Cuba de Ayer

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1. L

   Larry

   Washington DC

   21 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   21 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall3food2service3ambience5

   I have been to Cuba de Ayer many times, and usually get good service and great food. However, on our most recent visit we ordered the salteado combination special incorporating steak, shrimp, and chicken. The steak was dry and tough, the shrimp also was dry, but the chicken was moist and cooked properly. The black bean side dish was mostly "soup" and had almost no actual black beans. The chicken and the beef empanada appetizers were excellent- crispy on the outside and moist meat on the inside. Cuba de Ayer is usually a very good restaurant and we will return. Hopefully, with better food.
   

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2. AG

   AmyG

   Washington DC

   26 reviews

   5.0

   26 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Truly authentic Cuban food. This restaurant is not close to us but well worth the drive. Good service, Cuban music in the background, and delicious fried yuca, fried pork masitas, coquetas, black beans and rice, etc. the tres leches cake is outstanding too. We keep coming back.
   

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3. r

   rhcj

   New York Area

   27 reviews

   4.0

   27 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   Never had a bad meal. We tried something different for a change, the Arroz con Mariscos, and it was great. And enough for two meals (we took half home).
   

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4. LU

   LoriU

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Cuba de Ayer never disappoints! The cocktails were awesome, the dinner was fantastic, and the server was full of personality and charm.
   

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5. CL

   CarlaL

   Baltimore

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 28, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The food and drinks were delicious and the service was great! I tried the oxtails and they were wonderful!
   

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6. R

   Russell

   Baltimore

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on May 27, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Our reservation was originally for 3 people, then changed to 4, and finally to 6. The restaurant dealt with those changes nicely. All of the food and drink and service was super.
   

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7. ML

   MLNP

   Washington DC

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 26, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always a great meal and eat WAY too much as a result! Reservations easy and always seated within a few minutes of reservation time. Our server, Luis, was attentive, friendly and professional. Always a pleasure to eat here!
   

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8. N

   Napoleon

   Washington DC

   23 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   23 reviews

   Dined on May 20, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   My husband is Cuban so we have tried many Cuban restaurants in the DC area. Cuba de Ayer is one of the best!
   

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9. DB

   DanielleB

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 20, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Have been driving by Cuba de Ayer for years and never realized it was a real gem hiding in plain sight. It took our friends driving all the way from Northern Virginia to get us there. They had been going to Cuba de Ayer for years and missed the authentic Cuban food. We were not disappointed. The pernil was great and so was the Ropa Vieja. Even our kids enjoyed their bistec. The rum cake is amazing! We will certainly go back!
   

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10. SS

    ScottS

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always amazing food and atmosphere! Favorites are the empanadas (especially the guava ones!), Camarones en Aguacate (Shrimp in lemon/garlic sauce over avocados), and Picadillo!
    

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    All of the positive reviews that lead me to come to this restaurant were spot on. The food was delicious. I had the oxtails and my daughter had the beef empanadas. We can’t wait to return to try more menu items.
    

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12. B

    Barbara

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were seated right on time. They now allow 2 hours for you to dine but with quick service, this was not a problem. I was happy to see they are now using credit card processing machines that are brought to the table.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My BF and I did Mother's Day Lunch here, and it was sooo good. The Service, Food, Atmosphere: all A+++ . I didn't get to take any pictures of the food cause we dug right in! Recommendation: Get the AGUACATE CON CAMARONES as an appetizer if you like shrimp and avocados. It's amazing!! The only caveat is the parking. I'm not sure if it was like that because of Mother's Day, but give yourself some time to find parking. Otherwise enjoy this amazing restaurant! We will be back!
    

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14. SC

    SC16

    Baltimore

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great food! We all enjoyed our meals. It was somewhat loud but overall a great dinner.
    

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food and service are amazing! Highly recommend!
    

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16. f

    frequentdiner

    Baltimore

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The gem in our area, food always with the best quality and service is always excellent, can’t be wrong !
    

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17. DO

    DessireO

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I love Cuba de Ayer! The food is wonderful every time we come.
    

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18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The salmon and trout were excellent, great flavor!
    

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19. BV

    BVilleDiner

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Sophia was an excellent server and made our birthday dinner very pleasant.
    

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20. e

    ebte

    Washington DC

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on April 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and service (we didn't get dirty looks about separate checks, we were given extra plates, without asking, for our shared appetizer, etc.) Large servings at a fair price, and excellent drinks, including a special request we made for a Cuban rum drink that wasn't on the menu. I ate with a group of 7, and all of us loved what we got. I had arroz con pollo (tender chicken, very flavorful) with tostones (and tasted another diner's pernil and someone's guava and cheese). Have to get back very soon for more appetizers, entrees and rum cake. The only drawback was that because I was full, I took home half my arroz con pollo, and after reheating in the oven, leftovers were dry. I learned a lesson - share food in the restaurant if you're a light eater - the food is too good to ruin by reheating.
    

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Simply superb in Burtonsville! This food is cooked with love. Pro tip: whatever you order, be sure to get a side of chimichurri sauce to go with it. It’s fresh made and delicious. Staff is friendly and attentive, especially Luis! Overall a great experience.
    

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22. E

    Emilyv

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, great service, great ambiance! My boyfriend and I went to celebrate his birthday and it was a great time!
    

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was delicious as always! 2nd visit and will always return when we are in the area! Service was excellent.
    

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24. f

    frequentdiner

    Baltimore

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always, good food and excellent service, I will give a ten out of ten !
    

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25. 4

    4foodie

    Tampa

    68 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3

    The fried snapper was super dry, and the service was below average! This would not be a restaurant I would gp back to.
    

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26. TR

    TaneaR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Went for a birthday lunch with some friends for the 1st time. Everything was amazing, the service, the food, the atmosphere. Will def be back!!!!
    

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27. LS

    LynneS

    Washington DC

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    5 - Star food 5 - Star service 5 - Star Ambiance Absolutely outstanding in every category! I met a good friend here to celebrate their birthday and am so glad I remembered how yummy this place has been forEVER! We were seated in the main dining area in a nice and spacious booth. Started off with the shrimp and avocado appetizer (SO FLAVORFUL!!) with a side of bread to sop up the sauce !!! Sooooooo good! We both ordered the same entree! Can't remember the name but it's the only seafood that's served with yellow rice. SOOOOO flavorful with salmon, shrimp and scallops -and sweet plantains! We could have shared it! Leftovers for days! We then had the rum cake for dessert that was so rich and melted in our mouths ! This is my new FAV in this area! Oh and the Mango bomb was the bomb!!!!
    

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28. RG

    RichardG

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Great service and wonderful dinner! Really good sangria started us off. Ceviche appetizer was fresh and perfectly seasoned and entrees delicious!
    

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29. T

    Techsan68

    Washington DC

    184 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    184 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Casa de Ayer is a cozy neighborhood restaurant with the spirit of Miami's fine Cuban dining places. As I do whenever I'm in Miami, I always order the Pargo Frito (fried fillet of Red Snapper) accompanied by their tasty house Margarita.
    

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30. J

    Joseph

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Cuba De Ayer was an amazing dining experience. The food is top notch! There’s lots of variety to choose from and it provides an authentic Cuban taste. There’s even option to pick from if you’re vegan. The little details they add like putting a small Cuban flag on a toothpick inserted into your Cuban style sandwich or adding a vintage newspaper beneath your dish just adds class to the experience. The music was wonderful. Hearing classic salsa as you savor your meal can make you feel like you’re on the island. The prices were very affordable for what is being offered. There’s lots of great decorations around to gaze upon and plenty of different seating options. This place is a gem and great for any occasion.
    

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    43 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Cravings satisfied! Our meal and service was as expected.
    

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32. AH

    AdamH

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food is amazing!! Our server Louise was perfect!!
    

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33. MP

    MelissaP

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food and service Highly recommend the ham coquette and empanadas
    

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34. Z

    Zarbor

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    First time. It was six of us and everyone not just liked but loved their dish. Well seasoned. Well prepared. Parking is limited. Make reservation on weekend
    

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Absolutely delicious food! Our waitress Lisa was so nice and knowledgeable. I had the shrimp in a cream sauce and my friends had salmon- all so tasty! We will return!
    

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36. NO

    NikkiO

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food and service were amazing! Our server Keren was very helpful since it was our first time there. We will definitely be back!
    

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37. T

    Toni

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everyone is very friendly and extremely polite. The food was excellent. The host at the front sat us down immediately for our reservation. Our server Louis made excellent recommendations and provided top notch customer seevice. Will return consistently.
    

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’ve been here several times—my family loves it—and brought a couple of friends here tonight for the first time. We all enjoyed it. The ambiance was very pleasant as it always is. We all enjoyed our food and the service was quite good and very personable. I tried the salmon entree with avocado for the first time and it was delicious. Highly recommend this place!
    

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39. DB

    DianeB

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    My Cubans sandwich was delicious. Husband had steak dish which was great and our margaritas were great!!
    

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40. RJ

    RickJ

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience3

    Steak was over cooked, chewy and over marinated. Beans and rice were bland and under seasoned. Both Fried Snapper and Salmon were dry and over cooked. Fried plantains were bland. Server was excellent, knowledgeable and friendly.
    

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