LA GRUTA EL VINO, Varadero - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number

Does this restaurant primarily serve Healthy cuisine?

Yes

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About

Place for 18, see some pictures from other users added to the Josone Park review.

CUISINES

Steakhouse, Caribbean, Seafood, Cuban

Special Diets

Gluten Free Options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Cash Only, Table Service, Live Music

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4.5

562 reviews

Excellent

431

Very good

103

Average

14

Poor

3

Terrible

11

Marvin W

Oakbank61 contributions

Great place to eat.

Feb 2020 • none

Wife , myself and another couple went there for supper one night and the food was fantastic. 2 of us had Steak and Lobster , the steak was Alberta Beef, my wife had shrimp dinner and her plate was loaded with shrimp, and the other lady had Lobster dinner. Total price for the 4 dinners with 4 Crystal Beers was $89 CUC. We thought this was very reasonably priced and the food tasted great. Steaks were done to perfection!

Written March 1, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julie155019

Toronto58 contributions

Our Family Day dinner

Feb 2020 • couples

We enjoyed a beautiful dinner at La Gruta. Food was great, ambiance was amazing whether you sat inside or outside by the pond. Service was wonderful. I must say that the steak I had was delicious and I was worried but La Gruta proved their point of being one of the great restaurants in Varadero. On our next visit, we will definitely make the trip into town. We had the surf and turf and it was well worth the money. We also ordered a very nice bottle of wine and were so happy to see “our bottle” put up into the rafters. Thank you to the staff there, we will be back.

Written February 28, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Manny M

Mississauga89 contributions

Excellent Lobster Dinner! Best in Cuba!

Jul 2022 • none

My wife and I had an amazing meal at La Gruta restaurant in the beautiful Josene Park in Varadero which just had recently opened up once again. The lobster dinner was delicious, draped in garlic sauce and comes with rice and a salad. The price was amazing at only $20 a plate for the lobster dinner. You can purchase various wine bottles as well at a very reasonable price. The atmosphere was incredible situated in a cave which kept you cool and comfortable on a hot summer Varadero evening. Canadian provincial flags and hundreds of autographed wine bottles hung on the cave walls around you. You had the choice to be seated outside the cave as well if you preferred. The cook and servers are extremely welcoming and friendly. Don't forget to autograph your wine bottle and hang iit in the cave afterwards. Don't hesitate to eat at this hidden gem, La Gruta restaurant, if you want the best lobster meal in all of Cuba. I will definitely be back!

Written July 23, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fussyeaterr

2 contributions

I don’t understand the high Tripadvisor rating At All

Jul 2023 • family

I don’t know what these good reviews are all about. This is not just the worst meal I e had in Cuba, but possibly ever. And it was *not cheap* Should have seen the completely empty restaurant as a red flag, or the fact that despite my asking a couple of times, we weren’t informed there was no menu until we sat down. They had 4 thing on the menu: Garlic bread (2 slices rock hard mother’s pride) Garlic shrimp (salty, over cooked) Lobster (he promised it was fresh. I asked for simple, grilled. He said yes) Filet mignon €30 but ok. We had 2 glasses of not bad wine. Waiter came back to say the shells of the lobster had been removed, was that ok? It wasn’t , but he insisted it was fresh so given we were hungry and in an unfamiliar place we accepted it. My sons steak was fine but my partner and I were presented with something that has the taste and texture of an over cooked fish omelette. We couldn’t eat it. At the end of the meal, I said to the waiter that I didn’t think it was fresh and part of the point of lobster was the texture. He denied having processed frozen lobster, but I genuinely don’t understand what he could have done to make it that flat and mealy if it was fresh, and more to the point, why would you? £104 euros. Rushed back to our hotel buffet just before closing so that we didn’t have to go to bed hungry, the hotel buffet may not win any Michelin stars but at least it was honest. €104. Say it slowly whilst imagining burning your wallet for a few plates of barely edible nonsense and a so-so steak. Don’t go here. You won’t like it.

Written July 8, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Judy K

7 contributions

Still the Best!

Mar 2020 • none

My husband and I so enjoyed La Gruta when we visited Varadero last year that we went back again this year. I thought we would be disappointed because they no longer get their steaks from Canada but we couldn't have been more wrong. Their steak was cooked to perfection as was their lobster. They are still the best if you are looking for a great meal in Varadero.

Written March 27, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane H

Leyland13 contributions

Disappointing meal. Save your money and go elsewhere

Jul 2023 • couples

After reading reviews was looking forward to a meal here. Very disappointing…. I had lobster which came out of the shell and all flattened into a fish shape, did not enjoy it at all. Drink prices were three times more than anywhere else we have been in the town. One cheap bottle of wine 10.5% proof - they wanted to charge 20USD (didn’t order it). Will not be going back and would not recommend

Written July 9, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan E

Brand Green50 contributions

Nice setting but a little disappointed

Nov 2022 • family

After reading the reviews on here went with my wife and son. Looking forward to the surf and turf. Manager/Owner was very nice and fitted us in in the cave before a group of 10 arrived. He did warn us that the meat was sliced not a steak. The food was just ok, lobster ok but the beef slices very disappointing. Overall a good meal but nothing to rant about. Also thought by Cuba standards it was expensive. I sound a little negative and maybe a little harsh but after reading the reviews I guess we over anticipated.

Written December 17, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linzer029

38 contributions

Second time eating here

Feb 2023 • couples

My husband and I found this gem about 6 years ago when staying downtown Varadero. Called and got same day reservations. The gentleman who work here are so wonderful. Had a true surf and turf last time here. Unfortunately the Cuban government has regulations on beef being imported. We had lobster, steak. Not filet min-on, but was good. Beer and wine! The meal was wonderful as we could not get anything other than pork and little chicken at the resort we were staying on. Bruschetta was the appetizer very tasty. The people of Cuba have little control over what resources they have right now! Wonderful service and environment goes a long way! Will visit again!

Written February 25, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tammy S

7 contributions

Our Anniversary dinner September 2023.

Sep 2023 • couples

The filet mignon is fabulous! Top quality Alberta beef cooked to perfection. Great wine list to with your meal. Wilfredo and the boys always provide excellent service. We will definitely be back. Also when you order a bottle of wine you can sign and date it and it will be put on display.

Written September 11, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

svbabe

Magog18 contributions

Great night at La Gruta

Aug 2022 • family

We had an excellent meal at La Gruta. The filet mignon and lobster tail were amazing. Our server (who I think was also the owner) was super friendly. He was also the cook that night and we had an amazing time. Don't miss it :-) would definately go back ! Don't forget, cash only !!

Written August 5, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Onay G

Caribbean4 contributions

Change of menus for tourists

Feb 2024 • friends

Be careful, main course at 35 usd when it is a government gastronomy facility They think they are untouchable, here I leave my comment

Written February 13, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pam M

Belleville10 contributions

Wow! You must go!

Feb 2023 • couples

Absolutely fantastic. Their lobster and steaks are cooked to perfection. The staff are the best! We visit everytime we go to Cuba. Highly recommend!!

Written April 4, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ComomanCoquitlam

Coquitlam8476 contributions

Very good

Apr 2021 • none

Very good food served in a Cave lounge atmosphere . Located in Josen Park downtown Varadero . Try the lobster , oh so good , and very big .

Written March 22, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

shelleyThunderBay

2 contributions

Beat steak ever in Cuba

Jan 2020 • none

We were there in January 2020 and we had the best steak and shrimp dinner I have ever had in all of our trips to Cuba. My friend had the lobster and also said it awesome. My meal was 20.00 pesos and worth every penny.

Written February 7, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Josip Ramadza

Split32 contributions

Nice lobster

Jan 2020 • couples

Simple menu: lonster or file mignon. We had lobster it was delicious. Restoran is interesting with flags and bottles of wines and especially space in the cave.

Written January 23, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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