A fun, uniquely decorated place that has great food and friendly service! The Cuban is pretty good, and not heavy on the bread. Thats a positive in my mind- better tasting meats and pickle spear with a tasty mustard that isn’t overwhelming. Has a patio for when the heat’s out, and nice, quaint indoor seating until then. The art is fun to look at. Humidor with cigars available too. Can you find Bigfoot?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Presley A.
I noticed this restaurant while searching for interesting eats for my weekend stay in Des Moines. I'm here for a wedding. Never visited before. I am a Latin-American with Cubans in my extended family. I have eaten a great many Cuban meals in NYC where I live, and in Miami where my extended family lives. In short, it was great. I walked into a nearly empty room on a cold Des Moines night. Just one table was occupied plus the barkeep, Jamie, and a younger assistant. The room is pleasant and congenial, with tables along the length of the brick walled room, pictures on the wall and a wooden bar at the front. I sat at the bar and enjoyed a couple of cocktails while making small talk with Jamie, and co. They were very friendly and engaging and we had a nice, rolling conversation. Eventually the room started to fill up and it became more lively. When it came time to order food, I chose the Ceviche and the Chuletas de Puerco. Both were absolutely delicious. Iowa raised pork chops are simply sublime. Quite tasty. The rice and beans were super flavorful. The ceviche was a nice combination of shrimp, salmon, avocado, peppers an onions in a vinegary brine, plus chewy medallions of toasted bread. I had to stop myself from cleaning off the plate - portions were generous and the meal was filling. The bill was also reasonable. Recommended.
Tim Coble
We don't get here enough! Today was National Margarita Day so we had two for one margaritas. Also on Thursdays they have a special lobster roll and it is delicious. They fly the lobsters in from Maine. I had a steak sandwich which might be moving past the cubano I always have. Love it especially when the tiny patio is open!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Carberry
Incredible Cuban Restaurant. Great food, drinks and
Vegetarian options: Has a full vegan menu option ! Thought that was extremely helpful and also thoughtful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich, Pan Con Bistec
Vanessa Carolina Marcano-Kelly
I've tried this place twice and both times, pretty disappointing. The first time was when they were newer, so I don't remember too many details other than the fact that the tostones had not been twice-fried, they'd been fried once, not smashed & fried again, and then just served with "mojo" (garlic and olive oil, NOT mojo). I went again today after many years, and unfortunately, still pretty bad food. The ceviche itself is "okay" but it comes on sliced bread so the bread is soggy by the time you eat it. Ceviche really needs a fresh, crispy vessel to eat with (crispy corn tortillas, crackers, crispy cassava cakes), the soggy bread was not pleasant. My friends ate the ropa vieja, which was the only good dish. Not amazing but solid. I had the cubano sandwich and it was pretty "meh", I've had better pulled pork sandwiches elsewhere and the pickle was nowhere to be found either. I asked for tostones as a side and what a mistake: cold, soggy, flavorless. My husband had the shrimp cocktail, which was OK but the sauce was weirdly topped with a whole bunch of extra things, he had to take out all the shrimp from the cup, take all the toppings off and only then was he able to dip the shrimp in the sauce. And wow, the mojitos were so awful, just flavorless, it seems like they didn't muddle the limes, and they served it in the wrong glass. Just awful, we sent them back. Service was fine, seems like people were busy but the wrong timing/rhythm meant that we were waiting for food while the other half of our table ate. The music was good and the space looks nice although my fellow diners told me the bathrooms weren't in the best condition. I'm sad because I really wanted to like this place, but no. It's just not good at all. Wouldn't recommend or go.P.S: y quizá no tan importante pero afectó mi experiencia un poco. Nadie hablaba español, nuestro grupo era un grupo mixto de angloe hispanohablantes, así que estábamos bien hablando inglés pero si es un restaurante cubano, creo que por lo menos deberían saber lo mínimo en caso de que uno llegue con invitados que no hablen inglés. Otros restaurantes que no son latinos tienen gente que habla español.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
natalie oneal
Ceviche bar is a 10/10, from the authenticity of Cuban food, atmosphere & great cocktails! Also a new mocktail menu for those who are NA! Will definitely be back soon!Vegetarian options: Tuesdays they have a specials option of seafood AND veggie paella, and it is delicious!! i enjoy the vegan menu, many places do not have good options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich, Pan Con Bistec, Seafood Paella
Elizabeth Olalde
I used to love coming here for their cubanos but one day, the cook decided to close the kitchen at 8:00pm when the kitchen closes at 10:00pm. Won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Claire Aken
After being treated poorly by service workers at another's bar, Cerviche bar opened their arms to our bachelorette party (with delicious pink drink shots!). Loved the atmosphere, location, and bartenders. Cute little spot for the girl gang!
A fun, uniquely decorated place that has great food and friendly service! The Cuban is pretty good, and not heavy on the bread. Thats a positive in my mind- better tasting meats and pickle spear with a tasty mustard that isn’t overwhelming. Has a patio for when the heat’s out, and nice, quaint indoor seating until then. The art is fun to look at. Humidor with cigars available too. Can you find Bigfoot?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I noticed this restaurant while searching for interesting eats for my weekend stay in Des Moines. I'm here for a wedding. Never visited before. I am a Latin-American with Cubans in my extended family. I have eaten a great many Cuban meals in NYC where I live, and in Miami where my extended family lives. In short, it was great. I walked into a nearly empty room on a cold Des Moines night. Just one table was occupied plus the barkeep, Jamie, and a younger assistant. The room is pleasant and congenial, with tables along the length of the brick walled room, pictures on the wall and a wooden bar at the front. I sat at the bar and enjoyed a couple of cocktails while making small talk with Jamie, and co. They were very friendly and engaging and we had a nice, rolling conversation. Eventually the room started to fill up and it became more lively. When it came time to order food, I chose the Ceviche and the Chuletas de Puerco. Both were absolutely delicious. Iowa raised pork chops are simply sublime. Quite tasty. The rice and beans were super flavorful. The ceviche was a nice combination of shrimp, salmon, avocado, peppers an onions in a vinegary brine, plus chewy medallions of toasted bread. I had to stop myself from cleaning off the plate - portions were generous and the meal was filling. The bill was also reasonable. Recommended.
We don't get here enough! Today was National Margarita Day so we had two for one margaritas. Also on Thursdays they have a special lobster roll and it is delicious. They fly the lobsters in from Maine. I had a steak sandwich which might be moving past the cubano I always have. Love it especially when the tiny patio is open!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible Cuban Restaurant. Great food, drinks and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich, Ceviche Appetizer, Paella
I loved the vibe here. I my food was delicious, service was great! Can’t go wrong with that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Con Bistec, Ceviche Appetizer
Enjoy !!! ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience all around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cute place with good food, drinks, and cigars. One of my favorite spots for a lunch break in East
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich, Shrimp Cocktail, Plantains & Arroz Y Frijoles
Great cocktails and amazing Cuban! Great place to get a bite before hitting a show at Woolys!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich
I love this place the music is so good, the vibes are everything, and the food like ugh couldnt ask for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Vegetarian options: Has a full vegan menu option ! Thought that was extremely helpful and also thoughtful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich, Pan Con Bistec
I've tried this place twice and both times, pretty disappointing. The first time was when they were newer, so I don't remember too many details other than the fact that the tostones had not been twice-fried, they'd been fried once, not smashed & fried again, and then just served with "mojo" (garlic and olive oil, NOT mojo). I went again today after many years, and unfortunately, still pretty bad food. The ceviche itself is "okay" but it comes on sliced bread so the bread is soggy by the time you eat it. Ceviche really needs a fresh, crispy vessel to eat with (crispy corn tortillas, crackers, crispy cassava cakes), the soggy bread was not pleasant. My friends ate the ropa vieja, which was the only good dish. Not amazing but solid. I had the cubano sandwich and it was pretty "meh", I've had better pulled pork sandwiches elsewhere and the pickle was nowhere to be found either. I asked for tostones as a side and what a mistake: cold, soggy, flavorless. My husband had the shrimp cocktail, which was OK but the sauce was weirdly topped with a whole bunch of extra things, he had to take out all the shrimp from the cup, take all the toppings off and only then was he able to dip the shrimp in the sauce. And wow, the mojitos were so awful, just flavorless, it seems like they didn't muddle the limes, and they served it in the wrong glass. Just awful, we sent them back. Service was fine, seems like people were busy but the wrong timing/rhythm meant that we were waiting for food while the other half of our table ate. The music was good and the space looks nice although my fellow diners told me the bathrooms weren't in the best condition. I'm sad because I really wanted to like this place, but no. It's just not good at all. Wouldn't recommend or go.P.S: y quizá no tan importante pero afectó mi experiencia un poco. Nadie hablaba español, nuestro grupo era un grupo mixto de angloe hispanohablantes, así que estábamos bien hablando inglés pero si es un restaurante cubano, creo que por lo menos deberían saber lo mínimo en caso de que uno llegue con invitados que no hablen inglés. Otros restaurantes que no son latinos tienen gente que habla español.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ceviche bar is a 10/10, from the authenticity of Cuban food, atmosphere & great cocktails! Also a new mocktail menu for those who are NA! Will definitely be back soon!Vegetarian options: Tuesdays they have a specials option of seafood AND veggie paella, and it is delicious!! i enjoy the vegan menu, many places do not have good options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cuban Sandwich, Pan Con Bistec, Seafood Paella
I used to love coming here for their cubanos but one day, the cook decided to close the kitchen at 8:00pm when the kitchen closes at 10:00pm. Won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
After being treated poorly by service workers at another's bar, Cerviche bar opened their arms to our bachelorette party (with delicious pink drink shots!). Loved the atmosphere, location, and bartenders. Cute little spot for the girl gang!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5