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Radio Habana Social Club
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7:30 pm - 12 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Kyra M. said: "This place is definitely five stars. Each time me and a group of friends come to Cana we are greeted by Sherrilynn, who is a great hostess with a huge smile you notice from the outside sidewalk. The food is delicious( ask for specials…" read more »
136 reviews for Radio Habana Social Club
Review Highlights
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"Sangria, Toys, Sangria, Stuff on Wall, Sangria." In 70 reviews -
"Love love love this place." In 3 reviews -
"The black beans were very flavorful." In 6 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
136 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2012
Radio Habana Social Club is my favorite stop for dinner,
good wine and beer, and the sangria is the best I've ever had. Not to speak about the wonderful people who own this place, Victor and Leila. Victor is the house artist and chef...really great chef...he creates gourmet food from a tiny kitchen...unbelievably good. His artwork is very powerful, and adorns the whole place, ceiling to floor.
You'll love Leila too..what a woman!
But what really makes this place my favorite is the overall ambiance...such a tiny place, with such a big and wonderful personality.
Go!!! -
Review from Lucille C.
San Francisco, CA
2/24/2012
Had a great date here! My fiancé and I were looking for a new local spot in the Mission to have some dinner and drinks and this did the trick.
This place is quite small but cozy with lots of music and conversation. As a vegetarian, I marked off one star because there was only one entree and one appetizer option, but I was quite pleased with the food.
This is a no rush spot, so we ended up staying to have another sangria plus espresso at the end of the night. With the massive amount of art on the walls, the conversation never got dull.
A great spot to check out with an unpretentious subculture feeling. I will be back. -
Review from T. E. F.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2012
Epic win for this cuban gem. An excellent espresso will set you back $2 and a chicken tamale plate $6.50. My date was hesitant to get the rice pudding and the NY cheese cake was - predictably - delicious.
They ran out of coffee (well, ground espresso, since I think their coffee is just Americanos) while I was there (close to closing around midnight).
The atmosphere is visually boisterous. It tends to be loud too. It's tiny and yet the mood is definitely unhurried, unlike the American counterparts that whisk cups and plates off your table as a subtle invitation to leave. The name "social club" in the title seems quite fitting: it's a place to hang out (but only in the evening - perhaps a tribute to the evening hours cafes of cuban during hot weather or for workers after a days shift? No idea).
Checks come stabilized with a six sided die (or a small cacophany of dice in a salt shaker). Small games are strewn on the counter.
A non-functional 35mm camera is festooned to the door.
A huge array of sculptures dangle from the ceiling, many of them baby dolls with minor modifications like the one with a gun for a head. A head of our ex-Governator with a baby body is on another wall.
It's very warm and that's reflective of the warm social atmosphere of the place. Perhaps it also reflects the warmer Cuban motif. It's a place to take off your coat and relax, unlike other cafes that leave their doors open.
I've never been here before, say, 7:30 or so, so it's definitely a late nite place to come. -
Review from Zachary S.
San Francisco, CA
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love this place. Service is super friendly, decor is awesome and the empanadas are great too.
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Review from Ivan L.
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Okay, the decor alone is enough to score this place a 4 star review. I love all the crazy stuff hanging from the walls and ceilings - mug shots from cuba, a stuffed Pee Wee Herman doll with a knife in it, etc.
Stopped in with a buddy for some sangria. It was wet, red and full of alcohol. That's good. -
Review from Marie B.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't even know where to start with this place.
My friend had been wanting to come here for a while so we finally were able to catch it while it was open. The decor is interesting. I wonder if they ever dust. It seems like it would be a lot of work to dust each and every mutilated baby, but back to the review.
The place is tiny. Very, very tiny. And hot. Why on Earth is it so hot in there? And its so tiny that apparently they only reheat food they purchased elsewhere because they are not whipping up gourmet meals in that kitchen. I didn't order anything, but my friend got a mocha. When he finally got the attention of the woman working at the bar she acted like he was inconveniencing her. The way she leaned over and placed her hand on her temples, it was like my friend was asking her to solve world hunger.
He paid $3.75 for some Ghiradelli mix that you can pick up at Safeway. It was served scalding hot. By the time he gets his drink my friend is in a hurry to get out of the restaurant before the waitress looks at us and sighs again. But he can't hurry because the drink is too hot.
We witnessed the waitress be really nice to someone who spoke Spanish to her, so maybe not speaking English is the key, I don't know. I won't be going back to figure out. So I feel like this would be a good place to go if your own microwave breaks and you can't heat up your own food, or if Safeway is out of cocoa. -
Review from Samantha M.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2011
This is one of my favorite places in the Mission!! It's small, cute, homely, super friendly patrons and staff and fantastic strong sangria! If you are a lightweight (like me) have one copa de reina (Queen's cup) of sangria and it will be as much buzz as you need all night. I haven't yet tried the food there, but I will next time.
You will be in a total daze staring at the decor in there. It is like crazy. Everytime you walk in you discover something new you've never seen before. Bizarre. But in a good way, especially if you are high or tipsy.
Last night when my bf and I were in this guy kept staring at us. When we were on the way out he took my boyfriend aside and started telling him something in Spanish. I kind of ignored them since my Spanish is not up to that level yet. My bf said that the man was saying that we both looked like we could be movie stars. What a nice complement!!! Made us both feel warm and fuzzy inside and has encouraged me to keep my behind in the gym! -
Review from Camilla B.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012
A warm oasis of kitschy Cuban comfort in a ocean of hipsterville. We stumbled upon Radio Habana on a cold Saturday night in the Mission, after being brushed away by a string of weiry hostesses we where welcomed in Cuban fashion by a quirky dreamy 'beinvenido'. All of this being said, a restaurant can not survive on atmosphere alone, so I am happy to say that the food has all the flavor, soul and simplicity that I remember from the island in the Caribbean.
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Review from Gerardo C.
San Francisco, CA
9/8/2011
Food wasn't really cuban as I expected, however it was really good. Very simple, naught to crazy food, and good sangria.
I gave four stars mostly because of the cool crazy looking place (really small) and the old couple who seemed to be running the place.
I liked it -
Review from E G.
Pinole, CA
6/27/2011
Freaky wierd twisted mind decor. The concept is unique but its just to psycho for my taste.
MAJOR THUMBS DOWN to the chicken empanada. Tasted like a microwaed frozen burrito. That just could not be authentic.
Good sangria & salad however I don't desire to go back. -
Review from Pammy j.
Pleasanton, CA
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
3.5. I am just crazy about the ambiance of this place. Customer service is first rate. 3.5 stars is due to the mediocrity of the hot chocolate & coffee. Despite that, I would go back to this place!
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Review from Bert K.
1/10/2011
Someone erased my review.
My college buddy is Cuban; and we have had many a good Cubano meals.
The food here is mediocre at best; I would not return here.
The other place in the Mission called El Fruiti... serves Puerto Rican and Cuban. It's a bit better.
There is a better place in San Jose, see my reviews, it's on Almaden.
Customer service: fine.
Decor: Kitsch on the walls. -
Review from Tom R.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2010 3 Check-ins Here
This is a kooky little place full of crazy junk that's run by a cute elderly couple. The food is decent but a bit pricey for what you get.
You can hang out at the tables and drink but you only get table service if you order food. -
Review from Francisca C.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2011
Everytime I'm in the neighborhood, I pass by and peer through the window and look longingly inside, wishing it was open. I finally got lucky and wandered by when it was open, and let me tell you, this place is way better inside than just peeking inside the window from the street. I had the sangria and it was delish. Make sure you play I Spy there, because it's the best place to play that game. :)
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Review from Angelica B.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/5/2010
I'm tired of Bay Area yuppies coming to places like Radio Habana during their Mission District field trips, looking for the same flavorless experience they're used to in the Marina and Mountainview, AND then writing a horrible yelp review. If you want the same dry customer service model that doesn't fail you in your boring ass bars and restaurants, then stay in your boring ass neighborhoods!
And, you know, if they are unfriendly and the food is wack, did you ever consider that they just don't want you there? I don't advocate discrimination; but damn, now you might understand how 90% of minorities feel in your respective neighborhoods. Let it burn.
Radio Habana must keep on doin' what they're doin'.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/10/2009
A lot of shit about Radio Habana doesn't conform to San Francisco and/or American standards of… Read more »
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Review from Eunice J.
6/25/2011
I initially wasn't going to review this place because it's been about 2 months since I came here, and I was conflicted about how many stars I should give this place. However, I had to write a review so people will know what to expect. At first, I wanted to give this place 2 stars because despite the decor and food, I had a good time. There was a local guitarist and singer that came by this tiny, hole in the wall place to perform, and I was really entertained. But I can't say that I'll be back. I'll just watch them perform somewhere else. The decor is enough to keep me away despite the good service and good time that I had here. Therefore, this place gets 1 star for 'eek! methinks not'.
DECOR: The decor here gives me that sick-to-the-stomach, nervous, uncomfortable feeling (that feeling you get, when something that you're absolutely dreading starts approaching). My friend said that this means that it's 'art', but can everything that evokes strong emotion out of you be considered art? Honestly, the 'art' sucks. If you've seen Toy Story, it's like Sid grew up decided to open up a tiny place to eat and glued all his distorted dolls on the walls (Oh, and he's all grown up so he has some 'mature' messed-up dolls). You have to see for yourself, (look at the attached pictures) but the wall is COMPLETELY covered with straight up weird stuff. I never say that things are 'weird' because I really believe that things that are different gives a place character. I actually enjoy places that are unique. But if 'unique-ness' was a scale, this place wouldn't even be on it. It's just creepy and pervy. The person who came up with this has a pretty sick and twisted mind.
SERVICE: I think our servers were the owners. I felt at home here. By the end of the night, this place was really crowded/cramped, and everyone was talking to everyone even though they came with different groups of people. This was pretty fun.
FOOD: I shared a tamale with a friend. I don't know why people love the food so much; it was okay and overpriced. Haven't they had more delicious ones in socal? Even though it edible I only had like one or two bites. I couldn't eat because i felt so uncomfortable from the decor. I felt like a zillion eyes (dolls) were looking at me, and actually kind of wanted to throw up. In addition, the kitchen is exposed to the customers. It is big enough for you to walk in and turn around 360 degrees; it's that tiny. I was able to see them make the food. It looked pretty unsanitary. I was not happy. I don't know if all restaurants are like this (because I usually can't see), but I didn't appreciate how the 'cook' who's also the waiter touched the lettuce with his bare, unwashed hands.
DRINKS: Our party got pitchers of Sangria. It was pretty deliciously authentic. If I could just give a rating for the drinks without thinking about the decor, I'd give it 4 stars!
So in conclusion, unless I have a strong desire to feel nauseous and throw-up and have nightmares, I'll probably never ever be back. -
Review from Lina C.
New York, NY
5/2/2011
Came here for a few drinks. Love love love this place!!! Cant stop looking at the walls, ceiling, everything in this little joint!
Sangrias, beers, then cake and hot chocolate (cheesecake was delish!).
Love the decor!!!! -
Review from Starla D.
San Francisco, CA
6/11/2007
Where did they GET all that crap? That is the most stuff crammed into the smallest space I have ever seen. There is always something to look at though, so it would be good to come here if you are ADD, or if your dining companion is really boring to talk to. Fortunately mine was not.
The food was decent but the sangria was KICK ASS.
Seriously, the best sangria I have ever tasted. -
Review from Diane L.
San Francisco, CA
3/10/2009
You will walk into Radio Habana gawking at the walls and you will leave Radio Habana still gawking at the walls. Every inch of this place is adorned with the most kitschy things I've ever seen. A crutch-turned-machine gun, photos of Cuban granny boobies, fishnet stockinged mannequin legs hanging out of the wall, and voodooed Barbie dolls, to name a few.
The menu is very limited. I was hoping to have one of those classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja, but they don't offer that here. They actually don't serve anything very Cuban. They have empanadas, tamals, samosas, and albondigas. While the prices are pretty cheap, the portions are small. What was most disconcerting to me was that the food isn't even cooked here. There is no kitchen! The food is warmed by microwaves, ovens, and food warmers.
Albeit I wouldn't come back for the food, I would definitely be back for the chill environment, fun ambiance, great salsa music and dangerously good sangria. This is the perfect place to hang out with a friend or two. Or even to pick up on a girl, because on that particular Friday night I ventured to Radio Habana, EVERY. SINGLE. patron here was a girl. Single guys and single female-loving ladies, you've just discovered your new Friday hangout.Listed in: My favorite place in the city:…
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Review from ruggy j.
1/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
Not entirely sure what makes this place a "Social Club," but hey - it's a cool spot nonetheless.
Remember the contraption that ol' Pee Wee used to make breakfast on the quest to find his sweet bicycle? Well, imagine that sort of device, along with every nic-nac from every swap meet you've ever attended in your entire life, all adorned to the interior walls of a 20x20 foot room, and you've got Radio Habana.
Everything from Matchbox cars to a John Lennon action figure with a gun next to his head rests on the walls inside this place, which clearly evokes all kinds of different reactions. Not sure what to think about the Lennon display, but the coo-coo-clock with a hand drill sticking out is pretty great.
They have a really small bar, and I'm willing to bet 25 people could comfortably fit inside this space before it becomes asses to elbows. It's one of those places I'd walked by many times, but never stopped in. I have a feeling that happens a lot with these guys, so if you're looking for something different in the Mission, skip the fancy spots and get weird at Radio Habana.Listed in: Wacky in San Francisco, Mission Bars, Munching in the Mission
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Review from Eric E.
San Francisco, CA
4/28/2008
If I lived many lifetimes....
And kept all of the coolest shit I've ever come across in a box...
And that box exploded...
And all my cool shit stuck to the walls and ceiling...
And I learned how to make the best sangria...
...It would still be nowhere near as awesome as Radio Habana effortlessly is.
I can't speak highly enough of this place--and I haven't even had the food! What I have had is Radio Habana Social Club and it's delicious sangria as the highlight of many a night out in the Mission. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. -
Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2007
Think about every possible thing your eccentric packrat aunt from South America would have collected from childhood to six feet under: mutilated barbies, Dali prints, concert tickets, signed Santana photos, scores of music, Van Gogh's ear, and mount everything onto every inch of wall space in a small room. That's the decor in this place. Add five cozy tables and voila, the RHSC. We were greeted by a smiling gap toothed lady (the aunt/owner no doubt) and invited to sit. Good thing there were only four things on the menu so we had time to marvel at the walls.
From the kitchen came a long place of Salvadoran chicken (much like a tamale but wrapped instead in a banana leaf) pyramidal basmati rice, organic greens, black beans and two goblets full of watery, sweetish sangria. Definitely worth a revisit. -
Review from Andi T.
2/3/2007 1 photo
You have to love a place that has a rifle/crutch (or is it a crutch/rifle?) hanging on the wall. That is equal opportunity warfare, my friends. Actually, they have EVERYTHING hanging on the walls. Bloody ears? Check. Reptile skull with an hourglass figure? Check. Antique photo of some lady with Princess Leia bun-hair? Check. (Don't worry -- I won't list the full decor inventory in this review, but know that it transcends art and politics and groovy.)
This place is about the size of my bedroom, and it's the perfect place to plan an uprising or just drink big glasses of sangria and pretend you're an ex-pat in a tropical land. It's cozy and political and yummy at the same time. The folks that run it are super friendly and distressed about old reviews that mention the unpleasant waitress that no longer works there.
(Bummer that the veggie selections are not actually Cuban, but yay for the rice and beans! Delicioso! Oh -- and it's cash only.)
Check it out, and help them bump up the positive reviews.
Oye -- do your part for the revolucion.Listed in: La Comida Buena
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Review from Lenea M.
San Francisco, CA
10/1/2007
Hey Kimby T and I had fun here. We only had the sangria which was pretty tasty. Love the decor and the person working that night was friendly.
I promised Kimby T. that we would come back and have their food.
I will report back!! -
Review from Jason R.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2008
When I used to live in the Mission, back when it was a little more Missiony, my friend Charlie and I used to walk by Radio Habana and laugh about how it was never open.
Without fail, any time of day, the place was never open. Then we got a car and noticed, from time to time, driving by, it would be open. Not only open, but packed!
We knew we had to go in, but just weren't sure when it happened.
One night the stars finally aligned. We had some beer and coffee and good conversation with a slew of characters.
These days I don't make it back to the old 'hood very often, but when I do --and if it's open-- the Social Club is on my list.
It feels like you're in Manu Chao's living room. -
Review from Regina S.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2005
I just had my birthday and a handsome friend offered to take me anywhere in the city. Mind you there was no time to make a reservation, I had no desire to change out of my jeans and hoodie, and I wanted to go someplace interesting. So I picked Radio. It is now the scene of my favorite birthday moment: The bartender/server/social diva, Shawn, had her friend over at Garcon (yum) get me a desert. They lit a candle, turned off all the lights, and everyone (all 15 patrons that could fit in there) sang the worst rendition of happy birthday I ever heard. It was the perfect birthday dinner.
PS- I am vegetarian and love the food there, the sangria is authentic, and the owner's wife creates all the art and painstakingly makes it look random. There's actually method to the madness. -
Review from Katie M.
Oakland, CA
4/8/2011
Very very very tripping place. They serve some food and have really good sangria. The decorations are very... erm... creative and... unique! I will definitely visit this place on Day of the Dead or around Halloween.
I didn't realize Arnold Schwartzenegger's head was that big. ;) -
Review from Kingpin X.
San Francisco, CA
2/11/2007
I have never been to Cuba,,, or any South American country... or any Caribbean island either, but you have on my good authority that this is exactly what it is like... well except for the poverty, the totalitarianism, and the oppression.
But you don't need to suffer all that just to get a taste. The RHSC has good, simple, well-priced food in a small (tiny) venue - so homely, you could be in someone's kitchen.
So I imagine it is in Cuba - you feel like you are in some subversive Cuban cafe, drinking large glasses of sangria, speaking in hushed tones, and passing notes to the waitress. And, as with all fine repressive regimes, the people find solace in art and religion, making a message out of whatever they can find, completely covering the walls with skulls and posters and artifacts and black magic.
Go here with a good conversationalist and speak of all the rights and wrongs of the world and plot how you will fix them. If your conversation flags, you can poach a few plans from the other tables in the cozy dining room, or try to decipher the meanings of the subversive junk covering every inch of the walls. -
Review from Valerie L.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2009
Walking down Valencia, I've passed by this little restaurant plenty of times.
I finally had the excuse to go when a few friends were visiting from out of town. I though the cozy atmosphere and eccentric decor would make for a unique experience.
We ordered the samosa plate, which came with I believe one vegetarian samosa, some rice, and a itty bit of salad. I was dissatisfied with the plate, the portions were dismal for the price of $12.
I dug the sangria though. Even though there wasn't much fruit in it (I like my sangria to be loaded with fruit), it was nicely chilled and had a really sweet taste. -
Review from Kiira M.
The Mission, San Francisco, CA
7/13/2008
Don't go to Radio Habana for a work function or with your devout grandmother.
Do go with friends, lovers and/or the ghost of Andre Breton. Drink too much sangria and enjoy a banana-leaf-wrapped tamal. -
Review from Gil S.
1/12/2008
It's like visiting your crazy aunt's home, the one who took a lot of acid and followed the Grateful Dead and became a lesbian and joined a hippie commune, and now putters around in sandals and a floppy straw hat tending the compost bin. It's hard to tell guests from staff, hangers on, and extended family. Everyone is wearing colorful peasant clothes and costume jewelry, in equal measure beautifully kind and completely forgetful and unhurried, and they're all leaning across the tiny room to chat with each other. Average age is 50-60 on a weeknight but a few earth children too. The decor is like every shrine to John Lennon, sexual pun art poster, paint-solidified clothing article, antique framed poster of leftist hero, and hanging plastic mannequin part you've ever seen, glued, stapled, and nailed like a barnacle colony to every available square inch of surface.
The food is pretty to look at but bland as a TV dinner, I guess that's the price of admission. Surprisingly they have sangria and beer on tap, you would think it would be wheat grass or kambucha. Open and crowded until midnight, very inexpensive. -
Review from Meredith R.
San Francisco, CA
3/12/2009
This place is a total hoot. Just walking by, you will know what I'm talking about. Walk in and you will be greeted by friendly staff who will escort you to a table if you plan on ordering food. You will not be quite sure what you've walked into, however. Is it a bar? A cafe? A living room? The art pieces that decorate the walls are incredible; a lot of Cuban art but also pop culture pieces. There is always something to look at an analyze. My favorite is the crutch/gun piece over the back table for 3.
I am not a rice pudding fan but happened to order it last night and loved it! It was simple and delicious; how it's supposed to be. My friend had the chocolate devil pudding, equally as delicious. They have a lovely little wine/beer menu and a wide array of teas/coffee drinks for a chilly eve.
This is a great place to take a date who likes culture, to practice your espanol, or perhaps get lost with a book in the Mission and where no one else can find you. You can remain pretty anonymous in this haven of awesomeness. -
Review from Shayna N.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2008
The food is good.
The atmosphere and decor amazing.
The price is right.
From tamales to meatballs, and black beans and rice the menu represents and ecclectic fusion of Southern Hemisphere food.
It's the price (everything under $10) and the wacky, fun decor that make it awesome.Listed in: My former SF stomping grounds
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Review from Jennifer M.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2008 2 photos
If I dated a Cuban guy, and his family asked me to come over for dinner, the food at Radio Habana Social Club is what I would imagine it to be like...
...while I was on acid.Listed in: Open your eyes
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Review from Steph K.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2006
This place has such a great salon style compactedness of imagery and people that warms me. After I first saw it, I couldn't wait to come back with a friend. It was lively and food & sangria were good, but I couldn't help but be turned off by the rude, awful waitress (friday night). She wouldn't look at us unless we sought her attention and the way she was so blatant about it...bringing food & drinks first to people who arrived 1/2hr after us, it taking about 45 minutes after asking to get each drink, me begging for water 3 times and never getting it... I felt almost as if she didn't want us there. Most of everyone else who seemed like regulars were getting fine treatment.
Lady, I was nice to you - why'd you have to ruin it for me? -
Review from Tak H.
San Francisco, CA
3/13/2007
'Dali-esque' is how i would describe Radio Habana.
Also, you remember that mean kid next door in Toy Story? This is his room
Decapitated toys and sodomized dolls, thats what this place is all about.
Sangrias are cheap, the cuban food is yummy. Service is warm and friendly.
The great thing is, if you're on a date you'll never run out of things to talk about because every piece of kooky art on the wall is a conversation starter.
George Orwell once wrote "One ought to be able to hold in one's head simultaneously the two facts that Dali is a good draughtsman and a disgusting human being."
I actually find it quite refreshing myself.Listed in: me neighbours in ye ol'…
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Review from John P.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
On a recent trip to San Francisco, we wanted to try some Cuban food. Of course we fired up Yelp and were presented with a number of listings. The name of this establishment caught my attention, I mean, The Radio Habana Social Club?. My mind was filled with all sorts of images of what this place would be like.
We arrived to find the establishment tucked between other businesses; this place was incredibly unique and incredibly tiny. Finding out later that it is better known for its wine selection than the food made perfect sense. They have a Sangria that is fantastic and a limited menu (and not necessarily Cuban). We had a blast taking in the decor (there is a subtle but bizarre sexual overtone that is not offensive, but you may want to get a babysitter for your night out).
I really enjoyed the food, our waitress/hostess was one of the owners and we had good conversations between servings. This is a funko-wonderful establishment and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a trip off the beaten path. -
Review from Natalie S.
San Francisco, CA
3/4/2008
Radio Habana caught my eye when I lived a block away . . . this little enigma of a space is packed to the gills with old timers and an otherwise completely random crowd, as well as doll heads, shotgun crutches, bird cages, portraits of dictators, and all manner of literary miscellany and city ephemera.
For the longest time I'd walk by curiously, peering in what looked like a creepily deserted space. Radio Habana does have some odd hours. Finally one night I went in for a pitcher of their EXCELLENT sangria, and the secret world within was revealed.
This was no ordinary night of drinking - literally the entire 'social club' seemed to know each other. One table, conversing loudly, would attract the attention of the three other nearby tables at various points, who would randomly turn and interject their own rowdy commentary. I suppose this is exactly how I'd dreamed/imagined it would be, but I never quite thought it'd come true. This is one of those places that really feels like a trip down the rabbit hole - a quality establishment. -
Review from Afshin m.
Foster City, CA
12/27/2009
I found out about this place when a musician friend of mine told me they host a Rumba on every other Sunday. What is a rumba? its a cuban hoe-down! Afrocuban percussive music and singing by mostly locals, trying to work it out! I love cultural events that are free, and I love rhythmic music, so I'm there.
I haven't really eaten there except for the snacks they've kindly put out for the musicians... but I had Sangria there and it was lovely.
If you like to roam the Mission, looking for little cultural gems, this place might hit the spot for you, especially on those Rumba Sundays. And if you're not there for the music, there's plenty of stuff on the walls to keep you amused for a while.Listed in: Live Rumba
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Review from Maria C.
10/11/2007
My favorite feature, for person, place or thing, is "clever". Clever knocks my socks off, makes me giggle with glee, my heart pitter patter and my blood pressure raise in a good way.
The hours for Radio Habana seem a little unpredictable and I wouldn't have known about this place if my friend PD hadn't pointed it out. In fact, the first couple of times I tried to go, I was left peering into the window around the closed sign...
The decor is fascinating (disturbing for the weak of heart), the food is simple, but delicious and very well presented. Sangria is fabulous and the service is weird but lovely.
My fantasy is to have a Misfit Orphans Thanksgiving feast here...Listed in: My very most favorites!!!
