This guest post is brought to you by Mari Daniele (photographer), you can follow her on Instagram
Enjoy!
There’s a different kind of revolution brewing in Cuba and unlike its infamous 1959 counterpart, this one brings a lot more “candela.”
Since the Cuban government has issued licenses for small privately owned businesses like paladares (restaurants), the rise of young entrepreneurial Cuban chiefs has left Havana’s dining scene growing faster than Che’s facial hair.
And since the world has seemed to suddenly remember the biggest island in the Caribbean still exists, tourists are wondering data-less and clueless around the streets of La Habana Vieja or El Vedado hungry.
So let us help you find where you can find the best cuisine in the islands capital.
1. Santy Pescador (Miramar, Habana)
Famous for hosting tourists and locals alike, Santy Pescador overlooks Rio Jaimanitas and boosts a twist on traditional Cuban seafood – sushi.
And if you are lucky enough to visit Havana during tuna season, you cannot pass anything Santy Pescador makes with tuna.
An incredibly laid-back atmosphere with great views of the sea and marina is a great way to spend lunch or dinner in Havana.
Mari’s Pro Tip: Santy Pescador is a bit outside center Habana but a few streets down is Fusterlandia, a MUST SEE for anyone interested in local beautiful art. Fusterlandia is an entire neighborhood dedicated to eccentric Cuban art by artist Jose Fuster. If you decide to go, I’d suggest to arrive after all the tour busses and crowds leave around 2pm-3pm).
2. El Del Frente (La Habana Vieja)
Tucked away by the overly flamboyant streets of La Habana Vieja is one of the best Cuban restaurants in the touristy neighborhood.
El Del Frente is on O’Reily and Aguilar and on the top floors of the building with a beautiful rooftop terrace. Enjoy amazing Cuban cuisine and finely made cocktails in a very unique setting.
3. El Chanchullero (La Habana Vieja)
You’ve probably come across this one if you’ve done any sort of research of Cuban restaurants and it’s worth the buzz.
El Chanchullero is also in touristy Habana Vieja but makes probably one of the best ropa Viejas I’ve had in the area (and that’s a very tall order for me!). It has a great bar decorated with wine bottles and posters.
4. Somos Cuba (La Habana Vieja)
Somos Cuba (we are cuba) is EXACTLY that. From the location to the hosts to the food, you CANNOT get any more Cuban than this.
Located in a solar (buildings that are divided into very small apartments in center Havana), Somos Cuba’s chefs Ivan and Leidi serve you in the kitchen itself. They welcome you as any Cuban would with love and food. It’s a bit pricey for Cuban standards but the experience and the food is well worth it.
Pro-Tip: There are stairs with graffiti pointing you to the restaurant. If you think it’s not where you should go, it most likely is! Packed times include lunch and early evening hours so you might want to go a bit later. Its small so don’t be shy to be a bit Cuban-like and talk to your dinner neighbors.
5. Flor de Loto: Chinese in Cuba (Centro Habana/Barrio Chino)
Yes, I’m recommending Chinese food in Cuba and it may surprise you that Chinese roots are essential to the fabric of Cuban culture.
Chinese immigrants have been calling Havana home for generations now and their food still inspires. I’m putting this on the list because I always think its great to experience a different kind of cuisine than in the country you are visiting.
Plus, let’s be honest… there’s just so much rice, beans and meat that one can eat. Well Flor de Loto fits the bill! Right in the center of you guessed it, Barrio Chino, Flor serves the best fusion Havana has to offer. I mean where else in the world can you get perfectly fried plantains and the best crabmeat with fried rice all in one huge (HUGE, yes the portions are CRAZY BIG) plate? Only in La Habana!
A La Mesa is a Cuban app (yes, tech start-ups are a thing in the land of no data but that’s another blog post) that lists restaurants of all major cities in Cuba. They give you filters for live music, bars, tapas, and price range. It’s not yelp, but it works off-line and is an amazing app to have while visiting the island.
If you are curious to know what kind of food you can expect to eat in Cuba you are in the right place.
I have a good news for you: if you like rice you’ll probably like the 50% of the cuisine. In fact, rice is the basis of any dish you’ll see served on the table.
What to eat in Cuba
If you go in a typical Cuban restaurant you’ll see the following essential ingredients mixed together or alone:
You can order this food separated or mixed in many variants, often all together. For example chicken, rice, beans, malanga and bananas. Sometimes with vegetables as cucumbers and tomatoes.
Everything is good but it also depends where you are going. The quality of the restaurant in Havana is generally good but you need to know the best places.
Where to eat
One of the most famous restaurant in the Old Havana is Los Nardos, just in front of the Capitolio. Usually there’s a long line outside the entrance. You have then to climb the stairs till the first floor. The restaurant is not expansive but you can also find cheaper places with good quality food and great service.
You just need to walk and get lost in the streets of the city to find good and charming places.
If you are going to stay in the island for a week or longer you may start wondering to eat something different 🙂
In my personal experience after about 4-5 days I start feeling the need for something different. I’m Italian and I need some pasta or Mediterranean cuisine after a while!
You can find pizza and pasta, both in local or Italian restaurant. Of course you won’t find all the Mediterranean ingredients in any place. Here you can find an interesting list of restaurants in Old Havana.
This was a brief list on what to eat in Cuba. Another post with the best places to eat will be posted in future, so be sure to subscribe to newsletter to get the latest news straight into your inbox!
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