Eating in Havana; Some restaurants to try if you haven't already.

[El Presidente]

Eating In Havana

Eating in Cuba has certainly had a remarkable turnaround over the past four years. While most of these places are well known, I wanted to provide an update based on our recent experiences.

For recent travelers over the past few years, please post a review of your favourites with address if possible.

La Terraza

Prado 309 Esquina Virtudes, La Habana Vieja, Havana, Cuba

This restaurant is on the third floor terrace and it has a great open air feel. To me the entrees are the standout meals with the beef ribs a “do not miss” experience. Actually every entrée is brilliant with the Octopus particularly stunning.

The mains I find to be huge servings, good value but no real technical excellence. The leg of lamb is a huge offering and along with the Pork chops my pick. Of course you could always go with the beef ribs but I think an entrée serving to be almost enough as they are very very rich.

Wine list is good. Cristal is cold. Rum is plenty. You really can’t go wrong!

Rio Mar

3ra y Final # 11, La Puntilla | Miramar, Havana, Cuba

One of my favourite Havana restaurants and only 100metres from the house where we stayed.

The view is spectacular overlooking the water and the food to me world class.

The specialise in sea food (naturally) and they do it exceptionally well. We had a group of 17 for dinner and with entrée, mains + plenty of wine and beers the cost came in at 50 CUC per head. It was worth every penny and more. I have never had anything less than an excellent meal there.

Café laurent

Calle M # 257. entre 19 y 21 (Penthouse) | Vedado, Havana 10400, Cuba

I love this place and really rate it. It is a handy upmarket restaurant to know as it is within walking distance of the Nacional Hotel. Post dinner it is a 15 minute stroll from Laurent to the Gato Tuerto or for those seeking more “hands on action” the Salon Rojo.

The owner of Laurent is the ex head chef of El Templete and the food is simply in the top tier to be found in Havana. I tend to stick to the seafoods (done properly they are Cuba’s strength) and laurent doesn’t fail. The Octopus is again a favourite with whole Red Snapper coming in a close second. Prices here are high by Cuban standards. They would be a bargain anywhere else.

La Guarida

Concordia. No. 418 | Gervasio y Escobar, Havana 10700, Cuba

Cuba’s most famous restaurant and a must to do at least once. Located in a rundown building in the backstreets of Havana it is eclectic and the food can be world class.

I love taking people to La Guarida because the setting is so different but I am not overly enthused with the food. I have always found it to be hit and miss. You can have one of the best dishes you have ever tasted…and one of the most average….all on the same night.

I always go for the red snaper ceviche below when it is on the menu. It never misses and is superb.

Santy

Calle 240A No 3023 y 3raC,

Jaimanitas 5 286 7039

Located in Jaimanitas it is 5 minutes short of Marina Hemmingway. Make sure you have a driver who knows how to find it because it is not easy.

It is spectacular.

Santy is a sushi/sashimi/seafood restaurant. The owner catches and cleans the fish every morning and serves it for you lunch and dinner. The setting is at the back of the house on the water where he docks his boat. There si no fresher fish in the word and you can taste it!!!!

Twenty of us spent a gorgeous afternoon there. More food than we could eat. Some of the best Sushi/Sashimi/Ceviche/Crabs in the world. Plenty of Cristals were downed over 3 hours. Cost 30 CUC per person.

Cuban dining at its absolute best. World class. If it was a local restaurant I would be there twice a week.

El Templete

Ave. del Puerto esq. Narciso Lopez | Old Havana, Havana, Cuba

Great location opposite the port terminal in Old Havana. We use it for a late lunch when in Old Havana and we pass on the mains and load up on Tapas, red wine and cigars. Garlic prawns, octopus a la Galicia, Jamon Serano, Squid in ink, calamares, loads of fresh backed bread…you get the drift. The mains are “so so”. The Tapas/entres are excellent so hit those.

It is always a fantastic afternoon. Finish up with a trip to Conde or wander through Old Havana with a cigar and finish with a drink and listening to the excellent band at Bar Monserrate

What are some of your favourites? Let us know and provide an address and brief review if possible

[CanuckSARTech]

Good rundown, Rob. Just saw this.

Extensions to your above:

El Templete - hands down, from a long-ago-former bartender, some of the best pina coladas around. Absolutely divine when partaking in the ceviche and baby eels. Dipping fresh bread into the leftover garlic butter sauce from the baby eels dish is wonderful as well.

La Terraza - Agreed wholeheartedly there. Having the octopus appetizer, followed by the leg of lamb main, makes for a divine evening.

Some others to add:

El Aljibe - just simple roasted chicken in a state-run restaurant. But with the dipping sauce being made from fermented oranges and the chicken drippings, it's absolute nirvana. Many of us load up on soaking the fresh made bread into the dishes of the dripping sauce. If they offered that as a take-out item (fresh bread and chicken-drippings sauce), they'd make a killing!

Can't remember the name of it, but the restaurant out back at the Hotel Nacional. Many items are nothing spectacular. But their rice and beans are perfection, and the ropa vieja make it wonderful.

Hotel Parque Central - probably the only place in Havana to get a really decently done beef hamburger. Enjoying it on the rooftop terrace beside the pool, while taking in the wonderful view at night, is simply decadent.

I'm sure Nino will be able to add in with many of his hole-in-the-wall locations, which some of us have had the pleasure of enjoying as well.

[ksblazer]

Looks delicious

Thanks for sharing