Old Havana Cafe Restaurant Review – Stuart, FL

Old Havana Cafe Restaurant Review – Stuart, FL – I first discovered The Old Havana Cafe while mindlessly scrolling through TikTok, but the moment I saw it, I stopped in my tracks. As a Cuban American, I felt an instant connection and knew right away that this had to be my next feature.

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Location & Atmosphere

When I walked in, it felt like stepping into an old-world Cuban home. The space is thoughtfully curated with black-and-white photos, a record player, and even an old-school coffee grinder, which I loved. Up front, there’s also a small retail section featuring jewelry, candles, and classic Cuban sodas like Materva and Ironbeer. Beyond the atmosphere, everything here is made in-house, which really comes through in the quality and flavor of each dish. They even sell their signature Island Mojo Sauce—used on many of the menu items—so you can bring a taste of it home.

Anyways, let’s talk food & drink…

Café Con Leche

You can’t walk into Old Havana Cafe without ordering a café con leche. Made with espresso, milk, and sugar, it’s pure comfort in a cup and the kind of pick-me-up that makes you feel like you can take on the day. I typically go for whole milk, but they also offer low-fat, almond, and oat milk options, with the latter two available for an extra $1.

Havana Tropic

The Havana Tropic is a refreshing, go-to drink, especially on a hot day as we head into late spring and early summer. Made with fresh pineapple juice, muddled mint, and a hint of ginger served over ice, the flavors are bright and well-balanced. The mint and ginger really shine, making it the perfect palate cleanser after a heavier meal.

Light Bites & Pastries

We started things off with a mix of croquetas, an empanada, and an assortment of pastelitos, which are classic Cuban staples. The pastelitos, filled with guava and cheese, were perfectly flaky and golden. They offered that perfect balance of tropical sweetness and creamy richness (and it’s easy to see why it’s a customer favorite). The cheese pastelito kept things simple in the best way, with delicate layers of pastry wrapped around a smooth, creamy center. Light, sweet, and incredibly nostalgic, these pastries make for the perfect breakfast or midday treat. The croquetas (another one of my personal favorites) were filled with ham and fried to a perfectly crisp outer shell. Each bite delivered that comforting, savory flavor that makes them such a beloved Cuban staple. We also tried an empanada, with options like chicken, beef, or ropa vieja, rounding out a lineup that truly highlights the heart of Cuban comfort food.

Chuchi’s Favorite

One of the standout dishes we tried was Chuchi’s Favorite, a hearty and flavor-packed option served with a side of papitas (Cuban-style French fries). Made with sirloin beef and topped with caramelized onions, crispy potato sticks, fresh lettuce, pico, and their signature island mojo sauce, every bite delivered the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and just the right amount of crunch.

Medianoche

The Medianoche is a new addition to the menu and one you won’t want to miss. Pressed on soft, slightly sweet bread that’s toasted and buttered to perfection, it comes filled with tender roasted pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayo, and mustard. Everything melts together beautifully, creating a warm, flavorful bite that quickly became my favorite dish here so far. It’s served with mariquitas (crispy plantain chips), adding the perfect crunch on the side.

Cuban Home-Style Flan

We finished the meal with none other than flan, a classic Cuban dessert topped with a rich caramel. Silky and indulgent yet somehow light, it was the perfect sweet ending to an already delicious experience at Old Havana Cafe.

Why Old Havana Cafe Is Worth A Visit

Behind Old Havana Cafe is Chef Jesus “Chuchi” Rivero, a Cuban-born, Miami-raised, self-taught chef whose background is as dynamic as the flavors he brings to the menu. Before stepping fully into the culinary world, he built an impressive career in television, working as a producer and director on projects for networks like Food Network, Univision, and Travel Channel, including MasterChef Latino, and collaborating with renowned chefs such as Bobby Flay, Ingrid Hoffman, Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, and Emeril Lagasse. He also launched a successful Cuban food truck in Toronto in 2020 before returning to Florida. Today, Chef Chuchi brings that wealth of experience to Old Havana Cafe, which has quickly become a local favorite.

Know Before You Go

Cuisine: Homemade Cuban cuisine, ranging from pastries and light bites to classic, comforting dishes made from scratch, including house-made sauces and traditional recipes.
Best For: Casual dining, takeout, quick lunches, and easy group meals.
Atmosphere: Laid-back and quick, efficient ordering and a neighborhood feel
Address: 2225 SE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34996
Phone: (772) 324-7717
Website: https://theoldhavanacafe.com/

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