Soul De Cuba Cafe

Now Serving Savaje: Soul de Cuba Cafe

Step into the heart of Afro-Cuban culture at Soul de Cuba Cafe, where food, music, and heritage blend into a one-of-a-kind experience. We're proud to welcome this iconic restaurant to the Savaje family—now serving the Tampa Old Fashioned made with Savaje Rum.

A Legacy of Flavor & Culture

The vision for Soul de Cuba Cafe began in the mid-1980s when founder Jesus Puerto was inspired by his roots in Ybor City, Florida—home to a rich history of Cuban, Italian, and Spanish immigrants. Jesus’ great-grandfather, Santiago González, settled there in 1898 after immigrating from Guanabacoa, Cuba.

With deep ties to Afro-Cuban spirituality and traditional cuisine, the Gonzalez family helped form one of the first Afro-Cuban mutual-aid societies in the U.S.—Sociedad la Unión Martí y Maceo—in 1900. This rich heritage forms the spiritual and cultural foundation of Soul de Cuba Cafe today.

🙏 “Without scientific explanation,” doctors said it was a miracle. After surviving spinal meningitis in 1993, Jesus Puerto vowed to dedicate his life to service and sharing his culture.

His journey led him from Peace Corps volunteer to global program leader—working in Samoa, Thailand, Africa, and Japan. But it all came full circle in 2004, when he opened the first Soul de Cuba Cafe in New Haven, Connecticut. Two years later, a second location launched in Honolulu, followed by the national debut of Soul de Cuba Specialty Foods.

The Soul de Cuba Experience

Soul de Cuba Cafe is more than a restaurant—it's a celebration of Afro-Cuban heritage. The atmosphere is intimate and warm, featuring Cuban memorabilia, family photos, and religious artwork set to the rhythms of Cuban salsa, boleros, Yoruba drums, and jazz.

Visit or Order Online

Experience the soul. Stop by Soul de Cuba Cafe or shop their nationally-distributed products online to bring a taste of Cuba home.

Share the Soul

Tag your cocktail photos with @savajerum and @souldecuba to be featured. Let the world feel your soul.