Las Culebrinas

One of my favorite place in Miami. I always make time to visit this location. It is under new management and food is still good.

We came in fairly late on a weeknight with 5 people. Even though we were the only guests in the restaurant, we were welcomed and served graciously. The ambiance was upscale, yet comfortable.
We ordered a bottle of wine off their list and I thought it was priced fairly. We started out with shrimp in a garlic sauce and some sort of crocodile/​gator croquettes. The shrimp was especially good and the garlic butter it came in was amazing to dip the bread in. The bread with garlic spread was lovely.
Most of us ordered off the seafood specialties list with the exception of one person who ordered a steak. The steak was gigantic. Actually, all of the portions were generous and we came home with plenty of leftovers. All of the food was very good and some things were excellent. We would go back to this place if we still lived in Miami and maybe we will when we visit again!

I am so disappointed and sad that I have to disagree with all these good reviews. I went on a Friday night with my sister and high expectations and we really wanted to love it. First, the good news. The ambience is great. The lighting and music makes it a very inviting place. Now the nitty gritty. The sangria was way to sweet and we had to exchange it for white wine. The tostones with shrimp were blah. The shrimp lacked taste and looked like it was the small cooked frozen shrimp you get at the grocery store. The entrees were NY Steak with potatoes and a seafood plate with red sauce. The steak tasted of limes and nothing else. The potatoes were boiled and bland. As far as the seafood plate, it was just kinda «thrown» together with no special thought. The food overall lacked taste and soul. I wouldn’t even give this place a second chance. Not even worth it.

Este lugar esta remal, empezando por el mal olor de la entrada, el banio super sucio, no jabon para lavarse las manos, y el camarero me dijo que se olvido comprar jabon, la comida super super cara, una vaca frita normal como 18 dollares, la atencion del empleado bien pero estaba solo corriendo, bueno yo no regreso, no le doy ni uns estrella, ucha peste alli adentro de terror

WHERE ARE ALL THE CUBANS?
We had dinner at Las Culebrinas tonight, The food was good but the music was great.
They have a singer on Saturday nights who plays the guitar.
He played lots of old standards, made my Cuban wife melt…
I expected to see the house full of Cubans… but I guess they were too busy on south beach… or Hialeah… Or just watching TV and eating Pizza…
I am not Cuban and do not speak Spanish… but I loved the music…
Try it next Saturday… you will love it…
and the Sangria was great too…

Three years later and this place is still a winner in my book.
Funny enough, went again this weekend. Same group as the last time, three years ago as mentioned in my original review. Some things never change! I seem to have ordered the same thing I did, the last time I reviewed this place! Dorado, tostones! Skipped dessert this time.
Same great service. Same amazing food. Still highly recommend this place WAYYYYYY above the typical troui

I treated my GF and her parents here on Friday night because her parents like the restaurant. The address may state that it’s located in Coral Gables, but it looks nothing like the Coral Gables I know.
Aside from the exterior aesthetics, I really enjoyed my experience here.
When we arrived, we were the only patrons in the restaurant. 7pm for dinner on a Friday night is very early by Miami standards. By 8pm, the restaurant was half-​full and the live entertainment was in full swing.
The following dishes were ordered among the four of us:
Tostones Rellenos de Camarones (app) — the plantains are not stuffed, instead the dish has the finish of a mini-​pizza. The shrimp are placed on top of the tostone and then melted cheese covers both the shrimp and tostone. The flavor of the dish is on the sweet side and will definitely remind you of a pizza.
Bistec De Palomilla (med rare) — cooked med to med well. It was still flavorful even with it being overdone. It was served with sauteed onions and a side plate of moro. Overall, it’s a decent but a bit overpriced dish.
Higado Salteado con Champinones — the liver was pre-​cut which made for effortless consumption and it was flavored very well. A cup of black beans and a plate of white rice accompanied the dish.
Grilled Pork Chops — served with yucca and moro. The flavor and thickness of the pork chops was good. I’d definitely to someone that is very new to Cuban cuisine.
Enchiladas Camarones (Sauteed Shrimp in a Creole Sauce) — 14 shrimp on a plate with sauteed onions and a red creole sauce. Good flavor.
Flan (cheese) — a rectangular slice about the size of a grown man’s palm. Didn’t get a chance to try it, but my GF’s father put it away fairly quickly.
Flan (caramel) — huge slice. I suggest ordering this for your table. Do you realize how many eggs and how much butter is in this thing? One person should not eat this. Four people should not eat this.
We had a great time at dinner. My GF’s father was called up to sing a few times and he received several ovations from the diners. I couldn’t believe how many songs he had memorized.
Like a jukebox…

This place was amazing in every way. I had family in town for Easter weekend and they had asked to try Cuban food. Being well aware that if they asked their hotel, they would be sent to some tourist trap, I did some research. Having spotted this place after an outing to Las Palacios de Los Jugos (ah, another review to write!) I knew the area was legit, and the reviews I found were positive.
Let’s throw in a little twist– I had no idea how much the prices were, and I didn’t want to a) pick up the tab for the entire meal or b) send my family into bankruptcy to pay it either. Coincidentally, Travelzoo was running a special for a $ 35 dinner for two people (the rest of us ordered on our own) which included an appetizer, two entrees and two mojitos. The only part I was wary about was how we would be treated with the coupon. Everyone likes to save money but I understand a restaurant needs to make a profit and their servers make a living off of tips. So obviously coupons are not their most favorite thing to deal with…
Well I shouldn’t have worried at all! We found it easily, there is parking in the back. The scent of garlic and onions and delicioso wafted through the neighborhood. If I lived in one of the houses whose backyards share the fence with Las Culebrinas I would eat there every night. Entrance is also in the back; you walk past the kitchen entrance and waiter station. The décor is quaint; sort of old-​school Spanish with some tiles, framed paintings of ancestors or otherwise olden-​time looking folks, Spanish pottery. We were pleasantly surprised by the live guitar player who strummed, joked and sang throughout the meal. It really added to the warm atmosphere.
When we were seated we showed the waiter the coupon and he was very efficient. At this location they only serve beer and wine so we could not order the mojitos that was offered in the coupon. No matter. We ordered sangria and a glass of merlot. They were very apologetic that the mojitos were not available, so they actually gave us two glasses of sangria and one glass of wine to take the place of two mojitos. Anyplace that comps you a drink without asking for a reason they have no control over? Awesome!
They bring Cuban rolls to the table with a sort of pink butter– what I could tell it was garlic and sundried tomatoes mixed in.
Let’s talk about the menu. The tapas/​appetizer selection is small but interesting. We ordered the ham croquetas and they were all that they should be. Among our entrees was Ropa Vieja, Breaded Chicken Breast (with tomato sauce and swiss cheese, served with moros) and «house specialty» of Pork Tenderloin stuffed with yucca. All dishes came with sizeable portions of moros or white rice and plantains.
Portions are HUGE. None of us could finish our entrees and we took about ¾ of our dishes home (yum yum, leftovers for me!) The prices weren’t dirt cheap but I felt they were a good value for quality food and ingredients.
I spotted the table next to me enjoying the Cuban Style Top Sirloin, another having the Paella and others trying the tapas. The waiters were very friendly, quick to refill your water/​wine/​whatever, and the bussers/​side waiters also pitched in to make sure your table had what they wanted or needed even before asking for it. Truly great service, and given with a warmth and efficiency.
Desserts were awesome. We tried the flan and the crème brûlée. The flan is the firm sort. They crystallize the sugar on top of the crème brûlée at your table which made for a charming presentation and a nice evening for out-​of-​towners.
Another vote of confidence was the crowd– there were neighborhood regulars, young parents with a 2 year old (who was treated like the princesa that she was by the waitstaff), older couples, a large group of co-​workers and us, the non-​natives with a coupon, not to mention the takeout counter being busy all evening.
The music, inviting, homey atmosphere and amazing food makes this a standout. I’m glad to know it’s an old neighborhood place that has been around forever.

Culebrinas now. Pepto later.
If you had asked me when I left the restaurant, I would have given it a four. But two hours later, I was running to the bathroom with diarrhea. Two bouts so far — and I know it was from this restaurant because my partner and eating companion also has diarrhea. We both ate seafood (one in brown sauce, one grilled). And we had different breakfasts and lunches, so there is no doubt it was our dinner at Culebrinas.
I’m sorry but if restaurants can’t follow health and sanitary standards, then they don’t deserve good reviews. Luckily, I was close to home when I had the first cramps. Otherwise it would have ruined a night out! Imagine if it were NYE!
Service fine and food declicious, but I didn’t plan on Pepto Bismol for dessert!

I only came here for dessert and wine and based on that alone, the place is pretty good. The waiter was attentive yet not overbearing, and the desserts were not only authentic, but well priced for the portions. I’d come back for lunch or dinner.

Great Cuban food at great prices. This is one of those restaurants I was regular at with my parents. Both parents being Cuban, we all enjoyed every time we went to this restaurant. I have always ordered the Vaca Frita which has never disappointed me. All the other dishes I have tried through my parents and those I have gone with have all tasted very authentic.

Awesome Cuban food, and great atmosphere… I ordered the stuffed pork loin, which came out amazing. Authentic food at a great price. Will go back again!

I had a very nice meal here. Got the fried chorizo w/​limes as an appetizer and it was really delicious. For the entrée I got a pork tenderloin stuffed with mashed sweet and green plantains with a basamic reduction sauce. It was delicious and unique. There was an old man playing guitar and singing Spanish songs around the restaurant which was kind of neat.
On the down side, they don’t serve mojitos here (only beer and wine). Also the service was fairly slow, but overall a nice place.

I’m Cuban… so I know about Cuban food and this place has probably the best ‘upscale’ and affordable Cuban food in Miami!!! This place is really delicious… please order their chicken a la crujente… it’s literally to die for!!!

1 star for the service and pleasant wait staff.
1 star for the plantains because they were the only thing holding this meal up at all.
I asked the waiter what to get and he suggested the Vaca Frita with seafood.
Massive amounts of grease helped with the overcooked dry beans and rice but just about ruined my steel stomach. The beef reminded me of carnitas, only this was really dry (despite the grease).
I had originally given it 3 stars because I was being optimistic, but I reduced it to two stars because I now realize the best part of the food outside of the plantains was the bread.
Maybe they have a better plate?
I asked a Cuban what she thought of this place and all she did was frown. Then she explained that white people think this place is good. Then she suggested a place called Garcia’s which I went to for dinner. If you are reading this review in the car on your way to Culebrinas… TURN AROUND and go to Garcias.

Best Cuban restaurant in Miami hands down. Versailles has nothing on this place. The skirt steak with potatoes and shrimp is just the best. Location is definitely further out there, but whenever I’m in Miami, this is an absolute must. Yes, it’s a bit pricier compared to other cuban restaurants, but it is still affordable when compared to South Beach’s many overpriced scams.

Asking around on Unilocal for Cuban dining suggestions, this place was one of the suggestions. Do I know much anything about Cuban food? Nope, take this as an amateur/outsider’s review.
Las Culebrinas has nice décor and atmosphere, definitely a wine & white tablecloth kind of place. My lady and I enjoyed some cuban coffee while we waited for the rest of the party to arrive.
Given our unfamiliarity with the cuisine, it might have been more productive to have taken a tapas route here. Alas, the table could not agree. There was a big menu (both tapas and entrees, more entrees), and we eventually settled on our choices. I had the Palomilla a la Balsera (steak stuffed with pork and yuca), another had the Crocodile Medallions, another the scallops in red sauce (precise name forgotten).
Portion sizes were hefty (that’s neither good nor bad in my book). I was disappointed with my dish. The pork was dry and overcooked, and overall I thought the flavors a little bland. The scallops and the crocodile were apparently better, but again nothing mind blowing. Service was a little inconsistent. It was pretty slow in there (weekday, was it too early?), but our waiter pulled that classic «disappears for long periods of time just when you need them» trick I find common among Miami waitstaff.
For dessert, we ordered from their extensive list of flans. It was quite comical, everyone most enjoyed a different flan than the one they ordered. I ordered the classic (w/​caramel), but rather enjoyed the chocolate.
Overall, not a bad experience. However, not one I’m inclined to repeat. I don’t know if I just don’t care much for Las Culebrinas or for cuban food in general.

This place is just amazing! I’ve been to the one in Hialeah but this one is my fave even though is way smaller but very cozy.
Las Culebrinas is a mix between Cuban and spanish food, so you’ll find tapas. They even have specialties like Rabbit, frog legs and crocodille medallions.
The only problem is that they are pricey but well worth it
Recommendations: Palomilla a la Balsera (Big palomilla steak folded in half and stuffed with yuca and pork… delicious!

I love this place, and am honestly planning my trips down to Miami around them! I can’t wait to have more of their Mahi Mahi and their delicious plantains again. Oh, and their moros… I mean, let’s be clear — EVERYTHING I’ve ordered from them has been excellent.
The best part about my meal there was that it was a total accident. I was driving by, I was hungry — and couldn’t find the place I was originally looking for — in fact, I wasn’t even close — freaking navigation lost it’s mind on me. Now I think, It was actually a holy intervention! I just pulled in, said «It’s Miami, and It’s Cuban food — how can I go wrong on this?» — going with my gut was the best choice I could have ever made!
How about their service you say? Even though the food is perfection… their service is even better! Our waiter was just excellent, he treated everything as a preemptive strike — almost done with water? BAM he was there, finished a plate? BAM! There’s super-​waiter again. All in a very relaxed atmosphere. Perfect!
Oh, and much like this review — make SURE you finish your meal with a Café Cubano. It just seals the deal!
Edit: Oh, one more thing! Awesome prices! Just came to mind after my fruitless search of Cuban coffee here in good ol’ Southern California — most places I go to don’t know how to make it. Anyone know of a good place, let me know!

I have never been to a restaurant that consistently delivers GREAT FOOD every time I go like Las Culebrinas does. I have been going there for years and even when they had different names in the Coconut Grove location (ie Carlos’ place). They have hands down the best latin food in the area and they don’t give you food that is generic. All of their meals are designed with full flavor in mind and what taste best.
It hard for me to to really articulate what this place means to me because I hold it at such a high caliber. Their vaca frita is to die for and so are their cereal crusted meals such as the Mahi Mahi or the Chicken.
Bottom line, its too good to pass up

The place is a little bit small, food was just ok, have tried cuban food with more flavor in other places but portions and prices are fine. I tried Vaca frita, arroz congri and tostones con mojito (tostones were too dry)
The Flan was very good (dessert) Really good cuban coffee
A friend of mine ordered churrasco and it was really good (they have 2 sizes) the small one is more than enough and it has a really good price compared with other places.