El Oriental is a cheerful Cuban café which provides bilingual service with a smile. It is a casual, friendly hangout for a diverse crowd of locals. Choose from among the succulent variety plates ($7.50-$11.75), particularly the chicken fricassee and shredded beef, deliciously satisfying meals with rice, beans, and tasty fried plantains served green or ripe. Don't forget the sweet drinks—tropical shakes are only $2, and a creamy orange concoction called “morir soñando” (“to die dreaming”) is only $2.50—or the desserts (sweet, light flan; $1.50). They serve the best Cuban coffee in the City and it's not unusual to see Red Sox and visiting team players here getting their fix, along with Cubans from all over town.
El Oriental de Cuba suffered a fire bombing in mid 2005 but like a phoenix rose from the ashes. Owner Nobel Garcia, an unofficial neighborhood ambassador, never let adversity hinder him. El Oriental does catering and their food is a great way to spice up your meeting (literally) with beans, rice a little pork or beef and platanos. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.