Havana 1957 | Ocean Drive (940) | Cuban Cuisine

The food and service were great (see pictures of steak sandwich and Cuban platter). The place is cool and we went at 4pm on a Tuesday so it was very quiet so can’t comment on the atmosphere much. They do have performers on in the evening if that is your kind of thing. The food is relatively inexpensive and we went at happy hour (4-7) so cheap drinks (not strong but fruity and cold) but they do add 20% automatic service charge.

Havana 1957 – A Taste of Cuba with a Perfect Ocean Drive Vibe Havana 1957 on Ocean Drive is a vibrant gem that brings the spirit of Cuban culture to life. From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was warm, colorful, and full of energy. The location couldn’t be better – right near the beach, with a constant flow of people passing by, making it a perfect spot for people-watching while enjoying a great meal. We ordered a meat sampler and a fresh salad, and both exceeded expectations. The flavors were bold, well-balanced, and truly reflective of authentic Cuban cuisine. Everything was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The cocktails deserve a special mention too – classic, well-mixed, and full of character. The service was quick, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive – just the way you want it. It’s clear the staff takes pride in what they do, and it added to the whole experience. If you’re looking for delicious food, great drinks, a lively location, and that unmistakable Cuban flair – Havana 1957 is absolutely worth a visit. Highly recommended!

We had to wait a long time for a server, even though they weren't very busy. The atmosphere was fantastic, the people watching was a hilights. The food was just mid level, nothing I'd want to try again. The drinks were not exceptional either. Others around us seemed to be having a totally different experience. Having eaten at other Havana 1957 restaurants, it just wasn't the same quality I've come to expect from the food or people.

"Happy Hour" is generic marketing scam that means nothing. Outside we saw the large sign that said Happy hour, 4-7 PM, which was our reason to chose this bar over others . We sat down and ordered our drinks , and when the waiter brought them over, we asked, "what exactly is the happy hour discount?“, he looked puzzled. "Happy hour?" He responded... "let me ask the manager ..." I could see a lot of confused remarks back and forth between him and the manager before he eventually came back over and offered another drink. Great! I thought, I'm getting a complimentary drink as part of the happy hour (241 is the standard happy hour deal on 90% of south beach) , however when the bill came everything was full price. "so there's no happy hour then?" I asked, confused. "no sir" he laughed... So why post a big sign out front with the words HAPPY HOUR 4-7 so boldly printed, if neither the staff nor managers have ever heard anything about it? Expensive and dissapointing night out .

Wanted to try Cuban food in Miami to compare to the real dishes I tried In Cuba. I liked this sampler with ropa Vieja, lechon, grilled chicken, rice with plantains and beans. Ropa vieja and lechon were too salty but still good. The beer is not the best but worth trying.

Great service, great food, amazing staff, fair prices! The food came out quick and fresh, done and presented very well. Chef definitely knows what they're doing! Im not kidding, when I say... THIS IS THE BEST CUBAN SANDWICH I'VE EVER HAD! We'll be back and definitely recommend.

I literally had the best time dining here! I ended my Miami Beach trip dining there and it was by far the best meal I’ve had! My waitress Marilyn was super friendly and attentive. They pulled out all the stops as I was there to celebrate my birthday. 10/10 would highly recommend

Hubby and I were visiting from out of state. We wanted to embrace the culture and try some cuban food. This place had a high review rating and the menu looked like something my husband would be willing to try. We went on a Friday nightand had a reservation through OpenTable. We were running a little late but they accomodated us. The place wasnt as busy as the other restaurants up the road. The band and singer was good. We werent happy with the lady coming by selling 4 roses for $20. Hubby felt obligated since it was our date night.Then there was a man going tsble to table doing basic magic tricks looking for money. Then here comes a lady going table to table offering to take your picture and you pay her if you like it. The final was the 20%added to the bill. We thought was the total with tip included. Waitress came back with card and asked if we would like to add a tip? She said the 20% isnt given to her. So who does this money go to? This place is a money grab. We wont be back and dont recommend it.

The food was really good. The vibe was very Cuban. It was a great experience for our first time trying Cuban cuisine. The server was super nice and his recommendations were spot on. We had the Cubano sandwich the vaca frito and the ham coquettes. It was all good and the cilantro aioli was really tasty.

The closer you get to 5th and Ocean Drive, the closer you are to a culinary black hole. The Strip suffers from overcooked Carbonaras and tough tenderloins dressed in drag. However, Havana 1957 is the exception. Its recipes are like tasty time capsules from pre-Revolution Cuba. In those glory days, no dinner party was complete without frequent trips to the host's rum cabinet. That sugarcane spirit, beloved by rebels and right-wingers alike, is alive and well behind Havana 1957's bar, which boasts over 100 varieties. The mojito masters here have curated a rum collection that spans from Appleton Estate in Montego Bay to Roaring Dan's in Madison, Wisconsin, and they know exactly how to use them. The laughs flow as freely as the liquid courage, and no one will dictate when or where you can dance. So, if family or friendly obligations bring you to South Beach, carve out time for a day trip to this Bay of Swigs.

This is a fantastic restaurant with great service. The 2 restaurants right next to each-Havana 1957 and The Tiki Bar are owned but the Break water hotel. The friendly host said we could order from either menu. Our server Jennifer was awesome! She had great recommendations on food & drink. The rest of the staff was also wonderful. At 9pm they performed a traditional Cuban dance as an introduction to another celebration that was to be performed later in the evening. Our dinner was delicious and the drinks were terrific. Definitely the spot to go for dinner on South beach.

Empanadas were 1/4 filled. Very overpriced and not that great. Next table over was smoking cigars and I'm pregnant which made me nauseous and we had to cut out. Bathrooms were very dirty and no soap in them.

Dining at Havana 1957 was a quick yet lovely experience. From the moment you step inside, the warm, lively atmosphere sets the stage for excellent food, drinks and entertainment. The blend of vibrant decor, rhythmic music, and welcoming service instantly gives off a fun vibe. We stopped here during our bike tour and sampled the Flank Steak Stew with Fried Sweet Plantain. It was pretty delish. We didn't get to stay too long as the restaurant was packed at the start of "second lunch" (ref Meriadoc Brandybuck)

If you are visiting Miami beach and not sure which place to go to for a bite or dinner(Because there are so many lol) This place is a good find- You will always find a table and their food is decent too alongwith their prices. Love their service which was fast and efficient. Tried their platter for 2 which had enough options that i shared with my friend! Their cocktails are good too! Will defo come back.

Attended Havana while in town for a cruise @ the request of my friend. The photos are food for just 1 person!!! Everything was really good. The chicken had a nice crisp to it which I loved. It was so filling that we both only ate half. I would hughly consider sharing especially if you dont have a place to store & reheat. The location is cute, but we sat outside & the birds were very present if you dont mind the things that come with outdoor dining then you'll be okay. Me on the other hand should've sat inside. There are some very cute photo moments down the gangway where the outdoor seating is so take advantage!

Step back in time on Ocean Dr with some of Miami's best homestyle Cuban cooking. There are a few Havana 1957 restaurants on Miami Beach, but this is the one to go to for the full experience. You really should go at least twice and sit inside once, and outside the other. They give you totally different experiences. The interior of this restaurant is where Havana 1957 sets itself apart from other Cuban restaurants in Miami. The booths, chairs and walls, especially around the bar area, have all been curated to look like Havana in the late 1950s. Even the thick leather material, the wood, the mirrors seem to be appropriate for the 1950s. The food is no exception--they do it right! At this location, I have tried the Ropa Vieja, Lechon Asado, Havana 1957 Garlic Chicken, Masita de Puerco, Tostone cups with ropa vieja, the Super Mojito, and the Guacamole and Masitas appetizer with plantain chips. Let's got through them. The Masita de Puerco (pork chunks) can be had as both an entree or as and appetizer in miniature version over guacamole with a side of plantain chips. I recommend the appetizer over the entree. The chunks they give you for the entree are about 2" thick and come over a bed of burning coals in a wooden grill box. It's a nice presentation, but your chunks will continue to cook and become dry quickly. My recommendation is that you remove the chunks from the burning coals once they bring them too the table to prevent over-cooking. Also, order a side of mojo with that to dip it. It's good, but they prioritized presentation. Take a picture and remove them from the fire--you'll free up valuable real estate on the table and enjoy your food more. The Ropa Vieja (flank steak stew with onions and peppers) was perfect. The seasoning was traditional and the onions and pepper weren't overly cooked. You can get it both as an entree, or opt for it with the tostone cup appetizer. The Lechon Asado (Roasted mojo pork ) is their best protein dish and the one I recommend you start with. Their citrus mojo dressing serves to bring out the pork flavor in layers--a must-have culinary experience. Oh, yeah, and they top it off with a slice of pork rind. If you get this with Moros (rice and black beans dish), and maduros (fried sweet plantains), your time travel to 1957 Havana will be complete. There's a reason why they have named their chicken dish The Havana 1957 Chicken. It's a slow-cooked garlicky and citrusy chicken dish that's fork-tender and smothered with the flavorful garlic soffrito sauce. I enjoyed it. This one is best accompanied by the white rice and black beans separately, so you can control the moisture on the rice. It's good, but I still prefer their Lechon and ropa vieja protein options over this chicken. At the time of this writing, their Super Mojito is $23. It's the super-sized version of their mojito, and it's worth it. You might try to convince yourself to just get a regular one, but you will regret it. Don't forget, you're in Havana during the 1950s, go big before the fall! I will keep coming back to all the Havana 1957 locations. It's really the best restaurant for tourists to get the Cuban food experience when they're at Miami Beach, but it's also a great Cuban restaurant for locals like me.

The inside is super nice and decorated! We were seating in a corner booth with a pretty mirror wall. Our server was nice but she had a big party seated right behind us and had to squish them in so it got a little tight space wise. I ordered the Cubano Sandwich which was yummy and filling. The fries were okay and my friends also got sandwiches but I forgot what they got but they said it was okay. It was on the bland side but overall the food did its job.

I'm so sorry that I didn't take a photo of my meal. I are the Cuban sampler. This included a chicken breast and small portions of lechon and Ropa vieja. I'm not a big Ropa vieja fan anywhere so I can't really judge it here. My husband normally orders this whenever we eat Cuban food. I love lechon. The Lechon here was pleasant. They included a chicharron topper. So yummy. The sampler also came with rice and plantains. I ended my meal with a cafe con leche and it was perfectly creamy. Emily was our waitress. She's super beautiful and friendly. She was wearing a cute red and white polka dot dress. Very attentive and personable. I will remember to come back here if I'm staying in the area again. We are at The Ritz and it was 1,900 steps from our room to the restaurant. About enough yo work off my rice. Haha.

I've been here a couple of times and I love the food. This time I got the sampler and the cubano. The food and drinks are delicious and they made me fall in love with Cuban food. This restaurant has a cute outdoor patio and an inside with retro decorations. The staff all wear uniforms as well to match the retro style. The lost star was due to the service. We barely saw our waitress, and when we did she was curt and inattentive. Note that they pre-charge 20% tip on your bill.

This is a fun Cuban themed restaurant with live music. We enjoyed the buzzing atmosphere and the live music. The music started about 30-40 minutes late. We ordered drinks and ate dinner while waiting for the show start. The menu is extensive and I couldn't decide so I ended up getting the Cuban Sampler. The platter included the Havana 1957 Chicken, Ropa Vieja and pork shoulder, white rice, black beans, and house sweet plantains. Everything was delicious and more than enough for two! The show finally started and it was so much fun! Some couples even got up and danced salsa.

Fantastic place! The chicken specialty was divine. Yorhander was most attentive! Highly recommend.

Great atmosphere and the service was fabulous! drinks were very good - finished with strawberry cucumber lemonade

The empanadas were 10/10!!! Yummmm!!!!! The roasted chicken. Jus wow! This place screamed authentic Cuban food and I would absolutely go back. Service was great and to top it off. I had a rum and pineapple, and it was delicious and complemented the food very well. Amazing find and we'll go back!

Great sampler appetizer, tender pork, good empanadas. Good outdoor seating in a pedestrian area. Highly recommend

So we came here on a Wednesday at 2:30 pm and it was empty. We choose to get seated outside and the hostess sat us back to back with another table with people. And I said can we sit at a table one over and he gave a hand gesture that immediately implied we didn't have enough people to sit us at. Mind you it was only 2 extra seats and the place was dead empty. That was so rude and then service was so slow. And the hostess kept looking at me the whole time. It was so uncomfortable. Very not a welcoming vibe. Very awkward. People do not come to this location. There one down the street and another one not to far from that one. Pablo the manager was very unprofessional and argumentative with me after I called him out on host attitude and why he kept staring at me. Mind you our bill was over 200$ and he said it's him job to look at people

Matias- is an awesome bartender at Havana 1957. Makes the best Mojitos in town and is very personable. Check this bar out if visiting South Beach and be sure to ask for him.

Went with a group for a meal. The service was very friendly and attentive. The cocktails were well prepared and delicious. The food was tasty and interesting. I highly recommend the flank steak empanadas. They had a lady come around and take pictures of the group. We tried to tell her we weren't interested it was a business dinner. She was a tad aggressive trying to sell the framed photos. The atmosphere was fun and islands. Over all I would come back and happy to take a group of friends there.

Service is always great. Wait staff are attentive, not aggressive. The traditional cuban bowl was amazing! The meat was tender and tasty. The yuca was soft. The pork skin/rind was a nice touch of crunch. Rice was good. Can't recommend this dish enough. My fiancé got the fried snapper. He left the bone on this plate- he would have eaten it too if it was edible. The ambiance is perfect for a date night. We sat on the sidewalk seating both times. We like people watching and seeing the cars drive by at night with all the colorful lights & speakers.

The food was excellent. The service was excellent. The ambience was excellent. Could not ask for a better meal. I had the Cuban sampler really really good and the matrix. They are real good guy. I'll try it. It's well worth it.

Not super authentic cuban food, but great vibes and great service! The highlight of the meal was the massive mojitos with the huge sugarcane sticking out of it. It's quite a strong drink though, and only sweet for the first few sips, so was hard for me to finish. We got a bunch of plates to share but none really stood out. The cuban sandwich was probably my fav dish we ordered -- it had great bread and was very cheesy and savory with the ham and pork. I'm not a huge pickles and mustard fan though so it wasn't my favorite flavor profile. The roasted chicken had a nice flavor but the skin wasn't crispy and was a little soggy instead, and the potatoes were boiled but soaked in a sweet sauce. It's a big portion though. We got a side of crispy plantains which was quite dry; the sweet plantains were better. The grilled fish was super tough and not flaky, which made it hard to eat and share. It had good flavor though. Around 9pm on fridays and saturdays they have live performers doing shows with music and dancing which makes the vibe super fun but also quite loud, so it's hard to hear conversation after that point in the night. Sitting outside was super nice at night because it wasn't too hot! Not really a beach view but a nice street view. All the staff were so friendly and super welcoming so shoutout to them! Overall would come here for the Miami vibes but not really for the food.

Havana 1957 on 940 Ocean Drive has to be one of our favorite places to visit when we are in Miami Beach, the food is amazingly delicious with essential Cuban cuisine and flavors as per Service the staff is always attentive and Best of all very friendly. a great diversity of Latin music and other great music played. the evening has a great atmosphere and live band show must visit Havana1957 for this great experience. also noticed Manager Pavel was always helpful, friendly and respectful with every guest at the Restaurant.

Service was good. Food was good. We ate outside and they were gracious enough to seat us by a fan.

El lugar esta muy bonito pero la comida muy cara con porciones pequeñas , el jugo de naranja es una falta de respeto sl cliente . No conjugan precios con servicio y calidad . No recomiendo este lugar

The food was delicious, Jonathan provided great service and the music was awesome! A must do in south beach

First time having mojito or Cuban food. We got a Cuban combo and a Cuban sandwich to split. The Cuban combo was fabulous. So many good things on it. The Cuban sandwich was good. The mojito was fantastic. The service was good, kinda slow because it was so busy, but not enough to cause for a bad review. The ambiance was like you should expect it to be while eating outside on Ocean Dr in South Beach Miami. Overall all an excellent place. Highly recommend

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! THE FOOD IS NOT FRESH! I got food poisoning here and felt sick about 45-50 minutes after finishing my dinner. I ordered a salad with vaca frita and I thought it was weird that the vaca frita was room temperature. Like it wasn't even like warm! I am on my second day of feeling sick from here. AVOID! There are WAY better food options and better service options. The icing on the cake is that there is a standard 20% service charge for sub-par service.

We ate here a few nights ago and the service and the atmosphere was great. I would totally give it five stars just because the fun factor but my meal really didn't hit. I ordered the Palomilla a la Plancha based on the waitresses recommendation she actually said it was a better cut of meat. The waitress asked me how I'd like it cooked and I said medium and when they brought it out, it was well done totally dry and unappealing. I should've ordered a Cubano.

Food was Excellent and fresh! Waiter was fun and helpful!! Highly recommended! Cuban food on the beach.

My husband and I ordered the Cuban sandwhich with fries. I liked the fries but my husband didn't. I asked for ranch and the waiter acted like he wasn't sure if they had any but then showed up with ranch...seemed weird. The sandwhich was horrible. We both regretted going there. Such a waste of money. Server was very nice but seemed like they were too overwhelmed.

Came here on a Friday night for drinks and light apps and was not disappointed. The food was delicious, the mojitos were the best I've had, and the music and dancing was incredible. Love that they have a photographer and the option to buy a framed photo.

Gabby was wonderful!! Empanadas in the Cuban were absolutely delicious!! Great drink menu too

Now let me start by saying the reason for the 3/5 starts is because of that raggedy ass 20% mandatory service charge. How my bill for $24 end up $75 is legal robbery!!! But the service was amazing and the food was great. I also had a big ass classic mojito but I couldn't finish it. That drink was huge.

2nd time here and it was even better than the 1st. Highly recommend the Appetizer sampler and Cuban Sampler. It was so nice. Sat outdoors along Ocean Dr. it wasn't too busy so the atmosphere was nice. The lechon butest... I can eat that for days it was insanely good.

In Miami Beach I was in the mood for a coffee. For some reason, I couldn't find an actual coffee shop, around the area we were walking around. There's absolutely no shortage of Cuban and Mexican restaurants in Miami. I stopped by Havana 1597 Cuban Cuisine Restaurant. This restaurant has a beautiful outdoor patio, the inside is also beautifully decorated with old family photos. They also have a stage which would come to life at night. I ordered an iced latte, at the bar, which is fine since the outside was too hot. I didn't get an iced latte, it was hot instead. It came nicely presented in a ceramic cup. It was unfortunately too weak, there was nothing Cuban about this latte, like there were hardly any coffee beans used to make it. Since I'm on a roll, I'll mention that this not so great latte was $8.50. I have a feeling Havana 1597 Cuban Cuisine Restaurant would deliver excellent cocktails, food and live music. I wasn't there at the right time to experience any of it.

Made reservations for group of 6 was seated right away the ambiance was lively. Loved the music and the show girls were amazing the singer did a great job with all the songs she sang. They were very entertaining and how the crowd engaged. The food was a bit salty when I asked my fiends about their meal they said the same we are all Latin but the food was a bit over salted. Overall nice place and great service. Maybe it was just our batch of food that was over salted other than that recommend it.

Keeping gf I ordered garlic shrimp and he had the shredded beef with plantain chips and rice which he loved. No mention of this dishes actual Cuban name- ropa vieja, but they did boast an awesome recrafted beer from Havana called LaTropical. Important to note- we had a long cruise the next day so we carefully checked freshness to avoid a possible vacation ending debacle. Good news- we felt great! There's a stage show inside just be sure to catch it on its best night, Saturday!

The best gastronomic and entertainment proposal in Miami Beach, don't miss it Excellent service, spectacular food, vibrant and luxurious entertainment. An incredible experience Cuban style in Miami!!!!

My husband and I stopped here for a late night meal and everything was very OK - service, ambiance and food. I asked for a dessert menu and didn't receive it until I asked for it a second time. With no music, the ambiance felt mediocre, like there was nothing more to offer than being on south beach. My husband liked his sandwich though.

Food never disappoints and the lunch menu is great for trying. The piña colada was fantastic, but the mojito could've been better. I do love the sugar cane it comes with though.

Last night in Miami for a birthday/Memorial Day weekend trip and we were looking for a good restaurant near our hotel. Stumbled on this spot as we were walking and decided to give it a shot - glad we did. The service was great! Our waiter was extremely helpful in his entree descriptions and recommendations, along with suggestions for drinks (size, flavors, etc.) He was also very attentive, patient with us taking a minute at times to make a clear decision and just friendly overall. With his recommendations, the food & drinks were excellent! We each got the larger sized mojitos in different flavors, which worked out well for us to have enough each and collectively. And our entrees were delicious and such great portions! The food came out hot, the sauce and spices of the food made it so tasty and the portions were so big - we each took some back with us. I was sad they didn't have the Tres Leches for dessert, but I got the Flan instead which was very good. If you find yourself in South Beach and are looking for a spot with good food, check this place out!

We went on a Saturday night for dinner and the show. The food, drinks, service and entertainment were awesome! We enjoyed ourselves so much that we canceled reservations fort he following night at another restaurant just so we could return here. Happy to say it did not disappoint!

TL;DR: Lechon Asado is my fave here. Best plantain chips! and pitcher mojito for value. Environment: it's nice outside. Didn't go in so I can't say. Service: we were helped by Maria. She was nice and came just enough to be able to help us with our orders and the check. Food: we ordered lechon asado, ropa vieja, and some shrimp. Lechon Asado was sosososo good. I was so impressed, it was juicy and we'll seasoned and it comes with rice. It also came with a bowl of some casava(?) I think. It was pretty good! The ropa vieja was also a good portion and comes with beans and rice. It was really savory and would order again. But honestly probably prefer the lechon Asado. Shrimp was good, fresh. The only thing was the sauce isn't a cocktail sauce we were used to. It doesn't have the kick from horseradish. One last thing, the plantain chips were soo good. I am a fan of plantain chips, the chips here are thin and salted just right! It didn't survive our table and had to order another. Also ordered pitchers of mojito. Best value for sharing lol. Also loved the tropical drink.

Nothing better than dining on the terrace, feeling the ocean breeze while surrounded by that Miami vibe. Decided to give this local favorite a try and was not disappointed. Havana 1957 seems to be a staple in Miami. They have several locations and as I was told they are all the same in terms of food and drinks. Slight differences in live music and entertainment. The restaurant itself is nice. It's on the main boardwalk and near the beach. It's lively and has a great vibe to it. We started off with some Yucca Bites. Crispy crunchy yucca dough balls stuffed with cheese and beef. We got three of each and they were incredible. Careful not to dig in right away as it will burn your mouth. The cheese inside is very hot. The Cuban style shrimp cocktail was really good as well. It was a different take on it but the yucca chips and the flavors were on point. The Cuban sampler was perfect for two to share. Comes with chicken. Ropa Vieja and Lechon. Served with white rice, black beans, and house sweet plantains. The flavors were amazing. The Ropa Vieja cooked to perfection! The staff was friendly and accommodating but the service was a bit slow. Which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. So if you want to try some authentic Cuban food head over to Havana 1957. You will not be disappointed.

Always consistent, very delicious Cuban food. Ready to go place while in South Beach.

It was very small space with plenty of outdoor seating. The food was 10 out of 10 and so was the service and the south beach mojitos, cafe cubano, cafe cortado, and flan. We tried the ceviche and cuban combo. Ask for Armando and Noriesque. Best hot bar tenders in the place.

Some of the BEST food and service we have had on South Beach ever. Our waiter name was NIRE and he was INCREDIBLE! Worth every penny. They took such amazing care of us. We will be back. Thank you.

10/10 experience. Hosted my civil union luncheon here and everyone was wonderful. The staff accommodated all 30 of us and were so kind and helpful. The food was delicious. Highly recommend.