Satisfy Your Cuban Cravings With Authentic, Home-Style Cooking
When you're craving flavors that feel like a family recipe passed down for generations, Cuban Kitchen delivers a genuine taste of Cuba right here in San Mateo. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a warm atmosphere make every visit feel like a meal at home.
Why customers choose us
What makes Cuban Kitchen stand out
01
Satisfy Authentic Cuban Food Cravings
Customers turn to Cuban Kitchen when they want genuinely traditional Cuban cooking that tastes like it came from a family kitchen. The food consistently delivers the flavors and dishes that define Cuban home cooking, from Ropa Vieja to maduros to black beans and rice.
“Every single item we ordered tasted exactly like it was made from a family recipe passed down for generations.”
02
Experience a Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere
Customers choose Cuban Kitchen when they want a meal that feels personal and hospitable rather than transactional. The family-owned setting, friendly staff, and a crowd of happy regulars create an environment that feels like dining in someone's home.
“Staff were extremely friendly, knowledgeable and kind.”
03
Customize Every Bite with Flavor
Diners hire Cuban Kitchen when they want control over their meal experience, with generous portions and a range of original house-made sauces that let each guest tailor the flavor to their preference. This added dimension elevates even familiar dishes into something personal.
“The sauces are also very original and help you customize the flavor of each bite.”
What customers love most
Consistently praised by reviewers
Ropa Vieja (shredded steak)
“The shredded steak was unbelievably tender, rich, and perfectly sauced, pairing beautifully with a mountain of white rice and rich black beans.”
Sweet plantains (maduros)
“The sweet plantains (maduros) were fried to perfection, caramelized on the outside and soft on the inside.”
Fresh mojitos
“Incredibly refreshing, perfectly balanced, and packed with fresh mint and lime. They don't skimp on flavor here.”
Hot Cortadito (Cuban espresso)
“A beautiful, bold shot of Cuban espresso cut with the perfect amount of sweet, warm steamed milk. It was absolutely delicious, smooth, and authentic.”
Pastelitos and desserts
“The pastries are an absolute must-try. The turnover was flaky, golden brown, and packed with sweet filling, capturing that perfect bakery-fresh texture.”
Variety of original house sauces
“The sauces are also very original and help you customize the flavor of each bite.”
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
“Staff were extremely friendly, knowledgeable and kind.”
Authentic, family-style Cuban cooking
“Everything is flavorful and fresh and served like it would at any Latin American home.”
The little things that matter
Beyond expectations
Sauces That Put You in Control
Cuban Kitchen sets out a generous variety of housemade sauces so diners can dial in the flavour of every bite exactly to their liking — a small but thoughtful detail that turns a good meal into a personalised one.
Recipes That Feel Inherited, Not Invented
The cooking carries the unmistakable quality of food made from generational family recipes — deeply seasoned, consistent, and tasting like someone's grandmother signed off on every dish.
Staff Who Actually Know the Menu
The team is described as knowledgeable as well as friendly, meaning guests get genuine guidance on what to order rather than just a smile and a shrug.
Portions Sized With Generosity
Plates arrive with enough food to feel genuinely satisfying — the kind of serving size that signals the kitchen is focused on feeding people well, not on managing food costs at the table.
A Vibe Built by Regulars, Not a Designer
The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, shaped by happy returning customers and a well-chosen soundtrack rather than manufactured décor — the kind of energy that only comes from a place people genuinely want to come back to.
Coffee Treated as Seriously as the Food
The cortadito — Cuban espresso with steamed milk — is prepared with the same care given to the main dishes: bold, balanced, and authentically made, so the meal finishes as strongly as it starts.
Family-Style Sharing Encouraged
The menu lends itself naturally to communal, family-style dining, with staff happy to guide guests toward sharing combinations that replicate the feel of a Cuban home-cooked meal around a shared table.
Freshness as a Standard, Not a Selling Point
Across multiple visits and dishes — from pastries to proteins to desserts — guests consistently note that the food tastes freshly and carefully made, suggesting housemade quality is simply how Cuban Kitchen operates day to day.
Tips for your first visit
Make the most of your visit
Order the Cuban sandwich
First-timers should try the Cuban sandwich alongside a platter with yellow rice, plantain, beef and garlic, and salad for a well-rounded introduction to the menu.
Try Vaca Frita family style
Order the Vaca Frita, rice, beans, and maduros family style to get the closest experience to a Cuban home-cooked meal.
Explore the house sauces
Take advantage of the variety of original house sauces available to customize the flavor of each bite to your preference.
Don't skip the pastries
The pastelitos are a standout worth ordering — flaky, golden brown, and filled with sweet filling that captures a bakery-fresh texture.
End with a hot Cortadito
Finish your meal with a Cortadito, a bold Cuban espresso cut with sweet steamed milk that rounds out the authentic dining experience.
Save room for dessert
Both the Tres Leches Tiramisu and classic tiramisu are popular among repeat visitors, so leave room after your main course.
More reasons to visit
There's always more to love
Generous, Satisfying Portions
“The portions are generous, the food is seasoned with love, and the authentic vibe makes you feel right at home.”
The Cuban Sandwich
“We got the platter (with yellow rice, plantain, beef and garlic, salad), fries and the Cuban sandwhich.”
Vaca Frita
“My tip is to order the Vaca Frita, Rice, Beans and Maduros, all family style to experience a Cuban home-cooked meal.”
Family-Owned Warmth
“Family owned, serving delicious fresh housemade food served by delightful staff. Not fancy, the "atmosphere" comes from happy repeat customers and a great soundtrack.”
Tres Leches Tiramisu
“Tonight I loved the Ropa Vieja and Tres Leches Tiramisu. Mmmmm.”