Cuban Pete's Introduce
In the bustling culinary landscape of Montclair, New Jersey, **Cuban Pete's** stands as a local landmark offering a vibrant, flavorful escape to the tropics. Categorized as a Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American restaurant, this establishment promises an experience that is far more than just a meal—it’s a sensory journey defined by rich spices, lively music, and a distinctly cozy yet trendy atmosphere. For New Jersey residents looking to inject some fun and exotic flavor into their dining routine, Cuban Pete’s has been a long-standing fixture in the Essex County dining scene.
As a full-service **Restaurant** and **Tapas restaurant**, Cuban Pete's caters to a wide variety of dining needs, from a quick solo lunch to a festive dinner with a large group. Its popularity is evident in the fact that it **usually has a wait**, especially during peak hours. Patrons are drawn in by the promise of authentic comfort food and the unique Latin American flair that permeates the entire space. It’s a popular spot not only for local residents but also for **college students** and **tourists** visiting the area, solidifying its role as a regional attraction.
The core appeal of Cuban Pete’s centers on its atmosphere—described as **Casual, Cozy, Romantic, and Trendy**—making it suitable for almost any occasion. The restaurant is well-known for its lively features, including **Live music** and great desserts, ensuring a memorable night out without ever leaving New Jersey. While some recent customer experiences have noted inconsistencies with food quality and service, the establishment’s historical popularity suggests a dedication to providing a unique and energetic dining environment centered on comforting Cuban and Caribbean flavors.
Cuban Pete's is conveniently located at **428 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA**. Situated on Montclair’s prominent Bloomfield Avenue, it is easily accessible from various points in North Jersey, including the surrounding towns of Verona, West Orange, and Clifton. This central location in a popular downtown area makes it a prime meeting spot for groups and families.
The restaurant is designed with accessibility and convenience in mind for its guests:
- **Seating and Restroom Accessibility:** The restaurant is equipped with **Wheelchair accessible seating** and a **Wheelchair accessible restroom**, ensuring comfort for all patrons.
- **Parking Options:** Given its downtown location, the restaurant offers several paid parking options, including a **Paid parking garage**, **Paid parking lot**, and **Paid street parking**, providing flexible choices for drivers.
- **Pet-Friendly Outdoor Area:** For those enjoying the great New Jersey weather with a furry companion, the restaurant allows **Dogs allowed outside** in its outdoor seating area.
- **Family Accommodations:** Cuban Pete's is **Good for kids**, offering **High chairs** and a dedicated **Kids' menu**, making it a viable and fun dining choice for families in the area.
Cuban Pete's offers a wide array of services and dining options, demonstrating its ability to host different types of events and accommodate various customer preferences throughout the day.
- **Full Dining Service:** Offers **Dine-in** service across multiple mealtimes: **Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner**.
- **Takeout and Delivery:** Provides convenient options for customers who prefer to enjoy their Cuban favorites at home, with both **Takeout** and **Delivery** available.
- **Flexible Seating:** Includes both indoor **Seating** and desirable **Outdoor seating** options.
- **Catering and Private Events:** Available for large gatherings through its **Catering** service and offers a **Private dining room** for intimate events or large group bookings.
- **Late-Night Service:** Caters to the evening crowd with **Late-night food** options, perfect for college students or those looking for a later dinner.
- **Quick Bites:** Designed to serve customers efficiently, offering **Quick bite** options even when busy, contributing to its reputation for **Fast service**.
- **Payment Methods:** Accepts common payment methods, including **Debit cards** and **NFC mobile payments**.
The distinctive features of Cuban Pete's are what draw crowds and keep the atmosphere lively. These highlights create an experience unique to the Montclair dining scene.
- **Live Entertainment:** A standout feature is the provision of **Live music**, which significantly enhances the atmosphere, contributing to the restaurant’s casual, trendy, and romantic ambiance.
- **Focus on Authenticity:** The menu is dedicated to **Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American** cuisine, featuring **Comfort food** and serving a **local specialty**, providing an authentic taste of the islands and Central/South America.
- **Dessert Excellence:** Patrons frequently praise the **Great dessert** selection, which provides a sweet and memorable conclusion to the meal.
- **Dining Versatility:** The space is designed to appeal to multiple demographics, from **College students** and large **Groups** to those seeking a romantic date night or enjoying **Solo dining**.
- **Full Range of Offerings:** The restaurant offers a variety of food and beverage options, including a selection of **Alcohol** to complement the spicy, rich flavors of the Latin menu.
For reservations, takeout orders, or inquiries regarding catering and private dining, please use the following contact information:
**Address:** 428 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA
**Phone:** (973) 746-1100
**Mobile Phone:** +1 973-746-1100
For the New Jersey diner, choosing Cuban Pete's is about opting for an immersive, flavorful dining experience that stands out from the typical North Jersey restaurant offerings. While occasional reviews have highlighted service and quality concerns, the restaurant's long-standing appeal and popular features remain significant draws. To maximize the experience, focus on the core elements that have defined Cuban Pete’s for years:
For the most authentic experience, a great choice is to explore the main Cuban and Latin **Comfort food** dishes. While specific menu items are not provided, dishes that are staples of the region are often what truly shine at a dedicated Cuban restaurant. Pairing your main course with the highly-praised **Great dessert** is also a must, offering a delightful contrast to the main savory courses.
The most compelling reason to choose Cuban Pete's is the **Atmosphere and Live Music**. If you are planning an evening out, especially on a weekend, the lively environment created by the **Live music** and the **Casual, Cozy, Romantic, and Trendy** decor is a major feature. It’s an ideal setting for a celebration or a dinner where the energy of the room is as important as the food on the plate. Given that there is **usually a wait**, planning for an early dinner or making a reservation is highly advisable to secure your spot for the full, lively experience that Cuban Pete’s aims to deliver.
Cuban Pete's Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great dessert
- Live music
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Comfort food
- Late-night food
- Private dining room
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Cuban Pete's Photos










Cuban Pete's Location
Cuban Pete's
428 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA
Cuban Pete's Reviews
BYOBtapascoconut riceliquor storenon-alcoholicstairswatermelon mojitomixerscamiloliquor license
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I’ve enjoyed Cuban Pete’s in the past, but my recent visit was disappointing and concerning. I found metal and plastic in my food, which was very alarming. I notified the staff, but they took the objects away before I could document them and had the audacity to imply that I pay for the food because the “manager” was not there to solve the issue. After reiterating several times how much of a safety issue this was to not only me but to the public the main course was taken off of my bill. This kind of safety issue should not be taken lightly, and I hope the restaurant takes steps to prevent it from happening again. I won’t be returning to Cuban Pete’s. The situation was handled poorly due to a poorly trained staff. It broke my heart to see the countless amount of kids dining out with their families knowing that the food supply was contaminated. P.S the metal and plastic was in the beans.
August 05 · Blvck RainnWell, I think Pete is on his way out. We’ve been coming here for almost 20 years…and the food and service were once top notch. Now, it is very disappointing and when I saw other reviews mentioning it I thought how could it be? But it is very much so.It was Saturday night and it was busy. Took 15-20 minutes for a table, which was surprisingly quick. The full restaurant was not in-use as the dining room by the bar was entirely empty.Dirty plates as table setting was not a great start. The appetizers were...decent still.The meals. Oof. Heavily salted, not as much of a flavor beyond that. The sancocho was...half way decent. A lot of potatoes, very little actual protein.The flan de mango to end the night.... unripened mango topping and burnt bottom part. Honestly, I think it is ending our future returns. Taste bitter and feel like they just toss mango bits on top of plain flan. Would advise to avoid this if you can.To be very honest, I don't foreseen us returning. The entire experience was subpar to previous years. We have to constantly ask our servers for drinks refill and basic table setting. The food and the service are just NOT worth the trip and money spent.
May 18 · P SangBeing Cuban there is nothing like good old Cuban food! What a comfort! We've been visiting this restaurant since 2006, almost 20 years!!! I love that it's men waiters only and that they all wear these beautiful yellow guayabera shirts and the Panama hats! The ambiance is extraordinary! So beautiful. You feel like you are transported to a tropical island. I love eating in the patio area!!! The music is fabulous, lively and enthralling! The food is fantastic! Dominick Restaino is a maverick in starting this amazing restaurant!
June 05 · Maria Hidalgo DolanThe food is delicious and portions are big! I love their outdoor seating and the music is always vibing.
August 22 · Nelson SGreat food & love the fun atmosphere. The chicharrones de cuerdo and chicharron de pollo were delicious and tender. I order the island shrimp conga and it was DELICIOUS!! My husband has the lechon asado, and it was great!The servers are all busy and often take a bit to come back to your table, & they charge per glass of soda, but other than that, we love it here!
August 02 · Danielle K
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