Cubita Café in Nutley, NJ, is a vibrant oasis that captivates diners with its warm atmosphere and eclectic hip hop vibes. From the moment you enter, the enticing aromas and welcoming staff, including the owner Gus, promise a delightful culinary experience. Customers rave about the award-winning empanadas, particularly the flavorful Oxtail Mac, which stands out as a must-try. Guests like Sevani Robinson and Mia Josephina share their admiration for the guava and coconut shrimp empanadas, extolling their rich flavors and delightful textures. The distinctive drinks, especially the coquito latte, complement the savory dishes beautifully. Food lovers from near and far, including small business owners like Queen Bee's Farmacy, praise the quality and dedication evident in every dish. The menu features Cuban classics like Ropa Vieja and Pan con Bistec, each crafted with authenticity and care, leaving guests eager to return. The heartwarming reviews highlight Cubita Café not just as a restaurant but as a community hub, where exceptional food and great service create memorable experiences. Food enthusiasts undoubtedly leave with smiles, planning their next visit to this hidden gem.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as Latino-owned
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Cubita Café
Sevani Robinson
Jul 8,2025
Great vibes, great service, fun people. Got the oxtail grilled cheese, an empanada, and a coquito latte. The grilled cheese was pretty good but a bit on the saltier side. The guava empanadas I would buy over and over again as well as the drink. Thanks guys!
Queen Bee's Farmacy
Jun 26,2025
Love this place. As a small business owner myself, its easy to tell the owner knows quality. From the hip hop vibes to the amazing food. My favorite is the coconut shrimp empandas! But my family loves them all. I also sweat the shrimp platter. Quality quality quality!!!! You cant get a better empanda anywhere in NY, PA, or NJ. Love this spot so much!!
Tim Samuel
Jun 23,2025
Got a chance to meet the owner Gus. He is extremely friendly and his team prepares amazing food. The empanadas were delicious and the coffee was excellent. Will be back soon.
Mia Josephina
Jun 13,2025
Cubita Cafe is an absolute gem in Nutley! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth, great vibes, and the aroma of something amazing cooking in the back. Their award-winning empanadas live up to the hype—my personal favorite is the Oxtail Mac (seriously, it’s life-changing, make your inner child smile ). Rich, flavorful, and perfectly crispy on the outside. The Ropa Vieja is another standout—tender, savory, and packed with authentic Cuban flavor. You can tell everything is made with love and real attention to detail. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a full meal, Cubita Cafe delivers every time. Can’t recommend it enough!
NYCSE
Jun 9,2025
Been wanting to go to this spot for a min. Finally went today. The place was cool. Really liked the biggie on the wall. Music was dope. We loved the Pan con Bistec it was perfect and wasn’t heavy. I also had a couple of empanadas and a papa rellena. Loved it and will go back. Now I wanna open a Cuban spot.
Leonardo Argoti
May 11,2025
Chef Gustavo is an expert and you can tell by just hitting a bite on his steaming hot creations. Coffee? Amazing. And all dessert options are just to die for. His food is beyond level I can’t even pick a favorite now. Bravo!
Ernest
Apr 30,2025
Hits the spot for some Cuban classics! Started with the Cafe con leche for a wake up. Nice and strong for sure definitely provided some power. We tried the chicken and beef empanadas. Perfectly crispy and while I enjoyed trying both, if I could go back I would have gotten two beefs. Not because the chicken was bad, but because the beef was that good. Really captures that Cuban beef flavor you think about. We got two sandwiches, the Cuban and the Bistec. First off they are really big; I was impressed with the amount of actual meat in each sandwich. The Cuban was fantastic! Nice crispy bread and a good mesh between the ham and pork. The Bistec was also great! What I liked here was the the meat was tender and ripped apart with each bite well. If you asked me to rank them, I'd go Cuban for the win (to be expected). Another nice touch was the owner being there and being a really nice guy. Clearly cares about the brand and the product. Parking situation is okay because there's a lot in the back (metered, but credit card friendly). Price wise it isn't cheap for sure, but worth the price. Will for sure go again! Overall I give Cubita Cafe a 4.6 out of 5, a must visit!
joseph pezzino jr
Apr 23,2025
From one business owner to another fellow business owner, this is an awesome place. The business owner is very passionate about his business. Everything’s always clean and neat. The food is excellent and I go there to decompress. It’s a great environment with great people!! Cubita for life !!!
Reviews For Cubita Café