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Cuba Libre
Cuban Restaurant and Cocktail Bar$$$$
Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown, Washington
"Great food, and strong Caipirinha.. Check out new menu items!"(7 Tips)
"Sopa levante muerto is amazing, tasty ceviche too!"(4 Tips)
"Great mojitos, the plantains were awesome."(27 Tips)
"The panqueques with mango butter and maple syrup are heavenly."(3 Tips)
150 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- mojitos
- caipirinhas
- happy hour
- muerto
- Cuban sandwiches
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Arun RamachandranNovember 19, 2014Wanna go out for some fun Salsa dancing on a Saturday night? This is totally your place. Drinks are a little expensive, but the ambience is a lot of fun. Oye bonita! Vamos a bailar! ;)
Mattglobetrottingfoodie MApril 8, 2017Impressed with manager after confronted with only cash $1 empanadas. He made work so we could order under our tab. Great job on keeping customer happy. We'll be back for $5 rum and cokes.
Luz ZSApril 2, 2018Food here is sooo delicious, the citron chicken and arroz con pollo are awesome, very recommended. The service is great, prices are high, but it’s worth it. 😉😋👌🏻
Steve LeeOctober 2, 2021We had a blast. Great food be sure to try the empanadas and the vegetarian paella…! It was special of course the drinks and if you can ask for Shorty…great service.
Washington PostSeptember 23, 2014A chain with branches in Atlantic City and Philadelphia, the Havana-lite Cuba Libre is a huge space -- perfect for bringing a group, unlike many bars near the Convention Center. Read more
Michele BartramJuly 2, 20131st time? try"15 Tastes of Cuba" tasting menu. enjoy papas rellenas, malanga fritters, churrasco & mango mojito shrimp. And don't miss the mango butter on the toasted bread!
Dara FisherMay 11, 2015One of the best (if not the best) happy hour in Chinatown! Excellent mojitos/sangria and lovely small plates.
S. C.February 9, 2013Lecheno (sp) (pulled pork) was great! Flank steak also great. Little buzz from the 2 margaritas I had but hubby's 3 mojitos made him quite jolly. No room for desert
Kelly WhalenMarch 19, 2014This was my first time here and I found it to be a Gorgeous place with great food and service. It's like a wonderful piece of Havana right here in DC.
James GoochAugust 18, 2018Really tasty food and a good selection of rum, of course! Felt slightly rushed with mains arriving immediately after appetisers but otherwise great.
KitchenboySeptember 3, 2011Went with wife and a friend. We had drinks and many small plates. There is much diversity in drinks and food. The decor is really cool, like a small Cuban village street. We enjoyed ourselves.
Edward RobisonDecember 16, 2015Are you a rum nerd? Ask for their special menu of 100+ rums and a side of fresh cane juice.
Franco FernandezOctober 4, 2010Great ambiance, food, and service. The Bacan is one of the smartest veg dishes in the DC, the Cafe Cubano is legit and the bay leaf in my frijoles blew my mind! They got so many things right!
RanimAugust 29, 2016Cuban atmosphere, friendly Cuban staff and deletions food. I've tried their traditional breakfast dish and loved it
DiDiMay 24, 2013Be careful about parking for lunch. It's not easy to find street parking & public parking structure is $17.00! Restaurant has valet for evenings.
AidaAugust 14, 2014The passionfruit mojito hits the spot but the real big star is the mango butter. Addicting!
Maggie EsqNovember 26, 2010I'd recommend the ceviche flight to try them all, the guacamole with pineapple, and the pork belly. Also don't skip the bread, it was hot and delicious paired with a sweet butter.
Leslie LinaresSeptember 19, 2017Party vibes on the weekends, great to have a good time with Latin rhythms. Cuban food is not so good or legit.
Aleksandra ArcipowskaJanuary 25, 2019Mango mojito is great! They have amazing food and salsa events. Great place to visit!
Antonio BJanuary 15, 2012one of the best brunches in the city....start's @ 11:30am....don't get there before then or you'll just be waititng....once you sit down you won't be disappointed!- Jenni ElizabethMay 30, 2011Great service, very knowledgeable wait staff. Sopa levante muerto is amazing, tasty ceviche too! So many drinks to try, definitely coming back for more.
Claudia María Berlioz JuárezMarch 15, 2021I would not go back. We had the Cuban roast pork entree for 2. Insufficient sides so you have to order more. Food was good. Service was slow. Expensive for what you get. Complimentary bday cake.
Lorenzo LatneyMarch 3, 2016Great bar menu, mojitos are amazing, food is awesome just don't come if you're in a hurry
Nessa CarbajalOctober 7, 2012If you know authentic Cuban food you will not enjoy this place. However it's a great spot for salsa on fri & sat nights.
Jay BlessedNovember 12, 2013Great service. Beautiful decor. Mouth watering drinks! Oh...the food was good too.
CarlosOctober 18, 2016Rum is great, bad misinterpretation of Cuban food... although great flavors it was not a traditional Cuban meal.
Andy BrownJuly 23, 2013The Cuba Libre coffee is excellent. As well as the Cuban sandwich and tres leches.
Joe WilliamsAugust 24, 2013Very nice service. Very good Havanna Ice Tea. Recommend this place to everyone.
Iscah LeeJuly 16, 2011Ask for the rum list- Mt Gay XO, Pyrat Cask, Appleton 30 year and English Harbor. You'll pay for the aged rums, but they're good.
I have not had ONE mediocre dish, appetizer, or beverage at Cuba Libre yet! The Caprioskas are my favorite cocktail.
Lynn PinaNovember 24, 2010Get the grilled pineapple mojito and the pork belly small bites! Also, the guacamole with pineapple is surprisingly good.
If you like Fried Rice, try Cuba Libre's version. Amazing flavor and well worth the $5.
- EmilyOctober 29, 2011Go for the all you can eat and drink brunch for $35. Great deal with awesome food.
Zoe MaurerMay 12, 2013FYI guys they will not let you in if you are wearing shorts, sandals, or sneakers which I find a bit off putting but regardless I guess you gotta dress to impress.
Jon DarveauApril 9, 2012The happy hour here is really good. Strong Caprinihas and Estrella Damm are quite good
Sophocles GrafasFebruary 28, 2012The salsa dancing is very fun but make sure to bring comfortable shoes as they take out all chairs.
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Dine, drink, and dance the night away at Cuba Libre, and add a stamp to your culinary passport as you experience the vibrant culture of Old Havana.
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Wed
- 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
- Thu
- 11:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 11:30 AM–3:00 AM
- Sun
- 11:30 AM–9:00 PM
(202) 408-1600
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Music
Live Music
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 8.0
"The beef empanada (picadillo) and the sauce that comes with it is amazing. Love the flaky crust. Highly recommend the guava & cheese pastelitos as well."
Léah Chung - 8.1
"The frozen drinks sneak up on you! The coconut in the Miami Vice was 👍🏼"
JH H-D - 6.9
"The oxtail was to die for! Guacamole was also very good, but only if you like spicy food."
Sarah P
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