Alma de Cuba

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1623 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19103

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(215) 988-1799
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Alma de Cuba - Philadelphia, PA
Alma de Cuba - Philadelphia, PA
Alma de Cuba - Philadelphia, PA
Alma de Cuba - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 32 )
( 16 )
( 6 )
( 3 )
( 10 )

Best

This place is great, the ambience, the location and the food. Great drinks, and great entrees. The prices get a little high if you order too many "sides," one may be enough at m...

Worst

First, they lost our reservation so we ended up at probably the worst table in the restaurant, right next to the kitchen. There was a constant flow of traffic, this was supposed t...

One of the Best in the City 7/25/2006

My Rating: 8.5 = One of the Best in the City Ambiance: Very Cool, hip, upscale, and swanky Dress code: business casual to designer chic Who will love it: Hip 30 somethings Outdoor Seating: Yes Menu: Update Cuban Food Quality: Food is artfully presented, and tastes very good. Appetizers are better than the main entrees. Food Quantity: Protein lovers will love it there. Carb lovers will find something beautiful to eat. Pros: Ambience Cons: Apps are better thant he entrees more
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Words are not enough 5/19/2006

I went to Alma for the first time tonight since living in Philly for a couple years. I have heard nothing but good things from friends that have dined there. I had to experiance it for myself. My fiancee and I went, we had made a reservation and upon arriving were seated very quickly. Our waitress was attentive and very courteous. Now the best part was the food. I can't even think of a word other than amazing. I know cuban food and this was a very well done modern twist to the cuban stlye of cooking and flavors. You should deffinately go and try it for yourself! Pros: great food, priced was fair, service was great Cons: a little dark more
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Average food, not worth the expense 3/6/2006

Ambiance is nice Drinks were great, mojitos, sangria both hit the spot. Food was average at best for the cost. The scallops were good, beef tenderloin was skimpy (they advertise 8oz.) and fatty. Even if it was supposed to be 8oz. precooked, I ordered it rare so that much weight shouldnt have fell through the grill. I think about 4oz was plated. It was literally two 4in. slivers of meat. Any guy eating it at home would have finished it in 2 bites. Certainly not worth $31. I eat fine dining frequently so Im not one to normally complain about portion sizes at fine dining. The joke of the night was to go out for a steak dessert! The chocolate cigar is a treat in itself and should be ordered. the coffee was good as well. I wouldnt go back except to relax and order off of the lounge menu. Pros: decor, ambiance, drinks Cons: food, cost, portion size more
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Wonderful food, but yes, it's pricey! 1/25/2006

I've been here a few times and the food is wonderful! Lots of wonderful flavors. Portion sizes are perfect, not too small like some of these restaurants. The ceviche was excellent! Mojitos are fantastic! The food and drinks are quite overpriced, but it's a fun place for a special occasion. Service has always been great and the atmosphere is nice. Can be a little loud downstairs, but the tables are small enough to hear the others in your party. If you're looking for something different and willing to spend about $100 per person for apps, dinner, dessert and drinks, it's the place to go!! Pros: Service, Great Food, Mojitos Cons: Expensive more
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Great fusion-Latin 12/5/2005

Great food if a bit too generous in portion size. Excedingly helpful service. More fusion Latin than Nuevo Latin, Noisy throughout the 3 floors, but the scene was thankfully limited to the lounge area Pros: Inventive menu, Exceptional service Cons: Noise more
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YUMMY! 10/30/2005

Do not go here if you are not willing to spend over $200 for two. It is VERY expensive but a GREAT dining experience for all. We had three apps, entrees and 4-5 drinks. Portions are small but that's why you order a few more things just so you can try it! I'd much rather have small portions so I could order a few things and share. The bread with that oil is sooo yummy! Ceviche is a must try. Another place you HAVE TO TRY at least once. Pros: valet, creative Cons: pricey more
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two dollar signs? who rated this place? 10/23/2005

okay, the food here is good. but absolutely everything is overpriced. i spent $90 on a dinner there last week that should have cost me $45. $30 wines are on the wine list for $80 or $90. the drinks are expensive, although not ridiculous unless you figure in the tiny size. it is a shame that this restaurant overprices so badly (feels like extortion) since the food is actually good (not amazing, but where else in the city do you get fried plantains). i'm constantly amazed that people go back (and take me with them). if you're going, try the swordfish, one of the better (and more original) dishes. oh, and it's a bad sign when the waiter can only recommend the most expensive wine on the wine list (he actually recommended a $145 bottle for a table of 8). maybe i'm just poor, but that's bad etiquette. Pros: good food, swordfish Cons: overpriced, snooty waiters, ridiculous wine price more
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Wonderful Latin Flavors in City Center 9/26/2005

Alma de Cuba is a wonderfully different restaurant serving great Cuban inspired food in a relaxing, nicely decorated space. First floor is smoking with tables and a bar (pictured above), second floor is a non-smoking restaurant. Small sweet rolls served with a spicy oil and is great, I ate five small rolls. The cerviches ($7-10 each or 3 for $24) are each better than each other. Lobster, big-eye tuna and scallops were all fantastic. The swordfish is highly recommended as an entrée and is like none you have eaten before, sliced, succulent, and accompanied by a wonder sweet pea puree. Service is prompt and attentive. This is a new favorite of mine. Pros: food, service, cervishes Cons: smoking on first floo more
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White Jackets & Silver Trays 5/13/2005

Dining and drinking at Alma de Cuba has never disappointed me. The prime Walnut Street location makes a great Suave Mojito w/ a stalk of sugar cane when you are in need of a thirst quenching cocktail. Hungry? Try the lamb, it's the best I've ever tasted infused with Alma de Cuba's Latin flavors. I love the wait staff's uniforms of white jackets as well. You do all the relaxing as they deliver your orders on silver trays. Pros: delicious, creative, beautiful Cons: expensive, crowded, need reservations more
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User review by robworster 4/12/2005

Fantastic, a great place to sample different entrees from each of your companions. The portions or good size, but leave enough room, for desert, and rightly so. Everything was delicious. more
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Lots of style, not enough substance 2/27/2005

Unfortunately, very mediocre food betrays a stylish space with a hip crowd. We started off with three types of soup, none of which was especially outstanding. Our entrees were overcooked and bland. We were expecting a lot more. The drinks were pretty good. I'd say avoid for dinner. Pros: Drinks Cons: Food more
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Always Good! 12/16/2004

I'm a regular here and don't mind coming back to Alma over and over again. The food is delicious, ambiance is great and service is very good. This place is consistently good, and never disappoints. Pros: Consistent, Great ambiance, Great food more
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Cuban Oasis 11/28/2004

Though our crowd came late for a nightcap after a long Saturday night, the Mojitos were tasty and the downstairs lounge was sleek and comfortable. The sepia tone projections on the white panelled walls showed faces of happy, life-worn people smiling benevolently. It was then end of a perfect evening. Pros: decor, mojitos more
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Out of this world food 10/16/2004

The food here is amazing. We had the fried vaca and orange glazed pork. A taste sensation for my mouth. The styling is simple and sleek. Great place to celebrate for a special occasion. The chocolate cuban cigar is a great way to top off the night. Pros: great food more
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Incredible food, great service 7/10/2004

I had an amazing time at Alma de Cuba. We started at the bar. The mojitos were excellent but pricey. We were seated a little late for our (late) reservation but staff kept us informed. The building provides a nice ambiance. Our server was friendly and attentive. We started with a ceviche sampler of shrimp, crab, lobster and scallops. All were excellent. I ordered the sea bass and my fiance had the scallops. Mine arrived on green rice with plantains and stuffed peppers, her scallops came on quinoa with tomatoes and peas. The fish was amazing. Tender, succulent, and covered in a delicious tomatillo, garlic and white wine sauce, it is one of the best dishes I have ever tasted. My fiance's bacon-wrapped scallops were equally delicious and had a great combination of textures. Though the food is expensive, it is WELL worth it I will be sure to return. Pros: Great food, Cool atmosphere, Good service Cons: , Loud more
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Terrible, Terrible, Terrible 6/13/2004

My graduation night was ruined! The service was so terrible, it didn't matter how the food tasted! The bartender had me wait about 10 minutes to order drinks while he chatted with a female customer who already had a full drink. My boyfriend, who came from out of town, waited 20 minutes for a drink and was never served! We were seated at 11:00 for our 10:00 reservation at the worst table in the house. The "free" appetizer that was offered to make up for our long wait was conveniently forgotten, and I had to ask for bread for my starving party. I have never been treated so poorly. This place should be shut down. more
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SERVICE RUINED EXPERIENCE 6/6/2004

Our service was rushed on a busy Saturday night, the service was rude. The food was bland, even the "famous" chocolate cigar was lackluster. Go to Cuba Libre for a better experience. Pros: Ambience Cons: , Food more
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Great, but not the brightest starr 4/1/2004

Hip multilevel Starr-port with bar on the first floor and seating on the next two levels. Modern decor and backlit murals highlight the austere dining room. Menu highlights include a number of varieties of ceviche (give in and try ceviche sampler), chilean sea bass enchilada, grilled whole fish of the day (seems to be snapper a lot of times), and surprisingly tasty chicken combo (it only all chicken were this good). Desserts include an elaborate chocolate cigar, an almond cake wrapped in chocolate mousse served with dulce de leche ice cream that looked much better than it tasted, as well as so-so chocolate mousse. You'd be better off filling up on ceviche and skipping dessert if you ask me. more
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Good Food N Drink 1/24/2004

My wife and I went to celebrate her birthday! Our server MICHEAL was the Best. He spoiled us and his entree and wine suggestions were on point. It is a cozy place w/ dim lighting..very nice for a first date! It is slightly pricey but worth every dollar! Try it you wont be disappointed. Its not a place to bring the kids, but for that special dinner, for a special someone, I would suggest ALMA de CUBA Pros: food, service, ambience Cons: parking more
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Good starter spot 9/26/2003

1st floor is a lil more relaxed then 2nd & 3rd floor. Food was pretty good. I loved the musik. Had a feeling of Mambo Kings. GOod starter spot but not a main attraction for the night. Pros: Marlin Tacos, Knowledgeable staff, enjoyable music Cons: bathroom on 3rd floor, high decible surround more
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Menu for Alma de Cuba


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Three low-lit floors offer white, suede-soft seats, a glowing, red glass bar and vintage-looking wall projections of cigar-smoking musicians. The menu features island comfort foods including crab empanadas and fried oysters stuffed with spinach for starters. Entrees include tender rack of lamb decorated with mint leaves, halibut coated in fried plantain and tuna loin spiced with garlic and rum. A cigar-shaped cocoa-dusted almond cake with a baked book of matches is the popular dessert.

  • 7/10/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Thursday From 05:00 PM To 11:00 PM Friday To Saturday From 05:00 PM To 12:00 AM Sunday From 05:00 PM To 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Center City West, Center City
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