Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a number of Cuban restaurants to try out, offering everything from authentic cuisine to dining with a modern Pan-Latin American twists. These locales offer more than just great food; on a weekend, grab a mojito and dance to some salsa music or lounge to the relaxing and tropical sounds of Cuban jazz.
Alma de Cuba is an upscale, contemporary Latino restaurant, featuring Cuban cuisine mixed with other Latin American and European influences. A modern decor features tones of white with red accents, accompanied by large photos of Cuban life and landscapes. Award-winning chef Douglas Rodriguez showcases his "Nuevo Latino" culinary ideas with such entrees as rum-cured duck breast and sugarcane tuna, along with exotic manipulations of classics such as ceviche and vaca frita (fried beef). Appetizers include chorizo sliders, fish tacos and empanadas, while a selection of traditional Cuban sides include black beans and rice, yuca fries and fried plantains. A dessert list as well as a host of tropical drinks are also available.
Alma de Cuba
1623 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-988-1799
almadecubarestaurant.com
Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar offers dinner, drinks and dancing. The restaurant has a lively, vintage feel with salsa and other Latino music adding to the tropical ambiance. The restaurant features lunch and dinner menus as well as a Sunday brunch. Entrees include mango-glazed salmon, pan-seared jumbo shrimp, shredded beef briscuit and classic Cuban sandwiches. Desserts include rice pudding, cakes, ice cream and flan. The rum bar features over 75 varieties of rum, featuring their own Cuba Libre brand. Cuba Libre also offers bottled beers and beers on tap, tropical cocktails, top-shelf liquor as well as a wine list. Every Friday and Saturday night, the restaurant turns into a dance club, where live DJs spin merengue, salsa, bachata and other Latino tunes.
Cuba Libre
10 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-627-0666
cubalibrerestaurant.com/philly
Cuba Restaurant is an authentic, family owned restaurant located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Northwest Philly. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner and brunch menus. Appetizers include shrimp skewers, fried calamari and empanadas. For dinner, try out dishes like slow-cooked pork, Cuban jerk chicken or stuffed squash. Their drink list specializes in mojitos. Aside from serving food, the venue displays Cuban art and showcases live jazz and Afro-Cuban music on Friday nights. Dinner/show packages provide fixed menus and show tickets for $10 dollars (see reference 3 - information as of August 2010). Sundays are salsa dance night with DJs, dance lessons and drink specials.
Cuba Restaurant and Gallery
8609 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-242-4422
mycubanrestaurant.com
