8 Georgia Cuban Restaurants Serving Pressed Sandwiches, Ropa Vieja, And Sweet Plantains

One Cuban sandwich shop on Buford Highway has been pressing sandwiches since 1976. That means some Georgia families have been ordering the same lunch for three generations.

I love that kind of loyalty.

The Cuban food scene here stretches far beyond one city. You can find ropa vieja in downtown Macon.

You can also find it in a small mountain town in the north Georgia hills.

The menus share a few heroes. Crusty bread gets flattened on a hot press.

Shredded beef simmers in tomato sauce. Ripe plantains turn sweet and golden in the pan.

I can’t think of a better trio for a hungry afternoon. So which one would you chase first: the crunch, the stew, or the caramelized plantains?

1. Havana Sandwich Shop

Some sandwich shops chase trends, while this one has been pressing Cuban bread on Buford Highway since 1976. That kind of staying power tells you something.

The Cuban Sandwich is the main event here. Think thin, toasted bread wrapped around tender pork, cheese, pickles, and mustard.

Here’s a fun bonus. Containers of mojo sauce sit at the tables, so you can splash on extra garlicky flavor as you go.

Want more than a sandwich? The Cuban Plate brings pork with yellow rice, black beans, and plantains.

The Steak Sandwich with grilled onions is another strong choice.

Fried plantains show up beside the Cuban sandwiches and the ropa vieja. Sweet, soft, and slightly crisp, they balance out the salty pork.

There are a few lighter bites to consider, too. The menu includes an Empanada Plate, Toasted Cuban Bread, and Yucca Frita.

Save room for something sweet at the end. Flan and Cafe Con Leche make a classic finish to any meal here.

The setup is simple and casual. You order at the counter, grab a seat in the roomy dining area, or head out to the small patio.

Plan your visit around the hours. The shop opens Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM and closes on Sundays.

Afternoons get busy on weekdays and Saturdays. Monday and Thursday evenings tend to be quieter, so those are smart times to slip in.

Parking is free in the lot and on the street. That’s one less thing to worry about on this busy Atlanta corridor.

Address: 2905 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

2. The 3 Countries

Can’t decide between Cuban and Mexican food? In downtown Macon, you don’t have to pick just one.

The 3 Countries mixes classics from both kitchens in a laid-back setting. One table might order tacos while the next digs into a Cuban sandwich.

That pressed sandwich has earned a strong reputation in town. It’s the kind of order friends brag about and then insist you try.

Ropa vieja holds a spot among the menu highlights. The shredded beef pairs nicely with rice and beans for a filling lunch.

Cuban-style roast pork is another hearty pick. It comes with rice, yuca, black beans, and fried plantains, so you get the sweet side you came for.

The Bistec Encebollado brings a Cuban steak topped with onions. Fans of yuca will find it here as well.

On the Mexican side, you’ll spot tamales, enchiladas, quesadillas, and nachos. It’s a great place for a group with very different cravings.

Dessert deserves a mention, too. Tres leches and flan both appear on the menu, and the tres leches is known as a good value.

Portions run large, so bring a friend or plan on leftovers. Service is known for being quick and friendly.

The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Sundays are closed.

Reservations are accepted, and high chairs are available for little ones. Free parking makes a downtown stop easy.

Address: 195 Spring St, Macon, GA 31201

3. Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill

Breakfast with a cortadito, lunch with ropa vieja, and dinner with jerk chicken. Papi’s covers a lot of ground on one busy Atlanta avenue.

This small, colorful spot blends Cuban and Caribbean cooking under one roof. You’ll find empanadas and jerk chicken sharing menu space with Cuban sandwiches.

The ropa vieja has a loyal following. Order it if you want a saucy, comforting plate that feels like home cooking.

Lechon asado is another favorite. It often comes with maduros, the sweet fried plantains, plus congri rice cooked with beans.

Prefer something savory and crunchy? The Churrasco pairs well with tostones, the twice-fried green plantains.

Pollo Vaca Frita offers a fun twist on a Cuban classic. Crab cakes and a fish sandwich round out the choices for seafood lovers.

Coffee fans should not skip the cortadito. A Virgin Mojito works nicely if you want something minty and refreshing.

Families will feel right at home. The restaurant offers a kids’ menu and high chairs.

Hours shift during the week, so check before you go. Breakfast starts at 8 AM Thursday through Saturday and 9 AM on Sunday.

Monday through Wednesday, doors open at 11 AM. Weekend afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds.

Free Wi-Fi makes a solo lunch with your laptop easy. Delivery and takeout are options when you’d rather eat at home.

Address: 216 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

4. Casa Bembé Cuban Restaurant

Mornings start early here, with coffee and Cuban bites ready at 8 AM every day. That’s good news for anyone who wants croquetas before work.

Casa Bembé brings a stylish look to its Cuban menu along Roswell Road. The food, though, sticks close to classic comfort.

The Cuban sandwich is a solid starting point. For a fun switch, try the ropa vieja sandwich, which tucks the shredded beef inside bread.

Ropa vieja also comes as a plate if you prefer a fork. Vaca frita, the crispy shredded beef, makes a tasty comparison.

Sweet plantain lovers should look for the ripe plantain masato. It’s a creative way to enjoy maduros.

Tostones get the spotlight here as well. Tostones Rellenos come stuffed, and Tostonachos turn green plantains into a nacho-style snack.

Empanadas come in several flavors, including short rib. Ham croquettes and the Montadito Bembe add more small bites to share.

There’s even a Turkey Cuban Sandwich for a lighter take. It’s a nice option if pork isn’t your thing.

Drinks matter here, too. Cafe con leche comes iced or hot, and homemade mango juice adds a tropical touch.

Hours run until 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday evenings and Saturday evenings tend to be busy.

Curbside pickup, delivery, and outdoor seating give you choices. Parking is available on-site.

Address: 3655 Roswell Rd NE Unit 210, Atlanta, GA 30342

5. El Super Pan

Most sandwich spots close by dinner, but El Super Pan keeps the press hot until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Late-night Cuban cravings, solved.

This Latin American kitchen leans into Caribbean flavors. Cuban sandwiches sit right alongside mofongo, empanadas, and pork belly buns.

Start with the Cuban Sandwich or try the Media Noche. That second one uses a slightly sweet bread, and its name means midnight.

Fitting, right? You can actually order it near midnight here on weekends.

Ropa vieja shows up with rice and beans, and it’s known for being tender and full of flavor. Pork belly with rice and beans is another hearty bowl.

Maduros are another option worth exploring. Guests looking for plant-based dishes can check the menu for suitable choices.

Smoked tofu buns are one standout from that lineup. Mofongo with shrimp tempts seafood fans.

Want more? Arroz Con Mariscos, Sofrito Chicken, and Chicharrones fill out the menu nicely.

The space has a chill, relaxed feel with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s also a handy stop for watching sports.

Live music adds to the fun at times. Breakfast bowls and brunch give you reasons to visit earlier in the day.

Families can relax, too, with a kids’ menu and high chairs available. Reservations are accepted, and free parking garages and lots are nearby.

Address: 455 Legends Pl #862, Atlanta, GA 30339

6. The Hush Cuban Kitchen

Some folks drive about 90 minutes from Atlanta into the north Georgia mountains just for lunch. In Clarkesville, that road trip ends with Cuban food.

The Hush Cuban Kitchen brings handcrafted Cuban dishes to this small mountain town. It proves you don’t need a big city for big flavor.

The Cubano Sandwich leads the pack. It’s the pressed classic you came for, done Hush style.

Ropa vieja here is sofrito stewed shredded brisket. Sofrito is a base of onions, peppers, and garlic that gives the beef its depth.

Sweet plantains get serious praise at this kitchen. You can order them as a side or find them in the Latin rice bowls.

The shrimp Cuban bowl is a great way to try them. Plenty of diners call these plantains some of the best around.

Feeling adventurous? Mojo Pulled Pork Egg Rolls mix Cuban flavor with a crunchy wrapper.

Other picks include Beef Empanadas, Cuban Shrimp Ceviche, and Papa Rellena Hush Style. Tostones Locos offer a fun vegan option.

Timing matters, so plan ahead. The restaurant closes on Tuesdays and opens 11:30 AM to 8 PM most other days.

Sunday brunch runs from 10 AM to 3 PM. Friday and Saturday evenings are popular, so reservations help.

Parking can be a little tricky to find. Curbside pickup is a handy backup when the lot fills up.

Address: 1456 Washington St, Clarkesville, GA 30523

7. Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant

Savannah has plenty of places to grab lunch, but Rancho Alegre brings Cuban comfort food to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Its menu covers everything from pressed sandwiches to slow-cooked beef and golden plantains.

The Cuban Sandwich is a good place to start. Roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard come together between slices of bread.

Prefer something you can eat with a fork? Ropa Vieja features shredded beef slowly cooked in a rich Creole sauce.

The Pabellón Criollo takes things further. It combines ropa vieja with white rice, black beans, fried eggs, sweet plantains, and queso fresco.

Those sweet plantains also come as a separate side. Order maduros if you want something soft and sweet alongside your savory main dish.

Pork lovers have more choices here. Lechón Asado brings shredded roast pork, while Masas De Cerdo Fritas offers fried pork chunks with mojo sauce.

The appetizers are worth exploring before your main course. Beef empanadas, ham croquettes, fried yuca, and crispy plantain chips all appear on the menu.

Vegetarians aren’t left out, either. The Vegetarian Sampler includes tostones, fried yuca, black bean empanadas, sweet plantains, and plantain chips.

Seafood fans can choose from grouper, salmon, and shrimp dishes. There’s also a Cuban-style steak selection for anyone craving something different.

Save a little room for dessert. Flan, tres leches, and guava empanadas give you several sweet ways to finish.

For something unusual, try the Banana Dream. This dessert combines sweet plantains with cinnamon, queso fresco, vanilla ice cream, and guava.

The restaurant also offers a lunch menu with smaller portions of several Cuban favorites. Ropa vieja and roasted pork are among the available choices.

Address: 402 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401

8. D’Cuban Cafe

A good Cuban sandwich doesn’t need a complicated recipe, and D’Cuban Cafe in Chamblee keeps things familiar. Roasted pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard do the heavy lifting.

The Whole Cuban Sandwich is one of the main attractions. It’s a straightforward choice when you want warm bread, melted cheese, and savory pork.

There’s also a Mini Cuban Sandwich for smaller appetites. The Media Noche offers a different experience with softer, slightly sweet bread.

Want something beyond the traditional combination? The Ropa Vieja Sandwich packs shredded beef in tomato sauce with melted Swiss cheese.

That same slow-cooked beef appears in the Ropa Vieja Bowl. Bell peppers and onions add flavor to the tomato-based sauce.

The Lechón Asado Bowl is another hearty option. House-roasted pork comes with mojo and onions for a classic Cuban combination.

Sweet plantains deserve their own order here. The ripe plantains are fried until tender, making them a welcome contrast to the savory dishes.

Prefer something crispier? Tostones are made from green plantains that get flattened and fried again.

The Tostones Con Carne takes that idea further. You can order the crispy plantains topped with ropa vieja or lechón asado.

If choosing one appetizer feels impossible, try the Cuban Sampler. It brings together a chicken empanada, papa rellena, fried yuca, ham croquettes, sweet plantains, and tostones.

The empanadas also come separately. Fillings include Cuban-style ground beef with potatoes, shredded chicken, and mozzarella cheese.

Fried yuca is another option worth considering. Its crisp exterior and creamy center pair with the restaurant’s cilantro aioli sauce.

For dessert, the menu includes tres leches cake and caramel flan. Guava and cream cheese pastelitos offer another sweet finish.

Takeout and delivery are available, making this an easy option when you want Cuban food at home.

Address: 3665 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341