We need your help, Indy.
We scoured high and low for delicious Cuban restaurants, and we could only find these three! We know you know more than we do, so tell us: where is your favorite Cuban restaurant in Indy?
Oliver Johnson’s Woods / 2201 E 46th St
Finally, a brewery and a Cuban restaurant melded in perfect harmony. You can get house brews or a tall, cold High Life, and relax with a snack or a full meal. The veggie black bean empanadas are a standout hit for a reason, though we think splitting a medianoche and a whole empanada flight is the way to go. The best nights to go? Drag bingo, bring-your-own-vinyl, and whenever they screen obscure movies from the past.
Gateway West / 3839 Moller Rd
Just before you get to 465 on West 38th, you might unwittingly zoom right past this cute little Cuban place serving cafecitos all day. It’s just one of the dozens of incredible international restaurants you’ll find in the International Marketplace, and you know it’s legit because it’s packed with Cuban immigrants looking for a taste of home. Make a day of it and fold this one into a cross-cultural culinary adventure.
Broad Ripple / 815 Broad Ripple Ave
There are sandwiches that are a challenge, and then there are actual sandwich challenges. Taste of Havana offers the latter in the form of the Cuban CrockTail, which is about the same length of a small crocodile (2 feet), takes up the whole length of a tray, and weighs in at nearly three pounds. Bring a friend if you want a harrowing tale to bond you together for life, or go alone if you’re looking to show off your digestive fortitude.
Multiple Locations
Look, we know Patachou isn’t a Cuban place, but their Cuban breakfast is one of those dishes that has carved an unusual niche for itself. And no wonder, it’s delicious: a bowl of rice, black beans, a fried egg, with white cheddar and fresh-sliced avocado, served with a side of what they call “spinach jalapeno pesto.” It’s a great halfway point between fuel and comfort food with a side of earthy heat.
