Mi Cuba Cafe

Probably the BEST Cuban food we have had in the DC area. We have been here several times, and love it. Service is quick and table space is plenty, though during peak hours and days, reservations recommended. Food and drinks arrive quick to the table. Not a bad item in the menu. Heads up the tip is included so just be aware, it’s 15%, and you can go from there.

I love this Authentic Cuban restaurant!!! Mi Cuba is where it is at. Everything is amazing 🤩. The full meal from start to finish was amazing. If you find yourself in the DMV area this is a must. Do Not leave DC without trying this restaurant. You will not be disappointed. I had Mi Cuba for the first time 4 years ago, the food was so delicious I could not stop thinking about it. Well It was well worth the wait 4 years later.

Came here for my birthday week. Recommended by a friend, it was very good! The portions are very generous, and everything was delicious.

LOVED THIS PLACE! Came here for dinner Friday—called ahead to make a reservation which was good because the place is small and most of the tables were occupied by the dinner rush. The food was delicious! The Beef Empanadas were a great appetizer. Friday’s special was the Ropa Vieja—it was well flavored and comes with two sides. The Lechon Asado was great too! For drinks, the Traditional Mojitos were legit, they even have sugarcane in their drinks—one of the best mojitos I’ve ever had!

Love it!! Excellent taste on the Ropa Vieja. Media noche was also tasty.

It ain’t fancy but it’s authentic and so yummy! The server recommended our dishes and they were both 😋 Plus, we came in at 7:15 and they still served us with a smile and patience even though they close the kitchen at 8. Highly recommend!

I drove from Stafford for this delicious AUTHENTIC CUBAN food. Awesome customer service. Everyone speaks English and Spanish and they communicate very well over the phone. They had all of our food ready in 20mins! Definitely coming back here with more folks. Just look at the food! Yum!!! Sorry for the food pictures that have the food gone, couldn’t wait to dig in before taking a picture of the yummy food lol we had ropa vieja con arroz blanco y platanitos & I had Churrasco con frijoles negros y yuca frita. We also had croquetas de pollo, pasteleros de guava y queso & papa rellena.

Cute spot with great food. Don't out on the great coffee or strong drinks. Staff if super nice. Ordered the chicken with cheese and the Cubano. Both were great.

A perfectly small size business with a home-cooked meal type vibe. They understood the assignment on authentic Cuban food. We loved everything from the appetizers to our main dish. I couldn't finish everything. I took it in a box to go and definitely finished it before my plane ride home.

I was looking for something different to eat while in DC and Cuban food is a favorite. Mi Cuba got really good reviews so dinner was decided and off we went. This is a very unassuming place but rest assured it is quality. When you arrive, it looks very small but there is an upstairs dining area. Make the effort to go upstairs. We ordered the empanadas to start and then the Lechon Asado for my main. The empanadas arrived and they were little bitesized versions. I have never seen them like that but it was pretty good. Once we devoured that, it was on for the main event. The Lechon Asado was really good. Pork was a little crispy but not dry. The Moro rice was on point but the plantains really shined. My main complaint was the service. We had to constantly ask for refills and other things. Also they included the tip (party of 3) in our total. Not sure why they did that, but it got corrected. Overall the food was good. I would come back.

The food and portions are fantastic. They have great service and a very nice environment/ambiance. I have been here twice so far and I will absolutely be back!

Our new favorite cuban spot in DC! We ducked in on a rainy Friday evening and were so glad we did. We started off with a mojito (the best I've had in DC; it has sugarcane as garnish), and papas rellenas - delicious! We then ordered the ropa vieja and the aporreado (shredded chicken). The ropa vieja was some of the most tender I've had, while still being very flavorful. The aprorreado was great too, but I'd probably pick the ropa vieja over it next time. These portions were very large; we definitely had leftovers. We sat on the main floor near the bar. I'm not 100% sure if there's seating upstairs or not, but downstairs was a pretty small place. Service was good; a little on the slow side, but once we ordered our food things sped up.

So I don't know Cuban food, but I did enjoy eating the Cuban sandwich I got! Their sandwiches are ginormous! I had a fourth of the Sandwich Cubano and was satisfied. I also got to try a few bites of the media noche and Churrasco (skirt steak). The main difference between media noche and Cubano is 1) size (Cubano is a little larger and $2 more) and 2) media noche's bread is more buttery. The steak is well done but had a really nice char/smokiness that made it really tasty. They have hand sanitizer on the table and bring out toasted bread cut into crinkle fries shape for an app (on the house) - it was pretty good too! In terms of the space: they have two floors, and we sat on the second floor. They have a bathroom (individual) upstairs and it's very clean and spacious. Service is attentive and I think we all really enjoyed our time and food. Others had a mango drink and they really enjoyed it.

Food was flavored and yummy. I love picadillo and this was the closest to the best I've had in the area of DC

Please try this place, you will not regret it! I come here very often after church and the service is incredible. The staff is always so friendly and speedy and offers good recommendations. I try a different dish every time we come, and the food never disappoints. From the steak, chicken, or pork you will absolutely love the food. They give these unsuspecting sauces that actually are magic and make anything you put them on so delicious. They have fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, and amazing empanadas!

Really enjoyed a delicious lunch here. I made reservations for noon, right when they opened. First ones there - but it quickly filled up. Tables are tight but we had a nice spot by the front windows. Our server was super helpful with navigating the large menu. Everything we had was super yummy - ordered more than we could eat - definitely happy to have leftovers.

Delicious, authentic Cuban food! Came in on a Sunday for lunch not long after it opened so the restaurant was not crowded. Several families with kids came in which makes it feel like a neighborhood gem. The waitresses were super friendly and the food came out quickly. We need to talk about complementary bread - just buttered bread pressed on a grill, but SO good. I can easily sit there and snack on the whole basket. I was glad I restrained myself because the entree - the Cubano sandwich was so YUM and such a generous portion. It's got everything you'd look for in a good Cubano - crispy Cuban bread, so much roasted pork and ham, melty Swiss cheese, and a lot of pickles. The pork was juicy but not overwhelmingly salty which allowed me to taste the meat itself and the other condiments. I only wished there was more mustard to add more acidity to round things up. I've heard so many recommendations and good reviews of this family-owned place, and it did not disappoint! It's now my go-to for Cuban food in DC and can't wait to come back.

Mi Cuba Café is the place in DC to eat genuine Cuban food. Be prepared because it can rack up quick ($$-$$$). Coming from Miami and knowing authentic Cuban food, this establishment puts respect on the dishes. I'm a biiiiiiig fan of their ropa vieja and vaca frita. The ambiance is straight out of Havana at times so take someone here for a fun date and then go dancing! Enjoy the delicious food, try their amazing drinks, and tip well because the staff is always welcoming and on point. Love this place bc it reminds me of home.

This place was absolutely amazing! The food had so much flavor and the portions were large. The service was spot on. We were barely waiting and they gave us our drinks on the house because they felt bad. The place was clean, good music and friendly people. Great place to grab food when in DC.

Food didn't taste with love. Service is excellent. Ambient is nice but wish the food goes with it. Worst I ever try.

First time here - location is pretty good very busy area It's a cute spot. My family is Cuban so I have a lot of experience with Cuban food. Honestly the food is a little pricey for what is it. The food is decent but not great $10 for 4 croquetas - to me that a little crazy - they are a little small and all I tasted was oregano. $17 for a sandwich I don't mind paying more money for food but it better be worth it and sadly this was not 3 people the bill with tip was almost $150 (without alcoholic beverages) I had high hopes.....

Excellent food and convenient location. I appreciate the vegan/vegetarian options. You get a lot of food - I went home with leftovers. Highly recommend!

Cannot say enough good things about this food. We door dashed it to our hotel, and we're so glad we did. The Mi Cuba chicken was juicy and flavorful. Don't forget to pour the yummy MOJO sauce on it, I put some on my rice too. The ropa vieja is also delicious. I don't care for yuca or plantains. Hubs said that the yuca was a little mushy, but the plantains were great.

We've been coming to Mi Cuba way before the pandemic and kinda torn about writing this review. The pork lechon keeps us coming back and as we fully support the "automatic 20% staff support" during the pandemic but it continues even after. Always, we ordered to go and based on personal opinion, the automatic staff support should stop. I'm lifer in the hospitality industry and have made a living on tips in the past even during the hardest time during pandemic have never allow our team to put auto gratuity on any to go orders. We found that giving old fashioned traditional good service and leave it to the generosity of the valued guests balance things out. I'm not sure if this one review will be read by the actual owner whether they agreed with what's being said but as a paying guest I want to put it out there. Maybe I'm old fashioned and feel that's tips are earned and not automatic as an excuse "staff support fee". Now, we only order to go as the last resort and my kids really have the cravings itch for the pork lệchọn.

At first look, it seemed that the Cuba Café would be an answer for Cuba Libre restaurant, but unfortunately, looks can be deceiving. The problem with this café is that there are no Cubans, period. So, with food falling into the hands of inexperienced central Americans, (who proved to be meticulous in attention and service) the culinary mistakes were glaring. The ropa vieja (pulled beef with garlic and olive oil) tasted literally like chili, a very incorrect take on the classic. The black beans were too thick and dry, the rice was a couple of days old, and the chicken croquettes weren't Cuban; dry and hard. The Cuban espresso was good, but no sugar! And where's the cafe window? That truly is primordial! Overall, I give this cozy restaurant with a soothing ambiance a 2 -- lots more of room for improvement.

Delicious Cuban food! We just popped in for lunch after hearing good things and I'm so glad we did. It wasn't too busy on a Saturday and the service was friendly and timely. We got the cubanos and the fried sweet plantains on the side. First, it was a TON of food for one portion. I effectively got two meals out of one sandwich. But it was so delicious and well-balanced. The plantains were perfect as well! We'll certainly be back!

I ordered delivery from them - oh. My. God! I didn't even take a bite and I was already salivating. I ordered a cubano sandwich and yuca fritas. It came with two sauces, I'm assuming one is the mojo but I'm unsure about the orangey but I don't care it's delicious. The mojo is perfectly garlicky for the dipping. The yuca fritas are lightly seasoned but the exact correct level of crispness. But the pièce de résistance is the cubano so delish and a wonderfully large sandwich. The pickles were sliced thinly and the layers were nice and orderly and pressed to a yummy nirvana. 10/10 would recommend. Also for delivery everything was still really hot and they double bagged and stapled the top so no problems there either!

Great experience. Large menu with reasonable prices and friendly staff. You can get a large plate of your meat of choice (served one of multiple ways) plus the choice of two sides (3-4 choices for each side). A hearty plate with meat, rice, beans, and plantains. Will fill you up more for cheaper than all the modern small plate spots.

I would absolutely recommend Mi Cuba Cafe! Their Aporreado De Pollo and Yuca Fries made for genuinely one of my favorite meals I've had since I moved to DC. The menu has such a good variety of items-I will surely be back soon to try even more dishes. I've been told there is often a wait for this place, but they recently expanded their space to include seating upstairs and I can't stress enough that it is worth the wait.

Food is always good and great portions. A bit on the expensive side as I've never paid nearly $20 for a Cuban sandwich or $17 for a medianoche! Still love the place (ambiance and service) and will continue to support but not as often as I used to frequent the place.

This is definitely a taste of Cuban Miami in DC. While there are some of my favorite things not offered like crema de malanga, croquetas de bacalao, torrejas, and a few other things, this place really does have a large bulk of Cuban cuisine and they're done traditionally and well. I had to get my staple, vaca frita, the fried shredded beef with onions. And I picked the yuca in mojo sauce and maduros (fried plantains) and they were all delicious although I wouldn't have minded for the yuca to be marinated in the mojo and the maduros a tad bit sweeter and more tender than they were. The flavors were still on point. I'll definitely be back, for the mojito, fresh squeezed orange juice, the fruit shakes (mamey maybe), among other things.

Super cute place, albeit tiny. Went there years ago and I remember appreciating the food and the prices both. Service was friendly!

Could not be happier to have given this place a try! Food was fabulous and flavorful. The portions are *huge*-- they are at least 2 meals. Make sure to check out the daily specials, they are slightly cheaper and the classics!

Lo mejor de la comida cubana en DMV. Ambiente agradable y acogedor. Servicio excelente. El pollo gratin muy rico

The food was amazing. Service was also great, nice place for lunch or dinner. One of the best Cuban restaurants in dc area

i have slept on this place for so long. no pics of food because it was devoured. We got the Vaca Frita and Ropa Vieja. very friendly staff, fun halloween decorations. big portion of food for decent price. delicious food u must go if you haven't

The best Cuban food in DC, hands down. Eat there today without delay. Do not deprive your body of this delicious food any longer. Please do not leave without trying their Mojitos. They are made with "Hierba Buena"/Good weed (a type of Mint). Buyer beware. Once you have eaten there once, your body will be hooked, demanding frequent returns.

Delish! A little pricey for lunch but servings were enormous (everyone at our table took home a second meal). Nice little hole-in-the-wall spot and relaxed island-feel service ("Take your time...") Parking is a bit of an issue-- the underground lot was dark and street parking is tough. But if you can get there by public transportation or foot... def go!

What a great little spot to enjoy! Mi Cuba Cafe is located in a nice part of DC with lots of cute restaurants with different cuisines. Walking into Mi Cuba Cafe, my nose was greeted with the smell of good food and heavy perfume scent. The perfume was a little overwhelming, but the smell of the food won out. Pros: - The tostones had maximum surface area - The condiments were delicious - The yuca was fried to a perfect golden crisp - Everything was delicious! Cons: - Service was a little slow - Aforementioned perfume smell Overall, I highly recommend this place. I can't wait to visit again once I'm in the DC area. Great for a slow afternoon to share food and conversation.

The Masas De Cerdo Fritas is fried pork which is popular pork dish here and I follow their suggestion. It's burn and too hard to chew, I feel bad but didn't send it back to the chef because I came with my guests and feel embarrasing to do that in front of them. I ordered 2 more pork dishes and it's the most popular there Cuban style pork dish with 2 different sides. No one come and check if everything ok? I saw lots of good reviews but so disappointed and would not go back there again. The check out process took too long, no one checking out at the same time with us.

Tried a few things - portions are pretty large and food is good. The croquetas are probably better fresh, I loved the guava and cheese empanadas, and the pan de lechon was huge and delicious. Great bread.

Another Cuban restaurant that has no Cubans cooking or at least a cook that can follow the recipes. The beef soup was extremely greasy, missing a ton of ingredients and it was not tasty at all. The palomilla steak tasted like an over cooked flat steak. It is so simple to make all you need is Garlic, Lime and salt cook with olive or corn oils. Simple. The beans tasted like can food with again many ingredients missing. I wish people would stop calling it Cuban food or hire a Cuban chef.

Excellent food, anything else is just gushing. Service was ever so slightly slow but not feeling like you were forgotten. There are WAY so many places to eat in DC and I want to try them all.

I was finishing a review at another spot, and while walking back to my car this spot captured my attention!! So here I am @micubacafe on 1424 Park Rd., N.W. Washington D.C. I didn't know until after I hit this spot that they were rated the number one spot for a Cuban sandwich in DC. Good choice...with no research!! . . . Lets get to it...this is what the got; empanadas, croquettes, and rellenas (stuffed potatoes) as appetizers. They have salads sandwiches, "Un pan con"( a bread with select proteins). They have main courses like "Bistek Empanizado"(thinly sliced steak with onions), & "Apporeado"(shredded chicken cooked in tomato sauce & spices). They have fresh fruit juices, coffees, soups, shakes, & desserts like their Lime pie. . . First up was their "Mamey" shake (pictured $5.45)...STAMP!! It taste like a mild mango & lemon vanilla shake!! I recommend this...GET IT!! . So I copped their beef empanadas (pictured a fried pastry with beef in it $6.95)...STAMP!! These things were fresh, quality, and they HIT!! . Next was their Rellenas (pictured, mashed potatoes, rolled into a ball, stuffed with meat, breaded & fried $6.95)...STAMP!! The texture, the flavor...STAMP!! . I also copped their chicken croquettes (pictured $6.95)...DECENT. I'm use to my croquettes with a tad bit more flavor to them. . Ok so the authentic Cuban sandwich (pictured with ham, roasted pork, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard $13.95)...DELICIOUS!! All the flavors compliment each other in this sandwich!! The bread was kinda tough...but this sandwich was YEAH!! If you don't eat pork, they have chicken, beef, and veggie Cubans too!! . . Customer service exceeded my expectations, online navigation was easy, the establishment was clean, they had seating available, parking was tough. Y'all have to try this spot...you HAVE to. That's it. #bigschlimsreviews #cubanfood #cubansandwhich #deliciousness #emoanadas #relleenas #croquettes #mameyshake #musthave #go #thatsit

Cute little restaurant in DC. The star of the show was the plantains and the lemonade. Reminds me of how my grandma makes it. I will definitely go back for the food and speedy service.

I got delivery here once and it was delicious! I got the ropa vieja, with rice, beans, and plantains. I also got an order of the chicken empanadas. All of it arrived hot and fresh (hard to do with empanadas!). The portion size was really big too. The black beans were maybe some of the best I've ever had, and the beef was so flavorful and tender. I definitely had enough for a full meal after my dinner too. Just writing this review is making me want another meal here!

Best new restaurant find for me in years. The unassuming-looking meals that come out of this spot are so good. The skirt steak is to die for. The pork roast is right on the money. Don't forget the yucca fries; they're bodacious. The fried plantains are nicely done too. The various dipping sauces are the perfect accompaniment; be sure and get all of them. I just might have to visit Cuba when the pandemic is over. Believe me when I tell you, you won't go wrong here.

The food here was excellent! We got the aporreado (shredded chicken with tomato and spices) with congri (rice cooked with beans) and yuca con mojo (yuca with this amazing garlicky-tangy mojo sauce) and the lechon asado (shredded pork with spices) and fried plantains. The servers were super friendly and attentive and we were able to get a table for two during a relatively busy time without waiting despite it being a small but popular place! Some tables towards the front of the restaurant have dividers but we were seated towards the back. The service was super quick as our food was out as soon as 20 min after we ordered! The aporreado was so flavorful, and with the yuca con mojo it was like a savory, garlicky, tangy flavor adventure! The lechon asado was also REALLY good and very tender and juicy. If you're looking to support a local business in Columbia Heights, Mi Cuba Cafe should be on your list. I'll definitely come back here again!

Absolutely the best Cuban food in DC! I'm from Miami so I regularly have Cuban cravings and I've searched so long for a good Cuban spot. Ever since I've eaten at Mi Cuba Cafe, no matter where I live around DMV, I will go there to satisfy my Cuban cravings. Tried many dishes and they've never disappointed. The sides are all great too. Recommend to everyone looking for some yummy Cuban bites!!

I haven't been to Mi Cuba Cafe in far too long, and I've been craving Cuban so we decided to get take out. We ordered the fried pork chunks (with yuca fries and rice) and the ropa vieja with rice and beans. The fried pork was well cooked (not dry at all), the yuca fries even though they were take out were still crispy when I ate them at home, and the rice had great flavor. The ropa vieja was also excellent (though my boyfriend agreed the pork was better). As always, the flavor and quality blew me away. This will remain one of the restaurants I recommend to visitors!

Wow- words cannot describe how wonderful this place is. We went here for lunch on a Sunday and we were so impressed. We were able to walk in without a reservation. We ordered the chicken empanadas and they were so flavorful. We then each got a steak dish, which came with rice and beans and tostones. The food was stellar. They play really fun music, and while it was fine with us it may be a little loud for some folks. The staff was really friendly and provided excellent service. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area!

THIS SPOT IS EVERYTHING! The flavor of everything is amazing. The mint drink was so fresh! The service is on point! The chicken, the beans, the rice AND THE PLANTAINS WERE SOO FLAVORFUL! Must come spot!

Amazing place! Good food and service. Clean and good music. Recommended for any time.

The roast pork was very good. Hot, fresh, juicy, smokey and tender.

Born and raised in Miami I know good Cuban food. Not sure whether I was expecting too much from this spot because it was overhyped to me, but I was not impressed. My plantain chips came out cold when they should be warm, and the sauces that they brought me had too much garlic. The entree consisted of chicken and Moro rice but the ingredients were not flavorful. Perhaps I'll give them another chance and revise this post - time will tell.

The cuisine is authentic home made dishes ....and I should know since I'm Cuban and was raised on home made Cuban food. The quality and portions are phenomenal and the service is great. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting with real true Cuban music that remind me of days gone by at family gatherings. I highly recommend giving it a try. Buen provecho!

The food was excellent! I had the Lechon Asado with Arroz Congri and Tostones - all of which were really good but the pork was exceptional. The garlic sauce that comes with it was full of flavor and a great addition to the rice and pork. The Jamon Croquetas were ok but I wouldn't get those again.

Nuff said! The best Cuban food in the DMV period. 100% authentic! Can't wait for the 10 year anniversary!