THE best food at reasonable prices in a cozy atmosphere. Our absolute favorite place when we're in town

Amazing experience- if weather permits, sit outside, amazing people watching in Soho and great happy hour and don’t forget to ask about the specials

I was traveling to New York alone, on a work trip, and wanted a place to grab something quickly that I could take back to my hotel. The Cuban was delicious (and quite large) and the Mexican corn blew me away! The corn was supple yet crunchy, the charred chipotle flavor was exquisite, and the coat of cotija = cherry on top. The food was prepared quickly and it managed to stay warm for my entire 10-minute walk back to Chinatown in the pouring rain. I did not dine in the sit-down restaurant, but enjoyed watching the vibe and camaraderie. I will be back!

+2

had the best service! our waiter was so kind & gave so many great recs. phenomenal experience and food always

Havana Café on Elizabeth Street is a vibe. Cozy, lively, and full of flavor. The Cuban sandwich is perfection, the plantains are addictive, and the cafecito hits just right. Friendly staff make you feel at home—this spot’s an instant favorite.

That was our first time to visit, because the movie Friends Benefit had one scene at this restaurant. Spaces very small, but the waiters there were very nice, foods also amazing! Love the corn!

We went on a quiet night but the food did not disappoint! We got the Cuban sandwich, tacos and elotes 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

Went to the city for the first time in years and had to stop by my favorite spot . Just like I remember , if not better. Service is on point, the vibe is amazing and the food is too notch. Make sure to get the corn!

Amazing food. Had the Cuban sandwich with roasted corn. Highly recommend. Will definitely be back. 🩵

INCREDIBLE!!! The Cubano was insanely juicy and flavorful and just perfect on everything and the corn too was divine!!! Tostones obvi delish!! Also very great atmosphere and beautiful decor and the people that work here will engage in a convo if you ask them Q’s

Excellent brunch of huevos rancheros and a cortado. Service was top notch and great pricing. Perfect NYC brunch.

Food and service was great. Less Cuban food than I had hoped for but we had the Cubano sandwich and cafe con leche and they were both delicious

Proper lo-fi authentic taco spot. Margaritas in plastic cups, seasoned corn, hand made signs... its a vibe. The margs are great and the corn is absolutely insane. Really legit.

+5

The meal left me with a good impression overall. The restaurant title Café Habana drew me in right away. The meals combine excellent taste with attractive presentation. Employees deliver superior attention during all my meals. All elements were satisfying & I intend to visit again!

Wanted to come here for years but never did and finally my dad mentioned it while in town and we decided to go. The food was so so amazing, we both got the cubano with elote on the side. The price was part of my initial hesitation but as soon as I started eating I realized it was pretty worth it at $20 a person which isn’t so outrageous. The staff was super nice and friendly and the whole vibe was very fun. Definitely want to come back to try the breakfast at some point and will absolutely be back for the elote.

I loved it, perfect restaurant. Made me miss home.

I'd happily eat here again soon. This spot combines freshness with financial sensibility. The workers' approach to service adds pleasure to visits. Café Habana has pleasant feelings and interesting patrons. Our group appreciated the quality here.

Yes, it’s the best corn I ever had and the michelada was amazing too

Been coming here since the 90s I LOVE THIs SPOT!!! Perfect Breakfast!!!

Been here 4 times in my 2 times in New York City. It’s that good

This place is a fantastic Cuban 🇨🇺 restaurant! Cafe Habana has a wide variety of delicious dishes 🍽️ that includes fresh sandwiches 🥪, wraps, bowels, and cold drinks 🥤. Definitely try their mouthwatering Elotes (grilled street corn 🌽 on the cob)! The prices 🏷️ are fair and the service is quick! I wish I came here more often!

+1

Cute place for breakfast after Mass at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. The Cuba theme is charming, the staff are pleasant and our breakfast burrito and scrambled egg dishes were offbeat and good.

Such a wonderful place. Food is amazing and place has so much character and soul, you can taste it in your plate 😀

Always love coming here whenever I visit NYC. We love the food cos everything’s great! We love the vibes here too! Will keep coming back! Everyone must try the pollo mirador! It’s worth the wait!

I haven’t been here in years, but i remember it well. Must go to for comfort Cuban food

We loved the little corner place, sitting out and watching people walk by. Nice and attentive staff, great tasty food choices.

On a very hot day, the kind staff efficiently seated all 7 of us in the most ACed part of the restaurant, for which we are very grateful. As for the food? I ordered the divorced eggs, which turned out to be a treat for my eyes as well as a treat for my stomach. Also, the portions are very large for their prices. When I come back, I will try the Cuban Sandwich which some of my friends ordered - it looked absolutely delicious.

Food was amazing, not the cheapest place but makes sense for manhattan. The elote is incredible, so was my cubano.

From the moment we stepped in, the service was excellent, adding to the overall fantastic experience. The corn, acclaimed as the best in New York, lived up to its reputation and left us wanting more. And let's not forget the frozen margarita which was also very good although could have been a bit more booze forward.

This place is perfect for a quick bite or a fun meal with friends! The food was absolutely delicious, and I’ll definitely be back for the frozen margaritas and crispy tostones. Highly recommend!

+1

Came for the happy hour, stayed for everything else! The drinks were fantastic and the food was spot on, both the corn and the cuban sandwich were delicious and the vibes were on point! Super friendly staff accommodating us even without a booking, would definitely come back!

Grilled corn is top 1 of the kind!

+1

Love this spot! Best elote in the city! Stop by on Thursdays for all day happy hour with the best bartender, Roberto 😊

Get the Cuban sandwich. You will not be disappointed. It was so incredibly flavorful, and the fries were the best we had the entire trip. So good, we went back twice. I had the blackened chicken plate on one occasion, and that was fantastic. The sweet plantains were also delicious, arguably the best plantains I've had. This place gets bonus points for the atmosphere, probably the cheapest beer in the city ($3.75), and the sweetest family dynamics amongst the staff. The price of the entire meal was a great deal for Manhattan and one of the cheapest meals we had on the trip, while also being one of the tastiest. I thoroughly enjoyed dining here, and I think you will, too.

I didn't know a corn could taste like that... it was amazing ! For all corn sceptics - please came here and join me in a corn lovers club

Very welcoming atmosphere, the customer service is quick and efficient. Credits to staff Mashell and Veronica they’re amazing! I’ve been here many times and the food never disappoints. 10/10⭐️

+1

The grilled corns are the bomb!!!!!!!! They are packed with flavors and perfectly grilled. The staffs are so friendly and the environment is so fun. The staffs are dancing and singing while working! They are having so much fun and created such a positive vibes! The price is decent, cleanliness not that great. But i will still come back for the grilled corn. Definitely will! It is the best corn I ever had.

+1

This is one of my Favorite spots! I have been coming here since 2015...It truly never disappoints...the servicers are always super friendly. The food wow where do I start! #1 street corn. The best. Literally Drive from NJ to NYC for corn. Tacos are delish...hubby really likes the Cubano. Rice and beans yum!!! Overall 5 star!

I’ve been meaning to try Café Habana for a while, and when I finally did, it lived up to the reputation. It’s a casual, lively Cuban-Mexican café right in the heart of SoHo — a real neighborhood classic that’s been around since the late ’90s. The atmosphere is relaxed and busy, with people coming in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks. The vibe feels like New York meets Latin street cafe — colorful, friendly, and unpretentious. Foodwise, the grilled Mexican-style corn is legendary and absolutely worth ordering; it’s smoky, tangy, and cheesy — almost addictive. I also loved the Cuban sandwich, which is juicy, well-pressed, and feels like what you imagine a good Cubano should be. Cocktails and margaritas are fun too, especially if you’re there for brunch or an early dinner. Service is friendly and the place fills up fast, so going a bit early or being prepared to wait makes it smoother. Overall: great for a fun meal that’s casual but full of flavor — perfect for a memorable lunch or laid-back dinner in Nolita.

Omg best Cuban sandwich in NYC! Bar has cool and hip vibe and Roberto was so sweet and gave the most magnificent service. I currently live in East village but I lived in Miami for two decades and have tried a lot of Cuban restaurants but this is the best!

Iconic diner/eatery in the best part of the city. Amazing menu and food. Really recommend stopping in for anything and enjoying an authentic New York vibe.

Our waitress, Emma was the sweetest. Everything she recommended was delicious! The elote and cubano is a must. You’ll regret it if you don’t. We also had the citrus pork and shrimp tacos and WOW!!

My go-to for nice grilled corns . Consistent taste and great place to have your fix of mexican Cuban food ..

I've visited NYC 3 times (2008,2014 and 2025), each time enjoying this true hidden gem, with the same awesome vibe! Do not miss the fabulous corn!

714mymy

The food was so good. Service is amazing and the atmosphere is nice. Got the chicken burrito, it was good but i think some pico or guacamole could take it to the next level. Once i got some sour cream it was good

Tabby Brough

Really enjoyed this spot for an early dinner. Everything was delicious but the main highlight was definitely the corn, I'd go back just for that. Had a really nice lemonade too. Service was also really good, super friendly and fun. Great spot 💫💫💫💫💫

Marcos Cambi

I had their citrus pork burrito, I have to say it was very savory and very well portioned. I will definitely come back to try their Cubano Sandwich, yummy 😋

Becky Gottfried

Delicious food! Came for Sunday brunch and the food exceeded our expectations! Great outdoor and indoor seating options!

Helen Abraha

Amazing food and fast service!! I got the Huevos Rancheros and it was delicious, the house fries were the best part. 10/10 would recommend place!

Jana Sandoval

Cuban sandwich was good. Cook to perfection 👌🏻Service was good as well. Definitely will return again.

+1

Bert OOM Canning

Exceptional service from Rocket. He told me what they were famous for and he nailed it. One of the BEST Cuban sandwiches ever and I live in South Florida!! He was so friendly and welcoming to everyone who came in the door nor just me!! Highly recommend!’

christer hultberg

Fantastic Corn on the Cobb Mexican style. Recommended by a friend of my. Will send all of my friends here.

rodrigo veloso

Love the vibe. Didn’t love the famous corn though. For me the highlight was definitely the mango caipirinha. Burrito was also good.

Kevin Collinge

Corn and tacos were cooked well but flavor was just okay. Service was wonderful! They provided toothpicks with the corn which was a great touch.

A.Y P

Been coming here since 2008, but since the pandemic I haven’t been here in a while. There use to be two stores next to each other but only the corner one remains. The famous corn is good as it always has been. The skirt sandwich was good, but the Cuban was not the same.

Alex Serebrov

This is one of the rare places that wasn't gentrified and keep the spirit of NY Soho of 1970-1980s. Tiny spot with a huge flavor and ambiance. Typical Cuban food at its perfection. My personal favorite is corn on the knob covered with cotija cheese and chili powder. Love this place since I got there in late 1990s.

+12

Taylor Wells

I’ve been walking past this place for years! I finally had free time on the 4th to come in hahaha! The hospitality was warm and the service was quick and efficient! The staff looks like they flow well together and barely break a sweat. I ordered the shrimp taco and pork taco with beans and rice. As someone who travels a lot, this was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. Everything was seasoned to perfection and very tender and juicy. The ingredients were obviously fresh and blended so well. I would give it a ten out of ten. Only recommendation is maybe having a mocktail or two on the menu. Like a cucumber lime drink or a n/a corona/michelada. Otherwise, perfection!

Yen Bui

Super delicious and a great quick lunch spot 💖 I had the chicken diablo with their rice and beans and it was so delicious. Even their fries are amazing 🥰 and the highlight was definitely the corn 🌽

Heather Mieczkowski

Loved the music. The corn was amazing! We had fish, shrimp, chicken & pork tacos. All extremely good. Cafe con leche was also delicious. Friendly wait staff. Food came out very quick.

ricky guerzon

Tried this place out based on a recommendation.. elote was delicious. The sandwiches were really good, and the garlic dip for tostones was sooooo good 🤤. Ended up ordering food to take for lunch the next day! The seating is a little tight, but atmosphere is cute. Outdoor dining gives you the most space.

Great environment with fun music. Food is delicious would definitely come back here again. The service is also great!!

The corn was as good as everyone says! The Cuban sandwich, on the other hand, was just okay. I wish there was a bit more pork as sections of the sandwich felt sparse.

The food was just divine. Freshly made, perfect amount of chili and just delicious. We had the fish tacos, and then the corn 🌽 they are known for.....

+1

Corn is a favorite dish among tourists; the portions are generous and the price isn't too expensive, however, the place is small and getting a table is difficult.

No frill dining experience. Comfort food. The elote was a good starter. Cubano sandwich is worth trying.

Cubano sandwich and chips really good and the corn was fantastic. A little over priced and not very friendly service but overall delightful food.

Nice vibes, service was fine but not great (kinda cold, no smiles or anything that will make you feel you welcome). Food was good but not great IMHO. We ate the Cubano, Corn and an Americano coffee. Coffee was great, corn was very good, I had better Cubanos, tasted kinda like a good tuna sandwich and not a Cubano.

I will come again for the corn, and that’s all. A place for a fast meal with normal prices. My friend and I had the signature sandwich, the corn and lemonade. 🌽Personally, I like the corn a lot. They did the great job flavoring the corn. The sandwich was a little bit disappointing. The whole taste was nothing special and missing something. Although the fries came with it was not bad, healthy style. My friend told me she could know the lemonade was homemade. Not that sweet which was good.

I have been coming to this place for YEARS just to try their World-Famous Grilled Mexican Corn. Omgsh!!! When I tell you this is the best corn or elote I've ever had I really mean it. I'm drooling now just thinking about it. If you've never eaten here it's a must! The vibes and music are IT! Fun, bumping Spanish music all night and hospitable servers! Iris took care of us and got us ready for the night ahead!!! Can't wait to sink my teeth into that corn again!!! 😋

Disclaimer: this is my first experience at a Cuban cafe. The cubano sandwich was better than I expected! The buns were toasted to perfection. The meat had a nice lime/citrus flavor. The chipotle mayo rounded out the flavor with some kick. The only thing I didn’t like was the ham and cheese on it. I also got rice and beans. They were a kinda bland. Their fries also didn’t have much crunch or flavor. Service was SUPER fast though and very friendly. Worth trying if Cuban food is your thing.

Title: Café Habana: A Cozy Nolita Spot with Standout Grilled Corn Review: After a demanding workday, I recently dined at Café Habana, a quaint Cuban-Mexican eatery nestled in Nolita. From the exterior, the establishment appeared closed, but a quick peek through the windows revealed its doors were open. The interior is compact, exuding more of a bar or tavern ambiance than a traditional restaurant. This cozy setting contributes to its unique New York City charm. The service, while not particularly swift, was satisfactory; however, I noticed that staff didn't check in during the meal, a touch often appreciated in dining experiences. For my meal, I chose the grilled chicken cutlet plate accompanied by rice and black beans. The dish was enjoyable, aligning with standard offerings at similar Cuban establishments. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the grilled corn—a delightful combination of mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh lime—that lived up to its acclaim. It's no surprise that many patrons rave about this signature item. One aspect that stood out was the absence of dessert options, which was unexpected. Additionally, the music selection leaned towards hip-hop and other genres, differing from the Latin rhythms I had anticipated. While it didn't detract from the experience, it was a notable deviation from the traditional ambiance one might expect. In summary, Café Habana offers a cozy atmosphere with standout dishes like their renowned grilled corn. While some elements, such as music choice and dessert availability, differ from traditional expectations, it's a spot worth revisiting to explore more of their menu offerings.

+1

The tacos were great and the drink Mango Caipirinha was fantastic drink, do try if you go there. Also, the corn was so awesome too.

The cuban sandwich, chips and guac, and corn were all great. But the burrito lacked any flavor unfortunately. Nice atmosphere/music inside

Their grilled corn is delicious! Highly recommended! We had tacos- any two tacos for $20 came with rice and black beans. I had the pork taco and my friend’s daughter who is a vegetarian had the plantain tacos! The atmosphere is not spic and span but it aligns with the purpose of a Cuban cafe.

Thoithoi Shougrakpam

Had an amazing time here! The vibes and service were on point, but the food really stole the show. We ordered the elote, flautas, the pressed sandwich with tostones, and the steak plate with rice and beans. Every dish had bold flavors and came out at the perfect temperature. Solid 8/10 experience, I highly recommend!

chad foley

Cute retro cafe with good Cuban food. I went for lunch on Taco Tuesday. Portions are generous. This place has been around for over 20 years and hasn’t changed. The margaritas were a little sweet. Very friendly vibe. Great corn!

James Johnson

While out on a morning casual stroll and doing a little shopping, we decided to pop into this café for a light breakfast. It’s a cool little local spot with a perfect corner location. It’s small inside, but pretty cozy. They also offer outdoor seating if it gets too crowded. I had the Huevos con Chorizo with a glass of Agua de Jamaica, while my wife had the Breakfast Tacos and a glass of lemonade. Our food was hot, fresh, and delicious. Everything was made from scratch and cooked to order. The beverages really hit the spot, and based on the flavors, I’d say there are no powdered drinks served here. If you’re looking for frills and thrills, this isn’t the place for you. But if you want fast, casual service with good, fresh food, I definitely recommend checking them out.

+10

Freddy Rivera

This place was OK. I will do my research first before coming to this restaurant. The name is a little deceiving as is not a fully Cuban restaurant. They don’t have many of the typical Cuban food cuisine, however, we were surprised to find the food was good not the most delicious but it wasn’t bad. It had a good flavor I will say that this restaurant is more of a Mexican cuisine than Cuban. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the corn on the cob was on point. We will definitely come back when we need a quick bite, but not when we need a full meal. The service was OK, but they seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of customers that the restaurant can handle we had to ask for napkins like three times also getting the attention of the servers was a difficult as they’re moving around a lot. The bathrooms are very tiny, the lighting is very dim, There is lots of posters and graffiti, but it goes with the neighborhood , I did not feel an AC running inside the restaurant so I am not sure if they run the AC during very hot days .Overall, not a bad place but again make sure you do you your research and check the menu before going in.

+5

There is a worst customer service, they asked us what we wanted, we ordered, when we asked about our order after 15 minutes, they said it was not received and asked again. After ordering again, they didn’t have a problem, they made us wait for another 20 minutes. We were kept waiting for 35 minutes for only 1 corn!!! Like a joke! Corn was so beautiful but I will never come again

Very small cramped space. While everyone was friendly, it was chaotic. The seating was so squished where we were placed. We tried the elote which was good and the Cuban sandwich which was also good. The one thing I was looking forward to was a huge disappointment was the 2 iced cafe con leches with extra espresso. We got 3 ice cubes in each very small glass which didn’t even make the drinks cold. I was looking forward to authentic cafe con leche and definitely didn’t get that.

Place has gone downhill. Rusty tables (unsafe), unkept ambience. Pretending its Cuban charm, but it’s really just cheap management not keeping the place. Service is horrendous. That being said, food is decent. But won’t come back (used to be a regular 5 years ago).

Very lively Cuban restaurant. Food was pretty good, especially the corn. It is not the cleanest place in the city but it does have a fitting decor. Music was great, upbeat, but this is not a place for quiet conversations.

+1

The staff was friendly, and the restaurant was clean. Overall, the food was okay. We had a steak sandwich and a Cuban sandwich with fries. Nothing special about the fries but not bad either. The steak sandwich was okay but nothing to go back for. However, the big letdown was the Cuban sandwich. The bread was not good and the pork was a tad dry. Furthermore, the sandwich instead of having mustard, it had some sort of chipotle mayo which I did not enjoy in my Cuban sandwich. Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine Cuban sandwich is less than half the price of this place and more importantly significantly better.

+1

Friendly, relaxed atmosphere and warm, attentive service. Unfortunately, quite frankly, very average Cuban food. Cubano sandwich was crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside but that’s where the goodness ends. Pork was very bland, lacking seasoning and pickles were just not very good. Fries were super average. - Service and ambiance- 5 stars - food - 2 stars Overall- 3 solid stars However, living in New York, with countless Cuban options, I don’t think I will be coming back in the near future.

+5

This place use to be off the charts incredible, that wasn’t the vibe I experienced my last visit . The burrito was not what I remembered or expected. It was bland and the chicken was dry, pretty lack luster. Chipotle’s probably would have hit the spot more. I took home half and doctored it up. They do still serve their famous corn which was our favorite before heading home on a late night. The staff served a purpose but felt they were more bothered by waiting on people.

Mediocre Cuban sandwich at best. For $18 and ‘best Cuban in nyc’ I would have expected much more out of them, both in quality and size. Felt like a money grab. Cool inside vibe, but would not recommend to anyone.

This place was my favorite place in NYC since2014. They still have the best corn I ever had. But today I got tacos there. It wasn’t good enough. I was embarrassed. I never expect that cold tacos. Tortilla was ice cold even not defrost. I just left tortilla and I told them. My sever told me it was on the grill It should be hot. And I told them even now tortilla was cool. The manager and sever tried to make me new one. But I was full and I’ve lost my sense of taste. I just let them know they should Not serve like this. I am sure someone should knew it wasn’t close room temp when who touched to assembled.

Mid to bad food, albeit I got a salad and corn. The elote was HARD and although the seasoning was good, but not good enough to make up for how poorly the corn was cooked. The salad was over salted, oily, limp, and underwhelming— and I LOVE salt. The steak was a good portion for $5 but brought basically no flavor. The whole thing basically didn’t taste like anything but salt. The only saving grace of this place was the great service and location. I hope this was just an off night since everyone else seems to like it, but I won’t be back unless it’s for a drink.

My partner and I ordered a steak burrito, corn, rice & beans, and quesadillas. We instantly noticed a lack of flavor in the quesadillas and my burrito. You'll need the sauces they gave to add some taste. Corn was the best. Soon after, the food did not sit well with my GF. The service was good, but we will not return.

This is an update, used to love this place, but frankly the service has grown downhill. And primarily due to the attitude of the staff. Food still delicious, but they'll ignore you, tell you to wait outside, not sit you and take other people instead. What a shame, the servers used to be awesome.