Y B

Nice restaurant with impeccable food and service. Even though we arrived an hour before closing, everything was fresh and the service was fast. We’ll definitely be back!

Wandering in Paradise

Delicious lunch at Havana Grill! We ordered the seafood paella (shrimp, mussels, white fish, squid), mango citrus salmon, and croquetas de jamon. Everything tasted great, the seafood was fresh. Loved the texture of the croquetas. Very friendly staff and the food came out quickly. We sat on the dog friendly patio. Recommend!

+2

Carl O'Neil

Favorite Cuban restaurant and I've been to some really good ones. Everything was great, loved the Cubano and the pulled pork but those black beans, wow so good! And the caramel flan, 💥💥🙌🏼. Next time I'm coming for you paella.

John S

Love this place! The Paella was pretty good. The guava pastry was incredible, and love their Cuban coffee! The Cuban sandwich was decent, the bread on the sandwich was unique. The staff here are very friendly and the interior & atmosphere is beautiful. I'm definitely coming back here!

+1

Soraya Allen

Havana Grill exceeded my expectations in every way. From the moment I walked in, the service was top-notch. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making me feel welcomed and comfortable throughout my dining experience. The menu offered a delectable array of Cuban dishes, and the flavors were absolutely outstanding. Every bite was bursting with authentic taste and beautifully balanced spices. The restaurant's clean and inviting atmosphere added to the overall enjoyment, transporting me to the heart of Cuban tradition. The decor and ambiance perfectly captured the essence of Havana, creating a delightful setting for a memorable meal. Whether you're a fan of Cuban cuisine or looking to try something new, the Havana Grill is a must-visit.

+3

This was all recommended by the cashier who did amazing and giving me the low down on what's the best and honestly everything here was so amazing even a really great place to relax and do some work i…

I got the classic and the cubano, omg! SO tasty and filling, the papas rellena are to die for. Literally everything was so good. Can't speak too much about their service because I ordered take out …

Wow ¡Que delicia! everything was delicious. We had the lechón with the congri, mar y Tierra con arroz y frijoles, croquetas and un cortadito y café cubano to go. \nMy new favorite place in San Diego.

I can't believe it's my first time eating here. The servers were so friendly and professional. I liked the Cuban vibe and music playing. Parking was easy too. \n\nSo many great choices on the menu.…

I can't believe it's my first time eating here. The servers were so friendly and professional. I liked the Cuban vibe and music playing. parking was easy too. \n\nSo many great choices on the menu.…

Love this place so much. My favorite dish is the Lechon. Hubby and kids love the Cuban sandwiches and empanadas. fries and plantain chips are also delicious.

Stopped in for lunch with my boss recently. The restaurant is very nice and casual feeling. The staff is super friendly and check in with you often. \n\nI had a Cubano sandwich and a cafe Cubano. T…

Stopped in for lunch with my boss recently. The restaurant is very nice and casual feeling. The staff is super friendly and check in with you often. \n\nI had a cubano sandwich and a cafe Cubano.…

I love this location. While the Hotel Circle one is more upscale looking, the service and food at this location is outstanding and much less of a crazy line.\n\nVery friendly staff, excellent foo…

Such a cozy and welcoming little spot! The atmosphere is warm and relaxed -- perfect for a quiet lunch or dinner. Everything is clean, neat, and thoughtfully arranged.\n\nThe food was absolutely de…

Such a cozy and welcoming little spot! The atmosphere is warm and relaxed -- perfect for a quiet lunch or dinner. Everything is clean, neat, and thoughtfully arranged.\n\nThe food was absolutely de…

The menu choices are great. Food is flavorful. Order & pay at counter and food is delivered to your table. Ambiance is casual and able to carry on a conversation at our visit. parking can be a bit …

Husband requested this place for his birthday. Food and service was great . Nice and clean., very tasty!

I definitely recommend this place \nThe food is reasonable priced and delicious, we recommend the Crazy Cuban. The decorations and music set the vibe. Our server was very nice and there hats were s…

I was blown away with The Hot Cuban!!! My wife and I heard the owner of the Havana Grill on the radio as we were headed to Yuma, Az and planned on coming here upon our return. When we left Yuma we he…

Great meal. Everything tasted great. Cubanos tasty with plantain chips. Very good flan. No diet drinks so we had water. This place is a treat.

Great meal. Everything tasted great. Cubanos tasty with plantain chips. Very good flan. No diet drinks so we had water. This place is a treat.

Great meal. Everything tasted great. Cubanos tasty with plantain chips. Very good flan. No diet drinks so we had water. This place is a treat.

Great food and service. Will definitely go back. Ordered a variety of delicious plates as recommended by their employees.

Great food and service. Will definitely go back. Ordered a variety of delicious plates as recommended by their employees.

the food is excellent but the chicken is a little dry, so get extra sauce. the banana chips are very good and the Cuban sandwiches were also excellent. Parking sort of sucks (very tight).

the food is excellent but the chicken is a little dry, so get extra sauce. the banana chips are very good and the Cuban sandwiches were also excellent. parking sort of sucks (very tight).

It was very satisfying food for all 3 of us. That is usually hard to accomplish as we each have VERY different food preferences. The prices were fair and the food was very high quality. I had the…

The sandwiches are so good! This is our first time eating here. It looks like a fine dining place but we have to get our own water and no refills at all.

Elka

12/23/25 We visited the day before they were to close for a week so they were out of the chicken vegetable soup, guava dessert, and the different kind of fries that comes with the entres. That was ok, because there was plenty of other things to try. The server up front was so helpful to give suggestions and explain what each thing was. She gave us a paper menu near the register to help us. We tried the Cuban sandwich with fries. The fries were thin, long, crispy, and great! The sandwich was cut in half and warm. The steak dish I got had rice and beans, plantains, carrots, a sauce, and pulled apart meat that was crisped up, garnished with herbs, and delicious. I took half home. The iced tea was good, water was flavored with cucumber, and the mojito was lovely. They have plenty of free parking, two unisex bathrooms, and a walk up to order set up. Upon entering, go to the right then toward the bright menu at the front, look up on their menu, then walk to the left to order at the register. Then you take your number to the table. This is not clear when you enter, so some folks just walked directly to these register. The seating was arranged a bit oddly or maybe the tables are too big for the space. The drink station was to the left of the register. I always tip cash. There was a container for cash tips. On the credit card tipping, there were high percentages to chose from. I thought those percentages were for full table service, but perhaps things are different after COVID. They closed at 7 pm. I think because some folks are unfamiliar to this food, they want to consider having menus with bigger print, and a knowledgeable person nearby who can answer questions.

Jose Fernandez

I'm a Hialeah Cuban. This food made me proud. Love the food!! 4 stars because it is pricy $$$$$

Christopher Lawrence

Absolutely, here's a review for Havana Grill, a Cuban food restaurant in San Diego: Havana Grill is a culinary oasis that transports you to the vibrant streets of Cuba right in the heart of San Diego. My recent dining experience at this charming restaurant left me thoroughly impressed, from the warm ambiance to the tantalizing flavors of authentic Cuban cuisine. Let's start with the food, which was nothing short of exceptional. The menu boasts a delightful array of Cuban specialties, and each dish is a celebration of bold flavors and traditional cooking techniques. The Ropa Vieja, a classic Cuban shredded beef stew, was a standout dish with its tender meat and savory sauce that had me scraping the plate for every last bit. The Cubano sandwich was another highlight, perfectly pressed with layers of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. The atmosphere at Havana Grill is cozy and inviting, with colorful decor and lively music that sets the mood for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're seated indoors or at their charming outdoor patio, you're sure to feel the warmth and hospitality that defines Cuban culture. I also appreciated the excellent service provided by the staff. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations, making our dining experience even more enjoyable. The attention to detail and genuine friendliness of the staff added to the overall positive impression of Havana Grill. For vegetarians, Havana Grill offers a fantastic selection of meat-free options that don't compromise on flavor. From hearty black bean soups to flavorful plantain dishes and delicious vegetable empanadas, there's something to satisfy every vegetarian palate. In conclusion, Havana Grill is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Cuban cuisine in San Diego. With its delicious food, inviting atmosphere, and excellent service, it's a gem that captures the essence of Cuba's culinary heritage. I can't wait to return and indulge in more of their delectable offerings.

+5

Food was delicious and the portions were large enough that we had take home. The decor was inviting and the restroom was sparkling clean.

Nice airy dining area gets good evening sun. Food was good. We had 3 empanadas, tostones, and ropa vieja. The chicken empanada was dry; the piccadillo and lechón/yuca were excellent. Plate garnished…

Nice airy dining area gets good evening sun. food was good. We had 3 empanadas, tostones, and ropa vieja. The chicken empanada was dry; the piccadillo and lechón/yuca were excellent. Plate garni…

Nice airy dining area gets good evening sun. Food was good. We had 3 empanadas, tostones, and ropa vieja. The chicken empanada was dry; the piccadillo and lechón/yuca were excellent. Plate garnish…

Neighborhood place. Very tasty cuban food. The cuban sandwich was quite good and the steak was also very good. Maybe the best beans I've had. Certainly for SoCal this is one of the better Cub…

I wish I could leave different reviews for different aspects of the business. The food is truly spectacular, as it's always been. But they've recently gutted the location itself of its charm. Used to have a cozy, semi-ecclectic feel bordering on bohemian that made me feel very comfortable when dining in. Now, however, they've removed most of the decorations and everything feels so... bland. It's almost oppressively minimalistic now compared to what it was before. Every place that I've seen remodeled lately has followed a similar trend, re-emerging as something less than it was previously. It always bothers me when things are made worse than they were before. I just really liked this place in the past, and now I've got no incentive to stay in the restaurant to eat after I've ordered my food.

paterjo

We had not been to Havana Grill in a while so decided to go on a Sunday afternoon. We had the Lechon which was good, the Arroz Con Pollo which was also good. I had the Seafood Paella which frankly was disappointing, it tasted like they prepared the plate the night before with a bed of rice and a decent amount of sea food and heated it really quickly. The seafood was very bland and the dish was not very hot. Havana Grill serves very quickly so I assumed that they had lots of fresh food prepared which they serve up quickly but that did not appear to be the case with the Paella. When we first got there many of the tables had not been bussed and it took a while for them to clear off the tables which they did but they did not sweep up the floors so left a messy look. Maybe we came on an off day but when we visited here two years prior the service was outstanding, super friendly staff and the food was much better.

+13

Tommy Cheng

Location: Havana Grill on Clairmont Mess Been a long time since I've had Cuban food. It's a pretty cool place - decor is cute, cozy, and the servers are all cheerful & nice. We waited a long time for the food which I didn't mind too much - at least, it means it was freshly prepared! But overall, could only give this place 3 stars. Maybe the sandwiches are better, but since it was dinner time, my wife and I chose two entrees or what are called "plates" on the menu. Vaca Frita - this was definitely the better of the two dishes and quite enjoyed this. Beef was well seasoned, with a touch of crisp from the sear. The onions were nice. The rice was overcooked and a bit soggy. Loved the plantains though. Overall, a "B" for this dish. Seafood Paella - looked mighty impressive, with lots of seafood piled on top. But for taste, I can only give it a "C". Having grown up with Asian seafood preparations, whether strongly seasoned / sauced like unagidon (eel on rice) or curry crab, or very simple preparations with minimal seasoning but cooked to perfection like steamed shrimp or fresh whole fish with sizzling oil & soy drizzled on top, the seafood paella was neither well seasoned nor well cooked. The prawns tasted fresh, but very overcooked. The fish and the mussels tasted bland. And the rice was lukewarm, mushy and lacked the smokey, crusty bottom of a well prepared paella. The Cuban salad that came with the dish was fresh, but had a very boring dressing. If I go again, I think I'll try out the sandwiches instead. And try a cuban coffee.

Too pricey for what you get...\nNice atmosphere though. \nCafe con Leche was not what I'm used to when I used to drink it in Florida.. tasted like just regular latte.

The ambiance is what is being sold here. Lovely storefront, ample seating, and plenty of parking. But what is a Cuban eatery without a proper Cuban sandwich? I was disappointed by el Cubano after h…

Amn 2

This was one of our favorites and maintained quality and great taste since it opened. This time, however, the food was not good. The chicken fricasse was tasteless. Too much water and too few tomatoes. The congris was dry and not as hearty as in the past and even the grilled were too that great. Hoping this is a one time thing, as this has been such a joy to dine in. The server was very nice and offered another main dish to go.

Ate at Havana ten years ago and had a cubano sandwich I wasn't impressed I've had much better. A friend told me she heard it was a good place I disagreed and decided to give it another try. We or…

Horrible food. Grossly inflated prices. I'll never go back, and highly suggest taking your business elsewhere.

Horrible food. Grossly inflated prices. I'll never go back, and highly suggest taking your business elsewhere.

Have been here several times. Ordered a sandwich and chicken "plate," the same we had a few months ago. This restaurant had the nerve to raise their prices by over 20% in just 3 months and add a 2.…

Have been here several times. Ordered a sandwich and chicken "plate," the same we had a few months ago. This restaurant had the nerve to raise their prices by over 20% in just 3 months and add a 2.…

Gloria Pena

This is a similar review to someone's previous comment. They may be under new management, and perhaps that's why things have changed. It's been a while since I've been there, but I was surprised to see a service charge on my bill. I generally tip in cash, so I added a tip after ordering at the counter. I didn't notice the service charge until I got home. I called to ask about it. I felt the response was rude and a bit condescending. I was told it's for health insurance. I asked if it's posted anywhere for customers to see and was told, 'Yes, next to the register.' I didn't see it. Times are tough, but transparency and polite customer service are essential to maintain a business.

Wilma Lopez

First-time coming here. The place is nice. Placed a order & waited. The music is great. Here's the catch of this restaurant. Oooh😳 now wait just a minute. 😲I have noticed (Junk fee's) a charged for package & handling takeout ($1.17) & the waitress health insurance coverage of (2.75) into my receipts order? Another (Junk fee's) I'm paying for packaging & handling & the waitress Healthcare service's? am I, the only one that noticed this add-on to my order? Is that why they don't give out receipts, because of those hidden added "Junk fee's "! I don't own this restaurant! I really "don't agree" to pay for any charges like package & handling take-out cost, as for waitress working in this environment! The one who hired these workers they have to pay for their healthcare services. " NOT CUSTOMER'S "! And for package & handling the take-out orders. I "never"heard something like this (JUNK FEE'S). The owner of this "Havana grill" should be ashamed of themselves! Customers beware! I don't have Healthcare coverage for myself, & need of one, and this restaurant wants "us/customer's" to pay for each of the employee's there Healthcare insurance.? And packing handling & take-out services is out of hand. Oooh Hell No! I will tip the waitress. But to pay a amount for there Healthcare coverage is insane! A warning to all customers who goes to this place. Do check ✔ out your receipt when placing any order. You will see the charges added into your grand total of the orders. That's Not right! Bad 😡👎 services. I will be not coming back!

+1