Zafra Kitchen

Stopped in for brunch one Sunday at around 12, and we grabbed the last table. Not one of the best, since it was right by the door and it was chilly that day, but could have been worst. We could have been at the table next the bathroom, where you'd have to squeeze by to get through. They advertise themselves as a 'Cuban Latino' restaurant, but I would say it's more South American. Pork is prevalent in Cuban cuisine, but it was not prevalent on this menu, with the exception of a few sammies (they do have a Cuban sammie, if this is all you're looking for).

To start, we had the beef empanadillas (Crisp Turnovers Filled with Beef Picadillo, Red Onion Relish, Chilean Pebre Sauce). These were great. I especially loved the pebre sauce. So much so that I wanted to save it for my main course, but they were nice enough to offer to bring out a new little dish of it.

For my main, I had the Picadillo Jinetero (Cuban Ground Beef Hash with Rice and Beans, Two Eggs and Ripe Plantains). This basically tasted like the filling from the empanadillas, so I really liked it. However, it is a bit heavy and oily so I started getting full after eating about half. It comes with two eggs (which FYI, they don't do poached here). My BF had the Pabellon Criollo con Arepitas Fritas (Traditional Venezuelan Breakfast - Stewed Shredded Beef, Black Beans with Fresh Cheese, White Rice). I normally don't like stewed beef, but this was pretty good. I wasn't sure how I felt about the arepas though - it was a little too sweet for my taste.

While we did enjoy our meals, both of our stomachs felt funny shortly after. I'm thinking it was all of the grease. I might be willing to come back and try a Cuban sammie, but I'm a little afraid that'll be too greasy as well. I guess I'll make my rounds with all the other Hoboken Cuban spots first, before I come back to this one.

Ate here a couple times. The Cuban bread is yummy! Service is ok. I had the chicken noodle soup a few times and it's delicious. I love the fresh cilantro and the perfectly cooked chicken. Fall off the bone good! They put potatoes in the soup to make it more filling. You can also get it with fresh avocado. I've had better chicken noodle soup, but I do really like it from Zafra. The pan con bistec guaro sandwich (steak) is very good! I got it on Cuban bread. Loved it. I'd order both again and again!

"Yelpers are saying this site is closed" on the yelp app is false! I just called the restaurant and it's open.

This is my favorite BYOB restaurant in Hoboken.

Zafra is a cute little Cuban restaurant on a quiet corner in Hoboken. It is perfect in the winter when they keep the restaurant warm and cozy and even more ideal in the summer, when you can grab a table outside, have a little bit more elbow room and enjoy the fresh (kinda) Hoboken air.

They are one of the few tapas restaurant that won't leave you with a surprise enormous bill at the end of the meal. Everything is incredibly reasonably priced, especially for the amount of food that you get. Some of my favorite sides are the patatas bravas, the chorizo, and the pinchos morunos (pork skewers). I also love the sautéed kale but seem to be the only one at the table that eats it (more for me). We usually get one or two big plates and then a ton of sides and appetizers. They will bring the food out as it is ready so you honestly forget how much you ordered. I have yet to ever have room for desert, unfortunately.

My favorite part: For $10 they will use a bottle of wine that you bring in yourself and make a pitcher of sangria for you. This is probably one of the main things that keeps me coming back so often. It's a great little touch and makes for an easy yet wonderful meal.

I swear by Zafra.

For some reason, I tended to forget about Zafra, which had long been a staple of the Hoboken culinary scene. However, my friend and I were recently discouraged by not being able to secure a table at a nearby BYOB, and this spot instantly popped into my mind as an alternative. I quickly phoned the restaurant and was thrilled that they had offered to hold a table for us. Upon our arrival, we handed our wine over in exchange for a glorious pitcher of sangria, which was infused with orange slices, guava, and a hint of citrus soda. We accompanied this refreshing concoction with wide, yet flat, slices of crunchy toast, as well as a Chicken Tamale with Red Mole. Sadly, we found the starter dry and lacking salt. The accompanying spicy, green salsa was a necessary condiment for the arid cornmeal dish.

My Grilled Marinated Chicken entrée, on the other hand, was moist and well-seasoned. It had been pounded thin, making it very tender. It was served over chunks of Caribbean Pumpkin that had been roasted with a blend of olive oil and vinegar, as well as an escabeche sauce packed with fire-roasted peppers, onions, and Peruvian olives. My friend had a similar piece of poultry, but covered with a rich and tasty Oaxacan Mole. Both dishes were served with a side of buttery rice and saucy black beans.

Excluding the dry tamale, which had oddly arrived at our table almost immediately after ordering, we had loved the friendly service, authentic entrees, BYOB cocktail blends, and relaxed atmosphere. That 3.5-star (rounded up to 4-star) level dinner was the reminder that I needed in order to add Zafra back into my dining rotation.

This is just a fantastic restaurant. I've never had a bad meal here the tapas is delicious and two of my all-time favorite dishes are the Picadillo for brunch and their chicken sandwich is spectacular. I know it's hard to believe that a chicken sandwich would be that good but it is possibly the best sandwich I've had. The pickled onions and the garlic sauce along with the Cuban bread is delicious.

The prices are always affordable because it is a BYOB. Better yet if you bring champagne they will make Mamosa's with fresh squeezed orange juice for only five bucks. If you bring wine they make delicious sangria.

Wonderful and friendly place! Amazing Cuban food and very simple but nicely done interior. Best Cuban I've had hands down. This is a cozy spot. The staff is welcoming and you feel at home.

Wow - just wow.

I came here on a Sunday afternoon and sat outside on a beautiful day. The food was incredible and it's BYOB. What more can you ask for?

We started out with the Yuca Fries with Cilantro Sauce Presilla and the Empanadas - OMG. Both were amazing. The Cilantro dipping sauce was really phenominal for the fries. The Empanadas are small - fair warning. If you have a group, I suggest ordering 3 or 4 little dishes.

For lunch, we ordered the Tostadas con Tinga and the Argentinean-style Skirt Steak. Can't even explain how amazing both of these dishes were. Very flavorful.

My only complaint is that there were flies circling us as we ate outside - I wish the restaurant would add outdoor fans to try and prevent this. But, doesn't take away from the fantastic food.

Absolutely 100% will be back. Delicious!

I'd class Zafra as more of a cafe than restaurant, the interior isn't huge but it is colourful and quite charming. It's a BYOB place where the friendly staff are happy to turn your wine into sangria if you wish. During the day I like stop by for a coffee or a casual lunch - their pressed sandwiches are all excellent - and at night I like to order a bunch of things to make a tapas style dinner. Everything here is very tasty and one of my favorite things to order is the vegetable plate. It can get busy during lunch hours with local workers and hospital staff and there are a few things on the menu that are a little overpriced but choose wisely and you can eat very well and eat cheaply.

Love this place! Anything you get is divine. Here are a few of my favorite items:

Yuca fries with cilantro sauce
Enchiladas insane
Meatballs
Cuban sandwich

On top of it it's byob and they make you delicious sangria.

You won't go wrong if you come here!