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Home > Restaurants > Guantanamera

Guantanamera

939 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10019
nr. 56th St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-262-5354 Send to Phone

    Order Online

  • Price Range: $$

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
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    • Good
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  • Reader Rating:

    6.0 out of 10

    3 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Caribbean, Latin American, Spanish/Tapas

Hours

Sun-Thu, 11:30am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11:30am-1am

Nearby Subway Stops

1, A, B, C, D at 59th St.-Columbus Circle

Prices

$14-$22

Payment Methods

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Bar Scene
  • Brunch - Weekend
  • Delivery
  • Dine at the Bar
  • Good for Groups
  • Live Music
  • Lunch
  • Private Dining/Party Space
  • Romantic
  • Take-Out
  • Online Ordering

Alcohol

  • Full Bar

Reservations

Recommended

Delivery Area

46th St. to 66th St., Sixth Ave. to Eleventh Ave.

Profile

Originally known as Azucar, or "sugar," Guantanamera is a sweet addition to Hell's Kitchen, especially for those who enjoy eating to the beat of live salsa, rumba, and cha-cha. The dining room exudes colonial Havana chic: exposed brick, candle lighting and languid, rattan-covered ceiling fans. A hand-painted folkloric mural seals the illusion; you'll even find a man hand-rolling and dispensing free stogies. Potent, minty mojitos start the fiesta. The menu is primarily Cuban, with Caribbean and Spanish specialties. It's worth ordering tostones rellenos, crispy-fried green plantains smashed to form a crown that holds tomato-sauced shrimp. Entrées are primarily roasts, stews, and grilled dishes; onions, parsley, lime, and garlic provide subtle flavor accents. The most robust choice, roast suckling pig, is fork tender—and even better if you ask for extra-crispy skin. It's sided with chewy cassava and congri, a mélange of black beans and rice. While Guantanamera's cooking might not convince your demanding abuelita, the sexy and welcoming atmosphere, killer drinks, and lively tunes provide genuine escapism. This place is a party.

Extra

Live music begins every night around 8:30pm, except Mondays (making that night better for conversation). At brunch, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 4pm, you get a complimentary glass of sangria, mimosa, or mango Bellini.

Recommended Dishes

Lechon asado con mojo, $18; flan de leche, $6

6.0 "Mixed Reviews"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10
Write Your Own Review

Absolutely awful experience--will never go back

arodriguez from 10002 | Posted on 5/4/09

Overall Reader Rating: 1 (Not Recommended)
Food: 3
Service: 1
Décor: 3
Value: 1

We had the absolute worst experience at this place. We were a group of 6 and had a reservation for 9 pm. After patiently waiting for an hour to get seated (this feat was only accomplished because my boyfriend finally got...Read More

good food, prices deceiving

mvmaus from 10065 | Posted on 7/13/08

Overall Reader Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Food: 8
Service: 8
Décor: 8
Value: 4

The food is good, the atmosphere is pleasant; the prices on the menus here are totally wrong - they are nearly double. Cubano sandwich was $15 (not $9), the appetizers wer $15 (not $8), and the main entrees were $20-35).

Read All 3 Reviews >>

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