Havana Tropical Cafe

Address:	300 Shore Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA
Phone:	+1 732-708-0000
Site:	havanatropicalnj.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	Closed Closed 12–11PM 12–11PM 12–11PM 12–11PM 12–11PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 29

Tracey Castello

Staff was very nice...place was beautiful... Food, not so much! I asked for cheeseburger sliders and i got a fake full sized hockey puck burger on a flat cheap bun and no cheese. No nothing actually, just an over cooked premade frozen burger that was like chewing on wood. I was really disappointed! My husbands food looked beautiful and he said it was great.. What a difference between the 2 plates.. And no, the waiter DID NOT ask if I wanted something else. He took it upon himself to order a regular burger, after telling him i didnt want a regular burger. He came out with this puck saying I actually misunderstood the chef. Hes not making sliders so i just got u a regular burger.. We discussed this during the ordering when i said sliders cuz they were on the kids menu, he said i can actually get u a regular size hamburger and i said no i ment to ask for the sliders. My husband explained that i dont eat alot and id like the sliders. He should have asked me if I wanted something else instead of taking it upon himself and got me the worst food in the entire place!! And plane on top of it all. I swear i wish i thought of taking a picture.. My white sangria that i was looking forward to, first of all looked like straight orange juice. I like a strong drink just like everyone else but this was almost to strong to drink. Very disappointing!! And my husband loved it!! Bah humbug!!!

Alex J.

The place is nice if you sit outside by their man-made waterfall koi pond; its very pretty. But do take bug spray because if the bugs are biting, youre in for a bad night. The other parts of the restaurant are just "ok". The bar is just there smack in the middle of the restaurant entrance area. Looks kind of weird and plain. It needs a more updated and better decorated look and feel. The food was good and tasted authentic. The night we went, they were roasting a pig outside in the back of the restaurant. My girl ordered the pork and she loved it. The drink was nasty though. This is a Cuban place yet they make horrible mojitos. It was so strong and bitter. I wanted something else but one of the servers said she could fix it. When she brought it back it was a bit better but still not good. I used to bartender myself and mojitos were not my specialty but I made a 10 times better mojito than the bartender, yet I did not work in a Cuban place. The mojito is like the trademark drink for a Cuban restaurant. They need to improve ASAP. Overall we enjoyed the night. If they improve in the areas I pointed out I will give 5 stars.

Steven Adames

Coming from a family that loves all kinds of Spanish food i was very excited to try this place, and very critical of their food. With that in mind i really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Place has a great outdoor area under cover, and an outdoor area exposed to the sky that are both beautiful and enhances the experience. The drinks they offer are a nice blend, with some original drinks mixed in. The food was excellent, but i was extra critical here comparing it to some of my favorite restaurants and found the paella lacking some flavor and the rice with beans slightly overcooked. That being said its some of the best food Ive had in the area, and even in NJ for that matter, and would highly recommend it!

Karen Piazza

Havanas cuisine is some of the best Cuban food Ive ever eaten. Each dish there has a variety of textures, all of which are great. Spices consistent throughout the meal. Captivating part of the ambiance the beautiful waterfalls Koi Pond. The colored lights, soft music no place else like it... My friends and I go to Havanas all summer long, first sipping on some of the most delicious tropical drinks! The best you will feel you are on a vacation!

fernando perez

Went there Saturday night, we sit on the bar we ask for mojito and a beer, my companion complain that the mojito taste just like water, we ask for a second mojito bartender give us the mojito with a rotting mint leaf and try to fool me telling me that is brown mint leaf .we stay about one hour after two terrible mojitos and two beers ask for the check they charge me $50 buck never again. instead we went to chilangos they have very good tequilas..

Nikolas Greenwood

I went on Friday night right after getting off of the ferry around 8. Waited for about a minute and then got a table right away. Im not sure what others stated about slow wait times for food because my group of four got served quickly and promptly. They staff did look a little disorganized but they managed to make due. Kinda of like organized chaos. The music was live and festive. Best dish was the shrimp.

Luis Diaz

Very nice joint and super friendly staff. Just had a couple of ice cold beers and and a decent Margarita. My friend had the mango pineapple salad and said that it was the best salad he had ever eaten... And thats something coming from a septuagenarian. Also the Latin music was great and not too loud. Going back on Sunday for fresh "Lechón Asado", "puerco en pulla".

jessica garcia

Great traditional cuban food! Great service and atmosphere. The staff is wonderful. Definitely try their cuban sandwich or stop by Sundays for their cuban pig roast. Sit outside and enjoy the beautiful pond. Best Cuban food in the area.

edward parsons

Wow! What a treat to have this great eatery in Highlands! Amazing food (try the ox tail!) and yummy drinks! Charles is the best barkeep. Fun guy to slinging drinks to ya. Will be making this place a regular haunt.

Sammi DeAngelis

The food is incredible..made fresh.Everone is treated just like family here..I LOVE THIS PLACE...If you like pork..Try The Havana..I was very surprised..Everything is awesome..AND I AM VERY HARD TO PLEASE

Jay Gorto

Great food healthy and fresh! Erika was our server. Very nice and quick service. GreAt drinks and atmosphere too w a live band. Definitely check this spot out!!

Gerry Diaz

Horrible experience!!! Took forever for our waiter to greet us. We only ordered apps and waited nearly 2 hours for it. Will never go to this place again!!!!

Anthony Lucisano

Incredible pork shank. Im blown away at the quality of this food as well as the patience and care put into the preparation. Boom.

David Winthrop

First time visiting this restaurant after a recommendation, great food. Well worth adding this joint to our regular rotation.

Oscar Carrillo

This place reminded me of the local restaurants in PR. Food was delicious drinks were good. Definitely would recommend.

Chris Hollis

I just had the Masitas de Puerco and it was outstanding, great food, great bartender, you couldnt ask for more.

Craig Wasielewski

Cool outside patio. Great bands. Good happy hour prices. Food good. Worth tje trip.

Neil Fried

Excellent Ropa Vijeo