Versailles Restaurant

(310) 289-0392

1415 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035 34.0528 -118.3764

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Neighborhoods: Pico - Robertson, Central LA

VERSAILLESCUBAN.COM

Hours:

Su-Th 11-10, F-Sa 11-11

Price:

$

Last updated 6.15.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Cuban

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Versailles Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – The happy-go-lucky atmosphere in this non-descript dining room is fueled by low prices and the thick garlic aroma. Waiters in guayaberas serve groups of college students, families and pre-bar hoppers. The house favorite garlic chicken in citrus marinade anchors the Cuban menu. Roast pork and salted, bay leaf-infused black beans run a close second to the famous fowl. Order everything with a side of sweet fried plantains.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Come early if you want the paella because it's often gone by 9pm and can take up to 45 minutes to prepare.
Save Time:
Don't let those long lines deter you--food is whisked out rapidly, so diners get in and out rapidly, too.
ambiance
40.0% positive
  1. “If you think any of the Versailes locations in L.A. is what Cuban food is all about, you're missing out on some delicious meals, better service and more comfortable environs.”
  2. “Don't expect a great ambience, but you're there for the food.”
  3. “The Versailes location on La Cienega is a diner that serves average food in a dumpy little place with mediocre servers.”
  4. “The decor is decent, but that's not what you go for.”
  5. “Parking is horrible so prepare to make circles around the block to find a parking spot.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Even the iced tea was great!”
food quality
86.3599967956543% positive
  1. “even the beans and rice are good.”
  2. “The plates were huge and the food was very very good.”
  3. “The portions of meat were huge.”
  4. “The absolute best Cuban food I've had in a very very long time.”
  5. “This place is by far the best Cuban food I have ever had out here in LA!”
  6. “It's a great place with cuban comfort food.”
  7. “Being full blooded cuban and raised on cuban food daily I know good Cuban food.”
  8. “Their black beans are great.”
  9. “This restaurant is the place to go if you like your meat and seafood drenched in garlic like I do.”
  10. “Versailles has the best chicken dinners to go in town.”
  11. “His chicken was good, but I was a little disappointed by my pork.”
  12. “Where can you get a great chicken dinner, increadible shakes and my favorist fried banana's to go after a hard day at work?”
  13. “Their pork dish is awesome!”
  14. “Please take into consideration that I've only been here once, but the dish I had, Garlic Roasted Chicken, was so good.”
  15. “If you think any of the Versailes locations in L.A. is what Cuban food is all about, you're missing out on some delicious meals, better service and more comfortable environs.”
  16. “The lamb was very tasty, too.”
  17. “If you want good Cuban food at a great price, you have to check out Versailles.”
  18. “Other great menu items include an incredible roasted pork, garlic fresh fish of the day and great Cuban sandwiches.”
  19. “Bananas ans greasy garlic sauce are not a good combination.”
  20. “The server for my family's table had great energy and was eager to describe and suggest the food on the menu”
  21. “Great food, good service, not costly.”
  22. “The garlic chicken at Versailles is made to order and has a more radiant garlickly aroma that will stay with you for for at least a day and a half, so don't wear your best suit.”
  23. “The dishes come with rice and plantains, which is my favorite!”
  24. “For under $10 you get a full meal with all the sides and it's enough for two to share.”
  25. “It's great food, incredibly cheap and well worth a visit.”
  26. “And I swear, the food was so bad, I barely felt like eating it.”
  27. “I've been here several times, trying to give it other chances after being dragged by people who claim this place to have "the best Cuban food.”
  28. “The food is amazing and you cant beat the prices and service.”
  29. “The garlic chicken was nice and crisp on the outside and juicy inside.”
  30. “Amazing garlic chicken, served on a plate with plenty of juices to dip bits of meat into.”
  31. “They give you huge portions and most come with rice, beans, and plaintains.”
  32. “Food comes fast (read: lightening speed), is reasonably spiced and absolutely delicious.”
  33. “Even the garlic bread is delicious.”
  34. “The garlic sauce was so rich, I got a migraine after eating it.”
  35. “If you're looking for that truly delicious hole-in-the-wall that is the most "authentic" of what you'd find in La Habana Pequeña in Miami, go to EL RINCON CRIOLLO on Sepulveda Bl.”
  36. “The Versailes location on La Cienega is a diner that serves average food in a dumpy little place with mediocre servers.”
  37. “This is THE BEST Cuban food restaurant in the city and when you arrive you will know it.”
  38. “This is my favorite dish ever.”
  39. “They skimped a little on the white rice (which could have been a bit warmer/fresher for my taste) and the maduro (which were crisped and ripened to absolute perfection), but the black beans were excellent, really.”
  40. “Not only was the service excellent and friendly and prompt, but when the food arrived, it was very close what I am used to.”
  41. “It's a huge 1/2 portion of chicken, cooked in garlic, lemon and onion with white rice, black beans and fried plantains.”
  42. “The pork is out of this world (and the chicken is pretty good too), always make sure you have a dish with plantain!”
  43. “can see that all of the good reviews for this restaurant were only written by people who know the owners because they sure don't know what good food is.”
  44. “totally agree - this is the BEST Cuban food north of Havana.”
  45. “Versailles beats the famous Zankou Chicken when it comes to garlic chicken.”
  46. “Versailles has the best cuban food on the west side.”
  47. “I'm sorry, but I've been invited into homes in La Habana and treated to authentic cooking and this is NOT even close.”
  48. “Anyone saying anything negative about Versailles doesnt know anything about good Cuban food, or how to eat it.”
  49. “Someone said that it's not really an authentic Cuban dish and in reply I say, who the hell cares?”
  50. “love garlic, and this place is abundant with flavor, and great food.”
  51. “came here recently for a late lunch, early dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the food.”
  52. “it is authentic and has great prices and very good service.”
  53. “The pork looked really good.”
  54. “All the dishes I've tried have been good, but for me, nothing beats the moist garlic chicken.”
  55. “Don't expect a great ambience, but you're there for the food.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Other great menu items include an incredible roasted pork, garlic fresh fish of the day and great Cuban sandwiches.”
  2. “It's a great place for a nice Cuban feast and it's inexpensive menu will sure to have me come back here often.”
  3. “The server for my family's table had great energy and was eager to describe and suggest the food on the menu”
  4. “was shocked that the menu was so big.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a great place with cuban comfort food.”
  2. “It's a great place to go with a group especially for a birthday, because they do the whole dimming the lights and hearty singing deal.”
  3. “Overall, this is a great restaurant.”
  4. “It's a great place for a nice Cuban feast and it's inexpensive menu will sure to have me come back here often.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a great place for a nice Cuban feast and it's inexpensive menu will sure to have me come back here often.”
service
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “Also, the service here was great.”
  2. “Great service.”
  3. “The Versailes location on La Cienega is a diner that serves average food in a dumpy little place with mediocre servers.”
  4. “The food is amazing and you cant beat the prices and service.”
  5. “it is authentic and has great prices and very good service.”
  6. “Great food, good service, not costly.”
  7. “can see that all of the good reviews for this restaurant were only written by people who know the owners because they sure don't know what good food is.”
  8. “Not only was the service excellent and friendly and prompt, but when the food arrived, it was very close what I am used to.”
  9. “I've been here several times, trying to give it other chances after being dragged by people who claim this place to have "the best Cuban food.”
  10. “The server for my family's table had great energy and was eager to describe and suggest the food on the menu”
  11. “If you think any of the Versailes locations in L.A. is what Cuban food is all about, you're missing out on some delicious meals, better service and more comfortable environs.”
  12. “The staff is great and the price is very reasonable!”
  13. “Versailles Restaurant is pretty much the most famous Cuban restaurant(s) in Los Angeles and most people can't stop singing it's praises.”
  14. “The service I received when I was there was very fast, very friendly, and very good.”
value
96.42999649047852% positive
  1. “The entrée prices are very reasonable, everything less than $20 and some as low as $7.”
  2. “If you want good Cuban food at a great price, you have to check out Versailles.”
  3. “it is authentic and has great prices and very good service.”
  4. “Portion size is very big, and the price is reasonable.”
  5. “The portions of meat were huge.”
  6. “It's a huge 1/2 portion of chicken, cooked in garlic, lemon and onion with white rice, black beans and fried plantains.”
  7. “I've dined at expensive Cuban restaurants, but this is the best bargain for your buck!”
  8. “The dinner portions are pretty big.”
  9. “They give you huge portions and most come with rice, beans, and plaintains.”
  10. “The staff is great and the price is very reasonable!”
  11. “The food is amazing and you cant beat the prices and service.”
  12. “It's a great place for a nice Cuban feast and it's inexpensive menu will sure to have me come back here often.”
  13. “It's great food, incredibly cheap and well worth a visit.”
  14. “The plates were huge and the food was very very good.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The absolute best Cuban food I've had in a very very long time.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/13/10

Good value, good food

by Anna J

They are famous for their lemon garlic chicken and it's great! The portions are plentiful and the flavor is authentic.

I've been here a few times and I always order the garlic chicken or the arroz con pollo. I've never been dissapointed...it's a pretty casual atmosphere and a great neighborhood place. It's usually pretty crowded around peak lunch time and dinner time, so plan accordingly.

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/10/10

Dissapointing first time experience!

by Rickyrod1

The Cuban sandwich was by far one of the worst ones I have ever had. It had one slice of ham and one slice of pork! I have eaten "Cubanos" in Miami, Puerto Rico, Orlando, Tampa, New York and the one from Versailles in La Cienaga is a sore let down. I mentioned it to the waiter and he was somewhat at a loss for explanation. After eating half of the skinny Cuban, I could not contain my dissapointment and mentioned to the manager. He merely said I waited too long to complain (as if I was trying to get a free lunch!). I should have sent it back as soon as it arrived. Needless to say - I can not believe that the sandwich was so bad, the manager so rude, and that I wasted my time looking the place up while on my vacation. Never again!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/27/08

Awesome Cuban food

by sammietorino

If you are starving and need one meal to fill you up for the day, go to Versailles. You can't go wrong the pork or chicken. And the plantains are always cooked to perfection. Your breath and pores might be kickin after but it's worth it. Just don't go dancing or to the gym. Or Bikram.

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/04/08

People just haven't (a) tried El Colmao, or (b) had real Cuban food!

by virojas

I seriously don't understand the ratings of this place. I've been here several times, trying to give it other chances after being dragged by people who claim this place to have "the best Cuban food." I'm sorry, but I've been invited into homes in La Habana and treated to authentic cooking and this is NOT even close. I ordered a bistec empanizado and I could've sworn it was breaded w/ ritz crackers or something else SO gross. The beef in the lomo saltado wasn't even seasoned! The rice wasn't even salted. In Cuba, the locals put salt in their rice. I'm not big on salt but definitely know that rice in a Cuban meal tastes saltier than rice served w/ a Chinese entree.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/28/08

Cuban Perfection

by Biggietz

The absolute best Cuban food I've had in a very very long time. I'm from Jersey, and am accustomed to strolling into Union City (the second largest Cuban population outside of Cuba) and filling my mouth with a freshly made Cubano and batido de mamey. So my Cuban food standards are high my friends. And this place, surpassed them. Not only was the service excellent and friendly and prompt, but when the food arrived, it was very close what I am used to. The plates were huge and the food was very very good. I had the bbq chicken con arroz blanco, moros y maduros and my boyfriend had the pollo empanizado with the same sides. The portions of meat were huge. They skimped a little on the white rice (which could have been a bit warmer/fresher for my taste) and the maduro (which were crisped and ripened to absolute perfection), but the black beans were excellent, really. They even had Fruta Bomba (sweetened papaya chunks in syrup with cream cheese), people! Oh, yes and batidos de mamey! I will be back to this restaurant again and again. My boyfriend wasn't impressed - but then again, he was begging me to let him drive us through at McDonalds. Thank God I declined. Versaille - if your reading: please add some captions to the incredible photo gallery you have going on the restaurant (oh and straighten them out while your at it).

The Details on Versailles Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • good cuban food
  • great better service
  • great place
  • great price
  • huge dinner portions
  • favorite pork dish
  • nice garlic chicken
  • good garlic roasted chicken
  • great black beans
  • great cuban restaurant
  • good fried plaintains
  • favorite rice
  • incredible pork
  • really rich cuban flan
  • full alway
  • delicious meal
  • huge plates
  • great energy
  • very tasty lamb
  • truly delicious holeinthewall
  • great favorist fried banana
  • very reasonable entreacutee prices
  • great staff
  • great chicken dinner
  • favorite plantains

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