Being from Miami, it's difficult to find Cuban food with AUTHENTIC Cuban flavors in LA. But this place feels like a spot you'd find in Miami. Their ropa vieja and pollo milanesa are our go tos. The croquetas are just like the ones you'd get for a catering platter at any bakery in Miami and their sides are all on point. The service varies depending on their crowd but thankfully the food has always been worth the wait.
Sandra S.
Been there once or twice.,dislike the customer service of the waiter. Second time my food order was messed up and I had to force my self since it was my lunch time and reminded my self will not be coming back and I have kept my word .
David R.
The food is Amazing! Been coming here for over 20 years and have tasted almost everything on menu, lately I order the "Bistec de la casa" (the house steak) with avocado salad. the bread, maduro bananas and black beans,on every entre are irresistible, Feels like home.
Lynda B.
The interior of this restaurant is so beautiful immediately you're surrounded by decor reminiscent of exotic elegance in an old world private dining establishment. The service is prompt ,professional and friendly. What impressed me the most is the intimate atmosphere and five star table service. It's always a treat to get the fried rice ! It takes a lot for me to like rice but there's something special about the crunch of the beansprouts they add to it that makes the dish something really special and very New York if I may say so myself! Check it out sometime, have a meeting there. You'll definitely have privacy and some very good food ...if only they offered karaoke ... the experience would be sublime.
Katelynn T.
There I was driving into the parking lot of Havana out of happenstance, it was shared with other businesses as well, but there were plenty of parking when I was there. The area definitely looked run-down, but the restaurant itself was actually pretty tidy. I was greeted by Ali, she first asked me if I wanted to pick up an order. I informed her it was my first time there and I would like a table for one please. Ali kindly welcomed me and told me to take a seat anywhere I liked. What I ordered: -Beef Empanada $3.95 (1 empanada and I believe all they had was the beef one. Also, it came with plantains). - Cup of Soup, Caldo Gallego $6.95 (It had beans and shredded pork...it was okay for me) -House Steak $25.50 (I chose House Steak because I saw on Yelp it was known for it. Steak came with rice and beans. I was able to substitute for Plantains and Salads, because Ali said I was a sweetheart. haha jk...Ali was very accommodating and flexible) - Complimentary Slices of Garlic Breads (3 thick slices for me). - Complimentary Verde (Green) Salsa....YUMMY - Mojito $9.95 -Can of Coke $2.25 (They didn't have coke bottles :(. ) Total bill with $10 tip was $62.36 Yup I finished everything, except for the salads and 2 slices of garlic breads. I boxed those. The food was delicious, service was exceptional, waitress Ali was muy amable y bonita. At the end Ali asked me how the meal was and I told her it was excellente. Ali laughed and told me she would love to have me back. I informed her I'll be back. Ohhh and I received a Mexi-Can badge after my check-in at Havana. Am I tripping, since Havana is Cuban cuisine? Weird.
Great customer service and excellent food! I love their daily specials during the weekday. Ropa vieja is scrumptious, huge portion! It's accompanied by rice,beans, and plantains with a basket of warm, buttery bread. This place is a must!
Samuel G.
Bad Service All together take to long on orders seem overpacked but seem to overlook customers.Only good thing I can say is the bread was amazing didn't get to taste anything else but the bread though do better on your service.
Garrett K.
Service was pretty good, but the food was not what I hoped. I just had a milinaesa sandwich and the lettuce was ugly slimey and warm like it was sitting under heat lamps or something. The mother in law had the fried fish which was more appealing. The wife had steak in its own juice but it was a bit overcooked. She still enjoyed the overall flavor but still missed the mark. I would probably prefer a Portos sandwich than this place. I can't recommend a place that can't even make a proper sandwich. My brother inlaw had the Cuban sandwich and same thing. He was not impressed.
MO Fer
Food is good. Language dish is done well. Service is slow during rush hour... not that it's that big of a place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Empanada De Carne, Ropa Vieja, Plantain Chips
Really good, the empanadas are great just wish the service was better. It took us 40 min to get our food and the waitress are not friendly.
Natalie Marie Y.
Love the lunch specials! The bread is tasty, the ropa vieja never disappoints and the black beans and rice are consistently delicious.
Karen R.
The food was good but the service sucks. No one sits you so they don't realize who to service. We waited and watched everyone after us just standing. Customer service was not good. Don't think we will go back until they learn how to greet people and service them.
Ruby Perez
THE BEST CUBAN FOOD I’VE EVER HAD!!My family and I have been coming here for years and the food, staff, service and atmosphere has been nothing but amazing! Staff is very friendly and welcoming once entering the restaurant. The food here is always flavorful, delicious and comforting. You’re first treated with complementary warm toasted and buttery bread. My family and I always order the “bistec empanizado” which is breaded steak. We also order the “pollo rostizado”which is roasted chicken. Both of those dishes come with rice, black beans, and nicely caramelized plantains. You will not regret coming here!!Parking: Can park on the street if there isn’t enough parking in front of the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bistec De La Casa, Black Beans, Garlic Bread
Alex G.
Everything is amazing. The food, the service good vibes hands down the best Cuban food !!! Seafood lover? Enchiclado de camaron (shrimp in creol sauce) like meat? Lechon asado#11 (pork) or carne empanizada (breaded steak). Shakes are a must try Mamey or Guanábana. We tried other Cuban restaurants Versailles in Miami, LA's Venice and La Cienega, El Cochinito and el Colmao......no one comes close Havana in El Monte is the best !!! You will not regret it.
Being from Miami, it's difficult to find Cuban food with AUTHENTIC Cuban flavors in LA. But this place feels like a spot you'd find in Miami. Their ropa vieja and pollo milanesa are our go tos. The croquetas are just like the ones you'd get for a catering platter at any bakery in Miami and their sides are all on point. The service varies depending on their crowd but thankfully the food has always been worth the wait.
Been there once or twice.,dislike the customer service of the waiter. Second time my food order was messed up and I had to force my self since it was my lunch time and reminded my self will not be coming back and I have kept my word .
The food is Amazing! Been coming here for over 20 years and have tasted almost everything on menu, lately I order the "Bistec de la casa" (the house steak) with avocado salad. the bread, maduro bananas and black beans,on every entre are irresistible, Feels like home.
The interior of this restaurant is so beautiful immediately you're surrounded by decor reminiscent of exotic elegance in an old world private dining establishment. The service is prompt ,professional and friendly. What impressed me the most is the intimate atmosphere and five star table service. It's always a treat to get the fried rice ! It takes a lot for me to like rice but there's something special about the crunch of the beansprouts they add to it that makes the dish something really special and very New York if I may say so myself! Check it out sometime, have a meeting there. You'll definitely have privacy and some very good food ...if only they offered karaoke ... the experience would be sublime.
There I was driving into the parking lot of Havana out of happenstance, it was shared with other businesses as well, but there were plenty of parking when I was there. The area definitely looked run-down, but the restaurant itself was actually pretty tidy. I was greeted by Ali, she first asked me if I wanted to pick up an order. I informed her it was my first time there and I would like a table for one please. Ali kindly welcomed me and told me to take a seat anywhere I liked. What I ordered: -Beef Empanada $3.95 (1 empanada and I believe all they had was the beef one. Also, it came with plantains). - Cup of Soup, Caldo Gallego $6.95 (It had beans and shredded pork...it was okay for me) -House Steak $25.50 (I chose House Steak because I saw on Yelp it was known for it. Steak came with rice and beans. I was able to substitute for Plantains and Salads, because Ali said I was a sweetheart. haha jk...Ali was very accommodating and flexible) - Complimentary Slices of Garlic Breads (3 thick slices for me). - Complimentary Verde (Green) Salsa....YUMMY - Mojito $9.95 -Can of Coke $2.25 (They didn't have coke bottles :(. ) Total bill with $10 tip was $62.36 Yup I finished everything, except for the salads and 2 slices of garlic breads. I boxed those. The food was delicious, service was exceptional, waitress Ali was muy amable y bonita. At the end Ali asked me how the meal was and I told her it was excellente. Ali laughed and told me she would love to have me back. I informed her I'll be back. Ohhh and I received a Mexi-Can badge after my check-in at Havana. Am I tripping, since Havana is Cuban cuisine? Weird.
Great food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ropa Vieja, Cuban Fried Rice, Cuban Sandwich, Black Beans, Steak
Great customer service and excellent food! I love their daily specials during the weekday. Ropa vieja is scrumptious, huge portion! It's accompanied by rice,beans, and plantains with a basket of warm, buttery bread. This place is a must!
Bad Service All together take to long on orders seem overpacked but seem to overlook customers.Only good thing I can say is the bread was amazing didn't get to taste anything else but the bread though do better on your service.
Service was pretty good, but the food was not what I hoped. I just had a milinaesa sandwich and the lettuce was ugly slimey and warm like it was sitting under heat lamps or something. The mother in law had the fried fish which was more appealing. The wife had steak in its own juice but it was a bit overcooked. She still enjoyed the overall flavor but still missed the mark. I would probably prefer a Portos sandwich than this place. I can't recommend a place that can't even make a proper sandwich. My brother inlaw had the Cuban sandwich and same thing. He was not impressed.
Food is good. Language dish is done well. Service is slow during rush hour... not that it's that big of a place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Empanada De Carne, Ropa Vieja, Plantain Chips
Restaurantji Recommends
Really good, the empanadas are great just wish the service was better. It took us 40 min to get our food and the waitress are not friendly.
Love the lunch specials! The bread is tasty, the ropa vieja never disappoints and the black beans and rice are consistently delicious.
The food was good but the service sucks. No one sits you so they don't realize who to service. We waited and watched everyone after us just standing. Customer service was not good. Don't think we will go back until they learn how to greet people and service them.
THE BEST CUBAN FOOD I’VE EVER HAD!!My family and I have been coming here for years and the food, staff, service and atmosphere has been nothing but amazing! Staff is very friendly and welcoming once entering the restaurant. The food here is always flavorful, delicious and comforting. You’re first treated with complementary warm toasted and buttery bread. My family and I always order the “bistec empanizado” which is breaded steak. We also order the “pollo rostizado”which is roasted chicken. Both of those dishes come with rice, black beans, and nicely caramelized plantains. You will not regret coming here!!Parking: Can park on the street if there isn’t enough parking in front of the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bistec De La Casa, Black Beans, Garlic Bread
Everything is amazing. The food, the service good vibes hands down the best Cuban food !!! Seafood lover? Enchiclado de camaron (shrimp in creol sauce) like meat? Lechon asado#11 (pork) or carne empanizada (breaded steak). Shakes are a must try Mamey or Guanábana. We tried other Cuban restaurants Versailles in Miami, LA's Venice and La Cienega, El Cochinito and el Colmao......no one comes close Havana in El Monte is the best !!! You will not regret it.