Cubana
Cubana has been a Long Street fixture for over two decades, operating from a double-story building with a Cuban-inspired interior of dark wood, ceiling fans, and warm lighting. The ground floor functions as a restaurant-bar with a menu of Latin American dishes, while the upper level opens as a dance floor on weekends. Cocktails lean heavily on rum, with mojitos and daiquiris as the house specialties. The cigar lounge in the back corner stocks Cuban and Dominican options. The crowd is mixed in every sense, spanning ages, nationalities, and reasons for being there. It fills early because people come for dinner and stay for drinks, creating an atmosphere that's more social than clubby.
What to Expect
You walk into a warm, dimly lit space that smells of cigars and rum. The ground floor is a proper restaurant with a bar running along one wall. The noise level is conversational until about 9 PM, when the music volume increases and the crowd shifts from diners to drinkers. Upstairs, the dance floor runs Latin-influenced house and mainstream pop.
Warm, social, and lively without being aggressive. The Cuban theme adds character without feeling gimmicky. The cigar lounge adds an old-school touch.
Latin house, salsa, reggaeton, and mainstream pop-dance on the upper floor. Background music during dinner hours.
Smart casual. The dinner crowd dresses well, and the drinking crowd follows suit. Nothing too strict, but effort is expected.
Groups who want to combine dinner and drinks in one venue without the intensity of a dedicated nightclub. Good date spot with a social atmosphere.
Cash and cards accepted, including Visa and Mastercard
Price Range
No cover, cocktails ZAR 70-120, dinner mains ZAR 120-200
≈ €4-6 / $4-6
Hours
Daily 11 AM to 2 AM, kitchen closes at 10:30 PM
Insider Tip
The mojitos are the signature order and they're genuinely good. Book a table for dinner on Friday or Saturday if you want to guarantee a spot. The upstairs dance floor opens around 10 PM on weekends.
Full Review
Cubana works because it fills multiple roles without doing any of them badly. The restaurant serves competent Latin American food, with the pulled pork sliders (ZAR 95) and the Cuban sandwich (ZAR 110) being reliable orders. The cocktail program is rum-focused and consistent. Mojitos are properly muddled with fresh mint, and the daiquiris avoid the frozen-slushie trap that plagues lesser versions.
The ground floor has character. The dark wood interior, slowly rotating ceiling fans, and warm lighting create an atmosphere that feels transported from Havana, even if the accents around you are Cape Town through and through. Tables fill by 7 PM on weekends, with dinner service running until 10:30 PM. After that, the ground floor transitions to a standing-and-drinking format.
Upstairs is a different proposition. The dance floor is decent-sized with its own bar and DJ booth. Music ranges from salsa and reggaeton to commercial house and pop. The quality of the DJing varies, some nights feel curated, others feel like a wedding playlist. The crowd doesn't seem to care either way. People are here to move, not critique the transitions.
The cigar lounge in the back corner is a nice touch. It stocks genuine Cuban cigars (ZAR 150-500 depending on the brand and ring gauge) alongside cheaper Dominican options. The ventilation handles the smoke acceptably, and it provides a quiet retreat from the main bar's energy.
Service is friendly but slows down when the venue fills. The bartenders handle the cocktail menu well and don't take shortcuts with the rum selections. Tips are appreciated and will speed up subsequent orders.
The main limitation is that Cubana tries to be everything, which means it doesn't excel at any single thing. The food is good but not destination-worthy. The cocktails are solid but not inventive. The dancing is fun but not the caliber of a dedicated club. What it does excel at is providing a complete evening in one location.
The Neighborhood
Cubana sits on Long Street's busiest block, surrounded by other bars, restaurants, and the general foot traffic that defines the strip after dark. The restaurant-to-bar transition makes it a natural gathering point for groups who can't agree on a plan. Several other Long Street venues are within a two-minute walk.
Getting There
On Long Street near the corner of Pepper Street. Uber from Sea Point or Green Point costs ZAR 40-60. From the V&A Waterfront, expect ZAR 30-50. The venue has a prominent sign and is impossible to miss.
Other Venues in Long Street
Fiction
Cape Town's largest nightclub complex occupying a multi-story building on Long Street. Multiple rooms play different genres from EDM to hip-hop.
The Waiting Room
Rooftop bar above a vintage clothing shop on Long Street. Live DJs, craft cocktails, and views across the City Bowl.
Tin Roof
Popular live music venue on Long Street known for showcasing local bands, jazz acts, and acoustic performers in an intimate setting.
Julep
Speakeasy-style cocktail bar off Long Street. Small, dimly lit, with expert bartenders and a curated menu of classic and original cocktails.