Buena Vista: Discover Authentic Cuban Cuisine in Houston, TX

Buena Vista Introduce

If you're searching for an authentic taste of Cuba right here in Texas, look no further than Buena Vista. This vibrant restaurant brings the rich, flavorful traditions of Cuban cuisine to the heart of Houston, offering a dining experience that is both authentic and unforgettable. Nestled on Washington Avenue, Buena Vista has quickly become a local favorite for its incredible food, lively atmosphere, and commitment to genuine Cuban hospitality.

From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a different world. The decor evokes a classic South Florida and Cuban feel, with a cozy and trendy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're a longtime fan of Cuban food or new to the cuisine, Buena Vista offers a perfect introduction to its bold and exciting flavors. It's a place where you can gather with friends, enjoy a solo meal, or share a special moment with family, all while savoring some of the best Cuban dishes in the city. The restaurant's popularity is a testament to its quality, drawing in both local groups and tourists eager to try its acclaimed offerings for lunch and dinner.

Beyond the food, the restaurant’s commitment to a great overall experience is clear. With fast service and a bar onsite, you can easily enjoy a quick lunch or a leisurely evening with a great cocktail or glass of wine. Live music often fills the air, adding to the festive mood and making it a perfect spot for a night out. Buena Vista isn't just a place to eat; it's a destination to relax, connect, and immerse yourself in the warm, inviting spirit of Cuba. So, whether you're craving a classic Cuban sandwich, a plate of savory Ropa Vieja, or just a strong cup of Cuban coffee, Buena Vista is a must-visit spot in Houston.

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Location and Accessibility

Buena Vista is conveniently located at 4601 Washington Ave # 190, Houston, TX 77007. This prime spot in Houston makes it easily accessible for anyone in the region. The restaurant is situated in a bustling part of the city, surrounded by other popular spots and attractions, making it a great place to stop during a day out or for a dedicated meal. For those driving, free street parking is available, which is a significant convenience in a busy area like Washington Avenue. This takes the stress out of finding a spot and allows you to focus on enjoying your meal.

The restaurant has made accessibility a priority to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests. The facilities are wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, the parking lot, the restrooms, and the seating areas. This commitment to accessibility means that everyone can enjoy the authentic Cuban experience Buena Vista has to offer without any barriers. The thoughtful layout and design make it a welcoming space for all patrons.

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Services Offered

Dining Options: Buena Vista offers a full dining experience with options for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant provides comfortable table service, allowing you to sit back and enjoy your meal without a rush. Seating is available both inside the cozy, trendy interior and outside on the patio, which is perfect for enjoying the weather.
Takeout and Delivery: For those who prefer to enjoy their Cuban feast at home, Buena Vista provides convenient takeout and delivery services. This flexibility makes it easy to savor their delicious food whether you’re on the go or relaxing at home.
Reservations: Planning a dinner with a group or for a special occasion? Buena Vista accepts reservations, which is particularly helpful for busy nights or weekends. This allows you to plan ahead and secure your spot without a long wait.
Beverage Service: The restaurant has a bar onsite and offers a wide range of beverages to complement your meal. This includes beer, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor. They also have a great selection of happy hour drinks, making it an ideal spot to unwind after work.
Children's Amenities: If you're dining with little ones, high chairs are available to ensure a comfortable and safe dining experience for the whole family.

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Features / Highlights

Authentic Cuban Cuisine: Buena Vista specializes in classic Cuban dishes, offering a menu that is rich in flavor and tradition. From appetizers like Empanadas and Mariquitas to entrées like Ropa Vieja, Vaca Frita, and Grilled Mahi-Mahi, the menu is a culinary journey through Cuba.
Great Cocktails: The bar at Buena Vista is known for its excellent cocktails. The skilled bartenders can craft the perfect drink to pair with your meal or to simply enjoy on its own.
Fast Service: Customers often note the fast and efficient service, making it a great option for a quick lunch or a meal where you're on a tighter schedule.
Live Music: The atmosphere is often enhanced by live music, creating a lively and festive mood that is perfect for a night out. This feature adds to the overall experience, making your visit more memorable.
Great Coffee: For those who appreciate a good cup of coffee, Buena Vista delivers. The coffee is a highlight for many patrons and is a perfect way to end your meal.
Outdoor Seating and Pet-Friendly: The restaurant offers outdoor seating, which is a great option for enjoying the Houston weather. As an added bonus, dogs are allowed in the outside seating area, so you can bring your furry friend along.
Popularity: Buena Vista is a popular spot for lunch and dinner, especially for solo diners and groups. The casual and cozy atmosphere is a big draw, making it a go-to spot for many Houston locals.

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Contact Information

For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact Buena Vista using the following details:

Address: 4601 Washington Ave # 190, Houston, TX 77007, USA
Phone: (832) 831-2035

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What is Worth Choosing

Buena Vista is a must-visit for anyone in the Houston area looking for a genuine Cuban dining experience. What truly sets this restaurant apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity and quality, from the food to the atmosphere. While some may find certain dishes to be a bit on the salty side or the prices a little high, the overall consensus from many customers points to an exceptional culinary journey. The menu is packed with traditional Cuban favorites, and they are prepared with great attention to detail. For example, the Tostones Rellenos are a fan favorite, as are the Croquetas and Empanadas, all perfect for sharing or as a starter to your meal.

When it comes to the main courses, you'll find a wide variety of options that cater to different tastes. The classics, such as the Vaca Frita and the Ropa Vieja, are cooked to perfection, offering a true taste of Cuban comfort food. If you're a fan of seafood, the Paella De Mariscos is a generous dish that brings the flavors of the ocean to your plate. The selection of sandwiches, especially the classic El Cubano, is a highlight. Made with all the traditional ingredients, it's a perfect choice for lunch or a lighter meal. The Pan Con Bistec is another excellent option that showcases the simple yet satisfying flavors of Cuban cuisine.

Beyond the entrées, the side dishes are a star in their own right. The Plátanos Maduros and Tostones are classic complements to any meal, and the Yuca Con Mojo is a must-try. The Garlic Yuca Mash is another side that has been praised by patrons for its rich and savory flavor. For dessert, the Flan is a classic choice, and the Arroz Con Leche offers a sweet and comforting end to your meal.

What makes Buena Vista so appealing is its ability to create an immersive experience. The combination of the beautiful decor, attentive service, and live music truly makes you feel like you've been transported to a different place. The staff are attentive and friendly, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or planning a full dining experience, the quality of the food and the ambiance make it worth the visit. The fact that the restaurant is popular for solo dining, groups, and tourists alike speaks to its broad appeal. For anyone in Texas looking for a taste of authentic Cuban culture and cuisine, Buena Vista offers a memorable and delightful experience that is well worth choosing.

Buena Vista Menu

Sides
Moros $5.00
Rice cooked with black beans, pork, bay leaves, and other spices.
Papitas Fritas $6.00
French fries.
Plátanos Maduros $8.00
Fried sweet plantains.
Yuca Fries $8.00
Cut cassava root fried until crisp and golden, served with garlic mojo and cilantro aioli.
Yuca Con Mojo $8.00
Tender cassava root, topped with citrus garlic mojo.
Garlic Yuca Mash $8.00
Cassava root whipped into a creamy puree topped with garlic butter and parsley.
White Rice $4.00
Tostones $8.00
Crispy, thinly flattened, fried green plantains sprinkled with salt and served with garlic mojo and cilantro aioli.
Sautéed Vegetables $7.00
Tomatoes, onions, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, asparagus.
Black Beans $4.00

Entrées
Grilled Mahi-Mahi $30.00
Tender, flaky grilled mahi mahi fillet served with seasoned roasted potatoes and sautéed vegetables.
Grilled Bone-In Pork Chop $28.00
Marinated and grilled golden brown served with sautéed vegetables and yuca mash.
Camarones Al Ajillo $24.00
Shrimp sautéed in a savory garlic and olive oil sauce.
Paella De Mariscos $38.00
Seafood Paella made with shrimp ,mussels, calamari, and fish served over bomba rice.
Pechuga De Pollo $22.00
Grilled chicken breast marinated with citrus juices and garlic, topped with sautéed onions.
Vaca Frita $24.00
Seasoned shredded beef, pan fried until crispy on the outside. Served with sauteed onions.
Corvina $32.00
Mild, firm, flaky, and slightly sweet fish sourced from Caribbean and South American seas. Served with sautéed vegetables and potatoes.
Afro Cuban Pork $24.00
Slow roasted pork shoulder paired with sauteed vegetables and yuca mash
Masitas De Puerco $22.00
Mojo marinated pork chunks, fried until crispy. Served with sauteed onions.
Camarones Enchilados $24.00
Creole shrimp simmered in a mix of tomato sauce, onions, peppers, garlic and spices.
Filete De Pargo $28.00
Grilled red snapper filet, served with roasted potatoes and sautéed vegetables.
Gaucho $32.00
Juicy tender skirt steak, grilled to your liking. Served with sautéed vegetable and chimichurri sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats and seafood may increase risk of foodborne illness.
Arroz Con Pollo $24.00
Hearty seasoned chicken drum and thigh over yellow rice with bell peppers, carrots, onions, garlic and other spices
Ropa Vieja $24.00
A true Cuban classic. Tender shredded beef cooked in a tomato-based sauce with garlic, bell peppers, onions, bay leaves and spices.

Starters
Mariquitas $8.00
Fried, thinly sliced green plantains served with garlic mojo and cilantro aioli.
Tostones Rellenos $13.00
Crispy green plantains filled with your choice of marinated pork, shredded beef, or sautéed shrimp.
Croquetas (3 Per Order) $9.00
Crispy, bite-sized breaded rolls containing a flavorful meat filling. Choice of ham, ground beef or chicken.
Empanadas (3 Per Order) $12.00
Flaky, savory pastry. Choice of ham and cheese, ground beef, chicken, or veggie.

Desserts
Pudin De Pan $9.00
Raisin bread pudding baked to golden perfection.
Flan $9.00
Smooth creamy custard, topped with caramelized sugar
Arroz Con Leche $9.00
Creamy Latin rice pudding with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla.

Drinks
Guanabana Shake $9.00
Creamy blend of soursop pulp and milk.
Mamey Shake $9.00
Creamy shake made with tropical mamey fruit and milk.
Iron Beer $4.00
Cuban root beer soda with hints of fruit.
Diet Pepsi $3.00
A crisp tasting, refreshing pop of sweet, fizzy bubbles without calories.
Materva $4.00
Herbal sweet Cuban soda.
Crush Orange Soda $3.00
Mango Shake $9.00
A creamy, refreshing blend of ripe mangoes and chilled milk creating a sweet and satisfying tropical treat.
Starry Lemon/Lime Sosa $3.00
Pepsi $3.00
The bold, refreshing, robust cola
Dr. Pepper $3.00
Jupina $4.00
Pineapple-flavored Cuban soda.
Tropicana Lemonade $3.00
A juice drink made with a blend of summer’s most delicious fruit juices, with no artificial sweeteners or flavors.

Salads
Caesar Salad $13.00
Cuban Cobb $14.00
Mixed greens, ham, chopped hard- boiled eggs, avocado, tomato, cucumber, corn, black beans and manchego cheese.
Tropical Salad $13.00
Mixed greens, green apple, berries, mandarin, house dressing
The Cuban Beet $13.00
Oven roasted golden and red beets, watercress, pine nuts, green apple, and goat cheese.

Ceviche
Ceviche De Cilantro $19.00
Fish, shrimp, cilantro, onions. avocado, toasted corn marinated in citrus juices and a creamy cilantro sauce
Ceviche Tropical $19.00
Fish, shrimp, pineapple, mango, mandarin, cilantro, onions, avocado, toasted corn marinated in citrus juices
Vuelve À La Vida $20.00
Octopus, clam, shrimp & crab marinated in citrus juices, with tomato, red onion, cilantro, avocado, cucumber, in a cocktail sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats and seafood may increase risk of foodborne illness.
Ceviche Bravo $19.00
Fish, shrimp, cucumber, onions, cilantro, avocado, toasted corn marinated in citrus juices and a spicy chili sauce

Sandwiches
El Cubano $14.00
Roasted pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on pressed Cuban bread.
Pan Con Bistec $15.00
Thinly sliced sirloin steak marinated in mojo, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomato and string fries on pressed Cuban bread.
Pan Con Lechón $14.00
Shredded roast pork marinated in mojo, sautéed onions, on pressed Cuban bread.
Buena Vista Burger $18.00
Juicy beef patty topped with melted swiss cheese, caramelized onions and served with French fries.
Pan Con Ropa Vieja $14.00
Pan Con Pollo $14.00
Grilled chicken marinated in mojo, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomato on pressed Cuban bread.

Buena Vista Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Live music

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
High chairs

Parking
Free street parking
Parking

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Buena Vista Photos

Buena Vista Location

Buena Vista

Texas Harris County Houston Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park Washington Avenue

4601 Washington Ave # 190, Houston, TX 77007, USA

Buena Vista Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 694 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

We stopped by on a Friday around 4pm. The restaurant was hot, as it has big glass windows. The restaurant was decorated beautifully. Service was a little slow, and not very attentive. As far as the food goes, mashed yuca was the best bite. We ordered masitas de puerco, ropa vieja, and Afro-Cuban slow roasted pork. All three meats were salty and dry unfortunately. We were quite disappointed as we love Cuban food. We also thought it was a bit on the pricey side.
August 12 · N. PYN
Buena Vista has an awesome ambience as soon as you walk in! The decor has a very South Florida/Cuban feel and the servers were very attentive. I ordered the Cuban sandwich, my wife ordered the Ceviche Tropical, and we shared the chicken empanadas. The Cuban was delicious and made with all the classic ingredients. The ceviche was light and refreshing. The empanadas were so good and the sauce they came with was also tasty. My wife also ordered a virgin piña colada which she thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a fun Cuban food experience.
July 27 · Stephen Fialko
Sat outside and was just the best. Nice seating area and great service!! The lechón was spectacular! I loved how fresh the beet salad was and it was really delicious. Loved the stuffed tostones, they were super full of flavor. Really enjoyed and can’t wait to go back.
August 25 · Gibby
We were excited to visit a new restaurant in the area. Starting off, the service was great and the ceviche was delicious. (Best bite of the evening)Two main issues:Pricing - the server recommend a specific dish with an add-on of shrimp. We confirmed the price but upon paying the bill. The price was double and she was getting loud and unprofessional. We understand mistakes happen but resolving it should not become a big issue.Second,In all our decades of fine dining, we’ve never had a restaurant charge the same price for a mocktail vs a cocktail. The manager stated “it’s the same process so we charge the same price”.If Willie’s G, Steak 48, Pappa’s to Lupe’s and hole in the wall restaurants do not charge the same price because there is no liquor. Why should you’ll?It’s the principle of the matter and it’s not the standard in the industry. We were so excited to come back again and recommend others but how the night ended.We will never come back or recommend anyone to visit. The ceviche and the live band were truly the only good things of the night as in why the rating is two stars instead of one.
May 02 · Lisa
The food was just slightly warm- as in was still kind of cold. Atmosphere was great. The restaurant is super cute. Servers were nice but they did seem to be overwhelmed. It took a while to get our menus and even longer for drinks. The appetizers never came- our food came and she forgot about our appetizers. She did bring them after but kid of defeated the purpose.
May 11 · Amanda Holmes