Havana Central Times Square

Reviews

• GF

  George Fernandez

  Nov 17, 2025
  5.0
  The night I went to Havana Central was my first time in New York City and he made my experience even greater. The food was absolutely excellent. I live in California and I've tried a few Cuban places and this one was one of the best. The young man who served me was outstanding super Pleasant and very attentive I forget his name I wish I could remember it all I know is that he is very young thin half Mexican half Salvadorian but he made my experience a Havana Central the more pleasant. I love the atmosphere the decorations the happiness of the people celebrating and even though they were super busy everyone seem to be having a great time. If you ever go to New York City you must try Havana Central.
• JM

  J. M.

  Nov 16, 2025
  5.0
  I was craving some Cuban cuisine, and after doing a bit of Google searching and reading reviews, my wife and I decided to have dinner at Havana Central in Times Square and I’m so glad we did. When we arrived, the energy was incredible. There was a live band playing, which instantly set the tone for a fun and vibrant night. We had made reservations ahead of time, and it’s a good thing we did because this restaurant was popping. There was a long line of customers waiting to be seated, but we were taken straight upstairs and shown to our table. Our server, Rafaela, was warm, attentive, and made our first visit feel extra welcoming. To start off the night, we ordered the Tostones Rellenos as an appetizer - three plantain baskets stuffed with chicken sofrito, beef picadillo, or shrimp sofrito, drizzled with a tomato garlic aioli. We chose two beef picadillo and one chicken sofrito. At $12.95, it was the perfect way to kick off the meal. For drinks, we each ordered the Ultimate Mojito. I went for the guava mojito ($16.00) and my wife had the classic ($15.00). Both were refreshing, flavorful, and strong enough to remind you you're on vacation even in Times Square. For our entrées: My wife ordered the Arroz con Pollo ($23.95) - boneless chicken thighs cooked in savory saffron rice with onions and peas, served with sweet plantains and topped with a chicharrón de pollo. She paired it with black beans. She absolutely loved it. I ordered the Churrasco a La Parrilla ($35.95) - a beautifully grilled center-cut skirt steak, served with crispy onions, mango salsita, and chimichurri sauce. I added sides of yellow rice, black beans, and maduros (fried sweet plantains). Everything was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. To end the night, we shared a classic Flan ($8) - a rich vanilla bean custard with caramel on top. Smooth, creamy, and the perfect sweet finish. Overall, Havana Central delivered on every level: food, service, ambiance, and energy. If you’re craving Cuban food in NYC or looking for a lively dinner spot near Times Square, this is an excellent choice.
• YR

  Yasmine Rameau

  Nov 16, 2025
  5.0
  We celebrated my brother’s 60th birthday at Havana Central, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish. From the moment I called and spoke with Elaine in the catering department, I knew we were in good hands. She promised to take care of us and make sure my brother had a memorable birthday and she absolutely delivered. The service was wonderful, the food was amazing, and the ambiance was perfect for the occasion. Our large party was handled with care and professionalism, which made the night even more enjoyable. I’m so happy I chose this restaurant for such a special celebration. Highly recommend, and we will definitely be back!
• TR

  Tatiana Rodriguez

  Nov 9, 2025
  5.0
  Delicious food, friendly staff, and great prices! Plenty of options for me that were gluten free, dairy free, and soy free. A bit loud for my taste but it was a great experience. Thrilled by the guava smoothie. The staff that greeted us were warm. Luiza, our server, was nice and attentive. The people that came to our table with waters, our orders, and to pick up dishes were so friendly too. And did I mention the delicious food?! Thanks to entire team - from the front end to the kitchen and everyone in between. Definitely recommend! 👏
• JM

  James Martenson

  Nov 7, 2025
  1.0
  My wife and I chose this restaurant because of the Cuban food and live music. We were disappointed on both counts. The evening started on a positive note. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately. We were given two food menus and one multi-page beverage menu. The waiter was gone before I could ask for a second beverage menu, so I had to get up and find a waiter so that we could look at our options at the same time. When I got the second beverage menu, I immediately noticed that it was incomplete, because the second menu did not have the featured cocktail, a prickly pear margarita. The beverages that we ordered ended up being delicious, so things were still going pretty well at that point. After we ordered our food, we sat back and listened to the band. The music itself was excellent, but the band is tucked away in a tiny corner near the entrance. We could not see the band at all. For me, the whole point of live music is the connection created between the band and the audience, but that was impossible without having the ability to see the band. I did not do a scientific analysis of the other seats in the restaurant, but, as best as I could tell, most of them are also completely cut-off from any view of the live performance. Without that connection, it is just a really loud restaurant with music that might as well be coming from a CD player. The biggest disappointment was the food. I ordered the salmon. I took a few bites and then had them take it away because the salmon was not at all fresh. I cannot remember the last time I did this at a restaurant. My wife had the Cuban sandwich, which she described as “average.” To be fair to the staff, they did try to do everything they could to make up for our bad experience with the food. They did not charge me for the salmon, and they offered us free desserts, a gesture that I really appreciated. After the salmon, however, I did not have much of an appetite, so I passed on their kind offer. The vast majority of reviews for this restaurant are 5-star, so perhaps we were just unlucky. If nothing else, I hope that this review gives others a sense of what to expect when dining at this place. Just don’t order the salmon.

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