Cuba Libre & Havana Bar

Went there last night for the first time. with a couple from France. Great Atmosphere and arrived at 9pm. Given a table within 8 mins. Bought the drinks from the bar, as it was cheaper then at the table. It was very busy for a Friday Night. Ordered 3 starters: The Chorizo Sausage, Tiger Prawns & Cod cakes. Very good, quick and hot. Then the main course: the Seafood Paella for 2 persons, Tiger Prawns & salad & the Cuban selection platter with all the trimmings. Dessert: Orange Panacotta & Chocolate Fondue. All the dishes were very good. Speaking from a point of view of a catering Manager in the trade for 10 years. I had read the reviews and was a bit worried. The paella was so fresh and definately i would recommend it is too much for 2. they did give us a take away. But I would take it for 4 persons with a side salad next time we go. We paid for all that food £95. which I strongly believe was value for money, quick and efficient service, very nice greeting, helpfulness of the staff and asking for requests from the chef was fine.

The comment about the liquour, well we did not find that. The jugs of cocktails were done very well with the right ingredients.

Definately returning and recommending to my friends.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 02, 2008

I just cannot believe who writes these reviews. Stay away from that place. Rude staff (except one waitress), overpriced badly cooked food. Not sure about the cocktails since the food really put me off.

Interior is not that bad but that doesn't make it for the overall poor quality.

STAY AWAY FROM CUBA LIBRE (unless you are ready for very disappointing experience)!
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Stan the man
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, May 16, 2008

Went here the other night with two friends as I haven't been since summer.

The tapas is still a good deal at £10.95 for 6 dishes. All were tasty and decent sized potions. Service was patchy dependant on the waitress - one was helpful and the other was somewhat vacant. Even if you're sat at a table and ordering food with a waitress serving you, you still have to go to the bar to get a happy hour cocktail - which seems counter-productive as we would have drunk more had we been able to order from our table. Still, I like stretching my legs.

Noticed they're still reaching under the counter for the cheap dodgy rum when you order a cocktail. Havana Club signs eveywhere and on the staff t-shirts, but when you order a Mojito or Cuba Libre they ain't using Havana Club!

This does make you feel like you're being cheated and if it wasn't an issue, why don't they keep the cheap rum bottles next to the others on the shelves rather than under the counter - I guess they hope you won't notice?

I do like this place though and it is still one of the best independents on Upper St, roll on summer...
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Hopey
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 15, 2008

Went there last night, and whilst atmosphere was good, staff were quite arrogant, bordering on rude. Cocktails were ok, but not worth £5.50 each - not when you can have great beer for £3.

Most amusing part of the evening was watching one of the waiters clear a table and finish off the leftovers!
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 01, 2006

ideal for Friday and saturday nights with a late night licence, if you`d like to stay over a jug of coctails and chat. massive dishes and great coctails, most importantly ambiance that is why people go to Cuba Libre
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Phill
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 28, 2006

I was disapppointed with Cuba Libre. The tapas was small and poor value for money, the cocktails were an absolute rip off (a jug of ice for £20......). The food was actually quite pleasant, if they sorted the portion sizes and made PROPER cocktails instead of ripping people off with slushed ice it would be a great place to go.

I wouldn't waste my money here again...
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Stuart Fisk
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Thursday, August 17, 2006

Probably the best little restaurant on Upper Street - and there are a lot. This is my local and I love it. The seafood paella is the favourite and is consistently delighful, and hence the only thing I now order when I go - the portions are huge, the food well cooked and always fresh, bringing value for money at £20 a head to a whole new level. The bar at the back is lively and the happy hour offer is available whilst dining too, loads of music and even some dancing going on back there, so no reason to leave after dinner...
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Jelena
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Went on Sunday night, when you might expect places to be a little quiet. Well, if the streets are quiet, it's because everyone is packed into Cuba Libre! We had tapas, which were nothing spectacular, but certainly edible. The service was great - fast and friendly, and the bill surprisingly small. Excellent value, a good place to go with a big bunch of friends. "6 tapas for £10.95" would take some beating in this part of town!
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Helen - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 03, 2006

Enjoyed excellent service from amusing bartender making cheap delicious cocktails in authentic setting. And the tapas: as good as i've had in the best places in spain. If Carlos can't appreciate good simple chorizo then carlos shouldn't buy tapas. The fish is also excellent, & i can highly recommend turning up early on a weekday, monopolising a table and getting drunk and full with a pack of good friends
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Simon Dedman
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 16, 2006

Food was good, price was good, service was good, atmospheres was good. Only thing negative, perhaps the space.
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Stephen
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 16, 2006