Havana Kitchen

❤️🇨🇺 Love this Cuban spot! The red + golden glow makes it super cozy and relaxing. Every little detail in the décor—from the artwork to the meaningful words on the walls—really captures the authentic spirit of Cuba. The food is fresh and light (never greasy!), and the coffee ☕✨… wow, so rich and aromatic—I couldn’t leave without grabbing two bags of beans! Friendly staff + cute little details (even a cat 🐱) made my visit extra special. Definitely coming back!

Great spot for Cuban food! This is the third Cuban restaurant I've tried, and it's definitely been the best so far. The flavors were bold and authentic, and everything tasted freshly made with high-quality ingredients. There’s plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, which is a nice plus. If I had to point out a downside, it would be the ordering process—you order at the counter, and while the food menu is easy to find, the coffee menu is only available at the counter itself, which can get crowded. Overall, highly recommend this place if you’re craving flavorful, well-prepared Cuban food!

We’re back at Havana Kitchen in Temecula, and honestly, it feels so good to be here again. After a recent trip to Miami, we drove around for hours looking for a Cuban restaurant that serves breakfast—including empanadas—and couldn’t find a single place in Miami nor the surrounding area ! You drove around for a couple hours at least ! Can you believe that? It made us appreciate Havana Kitchen even more, so now we tell everyone: this is hands down the best Cuban spot in the world. This time, we had their fresh potato balls, which were prepped just yesterday, and of course, their incredible ropa vieja. It’s my favorite, and they make it even better as a breakfast dish by simply adding an egg on top. Pure perfection. And their café con leche? It’s unbeatable—sweet, warm, and so comforting. I’d take it over Better Buzz (the coffee shop down the street) any day. Their drinks are great, but Havana Kitchen’s café con leche is on another level. We also grabbed a Chicken Cilantro Empanada Kids Meal to-go because it’s our firstborn’s favorite, and honestly, it’s so good I might get one for myself next time. I’m just so thankful to have such an incredible Cuban restaurant so close to home. Havana Kitchen really is the best!

Let me start off by saying, DO NOT COME STARVING. On a Sunday afternoon primetime, there were only two employees running the front of the house. Both were simultaneously responsible for busing tables, serving to tables, taking orders, and making drinks. It took 15 min to place an order and then 45 min from placement to dish on table. I timed all of this because I was very hungry. The customers in front of me on line left so that helped to speed up the order time to 15 min. The food and drink itself aren't bad. But the entire dining experience of waiting THAT long for one basic dish (ropa vieja aka shredded beef per their Americanized menu). I hope the owners or managers are able to read this and take this into consideration. I'm too hangry to comment on the food itself. There's potential...but please staff accordingly to make dining time more reasonable. Not everyone has an hour to spend just to wait for food.

I absolutely loved this place. The food and service were exceptional. As a Mexican from Oaxaca, I always look for a restaurant that feels welcoming, and this place truly exceeded my expectations. I had the ropa vieja, and it was delicious. I can't wait to bring my whole family here. I'm not sure if it was the owner or the manager, but he went out of his way to find something spicy for me, which made the experience even more special. Highly recommend!

Went there for the first time to order sandwiches to go. The food is pretty good. The service is terrible. I waited at least an hour for a to go order. Not sure why a couple of sandwiches would take so long. I noticed even the people seated, were waiting a very long time to get food to their table. I saw 3 people in the kitchen. Seems like plenty of cook staff so, there must be a problem; organization, management, something. If you decide to give it a try, make sure you have PLENTY OF TIME TO SIT AND WAIT.......AND WAIT!

Havana Kitchen serves what might be the best Cubanos I've had outside of Cuba. Their array of sangrias, coffee, pastries, and plantain dishes really serve to round out the fare for a perfect lunch / cafe spot that complements their relaxed atmosphere. Unfortunately, the wait was horrendous during this visit, taking >1 hour to get our food after ordering. I'll give the benefit of the doubt that this is atypical, as I visited during a busy holiday weekend, but something to be aware of if anyone is looking for a quick bite. Still, the Cubano was well worth the wait.

Great empanadas! Cute place. The staff are super friendly. Gabriela and Alondra were super welcoming and knowledgeable. They made us feel so welcomed and gave awesome recommendations. We haven’t been here since before Covid and now we will be coming back.

Love this Cuban spot! The red + golden glow makes it super cozy and relaxing. Every little detail in the décor--from the artwork to the meaningful words on the walls--really captures the authentic spirit of Cuba. The food is fresh and light (never greasy!), and the coffee ... wow, so rich and aromatic--I couldn't leave without grabbing two bags of beans! Friendly staff + cute little details (even a cat ) made my visit extra special. Definitely coming back!

Stopped by Havana Kitchen tonight with high hopes for some good Cuban food. We ordered two Super Cubanos and the ropa vieja - nothing too complicated. The wait time was brutal. A full hour for our order, and the place wasn't even packed. I get that good food takes time, but an hour for sandwiches and a standard Cuban dish? That's pushing it. The food itself was tasty when it finally arrived, but by that point we were pretty frustrated. For a casual dinner spot, the service speed really needs work. Might give it another shot during off-peak hours, but right now the wait times are a real problem.

Would NOT recommend Waited 20 minutes to order at the counter and 42 minutes to get four coffees. ONE employee who was responsible for taking orders, bus the tables, make coffees, pack to go orders, answer the phones and bring food to tables. We have been coming here for years and the service has never been good but after today we won't be back. They were "out of" chicken, beef, whole milk and avocados. Charged us $1.00 each for an alternative milk because they didnt have whole milk

Oh man, I do not like giving low reviews but here it goes: I am huge on customer service and will only return to a place that gives off positive energy. I tried this place for the first time in Temecula on a Friday meeting up with some friends. The Yelp reviews were all pretty good so we decided to try it out. I will say it was not busy and service was quick. The reason why I am not returning is due to the employee taking our order. Horrible customer service. I felt as if I was bothering her while placing my order and throughout our stay. Mind you I only asked if they had a vegetarian option for the empanadas because I was doing lent and if I could have a glass of water with my order. There was nothing friendly about her, she was not attentive or helpful throughout our whole stay. For food I ordered 3 veggie empanadas, plantains and a cuban latte. Of course I loved the plantains and the cuban latte. The empanadas were fine. They have indoor and outdoor seating. The overall ambiance feel it gave me was kind of sad. Again, the food was fine but I will not be returning.

I really wanted to try something a little bit different and I have never had a Cuban coffee They were offering a delicious honey latte ... it was smooth. It was sweet and it was just the right strength of coffee. This place is very popular. They allow dogs on the outside patio. They do have some vegan and some gluten-free things on the menu. We chose not to eat lunch there, but the coffee was delicious.

This is a review for service only! Because this Cubano sandwich is the best! But here is what happened today. We walked in at 5:59 to order a Cubano and french fries and the girl behind the counter said, "I will be a minute" and we graciously said, "no problem!" At 6:03 she decided to help us and said, "oh I'm sorry actually I can't take your order. We close at 6:00." I was floored that she made us wait and then decided to say no can do. She went and asked the cook if she could take an order but declined to tell him that she made us wait four minutes until after 6:00. This is not the customer service that should be displayed! Then she tells us sorry I'm here all alone! That's really not our problem. We got there in time, maybe shut and lock the doors. A zero star for today!

Near the entrance, there's a tiny sign that says to order at the counter and seat yourself, but I didn't see it until we were walking out the door after eating. Customer service is much to be desired. Employees aren't very helpful, friendly or attentive; and pretty much stood by the register/counter area talking amongst themselves. However, the food and coffee are great. The Cubano sandwich was delicious, as well as the ropa egg bowl. My son and husband also enjoyed the empanadas, 3 of which we took to go, and stayed crispy.

We decided to come and try this place since every other place around had a lot of people. There was a lot of people during to graduations and stuff. Plus we wanted to give it a try since it looked like it was new to the area. Maybe it's been here and I just never noticed it. We walked in to the place and it was also packed with people but not as the other places. We get in line and get to the front counter to order with the cashier already giving us the heads up that the wait is 30 or more minutes for the food. We decided to stay since every other place was probably the same. I ordered the chicken plate that comes with black beans , white rice and fried plantains. My husband ordered the original Cuban sandwich and a side salad. I also ordered a glass of red sangria. We went to sit outside since the inside was a bit stuffy. They weren't kidding about the food taking 30 to 40 minutes. I think we waited about 40 minutes before the food finally arrived to our table. My chicken dish was delicious, I had them flavor the chicken in a cilantro sauce and it was delicious. The rice and beans were also very good. My husband also enjoyed his salad and the sandwich was a pretty good size sandwich. Let's just say the food was worth the long wait. Now that we know that this place is good , we can come back next time we are in Temecula.

Iam Cuban so I eat alit Cuban food and this Place was one of the best I had in while ! I had the super Cuban sandwich was huge! The chicken Mojo empanadas were the best chicken empanadas I ever had ! Everything was really really good had potatoes balls. Wife had the roasted pork bowl was bomb Af! Totally recommend.

We're back at Havana Kitchen in Temecula, and honestly, it feels so good to be here again. After a recent trip to Miami, we drove around for hours looking for a Cuban restaurant that serves breakfast--including empanadas--and couldn't find a single place. Can you believe that? It made us appreciate Havana Kitchen even more, so now we tell everyone: this is hands down the best Cuban spot around. This time, we had their fresh potato balls, which were prepped just yesterday, and of course, their incredible ropa vieja. It's my favorite, and they make it even better as a breakfast dish by simply adding an egg on top. Pure perfection. And their café con leche? It's unbeatable--sweet, warm, and so comforting. I'd take it over Better Buzz (the coffee shop down the street) any day. Their drinks are great, but Havana Kitchen's café con leche is on another level. We also grabbed a Chicken Cilantro Empanada Kids Meal to-go because it's our firstborn's favorite, and honestly, it's so good I might get one for myself next time. I'm just so thankful to have such an incredible Cuban restaurant so close to home. Havana Kitchen really is the best!

We ordered food and and a latte with agave, Monday 7/28/25 They gave us a coffee. Then gave us food to go, after we went up and ordered our food again. I said it was for here and they gave us the food in its to go container with NO pate or silverware! Then one plastic fork and a spoon. We had to ask for another fork!! I never complain, but wtf?! This felt like the summer hires are failing.

You cannot go wrong with this place! Their food were so good that I had to get another round of empanadas, AND ordered to-go to take home lol the soup was really good, the rice, good, everything i ordered, good! the coffee and espresso was pretty top notch. it's pretty pricey but its worth it. Staff, super nice! And I really appreciate a smiley helpful staff wherever I go.

this is a little gem in the midst of old town! We came here for a quick coffee and a bite to start the day and that was a great decision. Started with the coffee which was perfection. And then we tried the beef and oscar empanadas and they both were so so delicious. And then we tried these two with the sauces and dear lord that was magnificent. Everything was so fresh and just made right. The atmosphere was so great inside as well. We loved all the decor. We will definitely be back here whenever we visit again

Service has gone downhill at this place - it's really sad. They don't open on time, they close early. I placed an online order and It's taken them over 35 minutes for two sandwiches. This order was placed during the week after lunch hours , The tables are grimy, the glass on the door is filthy, and they need to clean.

Terrible service. Our receipt was stamped 12:14p, we got our food 45 minutes later and it was cold. The cappuccino took an additional 45 minutes. The food is okay, but the service was horrible. They claimed they lost my order ticket, twice.

10/09/2024 (4:45 pm) The place had a few customers sitting and eating inside and outside. I definitely beat the dinner rush. But since it is a weekday, I wasn't sure if there was much of one. The young female employee greeted me as I came in and gave me a few minutes to peruse the menu. When asked for her recommendation of chicken empanadas to choose from, she recommended the Chicken Mojo. I ordered a chicken empanada, a potato ball, a veggie empanada, and an original Cubano sandwich. I docked one star because it was going to take 40 minutes for my order. The young female employee was upfront about it when I ordered...but damn that's a long time for a take out order! I walked around Old Town Temecula and visited a few stores before heading back. My order was ready when I arrived. My food was still warm when I ate it, about 15 minutes later. The potato ball was okay - fried well and soft on the inside. The empanadas were yummy - crunchy exterior and well cooked and seasoned filling. Great recommendation for the Chicken Mojo empanada. The cubano sandwich was delicious! There was the right amount of everything in it. It was a good size for me. But if you have a bigger appetite, I would get other sides or order it as a meal. I think the meal comes with beans and plantains. I would definitely come back for the cubano sandwich and empanadas. I did get one piece of sweet plantain with my sandwich. Now I will definitely order some next time.

Delicious empanadas!!! Great variety to choose from. Came in for coffee and empanadas. Everything was perfect Clean, and relaxing atmosphere . Parking is limited you may need to park and walk a block or two to get here . Servers were professional and kind.

Well discovered a little gem off of "Old Town Front Road" in Temecula. Hardest part was parking. Food absolutely delish!!! Ordering is done at the counter the you're given a number and food brought to you. It'sabout a 20 minute wait for three of us to get our order... I didnt think that was outragous. The staff are great, very friendly. My service dog was greeted with open arms. I feel the ambience is right on point... little cafe in the middle of Cuba. They also provide clired pencils and pics for kids to keep theem entertained. All in all I would rate this place 5 for food, staff and cleanliness. The coffee here is also delish.

I was married to a Cubano... Cuban food and culture is everything to them. I learned a lot including cooking and tasting (my favorite ) I've been to every Cuban restaurant in Los Angeles and Orange county (including south Florida) this by far is the best Cuban food!!! It's blows Porto's away when it comes to entrées.... Portos would be number one in their bakery items but Havana Kitchen is 10 STARS I tried the Ropa Veja, sandwiches, empanadas and plantains. The black beans and rice was perfect! We came twice over a 5 day trip implant to come back the day we leave, so we can take food home with us. Thank you to the staff and the chef's

We've been coming here for YEARS!!!! Since they were a tiny shop in the business center off Jefferson They have grown and gone through MANY changes and cooks! Overall good. Today they were PACKED!!!!! There was only one person working the counter. Our morning muffin was "warmed up" twice and still ice cold inside. The cashier was efficient but not super welcoming. Very long wait to order. Seemed as though they could use more staff. From the time we walked into the door, till the time our food came, was an hour and 25 minutes!!!!! ... That was a first for us in all these years. Definitely way too long! The food was good, however, my platinos were cold. At that point, I just ate my food and enjoyed the company I was in. Too long of a wait!

So, so delish. Ever since I learned about this place it's been on my Yelp list. After traveling to Cuba in 2916, it was a must. Love the ambience, service and food. My Original Cubano sandwich was incredible, and how do you NOT order a Café Cubano? My wife ordered Papas Rellenas and a Chicken Cilantro Empanada. We will definitely be back EVERY time we are in town.

The temperature in the place was sweltering, the menu is difficult to see on the wall - and after we stood in line for 10 mins waiting behind one party to order, we were given paper menus that were readable. Ordered the vegetarian empanadas and were told they were out. So we asked what else was vegetarian and the cashier pointed out a menu that was taped to a nearby table, situated underneath several menus and other paperwork. You couldn't pick it up to read it and the light made it difficult to read taped to the hip-high table. This all transpired after she stopped taking our order multiple times to go deliver food, then to answer the phone, and also leaving mid-order to talk to her co-worker. They are understaffed- we didn't even get to try the food- we left and walked next door to another restaurant after 15 frustrating and HOT minutes, trying to order.

Havana Kitchen never disappoints! My wife and I had the Havana Q barbecue sandwich and the Cubano, and they were happy to substitute rice and beans for the plantains--everything was packed with authentic flavor. The staff is always warm and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. This is a spot we make a point to visit every single time we're in town.

Service was horrible! The girls there seem clueless. They all seemed like it was their first day on the job. Our table was full of dirty dishes. We asked one of the girls to clear the table. We were there about 30 minutes until someone did actually clean the table. The only reason someone did is because they brought my coffee, which took them 30 minutes to make, before anyone came up to our table. When we asked the girl to clear the table, she copped an attitude like we were the ones that dirtied the table. My wife had to tell her that they weren't our dishes. Even if they had been our dishes, which they weren't, she should have simply taken the dishes instead of us needing to explain the dishes were there when we got there. When we arrived, the water dispenser (jug) was out of water. I informed one of the girls there and she took it to the back. She didn't come back with it for about 45 minutes. How does it take 45 minutes to fill up a water dispenser that only holds like 2 gallons of water?! We ended up waiting 30 minutes for a coffee and about 50 minutes for our food. How on earth does a cup of coffee take 30 minutes to make?! There was a guy there that ordered before we did, that only ordered yucca fries, that waited about 60 minutes before he got fed up and asked for a refund. Again, the girls there acted as if it was their first day on the job. They fumbled his order and kept telling him "10 more minutes." The food wasn't good either. The beans were bland and the ropa vieja was way too sweet. It tasted like it had artificial sweetener in it. The tostones were decent although I had to ask for dipping sauce. They asked me if I wanted mojo, which was ironic because my wife tried to order the bowl and they claimed they ran out of mojo, so she had to order something different. They obviously had not ran out of mojo if they gave it to me for the tostones yet it wasn't available for a bowl. Overall, it was not worth the wait. I would NOT recommend this place to anyone.

Found this little gem of a restaurant in Downtown Temecula. They had many selections to pick from and all sounded delicious. The steak was tender and full of flavor. Empanadas were cooked so well with a nice crisp. The bread that came with the steak platter was surprisingly really good that I was going to order more of that! Staff were nice and friendly. The place was clean. Definitely will come back to try more things!

The food is flavorful - we ordered sandwiches when we first came here a year ago and today we came back for more coffee. The coffee hits different, we love it! The service is great and they made the coffee and food in decent time. Made to order. My husband and I love the atmosphere, playing Cuban music and it's got a chill feel. Definitely would recommend.

So good every single time! The cortadito is a must. As a side note, Mia is amazing and made we sure we got exactly what we wanted.

Good food , absolutely loved it. The place is very quaint as well which I can appreciate . Will say the manager is super unfriendly and acts ridiculously irritated by customers. Super mean to her staff members . Disheartening to see at a small establishment

Coffee and food were awesome! I specially loved the plantains Service was great! I believe this is a family owed bakery but if it's not they sure made it feel like it! We were greeted as soon as we walked it and workers were very pleasant In the heart of downtown Temecula! I didn't even know this whole area existed until his visit and I really enjoyed the small town feel!

I love the chicken bowls, empanadas, and the fries. My husband loves the Cuban sandwich. I enjoy eating there every time I go. The location is in the heart of Old Town and the ambiance is cool yet artistic. Service has always been superb for me.

The food is amazing but the service is the worst. Employee has an annoyed face every time someone comes in. And they are out of pretty much everything. Employee makes no effort what so ever to make any sales.

Ambiance- cute place. You order first and then sit down. Service- fast and friendly. They were busy but food came out fast Food - got chai latte..Yucca fries..empanada with egg and rice ans beans. It was authentic Cuban food and lots of it. I got the veggie empanada and chicken chipolte..both were good. They gave plenty of food and loved the sauce that went with

Cubano sandwich was fantastic There was a wait but it was worth it The fries were also delicious

Just inside the doors, you are transported to an adorable Havana Cafe, from the music to the aromas of coffee and delicious foods wafting from the kitchen. The friendly staff are welcoming and waiting to take your order. The menu offers a little bit of something for everyone, even the kids. The baked goods look delicious. I ordered the Cafe Lattè, simple yet delicious, and it was made on the spot. I love a great fresh latte. For food, I ordered the Bodega Hand-Held sandwich. It was made fresh, so I didn't mind a little wait while I sipped my Lattè. The Bodega sandwich tasted amazing! The beans that came with it had such a wonderful taste to them and accompanied the rice nicely. Overall I'd recommend Havana Cafe Bodega Sandwhich and for the Cafe Lattè.

Still one of my favorite restaurants in town 10 years later. The food is so flavorful, good portions, and service is quick. Inside was cozy but not too loud.

Just amazing! First time here and loved it. The service was outstanding, very friendly and professional staff. The food was delicious. The Sangrias were very refreshing. Can't wait to come back.

Same complaint, extremely long wait but food is very good. Definitely not a place to eat unless you have a minimum of an hour to wait for your food (I ordered a sandwich). Again, food is delicious but by the time your lunch is ready it'll be dinner time.

A Taste of Authentic Cuban Cuisine in Temecula!! As someone from Miami, I'm very familiar with authentic Cuban food, and I have to say, Havana Grill in Temecula truly delivers! The food here is absolutely delicious, and my go-to dish is the sautéed steak with rice and beans. Every bite reminds me of the rich, flavorful Cuban dishes I grew up with. What makes this place even more special is the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the owner goes out of her way to ensure every guest has a wonderful dining experience. Her attention to detail and genuine hospitality make every visit feel like a special occasion. I highly recommend trying Havana Grill if you're in the area. Whether you're a fan of Cuban cuisine or new to it, this restaurant will not disappoint!

Warm ambience with flavorful Cuban cuisine. Plenty of seating and outdoor seating on the patio as well. Stopped in for a quick breakfast so glad we did. Service was quick. The Cuco Chai Latte was so pretty and delicious. Perfect pick me up after a long night! I also got the Empanada combo (I choose the Oscar, Picadillo, and Veggie). Super fresh and delicious. The Sauce the empanadas came with was bangin, perfect addition to the empanadas! Can't wait to come back in the future and try some more dishes there. I do love how they have $5 Cuban Sangria's with many different flavors to choose from. You can even purchase them to carry out with you! Next time I would totally get a sangria to go while walking around Old Town! Great price. Love that!

We were on our way home from a trip to San Diego and found this amazing spot! I had the Empanadas and eggs, wife had the Americano Omelette. We also enjoyed a guava pastry and the loaded yuca fries with coffee. We have traveled the Caribbean and my wife is actually a Puerto Rican chef. This is spot on! The food is incredible and the service is good. It's a busy place and is to be expected with the caliber of the food. The space is quaint and has a good Cuban feel. If you're in the DT Temecula area, you need to stop in!!!

As a Cuban American, wow just wow. The latte transported me home. This was absolutely delicious.

Ordered 1 empanada and it took about 50 minutes. Parties all around were waiting for their meals, and look annoyed. I understand they were short staffed, but there didn't seem to be good management at all. Will not visit again.

The best Cubano I have had. The service is cafe and efficient. Sometimes it can take a while but that's because the foods amazing.

If you don't mind waiting 1hr+ for food, or can come at off times like lunch at 9am/3pm then you'll love it.. Can not stress enough how SLOW the service is. But at least it's super stuffy and hot in the restaurant.

We came for dinner. We got the sangria, empanadas, cubano, and a special (rice and chicken mixture). It was all very tasty. My husband did say some og his sandwich had a fishy flavor. The service was great, friendly.and fast. We sat outside as it was a beautiful evening but there was seating inside as well. We heard the coffee was great so we will be back to try earlier in the day.

Pretty damn good!! Idk why I always kind of forget about this little gem in Old Town Temecula. Havana Kitchen is your go-to for a good ole Cubano Sammie. I always think of that bakery that starts with a "P" with the famous cheese rolls... they have pretty good Cubano sandwiches too. This was my first visit with some friends. It was a nice place to have lunch and catch up during the week. The menu has a wide variety of items to choose from, and they have some sweet stuff like tarts, pastries, and even lattes and teas. You order and pay at the counter, and if you're dining in, they bring your food to you. The service is friendly and they check on you occasionally. The Original Cubano Sandwich that I had came with a small plantain. I liked them both. My friends ordered some empanadas, and my other friend ordered a sandwich, too. We all had leftovers, lol. The desserts were great! The Apple Tartlet and Lemon Tart were very tasty. The crust was perfect on both. I hate when I have those kinds of desserts and there's too much crust that you can't even taste the filling! The Flan was a good size and wasn't overly sweet. It's perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth craving! We asked for boxes to take our leftovers, which they happily provided. The prices aren't bad and the parking is limited but should not be impossible, especially on a weekday. I will be returning again. =)

Great spot for some Cuban food! Service was quick and their Cubanos and empanadas were delicious!

Best Cuban food I've had so far and excellent desserts and hot mocha! I usually order a bowl of the shredded beef stew, which comes with black beans, rice, and sweet plantain. It's so filling! The yucca fries and empanadas are awesome, as well. You order and pre-pay at the front desk and they give you a number and bring the food to you. You seat yourself/yourselves.

I absolutely love Cuban food but I was slightly disappointed in the food here. I learned that they do not make the empanadas fresh. The taste of the empanadas was good but you can tell the difference between fresh and pre made. They also advertise that the dishes come with plantains, plural, but I got just one small plantain. Overall for the cost, I don't think the quality was worth it.