Photo by Adobe Stock | paul_brighton
From Cuban and Puerto Rican to Peruvian and modern fusion, here’s where to find the top Latin restaurants in Westchester County.
With additional reporting by Greta Stuckey
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 pan-seared crab cakes and dipping 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 T-bone steak with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus or the pollo cubano, which features chicken breast with olives, peppers, and capers in a white wine sauce. Pair your main dish with the salads, which range from the traditional Caesar to an unconventional calamari loaded with mango, pomegranate, cashews, and sweet peppers. For dessert, enjoy sweet staples such as flan and tres leches. Pair your dinner with wine, beer, sangria, or cocktails such as a mojito, Old Cuban, or Bloody Mary.
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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 out the empanadas, which are always warm and crispy with a variety of fillings from beef and chicken for meat lovers to veggies or guava cheese for everyone else. The chicken wings come in a variety of flavors, such as a zippy mojo sauce or spicy guava sauce. For the main course, order a signature sandwich such as the “Cubano” (marinated pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard) or the “Chicken 1959” (a marinated grilled chicken breast with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and garlic aioli), served on toasty French bread. In the mood for a burger? Try the classic burger or get the black bean burger on a brioche bun for the non-meat eaters. Be sure to save room for dessert so you can savor the authentic flan and Cuban coffee.
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Croquteria
166 Cortland St, Sleepy Hollow; 315.320.5215
Croquteria 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 tables for sitting and a variety of delicious meals to take on the go. The restaurant 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 such as cod, chicken, mushroom and garlic, ham, or spinach and feta. Then, move to the main part of the menu, the sandwiches. Stop in and grab a homemade Cubano sandwich, a Ropavieja sandwich (stewed beef and tomatoes with a sofrito base), a vegan avocado sandwich, or a guava pulled pork sandwich. Pair your savory dishes with Cuban staple soft drinks 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. Sonora first opened in 1994 in New York City and then followed with its Port Chester location in 1999. Get ready to jet across the globe for a taste of modern Latin fusion, with flavors from Latin America, Mexico, and Spain, as well as influences from Chef Palomino’s childhood in Bogotá, Colombia. For dinner, order the fresh guacamole as an appetizer and top it off with the quinoa empanadas, which are filled with roasted eggplant, quinoa, goat cheese, and a chocolate vinaigrette. For seafood lovers, try the Brazilian coconut shrimp or the Mexican-inspired fish tempura tacos. Other entrees include braised 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. If you’re interested in brunch, get some plates to share – and broaden your horizons in the process – with the goat cheese croquettes drizzled with guava sauce from Spain, the brunch paella, or the challah French toast to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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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 small plates, you can choose from chipotle chicken eggrolls, nachos, or tostones burger with a fried plantain bun. For a side plate, the salad options range from a traditional house to a corn-avocado or a jicama and oranges variety topped with a light touch of citrus-sriracha vinaigrette. If you are looking for handhelds, try the pulled pork street tacos, vegan street tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, or the signature hamburger. When looking at the entrees, choose from a wide selection of rice bowls, chicken enchiladas, salmon, pan-seared white fish, and chile relleno, the latter which is a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with shredded beef and topped with jack cheese severed over a tamale. Don’t be afraid to bring the whole family as the kid’s menu includes mouthwatering classics such as chicken fingers, soft-shell beef tacos, grilled chicken, sliders, and a beef rice bowl. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you can enjoy brunch favorites like steak and eggs or Yuka’s take on eggs Benedict served with home fries. Finally, end your meal with a sweet treat such as the Chocolate Volcano, churros, or caramel flan.
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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 some wild tacos like falafel (herbed chickpea fritter with traditional Greek-style 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 is the brown rice bowls, which can be topped with pork belly, mushroom with queso fresco, cauliflower, chile-lime shrimp, and more. Not to be forgotten are the drinks: Try the killer margarita (with Libelula 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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Casa Tequila
465 Main St, Armonk; 914.219.5777
Casa Tequila is a boutique Mexican restaurant with authentic décor and a relaxing atmosphere located on Main Street in Armonk. The Latin restaurant specializes in making traditional Mexican and Latin dishes with a gourmet flare. Start with appetizers such as ceviche, mussels, wings, guacamole, 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 classic Mexican foods 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 molé short ribs, Casa Tequila burger, or the salmon Veracruz. Then, be sure to check out the dessert menu, where you can dive into traditional Mexican desserts such as flan, fried ice cream, churros, chocolate lava cake, tres leches cake, and more. In addition to the flavorful fare, Casa Tequila is also known for its drink menu, which features a large collection of over 100 tequila and mezcal varieties.
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Related: The Fall Cocktails You Need to Try in Westchester Right Now
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. You can find traditional lomo saltado, a beef stir-fry, or Peruvian-style fried rice topped with beef or chicken. If you are in the mood for seafood, order the fried or grilled trout, which comes with an onion salad and yucca fries. Once the cold weather sets in, hearty soups will be a go-to meal. Try the chupe de camarones, which is 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. Appetizers include empanadas, jalea (a special seafood platter), grilled shrimp kabob, and more. Be sure to save room for dessert, especially the Peruvian ice cream or quinoa pudding.
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 it makes is everchanging and full of vibrant flavors. If your table is looking for bold plates, go for the papa a la huancaina (potatoes covered by creamy yellow aji pepper cheese sauce) or the lomo saltado (sirloin strip steak, sauteed tomatoes, and onions served with homemade fries and parboiled rice). This restaurant is perfect for seafood lovers, with offerings ranging from salmon and Mahi Mahi to Peruvian-style seafood bouillabaisse and the fish of the day. While seafood is a staple in the Peruvian diet, vegetarians can order the quinoa verde salad, which comes with mixed greens, quinoa, carrots, feta cheese, and house dressing. Chicken and shrimp can be added to the salad as well. 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 on Mamaroneck Ave, 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 since it serves brunch, dinner, and drinks and also hosts special parties. On the Sunday brunch menu, you can select a classic dish such as mofongo, empanadas, or crispy marinated pork with 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). Pair a DC burger or the DC salmon with frozen drinks or one of the punchy and brightly colored cocktails.
Read More: Here’s Where to Find the Most Flavorful Mexican Food in Westchester
