Address	1835 E. Colonial Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-203-0922
Price	$
Scott's Review

The decor is modern and youthful, and there is plenty of seating, indoors and out, at real tables. Food is pretty much the same. The Cuban sandwich may be the best one in the state of Florida.... Read more

Address	649 Front St.
City	Celebration
Phone	407-566-1505
Price	$$$

Columbia is the oldest restaurant in Florida, but not this location. The original in Tampa's Ybor City has been around since 1903 (although, until recently, it was thought it was established in 1905). The Celebration restaurant has had its high and low moments in the past 15 years; lately it has been doing better. The menu is not as authentically Spanish as they would like you to believe. It's not even all that Cuban. But the creative stylings at least get the spicing right. Try the red snapper Alicante or the scallops Casimiro. Desserts are less satisfying.

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Address	8700 E. Colonial Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-270-4707
Price	$
Scott's Review

I can’t really see the difference between this place and similar restaurants specializing in Cuban cuisine. But I can tell you I liked the food very much. And the casual picnic-style atmosphere. And especially the way I was welcomed by the staff of Cuba 1800’s.... Read more

Address	Pointe Orlando 9101 International Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-226-1600
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

It's big and splashy, but early indications are that more effort was put into the ambience than into the food, which is under the direction of James Beard Award-winning chef Guillermo Pernot. It would seem the vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine have been dumbed down for the tourist trade. Even the drinks are disappointing. It's bad enough that they can't seem to make a decent mojito, but you'd think they could at least have a stellar Cuba Libre.

We started with a salad of watercress with crumbles of Cabrales, the tangy blue cheese of Spain. Fresh, but indistinguished.

A fish course followed comprised of sea bass a la plancha a Chino-Cubano. Yes, a Chinese version of a Cuban dish, complete with fried rice and a sesame sauce. I found it rather strange, although the quality of the fish was good.

The meat course had grilled skirt steak on a sugar cane skewer paired with roast pork stuffed mofongo -- not an ingredient in the bunch that I don't love. Yet it was all almost flavorless, without any seasoning. It looks like this will be another Latin restaurant that's afraid of offending the delicate palates of tourists. That's a shame.

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Address	3269 Margaritaville Blvd.
City	Kissimmee
Phone	407-828-0999
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

Beat the drums, this ain’t Bongos. Estefan Kitchen has opened its first location outside of Miami, one of several restaurants at the new Promenade at Sunset Walk near Walt Disney World. Gloria and Emilio are the Estefans of the name, she the renowned Cuban-American singer who along with Miami Sound Machine gave us the effervescently zingy “Conga” and other classics.... Read more

Address	7579 S Orange Blossom Trail
City	Orlando
Phone	407-420-7278
Price	$
Scott's Review

As the name suggests, Havana is actually two venues, a bistro on one side and a cafe on the other. What’s the difference? It’s subtle, but suffice to say that on one side of the place you order from a menu on and the other side you choose from among prepared dishes that a staff worker plates up for you. Again you ask, which is the bistro and which is the cafe? I have no idea, but you’ll be able to figure it out when you walk in. I chose the dish-it-out side. The rules are very clearly stated at the start of the line: You choose the type of meat you want from among the available varieties, such as roast pork, stewed chicken and ropa vieja, then the type of rice you prefer (white, yellow or congri), and then two sides. I chose the roast pork on congri with yuca and red beans. And then I watched in marvel as the young woman behind the counter started piling up the container with my selections. It was a tremendous amount of food, so much so that when she tried to close the cover of the takeout container she had to use a couple of pieces of tape so that it wouldn’t spring open. The roast pork was wonderful — and more tender and I could have eaten it with a spoon. The rice and b... Read more

Address	7339 E. Colonial Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-282-2322
Price	$
Scott's Review

I thought I had made a discovery of a new and wonderful Cuban cafe. Turns out that Los Autenticos has been around for a long time - it's just new to me. But still wonderful nonetheless. Very small place with big-flavored food. Be sure to have a cup of the chicken soup, and then move on to the roast pork or maybe a Cuban sandwich.... Read more

Address	8126 International Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-673-4422
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

Don't pay much attention to the cafe designation. This is mainly a nightclub with elaborate (and good) entertainment. You basically come here for the show and to have drinks. The food might help alleviate the affects of the latter.... Read more