Metro Center
Get directions | 801-A 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Hours | Sunday 11:30am-9pm, Monday 11:30am-11pm, Tuesday 11:30am-11pm, Wednesday 11:30am-11pm, Thursday 11:30am-11pm, Friday 11:30am-, Saturday 11:30am-
A cynic might say that the inside of Cuba Libre looks like something you’d come across at Epcot, but hear us out. Sure, the full-on ‘streets of Havana’ theme (complete with salsa dancers, fake terraces, and lampposts) is a little over the top. But by the time you’re on your third mojito, you’ll be nodding your head to the salsa music, and by your fourth, you might even join the dancers. Bottom line, it’s fun. Take a date for cocktails and Cuban food if you’re looking for something a little different from the everyday Italian spot.
(202) 408-1600
info@cubalibrerestaurant.com
https://www.instagram.com/cubalibrewashingtondc/
APERITIVOS
Appetizers
PINEAPPLE GUACAMOLE CUBANO (V)
Avocado, grilled golden pineapple, roasted jalapeños, fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, plantain chips
CRAB GUACAMOLE
Blue crabmeat, avocado, grilled golden pineapple, roasted jalapeños, fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, plantain chips
BLACK BEAN SOUP (V)
Rich and slow-simmered flavors, red onions, sour cream
LEVANTA MUERTO SEAFOOD SOUP
“Raise the Dead” soup with a rich Chino-Cubano broth. Shrimp, Baja bay scallops, crabmeat, mussels, coconut milk, truffle oil
JARDÍN SALAD (V)
Watercress, baby spinach, romaine, organic grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onions, marinated queso blanco, boniato chips, red wine vinaigrette
ABUELA’S CHICKEN CROQUETAS
Creamy roasted chicken croquettes. Roasted cachucha pepper allioli.
SHRIMP COCTEL
Cuban style shrimp cocktail. Latino coctel and avocado salsa
TUNA CEVICHE NIKKIE*
Marinated yellowfin tuna, house pickled cucumbers, seaweed, avocado, toasted Macadamia nuts, pumpkin seed oil vinaigrette
BARRIO CHINO CHICKEN WINGS
A pound of award-winning Asian BBQ glazed wings. Pickled pineapple, sweet chili dipping sauce.
SPINACH AND MANCHEGO BUÑUELOS (V)
Manchego cheese and spinach fritters, goat cheese crema, organic olive oil
MAMÁ AMELIA’S EMPANADAS
Two per order. Served with aji-sour cream sauce
– Beef Picadillo: Cienfuegos-style ground beef, potatoes, Manzanilla olives, raisins
– Chicken De la Casa: Hand-chopped chicken, corn, Jack cheese
PLATOS FUERTES
Entrees
ARROZ CON POLLO
Saffron long grain rice, boneless chicken, green peas, Manzanilla olives, hard-boiled egg, asparagus, Palacios chorizo, roasted piquillo pepper salad
ROPA VIEJA
Braised, shredded and stewed brisket, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, red wine, white rice, maduros
PICADILLO A LA CUBANA
Cienfuegos-style ground beef, potatoes, Manzanilla olives, raisins, garlic, plum tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, white rice, maduros.
POLLO ASADO
Roasted half chicken, all-natural, free range, sour orange sauce “Ranco Y Luna” style, black beans, white rice
CHURRASCO A LA CUBANA
Grilled skirt steak, parsley, lemon, and onion sauce, roasted garlic boniato-potato mash, watercress salad, red wine vinaigrette
CAMARONES ENCHILADOS
Jumbo shrimp sauteed in Cuba Libre enchilado tomato, culantro sauce, white rice, maduros
PEZ COBIA
Pan roasted Black Kingfish, sweet shrimp, Baja bay scallops, crabmeat, mussels, coconut milk Chino-Cubano broth, green mango escabeche, white rice
VISIT TO HAVANA
Ybor City Style pressed Cuban sandwich with sour orange marinated pork loin, Genoa salami, ham, provolone, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard-pickle relish. Served with a black bean soup, house salad and tropical chips.
~Add grilled shrimp to any entree~
PAELLAS
PAELLA MARINERA
Jumbo shrimp, Maine lobster tail, mussels, squid, Baja Bay scallops, claw crabmeat, saffron long grain rice, roasted piquillo pepper salad
PAELLA VEGETARIANA (V)
Baby spinach, “Soyrizo”, wild mushrooms, garbanzo beans, saffron long grain rice, asparagus and grilled artichoke hearts salad
PAELLA MIXTA
Traditional combination of shrimp, chicken, Cortez chorizo, smoked ham, green peas, saffron rice, asparagus and watercress salad
PLATOS FOR TWO
{with choice of two sides}
PLATO GAUCHO MIXED GRILL
Skirt steak, Maine lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, free range grilled half chicken, Cortex chorizo sausage and parsley chimichurri sauce
CUBAN ROAST PORK
Slow roasted Sakura pork shank, crispy skin, sour orange, onion and caper mojo
SIDES
ARROZ CON FRIJOLES (V)
Steamed white rice and Cuban black beans
AGUACATE (V)
Half a fresh avocado. Olive oil and sea salt
BONIATO (V)
Roasted garlic boniato-potato mash
YUCA FRIES (V)
Crispy and creamy yuca. Cilantro-caper allioli
TOSTONES HAWAIANOS (V)
Twice-fried green Hawaiian plantains, Dijon-mojo
MADUROS (V)
Fried ripened sweet plantains
DESSERT
TRES LECHES CAKE (V)
Vanilla sponge cake soaked in three milks. Mocha mousse
CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE (V)
Crispy cinnamon-sugar dusted dried dough, dark chocolate-orange dipping sauce
CUBAN FLAN (V)
A traditional Cuban dessert of vanilla custard, dulce de leche, whipped cream and vanilla cookie
MAMI TOTTY’S ARROZ CON LECHE (V)
Classic Cuban rice pudding, recipe handed down from Chef Pernot’s mother-in-law. Whipped cream and vanilla cookie
DESSERT DRINK FLIGHTS
AMORCITO CORAZON
Kahlua | Baileys | Frangelico
TE QUIERO MUCHO
Rumchata | Brinley Coconut Cream | Godiva Chocolate Liquor
TEA AND COFFEE
TROPICAL BLEND HOT TEA
Black tea from Sri Lanka blended with passion fruit, mango, coconut and chocolate
CAFÉ AMERICANO
Fresh brewed micro-sourced coffee (Guatemala) with notes of caramel, pumpkin spice, roasted peanuts
CAFÉ CUBA LIBRE
Double shot, traditional Cuban style, raw sugar, steamed coconut milk and whole milk (Optional- Add shot of rum)
V = Vegetarian
(*) = The consumption of raw or partially cooked eggs, meats, fish or shellfish may increase the risk of contracting foodborne illness.
BRUNCH SPECIALS (Download Brunch Specials here)
Food
TORTILLA DE CANGREJO (CRAB OMELETTE)
Three-egg omelette, lump crabmeat, shallots, asparagus, and Manchego cheese. Tomato hollandaise. Baby spinach salad, strawberries, red wine vinaigrette
PAN CON HUEVO SANGUCHE
Poached egg, Miami beef-pork chorizo patty, crisp Kurobuta bacon, cheddar, chipotle-onion marmalade. Potato, boniato, maduros and corn hash
CHURRASCO BURGER
12 oz triple patty, all-natural Black Angus skirt steak burger, chipotle-onion marmalade, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato. King’s Hawaiian roll. Boniato chips and house made pickles
POLLO Y WAFFLE
Fried crispy boneless chicken thighs, quinoa waffle, mango salsa. Dark rum-molasses syrup
FRENCH TOAST A LA CUBANA (V)
Vanilla custard-soaked brioche bread. Pure maple syrup and panela soaked sweet plantains. Whipped cream
Cocktails
(Available by the glass, half pitcher or full pitcher)
CLASSIC MIMOSA
Cava and choice of fresh orange
TROPICAL MIMOSA
Mango, Passion Fruit, Pineapple or Pomegranate juice
Bottomless Brunch Pitchers*
BLOODY MARY
CLASSIC MIMOSA
FLAVORED MIMOSA: Pineapple, Pear, Passion Fruit, Pomegranate or Peach
SANGRIA: Roja, Blanco or Rosé
*$22/person (plus $20 min food purchase)
2 hour limit | Full table participation required
1 pitcher served to a table at a time
ALL DAY MENU (Download All Day/Dinner Menu here)
Appetizers
PINEAPPLE GUACAMOLE CUBANO (V)
Avocado, grilled golden pineapple, roasted jalapeños, fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, plantain chips
CRAB GUACAMOLE
Blue crabmeat, avocado, grilled golden pineapple, roasted jalapeños, fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, plantain chips
BLACK BEAN SOUP (V)
Rich and slow-simmered flavors, red onions, sour cream
LEVANTA MUERTO SEAFOOD SOUP
“Raise the Dead” soup with a rich Chino-Cubano broth. Shrimp, Baja bay scallops, crabmeat, mussels, coconut milk, truffle oil
JARDÍN SALAD (V)
Watercress, baby spinach, romaine, organic grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onions, marinated queso blanco, boniato chips, red wine vinaigrette
ABUELA’S CHICKEN CROQUETAS
Creamy roasted chicken croquettes. Roasted cachucha pepper allioli.
SHRIMP COCTEL
Cuban style shrimp cocktail. Latino coctel and avocado salsa
TUNA CEVICHE NIKKIE**
Marinated yellowfin tuna, house pickled cucumbers, seaweed, avocado, toasted Macadamia nuts, pumpkin seed oil vinaigrette
BARRIO CHINO CHICKEN WINGS
A pound of award-winning Asian BBQ glazed wings. Pickled pineapple, sweet chili dipping sauce.
SPINACH AND MANCHEGO BUÑUELOS (V)
Manchego cheese and spinach fritters, goat cheese crema, organic olive oil
MAMÁ AMELIA’S EMPANADAS
Two per order. Served with aji-sour cream sauce
– Beef Picadillo: Cienfuegos-style ground beef, potatoes, Manzanilla olives, raisins
– Chicken De la Casa: Hand-chopped chicken, corn, Jack cheese
Entrees
ARROZ CON POLLO
Saffron long grain rice, boneless chicken, green peas, Manzanilla olives, hard-boiled egg, asparagus, Palacios chorizo, roasted piquillo pepper salad
ROPA VIEJA
Braised, shredded and stewed brisket, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, red wine, white rice, maduros
PICADILLO A LA CUBANA
Cienfuegos-style ground beef, potatoes, Manzanilla olives, raisins, garlic, plum tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, white rice, maduros.
POLLO ASADO
Roasted half chicken, all-natural, free range, sour orange sauce “Ranco Y Luna” style, black beans, white rice
CHURRASCO A LA CUBANA
Grilled skirt steak, parsley, lemon, and onion sauce, roasted garlic boniato-potato mash, watercress salad, red wine vinaigrette
CAMARONES ENCHILADOS
Jumbo shrimp sauteed in Cuba Libre enchilado tomato, culantro sauce, white rice, maduros
PEZ COBIA
Pan roasted Black Kingfish, sweet shrimp, Baja bay scallops, crabmeat, mussels, coconut milk Chino-Cubano broth, green mango escabeche, white rice
VISIT TO HAVANA
Ybor City Style pressed Cuban sandwich with sour orange marinated pork loin, Genoa salami, ham, provolone, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard-pickle relish. Served with a black bean soup, house salad and tropical chips.
~Add grilled shrimp to any entree~
Paellas
PAELLA MARINERA
Jumbo shrimp, Maine lobster tail, mussels, squid, Baja Bay scallops, claw crabmeat, saffron long grain rice, roasted piquillo pepper salad
PAELLA VEGETARIANA (V)
Baby spinach, “Soyrizo”, wild mushrooms, garbanzo beans, saffron long grain rice, asparagus and grilled artichoke hearts salad
PAELLA MIXTA
Traditional combination of shrimp, chicken, Cortez chorizo, smoked ham, green peas, saffron rice, asparagus and watercress salad
Platos for Two {with choice of two sides}
PLATO GAUCHO MIXED GRILL
Skirt steak, Maine lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, free range grilled half chicken, Cortex chorizo sausage and parsley chimichurri sauce
CUBAN ROAST PORK
Slow roasted Sakura pork shank, crispy skin, sour orange, onion and caper mojo
Sides
ARROZ CON FRIJOLES (V)
Steamed white rice and Cuban black beans
AGUACATE (V)
Half a fresh avocado. Olive oil and sea salt
BONIATO (V)
Roasted garlic boniato-potato mash
YUCA FRIES (V)
Crispy and creamy yuca. Cilantro-caper allioli
TOSTONES HAWAIANOS (V)
Twice-fried green Hawaiian plantains, Dijon-mojo
MADUROS (V)
Fried ripened sweet plantains
Dessert
TRES LECHES CAKE (V)
Vanilla sponge cake soaked in three milks. Mocha mousse
CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE (V)
Crispy cinnamon-sugar dusted dried dough, dark chocolate-orange dipping sauce
CUBAN FLAN (V)
A traditional Cuban dessert of vanilla custard, dulce de leche, whipped cream and vanilla cookie
MAMI TOTTY’S ARROZ CON LECHE (V)
Classic Cuban rice pudding, recipe handed down from Chef Pernot’s mother-in-law. Whipped cream and vanilla cookie
V = Vegetarian
(**) = The consumption of raw or partially cooked eggs, meats, fish or shellfish may increase the risk of contracting foodborne illness.