absolutely delicious! There was a perfect mix of ingredients inside and all of it was very flavorful. It's a hefty portion so come hungry if you order this! My server was very attentive and friendly. I really enjoyed my meal and would gladly come again when in Key West in the future!

Excellent authentic food. Service was very friendly. Place was a little small, but overall cute Cuban restaurant.

4.5 This Irish guy isn't going to pontificate about authentic Cuban, but I've had enough to know this place is solid. Given the location, I wanted fresh fish & the grilled yellowtail did not disappoint. The rice & beans on point. The sweet plantains, well if I could I'd order nothing but until they wheeled me away. Firm, not too sweet. My wife had the Cuban mixed, their version lacked mustard / pickle of the Ybor City grandfather but was delicious! Sangria perfect, not a load of ice, the place was clean, tables never open long, staff super friendly & attentive. Pricing & size excellent.

Everything was Incredible The garlic shrimp The Moro The Ropa Viejo The Pork The Coffeee The Paella (order ahead because it takes an hour to prepare)

Food was excellent, very friendly staff at the front of the restaurant--our waitress left a little to be desired though, very unique restaurant with Cuban and Native American decor

visited key west in june, so here's a late review. it was our first time trying cuban food! my bf said this place was highly recommended. really busy, got sat right away though. you can smell the aroma walking up to the restaurant. 10/10 flavor -- would recommend to anyone and everyone in town. still thinking about this meal to this day.

Great Cuban cuisine! Quick friendly service. Large menu - very authentic Cuban and diverse choices.

This is awesome authentic Cuban Food! The cubano is amazing as are the tostones. Black beans and rice are the real deal. You can't go wrong at this place. Cuban coffee is a nice way to cap off a fantastic lunch or dinner.

We visit El Siboney every time we're in Key West. Family run, consistent great Cuban food with authentic spices and flavors.