Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano: Three Decades of Cuban Tradition on Dixie Highway

On South Dixie Highway, Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano has spent more than three decades introducing West Palm Beach diners to the flavors of Cuba. What began as a Cuban exile's restaurant has grown into a fixture of the local Cuban dining scene, complete with a national television moment and a mural honoring one of Cuban music's biggest icons.

A Cuban Exile's Legacy, Carried Forward by Family

Don Ramon was founded in 1990 by Ramon Vilarino, a Cuban exile who set out to bring authentic island cooking to the Palm Beaches. In 1998, Juan and Dina Rubio took over the restaurant, and the family has run it ever since, passing down recipes and preserving the spirit of the original kitchen.

Ropa Vieja, Oxtail, and a Nod to Celia Cruz

The menu centers on Cuban staples such as ropa vieja, Cuban sandwiches, and café cubano, alongside a slow-roasted oxtail dish that drew national attention when owner Dina Rubio cooked for Guy Fieri on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Customer demand afterward led the kitchen to keep oxtail on the menu full time. Outside, a mural of singer Celia Cruz by Cuban artist Andres Corzo greets visitors, while the dining room's photo wall and hand-painted ceramics add to an atmosphere that includes live Cuban music and salsa nights.

Good to Know

Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano is located at 7101 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. It remains a go-to spot for diners looking to experience traditional Cuban cooking and culture in a casual, family-run setting.