This was really good, I think we got a good deal because it Comic Con weekend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Soreli Norton
Delicious Cuban comfort food. Reminds me of my mom's cooking while I was growing up. The only issue I had was that they did not have green plantains. So, the tostones were slightly sweet, good, but not the norm!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josh Baltazar
Came here because they had a really good Thursday deal which was sandwiches for $7.50. Got here and waited for about 5 minutes until someone came to the front and said I could sit anywhere, I picked the upstairs which was nice. The server explained the deals and drink specials, very through. For food I ordered the Ropa Vieja Sandwich. This sandwich had shredded beef made with peppers, olives, & onions cooked in tomato sauce served with Swiss cheese pressed between slices of buttery cuban bread. Amazing sandwich, would have loved to try the other ones too. Nice vibe, great music, great service and great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Colaizzi
It is a must stop every time I am in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Davin Lavikka
Excellent Cuban food with strong drinks! Ricky and Arturo treated us like friends. We went back several times and sampled the menu. I'm an ex chef and the food was not only on par with Cuban flair but constant and affordable! Bonus.... There is a speak easy below it that we shut down! Had a blast! Definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Destinie Martinez
Loved this place and food was amazing. Great flavor, great drinks, great service, and all around great atmosphere. They had live music and it was so good. I highly recommend Havana 1920.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josh Montero
My dad lived in Cuba as a kid and so I grew up with my grandmother's exceptional Cuban cooking and struggle to find anywhere that lives up to that. Though, to be fair, Grandma food is always the best. Havana 1920 got close, moreso on some dishes than others, but made for a really satisfying meal. There was a whole group of us and the Hatuey got raves from a couple beer fans and the guava daiquiri was definitely a winner. For me, ropa vieja is always my measuring stick for a Cuban restaurant and while not bad, it also didn't blow me away. It was somewhat bland and that was kind of disappointing. The group collectively was very impressed by the bocaditos platter, though the yucca fries were unspectacular. They ended up oily, so likely not cooked at the right temp and became a letdown. The highlight of the whole night was the flan. I managed to convert a couple of my colleagues who were used to Mexican flan to convert and raved about the Cuban version. This was the most similar to what I grew up eating and really packed an emotional punch to compliment how unbelievably delicious it was. I might be an unfair judge as someone who has had so much Cuban food in my life, but I would recommend the place. We were able to put a couple tables together and eat outside and the service was exceptional, no complaints there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Plantain Chips, Havana Bocaditos Platter, Croquetta De Pollo
Nicole V
So glad we stumbled upon this place! Food was amazing. Our server Ricky was very busy, but attentive. Can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Freddie Phillip
Live music great service wide selection with more food downstairs and a after hour speakeasy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jimmy Valdes G.
This place is a 💎 among all other regular restaurants in San Diego. Although other local restaurants are local and offer unique experiences, La Havana makes the difference with Cuban Food. From Ropa Vieja, Sandwichs, Tostadas, Mojitos , Pork, the food is delicious, We went twice and enjoyed it from top to bottom. Thanks. I recommend the Camarones al Ajillo and Lechón Asado.
Really cool spot in the Gaslamp! The food was delicious. I had the cuba libre, beef empanada and croquetas, everything was packed with flavor! Staff was friendly and the service was quick. It’s a great place to grab dinner, hang with friends, or just chill with a good drink. Definitely coming back!
This place is great. It may not be the most upscale but it is perfect if you want something really authentic.
I really enjoyed my Especial del Dias (dish of the day). Lamb chops and a skewer of salmon and shrimps + rice + an undefinable but excellent set of sauces (a little lemony - just right) and rice. Very good, perfectly cooked. Tender, juicy and all.
The live music is great. People are dancing and spending a great time.
The waiters are very friendly and not pushy.
Wonderful, authentic atmosphere.
The cocktails are excellent and not watered down. I had a Havana 1920 Daiquiri and El Nacional.
We received food and drink samplers. All fantastic. Loved the caramelized plantain bananas.
I mean… I’m having a real great time and it would be very hard not to.
Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stacey Durbin
They only had one server for the entire room, he didn’t clear any of my plates from the table I had to asked for more water and for another drink. His opening line was do you know what you want to drink slash eat, not hello. They failed to tell me when they seated me the band was done playing which I was looking forward to. My chicken was cold. The plantains and cocktails were good. The croquettes were not that great. It’s unfortunate because I was really excited to try this place since it was recommended by a local bartender at another restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Edjouguy Souto
Absolutely Horrible Service – Not coming back even with great live music!
I had one of the worst customer service experiences ever. The woman who served me was completely unsympathetic, cold, and dismissive—as if I were inconveniencing her by choosing to spend my money there. There was zero warmth or professionalism. At no point did I feel welcomed or respected. It genuinely felt like they were doing me a favor, which is absurd for any business that wants to stay open.
The only redeeming quality was the live music, which, frankly, felt wasted in such an uninviting environment. I will never return and would not recommend this place to anyone who values being treated with basic human decency.
This was really good, I think we got a good deal because it Comic Con weekend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious Cuban comfort food. Reminds me of my mom's cooking while I was growing up. The only issue I had was that they did not have green plantains. So, the tostones were slightly sweet, good, but not the norm!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here because they had a really good Thursday deal which was sandwiches for $7.50. Got here and waited for about 5 minutes until someone came to the front and said I could sit anywhere, I picked the upstairs which was nice. The server explained the deals and drink specials, very through. For food I ordered the Ropa Vieja Sandwich. This sandwich had shredded beef made with peppers, olives, & onions cooked in tomato sauce served with Swiss cheese pressed between slices of buttery cuban bread. Amazing sandwich, would have loved to try the other ones too. Nice vibe, great music, great service and great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is a must stop every time I am in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent Cuban food with strong drinks! Ricky and Arturo treated us like friends. We went back several times and sampled the menu. I'm an ex chef and the food was not only on par with Cuban flair but constant and affordable! Bonus.... There is a speak easy below it that we shut down! Had a blast! Definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved this place and food was amazing. Great flavor, great drinks, great service, and all around great atmosphere. They had live music and it was so good. I highly recommend Havana 1920.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My dad lived in Cuba as a kid and so I grew up with my grandmother's exceptional Cuban cooking and struggle to find anywhere that lives up to that. Though, to be fair, Grandma food is always the best. Havana 1920 got close, moreso on some dishes than others, but made for a really satisfying meal. There was a whole group of us and the Hatuey got raves from a couple beer fans and the guava daiquiri was definitely a winner. For me, ropa vieja is always my measuring stick for a Cuban restaurant and while not bad, it also didn't blow me away. It was somewhat bland and that was kind of disappointing. The group collectively was very impressed by the bocaditos platter, though the yucca fries were unspectacular. They ended up oily, so likely not cooked at the right temp and became a letdown. The highlight of the whole night was the flan. I managed to convert a couple of my colleagues who were used to Mexican flan to convert and raved about the Cuban version. This was the most similar to what I grew up eating and really packed an emotional punch to compliment how unbelievably delicious it was. I might be an unfair judge as someone who has had so much Cuban food in my life, but I would recommend the place. We were able to put a couple tables together and eat outside and the service was exceptional, no complaints there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Plantain Chips, Havana Bocaditos Platter, Croquetta De Pollo
So glad we stumbled upon this place! Food was amazing. Our server Ricky was very busy, but attentive. Can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Live music great service wide selection with more food downstairs and a after hour speakeasy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a 💎 among all other regular restaurants in San Diego. Although other local restaurants are local and offer unique experiences, La Havana makes the difference with Cuban Food. From Ropa Vieja, Sandwichs, Tostadas, Mojitos , Pork, the food is delicious, We went twice and enjoyed it from top to bottom. Thanks. I recommend the Camarones al Ajillo and Lechón Asado.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Really cool spot in the Gaslamp! The food was delicious. I had the cuba libre, beef empanada and croquetas, everything was packed with flavor! Staff was friendly and the service was quick. It’s a great place to grab dinner, hang with friends, or just chill with a good drink. Definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is great. It may not be the most upscale but it is perfect if you want something really authentic.
I really enjoyed my Especial del Dias (dish of the day). Lamb chops and a skewer of salmon and shrimps + rice + an undefinable but excellent set of sauces (a little lemony - just right) and rice. Very good, perfectly cooked. Tender, juicy and all.
The live music is great. People are dancing and spending a great time.
The waiters are very friendly and not pushy.
Wonderful, authentic atmosphere.
The cocktails are excellent and not watered down. I had a Havana 1920 Daiquiri and El Nacional.
We received food and drink samplers. All fantastic. Loved the caramelized plantain bananas.
I mean… I’m having a real great time and it would be very hard not to.
Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They only had one server for the entire room, he didn’t clear any of my plates from the table I had to asked for more water and for another drink. His opening line was do you know what you want to drink slash eat, not hello. They failed to tell me when they seated me the band was done playing which I was looking forward to. My chicken was cold. The plantains and cocktails were good. The croquettes were not that great. It’s unfortunate because I was really excited to try this place since it was recommended by a local bartender at another restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Absolutely Horrible Service – Not coming back even with great live music!
I had one of the worst customer service experiences ever. The woman who served me was completely unsympathetic, cold, and dismissive—as if I were inconveniencing her by choosing to spend my money there. There was zero warmth or professionalism. At no point did I feel welcomed or respected. It genuinely felt like they were doing me a favor, which is absurd for any business that wants to stay open.
The only redeeming quality was the live music, which, frankly, felt wasted in such an uninviting environment. I will never return and would not recommend this place to anyone who values being treated with basic human decency.
Reviewed by me on Sunday, 05/11 at 9pm
Cubano and empanadas were delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
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