MOUNT DORA BUZZ
  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Real Estate
    • Outdoor Life
    • Government & Education
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Kindness Matters
    • Health & Wellness
    • Profiles
    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Who Knew?
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Holiday Event Guide
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
  • The Best of....
    • Best of Mount Dora
    • Best of Eustis
    • Best of Tavares
    • Best of Mount Dora Take-out
  • Things to Do
  • Dining
  • Live Music
  • Lodging
  • Photos
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • City Scenes
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Contact
    • News Desk
    • Advertising Inquiries
    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Submit Pic of the Day
  • Subscribe

RESTAURANT REVIEW:  COPACABANA CUBAN CAFE

6/24/2015

15 Comments

 
Some of the greatest restaurant finds are the unexpected.  Few expect to find authentic Cuban fare in sleepy northern Lake County.  

After living in Miami for several years, few Central Florida Cuban restaurants have measured up to  South Florida's famous Latin eateries.  That's just one reason Copacabana Cafe, a downtown Mount Dora favorite, is such a treat.

The bright, typically bustling restaurant serves up traditional Cuban entrees like Bistec Palomilla (seasoned and tenderized steak with onions), Pechuga a la Plancha (marinated and grilled chicken & onions), Pernil (mojo roasted pork) and Churrasco steak (marinated, tenderized skirt steak).  The Arroz con Pollo (yellow saffron rice with chicken) is also an authentic dish to enjoy that is similar to a chicken paella. The side dishes like morros (white rice cooked with black beans), red beans or black beans are as good as any on Calle Ocho.  The menu also features six vegetarian entrees.

For appetizers, the Mariquitas con Mojo (crispy, thin plantain chips),  the Coctel de Camarones (Cuban shrimp cocktail similar to a spicy shrimp gazpacho), meat Empanadas (meat turnovers) and Masitas de Puerco (marinated, fried pork chunks) are all authentic and perfect for sharing.

The lunch menu features traditional sandwiches like Sandwich Cubano, Media Noche, and Sandwich de Pollo which are pressed on fresh Cuban bread.  The cafe's entrees are also available mid day.

Copacabana's savory Chimichurri sauce, different than the original Argentine version of the sauce, is a coveted condiment for garlic lovers. Poured over their meat dishes or used as a salad dressing it's delicious.  If you're hard core, dip Tostones or Mariquitas (sliced and fried plantains) into it.  

No Cuban meal would be complete without a refreshing mojito.  Once again, this restaurant doesn't disappoint.  The traditional lime cocktail's fresh mint leaves are muddled to perfection infusing the rum with its refreshing oils.   It tastes just as good sitting on Copacabana's patio as it does in the  front porches of Havana.

The best way to finish your meal is with an authentic Cafe Cubano.  This delicious, espresso sized cup of high octane coffee is guaranteed to perk you up, so don't make plans to nap!

In addition to the flavorful fare, the service is always friendly, just like one might expect from a small neighborhood cafe in Varadero. 

Address:  320 Dora Dawdry Way, downtown Mount Dora (but you can also enter on Donnelly Street between 4th & 3rd  Avenunes). 
  • Prices: $-$$
  • Hours:  Open for lunch & dinner
  • Customer Service:  Very friendly 
  • Beverages:  Full bar and non-alcoholic
  • Recommendations:  Pechuga a la Plancha, Pernil, Arroz con Pollo, Bistec Palomilla, Mojito cocktail, Cafe Cubano

For local news, reviews and events in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis, click here for your free subscription to Mount Dora Buzz.  Be sure to like Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook for breaking news.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
15 Comments
Michelle Bump
6/24/2015 05:25:03 am

Love the food and the restaurant staff! Very friendly and helpful in choosing the right entree!

Reply
Juliet Paneca link
12/9/2015 05:13:45 pm

Thank you Michelle! I am so glad that you like our Restaurant! Always here to serve you!

Reply
Tina Sonnenfeld
6/24/2015 11:04:05 am

MY favorite place to eat...outstanding food, service, atmosphere.

Reply
Linda Raby
6/24/2015 01:00:50 pm

My husband and I just move to Mount Dora a couple of weeks ago...looking forward to visiting this restaurant in the very near future!

Reply
Alberto Paneca link
12/9/2015 05:09:21 pm

Did you visit us already? Please let us know what do you think. Thank you.

Reply
Kathy Tamayo
6/24/2015 01:54:26 pm

We enjoy eating at Copacabana quite often. We started going there since the day they opened and still go often. Their food is amazing and authentic Cuban cuisine. Can't wait to go back.

Reply
Alberto Paneca link
12/9/2015 05:06:47 pm

Thank you Kathy! Great comment! It's our pleasure to serve you!

Reply
Octavio Diaz
6/24/2015 02:03:26 pm

Copacabana offers authentic Cuban cuisine....you will be impressed.

Reply
Norman Rinne
6/24/2015 02:35:41 pm

Love this place.

Reply
Alberto Paneca link
12/9/2015 05:01:27 pm

Thank you Norman. Come see us soon!!!

Reply
Jennifer y Rusty
6/24/2015 03:40:28 pm

My favorite Cuban restaurant! Ropa vieja ,Arroz blanco frijoles negros maduros! Pechuga a la plancha arroz Amarillo frijoles rojo! I love it!

Reply
Juliet Paneca link
12/9/2015 05:00:12 pm

Jennifer y Rusty: We are so glad that you love our food. Thank you for your support!!!

Reply
Leonardo Lage
10/25/2015 10:58:16 am

I do not go to Mt Dora without visiting the restaurant. Highly recommended for truly good Cuban food. Alberto, his family and staff add even more reasons to visit. Looking forward to my next visit.

Reply
Alberto Paneca link
12/9/2015 04:58:24 pm

Thank you Leonardo for your nice comment. Come visit us on your next trip!!!

Reply
Danielle Barker
4/11/2017 09:20:13 am

How is the parking? We want to treat friends to dinner and are newer to the area. (It takes a while to find some decent places to eat out.) What price range are most meals? Can we get in fairly quickly on a Tuesday night ? Do I need reservations?




Leave a Reply.

    Mount Dora Buzz

    Dining Reviews

    Archives

    June 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Terms of Use
Copyright Mount Dora Buzz 2021



  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Real Estate
    • Outdoor Life
    • Government & Education
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Kindness Matters
    • Health & Wellness
    • Profiles
    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Who Knew?
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Holiday Event Guide
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
  • The Best of....
    • Best of Mount Dora
    • Best of Eustis
    • Best of Tavares
    • Best of Mount Dora Take-out
  • Things to Do
  • Dining
  • Live Music
  • Lodging
  • Photos
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • City Scenes
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Contact
    • News Desk
    • Advertising Inquiries
    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Submit Pic of the Day
  • Subscribe