Café Habana

Nolita – 17 Prince Street at the corner of Elizabeth St

Cuban

¡Bienvenidos a Café Habana! Since 1997 New Yorkers have congregated outside Café Habana devouring Corn on a stick as if it were an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.  Only in New York right?  Wrong.  Café Habana has expanded into Brooklyn and onto Malibu, California where the surfers and Latino’s agree; the Mexican-style grilled corn is hella good, brah.

The restaurant sits at the Corner of Prince St. and Elizabeth St. with a take out cafeteria next door down Elizabeth St.   The signature Cuban sandwich with roast pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles on pressed bread is voted best in NYC but I can’t claim to know the sources, or necessarily agree.   The Cuban food is good, not great.   What keeps patrons coming back is the Mexican-style corn garnished with chili powder, lime and cheese.   The corn is unmatched in New York and well worth the $4.25.

Don’t bother with the sit down restaurant.  Don’t waste your time looking at the menu.  Order the Mexican-style corn, walk outside, find a bench and enjoy the ambiance.

On my way out, I saw actor and MC Mos Def walking in.  If he ordered the corn it’s Mos Def not the last time he’ll be seeing it and if Café Habana keeps cooking up the same quality grilled corn I’ll most definitely be back for more.