A lively Times Square Cuban spot with strong pre-theater appeal, generous portions, and a fun band-driven atmosphere, though food quality and service can swing hard on busy nights.
Havana Central Times Square succeeds as a vibrant pre-show destination with exceptional setting appeal and strong food quality anchored by generous portions and standout Cuban classics. However, inconsistent food and service execution during peak periods, combined with occasional food safety reports, prevents grade A territory. Best experienced as a festive night-out spot rather than relied upon for consistent fine dining.
Havana Central Times Square is very much a pre-show, post-work, or birthday-night kind of place: bright Cuban decor, a loud happy buzz, and live music that some people clearly plan their evening around. One reviewer put it well in spirit, describing the room as a warm escape from the block outside; that’s the core appeal here, especially when the band is on and the room is full. On the food side, the kitchen leans classic Cuban comfort with a Manhattan crowd-pleaser twist. Empanadas, ropa vieja, churrasco, plantains, mojitos, and rice-and-beans plates are the main story, and the menu makes it easy to go from adventurous to safe in one order. The best runs sound genuinely satisfying, with generous portions and a few standout dishes, but the sample also shows a real risk of uneven seasoning, temperature, and timing on busy nights. It’s surprisingly family-friendly for a lively Times Square spot: the kids’ menu has obvious wins like chicken tenders, grilled cheese, sliders, and mac and cheese, plus smaller Cuban items for more adventurous eaters. That said, this is not a quiet, picky-eater-only comfort zone; if your crew wants peaceful conversation, the music and energy may be a lot, but if they want a festive dinner before a show, it fits nicely.
Area vibe: High-energy tourist and entertainment district dominated by theatres, billboards, and chain retail.
Safety: Very busy and well-lit nights with heavy foot traffic, but pickpocketing and tourist-targeted scams occur.
What's nearby: Surrounded by Broadway theatres, chain restaurants, hotels, subway access (Times Sq–42 St), and office/retail blocks.