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Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami Reviews List
Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Embrace the authenticity of Cuban culture at Bongos Cuban Cafe, where Miami meets Old Havanas tropical ambiance, cuisine, and style. This magnificent restaurant and nightclub was opened in April 2000 and is located right in the heart of Downtown Miami adjacent to the AmericanAirlines Arena. Bongos Cuban Cafe boasts spectacular views of the port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, and the Downtown Miami skyline.
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44 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Rating Breakdown 44 reviews
5 stars
(7)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(13)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(18)
- vibrant bar scene(15)
- special occasion(12)
- hot spot(11)
- late-night find(11)
- fit for foodies(7)
Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami Reviews List
Review 1 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
experience
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Last time I visited Bongos was about 8 yrs ago and had such a great experience that when I found myself in the city again I decided to recommened it. Food and service was poor. Rice and beans tasted dry. Waiter was anxious to cancel tab...didn't ask if we needed anything just stop by to drop off tab. I would recommend it for its night scene but not for food."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 2 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food and service. The only issue was that the music was very loud for dinner."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 3 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Will only judge the food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Being a Estefans’ owned place it is easy to predict music is the star dish…well, I did not have the opportunity to judge since I went at 5.30pm and left at 7pm, half an hour before the music started.
The food was a nice surprise, because they tought us simple can be gourmet. This is a cuban titled place, so we asked for Masitas de Puerco, Fried Fish and Plantain. Well, if you are latin and make these choices ,you will say “this is very good”, and if you are not, you will have an incredible culinary trip to our continent. You might end regreting not being a latino. Next time I will make sure to get there a little later and maybe Gloria will sing for me."
The food was a nice surprise, because they tought us simple can be gourmet. This is a cuban titled place, so we asked for Masitas de Puerco, Fried Fish and Plantain. Well, if you are latin and make these choices ,you will say “this is very good”, and if you are not, you will have an incredible culinary trip to our continent. You might end regreting not being a latino. Next time I will make sure to get there a little later and maybe Gloria will sing for me."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find
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Review 4 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good as a club than restaurant
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went for a Sunday night dinner on my birthday. Ambience was good (quite on Sunday though), service was okay but food was not that great. Would recommend for Friday/Saturday nights with friends for some drinks."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot
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Review 5 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice diversion
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"After a long day walking South Beach we wanted something Cuban. Well, we booked via OpenTable for 6:45pm. Te place was not crowded at all. The place was decorated nicely and fairly roomy. We came with Swedish relatives and they were happy to go to a nice Cuban place. The service was very friendly and helpful. We ordered shredded beef and chicken plates, which were pretty good. We had Caramel flan for desert and it was good. We also had Cuban cofee which was delicious. Overall a nice place and was fun to visit. Nice location to downtown and the Miami Heat center."
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 6 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good times, good food
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had a great time. We went on a Sunday afternoon which was great because the place was almost empty. The hostess sat us immediately and our waitress was helpful and knowledgable. She offered us a cocktail. We asked for the traditional Mojito. Someone from our party asked for a Mojito pitcher which saved us some $$. The food was excellent. They even had options for vegetarians. Will visit again!"
Dined on 4/28/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot
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Review 7 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
They made feel really special
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"They made feel really special Imy birthday with the band singing happy birthday to me!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 8 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
A lot of rhythm not enough flavor!
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The only thing I found good was the place looked better than the pics online. The food was not great. Service was slow and unimpressing. And the price was not low. The parking was awful! Not enough signs to point to the elevator . We found it on the way out, after climbing tons of stairs! Never going again! Sorry ms. Estefan, love your music not your restaurant."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2012
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Review 9 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I took out-of-town relatives
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I took out-of-town relatives who love this restaurant. We had a bad experience with noise and horrible food at the Bongo's in Hollywood's Seminole Hard Rock so I was afraid that the food would be as bad. The food at the Miami location was excellent. Vaca frita still the best and the watermelon mojito was very good too."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 10 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great service and ambiance....
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service was excellent. The food was good. My Churrasco could have been more medium and warmer."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 11 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Sad version of Cuban Food
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very disappointed in Bongo's. We were looking forward to authentic cuban food and had visited the Orlando location a few times. We expected the same quality from the Miami location but sadly did not get it. Pork, chicken, rice all dried out. The rest of the food was mediocre at best and not one out of the four of us enjoyed our appetizers or our meals. If your looking for true cuban food, this is not the place to get it."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2002
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Review 12 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Paradise in Miami.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I loved the tropical theme and the lights,i loved the music,the food was spectacular,the waiter was very nice and very helpful,matter of fact everybody was very nice and helpful.If i could give this restaurant a 10 stars i would definitely."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 13 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Everything was wonderful but
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Everything was wonderful but service was terrible. I'm a waiter myself and would never write a bad review about anyone... But we could not find our server anywhere... I even asked the manager for two more mojitos and the check... Got the mojitos but check never came took about 35 min to get the check after that... Waiter greeted us in the beginning by filling water ran away before we could order drinks... Then we ordered appetizers and he left before we could order entrea. appetizer came out we ate it and didnt see our waiter for another 30 min before we could order out entries... Amazing place amazing food but possibly the worst service I have ever had..."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 14 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
darle una mejor educasion a la mese
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"La comida y el ambiente exelente. Ma mesera despitada nunca fue a labmesa a preguntarnos, siempre se iva rapido mi prima cumplia años y no se pudp comprar un postre por q avia cerrado la cosins. La ceñora estava en todas las mesas menos la de nosotros. Fuimos los ultimo en irnos."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 15 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Came before Heat Game. Food
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Came before Heat Game. Food was served FAST. Very convenient for game but don't know if I would go other times"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2002
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 16 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Energetic atmosphere. The
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Energetic atmosphere. The skirt steak was fantastic! Great place to eat at and hang out after a Heat game while waiting for the traffic to calm."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2010
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 17 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I booked my reservations for
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I booked my reservations for my best friends bachelorette party a month to two months prior to the day of the event. No one at the restaurant was aware of my reservations and they gave me a hard time with everything. At the end of the night after dinner as planned we stayed for the club and I finally saw the VIP manager the one I was in contact for at least a month prior and he put us on VIP and he was great. Overall, I would not recommend this place to do a group party. The only person nice at Bongos was the manager. The entire staff was very rude."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 18 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service was amazing. Food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was amazing. Food was also great... I thought I was not going to be full but afterwards we couldn't even walk out.
I would def return and recommend to others."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 19 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Well designed, has a festive,
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Well designed, has a festive, Latin night club feel. But the food is more of an afterthought - bland and uninspired."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find
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Review 20 for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Loud music, lousy food, tourist
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Loud music, lousy food, tourist trap."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2007
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Bongo's Cuban Cafe - Miami
Based on the average of (24) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic