FAVELA CUBANA Review

Had the salmon. It was good. Tres leche cake was good too. Got it free for checking in with yelp.

I've always loved this place. I've been going there for years. The staff is always very friendly and the food is always delicious. Have a great happy hour and it also bottomless brunch. Sometimes I'll stop in just to grab a drink or have tea with the wife. Also one of the few places with great quality, $1 oysters for happy hour! I don't always feel the love in the mojitos though!

This spot gives superb service and delightful meals. One of the best place in the area. The food and drinks arrived quick and the rates are economical. Will definitely recommend this restaurant.

We came back because the food is DELICIOUS!! Definitely order the salmon croquettes and empanadas they are very addictive!! Our entress were also scrumptious...we'll be going back for sure

Really good Cuban food! I recommend the ropa vieja! They also have a great brunch with really good cocktails. I believe it's $15 for an hour of bottomless drinks.

Good happy hour (4-7pm), yummy margaritas and empanadas with great outdoor seating under the trees

The food is good, I would definitely recommend the empanadas. The calamari is not the best one.
The guava margarita is one of the best margarita I had in this city!

Their cubano sandwich was amazing! But their lunch (weekday) hamburger deal is much better than their brunch (weekend) deal.

Waiters are always lovely and ropa vieja is simply delicious! The sazon is really good. Strongly recommend it.

Just had brunch here. Good food, friendly service.

Amazing Cuban food. Food takes a bit of time to come out so be mindful when deciding on a place to eat for lunch but definitely worth the wait

First time here - guava margarita and vegetable empanadas are amazing, and Ricky is an awesome server!

This place is amazing- been here a few times and can t complain about anything. Love the food and happy hour specials, especially the mama margarita. Ricky is the best waiter! Highly recommend!

Cuban-Brazilian. Go during the week to avoid crowds.

Probs the best brunch you'll find in the area. Legit bottomless special with quick refills and spicy bloodys. The food was so delicious I didnt want to finish it. I just wanted to sit in this cute resto, drink, and munch all day. Loved the service and the value. Good for groups of 4ish or one on ones.

Excellent food, service and music!! .. A must go again!!

The place is really nice, outside is really cool for drinks just beer. BUT, food is really BAD, I do not recomend to eat in this place. I got a frango Ipanema . It was a really bad sauce and the put the whole breast on the plate, it is a very dry and tired to eat. Now the beans, I couldn t eat they were past meal. This is really BAD FOOD!! No professional food.

Last Sunday, after my date and I enjoyed a delicious meal and drinks, I was disrespected by an Asian waitress by the name of 'Alicia'. After handing Alicia the payment for the meal and drinks, she returned to the table with an elaborate opinion as to why I did not include a tip in the full payment (mind you, Alicia does this in front of my date and others who were in the restaurant). I won't even go into detail about everything Alicia said out her mouth because this review would be longer than it already is and most of you wouldn't even believe it. The sad thing is, my date and I were sitting at the table talking about how delicious the food and drinks were and about leaving a tip; I actually had my hand in my wallet getting ready to pull the tip out just before being approached by Alicia. Alicia felt no remorse for her character and the way she approached our table because according to her, I had been to Favela Cubana before (this was my VERY FIRST time visiting this restaurant; I should know, I'm from NY!!). I can't express how upset and embarrassed I was last Sunday and still feel almost a week later; what's worse is that Alicia wasn't even the person who took our order, she simply brought the drinks to our table. Despite the food being delicious, no one (whether they've visited the restaurant before or not) should be treated like that; especially when they have a date with them. If you believe your service to be good (or even great), you shouldn't feel the need to harass someone about a tip that they were going to leave in the first place!!! The waiter who aided Alicia in her disrespect is lucky this time because I don't know his name; at this point I don't care how good the food is, I don't recommend this restaurant to ANYONE. I know several restaurants in NYC that have both great food AND service. I should leave only ONE star for my review!

The steak sandwich was okay. Service was excellent.

Two friends and I came into Favela Cubana for a boozy brunch on a Saturday with a 1:30 resso. If you purchase any brunch entree, you can get unlimited drinks for 90 minutes for an additional $22.95. This goes beyond your boring mimosa or peach bellini. They have caipirinhas, bloody marys, red sangria, sparkling mojitos, mango, peach, pear and apricot bellinis. My first drink was the caipirinha which was extremely strong but extremely sugary at the same time, which is the worst combo. So I just stuck to bellinis for the rest of the meal.

We started with the guacamole, which was not good at all. I was pretty disappointed. Then again, guacamole is Mexican so maybe I should have known better than to order it at a Cuban/Brazilian place. But even I could make a better guac than this. It tasted like they bought one of those packaged supermarket ones, squeezed it out of its little plastic baggy, and just added some chopped onions to it.

Thankfully, my entree was much better. I went with the Cuban sandwich and it was great. Ask for some of their hot sauce, which seems like it's homemade. It's not too spicy and was the perfect addition to my meal. The sammie also came with a pretty big salad. I ended up having to take half the sandwich home.

To finish our meal, they gave us these complimentary (non-virgin) mojito pops. Shout out to our waitress, Alicia who was extremely nice, and patient with our billion requests for extra napkins, hot sauce, etc. She did not seem annoyed once, not even when getting us drinks, which is almost a rarity at boozy brunch type places. I also liked that she did not try to push the unlimited drinks option on us. She told us right from the beginning that it would only be worth it if we were planning to have three or more drinks. Otherwise, we should just do a la carte.

Will definitely be back to try their chorizo croquettes, or their $1 oyster/clam happy hour.

Great skirt steak sandwich and reasonable price for lunch

I ordered the food more than one and half hours. (6pm reservation) I asked this to a staff (at 7:28pm) and now she said the kitchen had an incidence so we could leave now if we want to. She told me she would check it and never got back to us. Crazy. Is this true story? I am so mad and frustrated to be here. They don t even deserve one star.
Oh, we left finally but they didn t want us to pay food - which was good at least.
I added photo FYI although we just left.

The seafood paella was great, and the service was quick. However, the dinner prices will leave you feeling a bit ripped off. Ropa Vieja, which is designed to be an inexpensive dish, is $24, for example. My recommendation: go for the lunch specials.

Went for Brunch, food was excellent! Eggs Benedict were delicious.

Always love the food. Small cozy spot. Must try Lecheon!

Authentic spanish food, delicious. The Lechon is amazing as well as the Ropa Vieja! This is my girlfriend and my favorite restaurant in NYC. Perfect for a date, perfect for take out.. we come from deep in Brooklyn just to eat here. As for the service, some people have mixed reviews but out of going there 10+ times in the last 1.5 years we have never had a bad or questionable experience. The atmosphere is just perfect as well! Great spot.

My friends and I decided to celebrate galentines here after seeing all the delicious reviews about the hanger steaks. Ricky was our server, and he gave us great recommendations and introduced us to the hardest Capirinhas we have ever tasted. Also, um... the hanger steak, as my friend puts it, was "better than any guy". We had a lovely time thanks to Ricky and will be back for boozy brunch!

Their Brazilian shrimp stew is a must try. Their take on "camarao a balana" is a melodic treat, made with coconut milk, tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, and onions. And shrimp. Afraid of spices? It's not that bad[1].

If any of that sounds awful, weep at what you're missing. In fact, wallow in your sorrows at Favela's happy hour: it runs until 7pm[2]. Don't drink? Maybe their $1 oyster and clams happy hour special will keep you busy.

Find it hard to keep your foot tapping once you hear a good beat? Tuesday nights are salsa nights.

It's easy to overlook this Greenwich Village restaurant, but hard to forget.

[1] Yes, I've said that I'm dead inside. But even if your taste buds are capsaicinally-challenged, trust me on this one.
[2] What's the deal with places with happy hours that end at 6pm?

Best place ever the waiters are nice and the food is delicious they even gave me a birthday cupcake

Delicious blend of Cuban and brazillian classics. Great service and good ambiance

Amazing food! The customer service experience was on point! Alicia gave us a such a great first time experience at Favela.

The customer service is consistently swift, fantastic mood, nice staff. Will return here again when I arrive here.

The atmosphere will make you forget you are still in NYC!! There was a mix of couples and families making it like a neighborhood hangout but with a touch of sophistication. The staff was super friendly and very efficient at ensuring you would enjoy your 1st and all future visits. All that with a menu of flavor filled authentic cuisine that would make your mouth water reading, tasting and remembering it!!!

Good food. Would suggest getting a reservation for Sundays.

They're caipirinhas are delicious, and they're happy hours deal is great for this area!!

I certainly liked the dishes and customer service, excellent area right next to where I live. The workers are always kind. Will come visit again.

The chicken empanadas were pretty good but the beef empanadas were pink and undercooked. Also the shrimp entree we had was bland and underwhelming. It was supposed to be pan seared shrimp but it was just boiled shrimp with thick nasty sauce. Who do they think they re fooling? They probably thought we were tourists who couldn t tell the difference. This is not authentic Cuban food. I can get better Cuban food in the hood. Also the service was inattentive; our used plates were left on the table for so long, we literally had to ask for new plates and they only gave us one hello there were two of us not one. On top of that, they initially gave us the wrong dessert and didn t even apologize for their mistake. We asked for flan and they gave us a tres leches cake. A good business would have apologized and made the dessert on the house. They also took forever to bring us the check; we had to remind them. Please fix your customer service, be honest about what you are serving on the menu, and add seasoning/spices to your food. Next time I am just going to go to Bareburger right next door.

I ate all the hungry but I do not like Cuba sandwiches However kindly

Amazing and recommend when ever you can have it. I now have a craving for them. They are so good. A must try!!

The service and taste is great, but the menu is underwhelming a little! They can do better

I love the fusion between cuban and Brazilian food. The food was delicious and the staff was super friendly and they all were complying with the guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Excellent food..great drinks..good service and a peaceful ambience

This place is worth existing only for the fried yuca. Omg Im salivating right now. If they only served the yuca chips I would still religiously go here. Really nice atmosphere and service.

So good for bottomless brunch! The drinks are actually so good, get the mojitos!

The place offers a vast range of fresh food. I enjoy eating here. Staff members are always very kind, rates are convenient and the spot is always neat.

Delicious fusion food. Quick to take my order. I don't mind the wait for such tasty meals.

I enjoyed the happy hour specials. I found the appetizers to be better than the entrees and the drinks okay. Not my favorite experience, but I'll consider a return visit.

Best Cuban sandwich. Best empanadas. Best maduros. Must try this place

This place is stunning! Just what we though a NYC bar would be all about. We walked past Favela just wandering tourists walking through from West Village to Bowery picking up the sights and sounds of a great city. When we stopped for a drink we hadn't thought of eating at Favela, just more of a pick me up drink but the staff were so friendly, (just pushy in the right fun manner) we went for it and delighted in the lunch specials! My wife had a fried cod sandwich and I always say the mark of a truly great restaurant is it's burgers, the great American classic and what a deluxe example mine was! Throw in a cold beer for 12 bucks and this place just oozes value over value. However as a backdrop to lunch add in the ambiance and atmosphere and this is such an amazing place. It does what it says in mixing Brazillian and Cuban flavours and styles but that's why we came to NYC right? To sample the best bars in the world! We were lucky enough to sit at the bar, another great American tradition, on funky drums made as seats.The whole rhythm of Favela dances with a New York heartbeat. I also liked how the clientele was a mix of cool kids, business suits and shoppers giving it a real life feeling. But the thing about Favela is that is doesn't try too hard at being amazing, it just is!

Love love love the ambience
Music is so good
Vibes are great
Went for brunch, food was great as well as the drinks
Service is nice

I hardly ever write these things, but the last time that I went to a business lunch here, it helped me wrap up the deal. If you are looking for a restaurant near Greenwich Village, this is a great choice because of how affordable it is and how delicious. Everyone does a Mojito now, but no one doesn't one as authentic as this. Loved it. This is definitely my favorite New York Brazilian restaurant. Plus, have you ever been to a brunch spot that has "all you can drink brunch". I love it. heh...

Great little unassuming place with outstanding food, friendly staff and reasonable prices. (The Seafood Paella was fantastic!)
The kind of hide-away dinner spot you ve always tried to find.

Food is amazing as well as the drinks. Small spot but the environment is great. Staff was amazing.

I have been coming to this restaurant for quite some time now and I must say the new chef has made some exciting and delicious changes in the menu I highly recommend this place to anybody searching for great Cuban food a wonderful atmosphere a friendly staff and excellent food.
Brian Anderson

The food ,drinks ,deserts customer service amazing !

Food is simple but have a good taste. Price is fair. It is a nice environment inside. Service could be a little faster.

Calming Greenwich Village Cuban restaurant with a nice patio, great food and really nice service.

Moderately priced comida cubana. Authentic character. Latino crowd. Great happy hour.

Service was excellent. Ambiance was lively and the food was great, full of flavor, seasoned to perfection!

The salad was just average. Avocado and salad wasn't the freshest. The steak seemed seasoned too. The dressing on lettuce wasnt my favorite, but they had a good happy hour.

Love this restaurant. Food is so flavorful and colorful. Their ropa vieja is exquisite and their camarones in coconut milk sauce are amazingly delicious. Also, their white sangria has a bit of a twist- they use different fruits than the typical white sangria. Their prices are a bit high but it is worth it because of the GREAT FOOD, ambiance (lively and salsa vibes) and excellent customer service.

Tried this spot before with a friend and I am obsessed ever since. I like the excellent ambience and flavorful food and beverages. Keep it up.

Fantastic restaurant for Cuban and Brasilian food. Really original taste. I really enjoy this place. Wonderful staff. I will comeback there

I wouldn't necessarily go for the food here. It's nothing special, though not bad either. But it has a fun atmosphere and I can see myself coming back here during the summer months.

Love this little spot in soho. Great Cuban food and happy hour

the server was awesome and knowledgeable. food was delicious and the Ropa vieja was exactly how I remember. in my country.
if u looking for a salsa place this is it

Awesome food and a great vibe. The waitress was awesome. She was always making sure we were good. And the bottomless brunch was amazing. Great vibe and atmosphere!

Absolutely horrible service. Cannot handle larger groups. When it came time to pay for the bill, we reviewed it to make sure it was accurate and we found out we were overcharged. Orders also came out incorrect. When we brought it to the waiter's attention HE SNATCHED the receipt out of my friend's hand and ripped it up. I know that had she been a male this would not have occurred. The waiter acted as if he couldn't be bothered with our group and made a big deal about reprinting an accurate receipt. When we asked him to take pictures of our group he made snide remarks about charging us extra and didn't take the time to actually make sure that the picture was taken appropriately. We were an NYU student group giving this establishment $300 in business and were treated with very little respect. If you attend NYU or you are thinking about hosting your group event here, please DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ESTABLISHMENT.

Ricky was a great waiter. He was very attentive to our table and gave great suggestions for food and drink choices.