Mojitos and memories are being served up at the Philadelphia location of the popular Cuban hotspot, Cuba Libre. The City of Brotherly Love’s venue happens to be the first for the brand — which also has locations in Atlantic City, Orlando and Washington D.C. — and to celebrate 25 years in business, locals can indulge in a tasting menu and some rotating specials.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar officially opened its doors in 2000, and the locale has seen an assortment of chefs, specials and unique dishes pass through. And some of the latter are being offered for the first time in years as a package deal.
“Keeping a restaurant concept fresh for 25 years is a really significant accomplishment,” said principal and co-founder Barry Gutin. “We decided to mark the occasion throughout the rest of the year by offering some of our most popular dishes from our original menu with pricing from when we launched in 2000.”
Those dishes and that pricing comes out to be a 10-option, $49 tasting menu, with an optional $20 beverage pairing (featuring drinks with spirits, as well as NA options.) The menu starts off with pressed Cuban bread with the venue’s signature mango butter, then follows up with a plate full of second-course picks in the form of smoked and glazed pork belly, creamy chicken croquetas and a Cuban-style shrimp cocktail.
The first two courses set the stage, but the main event comes out in the third course with a large portion of ropa vieja (braised, shredded and stewed beef brisket), lechón asado (slow-roasted citrus-marinated, pork shoulder), pescao’ frito (crispy, deep-fried red snapper), arroz con frijoles (steamed white rice and black beans) and maduros (fried plantains).
The experience then ends on a sweet note with your choice of a tres leches cake or Cuban flan. The tasting is meant to highlight the flavors and combinations that culinarily defined the venue—but it’s also a generous amount of food for a very generous price — and that was intentional.
“$49 for a four-course, ten-item tasting menu is a really incredible valuable,” Gutin said. “We’re hoping to see many familiar faces from the past 25 years and to welcome newcomers to enjoy this special tasting menu and help us celebrate our anniversary.”
Cuba Libre is also offering a different appetizer and entrée each month at its original debut price to celebrate the anniversary. April saw chicharrones for $7.50, and arroz con pollo for $16, plus the locale’s fan-favorite mojito being offered for $8. This month will feature sopa de ajo con pan for $6, and camarones enchilados for $20. The anniversary menu specials will rotate monthly through Dec. 30 of this year, and the tasting specifically will be available for guests with dinner reservations Sundays through Thursdays at all four locations.
The restaurant’s name translates to “a free Cuba,” and the brand’s mission is to provide an “escape” to Havana through food, beverage and entertainment experiences that celebrate the Cuban people and culture. Founding Chef Guillermo Pernot — a two-time James Beard award-winner — recently retired in 2023, and these latest offerings showcase some of the best from his time, and also, from his predecessors, Culinary Directors Kevin Couch and Angel Roque.
That dedication isn’t just singular to the kitchen and bar either — the atmosphere itself is a love letter to the country with colors, dim and bright lights, and an indoor dining room mimicking an outdoor courtyard somewhere in the Pearl of the Antilles.
While at Cuba Libre, diners can also order from the full-time dinner and brunch menu. Highlights span crab guacamole, rum-pineapple glazed shrimp skewers, paella, huevos benedict, chocolate banana bread pudding and a smattering of mojito options (think creamsicle, grilled pineapple, mango, plush plum and more).
And those looking to celebrate Mother’s Day in Philadelphia can also head to the locale this Saturday, May 10 or Sunday, May 11 for some special treats. All moms who dine at this locale will receive a rose and a $25 gift card for a future trip to the restaurant. Plus, those who order a shareable dessert will receive a holiday topper. Sunday’s brunch will also feature one-day-only specials, available from noon to 4 p.m.
To learn more about Cuba Libre Philadelphia (10 S. 2nd St.) visit cubalibrerestaurant.com. Reservations are available via SevenRooms.
