Absolutely live for Cafe Cuba! Service is usually really good, and the size of the large coffees is incredible. The pasta dish is definitely worth trying, my favourite, and their bacon scones are something else altogether! Easily my favourite cafe in Palmerston North.
Chilly morning in sleepy Palmy. My colleague tell me this is the place to go for a pick me up, with a dose of caffeine & slice of the silk cake. At almost $10 a slice, the silk cake was worth every cent. Every bite was like smooth soft silky chocolate or a denser smooth mousse with a think crumbly biscuit base. Very decadent.
Average one. Hope there are better ones in the area.
Visiting the bro in Palmerston North and he recommended checking out Café Cuba. I’ve rarely had the opportunity to travel to Palmerston North but I must say the place was alive and vibrant. Café Cuba doesn't skimp out on portions, all 3 meals + dessert.
For me what stood out was a their Savory Mince on toast, the mince had a red wine sauce that was amazing and complimented the toast fantastically. Most mince on toast combination don’t have sauce, the mince of these meals are rather dry. The steak sandwich had was as expected a sizable meal, cooked medium rare would have retained more of the flavor. The other stand out for me was their Baked Berry Cheese Cake. As mentioned they give you a sizable slice, the cheese cake texture was creamy and the baked cookie base had a nice crumble.
Overall loved my time at Café Cuba, you certainly get what you pay for here.
Showstopper: Savory Mince and the Baked Berry Cheese Cake.
Overall Grade: A-
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Apologies in advance for sounding like a Wellingtonian for this review. It's hard going to other places and reviewing their cafe culture when your home turfs is stronger than Hulk.
Today saw us venture to Palmy to see a friend and have lunch before he moves further afield. It was an absolute stunner in Palmy so we took my wee furson and ventured to Cafe Cuba. I've been here many a time and it is a good safe pair of hands when it comes to eating out.
The decor itself is nothing to write home about. It's pretty stock standard so not what you're going here for.
It's an order at the counter arrangement so other than the queue, you're not really engaging with the wait staff that much but when you do, they are pleasant enough.
It's the food here that I always go for. I havent ever had a bad food experience, whether it be from the cabinet or the menu. Today I got the Vege Bene.
Now, to me a Bene always has some form of carb on the bottom...a potato cake, bread, hashbrowns. This one didn't. They roasted off Portobello Mushrooms and layered it with caramelized onion, spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise. I'm a bit on the fence about this. Not saying it didn't taste good...I just missed the crunch in the texture and having so many water based veges did mean the plate was a wee bit paddling pool-esque.
I'm doing a no coffee challenge so didn't sample a brew today but from memory they do a decent job, which is important when caffeine is usually your poison of choice.
The outdoor seating was great today and it was great getting some rays. That definitely helped our experience so a solid 4 based on today and previous outings. Thanks Cafe Cuba!
Lovely atmosphere and staff! Service cannot be faulted, ordered nachos, pork sliders, and garlic bread, delish! Best thing on the menu is their famous silk cake! Highly recommend to all people in the area 😊
What a busy place. Had a beautiful breakfast.I had the Hash brown stack. I highly recommend it. I expected a long wait as the place was packed, inside and outside. But the four of us had our meals in 15 minutes. The staff were friendly and the kitchen staff can really belt that food out. Great atmosphere and a fantastic breakfast. Thank you.
Keita TeRangi-Brightwell
+5
I couldn't even get a photo of my hashbrown stack because i was soooo excited, but I cannot wait until my next visit, my table went from full convo to silence as we enjoyed our food 💜💜💜
Great service, awesome portion. Despite it took a while to come out it was extremely nice ! They were patient when we didn’t know what we wanted which is always comforting. It is a nice family friendly environment.
I ordered spinach egg Benedict and apple juice. The food is great and the juice is good. The cafe has a good ambience and friendly staffs. It's a nice place to have lunch alone or with friends.
We came here for breakfast.... very busy place... long queue to place an order but meals came quickly. We ordered the hash stack with sides, one with avocado one with sausages. Good "normal" selection on the board to choose from.
What a great little cafe. Took the team here for breakfast - smashed avocado (slightly heavy on the feta) and two lots of fried eggs (excellent) one with sausages (excellent) and one with bacon (excellent), black pudding (great), tomatoes (undercooked). Great flat-whites and friendly service. This cafe does Palmerston North proud. While be back each day of my stay........
I always end up coming to this place whenever I visit Palmerston North. I have dined here a few times, and have always enjoyed it. I love the busy atmosphere - and it comes with good food and great coffee. Although the food can be a bit pricey.
Found this place via zomato and the cafe didn't disappoint! Their non coffee drinks are pretty good as well! Food is pretty standard cafe food but they had a bigger variety. The place can get busy so hard to find seats sometimes.
This place has been around for many years. I used to go there in 2003/2004 then when I visited Palmy last year I saw the place is still going strong. One of my favorites in Palmy. Food and coffee is nice. Staff is very attentive as well. When it is sunny you sir outside and have a nice latte you can't beat that. Food choice can be better and sitting can be more comfy. However it is still my favorite.
Amazing quick service, really friendly staff and the best cake selection around. Always great coffee and with the additional seating area out front, definitely makes it a great place to be on a beautiful day.
Read previous reviews of cafe cuba which made me a bit reluctant to try their coffee. Glad I did. So far, best coffee I have tried in PN though I have yet to try others (other cafes). Flat white was surprisely smooth and pleasant. Will come back again to try other types of coffee.
Had breakfast here last week and ordered muesli without looking at the menu. I opted for the regular muesli, they had two choices. I wasn't fussy, it just had to be better than the packet stuff. I know I had low to no expectation, they actually seemed a bit put out that I wasn't being picky. The ambience is great at that time in the morning. A few early risers languishing with a coffee in the comfy sofas and a group of women meeting before work sitting in the gentle morning light.
I was impressed with my muesli, it wasn't a poor copy of what you see advertised in the pictures like at McDonalds; it looked like it was straight out of a Gordon Ramsay's cookbook.
It was quiet in the morning, but I went on wkend for lunch and it's really popular pays to get there early otherwise there will be quite a long queue.
Standard cafe fare, with good decor and nice seating. Service is decent. Food and coffee is usually pretty good. Can be a bit pricy at times for what it is, but the location is nice.
we had a fantastic time today. a group of 6 of us came in for lunch and we loved the place, loved the service and the food was delish! thank you so so much. we all come from ozanam house and lunch today was a perfect way to end the weeks treatment.
Cafe Cuba is my favourite cafe to go too. I always order the corn fritters with bacon and sour cream and a chocolate milkshake. Milkshakes are the best in town. Always thick and creamy and taste how milkshakes should taste. I did branch out a bit and ordered the chicken filo and it was super tasty. My friend ordered the hash brown stack and she enjoyed her meal. The service is quick and polite. The atmosphere is always busy and energetic. Always busy which is a good sign too.
Amazing food and wonderful staff! Definitely my favourite place for dinner or just a coffee. Too bad I work at a local cafe otherwise I'd be voting for them for cafe of the year 🙊
Nice selection of cabinet food and a good blackboard menu. For breakfast and lunch items.
Selected a panini which was tasty. Even asks my preferred degree of toasting.
Hot strong coffee was excellent.
Great service and great food. Staff went above and beyond keeping our 4y/o happy. The chicken honey mustard salad I ordered was heaven on a plate! Will definitely be going back for the salad again 👍
Till lady smiled at me. Good coffee. Good pancakes. Good efficient service and atmosphere. Been here a few times over the years and always good.
Tynesha Kihi Rangihuna
+5
Loved it. The food, the coffee, the decor, the staff. Best cafe I've come across yet! Been with a few friends and they thought the same. Been back time and time again and Cafe Cuba will always be amazing!
I've eaten here several times on the weekends. Usually around brunch and it is often busy. Which I take to be a great draw card if you're looking for what is locally loved. However, sometimes I've found that the tables aren't cleared and we've had to to shift things around to make a table for us, whether it be for a group of 2 or 6. This I put down to the busyness of the cafe. The salads and quiche that I often buy are usually pretty great. The coffees are always well made, and I'm left wanting for more at the end.
Had lunch there. I'm really fussy and I have to say the Moroccan pasta salad (heated) I had was amazing, it was so good. I'm going there for tea next week so hope it's just as good.
Best food and great efficient service!! Would recommend to all when visiting Palmy. I have tried multiple items on the menu and they all have been amazing. Worth the money and great cafe atmosphere. It is suitable for all age groups and food types. The slices are amazing as well as the hot food and salads.
Still great coffee, and the eggs bene is the best. Always a favourite.
Am a regular. Nice coffee nice food would recommend the antipasto platter. However the cafe its self needs a make over, dated and needs a good scrub
Dined for breakfast on a Sunday, the place was packed. We managed to find a nice spot outside in the sun. Definitely a great place to dine if you want to sit outside - plenty of tables and buzzing atmosphere. The food and coffee was unfortunately hit and miss. I had eggs benedict with bacon. The good - the toasted foccacia it was served on was delicious, crispy and light. The bacon was great, good quality and nicely cooked. There was a hash brown under the eggs which added a nice extra touch of crispy to the dish. The hollandaise sauce was fantastic - rich, with a hint of wholegrain mustard and there was plenty of it. Unfortunately the star of the dish - the eggs, were not runny - they were hard. This let the whole dish down. However I still enjoyed the meal and it's flavours. My caramel latte was also quite burnt and bitter and not enough caramel. On the upside the service was good, fast and although so busy we didnt have to wait long for our drinks and food.
The food here is definitely overpriced but as an ocasional customer to coffee shops I still chose Cuba Coffe most of the time, probably just because I like the busy atmostphere here?!? Fortunately I haven't got a problem with their service quality so far.
I am a regular and even though often I find the noise of the place annoying, and also the fact it is hard to get a table, I am never disappointed with the food here and only once have had a meal that I was not happy with.
Totally recommend this place.
Cafe Cuba has got to be the best Cafe in Palmerston North. I am a regular to a lot of Cafe's in Palmy as my work requires many informal coffee meetings.
I have also visited to dine both for breakfast and dinner, and it did not dissapoint! The staff are always friendly and work extremely hard to keep up, and give great service in this busy cafe!
It is not difficult to see why Cafe Cuba is constantly buzzing with activity, it has a great atmosphere unlike any other in Palmerston North! Keep up the great work Cafe Cuba
I have been a regular at Cafe Cuba for years. I get a beautiful coffee every morning which is always made speedily and to perfection, some of the best baristas in the manawatu here! I have got to know most of the front of house staff, they are all friendly, efficiant and make you feel welcome as if you are part of thier family :)
Cuba is always my first option when out for dinner or dessert, and the savings im making using my smartfuel card are a huge bonus!
Cafe Cuba is one of Palmys iconic cafes. The best eggs benedict ever, and coffee is always amazing!! Love the selection and there is something to suit everyone, so ideal for a big group. Open 7 days days a week, day and night. Great wine list, and the dinner menu is great! The staff are awesome and do a great job to keep the high standard of service, even when its hectic! Looking forward to seeing the new outside area.
Silk cake to die for and best coffee in town and blondie coffee maker also best in town, keep up the good work
An absolutely fantastic little Cafe, it's easy to see why it is constantly busy, the staff do a great job considering the popularity of this Cafe. The food is excellent. I have been there for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and have had beautiful food every time. Certainly this has got to be Palmy's best Cafe!
Great place on a nice summer's day, with outdoor seating to soak up the rays.
Big thumbs up Cafe Cuba, ill be back for sure!!!!
Love the food especially the eggs Bennie's and the coffee usually always is consistant and great quality.
The staff are usually always nice and chatty but maybe should smile more.........
overall fantastic always have been.
Always good food and excellent coffee. It's the most popular cafe in town and always very busy. The staff are sometimes a bit disorganised, and sometimes it takes a long time to get food, but they seem to have improved recently and I still have no hesitation about going back.
Its not hard to see why this Cafe is so busy, whether its for Coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner, we always get greeted with a friendly smile and fantastic service from the staff, and i have found that their quailty of service is hard to beat in Palmerston North
The food is excellent and great value for your money. We went in as a group of 6 for dinner, and there was something on the menu for everybody, a great atmosphere in this Cafe, it was absolutely buzzing.
Great job Cafe Cuba, we will be back for sure! A+++
I'm only occasionally in Palmerston North but this is my 1st choice when I'm there. I have always had great food and service and it its always a good atmosphere. Whether its a quick coffee or a meal I highly recommend Cafe Cuba.
Breakfasts are consistently excellent. Rather good value for money considering the size of the meals. Im not a coffee drinker but the thickshakes are the best in town.
Delicious food, great staff. This cafē will go out of their way to provide good service. Sometimes the wait can take a while but that's to be expected in this industry. Great coffees, even going out of their way to tailor a drink to suit my needs.
We always come here when we are in town.
All the workers were super friendly, food tasted amazing and arrived super quick. Good coffee too.
Great service, clean and tidy. Has bathroom facilities. Good prices. Good food. Can take dogs.
Very impressed with the Camp Fire Smash breakfast and loved the dairy free smoothie. Definitely worth the long wait in line. Can feel crowded inside, but there is outdoor seating.
Had a great ‘build your own breakfast’ good price and good food. A but of a wait on a busy day but that was bearable. Well looked after old building with lots of character in a good location adds to the experience.
Five ⭐️ service, right from the moment I walked in the door- I was greeted with a warm and welcoming smile as well as a verbal welcome.
As I was in line a waitress asked if I’d like to have a menu to which I replied ‘oh no thank you, I’ll get cabinet food thanks’ she then asked if I like a table- too which she quickly went to reserve for me.
Before I was even served at the counter the cashier Acknowledged me with a warm and welcoming smile-
I ordered the chicken & bacon stake which was delicious , coffee was well made and the silk cake Superb.
My whole experience was fabulous, which made my choice on where to treat myself a very enjoyable experience.
Only bummer was I didn’t have cash on me to leave a tip. I’ll definitely be returning and I’ll bring cash.
Just ate here and wow!!✨
10/10 friendly service. Even with it being busy, the team were in control, moving fast all the while still smiling and being warm.
The food was INCREDIBLE and I appreciated the keto options + the keto cake from the cabinet was to die for!!
Defs stopping here again next time I’m in Palmy. Thanks Cuba Cafe Team! Keep Slaying✨
We loved this place. Service was great and so was the food and the coffee. Fairly priced too.
Joe & Vanessa Mulholland
+5
Outstanding service for such a busy place. Super fast service of the food.
So many options we have to go back and try more of what looks like a yummy menu.
Food itself, delicious and filling.
An old haunt and favourite that I had not visited for many years. Was not disappointed. Great staff and service. Wide ranging menu. Amazing coffee
Love going to this Cafe, always has the best food & awesome customer service. Just a great little place to have a hot chocolate or brunch with friends or solo.
Cafe Cuba has been an institution in palmy since as long as I can remember.
Great food. Great service. Good atmosphere, can get a bit loud, but it's because they are so popular.
Also huge KETO selection
Went for a coffee with my dog, I went to sit him down outside and they opened the door and said bring him in - wow thats a first. The coffee and cake were good, service great …. Thank you guys be back for lunch 👍
Love how it is so close to work. So easy to call in and take away or dine in for a fantastic lunch. Service is always great and the food is amazing.
We had a pram and a newborn, the staff member seen us and reserved a table that could fit our family and gave us menus. Great service and very accommodating staff, cheers!
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