Casual Habana Cafe - New Milford

Decided to give this place another shot because the food was delicious a few years ago. Took me over 35 minutes to find parking on a Thursday. I called in and I asked if there was any known available parking and a nice gentleman on the phone told me to go around back in a parking lot and I could park there however there was weren?t any spots. Over 20 cars in the back parking lot. When I walked in there was only six people in the entire restaurant dining in. Which tells me that its likely the staff or should I say the abundance in staff must?ve taken up most of the parking. Got in and grabbed myself a seat. I did happen to enjoy the ambience and the decor. very clean with a friendly staff. I ordered a grilled octopus, grilled calamari, and the chicken wings. Although it came out quite fast it was nearly impossible to finish. The chicken wings tasted like they have been cooked last week. Overcooked (bones broke) dry and had almost no texture. 5 small wings for $9. The grilled octopus was five small bites also over cooked $15 and so salty that I even finished my unfiltered horribly tasting seltzer water. The grilled calamari was tender but also so salty I could hardly get it down. I?ve noticed other people complain about the same issues. Nothing was fresh, and the seltzer tasted like bay water from ocean city Maryland. Sadly I won?t be going back. Left with a stomach ache.

Casual Habana is a go to spot when I?m home in NJ. My family loves it! The empanadas and Ropa Vieja are my favorite. Great prices, generous portions. Service is normally good even if they?re busy.

Everything was awesome, food was cooked and seasoned well . Awesome customer service.

The food and the bartenders at this restaurant are both amazing. The chicharon dish reminded me of a local Filipino dish called lechon kawali. The side of lemon and what I believe to be fermented radish complemented the dish perfectly. The potato balls stuffed with either pork or beef had a fantastic texture. The marinara sauce added a slight sweetness and tang to the dish, completing the flavor. I would definitely return to try more of their dishes.

The stunning decor, music, and delicious food all contribute to a fantastic Cuban dining experience. We visited for lunch on a Friday when the restaurant was empty, and I enjoyed the red flowery wallpapers and soothing music playing in the background. The bar in the middle of the restaurant was a nice touch. The grilled octopus was tasty, although slightly overcooked at the tail. The tapas empanadas were decent. My main course, the oxtail, was visually appealing but difficult to eat due to the bones. I would have preferred if the dish had more flavor, either spicier or sweeter, as it was a bit bland. The paella was another highlight. However, the steak was dry and not the best. Overall, a pleasant spot to soak in the Cuban atmosphere while enjoying drinks and food.