Cuban food is not common in Singapore, and my first try at Cuban dishes was at Cuba Libre.
The Signature Mojito Chicken, recommended by the staff, was pretty interesting. The boneless chicken thigh was drenched in tangy-sweet mango salsa, which was a first for me, as the savoury, sweet, and sour elements came into play. Despite the use of thigh meat, the chicken was slightly dry, though it was nothing too consequential as the mango salsa complemented it. To counter all the protein, the dish was served with herbed vegetables and roasted potatoes for a more balanced meal.
Accompanying the meal was my huge mason jar of Mojito that didn't seem to end no matter how much I drank — not that I am complaining! An uncommon sight, the mojitos here come with a stick of sugarcane for the OG experience. Chew on it long enough for the juice to come out and simply discard the stick afterward. Drinks here are on the stronger side, but nothing too strong that will give you a hangover, so fret not.
For a sweet ending to my meal, we had the churros with vanilla ice cream, where vanilla speckles could clearly be seen. Fried to a golden brown, the churros were coated with a layer of sugar and boasted a crispy exterior along with a soft core. You can have the ice cream and churros separately or dip the latter into the ice cream for a better experience.
Ram Ramanathan
3
This bar has an inside seating area with live music. They used to have a Spanish music band, but I guess the bands have changed. There is also an outside seating area, quieter, by the riverside while you watch people passing by and visiting other bars in the area.
Michael Prabhu
3
Stayed here for a drink with my family. The service near the river tables was not very friendly or welcoming.
Prices are also too high for just average drinks.
When we paid for the bill, the lady took my Dad’s card inside without warning and processed the payment without us seeing, while we were still at our table. Poor practice 👎
Angeline Ong
4
Went there for lunch, thinking it would be crowded. But it was not. I was a tad bit worried if the food was any good, as I had read mixed reviews.
Decided to give it a go. I must say, the food is good, fresh, and well cooked. The signature Ropa Vieja tasted good. It didn't look particularly appetizing when served, but it was good for a meal! I also had the garlic tiger prawns, which were well cooked and really tasty. I've been to Cuba, and I must say the taste was quite close.
I enjoyed it. The staff were all good servers, and the service was delightful.
Mei Lin Lim
5
Love the vibes of the place, and the food is delicious too! The only minor point is that most of the music is predominantly Latin. If you love to dance Latin dance, the place is suitable for you, as there's a dance floor to dance along with the music. But the music was loud enough for dancing even outside! The waiter was nice and attentive to our table, addressing any inquiries.
Harivardhan Rajith Bhanuka
4
Love from 🇱🇰
The food was delicious.
The girl and boy who served us were pleasant.
We had beer and danced to the live band.
After a few minutes, someone from the pub asked my wife and me to buy drinks, otherwise we couldn't stay. I showed him our receipt, and he was okay. But I noticed he only asked us. That’s why I’m giving 4 stars. He shouldn't have said something like that. If truly necessary, he should have asked everyone. Because most people just went to see the live band without buying anything.
Manish Maran
4
The place was quite good and not too crowded. The fried chicken and loaded chicken nachos were outstanding. Hospitality was also very attentive and accommodating.
Seng Er
4
The pesto pizza was not bad, the chicken nachos were even better, and I was pleasantly surprised by the generous amount of virgin lime mojito that came with a natural sugarcane stick stirrer.
Ashok Sankar
4
Big portion size that will certainly fill you up. The music and vibe **are** inviting. The service was friendly and fast. Though we felt a little overwhelmed because all the food (four dishes) arrived together! However, the flavours were great and the alcohol choice**s were** plentiful. **All in all,** a good place for dancing, dinner, and drinks.
Anthony Schmidt
3
Like many places, this one is ridiculously overpriced for no apparent reason.
I visited late in the evening when they were primarily functioning as a nightclub. The atmosphere was decent, but they had a smoke machine that let out far too much smoke, making it difficult to see the person right in front of you.
During the day, when they serve food, it seems like it could be a nice spot. However, they definitely have room for improvement, both in terms of the nightlife ambiance and their pricing.