Habana SoCo Restaurant Reviews

I stopped in Habana on a slow Monday night with my beautiful wife and daughter. We started with tostones (5.99) as an appetizer. They tasted old and they were cold. I had the Picadillo (11.50) with rice and red beans. It was a large portion, but a little bland. My wife had the pollo Frito (13.50) basically a deep fried 1/2 of a chicken. It was nicely spiced, but a tad dry for her taste. The Maduro (6.50) side was good but over-priced. The daughter had the shredded beef (15.50) It was moist and flavorful. Overall, we were disappointed in the food, for the high prices, but the service was very good. We will keep looking. We have had much better for much less in Florida and Houston.

Recently went to Habana to experience the Cubano sandwich after watching a movie that highlighted it - we were not disappointed! Not only was the sandwich big enough to share (which we did not!) but the flavors of pickle, ham and pork were fantastic!! And the yucca chips were terrific especially with their veggie green dipping sauce. The service was great and so was the mojito!!

A group of friends and I went for dinner and had a wonderful time. The best part was our server Michael. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and knew what suggestions to make. He showed up just at the right times - not too much or too little. The food was very good, although I used to live in Tampa FL and it's really hard to get to that level of Cuban food. Lots to choose from, you really can't go wrong.

We lived in Miami for about a decade so were delighted when we heard about this little gem. We stopped in for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and were swept away. We felt like we were back in South Florida. The place had an authentic feel to it and we thought the food was spot on. I had the Bistec de Pollo Empanizado and my wife had the Ropa Vieja. We both had black beans and rice and we split an order of Maduros. Delicious. Since it had been a while we decided to round lunch off with a Cafe con Leche and we split a Tres Leches. Divine. We live in North Austin but I have a feeling we'll be making regular trips down that way soon enough.

When it comes to Cuban food, I am one of the most critical and biased people you will meet. Being 1/2 Cuban myself, I know what to look for in traditional dishes and moreso, what consistency and flavors should be in the food. So, before I stepped through the restaurant's door, I was already preparing myself for disappointment. Let's start with decor. From the road, doesn't look like much. I immediately thought, I should keep going before it's too late. Too late, I walked in. You step into an indoor/outdoor eat-in patio which I thought was really pretty and almost feels like you're in a resort somewhere. I opted to sit inside & picked to eat at the right time because for most of the time, I had the place to myself. From the paint colors and various artwork to the tables, everything had the complete island feel. Then came time to order. The food options were all typical Cuban dishes. Of course, that makes me estatic because the options available, which are alot BTW, seem authentic and promising. I decided on the Bistec Palomilla, (which is a nice cut of steak smothered in grilled onions), that also comes with tostones, a side of white rice and black beans. I also ordered the Yuca con mojo. Yes, it really sounds like a lot of food, but sounding doesn't always relate to actuality. Wrong again, it really was a heaping well prepared plate that found its way to my table. Now, I brace myself for what I'm certain is going to be pretty and flavorless. Holy mother of all things magnificent!! The food is ridiculously delicious beyond anything I've ever tasted. I swore I was eating at my family's house. My dad would've been proud and delighted. Steak, perfect, tender, juicy. The rice, like butter, perfect. The beans. I hesitated because there's no way in hell, I'm eating beans that rival mine. And yes, I can throw down in the kitchen when it comes to my black beans. I even get requests from other Spanish friends to cook beans for them. I digress, THEIR beans: Mouthwatering explosion of heaven itself. My tostones and Yuca, perfection. The whole meal was exemplary. Then, I had the gall to order dessert too. 3-Leches. Mind you, I didn't come in starving enough for all of it, but did most certainly clean every morsel off of my plate. I can't even talk about how delicious the food was. I'm fantasizing about it as I write this. My server, fantastic!! Attentive, engaging and personable. I think his name was Steven. The background music: lots of salsa, not overbearing, low enough that a conversation could be had and tasteful. They also had the football game on their TV's for a diehard Cowboys fan like me, divine. My only regrets: I didn't try their Mojitos or any alcohol. Seriously was already liquored out from the Halloween festivities and I didn't indulge in a cigar either. If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Nothing short of spectacular!!! Thank you for a wonderful experience and fantastic way to end my trip, full belly love!

We stopped by during a visit to Austin and this ended up our very favorite place. Margaritas were outstanding. Freshly made with agave. The best we had in Austin. Cuban sandwiches and plantains were excellent. Portions were huge. Great service. This is on my list to return to in Austin! Not to be missed.

Friends invited us to go to Habana SoCo, and try Cuban food. We hadn't been there before but were very pleasantly surprised! The staff was courteous and prompt. The only small problem was that they serve the salad at the same time as the hot food. We would have preferred to have the salad first, but it seemed that they didn't forget, but that is just how they do it there. Next time we will request the salad first. We had a fabulous dinner. Appetizer of Yuca Frita was delicious and served with mojo sauce. The CAMARONES SALTEADO/SAUTÉED SHRIMP CREOLE was delicious. My husband tried the Grilled black drum served over a gallette of potatoes and topped with homemade Cuban marinara sauce and was not disappointed. The couple we were with ordered two other meals, and they were both delicious and well presented. The Cuban black beans and yellow rice were also great. Don't pass this place by. It is a great place!

Servers were nice but very inattentive, and the food was mediocre. I am originally from Miami, so we know what good Cuban food should taste like, and this was not it. The mojito was very sour, the Cuban Sandwich was just OK, and the black beans were tasteless. My husband had the snapper which was pretty good. I think we will stick to making Cuban food at home from now on.

Atmosphere is laid back in a great way--perfect place to have a slow-paced dining experience in a casual atmosphere. Portions are large, and food is very tasty. The Cuban Nachos were fantastic--the bed of fried plantains was a perfect foundation for the tasty pork, black beans, cheese, etc. I recommend the Lechon Asado, a slow roasted pork served with rice and beans. The Arroz con Pollo and Ropa Viaja were also excellent. The specialty drinks are also worth a try. I particularly enjoyed the Habatini, a rum infused mango "martini," that is quite tasty.

But stop at one overpriced Mojito served in a tiny juice glass or you'll go broke and have to wash dishes. Otherwise great service and fantastic food! Supersized lunch portions.

Tasty restaurant offering a slice of Cuba. Indoor and outdoor seating. Roast pork is great here and plentiful. Will be back for more.

Yummy..always stop by when I'm in Austin. Brought my friend for the first time and she loved it as well. -Mel n Meka

When there is so much flavor (my mouth is watering) in the food, or your trying dishes that you may not be accustomed to, but that first bite explodes with flavor, you will be stuffed when you leave the restaurant and not even remember how. I enjoyed the food (especially the pork and cuban rice), the people and some history of the Afro Caribbean flavors that I so openly took with me (in my belly). The Cafe con Leche is to die for (Sorry Starbucks) and dessert? Well no words can describe it. yummmmmy (OK that nots a word) Viva Habana SoCo!

The cuban sandwich blew me away! It was fantastic! It could easily move into the slot of "best sandwich I ever ate" and I love sandwiches (think Joey from Friends kind of love). The bread is really great and the pork, ham, swiss, pickle, mustard combo is just exquisite. It would be a weekly habit if I lived in Austin. Unfortunately, I had to return to my crap town with no variety. My hubby had the pork platter with rice, yucca and beans--all yummy! And we had a tamale for an appetizer (just one huge tamale) and it came with a delicious sauce. It was very very good. I had a mojito on the happy hour $5 special. It was ok. I have never had a true mojito so it was probably perfect. I wished it was sweeter. It was super minty. I'm not much of a drinker in all fairness. The waiter was awesome! Overall, the experience was phenomenal!

I'm always in search of the perfect cuban sandwich and/or mojito. Well let me tell you...this is the place for both. Add a cool cabana to sit in and we didn't want to leave! Great service, food, drinks and atmosphere!

I have had the opportunity to eat at Habana SoCo many times over the last 3 years and I am sad to report what used to be a slam dunk great time has now turned into a real hit or miss experience. I don't know if the issue is that success gave management a big head or the insidious malaise of time passing but this restaurant has now turned into shadow of its former self. The service is now painfully slow with a hint of arrogance and a rigid inflexibility. The food has lost it authenticity and the drinks are now the same poor cookie cutter recipes that every other Austin place is trying to serve. Down to the "special" drink that has a limit of two. The rice and yucca were all dry. The lechon wasn't as tender as it used to be and itself was somewhat dry. Almost like the drought in Austin had hit Habana SoCo's kitchen. The pollo saltado and the ropa vieja were the likes by those that ordered it. All in all disappointed.

This is the only place I’ll go for mojitos, and since the first one goes down too easily, I just call them moji-dos. But I get them with Abuelo Añejo, because Panama. ANYHOW, we always eat way too much because we always have to get dessert too—tres leches, cuatro leches, chocolate tres leches.... The Cuban sandwich is pretty good. The rice was off this last trip—seemed more like Spanish rice than yellow Cuban rice. But all in all, not bad. Of course we’ll be back!

I highly recommend this restaurant for authentic Cuban food, we went in our trip to Austin and was a very nice surprise

I am Cuban and am always on the look out for authentic Cuban food when I travel. The food here is spot on! The Vaca Frita was crispy and delicious; the Puerco was moist and tender; and the yuca was perfect! The portions are large and the staff is very friendly. Next time I’m in Austin, this will be the first place I stop!

I had a shrimp creole that was yummy. And the mojitos were pretty darn good as well (mine was coconut).

So we were in Austin for one night and had the urge to have some Spanish food. I looked for something near and with good reviews and came across this place. I was extremely skeptical since there were only 2 people in the restaurant when we showed up on a Sunday. We were so glad we came to this place. Roast pork! Dont bother looking for anything else this is the meal to have. And it had large portions so consider splitting it.

My family and I just endured a horrible dining experience at this poor excuse for a Cuban restaurant. I'm from New York City and I know good Cuban food, this was not it. Their arroz con gandules was terrible. After being very dissatisfied with our dinner, my wife discovered a trail of ants behind her. They had made their way from the window sil to her back and onto the table. When I told the manager he gave me an attitude and acted as if I was annoying him by reporting the issue. He offered no sincere apology or even ask us if we wnted to move. After spending $100 + on dinner I expected much more. This place will never see my business again and I will be sure to tell everyone I know to avoid Habana SoCo.

On Sunday Mornings, we watch a local television show call Daytripper.  One of the episodes visited a restaurant called Habana, and as you may have guessed, it featured Cuban cuisine. The food looked so good on TV, that we rushed down for dinner the same day--we were not disappointed. We tried the Ceviché ($17) and one each of their three empanda choices (cheese, spinach and carnitas) ($4 each). The Ceviché had shrimp, avocado, red onions, garlic cilantro and lime.  Served with plantains.  It was a very generous portion, definitely worth the price. In order I like the meat, cheese them spinach empanada.  All were served with marinara sauce. With the appetizers, we had to have their featured mojitos ($9).  They tasted great but were a bit small for the price.  We still did two rounds of them. For dinner we had to try the Cuban version of a Spanish favorite--Paella ($26).  Habana's version of the dish was seafood based and included, mussels, classic, shrimp, calamari, talapia, Maduro and rice.  So much food we took about half home. Finally, we capped the night with some Cuban Coffee ($3/4) and a To Go order of their best seller, a Cuban Sandwich ($14).  If you've been to Little Havana in Miami, you know what good Cuban food is like.  Fortunately for everyone in Austin, having Habana in town saves you a long trip.  Experience the island life with a little Texas hospitality thrown in.

Amazing...every time!!! My friends got the Cuban sandwiches and they were wonderful!!! I got the Roast Pork and its to die for. Amazing place, great service- I highly recommend sitting out in the huts outside. It’s a must when you’re in Austin!

This is our go-to restaurant when my wife wants a taste of her childhood, we've been here more than 10 times over the past 3 years and it's always consistent. The food is always great, the staff attentive and the atmosphere very laid back. We especially enjoy sitting in the outside cabanas when the weather isn't too hot or cold and being able to enjoy the semi-private dining and weather. My only complaint is the cocktails are very small, but if you are there during the week for happy hour (5-7pm) it’s not bad value at 2 for 1. The Lechon Asado is my go-to dish with a side of Tostones. It’s a big meal for sure, I always leave far too full but never disappointed.

Nice simple ambiance. Good lunch crowd. Mural of coast of Cuba. Terrific food and service. We enjoyed the Masitas de Puerco and the Ropa Vieja. Black Beans and white rice on one and Red Beans and Saffron Rice on the other. The Shredded Ropa was just right with the flavors of tomato and onions. The Masitas were a little large for that diminutive. Would have like to have them smaller. Server brought two Mojos on request. One onion/garlic/vinegar. The other a paste of similar ingredients. Massive amounts of wonderful food. Best Cuban food we've eaten in a long time.

A terrible experience.I must be clear I'm Cuban so I know what I'm talking about.The service was awful and the food was dry with no taste.Was nothing like Cuban cuisine.

This place didn't get rave reviews but we ended up here because it was open, not crowded (so we could be seated immediately) and known to us. Besides, we love cuban sandwiches...and the ambiance was nice. We are not experts on Cuban foods...but we loved the cuban sandwhich (ask for them to press/toast it) as well as the empanadas and the croquetas. We also ordered a burger for children but they kept burning it (it was as black as charcoal twice). Nonetheless, they removed it from our bill and gave us a complimentary entree (pork dish). Everything we ate was tasty! My hubby loves cuban beer and Habana offered one which he said can only be found in authentic cuban restaurants. I can't remember the name of it...so check out the beer menu if you like cuban beer. Overall, we enjoyed the food and were very pleased with the service. We would definitely return and recommend to others.

Awesome place! German was our server, what a hottie! Visiting Austin for the first time. Great atmosphere we ordered the empanadas! We highly recommend this place.

After discovering the wonders of Cuban and Caribbean cuisine on a few trips to Key West, we were extremely pleased to find a little slice of that heaven in our own backyard in Habana SoCo. Every visit has been memorable and it seems to get better every time. The service has always been prompt, friendly, and any questions we've had regarding menu items have been cheerfully answered. Their ceviche is some of the best I've ever sampled, especially served with flash-fried yucca chips, and I always love the seafood dishes they offer. The Pescado Del Dia (Fish of the Day) is really hard to beat when it comes to decision time. On our last visit, it was a 2 lb. Red Snapper that was fried to perfection after marinating in a combo of orange juice and seasonings. Although fried, you could not describe any part of the fish as greasy in the least. My wife had the Bistec De Palomilla, a delicious, tender center loin steak marinated in Cuban spices and served with grilled onions. The side offerings of either white or yellow rice and red or black beans are fresh and tasty accompaniments. We're looking forward to our next trip to Cuba...without leaving Austin!

We found this place by accident and so glad we did. My hubby had something like a pulled pork sandwich and the bread was amazing. Crispy outside...soft inside. I had a pork plate wth yellow rice and black beans. Super. We will be back.

We love Cuban food & decided try try a different place since we had a less than desirable experience at their competition. They both serve these 2 signature Cuban dishes, but I must say the flavor was so much better here. The prices are a little higher, but the food quality is much better. Both dishes were served with rice, black beans & a side of yucca. Service was great, they even have a signature beer that is brewed for them. LECHON ASADO/ROAST PORK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11.50 Tender pork shoulder, marinated overnight in garlic and Cuban spices, then slow roasted. Our best seller. Incredible! ROPA VIEJA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.99 Shredded beef cooked in a Cuban spiced tomato base sauce. A Cuban classic! There is a nice patio, & large open full bar.

Really good place for lunch. The chicken dish was served with potatoes, black beans, and rice - really tasty. The restaurant was not crowded as we ate after the rush, so it was very relaxing. It's across from St. Edwards University and looks like a great place for happy hour. The lunch was pricey, but good.

Had a quick dinner under time pressure, and the service was prompt - thank you. The food was tasty, abundant and authentic. The prices were reasonable for Austin. I recommend the place, and intend to return when I'm back in town. So if you're not Cuban, ignore the nitpicks that follow, and just enjoy. About the "mofongo con camarones" (which is Puerto Rican, not Cuban - but I'm glad you have it) it was good, but it could be better. Just google it and see the images that come up. The "vaca frita" was more saucy than it should be, more like a "ropa vieja," but that's OK, I like both. I'm Cuban and lived in PR, so i think I know of what I speak.

Barely recognizable as the place it was before the fire. The food is still good! I don't get down here often enough.

Habana was actually my first taste of Cuban food years ago before the had a now fabled fire. The food can be that hot. Not really, but its always incredibly tasty. And the Mojitos and Martinis are great, too. Do not leave without plantains. Seriously.

My Fiance and I went to Habana's because we love Cuban food. when we arrived there was no one at the hostess station. We asked to be seated outside and were warned that the mosquitos were bad but we took the risk. their specialty drink is a mojito so we ordered 2. It took what seemed like a long time to get them and when we did our server did not put them on cocktail napkins and when we asked for some she said they did not have any even though people at other tables had them. We ended up asking another server for them. The mint in the mojito was old and black. We ordered a Cuban Tamal and a beef empanada, they came out timely and were delicious. We asked our server what she recommended for dinner and she could not tell us. We asked what she would order and she said she liked the Cuban sandwich. We were here for dinner so we opted for the Ropa Vieja and the lechon asada. Once again the food was terrific, the presentation was a little sloppy but the food was outstanding. After we were finished we felt rushed by our server to leave, she came 3 times to see if our check was ready while we tried to finish our drinks. It did not appear to us that management was doing there job. Cannot not recommend this place. To many options in Austin to deal with bad service.

I've had authentic Cuban food before and I'm so happy to find a spot in Texas. The ambiance is nice. I ate on the patio and they had a continuous stream of great music. I left there stuffed and very happy. The food could of used a little more seasoning, but it was cooked to prefection. I'm really glad I came here to eat.

I stopped by while I was in Austin for work. I had the Cuban Sandwich and it was AMAZING and huge! It was so good, I stopped by on my way out of town the next day and got one to bring home. The staff was great AND they make a really good mojito! Definitely worth a visit!

Huge portions! My friend and I each ordered the Lechon Asado which was served with black beans, yellow rice and yuca. Delicious and we were both very happy there was enough to take home and enjoy again :). Loved the music and atmosphere inside as well as the friendly and attentive service. Cute palapas and tables outside, too!

I had not been here in over three years but the food is still awesome. Paella was full of tasty seafood and the rice was moist and fluffy. Perfectly seasoned. A little pricy but definitely enough on the plate for two. Service was great. Waiter was attentive with refills as needed. Some reviewers mention where they’ve lived thus making them experts on this type of food. Well I’ve never been to south Miami but this is some awesome food.

I'm really very disappointed in the food at Habana. I LOVE all things pan-latin and have eaten Cuban food in Miami and even in Detroit, MI (Vicente's is awesome) that completely had me ready to indulge in some much needed ropa vieja or at least great maduros. We had the shrimp mofongo that was beyond dry... cough, cough, water please! Then I ordered Lechon asado w/yuca con mojo and my husband kindly gave me his 2! maduros that came with his meal. I've heard that the lechon asado is the best thing on the menu... if that is so, then I would never order anything else. It was tasty, but the rice was crispy and I hadn't remembered ordering fried rice. I had never eaten yuca, but squeezing lime on top made this an interestingly pleasant experience. I would have preferred maduros with my meal, and maybe 4 chunks. My husband's 2 pieces were potato chip thin and barely enough to enjoy. I'll just keep looking for a Cuban place in Austin... this is NOT it.

Went here to celebrate Mothers Day and a birthday with family @ lunchtime. The food was above average with a home cooking feel. The prices were very good and we all had a great time.

Trying local restaurants is a must ~ and, so the Habana SoCo Restaurant on S. Congress in Austin was a "fitting spot" for us to try a new cuisine on recent Saturday afternoon. We 3 adults experienced wonderful wait service that amiably explained various food choices on the several pages of the menu; expansive Caribbean and Cuban menu food choices; and a bustling bar scene at the back for tropical drinks. Also, there's outdoor table dining, with several, relaxing outdoor cabanas for drinks (...if you don't mind listening to the noisy car and motorcycle traffic pass by during your conversations). Our meal selections included a vegetarian plate (Ei Vegetariano); the Sandwich De Pescado (tilapia fish on a Cuban roll); and Lechon Asado plate (roasted pork) with extras. We, too, ordered a plate of piping hot American fries to accompany our meals. All in all, our food was very tasty, with continued, attentive wait staff service while we were eating for ketchup and ice water refills. After our meals, we had hot cups of espresso ~ very bold-flavored but excellent to the palate. My only complaint was the cost for the Ei Vegetariano plate: it was the most expensive menu item, almost $5 more than our other two entrees and (obviously) no meat was included. So, I was perplexed why the restaurant "penalizes" vegetarians when the plate included a multi-cheese empanada, black beans, rice, and plantain/tostones. Meat prices tend to rise higher in price than fresh fruits or vegetables... For the 3 of us, our bill totaled approx. $58 + $12 tip added later. In my opinion, this spot was a bit "pricey" for an Austin, TX lunch ~ albeit a unique cooking blend of Native American Taino food, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines and spices was served.

We've never eaten Cuban food nor are we Cuban but we decided with the 1st bite that we were sure glad we stopped in during our visit to Austin. All I can say is tender meat that almost melts in your mouth and perfect blend of spices. We both loved the chicken dish but I think our #1 choice was the beef. My husband preferred the black beans & rice while I liked the yellow with chick peas & caramelized onions. A little on the pricey side but really not bad for what you get. And to think we almost passed it by because of the parking. We ate our leftovers for lunch the next day although it was hard to not make them a midnight snack. We know where to go on our next visit to Austin. Just hope the parking situation is better.

The place is nice, in the South Congress of Austin, they have parking lot for the customers. The plate is too big, I couldn´t eatten all of it, and was tasty.

We love their tres leches, sliders, and plantains! Great spot to dine in and we often do takeout for when we host parties. Very authentic recipes if you are looking for the real deal.

We were there with a large group, the waiter had no difficulty handling the crowd and separate checks. It was happy hour so the margaritas were $5 each, they went down easy mainly because there was a whole lot of ice. We ordered a variety of appetizers for the table. I liked the very creamy guacamole however I didn’t care for the plantain chips it came with, I prefer salty to sweet when it comes to guacamole dipping. Of the three types of empanadas we all shared, the cheese one was by far the best, with gooey cheese oozing out after the first cut. I would go back for those alone! I got the roasted pork shoulder, the flavor was excellent though there was a bit of fat that had not been rendered off. The rice was delicious, the yucca and onions interesting, and the black beans average so I skipped them. Everything however was in huge quantity. Others enjoyed their meal as well and I even traded some yucca for sweet plantains on a coworkers plate, it was delicious! I would definitely return again, as it was the best Cuban I have had outside of Florida.

Shame on you for having such an overemployed manager.Based on the appeal of your exterior, I stopped in for dinner @ your Congress location. The appeal ends there.The food was mostly inedible. My fish was so salty, that altho famished, I could only eat 1/4 of it. The "salad" for a substition/ADD-ON OF $2, was appalling. The tomato was not ripe, the greens were gritty, the dressing not enjoyable, the minimal size and presentation unbecoming of a quality restaurant.When asked by the waitress how everything was, I expressed my exact opinion. She did offer to have the fish recooked, but at that point I had no faith in any possible improvement.My dining partner had the ribeye, for $16.50 which had obviously been frozen more than flavor and texture allows for. If not also so famished , he would have chosen to have returned it uneaten. We should have left, plain and simple.I did ask the waitress to remove the $2 for my salad. She said she would have to ask her manager... I was in hopes that the manager would have come out to discuss our meals and offer to make it right. This is what managers do. It is called customer retention and service. I know. I manage a $3.2 million restaurant myself. That is annual volume. My customers COME BACK. Yours won't. I left $55 poorer and digusted. You will be at a greater financial loss for it than me. It is the most powerful form of advertisement- word of mouth- and you have earned yourself some powerful words. ps balck beans where the only thing worht eating on a $60 tab

This restaurant is right across (west) South Congress from St. Edwards University. We were looking for a family lunch in South Austin for which we did not have to wait in line for 1 hour, which is the usual for this popular dining hour. The parking lot was empty at 11:30 since they had just opened. We opted for one of the tiki torch, palm frond roofed outdoor "booths". Our server was very prompt and friendly, bringing our drinks right away while we studied the menu. I had the shrimp empanadas from the appetizer portion of the menu. There were 4 small (3" long) empanadas w/pico de gallo. They were perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. My husband had a Cuban sandwich, which was huge. He had to take half of it home. Unlike the Cuban sandwiches I have eaten, this one only had roast port, lots of it, but no ham and no sauce of any kind. It was quite dry. It was a nice experience, but the food is a little pricey. Most of the actual meals were in the $18.00-$25.00 range. My appetizer was $8.00, which was reasonable. Black beans are $4.00. I'm not sure I would eat here again.

Recently, a co-worker suggested Habana SoCo for lunch while we were in Austin for business. As an transplant from Florida, I eagerly agreed to her choice hoping for a decent selection of Cuban food. Habana SoCo is located on a wooded property that I had passed several times before. As we walked to the front entrance, I was struck with how welcoming it felt from the outside. There are individual covered tables that are detached from the front porch, and more outside seating on the front porch. Upon entering the restaurant, I found the interior to be just a welcoming. We were immediately greeted and sat. Our beautiful curly haired waitress was quick to get our drink and appetizer orders, but I didn't feel rushed at all. The menu is very easy to read and a great selection of items. Going against my initial decision to order a true entrée, I ordered the Cuban Sandwich with a side of congris and tostones to share with my co-workers who had never eaten Cuban food. The tostones arrived and I wanted to cry when I took the first bite- it was a realization of how much I really have missed great Cuban food. These tostones were among the finest I have eaten. Hot from the kitchen and served with a pork & tomato sauce and/or fresh onions marinated in olive oil and garlic. A big smile came to our faces when our lunches were placed on the table. One of my co-workers ordered a chicken stew and the other ordered beef and potato stew. Their portions were enormous- the waitress says the dinner portions are even larger! My Cuban sandwich...I've had good and I've had bad. This was the BEST! The bread toasted on a Cuban press, the slow roasted pork was flavorful and moist, the cheese so hot and melty, the ham just delicious along with the mustard and pickle. My co-workers really enjoyed their food as well and agreed that based on this meal, they would try Cuban food again. Thank you, co-worker! I will definitely be back to Habana SoCo.

I love this place. We had a heavenly lunch one warm January afternoon outside...we were able to bring our dog with us, which I LOVE and the food was just amazing. The signature sandwich cubano and maduros were SO delicious! I also had a mojito, which was fantastic. Just a great day, great service, awesome food and atmosphere. I highly recommend this place!

Best Cuban sandwich I've had outside of Miami. Great atmosphere and service. Be sure to try the tre leches cake as it's very , very good. Can't wait to come back and try the empenadas!

We keep coming back for more almost every time we go to Austin! All choices are good choices as far as we are concerned. Specialty drinks are an added bonus as are deserts including the 4 leche cake we shared.

I went to this restaurant 3 times in total. The first was around four to five years ago, and I really enjoyed the experience. I was there with my girlfriend, and we enjoyed the food and ambiance. That's why I insisted to bring my brother and his family when they came to visit me from Canada. However, we had a very unpleasant experience this time. We arrived around 8:30pm with a party of 4 adults and a 2-year old kid, and we were the only customers in the restaurant. We ordered 4 empanadas as appetizers and split them with the kid. We then placed two orders of the day's special, "El Mejor", which cost $36 a piece. After eating, the server brought the card reader and indicated the total without providing the details of the bill, which was $125. We were a little surprised as we expected something around $100, but we proceeded to pay. After paying, we were provided with the paper bill where we found out that they included a 18% gratuity without mentioning it prior. They apparently have a required gratuity for a party of 5 or more. We were quite annoyed because they counted the kid as a member of the party even though we did not order anything for him but rather shared our own orders with him. When I went to talk to the manager about that, he just shrugged his shoulders saying that he cannot do anything about it under the pretext that the restaurant's owners' policy is to charge a 18% gratuity for any group of 5 sitting at a table regardless of the fact that the 5th member is a toddler or does not order anything. We even added an additional tip when we paid without being aware of the added gratuity. I am okay with paying gratuities, but I was really upset about the dishonesty of the restaurant personnel who never mentioned anything about that. I consider honesty as a very important trait for a business, and I was really disappointed by their conduct. Thus, I would not recommend this restaurant to anybody. They are very unprofessional and only care about the money. The service is less than stellar, and their behavior was a little harassing as the time of closure was approaching. They kept interrupting our meal and discussion to ask whether we had finished already.

pork is so good here

First time i have been here but definitely not the last. First was the service. Young lady was attentive and very nice. She quickly took our orders and checked on us without being pushy. The food itself was AWESOME!! I had the paella. It was the best I've ever had. The rice was very fluffy and flavorful. The seafood was plentiful and tasted very fresh. The spices were just right without being overwhelming. My coworkers had the chicken which was a little dry but still good. A little lemon juice took care of the dryness. Overall a very good experience. Great food and service.

On a recent trip to Austin, TX we found ourselves in front of the Habana Restaurant and decided to give it a try. It was a Saturday evening and the place was quite busy. Inside the restaurant is a bar area, the general dining area has chairs and tables of dark wood. Outside seating is also available. My husband had a Cuban sandwich. It was huge and delicious. I had mofongo (which is actually Puerto Rican) and loved it. The highlight of this restaurant ,however, is a waiter by the name of Alfredo. He is friendly and pleasant and a great asset to this restaurant.

The "Fricase de Pollo" is outstanding. the atmosphere is great, they hava outdoor seatin caribbean style.

This restaurant is very authentically cuban. I ordered the Ropa de Veija--a spicy beef stew--and it was absolutely delicious. I will be back (Voy a regresar!_

A delightful surprise to find Habana SoCo for lunch on the near south side. Our family loves Caribbean food and we were not disappointed from the yuca frittas with mojo to the tres leches for dessert. The Cubano sandwich was crisp on the exterior and moist with piled high lechon on the inside. Their home made hot sauce, well, it's hot and mmmm good. The service was above average and our meal didn't break the bank.

Our first trip here. The food was tasty but very expensive. The ambiance was very bohemian. It suits Austin perfectly. The prices clearly didn’t help pay for the surroundings.

Habana is my favorite place to take my out-of-town / out-of-country visitors. Taking non-Texans for steaks, barbecue or mexican gets "old" after a while. This Cuban food restaurant though offers a wide and delicious selection for those food-open-minded. A great opportunity to try fried platain bananas, yucca or similar 'exotics' (even if just as a side-dish or appertizer). My favorite main dish is "ropa vieja", which I would describe as "pulled beef of mouth-watering flavors". The portions are humongous, I always leave with a "doggie bag" of lunch for the next day. Sitting outside on a small patio is very pleasent. The place can get sometime a bit busy/noisy, but ultimatelly it is a place I like returning to.

Had a long wait. It was my fifth visit to the place at the behest of a group of friends that love the place. As it turns out Cuban food is not on my A list. It is very bland and starchy. Not terrible but verges on tasteless when you are a lover of picante food. I decided deep fried plantains were mostly like eating cardboard a long time ago when in Bogota. The meat for some reason is over cooked and stringy. The drinks are just OK. Not a great place and not worth a visit in my book. Sorry about that.

A casual restaurant, that serves authentic Cuban food. We enjoyed fried Yucca as an appetizer, paella, ropa vieja, mojitos and flan. All were brought out in a timely manner and our server Kennedy, although servicing all the tables by herself was friendly and attentive. A definite place to visit.

I happened to see the sign for this restaurant while driving back to my hotel. Despite calling for reservations, the bartender quickly seated us without verifying a name or time. The constant flow of diners would warrant securing a table early. The service was segmented and precise. One trip to bring water and ask about drinks; another trip to ask about appetizers; another trip to ask about main entrees. We ordered "El Mejor," which included lechon, ropa vieja, and pollo salteado. The large dish meant to serve two could have easily fed four. The meats came with white and yellow rice. We also had a mojito and Cuban Old Fashioned. Both we refreshing, and the Old Fashioned evolved throughout its consumption due to a coconut ice cube. I wondered why the bill was so high. I estimated about $20 less than the final total, and since the card reader was presented without itemization, I wonder how the total was reached. The portions allowed for a sizable leftover amount so I didn't see a need to complain. Service was prompt and attentive, without saturating the experience--also, I just came back from a trip where gratuity was included even for parties of two.

First of all two thumbs up to our waiter Kevin and the cooks. Although this restaurant is located on a busy avenue the cabanas and trees make you feel like you are in a much quieter and very peaceful place. We had some sort of fried plantain nachos with shredded pork, black beans, cheese, guacamole and sour cheese for an appetizer, anyway it was great. My husband had some of the best pork chops that I have ever tasted. I had the roast pork with black beans and rice which tasted great. Also the Mojitos are perfectly made. The side of the restaurant near the cabanas have drawings with a cute story if you cannot speak/read Spanish ask your waiter to tell you what it says. The portion sizes are well worth the price. Wonderful food, atmosphere and great service.

For a Cuban based restaurant I can't complain about the service or the food. The portions are big which is nice and the price doesn't reflect that which is even better. I would try this place again when I get an urge for something other than Tex Mex.

I wanted to try the food here because I was heading to Cuba - AWESOME! I definitely suggest going - and sharing. Try many of the dishes - the pork is tender - the tostones are yummy! The people are great too! They have specials every night except Saturday and Sunday.

It's just ok. Nothing special and nothing like the Cuban food you get in Florida. The ropa vieja was average. The cuban rice was undercooked. The mofongo was a little bland and dry. I'd might try it a second time only if I had a coupon.

Cuban sandwich was authentic and HUGE! I couldn't eat it all and that was difficult because it was soooo good! The TresLeche's dessert was so rich, one piece fed both of us and was out of this world!!

We had an amazing dinner of Lechon asado and tostones. Must try mango habatini, it was delicious! Our waiter was very attentive.

Their food is tasty and well presented. The portion sizes are very good too. My husband and I shared a veggie Mofongo and the Pollo Salteado - the chicken entree was perfect. Extremely well seasoned and just the right amounts. It was more than sufficient for two people and was delicious. I'm no expert on what authentic Caribbean food should taste like - but I sure enjoyed my meal here! In fact, I liked it a lot more than some other places that I've eaten Cuban food at. The Mofongo is a must - it's something I never tried before. Very enjoyable! My only reason for not giving the last star - the ambiance and that I found it a little too loud - but may be because we got a table by the bar. We had to be loud when trying to converse.

Love this place! Have been there a few times and food never disappoints. Great mojitos, sangria, and Cuba Libres. On this last visit, we had the sweet plantains appetizer - lightly friend and not at all greasy! I love the picadillo and get it all the time. Also have had many of their pork dishes. Have loved everything we have ordered. Located on SoCo, away from the fray.

I don't get to eat Cuban style food often, so stop by here most times when I come through Austin. Have enjoyed the atmosphere and food each and every time I visit. Can recommend the Ropa Vieja and the Lechon Asado, as well as the sandwich versions of both and the Plantano Loco.

It wasn't a busy day, but it seemed our cocktails took a little longer than it should've. The drinks were the best cocktails I've had. Coconut mojitos! My sandwich bread was made from plantains. A healthier, & delightful option. A cool patio area, like you're chilling in a cabana. You literally can chill in a cabana. I will definitely be back. Yay to great Cuban everything. Not expensive either.

This place is great! They've got an excellent selection of rum and really good food! Some of their menu items can be a little too salty, but on the whole, I haven't had a single bad meal here. This place was a staple for us while at St. Ed's and is one of the better places on that strip of Soco. Even if you haven't tried Cuban food, this place is very approachable and the staff is always willing to explain anything that the menu doesn't already! I recommend dining on their patio area - it has a great vibe!!!

I love latin food and this place did not let me down. Everything i tried was great from the maduros to the half chicken with yellow rice and beans. There is no doubt that i will eat there again on my next trip to Austin.

DO NOT GO HERE. The food is absolutely not representative of Cuban cuisine

Hubby loved his meal it was An okra stew cooked with diced tomato's, garlic, onion, red and green peppers, and chunks of ripened plantains called QUIMBOMBO. We had Tostones as an appetizer they were great. I had some of the saltiest fish and sauce I couldn't eat it,the beans and rice were good however it was called PESCADO HABANERO/HABANA FISH.

Really enjoyed the vegetarian plate which had a savory yuca and sweet plantain option which provided nice balance. Spinach empanadas were quite good as well. Good portion size. And the only Cuban restaurant I've been to in Austin - not sure there are others. My friend had a shredded beef dish which was very flavorful, but a little dry. I would have given an additional star, but the property is a bit run down. We sat outside in some very cute stand alone booth, but it had significant wear and tear. It's also a little hard to find, so just prepare for that. It's tucked behind some trees and hard to see. If I'm craving that style of food, I would definitely go back, but it's not a "gotta go" kind of experience.

The food was great!! Had great flavor! The service was very nice!! Very personable! My mojito was perfect!

I dined at Habana Soco recently on a trip to Austin. I had found the restaurant while searching food options in Austin and since I love Cuban food I decided to try it out. At first I had a little difficulty locating the restaurant since it is a few miles south of downtown Austin but finally I noticed the sign as I drove past. When I finally arrived I was greeted warmly at the door and shown to my table. I was looking forward to some good Cuban food and in general I was not disappointed. I chose the Lechon Asado which was tasty and well portioned however I was disappointed that I could not substitute another side dish for the unappealing Yuca Con Mojo. I ended up having to order an appetizer of Maduros (sweet fried plantains) which is a much more appropriate side for the roast pork. The black beans and rice were ok although the black beans were not well seasoned and the portion was a little small. For dessert I chose the Tres Leches which is one of my favorite desserts. The staff said they were known for their Tres Leches so I had high hopes. The portion size was very large however I did not think it was all that great and a bit dry with only whipped cream on top (instead of the proper meringue topping). I was happy I stopped in but it made me want to fly back to Miami even more for the real thing. If you are new to Cuban food you should try it and Habana is good enough for that.

Great recommendations from staff on what to order but some of us knew right out what we were getting. We know good Cuban and the ropa vieja did not disappoint.

Have been going here for the last four years. Took advantage of a Groupon to this location when we first moved here. Cuban sandwich is authentic, just like what I have had in Little Havana in Miami. Service was Great! Spiced Mojito's are especially tasty. My wife and I always order the Cuban sandwich and try a different entre and then split them between us. Fried Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with wonderful Cuban spices. The Red beans sever on the side are to die for. Queso dip with pulled pork is wonderful, served with fried plantains. We always ask for more plantains as the Queso is a large serving. For a taste of Cuba, go to the location on South Lamar.

We went to Habana SoCo based on reviews here and the fact that we love Cuban sandwiches. I can only speak to the sandwich because it was the only thing we came for and the only thing we ordered but oh my, what a sandwich. Instant love...

Three of us just had lunch at Habana SoCo. I had their lunch portion of roasted pork, with a side serving of 'congri', a mixture of black beans and rice. The pork was outstanding! Moist, succulent and very flavorful, the lunch portion was quite ample. And as good as the pork was, the congri was even better! In fact, I could have made a meal of just the congri! One of my companions had the vegetarian okra stew, also served with congri on the side, and said the stew was delicious! Our other companion had the Cuban sandwich, which is a mixture of pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles. It was delicious and huge! I've had several meals at Habana and have never been disappointed. I'll definitely go back and highly recommend it!

The quaint, homey atmosphere was nice and the service was good, but the mojito was really yummy (they're only $3 for happy hour). The food was tasty too--and there was a lot of it. The sauce on the chicken Fricasse (sp?) was sumptuous. The place looks perfect for warm weather dinners outside.

Lunch 10-03 during ACL. Should've known by not a single car in the parking lot at 12:15 that something was up. Very bland food, decent service. Migth be worth a drink on the patio, but not much else.

Our son recently moved to AUS and this was referred to him by a coworker. Started with mojito and sangria - both good. Loved the food...so many choices! Excellent pork dished and beans. Loved the plantains! We sat outside in one of the 'cabanas'; there is also a bar area, restaurant, and a small outdoor patio. Would definitely go back,

Went only for a order to go and ended staying here for an hour, amazing Pan con Lechon and a really nice atmosphere. The restaurant is so well stayed that looks like you are in Cuba. We were talking whit the owner a cuban girl which is very nice and made us the best cuban cafecito, highly recommended this place. Which we could have one like this in El Paso

This neat little restaurant had very friendly servers and a cool ambiance that gave us that welcoming feeling. I had their signature sandwich and added avocado. It was to die for! My bf had the special with the slow cooked pork, white rice, black beans, and I think plantain. I had a sample of his and oh my gosh the pork just melted in my mouth. The drinks were also very good. We used the groupon which made the date even better. I can't wait to go back!

We love coming here. It’s such a treat because we don’t like going into Austin that often. The food is amazing. The kids meals keep my picky eaters happy. We always have a great service experience.

We went in mid-afternoon, so it was off-hours. We were served by a guy who was probably normally a host, and he did not seem entirely comfortable as a waiter...but, once again, it was off hours, and the service was still fine. I went with a friend, and we ordered two different sandwiches and split them. We got the El Vegetariano and the Lechon Asado. Both were excellent! No complaints. I would love to go back and try some of their other items...the Paiella looked very tempting.

At lunch time on a Sunday there were only maybe 8 other diners in the place. The pleasant hostess suggested I sit at the bar, which I did. The bartender was extremely friendly and helpful. He suggested a drink, I can't remember the name, but it had tequila, orange and lime juices, and olive juice. Delicious! Rather expensive drink, however. I had the Cuban sandwich. I'm no expert on Cuban food, but the sandwich was very tasty! And huge. I took half away with me for later. Loved the food, drink and atmosphere. I hope to return again and try some more Cuban food.

delicious!

Tasty food, yummy mojitos, attentive wait staff. Outside 'cabana'-style seating is very neat...(but hot in summer).

Great cuban food!

Our first time at this restaurant; my cousin picked it as the spot to meet with her after 20 years. Parking was a little limited but found a spot, there are nice little 'hut' style dinning area on the outside. Inside the decoration is simple yet makes you feel in Latin America. There was a bit of noise due to the World Cup games being played on tv in the background but once the game was over; so was the noise too. We ordered the Ropa Vieja with Arroz con Gandules even though the gandules are beans; we got another side of beans with our order which were black and were seasoned pretty good. Also had fried plantains which gave a hint of sweetness and they were fried to perfection (at least to my taste). The amount of meat was superb , I could only eat half but I guess it is very reasonable since hubby ate all his food. To drink, I had a Tropi- Cola which is a very sweet Kola Champagne soda that brought me back to my childhood. By the end of our meal, we had flan for dessert even though the portion was small compared to other restaurants,it was really, really good. Our waiter was kind enough to get our picture taken with my cousin and her husband for our memory book. He was prompt and checked up on us. Wished we lived in Austin to go here more often and try their Latin delicacies.

My Cuban husband and I just finished having dinner at Habana SoCo. It was as good as his Mom and Dad's! We had Lechon Asado (roast pork) and a Cuban Sandwich with Tostones. Our waitress, Elysia, and the food were outstanding! If you want to taste authentic Cuban food, try Habana SoCo! You won't regret it!

Having spent much time in the Caribbean and South Florida i feel I know what Cuban food should taste like. This ain't it. I ordered fried chicken w/black beans and yellow rice. I also ordered a side of tostones. First off all the price for this meal is a tad bit overpriced. The food was completely bland. almost no seasoning on the chicken. The black beans were good. The tostones was not seasoned at all and were a bit hard. The seasoned yellow rice was white rice. For someone who grew up eating caribbean food this was a bit disappointing. If you look at my profile you will se this is one of many caribbean restaurants I have reviewed.

Habana always delivers solid Cuban and Latin American food so authentically and deliciously! Surprisingly, outside of Tampa or SoFlo, this type of amazing cuisine isn't easy to find. My kids are always begging for empanadas and tostones every time we cross the Travis County line, and yesterday, my daughter and I dropped in for dinner. It amazes me that Habana doesn't have a waiting list all day every day!!! I had a craving for some paella, but tragically, they were already sold out (which just means that we have to go back!). So we made do with some AMAZING other dishes. My daughter hasn't stopped talking about the pork since we left! And the TOSTONES! Dying. Love. The only thing more tragic than them being out of paella was that we ate so much that we didn't have room left for the tres leches cake (and they have a chocolate version that is to DIE for). We should've paced ourselves because it's almost criminal to leave Habana without their tres leches cake!!! It IS THAT good! I guess we just have to go back. That's all there is to it. Lindsay, get our table ready now (ask for Lindsay, she rocks). We'll have the tostones, paella, tres leches and some strong Cuban coffee. Our collective tummies are growling already!!!

A great taste of Cuba in Austin. I have traveled tropical locations all of my life enjoying my favorite tropical cocktail, the "Mojito". I was pleasantly surprised to find the best I have ever had at Habana located on South Congress here in Austin. They also have insane Tres Leches cake!

Excellent service. Excellent food. Fun and cozy atmosphere. If the weather is nice and you are up for something different eat outside in their little huts. There is always plenty of parking and the food is authentic cuban. Our family consists of a big variety of picky eaters and this is one place that does not disappoint. We have judgy healthy eaters, meat-lovers, vegetarians and full on carb-addicts and there is something tasty & delicious on the menu for everyone. I'm the vegetarian and just hearing the name QUIMBOMBO (whether or not it is pronounced correctly) starts my salivary glands up in overdrive mode. Ahhh.. gotta get back there today. Yum! As for the mojitos? Well, you just have to go there....

Whenever I get to Austin, I demand that we have supper at Habana SoCo, which has some of the best Cuban food I've found in the U.S. (and yes, I've had Cuban in Miami). On my most recent trip, I had the carne con papa with white rice, which was excellent and filling, while my friend had the lechon asado, also very good. We arrived during Mojito Happy Hour, and my friend tried one, which he reported as very good also. In all the years I've been dining here for supper, I've never had a bad meal. BTW, the ropa de vieja is to die for! Parking is plentiful, but be aware that if you sit outside under the covered patio, the neighbor cats are likely to pay a visit.

I am not familiar with Cuban food and was very pleased with the sampler appetizer platter. The chicken and empaniad were excellent. The sauces and plantains very good. My husband had been yearning for Cubano sandwich and said it was a "dam good cuban". Cute place good service would go again. Very generous portions.

This is a case of "Don't judge a book by its cover". We saw the good reviews online but when we got there, we almost drove away. The outside is misleading - it's very nice inside. There's outdoor seating too for those nice hot days. And the bar was great and looks fun and comfortable. The food was all delicious and very authentic. My Cubano sandwich and tostones were awesome. So, yeah, go. And to the owners - maybe do a little sprucing up the front and making it more inviting.

I don't get to eat here near enough! My wife and I love this place for date night because we both love the food so much. The Ropa Vieja is always fantastic as is the pulled pork. One of these days I'll venture into the menu more, but those are my go-to choices. I was turned on to Cuban food in Florida, while traveling for work. We have tried all of the Cuban fare in Austin and this is our favorite. One of these days I'll remember to take a picture of the food before I eat it all :)

If this was Cuban cuisine it was nasty street Cuban cuisine of some sort. No culinary expertise whatsoever. The food was dull like cans of things just thrown together.

Stopped in for something light after a day of touring and eating in Austin. The ceviche was amazing - fresh and perfectly seasoned. The service was very attentive and we enjoyed a couple of their fabulous Mojitos.

Habana on South Congress offers a wide selection of outstanding Cuban food choices. We were hungry and stopped by for Saturday lunch, ordering Cuban Nachos for an appetizer, Carne con Papa and Picadillo as our main courses, with Arroz con Gandules and red beans, and with nectarines to drink. Everything was delicious! The service was very good. The South Congress location (across the street from St. Edward's University) could have been more scenic, but it was convenient. It's a little pricey, but this was enough food for us for all of Saturday, and we had the leftovers for dinner Sunday! When you factor that into the equation-- given the fact that the food was wonderful-- this was a terrific value.

We had a wonderful experience, the food was great. Drinks were even better! On a next visit to Austin we'll definitely be coming back.

Mojitos, tostones and a tres leches cake that makes your eyes roll back in your head.

Food is average and the pork- one of their signature dishes- was not very impressive or special. Service is mediocre and slow, even during slow times. Servers push and try to oversell but they care little to bring the orders or visit tables. We were a party of 3 and all three had a less than happy meal here. The restaurant itself is nice, in a nice location, with cute tikki outdoor seating, but nothing makes up for the bad service and mediocre dining. Will not visit this place again.

Food is the same as the 6th st location

I ordered two El Vegetariano plates to go and when I got home I realized that a portion of it had meat in it. I called asking for a refund because I no longer trusted that I could eat the remaining food and they refused unless I brought the food back, even after I explained that it would take me over an hour to get there and back from my home, and I didn't have time to do that today. Although I was polite the entire time, they hung up on me, and when I called back the manager was very unsympathetic and insisted that the rest of my food was fine to eat (but how could he confirm that since the food I received was not what I ordered).

I was pleasantly surprised by Habana. The spinach and mushroom empanadas came with a marinara sauce that was truly delicious. The salads were generous. The tres leches cake was decadent. Our server was awesome! He was friendly, competent and he had a great sense of humor.

This was our first time here. We were a little hesitant at first due to some of the prior reviews. We absolutely loved it. The portions are big and the food is even better. The wait staff was attentive and ensured that we were satisfied. The ambiance is casual and laid back. I would recommend trying the Cubano sandwich.

We just happened upon this Cuban restaurant when we were traveling through Austin and we were so happy we did. The food was delicious and the restaurant itself was very cute. I would highly recommend this place.

I have been to Habana a few times and I have never been disappointed. The food is always great and the service is at a nice leisurely pace. They do not try to rush you even if they are busy. This last time I had the Pork Loin Steak and Congris. The meat was tender and the Congris was very flavorful. I will be back to try other delights in the future.

I am not Cuban but I am Puerto Rican and grew up with lots of Cuban friends so when my husband and I were trying to pick a spot for our anniversary dinner, we were really looking forward to good Caribbean flavors. We were sorely disappointed. It’s not that the food tasted bad but the arroz con gandules tasted like they added chili powder or cumin and those are not the authentic flavors we were looking for. The black beans looked red and also tasted like chili powder and not like bay leaf which is what you expect from Cuban black beans. The tostones were like hockey pucks - not crispy. Maybe they were frozen? Our server started out good but then disappeared. She filled my husband’s water glass after he waived her down but didn’t fill mine even though it was half-full. The cocktails we had were very tasty. But even though we had one cocktail a piece and shared an entree, the bill was $51 - very pricey for less than average food.

Excellent food, drinks and service! Plantains served in a variety of ways, all good. Best margarita we've had in Texas.