4. Restaurants

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

The Quarter at Tropicana Casino & Resort,2801 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ, 08401
  • (609) 348-6700
  • Store is closed

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Menu

  • Late Dining - General
  • Dessert - Postres - Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

  • Late Dining - General
  • Dessert - Postres - Dessert

  • Mark H.

    I've now visited the Cuba Libre in Philly and A.C. The restaurant in A.C. was better for me. I LOVE churrasco, so both times I ordered the same dish. Both times the portion was just the right size, moist, and cooked to perfection as I ordered. The mashed potato "base" adds a unique flavor and texture. I substituted the yellow rice for white as I think it goes better with beef. Everything was great as it was the first time I visited in Philly. The service in A.C. was slightly better as well. We sat at the bar because of how crowded it was. My fiancée and I both has several drinks and our food arrived before many people even were seated. We were very happy with the bar tender on Saturday night, she was fast, made good drinks, and had a lot of personality and had no problems interacting with customers on a personal level while still maintaining the efficiency behind the bar. To me what makes this place extra special is the drinks. Margaritas are awesome and the caipirinhas are worth the trip alone. I used to drink the 5 cane sugar caipirinhas but I don't think they make them anymore. Always finish off the night with an aged sipping rum. Go there, you won't be disappointed. Best place to eat in the Tropicana IMO.

    (4)

  • Angie C.

    I am from California and i had the pleasure of eating at this wonderful place... WOW ! its no joke... the mango butter and the bread is extremely delicious! appetizers were delicious ... Cuba Libre in Philly !!! thank you

    (5)

  • Alex L.

    The BEST flavours around!!!! Their food is always great. The meatball apps, seafood soup and vaca frita are all MUSTS!!!!!! The service is great, Michelle is the BEST!

    (5)

  • Alie A.

    Went to Cuba Libre with a large party this past weekend. We sat on the top balcony overlooking the Tropicana lobby, so the ambiance was awesome. Top shelf liquor and great wines, and the food was excellent, as was the service. Being a large party, the wine was flowing and it seemed a staff member was always right around the corner every time you needed anything. we did a bunch of appetizers family style that included the Coctel de Camerones (a spicy shrimp dish) and Carne de Cangrejo (jumbo lump crabmeat in a salsa). I'd highly recommend both of those. For my meal I had the Mahi Mahi which was cooked to perfection and arrived with a beautiful presentation. There are so many great restaurants in Atlantic City and I always try to go to a new one when I'm in town, but this one I would definitely recommend to visitors!

    (4)

  • Sepehr S.

    pros: great customer service, the food is awesome and delicious, they have the best mojitos in the area, dance floor after 11:00 pm. so if you go there for dinner, stay until 11:00 and you can enjoy the free dance floor. cons: very expensive and very busy, make reservation to avoid waiting.

    (5)

  • Roy B.

    For a themed restaurant this place certainly makes you feel that you are entering a little slice of Cuba. On our recent trip to Atlantic City, the mad Russian and I stopped in for a quick bite before going to the Imax upstairs. The hostess offered us a table, but since the bar was empty, we decided to eat there and have a good view of the entire place. Our server was Jonathan, who came straight away to offer us some drinks and brought menus. He explained some of the drinks and we settled on a white sangria for her and a Pineapple Basil Caipirinha for me. While my special date liked her wine well enough, I changed my next drink up the next round for a Martini. I'm not a fan of very sweet drinks but for those that like them, I'm sure they would enjoy it just fine. We chose a few tapas plates to hold us over: Mariquitas Cubanas 9.25 Guacamole Cubano 6.75 Taste of two- Grilled baby octopus/ Cuban sandwich spring rolls 16.50 Ceviche Mixto- Shrimp/Tuna 15.00 On the plus side, everything came out presented beautifully and spaced out perfectly so we could enjoy each plate on its own. The guac had some grilled pineapple that added a nice light touch. The plantain chips were very good as well- a nice change from regular chips. The shrimp ceviche was probably the star of the show- the sauce it was served in was delicious and the shrimp were plump and plentiful. I enjoyed the spring roll/octopus combo as well. On the down side, we would have liked to know that there were happy hour specials. We happened to find a menu on the bar as we were finishing our meal and noticed that the sangria was on our bill at a reduced price. Maybe we would have ordered from this menu, and maybe not- but either way we would have liked to have the option of choosing. All in all, we enjoyed our meal and the service well enough and might return if we happen to be back in the Quarter at Tropicana.

    (3)

  • Luz M.

    This place is so much but the food it's not great. I like the appetizers but Ive tried a couple of different main dishes but nothing that I have liked. The drinks are yummy and the club is fun. Go for the drinks and dancing.

    (4)

  • Rebecca H.

    Fantastic experience at Cuba LIbre this past weekend! Group of 7 for a bachelorette party- we were promptly greeted and seated for our reservation. Our waiter was very plesant and extremely helpful. We ordered a pitcher of the white sangria to share- it was absolutely delicious. For tapas, we tried the malanga fritters and the shrimp and corn fundito, and also ordered the guacamole and chip trio. Everything was amazing- I'm new to Cuban food and I absolutely loved it. I ordered the Churrasco a la Cubana- and it was great! The potatoes on the side were wonderful, and the watercress salad was very unique. Everyone enjoyed their food- and the portions are quite large. I would definitely go back again- the food was great, and the prices were actually pretty reasonable (about 52$ a person including everything) considering the amount of food that we got.

    (5)

  • Arivel D.

    This place was a disappointment. We came as a large group to celebrate a birthday. First the place was way too dark to the point that we needed assistance from our cell phones to see the menu. The menu options are limited and FAR from cuban. Mango cinnamon butter for your bread?! Wth? My husband is Cuban, so I know a lot about Cuban food and this was far from it! I had to ask him if they did that over there and he was shocked and said no!

    (1)

  • Robert S.

    Went to Cuba Libre in the Topicana one night and now regret not trying it sooner. Big fan of Cuban/Spanish food and Cuba Libre certainly did not disappoint. For an appetizer we ordered the guacamole cubano which is their version of guacamole, but instead of traditional tortilla chips they serve crispy plantain chips. For the main course we ordered the vegetable paella and the ropa vieja. The food and atmosphere at Cuba Libre were all top notch and I highly recommend giving it a try!

    (5)

  • Anjelica P.

    Amazing food!! Last time I was there I got the tour of Cuba which was $55 and so worth it. No complaints what so ever. Everything was delicious!! I loved my drinks and how they give you the reciept in a cigar box.

    (5)

  • Brandon C.

    Food was fantastic. We ordered the mixed grill while the other couple ordered 2 main dishes. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The empanadas were also very delicious. Can get a little pricey for just an average night out, but worth the money overall. We will be returning with a larger group later this year.

    (5)

  • Jamell G.

    Cubans are known for their black beans and these were almost there but missing something. Maybe an off day. My crochetas were super mushy in the inside. I think they may have still been raw or badly cooked. I loved the mojitos, the live band, and the atmosphere. I'm definitely going back another time Cuz overall I had a great time.

    (4)

  • Bob T.

    Very very professional waitress and manager. Very patient. Food was excellent. Will return again.

    (5)

  • Erika Y.

    My friends and I came here for a girls night out. We ordered appetizers to share and ended up staying afterwards for dancing and music. We ordered drinks, guacamole with sweet plantain chips, chicharrones, papa rellenos, and spring rolls. The food was over-priced and didn't taste all that good. My drink was alright, but I had to return my first drink because it tasted like there was no alcohol in it. The music, however, was on point. Overall, it was a good night because I had good company!

    (3)

  • Beatrice P.

    Birthday celebrant enjoyed the moment here. Although experience is different in every person, I find this restaurant very trendy and the lounge setting to be fun. The food is VERY SCRUMPTIOUS! Keep the receipt to come back for the lounge/bar scene. The server was accommodating and attentive.

    (5)

  • Elsa V.

    I'm more impressed with this restaurant than ever the service and the food were both great no complaints all good really felt like i was in a fine dining establishment can't say enough great things about last nights experience

    (5)

  • Brian Z.

    After having a horrible start to the night at The Palm, my wife and I came here for dinner. Even though they were not that busy the food and service were excellent. We started off with some small plates and then we had the skirt steak. Everything was cooked to perfection and the waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. Prices are also very reasonable. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a reasonably priced food option where everything is done right!

    (5)

  • Dominic M.

    Onions deep fried in an onion with a side of onion. That's Cuba Libre. Got one of the more expensive entrees with skirt steak. I could cook you up a better steak in my backyard. Everything was doused in onions and acidity. Nothing to balance it out. Came with some giant watercress salad fit for a rabbit. The Guac was okay, if you like onions. Staff was nice but a bit slow. Expensive at around $60 a head. I won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Mallisa A.

    So me and the wife been here few times the food is amazing let me tell you. Service staff is ok! They could be better I don't like when they try to push food and drinks on you that I'm not even interesting in. It's there job I guess I dunno. We always get the steak with watercrest and mash potatoes. Side of rice or plantain which you gotta pay portions are small guys!!! But worth it, the bread with mango spread they give you when you sit is to die for.

    (4)

  • Kru K.

    Was here last Saturday night for dinner to celebrate my Frnds bachelorette party. The server was really good and walked us through the menu.... We shared a bunch of different things and loved the food. The vegetarian paella was also awesome.... Very very flavorful food and good drinks... Had a wonderful time... The restaurant is really spacious and great for big groups!

    (4)

  • Marcos S.

    AMAZING!!! DELICIOUS!!! WONDERFUL!! BRAVO!!! i loved this place. i have been here 5 times. This is my favorite place to dine when i am in AC. The food is amazing. i recommend the Lechon with salsa de mojo. The bread!! the bread is also the best. After dinner on The weekends it turns into a nightclub. The dj plays good music. I went with my fiance here and we danced the night away.

    (5)

  • Jessica R.

    Great atmosphere perfect for a date night or a girls night out! They make an amazing mojito all different flavors. I got the skirt steak it was delicious. I was very impressed later it turned into a night club and the people partying taught me how to salsa what a great night I had!

    (5)

  • Alina K.

    Amazing food! The Paella was pretty darn good but remember it's only for person. Usually paellas are for two but this one is only for one person. I wish I ordered another one and didn't share it because it was soooo good. It's a pricey restaurant but absolutely worth it

    (5)

  • Joe K.

    My wife and I came to Atlantic City not knowing that we would find our new favorite restaurant! Cuba Libre is the best bang for the buck I have ever eaten at. My wife had the 15 tastes of Cuba and I had the Seafood Paella. Both were amazing. I would say 15 tastes is the way to go. It could honestly feed two people. The flavors of the appetizers and entrees were so distinct and unique. We wouldn't finish everything so we had to box the leftovers. We also had a coconut mojito which was delicious. If I had to eat one last meal before I died, it would be the 15 tastes of Cuba.

    (5)

  • Benjamin M.

    Three stars for the food and one star for the mango cinnamon butter alone. While at the Tropicana, I decided to break away from my usual lunch spots and try Cuba Libre. There was no one at the bar, so I figured I should give the bartender something to do. The first thing he did was make me a delicious Margarijito. Not sure if it was 8 oz. for $12.00 kinda delicious, but very good. He then went over some of the highlights on their weekend Brunch menu with me and I decided on the Cuba Libre Chicharrones, a unique meat dish blend of pork, chicken and beef. As I waited for the meal, I fell in love with the butter served with a small basket of toasted bread. I probably would have been content just sitting there and spreading and eating that the rest of the time there. The bartender said some people return just to eat that sometimes. I have no doubt; so sweet and so tasty! Although the food and service were very good, I think their prices are a little inflated, even despite being located in the casino resort. But it is something different from the norm and worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Nelvin J.

    So much fun! Such a cool staff and amazing indoor decor. Felt like I was really in another country. The drinks are stellar. But the good.. Wow. I hardly ever give 5 stars. The ropa vieja and skirt steak were cooked so well. So tender and juicy. Might be the best I've had! I want more. Mmm

    (5)

  • Jennifer T.

    *empanada (chicken=corn, sweet peppers and Jack cheese, this was pretty good and I thought that the flavor was nice, not too cheesey; pulled pork= roasted poblano and charred tomatoes, I really really liked the pulled pork; my big complaint about this dish is that it was $13 for 2 pieces!!!!! that is really expensive, the quality of the empanada was good so it was almost worth it; this dish also came with a baby spinach salad with ranch dressing and this tomato relish that was SOOO GOOD!!! I loved that!) * El Cubano (Classic pressed Cuban sandwich, Ybor City style; Sour orange marinated pork loin, Genoa salami, ham; provolone and Swiss cheese. Yellow mustard-pickle relish. House salad and tropical chips; I liked this sandwich, I though that the ham and pork were decent altough I would have appreciated more pork; the flavors were decent but definitely the mustard relish needed a little help, there should have been more mustard in this sandwich; not the best Cuban sandwich and I was expected it to be better considering this thing costs $16.50); *tres leches cake (OMG!!!! I loved this!!!! the milk/cream were super tasty, not too sweet; the cake was perfectly soaked in the milks; the mocha mousse that was on top of the cake was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!!!!!!!!!! omg, they had espresso beans crushed and sprinkled around the plate; ugh, it was one of the best desserts *Miami Hurricane (Cruzan Black Cherry Rum, Three Olives Orange Vodka, pineapple juice, cranberry juice; omg, this tasted like Hawaiian punch, it was delicious and this is when drinks can get dangerous, I loved this drink The service was fabulous at this restaurant, our waiter Andres, put a candle in our cake to celebrate our graduation, too funny! the decor is cute and makes it feel islandy, the food is definitely on the pricey side which is a slight turn off but I think you're paying for the atmosphere

    (3)

  • Antonia M.

    I was wary about going here because of the mixed reviews. But I am soooooooo glad I went. By far the best churrasco I ever had. Everything we had was delicious. My new favorite restaurant in AC. Love it!

    (5)

  • Ruben Q.

    Cuba Libre- Free Cuba, the decor from the entrance to inside is awesome. the fact that its located in the Tropicana Hotel is even better... the best time to eat here would be when its not crowded. The meal i ordered seem like it was pre-made and had no flavor, to bland..the fried plantains seem to be premade as well that was very obvious. they need to assign less table to these Waiter's cant provide good customer service. They are overworked... Drinks were pretty good and the appetizer"empanadas" the beef was very dry. Maybe they were having an off night? I'm willing to give them another try... the music inside was awesome...

    (3)

  • Stan S.

    Tasty Cuban spot in Atlantic City. Great cocktails, a bit expensive but hey, it's AC. All the meats we had were great, perfectly seasoned and served medium-rare just as I like it. The dipping sauces for the various meats were also great, everyone at the table was impressed. Service was absolutely fantastic and very very helpful on selecting items from the menu. I would definitely return in the future, just not when they're doing a loud salsa thing-a-ma-jig.

    (4)

  • Samantha L.

    I almost didn't eat here because of some recent bad reviews. However, I'm glad that I did. My boyfriend really wanted to have his birthday dinner at Cuba Libre and, luckily, we were not disappointed. I had two empanadas as an appetizer- they were both delicious. They came with a delicious dipping sauce, and the presentation was also very nice. I had the ropa vieja as an entree and it was amazing! I also tried an orange mojito, which was very good. My boyfriend had the rib appetizer and the arroz con pollo entree with the mojito sampler. He loved everything. We also had great service. Our waitress was lovely and was very helpful in giving us suggestions. The restaurant is beautiful, which is a plus. I would definitely eat here again.

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    I was seated immediately, they were closing in about an hour or so. The waitress was quick but busy. The drinks were horrible even though they looked great! Appearance isn't everything i guess I ordered a strawberry mojito and it tasted disgusting so I decided let me give them another try so I ordered a sex on the beach but nope even worse! I just stuck with water. The food was okay and bearable. I won't return here again

    (1)

  • Aparna P.

    Great service. Loved the ambience and the food. Not so friendly staff, but majority were good. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a place to get away for an evening with a group of friends. P.S. Yuca fries and Guacamole stole the show.

    (4)

  • Kirsten J.

    Ciaprihana drinks are great, the house made one was my fave. Also had an app at the bar, best guacamole ever!!! So good. I'd love to go back & have dinner.

    (5)

  • Barbara S.

    Beautiful restaurant. I've never been to Havana but I can imagine it being just like the restaurant's design. The bread was toasted and buttery and instead of butter or olive oil they served a scoop of a sweet, coconut, dulce de leche type of spread. I was very surprised by it. It was delicious and went very well with the bread. The rose moscato was indeed fruity and floral. The vegetarian ravioli left much to be desired. I don't know why but I just didn't feel satisfied. I'd come back on the weekend when they turn this restaurant into a dance club but I wouldn't count too much on the food.

    (4)

  • Kerry C.

    Great atmosphere, great food and awesome service. We weren't sure what to expect as first timers but we loved it! I had the seafood paella which was delicious! The coconut mojito was a little different-but still yummy.

    (5)

  • L K.

    The staff is wonderful, the ambiance is romantic and the food is to die for. We both ordered the 15 tastes of Cuba and couldn't have been happier. Everything was delicious. Especially the potato balls filled with ground beef. I forget what they were called but they were great. And the drinks were equally delicious and interesting. I had the mango mojito and my dining partner had the honey ginger caipirinha. The caipirinha is a big kick in a tiny glass. We had a great busser and I tipped her separately. As a thank you the beverage manager bought us a round of drinks on the house. A great way to start our AC vacation.

    (5)

  • Serena B.

    I think the drinks and the bread & (mango?) butter are the best part of this restaurant. I didn't particularly enjoy the dimly-lit dining room, it could stand for a bit more lighting. For my main dish, I ordered the fricase de pollo. First of all, there were a few small bones in it, but the waiter was not coming around frequently enough for me to complain, so I just went with it. The cheese fondue on top was not the consistency I was expecting. It was more like a goopy mess than a deliciously gooey cheese. The yuca fritas my friend ordered were delicious though. The cuban sandwiches were a good size, but the "tropical chips" were bland, as well as the accompanying sauce. Overall, it was edible but not amazing.

    (3)

  • Guy P.

    Good food very good service! Try the black bean hummes!:)

    (4)

  • Jeremy M.

    Pulled pork and black bean hummus were awesome. Nice strong drinks. Great evening with good friends. Go, you won't regret it....

    (4)

  • Alison G.

    Excellent food - that's the 4 stars. Our waitress was stretched to the limit due to a neighboring large group - we felt we were often forgotten about. Cuban food is so different from other Hispanic food - delightfully flavorful without needing to be overly spicy. Unique flavors - but flavors that anyone would like, I feel. The restaurant is very dark - the waitress even had a tiny flashlight for us to use to read the menu - not good! If you have a lighting problem - fix it! People like cozy, darkened venues but please, one needs to be able to see the food! I had a Cuban pressed sandwich with interesting accompaniments - chips that were plantains plus some other kind of chip. My husband had a skirt stake stew that had tremendous flavor. A good meal but thank goodness we weren't in a rush!

    (4)

  • Aby M.

    Everytime I hear of Cuba Libre all I think of is Mango butter. I've been going here for years and I've introduced as many people as I can to the 'heaven' that is mango butter. The food is delicious and I've always enjoyed myself at this restaurant. This is a priority everytime I go to Atlantic city. I'm sad that it is not in NYC but then makes the wait that much more worthwhile. Its definitely worth a try. After dinner it becomes latin night...and then you can the party started.

    (5)

  • Eric L.

    The food here was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The mango butter and bread was fantastic and probably the best part of the whole meal. I had the skirt steak which was pretty good. My girlfriend had the Ariz con pollo which turned out to be a little bland. The chocolate cake we had for desert was great, but the rum in the banana cake was so strong that it was basically like doing a shot every bite. The one thing I do feel inclined to comment on is that my girlfriend ordered a glass of wine, tried it and it tasted a little sour. She then ordered another drink within about 2 min. Not only did the waiter not offer to remove it from the check, but didn't ask if there was anything wrong with it. That's some basic server etiquette. Removing it from the bill isn't required, but catching that the customer ordered 2 drinks one after the other should be.

    (3)

  • Sue Z.

    Great food. Prices arent too bad either and the place itself is very pretty. If you like to dance also a great place. Service is always very good as well. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Tom H.

    I highly recommend for a group party. Held my brother's bachelor party here for 13 guys. Did the the pri fixe menu with 2 hour open bar. Worth every penny and made it easier to divide up at the end. I understand what people are saying about the sales director at this place. When you speak to hear on the phone it seems like you are bothering her. Just remind her you are spending $1000-$2000 at her place of business and to remember customer service. I wont give a less star due to her personality. I will say that she did make sure we had everything we needed during the time of the dinner. She came around a few times to make sure everything was going well. If you do a group party you also get free admission to the Cuba Libre club afterwards. Great music and dancing! especially if you like latin music. I would recommend and will go back again.

    (5)

  • Erika R.

    This review is for the bar. I did not eat dinner here so I can't comment on the food. But the drinks sucked. The bartenders measure everything. Which I understand is ok for some drinks. But not for all. When the bar is packed I always tip the bartender really well so they don't forget about me. I ordered a Sapphire and tonic along with 4 other drinks for my girls. My drink was all tonic. When I asked the bartender to for a little extra sapphire, he said he's not allowed to. Really?? I just took really good care of you and can't accommodate me? He then tells me that it's the managements policy and that he could lose his job. I didn't even finish my drink and left soon after. If the drinks were like 5 bucks I would not have cared. But they were 11-15 bucks a pop. Never again!

    (2)

  • Eliot G.

    The best mojitos period! Pick any one of them as pretty much we did. Service was friendly we opted for one each of the empanadas, but have to say the cuban spring rolls stole the show!

    (5)

  • J V.

    Ate dinner at this location last night and the overall experience was not worth the expense. Ordered drinks, tapas and dinner. The mojito was okay, not particularly flavorful despite the description of fresh fruit flavors and pressed sugar cane and mint. The tapas were bland (yuca fries and mussels) however the portions for the tapas prices were fair. The gaucho dinner for two was overly salty and the meat overall was overcooked and dry, especially the steak that was requested to be medium and it was clearly well done. The chicken was the exception, it was flavorful and tender. The onion rings were a huge disappointment considering it is the only item accompanying a huge portion of meat. The breading was soggy and not at all crisp. The three sauces provided with the gaucho special were a nice variety. The restaurant service was okay, the waiter was attentive initially, however we had arrived early and as the restaurant became busy he was distracted with other tables that didn't seem to be near our area. Overall, most likely would not return.

    (2)

  • Alicia O.

    Last year, I went to Cuba Libre in Philly. It was during restaurant week and I had delicious food and raved about the mojitos and the bread with mango butter. I wish I had a similar experience at Cuba Libre in Atlantic City, but I didn't. Don't get me wrong, the food isn't horrible. It's ok, but ok food shouldn't cost $30 a plate. Plus the appetizer we got cost $26 and it definitely was not worth $26. The bread and mango butter came out cold, so it wasn't as delicious as the warm bread and butter I had in Philly. The restaurant is also so noisy, so it's impossible to have a conversation without screaming "Huh? What?" across the table. It didn't help that our server always stood across the table when he came over. He was telling us about specials, etc. and I could barely hear him. Thankfully, the mojitos are still delicious. They're $10 so I can only afford one, but delicious.

    (2)

  • Cp S.

    We were there Sunday night and we were not impressed. They were over soliciatous; every 2 minutes someone stopped by and asked if everything was okay. We were so rushed; the bus girl constantly came to our table, trying to take plates away. Other than the appetizer, the arepa - the food was not good. My pollo and arroz was so salty - my feet are stil swollen; The white wine sangria was not good and overpriced. We will not be going there again.

    (2)

  • Pasquale R.

    Holy Christmas this place was terrible! Food and service were the worst I have experienced in a while! Never going back.

    (1)

  • Mary W.

    I went to Cuba Libre yesterday for the seafood soup. I have never been to the restaurant and didn't know what to expect. The seafood soup was the best I have ever had. For $13.50 the Sopa Levanta Muerto ("Raise the Dead Soup") was overflowing with crabmeat, Baja bay scallops, shrimp and mussels. It had a coconut milk "Chino-Cubano" broth. The seafood was very fresh and the broth was out of this world good. It just doesn't get any better than this.

    (5)

  • Elsy S.

    After having a delicious appetizer, the entree was horrible. The plate was hot but the food was cold. I had the churrasco steak and my husband had the vaca frita. His was lukewarm at most. After complaining and ordering something else, it was horrible. I ordered the arroz con pollo and it looked like mush oh and the chicken was cold. It was horrible. To add insult to injury when we got the bill they hadn't removed the churrasco steak! Never going back...

    (1)

  • Erin M.

    This is NOT authentic Cuban food, but I'm sure those who don't know the difference will love it. The food is not bad, just disappointing if you know Cuban food. A true Cuban place would be too proud to serve Peruvian and Brazilian cocktails and coffee with Mexican names. You may think that's wrong, but that's just the way it is. Thank God the music wasn't a loop of Gloria Estefan tracks...

    (2)

  • Bernadette O.

    The food is excellent. The service is excellent. Portion size is average so plan on soup, appetizer and entree. The bread is the best and is served buttered with a side of homemade mango cinnamon butter that is delicious. The seafood soup at $13.00 is pricey but delicious. This is definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Robin S.

    Great place. On a weekend night, get seated within 15 minutes without a reservation. Food came out really quick as well, and tasted amazing. The only thing was it was really dark in there and you could barely see the menus, I guess that is the type of atmosphere they are going for, but the candle light from the table is not enough to read a complete menu.

    (4)

  • Derick R.

    3 1/2 is more appropriate but 4 just wouldn't be as accurate. Had a great time here last weekend, Ive never been for dinner only the nightlife. As far as reliability this spot is as solid as they come. Ive never had a bad time here, the decor is nice from what I noticed by didn't pay that much attention honestly. Two floors, first floor is mostly Latin music, it was a bit packed but manageable. The bartenders are busy, but if you stand by the register all the bartenders will have to eventually get to you. Upstairs was the reason I had such a great time there. DJ was spinning all Top 40, HipHop, and a lil R&B classics. The crowd was a good mix of young and old but everyone was classy. Gorgeous women too btw. I dint remember the price of drinx but they weren't anymore expensive than the normal expensive AC prices. Of all the spots Tropicana has to offer this seems to be the most consistent music/party wise. Like I said... solid! Paid $20 to get in, it was Labor Day weekend tho, I think its usually much less.

    (3)

  • Phillip B.

    Nice experience at Cuban Libre today. I went at a slow time so we were sat right away. Our server was very good and made sure that our drinks were filled. Out food was delivered to the table very fast. They do not have a kids menu, but they do have chicken fingers and fries. I had the Cuban sandwich that was one of the best I have had. I also had a Mojito which was very good. The price is about what I would expect to pay at a restaurant within a casino.

    (4)

  • Charlene E.

    Celebrate my bday here with 3 friends...called @ 830p to make reservation for 9p. Got there @ 845p, tried to get seated but had to wait until 9p. When we walked in, the place was 1/2 empty...so why did we have to wait??? By the way, I hope you have a flashlight app on your phone, its so dark u cant read the menu, the waitress pulled out a flashlight haha. When I called they gave me a whole shpeel of rules...guys are only allowed to wear collared shirts, no tshirts, no jeans, no sneakers, must be dress shoes, everyone has to be 21. When we entered, I saw a group of kids seated the same time as us, guys in sneakers, tshirts, sports jerseys & jeans WTH. Cocktail were okay, nice list of caipirinhas, martinis, rums, and mojitos. The Berry caipirinha & grilled pineapple mojito was good. Food: Cuban bread w/ mango butter was so delcious I wanted to ask for more. I ordered the 15 tastes of cuba tasting menu. We asked if its enough to share for 2 ppl, she strongly suggested its only enough for 1 since each taste is 1-1.5 oz of food. Boy was she wrong. As the brought out the food I was overwhelmed by the amount, I couldnt sit there & take my time to savour each taste. They rushed the remainder of the plates. Not much to remember, black bean hummus & mushroom escabeche dips were tasty. Empanada, vaca frita & scallop marinated in citrus was okay, the guava bbq ribs were my favorite, the sauce was awesome, but ribs were not fall off bone tender. Cod fritter, lobster flavored squid ink rice, mahi, 3 desserts were meh & forgettable... I would definately come back for cocktails, mango butter & bread, and guava ribs.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    We ate in the bar/lounge so we could take advantage of the $8.00 per item tapas menu during Happy Hour. The food was exceptional. We went to town trying just about everything on the menu. We've eaten at their location in Old City twice and both times left unsatisfied - but that was 5 to 6 years ago. Anyway, this time we couldn't have had a better experience. The drinks were very good too - and cheap during Happy Hour. We would go back in a flash.

    (5)

  • Jasmin T.

    Deliciously flavorful food and fantastic service!

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    The Tropicana is much more of a modern day Vegas-style casino than many of the other hotels on the strip. Inside you'll find several restaurants/clubs such as this one: Cube Libre. The decor is going for a manufactured Havana look and it feels a bit Disney (aka faked). I was here on Friday night and the dance floor was packed with people moving to latin beats. Drinks were fine and the sketch factor wasn't as high as on the streets outside; don't go in with high expectations and you'll be just fine. Haven't tried the food.

    (3)

  • Patrick H.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia is a place called "Pasion". Truly extraordinary Nuevo Latino cuisine! So we were positively 'fit to be tied" with excitment when we learned the Chef Pernot, the brainchild behind "Pasion" had opened Cuba Libre, at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. Housed within "The Quarter", the Tropicana's new indoor shopping and dining experience designed to resemble a Caribean Island shopping district, the space is remarkable, if not a little Disneyesque. Definitely worth a stop if you are up AC way. Cuba Libre is equally impressive in it's decor and ambiance. Soaring cielings, slow moving wicker fans, wrought iron and marble all adding the illusion that you have been transported to Havana. The food alas, doesn't quite compare to "Pasion". Perhaps this is all too "grand scale" to pull of that sort of perfection. Still, this was an enjoyable dining experience. We started with Mojitos, Peach and Mango. Both were appropriately sweet and limey and delicious. For apps we had the Arepas and the Ceviche. Kudos for the drama in the dishes, the ceviche came out in a bowl over dry ice. The dry ice spewing out a lovely fog all around the dish. The Arepa was filled with a nice stewed pork, cheese and served with a creamy chipotle sauce. Very tasty. For entrees, we had the grilled shrimp in mango bbq with a quinoa stuffed chili relleno. Very good but not a show stopper. I had the sea bass with Cuban style fried rice and micro green salad. The fish was served tail on. I found the skin to be a little fishy and the chili sauce it was served with was very watery and frankly, a little too acerbic. The fried rice however, was right on the money and made even more delicious by the addition of fresh fried okra. We split dessert. Banana tres leches cake with caramelized bananas and chocolate mousse. If you are a fan of tres leches cake, you would like this one. It was done very well. All in all, I would give this place a thumbs up, and if I hadn't been to Pernot's master location in Philly, I might turn in a better review, but since I know better, I know that Pernot should know better too. I'll stick with his "Pasion".

    (4)

  • Marc L.

    Cuba Libre is located in The Quarter at the Tropicana. I don't gamble at the Tropicana much, but I eat here often on trips to the Atlantic City boardwalk. Overall the service, the food....everything was excellent. I don't tend to eat spanish food too often, but the desire for sangria helped me make this decision. Dinner started with a pitcher of sangria. A friend had one of the many mojitos. The sangria was excellent, but not the best I've ever had. Our appetizer was a great sampler called plato cha cha cha. I don't eat beans, but everything I tried was awesome. It was a nice tease for what I had in store for dinner which was another sampler. I can't remember the name or find it on the website, but it had both pork and skirt steak. It was fantastic and a huge portion. I didn't have any rice and was stuffed. No dessert was needed. The meal was great and I will come back formore sangria and another sampling of food! Cuba Libre doesn't get a higher rating since I don't eat much of what's on the menu.

    (3)

  • Hannah D.

    Our first AC dining experience! The staff was extremely helpful and courteous. We mentioned that it was our honeymoon and they brought us free shots! I have never seen such a large number of specialized and delicious rums. I enjoyed a Dark and Stormy and my husband had a Cuba Libre.

    (4)

  • Samantha S.

    I had been to the Cuba Libre in Philly for drinks, and loved the bread with mango butter, which the bartender served to my family at the bar upon request. When I saw they had one in AC, my boyfriend and I stopped in for some drinks at the bar, and we asked the female bartender for a basket of the bread because we'd so enjoyed it in Philly. She told us she couldn't give us any because we weren't purchasing an entree, which seemed unaccomodating to me. We definitely were planning on staying for several drinks, but left after one round because she was rather unpleasant. The drinks were great, but I was unimpressed with the service. Won't return.

    (2)

  • Din L.

    15 small dishes for $39 is pretty good value and the food is good. Also tried the skirt steak which is very well seasoned. The chicken rice is so tasty. My favorite is the seafood soup which has really fresh and great seafood ingredients.It is a must try in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Karen P.

    Love this place! The best mojitos and tasty food. Went here Saturday night as a beginning stop and dinner for a friends bachlorette party. The decor is fun and lively and was just what we needed to get things going for the evening. Food and drinks were served quickly and our party was well taken care of. I would highly recommend to anyone!

    (5)

  • Jason R.

    The food here is amazing its the best cuban food i've had outside of Miami. I will travel the distance to eat at Cuba Libre. My friends decided to take me here for my birthday (me being cuban and all) they latered confessed they were a bit nervous since everytime we go out in the City for cuban food I'm never satisfied. But I couldn't stop talking about how amazing the food was. We decided to try the tasting menu and it was out of this world amazing. The only thing that I didn't like was the salmon w/ mango sauce. Kind of wierd, but I looked past it because everything was so delicious. I've been back a few times but only to the bar. Great bar to hang out in and get away for a casino for awhile. The drinks here are always strong. They have the signature mojito here that will knock you out.

    (5)

  • Malay P.

    Took my date here a few weeks back. I think its your typical AC restaurant located in the Quarter @ the Trop. The menu was extensive, but there were VERY limited vegetarian meals. I had the Sea Bass, it was well cooked, but there was not much taste in the fish, or in the rice it came with. Drinks were good, the first place I found a Guava Mojito, love guavas and the drink was well made. Cost was a little high for the quality of food, but i think that can be expected in most AC restaurants.

    (3)

  • Jose H.

    Off to a great start the bar server is amazing he well knowledge on his menu and the food is really amazing my hat off to the chef and pioneer of these wonderful establishment

    (5)

  • Matt E.

    I was actually very happy with my Cuba Libre experience. From the atmosphere and service to the food. I could have used the prices to be a lower but otherwise I had a great meal with my friends here. For an entree I went with two appetizers as I couldn't resist ordering the seafood soup ($14) and three empanadas ($15). They start each table off with hot buttered and toasted bread with extra mango butter which is amazing. Our table ordered a couple pitchers of sangria which was a big hit as well. In terms of the seafood soup it had an incredible flavor and all the various seafood ingredients were cooked to perfection. I almost shed a tear when the bowl was empty. The empanadas were completely stuffed and fried perfectly. Nothing was greasy and the textures and flavors were again, perfect. I ordered two of the chicken,corn, and monteray jack empanadas and one of the pulled pork, roasted poblano, and charred tomato empanadas. The two other options are a vegetarian option (who cares what's in it), and a ground beef. I would have gone with the beef as well but that includes olives, and who needs olives? I certainly don't. Everyone at the table also seemed to enjoy their meals except perhaps my friend who ordered the Cuban sandwich which looked like they skimped on the fillings for such a pricey sandwich. Anyway this was a beautiful restaurant within Tropicana and I would definitely recommend coming here, especially if you ordered what I got.

    (4)

  • Abraham R.

    Server made us very uncomfortable by being pushy with suggestions. We ordered our steak well done and got a medium rare. They took the steak back into the kitchen and proceeded to recook the meat, returning with a piece of steak that was well overcooked and looked like a piece of charcoal and was too charred. When we brought it to the manager's attention, she apologized and provided free desert. By this time, our evening and anniversary dinner was ruined. Very disappointed in our experience, especially for how much we spent, only to leave feeling ripped off. Waiter also made mistakes with the couple at the table next to us as well.

    (1)

  • Olivia H.

    Food and service were very good. Classic mojito was delicious, the lochon saltado had great flavor and went perfectly with the fried plantains. The bartender and server were very friendly and attentive

    (4)

  • Kylie W.

    AMAZING! I've never been before and I would come back in a heart beat. Mixed grill and mojito were awesome!! So was Ryan our waiter. He was spot on. Highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Thai J.

    This place was more so hype for me than an actual good time. I had been to the Cuba Libre in DC and had hoped to see similar items on the menu like bottomless mimosas for an hour at brunch or the panqueques with bacon. Unfortunately, I was quickly told that each restaurant has their own menu... I had the mussels and a cheese dip which was really good. The service however was subpar. We had to ask for water and our waitress seemed overwhelmed despite the fact that it was not busy in the restaurant. Over all, I would not come here again... Just not what I wanted... Will def visit the DC one again...

    (3)

  • Ann N.

    Love! It's in the Tropicana, probably the best restaurants in there. I've eaten her 3 times and not a single complaint. The food is unique and authentic Cuban cuisine. Drinks are fantastic I usually get a mojito. Service is quick and friendly. Price in is average. Overall a must experience at least once.

    (5)

  • Eddie R.

    I made 8 pm reservations last night for dinner and was told by the hostess to be punctual because I had a large party. I was also told that everyone in my party had to be present before we can be seated and if we weren't there on time, then they would not be able to hold our table. I understand, fair enough. We all get there 45 minutes early and I check in with the hostess. She tells me that we cannot be seated until 8pm. I check in again with the hostess around 7:50 just to kind of let her know that we were still there and that we were starving. She tells me they are getting the tables ready. 8pm finally comes and my table is not ready. Hostess tells me to give her 10 minutes. About 15 minutes goes by, still no table. As we are waiting, we notice a few people walking in and sitting down. To find out that they had just walked past the hostess, into the restaurant and were sitting at our table which they didn't realize. Hostess asks them to leave after like 15 minutes of them being there and tells me to give her a few more minutes. It's 8:30pm and we still have no table, we are starving and a few people in our party leave to another restaurant. I tell the hostess that some of us are leaving and she tells me to give her a few minutes. (these are the same people that told me to be punctual). At this point we were all pissed off and we can see our table so we decide to walk in and sit down. As we are sitting down the hostess tells me that our table is not ready and to give her a few more minutes. We pretty much told her that we weren't leaving and sat down anyway. Needless to say service was horrible! I'm not even joking we waited 20 minutes to get our drinks. If I talk about the service I'll be writing for days. Appetizers were good but I've had better. Food wasn't that good. Very salty and way to over priced. I would never come back to this place. It's a shame cause all 20 people in my party felt the same and would never come back. The only reason we all didn't walk out was because the surrounding restaurants didn't have tables of 20 at that time. Beautiful place, bad service, mediocre food.

    (1)

  • Jill S.

    Delicious food and very affordable for the area! We started with the mussles and an order of the shrimp ceviche. The mussles were good, but the ceviche was AMAZING! I chose the seafood paella for an entree and I was very pleased with my choice. Of course you can't leave without trying one of their many rum drinks. I asked my waiter for advice on picking a less sweet drink and he steered me in the right direction. Try a Mojito!

    (4)

  • Taheefa S.

    Amazing atmosphere and food is delicious! I would recommend this place when staying in Atlantic City. Your money is definitely worth while. The appetizer is a simple bread toasted however the butter is made with a mango! How delicious! I asked for it twice again before my actually entree you'll fine yourself doing the same. The meat is very well seasoned. They actually treat you like your in Cuba. The restaurant is a site to see I promised you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Christina S.

    Food is decent, overpriced due to location but enjoyable atmosphere and decent options. Shrimp and corn fundido was a cheesy, gooey bowl of deliciousness. The "dorade a la plancha" , a whole boneless bass, was tender and delicious. Didn't care for the veggie fried rice as it was too salty and what tasted like it had been drenched in soy sauce. Mom got the salmon which she enjoyed and are every last bite. Half pitcher of sangria was good and went down east, providing an easy 6 wine glasses-worth for us to enjoy. Not too strong. Among the options you have at the Trop, give it a try

    (3)

  • Derek C.

    Probably the best food in Atlantic City. Mussels are good quality and in good quantity. Meatballs with pine nuts were particularly memorable and delicious. Great strong sauce. Paella was great as well. Empanadas were good. Chocolate coffee was awesome.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth C.

    I'm not really quite sure how many stars to give for Cuba libre..it's definitely not a five but it's between 3 and 4....I lived in the Miami area for a while and I also visited Cuba so I know what authentic Cuban food taste like and even though this restaurant does a really well job with their meals it is not in anyway authentic..i've never had any meal here that disappointed me they have their own take on Cuban food but is always very delicious...as far as hanging out there once the kitchen closes to listen to music and dance and drink it just gets way too crowded in there to the point where it becomes uncomfortable it's impossible to get drinks at a certain point and the drinks are quite pricey... I have been to this certain location many many times so it's obviously worth going to but as far as hanging out at night I don't know if I will do that again it's just too hectic

    (4)

  • Katerín F.

    The night I went, there wasn't a lot of bachata or bachata dancers available... unfortunately. Actually, the DJ spent a long time playing that EDM nonsense than actual Caribbean-latino music. The Caribbean-latino music he did play, however, was great.

    (3)

  • Papa Luke 1.

    I spent my 39th birthday here, and the food and service was excellent. The drink are overpriced, and not so good, but everything else is great. I love the decor at this place. A favorite of mines when in Atlantic City area.

    (4)

  • Veasna H.

    My friends and I had an unfortunate experience at this restaurant on account of discourteous service of the front-of-house staff. We understand that Atlantic City on a busy weekend can be difficult to navigate restaurant-wise but there is a polite way to turn people away and a rude way and unfortunately it was the latter experience. Despite having called in advance regarding a reservation, we met frankly unhelpful service upon arrival at Cuba Libre and opted to choose another restaurant. Would not suggest this spot purely based on service!

    (1)

  • S F.

    I have been to this place several times, and it seems like I have a similar experience everytime. The restaurant is located inside the Tropicana Casino, and as a cardholder, everyone has access to a coupon for 3 courses for only $29.95 (appetizer, entrée, and dessert). Sounds like a great deal, especially when you look at their prices. However, everytime I try to use this coupon, there seems to be an issue. Either I can't use it for lunch, or I can't use it for dinner, or the portions aren't as big... no matter the server, they always seem to have an excuse on why I can't or shouldn't use my coupon. I feel like a second-class customer, when I want to use it, as if I'm doing something wrong. Yeah, their food is pretty good; I would have given them a 4, if I were just rating their food. I've eaten worse Cuban food, and I've also had much better. But, I'm from North Jersey, where there are tons of other Cuban restaurants, so I'll never step into that place ever again. Today was the last straw!! It only allowed me to print one coupon, and my friend forgot his card, so I specifically asked the hostess before going in if I could use the coupon for both of us, since I only had one; she said yes and sat us down. I then asked the waiter for the "special" (reject) menu for the coupon offer, since it is different than the regular menu. He said that it was only for dinner, and that started at 4, but it was only 3:40 in the afternoon. Mind you, no where on the coupon does it say: dinner only, which doesn't even make sense, because lunch should be cheaper than dinner. He then asked a manager, and told us no. He started to see that I was getting upset, so he said he would ask the chef to make it just for us, but at that point it was too late, I got up and left and went to PF Chang's next door... what a difference. I highly recommend PF Chang's, Carmine's, or Broadway Burger, which are all in the same lobby of the casino. Or, if you want to be frustrated during your dinner, then by all means, try this place. Don't say I didn't warn you.

    (1)

  • Mary G.

    This place was pretty amazing because it not only plays sweet Latin music but also has multiple levels and an outside deck. We danced the night away on the main floor and then realized there was also an upstairs section that had totally different dance music. It was fun to move in and out of the different atmospheres. The place was not over crowded.

    (4)

  • Lisa D.

    Went there for restaurant week last night. The food and service were excellent. Our server was fantastic and his recommendations were spot on! We will be back again.

    (5)

  • Bernice N.

    Ok so this was my bf pic. Took him for dinner here for his bday. I have to admit im a little biased because I'm a loyal fan of Havana Central on bdwy uws but this place had awesome decor, good sangria, good but small and pricey appetizers, and food was good as well. I wont stray from havana central again BUT bf loves this place so if u want a good cuban restaurant to go to and you are in AC this is a good choice.

    (3)

  • Stephanie K.

    Went to this place last night for a late dinner and dancing and it was superb! Not only was our waitor Matt attentive and nice, but he knew the menu and was thorough about the details of each plate. I got the pineapple guac tapas, beef picalldio and papa rellena with rice and black beans. AMAZING and authentic spanish food. So tasty and the presentation was appealing also. I would also recommend the coconut mojito and cherry rum drinks. Safe and happy to say we will be returning to this spot!

    (5)

  • Marie D.

    This was different. My 2 small plates were ok. The Mojito was a C, but I like simple syrup, not sugar cane juice. Cute gimmick, but didn't work for me. Good service and decor themey like Disney's Epcot.

    (2)

  • Mike J.

    You walk up to the desk at 7pm on a Saturday night on Labor Day Weekend in Atlantic City with a party of 8 and no reservation. The hostess says, "5 minutes". 5 minutes later we walk through a full restaurant to a private table for 8 near a back bar, roped off for us and settle in for an amazing ride of Cuban cocktails and food. Oscar, our waiter gives us the specials and menu highlights. Cuban cocktails: awesome and widely varied. The guacamole, with plantain chips, is an amazing starter with a strong lime flavor differentiating from this Mexican standard. Similarly the black bean hummus has a background hot pepper background afterburn. Delicious warm Cuban bread with honey/cinnamon butter is served. Mostly we have traditional Cuban fare for dinner and the arroz con pollo with a hard boiled egg, asparagus, olives....truly stuns. Leaching asada and ropa viejo are also well done. All with interesting twists on standards. Remarkably we have room for deserts: a delicious flan and a simple rice pudding garnished with two tasty macaroons. Strong Cuban coffee with steamed coconut milk completes the meal. Excellent meal with a lucky roll of the dice.

    (5)

  • La K.

    3 stars. 2 for food. 5 for service. Went here twice during our stay in AC, once at the bar, and once for dinner. Bartender and waiter were both awesome. Food is not so good. It's not terrible, but it's definitely not good. Too salty, and too oily. Please whatever you do, don't come here expecting authentic Cuban food. Ambience is nice. I kinda felt like I was on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Overall, this is a good place to have drinks before or after dinner, or stop by after 11 on a Friday or Saturday when turns into a night club.

    (3)

  • June N.

    Mochito Mochito Mochito:))) This is my go to mojito place. The grilled pineapple mojito - the best! Also a nice happy hour spot & the food is great.

    (3)

  • Kristin H.

    A co-worker hooked me up with a generous coupon for Cuba Libre, so when we ran into the AC version and while looking for some dinner in the Tropicana, it was like fate had led us there. The hostess was bitchy but our server was super good. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share, which were insanely well made with fresh ingredients and she made sure everything came out when we were ready for them in courses. The scallop ceviche will be memorable as well as Shrimp-Corn Fundido. The coconut mojito was to die for...it went down really fast. I loved the smoothness of the coconut in my glass. The coconut crab fritters were tasty and had a nice texture, but I wasn't in love with the malanga fritters. There just wasn't much going on there for me...it was like a plain, Cuban hushpuppy. Maybe it was too much grease after indulging in the freshness of the appetizers. The atmosphere was nice and Cuban theme-y, but I am still curious to see what it's like in the Philly Cuba Libre.

    (4)

  • Wandamaria r.

    This is my 2nd time at this establishment. 1st time i went to club and i had a blast but 2nd time i went to eat and OH MY GOSH, TERRIBLE,TERRIBLE. we landed up eating here because the restaurant i wanted to eat for my bday celebration was over an hour wait. So we figured cuban/spanish food we can't go wrong, yeah right!!!!!! it was overpriced, small portions , bad taste food and my stomach was hurting afterwards. the waiter at first was cool but when he saw we were trying to buy plates that we can share he kinda treated us wack afterwards. To the point where he took upon himself to not regard an order i made of a half pitcher of sangria and he went and sent a whole pitcher and then the sangria was watered down and basically wack. so don't go to cuba libre to eat spanish food, come to nyc u will find much better cuban food where it will be worthwhile your pocket and your stomach, shooooo

    (1)

  • Roger H.

    Been here a few times..never disappoints..good food..good service..wonderful atmosphere..oh yes and great Mojitos too!

    (5)

  • Joseph V.

    I'm not a big Cuban food eater, but I absolutely live their Cuban sandwich!!! Fantastic.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    The mango/cinnomen butter with mini toasties was good but Im not used to actual butter so I just had just a taste and put the rest down. Too much cholesterol....The cerviche was very refreshing. I wanted something healthy to hopefully somewhat fill mne up before the food comes and it was too hot for soup. I am not a fish person but i figured incorporating a lil fish into my diet is good for me so the combo of fish/shrimp cerviche was good. I was surprised the fish was raw though and I dont do raw but ut was refreshing and there was a decent ratio of shrimp to fish that i was able to pretend the fish wasnt there. Well I ordered the arroz con pollo and i was dissapointed. Ive only had arroze con pollo once in my life so mayby its supposed to be like this (perhas i was spoiled before? dough it) but I was really squinting and picking my way through the rice to find even one mouthful of chicken. Mayby it was doused in chicken broth so they felt they didnt need to out chicken in there. It was like they either shredded the chicken and just mixed it all up or mayby they ran out of chicken because I could bareley find any. I basically order a $22 plate of rice. The only other time I had this dish- there were 2 huge chicken breasts on my plate completeley covered with rice. I was expecting at least 4 to five decent mouthfuls of chicken and I didnt even get one. Well I dont eat rice. Why did I order this? because I expected to eat the chicken, leave the rice, hence is why I started with an appetizer. i f IO want to leave the rice, thats my business....Anyways, I wasnt starving after I finished my meal since I had the cerviche prior but since I dont like to eat after 6ish or so I was ravenous when I woke up the next day. Why? Because I didint get enough to eat. The mojito was good. I mean how can one go wrong with 10 cane. I mean they had a good selection of drinks but its not like I havnt had a decent mojito before.

    (2)

  • Brau L.

    I'm strictly rating their mojitos. My lady is always in search of the best mojito. We can cross this place off the list. I had the classic and my lady had the blueberry mojito. They were both really bad. My lady described her drink as "drinking water with cheap rum." We did not bother finish our drinks. CB has disappointed us twice. Once at their Philly location and now in A.C. CB - step your mojito game up. We are comparing mojitos to Son Cubano's in Manhattan's Meatpacking district. Not too far behind is Cuba in Manhattan as well. They both make great mojitos. We like them strong, right amount of sweet and mint.

    (1)

  • Liz B.

    We had visited Cuba Libre in Orlando a few years ago, so I knew what to expect after our friend wanted to visit this particular location in Atlantic City. We were having lunch, so it wasn't the club atmosphere that we experienced as when we had dinner at the Orlando location. My husband ordered the Sopa Levanta Muerto ("Raise the Dead" seafood soup with crab, scallops, shrimp and mussels), while I ordered Ravioles de Calabaza Vegetarianos (ravilois made from calabaza squash). The AC menu was different from the Orlando menu, but it has been some years since we last visited Orlando. Our friend ordered off-menu and wanted roasted pork, black beans, rice, and plantains, the typical Cuban dish that you would get in Cuba. If she wanted real Cuban food, she wasn't going to get it in AC. She needs to go to FL for the good stuff. The dish that she ordered would have cost much less at a hole-in-the-wall Cuban place somewhere else. Damage for her food was close to $30. We kept our below $20 each. That's why I just ordered from the menu. You don't go to Chevy's or El Torito and expect authentic Mexican. Cuba Libre is not authentic Cuban, just so you know. It's Nuevo Latino.

    (3)

  • Mark P.

    We had a party here in the private upstairs area, and were treated to an excellent evening! My judgement might have been skewed by a dozen Mojitos, but I think 4 stars is the perfect rating here. First off, the atmosphere is very cool. The decorations, lighting and music are a perfect mix (and that is hard to find in Atlantic City). Secondly, especially upstairs, the bar area is very cool with a large round bar with plenty of room to belly up to. The bartenders mixed some great drinks, and the overall prices seemed to be very decent. As far as the food goes, we had a few items buffet style (and I hate to use that term in Atlantic City, but it is what it is). Everything they served was very tasty, with the standout being skewered large scallops in a wonderful tomato based sauce. Well done on all the food. Overall, I would highly recommend this spot for just dinner or a large group like we did. The area for it was perfect, and everything was done very nicely.

    (4)

  • Angela F.

    We came for lunch on a Wednesday around noon. We almost missed out because yelp only shows dinner hours. My mom absolutely loves this restaurant and she was just exuberant knowing we were going. No need for the menu, she knew she wanted the Churrasco! Our server Brian..or was it Ryan? Ah. He was great! Very attentive and engaged with us. Empanadas to start, yum. I have had the seafood paella. I like it, but it is very salty for my taste because I use little salt in my day to day. Love Arroz con Pollo and Ropa Vieja. We shared some tapas and they were mostly a hit, one miss. Maduros are always delicious. Papas Rellenas were very good. I really liked the Grilled Baby Octopus-it was my favorite. I did not like the Coconut Crab Fritters they were over fried and bland. My stepsister is a bartender and normally doesn't care for Mojitos, but she figured if anywhere is going to do it right it's going to be Cuba Libre. And she was right. I love their Cafe Cuba Libre with coconut milk. It is so frothy and delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. Desserts are always good!

    (4)

  • Jay W.

    The bartender was overwhelmed when we were there. He seemed to be taking care of all of the tables, as well as all of the people ordering at bars. I don't think that the situation was handled well. We were asked if we wanted drinks, and then he walked away for ten minutes. It took quite a while to get the drinks that we ordered. We ordered a few small bites, it took a while for them to take our orders for these as well. The mojito was very good. A little sweet for my taste, but perhaps I need to stop drinking mojitos. I was hoping for an interesting list of rums, but the options were pretty typical.

    (2)

  • Alysha J.

    They have the most amazing food. Do not skip the pineapple guacamole. You will regret it. Instead of eating a main course I suggest ordering several tapas. You can experience several smaller played as opposed to one large meal. The entrees are not that interesting. The service is great. Our food came out quick and everything that arrived to our table had an introduction. All the garnishes were edible. An example is the caramelized onions on top of papas rellenos the caramelized onions not only look pretty but complemented the dish

    (4)

  • Jose N.

    Food was great and the restaurants Decour was nice. He felt like you were someone else, with the Decour and the food. Would recommend this to a friend

    (4)

  • Isabel J.

    I have mix emotions about this place. My friends and I came here for appetizers and drinks with the idea of staying until it turns into a club. We shared four appetizers, guacamole, spring rolls, chicharones and papa rellenas. I have to say none where good and I ate them just to eat it. I will not be eating here again since the food is not good at all. Our waitress was super nice and was very good with drink recommendations. Now lets get to the club part, the music was great and a very mix crowd. I would be coming back just to party and have dinner some where else.

    (3)

  • Phil H.

    Killer mojitos and great food! Latin love! Located in The Quarter shopping, entertainment, and dining section of the Tropicana AC it's a good spot to experience some Latino Heeeeat! Cool theme restaurant look without being too cheesy. Kind of a throwback decor to Havana Cuba in the 1950's when it was a nightlife destination of glitz and glamor. Personally, I like these kind of Disney faux-destination looking spots as they are fun to me. Not every place we eat at has to be all upscale, fancy, and serious looking. From the times we have been there we were pleased with the atmosphere and service and the food. No complaints here as we enjoyed the guacamole, chips with a trio of dips, chicharonnes, sweet plantains, black bean soup, malanga fritters, ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, and yuca fries. Of course tres leches cake, flan, and dulce de leche ice cream make good dessert choices. Prices are fair considering it's on a casino property and should be expected to be a little higher. Service has been terrific each time. Grab a late dinner here with a pitcher of mojitos or sangria to get a good buzz on, then hit the floor to shake your groove thang when it turns into a dance club with hot Latin beats. Latino Heeeeeeeeeat!

    (4)

  • Heidy L.

    Everything at this place is F**king delicious !!!! I cannot find any other way to describe it! Everything has FLAVOR! Decor is beautiful. Everything was great! Only thing that upset me was that I was so full I could not fit in any dessert! I had the ceviche de camaron to begin and although it was spicy I still enjoyed it very much! My bf had the maduros con queso manchego that was also super delicious! For my main dis I got the vaca frita and my bf had the skirt steak. I loved my dish he wasnt so crazy about his. Rice and beans was to die forrrrr! We had mojitos which were also delicious but tasted like juice more than an alcoholic beverage. Overall 5 stars :-)

    (5)

  • Natavia H.

    Cuba Libre is so good! The staff were all very nice, and they were very accommodating when we had to push our reservation time back not once, but twice. The decor is festive and on par with their whole Latin, tropical vibe. There is apparently salsa dancing here after a certain hour, but I didn't get to participate this time around. The pineapple guac was unexpected (but good!), and the ropa vieja melted in your mouth. The real standout here, though, was the cuban bread and mango cinnamon butter served to us prior to our meal. Seriously AMAZING! Warm, crispy bread with salty, sweet butter, how can you go wrong? As simple as it was, it was the highlight of my experience here. I would suggest you pass on the drinks; I got a rum punch or something and it tasted like straight up Hi-C fruit punch. My friend's white sangria didn't pack much of a punch, either. But the food and atmosphere both warrant a visit.

    (4)

  • Tania C.

    2. 5 stars for the food 4 stars for the music & dancing part if this evening . Had a late dinner which consisted of Different appetizers; GUACAMOLE - (was not a fan of the pinapple they mixed in. For me it ruined the taste of the avocado) w Plantain chips. CUBAN POTATOE CROQUETTE-This was the one I kind of liked but no enough to ever order it again. Cuban sandwich spring rolls- crispy outer shell w/ pork loin, ham, provolone & swiss cheese. Ehh. and last the CHICHARON. Not a fan. DRINKS- Huge selection to pick from which was good. The club part of the evening was fun with lots of dancing & good Dj mixing great music. Will I ever eat here again? Probably not. I'll just stick to the dancing with a few drinks.

    (3)

  • Dania D.

    My husband and I have visited this Cuba Libre location a few times years ago (pre-kids) and just recently had a date night here again. We're fans of tasting menus and went for the tasting menu featured here and let me just say I was pretty impressed. The tasting menu features "15 tastes" of Cuba. Everything was amazing! From the appetizers to the dessert, the rich flavors were amazing!!! It also turned out to be quite a lot of food. I was incredibly stuffed by the time dessert came around. The passion fruit mojito was also on point. Definitely going to make a return trip next time we're in town.

    (5)

  • Julia C.

    This place is severely overrated. Blah, sub par standard touristy chain restaurant type food. I knew things would be bad when the guacamole was barely edible (not a good sign!). The only saving grace here was the amazing service. Our waiter, Ryan, was super attentive and helpful. Thanks Ryan!

    (2)

  • Fareeda B.

    So my group visited this place twice over our weekend. Once at "The Shack", their mini outside bar area on the second floor, and once inside. The Shack is very small, and a quick in and out type of feel. The bartender was wonderfully pleasant and very helpful when it came to ordering food. The good thing about here is empanadas are 2 for $5..not overpriced like they are regularly. The queso empanada was off the charts, as was the pork. The best part was the dipping sauce. I ordered the ceviche flight with three kinds: shrimp, scallops, and tuna. Tuna and shrimp was extremely good, scallops was ok. We had the special $8.95 frozen mojito and sangria, also very good. Amongst our crew we had the salmon dinner, sangria, etc. All high marks. Now inside, I ordered the ceviche again, but just the tuna. It tasted very blah. I enjoyed it, but compared to the previous day I was extremely disappointed. I had their cheese and shrimp dip, which tasted like melted grocery store cheese with four measly shrimp on top. It wasn't terrible, but I expected more out of the place and was disappointed. I would visit again but my hopes would not be as high. AC has better food offerings.

    (3)

  • Susie S.

    The drinks are amazing, the bartenders are knowledgeable and the appetizers are good - the trio of dips (?) stands out - try it! We've had dinner twice and weren't impressed with the food or the service so we will stick with happy hour and noshie food. The rum drinks are so good and the mojito is insanely tasty - plenty of lime and the right amount of mint. There are many bars to choose from in the Quarter and Cuba Libra is one of only 3 that we like to frequent. Salud!

    (4)

  • Jessi G.

    OVERPRICED. The food was pretty good. But I must say from other experiences it was not my best. We went as a large group and they did attend our needs fast. Not very good for kids honestly.

    (3)

  • Dana L.

    Hostesses need to be retrained in customer service because they are very unprofessional. Came here Sunday August 9th a little after 4pm told hostess number 1 (brown skin, straight hair, wearing a striped dress) we would like a table for 2. She says nothing and looks at her computer screen. Hostess number 2 (short, chubby w/curly hair) comes over and proceeds to have a personal conversation right in front of us with Hostess number 1 instead of seating us. They completely ignore us & don't inform us what is going on if we will be seated or not. Me and my girlfriend look at each other confused. Are they going to seat us or are they going to continue to just talk amongst themselves and ignore us? The restaurant was pretty much empty so they were not waiting for a table to become available. Finally hostess #2 asks us "table for 2" again like we didn't already tell hostess #1 we wanted a table for 2. I'm a little annoyed by now. They look at each other and laugh at each other & roll their eyes like we (paying customers) are bothering them to do their jobs and just seat us. I have never experienced anything like that and I dine out a lot all over the country. It was very awkward and I can't understand why management would put people like that in front of the restaurant to greet customers coming in. I can imagine they make other people feel unwelcome and even drive customers away with their unprofessional attitudes. Other then the terrible experience with the 2 hostesses our waiter was great! I forgot his name but he was very friendly, attentive & knowledgeable about the food. We had 4 appetizers which were all delicious! The pineapple guacamole was also very good and we had a half pitcher of the red sangria that gives you 4 glasses so we both got 2 each and that was pretty good as well. The atmosphere and the decor was nice and I plan on returning whenever I'm back in Atlantic City. Hopefully there will be more professional hostesses in the front. I'd also like to add that hostess #1 tried to sit some customers next to us but the customers wanted to sit at another table instead. She stood with her butt almost directly in my face even though there was room to stand elsewhere (we were sitting against the wall close to the bar in the back). I suspect she was purposely standing close to me because she knew we were annoyed earlier by her behavior and wanted to bring her ghetto immature behavior into a place of business. She was even arguing with the customers about where they wanted to sit and that went on for a few minutes until she finally gave in and let them sit where they wanted. She gave them a big attitude about it though. She needs to be fired or spoken to by management. Why would this place allow someone like that to work with customers?

    (3)

  • Siu N.

    On a relatively warm Christmas night, a party of eight ventured to the Tropicana casino for some Cuban grub. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the hostess, who told us that there were no tables available for a party of our size until 9:30 pm. (We arrived at 8:00 pm.) We were trying to make accommodations for our party (splitting up into two tables, sitting at the bar, etc.) when another guy (the manager?) came out and, after our explanation, said a table would be ready for our whole party in five minutes. Looks of confusion and relief were thrown around, but we were at last seated. Slowly our orders were placed. The sweet red sangria was the best part of the meal, followed by the guacamole (which some said was too tangy from too much lime juice, but I liked) and maduros (because how can you really mess up maduros?). We took our time with the appetizers, but they were finally cleared. Then came the wait - a full 30-40 minutes of sitting with just sangria on the table wondering where our entrees were. Our waiter was nowhere to be seen and only came by once in the last 10 minutes to say "the food is being plated". We seriously considered just canceling our entrees but decided to be courteous and stay. Finally, the entrees came. (I forgot to look at the time, but it must've been 10:00 pm by then.) Sadly, we were unimpressed. My best friend and I split the seafood grill, which came with salmon, mahi mahi, shrimp, mussels, and baby octopus, along with three dipping sauces and a couple of sides. The best thing was the salmon because it was not overcooked; sadly, everything else was. We also tried some other dishes from our party, and most of them were overcooked and extremely salty, especially one of the yellow rice dishes. In the end, there was no apology for the long wait nor a check-up mid-meal to see how everything was. At that moment, it seemed like the Carmine's next door would've been a much better idea. Needless to say, I probably won't be back for the food.

    (2)

  • Manny G.

    Me and my lady were staying at the Tropicana and were up for a late night dinner on my birthday. After a long day of walking, we were starving. We both ordered a mojito. Nice and refreshing. Not too strong. We ordered the tuna ceviche and the pineapple guacamole as appetizers and scarfed them both down. Also had a few slices of their pressed bread with mango butter. Told you we were hungry. My lady ordered the Cubano sandwich, which came with black bean soup and a salad. She loved it. I had the ropa vieja. The meat was so tender and perfectly spiced. I also had white rice and black beans. Couldn't finish all our food so we boxed it up and will eat it later. We still ordered dessert, tres leches cake and café con leche. We needed to be wheeled out of the restaurant. It was a great dinner and our service was superb. Our waiter cleaned our table after each course. Now that's service. :)

    (4)

  • A W.

    We were wandering thru the tropicana and came upon Cuba libre We were snagged by the vintage car at the entrance The wait staff was friendly and helpful. Descriptions of dishes were spot on We shared salad, several tapas and an entree. The taste and variety of the dishes were excellent the half pitcher of sangria complemented the food well I would strongly suggest getting the tapas. The vaca frita was up to the build up of our waiter

    (4)

  • Victoria N.

    Very nice club with a Latin theme. This place has a dress code. Tons of dancing here along with drinks. This place just makes you want to dance. My second time here its a great time and great for meeting people.

    (3)

  • Sarah K.

    The vibe and drinks are the best here. Food was pretty good and service was mediocre at best. We we're pretty sure our server hated us for some reason but after some help from the manager we were okay. I would definitely try this place again I just really want to like it more than I do.

    (4)

  • Wanda N.

    Happy Hour at this place is awesome. The Sangria is really really good. I found the empanada and the chicharron de pollo authentic and delicious. The ceviche was great too. All for $5.00 apiece. YAY! The bartender was amazing. Really attentive. Let us know when happy hour was almost over. BTW, check out the bathrooms. The different doors in the stalls had me squeeling with delight. Beautiful.

    (4)

  • Mo C.

    Cuba Libre is a cozy little restaurant that doubles as a Salsa music bar. As soon as the waiter came to the table, he was on it. He began recommending meals and up selling drinks. My wife and I got a shared food meal with angus, steak, grilled chicken, and shrimp. I wasnt a fan of the grilled chicken or angus but everything else was good including the rice and beans and the kale. Crazy thing is, a roach came jumping out of nowhere. Smh. I killed it but really?? A roach?? I hope that was an isolated incident. After the waiter brought us boxes, it took forever to get the bill. I guess he moved on.

    (2)

  • Gautam T.

    Cuba Libre is a really good option at the Tropicana in AC for several reasons given below. 1) Food is really good and if done correctly can be cost effective. I highly recommend splitting the tasters menu (40/order) between two people, you get basically small portions of the whole menu spend 20 dollars per person and are left at the right kind of full, where you can drink all night, gamble all night and won't feel that late night drunken hunger... Ok you might if you stay up past 4-5. OK so if you're like me you'll probably eat before you sleep. but you get the point. Cost effective and really good food. 2) the vibe in Cuba Libre really sets the tone for the evening! it has a really nice ambiance which energizes you for a long night of partying. I strongly believe in atmosphere and this place has really it; good music that keeps you jiving in your seat while you chew on that crab or shrimp ceviche, really attractive and attentive wait staff and best of all strong drink. 3) Go early. No point coming here to eat at 11 pm. Start off the night at 730-8 with Cuba libre and I gaurantee you your trop experience will be that much better unless you get killed at the casino.

    (4)

  • Marta B.

    I was here with my friends in the weekend. We had a great surprise with the food! We had the Dorada and the Mango shrimps as our waiter suggested. Both of them were very good choices!! We also had the Ceviche Mixto which is very very small but very tasty! The service was very good, our waiter was very nice and professional. The only thing we didn't enjoy that much was the Lava Chocolate Cake... But overall is a very good choice!

    (4)

  • Eamonn C.

    My girlfriend and I ate at the AC Cuba Libre last night, and it was an absolutely terrible experience. We each got the 2 for $16 tapas. She ordered the Grilled Mushroom Escabéche Salad and the Mussels, I ordered the Papas Rellenas and the Octopus....but that is not what we received. When the food came out, an extra order of mussels was delivered instead of the mushroom salad. No big deal, we both love mussels so we decided to live with it. Unfortunately, the mussels were absolutely foul tasting. Many of the mussels in each of our dishes had failed to open up (a sure sign of old mussels), and they had a disgusting fishy taste that totally overwhelmed any flavor from the sauce. The octopus was extremely overdone and inedible...burnt to a crisp on the outside and rubber-band like inside. The papas rellenas were the only tasty thing we received, but they certainly weren't good enough to make up for everything else. On top of the terrible food, the service was downright awful! Our server appeared at our table only twice -- once to greet us in the beginning and once to drop off our wine and take our dinner order. Halfway through our meal the staff began pushing dozens of tables and huge stacks of chairs all around us very noisily. Then a few minutes later, they shut all the lights off upstairs in preparation for the 'night club' that others have spoken of, leaving it so dark that we couldn't even see our plates. We then had to try to flag down another waiter in the dark so that we could get our check and get out of that awful place. All in all, a TOTAL waste of money. Maybe it's a good dance club if you like that kind of thing, but if you're looking for dinner then you'd be better off at McDonald's than this awful restaurant (actually, just go to Carmine's like other reviewers have said, that place is great). All I can say is at least we only went there for a light meal and didn't waste any more money than we did on more expensive dishes.

    (1)

  • Clara R.

    We came here on Halloween night for a quick bote to eat before partying. We shared a couple of dishes and appetizers. The yuca fries are crispy and addicting. The queso empanadas were okay, I don't think I would order them again. I shared the ropa vieja with a friend as it was big enough to do so. We ordered a mojoto pitcher and it cost $55, which I thought was a little too steep. Late at night this restaurant turns into a club. The first floor plays bachata, salsa, and merengue for the most part. The second floor is a lot smaller and plays hip hop music. This restaurant has a fun vibe and would recommend giving it a try when staying at the tropicana.

    (4)

  • Rodolfo T.

    Happy Hour was good. Great service. Yuca fries and Wings were great. Nice Restaurant in the Tropicana

    (4)

  • S C.

    After oh so many times of going to Tropicana, finally decided to try Cuba Libre. My expectations were quite low so when the food arrived, I was extremely pleased. The salmon was perfectly cooked. I can't remember the rest of the names of the food but everything was delicious.

    (5)

  • Andrea P.

    Very very happy with our choice of this restaurant for a birthday dinner. We were in Atlantic City for Labor Day weekend and made reservations for a Sunday night at 9:30. Interestingly they told us this was the first available time, however when we went the restaurant half empty. Aside from the logistical inconvenience I am very pleased with our experience here. We had mango mojitos at the bar while waiting for the rest of our party and they were FABULOUS! Real juice, fresh ingredients and just a great refreshing drink. The service was great, very attentive and responsive to questions. The food was also delicious, especially the little toasted bread they kept bringing to the table. We had the muscles and guac as appetizers, both awesome. I then shared the dinner for two which was a nice variety and all very good. They sang happy birthday to top off the meal which was a nice touch. In addition to the food the vibe of the restaurant was cool, they had good music playing the entire time and it was dimly lit with traditional decor. Great find in Atlantic City for sure!

    (5)

  • Adam D.

    The overall environment here doesn't pale in comparison to the location in Washington, D.C. The D.C. spot makes you feel like you're in Havana. This location is in the mall and it just doesn't have that Cuban vibe. I guess you have to go and see for yourself. But, the quality of the food and drinks seems to match (or at least come close) to the D.C. location. I highly recommend the mango mojito. Delicious. Not a bad place to stop en route to or from the casinos. Just don't expect the same kind of atmosphere at this location if you've been to others.

    (4)

  • Manda D.

    Just recently ate dinner here. The restaurant is located in the Tropicana hotel and as I was a guest there it was very convenient. My group made reservations and were seated quickly, big plus. The restaurant was filled but not loud and it had a very enjoyable ambiance, which I think get's overlooked. I was able to enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant while also being able to converse with my table. This is important because a lot of the AC restaurants are noisy and crowded. Also, you do feel like you're sitting on the beach in Havana. To start they bring you bread and mango cinnamon butter to the table. Very unique and fresh taste and I appreciated the staff. Extremely polite and attentive! My group ordered two orders of the Seafood Paella and one order of the Arzo con Rollo- Roast Chicken and Rice. Everything was delicious! I ate the Paella and it was simply amazing. The saffron rice was moist and fluffy and they drench it in this really tasty sauce. I've had dry Paella and "wet" Paella, the wet ones being when there's a sauce on the rice and I have to say this was the best one I had ever eaten. It came with Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Baby Squid, Octopus and a small filet of Mahi Mahi. For $29 I think that was a generous serving! The fish and the food was all really fresh and every bite was better than the last. At the end of the meal we finished with some coffee because we were all stuffed. The coffee was even good, I think everyone has a personal preference for the type of coffee they like, some like it really dark and others bitter or more sweet, but this was a good cup of Joe. It was a strong cup of coffee with a robust flavor but it didn't overwhelm the palate- it was also delicious. All and all I give this place five stars and two thumbs up, I highly recommend it! You won't regret it, great place for Spanish food in AC.

    (5)

  • Stephanie L.

    I went to Cuba Libre with four girlfriends recently as our dressy night out on an annual get-together weekend. The ambiance has a Latin theme, but you really can't get away from the fact you're at another large AC restaurant. We shared the Crispy Calypso Shrimp & Scallops which were very well done, slightly sweet and cooked perfectly. Honestly like many other reviews we were caught up in the amazing mango butter and Cuban bread until our meals came. The waiter pointed out my Ropa Vieja was the most authentic dish at the table and was on par with what I expected. The portion was good enough. A bit more than I needed, but probably the right size when paired with an appetizer for someone with a bigger appetite. The winner at the table was my friend's paella. Again, not huge, but perfectly seasoned and fluffy rice heaping with a generous portion of shellfish. The chocolate torte we shared for dessert was rich and yummy, but again there was one triumph on the dessert scene. If you're at this restaurant, do yourself a favor and order the Coco-Cream Mocha from the after dinner coffee list. Three of us tried it and the other two ended up jumping on the band wagon after. Probably half a bajillion calories, but nothing a night of dancing can't cure. Service was fair though kitchen time was a bit slow. Probably to be expected with so many guests and large parties. Overall a good place for a bachelorette party or large group celebration. The food is good, but not anything to write home about.

    (3)

  • Luz F.

    GREAT FOOD!! And amazing service. The theme and atmosphere truly contribute to the experience.. We went for the 15 taste menu for 49.00$.. Designed for one but I was able to share with someone else with an additional side of rice and beans. You will love this place! Go for it.

    (5)

  • Rosanna V.

    Fantastic, fantastic food, I would go with the Tapas, as the entrees are pretty common in flavor. The meatball and spring roll Cuban style is a party in your mouth. The atmosphere was so pleasant. Wonderful experience, this time around. Gracia, our waitress is so pleasant. The dancing Is so entertaining. It's a show within itself. All sorts of styles from fancy eloquent couples to single provocative sexy exotic women. Extremely sexy, dressed in good taste or maybe not. But it's the diversity of the locale that gives it a great Ora ! Music is definitely one you cannot stop dancing too. Thanks to the entire staff for allowing me a do over worth my visit to AC.

    (5)

  • Darrell K.

    Not sure what to expect, we walked into Cuba Libre thinking the food was going to be near Mexican style. We were wrong. My ignorance was embarrassing. But you live, you learn. Our meals were tasty. The service was fast, but not necessarily friendly. I guess that happens when you are busy but it's no excuse. They made a mistake and gave us another table's bill, which was much higher. They corrected it. It's a good thing that the food was good; otherwise I might have a much different rating.

    (3)

  • Christina G.

    The food was terrible! The potions were very small. I ordered steak medium and received extra well done, the chicken was dry, and the shrimp was gross. The only decent thing about this place were the drinks.

    (1)

  • Eve H.

    A Priest, a Rabbi, an Indian Tribal Princess, a Gypsy, a Flapper and two Angry Birds walk into Cuba Libre and... That was our party of seven the Saturday before Halloween 2011. We decided to stop at Cuba Libre for dinner, then settle at one of the Halloween parties taking place that night. I ordered the Churrasco a la Cubana and decided to walk on the wild side and order a Passion Fruit Mojito. While I was not impressed with my meal, the Mojitos were very good, so good in fact, the rest of the evening I remember in flashes as if a permanent strobe light was following me around... So good in fact that we ended up staying for the Halloween party at Cuba Libre and that was a blast. We stayed at the bar on the second floor, it was packed with angels, demons and teletubbies all eventually making their way to confession to the one priest in residence. The bartenders whipped up the perfect concoctions and were fast and attentive, and the DJ spinning excellent mixes. It was on our way out towards the end of the night that we noticed that there was a much larger and livelier party taking place on the first floor with Salsa, Merengue, Bachata playing... Everyone up and dancing. We had no choice but stay and joined this other party as well! If Halloween 2012 is a repeat crowd and ambiance at Cuba Libre, if it is, I am there!!! ============================================ This review is for a visit on Saturday, October 29, 2011 This is how I would break down the rating if I could: Mojitos 4 stars Dinner 2 Stars Ambiance (Music and Crowd) 4 Stars

    (3)

  • Pat R.

    My boyfriend and I had a very nice experience this past weekend. Went here on Saturday night with advanced reservation at 9:30 pm. The Hostess was friendly and seated us immediately. Our waiter Eddie was very attentive and pleasant, as he always is when we visit . We started with the Cuba Libre Chicharrones for appetizer, and it was a great choice. For the main course we shared the seafood paella, which I never had from Cuba Libre and it turned out to be VERY good and plentiful. It consisted of various seafood including a generous piece of mahi mahi sitting on top. It was the perfect amount for both of us to share after the appetizer and the great bread they serve with their specialty butter,( mango cinnamon, I think). We ended the meal with a dessert sampler which included mini flan, tres leches, rice pudding and a cookie along with a cup of cafe con leche. Everything was very good and fresh. Th DJ started playing shortly after 11 pm and the dance floor filled up quickly. We ended up staying until about 2 am. We had a great time this weekend, and look forward to coming back again on my next trip to AC.

    (5)

  • Lakira D.

    Do not eat here...waitresses cleared tables and placed dirty dishes right next to our table. Service other than that was ok. Bread and mango butter was tasty...i ordered the steak & sautéed kale & yuca fries. I ordered my steak well done and it was tough, stringy, and virtually flavorless. The kale & yuca fries were delicious. The Chicharrones De La Casa appetizer wasn't anything special. My friend ordered the salmon and it was awful...oily and rubbery with no seasoning at all...not typical of a restaurant claiming Cuban roots...avoid this place...if u want real cuban visit Cuban Pete's in Montclair, NJ

    (1)

  • Michelle A.

    Yummy ..amazing dishes here. Cant believe no reviews have been left here. Back bar Jonathan and Tim made our experience phenomenal! Yay!

    (5)

  • Novella B.

    I came here for my late birthday lunch with some people. We ordered a pitcher of pomegranate mojito and it was so good. When we were looking at the lunch menu, I was hesitate about what to get..it was my first time trying Cuban food. I didn't know what to expect. We ended up getting guacamole and 2 sides of tapas.

    (3)

  • Joseph H.

    The food here is fabulous. The service is friendly & attentive , without standing on top of you as if you are going to run out on the check.The drinks are fabulous & reasonably priced.I did not find the food overly salted, as is the case in many restaurants. The portions are very generous & fairly priced. The warm bread with cinnamon butter is delicious! The restaurant is immaculate, as is the men's & ladies rooms. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because of the configuration of the tables. Not a table in the house offers a corner or booth type seating.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth S.

    OMG! This place is amazing. Not only is the ambiance on point (Makes you feel like your in Cuba), but the food and the drinks just hit the spot! The Mojitos are delish and if you want a drink that is sweet but deadly try the Sunburn.

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    The seafood soup was filled with crab shells and be sure to specify the amount of sugar in your coffee or it will come with a cavity

    (3)

  • Stephanie F.

    Very good Cuban food, heard about this restaurant from trip advisor but didn't think much of it and we looked at the menu and decided to give it a try, so glad we did everything tasted delicious and fresh we had the guacamole to start the GUAC came with plaintain chips so good hit the spot, then I got the chichcironnes, which was good and my boyfriend got the black bean soup and Cuban sandwich which were both very good as well. the Cuban sandwich stood out because it had so much flavor simply delicious, for dessert we had the coconut rice pudding which was amazing it came with a coconut macaronne every thing was so good and the flavor was on point

    (4)

  • Al S.

    Apps: Good. Dinner: Salty as F**k !!! Dessert: Frozen Flan out of a box!?!?!? , Really guys? ...Come on Wont be Back, Turns into some stupid dance revue and club after dinner, Looks like a dumb tourist trap to buy weak ass over priced rum drinks. Gave the second star for the server. P.s. Having 5 Bouncers at the door during dinner service doesn't look appeling

    (2)

  • R.B. D.

    This is the third time I've been to Cuba Libre. The first two were spectacular, this one was not. The food was mediocre at best and appeared to be more of a "heat and eat" meal than in the past. The worst part about this time was the service. The waiter was a nice guy, but was way too overworked to pay any real attention to any table. Having to ask three times for water, drinks, and bread is a definite no-no for any restaurant. Add to that a $300 check for dinner for 4 and I'm done! This is particularly sad because I used to enjoy this restauant very much. It once stood out amongst all the other restauants in the Quarter, but sadly, it's past its prime.

    (2)

  • Laura B.

    I'd give this place a B-. The drinks were delicious-specifically their raspberry mojito. The food is decent. We ordered a bunch of different tapas and the one that really stood out for me was the shrimp and corn. It was absolutely delicious although i wish there was more shrimp in the dish. The guacamole was tasty with sweet mango and pineapple. It is served with plantains, but I wish they had chips too. The waiter recommend the cuban spring rolls, but they my least favorite. The grilled octopus was not great either. It was kind of tough and the seasoning just seemed off. I did not try the ceviche, but the rest of the table really seemed to enjoy it.

    (3)

  • Alexandra G.

    That is my first ever review on Yelp, but I feel like I need to write my "best" comments about this place. Our family was having a nice evening in Atlantic city. And we decided to go for dinner to Cuba libre (it was a bad choice). The food and staff during the dinner was ok. But when we were leaving (after spending more than 300 dollars for dinner) we wanted to pass through the section which they were just starting to turn into a "trying to be fancy" night-club. And the guy did not let us in just to pass through this part of the restaurant because "WE DID NOT HAVE PROPER ATTIRE". I was so shocked to hear that they do not allow their own customers to make the way through the restaurant, and it was more convenient for us this way. I asked him again to clarify: "We cannot just pass through?", and he responded in a very rude manner "No, you can't". I understand that club rules require proper attire and I would definitely understand if they would not let us in if we wanted to go to the night club. However, 1) they were just moving chairs to make a night club, and there was no music or any other people, 2) we have just eaten in this very restaurant, 3) we just wanted to cut through it, and 4) the bouncer talked to us in a very rude manner. I will never come back to this place again, and will greatly discourage my friends and family ever show up at this place. I believe that the stuff should learn how to provide at least reapesctul and normal customer service.

    (1)

  • Sue J.

    This was my first time in Atlantic City and I absolutely loved this restaurant. I originally wanted to try somewhere else but I'm glad we went here. The appetizers were good especially the Chicken empanadas. The service was good our waiter was attentive and gave great suggestions. For an entree I had a steak dish with rice & beans. Overall if I return to AC I would deff go here again. I recommended this restaurant to anyone going to Atlantic City for the first time.

    (4)

  • shilpa p.

    the food and drinks were fantastic. however, the bouncers for the nightclub were rude and racist. they ruined everyone's mood. i would not recommend, go to carmines instead.

    (1)

  • Natalie L.

    Great experience. We ordered two tapas the mussels and cuban egg roll. Both were good. Mussels were my favorite. I had the ropa vieja came with plantains and white rice and we had the vaca frita both were yummy. The food was delicious. For drinks, we ordered the white wine sangria pitcher which was a bit on the weaker side, but still good. The server we had was great, very tentative. Overall great experience!

    (5)

  • Deborah B.

    We dined at Cuba Libre in the Tropicana in Atlantic City for my birthday. We have dined at the one in Center City Phila. before and wanted to try this one. The service was good and the food was delicious. Their bread was out of this world. Toasted, flavored and served with Mango butter. We shared an appetizer of three different empanadas (De la Casa, Queso and Picadillo). They were all delicious. My husband had the Vaca Frita which, given the cut of beef (skirt steak), was a lot to chew but very tasty. My daughter had Arroz con Pollo which is a favorite of hers and this version didn't disappoint. My choice was Lechón Asado which came as a good sized pile of Leidy Farm's slow roasted marinated pulled pork with an orange mojo sauce, smashed Yucca and the best slaw on top with just the right amount of kick from very thinly sliced jalapenos. We are not gamblers but given the restaurant is located in the Trop's main dining and shoping area there was a lot to do and before and after dinner.

    (4)

  • Rachel M.

    I love the staff and the ambience of the restaurant. I wanted to get up and dance salsa as I watched the World Cup. I felt like I was on vacation far away and my mom could tell. It makes me honestly want to move to Miami! Our server named Javier was down to earth and muy caliente. The plantain chips and trio dips were to die for! The drawback was the arroz con pollo. I am picky when it comes to Spanish rice. It did not have that authentic Spanish flavor that I was looking for. I love arroz con gandules and it tasted Americanized. The Cuban sandwich was also a let down. It also had an Americanized flavor as well. However, the atmosphere was awesome. Tropicana is my favorite casino and I enjoyed myself very much!

    (3)

  • Jeanette D.

    Overall, average to meh quality food and slow service. Our server was well meaning, but young and most likely new, and the timing of our service was off, with our drinks not on the table until we'd been there half an hour. The food was decent, but had obviously been prepared earlier by the time we got it. The Mojitos are tasty, but could be in slightly bigger glasses.

    (2)

  • K S.

    Sat at the bar, had some excellent mojitos and other drinks, good empanadas, paid our bill, and we were finishing up our drinks. All of a sudden we see 2 coach roaches crawling around the bar!!!! Ewwwww!

    (1)

  • Victor A.

    I came here with a couple of co-workers for dinner. We were quickly seated, and our order was taken by a friendly waiter. We ordered a large guacamole appetizer for the table, upon the recommendation of the waiter. It was a fairly small portion, but it didn't really matter because I wasn't hankering for more. Their guacamole has pineapple, and it just gives it an odd flavor. The crispy plantain chips that come with the guacamole are very crispy, and not soaked in oil. They are very good. I ordered a mint, ginger, and honey caipirinha. It was the smallest caipirinha I have ever seen, and it tasted nothing of ginger. The waiter came by with some fried cuban bread and mango butter. The bread was nicely crisped, and the butter was nothing special. After that came the entree. I ordered the Churrasco a la Cubana. The skirt steak was nicely cooked to a medium, and it was tender. The garlic boniato-potato mash okay. But; the watercress and mushroom escabeche salad ruined the dish for me. It had way too much vinegar for my taste, and the vinegar overpowered all the other elements of the dish. Overall, the place looks great, and it has a nice atmosphere. The service was friendly, but the food in my opinion was not great. I feel like it was expensive for what it was.

    (2)

  • Shawn U.

    Went here for my birthday this past year for the first time. This is a man's restaurant... towering plates of char grilled meats and rum. My friend and I shared the $65 two person plate and that was the best decision we could have made. We were so fat and happy after eating that, we almost just skipped the concert after. We also had some coffee with spiced rum in it and that was a delicious ending to the meal. The fried plantains are excellent as well and they have a great monitor selection. If I remember correctly the service was pretty good too.

    (5)

  • Nancy S.

    Went for dinner with a large group of 12 ladies during a bachelorette party. The restaurant was extremely accommodating to our group. Multiple pitchers of DELICIOUS mojitos, and our server was extremely attentive. The ambiance was nice, loved the vibe and music playing. The food I ordered was fantastic...empanadas to start, followed by a beef dish (I think it was some sort of skirt steak) which was melt in your mouth amazing. I can't wait to dine at another one of these restaurants, was very pleased.

    (5)

  • Richard B.

    Love this place, the vibe is always fun, the atmosphere is always cool no thugs, sausage parties or overcrowding. The bar is always available, there aren't five rows of people in front of u trying to get drinks. The music switches from Spanish to house to hip hop throughout the night and makes for a better mix than most regular American clubs. The fact they serve food here is important because the space is kept very clean unlike other clubs (sticky floors, vomit smells, and dirty fly infested bar areas) I really enjoy this place and love to come burn some Carmine's calories off on a Friday or Saturday night.

    (5)

  • Bernadette C.

    I have been to both the Philly location and AC, and I don't know why I like this place so much but I do. Correction. I do know why I like this place. Freaking MANGO BUTTER. I could eat that stuff all day, I swear there must be some kind of addictive fairy dust in there that makes me wish I could eat a stick of it. Tres leches cake for dessert is pretty darn yummy. The ambiance is great for dates or a night out with friends. Wouldn't really recommend it for a family outing. It's too dark and too loud to really have any sort of real conversation. Their food is pricey, but I always leave their full and satisfied. I happen to love Latin music, so it always puts me in a good mood to shimmy a little in my seat while I eat.

    (4)

  • Walter M.

    Excellent. best ceviche.....

    (5)

  • Suzanne D.

    This place has the BEST skirt steak in Atlantic City...I took my GF who is a big steak lover....After a pitcher of Mango Mohohitas (sp?). We tried a tasting menu for apps which was a nice touch. The service is Excellent, the waiter explains the entire menu, makes you comfy, and is so attentive....I am a fan, and have been for years, and will continue to go there for a sure hit meal...

    (4)

  • Jean F.

    We went with a bachelorette party of 9 and it was a great experience! W had a reservation and were seated as soon as we arrived. Ordered drinks and they arrived quickly...ordered food and the same! They were very attentive and patient (even fun) given our wild sides were out! The ambiance felt rich a f everyone enjoyed their meals. There's a variety of bigger and smaller plates! I highly suggest the arepa!

    (5)

  • Foodie Z.

    My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out for brunch because it received decent reviews.. It's a decision we both ended up regretting., Our dining experience started Off pretty bad., it took our waiter a while before he actually took our order.. Then it takes even longer for them to bring out the food.. The restaurant wasn't even packed.. We ordered 2 mojitos, tapas, and the meat/seafood platter.. First came the mojitos which were served in a small narrow glass which costed about 11 each.. Pretty pitiful.. We had to send the mojitos back cause the basil leaves were brown n rotted.. We asked for a replacement and we got another mojito with rotted leaves in it again... They obviously don't care what the hell they are serving the customers.. Oh and by the way please double check the receipts for errors cause our waiter didnt remove the mojito charge on our bill... The tapas was okay.... The portion size of the main meat/seafood dish was a disappointment.. It consisted of one piece of shrimp, small piece of chicken, skirt steak the size of my palm.. The only large portion of the dish was the watercress salad which filled the plate.. And the dish costed $17.. Overall we spent $60 on a meal that barely left us full.. And now we are deciding where to eat next since we are still hungry! People.. Save your money and time.. This place is definitely not worth it!!

    (1)

  • Gary K.

    The food and atmosphere were very good both appetizers and our meals but we had one huge issue that unfortunately offset all the positives. My wife ordered the shrimp dinner which for $27 came with only 5 small shrimp making us feel like it was a total ripoff. When we expressed our concern to the manager he only and repeatedly focused on the sophisticated system they use to price food rather than just offering to make the situation better. We refused the dinner on principle and it tainted what should have been a good night out. The staff are friendly but not as attentive as we had to ask and endure long waits for refills of our ice tea.

    (2)

  • Martiza R.

    The food has always been excellent! But this time when I went for Xmas the services was horrible. My order was wrong. And b/c the waitress put my order in wrong I had no choice to pay for it. I didn't not eat my food at all! I spoke to the manager and he didn't want to be responsible for the error. How is it fair for me to pay for something that I didn't order. This is the last time I will ever step in this place again. The manager name is Tio. A pure joke

    (1)

  • storm v.

    Well I dun know how there have all the good review, There is no service at all. If I can put no star I will do it , there is so many good restaurant around here in tropicana.if I were u I will skip this place .

    (1)

  • Sammy G.

    I was a little nervous as a vegetarian to come to this place but it really isn't that bad. I didn't think it was spectacular but it wasn't terrible too. I wouldn't mind coming here again but I wouldn't make it the first place I chose. I ordered the vegetarian empanadas and was pleasantly surprised that it had vegetarian chorizo (which I love), I could only eat 2 of the 3 I ordered but I like that you can order 2,3, or 4 - meal or appetizer! Everyone else ordered different dishes: steak, fish, chicken and rice - they all liked their meals as well. The dishes are a decent size and they have tons of drinks to choose from. The waitress was very helpful and very attentive. Afterwards, we stayed there to dance and have drinks. Downstairs plays music for more salsa/Latin dancing, whereas the top floor plays more club/hip-hop music. Bar on both floors and you can go outside and drink on the little balcony outside. Upstairs is much smaller than downstairs but it doesn't get as crowded. They gave out glow necklaces, which was a fun plus for us! I think if you want to go dancing that isn't going to be obnoxiously crowded like Providence than this place is a good go to.

    (3)

  • Ro H.

    We held a special event upstairs for my mom's 75th birthday. Julie and all of the staff of Cuba Libre were truly wonderful. The food, ambience and service were fantastic. I can't say enough. I highly recommend Cuba Libre for a gathering of any size in Atlantic City, and look forward to returning.

    (5)

  • Carla L.

    The highlight of my dining experience at Cuba Libre was definitely the mojitos. Specifically, the mango mojitos. Phenomenal. One of the best I have ever tasted. The food was good. I had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) which was cooked well and flavorful. They have all of your standard Cuban favorites on the menu which are cooked adequately. Nothing really outstanding here food wise. You really don't feel like you're in an authentic Cuban restaurant. It definitely has the feeling of a chain restaurant. But it's good. It was a fun experience and when you're staying at the Tropicana and looking for a convenient restaurant for dinner, it's a great option. Just don't miss the mojitos, particularly the flavored ones. I would go back just for them. Yum.

    (4)

  • Swati L.

    Great food, though not all that traditional. This place has great Cuban-themed ambience, and is actually a beautiful restaurant, with lots of greenery and ornate seating areas. They had an excellent entree sampler which included a few different items which I enjoyed. The lechon asado was not as garlicky or citrusy as I'd like, but the skirt steak was phenomenal, lots of smoky and spicy flavor. My hubby's Vaca Frita was served in the form of a steak, where on other more traditional restaurants it's a sort of heap of crisp chunks of shredded beef. Decent Mojitos, better Caipirinhas. Loved the fried plantains and black beans with rice. Overall a good experience and a good introduction to Cuban food. (As good of one as you'll find inside a casino, anyway! ;-)

    (4)

  • Beth B.

    Came for late lunch. Food was okay but incredibly salty. And thats all I remember.

    (2)

  • Johnny K.

    This is by faaar my favorite restaurant in Atlantic City. I invite every friend that I ever bring to the city and everyone loves it. It's on the pricey side but not going to break the bank. I always eat the Vaca Frita and it's always amazing. Simply Amazing. Do not compare it to other Cuba Libre's in other cities though. There is a CL in Philly but the food does not compare in any way. The CL in AC also has Mango Butter for your toast and it's finger licking good. Drinks are Okay. Can't say I am impressed with the bartenders there so I can go without drinks. Also, on Saturday nights the place turns into a pretty decent Latin Club at 11pm. You get free entrance if you bought an entree and saved the receipt. If you did not have dinner there, the cover is at least $15 per person, so plan out your night correctly, go eat a great dinner, and get in free to the club. Don't just pay for a $15 cover just cause you didn't know. Hope this helps.

    (5)

  • Tora D.

    I had cocktails and nibbles here with girlfriends and sat at the bar. The bartenders can either be friendly and cordial or bored and listless depending on what time you go. Some of these girls work a double shift and it shows. The cocktails are a little pricey but delicious! I must have sampled half the mojito menu! The small plates were tasty but I'm not sure if they were truly authentic Cuban. The decor on the other hand is breath takingly beautiful! Kind of Disney-like in it's staging but it is a theme restaurant in a Latin themed casino so it is expected.

    (4)

  • Dana Q.

    After last night, I have to remove a star. I thought the service/food we received last time was because it was for lunch on a Tuesday, but apparently that's just how they do things at Cuba Libre in AC. We got the sampler appetizer that wasn't bad, but nothing on the plate seemed very fresh. The mojitos were tasty but nothing spectacular. I didn't order a second one. Our entrees left much to be desired. I ordered 2 apps for my dinner, the Chicharrones de la Casa (which was better for lunch the last time I got it) and the "fresh" spring roll that used fake Krab...yes, crab with a K (of course it didn't say that on the menu, but that sweet taste and rubbery texture is unmistakable) My friend ordered the Plato Cuba Libre which has a 1oz sampling of 3 different dishes, some plantains and a mound of watercress salad. She said it was ok but not worth the hefty price tag. My boyfriend got skirt steak that was a pretty skimpy portion and he's not even a big eater. There was more watercress garnish on the steak than there was steak on the plate! We all left feeling pretty disappointed, especially because of the high prices and low quality ( $150 for 3 people for so-so food) I still like the atmosphere, but it was better at lunch time when some sunlight came in. At night it's incredibly dark and you cannot hear a thing. We had no idea what our waiter was saying half the time. Between that and the sub par food, I won't be back. Next time I'm at the quarter maybe we'll get wings at Hooters instead. Thats right, I said it, I'd rather go to Hooters than go back here. I left 2 stars - one for the mojitos and one for the decor.

    (2)

  • Rebecca D.

    Great tapas place, the pinapple guacamole, the tuna ceviche, and shrimp fondutto are among my favorites. The chicharonnes were different then what I'm used too, they're not dry but marinated in a mojo sauce but I still liked it. Also that sweet butter they serve is addicting. They seemed to always have available tables and I have no idea why bc everything is so full of flavor. As many times as I have been here I've never had a problem with the food or service.

    (4)

  • Tess G.

    Good - and not just good for AC but actually really good. I've been to the one in Philly as well. Went here a couple of times in 2014 and enjoyed each meal. Tempting to fill up on the bread basket with a side of mango butter. Limit yourself because the portions are generous. The pre fixe is the way to go and such a bargain (about $45). Everything was delicious. The standouts were black bean dip, empanadas, ceviche and skirt steak. They also have an amazing rum selection. Ask the bartender for a recommendation - Xaya and El Dorado are excellent sipping rums. Add a single cube of ice and slip back into Havana's heyday.

    (5)

  • Alexis S.

    Ok so I have mixed emotions about this place. I came here with friends to grab soomething to eat then stay and enjoy the music. I would say the food is a 1-2 star but the music was 4-5 stars. We ordered a few appetizers to share which consisted of guacamole, spring rolls, chicharon, and papa rellenas. The guacamole had pineapple in it and I didnt enjoy it. The spring rolls were supposed to be like a mini cuban sandwich but it tasted sour like the cheese was bad. The chicharon had a glaze or sauce on it that I didnt like. Lastly the papa rellenas were ok not bad, not good. Now as for the music, while we were eating, I was dancing in my seat while eating. I seen a group of other friends by the dance floor and went to talk to them. While I was here I was asked to dance with four different men. All four were probably in their forties, 3 of the guys seemed like they just wanted to dance. There was no inappropriate touching or creepy "yo baby yo" lol, the other guy was the "yo baby" but not disrespectful so was politely told no. Now I seen people said the guys were creepy and I didnt get that vibe. The music had me dancing all night and I had a great time... Props to the Friday night dj.

    (3)

  • Angelique F.

    I had dinner here yesterday, and I must say...the service was fabulous!! Prompt!!! And everyone including the bartender was very welcoming and just as sweet as can be. I had the shrimp ceviche and I must say I've never tried anything like it in my life...the presentation was wonderful, it was spicy with a nice amount of avocado sitting on top. Then the mussels was in a class by itself!! Juicy and tender....just amazing!!! Can't describe it any other way. My main course was the Dorade a la Plancha...it was delicious!!!! The fish was boneless head off, tail attached and the salad and rice to die for!! Last but not least, the mojitos...I had 3, the best I've had in a while. I will visit again and again!!! Pure yummy goodness!!!

    (5)

  • Masato K.

    The appetizers were very very delicious. The sweet fruity butter was great with the bread. Entrees were pretty good. A little bit over-priced, especially the drinks but that's what you get around these parts I think.

    (4)

  • D F.

    Delicious churrasco burger with yuca fries. Shrimp cheviche is on point, could have this everyday. Decor is lovely, makes you feel like you're someplace in Cuba.

    (5)

  • Jess A.

    We were just here this week while staying at the trop. The restaurant is very clean and a neat atmosphere. Its a bit loud in the restaurant but you can still have a convo. The wait staff and management are all great. Our food came out very quickly and it was cooked correctly. The issue is why I provided a low rating is due to ALL of the food being VERY VERY full of salt. If you enjoy your food doused in salt this is the place for you. As I stated the food was cooked fine there was just to much salt on all the food we had. We advised management of this issue and they came over and spoke to us and took our complaints into consideration and advised it will be reported back over to headquarters. We just wanted to provided our experience as everything else was fine we just didn't truly enjoy the meal. They even agreed that the rice was a bit to salty and others have complained. The manager actually only made us pay for 1 of the 3 course meals (as we had 2 coupons for two 3-course meals) We were very impressed with this solution. Thank you to the management and wait staff for making our time enjoyable. I suggest if you enjoy salty food that you should try it yet if you do not its a best bet to stay away.

    (2)

  • Irene d.

    Simply delicious!!! I had a coconut mojito to start and my fiancé had a jalapeño mojito (he made a special request, this wasn't on the menu). They were both amazing. I also can't sing the praises of the bread and mango butter enough. If carbs didn't matter I'd eat them all day every day. I had the 15 tastes of Cuba, and loved it. Super big for one person so we shared all the appetizers. He had the skirt steak and the only part he didn't love was the salad. Hey- that's not bad! If you're in AC.. Go!

    (5)

  • Janice F.

    We love the Wednesday happy hour with the $1.00 empanadas! Also can't beat the caipirinhas. They have the best and also love the guava caipirinha, and also have tried a few of the other drinks and they are awesome also. Very friendly wait staff. Definitely recommend Cuba Libre.

    (4)

  • John H.

    I think this was our 8-9th dinner here. It was always great but this time the four of us were not as satisfied. The maître de was very nice but our server was not friendly. He seemed to only care about rattling off his mandatory spiel send getting the job done. The apps and entrees were super salty, which is new. Not good. I had a glass of Malbec from Argentina that was a touch stale. Is this the decline of a once amazing restaurant?

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    OMG! 3 words: PASSION. FRUIT. MOJITO ....(drool)...just give me a bucket of that stuff and a straw. The absolutely, most delicious drink I've ever had! I'm kinda sad I'm not drinking any as I write this....*sigh* Anyway, moving on...service and food was great! Our meal started with a basket of delicious buttered toast, served with a mango butter (be careful not to fill up on the bread because it's totally tempting to do so). The food was good, albeit it slightly salty. The side dishes were the best; we ordered the tostones, sweet plantains and yucca fries as side plates and they were all fantastic. The ambiance was great except that it was almost too dim to even read the menus. Overall, my friends and I had a great time here and would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Caroline W.

    Food was way too salty for my liking. Best part of my meal was the bread and the mojitos. Have been here before few times but doubt I'll come back.

    (2)

  • Sally R.

    Just had lunch here a few weeks ago. The atmosphere was very enjoyable. Staff was pleasant as well. I went with the cuban sandwich, yum!! It was the perfect size for lunch, not too much. My boyfriend had the burger, he loved it. Yuca fries were delicious and creamy! Overall, we had a very enjoyable lunch. I would recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Joe S.

    Drink was good but good was not worth the price. Server was great and tried to work with us but to no avail.

    (3)

  • Kat E.

    Had the ropa vieja hash on the brunch menu...amazing!! Would love to try this place out at night time.

    (5)

  • J M.

    Came here for a late lunch on Saturday afternoon. They started us off with Toast and Mango Butter..delish!! The waiter was very patient and friendly..we were undecided as to what to order, but eventually figured it out.. Had the Vaca Frita for my entree which was really good. It's shredded Flank Steak with Onions. The steak had a bit of sweet/tangy flavor to it which was orally pleasing..it came with white rice and Cuban Black Beans..yumm! Perfect combination. I like the ambiance as well..it's dimly lit and extremely spacious. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    I actually went here last year for Spring Break with a bunch of girls. There looked to be a wait outside and not a lot of people inside. I think they had let too many women in than guys. Needless to say, we were bored and decided to leave. I'm heading to Atlantic City next weekend with another couple and looking for a lounge with good mix drinks and some music. Ummm, after reading the reviews based on poor service, I don't think I'd want to go here. I'm in the mood for a good service, good food and good music. Service is SO IMPORTANT. I hope they improve based on the people they've dissappointed in their reviews.

    (2)

  • Laura Kate S.

    Delicious food. Everyone loved everything we got (in a party of 6). The pineapple guacamole is particularly tasty. Lots of cocktails (many following the Cuban theme) that everyone enjoyed. A delicious start to a night out in AC!

    (4)

  • Irina V.

    I don't take the time to write reviews but this time I'm going to do it because I really think as a paying customer I still have some rights, we were a group of 7 that decided to celebrate a birthday in AC, we all checked in at the Tropicana, we had dinner at Cuba Libre and well after drinks and dinner bill was quite substantial, therefore after 11pm that the club gets going we could go in without paying the cover...and so we did we ate went out to play and tried to go back in to dance a little...well we thought we were going to do that until one of the guys that checks for the stamp on your wrist wouldn't allow one of our friends to go in even after he showed him his stamp...this individual decided that he couldn't go in because he thought he was disrespected somehow, keep in mind none of us was belligerent or drunk, none of us cursed or screamed or none of that, this individual called security and they refused to let our friend in, after 15min of back and forth and like 7 other guys showing up for the discussion of what happened the manager came over and without apologizing told us they had no more room inside!...mind you this place had plenty of room, the thing that gets to me is that after all that they were no apologies and we decided to stop wasting our time and left...how can you treat people like that you ask?...I don't know what gives them the right but as someone who goes to AC quite often they just managed to lose my business and of all the people I can talk to and tell them what happened

    (1)

  • Danielle Elyse L.

    The food was delicious! Try the black cherry or mango mojito. Only thing is that it was very loud and dark, but we didn't go there to eat till about 10:30 pm. But the food was amazing, the service was great, and the staff was very friendly. I had the Churrasco a la Cubana - Grilled skirt steak, roasted garlic boniato-potato mash, parsley, lemon and onion sauce. Watercress and rosemary mushroom escabéche salad. Yum!

    (4)

  • Tricia G.

    I can't believe I didn't want to go here prior - I loooved my dish - forget the name but it was one of their signature dishes - a bowl of spicy thick rice w/ chicken thighs, asparagus, peas, mushrooms and hard boiled eggs (sounds strange but soooo delish!). THe atmosphere was very loud and I was a bit bugged b/c I was so tired and just wanted to relax and talk w/ my man but that's the only negative. I LOVE this place :) Will DEFINITELY go back!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Mark N.

    This is the most affordable restaurant in all of Tropicana. It has a very dimly-lit setting (which I like...a lot) and the food was great - I had the Ropa Vieja and I would have licked the plate afterward if it weren't considered bad manners. Will come here again for sure. Maybe if I didn't lose all of my money at Roulette, I would have tried a mojito.

    (4)

  • Ron C.

    MY wife and I were in the Tropicana yesterday and I noticed that they have a $30 three course prix fix Sunday through Friday's. Decision made we enter without a reservation and were seated immediately. I must mention that the restaurant is very dark, so dark we couldn't read the menus. The servers actually have small flashlights on their person and will provide upon request. Then we are handed a menu featuring a 15 course chef's tasting menu for $39.95 per person and we knew where this was going. Here is a link to this menu: cubalibrerestaurant.com/… MY wife ordered a Pomegranate Mojito and I a Negro Modello. Before we knew it the first course arrived. A trio of dips (the smoked marlin salad was a highlight) with plantain and malanga chips. See the menu for the rest of the meal but our highlights were the skirt steak, the shrimp cocktail. Two small desserts and a cuban coffee (think a sweetened espresso) and we were happily sated. Go and check the tasting menu for yourself.

    (4)

  • Jeff D.

    Since a few friends of mine traveled to Cuba a few months back and I couldn't go, this place served as the closest I could get to an authentic Cuban dining experience. Myself and a few big eaters were immediately settled upon arrival and were given some time to peruse the menu. My buddy and I opted to share the Plato Gaucho for Two, which consisted of NY strip, skirt steak, jumbo shrimp, chicken breasts, and sausage accompanied with spicy onion rings and a variety of dipping sauces. Needless to say, us big boys practically licked the plate clean aside from the small amount of gristle and fat leftover. Steaks were cooked to our liking (medium rare) and were very flavorful. Shrimp and sausage was tasty as well. The chicken was not dried out and was also good. However, the onions rings were excellent! They were thick cut, big, and had a nice kick. I tried some of the sopa de frijoles, black bean soup, corn, and jack cheese. Also full of flavor. As far as food, ambiance, and service go, this was a five star experience. Now, I did not pay for this meal but noticed that the plato was $33 per person! Whoa! Also, I noticed other yelpers complaining of weak drinks. We did not order drinks, so I can not speak for drink quality. However, I would recommend Cuba Libre as a special occasion dinner, but do not come here expecting a cheap meal.

    (4)

  • Cristina A.

    I loved the bread they serve but I hated the food that I ordered! I had the skirt steak with mashed potatoes and it tasted very sweet. I HATE sweet food! The waiter was in lala land, we had to go look for him because he never came around our table. I did like the tapas, I had the stuffed potatoes and they were very good. I don't think I would come again.

    (3)

  • Jean P.

    Very Unfair! They didn't let me friend in because they consider his shoes sneakers! They were $150 dollars shoes and he was dressed so neat. But then by the end of the night we saw people coming out of this place with white sneakers , gray sneakers. So unfair we drove about and hour to celebrate a friends Bday and we couldn't get in. The bouncers wanted extra money to get it. Very unfair I'll never go back there again.

    (1)

  • CeeCee A.

    Wanted to splurge a little while my stay in Atlantic City, and so after walking all the way from Trump Taj Mahal to the Tropicana, I thought this would be the perfect place. I made the right choice! Went here last week Tuesday evening. Did not make any reservations, and we were seated immediately. There was a good amount of people there, not too crowded. The ambiance was beautiful, dimly lit. The hostess was REALLY nice. The server was extremely nice and very helpful; he took the time to answer any questions and explain the menu thoroughly. We ordered a half pitcher of the white sangria ($21.50) - it was good and refreshing, but in my opinion, not the greatest I've ever had. It was a bit too watery. For starters, we ordered the tasting plate (tapas) - combination of four ($20): (1) camarones a la parilla (2) frituras de bacalao (3) albondigas camaguey (4) guacamole cubano. All absolutely flavorful and delicious!! And then we shared the lechon asado ($22.50), and it was spectacular!! The combination of the pulled pork, yuca and the black bean broth was sooo good. Definitely good big size to share between two people. They also served this bread with the mango butter (FREE), which was SPECTACULAR!! I ate up majority of the basket that we asked for another one. We finished off with the tres leche de banana ($8). It was pretty good, but not great. The bill came to about $80ish including tax. The place is pricey, but that was expected. I look forward to coming back here again, if I ever come back to AC. I'd like to try the other dishes. And I plan to skip the sangria and dessert. I highly recommend this place if you want to spend a nice evening and looking to splurge a little. :-)

    (4)

  • Andrés D.

    Esta es un restaurante magnifica! After a long day of losing our money at the Trop we decided to grab some dinner at Cuba Libre. The vibe here is definitely reminiscent of my visit to Ybor City last year, and the decor and music were top-notch as well. The same can be said of the waitstaff, who were very accommodating to our vegan guest. We ending up doing a tapas style menu so no entrees were ordered, just a plethora of smallish bites to be shared, and most were quite excellent. The guac was not the best I've had but passable, the yuca fries and sweet plantains made me homesick for my boyhood days in Costa Rica, and the empanadas were muy bueno. We ordered no drinks save agua to cut down on the price, and that coupled with no entrees made for a surprisingly low check at the end, which was nicely enclosed in a cigar box. Nice touch.

    (4)

  • Alicia E.

    Food was good, very over priced, service. Well we were being rushed to finish because they were going to be starting the night club scene and they needed our space.

    (2)

  • Vanessa M.

    Absolutely loved it. Toasted bread and mango cinnamon butter melts in your mouth. We tried many appetizers, all amazing. We were all happy with the entries and of course the desserts. Would def recommend to everyone and will return every time were in AC

    (5)

  • Clara L.

    I'm really surprised by some of the poor reviews because I dined here last night and thought it was great! The space is unassuming from the outdoor, but beautiful from the inside. We felt like we'd been transported to a different place that wasn't AC! Service was a little slow, but when we did get to interact with the servers, they were very nice and knowledgable. We started with the trio of dips with chips and it was delicious - highly recommend. I had the vaca frita for my entree, which was a little bit salty but delicious in flavor and beautifully presented. We were intrigued by the 15 course tasting menu, but weren't hungry enough for it. Maybe next time! Would definitely recommend Cuba Libre for anyone in AC looking for an alternative from the ubiquitous Italian and Asian fusion restaurants.

    (4)

  • Idania D.

    Stayed at the Tropicana and tried Cuba Libre on the eve of our arrival -Memorial Day We were promptly seated and offered attentive service throughout the evening. I loved the decor which truly captures that Cuban vibe with the tropical plants , fans and frescos of a by gone era. The Mojitos had a slightly different taste due to the cane sugar juice, but still very good judging by the 3 that my husband quickly drank. Appetizers: Cuban salad -just the right amount of a delicious cumin vinegrette and blend of greens with jicama Empanadas - chicken and beef, both excellent and not greasy as where the maduros Grilled Baby Octopus- tasty but could have been more tender Shrimp and corn fundido- excellent combo Spinach and Manchego cheese Bunelos- sooo good -crispy outside with creamy inside Black beans where very good with a traditional flavor We loved the fact that the fried selections were not greasy Dessert: Combo tasting of tres leche -good but didn't like the chocolate dollup on top, rice pudding-good, Flan -good, not the best We very much enjoyed the cuisine and overall ambiance at Cuba Libre. Many items on the menu brought back memories of my mother's Cuban cooking, albeit these have a modern twist. Would definitely return if in the area.

    (4)

  • Kevin F.

    Atlantic City is pretty run down at this point. This is a descent spot to grab dinner if you are at the casino, but don't go in with high expectations. Food is average and as it the rest of the experience.

    (3)

  • Jennifer F.

    The food here is FANTASTIC. Churrasco and yuca fries all the way. A+! As far as the Night Club experience goes, this place is ALWAYS a good time. I have come here on Fridays and Saturdays, many many times over the past several years. They sometimes have a brief live dance performance on Saturdays and the music is always great. The drinks are good too. I'm not surprised by some of the reviews about the bouncers being rude bc this was a bit of an issue in the past. However, kudos to management for the major improvement in the service. The guys at the front are courteous, professional and very attentive. Service is everything to me and the focus on customer service at Cuba Libre is fantastic.

    (5)

  • Jacqueline V.

    This place was awesome! We were immediately seated and it was a Friday night on Memorial Day Weekend. We decided to get dinner here before a show at the Casino a friend that I was with recommended it so we tried it and we were all very pleased! the employees were all very friendly and smiling. I was with 3 other people so we all tried to order something different and taste each others meals. Bread with mango cinnamon butter is brought to the table and I have to say our table ate about 3 baskets of the bread with the butter because it was just so good. I ordered the Shrimp ceviche which I thought was very fresh and a large amount for just myself so I ended up splitting it. I had a coconut mojito which was delicious I ended up ordering a second one and a third one because it tasted so good. I ordered the Pompano a la Plancha (Citrus marinated Florida Pompano fillet, fried rice and baby sprouts salad. Sweet chile-citrus and sesame sauce) which was very good and the fish was cooked perfectly. I also tried the Seafood Paella (Jumbo shrimp, little neck clams, mussels, Mahi-Mahi fillet, squid and baby octopus. Saffron short grain rice.) which was excellent as well and the serving was very big. Both meals were delicious However, next time i go I will order the Pompano a la Plancha again because to me it was an excellent dish. For dessert I tried the Dulce De Leche Ice Cream, Tres Leches, Cuban Flan, and Banana Bread Pudding! All 4 were amazing! I really can't choose one over the other because they were all so good! The Dulce De Leche Ice Cream had a great richness and flavor. The Tres Leches cake was moist and flavorful as well. The banana bread pudding was very good and people at my table put the dulce de leche ice cream with the bread pudding which also went well together(how could they not?). The Flan was delicious as well. I also had the Café Cuba Libre which is cuban coffee with steamed coconut milk which was heavenly! I am not usually a coffee person and I was hesitant to try it but oh my goodness it was yummy! You can add a shot of spiced rum to the coffee if you would like but I didn't do that so maybe next time I will try it and see how I prefer the coffee. Wow, what an amazing meal we had! The restaurant itself made you feel as though you were in Cuba. One of the persons at the table was a picky eater and does not eat any seafood and this person still had an amazing meal (in fact this is the person who recommended it). I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Jilly j.

    I really expected more when we were here. Our RSVP hit close to the same time as the kitchen was closing 10;00?. We were sat in an area that made dinner less appetizing. We couldn't hear each other. The waitress rushed us. We made the most of it. Food was bland. Drinks were good but pricey...

    (3)

  • eliza b.

    i knew our waiter was a genius when he ran over to my mom, holding her menu one inch from her face with a candle up to it, and gave her a small flashlight to read the menu. yes. you are awesome. we started with the mariquettes - YUM. i wish there had been a bit more avocado but the black bean hummus was totally delish. we also shared the gazpacho and a green salad - both great. totally fresh, with vibrant flavors. my dinner - the pescado de oriente - was AMAZING. a generous portion of perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth sea bass. it swam directly into my stomach. the fried rice side was wonderful - the okra really made it special. complaints (i always have a few) - i was a little disappointed with the prices per glass of wine, and they had NO reasonably priced cocktails. i would definitely dine here again - the service was great and we really enjoyed our dinner.

    (4)

  • N. F.

    Tried their version of Happy Hour and I was not disappointed. Their chicaronnes de pollo were wonderful as well as many of their other small plates. Pineapple mojitos for $4 is a can't miss.

    (5)

  • dave h.

    This place is really a cool Cuban bar/restaurant/night club. Really good rum, 2 cool bars (make a point to visit the upper floor bar), excellent mojitos. Highly recommended when visiting AC. (They do have a dress code after 9pm)

    (4)

  • Daniel K.

    Great Mojito's, very good food. Taster menu is fun and not real pricey. I've had 3 great meals at the place.

    (4)

  • Natasha V.

    I am reviewing Cuba Libre for a private event I held there earlier this year. I had heard great things about it and decided this was the place to hold the bridal shower I was planning. The director of sales & marketing was the person in charge of helping me and was very responsive in answering my questions before I booked. However, after I booked the event, it became difficult for me. It was hard to get a hold of the director and she was always short with me, so I felt like I was bothering her which was very off putting. The private event packages only come with the appetizer and entree - soda/coffee was extra, as was dessert. I knew that prices here would be inflated, which was fine with me. However, I was not keen on adding the soda/coffee package, but the director kept on bugging me to add it to the menu which was annoying. After getting back less RSVP's then originally budgeted for, the bridesmaids decided to add it on. As for the dessert, I was directed to work with the pastry chef employed by Cuba Libre. She was great to work with and I only have positive reviews for her. She gave me so many ideas and was fast in her responses. The final product was both beautiful and delicious, so my guests and I were very pleased with the work she did. When picking the appetizers and entree, I made the selections from one menu I was sent by the director, then not much later I was sent a new menu to choose from. Not a big issue, but still a bit unprofessional. Throughout the process I was not too worried about the execution of the event itself, but when the day came it was disappointing at how the shower was handled by staff. When I arrived, some of my guests were already there - very relaxed and enjoying themselves. The segway into lunch was fine and the food itself was delicious. However, the waitstaff never offered my guests their free soda/coffee, and when they asked for the drinks, they were directed to the bar where they were CHARGED for the sodas! We paid extra, yet my guests were never offered them by the waitstaff taking their food orders, AND they were forced to pay for non-alcoholic drinks - VERY embarrassing. I did not know about this until after the event, so I couldn't even rectify the situation. In addition to this, once the gift opening started, the director was hovering over us like we were kindergartners. She kept getting in the way by cleaning up wrapping paper and moving/reorganizing the bride's gifts while the bridesmaids themselves were trying to do it. It was most certainly not her place to be involved in this kind of shower ceremony and I was very displeased by that kind of behavior. She is now in a bunch of the bride's pictures from the event. The final issue I had with having the shower here was that we had the room until 3pm. However, at 2:30pm the director and waitstaff started cleaning off tables and moving both the guests and their belongings out of the way to make room for their dinner hour. This was very rude! My guests are still there and you're cleaning up after them and basically shooing them out of the room while I am still paying for the space? Unacceptable. I was reminded multiple times to get out of the room and felt like I was not paying for the room, but instead was a burden. The funny part was even though they were setting up for dinner, the downstairs wasn't even BUSY! It was empty! Overall, I had a very, very poor experience with Cuba Libre and was not treated with respect. My guests and I were treated like cattle. All I got in return for the soda/coffee mistake was a gift card to my guest that actually had the receipt! I would definitely not recommend having a private event here.

    (3)

  • Abaigeal D.

    I was in Atlantic City for the first time for New Year's Eve (NYE) 2008-9. I saw an ad in one of the local happenings newspapers that the Tropicana/Cuba Libre was hosting a fun dance party with extras. I decided to go there before heading to my main reason for trying out Atlantic City - a show with Craig Ferguson. I stopped in at Cuba Libre just a little before they were supposed to begin because I wanted some details. The person at the front had no idea what I was describing (I didn't have the ad with me). I walked about 1/2 mile back from my hotel to the visitors' center (in a freezing, sand-filled windstorm) to get another copy of the paper. The visitors' center staff-person was not busy, so she called Cuba LIbre for me. She also couldn't get an answer, but she felt confident that they would make some kind of NYE offer to me, even if they weren't offering what they advertised. I walked back. Front staff were still trying to take reservations to fill up seating for NYE, and they were very frustrated that I showed up with my paper. Almost accusational when I asked if they were, in fact, hosting something special for NYE. In fact, they were really rude, and instead of considering me as a potential customer (when there were only 2 customers seated in view at the time), just wanted my copy of the publication so that they could complain about it. Really, the ad promised free music, dancing, and a free buffet. If they'd given me a "happy-hour" price on an appetizer or drink, I would have thought they were food-gods. I was exhausted, frozen, very hungry, and practically breathing sand (let's not even delve into my sand-ridden hair), and I really wanted a bit of comforting, spicy food. The front staff was so rude, in fact, that I decided to try neighboring P.F. Changs (a place I've long had on the back burner as a place to visit in Boston), and was very grateful for bar service with hot, tasty food and plentiful portions. Thank P.F.C's warmed me up, filled me up, and helped me get ready for the long night ahead. Cuba Libre? Still have no idea whether the food is good, but I can assure you that the front staff was beyond deplorable.

    (1)

  • Samantha E.

    This weekend I had my second visit here, my first time being over a year ago. It was exactly what I remembered. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server quickly came over, told us about changes to the menu, and took drink orders. She was friendly and efficient. I believe her name was Lucy. Bread was brought over, which is thin sliced toasted bread with a delicious cinnamon butter. I think I could eat that as a meal. I had red sangria, which I thought was good, not watered down as other reviewers have said of their drinks. We ordered the chicarrones de la casa. They came covered in a sweet sauce and they were incredible! For dinner I had the ropa vieja. It was tasty, but a little salty. My fiance had the vaca frita. He really enjoyed it. The restaurant is a little dark with music playing, but it fits the vibe. We will be returning the next time we visit Atlantic City.

    (4)

  • Austin V.

    Excellent drinks. The mojitos couldn't be better. The staff however? I would put a GED requirement to applying for a job there. The service is horrendous, staff isn't accommodating to a customer in the least. I wont be eating there anytime soon, maybe stop by for a drink and eat somewhere they know how to treat a customer.

    (2)

  • Kim A.

    Let me preface my review by saying I've been to Cuba Libre Philadelphia several times. I like the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere. However, Atlantic City pales in comparison to the Philadelphia location. On my last and only trip to the Atlantic City location, I was disappointed to learn they were out of my 2 favorite items, the ribs and bbq pork. This was Friday afternoon, and 2 hours after opening. With a small menu as is, taking off those 2 major items was disappointing. I ended up with a turkey sandwich, called the Medianoche Yes, a turkey sandwich at a Cuban restaurant. It wasn't bad, but wasnt anything special. My friends and I split appetizers. We had arrepas (a grilled corn like cake with cheese) and the boniato rellenos (potato croquettes filled with beef picadillo) We all enjoyed them. The mojito's were disappointing as well. It was strong on the lime and week on everything else. Not worth $10, thats for sure. For 3 people to each have a cocktail, 2 appetizers and 3 meals, we spent about $100. Not a cheap lunch, and not really worth that price. Overall, I woudlnt recommend the Atlantic City location. There are far better resturants in Atlantic City.

    (3)

  • Michael B.

    (Before I really get into this review, let me just say that the Sandito Mojito, available at Cuba Libre, is perhaps the best cocktail I've ever had in my life...Thank you.) Cuba Libre is a fantastic little (alright, it freakin' huge) Cuban-themed restaurant inside of the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The decor, as Jeremy S. described it, is sort of a "manufactured Havana look" -- but that's because IT'S IN A FREAKIN' CASINO... ...And, unlike Jeremy S., I have eaten the food here -- and it's fantastic! My favorite item on the menu is the Ropa Viejo, a "...classic Cuban shredded beef brisket, stewed with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and red wine. Maduros and steamed white rice." The meat simply melts in your mouth. Couple this with some authentic Cuban pressed bread and the mango-butter...oh, man! The drinks are also excellent. As I mentioned earlier, the Sandito Mojito, a mojito with fresh-squeezed watermelon, is phenomenal. My wife and I have only been to Cuba Libre twice. The first time, the service was quite good. So good, as a matter of fact, that I told our waiter that I would mention him in my Yelp review. So here it goes: Benny, you rock! The second time that we went, however, the service was...well, quite bad, actually. My wife thought it had something to do with where we were seated. Perhaps, but it made me drop my review from five-stars down to four. Cuba Libre also offers "free" (you know, for the price of drinks and such) dance lessons on the weekend if you're interested in that sort of thing. Again, I hate to pick on Jeremy S.'s review, but I say, go in with high expectations, and they'll surely be met (especially if Benny is your waiter)! (Also, I would like to thank my wife for helping me remember our waiter's name by repeatedly singing the chorus of a particular Elton John song...Thanks, sweetie. I love you!)

    (4)

  • jill w.

    Had a bunch of apps here. Empanades were awesome but the chips and dips were awful (had avocado, black bean and eggplant). Had some other dish on the app menu which was an assortment of fried meats. Ok, but not great. Might be open to trying some other locations but would not go back to this location.

    (3)

  • Danielle M.

    They have a big beautiful red bar when you walk in with lots of speciality drinks to choose from. When we sat down for dinner we decided to order the pitcher of Sangria, in my opinion it wasn't as strong as I'd like it to be. For appetizer we ordered the ceviche which was out of sight and really a beautiful display, and we ordered the 3 empandas which were delicious. For my entree I decided to order the turkey burger which was good, could have been better and I didn't like the yucatan fries. They just didn't have much of a taste. My sister ordered the steak which was incredible. I realize I made the wrong choice, and my mom ordered the jumbo shrimp which was also delicious. I'd definitely go back again I just wouldn't order the turkey burger and fries. For dessert we ordered the banana gelato and it was probably the best I ever had.

    (3)

  • Frankie B.

    Having had to be in Atlantic City for some time I always made it a point to go here. The service was good, but not stellar. However the food was fantastic. You have to try the platter that has a little of everything especially the skirt steak with the plantains.

    (4)

  • Kimberly R.

    I have always wanted to go to Cuba Libre since I love Cuban food and music. My main motivation for choosing this restaurant was the Friday and Saturday night dance shows. It's hard to find a good restaurant with dancing. We went on a Friday night in May, nice weather, and it was not crowded at all. I loved the inside. Although I have never been to Cuba, I felt like I was there. The decor was fun and cool. We were seated in a small area off the main floor enclosed in bamboo-ish bars...very cozy. I started off with a specialty cocktail called a Sunburn and loved it. Had two. Was given some bread and mango butter. This mango butter stuff was to die for. Appetizers were the Arepa Rellena corn cake and Chicarrones de la Casa meat selection. The Arepa was fabulous, Chicarrones...not so much. My entree was the Suntanned Salmon which was very good with a side of yuca frita. The yuca frita (or fries) were amazing. The best "french fry" or yucca I have ever had. I am familiar with yucca and have eaten it various ways. Husband has the Lechon Asado which he said was okay and being he his a chef...that means he did not like it. As for the service - our waitress was nice but I did feel like she was rushing us a bit. Although there were not a lot of diners she seemed to be zooming around the place. Maybe we came near the end of her shift. Hmmm...anyway, we decided to skip dessert (unusual for us) ready to watch the main event which was the dancing...which starts late at 11pm. Got our spots and the dancers emerged. Not looking like much of a professional pair which kind of annoyed me. The routine was very short. And okay. I had expected so much more and was very disappointed. The dancers would come out every so often with a different outfit and routine. Blah. So, overall, the atmosphere was great. Not crowded, relaxed, great music, great drinks, great mango butter. The food was okay. Nothing I would go back for with exception to the butter and yuca frita. And finally, the dancing. Not worth the trip. I may have to venture to Philadelphia's Cuba Libre to see if there is a difference in food....because...that yummy mango butter of deliciousness is SO worth another try.

    (2)

  • Cara L.

    I had lunch at Cuba Libre inside the Tropicana a few years ago with my dad. We both really enjoyed the food and the ambiance so when I returned to Atlantic City this August, I decided to go back. A friend and I went on late Thursday evening for cocktails at the bar - I had some sort of pineapple rum frozen concoction, I don't even remember what my friend had, but the bartender apparently did. When we returned to sit at the bar on Friday night for happy hour, not only did he remember us, he remembered exactly the drinks we had ordered. Happy hour is from 5-7, Monday-Friday. The online menu says $3 bar bites and $4 cocktails, but the menu appears to have changed - small bites are actually $4 each and much different options than what you see online. Everything was really good although the guacamole was not my favorite - way too much mango. We ordered $4 sangrias - the first sip was amazing. After that, it seemed a little watery. The bartender told us that the restaurant turned into a salsa dancing party at 11 so we came back later to check it out. The floor show had kind of a Dancing with the Stars feel and then it opened up for salsa dancing. The crowd was sort of eclectic with a few bachelorette parties. Not exactly my scene, but cool to check out and there was no cover. My only complaint is that the ($12.50 I think?) pineapple mojito I ordered was almost 95% ice. Literally, the entire glass was ice. I showed the bartender when I brought it back up and she apologized and did much better on the second one, but did charge me. I like the overall vibe and atmosphere of Cuba Libre and I would go back to hang at the bar or try another meal. Just remind them to take it easy on the ice!

    (4)

  • Colleen S.

    Three words. Grilled Pineapple Mojito. Amazing and great desserts (bread pudding was the best I ever had). Food wise my friends had great dishes. I had the sampler and well each sample some of it was amazing and other parts a bit over cooked. I am assuming cooking times really messed them up. Still with the portions we all shared everything and it was very flavorful. I only suggest not ordering the sampler platters (bottom of the menu).

    (3)

  • siantie h.

    Awesome creativty on a plate, Taste out of this world, Coffee hm hm you should check it out.......

    (5)

  • Caroline P.

    We came here before going to the late show at the Imax to see the Dark Knight! I was impressed with the Tropicana, its a cool casino with the Imax theatre and great food choices. I gave Cuba Libre 4 stars for atmosphere. Its got really high ceilings and you feel like you are in a big 50's old mansion someplace in Cuba, with its upper terraces and big palm leaf fans spinning on the ceiling. People were dressed up in cool island wear. I want to come back for the late night Latin floorshow. I love dancing! I heard they have cool costumes and great choreography. Then you can get out on the dance floor and try to salsa too! For a light dinner I tried an appetizer called the Tres Amigos, a sample of 3 different gourmet empanadas. A small side salad of baby spinach tossed in goat cheese ranch dressing was a nice creamy spicy compliment to the rich flaky crusts of the delicious empanadas. I also tried the fried plantains, which were crispy and nicely seasoned and came with 3 sides to dip into. I also had two classic mojitos which was refreshing and got me good and tipsy. I spent $34 bucks which includes the tip.

    (4)

  • Phil S.

    Good food and exceptional service. We had a nice spot on the balcony, which offered a little more privacy than some other parts of the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Lori S.

    Starting off, the bread and mango butter stuff was really good. I had the black bean hummus as an appetizer....that was delicious too. On to the drinks, I had two different mojitos; the blueberry and the cherry. Both were really good but lacking in booze. An 8 year old could down seven of them and still do a great cartwheel. I stopped after two because I didn't see the point in trying anymore,since they were just eating away at the bill, for no good reason, since the booze (the part that adds the money to the drink) was absent. Now on to the entree.....I had the sampler: chicken, carne asada, prime rib and shrimp and then had a side of fried plaintains. I ordered the dish medium and everything came out otherwise. The chicken was overdone (aka HARD AS A ROCK), along with the prime rib. The carne asada was rare and I don't think the shrimp was even cooked. I was unable to chew it so I just spit it out. At this point I was hungry, so I enjoyed the plaintains. Those were pretty good, in comparison to everything else. If I went there again, since none of the other restaurants appealed to me completely, I would stick with beer and apps. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing but it was terrible. Atleast I saved some calories for later. The service was pretty good though!

    (2)

  • Linda G.

    Hi All, for those of you that want a fun night out. This place is great if you want to enjoy the music and dance. This past weekend was my third time going to Cuba Libre and theres just a few things I dont understand. On there web site they say you can reserve a table, but not thru what hours of the day. At night you can sit at a table if you buy the Bar set up which the bottles on the menu are over $220 and the set up is for 4 or less persons. "Not stated on the Menu" We had a party of 6 and were told you have to buy 2 bottles. Now who's being set up? Therefore you have a large croud of people at the bar and no one sitting at the tables. Make way for the crouds that come in and want to dance. Remove the tables. Oh, and dont let that bar croud overflow onto the dance floor by the "Owners Table" of which he allows only the select few friends to sit at his table with no "Bar Set Up" and they only drank Beer. The bouncers are sure to let you know you shouldnt be standing there. On my first 2 visits my mojitos were great. Apparently theres only one Bartender that knows how to make them properly. I asked for a Pisco Punch, which is on the menu and if anyone knows, read the menu and you know what should be in it. I got Barbados Rum, Peach Snapps, OJ and Pineapple juice for 9 bucks. Dont argue because the bartender knows what shes doing. It was Midnight and the Kitchen was closed. The web site states 1pm. Apparently, this last visit was not that great. Now if you want to have dinner go a little later in the evening, get your table. Order your Mojito from the gentleman that works on the right side of the bar. Dont rush for the show, Its the same couple dancing every Saturday and shes more of an acrobat that a Salsa Dancer they come on about 3 times from 11 to 1pm. Overall its a beautiful place to dance and have a drink. Wear comfortable shoes. Enjoy.

    (3)

  • Michael Q.

    I had the ceviche, the portion was small but it is the best ceviche in the world. If you don't try it you don't like food.

    (4)

  • Alex R.

    If you are looking for AUTHENTIC cuban/latin cuisine do not waste your money here. It appears that most of the food is pre-packed and all they do is heat it up in the microwave. Only the music is authentic.

    (1)

  • Christopher D.

    This place is everything you would expect from a higher class restaurant in Atlantic City. I came here included in a group of 15 for my girlfriends birthday and it was really a great time. Trying to get 15 people to be happy about going to a Cuban cantina is not the easiest thing to do. We had mojitos and sangria which were very tasty but lacked alcohol. The place was surprisingly clean and very well decorated. I agree with someone else's review that it was a little dark but that is fine by me. I am a creature of the night! My one friend got the flank steak and let me try it. Amazing. Simply put. And I am a steak monger! Secondly. I had a pulled steak dish with rice and beans that I was very skeptical on at first when it was put down in front of me but that turned out to be freakishly good too. Our waiters name was Eddie. I give this guy good credit. He was very attentive, knowledgeable, and pleasant with our big group of crazy hooligans. However, my brother did find a couple pieces of shredded plastic in his food. But, the manager came over and apologized and did the right thing by getting him a free app and taking his meal off the bill. (Bravo sir) Seeing as that being the only thing I can complain about... Go try this place for yourself!

    (4)

  • Jeremy G.

    After our great experience of this chain in Washington DC last year we were eager to try the one in AC at the Tropicana. First of all it feels a lot more down market and smaller than the one in DC, it had a much more "sketch" feel to it party because it's at the Tropicana. (Which is just as bad as the one in Vegas) We opted for the Empanadas which come with a delicious sauce, I can't remember what it was. They were tasty but not hot enough, they were lukewarm when they turned up at the table. We also ordered the Gaucho platter again and we were reminded by the waiter that it's $33 a head rather than $33 for two. Thanks but we can read. It arrived and again was very good but again despite arriving on a sizzling plate I felt the meat wasn't hot enough - we enjoyed it regardless. The service was so so and our waiter took around 20 minutes to get a drink refill. I wouldn't return to this location but I'd like to try the location in Philly at some point.

    (3)

  • Chris B.

    Great ambiance and a beautifully designed restaurant. This is a great option for dinner in AC. The food is always excellent, great drink menu, and a fun atmosphere. Surprisingly reasonable prices for a tourist location like AC. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Janine G.

    I only came here after they stopped serving food for the nightclub. Warning: the line gets long if you're not there by 10:30 pm or probably even earlier Positive: no credit card minimum on drinks at the bar (DC does that EVERYWHERE and it's freakin ILLEGAL). They have 2 floors here and the music is really good, i've heard better but it's really good, probably top 10 in terms of latin music. They have a lot of security which is always a good thing, didn't see a single fight here. It was a very fun and chill evening. I'd def go back if I was in AC again. Don't forget this place is in the Tropicana Hotel & Casino.

    (4)

  • Emma M.

    Came here last weekend and I will not be returning. This place was awful! We were exploring the Tropicana, which, as I expected, was tacky, but in a fun way, and decided to get linner. We show up at Cuba Libre at 3:30 and are told that we can't order off the dinner menu because there are no dinner servers at the time, and instead can only order off the limited lunch menu. Hmmm... ok probably the same servers who can serve a tray of lunch, can serve a tray of dinner. Whatever. We sit down and order a round of mojitos at the bar. Seriously, this claims to be a rum bar? Did my mojito even have any rum in it??? I t tasted more like sugar water with some "hierba buena" floating around it in. The bartender, like the rest of the staff was inattentive and spent the entire time I was trying to choke down the simple syrup I was served, watching TV at the end of the bar. So we are seated for dinner. Finally. We order mariquitas, vaca frita and tostones. All were yuck, yuck yuck. Ok. The order of "mariquitas" came with like 2 mariquitas, which, btdubs were cut too thick. I would have forgiven the thick slicing, but where were the mariquitas?? There were like 3 mariquitas in the basket! and the rest of the basket was filled with fried sweet potato chips and another fried something I couldn't identify. The dips that it came with were weird as well, and should not have been served together! The dolphin dip was overwhelmingly fishy, the "Haitian" eggplant was distinctly Asian tasting, and the black bean was bland. And it only gets worse from here, people. The vaca frita was hunks of meat served over mushy rice and beans that was swimming - SWIMMING - in barbecue sauce. Huh? Yes. Barbecue sauce on vaca frita. I know. I hated it too. The sickly sweet sauce got onto everything and was, frankly, disgusting. There was no yummy garlic or lime, just barbecue sauce. Was the meat even fried? No. Was it shredded? No. Just hunks or meat sitting in BBQ sauce. The tostones that we ordered to go along with our "vaca frita" were so dry I thought I was going to choke. Like, how long ago were these cooked?? This place sucks. I can say nothing good about them.

    (1)

  • Paula Jean K.

    We found this sexy little gem last night while walking around the "quarter" at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. It was, by far, the best overall experience we had in AC. We came for the Happy Hour drink and appetizer specials and stayed all night. Service was phenomenal across the board. We ordered the mixed grill for two which featured breast of chicken, skirt steak ,shrimp, sausage and sirloin. Everything was excellent. Don't skip the sangria or the mango butter-great stuff! Definitely a restaurant I'll go back to when I return!

    (4)

  • O'Brien W.

    The atmosphere looks impressive but the staff and food Mis mediocre. There certainly needs to be an upgrade in the security and staff. I love AC but I'll never go back. This AC. Step it up.

    (2)

  • HV T.

    We went into this restaurant with recommendation from a colleague, but we were dissapointed. The waiter has a perpetual scour on his face, and made a mistake with our tapas. The seafood plate was meh, overly salty, and the rice is soggy. Not worth the $50/2pax price.

    (1)

  • Matt S.

    I recenly came to Atlantic City with my family and on our last night we tried out Cuba Libre. My recommendation is, if you're in the area of the Tropicana, go here. Their appitizers and specials were well above what we expected and there overal service as a waitstaff was phenomenal. We started with the main appitizer that included blackbean hummus which I thought was quite fitting for a peak into the main dishes. Everything that we ordered had a ethnic taste and had a hint of lime to it. Definitely different from any other place we went in AC. Like I previously said, I would make it a point to try out Cuba Libre as their atmosphere was relaxed and just the overal tone of the evening was fun and exotic.

    (5)

  • DeShaun C.

    I came here last September in the middle of a Wednesday night. It's been a while since I've been here, so I don't remember everything that I had, but I do remember that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. The food was flavorful, the staff was courteous and speedy, and the bill...well, maybe I should have tried to win some money at the Tropicana first. The atmosphere was dimly lit--in a good way. I'd actually go far enough to say that it is a bit romantic if you happen to catch them on a slow night like I did. The tables are candlelit, and there are some windows, but they are obstructed by the decor just enough to keep the glare of neon lights at bay. The crispy toast and mango butter was great! It was so great, in fact, that my girlfriend would occasionally lament about not asking for a recipe (I did scour the depths of Google and eventually found a recipe, hooray). The bread was crunchy and crumbly, not brittle. The mango butter had really great flavor. We had mojitos. I had a pineapple one which was really good. Not too syrupy, not overpowered by any one flavor. Following that, I had what has become one of my favorite things to have at a Cuban restaurant: Ropa Vieja. The meat was tender, richly seasoned, and also had a mango garnish on top that added just the right bit of extra flavor to the dish. It was spicy, sweet, savory, and just all around good to eat. I devoured it. The charm of the place was only increased when we received the bill in a cigar box. Pretty original idea, I'd say. There was music playing, great atmosphere, great staff, great drinks, great food. I must say, it was pretty awesome to get a break from the geriatric ward that is Atlantic City midweek. If I were to note any complaint, it would be that I feel the cost should have been a bit lower. I've eaten at other Cuban places since Cuba Libre and have had equal if not slightly better quality food for a lower price, so I feel that they could have been a little more affordable. However, at the time, I felt that it was totally worth it.

    (4)

  • Shannon C.

    I pretty much cannot get enough. With a taste of Cuban food and not many options, Cuba Libre is my place to go. Rum selection is expansive and pricey. One of the shots is $64 dollars. Dear lord. I know. If youre not looking to buy it, it's nothing to be concerned about. My mouth waters thinking of this place! Crusty, delicious bread with entrees and a sweet, tangy spread, plantains with your meals and finely cooked meats. Chain, or not. This place rules. Pollo con chorizo is unreal. There's a ton to choose from if that doesnt float your boat. There are sandwhiches for the less adventerous. Try the Cuban sandwich if you know whats good for you. Mojito city. Get one. or 7. There's deserts, a bar, dancing, and the atmosphere of the Quarter. Try it!

    (4)

  • Dominic B.

    To start off - food is a 5. Waitstaff is a 5. The "door greeters" that think they are bouncers ruined the experience for me. The management while initially trying to side with the awful employee, quickly joined my side, but not before trying to tell me I was wrong. Here is the story: I've been many times, and always had an excellent experience. While a bit pricey (and $11 well drinks really aren't worth it) the food menu is quite good. And the waitstaff phenomenal. This year for my birthday my family came from New England, and we went here on my recommendation. Once again, an excellent meal. After the meal, some friends joined us in the bar. Between 10 people and the dinner, easily over $500 spent. After receiving a call from our babysitter, we decided we had to head home at about 10 pm. I needed to cash out a casino voucher (how convenient there is a machine right next to the restaurant) so I went to do that quick. The bouncer said have a good night and I told him I'd be right back. He said ok. I walked no more than 10 yards. One minute later, I returned and he wouldn't let me in, saying I didn't meet dress code. Baffled, he told me my collared shirt, nice jeans and clean sneakers were inadequate for the empty restaurant and overpriced bar. I eventually was let in for "5 minutes" to take are of my business, then "get out." I was appalled. I informed my party and we started to cash out. Keep in mind I've had 3 drinks in 5 hours. I don't party hard. This individual (clearly a victim of harassment in high school...really tall and scrawny) takes it upon himself to get in my personal space, trying to tower over me and "kick me out." After this treatment I requested to see a manager, and he would not allow it. Ridiculous! Power trip! What bothers me more is that their dress code (which apparently starts at 9pm) was loosely enforced. I had friends show up in flip flops and t-shirts at 9:30 and they weren't harassed. Furthermore 99% of the bar was dressed down in comparison. Why I was singled out I cannot tell you. I was so frazzled by the incident I wrote their corporate office. Nowhere do they post their definition of dress code, just simply "applies at 9pm." I explained that I respect rules, but random enforcement and the way this individual treated a paying customer was uncalled for. They minimally stuck up for him, but I don't think they realized his threatening behavior and the fact I was denied a manager. They assured me he would be disciplined, and next time I want to go there let them know and I'd get VIP treatment. Since having kids I don't get out as much as I used to, and what should have been a great night was spoiled by a power tripping fool. I don't know if I will EVER go back. There is plenty of great food elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Jennifer L.

    Almost forgot just how yummy this place is!!! My BFF and I had a great meal here.

    (4)

  • Leah M.

    I feel the need to review the AC one since I had such negative things to say about the Philly one. Came here Sat nite of my bf's bday and we had a blast! My big beef with Philly was the lame bartender and weak ass drinks. Not a problem here! The dj was good, great music selection, although maybe a little heavy on the merengue? We danced for hours, and had a great time. It was crowded but we found room to move without too much trouble. It's also off-season so I'm not sure how it would be totally packed. And super pretty in the atrium, the ceiling is painted to look like daytime which is confusing when you are drunk and it is 3 AM lol.

    (4)

  • Melissa P.

    My boyfriend and I recently tried Cuba Libre during a getaway trip to Atlantic City. I had been once a few years ago and remembered it was pretty good, so we decided to give it a try again, and I am SO glad we did! Do not listen to the bad reviews of this restaurant. After living in NYC for 4 years, I consider myself a pretty good judge of restaurants and Cuba Libre beat all of my expectations. We had a reservation and only waited a few minutes before being seated. Our waitress, Corinne, was an absolute pleasure. The mango butter and warm bread was delicious!! For appetizers, we split black bean hummus and a few assorted salsas w/ plantain chips (amazing) and yucca fries. The fries weren't our favorite, but they were very hot which I appreciated. We also tried the crispy shrimp and scallops appetizer. The scallops were cooked perfectly! For our entrees, I had the Pompano a la Plancha fish and my boyfriend got the "Visit to Havana" Cuban Sandwich, salad and black bean soup. My fish was amazing - light, fluffy and extremely well seasoned. My boyfriend really enjoyed his dish as well. Overall - the service, ambiance and food were all 5 stars and I would gladly go back soon!

    (5)

  • Emily Y.

    Being the high roller that I am, Cuba Libre just seemed the natural place and the perfect setting for a quick drink and a quick bite before hitting the tables again. OK, look, so I go to AC on a budget, play a maximum of $50 and with whatever I win, I set aside a little for my dad, a little for saving, and a little for enjoying. I decided to treat myself to a nice Caipirinha and a treat..my gambling buddy ordered a MAI TAI and we shared the amazing albondigas (meatballs) and the Guac with plantains. Not your ordinary Guacamole..it was "infused" with Mango!!! oh yeah! Made losing money more worth it. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the hot bartender, the great music, the cute group of young men next to us, and the atmosphere! Would definitely go here again! Cuba Libre is located in the Tropicana Resort Hotel/Casino in the Market Place!!! Cute area!

    (4)

  • Slurms M.

    I've been to this place twice; once i drove to AC just to eat dinner here! The restaurant is pleasant, but dark; I feel that's more to create a sense of intimacy in a room with 40-foot ceilings though. The Service is a little sparse, but the food... oh man. My girlfriend has had the Lechon Asado twice, because she says nothing else will be as good as that. Its a great blend of sweet, spicy and savory all in each bite the way they layer the ingredients. I've had the Visit to Havana ( excellent ) and the Churrasco a la Cubana ( very good), both winners in my book. One last note: the bread they give you, toast with cinnamon butter, is probably the best bread I've ever had at a restaurant!

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    This place should be 3.5 stars because it was a little better than just average but I was not blow away. The empinadas were good, the fried meet and potato balls were excellent and the 2 other small plates were decent. The drinks were good but I was expecting a much better Mojito from a cubana place. I thought it would be amazing.

    (3)

  • Gamal H.

    Cuba Libre tries hard to create a no surprise experience and it succeeds. We came here for our first meal on our first night in AC. After meandering through the Tropicana, we arrived and were seated quickly. The decor is meant to suggest an outdoor square in Havana, but somehow it reminded me more of Disney World or Vegas than Cuba. The waitress went through the usual dining ritual of explaining the menu, but she too great pains to explain what everything would cost, what everything would include and every option we had in terms of pricing. At first I thought she was implying that she didn't think we could afford a $10 drink, but then I saw other waiters doing the same to other tables. We came to the conlcusion that because the primary patrons are gamblers, seniors and similar folk, their policy of explaination must be in response to troubles they've had in the past. The drinks, especially the rum based ones are strong enough to do their job but not over the top. The food is forgettable, except for the table bread which was amazing. We left before the restaurant turned into the predictable salsa inspired rum bottle service nightclub so maybe the whole place got wild and crazy after we left. I doubt it. Have fun. G

    (3)

  • A B.

    OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I died and went to Cuban Sandwich heaven. Now I grew up in an area that there were ZERO Cuban restaurants, so I can't say I am a Cuban Sandwich-guru, but this one was the best I ever had!! I am usually a fast eater throwing all the food into my mouth, but this sandwich, oooh did I savor every bite...Mmmmmm, wish I got two. I also had a blueberry mojito -- very good! My boyfriend also enjoyed his food, especially a soup with a ton of seafood in it.

    (5)

  • Maria H.

    I've been to their Philly location for brunch and it was great, so I was pleased to find that there was a Cuba Libre in our hotel while staying in Atlantic City. We did a menu sampler where we had a taste of a handful of entrees as well as appetizers and desserts. EVERYTHING we tried was finger licking good, seriously, I wanted to lick my plate. The bread wiht the butter was a great starter, I could eat a basket of that alone and be happy. The potently delightful sangria paired with the dim lighting definitely set the mood for a romantic delicious dinner.

    (4)

  • Kristine Z.

    Decor was really nice and fun. The food was decent and well priced. Iv personally had amazing Cuban before and it didn't compare. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and it was not pressed so that's a big no no for me. It came with plantains that were like potato chips very bland. Boyfriend had skirt steak. Good flavor but very very chewy. Mojito were excellent but small as can be.

    (3)

  • Amaryllis R.

    My experience was fabulous to say the least. My fiance and I came here for lunch after I realized a sandwich wasn't going to cut it on my last day in Atlantic City. It was the best decision and it stood out as our favorite restaurant. At the time we went for lunch (about 12pm) we were the only people in the joint. It was quiet and we got individual attention. I ordered the empanadas and was blown away. They were DELICIOUS and the salt on top added a little extra zing. My fiance got the chicharrones which he kept trying to get me to taste (cause he said it was awesome), but I was too busy with my little pockets of yum. For drinks, he got the mojitio which was also, you guessed it- super. I got a banana coconut batido minus the rum which was the best freakin smoothie I've ever had. Definitely check this place out if your taste buds are dying for something different!

    (5)

  • Alison C.

    Though I rarely visit Atlantic City, one experience from a previous trip stuck out in my mind. I had spent that evening grooving to live Cuban music at a fun restaurant and bar in the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. So, on a recent excursion to the area, I knew that I had to make a repeat visit for a festive Saturday evening. On this occasion, I actually decided to extend my stay by sampling the specialty cocktails and cuisine. I sipped the refreshing Mint, Ginger and Honey Caipirinha, which was concocted from Cachaça, honey, fresh ginger, hierba buena, guarapo, lime juice, sugar, and real lemon. I knew that I wanted to maintain my sobriety for the peppy part of the evening, so I balanced the beverage order with a bowl of the Paella Nueva. The traditional dish had been updated with the use of "forbidden" black rice. This version possessed a subtle orange essence, making it more unusual than the standard yellow rice. The meal also incorporated a variety of seafood, such as Mahi-Mahi, shrimp, clams, mussels, and squid. A refreshing "Mojito" salsa verde and spicy chipotle aioli added a bold kick. We finished our meals just as the majority of the tables were being roped aside to make room for the festive band and professional dancers. A crowd formed around the sultry duo, looking on with awe and hoping to mirror the steps as soon as the time arrived. The dancers left the floor and allowed the general crowd to takeover. We all tried our best to gyrate with the passion and precision of the demonstrators. Though most of us lacked the skill and coordination to do this, we had a fabulous time regardless. Cuba Libre offered a fun alternative to the crazy nightclubs around town. The live music and flavorful ethnic food were added bonuses.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    Dope party spot. I see why all the hype. Beautiful women, good music, and decently priced drinks. If you want to dance the night away to some salsa, merengue, and bachata this is the spot to do it at while in AC.

    (5)

  • Lisa A.

    I love rum. I've had rum at rum distilleries all over the Caribbean. A fine, aged, dark rum on a warm evening in SoCal is one of life's little luxuries. That being said, I've only had mojitos here, no food. The pineapple mojito was excellent, a little fruity but not too overpowering. Also had a pomegranate mojito, yummo. Both mojitos had dark rum in them, which made them extra awesome.

    (4)

  • Alan Z.

    Of all the restaurants in Trop this is the one to stay away from . My wife is Cuban so we always try to eat either food from her heritage or mine. food poor , service poor , price high. The next night we went to Carmines ,cheaper ,better, and faster. Too bad I can't give negative 3 stars!

    (1)

  • Gary P.

    I went here on Saturday night with a group of friends for my bachelor party. After the reviews on how great the food was, I was a bit underwhelmed. The hanger steak which I had was marinated well, and cooked well. However, it is placed right on top of the mashed potatoes, and with the marinade and juices sinking in before the plate is brought out, the mashed potatoes turn into complete liquid. But the REAL issue was with the reservations and their policy. My friends made reservations for 10 people. Someone couldn't make it, and we showed up with 9. The restaurant didn't mind, they simply served food to an empty chair!! That's right! They said that since the reservation was for ten, they are going to serve ten people and charge for it! The manager was called over, and he said that was their policy. That knocks this place down to two stars. And I'm pretty sure, if we showed up with 11 people rather than 10, they would've managed to serve an extra person despite the fact that only 10 were on the reservation. I will not be returning to this place.

    (2)

  • Amanda D.

    I came here with a group of friends before a concert at The Convention Hall. We didn't have any reservations but were immediately seated. Our server came over pretty quickly. Our server was really good - one of my friends is highly allergic to almost everything. The waitress made sure with the chef that my friend could order the food without any problems. They serve bread with cinnamon butter - absolutely delicious. For starters, we ordered the chicarrones de la casa. They were delicious! For the entree, I had the churrasco a la cubana. Again, really delicious! Great place to visit in Atlantic City.

    (4)

  • Pornpimol N.

    The food is tasty, but a lil salty! The fish menu is good!

    (4)

  • William S.

    This place was great. Sopa Levanta Muerto was fantastic. They have an extensive rum-based drinks menu. Had a pineapple mojito that was fantastic. Mahi Mahi was very good. The cafe con leche was fantastic. Atmosphere is as good as a contrived Cuban setup in a sad Atlantic City casino can be.

    (5)

  • Mimi A.

    Every time we go come to Atlantic City we always try to take one night for dinner. However, this time around we were extremely disappointed with the food. We ordered drinks and the very yummy 10 cane mojito is no longer on the menu. Appetizers were very bland and the main course was very salty and not appetizing. We may have to think about returning to this place again. Why do some restaurants start out AMAZING and then next to always decide to mess with perfection.

    (2)

  • Allison P.

    This literally is the only reason why I go to Atlantic City. I am not a gambler- in fact I would rather just toss my money at the waitress while she brings me delicious food. This place is a GEM- and that is an under statement. My boyfriend introduced this restaurant to me, and I make sure we go everytime we are in town. I do recommend making reservations every time you go- even if you think it's off season or if you think the casino is looking a little slow- dont assume there will be a table there. Because if you miss out all over a reservation you will hate yourself for the rest of your life. First and foremost- PRESSED CUBAN BREAD AND MANGO BUTTER. I am not yelling at you I am just trying to get my point across. Dont turn this down- dont be that person that says "Oh Im trying to cut down on my carbs". Shut up, take the bread, load it with butter (ask for extra because you will want it) and shove it in your mouth. Im serious about this bread and butter and you should be too. The only change Ive noticed on the menu between our two recent trips- were the dipping dishes for the plantain and malanga chips. The recent dishes are black bean hummus, the rum-cured smoked marlin salad and their own salsa. I have never in my life had the black bean hummmus. In fact I have never liked any hummus that Ive tried and for that matter I dont eat chickpeas. this time I made sure to take some extra black bean hummus home back to our hotel room-its delicious. Ive googled recipes since then and some show using the black beans in addition to the chickpeas (yuck) or substituting the chickpeas with the beans- not sure what CL does but its amazing. I will actually try both recipes at home to replicate the dish. Im not a seafood eater but my boyfriend said the rum-cured marlin salad was delicious- there was none left on the plate. I do like their salsa- its not chunky and seemed to have been pureed- but there is just enough heat to it to not burn your mouth but still have delicious flavors. HIGHLY recommend this appetizer. Feel free to ask for more chips if you have some dip left over- dont be shy. You may get charged for it but you can ask for some of the left over chips and extra sauces to go home. Its even better later on. We've also had their empanadas- they are very tasty and the presentation is absolutely adorable. They are average size but great for sharing- the chicken is really good- the corn and cheese sauce inside totally makes it and is probably my favorite. My second favorite is the pulled pork. The last time we went Chris went with the 15 tastes of cuba. It sounds like alot of food and it actually is but the portions are so small (and really just for tasting) that you dont feel like a fat @ss after (LOL). If you are really torn with what to eat and youre not a picky eater like me this may be good introduction to half of their menu. This last trip he had the Vaca Frita- and this has become his go to meal. The steak was perfectly braised and even though he didnt even need a knife he got one anyway. He loves onions and they were carmelized to perfection. Their black beans are to do for as well. For the entrees my go to is the Vieja Ropa- this is the only entree I will eat there only because its so good and if it aint broke why fix it? White rice comes on the side. The sauce in the meat is perfect- just enough acidity and not watery/runny. It comes with maduros (sweet plantains) on top (2) but theres also some cut up and blended into the meat. Between the plantain chips, the bread and mango butter and our entrees we dont have room for dessert so I cant comment on that part of the menu. I think that should be a good thing that the food is that good that the dessert part just doesnt exist for me. P.S. Mango Mojito- do it.

    (5)

  • Archie G.

    It was dinner time and my dad, uncle, and I were famished. Since Atlantic City is full of chains, my uncle suggested P.F. Chang's, much to my chagrin, but I agreed to it since we were all starving. When I heard the wait for "PFC" was nearly 2 hours, I announced to my dad and uncle that I refused to wait 2 hours for mediocre Americanized Chinese cuisine. My dad and uncle joked that my refusal to wait reminded them of my bratty tantrums I pulled as a kid. I'll spare Yelp the details. Anyway, Cuba Libra was the neighboring restaurant and there was no wait. The hostess claimed that Cuba Libre had the "best Cuban food outside of Miami." And for the record, she pronounced it "MEE-AH-MEE" like a true Latino (and not "MY-AM-ME" like a typical gringo). Nice. You have to appreciate them trying to add some "authenticity" to a chain restaurant. Now to be honest, I have never been a fan of Cuban food. I feel it lacks any real spice and is usually pretty bland. Most food from that island area tends to be that way. But Cuba Libre took what could have been a bland experience and made it special by doing a few things to seperate themselves from other typical Cuban food experiences. For starters, they have stellar service. No seriously, the restaurant was filling up fast and the servers were working hard, but they also worked smart. Great job on their part. The beer was great. It was cold and delicious. They had some Costa Rican beer called "Imperial" that hit the spot. I recommend it. The food itself was excellent. The appetizer sampler plate started the night off right. They also use fresh and quality ingredients. The entrees had excellent presentation. The prawns in my dish were huge. I am talking pornstar huge, if you catch my drift. In addition, I had a piece of my dad's Cuban style steak and it was quality meat, marinated in some lime. The bill came in a Cuban cigar box, which was kind of neat touch. We threw cash in there for the meal, left a generous tip, and then closed the cigar box. It was a cool way of deliverng the check and collecting payment. Granted, if they had a cigar or some other "treats" inside it would be even better. But that's just my inner "Tony Montana" coming out there. On my way out, I noticed the younger crowd of Atlantic City was heading there decked out in their fashionable attire for a night of drinks, dinner, and dancing. The DJ was beginning to play was some pretty sweet Latin dance music. The server reminded me to keep my receipt so I could have free cover for the dancing that was to come later that night. After seeing tons of people with walkers and oxygen tanks all night, I was tempted to stop by and see how the younger Jersey crowd parties, but I knew that if La Novia ever found out, all my clothes would be outside on the lawn when I got home. In addition, she probably would be waiting at the door with a knife. Kidding. Well, sort of. Anyway, if you are ever in Atlantic City and want some good Cuban cuisine (and the option to work off the calories with some dancing later that night), then Cuba Libre is the way to go.

    (4)

  • Alvin K.

    Ambiance was nice, food was above average. Prefer the Philadelphia location, but a great time!

    (4)

  • Keith K.

    I wanna give a much higher review but i cant get over two main issues. Let me start by saying the food is good so i wont say they cant cook. Plantains were delish as was the pinapple guacomole. Steaks were surprising cook to perfection. So the one issue was the place is too damn dark!!! The staff has to go over the menu with a flash light and when i went to the bathroom, i couldnt see in the stale. The second issue was the price of the drinks. We ordered a pitcher of mojitos and it was over 60.00!!! The menu doesnt say 60.00 nor does it list the pitcher itself but when the waitress suggested it, i figured it would compare to the other pitchers on the menu at around 35.99. Just a little taken back by it and wish we were told differently. So overall a good place just watch what you order and where you walk!

    (4)

  • Caroline C.

    The food is great here! I absolutely love the mango butter and toast. I could make a dinner out of that. I also tried the sampler. Basically it is a few of their dishes into one to sort of get a taste of it all. It is VERY filling. I hear their mojitos are really good, but we got the sangria, which was really good. At night, it turns into a club upstairs with hip hop, and latin music downstairs.

    (4)

  • Sheryl C.

    Love this restaurant! Decor/theme is great, nice vibe & the food is amazing!! We went for dinner with a bachelorette party of 9 girls (def a good spot for a larger group). My favorites: Ropa Vieja, Arroz con pollo (although no one cared for the hard boiled egg), and the mojitos were amazing in taste, but not too strong in alcohol. Either way, it was all delicious!

    (4)

  • Bangali A.

    Went there for a happy hour with my sister on a weekday. It was very slow and the service at the bar was horrible. Food wasn't that great. For the price of drinks, it was HORRIBLE. There is not a chance that i will be going there anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Pam S.

    A definite pick for Atlantic City visiting - it's an easy drop off (Tropicana Quarter) for the cab, and the atmosphere is nice. The menu looked good, but I loved this place for the cocktails - pricey and small, but tasty. I love me a good cocktail. They also let us stay longer than normal because of a baseball game - so kind management. Good place.

    (4)

  • Melissa B.

    Came here for my birthday dinner and it was delicious! The food is definitely the star of this restaurant. The waiter was helpful but he wasn't really on top of the drinks. I wanted another sangria, but he never came around to ask so I didn't bother asking. Other than that, great atmosphere and great food. After 11 on weekends, the restaurant turns into a club which is great.

    (4)

  • Chrissy W.

    As noted in other reviews, the atmosphere is certainly there--hard to miss, as it's almost too dim for its own good. It seems they're definitely going for the dating crowd. Very nice food, starting with the toast and mango butter, though really expensive. I got the Frituras de Malanga and Guacamole Cuban for my appetizer. The Frituras de Malanga was definitely the better of the two; it was a unique concoction of several crunchy balls with a sauce that is hard to describe with words. I did not know what to expect going in, and I was pleasantly surprised with it. The Guacamole Cuban was just decent; it was merely some plantain chips with a cylinder of pineapple salsa that wasn't very special. The salsa mostly tasted just like pineapple and did not allow other flavors (such as the avocado) to really come forward. If you like the idea of plantain chips with pineapple, then it may be your thing. For my main meal, I got the Ravioles de Calabaza, and that was another unique dish. I posted a picture of it that gives you an idea of what to expect. I got it since it's unfortunately one of the few vegetarian-friendly entrées, so I chose it merely because I was stuck with it, pretty much. In this case, it wasn't that bad since the food was great--a combination of cheese and squash ravioli, caramelized onions, spinach, and pumpkin seeds, that all came together for a slightly sweet dish that left me satisfied (though wanting more). It would be nice if there were more vegetarian options (while keeping within the Hispanic theme). As you may gather by checking out the official site at cubalibrerestaurant.com or the restaurant's stats here, this place is expensive. Don't go expecting a quick, cheap meal. You will most likely enjoy the food if you like Spanish cuisine, but be prepared to shell out some dough. The value of the meal varies greatly, and in my case, I would say that it was overall a hit. However, I do think that the prices are a bit high for the portions of food provided. The price seems to be more in the presentation and taste of the food than the portions. If you're alright with that and have a craving for Spanish cuisine, then I would say you should consider Cuba Libre.

    (4)

  • Annette M.

    We went here for drinks and snacks and it was so delicious that we came back a few hours later for dinner! The drinks are high quality- I recommend the grilled pineapple mojito (uniquely flavorful), the food is a on point modern interpretation of traditional Cuban cuisine, and the service is attentive and friendly. We look forward to going back next time we are in AC!

    (4)

  • Travis F.

    The Atlantic City location as mentioned earlier doesn't have as much of a "Cuban feel' as the DC restaurant, but that's because while inside of it you'll have great difficulty not noticing the outside world. That's not their fault necessarily. On a certain level it's just the real estate card they were dealt. Having said that, they still have amazing mojitos! Their mole sauce is among the best I've ever had. The quality of the food is no less than you'll find in the DC Cuba libre. Do go. It's a little pricey, but hey - you're in Atlantic City. It costs, like, twenty bucks for a lighter and a pack of gum in that town.

    (4)

  • Jody S.

    Food was just meh. Even more importantly, we had a 9pm dinner reservation for a birthday party of 5. They put us upstairs on the balcony and about half-way through our meal, they started setting the place up for when it turns over into a nightclub. Seriously? They were moving tables and chairs around us, turned off all of the lights and turned the music up to where we could no longer even talk. I love clubs and totally understand what was going on but it was weird and uncomfortable (and wayyyy too early). Do people in AC really go clubbing at 10pm? Kinda sad if they do!

    (2)

  • Jenn F.

    I was here just over the July 4th weekend, made reservations thru opentable.com , and was shocked that it was pretty empty. Last yr on the same day, we had to wait til past 9pm before we could get a table. I will say it was not as good as last yr though. Lost a star: we ordered mostly different items, and one that was the same. You get a basket of toasted, sliced bread accompanied with mango-flavored butter. I had been craving this for so long. Lol, seeing as how I'm not a big gambler, I had to wait the full yr. That butter is so good, we finished 3 baskets of bread. And I might have licked my fingers a few times. We ordered the ceviche, the sea bass, mahi mahi, and the arroz con pollo(rice w/chicken). The arroz wasn't as good as I had remembered- maybe the novelty of it wore off. The mahi mahi was so-so because I'm just not a fan of the fish, and it came with black rice that wasn't too good. But the star of the night was probably the sea bass. Very tasty and juicy. And every time I go to a Cuban restaurant, I never forget to order the 10cane rum mojito, and you shouldn't either! Unless of course, you are underage, in which drinking is a very very very very very bad thing. I would come back again and probably explore more of the menu, but I am regretting that I didn't try the restaurants at the Borgata. Maybe I should man up and bring my 007 A-game to the casinos.

    (3)

  • Wayne S.

    The food was great. Service was very good. Decor was nice. Very impressed.

    (5)

  • Scott B.

    I had been to there Orlando location before and enjoyed that, so talked my co-worker into going to this location. We both enjoyed it. Good Mojito, great food, cool atmosphere. It is a rather loud place, but gives the feel of a Cuban cafe in Miami. Never been to Cuba, but would assume that to? Good place to grab dinner if in town.

    (4)

  • Candice B.

    I am torn between giving this place a 4 star or 5 star... but with the quality of food and excellent customer service... Ladies & Gentlemen, I am giving out my first 5 Star EVER!!! I was on an Atlantic City trip with my fiance, one of my best friend and her husband and we decided to beat the dinner crowd and dine at the early bird hours. We went to Cuba Libre, knowing that this is considered "upscale" and won't pay anything less than $20 for entree (I mean, EVERYTHING is expensive in AC, you only live once!). My friend and her husband have been here before and they highly recommended this place, so why not? The place was pretty empty at 5:30pm on a Monday night the last week of June. There were two other small tables besides the four of us. As I look at the menu, there were plenty of stuff that I liked, it was really tough trying to decide. Michelle was our server, she was very pleasant and very nice. We ordered 4 different flavors mojitos, man, it was so delicious! I highly recommend the Blueberry mojito and the watermelon mojito! Michelle brought over toast with the oh-so-famous mango butter. It was simply amazing! Melt in your mouth butter with a tropical twist... paradise! She also brought our attention to an all-new chef's tasting menu - 15 tastes of Cuba for $39.99. At first I thought $40 per person, that's pretty damn pricey, but then thought that ONE entree is already $25, this comes with appetizers AND dessert. I have decided to go with it, since I can't even decide what I like more, so why not try 15 dishes at once? My fiance and my friend's husband decided to do the same, where my friend ordered the Vaca Frita. Our first few "tastes" arrived - Mariquitas Cubanas which contains a basket full of plantains, malanga and yuca chips. It also came with a trio of dips: Black Bean Hummus, Rum-cured smoked marlin-salad, and the mushrooms escabeche rillette. I can't decide which ones I like more... they were all AMAZING. Our next round of food was a quartet: Callos con Pomelo, which is scallops with grapefruit salad with a passion fruit sauce - similar to ceviche. Empanada de la Casa - best empanadas I have ever had! Guava BBQ Ribs - fall of the bone ribs... finger lickin' good! and last but not least, Frituras de Malanga, which is taro fritters with tamarindo ketchup. By this point, we were already 85% full! Michelle constantly made sure that we had plenty of water and drinks, occasionally cleaning off our table crumps. I mean, who does that? That's exceptional customer service right there! Just as we are saying how full we are, here comes our entree: It was on a plate with 3 mini portions. Now, when I say "mini", think Tapas portion. It's a perfect way to try different dishes without filling yourself up! The trio consisted of Vaca Fritas, Camarones con Cana, and Dorado a la Plancha. Now, the Vaca Fritas are braised shredded flank steak. I love my meat pink and raw, so these overcooked shredded flank steak was not my cup of tea. The camarones con cana on the other hand, was AMAZING. Sugarcane skewered shrimp with a mango bbq glaze and guacamole. It's my absolute favorite. The Dorado a la plancha is the fresh mahi-mahi with olive oil, with a lobster flavored rice underneath. Really different, and delicious! There were 2 sides too: Arroz con frijoles negros (black bean rice) and this AMAZING AMAZING madruos (sweet plantains)!! By this point I can barely fit anything else in my stomach, but here comes dessert.... Tocino del cielo is my absolute favorite dessert - cuban flan with berries. The Arroz con leche is good too, rice pudding. They also threw in a little piece of short bread that wasn't on the menu. Overall the food was delicious, the service was superb... The restaurant manager was constantly walking around checking on how the servers were doing. When we left, we went up to the manager and praised Michelle. He was so happy and was writing things down! The next time I come to Atlantic City I will definitely come back to Cuba Libre!

    (5)

  • Aisha L.

    I am changing my original 4 star review to 5 stars because after my review the AC GM contacted me and thanked me for my kind words. Customer service means EVERYTHING!!!! In love with this place!!!

    (5)

  • yenza g.

    What a joke. Salad was dry. Entree was too salty. After dropping over a grand on a big group dinner for a friend's birthday, we re-entered with our dinner receipt in hand and the bouncer wouldn't let one of my friends from the entire group back in because he had an interim driver's ID as issued by NY State DMV, even though he had other supporting documents with photo. Meanwhile, it was ok to serve us alcoholic beverages during dinner without asking for ID because we were dropping big bucks as a group? What an uneducated group of bad business people. We tried to make the best of it and leave some of the guys behind while we went dancing and drinking. The deejays played lame music and couldn't get the crowd on the dance floor :(

    (1)

  • Steven D.

    Food: The free toast was decent. The mango butter was delicous. I wanted to put some in my pocket for later. We got a picture of blueberry mojitos. They had a decent amout of blueberries in them but the overall drink was way too sweet. I had to brush my teeth aftewards. I got the lechon asado $22.50. It was basically yuca (tasted more like potatoes), topped with pulled pork, topped with cole slaw, and in a bean base sauce. It had a good spice but it was nothing special. Toss the food into some buns it all and its the same sandwich at any other restaurant. Decor: This place is kind of huge. There is a upstairs with multiple bars. The downstairs becomes a dance floor weekend nights. The music was kind of annoying but can be talked over easily. Service: I can't trust the server anymore because she said their mojitos were the best in town. Maybe if you are a 6 year old girl. Would I come here again? No. If I wanted weak drinks I'd just walk over to the Tropicania casino floor.

    (2)

  • Nick S.

    Went here for my first anniversary with my girlfriend and really enjoyed it! We went on a Saturday but we made reservations, which was very helpful since it was pretty busy. The seats are pretty close together but the decor is very trendy and there's plenty of interesting things to look at. We order their tasting menu- appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Pretty reasonably priced (as far as AC goes) and we got a lot of interesting food! First, you get bread with a to-die-for mango butter. If they jarred it and sold it, I would have bought it all. Appetizers: plantain/yucca chips with dips, a tomato with blue cheese and balsamic, shrimp ceviche, glazed BBQ ribs, and an empanada. Entrees: braised flank steak, sugarcane-skewered shrimp, and mahi-mahi fillet (rice and beans, and plantain chips on the side) Desserts: tradition Cuban flan with berries, and rice pudding. As you can see, we had the opportunity to try a ton of different things. I love the idea of a tasting menu, and really enjoyed it here. Obviously, with so many options, there will be things you like and things you don't like but that's okay. Our favorites were the BBQ ribs, the empanada, the flank steak and the rice pudding. I would definitely try this place again.

    (4)

  • Anna S.

    LOVED the food and bartender on the main floor. Our table of 5 split 4 appetizers which sounds like a lot, but the app plates are small. However, my skirt steak with mash entree was huge and I ate it all! I wish I would have tried the grilled pineapple mojito. Next time!

    (5)

  • Jon K.

    We tried going next door to Red Square but they had stopped serving food kinda early. We had eaten at Cuba Libre in the past and were always satisifed. I like doing tasting menus and was able to try the 15 Tastes of Cuba. My passport to the forbidden island?!?! My wife didn't do the tasting...she had a Cuban sandwich which she seemed to enjoy very much. Also, we had a side order of maduros. We didn't really need them because they came with my tasting menu but waiter made it seem like I wouldn't get very many. He was wrong. First, they brought out some pressed Cuban bread with mango butter. They actually consider this the 1st of 15 courses. Pfft. My 4 appetizers all came out at once. They were each served on their own individual plates. The best of the four was Mariquitas Latin America. Black bean hummus and avocado salsa served with crispy plantain and yuca chips. The weakest of the four surprisingly was the Ceviche. It was bay scallops in more of a tomato sauce than any citrus concoction. It was supposed to come with goat cheese confetti and toasted flat bread but in hindsight I never saw either on the little plate. The other two apps were a somewhat standard chicken empanada and an overly sauced, and award winning, guava bbq rib served with a jicama-Samabal salad. The next seven courses were a combination of entrees and side dishes. The main entrees were all served on one large plate. The best of them was the salmon. It had a honey-mango glaze and had been cooked with a lobster stock. The other entrees were a non-descript skirt steak that came with a parsley, lemon and onion sauce and a rosemary escabeche salad. The final entree was a sugarcane skewered mango bbq sauce glazed jumbo shrimp served with guacamole Cubano. The side dishes were black beans and rice, young mustard greens and tomatoes and the aforementioned maduros. The final three courses were dessert. The standout was the Natilla de Coco. Creamy coconut pudding, whipped cream, toasted coconut and quince cookie. The other two were a vanilla flan and a chocolate souffle tart layered with dulce de leche and golden pineapple. Overall, it was well priced at just $39. Other than the small maduros issue our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful when we could find him. The cocktails were very good.

    (3)

  • Mark N.

    Well having lived in Florida I've had quite a bit of experience with Cuban food in Miami and Tampa, in addition to in Madrid and Los Angeles, this seems like pretty good food but not stellar. I ordered a pisco sour and was very disappointed that they do not use egg, and still charge 9 dollars for it! If egg is not used, it is not a real pisco sour I believe..The manager explained to me later hat use of raw egg is not allowed by NJ health regulations, but that egg whites are normally added to the pisco sours at Cuba Libre, so evidently my experience was the result of a mistake. tried the standard mojito, it was OK.. The atmosphere is quite nice and this seems like a good place to hang out and see the beautiful people. and yes there was a lot of eye candy around. At 10 PM on a sATURDAY night the dancefloor downstairs got jumping to a Latin music soundtrack (salsa, meringue, bachata, etc.) and the line out front got pretty large, it seemed "hot". very good choice of music. a very safe, clean, classy place.. I sat at the upstairs bar to eat and have some drinks, the bartender was very professional and willing to answer questions and make suggestions about the food menu.

    (3)

  • Rich B.

    Service was ok...way to dark waitress carried a pen flashlight so we could read the menu. Should of been a sign for things to come....Drinks and appetizers were alittle less than ok wife had Cuban eggroll ...mehhhh. and I had shrimp ceviche that was more like shrimp cocktail..... the entrees were brutal wife had some sort of meat dish that was dry, stringy and just didn't taste good. I had the pallella ....ugh.. way over cooked calamari and octopus were way too rubbery. .in fact went to stab some.calamari with my fork and it shot across the table....mussels weren't debearded and fish over done it was a disaster. The rice was like it came out of a compound.bucket....don't think id give this place another shot...prices high...portions were small..which is a good thing considering the.foods.awful

    (1)

  • Monica P.

    Was here this past Friday night for Dinner. Food was great!! Coconut Mojitos to die for. After hours we stayed by the bar which was wayyyyy understaffed. Two people bar-tending A male and female. After about 15 min of trying to get their attention. Finally the guy comes over. I ordered 3 drinks all the same. Well they were gross and not made right. Flagged the bartender down and asked him what was in it. He decided since they did not have the proper ingredients he would create his own. Failure!!! So he tried to add in some juices to sweeten it up. It turned out even worse to where we all had our stomachs turning. At this point he was avoiding us. He saw the 3 cups filled and up on the bar he knew we did not like it. We made eye contact 3times and he kept helping others instead. Finally when we started to look for a manager to address this to he comes over nasty as anything and says "what you don't like it then what do you want" I said your giving me an attitude meanwhile if you didn't have lemonade to go with it why didn't you say so. His response?? " well I used lime juice" ummm yea a bit of a difference. He was so rude slammed down the new drinks. Needless to say we removed his $5.00 tip that was sitting there from the first order. Other then being short staffed and nasty the food and waiter were great. The male bartender a complete jerk!

    (3)

  • Salena M.

    Nice atmosphere with palm trees, lights and sultry feel but disappointed in the food. The only thing I liked was the guava bbq ribs which came in only as an appetizer. They should offer it as a half rack or full rack for dinner. The empanadas (shrimp) was dry and scallop ceviche was nothing exceptional. Went with 3 friends and all our entrees offer large portions but doesn't make up for the taste. Sure my large shrimp was delicious but you can't really go wrong with marinated garlic shrimp. It was the side things that go with your dish that was a mishmash of disappointing flavors. Mojitos were generally weak. I had the pear mojito... didn't taste the pear flavor. The mango mojito was much better on taste and went very smooth if you like fruity flavors.

    (2)

  • Daniela P.

    I've eaten here a few times and it's been on point each time. Although I am a vegetarian they have enough items to keep me and my belly happy. I've had the vegetarian chorizo empanadas...so yummy, The frituras de malanga were so good that my meat eating friends were trying to steal more than the ONE I politely offered to them. I have also had the Ravioles de calabaza....wow these were so tasty. The item that sticks out most in my mind is the mango butter w the toast that they serve prior to the meal. I can't discuss it without my mouth watering. They need to open a Cube in NYC :)

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    First, you need to remember it's a chain. So you aren't going to get a Cuban experience like you would in South Beach. However, for a chain...the food is pretty decent. Atmosphere was a bit sleepy to me....but my Ropa Vieja was nothing to complain about, it was rich but probably could have used a bigger portion. We had some different apps to go with it...can't really remember what they were but all were pretty good. Overall, you could do worse in AC for sure....this isn't a bad spot to hit up for dinner.

    (3)

  • Jose O.

    Amazing cuban food. The ambiance is great and I've heard they have the best "fiestas" on weekends nights. The food is exquisite and I'd love to go back again!!

    (4)

  • Ilir A.

    Food was good, although portions of appetizers were very small. Service was nice & the waiter was very attentive. Ambience was nice, although a bit loud and need some more lighting. Overall good experience.

    (3)

  • Jordan A.

    We ate at Cuba Libre Sunday night while in AC for my boyfriends birthday. Both the service and the food were excellent. We were seated right away, even though we were a little late for our reservation (but, it was a Sunday night). The waitress took the time to go over the menu as well as the cocktails. She was great for the whole meal. The manager also stopped by while we eating. We started with drinks. I got a mojito, which was good, and BF had a dark and stormy, which was excellent. The pressed bread and mango butter they bring to the table was awesome. We also got two empanadas-a pork and a chicken. The chicken was good, not anything outstanding, but the pork was delicious with the perfect amount of spice. The little spinach salad with goat cheese dressing that came with them was really tasty, too. We got the plato gaucho for two as an entree, which is pretty much a plate of different meats. It was all good, but the strip steak was the stand out-it was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I loved the chorizo as well, but didn't care for the shrimp. The sauces that come with it were unique and complemented the meats well. The onion rings had good flavor, but were way too spicy for either of us, which is saying something for my BF. We finished the meal off with the tres leches cake, which was also very good. Overall, the meal was a great experience, and I think reasonably priced for all the food we got. The atmosphere is very cool, and the service was top notch. We would come back if we were in AC more often.

    (4)

  • Dave R.

    I went there last night with a group of friends at 11pm and individual at the door wouldn't let me inside because they claimed my Aldo shoes were "sneakers". I've been there before wearing the same shoes and other establishments with a similar dress code and I've never been turned away. When I tried explaining that to the employee at the door he didn't seem interested in what I had to say and just said sorry not tonight. His tone was rude and his attitude was poor and disrespectful. I think they don't have a clue as to what "sneakers" are and what is fashionable. Lets be realistic here....the no sneaker dress code is "intended" to keep folks from wearing their white or brightly colored Nike and Adidas. Besides, who in the world is looking at peoples shoes on a dark and crowded dance floor? Anyway, later that night I was outside the club waiting for other people and I noticed about four other individuals leave with obvious "sneakers" on...even the sole was white. I find the inconsistencies unprofessional and unwelcoming and I wouldn't recommend this establishment for a night of fun.

    (2)

  • Lou P.

    Kind of sort of real Fried plantains don't make good food Good food makes good food All the Guayabera shirts in the world don't make me want to return to Cuba Libre. Sure, it was decent enough, lots of palm fronds and fried plantains sticking out of every corner of my food from appetizers to desert, but the overall experience was a wash. I came in here with friends and we wanted to have a few drinks before the meal. Our waiter must have returned to the table 5 or 6 times in the course of 15 minutes to take our order, despite our repeated indications that we would order when we were finished with drinks. The place was in no way packed, as it was a Tuesday evening, so there was no need for rushing. The drinks we did receive were rather weak, and in the case of my buddy's whiskey, tiny to boot. I wanted something spicy, and on the recommendation of the waiter I ordered the Arroz con Pollo, and asked if the chef could spice it up a little too. Not only was it bland, but the presentation was akin to a bowl of mushy oatmeal. I'd go again only if I was with someone who truly wanted to go here, although I would devote some time to changing their mind. The overall experience was that of an annoying chain restaurant trying to cycle tables as quickly as possible.

    (2)

  • Nancy B.

    For a treat while visiting AC, we took the family, to expose our teens to Cuban food. We tried the Plato Gaucho for Two, which is a mixed grill served with spicy hit onion rings and 3 specially paired sauces. The teens each found a Cuban specialty to check out. Bring your credit card - it gets pretty pricey, but we figured why not! Dessert offerings were vast, as were the coffee, tea and cordial choices. Loved the Cafe de Coconut Creme!

    (4)

  • John B.

    We were really disappointed by the rudeness of the staff. My wife and I went to Atlantic City for the weekend to celebrate our anniversary. We decided to try the rum bar at the Cuba Libre; the staff would not allow me in the restaurant, because I did not meet the dress code. I was wearing a polo shirt, khaki cargo shorts and a pair of leather sandals. The bouncer said that I could not enter the restaurant, because I had on open toe shoes. Just a warning, do not wear open toe shoes or sandals if you want have drinks or dinner at this place. We had drinks and dinner at PF Changs; I think it was better choise. The atmosphere at PF Changs was better fit for a romantic diner.

    (1)

  • Christine B.

    Good food, less than wonderful service. We had a surprise thirtieth birthday party to attend here this past Saturday. The reservation had been made well in advance and we had about 25 people in attendance. The organizers of the shindig had arranged for us to get a four course meal (family style apps, a salad, choice of entree and dessert trio) at a fixed price. It was going well, we arrived for the surprise party got ourselves some drinks and waited. About ten minutes after the initially planned for start time, the host came up and asked us to call the birthday girl's companions (this was after all a surprise) because they needed the tables to turn over. And it was fine, but then the host proceeded to hover around near the table blocking the stairs where the birthday honoree would be walking. Then she began to stalk the table, circling it, but not serving it, just waiting to see if we had gotten word on how long it would be. Not to sound persnickety, but if you need a table, the preferable route to go would be to ask how long our guest of honor would be and then ask if they could bring out the appetizers at the very least to get things moving. After the birthday girl arrived the meal came out in rapid succession, but was otherwise fine. Beverage service was slow, but again, it was a big party. Fine. Of course then we get to the bill and you figure if it works out to $80+ per person, they would accept a credit card per couple (or in my case for the $240+ for three people), but no, for reasons beyond my comprehension they refused to run more than 2 credit cards on the tab, and were nasty about it. Oh and for the record, when our party left, there were still plenty of open tables in our section, so I'm not sure why they so desperately needed our table, but that's neither here nor there. If it's any saving grace the food was decent, just not decent enough for me to come back.

    (3)

  • Knah A.

    Went here because the line at PF Changs was too long. GLAD I did. Upon being seating, our waiter was friendly and explained the food sampler promotion and alcohol deals that they had. Ordered mixed drinks (be SURE to get a Mojito) and two samplers. Food arrived promptly and each dish was explained to us. The mango butter? - To DIE for. The staff was wonderful. This place makes me wish that they had more then 4 locations, but definitely look forward to a return visit.

    (5)

  • Brianna B.

    The evening of February 7th 2015 I dined at your restaurant with three of my family members. What started out as a very entertaining and enjoyable evening turned into my worst nightmare. As our evening began to conclude at your establishment I decided to use the women's restroom located in your restaurant. I set my phone down inside the stall I was using. I preceded out of the stall washed my hands tipped the attendant and proceeded out the door. When I reached the front of the restaurant I realized I did not have my phone and went back immediately. I searched the stall no phone. When I questioned the attendant she did not have my cell phone but was not surprised it was missing and not returned. She did not hesitate to inform that much of the element that comes and goes through that restroom is very unsavory. Especially in the evening hours. I proceeded to the front of the restaurant to speak to a manager. I came across a female hostess or coat check girl and asked to speak to a manager. She did not even speak but just pointed in the direction of the manager. I sought him out and informed him of what had just happened as pertained to my cell phone. He went to the back with me and I pointed out a girl who was in the restroom that may have some information on my cell phone. Naturally I did not expect him to approach her and accuse her of anything. I told him I would get another cell phone so I could call mine to see if anyone would pick up or maybe it was dropped and we might be able to see it if it was ringing and lighting up. He agreed to wait a minute while got another phone. I returned in less then a minute and the manager was no where to be found. For 20 minutes I searched and waited for him. In that time while I was back up in the front of the restaurant. I spoke to another gentlemen who informed me he was the head of security at your restaurant. He was caucasion with a stocky build, cropped top hair and a beard. I asked him where the manager I was speaking with had gone( mgr name may have been John). He informed me that the mgr disappears often and he has no clue where he goes or what he does. I also asked him if the resturant had cameras. He informed me it did but he did not know anything about them or how and if they actually worked. What an odd response I immediately thought from someone who identified himself as the head of security. The manager was still not insight. I went to the girl by the coat check once again. I was upset at this point and asked her to get me another mgr as I was tired of waiting. She told me to get the F--- out of her face before I had a real problem. Out of nowhere this gentlemen appeared and said he had contacted the original mgr I was speaking with and that he was on his way back as he was with security looking at video footage. When I asked this person if he worked at the resturant he said no he was just a friend of the mgr. when the mgr returned he offered no explanation as to where he was or any apology for making me wait so long. All of a sudden another gentlemen appeared from the background and said he was the night manager (Hassan Dennis)he gave me his card and I informed him of all that had taken place. Although he was more professional then the other staff I encountered. He offered little else. I informed him that I would be contacting corporate regarding this matter. Although losing my phone was a horrible an unfortunate experience for me to endure the way I was treated at one of your restaurants was just as horrible. The way I was handled by your staff from management right down the line was appalling on so many levels. What an inept group you have running that resturant. Not one of your managers ever offered any apology for anything that went on that night. They never once asked me for any information such as my name, cell# or how to get intouch with me if they found my phone or needed to speak with me further. Your so called head of security was more interested in flirting with a woman waiting on line to get in to your night club then assisting me. He had such and attitude when I initially approached him because he was "so busy". I believe no one ever had any intention of pursuing this matter in any way what so ever. I dropped over $200 in your resturant that evening for food that was sub par at best. I almost choked on my steak but I did not send it back because the waiter was so accommodating to us and did his job so well. The only one I encountered that night. I hope you look at this incident very seriously and not with a blind eye. I am very seasoned when it comes to dinning out. Whether it be a local diner or a five star resturant integrity should always be on the menu.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 11:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : DJ
    Good For Dancing : Yes
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
    Coat Check : Yes
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

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