Hello dear
At Old Cuban Cafe Express, we celebrate the vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage of Cuba right in the heart of Orlando. Nestled in a repurposed gas station, our casual cafe invites everyone to experience traditional dishes that are both authentic and comforting. From savory breakfast options like our Island Breakfast to hearty meals such as pernil with seasoned rice and red beans, each dish is crafted with love and a passion for Cuban cuisine. Our welcoming atmosphere, complete with outdoor seating and a dog-friendly policy, makes it the perfect spot for groups, families, and anyone craving a delicious Cuban culinary adventure.
About
Welcome to Old Cuban Cafe Express, a delightful escape into the vibrant world of Cuban cuisine right in the heart of Orlando, Florida. Located at 165 S Goldenrod Rd, this charming cafe may surprise you; nestled in what used to be a gas station, it has transformed into a cozy haven for food lovers seeking authentic Cuban flavors.
Old Cuban Cafe Express shines in its variety. With a menu designed to cater to all tastes, you can enjoy everything from hearty main dishes to light pastries. The humble yet delicious Chicken Pastry, Cheese Pastry, and Guava Pastry each hold their own as savory snacks or sweet treats for dessert. For something more substantial, don't miss the classic Cuban Sandwich—a perfect blend of ham, sweet ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles, all slid between buttery bread.
The customer experience is equally appetizing. Diners consistently rave about the warm and inviting atmosphere, where the lively music complements the casual vibe. As Danielle J. notes, the service is seamless; just point at the delicious options, and they’ll be packed for you to enjoy on-site or take away. Plus, with options for outdoor seating, you can soak in the sun while savoring your meal.
Old Cuban Cafe Express is also family-friendly, offering a variety of vegetarian dishes and kid-approved meals. Whether you're planning a casual brunch, a hearty lunch, or a satisfying dinner, this cafe has something for everyone, making it an excellent choice for groups, kids, and even your furry friends, as dogs are welcome too!
The reviews speak volumes about Old Cuban Cafe Express's authentic dishes and excellent service, making it your new go-to spot for incredible Cuban food in Orlando. With catering options available, you can bring the taste of Cuba to your next gathering! And remember, they accept credit cards and provide free Wi-Fi, ensuring a hassle-free visit. Grab your friends and family and swing by for a meal that is sure to impress!
“ This spot is located in an old gas station but dont let that deter you. The food is good $15 for a plate though. The service is good, all you have to do is point at the food that you want and they put it in the to go container. They also have a bakery that serves plenty of Pastellitos. I really enjoy the ambience of this spot, I believe they play music while everyone is sitting inside eating their food. Lots of workers come in for their lunch and it's an enjoyable experience. I've been there several times and will continue to support this business. ”
“ Tried their pernil with white rice and red beans, beef empanadas, potato balls, chicken soup and ajiaco soup. My favorites were the soups. Both very similar. Both a thicker type of soup with a sazon/tomato flavored broth with carrots, potatoes, and shredded chicken. But the chicken soup has really short noodles in it that look like rice and the ajiaco does not. I noticed too that the ajiaco soup had bigger chicken chunks. Both were equally delicious and hearty and perfect for a hangover which I was seriously having. Next I tried the pernil and white rice with red beans. The rice was sooo good. It was lightly but perfectly seasoned. I wish I could say more about the red beans but my husband ate it all and left me none lol. So I guess it was good?? The pernil was plentiful and also seasoned very well and moist. Tasted great with just the rice since I had no beans to mix with. I also didn't get to try the beef empanadas because my husband ate both of those. Assuming those were also pretty good. I did get to try the potato ball and I loved the crunch on the outside. I wished there was a little bit more beef on the inside and that I had some hot sauce to eat it with too cuz that would have made it really tasty. But overall, I would definitely order from here again. I'm definitely adding this place as a go-to spot for soups too next time I'm in the mood for something delicious and comforting. ”
“ The Customer service here is excellent. Every ones treats you with respect and they answer any questions you have. The food is good and there's plenty of different varieties of food..If you don't want anything heavy they also have a bakery and the sandwiches are good.. ONE THING THAT I APPRECIATE AND APPLAUD ,THE FACT THAT THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES OPEN THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE MILTON . Thank you for your food and your service!! ”
“ The food was phenomenal is kinda hard to find Cuban food in Orlando but this place knocked it out the park sucks that the arroz imperial is not on DoorDash or Uber eats ”
“ I love this restaurant's food; especially their black beans. Their Cuban flavors are very authentic and so delicious. Service is great and the restaurant is very chill, but it has gotten a bit pricey. ”
“ This is our go to spot for Uber eats Spanish food. In terms of Uber, it arrives quickly, and the orders are always on point. But aside from that, the food here is really great! Nice big portions, always having some leftover, and overall a lot of great options as well. Everything is your pretty basic dish, which a lot of times when you have a craving, that's exactly what you want. Nothing fancy or over the top, but all delicious. And I could eat the empanadas every single night lol!! ”
“ This place has a really cool setup- an old gas station turned into a Cuban cafeteria. The place is pretty cool. Being a Cuban-American that moved from Miami a couple months ago, it was very hard for me to find a place with decent Cuban food around this area of East Orlando. There was always Cuban food around each corner in Miami- here not so much. I would say this is kind of close to what I wanted but I did have some nitpicks such as others did. The food is decent. It's not the BEST but it's pretty good for what it is. The price is not it though. It is way too overpriced for a plate. I really do think that they should offer a different special every week or every other week and make it a bit lower in price. I think that would help bussiness out a lot. I know I would come here a lot more. But for now, it's not good for the wallet. The staff is really sweet and they do take care of you and help you with whatever you need. I do agree the place looks a little old school and it needs some touch ups here and there. Overall- Decent food, cool place and nice people, just not worth the price ”
“ The ropa vieja is incredible! Love how fresh and flavorful it was, and went perfectly with sweet plantains and red beans and rice. So so good, as authentic as it gets! Not overly salty or greasy either, just like homemade. ”
“ This is authentic Cuban! I saw it just after getting off the toll and had to pull in! It's next to Esporta Fitness, I say this because Yelp has 2 addresses. There is so much to choose from and based on my cheese pastry and the customers doing carry out and sitting in, everything else has to be good. Is has a coffee / pastry area as well as full Cuban buffet. There is no real menu that I saw and not all the staff speaks English but don't let that stop you. Way delicious! ”