Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge

Most of my visits have been for lunch. They have great authentic Cuban dishes in a somewhat bland atmosphere. The service is good but you come for the food. It's a regular stop for me.

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Black Beans

Carmen's is still the best Cuban food around the Triangle. Consistent since the old Morrisville outlet Mall. Probably more than 20 years ago.
We stopped in before a NCSU Icepack hockey game. With my wife and sister in law.
We were seated in the original restaurant space.
We started ordering with Coffee Cubano.
It was on then- the staff was Great.
Everyone ordered some tradition food. Camarones al Ajillo- shrimp and yellow rice,with fried plantains and black beans.
Arroz con Pollo- chicken and yellow rice,with black beans and fried plantains.
Soap de frijoles rojos- red bean soup, Ropa Vieja and fried yucca.
The taste of the food was so fresh, you could taste the layers!
Abula would be proud!
Lots of Family memories came up!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Visited twice so far and the food and customer service were fantastic! They’re about an hour away from where we live and totally worth the drive!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Totally recommend 💯isn’t only a Cuban Restaurant, you can order 2GO! Sandwiches Bistec Palomilla is BEST w tostones and even grilled Chicken sandwiches is different flavor and delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food service and atmosphere

Food was delicious

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The pork had no flavor

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Great food! Scratch cooking . Sit at the bar, Ramon is funny and makes the dinner and drinks even better.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Carmen's is a good place. I had a couple of drinks here and dinners too. The food is always delicious. Highly recommend the cuban sandwich and the appetizer sampler. The only grudge I have with this place is the bartender. Asked for an old fashioned he didn't asked what alcohol I would like.. then butchered the whole cocktail and got a n orange mash with house whiskey. Ask for cocktails from the menu they can do those very well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

I can’t say enough good things about this place! The food is absolutely delicious and authentically Cuban—every dish I’ve tried has been fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and it’s a great spot to relax whether you’re coming in for dinner, drinks, or just to enjoy the lounge vibe. The staff is friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. This is a true hidden gem—I highly recommend checking it out if you want amazing Cuban cuisine and a welcoming place to spend your evening!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent food and service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was delicious and the staff did a great job interacting with the customers

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

I have been here many, many times.. it was always amazing, this last time I went I ordered the Vaca Frita (a dish us cubans request not on the menu) and it was charred black. SUPER BURNED! The person in the kitchen i believe is new and definitely not Cuban. They put juice and onions over the tostones! That is a cardinal sin! Being Cuban myself the tostones are supposed to be crispy NOT drenched in juices to make them soggy! Horrible. I will give it one more try but if they keep that cook I most definitely will not be back. Very sad!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Our server Mariah was spectacular!!!! I absolutely loved this place, delicious food and amazing ambiance!!! Highly recommended 👌

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had lunch here and didn’t realize until later that I had been charged dinner price instead of lunch price. Yes, I should have looked at the bill more carefully and I usually do but unfortunately I didn’t. Hopefully it was just honest mistake but they lost me as customer.