Cuba Libre Offers a Vibrant Taste of Havana in Atlantic City

Cuba Libre has tasty food and attentive service. Photo: Courtesy of Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar

Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar offers a little bit of fun and personality in Atlantic City’s sometimes-colorless restaurant scene. Walk in, and it almost feels like you could be in Havana, with its atmospheric, hacienda-style courtyard, balconies covered in hanging plants, and old-fashioned wrought-iron bar.

Located inside the Tropicana resort, Cuba Libre is a great choice for couples, families and large groups. The service is pleasant and attentive, the food is surprisingly tasty, and the music isn’t too loud, so you can actually hear yourself talk.

We started with mojitos, the traditional Cuban cocktails—and Cuba Libre has a good selection of this classic rum drink. I tried the mango version, made with Brinley Shipwreck mango rum, and it was wonderfully refreshing. The delicious fried bread that came with a sweet mango butter was a fabulous accompaniment. But don’t fill up on it, because there’s a lot more to sample here. The Spanish-style garlic shrimp with lemon and smoked paprika came with grilled artisanal bread.

Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar is located inside Atlantic City’s Tropicana resort. Photo: Courtesy of Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar

Move on to the churrasco á la Cubana, a perfectly grilled skirt steak that comes with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Standard Cuban fare, such as ropa vieja and roasted pork, are also solid choices. For something lighter, the pargo baracoa—pan-roasted snapper that comes with shrimp, Baja Bay scallops, crabmeat and mussels—was nicely balanced and flavorful.

Whenever someone orders the Plato Gaucho mixed grill here—a sizzling platter that comes with skirt steak, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, chicken and chorizo sausage—a bell is rung in the restaurant, adding to the festive atmosphere.

For dessert, the Cuban flan or Tres Leches cake are fitting endings to this Cuban meal.

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HOW WE REVIEW: Restaurants are chosen for review at the sole discretion of New Jersey Monthly. These unstarred reviews of more casual restaurants are written after one critic’s visit with two people; the magazine pays for these meals.

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