Victor's Cafe

Waiters had a great knowledge of the menu, environment is coll, food is pretty good and the presentation is great, and the price it is in the average for mid town New York.

Pros: excellent food great presentation

Cons: tables aren't level, music should be more authentic

Posted 04/10/09

The Ropa was good but were is the rice??? The two apps were really good... Mojitos were small but had a good flavor...if the prices were a bit lowere you would probably be busier...

Pros: Example: best croissants in town

Cons: What are the drawbacks?

Posted 04/02/09

From the minute we entered Victor's Cafe we were in heaven. The ambiance was so authentic and creative. The tables were roomy and not crowded. The white wine sangria was EXCELLENT. Dinner was very tasty and all the food combinations really enhanced each other. I usually don't like flan, but the flan here was amazing! We'll definitely be back!

Pros: Excellent food and Sangria.

Cons: A little on the pricy side.

Posted 01/30/09

I went in to dinner at Victor's Cafe with big expectations and they delivered! Great place with amazing food, great service and a nice atmosphere. It is an expensive dinner but well worth it. bartolito and filete mignon where GREAT! This restaurant is great for business or a romantic evening which is saying something. This is one of the best restaurants in the city.

Pros: food,ambiance

Posted 11/04/08

The overall experience at the restaurant was good. I ordered the Bistec w/ chimichurri ( Steak ). It was mediocre. The black beans & rice were very good. My girlfriend ordered the Paella which was excellent.
A half of a lobster was in the Paella along with other tasty meats (shrimp , churiso). The problem came when I ordered a pitcher of SANGRIA without checking the price. It tasted like a fruit drink and had no alcohol kick. It was $40. If I went back again, I would skip the steak & Sangria.

Pros: PAELLA / Black Beans

Cons: Sangria

Posted 09/24/08

very tasty, great service, friendly.......but try Cabana restaurant just as good and less expensive..........

Posted 09/17/08

A wonderful dinner, excellent service, pleasant staff, fantastic food. I have a dietary restriction in that I have Celiac disease, which means that I cannot have wheat. When I made the reservations I noted that. I was pleasantly surprised when the chef came out to discuss with me the dishes that might be suitable, which was most of them. I expected that, which is why I chose Cuban food in the first place. I was still pleased as I did not expect that at a NYC restaurant. The Bartolito appetizer was great as was the rest of the meal.

Pros: friendly service, attentive chef

Posted 07/28/08

dias atras fui a cenar despues del teatro con unas amistades,me dijeron del restaurant de lo fino y ele-
gante que es,fue algo espectacular la comida el ambiente y el servicio fue lo mas espectacular algo
que no nos vamos a olvidar gracias a todos los componentes de este prestigioso restaurant en especial
del camarero que me atendio que hasta ahora me acuerdo de su nombre Mauro.
Una vez mas gracias a todos los componentes del restaurant.

Posted 07/02/08

Well I've been to Victor Cafe before but I?m very disappointed with the service I received tonight. There is really no privacy (mainly because the tables are all so close.) The restaurant was too loud (you couldn't even hear the music.) The waiters where not that attentive, only asking for refills and such, not the classics like "is everything fine." The food took a long time to be served. My friends and I where out of topics when the food came (like 45 minutes later,) I asked if they where fishing my fish on Florida's water. The appetizer was horrible, the bread was as hard as granite, the fried plantains where cold and non-crispy, and the rest of the appetizer was just horrible. My fish (to be honest) was ok, my friends thought their food where fine, and my son said his sweet plantain was cold and not cooked properly. I really don't recommend this to anyone unless they are starving or they are hearing impaired.

Pros: The food itself was OK.

Cons: Too loud, Too crowded, The service was horrible, The quality of the food was not worth the price.

Posted 06/17/08

My birthday dinner last august. Make reservations as this place is busy. My boyfriend and I loved it! Great food, service was friendly, my 1st night in new york was made very memorable by this place. Delicious mojitos, great desserts. I highly recommend, if you're going to the theatre, its right there in the district.

Pros: Good looking people for dinner, tasty food, friendly staff

Cons: Maybe loud (?), bathrooms down a steep staircase.

Posted 05/30/08

I highly recommend this place if you're going to watch any Broadway shows -- perfect location and the food is very good. I love their specialty ropa viejo and the mojitos are good too!

Pros: Close to Broadway theaters and excellent food!

Posted 03/13/08

The Cuban food here was average. I had the ropa vieja and flan which were delicious if not memorable. The resaurant was well lit, gorgeously designed and very friendly. The amosphere promoted mingling and looks like a good place to relax afterwork or a broadway play. The overall dining experience was well worth the visit. However, for the discerning foodie, you would be a little upset at the fare.

Pros: Nice dining area, good sangria

Cons: average tasting food

Posted 02/06/08

Delicious, authentic Cuban cuisine.Perfect location, very nice ambiance and attentive service. What more could you ask for? Oh, the drinks were very good as well. Highly Recommended.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service

Posted 01/24/08

I dined here after watching a Broadway show. Food was just ok. Actually, it was wasting of money compared to the value of food. My boy friend had a beef dish.He kept mentioning that we could get better beef dish from Chipotle. Also, a cup of Sprite was $5.

However, the atmosphere and the service were nice.

Pros: atmoshere

Cons: value and too many birthday dinners

Posted 10/18/07

I have been to this restaurant a couple of times, and I must say every experience has been a truly great one. The food is phenomenal (I am especially fond of the ropa viejo) and the sangria is probably the best I've ever had. In addition to the wonderful food, the waitstaff is extremely courteous and shows the perfect amount of attentiveness, and the decor is lovely. Overall, the atmosphere is very warm and inviting. There is a bit of an intimate vibe- perfect for a date or even dinner with friends. I really love this place and will definitely return. I highly recommend checking it out.

Pros: Delicious food, great ambiance, amazing sangria, wonderful service

Cons: None

Posted 09/14/07

I have been to Victor's twice, and enjoyed fantastic food and cocktails both times. The mojitos in particular are delicious---be sure to try the Coconut Mojito, which will transport you to a sun-drenched tropical island with just one sip. The food, whether it's the Red Snapper, Vaca Frita, or one of the various types of plantain dishes, is excellently prepared and divided on the menu into traditional and more modern types of fare. The decor is lovely, giving the restaurant a tropical yet sophisticated feel that is enjoyable for both romantic dining or meeting a group of coworkers. The only drawback is that the restaurant can be quite busy, so make sure to call ahead for reservations so you won't have to wait for a table.

Pros: Ambience, drinks, food, service, good for groups or couples

Cons: Busy--call ahead for reservations

Posted 05/07/07

We have been coming to Victor's Cafe for many years and we have to say this is definitely the best Cuban restaurant in Manhattan. We are Cuban so being able to enjoy truly authentic, high quality Cuban food is always a pleasure. The ambiance has a wonderful Caribbean feel with Cuban art on the walls and bamboo ceiling fans. The food is exceptional--"croquetas" (ham croquettes), "ropa vieja" (braised shredded skirt steak), "vaca frita" (pan-fried shredded skirt steak) and "pargo en camisa" (snapper encrusted in crunchy green plantains) are a must. So are their mojitos (a little bit strong) and the sangria (best in NY). The service is warm and attentive but can be a little off during pre-theater hours. Victor's granddaughter took over a few years ago and now the place is even more detail-oriented in food and service. Overall we highly recommend Victor's.

Pros: Exceptional authentic Cuban food, attentive service, great sangria and mojitos

Cons: Service is a little slow during pre-theater hours

Posted 05/04/07

I have been to this restaurant many times and recommend it to all of my friends/family visiting from out of town. The atmosphere is inviting and the staff is A+. The food is delicious. You have to try the Vaca Frita w/ a side of Ajo! To start the night off right, try the croquettes with a mojito. And, Victors has the BEST Champagne and Red Wine Sangria....Try to get there early before the Broadway show rush.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service

Posted 04/29/07

I can't say enough negative things about this restaurant. The service was mediocre at best, the food was overpriced and tasted badly. They charged more than $6 dollars for six tostones, that tasted horrible. The only thing this restaurant has going is location. They are located in a highly traffic area and market themselves as a latin restaurant that serves up excellent Cuban food. You want good latin food, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, etc. walk up to ninth avenue - that is where the REAL latin food is. Sure, the restaurants are not as good looking as this one, but you'll eat great for a lot less.

Pros: Location

Cons: Everything Else

Posted 04/22/07

Coming from a cuban family I can assure you that this cuban food is awesome and delicious. I've only eaten there once but I'd eat there over and over again if it was a bit cheaper. Prices are on the higher side but worth it if you can dish it out. I had the fried ropa vieja...man! that was the best ropa vieja I ever had. Go. Enjoy.

Pros: delicious

Cons: pricey

Posted 04/14/07

This was my first experience with Cuban food. This being my first time in NY I wanted the experience of new meals and the "NY Restaruant" expereince. I was not dissapointed at Victors. The staf was sensational and very informative. The mojitos were the best I have ever had and the food exceeded my expectations. I am planning return trip to NY and Victors is on the list . I will recomend this establishment to anyone who will listen.

Pros: Great atmosphere, food & drink

Cons: had to wait even with a reservation

Posted 03/14/07

If it's a Latin Restaurant, count me in. I love it all--my fiance is Latin so he can usually tell me if I like an "Americanized version" of the real thing or if it's truly authentic (BTW, I tend to only like the latter). Don't let the location fool you, Victors isn't a tourist trap-it's a great restaurant with excellent food, a great prix-fix option and a friendly staff. The Empanada's were the best I have had anywhere and the Ropa Vieja was good, although they served it with white rice (usually yellow, which is better). The sangria was wonderful and the menu had a really great selection sure to please even the pickiest eaters. It's expensive for sure but worth the splurge at least once.

Pros: Good time, good vibe, great food

Cons: Expensive

Posted 02/02/07

If you want Cuban in the midtown area you can try this place. It's a theatre-district crowd and their prices are probably a bit more than other Cuban places in other areas (West Village, downtown) but the food is good. Ropa Vieja is always good (just ok portion) and their Paella serving is large. Service is friendly. If you want a better value/trendy try the West Village.

Posted 12/21/06

Delicious food, great waitstaff, great atmosphere, would LOVE to go back, this is NYC dining at its best.

Pros: Great Food, GREAT STAFF!

Cons: Had a reservation and had to wait about 10 min to sit

Posted 12/17/06

Nice lunch place. Good Price Fix menu. Pretty atmosphere.
Make sure to have some cocktails with lunch/dinner - our Mojito's and Sangria were awesome. Overall a good dining experience.

Pros: Good Food, Cocktails, nice wait staff

Posted 11/19/06

This was my firts time at Victor's and food was so good that for sure I am coming back. Best black been soup and the rabo(my favorite)wow I have the time of mi life. I am a rabo lover, my mom used to cook the best one but Victor's was super, sorry Mom.

Posted 09/28/06

To be honest there are not many cuban restaurants in Manhattan. The food was good but they are trying to take a simple culture of simple people and make it very upscale. I am a half cuban myself and growing up on homecooked meals we like to keep things delicious and simple. I think perhaps they are trying a little too hard. The other issue is they are charging way too much and not too a typical cuban tradition which is give you a ton of food. Us Cubans love to eat so its important to pile it on. Honestly if you want to eat good cuban food in a casual place and enjoy just a little of the culture just check out Sophia's Cuban Cuisine on Lexington. Its small and simple just like us!

Cons: Too Pricey

Posted 09/13/06

I enjoyed lunch at the yummy midtown eatery Victors Cafe, where my co-worker ordered the Smoked Ham Croquettes with Savory Sauce as an appetizer and the Shredded Churrasco with Mojo Sauce. I skipped the appy and ordered a delicious Sugarcane-glazed Salmon over Sauteed Spinach. Word to the wise: dont go, like we did, on a Wednesday afternoon and forget that its matinee day in the citythe sidewalks were majorly crowded!

Posted 09/13/06

This place was great! Took my friend out for her birthday and we loved it. I had a reservation and we were seated immediately. The music was fun and lively and the ambience was great. The appetizers we ordered were very small (plaintains stuffed with spiced meat and vegetables) but abs. delecious. The main course-- I got arroz con pollo, was tasty enough and the price was reasonable especially as they gave huge portions. The highlight was def. our mojitos. I got raspberry mojito and quite frankly it was one of the best mojitos I've ever had and probably one of the best mixed drinks I've ever had, period. All in all, really delighted and my friend had a great time.

Pros: Great mojitos, entrees have large portions, fun and relaxing scene.

Cons: Food a little bland, can be pricey, appetizers small.

Posted 07/25/06

As a Cuban-American, I had heard many raves from my (non-Cuban) friends about Victor's, I decided to check it out during Restuarant Week. Not only did they not have the full menu (only 2 of 3 apps) they also had run out of the Lechon (a signature dish) and the menu was misrepresented online (listing a shrimp dish) which was later removed! I was told there was no cocktail list although there is quite an extensive one online, perhaps that was a ploy to order the blah, overpriced Sangria pitcher. But wait! There's more...latin house music was blaring in the (freezing) dining room so much so that I had to yell at my date so he can hear me (very unromantic). Our waiter was friendly and apologetic, although I felt rushed, but I guess I didn't mind, it was not a restaurant I wanted to be in much longer, or ever again I dare say. Highly recommended to anyone who has no idea was Cuban food is like, and/or has a lot of time & money to spend on overpriced, mediocre restaurants. In short, if only the real deal was as glossy as the website.

Posted 07/19/06

it's not easy mixing traditional cuban food with style. i think this restaurant does a great job of presenting the cuban culture without typecasting it. although the food does not have as much garlic and spices as a native like myself would want, it is still a great choice for those in search of something different. the decor is wonderful, the music hits home, the service is great!

Posted 05/10/06

Get your mojo going and stop by for after work mojitos. Great place to start with friends before hitting the Village.

Pros: Scene, Mojitos

Cons: Crowded

Posted 05/09/06

The food was present very pretty, however the food was not as good as authentic Cuban Food taste, this restaurant is not recomended for Latin people instead for people who are trying Cuban food for the first time. The service was excellents, however the price was too expensive for the flavor and the portions.

Posted 05/04/06

The first time I visited Victor's Café, it was on 71st Street and Columbus. I have always been a fan of Victor's black beans and the Vaca Frita. I visited New York recently with my family and took them to Victor's for dinner. In my book, this place continues to be the #1 Cuban restaurant in the U.S.... I live in Miami, and no other Cuban restaurant here can compare with the quality of food and overall experience Victor's offers...Magnifico!

Pros: good service, excellent wine list, great food

Cons: a little loud

Posted 04/11/06

fOOD- Cold, Small Portions
Black Bean and Rice Excellent
DRINKS- WAYYYYYY OVER PRICED AND NOT THAT GOOD FOR THOSE PRICES
Decor- Nice
DIDN'T GET A THANK YOU FOR A 18% TIP WHICH A TIP WASN'T DESERVED
SERVICE- I hadn't been to New York in a year and the taxi situation has gotten worse for Afro-Americans. I had trouble getting taxi's all day so I asked the hostess if someone could hail me a taxi she said I would have to do it myself. I explained to her
the situation but it didn't matter i was on my own.

Cons: Service, Expensive, new management

Posted 03/19/06

We were extremely disappointed by our last meal at Victor's. The meal was merely adequate and the wine was seriously overpriced. We made the mistake of ordering from the prix fixe menu. The dishes ended up costing the same as those on the regular menu, but the portions were smaller - yes, smaller.

Pros: Nice room

Cons: Average food, Overpriced wine

Posted 02/27/06

I made a reservation at 8:30 and was still NOT seated by 9:30. Everytime we went to ask them what's going on, they keep saying they are waiting for that ONE table to leave, I can't beleive that the restaurant was waiting for that ONE 4 person table. RIDICULOUS! She didn't even have the courtesy to come to us, we had to keep going to her. She seated at least 6 couples that came after us. NEVER AGAIN!

Posted 01/08/06

I made my reservations weeks in advance and when I arrived I was seated next to the service bar where they were stacking dishes so conversation was impossible. There was no light above to read the menu. Every 5 minutes, or so, the waiters came to restack dishes, so conversation stopped. They refused to move us to another table even when one became available. Instead of eating food from a third world country, I felt as if I was in one. I would NEVER eat there, again. The food was fair, but the hostess and manager were rude and unaccommodating.

Pros: decent cuban food

Cons: rude, unaccommodating, noisy

Posted 12/17/05

Well let me first start off by saying that the drinks are very over priced! The sangria is good there but that is about it. The service was lousy but the decor was nice. All of the food was cold including the appetizers. I am latin and I know what good caribbean food tastes like and this was not it. The food was bland, cold and just not worth the price. I ordered red snapper and it tasted like frozen fish from the freezer aisle in the supermarket! Don't bother with Victor's Cafe. Not a memorable experience.

Posted 11/11/05

I had my brother's birthday here and it was a great experience! We were seated immediately and was greeted by our friendly waiter. The Sangerias were yummy (good size glass) and the Seafood Paella was even yummier (you actually get a whole half of a lobster!!). The atmosphere is very festive and they even had live piano playing in the background. I definitely recommend this place!

Pros: Food/Drinks, Attentive Service, Lively Atmosphere

Cons: Drinks (pricey- $10)

Posted 10/26/05

Unless you enjoy heavy, greasy, bland cuban food, steer clear of this place. I'm not sure who the reviwers are that posted good reviews below, ut the experience was poor and fairly expensive.

Posted 10/19/05

The best Cuban food in the city!!!
I must say, I was very impressed. Everything was to die for... including their mojito!
It's guaranteed good food and service... worth every dollar!

Posted 10/05/05

I came to Victor's for dinner. We were seated immediately, even without a reservation. The decor is very interesting. The service leaves a bit to be desired. One has to put some effort into flagging down a waiter. The black bean soup is delicious. The gazpacho is too spicy. The red snapper appetizer is served raw, which is not mentioned on the menu. It is not very good. The ropa vieja is outstanding. It was one of the best dishes I've had in a while. The prices are very reasonable for the area. A number of entrees are under $20. I am not a sangria fan and I didn't think it was particularly good, but I am told that if you like Sangria, the one at Victors is definitely worth a try. Before you go, find out which things are good and you should have a great time.

Pros: Ropa Vieja, Prices, Decor

Cons: Certain Dishes

Posted 07/04/05

I have dined and drank at Victor's on several occasions and each time it was enjoyable. The food is very rich and incredibly expensive (be prepared to shell out some dough) but worth it if you are celebrating a romantic occasion. The Happy Hour is great, with some of the finest sangria one can find in midtown. The staff is friendly and courteous which is why I continually come back for more.

Pros: Food, Staff, Happy Hour

Cons: Prices

Posted 05/29/05

This restaurant exceeded my expectations. I went for dinner before a show wtih my boyfriend on 4/22/05. We let the waiter know that we did not have much time, and he made sure our food arived promptly. Excellent service! I had Vieja Ropas (old clothes), which was super yummy! Ground meat with mashed bananas, rice, and beans. They have the best beans!!!! My boyfriend had Fried Cow, which was better thne mine! For desert we got guava w/ icecream, it was delicious! Overall, the autmosphere was great, service fast, and prices not to bad for NYC.

Pros: Delicious Food, Atmosphere, Service

Posted 04/24/05

Where does Cuban food stop having seasoning added? Victor's Cafe. Bland pork would be kind. I know Victor's is catering to mostly Americans, but if you claim to make original Cuban cuisine, add the spices.
As far as ambiance, I have been in subway stations that were quieter. Our waiter had too many tables to attend to and came to get our order and give us the check. Nothing in between.
In general, if you want good authentic latin flavor, take the subway uptown to Spanish Harlem.

Pros: location

Cons: food, service, noise

Posted 04/17/05