Carmen's Cuban Cafe

Carmen's prices are as expected, but the food quality is far below even what you'd expect from the Outlet Mall food court across the street. Their... more

I don't know where to start from...First of all, I went to eat to Carmens twice and I'm never going back because of the pricy food and the little amount of food they serve for what they charge. They charged me $14 for the skirt steak that looked like a kids menu. You could hardly find the piece of meat in the plate. The size of the sides they serve look the same as lunch (I don't see what is the point of charging dinner price then). more

I was born and raised in Cuba, have eaten at many Miami Cuban restaurants and even know how to cook typical Cuban dishes. Pros: Good location, nice ambience Cons: Highly priced bad Cuban food more

I am cuban and this is the closest to authentic cuban you will find in raleigh! Quite pricey, not like miami, where you will find authentic for half the cost great quality. I have had the ropa vieja and moro. my friend had the arroz con pollo (and he said it was awesome,i believe him even though he is a gringo-cubans know that gringos do not know a thing about sabor(flavor)-looks like my arroz con pollo-and that is the best! Pros: very good quality and service Cons: a bit expensive more

Not what I expected after all the glowing reviews. Food was bland and tasteless (Masitas del Cuerpo)- I went at noon and watched the female wait staff stand at the counter in a group yapping away, ignoring diners. One diner actually had get up and walk across the room to request Ketchup. I waved my arm and caught the eye of the hostess who ignored me requiring me to also walk over and request fresh garlic and tobasco sauce for my bland tasteles pork dish. This place is strictly for gringos and is anything but authentic. The food has no latin flavor no latin spices. I have eaten a burger from MacDonalds with more flavor! But the gringos seemed to love it. They can say they have eaten Cuban.. I was there at noon and there were 6 diners with 5 more coming in and 4 leaving as I tried to make sense of my totally bland and tasteless meal. A waste of 20 dollars with arrogant minimally respectful waitresses. I am told they open up and become a nightclub on weekends- I think that is what keeps the the place open because Carmens is no place for real authentic Cuban food. Just terrible! Pros: Nice Location Cons: Terrible Food and Terrible Service more

I love cuban food and this restaurant is one of my favorites. I really like the ropa vieja and croquetas! Pros: Cuban food Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

Who woulda thought real Cuban food right here in the traingle? I would say this is on par with some of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami and highly recommend it to anyone to enjoys Cuban food. Even if you've never had it, should try it! Last time we visited I had the shrimp in garlic sauce - was delicious! Sauce so flavorful and rice and beans made just like I like them. Fried yuca was also quite tasty - my favorite side dish. Now, once you're done, you have to try the homemade flan - its just heavenly. Pros: homemade flan, great dishes, great atmosphere more

hey, one word...yummy...i am a regular at lunch with my coworkers and try to make it out there as often as possible for dinner with my husband. worth the drive! bc i cannot get enuf of this place. everything we've tried has been outstanding, from their staple dishes like the shredded beef, chicken and rice, to other varieties, like the seafood dishes. i love shrimp, so i alwys try a shrimp dish in a different sauce...all the sauces have so much flavor and if you like spicy, the havernero sauce is sooo good...i can easily eat that with rice alone. i don't usually clean my plates, but can't help it here. i might be stuffed, but will eat up every bite...it's that good! and get carlos to make you one of his mojitos...another yummy! Pros: just delicious! Cons: i eat way too much here! more

Well the food was not cuban at all.Everything taste the same.The rice was cold and the flank steak was old and hard.The bread not cuban for sure,. Pros: near my house Cons: everything is bad more

This was our first time at Carmen's and it was pretty good. My wife and I both ordered fish entrees and I thought my swordfish was fair, at best, although I guess I always end up being a little turned off by fish in non-seafood restaurants anyway. The rest of the dish (sauce, rice, plantains, beans, etc) were very enjoyable. The appetizer sampler was great, and the plantains and yuca were fantastic. I think we would go back but I would stick with steak and pork entrees, and avoid the fish. The wait staff was friendly and the prices were decent. One thing that struck us as weird was the table arrangement - there's no divider when you walk in so there are a couple of tables by the door that are probably always vacant. And the 2-seat tables are all kind of in a row so its just sorta weird, but not uncomfortable. All in all, an enjoyable experience. Pros: Lots of flavor Cons: The swordfish more

My husband and I can't wait for date night at Carmen's...this is by far our favorite restaurant for all the right reasons!!! I don't know what my favorite dish is b/c it's all so amazing!! If you're going for pork, you've got to try the tender and juicy Lechon Asado...for chicken, try the Pollo Empanizado (hubby's favorite)...for fish, try the Tilapia Frita!! WOW! We usually order extra to take home to the kids...they LOVE it too and they can be picky eaters! This place is large enough for family gatherings and my husband and I plan on having our 10th Anniversary celebration here. The staff is super friendly too...very attentive! We've even seen the cook come out on several occasions to speak with the customers...he's stopped by our table before too to make sure everything tasted great...now THAT'S SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!! WE LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Pros: Everything tastes fresh and amazing!! Clean and cozy! Perfect for large gatherings! Very friendly staff!! Cons: Honestly...NONE! more

we are from miami and have moved around quite a bit. when we landed here in north carolina, we didn't expect to find an authentic cuban restaurant. then we discovered carmen's...the home-made authentic dishes are absolutely wonderful and reminds us of home. now when we go back to visit miami, we dont' have to get our fix of cuban food...we can get here everyday if we wanted to! our kids love to come here too - they like to try something different everytime and have not complained...which is unsual! Pros: Really excellent food, great for familes more

We went to Carmen's for the first time this past weekend. We were greeted at the door by the manager who got us seated quickly. The waitress was extremely nice and helpful. I'm a vegetarian which is limiting at a Cuban restaurant but I went there knowing that and I love plantains and yucca enough that it didn't matter - the dessert made it totally worth it! We got the Mariquitas (plantain chips) for an appetizer, they were really good. My husband ordered a spicy pork steak with a side of beans and plantains and he (who is very picky!) loved it! I got the Tostones (twice fried plantains), Platanos Maduros (fried sweet plantains), and boiled yuca - all were great but I especially loved the Platanos Maduros! It had a nice but relaxed atmosphere and a very authentic feel. The service and quality of the food was outstanding. We got the Tres Leches cake which just melts in your mouth! There's a lounge next door which is apparently part of it but we didn't make it there this time. We will definitely return soon! Pros: Food and Service Cons: Walls could use a paint job more

Been to Carmens quite a few times and have not been disappointed once. Although the lechon asado is just heavenly...meat so tender and full of flavor, I like trying the different dishes and all the flavorful sauces....if you like spicy, then try the havernero sauce. Too bad I don't live closer or I just might be there everyday! But luckily I work in the triangle and get to lunch there quite often. It is simly just really good food. Pros: Best roasted pork, accommodates large crowds more

I am 100% Cuban & grew up in Miami and was thrilled to find Cuban food in the Raleigh area! Pros: Great experience more

I've tried it all - all the restaurants in the triangle that serve Cuban food and I keep coming back to Carmens. Couple of other places have closed, couple more have opened and been to them all. I should know better...once you find a good thing, should just stick with it. Frequented Carmens dozens of times and can't go wrong, from their staple dishes like the roasted pork (so tender it melts in your mouth) to exotic seafood entrees like the grouper or seafood havenero. As long as they're still around, we'll keep coming back! Wait staff are very friendly and attentive too. Pros: accommodates large groups well more

Cuban food is our favorite cuisine and we were thrilled to find Carmens. We drive from Greensboro often to treat ourselves to this delightful experience. Too many delectable dishes to list...they serve all the main staple Cuban dishes we crave. At our last visit, we also tried the tilapia with a homemade mango sauce...it was out of this world. We love having a place to go to and try different dishes and know it will be good. We have been beyond satisfied. We met the owner/chef and learned that he was born and raised in Cuba and that's always good to know..confirms the authenticity of the food! Pros: THUMBS UP!!! more

I was born and raised on Cuban food in Miami and this is nothing like Cuban food. The rice taste like it came out of a box and the pork taste like it was grilled and they just through garlic on it. The bread wasn't even Cuban bread. I was extremely dissappointed in the food. I ordered to go and took it home with me. If I would have ate in I promise you I would have asked see the chef this food was so bad. I would have left the food on the table after one bite. This was simply horrible!!!!! Cons: It's not cuban food more

a friend of mine kept raving about this restaurant so went to try it out finally. we had such a great time there, food was delicious from the appetizers to entrees to desserts. there were a few of us that went first time so we got a variety of disches to taste and loved it all. the mojitos cocktail is the best i've ever had anywhere. i have been back a few times already and each time, i try a new dish. have been sending everyone i know there. great place for lunch with my coworkers too, although gets busy sometimes. Pros: excellent food! great for large groups Cons: parking more

The food was descent, but hopefully you have time to wait for service. It took us 1 hour to have our food served for a party of 5. The wait staff did not even check on us during the whole wait time, we had to inquire about our food several times. more