A restaurant you keep going back to is a good one and, for me, this hidden gem on Stokes Croft is one of those. It was my partner who first randomly stumbled across it with his friends and, since then, we have been back quite a few times.
From the staff to the music and decorations, Cafe Cuba has a truly South American atmosphere. They are always playing typical, but excellent music and it can often be hard to stay still on your seat as the temptation to dance increases.
You must spend some time looking at the decorations of the small restaurant - which range from flags to placards - and I also love listening to the staff speak to each other in a lovely Spanish with a South American accent. The staff look happy and all together it creates such a lively, but homely welcoming atmosphere that makes this restaurant unique.
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Being pregnant, I was not able to enjoy one of their fantastic, strong mojitos but, having enjoyed them in the past, I would certainly recommend them. They are a popular option and, when we visit the restaurant on a weekend evening, many tables in the full restaurant have got the cocktail on their table.
I have tried their seafood dishes before and they were good, but I can't help myself and stick to my favourite dish - the Ropa Vieja (£14.99). The dish consists of Cuban seasoned pulled beef with onions, garlic, peppers, olives and tomato puree.
It is also served with black beans rice, avocado and fried plantain. My partner goes for the pulled beef sandwich - which comes with cheese, onions, peppers and salad - (£12) as he is not a fan of plantain or avocado.
We also order a side dish of Yuca Frita - fried cassava - with garlic mayo (£4.99). The yuca is perfectly fried, not too oily, and comes with a nice garlicky dressing which is the ideal match for the mayo. Crispy on the outside, the yuca has a nice chewy texture on the inside.
My Ropa Vieja arrives piping hot and smells so good. The dish is a good combination of flavours and textures and, for me, the avocado is a really nice touch. On the other hand, the beef is so soft and tender that it melts in the mouth.
The portions are really generous and you will not leave feeling hungry. I am always unable to finish my meal so have lunch sorted for the next day, which is always a positive.
We finish off the meal with the Flan de tres leches (£6.99) which was spectacular - the perfect sweet ending. It is served with some cherries which are very yummy. Cafe Cuba never disappoints and, for me, it is one of my favourite places to go for a good, incredibly tasty and reasonably priced meal.
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