Craving soulful Cuban flavors with real Gulfport charm? Habana Café delivers legendary plates and a cozy vibe that keeps locals and travelers coming back.
The lechon asado steals the show, but the black beans, plantains, and cream cheese flan make the encore unforgettable. Pull up a chair and let this neighborhood classic show you why it is a must on your Florida food map.
Lechon Asado Oriente Style
Ask any regular what to order first at Habana Café, and you will hear lechon asado without hesitation. Slow roasted and marinated in garlic, oregano, white wine, and laurel leaves, the pork arrives tender with a gentle sheen of mojo.
Those sweet grilled onions on top add a smoky kiss that makes every bite sing.
You get the classic trio alongside: black beans, rice, and caramelized maduros. The beans taste earthy and balanced, not too salty, with a hint of cumin and bay.
Spoon some beans over rice, drag a forkful through the pork juices, and you will understand the hype.
Portions are generous, prices feel fair, and the plate lands hot. If you want a true intro to the menu, start here.
It is comfort, heritage, and Florida sunshine all sharing the same plate, and it will likely become your go to order.
Black Bean Soup and Rice
When you want something soothing and deeply flavorful, the black bean soup at Habana Café hits the spot. It is silky without feeling heavy, a slow cooked bowl that tastes like time and care.
A whisper of garlic and laurel peeks through while the beans keep their integrity.
Pair it with a scoop of rice and you have a simple, satisfying lunch or a warmup to your entrée. Add a squeeze of lime if offered and you will unlock extra brightness.
The portion is shareable, but you may not want to share.
Locals praise the consistency, and on cool days it is especially perfect. Dip a chunk of Cuban bread to catch every drop.
This soup sets the tone for the rest of the meal, promising traditional flavors and delivering comfort without pretense, just like the best Cuban kitchens always have.
Cuban Sandwich Tradition
A pressed Cubano is practically a rite of passage in Tampa Bay, and Habana Café keeps the tradition alive. Expect the classic build: ham, roast pork, Swiss, pickles, and mustard on proper Cuban bread.
The press gives you that crackly exterior and melty center people dream about.
Order it at lunch with a side of onion rings or plantain chips for extra crunch. If you love sauce, a swipe of mojo on the side is a great move.
Portions are big enough to share, but leftovers reheat nicely.
Some days you want something lighter than a full platter, and this sandwich answers perfectly. It is approachable, satisfying, and pairs well with a cold beer or sangria.
Sit upstairs near the art gallery, take a bite, and let the combinations of salty, tangy, and toasty remind you why classics endure.
Cream Cheese Flan Finale
Save room for the beloved cream cheese flan, a dessert locals rave about. Imagine flan meeting cheesecake and deciding to be best friends.
It is lush and creamy with a gentle tang, crowned by golden caramel that pools into sticky ribbons.
The texture is the kind that makes conversation stop for a second. One bite melts, then lingers with vanilla and caramel depth.
You might think about ordering an extra to take home, and honestly, that is the right call.
It is the perfect finish after savory pork or garlicky shrimp. Pair it with a coffee and relax into the cafe’s cozy vibe.
This dessert carries the sweetness of celebration without going overboard, the kind of final course you talk about on the drive home and plan to revisit next time.
Camarones Borrachos
If seafood calls your name, the camarones borrachos answer loudly. Shrimp sautéed in a garlicky wine sauce bring brightness and a little decadence without feeling heavy.
The sauce clings to every curl, perfect for swiping with Cuban bread.
Rice soaks up the pan juices, and sweet plantains balance the savory pop. Order this when you want something celebratory yet relaxed.
It pairs well with a crisp white wine or an ice cold cola if you are skipping alcohol.
Everything arrives hot and fragrant. You will likely catch hints of oregano and citrus drifting from the plate before it lands.
This is the dish for shrimp lovers and for anyone who appreciates a sauce that begs not to be wasted, a little taste of Havana by way of Gulfport’s friendly dining room.
Sampler Platter Preview
Undecided or visiting for the first time? Go for the sampler platter and get a guided tour.
You can taste mojo pork with onions, shrimp, roasted chicken bites in sauce, black beans, rice, salad, fresh Cuban bread, plantains, and a bonus flan.
It is a feast that shows the kitchen’s range without locking you into one choice. Great for sharing, this platter works as a date night starter or a solo mission if extra hungry.
Every element arrives seasoned and intentional, not just filler.
Use it to discover your next favorite entrée. Take notes on sauces, textures, and how the beans complement the meats.
By the end, you will have a short list for return visits and a happy, very full table, which is exactly what Habana Café seems built to create.
Sangria and Sips
Fifty plus mentions of sangria are not an accident. Habana Café pours a juicy, refreshing version loaded with citrus that pairs beautifully with rich pork and savory beans.
It is the kind of drink that encourages lingering conversation and another round of plantains.
If you prefer something nonalcoholic, sodas and iced tea keep things simple. Either way, the vibe is relaxed, and the staff keeps glasses topped off.
On slower afternoons, you might catch live music adding sparkle to the room.
Sip, snack, and let your meal pace itself. Drinks here are not just add ons, they are part of the ritual.
Whether you settle into upstairs gallery seating or a street level table, a chilled glass in hand makes Gulfport’s friendly energy feel even more welcoming.
Plantains Two Ways
Plantains at Habana Café deserve their own spotlight. Maduros arrive caramelized and yammy sweet, edges a touch charred in the best way.
They pair naturally with lechon juice or a forkful of rice and beans.
Tostones, when available, bring the savory crunch. A quick dip in garlicky mojo or a dusting of salt turns them addictive.
Ordering both is a pro move so you can bounce between sweet and salty bites throughout the meal.
These simple sides tell a bigger story about balance on the menu. Rich meats need sweetness and texture for contrast, and that is exactly what plantains deliver.
Consider them essential, not optional, whether you are building a sampler spread or rounding out your Cuban sandwich lunch.
Upstairs Art Gallery Vibes
Dining at Habana Café involves more than the plate. Head upstairs and you will find a dine in art gallery with colorful pieces that mirror Cuba’s rhythm and Gulfport’s beachy personality.
It feels like eating in a creative friend’s loft, relaxed and charming.
The layout encourages lingering over dessert or an extra glass of sangria. Families, couples, and solo diners all seem comfortable, which says a lot about the hospitality.
Servers know the menu and happily steer you toward favorites.
That blend of culture and comfort makes the food taste even better. Snap a photo near the glowing ceiling clouds, then settle in and enjoy.
The space, like the menu, is warm, approachable, and just a little bit whimsical, a reminder that great meals are also about where you savor them.
Insider Tips: Hours, Parking, What To Order
Plan your visit and you will enjoy it more. Habana Café sits at 5402 Gulfport Blvd S, opening at 11 AM Monday through Saturday and closing Sundays.
Parking is straightforward nearby, and calling ahead for larger groups helps.
Start with black bean soup, share plantains, then commit to the lechon asado. If seafood tempts you, camarones borrachos deliver.
Save room for the cream cheese flan because it truly lives up to the love it gets.
Service is friendly and the vibe casual, so settle in without rushing. Prices feel reasonable for hearty portions.
Whether you grab a Cuban sandwich at lunch or make it a date night upstairs by the art, this spot rewards both impulse drop ins and planned celebrations.
Why Locals Keep Returning
Great restaurants become habits, and Habana Café earns repeat visits with honest cooking and neighborly charm. Regulars praise the tender pork, balanced beans, and generous portions that stretch into leftovers.
Staff remembers faces, offers suggestions, and makes first timers feel like regulars by dessert.
On busy nights, the room buzzes with conversation and clinking glasses. On quiet afternoons, it is an easy place to recharge with soup and bread.
Either way, the kitchen stays consistent, which is why people keep bringing visiting friends.
It is the kind of place you recommend confidently because the hits keep hitting. Order the lechon, try the sampler, toast with sangria, and finish with flan.
If Gulfport had a culinary postcard, this cozy Cuban mainstay would be front and center, reminding you to come back soon.