Banana Cafe & Piano Bar Menu
Indulge in the vibrant atmosphere of Banana Cafe & Piano Bar, a hidden gem in Washington, DC that offers a unique blend of Cuban, Caribbean, Latin American, and Tex-Mex cuisine. With a relaxed ambiance and live music, this cafe is perfect for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner. The menu boasts tantalizing dishes like Cuban beans with olives and squash, ropa vieja, and mofongo, all served in generous portions at affordable prices. Don't miss out on their refreshing cocktails, including the popular mojito and banana daiquiri. Whether you're craving a savory meal or a sweet treat like the Dirty Banana drink, Banana Cafe & Piano Bar is sure to satisfy your appetite and leave you coming back for more. Don't forget to explore their outdoor seating area and enjoy the lively music from talented performers.
Appetizers
Chips & Salsa
First order complementary with food order. Made fresh daily
Ham Croquettes
Four to the order. Served with our homemade red pepper sauce
Alcapurrias
Fritter made of mashed green bananas and root vegetables, then stuffed with ground beef, olives, capers and pimientos. One of Puerto Rico's most popular street foods
Empanadas
One chicken, one picadillo (beef/pork) one mixed seafood. Served with a delicious red pepper sauce
Cuban Empanadas
As delicious as the famous sandwich. Two empanadas stuffed o the limit with baked ham, slow roasted pork, Swiss cheese and sliced dill pickles. Served with a papaya sauce
Stuffed Yoca
Mashed yuca stuffed with chorizo, carrots and olives. Topped with cheese and served with a simply amazing cilantro-lime sauce
Fried Calamari
Accompanied with our fresh mango, ginger sauce
Gambas al Ajillo
Sauteed jumbo shrimp in a delicious lemon, garlic, butter wine sauce. Served with grilled bread
Cod Fish Fritters
Served hush puppy-style with our house made guava sauce
Tropical Ceviche
A customer favorite Fresh flounder, shrimp, scallops and squid marinated in citrus juices, ginger, red onion, cilantro and jalapenos. Garnished with avocado, mango, pineapple and potatoes
Lechon (Pork) Nachos
Tortilla Chips topped with black beans, Puerto Rican roasted pulled pork and blend of cheeses. Topped with sour cream, pico de gallo, jalapenos, guacamole and green onions
Queso
Always popular, always requested jalapeno cheese dip served with tortilla chips
Guacamole Al Fresco
Fresh guacamole, Mexican cheese and pico de gallo served with tortilla chips
Tamal De Elote
Slowly Steamed and made from a sweet delicate fresh corn puree
House
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms and Spinach onions
Caesar
Tropical Salad
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, avocadoes, heart of palm, mushrooms and Spanish onions
Grilled Wedge Salad
Quarter grilled iceberg lettuce topped with blue cheese and crumbled pork cracklings, boiled egg and tomatoes
Southwestern Salad
Romaine lettuce, grilled corn, black beans, carrots Spanish onions, cilantro and red pepper. Topped with homemade tortilla strips
Salads
Add Ons
With Grilled Chicken or Beef
With Mixed Shrimp, Scallops and Squid
With Just Shrimp
With Grilled Salmon
Plantain
A house specialty. Green plantains cooked in a hearty chicken broth with a touch of cilantro and garlic
Chicken Tortilla
A Rich and tasty broth with shredded chicken, carrots, onions, celery, yuca and cilantro topped with a squeeze of lime and homemade tortilla strips
Seafood
Wonderful cream base soup with shrimp, scallops and mussels. Rich and delicious
Soups
Entrees
Ropa Vieja
One of the most popular and great cuban dishes of shredded flank steak slow cooked with tomatoes, onions, pepper and spices. Served with ripe plantains, black beans and white rice
Cuban Picadillo
Well seasoned ground beef and pork cooked in criollo sauce with capers, olives and raisins. Served with white rice, black beans and ripe platains
Puerto Rican Piononos
Wonderful dish of sweet plantain timbales stuffed with picadillo (ground beef and pork) and topped with a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Served with Puerto Rican red beans and white rice
Stuffed Plantains
Very hearty and delicious meal of 3 fried green plantains stuffed, one with picadillo (ground beef and pork), one with chicken and one with mixed seafood. Accompanied with black beans and white rice
Pernii de Puerco Relleno de Mofongo
Pounded pork loin stuffed with mofongo (mashed green plantains seasoned with garlic and pork cracklings). Oven roasted and topped with our ginger mango sauce. Served with white rice, black beans and vegetables
Bistec Encebollado
The owner's Favorite. Pounded and marinated flank steak or boneless chicken breast sauteed and smothered with cooked onions and our secret sauce. served with with white rice and black beans
Bistec Empanizado
Breaded and pounded flank steak or chicken breast pan fried and served with black beans and white rice. Definitely old time comfort food, always a winner
Carnitas Cubanas
Customer's all time favorite. Succulent morsels of tender roasted pork marinated in spices and fragrant Sevilla's bitter orange. Served with yuca con mojo, black beans and white rice
Bistec A La Milanesa
The previous Bistec Empanizado topped with homemade marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Served with black beans and white rice
Churrasco Surf & Turf
Very tender churrasco steak topped with a delicate chimichurri sauce, 3 grilled jumbo shrimp and grilled chorizo. Served with black congri and julienne vegetables
Caribbean Vegetarian Combo
Superb vegetarian dish including tamal de elote, vegetables, fried plantains, yuca con mojo, gucamole, white and black beans
Saltado
A very hearty peruvian dish of your choice of the above sauteed with onions, peppers, tomatoes, jalapenos, fresh garlic, potatoes and white wine. Served with white rice and black beans. Your choice of:
Masitas de Cerdo (Pork)
Bistec Encebollado (Flank steak with onions)
Pollo (Chicken)
Camarones (Shrimp)
Mariscos (Seafood)
Vegetables
Sauteed spinach, zucchini, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, tomato, garlic and onions. No bacon added to the vegetarian mofongo