If you are not familiar with Cuban cuisine, Soul de Cuba Cafe is a good place to start. The restaurant is small but the atmosphere is rich, from the earth-colored walls, Afro-Cuban art, and religious artifacts to the music that fills the space in the background, mostly soft salsa, bolero, or Yoruba. The menu is a veritable history of Cuban traditional dishes with recipes inherited from owner Jesus Puerto’s grandma and mother.

Start your night off with one of their mojitos – nobody can make real, traditional mojito like Cubans. Get an authentic taste of traditional Cuban food with some delicious empanadas, and then go for the ever popular Ropa Vieja, made with shredded beef with onions in tomato sauce and served with rice, black beans, and ripe plantains.

283 Crown St, New Haven, CT, Phone: 203-498-2822

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