Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine

A good Cuban restaurant in downtown Detroit. We came for a small get together with some friends on a weekday night and had a great time. The bartender is fantastic, very friendly and makes a great cocktail. The drinks are VERY expensive, but it's worth it from time to time for a good drink. The service was great, the servers and manager were very nice, helpful, and they checked on us frequently. The food was good, the apps were great. We also had some salads and entrees and everything was good. I'm told by my group that there is better Cuban food elsewhere but this is the best I have ever had, which I admit has not been very many times. Overall I think this place is great, great service, great drinks, and good food. Recommended.

My first visit to Vicente’s did not disappoint. From the moment we entered until the time we left I enjoyed myself. We had Abraham as our waiter and he was phenomenal. Abraham shared his favorite appetizers,drinks, entrées as well as desserts. He was precise, friendly efficient. He made sure we kept our glasses filled and that the food was delicious. They also offer Salsa lessons and the instructor had top notch energy. He encouraged and supported all guest to give it a try. It’s safe to say I’ll be back here.

Had this on our radar for some time now and finally made it in. One member of our party got stuck in traffic and was running behind, so we really didn't start until well after our reservation time, but thankfully our server was extremely understanding. When we finally got around to ordering, it was a case of hard choices as everything sounded incredible. Ultimately decided on multiple tapas which were just perfect. Looking forward to a return trip very soon.

Our group visited Vicente's for a birthday bash and we were delighted by the whole experience! The dishes not only tasted great but were also beautifully presented. Our waiter was wonderfully attentive, ensuring our needs were promptly met. It had been some time since my last visit to Vicente's, but I was genuinely impressed by its spotless environment, chic decor, and vibrant atmosphere. We're already excited about returning for salsa classes and more dancing! It was also refreshing to see a few plant-based and vegetarian options on the menu. We'd love to see even more variety in this area, especially some plant-based dessert options alongside the traditional ones.

Had some concerns with the slow service,but that was resolved very quickly. The manager was very attentive and dedicated to customer satisfaction. The food was excellent. The atmosphere was very nice as well.

Overall this place was very good. The wait staff were all very helpful and accommodating to questions about the menu or special requests. They make everything from scratch and it shows for sure. The croquetas, limonadas and beef all were delicious and we all thoroughly enjoyed them. The only complaint is it's expensive, but every now and then for a special occasion would be worth it.

Came to Vicente’s for lunch and had a wonderful experience. My brother and I had empanadas, croquettes, and a seafood paella. All three were great!! My favorite was the seafood Paella! It was enough for two people, it was full of flavor and taste!! The staff was very friendly and efficient. Highly recommend Vicente’s in downtown Detroit.

Great food. Well seasoned with bright aromas. Guitar player on stage made for great background ambiance.

Three words for first timers Polo Con Camarones. You will not be disappointed! When I'm downtown that is my dinner spot !

This was my first time visiting and my wife's second. We were in in town for a show at the Detroit Opera House and this place is just a short walk away. We arrived at about 6pm on a Friday and were immediately greeted and seated. My wife had the sangria, she enjoyed it very much. I had a house mojito and it was OK. The ambience is casual with Cuban music playing in the background. The food was the star of show! We started with beef empanadas which were fantastic, just the right amount of seasoning and the two sauces that come with them complement the dish perfectly. For dinner I had the Ropa Vieja, the beef was so tender and flavorful. My wife had the Pollo Limon. The chicken was crispy yet tender with a nice lemon butter sauce. The sauce was rich in a good way! We would certainly come back, possibly at lunch to try the Cubano sandwich which i was slightly disappointed to not see on the dinner menu.

Vicente's has always been a treat for great Cuban food in the downtown area. Me and my friends love to split a pitcher of sangria and I haven't found better sangria in the city yet. It's very spacious and rarely do I ever feel crowded when inside but sitting outside makes for great people watching. My go to order is the Pollo Diabla if you like spicy food with a big bed of rice, it's so filling and I always end up with a nice bit of leftovers.

Vicente's does NOT disappoint ever!! Friends, 6 of them, all very happy too!! Highly recommend this Cuban restaurant with so many choices!! Enjoyed every course from apps to dessert!!

The BEST Food I experienced while in Michigan. When I say everything was perfectly seasoned and the portions were amazing. The restaurant has this welcoming vibe as soon as you walk in. The staff was well versed on the menu and If they were unsure they asked someone. The owner came over and made suggestions on what to order and he was spot on.

Thank you helping celebrate my wife's birthday! Aside from a fantastic meal - Paella, and tapas - goat cheese and tomatoes, croquettes, and steak. Crystal made our visit special. We stayed for the salsa lessons and it was so fun!!

Vicente's is a great place to come with a friend or on a date, but I'd be weary of ordering the paella ahead of time. I made reservations on Thursday for a Saturday visit, but because I also wanted to pre-order the seafood paella, I called to confirm my reservation. The hostess said she would write down my reservation and assured me that the chef would be informed about the pre-order. Maybe I'm a bit anal retentive, or it could be my OCD, but for whatever reason I called early on Saturday, to both confirm the reservation and the paella. It was the same hostess (she said she remembered me), and she again assured me that we were all set. However, hours later when we arrived (traffic caused us to arrive 12 minutes late) the 3 hostesses in the front all seemed to not know of the reservation. Luckily, they were not busy, and we were sat right away. I asked the hostess to let the chef know we were here, referencing our pre-order. Her blank face told me something was amiss. Cameron, our server, quickly said hello and was a star from the get go. Because I don't trust anyone and I had a bad feeling about the paella based on the look the hostess gave me, I asked Cameron to check on it. Cameron let me know that the chef was NOT given our pre-order, but that he would get the paella out as quickly as possible, which he did, without sacrificing the quality and taste. Cameron was an outstanding server. He was jovial and knowledgeable of the menu, and came around frequently enough without being interruptive. The owners need to treat this gentleman right, and do their best to find others like him. As for the food, EVERYTHING was amazing. We ordered a literal F TON of food, and not one dish was lacking in taste. I'll post the photos of our dishes soon. I'll most DEF be back, although I probably would not waste time with a reservation or pre-ordering again.

Great place, great food, but bring back Latin dancing! They have one of the best paellas in town! Definitely get seafood paella Cubana! Chicken, lobster, shrimp ..whole medley of seafood with just the right amount of flavor and juicy rice. Duck entree is succulent! Excellent dish. Lobster bisque is very good too- great flavor! We got a pitcher of sangria. And for dessert we got their chocolate shots with liquor! A must! They used to have Latin dances after dinner and it really made them stand out from other places. I guess they stopped doing it after Covid, but I hope they bring it back- free lessons used to be a lot of fun!

I wanted a steak with chimichurri sauce and my sister suggested Vicente's. We were seated immediately and our server brought us water. She was friendly and very attentive. We started with the calamari which was delicious. It has a butter caper sauce that adds an unexpected layer of flavor. The calamari is fried crispy and I love that there were no tentacles. The skirt steak with chimichurri was just what I wanted. The potatoes served with the steak were cooked perfectly. A nice crisp on the outside but soft on the inside. The next time I want a steak this will be one of my stops.

So good less!! chewy and more chicken like flavor and texture Great appetizer 10/10

We have eaten here a few times and enjoyed it. We had not been here in about a year. I was very disappointed in the service last night. They brought the soup, salad tapas and main dishes all at one time. Our waitress blamed us because we ordered it all at one time. As we were eating she began clearing plates of food that we had not finished yet. We were in and out, with drinks and everything around 45 minutes, which is great for lunch, but not the experience we wanted for a Saturday evening out with friends. I felt like we were being shoved out the door so they could turn the table. We spent $200 on a rushed dinner for four. It was a bummer. Update... the owner reached out and apologized. He told me the server was new and they will work her to get better. The food was good and we will try again and hopefully get a better server.

Bravo Vicente's you never disappoint! This is one of those places that you want to keep coming back to. Simple none pretentious decor and just mouthwatering flavorful food and well balanced drinks. From Paella to orange duck to sangrias you will be pleasantly satisfied. And make sure save room for dessert even if you never get dessert a must try flam! But the cheery on top is the dancing afterwards. Dj will satisfy your music buds and if you ask nicely will play your favorite song. The special coach will also make appearance and show you the moves. Service is always top notch and very attentive. Cant wait to come back when it gets warmer!

Vincente Cuban Restaurant is a longtime favorite, offering a vibrant ambiance, delicious paella, and expertly crafted drinks. The friendly service and salsa classes add to the lively atmosphere, though the absence of their traditional chocolate cup shots was a small disappointment. Nonetheless, it remains a top choice for a taste of Cuban cuisine and culture.

I loved this place! We came for an early dinner. The food was great. I loved that plantains and arroz con pollo. Our waiter was very attentive. I'll definitely be back when they have live music!

I called this place about a week before I was scheduled to take a group of about 60 pilgrims to the greater Detroit area. I needed a location for a lunch on a Tuesday afternoon that was close to the downtown area. Ervin planned the event with me over the phone and was super informative and flexible with the different options they could provide. On the day of the event we ran behind schedule due to issues with our transport. I contacted them to let them know we would be about an hour late and they were STILL able to accommodate our group. When we got there, the tables were set up nicely, the ambiance was amazing, authentic Cuban feel for sure. The food came out in minutes and was hot and fresh! Everything we had was delicious but the stand outs were definitely the empanadas and the Ropa Vieja!! The portions were generous to say the least, so much so that we had a ton left over; which Management assured would be donated to a nearby shelter. Overall Vicente's was phenomenal and if I was from the area I'd surely frequent this restaurant. Everything was A1! The represent Cuba and of course Detroit extremely well.

Great patio, quick friendly service, decent food, excellent tostones and chimichurri. Seems like a good place for drinks at night, though we went for lunch. Attendance was very sparse for a weekday lunch; they've been here a long time and I hope they can continue based on dinner business. I'll definitely return, especially if I need a quicker lunch. Good prices and decent portions for downtown. Check them out.

Visited a friend in Detroit and stopped here for lunch. It was so good! Our waiter was amazing and gave us some great recommendations. We did sit outside and these birds go really close to us! But the staff let us know we can go inside if we needed to. I had the delicious steak sandwich! We shared an appetizer of empanadas and they were delicious!

Vicente's Cuban Restaurant in downtown Detroit is a gem! The vibrant atmosphere complements the exceptional Cuban cuisine perfectly. Every dish bursts with authentic flavors, from the paella to the lemon chicken. The service is attentive and friendly, making you feel right at home. If you're craving a genuine Cuban dining experience, Vicente's is a must-visit. Oh and they also have salsa dancing Friday & Saturday nights!!

This was my first time here. I loved everything. The only down side is no free parking, but it's in downtown Detroit, so that's expected. The upside is there are meter spots in front and a lot around the corner. The staff is super friendly and helpful. The decor is that of a typical "South American/Islands" colors and general aesthetic. Most importantly, the pollo limon I had was unbelievably good. The saffron rice and plantains coupled well with the entree. It's a little pricey, but nothing outrageous. For an entree and a drink it was $35-ish, before tip. I can't speak highly enough of this place. If you're looking for something different, give this a try. I'll be back for SURE!

During the summer months, Vicente's was my restaurant of choice for lunch with colleagues and friends in downtown Detroit. The staff is friendly and there is a nice outdoor dining area. Vicente's is one of the rare downtown establishments where you can get a filling and delicious meal for under $20. The Pollo al Limon is a huge battered and crispy chicken breast with a delicious lemon sauce and lemon zest. I have not seen anyone order it who did not have plenty of leftovers for a takeout box. I also recommend the Camarones Criollos, jumbo shrimp with a lemon and white wine sauce. All entrees are served with rice and plantains. The Salmon a la Parilla was my least favorite of the three entrees I've tried but it's still a good healthy option cooked with spinach in a white wine sauce. I'm also a fan of the Limonada Cubana drinks that mix real fruit with soda and mint. It is a refreshing nonalcoholic beverage that pairs well with the food.

You know, it's really funny how after travelling around the world and visiting so many different countries, I sometimes neglect to try places when I'm in Detroit. I previously stopped into Vincente's to grab a menu a few weeks ago and promised them I'd be back. I visited Cuba in 2018 but lost my passport as soon as I got there so I did not really get to try much Cuban food, this was an opportunity to rectify that. My mom and I stopped in the resteraunt last night to try something different and got an absolutely amazing experience. We were quickly seated, but a server did not come over for quite some time. To make up for the inconvenience, the amazing manager gave us an order of empanadas and croquetas on the house. They were absolutely divine. The empanadas were complimented by the Aioli sauce and the Croquetas melted in your mouth, reminding me of being back in Spain. For our main dish, my mom was going to get the Paella Cubana and I the Pollo con camarones, but we were told you could ONLY get a two person portion of the Paella, which is a bummer and pretty different to how it works in other countries, but the amazing service and food was enough to overlook it. I ended up getting the Pollo and mom got the Zarzuela. Both were absolutely incredible. Extremely hearty portion sizes and perfectly seasoned and flavoured. The restaurant has an amazing ambiance that really does make you feel like you're back in Cuba or the Caribbean. My only complaint would be that the prices are definitely on the pricier side, but given inflation and the fact that Cuban food probably is not as popular in Michigan as say, Miami or South Florida, I can understand why. We will be back.

I wish I could remember the name of the appetizer we got; it was seafood and chorizo in a tomato-based broth, and it was the highlight of the meal! My son ordered the mashed potato ground beef balls and loved them. The rest of us agreed that our entrees were a bit lacking in flavor. They were fine, just seemed to be missing something. My entree, Zarzuela de Mariscos, would have greatly benefited from some sort of pepper to give it a bit of spice. It was good, but a bit bland. My daughter's duck was pretty good, but it would've been better if they had gotten the skin crispier. The duck meat was good, but all the flavor was on the fatty skin, which was unpleasant to eat. I'm not usually much of a dessert person, but OMG the tres leches cake was absolutely amazing! This would be a fun place to come hang out at the bar for apps (or cake!) & drinks, except for the fact that it is SO loud! It was very hard to have a conversation.

First time here and can't wait to come back to explore the menu further! We came here on a Friday afternoon and wasn't sure how busy it would be but we got in right away. Hubby was already certain he was getting the cuban sandwich but I couldn't decide so I took some time to read the entire menu and talk to our server, Tarek, about his recommendations. I finally decided that we would start with Papas Rellenas, which are mashed potato balls with ground beef and an incredible garlic aioli! They were fried but not greasy. I would definitely order these again! I then decided that I would get two additional appetizers to be my entree. I ordered Empanadas - there are two to an order so I got one chicken and one beef. Both were very good and I liked them each for different reasons. The chicken was a little spicier and that was good for a taste but with my sensitive stomach, I'll stick to ground beef moving forward. The other app as entree I ordered was Calamares Fritos. I love calamari but was a little bummed that these were not calamari rings (or even the little guys) but calamari strips. However, the light sauce with them was great and included capers (which I just love). Service was great! Tarek took good care of us and keep our water glasses full and let us know about the timing of our order.

Amazing Paella. Server was on point. Sangria was housemade. Loved it all. Will be back soon.

Delicious Cuban food that's great for sharing with friends! Everything I tried was delicious. The waitress was nice and very helpful with helping bring out the cake and plates for my friend's birthday celebration. The inside looks like it transforms into a club or something in the later hours since there appeared to be a stage. But it was a nice place.

My arroz con pollo was great. Our server was Cameron and he's very good at what he does. This place is a nice place to bring a family and it has large portions as well.

Visited this for lunch. Great food but hardly any crowd. Perhaps it's busier for dinner. Server was great. Meat portions for all options are very generous.

Had the pollo limon chicken and it was amazing! The service was quick and I love the music and salsa.

Amazing Cuban food! We dropped in here for lunch - it was quiet, but don't sleep on this place! The tostones were amazing - I usually don't like them but these were so crispy and salty with a beautiful chimichurri sauce. We definitely over ordered but I was too excited in trying everything. The mojito was fantastic too.

This was a charming restaurant recommended by a friend. The service was great. The food arrived hot and the decor was eclectic. Prices were reasonable. Unfortunately, I did not copy the names of the dishes. Bummer! Sorry about that.

It was a busy night and we popped on the restaurant to celebrate my cousins graduation. The ambiance/ atmosphere was friendly and lively. The hostess greeted us and we were seated immediately as a table of 10 without reservations. The waiter did an excellent job of explaining the items of the menu and serving a large party. The star dish of the night was the paella cubana. It was cooked to perfection and the portion was large that I had left over to bring home. Please notes that the paella cost about $36 per person and served in quantities of two or more. My cousin and I shared the paella so it about $72 and it was worth it!! Delicious!!! Also they make a great sangria. This was on of my favorite restaurants while visiting Detroit!

Food is incredible. Tastes homemade. Service goes above and beyond. Just a great overall vibe every time I eat here.

This is a fun atmosphere and the food was tasty. Customer service: Our server had a great attitude and was really helpful. Food: the food was solid. This was a partial introduction to Cuban cuisine so somethings were not expected. The calamari was cut in strips versus your typical rings you see in other restaurants. It was tender but the overall flavor was just ok. The rice balls were a crowd favorite and delicious. The paella which was described to be a specialty here was an appropriate portion but flavor again was just ok. I wouldn't come back for it, but the other dishes were all delicious. Overall fun experience. Not sure how authentic many of the dishes were but I appreciate the effort.

My favorite dinner spot in downtown detroit. The service was great and the ambiance was very laid back.

When everything goes right, I think Vicente's is a solid Cuban restaurant with good food and solid portion sizes. It's not the easiest place to get a table during busier times, so it is probably worth trying to get a reservation ahead of time. I've had a few lackluster experiences, but I think I'm just a bit unlucky and I feel like most of the time, this is probably a great place to enjoy dinner with friends or a date night.

Updating my review since it has been a while since I've been here. There is only one thing we have ever tried from the menu and the only thing we come for which is the paella! We have previously gotten the Paella Cubana in the past (seafood with chorizo and chicken) but this time we got the Paella Marinera (seafood ONLY). I could eat this every day! Also discovered their lemonade based mock-tails (limonda Cubana). Highly recommend the mango one!

We always come here for the sangria and the arroz con pollo. They just got crème brûlée and that's great. The service was good. It's a nice place to take your family for dinner.

When I tell you that the food of Vincente's hits the mark Every. Single. Time. I usually get the pollo con camarones because it's just comfort food in a hot ceramic bowl. It has chicken and shrimp with this flavorful tomato base and is loaded up with veggies like zucchini. It just tastes fresh and makes me feel a little guilt free when eating it. The portion sizes are generous and I rarely able to finish the whole thing. Most of the dishes are served with a side of rice and plantains. Their plantains are especially good. Always subtly sweet and caramelized to perfection. But an absolute must between my friends and I when we go is their FANTASTIC sangria. We usually get the 50/50 split (red and white wine) and share a pitcher. Reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. Perfectly blend of spices and fruitiness and wine. Parking is a bit limited since it is in downtown Detroit right off of library street but there is a parking structure right around the corner. They have patio seating as well as indoor but the decor within isn't all that memorable which is ok. While I love a scene painted with my meal the food is too tasty to even care. However it is always very clean and wide dining space. They occasionally will have live music there as well. The service has always been spot on and they work hard to make sure everyone is having an enjoyable time. I'm pretty sure I've been here three times in the past two months!

The food was phenomenal and I love coming down here. The service is always great and it's a very comfortable ambiance.

The food was delicious and our waiter was a true professional. Yelp don't lie, either do I.

Stopped by for lunch Monday 7/1, sat in the outdoor patio. Really tasty food, 2nd time here. Wife and i split the Empanadas, the Papas Rellones (ground beef, surrounded by mashed potatoes and fried), and the Mason Especial (shrimp and scallops). Great flavors! Mackenzie our server was on point. Had the leftovers the next day, and they were equally as delicious. We will be back, maybe to try the salsa dancing on fridays/saturdays nite.

Came here last night for a date with my wife and we love the pollo Diabla and sangria here. The server was Cameron and he was quick and on top of his game.

Delicious food, good service, great value for portion sizes. Had the pork and chicken enjoyed. Interior was nothing epic but good food compensated that.

The food is excellent and unique in the city. I had the Zarzuela, which is a wonderful seafood stew. My wife had the Ropa Vieja, which is a traditional braised beef, and she loved it. Service was excellent, and the bartender, Cameron, made really great drinks. The drink menu is full of Cuban-inspired rum drinks, but I had him make me an off-menu Queen's Park Swizzle, which nobody makes anymore, and it was great.

I am not a big fan of paella, but to my surprise their paella was the best I've had. It has a lot of protein and the taste was great. There was a big portion of food and the price is worth it. The lobster and prawns were big. The color of the food was fun and vibrant that makes you really want to eat it. The staff is very helpful, polite and recommended us the best. The place is spacious and the best part is they have a dance floor. Very clean and the decoration makes you feel like you're in another country. You have the option to eat outside if it's in summer time, so you can see the beauty of downtown Detroit. You can find parking on the side streets or in a parking lot which is just a walking distance.

Very good food and menu has a lot of options on it make sure to bring your appetite. Simple yet refine good food decent food that you can get almost anywhere but this place brings a different taste to it

Very good food. Authentic Cuban cuisine. Great atmosphere and terrific service. One of my new favorite spots.

Stopped in before heading to MHSAA finals at Ford Field. It's about a 9 min walk from the stadium. The atmosphere brought us right into the culture of Cuba. There a plenty of options on the menu, we went for a quick sandwich selection, Cuban Grande which were delicious. Service was excellent and attentive. We were able to get to our seats with time to spare! Looking forward to returning soon.

Went for girls night before a concert and they had excellent food and the sangria was (chef's kiss)!!