Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Reviews

I visited Cuba Libre during the pandemic and we had outdoor dining. The waiter was very nice and take care of us. The crab guacamole was delicious, as well as the camarones enchilados and the flan I had for dessert. We had a pitcher of red sangria, that was ok.

Had a dinner date here recently with my husband. The evening started off with me asking for another table since the one they initially led us to, was not working for me. To their credit, they did this right away and with a smile. The ambience of the restaurant I suspect is to give patrons a feeling of being in Cuba with the music and style of decoration. The hostesses are quite aggressive about calling to make sure you intend to make the reservation. We receive two calls regarding this. When I called to say that I was running late, the hostess immediately went to asking if I wanted to cancel. I had to ask if they could accommodate us at a different time, which they did. It would have been nice if this had been the first option offered by the hostess. The hostesses also make sure that you are aware that you only rent access to the table for 90 minutes, something I was told when making the reservation and when they called to confirm a few days before. The food was decent and the staff who waited on us very personable, Parking in the area is a pain and expensive. Glad for the experience, but will not be a return patron.

1st visit and it was great. Our waiter was wonderful! Nice choice of food. Mojito's selection great.

Went to cuba liber for dinner. Had a few rum an cokes and pulled pork and chicken empanadas. Not my usual but it is good to try new things. Would never have picked the restaurant on my own. But my colleagues said they heard good things. Well they did. Nice evening. Great food.

We had brunch a la cart before a show at the Arden. The food was delicious! We had the pastry basket (yum), the Cuban sandwich (perfect - my husband is cuban, so we try them wherever we go and this is one of the best), black bean soup (as good as abuelas), the jamon & churrasco sliders (very small, but tasty). My husband asked for yucca fries instead of the chips (twice) and got 4, which was interesting. The place was practically empty at that time of day so we could really take in the beauty of the interior details.

Good Spanish food. Their best thing are the mojitos. Typical Cuban ones. Ambiance is relax. No rush and servers are knowledgeable

Super nice atmosphere like being in Cuba, cocktails & food were excellent, service super friendly,perfect place to spend a fantastic evening!

We had 630 reservations and it was busy but not too crowded. The bread and mango butter was delicious. The yucca fries were yummy and crisp (order the hot sauce, it’s delicious). The black bean soup was good. The shrimp skewers were good, with some honey. The snapper was disappointing (heavier greasy ish) but the jicama slaw was good. The rice was meh. The Cuba libre coffee was truly delicious. Service was attentive.

The raspberry mojito was extraordinary. Great food and ambience. Empanada appetizers were tasty and well presented. Overall good experience. My dish ropa vieja was really good but coworkers ordered vaca frita and were not amazed.

After reading about Cuba Libre in our local Philly paper last week we decided to try out the happy hour. All I can say is, it was awesome. The $5 appetizers and 1/2 price drinks were perfect for us because we had not had Cuban food before. We were able to sample many different appetizers and it was so reasonable. The bartender was very helpful in helping us decide which ones we wanted and was very knowledgeable as to each one. We would absolutely return and would recommend to anyone in that area. Sit at the bar between 5-7 and you can sample many apps and get 1/2 price drinks!

Came here to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday and we had a great experience! The food was amazing and our waiter Jay was friendly and provided excellent customer service. We’ll definitely be returning.

This is a very good restaurant and we were fortunate to arrive at the perfect time between 5-6PM. The food was excellent and very delicious, the service prompt, courteous and unobtrusive. We found the anbience a little dark for our taste but as our eyes adjusted it worked out fine. Excellent place for quiet couples dining.

Wow, Wow and WOW! Okay, I have never had Cuban food before. And to be honest, this place wasn't even on our radar during our visit to Philadelphia during the 2022 Presidents Holiday weekend. However, after seeing one long line after another at famous cheesesteak places and their very short operating hours, we were in need to find someplace just to sit down and eat. Cuba Libre came up in a nearby restaurant search. On a Saturday night close to 5pm we called hoping there was an open reservation. Indeed there was, and we were told it would be available in the 15 minutes it would take for us to walk there. Upon arrival, we received a very warm greeting from the front desk staff. We walked into the main dining area and were seduced by the festive interior and lively Cuban music that played over the speakers. Our waitress, Myleishka, was beyond excellent. She helped me make my entree choice which turned out to be exceptional... ...but before I get to that, let me start off with the bread. It's the first thing that comes to your table and you'll marvel at its presentation. Lightly toasted, it's wonderfully warm and soft and once you pair it with the included mango butter, you won't stop eating it. If you run out, they bring more. My girlfriend and I started with a shrimp cocktail. it was the most unbelievable cocktail of its kind I ever had. It had a terrific, zingy citrus kick to it. Just incredibly, incredibly delicious and I highly recommend you try it here. For entrees, my GF had the Picadillo a la Cubana which she loved. I was going to go for the roasted chicken but Myleishka warned me that it was a citrus dish and if I never had it before I might be turned off by it. She recommended the VISIT TO HAVANA, a pressed sandwich with all different kinds of meats and Swiss cheese. She said it was her favorite. So taking her advice, that is what I ordered, and true to her word -- it was delicious! The portions of food were quite large. If you are hungry and in the mood for a satisfying meal, you won't walk away hungry. However, what really impressed me the most here besides the excellent food we ate, was the dining experience in general. Everyone was so nice to us. The service was as good as the food. It was a fun environment and I walked away with a first-rate appreciation for Cuban food which I had never tried before. It's rare that you try something new and enjoy it so much that you are determined to return upon your next visit to the city. Such is the case with Cuba Libre. This will be our first dining spot when we return to the Philadelphia area. Thanks, Myleishka for making our evening so enjoyable.

Exploring Philly for the first time; Cuba Libre just happened to be near our hotel. From the first bite, we knew we made an excellent choice! Highly recommend the trio of dips- it may sound generic, but they are each wonderful, especially the cauliflower hummus. Enjoyed also the tamale, octopus and meatballs, plus a few cocktails. The grilled pineapple mojito is super tasty, and the rum runner is dangerously good! Everything was delicious and the (dimly lit) atmosphere was fun and romantic. I’m sure we’ll be back on any return trip to Philly.

Great vibe and the feel of being in a Cuban village square. Service was exceptional and the meals were great - so was the sangria!

After a nice tour though the beautiful city of Philadelphia it was time for a late lunch. Ended up here and what a great place. A piece of Cuba in Philly. 😉 Had a good mojito and a very tastefull lunch. Very kind staff. Love this place.

Great service, food and drinks. The atmosphere was nice and the cuban style was applied nicely on the decoration.

We visited Cuba Libre on Father’s Day for lunch. It was disappointing. We had not visited for several years, but we had always enjoyed it before. The place seems tired, run down, and actually not that clean. Decor that once seemed fresh and exciting, now seems stale and worn. We all ordered the brunch special which entitles you to a choice of one small plate (appetizers) and one large plate (mains). It also comes with a specialty non-alcoholic drink. Everything was ok, but not as good as you would think. From the small plates we tried the pateslitos pastries, the pork crepa, two of the empanadas, and the Jardin salad. The salad was the winner here. For mains we tried the corn meal panqueques, the crab guacamole, the arroz con pollo and the Cubano sandwich. The arroz con pollo was the favorite. The Crab guacamole was overwhelmingly lemony. The panqueques should be tastier than they are. The Cubano sandwich, while quite large and filled with good ingredients, was simply a mess to eat. The arroz was attractively served in a hot pot and was tasty. I had made a reservation, the restaurant was not busy, and we were given a lousy table, dark, in the back looking at nothing. Why? The service was indifferent and not friendly. We had to chase down our server to get out of there. This restaurant’s time, at least in this incarnation, has passed. The restaurant has been here a long time and it has not kept up with the competition. We won’t be back.

The staff were very friendly and attentive and advised us on arrival there was 10 mins left of happy hour of we wanted to grab a drink at the bar first. We both settled on a Mojito which was delicious, much better than the one I’d had in Cuba the week before. The food was fabulous and it was a great night for the end of our Cuban/US holiday.

The restaurant has an authentic Havana look and feel with Cuban music playing. Great service. Food OK.

We went here for Brunch on a sunday before visiting Liberty Escape Room. The restaurant has a very interesting interior decor that was worth it just to see. Staff was very nice and accommodating - they were happy to seat us even though 3 of our party of 7 were delayed. Brunch menu offered many selections. We thought the 'pick 3' option would work because we thought the portions were tapas sized. Some were (sliders, egg dishes), but others (waffles, french toast, cuban sandwich) were LARGE portions. We felt bad that we couldn't finish everything, because it all tasted great. The restaurant was very clean, staff was great, prices were reasonable. We were there with our teenagers. We also saw families with young kids. There is enough variety on the menu for everyone. I'd go there again, probably for drinks-before-something, because the decor was so cool! So yes, don't judge it by the rather blah exterior. Venture inside and enjoy!

It had been a good decade since I last dined here and about 5 years for my friend. But we knew that Cuba Libra would be just the spot to celebrate his birthday this year. And an all around winner it was. Our dilemma upon our arrival was to decide if we should sit inside and enjoy a richly atmospheric room I like to fantasize might resemble old Havana. Or, on this beautiful late summer evening, do we sit outdoors on an attractive wooden patio with a backdrop of lush foliage. We opted for the outside . Although Second Street is well frequented and offers the entertaining opportunity to watch all manner of people, we still felt sheltered , private and cozy. Our very helpful and enthusiastic waiter, Alex, steered us to Mojitos to start. Good choice. Thank you Alex. I loved my refreshing pineapple Mojito. and the birthday boy relished the strawberry. Alex told us how impressed he was to discover that the staff arrives very, very early in the morning to get a jump start on squeezing fresh fruit. Next came some freshly baked bread accompanied by a delicious sweet mango butter. I thoroughly enjoyed my kingfish served with assorted sea food all prepared in a delectable coconut milk broth. My friend loved his paella. We each ordered an attractively presented Cuban flan for desert. To our delight, my friend's flan was courtesy of the house in honor of his birthday. It certainly won't be another decade before we return.

What a pleasant dinner experience after a day of sightseeing in Old City. This restaurant was walking distance from our hotel and recommended by the hotel staff. We knew we were in for a treat after tasting the delicious warm Cuban bread served with mango butter. Delightful. My husband ordered the Vaca Frita. It was delicious and beef brisket was braised and seared to perfection. I ordered the Pollo Asado. The broccolini and mashed potatoes were delicious served alongside the tender chicken. We finished our dinner with the specialty dessert, a rice pudding dessert which is an original recipe from the chef's own family. The bar and restaurant were packed on a Friday night.

Incredible food ! Must try the crab dip n chips and the paella :-) Apollo our waiter was great. To start the Mango butter with bread was out of this world. Lovely way to start the meal.

I went in June for lunch with my wife. The food was amazing, mojitos perfect. We ordered a lot of food. The restaurant was pretty empty, nevertheless, the waitress ignored us a lot, forgot about orders

This was our 4th time here. The food is consistently great!! Dishes are colorful, fresh, and yummy. The vibe is bright and cheery. The menu has lots of options for different palates. We especially love the grilled octopus and the ribs. Wine and cocktail options are good as well. The wait staff are always friendly and accommodating.

My wife and I stopped by for dinner last night and everything was amazing!! The food was great and our waitress was awesome!! This was our second time coming here our first experience wasn’t the best. Last night was great though.

I have been here several times for breakfast and usually order the same thing, their "French Toast" which is the best! I also enjoy their coffee! Never a bad choice.

A nice spot to be able to pull up to the bar and have a few drinks and appetizers. The bartender was quick to o take care of us. The service was great. We ordered the chips and salsa and it was an assortment of plantain and malanga chips with dips: guacamole, black bean hummus, and rum salsa. It was so good.

We make it a point to try 2-3 new restaurants every time we visit family in Philadelphia and we tried this one last weekend. The decor is fun and the front windows open which is fun. The food however was only mediocre. We started with the pineapple guacamole cubano. The presentation with the plantain chips was very nice, but we were completely turned off when we encountered a large chunk of canned pineapple. Using a short cut like canned pineapple at home may be acceptable, but I don't go to a restaurant to have shortcuts. For the entree we all chose the PARGO A LA PLANCHA, which is the olive oil griddled Florida red snapper with coconut basmati rice and candied cashews, and mango salsa and red curry sauce. All of our red snapper was overcooked. The edges were actually hard not crusty. The rice was pleasantly sweet but lacking in cashews and sauce. All in all, the meal was disappointing. The mojitos on the other hand were delicious. I would recommend just coming for a drink and maybe a small plate. Also, our server must have not been having a very good night since he almost seemed annoyed at our questions.

Was denied entry for my shoes being sandals. I had been coming here for years and have worn those same shoes multiple times. Woman at the door said this has always been their dress code but there’s nothing on the website about sandals.

Another outstanding dining experience. Food, as always, was to notch and you just can't go wrong with a pitcher of mojitos. Male reservations and enjoy the atmosphere, food, and service.

Great selection of food from appetizers to mains. The pineapple guacamole is a must! Along with the snapper, Cuban sandwich, empanadas. Music bumped all night and with the restaurant's ambiance it's a place that we'd go back to in a heartbeat.

I loved this place. The empanadas were great, the rum flight was very good. The staff was incredibly nice and knowledgeable. The decor was really cool. I can’t wait to go back

Cuba Libre is the kind of Establishment that raises the Bar. Their Menu is the Benchmark of what Cuban Food exemplifies. My wife and I appreciate ambiance, the vibe, and the Quality of Service. Amy our server was pleasant, and Menu savvy. Our Dinner was excellent, we split a Seafood Paella and Churrasco Skirt Steak Entree. Check out the pics! And for Dessert we ordered Tres Leches and a Chocolate Torte...we totally earned it. Vacations are about treating yourself. So, take my advice and source a Cuba Libre Location and indulge. Enjoy Chef Edwin Padilla Good Food... Good Vibes

I convinced my husband to try this place because several years ago while visiting Miami, I failed to take advantage of the local Cuban cuisine, and to this day I remember the wonderful smells that wafted in the air on South Beach. I chose the Vacio Steak Argentino and my husband had the Rosa Vieja. He loved his dish, and it reminded me of something you might put together at home when you needed a little comfort food that was fast and delicious. The meat was very tender and the flavors of the tomatoes, onions and rice came together nicely. I absolutely LOVED my dish. The steak was a very good sized portion, extremely tender, and the flavors were to die for... very unctuous in your mouth. It was served with a helping of nicely spiced black beans and some fried plantain patties. My husband also decided he loved my dish once he tried it, but we were both very happy with what we got. We shared a cuban style mint julep and it was delicious. The wait staff was very friendly and helped get us a table even though we had not made reservations in advance. The restaurant filled up quickly, and we found out it was partially because they have live music and dancing a bit later in the evening. This was a fun and yummy place to eat. They had a lot of small plates/appetizers to choose from, so you would not need to buy a complete dinner if you didn't have that in mind... but the appetizers did sound awesome and would be worth trying if you weren't sure about cuban food.

The interior of the restaurant definitely got my attention as it replicates a tropical place with ceiling fans and tiled floors. The symmetry looking down for the 2nd floor is well done. Joined some business colleagues at a happy hour for reduced drink prices and Cuban snacks.

Great happy hour! Get here early since bar space goes fast. They offer 7 tapas for $35 and lots of drink specials including their amazing mojitos and sangrias. I enjoyed the chicken empanada and yellowfin ceviche although I liked the old traditional ceviche they had better. The downstairs bar was packed. The upstairs bar was very busy but the bar back jumped in and took our order to ensure we still got fast service. This place is always a great choice for happy hour!

My husband and my son took me to Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar for Mother's Day. The food was good, but not exceptional, the atmosphere was great and the service was excellent. The food was good, hot and flavorful. The portion sizes were proportional to the cost, a generous portion at a somewhat inflated price. The atmosphere, decor and music were conducive to the name...........Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar! Fun! Our server was friendly and attentive. I enjoyed our visit to Cuba Libre and I look forward to visiting again! I would recommend Cuba Libre for an fun and enjoyable evening out!

Very interesting and flavorful food. Great festive atmosphere. Easy walking distance from historic district. Would definitely go back.

What a wonderful find. Great menu and mojitos. Great cuisine and even choices for the not so adventurous types. Friendly staff with enthusiasm about making your experience enjoyable. There is currently a bit of construction but don't let that deter you.

Quiet on Monday eve but the food and service was great. Tropical setting with happy hour til 6PM for discounted drinks and appetizers. Items were fairly authentic and tasty without being over spiced. Really enjoyed the black bean soup and their pineapple guacamole with those long plantain chips and of course the platano Maduro

Wonderful dinner w/ family/friends! Lovely Oct evening, 2nd street closed to traffic w/ well spaced tables outside, very COVID safe. Marvelous cuban cuisine, will surely return here. Great cocktails and terrific service.

You're inside but it feels like you're south of..well that part of our ocean border. The main dishes--more specifically the ropa vieja and the lechon asado--shine. The pineapple guacamole cubano is nicely presented with the plaintain slices, but fairly mild; the empanades are somewhat small and, again, not particularly spicy but come with nicely flavored greens and a tangy sauce. And the classic mojito is refreshing (and not that alcoholic if you're driving afterwards). The chocolate torte is a well presented and a tasty combination of flavors with the ice cream and blueberries and is a deal in combination with the coffee specialty. It can get a bit noisy, but it's fun on an early Saturday evening.

It was not crowded on a week night. I sat upstairs, a little bit of a climb. Service was fine and the food options were explained to me. Everything tasted great. Had beer with the meal too. Pricing was reasonable. Just off the hustle and bustle of Market st.

Love the Cuban cuisine and large Caribbean run bar at this great restaurant located in Old City . We enjoy the late night Salsa dancing which revives our nostalgia for our years living in Santo Domingo DR. Great way to spend a warm sultry evening . Also try the Tapas brunch.pirk fried rice con hue I, one eyed tops gurus hash , churros con chocolate with a cup of cafe Cubra liver . Loved the steamed coconut milk

Totally surprised by the quality of the cuisine and Cuban ambience. Only thing missing was the late night music and dancing because of Covid. Our corner table was separated by plexiglass offering a safe pandemic dining experience. Felt like we were in little Havana. We had the best paella marenara and skirt steak. A pitcher of sangria accompanied our dinner. Portion size was perfect. Quality over quantity. Steven our waiter was attentive and helpful. A memorable birthday. We left a 25% tip. Thank you!

Had the veggie paella and it was absolutely delicious!! Huge portion that was definitely worth it! Their Mojito is amazing and a must try!

A bit of old Havana in Philadelphia's Old City! Cuba Libre's decor creates a festive atmosphere, and the food is quite good (we have mostly been there for lunch; only once for dinner). Service can be a bit slow, but it fits the relaxed vibe. We love the ropa viejo (sp?), very tender and flavorful. Empanada selections are non-greasy and can get 2 or 3 to share, with different fillings. Worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood and up for some Latin ambience. I think they have music at least some evenings but one should check.

Have not been back to this restaurant a few years and it really shows everything still the same still looks like you’re in Cuba. Love this place. Food is just great I had black bean soup and spareribs. My wife had the seafood soup consisting of mussels clams shrimp scallops and fish which was all excellent and she had also the spare ribs. I highly recommend this restaurant to all.

They cancelled our 4:30pm reservation this afternoon without telling us. Yesterday they called and texted us to confirm our 4:30 pm reservation; they even demanded a confirming phone call which we did. These obligations only run one way. They have no obligation to you, the customer. When we arrived at Cuba Libre this afternoon, the door was locked. Then a woman held up a sign behind the locked door saying they weren’t opening until 5 pm. She did not speak to us, offer an explanation, or apologize. I am sure we weren’t the only ones with a reservation between 4pm, their advertised opening for dinner, and 5pm. It was very cold outside and we couldn’t wait 30 minutes until maybe they would open. They clearly don’t give a damn about customers; they are only interested in your charge card. We still have not heard one word from them about the reservation of ours they cancelled with no notice or apology.

Wonderful pick!! Had reservations for 615 but decided to hit happy hour here first! Bar staff were super friendly fly and helpful. Sri is we’re delicious. Moved over to the dinning room and wait staff were super attentive and friendly. Offered lots of suggestions and recommendations. Service was great and food was amazing!! Everyone enjoyed their meals very much!! Flavors were amazing and positions generous! It was our first time here and we will definitely be back. Highly recommend!!!

Loved the decor in the restaurant with great food and drink. Didn't have a reservation but the waitress managed to fit us in. Would definitely recommend.

We came here for lunch while on a sightseeing trip to Philadelphia. It has interesting Cuban style decorations and the food was delicious at decent prices. The service was efficient and child-friendly. It gave the impression that it would be absolutely jumping in the evenings. I'd definitely recommend this this place.

Went to this spot with freinds from Philly area. We've lived in Miami so we claim experitse in Cuban food. Up North joints often disappoint. This spot did not ! Everyone enjoyed everything but I need to give kudos to the Empanada samplerl. Two of these is a meal and they were all EXCELLENT. The best I've ever had..and I've had plenty.

My wife and I stopped by for lunch. This is authentic Cuban Food. She had half of a Cubano sandwich with a bowl of Black Bean soup and I had a cubano sandwich which was delicious. The flavored Mojitos were delicious. The service was excellent. This is the third time we ate here and we will return.

At first we were hesitant...since, it took so long to be acknowledged. The drinks and food totally redeemed the service though! The crab nachos were amazing!

We were looking for an open restaurant on Monday and the front desk guy suggested here. It was a good suggestion. We shared appetizer and a Cuban, Taste of Cuba sandwich everything was I was looking for. I had a dark rum Mojito and friend had watermelon both were fantastic. I would definitely recommend this restaurant

Delicious food. The cobia fish with seafood broth was fantastic and my husband’s Cuban sandwich combo was excellent. Great food, drinks, service and nice atmosphere make this a terrific spot in Philly to eat. Oh, and prices are reasonable.

Great cuban restaurant on 2nd street. Fun open atmosphere with big old style fans. Friendly service and the mojitos are a must. My daughter got a virgin strawberry mojito that was very good and not expensive. We had guac with pineapple and plantain chips, empanadas, beef croquettes, and the argentino steak which was great! A must try if you need something unique and different from Cheesesteaks.

We took the special menu and received a wide variety of specialties. Great taste and flavoures. Also a wide choice of mojito recipes. Friendly and good service. During weekends there are often special salsa evenings organised.

Cuba Libre is one of my favorite restaurants to eat in when I am in Philadelphia. So after a long day, I thought I'd treat myself to at a nice dinner there last night. I called the restaurant at 8:20pm to find out the closing time and was told it would be at 11pm. I arrived at the front door at 9:58 and the doors were locked. People were inside at the bar and there were some people still dining. No one came to the door to explain to me why it was closed early (good customer service gesture) and I was clearly looking for an entrance since it was suppose to open. Instead, when I got the attention of the bar tender and other staff sitting at the bar folding napkins, I was given a shrug! A SHRUG????!!!! Total disappointment in the treatment of a hungry, loyal customer. Not nice!

It had been a good decade since I last dined here and about 5 years for my friend. The owner is super friendly, eager to please, and speaks English!

Great service with interior decor which gave you a sense of dining on the streets of Cuba . We had 1 waiter and four different servers who got the dishes right were they belonged down to which one of got the steak knife. We order 3 different appetizers to share. Empanadas, coconut mini crab cakes and the best ceviche ever. Rob had arros con pollo great display and nerdy tasty, Yonni enjoy the charrasco steak medium rare to perfection and I had taste of Cuba-cuban sandwich,black beans soup and a refreshing watercress & greens salad with plantain chips. Will definitely return and try their Ropa Veijo. Oh, and the mojito's are made with fresh ingredients. Old world Cuba in Old City Philadelphia.

Can’t say good things enough about this place. Just saw the decor from outside and stepped in for the decor and stayed for the amazing food! Everything... everything was delicious. But first ... reception was great. They take your coats at entrance immediately, thing I saw very little in general in USA... from there I noticed the service was already another level. The decoration is like if you are in the street. Amazing decoration!!!! The food well... it was all delicious. We enter with the idea of only ask for a snack and drink and ended up with full dinner as every dish offered the best. I am very picky with food but this place is really yummy! The presentation of food is also great. Not only the flavor but presentation. They give you a unique experience to the joy of eat. I would definitely go again. It is not a cheap place but it’s affordable and for what offers I would even consider cheap. Great service, great food presentation and flavor and great decoration. I wish there would exist more restaurants like this one!

First time eating Cuban food and as a Spaniard myself I gotta say it was a complete new experience to my palate. Everything here was absolutely delicious, the pineapple guacamole with fried banana is incredibly tasty and the ribs are a MUST TRY. I never had such juicy, tasty and delicious ribs in my life before. They have tapas too, which are really really good. The place itself recreates an old Cuban house with Spanish music from every Spanish speaking country playing. The selection of Rum is as well astonishing. They speak Spanish too.

The environment is fast and furious, with crowded tables resounding with laughter and convivial conversation. The food is awesome . . . tantalisingly diverse and tasty. Crab guacamole, guava bbq ribs, coconut crab fritters can be followed by ropa vieja or ribeye jibaro. The service is swift, cheerful and responsive. And do savour the sangria!

Ohh those flavors.. we took all the kids of proposed tapas and all of them were just delicious and worth the price which is rather high. The cocktails (we took 2 different kinds of mojito) are now in our top 3 worldwide! The place is really beautifully decorated. The only negative point was that we had to wait to be noticed for a quite of time. But once the order was passed the food arrived quite fast.

First time at Cuba Libre....not my last when in Philly. Our waiter Apollo was excellent! Great menu of food simple and not over items..Chef Tasting Menu gives you small sample of all appetizers enough to share, had Vacio Steak Argentino, and two small desserts. My better half had Churrasco a la Cubana. Great Mango Mojito and Pineapple-Basil Caipirinha. Nice layout, decor, and atmosphere. Excellent Polite Staff from the time entered door till leaving for the evening....

We ate here one night. The food was delicious. The server was excellent! I will come back again for sure!

- Atmosphere felt very authentic, very Cuban feel. Great place to watch futbol games. Upstairs and downstairs eating. - To me it didn’t feel like authentic Cuban food, but good food nonetheless

What a great restaurant! The food was creative and delicious. The service and atmosphere were warm and sunny like the islands! A great escape from the cold outside! (And the best torta de 3 leches!)

Dinner before the Earth, Wind, and Fire concert with friends. We had an amazing meal and drinks! The mixed grill was fabulous! Thank you LC!

I was always curious about this place when passing it, but never had the opportunity until I had a day off work and was in the area. I went there because I never really tried much Cuban cuisine other than the typical pressed Cuban sandwich. I tried the Bento Box, which is a combination of some traditional lunch items and a dessert with the combination changing weekly. This gives you a nice size lunch without being too stuffed (particularly important if you are walking), and you get a taste of what makes this food so good. The service is very good, the music is great, and the atmosphere is relaxed (at least it was during lunch during a weekday). Would absolutely return here again!

We enjoyed their super quick service (delivery food). Their complimentary bread with mango butter was beyond amazing. Paella was super quick, a bit small size but lots of sea food- very testy. Pineapple guacamole seemed popular and it’s interesting flavor. Flan was firm and this was delicious - easily to eat even all the main food was filling. Bean soup was awesome, loved it, too. We were not able to catch our server easily but other than that, this place provided amazing food from beginning to the end including drinks. Reservation is highly recommended

My wife and I had dinner here before a concert at the Foundry and it was an AMAZING experience. The place looks like you're walking into a little slice of Cuba. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, very fresh and seasoned to perfection. I had the Crab Guacamole that's served with fresh fried plantains. It was the most unique guacamole I've ever tasted. I also had the chicken wings and Yucca fries. Both were full of flavor, and perfectly crispy. I highly recommend Cuba Libre for your dining experience xoxo.

Food was very good. Arroz con Pollo was excellent. Cannot go wrong with the Mojitos or the Empanadas. Unfortunately, the service was similar to a Latin county as well. Really was unfortunate, but our waiter seemed to avoid us.

Honestly, I don’t like to give bad reviews. But eating at Cuba Libre was disappointing. The interior is lovely and lush green, no doubt meant to evoke a Cuban ambience. And since we ate a light lunch, I don’t think it’s fair to comment on the food-my huevo roto involved an incredibly runny poached egg and soggy French fries but my partner’s black bean soup and pan con jamon slider were quite tasty, however, the person at the front desk was rude to the point of hostility. Perhaps they were having a bad day, but we certainly have no desire to return and in a city full of so many wonderful dining options, we won’t ever return. It’s unfortunate because the rest of the staff were fine...

We had not been here for over a year. Surprised to see a 30% increase in prices which were already significant. The consolation was that the food was still excellent and our server, Eric, was fantastic, very attentive and personable.

Really excellent food. Superb Jardin salad and bread with mango butter. Then, main dishes, seafood paella and Pez Cobia seafood dish. Then, rice pudding for desert. Nothing but excellence all around! Also, we asked them to turn down the music and they did to an acceptable level!

Not our first time at Cuba Libre, but first time at this location. Everything was top notch. We arrived a half hour early for our reservation and they accommodated us right away. Erica was extremely attentive, efficient, and knowledgeable. Love the passionfruit mojito and it comes in a pitcher 😀. Mango ribs appetizer was stellar. Even the manager checked on us during our meal. Thanks for making our anniversary great. Highly recommended.

Don't miss this place! The food, service and ambiance is wonderful! Having actually been in Havana, Cuba in March, I can attest to the authenticity of Cuba Libra. The cubano sandwich and black bean soup are terrific. Grandchildren inhaled massive burgers and loved the mango shakes. Even the check is delivered in style; nestled in a beautiful wood Cuban cigar box. Capt Makai

I took a group to Cuba Libre who had never been. They were able to accommodate 8 of us quickly. The guacamole was delicious. We all tried different cocktails which were fantastic. All of us enjoyed our various meals. Friendly staff and fresh food. Love it.

I just have to get this off my chest.. The Hostess was awesome. The gentleman (Host) that complimented my Rugrats shirt was awesome. The Hostess that took my temperature was great. Even the Beautiful Lady that took our plates was a gem. But there is a Beautiful waitress there name Blessing that absolutely made our lunch day. Her bubbly personality, she spoke with a smile, her patience was incredible. Due to my allergies, she made sure that what ever I ate or drink did not have any kind of nuts. I can go on and on about Blessing, but I don't have that much time. Thank you Blessing. As you all know that the restaurants turned 2nd Street into an outdoor dining area so we chose the outdoor... it was so cold🥶 but we had fun sooooo. The Host check your temperature before you are seated. Please forgive me for not pronouncing the dishes correctly.. I had the Cuban sandwich dish(I stick to what I know) but now regret it. Although my food was delicious and my friends dish, braised brisket dish was OMG. Next time I go, I will be getting that. This place is definitely a go.. for date night or just to meet up with friends or family.

Went to celebrate a Birthday and could not have had a better time! The service was friendly and welcoming, food was well prepared and presented and the transformation to "night club" was a lot of fun. Excellent mojitos too... Kitchen was very accommodating to my food allergies. Will definitely be back. I recommend this particular Cuba Libre as a must try when in Philly.

It had been many years since we had walked east to Cuba Libre. We were drawn by a story about the outdoor space the restaurant has created since restaurants have been allowed to reopen for dining outside. The outdoor space is charming and well conceived. The food and the selection of fine rums are clearly worth a return visit. The tuna ceviche was first rate and the portion generous. The two empanadas we had were hot and crisp and very tasty. Both the chicken and the beef were nicely spiced without being overwhelming. We shared the mixed grill and had chicken to bring home after we demolished the lobster tails and shrimp and sausage and steak. The plantains we got on the side were the best I have had in the states. There is a nice selection of deserts on the menu but we took a pass this time. Next time.

Another wonderful experience at Cuba Libre, Philly. The front desk was very helpful and informative, the service was excellent and the food was equal to or better than any prior visit. Very comfortable decor and a fun time. Restaurant Week is coming soon, a great way to try many Philadelphia restaurant offerings!

I'm going to start off by saying how I really do LOVE this place. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is awesome, drink choices are perfect... All around an impressive place to eat! Now I'm going to explain why I'm giving 3 stars (and really should have given 1 star for this last visit). We were having a great time. Drinks were perfect, food was great. Someone at our table ordered another drink (different from their first). The server brought a drink over and put it in front of him. About one minute later, the server came back and apologized and switched out the drink for the correct drink - she had given him the wrong one. No big deal right?? WRONG. She brought the wrong drink back to the bar, waited 10 seconds, and then took it over to a table next to ours. THE SAME DRINK that had already sat on our table for at least a minute. She didn't know if the guest at my table had taken a sip or not yet... Now I've worked in the restaurant industry before and these things happen, but she should have left the drink on our table, or took it and dumped it. From my seat at the table, I could see everything going on at the counter where the servers pick up their drinks and it immediately made me disgusted at what I had ate and drank there that day. As much as I love this place, I will always question what I'm getting now :( It ruined it for me.

This is a lively & fun spot for a drink, food or both. It has very high ceilings with a partial upstairs. Beautifully appointed with iron railings, plants galore, and lively colors. While we waited for our table we enjoyed a noteworthy rum flight. Also they have an intriguing and extensive menu.

Great location for people watching, eating great food sitting by the open front on a weekend afternoon is awesome. Food is flavored just right and the drinks are killer. Keep up the good work.

What a surprise to find the freshest sushi just steps away from our hotel Le Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and so much better than the commercial grade sushi at fancier restaurants. As New Yorkers, we have had some of the best sushi/sashimi anywhere, including Japan. We had the Oceanosa Sushi Bento Box and the Super Poke Sushi. The scallop sashimi is as good as it gets! You can taste the difference in their homemade sauces. The owner is super friendly, eager to please, and speaks English!

It was so good, I had the Arroz Pollo, my wife head the vegetable paella, and they even head a kids meal, I have a picky son, but they even had chicken tenders for him!

We tried to get in here without a reservation on Saturday night and were unable to. But we returned on Sunday and the restaurant was almost empty. We are glad we returned because the food and service were excellent. We had a great server and the staff seemed very friendly overall. Wonderful tapas and salads made our meal really memorable for the flavors and presentation. Loved the meatballs, the chicken tapas, salad and guacamole. The desserts were equally excellent. The decor is fun and the restaurant has a really nice vibe. You feel like you have visited Cuba after eating here. We will definitely return to this restaurant.

I strongly advise against visiting this restaurant. While it may present itself as Cuban and sound authentic, the cuisine falls far short of true Cuban flavors. The menu is deceptive, and the quality of the food is disappointing. As someone of Cuban heritage, I can assure you that this is not representative of genuine Cuban cooking. Experiencing this establishment could lead to a negative impression of our culinary traditions, which is unfortunate.

We held a group dinner here for 50 people. All very good. The staff was accommodating to our requests and needs. Good food, we got to chose from 2 different mains, all delicious. Wine selection was so so, but ok. The mojitos in the downstairs bar were awesome. We had payment issues though as they didn't have a chip reader on their card machine, only swipe. We had only European credit cards with us and as most European banks considers "swipe" a suspected fraud attempt our cards got blocked when we swiped them. Almost all restaurants/hotels have the chip option in Europe. Luckily anyway we had an American in our group who could bail us out! :-) Lesson learned, next time in the US, sign up for an American credit card to be able to pay larger group bills. The staff was very friendly though throughout it all.

We were served here by Gilliana yesterday and she was lovely. We asked if we could sit on the veranda to just have drinks and she arranged this for us. We had some Cuba libre cocktails as well as a classic mojiti and they were all really good. Great spot for people watching but the highlight was definitely the service which was excellent.

Stopped in for a drink with friends. Bar tender was very nice and the ambiance was cool. Good place with friendly people!

It was my first time here. The staff was friendly and helpful. The food was amazing and unique which I am always looking for. It was too dark to read the menus. It is close to the Arden theater.

Really enjoyed my "little visit to Havana" today for lunch. Particularly, the setting was deligjtfully like a Latin courtyard, so it was perfect on this nice spring day. Located on a quieter street as well. I tried the sampler platter and most enjoyed the empanada, though it could have benefitted from more chicken inside. The red snapper was good too. I would recommend this for a quiet place to enjoy friends, drinks, and a taste of Latin.

Beautiful ambience with good service. We were not rushed, nor were we ignored - Great timing between courses.

My wife and I took our teenage college kids here and everyone just loved it. They had a variety of dishes even for my vegan daughter and picky son. I was able to make reservation the same day for 5 and we were seated right on time. The staff was very friendly, and location was lively but not too noisy.

We did not have a reservation but got a table after a short wait at the bar. The barman was very friendly and pleasant. We were seated upstairs at a good table. The decor is very tropical hacienda style. Downstairs is like a courtyard. Upstairs is like a winding verandah looking over the courtyard. We were served by a nice young woman (Kylie or Kaylie?). She gave us great advice on the menu. We choose a series of tapas. A diverse range of fish, chicken, pork dishes with some potatoes and salads. The portions were generous. all food was delicious. The brand of non alcoholic beer was not great but otherwise everything was perfect including a great atmosphere. We had a very pleasant mid-week feast. highly recommended.

This restaurant is located in a neat old building with a lot of character. The food was outstanding, drinks were delicious and the service was terrific! We would definitely go back! Make sure you make a reservation!

We went for a last min birthday lunch and it was the best impromptu decision we ever made for lunch. Kayla our server at Cuba libre was amazing and very attentive. Fantastic lunch- the 3 mini sampler is pretty good portion for lunch. Everything was very delicious. We ordered the pio pio pio and vegetariano. Tres leches was delicious. Highly recommend the Cuban coffee with steamed milk and coconut milk. Great ambiance.....looks like a Cuban courtyard.

We were able to get a same-day reservation at an outdoor table for a late lunch. The tables were separated by plexiglass from the other diners, and there was a nice breeze so it felt very safe. All of the staff wore masks at all times. The service was great; we never waited more than a few minutes for drinks and the food also came out quickly. Every thing we tried was very good and we were delighted to eat food that we didn't cook at home. Overall great experience!

We had such a wonderful time and absolutely wonderful meal at Cuba Libre! The food was all spectacular and the service great! I would totally recommend the brisket meal, and the flank steak. The seafood soup was wonderful too! Give it a try! You won't be disappointed!

Took my wife here for her birthday. Whenever we go to Miami we get Cuban food and really enjoy it. For her birthday she wanted to go to Philadelphia (we live about 45 mins north is the suburbs) so we did a Google search for the best Cuban food in Philly and Cuba Libre seemed to have a lot of good reviews. The atmosphere was nice, drinks were good but my wife's entree, Vacio Steak Agentino, was so tough and fatty she literally could not cut it to eat. I can never remember her sending back an entree in all the many restaurants we have visited. Big disappointment and not a birthday dinner she will want to remember. We still spent a good sum of money and had to find another place for her to get some food after we left. The waitress was very nice and did explain that was a tougher cut of meat. Really? They charge $28 for the steak and serve tough meat? We will not be visiting this place again. Can't wait to get back to Miami for some quality Cuban food.

We visited it for dinner on a Friday night...although we called for reservations quite late, personnel went out of their way and reserved us a table for 21.15. The bar restaurant has indeed a very Cuban ambiance and decor, discreet Cuban music, which, after the kitchen closes at 23.00, turns into loud dancing Latino music, the tables being moved away to create a big dancing floor on two levels. Very vibrant atmosphere indeed. Our server, Kayla, vivacious, professional and at the same time friendly, eager to please and particularly knowledgeable about every item on the extensive menu. Her suggestions matched our taste preferences, her service was impeccable We shared, for starters, 2 kinds of tapas and then for entrée I chose the citrus chicken with mashed....it tasted very good. My friends were also quite happy with their choice..... The prices were normal, not extravagant....I would gladly visit it again, when in Philadelphia.

I came across Cuba Libre while looking for another place and decided to have lunch. I was pleasantly surprised choosing their quick lunch and had the seafood soup, salad and half a cuban sandwich (with a regular mojito of course). The atmosphere, service and food were exceptional. That evening I went to have dinner and decided to take a friend there and had the shrimp con mojo with their passion fruit mojito which was amazing. My friend had the Lechon asado and loved it. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a great meal with amazing service and atmostphere. I will be back.

My wife & I stopped here for lunch while touring the city and we’re glad we did. Great atmosphere. Limited menu for those with food allergies but very attentive to needs & portions were huge.

In town for dinner and drinks. This was our 2nd visit to Cuba Libre for dinner. We like it here not just because we love the food but its fun and comfortable. Natalie was our server and she was a gem, very knowledgeable of the menu and how the food is prepared, all delivered with a big smile. Try the Sangria, Its really good

Made reservations, seated immediately, friendly staff. Limited menu but that meant quicker service, stated gluten free....I would check ingredients.

We had dinner on Thursday evening. The waitress and other staff were friendly and helpful. We ordered fritters, Cuban sandwich, black bean soup, empanadas and drinks. Everything was amazing. We especially loved the decor. Definitely would return.

Whoa. I'm writing this after putting my ELEVEN take out boxes in the fridge from our Mothers Day brunch this morning. For $39 a person, we each got way more food than one person should reasonably get. The fact that we boxed everything we couldn't finish should tell you that the food was a hit. The food came in waves. First wave was an assortment of pastries; a churro, chocolate muffin, coconut berry muffin, a guava and creme cheese stuffed danish type thing, and a slice of banana bread. They came with a trio of mango butter, coconut lime preserve and guava marmalade. I only shoveled the churro and banana bread down my food hole, but they were both DELICIOUS, and the spreads were each perfect accompaniments. Second wave was a bowl of pineapple guacamole with crispy plantain chips. Listen.....I am a fan of avocado, but weirdly don't like guacamole. But, if I could've slammed my face into this bowl of guac, I would have. Everyone seemed to get their own bowl, with a GENEROUS amount of guac and like 6-7 chips. Along with this was an absolutely BANGING Cuban shrimp cocktail. The sissies I was with were afraid to dig in, thinking that the dish was too spicy, but it was perfectly balanced with the TINIEST hint of heat that played with the citrus in the dish. The shrimp cocktail tied with the guac for the winning dish of the day for me. At this point, we were running out of real estate on the table, but the food just kept on coming. Next up was a fish/cream cheese dip, spread on a board with a crisped piece of bread. Although still tasty, I think this was the least successful dish. It was tasty enough, but it was a little hard to eat (it was spread thin, so you couldn't DIP the bread into it, you had to scoop the dip off of the board. And you couldn't use the bread to scoop, as it was thin and brittle, so you had to use your knife, then transfer to the bread). But, there was no time to harp on the fish dip, as crab fritters and spinach and manchego puffs hit the table next. Both delicious, and the dipping sauce for the crab fritters tasted like my mother in laws homemade soffrito. Yum. At this point, the belly was full, and we still had TWO courses to go. There were 5 different entrees to choose from, but I (and what seemed like most of my party) went with the chicken and waffle. 3/4 of the entree went IMMEDIATELY into a to go box. The last 1/4, I dug in and found it to be perfectly fine. A few of the aforementioned sissies complained about the spiciness of the chicken, but I found no such problem. I would have preferred chicken breast instead of thigh, but it was still tasty and the waffle was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The dish came topped with a mango salsa that also received mixed reviews. Next was dessert, which I literally can not speak about, because it went directly into a to go box. But, what was there looked fabulous. There was a coconut rice pudding, a chocolate souffle, a flan and a sugar cookie. Seriously, at this point, food coma was imminent. To go along with all this were two cups of delicious Cuban coffee. ( I also don't particularly like coffee, but still had two cups.) I know I'm using the word "delicious" a lot, but its really the best descriptor. The food was DELICIOUS, and there was COPIOUS amounts of it. The dining room was spacious and clean and the wait staff was on POINT, especially our head server, Aaron. The reason Cuba Libre misses the 5th star is that almost everything was sweet. Even the savory dishes had a sweet component or dip. Everything had mango or pineapple if not just straight up sugar sweetness. Tasty, but I burned out my sweet tooth pretty early on. I even mentioned as the dishes were on their way out; "dessert seems like a punishment at this point." All in all though, a fantastic brunch. I'm pretty sure I'll be adding Cuba Libre to my memory banks for spots to grab a bite.

This restaurant offers true Cuban dishes and the décor is unlike any restaurant that I have visited. The food was delicious and plentiful. Did I mention that the Mojitos my wife had were spectacular. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant next time you are in Philly.

We walked into this restaurant - and felt like we had walked into old Havana, and I have been to Havana - that's how authentic it felt! I loved the vibe, and the decor. The menu is fine, prices pretty reasonable, food and service good!

We come here often for brunch when we are in the city, more than any other restaurant. We love Cuban food and my husband is Cuban, so it’s right up our alley. The ambiance is great, the restaurant is beautiful, and the food is delish. Brunch is rarely crowded when we are there so we feel very relaxed to take our time and enjoy our meal. The menu, however, has some plusses and minuses. The bread basket with 3 different spreads is overpriced and delicious so we splurge for it. You can’t go wrong with the traditional dishes like black bean soup, ropa vieja, and Cuban sandwich. But do not fall for the trap and order the small version of the Cuban sandwich. It would appear by price that it is approx half of the large, but it is not. It is a sliver of a sandwich, a mere tasting, the size is laughable. Order the large & take half home if you need to; half is still 5 times larger than the small. The other breakfast sandwiches are similar baby sized items that seem uncomfortable around the normal sized meals. When in doubt, ask your server for a size estimate. The flavors will be there, but is it enough for the price? Not always. Definitely try some of the fruit drinks in the menu. Also delicious! And of course, order a cup of coffee. It’s wonderfully smooooth.

The décor in this restaurant is very atmospheric, you feel as if you are actually in Havana. The service is prompt and accommodating, and the food is quite good. Avoid the special fruit juices, as they are sickeningly sweet.

Good service from Anselm.Good location,big restaurant.Nice area at strip.But to expensive for Cuban food.$74 grill,$12 two empanadas,$15 guacamole,Hello!

Great place to have food (ropa vieja and lechón), the drinks sangría and caipiriñas are excellent. The atmosphere is wonderful.

We got to this restaurant in-between lunch and dinner shifts so all they were serving was some appetizers and a few small plates. Not what we really wanted, but we decided to try a few things anyway. The person who seated us was very nice, but we waited about 10 mins before a server came over. We ordered waters, and then pineapple guac cubano, octopus a la parilla, and coconut crab fritters. The waters came out and about 1/2 way through my husbands glass there was something really disgusting in the ice, mold or I don't know, it was grey and fuzzy. We showed the waiter and he said ew I'll bring you another one, apparently something of the sorts happened at the table next to us as well. He brought back warm water, no ice, no apologies, nothing :( This was not comforting lol. Our food came out and my husband was reluctant to eat. The guac was ok, it didn't have a lot of flavor, it was a huge portion of guac and chips. The plantain chips were cooked well, crispy, but a little thick. The octopus was really tender, but the flavor was reminiscent of hot dogs...maybe my taste buds, but I don't think so. The crab fritters were very tasty and full of crab. Our waiter came back maybe twice, and we had to request the check. The food wasn't good enough to make me want to come back and neither was the service.

We entered the restaurant/bar for a drink and maybe a snack, so we were kindly referred to the bar, we were completely fine with that! A good bar experience is always nice! This was nothing close to that sadly... The guy behind the bar, hairknot and a beard, felt way to good for his position. Didn't get any eye contact with him while he was our waiter at that moment. I honestly believe that the restaurant would be good, but sitting at the bar was a bad experience. This barman wasn't paying any attention and service was definitely not priority on his mind..! Food was nice tho.

We stopped for lunch and had a bento box. It was amazing. Spinach puffs were crispy outside with gooey goat cheese centers, the most amazing black bean soup I've ever had, marinated tenderloin over mash and flan for dessert. My husband and I shared and just loved it. The rest of the menu looks wonderful and the decor is charming.

Excellent place with atmosphere to spare. Try the classic mojito and the blue crab guacamole while you sit on the short patio and people watch. I really recommend reservations for dinner. You won't be disappointed

Food was just fabulous. FABULOUS. Atmosphere was old Cuba. A set designer friend created the look. But go for the food. This chef knows what he (or she) is about. I wish he lived where I do!

We celebrated two birthdays wth the family (of 7). The restaurant is beautifully decorated, we had a wonderful server (very attentive), and everyone loved their cocktails and mocktails, appetizers and meals. We sat at a round table so we could all see one another, and even though the place was packed we could hear across the table.

Excellent service. Fantastic selection of mojitos. Mouthwatering Cuban food. Dancing at 10.30pm. The ambience is like having a meal at a sidewalk cafe in Havana.

We had the occasion to go to Cuba Libre recently and was reminded how good the food really is here at this restaurant. Food was great, services was even better. We cant wait to come back to Philly for this restaurant.

This restaurant has delicious food and then becomes a dance floor after 8pm. So put on your dancing shoes and merengue or salsa the night way.

We love the Museum of the American Revolution which is just a short couple blocks away, and to top off that experience, enjoy a great meal, lunch or dinner at Cuba Libre. A friend was visiting and she loved the food. The seafood soup was amazing! The crab dip with plantains was also. We go back here whenever we are nearby, and sometimes not so near by. Get a reservation and ask be seated in the main dining room. You will fee like you are in Havana. And we were in the real Havana just two years ago. Capt Makai Radnor, PA

Being Cuban I am probably bias but in reality the food was not that great the flavors were lacking and the portions are so small for the value. You are paying to be in a beautiful fun space. The drinks are weak and the bar is very slow. I was not impressed sadly.

Monday evenings offer limited dining choices in Philadelphia's Old City -- happily a family dinner for four at Cuba Libre provided an excellent evening. Early in the evening, and mid-week, so both atmosphere and service were quiet and easy. Well-started with a range of choice among the mojitos -- onward to a fine Malbec to accompany dinners that were ample and tasty. Guacamole with crab made for a good start - one of us inserted a cup of tasty bean soup. Onwards - on the lighter side a seafood soup -- others went for the classic rope vieja and the best of the choices, the masitas de puerco. All in cost @ $ 75 - well up the value scale. Probably not a mainstream choice, with the cliches about the city's tourist attractions, but definitely to keep in mind in a neighborhood of surprising diversity and appeal.

My family and friends went there to enjoy the Latin music. Very nice crowed and the DJ was very good. The place started to get full around 11:30PM. Everything in Philly closes @ 2AM. Drinks were a little expensive. $8 for a Corona and $65 a beer bucket. I think they can do better in the drink prices. Anyway, cool place to hangout with friends.

Fun atmosphere and décor! Lots of great new and reasonably priced food. A definite must see and do if in Philly!

Fabulous Brunch with my daughter on a Sunday afternoon. Highly recommend unlimited tapas option. The guacamole with plantains is a great start, along with the sweet basket. We loved the mimosas! Try the coconut or grilled pineapple. We tried the Cuban sandwich, trout, eggs in red sauce (like a shaksuka but named differently), crab cake. The combinations of flavors were new and fresh. The preparation was beautiful and unique as well. Enjoy the fun atmosphere, knowledgeable wait staff, and Latin music! You are in for a treat!

Wandering around Old City Philadelphia on an unusually warm winter afternoon I had the good fortune to discover the bar in the Cuba Libra restaurant. Stephen, the young bar tender, makes a terrific mojito, and made me feel welcome. Go here. Get the mojito. Say hello to Stephen.

We ate dinner here while in Philly last week. My husband and I both enjoyed our meals. We loved the grilled pineapple guacamole with fried plantains; best thing we ate there!! We also appreciated the diligence of staff members. There were some homeless individuals bothering guests who were eating outdoors, and the issue was resolved peacefully and immediately.

Visited for the first time after a long day of walking around Philly. The food was delicious , but the atmosphere was even better. Amazing experience. Reminded me of Victor's Cafe in NYC, which is also cuban cuisine. I would recommend to others!

Usually great but service today was really not good. We waited over an hour for our entrees. Really disappointing. The manager apologized and comped the entrees but the damage was kind of done (we had done one with us who got this as a first impression, which was a bummer)

Arrived late lunch on Saturday and the hostess was able to accommodate us immediately and a nice round table. Waiter was OK but could have done better in terms of service, maybe a bit pretentious. Food was excellent, especially paella. Drinks were also good. Atmosphere is excellent and decor too. One last complaint, espresso was served in paper cups, come on for a place like this ought to be unacceptable. Therefore 4 stars. Still recommend the place.

Wow!! The first thing that hits you is the ambiance! Just an amazing open space that really transports you to the feeling of Cuba. And our server was above and beyond amazing! Personal recommendations and excellent speed and attentiveness. Drinks and food were on point, definitely a must visit!

This restaurant has been around for years and still impresses me. Very friendly and informative staff with a recently updated menu. They make some of the best well balanced mojitos ever..the passionfruit is exceptional. After you order, they offer mango butter with hot pressed bread which is to die for. We asked for more. Grilled Octopus and three different empanadas, were spectacular and flavorful. The pork Cha Cha Cha was one of the most unique items ever eaten. With three different cuts of pork in one...the rib, a chop and pork belly all in one. VacaFrita is a must have, perfectly crisp shredded beef with a garlic citrus sauce. Have it with avacado. No room for dessert, but had a Coconut coffee which was so rich and velvety you could take a bath in it.

The food was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere was great... themed as if you were in a Disney restaurant. They have gluten free options and were very helpful and knowledgeable about gluten free. I can't wait to return!

OK, I've never been to Cuba, and likely you haven't either, but this feels like an idealized, sunny version of a Cuban cafe. Cuba Libre is close to or perhaps part of the historic area of downtown Philadelphia. When you step inside, it is cool and colorful and simply gives off the impression of sitting at a perfect cafe on the streets of Havana. The food is Cuban and very good. My only quibble was with the service, which seemed to lack the style and polish I would have expected given the decor, theme, and general "vibe." We enjoyed our evening here, as you should as well.

First - the most delicious Cuban cinnamon mango butter and toast YUM! 2 - FRESH mojitos so delicious!! 3- Ropa, Seafood Paella, crab guac with plantains 4- CUBAN COFFEE Our waitress was perfect! Such a great foodie experience :)

We went here to visit with friends we haven't seen in many years and we happy to note that we could actually hear each other talking. Cuba Libre has a slightly tropical feel without being over the top, and the food is very good. I ordered a shrimp dish that came with rice, and a salad that I shared with my husband who ordered citrus chicken. Our friend ordered similar dishes. Everyone was happy. Not spicy, but full of flavor the meals were better than I anticipated. Nice to have a good surprise. And we could talk.

Our visit was wonderful !!! We started out with a few drinks at the bar and the bartender Keenan was very knowledgeable and recommended some wonderful libations. We then sat down for dinner and our waitress Vienna could not have been better!!! She knew the menu inside out and described the dishes and their ingredients. We didn't want to stop eating and will be back soon.

Horrible experience Very poor reception average dish but the worst is the service with an insistence on rushing the meal barely finished plate taken back on the spot dishes shipped no improvement attention to customers Literally kicked out in less than an hour!!! With a substantial addition To avoid++++

Authentic Cuban fare. Flavorful food. Mojito was ok, expected excellent. Service was friendly and fast. Outdoor patio was nice. I recommend a visit.

We came on a Saturday for dinner. Service was good, the entire dinner came at the same time. We had the pulled pork, beef, crab cakes and a choice of tapas. The quality and taste of the food was really good. There was however an unpleasant experience with an insect happening next to our table. It was a bit of an outcry of the guests and we lost appetite. Still, I can recommend the place. The staff handled the situation very professional and in a good way. We were instantly refunded and received a meal voucher. I felt sorry for them because of the good food, thanks for your professional reaction. I will come back.

We past this restaurant and I mention I needed to sit down so we turned around to stop in for a drink. It was like taking another vacation. We felt like step into to restaurant in Cuba. We tried the sample tasting aged rum which was yummy and interesting flavors. I had a mojito and my boyfriend had a Latin beer. The bartender was friendly and shared interesting places to see.

We took the train into Philly specifically to have lunch at Cuba Libre. We had been there a few years ago and were in the mood for Cuban food. Every aspect of our visit there was great. Our server, Natalie, was outstanding. She was friendly, knowledgeable, offered suggestions and provided excellent service. The lunch specials were delicious and the amounts just right. The décor made us feel like we were in a different state, somewhere warm and tropical. We look forward to returning. Soon.

LOVED this restraunt & the decor. The outside is very inconspicuous you would never know this little gem was there. There's paid parking across the street I believe it was $8. The food was very authentic Cuba. The grilled pineapple guacamole with plantane chips is a must try, yummy bowl of deliciousness! The complementary grilled bread with mango butter was AMAZING! We had the 4 variety tapas which was perfect for trying & sharing. We even had leftovers. Ropa vieja seemed to be the hit at our table & was priced around $24. The main courses were served in generous helpings, you won't leave hungry. We also tried the coconut mojito as well as the rum. The rum was more like whiskey & the mojito was good. The menu items were moderately priced & beautifully presented. The atmosphere looked like you were dining in the middle of a Cuban garden, very cute! There's a cute icecream place a block over, Franklin Icecream, if you don't get dessert there.

Exquisite black beans soup, crab guacamole and cubano sandwich. A short stop in Philly and this is the place to go. Servings good enough for two.

A great place in old city Philly. The vibe, look and atmosphere is very Havana like and the music makes it very authentic. The service was very good and the food great. A must visit.

Walked past this restaurant and knew I had to eat here. I love any oppty to eat Cuban. This isn't traditional presentation but some things showed promise. Was looking for that tangy citris-y flaver in the roast pork and it was there. Mmm good. The moros were good. The plantains weren't ripe enough. That was a bummer but darn! That happens. The atmosphere was fantastic. The place is beautiful. They have a happy hour in the bar and salsa on the weekends. If ever in Philly on a weekend....This is worth a second visit.

Great restaurant in Old City Philly. Incredible décor reminiscent of a Cuban streetscape. And the food... wow. We started with Empanadas that were fantastic. I had the Vaca Frita which was fantastic, my wife a shrimp dish that was very good, and in the words of my daughter, "the greatest chicken tenders of all time." Price was reasonable as well. I highly recommend!

After a regrettable dinner elsewhere, we stopped in Cuba Libre for a couple drinks. I had a coconut cuba libre which was surprisingly good (Im not a rum and coke drinker). This is a shout out to the bar tender though, with his mane of cascading curls and soft wild beard...he was super real and made me a list of must visit restaurants in the area. It's always cool to meet someone who makes a great impression by just being themselves...we will be back to eat- thanks!

I was with my 19 year old daughter who is studying in philly and we were strolling down south street and market and wanted to have a bite around 415 pm at this seemingly beautiful restaurant after checking out the ambience from the window . We were met by an extremely impolite and hostile hostess who informed us that if we wanted to have a cubano sandwich other small bites etc we were not allowed to sit inside (there were other diners inside ) and had to occupy the bar area facing a drab wall which was not appealing at all . I have been to cuba and the people and place are more welcoming and this restaurant truly does not represent the spirit of cuba . Very rude and horrible place

Service, food, drink, atmosphere! This is not a major upscale “dining experience” but rather a really fun, tasty, joyful foodie meal! We arrived without reservations about 5:30 on a Friday night in late February. After being immediately seated in a dining room beautifully restored to look like a plaza in old Havana, our server made us right at home with some delicious drinks. Marty had a Caipirinha which she described as one of the best, and I lingered over an aged rum flight in which we each found a new favorite. Food: We each started off with the house staple Black Bean Soup which sang with flavors. Marty moved on to a Tuna Cerviche from the appetizer menu, and I went with what our server Philip described as authentically Cuban: Ropa Vieja, which was shredded brisket with onions and tomatoes, and Cuban fruits. Dessert was served as “tapas” small flan, rice pudding, and tres leches cake. The cake was best. Several years ago we were here with a large group and we both chose the tasting menu. It was fabulous, tasty, and entirely too much food for us. If you are a big eater, you can’t go wrong with this. This was our second trip to Cuba Libra and certainly not our last.

Colorful, fun, instagrammable spot in Old town. The mojitos are fantastic, and what the place is known for. Clean, crisp, refreshing, not too sweet. I had the masitas de puerco fritas, a pork dish. I did this on recommendation from the sever, who told me it was fall apart tender. I thought mine was a little tough and fatty, but I don’t hold that against her or the restaurant. I’m not a pork fan anyway, but almost always try to eat what the server or locals recommend. I had the empanadas for an appetizer and they were hot, had just the right amount of spice and heat, very juicy and tasty. The menu has various renditions of pork, beef, chicken, and seafood, prepped in Cuban fashion. Prices are in the high 20 dollar range. Again, the main draw here is the decor, photo ops, and mojitos. Would try again.

Excellent Empanadas as well as the other dining choices. I give it a 4.5. Prices were significant, but the dining experience was good.

Two friends and I headed to Cuba Libre in search of proper mojitos after aborting the Philly Mojito March. I hadn't been to Cuba Libre in many years but was hoping it was still as good as I remembered. It wasn't. It was even better. We were welcomed and seated promptly, and greeted by our server, Becca. She took pity on us after hearing about the terrible mojitos we'd been served and took the time to go over the drink menu thoroughly and recommend her favorites. She explained how they don't use simple syrup, but instead use a machine to press fresh sugar cane into juice. My grilled pineapple mojitos (you can get them with extra rum if you like) were perfect. My companions also enjoyed their passion fruit mojitos and sangria. While waiting for our order she brought us warm Cuban bread with mango cinnamon butter. Can you say yum? For our entrees we had ropa vieja, empanadas and seafood soup. Each bite was better than the last, and the portions were reasonable. We had to go with the tres leches for dessert, along with a Cafe Cubano (with a shot of rum, of course). The atmosphere and service were impeccable. We relaxed over a leisurely meal and Becca was attentive but not hovering. Cuba Libre really helped us turn around our day. I can't believe I stayed away so long, but I'll be back soon.

Very nice resto & rum bar. Nice interior, very crowded, had dinner at the bar. Just go for the Cuba-feelings and tastes :-) . Friendly and helpful staff, know what they are selling. Just go and try, you will not be disappointed.

While on a business trip, our group of 13 decided to go on the Cuba side for dinner. We did not have reservations. We walked in and advised of our group and the waited was approx, 10 minutes while the staff arranged the tables to accommodate our group In a timely manner, The staff had us seated, with menus and took our drink orders. Our dinner order was taken and with a large group, our dinner was presented in a timely manner. The food, atmosphere, wait staff was outstanding. With a full customer restaurant, the wait staff continuously was checking to make sure we are satisfied with everything. I will go back. Thank you for a great night.