Conga Latin Bistro

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501 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414

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(612) 331-3360
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Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Conga Latin Bistro - Minneapolis, MN
Reviews
( 5 )
( 9 )
( 1 )
( 3 )
( 6 )

Best

I admit that we was scared to go there, BUT IS THE ONLY PLACE INT TOWN MAKE PAELLAS. the place is really beatifull, the dinner area is separade of the bar are, so we have a quiet...

Worst

The 3 dishes we shared were very tasty: Creole fish, chicken in curry, fish in coconut curry. They were not spicy enough for us, but we like Mexican and Thai food.

Interesting latino food -- terrible service 5/18/2011

The 3 dishes we shared were very tasty: Creole fish, chicken in curry, fish in coconut curry. They were not spicy enough for us, but we like Mexican and Thai food. more
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Sketchy Place 2/27/2011

I few friends and I went to the Latin Bistro a few nights ago, and for the most part the food was fairly good. The Chicken Parmesan was good. It gave me the taste like I was eating at McDonalds :). Out whole point by going there was to dance on their dance floor. Once we hit the dance floor, some old random guy tried to hook up with my girlfriend. I gave him my death stare and he backed off. This gave me the impression that this place is very sketchy. My suggestion is, if your going to dance at this place, go with a large group of friends, because you never know what is going to happen more
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They must have good music 2/14/2011

Because the food ain't all that. Maybe it was because I had high expectations, but I should have known better when I had to change my reservation twice (on Valentine's Day) and they had no problem changing it...probably because it was mostly empty..red flag number 1 No manager, no host we stood in the entry way for 2 minutes before anyone said hello (on Valentine's Day) Advertised there would be specials on V alentines Day...there were none.. I had a restaurant coupon they wouldn't accommodate b/c it was a holiday (ok, but remember mostly empty restaurant). I couldn't decide which wine I wanted and asked for a taste of 2 (couldn't accommodate) We ordered appetizers to share ceviche...not fresh and very bland and the chips were frito lay or something similar. Cuban burrito, was ok but some rice that was undercooked (hard) inside tacos, wanted to have one of each (pork, chicken and beef) again...couldn't accommodate had to pick one chicken it was....and to my surprise...the cheese...American..is that even a cheese? On the good side (hence 2 stars) our server was nice, and my husband liked the spicy salsa served with the tacos (in hindsight, we weren't even served chips and salsa when we sat down). the decor was fun but looked like it was rode hard and put away wet. In Conclusion Congo Latina Bistro is completely devoid of any understanding of service whatsoever and a great one to miss. Don't get caught up in the fun name and the idea of fun food...not so much. So glad I didn't wait the 50 minutes it takes to order the paella. more
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Paella was amazing! 8/21/2010

We went here on a Friday night around 6-7. It was great case they had a happy hour with half priced drinks and apps. We ordered the Paella, which takes 50 minutes to make and it was amazing! We had to call a friend to help finish it. It took three of us. Keep in mind it is not a real fancy posh place but the Paella was as good as I have had in Spain! more
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Service sliced? 8/20/2010

We enjoyed the food. the drinks, and the atmosphere. However, we were left with a not so good impression of the place based on service. The dress code doesn't seem to be enforced. We waited 15-20 min to be served or I should say even asked what we wanted to drink. The bill came bill came and all was good so we gave our card to pay, but when it came back there was an automatic 18% gratuity that was added in and already charged. Pretty shocking to us since there was only 2 of us and the service was not up to par for 18%. There was no show when we went either, but the music was great for open dancing. more
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Don't get knifed 1/22/2010

I am in the industry and am very forgiving, but here's what you should expect. You will walk in and no one will greet you for ten minutes. Next you'll be escorted to your ""fine dining"" booth, passing by the bar with toddlers playing on the floor next to drunken adults. Next the food will take awhile, but be affordable and tasty - not the sort you'd go back for, but might look impressive otherwise. When you go to the restroom, plan to see the inside of the door carved up with knives from top to bottom (no joke) and black toilets (so you don't have to clean them?) Next, plan to see no one there, no scene at all. Plus, get an automatic 18% gratuity for you and just your special someone!?!?!?!?! Then, when you pay with a credit card they show all the digits of your card, which is against some federal law, on your receipt. Needless to say, I grabbed both copies with my card number and B-lined it for the door. Never again. Pros: Food is decent Cons: Everything else more
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fantastic food & service 1/11/2010

Our server, Pedro, was so sweet and friendly. We had a fantastic dinner. We will go back for sure!!!! Pros: great service!!!! Cons: parking more
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DON'T GO THERE 5/29/2009

THE PERSON AT CROWN PLAZA SAID THAT IT WAS CLOSE BY AND THAT WAS THE ONLY REASON WE WHENT. WHEN WE GOT THERE AND IT SEEM A LITTLE SHADY BUT WE DID NOT KNOW ANY OTHER PLACE TO GO THAT PLAYED LATIN MUSIC. BUT AT THE END OF THE NIGHT SOMEONE PICKED OUR POCKETS AND ROBED US OF ALL OUR CASH. 250 BUCKS. WE GOT NO HELP FROM THE STAFF AND AFTER REFUSING TO LEAVE TILL WE GOT OUR STUFF BACK THE WALLET WITH ALL THE IDS AND CREDIT CARDS MAGICALLY APPEARED WITH NO CHASH OF COURSE. IT ENDED UP WITH ONE OF THE BARTENDERS AND STRANGELY ENOUGH THEY DID NOT KNOW WHO TOOK IT THERE OR WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. Pros: NOTHING AT ALL- SO HORRIBLE Cons: GOT ROBED BY THE STAFF more
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BEST SPAIN AND LATIN FOOD, GOOD MUSIC, AWESOME DRINK AND FRIENDLY SERVICE 2/11/2009

I admit that we was scared to go there, BUT IS THE ONLY PLACE INT TOWN MAKE PAELLAS. the place is really beatifull, the dinner area is separade of the bar are, so we have a quiet dinner, with good foo, the only that the waitress inform us that they make all fresh and we have to wait one hour for the paella, because for this dish we need to make a reservation. The was nothing when we eat this YUMMMMMMMMY FOOD, RICH AND TASTY, SAVORY THAT REMEMBER US YEAR AGO IN SPAIN. After that we stay for dance a litler bit and i learn to dance regeton, bachata and meremgue AT NO COST, because the cover is free when you make dinner. The restaurant service wasnt bad, but the bar service was excelent. The pretty dominican girl (angela) take care of us was so respectful and know a lot about drink, we doesnt have to think a lot about what we want to drink because she give us the direction. She make awesome drink for my group, a terrific martini and nice tropical cocktail. After that went we decide to go and pay she ask us about if we a need a cab and give us a freee water( house act) that nice things about bartenders!!!!!!!!!!care about customer. more
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WORST SERVICE & FOOD EVER 11/2/2008

I went to this restaurant for my friend's b-day party. The waitresses were so rude and disrespectful they threw menus on the tables and were so impatient when it came to ordering. The food was tasteless and prepared quickly. When we were about done the waitress called my friend (who was the birthday girl) snobby because she simply asked the waitress a specific question about the bill . No server should ever call a customer SNOBBY when they ask a question about the bill. Please if you want good service spend your money elsewhere, I will not ever waste my money at a place like that again. Cons: Service, disrespectful more
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If you like the show ""Cops"" its a fun place to hang! 7/26/2008

I work a block away from this place and there is a constant police presence. I have also witnessed fights and police trying to stop them. If you value your life think twice. In fact last night at closing was another incident with over 8 cop cars involved. Sounds like fun huh? Lets clean up this area that could be much more. Pros: Non Cons: You may end up beaten more
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Gross 2/26/2008

So we only go to conga for dancing when we feel like getting drunk and acting retarded. The crowd there is full of creepy men and nasty girls. There is a ton of white people there who came for dinner and stayed to make fools out of themselves. I can not imagine eating there! I know what I have done and seen be done on those tables.... LOL Pros: Good music Cons: No one there can salsa, your lucky to find some one who can bachata y merengue and there is too many gringos!!!!! more
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Best Latin food I've had in MN 9/30/2006

I stopped here on Thursday for dinner before another event in the area. It was early and the atmosphere was low key. Some flamenco dancing entertainment started up while I was there. I ordered a rum p*unch, and to my surprise got two because of happy hour - fortune was mine. I got a pork dish in a rich sauce with a heap of mashed plaintain stuff in the middle. Very tasty. The best Latin food I've ever had was Versailles Cuban Restaurant in the Cheviot Hills area of Los Angeles. Conga doesn't measure up to that, but it's worth a shot. more
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must go 5/25/2006

great place to have a good time with friends. if you like dancing mixed latin music i highly recomend you to go there. the male bartenders are a blast. raul, makes the best drinks. i have a balst when i go there! the food is ok and they have great appetizers well seasoned dominican style fried chicken, tostones rellenos, ceviche... yummi..but not as yummi as the bartender. hope they he stays there forever, i've been there when he is not working and is not the same.. Anyhow if you want to have a great time go to conga, be ready to sweat and tell raul to make you some of his special drinks. make sure you tip him well and he'll make you an even more special drink.... yum.. Pros: ok parking, happy hour, ok priced Cons: too crowded sometimes, smells funny sometime more
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very close to home 3/16/2006

Great food great music and please... for the ones who say this place is bland... give me a break! maybe your tate buds are just dead from all the hot sauce you pour over your food... there is quite a difference between flavor and heat... Coming from a true Cuban... This is as close to my mothers cooking as it gets!!!! The dance floor, yes it is packed but if you are not used to salsa dancing, then you just don't understand... this is the place to learn. there is always someone more than happy to teach you ! more
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A Fun night out! 7/30/2004

If you like salsa music, and a fun, lively atmosphere, this place is the best! This place is very unique and you won't even feel like you're in the twin cities! A tip if you just want to dine: arrive before 9:30, else there is a TEN DOLLAR COVER CHARGE if you want a table in the dance floor area!! Which is the place to be in my opinion! Now the negative stuff: the server was very nice, although she was also very slow. And, the food wasn't anything special. Overall, even though we spent over $50 for a meal for two and four beers, it was an awesome experience! I will go back again because it's a fun place to be!! Pros: salsa, atmosphere, fun people Cons: , a bit pricey more
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You get more than what you pay for 2/16/2004

After reading past reviews, I had the impression that this place would offer lavish urbane ambient. I surprisingly found that this is not the case particularly in the dining area. It was still sophisticated but in an authentic-cozy-unpretentious sense. This corresponds with the food also. Everything was plated nicely. We enjoyed the empanadas a lot and it seems to be everybody's favorite. A friend who is a Colombian praised the Yuca Con Mojo and his Arroz Camarones although he would have liked it more with less salt. I savored my Churasco although I had it better at a Churrascaria place in Dallas, TX. The bottom line is that it was a nice dining experience. The food and service may not be five-star class but nor was the price. However, you'd definitely get more than what you pay for. Pros: Authenticity, Price more
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tepid 9/25/2003

Conga is close to being really good but doesn't quite live up to its intentions. The food has none of the spiciness or flair that I expect in latin dishes. I know that Minnesotan's palates are generally sensitive and intolerant of heat but the Shrimp Victoria was downright bland. The pot roast was decent but lacked zip. If the food had half the zing that the decor has it would get an 8 or 9 but as it stands it is barely a 7. Pros: lively, music, decor Cons: food average, drinks expensive more
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The Best Place to be...and be seen! 11/18/2002

I liked almost everything about Conga... The atmosphere is great, it's the only place in Minnesota were Latinos feel at home. It's the real latin scence. Pros: music, people, atmosphere Cons: crowded dancefloor, dancefloor layout more
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El Grupazo - Muy Caliente!! 10/27/2002

While recently visiting the Twin Cities, I had the pleasure of both dining and dancing at the Conga. Initially I went for the dancing and to my delight there was a live band...EL GRUPAZO...who fired it up...this group SIZZLED! Muy Caliente! In a futile attempt to watch this highly energetic and entertaining group perform again, I returned on Saturday for dinner and more dancing. The Jamaican Chicken and Victorian Shrimp were DELISH! Although El Grupazo were not playing, the DJ really mixed it up and a good time was had by all! Hats off to Mario and Raul who are great bartenders...keep up the good work gentlemen! The food, live music, crowd, DJ and service were great! I'd return to Minnesota just to re-visit CONGA! Pros: Live Music, Friendly Staff, Great Crowd Cons: Size (Small), Pricey more
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Menu for Conga Latin Bistro


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Editorial

  • In Short
    This prime corner in Northeast Minneapolis--half bar/dance floor, half bistro--has drums everywhere, including two oversize congas flanking the entrance to the dining room....

  • 7/6/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sat-Sun 4:30pm-2am, Mon-Fri 11am-2am
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Marcy-Holmes, University
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