Where to Eat in Havana
- Submitted by: manso
- Travel and Tourism
- 09 / 26 / 2011
By Conner Gorry. Sep 25, 2011. Café del Oriente (Photo: Sven Creutzmann) Oases in a Food Desert. Havana is far from a great restaurant town, but culinary triumphs exist, at both state-run and private restaurants (known as paladares).
Paladares
La Guarida
(Calle Concordia, No. 418; 863-7351)
Made famous by its cameo in the Oscar-nominated Fresa y Chocolate, La Guarida is considered by many to be Cuba’s best restaurant. The crumbling Centro Habana building where it’s housed adds to the cachet; reserve in advance.
El Diluvio
(Calle 72, No. 1705; 202-1531) The Italian chef at this intimate converted garage cranks out Havana’s best handmade pastas and wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas.
Casa Blanca
(Avenida 49, No. 3401; 203-7232)
Opened in May, the “White House” spins classic Cuban dishes like octopus in olive oil or charcoal-grilled pork loin into gourmet feasts.
D’Doce
(Calle 12, No. 508, Vedado; 836-9301)
Chef Vladimir, who cut his teeth at some of the city’s finest restaurants, finally opened his own spot in April.
State Restaurants
Café del Oriente
(Calle Oficios, No. 112; 860-6686)
The upscale eatery anchoring Plaza de San Francisco de Asis features tuxedoed wait staff, crisp tablecloths, and a killer steak au poivre.
La Torre
(Calle M, corner of Calle 17, 36th fl.; 838-3088)
Stunning city and sea views make this one of Havana’s most romantic spots; grab sunset cocktails at the bar, and don’t miss the profiteroles for dessert.
La Ferminia
(Avenida 5, No. 18207; 273-6555)
Prime cuts, professional service (not a given in Havana), and a grand mansion setting. Treat some Cubans to the all-you-can-eat mixed grill in the garden and make fast friends.
El Templete
(Avenida del Puerto, Nos. 12–14; 866-8807)
A favorite among Havana’s famous and well-to-do; sate your seafood craving with grilled hake in clam sauce or squid cooked in its ink.
Classic Cuban lunch with pork chop, rice, beans, and salad at El Ranchón (Calles Tulipán and Marino). Cost: $1.
16-oz. beer on tap in the garden patio at Parrilla El Matador (Calle 26 bet. 5ta and 7ta, Miramar). Cost: $1.
Five scoops of ice cream at Coppelia (Calles L and 23).
Cost: 25 cents.
Shared taxi ride in a ’55 Buick.
Cost: 40 cents by day, 80 cents by night.
Souvenir three-peso Che coins and bills. from currency-exchange bureaus citywide.
Cost: $1 for eight.
Jam session with Son Cubano maestro Pancho Amat at the Museo de la Música (third Thursday of the month; Calle Obrapía No. 509).Cost: Free.
Source: http://nymag.com/travel/features/havana-restaurants-2011-10/
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