Want to spice things up for your next meal out in Westchester County? Look to one of the area’s lively Latin restaurants for food that’s filled with flair and major flavor. Whether you crave Colombian fare, Cuban favorites, or a mix of multiple cuisines, you’re bound to find a few new favorite orders at these eateries.
Colombian
Colombian House
175 Main St, White Plains; 914.615.9945
585 Main St, New Rochelle; 914.365.1910
Voted “Best Colombian Restaurant” in the 2023 Best of Westchester contest, this South American duo is the best representation of Colombian cuisine in the county: robust, zesty, and comforting with substantial use of starches (rice, yuca, plantains) and grilled meats (steak and chicken especially), plus many sangrias, margaritas, and mojitos, and fresh-fruit shakes (like the shake with citrus-flavored lulo fruit, or naranjilla) to wash it down. Don’t skip the hearty sopa de pollo, replete with chicken, potatoes, carrots, and fresh herbs, or the pandebono — a soft, cheesy bread made with cassava starch.
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Aqui Es Santa Fe
32 Broad St, Port Chester; 914.305.1060
Blending traditional and a modern, slightly lighter take on Colombian fare, Aqui Es Santa Fe is known for its array of arepas made from house-ground corn, colorful empanadas (such as beef, cheese and spinach, blueberry goat cheese), grilled steaks and chicken, and innovative sangria variations, from guava strawberry to pomrose. Arepas are topped with everything from crisp, sauteed mushroom and caramelized onions and peppers to mango-marinated, shredded pork rib. Opened in 2008 by Olga Santos with dishes named after places and people in the Bible, her son, Carlos Santos, has joined to run the place with his mom since 2017.
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Cuban
La Bella Havana
35 Main St, Yonkers; 914.920.9777
La Bella Havana is full of endless surprises. This Latin restaurant is situated in the waterfront section of Yonkers and has been providing a classic Cuban dining experience since opening its doors in 2011. The food is authentic, with a varied menu for anyone who enjoys fresh and vibrant fare. For an appetizer, try the yuca rellena (cassava stuffed with shredded beef and cheese in a demi-glaze sauce) or camarones en coco (fried jumbo shrimp in coconut with peanut sauce).
The main course options are a delight for seafood lovers, with entrees like seafood mofongo made with smashed green plantains served with half a lobster, mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari in a lobster creole sauce. Other main dishes include a ropa vieja dish of shredded beef steak with peppers and onions with white rice, black beans, avocado, and sweet plantains or the pollo cubano, which features chicken breast with olives, peppers, and capers in a white wine sauce. Pair your main dish with a Caesar salad or calamari salad loaded with mango, pomegranate, cashews, and sweet peppers. Finish with flan and tres leches.
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The Cube Inn
22 Main St, Tarrytown; 914.372.7974
The Cube Inn on Main Street in Tarrytown established itself as a hotspot for Cuban food in 2019. The Latin restaurant itself is an aesthetic delight with dangling light fixtures and exposed brick walls lined with framed artwork. Prepare to be blown away by the food. To start, try tapas such as the croquetas de jamon, or fried, fluffy croquettes with ham, or opt for the pork wings, which come in saucy flavors such as zippy mojo and spicy guava.
At lunch, choose your own combination of proteins, sauces, and sides for a Bongo Bowl of mixed greens, tomato, and red onions with white or yellow rice and black beans. For the main course, order a signature sandwich such as the Cubano (marinated pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard), or after 5 p.m., go for the Camarones Creole (jumbo shrimp sauteed in creole sauce over white rice with fried yuca).
In the mood for a burger? Try the classic burger or black bean burger on brioche. And save room for dessert so you can savor the tart Key lime pie and Cuban coffee (double espresso drawn with sugar).
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Croqueteria
166 Cortland St, Sleepy Hollow; 315.320.5215
Croqueteria is the “home of the real Cuban sandwich” (at least that’s what it says on the awning outside the restaurant). With a similar setup to a walk-in deli, the restaurant has a few dining tables and several meals to take to-go. It opened in 2020 and is a family-friendly spot with a small but mighty blackboard menu.
For those looking for a flavor-filled appetizer or side dish, try the namesake croquetas, which are breaded and deep-fried dumplings. Choose from different fillings: cod, chicken, mushroom and garlic, ham, ropa vieja, black bean, pumpkin, tomato and mozzarella, or spinach and feta. Then, move to the main part of the menu, which is all about the sandwiches. Stop in and grab a homemade Cubano, ropa vieja (stewed beef and tomatoes with a sofrito base), vegan avocado, or guava pulled pork sandwich. Pair your savory dishes with Cuban staple sodas such as Jupina or Materva.
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Fusion
Sonora
179 Rectory St, Port Chester; 914.933.0200
Sonora is guaranteed to make you feel at home. There’s an understated elegance to the dim lighting and spotless white tablecloths. Opening in NYC in 1994, Sonora expanded to add a Port Chester location in 1999. Expect flavors from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Portugal, Mexico, and Spain, as well as influences from Chef-owner Rafael Palomino’s childhood in Bogotá, Colombia.
For dinner, order the farm version of guacamole (includes pumpkin seeds and pomegranate arils) as a tapa and top it off with the quinoa empanadas filled with roasted eggplant, quinoa, goat cheese, and a chocolate vinaigrette. For seafood lovers, try the Paella Palomino, Chef Palomino’s signature paella made with shrimp, clams, mussels, chorizo, lobster, and saffron rice with sofrito sauce. Other entrees include braised beef short ribs, salmon with influences from Chile, and lomo saltado, a Peruvian dish that includes sautéed filet mignon, chorizo, onions, peppers, fries, and brown rice topped with a fried egg.
For brunch, get the goat cheese croquettes drizzled with guava sauce from Spain, the banana coconut pancakes with dulce de leche sauce, or the crispy calamari salad with spinach, diced sweet plantain, peanuts, mango, radish, and sweet lime vinaigrette.
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Yuka’s Latin Fusion
2011 Albany Post Rd, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.862.4449
Yuka’s is known for its modern ambiance and unique food flavors. Using fresh ingredients and a variety of cultural influences, the restaurant makes innovative and bold plates. The restaurant was founded in 2015 by owner Claudia Villeda and then-partner Mike Guerra with the goal to make customers feel at home while expanding their palate.
For an appetizer, try the tostones burger (fried plantain bun filled with freshly ground chimichurri prime beef, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo) or a tamal de elote (sweet corn tamale stuffed with roasted poblanos, guajillo crema). Salad options range from a traditional house to a quinoa and roasted sweet potato salad with black beans, avocado, cilantro, red onions, red peppers, and cilantro citronette. Handhelds are abundant: vegan or barbecue pork street tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, and burritos. Latin entrée specialties range from chile relleno and ropa vieja to paella and maduro lasagna, which layers sweet plantains with chimichurri, ground beef, Jack cheese, and “abuela’s sauce.”
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you can enjoy brunch favorites like steak and eggs and French toast — or try Yuka’s take on eggs Benedict (meat-filled avocado halves, poached eggs under guajillo sauce and saffron aioli) served with home fries. Finally, end your meal with a sweet treat such as the “Yuka’s Favorite” guava churro bowl or an ice cream ball on fire.
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Mexican
bartaco
1 Willet Ave, Port Chester; 914.937.8226
Opened in 2011 along the Byram River, Port Chester’s bartaco provides a great backdrop for a night with friends or colleagues. Whether you sit indoors and enjoy the sophisticated art on the walls or lounge on the relaxing patio outside, you’re sure to be pleasantly surprised by the food coming out of the kitchen.
Get ready for wild tacos like falafel (herbed chickpea fritter with tzatziki and sriracha) or sesame ribeye (sweet sesame-soy glaze marinade with spicy kimchi). The fried oyster taco is one of the best, and we also recommend the Baja fish: spicy tempura-battered cod with chipotle slaw. Another tasty option: the brown rice bowls, which can be topped with pork belly, mushroom with queso fresco, cauliflower, roasted duck, and more.
Not to be forgotten are the drinks; try the house-made agua frescas, ginger-mint tea, bartaco margarita (with Libélula Joven tequila, Combier Liqueur d’Orange, agave syrup, and fresh lime juice), or a mojito made with flor de caña silver rum, lime, mint, and sugar.
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La Casa Bronxville
7 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville; 914.222.9016
Proffering elevated Mexican cuisine and a sophisticated vibe, this village hotspot is the brainchild of former corporate boss Spencer Pingel and his Puebla-raised, family-trained chef, Victor “Erik” Lopez, who boasts a Michelin-star on his resume. Together, they source ingredients from local farm and fish markets as often as the seasons allow and rely heavily on direct importers of produce from Mexican farms. Most everything is cooked up in-house, even the tortillas that are nixtamalized from heirloom corn and ground with a molino (mill).
The ever-evolving menu is succinct but satisfying, with an array of small plates, elevated tacos (don’t miss the carnitas), and a handful of contemporary entrées that sway homemade. A vegan menu pleases non-meat eaters and carnivores alike, and fresh margs wash it all down.
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Casa Tequila
465 Main St, Armonk; 914.219.5777
Casa Tequila is a boutique Mexican restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere, specializing in making traditional Mexican and Latin dishes with a gourmet flair. Start with appetizers such as ceviche, mussels, wings, queso fundido (cheese dip), nachos, or flautas. If you are looking for a light dinner or a side dish, order one of the soups or salads. With options ranging from black bean soup to chipotle Caesar salad, everyone can find something to enjoy.
When it’s time for the main dish, diners can choose from a huge list of classics such as tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, and fajitas. If you are vegetarian or vegan, Casa Tequila has you covered with different vegetable appetizers and entrée options. Under the entrees, try the lomo saltado (New York steak sauteéd with onions, tomatoes, and French fries with rice), Casa Tequila burger, or the salmon Veracruz. For dessert, dive into flan, fried ice cream, churros, chocolate lava cake, tres leches cake, and more. Casa Tequila is also known for its drink menu, featuring more than 100 tequila and mezcal varieties.
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Peruvian
Quenas Restaurant
109 Halstead Ave, Harrison; 914.630.4646
Quenas in Harrison offers authentic Peruvian food in a beautiful atmosphere. This family-run Latin restaurant creates dishes with influences from many different cultures including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian. In addition to offering plenty of Peruvian classics, Quenas prides itself on pushing the envelope and doing things a little differently. For instance, you can order a pisco sour or a Barbie cocktail (Titos vodka, Malibu rum, pineapple, grenadine, and coconut milk).
Start with a Leche de Tigre, a cocktail glass with fish and seafood marinated in lemon juice, ginger, and spices, or a plate of Papa a la Huancaina, Peruvian boiled potatoes served with creamy, yellow feta cheese sauce. You can find traditional lomo saltado, a beef stir-fry, or Peruvian-style fried rice topped with beef or chicken. For seafood, order the fried or grilled trout, which comes with an onion salad and yuca fries. Hearty soups include the chupe de camarones, a stew with shrimp, Andean herbs, vegetables, yellow potatoes, milk, rice, and Peruvian corn. Or for seafood soups, enjoy the parihulea or aguadito de mariscos. Save room for dessert, especially the Peruvian lucuma fruit ice cream, quinoa pudding, or mazamorra morada, a traditional sweet purple-corn pudding.
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Panka Peruvian Bistro
167 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; 914.481.542
Walking into the Panka Peruvian Bistro in Port Chester, you will see a modern setup that allows for quick takeout or a nice sit-down dinner with friends and family. Panka prides itself on using high-quality ingredients in its traditional Peruvian dishes passed down through generations. Despite the Latin restaurant’s history, the food is everchanging and full of vibrant flavors.
If your table is looking for bold Latin plates, go for the seco de cordero (tender lamb shank, cilantro, black beer sauce, Peruvian beans, and parboiled rice), papa a la huancina (potatoes covered by creamy yellow aji pepper cheese sauce), ceviche panka (fresh flounder and octopus in rocoto pepper aioli, served over causa peruana and avocado) or the tiradito salmon (salmon cut shamini-style over passion fruit, yellow aji pepper aioli, nori, cilantro, black mint oil, and crispy quinoa). This restaurant is perfect for seafood lovers, with offerings ranging from Mahi Mahi to Peruvian-style seafood bouillabaisse and the fish of the day. While seafood is a staple in the Peruvian diet, vegetarians can dig into a decadent quinoa risotto with wild mushrooms. Similar to many Latin American restaurants, desserts include flan, churros, crème brulee, and tres leches.
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Puerto Rican
Don Coqui
107 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.576.7676
Located in the heart of White Plains, Don Coqui provides locals and visitors with authentic Puerto Rican food and signature drinks. The Latin restaurant’s relaxing ambiance during the day quickly transforms into a hopping nightclub after dark. Along with the music and fun atmosphere, the food is a cause for celebration. Don Coqui has six different menus: Sunday brunch, dinner, signature drinks, party, all-inclusive, and $35 special.
At brunch, select a classic Latin dish such as mofongo, empanadas, or crispy marinated pork with hand-cut yuca fries. The brunch menu also includes sangria and mimosas. If you want to experience the nightlife, stop by for dinner and start with appetizers such as the DC mixed empanadas, DC wings, DC beef sliders, or the DC clams in chorizo. Then move to the main course and order the classic DC seafood paella, DC classic mofongo, or the arroz con pollo (chicken with yellow rice, onions, peppers, garlic, and peas with potato salad).
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Related: Here’s Where to Find the Most Flavorful Mexican Food in Westchester
