Havana is home to many restaurants serving a wide range of cuisine. But which ones should you visit?
I have put together a list with just a few of the many restaurants I love and absolutely recommend eating at when you visit this amazing city.
1. La Guarida Havana
La Guarida is found on the top floor of a dilapidated Havana tenement building. Dining here is an amazing experience with the food being served here being some of the best in Havana. The restaurant attracts many well known celebrities and dignitaries as seen in the rows of pictures hanging on the restaurant walls. The cuisine here offers a blend of Nueva Cocina Cubana and international dishes including such dishes as papaya lasagne with chopped sea-fish, sea bass in a coconut reduction, tuna with sugarcane glazed in coconut, grilled red snapper with yucca, chicken in honey and lemon sauce, rabbit in olive oil and rosemary, pork medallions in mango sauce and watermelon gazpacho with shrimps. To dine at what is regarded by many as the best restaurant in Cuba, be sure to make a reservation well in advance as this very popular restaurant has limited seating.
2. Los Nardos
Be careful not to miss this popular restaurant which is located opposite the Capitolio. Los Nardos is a semi-private restaurant which is operated by the Spanish Asturianas Society. Delicious dishes such as authentic Spanish paella, lobster in Catalan sauce and garlic prawns with vegetables and pork and chicken dishes are served in mahogany and leather surroundings. Meals here are large in size but very cheap in cost.
3. La Fontana
Giant portions of char-grilled meat and fish are served at this villa-cum-paladar (small family-run restaurant). Be careful not to have too much of a starter, including crab with eggplant, quail eggs and fried chickpeas, as the main courses are so large you need to leave room for them!
4. El Aljibe
This humble Palmares restaurant is popular with both local people and foreign visitors. The restaurants signature dish is roast pork (pollo asado) served with all you can eat helpings of black beans, white rice, plantain, French fries and salad served with a bitter orange sauce (secret recipe).
5. Al Medina
The Al Medina serves Middle Eastern cuisine including chicken tagine, lamb couscous, spicy Lebanese sumac and a filling veggie platter with hummus, tabouleh, dolma, pilaf and falafel.
6. El Templete
This is a more upmarket seafood restaurant which overlooks the harbour. The restaurant consists of an indoor eating area with starched tablecloths on the tables and a more relaxed outdoor eating area under a large awning. The main specialities here are shrimp and lobster dishes. El Templete is much more expensive than previously mentioned restaurants.
7. La Torre
Offering amazing panoramic views of the city, La Torre is located at the top of the 36-storey Edificio Focsa in downtown Vedado. The French inspired menu offers everything from foie gras to almond tart. La Torre is a top class restaurant which charges top prices.
8. Las Orishas
If you like rumba music this restaurant is the place to eat at weekends. Enjoy a reasonably priced meal varied menu here at Las Orishas which has a nice bar in a courtyard decorated with brightly coloured Afro-Cuban sculptures.
The above are just a few of the many exciting paladars and restaurants in Havana, there are many more for you to try whilst visiting this fascinating city. Havana is also home to many cafes not to be missed on your trip to Cuba. Try the dozens of different types of coffee whilst relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere at these laid back cafes. You might also like to view my recommendations for the most beautiful beaches in Cuba to really maximise your experience.
