Son Cubano
Cuban glamour meets California muscle, Hudson views included
West New York · West New York · Cuban · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 18, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into Son Cubano feels like stumbling onto a 1950s Havana film set — vintage décor, live music energy, and a full Manhattan skyline framed through open-air windows. The wine list arrives and it's immediately clear this place has thought more about wine than most Cuban restaurants would bother to. A Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2021 isn't handed out for putting Malbec on a laminated card.
Selection Deep Dive
The 80-120 bottle list leans heavily on California and France, which tracks with what Wine Spectator flagged as their strengths. You'll find the hits — Caymus Cab, Jordan Cab, Stag's Leap — doing their crowd-pleasing duty on the California side, while Louis Jadot anchors the French section with recognizable Burgundy credibility. It's not a list that's going to surprise anyone who follows wine closely, but for a Cuban restaurant in West New York with a skyline view and a rum program competing for attention, it earns its keep. The gaps are real — no serious Spanish or South American representation feels like a missed opportunity given the cuisine.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass at $10–$18 is a solid spread for this context, and the pricing keeps things accessible without feeling like a cash grab. Don't expect the glass program to rotate much or chase trends — what's on the bottle list is largely what you're getting by the glass, and that's fine.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $35
Coming in at the low end of the price range, this Washington Riesling punches well above its cost and is quietly one of the smartest pours on the list for the food being served here.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Most tables at a Cuban restaurant are going to reach for the Caymus on name recognition alone — but Stag's Leap brings more structure and elegance to the glass, and in this context, that restraint actually works better with the food.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
At a restaurant with real ambition in its wine program, Meiomi feels like an afterthought — a sweet, commercially engineered Pinot that doesn't belong on the same list as Stag's Leap and Louis Jadot. Skip it.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Ropa Vieja
The slow-braised shredded beef in Son Cubano's Ropa Vieja has enough tomato acidity and spice that a fruit-forward, slightly off-dry Riesling cuts through and refreshes between bites in a way no Cabernet on this list can.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Son Cubano isn't a destination wine list, but it's a legitimately good one for what it is — a glamorous Cuban night out where the wine program doesn't embarrass the room. Send a friend who wants a fun evening with solid pours and a view; just steer them away from the Meiomi.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.