Varadero
Rivaling anything Varadero's five-star resorts can cough up, this 'five-star' fine-dining establishment exudes an aura of refinement not seen since Benny…
Must-see restaurants in Matanzas Province
Varadero
With possibly the most all-encompassing menu of Varadero's private restaurants, Salsa Suárez impresses with its salubrious greenery-covered patio and…
Matanzas
A pianist plays on a baby grand, chefs work artistically behind a glass partition in the kitchen, and a waiter carves Chateaubriand at your table. New…
Playa Girón
The best in a quartet of private places in Playa Girón, this family-run joint, known colloquially as Carlito’s, serves what might be the cheapest lobster…
Matanzas Province
Don Qko is a well-executed and quietly sophisticated restaurant hidden in Cárdenas, otherwise tatty street grid that serves classic Cuban dishes in a…
Varadero
Veteran Cuba visitors will remember an era when the word 'pasta' was a euphemism for ‘mush.' But times have changed and, thanks to inspired new…
Varadero
Travelers rate this sequestered-away spot, which was once Varadero's Club Náutico. The restaurant is clearly aiming high with its impressive international…
Matanzas
Amelia del Mar brings tongue-in-cheek creativity to standard Cuban 'international' food through flashy presentation and then serves the concept in a neat…
Matanzas
An exclamation mark of artistic genius down by the river, the Talla could be your best bet for food among the new crop of bars and galleries hereabouts…
Varadero
Varadero's best state-run restaurant is a steakhouse that serves relatively cheap steak and lobster in an old-world decor (stag's heads, horsey…
Matanzas Province
Make Plan B your plan A when visiting Cárdenas – particularly if you’re in the mood for ice cream. This diminutive place with five tables rustles up…
Varadero
Like most restaurants in the busy crossroads of Santa Marta, Atlantida is set up mainly for Cubans, but has recently garnered a good reputation among…
Varadero
A posh 'floating' restaurant in the Marina Gaviota, state-run Kike-Kcho pushes its lobster, which is caught locally and stored on-site meaning it's ultra…
Varadero
Going strong since 1993, Dante takes its name from an entrepreneurial chef who continues to rustle up good Italian fare to complement the serene lakeside…
Varadero
Varadero town has traditionally been a little light on breakfast options, so all hail this engagingly modest joint almost hidden behind greenery on…
Matanzas
Small is beautiful. With three tables squeezed into a space the size of an entry vestibule and the day’s menu chalked onto a blackboard, Fettuccine is not…
Matanzas Province
If you're visiting the Cuevas de Bellamar, you'd do well to grab a comida criolla (Creole food) lunch at this ranchón (rustic, opened-sided restaurant)…
Varadero
Locals rate this fondue-focused restaurant as one of the best state-run joints in town, but, while it's a welcome change from rice and beans, it's not…
Restaurante Romántico San Severino
Matanzas
A bit of old-world ambience in Parque Libertad, the Romántico is a 1st-floor perch up a steep flight of stairs with good park views if you can bag a…
Varadero
This place was one-time favorite of Buena Vista Social Club luminary Compay Segundo, and the man obviously had taste. All dishes, including the pork…
Matanzas Province
Industrial-film-themed private cafe in Cárdenas’ main square that’s a bit hip and very local. Grab a pew amid the metal sculptures and rescued movie…
Matanzas Province
A favorite with Guamá-bound tour buses, this huge place is set up for big groups, but retains fancy decor with lots of stained glass. Prawn, lobster and…
Matanzas Province
Overlooking Parque Echeverría, the lovely Don Ramón woos you with its old-style colonial charm. For a varied sit-down meal, there's nowhere better in…
Varadero
If it's not raining, the 'pink cow' is worth an evening of your time. The place is set on an atmospheric rooftop terrace and serves surf and turf dishes,…
Matanzas
Another artistic surprise on awakening Calle Narváez (aka Calle 97), Pompón is an ice cream–biased cafe that doubles as an art gallery, workshop and…
Varadero
A modest private place that's family-run and rightly lauded for its thoroughly decent food. Seating is half inside and half out. The lobster tails are…
Varadero
Next to a statue of Cervantes' famous Don who seems to be making off rather keenly toward the all-inclusive resorts, this restaurant is one of the eastern…
Varadero
Inexplicably, this unspectacular ranchón-style (rustic, opened-sided restaurant) government-run restaurant remains popular, and it's surely something to…
Matanzas
Settle down on the terraza (terrace) with the local students, taxi drivers and hotel workers on a day off, and contemplate everyday life on Plaza de la…
Playa Girón
Popular post-dive spot in Playa Girón; an open-sided beach-shack-style opposite the approach road to Hotel Playa Girón. Warm up with a cocktail at the bar…
Matanzas Province
Basic restaurant at the boat dock for Villa Guamá, frequented by swarms of tourists bused in from Varadero. The house specialty is crocodile steak made…
Varadero
An old stalwart set in a two-story mansion on the beach, Lai-Lai has traditional Chinese set menus. Food gets mixed reports but, well, if you've been…
