Here are some simple suggestions on what to order at a Cuban Restaurant.

WARNING: Cubans are not known for their heart healthy cuisine so don’t be surprised if you find a lack of variety in salads, vegetables and other “light” fare. We’ve heard it said that Cuban food is either smashed, fried or both.

Appetizers (Aperitivos)

• Tamal – seasoned cornmeal with bits of ham or pork wrapped in a corn husk
• Croqueta – breaded ham croquette
• Frituritas de Malanga – like hush puppies made from Malanga, a grey root vegetable similar to a yam
• Mariquitas – fried plantain chips. Make sure they serve them sliced lengthwise and served with garlic sauce.

Soups (Sopas)

• Sopa de Pollo – chicken soup
• Sopa de Platanos – plantain soup. Surprisingly good.
• Caldo Gallego – a white bean soup from Spain.

Main Course

• Fricase de Pollo – chicken fricasee
• Bistec de Pollo a la Plancha – grilled chicken breast
• Pollo Milanesa – grilled chicken breast, breaded, fried and topped with Spanish sause, ham and mozarella cheese (also done with steak, Bistec Milanesa)
• Bistec Empanizado – breaded, pan fried flat beef steak
• Ropa Vieja – shredded beef in a seasoned sauce (ropa vieja means “old clothes”)
• Vaca Frita – flank steak fried with onions (vaca frita means “fried cow”)
• Picadillo – seasoned ground beef in a tomato sause
• Lechon Asado – roast pork served with onions
• Cordero – lamb shank

Side Dishes

• Frijoles Negros y Arroz Blanco – black beans and rice served separately. The staple of Cuban cuisine.
• Moros – black beans and rice cooked together
• Maduros – sweet (ripe) plantains, fried
• Tostones – green (not ripe) plantains, smashed and fried (we told you so)
• Yuca en Mojo – boiled yuca (casava) served in a garlic sauce

Deserts (Postres)

• Flan – caramel custard, also served in different variations such as with cream cheese added (Flan de Queso)
• Arroz con Leche – rice pudding with cinnamon
• Tres Leches – white cake drenched in fresh milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk (three milks cake)

Drinks (Bebidas)

• Sangria – red wine with fresh fruit added
• Materva – a mate soft drink
• Cafe – cuban coffee, so strong it is served in a shot-glass sized cup
• Cafe con Leche – cuban coffee with steamed milk (like a latte but cheaper)
• Cortadito – half a serving of cafe con leche

We hope you enjoy.

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