Alberto Y Elizabeth’s guidebook
The best of Havana’s restaurant scene
Go there and you will have a terrific culinary experience!
Atelier is a contemporary space in an idiosyncratic Havana mansion, with a large main room and two balconies with boundless cushions. An antique hob outside, an old sewing and adding machines inside, give the place a retro feel.
80 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Atelier
Atelier is a contemporary space in an idiosyncratic Havana mansion, with a large main room and two balconies with boundless cushions. An antique hob outside, an old sewing and adding machines inside, give the place a retro feel.
It inhabits the 2nd-floor family-room-turned-restaurant of a private residence, which faces the sea. The seaside ambience is embellished by a beautiful swimming pool that spills its water into the ocean. Delicious seafood dishes may be enjoyed while overlooking the crashing waves of the ocean.
72 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Vistamar
It inhabits the 2nd-floor family-room-turned-restaurant of a private residence, which faces the sea. The seaside ambience is embellished by a beautiful swimming pool that spills its water into the ocean. Delicious seafood dishes may be enjoyed while overlooking the crashing waves of the ocean.
El Cocinero is just as much about the Havana art scene as it is about food.
The restaurant makes use of half of a 100-year-old, and long abandoned, cooking oil factory along the Almendares River, between the Vedado and Miramar neighborhoods.
The factorys landmark 200-foot-tall red brick chimney is now home to a spiral staircase that ascends to an intimate dining room. Subtle lighting, black and white photography, and smooth jazz over a Bose sound system to set the mood.
368 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
El Cocinero
Calle 26El Cocinero is just as much about the Havana art scene as it is about food.
The restaurant makes use of half of a 100-year-old, and long abandoned, cooking oil factory along the Almendares River, between the Vedado and Miramar neighborhoods.
The factorys landmark 200-foot-tall red brick chimney is now home to a spiral staircase that ascends to an intimate dining room. Subtle lighting, black and white photography, and smooth jazz over a Bose sound system to set the mood.
Keep it simple. The secret at Doña Eutimia is that there is no secret. Just serve decent-sized portions of incredibly tasty Cuban food. The ropa vieja – shredded beef – and minced beef picadillo both deserve mentions. Doña Eutimia was the first private restaurant to grace this small cul-de-sac near the cathedral.
Now, there are at least five other restaurants and a rugby scrum of jineteros (hustlers) trying to lure you in (avoid them and you'll save money).
329 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Paladar Doña Eutimia
Callejon del ChorroKeep it simple. The secret at Doña Eutimia is that there is no secret. Just serve decent-sized portions of incredibly tasty Cuban food. The ropa vieja – shredded beef – and minced beef picadillo both deserve mentions. Doña Eutimia was the first private restaurant to grace this small cul-de-sac near the cathedral.
Now, there are at least five other restaurants and a rugby scrum of jineteros (hustlers) trying to lure you in (avoid them and you'll save money).
When the owners of O'Reilly 304 realized that they had no room to expand their increasingly popular restaurant they opened up another one directly across the street and humorously called it El del Frente ('the one in front'). It's more of the same culinary genius with a few bonuses – a roof terrace, retro 50s design features and heady gin cocktails.
177 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
El del Frente
303 e O'ReillyWhen the owners of O'Reilly 304 realized that they had no room to expand their increasingly popular restaurant they opened up another one directly across the street and humorously called it El del Frente ('the one in front'). It's more of the same culinary genius with a few bonuses – a roof terrace, retro 50s design features and heady gin cocktails.
This Spanish-Cuban fusion private restaurant or paladar, run by a husband-and-wife team, offers the best quality Spanish food in town. Chef Alvaro Diez trained in Catalonia at Ferran Adria’s edgy gastronomic temple elBulli. If there’s anything close to Nueva Cocina (New Kitchen) in Cuba, this is it. The décor is minimalist with modern milky white chairs and a few futuristic paintings hung on the wall. The dishes are sophisticated and contemporary. The sardine starter dressed with papaya salsa, cilantro purée and flower petals is sublime, and most of the herbs used on each plate are grown from its own garden. It’s amazing how, like most kitchens, Otranmanera manages periodic shortages of ingredients and still turns out awe-inspiring food.
55 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Otramanera
1810 Avenida 35This Spanish-Cuban fusion private restaurant or paladar, run by a husband-and-wife team, offers the best quality Spanish food in town. Chef Alvaro Diez trained in Catalonia at Ferran Adria’s edgy gastronomic temple elBulli. If there’s anything close to Nueva Cocina (New Kitchen) in Cuba, this is it. The décor is minimalist with modern milky white chairs and a few futuristic paintings hung on the wall. The dishes are sophisticated and contemporary. The sardine starter dressed with papaya salsa, cilantro purée and flower petals is sublime, and most of the herbs used on each plate are grown from its own garden. It’s amazing how, like most kitchens, Otranmanera manages periodic shortages of ingredients and still turns out awe-inspiring food.
A decidedly un-Cuban venue in Havana, Santy is an open-air, palatial Mediterranean/sushi restaurant on the docks of the Rio Jaimanitas. It’s technically “hidden” (if you don’t look up the address on Google Maps, that is) but that doesn’t mean the house isn’t packed with tourists and locals alike any given evening. Don’t expect VIP service here: it’s quick and laid-back. Who hasn’t dreamed of munching California rolls 3ft away from Cuban boats and fishermen?
59 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Santy Pescador
3c23 e/ 3raC 240 AA decidedly un-Cuban venue in Havana, Santy is an open-air, palatial Mediterranean/sushi restaurant on the docks of the Rio Jaimanitas. It’s technically “hidden” (if you don’t look up the address on Google Maps, that is) but that doesn’t mean the house isn’t packed with tourists and locals alike any given evening. Don’t expect VIP service here: it’s quick and laid-back. Who hasn’t dreamed of munching California rolls 3ft away from Cuban boats and fishermen?
A Parisian-style cafe in the midst of Havana?! Hemingway’s head might explode at the prospect, but it’s real. And it’s spectacular. Sensitive lighting, a quiet ambience, and an air of European class make this one of the more unique paladares in all of Cuba, and a truly rare dining experience overall. Plus, all snooty French waiters are replaced with genial Cubans.
27 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Le Chansonnier
A Parisian-style cafe in the midst of Havana?! Hemingway’s head might explode at the prospect, but it’s real. And it’s spectacular. Sensitive lighting, a quiet ambience, and an air of European class make this one of the more unique paladares in all of Cuba, and a truly rare dining experience overall. Plus, all snooty French waiters are replaced with genial Cubans.
Only in Havana! The entrance to the city's most legendary private restaurant greets you like a scene out of a 1940s film noir. A decapitated statue at the bottom of a grand but dilapidated staircase leads up past lines of drying clothes to a wooden door, behind which lie multiple culinary surprises.
La Guarida's lofty reputation was first fermented in the 1990s when it was used as a location for the Oscar-nominated film Fresa y Chocolate. Not surprisingly, the food is still up there with Havana's best, shoehorning its pioneering brand of Nueva Cocina Cubana into dishes such as rabbit pâté and oxtail risotto. Reservations recommended.
617 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
La Guarida
418 ConcordiaOnly in Havana! The entrance to the city's most legendary private restaurant greets you like a scene out of a 1940s film noir. A decapitated statue at the bottom of a grand but dilapidated staircase leads up past lines of drying clothes to a wooden door, behind which lie multiple culinary surprises.
La Guarida's lofty reputation was first fermented in the 1990s when it was used as a location for the Oscar-nominated film Fresa y Chocolate. Not surprisingly, the food is still up there with Havana's best, shoehorning its pioneering brand of Nueva Cocina Cubana into dishes such as rabbit pâté and oxtail risotto. Reservations recommended.
Nestled in a pretty little corner of San Juan de Dios and Compostela, 5 Sentidos boasts a classy style with large windows and all white décor. As a result of that, the restaurant is an airy space with a pleasant atmosphere, exceptionally ideal for a quick bite in the summer. Drop by to cool down with one of 5 Sentidos’ delicious daiquiris. When you’re there, it’s almost a sin not to eat something. Everything we’ve tried so far was impeccable. The chef’s interpretation of the traditional recipes is exquisite. If you feel like something fresh and light, try the fine salmorejoand delectable ceviche. But what captivated us the most was the dessert guava cubes, or casquitos de guayaba, which are filled with cream cheese. Those who are hoping to wind down with a glass of wine will be happy to know that they also have a decent wine list with some standout Chilean and Spanish reds.
5 Sentidos seems to have it all. It is one of those restaurants that you’ll probably end up visiting all the time. The next time you head over to Old Havana, stop by for lunch and then tell us what you think.
25 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
5 Sentidos
CompostelaNestled in a pretty little corner of San Juan de Dios and Compostela, 5 Sentidos boasts a classy style with large windows and all white décor. As a result of that, the restaurant is an airy space with a pleasant atmosphere, exceptionally ideal for a quick bite in the summer. Drop by to cool down with one of 5 Sentidos’ delicious daiquiris. When you’re there, it’s almost a sin not to eat something. Everything we’ve tried so far was impeccable. The chef’s interpretation of the traditional recipes is exquisite. If you feel like something fresh and light, try the fine salmorejoand delectable ceviche. But what captivated us the most was the dessert guava cubes, or casquitos de guayaba, which are filled with cream cheese. Those who are hoping to wind down with a glass of wine will be happy to know that they also have a decent wine list with some standout Chilean and Spanish reds.
5 Sentidos seems to have it all. It is one of those restaurants that you’ll probably end up visiting all the time. The next time you head over to Old Havana, stop by for lunch and then tell us what you think.