Victor's Cafe

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236 W 52nd St
New York, NY 10019

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(212) 586-7714
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Cuban Restaurants

Reviews
( 29 )
( 20 )
( 5 )
( 11 )
( 5 )

Best

Victor's never dissappoints. As a matter or fact, it has been the go to spot at the office for a couple of years. Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. I practically know the m...

Worst

Reservations were made for a group of 10 people on the same day @ 7pm, the tables were ready @ 8pm. So what is the use of making reservations? Their excuse was that since the rese...

Cuban's and Latin's don't be food 5/4/2006

The food was present very pretty, however the food was not as good as authentic Cuban Food taste, this restaurant is not recomended for Latin people instead for people who are trying Cuban food for the first time. The service was excellents, however the price was too expensive for the flavor and the portions. more
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""Magnifico"" 4/12/2006

The first time I visited Victor's Café, it was on 71st Street and Columbus. I have always been a fan of Victor's black beans and the Vaca Frita. I visited New York recently with my family and took them to Victor's for dinner. In my book, this place continues to be the #1 Cuban restaurant in the U.S.... I live in Miami, and no other Cuban restaurant here can compare with the quality of food and overall experience Victor's offers...Magnifico! Pros: good service, excellent wine list, great food Cons: a little loud more
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VERY DISAPPOINTEDDDDD 3/19/2006

fOOD- Cold, Small Portions Black Bean and Rice Excellent DRINKS- WAYYYYYY OVER PRICED AND NOT THAT GOOD FOR THOSE PRICES Decor- Nice DIDN'T GET A THANK YOU FOR A 18% TIP WHICH A TIP WASN'T DESERVED SERVICE- I hadn't been to New York in a year and the taxi situation has gotten worse for Afro-Americans. I had trouble getting taxi's all day so I asked the hostess if someone could hail me a taxi she said I would have to do it myself. I explained to her the situation but it didn't matter i was on my own. Cons: Service, Expensive, new management more
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Overrated! 2/27/2006

We were extremely disappointed by our last meal at Victor's. The meal was merely adequate and the wine was seriously overpriced. We made the mistake of ordering from the prix fixe menu. The dishes ended up costing the same as those on the regular menu, but the portions were smaller - yes, smaller. Pros: Nice room Cons: Average food, Overpriced wine more
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Don't even bother!!! 1/8/2006

I made a reservation at 8:30 and was still NOT seated by 9:30. Everytime we went to ask them what's going on, they keep saying they are waiting for that ONE table to leave, I can't beleive that the restaurant was waiting for that ONE 4 person table. RIDICULOUS! She didn't even have the courtesy to come to us, we had to keep going to her. She seated at least 6 couples that came after us. NEVER AGAIN! more
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I was in a third world country 12/18/2005

I made my reservations weeks in advance and when I arrived I was seated next to the service bar where they were stacking dishes so conversation was impossible. There was no light above to read the menu. Every 5 minutes, or so, the waiters came to restack dishes, so conversation stopped. They refused to move us to another table even when one became available. Instead of eating food from a third world country, I felt as if I was in one. I would NEVER eat there, again. The food was fair, but the hostess and manager were rude and unaccommodating. Pros: decent cuban food Cons: rude, unaccommodating, noisy more
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Not Worth Visiting... Find another cuban spot... 11/11/2005

Well let me first start off by saying that the drinks are very over priced! The sangria is good there but that is about it. The service was lousy but the decor was nice. All of the food was cold including the appetizers. I am latin and I know what good caribbean food tastes like and this was not it. The food was bland, cold and just not worth the price. I ordered red snapper and it tasted like frozen fish from the freezer aisle in the supermarket! Don't bother with Victor's Cafe. Not a memorable experience. more
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Delicious Cuban Food 10/27/2005

I had my brother's birthday here and it was a great experience! We were seated immediately and was greeted by our friendly waiter. The Sangerias were yummy (good size glass) and the Seafood Paella was even yummier (you actually get a whole half of a lobster!!). The atmosphere is very festive and they even had live piano playing in the background. I definitely recommend this place! Pros: Food/Drinks, Attentive Service, Lively Atmosphere Cons: Drinks (pricey- $10) more
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Nasty 10/19/2005

Unless you enjoy heavy, greasy, bland cuban food, steer clear of this place. I'm not sure who the reviwers are that posted good reviews below, ut the experience was poor and fairly expensive. more
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Ate for the 1st time...Won't be my last! 10/6/2005

The best Cuban food in the city!!! I must say, I was very impressed. Everything was to die for... including their mojito! It's guaranteed good food and service... worth every dollar! more
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Great food, reasonable prices. 7/4/2005

I came to Victor's for dinner. We were seated immediately, even without a reservation. The decor is very interesting. The service leaves a bit to be desired. One has to put some effort into flagging down a waiter. The black bean soup is delicious. The gazpacho is too spicy. The red snapper appetizer is served raw, which is not mentioned on the menu. It is not very good. The ropa vieja is outstanding. It was one of the best dishes I've had in a while. The prices are very reasonable for the area. A number of entrees are under $20. I am not a sangria fan and I didn't think it was particularly good, but I am told that if you like Sangria, the one at Victors is definitely worth a try. Before you go, find out which things are good and you should have a great time. Pros: Ropa Vieja, Prices, Decor Cons: Certain Dishes more
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Great Service, Even Better Food 5/29/2005

I have dined and drank at Victor's on several occasions and each time it was enjoyable. The food is very rich and incredibly expensive (be prepared to shell out some dough) but worth it if you are celebrating a romantic occasion. The Happy Hour is great, with some of the finest sangria one can find in midtown. The staff is friendly and courteous which is why I continually come back for more. Pros: Food, Staff, Happy Hour Cons: Prices more
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Delicious! 4/24/2005

This restaurant exceeded my expectations. I went for dinner before a show wtih my boyfriend on 4/22/05. We let the waiter know that we did not have much time, and he made sure our food arived promptly. Excellent service! I had Vieja Ropas (old clothes), which was super yummy! Ground meat with mashed bananas, rice, and beans. They have the best beans!!!! My boyfriend had Fried Cow, which was better thne mine! For desert we got guava w/ icecream, it was delicious! Overall, the autmosphere was great, service fast, and prices not to bad for NYC. Pros: Delicious Food, Atmosphere, Service more
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Put the Cuban back into Cuban food 4/17/2005

Where does Cuban food stop having seasoning added? Victor's Cafe. Bland pork would be kind. I know Victor's is catering to mostly Americans, but if you claim to make original Cuban cuisine, add the spices. As far as ambiance, I have been in subway stations that were quieter. Our waiter had too many tables to attend to and came to get our order and give us the check. Nothing in between. In general, if you want good authentic latin flavor, take the subway uptown to Spanish Harlem. Pros: location Cons: food, service, noise more
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Great Food, Service...Umm, could be better 3/2/2005

The food was good. I highly recommend the Oxtail. This was my first time at Victor's and the food was definately worth it. The service could have been better. The waiter was a little slow. Overall, the night was an ""A"". more
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What a shame!!!! 2/17/2005

On and off, over the coarse of 20 years, I've been going to Victor's Cafe. Never had I been disappointed as I was during my recent visit on Valentine's weekend. I took my wife and some friends, bragging all the way about this place. The food was bland, the portions smaller, and the quality poor. From where I was sitting, I couldn't enjoy and appreciate the live music. In the past there was a trio who would play music while roaming the room. I've come to find that Victor has retired and that his daughter and neice are running the restaurant from Florida. IT'S NOT WORKING. Does anyone know a GREAT Cuban restaurant?? EddieS Pros: Black Beans, Service Cons: Steaks too fatty, Portions much smaller more
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wonderful 2/13/2005

the sangria is excellent this is a perfect place to make a great first impression on a date but make sure they are worth it because it is pricey but the food is well worth it and then some the staff is a very helpful Pros: food, Sangria, ambieance more
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Mouth Watering Good 1/5/2004

I love this place. I took my boyfriend there for dinner for his 30th on recommendation from some friends. All I can say is THANK YOU!!!! My new favorite restaurant in the city. The food is amazing and the drinks are just as good. Get a pitcher of their sangaria. I have to go back just so I can try one their desserts. We ate and drank so much that we were full by the time the dessert menu came. It's a bit expensive, but worth it and definitely make reservations. Pros: Wonderful food and dr, Romantic, Prompt service more
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Yummy! 12/25/2003

I believe this is one of the best restaurants in the area...For sure, they have the best tamales! more
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A Pleasant, Different Midtown Lunch 11/3/2003

Victor's was a welcome change from the traditional midtown lunch. The atmosphere was quiet and the food was flavorful and unique. If you're looking for something different in the same-as-always-midtown, this place is worth the visit. Pros: Different , Tasty plantains more
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Menu for Victor's Cafe


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Owner Message

  • Welcome to Victor's Cafe, a cherished family-owned and operated New York City landmark where the spirit of Cuba comes alive. At Victor's Cafe, we take pride in offering an unparalleled Cuban dining experience, bringing together the rich flavors of authentic cuisine, warm hospitality, and an inviting and stylish environment.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    Salsa music, swaying palms and a courteous, accommodating waitstaff are this stalwart's formula (it opened in 1963) for transporting customers to Batiste-era Cuba. It's a great...

  • 1/31/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon 04:30am-10:00pm, Tue 04:30am-10:00pm, Wed 04:30am-10:00pm, Thu 04:30am-10:00pm, Fri 04:30am-10:00pm, Sat 12:00pm-10:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-04:00pm
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