A Cabana in the Hills

Tucked between a Japanese and a Malaysian restaurant, Cabana is one of many restaurants on the long strip of eateries in the heart of Forest Hills 70th Road between Queens Boulevard and Austin Street in Queens, New York. Although there is a wide array of cuisines to choose from along the street, it would be hard to bypass Cabana, especially with its festive lights and hip shaking Spanish music springing from its opened glass windows.

Past the walkway, the room turns into a long hallway. Since the restaurant is between two other establishments, there are no other windows other than the ones in the front doorway. However, they fill the sunset orange window-less walls with decorative masks, sombreros, and scenic paintings.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Cabana serves their patrons from 10am-11pm. They’re usually busiest at night, where the wait for a table can be as long as twenty to thirty minutes.

On warm days, Cabana opens its outdoor seating area, which is right in front of the restaurant, with a few tables on the sidewalk where patrons can dine and watch people walk by. If you prefer eating inside, you walk through a small corridor where you’re greeted by a welcoming hostess who politely asks the number of guests.

Inside, there is a full service bar to your left, with an assortment of alcohol bottles stacked to the ceiling. Past the bar, the room extends to a longer hallway with booth seating along the left wall and table seating on the right. There are only so many tables you can fit into a narrow restaurant so the tables are rather close; you can even share your meal with the party next to you if you wanted to. The closeness may feel like an invasion of personal space and might make some a little uncomfortable.

Small candles on the edge of the tables add warmth to the room.

Who knew yellow-orange walls could be cozy?

Once seated, you’re greeted by a friendly server who rapidly recites the specials of the day before asking for a drink order. They have an entire menu dedicated to their many mojitos which come in original and fruity flavors ranging from $6 to $8. They also have delicious red and white wine sangrias with chunks of apples and oranges served by the glass or pitcher. However, if you’re not into Spanish style drinks, they can make a drink of your choice at the bar.

Their menu is entirely traditional Spanish food. They have amazing appetizers such as empanadas, which are made with your choice of shrimp, chicken, or beef for $12, and fried plantains. Whether you’re a vegetarian, a meat or seafood lover, their dishes accommodate any preference. For steak lovers, the Ropa Vieja dish has skirt steak, grilled onions, and gravy atop yellow rice, and of course, black beans. For seafood lovers, the Paella Marinera is a must-have. Packed with mussels, clams, calamari, scallop, and jumbo shrimp, this dish is like the ocean on yellow rice. Served in a black clay pot, the Paella is priced at $24 but for $10 more, they add lobster tail as if there aren’t already enough sea creatures in there. For some, $24 might be a little pricey for one dish but considering this pot of golden rice is meant to serve two, it is actually quite reasonable.

Within the sunset orange walls aligned with sombreros and masks that commemorate Latin heritage, Cabana brings a little piece of Spain into Queens. After the empanadas, skirt steaks, and paella, you’ll surely become a Spanish food lover and go back for more.

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