Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine

They get FIVE stars for this reason alone:
See the two taps at the bar? See those empty growlers on the very top shelf of the bar? those can be filled with white or red sangria, ON TAP, for $ 30 each take-​away!
And if you ask about the growlers, the bartender will let you sample before you buy. (And you will buy, because they’re both amazing!)
We stopped for a few bites en route home. Tried the tortilla and the vegetable tapas. These were approx $ 7 – 8 each with the accompanied bread basket, was enough for two people. (Good deal!). We also ordered two glasses of wine, a Malbec and something else, and minus the growler, plus tip, it was $ 40.
Food was awesome!
Review part two:
Sat at the bar last night and ordered the Pear salad! (The pear slices are actually lightly breaded and fried and then Top the salad! Amazing!!!)

Arrived today ⁶⁄₁₅ Wednesday night around 6:30pm and was seated without a line. Yey!
Great greeter and prompt waiter service.
Live latino soft music played for couple of hours while we dined, great!
Great Sangria and Mojito.
Good latin beer selection, though I wish they had more.
Great tapas dishes to die for!
Highly recommended, and will come back again soon!

Busy Saturday night but luckily we were able to get a table on the patio.
Shared & grazed on 4 small plates– excellente!
Too bad we weren’t able to stay longer to join in on the salsa dance lessons

We all enjoyed tapas this evening with a reservation for five. The waiters were helpful. The calamari was tender and delicious. We had shrimp, tamales, empanadas, beef with peppers, mushrooms in a divine gravy, and a seafood medley dish covered with a tasty garlic sauce.
The mojitos of were strong but had a lot of lime in them.
You have to have the tres laches cake. It was sweet and light. Enough to share.

I had a great time here. The servers were very friendly, I liked the relaxed outdoor patio environment with the nice weather and the food was great.
We tried going here the first night of our trip, but they were very busy and had run out of food (around 9pm?) so we came back a little earlier in the evening the next day. Don’t get here too late in the day or you might also miss out on a popular dish.
I had the Ropa Vieja in a red wine sauce that was good, but what I remember most was the plantains. I’m not sure how they prepared them, but they were amazing. They seem to add them in a number of their meals and I can see why. I would come back here solely for the plantains.

As a Cuban, raised in Miami, I know Cuban food. Lets start with décor. It actually isn’t a very fancy place, but it is nicer than regular Cuban joints in Miami. The bread was good, not quite authentic Cuban bread, but as close as I’m probably gonna get in Detroit. The butter was delicious. We ordered the tamal as an appetizer. It wasn’t as solid as a tamal should be, but it was good. I had the lechon asado as an entrée. It was delicious, the yucca was just right and the rice and beans as good as it gets for Detroit. Dessert is where this place really shined for me. I’ve been looking for a decent tres leches since I moved here to no avail. Althought the cake was a little too tall and therefore missing some wetness up top, it was the perfect taste. The flan was also creamy and on point. Overall, I’m not sure how it would compete on Calle Ocho, bur in Detroit this is as close as you can get to real Cuban food. As for the service, it was top notch. Our waitress, a blonde American woman whose name escapes me, was beyond hospitable. She really made this a 5 star place.

I have been here several times and have enjoyed my meals every time. This is the only Cuban restaurant I’ve been to so I was a bit hesitant the first time, but really liked it. My favorite thing on the menu is the Pollo al Limon dish – it is lite and delicious! My favorite drink is the sangria. I have gone with friends and shared several small plates and a pitcher of sangria. There is live salsa music on certain nights – I haven’t been there for it but heard its nice. Nice outdoor seating area and good service as well. This is a great spot to stop in for before/​after an event or even just for lunch and dinner.

— I thought I’d get a Cuban sandwich —
— oh, we don’t make Cuban sandwiches on Sunday —
— this is a Cuban restaurant, right?, and you have Cuban sandwiches —
— yes, but we don’t make the sandwiches on Sunday —
I walk away from this lame hipster joint, never to return

Every time I come here the service is great and I have a awesome time! The food is amazing I’ve had just about everything! My favorite is the Paellas… So sad I left my leftover box of food this review has been in my drafts since November. every time I think about how I left my food I feel I guess I need to make a trip downtown soon… No pics this time I switched phones and lost some pics

Amazing place! The lemon chicken and the Diablo chicken were so good. The plantains were awesome and the sangria was so tasty. We didn’t stay late enough to see the salsa dancing but this place is so good and so fun!

Vicente’s was an unexpected find yesterday. We were actually trying to get into another restaurant, when someone in line told us about this place. I’m so glad we went there!
ALL of the staff was friendly. Our server was very fun spirited. I forget his name We were there at 7 and had other plans for after our meal, so we missed the band (complete with bongos) and dancing. A total bummer! I guess it starts at 9 or so. Still a very fun and unique restaurant for downtown place.
Anyway, let’s get to the good part. The food part. I got a pitcher of sangria, which was pretty good. We started with calamari, some strip steak with peppers, onions and mushrooms, and empanadas. We had a group of 7, so there was a lot of sharing. If you’re not into appetizers, their bread and garlic butter that is served when you sit is delicious enough on its own. All of our appetizers were excellent! I ordered the pollo a limon (spelling is probably wrong lol) with saphron rice and sweet plantains. Oh the plantains! It was very, very good.
We will be back on a Friday or Saturday to check out the band and salsa dancing! And of course, to eat some delicious food.

Had a great time here, 20min wait on Saturday night about 8pm, without reservations wasn’t bad at all.
The atmosphere was really nice
Food was about 45mins for 4 ppl but totally worth the wait.
Drinks were good and salsa dancing after 10:30 was really fun.

This is an overdue review from the summer time.
My boyfriend and I were «exploring» downtown doing nothing and got hungry… when this happens it usually doesn’t end well for either of us (you pick-​I don’t care-​how about here– eh, not that — fine, you pick– I guess lets try this one place– oh snap they’re packed and I’m too hungry to wait…) until one of us becomes a raging hungry Hulk. Today was an exception. I spotted Vicentes and I had actually had this on my «to-​do» list for a while so that’s what we chose. My boyfriend had *no* clue about Cuban food (even though he claims some small amount of Cuban ethnicity) and I don’t either but that usually entices me more than anything.
When we walked in our hostess apologetically told us that their kitchen was really understaffed, working at full capacity, and although she could seat us it might be a while before we could get our orders in. I was pleased she was upfront about this and even happier that she told us that we could be seated and order drinks while we waited. Not a problem. Funny thing is, Vicente’s must err on the side of caution because while there was probably a small delay in the time we arrived until the time we ordered I’ve waited much longer at other places without the upfront notification. I probably would not even have noticed. Good for y’all Vicente.
On to our actual experience, our server was pleasant and helpful. I opted for Chicken Limon which was super juicy. The side of rice and plantains was heaven for me (I ate both mine and my date’s side). My boyfriend was clueless about what to order and our server helped him select Zarzuela de Mariscos. He couldn’t get enough of it. Hilariously enough, he had no clue what half of what he was eating was because some of it was new to him but he loved all of it. Even the mushrooms — and this man *HATES* mushrooms with a passion. This actually was the start of his love for calamari and obsession with scallops that has taken off within the past few months.
The drinks were pricey but strong and interesting which evens out in my book. I hear they have salsa dancing as well — which we have on our «to-​do» list to try on future trips now that the weather is warmer again.
I highly recommend this gem.

I had been hearing about Vicente’s for a while from my coworkers and I finally got around to trying it a couple weeks ago. And I am a fan:). I love that they have live music sometimes. A little entertainment with your meal. The atmosphere of the restaurant really gives off that Cuban feel.
I tried the Pollo al Limon. I love these types of meals, a crispy chicken breast with a light sauce on the plate. The rice and plantains go good with it, I added black beans to compliment the meal. It was good, I have been back already to order the same thing.
On the first night, service was great. Our server was attentive and was very knowledgeable about the food and drink menus. The second time I came however, it was during lunch time and service wasn’t really as great. It was very slow in the restaurant. I could see our waiter sitting down talking with coworkers instead of checking on us when I need something a couple times. I wont let that one waiter deter me though.
The drinks are good but not great. I am a tough critic though when it comes to craft cocktails. I had a mojito and some other Cuban inspired drink I forget the name of. Just slightly too hard on the sugar I’d say.

We went here for a big group birthday party a couple weeks ago on a Saturday. We had previously made a reservation and they were pretty accommodating. They only allowed us to reserve a table for 14 without going into a catering menu, so we reserved an additional 4-​top as well.
I ordered one of the tapas and a side salad and it was enough for me! The side salad came with balsamic, tomato, onion and avocado. I don’t like tomatoes or onions, so I added peppers to it.
I also got the Pollo al Ajillo. This has strips of chicken breast and mushrooms sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, white wine and parsley. Both were really good. Our server was very attentive and brought my friend a birthday dessert compliments of the restaurant. She did a great job with multiple payments. I’d recommend this location for a big group. Just be sure to make a reservation ahead of time because they get really busy.
One other perk of this location is that there is most likely available street parking.
Enjoy!

Really nice dinner spot, with attentive service and amazing food. My bf and I were looking for a nice yet not super expensive place to dine after the opera, and we came across this restaurant and decided to give it a try. Very glad we did! We love to split everything so a tapas place like Vicente’s, with fresh and well prepared food, was perfect.

Although I loved the waiting service, the atmosphere, and the speediness of the food delivery… my arroz con pollo dish was not how I remembered it — in taste and in plating. Rather than a fully untampered piece of chicken — which is how I always remember it being served, it came shredded in my rice. I thought it really removed the beauty from the dish, and the taste. It was tossed with some salty, olive-​flavored sauce that really left me missing the Cuban restaurants I grew up with in California.
I’m unsure if this is another take on the dish, but I really thought it didn’t taste like a restaurant quality meal. The leftovers are in my fridge now, and I’m not even sure if I’ll ever desire to eat it again. Perhaps the other dishes on the menu are better, but I must say I was quite disappointed with that one.
Will most likely not be returning.

Came here for a late and quick lunch on a Thursday, it was nearly 2 pm and pretty empty, but seems like it would be fun when dinner kicks off at night. I had the Camarones Enchilados and a side house salad, because I’m boring and was getting married in a few days and wanted to keep it light. The salad was quite good for your average house salad, and the shrimp were well cooked, sauce had good flavor. But it wasn’t anything extraordinary. Still, I know my dishes don’t really represent the best of Cuban cuisine — however I had a taste of my husband’s Pan Con Bistec, which I’ve had in Chicago at Cuban sandwich shops and absolutely adore, and it was all right, but not the Cuban food I miss and see in my dreams.
I’d give it a try again at night, but I found the lunch to be a little bit average.

In from out of town, we were looking for something close and with good reviews. We were delighted with what we found.
Our waiter was charismatic and friendly. Our mojitos were filled with tons of fresh mint. The calamari was cut just right so it didn’t feel overly fried or too chewy; highly recommended.
Everyone enjoyed their dinners and the servings were large enough that most of us went home with leftovers. I had puff pastry filled with seafood and marinara a huge portion and something I don’t see often.
Tip: the paella takes 45 mins so we hadn’t left enough time. Plan on it.

I recently came back to the mitten for the weekend and kept reading about how amazing this restaurant was. I was thinking to myself «A good Cuban joint? In Detroit?» I am sooooooooo happy that I decided to come here.
My 2 buddies and I decided to share the traditional paella. It was the best choice I’ve ever made in my entire life! The amount of food was perfect for 3 grown men and the amount of seafood in the paella was just amazing! If you’ve never had cuban food and don’t want to head to Miami… this is the place to definitely go!
And please do not forget to get a pitcher of sangriaaaa.