El Ambia Cubano Restaurant

El Ambia Cubano Restaurant: Cuban Cooking in Melbourne, Florida

El Ambia Cubano Restaurant serves Cuban cuisine in historic downtown Melbourne, Florida. It opened in May 2008 with the aim of bringing the food, music, and culture of Cuba to the city. Its name comes from “ambia,” Cuban slang for “friend”; the restaurant says it treats every customer like a close friend.

The restaurant describes its atmosphere as family-friendly, with live music on weekends and decor inspired by pre-Castro Havana, from films shown on television to the art on the walls. It presents the space as a place for a romantic evening, meeting people, learning Spanish, dancing, or talking about aviation.

The Founder’s Story

El Ambia was founded by a Cuban man who left the island by piloting an airplane himself shortly before the 1994 Cuban raft crisis. In 2008, he visited his eldest son, a service member at Patrick Air Force Base, and was captivated by Melbourne. He decided to settle there and bring Cuban food and music with him. Owner Alfredo Hernandez is described in a Florida Today review by Lyn Dowling as a pilot who flew a Cuban airliner to freedom; his uniform jacket is part of the restaurant’s decor.

What’s on the Menu

The menu focuses on fresh, home-style Cuban cooking. The restaurant describes it as featuring plenty of pork, including sandwiches, as well as fresh seafood, chicken, beef, and desserts. It also offers food delivery for special events.

Atmosphere and Dining Spaces

The restaurant has outdoor tables under a covered patio with views of the water. Inside, simple wooden tables and a bar provide seating, including stools made from conga drums. The decor evokes pre-revolutionary Cuba. Traditional Cuban music performed live is one of the weekend draws; the website announced performances such as Andy de Cuba with Latin and Colombian songs, as well as a Saturday traditional Cuban music session at 7 p.m.

Services and Hours

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with brunch on Sundays. Its website said online ordering was in the works and that, for the time being, reservations and orders were taken by phone. It also offers a newsletter with information about promotions, deals, and events.

The published hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5–9 p.m. for dinner; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. for lunch and dinner; and Sunday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. for brunch. The restaurant closes between 2:30 and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Location and Contact

950 E Melbourne Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901, US · Phone: (321) 327-8389